Shinsou was lying back on the grass with his arms folded under his head, one foot propped up on the other knee, soaking up the warmth of the sun. He reminded Kaminari of a cat curled up on a windowsill basking in the sunshine.

They were supposed to be studying together but the sun was too good to pass up and when Kaminari had suggested they sit outside for a break, Shinsou had easily agreed.

"Like what you see?" Shinsou said without cracking an eye, echoing Kaminari's own words from what seemed like so long ago.

Kaminari blinked, shocked out of his thoughts but before he said something, Shinsou spoke again. "Is there something you want to say? I can feel you staring at me."

It was as if nothing had ever happened between them. They slipped easily back into friendship and both seemed to be relieved for it. Kaminari huffed. "You can't feel someone staring at you."

Shinsou cracked his eyes open and looked across at him. "But you were staring."

Kaminari ignored the comment because he hadn't been staring. He'd been looking, there was a difference. "Did you get an invite to Momo's party?"

"I did," and with that he went back to lying in the sunshine with his eyes closed.

Yaomomo was having a party for her birthday at her parents' mansion. Since Kendou's birthday was only a few weeks before her own, the party was for them both so naturally all of class A and B were invited.

"Are you gonna go?" Kaminari asked, trying desperately to keep the hopeful tone out of his voice.

"I'm not."

Disappointed, Kaminari nudged Shinsou's foot with his own. "But it's for Kendo too, she's your study friend isn't she?"

Shinsou didn't even open his eyes when he spoke and Kaminari was glad for it. "If I had a study friend, it would be you."

He tried not to let his heart beat too quickly at his quiet words but he couldn't stop the big dumb grin from taking over his face.

The next night Kaminari couldn't resist sending Shinsou a message just to check if he'd changed his mind. He quickly tapped out a message and sent it.

So you're really not going to the party?

Kaminari grinned when his phone lit up almost instantly.

Parties aren't really my thing

What is your thing?

Coffee, bicycling, purple, cats, horror movies. You was what Shinsou wanted to add but didn't.

*Bad horror movies Kaminari sent back and felt unreasonably fuzzy that Shinsou had quoted him.

Only if you have bad taste

My taste is excellent

When has your taste ever been good?

Dude! Do you need me to write a list? Because I will

Remind me again why I like you

Kaminari clutched his phone to his chest before typing back That's your poor choices I guess

I wouldn't call it a poor choice

Both boys went to bed that night with big stupid smiles.

Even though he was disappointed Shinsou wouldn't be there, Kaminari decided to make the most of the party. He'd bought Momo a set of exotic teas and had put some effort into what he was wearing.

He arrived to the party with Kirishima and Sero and they made their way through the garden, chatting happily. Kaminari pushed through the side gate and scanned the crowd gathered on the back terrace for a familiar head of pink curls or blond spikes.

What he saw first was someone else. He stopped dead and grabbed Kirishima's arm for support.

"Kirishima?"

The red head turned to look at him, his brow crinkled.

"What does gay panic feel like?" Kaminari asked while his eyes never strayed from where they were stuck.

Kirishima followed his line of sight and landed on Shinsou. He wore fitted black jeans and a well worn grey tee which was so loose around the neck his collar bones were peaking out. Kirishima didn't think he looked any different than normal but he could tell his bro was affected as hell.

He laughed and pulled Kaminari into a walk. "I'm pretty sure it feels like this."

"Go talk to him. Now's your time to shine!" Sero said as he clapped him on the shoulder.

"You know I'm no good at flirting with people I actually like! Remember when I had a crush on Jiro last year?"

Sero laughed. "Yeah, the finger guns were a bit much. Maybe go for a thumbs up this time, much more subtle."

"You guys are not helpful at all."

Kirishima and Sero left him far too quickly and he found himself gravitating toward Shinsou.

"Hey, dude! I didn't think parties were your thing," Kaminari said, lifting a questioning brow.

Shinsou shrugged. "I didn't have anything better to do."

Kaminari didn't need to know that Shinsou had only come here because he'd wanted him to. That sounded a little too desperate.

That wasn't quite the glowing recommendation Kaminari had been hoping for and his smile faltered slightly at his lack of enthusiasm.

He felt Shinsou's finger under his chin tilt his head back up to meet his eyes. "What's that face for?" He said with a little smile. "I thought you'd be happy to see me."

The blond covered his surprise at the gesture with a grin. "I am! You could even say I'm shocked," he blurted and finished it off with finger guns.

On a scale of smooth to worst things to come out of his mouth, that was pretty damn close to the worst. And then he'd finger gunned. This was a disaster already and he'd only said hello. He was blaming it squarely on Sero for putting the idea back in his head.

"I need a soda and some sugar," he said before stumbling away to the snack table, leaving a bemused looking Shinsou staring after him.

"Save me," Kaminari hissed into Mina's shoulder as he wrapped her in a quick hug.

She pulled back with an amused smile. "What did you do?"

"Too mortifying, I don't wanna talk about it. Please just keep me away from him." Watching Kaminari have an actual crush on someone was too entertaining and she couldn't help her snicker.

Kaminari had firmly wedged himself between Kirishima and Mina on a couch on the deck where the squad had all congregated. He leaned forward and stole one of the candies Bakugou was eating and popped it in his mouth. His lips pulled inward at the sour flavour and he cringed.

"I bet you can't put three in your mouth at once," he challenged Bakugou. Their friendship was solidly built on dares and taunts.

Not being one to back down from a dare, Bakugou snatched three candies from the bowl. Before stuffing them in his mouth he said, "But I double dare you."

Mina choked on her drink. "Den, you shouldn't assume Bakugou's skills, maybe he can fit three in his mouth at once, you don't know."

Bakugou made a choking sound while Kirishima laughed boisterously at the tease and joined in. "I'd recommend starting with one for a beginner."

Kaminari threw his hands up in the air and muttered, "Tell you I have a crush on a guy one time and the jokes turn into dick jokes."

"Babe, they've always been dick jokes. You just have dick on the brain now," Mina teased.

"Who's got dick on the brain?"

Of fucking course Shinsou chose that exact moment to come over and sit with them.

Mina and Sero, ever the unfaithful wingpeople both burst out laughing. At least Kirishima had the good sense to look sorry.

Kaminari did the only thing he could think to do and shoved his handful of sour candy into his mouth.