Smoking cats - shinsero

A New Dawn

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting soft golden rays across Shinsou's small apartment. He stirred awake, blinking against the light. As he turned to the side, he was greeted by his black haired boyfriend, who was still fast asleep, one arm thrown over his face and the other draped lazily across Shinsou's waist.

He smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. It was a contrast to the heaviness they'd faced in the past days. He carefully shifted to get out of bed without waking the other, the warmth of his body lingering in the spot they had shared. Shinsou tiptoed to the kitchen, the faint aroma of coffee beckoning him.

While waiting for the coffee to brew, he glanced the living room, where Tipi was lazily stretched out on the couch, her tail flicking sporadically as she dreamt. He chuckled softly, knowing that the little black cat was just as much a part of their daily routine as Sero was.

Moments later, the rich smell of coffee filled the air, and the boy poured himself a steaming cup. He leaned against the counter, savoring the warmth in his hands. Memories of the previous days flooded back - Sero's vulnerability, the depth of their connection in that hospital room, and the way Sero had opened up to him.

"Hey, what's cooking in the kitchen?" Sero's voice broke through his thoughts, heavy with sleep but filled with curiosity. He turned, unable to suppress a smile as he watched the boy stretch and yawn like a contented cat.

"Just coffee," he replied, handing him a mug. Their fingers brushed, sending a familiar thrill up Shinsou's arm. "And some breakfast if you want it."

"Always a chef in the morning," the black haired boyfriend teased, taking a sip of the coffee and closing his eyes in delight. "You really know how to spoil a guy."

Shinsou felt a flutter in his chest. "Well, I try," he said, feeling a bit shy under Sero's gaze.

After a quick breakfast, they decided to head to UA together. The school buzzed with the energy of students bustling around, excited for the day ahead. As they walked side by side, their fingers brushed again, this time intertwining naturally.

"I was thinking," the purple haired boy started, his cheeks slightly flushed, "maybe we could hang out tonight, just us?"

Sero raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "You want to take me on a date?"

"Maybe," Shinsou replied, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

"Count me in," the boy said, his grin widening. "What do you have in mind?"

"Something low-key," the purple haired boy suggested. "A movie night? Maybe some snacks?"

"Sounds perfect," Sero said. "Just us and a terrible movie. I'm in."

As they made their way to class, they were greeted by their friends. Kirishima and Mina waved enthusiastically, making their way over.

"Hey! We heard about the big event the other day!" The red haired boy beamed, nudging Sero playfully. "You okay now?"

Sero shrugged, a bit self-conscious but grateful for their concern. "Yeah, just... working through some stuff."

"Right! Keep talking, and you'll be doing just fine!" Mina chimed in, giving Shinsou a knowing look.

As they chatted, Shinsou felt a sense of comfort settle in. Their friends were supportive, and he appreciated that they didn't pry too much. They talked about classes, upcoming assignments, and their plans for the weekend.

"Hey, how about a group hangout?" Kirishima suggested, his excitement palpable. "We could all go to that new arcade that just opened up!"

"Sounds fun!" Sero agreed, shooting his boyfriend a glance. "What do you think?"

Shinsou nodded, the idea of spending time with friends lifting his spirits. "Yeah, let's do it. Just keep it casual."

As the day went on, the purple haired boy found himself enjoying the little moments. They attended classes together, and he watched Sero engage with their friends, his laughter echoing through the hallways. It reminded him of why they had grown so close in the first place.

When lunch rolled around, the group found a table outside. Sero, animated and full of energy, regaled them with stories from his childhood - ones he hadn't shared with Shinsou yet. As he spoke, Shinsou caught the way the boy's eyes sparkled, the way his hands moved expressively, and he couldn't help but smile.

"So what's the plan for tonight, lovebirds?" Mina teased, nudging Shinsou with a grin.

The black haired boy chuckled, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "Just a movie, nothing special."

"Right! Just you two and a bunch of popcorn!" Kirishima added, winking.

Shinsou felt his heart flutter at the playful teasing. "Yep, that's the plan," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

After school, as they made their way back to Shinsou's apartment, Sero seemed a bit quieter than usual. He noticed and glanced at him, concerned. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah, just... thinking," Sero replied, his voice low.

"About?" Shinsou pressed gently, sensing there was more beneath the surface.

"Just life, you know? I'm grateful for you, for all of this," the boy admitted, his gaze focused on the ground ahead.

Shinsou's heart swelled at the other's words. "I feel the same way," he said softly, reaching out to squeeze Sero's hand.

When they reached the apartment, Shinsou set about preparing for their movie night, pulling out snacks and drinks. Sero moved around, helping but also getting distracted by the little things, like Tipi's antics or the way Shinsou organized the living room.

As they settled onto the couch, Tipi curled up between them, and the soft hum of the movie began to fill the space. Sero leaned against his boyfriend, his head resting comfortably on his shoulder.

"This is perfect," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Shinsou smiled, wrapping an arm around Sero's shoulders. They watched the film, sharing popcorn and exchanging light banter, feeling the weight of the world slip away for just a little while.

In this moment, surrounded by warmth, comfort, and the company of each other, Shinsou felt that maybe they were going to be okay.

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