I Even Like His Shocking Pickup Lines [ShinKami]

Like a Mad Scientist

Whether by choice or a construct of his limited social interactions after the manifestation of his quirk, Shinsou was an introvert. He had a daily socialising limit that, once reached, rendered him quiet and cranky.

More so than usual.

He was all too aware that that limit was quickly being eaten up by Kaminari's endless chatter as they worked on their reports together in his room but he found himself unable to be annoyed at the other.

Talking to someone like Kaminari held a safe kind of appeal. A normal conversation consisted of an equal amount of input and relied on lengthy responses from both parties.

Shinsou's responses were more often than not, carefully crafted in a way that would make the other respond. So yes, he was a great conversationalist but it took a great deal of effort and he'd never had a lot of opportunities for conversations just for the sake of enjoying them. The other person would usually tense up when they spoke to him, making them both uncomfortable.

Conversations with Kaminari weren't like that. He filled all available space with his own chatter and there was something inherently comforting about not having to think of something to reply.

He never indicated that Shinsou's minimalist responses and lack of facial expression were anything but normal, he just carried on talking. He never once made Shinsou feel as though he wasn't keeping up his own end of the conversation either, even though he definitely wasn't.

But when Shinsou did have something to say, Kaminari listened with as much enthusiasm as he had when talking. It was comfortable. Easy.

"You never answered my question about what it was like growing up with your quirk," Shinsou took the opportunity to say as Kaminari finished his newest story.

Kaminari paused for a moment and considered how to answer. "Honestly? Sometimes it wasn't great. I could never control it so I used to accidentally shock anything I touched. It started out as just little zaps but as I got older, it got stronger and I'd shock people if they were too near so everyone would avoid getting too close to me."

He looked up to see Shinsou listening intently. "It took me a long time to learn how to control it properly so I guess that's why I'm so touchy now. Now that I can touch people without frying them. Or myself."

"Is it always there or do you have to draw it out?" Shinsou asked.

"It's always there but at a harmless level, kinda just a hum. Feel." Kaminari shifted so they were knee to knee and held up his hand for Shinsou to press his palm against his.

Shinsou raised his hand slowly and pressed his hand against Kaminari's, his skin tingled everywhere they touched and he felt the sensation slowly travel up his arm. The hair on the back of his arm rose as the feeling continued further up.

Kaminari let his electricity travel over Shinsou's whole body until he could feel it everywhere.

Kaminari drew his hand back by just a centimetre and Shinsou marvelled at the small lines of electricity that connected their fingertips before the blond pressed his hand against his again.

Shinsou's eyes drifted from where their hands connected, to Kaminari's face and the soft smile that sat on his lips.

Kaminari's small, private smile grew wider as he took in the sight of Shinsou just before he cracked up laughing. "You look like, like a mad scientist!"

Shinsou shoved at his palm and the blond toppled back, landing on his back on the floor, still laughing. All the electricity left him with a pop and Shinsou felt his hair deflate. That must have been what he was laughing at.

Kaminari propped himself on an elbow to look back at him and answered with a shrug and a devastatingly unapologetic, "Sorry, dude."

Shinsou wondered how much trouble he'd get in if he throttled him with his capture weapon but he felt the side of his face pulling up into a smile.

"What about you? What was it like?" Kaminari asked him, his voice uncharacteristically gentle as he sat back up.

Shinsou considered brushing over the truth but Kaminari had that quality that just made him feel safe.

"I didn't realise I was doing it when it first manifested. I just thought people wanted to do what I said. Then my parents-" he released a breath before continuing, "Then my parents got scared of me."

Shinsou looked across at the blond, already prepared for the pity that he would find. "I couldn't tell you the number of times I've been told it's the perfect quirk for a villain."

There was a fierce sincerity to Kaminari that was usually hidden under a charming smile, and that sincerity was all Shinsou could see as he looked back at him. Not an ounce of pity.

So he continued, "Anyone who verbally responds to me is susceptible to my quirk. Of course I have to choose to activate it but people are naturally untrusting so they have always avoided talking to me."

"That coupled with my insomnia inspired look meant I wasn't easy to make friends with. So I covered it by telling myself I didn't need them and developed this stoic facade. Then one day it just wasn't a mask anymore."

Kaminari volunteered his thoughts easily, sometimes without needing to be asked. Shinsou was the opposite. Monosyllabic, often yes or no. He never gave his thoughts freely. They had to be worked for. So Kaminari felt a sense of honour that he trusted him with this piece of information, gave him this insight into himself.

They drifted into silence for a few heavy moments before Kaminari spoke, breaking them both out of their own thoughts.

"Hey, Tosh?" Kaminari said as he looked across at him. If it was any other time, Shinsou would have protested at the too-familiar nickname but the expression Kaminari wore made him bite off his retort.

Kaminari kept looking at him until Shinsou raised his eyes and met his. "You are enough. You know that, right?"

Shinsou didn't know what exactly he was referring to but somehow, they were the exact words he'd been needing to hear.

His eyes searched Kaminari's face, trying to find an ounce of insincerity but he came up short. All he could see was that real, genuine quality that Kaminari radiated and it made his chest feel tight.