Love, According to Denki

IV

     The air outside is chillier than Bakugou anticipated it to be, and he is pleasantly surprised.

     The two walk down the Yuuei courtyard wordlessly, Kaminari typing away on his phone, Bakugou with eyes trained on the ground. His fixation is almost criminal for someone who is so detached from the world. He watches his shoes scrape unceremoniously across uneven pavement, toes finding rocks to unearth and kick along until boredom sets in and sends him searching for another, newer stone to catapult. They turn out of the schoolyard, Kaminari leading the way, Bakugou trailing just slightly behind - the one time he will ever allow himself to fall behind anyone in anything - and begin on a path to the left, towards town. All is still except for the two figures ambling along the sidewalk.

     A small breeze stirs the witching night air, sending a dusting of gravel and swirls of dead leaves dancing across the street width. Bakugou likes the noise, the hoarse growl of a soon-to-be-coming storm plagued with the first signs of autumn. It's comforting to see the world moving around them, for Bakugou has begun to feel as though he is trapped in some sort of dream, in which the world is frozen in time and he is stuck with Kaminari for a conceivable eternity. But the murmuring of the wind through the trees and the swaying of branches in response is just the sign he needs that he is, in fact, not trapped. Just momentarily fucked, until the night comes to a close and he never has to do this again.

     A trilling sound from just ahead signifies Kaminari has received a message, and judging by his hoot of laughter, it's an entertaining one. Bakugou does not care, but he feigns attention by raising his stare from the ground when Kaminari turns to talk to him.

     "'Suki, get this! Kirishima is gonna come meet up with us! Oh, and he's bringing Tetsu, and he said they're gonna have an eating competition - loser pays for all of our stuff. Ha! Who would you bet on, huh? Me, I'd have money on Kiri. No friend bias, just facts!"

     Bakugou snorts. "You think I give a shit? Free food is free food."

     Consideration flickers across Kaminari's face, and eventually he shrugs, conceding defeat. "Yeah, that's true. I guess it doesn't matter either way." Still, his eyebrows droop a bit, as if saddened that Bakugou is being, well, Bakugou.

     He sighs. "Fucking hell. If you're betting on Kirishima, I'm betting on Tetsu then." Bakugou isn't sure why he says it, but he has to admit, there's a hint of satisfaction earned from watching Kaminari's face grow light and happy.

     "Pfft, really? Bad move. But it's your loss," Kaminari teases, flashing a closed-lipped smile before turning back around and resuming keying another message. Bakugou hesitates for a moment, faltering mid-step. The possibility of other people tagging along seems like crucial information, and he is somewhat irked that this is the first he's hearing of it. Then again, Kaminari isn't one who's known for thoughtful planning, and he supposes that this late at night - or early in the morning - nothing should really come as a surprise. Shaking his head, he plants his foot down a bit too hard and continues on.

     Minutes pass, and Bakugou begins to doubt if Kaminari actually has an end goal with this night out. It doesn't appear that they're going anywhere in particular, and Bakugou's caution is rising with each block they get farther away from Yuuei. He doesn't think Kaminari has it in him to be devious, but this endless nighttime crusade, hidden under the guise of a date-to-end-all-dates, would be near perfect cover for luring him out. Bakugou stuffs his hands into the pockets of his not-pajamas, grateful that he decided on fleece. The added heat will help his palms sweat faster, and sweat is a must-have in the case that he needs to attack.

     "'Suki, check it out! We're here!"

     Bakugou looks up from his shoes just in time to avoid running straight into Kaminari's back, and he for once is thankful for Kaminari's sudden burst of speech. It sure saves him the embarrassment of having to justify being so proximally close to the other hero. Ducking past Kaminari's outstretched arm, Bakugou drinks in the sight of their surroundings, a little less thrilled than he expected himself to be - and he did not expect to be thrilled at all. Buildings line the streets, most with their doors shut and lights out, save for the neon signs advertising what business can be found within the establishment. A few scattered people walk jauntily between shops, talking and laughing and swinging their arms wildly as they discuss clothing displayed in the building windows. But the building Kaminari is pointing to is where the most people are gathered, all lights shining and teeth flashing from smile to sickeningly infectious smile. It's a restaurant, and from the sign plastered on the street-side window, it is open a full 24 hours.

     Great.

     "So, Kiri said he's already here. We can just sit at their table. They got a booth, I'm pretty sure," Kaminari says, and he waves Bakugou forward with a dramatic flick of his wrist. "Let's go! I'm starving. Man, they have the best breakfast food here. And there's hot sauce, so you'll like it."

     At least the hot sauce is a saving throw in this disaster of a night. Bakugou does not enjoy restaurants, but he also does not enjoy going on stupid outings with stupid boys named stupid Denki Kaminari, so it's hard to sink any lower than he already has. Grumbling, he shoves past a chatty group of people huddled outside the restaurant doors. Across the floor, situated against a wall, is a booth with one side of seats taken by a spiky silver-haired man and an equally, if not more spiky, red haired man. Much like those two, Bakugou stands out quite well, what with his disheveled hair and terrifying grimace, so it's no surprise Kirishima spots him almost immediately.

     "Hey, over here, bro!"

     Bakugou grinds his molars together. Stomaching every desire to turn around and leave this place forever, he saunters painstakingly to the booth and slips into the seat, followed shortly by Kaminari, who plops down beside him with a rather content expression. Drinks are already on the table waiting for them, but Bakugou isn't thirsty. He feels his appetite has slipped away almost entirely.

     Kaminari grins and laughs as he bumps fists with Tetsu, then Kirishima, and Bakugou sinks down into his seat with the full weight of defeat crushing him.

     God fucking help me.