Archive of Our Own ^beta

Bakugou's family home was fancy. Not as fancy as Yaoyorozu's house but still fancy enough that Denki stopped by the gate to gape at it. It was a big, single-family house with a well-kept garden. A big centre window was overseeing the middle of the house.

 "I don't think this is a good idea." Denki muttered and Bakugou scowled at him over his shoulder.

 "The hell do you mean, Dunce Face? There's no turning back now, you already agreed!" 

That was technically true. Not that Denki had had much of a choice.

A week ago, Bakugou had used their Squad night to address a personal problem that needed fixing. He'd announced he'd need a fake boyfriend for his family dinner on Friday. It had taken all of them by surprise. Their reactions had ranged from disbelieving to laughing and once they'd calmed down, Bakugou had made it abundantly clear that he hadn't been joking.

Now the thing was that Sero and Kirishima had been immediately out of the question because they were each already dating someone. Not that either of their partners would have minded, Mina had found the idea hilarious but Kirishima had vetoed. Sero had been adamant because he and Todoroki were kind of going out and he didn't want to mess it up with some confusing fake dating situation with Bakugou.

That had left only Denki and since he had a crush on Bakugou for almost two years now, he had agreed a little too easily. Now he was regretting his choices.

 "I just think I was the wrong choice here." Denki hummed in an attempt to get some sort of consolation from Bakugou but the latter merely scoffed. 

 "You're being dumb. You'll be fine, stop selling yourself short already, it's getting old."

With those words, Bakugou turned back and sped toward the door, leaving a little dumbfounded Denki by the gate. It took him a hot second before he managed to fully understand the implications of Bakugou's words when the door opened and he could hear Bakugou Mitsuki greet her son with a loud shout. 

Denki took it as his cue to speed walk up to them. He plastered on a smile and introduced himself to Bakugou's parents.

 "Hah, it's nice to finally meet you, Kaminari. Katsuki told us all about you!" 

Denki would like to doubt that but there was a strange glint to Bakugou's mother's eye that made him re-evaluate her words. Bakugou on the other hand seemed to be embarrassed by his mother and grabbed Denki's hand, pulling him inside.

 "We're upstairs until dinner!" He yelled and his mother returned it by calling him out for not indulging with his parents. Bakugou's father greeted them on their way up and Denki barely managed to introduce himself before Bakugou pushed him along.

 "Call us when dinner's ready!" He said to his father before pushing more prominently at Denki's back.

 "Will do." Bakugou's father smiled and Denki wondered how he could be so calm with the whole situation. It wasn't like Bakugou was really rude but this was technically the first time Bakugou's parents were meeting his 'boyfriend' and Denki thought they were being really rude by leaving for Bakugou's room. Not that Denki had much of a choice in the matter.

Once he was upstairs, he let Bakugou lead him to his old bedroom. It was down the hall, its door covered in 'Get Out!' or 'Stay Away!' stickers, some of which were already peeling off the edges. There were also a few All Might stickers but they seemed old given their withered colour. Bakugou opened the door and pushed Denki inside a little forcefully. 

They stood in silence for a moment as Denki took in the room and Bakugou got comfortable on his bed. Everything was covered in All Might merch and figurines. Denki had to bite the inside of his lip so as to not laugh at the fact Bakugou was just as much of a nerd as Midoriya. Not that they didn't already know this, but to be in Bakugou's childhood room, which he's lived in until they moved into the dorms a year and a half ago, was a completely different story. It truly highlighted his nerdiness.

 "The fuck are you gaping at, Dunce Face!" Bakugou grumbled into the silence and Denki shook his head to come back to the very real reality of him playing Bakugou's fake boyfriend and them having to go down for dinner any moment.

 "Um…Nothing." Denki whispered, not wanting to anger Bakugou but it seemed like the wrong answer because Bakugou was scowling even worse at him now.

 "I know what you're thinking and you better fucking take it to your grave!" He warned and Denki threw up his hands in surrender. 

 "Oh no, it's all good. I was just admiring the amount of All Might merchandise. Everyone has an idol and it's totally cool to like All Might so much. He's a cool dude. I wasn't staring, I swear – I-" Denki cut himself off when he noticed Bakugou's eyes narrow even further. 

He's probably planning my death, Denki thought but then Bakugou let out a deep sigh and vaguely motioned to his desk chair. Denki blinked at it a little dumbfounded before realising that Bakugou was offering him a seat. Maybe he'll die of embarrassment before Bakugou can kill him for other reasons.

 "So, what exactly - um - is our plan?" Denki was tense, he knew and the fact Bakugou could clearly tell, did nothing to soothe his nerves. Bakugou's eyes were always so intense, Denki couldn't look at them for long or he'd get lost in them. Instead he stared at the blue All Might bedding beneath Bakugou, studying the various All Might poses and scripture. 

 "I'll do the talking. If the old hag is asking you something about us just let me answer." 

Denki didn't think they'd get away with Bakugou doing all of the talking, especially since Denki had a hard time shutting up. He really had to concentrate to keep quiet tonight.

 "Right. Shutting up." Denki hummed and Bakugou frowned at him. Sometimes Denki really wondered how he'd fallen in love with Bakugou. It probably helped that Bakugou was very, very attractive. Not that Denki had always allowed himself to think that way but Bakugou had kind of been his bi-awakening - aside from Shinsou with his deep voice.

 "I didn't mean it like that. You can talk. Just don't try to answer any of the hag’s relationship questions. I don't think we can come up with a plausible story that you can remember." Bakugou muttered under his breath. It was Denki's turn to frown now.

 "What's that supposed to mean?" 

He didn't want the words to hurt as much as they did. What type of story would Bakugou try and weave that would be hard to remember? Couldn't they just say they fell in love during class? Now that Denki was thinking about it, he wasn't sure why Bakugou had even claimed to have a boyfriend. He hadn't told the Bakusquad, saying it was personal but Denki was pretty sure he was entitled to know, now that he was playing the part.

Bakugou was looking away from him and Denki's own frown deepened. He needed at least some answers.

 "Why did you tell your parents you had a boyfriend?" He asked, the hurt from before clearly tinting his voice and Bakugou was looking back up at him, his eyes showing how he had heard it too.

 "I -" Bakugou stopped himself and began fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. Denki could have sworn he'd never seen a more vulnerable version of Bakugou than now. He felt the need to speak up again but Bakugou was clearly trying to find words and if Denki were to say something now, he'd fuck it up and he didn't want that. Shut up. Shut up, he thought to himself, biting his lip as he waited.

 "Fuck, Pikachu… I know I owe you the fucking story but - you have to swear not to tell anyone." Bakugou pressed out between clenched teeth and Denki felt his heart beat out of his chest. He nodded his head, not trusting his tongue to manage words.

 "Right. Well. My parents and I had an argument and it ended in me saying I have a boyfriend."

That was very vague in Denki's opinion. Bakugou was evading his eyes. That argument must have been really bad if Bakugou didn't want to elaborate. He was still fidgeting with the cuffs of his hoodie. A nervous manner Denki was very familiar with. He let out a small sigh. He wasn't sure what to say to Bakugou and felt a little awkward at prying for more information. The silence following Bakugou's words lasted a little longer until Denki finally couldn't stand it anymore.

 "So…That argument ended with you claiming to have a boyfriend. You couldn't have a girlfriend because?" Denki asked to fill the silence and Bakugou's head shot up. He was frowning and Denki felt like he'd just fucked up big time. Bakugou's frown turned into a scowl as he seemed to look for words. Denki was almost ready to defend his stupid question when Bakugou got a word in first.

 "I don't remember most of the argument to be honest. But I remember the old hag saying something about how with my attitude, it wasn't a surprise I didn't have a girlfriend and then I told her that I'm not interested in girls anyway and she said that boys wouldn't like me either and then I told her I did have a boyfriend and that's how we got here."

Denki blinked at Bakugou's flushed face. He was evading Denki's eyes again and Denki could feel his own face heat up. Bakugou was really opening up about himself. 

Denki did understand where Bakugou's mother was coming from, though Bakugou had changed significantly over the past year. Sure, he was still grumpy and the scowl was his default expression but he didn't pick unnecessary fights anymore. Bakugou had actually started being really decent and kind whenever he thought no one took notice. He did it in his own way, with a frown and a loud voice but Denki always recognised the kindness behind Bakugou's gestures. It was one of the reasons he liked Bakugou so much and now that he knew he was really truly into boys, Denki wondered if he may have a chance with him.

 "Well, that's unfair of your mom. I get it though–I probably would have panicked and said the same thing." Denki offered his sympathy and Bakugou huffed indignantly. Denki raised his brow in question. 

 "I didn't panic!" Bakugou spat. The fact Denki had a terrible poker face, came back to bite him because he was frowning at Bakugou in disbelief. Crossing his arms, Bakugou held Denki's gaze.

 "No offense, but if you didn't panic, why would you lie?" Denki challenged and Bakugou clenched his jaw as he looked away toward the All Might poster by the door. Maybe Denki was dreaming; this certainly felt like a strange situation to be in with Bakugou of all people.

 "Listen, I get it, you don't want to be here. Let's just get this stupid dinner over with and then I'll tell them it didn't work out next week." 

Denki felt punched in the gut. That's not what he was trying to convey to Bakugou and he didn't know how they got here but he needed to make amends or whatever openness he'd had with Bakugou would be closed off for good. 

 "No wait, that's not what I'm saying. It's all good. I don't mind being your boyfriend. Really." Denki was waving his hands around to somehow underline his words. Bakugou stared back at him and for the first time this evening his face seemed to relax a little.

 "Really? Because you sound like you're uncomfortable with all of this and it's not like I wanted to play pretend with you any–way–" Bakugou's last words stuttered as he looked at Denki with wide eyes. Hurt was probably flashing all over Denki's features, after all, he had no poker face and the words had stung his heart painfully.

 "Wait!" Bakugou shouted before Denki took a step back.

 "No, it's okay, I get it–I wouldn't be my first choice either. I'm loud and obnoxious and don't have a filter–I–talk too much and I'm stupid, only blessed with a good quirk–I get it. No need to apologise–It's not like this–is news–to me. People not wanting me–" Denki felt his chest constrict as the words got harder to say and his spit harder to swallow. He could feel the panic rise to the top and Denki moved another step back, hitting a dresser behind him and knocking over the All Might figurines on it.

 "Kaminari, wait, that's not what I meant." Bakugou said and Denki vaguely recognised the use of his name. "Shit, I'm sorry all of that came out wrong. You're not too much and you're not stupid. You just need a little more time than others, that's nothing to be ashamed of." 

Bakugou was standing now, slowly moving toward Denki. Not that he felt like Bakugou approaching was helping his situation. He shouldn't have agreed to be Bakugou's fake boyfriend in the first place. His head snapped around to look for an exit and his eyes got stuck on the, in sticker covered, door. For a moment he felt like he could probably outrun Bakugou and he took one step when a hand closed around his wrist and froze Denki on the spot.

He didn't dare look back to where Bakugou was.

 "Kaminari." Bakugou pronounced his name clearly and Denki didn't think he'd ever like the sound of his name out of the other's mouth this much. Slowly, he turned his head to look back. He didn't expect to see Bakugou look worried and hurt. It wasn't an expression Bakugou ever showed to them. Denki blinked, turning around, his wrist still in Bakugou's hand. Despite the tense emotional atmosphere, Denki wasn't afraid of Bakugou. He wasn't afraid of Bakugou potentially blowing them up, though he could feel the sweat pool in the other's hand.

 "Fuck–I'm sorry." Bakugou breathed out, clearly struggling with his emotions and Denki knew he himself wasn't faring any better. Denki looked at the knocked over All Might figurine, still rocking from one side to the other. 

 "Me too." Denki whispered as he watched the figurine come to a stop. "I'm sorry for dumping my stupid insecurities on you. That was uncool." Denki couldn't see Bakugou's face but he felt the other's grip tighten around his wrist and suddenly he was yanked close and almost stumbled against Bakugou's chest. His free hand did come up to soften his fall by automatically landing against Bakugou's chest. 

He felt his cheeks burn and Denki knew he must have been bright red. Fortunately Bakugou looked just as flustered and there was something fiery in his gaze. 

 "Don't fucking apologise! As I said before, you're not too much. Not anymore. I don't mind your rambling and you're not obnoxious. Also who said you aren't a first choice?" Bakugou whispered his last words and Denki bit the inside of his lip, trying hard not to look away. 

"You were my first choice." Bakugou breathed and Denki felt his heart stop. He was not allowed to overinterpret this because they were still only fake-dating and Bakugou didn't like him like that and– His worry must have shown on his face because Bakugou let go of his wrist to scratch his neck awkwardly, breaking eye contact with Denki.

 "I'm not lying." He pushed out between clenched teeth and Denki's heart stuttered at the words. "I like being around you, Pikachu." 

Denki knew it was his turn to say something. His brain was trying hard to find the right words, he felt like it was going even faster than usual. It was headache-inducing and Denki wanted nothing more than for it to shut up when he suddenly realised he was allowed to speak his mind.

 "I like you! I love hanging out with you because you don't take anyone's shit but you're also easily riled up and that's fun. You take me seriously and–though you're not showing it all the time–you make me feel–competent. You're kind, even if you like to pretend you're not. I'm grateful to you and that's why I like you!" 

Denki took a deep breath in after rambling his thoughts with no filter without feeling bad for it - after all Bakugou had said it was alright. 

He did refuse to look at Bakugou though; he needed to get his nerves back in check first. It didn't help that they were still standing unbelievably close. A moment of silence followed his words and Denki slowly dared to meet the other's eyes. He was staring at Denki, mouth agape and eyes full of surprise. Denki couldn't find any malicious intent in Bakugou's features and he used that information to calm himself down. Bakugou shut his mouth, blinking down at Denki and then he wiped his hands. Denki watched the movement closely, following Bakugou's hands up only for them to land on Denki's face. He blinked and then Bakugou pulled him close again.

 "I can't believe I'm saying this–" Bakugou huffed and he was so close, Denki could feel his breath against his face, "–but–I like you too."

Denki couldn't believe the words he'd heard and he opened his mouth to ask for clarification when suddenly he felt a pair of lips on his own. His heart felt like it was beating out of his chest and it took Denki a hot second to catch up with what was happening. He closed his eyes and kissed back, his hands coming up to hold onto Bakugou's waist. Bakugou leaned further down, deepening their kiss and Denki was sure something was wrong with him. He was feeling fuzzy and lightheaded and like his stomach was doing backflips inside his body.

They parted after what felt like hours - which was probably around a minute of kissing - and Denki had to catch his breath. Bakugou was flushed bright red and breathing heavily and Denki couldn't help but smirk up at him.

 "Well, that wasn't so bad." He commented because of course his unfiltered brain had to say something. He wanted to throw his hands over his mouth when Bakugou took a step back and started straight up cackling. Denki blinked at him in confusion while Bakugou continued to laugh, full and loud, a laugh Denki had never heard from him. It might be his new favourite sound.

 "What's funny?" He asked with a little indignance at the fact Bakugou wasn't stopping. Clutching his stomach, Bakugou managed to calm down enough to look back at Denki, a bright smile on his lips. Denki absolutely loved the expression and he was getting even more flustered.

 "Never change! I mean it." Bakugou breathed and Denki bit his lip because of course Bakugou would choose just the right words to say to him and make him even more flustered.

 "Hah, red suits you." Bakugou grinned and Denki couldn't help but punch his shoulder lightly. Bakugou was unperturbed, smirking down at Denki, who rolled his eyes but smiled back anyway.

 "So–Does this make us real boyfriends now?" Denki hummed and Bakugou grunted.

 "Fuck yeah. I'm not half-assing this now!" Bakugou declared and Denki laughed lightly. That's how he'd known Bakugou to be and so he wasn't surprised.

 "Good. So, what are we going to tell your parents?" Denki wondered and Bakugou turned bright red, shuffling around awkwardly and looking away.

 "I may have told my mum about you before–not on purpose–you just came up a few times." 

Denki couldn't believe his ears and he flushed as red as Bakugou himself.

 "You had a crush–" Denki realised and Bakugou scoffed, tough attitude returning to him.

 "I'm just warning you." He defended and Denki couldn't help but smile. 

 "Right. So this will be more embarrassing for you than me." Denki smirked and Bakugou gaped at him with indignance. He wanted to retort something when Bakugou's mother's voice echoed up the stairs.

 "BOYS! DINNER IS READY!"

Bakugou glared at Denki, "Don't" 

Denki snorted as he made his way to the door, "I wasn't going to say anything. You made it clear you'll do the talking." He smirked and Bakugou huffed but grabbed Denki's hand to intertwine them and together they went downstairs to have dinner with Bakugou's parents - as real boyfriends instead of fake.