April 22, 2025 • 24 mins
Read on AO3 here!
Pairing: Kirishima Eijirou x Bakugou Katsuki, Fandom: MHA, Rating TSummary: "So I just almost commented a thirsty ass message under the person’s page instead of in a DM to my friend so to celebrate my Near Death Experience I propose a KrBk Social Media AU to celebrate me about damn near passing away.
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Katsuki and Kiri drifted apart after school.They get offers to work at agencies across the country from each other and life just happened… there was never a fight or a drop of bad blood, they just became peripheral to each other’s lives. Not in their hearts, but…Until Katsuki, now 32, the current number 2 hero (constantly swapping spots with number one Deku) heard through his friends that Kirishima is coming back to their side of Japan. He was coming back.Uploading this now even tho the public pod won't get it until next week bc it was a poll winner and we had two winners this month!
Pairing: Kirishima Eijirou x Bakugou Katsuki, Fandom: MHA, Rating TSummary: "So I just almost commented a thirsty ass message under the person’s page instead of in a DM to my friend so to celebrate my Near Death Experience I propose a KrBk Social Media AU to celebrate me about damn near passing away.
-
Katsuki and Kiri drifted apart after school.They get offers to work at agencies across the country from each other and life just happened… there was never a fight or a drop of bad blood, they just became peripheral to each other’s lives. Not in their hearts, but…Until Katsuki, now 32, the current number 2 hero (constantly swapping spots with number one Deku) heard through his friends that Kirishima is coming back to their side of Japan. He was coming back.Uploading this now even tho the public pod won't get it until next week bc it was a poll winner and we had two winners this month!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, and we're back with the other pole winner
from the Patreon for April. Uh. Normally the pole winners
for what comes out first, but because we had a
split tie, I ended up being instead of first. I
ended up deciding that both of them would get recorded
this month instead of one of them winning out over
(00:22):
the other because I did not in the moment think
of a tiebreaker, and after that, I was like, I
could have done a tiebreaker, but it's okay because I'm
also sometimes happy, sometimes usually happy to give the people
what they want. And what the people want is back
to me by therapist Baccago the Carrybaccu fig So I
am excited about recording this one. I remembered a few
(00:45):
recording sessions ago that this is one that is inspired
by some real shit that I almost did, and that's
why on AO three it's part of a collection called
Inspired by my sitcom of a Life, So I hope
everybody joys. The rating is G darkive warning supply. It
is a kirie bakuso, a katski, and adrero thick from
(01:09):
my hero Academia. It has the tags social media pro heroes,
fluff fluff out, the wazoo posted on Twitter. It is
no longer posted on Twitter because nothing is posted on
my Twitter of my works, I've taken them all off
and I'm not on Twitter. I am on Blue Sky,
So you can find me on Blue Sky at therapized
Bakka go. So it's like at Therapistpaku dot b sky
(01:32):
top social But obviously if you look up therapist Bacca
go on Blue Sky you'll find me. I need to
post more and more regularly, especially about the pod fix.
But I'm the you know nich you ever think about
social media and go vibe? Anyway, here we go summary.
(01:55):
So I just almost commented a thirsty ass message under
someone's page instead of in a DM to a friend.
So to celebrate my near death experience, I propose a
kiribauk with social media au to celebrate me about damn
near passing away. Kotsky and Kiri drifted apart after school.
They get offers to work at agencies across the country
from each other, and life just happens. There was never
(02:16):
a fight or a drop of bad blood. They just
became peripheral to each other's lives, not in their hearts.
But until Kotsky No. Thirty two, the number two hero
constantly swapping spots with number one. Tachoo heard through his friends,
a Kishima is coming back to their side of Japan.
(02:37):
He's coming back. Notes this is short, fluffy and funny.
I was always trying to make something out of my
mortifying life, and it has a tag for my Twitter.
But that's like obviously old, so I'm not gonna add
that because I'm not there anymore. So don't bother. Uh,
All right, here we go. Katskay and Kiri drifted apart
(02:57):
after school. They get offers to work at agencies across
the country from each other, and life just happens. There
was never a fight or drop of bad blood. They
just became peripheral to each other's lives, not in their hearts.
But until Kotski, now thirty two, the current number two hero,
constantly swapping spots with number one. Deko heard through his
(03:19):
friends that Kishima's coming back to their side of Japan.
He's coming back back to Kotski, but the Blonde shook
that thought away. Apparently Kirshimu's return had even been had
even been announced on social media. Narkotski never really did
social media. He always made a point to remind his
friends of what a pointless time suck at all is. Frankly,
(03:40):
it's also because deep down he's a little worried that
if he saw the Redhead every day on a screen
and never in person, he'd a never be able to
pretend to get over his feelings and b spend all
of his free time cyber stocking him. In truth, he
hasn't seen his old best friend properly in almost fifteen years.
Sometimes he'll catch a flash of Red Ride on TV
but change the channel, or be showing a photo from
(04:01):
his friends visiting the Sturdy Hero, but he always shoved
them aside and changed the subject. He's remained very discipline
in his self imposed Kiashima ban. If it's one thing
he's got, it's fucking discipline in spates, so many spates.
So when he heard Kiroshimas announced his return in a
public statement, he thought about that discipline. Yeah, and he caved.
(04:25):
He caved knowing Carrie's really coming back, actually staying and
coming back into his life and wants to see them,
all of them. Kotsky decided he has got to prepare himself.
It's just smart to look online first to prepare he's
being a smart person, a good hero. Frankly, it's strategy. Yeah.
(04:45):
He waited until he got home after work, after he's
had dinner and taken a long shower, even done some
self care to prepare for whatever happens when he logs
into his official Twitter for the first time after years
of his PR team managing it. God asking them for
the word at work had been terrifying, and the intern
had cried relief for fear. He who knew, he swore
(05:06):
they got weirder every year and less scared of him.
Horrible trend. Huh. He took a deep breath. He was ready,
he could do this. It was really just a bunch,
just a bunch of of ones and Zero's you know,
so fuck it, fuck it, fuck it. His feed is
just other heroes, some of the charity organizations he's worked
(05:29):
with over the years. He was very clear with his
team about not following just anyone, and he'll have to
have words with them about following Decu's account. Shitead follows
him back the Audacity. The first thing he does is
comment under a picture of a Zuku and say fucking Nerd,
and Azuku comments almost immediately with ditto welcome to Twitter,
(05:50):
and their fans absolutely lose their minds, having always loved
the highly public brotherly rivalry they always had, he snorted
and scrolled on. He liked to post her moravity about
her kickboxing workout with Kreati, commented a puking emoji on
the engagement photo of Shodo and Cellophane. This is kind
of fun, he thought, putting a thumbs down emoji on
another one of Zuku's posts that happened to pop up
(06:11):
on his feed before he refocused on his mission and
typed in Kirishima's hero name, and his profile popped up.
All those years and he's just right there, so easily.
Kotsky swatted away the intrusive whisper, asking him if he'd
if it had always been that easy, and maybe if
he should have. The picture is still minimized and small,
(06:33):
but clearly Kiroshima had hair. He hadn't become tragically ugly
the years so far, so Kotsky took a deep breath
and clicked, and boy did he have hair. Kotsky had
a shift in his fucking seat to look at pro
hero red riot Kiashimi Adro thirty two fucking tank of
(06:58):
a person shirtless, with pierced nipples and hair down his back.
His bright red hair was now in a ponytail so
long Kotsky just wanted to run his fingers through it.
The urge was so strong and so familiar that for
a moment, Kotsky was sixteen in his dorm, staring at
his best friend at his desk. A moment too long,
and he blinked. He clicked on the media tab and
(07:21):
found a video. The video just as he got a
text from Ochako. Have you seen him yet? She texted
him via the Twitter dams. Are he's still piding? Or what?
She deemed as if she didn't know the answer, as
if she hadn't happily fanned the flames of his longtime
affections for about a decade. He wondered briefly if befriending
(07:43):
her and trusting her with his crush was a mistake
all those years ago. Perhaps he should have known being
friends would only push her from being a badass to
being a fucking demon who took personal amusement at his suffering.
But it made him kind of proud, tbh. He scrolled
down the media tab and ignored her as he picked
on Karashima's most recent post. It's Kishima in the ugliest
(08:06):
shorts Kotsky's every scene in his life. They're mustard yellow.
With his hair, he looks like a fucking McDonald's ad,
which boo, we fucking hate McDonald's. Fuck McDonald's. He's also
shirtless and sweaty from a workout, So now Kosky's thinking
about fucking and Ronald McDonald all in the same moment,
(08:27):
which is beyond upsetting. But Kiashima's hot, so he forgives him.
He's beautiful, Really, John I chiseled by the gods, long
eyelashes framing bright red eyes. He's stopped shaving and dyeing
his brows. Kotsky noticed well shaped black eyebrows where brown
red stubs used to sit framing his face. In fact,
the black roots Kishima used to so anxiously hide are
(08:50):
now highly visible, a few inches grown out. It's not
just the tank body or his long hair. It's Kishima.
It's his warm eyes, it's his smile, it's his radiance
that hasn't dimmed since school. If anything gets grown into
a near blinding light, Kotsky suddenly feels more in love
than ever, and it says if he never stopped, which
(09:12):
he hadn't. Really, he's so attracted to Kiashuma it's not
even funny. He clicked on the post to DM it
til Chaco and typed, Holy fuck, how was he still
so hot? Though? Shorts are fucking heinous, but he's so hot.
I don't even care that he made me think about
sex and McDonald's disgusting. He's so gorgeous, fuck horrible. I
love him. And then he waited. Oh boy, he waited.
(09:37):
He grabbed his water from the home boy from the counter,
closed to his eyes. What a sight. Thank god he
decided to check out pictures and videos first. If he'd
seen Kiashima in person, but after so long, he would
have just absolutely lost his school in front of him. God,
he might have accidentally exploded something for the first time
in years. Mina had said something about a barbecue to
(09:59):
welcome back, so he probably wouldn't be in his hero
suit when he first saw him again. God, what if
he tied his hair back when he wasn't working. What
if he showed up in a T shirt some less
hideous shorts with his hair tied back and then took
his shirt off Because of course, he wouldn't anyway the
Scatzi's fantasy buzza. He glanced down and frowned when he
(10:20):
saw his inbox number climbing rapidly along with his notifications.
The top message, which was the newest one from Urdaka.
He clicked on it and he read it before it
disappeared from the top of the screen. You're so fucking dump.
What the fuck? He read out loud, indignant and confused
as he opened their chat his message. Wasn't there all
(10:47):
The blood drinked from his face, from his extremities. His
fingers were cold, his nose was cold. Why was his
nose cold? Was his death? So that's how it ended.
His feet were cold. He felt a tremor in his spine,
and he clicked on Kurashima's page, not even checking the notifications.
And he clicked on the video that he had he
(11:07):
had been looking at. And he saw his own profile
picture immediately verified, sign and all. And he saw his
comment and he saw the numbers on it. Fourteen thousand
(11:29):
likes in two minutes, six thousand retweets, nine hundred comments
and counting. Ice crept down his chin. As he went
to his notification stab he knew his team had set
it to mutuals only and still from cellophane. Holy shit,
(11:55):
dude from Chargebolt, I knew it. Everyone owes me a
million Yon Alien queen, Oh honey, oh honey, eyeball emoji
Hey at Manliest Hero Deku five skull emojis rip catch on,
(12:20):
under which your av had commented he died how he
lived stupidly. Kotsky saw a bright red profile picture in
his notifications, but not for comment, for a like at
Manliest Hero liked your tweet. His fingers were so cold
(12:45):
he kind of hoped this was death. And then he
got a DM A bright red profile picture popped up.
Kotsky wondered if maybe it would be okay to retire
with the number two spot after all, because he'd have
to retire in order to pack up and leave Japan
and find an iceberg and float himself off on it.
And then the dams opened and it was Red Riot
(13:07):
texting him, I missed you too, because unless this isn't you,
I mean I did miss you, but I do. But
if this isn't you, then I didn't miss you. I
missed Kotsky. Can you call me? Here's my number. The
body formerly known as Bakaya. Kotsky stared down at the
number and woo, God, fucking damn it. He is a
(13:30):
fucking hero. He's not a fucking coward. He's not a
fucking worse. He could press a fucking button. He could
press a fucking button. He clicked the number, he clicked
the green button, and he buttered on speakerphone. It only
rang half a ring. Kotsky hadn't even knowne it was
possible to pick up a phone that fast, But it's happened.
Now he's seen it. Maybe he should hang up and
call Guinness, you know, instead, to alert them of a
(13:52):
new world record. Maybe he should do you love me?
Karoshima's voice was so deep, deeper, and then he remembered,
and there was something like hope and something like desperation
and something like home in it. Kotsky would have never
expected those words to come out in that gorgeous voice
aimed at him, much less to be the first thing
he hears from him in years. And Kotsky lets out
(14:15):
of shaky breath. He hadn't realized he was holding Kiashima.
Kotsky said finally, with all the softness, all the tender care,
all the years of unspoken love leaking out, and he
feels all his bravado and all his fear bleed out
of him in time, in the time it takes for
Kotsk for Kishima's laugh to hit his ears. Kotsky, you have,
(14:40):
why I do? I do I have? Kotski replied to
his initial question, and Kurashima sounded like he was sinking
to his knees Kotsky. Kotski could suddenly clearly imagine him
closing his eyes and the indent between them on his forehead,
and he could see him worrying his lip with a
(15:01):
sharp pair of teeth, just like he used to. Don't
clinch your jaw. Kotsky murmurs and karoshimils at the beginnings
of a dry sob Shut up, Currie, choked, shut up.
I just learned that you love me and you think
I'm hot, and that I looked like fucking fast food
from a tweet. Don't make me, don't Kirshima's breath was ragged.
(15:27):
I knew coming back, could. I hoped maybe we finally
would be that. I didn't expect Kotsky, Kishima, what are
you feeling, Kotsky asked, because they're grown. They're grown, and
he's grown, and he has grown, and he can compartmentalize
(15:50):
his own reactions until he gets an answer, a real
solid answer, to chase the last bits of cold from
his rapidly eating body. And there's a cracking sound, as
if Kishima's phone is a pressure. For a moment before
Kirie's voice hits his ears, there was a tired sigh,
and Kotsky heard ag Ro thump his head back against
whatever he's sitting against. God's gay. I don't think there's
(16:12):
a single world out there where I haven't always been yours.
And no, Kotsky wasn't ready for that. It's a good
thing they're doing this on the phone off. If this
were in person, he thought, as he sniffled a little,
then he might have cried. Yeah, he said instead, and
thanked every God ever named that his voice wasn't wobbly.
(16:35):
So you're coming home soon? Yeah right? He damn near whispered,
and Karashimo is silent, and for a moment Kosky got scared.
But then he's hit with this knowledge, this mental image,
the knowledge that the redhead is nodding at his phone,
and that's why it's silent. Probably overcome with emotion, and
(16:58):
he laughs when he hears curious a sniffle and hold
back tears with moderate to non existent success. Don't knod
on the phone, big rock, He laughed, wet lee, and
Kishima was laughing with him, and he sounded wet too.
I'll be home soon, Karashima said, sooner. Katski heard movement
as I Kiashima damn near leapt his feet, was trying
(17:20):
to figure out how to move his departure up to
this very second. Calm down, Kotsky said, I'm not going
anywhere else. He cleared his throat, voiced gravelly and deep.
I'll still love you in a few days, No need
to rush. He bit his lip and relish Kirshimu's delighted noises.
(17:41):
So yeah, promise, kios she must stop moving. And this
time it's Katsky nodding on the phone. Yeah promise. We
waited this long, right, Yeah we have. I want to
take you on a date, spilled from Kiashima's lips. A
lot of dates, God, fuck, so much time? How long
(18:03):
have you? Don't think about that? Kotski cut him off,
and it's as much to Kishima ask to himself don't
think about how long it's been, don't think about how
much we've missed. Maybe they need this time apart, he
thinks maybe he needed it. He didn't want to say
how long he's loved Kiroshima, in part because he doesn't
remember what it's like to not love Kiashima. And if
(18:25):
the redhead cries again, then he'll start crying, and that
just won't do. Dates sound good, he says, instead, I'm
thinking three, three dates. kioShiMa sounded alarmed, like his eyebros
ad chot up his fora and he's making that face
he made years ago, wh Kotzi would tutor him and
he got a problem wrong when he got it right,
(18:45):
just to tease him for a second. That's it, Katski,
he whined, Yeah, Kotski replied, I think that's a good
number of dates before you move in, Oh, Kashima said,
unless you don't want to, Kotsky added, but was quickly
(19:06):
cut off. No, No, I think that sounds right, Karashima's
grins leaking into his voice. Uh, how many until you
let me seal the deal? Then all the air left
Kotsky's lungs in one fell swoop as images of large
hands on his waist, plush lips on his skin, and
(19:29):
warm eyes looking down at him. Flooded his brain. Oh,
he said, his voice gruffing deep. You can do that
on date one. To his surprise, Kashima gasped before groaning
his lame Kotsky, He sounded like he was screwing up
(19:49):
his face. I meant fuck you'r het I meant I
meant when can we just say fuck it and get married?
Kotsky stared at the phone on his lap, dizzy from
the confusion and his blood after being torn between migrating
south and north and flooding his face. Are you are you?
(20:11):
You're it, Kotsky. It's always been you know, it can't
be anyone else at least, and there's that sliver of insecurity.
Kosky knows too, and he's known for so long, at
least for me. Karoshima finishes, Kotsky licked his lips and
closed his eyes. You're in Osaka, still right, Kowski glanced
(20:33):
at his emergency go back by the door and figured
he could probably still fit a suit in it. You
could probably take out the grenades, starged with his sweat.
Probably yeah, for four more days Kiaroshima replied a little breathlessly.
And maybe it's crazy, maybe it's not necessary to go
so fast, but is it fast? And you've been in
(20:55):
love since you were fifteen. I mean, you'd saved each
other's lives more times than you could count before you
you were eighteen, when it's been nearly twenty years of
total pining and loving and bone deep knowing it's yeah,
it's probably still crazy. They have so much to catch
up on, and Kotsky's excited to think about the privilege
of getting to know Adro all over again. But he
also already knows just from these few minutes that everything
(21:17):
that matters is the same. And he also has so
much PTO it's kind of embarrassing. Deco and Aravity can
manage an agency just find without him for a minute,
and his sidekicks would probably appreciate him taking a break,
especially for this. Kiyoshima adrerow, I'll be there and give
me five hours, maybe four, fuck it, I'll fly the
(21:39):
rest of the way. Yeah, yes, please, yes, I'll pick
you up. Just give me your address and be home
with the tucks if you I mean a few yes,
kioShiMa laughed and then added, I do I do? Are you?
Are you sure? Was already shoving the suit into the
(22:01):
bag that he'd have ripped out of his closet, while
Simon Lacy trying to slip on shoes and text to
Zuku to come water his plants while he's away. So
was he sure? Couldn't be more sure? I'll see you soon, Adrea.
He switched the call to video, and within seconds he
was looking at karash She made Adre thirty two with
a grin the size of the sun and te your
(22:21):
streaked cheeks, looking at his own screen like he'd witnessed
something holy. His entire expression shifted to tender recognition, and
Kaski felt his own shift to match, adoring red eyes
combing over every inch of him that they could see. Yeah, Kaski,
I love you. I'm in love with you. I oh
(22:43):
my god, please don't Kaski just karrish you must, sniffled
through his smile and wiped his hand in his eyes.
Save it for the vowels, Okay, save it for the vowels. Yeah, okay, okay,
I'll go then. I love you too. I love you,
I love you, Kashimi repeated in a reverend tone as
I still comprehending that he could say that out loud,
(23:05):
as if he'd been waiting for a long time. For
a second, Kotsky contemplated staying on the line and listening
to Adri profess his love every second until he got there,
but he knew if he indulged, he'd never be able
to stop because there would never be enough save it
for the ows. He pairted it with a smile, I'll
see you soon, and there you go. Obviously, that part,
(23:29):
like all of that shit, and did not happen to me.
It's inspired by the fact that I accidentally I meant
to send something to a friend to be like, you know, thirsty,
and I accidentally almost hit the comment section instead. Because
luckily nothing happened, I didn't do that. I just told
my friend about it. It was like Jesus Christ, that almost happened.
And that was in What Is This Says, published in
(23:51):
twenty twenty two. But I think this happened a bit before,
because I don't think I first of I don't know
when I posted this originally on Twitter, and then I
don't know when it happened versus when I posted it.
So say Levey, this is a work so many people
love and like, and I really appreciate that. It's almost
(24:12):
I don't know, it's weird to read because I would
never write anything like this now. Not that I don't
still like to write romantic stuff. I do. I just
I don't know. This was a product of its time,
you know, and I can I can see that it
(24:33):
is very fluffy. I think that's it. I don't really
write stuff that's just like that fluffy, ever, so it's
probably good to give it a shot. And you know,
it's always good to write out of your comfort outside
of your comfort zone. So I hope you enjoyed. I
will see everybody next time. Bye.
All right, and we're back with the other pole winner
from the Patreon for April. Uh. Normally the pole winners
for what comes out first, but because we had a
split tie, I ended up being instead of first. I
ended up deciding that both of them would get recorded
this month instead of one of them winning out over
(00:22):
the other because I did not in the moment think
of a tiebreaker, and after that, I was like, I
could have done a tiebreaker, but it's okay because I'm
also sometimes happy, sometimes usually happy to give the people
what they want. And what the people want is back
to me by therapist Baccago the Carrybaccu fig So I
am excited about recording this one. I remembered a few
(00:45):
recording sessions ago that this is one that is inspired
by some real shit that I almost did, and that's
why on AO three it's part of a collection called
Inspired by my sitcom of a Life, So I hope
everybody joys. The rating is G darkive warning supply. It
is a kirie bakuso, a katski, and adrero thick from
(01:09):
my hero Academia. It has the tags social media pro heroes,
fluff fluff out, the wazoo posted on Twitter. It is
no longer posted on Twitter because nothing is posted on
my Twitter of my works, I've taken them all off
and I'm not on Twitter. I am on Blue Sky,
So you can find me on Blue Sky at therapized
Bakka go. So it's like at Therapistpaku dot b sky
(01:32):
top social But obviously if you look up therapist Bacca
go on Blue Sky you'll find me. I need to
post more and more regularly, especially about the pod fix.
But I'm the you know nich you ever think about
social media and go vibe? Anyway, here we go summary.
(01:55):
So I just almost commented a thirsty ass message under
someone's page instead of in a DM to a friend.
So to celebrate my near death experience, I propose a
kiribauk with social media au to celebrate me about damn
near passing away. Kotsky and Kiri drifted apart after school.
They get offers to work at agencies across the country
from each other, and life just happens. There was never
(02:16):
a fight or a drop of bad blood. They just
became peripheral to each other's lives, not in their hearts.
But until Kotsky No. Thirty two, the number two hero
constantly swapping spots with number one. Tachoo heard through his friends,
a Kishima is coming back to their side of Japan.
(02:37):
He's coming back. Notes this is short, fluffy and funny.
I was always trying to make something out of my
mortifying life, and it has a tag for my Twitter.
But that's like obviously old, so I'm not gonna add
that because I'm not there anymore. So don't bother. Uh,
All right, here we go. Katskay and Kiri drifted apart
(02:57):
after school. They get offers to work at agencies across
the country from each other, and life just happens. There
was never a fight or drop of bad blood. They
just became peripheral to each other's lives, not in their hearts.
But until Kotski, now thirty two, the current number two hero,
constantly swapping spots with number one. Deko heard through his
(03:19):
friends that Kishima's coming back to their side of Japan.
He's coming back back to Kotski, but the Blonde shook
that thought away. Apparently Kirshimu's return had even been had
even been announced on social media. Narkotski never really did
social media. He always made a point to remind his
friends of what a pointless time suck at all is. Frankly,
(03:40):
it's also because deep down he's a little worried that
if he saw the Redhead every day on a screen
and never in person, he'd a never be able to
pretend to get over his feelings and b spend all
of his free time cyber stocking him. In truth, he
hasn't seen his old best friend properly in almost fifteen years.
Sometimes he'll catch a flash of Red Ride on TV
but change the channel, or be showing a photo from
(04:01):
his friends visiting the Sturdy Hero, but he always shoved
them aside and changed the subject. He's remained very discipline
in his self imposed Kiashima ban. If it's one thing
he's got, it's fucking discipline in spates, so many spates.
So when he heard Kiroshimas announced his return in a
public statement, he thought about that discipline. Yeah, and he caved.
(04:25):
He caved knowing Carrie's really coming back, actually staying and
coming back into his life and wants to see them,
all of them. Kotsky decided he has got to prepare himself.
It's just smart to look online first to prepare he's
being a smart person, a good hero. Frankly, it's strategy. Yeah.
(04:45):
He waited until he got home after work, after he's
had dinner and taken a long shower, even done some
self care to prepare for whatever happens when he logs
into his official Twitter for the first time after years
of his PR team managing it. God asking them for
the word at work had been terrifying, and the intern
had cried relief for fear. He who knew, he swore
(05:06):
they got weirder every year and less scared of him.
Horrible trend. Huh. He took a deep breath. He was ready,
he could do this. It was really just a bunch,
just a bunch of of ones and Zero's you know,
so fuck it, fuck it, fuck it. His feed is
just other heroes, some of the charity organizations he's worked
(05:29):
with over the years. He was very clear with his
team about not following just anyone, and he'll have to
have words with them about following Decu's account. Shitead follows
him back the Audacity. The first thing he does is
comment under a picture of a Zuku and say fucking Nerd,
and Azuku comments almost immediately with ditto welcome to Twitter,
(05:50):
and their fans absolutely lose their minds, having always loved
the highly public brotherly rivalry they always had, he snorted
and scrolled on. He liked to post her moravity about
her kickboxing workout with Kreati, commented a puking emoji on
the engagement photo of Shodo and Cellophane. This is kind
of fun, he thought, putting a thumbs down emoji on
another one of Zuku's posts that happened to pop up
(06:11):
on his feed before he refocused on his mission and
typed in Kirishima's hero name, and his profile popped up.
All those years and he's just right there, so easily.
Kotsky swatted away the intrusive whisper, asking him if he'd
if it had always been that easy, and maybe if
he should have. The picture is still minimized and small,
(06:33):
but clearly Kiroshima had hair. He hadn't become tragically ugly
the years so far, so Kotsky took a deep breath
and clicked, and boy did he have hair. Kotsky had
a shift in his fucking seat to look at pro
hero red riot Kiashimi Adro thirty two fucking tank of
(06:58):
a person shirtless, with pierced nipples and hair down his back.
His bright red hair was now in a ponytail so
long Kotsky just wanted to run his fingers through it.
The urge was so strong and so familiar that for
a moment, Kotsky was sixteen in his dorm, staring at
his best friend at his desk. A moment too long,
and he blinked. He clicked on the media tab and
(07:21):
found a video. The video just as he got a
text from Ochako. Have you seen him yet? She texted
him via the Twitter dams. Are he's still piding? Or what?
She deemed as if she didn't know the answer, as
if she hadn't happily fanned the flames of his longtime
affections for about a decade. He wondered briefly if befriending
(07:43):
her and trusting her with his crush was a mistake
all those years ago. Perhaps he should have known being
friends would only push her from being a badass to
being a fucking demon who took personal amusement at his suffering.
But it made him kind of proud, tbh. He scrolled
down the media tab and ignored her as he picked
on Karashima's most recent post. It's Kishima in the ugliest
(08:06):
shorts Kotsky's every scene in his life. They're mustard yellow.
With his hair, he looks like a fucking McDonald's ad,
which boo, we fucking hate McDonald's. Fuck McDonald's. He's also
shirtless and sweaty from a workout, So now Kosky's thinking
about fucking and Ronald McDonald all in the same moment,
(08:27):
which is beyond upsetting. But Kiashima's hot, so he forgives him.
He's beautiful, Really, John I chiseled by the gods, long
eyelashes framing bright red eyes. He's stopped shaving and dyeing
his brows. Kotsky noticed well shaped black eyebrows where brown
red stubs used to sit framing his face. In fact,
the black roots Kishima used to so anxiously hide are
(08:50):
now highly visible, a few inches grown out. It's not
just the tank body or his long hair. It's Kishima.
It's his warm eyes, it's his smile, it's his radiance
that hasn't dimmed since school. If anything gets grown into
a near blinding light, Kotsky suddenly feels more in love
than ever, and it says if he never stopped, which
(09:12):
he hadn't. Really, he's so attracted to Kiashuma it's not
even funny. He clicked on the post to DM it
til Chaco and typed, Holy fuck, how was he still
so hot? Though? Shorts are fucking heinous, but he's so hot.
I don't even care that he made me think about
sex and McDonald's disgusting. He's so gorgeous, fuck horrible. I
love him. And then he waited. Oh boy, he waited.
(09:37):
He grabbed his water from the home boy from the counter,
closed to his eyes. What a sight. Thank god he
decided to check out pictures and videos first. If he'd
seen Kiashima in person, but after so long, he would
have just absolutely lost his school in front of him. God,
he might have accidentally exploded something for the first time
in years. Mina had said something about a barbecue to
(09:59):
welcome back, so he probably wouldn't be in his hero
suit when he first saw him again. God, what if
he tied his hair back when he wasn't working. What
if he showed up in a T shirt some less
hideous shorts with his hair tied back and then took
his shirt off Because of course, he wouldn't anyway the
Scatzi's fantasy buzza. He glanced down and frowned when he
(10:20):
saw his inbox number climbing rapidly along with his notifications.
The top message, which was the newest one from Urdaka.
He clicked on it and he read it before it
disappeared from the top of the screen. You're so fucking dump.
What the fuck? He read out loud, indignant and confused
as he opened their chat his message. Wasn't there all
(10:47):
The blood drinked from his face, from his extremities. His
fingers were cold, his nose was cold. Why was his
nose cold? Was his death? So that's how it ended.
His feet were cold. He felt a tremor in his spine,
and he clicked on Kurashima's page, not even checking the notifications.
And he clicked on the video that he had he
(11:07):
had been looking at. And he saw his own profile
picture immediately verified, sign and all. And he saw his
comment and he saw the numbers on it. Fourteen thousand
(11:29):
likes in two minutes, six thousand retweets, nine hundred comments
and counting. Ice crept down his chin. As he went
to his notification stab he knew his team had set
it to mutuals only and still from cellophane. Holy shit,
(11:55):
dude from Chargebolt, I knew it. Everyone owes me a
million Yon Alien queen, Oh honey, oh honey, eyeball emoji
Hey at Manliest Hero Deku five skull emojis rip catch on,
(12:20):
under which your av had commented he died how he
lived stupidly. Kotsky saw a bright red profile picture in
his notifications, but not for comment, for a like at
Manliest Hero liked your tweet. His fingers were so cold
(12:45):
he kind of hoped this was death. And then he
got a DM A bright red profile picture popped up.
Kotsky wondered if maybe it would be okay to retire
with the number two spot after all, because he'd have
to retire in order to pack up and leave Japan
and find an iceberg and float himself off on it.
And then the dams opened and it was Red Riot
(13:07):
texting him, I missed you too, because unless this isn't you,
I mean I did miss you, but I do. But
if this isn't you, then I didn't miss you. I
missed Kotsky. Can you call me? Here's my number. The
body formerly known as Bakaya. Kotsky stared down at the
number and woo, God, fucking damn it. He is a
(13:30):
fucking hero. He's not a fucking coward. He's not a
fucking worse. He could press a fucking button. He could
press a fucking button. He clicked the number, he clicked
the green button, and he buttered on speakerphone. It only
rang half a ring. Kotsky hadn't even knowne it was
possible to pick up a phone that fast, But it's happened.
Now he's seen it. Maybe he should hang up and
call Guinness, you know, instead, to alert them of a
(13:52):
new world record. Maybe he should do you love me?
Karoshima's voice was so deep, deeper, and then he remembered,
and there was something like hope and something like desperation
and something like home in it. Kotsky would have never
expected those words to come out in that gorgeous voice
aimed at him, much less to be the first thing
he hears from him in years. And Kotsky lets out
(14:15):
of shaky breath. He hadn't realized he was holding Kiashima.
Kotsky said finally, with all the softness, all the tender care,
all the years of unspoken love leaking out, and he
feels all his bravado and all his fear bleed out
of him in time, in the time it takes for
Kotsk for Kishima's laugh to hit his ears. Kotsky, you have,
(14:40):
why I do? I do I have? Kotski replied to
his initial question, and Kurashima sounded like he was sinking
to his knees Kotsky. Kotski could suddenly clearly imagine him
closing his eyes and the indent between them on his forehead,
and he could see him worrying his lip with a
(15:01):
sharp pair of teeth, just like he used to. Don't
clinch your jaw. Kotsky murmurs and karoshimils at the beginnings
of a dry sob Shut up, Currie, choked, shut up.
I just learned that you love me and you think
I'm hot, and that I looked like fucking fast food
from a tweet. Don't make me, don't Kirshima's breath was ragged.
(15:27):
I knew coming back, could. I hoped maybe we finally
would be that. I didn't expect Kotsky, Kishima, what are
you feeling, Kotsky asked, because they're grown. They're grown, and
he's grown, and he has grown, and he can compartmentalize
(15:50):
his own reactions until he gets an answer, a real
solid answer, to chase the last bits of cold from
his rapidly eating body. And there's a cracking sound, as
if Kishima's phone is a pressure. For a moment before
Kirie's voice hits his ears, there was a tired sigh,
and Kotsky heard ag Ro thump his head back against
whatever he's sitting against. God's gay. I don't think there's
(16:12):
a single world out there where I haven't always been yours.
And no, Kotsky wasn't ready for that. It's a good
thing they're doing this on the phone off. If this
were in person, he thought, as he sniffled a little,
then he might have cried. Yeah, he said instead, and
thanked every God ever named that his voice wasn't wobbly.
(16:35):
So you're coming home soon? Yeah right? He damn near whispered,
and Karashimo is silent, and for a moment Kosky got scared.
But then he's hit with this knowledge, this mental image,
the knowledge that the redhead is nodding at his phone,
and that's why it's silent. Probably overcome with emotion, and
(16:58):
he laughs when he hears curious a sniffle and hold
back tears with moderate to non existent success. Don't knod
on the phone, big rock, He laughed, wet lee, and
Kishima was laughing with him, and he sounded wet too.
I'll be home soon, Karashima said, sooner. Katski heard movement
as I Kiashima damn near leapt his feet, was trying
(17:20):
to figure out how to move his departure up to
this very second. Calm down, Kotsky said, I'm not going
anywhere else. He cleared his throat, voiced gravelly and deep.
I'll still love you in a few days, No need
to rush. He bit his lip and relish Kirshimu's delighted noises.
(17:41):
So yeah, promise, kios she must stop moving. And this
time it's Katsky nodding on the phone. Yeah promise. We
waited this long, right, Yeah we have. I want to
take you on a date, spilled from Kiashima's lips. A
lot of dates, God, fuck, so much time? How long
(18:03):
have you? Don't think about that? Kotski cut him off,
and it's as much to Kishima ask to himself don't
think about how long it's been, don't think about how
much we've missed. Maybe they need this time apart, he
thinks maybe he needed it. He didn't want to say
how long he's loved Kiroshima, in part because he doesn't
remember what it's like to not love Kiashima. And if
(18:25):
the redhead cries again, then he'll start crying, and that
just won't do. Dates sound good, he says, instead, I'm
thinking three, three dates. kioShiMa sounded alarmed, like his eyebros
ad chot up his fora and he's making that face
he made years ago, wh Kotzi would tutor him and
he got a problem wrong when he got it right,
(18:45):
just to tease him for a second. That's it, Katski,
he whined, Yeah, Kotski replied, I think that's a good
number of dates before you move in, Oh, Kashima said,
unless you don't want to, Kotsky added, but was quickly
(19:06):
cut off. No, No, I think that sounds right, Karashima's
grins leaking into his voice. Uh, how many until you
let me seal the deal? Then all the air left
Kotsky's lungs in one fell swoop as images of large
hands on his waist, plush lips on his skin, and
(19:29):
warm eyes looking down at him. Flooded his brain. Oh,
he said, his voice gruffing deep. You can do that
on date one. To his surprise, Kashima gasped before groaning
his lame Kotsky, He sounded like he was screwing up
(19:49):
his face. I meant fuck you'r het I meant I
meant when can we just say fuck it and get married?
Kotsky stared at the phone on his lap, dizzy from
the confusion and his blood after being torn between migrating
south and north and flooding his face. Are you are you?
(20:11):
You're it, Kotsky. It's always been you know, it can't
be anyone else at least, and there's that sliver of insecurity.
Kosky knows too, and he's known for so long, at
least for me. Karoshima finishes, Kotsky licked his lips and
closed his eyes. You're in Osaka, still right, Kowski glanced
(20:33):
at his emergency go back by the door and figured
he could probably still fit a suit in it. You
could probably take out the grenades, starged with his sweat.
Probably yeah, for four more days Kiaroshima replied a little breathlessly.
And maybe it's crazy, maybe it's not necessary to go
so fast, but is it fast? And you've been in
(20:55):
love since you were fifteen. I mean, you'd saved each
other's lives more times than you could count before you
you were eighteen, when it's been nearly twenty years of
total pining and loving and bone deep knowing it's yeah,
it's probably still crazy. They have so much to catch
up on, and Kotsky's excited to think about the privilege
of getting to know Adro all over again. But he
also already knows just from these few minutes that everything
(21:17):
that matters is the same. And he also has so
much PTO it's kind of embarrassing. Deco and Aravity can
manage an agency just find without him for a minute,
and his sidekicks would probably appreciate him taking a break,
especially for this. Kiyoshima adrerow, I'll be there and give
me five hours, maybe four, fuck it, I'll fly the
(21:39):
rest of the way. Yeah, yes, please, yes, I'll pick
you up. Just give me your address and be home
with the tucks if you I mean a few yes,
kioShiMa laughed and then added, I do I do? Are you?
Are you sure? Was already shoving the suit into the
(22:01):
bag that he'd have ripped out of his closet, while
Simon Lacy trying to slip on shoes and text to
Zuku to come water his plants while he's away. So
was he sure? Couldn't be more sure? I'll see you soon, Adrea.
He switched the call to video, and within seconds he
was looking at karash She made Adre thirty two with
a grin the size of the sun and te your
(22:21):
streaked cheeks, looking at his own screen like he'd witnessed
something holy. His entire expression shifted to tender recognition, and
Kaski felt his own shift to match, adoring red eyes
combing over every inch of him that they could see. Yeah, Kaski,
I love you. I'm in love with you. I oh
(22:43):
my god, please don't Kaski just karrish you must, sniffled
through his smile and wiped his hand in his eyes.
Save it for the vowels, Okay, save it for the vowels. Yeah, okay, okay,
I'll go then. I love you too. I love you,
I love you, Kashimi repeated in a reverend tone as
I still comprehending that he could say that out loud,
(23:05):
as if he'd been waiting for a long time. For
a second, Kotsky contemplated staying on the line and listening
to Adri profess his love every second until he got there,
but he knew if he indulged, he'd never be able
to stop because there would never be enough save it
for the ows. He pairted it with a smile, I'll
see you soon, and there you go. Obviously, that part,
(23:29):
like all of that shit, and did not happen to me.
It's inspired by the fact that I accidentally I meant
to send something to a friend to be like, you know, thirsty,
and I accidentally almost hit the comment section instead. Because
luckily nothing happened, I didn't do that. I just told
my friend about it. It was like Jesus Christ, that almost happened.
And that was in What Is This Says, published in
(23:51):
twenty twenty two. But I think this happened a bit before,
because I don't think I first of I don't know
when I posted this originally on Twitter, and then I
don't know when it happened versus when I posted it.
So say Levey, this is a work so many people
love and like, and I really appreciate that. It's almost
(24:12):
I don't know, it's weird to read because I would
never write anything like this now. Not that I don't
still like to write romantic stuff. I do. I just
I don't know. This was a product of its time,
you know, and I can I can see that it
(24:33):
is very fluffy. I think that's it. I don't really
write stuff that's just like that fluffy, ever, so it's
probably good to give it a shot. And you know,
it's always good to write out of your comfort outside
of your comfort zone. So I hope you enjoyed. I
will see everybody next time. Bye.
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