Static Rhythms

Chapter twenty

(One week later)

Jirou sat propped up in a hospital bed, bandaged but healing. Her left wrist was wrapped, and she still had to wear an oxygen monitor, but the color had returned to her face.

Denki sat beside her, chin resting on her blanket covered knee, humming softly.

"You know you are off-key when you're nervous, right?" She teased.

He looked up with a grin. "I'm not nervous. I'm...being emotionally supportive through song."

She raised an eyebrow. "You're humming 'The Pokemon Theme'."

"...emotionally relevant song."

She laughed and then winced. "Ow. Careful. Laughing still hurts."

He sat up straighter, guilt flashing across his face. "Sorry! Do you need more water? Pillows? A mixtape?"

Jirou smiled softly.

"No," she said. "Just this."

She pulled him close by the collar of his hoodie, slow but firm.

And she kissed him.

It was longer this time. More certain. No end of the world stakes. Just them.

That's when the door burst open.

"JIROUUU, WE BROUGHT YOUR FAVORITE SNACKS AND-" Mine froze mid-spin.

The entire squad spilled in: Kirishima, Momo, Uraraka, Lida, even Bakugo (though he lingered near the doorway like he was definitely not here for emotional support.)

They stared.

Denki slowly pulled back from the kiss, blinking.

Jirou, still holding his hoodie, turned to them.

"...Hi."

"Called it," Mina said immediately, grinning.

Kirishima clapped his hands together. "Dude, finally."

Even Todoroki nodded approvingly. "It was statistically inevitable."

Bakugo groaned. "Ugh. I'm leaving before it gets more disgusting."

Denki flushed bright red.

Jirou just shrugged. "Close the door on your way out, Bakugo."

As the others filled in laughing and teasing, Denki leaned back towards her, whispering. "...So, we're official now?"

Jirou smirked. "I literally kissed you with witnesses. What do you think, Sparky?"