Infinite static

chapter 7: Tuning in

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As Denki dressed, he slipped into a fitted black shirt that accentuated his frame, pairing it with comfortable grey sweatpants. He took a moment to glance at himself in the mirror, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts from the shower. Just as he was adjusting his shirt, the doorbell rang, jolting him from his thoughts.

With a quick exhale, he made his way to the door, his heart pounding slightly from the anticipation of seeing his friends. He opened it, revealing Bakugo and Kirishima standing in the doorway. Kirishima was grinning widely, radiating his usual energy, while Bakugo stood a bit more stoic, arms crossed over his chest.

Denki's eyes instinctively drifted to Bakugo, and a rush of emotions flooded him. The sight of Bakugo's neck caught his attention—a dark hickey marred the otherwise flawless skin, a stark reminder of the previous night's flirtation. Annoyance flared within Denki, a mix of jealousy and frustration that he tried to suppress.

Kirishima didn't waste a moment, pushing past Denki and into the apartment with an exuberant, "Hey, buddy! Ready to brainstorm some ideas?" His cheerful demeanor contrasted sharply with the tension brewing in Denki's chest.

Bakugo hesitated at the threshold, his arms still crossed as he regarded Denki with a piercing gaze. "What's with the face? You look like you just swallowed a lemon," he remarked, an eyebrow raised in a mix of curiosity and something resembling amusement.

Denki forced a smile, trying to mask the annoyance that lingered just beneath the surface. "I'm just... hungover, that's all," he replied, attempting to sound nonchalant. But the way Bakugo's eyes narrowed slightly suggested he wasn't buying it.

"Hungover, huh? Guess that's what happens when you drink too much," Bakugo teased, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. There was an almost a different edge to his tone, and it caught Denki off guard, sending a rush of heat to his cheeks.

"Yeah, well, maybe some of us can't handle our liquor like you can," Denki shot back, trying to maintain his composure. But inside, he felt a flutter of confusion—was Bakugo really being playful, or was it just his imagination?
Bakugo stepped forward, the teasing in his voice lingering as he added, "Next time, try to keep up. I wouldn't want you to embarrass yourself again," his eyes glinting with mischief.

Denki swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. The words hung in the air, something playful between friends he would of usually put down to being innocent, felt like much more. "Right, I'll—uh, I'll keep that in mind," he stammered, feeling flustered and unsteady as he tried to navigate the unexpected tension between them.

As Kirishima began setting up in the living room, Denki stole another glance at Bakugo, who now stood just a few feet away, arms still crossed but a hint of a smile on his face.

Denki, Kirishima, and Bakugo settled onto the couch in Denki's living room, the furniture rearranged so they could face each other more comfortably. The atmosphere was a mix of anticipation and lingering tension, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of the previous night. Denki tried his best to focus on the brainstorming session for their new album, but the remnants of his hangover still clouded his mind as he nursed a cup of water, hoping it would help ease the pounding in his head.

Bakugo leaned forward, his expression fierce and determined. "I want this album to be loud—like, blast-your-eardrums kind of loud," he declared, his voice brimming with passion. "We need to make a statement, something that'll get people talking and jumping at our shows."

Kirishima nodded enthusiastically, his red hair catching the light as he bounced in his seat. "Absolutely! We can mix in some heavy riffs and draw from our experiences, make it raw and real!" His excitement was contagious, and even Denki felt a flicker of inspiration despite his lingering headache.