With a Strum of My Heart Strings

Don't Make Me be the Bad Guy

A/N: Ya know, I was saving the angst for the next chapter, and totally didn't plan to write it like this, but I think I like this even more >:33

"Shit," Kaminari mumbled as he watched Shinsou run up the stairs and out of sight.

Watched him run away from him.

He groaned into his hands. "I knew I was coming on too strong." He mentally cursed himself. "Why did I think this was a good idea?"

"Because you're a dunce," Bakugou grumbled beside him. His comment was only half paid attention to by the blond, who had moved his hands to card them through his hair.

"Oh, yeah. That's it."

When Mina and Kirishima had said they'd help him, they really meant they were going to force him to confront Shinsou when, in all honesty, he wasn't ready. He wanted to talk to Shinsou, he really did, but he felt his friends made him rush it a little. Now he'd just sent them even further back. Great.

And now all of that time rehearsing exactly what to say with Eijirou and Ashido had completely gone to waste. He whined as he banged his head up against the wall.

"Oi!" Bakugou yelled, practically dragging him away from the wall and to the kitchen by his hair. "I'm not dealing with a hole in my wall on top of your pathetic ass right now!" Yeah, that was fair.

"I am pretty pathetic, huh?" Denki asked as he sighed. "I should just go." He moved to walk away, but Bakugou yanked him into one of the seats at his table.

"Stop it with the self-deprecating shit," he growled, sitting down in the chair beside him. "Why the hell are you here?" Kaminari shouldn't have been as surprised as he was at the sudden questioning but appreciated the fact that he wasn't being kicked out just yet and decided to oblige him.

"I want him back," he stammered. It wasn't far from the truth. He did want him back, he really did. But he had an inkling that Shinsou didn't want him anymore. He didn't even know why he came at this point. Maybe for confirmation that it was really over? "I'm an idiot to even consider that he'd let me back into his life again after what I did."

"Dunce Face," Bakugou said with an unsettling serenity that caused Denki to meet his glare. Though it wasn't fierce, it was still intimidating nonetheless. "Yeah, you're an idiot." Oh, great. Thanks, Bakugou. Kaminari turned away, dropping his gaze to stare at the table. "And I don't know how the hell Eyebags put up with you."

"Did you just sit me down to insult me?" Denki asked, too tired to really argue with Katsuki right now. He just wanted to go home at this point. He didn't think he could take any more harsh words.

"You didn't let me finish," Bakugou growled. Kaminari's mouth clamped shut and he moved his chair back to be oblique to the angry man. "But he's not the kind of clown to just give up," he finished before adding, "Like you, trying to run away already." Though what he said wasn't exactly kind, it made sense and gave Denki some hope. He managed a small smile.

"Thanks, I guess," he said sheepishly. Maybe Bakugou was right. He messed up, big time, but maybe Shinsou might give him another chance. He had to hold on to that and just pray that it could be true.

A beat of silence passed where Katsuki seemed to be thinking about something, his face scrunched up in frustration and contemplation. Denki didn't dare say something in fear of him deciding not to speak, which was probably one of the best and worst things he could have done.

After muttering to himself for a moment, Bakugou let out an agitated breath. "I probably shouldn't be telling you this," he started, and Denki's interest was immediately piqued, his attention now completely focused on his friend, "But we have a gig at eight, Friday night. That bar, Midnight's, wanted us to come and play again." Honestly, Kaminari was shocked that he was telling him all of this. Wasn't this the last thing he should be telling him? He wasn't complaining, and he knew he'd definitely go, but he had a suspicion that Shinsou wouldn't be happy to see him there, nor would he be happy with his bandmate letting him know of this show. Oh, well. Too late now, Denki supposed.