With a Strum of My Heart Strings

I Won't Let Go of Your Hand

"Welcome back to the family!" he cheered before his voice grew darker. "If you hurt him again I will personally come to your house and scream until your ears bleed more than Hitoshi's heart." Kaminari stared at him with horror, nodding profusely.

"Yes, of course, sir," he said, voice cracking at the end. Hitoshi had to stifle his laughter, and even then, he still earned a glare from his boyfriend over Hizashi's shoulder.

It wasn't long after Yamada gave Kaminari a hard pat on the back that nearly made him topple over that some of Shinsou's house guests decided to leave, now that Denki was safe.

Tetsutetsu, Kirishima, and Bakugou were the first to go, the latter grumbling about how this was a waste of time, though everyone knew he was glad that Denki was safe. They'd all heard from Eijirou how he had acted while the two were searching. Apparently, he'd been completely frantic and kept saying how he "should have been better to that damn asshole" and that Kaminari "was an idiot but not an idiot that deserved this". Bakugou was furious when everyone had a good laugh about that.

Soon after, Yamada and Aizawa decided to leave, Shouta telling his son if he needed him to kill Denki at any point to just let him know. Hitoshi decided against taking that seriously, though, with his father, he could never tell. Aizawa had just shrugged when he told him that wasn't very heroic. Hizashi seemed to just find it hilarious.

Midoriya and Todoroki left next. It felt like Shinsou barely got to talk to them, but that was okay. They'd have to arrange something sometimes, maybe a double date, even. When he voiced that thought, Midoriya looked elated, gripping Todoroki's wrist as he told them that was a great idea before he started rambling about what they could do or where they could go, comparing restaurants and ratings, and so on. Shouto practically had to drag him out of the apartment, Midoriya not even stopping himself to say goodbye.

When Jirou started to leave, Mina followed, waving as she blew a kiss goodbye. Sero started to leave as well, though Kaminari had grabbed him by his wrist, telling him to hold on. Hanta had tried to get out of it, saying that he was Ashido's ride, but Mina waved him off, saying that her place wasn't too far from where they were, and left him standing there, silently begging her to come back. Shinsou had to stop himself from laughing.

"Sero, we should talk," Denki said, releasing his wrist. Sero looked between Kaminari and Hitoshi before his eyes landed on the latter, quirking a brow. Shinsou immediately picked up on his silent question as he shook his head.

"Nuh-uh," he said, arms crossed over his chest again. "I'm not leaving. You insisted on staying in on our conversation last time." He pointed to Denki, willing himself not to cringe at the memories before he turned back to his boyfriend. "Unless you want me to leave."

Kaminari sighed, giving him a small smile. "No, it's fine. You can stay." They both then turned their focus back to Hanta in front of them, who was shifting his weight between his feet, face blank as he silently stared at them, though Shinsou didn't miss the flash of... anger? Jealousy? that flickered in his eyes.

Sero sighed, looking back to Denki. "What?" he asked dryly. God, he was never this petty. Hitoshi seriously wondered what happened.

"You know 'what', Hanta," Denki said, hands on his hips. "I just wanted to talk to you about what happened." Hitoshi desperately wanted to butt in and ask what the hell they were talking about but he forced himself not to, stepping back a couple of feet.

"What's there to talk about, Denki?" Sero asked, averting his eyes. "Maybe I shouldn't have fired you, but that hurt." Did something happen while Shinsou and Kaminari weren't yet on speaking terms? Hitoshi was extremely confused. Sero seemed to notice how lost he was because he had the audacity to scoff. "Why listen in on a conversation you don't even understand? You that scared of me? What am I gonna do? He chose you over me. You don't have to worry about me anymore." He threw his hands up in the air. "You got him all to yourself. Congrats. Happy?" Sero going off like that did nothing to help Hitoshi 's confusion.

Though, it seemed to enrage Denki enough, because he looked about ready to snap. "Hanta, stop it," he said coldly, mirroring his boyfriend's posture. "This isn't what I meant when I said we should talk. It's not that simple. You had a chance! Now forget about it. You're being petty." Shinsou nodded along in agreement. He knew at least that was true.

Though, he was still deathly curious and decided to ask, "What do you mean he chose me over you? What happened between you two? I thought you guys were pretty close." Sero huffed, looking away, though Kaminari finally decided to spare him.

"He asked me out while we were still fighting." Shinsou's stared at him in surprise, his brain still trying to process what it was being told.

"What?" he asked, voice sharp as he glared at Sero. Denki was quick to place a hand on his shoulder.

"I said no, so he fired me. Simple as that."

Hanta scoffed. "Wasn't that simple," he muttered.

"Look, I'm sorry for hurting you. It was never my intention," Denki said more softly, stepping forward to be beside Sero. "I just want to be friends again. I miss you." Sero looked up at him, that defensive and cold aura he'd put on slipping away.

"It just-- It hurt, Denki," he said, looking away. Kaminari nodded, rubbing his back. Shinsou felt so much sympathy for Hanta that he didn't even think to feel jealous. Not that he would have, anyway.

"I know," Denki whispered, bringing his friend into a hug. Sero looked like he was about to start crying then and there.

Shinsou smiled as he walked away from the two, knowing they'd be able to talk it out on their own. This is the first and only time he'd say this, but Shinsou trusted Sero to be able to work it out on his own. Hitoshi grimaced to himself. Hanta'd better not get used to that.

A/N: I'm so excited to be finishing this! Thanks to everyone who has stuck around for this fic, I love you all sm it means so much to me <3<3<3 I'll see y'all in two days for the finale!! XD