It tumbles out of his mouth before he can rein it back in. The words sound clumsy - unfamiliar.

"Shouto..."

He almost jumps at Eijiro's voice, it cuts through tossing of his stomach. He blames the feeling on lingering illness.

They're both looking at him. No - it's almost as if they see inside him, like every feeling is glowing in his chest. Katsuki doesn't even look like he's breathing, the hand on his thigh limp. He didn't even realise Eijiro was awake, but by the shock on his face there's no doubt that he heard.

"Are you sure?"

He hates the way how Eijiro fidgets, as if he's insecure - afraid maybe. The thought of it pushes him away from them. Katsuki's grip tightens - but it's weak enough for him to kick through. Ignoring the dizziness of his sudden rise, he spins to face them.

Craves to finally let someone in.

It's a retched, overwhelming feeling.

It's aching - thirsting - longing- for the reality of not dealing with everything on his own.

The thrumming warmth of being cared for, he wants it.

Or rather - he needs it.

So that's why he pours out every emotion he has into 4 words.

He growls it out like it angers him, regardless of the the tears blurring his vision.

Maybe he doesn't understand love; but he knows what it's like to be burnt.

...

At first the emotion he felt for them was quiet. It flickered and danced, safe and controllable.

Yet suddenly he couldn't stop it from rising - burning, searing, scorching, all consuming. It flared - twisting, stretching and snapping as it grew. If he tried to stamp it out the smoke only choked him. The wildfire was impatient, it rose so high it could challenge the heavens. All the water in the world wouldn't dare hinder its rage.

And so their names are branded into his skin. The veins underneath bubbling and boiling, his whole body drenched and dripping in hot sweat. It hurts. It's excruciating - not just from the monstrous flames but how he has no idea what he'd do if it all went to ash. He can do nothing but watch helplessly as he burns alive.

He makes it sound like a terrible thing.

~~~~~

"Please..."

Eijiro's finger tips are electric, they must be, for wherever they touch Shouto's pale skin, it tingles in a frenzy of static. The fingers flutter down his chest, leaving a trail of fire, fire, fire in it's wake.

Another shiver is forced from him as Katsuki's lips brush the back of his neck. Heat spreads from the light touch, out of his control. A hand - Katsuki's - barely touches the back of his thigh before it's gone.

The sheets along his side are too cold, the hands on his skin too hot. Suddenly everything is so clear, so real. He can hear every shaky breath that leaves his throat - feel every throb and clench - see every twitch and tremble. Katsuki is a furnace at his back, Eijiro similar at his front.

The curtains ripple from the open window; the cool breeze helpless against the fire on his skin.

"More..."

He begs, straining to press his lips against Eijiro's. Yet before he can, a hand gently holds his jaw, keeping the side of his face pressed against the pillow.

"Shh." Katsuki's voice acts like a shock, his whole body jolting at the deep timber.

He bites his lip, trembling fingers grabbing at Eijiro's shoulders. The other looks almost as if he'll give in, bare chest rising and falling quicker than before. Shouto tries not to let the sly idea show on his face as he moves downward.

"Ahh - fuck." Eijiro twitches forward at the touch, snapping his hand down between their bodies to hold his wrist.

He doesn't let up though, going further between the others legs to press that spot right behind-

"Ngh - Shouto." The red head gasps, scrunching his eyes shut and panting lightly against soft sheets. The grip on his wrist tightens and loosens with every rub and touch, half heartedly pushing him away.

There's a scoff behind him before Katsuki's built figure leans over him, reaching to where their hands are tangled.

"Aagh!"

Shouto could sense Katsuki's smirk as he rubbed Eijiro's cock - doubling the attack. Immediately the red head used his other hand to grip Katsuki's - almost curling in on himself as he was wracked with sensation.

Now their faces were closer, Shouto took the opportunity to kiss him, lips twitching upward with the way Eijiro struggled and gasped for breath.

"Don't get too cocky." The blonde mumbled against his ear, curling a free hand around his throat. Shouto felt his eyelids flutter as hold tightened in warning. He was a goner as soon as he glanced up through his scarred eye.

He wouldn't call himself a religious man - but someone took their time on Katsuki.

His boyfriend looked at him differently now. He couldn't quite place it.

Katsuki took a deep breath at the sight of bright turquoise.

He curses at the beast that snaps and snarls in his chest. It roars - screams - that he is Shouto's protector - defender, it's a ride-or-die connection that will stay with him for always and in all ways. It is raw and terrifying- for he knows the absolute carnage he could and would create over Shouto.

If any bastard comes after him, I will be their curse. Either they are with him or they are against me. That's the way it is.

And yet, under all the bark and bite, he wants to be the breeze that plays ever so gently with his bi-coloured hair, the laces upon shined boots that keep him in strong stride, the thick coat in even the lightest of winters - for it takes more to guard his soul than explosions and clenched fists.

"Katsuki?"

Shouto watched how Katsuki's pupils dilated, gazing down at him.

"Shouto."

His breath catches at the tone. Before he can question it, the gaze flicks next to him - to Eijiro. It's the same look. A look he can't quite read.

The pause in action wasn't awkward, it was instead a strange, yet pleasant moment. He's certain he's never felt this... whole. As the moment lingers, Shouto also turns to Eijiro, who's smiling so wide he can't help but smile too.

...

Eijiro is still smiling as he watches the others pant beside him - tired out. Him on the other hand, could probably go another 10 rounds - 20 even. He'd go 100 if every time felt like that just did. He's not one to think figuratively, but a cog has turned - or the final puzzle piece put in place - maybe the whole fucking universe has shifted. Either way, he's pretty sure the world would have to end to wipe the smile from his face.

A phone buzzes on the bedside table - Katsuki groans as he blindly reaches across them all to retrieve it. Eijiro chuckles as Shouto face gets squashed between the blonde's pecs. He makes sure to mentally note the flush that reaches his ears, though.

Katsuki flops back down onto the bed, squinting at the bright light of the phone. Eijiro busies himself with brushing through Shouto's hair - it's not messy, he just likes the way the other leans in to it with a soft hum.

He does a double take at Katsuki's face - whose eyes suddenly widen - not leaving the screen.

"Oh, fuck."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

This is the end of 'And They Were Roommates'.

Story carries on in 'And They Were Roommates 2'