#request-athon

"I told you you would get sick going out dressed like that!" A genuinely concerned Keigo doted over you, tucking in the extra blankets around you, fetching you warm broth to sip on in lieu of food that didn't sit well, and not minding the copious amounts of snot emanating from every hole in your face.

"H-hg-hoes don't get c-cold." You somehow managed to joke despite your scratchy throat and shaking.

He laughed in response, "Good for them, but I'm pretty sure it was you running out into the snow without enough protection and ignoring when it warmed up enough to be just rain as you kept playing."

"Frosty d-didn't deserv-ve the cruel fate h-he suffered!"

"He was too soon gone from this world, snatched away in his earliest hours!" He adjusted your pillows. "And it seems the universe insisted on having you, too, but not on my watch!"

"I'm so glad you're m-my hero!"

What was this? A school day off? Spent with Shinsou? And Aizawa wasn't pulling him into training? This was incredible!

Not even the blistering cold outside could dampen your spirits. It was hard to get some quality time together since Shinsou had been so diligently training, and ever since his approval to join the hero course next spring he'd been on cloud nine. It was in his own little way, of course, but there was an ease and peace in him you hadn't seen in a while. He was still and quiet in a happy kind of way, and it was infectious to be around.

"So which movie do we watch?" You asked, prepping snacks and drinks for a long while of not moving from the couch. "Christmas movies today, remember?"

"How abou-"

"Don't you say 'Die Hard'!"

"Just kidding!" You could hear a low, dry chuckle down the hall as he dragged copious amounts of blankets and pillows with which to build your fortress of marathoning. "Honestly, though, while I like the idea of watching movies all day, I don't know how many Christmas ones I can take in a row."

"We'll just have to switch it up, that's all."

"None of those Rankin Bass ones! They freak me out." He dropped the comfort items on the sofa and came back to the counter to help you out.

"Sounds like you just need a good palate cleanser to ease you into it..." You mused as he brought the refreshments to the coffee table. Taking advantage of his help, you looked up a list of Christmas movies and your smile lit up when you saw one in particular.

You hopped on over to sit next to Shinsou who was getting ready to get comfy amidst the blankets and caught hold of the remote, switching to the movie of your choice and beaming at him, waiting for his approval. "How's this?"

He looked up to the screen and cracked a smile. "Nightmare Before Christmas?" You shrugged, confident in your suggestion as he shifted and settled in. "Final answer?" You nodded. "Good."

“You’re under the mistletoe so stop stalling and just kiss.”

Finally someone requested Bakuboi! For a while I thought I was going to go the whole event without seeing him.

-----------

You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch; but you ain’t got nothing on Katsuki. This boy would fight love, joy, and peace on earth to his dying breath if it wasn’t his idea to begin with. What a Scrooge.

For the most part he was tolerable and minded his own business while the others bustled around the dorm, only barking a warning when someone invaded his personal bubble intentionally or otherwise. He just wasn’t up for the festivities and would rather just eat the food and be handed the presents without the ceremony and pomp.

In the bustle of Christmas Eve as your class buzzed around to decorate for the next day, you were happy to lend your assistance - so much so you rounded a corner too quickly while carrying a large box in your hands and bumping headlong into him which knocked you both to the ground.

“HEY!” typical witty Bakugo comeback. “Watch where you’re going, moron!”

“How about, ‘Hey, sorry for not paying attention while tons of people are running around’?” You rubbed your nose where you’d bumped it on the box in your fall.

“I didn’t ask for this holly jolly business, so why you acting like I’m the one stepping on toes?”

“And why should we not enjoy it just because one humbug wants to be a butt about it all?”

“Just be -”

“Hey guys, I hate to interrupt your moment,” You both paused your shouting match to see Sero point to the doorway above you. “But you’re under the mistletoe, so stop stalling and just kiss already.”

It took you a second to process what had just been said, but it took Bakugo just a moment longer which was his undoing. Time to teach this Grinch a lesson! Before he could get away, you full body tackled him back to the ground, grabbed his face in your hands, and planted a big smooch on his face. You were aiming for his cheek, but in his attempts to wiggle free, you got most of his mouth instead. Serves him right!

You released him as quickly as you’d caught him and crossed your arms with a huff in defiance.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!”

“Tradition. You don’t get to just ignore the holidays because you don’t appreciate them. Maybe that’ll teach you to watch where you’re going and mind your attitude!”

“What attitude? I’M PERFECTLY CALM!”

Keigo really didn't appreciate the cold very much most of the time. It was just wet and gray and hard for him to get/stay warm in it that it felt more of a hassle most of the time than it was worth. That's why he spent most of his time in winter indoors.

But once in a while there'd be an exception. Some days he understood how some people found winter "magical." It really didn't snow down in Kyushu where he spent most of his time, but he would get a taste of the "winter wonderland" occasionally when he went further north to visit. The thermometer may read very low and there may be a thick blanket of snow on everything, but there wouldn't be a biting wind and the sun would still be out and shining which made everything sparkle. The snow itself may not even be wet and just had the consistency of powdered sugar which immediately added to the sense of whimsy and wonder.

And all that was without the context of the things that lived in it. There was something mystifying about watching a deer walk through the snow or watching a squirrel scurry from one branch to another, shaking the powder from it like a sugar sifter. Little children happily played in it and with it, and older folks would sit and watch in their warm clothes and enjoy the tranquility of the sight. Some went as far as to decorate, and the lights were his favorite kind. They were especially beautiful at night.

At night the lights would throw fun colors over the snow; or just add a soft, ethereal glow across the surface; or reflect in icicles like crystals. It was colder at night without the sun, but he really did appreciate it more at night which is what prompted him to invite you on a night stroll to see it all with him.

Even with no artificial lighting, the full moon alone was bright enough to light up the world as the snow reflected it back in a soft haze. He kept an arm around you to help you keep balance, but he was the one falling over himself at the sight. He might not well like having to deal with the snow for months on end every year, but once in a while like this where the world stood still and framed you perfectly in it - adjusting your scarf with rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes - that was something special. Special enough to give into the temptation to pull you close into a kiss and a warm embrace that blocked out any cold he may have felt before and let the magic of the moment wash through him.

As a regular sunshine boy himself, Mirio loves celebrating Christmas with you. Who can resist the beautiful sights, delicious food, and warm company especially when you're spending it with your most favorite in the world?

Decorating was especially your forte, and you went nuts every year adding jingle, sparkle, and shine to every other wise dull little nook and cranny of whatever space others allow you to. This year, your class and the teacher decided to let you decorate the dorm common space.

“Wow, you really go overboard with decorations, don’t you?” Mirio's characteristic smile couldn't help but make an appearance at the sight of red, green, silver, and gold decorations twinkling around the place. This was definitely your most extreme work yet!

"Not enough! More lights! More tinsel! More snow!!!" You shouted gleefully from the top of a ladder to hang bows in the windows.

While appreciative for your enthusiasm, Mirio rushed to steady the ladder for fear you fall. "Whoa there, slugger! Now, I completely agree, but I don't think you're a magic reindeer, so don't go trying to fly now."

"Don't worry, I know my place." You chuckled, finishing up your work.

"And what would that be?"

"Santa's little helper, of course! Here to spread love and cheer!" You climbed down and Mirio helped you down the last few rungs.

"I don't care if it is tradition, if you try to get me to kiss you under the misetloe I will punch you!"

"Aw, why're you such a grinch about it, babe? I thought it would be cute!"

"Things are never so simple with you. You act like it's a little forgettable ordeal, but before long you're making a spectacle of it and it's a right pain all around."

He made a show to roll his eyes and rest the matter, but little did you he started plotting... That is, you did know he was, you just weren't sure how it would manifest.

You spent the next couple of days checking doorways, inspecting the ceiling, anywhere he could possibly stash and hide the mistletoe and casually "bump into you" at the same time. However, it eluded you at every turn. You were beginning to get comfortable one day when you were both hanging out in the living room.

"Hey angel, get my phone for me?" He gestured to the device on the sofa arm closer to you than him.

"Yeah, give me a sec." You reached for it, but accidentally bumped it which made it fall to the floor. Naturally, you swooped for it and barely caught in the corner of your eye the mistletoe hanging on it on your way down; but alas it was too late, and he was too quick. He'd reached for the phone as well - by now you're pretty sure he's the one who'd "bumped" it - and "accidentally" pinned you down in the ruckus.

"Oh, will you look at that. How did that get there?" You were going to kill him. "Ah, but it's tradition! I guess I have to kiss you!"

The last couple of words were muffled by your hand pinching in his cheeks with his chin in your palm. "You wanna die?"

"Ahw! Juhth uh lihl pehk ahn thge lipths!"

You wrestled with him, but he won - planting not a sweet little kiss on you, but a huge, sloppy one that left you covered in spit. He laughed about getting his way, and you exasperatedly wiped your mouth with your sleeve.

"You animal!"

"But 'tis the season of cheer! Good will and peace to men and all that!"

"There will be no peace on earth unless you pay me back for that." You really were making a bigger deal out of it than you felt, which he clearly sensed.

"How about... I cook dinner, you pick the movie, and we'll call it good?"

“I’m not going!”

“You. Me. Snowman. NOW!” Hawks had a firm grip around your waist as you did your failing best to hang onto the door frame. You were on a trip up north and there was an unexpected flurry outside last night that left a decent blanket of snow on the ground, and the first thing that man child demanded was you two go freeze your butts off to play in the literal ice dust.

“I am staying in here where there is hot cocoa and Netflix!” You rebutted. You were determined not to let him get his way.

“Just one snow angel, please babe!”

“I thought you hated the cold!”

“Aw, come on, sweetheart…” You noted the sudden change in tone and how he loosened his grip. “We never get snow down south, and I thought it would be fun to play a little bit while we’re still here. You know, just a little something special…”

Oh no, he was pouting now. You dared to turn your head to see his face and immediately regretted it. His lips curled down at the edges ever so softly, his shoulders slumped, and his eyes were just so SAD. This actually meant a lot to him.

"Ok, ONE snowman."

"And then hot coca and Netflix to warm up after?"

"Yes, but let me put my warm clothes on first."

“Seriously, I told you that you would get sick going out like that.”

The events played out like it was yesterday - a good thing considering it actually was yesterday that it happened.

"Eijirou, you're going to catch a cold. Don't you have anything at all that's warmer to wear instead of being half naked?"

Kirishima flashed you a confident smile in his full Red Riot gear. "Don't worry, (Y/N)! I don't intend to stop moving during training, and men run warmer anyway. I'll be fine! Besides, I'd just tear up warm clothes with my quirk anyway." He clacked his knuckles together in his signature way.

"I'm just saying it's literally less than freezing outside, and I just don't want you sick."

"I appreciate it, but I'm good to go!"

And now you were here, nursing a very much I'll Kirishima.

"Looks like you've got some work to do on your costume, eh, Kirishima?" Mina teased him.

"While I understand this is a learning experience, I must remind you being sick hinders your studies and poses a risk to infecting the rest of the class. Please be more careful in the future!"

"Thanks, class prez, you're a regular ray of sunshine."

As much as you wanted to chew him out, too, you felt sorry for the fact that the entire class was doing a good job of that already.

"Well, you're sick and that's that, so I'm going to get you some soup for that sore throat and you just sleep it off, ok?"