Chapter Text
The realization that Katsuki wants to spend the rest of his life with Kirishima doesn’t happen during some profound moment. There’s no lightbulb over his head, no crescendoing orchestra playing in the background as the sun rises over the ocean and waves splash against the rocky cliff while the sea breeze blows through his hair and gets salt water in his mouth.
It happens on public transit.
They’re on the train back to UA, just the two of them. It’s late, bordering on Katsuki’s bedtime; normally he’d be annoyed that he was still out so late, but he had had a pretty nice day. Nothing special happened, just he and Kirishima hanging out off-campus in a rare moment of peace, so he was strangely calm, the chatter of the other riders fading into the background rather than grating at his eardrums as he sat on one of the benches next to Kirishima, the two riding in a comfortable silence.
It really had been a good day. They had gotten lunch out and wandered around town, not having a goal in mind, just window shopping and popping into any stores that looked interesting. Kirishima had been his usual ball of enthusiasm and sunshine, chatting with Katsuki about anything and everything one second before running off to pet a cute dog or stare through a store window in awe the next.
A smile threatened to break across Katsuki’s face each time, but he was quick to wipe it away before anybody could see it. He had a reputation to uphold after all.
The redhead was always bringing those smiles out of him though, and for nothing most of the time. Kirishima could just be existing, could be eating lunch or doing solo training or whining about Ectoplasm’s math homework, and Katsuki would feel his cheeks start to tug up before he forced them back down into his scowl. Kirishima just…made him happy.
It was almost scary how happy Kirishima made him. He usually didn’t give extras the time of day, but ever since the USJ, the redhead has been stuck to his hip, and Katsuki would always look for him there. He couldn’t even imagine a day when Kirishima wasn’t there.
He didn’t want to imagine it.
The thought was sudden, and Katsuki blinked in surprise, his attention breaking from his phone. He wanted Kirishima at his side. He wanted him there, every day until forever, and he didn’t hate it. Couldn’t bring himself to hate it.
He’d never thought about anybody else like that, didn’t think he ever would. All his life he’s been so focused on becoming the number one hero that he didn’t even fantasize about having any kind of close friendship (at least, not since Deku). But Kirishima was different.
He’s always been different, Katsuki mused to himself, watching his phone screen go dark from inactivity. Always the exception.
A weight landed on his shoulder, and Katsuki froze, thoughts coming to a halt. He glanced to the side, and that smile started working its way onto his face again. Kirishima had fallen asleep, his face squished against Katsuki’s shoulder as he hugged the bag of stuff he’d gotten from one of the stores to his chest, soft breaths puffing out of his mouth as he snored softly.
Yeah, he wouldn’t mind keeping this idiot in his life.
Their stop sounded over the intercom as the train started to slow, and Katsuki gently nudged Kirishima. “Oi, Kiri. Time to go,” he whispered.
Kirishima’s face turned into his shoulder as he scrunched his eyes before he blinked awake, and he squinted up at Katsuki, a soft smile breaking across his face as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Hey man…”
Katsuki bit his lip to fight back his grin. “Let’s go, we’re at our stop.”
“Mkay.” Kirishima yawned as he stood and stretched, and he followed Katsuki onto the platform and out the station as they started the short walk back to campus. It was a peaceful night, the sky clear and letting the stars twinkle overhead, and there wasn’t much traffic out either. Kirishima was more awake now, but he didn’t break the silence, just walking alongside Katsuki as he hummed under his breath.
Katsuki’s hands were shoved in his pockets as he walked, and he watched Kirishima out of the corner of his eye. Katsuki didn’t want Kirishima to leave, but did the redhead feel the same? He knew he was prickly around the edges, warding off anybody who tried to get close, so he understood if he would want to break off their friendship at some point. That didn’t stop his stomach from twisting uncomfortably. “Hey Red.”
Kirishima turned to look at him, his smile appearing again. “Yeah?”
Katsuki pursed his lips, trying to figure out how best to ask. “...we’re gonna keep being friends, right?”
Kirishima blinked in surprise, but he nodded, his smile turning confused. “Of course, man. I’ll be your friend for as long as you want me to.”
Katsuki looked over at him, suddenly feeling completely exposed to this sunshiney redhead. “And what if that’s forever?”
Kirishima grinned wide enough for the corners of his eyes to crinkle, and he bumped his shoulder against Katsuki’s. “Then I guess you’ll always have me stuck by your side.”
Katsuki snorted and bumped Kirishima back, and he finally let a small smile stay on his lips. He wouldn’t have it any other way.