Chapter Text
They docked in another small coastal town much like the last few he’d visited during the beginning of his travels. It looked the same as the others. Small houses and inns, a few places to eat, a market place.
Just like the other places, children ran freely jumping and skipping, singing and dancing, laughing and playing. Grandmothers scolding the young for getting into trouble all while managing booths of fresh fruits, fish, and homemade objects.
With his eyes closed he breathed in the same salty air, and the strong scent of sea life that wafted around him. The cool ocean breeze danced past his cheeks, carrying a hint of warm soups and spices from the marketplace with it.
A strong hand that clasped against his shoulder woke him from his trance. Though the grip was tight, the pressure was welcoming and friendly as was the cheesy smile that accompanied. He only had to look up slightly to meet the eyes of the dark haired man in front of him.
“I can’t wait to dig into some home cooked meals,” the taller of the two exclaimed, removing the hand to pat his stomach. “The ladies in these towns really know how to feed a man!”
His stomach growled at the thought of a eating warm and fresh foods. “Can’t believe I’m actually fucking saying this, but for once I agree with you, Soy Sauce,” he responded with a snort.
The taller boy groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. Annoyance was clearly expressed, and the brunettes smile was replaced only momentarily by a scowl.
“Bakugo, buddy. We’ve been roommates for a year now. You know my name is Sero. I thought we stopped with the childish nicknames!”
Sero whined about Bakugo’s taunts constantly which only caused the blonde to keep them coming. He loved getting under the skin of his crew mates; he couldn’t help himself.
The taunting, snarky replies were easy to him. When he first joined the crew, the insults and aggression he threw at them was real. After learning to work with and respect the men around him, only recently had he stopped adding venom in the mix.
He got along with his crew mates fine, they learned to work around his temper. Bakugo was a hard and dedicated worker, and the men on deck appreciated it greatly. For that, they respected him, and he respected them.
“Stop whining, I’m fucking hungry” he replied.
Bakugo turned to look at the large military ship behind them. The boat was cold and angry. It had a fire burning inside of it that matched Bakugo's own.
For one week they were docked here. For one week he had free time. For one week he was free from his duty.
Looking ahead, Sero was already at the end of the pier, waving the blonde over. Bakugo picked up his over night bag and threw it over his shoulder. He sauntered down the ramp taking one last look as he left the boat behind him.
__________
The two strolled through the marketplace in comfortable silence. Sero understood Bakugo’s preference of quiet.
Being on board such a large vessel, Bakugo noticed it was always noisy. There was the constant crash of waves, the shouts of sailors, and the loud sounds the boat made all day and all night long. It was a constant hum, a ringing in his ears.
The sounds of the town was a welcome change, and one the both of them enjoyed. People talking, enjoying, living. It was pleasant, and neither Bakugo nor Sero wanted to interrupt it.
When they were out and about clad in their stark white Navy uniforms, Bakugo and Sero were stopped frequently. They were always offered by elderly ladies snacks and treats to take with them on their travels. The compliments and praise the elders gave them always made Sero’s cheeks redden.
They stopped at a booth that smelled sweet like baked goods, but Bakugo moved on quickly leaving Sero to talk with the young lady managing it. He watched as his friend leaned against the counter obviously chatting up a storm with the round faced girl. His friend was a notorious flirt, always leaving the ladies stammering and blushing.
Rolling his eyes, Bakugo left the booth and walked down the crowded aisle a bit further. He recognized the bitter scent of chili peppers and followed his nose to a small booth with no bothersome customers.
A young girl with short dark hair stood behind the counter, paying him no attention. She flipped through the pages of a book, only recognizing his presence with a small grunt.
The smell inside was warm and filled with spices he recognized easily. It made his mouth water and a little, only a little bit of excitement course through him.
“Hey, shitty manager, gimme the spiciest thing you've got, and it better not be your attitude.”
His sharp tone caught the girls attention. She rose her brow, finally setting her book down, and looking him over.
“Aren't sailors supposed to be respectful of the places they visit? Or are you just a shitty sailor?” she rebutted, obviously not batting an eye over his obnoxious remark.
He smirked, playing on with the girls own sense of temper. “Pfft, None of that rainbows and sunshine shit for me. Now are you going to get me some food or what?” he snapped.
He crossed his arms over his chest, hip popped as he waited. He tapped his foot as he waited eagerly to try the food at her booth.
She sighed, voice monotone as she spoke, “This is my great grandmothers recipe. She used four different types of peppers in the mix. Yes it's spicy. No we don't do refunds. Yes there's a nurses station down the aisle. If you can't handle it, it's your fault, wimp.”
He snatched the food with grabby hands, digging into the soup almost immediately. He hummed in delight. It had been too long since he'd had food this spicy.
To him it was full of flavour. Each chilli pepper added a different taste, each spice he could taste evenly. Paprika, cumin, curry. It was a lovely blend of spicy with a little bit of sweet, and he adored it.
“You… you're not spitting it out?”
He looked to the girl, the shock on her face clear as day. Eyebrows pinched together, lips parted, nose wrinkled.
“Everyone who tries it always spits it right out screaming about how spicy it is. You actually like it?” shock wiped away, and her features softened, a smile turning on her cheeks.
Bakugo shrugged his shoulders. “It's got great flavour, whoever doesn't like it is fucking weak.”
Her smile turned quickly to a smirk, and a devilish look began to twist her features. Her eyes danced with excitement.
“So, if you can stand this, think you do spicier?”
“Can I? What kind of a fucking question is that, lady?” he scoffed shaking his head at her.
She chuckled, rubbing her hands together excitedly. “Well hotshot, you're just in luck.”
The girl rifles through one of the drawers in her till coming up with a scrap of paper. She scribbles something on it and hands it to Bakugo.
“I don't know how long you're in town, but get yourself to Pinky’s and try their special spice as soon as possible. No one has been able to stand it's power. It's seriously deadly. The bar opens at 8, tell one of the girls Jirou sent you. Be there or be square.”
He snatched the paper from her hand, “Is this a fucking challenge?”
She sat herself back down on her stool, and picked her book back up.
“Could be,” she responded, all excitement was drained from her voice, as she resumed her cool and monotone composure.
If there was something Bakugo enjoyed more than spicy food, it was a challenge.
__________
“Bakugo, buddy slow down! She said it opens at 8. It's 7:55. You're acting like it will close at five after.” Sero complained, tugging his arm free from Bakugo's grip.
Though his legs were longer, Sero was practically jogging to keep up.
Bakugo only grumbled in response, following the poor directions Jirou had scribbled out. He would have been there sooner if Sero hadn't taken so long to get ready.
For someone who had the same buzzed cut as the rest of them, Sero tried extra hard to stand out.
He couldn't care less, dressed in casual slacks and an old polo. Where as Sero was styled like he was going to a five star diner.
The boys took one final turn down a thin alleyway. It was dark, but close to the end, they could tell it was the bar they were looking for because of the giant, neon pink sign above. It gave the alley a pink glow, highlighting their skin and hair.
When they got to the door, they were stopped by a tall, slender woman who more than anything was intimidating. She pushed the hair from her face, eyeing the boys up and down.
“Been a while since we've had navy boys. Too bad you're so young, I would have eaten you up myself,” she winked, eyes boring holes into their souls.
The two shuffled awkwardly under her watchful gaze. Bakugo had to admit, it was way more intimidating than Commander Aizawa’s.
“So what brings you two sailors here to Pinky’s? Not here to cause some trouble, are ya? I'd have to kick ‘yer asses myself.”
She leaned her long and curvy body against the door frame, her arms crossed against her large chest. If her glare wasn't intimidating before, now it was enough to send even their captain reeling with his tails between his legs.
Bakugo stood tall and proud with his shoulders square and sent his signature glare back at her.
“Some Jirou told me you had the spiciest food around. ‘M here to see for myself. Now are you gonna let me in to eat or not you old bat?” he growled, patience wearing thin.
Sero's jaw dropped, his gaze going between the glare off in front of him. Bakugo could feel the nervous sweat pouring off of his companion.
The ladies smile grew large and ominous, and she towered over the two. “Jirou sent you to see this old bat, eh? I'll have to give her a word about who she brings me!” She responded through clenched teeth.
“Go on in, sit down, enjoy yourself boys! Welcome to my bar!” she growled, opening the door for the two.
Bakugo shrugged himself past her, Sero close behind apologizing to the woman at the door.
“Geeze! Way to go pissing off the owner of the place!” he groaned. “She could have her staff spit in our food for all we know.”
“Stop whining,” the blonde muttered.
The bar was dimly lit by pink lights, except for the stage which was lit with blue and red hues. Other than the odd colours, it was as typical as a bar could get. Tables for eating, a dance floor, and a photobooth in the back corner.
“What can I get you two tall glasses of water?” a soft voice with a face to match appeared before the boys.
Her hair was soft and bouncy, and the lights made her hair actually look pink. Her big round eyes were accentuated with dark makeup. The girl was wearing a dress that hugged her curves delicately, but had a claasy and edgy feel to it. Bakugo kept his eyes to her face, but he could see Sero drinking her all in.
Before he could get a word in, Sero's big mouth started chatting away with the lady.
He zoned the two out, drumming his fingers along with the band that was starting up. He could recognize the tapping of the drums, the plucking of the guitars, and “check, check, mic check” of the singer.
A dish was placed in front of him and he looked up to Sero, still chatting to the lady who was now leaning over the bar, batting her big eyes and flirting dangerously with him. The darker haired boy gave him a thumbs up and a wink in response.
As he munched on the food in front of him, he nodded. It was spicy enough to make his eyes and nose run, but not spicy enough to have him running for the hills. Just the way he liked it.
As he ate in peace, the band started to play. He turned in his chair, to get a better look at the musicians playing. Without Sero to keep him busy, his night would be too boring other wise.
The stingy girl from the chilli booth was off to the side of the stage, stringing out a beat on a guitar. Her head bobbed in rhythm to the chords she was playing. Her eyes were closed, but he could tell from his spot in the back, she still looked monotone and calm like before.
At the back of the stage behind Jirou was a wooden piano, the keys covered up but a microphone rested on top. Next to the piano was a simple set of drums. A boy with shaggy and bright blonde hair swept back slick against his head started to join in. He tapped the snare, and crashed lightly on the cymbals.
Though his attention was stolen away the moment the boy in the front opened his mouth and spoke. The two other band members were long forgotten.
“Good evening ladies and gents. Thanks for joining us here at Pinky's. We're Red Yellow and Blue and we hope you have a swell time with us tonight.”
The front man was clad in black slacks and a white dress shirt accompanied by a sleek red bowtie and suspenders. The mans bright red hair was more vibrant than anything he'd seen before. The colour was definitely unique to this man's character, and so was its style. Spiked up high and strong, completely unlike the slicked back look that was in style with most men.
“Word from the birds been that western rock is far out,” the man paused slightly his full lips pulled back to show off a bright smile. “Just so happens we agree. We're gonna start tonight off with one of my favourites, hope you all like the King of Rock n Roll.”
__________
As the night drew to a close Bakugo knew something was up with himself. He wasn't able to take his eyes off of the redhead for a second. The man easily showed off his confidence in the way he owned the stage. He sang songs proudly in a rough voice that didn't sound too far off from the originals Bakugo recognized.
The way the redhead moved along to the music, rhythm and grace resided in his dance steps. He could tell the boy was a fan of Elvis as he mimicked dance moves Bakugo had seen on the televisions broadcasted in previous bars and restaurants he'd been to in larger cities.
Not only was the boy talented in the way he sang and the way he moved, he was able to do all that while playing along on various instruments. During slower songs Katsuki watched the redhead sing at the piano. The redheads fingers moved quickly along the keys. When the man wanted to pick the pace back up, a sleek silver trumpet was picked up and added to the mix.
When the band began to bid their farewell, the trance he was in broke. Katsuki’s heart was racing fast and erratic. His palms were hot and sweaty, an easy sign he was nervous. The way the redhead smiled into the music made Bakugo's head spin.
“Looks like lover boy over here is caught on the hook. Couldn't keep yer eyes off him, eh?” The lady winked, blowing Bakugo a sly kiss.
“I don't got a clue on what you're talking about, Bug Eyes.”
“Oh-ho really now? Mr. I love spicy food, but I let my entire dish go cold?” her deep laugh echoed through the now quiet bar.
He looked to the long forgotten dish of spicy food and frowned. When he huffed and turned away from the girl and the food, she extended her hand right at him. Her smile almost wider than Sero's. Almost.
“Oh I didn't mean to razz your berries, Sour Puss. Put ‘Er there! The names Mina Ashido, and this groovy place here is mine ‘n my sisters joint.”
Staring down at the soft and dainty hand with long pink nails in front of him, he hesitantly grabbed it, shaking gently.
To his surprise, she had a vice grip stronger and more confident than anyone he'd met. If her sister really was the lady out front, then confidence and strength radiated through their family.
She chuckled moving her hand from his to clasp it onto his shoulder, smacking it repeatedly. “Can't blame ya though! Kiri is quite the flutter-bum if I do say so myself!”
Katsuki's brows pulled together as he shrugged her hand off.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Oh you know, he's quite the looker, so devilishly handsome it's almost unfair. He's got everyone oogling over him and his dreaaaaamy voice. Every one's wrapped around his sweet music playing fingers, and I mean EVERYONE!” She exaggerated widely with her dainty hands. She was loud, too loud for his liking.
“Oh get bent,” he muttered back, arms crossing against his chest. Bakugo’s pout deepening into a scowl.
A thick and heavy arm draped along his shoulders. It was bigger than the girls, and it came from the opposite side of Sero. Bakugo growled in response, about to tell the stranger to bug off, when he spoke.
Katsuki froze, body stiff. His head turned almost mechanically to see the red headed singer slumped in a seat right beside him. He was close.
Too close.
“What's with the long face there, party pooper?” the redhead smiled his wide toothy grin.
“None of your fucking business shitty hair. This damn fuzzy duck is too damn annoying.”
Bakugo shoved the man's arm off, face reddening slightly.
The redhead put his hands up in defence, smile switching quickly to a frown.
“Sorry there buddy-o didn't mean t' bug you.”
“Don't worry about Bakugo, he's always salty and stingy. Its just his facade he puts up to steer the weak people away as he'd say.” Sero responded to the redhead, reaching across Bakugo to shake his hand.
“Can it, Soy Sauce,” Bakugo's remark was ignored as the brunet continued blabbering easily.
“That was such a crazy set you played there. I'm Sero, and well, this stubborn pony here's Bakugo.”
The redhead smiled at the two of them, waving eagerly, “Well it's nice to meet ya! I'm Kirishima Eijirou, this greaser over here is Kaminari, and Jirou's our guitarist!”
Kirishima pointed to the people beside him. Bakugo hadn't noticed their presence. Kirishima’big blinding light seemed to swallow them whole.
“Oi! I know her, she's the shitty manager of the shitty booth, with the shitty spicy food,” Bakugo pointed at the girl at the far end of the bar.
She smirked, responding to him only with the middle finger. The blonde beside her snickered, waving at the group.
“Good t’ meet you! Glad you liked our set!” he beamed, pretending to crash a fake drum set.
Kirishima turned to face Bakugo of all people, his smile even brighter.
“So what brings you two here? I've never seen such handsome faces round these parts before.”
Bakugo's jaw dropped, the forwardness of the man had him speechless. Who even said things like that to another dude?!
“Our boats docked here for the week to gather supplies. The Great Bonaventure and it's greater crew members here at your service!”
Sero was smug and always gloat Ed about his Navy status. He brought his hand up, perching it in a salut above his brow. The darker haired boy wiggled his brows and winked at the pretty girl in front of him. Sero turned his attention back to Mina to continue flirting. His conversation with the two boys now finished.
The red head lit up, eyes wide and sparkling as he stared directly at Bakugo. It made the blonde shift awkwardly in his seat, the gleam making him uncomfortable.
“You're in the navy? That's so cool! So manly too! Ah! Tsu, slide two cold ones over this way! Give the navy boy a drink on me!”
He cheered tossing his arm back around Bakugo's shoulder carelessly. If Bakugo’s cheeks hadn't been a dusty red before, they certainly were now.
Two tall glasses of pale beer were placed in front of the boys by a sheepish girl who bowed and went back to serving at the other end of the bar.
With his free hand, the redhead picked up his glass and took a long drink.
“So pal, what brings you here of all places?” Kirishima asked.
Bakugo was amazed, no matter what the man's smile hardly faltered. It was permanently plastered on his cheery face. Bakugo was drinking it all in. If he didn't have a glass of cheep liquor intoxicating him, he would have been drunk off of Kirishima's bright smile alone.
“Your shitty guitarist. She told me to come here to get spicy food,” Bakugo shrugged, taking a hesitant sip from his own drink.
“Oh Jirou! She - wait, did you say spicy food?? Please tell me you haven't tried it yet! It's so spicy it'll spoil your night!” Kirishima whined almost childlike.
He rolled his eyes in response, “What are ya, wimpy or something? It's not all that spicy. Bitter ya, but the flavour is okay.”
The red heads jaw dropped in shock.
Smirking, Bakugo tapped the bottom of Kirishima’s chin with his index finger, “Keep your mouth open like that and you'll catch flies.”
Kirishima’s mouth snapped shut, and he squirmed in his seat beside Bakugo, “Oh man!! And I thought you were manly before!” he gasped, bright eyes almost blinding, “No one's able to eat the Ashido's deadly spicy sauce! You're so, so cool Bakugo!”
He was gushing, beaming and drowning Bakugo in praise.
To Bakugo, the praise felt different than the ladies in the marketplace. It felt better, it made his stomach flip and turn and fill with butterflies. It made his swampy head spin in circles and his beating heart to erupt out of his chest. His cheeks felt like they were on fire.
Was he getting sick? Maybe the spicy food was getting to him.
Either way, Bakugo puffed his chest smug and confident. “Of fucking course I am!” he was gloating in his prime.
__________
Throughout the night, the drinks went down easily and the two got along easier. Bakugo was surprised by how well the two kicked it off, and how much the red head actually made him laugh.
Sadly, Pinky's couldn't stay open all night long. It was closer to two am when Mina and Kirishima followed Bakugo and Sero out the front of the bar.
Kirishima slung his arm over Mina's slender frame and smiled at Bakugo easily. Seeing Kirishima's touch on another made his stomach turn, and not in the way it had before. He scowled, hip checking the lady towards Sero and away from Kirishima.
She giggled, landing directly in Sero's long arms. She looked up at the brunet with her big raccoon eyes.
“Are ya gonna come back tomorrow night? Kiri's bands playing again. Please please!”
She begged, batting her eyes at Sero affectionately.
“How can I say no to a lady as lovely as yourself there darlin’.”
Bakugo rolled his eyes. Their public display of affection was gross. He shrugged, he wouldn't mind coming back if it meant spending time with and watching Kirishima.
Bakugo shuffled on his spot slightly awkward. He shoved his hands deep into the pocket of his slacks. Bakugo looked up to Kirishima who much to his displeasure was taller than him by a whole head.
“Your music was kinda cool. Guess I'll have to swing by too.”
The pink sign above them illuminated Kirishima's growing grin. His sharp and masculine features were soft in the pink glow of the neon sign. It added to the growing red on Kirishima's big cheeks.
“Really?”
“Yeah really. Now don't have a cow.”
“You're so awesome Bakugo!”
The blond was surprised to feel strong arms wrap around his torso, spinning him around in a circle and placing him on the ground quickly.
“Ah! I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that! I'm just excited to see you tomorrow.” Kirishima hummed, rocking his body slightly from side to side.
The redhead was suddenly bashful, looking at Bakugo nervously. He chewed at his bottom lip, looking to the ground before looking back up to Bakugo with anxious red eyes.
“I'll play you something great tomorrow. I promise! Something you'll never forget!” the bashful look that donned his face was back to being proud and full of confidence. The nervousness was there and gone in the blink of an eye.
“Can't wait to hear it, Nerd,” Bakugo smirked. He reached past Kirishima to grab tightly into Sero's sleek dress shirt.
“let's go Soy Sauce. It's late, time to hit the hay.” Bakugo grumbled.
Mina frowned, sticking her tongue out to the blond, “Party Pooper.”
“We'll be back t'morrow doll face. Don't you worry your pretty little smile.”
Bakugo faked a gag, loud and obnoxious.
“Later Shitty Hair, Bug Eyes.”
“See ya later alligator!” Kirishima chimed.
With minds still a bit hazy from the beer, the two boys stumbled around the corner away from the bar. He took a glance behind him to see Kirishima watching him with soft eyes.
His stomach fluttered. He definitely wasn't sick.
Sero sighed. “I feel like I'm on cloud nine when I'm with her…”
In the dark of the night, they were no longer illuminated by the neon pink lights, but by the pale moonlight and the fluorescent street lamps scattered randomly through the street.
Bakugo could see the brunet rub his face and kick a littered beer can in frustration. It clattered loudly in the silence of the night.
“I'm such a goner buddy.”
Bakugo thought quickly to Kirishima and his bright smile, his soft eyes, his charming voice. His stomach turned, and butterflies swarmed inside. Bakugo only spent one night with the man and he knew he wasn't getting sick. He knew it wasn't the spicy food hitting him.
It wasn't normal for him to be thinking this way. People in this time didn't think this way. It was frowned upon.
Bakugo frowned.
But, Kirishima was different. He surely was flirting with Bakugo. He called him handsome. He touched him constantly. His eyes lingered.
Kirishima was different. From the colour and style of his hair, the mannerisms he had, the way he flirted.
Bakugo blushed, keeping his head down and out of sight. Maybe, just maybe it was fine.
“Me too…” he muttered quietly, barely loud enough for Sero to hear, “Me too.”