Chapter Text
It all changed the moment they walked out of their dorms, in an identical pace that could only be achieved through familiarity with one another. "Oi, Shitty Hair!" Katsuki called to Kirishima.
Kirishima stopped just outside of his door, ticking Katsuki off. "What the fuck are you waiting for, let's fucking g—" Kirishima turned around.
“Hey what the hell-” He cut off when he caught sight of Kirishima’s face.
Kirishima looked, for lack of better words….like complete shit.
That usual happy, light glow that came from his face was nowhere to be seen. There were dark spots under his eyes, clashing with the paleness of his face. And something about his whole demeanor read ‘Leave me alone’. What the hell? Katsuki asked himself, not knowing the answer to his own damn question. “What the hell Kirishima? You look shittier than usual.” as soon as the words left his lips, he mentally cursed himself out for how insensitive he sounded.
“What the hell is wrong with me?!” Kirishima said, pissed off. “No. What’s wrong with you, Bakugou? Constantly, day after day after every damn day! Giving people shitty names, not showing even an ounce of respect for any living being. And for what? Are you scared that being a decent human being is going to hurt your damn pride? That it’s going to affect your shitty reputation? I don’t get why you have to be so….so mean.”
Katsuki stood there, speechless. There was only one thing that he was thinking: Why? Why was Kirishima so angry, and so tired? Kirishima looked as though he was doing the same.
Suddenly, the normal Kirishima attitude snapped back, immediately apologizing, “I’m sorry, Bakugou! I just stayed up late last night...uh...studying. Y-yeah. Studying. I’m kind of cranky without my sleep…” He shot Katsuki a smile, which was dimmer than usual.
Whatever, he thought. Let that idiot solve his own damn problems. Silently, he nodded, before he continued walking down the hall, reaching the elevator.
The day went on as usual, except for the exhausted Kirishima that sat in the back of the classroom. Sucks for him. He’s gonna waste my time because he’s sleeping in class. He can’t get mad at me for yelling at him. Katsuki thought, ignoring the nagging feeling in the back of his head.
After school, Katsuki approached Kirishima, who was lying down on the common room sofa.
“Oi, Shitty Hair. Study time.” Katsuki said, grumpy as usual.
When the red head didn’t respond, Katsuki repeated himself, louder this time.
Jumping, Kirishima looked up at Katsuki, expression unreadable. “Oh, yeah.” He started, rubbing his neck awkwardly, “I….uh...kind of need to-” Yawning, he broke his sentence, sharp teeth showing. Smacking his lips, he continued, “-catch up on sleep.” Katsuki hadn’t realized that he had been staring at Kirishima’s mouth, until Kirishima’s words broke his ‘trance’.
Katsuki didn’t pay attention to the next few things he said, too busy thinking about what he was just doing.
“Okay, get some rest.” He said calmly , not processing the way he spoke. Suddenly, the entire common room was quiet.
“Did…” Ochako started, bewildered
“...he just…” Hagakure said, interrupting Ochako.
“...not explode in anger?” Everyone in the room asked simultaneously, overlapping each other.
Even Kirishima was looking surprised, though a streak of pride was gleaming in his eyes. Kaminari approached Katsuki, “Dude...you good fam?”
Katsuki mindlessly nodded, not even hesitating. Kaminari turned to Shinsou, “Your not brainwashing him...are you?” Shinsou shook his head, surprise breaking his usual tired look.
This calm demeanour broke when Midoriya approached the blonde. “Kacchan? Is- is something...wrong? If….if you need..uh..somebody to t-talk to…” The boy continued to stutter.
A flare of anger rose within Katsuki, bring him back to reality. He looked around, anger quickly taking over him as he saw everyone that was staring at him. He whipped his head around to face Deku.
“Nothing is fucking wrong, and even if something was, You’d be the last damn person to know. I’d rather go to hell than console you, fucking nerd. If you think anything different, I’ll kill you. Got it Deku?” Katsuki didn’t wait for the boy to stutter a response, he walked past him, purposely bumping into Deku.
“ Wasn’t everyone fucking busy a few moments ago? If you guys had any brain power left, you should probably be spending your dumbasses doing something USEFUL.” The blonde muttered teeth gritted as he made his way to the stairwell.
Once the door to the stairwell shut, he made his way up to the next floor before stopping and sitting down just outside the elevator.
What the fuck was that?! Was all Katsuki could think, eyes closed. He leaned his head on the wall, taking a deep breath.
“Hey, Bakugou!” A voice said, making him accidentally bang his head against the wall. “SHIT! FUCK! AH, WHAT THE-” His head throbbed, and the anger that rose didn’t help it at all.
Standing up, he turned to find the source, his palms crackling. “WHOMST THE FU-” He caught sight of Kirishima, explosions cutting off. Scowling, he turned to the elevator, pushing the button for their floor.
Unfortunately for him, his neighbour tagged along. “What the hell do you want Shitty Hair?” The blonde said, his head angry with pain.
“Ah! I’m sorry Bakubro! I didn’t mean to startle you! Are you okay?” Kirishima said, worry drowning in his tone. Katsuki shot Kirishima a look, “ I’m fucking fine. You didn’t FUCKING startle me, I…did that on purpose.” He crossed his arms over his chest, still pissed off.
A chuckle came for Kirishima, “Oh? Wait...did you just shout ‘whomst the fuck?” Katsuki jutted his lip out, scowling. “All jokes aside, are you actually okay?” Kirishima asked, worry coming back on his face.
Before Katsuki could answer though, Kirishima placed a hand on Katsuki’s forehead. Surprised, Katsuki slapped his hand away, getting out of his reach. “What the HELL ARE YOU DOING?!” he yelled, just as the elevator door pinged. Without a second thought, he stomped out of the elevator, reaching his door in record time. Before he could grab his key though, Kirishima said, “ Y’know, I was just trying to see if my FRIEND was okay. I’M SORRY that you don’t appreciate me caring about you OR your health!” Both doors were forgotten as Kirishima continued ranting. “This is probably new to you, but maybe just maybe, people would actually like and enjoy your presence if you could just tone down the whole ‘Bitchy’ act.” without another word, Kirishima stomped through his door, and slammed it shut behind him.
Katsuki thought about slamming his own door out of spite, he really did. But past all the stubbornness and anger, he knew that Kirishima was right. He wasn’t going to progress if he continued to act the way he does.
Middle school is over Katsuki, he told himself. You don’t need to defend yourself any more. It was true, he didn’t need to be at the top in order to survive. But old habits die hard, especially for him. Sure, everyone in Class 2-A respected each other, but that didn’t mean Katsuki was able to drop a habit that he’s had for years.
Sighing, he turned over to his side. This…...was going to be a very long night.