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“Oi, Shitty-Hair, I’m not gonna wait forever for you to find a fucking outfit! Christ.”
Katsuki Bakugou was yelling in front the redhead’s door, growing impatient. He could hear Kirishima sputter out apologies from the behind the door. He always took forever to get dressed. They were heading to the Hero Expo, which was apparently going to be even bigger and more extravagant than last year’s, mainly to make up for what was missed last year due to the villain attack.
Bakugou was admittedly a little nervous, not only because he was going somewhere that stirred some memories that he’d rather forget, but also because he was going to use the Expo as an opportunity to confess to Kirishima.
After a couple of minutes, Kirishima finally opened the door to allow Bakugou to come inside.
“Heheh, sorry for taking so long.” The redhead was quick to apologize. “It took forever to find a shirt that matched.” He was dressed in an open red button-down shirt with a crimson T-shirt beneath it, black cargo shorts, and red crocs. Other than the crocs, Bakugou thought that he honestly didn’t look half-bad. He wasn’t going to admit that though.
“Whatever,” Bakugou walked into the room like he owned the place, which to be fair, wasn’t too far off. Both of them have spent so much in the other’s rooms over the past year that a lot of the students were saying that they basically had two rooms. Though most everyone knew that he was comforting Kirishima after their ordeal at the Expo, it didn’t stop rumors on what exactly what they were doing. The blonde instantly quashed the rumor by saying that it was none of their business and threatening to kill whoever started the rumor. Kirishima has been through enough, the last thing he needs is to deal with is some shitty gossip.
The blonde plopped down on the bed as Kirishima went into the bathroom to gel up his hair. While he was waiting, he began thinking about all everything that’s happened over the past year.
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After being discharged from the hospital, Kirishima had tried to get back to his usual routine, smiling and being the literal ray of sunshine Bakugou has always known him as during the day, but at night, the redhead would get nightmares about what happened, ranging from the torture, the brainwashing, or the worst one of all, killing Bakugou while brainwashed. He refused to tell Bakugou or the others, as it would only make them worry, and Kirishima didn’t want to put Bakugou through any more trouble. He’s already done enough.
However, the nightmares got so bad that Kirishima had tried to avoid sleeping, which many of his classmates, Bakugou included, quickly noticed when they saw the bags under his eyes, and started to smile less and less. When asked about it, he just gave an obvious fake smile and a weak thumbs up.
“Nah I’m fine, really! Just went to sleep a little late is all. I’ll be good by the end of the week, promise!”
He wasn’t fine.
His mood got progressively got worse, and during the final hero class of the week, Kirishima was so tired that he forgot to harden and got himself injured.
Bakugou hadn’t been doing much better either.
It didn’t take the blonde long to figure out the cause of Kirishima’s sudden mood change, and it made him feel incredibly guilty. He began blaming himself for both Kirishima’s mood and his injury, believing he could’ve prevented this if he had rescued him sooner. First, he couldn’t help All Might, and now he couldn’t help Kirishima. Why couldn’t he do anything? Why was he so damn useless?
When Bakugou visited Kirishima in the nurse’s office later that day, the blonde immediately began yelling at Kirishima, angrily asking why Kirishima hasn’t told him anything. Realizing how much this was stressing his friend out, Kirishima finally fessed up and told Bakugou everything. About how he kept having nightmares, how he didn’t want to worry Bakugou, and how dumb he was for not talking to him sooner. He waited patiently for the blonde to explode at him for being stupid and unmanly.
Instead, the anger on Bakugou’s face was replaced with surprise, then hurt.
“Goddamnit...” He started backing away slowly. “Shit! Shit! Shit!” He looked down at his sparking palms with anger, but it wasn’t towards Kirishima. “This is all my fucking fault!” He could feel the beginning of tears well up in his eyes as he began to shake.
He didn’t even notice Kirishima starting to get up out of the bed, looking at his friend with growing concern. “Katsuki…”
“If I had gotten to you sooner, none of this shit wouldn’t have happened, and you wouldn’t have got your ass hurt today!” He balled his hands into fists, which were still setting of small explosions. “It’s just like fucking Kamino! I couldn’t do a damn thing to help All Might back then, and I couldn’t even save you back then when you really needed me the most!” His voice was cracking. “You didn’t deserve what those fuckers did to you, and I wasn’t even able to get you back until it was already too late!” He angrily wiped back the frustrated tears. “Some great fucking hero I am!”
“Katsuki, listen to me.”
Bakugou looked up, seeing Kirishima in front of him, still wearing his gown. Before the blonde could even say anything, he was pulled into a tight hug.
“It wasn’t your fault.” He started. “Nobody’s perfect, and you and everyone else could only do so much.” He grabbed the blonde’s shoulders. “If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine for letting them get to me like that.”
Bakugou tried to push Kirishima away to glare at him, “Don’t you DARE start blaming yourse-“
Kirishima cut him off, “I never wanted to hurt you, but I did, and having to relive it in my dreams over and over again, and sometimes being too late to stop myself…” he held back a sob. “I was so scared, and I REALLY wanted to talk to you... but I just couldn’t. You had your own things to worry about, and I didn’t want to add on to that.”
Bakugou gave a dry laugh at that, “Yeah, and look how fucking well that turned out.”
Kirishima couldn't hold back his own little chuckle, “Anyways, what I’m trying to say is…” he looked Bakugou in the eyes as he pressed their foreheads together. “You did save me. If it wasn’t for you, I’d still be back with the League and hurting innocent people. You brought me back from that brainwashing in a way that no one else possibly could have.” He gave a sad smile as tears streamed down his face. “You’re an amazing hero, Katsuki, and don’t ever think that you’re not. You’re going to be number one, right?”
Bakugou looked at Kirishima in utter shock, completely dumbfounded.
Kirishima hugged Bakugou again.
“Thank you for being my friend.”
Bakugou was still for a few moments before he gave a small, but genuine smile as he hugged Kirishima back, blinking away the tears that threatened to form.
“You dumbass...”
The moment was ruined by the flash of a camera phone. Bakugou instantly turned towards the direction of the flash to see most of the class watching them, with Kaminari being the one to take the picture.
“Wow, I never thought I’d see the day where Bakugou would go soft.” He teased, clearly not reading the mood. Everyone else slowly backed away, knowing that the electric blonde wasn’t going to be much longer for this world.
Bakugou’s expression turned from surprised to fuming in an instant.
“YOU ASSHOLE!” He roared, launching himself. “I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!”
Kirishima laughed as Bakugou chased Kaminari out of the nurse’s office, threatening to tear him limb from limb and delete the photo.
After their talk in the nurse’s room, Bakugou made it a point to visit and comfort Kirishima whenever he had a nightmare, and had told the redhead not to hesitate to wake him up during the night if he needs someone to talk to. There have even been a couple nights where they slept in the same bed, either too tired or not wanting to wake the other up.
They also got a therapist, paid for by U.A., who talked to them weekly for the next six months afterwards. Kirishima’s nightmares became much less frequent, but still sometimes spent the night in Bakugou's bed, which the blonde didn’t seem to mind. Slowly, but surely things were returning to normal, and the incident was finally reaching the back of their minds.
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Bakugou was brought out of his thoughts when Kirishima came out of the bathroom with his hair spiked up. He gave Bakugou a toothy grin. “Alright! I’m finally ready to go!”
“About damn time.” The blonde snorted as he got up out of the bed. “Thought I was gonna die of old age before you got outta there.” He looked at Kirishima, this red-haired idiot that’s squirmed into his life two years ago, and despite everything, still accepted him for who he was, which not many people did. The fact that Kirishima chose him over someone like fucking Deku still dumbfounded him.
The blonde knew he was crude, violent, and an asshole through and through, but still, Kirishima wasn’t deterred. He still wanted to be around Bakugou, he still wanted to be his friend. He still wanted to hang out, study, spar, and train with him. Most people would have given up ages ago, but not Kirishima.
He was person who was brighter than the sun, and always found a way to shine a light in the darkness that’s been shrouding Bakugou all of his life.
He was a light he didn’t know he needed until it was almost snuffed out a year and a half ago...
...and he wasn’t going to let that light go out. No matter what.
“Let’s go!”
He didn’t even register Kirishima grabbing his hand and practically dragging him out of the dorm with that dopey, sharp-toothed smile. Thankfully, the halls were empty so no would see the massive shade of red Bakugou’s face was.
They spent their time walking to the bus station talking about random things, and while on the bus to the Expo, Kirishima decided to take a nap, and the blonde used it as a opportunity to gently lock his hand in the redhead’s, and was it him, or did he suddenly feel him squeezing his hand?
Once the bus arrived, Kirishima was still asleep, and Bakugou quickly withdrew his hand and nudged the Sturdy Hero awake. “Oi Shitty-Hair, we’re here.” He bonked him on the head “Hurry and get up before I leave your ass on this bus.”
Groggily, Kirishima awakened, and gave a long yawn. As soon as he realized where they were, his energy suddenly returned, and he got excited. “Aaaaaaah! I’m so excited! I can’t wait to see everything!” He grabbed Bakugou’s hand and practically sprinted out of the bus like he wasn’t sleeping like a rock mere moments ago.
Meanwhile, Bakugou was a blushing mess. Can’t this asshole get any cuter?
Once they got the VIP passes (which cost a fortune, but Bakugou doesn’t regret it at all) scanned, they made their way inside.
The moment they stepped in, Kirishima’s eyes practically became saucers, and even Bakugou was taken aback.
They weren’t kidding when they said that it would be more extravagant.
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Of course, being apprenticed to two well-known Pro Heroes would mean that the pair would occasionally get swarmed by fans who wanted to take pictures and get autographs of their favorites. Kirishima was always happy to oblige, and Bakugou would of course offer some token resistance before some minor convincing got him to join in as well. Thankfully, no one so far brought up what happened at the Expo last year, which the explosive hero was thankful for, because he didn’t want him and Kirishima to get kicked out before he could confess.
They spent the entire day together, looking at the different exhibits, playing some of the game booths that they had (Bakugou whooped Kirishima at every last one, except the high striker), eating some the food, signing more autographs for fans, and even running into Fatgum, whose agency was again sponsoring the Expo. The Pro-Hero was very happy to see them and was glad that they were okay and were having great time.
As the day began to wind down, Kirishima and Bakugou decided to sit at the food court for a quick bite to eat before leaving, with Kirishima decided to be the one to get the food. “Okay, Bakugou, I’ll be right back!” He got up and headed to the food wagon selling a variety of food. Kirishima chose a triple cheeseburger with fries, and decided to get Bakugou some spicy shrimp curry rice, with two large cups of cola.
As he was walking back to Bakugou, he could hear a couple of guys talking from a bush across from where he was walking. The bushes were raised, so they couldn’t see the other.
“Hey, didn’t you see Red Riot walking around today?” One man asked, obviously unaware that he was being heard. “Yeah…” another voice answered. “Wasn’t he the one that got taken by the villains and wrecked the Expo last year?”
Kirishima froze.
“I think so. I’m surprised they even let him in here after all the destruction he caused.”
Kirishima could feel his hands shaking, the drinks on the tray falling over and spilling into the food.
“Yeah,” The other agreed, “Destroying the Expo and getting away scot-free? I’m surprised they still let him be a hero after all of that.”
“If I were Fatgum, I’d have kicked him out already. For all we know, he could still be with the League and just faking being better.”
The tray was torn in two in Kirishima’s hardened hands, dropping its contents to the ground.
He could barely feel the tears running down his face as he started to felt sick.
He ran.
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Bakugou had been waiting for 30 minutes before getting irritated. “Goddamnit!” He grouches loudly to himself. “Where is that moron?” He waited another ten minutes before he started to worry. He tried to call Kirishima, but he wasn’t answering. This got the blonde into panic mode and began to fear the worst.
Bakugou quickly shot out of his seat to search for Kirishima.
When he traced the redhead’s footsteps, he found the dropped tray and food, being picked up by a trashman. The marks on the sides of the tray were easily recognizable to the explosive hero. Eijirou…
“Shit…”
Now fully panicking, Bakugou ran through the food court, looking for any sign of his friend as every single worst-case scenario began playing in his head. How could he let his guard down? Of course it was possible that the League might want to get Kirishima back, and they could easily do it without making a scene. After all, they were able to take him very subtly if Deku and that group of extras weren’t with him that night.
Bakugou picked up his pace.
He wasn’t going to let them take them again. Not for a second time. He didn’t want to wander in the darkness again. He couldn’t bear it if he was kidnapped again, especially when he was with him now. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if something happened at this point.
He looked everywhere in the food court, even the bathroom, but Kirishima was nowhere to be found. Bakugou’s palms started crackling. He couldn’t lose him again.
He ran out of the food court and scoured every inch of the Expo he could for Kirishima, and when Bakugou finally found him, sitting against the side of a statue of Crimson Riot near the Hero Museum, knees pulled in, he was initially overwhelmed with relief. However, when the blonde got closer, he could tell something wasn’t right, which was confirmed as he heard a loud sob escape from the redhead’s throat.
“Ei...” Bakugou said softly as he approached.
Kirishima’s head shot up as he saw Bakugou approach him. His eyes were puffy from crying nonstop and the hair spikes were starting to sag. He was a far cry the happy and excited ball of sunshine he was when they came here. What the hell happened? Wasn’t he better?
Before Bakugou could say anything else, Kirishima shot up and ran to Bakugou and held him like he was afraid to let go, crying loudly into his shoulder.
“Why…” Kirishima hiccuped, “why at a time like this… when we were supposed to be having fun.” Bakugou didn’t know what to do, so he said nothing as he let Kirishima cry. “I thought I was getting better… but people still think… I’m a villain.” His grip on Bakugou tightened. “I hurt innocent people… I hurt you! That’s not what a hero would do. A real hero wouldn’t have broke like I did. I should’ve been stronger than that. I’m just as weak as I always was… and because of that...” He tried and failed to choke back a sob. “I don’t deserve to be here. They’ll never see me as a hero after what I’ve done, and I don’t blame them.”
Bakugou could not believe what he was hearing.
And he was having none of it.
Bakugou forcefully pushed Kirishima off of him, before grabbing him by the shirt pulling him back in until their faces were mere inches apart. Kirishima was too stunned to pull away as furious red eyes bore into his own.
“Now you listen to me, you fucking son of a bitch…” he spat angrily, “You are brighter than the fucking sun and one of the strongest people I’ve known. Fuck anyone who thinks that you’re anything but!” His voice was rising, “None of the shit that happened last year was any of your fucking fault! The only ones to blame are the bastards that did that you, and I will fucking eviscerate anyone who blames you for what they did to you!”
“B-but-”
“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Bakugou was fuming, and it was beginning to cause a scene, but the blonde didn’t care, because he was angry. Kirishima instantly shut his mouth.
“You’re a fucking idiot who always looks out for others, risking your life to save and protect them without asking for anything in return! You always give everything you have, no matter the situation, and that resolve to protect never broke, even when those fuckers had you! If none of that makes you the best damn hero there is, then I don’t know what the fuck does!”
Angry tears were beginning to flow from Bakugou’s eyes, but he continued.
“So don’t you ever say that you don’t deserve to be a hero, because you do. You deserve the world and so much fucking more.” He finally let Kirishima go. “You’re the best fucking person ever, and if the rest of these idiots can’t see that just by fucking looking at you, then they can all go fuck off and die, and I’ll be more than happy to make that happen!”
Kirishima just stared on in stunned disbelief for a moment before he fell to his knees and broke down.
Fatgum, who was amongst the surprisingly large crowd, gave a small smile towards the two young heroes as he began to break up the crowd. “Alright, alright, that’s enough! Please give them some space.” It didn’t take long for the crowd to disperse, and soon it was just the two of them. Fatgum gave them one last, proud look before heading back as well.
Bakugou lowers himself on one knee to look at Kirishima. He took his hand under Kirishima’s chin, feeling the wetness of the tears underneath. “C’mon, Eijirou....” he urged gently, “Look at me.”
Kirishima slowly looked up, and they stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
“I meant every word of that.” He said low, so only Kirishima could hear, “Every. Single. One. The whole fucking world deserves to hear how fucking amazing you are.”
He rose to his feet, reaching his hand out to the redhead.
“Come on.”
Kirishima stared at the offered hand for a few moments, then back at Bakugou.
Then the next move was unexpected.
Before Bakugou had a chance to react, Kirishima literally pounces on him as he throws his strong arms around the blonde and presses their lips together.
Bakugou was completely caught off guard by the kiss, but eventually he wrapped his arms around Kirishima as he returned the kiss as best as he could.
After some time, the two finally broke the kiss, breathing heavily and looking at each other in awkward silence.
Kirishima speaks first.
“Heheh, sorry…” he laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Just… I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now.”
“Whatever…” was Bakugou’s reply, blushing deeply. “I was hoping to confess first, but I guess it doesn’t matter now. I know you feel the same now.”
Kirishima took a whole five seconds to process what he had just heard, then suddenly, his face becomes as red as his hair.
“EHHHHHHHHHH?!” Kirishima couldn’t believe it. Bakugou actually liked him back. Katsuki Bakugou liked him! He must be dreaming. This couldn’t be happening. He pinched himself. “Ow!” Nope. He was still here. This wasn’t a dream. This was all really happening.
“Don’t act so damn surprised!” Bakugou grouched, face still flushed, looking away. “This whole thing was supposed to be a fucking date. Been planning this for the whole year.” He leveled an unimpressed look at the redhead. “Bet you didn’t even notice, did you?”
Kirishima only grinned sheepishly. “Well, no.” He admitted. Bakugou rolled his eyes, but the small smile gave him away. “Just thought we were hanging out as bros, like usual. I guess this wasn’t a terrible surprise though.” He gave a Sero-like grin as he placed his arm over his new boyfriend’s shoulder. “I mean, now I’ve got the hottest, manliest boyfriend ever.”
He only laughed as he hardened against the explosion in his face.
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As Kirishima and Bakugou finally had their meal, both of them were heading back to the exit when they suddenly approached by a woman that neither of them recognized. Behind her was a man, and two children. Kirishima and Bakugou instantly recognized the children as the ones that Kirishima saved during last year’s attack. What did they want? Were they going to sue him or something? Both of them suddenly felt nervous.
“Excuse me…” the woman started softly, looking at Kirishima, “Are you Red Riot?”
Kirishima looked at Bakugou for a moment before nodding. The woman smiled and took out a shirt that had a stylized R on it, like on Red Riot’s belt. “My son is a really big fan of you, and he wanted you to sign his favorite shirt.”
Kirishima’s worry washed away immediately as he gave a wide smile. “Of course!” He took out the marker he had in his pocket. “So, what’s the little guy’s name?”
“Make it out to Shingo...”
“You got it!” With Bakugou reluctantly laying out the shirt neat against a nearby wall, Kirishima signed the shirt.
‘Stay manly, Shingo! - Red Riot’
“Aaaand that should do it!” He put away his marker and handed the shirt back to the woman.
“Thank you so much! He’s going to love it!” She looked at Kirishima with a soft smile. “I also never got the chance to thank you for saving my children. No matter what others may say, my husband and I couldn’t have hoped to have our son adore a more amazing hero than you, young man.”
Kirishima couldn’t hold back the tears. “Thank you so much ma’am.” He says as he wipes his face frantically. “That really means a lot to me…”
The woman chuckled lightly. “We will always be eternally grateful for what you have done for us, and what you will continue to do. Please take care!” With a wave, the woman bid the two heroes and returned to her husband and two children, with Kirishima waving back enthusiastically, and Bakugou just nodding in acknowledgment.
“Look, Shingo!” The woman, showed the signed shirt to her son. “Mr. Riot signed your shirt!” Shingo practically skipped towards his mother and gave her a big hug. “Thank you so much mommy!” The boy turned to Kirishima, “Thank you Mr. Riot!” He smiled at the red-haired hero as he bumped his fists together, imitating the Sturdy Hero’s signature pose. “I’m gonna be a strong and manly hero like you when I grow up!”
Kirishima gave him a toothy smile and a thumbs up. “You’re welcome, Shingo!” The hero did his pose as well. “I can’t wait to see you in action someday. I’m sure you’ll make a super manly hero when you’re older!”
With a final wave, the family departed, leaving the two alone yet again.
Bakugou places a hand on Kirishima’s shoulder. “Still don’t think you deserve to be a hero, Shitty-Hair?” Kirishima shook his head. Bakugou nodded, “Good, ‘cause if you ever say it again, I’ll kick your ass.”
Kirishima laughed. “Heheh, well I know I’ll be a great hero with the best boyfriend by my side through it all.”
“Damn straight.”
The two held hands as they they headed back to the bus station.
Together.