Chapter Text
Kirishima hadn’t seen Bakugou since graduation. Other than on TV, Kirishima hadn’t seen Bakugou in 5 years. And it hurt like hell.
He didn’t even know why. Bakugou had left graduation without saying goodbye to him, and blocked his phone number. He didn’t give Kirishima an explanation or a warning. After 3 years of building a solid friendship, after 3 years of becoming a team that could work together seamlessly, he was just gone.
Of course, Kirishima didn’t hate him or anything. He didn’t think he ever could. He followed Bakugou’s progress very closely, in fact, over those five years. He taped interviews in case he wasn’t able to watch them in real time. He did everything he could to support him, including by buying Ground Zero merchandise. It probably could be called a coping mechanism.
He might’ve felt better if he’d met his soulmate in those five years. But only one half of the pair ever gets a soul mark, and he hadn’t gotten one, so obviously Kirishima’s soulmate would have to come to him. So no soulmate plus a lost best friend? Not a very fun situation to be in. Of course, he still had Kaminari, Sero, Ashido, and other people from their class. But Katsu- no, Bakugou, had meant so much to him.
Still, Kirishima went through his everyday life normally. Sure, he was a pro hero, but he still considered himself normal. He spent his free time hanging out at home or out with friends, just like anyone else would. In fact, he’s going out tonight. Kaminari had talked him into going to some fancy bar with a hot DJ that Kami wanted to talk to. Sero and Ashido said yes for him before he could even think of a decision, not that he’d really be doing anything anyways. He was kind of planning on staying in for a kind of “chill out” night, but whatever. He’d still have fun out with his friends. It was getting harder for him to go out, though. People would recognize him, and then instead of having fun with his friends he’d be continuously asked for autographs. Don’t get him wrong, he appreciates the support, but he’s out to have fun, not to tire his hand out.
Either way, he started getting ready to go out as soon as he got home to his apartment from patrol. He took a shower to let his hair down. It’d grown out quite a bit since school, all the way down just past his shoulders, and the roots were black. He’d have to re-dye that soon. He put on a black short sleeved button-up shirt with a pink flower print, leaving the top few buttons undone. He chose his ripped and faded high waisted blue jeans to go with it, and black high top converse sneakers.
He heard a knock on the door and a shout that was definitely Kami. “Hey! Are you ready, man?”
Kirishima sighed, a small smile on his face. “Just about,” he responded. “Come on in, bro!”
Kaminari came into the apartment, walking into Kiri’s room without knocking. “Hanta and Mina are down in the lobby, we’re trying to figure out who should be the designated driver,” he said as Kirishima put in small silver hoop earrings.
He raised an eyebrow, “Is that your way of asking me?”
“Yes?”
Kirishima let out a little chuckle. “Of course I will. You guys know I don’t really like drinking, anyways. Makes me more stupid than I already am.”
“Aw, don’t be like that, dude. Thanks though, your driving is greatly appreciated,” Kami said, patting his shoulder. “Come on, let’s get going!”
The pair left after Kirishima slipped his wallet into his jeans pocket, taking the elevator down and heading to the car. Mina drove Kiri’s car there, seeing as she didn’t need the directions, and her driving was the best out of all of them -- at least when they were sober.
It was a quick drive, and it looked really nice from the outside. There were bright, tasteful neon signs and it was pretty clean. Kami had dragged them all to some pretty gross places before, so this was a nice change. The bouncer let them in, not needing to check their ID’s because, let’s face it, they were all easily recognizable pro heroes. The inside was just as nice as the outside, with dim lighting near the bar and plastic menus placed about so you could just pick one up. The dance floor was kind of small, and it would’ve been darker than the bar area if there weren’t bright colored lights flashing around to the beat of the music. The group sat at the bar first, looking at the menu of specialized drinks.
Damn, Kirishima thought, I’ll have to come back when I’m not the designated driver. There were so many different choices, they even had some cool non-alcoholic options. Kirishima ordered a virgin peach and mint lemonade, sipping while the rest of the group made up their minds.
“Do you come here often?” a gruff voice to his right asked. Kirishima turned his head, seeing a tall man, taller than himself, with short, wavy, orange hair.
“Who, me?” Kirishima asked, pointing to himself. The man nodded. “No, this is my first time. It’s really nice, though. Why, do you frequent this place?”
“Nah, but if you did I’d consider it,” he said with a flirty smile. “The name’s Ito.” He stuck his hand out. Kirishima shook it.
“I’m Kirishima,” he said, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You as well. So, Kirishima, do you dance?”
He cracked a smile. “Not often or well, but yes. I can at least stay on rhythm,” Kirishima said with a bit of a giggle. He tapped on Kami’s shoulder, getting his friend to turn around. “Hey, Denki, I’m gonna go dance, good luck with the DJ!” Kami smiled back at him and gave him a thumbs up before turning back to his conversation with Ashido and Sero.
Ito offered his hand again and Kirishima took it, this time being led out to the dance floor. He did his best, still laughing at himself slightly for not really knowing what he was doing. Ito twirled him, laughing as well. “See, I don’t think you’re doing badly at all!” the orange-haired man said over the music.
“Oh thanks, it’s just been a while, you know? I was bound to be a little nervous,” Kirishima replied, letting the man pull him a little closer.
“I didn’t think the Red Riot would be a nervous guy,” Ito said, smiling. Kirishima’s grin wavered slightly. Ito cocked an eyebrow, asking, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just forgot people would recognize me. That’s not, like, why you wanted to dance, though, right? To have bragging rights or something?”
“What? No,” Ito said, stopping his movements. “I mean, I’ve always thought Red Riot was attractive and cool, and then you show up here. While I’m here. I thought I’d take a chance.” He tucked a piece of Kirishima’s hair behind his ear. “Just because I know who you are doesn’t mean that’s all that you are. You get it?”
Kirishima nodded, a slight blush coming to his face. “Sorry I accused you of that. It wasn’t very manly of me.”
“Don’t be sorry, I’m sure you’ve dealt with that kind of person before. They’re the unmanly ones.” Kirishima smiled back at Ito, and they continued dancing. Kiri noticed at one point that Kami went up to the DJ, but lost track of the group after that. They’re probably dancing out here, too , Kirishima thought. I hope they’re having as much fun as I am.
That’s when he saw a pair of red eyes glaring at him from across the room.