Chapter Text
Kirishima almost thought it was a trick of the light. Something was obviously meddling with his mind, because there was no way he was actually seeing what he thought he was seeing… right? Kirishima glanced away from Bakugo, shaking his head slowly, focusing back to the large screen in front of them. Surely, he was mistaken. There was no way his lip was quivering. There was no way his eyes were glazed over. There was no way BAKUGO was near crying. No-one else seemed to be paying attention to Bakugo either, so his suspicions couldn’t be confirmed without drawing attention to it.
They were all sitting there, as a group, watching a movie the boys had picked about boxing. Generally, they took choosing the weekly movie in turns and the girls had ruined last weeks date with some chick flick about a fashion company. He didn’t recall what the movie was even about, only noticing the sheer about of high heels and blunt fringes throughout. He had nodded off about hallway through out of boredom, most of the guys had, still it was nice doing something as a group in among their busy, stressful lives. Tonight, he was sitting there squeezed in besides Mina and Bakugo on the couch, with the rest of their class splayed out across random surfaces. They had all chosen to watch the movie, which at the time they all thought was just about boxing, none of them expecting it to be so down right depressing. It was now towards the end and Kirishima found himself glancing back at Bakugo, who had just let out a small sniff. His eyes were a lot softer than Kirishima had ever seen them, and they appeared to be glazed with emotion… and slick with un-shed tears. Kirishima cocked his head and raised a questioning eyebrow when Bakugo noticed him looking. He quickly steeled his face, hardening his eyes and turned his head away from the movie. His arms crossed in front of him, suddenly tense.
“You alright man?” Kirishima whispered, nudging his shoulder with his own. Bakugo let out an unconvincing cough and mumbled something about coming down with a cold before dismissing himself to his bedroom quietly. Nobody seemed to notice his disappearance. Kirishima turned back to the screen, frowning. He watched the rest of the movie in quiet contemplation about what he had just witnessed. He was sure Bakugo was feeling fine before the movie, but it wasn’t in his personality to get emotionally affected by anything as simple as a sad story line. Even if he had, he would have been all aggressive about it. The only explanation he could summon was that Bakugo was telling the truth and had somehow ended up falling ill between when they had dinner and the end of the movie.
Eventually the movie ended. It had been quite sad, but predictable. He yawned and stretched out on the couch, awakening Mina who had fallen asleep on his shoulder with her legs spread out across Kaminari who was also dead to the world.
“Hey Kiri.” She smiled, ruffling his hair before kicking Kaminari awake. “Where’d Bakugo go?”
“He said he was sick.” He shrugged, forcing himself to his feet and glancing at the clock on the wall that read 2230. “Besides it’s way past his bed time.” Mina laughed at that and pulled Kaminari to his feet, who was being quite dramatic about his exhaustion.
“Speaking of bed.” She mused glancing down at the blonde holding onto her waist and resting his head onto her shoulder, eyes closed. “Let’s get this one to bed.”
From an outsider’s perspective anyone would think the two were dating, however they were nothing more than platonic friends. Best friends really. They did everything together, relied on one another and confided in each other, however there seemed to be no physical attraction between them. Kirishima smiled, wondering what it would be like to have someone like that. Bakugo was his best friend, yet he knew they would never be like Mina and Kaminari, mainly because unlike them he was so physically and emotionally attracted to the guy. Also, he wanted a best girl-friend, which seemed stupid, but he loved the idea of it. He helped lug Kaminari to his bedroom before wishing Mina a goodnight. The common room was almost empty by the time he returned to help clean up. Tokoyami was sitting across from Jiro and Sero, laughing bemusedly about something and Uraraka was dutifully in the kitchen, cleaning up the dishes from all the snacks that had been consumed. He bustled in, picking up a tea towel and started helping her. She responded with a bright smile of thanks. He always liked the small brunette beside him, she was so spirited and strong, even Bakugo had respected her enough to talk to her on occasion without an insulting nickname attached, something he only usually reserved for Kirishima himself.
“Thanks, Kirishima-Kun.” She smiled again, handing him the next dish.
“You can call me Kiri you know.” He told her, considering that’s what the rest of the class called him. She nodded, excitedly. The only person he was on first name bases with after these past two and a half years was Bakugo, and even then, it was a rare moment when they did actually refer to each other as such. Kirishima only tended to venture using Bakugo’s first name when he wanted him to tag along and do something with him. Generally, he got his way after dropping a whiny ‘Katsuki’ in the blonde’s direction, so he was quite particular when he used it. He wasn’t about to be so liberal when it was working for him. Bakugo tended to be a bit more reserved with Kirishima’s name, using it when Kirishima was in a state of panic or self-doubt over his own abilities, and only ever if they were alone. There was one time when Bakugo had even used the shortened nickname only his family had ever called him. Kirishima had been shocked at that, mainly because it seemed to be used in affection, but was big coming from king explosion murder himself. Kirishima had put it down to Bakugo having been in hospital and under the heavy influence of pain relief. Bakugo had never ventured to call him ‘Ei’ again and Kirishima never bought it up, despite the way his heart raced every time he thought of it.
“So Kiri…” Uraraka chimed, trailing off. He looked at her with a questioning expression, hesitant at her tone. “Do you like anyone?” She asked, feigning small talk.
“I never considered you a gossip.” He cheekily threw at her and she pretended to be insulted.
“I am NOT a gossip.” She breathed, indignantly. “I can assure you that nothing you say will leave this kitchen. I am the queen of secrets.” She whispered the last bit with a wink.
“And if I said I did, would you be shocked?” He questioned, flicking her lightly with the tea towel.
“Kiri, I stopped being shocked at anything the moment Mineta found himself a girlfriend.” She explained, throwing him a grin. Kirishima couldn’t help but agree with that. It had shocked the whole class and rattled them all right to their very cores. “But I have always wondered.” She paused, looking at him for permission to continue. He cocked an eyebrow and waited for her to continue. “Okay,” she breathed. “Like, on a scale of one to ten, one being nothing and ten being the highest, how gay are you?” He took a minute to comprehend the question before he burst out laughing. She looked relieved at his reaction before letting out her own small giggle.
“That is the strangest way I have ever been asked that question.” He mused, delighted by it. “Ten by the way.”
“Well that answers my question as to who you like anyway.” She told him, smirking. He frowned then. He was pretty sure he hadn’t even mentioned his sexuality to anyone in the house. People had assumed sure, but no-one ever cared to ask him about it.
“What do you mean?” He gulped, looking at her sideways.
“I mean I had deducted answers for every number on the scale.” She rolled her eyes at her own sarcasm. “anything above a five scored the same answer of Bakugo.”
“Am I that obvious?” He asked faltering, unable to find a single word to deny it.
“No, I’m just highly perceptive.” She grinned, taking hold of his shoulders and making him face her. “Are you okay?” She asked, tilting her head. “Or have I crossed a line?”
“You won’t tell him?” He asked biting down on his lip nervously, and she shook her head.
“My lips are sealed.” She promised, bringing him in for a hug. “But know you can talk to me anytime.”