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When Mitsuki made her son get a job for the summer, he actually willingly complied. (Much to her delight and concern). He could care less about where he worked, as long as nobody he knew would bother him and that he could save up his money so he could beat shitty deku to the limited edition all might soup ladle. As if deku needed a fucking soup ladle. Neither did he, but he would never let deku have the satisfaction of having the upper hand over him.
And this was how bakugou wound up as a cashier in a croc store. He only had to work weekends and the only customers were whiny toddlers and their parents. Every so often they’d get a crazy old collector. Other than that the store was empty and quiet besides the noise of the mall outside.
Bakugo had learned how to tune out most of the noise. Contrary to popular belief, he wasn’t hard of hearing. He just liked to express his thoughts very loudly. In fact, he had perfect fucking hearing, thank you very much. Still, no hearing human could tune every noise out.
“YOU HAVE A WHOLE STORE!! FOR CROCS?! IS THIS HEAVEN?!” A voice outside the store yells. He winces at the volume but continues to stare down at his book.
“No its hell, lets go get fake meat nowww” a new voice said. It was whiny and familiar but Bakugo didn’t care to make any connections. He ignores when the door busts open with a ring. A few footsteps follow. But again, Bakugo could honestly care less. He continues to focus on his book.
“No fuckin way” another familiar voice says. He hears a phone camera click. What the hell? Whatever. Bakugo goes back to read the same sentence for the third time.
“Oh my god kami, you weren't kidding when you said this was hell” another voice. Jeez how many people were in here. Wait “Kami”? As in “kaminari denki”. Fuck. no. That meant that the other two were undoubtedly Sero Hanta and Ashido Mina.
“No, I was kidding. But I didn't know the literal devil’s spawn worked here?!” Kaminari said. Bakugo bristled. Mina must have felt his irritation because she immediately shushed him.
Bakugo looks up and sees his three classmates and lets out a groan underneath his breath.
“What are you goddamn extras doing here?” he asks.
“We’re clearly shopping. What are you doing here?” mina asks as she picks up a white croc off the display shelf
“Put that fuckin down. I work here. You got a problem?” he spits out
“Yeah! You! Mr. ‘I hate everyone and I'm the best’ at a shop that sells crocs!” Kami exclaimed
Bakugo opened his mouth but a different voice stole his answer before he could say anything
“Yeah and what's wrong with that?” the stranger said quizzically. Bakugo had no idea where this person came from but judging the armful of assorted crocs bundled in his arms, clearly this person had raided several of their shelves within the first three minutes of their entry. Bakugo had to do a double take. Said stranger was hot as hell. Clearly ripped but he could probably take him in a fight. Yeah that's what he wanted. He had a sudden urge to fight the stranger, nothing else.
“Crocs are super manly! Incredible footwear. I mean they're comfortable and they come in so many colors and designs. Plus--” the stranger’s eyes shone brightly. If that wasn’t enough his toothy grin might have permanently blinded Bakugo ”-- they have two modes; relaxed mode --” He struggled to flip the croc strap with his bundle limiting his movement. “--and extreme sports mode” He flipped the strap down to demonstrate.
“Anyway…” He put his bundle down onto the cash register counter. “I think it's great that you get to work at a place like this. I’m glad at least someone here understands my love for crocs”
“Don’t fuckin include me in your weird ass fetish. I just work here for the money… And the added benefit of not having to deal with people I know” Bakugo shot a dirty look at the trio standing awkwardly by the display table.
“You guys know each other?” the stranger asked the trio.
“Yeah.. unfortunately” Mina sighed.
“So do you technically. At least know of him. He’s ‘you-know-who’” Kaminari breathed out.
The stranger seemed to make a face of realization but it was quickly replaced with a look of confusion.
“You don't look as terrible as I thought you would,” he said. Bakugo felt himself fill with anger.
“Sorry we can’t all be models” he spat out before his mind could catch up with his mouth. He prayed the stranger wouldnt understand the implication of what he said.
“Well I mean you look more human than I thought you would. BAkugo right? I was under the impression that you were some sort of terrifying trash goblin” the stranger said.
“I am terrifying. I don't know what those idiots have been telling you, but I’m no goblin. Not of the trash variety or of any other variety for that matter!” he growled. “Who the fuck are you anyway?”
“Kirishima, Eijiro. I just moved here” he extended his hand out. Fuck, there it was again. That blinding smile. Bakugo was tempted to take his hand, but he lifted his lip in mock disgust instead.
“Well you can go move back to wherever you came from and leave me the fuck alone” Bakugo turned his head back to his book and searched for the sentence he left off on.
He felt a hand push down his book. When he looked up he saw red. Bakugo was familiar with seeing the red of rage but this was different. This red belonged to Kirishima's eyes. Kirishima was overly warm and bright. He felt something building in his gut. He willed it to die. It was ineffective.
“Now that isn’t how you talk to your highest paying customer.” kirishima said softly. Bakugo felt beyond parched. Goddamn, who the hell did Kirishima think he was anyway. His trance was broken by Kaminari’s voice.
“Make that customers. Plural. We would like to buy some crocs from the great Bakugo Katsuki as well.” Kaminari placed a pair of yellow crocs on the counter. Ashido and Sero followed suit with pink and grey crocs respectively.
“Whatever the sooner I finish with you guys the sooner I can finish my shift” he grumbled. He started scanning their items. He tried to tune the four idiots’ whispers as he completed his task. Unfortunately, Bakugo still had incredibly perfect hearing.
“No you can’t ask him that” Mina
“Do you have a death wish?” Kaminari
“Please, I just want to have my fake soy meat in peace” sero
“I’m going to do it” kirishima
“And I’m going to disown you” mina
“Seconded” sero
“Thirded” kaminari
“Bakugo!” kirishima said loudly. He looked up and saw the three idiots facepalm (almost simultaneously). If the idiots disapproved of what Kirishima was going to ask him, he certainly wasn’t going to like it. “What time do you finish your shift?”
“In like twenty three minutes… why do you --” bakugo stopped himself when he connected the dots. “No! Absolutely not. I'm not joining your idiot parade for fake meat” Bakugo might not have wanted to join the entire idiot parade for fake meat, but he wasn’t entirely opposed to just one of the idiots and him going alone.
“Awh, bakugo don't be like that. Well I guess you really are as uptight and boring as everyone says. Guess it can't be helped, ``Kirishima said with a glint in his eyes. BAkugo knew, oh he most definitely knew he was pressing his buttons. But what was he supposed to do when kirishima was pressing every button exactly right.
“I'll have you know I am very relaxed and a very fun person to be around!” he yelled
“Oh I’m sure you think you are. How about we put some evidence behind your claims hm?” kirishima asked him with a very obvious smirk tugging on his lips. The fucker.
“You know what?! I will fucking join you for fake meat and Ill fucking show you how fucking fun and relaxed i can be! You hear fucker. I will beat you at being fun and relaxed” bakugo yelled.
What. the. Hell. was. He. saying.?!
“Great! Meet us in front of the restaurant after your shift okay? Thanks for the crocs dude” kirishima said, grabbing his bag of crocs.
“You’re fucking welcome.” bakugo scowled. His gut was going insane. He slumped back into his chair as the group left. What. the. Hell. just. Happened.
He tried not to think too much about the way his heart did backflips at the mere thought of seeing the pretty red haired croc lover in less than nineteen minutes. Fifteen minutes. Eight minutes. He took off his badge as his coworker entered for their shift. He didnt think about seeing Kirishima's bright smile. Or his general warmth. Six minutes. Oh and bakugou was absolutely not counting down the minutes till he got to see kirishima again. Three minutes. Okay. maybe he was. Two minutes. Okay, yes he absolutely was. One minute. His eyes fell on the mop of red hair sitting at a table in the restaurant. Its owner turned around and waved vigorously.
“Bakugo! Look!” Kirishima lifted his foot to show his brand new crocs on display. They were bright red ones with fire racing down the sides. He ran a hand through his hair out of exasperation. He really had a crush on some weird new kid who loved crocs. Just his fucking luck. Not that he was complaining. He always loves a challenge. Except this challenge was to somehow replace kirishima’s object of affection to be him instead of crocs.