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It didn’t take much for Eijirou Kirishima to decide to stay. To leave the shadows.
It had been a sunny day and as much as he enjoyed the sun, he couldn’t actually feel it or go out to bask in the rays. He had to keep in the dark until nighttime fell, and look at the brightness from a place of safety, a place of shadows. And once the sun disappeared behind the horizon, he creeped out of the dark corners, moved slowly through the night, still young, still curious, still apart of the darkness.
Eijirou moved slowly, he wasn’t in a rush, he didn’t feel like doing what he was supposed to do, instead he looked around. At the people still walking around and trying to get home from work or wherever their daily human lives had them be at, he moved away from their steps, careful not to trip them since they couldn’t see him, well, they weren’t really looking. He looked at the shops and cars, and cyclists, and dogs, god, he loved dogs, at the trees and the slowly disappearing buzz of people and the quietness of the neighborhood he’d walked onto, completely by chance.
He could hear some far away barking and a car or two turning into their home’s driveway, but that was it. The street was free of people, only the green lawns keeping him company. Lights shone in the window’s of some of the homes, he was sure people were getting ready for bed, their lives revolved around the light after all.
Eijirou didn’t know for how long he moved around but at some point, he felt something. A darkness. Well, darkness was always around everything, after all, there could be no light without dark. But this darkness felt different. More potent.
So out of curiosity he moved around trying to find the source and soon he felt an inkling towards a house. He moved towards it, past the tall gate and up the pale brick walls until he loomed in front of a dark window. He peered inside and could see a wall covered in some shelves, some type of toys standing on them as well as some books. Eijirou looked further and saw what looked like a closet. Still, he didn’t see the source of the darkness. Strange.
He didn’t want to move into the room, he felt bad enough for snooping through the window already. But he also really wanted to know where the darkness was coming from. And before he could talk himself into leaving, he noticed a head of messy blond hair peeking up from a blanket. And then Eijirou realized that the darkness was coming from the sleeping boy. The boy whose face was pulled into a pained grimace. Wasn’t sleep supposed to be peaceful?
He didn’t look peaceful at all and Eijirou knew that the darkness was at blame for that.
The boy shook and his face twitched but his eyes stayed closed, as if he wasn’t able to pull himself out of the state he was in. Eijirou felt bad. There wasn’t really anything he could do to help, and it was painful to watch the boy struggle. Then the boy’s eyes flew open in panic. He sat up in his bed, shaking and looking around the dark room. He reached over and a bedside light came to life, making Eijirou wince and cover away from the sudden attack.
Slowly he peeked back in and he saw the boy had pulled his knees up to his chest, his hand covering his mouth. And if Eijirou listened closely enough, he could hear quiet sobs, muffled by the hand in front of the boy’s mouth. Had the nightmare been so bad? The darkness was gone now, he couldn’t sense it anymore so the boy should be able to fall back asleep. But instead, he took his pillow and buried his face in the pillow, his cries becoming just slightly louder, his shoulders shaking along with every ragged breath he took.
Eijirou knew he shouldn’t have stayed. The best idea was to go, move around the shadows and keep watching the city. But he knew he wouldn’t be at peace if he didn’t make sure the boy was okay. So he stayed and watched the boy slowly quiet down to small hiccups, then him pulling the pillow away and wiping at his face roughly. Eijirou felt the darkness come back, a scowl appearing on the blonde’s face. He was angry.
The boy laid back onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. Somehow Eijirou knew he wouldn’t be going back to sleep anytime soon.
And as the darkness seemed to seep around the boy – in him - Eijirou decided that he wanted to know why. Why was this boy, this human, so dark?
And it didn’t take much for Eijirou Kirishima to decide to stay. In that moment he felt like that was the right thing to do, and, damn, he really didn’t want to exist with regrets, so he stayed. Even if his actions were against everything he was supposed to do. But then again, Eijirou had always been a bit different from his kind.
He moved away from the window, went back the way he’d come and once he’d found the appropriate place, he decided to stay. And now that he’d done that, he knew that in the morning he’d be able to feel the sun and it’s rays.
***
Katsuki Bakugou wasn’t a people person. He wasn’t the type to make friends or enjoy hanging around with someone just to, well, hang around. He didn’t have time for bullshit like that. He had a plan. A goal. And there was nothing and no one that could stop him from reaching that goal. He’d sworn to himself.
Of course, he’d had losers stuck to his back his whole life. That’s what happened when you were better than them, leeches trying to suck up just to get some type of gain. Of course, there had always been that nerd too…
But he didn’t need friends. He didn’t want them. Friends are a liability.
That’s why he had a problem when a certain redhead had been constantly stuck to his side ever since the Sports Festival. Stupid Shitty Hair always managed to poke into his business. Always managed to somehow tag along and somehow steal his food without him blowing up. And somehow, he’d managed to get Bakugou to participate. Most of the time in stupid bullshit that wasted his time. And he’d managed to get Bakugou to help him study. And play games together. And walk back from school every day.
And as much as he didn’t want to admit it, Shitty Kirishima had managed to save him too. Just perfect. Now he had a liability.
He’d never admit it though.
And somehow Bakugou had gotten through the first year of UA and gotten a real friend from it too. And some other annoying nerds constantly bugging him. Shitty Kirishima and his shitty entourage.
***
It was the beginning of second year when Bakugou realized something. And it hit him in the face like a slap. And he didn’t really know how to feel about it. But he couldn’t deny the strange stirring in his chest.
It had been a lazy Saturday morning in the dorms. Not for Bakugou, of course, he had been up since five like every morning, busy with his morning exercise. It was a lazy morning for everyone else though, the dorms oddly quiet and peaceful. The TV turned off, no one chatting in the common area, the halls silent. Bakugou started working on his breakfast and no he didn’t cook too many eggs on purpose and no he didn’t do that just to give them to Kirishima later.
One of the first people to show up downstairs was Todoroki, grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge and giving a simple head nod to Bakugou before leaving the dorms. They weren’t close. But they weren’t at each other’s throats either. Manly progress Kirishima would say.
Then Sero came in the kitchen, hair sticking up in all different types of directions. He took one look at the pan with the cooked eggs and before he could mutter a single word Bakugou grumbled a “no”.
Sero stood there looking quite ridiculous with his disheveled hair and a pout on his lips. “Not fair! Why does Kirishima always get everything?”
“Because he’s not as annoying as you.” Bakugou said, still busy eating his own plate of food.
“Careful there, Bakugou, you almost sound nice.” The tall boy teased.
“I said not as annoying, which still means annoying. Now get out of my face before you ruin my mood.”
“You call that a good mood? Jeez.” Sero was quick enough to dodge the flying notebook that someone had left on the counter overnight.
Sero knew not to push any more of Bakugou’s buttons though and quickly made himself a bowl of cereal before leaving to sit in front of the TV. It was quiet again except for the news channel playing on the TV and the scrape of a spoon against a bowl.
Bakugou stood up and went to the sink to wash his plate, already thinking of which homework he’ll do first. Then he remembered that he said he’d help Kirishima with math today. He switched up his schedule in his head to fit room for the damn Hair for Brains.
More people came walking in the kitchen and Bakugou didn’t care enough to see and acknowledge who they were. Then he heard Kirishima’s voice, “Hey, man. Can I have your leftovers?”
“Whatever.” He grumbled. He was sure the eggs had gotten cold by now. Damn Kirishima and his sleeping in.
“Thanks, man. I’m starving.” Kirishima sat down in the seat Bakugou had sat in just moments ago. He dried the plate with a dish towel and watched Kirishima scarf down the food. He was pretty sure he could place a rock on the plate and he’d still eat it, thinking it was delicious.
Kirishima had grown from the first time Bakugou had seen him. Now broader and taller. No, Bakugou was not mad that the damn redhead was a few inches taller than him now, most of it was his damn hair anyway.
“Hey, is that my English notebook?” Kaminari came waltzing in, hair worse than Sero’s. He picked up the notebook, “It is!”
“Bakugou threw it at me!” Came Sero’s voice from the sofa.
“Man, what the fuck, that’s not cool.” Kaminari whined, checking if nothing was missing from the notebook. By the looks of it, Bakugou would be surprised if he could actually read any of what he’d written there. His handwriting was shit.
He opened his mouth to fire back at Kaminari but somehow Kirishima beat him to it, “Maybe don’t leave your shit all over the place next time.”
The two blondes stood there, kind of surprised and confused. Did Kirishima just curse? And did he just blame Kaminari for Bakugou throwing his notebook?
Did he just defend Bakugou?
Kaminari started to whine and then he and Kirishima just fell back into their usual chatter, forgetting about the notebook. But Bakugou still stood there, looking at Kirishima, trying to understand. Sure, they were friends, but why had he done it if Bakugou was at fault here? And why did Bakugou not feel… mad about him standing up for him? He hated others protecting him. He wasn’t weak, he could take care of himself. He could talk to Kaminari his own damn self. He didn’t need anyone standing up for him.
But why did something move in his chest? And why the fuck did it stir even more when he saw Kirishima laugh and smile a big toothy grin?
Oh, fuck that. That’s some bullshit. He probably was getting sick, damn, he had no time being sick.
He moved out of the kitchen without saying anything and headed back to his room. He’ll just do his homework. Kirishima was just being Kirishima. He would do that for anyone.
Right?
But the feeling in his chest bothered him. He decided to just keep a closer look at Shitty Kirishima. Maybe he’s the one getting sick.
***
One might think that sleeping and waking up with your best bro is kind of strange. It wasn’t to Bakugou and Kirishima.
One night of waking up in a cold sweat, a scream on his lips and a pair of sparkly red eyes looking down at him turned into two and three and four… Kirishima had stayed until Bakugou had fallen back asleep. And then somehow one day Bakugou had scooted over in his bed, leaving enough room for Kirishima to lay down, grumbled a goodnight and went back to sleep. It was easier to forget about the terrors in his nightmares when Kirishima was around.
They didn’t talk about it. There was no need to. Kirishima knew Bakugou wouldn’t want to talk about it and he had no need for him to explain. The images that clouded Bakugou’s brain, so vivid and realistic, scared him and talking about it would just make them feel more real.
So whenever Bakugou would have nightmares, when he’d be covered in darkness, so much darkness that Kirishima could feel it from his room, the redhead would come over, softly open the door and slide into Bakugou’s bed, he’d mend and bend the darkness – he could do that now – he’d make it disappear before it could do harm.
Eijirou would lay on his side, head resting on Bakugou’s pillow, eyes hooded with sleep – he also needed that now. He’d look at Bakugou, to make sure the darkness wasn’t coming back, and maybe because he liked to look at the other’s features when they weren’t pulled into a frown. He looked calm. Peaceful. And Kirishima would feel a swelling in his chest because he had made Bakugou’s sleep peaceful. The way sleep should be.
And when he would feel his eyes close from tiredness, he’d intertwine their pinky fingers. Just to make sure the darkness wouldn’t come back to his Bakugou.
But this time Bakugou woke up in the middle of the night. It wasn’t a nightmare, sometimes he’d just wake up for no reason. And he’d look at the broad figure laying next to him and know that he’d probably made noise at some point in the night if he was there. But this time the feeling he’d felt in the morning came back and he scratched at his chest absentmindedly.
Kirishima was his friend. He was just making sure that Bakugou wasn’t yelling and waking everyone else up. Right?
But as he looked at the strands of red hair on his pillow and Kirishima’s cheek squished into his hand as he slept, his chest rising with deep breaths, Bakugou’s heart started to race on its own accord. He frowned. Why did it feel different? Why did it feel… more.
He laid back down, eyes glued to the ceiling. He couldn’t make himself look at Kirishima. What if the feeling gets bigger? What if his chest bursts? It definitely felt like that could happen.
And somehow Bakugou became very much aware of… everything. The soft breaths, the way Kirishima’s leg was awfully close to his, the way Kirishima smelled like his body wash and a pinch of something he couldn’t name as anything else but Kirishima.
He was definitely getting sick. There couldn’t be a different explanation to it.
He turned his back to his sleeping friend and snuggled deep in his blankets as far away from him as possible. He closed his eyes and willed himself back to sleep. But thirty minutes later as he was slowly feeling himself get pulled back into slumber, the strange feeling still rolling around his chest, he knew what it meant but he wasn’t ready to admit it to himself just yet. He didn’t think he’d ever be ready to admit it. Kirishima is his friend. And that’s it.
***
It was one of those Fridays where the whole class sat in front of the TV playing video games, some chatting and some playing card games after a long day at school. The atmosphere was fun and exciting, the need to forget about everything hero related strong in everyone. Even Todoroki had somehow managed to loosen up around Deku and the two other dumbasses, having a small smile in the corner of his lips while some of the girls fawned over his hair.
So what if Bakugou sat back on the sofa away from everyone else, a scowl permanently etched between his brows, arms crossed over his chest. The only reason why he had actually come down from his room was Kirishima begging to play at least one game of Gang Beasts. It looked like Kirishima was having plenty of fun on his own with Sero and Kaminari. Not that Bakugou was jealous or anything. Tch, only idiots get jealous.
Why was he sitting there anyway? It’s not like he didn’t have anything better to do. The English essay wasn’t going to write itself. And he could use the chance of the nice weather outside to go for a run. It’s not like he was having fun just staring at the backs of everyone’s heads.
Something slimy churned in his throat. He must look pitiful. Everyone probably thought he was a sad, miserable bitch sitting there all alone. No one bothered talking to him and rightfully so, they knew they’d get dismissed before they would even open their mouth.
That’s it. He’s leaving.
He threw a last glance at the mess of red hair that had started to fall down from its spikes, but before he could get up, someone jumped over the back of the sofa, a bowl of chips balanced in their hand. In their defense, not a single one fell out of the bowl.
“Hey there, Bakugou!” Mina’s pink hair was way too close to Bakugou’s face for his liking. The smell of her sweet perfume invaded his senses. Her smile turned just a bit sly. “Whatcha staring at?”
“I’m not staring.” He grumbled.
“Mhmmm. Sure…” She drew out the last word, making clear that she didn’t believe him for a second. “You know, it’s kind of cute. But oh so painful.”
“What the fuck are you talking about.” It was a question, but it sounded more like a statement. It always did with Bakugou.
She sighed and popped a chip in her mouth. “The whole love eyes. Although,” she paused, “you look kind of scary when you do that.”
Bakugou felt anger starting to rise in his gut. “I don’t know what you’re talking about and frankly I don’t care. Leave me alone.”
“Oh, please. Can’t we talk like normal people? It’s not like I’m going to snitch your ass. I mean the only people who don’t see it, is you two. Which I understand for Kiri ‘cause, I mean, it’s Kiri. But you! You’re smart.” She shook her head in exasperation.
“What the actual fuck are you going on about? What does Kirishima have to do with anything?” The same feeling crawled back into his chest and, damn it, he wanted it gone because it was starting to piss him off. He grabbed a few chips and stuffed his mouth with them in hopes that he could distract himself from the damn nagging in his chest.
Pinky sighed, a teasing note in her voice. “I mean – the fact that you and Kiri have a major crush on each other.”
The chips went down the wrong way and next second Bakugou was coughing, tears springing to his eyes as he tried to breathe and get the damn chips out of his airway. He knew his face was getting red. No, it wasn’t because of what Mina was implying, definitely not, it was because of the chips.
“Oh, damn.” Mina said and patted Bakugou’s shoulder, as if that would help in any way. “Please don’t die because of some chips.”
Finally, he could take a normal breath. But, of course, life wasn’t that easy. The next second an arm swung around him and he knew the owner of the arm before he even saw him. The scent of the bodywash and the heaviness of the arm gave it away.
“Bakugou! Are you okay? Heard you all the way from the TV.” Kirishima’s face zeroed in on Bakugou’s red one.
“Fucking perfect.” He wheezed.
He could hear Mina giggle and laugh to herself, a mischievous glint in her black eyes as she stood up. “Kiri, keep this grouch some company, he’s been sitting here all alone the whole time.” She turned on her heel to go back to the card game company, but then she paused, “Oh, and don’t give him any more chips. He might actually choke to death.”
Bakugou didn’t miss the wink from her. And then she was gone.
And then Bakugou was painfully aware of Kirishima. Kirishima’s arm around his shoulder. Kirishima’s thigh pressed against his. Kirishima’s eyes on him, concern laced in them but also the same joyous sparkle they always had.
You and Kiri have a major crush on each other.
Suddenly he felt hot all over and he thought that he might actually start choking again. His face and ears were flushed red and there was no denying it.
A crush… on Kirishima…?
No, that couldn’t be it.
Images of Kirishima laying in his bed, peaceful and soft, and gentle stormed through his brain. The way his hair looked so soft and touchable. The way his chest kept caving in on itself every time the other smiled. And the way Kirishima is always there. When he had his nightmares, when he was angry, when he was sad. And somehow, he was happy too, especially when Kirishima was there. And how easy it was to let go around him. He didn’t need to talk for Kirishima to understand. And he never pried.
It was like a perfect dance, a dance in tandem, where both of them didn’t know the steps but could twirl around each other with such ease that it was almost like watching leaves rustle in a soft breeze.
Maybe he did…
“Hey, man,” Kirishima nudged his side, “are you alright? You’re like completely zoned out?”
“I’m fine.” Bakugou stuttered out, not daring to look Kirishima in the eye. How could he?
A bit of the carefree tone left Kirishima’s voice and instead was replaced by an apologetic one. “Hey, sorry by the way.”
Bakugou didn’t know what he was apologizing for and he didn’t dare ask. He was afraid he might start stuttering with how close the other was still pressed against him.
“You know, for leaving you here. I know I asked you to join. Sorry. I got really distracted with Sero and Kaminari.”
Bakugou swallowed the lump in his throat. “I don’t need your apologies, Shitty Hair.”
Kirishima chuckled and squeezed his arm tighter around Bakugou. “Ah, you’re back to normal. How about we go play a round? I will totally beat you!”
Bakugou grumbled, “There is no fucking way I’m losing to you.”
And then Kirishima had his hand around Bakugou’s wrist and he was pulling the other up from the sofa, and then Kirishima let go, slid his hand into Bakugou’s sweaty one – he didn’t say anything about it – and pulled him to the TV where the game was set up.
And as Bakugou followed, his face once again red, he realized that he had already lost to Kirishima. And maybe it was the only type of loss that he could accept. The only type of loss that didn’t feel wrong.
***
Training with Kirishima was good. He got to practice his moves on a moving target and let his anger stumble out of him without the worry of hurting someone. Too much at least.
Kirishima never wavered, his unbreakable form has gotten stronger and the time that he could hold it has also gotten longer. Part of Bakugou was glad that he could help him strengthen his quirk, even if he couldn’t admit it out loud. Memories of Kirishima doubting himself, saying that his quirk wasn’t that special tended to resurface in Bakugou’s head. The memories made him frown. How could Kirishima think something so stupid?
That’s why he felt so gleeful when he blasted explosion after explosion at the redhead and it didn’t seem to faze him at all. It was strange. Usually something like that would piss Bakugou off. But with Kirishima he felt… proud.
It was one of those days where Deku had gotten way too many correct answers in their lessons that by the time training came around, Bakugou was ready to sizzle someone. It was petty. So what.
They were allowed to pair up on their own for the close combat training, and he could almost hear a collective breath of relief when he chose Kirishima as his partner. His ego swelled just a bit, knowing that his classmates saw him as a strong opponent.
“Hell, yeah, man! You know what, I think I might be able to hold a minute longer now!” Kirishima jumped into excited rambling, an arm swung around Bakugou’s shoulder. They made their way to the corner of the training hall, making sure that they had enough space to move freely.
Once in place, Bakugou slightly bent his knees and readied his hands beside himself, he could feel the sweat starting to slide down his palms, he sneered at Kirishima. The redhead stood there, the rambling had stopped and instead an aura of seriousness appeared around him. Kirishima stood strong on his feet, a smirk appearing in one corner of his mouth. His stare had turned dark and Bakugou almost lost his breath.
The sound of Kirishima smashing his fists was the start of their battle.
In one swift movement Bakugou lunged to the left, a hand stretched towards Kirishima, the next moment an explosion sounded into the training center, a pillar of smoke covering the redhead. Bakugou wasn’t one to waste time, he sped up and jumped into the air, propelling himself upwards with blasts from his hands. He almost seemed to be flying overhead the other, letting out a scream while firing blast after blast until he landed on the other side of Kirishima, who was still covered in smoke.
His palms were getting sweatier by the minute, one of the best things about his quirk was that the more he fought, the more powerful they got.
Then Kirishima stepped out of the smoke, not fully in his unbreakable form yet, and once again Bakugou’s explosions seemed to have done nothing to the redhead. Kirishima hardened his hands and arms and came running at Bakugou, right arm ready to strike the other. But Bakugou was quick. He blasted himself upwards and fired a blast at Kirishima’s head.
But he knew it wouldn’t stop the other, heck, it wouldn’t do any damage at all. So he warmed his palms, stronger and more intense. With a yell, Bakugou ran at the other. He fired off his explosion straight at Kirishima’s face while jumping over him. Anyone else would’ve been in a serious need for medical attention right about now. But not Kirishima.
The hardening on his body was getting more visible. The last blow to Kirishima’s face had turned it into hard edges, sharp teeth and glowing eyes. There was no time to waste. Bakugou jumped and lunged, his palms firing off explosion after explosion, his breathing starting to get ragged by how much he was maneuvering to not get himself caught on one of Kirishima’s sharp edges, knowing well how much it hurt to get cuts like that.
And then the next moment Kirishima went full unbreakable. It was a sight to see. Kirishima was taller and bigger than him, but with unbreakable he looked kind of… scary even. His skin had turned in sharp and hard edges, his eyes were a blazing hot red that seemed to be tearing into Bakugou, but Bakugou didn’t waver. He wasn’t one to run away from danger, he much rather tackled it upfront.
He lunged forward and made explosions, each one getting progressively more and more powerful, so much so that he could feel the strain in his arms starting to build up, pain like a buzzing under his skin. He dodged all of Kirishima’s attacks swiftly, not letting the redhead lay a hand on him, knowing that that would lead to a sure loss. In the back of his head, he kept notice of the time of how long Kirishima’s unbreakable form was working.
Attack. Dodge. Wait for an opening. A weak point.
A small miscalculation on Bakugou’s part. He tried to fire off overhead explosions again. But somehow his jump wasn’t high enough. And the next moment he felt Kirishima’s claw-like grip on his ankle. And then he was slammed against the concrete floor, the breath kicked out of him with force. For a moment all he felt was throbbing pain. His back had taken the most damage. Thankfully, he hadn’t hurt his head.
But his vision was blurry. And he still struggled to take a full breath.
He saw a big, dark figure loom over him. Blurry, but the red hair was unmistakable. He reached his hand up, fingers tense. He blasted again and again without really seeing where he was firing. He had to get up and away before he was compromised. So he crawled backwards as fast as possible, ignored the sharp pain in his back and kept making explosions, making sure that the smoke would block Kirishima’s field of vision.
Once he felt like he was far enough, he stood up and ran a few meters to get enough distance between them. The smoke was disappearing, and he could start to see Kirishima’s looming form, he didn’t look affected at all.
Their eyes locked for a second. And a second was enough for Bakugou to decide what to do. He’s going to make Kirishima lose this time.
He started to run and then he jumped up, with the help of his explosions he spun in the air, he could feel the air around him change and carry him forward. He could feel the heat and power build in his hands. This is sure going to leave a dent in the damn redhead.
Just before releasing his special move, he caught sight of Kirishima’s eyes again. They almost seemed to burn with intensity, something sinister in the back of them. Something that sat wrongly on Bakugou’s chest. Kirishima wasn’t bad, he knew that. But the look was… scary.
He’d think about it later. Right now, he had to finish this.
With the collected speed and force, Bakugou let out a final yell before releasing a massive explosion right at Kirishima, the sound almost numbing, too loud for the entire training center, his arms swelling and fingers twitching in pain, the heat of the explosion almost felt unbearable, the impact scorching the ground around them and sending Bakugou stumbling to the ground a few feet backwards.
He took in a ragged breath.
The smoke dispersed. Bakugou saw the exact moment Kirishima fell to the ground. His unbreakable form disappeared a few seconds later as he lay unmoving on the ground. Bakugou stood up, his legs shaky after such a massive use of power.
He caught the eyes of Aizawa, questioning if no one was seriously injured.
He stumbled towards Kirishima and fell to his knees next to him, feeling way too shaky on his legs to stand up right now. The other was covered in scratches and some burns, his face pressed against the damaged concrete.
No hard edges and sharp points. Kirishima looked soft and gentle. It almost seemed wrong for him to be laying on the ground like that.
“Hey,” Bakugou heard how raspy his own voice sounded, “are you alright?”
He nudged Kirishima’s shoulder. One of the redhead’s eyes peeked open. Long gone was the scary sinister quality. Back was the joyous sparkle. Dim and tired, but it was there.
“I’ll be okay. I think.” Kirishima rasped out and then softly chuckled. “You sure know how to sweep a man off his feet.”
Bakugou flushed at how that could be taken way differently than he probably intended. He ignored the heat on his face and turned to show a weak thumbs up to Aizawa. The teacher deemed that a good enough answer and turned back to talking to some of his classmates.
“Come on, let’s get up.” Bakugou grumbled and weakly stood up, then extended his hand to Kirishima.
The other rolled over onto his back, wincing at the pain. Then he took Bakugou’s outstretched hand and let himself be pulled up. Kirishima stumbled and Bakugou’s arm instinctively shot up to help the other stand. Slowly they made their way back to others who were done with their practice.
Bakugou heard some cheers from his classmates, they were stunned from all the power that both of them displayed together. Bakugou’s pride soured. Yeah, we are fucking cool.
Mina walked up to them and helped Kirishima stand up by giving his other side support. It looked kind of comical with the way Kirishima was a six-foot something boulder and Mina was a small fairy next to him. Still, the support was appreciated.
Bakugou could swear he heard her mutter something like you both are fucking crazy. But he didn’t comment on it. This time he chose peace. Or he was just really tired from the training.
“Do you guys mind taking me to Recovery Girl? I think I need some healing.” Kirishima said, his tone light and not at all like someone who’d just experienced a massive bomb explosion on himself.
Something started to gnaw at Bakugou’s chest. Had he gone too far? He hurt Kirishima…
“Man, that was so cool,” Kirishima said, as if sensing Bakugou’s train of thought, “I think I lasted longer too. But you sure did blast my ass.”
No, his face didn’t burn with the double implication. Kirishima didn’t mean that. Stop it, Katsuki.
He swallowed hard. “You did good.”
Mina rolled her eyes. “You are insufferable.”
Before Bakugou could snap at her a disturbing thought came barreling into his head. Yeah, we are fucking cool.
Yeah, we are fucking cool.
When had I changed into we?
Bakugou glanced at Kirishima. The other was already looking at him. Their gazes locked together. And Kirishima was looking at him softly, gently, almost fondly. Bakugou’s heart stuttered. Still, there was a flicker of a shadow in Kirishima’s eyes.
Something was there, but he couldn’t place it. Something. But what?
Kirishima smiled a toothy grin at him and, yeah, maybe Bakugou’s arm tightened around him and, yeah, maybe he walked closer to the other. But he decided that he had to get to the bottom of what hid behind Kirishima’s eyes.