Chapter Text
Bakugou dug his board into the hot sand before falling back on his butt.
“Nice drop in, man,” A skinny black haired boy sat down next to him.
“Sloppy, nose was too low.” Bakugou grunted back, accepting the water bottle handed to him.
“You’ll get it next time,” Sero waved his hand casually.
“Next time is the World Championships.” Bakugou snorted, eyeing the beer in Sero’s hand, “some of us care.”
“You gotta relax, dude,” Sero shrugged, “Not a big deal.”
“Shut the-“
“Who the hell is that?” Sand splashed across Bakugou’s lap as Kaminari dropped on his other side. The blonde’s eyes were huge, staring at something across the beach.
Bakugou turned, and his mouth went dry. Red hair, strong build and a tan that said the boy in question spent most of his daylight hours in the sun. Sunlight shined off his bare, toned chest.
Damn, Bakugou swallowed hard.
“I think that's the nature conservatory?” Sero said, his own eyes trailing on a woman in khaki shorts, a purple polo and matching colored hair.
“Whatever it is, he’s coming this way. Try not to scare him off Blasty,” Kaminari laughed and slapped Bakugou’s chest hard.
“Shut up,” Bakugou muttered, turning his gaze back to the ocean. He could still see the guy making his way towards them out of the corner of his eye. A white headband was pushing red hair out of his eyes, and his shorts had little turtles printed all over them.
Cute. The word appeared in Bakugou’s mind and he felt his teeth clench. It had been so long since he had even thought about another person.He'd thrown himself into surfing and hadn't bother looking up since.
His hands clenched tightlyaround the smooth wood of his board.
“Hey guys,” the guy’s voice was almost as bright as his smile, and Bakugou struggled to keep his gaze averted, “sorry to ask, but do you mind moving?”
“Hn?” That got Bakugou’s attention, he turned back, scowl on his face, “why the hell should I move.”
“Ah…” The boys red eyes blinking quickly, “sorry I-“
“Do you know who he is?” Kaminari tried to hide the smile splitting across his face.
“No I-“
“You should,” Sero nodded, digging an unnecessary elbow into Bakugou’s side.
Idiots.
“Shut up,” he hissed, feeling the prickling of annoyance and embarrassment. His fingers itched to grab his board and disappear under a wave again.
“Yea?” The boys eyes lit up before falling again, “sorry, I’ve been stuck on the Galapagos for the past year, I’m kind out of touch, ya know?”
“Galapa-what?” Kaminari blinked once, “Sounds contagious.”
“No, dumbass, it’s an archipelago,” Bakugou snarked before he could stop himself, “It’s where Darwin developed his theory of natural selection.”
“Bakubrooo you know I failed Biology,” Kamari whined. Bakugou snorted again before turning back to the red head.
“Yea wow,” The boy blinked back his surprise before smiling wide, “Charles Darwin studied and discovered so many new species of marine life and mammals there. Its an amazing place.”
“Turtle, guy!” Sero suddenly chimed in, nodding as he took another sip of his beer, “I remember now.”
Turtle guy,” the red head laughed, “that’s actually why we’re here. My team and I are making sure the Loggerhead turtles nests go undisturbed here in Japan so they can make the nearly 8000 mile migratory journey to the adults. They’re super fascinating cause- oh. sorry, I’m Kirishima Eijirou.” Kirishima flushed brightly before extending his hand toward Bakugou.
Bakugou shook it, a little dazed. He had never met anyone quiet as bright as Kirishima, “Bakugou Katsuki.”
“So we’re roping off this 50 foot stretch of beach so the turtles have a safe place to lay their eggs, then we’re going to to keep an eye on them,” He was still talking, but Bakugou was too busy staring at the way Kirishima’s bottom lip ran under his too sharp teeth when he got excited.
A sharp jab hit his ribs.
“Wha?” He turned to see Kaminari giving him a look that was supposed to mean something.
“Kirishima here is saying they could always use volunteers to help him keep watch.” Kaminari enunciated the word a little too much and Bakugou tried not to flush.
“Fuck off-“
“It would be great for your image!” Sero chimed in helpful, throwing his hand up, “Two time World Champion Surfer Bakugou Katsuki takes a few days off training to help an endangered species. Media’s going to eat it up.”
“Maybe they’ll finally forget about that time you threw that tourists phone in the ocean!” Kaminari nodded thoughtfully and Bakugou flushed.
“Or that time you snapped someones board in half for dropping in infront of you.” Sero added.
“Enough-“ Bakugou practically hissed, before turning back to Kirishima, “Fine. Just for two days. I have shit to do.”
“Pro Surfer?” Kirishima’s face was practically lite up with excitement, “That’s amazing. Wow, thanks man.” And he let out a low laugh that buzzed through Bakugou.
Just two days, Bakugou thought to himself, but couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away from the smiling biologist.
Two days somehow turned into three months.
Bakugou found himself spending most of his time at the protected beach, arms brushing against Kirishima’s as they watched the tiny bumps in the sand become bigger and bigger.
“Behind us, Bakugou Katsuki, fresh off his third World Championship win is waiting for a few exciting new arrivals on the beach-“
“Shut the hell up” Bakugou glared at the reporter before turned back to the mound of sand gently moving, “I think they’re here. What do we do next.”
“Just wait,” Kirishima laughed, that same bright sound that sent a rush of adrenaline through Bakugou’s chest. Theirs shoulders were pressed against each other as they crouched on the beach.
A hushed silence fell across the crowd of onlookers as a tiny claw poked through the sand, followed by another. Then, a few minutes later, a head appeared in the sand.
Bakugou was so entranced, he almost didn’t feel the strong fingers sliding through his.
“Now we follow,” words whispered in his ear, hot breath sent shivers down his back. He followed Kirishima’s lead, his eyes still glued to the tiny turtle now making its way down the beach. Cameras flashed around them, but Bakugou didn’t even care. It was just him and Kirishima and the tiny newborn creature that somehow knew the exact path to the water. Like it was etched in its very DNA.
He stared in an awed silence as the little turtle disappeared under the waves. A strange emptiness tugged at his chest.
“So what’s next?” He asked.
“They make the trip to California and Mexico where they’ll hopefully meet up with others and live a long, healthy life." Kirishima answered, voice still soft, “We did all we could for them, it’s up to their own strength and will to survive now.”
“Yea.” Bakugou muttered. Silence descended between them and Bakugou felt that strange tug of loss again. He looked down at their hands, still firmly entwined “ so what’s next?” The question left his lips without him meaning to.
“Well…” Kirishima started, then stopped. His bottom lip disappeared underneath too sharp top teeth and Bakugou had the sudden desire to kiss him breathless.
“Want to get coffee?” He couldn’t disguise the small hitch in his voice.
“Ha!” Kirishima turned to him then, face shining, “yea coffee sounds really good and then maybe…dinner? If you have time that is…”
“I have time,” Bakugou said firmly and Kirishima just laughed, tugging at his hand with a sudden excitement.
“Lets go see if any more hatched!”
Bakugou sent one last lingering look at the ocean before turning to walk back up the beach. Their turtles would survive, he was sure of it. Crimson colored eyes met his, full of joy and hope and words just waiting for the right time to be said.
He was pretty sure he and Kirishima would too.