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It started out as small things.
Bakugou was not a soft person. He was rough on the surface- all angry words and loud yelling. By all means, he was not an easy person to get along with. Kirishima saw the way the blonde is and took it in stride. He saw the snarl planted on pink lips, heard his loud voice screaming profanities and explosions popping from his palms. He looked at Bakugou and couldn't help but smile as he thought to himself; this will be my best friend. And from then on, he firmly planted himself in Bakugou's life; resilient with a sharp toothed smile.
So, in the beginning, the small things were minuscule.
Once Bakugou realized that Kirishima was not going anywhere, the blonde settled down slightly. It had taken months of screaming, telling the redhead to leave me alone! And go away dubass! Only to have laughs- soft, gentle giggles, that made goosebumps rise on Bakugou's skin- thrown back at him. It proceeded to make him angrier, but he knew some part of the rage curling around his insides was not directed at Kirishima- but at himself. Mad because of the butterflies swarming his stomach everytime Kirishima looked at him with those pretty red eyes. The way his skin would heat up at the casual touches he shrugged off. The way Kirishima would laugh at him, chest pumping with happiness.
That's when the little things started.
There weren't as many protests when Kirishima would barge in his room with arms full of snacks; declaring a movie night. Bakugou would follow Kirishima to their lunch table- with the rest of the self proclaimed Bakusquad- and he would plant himself right next to the redhead. The blonde never came to the redhead first, but he sure as hell followed when the redhead would plant himself by his side. He would offer a hand when the redhead got too excited (and in turn, ridiculously clumsy) and fell on his ass.
Kirishima noticed, of course.
He noticed how sometimes when he looked over at Bakugou, he would already be staring at him- blank look on his face but eyes full of emotion. He noticed how if Kirishima got hurt, he wouldn't be as quick to scold or throw insults; instead opting to scan his face for any signs of serious pain and discomfort, before scoffing, offering a hand with a small breath of "idiot."
It was progress, progress that Kirishima was proud of.
The little things started to turn into slightly bigger things, when one day in the middle of class movie night, Bakugou said,
"Kiri, I'm gonna make something to eat. Do you want anything?" Bakugou spoke in a hushed voice (as hushed as he could muster anyway, he was always a loud talker because of his hearing loss). Everyone had heard it anyways, and it seemed as if everyone's attention was suddenly focused on Bakugou. Bakugou, who was leaning over the back of the couch, head popping over Kirishima's shoulder. Both boys' eyes were trained on the screen, still trying to pay attention.
Kirishima had gone a bit still, soft breath sucking in his lips as he realized that Bakugou said his name . No shitty hair or idiot , just kiri. His whole body tingled, shivers running through his body as Bakugou's minty breath puffed against his ear.
Kirishima nodded, smile lighting up his face. He turned and looked at Bakugou, whose face was inches away. A blush overwhelmed Kirishima's face- almost as red as his hair- as he got an idea. He acted before thinking.
"Sure, thanks Baku!" Before the other could turn to meet the redheads eyes, a small smack ! sounded through the room.
Kirishima kissed his cheek.
Everyone in the room tensed, anticipation building up, tension thick. Everyone expected Bakugou to blow up, scream at Kirishima. They all braced themselves for the inevitable anger, however, it never came.
Instead, Bakugou huffed. His cheeks were red as a tomato, as he stood up straight. The blonde's hand reached out, ruffling Kirishima's hair. Before the blonde could second guess himself, he leaned forward again, planting a small kiss on the redheads temple.
"K, I'll be back soon."
As soon as the door shut, the room erupted into noise. Questions and shocked exclamations filled up the previously quiet room.
Kirishima just smiled, fingers reaching up and ghosting over where Bakugou had kissed him.
He promptly squealed, smile so big his eyes turned into crescents.
"Dude, Bakugou is totally in love with you."
He knew. The second their eyes met for the first time, he knew.
And as soon as Bakugou returned, placing a plate of his favorite food in his hands, Kirishima decided that it was the little things that mattered the most.
It was how Bakugou shyly kissed him after the redhead confessed, later on at a school dance.
It was how Bakugou wrapped a protective arm around Kirishimas waist, loudly declaring that "Kiri is the best, so the rest of you extras can shut the fuck up."
It was how Bakugou came to him after nightmares- ones full of hands wrapping around his neck and restraints on his mouth and wrists. It was how the redhead let him hold the blonde close as they fell asleep in Kirishima's bed.
It was how on their one year anniversary, Bakugou handed him a letter full of I love you s and be mine forever .
It was how Bakugou had become softer, more kind to others around him. He was still loud, and often snapped, but no heat was ever behind his words. He would often apologize, as well.
It was how when Midoriya started talking to him, he talked back, and not in swears or threats.
And a few years later, It was how Bakugou started crying in front of everyone of their friends, as Kirishima got down on one knee and said, "Will you marry me?"
It was how he nodded, overwhelmed and unable to find words. It was how Bakugou told himself, years ago, that he would never marry or have kids- and the only thing he had ever wanted was to be number one.
It was how it changed. How Bakugou married Kirishima with so much ease and love- and it was how they adopted 2 quirkless kids, who he loved with his body and soul.
It was how he encouraged his kids to call Midoriya "uncle Izuku". It was how when they did, Midoriya started crying, and Bakugou just hugged him with a smile.
It was how Bakugou would tell them everyday- every second If he had to- that he loved them with everything he had.
It was how Bakugou had changed. It was how Bakugou was still undoubtedly himself, just more loving and open.
And, as Kirishima woke up with two excited and very awake children jumping on their bed- he decided that the little, medium and big things mattered, too.
And Bakugou would always matter. That was just how the world worked.