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It started one Sunday night. With one simple word that would bring everything to a boil.
Kirishima sat cross-legged on Bakugou's bed while Bakugou lay with his head in Kirishima’s lap, reading through an old romance manga. Kirishima let his fingers run through Bakugou’s hair, feeling the warmth of his scalp.
“You really are hot-headed!” Kirishima blurted out.
“You really are a wise ass.” Bakugou retorded.
Kirishima grinned, “you think I’m wise?”
And Bakugou laughed, “wisest ass I know.”
Bakugou looked up from his book and Kirishima felt his heart spin. It had been four months since Kirishima confessed, and Bakugou still gave him butterflies. Kirishima leaned down to plant a kiss on Bakugou’s forehead. He didn’t miss how Bakugou's lips curled upward when he did.
“Baby.” Kirishima tried, hoping Bakugou might be too lost in the moment to care. He was wrong. Bakugou tensed up.
“I told you not to call me that.”
Kirishima let his fingers slip from Bakugou’s hair.
He agreed to start dating in secret, but that was becoming more and more difficult to bear. Kirishima wasn’t ashamed of his relationship with Bakugou.
“I still don’t see what the problem is,” Kirishima argued.
“It’s gross. I don’t want you calling me weird… pet names in front of everyone else.”
Kirishima flinched. Gross?
“Yeah, not like ‘shitty hair’, right?”
Bakugou pushed himself off of Kirishima’s lap.
“That’s a nickname.”
“So I’m just a nickname to you? Like all the other extras?”
This was an argument they’d had plenty of times before, Kirishima didn’t know why it irked him so much now. Maybe he was tired.
“That’s not... Look, it’s not that deep, Kirishima. I don’t like being called stuff like that. That’s it.”
Kirishima bit the inside of his cheek. Normally he would say ‘alright’ and they’d soon go back to joking around, but not today.
“A date then,” Kirishima suggested.
“Huh?”
“We’ve never gone on a date together, in public I mean.”
Bakugou stared at Kirishima, almost in disbelief.
“We agreed for this to be secret. Did you forget that too?”
Kirishima opened his mouth to argue but decided against it.
“Then I’ll see you in class tomorrow.” He said instead before rising off Bakugou's bed and walking out the door.
Kirishima was already wearing sweatpants and a loose tank top, so there was no need to bother changing before heading down to their school gym. It was the fastest way to clear his head.
He started on the treadmill.
Kirishima put on a pair of earphones and let music pour into his head. Still, he couldn’t suppress the thoughts of Bakugou. The way he looked so disgusted to be called ‘baby’, to be asked out on a date by his own boyfriend. But, Kirishima knew he was being unreasonable, too. He knew he was unsatisfied with his relationship with Bakugou. He’d considered breaking it off with him several times, but the thought of leaving Bakugou was too painful to bear.
Kirishima turned up the volume on his music.
The last thing Kirishima expected when he opened his door the next morning was to see Bakugou standing at his doorway holding two wrapped onigiri. They smelled like tuna- Kirishima’s favorite.
“I made extra,” Bakugou said, shoving them towards Kirishima.
Kirishima looked down at the onigiri. Food was Bakugou’s way of apologizing. Smirking, Kirishima leaned into Bakugou. His lips stopped just below Bakugou's left ear. Only Kirishima knew how sensitive he was here. He wanted to kiss up Bakugou's neck. He wanted to mark him.
“So, you’re okay with it?” Kirishima whispered.
Bakugou sighed.
“Okay with what?”
Kirishima moved up, so his mouth was at Bakugou’s ear.
“The date.” He whispered.
Bakugou shivered, pushing Kirishima off him just as Midoriya and Todoroki were making their way around the corner.
“You’re too damn close, Kirishima!”
Kirishima felt his stomach turn.
“Actually, I’m not hungry.” He said and pushed past Bakugou.
He heard Midoriya and Todoroki stop to greet Bakugou, but didn’t pause to listen to what was said. Ever since they started working at the same internship the three were almost always together, leaving no time for Bakugou and Kirishima to pretend to date.
Kirishima left the dorm building. His mind was clouded with thoughts of Bakugou. He wondered if Bakugou thought about him this much. Bakugou agreed to date Kirishima, although in secret. But Kirishima wondered if Bakugou also got butterflies when they were together. He wondered if Bakugou was too ashamed to call him his boyfriend.
“Woah, slow down there hot stuff!” Mina called from behind him. Kirishima didn’t even notice he’d passed her.
“Oh hey Mina, what’s going on?”
Mina jumped to his side, and they continued their short walk to homeroom.
“Nothing really. My feet are killing me from quirk training yesterday. Practice with Sero is no joke man!”
Kirishima smiled.
“You’re getting stronger.”
Mina grinned back at him.
“You are too.”
Kirishima opened the door to their homeroom and let Mina walk in ahead of him.
“So, what about you?” She sang over her shoulder, “what’s got you in the clouds today space cadet?”
Kirishima laughed awkwardly, sitting down in his chair. Mina decided to sit on top of Kirishima’s desk. She was still looking at him, waiting for him to answer.
“Just feeling… unsatisfied, I guess. It’s hard to explain.”
Mina nodded.
“I’ll satisfy you Kirishima!” Denki exclaimed, turning to wink at him.
“What you’re suggesting is not class appropriate!” Iida shouted from across the room.
Mina laughed. She reached out and clasped a hand over Kirishima’s.
“Hey, I get the feeling.” She reassured.
That’s when the door opened and Midoriya, Todoroki, and Bakugou all walked in. Kirishima couldn’t help but notice how natural he looked with them now.
Bakugou stole a glance at Kirishima and stopped in his tracks.
“Something wrong, Kachan?” Midoriya asked.
Bakugou ignored him, walking up to Kirishima’s desk.
Mina was still looking down at Kirishima when Bakugou wrapped a hand around her shoulder.
“That’s not your seat Pinky. You’re being annoying.”
Mina simply chuckled it off.
“Didn’t notice!” She jumped off and turned to Kirishima, still grasping onto his hand.
“Let me know if you wanna talk, okay?”
Kirishima nodded, “yeah man. Thanks.”
Kirishima looked up. Mina had gone back to her seat, but Bakugou was still standing by his desk. He was staring daggers down at Kirishima.
“Need something?” Kirishima found himself asking.
Bakugou opened his mouth, only to close it again. He looked around at the rest of the class, and then back at Kirishima.
“The bell already sounded. You should all be in your seats!” A disgruntled voice called out from behind the desk.
Aizawa inched forward in his yellow sleeping bag.
He waited for Bakugou, and everyone else, to find their seats and keep quiet.
“You’ll all need to change into your hero uniforms this morning,” Aizawa continued. “We’ll be having class in the training room today.”
Once everyone was ready, Aizawa split the class into two groups and had each move to opposite sides of the training room. There was a line of balls in the middle of the arena separating each team. They would be playing dodgeball.
Kirishima flinched to see Midoriya on Bakugou’s team. He was standing next to Bakugou, and Bakugou didn’t even seem to mind. Kirishima wanted to feel proud about the progress the two had made in their friendship. But, it was hard when his own relationship with Bakugou seemed to be paused in time.
“Don’t worry Kiri, you still got me on your team!” Kaminari put an arm around Kirishima.
“And me!” Mina squealed beside him, thrusting herself onto the two of them.
Now Kirishima had Mina squeezing him into a hug and Denki wrapping his arm around his neck. He looked across at the other team and locked eyes with Bakugou.
“Oh, man!” Kaminari laughed, “That’s not good.”
“What?” Mina asked.
“He’s pissed!” Denki exclaimed, nudging towards Bakugou.
He was right. Bakugou was pissed. And he was staring right at Kirishima.
Kirishima smirked, despite himself. He wrapped his arms around Denki and Mina, pulling them closer.
“Let him be.”
Bakugou was one of the first to the middle, using his explosions to launch himself forward. It wasn’t long before Shoji was there too, and Kirishima was glad to have him on his team. Shoji used his many arms to send the balls back to his teammates.
Kirishima didn’t hesitate to spring into action, either. He grabbed a ball Shoji had rolled to him and used it to knock Momo in the arm. She had been busy creating a net for her team, leaving herself wide open.
Several students on Kirishima’s side had already been knocked out of the game by Uraraka. Some people just had a bigger advantage when it came to dodgeball.
Sero had attached a ball to his line of tape and was swinging it around the room. Was that even allowed?
Kirishima hardened his arm, taking another ball and throwing it towards Jiro, who ducked under it easily.
“Ha!” Denki laughed at Kirishima as he was charging up another ball.
“Whose team are you on?” Kirishima questioned.
Only a few minutes had passed and already nearly half their class had been taken out. But with fewer people, the game of dodgeball only seemed to grow more intense. Kirishima still had Mina, Sero, Todoroki, and Shoji on his team. But, Bakugou, Midoriya, Uraraka, and Iida were still going strong on the other side.
A ball came crashing down on Mina, but she used her acid to slide out of the way. Or rather, to slide right in the way. Bakugou smirked. Mina was sliding right in his line of fire, with no time to stop. Bakugou threw a dodgeball at her so fast it might have caught fire. Kirishima jumped to her aid, And just as the ball was about to hit her right in the stomach, Kirishima reached out and caught it in one hardened hand.
He kept the ball in his grip as he turned to Mina, putting a supportive hand on her shoulder.
“You good?” He asked.
“Yeah. That was so awesome Kiri!”
She wrapped her hand around his neck and pulled him into a quick hug. Then she ran back into the action.
When Kirishima looked up Bakugou was already crossing the line over to his side.
“Bakugou!” Aizawa yelled from across the gym, “You’re out. Take a seat.”
Bakugou glared at Kirishima.
“After school. My room or yours.”
“Bakugou,” Aizawa called again.
But he was unmoving. He stood there, waiting for Kirishima to make a move.
“Yours,” Kirishima answered.
Bakugou nodded and turned to join his other defeated classmates.
When classes ended, the two walked together to Bakugou’s dorm room. Neither spoke a word on the way, and the silence was almost suffocating. Kirishima wanted to run away. He didn’t know what he would say once the two were alone. But, they promised to be honest with each other. He knew he had to face this like a man.
Bakugou opened the door to his room and let Kirishima enter first before walking in and locking the door behind them.
“Do you like her?” Bakugou asked as soon as the door locked shut.
“Excuse me?”
Kirishima didn’t expect Bakugou to speak so soon.
“That-Pinky. Do you like her or something?”
Oh. So that’s what this was about.
“No. She’s just a friend from middle school. Like Deku.” Kirishima paused before adding, “except I don’t have a cute nickname picked out for her.”
Bakugou looked genuinely confused.
“Deku is an ugly name. It’s not supposed to be cute. And I told you, I give everyone nicknames like Pinky or…”
“Shittyhair.” Kirishima finished, “You’re right. It’s not special.”
Kirishima stared at him, and he could tell from the look in his eyes that Bakugou knew what he meant. I’m not special.
Bakugou cleared his throat.
“Anyway, I just don’t like you getting so close to other people like that. It… makes me uncomfortable.”
“Why? You won’t let me get close to you.” Kirishima protested.
“You’re wrong,” Bakugou said.
As if to prove himself Bakugou took Kirishima’s hand in his own and guided it to his cheek. Bakugou looked down, his face flushed red.
“I don’t care if you want to get close to me. Or, um, touch me.”
Kirishima pulled his hand away.
“I mean out there,” Kirishima pointed towards the door, “Why do you care so much if people know about us?” He asked.
“Why do you care that they don’t?” Bakugou asked back.
“Are you ashamed of being with me?”
Bakugou blinked back at him.
“Do you even…” Love me, Kirishima wanted to ask. He swallowed. “Why did you agree to date me?” He asked instead.
“That’s a stupid question,” Bakugou responded.
“Then I’m sure you can answer it.”
Bakugou cleared his throat again.
“Because I care about you. Obviously.”
Kirishima rolled his eyes.
“So? I care about Denki” Kirishima said, “I care about Sero and Tetsutetsu. I care about—”
“Because I love you.” Bakugou cut him off. “Because I’m in love with you. God.”
Bakugou looked down at his feet.
“I mean, what would people think of you, being with me? You might not think this matters now but later… Kirishima, what if this affects your reputation as a hero?”
“Dating the number one pro hero?”
Kirishima spoke as if it were already true.
Bakugou fell silent.
“I don’t care about that kind of stuff Bakugou,” Kirishima said.
He took a step towards Bakugou.
“I really love you Bakugou. But, I can’t hide in this relationship with you anymore. It’s not enough for me. I’m sorry.”
Kirishima couldn’t even believe what he said. But, he knew in his heart that it was true. He meant every word.
Bakugou didn’t yell back at Kirishima, he didn’t try to pick a fight. He only nodded, his head hung low. Kirishima wanted to wrap him in a hug and tell him it was okay, that he would stay. But, he left. Kirishima went next door to his room and cried into his camouflage sheets.
Kirishima didn’t know if he had the energy to go to school the next morning. He might have just lost the person he cared for the most. He felt sick. But, he forced himself to get out of bed and change into his UA uniform.
Kirishima poked his head out of his dorm room, scanning his eyes cautiously towards Bakugou’s room. He didn’t want to run into him now. It would be too awkward.
“Are you looking for someone, Kirishima?”
Kirishima flinched, turning to see Deku standing at his doorway.
“Huh? Oh, no. But, a hero always needs to be on the lookout, right?”
Midoriya nodded sincerely.
“You heading to class, Midoriya?” Kirishima asked.
Midoriya scratched the back of his head.
“Well actually, I came to see Bakugou first. He hasn’t been responding to my texts.”
Kirishima’s heart sank.
“I’m sorry dude. Everything okay?”
Midoriya nodded.
“It’s nothing serious. Just that we’re going out to dinner tonight and—”
“You’re going out to dinner?” Kirishima repeated. His stomach felt like lead.
“Yeah,” Midoriya responded. He must have noticed the sadness in Kirishima’s eyes because when Deku spoke next his attitude and tone completely shifted.
“I mean, Todoroki will be there, too. Endeavor promised to treat the three of us to dinner and I want to confirm some things with him, like where we’re meeting up and stuff but he isn’t responding to the group chat so I thought I’d come here and see if he’s awake!”
Bakugou’s door swung open.
“Will you shut the hell up Deku?”
Bakugou’s eyes looked red and tired. His hair was ruffled. He wore a UA uniform, but it was badly wrinkled. Had he worn that all night?
“Kachan we really need to talk about tonight!” Midoriya squealed, trying to force himself into Bakugou’s room.
Bakugou pushed back against Midoriya, keeping him from entering. Kirishima locked eyes with him and he could feel butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He didn’t know if that would ever go away.
Kirishima turned around and ran.
He was panting by the time he made it to homeroom.
“Dude, were you being chased by a villain on the way here?” Sero asked when he walked in.
Including Sero, there were only six others waiting in the classroom.
Kirishima forced himself to laugh.
“Not this time.”
“He must have come running for her!” Aoyama exclaimed, pointing towards Mina.
“I’ve gotta say, I didn’t take you to be a lady’s man Kirishima. But, what you did during dodgeball yesterday was super awesome. You gotta teach me some of your moves.” Mineta said.
“No.” Kirishima spat. He was starting to feel irritated. Today was the last day he’d want to be the center of attention.
“Ignore him”, Mina advised, “But seriously, thanks for that. Not like we won anyway, but still.”
She put a hand on Kirishima’s shoulder, but he quickly flicked it off.
“Don’t touch me.”
Mina backed away.
Kirishima shook his head.
“I’m sorry. I’m in a bad mood.” He sighed, “I liked playing with you Mina I just don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I’m—”
“Not a lady’s man?” Mina finished.
Kirishima nodded.
“I’m sorry.” He said again.
Kirishima watched carefully to see what Mina would do. He didn’t expect her to burst into laughter.
“Right.” She laughed, “I’ll be sure to tell my girlfriend. She’ll be happy to know.”
And just like that, the attention shifted to Mina. He’d have to thank her for that later.
Kirishima managed to make it through the rest of classes. No one minded that he was a little less extraverted than usual. Sometimes Kirishima caught Bakugou looking at him during class, but Bakugou turned away as soon as their eyes met.
Kirishima watched Deku and Todoroki leave with Bakugou once school ended. He looked out the hallway window and watched them get into Endeavor's car, too. Despite their argument the night before, Kirishima wanted more than anything to join them. Kirishima worried if this is what it would be like from now on; watching Bakugou from a screen of glass. Kirishima missed him. He wanted to be by his side. And as the night progressed, this urge would become a desperate need.
Kirishima agreed to watch tv with Denki, Sero, Jiro, and Mina instead of going straight to his dorm room. He needed some way to drown out his thoughts.
They were in the middle of starting a new anime when the channel automatically switched.
“Hey, what gives?” Denki yelled at the television.
“We interrupt this program to give you live footage…”
“Is it a villain attack?” Sero asked over the tv.
“A very dangerous and powerful villain came and attacked a group of students just moments ago. We urge everyone within the area to seek shelter immediately.” The reporter confirmed.
On-screen was the outside of a fancy restaurant. Its glass walls were shattered and you could see people hiding under tables inside.
“I liked that place!” Mina complained.
A car came flying into the building, and the camera panned to show, standing in the middle of the street, a gigantic creature with four arms, dark blue skin, and a brain peeking out of its head. A nomu.
“Oh shit.” Jiro breathed.
Kirishima leaned closer to the tv.
“Over here asshole!!” A voice screamed off camera.
Kirishima felt his heart sink to the deepest part of his stomach.
“Is that Kachan?” Denki yelled.
Bakugou launched himself into view, setting off a large explosion in the nomu’s face. The nomu backed up but quickly knocked Bakugou out of the air seconds later. Kirishima watched Bakugou get slammed into the side of the building. He heard him groan in agony.
“We’re lucky Endeavor and three of his interns were here at the restaurant to help—” The reporter started saying, but Kirishima couldn’t hear it. His vision was blurry. He thought he might throw up. His limbs felt weak, like jello, but he forced himself to stand. Jiro put a hand to his shoulder, urging him to sit back down.
“It’s his fight.” She said, not taking her eyes off the screen.
Kirishima felt a lump building up in his throat.
“Do you believe in him?” She asked.
“Yes.” Kirishima answered, “Of course. He’s Bakugou.”
It was true. Bakugou was the strongest UA student Kirishima knew.
“That’s right!” Denki screamed. “Go Bakugou!”
“Go Bakugou!” Sero joined.
Kirishima sat back down.
Soon they were all chanting at the screen. Even Kirishima. Their chanting got the attention of their whole class. Before long all of 1-a was squeezed into the common room cheering for their classmates.
When Bakugou got knocked down by one of the nomu’s four arms, Kirishima shouted at him to get up. When an explosion knocked the nomu off his feet, he cheered. They all watched as Bakugou, Deku, Todoroki, and Endeavor struggled to fight against the nomu. They were still watching when the four of them learned to read its attacks and worked together to bring it down.
By the end of the fight, Bakugou was bleeding from his head, his costume had a large rip going down his chest, he was covered in dirt and he looked about ready to pass out. But he was still standing. Oh god, he was standing. There were tears streaming down Kirishima’s face. He did it, he kept thinking. He’s alive. He did it.
Kirishima waited eagerly to hear which hospital Bakugou was being sent to. Uraraka seemed just as anxious to know for Deku. But as it turns out, the three wouldn’t be staying at any hospital at all. They were being sent to a hospital nearby, but wouldn’t be staying the night. Luckily, most of their injuries could be healed by Recovery Girl.
So instead, all of class 1-a moved to the front steps of their dorm and waited for them to come back. It was already dark and the air was cold, but Kirishima didn't care. He would wait all night if he had to.
An hour passed.
“Ya know, we could just wait inside,” Mineta complained.
“No one’s stopping you!” Momo shouted back at him.
It wasn’t for another half an hour that a car finally pulled up. Iida ran up to it. He thanked the driver quite aggressively and then opened the door for Midoriya and Todoroki, allowing them to hold onto him for support as he walked them to the front steps. They were wearing their UA uniforms again.
Bakugou let himself out through the opposite door. He slammed it shut and the car drove off.
Kirishima felt his breath stop. He wanted to run and help Bakugou, but his feet felt as if they had melted into the ground. He forgot about everyone else behind him as he watched Bakugou limp forward. His blonde hair was ruffled into crazy shapes. He had dirt everywhere and his left eye was half closed from a bruise. He looked beautiful.
Kirishima thought Bakugou would head straight to bed when he got back; he looked so tired. But, Kirishima was waiting at the side of the stairs and Bakugou was heading straight for him. Kirishima swallowed. His mouth felt dry. They locked eyes, and this time neither looked away. Bakugou kept walking until he was only inches from Kirishima. Kirishima could feel Bakugou’s warm breath on his skin. Bakugou grabbed Kirishima by the front of the shirt and pulled him forward. And then Bakugou kissed him. In front of their whole class Bakugou kissed him. Kirishima would never forget how he leaned forward and crashed their lips together. Bakugou parted his mouth and sent a shock through the pit of Kirishima’s stomach. He tasted sweet. Kirishima leaned into his lips.
“Eijiro Kirishima.” Was all Bakugou could make out before he collapsed onto Kirishima’s shoulder.
Kirishima lifted Bakugou into his arms and walked up the stairs and to his room. If anyone said anything on the way, he didn’t notice.
With Bakugou sprawled out on his bed, Kirishima worked carefully to take off his shoes and socks.
“You need to take a shower tomorrow. You stink.” Kirishima said as he undid Bkugou’s belt and slipped his pants off his legs. He was only in his white button-down and boxers now, but at least this way he would be more comfortable.
Kirishima tucked Bakugou into his blanket and then left to get ready for bed himself. His head was still in a daze.
Kirishima turned off the light on his way back. He slipped under the covers and kissed the top of Bakugou’s head, whispering him a goodnight. He cherished the way Bakugou clung to him as they slept.
Bakugou was playing with Kirishima’s hair when he woke up. Kirishima blinked awake at the sensation and turned over to watch him.
“Goodmorning.” Kirishima yawned.
“Mornin,” Bakugou said in a soft voice, twirling a strand of Kirishima’s hair in his fingers.
Bakugou had taken his shirt off in his sleep, and now Kirishima could see the bandages taped to his chest and stomach. He reached out and touched Bakugou right above the bandage on his chest.
“Does it hurt?” Kirishima asked.
“This is nothing. You should see the others.”
Kirishima smiled, “I did.”
“I saw you”, Kirishima continued, “On the news. You were so manly.”
Bakugou blushed.
“Do you remember?” Kirishima didn’t need to specify what.
“Obviously! I was thinking about it all day.”
“Aw, you wanted to kiss me that much?” Kirishima planted a kiss on Bakugou's nose.
“I just… didn’t want to lose you.”
Kirishima nodded, “me too”
“Kirishima?” Bakugou started, letting the strand of hair fall in favor of grabbing onto Kirishima’s hand.
“Yeah?”
“I want you to know that I don’t feel ashamed of loving you. And”, Bakugou took in a breath of air, “and I don’t want to hide this relationship anymore, either.”
Kirishima laughed, “it would be pretty hard to now!”
Bakugou looked up at him, “So, you’re okay with being my boyfriend? Still?”
“Only if you admit it.” Kirishima wagered.
Bakugou looked confused.
“Admit what?”
Kirishima grinned.
“That you like my hair.”
Bakugou leaned in, so their noses barely touched, “You want me to lie?”
“You were just playing with it!” Kirishima reminded him.
Bakugou laughed.
“I like everything about you.” And then, with a smirk, “even your shitty hair.”
Kirishima sighed.
“Good enough.” He mumbled under his breath.
Kirishima leaned forward the extra few inches to let their lips meet.
End