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It could’ve been so romantic.
They had spent the evening together. Honestly, Kirishima couldn’t remember the last time they’d spent time one on one like this. All he knew was that one minute he was watching the school’s soccer team win, all alone, stressing over a dying phone, and the next Bakugou was walking up the path. He claimed he only came to escape a party Mina and Kaminari dragged him to, but Kirishima knew better. He knew he could’ve easily gone back to his dorm, but he didn’t.
The game ended in a satisfying win, and they walked back together to get Kirishima’s laundry out of the dryer.
“It’s been there for, like, two hours now, honestly.” Kirishima chuckled, hand playing with the hairs at the back of his neck.
Bakugou shook his head, “What? Dumbass, people need those dryers.”
Kirishima shrugged, “Yeah, well, I forgot I had to go to the game and put a load in.”
They were quiet as they headed to the dorm, and Kirishima made quick work of his laundry while talking lightheartedly with Bakugou. It made him feel all fluffy inside, how easy it was to talk to Bakugou. Most people left him concerned with how they felt about him, and Kirishima was constantly overthinking every interaction. Bakugou, however, was blunt. And, he understood Kirishima’s tendency to overthink. So, as Bakugou canceled plans so they could hang out more, bluntly stating he would rather hang out with him then any of those extras right now, Kirishima’s heart swelled.
They ended up going to McDonalds, just before it closed. Kirishima drove, humming to the songs he played through the bluetooth speakers. Bakugou swayed, staring at his phone as he ordered them both milkshakes and fries.
The order took longer than Kirishima expected, but that just meant he could show off more of his songs to Bakugou. He normally was a bit hesitant to share his music taste, even more so to sing in front of people. He had been told to shut up, and that he had a “unique” voice (something his brain took as meaning bad in a nice way) way too many times to be completely comfortable singing in front of people. Bakugou was different, however, because it wasn’t like he had a good voice either, and if Bakugou wanted him to shut up he would tell him. There would be no question of “is my bad voice bothering Bakugou.” No, Bakugou hadn’t said anything, which meant he liked his voice and at least tolerated his music choices. For now, he just looked content (meaning low levels of typical Baku-grumpy-ness), chewing his fries in peace.
Kirishima drove them back to the parking lot, where they parked facing the moon. The air conditioner blasted hot air even though it was on low, and Bakugou passed over Kirishima’s food before rolling down the window. Kirishima chuckled at him, and Bakugou just let out a short “tsk” in exasperation.
Handing Bakugou his phone, Kirishima said, “Queue some songs, whatever you want.” Bakugou looked at him for a bit, before scrolling through his own phone to find what music he wanted to play. The first song had such a good beat drop that Kirishima got way too excited, likely shaking the whole car. Bakugou just looked smug, his face screaming “I told you so”, and Kirishima quickly grabbed the phone to play one of his own, similar songs.
They sat for a few hours, playing, sharing their music tastes, trying to find ones the other liked. They found their middle ground eventually, music with a good beat, sassy lyrics, and at least one beat drop. Bakugou even tolerated Kirishima playing some of his rock music!
They played some heartfelt songs. Kirishima played Self Sabotage, mentioning that he felt the way the song depicted, and Bakugou nodded with a wrinkled brow, mumbling a soft, “yeah…” Bakugou even played a sadder song, that friend by Mad Tsai (Kirishima was saving all these songs in a playlist for later). Kirishima nodded too, when Bakugou said this was the song he related to, trying not to get excited at Bakugou being willing to be vulnerable with him. Feeling brave, he grabbed the phone and queued another song, then waited for a bit while the queue played through.
Eventually, the song wafted over the speaker.
Bakugou was stuck looking contemplatively out the window, almost frozen in time. Finally, he spoke up, “I’m not even single, but I like this song. I’m gonna add it to my playlist." Kirishima would’ve joked about him finally admitting to liking something, but he halted when Bakugou’s words registered.
Right, Bakugou had a girlfriend.
He knew that already. Kirishima knew that; his heart had broken a bit when he heard it, but he shut it up before his brain could register why. Now, there wasn’t much use in denying it. It hurt. Bakugou already had someone to go back to. How did he forget Bakugou had a girlfriend?!
Stupid stupid stupid. Kirishima thought. This night meant nothing to Bakugou. It meant everything to Kirishima, and nothing to him. Kirishima felt like he was stuck in a romcom scene, sharing each other’s music and singing into the night.
But, Bakugou had a girlfriend.
Kirishima was left staring at the moon, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with how much he related to the song he had played on this false romantic night.
So I dive in head first
Even though
I know the outcome
Cause no one loves me back
So I guess
I’ll always be alone
They finished up the night eventually, Bakugou stating that he was too musically tired out to continue. They walked back to the dorm and bid each other goodnight, Kirishima trying his hardest to act the same, to make it seem like nothing had changed.
Because ultimately? Nothing had.