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A few years after graduating their careers skyrocketed, Bakugo and Kirishima were both in the top twenty in hero rankings. Sadly, there was a downside to the fame and that was a lot of media attention.
Bakugo and Kirishima had started dating in their senior year but had decided to keep it under wraps per Bakugo’s request. At first, Kirishima hadn’t really minded. He knew Bakugo was known to like his privacy.
But lately, he had been a bit bothered by it. It’s just that he agreed to it thinking about the media and such, but he didn’t think it would be secret from everyone. Even their close friends and family.
He knew he had agreed to it, which is why he hadn’t brought it up again, but he was still feeling insecure about it. It all got worse while they were once again on I-Island for the I- Expo.
Even though they got one room to share, a two-bed room to keep up appearances, little by little Kirishima’s annoyance grew throughout the evening of the hero gala.
“Hey Dynamight! You were declared one of Japan’s top bachelors how do you feel about it?” “How do you feel about possibly reaching top ten in the hero rankings tonight at such a young age?” Reporters yelled as Bakugo walked through the red carpet towards the hall the gala was being held in.
Kirishima still hadn’t grown used to people talking and acting as if he were single but he didn’t like that type of media attention either so... As always Bakugo only gave the media the time of day when the questions were related to his hero work ignoring everything else.
“I’ve worked hard to be the best hero I can be, the ranking should show that.” After that, he kept walking until he made it inside. Kirishima had been slightly behind him also receiving his own questions and answering amicably until he finally made it inside.
The ceremony was televised by the Hero Association but no other media coverage was allowed inside. Kirishima was glad. He could relax a little without the media breathing on his neck.
The ceremony itself was boring as always just a few messages from higher-ups until finally what they had all been waiting for. When the list was published Dynamight, Shouto, Red Riot and Deku had all made it to the top ten.
Kirishima was so excited, all he wanted to do was hug and kiss his boyfriend. The seating arrangements were predetermined so he’d have to wait until the end of the ceremony to at least get a hug.
Once the ceremony was over, he beelined it towards his past classmates. Kaminari, Shinso, Jirou, Mina, Sero and Bakugo who were already talking. “Holy shit man, we made it! Congrats!” Kirishima said as he went in to hug Bakugo tightly.
“Didn’t doubt for a moment we’d make it, love” Bakugo whispered in his ear and then responded aloud. “Yeah, yeah shitty hair enough with the sappy shit” He pushed Kirishima away slightly. Kirishima’s smile faltered before the rest of their friends joined.
“I’m so happy for you guys!” Mina squealed as the rest of the friend group all congratulated them. They all talked for a bit more, but Kirishima was kind of out of it.
He knew he agreed to keep their relationship under wraps, but fuck did it hurt to be pushed away when all he wanted was to kiss his boyfriend silly. He decided to try and ignore his lingering discomfort while still trying to be near Bakugo, but it seemed as if he were starting to keep space between them.
Suddenly Bakugo stopped him and whispered in his ear. “What the fuck are you doing, if you keep being this close people are going to start asking questions.”
Kirishima looked at him in disbelief. “Seriously? I’m not even touching you. But you know what? Whatever, if you’re so ashamed to be seen with me I’ll leave you alone...” He immediately turned and walked away leaving Bakugo baffled.
Kirishima went and talked to Deku and Shouto congratulating them as well before quickly deciding he’d had enough mingling for one night. He really wasn’t in the headspace for it.
He made his way back to the hotel lobby deciding to call it a night when Bakugo joined him grabbing his wrist before he was fully in the elevator.
“What’s wrong?” Bakugo asked with a concerned expression. “I don’t want to talk about it right now. You should go back before someone sees you with me.” He knew he was being petty, but he was hurt by his boyfriend's actions.
“Hell no. I’m not going back there knowing you aren’t okay.” They both got in the elevator and pressed the button for their floor. Silence prevailed between them when suddenly the elevator halted midway and turned on its emergency lights.
“Seriously?” “For fucks sake” They both grumbled. Bakugo pressed the “Call for help button” but there was no answer. “Well, that’s just great...” Kirishima said voice dripping with sarcasm and annoyance.
“Okay, honestly what the fuck happened? You were all smiles and happiness one second and then giving me the stink eye the next. I can’t fix my mess if I don’t know how I fucked up.” Bakugo said as he stared intensely as if looking for clues.
Kirishima looked at his feet silently. “And what the hell was that earlier about me being ashamed of you? You caught me off guard which is why I didn’t answer but I really don’t understand what you’re talking about.” Kirishima’s eyes started watering.
“Because that’s how I felt after you’ve been pushing me away all night! I know we agreed to keep our relationship a secret, but I honestly thought that meant the media not every single person in our life. It fucking hurts to have you pushing me away constantly. Even when we're with friends.”
“Ei, I thought that’s what we agreed to. I’m not ashamed of you at all. Do you think I didn’t want to kiss you as soon as they made the announcement? I just don’t want anyone to use this against us...” Bakugo responded as he got closer.
“Well, you could’ve fooled me...” Kirishima turned his face as tears started falling down his cheeks. “Eijiro, please, look at me.” Kirishima sighed before complying.
“Love, I know I’m kind of an ass and sometimes might not show it, but I love you more than anything. The reason I want it out of the media's hands is that if a villain decided to try to get to me by trying to hurt you, I’ll fucking lose it and I know you don’t need me, you can hold your own but I... I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you, especially if it's because of me.”
Bakugo held his face while wiping his tears with his thumb “Babe... I get that I really do. I would lose it if it were the other way around too... that’s why I agreed to this in the first place. I just... Kats you’re my end game. I want to spend the rest of my life with you but how am I supposed to make it happen? How can we be happy when we're always hiding? Right now, I couldn’t even plan a wedding because our friends and family don’t know about us...”
Bakugo's eyes widened. “You’ve thought about marrying me?” He whispered in awe. “Of course I have babe. You’re stuck with me for as long as you'll have me. I love you so damn much. It kills me to have to hide it all the time.”
Bakugo had a huge smile on his face. “Fuck, I didn’t know it meant so much to you. I’m an idiot. I really don’t mind telling the idiots and our families too. They probably already thought we were pining idiots anyway.”
Kirishima was now smiling too. “You mean it?” Bakugo hugged him tight. “Yes, I mean it, dumbass. I just don’t want the media in on our business. How dare you think I’m ashamed of us. I should kick your ass on principle for even thinking that was a possibility.”
Kirishima chuckled. “Sorry, I got in my head about it.” Bakugo let go as he wiped the last few tears on Kirishima’s face. “It’s fine, just talk to me next time. You know I’d never hurt you on purpose so if I mess up, I need you to tell me.”
“That’s fair...” Suddenly the elevator started moving again. “Huh, maybe the universe was trying to push you to not be a petty little shit,” Bakugo said with a smirk.
“Oh, fuck you” Kirishima answered with a laugh. “Just say when and where big guy” Bakugo winked and promptly left the elevator as soon as the doors opened.
“Katsuki, you can’t just say that!” Kirishima followed with red cheeks while Bakugo laughed while running all the way to their room light-hearted knowing how much they cared for each other and catching up on those celebratory kisses once inside.