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“I don’t understand why we gotta learn this stuff anyway! It’s too complicated!” Kirishima complained as he dramatically buried his hands in his hair; a loud groan of frustrating escaping him.
Bakugou had been going over math equations with him for the last hour, but the explanations didn’t seem to register in his brain.
“It’s a basic life skill, idiot.” the blonde said with a sigh, his usual scowl gracing his face once again.
But the lukewarm attempt at name calling and scowl didn’t bother Kirishima, in fact, he had grown quite fond of the expression. Though Bakugou seemed ill tempered most of the time and the scowling would then in turn have been associated with an expression of anger to many people, Kirishima knew that emotionally, in most cases it was nothing more than a displeased pout.
Which, admittedly, he himself found cute.
Besides, it made the occasions where he saw Bakugou smile, or simply relax his face, all that much sweeter.
That’s what Kirishima thought, anyway.
“Are you even fuckin’ listening to me, shitty hair?!”
But Kirishima wasn’t listening, finding himself distracted again; his inner thoughts currently pre-occupied with the complexities of Bakugou’s scowls.
Ever since they returned from summer vacation, Kirishima had been finding it difficult to focus, especially during his tutoring sessions with Bakugou. Each time Bakugou spoke, he found himself spacing out; more focused on the way the blonde’s voice sounded in his ears than the actual sentenced he was forming. The way his lips - - -
“Kirishima!” Bakugou growled, his leg extending out from where he sat on the bed. He gave the redhead’s side a less than gentle shove with his foot, finally managing to pull Kirishima out of his thoughts as he did.
“S-sorry!!” The redhead bit his lip, slightly nervous and maybe even ashamed that Bakugou had noticed him spacing out and called him out on it.
Kirishima winced the slightest amount as he felt his pointed teeth dig at the fragile skin a little too hard. After sucking in a breath, he let his tongue run over the broken skin while he exhaled.
He knew Bakugou was observant and sharp. Honestly, he would have been surprised if the blonde had not picked up on the fact that as of late, their study sessions had been just a little less productive.
“It’s whatever….” The blonde let out with a sigh, seemingly letting it go, before turning his attention back to the textbook and notes sprawled out between them over the bed.
“Seriously. I’m sorry, man… I don’t mean to waste your time or anything.” Kirishima sighed, feeling defeated in the moment. If only he could get his brain to focus on what was being taught and not only on the person teach - -
“Who said you’re wasting my time, dumbass?” Bakugou interrupted, slamming the textbook shut. The noise startled him enough to make the redhead lift his gaze up to Bakugou’s face immediately.
Crimson met scarlet and Kirishima felt himself drowning again.
When did Bakugou’s eyes start looking like the last sunset of summer?
The sky of his irises ablaze with the fire of the setting sun.
The last sunset of the summer, the one you watch with fond nostalgia as you think of all the memories of the season.
The last sunset of summer which reminds you of the taste of watermelon and shaved ice, and the soda flavored popsicles you and your best friend picked up every day after sparing from the ¥100 Lawson around the corner from the school grounds.
You always ate yours too quickly, biting chunks out of the icy treat and making your best friend roll his eyes. But he couldn’t have been that annoyed with you because he always volunteered to share his own popsicle each and every time.
Biting a chunk out of that popsicle felt even more satisfying.
The last sunset of summer which bring back memories of summer festivals and fireworks, and the way your heart skipped a beat when you saw Bakugou in a Yukata for the first time. It suited him and you remember you made a point to tell him so. You also recall the small smile that appeared on his lips when you did.
The last sunset of summer which makes you remember the way the sea breeze felt against your tanned skin as you ran seemingly endless kilometers down the beach at sunrise every day during summer break. It was a challenge you set for yourself to increase your stamina and grow as a hero.
The last sunset of summer which reminded you of how each day, the run seemed a little easier, your pace steadier. It was an accomplishment, and you were proud of yourself.
Katsuki was proud of you too. He told you so each day when the two of you finished your run.
The last sunset of summer which made you remember how you tossed yourself into the sea when you completed your final run on the last day of summer break. You pulled Katsuki in with you.
Of that, he was not proud, but he was happy. You could tell by the way he laughed as he dunked your head under the waves and the way he only half struggled as you returned the favor.
“OW!! FUCK!”
All thoughts of summer left Kirishima as he felt Bakugou’s math textbook make contact with the top of his head. The redhead reached up to cover the spot with his hands defensively, trying to rub away the pain as he looked at Bakugou in disbelief.
The blond still had the book in his hand and he stared down at Kirishima with an unreadable expression. Bakugou’s usual frown was morphing into different shapes as the two of them studied each other.
Finally, Bakugou broke the silence, “Idiot! Next time harden your damn head!” He exclaimed before his scowl twisted again, but there was no bite behind his words.
Kirishima almost wanted to laugh. The way Bakugou’s expression morphed back and forth in an unreadable mess made him look like he wasn’t sure what he should settle on.
Kirishima knew without explanation that Bakugou had expected him to use his quirk instinctively and now felt bad that he had actually managed to hurt Kirishima.
Was that… guilt and remorse on his friend’s face? That would explain the way Bakugou seemed to be short circuiting.
Kirishima let out a small chuckle, giving his head one more gentle rub for good measure before dropping his hands down to his sides. He opened his mouth to speak a lighthearted reply, but whatever sentence he had formulated turned into dust the second he noticed Bakugou shifting to come sit closer to him, the textbook forgotten to the side as the blond’s hands were now pre-occupied with investigating the top of Kirishima’s head instead. Explosive palms buried themselves in red hair as they investigated the surface of his scalp for any bumps or abrasions.
Kirishima felt his face burning, though he wasn’t quite sure if the warmth he felt was radiating off of Bakugou’s body, nearly plastered to his side, or from beneath the surface of his own skin. It was his own turn to short circuit, it would seem.
“Y-Ya know…” He finally managed to let out after a moment, the words pouring out together with the breath he didn’t even know he was holding onto, “If there is a bump… it won’t appear immediately.”
He let out an award laugh, “You’ll have to check again later.”
Bakugou’s hands paused in their search. The blond seemed to ponder over the words for a moment before finally pulling his fingers out of Kirishima’s hair. He missed them already.
“Tch! As if! Once is enough! Next thing you’ll tell me is that you expect me to monitor you all night for a concussion!” Bakugou scoffed out in reply.
Kirishima could see a thin veil of pink dusting his cheeks.
“You may need to do that. Guess I’m sleeping here tonight.” Kirishima replied immediately, the words coming out of him before he had a chance to think about them fully.
Maybe he did have a concussion after all.
As he slowly processed what he had just said, Kirishima hoped his words were said quietly enough for Bakugou not to hear.
Or that’s what he told himself.
“Hah?” The blonde let out as he narrowed his eyes at his friend, his lips falling into that signature scowl yet again.
At first, Kirishima didn’t know how to respond. With pursed lips, he assessed the situation.
On one hand, Bakugou didn’t say no, and it wouldn’t have been the first time the two of them spend the night together. So really, his request didn’t hold as much weirdness to it as he had originally thought.
Just two bros having a sleepover. Kirishima nodded to himself in affirmation.
On the other hand, with the way his thoughts have been lately… he might have just set himself up for a very awkward evening.
A deep sigh from Bakugou broke him out of his thoughts.
“Guess I don’t have a choice. Wouldn’t want to take you out with a cheap blow to the head like that.” Bakugou said as he got himself up off the bed. The blond then turned to look down at Kirishima; scowl now replaced with a smirk.
Oh, how he loved that smirk.
The redhead couldn’t help but to grin; sharp teeth on full display as he locked eyes with Bakugou.
Scarlet and Crimson met for a second time tonight and when they did, Kirishima could feel the warmth of the summer sun all over his skin.
“As if you could take me out!” Kirishima continued to grin, “Unbreakable, remember?”
The redhead made a show of hardening the skin just above his brow, the jagged flesh extending down just enough to reach his eye and make it crack the slightest amount.
He couldn’t swear he saw Bakugou’s breath hitch in his throat for a second as the blonde noticed Kirishima’s quirk activate. Because he did notice, that much he was certain of.
“Tch! Idiot…” The blonde titled his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. Bakugou seemed to ponder for a moment, scarlet eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he studied the redheads face before taking two steps forward and leaning down to look Kirishima in the eye.
As Bakugou softly exhaled through his nose, Kirishima could feel the blonde’s warm breath on his skin. He was getting lost in the warmth of the summer sunset yet again.
He was so close, Kirishima thought. It wouldn’t take much for him to just close the distance and…
Kirishima closed his eyes and shook his head. He had to tell Bakugou. It was the manly thing to do!
“Hey, Bakugou… I’m sorry I’ve been err- - a bit absent minded recently. I just have… some things on my mind, occupying the space up there.” The redhead smiled lightheartedly and lifted his index finger to his head, tapping his temple a few times, “Not much room capacity up there to begin with, so it har- -“
“Why do you always do that?” Bakugou said softly, too softly. Kirishima felt himself stumbling as he registered the blonde’s tone.
“E-eh?” The redhead led out, his gaze looking up to Bakugou’s equally soft features — wait?! When had that happened? Why did Bakugou’s face look like that?
The redhead was stunned into silence by Bakugou’s relaxed brow and hooded eyes, narrow and softer than he’d ever seen before.
“It’s no good to undervalue yourself like that…” Bakugou added quietly, his hand touching the spot where he had hit Kirishima with the textbook.
The tips of Bakugou’s ears were pink, his cheeks as well.
Kirishima studied him for a moment longer before speaking,
“You’re blushing…” Kirishima muttered and as he did, he felt Bakugou’s hand freeze; fingers motionless but remaining in place, tangled in Kirishima’s hair.
Once again, Bakugou seemed to contemplate for a moment. The redhead watched as his friend’s eyes searched the room before settling on Kirishima’s face.
Kirishima let his lips form a soft smile and as they did, he saw the pink veil over Bakugou’s face darkened, “Tch”
“Baku - - K- Katsu…ki.” Kirishima said, his brows furrowing thoughtfully as he picked his next words wisely.
Katsuki’s head turned towards Kirishima instantly and his eyes grew wider as he heard the redhead address him by his given name.
He could tell Katsuki was slightly shocked, but his eyes, wide as they were, didn’t hold within them anything Kirishima felt he needed to worry about.
If anything, they looked to him with expectation.
And while Kirishima paused to chose his next words, the blond sat up straighter and cocked his head to the side, “What?”
“I’ve been thinking a lot recently…”
“Doesn’t seem like - - “
“…about you.”
Katsuki’s mouth clamped shut mid sentence.
“Katsuki I - -“
The blond’s sweaty palm sealed the words away in Kirishima’s throat; placed firmly against the sturdy hero’s mouth to prevent anything from escaping.
“Shut up.” Katsuki muttered quietly as his scarlet eyes stared into the crimson pools only centimeters away. The blond sat up taller and put on a tight-lipped expression; attempting to look confident in his current position.
But Kirishima knew better. The way the damp palm trembled against his lips was enough to give Katsuki away. The blond was nervous…. and honestly, so was Kirishima, but only because he was sure with the amount of sweat pouring out of his best friend, his face was about to be reconfigured by an explosion. Intentional or otherwise.
His hand lifted to grab a hold of Katsuki’s wrist, surprisingly, the other boy gave up his hold on him without much of a fight.
“Katsuki…” Kirishima tried again as he freed his face out of the blond’s sweaty grasp.
“Don’t say it!” Katsuki protested again, and while his face twisted into a snarl, he made no attempt to pull away and out of Kirishima’s hold.
“Don’t say what?” The redhead pressed on; a single brow raised inquisitively as he continued to keep Katsuki’s wrist in his hold.
He studied the other’s face carefully, drinking up the way Katsuki’s looked when his cheeks and ears turned rosy and noting the way the other’s gaze would pull away for moments at a time only to come back and look to Kirishima’s face every so often.
He looked so cute, Kirishima thought, a toothy grin spreading over his face.
Suddenly he felt more confident.
“Kirishima Eijirou, you’re about to get your ass blown up!!” The blonde growled, his face scrunching up as his free hand came up to grab the side of Kirishima’s head, fingers grabbing a fistful of his red hair as he tried to shove his head away.
“Is that a threat or a promise?” The redhead retorted, a booming laugh coming out of him as he watched Katsuki’s face turn the same color as the hair he was pulling at.
Eijirou thought he was even cuter now.
“Argh!!”
“Wah!!”
A second later, the redhead was being throw off the bed; his heavy frame hitting the floor with a dull thud.
Two second later, and he was being straddled by Katsuki; the taller boy pinning him down to the hardwood by sitting on his abdomen; a pillow above his head, held firmly in both of his hands.
“Die!!” The blond exclaimed as he brought the soft object down onto Eijirou’s face with full force in an attempted smothering.
After struggling against the explosive teen, Eijirou eventually broke free; preventing his own suffocation. He then went on the offensive; throwing Katsuki off himself and grabbing the downy weapon previously used in his attempted murder.
But the blond was too fast and by the time Eijirou went to swing the pillow at his head, the other boy had already scrambled part way onto the bed and grabbed another pillow to defend himself.
And so it began.
War.
Katsuki’s dorm room filled with the cries of battle and the sound of cotton hitting flesh; vision impaired by the downy feathers bursting into the air around them as their fight became more and more heated.
And as the battle between heroes raged on, between blows both delivered and received, Eijirou thought about just how unpredictable life could be.
One moment you’re trying to confess your feelings to your best friend and the next you’re eating a mouthful of feathers and wrestling him on the dorm room floor.
And loosing.
Thought that part, he should have seen coming. Katsuki was, after all, the manliest and strongest guy he knew.
“Okay! Okay! I give up!” Eijirou cried as he tapped the floor with his outstretched hand; the only limb free to do so as Katsuki had him pinned down and in what was basically a choke hold.
The blond’s feral grin widened as he heard the other boy give in. He held Eijirou in place just a little longer than necessary, taking in his victory before letting the redhead go and settling next to him.
A comfortable silence fell between them as they both took a moment to catch their breath. Eijirou sprawled out with his back against the floorboards while Katsuki sat up next to him, legs stretched out and his arms resting behind him to keep him balanced.
The blond let his head fall back with a content sigh; eyes closed and lips parted as he steadied his breathing.
Once both of their breathing eventually evened out, it was Katsuki who broke the silence.
“You like me, right? That’s what you were gonna say…”
Eijirou turned his head to the side and glanced over at Katsuki. The evening sun filtering in through the sheer curtains gave the boy’s skin and hair a beautiful, golden glow.
And as the blond turned his head to look towards Eijirou, the sun’s rays illuminated him from the back; swallowing everything around him. In his sight, there was nothing but Katsuki, eyes gleaming with the same light that poured into the dorm room.
Crimson met scarlet for a third time tonight and while Eijirou basked in the warmth of that blazing, summer sun, he couldn’t do anything but admit the unfiltered truth,
“I’m in love with you.”
Katsuki’s eyes widened at the declaration; emotions like planets orbiting the sun of his burning hot irises, pulled by the gravity of Eijirou’s words.
“Ei…” Katsuki sighed out, bottom lip trembling; the universe of his thoughts reflected in the sclera of his softening eyes.
There was just so much there… too much, and it scared him.
Eijirou felt all air leave his lungs as reality punched him in the chest. He panicked.
“Katsuki I-I’m, I’m sorry.” The redhead said, sitting up in a hurry while lifting his hands up defensively. He wanted to reach out to the other boy, to touch and to comfort, but he was scared.
“Huh?”
Eijirou was scared of the flood of emotions he saw in Katuski’s eyes, terrified of the repercussions of his declaration. It was one thing to tell your best friend you had a crush on them, another thing entirely to say you were in love with them.
Ejirou felt there was some way, although perhaps awkward, to come back from a crush. He had analyzed it in his head before, each time he thought about confessing to Katsuki. There was a safety net. But this?
The blond’s brows furrowed in confusion, but Eijirou continued, “I don’t know what came over me. I know that’s a - -“ Eijirou looked away and shook his head in disbelief at his own stupidity. He got caught up in the moment and now he may have ruined everything.
What made him think it was okay to say? To place his best friend in this situation? It was selfish, it was disgusting, it was unmanly and Eijirou hated himself for it.
“I - I mean, y-you’re my best friend… and we’re bo - - “ Eijirou looked up to meet the blond’s gaze in order to plead his case, but what he saw rendered him speechless.
“A-are you.. are you taking it back, then?” Katsuki asked, his voice small.
Eijirou watched in shock as tears welled up in the blond’s eyes; like ocean waves settling against the horizon line and meeting the sun there. Under different circumstances, he may have even said they looked beautiful; those tears that gently caressed Katsuki’s sand-colored lashes as they spilled over - - Oh. OH NO.
“ ‘Tsuki…” Eijirou started, his body naturally gravitating forward. Tan hands lifted to touch the blond’s face but stopped only centimeters away; fingers trembling. Eijirou worried his bottom lip again, sharp teeth making their mark on the already tender flesh, “D-Don’t cry… I-- “
“Well!?” Katsuki’s voice was louder now, and his gaze still managed to burn right through Eijirou despite all the wetness in the way.
“Are you taking it back!?”
Eijirou shook his head ‘no’, his face reddening. It would be dishonest to take it back… more unmanly than declaring it so bluntly.
The explosive teen studied him for a second before giving up a few sniffles; arm lifting to his face to smudge away any evidence of tears.
“Good.” Katsuki finally let out with a huff. It took the redhead by surprise.
“Good…” Eijirou mirrored, nodding, crimson eyes looking quickly between Katsuki’s face and the floor.
What did that mean?
Another silence fell between them, though Eijirou had to admit this one was not nearly as comfortable as the last.
“I’m r-really….” The redhead began after a moment, still uncertain, but Katsuki cut him off, “So, you love me then?”
“Yes.” Eijirou gave another nod of affirmation, “Is - - is that okay?”
Katsuki let out a long sigh. He seemed to contemplate for a moment before letting out another huff and reaching over to grab Eijirou; sweaty fingers grasping at the collar of the redhead’s shirt and tugging him forward until they were mere centimeters away.
Who knew the sunset could burn hotter than the midday sun?
Crimson greeted scarlet with timid affection while Eijirou took a chance and stole away the centimeters keeping them apart; forehead resting against Katsuki’s. It made the blond let out a soft grunt but Eijirou was thankful to see he didn’t pull away. The redhead tried a soft smile next and Katsuki clicked his tongue in response, pupils running away off to the side to break the eye contact.
“If you’re going to love me, ya better not half-ass it. None of that wishy-washy shit.” The explosive teen grumbled out and Eijirou couldn’t help but to laugh, “I promise.”
“And you can’t take it back, even when you get scared. Even when I’m - - too much.” Katsuki frowned, his gaze returning to meet his if only to try and and burn a hole right through Eijirou’s soul.
“I won’t.” Eijirou told him with a soft smile, his hand reaching out bravely to rest against the side of Katsuki’s jaw; thumb gently brushing over the apple of his tear-stained cheek.
After a short pause, Katsuki couldn’t help but to give in to moment, his frowning lips curving up to form the faintest of smiles.
Letting out a soft sigh, the blond closed his eyes and leaned into the rough hand against his cheek, the movement and proximity of their faces making the tips of their noses brush against each other.
“You really are a fucking idiot…” Katsuki said softly, the smile never leaving his face as he did.
“I guess I am” Eijirou confirmed. His fingertips traced along Katsuki’s jaw until his knuckles came to rest beneath his chin.
“You’re not suppose to agree…” Katsuki whispered back, gaze fixed on Eijirou.
Past the balcony glass, the last traces of daylight had long disappeared. But here, in the comfort of Katsuki’s room, he found the sunlight was more dazzling than ever.
Oh, how he wanted to stare into the sunset until his vision went white, to get too close and let the sun burn his flesh and bones until he was nothing but ash.
Hearing Katsuki let out another one of those sweet, soft sighs and feeling his warm breath teasing his senses, Eijirou couldn’t help himself any longer.
With a tilt of his head and a gentle lift of the other boy’s chin, Eijirou let his lips press against Katsuki’s. It was delicate and bashful but just long enough for them to steal a single breath from one another.
“I love you, Kirishima Eijirou.” Katsuki whispered; smiling against the tormented skin of the redhead’s lips, tasting his worries as he kissed him again, deeper.
Letting out a whimper as the words flooded his heart, Eijirou’s free hand reached out to grab the blond’s waist, pulling him in closer.
They kissed and kissed and they kissed again. And it was so much more than chapped lips and teeth and tongues and soft sighs.
It was watermelon and shaved ice; mouth numbingly sweet.
It was cheap popsicles on a hot summer day; oh so satisfying.
It was watching fireworks burst high up in the summer sky; absolutely dazzling.
It was the sea breeze on sun-kissed skin. Calming. Grounding.
It was deciding to toss yourself into the sea. Definite and without any hesitation.
And when their lips parted for the second time and Katsuki’s soft, warm breath met his flushed lips, Eijirou felt summer in the air.
Lifting his eyes to meet Katsuki’s, the warmth of the blazing sun pulled him in even closer.
He never wanted to let go.
But while he basked in warmth that was Bakugou Katsuki, he couldn’t help but notice the wetness that welled up against the blond’s sandy lashes once again.
“I already told you, I’m not going to take any of it back… never, ever.” Eijirou declared, and though his voice was barely above a whisper the words were confident.
Wiping the tears away with the pads of his thumbs, he settled his hands against the blond’s cheeks and held his flushed face between them with the utmost care.
It must have been so lonely to be the summer sun, Eijirou thought; scorching hot and burning so violently that no one wanted to come close.
Katsuki let out a sniff, trying to pull himself together, “I’ll kill you if you ever do.”
Pulled out of his thoughts, the redhead could only laugh; hands moving away from Katsuki’s now scowling face. Instead, he wrapped his arms around the other boy’s shoulders, tan fingers pushing into the fabric of the explosive teen’s shirt so much they threatened to make the fibers come apart from the pressure.
Feeling dangerous hands splayed out against his own back, Eijirou leaned further into the embrace, nose nuzzling into the crook of Katsuki’s neck with a smile. The action was met with a gentle caress of the other boy’s fingers, a set of them ghosting gently along his spine.
Eijirou wondered if they’d stay like this forever. If they’d embrace like this still when they were old and wrinkled. If either one of them would even see those days, given the path they’ve embarked on.
Thoughts of the future scared Eijirou, but he did know two thing. He knew that when they were nothing but aching souls and broken bodies, destroyed by the years of justice ahead of them, the summer sunset would remain the same.
And that the earth, the solid and dependable rock, will continue to orbit around the sun until it decays.
The thoughts made him feel brave, just like he promised he’d be. Always.
“Ei….” He heard Katsuki say, pulling him back to the present. He lifted hid head up to allow crimson and scarlet another chance to meet, “Yeah?”
“You’re crying.”
“I am?” The redhead lifted a hand up to touch his own face, fingertips becoming wet at the contact. Oh. When did that happen?
An explosive palm came to rest against Eijirou’s face, making the redhead helplessly lean into it and let out a soft, happy sigh. The warmth radiating of Katsuki’s palm made him feel so comfortable… so safe.
“I’m going to take good care of you, ya know…” Eijirou murmured, maintaining eye contact, albeit through a half lidded and hazy gaze.
“I know.” Katsuki answered, his own eyes narrowing as his lips pulled up into a smile. He gave the redhead’s cheek a gentle little pat, “And I’ll take care of you. Always.”
“So, does this mean you’ll monitor me all night for a concussion after all, then?” Eijirou asked with a grin, all love, sharp teeth and tear-stained cheeks.
Katsuki mirrored the expression, “Not a chance in hell, shitty-hair.”