Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Students clamored, some hoping after friends, others trying to navigate their new world, but most just in the way. "Sorry man!" A black haired boy yelled as he rammed into the punk standing there, making him bite his lip from chewing on the ring. "Watch it, fucking extra!" he yelled. "Katsuki, you better watch your damn mouth! Make some friends for once! You didn't get in here for nothing!" His mother yelled, closing the trunk of her new model car.

He clicked his tongue, sucking in on his cheek. He glared at the women yelling at him. He was the spitting image of her. Pale blonde hair, Ruby eyes, long eyelashes, and a fiery personality. The only differences were the 12 piercings and muscle mass. He was lean, but it didn't help much with four heavy bags, probably more than his body weight, dragging behind him. Would he admit the struggle? Absolutely not. Was it definitely there? Yes.

The busyness of the streets made his jeans feel tighter, His studded belt clicking against his keychain as he walked. He focused on the rhythm, steady. Like his kick drum. Steady.

His mother drove away, allowing him to let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He had a bag of clothes, one of jewelry or random personal belongings, one of textbooks, and one Guitar case with a drum pad attachment. He struggled into the elevators, his ears popping as it lifted up. Room 813, the very top floor.

He sat his bags down with a sigh, making sure his hearing aid was clipped in properly. He was still getting used to the new design, near regretting breaking the others. Putting his key in was a hassle, but he made it, twisting it til he heard the click and pushing the door open with his studded boots.

"What the hell?" he groaned. The room was already filled, already lived in. He got here the earliest moment possible, but by the looks of it, his roommate had been here months. "Great." He groaned, looking at the ugly camo sheets clashing with red curtains, weights sprawled out, punching bags stuffed in the corner, ocean posters, sports gear with the number 63, and....a long, shiny, crimson red bass?

He raised his eyebrows, 'probably a collectors item' he thought to himself as he dragged things over to his side of the room. The bed was half made, looking like it had been slept in once or twice. He prayed it was slept on, not slept in. Really both pissed him off, but he could live with one.

"Bakugo!" A voice called, rough and scruffy but full of joy. He turned to find a giant of a man beaming through the door "Hey man! I'm your roomie! Eijiro Kirishima!". Katsuki huffed "who's slept here?". Kirishima walked in, sitting on his bed "just some of my teammates and best friends. I washed the sheets, sorry, I'm not the best at making em" he chuckled, hand on his neck.

Bakugo finally soaked him in. A huge man, definitely over 6ft, 250lbs, bronze skin, sharp teeth, earrings on each ear and spiky, freshly dyed, crimson red hair. He can't lie, the view was nice, but the roommate situation was not going to be. "gross." he grumbled, chewing on his lip ring once again.

Crimson. It was, everywhere,

"I've been here all summer, football players have practice!" he beamed. "Football in the fall, basketball in the winter. I'm better at football cause my quirk but -.." "yeah, I get it. You're a meathead with shitty hair, stop fuckin talking." Bakugo chimed in.

"Right, got it. Not the talkative type." Kirishima nodded, tension growing in the room. "Anyways, I only popped in to change. Team dinner. Wanna come?" He asked, getting laughed at in response.

Awkwardly, he grabbed a new shirt to replace his wife-beater and slipped it off. Bakugo couldn't help but side eye. He's not met someone as ripped as the redhead standing shirtless in the middle of the room. It was hard not to look, any sane person would. Eijiro slapped on a shirt that says "what the duck" with a goose on the pocket.

Coming from a family of fashion designers, Katsuki physically cringed.

"Bye roomie!" Kirishima shouted as he went out the door, too much pep in his step. "don't ca-" Bakugo tried to get out, yet he was cut off by the door shutting. He cursed under his breath. He must have pissed off the universe cause he was barely unpacking and already knew his roommate situation was going to be exhausting.

Kirishima practically skipped down the hall, meeting with his teammates on the bottom. The pale skinned boy with silver hair dapped him up, both of them making some oddly gorilla sounding noise "Kiri! Let's go man!" he loudly announced, rushing out the door.

"Kirishima! Tetsutetsu! Let's go! Iidas driving" A big lipped man yelled. "We cannot be late! The team is expecting us! Value their time like Sato has!" The one in glasses demand. Tenya Iida was the teams running back, but also one of the top in their class. He liked football, but enjoyed rules too.

They loaded up in the Iida family SUV. Multiple big muscular men do not fit well in a car. "What're your roommates like?" Sato asked. "An angry blonde, Monama," Tetsu huffed. "No way, me too!" Kirishima grinned, fist bumping him. "Katsuki Bakugo, don't know anything about him, cept' he's got hearing aids or something. Just said we were roomies on the paperwork. Probably put us together cause I took sign language in high school." Iida looked at the red blob in the rear view mirror "that name sounds incredibly familiar".

They talked about their roommates, Iidas scary goth dude named Shinso, while Satos hasn't even arrived yet. Kirishima couldn't help but think back to Iidas comment. Thinking about it, the name does sound familiar. But why? He's just a totally normal, oddly pretty, super grumpy, college roommate. Right?

After the team dinner, the two twin boys were dropped off at their building and went their separate ways. Kirishima noticed the "do not enter" sign on the handle as he opened it. He loved the housekeeping ladies. Apparently his roommate did not.

He walked in and slipped his shoes off, hanging his keys up. He heard water running and peaked into the bathroom, watching his roommate wash away skincare products. He was hooked on it. Chipped black nails, spiky hair pulled back with a headband, fingers carefully avoiding snagging the piercings which decorate his face.

"What?" The boy asked him sternly, patting his face dry "Oh..uh..your lips cool." Kirishima stuttered. Bakugo scoffed, turning his face to the door and revealing a scar across his cheekbone which led all the way down to his jaw. That was definitely not there earlier. "That's it?" Bakugo asked. "We should do something! Get to know each other, what do you like to do?" Kirishima smiled. Bakugo kicked the door shut, muttering curses.

Kirishima felt bad, for spying and for the hostile environment. The boys words had no affect, but the fact he wasn't smiling did. Kirishima loved to smile, and to make people smile. Bakugo came out of the bathroom in gray PJ pants and a black shirt, the scar very visible. It was clear he covers it. Kirishima looked around the room, at all the aesthetics and pictures. A cat, a car, a group photo, and a singular picture on the nightstand.

Green curls and a beaming smile, lots of freckles and moles. A small tooth gap, but more importantly, an arm around him. A familiar arm. Bakugos fingers grazed the picture as he set his belongings down, almost intentionally, Kirishima realized whose arm it was.

"Who's that?" He asked, pointing to the picture. "Old friend. De-...izuku." Bakugo muttered. "Does he go here?" Kirishima asked. Bakugo slipped his hearing aid down and crawled into bed. The curiosity was eating Kirishima up. He understands not being open about things, people are allowed to have personal lives. But when you show up with such a mysterious aura, people will ask questions. Taking his phone off the charger, Kirishima opened google. A small explosion knocked his phone down "don't fucking google it, dammit.".

"Jeez man, I didn't mean to-" "hold the hell on". Bakugo was fiddling with the hearing aid, so Kirishima signed "sorry for that". Bakugo was taken aback, signing back "stay out of my life." Kirishima smiled "I can't understand signs well, I just know a little from high school". Bakugo flipped him off and laid down. "Understood." He nodded.

'man he sleeps early' is all Kirishima could say, slipping a beanie on and grabbing his bass off the wall.. “Im not deaf.” Bakugo mumbled into his pillow. Kirishima stuttered “I-..sorry? You..?” “The aid is for the ringing. It’s just damaged. Hard to hear right when you talk so fast” Bakugo sighed, shutting his eyes.

Bakugo stirred when the door shut, flipping over and staring at the empty room, bass gone. 'probably taking lessons to get bitches' he said to himself. "Hey Zu." He said to the picture overlooking his bed "how am I gonna do this?" he asked.

There was never going to be a response. Not again. Not after what happened two years ago. A few weeks after that picture. Not after the last thing he heard properly was his best friends last breath. The picture rattled from a noise below, tipping off the nightstand. Bakugo shot up, trying to catch what he held so dear. It hit the knob of the drawer and bounced over, landing on a crumpled jersey. He picked it up, looking at the Number 63 it had landed on. "yeah" the corners of his lips curled through tired eyes "I'll try and make friends. Catch up to you, Izuku."

Chapter Text

*bang bang bang*

The door was being beat on, the sudden noise made Kirishima jump. Although it was muffled, Bakugo was still woken up. It had been a week since he moved in to the dorms. The roomates tried staying clear of each other for the most part. Bakugo stayed in, Kirishima stayed out. It worked. They’d only exchanged words here and there, their eyes following each other a little too long a little too often. Especially post-shower.

"What the fuck is going on" the angry one groaned as Kirishima went to open their abused door. A boy with electric yellow hair stood there, a very prominent lightning bolt dyed on the side. Luckily Kirishimas big figure covered most of the light creeping in, but unfortunately the blonde was already awake.

The yellow boy was talking too fast to read lips, so Bakugo attached his hearing aid, honing in on the second part of the conversation. "But Ground Zerø needs you Friday, E!" "I can't man, I've got a football game." "C'mon! it's the only day the drummer from Shiketsu will be able to come down. Think of all the hot chicks!" "Denki I physically can't" "Then who's gonna play our-.." a hand slapped over his mouth "Kami, I can't. Football. We can't talk about this here" he whispered. Kaminari frowned, his eyes darting behind Kirishima.

Bakugo stood in the hallway, leaning against the wall "it's 6 in the fucking morning, who the hell are you?". He said to the boys, looking at the atrociously dressed blob of yellow with gauges and the same lip piercing as him. Kirishima sighed, hand still over Kaminaris mouth "Sorry Bakubro, this is Denki Kaminari. We've been friends since high school. He just came to drop something off." Kaminari wiggled his hand off "Woah! Badass scar!" He shouted.

If there wasn't 250lbs of muscle in front of him, Bakugos clear effort to punch the man would've worked. He stepped forward with a winded up shoulder, Kirishima pushed Kaminari back to add distance "Dude! You can't say that!" "It's cool!" Kaminari defended, still too bubbly to realize how pissed Eijiros roommate was. "You need to head to bed, we'll talk more tomorrow." Kirishima added, shutting the door ignoring the protests. Part of him wished he was also on the other side of the door when he turned around to face the glowing red eyes of his roommate, fire popping off his hands.

"It's 6am and he's going to bed? What a stupid piece of shit! He's not coming back to this goddamn dorm I swear to god. It's cool? This ugly shit is COOL? You think I fucking wanted this?" Bakugo spat out. Kirishima squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for it to stop. "Denkis a good guy-" "bullshit" "-but I'll admit he needs to work on his outbursts. I'll talk to him about it and make him apologize if that helps" "I don't want a damn apology, are you dumb?" Bakugo said as he slipped on shoes, grabbing a small bag from the bathroom. Kirishima sighed, knowing he messed up.

Bakugo went to the building bathrooms before getting food, setting his bag on the sink and grabbing makeup. He started with a pale green cream, rubbing it over the scar and letting it dry while he added a little black on his waterline. When the green was able to neutralize the dark red, bumpy skin, he dabbed some concealer over it and blended it in. The process came natural anymore, looking like almost perfect skin.

He grabbed a morning snack and went to the first floor, a long haired women was putting her things down her shift must be starting soon with how early it was. "How do I change roommates?" He asked bluntly. She smiled a generic customer service smile "unfortunately those applications will open a month after classes begin. Come back in 6 weeks!" "No fuckin way." He stomped off.

Kirishima groaned, flopping on his bed listening to it creek under his weight, cursing himself for being so social. The universe had to be punishing him for something, cause now he has to deal with a moody roommate on top of football, basketball, friends, classes, and secret shows with Ground Zerø. He was an amazing bassist, the band depended on him. But it was hard keeping up this double life. Now it's going to be even harder living with the personification of a stray cat.

If only Kirishima could get through to him. Become friends. Maybe go out with the team! Or hear him play one of his instruments. Or go out to dinner. But like, not in a gay way...right? He shook his head, shaking the thoughts out. Although he respected boundaries and personal values, he had an itch to find out why the boys name was so familiar. He just had to google it. He glanced up at the door, a guilty glance. He only typed three letters before the auto search kicked in "Katsuki Bakugo Crash". He hit the first video. 3 million views.

"Breaking News!" Flashed across the screen, a women standing in front of a hospital.
"Welcome back to channel 6 news, todays story is a tragic one. A young boy, Izuku Midoryia, from Aldera High has lost his life in a hit and run accident late last night. The perpetrator has yet to be identified. His childhood friend, Katsuki Bakugo, is laying in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital behind us. Despite bleeding from the brain, Mr. Bakugo still attempted to drag his friends body out of the vehicle, keeping him warm by melting the snow. We're here now speaking with his mother."

Kirishima had to pause the video, slowly turning to the nightstand. The picture on the corner of his phone matching with the picture Bakugo mindlessly stared at for 5 minutes last night. The one on the news was more formal, like a school picture day photo. The one on Katsukis side of the room was casual, happy.

"Katsukis strong. He's going to pull through" A beautiful women started speaking, she looked exactly like him, but there was no light in her eyes. The bags looked like they were indented into her skull. Her hair was short but frizzy and unkempt. "he's my boy. He's gotta. Izuku and him..." her breath hitched "they've hit rough patches, but his mom and I were best friends since middle school. They were together before birth. I lost a son. And I might lose another." the camera turned away as she broke down.

Tears welled in his eyes, he remembered hearing about it. It was after a basketball game when the crash happened, not to far from where he went. It was spine chilling cold, the ice everywhere, snow covered the entire city. Coach turned it into a lesson on safety. The world moved on. At least his world did. But due to some invisible string, here he was sharing a room with the boy who's life may never move on.

The news switched to a police officer on the side of the road "We try doing everything we can to avoid situations like these, but often times reckless driving isn't something preventable. You make that choice in a second. We have reason to believe the driver was drunk. He smashed into the passenger side, causing the car to flip off the road, rolling 4 times before landing in the snow bank. Izuku bled out in the snow, his heart punctured. The only thing that saved young Katsukis life was the airbag, with left him with bleeding in the ears and brain."

Kirishima felt a pain in his chest, heart breaking for his roommate. A single tear fell. It sucked to hear. The room was silent, he was absorbed in the video. A voice spoke through gritted teeth from the hallway "why can't everyone just go away and mind they're own goddamn business?" Eijiro jumped, slapping the off button. "Look man-" "don't fucking man me. You don't know shit. That hag only said what she wanted. Don't start with the sorry this and sorry that. I don't care. Everyone's seen it. But just forget me, fucker."

"I know how it feels." Kirishima looked into the angry eyes across the room. "Her name was Mina. Best friends since elementary. Died when I was a first year." Bakugo scoffed, part of him feeling a little guilty "whatever" he grumbled, sitting back on his bed. "Bakugo, can we start over? Just forget everything we know about each other."

The blonde huffed, ready to say no as he turned his head away. His eyes locked with the picture on his bedside table. He could hear the sound of his mother yelling at him, and the voice of izuku whispering to him "try and make friends". He didn't want to, but he felt he had to.

"You have 4 questions." He sighed, the red one smiled widely
"Okay, okay...hmmm. What're you studying?"
"mechanical engineering"
"I'm doing sports medicine, but I got a scholarship for sports" the red one flexed his muscle, in a sad attempt to make the other smile. He received nothing besides slightly pink cheeks staring back, eyes rolling slow and dramatic.

"What instruments do you play?"
Bakugo balled his fists "drums. Leaning guitar. But I can’t anymore. now tell me what’s with that bass?” A bead of sweat formed on Kirishimas forehead “just for fun”. Bakugo raised his eyebrows before shrugging it off, preparing for the next question.
“What music do you like?”
“country” Bakugo said, straight faced.
“What? Omg I didn’t expect that! I like Zach Bryan sometimes but I prefer older rock” Kirishima laughed, like a gullible little kid.

A sly smile crept on Bakugos face “idiot.”
“Oh my god did you just make a joke!” Kirishima threw his hands up “Progress!!”
Bakugo went back to his usual scowl “one more, make it count.” Kirishima hummed, thinking hard. He had a question in mind. But he wasn’t going to ask it. He couldn’t ask it. His brain was going crazy thinking of one, any question that wasn’t “do you like guys?”, when Bakugo nodded “No, do I look that gay?” “Huh?” Kirishima responded, snapping out of it. “You asked if I had a girlfriend, or wanted one.”

“I did?” he asked, mainly himself. “Sorry, my mouth moves before my brain a lot”. “Why?” Bakugo asked. “Oh I have ADHD and-..” “not that, idiot. Why are you asking about girlfriends?” “Oh” Kirishima sighed, muttering something under his breath “I just, could’ve set you up with one”. “Yeah, not interested. I’m not here for girls like you privileged little sports boys”

Sports. Oh yeah, he was in sports. Sports…hmmm. Uh oh… “Shit! Practice at 8!” He said as he sprung up, grabbing a gym bag and practically running out the door. Bakugo chuckled, not cause it was cute or anything. Cause the boy was just that dumb.

Chapter Text

Eijiro ran to his practice, making it just in time to change into his gear. He ran inside panting, throwing open his locker "so..sorry..roommate..trouble" he breathed. "Don't sweat man. Everything alright?" A silver haired boy pat his friends back. "Finally had a good conversation with him, but after Kaminari pissed him off" Kirishima said as he slipped into his practice shirt and cleats. "Who doesn't piss him off?" Tetsutetsu snorted. 

All of the boys had spent the past week complaining about their roommates. Both meatheads were roomed with grunge styles that completely clashed their traditional macho man caves. Iida's scared him. The dudes quirk was mind reading, but only when he chose to. Satos still hasn't shown up, he thinks they're not coming. Kirishima and Tetsu went back and forth complaining at each practice. 

Monoma was pompous and cruel, with a narcissist personality. He made the silver boy feel not enough and too much at the same time. But his sister was sweet, kept him in line at times. Super pretty, as Tetsutetsu says. 

Kirishima was a big observer, not the smartest academically but as street smart as they come. He learned all of Bakugos tendencies, his sleep schedule, what piercings he wore more, how he picked at his nails so he painted them, how he was always chewing on his lip ring, the things he would talk about. Which wasn't much. He spent all his time studying or lying in bed. He didn't leave the room much, only when leaving campus to get food or go shopping. Everyday Kiri rambled in an attempt to start talking to him. Everyday it failed. 

Unfortunately, all the other boys having great relationships with their roommates didn't help. Some were even roomed together and grew significantly closer throughout the practice season. Others had weird habits but were all close. "He's mean but I'm still taking him to the party" Tetsutetsu said. "What party?" Kirishima asked. "The beginning of the season party? Duh. UA tradition says bring your roommate and whoever's drunker loses. Bring Bakubro, maybe it'll take the edge off!" Tetsu ordered. "He won't go" "Make him!"

Coach Fatgum blew his whistle, telling the boys to line up. Each boy got with his respective line, doing the warm-ups they were told to. The O-line ended up running relays and D-line was pulling tires. Iida was by far the fastest, that's how he got his scholarship. His whole family were professionals. One was so fast he became a speed hero. 

Heros were so few and far between these days, quirks weren't too strong, and police could handle most matters. However, sometimes there are quirks so strong being a hero comes naturally. Where one strong quirk belongs to a hero, another belongs to a villain. Attacks aren't often, but they do happen. Kirishima dreamed of being a hero, to stop these attacks, but it wasn't going to happen. 

He was made for football. His hardening made him an unbreakable wall, he was the best linemen on the team according to every news channel, coach, recruiter, even the other members. But not including himself. Tetsu was heavier when his quirk activated, but he never had the footwork. He was better with brute force. But he simply couldn't compete with the boy they call Riot. The Red Riot. 

It was already getting warm outside, coach Fatgum had them running drill after drill. It was gonna be a tough season for UA. "63!!" He yelled, blowing his whistle and waving the boy over. Eijiro slipped his helmet off, hair messy and sweaty, smiling at the man he admired so much. Fatgum made Kirishima look like a small child. He was an old NFL player who retired after having so many joint issues. Fat graduated from UA, and was the best player they'd ever seen. It was only Kirishimas first year but everyone knew, he was the new FatGum. 

"I've got a new regimen for ya. Can't let 'em know I'm treating you so special. We've got meal plans, workout schedules, and sleep routines. I included a day and a half off, and a cheat day" He told the red one. "Alright, thanks man!" Kirishima beamed, fist bumping his coach. He turned around, jogging back to his line. All while cursing himself for agreeing to the new routine. He knew he couldn't do it. He knew. He had to make an excuse for Friday. He knew he had too much going on. A few hands smacked his back, sharing the usual good jobs and keep it ups. All he knew right in this moment, was these clothes needed to come off. He showered and changed back into normal societal clothes, walking back to the dorms. 

He walked down the hallway, his heart beating a little faster. Probably just from the elevation change, right? His roommate was probably sleeping, with his soft cheek bunched up on the pillow, or studying while rubbing his slender fingers over the back of his neck, or doing whatever cute highly unsocial roommates do. He grabbed the bridge of his nose when he opened the door, forcing the thoughts out. 

Faint tapping sounds down the hallway we're the first thing he registered, next was his roommates low hums. "Bakugo!" He called out, setting his things down on their shared table. He walked into the dorm, looking at his roommate sit on the floor drumming away at the pads on the floor. 

He was so precise, every flick of his wrist was exact. His foot stomped every few beats, meeting with nothing but their grey rug. His body twitched as his hands worked in and out of sync, beating the rhythm on to the pads. His drumsticks were beaten and tattered, so were the headphones attached to him. They weren't the music kind, a little bulkier and padded. 'Most likely for ear protection' Kirishima thought to himself. A familiar hum came from his roommates throat. It was...awesome

Bakugo came to a break in his super epic drum solo, hitting a small beat that's used to keep time in music. He took a deep breath, his body in focus mode. His eyes opened, seeing a shadow to his side and whipping his head around. "Oi? The hell are you starin at, shitty hair?" He yelled as he threw his sticks, pulling his headphones off with one hand and offering an explosion in the other. "Dude! That was amazing! Chase Atlantic?" Kirishima asked, disregarding the attitude. "tsk what do you know about Chase Atlantic?" Bakugo asked as he turned his hearing aid up. 

 "That they're a cool band, and you played it real well!" Kirishima smiled. Bakugo scoffed, sliding his practice pad back under his bed "I'm better with a real set." he grumbled. "Well you were good either way! Super manly!" The red one beamed. "We should play together one day!". Bakugo laughed, he was definitely surprised to hear someone WANT his company, but more importantly he knew Kirishima could never play well. "Yeah, and I'll toss you a damn football. I doubt you can even play that thing. I would play it better. Your kind probably think Drake is the artist of the century." Bakugo scoffed, the last bit rolled off as a joke. 

Kirishima had to admit, it stung a little not being able to tell him the truth, but it felt good knowing he was starting to joke around. "I don't, Sato maybe. He's strange." "Meatheads" the other grumbled. "Why don't we make a deal?" Kirishima announced. Bakugo growled "I'm not wasting my time with you, extra!"

"I'll give you my bass if you win"

Kirishima smirked, raising his scarred eyebrow. A small smirk crept onto Bakugos lips "oh?".

"You outplay me on bass, and it's yours. Fair and square. I outplay you, you have to come to a party with me. The teams been asking, and I know you'll say no otherwise" Kirishima said, sticking his hand out. It was shaken slowly. "Hell yeah. Get the thing down." Bakugo said, squeezing a little harder. Partially to show his competitiveness, partially because his hand felt so tiny in the huge rough palm that held it. 

Kirishima laughed softly, moving to the wall and pulling it off. He pulled all the protective pieces off and rolled out a small amp. He hit each string slowly, making sure they were all in tune. "A's a bit flat" Bakugo added. Kirishima shook his head, winding it to where it needs to be. "It's on purpose" he added. "Sure. Or you just can't tune your instrument yet." 

Kirishima sat it in Bakugos lap, mumbling a small "careful", getting a glare back. "You can start with some warm up stuff if you want." Kirishima added, sitting on the floor criss-crossing his legs and tapping his fingers on his shoes. Bakugo grumbled, going up and down the scale, getting used to the thicker strings. He kept trying to hit an invisible fifth string, which pissed him off more and more. Finally he did a simply rift, only missing a few notes, but satisfying himself enough to pass it to Kirishima "Go ahead Shitty hair. YouTube can only teach you so much". 

Kirishima cringed slightly, knowing he wasn't hearing the end of this for a while. "I'll play the last one I learned" he said as he adjusted himself properly, playing one of the most recognizable lines in history. "Come together" he added, as his fingers worked up and down, picking perfectly and exact. He was as good of a bassist as Bakugo was a drummer. In fact, he was probably better. 

The room came silent as it ended, a vein physically forming on Bakugos forehead as Kirishima rubbed the black baby-hairs on the back of his neck "I do play."

"What the fuck ever. When's the party? I have tickets to a concert Friday, can't do it then." "Saturday! Perfect!" Kirishima smiled, getting a blast sent at his head while he hardened. And that was the end of that. The short-lasting bonding moment ended with only a few threatens of major violence.

Chapter Text

It had been a week and a half since Bakugo first moved into the dorms. The same day they had their first major argument was also the first day they genuinely bonded. Boys were SO complicated. 

It was a warm Friday afternoon, which meant Bakugo got to chill out until he went out for a night of drinks and music, while Kirishima had to come up with a plan to convince his coach he simply couldn't play the practice game so he could go play bass for his high school friends. 

He paced back and forth throughout the room, receiving glares every few minutes from the boy studying on the table. Classes weren't even started yet, but the overachiever that was Katsuki Bakugo had to make sure every textbook was read and every interactive question was answered. 

Kirishima started grabbing at his hair, mumbling ideas under his breath. His phone pinged every few seconds, message after message. Kirishima was freaking out. Bakugo slapped a pencil down, yelling behind him "what the hell is wrong?!". Kirishima was still pacing, talking with his hands "bro I can't play tonight and Coach Fats gonna flip and I need an excuse". "quit calling me bro" Bakugo huffed. "Dude, I just don't know how I'm gonna explain it!" 

Bakugo rolled his eyes, pulling a first aid kit out from his drawer "C'mere dumb hair."  "My hair isn't that different from yours, yk?" Kirishima said as he walked over, sitting on the bed and shaking his leg. Bakugo pulled out a thermometer. "How will that work if I don't have a fever?" He asked, getting yet another eye roll. 

"watch." Bakugo lit his palm up, warming the air of the room and the metal piece on the thermometer. The temperature slowly rose, 98°, 99.4°, 100°, 102.3°, and finally 103.2°. "Tell him you're dying or some shit." Bakugo said as he plopped the beeping device in Kirishimas rough hand. "Oh my god you're amazing. so manly!" the red boy beamed. 

He took a picture and sent it, a smile creeping up "coach said since it's just a practice game I'm good to skip" "I didn't ask." "Thanks, Blasty" He said as he sprung up "ew, just call me Katsuki if Bakugo is too hard for your tiny brain" Bakugo huffed. "Thanks Katsuki!" The other yelled, loving the way it rolled off his tongue. It felt, right. Being in the same room felt right, for both of them. Maybe polar opposite roommates weren't so opposite after all. 

He walked over to his closet, grabbing a small bag that was pushed towards the back "Just so you know-"

 "I don't-" 

"you don't care, I know, but listen. I won't be back til late. I'm going out with the group. I know you're going out too. If you need anything my number is on a sticky note on the bathroom mirror."

"Why would I need anything from you, dumbass?"

"You don't. But you might."

"I won't." 

"Okay, if you say so". 

"You're the one skipping a game you get PAID to play to go hang out with human Pikachu."

Kirishima had to admit, sometimes Bakugos insults were a little funny. "I don't get paid. I get scholarship money." He defended. "moneys money, asshole". 

Kirishima threw the bag over his shoulder and took his bass down, putting it in a travel case, causing Bakugos eyebrow to raise. "Seven to midnight." Bakugo said as Kirishima was walking out the door. He turned, head cocked like a dog hearing a squeaky toy. "When I'll be gone" Bakugo grumbled "Oh! See you man!" Kirishima smiled, shutting the door gently. He got in trouble yesterday for shutting it too hard. "Just because your muscles are big doesn't mean you can throw the damn thing off it's hinges!" Bakugo had yelled. At least he got a compliment? Sorta? Bottom line is, progress is being made! 

A couple hours had passed, Kirishima was in the passenger seat of a crappy van with instrument cases stacked in the back. A black haired boy with gauges, an eyebrow piercing, and a stretched septum drove, cigarette between his teeth. A familiar yellow haired boy laid across a girl with long, choppy, purple hair. She had decorated ears, a tongue piercing, studs on her nose and right above her lip, plus two spikes where her dimples would go. No one in this car would pass going through a metal detector, besides Kirishima. 

He was opening a jewelry case while his phone blew up with "Get well soon!" messages and videos of team shenanigans. He took out two clip on snakebites, pulling his lip down to angle them correctly. "Why don't you just pierce yourself? Jirou could do it, she'd love to stab you" The boy asked. "I've told you, Sero. I can't have piercings on the field or the court, so there's no time for them to heal". "When are you gonna tell your jock buddies about us? I feel like the other women" Kaminari chimed in from the backseat.  

Kirishima laughed, licking his lips with their new decor on "Ground Zerø IS the other women". The van erupted with arguments and offended gasps, but they all knew the truth. They started playing together in Kirishimas second year of high school, but his parents would never let him quit sports. He was simply too good. He was destined for greatness, not being in a shitty punk rock band that plays 2000s covers and only has 3 original songs. 

He glued a nose stud on, pulling on it to make sure it would stick. He then moved to his eyebrow, gluing two there and turning around "anywhere else?". "You should add some dimples and we can match, red riot" Jirou said in a teasing tone "Not happening, earphone jackass" Kirishima retorted. "Add more on your ears, chicks will dig it!" 

"I, unfortunately, do not dig the chicks" Kirishima added as he clipped more fake rings around his ears. "We should rename the band, Chargebolt, his epic girlfriend, and two gay ass friends" Denki smiled, getting ash flicked at him. 

"Speaking of gay bandmates, do y'all know a kid named Shoto?" Sero asked, Kirishima nodded "His dads a hero, whole family has tons of money. Sisters a chef and brother used to play basketball here, names still in the locker room. Natsuo Todoroki." "Yeah, well no one told me he was hot as hell" Sero said as he pulled into a small parking lot, VIP written across a banner. "The front desk ladies intern thinks so too, considering the fact they're hooking up" Jirou mentioned, giggling at Sero as he cursed under his breath. 

"Curse the world for the roommates chosen this year" Sero huffed. "Preach" Kirishima said, tying his hair back into a half up man bun. "He needs therapy, being pretty ain't enough" Denki snickered. "He's pretty, can't deny it, he's also an asshole. For good reason though" Kirishima chortled. "He said he'd kill me!" Denki argued. "You pointed out his scar!" "Yeah cause it's cool!" Kirishima rolled his eyes "It was traumatic. He doesn't like thinking about it. Now that's enough, time to set up"

He was such a mom of the band. Just from one sentence everyone jumped out and began unloading gear. Guitars, amps, mics, speakers, wires, and Kirishimas prized possession, his bass. "Sound check at 6:50, we play at 7" Jirou announced, the girl had a crazy ear for tuning. "Where's our drummer?" Denki asked, Sero answered with "They're coming from Shiketsu. Should be inside". 

They set up their stage, hearing the sound of converse and vans squeak in an empty building. It was a decent sized bar, able to fit properly 200 people. They'd been together almost 3 years so had they SOME fans, plus the college scene now, plus half off drinks, so they were sure they'd have at least 150 audience members. Kirishima looked out, nerves growing in his gut. 

They all shook hands with the drummer, his purple side part covered one eye. He only said few words, taking his seat on the drum set. 30 minutes had passed and Ground Zerø was officially ready for sound check. Sero stood center stage, microphone in his hands "check check, check 1 2, check 1 2 3" he said, moving at different angles and lowering the pitch of his voice. Jirou nodded "Don't head too far left or we'll hear feedback". She moved over to Denki, watching him pick at each string of his yellow guitar adorned with rhinestones and lightning bolts. "Sounds good baby" she pat him on the head. 

She went up to Kirishima, making him pick at each string "I told you, we need A a little sharp for the MCR songs. Other than that you're fine". "I know, I let Bakugo play". The bandmates exchanged glances, knowing Kirishima has LITERALLY pushed people off stage for trying to touch his bass. The drummer beat on the drums, a simple beat. Jirou made sure he knew all the songs and had the sheet music for their originals. 

Seros phone chimed, the alarm stating that it's 6:59. "Alright, curtains closed!" He yelled as the crew closed them, an employee unlocking the door and checking each ticket. Kirishimas stomach turned a bit, his black baggy jeans felt tighter and his RIOT wifebeater felt sticky, his glued on piercings felt intrusive. "Yo, Eiji!" Denki called out "calm down. No one's recognized you for this long. Just play for the bartender like you always do." Kirishima smiled softly, nodding. Denki used to tell him imagine they're in their underwear, but it just made Kiri blush. "Starting with Scotty Doesn't Know by Lustra" Jirou called back to the drummer, who nodded. 

The audience flooded with people, the lights dimmed down. Most rushed to be as close to the stage as possible, but one person chose the barstool furthest from the speakers instead. "Ghost Tequila with mango juice please, a double" he told the bartender "it's a bit spicy" the tender said. "I'm not a dumbass. I ordered it, didn't I?" The punk said as he slammed cash down, taking his drink and rotating to the stage. 

The microphone turned on with a long "oooooooo" from the singer, the drums and guitar erupted, bass following suit. "What's up Zerø fans!" Sero shouted between the lines he needed to sing. The girls squealed, the guys cheered, most pumped their fists in the air. Denki and Jirou played their hearts out, Kirishima interacted with a few of the girls. 'Good for stage presence' he told himself, cringing at their need to stare at his muscles. He zoned out for the most part, playing how he knew. 

The song ended with cheers, the boy at the bar sipped on his drink, not even looking up yet. His lip ring perched on his soft pink lips. clicked against the rim of the glass, the singer smiled and waved around. "Why don't we introduce ourselves!!" He yelled, the band still playing the instrumentals. "Borrowed from Skiketsu University, Meatball!!" the crowed cheered, somewhat at least. No one cared much. "I'm y'all's favorite singer, Cellophane!!" the crowed cheered louder, some girls yelling their thirsty thoughts. 

"This sparky fella is Chargebolt!" He yelled, yellow shocks of electricity sprouted throughout the crowd as Denki played an epic guitar rift, one that Jirou DEFINITELY composed. He stole the mic "What's up party animals! Show some love to my beautiful girl, Earphone Jack!" He smiled as his girlfriend played her rift, sending sound waves to certain pretty girls. 

The boy at the bar looked up, he knew that voice. Personally. Not just from the radio or a shitty playlist. He knew it. As soon as it clicked, the singer was announcing the bassist. "Hold on to your panties, seriously, at least this time, cause it's everyone's favorite boy on bass, RED RIOOOOT!!!!!!!" He yelled, Kirishima stepped forward and nodded his head, playing the best bass line the crowds ever heard. He hardened his muscles, hearing squeals, his smile was so bright on that stage. His body was moving on its own. He was playing for the world, not just that small audience. 

The tinge of nerves came back, so his eyes shot to the bartender. At least, that's where they were aiming. But instead they landed on Ruby eyes that were into his soul. The Ruby eyes that belonged to his roommate, which made him hesitant to keep playing. Bakugos eyes were wide, sipping his drink slowly as they stared at each other. 

Kirishimas head whipped back to Denki, signaling with his eyes. Denkis mouth dropped staring at Bakugo in a black denim jacket, skinny jeans, dark combat boots, and a darker than usual waterline. Kirishima let his muscle memory flow into the next song, internally freaking out as he walked to Denki "Dude." He whispered "I know. Just play. " Kaminari cringed, knowing bud advice sucks. 

He looked back out into the crowd, watching Bakugo fiddle with his ear before starting to walk closer. 'oh no, no no no' he screamed inside. The bandmates picked up on his missing notes and all glanced over, seeing him panic. Jirou raised her brow at Sero, Sero mouthed something to Denki when he got a break in singing, Denki stepped forward and nudged toward Bakugo who was now standing right in front of the stage, looking up at Kirishima with a slight smirk. "Stop the show" Kirishima said in a panic. 

Sero thought as fast as he could while trying to sing still, the only thing he could think of was moving the microphone to the left and ringing static across the audience, it made Bakugo wince but it stopped when Sero called out "10 min break for technical difficulties! Grab a drink! We'll be right back". Some groans and Boos, some cheers, lots of shuffling. The curtains began to close as a hand reached out for Bakugos, yanking him up on the stage. With the brute strength, he knew it was Kirishima. 

The red haired boy tugged him to the back, straight to the VIP room, setting his bass down on an old couch. The bandmates all gathered in the one room, all silent. No one knew what to say when Bakugo burst into laughter. "No fucking way, shitty hair. You're in a damn band? glue on piercings? Charring your muscles to girls in fucking heat?". Denki was the first to speak "No one was supposed to kn-" "who the hell is talking to you?" Bakugo snapped, still mad about the scar thing. 

"Bakugo" Kirishima said softly, his face still flushed "you can't speak about this. I'll explain everything, I promise. But you can NOT speak about this." Bakugo crossed his arms, tapping his foot "I'm waiting, I better get the damn truth."