Chapter Text
‘March 15th, 1854
Bakugou is talking about gold again. He’s heard that there was more gold in those mountains. Canada I think? I thought that they had found all the gold in ‘45, but I guess not. He keeps talking and talking and talking, more than me! He must be very determined to find some gold. He needs just enough money for traveling, but I don’t think his cowboy career is working. Not many people need horses anymore, what with the new iron horse coming along. I personally don’t find it appealing. It’s loud and startles my cows.
Speaking of Bakugou, me and him are going to meet at the mercantile and then go to Midoriyas to see if he has any other heifers I could buy. It’s been awhile, and it’s not breeding season but I have a few bulls waiting..’
The loud sound of the train brought his attention from his diary. He looked up, staring over the acres of land he’s lived and worked hard on. Near the mountain, past the town of Fort Sanguine, was the new train station that they were building. Kirishima hears it goes all the way down to North Carolina, but he’s not too sure. The train had spooked Kirshima’s horse up from her nap. A quarter horse named Winona; she was as loyal and friendly as her rider. Beautiful black and gray with white spots around her barrel and snout. He was leaning against her before the train had other plans.
With that, he clicked his tongue and got up. Winona followed easily. Kirishima gave a small smile at her, sheathing his diary and pencil in his belt pocket before getting up and mounting Winona. The saddle she wore matched Kirishima’s boots and hat; both black with red seams. He had inherited them from his mothers, and his Mama was always very proud of her horses. Kirishima’s regular outfit matched his boots of course - he was raised properly, you know. A white button up and bell bottoms, a belt with many pouches and a loose scarf he had from his Mom. Dark black hair, and a heavy revolver on his hip.
Winona was a smooth ride down into town. Kirishima’s farm was second to biggest in Fort Sanguine, mainly because he didn’t have as many crops as he did animals. Sure, they’re expensive but they make just as much money as he does when he has to spend it. Plus he loves animals. Glancing at his cows to make sure they were okay, he heard the train go off again and he turned. Some cows had perked their heads towards the noise - the calf’s flinching and standing still from freight. Kirishima frowned. That damned iron horse!
By the time he had reached the town, the train was gone over the hills and probably a few hundred miles away. Who knows how fast those machines work, but they won’t ever be as loyal as real horses. He can’t imagine using a machine over a real animal - and if Winona ever saw him riding a machine he’s sure she would’ve beat him off it. Kirishima had slowed Winona down to a trot the closer he got to town - seeing as the people around were all waving and trying to chat. Kirishima didn’t want to be mean, so he spoke a few words or he tipped his hat. He was popular and very liked, though sometimes he did wish he didn’t have as many watchful eyes on him.
Stopping in front of the mercantile - he saw a tan mustang posted up on the fence drinking some water. Kirishima got off of Winona and posted her, gently patting her neck before walking into the mercantile. The wooden boards creaking under his weight. He wasn’t a tiny man by any means; had the build of a brick wall but the kindness of a golden retriever. Even with those sharp shark teeth, he was never looked at fearfully for those red eyes of his always caught people’s attention.
Kirishima was met with the usual scene; Bakugou Katsuki yelling at the poor shop owner about getting cowboys to hire him. For a moment, despite the enraged look, he saw the beauty that was Bakugou. His clear skin, great taste in outfits with his black with white seemed shirt and blue jeans and matching boots that had some orange highlights. Explosions were stitched into the heel - which Kirishima hadn’t noticed until forever ago. His slim waist, strong arms and chest. He wasn't small by any means either, not as built as Kirishima but still a strong man you shouldn’t take for granted. Despite what it looks like, Kirishima always did enjoy staring at Bakugou. Even when he was yelling his head off.
Kirishima has never met someone so crass and loud before. Maybe that’s why he’s so enthralled with him. He wasn’t afraid to snap back at Bakugou, and Bakugou always seemed to take the challenge. Sure, Bakugou might have some reputation under his belt but that doesn’t scare Kirishima. Clearing his throat, Kirishima caught the attention of the two males.
“Kirishima! Thank you!”
The shop keeper began, almost immediately thanking Kirishima for saving him from the explosive blonde. Kirishima chuckled, grabbing some sugar cubes in a pack and putting it on the counter. Bakugou scoffed,
“Hurry up and buy your shit, we got to go!”
Kirishima raised a brow, Bakugou raised his back while walking past him. Kirishima felt his lip curl into a smirk as he paid for his sugar cubes. He didn’t necessarily need the candy, but he wanted to make Bakugou wait a second to calm his nerves outside. The shop keeper kept thanking him for ‘saving him’ from ‘being blown to smithereens’ but Kirishima just nodded and thanked him for the sugar cubes. He walked out, already opening the package just to give it to Winona. She perked her ears in gratitude. Bakugou rolled his eyes, having already mounted his own horse, Buster - (or ‘Bully’ as Bakugou calls him.) Kirishima followed suit,
“What was that all about, Kat?”
“Tch, these cowpokes are really puttin’ up a fight with me. Why aren't they hiring me?”
Kirishima can think of many reasons why, but that’s mean. Instead, he rode next to Bakugou.
“No dice on the wrangling gig?”
“What do you think?”
Bakugou was obviously in a mood. A bad one. Kirishima doesn't want to kick a dead horse, but he always wondered why Bakugou never hired him for his wrangling business. He guesses because no cowboys needed Bakugou to wrangle any horses or cows, but whenever he does get a hire he never asks Kirishima for help. Kirishima used to wrangle animals for a living - horses, cows, buffalo if it ever came to it. He was one hell of a cowboy before he stopped after ‘living out in the wild’ for too long. Truth was, he missed his bed, he missed living under a roof - missed being relaxed instead of scared of bandits.
But even if he’s retired, it doesn’t mean he won’t wrangle up some animals for Bakugou! He’d do anything for Bakugou. He’s his best friend. His..
Kirishima didn’t finish that thought because Bakugou’s harsh voice was interrupting him.
“These cowpokes ain’t smart enough to come an’ hire the best wrangler. If it means I have to come all the way to this small town for a hire..”
The end was more to himself. It seems Bakugou really needed the money. The way it works is if a cowboy needs horses, cows or bulls - they can hire someone like Bakugou to go and wrangle them up. The more the animals, the more money each animal sells for. And sometimes cowboys are generous with their purchases. Bakuhou was ecstatic whenever a cowpoke asked to buy 100 horses off of him. Sure it was a hell of a deal, but Bakugou wasn’t going to back down from a challenge. He never does. Maybe that’s why Kirishima admires him so much.
“Man, if I didn’t know any better I’d think you were in a stump ‘bout this here plan for gold.”
“Am not!”
Kirishima chuckled, holding onto the horns of his saddle before looking around at the way the greenery replaced the town; the way the fields grew soybeans and corn. Kirishima always did enjoy the smell of Midoriya’s farm - though, he wouldn’t ever mention that to Bakugou. Bakugou himself has a small farm of his own back in Dodge, not as big and not really for profit like Midoriyas, but he’s still a little sensitive when it comes to comparing him and Midoriya. They’ve always had this.. rivalry with one another. Kirishima never understood it and never will. It was their sorry to tell, not his.
Kirishima didn’t tease Bakugou any further, instead he was more focused on how Midoriya’s crops were looking mighty fine for this day in age. Rain wasn’t common, but Midoriya always seemed to figure out that problem. Kirishima asked, looking around with the grace of his hat giving him shade from the sun,
“Where do ya think he’s at now?”
“Not at his home, for damn sure.”
Midoriya’s house was built long ago - rickety and old, yet Kirishima always did admire it. Midoriya’s mother and father built it from the ground up, and to this day it’s still standing. Two stories with white walls and black exterior- a large porch that Midoriya’s dogs can rest when it’s hot and so that Midoriya can watch the sun rise each morning. Kirishima knows why Midoriya wouldn’t be in his house - because he can’t stand still, just like him. Midoriya had a green thumb, while Kirishima cared for animals more. Kirishima never thought Midoriha was better than him, but he was a tad bit jealous at the thought of how much Midoriya makes each year when corn season is out.
With Winona and Buster, Kirishima and Bakugou had followed the paths down the large acres until they finally found Midoriya fixing up his fences near the back of his farm. Cows were crowding around from a distance, wondering what he was doing. It seemed he had been working on his fences for hours, because his white work shirt was damp with sweat. His usual hat hair was sticking to his forehead - dark green and a bit wavy instead of curled. He had just finished one side of the fence by the time they reached Midoriya, wiping his sweat off his brow with his forearm.
“Deku!”
Midoriya jumped, as did the cows, and he turned to look.
“Ah! Sorry, I’m a bit busy-“
“Don’t care! Shitty hair needs some heifers. Do you have any?”
“Is that anyway to ask someone, Katsuki?”
“Shut your bazoo, Shitty Hair!”
Kirishima glared at Bakugou, who glared back while dismounting off of Buster. He walked over to a post and leaned against it. Kirishima dismounted, patting Winona before walking over to Midoriya who got up. They shook hands in greeting. Midoriya continued, ignoring Bakugou’s previous yelling.
“Anyway.. it’s nice seeing you again, Kirishima! Usually you’re stuck with Bakugou too long for me to visit. Heifers you say? I don’t have any, but I do think there’s some heifers and bulls down the Bogai river.”
Kirishima frowned, not really wanting to wrangle any cows, it’ll soil the milk and he knows Bakugou wouldn’t want to be hired by his best friend. Some sort of sympathy thing? Anyway, Kirishima shrugged.
“Ah, thanks anyway Midoriya. It never hurts to ask.”
Kirishima turned to the unfinished fence, nudging his head towards it.
“Ay, you need any help with the fence?”
Bakugou perked up, shaking his head.
“Hell no! I don’t wanna stay here any longer than I have to!”
Kirishima rolled his eyes,
“You can go, then. I ain’t stoppin’ ya.”
The look of protest turned into annoyance. Kirishima knew that he wouldn’t leave; bakugou never leaves Kirishima side unless it was a team decision. He leaned back against the fence post. He kinda reminded Kirishima of a loyal dog. Kirishima nodded towards him and turned back to Midoriya. Midoriya nodded,
“Yeah, I’d love some help. Thanks, Kirishima!”