Bakugo stood in front of Kirishima's door, his hand hovering over the dark wood. He needed to knock already. He needed to check in on that slacker. Bakugo wouldn't admit it, but he was scared. Scared of the possibility that Kirishima would refuse to talk to him. Scared that he might be hurt or bleeding out on the floor. But worst of all, Bakugo was scared that Kirishima truly hated him.

Bakugo took a deep breath and rapped on the door, silently waiting for a reply.
A few moments passed and there was no answer. He knocked again, louder this time. Bakugo couldn't hear anything from inside the door.

"Hey, don't ignore me Weird Hair! Open the door!" He shouted, knocking again with more power.

He heard a quiet shuffling from inside, but the door didn't budge.

"Oi! You think it's ok for you to skip classes? Open this damn door so I can talk to you, idiot!"

A slightly louder noise came from the other side of the door this time.
"Go away."

"Hah?! You aren't getting off the hook that easily, Hair for Brains! Open up!"
Bakugo snarled, slamming his fists into the door.

There was silence again, and Bakugo felt his angry facade begin to fade. His insistent rapping slowed and he rested his head against the door.

"Please Kirishima. I just want to apologize," he muttered quietly. But there was no response.

~~~

It had been a while since Bakugo had come knocking on his door, and Kirishima was hungry. He hadn't eaten all day and his stomach was growling at him angrily because of it. Sighing, Kirishima glanced at the clock, it was now 9:47.

Bakugo should be gone by now, he always follows a strict sleep schedule.

Kirishima didn't know why he had been avoiding Bakugo. Or avoiding everyone for that matter. His other friends had all come to knock on his door and ask him to come out. He had refused, simply telling them to go away. He felt weak and pathetic after what had happened, and he was trying to rid himself of these feelings. It would be best to do it alone, he had decided. He spent the entire day working out and trying to deal with his emotions. But at this point his muscles were beyond exhaustion and his stomach hurt so badly he could hardly stand.

I can't take the idea of losing him. If I ignore him, he'll never get the chance to reject me. Kirishima stopped short at his own logic. I sound like an idiot. I can't ignore him forever. Tomorrow I'll go to class and apologize. He's probably over it by now anyways.

Kirishima slid his red hoodie on over the sleep shirt he had been wearing and sweating in all day and pulled the door open towards him. He moved a step forward and was shocked to see Bakugo curled up on his doorstep. His eyes were closed and his chest was rising and falling slowly. His face was relaxed and Kirishima marveled at the beauty he was sure not many people had gotten the chance to see, a calm and peaceful Bakugo Katsuki.

"Bakugo?"

Kirishima was confused as the other boy snorted and opened his eyes slowly, gazing up at him, the innocent expression not leaving his features.

"Mmh Kirishima... is it morning?"

Kirishima stood in disbelief before responding quietly. "No... it's about ten at night. He took a step back into his room as Bakugo pulled himself to his feet, his hair disheveled and his eyes bleary with sleep. Kirishima touched the door, half tempted to close it again, but his stomach growled so loudly that he was sure the entire building heard it. He groaned softly and clutched at his middle.

By this point Bakugo was fully awake and standing in front of him.

"Hungry?" His voice was soft and his eyes were almost pleading. An expression Kirishima never would have expected from the fiery tempered blonde. "I can cook you something... if you want."

Kirishima nodded silently, stepping out of his room and following alongside the drowsy Bakugo. When they arrived at the kitchen, Bakugo immediately went to the cupboard, pulling out several spices and setting them on the counter. He reached down to pull out a frying pan and began to cook, periodically stepping to the fridge and taking things out. It wasn't long before all sorts of glorious smells were filling the air. Kirishima felt his mouth water as he watched the other boy silently.

"Hope you like spice." Bakugo grunted, his eyes tentatively staring up at him from the pan he was cooking in.

"Definitely. I might need some milk with it though... I haven't eaten all day." Kirishima smiled weakly back.

This is ok. He doesn't seem mad. In fact he's unusually calm.

Bakugo nodded, putting a lid on his pan and walking to the fridge. A few moments later a glass of milk was sitting in front of him. Kirishima began to drink, watching as Bakugo turned back to open the fridge. He paused, holding the milk jug with a shaking hand.

"Kirishima... I'm sorry."

Kirishima swallowed his milk a little harder than he should've and sputtered a moment.

"Sorry? Why are you sorry?"

I should be the one apologizing. I took advantage of you and embarrassed you in front of everyone. I was weak.
Kirishima thought, but couldn't find a way to say.

Bakugo set the milk down in the fridge, closing the door and leaning into it, still facing away from him.

"Do you really need me to spell it out?"
His voice was soft, much softer than Kirishima was expecting.

"B-Bakugo?"

"I'm sorry for hurting you, Kirishima. I'm sorry for embarrassing you in front of all your friends and I'm sorry for making you so mad that you're hiding from me... I'm not good at expressing myself... I'm sorry you didn't feel the same way, but I don't want to lose your friendship." he had turned around at this point, stepping closer to where Kirishima was sitting, close enough that he could see the tears welling in the corners of his eyes.

Kirishima felt as though time had frozen around him.
"Wait... what did you say?"

"God damn it Kirishima! I'm not going to repeat myself!"

Kirishima was standing now, he raised a hand shakily, poking his finger into Bakugo's chest and forcing his voice to come out.

"Bakugo, you were affected by a quirk, those feelings were made up."

"Made up?" A look of confusion crossed Bakugo's face before his eyes widened slightly. He cautiously took a step closer to Kirishima, his crimson eyes burning with determination and his face only mere inches from his own. "Kirishima, that pervert's quirk heightens feelings that are already there. I... I like you."

Kirishima felt as though his heart would burst. This wasn't some cruel prank, was it? He stood there searching the ruby eyes of the boy standing in front of him, finding sincerity and insecurity burning in their depths.

"Bakugo. I like you too." Slowly, Kirishima leaned closer, his lips cautiously brushing against Bakugo's, until the blonde gently threaded his hand into Kirishima's unstyled hair and pulled him closer. Bakugo's lips were warm against his own, and Kirishima raised his hands to explore the other boy's firm arms and chest. The kiss was sweet, probing, and gentle. They pulled apart at last to catch their breath, looking at each other with a newfound blissful calm.

Bakugo paused a moment, sniffing the air. "Shit! The curry!" He screeched, as he stumbled back towards the pan.

Kirishima chuckled, climbing back into his seat once more. He felt better already.

I feel like my writing has been improving quite a bit these last fewchapters! See you all next chapter! 💪🏻❤️~TAK