Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Afternoon rays of sun filtered their way into Jirou’s room which was filled to the brim with instruments of every kind. But this afternoon there was a not-quite-uncommon addition.

“He’s just, just, it kills me to say it. But, just so fucking manly! You know!?” Bakugo shouted 34 minutes into yet another spiel about Kirishima. “He’s so strong and sturdy! He held up a damn building himself for fuck’s sake! He saved dozens of civilians and took down three villains by himself!”

Jirou hummed along, nodding her head while she ran her fingers over the keys of the electric keyboard perched on her lap. She’d heard this dozens of times before and was sure she’d hear it dozens of times more. The explosive gremlin of class 1-A, now class 3-A, occasionally sought out her company to listen to music, chill out, and rant about Kirishima.

“How about you do something about that crush of yours? Talking my head off isn’t gonna do anything.” Jirou pointed out, shoving the keyboard off her lap and swinging around on her bed, head hanging off the side.

“How about you do something about your crush on ponytail!?” The blond quipped back.

“At least I realize that I have a crush in the first place.”

“Hey-!”

“And I actually have decided that I am going to do something about my feelings.” She breathed out, sitting upright.

“Seriously!?” Bakugo's head snapped towards her, thoughts flying faster than he could handle.

“Yeah. I mean. I'm terrified of the possibility that she’d reject me. But we’re in our third year Bakugo.” Jirou sighed, locking eyes with the blonde. “We’re hero students and we’re going to be pro heroes soon. I don’t want to keep loving her from the sidelines, never even trying, before I die in some battle.”

“Well. That’s morbid as fuck.” Bakugo snorted from the floor as he picked at his nails. “You’re not gonna die in some shitty battle. You’re my extra and you’re gonna be fine.”

“There’s always the possibility. And besides doing it just to prevent that possible sad future, I want to live life to the fullest. I want to try and date Momo. Or at least ask her out and see what happens.”

“Good for you Ears.”

“Is that pride I hear Bakugou?” Jirou teased. “If I confess and we end up dating, you’ll be alone in our little singles club.”

“Like hell I will!” Bakugo yelled, shooting off the floor.

“Oh yeah? Does that mean you’re gonna tell your man how you feel?”

“I- Maybe!” Bakugo sputtered, burying his head between his shoulders. “What the hell are you gonna do if she says no? Not that it’s likely, ponytail looks at you like you made her the most expensive tea in a crystal teacup.”

“Well, then she says no.” Jirou slumped against the wall, closing her eyes, “I hope we can still be friends but hey, at least I tried right? And thanks for the encouragement.”

“I’m not sure I could stay friends with him if he rejected me like that,” Bakugo mumbled, sinking back onto the floor.

“Is the great God Explosion Murder scared?” Jirou teased sliding off the bed.

“I ain’t fucking scared! I’m no coward!”

“I’m teasing Bakugou. But seriously,” Jirou started, moving to sit in front of him, “what is it Kirishima always says? ‘Manliness is living with no regrets’? Don’t hold out and regret it later. Life is too short for that. Especially the life of a pro hero.” Jirou comforted, reaching out to squeeze his wrist.

“I-,” cutting himself off to stare at the ceiling, Bakugrou whispered, “I just don’t want everything we have, to be destroyed.”

“It won’t be,” Jirou said, rubbing his arm. “Your friendship is one of the strongest I’ve seen. You’ve been through so much together. His rejecting you wouldn’t destroy what you have. And I doubt he’d reject you.”

Bakugo opened his mouth and Jirou swiftly cut him off, making him meet her eyes.

“If you say Momo looks at me like I got her the most expensive tea, Kirishima looks at you like you personally got him a meet-and-greet with Crimson Riot.”

“Yeah, yeah. Okay, okay. Enough of that.” Bakugo grumbled, pushing her away, unable to hide his blush. “How are you gonna confess to her or whatever?”

Jirous's mouth formed a soft smile thinking about her crush. “Well, Momo loves tea and classical music. So I’m planning on getting that brand she likes-”

“The one that creepy old guy was drinking while he filmed himself trying to break into UA?”

“Yeah. Gold Tips Imperial. I just try not to think about him.” Jirou trailed off, both nodding in solidarity to forget that fiasco. “So. I’m gonna get that for her and maybe try to make some tea sweets too. Like those little cakes she has.”

“That sounds about right for her. Cute, I guess. If that’s what you’re going for.”

“Stop interrupting!” Jirou said, pushing him playfully. “Okay. Once I get the tea and sweets I’m gonna play her a song!”

Bakugo raised a singular, seemingly unimpressed eyebrow. “Tea and music? That sounds like her family’s Sunday afternoon. But sweet.”

“Oh shut up you grouch!” Jirou laughed. “It’s not just any song. I decided I'm going to compose a classical piano piece for her!”

Bakugo sat silently but still emitting a teasing aura as he nodded along with her as she spread out her arms, fully finished explaining her plan.

“Well? What do you think?” She asked, slightly exasperated with him and his silence.

“Hey, you said no interrupting,” Bakugo smirked at her. “It’s sweet. like how much crap Kirishima puts into his coffee sweet. But, I think she’d really like that.”

“Thanks, Bakugo. How do you think you’d confess to Kirishima if you decide to do it?”

“I don’t know. Why did you choose to make a song?”

“Momo is amazing and unique. I think she deserves something as special as her.” Jirou said, her voice soft. “And she loves classical music so I wanted to incorporate that. I just want it to be something that really shows how much I care about her.”

Bakugo could tell her head was in the clouds by the look on her face. He understood wanting to confess in a way as special as the person you liked. If- no when he confessed, it’d be something only he could do. Maybe he’d do the same.

“Hey, Ears!” Bakugo blurted. “How do you write a song for someone?”

Jirou snapped out of her mind zeroing in on what Bakugo had just said. Smirking, she turned to the blonde. “You thinking of jumping off my idea and writing a song?”

Bakugo grumbled but nodded.

“That’s so sweet! There is no one way to write a song though. You need to think of what genre, what instruments, whether it’ll have lyrics or not, and a bunch of other stuff. But the main thing for writing for another person is just having them in mind I think.” Jirou stated, happy that her friend was finally taking the first steps in confessing to Kirishima.

“I can do that! It’ll be easy as taking down B-grade villains!” Bakugo shouted, slightly embarrassed and very motivated. “Hey,” he started, his competitive side rearing to the forefront, “maybe I’ll get my song done before yours and confess before you even have the chance!”

A competitive spark lit up in Jirous's eye. “I’d like to see you try!”

“Then let’s do this!”

“Hell yeah!” Jirou exclaimed, rising to the blonde's challenge. “Let’s both write as fast as we can and no backing out of confessing even if we don’t finish first!”

“Deal!”

“Deal!”

The deal was struck and the two parted ways to work on their songs to confess to their crush.

Chapter Text

Katsuki Bakugou, Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight, one of the Big 3 of UA, paced around his dorm like a caged animal. He’d been racking his brain on how to write a song for the most amazing person that ever existed for the past few hours. How could he even begin to sum up how he felt about Kirishima? Much less how great a person he is. And to do that in a single song? Jirou said to just “have the person in mind” when writing the song. But that barely helped. So he did what anyone with access to the technology they had did, he turned to the internet.

Swiping his phone off his desk he searched “How to write a song about someone?” Soon his eyes were jumping from result to result.

“Tell their story. Describe them. Be inspired by their personality. Communicate something. Narrow down a theme. Don't be cheesy. Be poetic. Cliches can be great if done well.”

Contradictions and bullshit after crap and stupider crap. More and more “tips” appeared as he continued to scroll. His raging thoughts stalled as his eye caught the recommended search of “How to write a song about someone you love?”

Love.

Did he love Kirishima? He liked Kirishima. He thought he was the manliest guy there was. Not to mention how much he had rubbed off on him including his most cherished word. He was strong and could keep up with him. He convinced the others to rescue him and risked his education, future as a hero, and his life to save him in Kamino. He was kind and understood him in a way rarely anyone else had. Hell. Most didn't even try. He praised him but called him out on his bullshit. He was his equal and caused feelings in him that he couldn’t put a name to. Everything was just so easy and comfortable with him.

But could he really call that love? Being comfortable? Occasional butterflies? Fighting well together? With that brain worm running circles in his mind his searches took a detour.

Bakugo quickly typed “Love vs Crush” and pressed enter before his better senses could catch up with him. And yet again, he was bombarded with websites, quizzes, and tips that barely helped. One answer caught his eye. “Crushes are fleeting and brief.” God knows his crush on Kirishima wasn’t brief. He’d liked him since halfway into their first year at UA.

Soon he came across a list called “Crush vs Love (23 Differences You Need To Know).” As he scolded through the list, Bakugo found himself thinking, maybe just maybe, he had been in love longer than he had ever realized.

“Love takes time.” Yep.

“It’s about the soul.” He definitely loved Kirishima for more than his looks. Don't get him wrong, Kirishima was handsome as hell and built like a greek god, but his choice in attire from his neon red crocks to his spiked to high heaven hair was definitely interesting. To say the least. And he still loved him for it.

“Love lasts.” Well, it had been almost three years.

“You can be yourself.” Double yep.

“It feels natural.” “You feel at home in love.” “Love is selfless.” “Love is comfortable.” Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes down through the entire list.

“Well. Shit.” Bakugo said aloud. Staring blankly at his screen. “Guess it’s love then. Fuck.”

Clicking out of his current tab, and turning to a larger screen, Bakugo circled his mouse of the recommended search before clicking and starting to scroll through the results. Kirishima was amazing. He deserved the best. Bakugo was going to write the best song to show him how much he loved him.

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Two hours later, Bakugo sat at his desk, surrounded by balled-up papers. Starts, middles, and ends of songs. Discarded ideas and poetry attempts were littered around his trash can, the room smelling slightly of smoke. Smacking his head against his notebook yet again, Bakugo thought back to what Jirou had said in her room.

Have the other person in mind.

Well that wasn’t hard. He couldn't get Kirishima out of his mind. There was too much he loved about him. Too many things to put into a single song. Bakugo slammed open his notebook yet again and decided to just start listing everything about Kirishima and hoped seeing it would lead to something.

Kirishima was manly. He was Bakugo’s best friend. He understood him like no one else. He was kind to a fault. He was a shitty-haired idiot with not-so-shitty fire-engine red hair. He loved meat, Crimson Riot, and working out. He loved being goofy but could be serious when he needed to be. He wasn’t the best at school but he worked hard. He was brave as hell and a great hero. He was loud and always ready to help someone. And he had the biggest heart.

Bakugo leaned back in his chair and thought back to when Kirishima was being hard on himself about his quirk. He recalled late-night talks after panic attacks and hard days. He remembered stories they traded about their childhood and mindless banter and put his pencil to paper again. Kirishima didn’t use to like his quirk. Hell, Kirishima didn’t use to like himself. He almost didn’t apply to UA because of a run-in with a villain in middle school. He used to think he was a coward.

Thinking, much less writing these things, felt like a crime to Bakugou. But they were all part of the unbreakable man he loved. He wasn’t a coward. And he was always working hard to be better. Even though Bakugou thought he was already brushing perfection. From dying his hair, to constantly working out with tin can, to pushing himself over and over with his ultimate form.

“Wait. That’s it!” Bakugo shouted, knocking his chair back as he shot up before realizing how late it was. Looking over to the divide between his and Kirishima's wall nervously, ‘Nah it's fine, he sleeps like a bear mid-hibernation.’ He thought with a smirk.

“Unbreakable,” Bakugo whispered to himself, smiling victoriously.

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Five days after setting their bet, Bakugo and Jirou were back in the musician's room. Jirou alternating between playing some chords on her keyboard and scribbling notes on the notepad beside her while Bakugo sat on the floor with a furrowed brow.

“Jirou.”

The hero-student’s head shot up. “Yeah?” She knew it was serious when he used her actual name. “What’s up?”

“Can you,” Bakugo trailed off nervously. Refortifying himself he swung his head towards her. She could see the determination in his eyes. “Can you do the other instruments? I only know how to play drums and some guitar and this song needs to be perfect.”

“Of course Bakugou. Just give me the sheet music or what tune you’re thinking of.” Jirou smiled fondly at her friend, pride welling up inside her. It had been a learning process and a long road these past few years for Bakugo to engage in teamwork much less ask others for help. It meant a lot he came to her, asking so directly.

“Thanks, Ears.” Bakugo huffed with a small smile before humming a tune and scribbling more notes down on his sheets.

Jirou turned back to her composition smiling. She felt so good and happy right then. Happy her song was coming along well. Happy she was going to finally confess to the woman she loved. And happy that her friend was finally going to confess to his crush.

‘But not happy enough that I would willingly lose this bet.’ She thought, gearing up to finish her confession song.

Chapter Text

Kirishima had recently noticed how much time Bakugo spent hanging out with their resident music expert. They chatted before and between classes and during meals. But now it was ever more apparent how close they were. They bumped elbows, shared competitive grins, and even hung out in each other's rooms! Well mainly Jirous room, he hadn’t seen Jirou on their floor. Yet.

Kirishima was happy for Bakugou. He was! It was just. Bakugo was spending so much time with Jirou that he was kinda feeling left out. But still! Bakugo was branching out and making more close friends! That’s what mattered. And he was proud of him for that! He just had to keep reminding himself of that whenever he felt lonely.

Walking back from class with his best bro (and kinda maybe crush of three years) made everything feel better! Bumping shoulders with Bakugo and spinning around to walk backward, Kirishima started to excitedly ramble. “You did really well in practical training today man! Super manly what you did with that spinning explosion! It kinda looked like a tornado that got set on fire. Hey, do you wanna hang today?! We can eat that spicy curry you like and even study if you want to. I mean. I know you don't need to since you’re so smart but you study so much so maybe…”

“Sorry rocks for brains, I have some stuff I need to finish,” Bakugo shrugged him off with an apologetic look, heading up to his room as they arrived at the dorms.

Dejected but understanding, Kirishima turned to his other bros to take his mind off things. Denki declared they would have a Mario Kart competition. Sitting on the couch yelling at the dorm tv with his friends, Kirishima noticed Jirou also heading up after barely talking to the others. He wondered if she was going to study, or maybe she and Bakugo had already made plans to hang out today.

He was knocked out of his thoughts when Denki crashed into him, almost shoving him off the couch in an attempt to take first place. Head back in the game, sad thoughts about Bakugou were pushed to the back of his mind. He played to win. Just like Bakugo.

Game over, and his place as Mario Kart king restored, Kirishima grabbed his stuff and headed to the elevators when his phone buzzed.

Bomberanian: “You free on Saturday?”

Kirishima almost cried from joy! His crush hadn’t forgotten about him! Texting back an excited “Yes!” Kirishima did a happy little jig in the elevator before the doors dinged open to his floor. He almost slammed face-first into his door when he saw where Katsuki was planning on taking them. It was one of the best steakhouses in town! And a high-end place too. Maybe something special had happened and he wanted to celebrate?

Kirishima pushed all worries out of his mind as he scrambled to locate his favorite crocs for their Saturday hangout (date his mind supplied). Maybe he should ask Mina since it was such a nice place?

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Bakugo had finished his confession song. It had only taken three weeks. Not too bad for his first song if he did say so himself. He had booked a reservation at one of the best steak restaurants in town. His outfit was washed, ironed, and ready. He had his song recorded and his plan ready. Nothing could screw this up. Not if he had any say in it.

Buttoning his last button and checking himself in the mirror he nodded to himself. He looked good. He was ready.

Five minutes later, fifteen minutes before he would leave with Kirishima, he found himself at Jirou’s door. Knocking at the wood anxiously, Bakugo fidgeted with his sleeve. The door swung open to reveal a smirking Jirou.

“How you doin' Mr. Smooth?” She drawled with a smirk.

Shoving his way past the shorter student into her room he started to pace. “He won’t reject me right? He likes music. I know that. He tried to sing for that culture festival in first year. He’s going to like this right? He won’t think I’m crazy and walk out on me right?”

Jirou was taken aback and completely bewildered. She knew Bakugo was head over heels for Kirishima and, as much as he denied it, he was nervous to confess and to see his response. She had just never seen her friend so openly stressed and anxious. She knew what she had to do.

Striding over to her friend Jirou grabbed him by the shoulders forcing him to face her. “You know Kirishima, Bakugou. He is your best friend. This will work out. You’ve put so much thought and time into this, how could he not accept? And even in the one billionth chance he does reject you, he won’t be an ass about it. You know that.”

Staring into his friend’s eyes, Bakugou knew she was right. Even if he wouldn't say it to her face. Giving a singular jerked nod he gruffly said, “Thanks Ears. Good to see you being blunt and confident. It's a much better look on you than shy and freaking out.” He finished with a grin.

“Booo you nerd.” Jirou gently shoved him away with a smile. “Go confess to your man, you’ve waited long enough.”

“Yeah yeah I’m going. Besides,” his voice growing softer but still holding a streak of competitiveness, “I can’t exactly back out since you already won.”

“Exactly.” Jirou smiled, patting his back and thinking back to how her girlfriend had almost strangled her with a hug when she confessed. Momo had been teary-eyed from the tea and cakes before she even started her song.

The last thing he heard from her before she pushed him out her door was, “Go get him Bakugou.”

Chapter Text

Bakugo takes a deep fortifying breath in. Before knocking on what he’s pretty sure is the love of his life’s door. Kirishima yanks open the door, smile wide, and signature red hair in an intricate braid. ‘Mina must have dressed him’ Bakugou thought as he trailed his eyes over the redhead's outfit.

Kirishima was wearing a long-sleeved burgundy button-up, skinny black jeans, and for once not his crocks. Instead, he had chosen some nice black loafers that he usually wore for meetings. All in all, he looked really fucking good. Especially with the wide goofy grin that spread across his face as he gazed over Bakugou’s outfit in turn.

Bakugo had similarly chosen a long-sleeved button-up but instead of a red, he went with his signature black. He paired it with a pair of rarely worn gray jeans and his very worn black combat boots.

Bakugo felt his cheeks warm up under the eyes of Kirishima and scoffed, “Well?”

“I- It’s just- You-” Kirishima stuttered trying to get his tongue untied. “You look really good Bakugou!” He finally exclaimed, cheeks almost as red as his hair.

Both stood in the hallway staring at each other, their faces equally red before Bakugou grabbed the redhead’s wrist softly asking, “You ready to go or what?”

He didn’t think Kirishima’s smile could get bigger. And he was wrong.

“Yep! Let's get some grub!” Kirishima shouted, pumping his fist in the air.

Arriving at the steakhouse Bakugou could see the stars shining in Kirishima’s eyes. (And the bit of drool on his lips as he pictured his meal.) He was the most handsome man he had ever laid eyes on. He took a deep breath in as he led his date into the restaurant and finally getting their date night off the ground and going.

Dinner was a success.

Kirishima got the steak, of course. They both got steak after hearing the raving reviews about the place. They talked about school, work, food, anything, and everything that came to mind. It was a nice night. Comfortable with his best friend, eating good food, and talking the night away, Bakugou almost forgot about the crippling anxiety of his confession plan later that night.

Almost.

Arriving back to the dorm had his anxiety rearing his head again. But he was no coward. He could do this. Besides, the song was already recorded with his voice so he could give it to Kirishima. If he fucked up his singing in person it’d still be okay. It’d be embarrassing as fuck but ultimately okay. Hell, he could just play the song. He didn’t need to sing. Taking in deep breaths as they entered the elevator, Kirishima still rambling about how good the food was, oblivious to Bakugou’s inner turmoil.

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As soon as the elevator dinged to alert their arrival on their floor, Bakugou grabbed Kirishima’s wrist. Kirishima felt his own anxiety spike a bit. Did he do something wrong? Why did Bakugou look nervous? What was happening? Did he say something wrong at dinner? Should he have offered to pay for both of them? Was Bakugou terminally ill and this was their last happy memory together?!

“Hey, Kirishima.”

‘Oh shit.’ Kirishima thought as his mental spiral came to a screeching halt. ‘This is serious.’

“Can we talk? In your room?” Bakugo softly whispered, almost pleading.

“Of course we can!” Kirishima shouted and winced at the loud volume with how late it was. He led Bakugou to his room and gestured for him to sit on the bed before plopping down beside him. “Are you okay? I’m here to listen.”

“I- Yeah. I’m okay.” Bakugou conceded at the worried look in Kirishima’s eyes. “I- I just. Tonight was good, right? You liked it?”

“What? Of course, I liked it! I loved it! I got to eat great food and hang out with you!” Kirishima shouted, alarmed at how Bakugo could ever doubt he had a good time when they were together. Reaching down to grab his crush’s hand he whispered, “How could I ever not have a good time with you?”

Hearing Kirishima say those words was the last push that Bakugou needed. His voice slightly shaking, he said, “I have something for you,” in an equally hushed voice as he gripped Kirishima’s hand harder while his other grabbed something from his pocket.

Kirishima watched Bakugou slip his phone into his hand, pulling his other away to Kirishima’s disappointment. Bakugo opened his phone and opened his audio recording app before clicking a video and setting it down on the bed between them. His eyes kept flitting around his room, anywhere but Kirishima.

The first thought that flashed through Kirishima’s mind was ‘he looks scared.’ Bakugou rarely looked scared. The look sent a shot of panic through him.

“You know I’m shitty with words.” Bakugo’s gravelly voice murmured. “But I like you. A lot. So I made this for you.”

Kirishima nodded along to his words, not fully processing them, as Bakugou tapped the play button.

Soft guitar flowed from the speakers before drums, electric guitar, and other instruments Kirishima couldn’t name joined in as the pace picked up. Soon a voice he knew by heart filtered through.

“I remember when I used to think
I don't have the spirit
In the moment when my heart would sink
That's when I would hear it”

Kirishima’s head shot up to look at Bakugou’s flushed cheeks and pink ears. It was him. He was singing. His voice was amazing! He always had loved Bakugou's voice. The rumble and slight scratchiness always a melody to his ear whether he was pushing him to be better in a competition or explaining schoolwork during a tutoring session. His singing was even more melodic than usual.

“Nothing in this world can tell me "no"
Breaking down the walls I built on my own
All the insecurities I have sewn
Stitched and woven inside my very bones
Bones
Bones”

As the song started to slow he felt tears prick at his eyes. Bakugou made this for him. This was about him!

“I'm taking the right time
To figure out what's mine
To make it my own

I feel alive
I'm here to fight
No time to die
Pushing my body
Day or night
I'll do what's right
No time to die
Can't break my body”

It was about him! Bakugou had listened to everything he had said about his past, his insecurities, his first fight, everything! When they talked and he inspired his Unbreakable form. He took his past and their life at UA and everything about him and made a song! Kirishima gasped as tears fell from his eyes. He had said he liked him! Could this mean what he thought it did?!

Kirishima reached across the small space between them to grab Bakugou’s hand again and gave him a watery smile as tears rolled down his cheeks. The blonde tensed before seeming to lose all the tension in his body.

“I'm taking the right time
To figure out what's mine
To make it my own
Can't break my body”

As the last lines of the song and Bakugou’s singing trailed off, Bakugou’s nerves seemed to come back, tensing his muscles like he was preparing himself for a fight. Kirishima couldn’t have that.

Springing across the space between them, Kirishima pulled Bakugo into his arms for a hug he attempted to pour all his feelings into.

“I loved it so much. Thank you Bakugou.” Kirishima cried into his shoulder. Pulling back only enough to look him in the eye, Kirishima’s voice started to break. “And I love you too. I’ve loved you since I first saw your manly spirit and that burning fire in your soul. Thank you for being so manly and telling me. All I’ve wanted is you.”

Bakugou was stunned. It had worked. He had confessed. IT HAD WORKED! Finally processing Kirishima’s words his eyes grew wide and started to fill with tears as well. Choking on a sob, he whispered, “You’re what I want too,” as he pressed their foreheads together. “I love you Kirishima, be mine?”

“Yes! Yes of course! I love you so much!” Kirishima exclaimed as he crushed Katsuki in yet another hug. He got to hug his boyfriend Katsuki! They were boyfriends now!

Eijirou squeezed him tighter before brushing their noses together and locking eyes with the man he loved, asking for a kiss. Katsuki gave a wet laugh before nodding and meeting Eijirou’s lips in their first, sweet kiss.

They finally had each other. And they weren’t letting go anytime soon.

(The song was later sung again when Katsuki proposed. Again at their wedding. And over and over again to their children. Telling the story of their pasts, their confessions, and being woven into the fabric of their happy life together.)