Can I request 3rd year UA student Bakugou meets 3rd year Shiketsu student Kirishima?
Oh, this was a fun idea! Took me a while to come up with a scenario for them to meet, but once I did the words flowed! I'm happy with how this one turned out, so hope you like it too!
-----It Starts on a Train-----
Bakugou gritted his teeth, taking a deep, slow breath. It was too early in the morning to deal with either some excited brat who wanted his autograph or an angry parent who wanted to berate him for his…everything. He was already high-strung for his first day of his internship; he didn't need his train ride disturbed.
Remembering Best Jeanist's words–you can't have another blow up in public; your hero career hasn't even started, and there's a difference between being the aloof hero who doesn't like to talk and the undesirable hero who curses out their fans–he bolstered himself to keep his cool and looked for the voice.
It was immediately clear that the person staring at him was no civilian; he'd recognize the uniform of Shiketsu anywhere. The man had to be near seven feet tall, but his entire intimidating physique was softened by the bright grin on his face and the kind eyes currently focused on Bakugou. The bright red mane trailing down his back and the two matching hair horns poking through cut out holes in his hat gave away his identity.
Bizarrely, his acknowledgment immediately brought a blush across the other's face, and the behemoth seemed genuinely surprised.
Bakugou scoffed, relaxing a little now that it seemed like he wasn't going to be verbally accosted by some soccer mom.
"Who wouldn't recognize you?" Bakugou asked, rolling his eyes. "Only an idiot wouldn't know Shiketsu's highest ranked third year."
The blush on the other's face deepened. "Well, Shiketsu's no U.A.," he mumbled, shrugging. "Not like I can compete with you."
Bakugou raised a brow. He'd seen enough of Red Riot's saves to know that what currently looked like soft skin could be instantly hardened beyond a diamond's strength if needed. He'd watched one particular save multiple times, a little in awe at the then second year Shiketsu student who managed to harden and hold a whole goddamn bank building up by himself for almost half an hour while other heroes helped civilians escape.
Red Riot had been on his radar for a long time. At first as competition, but later as someone Bakugou admittedly respected (which was a very short list).
"If we weren't on a fucking train, I'd howitser you right now to prove what an idiotic statement that was," Bakugou said blandly. He gestured to the seat beside him. "Quit hovering and take a seat."
Again, the other seemed shocked and perhaps embarrassed? But he still shifted to take the seat, curling in on himself like he didn't want to take up too much room, though it was a lost cause as his entire side pressed against Bakugou.
"The fuck you apologizing for?" Bakugou huffed. He eyed the man out of the corner of his eye. How was he so soft-hearted here when Bakugou had seen videos of him tearing into steel with his fingers during rescues?
"Didn't mean to get in your space."
"I invited you to, moron."
Inexplicably, the other laughed. "You know, you're exactly how I'd thought you'd be," he said. "Straightforward and no nonsense. Super manly."
"You're nothing like I expected you to be," Bakugou said.
He blinked. "I'm surprised you even thought of me at all," he admitted. "I'm not exactly flashy or–ow! What the hell?" He frowned, rubbing at the back of his head where Bakugou had lightly smacked him.
"It's too early in the morning for me to listen to bullshit," Bakugou said. "Be self-deprecating with someone else. You're a top up-and-comer. Fucking own that shit."
"Bit un-hero-like to hit someone you barely know, isn't it?"
"You can take it," Bakugou said. "Besides, don't be a dumbass and maybe you won't get hit."
The other impossibly softened even more, staring at him with eyes Bakugou couldn't decipher. He relaxed the tension in his giant frame, allowing himself to press against Bakugou's arm without concern. Goosebumps erupted across the blond's flesh, and he held back a shiver. He wasn't cold.
"This is my usual route to Fat Gum's Agency, but I've never seen you on this train before. New work study?"
"Internship with Mirko," Bakugou explained. "First day."
"Nice!" He offered, nodding. "That fits."
Bakugou sighed, relaxing back in his chair.
"My real name is Kirishima Eijirou, by the way," the other offered after a moment.
"Bakugou Katsuki," the blond returned. He glanced at the other, contemplative, before he pulled out his phone. "Put your number in," he ordered.
Kirishima seemed surprised by his forthrightness but didn't argue, taking Bakugou's phone and typing in his number. A moment later, Kirishima's pocket made a small 'manly!' exclamation. Kirishima's face turned red when Bakugou smirked, but neither commented on it.
"Any reason I'm giving you my number?" Kirishima asked as he handed his phone back.
"Easier to set up a spar sometime," Bakugou explained, watching a series of emotions cross Kirishima's transparent face. The man wore his heart on his sleeve. "And then afterwards we can go out to eat. Loser pays."
Kirishima stiffened, eyes suddenly heavy as they focused on Bakugou and Bakugou alone. Good, the blond thought. That's where they should be.
"Like…a date?" Kirishima asked hesitantly.
Bakugou smirked. "Heh. Maybe you're not as stupid as I thought, Red."
Bakugou missed his stop and was thirty minutes late for the first time in his life.
