An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Here’s my submission for the Kirideku exchange ( @krdkexchange I think is the URL) and for @soulestring ((which Tumblr isn’t letting me tag rn)) Anyways it’s mutual pining Kirideku :oo please read/give kudos/RB !
I wanted to thank @soulestring for her amazing fics. She adds a lot to the fandom, is such a fun person to spend time with, and her stories are what really got me invested in the fandom! Everyone should definitely check out her fics and I wish her all the best!
65. “I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.” :3c yknow the pairing ~ ♥
(Warning: manga spoilers up through at least 146)
AO3 LINK
kirideku | actualdevil | 592 words
When they were both discharged from the hospital, the sun had just set over the city. As the two of them walked side by side to the station, the streetlights flickered to life one by one around them. Kirishima had been uncharacteristically quiet, even after they’d parted ways with their teammates.
Midoriya chanced a look at him, bracing his slung arm against his chest. His heart ached at the solemn look that was cast over his friend’s usually cheery face. Though he hadn’t witnessed their fight, Midoriya had overheard a hushed conversation between Fat Gum and Suneater and filled in the blanks from that. It wasn’t as if Kirishima had failed, far from it - but it was the first time he’d been pushed himself beyond his limits, something Midoriya had a lot of experience with.
They walked a few blocks in silence before Kirishima spoke up.
“Midoriya, I … I wasn’t good enough.”
Midoriya breathed in sharply, brow knit. Kirishima continued.
“I … Rappa, he broke through my unbreakable form with his first hit. I was basically out for the count from the beginning of the fight.” Kirishima paused, looking pained as he took stock of his thoughts. “Fat Gum protected me. I was barely able to muster enough power to take another hit, and I .. I don’t even remember it.”
Kirishima stopped walking, eyes cast down at his bandaged hands.
“Fat Gum told me later that the enemy had praised me, called me a man, but …”
Kirishima’a breath hitched, a quiet sound. Midoriya could see shine in his eyes when he turned to face him, expression open and hurt.
“I was far from that! I was a liability to Fat Gum. He could’ve died and I would’ve been helpless to save him -” he was gushing now, tears falling freely.
Midoriya stepped towards him, reaching out slowly to brush an errant tear from his cheek. Kirishima hiccuped, mildly startled by the contact.
“Kirishima … Fat Gum, Rappa - they were both right. You weren’t a liability, you saved his life. Fat Gum would have died if you weren’t there to protect him.”
Kirishima looked at him quizzically.
“How do you …?”
Midoriya looked sheepish.
“I overheard him talking to Amajiki about it …”
Realization dawned on Kirishima’s face. Midoriya sighed and placed a tentative hand on his shoulder.
“I wish … I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.” He paused, face starting to warm from the honestly of his own words. “The way we all see you,” he tacked on nervously.
Embarrassed by his own earnestness, he started to pull his hand away. Kirishima grabbed it before he could completely retreat, those sharp red eyes wide.
“Midoriya ..”
He swallowed.
“Do you really mean that?”
God, looking into Kirishima’s open and shining honest face was like staring into the sun. Midoriya could only nod, afraid his voice would crack if he tried to speak. Kirishima broke into a wide grin, pulling him to his chest and clasping him tightly against it, one hand braced in Midoriya’s wild curls and the other around his shoulder.
“Thank you,” Kirishima whispered.
Midoriya breathed in deeply. Beneath the sanitized hospital scent that lingered, he could smell Kirishima’s familiar scent and his heart melted. Slowly, he returned the hug, wrapping his free arm around him and clutching at his lower back. The taller boy hiccupped into the embrace, and Midoriya sighed.
When they pulled apart, Kirishima didn’t say anything, just took his hand. They walked back to the station, and this time the silence was comforting.
if you could have any view from your bedroom window what would you choose? what’s your favorite thing to do on a sunny day? what do you consider lucky? what made you smile today? what makes you happy?
Hmmm, I think I’d like to have a view of the ocean, or at least a beach. I find the sound of the ocean calming so that’d be so great to open my window when I can’t sleep and just let the sounds wash over me.
My favorite thing to do is just take a walk around the neighborhood and look at all my neighbor’s cool gardens. They’re always so nice and pretty.
I don’t really know what I would consider lucky. I don’t really have a lucky shirt, or pants or anything like that.
Reading mutual pining bakudeku made me smile and dieeeeeeee. Worth it.
Getting to talk to friends about stuff I like. Also, @soulestring makes me happy.