Chapter Text
School had been long, final exams were coming up and all Bakugous life had consisted of was school, revising, and coursework. She’d barely been getting sleep and couldn’t wait to get home. She had stayed an extra 3 hours in the school library to study. The sun was beginning to set as it was nearing 7 o'clock and the whole top deck of the bus was empty. She rested her head on the cold window from minor exhaustion, it being jerked by the ride every so often alongside the vibrations of the engine to her annoyance.
That’s when someone in a light grey school uniform walking up the stairs, long red hair pulled up in a high ponytail swaying behind her, caught her eye. The girl had caught Bakugou staring, smiling in response. With embarrassment crawling through her body she tore her eyes away quickly and resume staring out the window as before. She thought the whole ordeal would end there and she could continue her ride home peacefully. That ideal situation was quickly destroyed by the stranger walking up to her and sitting down beside her.
At first, her fight or flight kicked in at the idea of a stranger sitting next to her on an empty bus, but she tried to keep composure putting on a brave face before sarcastically and nonchalantly saying “Did you miss all the empty seats up here?”
“Nah, but none of the other seats have a pretty girl at them.”
Not the response Bakugou was expecting, but she decided to play along. This is not something she would normally do, in fact, she would happily tell anyone else to fuck off, but there was something intriguing about the redheaded girl and she couldn’t help herself.
“Are you really flirting with a random girl on the bus that you’ve never met before? How’d you even know I’m gay?”
“Who says I’m gay?” She responded smiling a big toothy smile in Bakugous direction.
Ignoring her comment, Bakugou continued blankly “Were you never taught to not talk to strangers?”
The girl stretched her back out resting her arms behind her head facing the ceiling and closing her eyes before continuing “Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet” Bakugou rolled her eyes “and were you never taught not to talk to strangers? Because here you are, talking to me.”
When she didn’t get a response she peeped an eye open looking back at Bakugou who was staring at her with the same bored blank expression.
“The names Kirishima, Eijiro Kirishima. I’m 17 years old, my favourite colour’s red, I go to riverside high as you can see by the uniform, and I’m lesbian. Now we’re not strangers anymore.” she finished with another smile on her face.
“Well lesbian Kirishima from riverside high, this is my stop.” Bakugou lent over her to press the bell before standing up and walking away.
Kirishima was left slightly disappointed sighing upon the mystery girls exit. That was until she glanced at the seat next to her, seeing a small sheet of paper placed there with a scribbled down phone number accompanied by the words ‘text me’. Kirishima felt giddy and had a grin on her face the entire way home.
The sky was completely dark as Bakugou laid in bed, 10:57 the red numbers of her alarm clock informed her. She still hadn’t received a text from Kirishima. Thoughts of ‘maybe she hadn’t seen the note’ ‘maybe she thought I was rude’ ‘maybe she was just messing with me’ swirled in Bakugous mind. Her train of thought was cut short by a ping accompanied by a notification on her screen.
Unknown number: hey mystery girl its Kirishima :))
She stared at the screen for a few minutes, a feeling of relief, maybe even joy overcame her, although she’d never admit it. She saved the number before replying, she had a feeling texting Kirishima would become a common occurrence.
mystery girl: hey
Kirishima: yay you’re awake!! How u doing?
mystery girl: im fine. How r u?
Kirishima: im goodddddd
Kirishima: so mystery girl, y r u up so late? Were you waiting for my text ;)
Bakugou stared at the screen blankly. Was she waiting for her text? Why would she care if a random girl texted her or not?
mystery girl: no.
Kirishima: awww what a shame, sorry it took me so long to get back to you btw. A pretty girl told me not to talk to strangers so I was taking her advice.
mystery girl: you’re talking to a stranger rn
Kirishima: true, I guess I couldn’t resist :) I hope the pretty girl won’t be to mad about me disobeying her
mystery girl: im sure she won’t mind to much
Kirishima: good to know
Kirishima: tell me about yourself blondie
Bakugou internally cringed at the nickname before responding.
mystery girl: im Katsuki Bakugou, I like cats, im 17, I go to n.y.s. high
Kirishima: cats!! I have one so if all fails I know I can tempt you into meeting me via my cat :D
mystery girl: lucky, my mum says they shed too much hair so I can’t get one
Kirishima: ah that sucks :\
mystery girl: yep.
mystery girl: well im going to bed I have an exam tomorrow, goodnight.
Kirishima: goodnight Bakugou!!
Kirishima: good luck on your exam/s
mystery girl: thanks
The conversation was short and albeit not particularly noteworthy, however, that was the most effort Bakugou had put into a conversation in the past year. The only people who ever messaged her were her parents or the occasional classmate who needed her number for a group project, to which she begrudgingly gave, deleting it after the project was completed. Some saw it as rude but she didn’t care for other peoples feelings. She saw people in her life as inconveniences or obstacles, nothing more and nothing less. This being said she couldn’t understand her sudden urge to socialise, especially with a stranger she's only met once. With the hours left for sleep steadily decreasing she chose to do as she said she would, letting sleep overtake her.
Another day of exams and Bakugou was yet again exhausted. She hadn’t heard anything from Kirishima since yesterday night. She assumed it was because they’ve both been at school, but the small anxiety in her chest told her she’d done something wrong. As if on cue the music playing through her headphones delayed letting her know she’d received a message.
Kirishima: hey bakugou how was your exam? :)
mystery girl: it was okay, just science so pretty easy.
Kirishima: nerddddd
mystery girl: says the one who goes to a private school
Kirishima: i never said i was smart
mystery girl: i can tell.
Kirishima: oh how you wound me with your words bakugou :’(
Kirishima: anywayyyy where at you rn?
mystery girl: on the way home, why?
Kirishima: meet me later :))
Kirishima: i’ll be at valley park @8 hope to see you there!!
Bakugou didn’t reply after that. Kirishima still had a feeling she’d show up. Maybe it was her overly optimistic mindset, or maybe she had good intuition.
Bakugou entered her house immediately being greeted with a mixture of pleasant aromas, letting her know her mother was cooking dinner.
“How was school?” Her mother asked.
“It was fine.” Mitsuki hummed continuing to stir whatever was in the pot in front of her. “Can I go out later?”
“Where?”
“Vally park, I’m just meeting a friend for a bit.”
“I suppose so, since when did you meet up with friends?”
"Since now I guess." she replied shrugging and the conversation ended there.
She made her way upstairs to her room distracting herself with homework she was given over the weekend until she was called down for dinner.
Bakugou couldn’t help staring at the time since she got home at 5. Hours had passed and the thought of meeting up with Kirishima was sitting in the back of her mind. She couldn’t understand what had gotten into her, she didn’t like people in general. She never replied to text or met up with her “friends”, that’s how she liked it. But there was something about Kirishima that Bakugou couldn’t help being drawn to, and the internal struggle of trying to understand what was going on was pissing her off.
Once 7:30 came around she contemplated if she should look more presentable than the current baggy t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and messy hair combo she was wearing, but it was late and she was lazy so she stuck with it. Another text came through,
Kirishima: i’m waiting for you, i got us snacks :))
That was her cue to leave and walk the 20-minute journey to valley park. She made her way downstairs grumbling a goodbye to her parents and agreeing to be back before 10:30.
The streets were relatively empty on her journey, just the way she liked it.
It was dark but the warmth in the air was still lingering. It reminded her of when she’d sneak out to go for a run in her second year of school, it used to help her calm down, she doesn’t really know why she stopped in her third year.
The park only had a few people walking around, but the playground was completely empty except for the redheaded girl sitting on the swing set staring at the sky. Bakugou opened the gate, it squeaking revealing her presents to Kirishima who was snapped out of her thoughts. When she looked in Bakugous direction she had the same big giddy smile on her face.
“I knew you’d come! And look at that, you’re even 10 minutes early. Couldn’t resist seeing me again could you?”
“Shut up idiot.” Bakugou tried to sound somewhat intimidating as she walked to sit on the swing beside her, to her apparent failure as Kirishima just giggled at her.
“Awww you already have a cute nickname for me.”
Bakugou ignored the comment with a sigh and continued the conversation “So, why did you wanna meet up?”
“Just wanted to hang out.” She replied with a shrug.
“And what if I didn’t show up?”
“I would have sat sadly in a dark playground till 3am, drinking these strawberry milkshakes and eating these gummy sweets on my own.” She said with a smile and unnaturally cheery voice for the sentence at hand.
“Wouldn’t your parents have something to say about you being out so late?”
Staring straight ahead she answered “Hmm maybe, but I don’t tell em. My mum works late when she’s not away on a business trip, and my dads not around anymore.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Kirishima giggled again turning her head to face Bakugou, her fringe falling over her face due to the lopsided position “Sorry for what?”
“I don’t know.” Bakugou felt stupid and was really worried she had made the conversation awkward.
“Stop being so tense, it’s fine I promise.” The genuine smile she let off comforted Bakugou. “Your hair looks really pretty out like that by the way.”
Not knowing how to handle compliments Bakugou panicked a blush forming on her face and responded by telling her to shut up. She winced at her own response. It didn’t seem to bother Kirishima though, continuing as if nothing impolite was said at all.
“Come with me.” She extended her hand for Bakugou to take, which she did hesitantly. Kirishima's hands were soft and much warmer compared to her own, she was slightly disappointed when she had to let go. Kirishima had dragged her to the wooden climbing frame across from the swing set, climbing onto the top beckoning her to follow, to which she obliged.
“I haven’t been on here since I was a kid, it's smaller than I remember. I used to come with my mums friends son all the time after school. I managed to break my wrist falling off the bridge bit, he ended up crying more than I did.” Bakugou smiled at the memories from her childhood, Kirishima letting out a little laugh herself.
“Do you still talk to him? Your mums friends son?”
“Not really. He’s my neighbour and goes to my school, so I see him around, but I was kinda a dick to him growing up.”
“Do you have any friends? Wait that sounds rude! I just mean-“ her apologetic rambling was cut off with Bakugous response.
“Not really. I don’t like people, people don’t like me.”
They sat in silence for a minute. Both resting their heads on their knees, thighs pressed together due to the small proximity.
Turning her head to face Bakugou Kirishima responded softly “I like you.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I wanna get to know you.”
“Then you won’t like me.”
Without another breath, Bakugou stood up, taking a strawberry milkshake out of the plastic bag of snacks before climbing down and starting to walk away.
“Huh wait, where are you going?”
“Home. It's getting late.”
Kirishima was jogging to keep up with her “Oh okay, want me to walk you home?”
Bakugou abruptly turned around stoping Kirishima in her tracks, almost causing her to crash into her.
“I don’t tell strangers where I live.” she said smirking.
Matching her smirk Kirishima replied, “But we’re not strangers anymore.”
“Then what are we?”
“Acquaintances, friends, potential lovers.” She twirled and replied in a sing-song manner before returning to where she was staring at Bakugou with a tilted head and puppy dog eyes, red bangs falling over her face.
“Bye Kiri.” Bakugou started walking away again, a smile on her face.
“Wait!” Bakugou turned around “Get home safe mystery girl.” Kirishima winked at her.
Turning back around shaking her head Bakugou opened the gate shouting back “Go home Kiri!” Before leaving.
She opened the front door quietly, not wanting to disturb her parents. before entering the front room she took her shoes off and shot Kirishima a short text of ‘im home’. The house was quiet apart from the tv playing on a low volume. She was greeted by the sight of her mum and dad cuddling on the couch, something that was pretty uncommon, at least when she was home.
“Hey kiddo.” Her dad said quietly as not to wake her sleeping mum.
“Gross.” Was all she responded sarcastically with a smile on her face nodding towards their display.
Maseru laughed through his nose as Bakugou made her way upstairs.
Her room was cold, she tried to keep her windows open as much as possible to maintain this. Even during the winter months she'd keep this up. Although tonight was a different kind of cold, as if she was missing something but she couldn't determine what it was. Opening her milkshake she took out her phone dropping it onto her bed with a thud.
mystery girl: did you make it home alive?
Kirishima: awwww you care about me :)))
Kirishima: but yes I just got home
mystery girl: no I just don’t want to be linked to your death if something happens to you
Kirishima: you’re so cute (//// w ////)
mystery girl: you obviously have a strange type.
Kirishima: you think?
mystery girl: yep
Kirishima: well if you consider yourself strange then I guess I do ;)
Bakugous face was heating up despite the cold air around her. She ignored it going back to texting.
Kirishima: oh and I forgot to say
Kirishima: I had a really nice time today I really enjoyed hanging out, so thanks for showing up :)
mystery girl: you’re welcome I guess
She wasn’t used to people putting in so much effort to tell her they enjoyed her company. In fact, she wasn’t used to people enjoying her company at all. This didn’t help the burning sensation on her cheeks.
Kirishima: did you enjoy today too?
mystery girl: I guess so
Kirishima: good :D
Kirishima: you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I was wondering if you’d like to talk on the phone
The message ‘only if you want!!’ Immediately followed. Bakugou thought about it for a minute not sure what to say. She decided not to respond at all, instead grabbing her headphones and calling Kirishima's number. It rang a few times before she was met with a familiar voice greeting her, she could hear the smile on her face.
‘Stop smiling dumbass'
‘I'm just happy’ she said cheerily
‘And why’s that?’
‘Because you took up my offer to call’
Bakugou only hmmed. Shuffling noises on the other end prompted her to ask the question ‘what are you doing?’.
‘Making dinner’ Kirishima responded promptly, the sound of plastic opening on the other end continuing.
‘You can cook? Also isn't it a bit late to be making dinner?’
‘Hmm, I guess so. But time isn’t real and I'm hungry. And nope I can’t cook.’
‘Then what are you making?”
‘Heating up food in the microwave. Before my mum travels she normally cooks a bulk of food for me to live off. When and if I finish it I normally live off take out or snacks. I can bake though.’
’When was the last time you had a home-cooked meal, like fresh off the stove?’
Kirishima thought about it for a moment before responding ‘maybe like 3 months ago.' Bakugou was completely shocked, she guessed she took for granted her mums willingness to cook every day.
‘Doesn't it bother you at all? Like my parents travel for work sometimes too, but I know how to cook.’
’Not really. It's a small price to pay for practically living alone. But hey, you should cook me something soon, I'd love to see how well the great Katsuki Bakugou can cook. If your food is as good as you look I'm sure it’ll be great.’
‘Ugh, how can you just say things like that.’ Bakugou tried to sound mad but it 100% didn’t work. Kirishima laughed at her obvious shyness.
‘Just being honest. I was being serious about the cooking thing though, only if you’d want to of course.’
‘Hmm I suppose so, you better bake me some thank you cookies in return.’
’No problemo, it's a date.’
‘Was this your plan all along? Lure me in a make me your housewife.”
Kirishimas laugh hit her ears again.
‘I mean if you're offering.’
Bakugou snorted telling her to shut up but there was no malice behind it. The beeping of the microwave cut them off. She heard Kirishima open the door taking the plate with a string of ‘ow hot hot hot hot’ following. She caught herself smiling at the redheads stupid antics. They discussed random things like school and the rest of their day as Kirishima ate. Once she’d finished she made her way up to her room after dropping her plate into the sink. Bakugou was starting to get tired, laying in the dark while in bed probably didn’t help her. She could tell Kiri was starting to get tired too due to her slurring her words ever so slightly.
‘Hey Bakugou’ she said through a yawn. Bakugou hummed only half listening and trying her best to stay up. ‘You should come mine tomorrow. We can cook and bake, you can sleep over if you want.’
‘Okay sounds good.’ She forced out.
‘Okay good’ and with that, she fell asleep.