Archive of Our Own

Kirishima asked his best friend Mina to prom. And she said yes, but of course she did. It wasn’t even really a question, he knew they would go together. And really he wouldn’t want to go with anyone else. At least that’s what he told himself. He loved her to death, would do anything for her, but he still wished he could have asked someone else, he wished he was brave enough. The worst part of this was that it wasn’t like this mysterious person he wanted to ask wasn’t gunna be there, he was actually. Bakugo was going to be Mina and Kirishima’s third wheel. He was coming just not as… his date. BUT OF COUSE HE WASN’T. Kirishima knew his feelings were 100% one sided. There was absolutely NO way Bakugo liked him like that. So, he asked Mina, because of course he did, she was his best friend. No one else he would want to go with! That’s what he told himself.

Kirishima woke up to the morning light creeping through his curtains. He blinked, and rolled over a few times before sitting up. It probably wasn’t past 8:00. The suit that his mom bought him hung from the back of his door. He stared at it for a moment. Saturday, April 10th, today was his senior prom. He pushed the curtains back and got dressed. The dance wasn’t until 7pm, so he had a lot of time to get his nerves worked up. His dad was in the kitchen making eggs when Kirishima got there. “Good morning dad!”

“Good morning, Eijirou!” His dad replied. “I made fried, should be done in a few minutes.”

Kirishima ate his breakfast of 4 eggs and apple slices in silence. He could feel his dad wanting to say something. “What’s up?” Kirishima asked.

“Don’t let Bakugo bring down your spirits! I know you wished it was different, but he will be with you and Mina. And, don’t forget you’re going with Mina in the first place, she’s been your best friend since middle school.” His dad gave him a smile.

Kirishima’s dad knew him too well apparently. “I know, you’re right. It’s just… I don’t know!” He through his hands up and let out a sigh.

“Oh kiddo, just have fun! You will be with your friends. You’re so focused on who you’re “going with”, and less focused oh who is going to be there with you? Know what I mean?”

“I do.” Is all Kirishima said with a smile back to his dad.

Hours past of Kirishima working himself up over how the dance was going to go. Unfortunately, it was time for Kirishima to get ready for the dance before he knew it. He told Mina that he would be there to pick her up at 6:45, so by the time he picked her and Bakugo up, they would get there a few minutes after the dance started. His hands were shaking as he took his suit of its hanger. It was freshly ironed, he could still smell the perfume his mom sprayed on it. He took of his clothes, taking his time folding them and putting them back in his dresser. He was trying to calm himself. This wasn’t any different than any other time he has been with his friends. He made himself take deep breathes, but as he put on the clean suit… all he could think about was that he was sweating before he even got to the dance. How embarrassing. He buttoned up his jacket, it fit really well. He looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was freshly dyed, he just took a shower, his suit fit just right… he couldn’t look any better really. He smoothed down the front of his shirt, he looked good, he looked good! Everything was going to be fine. He was with Mina when she bought her dress, but he couldn’t help but wonder what Bakugo would wear. Part of him expected him to just show up in his regular clothes. And all though that would be hilarious, it would also be incredibly disappointing. Right then he heard a knock on his door, “come in!” He called. The door opened and his mom walked in.

“Oh sweety! You look so handsome!” His mom gave him a big squeeze. “Are you ready? Your dad and I want to get a picture before you leave.”

Kirishima took one last glance at his reflection, puffed out his chest, and followed his mom into the living room. His dad was there waiting, along with his little sister, who was still in middle school.

“You look great, son. I bet both of them will think so too.” His dad said with a wink. Kirishima smiled and laughed.

His parents took their photos, his sister told him to say hi to Mina for her, and he was off. Kirishima opened the door to his 2012 Ford Escape, and turned the key. His car rumbled to life. The sun was starting to go down, casting a golden light over his face. He pulled out of the driveway and headed to Mina’s house.

Kirishima got out of the car and rang her doorbell. Almost instantly Mina swung the door open. “OMG you look so good!!!!! Mom come look at my hot dattte!”

“Aww thank you!” He said with a toothy smile. “I wouldn’t look nearly as good if I wasn’t with you!” He ment it too, she looked beautiful.

Mina’s mom walked over to the door, “Oh you look great! Stand next to each other! I wan’t to take a picture!” Kirishima and Mina posed for their photo in their matching clothes. Mina had picked out a pink and purple sequent dress that hugged her body, and Kirishima’s suit was dark Pink, almost red, with a light blue tie. He had to admit, they did look pretty killer. Mina’s energy was lifting his mood, she always seemed to help when he wasn’t at his best.

Mina’s mom waved them goodbye. As the two got in his car he said, “Let go kill this thing!”

“Hella yeah!” Mina chanted back as she turned on the radio.

By the time they were pulling up to Bakugo’s house, Mina and Kirishima had spent 6 straight minutes belting to Mirrors by Justin Timberlake. Yes 6, the song was really long. Kirishima parked, and as he got out, Mina shouted over the music, “GO GET HIM TIGER!!” As she made a claw motion with her hands. Kirishima walked through the walled entrance and knocked firmly on the door. A moment later Bakugo’s mother answered. “Good evening Kirishima!” And before he could respond she turned and yelled into the house, “KATSUKI GET YOUR SLOW ASS DOWN HERE.” Kirishima laughed, it was scary how much alike Bakugo and his mother were. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree or something like that. Kirishima could hear Bakugo stomping down the stairs before he could see him. Bakugo walked out the doorway and right past Kirishima.

“Let’s go before the old hag stops us!” He yelled from the sidewalk. But Kirishima was frozen for a moment before he swiveled to look at Bakugo standing by the car. Bakugo looked great, too good. And he definitely wasn’t in “just his normal clothes”. Kirishima turned back to Mitsuki, “I’ll drop him back off when the dance is over, ma’am!”

“I expect nothing less, and go make sure my boy has some fun while you’re at it.” She said smiling and waving him off. Bakugo was already buckled in the back seat when Kirishima got back to the car. He looked at him through the rear view. Everything was black, from Bakugo’s shoes to his shirt, to the tight waist coat that really showed off his body. It all made Kirishima want to jump out the window of his car and run home. But instead he said, “Dang Bakugo, you look super manly!” He put his hand behind his seat, offering Bakugo a fist bump. Bakugo didn’t oblige, saying, “Yeah I know, just drive, we’re probably late already.” But his attitude was light, it was their senior year, and bakugo had really grown in the last few years. He was still a hot head, probably always would be. But he was more relaxed, and he smiled more over the last two years than Kirishima can imagine him over all the time before that. Nothing was better than to see him smile. So Kirishima drove, and Mina talked, and Bakugo sat in the back looking out the window. When they got there, it was not long after 7:00, but the venue was already crowding with people in the lobby. Mina dragged them over to a table by the entrance. “Look guys! We have to vote for Uraraka!” One of their classmates sitting at the table handed them each 2 tickets to put in the boxes. It made since that someone nominated Uraraka for Prom queen, she was so kind to everyone. And Midoriya had been one of the nominated for prom king. They both deserved to win. “Mina giggled and started walking away. Kirishima and Bakugo followed her, all of them sitting at one of the large round tables. It was still early, so no one was dancing, just eating food and talking. Mina set down her bag and got up, “I’m going to get some food! Anyone with me?”

Kirishima stood up, “Me! I hope they have chicken.” He didn’t want to be left alone with Bakugo right now, especially because his friend wasn’t the biggest talker. They walked together out to the lobby where there was a buffet of food lining a long table. The two of them stuffed their plates with pasta, and they did in fact have chicken to Kirishima’s delight. They returned to the table where Bakugo was sitting, he was talking to Denki and Jiro who had walked over while they were gone. “Oh yeah guys!” Kirishima said as they approached.

“Kirishima my man! Don’t you look fancy!” Denki remarked.

“You too man! I dig your suit! You both look awesome.”

Mina had sat down and got right to work on her plate full of spaghetti. “Be careful,” Bakugo said to Mina. “That sauce looks like it doesn’t mess around.”

“Oh whatever,” Mina said through a mouth full of pasta. “I didn’t buy this dress not to wear it, a little spaghetti never hurt me!”

“What ever you say,” Bakugo rolled his eyes.

“You don’t want any food?” Kirishima asked.

“Nah, I already ate.” Bakugo said with a wave of his hand.

“Well I don’t know about you guys, but people are starting to dance! Look the lights are already dimmer.” Mina said in her usual cheerful voice. She had somehow already finished all her food, as she whipped red sauce off her cheeks with a napkin. “Come on Kirishima lets go!”

She took hold of Kirishima by the arm and pulled him towards the dance floor. “See you later Bakugo!” Kirishima yelled as he was dragged away.

He and Mina danced for an hour, everyone was dancing by now, and people were singing along to every song. Mina saw Uraraka from across the crowded room. “Look!” She yelled over the music, “It’s Uraraka, I have to go say hi!!” And before he knew it Mina was lost to the crowd of people and Kirishima was alone in the middle of the dance floor. He was hot and smiling when he made his way back to their table, where he found Bakugo right where they left him. Kirishima took his jacket off, leaving it to hang on his chair. He slumped down onto it, “Man, it’s hotter in here than I expected!” Kirishima said with a laugh. He looked over at Bakugo who had his elbows resting on the blue table cloth and his chin on his palm.

“Yeah it looked like you two were having fun.”

“You were watching?”

“Not like I had much else to do.” Bakugo said with a shrug.

“Way didn’t you just come dance?”

Bakugo leaned back from the table and crossed his arms. “I don’t feel like it.”

“Oh come on bro! No point in coming if you’re not going to have fun!”

“I am having fun!”

There was a long pause, “…Really?” He raised his eyebrow.

Bakugo shifted in his chair. “Stop nagging me. This is GREAT. I’m having LOADS of fun.” He just stared back at Kirishima with a straight face.

“Oh for All Might’s sake just get up!” Kirishima said with an encouraging smile as he held out his hand.

Bakugo started to unfold his arms, and before he could change his mind, Kirishima grabbed his hand and pulled them into the crowd.

The two were surrounded by jumping kids. All of them classmates they had known for years. The two stuck close together, at one point, they even held hands. It was in like a fun dancing together way, but that didn’t matter because they held hands and Kirishima was elated. He hadn’t seen Bakugo this happy in a really long time. At some point Bakugo had unbuttoned his shirt down to his mid chest. Song after song played and it was just the two of them, jumping to the beat. Until Mina popped up next to them with Hagakure holding onto her arm. The four of them went back to their table. “I’ll go get us some water,” said Kirishima as he walked away. He came back with four waters in his hands. His friends, the 3 of them were sitting and chatting. “-and that’s when Mina did a backflip!” Said Hagakure, clearly in the middle of a story,

“Aww it was nothing really!”

“No it was SO COOL!” Hagakure said shaking Mina by the shoulders. “Don’t listen to her!”

Kirishima set the cups on the table, “You did a backflip? Were you wearing those?” He pointed to Mina’s 17cm pink heels.

“I sure did!”

“I can’t believe you’re not dead right now,” Bakugo said from his chair.

“I second that.” Kirishima said while chugging down his water. Mina and Hagakure started talking amongst themselves. And Bakugo used his sleeve to wipe away sweat that was beading on his forehead. “We’re going to go to the bathroom!” Mina said as the two got up. Kirishima waved them off, leaving Kirishima and Bakugo together at the table.

“Stupid cup isn’t big enough, I’m hella thirsty,” Kirishima turned back to see Bakugo place his empty cup on the table.

“I can go get some m-“

“No it’s ok I’m fine.” Bakugo said before Kirishima could even finish.

“Do you want the rest of mine?”

Bakugo looked at Kirishima’s cup for a moment before grabbing it and downing what was left. Their chairs were right next to one another, and Bakugo leaned in a little. “Have you ever wondered… Nevermind it’s stupid.”

“No what is it?”

“I said it’s stupid, forget I said anything.” He turned his head in the other direction but didn’t lean away. Kirishima just looked endlessly at the back of Bakugo’s head. His gold studs reflected the neon lights from behind them and the collar of his black button up touched the hair on the back of his neck. Bakugo turned back to face him, “what’re you looking at?”

Kirishima smiled with his teeth as he looked back into Bakugo’s eyes. “I don’t know.”

He could see that his friend was trying not to smile. But he must not have been trying very hard because the corners of his mouth turned up a little. “Whatever man,” said Bakugo has he lightly pushed Kirishima’s shoulder.

“What were you looking at?”

“I don’t know,” Bakugo mocked, his smile growing. Their faces were only a quarter meter apart and Kirishima could see down Bakugo’s half unbuttoned shirt. His heart beat was picking up speed. Kirishima knew that Bakugo noticed his eyes flash down to his chest, and like that wan’t bad enough, Kirishima looked at his lips next before they jumped back up to his eyes. But Bakugo didn’t move, and Kirishima licked his lips out of habit but that only made the moment feel more intense for some reason.

“What are you thinking about?” Bakugo asked in a whisper.

Kirishima was frozen and didn’t say anything for a few seconds, but bakugo apparently wasn’t in a rush. “I um…” neither of them looked away. “I don’t know.”

“Liar” Bakugo said. “So? Out with it, what’s on your mind?”

Everything was moving in slow motion, and before he could stop himself from making this tragic mistake, Kirishima was closing the small gap between them. They kissed for a second, then two, then three… until Kirishima came back to reality and pulled away. Oh I fucked up. Kirishima looked at Bakugo’s shocked face. Then he stood up so quickly what he knocked his chair over. “Um-!” Kirishima put on a scared, awkward smile and pointed behind himself towards the doors. “I gotta go!” Then Kirishima was runny out the doors into the lobby. He looked left and right, he could feel people watching him. Where is the bathroom? His mind screamed at him. He turned a corner and saw it. He burst into the girls bathroom without a second thought. Mina was standing by the mirror, her head swiveled in surprise toward him, seeing his face. “I fuck up.” Was all Kirishima could say.

“What happened??” Mina asked coming over to him.

“I fucked up so bad.”

“What happened Kirishima!?” He walked backwards until his back hit the tile wall, and he slowly sat down against it. He cupped his head in his hands. Other girls voices echoed around him, asking if he was ok. “Kirishima please, you have to tell me what happened.” But Kirishima wouldn’t look up. He didn’t want to cry, but as he looked through the cracks in his fingers as Mina tried to coax him to look up, he felt fresh warm tears trickle down his cheeks and into his palms. His chest hiccuped, and he frantically wiped away at his face. “Oh my gosh Kiri…” said Mina’s voice.

Kirishima let out an inaudible string of words through the hiccups and his tears. He felt Mina’s arms wrap around him. She didn’t say anything for a minute, just letting him be. His hands unclasped from his face and he looked up to see Mina right next to him on the ground. She looked so worried, waiting for him to say something. He barked a laugh, “want to guess?”

“No I don’t want to guess!” Mina said. “Just tell me.”

“What if he hates me?”

“Bakugo?”

“Yeah, what if he hates me?”

“He won’t hate you, Kirishima.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You’re right, I don’t, but I would bet my leopard print bed sheets on it.”

“But you love those sheets!”

“I know, thats the point,” she said with a wink. “Now will you tell me what you did before I go and ask Bakugo myself?” She mimicked getting up.

“NO NO DON’T!”

She sat back down, “So then tell me.”

Kirishima shrugged and looked away, “I kissed him.”

“YOU WHAT!”

He turned back, “I know I know I fucked up! Mina what am I gunna do I can’t go back out there!!”

“Are you kidding???? Kirishima this is amazing.” Kirishima looked at her with a wide eyes. “So, what did he do?”

“I don’t know! I ran away!”

“Well who pulled away? You or him?”

“Me I guess?”

“YES THIS IS AMAZING WE HAVE TO GO FIND HIM RIGHT NOW!”

“Um- no we definitely do not.”

“It’s not very manly of you to hide away in the girls bathroom for the rest of the dance! Plussss… you have to drive in home at some point.”

Kirishima considered for a moment. Mina was right. It wasn’t very manly of him to hide. He had to face it. He stood up and looked to Mina, “Ok, let’s go!”

Mina headed for the door, “Now that’s the spirit my man!” Kirishima followed close behind her as she led the way. Music came back into earshot as they re-entered the lobby, Kirishima knew the song, he loved this song. Borderline by Adam Freeland? He was surprised they would play it here. Him and Mina walked through little groups of people, but most of everyone was in the ballroom dancing. That’s when Mina turned to him and whispered, “Look! There he is. I think he is looking for you.” Kirishima looked over to where she was pointing to see Bakugo about 10 meters away. He looked frantic almost. Swiveling his head looking around, he was walking toward them. They made eye contact. Bakugo picked up his pace. Kirishima didn’t know what to do, but he didn’t have to because Mina pushed him forward and he began to walk. When Kirishima was close enough, he started to try and explain himself, to apologize, “I didn’t mean do, I wasn’t really thinking! You can totally just forget-“ He was cut off as Bakugo reached him. He grabbed Kirishima by the head and pulled him in. Their lips met. oh. Kirishima closed his eyes as Bakugo’s hands moved down to his waist. Oh my god. Kirishima thought. They were making out. Right in the middle of the lobby. To Borderline. This was like a daydream come true. Kirishima let his shoulders relax. He brought his hands up to hold the back of Bakugo’s neck. But Bakugo wasn’t letting go. And Kirishima wasn’t going to be the one to pull away this time. He let his eyes flutter open for just a moment to see Bakugo looking too. But that didn’t last long because Bakugo slowly closed his eyes again, tilting his head to the right and pulling their hips together. And then he pulled away. Kirishima could only smile as they stood there.

“I’m tired. Drive me home,” Bakugo said after a moment.

“I would love to do nothing more man.” Kirishima grinned back with so much enthusiasm. He turned to see Mina looking over at them with her phone up.

Bakugo’s voice piped up, “YOU FILMED US YOU PINK BASTARD?! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!” Bakugo was running over to her before he could stop him. He watched as Bakugo tried to grab Mina’s phone from her hand, she laughed and ran back into the ballroom with Bakugo trailing her swearing. The two came back a moment later carrying their stuff they had left at the table. Kirishima put his arm over Bakugo's shoulders as they walked back to his car.

“I’ll only say this once, but you’re pretty cool,” Bakugo said to Kirishima without looking.

“I will say this over and over again,” Kirishima began, leaning in closer to meet Bakugo’s gaze. “-but so are you.”