I Won't Back Down

It was kinda overwhelming, getting confessed to.

Kirishima was flattered to be complimented on the daily, but he felt bad having to let people down. He didn't like the way that people's nervous smiles would turn downwards, and he didn't like the way they would lose confidence every time he rejected their advances.

So, Kirishima tried to keep their spirits up, patting them on the shoulder and telling them 'Good job'. He felt bad, seeing them walk away dejectedly, but he couldn't force himself to like them the way they liked him.

But, after every embarrassing confession, Bakugou would be there, waiting, and as soon as Kirishima ran up to him, he would begin insulting those who 'dared to ask him out'. His best friend always managed to lift his mood, no matter the situation, and Kirishima was thankful that the blonde was comfortable enough around him to be himself.

It was Friday and he was pulled aside at the end of class by a fairly-pretty girl. They stood together underneath the blossom trees as she struggled to express herself. The red-head couldn't help but take in her features: her long, blonde hair, her pale skin, her bright blue eyes. She resembled his best friend ever so slightly, yet her temperament was completely different. Where Bakugou's back was straight, hers was slightly hunched over, where Bakugou's chin was always up, hers was down as she stared at the floor.

He didn't know what, but something convinced Kirishima to say yes. He agreed to one date-this was going to be his first date ever! He forwent telling Bakugou, as he felt that it wasn't too important and got ready for his date.

He didn't wear anything too fancy, just a floral shirt and some khakis (paired with his signature crocs of course-Bakugou always said they were a fashion hate crime) and headed to meet up with the girl. Kokomi-he learned her name was- looked quite pretty, in a flowy pink dress and sandals, but the red-head knew that if Bakugou was there he would definitely judge her outfit, and that thought brought a smile to his face.

The date was fun-they went to an arcade and grabbed ice cream. But it was like Kokomi had no personality, especially considering the fact that Kirishima hung out with some of the loudest and bubbliest people in UA. He found himself having a one-way conversation because she was just a bit…meek.

She was sweet and cute, but he hoped that perhaps she would be a bit more fiery-like Bakugou, for example. Kirishima tried to keep a smile on her face, and eventually, she finally began to respond. He noticed that she noticed him at the first-year sports festival and he immediately asked her for any advice on his fighting style (assuming that she watched it) and he was faced with silence.

Bakugou would always give him advice and critique his moves, helping him to further himself as a hero and a fighter, yet Kokomi just battered her eyelashes and told him he was perfect. Kirishima knew that was a lie; he was nowhere near perfect-everyone had room for improvement. Yet again, he was thinking about Bakugou, because he knew that the date would've been more interesting if he were there.

At the end of the date, he walked her back to UA and hugged her, before letting her down as softly as possible. Kokomi smiled, and wished him the best, and they parted ways.

On his way back to the dorms, Kirishima reflected on the date, and thought of how much better it would have been if his best friend was there. Smiling to himself, he got in the elevator and headed to his temporary home, excited to tell Bakugou about his night.

Walking through the lounge, he noticed his friends on the couch, minus Bakugou, and waved to them as he walked past.

"Bakugou asked about you."

Oh crumbs! Kirishima forgot to tell his best friend that he wouldn't be attending his weekly hangout session. He knew that the blonde looked forward to them, and realised that it may have been a bit insensitive to not say anything.

Pausing outside Bakugou's dorm room, he debated knocking when he heard a quiet whimper.

Oh no! Was Bakugou hurt? His head was clouded with worry, but that was quashed when he heard the sob that followed it. His hand reached out to grasp the doorknob, yet he froze when he heard a sob coming from behind the door. His eyes widened in shock, but he found himself unable to open the door, only able to stand there as he heard his best friend break down.

It hurt him to hear Bakugou being so vulnerable, and he pressed himself against the door, trying to be as close to the blonde as possible. He could only listen from afar as his best friend sobbed and cried heavily. Kirishima wanted to support him, he wanted to storm in there and wrap his hands round the shorter. He wanted to tell Bakugou that he was there, he wanted Bakugou to hug him back and most of all, he wanted Bakugou to want him.

Wait, what?

When did Kirishima start thinking like this? His face heated up as he rubbed his hands together. He wanted Bakugou to want him-what did that even mean?

Okay, what would Mina do?

She would tell him to…break down his feelings. Okay cool. What was he actually feeling? He liked the way Bakugou would tease him. He liked the way Bakugou would help him and spar with him. He liked the way Bakugou would turn bright pink and look away whenever he complimented the blonde.

He liked a lot of things about Bakugou.

But he hated it when Bakugou would doubt and effortlessly insult himself, he hated when Bakugou would call himself weak. He just wanted him to be happy. Kirishima just wanted to see him smile.

He had the most beautiful smile. On the rare occasion when his lips twitched up, Kirishima's breath would get caught in his throat and he would find himself craving that smile, hoping to see it more.

It was agony listening to the torture that Bakgou was going through, listening to the way his voice broke as he whined and cried heavily. He stroked the door, wishing that it was Bakugou because he just wanted to be there for his friend.

He had no idea what Bakugou was crying about, but some dark, hidden part of himself wished it was him.