A/N: I think this story is going to be a series of snapshots that tie together rather than a whole story, you know? Little moments that I wish would be in the show, that sort of thing! That said, time for angst!


"Come on, it's bedtime for you." Kirishima said affectionately, hoisting Bakugou's arm over his shoulder and ignoring the good-natured cat calls from Kaminari and Sero. It was better than he had hoped for, apart from Mineta, the class was not only ok with their relationship, but supportive of it. Mineta was just having a hard time wrapping his head around why two guys would want to be together when there were so many pretty girls around. Kaminari had convinced him that this worked in their favour; two fewer good-looking guys competing for the girls. Tsuyu had smacked them both around with her tongue, not bothering to look up from her book.

It was Friday night, and Mina had gotten the bright idea to have a common room party, complete with spiked punch. No one expected Bakugou to be such a lightweight. After one cup, he went quiet, cheeks dusted red. After two, he became louder and more boisterous than usual, but not aggressively. In fact, he was the life of the party! Kirishima had never seen everyone After three, Kirishima knew that look in his eyes and decided they'd better take their exit. Their classmates had suffered enough.

"'M bedtime." Bakugou slurred, attempting a flirty smile.

"Good night!" Kirishima announced, waving to the remaining party goers.

"We'll be sure to turn up the music." Todoroki deadpanned, earning a round of shocked laughter.

True to his word, Kirishima, half carried, half dragged Bakugou to his room, with the full intention of leaving him there to sleep it off. No matter how adorable he looked right now, with his half-open eyes and sleepy smile, he was drunk and Kirishima was a gentleman dammit!

Bakugou tripped over his own feet and landed facedown on the bed. He should have left it at that, but that angle couldn't be good for his back, and everyone knew that jeans weren't comfortable to sleep in. Swallowing audibly, Kirishima flipped Bakugou onto his back and went to undo his pants.

"Yeah, baby!" Bakugou mumbled. He stretched his arms languidly over his head, exposing his chiseled abs.

"We're not doing that tonight Katsuki," Kirishima insisted, cursing his burning cheeks. He really needed to get out of here, but a good night kiss on the forehead wouldn't hurt anything right?

Wrong.

The kiss on the forehead turned into a kiss on the lips, which turned into kisses on every inch of exposed skin he could find. Normally, there was some push and pull, a good-natured struggle for dominance that Kirishima always ended up winning. Bakugou's little whimpers and moans were even more lewd than usual, and he seemed content to lie there and let Kirishima have his way. So, so tempting…

Panting, he pulled back.

"Come on 'Suki. I'm trying to do the right thing here." He groaned. "You need to go to sleep."

Bakugou pouted and uttered one word, completely undoing Kirishima's resolve.

"Stay?"

How could anyone resist that face? It just wasn't fair. He gently but firmly pried Bakugou's hands from his arms, got up and turned the light off. When he came back, Bakugou had obediently shifted over to make room for him, in the tiny single bed.

He knew he was likely tempting fate at this point, but jeans really were uncomfortable to sleep in, so he took them off and climbed into bed. Immediately, Bakugou's arms encircled him, resting his head on Kirishima's chest and sighing happily at the steady sound of his heart.

Kirishima didn't think it was possible to love him any more than he already did. In a few short weeks, he'd seen several different sides to Sir Blasty, and he adored every single one of them. But if he had to choose a favourite, sleepy cuddly Katsuki was a contender. Smiling, he ran his fingers through Bakugou's hair in a soothing petting motion. He could get used to this.

"Love you…'Suki…" He murmured. He'd never said it out loud before. He hadn't expected Bakugou to stiffen and pull away from him. Propped up on an elbow, the moonlight lit up half his face, revealing a pained expression.

"Why?" He asked hoarsely.

He must have heard wrong. He'd figured out long ago that Bakugou suffered from an inferiority complex that he hid beneath arrogance and anger. But the arrogance wasn't entirely unjustified, Bakugou was talented, he was smart and Kirishima had no doubt that he'd go on to become one of the greatest heroes of all time.

So why the hell was there so much self-loathing in his voice?

"Why shouldn't I?" He responded. "You're amazing."

"Amazing." Bakugou laughed bitterly. "At what? I'm third in our class, I only won the sports festival because Icy-hot gave up. The league of villains saw me as someone they could sway." His voice wavered, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"I'm nothing but a burden! All Might had to retire because I was careless and weak! And you,"

It was like a damn had burst. Was the alcohol really to blame for this? Or just the final push to let out what he'd been keeping inside? He sat up, meeting Bakugou's gaze.

"You nearly got expelled. Your dream would have been ruined because of me."

"But I didn't," Kirishima soothed, cupping Bakugou's cheek and wiping away a tear with his thumb. "And if I had to do it over, even if I knew for sure that I'd be kicked out of UA, I'd still have gone. Your life means more to me than my career."

He cradled Bakugou's head and kissed him tenderly.

"I love you Katsuki, I really do. You might as well get used to it."

Bakugou's head dropped to Kirishima's shoulder, sinking into the redhead's tight embrace.

He barely made a sound, but there was no mistaking his quivering shoulders or the steadily growing wet spot on Kirishima's shirt.

Kirishima wasn't sure what the right thing to do was, but this he could do. Maybe in time, Bakugou would see himself the way Kirishima did? Fiery, passionate, determined, loyal, inspiring, the list was endless.

Weak. There was nothing weak about admitting your flaws or feeling the pain of failing others. Could a person be a true hero if they didn't feel that pain? That squeezing in your chest and the twisting in your stomach. He'd never forget the feeling of impotency and shame for hiding in safety while Bakugou got captured.

Bakugou's breathing had slowed, it seemed he'd finally tired himself out and was falling asleep. Careful not to disturb him any more than necessary, Kirishima lay them both down.

He couldn't see Bakugou's face at this angle, but he had it ingrained in his memory. In sleep, Bakugou's face was peaceful, perfectly at ease in Kirishima's arms.

As sleep began to overtake him, Kirishima dimly remembered that Bakugou hadn't said he loved him back.

"It's ok," He whispered, "I know."