A week passed since Class 1-A returned from Nabu island. Everyone was enjoying their last few weeks of summer vacation before the start of the new semester.

Most of the students chatted and hung out in the common area on the first floor.

In an armchair, Bakugo sat grumpily, tapping his foot. Where is that idiot? He thought with annoyance. As he waited for Deku's return from training, he thought back to last week...

~.~

The two became inseparable ever since their battle with Nine. They still bickered like cats and dogs, but Bakugo's outbursts didn't hold conviction anymore. Deku didn't cower or shy away from him, either, but rather took his temper in stride.

On the boat ride home, Bakugo hadn't been sure where they stood, exactly. Because there was something Deku didn't know. Before he lost consciousness, he looked to the green-haired boy beside him, just as broken and beaten as him. Deku sacrificed his quirk. His dream. Everything. To save him. Their friends. The Island. He'd passed on One For All to him. Not only that, he'd been glad that Bakugo was the one he gave it to.

But this wasn't how he'd wanted to become the number one hero. He realized, as he stared at Deku's face, that he was a true friend. And that the cost of Deku's dream was too high a price to pay for him to be in the indisputable best.

The thought entered his mind before he could stop it.

I wasn't hiding my quirk from you. It was given to me by someone else. Recently.

One For All could be borrowed. Which had to mean...

I can give it back.

Bakugo whimpered in pain as he dragged himself to Deku's side, breathing hard with the effort. He saw a line of blood dripping down from Deku's mouth. I don't know if this will work, thought. But I have to try.

Without another moment's hesitation he bit his own tongue, growling fiercely from the pain. Once the metallic flavor of blood filled his mouth, he closed his eyes and kissed Deku.

When they both regained consciousness again, he claimed to have forgotten it all. It saved him from having to explain to his classmates how it was possible for them to beat Nine. It meant he wouldn't have to explain how Deku had gotten his quirk back. All Might chalked it up to some miracle of the Predecessors, which seemed to work for Deku.

He doesn't have to know, Bakugo thought. Things can just go back to the way they were.

As the sun began to set, and he felt the ocean breeze in his hair, he was jarred from his thoughts.

"You gave it back," Deku said.

Bakugo flinched, turning away. Despite everything they'd been through, it was still hard to look at Deku while he spoke and maintain honesty. What was it about those emerald green eyes...that smile -

Damn nerd, he thought. He's always been too smart for his own good. Bakugo didn't answer.

"Why?" he asked.

Bakugo swallowed nervously. "So you didn't buy All Might's speech about the transfer not being complete?"

Deku shook his head. "I felt the last ember of One For All inside me go out. It was gone. But then I woke up and I had it again. There was only one conclusion I could come to."

Bakugo fought the heat that rose to his face when he thought about the kiss. The kiss Deku didn't know about.

"I just...don't understand," Deku continued. "You could've had everything. With One For All, and your Explosion quirk...you could've easily become the number one hero. I wouldn't've had a chance against you. I wouldn't even be a contender."

"You think that's how I want to be the best?" Bakugo snapped. "By stealing your quirk from you?"

"I gave it willingly," Deku reminded him.

"Like that makes a difference," Bakugo scoffed. "I don't need your power to be the best. I'll do it all on my own, without anyone's help."

Deku leaned on the railing of the balcony alongside Bakugo. "You remember giving it back." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yeah," Bakugo said under his breath.

"Then you lied in the infirmary," Deku stated. "When you said you didn't know how your arms were broken."

Bakugo gave a brief nod, crossing his arms defiantly. "We're lucky the rest of our class was unconscious by the time we faced Nine. But I didn't wanna take any chances. I can't answer questions if I don't know what happened."

Deku dropped his voice to whisper, turning his head to look at him. "What do you remember?"

Bakugo finally looked to his left. To Deku's face. The green of his hair was even more vibrant under the light of the setting sun. His gaze met Deku's, then traveled southward to the freckles under his eyes. Despite himself, he'd memorized the sensation of Deku's lips on his. The very same ones he stared at now.

It was the face that haunted his dreams. Ever since that night.

Kaachan...I've got a crazy idea...

Some part of him had known what was coming. But his brain wasn't allowing him to process it. He squinted at Deku, not understanding.

There's only one way we can stop him.

A chill ran through his entire body at Deku's words. He swore his heart stopped. Then Deku reached for him with all his might, and in that moment Bakugo knew exactly what Deku was planning to do.

Without speaking another word to each other, they both came to the same conclusion.

A way to protect them.

Deku reached for his hand.

A way to victory.

Bakugo reached for Deku's.

There is no other choice!

It was suddenly difficult to see the boy standing in front of him now. His vision was blurry. Something wet and warm fell down his cheek.

He'd buried it for months. The rest of the summer program went on without a hitch, and in all that time, Bakugo hadn't said a word.

But there was one person he could share his secrets with.

"Everything," Bakugo admitted, his voice cracking. "I remember everything."

Deku gasped with surprise. "Kaachan..." He reached out his hand to brush away the tears from Bakugo's face.

No one else was on the balcony with them. The rest of their classmates were on the lower deck, possibly washing themselves up for dinner. Even though they were right below, the wind carried away their chattering and laughter. On the balcony, all they heard was the wind and the lapping waves.

They were completely alone.

Deku's hand felt cool on his cheek. Bakugo leaned into it instead of pulling away. Deku gave him a soft smile. There was something intimate about it, like he'd been saving that smile just for him.

He's not asking how I transferred it, Bakugo realized. He shot Deku a puzzled look.

As if he knew what he was thinking, Deku gave a barely perceptible nod and brushed his thumb over Bakugo's bottom lip, looking directly into his eyes.

Bakugo gasped. He knows.

"It's okay," Deku assured softly. "I'm glad it was you."

Bakugo sighed tiredly. "How did you figure it out?"

Deku blushed, looking away. "I was fading in and out of consciousness before All Might found us. When you kissed me, I happened to be awake."

Bakugo gritted his teeth. "WHAT THE HELL?! SO YOU'VE KNOWN THIS WHOLE TIME?! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING?!"

Deku squeaked shyly, putting his hands up in front of himself defensively. "Well I...you didn't say anything either so I assumed you did it purely to transfer back One For All - "

" - THAT WAS THE REASON!"

"Then why are you so upset?"

"I'M NOT UPSET!"

"But you're crying - "

" - I'M NOT - " Bakugo cut himself with a frustrated growl, furiously wiping his face. "This whole time I've been carrying that around me for nothing. You knew already."

Deku turned so he was facing the ocean, leaning his elbows on the balcony railing. "If it makes you feel better, I've been carrying something too."

"I don't need you to console me," Bakugo snapped, but that did pique his interest. "What are you talking about?" He stared at Deku expectantly, his eyes narrowed with confusion.

Deku bit his lip, remaining silent.

Bakugo could see that whatever it was, he was hesitant to share. "Just say it," he pushed.

Deku closed his eyes as a red flush rose to his face. Then he said the words that changed everything.

"I wanted to kiss you back."

~.~

That Island changed us, he thought. Their first kiss happened on that island.

A lot of firsts, he thought with a flush.

"Aren't you usually in bed by now?" Denki asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Shut up, Sparkplug," he growled, glaring daggers.

Hagakure, Ururaka, Tsuyu, Mina and Jiro all dashed for the elevator excitedly.

"Tea at Momo's?" Shoji asked Hagakure.

She squealed excitedly. "Yep! Have a good night everyone!"

"Night!" The guys said back.

Mineta flushed uncontrollably. "Oh what I wouldn't give for just five seconds in that room with all those girls. I bet they talk about us."

"Something tells me you wouldn't like what they'd have to say about you," Tokoyami interjected, a slight smirk on his face.

"You okay, man?" Kirishima asked, clapping a hand on Bakugo's back. "You're more tense than usual."

"Worry about yourself," Bakugo snapped. There was always less venom in his voice when talking to his best friend.

When he finally came in the door, Bakugo shot up from his chair.

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!" He growled.

Deku flinched. "Hi, Kaachan. I was - "

" - do you have any idea how late it is?!"

Deku flushed awkwardly. "I'm going straight to bed, so - "

" - Damn right you are, nerd!" Before Deku had even made it across the threshold Bakugo picked up Deku by his shirt collar and threw him over his shoulders. Deku struggled against him but ultimately it was to no avail. Class 1-A looked on in alarm as the two boys got into the elevator.

~.~

In the still darkness of Deku's room, Bakugo laid on top of the comforter and spooned Deku, burying his nose into his hair. "How did training go?" He asked.

Deku sighed. His mentor kept saying there was no rush, and Deku should go at his own pace, even though he'd had the rest of the summer to heal from his ordeal with nine. But Deku could tell during their recent training sessions that he was going easy on him. "Fine."

"Yeah, right," Bakugo snapped. "What is it?"

Deku sighed. "All Might's being too careful with me, like I need protecting. But I don't want him to worry."

"Then just get stronger and he won't have to," Bakugo pointed out. "Duh."

"I'm trying," Deku grumbled.

Bakugo snuggled closer, closing his eyes. "I know. But you're the chosen one, so you gotta step it up. Got it?"

Deku smiled. "I will, Kaachan. I promise."