I took so long for this I'm ashamed of myself ;-;

Pls enjoy~

Kirishima Eijirou sat on the floor in his dark room lit by nothing but the light of the television a few inches away from his feet. The reporter's voice on the news was the only sound filling the air. His eyes were directed to the screen, though accompanied by none of his attention. Those usually glimmering red orbs showed no sign of enthusiasm.

The redhead picked the remote control up and pushed a switch, turning the television off. The same news had been reported over and over since the day before, when their school trip was forced to a halt and polices arrived at their training location. It had only been one day after the whole incident of the League of Villain's attack. UA, the professional heroes and the other officers were extremely busy investigating the matter on hand. Kirishima knew that the chances are slim that they'd already have clue of where the abducted student, Bakugou Katsuki was. But even so, he tried to clutch on that hope and stay tuned to the news because they would definitely not inform those things to any of the students who just survived a 'hell'. He was too afraid to miss something by that point.

"Ah…" Kirishima sighed, throwing the back of his head on the bed. One arm raised to cover his eyes. What exactly had he done?

Upon entering the most well-known school for the heroic department, UA High School, Kirishima Eijirou had hardly accomplished anything significant despite his determination back at middle school. He (and Bakugou) acted recklessly at the USJ incident, slowing Thirteen down and caused everyone to be separated. He made it to the top 8 in the sport festival, but that was nothing more than his luck pulling through by joining Bakugou's team in the cavalry match and winning against Tetsutetsu in a mere wrestling match. He didn't pass the final exam's practical test. And now in the most critical situation, he could not even do a single thing. Talk about being pathetic.

The supposed to be to be top secret location for their school trip training, was raided by a bunch of villains. They injured 26 students and abducted one. One that is Bakugou Katsuki, his precious friend and the person he holds dear to. Kirishima was ashamed of and hated himself. When Mandalay's telepathy came through, telling everyone that "Kacchan" was who the villains were after, Kirishima wanted to jump out of the building and run to his buddy really badly. But he could not. He did not do it.

Fear took over his mind in that moment. What if they really caught Bakugou? What if he could never see the blond again? What if he lost him forever? There were still a lot of thing he had not done, had not experience with Bakugou, had not tell him. He couldn't afford to lose the guy. Despite all those, his feet were stuck at the same place. He did not move as his heart commanded him to, probably in fear of failing yet again, like everything he had done so far.

When he heard that the villain successfully took Bakugou away and escaped, his mind went blank. The worst case scenario he had played in his head came to the reality, he didn't even know what to react. But when he saw Midoriya Izuku lying unconscious with his whole body covered in wounds, a deep regret rose in Kirishima's heart.

"Kacchan" indicated that Midoriya was the one who informed Mandalay to spread the message. Even when he himself was in such a battered condition, he still strive probably the hardest to rescue Bakugou. He will most definitely be a splendid hero in the future. While Kirishima? Well, forget being a hero, he could not even protect his loved one.

The redhead lifted his arm from his face, silently staring at his own palm then squeezed it hard before letting go and putting it down with another long sigh. He probably shouldn't stay holed up in his room and let all the negative thoughts occupy him.

There was little to none that Kirishima could do to help in the investigation and such, but Bakugou Katsuki is not the only victim to worry about. His other friends like Midoriya, Yaoyorozu, Hagakure, Jirou, and the B class' folks are suffering as well. The least he could do was to showing them his mental support. It was probably not a good idea to pay them a visit late at night, but he just needed to get his mind off by helping his friends or something.

Kirishima stood up from his seat and started making his way to the hospital.

"Wait, Kirishima…"

The said teen turned around as he noticed his name called and there he saw another male teen walked past the hospital door, running up to him.

"Are you really thinking of going?"

The redhead heard no sign of doubt in Todoroki's tone. He was simply demanding a confirmation. His monochrome eyes looked straight at Kirishima as if piercing on him. He had always thought that despite how collected Todoroki's image is, the boy could be really intimidating if he wanted to, with that intense look and outstanding quirk of his. He could rival Bakugou, for sure.

However, Kirishima himself would not be easily defeated either. He was convicted and not about to back down at any cost. A frown formed itself on his forehead as he answered, "Yes.", without any sheer of hesitation.

"Then, I'm going as well."

"Huh?"

To be honest, it kind of threw Kirishima off guard. He was almost convinced that the other would try to stop him or something along the line, as the redhead was fully aware of just how hasty his own decision was.

Kirishima ran into Todoroki Shouto precisely as he arrived at the hospital. The incident had worn everyone out, both mentally and physically, and they really need a good rest. But these two just could not relax. Neither of them could stay at home, sitting around and just patiently waiting for the news.

Todoroki had been there a few minutes earlier to check up on Midoriya and offered to stay the night to take care of him, though he was politely declined by the boy's mother. Even so, Todoroki was not feeling right to simply head back home just like that, so he thought of visiting the others as well and was heading to Yaoyorozu's room when he met Kirishima at the lobby.

After both of them unintentionally eavesdropped on Yaoyorozu's conversation with All Might by her room, Kirishima came up with a crazy idea. One he didn't even expect himself to think of doing.

"I am going to save Bakugou as well." Repeated the red and white haired male.

"No, no, I get it! But, why?"

"…well, why are you?"

Kirishima didn't respond immediately. The answer was painfully obvious, but he somehow uselessly dwelled on it for a short while, before saying exactly what he had planned to say in the first place. "Because, he's my buddy…"

Todoroki said nothing in reply. He seemed to be waiting for Kirishima to finish his sentence.

"You see, I was in the building with Kaminari and the others for the remedial lessons. I wasn't even present when they took Bakugou away." Kirishima started explaining, looking down and clenching his fists in the process. "I… really regret why I didn't immediately dash to him when I heard the message. So many of our friends are injured and hospitalized. Yet… yet, I came back without even a scratch. Without even fighting."

"That's not your fault."

"I know! I know… but I just couldn't face myself." The redhead raised his voice a little. Then toned it back down when he realized it. "That's why, when Yaoyorozu said there's a chance for us to know where Bakugou is, I couldn't help it. I… I gotta do something! It's now or never!"

"Even though it's so risky?"

"…" Kirishima lifted his head to meet Todoroki in the eyes. "Of course there's that to look out to as well, but it doesn't really matter right now. I was not ready then, but I'm prepared to risk anything to get my buddy back now. I won't let go of this chance. This time, I'll definitely save him!"

Todoroki was a bit taken aback by the fire in those red spheres before him. He nodded in understanding while thinking out loud. "You're an amazing person, huh. No wonder Bakugou likes you."

Kirishima was in a maze at first, before exploding into a blushing mess. "W-What do you mean, Todoroki?"

"Exactly what I said?" replied the other teen obliviously.

An idea came to the redhead's mind, but he brushed it off quickly, faster than his brain could process and considering it to be true. Because the possibility of his crush, Bakugou Katsuki returning his feelings romantically was near to none. He had stopped hoping ever since that friend of his rejected him indirectly.

Though he couldn't comprehend Todoroki's words, he didn't pry into it either. At that time, Kirishima had no idea why, but maybe he was just too scared to hear the answer. He did not want to hear someone slamming the truth of his unreciprocated love in his face again. Hence him thinking up something silly to keep the conversation going.

"O-Oh, as a friend? Really? Did he tell you that? Awesome, man!" blabbered Kirishima in a restless manner that, of course, resulted unnaturally—opposite to what he had intended to. "Yeah, I like him a lot too!"

It stung Kirishima's chest when the words left his mouth.

"He's a best bud to me after all."

How he wished he could say those sincerely.

Todoroki watched as Kirishima continuously lied in silent. He didn't know what it was about, but that look made him nervous, even though it was actually unnecessary to be. There was no way that Todoroki, of all people would see through him and his lies. The redhead was paranoid about it all by himself. He tried avoiding eye contact with Todoroki as much as possible and didn't pay attention when the other muttered something under his breath.

"…was that supposed to be a secret?"

"Eh?"

"Anyway, Kirishima."

"Yeah?"

"I just wanna tell you that, if you feel that responsible about this incident, then I must be worse." Todoroki paused, clenching his fist in front of his chest. "He was taken away right before me. And I failed to catch him just like that. Yet here I thought we could finally become friends."

Kirishima said nothing as he looked at the red and white haired with compassion. He couldn't even begin to fathom the pain of it if he was the one in Todoroki's position.

"That's why, I won't back down either. Let's go save him."

"Yeah! Dude, I feel a bit relieved having you, actually! Should something happen, two people are better than one, right?" Kirishima beamed, showing off his pointy teeth. Then it was instantly replaced with a bland smile. "We just gotta do it now, huh…"

He truly had no room in his mind to think of anything else at the moment. Focusing on a plan to rescue Bakugou was all his priority right then.

"So, are we doing this on our own? Or should we tell anyone else?" asked Todoroki.

A soft ringing sound interrupted them. Noticing it was coming from his phone, Kirishima reached the back pocket of his pants and pulled out a rectangular device out of it, glanced at the screen briefly before going back to Todoroki.

"Kaminari said that everyone is visiting the hospital tomorrow. Let's tell them our plan once we're all gathered there. I know it's absurd, but who knows if anyone's gonna join us."

"Okay." Todoroki nodded in agreement.

Kirishima gazed at his phone once again, and something came to his mind. "Uh… I think I'll try inviting Midoriya if he's awake tomorrow."

"Midoriya?"

"Well, I think he wouldn't be less bitter than us considering how hard he tried to save Bakugou as well."

"I am against it."

"Eh? But… but why?"

"He is heavily injured in this incident. I don't want him to get hurt more than this." Said Todoroki in a distinct tone. The air around him changed to that of cold one out of the blue, almost sending a chill down Kirishima's spine.

The same pattern of question repeated itself again, but the Red Riot felt a totally different vibe to it. First, Todoroki came up to him and was so eager on joining his 'rescue party' to the point Kirishima would question why. Then, he opposed the idea of involving Midoriya as strongly as his own will to join. And there, another 'why' filled Kirishima's head.

Kirishima knew that those two are really close to each other. They were nearly always stuck together on breaks, lunch, and so on. Well, he and Bakugou were not much different than those two in this case. Maybe Kirishima would do the same if Bakugou was in Midoriya's position. If he put it that way, he probably could relate to Todoroki's worries.

Thus, the redhead questioned no more and proceeded to find the right words to convince Todoroki otherwise. "I get it, dude. You're great buddies." Kirishima started, trying as calm as possible. "I might do the same if it's Bakugou."

"Then you should understa—"

"But then, don't you think you gotta let him decide?" explained the redhead carefully. "I know it's hard to accept, but no matter how much of a best bud you're with each other, you just can't control him." Kirishima dropped his gaze, his tone mellowed as he went on. "You can't be sure of what he's feeling. He's always by your side, yet there're times where you think he's beyond your reach. You will stretch out your hand, but you won't catch him every time. Soon, you'll realize that you don't own him after all. He is his own person. So, for better or worse, it's his own choice, right?"

Todoroki didn't say a word for what seemed like a long halt. Kirishima, who still had his sight glued to the ground, couldn't really make out what kind of expression the other teen was putting on. Though, he was pretty sure that Todoroki was listening to him attentively and probably taking mental notes for himself as well.

"I see… you might be right."

Upon hearing that, Kirishima lifted his gaze to look at Todoroki in the eye again. He didn't expect he'd be able to persuade the other in one go. "Y-Yeah, right?"

"I guess, I just have to respect his wish then…" The red and white haired gave in, sounded rather unwillingly, but made no other statement against what he said.

"Glad that you get it, bro!" Kirishima cheered in relief.

"But if it's impossible for him to move after all, I won't hesitate to forbid him come along." Added Todoroki.

"Oh… of course, haha." Just when the redhead thought Todoroki had given up. Fortunately though, it was not an unacceptable reason. "See you tomorrow then!"

"Yeah, see you."

Kirishima turned his heels back to the direction he was heading to earlier before he was confronted by Todoroki. On the way home, his head was surprisingly clear. Even when he got in his bed, the redhead could go to sleep right away without overthinking or turning on the news on TV again. His decision to go to the hospital was a great idea after all. In addition to finding out good news, he was grateful for having a conversation with Todoroki Shouto.

Whether consciously or not, Kirishima could not shake off the habit of using Bakugou Katsuki in the context of friendship, when deep down, he clearly knows that he was not talking about the blond as a mere friend anymore. His concern. His anguish. His bliss. His comfort. All of those were not, in any way, expressed toward a friend.

Those thoughts had always been sort of a burden to Kirishima. But after 'lecturing' Todoroki, he became aware that he might be referring those words to himself. However, he also realized that none of that actually matters anymore. His unrequited love, pain and anything else, he'd threw them all away if he could see Bakugou Katsuki again. If he could get the blond back safe and sound, Kirishima promised himself that he won't run away again, and to properly confess to Bakugou regardless of the outcome.

Thus on the next day, without an ounce of uncertainty, he spoke up to Midoriya Izuku.

"Then, let's go save him now."

He thought it was foolish at first. At that kind of critical time, when his safety, even life is on stake, a certain face kept popping up in his head. Spiky red hair which is surprisingly soft and fluffy. A pair of big, round red eyes constantly brimming with passion. Charming wide smile decorated with a set of adorable yet weirdly attractive shark-like teeth. He wanted to see that person. He wanted to see a teen named Kirishima Eijirou.

Surely, at least 48 hours must have passed since Bakugou was abducted by a bunch of villains and causing a huge commotion to the world outside. Medias and the society were shaken up by the fact that UA students were confronted by villains continuously in a short amount of time, and to top it off, this time they actually managed to snatch away one among of them.

Bakugou was tied and securely kept an eye on in a dimly lit room, which he assumed to be the League of Villains' hideout. So far, he had not lost even a single strand of hair. The villains had not done anything outrageous to him besides the leader, who looked too much like a creepy man with some serious mental issues, unceasingly talk to him about ideals of villain and hero whenever the news about his abduction incident was up on the TV.

"Wanna-be hero, Bakugou Katsuki." A certain limp voice of a man started, "Won't you join me?"

Was what Shigaraki Tomura always brought up into the conversation whenever he saw fit. Bakugou was baffled when he heard it the first time. Who would have thought such a big scale of operation those villains did was to catch and win him over to their side. After analysing the situation for a while now, Bakugou came to the understanding that there's a high probability that they wouldn't harm him physically, much less killing him.

Even so, there was nearly nothing he could do in such a situation besides staying put and until the professional heroes arrived for rescue. He hated himself for that. He hated how weak and incapable he was that he had to be taken away and just waiting for help to come. Amidst the self-blaming, another feeling rose in his heart. Fear. As flawless as he was in putting up a calm front and hiding it from the villains, he undeniably felt it. Despite knowing he had a high chance to survive unscathed if the heroes came in time, the fear just wouldn't go away. What if, just what if out of a thousand possibilities, one ended up him dying on the villain's hand?

Bakugou Katsuki is stubborn, or at least that's how most people see him. If he were to choose, he'd prefer what Aizawa named after his behaviour. He has strong convictions in what he decided to do, going down the path of a hero. He knew that he wouldn't stray from that ideal of his, though deep down inside, even for someone like Bakugou, staying positive the whole time is not easy in such situation. Every now and then, he'd imagine the worst case scenario.

"You can shove that offer of yours and go to hell!" jeered the blond teen as a reply. That was by all means, his true feelings, though also served to mask his insecurity at the same time.

He was afraid. He was afraid to die. To have his supposed to be long life stop there. To not be able to live through his bright future ahead. To never see those important to him anymore. To lost everything all at once.

Bakugou observed the thick lock restraining his hands from creating explosions. They had probably learned from the UA Sport Festival and know the way to keep him under control. Once he got out of there, he definitely had to train and find ways to break through those kinds of locks. He isn't having the same method do him in anymore. If he could get out safely, that is.

The blond sighed subtly, slowly closing his eyes. Out of nowhere the face of Kirishima Eijirou appeared in his head again. He honestly needed a great dose of positivity from that guy right at the moment. He wanted to ruffle his red flocks like how he always unconsciously does during their study session. He wanted to see the stupid, sheepish smile of the redhead whenever Bakugou did that. Really, though. All of that just shows how badly he couldn't move on from Kirishima.

If things were to come down to the worst, Bakugou wished he'd have told Kirishima about his true feelings… or not. Nah, that won't do. Confessing at the brink of his death is no more than a self-satisfying thing for Bakugou himself. He'd just burden Kirishima with a bizarre confession from a person he thought as 'best bud'. The guy still has a proper long life ahead and a girl he likes. He didn't need it ruined by a friend's troublesome dying message.

I guess I just gotta bring it to the grave then.

Bakugou furrowed his eyebrows, before suddenly shutting his eyes open. It must have been kept for a closed room for far too long. It bored him out to the point that he had so many negative thoughts all at once. What's with the talk about dying anyway?

He took a deep breath and exhaled it carefully, as to not be noticed by anyone. He was not dying. Not today. If anyone's going to kick the bucket, it would be none other than those rotten villains. It is not Bakugou Katsuki to simply sit tight and wait to be freed. He always gets what he desired with his own hand, with his own effort. He'd wait for the chance and get out of there no problem.

He would safely leave that place and see that redhead again. He had decided to live his life just staying at the side line and watch, as long as he can see Kirishima happy.

However, who'd have thought that when Bakugou heard his voice, saw his face, as the redhead came for him, he'd completely change his mind.

"Take my hand!"

It was just that one sentence. It took Bakugou's breath away. It was enough to bring him to tears. He was reminded of how much he wanted that guy.

"…You idiot." Said the blond as he took the hand stretched out to him with a wide grin.

nothing much. the whole ch is just description of what they (prolly) went through in the manga.
im sorry if you guys were having expectation *sobs*
I was planning to skip right to after the rescue cuz im too lazy to do this part
but seeing ppl (kinda) fired up to see it, i tried giving it a shot
am i making it too boring tho pls tell me

anyway, thanks for reading~