Chapter 20: Through Kirishima's Eyes
Daylight filters into his dorm room. It's early, barely an hour since sunrise.
A deep-seated ache radiates throughout his entire body. It's unpleasant but hardly an unexpected consequence of recovering from such severe injuries. Mornings are always the most painful and as usual, Kirishima is awake early. Since waking from his coma, his sleep schedule is no longer determined by how much sleep he needs but by how quickly his body absorbs his pain medication. Contrary to the manufacturer's recommendation of six hours between doses, Kirishima finds that as time goes on he's been taking his medication at shorter time intervals. He figures that since the nature of his injuries necessitates such a high dosage, his body is a better estimate of when the effect is wearing off than the generalised and unnecessarily verbose manufacturer instructions. I'm only taking these short-term so if there are risks associated with taking more it should be pretty minor anyway, is the mantra Kirishima repeats to reassure himself.
With a grimace, Kirishima tries to regain control of his erratic, laboured breathing.
All his favoured sleeping positions strain his body uncomfortably but he can't fall asleep otherwise. Discomfort usually only flares up after a few hours of consistent pressure, which makes it doubly difficult to avoid the temptation of rolling into his preferred sleeping position when he is unable to sleep. One would think waking up wheezing and sore each morning would reduce such temptations but apparently he's more stubbornly heedless than he thought.
In his current state he feels useless. Without the assistance of pills, hiding how much he's struggling is supremely difficult. Right now he's not sure he could successfully fake a smile even if he was held at gunpoint. Intellectually, Kirishima can see he's improved tremendously over a very short period of time. Nonetheless, as he fights to open the painkillers container with fingers made clumsy from spasms of pain, he can't stifle his frustration about how slowly he's recovering. Although he made the decision for different reasons, Kirishima is extremely glad that nobody is in bed with him to witness his weakness. Early in their relationship, Kirishima had discovered Testutetsu was a notoriously fidgety sleeper and had become used to being routinely jostled awake by an elbow or another stray appendage. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution Kirishima had requested that Testutetsu sleep elsewhere so his injuries were not accidently exacerbated. Being sent back to hospital after only one night in the dorms is an embarrassment Kirishima definitely wanted to avoid.
As he waits for the painkillers to work their magic, he reflects on how the previous night ended. Bakugou's interior remodelling had transformed his bedroom into an open-air room and having not consented to such drastic renovations, Kirishima had recruited Momo to reverse the damage.
Watching her rebuild the missing wall filled Kirishima with amazement. Even after all this time he remained impressed by how incredible her Quirk was. It wasn't until she lost her footing that he recalled that her Quirk didn't create something from nothing and actually required energy from her body's fat stores. Soundproofing their entire floor, creating several high-tech sound systems and fixing a wall that Bakugou had more or less blasted to smithereens had understandably left Momo low on energy. Of course Kirishima offered to let her recover for a moment in his room and it was a testament to just how much the entire ordeal had taken out of her when she flopped face down on his bed.
Before Kirishima could decide what to do next, a knock at his door announced Tetsutetsu's arrival. It was more than probable Tetsutetsu was hoping to find Kirishima alone given the nature of their relationship but nonetheless he took Momo's presence in his stride, eagerly greeting them both. A blush stains Kirishima's cheeks as he recalls Tetsutetsu playfully remarking on the scratches and bruises someone had left on Kirishima's neck earlier that night. It is relatively common knowledge within the student-body that he and Tetsutetsu aren't exclusive. This is especially true amongst the older male students and especially true amongst the students Kirishima found particularly attractive. Nonetheless, Kirishima still remembers feeling vaguely mortified to have Momo as an audience for Tetsutetsu's good-natured ribbing. The way Momo's eyes bulged at the insinuation of Kirishima's casual hookup earlier that evening suggested that he was not the only one embarrassed by the teasing.
Once that minor embarrassment passed, the three of them had spent time relaxing and drinking; the three of them sat on Kirishima's bed. The atmosphere was intimate and special. Kirishima has never considered bringing such an odd pairing together but in the moment it worked. It was something Kirishima didn't think he'd could recreate again but he walked away feeling like the three of them got to know each other on a deeper level that night. Eventually Momo had claimed she was going to bed and excused herself. Despite finally being alone, he and Testutetsu continued talking. When Momo left, the two boys repositioned to lay on their sides, facing each other. If Testutetsu had been feeling any sexual desire when he had first knocked on the door, it had long since faded. Both of them were content to remain fully-clothed, with a space between their prone bodies that seemed more indicative of a platonic relationship. Despite what their classmates assume, they don't always have sex when they are together. They're bros first and foremost and that's the aspect of their relationship that Kirishima treasures most. Noticing his friend's eye's drooping closed mid-sentence, Kirishima had briefly considered letting him stay but then he remembered the chances of Tetsutetsu remaining still while sleeping were slim. Feeling bad, he had gently shaken Tetsutetsu awake. Once the grey-haired man had rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he had offered Kirishima a fist bump goodnight before leaving for his own room.
Stifling a sigh, Kirishima clambers out of bed, the rumbling of his stomach serving as good a motivation as any to actually get up. Given how late the celebrations went last night, Kirishima's doubtful that many of his classmates are awake yet so he makes a point to quietly shut the bedroom door behind him. He's not used to the quiet as it's relatively rare he's up so much earlier than everyone else, especially considering how Bakugou, Midoriya and Todoroki regularly wake up early to train. Separately of course. Kirishima smothers a grin as he imagines his explosive friend voluntarily training with Todoroki. He and the rest of the dorm remember what happened the last time they were assigned to train together unsupervised.
As he walks through the near-silent corridors, the audible cracking of his back can be heard. Instantly, the intense pressure in his lower back is relieved but his back as a whole still feels sore, especially in certain areas, most likely caused by his overexertion the night before when he was wrestling with his friends. Unlike his peers Kirishima stayed sober during the celebration welcoming him back. He may be confident in taking liberties with ingesting higher than recommended doses but he remains terrified by the hospital's repeated warnings about the dangers of combining his current medication with alcohol.
Overall, Kirishima had a wonderful time. He is touched that his friends went through the trouble of throwing a welcome home party for him. Things like this help keep at bay his increasingly invasive worries about his classmates moving on without him after graduation. Even before his injury, Kirishima feared his friends would reach heights in the pro-hero charts that he wasn't sure he could keep up with. As their graduation date inched closer, his fear seemed to focus on the idea that his friends might forget him more so than his potential hero ranking having more digits than expected. The party, at least for now, gives Kirishima something positive to hold on to. The only blemish in his otherwise happy memories are his concerns about Bakugou's erratic behaviour and altercation with Midoriya.
Kirishima yawns as he ambles into the common room. Both rooms are neat and tidy and he does a double take.
"Woah who did this?" He mutters under his breath as he progresses into the kitchen.
"Beats me. It was like this when I found it," Ojiro mumbles.
Ojiro is staring into the fridge open in front of him as if it holds the answers to the universe. With a sigh Ojiro pulls out a jug and uses his tail to push the fridge door. It makes a satisfying thump as it closes and its followed by the bang and clink of a cupboard and a glass. Ojiro rubs the sleep from his eyes before speaking again.
"Anyway, I just came to get some water. I'm going back to bed now though."
Drink in hand, Ojiro looks like he regrets all his life choices as he stumbles towards the door. His tail dragging limply along the floor only adds to the pathetic picture he presents. Kirishima is also surprised to notice what looks like a love bite on the underside of Ojiro's jaw. Kirishima flashes his classmate a sympathetic smile. Then, touching his shoulder in a friendly manner, he tells Ojiro to get some rest.
"Thanks, Kirishima."
With Ojiro's departure, Kirishima is alone once again. Humming under his breath, he begins preparing breakfast. Cleanly cracking eggs open is always so oddly satisfying. He discards the shells and waits for the eggs to finish cooking. Soon the aroma of frying envelops him as the eggs sizzle in the frying pan. He's just shaking a mix of herbs and spices into the pan when -
"Smells good," Sero comments.
Kirishima is so engrossed in his task that he fails to notice Sero entering the kitchen. The sudden appearance of Sero startles him but he manages to suppress his physical manifestation of surprise so he doesn't accidentally spill herbs everywhere. Unfortunately, the aborted movement sends a painful jolt through his injured chest. Teeth gritted, Kirishima swallows down a yelp of discomfort and breathes heavily through his nose. Thankfully Sero remains oblivious to Kirishima's state, more focused on getting seated at the kitchen table and promptly slumping over it.
"Any extra?" Sero asks hopefully.
Making a noise of agreement, Kirishima cracks two more eggs into the pan and they remain in companionable silence as Kirishima bustles round the dorm kitchen. Surreptitiously Kirishima uses the heel of his uninjured hand to massage his sore chest. Idly, he wonders how much scar tissue will be left over and what it will look like. Will it be a perfect circle aligning with the hole that the doctors had needed to repair to save him? He hopes not, he doesn't need another reminder of how a simple training exercise hospitalized him.
The entire journey back, Kirishima's parents made it known that they were extremely opposed to his decision to return to UA so soon. He gave half-hearted assurances amidst their continual insistences that he should take the time to recover at home as per the doctor's recommendation. Obviously Kirishima knows that would be the best course of action for his health, it's just that he can't. Every day that he spends recovering is another day that the distance between himself and his classmates has to widen. He can't do that to himself, not after putting in years of blood, sweat and tears into shrinking the yawning gap between his exceptional friends and his distinctly unexceptional self. Long ago he had accepted that he didn't have a flashy Quirk and had become confident in what strengths he did possess but that was the problem wasn't it? He doesn't have an amazing powerful Quirk like Tokoyami, Bakugou and Todoroki, his Quirk doesn't have the versatility of Shoji and Momo's, and he doesn't have a high intellect like Iida and Midoriya. All he has to offer is the solidity of his body as a shield so if he wants to be in even the same realm as his classmates he can't waste time relaxing when he needs to be strengthening his body. Kirishima can appreciate that he has made progress from that insecure, weaker hero-in-training from his first year. However, whereas his classmates probably view his current achievements as an indication that he was always just as capable as they are, Kirishima knows that unlike Bakugou and Midoriya who are still rising up towards their full potential, he's long since reached his peak.
Sometimes when he's alone with his thoughts at night, he can't help but wonder if his general mediocrity is the reason Bakugou rejected him all those months ago. Since his injury Kirishima has consistently been plagued by the idea that if Bakugou had thought he wasn't good enough when he was in peak condition, how would he view him if he allowed his skills to worsen even more? It is for all these reasons that Kirishima had ignored the advice from his surgeon and parents and returned to UA and his intense training regime.
Mood significantly lowered, Kirishima plates the food he prepared and sets it on the table. Sero gratefully tucks in, his frantic chewing only slowing once he regains the energy to socialise. Kirishima's distracted one-word answers fail to deter Sero from cheerfully reminiscing about the previous night. In contrast, Kirishima eats at a measured pace, primarily focusing on typing out a series of messages on his phone.
Bakugou
Kirishima (7:43): Hey… just checking u r alright? You seemed to be having a rough time at the end of the night?
Kirishima (7:45): Please just let me know when u wake up.
Kirishima (7:50) We don't have to talk about it. I'm just worried. Please just let me know you are OK
3A Group Chat
Kirishima (03:06) : Thanks for the AMAZING welcome home guys!
Mina (03:06): Of course!
Denki (03:32) 🎉🎉
Kirishima (7:49) : Anybody up?
Sero (7:50): Yes.
Midoriya (7:52): I am. Everything OK?
Sero (7:53): Am I not entertaining enough for you?
Kirishima glowers at Sero across the table. "Very funny."
"I mean your mouth is saying 'you're so funny Sero' but your face is saying 'don't quit your day job Sero.'"
Kirishima doesn't bother to dignify his friend with a response, electing to ignore him instead and continue texting.
Kirishima (7:56): A lil concerned about Bakugou after yesterday. Anybody know if he's OK?
Sero (7:58): Someone can't handle their liquour lollll.
Denki (8:01) : y u losers up? Havenn't seen blasty 2day. In bed. Whhhhyyyy did I drink like dis?
Sero (8:01): Someone else can't handle their liquour!
Kirishima (8:02): Sero Stop.
Midoriya (8:10): Yes. I can confirm Kacchan's fine.
Kirishima (8:11): OK, good! Is he in his room?
Sero (8:13): come to the kitchen to get eggs everyone
Denki (8:15): 🐔 cluck cluck
Mina (8:16): stfu my head hurts
Sero (8:17): turn your phone on silent then
Mina (8:17): b nice.
Sero (8:18): lmao b nice?
Mina (8:20): 2 hungover to come up wit witty reply so whateva.
Denki (8:21): she acid, she qjeen. 👑 she pinky.
Kirishima (8:23): Midoroya?
Midoriya (8:25): Sorry! My ma called so on phone rn but Kacchan's fine. Don't worry!
Kirishima (8:26): and you?
Midoriya (8:26): 😃
Kirishima (8:29): Ur an 😇.
Midoriya (8:30): Or am I a 😈?
Kirishima (8:36): haha as if 😆
"I'm sure he's fine," Sero's attempt at reassurance successfully drags Kirishima's gaze away from his phone. "We all went hard but it seemed like he was being looked after. At one point I'm pretty sure I saw Shoji taking him to his room. Or maybe Iida? I can't remember."
Kirishima exhales. "I'm probably just being overly cautious. I'm sure he's fine. I've just never seen him…act like that before."
"What drunk?" Sero chortles. "Never thought I'd see it either."
"Not just that...I don't know if I can put it into words though…"
"I know what you mean. Everyone acted in surprising ways! Did you know that Asui got her first kiss? She won't tell us who though!"
Unease still settles uncomfortably in Kirishima's gut but he doesn't wish to pontificate about it any longer.
I'm worrying over nothing. Bakugou wasn't the most prompt at replying on a good day, Kirishima reminds himself. Bakugou's probably fine and there's probably a perfectly innocent reason why my texts are being ignored. It's very plausible he's still sleeping, which would definitely explain his non-responsiveness.
Having served them both a second portion, Sero continues to gossip, describing how much fun everyone seemed to have and what antics they got up to. Aoyama's outfit was apparently quite the hit with Sero going as far to say it was "dazzling in its glittery glory." Sero also lists the people from the other classes who he got to know better: "I underestimated just how many people you're actually friends with here!" Kirishima listens quietly, reacting in the right places but not completely present until Sero starts referencing an alleged argument. At this, Kirishima tenses, is he referring to the fight between Midoriya and Bakugou?
"…I think it was over something ridiculous like, I don't even know, some perceived slight. It took like four people to separate them, it was insane! I was really worried someone would have to call a teacher, like I know that technically we were given permission to have a gathering, but there was a reason Momo needed to put all those things in place to prevent them coming to check on us and see what was really going down – "
"What else do you know about the fight?" Kirishima interrupts.
Sero pauses and takes a moment to swallow the food he was talking around.
"Not much else to be honest. I heard about it from someone else but then I heard an explosion and thought hey! Are Midoriya and Bakugou throwing down like they did first-year? You know that incident we're not meant to know about? So I rushed out to find the source of the commotion and found out that it was Kaminari and some random student from General Studies. It was bizarre, I don't think the two of them had even spoken before then."
Kirishima exhales softly. "So Bakugou and Midoriya weren't fighting?"
"Not that I know of! I asked around later because I thought I heard an explosion but nobody knew what I was talking about so I guess I imagined it."
Kirishima chews contemplatively. It sounds like the incident has been kept between himself, those involved and Shinsou.
"Wait, do you know something? Is this why you are so concerned about Baku-bro?" Sero suddenly asks.
"No," the answer is quick, the tone and delivery garnering more suspicion than anything. Kirishima takes a breath to calm down, ignoring how the rapid expansion of his lungs makes his chest ache. "No," he repeats. "I was just concerned because I was looking after Bakugou when he got really drunk. When you mentioned an argument I was just wondering if something set him off because it just seems really out of character for him to drink at all."
Sero nods, seemingly accepting the explanation. It makes Kirishima feel a little guilty. He's always been very vocal about how unmanly it is to lie and it's obvious his friend's willingness to believe him unquestioningly is at least somewhat based on his general reputation for honesty. Completely unaware of his friend's inner turmoil, Sero continues speaking.
"Anyway, so what else happened that was crazy? Oh! I met Tokoyami's girlfriend. She's…uh a little unique. But she seems genuine, so no worries there. Also I was shocked that even Koda came out of his shell last night. Did you know he can actually talk?!"
"What do you mean?" Kirishima asks incredulously. "Of course, I did! He's just quiet."
"Whoa, what? How long have you known?"
"Jirou told me, first year."
Sero scratches his jaw. "No way? For real? Huh."
As Sero keeps talking, Kirishima lets his voice wash over him as he eats. Not wanting to seem rude, he makes sure he waits a respectable amount of time before checking his phone again.
Iida Tenya
Iida: I saw your messages about Bakugou...did something happen last night?
Kirishima: Not sure. He was acting odd. Saying some strange things
Iida: Like what?
Kirishima: uhh not sure I can tell you. I dont wanna violate his privacy like that y'know?
Iida: Of course. That is understandable. (And commendable!). I was simply wondering if any of these things he was saying had anything to do with me?
Iida: Telling me that wouldn't be invading his privacy, I don't think.
Kirishima: Also y would u think that he said anything about you?
Iida: I saw him last night...your texts made me worry I may have upset him…?
Kirishima: Why? What did you say to him?
Iida: [is typing]
Another fifteen minutes pass, Sero is still talking and Iida has stopped replying. Kirishima is still staring intently at the screen, willing the three dots indicating a message is being typed to reappear when Mineta stumbles into the room, soaked from head to toe.
"I woke up in the bathroom," Mineta says by way of explanation.
Sero rolls his eyes. "Right. Ok."
"No! You don't understand. Last night...Last night fellas. I met a girl. She was beautiful and bodacious and she let me touch her chest! Then she told me to meet her alone in the bathrooms on the second floor so I went down there."
At this revelation Kirishima almost falls out of his chair. Holy shit did even Mineta score?
"And she locked me in there!"
She did? Sounds about right. At least some events that happened last night make sense and don't cross the border into complete insanity.
In contrast to Kirishima's thoughts, Sero's exclamation is much more sympathetic.
"She what?! For how long?"
"I mean she left food and had unlocked the door by the time I woke up…"
Kirishima shakes his head and mentally checks out the conversation, leaving Sero to interact with Mineta. He finds himself checking his phone again, hoping somebody in the group chat can offer more information about Bakugou's whereabouts and well-being. He remembers Katsuki had been throwing up and crying so he'd put him to bed. He assumed he wouldn't see Bakugou again, but then he'd seen Bakugou an hour later, under a table and giggling manically with Kosei Tsuburaba and Uraraka. Who knows what he got up to for the rest of the night? I hope he stayed out of trouble… an incoming text interrupts Kirishima's thoughts and his eyes widen when he sees the text is from the man himself.
Bakugou (9:03): I want to talk. Can we?
Me (9:03): Always.
Bakugou (9:07): thnx
Kirishima's eyebrows raise. Since when does Bakugou politely make a request and thank him? Usually his presence is demanded and Bakugou's expectation that he'll come is only reinforced by Kirishima's continual agreement to Bakugou's demands. And Bakugou thanking him too? What on earth is happening? This is not how we normally communicate. Shit. It must be serious. I hope nothing is wrong with him.
Kirishima (9:08): When and where?
Bakugou (9:13): Off campus?
Kirishima (9:14): Sure! Name the time and place.