Notes:

***Hi everyone! Hope everyone is still staying safe and healthy! ^_^

***Warnings: Language, flashbacks, dialogue-heavy, fishing, mention of hunting, beer-drinking, angst

***Please read and enjoy! Comments and kudos are welcomed! 3

Chapter 2: The Lake Monster

"Hi again, folks! As you can see, I have my fishing gear all ready and I hope to catch a really big one! Chances are, I'll catch a tiny one," he laughs and films the lake. "So, this is the spot I chose to fish at- the sky is pretty cloudy today- guess that means rain tonight. Any fish I catch I will throw back into the water- don't worry! Unless the fish swallows the hook...but let's not think that way!"

"So, let's start by getting our hook and bait ready- Oh, we have company!" Kirishima picks up the camera to set it on Bakugo who is dressed in a gray hoodie and camo pants with a fishing rod over his shoulder. "Do you want to be on camera with me, Bakugo?"

"No. I'm just going to fish. Do your show and leave me out of it."

Kirishima places the camera back in front of him and continues a step-by-step demonstration of getting the fishing rod prepared.

Bakugo has already cast his line and listens to Kirishima talk at the camera. He thought about Kirishima's offer earlier, then quickly dismissed it. The guy has already heard too much. Bakugo feels a snag on his line and he reels it in, revealing a small fish. Kirishima gives him a thumbs-up as Bakugo takes the fish off the hook and tosses it back.

"Wouldn't it be funny if you were to catch the same fish twice?" Kirishima asks him, the camera still rolling.

"The chances of that happening are extremely slim," Bakugo replies. "You're not watching your line,"

Kirishima feels a tug and he starts to reel the fish in, telling the camera the best techniques to use. However, he lost the fish and holds up a bare hook. "Ah, shoot! I lost it, and it took the bait!" He laughs at the camera and says, "Don't worry! We'll try it again! We never give up, right folks? That's right! I'll be back after I get my line set up." He shuts off the camera and turns to Bakugo, who has reeled in another fish, this one bigger than the last. "Wow, you're good at fishing!"

"I'm good at everything," Bakugo says, tossing the fish back in.

Kirishima gives a low whistle. "Wow, you ARE full of yourself, aren't you?"

Bakugo doesn't answer, only hearing Shoto's words in his head say, 'We're too headstrong, you and I, but you more so,'

"Hey, that's not really a bad trait to have, you know. It's good to be ambitious and have confidence, but you need to learn how to balance it with humility." He says while putting more bait on the hook. "Is it going to rain today?"

"Yes. Tonight it will, and a possible thunderstorm."

Kirishima looks a little alarmed, "T-thunderstorm?"

Bakugo raises a mocking brow. "Don't tell me you're afraid of them? You're a grown man!"

"I'm not afraid of them!" Kirishima counters and looks away. "Its just...they are startling sometimes, that's all. And I've never been to a place like this for a storm. You know, so close to water."

Bakugo smirks as he can't help but decide to see how much he can scare Kirishima. He shouldn't do it, but it will be funny, and it will get his mind off of the redhead. If he sees the man acting like a scared little rabbit, what lust he feels for the man will dwindle. "Your friend did tell you about the lake monster, right?"

Kirishima's eyes widen. "Lake monster? What lake monster? No, he never told me! Monsters don't exist!"

"This isn't really a monster, it's a fish," Bakugo says, "A very, VERY large fish. It looks like it belongs in the ocean it's so big."

"H-How big?"

"Bigger than me, and very wide. I know, I've seen it."

Kirishima's eyes go wide as he hangs on Bakugo's every word. "You saw it? What color is it?"

"Pale yellow, like mustard. HUGE mouth. No one can catch it, though some have tried and almost succeed. It's called All Might- because it takes 'all your might' to reel it in. It's been known to come close to shore- people have lost small dogs. I've seen it swallow waterfowl whole. So, you might want to keep a watch on the water today with that camera of yours. It likes to show up on days like this when a storm is coming."

Bakugo looks at Kirishima and finds that the man's face is almost pale with those red eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. The story is not false; Bakugo simply put a more sinister spin on it to scare the other. There IS a very large fish in this lake, which he has seen, but only when he was a boy. Some fish and water creatures can live for many years. He believes that big fish is still alive.

"Maybe you'll catch All Might," Bakugo says to Kirishima.

"Dude, I HAVE to get your story on film! Will you tell it again?"

"Hell no. And don't be so loud! You'll scare all the fish away!"

They continue to fish for another couple of hours before stopping. Bakugo had caught and released eleven fish. Kirishima, on the other hand, caught only one fish, and it was so small that Bakugo mocked him, saying the fish wasn't even big enough for a fish stick. Kirishima didn't let it bother him, though. He just laughed off Bakugo's insults and even threw an arm around Bakugo's shoulders. Bakugo shook it off and shoved Kirishima with his shoulder.

"Hey, Bakugo? Want to come over for some more muffins?"

Bakugo remembers the cardboard taste of the first muffin and declines.

"Oh, well, it's about lunchtime. I can make us some cans of soup? I have beef and barley, chicken noodle, clam chowder-"

"I don't eat processed foods," Bakugo sneers at him. "I only eat fresh and organic!"

Kirishima tilts his head to the side, then starts to chuckle.

"What's so damn funny?"

"I don't picture you as the organic type!"

Bakugo growls and snarls at him.

"I'm learning to live off the land, you know," Kirishima says. "That's what my video stream at this lake is for. I'm going to have to change it up a bit, though. I didn't feel right about catching the fish and then having to kill it and eat it...guess I should try a foraging salad instead. Well, see ya around,"

Bakugo almost says 'get lost' to Kirishima but then stops and offers for the man to come over to his cabin for lunch. He tells Kirishima that he'll show him how a 'real man' cooks when living off the land.

Kirishima's heart jumps and beats with glee when Bakugo offers to cook for him. He didn't want to say anything, but he blames his poor luck on fishing today on the blond. Kirishima couldn't stop stealing glances at Bakugo as the man fished, standing so still and patient despite the harsh temper. He wouldn't have guessed Bakugo could be so good at fishing, a sport, and a hobby that takes patience and time. Bakugo seemed to be too wild of a man to enjoy such an activity. But he was such a handsome man that Kirishima is distracted by him. Overly so. Bakugo is a curious and mysterious person that Kirishima wants to get to know better, feeling a little ashamed of himself for first being attracted only to Bakugo's manly good looks.

One of the differences in Bakugo's cabin is that he has an icebox, which looked like it cost a pretty penny. Inside, Bakugo had meats wrapped in paper. He offers Kirishima a venison burger that he planned on eating tonight for dinner. Kirishima has never had one, nor has he ever tasted venison before. He knew it was deer meat and asks Bakugo if he hunted. Bakugo answers no, that someone at his job does it and he buys the fresh meat from them. However, all the fish Bakugo has caught, he cleaned himself. The venison was defrosted enough where it wouldn't take long to cook. Kirishima watches Bakugo intently, admiring how the blond lifts the cast iron skillet as if it were a tennis racket.

"Hey, Bakugo? Do you think you could show me how to clean a fish?"

"You need to catch one first,"

"Ouch! That stung!" Kirishima chuckled. "I'm pretty good at fishing, you know. I was just…well, distracted I guess."

"By what?"

"By you," Kirishima let it slip and he slaps a hand to his mouth, blushing with embarrassment. "Dude, I'm SO sorry," he says through his hand.

Bakugo didn't look up from the sizzling meat in the skillet when he heard Kirishima's words. He didn't think he was that obvious in slipping side-glances at the redhead, nor did he think Kirishima would pick up on it. Bakugo knows this all has to do with what happened between him and Shoto. If he were to revert to his Tinder days, he could probably pull the redhead into the bedroom right now without much complaint from the other. But how trivial is that? To sleep with someone just to get back at Shoto and Deku for sleeping with each other? That was high school teen nonsense. Bakugo knows he's better than that.

"You probably don't want to hear something like that after…um…your breakup?" He yelps at Bakugo's hard glare. "Sorry! Sorry!"

Bakugo sneers and places the venison burgers on two buns. "It's none of your business," he almost throws the plate in front of Kirishima. "There. Eat."

Kirishima's mouth waters at the sight of the burger and he eagerly takes a bite. The taste is exquisite. Its texture and flavor were so much different from that of a regular beef burger. "Bakugo, this is AMAZING! You have to teach me how to cook these for my show!"

"Any idiot can cook a burger!" Bakugo shouts. "Why do you have to be so damned chipper and smiling all the time! You're just like Deku!" Bakugo catches himself in spouting out Deku's name. He's no better than the redhead, talking first without thinking.

"That's just who I am," Kirishima answers calmly. "I can't change it. This is what makes people different! You're the way you are, and I'm the way I am! There's nothing wrong with that!"

'You're hard to love.' 'You're not the type to bring home to the family'

Bakugo looks away and out the window.

"You know, I like you the way you are, Bakugo," Kirishima says. "Well, everyone can change something about themselves, I can too! But I find your personality and mannerisms…interesting, I guess is the word? You're like a rough stone; rough on the outside, but if you keep rubbing it enough, the surface becomes smooth, but the stone is still hard, and it still has the strength of a stone" he grins sheepishly. "That sounds kinda stupid, huh?"

"Look! I just saw All Might!" Bakugo suddenly shouts. "Go look! Right by my dock!"

Kirishima jumps from the chair with his camera, taking one more big bite of the burger and rushing outside.

Bakugo drops his face in his hands. He had to get the redhead out of the house for a moment so he can collect himself. Yes, what Kirishima said was stupid- very stupid- very 'after school tv special stupid'- but it made his heart skip a beat. The metaphor about the stone was completely opposite of Shoto's statements. Bakugo changes the material from 'stone' to 'boulder' because he is no stone! He's a mighty boulder! Kirishima reminds him of Deku a lot- that is something Deku would say to him. Though they grew up together, neither of them had those feelings for one another. It's clear now that Deku likes Shoto, and still likes Shoto despite refusing to date their boss. He recalls his father mentioning that it isn't a good idea to date people you work with, and the old man turned out to be right. But Kirishima doesn't work with them.

'No. Stop it right now!' Bakugo yells at himself. The wound of betrayal and getting dumped is still too fresh.

"Shoot! I didn't see the big fish anywhere!" Kirishima says when he comes back in. "You okay?" He notices Bakugo looks distressed.

"Boulder."

"Huh?"

"I'm a boulder. Not a stone." Bakugo states.

Kirishima stares at him for a second, then bursts out laughing. "Of course, how silly of me!" His laughing stops but he keeps a smile on Bakugo. "What I said is true though…for what it's worth."

"I want a nap," Bakugo tells him. "Take the rest of your burger with you."

"You know, I'm just going to put this out there," Kirishima takes the burger in his free hand. "We're on this island away from the real world. You have problems, and I have problems too. Why don't we use our seclusion from the outside world to do whatever we want and act however we want? Let's make this island be the only place left on earth and it's just us! Two guys hanging out and having fun!"

Bakugo stares hard at him with his arms crossed over his chest. In truth, he doesn't know how to react to Kirishima's offer, so he simply turns his head away. He hears Kirishima sigh and the man says he'll 'see him around.' Bakugo heard the cabin door close and he himself lets out a heavy sigh. How he wished he never fell for Shoto in the first place. There was something different about the young man; the type of power and wealth he wields while all the time keeping calm. Nothing ever bothered Shoto, but Shoto is one of the few people to openly stand up to him.

Bakugo knows himself better than anyone- it's a feeling he keeps hidden from everyone. There's nothing he can't do- everything he does, he gives over one hundred percent. He is a prodigy in many ways and can pick up on something quickly. Everyone always admires him for his great skills. He always got straight A's through school and kept a perfect GPA. Almost everyone he knew thought for sure he would go pro in some kind of sports field, but Bakugo didn't want to do that because pro-sports eventually runs its course. Athletes can end up hurt doing what they love; some have to retire and end up with nothing; others suffer great injuries that cannot be undone. Most pro-sports stars lose their fame, and Bakugo would not let that happen to him. It was enviable, so he chose a different route, one where he can be a hero for others in the sports field yet keep a solid job and still make a name for himself.

But all that pride, skill, and power can be draining on a person- even him. Bakugo learned in high school that, not only was he gay, but he liked to be dominated by another- meaning he liked to bottom. He was versatile, too, but preferred to be bottom. Some like to think that, if one is the receiver, they are one not in control. It is true to an extent, but Bakugo has learned that he can still maintain control while giving up a little bit of it to achieve pleasure and to relax his ego. He constantly wonders if that's the real reason why he fell...in love...with Shoto in the first place. The man had some sort of hold over him that rendered him helpless, lowering his guard to let another into his life who had more control than him. Shoto never rubbed it in his face or anything- that's just how their relationship was. And then that day came- it had been raining, just like it started to do now.

'Are you serious right now?' Bakugo slams his hands on Shoto's desk. 'You're dumping me for Deku? And you had the fucking nerve to go behind my back!'

'Izuku and I have been seeing each other for a little while now,' Shoto states calmly. 'He was not aware of our relationship, as you yourself insisted that we keep it a secret. My father is still disappointed that I will not marry a woman, but rather a man. I'm ready to settle down, and our time together is done, Katsuki.'

Bakugo's hands grip the edge of the desk. 'So, I'm just too much for you to handle, huh?' He manages a smirk to hide the hurt he feels.

Shoto rolls his eyes. 'Of course, that is what you would think,' he leans back in his chair. 'Another reason why our relationship is done. You're not really the type to bring home to their family.'

Bakugo bites his bottom lip as he tries to hold back the tears he feels threatening to fall. 'And Deku is?'

Shoto nods. 'I haven't had the best home life, as you know. In some ways, you remind me of my father, as in, you're hard to love. Izuku is not only strong physically, but emotionally as well, and his caring nature is what I need in my life.'

Bakugo doesn't know what to say; he swallows hard and fights back the tears, though it's getting harder to keep them at bay. He knows he shouldn't care about Shoto's words, but each one was like an arrow in his chest.

'Have you...slept with him?' Bakugo asks.

'Not yet,' Shoto replies. 'He's a virgin and still exploring his sexuality. Izuku needs time, and I care enough for him that I am willing to give him that time. You were different when we started dating,'

'Are you calling me a whore?'

'You said that word, I didn't,' Shoto points out. 'I never thought of you that way, but it looks like you do,'

Bakugo sneers at him.

'I never cared about your past,'

'But my 'past' and my 'attitude' does not fit your idea of a 1950's virgin bride with a white picket fence and fresh-baked apple pie!'

'Katsuki-'

'Don't fucking call me by my name! Fuck you, Shoto! You're not dumping me, I'm dumping YOU!'

He had never run so fast in his life, and he ran all the way home.

Bakugo realized he was crying silent tears as he watches the rain outside, his head resting in his folded arms. Exhausted from the torrent of memories, he closes his eyes and falls asleep at the table.

When he wakes up it's to the sound of thunder. Bakugo rubs his eyes and looks out the window at the storm towards the lake. Lots of whitecaps. He checks his watch next. Seven o'clock. How long had he been asleep? His eyes stung a bit from crying and he curses himself for being such a 'sissy.'

Again, he takes out his phone and turns it on. There is one missed call, but it's not from Deku...it's from Shoto...and there's a voice message. Bakugo is startled at the knock on his door, nearly dropping his phone. He swears under his breath and knows right away who it is.

"It's open!" He shouts to the door. Sure enough, Kirishima comes in, removing his rain jacket and bookbag.

"Hey, Bakugo!" he says with a nervous grin. "I thought you would be lonely...I saw you didn't have any lights on and thought you'd mike like some company?"

Bakugo stares at him for a moment and says, "You're scared of the storm, aren't you? Seeing shadows in the cabin?"

Kirishima blushes sheepishly, then jumps when there's another rumble of thunder.

"You're pathetic," Bakugo says, going over to him and taking the redhead's raincoat to hang up. "Yeah, you can stay here. I was going to start drinking anyway,"

"Great! Thanks for letting me hang out! I'll have a beer! Did you have dinner yet?"

Bakugo opens two bottles and hands one to Kirishima. "I'm not hungry,"

"Oh. Okay. I had some soup for dinner. I know you said you don't like the canned stuff, so I didn't bring any over.

"Whatever. Hey, build a fire, so I don't have to,"

"Sure! It's only fair since you're letting me hang out from the storm!"

Bakugo sips his beer as Kirishima rambles on about the cabin and the lake as he makes the fire. He can't help but watch Kirishima as the man makes the fire. He's never liked plaid, but Kirishima looks like a lumberjack with the red and black plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, brown cargo pants, and boots. He wanted to tell Kirishima to leave off the suspenders next time, but he figured it was a look Kirishima is going for, for his web show or whatever. Kirishima might as well be on the Brawny paper towel box as the new mascot.

"There! We got a good one going!" Kirishima dusts his hands off on his pants. He yelps at another flash of blue from outside. "Um...is this storm going to last all night?"

Bakugo shrugs his shoulders. "It's possible,"

"Ah...I see," He clears his throat and sips his beer. "So, um, you got any board games to play?"

Bakugo rolls his eyes. "Probably in the closet. But I don't want to play anything."

"Oh. Okay." Kirishima sits on the sofa beside Bakugo and notices the red lines under the blond's eyes. "You were crying again,"

Bakugo glares at him and says, "Get the fuck out of my cabin!"

"No, no! I'm sorry! It's okay to cry when you're feeling hurt! There's no shame in it,"

Bakugo turns away and says, "Yes, there is. You don't get it, so don't bother,"

Kirishima makes a very bold move and he places his hand on Bakugo's knee, giving it a pat. "I heard a lot of that voicemail. I know we don't know each other very well, but sometimes its easier to tell your problems to a stranger rather than someone you know. Remember, we're going to make this island ours, right? It's just us here!"

"Why do you want to know about me?" Bakugo asks him. "Is this for your web show?"

"No! Well, the main idea of my web show is that I like to help people, and I like to make friends, you know? None of this will be on my show." he makes another bold move and takes Bakugo's hand in a manly grip. "Forget the show! Just you and me livin' off the land and having a good time! What do you say, Bakugo? Take a load off and hang out! We'll drink some beers, play a game, watch the storm, tell me more stories about the big fish All Might-"

"Just stay the night, then."

Kirishima blinks in surprise. "Huh?"

"I said, 'stay the night.' The storm is going to last for a long while, and you might as well stay here since you're scared. You can have the guest bedroom. I'll play any game other than Monopoly. I'll show you how to pop popcorn over a fire for your stupid show."

Kirishima is still staring at Bakugo in bewilderment as the man gets up to go to the kitchen for the popcorn. Did Bakugo really just ask him to stay the night? Maybe the guy really doesn't want to be alone. Kirishima's fine with that! He'd rather share a bed with Bakugo than not, but now he's pushing too hard too fast. Bakugo just came out of a breakup, so Bakugo doesn't need another guy chasing him. Kirishima is excited for the night, though. Anything could happen! But his main goal is to befriend Bakugo further in hopes the man will let down his guard and share what happened. Kirishima was curious to know, even though it is none of his business. But should a relationship begin to build between them, he should know Bakugo's past, so he can know what to avoid, or how he can help Bakugo get over his breakup.

Kirishima notices Bakugo's phone on the couch when it vibrates and shows a text message that popped up. He knows he shouldn't read it, but he can't help it.

'We need to talk. Call me back.' Shoto.

Kirishima frowns but doesn't say a word about it when Bakugo returns.

TBC

***I love the image of Kirishima dressed like a typical lumberjack!***