When their lips parted, Midoriya stood there, his mouth parted slightly, his face flushed, and his eyes closed as he took in every ounce of the moment he could. When he finally opened his eyes, he was in utter shock to see Bakugou standing there with similarly flushed cheeks.
"Kacchan," he tried but failed to express how the moment resonated within him. It was just a dare after all. He knew that. He knew that Kacchan would never back down from a challenge. And yet, he couldn't help but let that small hope buried within himself think that just maybe, that kiss had more feeling in it than the other was letting on.
But Bakugou was feeling similar confusion but for entirely different reasons. This was it; if he didn't tell Deku how he felt now, it would be too late. He'd never be able to tell him how much he craved the softness of his lips or how his mere proximity in that moment was enough to set his world on fire.
"You… You stupid moron…." Bakugou said, running a hand over his face inch at he knew was a lousy attempt to rid himself of his embarrassment. "Why would you let me do that?"
Midoriya bit his lower lip and looked anywhere but at Kacchan in a weak attempt to force back the sudden wave of new emotions that stole his breath away: pain, rejection, disappointment, and confusion among many more he couldn't pin a word to.
"Don't give me that look, you dumb bastard," Bakugou said with a groan to his tone. "I can't stand seeing you gearing up just to cry."
Midoriya sniffled and looked back up at his longest friend. He was once again surprised to see the reaction said friend was wearing, but it was different this time. He scuffed a foot on the floor, hands in his pockets and shoulders hunched. Midoriya narrowed his eyes but titled his head too.
This time, Bakugou let out an audible groan when he looked up again to see Deku's dumbass expression. "I wasn't actually dared to kiss you, alright?! Is that enough for you?!"
Midoriya just stood there, staring at Bakugou as if he hadn't heard him - or at least, hadn't heard him correctly.
"I WANTED TO!" he shouted, finally letting the cap on his emotions explode off the top. Then he took a breath and lowered his voice albeit still firm. "I told Kirishima so he could tell you it was his idea. I didn't know what else to do."
"Kacchan…." Deku muttered. "I don't understand."
"Do I need to spell it out for you, moron?"
Midoriya shook his head. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"When have I ever been one for talking over fighting?"
Midoriya chose his next words carefully. "I don't think I'd call that fighting…."
"How else would you describe what our lips and tongues were doing?"
Both of their faces flushed again. Then they gave each other equally small smiles.