Howdy everyone! Sorry for how sparsely I update this fic on the site. I mostly post it on AO3 as a collection of fics, but if people are interested, I could post what I have it more regularly here.

Thanks to everyone for the Reviews, Favorites and Follows! I very much appreciate it!

Also, this fic contains Internalized Transphobia, Self-Loathing, Dysphoria and Bakugou being Bakugou. If any of these are a trigger for you, please put your comfort first before reading.

Thinking. Thinking. Thinking. Thinking. Thinking. There was little else going on in this room besides that. Well, at least on Kirishima's side anyway.

Bakugou on the other hand seemed to be keeping on her usual "Resting Bitch Face" as she awaited Kirishima's answer. Apparently, the waiting was getting too long for her.

"Come on, you fuckin' Rooster. You know this. A fanboy like you has to." Spinning a small yellow pencil between her fingers, Bakugou took a second to regulate her breathing. In for five seconds. Out for five seconds. A little calming technique she had learned in one of her chatrooms.

With Kirishima's help, she had managed to get herself reaccepted into her previously-kicked out Trans Support Message Board (Transformers! A name Bakugou hated but Kirishima couldn't love more.) It helped that the admins had been used to angry people on it before. Transistioning could be a frustrating and arduous process, someone like Bakugou wasn't exactly new. Although, they only agreed to let her back in if she worked on being less…well, 'Bakugou' about everything. Which eventually led to her being recommended a few anger-management techniques by admins and other users on the site. While Bakugou deemed it "A load of horseshit" whenever Kirishima asked about it, she was beginning to notice that it had a positive effect on her.

Especially during moments like this.

Fuckin' Eraser had begun dolling out what he called "The Test Barrage." Which Bakugou was sure is code for "I'm a bored and sadistic old prick, so I'm gonna give you tests every fucking week and put you in detention if you don't get at least a 70% on 'em." Although, Aizawa claimed otherwise when Bakugou loudly brought it up.

It was all to prep for their Finals. Their academic finals, not physical. No, they wouldn't be sitting in Bakugou's room right now if it was for just smashing and breaking shit. Bakugou had no problem with any written stuff. The foggy haze that had been over her mind during the early weeks of the Transistion had begun to fade as of late. Not gone. Definitely not gone. But, she had gotten back on the horse when it came to her grades. Lucky she did too. Any longer and the faculty would begin asking questions about her recent drop in scores. She was still a looooooooooooooooonnnnng way from telling anyone about this.

Barring the person she was currently tutoring.

Unlike her, Kirisihma didn't have Bakugou's skill in academics. He wasn't stupid. Bakugou knew that, even if she never really told him. Kirishima just had a hard time applying himself to anything other than super-heroics. He had a passion, but needed practice at focusing that passion.

The tutoring between them wasn't anything new. Kirishima had been coming to Bakugou long before this. Long before he found out she was a girl. Long before he gave her the best gift she had ever gotten.

"Jesus Christ, that was a load of sappy shit." Bakugou wasn't quite in touch with showing her emotional side, even in her thoughts.

But, with theses weekly tests, Kirishima seemed to be dealing with the pressure a lot less well. He was jumpy. More quiet. Probably didn't help that during the first week, he was the only one to fail. Being kept in detention for an hour after everyone else had left must have been pretty embarrassing. Plus, Kirishima was a social butterfly, didn't like being separated from the group. Probably more than anyone in the class. VERY much more so than Bakugou, which only confused the Blonde haired teenager about why she hung out with him so much. Why he was one of the few people she didn't punch after talking to them for more than five minutes. Why she felt weirdly OK with him knowing about her, even if she didn't intend for it to happen.

Realizing she was getting caught in another one of her "Sappy Bullshit" thoughts, Bakugou gave a quick shake of her head and refocused her eyes on Kirishima.

"I'm gonna ask ya' again. If you get it wrong, I'm burning that fuckin' Red Riot poster above your bed." Bakugou and Kirishima both knew that she wasn't actually going to do this. With her anger beginning to become less so as she spent more time in the school (Which was to say still a great deal more than anyone in the entire campus), her threats had become more of a figure of speech rather than actual threats. Something she just used to pepper her language.

Holding up the textbook in her hands to her face, Bakugou found the question she had been asking.

"In the United Kingdom, who was the first Hero with a Quirk that allowed them to fly?" And now, she waited.

Sitting cross legged in front of her, a Blue-Jeanist jacket resting across his shoulders, Kirishima still had the same thoughtful expression marked on his face. Tapping the side of his notebook, which was held lazily in his left hand, Kirishima started mumbling something under his breath. Bakugou could make out that he was trying to list every UK Hero he knew. A good technique, but wouldn't really be practical in a test.

"Do you always take this long to answer a simple freakin' question, Rooster? Or is it beca-"

"Flying Freedom!"

While this came out suddenly and pretty loud from Kirishima, Bakugou barely reacted beyond slightly raising her eyebrows.

Taking in the answer, Bakugou nodded and drew a 'tick' sign next to the question. The last one on today's list.

"25 out of 30. Maybe you actually have something in that fucking head besides useless Red Riot trivia and figuring out different ways to say 'MANLY!'" Standing up off her bed, Bakugou stretched out her back, having been sitting in that position for about an hour. Kirishima was similarly getting up, while also doing a fistbump to himself.

Bakugou shook her head good-naturedly at this display. She was finding the parts of Kirishima that used to annoy her to become more and more endearing. She wasn't planning on telling him about that anytime soon, however.

"Whelp, now comes the time I look forward to most at the end of these boring ass session." Bakugou made her way over to the door, throwing it open with one hand. "Get the fuck out of my room." Once again, there was less anger in Bakugou's voice as she said this than there would be if she was doing this a few months ago. A certain memory of when the entire "Bakusquad" as they called themselves (Much to Bakugou's Chagrin) had decided to prepare a surprise party for Bakugou's birthday.

It took a month to fix the explosion-caused damage to her room after that.

Standing by the door, Bakugou was soon aware of the fact that Kirisihima had yet to leave.

"Ya' waiting for something, Rooster?" An annoyed tone was beginning to slip into Bakugou's voice.

"Got time?"

Hearing this, Bakugou grumbled slightly under her breath and swiftly slammed the door shut. Making her way over to her bed, she returned to her spot.

"What now?"

It had been a few weeks since Kirishima had given Bakugou those shoes. After that, Kirishima had begun asking Bakugou more…..questions.

"How did you know you're a girl?"

"What name do you want me to call you?"

"Can I do anything to help?"

And Bakugou reacted to these questions in her usual way.

"Shut the fuck up. It's none of your business."

But, Bakugou had begun to feel alone in it all. The chatrooms helped, but she hated just talking to a screen for all her problems. And there was no one in the group she'd exactly consider a friend.

Hell, in Yuu'ei, the only person she'd thought of as a friend would be Kirishima. And this led to her beginning to realize that icing him out might not be the best coping method.

So, one day, Bakugou took Kirishima aside and laid down some ground rules for questions:

1: Anything about medical stuff was off limits. Kirishima didn't question this for a second.

2: If Bakugou tells you to shut the fuck up about a question, you shut the fuck up. Once again, Kirishima didn't question this.

A third unofficial rule popped up after the first few times they did this.

3: If you ever want to ask a question, you gotta say "Got time?" The first few times Kirishima had tried to bring up any of his questions, it was about five minutes of him awkwardly trying to find the words to phrase it. They found they saved a lot of time by shortening it to a code.

Sitting down next to her, Kirishima locked his hands together and begun twiddling with his thumbs. A sign that he was nervous. Nervous about what he was going to ask. The fact that his hair wasn't gelled up like it usually was only amplified the fact that this wasn't the usual confident Kirishima.

And this bugged the hell out of Bakugou.

"Oh my Fucking God! If you wanna ask something, just fucking ask it! I've got things to do you know. Not just sitting around here for pansy shit." While Bakugou did consider Kirishima the only person in the school who's opinion she gave a damn about, it still didn't make her demeanour changed a lot at times.

Bakugou was rewarded with the rather rude statement by a low mutter from Kirishima. Too low for her to make out this time.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak dumbass! Speak up!"

"Can-I-see-you-try-on-the-shoes?" This came out faster than Gran Torino moving. Almost too fast for Bakugou to register. Almost, being the key word.

"Why the fuck do you want to see that?" Bakugou wasn't sure if the blush on her face was caused by rage or embarrassment. Bakugou thought Kirishima was different. Thought that he was OK with this.

And while he was, Bakugou's mind tended to go into defensive mode when touchy subjects about her Transness came up.

And when the defensiveness rose, so did that voice.

"He thinks you're a freak." This taunting voice that Bakugou heard inside her mind was one she had become acquainted with over the years. Ever since she first had a look at her Mom's lipstick and wondered if she could try it on. It always followed her, it's low and hushed tone creeping in her mind.

"What, you think he accepts you? You're a joke to him! He just wants to see the freak all dressed up. He's probably already told everyone behind your back. Face it. You're just a little messed up boy playing girl."

The sounds outside barely made an impact on Bakugou. She was frozen, the voice constricting her movements. The impact of its words suffocating her, making it impossible for her to talk and react.

She began thinking of what would happen if everyone found out. Her Mom and Dad disowning her. The school kicking her out. Kirishima revealing that he never saw her as a girl, and just found it funny to mess with her. Bakugou couldn't take that. Not Kirishima. She may put on the tough, I-don't-care front on for everyone. But she was a house of cards. Had been for years. Terrified if one little thing went awry, be it not succeeding as a hero, losing a fight or this, it would all fall apart.

"Hey, Bakugou. You OK?" The words came through muffled, as if she had earmuffs on. Nothing mattered on the outside. Just these thoughts tearing her apart.

A soft hand founds itself on her shoulder. Not hers. Someone else.

Looking up, she saw Kirishima sitting right next to her, hand trying to calm her, a concerned expression painted on his face.

If this was anyone else, any other time, Bakugou would tear their fucking hand off. And probably most of their arm along with it.

But this wasn't any other time, or any other person. This was Kirishima, and during a bad dysphoria attack.

And she wasn't sure what the fuck to do in this situation.

They just sat there. The silence deafening. Neither one of them willing to speak. Bakugou out of fear. Kirishima because he understood. The lack of sound was too loud to ignore. The hand never left Bakugou's shoulder. Kirishima felt like Bakugou needed it.

Finally, Bakugou broke the silence.

"Are you gonna laugh at me?"

"W-what?"

Looking up, Bakugou's eyes were a million miles away. She was still in her thoughts, lost and trapped there. This was her sending a message to the outside. A call for help.

"Is that why you want to see me in them? Do you just want to fucking laugh and point. Is that it?" Without meaning to, Bakugou's hands began to form into fists. The rational part of Bakugou's mind knew this isn't what Kirishima wanted to do. His reason was probably something innocent and gentle. Something so very Kirishima-like.

But the rational part of her mind was taking a backseat right now.

The hand left her shoulder. Kirshima stood up, moving in front of Bakugou. Quietly, he kneeled down in front of his friend.

"Bakugou, I said it before and I'll say it now. I will never laugh at you. What you're going through, what you're doing. I can't imagine anything as brave. I don't think there's a girl cooler in this world than you. If you don't want to try on the shoes, that's fine. I won't ask again." Having said what he needed to say, Kirishima returned to his seat next to Bakugou, once again understanding it wasn't his place to talk right now.

The words managed to bring Bakugou out from inside her mind. Gave her the strength to silence the words that had been coming down on her mind. A weak, barking laugh came out of her.

"Christ, I'm turning into such a crybaby." Bakugou fell laying down on her bed, not quite like her old self, but getting there.

"Do you…..Do you wanna talk about it?" This came as gently as it could from Kirishima. Bakugou could tell from the "kicked puppy dog" look on his face that he was blaming himself for this.

"Nah, talking's for losers." Kicking back up onto her feet, Bakugou made her way over to the shelf that hung out of the back wall. "Maybe some other time." She said, looking back over her shoulder. After doing so, she began sifting through the assorted boxes and containers.

"Eh, Bakugou? What are you doing?" Kirishima was a bit nervous over what just happened. One second Bakugou seemed to be having a panic attack. Now, she was looking around her room without a care in the world.

"Getting the shoes. Jesus, you really are dumb as shit." Bakugou was beginner to return to form. Before she could continue talking, the hand reappeared on her shoulder. Only this time it spun her around.

"Bakugou." Kirishima began, the guilty expression still covering his face. "You don't have to do this. I was being an idiot asking."

"You're right." Bakugou replied. "You are a fucking idiot." Bakugou flicked Kirishima's head softly in admonishment. "I'm not doing this cos YOU want me to. I'm doing it cos I WANT to. You gave me these shoes about three weeks ago, and I still haven't tried them on. Better Woman up and do it sooner or later." Quickly turning around, Bakugou continued her search.

"Do you want to know why I asked?" Kirishima was a bit surprised by the sudden change in emotion from Bakugou. A bit of worry coming along with the surprise.

"Could not give less of a shit." Bakugou calmly and dryly responded with. After about another half a minute of searching, Bakugou found what she was looking for. Before taking the box, she looked over her shoulder at Kirishima "Like you said, you're not gonna laugh at me. So, why should I care."

The box had no dust gathering on it. While Bakugou hadn't tried them on, she had spent a lot of time looking at them. The fabric. The material the heel was made out of. The way they were made. Building up confidence for this moment.

Taking the box into her hands, Bakugou it on the ground and softly popped open the lid. (At least as softly as Bakugou could manage.) Bakugou pulled out the pair. They looked the same as last time. The amazing black fabric and solid build.

Still the most beautiful thing Bakugou had ever seen.

Quickly popping off her shoes, she adjusted the straps of the heels and awkwardly tried to stand.

The first thing that hit her was:

"Wow, I am really fuckin' tall in these."

The second thing to hit her was:

"Oh shit, I'm falling!"

The third thing to hit her was the ground.

"Bakugou! Are you OK?" Rushing over, Kirishima bent down over his fallen friend, trying to search for any injury.

"Kirishima, I've been in actual fucking fights with super-humans. Do you honestly fucking think that FALLING would hurt me?" In all honesty, Bakugou felt offended if anything.

Rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment, Kirishima let out an apologetic grunt. As he stood up, he held out a hand for Bakugou to take.

Bakugou didn't need to take it. But she did anyway. It'll make Kirishima feel good. That was her rational. And she wasn't about to let any other thoughts about why she did it enter her head.

"So?" Bakugou started ambiguously, giving Kirishima a quizzical head tilt.

At a lost at what he was supposed to say, Kirishima let out a long "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" sound.

Rolling her eyes, Bakugou lightly punched Kirishima's arm.

"How did I look? Fucking numbnuts."

"Before or after you fell?" A rare moment of snark from Kirishima.

"Before!" Bakugou barked out angrily. Many things about Kirishima she found endearing. His jokes were not one of those things.

While he still had his confused expression from before, Kirishima couldn't stop the smile from growing on his face.

"You looked amazing, Girl! Like one of those models in the magazines my sister has."

While she couldn't stop a similar smile from appearing on her face, Bakugou gave a "tch" to disguise the obvious happiness she felt from Kirishima's compliment.

"How did you feel?"

Now this caught Bakugou off guard. She had almost forgotten about that. Hell, she barely had time to register what she felt before she tripped on her own shoes. But she knew how she felt.

"I felt." Bakugou looked up softly at Kirishima. "Felt like me."

So, what did you think?