***Okay, so this is the final chapter, folks! I never planned for this fic to be long. It actually turned out a chapter longer than I thought I would! Thanks to everyone who has stuck with it and those who leave comments and kudos! Again, this was a Christmas present for my friend!
***Warnings: Language, Romance, a happy ending
Chapter 5: There's Only Us
After the front of the courthouse was cleared, Bakugo and the others left together, escorted by the city guards. They dropped Momo off first to ensure she got home safely. Tokoyami was next.
On the carriage ride heading back to the manor, Kirishima remained silent for a while after Momo and Tokoyami were dropped off. Bakugo noticed this right away and at first, didn't say anything, figuring the man will start rambling at the mouth any minute. But when Kirishima continues to remain silent, Bakugo speaks to him.
"What's wrong with you?"
Kirishima looks up from staring at his lap when he hears Bakugo's question. "Huh? Oh, nothing, I guess. Feeling exhausted from the day."
Bakugo nods. "Yeah, it's been a shitty day."
"I'm also surprised that I learned so much about you," Kirishima smiles at him. "I didn't know you were such a kind-hearted guy under all that anger and crankiness!"
Bakugo glares at him. "I do what I can," he turns to look out the carriage window. "Why did you save me today? You could have taken off for shelter...you didn't need to defend me. It baffles me."
Kirishima blushes. "Well...um...I saw they wanted to hurt you, and I couldn't let that happen. Despite the people I hurt...I'm still relieved that you are safe above everything else."
"But why are you so attached to me?" Bakugo asks. "I am the one who helped take away your family home. I would have put you in jail or sent you to the gallows. The last is the least likely, but not the first. You should hate me."
"I know I should," he says with a laugh. "But I can't. Ever since that night when we...did that together," he blushes harder. "I guess something just clicked. I know I don't want to leave your side. I don't know why...I want to say it's love...but that's kind of a man and woman thing right? We're both men, so...I think it's different, right?"
Bakugo rolls his eyes. "My brother loves his husband, so it's not just a word used between man and woman. And I doubt you feel 'love,'" he lifts the corner of his upper lip. "I don't do love. Do I look like someone who believes in love? Or who needs love?"
"You would benefit from it, I think," Kirishima says, not at all surprised by Bakugo's words. "I think you're afraid it will make you seem weak when I know that nothing can make Judge Bakugo weak!" He grins.
"That's correct, and don't you fucking forget it," Bakugo says. "Remember, you're only in my house working off the debt you owe. You want your family house back, right?"
Kirishima nods. "Yeah, I do,"
Bakugo raises a curious brow and adds, "But?"
Kirishima twiddles his fingers, unable to look Bakugo in the eye. "But I...I've been doing some thinking. Even if I do buy back my family home...I'll be there all alone. A house is not a home without a family, right?"
Bakugo shrugs his shoulders.
"When I really think about it...the house is just a house. It's made of wood and stone. There are memories in those walls, but they are my memories. I carry the memories of my family with me. So, in a way, I don't really need my family's house and land anymore." Slowly, he lifts his eyes to Bakugo. "It's only the thought of having to leave you that I now feel these doubts. Being with you has flipped my entire world around!"
Bakugo stares blankly at him, unable to speak. No one in his service has ever changed their whole ideals and views just for him. People fear him, wanting to get as far away as they can as soon as possible. That was fine with Bakugo because he could never trust anyone to get close. Kirishima is the first (other than Izuku) person who wants to be in his company by choice. Kirishima came into that courtroom with one thing on his mind; to beat the system and win back his property. Instead, the redhead has chosen to abandon his mission so that they can stay together.
"You can't suddenly feel something intense like that for a person!" Says Bakugo.
"But you immediately hate people when you first meet them! That's a sudden intense feeling, isn't it?" He counters.
Bakugo growls then scoffs, then crosses his arms. "This carriage is too damn slow!" He pounds his fist on the ceiling. "HURRY IT UP, ASSHOLE! I WANT TO GO HOME!" The carriage jerks forward as it picks up speed.
They remain silent the rest of the way to the manor. Bakugo praises himself that he has finally arrived home. He turns to Kirishima and says, "Take the day off tomorrow. You did a lot today and-" Kirishima's lips suddenly press against his. Bakugo freezes, his entire body becoming tense in the seat. Kirishima's lips are soft and warm. Bakugo tries to pull away, but Kirishima holds him back, thrusting a tongue into his mouth. Bakugo struggles harder, managing to break himself away from Kirishima. "Are you insane?! You mangy mutt!" He only said that because Kirishima is panting like a dog.
"Bakugo! I don't care about my home anymore! I want to be wherever you are! I want to stay with you!" He forces Bakugo into an embrace, but the man continues to struggle like a wildcat.
"GET OFF ME, FIEND!"
"BAKUGO!"
The driver hears the commotion and violent jolting of the carriage. The moment he turns to look, deciding whether or not to investigate what's happening, the door flies open. The redhead man falls out of the carriage, landing in a heap on the ground. The driver sees a red mark on man's cheek, and the redhead is glazed over. Judge Bakugo then exits the carriage, dusting his robes, and purposefully steps on the other's chest as he walks inside the manor.
"Sir, are you alright?" The driver asks as he rushes to Kirishima's side. "What happened?"
Kirishima, his jaw stinging from Bakugo's fist, just grins up at the driver and says, "He likes me too. If he didn't like me, he would have punched me three times as hard."
"Pardon my asking, but how is that a good thing to smile about?" The driver asks.
"If you knew him, you'd understand." He chuckles weakly.
"Should I...help you in?"
"Nah. I'm fine here. Thanks for the ride. Judge Bakugo arrived home safely, and that's the most important."
"Well...alright then? Have a good night?"
Kirishima gives the driver a thumbs up.
Bakugo paces in his room. He locked himself inside to keep Kirishima from barging in. The man was like a damn dog! Bakugo fed him ONCE, pat him on the head ONCE, and now the mutt won't leave! And how dare the jerk kiss him like that! Kissing is out of the question! Kirishima will have to be punished! Bakugo will have to punish him now, so that he may rest peacefully tonight knowing the hound dog has been disciplined. He hollers for Kirishima, his eyebrow twitching along with the vein ready to pop in his temple.
He was afraid of this. That first night together when Bakugo felt something for Kirishima, he should have turned the bastard out on the street. Deku warned him that someday, a person would come along that will make him feel wanted and loved. Bakugo threw up a little in his mouth. Usually, the word 'love' and anything about it would make him physically ill. This time, however, it wasn't anger that forced the bit of bile in his throat but his anxiety that maybe, just maybe, Kirishima is right.
"DAMN IT ALL TO THE BOWELS OF HELL! KIRISHIMA!"
Kirishima didn't have to wait for anyone to tell him that Bakugo is looking for him. He can hear his name echoing through the entire house. Bakugo summons him. Kirishima understands the frustration in Bakugo's voice and knows the man is furious with the kiss they shared in the carriage. He's not sorry about the kiss, and he knows Bakugo isn't either. Not entirely. As he told the driver, if Bakugo really were mad at him, that punch would have broken his jaw.
Kirishima rubs the aching jawbone as he walks to Bakugo's room to find the door wide open. He peeks inside. Bakugo stands by the fire, his forearm resting on the mantle with his head upon it. Kirishima comes in and closes the door with a soft click. Bakugo looks over at him, those crimson eyes hard and glaring. Kirishima isn't put off by the glare. In fact, he's fairly certain he can tell the difference between Bakugo's real anger and mock anger. At this moment, Bakugo's expressing mock anger despite the screaming from earlier.
"You called for me?" Kirishima says.
"Took you long enough! When I call you, I want you right here immediately!"
Kirishima smirks. "I will try harder next time. But that might be tricky when I'm outside doing work."
"I don't care," he moves from the mantle to approach Kirishima. "You will light a fire under your ass to make yourself get here faster!"
"I'm glad you want my company that much!" Kirishima says with a grin.
"What are you getting at, shithead?" Bakugo screams. "I don't want your company! I want you to know that you have a damn job to do and I want you to-" Bakugo's stunned when Kirishima pulls him into another kiss. This time, he bites down on the mutt's bottom lip.
"GAH! Ow, that hurt!" Kirishima says, holding his mouth. "I taste blood!"
Bakugo smirks and licks his lips. "Ha! Just try that again, and you'll come out with that whole lip completely missing!"
"Well, it's said that 'love equals pain,'" Kirishima says, licking the last of the blood from his lip.
"Stop using that word! That word is for losers like my brother!"
"Then why are you blushing?" Kirishima's mouth hurts with how wide he's smiling at Bakugo's apparent denial (mixed with confusion).
"It's not a blush! It's rage!" Bakugo counters.
"You're in denial! Admit it! You feel something for me! You're smitten with how I rescued you today!"
"YOU'RE INSANE!"
"I'M YOUR HERO!" Kirishima dashes to Bakugo and throws himself into the others arms.
"GET OFF ME YOU FUCKING FUNGUS!" Bakugo tries to push out of the embrace, but the idiot is too strong. "UGGGH! YOU'RE LIKE A LEECH!" He stops when Kirishima nuzzles his neck, feeling the other's nose tickling behind his ear. Bakugo's body tenses for only a second then shudders at the amazing, almost unbelieving feeling it gives him. Such a gentle, simple touch relaxes his entire body. That's never happened before.
"Don't push me away, Bakugo," Kirishima whispers against the blonde's skin. "You deserve someone that's strong and who can take care of you when you need it."
Bakugo's cheeks heat with a real flush. He wants to punch the man in the gut; instead, he allows Kirishima to continue hugging him. "I don't need protecting."
"Then I can be your extra set of hands," Kirishima offers. "I can help around the manor and farmland for you. I can tell you about the people of this city and how to handle them in these hard times. I can endure your insults, your anger, your wrath, and your power."
Bakugo is quiet for a moment, then says, "Why do you insist on being with me? Do you honestly think I want a relationship?"
"No, but I think in time what we have can develop into one!"
Bakugo growls. "We don't 'have' anything!"
Kirishima pulls away to smile at Bakugo. "You don't really believe that. The look on your face right now doesn't match the words coming from your mouth!"
"What do you expect me to do?" Bakugo asks him with a sneer.
"I expect you to be you! That's all!" Kirishima grins and takes Bakugo's hands, pulling the other man towards the bed. "It's been a very long day...and I think both of us want to get our minds off the troubles we face from here on out."
Bakugo understands what Kirishima is trying to do. How can he say 'no' to Kirishima, who is pulling him towards the bed, obviously hinting at something in particular. "I already said you could stay," he says, watching Kirishima's body move as it sits on his bed. "You don't have to go to such lengths to ensure your stay here,"
"But I want to,"
"You're a fool, then," Bakugo says, removing his robes as Kirishima slips off the tunic. "What I am about to take from you; there is no getting it back."
"I'm giving it to you," Kirishima says with a blush. "You're not 'taking it.'"
Bakugo pulls the belt from his pants. "This will not pay for the back taxes you still owe either," he says.
Kirishima grits his teeth while removing his pants to join Bakugo's belt on the floor. "Again, this has nothing to do with that! Why can't you just let someone love you because they want to?"
"I'm not the type of person you can love," Bakugo removes his pants and stands naked before Kirishima's equally bare body.
"I'll be the judge of that," Kirishima grins.
Bakugo rolls his eyes, then crawls overtop of Kirishima, helping the other to settle on the bed. "I'm the only judge here. Before I go any further, are you sure about this?" He wants Kirishima's consent. "Once I get started, I'm not going to stop."
Kirishima reaches his arms up to encircle Bakugo's neck. "I like that you asked me that...but I'm not one you need to be gentle with."
"It's your first time," Bakugo says. "Unless you're lying to me?" He smirks.
"I'm going to ignore that," Kirishima says. Bakugo presses their groins together, and Kirishima's eyes widen. He can feel Bakugo growing harder when they touch. He blushes and says, "I'm happy to know that I've made you so hard for me..."
"We need to release some negative energy," Bakugo pins him down by the shoulders. "I'm not one for 'making love.' I'm going to claim your first time, that's all."
Kirishima has every intention of letting Bakugo enter his body and claim his 'man' virginity. Bakugo is a man who likes a fight, who desires a challenge. If Kirishima is going to win Bakugo's heart, he must first defeat Bakugo at his own game. He wonders if an aroused Bakugo is stronger and more dangerous than regular Bakugo. Kirishima attempts to break free of Bakugo's hold on his shoulders.
Bakugo senses what he is trying to do and he presses his full weight against Kirishima. "Nice try!" Bakugo says with a manic grin, keeping Kirishima pinned to the bed. "You think you can overpower me?"
*Edited for this site. Read the full scene on AO3*
Beneath him, Kirishima is blushed bright red, with lazy eyes, panting chest, and extra wild red hair. Bakugo smirks, panting himself and pulls out.
"You still wish to stay with me?" Bakugo asks him. "If you do, then you have to give up your family land and home. Can you do that, Eijiro Kirishima? In your stupid heart, can you really give up everything to be with a brute like me?"
Kirishima lets out a breathy chuckle at Bakugo's question. "I've already said that I hold the memories of my home, and that's all that matters." He lifts himself on his elbows to kiss Bakugo again. "I don't want to leave you. I want to stay here and be yours."
Bakugo moves off of Kirishima to sit on the side of the bed, his feet touching the soft rub beneath it. "What if I want to make you my personal whore?" He asks.
"You wouldn't do that,"
"Why would you think that? I'm a judge. I can do anything I want," He stills when Kirishima's arms encircle him from behind.
"Because no matter what ruling you give, Judge Bakugo, I will never see myself as your whore," he plants a kiss on Bakugo's shoulder. "And you really don't see me that way either, do you?"
"Pfft. You're a pain in the ass, shitty-hair. But...dogs are messy, and a lot of work. You're a better kind of dog to keep around. So, I guess I'll keep you." Kirishima starts to cry and hugs Bakugo around the neck, almost strangling him. "Hey! You idiot! Let go!"
"I accept, Bakugo! I accept with all my heart! I love you so much! And in the future, you will come to understand and treasure my love for you!"
"YOU BASTARD! IDIOT! ASSHOLE! GET YOUR MITTS OFF ME!"
Kirishima laughs through his tears. "I look at your insults as your way of expressing your love for me!"
"I'll kill you ...you spikey haired bastard!" Bakugo threatens.
"Bakugo...I know you don't see me as a serious man...but please listen to what I'm about to say," he slips his arms around Bakugo's waist. The other doesn't move. "I will keep all of this a secret, I promise you. I don't want the world to know that I have the love of Judge Katsuki Bakugo. I like having you all to myself." He nuzzles a spot behind Bakugo's ear. "I want to help you help the city. We can work together to make things better. We are both strong, but together, we're invincible! I'm content with letting you be the top of the mountain, and I will form the rocks that keep you standing proud and tall. I forgive you of your harsh judgments towards me that day in the courtroom. Call me stupid and dumb, but it doesn't change the fact that I love you. You are my home now."
Kirishima's speech touches Bakugo's heart; so much so that he feels the tears stinging the backs of his eyes. If anyone else has said this to him, he wouldn't believe them. But coming from Kirishima, it is genuine and authentic. "You're such a moron," He says in a whisper. "Yet I am not one who backs down from a challenge. You think you can get me to love you? Fine. I challenge you to that. But when I win, you must promise never to pick up and leave. You're stuck here now, forever, no matter what. You got that, dummy?"
Kirishima grins and brings Bakugo into a bone-crushing hug. "YES! Oh yes, yes, yes!"
"YOU REALLY ARE A FUCKING HOUND DOG!"
"Everything's going to be alright now," Kirishima tells him, smooshing their cheeks together. "So long as we have each other, there's nothing we can't do! Watch out, city! Bakugo and Kirishima are taking over!"
"You're a real idiot; you know that?" Bakugo says with a dark smirk. "Though you might be on to something with taking over the city! I do have some control...but I can have more. And with a common man to stand beside me..." his dark smirk becomes a dark grin. "Yessss...it's a perfect plan! I will be the true hero in the end! First the city, and then the world!"
Kirishima laughs, pecks Bakugo on the cheek and says, "But first, let's conquer your brother's birthday party."
"Shit! I forgot all about that! Shitty Deku and his shitty half-and-half husband! I suppose you'll want to tell him about us?" Bakugo gasps. "WAIT! I DIDN'T SAY THAT! IT'S A LIE!"
"Oh, I think you did!" Kirishima grins.
"STOP SMILING, YOU IDIOT! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Kirishima's grin only grows, just as their love will in the days to come.
THE END