Chapter 5

Bakugo hadn't expected the sudden kiss, and it didn't last long. It was more of a gentle peck on the lips, nothing deep or passionate. When Kirishima pulled away, Bakugo saw the embarrassment and shame written all over the redhead's face. Kirishima apologized for the kiss, and Bakugo didn't know what to say, so he ignored what happened.

"I'll finish cutting the bread," he said. "You can set the table."

"R-Right. Thanks for bandaging me up,"

Bakugo returned to the stew and kept his eyes off of Kirishima as the man moved around the kitchen, getting bowls and utensils. For a moment, Bakugo thought about his ex and how they would make dinner together. But Kirishima was not his ex, and he wasn't looking for another boyfriend, at least not right now. It was still too soon, or was it? He pushed the idea out of his head.

In the dining room, Shoto and Deku sat dutifully, watching Kirishima set the table.

'Did you see that kiss? ' Deku said to Shoto. ' My master really likes yours ,'

' I don't think my master wants another boyfriend after the other one,' Shoto replied. 'He hurt my master a lot. If I ever see the man again, I might bite him.'

' It's not safe for dogs to bite, ' Deku told him. ' Only in dangerous situations,'

' Hm. ' Was Shoto's only response.

"So, uh, table's set," Kirishima said. "Do you need any help?"

Bakugo came into the dining area with a large bowl of beef stew. He didn't look at Kirishima when he placed the bowl on the table. Kirishima opened a bottle of red wine for them and poured it into the glasses.

"That stew smells good," Kirishima said with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Yeah. I didn't have time to slow cook it, but it will still taste good. Everything I make in the kitchen is damn good,"

Kirishima chuckled. "Then you're a better chef than me!" He took the seat next to Bakugo on the left, letting the blonde sit at the head of the table. "Can I serve you? Since you cooked?"

"Yeah."

Kirishima took Bakugo's bowl and ladled a hearty scoop of the stew. He got one for himself and handed out a slice of bread.

"I bet this tastes even better than it looks and smells!" Kirishima said. "I can't wait to try it!" He took a spoonful and let the warm, meaty juices fill his mouth. "Oh…man…that is good!"

Bakugo smirked. "I told you I'm a great cook,"

The pair ate in awkward silence. Kirishima kept thinking about the kiss and wondered if he should say anything or apologize. Little did he know, Bakugo was thinking about the kiss, too. Finally, on the second helping of stew, Kirishima spoke.

"Look…I'm sorry for…what I did early. You know, with the kiss and all…"

"I'm not looking for a relationship," Bakugo said quickly. "I just got out of one and I'm enjoying the single life,"

Kirishima flashed him a small smile. "Yeah, I can understand that." He blushed, trying to find something else to say. "Oh! I'm not sure if you saw the flyers, but the fall festival is coming up in a few days in town! Do you want to come with me? It's a lot of fun! There's vendors and games and food, all kinds of things! There's this one farm that makes the best apple cider! You've got to try it! And I'll probably enter the pie eating contest! I do it every year," he laughed nervously. "I can really pack away the pumpkin pie,"

"Stop babbling," Bakugo said. "It's annoying. There's a fall festival in the city, too."

"That one isn't as fun, though. This one is more…hm…what's the word I'm looking for?"

"Rustic?" Bakugo offered.

Kirishima laughed. "Yeah, something like that. All us country bumpkins together in one place! So, do you want to go? I would like the company."

Bakugo gave it some thought, and the idea of going to a country festival with Kirishima. It wasn't a terrible idea, but he would have to make it clear to Kirishima that it wouldn't be a date.

"As long as that's all it is," Bakugo said.

"Yeah, that's all. Just two friends going to a festival!"

' Oh, the fall festival is so much fun!' Deku said to Shoto. Shoto was laying down on his dog bed and Deku was seated beside him. ' You'll get to come too. There's a bakery stall there that gives up pup cups!'

Shoto lifted his head. ' Pup cups? '

' Yeah! Vanilla ice cream in a cup with treats on top! It's so good! '

'I've never had one before,'

'I know you'll like it!'

"Well, that was a delicious dinner," Kirishima said. "Thanks for having me over. Do you need help cleaning up?"

"No, I'll take care of it," Bakugo said. He didn't want Kirishima to leave just yet. He was enjoying the company. "Why don't you stay and finish the wine with me," he offered, noting Kirishima's grin.

"Sounds like a plan!"

They moved to the living room with the wine bottle and sat on the couch with Kirishima doing most of the talking. Or rather, his nervous rambling. It caused Bakugo to drink more, and by the end of the bottle, both men were feeling a bit tipsy.

"Guess I should go," Kirishima said. "It's getting late." He was enjoying the time with Bakugo, but he didn't trust himself not to kiss the man again. He was still feeling tipsy, and he didn't want to make a big mistake.

"Yeah." Was all Bakugo said.

"See ya around! Again, thanks for dinner! Let's go Deku. Bye Shoto!" He patted the other dog on the head and said goodbye to Bakugo again before leaving.

Bakugo waited a bit before getting up to clean the kitchen. As he was putting the dishes in the dishwasher, he heard meowing coming from the side door. He went to the door and opened it to see the round faced body of the barn cat. The cat sat proudly beside the dead mouse she brought for him. He knew cats bring small animals as gifts to humans, but what did he do to warrant a dead mouse? The round-faced feline meowed again, her tail swishing along the concrete patio.

"Scram, cat," he said, kicking the dead mouse off the patio. "Go back home!" He closed the door on the cat and he heard what sounded like an annoyed meow. He looked out the door window and saw the cat was still there, and she retrieved the dead mouse. He looked at Shoto and said, "Make yourself useful and chase away the cat!" He opened the door and told Shoto to go out.

Shoto did as he was told, but instead of chasing the cat, he sat next to her.

' Please don't bring dead things to my master's doorstep, ' Shoto said. ' He doesn't want them.'

' Should I bring something else besides a mouse? ' She asked.

' No. Just don't bring anything.'

"Why aren't you chasing her away?" Bakugo sneered a bit, then let out a scoff. "Whatever. Get back inside." He ushered Shoto inside and closed the door on the cat again. This time, there was no annoyed meow or other noises. He assumed the cat took the hint and went back to Kirishima's. He might have to have a talk with Kirishima about his wandering animals.

Bakugo went to the side window that looked at Kirishima's farm. He saw the downstairs light on. Kirishima was still up. A part of him wanted to go see Kirishima, but he thought better about it. While he had enjoyed the dinner with some company, he didn't want Kirishima to get any ideas. Or did he? Kirishima was a nice man; maybe too nice. They were both unattached to anyone, but even if he was ready, could he see himself being with Kirishima? The farm life didn't settle well with him, and to go steady with Kirishima would be to accept the farm life. He wasn't sure he was ready for that. Shoto then nudged his leg, the signal that he was ready to settle in.

"Let's watch TV before bed." he said to the dog and went to sit on the couch, turning on the tv. Shoto jumped up and laid beside him. He scratched Shoto behind the ear. "You're not taking a liking to that mutt, are you?"

' I don't mind him being around, ' Shoto said, even though Bakugo couldn't hear him.

"You're too good for that dog," Bakugo said with a smirk, flipping through the channels to find something to watch. "Don't settle." That made him chuckle, talking like Shoto could actually hear and understand him.

Bakugo ended up falling asleep on the couch with Shoto and woke up around two. He cursed slightly for the cramp in his lower back. He hated sleeping on anything that wasn't a bed. Shoto got up with him, and they both went upstairs to bed. Bakugo couldn't help but look out his bedroom window to Kirishima's house, seeing it all dark save for the front and back porch lights. Kirishima was sleeping. He grumbled to himself about the redhead and threw the covers over his head.

"That stupid jerk…"

The next morning, Kirishima took Iida out for a ride, but the horse wasn't obeying his commands. Iida trotted in the direction of Bakugo's house despite the commands to turn. As they approached, he saw Bakugo standing on the front porch in his long sleeved beige pajamas holding a mug. Their eyes met, and Kirishima gave Bakugo a nervous wave. Iida, on the other hand, started to do some poses and gentle trots, as if he was…showing off?

"What's your horse doing?" Bakugo asked over the rim of his coffee mug.

"I don't know! He doesn't normally act like this…but good morning anyway, I guess."

' Strike a pose !' Iida said to himself and did his best show pony pose. ' This will surely impress him !'

"What the hell are you doing?" Bakugo asked with a raised brow.

"It's like he's doing it on his own," Kirishima said. "He's never posed like this before," he clicked his teeth. "Come on, Iida!"

' How could he NOT be impressed by this ?' Iida wondered as he obeyed his master's command, turning away from the unimpressed blonde. ' I'm sorry I couldn't help you, master. '

"We don't want to bother Bakugo too much," Kirishima whispered to the horse as they galloped away. 'That was so weird though. Iida never disobeys me.' But he thought nothing of it and continued riding the horse through the fields.

Afterward, Kirishima put Iida back in his stall and went to do his daily chores.

Deku came into the barn to see his friends and wagged his tail when he saw Ochaco and Iida.

' Well? How did the mating courting go? ' He asked.

' He didn't like the mouse I brought, ' Ochaco said.

' And he was not impressed with my display, ' Iida added.

' Well, Bakugo is a bit of a hard human, ' Deku told them. ' But we need to keep trying! They need to spend more time together. They're going to the fall festival together, but there's still time before then!'

'Yes, I agree,' Said Iida. ' We will not give up on our master's chance at happiness with a mate!'

Deku barked. ' That's the spirit! '

For the next few days, the two didn't see much of each other until the day of the fall festival. Kirishima had had a hard night sleeping because he was both excited and nervous for the festival. He would be going with Bakugo, afterall. The festival was nice for couples, even if they weren't a couple. He had time to spend with Bakugo to show him how great the countryside can be; way better than being in the loud, busy city.

Kirishima put on his best red and black plaid flannel shirt, dark blue jeans, and his favorite black boots. He rolled the sleeves up to his biceps and flexed in the mirror. If only Bakugo was easy to impress. Kirishima told himself that he would continue to be Bakugo's friend in hopes of them eventually becoming something more. He knew they had just met, but he felt something for the blonde that was instant, not something that built up overtime. There were two ways this could go. He could wait for Bakugo to ask him out first, so the blonde feels in control, or he bites the bullet and just asks Bakugo himself. He was flustered with each one.

"Just be yourself and do your best," Kirishima said to his reflection. "Let's go, Deku!"

He had offered to drive them to the festival, and Bakugo took him up on the offer. Bakugo was waiting for him on the front porch with Shoto. The blonde was wearing a dark red jacket with a black shirt underneath and khaki slacks. Kirishima thought he looked handsome, and he had to wonder, with some amusement, if Bakugo was trying to go with the 'country bumpkin' look. Regardless, the look suited him.

"Hop in!"

"I don't know why I'm doing this," Bakugo said as he got into the truck with Shoto "Wait, I do know. I'm bored."

"Aww, don't be like that, bro!" Kirishima grinned. "You're going to have a good time! I need a partner for the three-legged race,"

Bakugo glared at him. "Are you serious?"

"It was a joke," Kirishima said. "Not to worry." He started to drive. "You'll be cheering for me at the pie eating contest, right?"

"Hmph. I've never seen a pie eating contest before, so I guess I'll watch you. But I won't bob for apples or do anything stupid like that."

"Sounds fair enough."

' Are you excited to be going to the fair, Shoto? And we'll get out pup cups! '

' I have to admit, I am curious to try this 'pup cup' you keep talking about, '

' It's so yummy! I can't wait to have it! ' Deku stuck his head out the window, letting the wind push back his ears and tongue. ' Get some fresh air with me, Shoto! '

' I'd rather sit here than do…that. '

They arrived at the festival and put their dogs on leashes. Deku was yipping with excitement, while Shoto just watched him.

Kirishima took a deep breath and said, "Ah, smell the aroma of autumn! Pumpkin pie, cider, apple cider donuts-"

"I get the picture," Bakugo snorted. "You can stop now."

Bakugo looked around at the fairgrounds before them, seeing tables and kiosks. Something smelled good nearby, and Bakugo saw that it was coming from a baked goods stand. There would be a lot of baked goods around, and he told himself he wouldn't leave here today without some kind of pie or bread.

He walked with Kirishima as they toured the grounds. There were various types of vendors, from food to crafts. Kirishima first stopped at a candle kiosk, looking over the handmade scents, focusing mainly on the fall selection. He'd never want anyone to know, but he loved scented candles. There was one candle, however, that stood out from the others in the aromatherapy group. It said 'Love Candle' on a folded paper tag. He glanced at Bakugo to see the man browsing the table beside him.

"Interested in the love candle?" Asked the witchy woman behind the table.

"Uh…yeah, kind of."

"It's a ritual candle that you light and say a short spell to get your crush to like you."

"Really? Wow," 'I wonder if it will work on Bakugo.' "I'll take one," Kirishima said, reaching for his wallet.

"A good choice." She put the scented red candle in a bag and exchanged it for money. "I put the spell card in there for you. Just think about your intended, light the candle, and say the spell. That's all there is to it,"

"Thanks! Hopefully, it will work." Bakugo then came over to him.

"What did you buy?" Bakugo asked.

"A candle for, um…Deku. Yeah, he makes the house a bit smelly."

Deku whimpered and his ears drooped. He didn't smell! Shoto leaned over and gave him a quick sniff, then snorted.

'I don't stink !' Deku whined.

"I need to go sign up for the pie eating contest," Kirishima said. "I'll be right back, and could you watch Deku for me?"

"Yeah."

Bakugo took Deku's leash and watched Kirishima disappear into the crowd. He wandered a bit with the two dogs, coming to a stop by a honey kiosk. There were both small and large jars of homegrown honey and a bunch of wax animal shaped candles. He looked at some of the flavored honey, his eye landing on cherry. He picked it and looked at it, curious as to wait it would taste like. The vendor offered him to take a free sample, and he agreed. The sticky sweetness on the little spoon made him buy it, but he didn't buy just one, but two. One for him, and one for Kirishima. He instantly regretted the choice to buy one for Kirishima.

'Oh great! I can just see us sitting at our tables drinking tea with cherry honey! What the hell is wrong with me! That stupid shitty hair needs to take a few steps back!' He thought back to the kiss they shared. He hadn't 'hated' it, but he just wasn't ready for a relationship. However, he was buying honey for another person. He looked down at the dogs staring up at him. "Don't judge me!"

"Okay, I'm all signed up!" Kirishima said when he came back. "What did you get?"

"I got us honey. Cherry honey."

"Oh, you bought one for me? That's so nice of you, Bakugo!"

Bakugo had to look away from that bright smile and felt his heart skip a beat.

"Come on, I want you to experience Old Man Jones' hot apple cider!" He took Deku's leash from Bakugo and led him over to the kiosk with a long line. "You're going to love it! And he makes the best apple cider donuts, too! Have you ever tried one?"

"I haven't."

"Aw, dude, you're in for a real treat!"

When it was finally their turn, Kirishima ordered for them; two hot apple ciders and two cider donuts. They found a spot to sit down, side-by-side.

"I can't wait to see your face after you try them," Kirishima said, already munching down on his donut. He gave a small piece to Deku.

Bakugo could smell the warm apple aroma as he brought the donut to his lips. He took a bite, then another, and then another.

"See! I knew you'd like it!"

Bakugo didn't want to admit it, but the donut was good, and he even wanted another one!

"Try the hot cider," Kirishima suggested.

Bakugo did so, and that too was just as good as the donut. "I'm going to get another donut,"

"Oh, get me one too!"

Bakugo left and came back with two more apple cider donuts.

Kirishima watched as Bakugo ate the donut and took little sips of the cider. He was focused on Bakugo's lips as they blew away the steam on the cider. Kirishima thought he looked so handsome. The words slipped easily and quickly right through his lips.

"Bakugo, will you go out with me?"

TBC