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Katsuki loves Eijirou.
And Eijirou loves Katsuki right back.
Is as simple and complicated as that.
When they first started talking, Katsuki worried that Eijirou was lying to him about wanting to be his friend. Why would someone as sweet and caring as Eijirou Kirishima ever bother with brooding, angry, ‘I'm-not-good-enough-for-anyone’ Katsuki Bakugou? It made no sense! And so the blonde pushed him away the best he could, with shitty nicknames and unwilling to join any ‘fun’ activity the redhead planned. But the redhead never gave up, slowly worming his way into Katsuki’s life until he kissed the blonde at a Hanabi Festival, the fireworks illuminating the bloom of their relationship on that warm July night.
Katsuki loves Eijirou, and as of today, is hard not to believe Eijirou loves him when the redhead showers Bakugou with praise and affection at every chance he gets. Kirishima has always been willing to calm the storm of Bakugou's negative thoughts with gentle reassurance on his decision to choose Katsuki as his lover. Reiterating that ‘No, love, you’re not too much.’ and ‘Yes, Katsuki, I’m sure I want to date you.’ or saying dumb, sappy things like ‘I’m not sure you know how lucky I am you love me, Katsuki Bakugou.’
The love is there.
Strong and palpitating into every corner of their apartment—their home— etched into every fiber of Katsuki's skin.
Is in the way the redhead smiles at him when their eyes connect, soft and light around the edges with deep contentment from existing in the same space—their apartment that is filled with trinkets that they've collected over the years, leaving trails of each other everywhere they look.
Is in the spicy ramen Kirishima brings the blonde when he's had a particularly hard day at work. Always making sure is from the shop Katsuki likes, even if he has to take a 20-minute train ride to get it. ‘Your smile is worth it’, he will say while placing a loving kiss on the blonde’s forehead.
Is in the way he tries his best to cook dinner when Katsuki is doing overtime so Katsuki can have a warm meal when he comes home—even if he's a disaster in the kitchen.
Is in the way Eijirou lets Katsuki have the last bite of every dessert they have, no matter if it's Kirishima's favorite.
Is in the way Eijirou massages his back when he's been sitting at his desk for too long. In the way he learned acupressure to help with Katsuki's migraines from staring at the computer for too long.
Is in the way Eijirou cares for him after a nightmare. Gently running his fingers through ash-blond hair and holding Katsuki between his arms so he feels protected, humming him back to sleep as he kisses his forehead, a mantra of ‘I'm here…You're safe, baby. I got you…I love you…I'll protect you.’ until Bakugou’s trembling subsides, his breath going back to normal. Always giving Bakugou the comfort he needs when he feels so defenseless.
Is in the bedroom eyes Kirishima gives him over the rim of his cup of morning coffee, blazing eyes trailing over his form with an appreciative hum when Bakugou wears one of Eijirou’s T-shirts—they're always too big on him, one side falling over his shoulder, exposing the litany of bite marks and hickeys that adorn milky skin—never failing to make Bakugou flustered over the sheer desire he always finds in those deep pools of carmine.
Is in the way Eijirou hugs him a little bit tighter, a little bit longer before he has to leave for work, like it's truly martyrdom to leave Katsuki's side. In the way Kirishima comes back for another kiss when he's already out the door—‘Just one more, baby, I promise this is the last one!’— and Katsuki has to push him out the door before he's late, all the while giggling like he's back in high school as his face is peppered with quick kisses.
Katsuki knows Eijirou loves him with the same certainty he knows the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Is a truth that leaves no room for incertitude.
But, a reminder once in a while has never hurt anybody, right?
“Are you an angel?” Eijirou's voice is full of wonder and awe as he stares dumbly at Katsuki's face. His hair fans softly on the pillow, a bright red halo that starkly contrasts with the white sheets of the hospital bed.
Katsuki can't help the snort he lets out. “Not by a long shot, Red.” Kirishima's eyes are stuck to Katsuki's face, blinking slowly like he can't quite process who he’s seeing.
“Are you sure?” The blonde looks for a bottle of water in his overnight bag extending it towards Eijirou's mouth, urging him to drink. Kirishima gapes like a fish out of water when Katsuki gets closer to him, a soft blush beginning to cover his cheeks.
Katsuki loses the fight over a pleased smile, "Positive. Now drink.” He places the tip of the water bottle to Kirishima's lips and the redhead finally obeys him by drinking slowly as Katsuki tips the bottle up, maroon eyes never leaving Katsuki's face.
Once Katsuki is sure Eijirou’s hydrated, he puts the lid on and places the bottle on a table near Kirishima's bed.
“Am I dead?” Bakugou lets out a soft laugh and shakes his head. Eijirou frowns at him, his lower lip jutting out in a cute pout. “No, I must be dead! 'Cause you are the preeettiest person I have eeever seen, so that means I'm in heaven.” Bakugou laughs, covering his mouth with his hand.
“You’re very much alive, Ei. Sorry to disappoint.”
Kirishima goes to raise his hands toward Bakugou—to confirm Bakugou is real and that he’s not dreaming, the blonde presumes— but before Bakugou can stop him from moving, Kirishima winces in pain and drops his arms back to the bed. Bakugou rushes to his side, hating that he can't really do anything to stop the pained noises that come out of the redhead's mouth.
Eijirou looks down at his bandaged arm with confusion, Katsuki realizes that his pupils still look a little blown out as he blinks dazedly.
“Ow.”
Bakugou laughs, deeply amused, a soft reprimand on his tone when he says:“Eiji!”
“Where's my arm?”
“Is under all the bandages.“ Katsuki drags a chair so he can sit near, leaning his head between his arms on the little railing of Kirishima's bed.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Eijirou, I am sure." Katsuki can't help the lovestruck smile on his face, he raises his hand to gently tuck Kirishima’s hair behind his ear.
"Okay. I believe you.” He nods like he's trying to convince himself, leaning into Katsuki’s touch, the blonde gently pushing his hair out of his face and getting rid of the tangles he finds between his fingers. Kirishima gives Katsuki a dopey smile, “You wouldn't lie to me. You're too pretty to lie."
Katsuki is just happy no one is here to see him steadily turn into an endeared tomato.
They stay like that for a while, Katsuki untangling the soft red locks the best he can while Kirishima quietly looks at him with a reverence that has the blonde slowly flushing.
“What?” Bakugou fleetingly makes eye contact, Eijirou’s gaze too intense to bear.
Kirishima blinks slowly, reminding Bakugou of a cat. “Do you know that you're beautiful?”
Katsuki snorts but his response is still shy, “Yeah. I know.” You tell me all the time, dumbass.
Kirishima nods, apparently satisfied with that answer. “Good. Is very true.” A beat of silence. “Do you grant wishes?“
“What?” Bakugou giggles.
“Yeah, like…” This time Eijirou seems to remember he can't use his right arm, framing Katsuki's spikes with his undamaged hand. “dandelion.”
This one takes Bakugou longer to decipher, letting Eijiriou play with his spikes as the redhead hums the Zelda theme song.
“My hair is a dandelion? Is that what you mean?”
Eijirou nods again, “Yeah.” He suddenly gasps, horrified, and Bakugou can only look at him with entertained confusion. “But if people blow at your hair for a wish, you'll be bald!” Katsuki has to hide his face by resting his forehead on the metal railing so he can laugh quietly at the sheer concern in his lover's voice. He's shaking with laughter as Kirishima pats his head. “No, no. No bald for you. Too pretty to be bald.”
Bakugou sighs when he finally gets his laughter under control. He takes the hand Kirishima’s got in his hair to place it back on his lap as he stands. “Let me get a nurse so I can tell the idiot brigade that you're awake. They’ve been dying to see you.”
Katsuki squeezes Kirishima's hand before leaving to find his nurse. Thankfully, she was already on his way to check on him, so Bakugou just gives her a rundown on the past few minutes.
“Hey, there! How are we feeling?” The nurse smiles sweetly as she takes out her blood pressure cuff and starts wrapping it over Kirishima's good arm.
“M'good. How are you? I like your coat. Very white.” The nurse laughs.
“I'm good too and thank you, I try my hardest to keep it that way. Do you feel any pain here?” She points to his bandaged arm and Kirishima shakes his head.
“He did when he tried to raise it, though,” Bakugou adds.
“Yeah? It must be wearing off then. Do you feel this?” The nurse applies calculated pressure on the wound and this time Kirishima nods. “Yeah, that’s it. Is normal that if he doesn’t move the wound he won’t feel it, so don’t worry about it.” After taking his blood pressure she pulls out a tiny flashlight to point at his eyes. “His pupils are still a bit dilated, it will take a while for the anesthesia to leave his body.” She informs Katsuki when she's done, Kirishima blinks rapidly and scratches his eyes. “I'll give him some painkillers now though, so he doesn't feel the transition so harshly. I just need to check a few more things, but I don't see any blood on the bandages and you said he could lift it so I think he's gonna be okay.”
Katsuki nods in earnest, “Yeah, thank you.” She smiles as she continues the rest of the check-up.
“Hey, Miss Doctor, do you know that I met an angel?” Kirishima tells the nurse as Bakugou picks up his phone to text his friends about Kirishima's status. They immediately blow up his phone telling him they're on their way with the promise of delicious fried chicken.
“Yeah? How so?” The nurse entertains Kirishima's thoughts, probably used to this scenario by now.
“Yeah! I woke up and Bam! An angel.” He points at Katsuki who blushes immediately. The nurse laughs, deeply endeared by the subconscious love of his patient towards his partner.
“Ah, I see! Must be exciting to meet an angel while still being alive, huh?” She plays into the wonder of it all as she administers the painkillers intravenously.
Kirishima nods happily and then, as if remembering Katsuki is still in the room, he scoots closer to the nurse, covering the side of his mouth that's facing Katsuki. “Do you think I’ve been good enough to date an angel?”
Bakugou pretends he cannot hear Kirishima's attempt at a whisper—which is just as loud as if he were talking normally— keeping his eyes glued to his phone even when he feels his cheeks glow like embers.
The nurse, bless her heart, doesn't even falter in her response. “I don't know, Mr. Kirishima, dating an angel seems very hard.”
Kirishima seems delighted to be accompanied in his delusions. “Yeah, but look at him! He's soooo worth it!” Bakugou chooses to look out the window before the nurse can see him become a cherry in real time. “Imma ask him out!” Bakugou doesn't have to turn to know that Kirishima is clenching his fist in determination.
The nurse laughs, “I bet you can do it, Mr. Kirishima, best of luck!” Bakugou turns around just in time to see the nurse imitating his lover’s pose. Kirishima gives her a fiery, determined smile that she returns. “Well, everything’s good.” The nurse slips back into her professional demeanor as she focuses back on Katsuki. “The doctor will come later to see when you can get out of here, let me know if anything comes up, ‘kay?”
"Yes, thank you. And sorry about all of that.” He still feels his face hot when she laughs, full-bellied and full of mirth.
“Oh no, don’t apologize. Is so sweet that even doped out of his mind he’s still so in love with you.” Her smile is fond, “You don’t see love like that often.” Bakugou nods, face flaming but content.
Yeah, Katsuki is really lucky.
The nurse squeezes his arm and waves goodbye to Kirishima who does the same, and by the way she giggles to herself, he knows she's definitely going to tell her coworkers all about Kirishima's antics. Katsuki’s phone chimes and he scoffs at the ten different variations of ‘here!’ that pop up on their group chat before texting them Eijirous's room number and blocking his phone.
Eijirou doesn't even wait a second after the nurse is gone to turn his full attention to Katsuki, “Hey, do you have a boyfriend?”
Katsuki suppresses a mischievous smile, “Nope.”
“A girlfriend?” Bakugou shakes his head, “Really?!” Eijirou's eyes shine with hope and it's so stupidly sweet that Bakugou wants to scream.
He doesn’t, of course; because he’s twenty-five and a full-grown adult, thank you very much.
“Yeah, got me something even better.“ Kirishima watches him expectantly, hanging onto his every word. Bakugou raises his right hand where a beautiful sleek, silver band sits on his fourth finger. “A fiance.“
“Oh…” Kirishima deflates entirely, his gaze dropping down to his lap. “I see… it makes sense.” Kiri lets out a defeated laugh, “You're a catch! They are very lucky.“ It's said with a tired, sad smile on his face, and before Bakugou can begin to explain, the door busts open.
Sero, Mina, and Denki barge into the room making way too much noise for only three people. They carry bags of fried chicken, the smell permeating into their private room making Katsuki’s stomach rumble, and what seems to be some of Kirishima's favorite candy.
“God, I fucking hate elevators. They make me claustrophobic. Dude, and this food? Almost didn't make it in one piece. Because Denki was getting motion sickness in the back. Can you believe— Why are you crying?” Sero's rant stops dead in its tracks, everyone following his gaze towards Kirishima who is sniffing softly on the bed.
The question seems to be the final straw before Kirishima starts wailing, “Haaaaantaaaaa!”
They all stand there, stupefied as Kirishima extends his good arm towards his friend as he cries. Hanta hurries to his side, very visibly confused, but hugs the redhead all the same.
“What is happening?” The deadpan delivery has their friends laughing quietly immediately.
“He's gonna g-get m-married!” Kirishima hiccups and Bakugou places his hand over his mouth to hide his cackling.
God, his fiance is fucking ridiculous!
Hanta sees the way everyone is trying to hide his laughter, forcing him to do the same as he presses his lips into a thin line, composing himself before speaking again. “Who's gonna get married?” He keeps his tone calm so as to not distress the redhead any further, rubbing Kirishima's back comfortingly.
“I c-can't m-marry the dandelion 'cause he's gonna m-marry someone else!” Kirishima is hiccuping between words, smottering his face in Sero's shirt.
Hanta’s eyes search upwards as he rummages his brain to try to make sense of whatever Kirishima is trying to convey, “You wanna… marry…a flower?” The absurdity of it all makes Hanta’s voice wobbly at the end of his sentence.
Denki is wheezing as he doubles over himself and Mina can't stop giggling.
“No!” Kirishima sounds offended at being misunderstood. “The dandelion!” He repeats like that helps clarify anything.
“Right…Umm… I'm sure you can find another, uh, flower to marry, man.” Sero pleads Katsuki with his eyes to do something but the blonde is entirely out of commission as he covers his face, his whole body shaking with laughter.
Kirishima separates himself from Sero so fast it gives the raven-haired boy whiplash, his voice is steady this time “I lost my chance! Now I will never find love. Hanta, he's so perfect.” His eyes brim with tears and he starts sobbing again.
“Who are we talking about?” Sero whispers in exasperated confusion.
“The angel!” Kirishima weeps, pointing at Katsuki.
“More like the devil.” Denki murmurs, barely avoiding the spare pillow Bakugou throws at him.
Sero starts laughing the moment he catches on, “Dude, really? Oh my God, look at your hand— the other hand, Ei. The one without the bandages.”
They all watch expectantly as Kirishima sniffles and stares at the silver band on his finger, the one that is a replica of Katsuki's own. He raises it towards his face to take a closer look, tears still streaking down his face. What they don't foresee is how Kirishima starts crying again, harder.
“I'm married too? What is this injustice?!” Sero facepalms as everyone finally laughs out loud.
“Is he high?” Hanta groans tiredly, yet his hands never stop stroking Kirishima’s back, and he lets the redhead cover the bottom of his shirt in tears.
“Kind of.” Katsuki composes himself enough to help Sero untangle himself from Kirishima's grip and orders him to help plate the food while he calms Eijirou down.
The redhead is hiccuping, fat tears rolling down his flushed cheeks, yet he watches Bakugou like he hangs the moon and the stars. Katsuki's heart fills up to the brim with adoration, how his fiance can not recognize him, yet is sobbing over the mere idea of ‘not having a chance’ with him has Katsuki caught in a swirl of emotions that makes him tear up a little too.
God, Katsuki fucking loves him.
“Hey, breath, dummy.” Katsuki takes one of the napkins and gently cleans Eijirou’s face, making sure to not rub onto his skin so hard, dabbing softly around his eyes as his fiance does as he’s told taking deep, stuttering breaths. When Kirishima looks more calm, Katsuki removes his touch. “Oi, you want to know who's my fiance?” Kirishima shakes his head furiously, trying to squash the tears that spring back to life with his hand.
Katsuki laughs, all light and golden, putting Kirishima's hair in a low ponytail with the hair tie he always carries on his wrist for his soon-to-be husband. “I think you do. Here, I'll show you." Kirishima watches intently as Bakugou places his hand next to Kirishima's, the bands glistening under the afternoon sun rays that enter through the window near his bed.
Kirishima gasps, turning to look at Katsuki with a worried expression. “We’re marrying the same person?!”
Bakugou snorts, “No, dumbass, we are getting married. You are my fiance, Ei.” Bakugou's smile is loopy, and he doesn’t care when his friends make fake gagging noises at the mushy display when it feels this right to see the way Eijirou's eyes light up like a Christmas tree.
"R-Really?!” Bakugou nods and Kirishima looks like he's ready to vibrate out of his skin. “When?!”
“In May, your moms are traveling from Chiba to stay with us before the wedding.”
“We live together?” Kirishima sounds so happy and he looks at Katsuki with these bright, lovestruck eyes that the blonde can't help but blush a little.
“Yeah, for the past five years.” Bakugou can't resist kissing his cheek—Kirishima is being too cute for his own good—and the redhead giggles like he wasn’t crying his heart out moments prior. Bakugou pulls the overbed table to make it easier for Kirishima to eat before taking the seat next to him.
Kirishima's eyes never leave his form and, as soon as Bakugou is in his reach, he's grabbing at Bakugou’s hand to intertwine with his. He rubs his thumb over Katsuki's ring and his eyes water again, but the wobbly smile cannot be confused by anything other than happiness.
“Who asked who?”
“You did. Got these idiots involved and everything.” Bakugou nudges his head toward his friends who holler and laugh in agreement, Kirishima joins them, the smile he gives Katsuki so bright it could rival the sun.
“Hell yeah, I did! Would be an idiot not to.” Mina places two plates on the table and ruffles Kirishima’s hair in endearment as she returns to her seat. Kirishima raises their joined hands, “Guys! We're getting married!“ He happily announces showing their friends their rings.
“Yeah, man, we know. We’re your groomsmen.” Denki says with mirth between a mouthful of fries. Sero gives him a thumbs up as he gulps on his soda.
“And I'm your best woman, obviously.” Mina does a peace sign before diving into a juicy chicken thigh.
Kirishima giggles and squeezes Katsuki's hand, the joy rippling off him in waves. The blonde has to force Eijirou to let go when he reminds him he only has one arm available to eat. He does so with a grumble, but his mood instantly changes when Bakugou promises to kiss him if he eats.
Kirishima forgets all about the food as he cradles Katsuki's face the best he can with one hand and starts peppering kisses all over his face and mouth, almost like it just dawned on him that Katsuki is his fiance. With little happy quips of ‘My husband!‘,‘We're gonna get married!’, and ‘My angel’ in between each kiss that makes Katsuki melt into a puddle of goo, a dumb smile on his face.
The redhead stops his sappy attack with an exaggerated gasp, Katsuki can almost see the lightbulb turning on over his head. “I have to tell Miss Doctor!” Kirishima turns as best as he can, trying to find the button that will bring the nurse to the room. "We have to invite her to our wedding!”
The rest seem confused but Bakugou just laughs, promising to explain everything later. Katsuki stares at the love of his life, the plumpness of his lips, the length of his eyelashes, the little scar above his eye, and the way the sun hits his hair turning it an appetizing cherry-red. He takes in every muscle twitch, every upward curve of his mouth, every shade of crimson in that loving gaze and commits it to memory.
It hits him now, in this hospital room that smells of greasy food and fills up with the chatter of the people he has the honor to call friends, that in just a few months his last name will be Kirishima and he’ll walk down the aisle to a future he never thought to be possible for someone like him.
The ring on Kirishima’s finger glints like a precious jewel under Katsuki’s attentive gaze. He looks at his own, his smile as golden as the sun rays that kiss his fiance's tan complexion.
The love is there.
And Katsuki can't wait to spend the rest of his life with this man.