Chapter Text
As the warm broth hit his stomach, Katsuki sighed. This is exactly what he needed after a long patrol--a fucking good bowl of miso. And he swears this place always had the best.
Today was a fucking day and a half. Half ass villains trying to come after him just because he was the number four hero. Like their failed attempts wouldn't get Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight higher in the ranks next year. Either way, Katsuki was exhausted. He almost didn't have the energy to take a shower at the agency, let alone change out of his hero gear. But, if he wanted to come to this restaurant with, admittedly, the best food he's ever tasted, he needed to change. He never even thought about the reality of becoming a top five hero. Well, fuck. He's thought about it, yeah? But not the whole logistics reality thing. He didn't know he'd be such a goddamn target. So much of a target that if he wanted to even breathe, he had to keep his hero identity locked up in public. He never even takes off his mask anymore, especially now that his gear covers most of his face.
And maybe he was a little paranoid, so fucking be it. He was truamatized enough as a fucking kid. He had to deal with that shit all by himself. And he was tired of dealing with shit. He was a loner in high school--especially since everyone avoided him because of his temper and the fact that he was always a goddamn target.
Fuck. He was supposed to be relaxing. Ugh.
Letting the thoughts melt away in his mind, the spices filling his senses, the ginger tingling at his throat-- he finally lets out a smile.
“Hey, man. How was work today?” Said a voice that would always make his face heat. He doesn't know if it's because of the soup or because the asshole had no sense of personal space.
Katsuki looked up at him after he took another sip, bringing the bowl straight to his lips. And there he was, Mr. No Personal Space. A huge smile on his face and his long, black hair tied back in a ponytail. Katsuki bent his head back, ignoring his question as he closed his eyes and drank the rest of the broth. He heard a light chuckle and then a full bowl was placed in front of him.
Dammit. That bastard. He was always doing shit like this, serving him way more than he ordered and not letting him pay for it. How the hell is he going to keep his business afloat? Especially since he did this every fucking day. Going here was easier and more convenient than cooking at home. And he knew he'd always get a good, warm meal. So sue him if he came to this restaurant for dinner every day after patrol.
“Kirishima.” He grumbled, pushing the bowl away.
Kirishima smiled, pushing it back, “It's the last of it, man. Take it. Besides, your food is gonna be a little delayed. It's just me today.”
“Your ma?” He asked.
Kirishima was always overworking himself, and he knew this because he was always here cooking and serving him. Every single day. Which is why he let himself become a little friendly with the bastard.
“At home. She worked a lot on her feet today. Lots of customers.” Kirishima sighed, a hint of sadness tinting the joy he always radiated.
Katsuki hummed, looking around the place and noticing it was empty. In fact, it was always empty at this time. Half of him thought that the idiot kept it open only for him.
He found Kirishima’s restaurant, Touko , right when he graduated high school. Kirishima had just graduated high school as well, immediately taking over the restaurant as Katsuki worked to be a top ten hero.
He admired that. The dedication, the want to help his family since his dad had passed and his mom was sick. Kirishima was a hero in his own way. And despite all the annoying lack of personal space and that stupid smile and those goddamn eyes of his--he respected him a fuckload. He almost wishes they had met earlier.
“How's she doing?” He asked, knowing he had just taken her to an appointment.
“Okay! The doctors said she's doing a lot better, but she has to take it easy. She doesn't seem to listen to that part.” Kirishima chuckles.
“You should take it easy, too.”
“Ah, who else would make you miso, eh?”
He couldn't argue with that, starting on his second bowl as Kirishima cleared the other one, walking back to the kitchen.
“I made some tempura. Want some?” Kirishima yelled from the kitchen.
“Whatever.” He said between spoonfuls.
Kirishima came back quickly, bringing him a plate filled with various fried foods. He almost swooned at the taste as soon as it hit his taste buds.
“You never answered how work was.” Kirishima grinned that stupid grin, taking a piece of shrimp from his plate.
“What kind of cook picks at his customer’s food?” He teased.
Kirishima laughed, Katsuki's stomach going up in butterflies. He leaned forward on the counter, resting his chin on his palm. And suddenly, Katsuki couldn't breathe. Damn--what was it about this asshole?
“Work was tiring.” He answered, honestly.
“Must be being a personal trainer. Sounds like fun, honestly.” Kirishima said wistfully.
Yeah, Kirishima thought he was a personal trainer at some gym in another town nearby. Which wasn't too bad of a lie. He did like to work out there since he could be himself. He found himself loving boxing--it was almost like sparring. And part of him liked to not use his quirk and just rely on pure strength. He had told Kirishima he was training to become a professional---considering all the bruises and black eyes he had.
Katsuki took some more tempura from the plate, inviting Kirishima to do the same. He took another piece with a smile.
Kirishima then got up, tapping the counter twice, “Gonna get your food. Help yourself to whatever drinks we have in the fridge behind the counter.”
When he finished up the rest of the vegetables, he realized he was a little thirsty and took up Kirishima’s offer of a drink.
As he got up and moved behind the counter, he was met with the privilege of seeing Kirishima in the kitchen. His sleeves rolled up and a small smile on his face as he readied his food. The sappy, weird part of Katsuki wanted to go in behind him, wrap his arms around that waist and ki--
“Gotta admit the stir fry is good today. Mind if I eat with you?” Kirishima asked, startling him slightly. He was being such an idiot. Katsuki cleared his throat, closing the small fridge with a slam and taking out a can of whatever.
He went back to the counter and let those stupid thoughts drift away. He can't get close to someone like that. Especially on the stupid dating front. The only assholes who ever asked him out were sidekicks at the agency or other younger pro heros. And he knew by the look in their eyes and the way they would hold themselves around him with this stupid sense of awe that they were more interested in dating a top five hero and not Katsuki himself.
“Peach tea? Isn't that a little sweet for you?” Kirishima said, coming back with two plates.
Katsuki looked down, and sure enough he was practically clenching a can of some overly sweet peach tea. He actually hated the stuff.
He didn't really have an answer for that so he pushed the can in Kirishima’s direction. “Didn't feel like anything, got this for you.”
Kirishima’s face lit up, “Thanks! This is my favorite, actually.”
Of course it would be. Sweet ass idiot.
They both started eating then, Katsuki rolling his eyes with a small grin. Fuck this was so good. He wondered if Kirishima’s quirk was god-tier cooking.
In actuality, he's never asked about his quirk, the same way Kirishima never asked about his. It was refreshing, comforting the way Kirishima treated him. He never took any of his bad mood bullshit, always called him out on his shit, was such a good person to listen to, and genuinely made him laugh. He let himself feel safe with Kirishima. His home away from home--Kirishima and Touko.
“Good?” Kirishima asked.
“Fucking amazing.” He corrected.
Kirishima blushed, avoiding his gaze, “It's just cause it's my mom’s recipe.”
Katsuki scoffed at that. Kirishima never took a compliment. He fucking hated it. “I don't see your Ma in there cooking right now.’ He raised his eyebrow before taking another generous bite.
“You always eat my food like it's the best thing in the world.
“That's because it is.” He says, unfiltered with his words. He never beat around the bush when complimenting Kirishima. He needed to hear how awesome he was. And he never really complimented anyone. Not outwardly anyway.
He caught Kirishima's gaze and he held it, entranced by the softness twirling in his eyes. He was graced with that cute smile of his, and his hand twitched with the want to tuck that piece of hair that came loose from his ponytail behind his ear. But he knew if he did, he'd run the risk of touching his face and maybe leading his lips to his. And that's a risk he didn't want to take.
Katsuki may act like he's fucking fearless. Brash. Rude. A downright asshole. And maybe he was. Fuck it, he is . But not with Kirishima. He's something he holds so precious.
He is so precious.
He doesn't want to ruin this by bringing him into the mess that he was.
Lately he could feel something stirring in his chest. And maybe it was brought on by seeing all his old stupid classmates pairing up with each other. Maybe it was because it's been 3 years of knowing Kirishima. Maybe it was because he knew after this he'd have to go home alone to an empty bed and then go run his agency alone.
It's his fault. It's not like he ever wanted that in his life anyway. But every time he found his thoughts drifting, they'd always go to Kirishima. How it would be to wake up with him in the morning. Have that wonderful smile on his. To have his arms wrap around him and never let go.
But it's whatever. He can't do anything about it. Especially since he's been lying to him all these years about what he really does.
“Want another serving?” Kirishima asks, looking down at his already empty plate. “I made enough.”
“Actually, can I take some to go? For lunch tomorrow?”
“Of course you can.” Kirishima beams, clearing the space and going back to the kitchen.
Fuck. What the hell was up with him today? It's not like he hasn't been chased down by villains before. Not like he hasn't been exhausted down to his bones and immediately felt all the tension leave his body at the hint of Kirishima’s smile.
It was the miso. Definitely the second bowl of miso that had him all sappy and mushy and thinking the impossible.
He should really stop ordering it.
Since Kirishima was taking a bit to come back, he let his mind quiet as he laid his head between his arms on the counter. He really needs to go home after this. Let Kirishima go home because now he was sure he only stayed open for him. He wouldn't let that make him feel special. He wouldn't let that little spark light to flame.
He doesn't know if he could handle it. Not something happening to Kirishima because of him.
“Ah, here you go, man. I made sure to pack you up the rest for tomorrow and some more miso. But you probably have to eat that when you get home ‘cause of the tofu.”
He picked up his head and shook it, “You didn't have to do all that for me.”
Kirishima shrugged, “It's no biggie, gives me less to clean.”
He rolls his eyes, always so selfless, “How much?”
The moron clicks his teeth, dismissing him with a wave of his hand, “Don't worry about it. I cooked for myself too.”
“Kirishima.” He demanded.
“Sorry, man. Not gonna get a price out of me today.”
“I'll tell your mom.” He threatened.
“She’d just tell you the same thing, dude.”
“You're fucking ridiculous.”
“And you're my favorite customer.”
Katsuki was smiling so much, he could feel it in his heart.
Kirishima came from behind the counter to hand him his take out, and Katsuki’s chest gave out a single thump.
Fuck, what he wouldn't do to kiss him.
“I'll see you tomorrow, ‘Shima.”
“See you tomorrow, man. More miso?”
“Sure.” He said with a light laugh.
He made his way off of the stool, waving Kirishima goodbye as he walked to the door, both his stomach and his heart so full.
Fuck, he needed to sleep. He had half the mind to call a car service to bring him home.
Before he could turn the corner to start the journey of going home, he heard the ding of the door and then a call of his name.
“Wait, Bakugo!”
He turned around, looking at Kirishima walking towards him with a gleam in his eye, his lips pursed and his brow scrunched.
“Hey, what's up?”
“Okay--uh. I've been thinking about doing this for a while and--I'm gonna try to start living my life with no regrets so…”
Katsuki swallowed, unsure of what was coming next.
Maybe it was Kirishima finally saying that he knew how horrible of a person he was and how dare he lie to him for the past three years. Maybe he was gonna kick him out on his ass and tell him to never come back to his restaurant.
Fuck. He was definitely exhausted. He was thinking crazy.
Kirishima rocked on his feet, getting a step closer.
“I think you're really cute, man. And I don't even know if you like guys the way I do, but--I see you everyday and you're so sweet to me and my mom and I kinda have a big crush on you.” Kirishima admitted, his hand finding the back of his neck.
Katsuki was suddenly very aware of arm muscles.
“Sorry, man. I'm pretty much just rambling. But, yeah! I really like you, Bakugo. So ah--do you maybe wanna go out with me sometime?”
Katsuki’s eyes widened, feeling his heart jump to his throat. He was definitely awake now.
