Chapter Text
Then, lips gently pressed against his own.
It was slight, just a ghosting of sensation, but it was enough to make Eijirou’s eyelids fly wide open in surprise. And when he finally registered what he was seeing, what he was feeling, his entire brain just… went blank.
And then came the shock.
Because holy shit. Holy shit, he was being kissed. Holy shit, he was being kissed by Bakugou. Bakugou was kissing him, and it didn’t make sense, why was Bakugou kissing him?
But he couldn’t dwell on it, or live in the moment like he would have wanted to, because then it was over. Bakugou pulled away, slowly, and when he opened his eyes, they pierced straight through Eijirou’s, taking away what little breath he had left, leaving him speechless, his jaw opening and closing with no sound to accompany the movement.
With each silent second that passed, Bakugou’s expression morphed from a dark, unwavering gaze, to an uncertain chew of his lips. Then his eyes widened, darting, searching for some sort of reaction that Eijirou was frankly just too dazed to give.
And then, Bakugou looked scared. Very, very scared.
He ducked his head and turned to sit stiffly against the headboard, seemingly determined to look at anything other than Eijirou. And even still, Eijirou could only stare.
The silence was tense, painfully awkward, before…
“What was that for?”
At that, Bakugou glanced down at his fiddling hands. Shrug.
“Bakugou…” Eijirou breathed, finally taking control of his thoughts again. A notion dawned on him, so astronomical that it made him feel dizzy. But at the same time, he also felt like maybe he was starting to understand. The beginning of a smile formed on his lips, and he couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief, because honestly, “What was that for?”
Bakugou still just sat there frozen, body rigid. Eijirou could actually see his chest rising and falling much too quickly with each shallow breath, could make out the tremble in his fidgeting fingers that meant he was on the verge of panic. Bakugou’s eyes glanced briefly from the door to the window behind him, as if gauging which was the closest escape route.
No way was he thinking about running away after something like that! They had to talk about this, dammit!
“Hey…” Eijirou moved his hand, slowly, carefully, to rest it on top of Bakugou’s, anchoring him, praying that Bakugou wouldn’t push him away. The effect of the touch was nearly immediate – as if in a trance, red eyes followed where Eijirou’s thumb rubbed gently against his knuckles. Bakugou’s tensed shoulder dropped, his nervous fingers steadied.
There they sat, for several moments, hand over hand, allowing this strange lethargic wave to wash over them.
Finally, a gruff voice permeated the stillness, so quiet that if Eijirou’s heart had been pounding any louder, he might have missed it.
“… I wanted to.”
A breath caught in Eijirou’s throat. He hadn’t really been expecting an answer at all, and he definitely hadn’t been expecting an answer like that. It took him a solid 20 seconds to find his voice.
“Why?”
“I just wanted to, alright? Fuck, is that…” Bakugou trailed off, swallowed a lump in his throat. Brought his eyes up tentatively. “Is that really so hard to believe?”
In that moment, as their eyes met, everything finally sank in. Everything that had happened these past few weeks – the closeness they developed, the intimacy they had shared... Bakugou respecting him, learning how to trust him, caring for him… Even now, the look on his face, so honest and open and vulnerable, the one that meant that he was baring himself, to only Eijirou, just as he had time and time again... All of the pieces were finally starting to fall into place.
Perhaps, this entire time, Bakugou had liked him just as much as he liked Bakugou.
And no, that wasn’t hard to believe. Not at all.
Eijirou laughed. He honest-to-god couldn’t help it, he was just so happy, so relieved. “Well that’s good, because I’ve been wanting to kiss you for ages.”
As soon as Eijirou heard his own words, his hands flew up to cover his mouth. Oh god. The giddiness in his gut was uncontrollable, he could feel his own grin underneath his fingers, but with the look Bakugou was giving him, no amount of giddiness in the world would ever be enough to erase his embarrassment.
“Aha sorry, sorry, that was a stupid thing to say wasn’t it? I feel really dumb now. But also, it’s true, so…” With every word he said, Eijirou felt more and more like a complete and utter dork, but god, he was just so overjoyed, like he was gonna burst at the seams at any second. “… So yah. I wanted to kiss you, too.”
Bakugou just stared at him, quietly, seemingly at a loss for words, and it was starting to make Eijirou’s nerves act up even more than they already were. He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck, avoiding the harsh gaze. “Is, uh. Is that okay?”
Bakugou looked down, the tips of his ears flushed pink. “Whatever.”
The silence that filled the room was tense, as if it was waiting to be broken. Eijirou shifted where he sat, his mouth turning dry.
“Can I kiss you too?”
The question hung in the air, and for just a moment Eijirou regretted having asked it, because… that was the type of question that changes relationships forever, wasn’t it? But at the same time, they had already crossed that line. There was no going back. And it was something he needed to know.
Bakugou closed his eyes. Took a breath. Nodded.
Well okay then.
Eijirou’s heart hammered so loudly in his chest, his fingers trembling, the feeling of excitement so strong that it was nauseating. For a solid moment, he seriously thought he wouldn’t be able to muster the courage to go through with it. But, despite his foggy brain and racing heart and sweaty palms, Eijirou wanted this more than anything. He wanted to share this with Bakugou, and only Bakugou. And somehow, someway, that’s was what Bakugou wanted as well.
But how was he supposed start? With something like this, it was better to take things easy, rather than just rush through it, right? This wasn’t something he could jump right in to, he needed to start off slow. Eijirou carefully brought his hand to rest on Bakugou’s again.
Bakugou jerked slightly at the touch, surprised, and that didn’t seem like a good sign. But before Eijirou could take his hand away, the balled-up fist slowly opened up, allowing Eijirou to intertwine their fingers, encouraging him to close some of the distance that was between them. His brain was whirling, on hyper-drive, his heartbeat so fast and loud it consumed him. He leaned in, until their faces were only a few inches apart. Oh god, this was happening. This was actually happening.
Eijirou paused.
This was all so overwhelming. He didn’t want to mess this up.
Suddenly, red eyes opened, in an instant fixating on Eijirou’s lips, making his heart flutter. Then they looked up and eyes met– half-lidded, intense, and absolutely mesmerizing.
And then, Bakugou gave his hand a little squeeze. Go ahead.
That’s what spurred him forward. Eijirou shed off any lingering apprehensions he had, and allowed himself to just do whatever felt right. Supported by a palm on the mattress, he brought his forehead to rest against Bakugou’s, their noses brushing, and time around them stood still. So close, just a tilt of the chin…
And just like that, their lips met. And it was so gentle, just like their first kiss had been, except this time Eijirou was ready. He was ready to close his eyes, let the word around them melt away, and just feel.
He felt Bakugou’s lips pressed against his own, how they were chapped at the surface but still so very soft. He felt their noses side-by-side, could feel the air of their breaths mix. He could feel slight stubble against his chin, could feel his own heart, hear it beat so fast in his ears, his lungs becoming more breathless with every second that passed. He could feel the way Bakugou’s hand was grasping onto his own for dear life, almost as if terrified that Eijirou would pull away at any moment. He squeezed back, reassuringly. He wasn’t going anywhere.
And maybe a comforting gesture like that was exactly the kind of encouragement Bakugou needed, for he pushed forward, just a little bit, bringing his other hand up to cradle Eijirou’s face. Eijirou couldn’t help but lean into the touch, his head tilting to the side, and that somehow made it even better. But now there was an ache blossoming in his chest, an urge – he needed to be closer to Bakugou, so much closer.
His veins were buzzing as exhilaration coursed through them, and Eijirou gave in to the sensation. Without breaking the kiss, he shifted his weight onto his knees, pressing a hand into the mattress on the other side of Bakugou’s hip, leaning into him. His other arm, he wrapped around Bakugou’s waist, fist clenching against his back, tugging until their chests were flush against each other, their hearts thumping together, finding a rhythm in tandem.
But when Bakugou’s lips parted just the tiniest bit, and a tongue pressed gently against Eijirou’s mouth, he gasped, every single one of his thoughts dispersing in a single instant. This was all so foreign, so new, so intense that he couldn’t even think properly. Yet, his body seemed to know exactly how to respond. One of his hands found its way to Bakugou’s head, fingers nestling in soft, blond hair, pulling them closer as he ran his tongue tentatively across a lower lip. At that, Bakugou gave out a hum – Eijirou could feel the rumble against his skin, could feel it spark in his chest, and it made him feel alive.
And then they were kissing, really kissing. There were tongues and teeth and a fire igniting in his veins, adrenalin running rampage, his lungs burning as their lips moved against each other, with each other, starting to form sighs, and eventually moans, mutterings of names against each other’s lips, hands growing confident, frantic, wandering, and it was exhilarating. Addicting. With every moment that passed, Eijirou wanted more, more, more.
It was becoming too much. They were getting into dangerous territory. Eijirou didn’t want it to end – of course he didn’t, he wanted to savor the moment for as long as possible, imprint each and every sensation deep within his memory so he could cherish it forever. But at this rate… if this kept on for much longer…
Maybe Bakugou could sense his apprehension. Or perhaps, he and Bakugou were on the same page, for tongues withdrew, frenzied hands stilled to more tender tracings, their ragged, shaking breaths slowing against each other’s lips as the two of them came down from whatever high they had been on.
And those kisses that followed… Eijirou poured his heart, his soul, every fiber of his being into those kisses. The lazy ones that he couldn’t help but smile into. The soft ones, the kind that told of their intimacy. The gentle ones that were so full of adoration that it hurt, making his eyes sting and his heart overflow. Their lips joined, again and again, brief pecks of contact, and every single one Eijirou mentally punctuated with an I love you, I love you, I love you, wanting to show Bakugou just how important he was, just how much he was adored and treasured and loved through kiss alone. Nothing else mattered.
I love you.
Bakugou pressed their lips together with an air of finality before pulling away, slowly. Eijirou didn’t want it to end, but then he cracked his eyes open, blinking a few times before taking in the breathtaking sight before him. Bakugou was peering at him, his cheeks flushed red, lips damp, hair a mess, expression peaceful and content. Eijirou’s heart was flooding, bursting with all sorts of emotions, ones that were so intense that no words would ever be enough to describe them. Along with this tidal wave of feelings was the inexplicable urge to hold, and be held.
“Bakugou,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around the blond’s torso, resting his chin on a shoulder. “Katsuki, Katsuki...”
An arm wound around his waist too, Bakugou’s hand came up to rest against his head, running fingers through his hair again, a hoarse whisper against his ear, “Eijirou…”
They sat in their embrace, so completely immersed in the other that their surroundings did not exist. It was just the two of them, and it was beautiful. Eijirou was just so very much in love.
Bakugou let out a shaky breath against his ear. “I… I’ve never… done that before.”
“Me neither,” Eijirou murmured into Bakugou’s shoulder, the smile on his lips widening. He brought their foreheads together again, unclenching a fist from Bakugou’s shirt, reaching out for a hand to take into his own, their fingers intertwining. He gave a little squeeze. Bakugou squeezed back.
“So…” Eijirou whispered, rubbing circles with his thumb. “Now what?”
Bakugou looked down to where their hands were linked, captivated. “What do you mean?” He finally responded.
“Like… ya know… I just want to be sure that you’re okay with all of this.”
The only response was a shrug.
Eijirou pulled back, watching Bakugou carefully before letting out an amused huff, ““Cuz like, I like you. And you like me. But you’ve never really struck me as the type of person who is in to dating, and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, or to make assumptions about our relationship without talking to you first.”
Bakugou remained quiet for several moments, thinking. When he finally spoke, the words were quiet. “I mean, you’re right.” He shrugged again. “I don’t really like being close to people.”
For a moment, it seemed like that was all Bakugou was going to say on the matter. But Eijirou needed some sort of affirmation. So he stayed silent for a little longer, encouraging Bakugou to elaborate.
“Like…” the blond sighed, seemingly trying his best to wrangle his thoughts together, “I’ve known what I wanted to do with my life since I was a kid. Hero work can be really fucking dangerous, and adding a relationship on top of that, there are just so many ways it can go wrong. I’m just, really fucking terrified of something happening, of me feeling like I’m being held back, or getting hurt, or someone important to me getting hurt. Intimacy, or whatever… it just hasn’t been something I wanted to deal with.”
Honestly, that was about what Eijirou had been expecting. But hearing it come out of Bakugou’s mouth was making his stomach drop. He could feel himself grasping onto Bakugou’s hand, squeezing so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. Please, please.
“But walking away from you hurt,” Bakugou persisted, his voice beginning to quiver. “It hurt, I thought I was losing you or something. You mean so fucking much to me, Eijirou. So fucking much. This week made me realize that I don’t want that to go away again. I want to be with you. Or at least, I want to try.”
Now, those words were not what Eijirou had been expecting. But they were everything he could have hoped for. They echoed around in his head, his brain playing them on repeat, over and over again, and it was all too much for him to handle. Eijirou couldn’t help the tears that overflowed his waterline, falling down his cheek.
Bakugou paled. “Oh fuck, you’re crying.” In a panic, he brought a hand to Eijirou’s face, trying to wipe away tears as gently as he could even as his hands were shaking. “God. Fuck, why… what did I—”
Through the snot and tears, Eijirou nearly burst into giggles. “Oh god, I’m okay! I’m okay, Katsuki, I swear!” He placed his hand over Bakugou’s, steadying it against his cheek. “See? I’m fine, honest, I’m just…” at that, he nearly tackled Bakugou, wrapping him up in a big hug, burying his face in his shoulder, his following words a muffled mess. “Oh god, sorry, I’m just so happy right now.”
“You are?”
“Yes.”
Bakugou carefully brought his arms to circle Eijirou in return, pulling him closer. “You’re a fucking mess.”
“Ahhah I know, I know,” Eijirou snorted, letting out a shaky breath.
There they clung on to each other, basking in every sensation that surrounded them. Finally, Eijirou could do things like this, without feeling guilt, or doubt. It was all okay. It was more than okay, it saturated his heart and mind, enveloped him completely. Eijirou was not going to leave Bakugou’s side. Not for anything.
He let out a long sigh. “You know I love you, right?”
Bakugou’s breath hitched, body turning rigid. And maybe it was too soon to say something like that, but he hadn’t said it hoping that Bakugou would say it back. He wasn’t expecting anything like that. He had said it because it was the truth. He had just needed to get it off of his chest, so everything was out in the open. Nothing more to hide.
But then, arms around him tightened, holding on to him for dear life. “Yeah.”
There was a pause, then a whispering of a breath against his ear, so soft he could have imagined it.
“I love you, too.”
And that wasn’t hard to believe at all.