Teenage Haze

As Time Passes

(My Art, please do not repost/share. thx)

The school year was flying by before they even knew it, winter break already around the corner. Midterms had just concluded and everyone was finally starting to relax after the stressful week of testing and late night study-cramming.

That last day, a snowy Friday, had been a half day and once the final bell had rung the whole school breathed a sigh of relief when they stepped out of the building for a long, relaxing break.

Kirishima gently swung his gloved hand, twined with Bakugo's as they walked to the dorms, cheerily discussing their plans for the break.

When they got back, both still had packing to do before their return home for the holidays. Most of their classmates had already left for vacation, leaving the dorms quiet with a peaceful sense of vacant privacy, something both eagerly took advantage of, leaving their doors open to chat as they packed up.

Kirishima was a terrible packer, leaving Katsuki to be his voice of reason when it came to what he should bring with. Especially this year, when they wouldn't be spending the break together.

Neither was going far in fact, both were headed home for the holidays, about a 20 minute away from the school. Actually, they only lived a few blocked from each other, and the short walk was certainly not going to keep them apart for the three weeks.

It was an pleasant enough afternoon and soon the two had their things and selves together. Their timing, however, wasn't optimal, thick gray storm clouds had rolled in, casting a hazy shadow over the rolling hills of white snow, ensuring a fresh dusting of snow was not far behind.

Pulling on fluffy coats and toasty scarves, the two prepared themselves for the brisk frostiness pricking the outside air.

Normally they would walk, but it was just too cold today, no, today they would be driving—Bakugo's car, Kirishima couldn't drive— but since student parking was a solid walking distance from the warm dormitory the full winter garb was definitely necessary.

Grabbing their stuff, they bid happy holidays to a few friends and braved into the icy air, crunching through the snow toward the student parking lot.

Eight inches of snow now had covered the car when they arrived, and with the looming clouds there was undoubtedly more to come. It took a moment to brush it off the car, letting it's engine run while they did, so it'd warm up a bit before they got in.

In -15 though, it didn't warm up much and the car still felt like a freezer when they opened the doors.

"Gah, it's fucking freezing!" Katsuki exclaimed, a harsh wind taking a final nip at his pink cheeks and nose as he slammed the car's door.

"I don't know what you expected," the redhead laughed in return, stuffing his backpack down infront of the passenger seat.

"Well not the fuckin' arctic circle, I'll tell ya that ya smartass."

"Whatever!" Plugging his phone into the auxiliary line, Kirishima set up some cheery Christmas music while Bakugo carefully backed out in the snowy lot.

As it always did between the two of them, and easy chatter started up, mixed with a little bit of bad singing, and they were soon easily on their way.

They knew the city's street by heart and despite the freezing car, their cheeks were warm with talkative smiles the whole way.

By the time they'd reached Kirishima's house the twenty minutes seemed to have gone by far to fast. Katsuki stopped the car, twirling the keys showily as he pulled them from the ignition before turning to his passenger.

"Ready to go?" The blond asked softly, disappointment ringing beneath his tone as he rounded the car to the passenger side. It was only going to be a week

"Mhm!" Slinging a duffle bag over his shoulder, Kirishima stepped onto the sidewalk, glancing sweetly at his best friend. "You okay? You seem a bit sad?"

"Well, I'm gonna miss you, stupid." He grumbled, stuffing his hands in his coat pockets as they approached the door.

"It's just a week Kat; we've got phones you know?"

" 'course I do! Just, you know... a week feels like a while."

"Aww, so sweet!" Eijiro joked, slinging an arm around the blond's shoulders.

"Oh fuck off."

"I'll see you for new years anyway, 'member?"

"Couldn't forget Ei. You got your key?" He asked, nodding to the home's door as Kirishima fished his pocket for it.

"Yup," quickly he unlocked the door, but didn't open it yet. "Um, I guess this is goodbye for now then."

"Alright. I'm gonna miss you." crushing the redhead in a hug Katsuki couldn't help but smile being hugged back. It lasted possibly a beat too long, as they took it to remembered the shape of each other inhaling calm breaths of each other's scent, before the embrace broke quickly, as snowflakes began to fall.

"I'll miss you too." Smiling that kind smile, Kirishima squeezed Bakugo's hand one more time. "You should get home 'fore the snow pick up."

"Bye Ei."

"Bye Kat."

And Katsuki did. They waved goodbye one final time as he got in the car and he finished the short drive to his own home, where he was eagerly accepted by his parents.

The time off was fine. As expected, a snowstorm pushed through that night and of course he texted Kirishima whenever he could to check up on him or just chat. Though, he kind of bit himself for it, for how attached he was realized he'd become to that idiot.

Many of the first days were filled with gift wrapping for the upcoming Christmas holiday.

In Japan, Christmas was seen as more of a couples holiday, like valentines, but with half-American roots, the Bakugo family celebrated in a more western, family-centric way, hence why he spent so much time tediously wrapping gifts. (Of course he'd gotten something for Kirishima too)

Christmas soon came that Friday and the Bakugo family got up early to celebrate together, along with a visiting relative.

Gifts were received in grateful smiles and later, breakfast slept warm on the table, eager to fill a void of hunger.

The late breakfast was very atmospheric to that snow dusted morning. Still, despite all the flurrying cheer of the barely beginning day Katsuki's mind wandered to Kirishima, consequently remembering his present, waiting atop his desk to be gifted.

Putting up a freshly cleaned dish he checked the time, noon. Though it seemed late enough, he figured it better to wait, continuing to help out with the breakfast dishes. But inevitably, with the day passing so wildly, it somehow slipped his mind, at least, until after Christmas dinner.

As he watched a bag of popcorn spin atop the microwave dish, the remembrance sparked in his mind. Gift: Kirishima.

Darkness had already fallen, a thick blanket outside, but still, he grabbed his phone, the gift, and stuffing himself into his coat, called out to his mother that he was dropping a gift before swiping his keys and hustling out the door. He was off.

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