~~~
Parents are not happy. Time and time again, they've put their trust in UA and its stability, but time and time again, that security has been threatened by outside forces. After the students of Class 1A returned from their trip to Nabu Island, it's been challenging for the teachers of UA to convince the rattled parents to believe in its structure. After all, the life of a pro hero is far from easy. It will be difficult and dangerous.
Of course, Kira is frustrated that villain's decided to infiltrate the peaceful island, but they were defeated. Because of them. It seems like Kira's classmates don't want to quit this lifestyle either. They're all still here, in the dormitory, bickering and messing about like nothing even happened. Fighting bad guys doesn't seem to phase them.
Not only that, another measure has been deducted - the hero work study courses have returned. Aizawa had instructed them on the details included and it seems like the hero commission really wants young heroes out in the real world, hence Nabu Island. But, they need supervision, so why not have it from a real pro hero?
But, that's a future problem. Having to find a place for Kira to do her work study is a whole other issue, as even thinking about taking part in such an event brings back shameful memories, where she trained with someone she thought was her mother, the Light Bringer. In truth, it was just a villain in disguise - Himiko Toga. A part of Kira doesn't want to get involved in another work study at all, but this time it's mandatory. So, she doesn't have a choice.
Today... Today is a different kind of event. Something that entails joyful surroundings, sparkling lights and plenty of fattening food. Kira looks down at her Christmas hat, specially made just for her. Everyone has their own unique hat, either red or green. But, that's not all - the ends of everyone's Christmas hats has something to do with that specific person's nature or personality. Kira looks down at her hat again, feeling the plump fluffiness of it and marvels at the glowing green ball at the very end of the hat.
It's a nice touch, really. Kira looks around at her friends, clad in either red or green Christmas jumpers. Midoriya's hat is similar to hers, except with a darker green and a spiky end. It's just like Bakugou's hat, but the end of his is orange. Speaking of, Bakugou isn't the most jovial person to be around, sulking with his hands crammed in his pockets, refusing to join in and be festive. Mina keeps trying to ambush him, forcing him to take part on the cheeriness by chucking the Christmas clothes on him. Kaminari even manages to swipe the hat onto his head at one point.
It's been about a week since Nabu Island. Kira still has thin bandages layered on underneath the Christmas gear, though it's just for show really. She's fully healed, but whether that's from Recovery Girl or not, she isn't sure. Either way, she feels back to her regular self. Physically, anyway. Her mind is in shambles, clinging onto another version of herself. A version where she's locked in space and time with Katsuki Bakugou. She can't seem to tear her eyes away from him since they returned to UA. But, she has to admit that she feels like her yearning gaze is being reciprocated.
Why is she waiting for him to do something? Why can't she approach him and say all the things she needs to say? It's not that she's worried about what his reply could be, right? Is she scared of rejection? Humiliation?
Sato reveals a large plate with a shining turkey on it, surrounded with details and decorations, lining the meat with all sorts of Christmas orientated treats. It looks amazing, with steam wafting off the fresh food, spreading a mouth-watering smell around the dormitory. Kira can't wait to dig in to the food that Sato has prepared, as she slips her head into the Christmas hat, licking her apparently starving lips.
As everyone practically lunges for the dishes set out on the tables, the presents tucked under the tree catch her eye. She doesn't know when everyone was able to buy presents for each other, as Kira only just managed to find some suitable gifts a few days ago. On the weekend, Kira and a few of her friends had managed to leave the constricting confines of the dormitory and travelled down the hill to the nearest available shops. It was difficult to hide her chosen presents from her friends, especially with how nosy they can be, but she was able to buy something for everyone, even if some of them are small and probably meaningless. She even found something for Bakugou. She just has to wait for the right time to give it to him.
Mina snatches a cracker off the table and spins to Kira on the sofa, practically shoving it under her nose. Kira nods with her mouth full of tasty food and places her plate down on the table. It clinks softly and she latches onto the other end of the cracker. They simultaneously count to three and pull! Kira wins, having succeeded in ripping off the larger part of the Christmas game, accidentally bumping into Sero behind her on the sofa as she does. She peers inside the paper, digging out a very small bottle of bubbles and a paper crown. It's the brightest red, just like-
Another loud bang of a cracker being pulled apart snaps her from her daze, as she drags her eyes from the silly paper crown. She closes her hands around the crown, keeping it safe in her palms. She doesn't need it, as she's wearing a better hat, warmer and designed just for her, but how can she throw this one away? It's ridiculous how one stupid Christmas hat reminds her of him. She almost hates how devoted she is, but hatred is the something she could never feel for Katsuki Bakugou, even if that's all she desires.
A few more Christmas crackers pop, before Kaminari dashes over to the tree, the top of it scraping the ceiling. Everyone spins around to his sudden movement, as he grabs one of the presents from underneath the tree.
"I can't wait any longer!" Kaminari blurts, examining the massive gift in his hands, wrapped hastily.
Kirishima joins him, leaping over the sofa suddenly. "I'm dying to open them as well!"
There must be at least fifty presents tucked under the tree, all of them different shapes and sizes. Kira finds herself standing from the sofa, abandoning her food, as her own curiosity controls her movements. She's excited to see her friends reactions to her gifts and vice versa. It makes Kira wonder if her classmates even know her at all.
"This one has my name on it!" Kirishima barks, grabbing a gift from the pile, before rattling it close to his face.
That's not the one from Kira. Still, she watches him tear it open, revealing a plain black shirt. Kira frowns at the present, but Kirishima's face lights up at the new shirt. He then turns it around so everyone can see the front of the clothing - it's got Crimson Riot's signature on it.
"Okay - whose idea was this?" Kirishima gawks at all of Class 1A.
He hesitates when his eyes lock on Kira's, but her shock must have told him that it wasn't her. Kira stares around at the others, when her gaze stops on Mina. She's positively giddy, a massive smile on her face, as if she's eternally proud of her present choice. It makes Kira's present look lame.
"Mina?" Kira whispers, loud enough for the others to hear.
Kirishima turns to Mina. "Okay!" She blurts, as if she's been holding her breath. "It was me! I got it for you!"
"How?" Kirishima's arms drop slightly in his shock and wonder. "I mean, how did you even-"
"I'm not telling you that!" She exclaims, shaking her head slightly. "It's a secret."
Kirishima stares at Mina for a few seconds longer and Kira's head swivels to both of her closest friends repeatedly. There's something there that wasn't there before. She can see it in their eyes, in the way their bodies face each other. Kira even feels a pang of spite in her gut at witnessing this interaction, for some strange reason.
"Hey, Shoji!" Sero calls out, interrupting the awkward silence. "This one's for you!"
He tosses it to Shoji, who catches it with ease. Kira instantly recognises her handiwork of terribly packaged items and casually slinks her way closer to the curious group of students. Shoji uses two of his hands to delicately tear into the gift, like he has all the time in the world, before pulling out... a piece of clothing. Kira tries to hide the smile on her lips at seeing her chosen gift.
"More clothes?" Kaminari's brows raise at the gift as he scratches his head.
"Yes." Shoji nods slightly, unfolding his present. "But, this one has sentimental value."
Kira's eyes widen at his words, his soft tone as he looks up to her immediately. Of course, he's going to know it's from her. Shoji holds out the dark grey poncho for the whole class to see. It's identical to the one that Kira borrowed during their Halloween week away from UA. She was attacked by that hideous bear and his poncho was ruined.
"I figured I owed you one," Kira chuckles softly with a slight shrug.
"Because of circumstances beyond your control?" He adds, clutching the poncho close to his chest.
Kira shakes her head, smiling almost sadly at his response. "Beyond my control?" She repeats. "It shouldn't have been."
Shoji pauses, looking down at the gift in his arms. "Thank you," he says quietly.
A few more presents are passed around, everyone tearing into them with vigorous impatience. Kirishima hands one to her and she almost forgets that it goes both ways. Kira thanks him and sits herself down on the sofa, digging into the present. The wrapping makes a satisfactory sound to her ears, as she tosses the unusable remains aside. Inside is a necklace, a simple and elegant silver, with a small bright green gem - no larger than Kira's nail on her pinky finger - dangling from it. Kira's eyes widen at the gift - she's never considered wearing much jewellery, being included in the life of a pro hero, but she just can't keep her eyes off how glamourous it is. She stares at the red paper crown still scrunched up in her left palm, while she holds the necklace in her right. What is she supposed to do with herself?
"It brings out your eyes."
Kira tilts her head, as Momo leans on the back of the sofa, glancing over her shoulder at the present in her palm.
"It's from you?" Kira wonders, her voice quiet, as her friends continue to unwrap their gifts behind her.
Momo nods slightly. "I noticed you don't wear a lot of jewellery. Not even on days where we're not doing any hero work."
"I mean, we're heroes, right?" Kira shrugs slightly. "If something happens, it'll just get in the way. My Quirk will just ruin it."
"If something happens?" Momo quirks her brow curiously. "You almost sound like Bakugou," she adds, muttering under her breath. "Honestly, why must we prepare for the worst?"
"It's a beautiful necklace, Momo." She looks back down at the gem glistening in her palm. "But, I don't think-"
Momo then leans over the sofa, grabbing it straight out of Kira's hand. "Just wear it today. You might change your mind."
She scoops Kira's hair off her neck and lowers the necklace in front of her face, causing Kira to look up, the green gem catching her eye, as it bounces off the Christmas lights. The sound of bickering and excitable students fades away as Kira's eyes instantly find Bakugou. He's not looking her way. In fact, he's facing away from the others, staring down at his own hand, a deep frown peeking out from under his hair. She can't see what he's holding, but Kira can only assume it's that All Might card that he likes to keep on his person. Her hand tightens around the red paper crown in her grip, refusing to let go.
Kira feels her own pocket, where she's keeping Bakugou's present safe. She just can't bring herself to dump it with the other gifts, with everyone else's, because he's not like everyone else. She's worried about his reaction, if he'll call her an idiot or something far more cruel.
The cold metal of the necklace tickles Kira's skin, causing her gaze to flutter away from Bakugou. In truth, she doesn't deserve to wear necklaces, or anything quite so glamourous, seeing as her neck and throat is now too ugly to be shown off with such decorations. Dabi stole that quality from her. The last time she remembers wearing a necklace was when Kira went to I-Island. That was so long ago now.
Kira's hero costume allows her neck and her scarring to be visible to the world, but every time she puts it on, she has to convince herself about what she's trying to prove, about what she's trying to overcome. However, Kira will simply entertain Momo for today, but she'll most likely never see this beautiful piece of jewellery again, shoving it in one of her drawers where it'll never see the light of day again.
"Thank you," Kira says quietly, looking down at the gem sitting comfortably just above her breast line.
"You never know." Momo leans away from her with a sigh. "You might catch someone else's eye."
Kira looks up sharply, but her friend has already stepped away to join the others as they continue to share presents around. So, there's a hidden agenda behind it, after all. Sometimes, Kira regrets telling the other girls about her true feelings for Bakugou, but it's not like they've betrayed her trust. They've done just the opposite - doing whatever they can to help, whether it's a subtle gesture or not.
Kira fiddles with the gem between her finger and thumb, before forcing her eyes to Bakugou once again, but he's no longer standing where he once was. She stands up abruptly, the red paper crown falling out of her hand and spins on the spot. He's being forced to join in on the fun, as Kirishima shoves a present in his hands and Sero and Kaminari work together to stop him from running off. Bakugou is so closed off that Kira's actually curious as to what the others may have bought him.
Bakugou snatches the present from Kirishima, who seems way too excited about it. That can only mean that he's the one who bought this gift for him. Kira moves around the side of the sofa, squeezing past Todoroki and Kyoka to watch the scene unfold. Bakugou roughly tears into his present, yanking out its contents to reveal a few packets of extra spicy, flaming snacks.
Bakugou turns it over several times and doesn't look impressed. "Is this all you could think of, shitty hair!?" He snaps, but doesn't seem to be discarding the treats at all.
Kirishima shrugs. "You keep a lot to yourself, man," he argues. "I know that you like spicy stuff and that's pretty much it."
Sero and Kaminari nod in agreement on either side of Bakugou. "So, it took all three of you idiots to use what little brains you have to come up with this lame excuse for a present?"
"Well, if you want I can take it back?" Kirishima holds his hand out.
"No," Bakugou says quickly, keeping the snacks out of his reach.
Kirishima smiles triumphantly at his reaction, before spinning back to the remaining few presents. Sero and Kaminari decide to let Bakugou leave, as if they're even capable of keeping him locked in place anyway. Did he only get one present from the class? Kira frowns as Bakugou scoffs at the packets, rustling in his grip as he turns away from the scene. She's certain that she still has a few gifts with her name on it in the pile, but it must be difficult to buy anything for Bakugou when he's so distant and unknown. What are his likes and dislikes? What's his favourite food? What's his favourite colour?
This empathy for Bakugou urges her decision, as she fondles the gift in her pocket. She digs into her clothes as she chases after Bakugou, watching him storm over towards the kitchen area. He slams the snacks onto the small island and she hesitates - he's in quite a foul mood. She hides her gift in her grip, her hand slightly hidden behind her back. She opens her mouth to announce herself, but realises that her lips are trembling. This hold that he has over her is overwhelming.
"Bakugou," she speaks up, her voice quiet and feeble, when it should've been strong and certain.
"What?" He snaps, spinning round briskly.
His features immediately soften when he realises it's her. His eyes subtly flicker down to her new item and she freezes - she already forgot about the green gem hanging around her neck. Kira looks away and scoops her hair round to her front, hiding the jewellery from the world. It doesn't need to be the main highlight in this interaction. Besides, as much as she loves Momo for the gift, she plans on discarding it after today anyway.
"You gonna eat all of that yourself?" Kira gestures to the packets on the side, searching for an easier way to start a conversation.
Bakugou glances at the snacks, but only for a second, before locking eyes with Kira again. "What do you want?" He asks, ignoring her question.
Kira sighs heavily, a meagre attempt to rid herself of this unnecessary tension. She feels the gift in her hand behind her back, turning it over as she ponders on how to assert herself around Bakugou. He's different to how he was on Nabu Island. It's like, every time they return to UA, he has to put up a wall, a fake defence to scare her away for some reason. This bravado isn't needed - she's already seen who he truly is.
"It is Christmas, after all," Kira replies, stepping closer to Bakugou. "You think I was just gonna let snacks be your only present?"
"You got me something." It isn't a question.
Kira nods slightly, before pulling her hand from behind her back. But, she still keeps her hand closed, her fingers facing the ceiling. "Give me your hand, then," she nearly laughs as he just stands there, frowning down at her fist.
Bakugou appears sceptical, but he quickly throws a wary glance over her shoulder to the others, as if he doesn't want anyone to witness this moment that belongs to only them. He holds his hand out, his palm facing the sky and Kira stares down at it, so much larger than her own. She can see the infliction of hard work traced into his skin and Kira has to fight her wants in this precious instance. She breathes out slowly, fully prepared for his rejection or show of disgust at her chosen present and turns her hand over, placing a card into his hand.
Bakugou turns the card over, examining it intently, as he reads the detailing, muttering as he does. It's an All Might card, similar to the one he already has. It's shiny, like his, so she assumes that means it's a rare type, though she isn't familiar on the details. She probably should've asked Midoriya, but she wants to keep this gift a secret between herself and Bakugou. However, his directed frown and unphased glint in his eye causes her to swallow in anticipation.
"I don't know if you collect them, or what," she tries to explain. "But, I saw it and I thought of you." She closes her mouth instantly at her chosen phrasing, regretting those words from her lips.
"I don't," he says bluntly.
"You don't?" She blinks at his response. "Don't what?"
Bakugou waves the collectible card half-heartedly. "I don't collect them."
"You- you just have the one All Might card?"
He hesitates. "Yeah. It's been a while since I've had more than one."
"Oh." Kira looks down at the card in his hand still clasped between his finger and thumb. "Well, that's- that's my fault. I just assumed. I can take it back if you don't want it-"
He holds the card out of reach, next to his cheek, forcing Kira's flustered gaze back to his soft features. "I never said that."
Kira chuckles softly, lowering her outstretched hand slightly. "Why am I getting a strange case of deja vu?" She jokes, reminiscing on their similar interaction outside on the veranda. Bakugou doesn't reply, but his eyes have fallen down to where her necklace is hidden behind her hair again, so Kira clears her throat noisily. "Merry Christmas, Bakugou," she adds, ready to join the others by the tree. "Sorry for the crappy gift."
Bakugou looks at the All Might card again and pockets it with an intense sigh. "Actually..." He starts and Kira pauses, her eyes widening ever so gently at his interruption. He did get her something? There's just no way... "I heard what Arms said," he tells her.
Kira frowns at the nickname, before glancing back at Shoji, as he helps Ojiro clear away some of the mess from the presents. "What Shoji said?" She wonders, turning her attention back to Bakugou. "About- about my present for him being a sentimental gesture?"
"Yeah." He nods, as he turns around, so his back is facing her. Kira tries to sneak a peek, standing on her tip-toes to try and glance over his shoulders, but he's way too lean for her to even spot anything. "I also heard what you said," Bakugou comments. "About feeling like you owed him."
Kira scoffs slightly, more in shock at the change in attitude than anything else, as she pieces together this elaborate puzzle. "Bakugou... you- you don't owe me anything."
"You've forgotten," he counters, turning back around with his hand closed into a fist, just like she was with his gift. "Of course you have," Bakugou scoffs this time, as Kira just stares at his clenched hand. "Well? Give me your hand, you idiot."
Kira shakes her head, freeing her from her daydream and shows Bakugou her palm. His eyes travel down her arm and examine the details of her skin, causing Kira to supress a chill from the sudden devotion in his bright eyes. With Bakugou's other hand, he cups her own ready palm, holding underneath, as if her arm might suddenly drop. His fingers grace the skin on the top of her hand, his fingers dancing with her own. Bakugou's closed hand, the one with her present hovers over her palm, before slowly opening and... money falls out, cold and clinking together.
Her eyes widen at the change, before snapping up to Bakugou. "Money?" She gawks, as a frown slowly replaces her surprise. "What are you paying me back for?"
"Ramen," he says plainly and Kira blinks at the short reply.
"Ramen?"
Bakugou nods once. "Ramen," he repeats with certainty.
His hands remain with her own, one holding the money in place, the other cupping the bottom of her hand. It must be to stop any change from trying to slip away.
"You're right," she says. "I don't remember."
Bakugou groans irritably. "I guess it doesn't really matter," he mumbles, looking away for a second. When he looks back, his gaze is directed at her hidden neck.
"It does," Kira whispers. "Of course it does. I want to know."
"If you don't remember, was it really all that important?" He replies, his eyes falling to their hands still connected.
Kira's quiet, her lips tight together as searches for an adequate response. With her free hand, she tentatively grabs Bakugou's fingers, before pulling her hand free from his gentle embrace. She examines the coins in her palm, frowning as she tries to rack her memory. So much has happened this past year alone, that it's hard to keep a record of what's important and not. Especially when it comes to Bakugou.
Kira decides to pocket the change, her fingers still locked with Bakugou's. She meets his eyes, so sombre yet certain. "If it's important to you, then it's important to me."
His eyes shine at her reply and he explains the past, reminding her of her actions. She bought him spicy ramen once at a local stall. It was after she tried to convince Bakugou to buy some painkillers for an injury he inflicted while performing hero training during school hours. There was even a baby involved. But, the important part included the ramen, as Kira used any change she had on her for a bowl of spicy ramen, just for him.
"Why only one?"
"Hm?" She hums, her eyes still locked onto the chef.
"Why one bowl, you idiot?" Bakugou says harshly.
She turns her head to him, noticing Bakugou also eyeing the chef intently. "Because that's all I have enough for."
This time Bakugou sets his gaze on her, his expression a little softer than what she knows. Perhaps it's the faded lighting from the hanging bulbs above their heads. He's probably glaring at her more than ever before.
"That's stupid," he says suddenly.
"I'm surprised you even remember that," Kira breathes out incredulously. "That was so long ago..."
"I told you that I remember everything," he says. "I keep telling you that."
Their fingers continue to dance and tease at one another's skin, as their arms lower in front of them, creating a bridge between their eager bodies. The tips of their fingers refuse to be apart, refuse to feel nothing but the cold air always separating them. Their bodies are equal to each other, their glazed eyes scanning each others faces with a passion that is just too fervent to be ignored.
Behind Kira, she can hear the clinking of glass, the scraping of cutlery on licked-clean plates, the rustling of decorations or torn up wrapping paper, her friends cackling during their hearty conversations, completely oblivious of Bakugou and Kira's hands intertwined, their eyes locked in a battle of wants and desires. But, this connection, the feeling of his warm skin flooding her own, where has it come from? Why now? It seems like this unique sensation she feels around Bakugou is only caused by outside forces. She hates that. She wants this returned attraction to be a normality, not because of something that happened while they were away from UA.
"How long is this going to continue, Bakugou?" She questions, frowning down at their fingers rubbing against one another. "This back and forth thing we have?"
Bakugou's quiet for a moment, his own head dropping to watch their hands. "I don't know," he decides to say honestly. "What do you want me to tell you?"
Kira's heart jolts at his tone - he sounds sad, almost guilty. "I just want to know why we are... the way we are." She sighs. "Are you afraid of us? Are you worried about what might happen?"
"I'm not worried!" He snaps and Kira feels his fingers tighten around her own, but he still refuses to let her go.
"Then, what is it?" Kira pushes, eager for a slither of truth, because that's what binds them now. "We've found ourselves in the same situation again and again, but never... here." She peels her eyes away from their embrace to gesture around the kitchen with her eyes. "Never at UA or at the dormitory." She pauses, tilting her head curiously. "Are we this complicated because bringing this home will make it all too real? Is it just easier to leave us behind, whether it's back at the cabins... or on that beach?"
Bakugou's silence returns - he doesn't have an answer. He always has answers. But, there's no sign of a snappish retort, or a harsh insult. In fact, his fingers have moved up to her knuckles and Kira forces herself to regain her composure. She deserves some kind of sincerity.
"You know," Kira scoffs, but without the intention to cause offence, looking away for a moment, as if she has to work up the nerve to face him. "Sometimes, I feel like I have you all figured out and other times, it seems like the only person you care about is yourself. But, there's a whole side to you that I don't even know about, isn't there?" She hesitates, afraid of what the answer may be. "What am I missing, Bakugou? What are you hiding from me?"
His whole demeanour sags, his fingers slipping from her embrace, but she instinctively latches onto his touch, never wanting to be rid of his everlasting warmth. "You don't know that everyday I wonder... why I do the things I do."
"Why?" Kira barely whispers, her lips forming the word, but Bakugou doesn't react to her reply.
But, before she can press the issue, the main doors of the dormitory open briskly, wafting a cold breeze towards Kira and Bakugou, who are currently the two closest to the doors. They both simultaneously snatch their hands free at the suddenness of Aizawa, Eri and Lucas, as they dive in through the front doors to escape the cold.
Kira sticks by Bakugou's side as everyone rushes over to greet Eri and Lucas. The former has decided to join in on the festivities, wearing a cute Christmas outfit, whereas the latter is wearing some simpler clothes.
"I'm supposed to say trick or treat?" Eri asks Lucas directly.
The stubborn boy facepalms. "We've been over this so many times, Eri," he says, a little harsher than needed, but Eri doesn't seem to mind his hostility. "It's Christmas, so you say..."
He leaves the end of that sentence for her to finish so she turns to Class 1A, who all wait in anticipation. "In sickness and in health," she finishes, throwing small handfuls of confetti around.
Lucas' face drops, but he doesn't even bother trying to correct her.
"You're getting even further away now," Aizawa says as he crouches in front of the two children. "Go and have some fun."
Eri rushes off towards the tree, with Class 1A in tow. Lucas follows too, a miserable look on his face and his arms crossed stubbornly. Ojiro hands Lucas a plate filled with delicious food and his features brighten ever so slightly. He really does remind Kira of Bakugou, presenting a tough exterior, putting up a front just to hide what truth lies inside.
"Kiriya." Aizawa's voice drags her eyes back to the doors again. "We're heading out."
Her eyes widen at the news. "But, it's Christmas, sir," she complains. "I'm-"
"No arguing," he cuts her off, though his tone isn't harsh. "Shinso and I will be outside. Five minutes."
Kira's about to beg for today off, but Aizawa slips out the dormitory before she can. Her gaze flickers from the door, to the rest of Class 1A, then back to the doors again. She grumbles in annoyance, but this training is helping her adjust to her rapidly growing Quirks.
"Dammit," she mutters, turning to leave.
A hand latches onto her wrist, spinning her round with more force than she expected, so that she's facing Bakugou once again. Their bodies are close, their hands practically trapped between them.
"Stop training with him," he exclaims, his voice an urgent whisper.
Kira swallows thickly at this sudden closeness. "What?"
"Train with me instead."
"Bakugou." She frowns at his words, trying to make sense of his behaviour. "I-"
"Like we did by the lake."
Her eyes widen at the memory of them sparring - that's one she'll never be able to forget.
Kira's eyes open suddenly, when she feels her bottom half get instantly soaked and that's when she realises how far they tumbled - they're both half in the lake, with Bakugou on top of Kira. His eyes are trained back up the hill, scanning for anymore falling debris that could chop their heads off. Kira has completely disregarded any threat of a bear in her sparring session with Bakugou, too entranced by his teachings to remember a silly animal.
Kira can't help but chortle at their situation. Bakugou looks down at her when she starts laughing and Kira hides her face with her arm, not even sure why she's laughing - must be the shock, the adrenaline and the pain of her bruised limbs and broken hand. She peers past her arm at Bakugou as he frowns down at her, their thighs touching still, his hands placed on either side of her head.
"What the hell's so funny?" He snaps, though he sounds more confused than mad.
Kira sighs heavily, moving her arm. "Nothing," she whispers. "Just nothing."
Out from the cover of the trees, the dim moon announces itself, glowing a meek shine on the side of Bakugou's face, though his hair protects him from most of the moon's glow. His eyes are the only thing that remain clearly noticeable: a strong, striking red in the pale moonlight. Kira feels like she'll never lose sight of him as long as she can see his eyes. They hold such a firm gaze, so determined and unwavering - his true strength of character is shown in his eyes.
She remembers their closeness, their bodies together, thigh to thigh, chest to chest, as she gazed up at his features glowing in the pale moonlight.
Kira tears her eyes away from Bakugou's sincerity. "I can't," she whispers, her tone laced with regret.
"Why the hell not?" He orders, his own voice rising in frustration and rejection.
"Because I'm actually learning things with Shinso," she tells him.
Bakugou scoffs harshly. "You were the one who asked me, remember?"
"I do remember." She nods frantically, her hair slightly blocking her vision. "And I'm sorry, Bakugou. Instead of us just sparring together, both Mr Aizawa and Shinso are helping me understand my Quirks. We're not just battling it out."
Bakugou still has his hand latched on Kira's wrist, pulling her in closer. "You told him about your healing Quirk?" He adds, keeping his voice low, so the others don't hear.
"You know I did," she says. "What's wrong? You never had a problem with me training with Shinso before."
"Didn't I?" He retorts.
Kira blinks at him, at his abrupt anger towards her extracurriculars. "Don't you want me to be able to control these Quirks of mine?"
Bakugou backs off at her comment, but their touch remains intertwined. "Of course I do, you idiot."
"Then let me go," she tells him.
Bakugou slowly, but surely releases her wrist and she rushes to the main doors, before hesitating with her hand on the handle. She turns back to Bakugou, storming up to him while she unclasps the necklace. She grabs his hand roughly and slaps the necklace into his palm, feeling like she's about to drown in the warmth that he radiates.
"You keep looking at it," she states. "Keep it safe for me, okay? I trust you."
Kira doesn't offer him a chance to reply, as she also pulls her Christmas hat off her head and places it on his own, pushing his hair down over his eyes. She chortles softly at his half hidden features, before taking off her Christmas jumper and tosses it around his shoulders. She doesn't say anything further and decides to leave him standing there with her new necklace in his palm, the fragile silver chain sinking in between his fingers.
As she reaches the doors, her fingers hesitating on the handle, she steals a glance back at Bakugou, who still hasn't moved, the hat placed hastily on his head, the jacket drooping off one shoulder and his palm still out and level, holding her necklace in place. She laughs out loud at the mess he's in, before dashing out the doors to join her teacher and training partner.
Kira has so much trust in Bakugou - that necklace will be as good as new should she wish it back again, but she doesn't see herself asking for it back any time soon. Whether Bakugou throws it away or not, is entirely up to him.
When Kirishima and Kira were together, the certain attribute that they lacked was trust. Something that her and Bakugou are now entirely consistent of and dependent on.
~~~
authors note:
I'm sooo close to finishing this story! When I have all the parts completed, I will be posting daily!
much love x