When Kirishima came to his room that night, Bakugou was reading a letter. He looked up as someone came into his room without knocking but merely hummed in greeting upon seeing it was Kirishima.
"Something up?" Kirishima asked, sitting on the floor to take off his boots, trying not to get mud on the floor.
"Got a new letter from the south camp," Bakugou said, eyes still scanning the words on the document.
"Not good news?"
Bakugou sighed, putting the letter down and massaging at his temple. "Not particularly, but it's not a tragedy or anything. We just lost some supplies. The men are fine."
Kirishima smiled softly. "Well that's good. And I'm glad to hear you care more about your men than supplies."
Bakugou shot him a glower. "Of fucking course I care more about my men than supplies. Who do you take me for? That dumb shit Shigaraki?"
Kirishima shrugged, still smiling. "I'm just saying. You come off rough sometimes and people spread rumors about stuff like that. I never really gave them much weight, but it's nice to have it confirmed that they're wrong."
Bakugou frowned. "The people think I don't value their lives?" He asked quietly. Insecurity wasn't something Bakugou battled with often but that thought actually hurt.
Kirishima echoed his frown. "No, no, no. Shit, I'm making a mess of things. It's just a few people are scared to give up tradition, and fear makes people stupid. The only ones that say bad stuff are, like, travelers or whatever. People from out of the country."
Bakugou tapped his fingers on his desk thoughtfully, mulling that over. "I should go visit the town," he decided.
Kirishima blinked. "What?"
Bakugou scowled. "I should go visit the town. Talk with the ones reluctant for change. Make them less afraid."
"You can't make someone be less afraid of change."
"I can calm their fears," Bakugou argued. "Make them see this is the best option."
Kirishima bit his lip. "Are you sure about this?"
"What's the problem with me visiting?" Bakugou demanded.
"It's just...isn't it dangerous? What if an assassin hears and plans to attack your procession?"
"Procession? Who the fuck said anything about a procession?" Bakugou growled. "I'm not a coward. I'm not bringing half my army with me just to talk to some idiots."
Kirishima's eyes bugged. "You're planning on going alone?"
Bakugou huffed. "I already told you I'm not a coward. I can handle myself," he said, standing and yanking his shirt over his head. "Now are you just here to talk?"
Kirishima frowned minutely. "I mean, no, I'm not. But if you were serious about marrying me, I do want us to be able to talk about stuff and not run away from every argument."
Bakugou raised a brow, pausing in untying his trousers. "This was an argument?"
Kirishima stared at him. "It wasn't?" He asked finally, suddenly unsure.
"No?" Bakugou suggested, tilting his head.
Kirishima laughed, shaking his head as he stood and shrugged out of his own shirt. "You're an intense guy," he said with an incredulous smile, "but that passion is kind of manly. I like it."
Bakugou shook his head, stripping of his trousers and crawling onto his bed. He smirked over his shoulder when he caught Kirishima watching him. Kirishima flushed a little but didn't turn away.
