Snowed In

Chapter 11

The snow outside is starting to come down in a heavier blanket as they drive. It's not like the storm, the wind isn't harsh and visibility isn't terrible, but it's enough to mute the outside world around them. Just Bakugou, Kirishima, and Riot once more driving through town past all the bright lights and back into the darker woods towards the cabin beyond.

Kirishima takes it slow. He eases into the curves of the road and makes sure he breaks as softly as possible to make the drive smooth. Bakugou doesn't want to think that's for him, but he can feel Kirishima glance at him from time to time, taking notice of how relaxed he is leaning up against the window, using his arm as a pillow. He knows Bakugou is tired. He's considerate. He's letting him rest while they go.

Bakugou says nothing and neither does Kirishima, but this time around it feels nice. A comfortable silence that matches the atmosphere of a snowy night through the mountains, the only lights around are the truck's headlights and speckles of little houses still awake in the distance sitting on roads not taken.

He's growing used to Kirishima's quiet comfort. For as loud as he is when he gets talking, for as bold his movements are, as prominent his person is, Bakugou's starting to ease into it all and Kirishima seems to be doing much the same with him. It's strange. He doesn't remember the last person's presence he has accepted so easily or who has actually ever accepted his. He takes Bakugou's angry snapped words with a smile and his lack of social skills with kind gestures. They're starting to move around each other easily. It's dangerous.

When they pull into the driveway, Bakugou doesn't immediately move and there's hesitation as Kirishima turns off the car, hand outstretched but not moving past the halfway point of the truck console keeping them apart.

"Don't worry," Bakugou grumbles out softly, easing his body up from leaning against the door, stretching out as much as he can in the small space of the interior. "I'm awake, no need to carry me in."

Kirishima lets out a little huff, withdrawing his hand. "Still can, if you want. I know you're probably sore from today."

Bakugou rolls his eyes, "You act as though I've never been sore before."

"No, I just really wanted to offer."

Bakugou freezes as he swings his door open, the words echoing in his ears as though he needed to hear it again just to confirm. Kirishima doesn't notice this pause, opening the back door for Riot to jump out and move towards the front door, the walkway slowly being covered in more snow. It takes Bakugou another few beats to remember where he is, that it's cold outside and he's halfway out of a truck and his host is flirting with him. He's not so much of an idiot to not notice, but he has to be stupid enough to actually like it. He'll lean into this just like he's done all day with everything Kirishima has thrown at him. He finds that he can't help himself all of the sudden. Kirishima has a gravity all his own.

The house is still dark, still cold, but there's no wind as the door closes behind them, all three of them shaking off the excess snow, stomping boots and paws trying to dry them off. Riot is quick to trot off into the dark, taking the hall towards the living room very likely ready to go to bed just as Bakugou is.

Kirishima has flashlights at the ready, handing Bakugou one as he turns his on dimly lighting the dark kitchen. "Wanna go get some pajamas on? Get comfortable, I'll start the fire for us."

There is a slight argument on his tongue-- Bakugou's tired, he figured he might just go to bed in his own room and wait out until morning when the sun was up again to try and figure everything out. The request of comfort and fire, however, is tempting. The idea of staying up with Kirishima, sitting in front of the warm fireplace, didn't sound as terrible an idea as the night before. He can stay up a little bit longer with him, he figures. It won't hurt any.