Secrets-Book Two

Chapter 8

"Man, I didn't send that text to Ash. You know how I feel about her. She means the world to me, and I would never do anything to hurt her," Kirishima said, dropping onto the couch beside his best friend.

"I fucking warned you, idiot," Bakugo scoffed. "I told you what she was capable of, and you didn't listen."

Kirishima turned to face his best friend. "I was just trying to be a good friend to you."

Bakugo pinched the bridge of his nose. "I get that, but all you did was paint a big target on your back."

"Now, Ash hates me for something I didn't do. How do I fix it?" he asked.

"You could talk to her," Midoriya said, walking into the room to join the duo. "Tell her what happened."

"You don't think I tried that?" Kirishima snapped.

"Oi, watch it," Bakugo snapped back. He may still pick on his boyfriend and everything, but if anyone else tries or gets snappy with him, Bakugo won't hesitate to put them in their place.

Kirishima looked at Midoriya with a frown. "Sorry."

"It's okay," he reassured.

"How did you guys get through this?" Kirishima asked.

"We didn't. We got dragged through it." Every day that she was in their life was a living hell. They weren't sure if they were going to see the next day. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Kirishima replied.

"Did you and Ashido really kiss?"

He nodded. "It was a few days after we started UA. We went to the same middle school. I was scared she was trying to be with who I was and not who I was trying to become. I really liked her—I always had—but I didn't want to fall in love with her just for her not to love me in the end."

Midoriya reached for his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm sorry that–"

"Did you say a few days after we started at UA?" Bakugo asked, interrupting them.

"Yeah."

"The text said it was before we started at UA. So which was it? Was it before or after?"

Kirishima thought about it for a moment, recalling the text that he had read earlier. The text said they started school before, but it was definitely after.

"I'll call her and see if she would be willing to come over and hear you out." Midoriya stood up and excused himself to the other room.

———————

"We're going to run somewhere and pick up something that we had bought online. We'll be back in about 15 minutes, so you have until then to figure this shit out," Bakugo told the pair before walking out the front door with his boyfriend, leaving Ashido and Kirishima standing in the foyer.

"Let's head to the living room," Kirishima suggested. Ashido nodded, following him silently.

He didn't continue talking until they were both sitting on the couch.

"I did not send that text. I would never say any of those things to you, ever. Your friendship means the world to me, and I never want to lose it, Ash. I love you." He reached for her hand, taking it in his. " I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner. I really do love you, and I never want to put myself in any kind of position to lose you. Will you please listen to what I have to say about Tanaka and hear me out?"

With a stray tear rolling down her cheek, she nodded. He had her when he said I love you.

"We kissed a few days after we started school. The text said it was before we started. I promise it's not a detail that I would forget." It was one of the best days of his life, and he will never forget it. "I didn't send you that text. I would never say those things to you. I love you." He brought her hand to his lips.