Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 13: Class 1-A's Shopping Trip

The late afternoon sun casts a warm glow over the bustling Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall, its glass windows gleaming as Class 1-A gathers outside. There’s a palpable sense of excitement in the air as the group prepares for the lodge trip, with Toru leading the charge.

Kirishima stands back for a moment, taking in the scene, but his gaze inevitably drifts toward Bakugou, who’s leaning against a nearby pillar, arms crossed, looking every bit as irritable as usual. Kirishima can’t help but grin at the familiar sight.

“Hey, Bakugou, you coming with us?” Kirishima asks, knowing full well what the answer will be but unable to resist teasing his friend.

Bakugou’s scowl deepens. “Hell no. Why would I want to be part of this shitty group outing?”

Kirishima chuckles, shaking his head. “Had a feeling you'd say that.”

The rest of Class 1-A starts to break off into smaller groups, excitedly chattering as they make their way inside. Kirishima, however, lingers, his eyes trailing after Bakugou as he pushes off the pillar and walks in the opposite direction. Even though Bakugou claims he hates these gatherings, Kirishima knows better by now. Bakugou always shows up—eventually.

After browsing with the others for a while, Kirishima finds himself wandering off on his own. He’s not sure why, but there’s this feeling—this pull—that leads him deeper into the mall. His dragon stirs inside him, the familiar heat simmering just beneath the surface, especially when Bakugou’s nearby.

And sure enough, there he is. Through the crowd of shoppers, Kirishima spots Bakugou in the distance, glaring at a display of training gear like it’s personally offended him.

Kirishima’s grin widens as he approaches. “Bakugou!” He calls out, closing the distance between them. “Told you I’d run into you.”

Bakugou glances at him, annoyance flashing in his eyes, but he doesn’t move away. “What do you want, shitty hair?”

“Just seeing if you need a hand,” Kirishima replies casually, though his heart skips a beat as he gets closer. The dragon inside him surges, recognizing Bakugou’s presence as something significant—something more. The instinct to protect, to be close, gnaws at him, and it takes all of Kirishima’s willpower to keep it in check. Not now. Not here.

“I don’t need your damn help,” Bakugou growls, but there’s a faint softness in his tone that only Kirishima can pick up on.

“Sure, sure. But I figured you’d want company, right?” Kirishima keeps his tone light, though the tension inside him builds with every second he stands next to Bakugou. His dragon’s instincts flare, pushing him to stay close, to keep Bakugou safe from any perceived threat. It’s maddening, but he’s gotten better at controlling it—mostly.

“Whatever,” Bakugou mutters, turning back to the display.

Kirishima takes that as a win, falling into step beside him. They browse the training gear section together in relative silence, but Kirishima can’t help but notice every little thing about Bakugou. The way his eyes narrow in concentration, the sharpness of his movements, the way his hair falls slightly into his face. It’s these little details that make Kirishima’s heart race, and he can feel the dragon inside him reacting, too—urging him closer.

The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for Kirishima to ignore his growing feelings. His dragon doesn’t just see Bakugou as a friend; it sees him as something more, something worth protecting and cherishing. And no matter how much Kirishima tries to deny it, those instincts are becoming harder to fight.

After they finish picking out their gear, Bakugou heads toward the food court, Kirishima following close behind. They settle at a quieter table, away from the crowds, and for a moment, the tension inside Kirishima eases. He watches as Bakugou eats, his movements sharp and efficient, and Kirishima can’t help but smile.

“You good, shitty hair?” Bakugou asks suddenly, his eyes narrowing as he notices the tension in Kirishima’s posture.

Kirishima laughs, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, just thinking about the lodge trip. It’s gonna be intense.”

“You better be ready,” Bakugou warns, though there’s something almost...fond in the way he says it.

Kirishima nods, but deep down, he’s not sure if he’s more worried about the lodge trip or about keeping his dragon in check around Bakugou. Being this close, feeling the pull so strongly—it’s overwhelming, and Kirishima knows he has to tread carefully.

As they finish their meal and make their way back to U.A., Kirishima steals a glance at Bakugou, who’s walking slightly ahead of him. The dragon inside him is quiet for now, but Kirishima knows it’s only a matter of time before those instincts come roaring back. He can’t deny it anymore—his feelings for Bakugou are more than just friendship. And while Bakugou may be completely oblivious, Kirishima knows that one day, he’ll have to confront those feelings head-on.

For now, though, he’s content to just be by Bakugou’s side, keeping his dragon in check, and hoping that maybe, one day, Bakugou will see him as more than just a friend.