Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 18: New Beginnings at Heights Alliance

The middle of August marks a new chapter for Class 1-A. As Izuku leaves his home, his mother reminds him to stay safe and healthy. With a reassuring nod, he heads off to meet the rest of his class at their new accommodations: Heights Alliance, dormitories built within the U.A. High School campus.

Once everyone has gathered, Aizawa-Sensei takes charge, his tone stern as he addresses the class. “At the training camp, you were supposed to earn your Provisional Hero Licenses,” he begins, his eyes scanning the room. “But due to the League of Villains’ attack, that didn’t happen. However, what concerns me more are the actions of some of you.”

Aizawa’s gaze lands directly on Kirishima, Todoroki, Momo, Izuku, and Iida. The class shifts uncomfortably in their seats as he continues. “You all took it upon yourselves to attempt a rescue mission. And the rest of you—” his eyes narrow as he scans the room, “except for Bakugou, Hagakure, and Jiro—knew about this and did nothing to stop them.”

The weight of his words presses down on Kirishima. He feels the heat of shame flood his chest, but beneath that is something stronger—his dragon, coiling restlessly. It’s been like this ever since Bakugou was taken. The instinct to protect, to shield, surges within him, pushing against his control. Kirishima clenches his fists, determined to stay grounded.

Aizawa’s voice cuts through the tension. “If All Might hadn’t retired, I would’ve expelled all of you.”

The room goes deathly quiet. Kirishima’s heart skips a beat, his mind racing. Expelled? He had acted because he couldn’t sit idly by while Bakugou was in danger. He’d do it again, dragon instincts or not. Still, the thought of being expelled stings.

“I expect you all to go through the proper channels next time,” Aizawa finishes, the tension in the room still thick.

Kirishima lowers his gaze, guilt creeping in. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he sees Bakugou move. In typical Bakugou fashion, he breaks the heavy atmosphere by grabbing Kaminari and forcing him into his “Whey Mode,” making the rest of the class burst into laughter. The tension finally snaps, and Kirishima feels some of the weight lift from his shoulders.

Later, as the class explores their new dorm, Bakugou approaches Kirishima quietly, his eyes unreadable. Without a word, Bakugou shoves money into Kirishima’s hands. “This is for the night vision goggles. I pay my debts.”

Kirishima blinks, taken aback. “Oh, you didn’t have to—”

“Shut up,” Bakugou snaps, but there’s no real heat in his voice. “And go back to being your normal dumb self.”

For a moment, their eyes meet, and Kirishima feels that familiar pull—the bond that’s grown between them, strengthened by everything they’ve been through. His dragon stirs again, but this time, Kirishima doesn’t push it down. He lets the warmth of Bakugou’s presence settle inside him, and he smiles, grateful for the small gesture. Bakugou may not show it like others, but his actions speak volumes.

As Bakugou walks away, Kirishima watches him go, the small grin still on his face. He’s safe. That’s all that matters.

When Aizawa-Sensei reveals the room assignments, Kirishima can’t help but feel a flicker of excitement when he discovers that his room is right next to Bakugou’s. Whether it’s coincidence or a deliberate move by their teachers, Kirishima doesn’t care. All he knows is that being close to Bakugou feels right. His dragon is quieter when Bakugou’s nearby, the constant need to protect easing into something more manageable.

The following days are filled with the unpacking and decorating of their rooms.

During the “Room King/Queen” competition, Kirishima notices that the class is more relaxed, but he’s distracted. Bakugou is absent from the competition, and Kirishima can’t shake the thought of him being alone in his room. When the others ask where Bakugou is, Kirishima quickly explains that Bakugou is asleep, his own exhaustion mirroring Bakugou’s.

The truth is, they had spent the entire day decorating their rooms together. Kirishima remembers how Bakugou, in his usual gruff manner, had complained about how the room was “too plain” and needed “some explosions” to make it more interesting. Kirishima had laughed, offering suggestions and watching as Bakugou eventually settled on something simple but functional.

Kirishima's heart had swelled with something unspoken—a quiet satisfaction that they were together, side by side, even in something as mundane as decorating.

As the night wears on and the competition ends, Kirishima finds himself back in his room, staring at the wall that separates him from Bakugou’s room. The bond between them has grown stronger, more undeniable with each passing day. His dragon, which once roared with possessiveness and the instinct to claim, now hums with a steady contentment. Bakugou is here, safe, and for now, that’s enough.

But deep down, Kirishima knows that this bond—this connection—is more than just friendship. It’s something deeper, something his dragon has known from the beginning. He can feel it in the way his heart races when Bakugou looks at him, in the way his instincts push him to always be by Bakugou’s side. And though Kirishima isn’t ready to fully confront what that means, he knows one thing for sure: he’ll always protect Bakugou, no matter what.

As Kirishima lies back on his bed, a soft smile tugs at the corner of his lips. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, new battles—but for tonight, he lets himself rest, content in the knowledge that Bakugou is just a wall away.