Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 19: First Night in the Dorms and Special Moves Training

Kirishima lies in bed that first night at Heights Alliance, staring up at the ceiling, listening to the unfamiliar quiet of the dorms. His mind races, filled with thoughts of the past few weeks—the raid, the rescue, and, most importantly, the constant presence of Bakugou. Knowing that Bakugou’s room is just next door brings a strange mix of comfort and tension, making it hard for him to sleep.

The dragon inside him stirs restlessly, not fully understanding this new arrangement. Bakugou is so close yet still out of reach, and the primal part of Kirishima hates that. His instinct to protect and be near Bakugou is strong, but Kirishima rolls over, clutching the blanket tighter, determined not to let the dragon take control.

He hears Bakugou moving around on the other side of the wall, and Kirishima chuckles softly to himself. It figures that Bakugou is still awake, probably pacing or plotting some new way to improve himself. The thought makes Kirishima smile, even as the dragon growls softly in the back of his mind. After all, wasn’t his mate right there?

No. Not mate. Kirishima shakes his head, pushing the thought away. Bakugou is his friend. His best friend. And that has to be enough.

The next day, Class 1-A returns to their usual routine, this time with a new goal: earning their Provisional Hero Licenses. Aizawa-Sensei wastes no time reminding them that they need to create special moves for the upcoming license exam, and excitement buzzes through the class as everyone starts to brainstorm their signature techniques.

Kirishima stands in Gym Gamma, his mind spinning with ideas as he watches his classmates gear up for training. Cementoss reshapes the gym’s terrain to suit their needs, and Ectoplasm’s clones provide sparring opportunities. It’s the perfect setup for them to push their limits.

“Alright, let’s see what I’ve got,” Kirishima mutters to himself, cracking his knuckles as he feels his quirk activate.

Despite the thrill of training and the pressure to create something new, Kirishima’s thoughts keep drifting back to Bakugou. He can’t help but steal glances at him, watching how fiercely Bakugou attacks the challenges in front of him, explosions ripping through the air.

The intensity Bakugou displays seems to have only grown since the recent events, and Kirishima feels it too—the need to prove himself, to grow stronger. Somewhere deep down, his primal side knows this is about more than just becoming a hero. His instincts scream at him to keep up, to be there for Bakugou.

The dragon roars inside him, pushing him to throw himself into training with renewed determination. He pushes his quirk to the limit, feeling the familiar pull as his dragon traits threaten to surface. Scales press against his skin, his wings twitching with the need to unfurl, but he holds it back, focusing on honing his technique. He’s determined not to let the dragon take control.

Across the gym, Bakugou launches another explosion, sending shockwaves through the gym. Kirishima can’t help but grin. This is what they’re made for—getting stronger together, side by side.

As the day goes on and his classmates make progress on their special moves, Kirishima’s thoughts keep circling back to one question: what can he create that will rival Bakugou’s explosive power? What move can stand beside his best friend’s strength?

It isn’t until All Might arrives later that afternoon, checking in on their progress, that Kirishima finally feels a spark of inspiration. Watching Bakugou, seeing the way he fights with such raw intensity, Kirishima realizes that his special move has to be something that supports Bakugou in the field—something that allows them to work as a team.

That’s exactly what he sets out to create.

Kirishima stands in the middle of Gym Gamma, his hands clenched into fists as he stares at the targets ahead of him. His mind races as he tries to figure out how to use his quirk beyond brute strength. He needs precision, control. This training is about creating special moves—something unique to him. But how can he use his dragon quirk to create something that truly defines him?

Ectoplasm’s clones surround him, forcing him to think quickly, but frustration builds. His dragon instincts scream for him to unleash all his power, to let the fire burn and the strength crush. But Kirishima wants more control—something worthy of a hero.

“Come on, think!” Kirishima mutters, his brow furrowed. “It can’t just be about destroying everything.”

Bakugou’s voice echoes across the gym as he yells at another student, commanding attention as always. Kirishima’s heart gives an odd lurch, his dragon instincts flaring at the sound of his best friend’s voice. That’s when it hits him—his quirk isn’t just about destruction, it’s about protection.

Kirishima takes a deep breath and allows his dragon form to partially take over. His muscles bulge, scales ripple across his arms, his horns extend, and his wings unfurl. But instead of attacking, he curls his wings around himself, shielding his body. The scales harden, and a wave of heat radiates from his core, forming a protective barrier.

“That’s it,” he whispers, his heart pounding in his chest. “This is more than just power... this is protection.”

Suddenly, a new idea hits him—he can combine his protective instincts with his fire breath. His wings can shield those he cares about while his flames push enemies back. A perfect blend of defense and offense in one move. He can already feel the potential, not just for himself, but for Bakugou and the team.

The heat builds inside him, but instead of unleashing it wildly, Kirishima focuses. He imagines the flames controlled, precise, paired with his defensive stance.

“Inferno Dragon’s Wrath,” he murmurs, envisioning the fiery attack from above. His wings and claws extend in his mind, giving him the power and mobility to launch into battle. But then his thoughts shift to Bakugou, and the need to protect overrides the need to destroy.

“Dragon’s Embrace...” Kirishima closes his eyes, imagining the way he could wrap his wings around Bakugou, shielding him from harm, keeping him close—safe. His dragon instincts roar, a possessive growl reverberating through his chest, driven by the overwhelming urge to protect Bakugou, no matter the cost.

“That’s it,” he mutters, clenching his fists. “Two special moves.”

With a loud roar, Kirishima lets his fire breath explode forward, the heat billowing around him in a controlled burst. His wings fold in, creating an impenetrable barrier. He can feel the power surging through him—power to both fight and defend.

As the flames die down, Kirishima stands tall, his wings still glowing with heat. He exhales deeply, a wide grin spreading across his face.

“I’ll protect you, Bakugou,” Kirishima thinks, his dragon instincts purring in satisfaction as he finalizes his two special moves.

Tomorrow, he’ll show them just what Inferno Dragon’s Wrath and Dragon’s Embrace are capable of.