Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 22: Aftermath of the Exam

Kirishima walks out of the stadium with the rest of Class 1-A, his heart heavy despite his own success in the Provisional License Exam. The exhilaration of passing doesn’t hit him fully, not with Bakugou in the state he’s in. As they move toward the buses, he sneaks glances at Bakugou, who’s been unusually quiet since they left the results room. Kirishima can practically feel the rage simmering under the surface, like a bomb waiting to go off.

Bakugou’s fists are clenched tightly, his sharp red eyes scanning everything but never landing on one place for too long. He hasn’t said a word since they stepped out, and it’s starting to worry Kirishima.

“You good?” Kirishima finally asks, his voice quiet as they walk side by side. He knows Bakugou isn’t “good,” but he’s hoping for some response. Anything.

“Tch. What do you think?” Bakugou snaps, but the heat in his voice isn’t directed at Kirishima. “I didn’t pass. I failed. Of course, I’m not good.”

Kirishima bites his lip, unsure what to say. His inner dragon coils uncomfortably, sensing the distress from Bakugou but unsure how to help. He’s used to Bakugou’s outbursts, but this feels different—like a part of Bakugou’s pride took a hit that words couldn’t fix. And Kirishima hates seeing him like this.

They continue walking in silence, Bakugou’s anger still hanging in the air between them. Kirishima’s dragon side wants to pull Bakugou close, to offer him some kind of comfort or at least protect him from the weight of his own emotions. But he holds back. It’s not the right time.

---

Later that night, back in the dorms, Kirishima paces around his room. His mind is still spinning from the exam, his thoughts constantly drifting back to Bakugou. His dragon instincts are screaming at him to check on him. He’s never been able to ignore that call, so with a sigh, he leaves his room and heads toward Bakugou’s.

He knocks lightly on the door.

“What do you want?” Bakugou’s voice is muffled from behind the door, but Kirishima can tell he’s still angry. Even so, he pushes the door open slightly, peeking in.

“I wanted to check on you, man. You’ve been quiet since we got back.”

Bakugou glares at him from his bed, his face partially obscured by the pillow he’s laying on. “You don’t have to baby me, Kirishima. I’m fine.”

“I’m not babying you,” Kirishima replies, stepping inside. “But it’s okay to be pissed. I get it.”

Bakugou snorts, but he doesn’t say anything. The room is silent for a few moments before Kirishima walks closer, his chest tightening as he watches Bakugou avoid his gaze. This is Bakugou—strong, fierce, unbreakable. But right now, he looks almost…vulnerable.

Without thinking, Kirishima’s dragon instincts flare up again, that possessive need to protect and comfort rising to the surface. He hesitates for a moment before sitting on the edge of Bakugou’s bed.

“You’ll get it next time,” Kirishima says quietly. “You’re too strong not to. This doesn’t change anything, you know?”

Bakugou scoffs. “Easy for you to say. You passed.”

Kirishima winces. “Yeah, but it doesn’t mean I’m better than you. I’m just lucky.”

“It’s not about luck, you idiot,” Bakugou grumbles, finally sitting up. “It’s about being the best. And I wasn’t.”

There’s a pause as they sit in silence, the weight of Bakugou’s words hanging between them. Kirishima can feel the frustration rolling off of him in waves, but there’s also something else—something that makes his dragon instincts flare up even more. Protect. Comfort.