It’s late December, and the warmth of the common room contrasts with the chill of winter outside. Kirishima is lounging on the couch, half-listening to his classmates while his mind keeps drifting to Bakugou. Bakugou and Todoroki had been interviewed for taking down a gang of villains after earning their provisional licenses, and Kirishima couldn’t help but feel a little restless waiting for the footage to air. Why does it always feel like something’s missing when Bakugou’s not around?
He’s yanked from his thoughts when the television flickers to life, airing the interview. Kirishima sits up straight, his eyes glued to the screen. Shoto answers the interviewer’s questions in his usual straightforward manner, while Bakugou… well, Bakugou’s responses are as fiery as ever.
When the interviewer asks if the two get along, Shoto casually responds with a “Yes,” while Bakugou furiously denies it, shouting, “Hell no!” Kirishima chuckles under his breath. That’s so like him. Always so intense.
The interview cuts back to the hosts, and it’s immediately clear what happened—all of Bakugou’s footage has been cut.
“WHAT?!” Bakugou’s furious voice erupts from across the room. He glares at the screen, his temper rising even faster than usual. “They cut all my parts?!”
Hanta and Denki burst out laughing, doubling over at the sight of Bakugou’s fury. Kirishima, though, bites back a grin. He knows Bakugou is pissed, but seeing him get so worked up is kind of… cute. God, you’re hopeless, Eijiro.
Midoriya tries to ease the tension, commenting that Bakugou’s behavior wasn’t exactly "All-Might-ish," and while some of the others laugh, Momo and Kyoka express their sympathy, saying it’s a shame that Bakugou didn’t get any good publicity.
But Kirishima stays quiet, his gaze lingering on Bakugou’s tense shoulders. He worked so hard. He deserves to be recognized. Kirishima’s chest tightens, feeling that same protective urge that always bubbles up when it comes to Bakugou. It’s like his dragon quirk knows when Bakugou’s upset, and it pushes Kirishima to want to do something about it, to be there for him.
---
Enter Mt. Lady and Midnight
Their conversation is interrupted when Mt. Lady and Midnight walk into the common room, surprising the students. Aizawa announces that Mt. Lady is here as a guest lecturer to teach the students how to handle the media. Kirishima exchanges a glance with Bakugou, who’s still simmering with anger over the interview.
“This’ll be interesting,” Kirishima murmurs, earning a grumble from Bakugou.
As Mt. Lady begins her lecture, Kirishima can’t help but steal glances at Bakugou. His mind wanders, thinking about how much Bakugou’s changed, how much stronger he’s become—not just physically, but in the way he leads. And damn, if it doesn’t make Kirishima admire him even more. Those arms, the way his muscles tense when he’s focused… stop it, Eijiro, now’s not the time.
Bakugou catches him staring and raises an eyebrow. “What’re you looking at, shitty hair?”
Kirishima quickly averts his eyes, his face flushing red. “N-nothing! Just… uh, paying attention to Mt. Lady!”
“Yeah, right,” Bakugou mutters, but there’s no real bite to his words.
---
Hero Interview Training
When it’s Bakugou’s turn to be interviewed by Mt. Lady, Kirishima watches intently, unable to keep the smile off his face as Bakugou approaches the microphone. He knows how much Bakugou hates this stuff, and it makes it all the more entertaining.
YOU ARE READING
Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will
FanfictionEijiro Kirishima isn't just your typical hero-in-training-he's also part dragon. Struggling to control his powerful quirk and primal alpha instincts, Kirishima finds himself drawn to Bakugou, whose fiery spirit ignites something deep within his drag...
