Long Time Coming

Tic-Tac-Toe

The food smelled amazing, the atmosphere was loud and boisterous - exactly the kind of place Kirishima wanted to be. It was infectious. He grinned wide as their drinks were placed on the table in front of them.

"Your food will be out in a moment."

"Thanks!" Kirishima bubbled, nearly bouncing in his seat as he pulled his soda closer.

Bakugou snorted, hiding his smile behind his own cup. "You're such a child."

"What's wrong with enjoying myself?" Kirishma leaned back in his chair, his eyes falling on the napkins and crayons as an idea formed. "Beats being a grumpy stick in the mud like you."

He could feel Bakugou's curiosity as he pulled a napkin over, drawing a crude set of lines on it best he could. The napkin tore a bit but it was still a decent attempt.

"Okay!" He handed the crayon over, Bakugou accepting cautiously as Kirishima pushed the napkin between them. "Tic-Tac-Toe while we wait?"

"Oh my God." Bakugou hung his shaking head, but his grin widened. "I'm 'x's then."

Kirishima moved forward ignoring the way their heads were almost pressed together as their game progressed, ignored the way their fingers brushed as they passed the crayon back and forth. Bakugou's sweet scent filling Kirishima's head with memories, with impulses. His red eyes darted down to chapped, chewed lips and soft skin. Ashy stubble poked through around his chin and the novelty of it captivated Kirishima; his quirk often not allowing him to have much body hair when his pores closed. He wanted to touch it, feel the contrast of soft and rough-

"I won."

Kirishima pulled himself back, exaggerating his disappointment. "Oh how awful. Terrible. What a travesty."

"Okay smart ass." Bakugou tossed the crayon at him.

"That's the fifth game in a row ." Kirishima continued, "Lord of the Tic-Tacs should be your hero name!"

"No." Bakugou stiffened as a light dawned on Kirishima's face. "No, don't."

"Too late." Kirishima whipped out his phone and snapped a picture of the napkin, his fingers flying over the screen. "You're now going to be the Minty Fresh Hero: Lord of the Tic-Tac's. Picture all your future endorsements."

"Oh my God why are you this way?"

Kirishima shrugged, "You make it so fun." He leaned forward conspiratorially, "If your reactions weren't half as dramatic I wouldn't tease you like this." He leaned back again checking his nails, "I think you secretly like the attention though."

Bakugou threw himself back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest as he huffed. "The fuck I do." But the blush that settled deep on his cheeks and mottled his chest said otherwise. "Oh thank God." He muttered as the tray of food was set down and the plates distributed.

"Oh wow." Kirishima squirmed like a puppy, his eyes round and excited. "All this food-" His head shot up, "Are you sure we can-"

Bakugou grinned wickedly. "Oh yeah. Mina said they were gunna cover it. So naturally, as revenge, I only ordered all our favorites. Plus dessert. Save room, Shitty-Hair."

~*~*~

"I don't think I can eat anymore..." Kirishima pushed the plate away, leaning back and putting his hands on his distended stomach. "Oh I think I ate too much. Uhg." He made a face sticking his tongue out to emphasise.

"Yeah, watching that was disgusting." Bakugou kicked the bottom of Kirishima's shoe from under the table as he straightened, his eyes drifting across the room as they did when he was uncomfortable. "I-" He shifted his shoulders, rubbing the back of his hand. "I wanted to talk about that night. About how we had been avoiding one another-"