Long Time Coming

Love You Dangerously

Bakugou leaned over the patio, looking over the city lights reflected in the pond below. It was peaceful enough, he supposed. Not what he wanted to do on his day off, but better than nothing. Tanuki had forced him to take a break after his last sparring session.

"Too aggressive." Bakugou tsked, pushing off the wall and making his way back into the lobby.

The news played low in the background. He brushed by the small crowd, ignoring the rowdy group at the bar. It wasn't until he was in the hallway that he paid any attention to the passersby.

The long red hair, swept up and newly colored tipped him off. Alien Queen all in pink and teal was the next big hint. Pulling his cap lower over his face Bakugou ducked into the nearest room. His heart plummeted as a toilet flushed. The stall opened and out walked the dark haired replacement.

"O-oh." The extra froze, eyes wide. "You're-"

The door behind them swung open. Panicked Bakugou ducked behind the wall, closing the door and praying; heart thundering behind his ears so loud he could barely hear his own thoughts.

"Hey."

Fuck. His eyes clenched shut as he bit his lip to cut off his groan. Kirishima's voice was so much deeper and rich in person; still gravely but matured.

"We'll be at the bar-" He paused, "You okay? You look pale."

"Yeah, I'm fine. Be there soon Eiji."

Damn. Bakugou tsked. Dark hair even sounds weepy.

The door closed.

"He's gone, Bakugou."

The blond emerged. "I should leave."

"Why?" The running water almost ate his words. "He doesn't hate you."

Bakugou frowned at the asshole through the mirror, grey eyes meeting his, widening, lowering.

"That doesn't matter. I hate me."

The water shut off.

"That's stupid."

Bakugou snorted, "I don't give a shit what some B-lister thinks of me."

A dark brow rose, a smile spread as he dries his hands. "I see."

"What?" Bakugou's eyes narrowed.

"I get it." He turned, arms folding, smile fading. "Shit. I get it." Something in his face changed. "I will never..." He looked back to Bakugou, searched him for answers. "You still love him."

That made the blond stagger back. "I-I-"

"I can tell." He tapped his nose. "That's my quirk. Pretty useless." He stepped closer, sniffed, stepped back. He definitely looked pale now. "You still love him..." He looked at the door curiously. "How do you think he'd react to knowing you were here? Do you think he'd fight you?" Those eyes swung back to Bakugou, "Do you think he'd forgive you? Throw himself at you?"

Bakugou's hands fisted, his jaw working at the words he wanted to say. The old him would have smashed this little gnat against the mirror minutes ago, leaving nothing but a smear on the glass. But that wasn't who he wanted to be. Not anymore.

"I will never know."

"Wh-" He looked genuinely startled if not a bit guilty. "Why not?"

Bakugou bristled. "Because-" He took a deep breath. And another. And another. Faster and faster till he had to stop due to lightheadedness.