Writer's Block

KiriBaku - Ugly Sweaters

Ugly Sweaters – Kirishima x Bakugo
Cloud

A/N: First BNHA fic. Let’s go! I apologize if anyone is OOC – I’ve cosplayed and roleplayed the fandom but I haven’t written it.
I also had to make up their back stories cuz, as far as I know, they haven’t discussed how they celebrate Christmas.
Also Bakugo swears. It’s canon. You’ve been warned.

Words: 3,492

    Holiday time was a whirlwind of emotions for the students of U.A. Many of the heroes-in-training rejoiced when December began and the days counted down to Christmas, but there were a select few who weren’t as ecstatic, either due to poor childhood experiences or a simple lack of interest. 
    Todoroki was understandably apathetic as he watched his classmates excitedly decorate the dormitory. The bedrooms were off limits unless individuals wanted to spruce them up, but the kitchen and common area were open for décor. Nearly the entire class had joined together to string up garland, tinsel, and lights. In the corner of the common room stood a large tree, supplied by Aizawa in order to keep his students from employing their quirks to illegally acquire one. 
    “Who the hell puts popcorn on a tree?” Bakugo growled from where he stood in the opposite corner, arms crossed stiffly over his chest. Deku and Uraraka were busy pricking themselves with the needles they used to attempt stringing popcorn, unfazed by the blond’s outburst. He had been complaining since the festivities began around eight that morning. At first, Deku worried that Bakugo would explode the tree, along with all of their decorations. But a hand on his shoulder and a pout on Kirishima’s chiseled face had him clenching his fists, resorting to glares and harsh words that he knew wouldn’t deter his classmates’ excitement. He supposed it didn’t really need to – he’d never admit it to anyone, not even himself, but he felt a warmth spread through his core when he looked around at the rainbow lights strung along the walls. 
    He learned early on to be wary of doorways – the first decoration to be fastened to the common room was the abundance of mistletoe that Mineta had hung in every single doorway, with Kaminari’s assistance. He noticed Todoroki shying away from the plant too, and he smirked to himself. As if anyone would try to touch him or Deku now that they had gone public.
    “Todoroki,” Iida’s voice called over the shrill shrieks of the class as he emerged from a pile of tangled Christmas lights. “You’re not going to participate? This is a class bonding experience!”
    The split-haired boy shook his head. “Thank you, Iida, but I’m fine right here.”
    “Suit yourself,” the class representative replied, turning his attention back to the tree. 
    Bakugo chuckled to himself. “The candy cane isn’t interested in Christmas decorations?”
    Kirishima glanced up from where he was, ironically, placing candy canes on tree branches, watching the exchange. 
    “I never got to celebrate Christmas,” Todoroki shrugged nonchalantly. “I was always training. I prefer watching the festivities.”
    Bakugo followed Todoroki’s gaze to where it was stuck on Deku’s head. “Yeah, I bet you do.”
    His own gaze flicked to Kirishima, catching his garnet eyes across the room. The redhead offered him a toothy grin, and Bakugo ducked his head, pretending he hadn’t been caught and ignoring the heat rising to his cheeks. 
    Unfortunately for him, Todoroki was observant. “Looks like you prefer watching as well.”
    “Shut up, Icyhot!” the blond growled, though it lacked its usual heat. Few could sense the difference in his tone, but Kirishima, who’d been listening in, stifled a grin, able to tell how much Bakugo was holding back. He’d changed during their time together as a class, especially since they’d moved into the dorms and grown closer as friends. 
    “All done!” Mina exclaimed with a triumphant fist in the air. “Now it’s time to draw names for Secret Santa!”
    “Don’t forget about the sweater contest!” Uraraka reminded as the class gathered on various pieces of furniture.
    “Sweater contest?” Todoroki couldn’t help but inquire, shuffling closer to the couches. 
    “Ugly sweaters are a Christmas tradition!” Uraraka beamed. “We all have to wear the ugliest Christmas sweaters we can find, and the winner gets a prize!”
    “Stupid waste of time,” came Bakugo’s grumble from his spot in the corner.
    “You’ll join, won’t you?” Deku pleaded, gazing up at Todoroki with his big, emerald puppy eyes.
    The two-toned boy couldn’t bite back a smile, and he nodded softly. “Of course.”
    “That just leaves you, Bakugo,” Kaminari called with a smirk in his voice. A few of the students still feared angering the blond, but most of them knew that thanks to his extended hang out time with Kirishima, he had learned to calm down and tolerate their antics. 
    Just as the blond opened his mouth to argue, Kirishima bounded over to him, a grin on his lips. 
    “Come on, man!” the redhead insisted. “It’ll be fun! All of us in ugly sweaters, drinking sparkling cider and exchanging gifts. We’re a family, man.”
    Bakugo was hyper-aware of the several sets of eyes watching his every move, gaging his every expression. He didn’t want to crumble in front of his entire class, to let them see him as weak or vulnerable. But even more so, he couldn’t deny the bright red kicked-puppy eyes that Kirishima was boring into his soul.
    “Ugh! Fine!” he roared, earning a cheer from the redhead. Bakugo heard the briefest chuckle emanate from somewhere within the room, and he turned his murderous glare onto his classmates. They all froze in place and shut up, though Deku and Todoroki continued to smirk. They’d gotten used to the blond’s antics by now, and they knew that Kirishima could keep him in line.
    “We can go shopping together,” the spiky-haired boy beamed. “You know, for our sweaters. And for Secret Santa, if we don’t get each other.”
    “Yeah, sure.” Bakugo would be lying if he said his chest didn’t flutter at the idea of spending an entire afternoon with the redhead.
    “Come on!” Mina summoned, eagerly waving the two boys over to the couches. Kirishima responded immediately, using his hand on Bakugo’s shoulder to tug him along. The redhead hopped over the back of the couch, sliding onto a cushion. Bakugo stood behind him, bracing his hands just behind Kirishima’s head. 
    “How does this work?” Todoroki inquired, peering into the bowl of shredded paper that was clasped in Mina’s hands. 
    The pink-haired girl shook the bowl in question. “All of our names are in here. We’ll take turns drawing a name until everyone has one.”
    “You’re not supposed to tell who you got,” Uraraka added. “That’s the ‘secret’ part.”
    “This sounds like fun,” Deku smiled. “Who should go first?”
    “I believe it should be Ashido,” Iida commented. “It was her idea, after all.”
    “Aww, thanks!” Mina giggled. “I think Bakugo should go first, since he was the most reluctant.”
    The blond in question groaned at being forced to participate, but he thrust his hand into the bowl nonetheless. He grasped a shred at the bottom of the pile, withdrawing it and tucking it into the pocket of his sweatpants. 
    “Now, Todoroki!” Mina announced. 
    The scarred boy nodded, simply taking a name from the top of the collection. He read the name while Mina stretched out her arm towards Uraraka. They continued on with the pink-skinned girl passing the bowl to her classmates, with Kirishima taking the final name. The softest blush dusted his cheeks as he read his target.
    Katsuki Bakugo.
    Bakugo pulled his piece of paper from his pocket, finally looking at it. He nearly choked on air.
    Eijirou Kirishima.