DRAGON'S BROOD (Kirishima x Bakugou)

Chapter 21: I love You

Kirishima's PoV

The pub owner stared at Bakugou in bewilderment. "You? You deserted? What the hell had to happen to you for doing this? Don't get me wrong, but you would be the last person I would have expected." Bakugou didn't answer directly, but gave me a stealthy look.

Even though he had certainly not intended it, that glance reminded me that I was to blame for this mess. "I ...," I started quietly and Denki's watchful gaze wandered to me, "I'm afraid it's my fault." Awkwardly I looked to the side.

"Red, don't blame yourself. You aren't responsible for that!" Bakugou said quietly but with a sharp undertone.

But Denki ignored his objection and turned directly to me. "You haven't introduced yourself to me yet. But since, as you yourself say, you are to blame for your situation, I have to know what I am getting myself into. Who are you and what have you done? Don't get me wrong, I don't have a clean slate myself, but if I'm helping criminals, at least I need to know who I'm getting involved with."

"Watch your language, you walking short-circuit! Red is not a criminal!" Bakugou hissed, but I reached for his hand and pressed it briefly. Bakugou immediately fell silent and I felt Denki's thoughtful look on me.

"It doesn't matter if I did something or not, Baku. I'm not wanted in this country. It is law, whether it is nonsense or not. If Denki is going to help us, he has to know. That would only be fair," I said and looked deep into his eyes. I felt that he didn't really trust the pub owner. But what else could we do?

I took a deep breath and looked into Denki's golden eyes. "My name is Eijirou Kirishima. I am a dragon's brood and ... I was one of Bakugou's missions," I explained briefly.

Nervously I observed Denki's reaction. But his face did not reflect disgust, but ... curiosity? "Seriously? You are a half dragon? Awesome. Show me your teeth," he asked me enthusiastically.

"He's not an animal in a zoo," Bakugou grumbled, but I didn't mind Denki's curiosity at all. To be honest, he was the first one who reacted so positively to my confession and I was only too happy to do him the favor.

I leaned forward and grinned wide so that I revealed my predator teeth. Denki bent forward and looked at them curiously. "Wow," he said appreciatively as he finally leaned back.

"You don't mind?" I asked carefully, though.

"Why should I?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders. "I have to deal with all kinds of people here, if I had always judged by the background, I wouldn't have got far."

Relieved, I breathed out and grinned at Bakugou. Also on the lips of the dragonslayer a small smile had crept.

Now Mina spoke up. "Good. Does that mean you know someone who can help them? Can I rely on you? Tomorrow morning I have to be back in the smithy. If the guards come by again and I leave unfounded, it could attract attention. They seemed to think that Bakugou would come over sooner or later on their last visit. They were not completely wrong about that, but that also means that they will watch me more or less".

Instead of Denki, Bakugou answered. "It's good Mina. We'll be fine. Thank you. For everything," he said seriously.

Mina laughed. "Oh wow, that you thank me once! I have to mark the day in my calendar". She winked at Bakugou, who only clicked his tongue in annoyance, and stood up. "So my gentlemen. I hope to see you again soon. And Kiri? Watch out for our little hothead!"

I nodded with a grin. "Sure, I will," I replied and ignored Bakugou's eye rolling. Then she disappeared through the green door of the back room.

The bar owner sighed. "I'm afraid I'll have a lot to organize. Do you want to sleep here? I have some guest rooms upstairs."

"That'd be great, thanks," I said with a grin. And again I noticed how liberating it was that I could show my teeth without worrying.

Bakugou got up and I did it after him. But when Denki didn't move, I looked at him questioningly. He rubbed his face. "Oh yes. Go upstairs and then immediately to the first door on the right. There you can sleep. I'll sort it out."

Again I smiled at him. I didn't care what Bakugou thought of him or what the pub owner had a past for. I was infinitely grateful to him. Not only because of his help, but also because of his tolerance. He seemed to me to be a very good man.

Then I felt Bakugou grasping my hand tighter and let him pull me out of the room. Silently we went up the small winding staircase to the first floor, entered the dark hallway and opened the first door on the right. Behind it was a small, rather run-down guest room. But it would be enough for us.

At first we get ready for bed in silence, each lost in his own thoughts. But finally, Bakugou took the floor.

"Say, Red, were you serious? Do you really think it's all your fault?" he asked quietly, looking me out of the corner of his eye as he took off his shirt.

I hesitated. What should I answer? Was it not so? "Baku, what should I say, it's true. Without me you would live a completely different life. You wouldn't be hunted, serve the royal household and enjoy certain privileges..."

The blonde stopped moving and stared at me. "Please, Red. Don't do that to yourself. It's not your fault that the world is so unjust. If anything, you woke me up. You made me question the world view that I had always been forced upon me. And last but not least, you're the best thing that ever happened to me." A slight shimmer of red lay on his cheeks as he looked into my eyes.

I smiled and walked up to him. It was as if his words had taken a burden off my soul. I had been worried that he might regret his actions at some point. At the same time, I became aware of something deep inside my heart. I loved this man. So much that I could hardly stand it.

Carefully, I put a hand on his cheek. The dragonslayer closed his eyes and leaned into the touch.

"I love you Bakugou." I said seriously and watched his reaction.

Bakugou's eyes opened fluttering and looked straight into mine. A little smile had crept onto his mouth. "I love you too, Red," he said quietly. Then he leaned forward and placed his lips on mine.