Chips and Soda

Chapter Nine

    Kirishima flipped through CD case after CD case, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he looked over each oddly similar cover. Colourful splotches of colour that contrasted with black or white backgrounds, some obscure shape placed directly in the middle. It looked as if every artist had been on the same wavelength when they made their music cover. He wondered if it was some type of trend.
    Sighing, he took at step back from the shelf and ran a hand across his face. He'd originally came to Vintage Vagrants, a downtown music store, to find a birthday present for his Mom but it seemed that he didn't have a clue at what she would want. He knew that she'd love whatever he got her but it was very apparent to him that half of the gifts he'd gotten her were only liked with such intensity because he was her son. This time he wanted to get something that she could actually enjoy because of its purpose, not because he was the one that gifted it.
    With a searching gaze, he looked around the store for an employee. His eyes scanned over the short shelves that were stacked with music, each one having a sign suspended above them, labeling the genre of music it contained. At first, he didn't see anyone who could help him do his biding, but after a second more, he saw someone with the distinct navy blue uniform that many of the VV's employees had. A grin spread across his face as he moved towards the unsuspecting person.
    Maybe it was his eyes or perhaps just how unexpected it would be, but Kirishima failed to notice the familiar blonde hair and tattoos that the employee sported. It wasn't until the man turned around with an annoyed but other wise sophisticated greeting.
    "Hello, how many I- shitty hair?" Bakugou hissed the words, his voice going from bland to an unlabeled tone within a split second.
    Kirishima fumbled with his words, clearly dazed, "Bakugou? What are you, uh, why are you here?"
    The blonde gave him an incredulous look and gestured to his shirt with sharp movements, "I work here, you fucking idiot. Does it look like I'd be wearing this fucking uncomfortable ass shirt if I didn't?" That much was obvious, Kirishima just hadn't expected to see the angry teen at all on his day off.
    "Oh, well, that makes sense," Kirishima admitted with a accompanying laugh. He ran his hand against the back of his neck and grinned, ignoring the heavy thumping of his heart, "Anyways, it's good that you're here at least. I need help finding something."
    Impatiently, Bakugou crossed his arms over his chest and rested his weight on one leg, urging him to go on without actually saying a word. Kirishima jumped into his problem, explaining how he had come to find a gift but couldn't pinpoint exactly what he was looking for. When he finished, it seemed to take Bakugou a few seconds to gesture for him to follow.
    "You know, it's not that hard to find music, dumbass," he grumbled to Kirishima, earning a surprised look from a passing patron. Bakugou's eyes followed her as she skittered down the isle, anger radiating from him. When she finally disappeared behind a taller shelf, Bakugou turned and looked over the CDs that all looked the same to Kirishima. After a moment of waiting, Kirishima watched as Bakugou plucked one off the shelf and handed it to him. "Here, this should work," he sighed, brushing his hands off on his jeans as Kirishima took the rectangular case.
    "Ah, thanks," Kirishima said happily, inspecting the object. When he looked up, Bakugou was still standing there, watching him carefully. After a second of awkward silence, Bakugou growled something under his breath and turned to walk away. Kirishima let out a breath as Bakugou disappeared behind the counter, momentarily obscured by the stand of vinyl records.
    After a second longer of idling, Kirishima mustered up his courage and made his way to the counter, the cold air of the store raising goosebumps on his arms. Gently, he sat the case on the counter and tapped the small bell that sat on the hard surface. Following the resounding ding, he heard a curse as Bakugou seemingly appeared out of nowhere, though if he were to guess by the box in his hands, he was beneath the counter grabbing merchandise that was to be put out on display.
    "Oh, it's you," Bakugou said as he sat the box down. He reached forward and snatched the CD before placing it gently in a small bag that showed the stores simple logo of a black and white disc.
As a reflex, Kirishima reached in his pocket to pull out the needed amount, only to be stopped by a scoff, "You don't have to pay." Kirishima arched a brow, head tilting slightly. It wasn't often that he was told he didn't have to pay for his items.
    "Is it free," Kirishima questioned, feeling silly. Of course it wasn't free but he didn't know any other possibilities.
    "For you it is," Bakugou said with a frown, his tattooed arm extending the bagged item to him.
    "What do you mean? Is someone paying for my things?" He glanced around the shop curiously. Maybe someone he knew had entered the shop and was feeling hospitable.
    Bakugou sighed and crossed his arms as he watched the gears turn in Kirishima's head, "Yeah."
    With a groan, Kirishima looked to Bakugou, "Who? Did they give you a name?" The red head watched as the other seemed to go through varying stages of regret.
    "No, they didn't have to give me a name," he huffed, watching Kirishima with his blood red eyes. For a moment Kirishima thought he saw perhaps fondness in his gaze but quickly put it off as a trick of his mind because when he blinked, they showed nothing but annoyance. Kirishima thought and thought hard, his mind puzzling the prices together before they finally snapped
    "Did you pay for me," he asked slowly, testing the waters, not wanting to be attacked by the blonde for presenting a foolish suggestion.
   It took him a moment to respond to the relatively simple question, "It's a possibility." A grin erupted in Kirishima's face as he took up his bag.
    "Thank you," he said, only receiving a gruff 'Whatever ' in return. He supposed it would have to be good enough. Well, it was enough when it came from Bakugou's consistently grumpy self.
    When Kirishima turned and exited through the stores door, he reached into the bag to grab the receipt. If he was going to have Bakugou pay for his things, he would at least try to pay him back with something. When Kirishima read the price he nearly let his jaw drop to the ground, though when he read the small and neat numbers at the bottom of the sheet, he nearly fainted. Maybe it was an over reaction but Kirishima couldn't help the giddy excitement that swelled in in his chest.
    As fast as he could, he reached in his pocket and dialed a familiar number that he could recite by mind. When Mina picked up the phone and answered with a cherry greeting, Kirishima laughed.
    "I got Bakugou's phone number."

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  Jesus fuck has it been as while! I've finally got a new chapter out for the love of all that is holy. I bet some of you guys thought I died. Pshh, you wish.
  Anyways though, I'm going to get back on track with updates as well as post my new story, so go fuck with that shit.
   I hope you guys liked the new chapter, I thank synerri for the inspiration of this chapter. But in the meantime, toodaloo, love you guys.