I Can't Be Without You - Kiribaku

Can't Be Without You

The words clanged through him with a deafening echo. He's pretty sure he stopped breathing. The others kept worriedly discussing what had happened and if everyone was alright, eyes glued to the TV. But Bakugou couldn't get air in his lungs. His vision had gone fuzzy and the blood was rushing to his ears.

Heros were seriously injured in a raid...

UA students in work study programs fought... and were injured.

....Kirishima....No. He can't be. He-he's too strong. His Unbreakable can't be broken. He can't break.

Bakugou is trying to keep his expression calm before these extras notice he's panicking. But he's also just trying to remember how to breath normally.

Bakugou stands up and starts walking to his room to get his things to leave. He don't give a shit what anyone says, but everyone's too focused on the broadcast to notice. He soundlessly walks right out the front door and heads straight to the hospital. The whole way there his stomach is in knots and his hands are shaking in his pockets.

Kirishima.

Bakugou walks right up to the front desk and asks for the room Kirishima is in. Which took some convincing to get the stupid lady to tell him but he of course is convincing enough. Finally making his way, he notices the room has windows next to the door and the curtains are pulled back.

Is he really ready to see him? What is he even going to see? What kind of state is Kirishima going to be in? Bakugou pauses before he makes it to the windows and tries to catch his breath. It feels like his throat is closing and drying up... when suddenly he feels a sturdy hand clap him on the shoulder. Bakugou stiffens immediately and tilts his head to glare at who ever it is out of the corner of his eye. Mr Aizawa is looking at him with those tired eyes and has some scrapes on his face. "Bakugou... you know you shouldn't be here." "I don't care... I need to see him.." he trails off in a whisper. He gives Bakugou a subtle look that kind of resembles understanding, "I've heard he's awake. He'll be covered in bandages... he took some pretty hard hits and had some decent injuries. But he should make a full recovery." Bakugou feels himself relax slightly and loose a breath he had apparently been holding. He feels a soft squeeze on his shoulder, "Don't get back to the dorms too late..." and Aizawa turns and walks down the hall. Bakugou turns back towards the windows and approaches slowly, trying to prepare himself. A bed comes into view.. and his heart squeezes. There, lying on the white sheets, is a head of messy red spikes with bandages running through them. Bandages everywhere. Wrapping all around his body with both arms in slings. Kirishima is lying back on the bed but it's tilted up so he can be in a somewhat sitting position. Aizawa was right, he is awake and it's at that moment he turns towards the windows and looks Bakugou dead in the eyes. And the stupid idiot does the most Kirishima thing he could possibly do. His bandaged and bruised face breaks into that too bright toothy smile, and Bakugou almost loses it right there. His chest squeezes and hands tremble, he's not even sure how he's remaining upright. Of course the damn idiot would still have that positive attitude even through all this.

He heads towards the door and lets himself inside. "Hey Bakubro! What are you doing here? I thought they weren't letting in visitors?" "They're not.."  He says quietly. Kirishima gives him a confused smile, "Then how'd you get in man?" "I was persuasive.." "Well I hope you didn't harass the nurses too much," He chuckles. Bakugou slowly makes his way to the side of the bed and looks down over him. "Kiri...you idiot. You scared the shit out of me." Kirishima's cheeks get a light dusting of pink as he looks down at his lap, staying quiet. "When I heard... when the news said..." Why can't he form words dammit?! Why is he stuttering?! His hands won't stop shaking and sweating... and he's trying to blink back the tears that are threatening to spill over his cheeks. Kirishima looks up with a shocked but pained expression at seeing Bakugou like this. He's never seen so much emotion in his eyes or heard it in his voice. And suddenly as he's opening his mouth to say god knows what, Bakugou has collapsed forward. Wrapping his arms around his body burying his head in the crook of his neck, sobs wracking his body. Kirishima can't help but stiffen at the sudden actions but relaxes instantly. Bakugou is so careful of his injured body but is still gripping him enough to show his emotion. Because of his arms in the slings Kirishima can only lean his head on Bakugous head to sort of return the hug. "Whoa Bakugou, it's ok man. I'm ok, I promise. Just some scrapes and bruises. But I'm right here man. I'm not going anywhere..." Bakugou sniffs as he pulls back to look Kirishima in the eye blinking back his tears. "You don't need to act all tough and manly around me all the time, Red. It's ok that you got injured. You're still a manly idiot." Kirishima huffed a laugh but also felt his tough guy act slipping. His eyes started to fill up with tears as he looked down at his lap again. Bakugou gently put his hands on both of Kirishimas cheeks and lightly ran his thumbs to swipe at the tears. Kirishima was at a loss for words. Bakugou was being so gentle with him and he didn't quite understand why. Yes, he's not as harsh to him as he is to the others, especially after Kamino. But he's never touched him in such a way. He definitely stopped breathing as Bakugou was still gently rubbing his tears away while softly looking him in the eye. Bakugou felt so much pain for Kirishima. He wasn't going to press him on what happened, he knew he'd tell him when we was ready. But he was so lost in his red heads eyes that he couldn't look away. There was a moment when the broadcast started that he wasn't sure he'd see these bright red eyes again. He didn't know if he'd see that brighter than the sun itself smile... but he never wanted to take those things for granted again. Ever so slowly, without even realizing what he was doing he started to slowly lean in. His eyes glued to Kirishima's, both too entranced by the other to look anywhere else. As he got closer his eyes slowly closed and he lightly pressed his lips to Kirishimas. Kirishima was surprised at how soft and warm Bakugous lips were. He felt himself melting into his touch as he slowly let his eyes close and timidly returned the kiss. They slowly let their lips fit to one another's and moved in sync. The kiss was short and sweet. They parted softly but stayed close enough together to where Bakugou felt Kirishima's breath on his skin. "Wow.." Kirishima softly whispered. Bakugou wasn't even sure he knew he had said it out loud. He slowly opened his eyes to see Kirishima looking at him with a look of wonder. That.. just happened. His face suddenly heated up, turning the tips of his ears pink and straightened his spine. "Uh.. I-I..." He took a breath to steady himself, "listen Kirishima.. I'm not great at expressing feelings or whatever. But I need to tell you.. I don't know when it happened.. but I think I.. like.. you. Or something." He took a shaky breath keeping his eyes glued to Kirishima's. "I think I realized it at Kamino. Grabbing your hand when you were there to..rescue me.. just locked something into place. But I just.. tried to ignore it. But then today.. hearing the shitty news...I couldn't imagine never seeing you again... and never telling you. So.. yeah." He looked off to the side with red high on his cheeks hands closing into fists at the edge of the bed. Kirishima was frozen to the spot. Did he hear Bakugou right? Was this really happening? Bakugou heard a small gasp leave Kirishima's lips and heard the bed creak as he tried to sit up straighter with a grunt. "Stop moving so much idiot you'll hurt yourself even more." "Bakugou..." he whispered softly, making Bakugou slowly look up at him through his lashes. "If I could crush you in a hug right now I would," he chuckled lightly "but... I like you too." Bakugou sucks in a breath and his eyes widen staring straight at Kirishima. "I've known for a while, but knew for sure when I heard the villains were after you at camp. I was so relieved when we got you back I thought I would fall over. But I never imagined you'd return similar feelings. So I was prepared to never say anything and keep you as my best friend. Because I knew that was better than not having you in my life at all." He gives Bakugou a soft smile and waits for the words to sink in. This bright manly idiot with shitty hair actually likes him back?! He knows he doesn't deserve it but Bakugou silently swears he'll do whatever he can to make this damn idiot happy for the rest of his life. The side of his mouth ticks up in a small lopsided smile, "Don't ever get injured like this again or I'll kill you myself you idiot. But I plan on being by your side from here on out and I'll always have your back. You're stuck with me, Red." Kirishima's face broke out in a huge shark tooth smile that made his eyes crinkle at the edges. "Don't make me try and sit up again to kiss you, Blasty. Get over here." Bakugou huffs a laugh and leans in to press their lips together again. This was a feeling that neither of them would ever get used to or take for granted. They softly break apart and Bakugou carefully scoots into the bed next to Kirishma. He lays his head on his shoulder while Kirishima lays his head on top of Bakugous soft blonde hair. He knows Aizawa will probably chew him a new one, but as he covers them both with the extra blanket on the bed, Bakugou can't bring himself to care. He has no intention of going back to the dorms and settles in for the night.

Aizawa slowly turns away from the edge of the farthest window as Bakugou gingerly crawls into the hospital bed next to Kirishima. He sighs as he starts down the hallway again shoving his hands in his pockets. "These two are going to be the death of me..." he whispers to himself with a small smile playing along his lips, knowing full well the lecture he'll be giving tomorrow to a certain explosive boy.

(Cover art also not mine)