Chapter Ninety Eight

The air crackled with tension with the bustling chaos of a hero infested battleground, the neon glow of the city painted behind the heroes' backs as they stood against a group of villains trying to flee the bank with money in their hand—the bank's alarm blared, echoing through the evacuated streets.

Mina slammed her hands on the ground, her skin rippling as she liquidated the ground beneath her boots, her eyes sharp as she watched two villains who tried to bolt slide against the slipper surface, sending them tumbling. 

Todoroki resided behind the bank, catching anyone who tried to leave through the back door.

"Any idea how many of them there are?" Sero's voice floated over the conjoined headsets the heroes wore.

"No." Todoroki replied, watching as the metal door to the bank flew open. Instantly, with one side engulfed in glacial frost and the other radiating blistering heat, he strategically aimed to freeze and scorch the criminals into submission.

"We need to get in there-" Midoriya stood on the roof of the building across the street from the bank, "-before they start harming the hostages!"

"No shit sherlock." You retort with a dismissive roll of your eyes. You stood at the front of the bank beside the police barricade. As you gazed through the glass doors leading into the bank lobby, you discerned subtle movements obscured by the reflective glass.

"You don't have to be so mean (y.n)." Kirishima chuckled, standing beside you he softly glanced over your way in time to catch your playful glare. The spiky redhead with his hardening quirk, which transformed his body into an impenetrable shield, stood at the ready, waiting to take the onslaught head on, absorbing any blows meant for his comrades.

"Ones trying to get away through the side window!" Bakugo called through the headset, you spun around, spotting him flying through the air like a blazing comet.

"Don't go running off on your own!" Kirishima called after the blond. "We're supposed to hold the villains here until the other heroes get here!"

"You can tell this damn villain he is supposed to wait after I catch him!" Bakugo snapped back, ignoring the other heroes' protests.

"How can you still be so impulsive?" Todoroki sighed, shaking his head. He wanted to rush after his friend and have his back. However, he couldn't leave his position and leave an opening for villains to escape. Bakugo's explosions echoed into the distance as he darted through the alleyways, determined to bring the villain to justice.

"How's it going over there?" Hawk's voice crackled through the headset.

"Not great." Midoriya breathed, "The villains are getting restless and trying to escape one by one."

"Well just hold on a little longer. We are almost to your location." Hawks replied, "Keep those villains contained at all cost."

You glanced over your shoulder, hearing the officer behind you question why you and your friends weren't advancing into the bank yet. Kirishima turned around just in time to witness the windows of the bank explode outward. The force sent everyone sprawling, their bodies crashing against the pavement, buildings, and parked vehicles.

As the dust settled, Kirishima saw figured stepping out of the bank. He glanced to his head but quickly did a double take.

"(y.n)!?" His panicked voice lost under the pained cries around him.

The unexpected impact sent you flying off your feet and through the glass of the store across the street from the bank. A tempered groan crawled from your lips as you rolled onto your side—bits of glass fell from your body—you were disoriented within this dimly lit interior.

"Hey-!" Midoriya's voice wrapped around you. The greenette had left his post, quickly dashing to the ground floor due to seeing you thrown into the building. "-(y.n), are you alright!?" His tone carried genuine worry; his green eyes widened with concern as he helped you to your feet.

"Yeah..." You breathed, shaking off the disorientation, turning to him. "I'm fine, Midoriya, thanks."

"Of course." He tightly nodded, glancing through the shattered store window, he could hear shouting and his friends fighting. "We need to get out there and help. Are you sure you can walk?"

"I'm sure." You reply, nodding to him in gratitude. The duo then turned, with glass crunching under their feet they made their way back into the chaos unfolding outside.

Kirishima's attention was consumed by the urgent need to find you, his gaze darted through the chaos, searching for any sign of your presence. However, in his singular focus, he failed to notice the two villains stealthily closing in behind him. Without warning, a blunt force struck the back of Kirishima's head, and the world plunged into darkness as he crumpled to the ground. The first villain revealed the success of the surprise attack, a malicious grin etched across his face as he threw his head back and laughed.

"You thought you had us right where you wanted us!" The second villain, fueled by sadistic pleasure, joined in the assault, kicking Kirishima's defenseless form.

"But you newbies walked right into our trap!" The first villain sneered, pulling a gun from his waistband. "Looks like you really are gonna die a hero!" The villain raised the gun, pointing it at the back of Kirishima's skull.

"Eijiro!"

Time seemed too slow as Bakugo—panic etched across his face—shouted out Kirishima's name. From his position in the air, the villains scurrying around appeared to be tiny ants trying to flee. With a controlled fury, blasts erupted from Bakugo's palms, aimed with precision at the two villains. The explosive display managed to incapacitate one, but the other managed to evade the onslaught, escaping into the shadows.

"Dammit." Bakugo cursed, dropping to his feet, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. He rushed over to Kirishima, whose head was bleeding from the earlier assault. "Eijiro, are you okay!?" Bakugo's voice betrayed a mic of panic and genuine concern.

"I'm alright, Katsuki." Kirishima breathed, but Bakugo wasn't satisfied. The blond forced Kirishima to his feet, his hands instinctively reaching to touch the bleeding cut on Kirishima's head.

"Damn you-!" Bakugo cursed, the frustration in his face caused his voice to crack, "-you almost got yourself shot!"

Kirishima brought his gaze up to meet Bakugo's, attempting to apologize. "I said I'm sorry-"

Before he could finish, Bakugo, fueled by a torrent of emotions, grabbed Kirishima's shirt and pulled him into a searing kiss. The taste of urgency and relief mingled in the passionate exchange.

As Bakugo reluctantly broke the kiss, still scowling at Kirishima, Mina's stunned voice pierced through the intimate moment, drawing the attention of the two heroes to their surroundings. The chaotic symphony of battle had subsided, and their friends had managed to apprehend most of the villains attempting to escape. Mina stepped forward, her hands resting on her hips as he stared accusingly at the two men. "What is this!?" She demanded to know, her voice a mixture of surprise and incredulity. Bakugo glanced around and immediately noticed the camera pointed in their direction.

"Shit." Bakugo cursed under his breath as a ray of potential consequences flashed through his mind, his scarlet eyes scanned the crowd, they landed on you standing in the shattered window of the storefront with Midoriya assisting you to stand, the shock still lingered across your face.

Mina, the beacon of curiosity, instantly recovered. "Well, well, well-!" She teased, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "-what do we have here? Are you two dating!?" Bakugo shot her a glare while Kirishima flashed a sheepish grin. The two were instantly swarmed with nosy bystanders as the heroes entered the scene and began cleaning up the villains.

The pro-heroes gathered statements from each of U.A's recent graduates, assuring them not to fret over the bank robbery and advising them to head home and recuperate. You offered a nod of gratitude to Hawks before making your way towards Bakugo's car.

However, as you approached, Mina, Midoriya, and a few others from your graduating class surrounded Bakugo and Kirishima, demanding an explanation. The pressure mounted as accusations flew.

"Well, it, uh, I-it's-" Kirishima cleared his throat, "-it's new and...and uh..." He stammered, struggling to find the right words to elucidate the complicated situation.

"We don't have to tell you a damn thing!" Bakugo snapped, crossing his arms over his chest. "Now get out of my way!"

"Aw, come on!" Mina whined, the hurt evident in her tone. "You guys know we're going to be your biggest supporters!"

"We know you will be." Kirishima sighed. "It's just...we weren't ready yet, you know?"

"Oh!" Mina reached out, hugging Kirishima. "I'm so happy for you guys! I really thought Bakugo was gonna die alone for sure!" She laughed.

"The hell did you just say?" Bakugo glared. Kirishima nervously laughed, shoving his boyfriend towards the row of parked cars.

"We really should get going."

"Aw, what?" Sero frowned. "Let's all go to Remy's bar and hear all the juicy details, like when did you two first hook up!?"

"I'm going to kill you!" Bakugo seethed as Kirishima pushed him harder towards the car.

"Alright, Katsuki, come on, let's go home."

"Aw—!" Mina grinned; "—you called him by his first name."

"I got a name I can call you!" Bakugo pointed but was halted by Kirishima.

"We'll see you guys later, okay?"

"And then you'll give us all the details!?" Mina called after the two, having parked in a different direction.

"Y-Yeah, sure!" Kirishima waved. "Roomie—!" Kirishima called over his shoulder. "—let's go!"

"Wait!" Mina gasped, spinning around, her eyes quickly finding you. "You live with them; did you know they were dating!?"

"Uh..." Your gaze flickered over to the car, where the two stood waiting with blank expressions on their faces. "...yeah, I did..." You cleared your throat, and with Mina's excited high-pitched screams, you awkwardly turned around, ignoring the pinkette's questions and made your way to the backseat of the car. You barely had time to close the door before Bakugo sped off, his road rage flaring.

You let out a deep sigh; the familiar smell of the car eased your tense frame as you clicked the seatbelt into place, resting your head against the headrest.

The car ride home draped itself in an uncomfortable silence. Kirishima cast wordless glances your way, anticipating any reaction or response from you. Meanwhile, Bakugo clenched the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles paled into a stark white. The blond seethed with frustration, berating himself for the slip-up that allowed his emotions to spiral out of control. Adding to his irritation was the realization that there was no external target for him to kick or punch; this mess was entirely of his own making.

Kirishima nervously chewed on his bottom lip, stealing glances at Bakugo as if seeking guidance on the next steps to take. The internal conflict weighed heavily on the redhead; lying to friends, he considered family felt like a betrayal, yet revealing the truth posed an even more daunting challenge.

How could Kirishima muster the courage to disclose he had been in a relationship with Bakugo since high school, and not only that, but they were also in a committed relationship with you—who was just singled out of the relationship—Kirishima could only imagine the flood of emotions you must be experiencing right now. Why hadn't either of your boyfriends stepped up to admit you were not only their roommate but their girlfriend too?