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Sweat coagulates on Katsuki's forehead for the thousandth time today. He reaches up with a growl and wipes it with the back of his glove, flicking it off to land on the sidewalk.
Usually, he'd use it to his advantage for his quirk, but there isn't any reason to with it being the slowest, hottest day of the year.
Why they can't have the day off to stay indoors with the aircon running baffles him. It's reaching 1 pm and not a single villain has been in sight. Maybe they're enjoying a nice cold beverage with a fan blowing on their skin, waiting for a day to strike when it isn't a million degrees out.
He could be at the office doing paperwork right now. Or just lazing at home with his gorgeous boyfriend. But no. Instead, he's walking up and down the same six blocks to keep an eye on everything.
"So fucking stupid," Katsuki mutters. A laugh is heard next to him and he grumbles even more.
Thankfully, he was paired up with said boyfriend for their patrol. His long red hair that usually has his bangs in spikes and the rest rolling down his back is pulled into a ponytail so it's easier to manage the boiling temperature of the sun beaming down on them.
Unfortunately, he and his partner aren't out to the public yet, so he can't even hold his damn hand or pull him into alcoves to sneak kisses without people catching on. If word got out that he was dating the Red Riot before an official announcement was made, his PR team would have a fit.
Not that he gives a shit what people think. They can make assumptions and have their opinions all they want. He will cherish the redhead for the rest of his life and any extra that tries to come in their way can fuck off.
"Think of it this way, Kats," the rumbling of his voice soothes Katsuki, "we have three hours left and then we can go home and rest. We have tomorrow off, remember?"
Oh yeah, that's right. They do. A soft smile crosses his lips before he scoffs to hide it. "I know. Still fucking sucks."
The gloves on his hands are itchy. His costume is riding up in places it shouldn't be, and he's cranky because he's gone 5 hours without kisses. He can't wait for this day to be over.
Just as he turns a corner with the redhead telling him a joke, someone screaming causes his head to perk up, sweat forming on his palms, and gloves heating up in preparation.
He is not expecting to be shoved out of the way, followed by a large cloud of smoke billowing around his boyfriend. Katsuki comes out of his shock to see a small girl and a teenage boy, both with terrified looks on their faces. "I-I'm sorry!" The girl cries. She has tears in her eyes, "I didn't mean to hit him!"
That's when he turns his gaze to the smoke that dissipates, and all the breath leaves his body.
What was in Kirishima Eijirou's place is a small, black haired boy with Red Riot's pants barely around his waist, keeping him decent. The gear pauldrons are on the ground next to him. He looks scared and disoriented. Katsuki thinks for a split second that it's a stranger when he catches the sharp teeth and the scar above his eyelid.
Oh shit.
"Wh-Where am I?" The young boy – Eijirou, Katsuki realizes – asks in a shaky voice. "Who are you guys?"
Katsuki runs on autopilot from there. All his years of training and practice communicating with civilians helps him. He squats down (he hasn't done that in a very, very long time when it comes to Eijirou, seeing as how "adult him" towers over him normally) and says in a soft voice, "I'm Dynamight. You were hit with a quirk."
"Oh." The boy sounds very unsure and lost. "Okay."
"Do you feel anything weird? Bad symptoms? Achy? In pain?"
"No. I feel fine. Um…" The child twiddles his thumbs, "Why? Do I have weird hair or something?"
Katsuki holds back a laugh. Eijirou has always prided himself on his hair, so it's no surprise Tiny-shima is the same. As far as he sees, there isn't anything else to fuss over, aside from the glaringly obvious difference in age and looks. He isn't going to tell him that, though. "Nah. You look okay but we can never be too careful. Want to come with me to my agency? We can help you there."
Eiji– no, Kirishima – sniffs and nods timidly. Katsuki calls one of his sidekicks to take Kirishima back to the agency while he gets some information from the kids that hit him.
It takes no time for someone to answer his call and then Kirishima is out of sight, heading to the agency where Katsuki will meet up with him.
The kids are both siblings, but the girl has the quirk Eijirou had been struck by. She explains in length what her quirk does but Katsuki only catches that it's temporary and it should wear off in no time.
Katsuki rubs his temples and tells them that he would need to know more and to follow him to the agency. This was gonna be a shitload of paperwork, especially since it involves one of the top pro heroes getting hit.
He makes a few other calls and walks the two kids to his agency office.
On the outside, Katsuki seems unphased by it all. But inside, he's panicking and screaming. What the hell is he supposed to do in a situation like this? How can he look at this small child and act like they don't know one another?
When he got there about thirty minutes earlier, he had to have the kids give a statement on what occured along with the history of the quirk. Once they left, Katsuki walked into his office where Kirishima was left to wait.
A few coworkers brought some snacks, a shirt and shorts for Kirishima to wear so the Red Riot outfit was put elsewhere for safekeeping. He kicks his feet absently, both hands on each side of the chair he's sitting in.
They had asked for Kirishima's name and his parent's contact information, pretending the whole time that they didn't already have it in the database. But they did get news that Kirishima was thirteen, half the age he is currently. Katsuki sighs and sits on the edge of his desk, ready to interrogate Kirishima as his co-workers didn't do that whilst he was doing other things. "Do you remember what happened, Kirishima?"
Kirishima shakes his head, still not looking up at the blond. "Nn-nn."
"What about before that?"
"Nothin'. 's all blank."
Katsuki grunts, "Well, we left a voicemail for your parents letting them know you're okay and you were hit with a quirk but we haven't gotten anything back yet."
He tells the truth. Both of Kirishima's moms were a busy bunch and didn't always answer the phone. Hopefully, once they hear the message Katsuki had his intern leave them, they'll call back.
For now, he's okay with having Kirishima at his place. All his things are there, and he can keep a close eye. "You'll come home with me for the evening until then, just in case."
Kirishima's head perks up, surprise on his features. "With you?"
"Yeah. That alright with you?"
"Y-Yes. That's fine!" Katsuki doesn't miss the blush covering his cheeks, "I don't mind, sir."
Katsuki coughs to hide the pink that rises on the tips of his ears. Eijirou had never called him that before. "Uh-huh. I have a guest room you can stay in and some old pajamas too. Not sure how long you'll be under my watch, but–"
"I'm okay with that, Mr. Dynamight."
"Call me Bakugou." He is going to burn straight through his mask from how warm his face is getting. And the name would be easier for him to work with despite Eijirou having not used it in a very long time. "I have some paperwork to do but we'll leave in around an hour, mkay?"
Kirishima smiles, looking a bit more comfortable in his environment. "Okay, Bakugou."
He should've known the second he told the squad what happened, they would barge into his and Kirishima's shared apartment. When he moves into the bedroom to change out of his costume, Mina, Denki, and Hanta run in, stopping at the sight of Kirishima on the couch, shock on his face.
Mina is the first to react. "Eiji!!" She pulls the boy into a hug. Kirishima goes stiff in her embrace and lets go moments later, staring at the boy. "My poor angel getting hit with a quirk. Of all the things, too!! Are you alright?!"
"Uh…" Kirishima blinks, about to answer when Denki comes into view, holding a large bag of to-go food. "Here, man. I got your favorite: the hambagu steak from downtown! Thought you'd need a pick-me-up after being quirked to little you." He ends it with a laugh. "Couldn't imagine going back to being a teenager. Those were the days."
"Oh hush, Denks. You might as well still be a teenager with the way you act around Kyouka."
"I-I… that's different!"
Kirishima frowns, "'Little me'? I don't–"
"News outlets are casting you two everywhere right now," Hanta interjects, "it's wild what fans are speculating. What are they expecting you to do? You're in a kid's body. You can't go on pat–"
"What the fuck are you guys doing?!" Katsuki rounds the corner, unaware of the gaggle of friends surrounding Kirishima until now. "Don't bomb rush him like that."
"Don't you usually do that, Kacchan?" Denki jokes, giggling. Katsuki sends him a glare that makes him stop in his tracks. "Sorry, sorry. Bad taste."
"Damn right, it is. I've got PR on my ass ever since I got home."
He should've hidden Kirishima under a hoodie or something. With one sneaky and cleverly positioned photograph, Katsuki was caught leading Kirishima to his place with a hand on his shoulder. The press ate it up like sharks and made social media posts fast. There were taglines like: "Pro Hero Dynamight caring for Pro Hero Red Riot who was hit with a de-aging quirk: is there another reason behind his actions?" Katsuki rolled his eyes at each one he read, going back and forth with his PR Agent who was trying to get it shut down.
He has more pressing matters to tend to, however. "Telling me you're here would've been fucking nice."
"We thought you'd be in the living room, dude. Don't pop a gasket." Hanta pops up from around Mina, "What's it matter that we didn't let you know? Eijirou is right here."
"Um…" Kirishima's voice catches everyone's attention. "I, uh, don't know what's going on. Bakugou, are these guys your friends? And… Ashido? Is that you?"
Understanding twinkles in the eyes of the three that barged in. Mina puts her hand to her mouth. "Oh gosh, I am so sorry," she bends down, respectfully keeping her hands to herself. "Ei– erm, Kirishima, forgive me for hugging you out of nowhere. I wasn't thinking."
Kirishima accepts her apology, asking her why she looked like an adult rather than a small 13-year-old like he is. Katsuki pinches the bridge of his nose, moving to the kitchen to make some coffee. He catches sight of the juice packet sitting in the corner and snatches it up, pulling a second mug out next to his.
His Kirishima – Eijirou – is not a coffee drinker. But he will drink the shit out of some fruit punch. Katsuki helps him keep track of his sugar intake, so he gets him small pouches that can be put in one mug and stirred as they are light in calories and sugar.
Not that he cares right this second. He just wants Kirishima to be comfortable.
He comes into the room a few minutes later, setting the mug down in front of Kirishima, listening to the tail end of a conversation between Mina and Kirishima.
"So I am in the future?" Kirishima's eyes are almost sparkling, "That's awesome!" He lifts the cup to his lips, humming contently. "Mm! Thanks, Bakugou."
"Mhm."
Mina laughs to grab Kirishima's attention back. "Can't tell you a lot though. Sorry, Kiri."
"Aww, it's okay." A grin settles on his lips. "I get it. Don't worry. Time travel isn't something to mess with."
Katsuki watches silently. Mina has handled it amazingly well, especially using that excuse. He sips at his black coffee, listening to Denki and Hanta tell Kirishima what happened during their patrol today, leaving out details of Kirishima's past to sell the story they're sticking with.
All too soon, it's 7 pm and time for dinner. With Denki's generous offer of Kirishima's favorite food, he's set for the evening. Katsuki ushers Kirishima's (their) friends out the door, quietly thanking them and threatening to blow them up if they told a soul he said that.
He returns to see Kirishima going through the bag and pulling out the Tupperware with his steak. The black-haired kid lowers his head and opens the tab, breaking his chopsticks so he can grab at the mushrooms laced within the juice the steak marinated in. Katsuki moves into the kitchen to rummage around for a bite to eat when he hears Kirishima speak.
"I'm not dumb, y'know."
He turns, "I never said you were?" It's phrased as a question because he has no idea what could've led Kirishima to believe he thought as such.
Kirishima moves his food back and forth, "When I first got here, I was in a hero outfit. Y'know, the one with the gears."
Ah. That he was. “Yeah.”
“And when you told me I got hit with a quirk, you acted closed off. I mean, I would be bothered if I saw someone that I knew get taken away and replaced with another version of myself. I understand why you did it, because I took this timeline's Kirishima away and you didn't want to worry me, right?"
Not necessarily. Kirishima was simply aged down. But Katsuki remains silent.
Kirishima stabs at the meat with a chopstick, "Your friends bought me my favorite food and I don't even know them. You gave me my favorite type of juice. That means you have to know me but you pretended you didn't. Who am I to you?"
Kirishima sighs when he isn't fitted with a response. He fiddles with the meat, "I'm probably not even from this place."
He speaks in a solemn cadence, something Katsuki doesn't like to hear. "What do you mean?"
Kirishima lifts his head, eyes dark with an emotion Katsuki can't decipher. They water with unshed tears, "Here. With me being a hero." His tone bends under an unspoken pressure. "How could I be? I don't deserve any of this."
Is he seriously thinking this is a different reality and that all of this is something that couldn't happen in "his"? "What–"
"What right do I have to stand next to Ashido on the battlefield? Or you, for that matter?"
"Kirishima–"
"If I can't even have the guts to save my friends, what's to say I'll be any better than a civilian?" A rogue tear rolls down his cheek, "I'm not…strong enough to be a hero."
The things Kirishima is saying are reminiscent of their UA years and that one night when Kirishima had claimed himself to be 'mediocre' compared to the rest of the class. Kirishima's eyes were dimmed, mouth pouted into a frown and posture hunched in his seat.
And he hated that expression, needing to see that dumb bright smile of his. He had called him his unwavering horse and stupidly strong. The shine in Kirishima's vermillion irises was worth it.
Eijirou hasn't had issues like this in a very long time. He's been ridiculously proud and confident in himself recently. It's a nice look on him. Katsuki couldn't be happier for his boyfriend.
This is jarring. Normally he'd do the same song and dance he did at UA, but this Eijirou– Kirishima , he's come to consider him– hasn't learned anything yet. He's sure that he hasn't had the chance to study up on move sets or information needed to defeat villains. None of that was on his radar.
Katsuki is at a loss. What could have changed the boy's mind to be a hero all that time ago? It's evident that it hasn't happened yet with the deprecative statements Kirishima blurts out about himself. How can he console this tiny emotional teenager without overwhelming him more than he has been?
His mind pauses on the one memory he hates to recall. It isn't pleasant, but he feels it's necessary for this conversation. He opens his mouth, lips dry and hands clammy.
"When I was fourteen, I got attacked by a villain."
Kirishima blinks, placing his chopsticks on the Tupperware, "You did?"
"Yep. Was probably the scariest fucking experience of my life. One day I was walking home with people I thought were my friends and it came out of the shadows and took me away."
"What did you do? How did you get out?"
"Someone saved me," He says simply, "they came running like a crazy person saying they didn't want to see me die."
"Was it a pro-hero?"
"No."
"Oh."
Katsuki nods, humming. "For a while, I couldn't figure out what to do. I had wanted to be a hero since I was little but being trapped and unable to use my quirk, I felt hopeless. Useless. Frozen in fear and anger. After that, I doubted myself a lot. I kept asking why it happened. Why I wasn't…strong enough to take it alone and had to rely on someone else."
He says it without thinking about the words. All the emotions he suppressed back then come to the surface. "I had to take some time to recoup and it got me thinking. My feelings are just that: feelings. They aren't something to stop me from doing what I have always wanted to do. At the time, it feels that way, but it can't take you down unless you let it."
Going against Mina's earlier excuse, his heart flutters around the memory he'll never forget that brought him closer to Eijirou. " You even saved me."
Kirishima looks starry-eyed at Katsuki, disbelief sitting on his features, "No way."
"Mhm. Lots of times." Eijirou had covered his ass during some intense situations. The Provisional Hero License Exam, I-Island and most especially Kamino. "During times I felt weak and unable to do anything, you came in, fists swinging."
He smiles softly, "You're stronger than you think, Kirishima. This one time you couldn't save your friends isn't going to be the last." He would know, "Fear is a human emotion. It's normal to have it. But the best thing to do is grow from it. Learn from it. Don't let it dictate who you are or want to be."
He hates seeing Eijirou cry, so to have Kirishima burst into tears makes him flounder. "O-Oi, d-don't cry! I didn't mean–"
"It's okay," He rubs his eyes with the back of his hand, laughing watery, "'s just… never thought of it like that before." A shaky grin covers his face. "Thank you, Bakugou."
"Don't thank me, du– uh, kid. That's what I'm here for." Calling a child a name– even if it's laced with affection– is probably not the best course of action. Katsuki reaches over and grabs at a runaway tear rolling down Kirishima's cheek with the knuckle of his index finger.
Kirishima's breath hitches and he blinks up at Katsuki. "Bakugou?"
"Eat your dinner." Katsuki says it gruffly to hide the bashfulness of showing his vulnerable side. Eijirou has seen every side of him at this point but doing this in front of the younger version of him has a whole different meaning. "We can turn on a movie later once you're done. Any suggestions?"
Kirishima's cheeks grow ruddy. His voice lowers to a whisper, "Do you have something about Crimson Riot?"
Katsuki snorts and nods. He should've expected that as an answer.
Denki has a cat. He bought it months ago and said he never understood the whole "don't move if they are asleep on you" thing until he had it happen to him. He told his friends about it, pouting when they picked fun at his struggle.
Katsuki gets it now.
Halfway through the movie, with Katsuki sitting by Kirishima's side and (secretly enjoying) watching the newest Crimson Riot film, a steady pressure lands on his shoulder, followed by a soft snore.
Now he feels he can't move lest he wake up the small boy. From Katsuki's peripheral, he looks so peaceful and sweet, eyes still a tad swollen from crying earlier. A gentle smile crosses Katsuki's lips.
If it were up to him, he'd stay where he is and let him sleep. But his butt has gone numb and his eyes sting with fatigue. No doubt that if he chose to stay on the couch, he'd wake up in a grouchy mood and he really didn't want to start his day like that, much less with Kirishima around.
That is of course, using the hypothetical that Kirishima would still be present and Eijirou had yet to come back. Katsuki is hoping his boyfriend does soon. As much as he likes Kirishima around, he misses the redhead.
Carefully as to not stir him, Katsuki raises up, his hand a solid fixture on Kirishima's spine so he moves with him. Cupping his other hand under the backs of Kirishima's knees and the one laying on his back going to his shoulders, he picks him up, attempting to remain quiet.
He's so light compared to what Katsuki had grown used to. Eijirou was nothing but bulk and muscle mass. This small boy had barely began to gain any at his age. Katsuki smiles, as he has no need to hide it anymore.
The door squeaks when he passes the threshold of the guest room. He lightly readjusts the sheets as he settles Kirishima down into them, letting his head thump onto the soft pillow he placed when they first got the apartment. Katsuki hears Kirishima let out a peaceful sigh and go back to snoring, drool forming on the side of his mouth.
Katsuki brushes a stray piece of onyx hair out of Kirishima's face with the edge of his finger. He will never admit to doing it out loud, but he lowers and places a chaste kiss on Kirishima's temple. "You're going to be an amazing hero, Eiji." He whispers, "Don't ever fucking forget that. I love you."
He misses the quirk of a smile lighting Kirishima's lips when he leaves the room.
It's not everyday that Katsuki wakes to kisses littering his cheeks, eyes, and everywhere else on his face. His nose scrunches up and he grumbles when a deep laugh greets him along with a soft, "so pretty, Kats…"
…Wait.
His eyes snap open, a large grin crossing his lips before he leans in and takes Eijirou's mouth in a kiss. He tastes like sleep and there's a little more spit than usual but he can't care enough to stop.
"Good morning, baby." Eijirou says when he leans back, cupping Katsuki's cheek. Now that Katsuki gets a better look at him, he notices the red still underneath his eyes when it should've gone away. Is he sick?
"How are you feeling?" Katsuki asks, sitting up so he's perched against the headboard. "Your eyes are–"
"Ah. Yeah," Eijirou chuckles and rubs the back of his neck, "been crying this morning."
Katsuki blinks in concern. He moves his head and shoulders slightly, "Why? Are you hurt? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"
"No, no." Eijirou's voice shakes like he's on the verge of breaking into tears again. "I remember what you said last night."
Oh. Well. That was not an impossibility but still. Was part of Katsuki hoping that Eijirou didn't recall his words because it was an embarrassing show of "weakness"? A bit. Does he dislike the fact his boyfriend heard and hasn't forgotten his advice? Most definitely.
"Good. I'm glad you do, cause I'm not saying that shit again." Katsuki says. Eijirou giggles and kisses Katsuki gently.
When they pull away, Eijirou nuzzles his nose against Katsuki's, "You're so manly, you know that?"
"Been told that a couple of times." Katsuki grabs Eijirou's hand. He's warm. "We should let the squad know you're okay."
"Oh! That's right! I have to thank Denki for bringing me that steak because dude, it was so freaking yummy–"
Katsuki watches Eijirou go on about meat, pulling his knees to his chest and laying his chin on his arms.
His mind goes back to the different realities that Kirishima had been spewing about the night before, and how he thought it to be far-fetched to be a hero. Katsuki had thoughts like his back at UA, the idea of getting together with Eijirou something that had a .0001% chance of actually happening.
But looking over at Eijirou, his beautiful partner with sharp teeth and bright red hair and the prettiest laugh, Katsuki knows this is where he was meant to be.