Archive of Our Own ^beta

Red Riot is a positive thinker.

Or at least, that's what everyone thinks.

The truth is, Kirishima Eijirou has always fought hard to be a positive thinker.

Just like everyone else, he has doubts.

There are days and moments where he feels like nothing good could ever happen.

Luckily for him, he has people there to remind him otherwise.

~÷~÷~÷~

"Oh come on Kiribro. Don't be so dark. It could have been way worse!"

Kirishima sighs and rolls onto his stomach before responding to Kaminari.

"How? He asked me out and instead of responding I just ran off. He'll never forgive me. He probably thinks I hate him!"

Kaminari chuckles and pokes Kirishima's nose.

"Puh-lease. That boy couldn't hate you if he were trying. Trust me, I think he did."

Kirishima groans, "See? He doesn't just think I hate him, he wants to hate me too!"

"Bro that is not what I said. You know how he is. He realized he was falling for you and tried to make it go away. Obviously it didn't work. You're too cool to shake off."

Kaminari does a dramatic hand gesture as he finishes.

"Exactly! It must have taken him so much courage just to ask me out and I just RAN OFF! I probably hurt his feelings so much... Maybe it's for the best. I would be a terrible boyfriend."

Kaminari lightly slaps the back of Kirishima's head.

"Don't talk about my bro like that, man! You'd make an awesome boyfriend! You're kind and thoughtful. Bakubro is lucky to have you even just as a friend and he KNOWS it. All you gotta do is talk to him."

"He doesn't want to see me."

"Yes he does. Now get off of my bed and go kiss your boyfriend or something."

Kaminari shoves Kirishima off the bed and he flops onto the floor.

Kirishima reluctantly pulls himself up and turns back to Kaminari with a glare.

"Fine. I'll talk to him."

"Good."

Kirishima keeps a steady scowl directed at Kaminari even as he leaves the room. Kaminari returns it by sticking his tongue out.

Once out in the hall, Kirishima takes a deep breath. He reminds himself that this is his best bro. Bakugou is cool. He's way nicer than everyone thinks. Plus, he's the one who asked Kirishima out.

He slowly makes his way to Bakugou's dorm. He stands there for almost 2 minutes before closing his eyes and knocking.

For a moment he considers just dashing into his own room and denying any of this even happened.

Before he can finish trying to figure out if he'd make it in time, the door opens.

Bakugou is pretty.

It's something Kirishima has always known.

But pretty things are prettier when they're outside of your reach.

Bakugou has his normal amount of anger going on. Which surprises Kirishima, as he'd expected Bakugou to slam the door back in his face as soon as he sees who knocked.

Instead, he leans against the frame, crosses his arms, and raises an eyebrow.

"Uh. Hey! Bakugou... I- you- talking- were?" Kirishima scratches the back of his neck.

Bakugou tilts his head forward and raises his brow more.

"I- uh- So- I-" Kirishima stops and takes a deep breath.

"Can we talk?"

Bakugou looks him up and down quickly before making eye contact.

He smiles a thoughtful smirk before opening the door and backing up. Allowing Kirishima inside.

As soon as he sees that smirk, Kirishima knows they'll be just fine.

~÷~÷~÷~

Red Riot is a strong fighter.

However, even the strongest fighters start to feel like the world will come crashing down around them when things feel a bit much.

Red Riot is not an exception.

Kirishima looks around the room they've just broken into, filled with villains and thugs.

There are more than they'd expected, and he can feel himself start to sweat with nerves a little. He starts to feel his stomach twist and his vision gets a bit hazy.

He's afraid, he knows. It's not very obvious from the outside, but he knows himself.

He's scared they won't be able to take them.

He's scared that there are too many.

He looks to his left to get an idea of what Bakugou is thinking. He wants to make sure they're on the same page.

He sees Bakugou's signature smirk. Confidence bordering on insanity.

Before he even realizes, Kirishima is standing taller, his fists raised, and a matching confident smile aimed at the villains in the room.

There's no doubt who's going to win.

~÷~÷~÷~

Red Riot is a charitable man.

He attends charity galas, makes donations, sets up funds, and even does volunteer work outside his hero working hours.

This particular event is something special.

He'd been working to set up this charity for children with dangerous quirks for months.

Today is the big reveal, where he tells the whole world about his plan. Pitches his passion to the masses.

He and Bakugou have been working together on this for a very long time. It's something they both care about a lot.

"I can't do this. This is ridiculous."

Sero and Jirou both sigh as they help Kirishima in his dressing room.

Sero plays dumb, "What? Your honorable charity is ridiculous? How could you say such a thing, Red Riot?"

"Of course not! I meant me! Giving the speech! It's ridiculous to make me the face of the whole damn thing!"

Sero fixes his tie while Jirou adjusts his audio equipment. She double checks that it's all powered off before responding.

"It is not ridiculous. You're charismatic and popular with the public. Not to mention already well known for charity work. You're the perfect face for this."

"No I'm not! Katsuki put in just as much work for this as me! Not to mention the dozens or even hundred of other people who helped!"

Kirishima groans and buries his face in his arms, messing up his tie again. Sero grumbles in irritation as he yanks on his arms to readjust it.

"Quit your whining. Bakugou was the one who suggested that you do this. You've prepared your speech. And we'll all be there to support you."

Jirou takes Kirishima's hands as Sero finishes the tie.

"You have put your heart and soul into this project. It's a good cause! People will care. And part of why they'll care is because of you. Because you care, and they believe in you. Nobody else could do a better job than you."

Kirishima takes some calming breaths before nodding.

When it's his cue to go on stage, he is still a little nervous, but feeling better.

As his eyes follow Sero and Jiro to their seats, he finds Bakugou.

Bakugou already has his eyes on him. He's giving him that smile. The one that makes Kirishima feel like he can do anything. The proud grin that says, "You deserve to be here."

Kirishima knows that he will do amazing with this speech.

~÷~÷~÷~

Red Riot is a loving man.

He loves with his whole heart and being. Even people who've never met him can see that.

Loving with your whole heart means you put a lot on the line when you give it to somebody else.

"What if this is a really bad idea? What if he's not ready? What if I scare him off?"

"Scare him off? Sweetie You've been dating for 5 years. The happiest 5 years of either of your lives, I might add. You're not scaring him off."

While Mina made a good point, it didn't do much to ease the anxiety in Kirishima's gut.

He's pacing their living room. Decorated elegantly in a way that makes the room romantic, without being too cheesy for Katsuki.

"Well maybe this will! Maybe this is too big for him! We've never really talked about it. I mean, we're only 23! What if he thinks it's too early? Or we're too young? Or what if he just thinks I did it really bad and refuses because the lighting is wrong or-"

Mina slaps her hand over his mouth.

"Eijirou Kirishima. You are amazing. Katsuki Bakugou is head over heels for you. And you know even better than I, that there is no way he would say no to you because of the lighting."

Kirishima holds her hand after gripping her wrist to pull her arm away.

"I know! But I mean- this time could be- I'm not saying he would- but you never know and-"

"Shut up. I'm going to go home. You're going to sit on the couch and do NOT touch the food. And when Katsuki gets home, you're going to tell him this is a 'surprise date night'. Okay?"

Kirishima just nods.

"I'm sure you can figure out the rest. I love you. Good luck Kiribabe. Call me in the morning. Buh bye!"

And with that, she rushes out of the door before Kirishima has the chance to beg her to stay.

He doesn't have to wait long. Katsuki is home within 15 minutes. He freezes when he walks in the door.

"You will not believe how stupid that intern was I mean- what the hell is all this?"

Katsuki points to the golden balloons on the floor and the low lighting. He notices the extra cozy blanket laid on the couch, and the food sitting on the counter. He raises his eyebrows.

"Oh! Uh- it's a surprise date night! I know you don't really like to go out.. especially unexpectedly so..."

Katsuki carefully sets his work stuff down on the bench before walking forward. He catches Kirishima in a quick kiss before backing off.

He gives Kirishima a smile. One of the small soft ones that makes Kirishima's insides turn into butter and the rest of the world stops moving.

Kirishima knows that Katsuki is grateful.

~÷~÷~÷~

When Katsuki has finished his shower and his dinner, they curl up on the couch with the cozy blankets.

There's a weight in Kirishima's pocket that makes it hard for him to sit still as Katsuki settles down next to him.

Before Katsuki can get too comfortable, he stops him from reaching for the TV remote.

"Actually, Katsuki... I want to talk to you."

Katsuki slowly pulls his hand away from the remote and gives Kirishima his full attention.

"What is it, Eijirou?"

Kirishima struggles for a moment before finding his words.

"I love you. I love the way you make me a happier person. Not just that you do, but the way you do it. I love the little kisses on the cheek when our schedules don't line up. I love the meals left in the fridge. I love how you warm up you hands and hold mine when I'm cold."

Kirishima takes Katsuki's hands into his own and moves so he's kneeling on the floor in front of Katsuki.

Katsuki knows where this is going. He's trying very hard to hold back his words so Eijirou can finish talking.

"But most of all I love your smiles. I love your thinking smirk. The one you make when you have a plan. The one that means everything will be alright."

"I love your confident crazy smirk. The one you make when you know there's no room for error. The one that means there's no way we'll lose."

"I love your proud grin. The one you make when I've done something you find incredible. The one that means I earned my accomplishments."

"I love your small smile. The one you make when you feel thankful. The one that means you appreciate what I've done."

"I love your love. The love you give me that makes me the man I am. I love you. So..."

Kirishima uses one hand to pull the ring box from his pocket. After a short struggle to open it, he presents it a little nervously.

Katsuki covers his mouth with his newly freed hand and tries to hold back tears.

"Katsuki Bakugou. I love you. And I will always love you. I want to love you for as long as possible. The rest of our lives. Longer, if I can. And if you married me, I'd love that too."

It takes a moment for Katsuki to gather himself.

When he moves his hand, Kirishima sees his favorite smile of all. Lips spread wide over teeth and eyes crinkled. Rosy cheeks and a scrunched nose.

Katsuki's smile of pure, absolute joy.

That's the one that lets Eijirou know that Katsuki is happy. That's the one that gives Red Riot the power to see a positive future available. That's the one that gives Red Riot the power to fight off villains and doubts and fears.

That's the one that never fails to give Eijirou a smile to match.