Chapter Text
Getting your heart broken is so stupid, Kirishima thought as he tightly held onto the metal grab bar. He sniffed, wishing he had a tissue to wipe his nose instead of the sleeve of his sweatshirt.
What he thought was going to be a relaxing day off with his boyfriend turned into him retreating to his apartment boyfriend and best friendless. He felt stupid. Stupid for being in a relationship, for giving a shit, and worst of all, stupid for being cheated on.
Kirishima huffed in frustration, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye as he replayed the last few months of their relationship. He should have known or at least speculated when Tetsu started going to the gym more often and made a point to go during times when Kirishima was unable to join him. He should have seen the signs, they were basically flashing in his face that his (ex) boyfriend was eyeing the newly hired, blond omega yoga instructor.
His chest tightened at the painful rejection and the fact that he not only lost his boyfriend but lost his best friend too. Tetsu was his best friend for years before they started dating and now, they were just exes. Kirishima can barely think about him without coming to tears and looking at his face feels impossible now. The reality of losing two relationships weighed heavy on his shoulders and he isn’t sure which one to mourn first.
He wishes, almost desperately, that the idiot would have just communicated that he didn’t want to be in a relationship anymore instead of getting caught sending flirty messages. Kirishima is now stuck with that betrayal, that memory, and as much as he wants to be angry with Tetsu, he’s angry with himself. Angry that he wasn’t good enough to keep an Alpha interested…again.
Kirishima has to bite onto the sleeve of his sweatshirt as crying builds in his throat, bubbling up as a choking sob as the pain of losing that security, trust, and friendship squeezed his chest and only increased with the additional loss of confidence. Kirishima already felt like he wasn’t much of a catch, that there was nothing special about his scent, his personality, his interests, his body, his purr, and his slick. As much as he tried to build himself up over the years and found the confidence to actually be proud of himself, those thoughts still lingered like a red stain on a white shirt.
And to top it all off, he was older which automatically made him less desirable. Aging never really bothered Kirishima until now. Until he felt like his skin was a warm, wrinkled plastic bag paired with the loud reminder that a younger, petite, pretty omega was chosen over him. Now he felt like time had officially run out and that he was just doomed to spend the rest of his life alone and unmated.
Desirable omegas were small, lithe, submissive, beautiful with sweet scents: everything that Kirishima wasn’t. He was 194cm tall, had the muscle mass of an Alpha, had loud and long red hair, was extremely independent, viewed submission as a prospect to be earned instead of entitled, and to top it all off, his scent was a far cry from sweet. It smelled like the Earth, like dirt and rain, and trees.
On his better days, he prided himself on these attributes. He liked that he was an Omega that didn’t fall into any stereotypes. Now he was filled with doubt, with resentment, with rejection and his Omega wallowed and cried in it. It hurt, to not be wanted, to be a second choice when thinking he was the first.
Crying on the train was not ideal and Kirishima tried really hard to stifle his sobbing, but holding back wasn’t an option either as images of Tetsu’s guilt-ridden face flashed. His chest constricted so tightly that he could barely breathe as he rested his forehead against the bar, exhaling as the metal cooled his forehead. He kept his hand clamped over his mouth; tears soaked the edges of his sleeves as he bit his hand to keep himself quiet.
The train reached a stop and Kirishima tried to make himself as small as possible while new passengers boarded. He pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his head to draw the least amount of attention before the doors closed with a hiss. It was exceptionally unfortunate that the space between bodies became tighter with every stop after that and it was even more frustrating that Kirishima still had a ways to go while the tears refused to stop.
With the tightly packed car and his broad, tall frame, Kirishima knew that he would be difficult to maneuver around but he didn’t think it was bad enough for the stranger passing him to grab his ass.
It was such a sudden and unwelcomed gesture that Kirishima yelped before choking on his spit as he flinched away from the groper and before he could even cuss him out, the stranger was falling to the floor with a loud crack, forcing everyone near him to take a step back.
Kirishima’s eyebrows rose to his hairline as he stared at the unnervingly still body laid out on the floor of the train car.
Did I do that? Did I blackout and throw a punch? What the hell happened? Did he just pass out? Oh god, is he–is he dead?
Kirishima’s mind swam with questions and blank solutions before he blinked his vision to focus through the confusion and drying tears to find a clenched fist with an unfairly hot man attached to it. It was aimed right at the limp body, slightly red on the knuckles, but otherwise undamaged.
“Piece of shit.” The stranger growled and in Kirishima’s peripheral, he could see the other passengers cowering at the sound and stifled the automatic reaction to do the same. Even as his Omega cooed Alpha while Kirishima’s voice hummed Manly.
Kirishima felt his entire body jolt before stiffening into place as the owner of the fists’ eyes locked with his. His lungs constricted without the heaviness of pain this time, this time it was from the sheer intensity of the rubies boring into him and the faint scent of…something burning.
“You okay, Red?” the stranger asked as his hand dropped to his side.
Kirishima’s eyes widened before he gulped, swiveling his head to look around before realizing that yes this man was talking to him. He cleared his throat and eyed the nearly dead pervert on the floor before meeting the stranger’s gaze again, “Uh, ye–yeah. I’m, uh, I’m fine…?”
He’s not sure why it sounded like a question, maybe because he had so many thoughts firing off all at once. They bounced against his skull and rattled his brain while he took in his supposed rescuer. Fucking hell he’s hot. He was shorter than Kirishima, coming only to his shoulder, but his muscles in his arms and chest, his confident stance, and fierce facial features screamed Alpha. He was beautiful with wild blond hair that reminded Kirishima of a dandelion while his jaw sharply cut every soft curve of his cheeks.
“Sorry if I scared you,” he mumbled with a slight smirk curving his lips.
Playful thing, Kirishima thought as he stared, noting the black dress shirt and the warm scent flooding his nose. He shook his head, clearing his throat, “oh, uh, you didn’t. I just…wasn’t expecting that. I was about to knock him out myself.”
The man laughed, with his low and gravelly voice, and Kirishima felt drawn to the sound like a moth to a flame.
“Guess I should’ve minded my business.” The blond smiled wide enough to show off the sharp point of his Alpha fangs, “Would’ve loved to have seen that.”
Kirishima felt his cheeks warm at the sight of the stranger’s beautiful smile, how the corners of his eyes creased, and even more, how he wanted to see Kirishima’s display of aggression and strength. Something that most Alpha’s saw as competition from other Alphas and an insult from Omegas and Betas.
He managed to swallow the saliva that started to pool at the corners of his mouth before choking out, “guess you should’ve.” His voice cracked a little, but he was too focused on how warm his entire body was feeling and that smell that he couldn’t place.
The stranger’s eyes shifted to the floor for a moment, Kirishima followed his gaze to find that the person that was knocked out was nowhere to be found–when did that happen? He felt himself pout. He wanted to see them run off with their tail between their legs, dammit.
Seeing the conflict was resolved, Kirishima anticipated the Alpha’s departure, but instead, their eyes met again. The movement of the train blurred around him, the people pressing into his sides felt like cotton as they stared and Kirishima felt strangely hyper-aware of his state of being. Suddenly, it mattered that he looked like he had been crying.
“Are you okay?” the blond asked, biting his bottom lip as his cheeks tinted pink. He looked uncomfortable, clearly trying to be careful with his words as he leaned into Kirishima’s space, “your scent, it smells…sad.”
Kirishima bristled and felt like the warm bubble around them had suddenly popped. He looked around the train car as if he’d been caught doing something inappropriate before returning his attention to the stranger.
“Scent? Smelled? Me? That’s impossible,” he swallowed, eyes flickering to the Alpha’s throat as his adam’s apple bobbed before forcing his eyes back to those, now confused, ruby reds. “I’m on suppressants and I’m wearing patches on all of my glands. There’s no way you can smell me,” Kirishima added, almost desperately.
The man rolled his eyes, shaking his head while huffing as if he were annoyed before straightening his back so he could stand a little taller. Kirishima bit back the urge to do it back as he realized the Alpha wasn’t posturing.
“Tell me you’re not actually sad and I’ll drop it.”
Kirishima’s lips parted, the air built in his throat but nothing came out before he clamped his mouth shut. He could lie, he had no reason to tell the truth. This man was a stranger after all and just because he knocked out a pervert doesn’t mean he owed him the truth. He didn’t even know his name! But…but something was pulling at the back of his skull; a desire to be truthful, to be honest.
To be good.
He did have enough lying for one day.
“That’s what I thought, ocean breeze.”
Kirishima’s red brows pinched, hissing out the next words like it was a government secret, “ocean what?”
The man laughed, shifting his weight between his feet before latching his hand onto Kirishima’s grab bar, level with Kirishima’s chest. He was much closer now and that burning scent was everywhere, staining the inside of Kirishima’s nostrils and coating his tongue with an unfamiliar sweetness that had him swallowing to prevent himself from drooling.
“That’s what your sadness smells like. Like…you were in the middle of the ocean, stranded. Abandoned. It was hard to miss.” The blond was looking up at him with a neutral expression, one that had Kirishima shifting uncomfortably as he worked through his shock.
He really couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had never had his scent described to him like that before. It was always dirt and musky and not sweet. His mothers always referenced their gardening when describing it, saying it was like new soil that sat out in the sun all day, and when he was sad it was merely wet dirt. Nothing special.
Nothing even close to the ocean. Why was this stranger different? Since when did he start smelling like the sea?
With a new sense of determination, and a need to put some distance between himself and the pretty Alpha, Kirishima glanced around at the other passengers in search of another Alpha until he spotted one seated not too far away.
“Miss? Excuse me?” he interrupted the woman’s reading, earning an annoyed glare, “Sorry, just need to ask you something real quick.” He swallowed, ignoring the snort coming from behind him, “can you–can you smell me? No, not like that, I’m just trying to check if my suppressants and patches are working.”
The woman scrunched her face before shaking her head, “I don’t smell anything.”
Kirishima straightened, avoiding eye contact with the blond that was somewhat trying to hide his laugh. He was even more confused now.
“That’s so…weird. Why can you smell me?” he asked, returning to his grab bar to find the stranger biting down on his bottom lip, “Stop laughing! This is serious.”
He rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he let out a soft chuckle that Kirishima refused to admit to liking before sliding his free hand through his hair. Kirishima watched the motion with a hawk-like stare before blinking away the growing trance.
Get it the fuck together Eijiro.
“Hmm…well–”
“And why is your scent so strong?”
Those beautiful rubies suddenly widened as Kirishima nonchalantly sniffed the air between them with a glare pointed at the Alpha.
“...You can smell me?”
Annoyed, Kirishima scoffs, “Uh yeah, you’re practically smothering me in–what is it? Caramel? Cinnamon?”
The stranger’s jaw slacked, eyes searching Kirishima’s perplexed face as he tried to name the scent. It was overall sweet but it had a sharp edge to it, a spicy note lying underneath, and Kirishima…really wanted to eat it.
“Funny you say that, Red,” he started, capturing Kirishima’s attention with his shocked and mildly amused tone, “because I’m wearing patches and I took a booster before I got on the train.”
Kirishima stilled, eyes widening as he searched the Alpha’s face. How was that possible? It shouldn’t be. Suppressants, boosters, patches and all the jazz had become 100% effective in the past 20 years due to growing technology. There was no reason for them to be able to smell each other and Kirishima was starting to feel like his brain was swelling trying to figure out this pictureless puzzle.
“Caramel?”
Kirishima’s brows furrowed while his thoughts ceased to halt with the excessive amount of information he had been given, but he still managed a small, “yeah.”
The blond hummed like he was satisfied, “that’s new.”
“What is?”
He shrugged and Kirishima’s brain stalled at the sight of a blush forming on those ivory cheeks while the Alpha’s eyes emptily stared into the rest of the train car, “most are pretty put off by my scent. Sayin’ it’s too strong.” He shrugged, feinting indifference even though there was a touch of pain in his next words, “I’ve been told it smells like a building had been burned with people inside.” His lips pressed together and Kirishima was smacked with the urge to do anything to relax them before they parted again, “definitely never heard caramel or cinnamon.”
Kirishima felt the Alpha’s gaze pulling until their eyes met for the millionth time it seemed and he felt relieved to see there was no pain, but relief. Contentment.
Kirishima couldn’t fight a small smile as he blushed, “uh, well, you’re…welcome?” He stammered, trying to breathe normally before scrunching his nose in embarrassment, but it was quickly washed away at the sound of a small chuckle.
“Yeah, thanks…”
Kirishima checked the sign for what stop the train was at, seeing he only had 2 more before his and then feeling wildly confused as to the pit of disappointment that opened up in his stomach. Oddly enough, even though this train ride started off particularly depressing, it certainly hadn’t ended that way and Kirishima…really wanted to stick around his new…friend? Were they friends? It seemed like they had built some sort of relationship within a very short span of time.
It wasn’t nothing, right? Kirishima wondered how he could ensure that he would see this unnamed man again without seeming desperate or like a complete weirdo.
“Hey Red?” Kirishima looked down at the Alpha, reading his expression and coming up short with any words to describe it. He was excited about something, Kirishima could feel it, could sense it in the growing cinnamon note and he hoped his scent had something to offer other than sad ocean and content dirt.
“I think I know why we can smell each other.”
He tilted his head, eyebrows twitching in confusion but the Alpha continued without missing a beat, “we can sense each other's emotions and we both described them with pleasant things. Neither of us are repulsed, even though we were both feeling negative.”
Kirishima stared at the blond, watching as a blush quickly formed all the way to the tips of his ears. He had to fight the urge to kiss them.
He coughed uncomfortably before sighing in defeat, “I got really pissed when that guy touched you.” He glanced at the now crowded spot on the floor before returning to Kirishima, “like really pissed and I think–”
“Burning wood,” Kirishima blurted with a quiet voice, and now it was the stranger’s turn to tilt his head so Kirishima added, “I smelled…burning wood. It was faint, but it was…right when you…punched him.”
Kirishima’s stop chimed overhead, but his eyes didn’t leave the young Alpha’s as nervous energy built between them. He wanted to run away and lean into it all at the same time. What did all of this mean?
“Red,” the stranger’s voice was uncharacteristically quiet, Kirishima noted as he stepped closer, making it so their breaths fanned over each other’s mouths. “What do you know about fated mates?”
》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 。* 。° 。* 。 • ˚《
“Next stop is–”
Kirishima stared at the blond as the train came to a stop followed by the hiss signaling the doors opening. His stomach swooped at the sudden speed at which time was moving and how quickly he was expected to make decisions. All he knew was that he didn’t want this to end, whatever this was. The sheer thought of the Alpha leaving made his finger tingle with panic until he just.
Grabbed the Alpha’s bicep and pulled him onto the station platform.
The action didn’t fully register until the train departed the station and he realized the stranger wasn’t fucking on it.
“Oh my god, oh shit. I’m so sorry–I don’t—I—fuck,” Kirishima cringed as he watched the train disappear before pulling at the drawstrings of his sweatshirt.
What was he thinking? Not only was that rude, but what if he had plans? Or needed to go to work? Oh god–the guilt was building fast. He didn’t think about doing it, he just didn’t want the stranger to leave, especially after asking about fated mates.
“Oi.”
Two hands firmly gripped Kirishima’s shoulders, forcing their eyes to connect and there was that pull again, but this time it didn’t heighten his nerves or make his tongue fumble in his mouth, this time it grounded him. Made him take a few deep breaths. Forced him to inhale sweet caramel and burning cinnamon and fuck did it work almost a little too well.
“Quit freaking out.”
“But–I, what about your stop? I just…did it without asking…”
The Alpha blinked a few times before a grin formed on his lips and then he was leaning close, Kirishima was forced to stay by the hold on his shoulders. He’d never felt so fucking small.
“This is my stop.”
Kirishima blinked once, twice, searching those familiar rubies that shone with amusement as realization dawned on him until laughter bubbled in his stomach, then chest, and poured out of his mouth. He laughed so hard he had to hold his stomach, bending over slightly until he found his forehead pressing into what had to be the shoulder of the stranger. He should care, should probably be a little more cautious or at least apologetic for entering the Alpha’s space like that, but he’s not, not even a little. He can’t stop laughing at the absurdity of this day.
How many times have we passed each other without knowing? How many times have I smelled something burning while heading to work?
He’s not sure how long he chuckles for, but the Alpha hasn’t complained or pushed him away. He remains still with his hands resting on Kirishima’s shoulders while his own shoulder serves as a headrest. It’s odd, Kirishima thinks, everything about this Alpha is…odd, but in a good way.
Finally, his laughter dies and he straightens, wiping away a few tears before facing the blond once again.
God, he’s pretty.
“Hn, sorry I think I got your shirt wet.” Kirishima bit his bottom lip as the other man eyed his shoulder, noting the small wet patch before shrugging.
“S’whatever.”
Kirishima ducked his head, accepting that with a blush before building up the courage to ask, “so…what happens now?”
“Hah? You tell me, Red.” He grinned, playfully, “what was the plan after you dragged me off the train?”
Kirishima sighed, feeling unnaturally calm. The weight of the Alpha’s hands on his shoulders grounded him better than any other calming exercise he adapted over the years.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I just…you asked about fated mates and I guess I wanted to be able to answer you.” He shrugged, fiddling with his drawstrings, “do, uh, you wanna…go somewhere? Like…to talk or…”
Asking an Alpha out was always weird and most didn’t care for it considering they were expected to be the ones to do the courting and not the other way around, but this one didn’t even flinch.
“M’hungry, there’s a ramen shop I like that isn’t too far from here.” He suggested, removing his hands from Kirishima’s shoulders before holding one out in the space between them, “Bakugo, by the way.”
Kirishima smiled and it ached the muscles in his face from how broad it was before he returned the handshake, “Bakugo. I’m Kirishima.”
The ramen shop wasn’t even five minutes from the station and Kirishima was grateful, considering how exhausted he was from the train ride. He was really excited to eat some warm ramen and even giddier about the fact that he wouldn’t be alone.
Bakugo made quick work of leading them to the shop, asking for a table and ordering them both glasses of water as they waited. Kirishima listened as Bakugo suggested some dishes and that's when Kirishima learned that Bakugo had an extremely high tolerance for spice.
“You make them add to their spiciest option?”
“Yup.”
“Manly,” Kirishima whispered to himself in awe. He liked spice, but this shop used Ghost Peppers and even he knew that wasn’t something to be fucked with. The fact that Bakugo added spice on top of that was…oddly attractive.
After putting in their orders, Kirishima’s palms began to sweat as he realized that Bakugo, this beautiful young Alpha who wore crisp designer clothes that were probably tailored and dry cleaned, was watching him, a 38-year-old Omega wearing a black sweatshirt that had his tears and saliva on his sleeves and probably looked like he sold drugs for a living.
Oh god. What the fuck was he thinking? He must look like he owes Bakugo money or something.
“Knock it off.”
Kirishima blinked, looking around before returning Bakugo’s gaze, “huh?”
“I can smell you, remember?” Bakugo smirked, crossing his arms as he relaxed against the back of the booth.
Right. Scents. Emotions. Mates…Fated Mates.
Kirishima cleared his throat, “Right, yeah. I remember. Kind of.” He grimaced, smiling through his awkwardness as he fiddled with his glass of water, “about that–”
“After we eat,” Bakugo interrupted, forcing Kirishima to look at him, “we’ll talk about it then.” Kirishima nodded, relaxing against the back of the booth when Bakugo added, “for now, you can tell me why you were so upset.”
Kirishima scrunched his nose, hating that idea entirely before shrugging, “just a bad day is all.”
“Liar.” Bakugo barked, “you reek of rejection. What happened?”
Kirishima wanted to tell him to back off, to mind his own business, and that they were still strangers despite the whole fated thing, but there was something in his tone that made him feel…surprisingly safe. Bakugo sounded like he was upset, but not at him and for whatever reason, that felt really good.
Besides, he kind of wanted to talk about it.
“I just broke up with my boyfriend because I found out he was cheating on me with a hot new yoga instructor.” Kirishima smiled bitterly, shrugging, “that’s what happened.”
He couldn’t force himself to watch Bakugo’s reaction because it was still fresh and painful. His Omega still felt the burn of not being good enough, of not being the perfect Omega and as much as he wanted to believe it was as far away as the train route, the reality was that it wasn’t. No matter how much the physical distance grew.
And then it was like his mouth moved on its own and the words were there, spilling like a waterfall.
“And he was my best friend for years before we dated, so I lost that too because I can’t look at him anymore and I think that sucks more than the actual break up.” He cleared his throat, refusing to cry in a restaurant and in front of Bakugo, “I never thought he would do that to me. I thought he would tell me if he didn’t want to be with me that way anymore and we would be able to keep our friendship at least, but, yanno. Obviously, I was wrong.” He paused, taking a drink of water, and barely managed to at least look up into the rest of the restaurant before continuing, “I’m not sure what’s shittier though, the fact that he disappointed me or how much I just…accepted that this happened. Like, I know I’m not a typical Omega, but I thought he already knew that and liked it, but there’s a big part of me that expects this to happen because I’m not small, or submissive, or–”
“I’m gonna stop you right there, Red.” Bakugo snapped, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the top of the table. Kirishima noticed his black shirt rolled up to his elbows, showing off thick forearms decorated with golden blond hair. “Look at me,” he demanded and Kirishima did, meeting their eyes and fighting the tears that started to burn, “what he did to you was bullshit and you didn’t deserve it, but you don’t get to sit there and treat yourself shittier than some asshole Alpha.” Kirishima blinked, his brows pinching at the center as Bakugo barreled on, “the term ‘typical Omega’ is redundant and fucking stupid. Your presentation doesn’t define you, you define it, and don’t let anyone else, especially yourself, tell you any different.” Bakugo huffed, exhaling long and loud as if he were trying to regain control of his emotions before he spoke again, softly this time, “he didn’t cheat on you because you weren’t a good enough Omega, he cheated on you because he’s a coward who couldn’t tell you that it wasn’t working out for him. Got it?”
Kirishima stared, unmoving as Bakugo glared, waiting for him to answer.
“Guess not.” He grumbled before cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders, “be disappointed that he didn’t value your friendship enough to communicate. Hell, be angry because he deserves it, but thinking it’s your fault is a load of shit and I won’t sit here and just let you feed yourself bullshit. It’s stupid and will only hurt you in the long run.” Bakugo shifted, looking uncomfortable in his seat as he continued, “he’s lucky…to have had anything with you at all.”
“Why?” Kirishima asked so quietly that he wasn’t sure if he actually wanted to say that out loud but Bakugo was answering before he could take it back.
“Why?” He scoffed, almost laughing, “who wouldn’t be lucky to be with you Kirishima?”
“You don’t know me,” he blurted out, feeling warmth bloom in his chest from embarrassment and…something pleasant that felt a lot like pride.
“I don’t, not yet.” Bakugo stated with unwavering confidence that Kirishima felt his jaw slack a little, “but I…would feel lucky. To,” he cleared his throat and Kirishima recognized the tell-tale signs of embarrassment and tried to keep his smile at bay, “I would feel lucky to be with you, to know you.”
Kirishima’s mouth was no longer his own, he realized as the next words he blurted out registered only after he said them, “I’m 38.”
“And?” Bakugo asked with an arched brow.
“And?” Kirishima bristled like he was stupid for asking, “aren’t you like what, in your early twenties?”
“26,” Bakugo corrected with a smug grin before sipping his drink and then asking, “why does that matter?”
Kirishima shrugged, “don’t you…want someone around your age?”
“For what?”
“C’mon,” Kirishima scoffed, “you’re a young and handsome Alpha who obviously has a good job. Why wouldn’t you want to share that with someone your own age?”
Bakugo’s eyes cut into a glare while his lips stayed curved in a smirk as he leaned forward before asking, “you think I’m handsome?”
“Yes, even at my age my eyes still work Bakugo,” Kirishima deadpanned.
Bakugo rolled his eyes, chuckling softly before sitting back, “I just don’t give a shit about our age difference, alright? Do you?”
“Pfft, why would I?”
“Exactly,” Bakugo retorted with an arched eyebrow, looking like he had won.
“So you wouldn’t have any regrets? Being…you know,” Kirishima chewed on his bottom lip before whispering like it was illegal to say aloud, “fated with me?”
Bakugo shook his head with a half-hearted eye roll, “no. The only regret I’m having right now is that I wasn’t fucking born sooner.”
Before Kirishima could respond the waiter arrived with their food and Kirishima was suddenly overwhelmed with how fucking hungry he was. It helped that his bowl of ramen smelled and looked delicious while Bakugo’s bowl emitted ‘touch me and your skin will melt off’ energy. The broth was bright red, looking like it had been dyed with food coloring and as much as Kirishima wanted to try it, he kind of wanted to keep the skin on his lips more.
They ate in comfortable silence. Kirishima commented on how good it was every once in a while, wanting Bakugo to know that he had good taste in restaurants. The Alpha seemed to preen at the praise which motivated Kirishima to do it that much more. It was fun and exactly what Kirishima needed to feel like he wasn’t going to drown in his insecurities and sorrow.
After he finished his bowl of ramen he excused himself to the bathroom only to flinch at his reflection once inside. He still had his hoodie drawn over his head and it was still kind of scrunched around his face. He groaned as he removed the hood, embarrassment warming his cheeks as he fixed his hair. Fluffing it until it looked somewhat presentable. Bakugo was looking like a whole five-course meal and here he was looking like a McDonald’s Big Mac that had just been run over by a semi. He tried to fix his attire as much as he could before finally going to the bathroom, washing his hands, and returning to their table.
The way Bakugo’s eyes trailed him didn’t go unnoticed as he sat down. He felt like he was being hunted by a wild animal and he genuinely hoped he looked like a good enough prey.
What an odd thought to have.
He finally managed to make eye contact and regretted it immediately as he was met with those familiar red eyes but now they were burning like lava. Blood rushed to Kirishima’s cheeks, scattering down his neck and to the tips of his ears as Bakugo refused to break away from him. He’d never been looked at like that like he was the only thing that existed. That…there was something nice to look at.
Attempting to diffuse the tension, Kirishima cleared his throat before asking, “So what do you like to do for fun?”
Bakugo blinked and Kirishima fought a pout as he watched that lava-like shimmer dull.
“I play the drums and hike, you?”
“You play the drums?” Kirishima asked, feeling excited, “that’s so cool. I’ve always wanted to learn but my Moms didn’t like how loud they were.”
Bakugo scoffed, “I didn’t give my mom a choice. It was either she got me a set or I would use her fancy vases.” He grinned proudly as Kirishima gaped at him.
“And how old were you…?”
“5,” he answered with a shrug, “I’m her mini-me so she was more impressed by my threat than anything.”
Kirishima laughed, a little out of bewilderment as the scene played out in his head. Imagining baby Bakugo manipulating his mother was…oddly endearing.
“I’ll have to remember that,” he grinned before asking, “you said hiking? I like hiking. There’s a trail I like to go to every once in a while that isn’t too far from here.”
Bakugo’s eyebrows rose and he sat up a little straighter, “Oh yeah? You know the name? I’ve done all the ones around here and got bored so now I have to travel and shit so I don’t go as often.”
“Uh, I don’t remember the name. Sorry,” Kirishima laughed nervously, “it’s an easy one, I’m sure it would probably bore you.”
“Probably,” Bakugo agreed with a playful smile, “probably too easy for you too.”
“Yeah, but I don’t hike for the exercise,” he shrugged, smiling, “I just like the scenery and the silence.”
“Then you’ll like this new one I found. It has a bit of an incline and it’s an hour train ride, but it’s worth it.” Bakugo smiled with a challenging glint in his eye that had Kirishima’s leg bouncing with adrenaline, “there’s a waterfall on the way up.”
His eyes widened with excitement and Bakugo nodded in agreement before taking a sip of water. Kirishima wanted to see it, badly, even more, knowing that Bakugo would be there and surprisingly that didn’t unnerve him. No, he was excited and he’s sure if he hadn't exhausted himself from crying, he’d be willing to go right this second.
“Sounds like a date.”
Bakugo’s tapping on his glass of water stuttered before continuing which made Kirishima realize he had been holding his breath. He watched Bakugo’s lips twitch and his cheeks turn a rose pink and felt a swell of pride at being able to fluster him.
“Your turn,” he grunted, eyes shifting from the water to Kirishima’s eyes, “what do you do for fun?”
“Ah, well I like to go to the gym,” he grinned sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head, “which just so happens to be where I work so–”
“You a trainer?”
“Yeah, I take clients who are coming out of physical therapy so it’s a bit of a different process but I think it's the most rewarding.” He smiled wide with pride, showing off his sharp teeth, “they come in recovered from their injuries but some still have limitations or limps and I get to help them until they don’t.”
Kirishima blushed as Bakugo watched, intently listening and hanging onto every word. It made Kirishima nervous enough to continue just to cut the tension, “other than that, I uh, I like to garden. My moms made me help with theirs when I was a kid and I guess it stuck.” He shrugged, trying to not crumble underneath Bakugo’s rapt attention.
The waiter returned with their check and Kirishima swallowed whatever he was about to say next, reaching out to grab it only to be smacked away by Bakugo’s.
“Get the next one,” Bakugo snapped as he pulled his wallet out and Kirishima felt the argument that he didn’t need to be taken care of on his tongue, burning to come out but it died as he registered Bakugo’s words.
That’s fair, he thinks. Which was quickly followed by, oh shit that’s two dates already planned.
The waiter retrieved Bakugo’s card then returned just as quickly and Kirishima began to mourn the end of their…date? His stomach flipped at the thought, rapidly filling with butterflies before it evaporated as he realized he’d gone on a date the same day that he had gotten out of a relationship. It didn’t feel good, if anything it made him feel even more like a mess.
“Bakugo,” he rushed out as Bakugo returned his wallet to his pocket, “I–uh…” Shit, he didn’t plan how to say this but saying the truth would probably be the best route, so he blurted, “you’re not a rebound.” He winced, grumbling before Bakugo could even respond, “what I mean is, I don’t want you to think that you are. Today was…a lot and I know how it could look on the outside, so…”
“Relax, Red. Didn’t even cross my mind.”
A scent tickled Kirishima’s nose and he fought every knee-jerk reaction to scrunch his face at the acidic burn that touched the back of his throat. As he watched Bakugo attempt to put up a strong front, Kirishima could see the hesitation, the small shift in his fingers, and knew that the Alpha was trying to put him at ease, but at the expense of the truth.
“Don’t you think I’ve had enough lying for one day?”
Bakugo stared for a moment before rolling his eyes as his cheeks flushed red, “shit-yeah. Okay fine. It did cross my mind once, but…” he trailed, watching his fingers tap the table, “....you don’t seem like the type to do that.”
“Oh yeah?” Kirishima cocked his head with a challenging tone that washed away any growing tension, “then what type do I seem like?”
Bakugo crossed his arms with sharp cat-like eyes and smirked, “like the type that would rather go home and roll into a ball while watching some romance film like The Notebook with a bowl of ice cream. You’re too empathetic to use anyone as a rebound and besides…we are fated. Wanting to be around me is expected…” Bakug blushed, averting his eyes before spitting out, “dumbass.”
“You’re wrong.” Kirishima snapped, forcing Bakugo to stare at him, waiting. Under his breath, he mumbled, “it’d be a RomCom…”
Bakugo scrunched his nose as Kirishima laughed before asking, “Which one would you have watched today?”
Kirishima giggled, humming as he thought about it for a second before replying, “10 Things I Hate About You.” And when Bakugo asked why, he just shrugged, “for two reasons, one of them being Heath Ledger and the other being Julia Stiles.”
“Really?” Bakugo asked, genuinely surprised by that.
Kirishima hummed a yes, “and also it’s a good movie to watch if you’re mad.”
“I’ll have to remember that.” Bakugo noted with an amused grin before adding with a more serious tone, “We should talk…about the whole fated thing.”
Kirishima shifted in his seat, eyeing the comfortably busy restaurant before nodding, “yeah, okay.” He coughed, “you asked what I knew about fated mates and well, I always viewed it as something to believe in but…but not necessarily something that could…really happen.”
Bakugo nodded before sighing, “It’s extremely rare. Especially since some fated mates don’t even realize they’re fated so any statistic recorded is inaccurate.” He watched Kirishima closely as he went on, “fated mates can smell each other no matter what, that’s the biggest giveaway. Even if their scent glands are destroyed. They can also sense each other's emotions and feel them as their own which is why I was able to knock that perve out so quickly.” Bakugo growled at the end before stifling it, huffing through his nose then continuing, “scents register differently with fated mates, as you’ve learned. There’s a wider spectrum, one scent for every emotion and they’re usually more…satisfying. Hence, why my scent doesn’t smell like burning decay to you.”
Kirishima blinked, trying to absorb all this information before asking, “how do you know all this?”
“My parents are fated.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Kirishima blurted in shock before wincing and checking his surroundings, exhaling with relief when he realized no one had heard him. “That’s…crazy,” he added, suddenly speechless.
Bakugo shrugged like he wasn’t experiencing a rarity twice in his lifetime, “they’re no different than a normal couple, at least in my eyes. Everything is relatively the same, it's just…more intense. Harder to ignore.”
“Why…why isn’t this common knowledge? This feels like something I should’ve learned in health class in High School,” Kirishima pouted.
“Because a lot of people still think it's some fucking fairytale,” Bakugo huffed, “most think it’s a load of shit and that some couples are just more sensitive to each other's scents or whatever.”
Kirishima frowned, thinking about how the mass majority of people could benefit from knowing about fated mates but then wondered what society would be like if they did take it more seriously. What would dating be like? Better? Worse? Maybe it’s better this way.
“You said everything’s more intense,” Kirishima commented, changing the subject, “what does that mean, exactly?”
Bakugo seemed to relax at the question, “it means that whatever you would normally do with a partner is amplified. Scenting feels necessary, it amplifies your possessive nature and makes it really hard to resist.” He shifted, and Kirishima noticed that he looked a little uncomfortable. He wondered if Bakugo wanted to scent him right now and realized that if he did, he would let him.
He kind of wanted him to.
“My parents always scent each other before they leave the house and if they don’t, they fucking freak out and become annoying.” Bakugo growled, “it’s tedious and can be really frustrating, especially if you’re in a rush or you just forget.”
Kirishima managed a smile as Bakugo looked like he was reliving an annoying memory and thought about how likely it was that they would go through that same mishap. He…really liked the idea and that felt weird. Liking the probability that they would be in a stressful situation because they forget to scent each other.
It was…cute.
“Heats and ruts become an even bigger pain in the ass,” Bakugo grumbled, “even if you’ve claimed each other, there’s still this crazy amount of possession and protectiveness that you can’t ignore. And you’re not supposed to. If you do, there's a much higher chance of either party dropping because rejection hits so goddamn hard.”
Bakugo shifted, chewing on his bottom lip before rolling his eyes. Another memory, Kirishima noted as Bakugo continued, “my own mother got territorial with me and almost bit me because she was near her rut and I was just a threat to her and her mate in her eyes even though I’m her fucking kid.” He shook his head, looking annoyed and Kirishima couldn’t stop himself from smiling. “The damn hag was the one that told me to stop by too! So it was her fault to begin with, but anyway,” he huffed, eyeing Kirishima and managing a small smile that should not have been so goddamn cute, “I’ll probably be the same way with you, so.”
Kirishima felt his skin rise with goosebumps as his stomach flipped–he didn’t mind that, the idea of Bakugo being territorial over him and incredibly protective. He actually…really liked how that felt and sensed that he would probably be the same. He wasn’t an Omega that necessarily needed protecting, but he would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy it to some degree.
“The staff is starting to look at us like we’re cockroaches, c’mon I’ll walk you home,” Bakugo grumbled as he suddenly stood, waiting for Kirishima to follow before leading them out and then following Kirishima’s lead. He lived about 10 minutes from here on foot and damn did he want that amount of time to be longer. He was tempted to take a much longer route just to elongate their time together.
Kirishima’s stomach was a fucking mess of butterflies and warm ramen as the realization that Bakugo wanted to walk him home. He felt like he was a freshman in high school. It was so goddamn cute.
“I don’t care for submissive Omegas by the way,” Bakugo said after a few moments of silence, cutting into Kirishima’s recap of all of the fated mate's information he had just been given and how painfully adorable Bakugo was. Kirishima stared at him, a little confused and relieved before Bakugo added, “you seem to be worried about that.”
Kirishima sighed, “yeah. I’m mistaken for an Alpha a lot because I’m not the most submissive and I can be territorial and well, I look like this,” he chuckled nervously while gesturing to his body, “but, uh, that’s a relief. Not something I’ve heard coming from an Alpha’s mouth like…ever.”
Bakugo scoffed, stuffing his hands in his pockets, “yeah well I’m not a ‘typical Alpha’, Kirishima.” He flashed a smirk and Kirishima felt his mouth dry at the sight, “m’starting to think that’s why we’re fated.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I really have to spell it out for you huh?” Bakugo teased, then sighed as he eyed Kirishima’s confused expression, “I don’t have a problem with submitting is what I’m getting at rocks for brains.”
“Hey”, Kirishima began to whine before cutting it off as the words ‘Alpha submitting’ flashed in his brain like a neon light sign, and oh the images that followed were not something he should be thinking about in The Public.
Bakugo underneath him, panting and whining, begging for Kirishima to fuck him. To be taken, calling out ‘Omega’ like that’ll encourage Kirishima to move faster and Oh Shit, would Bakugo present for him? He never in a million years would think that an Alpha would ever even consider presenting for an Omega, but Bakugo, his fated, who isn't opposed to submitting–he would right? Right??
“Oi,” Bakugo snapped, forcing Kirishima to come back to Earth. He blinked before meeting Bakugo’s gaze and shit, the color of his eyes was that molten lava from before and Kirishima really couldn’t ignore what that meant. He wasn't fucking stupid. “Fucking, shit. Knock it off Kirishima,” Bakugo huffed through a tight jaw as his cheeks dusted pink.
Kirishima swallowed before ushering out a soft, almost breathless, “Huh?”
“I can smell you, asshole.”
For whatever reason, Kirishima took that moment to inhale deeply like he would be able to smell his own scent but instead got a mouthful of smores over a campfire paired with spicy hot chocolate, and fuck, his Omega begged him to purr.
Was that—arousal? Is this what Bakugo’s arousal smells like? He wanted to roll in it, badly. It was so warm and good and safe. Kirishima wanted it on his clothes, wanted to know what it would be like on his tongue, and felt a sense of urgency to find out what the texture would be.
Bakugo was walking next to him with stiff shoulders and a scowl plastered over his features while his cheeks turned an even darker shade of red. Kirishima wanted to hug him, lick the bead of sweat trickling down his temple and rub his cheek against the scent gland on his neck all at once. It was…terrifying how quickly urge after urge rolled through him and how little impulse control he had to match it.
He settled for silence instead of opening his mouth, fearing that he would inhale more of Bakugo’s scent to only blackout and get arrested for indecent exposure. There was uncomfortable wetness between his legs and as he walked he could feel how hard his cock was within the confinements of his jeans. He flushed with embarrassment and tried to focus on the route back home only to realize that he reached his apartment building and that was actually the last thing he wanted.
When he stopped walking, Bakugo did too and now they just watched each other, waiting for what would happen next. Kirishima…still didn’t want him to leave, but it would probably be too much to invite him up wouldn’t it?
“Got a phone Red?”
Kirishima nodded, reaching into his back pocket to retrieve the device before handing it to Bakugo. He was relieved to follow Bakugo’s lead now, considering he was ready to cross any and all lines.
Bakugo handed him his phone back and Kirishima stared at the contact that read ‘Bakugo Katsuki’ before whispering, “Katsuki,” under his breath. What a pretty name for a pretty Alpha.
A sharp inhale had him looking up to find Bakugo blushing while stuffing his hands in the pockets of his dress pants.
“Text or call me whenever,” he mumbled, avoiding eye contact by staring at the apartment complex.
Kirishima beamed, nodding happily before tapping away on his phone, watching as Bakugo retrieved his own when a ding sounded.
Bakugo was silent as he read the message and Kirishima’s sure that if he looked away a second sooner he would have missed him whisper, “Eijiro.”
Kirishima’s brain short-circuited and this time, he inhaled sharply and avoided eye contact. It was unfair how pretty his name sounded on Bakugo’s lips, his voice, especially being whispered like it was a precious secret.
Bakugo being his fated mate was definitely going to kill him.
“Thank you…by the way,” Kirishima said softly while eyeing the asphalt.
“For what?”
Kirishima shrugged and forced himself to meet Bakugo’s eyes only to get caught exactly what he was thanking him for. So many things tumbled through, along the lines of for being there, for existing, for showing up today, for punching that guy, for buying me food, for making me feel happy and safe and like I’m not a complete failure, and that I’m good enough.
He settled on, “today. All of it.”
Bakugo rolled his eyes, something that Kirishima was growing accustomed to, before growling, “don’t thank me for dumb shit.”
Kirishima laughed sheepishly, he should have expected that but saying anything else felt like too much even though they were fated. They still had a lot to learn about each other at the end of the day.
“You got it,” he managed with a chuckle before clearing his throat, “do you live far from here?”
“No,” he hummed, looking like he was lost in thought before facing Kirishima head-on and stepping closer, “listen, just tell me to fuck off and I will alright? But I…I feel like I can’t fucking leave. It’s making me nauseous just thinking about walking away.” He huffed and Kirishima could see his own struggle reflected back to him. “Damn it, I don’t want you to feel like you have to do anything I just–fated shit is…it’s hard to–fuck,” he stammered, struggling with putting feelings and words together.
Taking a little pity on the Alpha, Kirishima reached out and grabbed his wrist, forcing his hand to leave the confinements of his pocket before he grabbed the warm palm. It was a little sweaty but soft, and a little smaller than his own. It fits…perfectly.
He’s not really sure what to do next but felt an incredible amount of pride swell in his chest when Bakugo’s scent turned from panicked and sour to calm, warm, and sweet while the tension in his shoulders and face relaxed a little. He felt really fucking good about being able to calm the Alpha down, but now, what did he want? Bakugo didn’t want to leave, that much was clear, which meant that it was up to Kirishima to invite him up to his apartment.
Did he want that? He’s not sure. It’s kind of scary to think about a stranger, fated mate or not, being in his house, his safe space, around his things, and near his nest. It made him a little nervous if he was being honest, so he started to conjure up how to tell Bakugo to go home and that they’ll definitely see each other soon.
Except, no words came to mind, only an onslaught of panic, of fear, of loneliness, and that familiar twinge of rejection. The thought of Bakugo leaving suddenly had him scared. Like there was no guarantee he was going to come back and that if he didn’t invite him up, he would never see him again or worse, what if something happened to Bakugo on his way home? What if he got hurt? Or what if…
What if another Omega or a Beta saw him unclaimed and wanted him?
Kirishima was smacked with an overwhelming amount of possessiveness and physically felt the vibration of a growl forming in his chest but it wasn’t until Bakugo squeezed his hand did he realize that he was actually growling and he had definitely pulled Bakugo closer. He could smell that warm caramel, that spicy cinnamon, and it was thicker this time. Like it changed the weight of the air surrounding him and Kirishima felt the tension start to slip from his muscles.
The words calm and safe filtered through his possessiveness and he realized that Bakugo was trying to calm him and hell, it was definitely working. Kirishima has never been able to be calmed by an Alpha’s scent before, seeing it as too controlling on the Alpha’s end but this…this was welcomed. It was too warm, too sweet, too safe to reject.
“Come up with me,” he managed, whispering in the small space between them and hoping that the demand wasn’t unwelcomed.
Bakugo didn’t move, didn’t make a sound before a smirk curled his lips when he asked, “Got any horror movies?”