Chapter Text
Tonight was going to be one of the greatest nights of your life. Your first debut as a sidekick at Fat Gum’s agency. You finally did it. Four grueling years at U.A. high. Fighting through the war among your fellow hero hopefuls, traversing through endless tests and exams, and not to mention the teenage HOROMONES, it was all ridiculously grueling, but so very worth it. Not quite a hero yet, but a sidekick at your favorite hero’s agency was just the start.
Fat Gum took you in for your internship while you were still attending U.A., and you knew that you wanted to be a permanent part of his team. Your quirk, “Mind Meld”, allows you to temporarily merge your consciousness with another, sharing thoughts and abilities.
So you trained your mind every single day. Having your classmate Shinsou Hitoshi help you practice your mental fortitude, and constantly studying and reading and researching every subject you could think of. From cooking to basic psychology, and even parkour, you made sure to make yourself a formidable opponent, and an even better partner.
Now, after years of hard work, all of your dreams are about to come to fruition.
This party was supposed to be small. Just a get together between you and your friends at the agency, but then when everyone showed up, the agency was packed. Upperclassmen from U.A., fellow classmates, and even some of your old teachers came to celebrate with you, and you couldn’t have been happier to see everyone. This didn't feel real.
“Congratulations girl!” someone yelled over the deafening music as you saw your old classmate Mina Ashido bound over to you, red solo cup in hand.
“Thanks, this is really something.” you said, raising your own red solo cup to your lips as you took a drink.
“I didn't expect this many people to show up. Are they all really here for me?”
You moved to the side as a drunk girl barreled past you, probably on her way to the bathroom.
“I don’t even know some of these people, Mina.”.
Sensing your discomfort, Mina wrapped her arms around you, pulling you close.
“You need to loosen up a bit! This is your night. Everyone knows just how hard you work and we are all here to show you how much we love you!” The scent of coconut liquor and cherry lip gloss rolled off of her in waves.
You took a swig from your cup once more.
“Well, I guess it’s nice seeing everyone again, it's been a while.” to which she nodded enthusiastically, finishing off her cup.
“Speaking of, let's go see everyone girl! You’ve been standing here for like an hourrrrr lets have some fun.”
She was right. You hadn’t greeted anyone yet. You were a terrible host. You nodded and she grabbed your hand to lead you to the loudest corner of the room.
You could hear them before you could see them. A chorus of “CHUG CHUG CHUG” assaulted your ears as you could see one of your best friends, Katsuki Bakugou, covered in sweat, chugging a beer. He finished it with a roar and crushed the cup in his hand, throwing it to the side as the chants dissolved. As you approached, everyone’s eyes fell to you.
“Well, well, well,” Katsuki said, sauntering over with a freshly filled solo cup, followed by Denki, Sero, and Midoriya.
“The woman of the hour. How’re you feeling shortcake?” He ruffled your hair as he gave you a side hug.
Back in U.A., Katsuki wasn’t the nicest to you. Making digs at your quiet personality and lack of friends, he wasn’t someone you usually wanted to be around. But during late nights before big tests, and ridiculous combat training, you two bonded. Somehow you chipped away at his rough exterior, and inside you found your best friend. You guys were basically inseparable, even rivalling the friendship between the blonde and Deku.
“I’m okay Kat, not exactly feeling the vibes, I barely know half of these people,” you chuckled.
Mina giggled,and took away your solo cup gesturing towards the group of men and mouthing "socialize". You gave her a nasty look as she trotted away.
“And Mina... just took my only lifeline.” you said as you glared accusingly in her direction.
Katsuki then put an arm around your waist. "You’ll be okay. Now that you’re here, we’ll make sure this is funner for you. Right guys?”
Sero and Denki came up on either side of you, lifting each of your arms up with a triumphant “Yeah!” as Midoriya held up a ping pong ball.
"Care for a game of beer pong? I’ll ref since I'm probably the only sober one here.” he said as Sero and Denki walked you over to the table.
“Sure,” you said, as you took the ball from his hand. “But be prepared for me to win” you sidled up next to Katsuki, ready to face off against Sero and Denki at an epic game of beer pong.
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You were at a stalemate, each side had one cup left, and you were DRUNK. At some point during your intense game, Mina came back with what felt like half the party. Everyone cheered as you played, even Mina, which earned a glare from her boyfriend, Sero, but it was all in good fun.
“One last cup guys. You sscared? You know you you’re gonnaaa lose, righht?” Shit. You were slurring your words. You needed to get this over with quick, you really had to piss.
“Funnyy talk from someone who’s gonna fall overrr. You’re swayingg Y/N.” Denki said, looking over to Sero for backup.
“I think that’s you man, you’ve been hanging onto me for dear life.” Sero chuckled as he tossed the ball between his hands.
“Nuh UH!" Denki said as he elbowed Sero, “You’re supposed to be on mmy side mannn.”
Bakugou then clapped your shoulder, as he straightened his back “Throw the ball already Tweedle Dee and Dumb. We don’t have all day.”
Sero threw the ball and missed, landing into blonde's waiting hand.
“You missed dumbass. Y/N, care to do the honors shortstack? I sense a win coming on.” you looked around, your vision becoming blurry. You snatched the ball from his hand, before you could doubt yourself.
“Watch this, I'm a winnerrr!” you said as you threw the ball, and by some miracle, it landed in the cup.
Cheers erupted from all sides as you felt VICTORIOUS. Life was good, you felt like a beer pong god. “Youu know what thiss moment needs?” you said to nobody in particular, “A speechh!”.
Elated, you drunkenly climbed on top of the beer pong table, your shoes sticking to spilled beer as you struggled to stand. “I jusssttt wanna say, I love youuu allll.”
From your left, you heard Mina slur “I lovee youu too girlll!” you smiled.
“I’m gonna be a HERO! With allll of youuu. We worked s-so hard.’M proud of ussss!”
There was a chorus of cheers at that, as your friends started patting each other on the backs.
“G’night I gotta pisss” you said as you stumbled off of the table, and towards the bathroom, everyone cheering after you.
After doing your business, you come out of the bathroom to find Midoriya and Katsuki waiting for you.
Midoriya swung his keys around on his finger. “Hey Y/N, ready to go? Me and Kacchan are heading out soon.”
You pulled your dress down your legs a bit. “It’s fineee, I’ll walk it’s less than a mile.”
Katsuki chimed in “Yeah and you’re drunker than me dumbass. We’re taking you home. Say your goodbyes, let’s gooo.” You grumbled, but set off to go say your goodbyes.
A few minutes later, you returned to the two men, a tired smile on your face. “I’m ready to go home noww, this music is making my head hurttt.”
Katsuki slung his arm around your shoulder as you both stumbled out the door after the greenette.
Once in the car, you shucked off your shoes and laid your head back against the headrest as you closed your eyes, ready to snuggle up in your bed and go to sleep.
As you felt the car pull out of the lot, you heard Midoriya mumble something to Katsuki, but you didn’t quite catch it.
“Hm? I didn’t hear thattt” you said as you opened your eyes to peek at the two men in the front seats.
Izuku eyed you in the mirror with a guilty look, as his hand tightened on the wheel. “I was just telling him about how Kirishima would have been so proud of you. He loved you so much, and he always wanted you to have this life for yourself.” you sighed as you melted more into your seat, staring out the window.
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Ah, yes. Kirishima. The love of your life. Or at least that’s what you used to think. You fell in love during your first year at U.A., during your provisional licensing exam.
For the search and rescue portion, you were tasked to save a couple who was stuck in a sinkhole. Rescue was your forte, so you were confident that you would pull this off without a hitch. Swiftly and calmly, you shared the ability to rock climb with each of them. And easily, you saved them both.
Escorting them to the safety zone, you heard a deafening crack as a brick wall began to collapse beside you, sending dangerous debris towards you and the couple.
Your mind was racing a mile a minute, you didn’t know what to do. Your abilities couldn’t help you here. All of your studies and everything you’ve learned, you mentally combed through it all, and nothing could help you here. So with no time to spare, you did the only thing you could do. You shoved the couple out of the way and braced for impact. But nothing ever came.
Opening your eyes as the dust settled, you saw a hulking mass of man standing over you. His skin was jagged, looking dangerously sharp. You looked up, and his face was scrunched up, the stiffness of his skin making his once delicate face look ragged and rough.
Slowly, his skin turned back to normal, looking soft and smooth once again. He peeked one crimson eye open and cracked a shy smile when he saw yours staring back at him. You knew him. This was Kirishima Eijirou, a classmate of yours, but you weren't well acquainted. He was friends with seemingly everybody, with his contagious smile and his funny jokes, who wouldn’t like him? Since you were always cooped up in your room, or the library, you never really had time to get to know anyone, even him, even though you really wanted to.
He was cute. Anyone with common sense would notice how good looking he was. His red spiky hair that looked soft to the touch, his piercing red eyes that always crinkled when he smiled, his boyish charm that always made all the girls smile. He was like a ray of sunshine even on the darkest day. You wished to someday bask in the light that he provided, and maybe this would be your chance.
Snapping out of your thoughts, you smiled up at him, as he offered a hand to help you up. “Hey there, Y/N, right? Are you okay? I’m glad I jumped in when I did, that would’ve been pretty scary otherwise.”
You chuckled as you took his hand, and with uncanny strength, he hoisted you to your feet. “THAT was terrifying, thank you so much. I owe you.”.
He smiled and shook his head. “Nah, you don’t owe me anything. It's what a hero would’ve done. And you were pretty heroic too. You risked your life to save them, that was pretty manly, Y/N.”.
“Manly?” you said, your lips quirking up into a small smirk, “I don’t think I've ever been called that before.”
His face turned as red as his hair at your words, as he stumbled over his next sentence “I uh- Well I- I just mean everyone is manly. You’re a-uh a manly woman, it’s a good thing!” he said, flashing you a shark-toothed smile.
You laughed. “Alrighty then. I guess I am pretty manly, thank you.” you looked past him at the giant clock, showing only a few minutes left to the challenge.
He beamed, as he nodded, and opened his mouth to say something. You beat him to the punch. “You should get going. We only have a few minutes left. Thank you for saving me, now go be manly somewhere else.”
He turned to look at the clock, “Well I guess you’re right. I’ll see you around then Y/N.” He said, waving as he walked away.
You turned back to the couple with a shy smile. “Sorry about that. I’m really glad he came when he did. That’s your next top hero, believe me.” you said as you beamed in his direction. “Let’s get you guys back to the safety area!"
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And that was how it all began. After that, you hung out a few times, even went on a few dates, and those were the happiest times of your life. You wish it could’ve lasted forever. And it seemed like it would’ve, that was, until the war.
The Paranormal Liberation War. The League of Villains had joined forces with the Paranormal Liberation Front, and the heroes were simply outnumbered and unprepared. Hundreds of thousands of villains, stormed U.A.. It all happened so fast; Thousands of lives were lost, even more went missing, including Kirishima. He was right there, right beside you. You only looked away for a moment and he was gone.
Days after, the war ended, and he was still nowhere to be found. Every single day for hours and hours you and Katsuki looked for him. Rain or shine, you went out and looked. Even the pro hero Hound Dog came out with you both to look. There were so many investigations, your whole class would not sleep until he was found. And eventually, the inevitable happened.
6 miles away from where he disappeared, the police found and unidentified body. You didn’t believe it, none of you could believe it was true, until they found his Red Riot belt, a few feet away.
You couldn’t stop crying. He was your best friend, your lover. You had met his family. He had showed you his Crimson Riot memorabilia, he even gave you one of his limited-edition t-shirts to sleep in. It was awful. You and Katsuki were shells of yourselves for months; Kirishima was his best friend after all. And after that, you and the rest of U.A. built an unbreakable bond with eachother, because none of you knew what the future held, and that scared you.
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“Y/N?” “Y/N are you okay?” their voices pulled you out of your memories. The car had stopped, you had arrived at your apartment.
“You sort of blacked you there, you alright?” your eyes met Midoriya’s green ones in the mirror, a worried look on his face.
“Yeah. I uhm. I’m sorry. I was just thinking of Eiji.” you could hear your voice crack as tears started to fill your eyes. The sadness of the memories washing over you like a bucket of ice water, sobering you instantly.
Katsuki got out of the car to open the door for you, Midoriya following suit. You heard the click as the door to your left opened, as the blonde helped you to your feet, picking up your shoes from the floor.
“Let's get you inside,” Katsuki mumbled. “It’s hard to see you like this.”.
The men pull you inside, garnering strange looks from people in the lobby, but they otherwise leave you alone.
Once you get in the elevator, you start to cry even more. “I just want him to come back. I love him so much why did he have to leave me.” you sobbed, your body shaking with the force.
Midoriya and Katsuki exchanged a look and then looked back at you. Midoriya spoke first, as he punched in your floor number.
“Listen, I-” he paused, thinking of what to say “I’m sorry Y/N. We know how much you miss him. We miss him too, so very much. It feels like it will never get easier, but it will Y/N, with time. He loved you so much, and all he wanted was for you to be happy. He wouldn’t want you to cry. Smile for him, he always loved your smile."
The elevator dinged as it reached your floor, all 3 of you rushing for your room. You got out your keys and fumbled to unlock the door, stumbling inside. Midoriya waited outside as Katsuki entered with you, setting your shoes on the floor.
He pulled you into a tight hug, lowering his head to whisper in your ear. “Are you gonna be okay tonight? Do you want me to crash on the couch? I don’t mind that it fucks up my back if that helps.” you both chuckled, as you squeezed him even tighter.
“Thanks Kat, but I think I’ll be okay tonight. Go home, give Thor an extra treat for me, he’s the goodest boy.”
Katsuki smiled. “Yeah, he is a pretty good dog, isn’t he shortcake?” He pulled away to ruffle your hair, bidding you goodnight he and Midoriya took their leave.
Slipping your dress off, you left it in the middle of the living room floor as you trekked to your bedroom. You slipped off your bra and your socks as you make your way over to the closet, slipping on Kirishima’s Crimson Riot shirt.
It’s silly, you know, you should’ve gotten rid of it, but you could never bring yourself to. As you flopped onto your bed, you felt a wave of loneliness crash over you. There was a void in your soul that only he could fill, but he wasn’t around anymore, and you needed to accept that fact.
You felt your eyes fill with tears again. This wasn’t fair. Why did you deserve this? You felt as though you’d been robbed of what could’ve been. Kirishima, as your lover. Maybe marriage, maybe kids, but that was far off in a future that didn't exist. What you deserve is so much better than this, but there was nothing you could do to change it.
“I love you Eiji, I really really wish things were different.” you said as you rolled over onto your stomach, drifting into a fitful sleep. But little did you know, someone was listening.
“I love you too sweetheart.” he whispered, red eyes piercing through the dark space in which you slept. “I wish things could’ve been different too,” he said as he slipped out the window, disappearing into the chilly night air.