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It was no secret that Bakugou thrived on missions. He loved doing them – travelling the world and beating more villains than just the ones that tarnished and ruined Japan every other day. The experience also made him look good – clearly, as the number 2 spot wasn’t his for no reason.
But this trip was a lot.
Nearly one whole year away from home, living life low and out of the way in America. As always, the change of scenery was warm and new at first. It was something fascinating to take in because America was very different from Japan in a way he couldn’t even fathom explaining to someone.
The year slowly dragged on – being undercover for most of it made him unable to explore the way he wanted to, which led to a lack of distractions. The only distractions he got were when the dumb idiots would call him, forgetting about the wide timezone difference between their countries. It always made him hide a smile into his pillow.
His handler made it abundantly clear that the mission wasn’t supposed to be as long as it was – four months max. But then that passed, and then six months did – then nine, and suddenly it was closer to a year than any of them would've liked. It weighed down, so much heavier than he ever thought something like this would.
Bakugou prided himself on his ability to live without his friends. Sure, dark, sad – Mina hated when he said it – but it was true. He liked (loved) his friends, but he could be self-reliant for nearly everything.
But a year without Sero’s video games, Kaminari’s rambling, Mina’s mall trips, and Kirishima’s big, bright, sharky smile was weighing him down and fuck- sue him he missed it.
So, finally, he trudged through the airport with a duffle bag and suitcase, blinking slowly as he took in the familiarity of Tokyo’s airport. He was lucky it was nearing 4am, and it was relatively empty – except for the people going to work at the god awful hour.
His red eyes slid around, searching for something he knew. He had no idea who was picking him up, as he didn’t check his phone for texts in his haste to get off the stupid plane.
Pondering on it didn’t last long, as he spotted a shade of pink only one person could wield – Mina. And next to her was Kaminari, who was helping her hold up a big sign that had orange, glittery writing in. It read Welcome Home Blasty!, and had way too much decoration. A smile was barely concealed.
Once he was close enough, Mina gave up on holding the sign with Kaminari, nearly making the other blond drop their hard work. The acid-quirked woman rapidly approached Bakugou, and she launched herself into his space with a fervour only Mina could hold with pure love for those around her.
Normally, Bakugou loathed physical touch. He hated it a lot, and everyone knew it. You would actually think he loved it since he hung out with the four most touch-based people who had ever gone to UA. But, he didn’t. Maybe it was the trauma from their high school war experiences, or maybe just a general dislike for something that wasn’t his love language – he wasn’t sure.
But something about Mina’s arms around his shoulders as she clung to him didn't suck as much as he thought it would.
Before Mina could let go and apologize, his dufflebag hit the floor with a thump and he was reciprocating.
Mina felt strong arms wind around her waist as he hugged back, tugging her closer to him. She had always wondered what a Bakugou-hug felt like, and it was just as firm and comforting as his yelling was (which was very comforting to all of them now, as weird as it would sound to someone else). It was a strong hug, and she knew she would be safe. It made her warm in a different way than his natural body temperature did.
When they pulled away, the other three men were silent, staring. Bakugou hugged Mina. A prophecy, really.
Bakugou scoffed, and his red eyes rolled in a familiar way, just like they always did. A grin tugged at his lips, softer than his normal, snarky one.
“Well, don’t look at me like that.” He chuckled out – before stepping forward, grabbing a slightly taller Sero by the shoulder and tugging him into a hug of their own. The black haired man chuckled in surprise, wrapping his long arms around Bakugou’s shoulders in return.
Those two weren’t the only lucky ones – as Kaminari got one as well. His excitement caused some electric discharge to buzz against Bakugou’s skin, but he didn’t have it in him to tease the other for it as it was only endearing and, yes, he missed it. As small as the involuntary action was.
The last to receive a hug was Kirishima. The red headed boulder didn’t mind, only watching with a look in his eyes that Bakugou was slowly learning to be okay with. The look started just before he left, and he knew it wasn’t the same way Kirishima looked at anyone else.
It was Bakugou’s look. One reserved for when ruby met crimson and the world shrunk down to just the two of them.
Hugging Kirishima was soft – surprisingly, for how bulked up he got after UA was done and they were out in the hero world on their own. Bakugou liked hugging him. It was warm, and it was him.
The two hugged until Kaminari complained, raising his arms to go with his tone. “Okay, dude! I didn’t get a hug that long. Calling the favouritism card, jeez.”
Kirishima laughed, letting go of the blond with nothing but a big smile and a heavy hand on the shoulder.
Bakugou was surprised to see everyone with wet eyes. It was clear they all missed him – and as his own red eyes burned with their own tears, and a wobbly smile managed to grace his face, he let the relief of seeing his friends again wash over him.
A wet chuckle left his mouth without his consent. “I.. fuck- I missed you guys.” He admits, trying not to sniffle.
Their eyes collectively widened before the affection was returned in their loud fashion, and Bakugou laughed.
He missed his idiots, and he would be a fool to deny it.