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Katsuki is ready to call this a day. A guy can only take so much. A massive non-discriminating attack that leveled an entire street is on top of his list of things that he’s happy to never deal with. The villain is secured, clapped in iron and on his way to the police station. The fact that they, the third-years who had been called into the scene to help, have to deal with the aftermath makes Katsuki wish he had blown the bastard up instead.
As he walks around the crime scene, he wonders why shouldn’t just he fuck off. Uraraka, Tokoyami and Jirou are pretty much the only ones who are needed around here. Destructive quirk like his and Half-Half Bastard’s is useless in rescue missions. He knows why, though. It makes some sort of fucked up sense that they have to stay until everyone is accounted for.
He sees a group of civilians, three of them, near a pile of rubble. They are talking among themselves while throwing anxious glances at the pile behind them. Katsuki rolls his shoulders and prepares to get involved since his classmates are still occupied their current tasks. Whoever it is beneath that pile, though, they’re not in any real danger since the civilians aren’t calling the rescuers over.
“Hey,” he calls out as he approaches. The civilians turn to him and their relief is palpable. “Need any help?”
“Sure,” a man in button up answers. He reaches out a hand to help Katsuki up. “There’s a high school student stuck in there, but he’s not hurt. We know you heroes have priorities but we can’t leave the poor kid alone.”
“Ah,” Katsuki replies. “Let’s get this over with, then.”
Bit by bit, they remove the rubbles. It’s a good thing that the civilians had enough common sense to wait for a hero. They couldn’t have done this without Katsuki, considering he’s a student of UA, and therefore, has received training for this sort of thing. Otherwise, it would have been a fucking disaster.
“Kid, are you still okay?” One of the men calls out.
“Never been better!” Comes the muffled reply of the poor sod stuck under. Katsuki snorts and doesn’t stop.
Five minutes later, a tuff of green hair can be seen. Three more minutes, the guy is pulled out by the combined effort of Katsuki and one of the civilians. He falls to his knees, breathing heavily and laughing sort of helplessly. Katsuki has the air knocked out of his chest when the guy turns around and he sees familiar green eyes on a face that has freckles all over.
“Hey, Kacchan,” greets Midoriya Izuku, smiling, leaner, taller, and looking decidedly like he wasn’t just pulled out of a goddamn pile of rubbles.
Katsuki waits for the civilians to leave, watching them fussing over his childhood friend a bit and Izuku in turn thanking them. When the last of them turns his back on them, Katsuki advances towards Izuku. “Deku,” he calls with a flat voice. That’s right. He calls him Deku, right? “Can’t you stay out of trouble for once in your goddamn life?”
Deku snorts and then smiles. “I’m not the only one who’s involved this time, Kacchan.”
Hearing the childhood name is a bit jarring, but—whatever. He calls him Deku. That’s fair. “Well, I got better things to do than sticking around babysitting your sorry ass. If you’re—fuck, in shock, or whatever, there are ambulances ‘round the corner.”
The look Deku gives is weird. “What?” he aggressively asks.
Deku shakes his head with a smile. “You’ve really changed, haven’t you, Kacchan?”
Katsuki stares. “It’s been three fucking years since we last talked to each other, fucking nerd.”
“Talk is a strong word,” Deku answers thoughtfully, fuck—is that sass? “Well, thanks for saving my ‘sorry ass,’ Kacchan. Guess I owe you one, huh?”
“You owe me nothing at all. It’s my fucking job. If you’re done being a distraction, go home. Your mom is probably losing her mind.”
Turning his back on his childhood friend, Katsuki tries not to think of the ways he’s made Midoriya Izuku’s life miserable. Saving his sorry ass is the least he could do.
Katsuki knows that Deku attends the smartest school in town—the school for people who have fun by having math debates like the insane fuckers they are and self-study at least four hours a day. He knows this even though he and Deku never crossed path a day since they graduated from middle school because his mom is always talking about what a smart kid Deku must be. She must have forgotten that Deku has always been at Katsuki’s heel since they were in first elementary grade.
The day Katsuki rescued Deku, he’d been wearing a charcoal-grey shirt under a blazer that’s a shade lighter in color and pants the color of said blazer. It’s a pretty unique color for a uniform, in that it looks fucking depressing, so Katsuki recognizes the getup even from a distance. Coupled with Deku’s mess of a green hair, he’s pretty sure he’s about to have stroke at the age of seventeen, because the reason he and Deku never crossed path is that Deku’s school is on the other side of the city, so he has no business in the station that Katsuki and his classmates frequent.
And yet, there he is.
Katsuki stares. He can’t help it. Deku’s leaning against a pillar, both hands fiddling with his smartphone and a fucking silly smile on his lips. Creepily, he looks up, eyes darting around before they meet Katsuki’s. The fucking nerd lights up and waves.
Feeling his survival instinct kicking in, Katsuki stops. Kirishima, Sero and Kaminari stop as well, their faces showing their confusion. “Go ahead,” Katsuki says as he resolutely tears his gaze away from Deku. “I forgot I had to help Eraserhead with something.”
The train stops and opens its doors. His classmates look at each other. Their faces are saying they’re not buying it at all.
Eventually, Kirishima shrugs and walks towards the train. “Sure, be careful.” He waves. Kaminari and Sero wave as well. Once the train leaves, bringing with it his classmates, Katsuki finally approaches Deku.
“Deku,” he says, stops, and purses his lips. He’s at a lost, for once. He settles for, “What the hell.”
“Kacchan!” says Katsuki’s biggest headache, bouncing on his feet like he hasn’t grown at all since the sixth grade. “Did you know there’s a museum opening up today?”
Once again, Katsuki stares. “What the fuck, Deku. It’s a museum for UA alumni. Of course I fucking know. What the fuck are you doing here, then?”
Deku laughs and brazenly steps into Katsuki’s space. “They’re allowing free entry for UA students and whoever they’re bringing with them. I’m kinda broke at the moment. Will you come with me?”
Something about this situation tickles Katsuki funny. He stores the thought away. “I’m not your ticket, fuckface. Get the hell out of my way. I have to go home.”
The green-haired menace steps away with a sigh and a regretful look on his freckled face that is so fake Katsuki wants to smack it off. “Well, I was thinking of buying you dinner after at Suyama’s.”
Katsuki stops. Of fucking course Deku still remembers the one place that Katsuki once declared the best because they serve the spiciest noodle on this side of the world. “Didn’t you just say you’re broke?” he asks suspiciously, even as he’s already thinking of the toppings and side dishes he’s going to order.
“To go to the museum on its first day, sure, but not for dinner for two.”
“You’re paying for my train ticket, as well, dickwad,” Katsuki says, reaches for Deku’s wrist and drags him to the next train.
Deku laughs all the way.
The visit to the museum proves to be fucking exhausting, because Katsuki has to keep up with Deku’s nerdiness on top of seeing faces that he sees at least once a week immortalized in either pictures or statues. He’s had enough of Toogata fucking Mirio’s face to last him a lifetime. Fuck that bitch.
Katsuki is not the only UA student there. There’s quite a lot of them but Katsuki only recognizes a few faces, so he’s not worried, not even about Shinsou fucking Hitoshi’s judging stare across the room the entire time they’re in there. Bastard’s too weak to use this against him. He’ll probably keep this as a material to rile Katsuki up, though, so he might have to have a few words with the brainwashing bastard. Soon. As soon as he’s not in Deku’s demanding presence. Hell, if he takes his eyes off the nerd for a second, he’ll probably lose him.
They leave once Deku’s had enough of the nerdiness. They have their dinner at Suyama’s place, the tiny place that’s been in business since before either of them was born. Katsuki hasn’t been there recently. With graduation approaching, the workloads both from school and the agency have been nothing short of demanding. To be petty, he orders the most expensive side dish and smirks at Deku’s crestfallen face.
“Well, Kacchan,” Deku says outside of the restaurant, their belly full. “This has been a fun day. Miraculously, I didn't get into any trouble. Aren’t you proud of me?”
Katsuki snorts and starts walking. “I don’t fucking know, Deku. Maybe it’s going to bite you in the ass tomorrow.”
Deku laughs, low and maybe too short. It’s fucking weird. They haven’t talked to each other for three years and now they’re suddenly having dinner together. Maybe they’ve both grown up enough to ignore their messed up past. But that is not really how grown up deal with problems, is it?
Katsuki can never ignore it, because Deku’s grown up pretty but there’s always going to be marks that Katsuki left him to stain that prettiness. And God knows what’s going on inside Deku’s mind. Katsuki dreads to know, because you don’t just walk up to your childhood tormentor and demand to go to a museum together like you’re fucking friends. They haven’t been friends in a long while. Fuck. Maybe they’ve never been friends.
Deku’s apartment complex is the first stop. They stop by the entrance. Deku turns around and he gives Katsuki a smile that looks a little too much like what Katsuki had seen back in middle school. “Thank you for today, Kacchan. I guess I’ll see you around?”
This is his only chance. If he backs out tonight, he’s never going to ask again, because when it comes to Deku, Katsuki realizes he’s a coward. “Why,” he starts, stops because the word tastes bitter, and forces the rest out, “did you come to me today? I saved you once. That doesn’t mean anything. I was doing my job as a hero in training.”
For a long, cold while, Deku doesn’t say anything. He fiddles with the strap of his bag, sighs exactly once then he turns to look at Katsuki in the eye with familiar fire in his eyes. “I’m willing to put our past behind us. I’m a different person now. I’m ready to forgive and forget. I’ve always looked up to you, Kacchan. You’re so incredible and, well, I guess I miss having you around?”
Katsuki stares. “That doesn’t make a lick of sense. I hope you know that, Deku. First of all, I haven’t apologized. Second of all, you must be nuts to miss me.”
Deku tilts his head, raises his eyebrow, like, ‘Well?’
“I’m fucking sorry,” Katsuki says. “I’m fucking sorry for being a douchebag practically all the time we’ve known each other. I’m sorry I was such an insecure little bitch who has to prove he’s the best, even by picking the one kid who can’t fight back. If you’re smart, you’re going to walk away and we’re going back to pretending we don’t exist to each other, because I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
“But you want to be forgiven,” Deku says, his eyes so fucking soft it hurts Katsuki. “And I want to forgive and have you back in my life. Guess I’m not all that smart, am I?”
“Yeah, you’re a dumbass,” Katsuki replies, his voice suspiciously scratchy.
“Kacchan,” Deku whines softly. For a minute, they stand there in silence like a pair of idiots. Then, Deku visibly braces himself and steps forward. Katsuki sees him raises his hands and doesn’t resist when they snake along his torso and he’s pulled into Deku’s space.
“I forgive you,” Deku whispers, into his ear, into the night, the void inside Katsuki. “I’m not gonna lie. It’s not going to be okay. Not for a while. But we have to work together if we want to make up, okay?”
“Okay,” Katsuki replies. “First step; Izuku, stop calling me Kacchan.”
“Kacchan,” Izuku breathes out, pulls away and puts something inside Katsuki’s pocket. With one last smile, he walks away and into the building.
Katsuki takes a few moments of pulling himself together into something resembling a functional human being before walking away.
The next day and the rest of the week, he’s pulled into the rhythm of a UA student’s life. Catching up with lessons in the morning and halfway into afternoon, then it’s mandatory patrolling until the evening. It’s exhausting. It’s thrilling. It’s exactly what Katsuki wanted.
It’s not until Saturday night that he remembers the number Izuku put into his pocket. He’s flipping through his contact names when he sees Izuku’s name that he's programmed on his way back home that night. After sending a strongly worded text to Kirishima about the event on Thursday, he opens a fresh chat for Izuku’s number. He chews on what he should say for thirty minutes before he settles for the completely generic ‘hey, it’s katsuki’ and has to physically restrain himself from punching his wall. Izuku’s reply comes four minutes later.
‘Kacchan!’ starts the reply, and then there’s an abundance of heart, blushing and excited emojis. What the fuck. ‘I thought you lost my number!’
‘Asshole, are you saying I’m scatterbrained?’ There. That’s a normal Katsuki reply.
‘Maybe.’
Katsuki sends angry emojis that hopefully convey what he’s feeling about that. Fucking Izuku.
‘That’s adorable,’ Izuku replies, and Katsuki’s heart lurches. ‘Come over tomorrow. Mom’s going out with friends and I have nobody to bother. We can stuff ourselves with junk food and regret it on Monday.’
Katsuki stares at the casual invitation. Carefully, with shaking fingers, he types out, ‘What time?’
Katsuki hasn’t been in Izuku’s apartment since that time in seventh grade, when it ended with Katsuki screaming as he left the house and Izuku ignoring him for the next two months. Katsuki doesn’t remember what triggered the fight, but he knows the two months Izuku pretending he didn’t exist was perhaps the kindest time for both of them before it all turned into bullying on Katsuki’s end and being bullied on Izuku’s.
Izuku opens the door, knocking the air out of Katsuki with his sleepy eyes and soft appearance. “Kacchan!” he greets excitedly once he registers Katsuki’s presence. He says the name like he can’t get enough of it. Katsuki relates. He’s said Izuku in the privacy of his room and mind enough to make it embarrassing. “Come in!”
Katsuki does, saying customary greetings under his breath that Izuku hopefully doesn’t catch as he pulls off his shoes. When he looks up and sees Izuku’s soft smile, he knows it was futile to hope.
“Have you had lunch?”
“Yeah,” Katsuki replies. They pass the living room, the kitchen. Izuku is leading him into his bedroom.
“We have curry if you’re still hungry. It’s probably not as good as your mom, since you like it real spicy, but you can take some home and add more spices later.”
“Sure,” Katsuki says, and is blinded by the holy shrine of All Might that is Izuku’s room. “Holy fuck,” he says after a moment. “I thought you would have grown out of this phase by now.”
Izuku is turning an endearing shade of red as he ushers Katsuki in. “Shut up! He’s still the coolest hero.”
“I’m cool,” Katsuki says, and valiantly does not smack himself for the slip. “What the fuck, Izuku? I thought you’re going to that school for smart assholes. Why are you still such a nerd?”
Izuku passes him the console and glares at him. “Play,” he commands.
Weak bitch that he is, Katsuki plays.
“Izuku,” Katsuki calls. Izuku looks from where he’s been seriously inspecting the nutrients of a pasta pack. “What’s your plan after graduation?”
They pay for the groceries and start walking back home, a plastic bag in each of their hand.
“My stepdad is ill,” Izuku says, and it takes Katsuki a moment to realize this is Izuku’s answer. “We’re going to move oversea for his treatment.”
Katsuki stops walking. Stops thinking. Stops breathing. “What?”
Izuku turns around, smiling, tight at the edge. “His health has been taking a turn for the worst lately. I don’t know where in Europe exactly, we’re going. They’re not telling me anything yet. I think—“
Katsuki doesn’t even know Izuku has a stepdad. “You’re moving away,” he says out loud. If he says it enough, it might starts sounding real. All their life, and all of a sudden—what, Izuku’s uprooting everything? “When the fuck exactly are you going to tell me?”
“I was going to,” Izuku says, small.
“When?”
“Two weeks before graduation?”
“Izuku!” Katsuki snaps. Fuck. He hadn’t raised his voice like that at Izuku since they talked to each other again.
For a few seconds, they stand there in the street in silence. Izuku looks uncomfortable. He’s not meeting Katsuki’s eyes. Feeling like they’re both not equipped enough to deal with this, Katsuki starts walking again. Izuku trails after him in silence and defeat. All the while, Katsuki is trying not to think the implication of Izuku moving away to their current relationship. He’s not.
He drops Izuku off, leaving the boy slumped by the entrance. It’s okay. They’re going to talk again. But, Katsuki still has to come to term with the fact that in two months, Izuku will not be here. Fuck, he’s not going to be on this side of the world at all. It’s fucking weird and disconcerting. Izuku’s always been within walking distance. And now, short of getting on a plane, Katsuki will have no way of reaching Izuku.
Two minutes before midnight, he texts Izuku.
‘You fucking nerd, I wish you'd told me earlier.’
Izuku replies not a minute later. It makes Katsuki wonder if he’s been staring at his phone all this while, waiting for Katsuki.
‘I wish I had as well. I’m going to miss you, Kacchan.’
‘Don’t be embarrassing,’ Katsuki manages through his embarrassment and the warmth in his chest. ‘We’re going to make these two months matter. You hear me, Izuku?’
‘You’re graduating from a top hero school. Aren’t you going to be too busy for anything else? Focus, Kacchan!’
But you’re not going to be here, Katsuki thinks, staring at his phone. I’m going to be stuck here and I’m not going to see you every day anymore. What do you want me to do?
‘First, we’re going away from civilization so we’re not going to be polluted by any more stupidity. What do you say hiking next weekend?’
I miss you already, he doesn’t say.
“You know,” Kirishima starts as he sits down in front of Katsuki during lunch. The rest of his entourage settle around them. “You’re never available during weekends anymore. Why is that?”
Katsuki stares and chews. After swallowing, he answers, “I've seen you fuckers every day since first year. You can survive not seeing me in weekends.”
“No, no, no,” Kaminari waves that away. “We mean every weekend. You never come to patrols on those days when it used to be you who’s awake at the crack of dawn and only goes home when it’s midnight.”
“Things to do,” Katsuki deflects. What should they do this Saturday? Come to think of it, Izuku hasn’t pitched in an idea for a while. It’s probably his turn.
“Shinsou’s been saying things,” Ashido’s bubbly voice breaks his train of thought. “Things that sound like you had a date in the museum on the first day of its opening.”
“Shinsou,” Katsuki says through mostly calm façade, “doesn’t know what he’s talking about. And if he doesn’t stop, he’s going to deal with bruises at the next round of spar.”
“Harsh,” says the brainwashing bastard. He’s sitting behind Katsuki on another table, surrounded by his own entourage of their classmates. “I think he has lovely freckles. If you’re not dating him, can I have his phone number?”
“His dad is going to run me over.” Katsuki has never met Izuku’s stepdad, but if he knows what’s good for him, he’s going to fucking worship Izuku and Aunt Inko. Any less than that is unacceptable. “He’s a retired hero.”
“Sounds like a case of overprotective dad,” Asui’s voice chimes in, that means she’s sitting with the brainwashing bastard. “Are you sure that’s not you talking, Bakugou-chan?”
“No,” Katsuki answers. “If he does any less than that, he’s not worthy of being his dad. The first one is shitty enough.”
Thankfully, that seems personal enough for everyone to stop talking about it. God, throw the bastards overpowered villain any day and they’ll be over the fucking moon. But you can’t pay them enough to deal with emotional shit like messed up family situation.
“Let’s stay at home,” Izuku answers when Katsuki asks what he’d like to do that weekend. He’s inside a toilet stall, and no, he’s not hiding from his nosy classmates.
“Yeah?” Katsuki replies. He leans against the door, studying the pattern of the ceiling.
“Hm,” Izuku hums. His voice is deeper. Smoother. Katsuki could fall asleep to it. Maybe that’s what Izuku’s getting at; doing nothing all day but lazing around in bed. He’s down for that. “We’re going to talk. Put in a movie. Maybe you should stay for dinner as well. Meet my parents. And then you can stay over.”
“Your bed is not big enough for the two of us.”
“I’ll pull out the futons. We’re sleeping on the floor. It’ll be just like old time, Kacchan.”
Sometimes, Katsuki wonders what they are. Friends seem too small. Lovers are not even worth thinking. Brothers don’t talk to each other like this, whispering like they have dirty secrets and unconcealed pining in each word. Do all childhood friends get this comfortable with each other? Katsuki doesn’t know. Katsuki doesn’t want to know. Katsuki wants Izuku to never stop talking and wake up next to him every morning. Katsuki wants so much.
“I’ll be there in the afternoon. My classmates are onto me. I’m going on patrols in the morning with Kirishima and the others. Should I bring something for your parents?”
Izuku laughs. “Just bring your charming self, Kacchan. Mom would be glad to see you.”
“Bullshit, I’m bringing something expensive.”
His childhood friend laughs harder. “Kacchan! What on earth are we going to do with that?”
“I don’t know. Throw it at the wall, maybe.”
For a while, there’s nothing but Izuku’s laughter. Katsuki closes his eyes and imagines he’s there, holding Izuku, laughing with him, wiping away the tears from his amazing green eyes. It’s scarily easy do so.
Maybe he should do that. They only have five weeks left. Worst case scenario, they’re going back to stilted interaction and Katsuki will drown himself in alcohol after he sends Izuku away to somewhere in Europe, where he will meet some foreigner who will capture his heart like Katsuki can’t.
“Do what you want,” Izuku says once he’s calmed down. “I just want you here. Though…”
“What?”
Izuku laughs again, quietly. He sounds a bit bashful. “Do you, uh. Oh god, this is going to be mortifying to ask. I completely understand if you’re creeped out by this request. You can refuse.”
Recognizing the start of one of Izuku’s long rants, Katsuki cuts him off. “What? Do I need to ask someone for an autograph? All Might, maybe?”
Izuku chortles. “Uh, no, I have one of those a while ago.” Katsuki valiantly does not point out there can’t be enough All Might memorabilia for him. “It’s actually one of your classmates. See! I told you it’s creepy!”
Katsuki has a sinking feeling about this. “Who.” It’s not a question.
“Shouto,” Izuku chokes out, and proceeds to moan about in embarrassment.
Katsuki, meanwhile, is imagining completely destroying the half-and-half bastard in the next P.E class.
“I,” Katsuki announces to the locker room at large later that day, “am going to destroy a fucker today. Don’t get in my way, extras. I promise there won’t be any blood spilled. Though I can’t promise there will be anything left of the poor fucktard.”
“Holy shit, I haven’t heard you talking like that since our first year,” Sero says with naked torso, staring at Katsuki wide-eyed. “Which poor dude pissed you off today?”
“You’re going to see,” Katsuki says mysteriously. And then he steps off the bench.
Watching Todoroki—fine, Katsuki kinda gets it, but, not really. Katsuki is better looking. Katsuki is stronger (?). Katsuki is also definitely more available. But Katsuki also knows hero Shouto is definitely the most popular out of their generation, if the influx of merchandise in the market is any indication. He also has that shadow named Endeavour (grade A fuck up, not recommended for children). Of course everyone loves Todoroki more. He’s approachable. He has two cool ass quirks. But Katsuki is more available.
So why did Izuku asks for Todoroki’s autograph and not Katsuki’s?
He knows he’s running himself in circles. He grows more and more irritated as he goes on. It’s illogical, of course. Todoroki wouldn’t be interested in any other human being if they come up and shake their ass in his face. And it’s just an autograph. Why the fuck is he so irritated?
He’s going to pound that bastard’s face into the ground if it’s the last thing he would do.
When their turn comes up, Katsuki has hyped himself up enough to go for a round of mindless brawling.
“You look irritated today,” Todoroki begins. “Specifically at me. Have I done something that offended you?”
“Your face offends me,” Katsuki snaps, which, true enough. “Now come at me!”
The spar, if it can be called that, lasts for five minutes. Five minutes of Katsuki going offensive, ignoring everything he’s learned for the last three years. Five minutes of Todoroki blocking and looking just about ready to break the no-quirk rule by the time is up.
“Did I just see that?” Aizawa drones. “That wasn’t a spar between two top students of the heroic course. That was a brawl between two alley cats.”
“Huh,” Katsuki says. “Don’t you like cats, sensei?” Ignoring Aizawa’s withering glare, he walks up to Todoroki who is still catching his breath. “Hey, Todoroki.”
Todoroki looks up, looking thrown by Katsuki’s sudden change of attitude. Good. Gotta keep them on their toes. “I’m gonna need you to sign something for me.”
“Is it my death warrant?” asks the bastard sardonically.
“Sure,” Katsuki deadpans. “But I know this nerd. He’s absolutely gaga over heroes, and God knows why, but he asked me to get your autograph this time.”
There’s a complicated array of expressions on Todoroki’s face, ranging from bafflement to confusion. “Sure,” he replies, looking unsure as to what he’s just agreed to.
“I need it before Saturday.”
“I’m sure there’s a poster of me lying around. I’ll sign one.”
Katsuki nods and leaves Todoroki in the field. Their classmates are looking at him as if he’s just gone mad when he approaches them. “What?” he asks with a scowl.
“The fuck did Todoroki ever do to you, man?” Kaminari asks.
Katsuki flips him off and does not answer. There’s no possible way he can do it without sounding like an idiot.
Saturday finds Katsuki in front of Izuku’s apartment, holding a box of expensive snacks for afternoon tea in one hand and Izuku’s goddamn poster in another. In his backpack are his change of clothes and toothbrush for the sleepover. He’s ready for war.
Izuku opens the door, rendering Katsuki useless for all one minute because they haven’t seen each other all week and he is a weak bitch. Izuku looks so comfortable to cuddle in his sweatpants and sweatshirt.
“Is that?” Izuku’s eyes are locked onto the poster. He’s making grabby hands at it. Katsuki steels his face and shoves the cursed thing into his waiting hands. Izuku takes it and sort of sighs into it reverently. Then, he steps aside to invite Katsuki into the house.
“I hope you appreciate everything I sacrificed to get that damned thing,” Katsuki grits out as he takes off his shoes.
“Of course, Kacchan. You’re a real hero. Now come on. Mom made tea.”
Midoriya Inko looks thinner than the last Katsuki has seen her, but she’s smiling and looking infinitely happier. Beside her, sits a man that Katsuki knows all too well, looking at her with undisguised affection.
“All Might?!” Katsuki chokes out. Behind him, Izuku makes a soft noise.
Toshinori Yagi turns to look at him and immediately chokes on his tea. “Young Bakugou?!”
For a moment, everything is still and silent.
Izuku begins laughing awkwardly, loudly, as he pushes Katsuki into the seat across goddamn All Might. “Kacchan, I know you have questions. Same as you, dad, but why don’t we have tea, first? Mom, Kacchan brought manju.”
“Oh my.”
Tea is served. Sweets are eaten. All the while, Katsuki keeps his gaze on the three of them. Izuku and All Might look uncomfortable, while Inko obliviously slices into her manju and exclaims over the exquisite taste.
“Katsuki-kun, this is really good! This must be expensive!”
“Yeah,” Katsuki answers as he drags his gaze away from All Might’s constipated face. “We get allowances but I don’t really have a need for it, so I have some money to spare. Thank you for having me today.”
Inko laughs into her tea demurely. “I’m glad you’re here. I haven’t seen you in years even though you live not far from here. It’s good that you and Izuku are friends again.”
“I’m happy that Izuku gave me a second chance,” Katsuki says unashamedly. Beside him, Izuku turns red. “If I ever do anything to hurt Izuku again, you are allowed to pay retribution. If I don’t do it myself first.”
Izuku very nearly explodes. He buries his face into his palms and moans incomprehensibly into them. All Might starts coughing, but it doesn’t sound too severe, so he’ll live. Katsuki has his eyes on Inko, watching her turn a little pink.
“Well,” she begins. “That sounds… Hm, darling?”
“Suspicious,” All Might says. In his gaunt form, his glare looks something out of a nightmare. “What are your intentions towards my son?”
“Dad!” Izuku yelps.
Katsuki meets All Might’s eyes head on. “Nothing that Izuku wouldn’t want.”
“Kacchan!”
The staring contest goes on long enough for even Inko to start looking at them concernedly. When All Might looks away first, Katsuki feels a surge of triumph. “Good,” says the former number one hero.
“Good,” Katsuki says back as he sips his tea. Putting it down, he looks to his side and sees Izuku staring at his sweet blankly. “Hey, don’t let that go to waste. I spent a lot of money for eight of these.”
“This isn’t happening,” Izuku says. “This conversation never happens.”
Inko pats his hand soothingly. “There, there,” she croons condescendingly.
“How,” Katsuki starts once they’re in Izuku’s room, “on earth did All Might end up as your dad?”
Izuku fidgets. Katsuki narrows his eyes. A few moments later, Izuku finally gives in. “I can’t tell you much. Just that, something happened to me during the last year of middle school. All Might helped me out. He and my mom started talking. The rest is history.”
When it looks like Izuku is not elaborating, Katsuki says, “I didn’t know his health is that bad.” Izuku makes a soft noise and sits beside him on the bed. “I haven’t seen him since he resigned from the school.”
“He’ll be fine,” Izuku insists. “He’s All Might. He’s the best hero.”
Katsuki looks at his childhood friend. “Guess he’s your personal hero now, huh?”
Izuku’s cheeks turn pink, and the sunny smile he gives Katsuki makes the hero in training want to do something violent, because the mushy feeling inside his chest does not belong there.
“Have they told you where in Europe it is?” he asks quickly and hopes Izuku doesn’t notice the redness of his face.
“No,” Izuku answers with a sigh. “This is all top secret stuff, apparently.”
“How long it’s going to be?”
Izuku turns to look at him. Katsuki meets his eyes, searching, asking.
“I don’t know,” Izuku answers softly as he breaks eye contact. “My education is being put onto hold as well. I want to stay, but I also want to be there for them, you know? There’s no telling what’s going to happen to my dad. I want to be there in case—“
Katsuki follows his impulse and drags Izuku into a hug, cutting his words short because he looks like he’s going to cry. Katsuki’s had enough of Izuku’s tears. “It’s okay,” he comforts and hopes he’s not colossally fucking this up. “You should go with them. All Might needs you and your mom more than anything. When you come back, I’m going to be here, and we’re going to pick up where we left off.”
It takes Izuku a long while to response. He returns the hug, putting his skinny arms around Katsuki’s midsection. “You idiot. You’re never getting rid of me.”
“Never,” Katsuki promises.
Silence, and then, “This is embarrassing. Who knows you’re such a sap, Kacchan?”
Katsuki pulls away and jostles the other. “Shut up. You’re the one who looked like he’s going to start bawling.”
Dinner is a bit tense, since All Might still looks like he wants nothing more than to run away as far away as possible. Inko prepared a spread of impressive dinner. Izuku and Katsuki shamelessly asked for seconds. All Might eats like a rabbit. It’s a bit concerning, to be honest, but Izuku tells him that he has snacks all the time so he’s not in any danger of starving. After dinner, they take turn using the shower. As Katsuki brushes his teeth, an idea comes to him.
“Let’s go apartment hunting next week,” he tells Izuku later when they’re preparing for sleep.
Izuku looks at him with wide eyes. “Kacchan?”
“I’m moving out after graduation. I’ve been saving money for it since second year. Come with me.”
Izuku turns an indescribable shade of red. “Okay. Is there anything specific you’re looking for? I can do research and we can narrow it down.”
“Somewhere close to my agency. Not a fan of big building complex. Preferably on the second floor for ease of exit,” Katsuki rattles off. Looking at Izuku in the eye, he adds, “One, maybe two bedrooms. Enough space for two people and more.”
“Okay,” Izuku squeaks out, his voice small.
“Are you coming this Saturday?” Kirishima asks.
“Nah,” Katsuki answers as he gulps down more water. “I’m apartment hunting.”
“What!” There’s Sero’s obnoxious voice. He comes around with a wide grin. “Dude, let me come with you. I’ve been thinking of going as well.” No.
“Me too, to be honest,” Kirishima adds thoughtfully. NO.
“Go by yourself. Leave me out of it,” Katsuki says through gritted teeth.
The two exchange glances. Katsuki leaves them to it.
There’s no way he’s letting them meet Izuku—and find out that he’s essentially looking for an apartment for both of them.
Katsuki really is not picky about his new apartment. The only thing he’s taking into consideration is how much Izuku’s gonna like it. Not that Izuku knows it.
Thing is; Izuku is picky.
Too small. Bad neighborhood. Is that leaking water? Something smells funny, Kacchan.
They are on their way to the fifth apartment and Katsuki is just about to throw the towel in. But it’s not going to be his apartment alone. Izuku has to be comfortable or else he’s going to move out and Katsuki will not survive the aftermath because that’s how weak he is.
The fifth apartment is located near the edge of the city. It’s not the ideal small building, and it’s definitely not on the second floor, but Izuku takes a step forward into the apartment and he’s instantly smitten. His green eyes dart about, taking in the spacious living room, the kitchen aisle, the balcony that has a great view of the city, and the hallway with one door on each side. It’s practically ideal, even though Katsuki’s not crazy about the location. Whatever. Izuku likes it.
The agent is rattling off facts about the apartment, but Katsuki’s distracted by the sparkle in Izuku’s eyes and his small, amazed smile. After the agent left them to inspect everything, Katsuki walks up to join him standing in the balcony.
“So, you like it?”
Izuku turns to him with a shy smile before looking away. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing.”
Katsuki’s heart beats faster. “Yeah? And what’s that?”
They’re standing too close, clothed arms brushing against each other. Katsuki is taller than Izuku. It would be too easy to wrap his arm around his thin shoulders, provided he survives the experience. He’ll probably end up hurting something on his person.
“I like it,” Izuku says instead of answering. “It’s not busy around here. And it looks like everyone knows everyone. That’s going to be helpful in the long run. What do you think, Kacchan?”
“Well, you haven’t complained about anything yet, for one thing.” Izuku reddens. “And you seem to really like it, so.” Katsuki trails off with a shrug.
They stand in silence, taking in the city and the life of its residents.
“I don’t know when I’ll be back.” Izuku breaks the silence. “Maybe in a year. Maybe more. Are you sure, Kacchan?”
Katsuki wants to tell him he’s never been surer his entire life, but that’s putting too much pressure on him. “Yeah, it’s no big deal.”
“Such a romantic, Kacchan,” he says with a sigh.
Katsuki chokes on his own spit. Goddamn Izuku.
Izuku leaves a few days after graduation.
As the day approaches, Katsuki finds himself being swamped by preparation both for graduation and transitioning to working full time in the agency. To be fair, Izuku is busy for graduation as well. As best students of their grade, both of them have to prepare speeches. Katsuki would have done it by pissing off everyone, but Izuku is very excited for his speech. Seeing his enthusiasm, Katsuki finds himself suddenly very motivated, to his classmates’ collective horror. (Fuck them.)
Inko phoned Katsuki’s mom and both families decided to celebrate together. The plan is that Katsuki and his parents drive to Izuku’s school after the ceremony in UA. Then, they’ll drive together to Katsuki’s brand new apartment for a get-together and then dinner.
Katsuki…really likes that plan. All the people he loves and respects in one place, to celebrate the transitioning of his life and Izuku’s.
On the day of graduation, Katsuki dons his school uniform for the last time. He’ll put on the robe in school later. For now, he’ll wear this with pride. In the mirror, he sees a tall young man with broad, proud shoulders and a hardened face. He’s changed a lot, he realizes. For one, he’s finally wearing a tie, and his shirt is buttoned up all the way. He smiles. Yeah, that one will never change. He still looks like a demon.
His parents are waiting at the door, both wearing smart suits. After taking pictures and battling tears (all three of them, humiliating), they are finally on their way.
“I can’t believe how fast time flies,” his dad says.
“I can’t believe how much time it takes for this brat to finally start being responsible,” his mom deadpans.
Katsuki makes a warning noise.
“Yeah,” his dad very pointedly ignores him. “Now he’s moving out, has an adult job, and living with his boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Katsuki snaps, not that they listen to him. “And we’re not moving in together. Izuku’s leaving the country soon.”
“Such a shame,” his mom says. “You should have told us that you’re talking to Izuku again sooner, Katsuki.”
“It was none of your business, old hag! Stop butting into our lives!”
After leaving his parents to the parents’ assigned area of sitting, Katsuki goes to hunt his classmates. They’re sitting at the front seats. Most of them are there, with the notable absence of several who haven't arrived. Katsuki’s sitting on his assigned seat just as Kirishima turns around to give him a wide grin.
“Bakugou!”
“Shut the fuck up,” Katsuki replies reflexively.
“Are your parents here?” Kaminari asks from his seat beside Kirishima.
“Yeah, they’re embarrassing as fuck. Don’t go near them.”
Kirishima laughs obnoxiously.
The ceremony starts with…an amazing amount of fanfare. UA, what even.
First, there are fireworks. In broad daylight. Judging by the looks on half of the teachers’ face, they’re clearly regretting everything. Then, there are tributes from first and second years. Katsuki wasn’t paying attention much, until Principal Nedzu finishes his speech. Then, it was his turn.
He goes up to the stage with thunderous claps from his classmates, the embarrassing bastards.
“The three years I’ve been here is one of the most wonderful experience I’ve ever had,” he starts, to the visible surprise of half of the audience. If they’re expecting the arrogant fuck from the first year, they’ll be disappointed. Izuku put a lot of work to help Katsuki. He’s not going to waste all that effort.
“I’m sure all of us graduating here today share the sentiment. Here, we’ve been through a lot, both sweet and bitter. Here, we’ve been taught a lot of things, by the hardworking teachers and staffs of this school. I would like to express…”
The speech goes on for a respectable twenty minutes, just like he and Izuku had practiced. He finishes with another round of thunderous claps. Most of the students are emotional, so Katsuki must have done something right. When he goes to claim his seat back, he endures hearty claps to the back from the nutjobs he calls friends.
“Dude, what the hell was that? You almost made me cry,” Kirishima claims. True enough, the rim of his eyes are red.
“That was a beautiful speech, Bakugou!” Iida loudly says. He has tears in his eyes, the idiot. “You wonderfully delivered what most of us would have liked to say. I must say, I am glad it was you who stood up there today!”
“Oh my God,” Ashido moans. “We’re graduating. We’re going to be full-fledged heroes. Bakugou made me realize that.”
“I can’t believe he said the word ‘wonderful’ no less than five times,” Todoroki puts in.
“Bastard, you wanna go?”
After that, one by one, they are called up to the stage to receive their high school certificate. It’s a rather sentimental procedure. Katsuki receives his with a dull sort of sensation, so he turns around to face the audience and raises it. Manners conveniently forgotten, they cheer and clap enthusiastically. Katsuki nods. That’s more like it. On the other side of the stage, Todoroki hides his grin behind his hand while waiting for his turn.
The ceremony ends with a very heartfelt delivery of the school song by the graduating students. Katsuki, for once, sings, because what the hell, this is the last time he’ll be able to sing it as a student.
His parents are waiting for him under a tree at the end of the ceremony, along with his former classmates’parents. The rather crazy years UA’s heroic class went through have pulled the students’ parents together to commiserate to each other regarding their respective offspring. His parents are talking to Uraraka’s when they get there.
“There’s our problem child,” his mom says once she sees him approaching.
Katsuki rolls his eyes and stays silent as the parents talk more. When it looks like it’s not ending soon, and cameras are waving in hands, Katsuki puts his foot down. “Come on! We’re late!”
“Oh,” Uraraka’s mom gasps. Her daughter is at her elbow, raising an eyebrow at Katsuki. “Do you have plans to celebrate?”
His mom laughs. “Yeah. Katsuki’s friend’s also graduating at the top of his class. We’re attending his graduation ceremony and then we’re going to Katsuki’s apartment. Can you believe this child just came down for breakfast one day and told us he’s moving out? He didn’t even talk it over with us!”
Uraraka’s mom nods emphatically. “At least he’s only moving out now. My daughter has been on her own since she started high school. I was very glad when they decided to move them to the dorm.”
Oh my God. Katsuki presses his palm to his face.
“Mom,” Uraraka says. “Come on. We’re holding them up.” Turning to Bakugou, she winks. “Tell your friend congratulation.”
“Sure,” Katsuki relents.
“Pictures!” Somebody calls, and somehow, it turns into a fifteen minutes affair trying to organize a group of teenage heroes into something resembling group photos. When it’s all over, Katsuki all but races over to their car.
“Why is he in a hurry?” He hears Kirishima asks loudly.
“We’re going to his boyfriend’s graduation ceremony!” his dad answers, loudly.
“He’s not my boyfriend!” Katsuki calls back to his traitorous dad.
“Yeah, but you sure want him to be!” says his mom, just as loud.
He’s disowning them.
“You can’t disown us,” his dad says vehemently later in the car. Joke's on him. Todoroki did it to Endeavor.
Izuku’s school is only fifteen minutes of car ride away. After asking a wide-eyed second year who recognizes Katsuki, they’re directed to the school hall.
Katsuki is very relieved that they arrive at that time, because Izuku is just walking up the stage. When he looks up, his eyes immediately land on Katsuki who’s standing at the entrance like an idiot. He smiles widely, and Katsuki can tell he’s just barely stopping himself from waving.
Izuku’s speech, to the amusement of Katsuki’s parents, isn’t that much different from his. The only difference is that Izuku delivers his with enough emotion that some overenthusiastic students start bawling in the middle of it. Nerd school, what the hell.
“I am grateful,” Izuku’s at his last stanza, tearfully, “to all the people in my life who have pushed me to where I am today. My parents, my friends, my teachers,” a beat, “Katsuki. It has been an amazing three years. To my peers, we’re just getting started. We’re going to move forward and find our place in this world. My last words; on behalf of my peers, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for all these years. Thank you.”
Under the flourishing light, the adoring attention of the audience and their claps, Izuku glows with pride. Katsuki brings his hands together and claps for him, because he deserves it and more.
The ceremony of giving certificates lasts longer than UA’s because of the higher number of students. Even though Izuku receives his first, he has to stay in his seat so he can leave together with the other graduating students later. It’s very different from UA’s, where it’s held under the sky and teachers still making decisions they regret. Izuku’s ceremony is perfect until the end without a single glitch to interrupt it.
Katsuki’s parents meet Inko and All Might on the way out of the hall. The introduction to the former number one hero trips his parents over, but they recover quickly and finally, they’re leaving to find Izuku.
They find him surrounded by a cluster rowdy of students. For a minute, Katsuki stays back to observe the unadulterated joy on Izuku’s face as he greets his parents and receives their hugs. Katsuki’s dad has a bouquet in hand and Izuku accepts that with a flustered but pleased expression. His friends leave, but not without some good-natured shoving and laughter. Huh, guess they’re not all uptight ass. Their parents immediately engage in conversations, which Izuku takes as his cue to find Katsuki. Their eyes meet and Izuku excuses himself from the conversation. He approaches Katsuki with confident strides.
“Congratulation,” Katsuki says for the lack of a better conversation starter.
Izuku steps into his personal space with an impish smile, his hat tilting dangerously. Katsuki fixes it without a second thought.
“You didn’t take off your robe,” Izuku observes. “Were you in such a hurry?”
“Fuck you. I’m proud to graduate from UA,” Katsuki says instead of saying yes, because it’s less embarrassing that way. Has he always smelled this good?
The smile on Izuku’s face shows how futile his denial is. “Don’t worry, Kacchan,” he assures. “I wouldn’t want to miss me either. Did you deliver your speech without dropping a single swear word?”
“I fucking aced it,” Katsuki tells him. Why doesn’t his hat stay? “You can watch it later. I think my mom recorded everything.”
“That’s nice. I’m going to watch it in the airplane later. I’ll need it to keep myself entertained.”
“You’re so full of shit, Izuku.”
“Kacchan,” coos the source of all of Katsuki’s pain, and it’s only then that he realizes how close they are standing.
Nobody could have mistaken the tension between them. Katsuki holds Izuku’s challenging gaze. It’s too easy. Too fast. Even though it’s been months, Katsuki doesn’t feel ready for everything to culminate here. But, Izuku is here, real and tangible, looking at Katsuki like how Katsuki’s been looking at him all this time.
“Aren’t you going to do something?” Izuku asks, pleas.
Katsuki is so, so weak for Midoriya Izuku.
He leans down and Izuku meets him halfway.
He’s had a lot of thought of how their first kiss will go. But, he wouldn’t trade this for the world. His hand finds itself buried into Izuku’s messy curl, two fingertips holding onto the hat to keep it from falling away completely. His other hand comes around Izuku’s waist. Izuku’s bouquet is crushed between them, Katsuki notes absently, but that’s forgotten as well when Izuku’s hand comes up to rest along his shoulder.
He doesn’t know how long they stayed in that position. It ends when they hear the sound of pictures being taken. Pulling away reluctantly, they both turn to see their parents watching them gleefully. In Mitsuki and Inko’s hands are cameras that definitely hold witness to their first kiss. Around them, students and parents gape at the pair.
“Finally!” Katsuki’s mom cries.
“You old hag!” he replies. Then, “Give me a copy later!”
In his arms, Izuku moans weakly.
“Hey.” Katsuki hears behind him.
It’s Izuku, looking luminescent under the moonlight. He gestures for him to join him in the balcony. Izuku steps out, closing the French door behind him to block the noises their parents are making in the living room. He comes to stand beside him, their arms pressing.
“Why are you being such a lone wolf?” Izuku asks tiredly, as if he’s falling asleep. It’s almost twelve. It’s been a long day for both of them.
“I’m not,” Katsuki replies. He puts an arm around Izuku when he sees the idiot shivers. “I just have a lot in my mind.”
Izuku hums. “You must do. Can you believe we’re almost adults now? Who put us in charge of our lives? We’re gonna crash and burn somehow, I just know it.”
“Weren’t you the one who put the ‘find our place in this world’ shit in our fucking speeches? Maybe you should take your own advice.”
“I’m gonna miss you,” Izuku says out of nowhere. Or maybe it isn’t. Maybe he’s been waiting to say it.
“Me too,” Katsuki says honestly for once.
“I can’t believe you kissed me just days before I’m leaving,” Izuku whines. “Now I’m gonna cry myself to sleep every night thinking how long it’ll be before I get my next kisses. You’re so cruel, Kacchan.”
Katsuki pinches his side. Izuku, predictably, yelps. “You’re the one who forced me, nerd. Don’t put this on me.”
Izuku huffs, but cannot find an argument in that. For a while, it’s silent between them. The muffled noises their drunken parents sans All Might are making are not enough to interrupt the bubble they’ve wrapped themselves in. Katsuki pulls Izuku closer, turning his head to rest his forehead against his. He wishes this could last forever. He wishes Izuku wouldn’t leave. He wishes, and wishes, because he’s selfishly in love with Midoriya Izuku.
“I’m fucking in love with you,” he says out loud. It sounds right.
Izuku makes a noise like he’s been punched. Katsuki opens his eyes and pulls away to observe the look on his face. He has tears in his green eyes, brimming. He’s looking at Katsuki with a look that he can’t read, but that’s okay.
“Kacchan,” he says.
“It’s okay,” Katsuki says. “You’re allowed to not say anything, you hear me? I just need to put it out there before you leave. Who knows what might happen in the future.”
But that doesn’t put Izuku’s mind at ease. He looks even more distressed.
“Come on,” Katsuki says gruffly even as he uses his hand to wipes his tears away. “I didn’t say that to make you cry, you idiot. You’re supposed to tell me to wait for you to catch up.”
“You,” Izuku stops with a sob. “How can you believe I’m not there already? Kacchan, I’ve been in love with you for months.”
Katsuki stops trying to wipe Izuku’s tears away. “Ah,” he says, since he’s not entirely sure he’s capable of speech right now.
“You bought a house for us,” Izuku continues tearfully. “You bought the one that I like. I chose it because I knew. How,” he stops to laugh, “can you not know from that that I’m in love with you?”
Katsuki tries to process that a little more, because all this time, he’s been convinced that he’s the only one with this feeling. He’s been prepared to wait, been prepared to let Izuku go. Izuku smashes all of that into tiny pieces in just a few words and drops of tears.
“You’re so bad at this, Kacchan,” Izuku says. Then, he kisses him.
Nothing, Katsuki thinks as he savors his second kiss with the boy he’s in love with, who’s in love with him, could make him want to give this up. As long as Izuku still wants him, hell, even after Izuku decides he’s done with him, he’ll wait. He’ll fucking wait till his last breath. His arms will stay open for whenever Izuku comes back to him.
Whenever Izuku decides he’s worth coming back for.
Epilogue
“Hey, come and look at this!”
Katsuki rolls his eyes as his former classmates pile up in front of the mantel piece to look at his collection of framed photos. Kirishima’s holding the one with Izuku and him kissing, on their graduation day.
“Look at this!” crows the redhead. “Bakugou, is this your boyfriend? The one Shinsou said?”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Katsuki says, flopping down on his sofa because he can see this is going to take time.
“Dude, you have a picture of you guys kissing framed. That screams significant other to me,” Kaminari says, taking another picture. This one when they’re both in kindergarten, holding hands with wide smiles on their dirty faces. “Wait, is this the same person? No way! He’s your childhood friend?!”
“Oh my God,” Sero moans. “He’s living a Hollywood romance movie plot! His boyfriend is his childhood friend!”
Momo takes the picture of Izuku in his graduation garbs, taken in a studio to show off his certificate and uniform. “That’s a Kaimei Academy uniform. Bakugou, your friend attended the smartest high school in Japan?”
Uraraka makes an excited noise over the impressed noises of the others. “Oh! Oh! That’s the one who graduated at the top of his class, right?!”
“This is so unfair,” mutters Kaminari, defeated.
Katsuki watches the idiots. They haven’t figured out the biggest punch line yet.
Then, comes a vaguely horrified noise from a corner. They turn to see Shinsou holding up a frame. It’s a family photo. Izuku and Katsuki are at the center, their parents at their sides. On the left side, stands the horrifying figure of the former number one hero.
“When you told us his stepdad is a retired hero…” Shinsou forces out.
“Yeah,” Katsuki answers casually. “That’s All Might, his dad.”
Blessed silence. Katsuki smiles his demon smile at their flabbergasted faces.
The sound of the doorknob being twisted breaks the silence. The creaking sound of the door swinging open catches their attention. Then, a voice calls out.
“Kacchan?”