Chapter Text
Time passed as time so often does, and before either Katsuki or Izuku knew it, summer had arrived. The class was waiting anxiously. Aizawa had hinted that they’d be doing some kind of training camp this summer like they’d done last time. Katsuki felt his stomach clench the slightest bit at the announcement. He knew he was strong and capable, but the lingering helplessness he remembered from last summer still haunted him in the dead of night. As if sensing his nerves, Katsuki felt the brush of a finger against his back. His back eased at the touch. Izuku drummed against his back with a few fingers absently.
Katuski was shocked at how much the touch soothed him, the knowledge that the other boy was at his back so comforting against his nerves. Behind him, Izuku mumbled something too low for him to hear. Katsuki leaned back against the touch just the slightest bit. His eyes fluttered shut as he felt the coolness of the other boy’s skin seep into his back, missing their teacher walking into the room. The deep, resigned sigh from Aizawa brought him back to Earth.
“Alright, hellions, quiet down.” The man slumped in his seat. “I have an announcement.”
The class went silent. People were sitting on the edge of their seats, anticipation bubbling in their guts. Katsuki thought he saw Mina vibrating, though that could have been a trick of the light. He even felt himself lean forward, waiting for the verdict.
“The school has decided against having you attend a dedicated training camp like last year due to the ongoing recovery efforts from the war with All For One,” He began. Half the class slumped. Katsuki felt his shoulders sag and pretended it wasn’t from relief. “Instead, you will be engaging in civilian outings to various locations. With yesterday’s induction of a new Commissioner, a mandate has been sent out to hero schools across the country with directions to not only have the student heroes who were integral in preventing mass slaughter be integrated into public leisure activities but to engage in group settings that promote camaraderie and boost self-esteem. Our new Commissioner is adamant that you goblins learn that there is more to life than sacrificing yourself for others.”
Katsuki didn’t think he imagined Aizawa’s pointed look towards his and Izuku’s direction. He definitely didn’t miss the snap of eighteen heads towards where the two of them were sitting. Izuku gave a tiny little whine behind him and he could just imagine the boy’s shoulders hiking up to his ears. Katsuki felt his own face get hot and he huffed, glaring at Kirishima who was the closest target for his ire.
“That being said,” Aizawa continued as if he didn’t see anything, ”During these outings you are not only representing your school, but your own selves as heroes. I expect all of you to behave appropriately during these outings. If I receive any complaints regarding any issues with behavior, the entire class will be immediately forfeit from further activities and will be required to meet with me for special training.” Aizawa’s face took on a devious grin and he steepled his hands in front of his face. The class shuddered at the thought of his ‘special training’.
“Any questions?” Iida raised a hand.
“What will these activities consist of, sir?” He asked. “Will we be required to bring special equipment or knowledge for upcoming events?”
Aizawa closed his eyes. “I’m not at liberty to tell you at this time. Nedzu told the staff that he wanted these outings to be a ‘surprise’ for you.” The man grimaced a little. “Regardless of my feelings on the matter, you lot will simply have to wait and see. And with that, you’re dismissed for the day.” Aizawa stood up and walked out to cheering from his students.
Immediately the class began chattering away, gossiping and speculating on what the activities would entail. Katsuki almost immediately tuned them out, instead standing up from his desk and making to exit the classroom. Unfortunately, he was caught by his merry band of idiots.
“Bakugou!” Kirishima’s arm descended onto his shoulder and Katuski grunted. Kaminari came up on his other side and laid his arm across Kirishima’s.
“What do you think’ll be the activities? Karaoke? Oooh, maybe a paintball match!” Katsuki grunted again, twisting his shoulders in distaste. His two idiots jabbered away as they exited the classroom. Out of the corner of his eye, Katsuki saw a flash of green in the sun.
Dressed in casual ‘going out’ clothes, Katsuki had the distinct hindbrain feeling akin to a cow being led to slaughter as the class boarded the bus for the day’s ‘activity’. He slumped down into a free seat which just so happened to be next to Izuku. The boy turned his head to him and smiled. Katsuki felt something in his chest soften at the expression. The evening light bathed his skin in a golden glow, freckles almost lost. The scar creeping up the side of his face seemed less harsh, somehow. Izuku’s face was happy. There wasn’t a pinch of anxiety between his brows, no tenseness to the set of his jaw.
“Hi, Kacchan,” he said in a low voice. The way the other boy leaned forward the slightest bit, as if to tell Katsuki a secret, made the blonde’s heart beat more quickly.
“Hey,” he replied.
Their hands splayed next to each other on the shared seat. Katsuki could almost feel the cool touch of his skin, the roughness of the scars and the knobbly bend of his knuckles. Izuku’s little finger splayed the slightest bit out and touched the side of Katuski’s. He felt his eyes widen and risked a glance sideways. Izuku was looking forward with wide eyes and Katsuki could just barely see what could be considered a blush on the other boy’s face. He felt his own face heat up the slightest bit as he reached his own finger out and placed it gently on top of Izuku’s. In that moment, the world around them faded. There was no one on Earth that existed besides the two of them.
The moment was almost immediately ruined as a chorus of unholy screeching rose up around them and Aizawa announced their destination. Katsuki felt annoyed dread pool in his stomach at the word.
Karaoke.
“Nine, you sly little goose!” - Banjo
“AAAAAAAAAH??” - Hikage
“Smooth.” - Kudo
“How sweet!” - Yoichi
“DON’T THINK I DIDN’T SEE THAT, LITTLE DUDE!” - En
“YEE (and I cannot stress this enough) HAW.” - Bruce
Nana’s response to the absolute rizz set out by one Izuku Midoriya is unfortunately unable to be translated by the author as she simply let out a demonic, unholy screech of triumph. Rest assured, dear reader, it was as frightening as it was hilarious to witness.
Yagi’s force ghost response is also unfortunately unable to be translated but that has more to do with the ghost in question not being able to speak. However, Yagi’s force ghost solemnly dabbed in support of his successor’s admittedly tame attempt at conveying his feelings regarding one Katsuki Bakugou.
After releasing her unholy demon call for an amount of time one would consider concerning if not for the fact that Nana no longer needed air to function, the woman immediately pulled Izuku into the mind palace area. The rapid nature of such a yoting caused Izuku’s body to lurch in an uncomfortable manner and slump into Katuski’s side. The boy jumped and looked over. Quickly realizing that, if no steps were taken, this night might not happen at risk of the class thinking Izuku was seriously ill, Nana popped into the driver’s seat a moment.
“Sorry, Mr. Kacchan,” she said. Katsuki gaped at her. “I need to borrow Izuku for a moment. Thanks!” Task completed, she let Izuku’s body continue to cosplay as a coma patient for the time being.
Back in the mind - well, it wouldn’t quite be a palace, more of a point in which people exist - space, Izuku was splayed out in the middle of a circle of vestiges. He sat up as Nana approached and opened his mouth to speak. He was, however, almost immediately cut off by Nana.
“Nine, sweetie, I need you to listen to me.” He blinked. “What song are you going to sing.” Her expression was so intense that Izuku almost looked around for a villain before remembering that he was quite literally in his own mind and could not be accosted by vagabonds and the like.
“Uh….I don’t know?” Nana frowned at him. “I don’t think I’m going to sing?” Nana’s expression turned thunderous.
“Nine.” Izuku had the distinct feeling he was in trouble. “You NEED to sing.”
“I-”
“NO. You need to sing. This is your big chance!” Izuku tilted his head, confused. “STOP LOOKING LIKE A CONFUSED PUPPY DOG WHILE I’M TRYING TO WINGMAN FOR YOU.” Izuku blushed crimson and stuttered.
“Wouldn’t it be ‘wingwoman’, though?” En asked. Nana scoffed through her nose.
“Gender is a construct and I don’t have time to talk pendantics and feminist theory with you while we’re working to get Nine and Mr. Kacchan together!” She paused. “But thank you for being considerate.” En nodded.
“Should it be a romantic song?” Hikage asked. “I mean, if he’s trying to score a date.”
“No, it should show his range and talent,” argued Kudo. “Show Blondie what he’d be missing if he doesn’t get his head out of his ass.”
“La Gata Bajo La Lluvia,” Banjo suggested.
“Maybe he could do a couple songs,” Nana said. She released her grip on one of Izuku’s shoulders and brought it to her face in a thinking pose.
“What about some pop?” Hikage.
“Nah, doesn’t show his range enough.” Nana.
“La Gata Bajo La Lluvia.” Banjo, again.
“Maybe alt rock?” Kudo.
“If you think I’m gonna let my boy sing My Chemical Romance in front of his class, you’ve got another thing coming. This isn’t an angsty cancer fic, c’mon. We need REAL ideas.” Nana, exasperated.
“La Gata Bajo La Lluvia.” Banjo, slightly irritated no one was listening to him.
“Taylor Swift?” Hikage
“No.” Nana.
“Why not? I like her later stuff!” En.
“Because I said so.” Nana.
“Who made you leader of the song committee?” En
“La Gata Bajo La Lluvia.” Banjo, slightly begging.
“Maybe something he can dance with, too. Our boy’s got some moves.” Kudo.
“City pop, then.” En.
“Hmm, maybe. I want Nine to stand out, though.” Nana.
“La Gata Bajo La Lluvia!” Banjo, waving his arms.
“Let’s see you bring out some ideas, then!” Kudo.
“I’m thinking!” Nana.
“LA GATA BAJO LA LLUVIA.” Banjo, banging his hands against the ground. He was ignored.
By this time, the vestiges were getting quite close to throwing hands. Izuku was little more than an embarrassed puddle on the floor. Yoichi stepped forward, effectively ending the argument.
“Please, everyone calm down.” The other vestiges went silent, chastised. “Why don’t we let Nine decide?” They all blinked, suddenly realizing that none of them had asked Izuku what he thought. They all turned to the slowly reforming puddle of Izuku Midoriya. He looked up at all of them, still quite red from his earlier embarrassment.
“Umm,” he started, “I think I know what I want to sing?”
By the time Izuku returned to the driver’s seat of his own body, the bus was pulling up in front of the karaoke place. The class filed out and Aizawa let out one last threat to encourage good behavior before shutting the door and going to take a nap. Like an admittedly very orderly and polite tidal wave the class descended. They ended up in one of the rooms which was large enough to house them all but not quite enough to keep them from bumping into each other every so often. Izuku looked around for Katsuki before being pulled away to the machine to choose his song. He scrolled through the list and, miraculously, the song he’d chosen was there. It was almost as if he was being written into the situation by an exhausted person who simultaneously wanted him to find love and also sing Chappell Roan. Crazy how that works out. He was near the end and so maneuvered through the sea of bodies to an empty seat which just so happened to be next to Katuski. Again, crazy coincidence. Katsuki, after being forced to choose a song of his own, had slumped down into one of the chairs. The boys looked at each other with commiserating expressions as the chorus began.
Round after round of students singing with wild abandon passed. Some were shockingly good, others shockingly horrendous. Mineta was unceremoniously booted from the song queue after they saw what song he chose. Eventually, it was Katuski’s turn. His rendition of Blink-182’s I Miss You was enchanting, and he even sang the second verse in an imitation of Tom Delong.
Izuku couldn’t look away. The easy way that Katsuki commanded the little stage, the way Katsuki looked into his eyes made Izuku’s gut churn with something he belatedly realized was longing. It was magical, and Izuku couldn’t help but think that he could die happily if only Katsuki would look at him like that again.
Then it was his turn. His hands shook as he took the microphone from the other boy. Their fingers brushed and Izuku could swear that he felt the heat of the other boy’s hand on his even as he stood alone on stage. The music started, piano notes almost lost under the screaming once the girls recognized the intro. He took a breath and began to sing.
I know
You wanted me to stay
But I can’t ignore the crazy visions
Of me in LA
Izuku felt his eyes slide to Katsuki as he sang.
Won’t make my mama proud
It’s gonna cause a scene
She sees her baby girl
I know she’s gonna scream
The girls in the room screamed the lyrics along with him. He could see tears in all their eyes and thought for a moment that this moment wasn’t just for him
God, what have you done?
You’re a Pink Pony Girl
And you dance at the club, oh mama
I’m just having fun
On the stage in my heels
It’s where I belong, down at the
As the chorus kicked in, he started dancing around.
Pink Pony Club
I’m gonna keep on dancing at the
Pink Pony Club
He felt something inside of him burst as he continued. He knew the others could feel it too. The eyes of his classmates fell away as he sang. He felt like he was more than just himself, that he was where he belonged. Down at the Pink Pony Club.
As he saw Izuku singing on stage and dancing around, the low lights of the room bathing him in an otherworldly glow the music beat into his soul, Katsuki thought that he would like to live in this moment forever.