Chapter Text
Bakugo Katsuki was familiar anger, he walked with it daily, hand in hand. Even as a kid, he was angry. He wasn’t always sure what he was angry at, he just knew that he was. It wasn’t like the feeling was new to him, hell most people expected it from him.
This, however, was not a kind of anger he was used to as he stood above Deku, the boy’s body scorched and burned in a way only he could supply. He didn’t know why the boy made him act the way he does, maybe it’s the sweatiness of his palms or the burning feeling in his gut when he’s around, but he never liked it. The only way he knew how to handle it was to hurt, whether with words or his palms, or more often than not, both.
It was Deku’s fault, though, everyone said so. He shouldn’t be blamed for the way the boy makes him act, spewing his ridiculous fantasies about being a hero, like he was trying to get himself killed. Maybe he’d been a little harsh, sure, but he felt it was needed to get it through Deku’s thick skull that he’d never be a hero, that spot was reserved for him and him only. It was better this way, he knew that ever since his fucking diagnosis, so why couldn’t he?
“You were a little hard on him today, don’t you think?” Extra #1 asked, wearing a lazy expression to match the lengthy fingers he waved around while he spoke.
“Nah, he deserved that shit.”
”You’re right” he laughed out, breathy and grimy and somewhat fitting for the boy.
“Cigarette?” Extra #2 asks, his red wings blocking anyone from seeing the smoke slithering up from the joint in the boy’s hand as he offered it with all too much ease.
”Fuck no, you fucking idiot, I’m going to UA and I don’t need that shit on my record.” He bites out, swatting away the ash plunging his nose as he kicks whatever shit was in his path.
“I’m going home you damn extras, go to the arcade or some shit if you’re too lazy to actually do something fucking produ-“
”Ah, yes, you’ll make the perfect skin suit.”
What the fuck was Deku thinking? Throwing himself at the Villain then darting off before he can hunt down the damn nerd? He practically had smoke coming out of his ears as he stormed the hallways, eyes searching for a head of green curls. He threw the door open with more force than he’d originally meant, black charring the handle as he eyed the room. Instead of green he sees red, red petals scattered all over his desk. If he hadn’t been so distracted, he’d have smelt the floral scent now burning his eyes. Most people, he had to admit, would see something wrong with this, the meaning of the flower and all, but the only thing Katsuki can think of is the time. Every day, like clock work, this desk would be cleaned 30 minutes before the bell. Every day. Maybe that wasn’t the only thing wrong, but that’s what he was focused on as he stormed out of the classroom, away from the red now littering his vision.
He’d looked everywhere. Everywhere. The classroom, the roof, the bathroom, the janitor closet, and hell he even checked the basement cellar. Where was he?
It’d been a week since Deku came to school, a week. The red petals left on his desk had started to wilt, while his panic only seemed to fester. Why wasn’t he here?
7 weeks and 5 days since he’d seen him, the spider lilies now discarded, laying dead in the trash. He finds himself spending his free time on roofs, waiting for something, though he wouldn’t admit what. Sometimes, glints of green caught his eye, but nothing’s ever there but a leaf or some stupid idiot with a green car. God what was wrong with him?
He’s fucking done, he wasn't worried about the nerd, no that wasn’t it, he just needed to check. Call it confirmation of life or some shit, he just had to know. It wasn’t a want more so as it was a need, a need to clear his conscience or something like that. He wasn’t exactly sure, or maybe he was but just didn’t like the answer, but he’d put this off for too long. Bakugo marched his way up to the second floor of the apartment complex. He’d lost the key a little while ago, so he resorted to the more respectful option and knocked with a little more force than most would deem necessary. A muffled Coming came from inside shortly before the door was cracked open, wide green eyes gleaming with recognition as the shorter lady opened the door all the way.
“Katsuki! I haven’t seen you in, oh a while now, look how grown up you are!” She fawned as she gestured him inside.
”Sorry about that, Auntie, uh is D-Izuku here?”
”Oh sorry dear, he’s been at a friend’s house for a while now, with all the free time he has now. I’m so proud of that boy, graduating early. Really, it’s quite a feat for such a short time. I might be bragging a bit, but the boy deserves at least some recognition for all his hard work. I swear, he’s just too humble for his own good. But enough about my boy, how have you been, Katsuki? I know Izuku isn’t here, but you can stay for some tea or dinner and wait for him?”
Friend? Graduating?
”Wait, auntie, graduating? He’s fucking graduating?”
”Katsuki, language. But yes, did he not tell you? I’m sure you noticed his absence.”
”Uh, sorry Auntie, no he didn’t tell me. I thought he, um, dropped out.”
”Oh he didn’t tell you? Gosh you must’ve been so worried. Don’t worry I’ll give him a piece of my mind later. Peppermint tea?”
”fuc- uh sure, please, thanks Auntie.”
”No problem dearie.”
The two sat in a comfortable silence for a while, the sound of the kettle and the weather man blabbing for background noise as he somehow ended up on the couch. He hadn’t really meant to stay, but a part of him just couldn’t move, despite the awkwardness of how much time had passed since he’d been here. Plus, it’d be rude to decline Auntie’s tea and the hag taught him better manners than that. Auntie, as rosy and cheerful as ever, came in with two cups of tea, handing one to him before she herself sat down next to him, blowing before taking a cautious sip.
“So, Katsuki, what’ve you been up to?”
Izuku Midoriya was on cloud nine, a place he hadn’t been for a while. Now, he wasn’t literally at a place called cloud nine, and he may be a little dramatic in saying so, but life just seemed to be going in the right direction for once. Of course, this wasn’t without a little hard work. His routine as of late was work, work some more, eat, work, and then skip sleeping in favor of more work. It was all worth it, though, because he’s finally free of Aldera Middle school. The principle was more than happy to let Izuku have all his required course work and tests given to him early and online, so he could finish at his own, faster, pace. It was grueling, sure, but so worth it. Now, with his time free, he could focus on his “babies”, as Mei liked to call them.
She’d been teaching him everything he needed to know, him observing over her shoulder and deciphering her rambled explanations of things. He, of course, being the studious student that he was, borrowed books from the library to play a little catch up, which came in handy when she yelled out names of tools for him to grab. It turns out he has a knack for building, the gears in his mind just clicked together when he was fiddling with wires or welding together parts for Mei. Lately, he’s been looking into coding for a project he’s had in mind. His notebooks weren’t entirely pointless now, as he now had a detailed analysis of almost every hero handy, which is surprisingly useful for knowing what support gear would benefit them the most.
His project ideas would have to wait for a bit, however, as seeing All Might that day made him realize something. The man was getting weaker and weaker every day, as both his patrol time and his disheveled form told him, so wouldn’t he have to retire soon? It was plausible, sure, but the whole hero society depended on this one man as its foundation, and with him gone, who was going to take up the mantle? Endeavor may be strong, but even he doesn’t touch on the man’s strength nor his heroics. Was hero society really ready for the man step down? No, to answer the question bluntly. Which is why he’s devised his master plan, Operation fix shit up. He might’ve taken a little inspiration from Kacchan’s vulgar language, but he really needed this to be successful. The first step of his plan was learning. He wasn’t quite sure how he was going to save all of hero society, but he couldn’t do that without building his skills up to the level he needs it to be. That’s why, with much persuasion from Mei, he needs to get into UA’s support course. Sure, he wouldn’t be at the hero course, but did that really matter with his new goal?
(Yes, yes it did)
He’d been so enamored with his work(and thoughts)on one of Mei’s signature glitter bombs, he hadn’t seen his mom’s texts till a little while later.
Mom:
We have a dinner guest today
when will you be home?
37 min ago
Shit
Izuku:
Srry! Jst saw txt coming now
30 secs ago
“Mei, I have to go, but I’ll text you later!”
He was running now, the sunset’s final glints of light closing in on him and the shadows lanky arms reaching for his feet. His bag heavy on his back, only fueling the sweat building on his neck and the chorus of footsteps pounding against the pavement. Nothing was after him, he knew this, and there was no rush, yet despite his rational thoughts, he ran. A chill crept up his spine and his breath was heavy and white ahead of him, but he pushed forward until his feet were making their way up the stairs and his key jangled in his hands as he tried to find the right one to the door. Maybe he should’ve questioned who’d be over, but the thought had slipped his mind until his eyes found the back of a spikey blonde’s head, sitting on his couch, in his home.
Shit, was it too late to go back now?
Apparently, it was, as the boy had seemed to notice the creak the half opened door basically screeched out when he attempted to gently close it. Red eyes met his, something unrecognizable in the scarlet abyss as his mouth gaped, almost at a loss for words. But Kacchan was never at a loss for words, so what was this?
”Oh! Izuku sweetie, you’re here! Wow that was fast, you only texted back a couple minutes ago. Katsuki’s been keeping me company while I’ve been preparing dinner, but now that you’re here why don’t y’all go up to your room? Y’all probably have some catching up to do and dinner won’t be ready until a little bit.”
”um, sure?”
That was all Izuku managed before a hand grabbed his, dragging him from his mother’s safety and into his room, alone, with Katsuki.
This was not going to end well for him, was it?
The boy now stood uncomfortably close, trapping him against the wall in his own room. Though the room was dark, being vacant since the early morning hours, he could still see the sweat beads rolling down his neck, and how his vermillion eyes practically glowed in the darkness, oddly mesmerizing despite the adamant rage bubbling with a kind of intensity only Izuku seemed able to supply. He could feel the boy’s hot breath on his face and every heartbeat in his chest, or maybe that was just his own heartbeat, he couldn’t really tell anymore.
”You’re graduating?”
The sound almost unrecognizable, for some odd reason, his voice still gruff and smooth at the same time, but somehow so different than it was a few months prior. What had changed?
”Uh, I’ve graduated, yeah.”
”Fucking when”
”Last week? I finished it online.”
”Why?”
Why. The question was so simple, yet so mind boggling for Izuku. Why? Out of everyone, Bakugo Katsuki was asking him why?
”Bakugo, you aren’t so dumb that you don’t know why, so don’t act like it, and you really just shouldn’t be here. I-If you’re worried that I’m going to be in your way, I’m not. I’m not trying out for the hero course, so you don’t have to worry about that, and I- I won’t be at your school ever again, you won’t ever have to see my face again if you don’t want to. So, please, just walk away.”
He was expecting anger, the usual yelling, or even some explosions here and there, not the question that flew out of Katsuki’s mouth as the grip on his wrist tightened and burned.
”What the fuck did you just call me?”
”W-what?”
”I said, what did you fucking call me?
The burning got worse, steam billowing from his wrist as a small scream narrowly escaped his throat.
”Kac-Bakugo, let go please, you’re hurting me.”
He did, surprisingly, his eyes widening at the now blistering mess of Izuku’s wrist.
”Will you please just leave?”
”You called me Bakugo.”
It wasn’t a question anymore.
”So?”
“Why?”
It seemed to be his favorite question tonight. It really, really, wasn’t Izuku’s, not today.
”Please, just leave, okay?”
“You-“ His voice trailed off, red eyes lingering on his wrist as he found his words again,
“Okay.”
Even though he could tell it wasn’t what the boy wanted to say, or do, if the white knuckles on his fists told him anything, but it’s what the boy did as he made his way to the door, footsteps heavy behind him as the door slammed shut.
All Izuku could do was stand there, in the middle of the still dark room, as muffled conversation from the other room filtered in. Only when the front door slammed shut did he allow himself to fall, slumping to the ground with his wrist in clutch, heart racing. He didn’t acknowledge the tears burning into his skin, and his mother didn’t say anything about them either when she’d come in, leaving a plate of food behind with a kiss. He didn’t eat, too occupied with the question still lingering in his mind, burning into his brain and corrupting every thought he had.
Why?