AN: Hi ladies and gentlemen! Presenting the second chapter! (No this is not a one-shot) Please fave, follow, and review if y'all like it so far. Thank you!
(And also, as a sidenote, if you play Mabinogi Duel, look for "Ryko" - Rank 19 - Philippines. Please, I need friends)
Izuku was an engineering genius.
That's why his business phone (the one clients use to contact him) was impossible to track. Calls were directed to a million phones across Japan, to confuse the tracking system. The phones included in the process don't ring. And the caller won't even know which phone was used to answer the call.
That's why even when his number was scattered across the world, Green Death was still unidentified.
Izuku grumbled as he answered the phone. He was still half-asleep, and he could feel Katsuki's warm body under him. He had an arm draped over his waist.
"Green Death here. People who call me when I'm obviously still sleeping make me wanna commit genocide. If you want me to do something for, like, a million Yen, consider it done."
An old voice came from the phone. "Yes, I would like to hire your services to assa—"
"No, I'm trying to sleep. Have a good day. Hire another villain or do it yourself. Bye."
Izuku dropped the phone on a small height to the ground and snuggled with Katsuki. The smell of nitroglycerin and metallic blood mingled. It was a weird smell, but they both got used to it. It was a simple thing a nice shower could fix.
Katsuki mumbled as he pressed Izuku closer to him, "You're planning to take the day off?"
"Just gonna stretch myself awake and then I'll probably do villain work. Good morning."
"Yeah, good morning. Fuck, at least you're not gonna be a pest when I have to go to my work. Don't you know how many of your clients I have to face every single day, then coming up with a fucking good strategy because they know the weakness of their target hero?"
"Hey, I tell you what my clients plan to do anyway. I'm kinda like being a mix of hero and villain here."
"Whatever." Katsuki sat up and brushed his hair. He still had dry crusts of saliva from last night. He smelled his breath. Horrible. He poked Izuku's chest. "Would you at least stick with me for a while in my agency? My secretary quit."
Izuku's eyes widened until they looked like green moons. "But I thought Taka-san was making six digits per month? Why would she quit?"
"She has other passions to pursue. It was reasonable. I had her do shit for me literally twenty-four seven. Plus, she's probably saved enough money to last her a few years. So, what do you say?"
Izuku didn't hesitate. He stood up and stretched. The soft rays of the morning sun showered upon him. He was a sight. He chuckled. "I don't like being in my office anyway. And my clients can just hit me up with a call. How long will I be doing this?"
"Just a few days."
"Nice. And if I have to do some villain work—"
"I'm not stopping you . . . unless you start inflicting major damage."
Izuku assured, "Don't worry. I just make sure that I kill off heroes who have some stupid incentive on being heroes."
"Kinda like the legendary Hero Killer."
"Yeah." Izuku bent over and pecked Katsuki's cheek. The blond rolled his eyes. "But he has a strict standard for heroes. I tend to leave lots of heroes alive."
"You do know that my incentive is to just become number one right?"
"Mhmm." Izuku pinched Katsuki's nose, to which Katsuki punched the other on the arm. Izuku rubbed it off. "But I'm not as strict as Stain was. You have shown a positive influence to society, even when your goal is just acknowledgment. I appreciate that."
"I fail to understand you sometimes."
"Oh, I got Kacchan confused!" Katsuki was pretty sure that Izuku should've dropped the giggle by now. He was an adult already! But he was still didn't drop his childish features, which still fit him. Izuku took Katsuki's hands and pulled him up. "You'll get me some time. Or you don't have to. You can just leave me with my villain business while I leave you with your hero business. Fair?"
Katsuki was really itching to know how Deku's mind-set worked. He did always work based on his belief and bias. But he knew some rocks were better off unturned.
He squeezed Izuku's hands. Despite all the active crimes Izuku was involved in, his hands still remained smooth and soft. He rarely even used lotion. Before, their heights weren't really comparable from far away. Now, as adults, it was easy to notice that Izuku was only able to reach Katsuki's nose.
Katsuki replied, "Fair."
Izuku's smile was worth a thousand peaceful mornings. Katsuki used to hide how he always felt giddy when Izuku smiled with his usual frustration. But now that they were together (but not married, because they thought marriage was pointless—and neither was it still legal), Katsuki was able to expose his passive side. Don't get Katsuki wrong; his aggression was natural, but being angry all the time burned him out.
Katsuki returned the smile with a shove. "We should get ready. I have to get to my agency by nine."
"Great!" Izuku rushed over the stairs to get to the bathroom. "Have breakfast already so we won't waste time!"
Izuku was really a villain.
Katsuki didn't know how much heart attacks he got from Izuku's driving. Shitty Deku was probably trying to kill him also. It was a god thing there weren't any cops around.
"I'd evaluate myself an eight out of ten."
Katsuki exclaimed with a passion only he can muster, "Eight?! My life fucking flashed before my eyes six times for the whole trip!"
Izuku checked the side mirror. He saw a few skid marks. He shrugged. "I'd be humble and give myself a seven. Is that fair?"
"No. I don't know how the fuck you got your driver's licence, but I'm teaching you how to drive tonight—given that you keep me alive while I teach you."
"I won't doubt your skills in driving, Kacchan!"
Katsuki had plenty of time to learn how to drive, especially in the bedroom.
Preferably in the bedroom.
Katsuki sighed in relief as the valet guy drove his car to the parking lot. Fortunately, there were no paparazzi. Izuku scratched his neck and loosened his tie. "Do I really have to be so formal in my attire? I mean, I don't have to act so professional when I'm working for the love of my life. Don't you agree?"
"It's just a few days. Deal with it."
"But still!"
"We're gonna talk later."
Izuku pouted. As soon as they walked in the building, Katsuki scowled because of a certain redhead waving at him. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Out of all the fucking people in the world . . ."
Izuku's eyes sparkled. "Kiri-kun, you're back!" Izuku jogged to Red Riot and performed their secret handshake. It involved the usual intro, then a thumb-wrestle. Whoever lost the thumb wrestle—
"Man! Guess I have to buy you a drink later, Izuku-kun."
Izuku smiled at Eijirou and turned back to Katsuki. Ground Zero asked, "What are you doing here, Hair-for-Brains? Shouldn't you be in the gym, inhaling manliness?"
Eijirou shrugged at him. "Just wanted to check on you and your girlfriend."
"Urgh . . ." Eijirou was writing himself a death sentence. "For the last time, Deku is a boy." Izuku chuckled. Kirishima was the best.
"Yeah, but I'm gonna guess he's the girl most of the time."
Izuku beamed, "You bet I am!" Izuku happily gave Eijirou the high-five, despite the joke that made usual same-sex couples uncomfortable. The redhead draped his arm on Izuku's shoulder and gave him a good noogie.
"Look at the number one hero, Izuku-kun. Look at how uptight he is with that murder glare." Eijirou had gotten used to the dirty eye. It wasn't like it was only reserved for a few people. It was for everyone to receive.
"Yeah, he's no fun."
"I don't care." Katsuki pressed the up-button on the elevator. He greeted his other employees as they rushed to their work. "You're more than welcome to stay in my office, if you don't have anything better to do, Red Riot. Or leave already. Or you can assist Deku while he assists me."
"Oh, nice. Izuku-kun didn't have any occupation before you hired him?"
Izuku had a thin smile on his face as Katsuki froze. Katsuki had to change the subject. But before he was able to, Izuku answered, "Let's just say . . . I was a freelance artist." Katsuki mentally face-palmed. Izuku looked especially happy that Eijirou was asking him questions. He nudged Izuku's arm. Izuku's smirk just grew wider.
"Bro, art is so manly!" Eijirou complimented. "You must've been amazing!" Izuku innocently scratched the back of his neck, faking his flattery. "What kind of art did you make?"
Katsuki thought, The art of villainy and crime and royally pissing me off.
"I drew stuff on the Net." It was partially true. He drew two-dimensional models of heroes so he can visualize and analyse them in a simplified manner. He lied, "But I took down my work, so yeah . . . you can't see them anymore."
They all entered the elevator. There were a total of fourteen floors, with the top holding Ground Zero's office. Katsuki pressed the button for the seventh floor. "Oh," said Izuku. "Are we checking on your trainees?"
"Yeah. First thing in the morning today. Fortunately, I don't have much to do today."
Izuku quickly took his phone out of his pocket and glanced at it. He covered his chuckle. "I'm gonna bet a thousand Yen you'll be busy at six later."
Katsuki mumbled under his breath, "Damn it, you shitface Deku."
"Whoa," said Eijirou. "Language, man. What's up with you two?"
Katsuki dismissed with a wave. "It's nothing."
It was one of the worst times for Izuku to get on with his business. Katsuki was supposed to patrol at that time. All patrolling heroes were required to join the fray in case a villain attack happened. Izuku winked at him. Katsuki's eyebrows were knitted close. They stepped outside as the elevator dinged. They headed to the training center.
Outside the locked door, Katsuki looked like he saw a ghost as he heard the noises inside the room. He bit his lip. He rechecked his schedule again.
"Oy, fuckface."
Both Eijirou and Izuku jinxed, "Yeah?" The two friends started laughing. Katsuki scoffed.
"Shut up. Today's Thursday, right?"
The other adults nodded. He almost didn't want to open the door. But, it was his job to go through hell. He took a deep breath and pressed his thumb on the scanner.
The gates of hell opened.
Katsuki almost flew all the way to the other building as a herculean gust of wind burst its way out of the doorway. Fortunately, Eijirou dug the tip of his shoe on the ground and caught both Izuku and Katsuki. The adults got hit with a barrage of art materials.
"Holy fuck, why?" Katsuki mumbled as the air died down.
There was a chorus of wailing and crying and laughing that Katsuki thought it was the complete antonym of singing angels. During Thursdays, Katsuki's trainees were kids who had just developed their Quirks.
Which meant he had to deal with a bunch of four year-olds.
Pandemonium was just a few steps away. Katsuki barged his way inside to find his employees plastered to the ceiling with spider webs. A bunch of other kids were screwing around with their Quirks. Some were even fighting. It was a wreck inside. The Quirk development equipment was close to irreparable damage.
"What the hell happened here?!"
Most of the kids released their ooh's and aah's. It wasn't every day they saw the number one hero, the number six hero, and . . . some green guy?
Their awe silenced them for at least five seconds. Then some stupid kid mumbled, "I-I think . . . mistuh Gwound Zewo is . . . m-mad at us . . ."
The wailing repeated. How lucky for them to have a kid with a Noise Amplifier Quirk.
"Nononononono, I'm not mad at all of you! Damn it!"
The number one hero was steaming furious. His attempts to pacify the kids only made everything worse. Probably even four times as worse. He was about to blow the blackboard up before a smooth hand stopped him. He turned to see Izuku with a bright smile.
"Let your secretary do this, Kacchan."
Katsuki considered. Izuku seemed to have a charm to children. Some of Katsuki's classmates in UA who had children asked Izuku to take care of their toddlers. With Izuku's bright personality, he had the kids fall head-over-heels for him in a matter of minutes. He sighed in defeat. "Go ahead. I don't wanna do this."
Izuku giggled. The light-hearted sound had a few children turning heads, to which Katsuki and Eijirou froze in awe. Just a laugh had half the children's attention. Izuku kept his bright personality shining and waved, saying, "Hello everyone."
Two words had all of them shut up.
Izuku clasped his hands together and said, "Wow, aren't we such good boys and girls today!" Izuku cleared his throat and placed the tips of his fingers on his chest. "My name is Izuku Midoriya." He gave them his signature toothy smile. "I'm Ground Zero's boyfriend."
"Whoa . . ."
"He's so pretty."
"He's so handsome."
"Ground Zero is very lucky."
Izuku sneered at Katsuki. The hero replied with a grumble.
One of the kids raised his hands. Izuku nodded at the child. The four-year old stood up and brushed his pants. He asked, "But shouldn't boys be with girls? Isn't it bad for boys to be with boys?"
Izuku could feel Katsuki's murder intent behind him. He just gave the kid a small grin and answered, "That's a topic you'll talk about when you're a bit older. But you know what?" Izuku made a gesture to the kids to scoot closer to settle down on their sleeping mats as he sat down on the floor. They obliged like he were the supreme overlord. He technically was in the villain world.
He continued, "I could introduce you right now to the topic of boys loving boys with a story. Who wants a story?"
Hands of all shapes and sizes shot up like there were no tomorrow.
Even the manly Red Riot raised his hand.
Izuku chuckled. "All right. So let's begin."
Once upon a time, there was a very good hero named Kacchan. He always saved everyone when there was trouble; he was the symbol of hope to many people. He was the best at everything and he was super good and even super handsome.
Kacchan had a super-smart and genius friend named Deku. But Deku was a very, very, very bad villain. He fought with so many heroes and even defeated a few. He always was a terror to everybody who heard his name. But, even if he was bad, Deku was really adorable and he had a cute and handsome and pretty face. (Can you stop bragging, Deku?)
Why are they friends? Because they wanted to be. No-one was able to stop them.
Kacchan had a special place for Deku in his heart, and so did Deku. When they grew a little bit older, they realized that they had intense feelings for each other.
The intense feeling is called love.
It was so rare and pure.
They weren't man enough to admit their feelings yet . . . until one fateful day . . .
The two adults went to meet each other in Deku's apartment-slash-hideout. He was working on this complex experiment that aided him in creating impenetrable armour. As soon as the door opened, Deku skipped over to Kacchan and showed him his solid fabric.
"Hey, Kacchan! What do you think of my material?" Deku was buzzing with energy as Kacchan examined the fabric. Despite the stretchable and malleable properties, it was still able to take multiple hits from huge amounts of force.
Kacchan answered, "It's amazing. How'd you get the components for such a complicated alloy?"
Deku had a shy smile and he scratched his freckles. It was almost a habit. "I know people. 'Cuz . . ."
"Yeah, yeah. You're a rising star in the villain world. I get it." Kacchan handed the material back to Deku and started to head out. He had to save a couple of people hours before so he was fatigued. "I have to leave and rest. Is that all you wanted to talk about?"
"Y-yeah . . ."
Deku looked at the floor as Kacchan slowly turned around and tried to exit. It was almost as if he was waiting for Deku to talk.
In fact, Deku wanted to talk about something else too. It was too much for him to bare if he didn't say anything. He had a burning sensation inside whenever Kacchan was there with him. Even during the dullest days, Deku always brimmed with life if he was with Kacchan.
That's why he steadied himself and shook his head.
"Well . . . there was something else I wanted to ask you."
"Oh, really?" Kacchan entered the apartment. "Care to expound?"
"Err . . ."
Deku wanted everything to end. But he know the only way to end things was to tell Kacchan what he wanted to say. And so he did. He couldn't bare the heartache.
He questioned, "Would you . . . by any ch-chance . . . go on a date with me this Saturday . . . o-on the usual hill we went to a-as kids?" From there, Deku exploded with a continuous nervous tick of mumbling. "I-I mean, you don't r-really have to! It's just a date and it's kinda stupid and I know you're not looking for love yet because you're on your way on becoming number one. But then again, it would make me really happy if you did! But y-you wouldn't date a vil—"
Kacchan stopped him by grabbing his shoulders and flashing him a rare and thin smile. Deku almost melted to a puddle of Deku-water when he heard Kacchan's reply.
"Yeah, I'd go on a date with you."
Deku burst into tears until his apartment flooded with that nasty stuff!
Back when they were kids, Kacchan and Deku used to go up this hill. The public was restricted to enter that place, but they always seemed to sneak in.
Deku was carrying a picnic basket, while Kacchan held the bag for the tent.
Halfway to their destination, Kacchan stopped before stepping on a bridge. There was a stream of water below. See, there was this one occasion in their childhood that seemed to etch a mark on Katsuki's mind.
Before, there was a log to bridge the gap. One time, he fell. Deku tried to help him up, but Kacchan refused his help. After that, Kacchan turned very prideful.
Deku said behind Kacchan, "I'm . . . sorry."
Deku remembered how he had changed Kacchan. The will to help others made a dent on Kacchan's pride. After kid Deku tried helping him up, he made a vow to refuse help from anybody. Deku was looking at the green grass underneath him. It tickled his ankle. If he hadn't helped Kacchan before, he could still be one of the nicest boys around.
Deku was sorry.
There was a slight silence between them, but the silence said millions. Deku clutched the picnic basket until his knuckles turned pale. Kacchan studied him with steady eyes. He knew why Deku felt guilty. He, too, was guilty.
Usually, the bad villain was the one comforting the hero because, while he was bad outside, he was still a decent person inside. Kacchan decided to do things the other way around. He caressed the hand of Deku. His grip loosened ever so slightly, until he had finally calmed down.
Kacchan uttered, "Both of us are like this because of each other. You made me, and I made you. So, instead of blaming ourselves, we just have to deal with the way things are."
Deku remembered the childhood he went through with Kacchan. It was a secret that he didn't want to tell. But he knew that Kacchan had something to do with him. He nodded and followed Kacchan.
There was no reason to dwell on the past.
They just had to grit their teeth and move on.
That's how life worked for the both of them.
They reach a cliff that showed the whole view of the city by night. Fortunately, Deku was prepared and sprayed mosquito repellent all over the area. Kacchan spread the picnic blanket and set the basket on top. It was a white blanket with green polka dots.
The wind was slow that night.
"Oy, Deku." Kacchan patted on the spot next to him. He was seated at left center of the blanket, facing the city. He could see UA from there. Deku shuffled to where Kacchan wanted him to be and carefully sat down.
"I made—" Deku reached in the basket and pulled out a wide cylindrical food wrapped in wax paper. "—a spicy burger for Kacchan! I-I hope you like it."
As Kacchan opened the wrapping, an aroma of eccentric flavors wafted through the air. Kacchan's tongue begged with all its life to taste the delicacy Deku had prepared for him. The buns were golden brown, with sesame seeds shaped like a heart. A perfectly mahogany burger slice was fitted perfectly between the two buns. It was mahogany because it was seasoned with so much Sriracha hot sauce, just the way Kacchan loved it. It was moist, but not dripping oily. The square of cheese was melted just enough to not make a mess. A fresh slice of lettuce was on top of the meat.
Kacchan, wanting to savour the flavour, bit off a small, generous part of the burger. A party of flavors exploded in his mouth. Of course, he didn't recognize some of the other flavours, but they fitted so well with the lettuce, cheese, meat, and bread. The only hidden flavour he had recognized was soy sauce.
The man was shaken to the core. That delicacy reserved for him was the food he had wanted, but had never deserved. Deku liked to say otherwise.
"You deserve it, Kacchan. You . . ." Deku blushed and gripped his elbows. "You mean more than everything to me. In fact, you deserve even more; I don't think the burger is good enough to express how much you deserve."
Kacchan, still shaken by the taste, rolled his eyes and flicked Izuku's temple. "Ow! Kacchan—"
"Don't sell yourself short, nerd. This burger is amazing. I would give up my years in UA just to have this one more time."
"Don't say that, Kacchan!"
"It's true; I would. But there is one more thing I would like to give up lots for. Probably even my life."
Deku didn't take it wrongly. There were more things in life than an amazing burger. He accepted the compliment for the burger and asked, "What is it, Kacchan?"
"I'd give up everything I have for you."
Deku, now red as a tomato, almost shrunk back as Kacchan slapped him with the compliment. He became a nervous wreck and started to diminish his value. Kacchan grew tired of his stuttering and punched his shoulder.
"Just take the damn compliment and go eat whatever you made for yourself." Kacchan reached in the basket and summoned a katsudon. "Huh, as per usual." He handed Deku the plastic bowl and Izuku started devouring it. Katsudon had always been Deku's favourite.
Kacchan couldn't believe that even though his tongue had gotten used to the taste of the burger, he still felt divine as the flavors exploded and melted in his mouth. Deku really was something else.
As soon as Kacchan was finished, he downed a bottle of water and fell back. He knew it wasn't healthy to lie down after a meal, but he didn't care. Deku followed after and fell back, his green hair almost blending with the color of the grass.
"Hey." Kacchan forced his arm under Deku's head and held him close. Deku wanted to protest, but Kacchan said, "Don't fight; don't ask. I know you'd want it anyway."
"Kacchan, I—"
"Shut up and just enjoy the night with me."
Deku learned from Kacchan's words, but he still hesitated in putting his hand on Kacchan's chest. Both their hearts were not beating in synchronicity, but Deku knew they still beat for each other. Deku sighed and gazed upwards.
"It's . . . it's a shame that the stars didn't plan to come out tonight, Kacchan."
Silence reigned for a whole minute. No-one said anything, until Kacchan exhaled and tightened his hold on Deku.
"I wouldn't care about the damn stars if I can just admire your nerd face from up close."
Izuku melted one more time as the sweet words penetrated their way to his soul and filled him to the brim. Why must every single flirt make him fluster?
"Don't say anything," said Kacchan. "I made a whole bunch of flirts after you asked me out and memorized them in front of my mirror. Don't screw up my vibe."
Deku chuckled softly like the bundle of warmth he is and curled up even more next to Kacchan. He wanted nights like this. He didn't have to think of his villain stuff. Kacchan didn't have to think of his hero stuff too.
They just set everything aside, just so they can be with each other.
"Follow me," requested Kacchan. Deku did as he was asked and trailed behind Kacchan. He led him to the nearest tree and placed his pointer on the trunk. "Don't think of this as cliché or something but . . ."
With tiny and concentrated pops, he fried the trunk with his Quirk and outlined a heart shape. Deku was amazed and watched with sparkling eyes as the bark lit up in several pops and darkened. Kacchan drew the initials of their names inside the heart.
K+D
Deku didn't feel like crying at that moment. His spirits were lifted unlike that usual self. He mumbled, "It's unfair, Kacchan; I didn't even have the time to confess how I felt and then you just—" Deku threw his hand on the burnt spot and shook his head. "Yeah. You did that."
"Then confess now. Or are you too chicken to confess first?"
"No, I'm not!" Deku took a deep breath and exhaled. His breath mixed with the wind that smelled like morning dew and gunpowder. "Okay. Kacchan, I really like you. I want to dedicate my villain heart to be with you. I'd do everything for you."
"Goddamn, you don't need to do anything." Kacchan pressed Deku on the tree and pinned him with his weight. "Just stay here with me. That would be enough."
Kacchan gripped Deku's waist as they kissed under their marked tree.
It was unfortunate that at that time, the stars decided to show up from their hiding.
But who cared?
For all Kacchan had learned, humans were made of stardust from the deaths of stars. He was more than happy he was in close proximity with a person made by the stardust of a unique, green star.
"The end."
The children's snores filled the room as Izuku had finished the story. Izuku's charm had infected the children. Izuku turned to Katsuki and smiled.
"How did I do?"
"You changed a few things in our date."
"Yeah, bro!" Eijirou whisper-shouted. "Like how you made yourself a villain just to add some spice in it—" Eijirou gave Izuku the "OK" gesture with his left hand. "That was legit."
There was a certain hint of pride in Izuku's eyes as he glanced back at Katsuki with his villain smirk. Katsuki rolled his eyes. Why did Izuku have to shove his criminality in his face?
"Anything to make a story seem better."
Katsuki muttered, "You were humble-bragging the whole story."
Once Katsuki helped his employees down, they went to the hallway. Izuku tapped Katsuki's shoulder and asked, "Do you wanna eat brunch with me and Ei-kun? My treat before he takes me to Happy Hour tonight."
Katsuki thought for a second but still shook his head. He didn't feel like it. "No. I have to sort things out in my office."
"All right." Izuku stood on his toes and planted a rapid kiss on Katsuki's lips. Tasted like the minty toothpaste they had just tried recently. "You get the elevator first. I'll see you later. Be ready at six."
"Whatever, nerd." The elevator dinged and Katsuki stepped inside. He pressed the topmost button, where his office was. He said. "Miss Steele."
"Mister Grey," Izuku replied as the doors closed.
The number increased until Katsuki was on his destination. Eijirou uttered, "Well, that was something. What's up at six o'clock?"
Izuku kept a stoic face and pressed the button to go down. He shrugged.
"I just have a hunch that a villain would attack."
