The Remedial classes were quickly becoming a joke, in Katsuki's opinion. Again, for the second week in a row, they just had a lecture. Katsuki was furious. At least before, he'd gotten exercise out of the sessions, he'd learnt something knew. But now it was just boring. Katsuki could learn more on his own.
Even Aizawa seemed a little pissed at having to drive the three of them all the way to their training compound to listen to a lecture he'd already taught them. But he didn't say anything, he simply waited until Gang Orca was done and he took them back to the dorms.
Shouto was immediately picked up by his family chauffer to go visit his mother. Shinsou disappeared upstairs, claiming he had homework to do, Katsuki was left alone. He scowled to himself, stalking up the stairs.
He went up to a familiar door and knocked on the door. It was more like he repeatedly punched the door. It shook with the force of his fists. He heard a squeak from inside as someone jumped up and ran towards it.
The door opened.
"Kacchan?"
"''Zuku. Get your gym clothes on. We're sparring." Katsuki said.
"We are? Why?"
"Because I wanna hit something."
"Wouldn't Kirishima be better? With his Quirk you can go really hard?" Izuku said.
"He's busy. Homework. And besides, you're the only one in this stupid class who's beat me." Katsuki said, crossing his arms. "You in or what?"
"Erm, yeah, sure. I can spar."
"Meet me a Gym Omega in ten minutes." He said, spinning on one foot, heading towards his own room.
"Okay Kacchan." Izuku said. Katsuki heard the distinguishing click of Izuku's door closing. He went up to his own room, changing into his gym clothes. Hoshi wasn't anywhere to be seen so Katsuki could only assume Eijirou had taken her with him.
It made Katsuki smile. Despite Eijirou's initial dislike of cats he'd seemed to get close to Hoshi relatively quickly. He was always stealing her for cuddles and taking her with him when he went to do his homework. She loved him too, often butting her head against his cheek when he was asleep and wedging herself between them in bed.
Once he was changed, he grabbed his water bottle and headed downstairs. Tenya and Uraraka were sat at the tables doing homework. Katsuki waved half-heartedly at them, going into the kitchen and filling up his water bottle.
Then he went to Gym Omega. Surprisingly, although he hadn't taken long, Izuku was already there, doing warm up stretches. He smiled at Katsuki when he saw him, approaching him.
"What did you want to do?"
"Just hand-to-hand. We'll hurt each other is we use Quirks and Recovery Girl won't be happy." Katsuki said.
"I think I'm banned from going to see her. Even if my arms are falling off."
"That's not exactly a stretch coming from you, I'm surprised they haven't fallen off already."
"Hey!" Izuku laughed. "I couldn't help it. It's not like I was used to having a Quirk." The both of them ran through a series of warmups as they spoke.
"That's why you got hurt all the time?" Katsuki asked.
"It was too much power." Izuku said. "My body couldn't handle it." Izuku shrugged. "I mean like you know how when you were little you could only create sparks?"
"Yeah?"
"Well imagine if baby Kacchan tried to do the Howitzer Impact?"
"Yeah, he'd die."
"No more baby Kacchan." Izuku said. "It's like that. I have full access to One for All's power, and 100% was kind of its default setting. Every time I would use it, the power would break my bones. But now I've learnt how to limit it."
"How much do you use now?"
"8% usually. If I push myself, I can use 20%."
"Fuck Izuku." Katsuki said.
"Yeah, I've got a long way to go but, I'll learn to control it all." Izuku said with a laugh.
For the first time in his life, Katsuki felt intimidated. Izuku had beaten the shit out of him the other week, and that wasn't even a quarter of his power? Katsuki felt disheartened. How could he be Number One with a power so much weaker that Izuku's?
"We gonna do this?" Izuku asked. Katsuki nodded. Izuku kicked out at him straight away. Katsuki dodged. "So what's got you pissed?"
"Remedial fucking classes." Katsuki grunted as Izuku blocked a punch. "They're taking the piss at this point." Izuku tried to kick him again but Katsuki rolled out of the way. "Like the past couple of weeks, they've been giving us stupid lectures. I go to fucking school for that."
"Really?" Izuku asked, grunting as Katsuki punching him in the shoulder. "I thought it was like physical training?"
"It was." Katsuki kicked Izuku's shin. "Until it went shit. It's a fucking joke."
"Sounds like it." Izuku jumped back.
"It just sucks, like I've worked so hard to get this stupid License, and I still haven't got it. Like it wasn't my fault I got hurt. But I feel like I'm being punished."
"I'm sure you're not Kacchan." Izuku said, spinning to kick Katsuki in the ribs, who grunted, stumbling to the side.
"I don't know. Like Shouto, Hitoshi and I are the best in that damn class, but we're lumped in with the rest of those useless extras. Like give me my fucking License." He punched Izuku hard in the chest, making him fall backwards.
"Ow."
"Shit, sorry."
"Good hit." Izuku said, rolling on to his front before pushing himself up off the floor. "You'll get you License soon, I'm sure Kacchan. Didn't they say you'd resit the exam in December?"
"I don't know. Those fuckers won't tell us anything." Katsuki scowled. "I'm just so fed up of it." Katsuki sat on the floor, sighing, resting his head on his knees.
"Kacchan?
"Like why do I fucking bother, Izuku?" Katsuki said. "Every time I try, everything just falls apart."
"Kacchan, that's not true. You've accomplished so much since you've come to U.A."
"Like what?" Katsuki spat. "I'm no closer to being a hero than I was at middle school."
"You won the Sports Festival. You're third in the class academically. You've made friends, got a boyfriend. You're a better person than you were at middle school. More likeable, more friendly. Of course you're closer to being a hero."
"But look at you. For years I was better. I was the strong one, the one that was going to be a hero. But now you're stronger, faster, better. You have your License, you have All Might's Quirk, you've done so much. You saved Eri."
"Kacchan, why do you feel like you have to compare yourself to me?" Izuku asked, coming to sit next to Katsuki. The blond fell silent, staring at the floor. "I know that… mental health is something you've been working on. Have you talked to Hound Dog about why you feel so inferior to me?"
"No." Katsuki said with a sigh.
"Maybe you should?" Izuku said softly. "The two of us have had issues since we were little, we both know that. But where does it come from Kacchan? I love you, I've always loved you, you're my brother and one of my best friends. So why can't you be happy for me, the way I'm happy for you?"
"I don't know." Katsuki replied in a small voice, tears running down his cheeks. "I just… I need to be the best… I have to be… You know what my Mom always said second is the first to lose."
"Kacchan I think she just meant try your best, not that you're bad for not winning." Izuku said. "And not everything is a competition, not everything needs a winner. At the end of the day, being Number One hero doesn't mean you're the best. Look at Endeavour and Best Jeanist, who's the better hero?"
"Jeanist."
"Exactly, yet the Billboard have been putting Endeavour ahead of him for years." Izuku said. "Who's the better hero, Endeavour or Eraserhead?"
"Eraserhead."
"He's not even on the Billboard list." Izuku said. "You don't need to judge yourself by those standards."
"Then how else am I supposed to judge myself?"
"I don't know, but what about being a hero makes you happy?"
"I don't know." Katsuki shrugged.
"Why do you even want to be a hero?" Izuku asked. "I know you like to fight, is that why?"
"Not really. I mean yeah, I like fighting but that's not why I want to be a hero." Katsuki said. "I want to help people, keep them safe. But every time I try to, I fuck up, Izuku. I mean look at my parents. They had to flee the country because of me."
"Because of a villain pursuing you." Izuku replied. "Anything that guy does isn't your fault."
"How isn't it?"
"Because you've done nothing wrong." Izuku said. "Kacchan, before you know it, you'll get your license and catch this guy, your parents will come home, and everything will be okay."
"I hope so." Katsuki said, wiping away his tears. "I just want my License. I just want proof that I can do this."
"That fact that you're here is proof, the fact that you work with Best Jeanist is proof. The only person who doesn't believe it is yourself." Katsuki nodded.
"I'm gonna go find Ei." Katsuki said, getting to his feet. "Sorry I dragged you out here."
"It's fine, Kacchan." Izuku said. "I said you can talk to me about whatever you want, if you just want to rant about how annoying the Bakusquad are."
"I'd never stop talking if that was the case." Katsuki said. "Are you coming?"
"I think I'll train on some of the equipment or something." Izuku said.
"Okay, bye 'Zuku."
"Bye Kacchan."
Katsuki left the training ground, staring at the floor as he went. Deep down he knew Izuku was right. He put too much pressure on himself. The past couple of months he'd tried to relax a little, go with the flow. He hadn't kicked up too much of a fuss when he'd been forced into the remedial classes, but at this point he felt like he was stagnating. He was stuck in one place, not moving forward.
He hated feeling like this. Like he was lost and alone. As childish as it was, he wanted his Dad. He wanted to be wrapped up in his embrace. He wanted to spend an afternoon cooking, messing about with his father.
Instead he was stuck here, at school, whilst his parents were on the other side of the world. Part of him wanted to call his father, but Japan was 8 hours ahead of France, his parents would most likely still be asleep.
He went into the dorms, climbing up the stairs, straight to Eijirou's room. He knocked the door, going in when called. The whole Bakusquad was in there. Denki and Eijirou were on the bed. Kyouka at the desk, Hoshi, Hanta and Mina on the floor.
"Katsuki?" Eijirou asked. Katsuki climbed behind Denki, lying flat on the bed, resting his head on the pillows.
"Hey Basty." Mina said.
"Are you okay?" Kyouka asked.
And that's when the damn broke.
Tears came thick and fast as his body heaved with sobs. His cries were muffled by the pillows but he could hear his friend's noises of concern and he felt Eijirou's hand on his back. The bed dipped underneath him as the other members of the Bakusquad joined him.
"Baby, talk to me." Eijirou said softly, stroking through his hair. "What's wrong?"
"Do you want a hug, Kacchan?" Denki's voice asked.
"Or do you want us to leave you and Ei alone?" Kyouka said.
"Stay." Katsuki mumbled between sobs.
"Baby, can you sit up for me, so we can hear you better." Eijirou asked. Katsuki rolled over before sitting up, pulling his knees close to his chest. He leant on Eijirou's shoulder.
"What's wrong Kacchan?" Denki asked.
"I want my Mom." Katsuki whimpered. "And my Dad, and Emiko and Shinju, even though the stupid thing just barks at me. But I can't see them, because they're in another fucking country."
"I'm sure they'll be able to come back soon, Katsuki." Eijirou said, moving to wrap his arm around Katsuki's shoulder.
"Not until Pulse is caught." Katsuki said. "It would just be easier for everyone if I just let him catch me."
"No." The group all shouted at the same time, making Katsuki jump slightly.
"Don't you dare, Katsuki." Hanta said. "I don't know who this Pulse guy is, but he's obviously bad news. We don't know what he could do to you. Just keep doing what you're doing, avoid him. He'll be caught eventually. All villains are."
"Look at us." Katsuki said. "Look at our wrists. All of us have to wear tracking bracelets because of me."
"Because of the villain." Mina corrected. "You're the victim here, Blasty. And to be honest, I like the bracelets, they make me feel safer and they mean my friends are safer too. I don't think anyone is mad about them. Aoyama is even gathering a load of supplies so we can decorate them a with a bit of glitter or something to match our costumes."
"But none of you can go home because of me."
"Because of the villain." Kyouka repeated.
"You know all of this, Baby." Eijirou said, "You know that no one blames you. So what's really going on?"
"I'm so tired Ei." Katsuki said. "I'm tired of trying so hard and nothing changing. I just want my license, I want to stop these stupid classes. I need a break."
"A break?" Denki asked.
"I work every day." Katsuki said. "I just want a day I don't have to get up early. One that I can just sleep and have fun. A day where I don't have to worry about what training I'm going to do." Katsuki sobbed, burying his head in his hands. "Izuku asked me what makes me happy, what do I do that makes me happy and I don't fucking know. Because all I do is go to school, do homework, go to remedial classes, go to work. I don't do anything that isn't work."
"Katsuki…" Eijirou said, cuddling him close.
"Could you call in sick tomorrow?" Denki asked. "I'm sure Best Jeanist wouldn't mind."
"I don't want to let Tsunagu down." Katsuki shook his head.
"What about Monday?" Kyouka asked. "We can bring you any work. You could maybe take the morning off, Aizawa would understand?"
"Or maybe just talk to Aizawa, ask what he thinks you should do?" Hanta suggested
"I guess." Katsuki shrugged.
"And going back to things that make you happy." Denki said, bending down and picking Hoshi up off the floor, holding her out to Katsuki. "This girl makes you happy."
"Yeah." Katsuki said, uncurling slightly and cuddling his cat.
"Playing the drums made you happy. Denki, you and I could jam sometime?" Kyouka said. "I love playing with people." Katsuki nodded.
"And you like going on walks and stuff right? We could all go on walks together, even if it's just around campus?" Hanta added
"And grumble all you want but we both know you like getting your nails painted." Mina said with a smile.
"And you know that anytime you want a cuddle, I'm right here." Eijirou said, kissing Katsuki's cheek.
"Cuddle and other things." Denki nodded.
"Well yeah and the other things." Eijirou snorted, Katsuki blushed, burying his head in the crook of Eijirou's neck.
"Thanks guys." He sniffed. "Ugh, I can't believe I cried in front of you."
"Before now, I didn't thing it was possible." Denki said.
"Shut the fuck up Dunce Face." Katsuki snapped.
"And he's back." Mina said.
"Normal person to Bakugou, just like that." Hanta clicked his fingers.
"You know what, you're all assholes."
"Wait Blasty no." Mina whined. "I have an idea."
"What, oh supreme overlord?"
"At least one of you knows how to show respect. Thanks Denks." Mina winked. "So Blasty goes and showers because he smells."
"Bitch, I smell like a snack."
"Exactly, it's making me hungry, which is gross." Mina said. "Anyway, Blasty showers, we go gather snacks and blankets, sleepover in Blasty's room."
"What the hell? No." Katsuki snapped.
"Uh huh." Mina said. "Your room is the best because, number one, two of the group already sleep in there regularly, so it has more than the others, two, Hoshi needs her food and litterbox so we'd have to bring that with us to whoever's room we go to, and it's not fair on the cat."
"I hate you all." Katsuki scowled.
"That's not a no. Go team go." Mina jumped off of Eijirou's bed, heading to the door, followed by Kyouka, Hanta and Denki.
"Should I tell them I get up early tomorrow to go to work?" Katsuki said.
"Nah, let 'em find out the hard way." Eijirou said, kissing Katsuki's forehead. "How are you feeling? What brought all of this on?"
"Remedial classes are a waist of time. They're not practical lessons anymore, they're theory, and it's theory Aizawa has already taught us. I guess I'm sick of getting up early to go to a stupid class that doesn't teach me anything anymore." Katsuki said.
"And then I tried to spar with Izuku but we kinda got talking and he asked why everything had to be a competition and… why I don't know. And I guess not knowing upset me."
"I get it." Eijirou said. "I'm sure it'll only be a matter of time before you get your license. You don't think Best Jeanist will let you be jerked around like this. He's friends with Gang Orca. Maybe you could get him to talk to him or something, ask what's going on."
"I could." Katsuki nodded. "Yeah, I'll ask tomorrow."
"Good, now go shower, or Mina will be in your room whilst you're not there."
"Over my dead body." Katsuki said, picking up Hoshi, kissing her head and handing her to Eijirou.
Katsuki went to shower, and he had to give it to Mina, it did help him feel better, more refreshed. He didn't know what was up with him, why he was so emotionally sensitive. He guessed he had to be experiencing a down day, like Eijirou had, or something like that. He was in a strange mood, craving physical affection and attention.
He dried himself of and went to his room to change into his pyjamas. Once he was there, he pulled out his phone, dialling a familiar number.
"Katsuki?" Tsunagu picked up relatively quickly.
"Tsunagu, hi." Katsuki said, suddenly feeling awkward.
"What's wrong, kid?"
"Erm, I was wondering if it would be okay if I came in a little later tomorrow? I've been staying later because you're taking me home and it's a long time…"
"I thought you liked being here longer?" Tsunagu asked, clearly confused.
"I do… It's just…"
"Talk to me Katsuki, I can't help if you don't talk."
"It's just been a pretty shit day." Katsuki said, his voice breaking ad tears welled in his eyes. "Fuck, I don't want to cry again." He said, more to himself than Tsunagu but the hero heard.
"What happened?" He asked softly.
"I think I just woke up in a bad mood." Katsuki said. "I just feel… strained, stressed, stretched too thin. I want to go to sleep and not have to worry about waking up early. You know? I need a break."
"Okay, you come in at 12, okay?" Hakamata said. "You'll train with Hawks first, and then Flashback and I will train with you at the same time."
"Okay." Katsuki said.
"I don't want you working yourself too hard. I know I pushed you hard last week, but if you need a break please let me know." Tsunagu said.
"I will."
"Then we'll leave early, go get coffee or something and just have a chat. No hero stuff, just to relax."
"That sounds nice." Katsuki said.
"What are you up to now?"
"Well I kinda had a weird emotional breakdown in front of my friends so they're kidnapping me for a sleepover. But if they don't go to sleep, I'm kicking them out." Tsunagu laughed at Katsuki words.
"Well, I'll leave you to it." He said softly. "Have fun, Katsuki, don't stress yourself out too much, okay? At your age, you should be having fun, not worrying about the big stuff."
"I'll try, it's hard not to."
"I know, Kid, I know."
After Tsunagu hung up, Katsuki sent a quick text to All Might, telling him of the change of plan. The retired hero sent him a thumbs up emoji in response, so Katsuki assumed everything was fine.
It was then that his friends had decided enough time had passed and he should have had plenty of time to get dressed, so they burst into his room. Mina, Denki and Hanta were carrying an amass of blankets and pillows, enough to cover Katsuki's entire floor. Kyouka was holding a carrier bag full of sweets and coke bottles under her arm. Katsuki recognised them from Denki's not so secret stash.
Eijirou came in last, wearing a shark onesie, holding Hoshi in his fins. Katsuki couldn't help but smile at his personal band of dumbasses.
"We bring snacks, and we've order pizza." Denki said.
"Blasty, we just told them to give us the spiciest one they had for you." Mina said. "Hard Boi, you got meat feast."
"You know me so well." Eijirou smiled, pushing his way through his friends to get to Katsuki. When he did, he kissed him on the cheek before handing him Hoshi. "You have released me, this monster is yours now."
"She's always been mine." Katsuki said, kissing her. "And she's not a monster." Hoshi purred, butting her head against Katsuki's cheek.
"Do you ever wonder where she came from?" Denki said, chucking his blankets onto the floor. "Like Maine Coons are expensive, and you just got one for free." Katsuki shrugged.
"I don't know. No one ever reported a kitten missing and no one in my area has cats, to my knowledge. I have no idea who's she'd be. But I've had her a while now, so I think it's safe to assume no one is missing her." Katsuki said. "Plus, I did have her scanned for a microchip and she didn't have one."
"She does now, right?"
"Oh yeah." Katsuki said. "I got her microchipped the day after I got her, I think. So if she ever gets out, she'll come back to me."
"Good, we wouldn't want you loosing her." Mina said, dumping her own blankets on top of Denki, who squawked.
"Okay so," Hanta started. "Blasty, you can pick a movie for us to watch whilst we wait for pizza."
"And then after pizza, I'm painting your nails." Mina said, pulling a little makeup bag from god knows where.
"Nice." Katsuki laughed. "Thanks guys."
"No problem, Kacchan." Denki said. "This is what friends are for."
Everyone squished onto Katsuki's bed, they placed his laptop on his chair so they could all see it. Realistically they would have been better off downstairs or in Denki's room where there was a bigger TV.
Katsuki put on some movie with explosions and car chases. He wasn't exactly sure but Mina and Hanta seemed to enjoy it. Kyouka and Denki sat next to each other and Katsuki, Eijirou and Hoshi cuddled together.
Katsuki snuggled into Eijirou's chest, resting his head on his shoulder. Hoshi was cuddled up on Katsuki's lap, he buried his hand in her fur. He breathed in his boyfriend's sweet coconut scent, closing his eyes and relaxing. Eijirou brought his hand up to stroke through Katsuki's hair.
Katsuki startled awake slightly when Denki got up to fetch their pizza. He grumbled, rubbing his eyes and sitting up. Eijirou smiled at him before kissing him on the cheek.
"You know what," Sero said, standing up, "I'm going to help Denks, I have a feeling he's going to drop something."
"Knowing my luck, it'd be mine." Mina laughed.
"Well we can't have that then." Hanta said, going towards the door.
There was a moment of silence after Hanta left before Mina leapt on Kyouka.
"Are you and Denki dating? Like officially? How was your date?"
"Jeez Mina." Kyouka said.
"Hey, I've been patient, but it's been like a day."
"We haven't really talked about it." Kyouka shrugged. "We had a good time, and we're going to go out again when we can."
"Did you kiss?" Mina went up on her knees, bouncing on the bed.
"He kissed me on the cheek." Mina squealed at Kyouka's words. Katsuki smiled.
"Oh my God." Mina said. "That's so cute. Who knew Denki could be cute?"
"Yeah, I don't… Like when do you even go for a kiss. How the fuck do you know?" Kyouka blushed.
"Oi love birds, when did you first kiss?" Mina asked.
"Before we went on a date." Eijirou said. "After Kamino this one just kissed me."
"I almost died, give me a break." Katsuki grumbled.
"Hey, I'm not complaining." Eijirou nuzzled into Katsuki's hair. "I didn't have the balls to do it." Katsuki smiled, leaning into the action.
"And then you went on a date?"
"Yeah." Eijirou said.
"What did you guys do? You were keeping it a secret at the time, right?" Kyouka asked.
"I knew." Mina said proudly.
"You only knew because of my bisexual panic." Eijirou said. "We were necessarily keeping a secret, if someone had asked, we would have said something, but we just wanted some privacy, we didn't want to be the shiny new couple… you know? Plus if it didn't work out we didn't want anything to be awkward."
"So only Mina knew?" Kyouka asked.
"And Izuku." Katsuki snorted. "He was there for my I don't know what to do on a date panic."
"Aww." Mina said.
"Was it awkward?" Kyouka asked. "Denki and I would be having a great time and then suddenly it would get really awkward and I'm worried I fucked up."
"Yeah it was awkward." Eijirou said. "A lot of our early relationship was awkward. Every time one of us went for a kiss or something."
"Yeah, there was that time where we were stuck in the what if it doesn't work out, I don't want to lose him as a friend stage. But, well we're here now." Katsuki said, Eijirou kissed his forehead
Eijirou took Katsuki's hand, squeezing it.
"Love you." He said quietly, not intending the girls to hear, but they did, sharing a look.
"Love you too, Ei."
Suddenly the door was kicked open, Katsuki jumped, explosions sparking off his hands. Eijirou yelped, hardening slightly as Mina fell off the bed and Kyouka flinched. Hoshi lazily licked a paw.
"Boom baby." Denki said, before realising the chaos he'd caused. "Oh shit guys. Sorry."
"You will be Kaminari Denki." Mina hissed. "Now give me my pizza, bitch."
"Rude." Denki said, giving her a box.
"Any of you get crumbs on my bed, I'll kill you." Katsuki crumbled as Hanta passed him his and Eijirou's pizzas. The two of them had to move away from each other's embrace so they could eat.
"Can we watch the Emperor's New Groove now? Because Kronk is my spirit animal." Denki said.
"Sure." Katsuki rolled his eyes, opening his pizza box and picking up a slice.
Denki set up the film and the group tucked into the meal. They relaxed together and enjoyed the silliness of the movie. Denki was entirely engrossed, and Kyouka, who hadn't seen the movied before snorted.
"Yo, do you think we could make up out own theme songs?" Denki asked.
"I'm sure if you wanted, you could." Katsuki rolled his eyes. "You can count me out."
"Spoil sport." Hanta teased.
"If I'm Kronk, you're Yzma." Denki said.
"Fuck you." Katsuki replied.
"I mean if you wanted to." Denki shrugged, making Hanta and Mina laughed.
"Don't you dare." Eijirou said.
"Like I'd fuck you." Katsuki huffed. Denki laughed, turning his attention to the movie. Eijirou nuzzled closer, keeping his voice low, whispering.
"We both know you're a bottom anyway." Katsuki turned to look at his boyfriend, shock on his features. "Love you." Eijirou said, pressing their lips together in a chaste kiss, before he turned back to the movie.
They finished their food halfway between the movie and Mina shifted so she could have access to Katsuki's hands. Hoshi moved to curl up on Hanta's lap as she was disturbed. Mina began to file down Katsuki's nails, pushing back his cuticles and buffing them so they were nice and smooth.
She then started to paint them. She painted the nail on his fingers bright orange. Katsuki frowned at the bright colour, he liked orange, it was his favourite colour, but this was a little much. Mina poked him in the forehead.
"I'm gonna make it look good, trust me." Mina said.
She painted his fore finger, middle finger and little finger black, his thumb a dark green. Katsuki watched her. Jirou picked up a dark purple and began to paint her own nails. One they were dry, Mina placed thin strips over the orange making an "X" before painting over it in black.
"Uraraka made an X too." Katsuki said softly.
"She did it differently." Mina said. "She did it free hand, orange on black. This is neater."
"Oh." Katsuki said.
Mina then picked up the black and began to the draw intersecting black lines across the green. Finally, she got the orange back again, putting two dots on each black nail. She coated them in a clear coat to protect them.
"Thank you." Katsuki said. "They're really pretty."
"Kacchan likes pretty things." Denki laughed.
"Of course he does, he's dating Ei." Hanta said.
"You think I'm pretty?" Eijirou asked.
"The prettiest." Katsuki turned to kiss him on the cheek.
"What did you paint?" Kyouka said.
"His orange cross and a grenade on his thumb." Mina said.
"I love it." Katsuki said.
"Is your work okay with you painting your nails?" Kyouka asked.
"Yeah." Katsuki said, "Tsunagu doesn't mind. Especially is they're done well. And these go with my costume to he'll like it."
"Yay." Mina said clapping her hands together. "Approval from a fashion guru like him. I crave nothing more."
"He's great." Katsuki said. "I rang him just, and he said I can come in an hour late tomorrow and we'll go out for coffee after."
"I honestly can't believe you've practically been adopted by a Pro Hero." Hanta said.
"Neither can I." Katsuki said," but I have."
"I'm so jealous of you." Mina whined.
"Shhh, some of us are watching the movie." Denki scowled, Eijirou nodded next to Katsuki.
"Sorry." Katsuki murmured.
"Sorry." Hanta repeated.
"Go fuck yourself, chatterbox." Mina said, "How many times have you talked through things I'm trying to watch?"
"Shush." Denki snapped. "It's almost finished."
The group fell silent for the end of the movie, much to Denki and Eijirou's pleasure. They watched together and when it was over Mina stretched.
"Hey Blasty…"
"What?" Katsuki asked, rolling his eyes.
"Can you make us all a hot chocolate?"
"Can't you make it yourself?"
"Please." Mina whined.
"Fine." Katsuki scowled. "Eiji, come help."
"Okay."
As soon as the two of them got up, Hoshi got up to follow. Katsuki scooped her up and left his room, grumbling under his breath about ungrateful extras. Eijirou followed with a smile on his face. Hoshi purred, rubbing her head against his face. He reached up and tickled behind her ears.
"You having fun Kitsune?" Eijirou asked as they went into the kitchen. Katsuki put Hoshi down on the counter, stroking over her head. She meowed at the touch. Eijirou smiled.
"It's nice." He said as he made the hot chocolate for his friends. "Thank you."
"I didn't do anything." Eijirou said. "If you want to talk more about how you feel, you know we can, right?"
"I know, Ei. I'm just drained, you know?" Katsuki said. "I just need a rest, tonight's been really helpful."
"Good." Eijirou said. "And if Hakamata says you can go in later, does that mean we get a lie in?"
"Yeah." Katsuki smiled. Eijirou leaned across, kissing him.
"Brilliant, sleepy cuddles."
"Mmhm" Katsuki hummed.
Katsuki made six hot chocolates with whipped cream and grated chocolate, he also unwrapped some chocolate flakes, jamming them into the drink. He put all of the on a tray.
"Can you grab Hoshi?" Katsuki said.
"Come on, Trouble." Eijirou scooped her up, cradling her like a baby. He tickled her tummy, laughing when the tried to dig her claws into his hardened hands.
They went back upstairs to his room. When Katsuki opened the door, he was taken aback. The four other members of the Bakusquad has set up their blankets and pillows on the floor and were all snuggled up in them.
"What are you guys doing?" he asked.
"It's eight thirty." Mina said.
"So we're going to bed." Denki added.
"What?" Katsuki asked.
"You said you're tired and you go to bed early normally, so we'll all go to bed when you do." Hanta said, getting up and taking the tray to hand out the drinks.
Tears welled up in Katsuki's eyes as Eijirou came up behind them.
"Hey, no. What's wrong?" Mina asked.
"You guys would do that for me?"
"Of course Kacchan." Denki said. "We're your friends, we love you, we want you to feel better."
"Besides, all of us could probably do with an early night." Kyouka assed.
"I love you guys too." Katsuki said. Hanta placed two of the mugs on Katsuki's bedside table.
"Come on, Kit." Eijirou said, "Bedtime."
Eijirou and Katsuki climbed into bed with Hoshi. They both held a mug in their hands and sipped at the hot chocolate. The group settled for the night, falling quiet, the hot chocolate helping them get sleepy.
Katsuki and Eijirou snuggled together in bed after they finished their drinks, Hoshi sandwiched between them. Kyouka got up and turned the light off. The group went to bed, falling asleep together. Katsuki smiled as he drifted off. He loved his friend and was glad he'd come to them. They were real friends, not like the ones he'd had from Middle School.
He felt happier, more open with them. They were real friends.
Seiichi was tired. He curled up tight in a ball, tugging his flea-bitten grey blanket around him, over his head so just the top of his matted silver hair was visible. He tried to close his eyes and snuggle into the lumpy pillow. He tried to imagine he was wrapped in his Mama's embrace. He tried to imagine that the angry voice shouting downstairs was just his Papa watching sports, not Sir.
Ebiko was crying in her own bed. She was the newest. She still had hope. Seiichi knew it was useless to hope. Ebiko and Hiroki constantly whispered about how they were going to escape. That they'd find their own way back to their Mamas and Papas. Seiichi knew that was impossible.
Sir took him out all of the time, through the mirrors. He took Seiichi to find knew soldiers. He had been the first and he'd helped Sir find everyone else. Seiichi knew that even if they escaped, Sir would find his soldiers again.
Seiichi whimpered, he stared down at his wrist. It was the only time Sir had really hurt him. On that first day. It was the only time Sir would hurt any of them, as long as they behaved. Seiichi ran his fingers over the tattoo. 0001. Everyone else had a number, a number that was now their name. Seiichi was the first and as such, he was Sir's favourite.
He curled himself tighter, he couldn't cry anymore. He had nothing left to give. He was just empty. He closed his eyes slowly as dread filled him. You could always hear when Sir came up the stairs. The metal door creaked open and Seiichi heard Ebiko gasp.
"One, get here now. We're going out." Sir called, Seiichi flinched at his tone, but he sat up. He scrambled to torn and blistered feet, standing up straight like a soldier.
"Yes Sir?" He said.
"Come, this one is going to be a little different." Sir said, gesturing for Seiichi to take his hand. "I've got a score to settle."
Reading this back through, I didn't realise how much I was projecting through Katsuki. I wrote this chapter during Kinktober, and I was exhausted. I'm fine now, still in self-isolation fighting with Origin, Sims 4 and but it's all good.
What I wanted to know from you guys is if there are any questions you have about this series? What do you want to know about Pulse? Have I forgotten something? Did a plot point end up going nowhere. As I know what's going to happen, everything makes sense to me, but obviusly you guys could see it different. Any feedback you could give would be really helpful as I am close to writing the climax of everything.
Additionally, do you guys want HTA to end with Pulse and for me to write a sequel with the Ground Zero Initiation Program or do you want me to continue it in the same story and just have 500,000 words of Hear the Answer? I worry that if I do put it in a sequel I'll loose people. Let me know.
Lyna x
