Waking up the next morning was the first time, in a long time, that Katsuki hadn't gotten out of bed the second he woke up. Instead, when he blinked awake before his alarm, he was able to snuggle into Eijirou's hold. The redhead woke up at the movement and only smiled. Katsuki returned it, Eijirou wrapping his arms around his boyfriend, kissing him chastely.

They simply cuddled for a long while. It was something they had both wanted to do for quite some time, and finally getting the opportunity was amazing. They cuddled together, kissing sleepily. Katsuki didn't put his hearing aids in straight away, but he could tell by the movements of his lips, Eijirou was whispering endearments and confessions of love.

Katsuki was startled by a sudden weight on his legs but when he looked down, he saw Hoshi padding over his body to come up to them. Katsuki reached out to stroke her, she leant into the touch, rubbing her head against his hand. He scratched her ear, sitting up in bed.

He looked at Eijirou when the movement of his hands.

"Shall we go make breakfast for everyone?" Eijirou signed.

"Why?"

"Because our friends will be hungry when they wake up. I'm hungry." Eijirou's hand movements were a little clumsy, but he was getting better, more fluent.

"Fine." Katsuki huffed, climbing out of the bed, carefully avoiding Denki's sleeping form. Eijirou got up, following behind him. Hoshi leapt down off the bed, Eijirou reached back, grabbing Katsuki hearing aids.

The three of them got downstairs and went into the kitchen. Shouto was there, dunking a tea bag into some hot water. He turned to face Katsuki and Eijirou. Soba was sat on the counter, licking his paw. Hoshi leapt up after him, her hind paws scrabbling against the wood as she struggled to heave her body up.

Shouto reached out, putting his hand on her butt, pushing her up onto the smooth surface. She meowed, moving towards Soba, bumping their noses together.

"Good morning." Shouto signed.

"Morning." Katsuki said, "You had breakfast yet?" Shouta shook his head. "You want some scrambled eggs?"

"Yeah, sure." Shouto signed. Eijirou rolled his eyes, he grabbed Katsuki's shirt, making him face his boyfriend. He then put the hearing aid he'd brought down into Katsuki's ears. The blond snorted, bringing a hand up and turned them on.

"I forgot." He laughed.

"I gathered." Eijirou smiled, kissing Katsuki's cheek. "I'll make toast, you make the eggs."

"Can I help?" Shouto asked.

"Could you make more tea? For the Bakusquad?" Eijirou asked.

"Yeah." Shouto nodded, petting the two cats next to him.

The three of them cooked breakfast together, once they were done, Katsuki told Eijirou to go get their friends and he plated up their food and took it to the table. Shouto followed, helping. The two cats scampered after them.

Eijirou bought the Bakusquad down the stairs, rubbing sleep from their eyes and yawning. They surrounded the table, starting to eat.

"Hey." Denki said after a moment. "When did Shouto get here?"

"I've been here the whole time." Shouto said. "I made the tea."

"Oh right." Denki laughed. "Thanks."

"It's good tea, Momo would be proud." Kyouka said. Shouta blushed.

"You think?"

"Mhm." Kyouka hummed, taking a bite of her toast.

Once the meal was over, Katsuki left the washing up to his friends whilst he went to shower and get ready for work. In his room Katsuki fed Hoshi, and filled her water bottle before cleaning her litter box. His friends returned to pick up their blankets and pillows. They came and went, Eijirou sitting on his bed.

"You feeling better?"

"Yeah, I think I needed the sleep." Katsuki said. "I'm still frustrated. I hate the waiting, but I think I was over tired."

"You push yourself so hard, Katsu'."

"I know." Katsuki sighed, coming to sit next to his boyfriend. "But if I'm going to be Number One I need to work hard." Eijirou leaned across, kissing his cheek.

"Just don't burn yourself out." He murmured.

"I won't." Katsuki smiled, joining their lips properly, kissing him softly. Eijirou put his hand on the back of Katsuki's neck, pulling him close. Eijirou shifted so he was straddling Katsuki, kissing him deeper.

Katsuki moaned lightly, putting his hands on his hips, pulling him flush against his body. Eijirou wrapped his arms around Katsuki's neck. The two of them breathed in each other's scent, licking into mouths and sucking on tongues.

"Don't make me hard before I have to go to work." Katsuki laughed, placing his hands on Eijirou's chest, pushing him back.

"Meanie." Eijirou pouted.

"I'm not getting into a car with All Might with a raging hard-on, Eiji." Katsuki kissed his sweetly before making Eijirou move off of his lap.

"It'd be a conversation starter."

"Not a conversation I want to have." Katsuki said, standing up and straightening his shirt. "I have to go."

"I know." Eijirou said. "Have fun."

"I have a feeling I'm going to train until my arms fall off. But I'll try." Katsuki said.

The blond then left his room, heading out of the dorms toward All Might's car. The retired hero waved in greeting and Katsuki got into the car.

"Hello, Young Bakugou."

"Hi." Katsuki said. "Thanks for being cool with the time change and shit."

"No problem." All Might said. "Is everything okay?"

"Tsunagu said I could come in later." Katsuki shrugged, not wanting to go into detail with his idol.

"Very well." All Might nodded, starting the car. "I trust you are well?"

"I'm fine. You?"

"Yes. I found your performance at the festival excellent."

"Thanks, I don't really remember it. I blacked out."

"I've been there." All Might laughed. "I was having an interview one time, about a villain I defeated, and I had no idea what they were on about. I complete blanked."

"Really?"

"I fought so many villains daily, they all blurred together." All Might said. "You kind of go into this headspace when fighting, I genuinely couldn't remember."

"Oh wow." Katsuki said. "Wild." All Might snorted.

"Yeah."

All Might dropped him off and Katsuki went inside of Genius. Thimble was at his desk, his headphones in. He bobbed his head along with his music, humming out of tune. The phone on his desk was ringing, but he didn't notice.

Katsuki rolled his eyes, he approached the desk, making Thimble jump. Katsuki picked up the phone.

"Good Afternoon, Genius Agency. Ground Zero speaking, how can I help?" Katsuki rattled off the standard answer.

"Erm Hi…" A nervous voice spoke. "I was just wondering if you had more information on the high-waisted, high-durability jeans?"

"I personally don't, but if you'll hold one moment I can pass you on to my associate who will."

"Oh, okay, thank you." The person replied. Katsuki held the phone out to Thimble.

"Pay attention, dumbass."

"Thank you." Thimble whispered, pressing the phone to his ear. "Hello, Darling, Sakurai Raiden here, how can I help you today?"

Katsuki continued to make his way upstairs, weaving his way through the desks. Buttons and Zipper were in the kitchen area, making coffee and Flashback was sat at his desk. No one else was visible on the main floor, meaning they must be out on patrol or somewhere else.

Katsuki could see Tsunagu speaking with Needles in his office. The pro hero was sat in his usual chair whilst his friend was perched on the desk.

"Hey, Flash."

"Hey." The sidekick said. "Tsunagu wants to talk to you, just go straight in."

"Oh, okay." Katsuki shrugged, chucking his bag at his desk before heading towards his mentor's office. He knocked on the glass door and immediately Tsunagu beckoned him in. Katsuki went in. Needles waved at him but he made no move to leave.

"Good afternoon, Katsuki." Tsunagu smiled.

"Hey."

"Sit, son." Tsunagu said. "I have something for you."

"You do?"

"It's purely practical, don't get excited." Tsunagu said. Needles laughed, getting up.

"I'll go get the other thing." He said.

"Thank you, Teruo." Tsunagu said, pulling two boxes out from under his desk. Katsuki raised an eyebrow.

"Purely practical, hah?" Katsuki asked. "Three things."

"They're all linked." Tsunagu scowled, getting up. "Come here, you ungrateful brat."

"Rude, I never said I was ungrateful." Katsuki laughed, he stood, moving around Tsunagu's desk to get a better look.

"So winter's coming up, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Has Aizawa spoken to you about costume changes, for the colder months?"

"I think there was an email sent out about it, but he hasn't said anything." Katsuki said.

Tsunagu opened the box. Katsuki immediately recognised the bright orange cross as his own costume. He reached out, brushing his fingers against the soft material. It felt thick but so incredibly soft.

"It's a poly fibre blend, I won't bore you with the schematics, but it's waterproof, designed to keep you warm, it's fire proof as well so it should be able to withstand your explosions."

"It's long-sleeved?"

"Yeah, it's got a higher collar as well. Not as high as mine, but it'll offer more protection for your neck. You can still use your gauntlets if you wish. The fabric is a lot more resistant. You know how I made your pants? After you cut by Spectre? This is the same material, you'll be more protected this way."

"I… I… thank you." Katsuki said. Running his fingers over the fabric.

"You're welcome. You can try it on in a minute. I'm glad that you like it." Tsunagu said. Needles then game back in, a smooth black wooden box. It was slightly chipped in the corners, but it looked well cared for.

"Thanks, Teruo." Tsunagu said, closing the first carboard box and putting the wooden one on top of it. He opened it, revealing a set of knives. There were three black throwing knives and two daggers. Katsuki gasped at them. "They're a mixture of tungsten and carbonite. They're really smooth, nicely weighted."

"They're beautiful." Katsuki said.

"I know." Tsunagu said. "I want you to have them."

"They're yours?"

"Yes, when I was younger I used to use knives to cut through fabric instead of untangling it. When I learnt more about my Quirk, I phased them out. But they're precious to me. Teruo gave them to me when I graduated U.A."

Tsunagu and Teruo shared a smile before looking back at Katsuki.

"I can't take them." Katsuki said,

"Yes you can." Tsunagu said.

"They were a gift."

"A gift from me to Tsunagu." Teruo said. "He asked if he could give them to you, and I agreed."

"I wouldn't have offered if I hadn't asked Teruo first." Tsunagu said. "I want to train you how to use them, in case you ever can't use your Quirk. Not that you can't handle yourself hand to hand, it's just… well it's always best to have a second option."

"I… I'd like that." Katsuki said.

"Good." Tsunagu said, closing the lid on the knives and he moved them away, getting out the final box. "Now this is a secret, you can't tell Aizawa, or he won't let you wear it."

"What?" Katsuki frowned. Tsunagu opened the final box, revealing more clothes. "It's a U.A. uniform?"

"One that actually fits you." Tsunagu said.

"I like my baggy clothes." Katsuki pouted.

"It's not a fashion choice, Katsuki, you look stupid."

"Says the guy who wears a full denim outfit." Katsuki rolled his eyes.

"It's not just a uniform that fits." Tsunagu said. "It has slits and compartments sewn into it, for you to carry the knives."

"At school?"

"Yes. It's why you can't tell Aizawa." Tsunagu said. "He'd freak out if he knew you were armed in class. He'd shout at me again, and I don't want that."

"He's shouted at you before?"

"He's shouted at me a lot of times, but he wouldn't appreciate me giving you knives." Tsunagu said. "But I need to know you can protect yourself without your Quirk. I need to know you have a way to fight."

"Okay?"

"After Pulse attacked the school, I just… I need to know that I've done everything I can to protect you. I don't think he'd try again but… I just need to know." He turned to look at Katsuki putting his hand on the back of the boy's neck, Katsuki flinched slightly but made no move to stop the action. Tsunagu rested their foreheads together. "I need to know."

"Okay." Katsuki said again, leaning into the touch.

"Go try the costume on, we need to get to training." Tsunagu said, Katsuki nodded. He stepped out of Tsunagu's hold, Needles smiled at him.

"Thank you." Katsuki said, picking up the costume.

"Thank your parent's as well. They helped with the design and told me what fabrics would be best with your sweat." Tsunagu said.

"Is that what you were working on? That time my Mom came to pick me up."

"Part of it." Tsunagu shrugged. "Go on."

Katsuki rolled his eyes, heading towards the changing room. Keigo was in there, looking at himself in the mirror holding a liquid eyeliner pen, his jacket was hung on a hook by the door.

"I thought they were natural?" Katsuki said, gesturing to his own face, where Hawk's markings were.

"They are." Hawks said. "But they're a dark brown, and I prefer them black." He said with a smile. "Makes them stand out." He winked at Katsuki.

"I don't think you need any help standing out." He snorted.

"True, I tend to draw a crowd."

Katsuki snorted, beginning to unbutton his shirt. Keigo went back to drawing over his markings. Katsuki took out the top of the costume first. It was quite heavy for how big it was, but he liked the feel of it, it would definitely keep him warm.

He pulled it over his head. It was tight and for a second he couldn't breathe. He didn't like how tight it was against his neck, but he knew it would protect him. And the material loosened as he got it over his head.

"Ohh nice, new costume?"

"Tsunagu made it. For the winter."

"Aww cool. I just wear my coat done up." Hawks laughed.

"Dumbass."

"I'm always flying, I'm warm."

"I guess." Katsuki said. "Are we flying today?"

"Kind of." Keigo said. "Tsunagu said we're going to combine everything into one weird intense session instead of three tiring ones."

"Oh, how's that going to work?"

"Well, in relation to flying, we'll just see how you move in tight spaces. You'll spar with someone and have to stay in the air or something."

"Oh okay." Katsuki nodded, pulling out the trousers, they were the same material as the shirt. He began to pull in jeans down, somewhat grateful he'd chosen his nice-looking boxers this morning. Of course, he hadn't expected to get down to his pants in front of the hero, and Hawks wasn't exactly looking, but still. He was glad he hadn't put one of his older pairs on, especially that one pair with the hole in the leg.

He quickly pulled the new trousers on, smiling at the comfy feel to them. They felt soft against his legs and they were warm. The outer fabric was rough to the touch, however, designed to be protective.

He hadn't been expecting new boots or gloves, especially not a new mask, but then again, it was a gift from Best Jeanist, he probably should have expected it. The boots were almost identical to the ones he usually wore, hard leather with steel toe caps. But the inside was more insulated. The gloves were a little thicker and the new mask was made of a different material, slightly stiffer. He assumed it would be sturdier, which was good. Katsuki had lost count of the amount of times his mask had torn or simply just burnt off in an explosion.

He dressed in all of it, except for the mask. He went to his back, pulling out his own eyeliner and he went towards the mirror. Hawks was still tracing over his markings, his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth.

"Why didn't you do this at home?" Katsuki asked.

"Tsunagu left early, he was like come now and I'll drive, or fly over later." Hawks shrugged. "I didn't want to fly that far today. I lost quite a few feathers yesterday and while I can still move fine, I don't want to unnecessarily push myself. Anyway, I wasn't really ready to leave, so I thought I'd just change here." Katsuki nodded, quickly applying his own make up.

He then pulled the mask on and looked at himself in the mirror. The new costume made him look slimmer than his other one, but at the same time the fabric hugged his muscles, defining them. He adjusted the green belt, he'd have to attach his grenades to it later. He really liked this costume, he looked like a real hero.

"That looks awesome." Keigo said, his wings fluffing up in a preening gesture. "You look badass."

"Thanks." Katsuki smiled.

"Come on, let's go warm up." Hawks said with a smile. Katsuki nodded, stuffing his other clothes in his bag. Once back in the main office, Katsuki shoved his bag behind his desk. At that moment he looked up, making eye contact with Tsunagu, who was coming out of his office.

"You didn't fold your clothes at all, did you?"

"Of course I did." Katsuki lied. Tsunagu narrowed his eyes, as Higuchi came out of Jeanist's office.

"And you were worried it wouldn't fit." Needles punched Tsunagu in the arm. "You look great Bakugou."

"Thanks, Needles." Katsuki smiled.

"Are you sure it fits okay? I can adjust it if you need it." Tsunagu said.

"It fits great."

"Good." Tsunagu smiled. "The uniform will fit too then, I made it with the same measurements."

"Wait, the uniform is gonna be this tight?" Katsuki asked, Tsunagu laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"I'm sure Kirishima will thank me." Katsuki spluttered at the words.

"You can't say that."

"My apologies." Tsunagu smirked, Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Come on, training room. Now."

Katsuki huffed, heading towards the training room. Hawks, Flashback, Tsunagu and Needles followed. Needles dragged a chair behind him, deciding to sit in the corner of the training room by the door.

The two heroes and two sidekicks spread apart in the training room and they began to run through some warmup exercises. Once they were ready Tsunagu called them all together.

"Katsuki Vs. Junichi." Tsunagu said. "Katsuki, you need to use what Hawks has been teaching you. You have to stay off of the ground."

"Okay." Katsuki nodded.

"Bring it on." Flashback laughed.

"Do you need any help getting in the air?" Keigo asked. "I know we haven't really covered it yet."

"I'll figure it out." Katsuki said.

It was a hard fight, as soon as Tsunagu called for them to start Katsuki leapt across the training room, using his Quirk to propel him forwards. He slammed into Flashback, making the older man stumbling backwards. But the sidekick didn't fall, he grabbed Katsuki's wrist, pulling him down.

Katsuki squawked, kicking out at Junichi's own arm, twisting his body in an awkward position in order to free himself. He let off another blast, escaping Flashback's grasp, flying up in the air, towards the ceiling, out of Flashback's reach.

"Hey, get back here." Flashback laughed. Katsuki propelled himself down, back towards the sidekick. He kicked out at Flashback's chest. Junichi grunted, this time he did fall back, but he grabbed Katsuki's leg, pulling him with him.

Katsuki increased the strength of his explosions, firing himself backwards, away from his opponent. Using the explosions continuously to keep himself up was exhausting. His arms ached and he was already tired.

Junichi rolled back on to his feet, waiting for Katsuki to attack again. This was a bad fight to start with. Katsuki didn't know whether flying was going to be something he could ever do comfortably. It was physically draining and he wanted to give up. Which really wasn't the person he wanted to be.

He used an explosion to shoot towards Flashback. The man went down hard again, and this time Katsuki went with him, pinning him to the floor. Flashback grunted as Katsuki slammed him down again.

Katsuki raised a palm, letting a series of explosion crackle on his hand in an unspoken threat. Flashback put his hands up in surrender.

"Yeah, I don't wanna go to the hospital with third degree burns, thanks." He laughed. Tsunagu called the match and Katsuki got off of the sidekick. Flashback sat up.

"Junichi, you're going to spar with me." Tsunagu said. "Then Keigo and Katsuki will go."

"I feel like you're punishing me." Flashback said with a groan as he got to his feet. Katsuki made his way over to the corner, where Needles and Hawks were waiting, he passed Tsunagu on the way, the older man placing a hand on Katsuki's shoulder.

"Well done."

Katsuki nodded, going to sit on the floor by Hawks' feet. The pro hero slid down the wall to sit next to him, wrapping a wing around him loosely.

"You don't do well in confined spaces." Hawks said simply. "It's just not efficient for you to fly short distances. You're quicker on your feet, especially in close combat."

"I think in a situation where I need to travel distance then it will be useful, and any time I need to be up in the air to avoid something or pursue someone, but yeah, you're right. In hand to hand combat I'm quicker on my feet." Katsuki nodded.

"I think distance flying is what you should practice, then as you get more comfortable in the air you can try and work it into fights. I don't know if the strain on your arms will lesson with practice though, you don't have much stamina."

"Rude."

"I mean with flying."

"It's the having to keep changing direction. If I don't keep moving, I'll crash into the wall or something, so I keep having to use more and more explosions to keep myself airborne." Katsuki said.

"I understand." Keigo said. "I had a similar issue when I first learnt to fly, it was so tiring. My shoulders and wings constantly hurt."

"Pff, Quirks." Needles said, "I'm glad I don't have one."

"I can't imagine life without my wings." Hawks laughed, Katsuki felt Keigo's wings twitch against his own back. "I suppose mutation Quirks are different from others though, I was born with them. But yours came in Bakugou, right?"

"Yeah, when I was five." Katsuki said. "My hands were itchy for like two weeks and I got a weird rash. I didn't know what was going on, but then one day they just exploded. Scared the shit out of me and my parents. My Dad knew what to do though, he's got a Quirk is like mine."

"Must have been terrifying." Needles said.

"Yeah." Katsuki said. "It was, but like I said, my Dad was really good about it."

"He was?" Keigo asked.

"Mhm, I remember my Mom calling the doctors, so I could go in for a check up whilst my Dad just cuddled me, telling me it was gonna be okay and stuff. He kissed me and like wiped my hands."

"He sounds like a good man." Needles said.

"Yeah. I miss him. Both my parents. It fucking sucks."

"You'll see them again." Needles said.

"I know." Katsuki said.

Tsunagu and Junichi stood opposite each other, falling into a sparring stance. They waited for Needles to call for them to start.

"You want me to go easy on you, old man?" Flashback said, Tsunagu laughed.

"I'm only 10 years older than you."

"Exactly."

"Go." Needles called.

Flashback ran at Tsunagu as soon as he was close enough, he threw a punch towards the hero. Jeanist stepped backwards, avoiding the attack. Tsunagu kicked at Junichi's legs, using his quirk to wrap strands of fabric around his ankles. Tsunagu pulled Junichi's legs out from underneath him, making him fall to his front.

Junichi put his hands out to cushion his fall. He grunted as he fell, Tsunagu wrapped threads around Flachback's legs, tightening them until his legs were bound together and he couldn't move his lower half.

"I have a feeling that this is an unfair fight." Junichi said. Tsunagu snorted.

"You could say that." Tsunagu said. "But you make it so easy."

"Let's face it Tsuna," Flashback choked out. "You've never had an issue taking me down."

"I remember how we met." Tsunagu said.

Flashback laughed before yielding. Tsunagu pulled his Quirk back, the threads of his clothes weaving themselves back into his clothes. Junichi scrambled to his feet, Tsunagu helped him up, patting his sidekick on the back

"I feel like today is just beat up Junichi day." Flashback said.

"Oh I like that idea." Hawks said teasingly from where he was sat next to Katsuki.

"Aww, I don't want to fight you." Junichi whined. "You'll fuck me up."

"True." Hawks said. "But I've got to fuck Bakugou up first."

"You wish." Katsuki grumbled.

"Sorry Kouhai." Flashback said, walking towards Katsuki, pulling a piece of fabric from his pocket, throwing it to the blond. "You're fighting him blindfolded."

"Oh fuck." Katsuki groaned. Hawks laughed.

"Katsuki, Keigo. You're up." Tsunagu said Katsuki pushed himself up onto his feet. Hawks got up after him.

"Please don't break my arms." Katsuki said.

"I'll think about it." Keigo said.

Katsuki sighed, going up to Tsunagu, holding out the blindfold. Tsunagu took it and the two of them moved to the starting position of the fight. Katsuki saw Hawks settle into his position before Tsunagu wrapped the blindfold around Katsuki's face. Tsunagu patted Katsuki on the shoulder.

"Good luck."

"Thanks." Katsuki huffed.

He stood still for a moment, presumably for Tsunagu to move out of the way before he called for the fight to start. Katsuki stayed still, waiting for Hawks to come to him. But nothing happened.

"Erm, one of you has to move." Needles said.

"I can't fight him like this. It's not fair." Hawks whined.

And that was all Katsuki needed. As soon as the hero started talking Katsuki could zero in on his position. Using his Quirk to propel him across the training room. He braced himself for impact, crashing into the bird hero.

Hawks squawked, jumping up out of the way, Katsuki held onto his shirt, being dragged along with him.

Tsunagu, Flashback and Needles laughed at the action. Hawks kicked Katsuki in the stomach, making him lose his grip. He hit the floor hard, yelp in pain. Katsuki heard Hawks land a little way off as he rolled to his own feet.

He felt something sharp against his cheek and he gasped as he felt something cut through his skin. He growled under him breath, Katsuki didn't have to be a genius to know it was a feather. He focused on the air around him, listening out for the little whistling sounds of the feather's cutting through the air.

There was movement around him and Katsuki used his Quirk, blasting the feathers out of the air before they could reach him. With each feather he destroyed, Katsuki took a step toward Hawks.

"What the fuck have you been teaching him. Flash?" Hawks asked, his voice slightly panicked as Katsuki was once again able to lock on to the hero. Katsuki leapt towards Hawks again. He tackled Keigo to the floor, pinning his wings to the ground.

Hawks hissed, slamming his knees up into Katsuki's stomach, making the other immediately curl in on himself. Hawks used his weakening grip to flip Katsuki. Keigo punched Katsuki in the face. The teen yelps as blood began to pour from his nose.

"Ow fuck." Katsuki whimpered.

"Shit Kid, you okay." Keigo asked. Katsuki snarled, bringing his head up, slamming it into Keigo's face, "Oh shit."

"Okay, okay. Enough." Tsunagu called.

"Aww." Katsuki whined. The weight of Hawks suddenly disappeared and Katsuki was able to sit up. He pushed his blindfold up out of his face, he was greeted by the sight of Hawks cupping his own nose, blood oozing between his fingers.

"Are you guys okay?" Needles asked, approaching the two of them with the first aid kit

"I think Katsuki broke my nose." Hawks mumbled. "I heard it crack."

"Okay… Katsuki?"

"I don't think mine is broken." Katsuki said, taking a tissue off of Needles when it was offered. Tsunagu knelt down next to Hawks, a hand on his back.

"Just lean forwards a bit, Keigo, and pinch it a little, there." Tsunagu directed Hawks hand to the bridge of his nose. Flashback burst back into the room, Katsuki had no idea he'd left, however he returned holding two icepacks and had Fallacy trailing behind.

"You know I'm an actual sidekick, right?" Fallacy said. "Not some first aid responder."

"You can assess their injuries the quickest." Flashback said and Fallacy sighed, stalking over to the two people.

"Bakugou is fine. Hawks, you might wanna get that looked at by a professional."

"Am I going to need a nose job? My popularity is entirely based on how I look at this point." Hawks said, his voice altered by his bleeding nose.

"Not if you get it set before it heals." Fallacy shrugged. "Bakugou's just got some bruising, you're going to have a lovely black eye tomorrow kiddo."

"Yay." Katsuki huffed. His own bleeding had slowed; his nose was a little sore, but Hawks definitely had it worse.

"This is payback for pushing you off the roof, isn't it?"

"I'll take Hawks to get checked out." Flashback said.

"Thanks." Keigo mumbled. "You and me kid, we're gonna have to continue this another time."

"You're on." Katsuki said as Flashback helped Hawks to his feet and led him out of the training room.

"Katsuki, go wash the blood off your face and come back here, we're not done." Tsunagu said. Katsuki nodded.

He left the training room, heading towards the bathroom, he passed Sleuth who was stood next to the water cooler with a candy stick in her mouth, like a cigarette. Their eyes met and she smirked.

"Breaking the bird's beak, I'm impressed, Dynamite, you got spunk."

"I feel sexually harassed."

"Not that kinda spunk." Sleuth wrinkled her nose. "Backbone, spirit, feistiness. Gods, kids these days." She rolled her eyes and took a bite from her candy stick before walking away. Katsuki frowned at the admittedly strange interaction but he kept going nonetheless.

He washed his face and returned to Tsunagu as quick as possible. When he got back Needles had some wooden daggers in his hands. Tsunagu was setting up a target on the far wall.

"I'm going to run through how to hold one of these properly." Needles said with a simple smiled. "They're replicas of the ones I got for Tsunagu, they're the same size and weight, so they'll be good for you to practice with."

"Okay."

"You'll get the real knives to practice throwing with, but for sparing we'll use replicas of the daggers, they're safe that way." Needles proceeded to show Katsuki the safe way to hold the dagger. "I believe Hawks will be able to show you more, as he often uses his feathers as knives. But Tsunagu and I can teach you the basics."

Katsuki nodded, holding the dagger in his hand, getting used to the familiar weight. Needles corrected his position a little.

"How do you know this?"

"Self-defence classes." Needles shrugged.

"I mainly used the throwing knives, Katsuki." Tsunagu interjected. "I used to attach thread to the ends, so I could pull knives back."

"Awesome." Katsuki said. "How come you don't use them anymore? Or at least carry them?"

"I just found I wasn't using them as much anymore. They were additional weight I didn't need to carry. When it got to 6 months since I'd used them, I stopped carrying them. I have a switchblade for emergencies, but I haven't used that in ages."

"Oh." Katsuki said with a frown.

"You might decide not to use them either." Tsunagu said. "You're here to learn a variety of different styles of fighting, you have to decide which ones suit you best."

"I see." Katsuki nodded.

"You could always use your explosions to make your throwing knives go faster?" Needles said.

"Oh yes, that would be brilliant." Tsunagu smiled. "Deadly, but brilliant." Katsuki smiled.

Katsuki and Tsunagu played with the wooden daggers. There was no other word to describe it. They were supposed to be sparring but neither was taking it seriously. The wooden daggers weren't exactly pain inducing weapons, and pretending to stab each other was laughable.

Needles offered corrections to both of their positions and encouraged them to continue. But Tsunagu and Katsuki couldn't stop laughing. In the end, they simply moved on to practicing with the real throwing knives.

Tsunagu demonstrated how to throw the knives. The first one he threw buried itself dead in the centre of the target, sinking through the canvas, down to the hilt.

"Show off." Katsuki muttered, taking up his own knife. He twizzled it in his hand before he attempted to mimic Tsunagu's actions. He threw it, but it didn't even reach the canvas, instead it clattered against the floor, somewhat pathetically.

Katsuki and his mentor shared a look.

"I'm not sure whether this is the thing for me." Katsuki said, embarrassed, a pink blush covering his cheeks.

"No, try again." Tsunagu said, using his Quirk to grab the two daggers. He pulled them back before handing them to Katsuki. "Just put in a little more force. Step closer if you need to, this might be too much of a starting distance, you're smaller than me so you might just need to be nearer to the target."

"Okay." Katsuki nodded. He took one large step closer to the target. He took a breath and then threw the knife. This time he reached the target, burying itself in the white around the colourful circular target.

"Good." Tsunagu said, his smile growing wider.

"I missed the target." Katsuki said.

"You hit the target, Just the white, but that's a lot closer than you were before." Tsunagu said

"Yeah, Bakugou, try again. You'll get better with practice." Needles said.

Katsuki spent an hour practicing throwing knives at the target. He got closer and closer to the centre as he began to get used to throwing the knife. Tsunagu helped him, correcting his position and assisting him on some of his throws, as well as demonstrating his own throw again.

"Come on." Tsunagu said after that hour was up. "Let's spar, Quirkless, without weapons."

"Okay." Katsuki said with a shrug.

"The same exercise as last week. I've got to choke you. You have to escape?"

Katsuki nodded, handing the knives back to Needles who went to put them on Katsuki's desk before going to his office to get some work done.

Tsunagu and Katsuki fell into a fighting stance and didn't waste any time before charging at each other. Punches were thrown and Katsuki tried desperately to kick Tsunagu's legs out from underneath him. Tsunagu elbowed his Protegee in the face, catching his already tender nose, making Katsuki back off.

Tsunagu took his distraction, managing to wrap his arm around Katsuki's throat. Katsuki dug his elbow into Tsunagu's stomach and the teen rolled out of his loosened grip. Katsuki scrambled away, creating a good distance between them before getting to his feet.

"Good." Tsunagu grunted, getting to his own feet. "Again."

Katsuki charged first, slamming his palms into Tsunagu's chest, making him stumble back on unsteady feet. Tsunagu grabbed Katsuki and they both fell backwards, wrestling on the floor. Katsuki didn't know how it happened exactly, however, he found himself with his own arm wrapped around Tsunagu's throat. The older man made a grunt of surprise.

He struggled for a moment, but Katsuki only tightening his grip. Tsunagu choked briefly before tapping on Katsuki's arm. The teen released him immediately. Tsunagu sat up, coughing.

"Fucking hell, Katsuki." He laughed, clearing his throat. "That was not part of the exercise."

"I didn't know what else to do." He laughed. "You didn't give me a goal except from escape your grasp."

"Yeah, well…" Tsunagu groaned as he stood. "Choking me out was not was I expected."

"You'll get over it." Katsuki smirked.

"Alright Brat, again."

They sparred a little longer, Tsunagu managing to grab Katsuki by the throat a few more times. Katsuki managed to escape around half of the times, the other times he was forced to tap out, In the end both Katsuki and Tsunagu ended up lying on the floor.

"I don't want to say you're cured." Tsunagu panted. "But you don't freak out nearly has much as you used to with your neck."

"I don't?"

"You flinch if you're not expecting it and it's obvious you don't like it, but you're more calm. You don't freeze, you're able to figure out how to free yourself."

"Oh." Katsuki said.

"Come on, let's go shower, and then we can go get coffee."

"Okay." Katsuki said.

The two of them got up, Katsuki stopped off at his desk, picking up his bag. He went into the changing rooms, grabbing a towel from the clean towel pile. Tsunagu was stood at his locker, getting his shower products. Katsuki gathered his own and went towards one of the showers. There were three in the changing room.

He started the water and stripped his new hero costume off. He didn't waste any time in shower, cleaning himself thoroughly before stepping out and towelling off. He went to his bag and pulled out his slightly crumpled clothes and began to dress.

Tsunagu emerged from his own shower a few moments later, a towel wrapped around his waist. He stared at Katsuki's wrinkled shirt.

"You lied to me." He said, water dripping down his chest. He was a slim man, under all of his layers, it was clear he'd lost a lot of muscle definition during his medical leave. Katsuki couldn't help but stare at the scars running across his chest and stomach. It was like someone had spilt PVA glue all over his torso, creating spiderweb like lines crisscrossing over shiny scar tissue. A newer, red scar went down Tsunagu's chest down the middle, as well as one staring up by his armpit and going down to his hip.

Without thinking Katsuki reached out, pressing his fingers against the raised fresh. Tsunagu's skin was still wet, and warm from the shower, it felt strangely smooth and bumpy at the same time. He startled back into awareness, pulling away.

"Sorry." He muttered, taking a step back before Tsunagu grabbed his hand.

"You can touch them if you want to, Katsuki, they don't hurt." Tsunagu said softly. He guided Katsuki's hand to brush once again over the reddest, newest scar. "It's all healed, I'm okay." He let go of Katsuki's wrist but his fingers stayed pressed against his chest.

"I guess I never realised how bad it looked."

"As a former model that hurts Katsuki." Tsunagu teased. Katsuki smiled, pulling away.

"You know what I mean, Dad." He huffed. "Like each of those scars is where All for One tore you apart. I… I've never seen a scar like it."

"All for One was brutal. I don't think he meant for me to survive." Tsunagu said, heading over to his locker to get dressed. "It hurt, of course it did. And I hate how the scars look, but they remind me I survived. And that's all I can do."

"It's just…" Katsuki trailed off.

"I had scars before, I'll probably get more scars the longer I work. It's just how hero work is." Tsunagu said. "Look at yourself, your classmates, how many scars have you all got? How many have you gained since staring U.A."

Katsuki thought about it. He didn't have many, a jagged raised scar on his knee from falling off that stupid log, landing funny on a rock. It wouldn't have healed so bad if he'd let Izuku help him, if he'd gone home and told his mother he was injured. Instead he'd just changed as soon as he got home and had wedged a wad of tissue in his pyjama pants to stop the bleeding.

He had a few on the back of his hand, remnants of splattering oil in the kitchen and one on his left shoulder from a chickenpox mark he shouldn't have scratched. But he was lucky he supposed.

He then went on to think of Deku, the scars Katsuki had given him. Small burn marks decorating his wrists and shoulders from when Katsuki had gotten too aggressive, or when they were younger, had played too roughly. Then Eijirou, the little scar on his right eye, from when his Quirk first appeared, and he'd rubbed his eyes.

Then, of course, Shouto popped into his head. Sometimes it was easy to forget the reddish staining on Shouto's face was a scar and not a result of his Quirk. He was beautiful with it and Katsuki couldn't imagine him without it.

And then since joining U.A. all of them had gained scars. Katsuki himself had a new scar through his eyebrow. Izuku's arms were a mess, his hands and fingers being broken so many times that they were permanently marked for it. Eijirou had his own scars from his time as Unbreakable.

And Aizawa, Katsuki was sure Aizawa had scares before meeting them, but the USJ had been horrific. The deep scar under his eye was one thing but Katsuki had seen his elbow. How the entire thing was covered in raised red skin.

Katsuki knew hero life would be tough, but thinking about physical scars was an easy way to see that. Each scar was a symbol of a battle they had survived. A memory of victory. Katsuki looked up at Tsunagu again. The towel had gone, replaced by a pair of jeans, Katsuki hadn't even noticed him change. His scars were still visible, three separate sections, three separate battles. All for One, the first surgery, the second; his collapsed lung.

"I'm glad you're okay." Katsuki said softly as Tsunagu pulled his shirt back on, he paused in his action, looking at his protégé. Tsunagu took a step towards Katsuki, pulling him close in a one-armed hug. Katsuki leant into the touch.

"I love you too, kid." Tsunagu said. Katsuki sighed. Jeanist rubbed Katsuki's shoulder before pulling away and doing up the rest of his shirt. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah." Katsuki said, shutting his locker.

Tsunagu finished getting ready and the two of them left the changing room. They picked up all of the clothes and the box Katsuki had been given and loaded them into Tsunagu's car.

"Where's Cashmere?"

"At home." Tsunagu said. "He was being grumpy, and he chewed through one of my shirts, so he's being punished by staying at home."

"Aww, poor kitty."

"How's Hoshi?"

"She's good, a slut for cuddles." Katsuki laughed. "My friends slept in my room last night, for like a sleepover, and I think she cuddled with everyone at some point."

"Cute." Tsunagu said. "There's a little café down the road, is that okay with you?"

"Yeah." Katsuki said. "Whatever."

Tsunagu led Katsuki to a small café a little way away from Genius, it was mostly quiet and the people running the place were an elderly couple who either didn't recognise Tsunagu as Best Jeanist, or more likely, they didn't care.

"What do you want?" Tsunagu asked as they approached the counter.

"A hot chocolate please." Katsuki mumbled. Tsunagu nodded, ordering a chamomile tea for himself. The old woman told them to take a seat, and that she would bring their orders over. Tsunagu bowed and Katsuki echoed him a moment later.

They went to sit in the corner at the back of the shop, both of them had their backs pressed against the walls, keeping an eye on the exit. It didn't hurt to be cautious.

"How was the Culture Festival?" Tsunagu asked after a moment.

"Good. We proved to all those assholes that we can put on a good show. Some fuckers even apologised to us."

"That's good." Tsunagu said. "I wanted to come and see you, but there was an incident."

"An incident?"

"Pulse took another kid."

"What?"

"A little girl, Morita Akasuki." Tsunagu smiled.

"What was her Quirk?"

"It was called Paraffin. Her sweat was essentially paraffin oil." Tsunagu said and Katsuki's blood ran cold.

"That sounds an awful lot like Explosion." Katsuki said, swallowing thickly. He felt too hot, sick, like he was going to throw up.

"To her parent's knowledge she can't ignite it. But yes, it's similar."

"How did he get her?"

"She… She was at home, she wasn't feeling well so her parents let her stay home. He broke in and took her." Tsunagu said, picking at his fingernails.

"She was taken from her house? Pulse doesn't go into homes." Katsuki said, shaking his head, trying to grasp on to any evidence it wasn't him. "How do they know it was him? What aren't you telling me?"

"He left a note."

"Tsunagu!" Katsuki snapped, his heart pounding in his chest. "What did it say?"

"You should have let me take Katsuki. None of this would have to happen if you hadn't got in the way. See you soon, Pulse." Tsunagu recited.

"Fuck this." Katsuki said, burying his head in his hands.

"We'll find him."

"You've been saying that for months." Katsuki snapped, looking up his teeth bared. "You're supposed to be a hero, why can't you catch him?" Tsunagu flinched.

"That's not fair. I'm trying." The Fibre Hero frowned. "I can only follow the leads we're given."

"How can he be completely off the radar?"

"We don't know his name, the name of his Quirk, we don't know anything about him Katsuki. He's here one second gone the next, what more do want me to do?"

"I don't know." Katsuki sighed, burying his head back into his hands. "I just want him gone."

"I know Kid, we all do." Tsunagu said with a sigh.

The old lady brought their drinks over and promptly left them alone. The silence between Tsunagu and Katsuki had become awkward, for the first time in a long time. Katsuki felt guilty, he shouldn't have snapped, Tsunagu was doing the best he could.

"Aizawa has a cat called that." Katsuki said, gesturing to Tsunagu's drink. "Chamomile."

"He does?" Tsunagu said after a second.

"Yeah, I think she's his oldest now." Katsuki said. "I'm not sure." Tsunagu nodded, he sighed again.

"What I was going to say, before… Mic recorded your performance. I watched it. You're very talented."

"Oh. Thanks." Katsuki said scratching the back of his neck.

"You don't have to thank me. It's true." Tsunagu shrugged.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap." Katsuki mumbled.

"It's fine Katsuki. You're stressed, I get it."

"Yeah." Katsuki sighed. "That's the understatement of the fucking century."

"Well, I have an idea of something fun you can do." Tsunagu said. "Well, I say fun, I don't know whether that's the right word, but it's a great opportunity for networking."

"What?"

"Well, you are an official member of the Genius Hero Department, and as such I can bring you to the Billboard Charts announcement. If you want to come that is."

"You're fucking serious?" Katsuki asked, cheering up a little. "You'd actually take me?"

"Of course, you're my sidekick." Tsunagu said with a smile. "I'd love to take you."

"Is everyone else going?"

"Everyone is invited but Sleuth. I decide on the day of the event whether or not she comes. That way I can ensure about a week or two off good behaviour before chaos." Tsunagu said.

"When is it?"

"Tuesday."

"That's in two days. What about Aizawa?"

"I can deal with him. He won't say no, it's a good opportunity."

"Can I assume you've got something for me to wear?"

"You can either wear your costume or a suit I can get you."

"You mean make me?"

"Me, dress you, I wouldn't dream of it." Tsunagu teased, Katsuki rolled his eyes.

"I'm pretty sure you've been dreaming about it since you met me."

"Maybe just a little." Tsunagu said. "So what do you say? You want to come with us?"

"Sure, it'll be a laugh." Katsuki said with a smile.

"I can't wait to introduce you to Miruko.


Morita Akasuki wasn't any kind of push over. She was brave and badass and no one could tell her any different. What her mother called a nasty temper she called a fierce spirit. What her father called aggression and hostility she called a will to thrive and be the best. There was no way she was going to let this man beat her.

The boy, the one the man had come with, the one with the mirrors, was quiet. He didn't seem scared, just lost. Akasuki recognised that look, she'd seen it on her Mother's face countless times before as they were called into the principal's office. That was the face of someone who had given up. Well, Akasuki never gave up.

She wasn't afraid of this stupid man. The heroes would come and save her. If she didn't find her way out first, that was. She wasn't like the others here; whimpering babies crying for their Mamas and Papas. Akasuki knew how to take care of herself, she didn't need anyone else.

She looked down at her wrist. It was sore and scratchy. No, she corrected herself in her mother's voice, it's itchy, that's why you scratch it. It was a stupid saying and she didn't know why it popped into her head at that moment. She rolled her eyes looking at the black ink against her skin. 0027. She rolled her eyes again. Did this dude really think he was going to get in the quadruple digits. She scoffed.

He could barely handle her, let alone 1000 kids.

He'd dragged her towards the other man. And Akasuki had to admit, he was a little scary. He had no hair and he was big and strong. Pictures covered his entire body and he was missing some teeth. Akasuki couldn't help but stare at first. She'd always wanted pictures on her skin, a skull on her shoulder and an arrow on her hip. But mother said no.

Well now she had a picture. Well not really a picture, but something. The needle had hurt when it dug into her skin but she didn't cry out. Instead she looked up at the first man, skinny with dark hair and blue eyes. She had stared at him the entire time, he didn't seem to know what to do with her. Clearly, he'd never had someone like her before.

"You remind me of Katsuki." He had said as he gripped her freshly tattooed wrist in his hand, squeezing, causing the inking to burn. He knelt down to her level to look into her brown eyes.

"Well I'm not him. I'm Akasuki." She stomped her foot and spat in his face, revelling in what her mother would call, unladylike behaviour.

"Your name is Twenty-seven." He said, wiping his face with his shirt as he rose back up to full height.

"No it isn't I—" He slammed her back into the wall before pinning her there by the throat.

"Listen to me, Little Soldier. Everyone, and I mean everyone, comes here with an attitude. But they all give up in the end, so do us all a favour and behave, or I will kill you." Akasuki kicked out at him, striking the man in the chest. He released her throat and she fell to the floor.

"I don't behave for my parents." She had spat. "What makes you think I'll behave for you?"

"If you want food and water you'll have to. I don't take care of brats."

That had been two days ago now. Akasuki was parched and her tummy rumbled constantly, making her feel sick. But still, when he came that day to see if she'd changed her mind, she had bitten his fingers. Akasuki wasn't a quitter. She wasn't going to give up.

Yet.