Oh my god someone pointed out that the date for Bakugou's wedding was on Izuku's birthday. FUCK THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT GUYS I DIDN'T MEAN TO I SWEAR.
also, I admit that the Ch1 of this fic is absolute crap but I ain't gonna change it.
Anyway, I delayed this chapter for the Opposite Day oneshot I uploaded hehe
As an apology, this is full-on bkdk fluff so enjoy. Last chapter was kinda a filler? Lol a filler with feelings
Chapter 5
Kacchan was acting weird.
It's been a week since he came back, and the only way Izuku could describe it was weird.
He thought the weird things stopped popping up after that first night back, but welp, guess not.
Because Kacchan was acting weird. He knows he already said that, but he really needed to repeat it because the whole thing was making him dizzy with confusion.
The first time Kacchan showed up at his agency was after a particularly tough day. Izuku had to grapple with a villain– no, a kid who was abandoned in a shopping mall and ended up detonating everything around them.
Even with the multiple burns he accrued, he winced more for the kid– god, a child– who ended up shot by quirk tranquilizers even after Izuku got him to calm down.
To say that the whole day wasn't an ideal situation was an understatement. So he really just wanted to go home and have some tea while watching some All Might classics.
Of course, those plans caught fire and turned to ashes when he saw who was waiting for him in the lobby.
Izuku rubbed his eyes, spreading soot across his face. He blinked and looked again.
Okay, this was so weird and it was giving him a sense of deja vu.
(And maybe he was tempted to try the poking method again, but Izuku valued his fingers too much)
Looking at Kacchan dressed so casually in branded clothes, he couldn't help but feel self-conscious of himself. Crap, he should've at least wiped off the soot from the explosions off his face. Ugh, maybe he should get back up real quick before Kacchan saw him–
"Oi! Izuku! Where the hell are you going, shitty nerd?"
Oops.
With a sheepish smile, he gave the blonde a small wave, doing nothing to calm his nerves as Kacchan stomped over to him until they were inches away from each other.
His breath hitched (because of the soot! Nothing else!), and he thanked all that is above that the soot hid how red he was. Oh god, he was so near Kacchan that the scent of cinnamon and smoke was so tantalizing and making him dizzy–
"Tsk, you idiot," The blonde swore under his breath and cupped Izuku's face, "Why didn't you clean up? Ugh, you really can't do shit on your own, huh?"
He knows he should probably quip something back because he is a competent adult who can care for himself.
... except his laundry, dishes, health, and check-ups, but psh no one really cares about those, right?
But the words get caught in his throat because ohmygodohmygodkacchanistouchingme. Izuku stayed frozen as Kacchan rubs the soot off his face, albeit roughly but with a softness that makes him almost croon and nuzzle into warm, callused palms.
Almost.
Kacchan looked him over, crimson eyes mapping his face, then nodded, satisfied with his work.
(Haha, what, he definitely didn't whine when Kacchan drew his hands back, stop lying)
"Uh-um, thanks Kacchan!"
"Hm, whatever," The blonde huffed, "Well? What are you standing around the fuck for? Go back up and change into something decent, asshole, and let's go already."
Izuku tilted his head to the side, still reeling from whatthehelljusthappeneddidkacchantouchme and confused.
"Eh? Did we make plans, Kacchan?"
"Ha? You sayin' I have to make a fucking appointment just to see your stupid face, Deku?!"
"Ah! That's not what I meant! I just– I usually never get to see you outside of our monthly hangouts? Not that seeing you now is bad! It's good! I mean– ahh, I'll just get changed, Kacchan, bye!"
Izuku knew it was against protocol to use their quirks within the building. Still, he'll put up with HR's lectures if it means he could bolt from that embarrassing situation.
Ughhh, why did he always make such a fool of himself when it comes to Kacchan? He's been a pro-hero for several years now, jeez. He's supposed to be composed and Todochill.
Still, it was weird. The things he told Kacchan were true; they never really met each other much due to mismatched work schedules, and being on-call 24/7 left them too tired on their day-offs. Their first years as sidekicks led to too many missed calls and misunderstandings that Izuku eventually put his foot down and set a monthly catch-up (not! date!)
Kacchan agreed, and they've worked with that system for a couple years.
Until now, apparently.
(Not that Izuku's protesting against extra time! With Kacchan!)
When they left the agency, Izuku was clad in a simple white shirt with an open button-up and ripped jeans; he couldn't feel a bit giddy walking and talking with Kacchan.
"–and it was a cool quirk, Kacchan! I was too busy calming them down but I'm thinking the detonation gets triggered by sound waves? Or maybe through touch? I can't be sure but I'm pretty sure it works on a molecular level, where they could make passive atoms active to the point of– BOOM! Still, I wonder if they could learn to moderate that so that they remain active but not enough to reach the threshold of explosion and..."
Izuku trails off and stops walking.
"Kacchan? Are you okay?" And he had to ask because he had gone on a whole– oh god, 20-minute rant uninterrupted. Which never ever ever happened in Izuku's life, and he was lowkey freaking out.
(Okay, fine, he was freaking out so much he was wondering if the kid's quirk from earlier was actually a psychic or illusion quirk)
"What's with the stupid question? I'm not the one who literally had to talk down an emotionally-strained and traumatized walking bomb of a kid."
Izuku flushed at the compliment(?). Wow, okay, was today his birthday or something? First, Kacchan walks him home, and now a compliment? All in one day?
He's definitely dropping by a shrine later.
"Uh, it's not like I did much anyway, since, you know," Izuku gestured at his face, "They still went off and had to be, er, taken down by the police."
He looked away at that, the regret and self-criticism from earlier coming back in full force. There were so many things he did wrong today; so many mistakes, so many missteps, and bad calls.
He should've done better in talking the kid down. Maybe if he'd thought it through to call a specialist and put them on speakerphone, they would've been successful. Maybe then Izuku wouldn't have to see a child treated as a villain and shot, falling down down–
Kacchan pulled his hand away from his mouth (what, when had he started biting them), snarling. "Fucking hell, 'Zuku. Stop acting like a fucking saint all humble and carrying the goddamn world on your shoulders and just... take the compliment."
"You saved lives today, dipshit. You acted quick and evacuated a densely populated area, and went with the best option you fucking had at the time," With a deep sigh, Kacchan grinned (and ugh, that made his heart beat too much), "No one died. You did good today, Hero Deku."
Looking at crimson eyes that gleamed with pride– pride for him–, Izuku couldn't stop the smile and feeling of love blooming in his chest.
"Y-yeah.. I–I did good."
Izuku thought what happened then was a one-time thing; a fluke. Then Kacchan would get caught up in work again, and they'd go back to their old system. After all, being a roaming hero with Mirko was no joke.
But the next day, he was there again. And the next, and the next.
The blonde scolded him again for his injuries, clothes, even his hair (even though there was nothing wrong with it?), then took him out for lunch.
Sometimes it was breakfast when Izuku took pity on some sidekicks and shouldered the night shift. After those, he'd be so out of it that Kacchan would just end up dragging him to his house (because, your shitty apartment is a filthy bachelor pad that I wouldn't poke with a ten-feet pole).
Izuku liked those times the most, even though his memories were a bit hazy.
Because during then, Kacchan would swaddle him in a blanket, feed him, and just... take care of him. Most of the time, they won't even be talking. Izuku would be gazing blankly at the morning news, sipping his tea while Kacchan cooked breakfast for them.
Sometimes, it was dinner. Unlike before, where they'd just meet up at a dingy ramen shop or a hole-in-the-wall bar, they'd go to fancy restaurants that had no price tags on the menu.
Usually, at those, they'd spend over 20 minutes just fighting over who would pay. Right now, they're at a tie, with last night's dinner covered by Kacchan under the pretense of I saw you wreck that building the other day so i know they're gonna dock your pay shitty nerd.
After, they'd crash at Kaccchan's place, both ending up sleeping in front of the TV halfway through a movie or documentary on Mepflix. And the morning after...
Izuku blushed, remembering how they'd end up cuddling, with him on Kacchan's chest, strong arms around him.
He muffled a scream in his hands, waving off the concern of passersby, who gave strange looks at one of the top heroes of the country who was acting like a middle schooler with a crush.
Which he was not.
Midoriya Izuku was an adult with a crush. Keep that in mind, hmph.
A very hopeless crush, remember? Not that he could forget.
Izuku wasn't an idiot or oblivious. He saw the circled date on Kacchan's calendar. He saw the mail that had Takashima as the addressee rather than Bakugou. He saw the small velvet box on the kitchen counter once before Kacchan swiped it and went to his bedroom.
And he didn't ignore them. Actually, he tried so so many times to initiate conversation. At first, it was subtle probings.
"Oh, have you picked a theme yet?"
When those only got grunts or complete disregard, Izuku braved through more direct ones.
"Kacchan, I haven't seen Takashima-san much. Is she busy with, uh, the planning?"
Now, those usually led to angry remarks– almost borderline defensive, which made Izuku's mind whirl with more questions. None of which, apparently, were going to get answered by the man in question.
Izuku sighed deeply, then muffled another frustrated scream in his hands.
At this point, he was pretty sure a video would spread by tomorr– no, maybe even by tonight with the captions of Symbol of Hope Deku, In Crisis? Or perhaps even Pro-Hero Deku freaks out like a lil bitch in public.
Yeah, he's pretty sure Kacchan would have a good laugh over the second one before he punches the one who took it in the face.
"What the hell are you doing, Izuku?"
Ah, right, another weird thing that apparently won't be stopping anytime soon: Kacchan calling him by his name.
Not that he's complaining! It was actually lovely and makes him feel fuzzy and warm. Still, it was so weird, especially after spending decades of his life having only been called 'Deku' or 'shitty nerd' or other derogatory– er, fond nicknames by Kacchan.
Izuku peeked from behind his hands, eyes meeting with glaring crimson ones. He stood up from his crouching position and sheepishly waved.
"Hi, Kacchan."
"Hi, Kacchan," The blonde mimicked mockingly, "Yeah, hi asshole. What the fuck are you doing being all weird? Isn't it your day-off today?"
"Uh, yeah, kinda? But, well, I'm just doing an errand for Amaji– er, Suneater!"
"Chicken legs? The fuck he made you do?"
Izuku huffed, "Kacchan! Don't call him that. You know how insecure he gets."
"Whatever, 'Zuku. I literally saw him finish a whole crab, shell and all, the other day and walk out like it was nothing. There ain't an insecure bone in that shitbag."
"Still!" Izuku sighed, resigned that his partner wouldn't change his habit of using nicknames. Whatever Kacchan put his mind to, he'd stick to.
It was one of his most endearing and frustrating traits, making him just torn between wanting to punch or kiss Kacchan.
(Obviously, he'd prefer the latter, but that's only possible in his next life)
He shook himself out of his thoughts (and why he was looking at Kacchan's lips was a total mystery), just now notice his partner's attire.
"Oh! Is it your day-off Kacchan?"
The blonde was wearing casual wear, a simple maroon shirt that stretched across his chest with a pair of black jeans. There was a pair of sunglasses propped on his head, hands effortlessly carrying 2 grocery bags that looked ready to explode.
Kacchan raised a brow.
"What the hell are you talking about? I've been on a paid leave since this week."
"Eh?! But you– you never take breaks or vacations! Mirko literally had to trick you into going on a plane to force you to take one last year!"
Kacchan shrugged, and Izuku had to make himself focus because wow, that shirt was really, really tight and stretched ughh–
"–felt like it."
"Huh?"
This time it was Kacchan who sighed deeply, looking up at the sky and murmuring something that sounded like don't punch him, don't punch him. Taking another breath, he looked back at Izuku and threw one of the grocery bags at him.
"What the fucking ever, 'Zuku. You done here right? Let's get going already."
Shifting the bag against his chest, because wow, it really was heavy, Izuku's head popped up above it.
"Huh? Going? Where?"
"Shimoda."
"Wh–"
"Just shut your trap and get in the car, fucking nerd. Unless you–"Kacchan coughed, "You got somewhere else to be, ha?"
Izuku opened his mouth, ready to tell him that yes, he had an appointment at the embassy for his foreign passport in about an hour–
"Nope! Let's go Kacchan!"
He could never really deny those expectant crimson eyes that had a sliver of uncertainty and fear.
Well, he couldn't deny Kacchan anything, in general.
"Woah!"
"Fuck, Izuku get your head back inside, you idiot!"
"No way! The wind feels great!"
"Agh– yeah fuck you too asshole– just, just open the goddamn window then! You ain't a dog!"
"You've called me bitch multiple times, though."
"..."
"Ow! Okay, okay, Kacchan! There, I'm seated now. Happy?"
Kacchan spared him another glance, his annoyed glare smoothing over into– something?
"Yeah, I am."
Izuku felt his face heat up, looking back towards the open window that showed the expanses of the sea. God, he was glad the music was on max volume, or else Kacchan would hear the traitorous beat of his heart.
And see the wide smile on his face.
Taking another glance, Izuku's breath hitched. To anyone else, it seemed ordinary- mundane, even. After all, it was just Kacchan driving.
But when they made a turn and sunlight peeked from the clouds, all he could think was how–
"Beautiful..."
Izuku was so glad he was in his seatbelt, or else he'd be a hole in the windshield after that sharp turn.
"Shit, shit, fuck– Izuku! Shit, you're okay, right? Son of a bitch–"
Still winded from the sudden happenings, Izuku absentmindedly checked himself. Head, still there. Body, okay. Hands, using them, so they're probably there. Feet, kinda sore but still there.
"Yup, everything's still here. I think."
"You think?! What the fuck does that mean?! God dammit, I'll pull over right now–"
"Ahh! It's fine, Kacchan! 100% of Midoriya Izuku is intact and accounted for!"
"Ugh, you shitty nerd. Why are you such a dork, fucking hell," Kacchan sighed, body still tense. "If I see even an inch of you out of your seat, I'll fucking throw you out the window, 'Zuku."
Izuku wanted to protest because he had stayed in his seat even before that sudden turn, so it really wasn't his fault. And he wanted to tease Kacchan because the threat turned on itself, so it really didn't make any sense.
"Got that, nerd?"
"Yup."
(Shut up, he's weak, okay)
It was the sea.
Izuku laughed, haphazardly throwing his shoes and socks to who knows where and ran to catch the waves.
He'd always loved the sea, loved the feel of the grains of sand tickling the soles of his feet, loved how there were so many things that surprised him with every step. A sand dollar, a cast of crabs that came in multitudes of colors, a seashell that would whisper to him the voices of the deep ocean.
Izuku extended his arms outwards, breathing in the salty air of the sea. He relished in the rush of wind that seemed to greet him like an old friend.
Takoba was closer to home and had more memories than Izuku could remember, but it was a park nonetheless. He couldn't really truly relax and feel with the wind hindered by tall buildings and complexes.
So on the rare times that his mom would get a raise, Izuku always loved going to the sea.
But boats and cruises were too expensive then, the compromise being beaches instead. Even though it wasn't wholly the sea, it seemed– still seemed mystical to him as a doorway between the land and the vast world.
"Tsk, of course you'd ditch me for some salty water," Kacchan grumbles, dumping a basket and cooler, already setting up a mat.
"Aww, don't worry Kacchan, you're still at the top of my list."
"Ha? What shitty list is that?"
Izuku bit his lip, hesitating. Should he say it? But what if by saying it this happy thing they have going ends and he's left alone again–
A gush of wind came his way, a small wave hitting against his ankles. He felt his mouth turning up into a smile, anxious thoughts flying away with the wind.
"My list of favorite things." Already feeling a flush working its way up, Izuku turned back towards the sea, a silly grin on his face.
For some reason, he felt a little brave here, with the sea and wind at his back, pushing him past his anxieties, uncertainties, and doubts.
"Well, here's some news, nerd," Izuku turned back to Kacchan, the blonde wearing a smug grin. "That ain't the only list I'm at the top off."
It took about two full seconds for him to process this, and then–
"Oh my god! Kacchan!" He tackled his partner to the mat, laughing. "Congratulations! Wait, when was this? Why didn't you tell me? Ohh, how about the others? Was it a close run or a landslide win? How did you–mmph!"
Katsuki grinned, squeezing Izuku's cheeks like it was mochi.
"Kwacchan! Shtawp!"
"Nope, this is a good look on you, 'Zuku. Plus it makes your fucking muttering stop, so that's a bonus right there."
Izuku pouted, then his lips twisted into a mischievous grin. Slight apprehension bled into crimson eyes that narrowed in suspicion because why did the nerd look like that–
Hands began their assault on his sides, and Izuku, the little shit, was cackling at the sight of him twitching and struggling to rein in his laughter.
"Y-you f-fucker," Kacchan wheezed in between his laughter, reaching for Izuku to do the same and failing when the greennette went up and ran.
His feet sank into the sand with each step, occasionally stumbling over some seaweed and shells. Still, he didn't stop because he could hear Kacchan right behind him screaming profanities.
And all Izuku could do was laugh as he ran, with the wind in his hair and waves at his feet.
After their little game of chase, they spent the rest of the day doing anything and nothing.
They'd make sandcastles (which really just turned into a competition of who could make the shit), burying each other in the sand, and having an impromptu water fight after Izuku spilled Kacchan's juice on him.
In between, they'd lie on the mat, side by side, talking about anything– from the recent Hero regulation laws to the shapes of clouds that floated above them.
Izuku wasn't sure how he ended up sitting on the mat, feet playing in the sand while his hands played with Kacchan's hair, the blonde looking content with his position.
Well, whatever. He smiled, hands running through another knot. This was nice. He shouldn't question nice things.
"Kacchan?"
The blonde didn't respond, all but looking dead to the world with his head on Izuku's lap.
(Ughh, why didn't he get his phone from the car? This was a golden opportunity to add something to his special album dedicated to Kacchan)
The sun was still high up, but it was on the lower end than earlier, orange and pink hues exploding across the horizon. The light colored everything– from the sea to the sand.
Izuku stopped breathing as he watched the light reach Kacchan, slowly slowly touching his childhood friend, his partner, his–
"The love of my life..." His whisper threatened to rest on Kacchan before being swept and lost in the wind. His hand moved, fingers ghosting over the blonde's face.
Izuku felt the itch, the uncontrollable urge to touch, to claim–
A buzz on the mat jolted him out of his thoughts (very, very dangerous thoughts). Torn between being grateful and resentful for the distraction, Izuku reached for Kacchan's phone, looking at who exactly needed to contact him during his vacation–
"Message from: Takashima Fujiko"
It was like he was doused with cold water, waking him up from a fever dream.
Right, right.
Right.
... right.
Izuku released a shuddering breath, heart squeezing as he gazed upon Kac– Katsuki. Green eyes drank in everything it could, burning every wrinkle, every twitch, and the planes of his face in his mind.
He wanted to remember as much as he could– as he was allowed to. Until he can't anymore– until days of cooking breakfast, fighting over dinner bills, and cuddling on the sofa was no more. Until he was no longer a train ride away, instead, riding across the seas far, far from home.
Izuku felt a wetness on his cheeks, but he didn't need to wipe it away. As if sensing his sorrow, the wind went and did it for him, taking away tears that have been shed over and over again.
Green eyes drank Katsuki in, one last time, before looking back to the sea. Eyes gleaming with mirth earlier were now closed, a steely resolution in them.
And the sea cried for him.
It was the second semester of their 2nd year when Aizawa sent them off on a beach trip.
Well, the label was a trick to do glorified trash cleanup. There were complaints at first but ultimately ceased at Aizawa's parting remark.
"The reputation of heroes as fame-seeking money-hungry fools still runs rampant. Lots of people out there, even with the imprisonment of the League of Villains and revolutionary members, still have their distrust. Yes, it's a trash cleanup, I'm not going to make it sound pretty for you. But, hero work isn't meant to be pretty. Remember your duty as heroes: to be there for the people in any way you can and in any way they need you to be."
No one complained after that, each of them knowing the weight of the scars they carried.
Though... it still sucked to draw the short end of the stick, getting assigned to late-night cleanup duty. Compared to day shifts, cleanup duty at night... well, let's just say Izuku saw things no one should ever see.
The only good thing that came out of it was, well, his partner.
"DIE TRASH! GO TO FUCKING GARBAGE HELL!"
"Kacchan, for the last time, there is no garbage hell."
"Shut up, Deku! You sayin' it's garbage heaven, ha?"
"No, I'm saying there's no garbage heaven or hell!"
"Wow, trying to push your religious beliefs on me, huh? Didn't know you were a bigoted bitch, shitty nerd."
"Wha– You know that's not what I meant Kacchan!"
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that, bigot– ow!"
Izuku smirked as he hit his target. Ha, that's what Kacchan gets for saying he was a–
"Ow, ow!" He rubbed at his arm, an empty beer can roll off beside him. Izuku glared at Kacchan, crimson eyes returning it in fervor.
He didn't lose eye contact even as he stabbed the can with his litter stick. Kacchan growled, stabbing a water bottle and juice box with his.
Oh, it's on.
They ended up sprawled on a nearby bench, their trash bags filled to the brim (Izuku was legit concerned it would explode).
"Ha, ha, I–I f–fucking win, shitty, ha, D-Deku," Kacchan growled in between heaving breaths, not that Izuku fared better.
"N–no, ha, way. I o–obviously, ha, cleaned up more t–than you, ha, K–Kacchan."
Crimson and green glared at each other. Inwardly, Izuku groaned. This was definitely not how he envisioned the rare alone time with his crush.
(Though, honestly, how else would it have gone, really?)
Izuku held his ground, not breaking contact. A couple beats passed, then Kacchan rolled his eyes, sprawling back on the bench, eyes fluttering close.
"Whatever."
He rolled his eyes, almost laughing at the pout on Kacchan's face. Izuku rested back on his arms, facing the vast blackness of the night sky and sea.
A couple of people passed them (obviously partygoers who had too much to drink), sparing them curious looks before deeming them uninteresting. It was better than the glares and whispers (and the occasional spitting on the ground) that they got when they arrived, that's for sure.
But Izuku wasn't paying attention to them either, green eyes blankly staring at the waves going in and out, in and out, hypnotizing him like a pendulum. The calm sea air lulled his senses, and maybe that's what loosened his tongue.
"Do you remember middle school?"
He felt the body beside him tense. He didn't pay it any mind, eyes still following the movement of the waves as they crashed against the shore.
"You know, I kinda cheated tonight," He chuckled, "I did something similar to this back then. You know, with All Might and One for All."
Izuku didn't need to look to know that crimson eyes were boring into him.
"The training was hard– well, obviously it was a crash training so it was hell. And, he just saw Takoba full of trash and thought, 'ah this would be a good lesson for Young Midoriya.'"
Kacchan snorted. Izuku chuckled, eyes now following a trail of crabs coming out of the sand.
"Still, after all that, it... it didn't really prepare me for the broken bones and destined archnemesis, you know? It didn't prepare me for the mantle he was leaving me; the weight of the world. I–"
He swallowed. The crabs were slowly disappearing into the darkness of the waves, gone gone gone.
"I just wanted to be a hero who could smile."
Izuku blinked, and there were no crabs. Just the waves that lurched and crashed and came back again.
He felt a tap against his leg. Looking down, it was Kacchan's bumping against his. Izuku's heart beat faster as he registered the notion of heat that most definitely wasn't his against him. Oh god, was this a heat stroke? Wait, how could he get a heat stroke if it wasn't even hot? Oh no, was this a heart attack? What was the protocol for this–
"You were a fucking idiot."
"Uh... okay?"
"You stupidly, on your own, made a life-changing decision without even telling fucking Auntie about it until after you've broken your arms beyond repair. An idiot."
Oookay, well, it wasn't like he expected Kacchan to read the mood anyway. Izuku sighed, ready to end another disappointing conversation with his crush–
"I was an idiot too. Fuck, I still am."
Izuku snapped his head to Kacchan, gaping. The blonde wasn't looking at him, an arm slung across his eyes.
"I'm an idiot, an asshole, a fucking bully whose pride was shot through the roof that I couldn't bother looking at the things– the people I crushed beneath me."
Kacchan did a sharp intake, voice trembling.
"Of course I remember middle school, you shit. Of course I remember how I made your life a living hell for something you couldn't fucking control. I remember feeling so fucking proud whenever I saw you cowering under me or slinking along the halls. Because out of all the people I crushed, you were my favorite punching bag."
Under cover of darkness, Izuku would have to be lying if he didn't see the tears that ran down the side of Kacchan's face. He'd be lying too if he said he remained unaffected because it was in the past.
Half of him wanted to reach out to Kacchan, to pull him in his arms and whisper reassurances. The other half wanted to scream, to beat against his chest and ask him why why what did I do to deserve being beaten black and blue for a decade?
So he waited. He waited because he didn't know what to do.
Izuku listened to the crickets of the night, the crashing of waves against the shore, the howls of laughter from passing partygoers. He waited as Kacchan swore under his breath, curses interrupted by sobs and hitching of breath.
When muffled sobs turned into sniffles, Izuku turned back to Kacchan, green eyes looking. Just– looking.
"Kacchan."
The blonde tensed, arm still hiding him– hiding his weak self from the greennette. Katsuki couldn't believe himself; crying, snot and all, when it should be the other way around because he didn't deserve to fucking cry–
Scarred, deformed hands lifted his arm from his face with gentle care, revealing crimson red-rimmed eyes.
And Katsuki looked. Just– looked.
He looked at green eyes that betrayed nothing. Eyes that haunted him at night sometimes, when the taunts of villain villain villain and dry laughs from white-haired freaks crashed into him.
There wasn't any pity, no. But there wasn't sympathy either. Just–
Understanding, pain, hurt, determination.
And he remembered the same eyes– the very same– looking at him as he shoved him in the halls, left him bruises that left him black and blue for days.
Katsuki remembered.
And he broke.
There was a flurry of movement, and suddenly he was clutching at Izuku's chest, face tucked in the other's chest, broken words flying out of his mouth.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry Izuku. I'm so sorry. Please, please, fucking please."
Izuku knew he didn't need to respond. He knew– the logical side of him knew that he had no obligation to accept Kacchan's apology. He knew he could simply thank him for it, and that would be it.
Maybe if it wasn't Kacchan who had dealt those blows, those hurtful words that remained like scars on his skin– perhaps, he would do that. Maybe he'd stay bitter, resenting the person that beat him down every single day of his childhood, leaving him blankly staring at the ceiling with tear streaks down the side of his face.
Maybe he would.
But this was Kacchan.
Izuku wrapped his arms tighter around the love of his life, burying his head into blonde locks. He knows he's getting them wet with the tears that were falling since the beginning.
He doesn't care. And Katsuki didn't either.
Right now, all he cared about was that Kacchan was breaking and holding onto Izuku like he'll fall down down down if he doesn't.
Like the waves that come and crash against the shore, all of his bitterness, resentment, and hate crash against him, and Izuku feels it filling his lungs, and he's drowning–
Then, it recedes, flowing out, and Izuku breathes.
"I know, I know, Kacchan. It's okay, it's okay," Izuku sobs, but he couldn't stop the smile stretching across his face.
"Everything's okay, Kacchan. We're going to be okay."
And he knew they would be.
.
.
.
"Oi. Oi, nerd!"
Izuku shot upright in his seat, eyes bleary from sleep. He rubbed his eyes, suppressing a yawn.
"Whu– Kacchan?"
"Fucking finally. I was goddamn ready to kick your ass out, 'Zuku."
Izuku yawned, finally taking in his surroundings. Looking through the window, he saw the familiar gates to his building.
"Oh! You shouldn't have, Kacchan! You could've just dropped me off by the agency. I know your house is at the other end of town."
Kacchan tsked. "What, and leave your sleepy ass to go home on your own? That's like putting a fucking big-ass glowing neon target for villains, idiot."
Izuku pouted. "Hey! I can go home on my own just fine!"
"I literally saw you acting a like a zombie slave yesterday at breakfast, idiot," He whined when Kacchan pinched his nose, "I'm pretty sure you would've eaten a fucking rock if I put it in front of you."
"Well, I'm sorry I'm not a crazy morning person, Kacchan."
"Crazy?! You little–"
"Oh, look at the time! Gotta go, Kacchan!"
Izuku laughed as he bolted out of the car, getting out of reach. Turning back, he smiled and waved.
"Thanks for today, Kacchan! It was fun! See you tomorrow!"
Kacchan flips him off, and Izuku laughs, waving goodbye as he watched the blonde drive off. Once the car was out of sight, he begins his walk to his building, nodding at the guard.
He probably looked silly, walking with a giddy smile on his face, a skip in his step. Honestly, he didn't care.
This was the best day ever! He spent a whole day with Kacchan! Even if a villain showed up right now, he doesn't think that would bring him down from this feeling of walking on clouds.
Thinking over what happened over the week– just a week!– Izuku couldn't help but mull over his thoughts from earlier.
As much as everything was wonderful– and it truly truly was, he was still sus. There were too many unanswered questions that bugged and nagged at him, and it was driving him crazy.
Izuku bit his lip, pondering. With a defeated sigh, he fumbled for his phone and opened their group chat.
[cinammonroll]: anyone ol?
[urara]: ! Deku! You're back?
[princesstiana]: Midochan! Where have you been?
[urara]: heY don't leave us on reAd grrr!
[cinnamonroll]: uh, I was typing? Er, can I vc?
[princesstiana]: ?
[urara]: video call, darling.
[princesstiana]: oh.. yeah, sure Midochan. It's been so long!
[urara]: sAme! Come on, call!
It took about two rings before it got through.
"MIDORIYA IZUKU! HOW DARE YOU!"
Whoops, he should've used earphones.
"Ochako! Ssh! I'm outside, right now!" Izuku sheepishly smiled apologetically at the spooked elderly couple he walked past. Walking faster, he brought his attention back to his phone.
Ochako and Tsuyu's closed-up faces greeted him, almost making him drop the device.
"Midochan! It's been so long, how are–"
"BITCH, HOW DARE YOU IGNORE US FOR A MONTH!"
"Ochako, darling, let's lay off him. I'm sure he didn't mean–"
"NOPE, THERE'S A REASON WE CHANGED THE CHAT NAME, TSU."
Ah, that explains why the previously named "Protect the cinnamon roll" chat was now "DIE DEKU DIE."
Izuku withered under Ochako's glare and Tsuyu's disappointed look. Offering a sheepish smile, he gave them a wave.
"Uh, nice to see you both too?"
Silence.
"BITCH–"
Tsuyu, bless her, cut in, smiling softly. "It's been too long-kero. How've you been, Midochan?"
"Oh! Um, I'm fine! Work's been hard since it piled on, but it's been good!"
Izuku ignored the mocking faces Ochako made, focusing on the reason he called in the first place.
"But, uh, actually, I wanted to ask help on something?"
"Oh, nooow he needs us?"
Tsuyu waved her hand dismissingly. "Ignore her-kero. She's just bitter you weren't able to buy from her favorite makeup store."
Ochako blushed, "Wha– No! That's not–"
"Oh, the one from Genty Beauty? A coworker of mine actually helped me pick some out for you after I told them that you liked the brand."
"..."
Izuku's phone pinged with a notification: urara changed the group name from DIE DEKU DIE to Deku still owes us yakiniku.
"Anyway," Tsuyu cut in, a grin on her face, "What is it you need help on, Midochan?"
"Ah," Izuku slowed in his steps, hand scratching the back of his head nervously. "It's about Kacchan, actually."
"Huh, Bakugou? Wait, is it–"
"He's acting so weird!" He blurted out, no longer able to hold back. "Like, the morning I came back, he was there, waiting at the door! And then I find out he was waiting the whole night, like, what?! And now, this whole week, he's been waiting for me at my agency every day and we go out to lunch, dinner, and he cooks breakfast for me and just today we went to the beach and it was so nice–"
"Deku, Deku, hey, hey!"
"But, I'm– just– so confused? Because his agency is so far and I find out he's on vacation? He hates taking leave from work! Just last year, he literally busted a drug operation with snot dripping down his nose! Which is honestly, really just irresponsible and kinda disgusting–"
"MIDORIYA!"
Izuku shut his mouth, stopping in his pacing. Tsuyu smiled at him from the screen.
"Take a breath and calm down-kero."
"And stop moving around, Izuku-kun," Ochako quipped, pointing down at his feet. "You'll leave a hole if you pace anymore, sweetie."
Looking down, he jumped in shock at seeing a circular indent on the road. Mentally reminding himself to leave an apology and some money for repairs, Izuku began his ascent to the building's stairs.
Entering, he brought his attention back to his phone.
"Uh, well?"
"Well, what?"
Izuku huffed. "What do you think? Am I just thinking too much about this? He's just acting weird because of wedding jitters right? I mean, I can't think of anything else that could explain it."
He didn't miss how Ochako and Tsuyu both had confused looks on their faces.
"What? What is it?"
"Uh, Izuku-kun? Haven't you heard?"
"Huh? Heard what?"
Izuku was more confused now, and Asui probably saw how frustrated he was.
"Midochan, Bakugou's–"
"Oh. Deku-san."
He whipped his head to the voice, lowering his phone.
It was someone he hadn't seen in a long, long time– not since the engagement party. It was someone he had expected to see a few months from now, in a white dress and walking down the aisle.
"...Takashima-san? What are you doing here?"
Lol fluff, what fluff? I only know angst bitches. But fuck, I love this chapter so much?
If you noticed, in the manga, bkdk never confronted the elephant in the room. Bakugou *did* say that he was atoning, but it wasn't an explicit apology. Neither did Izuku explicitly forgive him. So, I wanted a moment for them here. I owe these two idiots that much.
I didn't want to justify Bakugou's actions, no. Bullying never ever has any sort of justification, and I stand by that belief. All I wanted to show was his acknowledgment that it was wrong.
Kinda sad that horiko just swept it under the rug using the trick "boys dont talk abt feelings", but well bnha isn't a bkdk fic lol
If you're curious, the beach they went to was Iritahama Beach and it's so pretty and secluded.
anyway we're nearing the end! It's been a wild ride guys, hope you'll stay 'till the end. I'll go back to updating after 2 weeks, but might go longer since uni is harassing me with reqs. Twitter is _empressvika