It is a truth universally known that Katsuki is not good with his emotions. Ask anyone who knows him (especially his mother, she loves telling people about how bad he is with dealing his feelings) and they will tell you that he is absolutely shit when it comes to anything that involves him having to bear his soul to other people. Generally he keeps his feelings to himself and if he's frustrated about something then he goes to the gym and works out whatever restless energy he has building up inside him. This has worked for him for years now that he's not going to suddenly break the habit of a lifetime just because he thinks he might be falling for someone. So is he going to tell Izuku that he wants to talk about the kiss they shared because he wants to do it again? Is he fuck! He's going to make sure that he avoids Izuku as much as possible just in case he wants to discuss things. That way there's no chance Izuku will say what Katsuki really wants to – that he wants them to be together – and he doesn't have to pretend not to because of work or whatever shit excuse he thinks sounds good.
So Katsuki throws himself into working, opting for spending his lunch breaks redecorating his classroom. He takes down the old sun-damaged art and puts up new pieces that the children have drawn over the last term. It brightens the room up and gives him a perfect excuse to stay out of the staff room pretty much every single day. Thankfully none of the other teachers are bothered by this – Katsuki has never been all that social, in fact he's known for not interacting with his colleagues as all – and if Izuku had thought about coming to talk to him he clearly thought better of it as he hasn't come knocking. If he thinks about this too much Katsuki knows that he's a coward for not talking to Izuku and pushing him away for so long just because things could be a little complicated but it's much easier this way for both of them. Katsuki knows he's not great when it comes to relationships so he should spare Izuku that headache.
It was a nice kiss though... It was like when they were in his hotel in Takenohama. He could quite happily have continued kissing Izuku until they couldn't hold back any more and ended up in his bed. The idea of getting back into bed with Izuku and between those soft, full thighs makes it very hard for Katsuki to concentrate on what he's supposed to be doing. A knock at his door suddenly breaks him out of his thoughts of Izuku. Grumpy at being rudely interrupted in his very important thoughts of lying Izuku down on a mattress and fucking his brains out he turns to see Eijirou standing in the doorway, his usual dopey grin on his face.
"Hey Bakubro, how's it going?" he asks.
"I told you before not to fucking call me that," Katsuki snaps glaring daggers at him.
Eijirou comes into the classroom, hurriedly shutting the door behind him, and swats at Katsuki's arm. "Language!"
Rolling his eyes Katsuki turns his attention back to putting the last his art pile up on the wall. "Whatever. What do you want?"
"Just wanted to make sure you're alright," Eijirou replies. "You've been hanging out in here way more than usual and I wanted to check up on you."
"I'm fine," Katsuki mutters. "Just busy sorting shit out in here, no need to be such a worrier. You're turning into my old hag!"
"Okay so you're just busy sorting things out in your classroom, you're not hiding out in here so that you can avoid anyone?" Eijirou asks looking pointedly at him.
Narrowing his eyes Katsuki rounds on him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Eijirou laughs loudly. "Nothing dude."
"You're lying skills are as shitty as your hair," Katsuki growls. "Now tell me what you mean!"
"It's nothing," Eijirou says. "It's just Denki said you gave Midoriya a lift home the other night when you were all here late with the Eri stuff and now you're hiding out in here every single break we have."
"Fucking damn it Pikachu," Katsuki hisses under his breath. Of course that dumb shit didn't keep his damn mouth shut and told everyone!
"So I wondered if something had happened between the two of you when you dropped him off," Eijirou presses.
Katsuki's blood runs cold. Eijirou can't know that the two of them kissed, can he? No it's impossible for him to know unless he were somehow outside of Izuku's house and spying on them while they were in the car because he sure as hell doesn't live anywhere near Izuku. Eijirou isn't smart enough to orchestrate something like that. There's no way that he would be clever enough to think about keeping watch on Izuku's house on the off chance that he might see Izuku with someone. His wife on the other hand...
"What would happen between us?" Katsuki asks, desperately trying to sound nonchalant and like he isn't terrified that Eijirou will see right through him.
Eijirou shrugs. "Thought you had another fight or something."
"No, I'm just busy," Katsuki grumbles turning back to the wall. "Everything's fine between me and De... Midoriya."
"Okay, well it's good that you're not fighting." Eijirou says cheerfully. "For a moment I was worried about you."
Katsuki rolls his eyes. "You're such an old woman!"
"Oh by the way," Eijirou continues, ignoring him, "I don't know if you've seen but they've posted the pairs for the field trip at the end of the month."
That piques Katsuki's interest. The school field trip is something he both looks forward to and dreads in equal measure deepening on who he's partnered up with. Usually they take all the children somewhere fun and educational, like the zoo or if the weather is nice the beach or a park, and there are two teachers to each group of children. This usually means having to spend the entire day with one other person, which can spell disaster for Katsuki's sanity. One year he was paired with Shouto which was fine on the actual day itself but then when they returned to school Shouto started telling everyone that Katsuki was his best friend which was incredibly irritating. It's not just teachers that go either so he could end up having to listen to Tenya prattling on about the board of education visits or some other boring shit. If he gets stuck with someone like Denki for the whole day this year Katsuki is going to cry.
"I hadn't no," Katsuki says, trying not to sound too interested. He's got to keep up his moody persona somehow or Eijirou will think that he likes spending time with him. "Did you happen to see who I'm paired up with at all?"
"I think you're paired up with Midoriya actually," Eijirou says and Katsuki's face falls.
"What?"
"Yeah your name was right next to his on the list," Eijirou says grinning widely as if he's just given Katsuki the best news of his life. "So you'll be together for the whole day. Isn't it great that you're not fighting with him?"
Katsuki's stomach drops. No... no, this can't be happening. He can't be forced to spend the entire day with Izuku after avoiding him for all this time. Head spinning he tries to process this information and desperately try to think of a way to get out of it. Fake an illness? No that wouldn't work, the kids would be so disappointed if he weren't there and he looks forward to the field trip as much as they do. He'll have to think of something else though, something that means the two of them don't have to be together for the whole day but right now the only thing he can think of is to go to Tenya and ask him to change the partners. As soon as the thought crosses his mind it's like a revelation from heaven. Of course he should go to Tenya and ask him to change the pairs so that he doesn't have to be with Izuku. Why wasn't that his first thought?
It's been so long since he's said anything that Eijirou gives his shoulder a shake. "You okay man? You've gone all quiet."
This snaps Katsuki out of his stupor and lights a determined fire in his stomach. "I have to go," he says.
Eijirou grins again. If he were a dog his ears would be pricked and his tail wagging as if Katsuki had said the magic word walk. "Sweet where are we going?"
"I'm going to go talk to Iida, you're going to go and bother someone else."
His puppy dog smile instantly falls and Katsuki can practically see Eijirou's tail drooping. "Oh please let me come," he begs, grabbing onto Katsuki's arm as he leaves his classroom. "I wanna come and talk to Iida too!"
"No," Katsuki snaps, shaking him off. "I have something I need to talk to him about that doesn't concern you."
"Okay fine," Eijirou pouts, letting go of his arm and allowing Katsuki the chance to dart down the corridor towards Tenya's office, the only thought in his mind being to switch partners so that he doesn't go completely crazy.
When he arrives at Tenya's door he's filled with determination that he is going to demand that Tenya change the groups. He already knows exactly what he's going to say to make Tenya do what he wants; he's going to get this partnership changed and then he can go back to avoiding Izuku at all costs until eventually one of them gives up and moves to a different school. Without stopping to knock (otherwise he knows that he'll lose his nerve) he flings open the door to Tenya's office ready to fight to be bitter end, however he is completely unprepared for the sight that meets his eyes.
The door crashes open and for the split second before they realise that they're no longer alone Tenya and Denki are kissing furiously; Denki clutching onto Tenya's shirt, his hair in complete disarray from Tenya's fingers running through it. In shock Katsuki stands there, mouth open and eyes wide as he attempts to process what he's walked in on. As soon as the sound of the door registers with Tenya and Denki and they realise that Katsuki is standing there the two of them jump apart as if burnt. Denki's eyes fall on Katsuki first and he turns scarlet, surprisingly embarrassed at being caught in Tenya's lap. He hurries to his feet, quickly straightens his clothes and hair and scurries to the door.
"I'll be out here," he says hurriedly.
Katsuki stares after him, his mouth open. "What the fuck?"
"I'm sorry," Denki squeaks, his face still the colour of a fire engine as he closes the door behind him, leaving Katsuki and Tenya in stunned silence.
"What the fuck?" Katsuki asks again.
Tenya clears his throat. "Bakugou please give me a chance to explain."
Katsuki shakes his head, rubbing a hand over his face. "I must be losing my goddamn mind," he laments.
"What do you mean?" Tenya asks.
"I mean I'm going crazy, I must be. When I came in here I thought I saw you kissing Pikachu!" Katsuki groans.
Pinching the bridge of his nose Tenya sighs, frustrated. "Please can you refrain from calling him that?"
"Wait, you're not denying it!" Katsuki cries.
"Can you give me a chance to explain myself?"
Katsuki's eyes widen even more. "Oh my god, I did see you kissing him!"
Another sigh passes Tenya's lips. "It was a PDR review." It's the lamest excuse in the world and both of them knew it.
Katsuki scoffs. "No offence but I want Yaoyorozu doing mine from now on."
"Understandable." Tenya says and straightens his shirt in a feeble attempt to look presentable once more. "Now, I have to know, what was so important that you felt the need to barge into my office without knocking in the first place?"
Momentarily blindsided by what he saw Katsuki has completely forgotten what he came in for but quickly remembers and recovers himself. "You need to change the partners for the field trip."
Tenya frowns. "Listen Bakugou there has to be two teachers with each group for safety reasons. I explained this to you last year when we had this exact same conversation."
"I know that," Katsuki snaps, "that's not the problem."
"Then what is?"
"I can't spend the entire day with De... Midoriya," Katsuki replies.
"But I thought you and Midoriya were on good terms," Tenya says. "You drove him home the other night when we stayed late with Eri and I've been told that the two of you have had lunch together on a few occasions."
"Once and that's not the point," Katsuki says. "I just can't spend the entire day with him."
Tenya studies him for a moment, eyes narrowed. "Did something happen between the two of you?"
As soon as the question has been asked Katsuki feels his ears heat up and he quickly realises that he can't lie his way out of this one – Tenya is much too shrewd and much smarter than Eijirou – so he instantly does on the offensive. "What like I just walked in on?" he asks and the look of shock that crosses Tenya's face makes Katsuki feel a little smug.
After taken a breath to compose himself Tenya speaks again, his voice measured. "I can only apologise once again for what you saw, I shouldn't have indulged like that during school hours. It was inappropriate and unprofessional but that is not the point of this conversation."
"You have to change the pairs, I can't be with Midoriya all day," Katsuki says.
"I can't," Tenya says.
"Please!"
"Bakugou..."
A thought suddenly comes to him, not one that Katsuki is proud of, but it might help him in getting what he wants if he were to do it just this once. "Change the pairs or I'll tell everyone that I saw you and Pikachu kissing just now," he says, folding his arms across his chest and trying to sound threatening.
Tenya raises an eyebrow at him. "Are you trying to blackmail me?"
"Maybe."
Folding his arms Tenya stares him down, holding his gaze. "Blackmail is hardly your style Bakugou," he observes.
Sighing Katsuki crumbles. "I'm sorry, I'm just desperate here!" He curses himself for not holding his ground for longer but Tenya is right. He's not one for blackmailing people and, despite what his attitude would suggest, he actually quite likes Tenya and wouldn't want to put him in that position.
"If I were to ask will you tell me why you're so against being paired with Midoriya?" Tenya asks but gets his answer when Katsuki's face turns red. Pinching the bridge of his nose again in exasperation Tenya sighs once more. "I appreciate you trying in your unorthodox way but there really is nothing I can do about this I'm afraid."
"Why not?" Katsuki demands.
"Because the partners for the field trip is Yaoyorozu's pet project, the same as every year," Tenya explains as calmly as he can. "I have absolutely no say in the matter."
Katsuki's face falls. "Oh..."
"Yes oh. So if you would like to you can go and talk to her about it. You're more likely to get the answer you want that way," Tenya tells him.
"Okay," Katsuki mumbles, feeling decidedly embarrassed at have actually tried to blackmail his boss and then for showing his hand in regard to Izuku because Tenya definitely knows there is something between them now even if he doesn't know what. "Thanks... I will."
As he turns to leave, tail between his legs, Tenya calls his attention. "Bakugou before you go."
"Yeah?"
"I would appreciate it if you didn't mention what you saw to anyone else. Things between myself and Kaminari are just beginning and I would rather it not be the subject of school gossip just yet. I will make the knowledge public only if I deem it appropriate."
Katsuki's cheeks flush again. "Wasn't gonna say anything really," he mumbles. "Was just surprised."
"Thank you," Tenya says, offering him a smile. "I appreciate it."
Nodding Katsuki leaves also offering a nod to Denki, who turns scarlet again and buries himself in the open file on his desk. With his new target in mind Katsuki heads over to the staff room knowing that Momo is most likely going to be in there as it's still lunch time. Luckily for him she is there, still chatting away to Ochako and Toru as they finish off their lunch. Shaken confidence after his interaction with Tenya returning Katsuki puts on his most menacing scowl and strides over to the three of them. At first they don't realise that he's there but when Momo finally looks up at him he's staring down at her with a face like thunder.
"Bakugou... hi," Momo says, trying to sound polite. "Is everything okay?"
"You need to change the pairs for the field trip," Katsuki tells her. After what he's just gone through he's not asking this time: he's demanding.
Blinking at him it takes her a moment to realise what it is he's talking about. "Oh I'm sorry," she says, looking apologetic as soon as it dawns on her, "but I can't."
"Why not?" Katsuki growls, his glare intensifying.
"I've just had the list laminated so it's finalised," Momo says. "I can't change it now."
"What the fuck is that shitty reasoning?" Katsuki growls feeling as if his head is about to explode.
"Once the list has been laminated it's final and I can't do anything about it," she tells him. "I can't change things now and you have been warned before about using that kind of language during school hours.
"For fuck's sake," Katsuki grumbles.
"Sorry Bakugou," Ochako sings, grinning at him from beside Momo. "Looks like you're stuck as you are."
Fuming Katsuki rounds on her. "If I find out you had anything to do with this Round Face, I will end you!" She must have pressured Momo into laminating the list early so that he couldn't get it changed. It's clear from the smug look on her face.
Ochako smiles sweetly at him, as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. "Oh Bakugou what could I possibly have done about this?" Lesser men would have quaked under the intensity of Katsuki's glare but Ochako just continues to smile, the picture of innocence.
"You win this round," he eventually snarls and stalks back to his classroom to angrily put up some more art. She definitely had something to do with this, I just know it!
