Disclaimer: This story is a fan fiction of my own invention and is for entertainment purposes only that uses the world and characters from My Hero Academia/Boku No Hero Academia which are owned by Kohei Horikoshi. This is in no way canon and mostly just for fun with plenty of what ifs and wfts. Please enjoy!
Part Two: Café Dates
Katsuki wanted to see him again.
After they laid everything out, they fell into this sort of rhythm. They laughed, joked, teased, and talked like they were actual friends catching up. It was weird, but almost… exciting.
He didn't understand the overwhelming urge to get to know this current version of the nerd, but he really wanted to. Maybe it was the slight itch in his mind that they weren't actually okay, and the nerd was just being nice. He needed to spend more time with him to trust completely that he and Izuku were cool. At least, he told himself that.
His original intentions were to part ways after they talked. He'd assume he'd go about his life and Izuku his. He'd continue to prove to the nerd and the doubters that he could become a hero and the nerd would come to regret looking down on him. But then Izuku, the boy he thought wanted to witness his downfall, revealed he actually wanted to see him rise and become a great hero.
Katsuki had trouble wrapping his mind around it. Maybe that was part of why he wanted to see the nerd. To understand what Izuku saw in him all those years ago. But he had to admit he had fun with him. Like his friends, Izuku understood him. He didn't get mad at the blond's bluntness. Well, he got mad and shot back, but not that lasting anger that seemed to follow Katsuki around dealing with other people.
They had fun. They teased each other and Izuku never coward. He stood his ground. He'd get flustered, but always gave the blond a taste of his own medicine. Katsuki liked it. He liked the challenging Izuku Midoriya. He wanted to see him again. He just didn't know how.
He and Izuku parted ways after spending a good four hours together. They left on good terms, yet he was hesitant to reach out. It wasn't something he ever had to do. Everyone always reached out for him. Never the other way around. That was how he and the nerd's past relationship worked. Izuku always reaching for him.
Things were different now. Izuku didn't need to cling to him. Also, just because he had a good time with the nerd doesn't mean the nerd had a good time with him. Well, okay. He seemed like he did. Felt he did. If he didn't, then Katsuki would have to give the nerd props for pulling off the best performance and urge the green head to change careers.
Katsuki couldn't help thinking that maybe that was it for the nerd. They said their peace. Both had their own friends, pursued their own career goals, and lived their own lives. There was no reason to see each other or communicate.
Katsuki slammed his textbook closed and got up from his desk, flopping face down onto his bed. There was no point in him studying, having his mind preoccupied with the nerd.
He wanted to approach him, but how should he do it? What would he say?
Katsuki mulled it over in his head. He flipped over onto his back to stare at his ceiling, raking his brain. Maybe he didn't have to say anything. He could just drop in on the nerd. Izuku said that he frequented the cafe that they met up at to study. He could just go there to study, too. The cafe was nice, and it had a decent atmosphere, as Izuku had boasted. He remembered a line of booths in the back where he could see students studying. Plus, it would be nice to study without those extras bothering him to help them. He didn't really mind when they did, not that he would admit it, but sometimes he would like to study on his own without the constant interruptions. Because damn, his friends could be dumb.
But this was it! With his bases covered, a good excuse, he could see the nerd without admitting to wanting to see him. Saving face.
Katsuki begrudgingly had to wait a until the middle of the week to visit the cafe after school. His work study with Endeavor went an extra two days before he'd go back to class to catch up. And fuck, he had so much to catch up on. His plan to leave the extras behind seemed more promising than before. Once he caught up to speed, he could easily help those dummies.
On Wednesday, Katsuki changed out of his school uniform and threw on a pair of black joggers and an orange fitted t-shirt. He grabbed his bag and slipped out of the dorms without bumping into any of those busybody extras.
He entered the cafe forty minutes later, noticing there were fewer people in the cafe than when he met up with the nerd on Sunday.
The smell of pastries and coffee beans infiltrated his nose as he scanned the sitting area for a mass of curly green hair. He knew this was all based on chance, but damn, he was hopeful. His heart leaped around his chest when he noticed the nerd sitting in one of the booths lined in the back corner of the shop.
Katsuki smirked.
He decided he would put in his order before going to the nerd and got in line behind two other people. When he made it to the front counter, he came up to a familiar face. The boy fluttered his lashes and Katsuki remembered window shutters.
"Welcome back, handsome!" Shutters cooed, batting his eyes. "What can I get you?"
He kind of forgot about shutters after he and Izuku hashed shit out. He noticed the two were oddly close when he observed their interactions. First, he called Izuku 'babe', which he thought was too intimate. Then, when the nerd took forever to get their drinks, he looked up to see window shutters holding the nerd's arm and then he got close and whispered into his ear. Their closeness was a bit strange, but it wasn't Katsuki's place to say. Izuku said they were good friends, so he'd have to accept that was how they interacted with each other.
"I'd like a medium black coffee," Katsuki answered.
"Dark roast, medium roast, or blond roast?" Shutters asked.
"Which ever has more caffeine."
"Blond then." He smiled at Katsuki, "It's my favorite. We need to brew some, though. Are you okay to wait?"
Katsuki nodded.
"Will that be all babes?" Eyes fluttering again.
With window shutters flapping away his lashes and the 'babes', Katsuki could only assume he was being flirted with. He'd been hit on more than a few times, especially when his hero work picked up. But he was still out of his element. Not that shutters bothered him, he just didn't know how to respond. Especially in a tamed setting. At least on the battlefield, he could tell people to fuck off since he was working to keep those extras safe. It still perturbed the blond that those same extras would still attempt to hit on him after his verbal threats. People were fuckin' weird. But it was different with shutters. It felt more harmless. Like he held no expectations, unlike the other extras, who demanded a response to their advances.
"That's it," he grunted.
Shutters smiled widely. "Okay hun, that'll be 2.75."
Katsuki swiped his card, and shutters handed him his receipt.
"We'll call your order number when it's ready. Izuku is in the booth section, by the way." He gave Katsuki a wink.
Katsuki clicked his tongue and adverted his eyes, giving shutters a slight nod. He almost spilled that he knew where the nerd was, but that would arise suspicion and destroy his impromptu visit to the cafe image.
He headed to the nerd's booth and stood at the foot of the table. Izuku stared at his laptop screen, biting his lower lip. He didn't notice Katsuki's presence. He looked… cute.
The word popped up in his head a lot ever since he reconnected with the nerd. He wore a black hoodie that was two sizes too big, basketball shorts, and his ugly red shoes poked out from under the table. A black headband held his unruly curly hair out of his eyes, exposing his forehead. He leaned on his left arm, his palm holding his chin as he scrolled through a word doc with his wireless mouse in his other hand. His glasses sat on the edge of his nose. They differed from the gold-rimmed ones. These were square plastic frames that looked abused. And so did the nerd's face. He had raccoon eyes from how dark his under bags were.
"Mind if I sit?" Katsuki let his presence known.
Izuku looked up, a little dazed, but then his eyes widened when they focused on the blond. "Kacchan?! W—what are you doing here?"
"Is that a no?"
"No!"
"Okay." He turned to leave.
"No, wait!" Izuku yanked his wrist, stopping him in place. The unexpected touch warmed his skin.
"I meant no to the question," the nerd mumbled. "When you asked, 'is that a no?' so I said no, meaning yes, you can. So, uh… sit!"
Katsuki smirked and threw his bag on to the far end of the seat, then slid into the booth.
"What brings you here?" He cleared some space on the table for the blond, stacking papers together.
"Needed to study," he answered.
"Aren't there any good cafes near UA?" He questioned absentmindedly, still organizing his disarray of scattered loose leafs.
Katsuki leaned back on the seat, resting his right arm along the edge and rested his other arm on the table, drumming his fingers on the marble table. "Need to get far away from those extras."
"Extras…? Your friends?" Izuku finally looked up at the blond, having finished making room.
Katsuki gave a slight shrug. "They're useless and never stop pestering me to help."
Izuku smiled, his eyes crinkling at the sides. "Aww. They rely on you! That's cute."
Katsuki's left eye twitched. "Cute…?"
"Yeah! Kacchan sensei! I can imagine it." Izuku laughed. "It would be fun to witness. It would be fun to be tutored by you."
Katsuki scoffed, but his mouth quirked up at the corners slightly, amused. "You're over here writing papers that get published. I doubt you'd need my help."
The nerd's mouth drooped into a pout. "I still suck in other subjects, Kacchan! Especially English… if I knew English, then I wouldn't have to deal with the extra work." He whined, dropping his head to the table, looking defeated.
Katsuki gave a low chuckle at the nerd's dramatics. "Extra work?"
Izuku's head flipped up, face scrunched up, and eyebrows lowered. "They want to translate my paper into English, but my English isn't so good. They hired a translator, and she always has too many questions… it's not her fault… but still it's exhausting. There are apparently many different ways to say one thing. It would be so much easier if I could simply copy a paste my paper in a translator app… but noooo it has to be complicated with so many back and forths through email while trying to write my next paper."
Katsuki smirked widened to a smile, amused by the nerd's rant, but he slightly felt bad for him. His smile faded, eyeing the bags under his eyes. He could tell the nerd was struggling.
Katsuki clicked his tongue. "Nerd, you look dead."
"Thanks," he said flatly.
"You need sleep."
"Blehh, sleep is for the weak!"
"If you don't sleep, you become weak, dumbass."
Izuku gave him a peace sign, "Haven't fainted yet."
"Don't be proud stupid!"
"I am!" He smirked. "You can't stop me."
Katsuki narrowed his eyes. "You need to fuckin' sleep."
"I will, after I get through this hurdle."
"What hurd—"
A steaming mug was placed in front of him. "Your drink, sir."
Katsuki looked up from the cup and shutters was beaming down at him. "You didn't hear me calling your number, so I brought it over." He winked.
"Thanks."
"No problem," he turned to Izuku. "Hey babes, don't forget that Bossman has the lasagna for you! Should I heat it up? You haven't eaten since lunch."
Katsuki glared at the nerd who fidgeted under it.
"Yeah. Thanks," He squeaked out.
"No worries babes." Shutters turned back to Katsuki and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Enjoy your coffee hun." Then left.
Katsuki watched the nerd glare at the back of his retreating friend. Probably from being exposed.
"Runnin on fuckin' fumes isn't gonna get you over hurdles, dumbass." Katsuki growled out.
The nerd's face contorted to that of shame. "I know… I just forgot."
"To eat?"
"It only happens sometimes."
"Sometimes?!"
"It's fine!"
Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Yea, okay, hurdles."
Izuku pouted. "Shut up."
"What's your hurdle, stubborn jackass?"
Izuku glared at him.
"Talking about it out loud might help." He added.
Izuku's glare fell, and he bobbed his head up and down at the blond. "Maybe… okay, so," the nerd began.
He broke down the subjects of the new research paper he was drafting up on quirks. Izuku did not let up on the details. Shutters brought out the lasagna during the nerd's spiel, and there was even a piece brought out for him. The nerd talked as he ate and Katsuki listened, enjoying the free food.
Katsuki understood the concepts that Izuku hashed out but didn't know how to help the nerd as he explained the roadblock he came up to. But he could see the wheels turning as he talked about different routes he could take. And then a smile grew on his face when he connected the dots to form a solution to his problem that the blond couldn't keep up with.
Izuku stopped mid-sentence and pushed his empty plate away, grabbing his notebook and pen. He mumbled as he scribbled down notes, his smile growing even wider. He still looked like a racoon, but the dullness left his eyes and they shone.
Katsuki smirked at the nerd. It was fun watching him work.
When he finished writing, he looked up at Katsuki with his sunshine smile. "Thanks, Kacchan!"
Katsuki blinked twice to gain back his eyesight from the blinding smile. "I didn't do nuttin'."
His smile grew to Katsuki's disbelief. "Nut uh! You helped me a lot. Thanks for listening to me!"
Katsuki adverted his gaze, his face heating a bit. "Yeah, whatever nerd."
Izuku wanted to see him again. He really, really, really wanted to see Kacchan again. After their talk on Sunday, Izuku felt the release of the tension that had been surrounding them for years. All their feelings were out in the open. They were finally seeing each other clearly.
Izuku didn't know how badly Kacchan had misunderstood him. He knew there was more to why their relationship crumbled. If he'd been better at expressing himself in the past, maybe things wouldn't have escalated. If Kacchan voiced his frustrations, maybe they could have still been friends. Regardless, the past was the past and there was no use in dwelling on the what ifs. They cleared things up, and that was that.
Izuku didn't want it to be, though.
When they parted ways on Sunday, he wanted to plan another meet up, or figure out a way to keep building a relationship with Kacchan. He had so much fun, and he hoped it was the same for him. But Izuku couldn't help thinking that Kacchan wanted to get on with his own life. This was what they met up for. To talk and split.
Still, Izuku didn't want it to end. He thought of ways to reach out to the blond. He had a busy week ahead of him with writing his new paper and dealing with the '40 questions' translator. So, he planned to contact him at the end of the week, but still needed to come up with a plausible reason other than 'I want to see you.' Then he was there like magic.
Kacchan stood at the edge of his table in the middle of the week at his cafe! Well, not really his, but anyway, the blond was there! Dressed in black joggers, black high-tops, and an orange shirt, looking handsome as hell in such simple clothing. His fitted shirt left nothing to the imagination of how ripped Kacchan was as it outlined his muscles. If Izuku hadn't been so loopy due from exhaustion of his trying week, he'd been more flustered. But he was so glad to see the blond earlier than expected and without having to work out an excuse. And just like last time, he enjoyed Kacchan's company. Kacchan even helped him get over a huge hurdle in his project.
That day marked their regular cafe meet ups.
Kacchan demanded he rest after class Thursday when they parted ways on Wednesday, but every day after they met up to study. Even on Saturdays and Sundays. It was only for a few hours, but good enough to get his daily dose of Kacchan.
Yes, he was addicted to seeing Kacchan, but he was sure it was just a phase. The excitement of a new relationship, a renewed friendship.
They studied and would break to share a dessert, or food, the cafe owner, Mr. Ronora, brought from home and gave to them. Mr. Ronora was a huge supporter of Izuku and his education dreams, and when he found out that Kacchan was studying to be a pro hero, he became a huge supporter of him, too.
During their study breaks, they talked about their friends, or the extras in Kacchan's case. Izuku was so happy that Kacchan had them as friends. Even though he never referred to them by their actual names, or vented that they were all annoying, Izuku could tell that Kacchan cared for them. Sometimes they bickered, but it wasn't anything lasting. Kacchan even sometimes tutored him! He was really smart. Izuku knew this, but it never ceased to amaze him. Kacchan was behind a lot because of his work study, but Izuku witnessed him absorb information like a sponge. The speed at which Kacchan caught up in all his classes left Izuku with whiplash.
This wasn't the only thing Kacchan left him with, and that was a budding crush. He'd never admit it to the blond, nor would he let it grow. They just became friends and Izuku wouldn't ruin it with this little crush. He planned to squander it.
Going on their third week, Izuku arrived at the cafe early Sunday morning and grabbed a four-seating table for him and Kacchan. He didn't arrive early enough to get a booth. Kacchan would join him after his morning training with Red Riot. Since Izuku didn't have any morning plans, he thought to secure a table since the cafe usually filled up quick with students.
Izuku finished setting up his laptop when Yuji slid into the seat opposite of him.
He rested his face in the palms of his hands, trying to look innocent, but Izuku knew better. "So is your boyfriend coming today?"
Izuku narrowed his eyes. "Yuji," he hissed. "We're friends. Stop it."
Yuji leaned forward, dropping one hand from his face and rested his chin in his other hand. "You guys are literally attached to the hip."
Izuku stared at his laptop screen to avoid Yuki's pressing gaze. "We study. That's it," he mumbled.
"Maybe you should do more than just study," he began.
Izuku flicked his eyes up, glaring.
Yuji rolled his eyes. "Don't look at me like that. I meant like, go to the movies, out to dinner."
"Yuji. We. Are. Friends."
"Yes, now climb the ladder to boyfriends. "
"He might not even be into men."
"Okay, then talk to him. Ask him."
"Let me change that. I don't want to date Kacchan."
Yuji huffed. "You're lying to yourself."
Izuku ran his hands through his hair and then down his face. "Yes, Kacchan is attractive. Yes, I might have a slight crush on him, but… we finally found middle ground and I'm happy with just being friends."
Yuji stared at him for a moment. Izuku could see that he wanted to argue more, but then he shook his head. "Okay babes. Just don't regret it."
Izuku didn't believe he would, but a small voice in the dark corners of his mind beg to differ.
Izuku slumped in his seat and stared off into the distance. "I want him to stay a part of my life this time. I don't want to ruin it with my silly crush."
Yuji wave a hand in his face, bringing him back. "Babes, there is this undeniable chemistry between the two of you. You guys would be fuckin' beautiful together."
Izuku blushed but shook his head.
Yuji sighed. "Well babes, make sure that crush stays itty bitty. Maybe you should go on a date… I have friends looking to mingle."
Izuku shook his head again. "I don't have the time."
Yuji shrugged. "Then cut one of your study sessh with your not boyfriend."
"Ha. Ha. Ha." Izuku rolled his eyes. "Even if Kacchan and I weren't meeting up, I'd still be studying."
"Yea, yea, yea overachiever. But you should really consider putting some distance between the two of you."
Izuku sighed. "His work study starts up again tomorrow, so I won't be seeing much of him…" A deep frown formed on his face.
"Oh gawd, stahp! I don't like this kicked puppy look." Yuji huffed and reached over, placing his index fingers at the corners of Izuku's mouth, and pushed them up to his cheeks. "There's my cutie!" Yuji said, holding a smile of his own.
Izuku erupted in laughter, cut short by the drop of a bag on the table.
Both looked up, Yuji dropping his hands, and there stood Kacchan.
"Kacchan, you're early!" Izuku squeaked.
Kacchan raised a brow. "10:30 is early?"
"Well, you said you were training in the morning…" Izuku trailed off.
"Yea, I did. 7 am. Morning." He shook his head at Izuku and turned to Yuji. "Joining?"
"Oh, no hun! I'm working today." Yuji got up and stood in front of Kacchan. "I heard we won't be seeing much of you. Good luck and thanks for keeping us safe babes."
"Sure." Kacchan huffed and looked away, unzipping his bag.
Yuji turned back to Izuku. "Anyways honey, text me if anything. My friends are nice. I promise." He winked and left them alone.
Izuku wanted to slap Yuji. Even if he left out things, it still sounded suggestive. He looked at Kacchan, who looked disinterested as he pulled books out of his bag and piled them on the table. He threw his bag on the seat next to Izuku and finally looked at him. "I'm gonna go place my order. Did you eat yet?"
"Oops!" Izuku realized he hadn't even ordered anything yet.
"What do you want?"
Izuku moved to get up. "It's okay Kacchan,"
"I didn't ask if you're okay. I asked what you wanted."
Izuku waved his hands in front of his face. His cheeks reddening. "It's fine!"
"Sit the fuck down. What do you want to eat?"
"Kacchan," Izuku whined. "I can—"
"Izuku." A low growl rumbled from his throat.
Izuku sat down. "The spinach quiche and my regular."
Kacchan nodded and headed over toward the counter to order.
In all the times they met up, Izuku had yet to treat him. Kacchan had turned it into a game and Izuku lost every time.
Katsuki sat on the bench in the locker of the Endeavor agency staring at his phone. He finished patrol with icyhot and flaming hair and hadn't changed back into his civilian clothes yet. Dirt and grime caked his face and arms after a chase between alleyways, after slippery, petty scum. Three stupid villains robbed a bank and thought they'd escape. Not on his watch. Nobody ever fuckin' got away. Villains were easy to take down and easy to face, so why was it so hard for him to text someone? A nerd at that.
Katsuki started back his work study three days ago and the last time he saw the nerd was four. He'd gotten used to seeing him every day for the last three weeks and now he craved his presence. He felt weird about it. He thought he'd get sick of the nerd after all this time, but a constant itch he felt in his chest could only be scratched when he laid eyes on him. The itch never faded, no matter how much time they spent together. He actually felt it grow. He couldn't fathom what the feeling that rose in his chest was and he didn't have the brain capacity to linger on it. Hero class and his work study kept him busy. All he knew was that he wanted to talk to him. Wanted to know how he was doing. Nerd forgot to eat sometimes for fuckin' sakes.
He squeezed his phone. Izuku's contact information glared back at him. His thumb hovered over the message button. He clicked it and now he had to text something. Anything. His thumbs hovered over the bright keyboard.
Dammit! Why was this so damn hard!
He quickly typed the words that came to mind and pressed send.
Me
you better be eating dumbass
Katsuki got up from the bench to strip and take a shower. He needed to keep his mind busy as he waited for a response. But before he could even take off his utility belt, his phone buzzed.
The Nerd
KACCHAN! :)
I ATE! PROMISE~
HOW ARE YOU?! HOW'S THE WORK STUDY GOING?!
Katsuki sat back down a bit shock at the nerd's fast response and way of texting.
Me
fuck off with the caps dumbass
The Nerd
Oops… sorry ^^"
Me
work study s'fine
how's that paper?
The Nerd
It's going well :)
I have to run through more sources,
and conduct some interviews
but I should be almost done the 1st draft!
Me
K
The Nerd
I saw on the news
um good job
I mean the robbers
good work!
ummmm, uhhhhh
Me
fuck spit it out nerd
The Nerd
…can I call you?
Katsuki's neck burned, and his ears tingled. Texting was hard enough as is but talking… over the phone… he wasn't sure if he could. But he typed 'yea' and pressed send.
His phone buzzed three seconds later. He stared at the screen with the words 'incoming call…. The Nerd' bright and blinding.
He clicked the green button and pressed the phone to his ears. "Yea."
"Kacchan! You were so amazing today! The way you blasted through the air—then the controlled blast—the way you spun and kicked— OH! Are you okay? I heard there was a chase, and they did not capture it on film…"
"I'm fine nerd."
"Oh good! How about hero Shoto and hero Burnin? Are they okay?"
"Who cares."
"Kacchannnnn."
He rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Those extras are fine."
Katsuki didn't even know why he over thought contacting the nerd. He could get use this. It helped scratch the itch a bit.
Izuku rushed to the cafe as soon as class let out. He was finally meeting back up with Kacchan after two weeks. Over the course of those weeks, they'd developed a habit of calling each other before bed when they could, and texted short messages when they couldn't. This new form of contact quenched his ridiculous thirst to be ever present in the blond's life. It was exhilarating, as it was dangerous. He told Yuji that he'd make the effort to put some distance between himself and his crush, but he had only deprived himself four days. He might have gone another day if Kacchan hadn't messaged him. But only one more day. He planned to text him at some point. Texting should have been fine. But the excitement of Kacchan texting him first, combined with the blond's recent takedown, he went and asked if he could call him. Which Kacchan surprised him by saying yes. He became way too comfortable calling him, and it felt so natural now.
Unfortunately, in the process, his crush had grown, and he made the mistake of telling Yuji, who made him go on a date. He reluctantly agreed to it as he felt himself falling harder for the blond.
He pulled open the doors of the cafe and immediately spotted the explosion of ash blond hair seated at a table for four. He rushed up to the blond whose back faced him. He dropped his bag in the seat next to Kacchan and the blond's red eyes locked onto his.
Izuku's chest fluttered. "H—hey Kacchan." A wide grin spread across his face.
Kacchan's gaze held his an extra second before he spoke. "Hey."
Izuku's chest bubbled with excitement he couldn't contain upon seeing his crush—er—friend again. He bounced on his heels as words spilled out of his mouth. "What time did you get here?" He peered down at Kacchan's notebook. Both pages were full of notes. "You already started. Did you get far? Have you ordered? You don't have a drink… Did you want to get something? My treat!"
Kacchan sighed and dropped his pen. "Calm your shit nerd."
A red tint formed across Izuku's cheeks. "Sorry." He ducked his head.
He heard Kacchan's chair scrape the floor and felt something warm press atop his head. Then fingers wedge through his curls and ruffled his hair. Izuku's head popped up, eyes wide as Kacchan's arm fell to his side.
Kacchan didn't look at him. "Let's order nerd."
Izuku nodded while absentmindedly touching the spot on his head that still felt hot.
They walked up to the counter where the new cashier, Sakura, stood. Her purple hair was tied up and she wore a smile directed at him. Izuku liked her. She was a great addition to the cafe staff he knew so well. She had started when Kacchan went back to his work study. They became fast friends when Yuji introduced them, and she sometimes spent her breaks sitting with him and chatting.
"Hey Izuku!" She beamed and then turned to Kacchan, and her eyes widened. "Oh!" Her voice shook.
Sweat fell down the side of Izuku's face. He was used to people gawking at Kacchan, but he hoped Sakura could hold herself together. Unlike Yuji, who openly drooled at him. It surprised him how Kacchan seemed unaffected by Yuji's flirtatious behavior. He expected the blond to blow up at some point, but he never did.
Sakura's smile grew wide, but it was directed back at him, and it made him nervous for some reason. Sweat gathered in his palms and hornets buzzed around his belly.
She opened her mouth and her next words made him want to be swallowed by the ground and die in its dirt embrace.
"Is this him! The guy you're dating?!"
Izuku's eyes widened to the point they hurt. The hornets in his belly stung.
"NO!" Izuku barked. He didn't mean to, but the panic bubbled instantaneously to his throat.
Izuku could feel Kacchan's eyes on him. His neck and face were so hot he prayed hero Shoto would appear and put him out. But no, he stood burning.
Izuku choked on the next words that spilled out of his mouth. "H—he's j—just my friend. D—different guy."
"Oh! Sorry!" She could tell Izuku was panicked, which made her panic. "Y—yuji told me you finally went on a d—date and I just assumed…" Her eyes brimming with tears.
Izuku calmed himself. He didn't want her to cry. "It's fine," he forced a smile.
He didn't expect to be outed this way, but to be honest, everyone knew except Kacchan. It wasn't his intention to keep it from the blond. He just didn't know how to come out to him without it being awkward. None of their conversations have ever revolved around dating or sexuality. Izuku felt weird about blurting it out randomly that he was gay, so he just didn't talk about it.
Sakura kept apologizing through the whole transaction, which kept Izuku distracted, and Kacchan paid again, to Izuku's chagrin. The blond was always so quick.
Kacchan said nothing through the entire ordeal and Izuku sweated from the awkwardness. They sat back down at Kacchan's table across from each other.
The tension and silence had Izuku burst. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Izuku said, bowing his head.
He kept his head lowered, waiting for Kacchan to say something. Anything. His brain jumped around, and he couldn't say anything more until he gauged the blond's reaction.
"Why are you sorry?" Kacchan's gravelly voice finally entered the nervous teen's ears.
Izuku's head shot up and he peered at Kacchan's unreadable face.
The blond shrugged. "You don't have to tell me about going on a date."
Izuku shook his head. "No, not that. I meant for not telling you I'm gay." He twiddled his fingers in his lap. "All my friends know," he continued. "I just couldn't find the right way to bring it up to you."
Izuku's eyes still held Kacchan's. Trying to decipher each flicker of emotion that came and went. But he still couldn't read him.
"Why?" Kacchan grunted.
"Well, randomly talking about my sexuality is a bit…" Izuku scratched the side of his face.
"No." Kacchan shook his head tightly. "Why do you have to?"
"Huh?" Izuku face fell. His brain short-circuited.
"Why do you have to tell me you're gay?" Kacchan's eyebrow quirked up.
Izuku's initial panic morphed into a growing heat of frustration. "What do you mean?"
"Why do you have to tell me, or your friends?"
Izuku's eyebrow shot up as the boiling anger dissipated. "Because they should know…?"
Katsuki scoffed. "Why? Do your straight friends sit you down to announce their sexuality?"
Izuku squinted his eyes at the blond. "Uh no… that would be strange."
"Exactly my point nerd." Kacchan folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair.
"Oh…" Izuku trailed off. Understanding the blond finally.
Izuku always knew the existence of this double standard, but it was just something he accepted. It didn't bother him, but the fact that Kacchan had scoffed at the hypocrisy of it all sent his heart fluttering. Damn… this isn't good.
"Anyways." Kacchan sighed, breaking Izuku from his traitorous thoughts. "How was your date?"
Izuku blushed and adverted his eyes. "It was okay."
"Who's the guy?" Kacchan's voice was gruff. He sounded a bit annoyed, but Izuku didn't linger on it too much.
"Oh, uh, hero Grand," he mumbled.
Kacchan dropped his arms and leaned forward. "Fuckin' vibrator?"
Izuku sat straighter, a little shocked. "You know him?"
Kacchan narrowed his eyes at a spot on the table. "Met him during my provisional license exam. Fuckin' asshole." He gazed back at Izuku. "… uh sorry,"
Izuku looked down. "It's fine…"
Kacchan leaned back in his chair again, folding his arms tightly across his chest. "So, you're dating that bastard." He clicked his tongue.
"It was just one date." Izuku looked back at Kacchan, feeling his annoyance.
Kacchan's eyes shot back to him. "Not seeing him again?"
Izuku again couldn't read the blond, but it felt like the tension in the air loosened a bit. "Uh… no. He's not really my type."
Yuji had set them up on a spur of the moment when the hero had come into the coffee shop a few days ago. Yuji noticed the hero checking out Izuku, who was studying near the front counter. So, he got his number to give to him.
Izuku said no to his friend to contacting the hero when Yuji passed along his number during his break. But Yuji convinced him to go on at least one date, especially since he had confessed about his growing crush on Kacchan. Plus, Izuku had never been on a date before, and he'd been curious about dating since more and more of his friends have been going on them. Also, Yuji assured him nothing had to happen. He told him he could just feel out the guy and if they hit it off, then 'c'est magnifique', but if not, he didn't have to meet up with him again or talk to him. Izuku reluctantly agreed to those terms since there weren't any other prospects in his life currently. Well, there was, but he was sticking to friendship.
"What's your type?" Kacchan cut through his thoughts again.
Izuku's eyes bulged out. Pure disbelief engulfed him. He'd never imagined having this conversation with Kacchan, of all people. They usually talked about hero stuff, quirks, school work. Dating? Types? Izuku felt like a fish out of water. His mouth opening and closing. "Uh… to be honest… I don't know." He spoke honestly, scratching the side of his face. "Haven't given it much thought, you know? So busy chasing my dream, heh." Sweat formed at his temples. He stared at the blond and waited.
Kacchan nodded. "Same."
"Huh?" Izuku again surprised by the blond.
"Never thought about it." Kacchan tilted his head to the side, still looking at Izuku. "I only just realized I like cute things."
"C—cute…?"
"Order 308!" Sakura's voice cut through.
Kacchan got up to retrieve the drinks and food, while Izuku stared at the now empty seat.
Kacchan likes cute… does he mean girls…?
Izuku didn't have time to linger on it as the blond was back within seconds. He placed the tray down with their drink and a pepperoni and cheese flatbread pizza they were to share.
Izuku needed a distraction to prevent himself from blurting out his last thoughts and swiped up a slice of pizza. He blew on it and took a bite. Kacchan followed suit, and they both chewed.
Kacchan broke the silence. "What about shutters?"
Izuku swallowed hard. "Huh?"
Kacchan shrugged slightly. "You guys are pretty close." He took another bite.
Izuku finally caught up and chuckled. "Uh no, we aren't each other's type." He waved away the weird image that popped in his head of him and Yuji dating. They were close, but on a brotherly level. "You're more our type." Izuku laughed.
Kacchan jolted in his seat, swallowing. "Our…?" He captured Izuku's eyes with his own.
Izuku blanched. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "I meant his! You're more his type!"
Izuku's heart thudded hard against his ribs, and Kacchan just smirked as he grabbed another slice of pizza.
Note: Thank-you for reading! It was originally supposed to be a oneshot, but now it's a three parter ^^".