This chapter was a pain in the ass to write. I must have rewritten it at least 3 times but I'm mostly happy with the way it turned out and I hope you all enjoy it. Next chapter will be the first of the Bucket List shenanigans and I'm pretty excited to get into that.
Enjoy!
XXX
Katsuki's Point of View- Friday Night
This has been a long time coming. A part of me is fucking ecstatic to know the sneaking and deception will finally be put to rest while the other part is almost mournful to the notion of the very thing that brought Deku and me closer will now be out in the open. It feels like I'm about to share something sacred, something that's mine. Still, it's what's best for Deku and in the end that's the only thing that matters, isn't it?
That's why I now find myself sitting here in the common area with the rest of the extras from our class for an impromptu meeting. I wasn't sure they'd all come with such short notice on a Friday night, but these fuckers were so nosy they were practically tripping over themselves on their way in like a pack of wolves sniffing out their prey. We've sat in silence for a few minutes while I determine how to word this in a way that will elicit the least amount of questions. They're all just staring at me curiously, a few practically vibrating in their seats with anticipation. I'm sure they've all figured out something is going on since the nerd and I have both been leaving every weekend and have been out of school the past two days.
Deku was on the fence about me doing any of this, especially without him. He felt he should be here for this, to be a part of it. While he wasn't entirely wrong, Auntie and I both had to put our feet down, insisting the stress it could cause wouldn't be good for him. It's not that I think he needs me to protect him or that he isn't strong enough or any other bullshit like that. I just don't think there's a justifiable reason to put him through this when I can do it instead.
Unsurprisingly, glasses cracks from the silence first. "Could you please inform us all of the purpose for this meeting? We all have our suspicions of course and sitting here silently isn't accomplishing anything."
Murmurs of agreement spread like wildfire through the crowded room. Everyone nodding their heads, hopeful eyes glued to me, probably expecting some captivating story or similar bullshit. It's enough to make me almost feel bad for what I'm about to tell them but if any of them are going to be worth their salt as future heroes, they need to learn how to reset expectations and absorb bad news. I take in a deep, steadying breath, exhaling slowly while thinking about all the fucking cute ass freckles on Deku's stupid face as a calming mechanism. God, I hate how cute he is.
"Alright fuckers", my voice breaks through the wave of whispers, the room effectively quieting while I wish for a quirk that would allow me to just pop the information into their heads and spare us all from this painful conversation. "I have a lot to say and if any one of you interrupts me, I'll blast your fucking faces off. Got it?" I look around to find everyone nodding their understanding. Even Glasses, though he clearly does not approve of my threat.
Before I can get another word in, Pink Cheeks puts her hand up like we're in the middle of class or some shit. "Sorry, but does this have to do with Deku? Is everything okay?
"Yeah! You were both out the last two days. You must know what's going on then" Ghosty adds.
"And don't forget Bakubabe and Midoriya are out every weekend. It's obviously connected!" Pinkie's enthusiastically yanking on Tape dispenser's arm as she talks, pulling him back and forth with every movement.
"Jesus fuck, I haven't even said anything yet. Can you all just shut the hell up? For fuck's sake…" Most of them dismiss my outburst, though Pink Cheeks appears at least somewhat contrite.
"As I was fucking saying…. The reason I called your dumbasses down here is because there are a few things you need to know about Deku and-"
"Ha, knew it!" Pinkie's standing up from her seat now, Tape dispenser's arm long forgotten as she crosses her arms and gives me a look of smug satisfaction.
Shooting up from my seat with a growl, I let off a few warning explosions from my palms to remind her and everyone else that I am in fucking charge of this conversation. She's unbothered but at least sits back down in her seat. "AND" I repeat, all the while glaring specifically at her stupid pink face, "it's probably going to be hard to hear so you should brace yourselves." I cast my eyes through the crowd of extras, pleased to see I now have their full attention.
Starting with a deep, calming breath, I lay it all out for them. "Deku is sick, very sick. When he was just a toddler, this shitty woman used her quirk on him and then disappeared. Its effects aren't anything any of his doctors have seen before and he's continuing to get worse. Whatever it is that she did is affecting his entire body but right now his kidneys are taking the brunt of it, so he's been getting dialysis treatments over the weekends. The reason we missed the last two days of school is because he passed out Wednesday night and needed to be taken to the ER. After everything happened with that, our teachers found out. We decided with them knowing it was probably time to bring you idiots into it too since you'd find out sooner or later anyway. If you have questions, I don't care." It's quiet now, everyone needing time to digest the bomb I just shoved down their throats. Their expressions are slowly twisting, morphing from confusion to shock, to sadness, some even taking the next step of anger.
Frog girl speaks up first. "I don't understand why he didn't feel like he could share that with us. We're supposed to be like family."
"He knew telling you would hurt you and he didn't want any of you to feel pain because of him. And that brings me to the next subject… When you see him you better not treat him any fucking different. If you gotta ask him about what's going on, fine, but don't you dare treat him like he's broken or give him the pitying looks that you are all giving me right now. He doesn't need or want that shit from you." Sitting back in my seat, I settle in because even though I said I didn't want to deal with questions, if I don't answer them then Deku will have to.
Earphones raises her hand next, again like we're in a goddamn classroom. "And why do you know any of this? Out of everyone here, I'd have expected you to be the last person Midoriya would have confided in first."
"I think I can answer that" Shitty hair offers. "A few weeks ago, we mentioned his disappearances to Bakubro to see if he knew anything. I'm guessing he figured it out since he also started leaving campus over the weekends shortly after." He looks over to me for confirmation. I sigh and nod my head, grateful for one less pestering question to answer.
A choked sound comes from Pink Cheek's direction. I don't miss the way Glasses wraps his hand around hers comfortingly. Pinkie must be so pleased with herself. There'll be no living with her now. "H-hold on a second, Bakugou. When you said he's getting worse, a-are you saying that Deku's… he's… oh god." Tears slide down her round cheeks while she covers her mouth with both hands.
"Yeah Cheeks, I'm saying that as things stand, Deku is dying." My eyes are burning now, throat's tight and it's taking everything to not let it out. Looking around, I see my words have registered with the rest of them, and just like that the atmosphere of the room has become so chokingly thick with shared grief, I can hardly breath.
"No, that… that can't be right."
"I can't believe he didn't say anything to us."
"Oh my god. Poor Izuku…"
Even though there's a lump forming in my throat, I try to clear it, needing to get this message into their heads. "You all need… need to just knock that shit off r-right the fuck now. He doesn't want your fucking pity, so keep that to yourselves. I'll murder anyone who can't at least do that much."
"Bakugou, you can't seriously expect us not to feel sad for our friend after finding something like this out…" Ponytail wipes a tear from her face, unimpressed with my demands.
"Fuck... of course not. Just, confide in each other or to the teachers or whatever. And besides… There's a chance that if we find the woman who did it, that she could reverse whatever it is she did so there's still hope. Shit's not over yet."
"Wait, really? Why wouldn't you start with that?" Birdbrain asks with an earie tilt of his head. A few others agree with him, frustration momentarily overtaking their grief.
"Cause it's a fucking long shot. We have no idea where she is, and they've been looking for her for a long time. Now that the school knows, they're going to assist in the search but there's still the possibility that they won't find her." I really hope they do though. I have words to share with that fucking bitch.
Wiping her tear stained face with the back of her hand, Pinkie stands up from her chair, resolution crystal clear in those crazy racoon eyes. "I understand what you're asking, and I think it's really sweet that you care about him like that. In fact…" she pauses to sniffle and wipe at her nose, "I think you willingly putting yourself in this situation for him is really going above and beyond the scope of what you would do for a friend. I think you'd only do something like this for someone you hold very special feelings for. That's what this is, isn't it?" Jesus, only Pinkie would shift into match maker mode at a time like this. Fucking perceptive ass wad of chewing gum, too damn perceptive for her own good.
Tape dispenser appears alarmed and is gently tugging on her hand to get her to sit back down. "Um, babe I'm not sure this is the time to be bringing this up…."
"I'd like to know the answer too" Pink cheeks sniffs.
"I would too, ribbit."
"You guys realize you are poking the bear right now, right?" Earphones, another voice of reason, adds.
Can't say I was expecting the conversation to go in this direction but with this group of idiots I guess anything is possible. "Listen fuckwads, my relationship with Deku doesn't concern any one of you. 'S not your business so butt the fuck out." I punctuate my statement with a glare for good measure.
"I mean… that definitely wasn't a no." This pink little asshole doesn't know when to stop. I might literally have to murder her. Worse yet, everyone else apparently agrees with her unwanted opinion. If it weren't for the somber mood, they'd probably all be up in my fucking face about it right now too. I think it's time to close this little meeting before things escalate. Without another word, I head for the elevators, ignoring the shouts of protest behind me.
"Hey, you can't leave yet. We have more questions for you!"
"Yeah! When can we visit Deku?"
"I wanna go too!"
"Same!"
"Guys, we don't need his permission to visit Midoriya…"
"True! We should all just visit him tomorrow!"
"Hahaha! Kacchan isn't the boss of us!"
Hearing Deku's nickname ring behind me but from Phone Charger's stupid mouth pisses me off. Stopping, I whip around and angerly point my finger at the dumbass, ready to put the fear of God in him. "I swear to fucking god, Dunce face, if you call me that one more time I will tie a string around your balls and fly you like a goddamn kite."
He seems reasonably shook, gulping audibly and trying to cover it up with nervous laughter. Shitty hair is shaking his head at his idiot friend's stupidity while Pinkie is just delighted by all the drama. I'm realizing that these fuckers are the closest things I have to friends outside of Deku and that realization really makes me feel like I need to sort myself out. Fucking dumbasses, all of them.
I'm completely exhausted by the time I make it to my bed. I let myself flop down on my back before fishing my phone from my pocket to text Deku.
Me: The deed is done and I need new "friends"
Deku: That sounds vaguely ominous
Deku: And I kind of figured that out when I suddenly got nearly 20 texts in under 5 minutes…
Me: Those fuckers can't do anything right. Jesus
Deku: They want to visit me but I'm not really ready for that yet. I told them we could talk on Sunday
Deku: And they apparently know about us? Didn't know you were planning on telling them
Deku: Not that I mind! I just figured you would have minded
Me: Calm down nerd. It's fine
Me: The Pink asshole figured it out and blurted it in front of everyone
Deku: Ah… Well, no more secrets feels kind of good to me
Me: Me too
Me: I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning
Deku: Okay. Goodnight Kacchan
Me: Night nerd
I'm smiling when I set my phone on my nightstand. After that whole shitshow downstairs, talking with Deku really put me at ease. That nerd is slowly worming his way into my heart and surprisingly the thought of it isn't off putting or anything like that. It feels… good, like this entire time there was a piece of me missing and since finding it, I didn't even have to make room to help it fit because the space was already open and waiting, reserved just for him. With that goofy smile still in place, I grab my phone again, needing to reach out to one more person.
Me: Hey, I might need your help with something
Pinkie: Tell me EVERYTHING
Izuku's Point of View- Sunday evening
This past weekend went by in a blur and was nothing short of bizarre. Countless text messages offering words of encouragement and love from my classmates continuously trickled in throughout each day. Everyone has been nothing short of supportive, making me feel incredibly grateful for every single friendship I've cultivated during my time at UA. They all wanted to come visit me and turning them down was really hard but I didn't think my medical team would have been pleased to find my room crowded with rowdy teenagers. Ochaco managed to slip through the cracks though, somehow forcing convincing Kacchan to bring her with him when he returned Saturday morning.
The rest of our time was spent playing card games, wallowing in the endless pool of homework, and watching the gargantuan battle between Mount Lady and a villain who also had the gigantification quirk. The battle was intense, and it took at least a dozen additional heroes to help minimize damage and civilian casualties while this big, brawny villain gave Mount Lady a real run for her money. Watching them fight felt like something right out of a Godzilla movie. The sheer weight of their limbs caused the earth to quake beneath their feet, the force from their punches creating powerful gusts of wind with each and every blow. It was mesmerizing and I couldn't decide if I wanted to gawk at the screen or analyze and record their strategies and techniques. What I should have done was record it so I could do both at my own pace. Hopefully I'll be able to dig something up from the internet.
The next day, Kacchan left for UA after lunch, citing something important he needed to take care of. It left me feeling…. I don't know. Kind of lonely, I guess? Don't get me wrong though. Mom was there, and we really did need time for just the two of us which was nice up until she leveled me with this strange blank look and without nearly enough warning slipped into the uncharted territory of "the talk." I can only assume it was stimulated from that mortifying moment when she walked in on Kacchan and me making out, somehow managing to be both the best and most humiliating situation of my life. Either way, I could have done without her lecture on how condoms protect against more than just pregnancy.
It's now late enough that the warm rays of the sun have been long forgotten, replaced instead by soft moon beams and twinkling stars. The car's radio fills the cramped space with a slow, old timey melody while Mom hums along quietly to the tune. Unlike the brilliant battle with Mount Lady yesterday, there wasn't a lot of hero activity today so instead of filling my time by updating my notebooks, I anxiously wonder just how different everything is going to be for me. Will my teachers go easy on me? Will those who disapprove go harder to prove a point? Will my classmates treat me like I'm made of glass, some even refusing to spar with me during training? I have no clue and it's that unknown element that scares me the most.
Shaking my head, I try to divert that line of thinking to something more pleasant. Like what Kacchan is up to that he needed to leave so early? Knowing him, he's probably threatening our classmates one last time for good measure, but it could be something else too. The few times I've tried to text him, I've only gotten short, clipped responses which could mean something. Or it could mean nothing and I'm overthinking things like usual. Guess I'll find out soon enough.
When we pull up to the entrance of my school, my eyes lazily roam over the impressive glass structure gracefully looming over its surroundings. The deep blue archway embellished with the golden insignia for our school beckons me forward, to a place I had to lie my face off just to gain entry to and it's that very same place that now is allowing bygones to be bygones and accepting me despite my underhanded tactics. I know I don't deserve any of this but if everyone, even All Might, can forgive me than maybe it's time for me to forgive myself too.
"Izuku, sweetie?" Mom's reassuring voice pulls me out of my own head, and I look up to her reflection in the review mirror.
"Yeah?"
"I know we've been over this already but… just please make good choices. Take care of yourself and if anything feels wrong, I want you to go see Recovery Girl right away. Things are getting worse so it's more important now than ever for you to take good care of yourself." Her eyes are watery, lip wobbling slightly. It pulls at my heart to see her like this.
"I will, I promise! You don't need to worry, mom."
"Sweet boy, I'm your mom. Worrying over you is part of the job. Now come on over here and give me a hug before you go inside." She opens her door then, the hinge creaking in protest as it swings open. I open my own door, quickly scooting from my seat so I can wrap my arms around her. When she pulls away there's a fondness in her eyes and she kisses my forehead before ruffling my curls with her hand. "I love you, Izuku" she says as she goes to get back into the car.
"I love you too, mom" I respond with a grin.
Exhaust billows from her car as she pulls away from the school, leaving me to stand there alone on the sidewalk. A nervous knot forms in the pit of my stomach, my previous apprehension returning to me while I contemplate how uncomfortable sleeping outside on a bench would be if it meant I could avoid the crowd of familiar faces for just one more night.
"Don't be stupid, Izuku. You can do this" I whisper quietly to myself, hoping to find strength from my own encouragement. With a sigh, I sling my bag over my shoulder and head to the dorms, reminding myself that Kacchan will be there so whatever is waiting for me couldn't be that bad.
Just as I turn the last corner leading to the dormitories of 2-A, I'm suddenly walking into something solid and warm and totally unexpected. "Oomph!" Losing my balance, I start to fall back when the secure grip of two steadying hands wrap around my arms to keep my upright. Tilting my head, I blink up to the face of whoever I just walked into, my lips already beginning to form an apology as my eyes meet two startlingly gorgeous red orbs staring back at me.
"Watch where you're going, fucking clumsy ass Deku." Though Kacchan's words sounded angry, there was no real bite behind them. I've learned a long time ago not to take his words at face value, but instead to read between the lines. What he really meant to say was "Be careful, I don't want you to hurt yourself."
"Sorry, Kacchan. I was just thinking about some stuff and I wasn't looking where I was going" I replied sheepishly. His brow quirks up and the corner of his mouth tugs into a familiar smirk.
"Tch, you're always lost in that damn head of yours." He shakes his head with a laugh before gently tugging my chin up toward him, planting a chaste kiss on my lips. He pulls away too soon, shifting his weight so he can take a step back. Where there was once bold confidence there is now reserved distance.
I tilt my head, assessing him. "Everything okay, Kacchan? You seem… worried."
He rolls his eyes and takes my hand, leading me toward the dorms in lieu of an actual answer. Instead of walking up the path leading to the entryway, we continue to cut across the yard, looping around the back to approach the tree line. As we near the trees, I spot some kind of greenish blob I can't quite make out but since we're walking towards it, I can only assume it's our destination. A few more steps and those blurred lines stand out more prominently, the previous green blob taking shape until I finally realize what it is.
My feet suddenly halt, Kacchan's warm hand tugging out of my grasp while my whole face warms with the biggest, wobbliest smile.
"Is… is that what I think it is? Kacchan, did you do this for me?" Tears prick at my eyes; I wipe at them with the corner of my sleeve as I stare down what might be the sweetest gesture anyone has ever offered to me.
A large, forest green quilt is suspended in the air using a collection of poles and ropes for support. The length of the blanket spills down the sides of the structure, pooling along the grass at the bottom while strings of lights line the outside folds as well as the arched ceiling inside. The lights give off a warm glow, illuminating the fortress against the darkened trees behind it in an ethereal way. It reminds me a little of a circus tent but smaller and a lot more intimate.
The ground beneath the structure is covered with a white sheet, fluffed pillows are scattered throughout for added comfort and a large, thick orange comforter is spread out in the center. Mesmerized, I walk lightly toward it feeling just like a little kid again. It's not tall enough that I could walk right in, so I crouch low and crawl in, giggling the whole time. I sense Kacchan's eyes watching me, assessing my reaction to his surprise.
"Yeah well, I wanted to take you on a date but between the hospital and school it was hard to find time…. Cheeks and Pinkie helped me set it up." He mumbles that last part as an afterthought before following me inside the fort.
"Aww, Kacchan! I love it!" I feel giddy as I look around at my surroundings which are reminiscent of the forts Kacchan and I used to put up in our bedrooms together.
As soon as I'm in I throw my body back, landing with a poof against a mound of pillows. Kacchan's smiling, seemingly relived to find I love what he planned for me. When I tilt my head back to gaze up at the glowing ceiling, I notice for the first time a doughy, cheesy scent that wafts through the air, triggering my salivatory glands and making my mouth water. Instantly, I'm up on me knees, crawling around and searching for the source of that salty, delicious scent.
"I smell pizza! Where's the pizza, Kacchan? Oh my god, I can't even remember the last time I ate pizza, it smells so good! Hey, Kacchan? Did you hear me? Where's it at?" Words tumble from my lips while my eyes scour the area for that heavenly smelling box.
"Jesus, nerd. Calm down. There's something I want to give you before-" I'm not really listening to him, eyes searching until finally, finally they land on a box tucked away to the side.
Immediately, I scramble over to it, lifting the lid while heavily inhaling the concentrated scent of greasy goodness. Sundays and Mondays are my best appetite days and this pie is calling to me, enticing my senses and commanding me to sink my teeth into it. I grab the closest slice to me, gingerly lifting it from the box while ogling the strings of melty cheese still connecting it while I chomp my mouth around the first bite. It's exactly what I was needing in my life, my eyelids flutter closed in satisfaction as I chew.
"For fuck's sake, Deku. I said I had something I want to give you first. You seriously couldn't wait a few minutes?" I don't think he's really that upset. He's smiling and is probably just relieved that I'm happily eating for once.
"Nope" I reply over a mouthful of food, my voice muffled as I chew slowly.
He crawls over the blanket and sits next to me with his long, muscular legs crossed, grabbing a slice for himself before pulling something out from beneath a pillow next to him. From where I'm sitting, it looks like a simple packet of worn, colored paper. Kacchan's blushing now, eyes trained on the packet resting in his hands as he wordlessly offers it to me while taking another bite of pizza.
My hands are greasy, so I set what's left of my crust to the side before wiping one off on my shorts, not missing the look of disdain I get from Kacchan for using my clothes as a napkin and take the proffered papers. In less then a second my breath hitches in my throat, vision blurs around pools of tears collecting in my eyes, and it takes my lungs burning for me to realize I'm holding my breath. This is… it's… it's our comic. I thought he'd thrown it out years ago. Heck, he told me he threw it out years ago, so how am I holding this right now? He must have saved it, but why? All this time, he's kept one of the most precious physical reminders of our friendship and held it safe. He's….
"Kacchan has always cared" I whisper while hugging the packet to my chest, turning my teary eyes his way to find him watching me closely.
"Tch, don't get the wrong idea, nerd. I just couldn't bring myself to throw it out. But now, I'm glad I didn't. Do you… I mean- if you wanna keep it I guess that would be cool." He tries to shrug nonchalantly but I can tell he's pleased with the way things have transpired.
"I do. And, if you want you can have it back sometime. Like how we used to do it" I offer through a teary smile.
"I'd like that" he replies as he wipes my tears away. I lean into him then, pressing my lips against his, melting into him as he puts his pizza down to wrap his arms around me.
"I get at least 12 years before you get it back though" I mutter quietly, smiling against his lips when he groans in response.
"Such a little shit" he whispers back with mock annoyance.
Carefully, I set the packet down next to me and wipe my other hand over my shorts so I can properly shift into his lap and coil my arms around the back of his neck. His hands trail down to my waist as we kiss, his thumbs feathering small circles over my hip bones before finally sliding down to cup around my butt. His body his pressing into mine and he's all hard muscles and smooth skin, his blond hair feels like silk beneath my fingers and his ever present burnt caramel scent makes my mouth water.
Never would I have guessed that this incredibly attractive and secretly caring boy would ever be into someone like me. It's all wonderful and perfect and horrendously unfair. I wish we could spend forever like this but time has never been on my side.