"Aw man," Midoriya whined as the class herded into the locker rooms. "Can't believe I have to take the supplemental class tomorrow." The Yuuei student looked over to Todoroki who was fixed on someone in the distance. Midoriya trailed his gaze over to where Todoroki's lingered. "How'd you fail Todoroki?" he asked as he glazed his eyes over the blonde who held his gaze.

Bakugou had his shirt up over his head his muscle flexed as he struggled to undress. The blonde winced as he freed his arms his hands reaching for his chest. The frustrated blonde leant against the locker with his forearm and clenched the hand that was over his chest. The flesh had begun to blister and bruise. The impact site was a deep magenta the wound extensive with intricate lesions that webbed out from the site and tapered along his shoulders like a budding fern.

The blonde lowered his head into his arm his tresses shrouding his expression. "Dammit," he mumbled cocking his arm forward into the steel door. The room fell silent his classmates looking over too him.

"Kacchan," Midoriya muttered without realization catching the attention of his classmate.

Bakugou fixed on those greens and was all too familiar with that worrisome expression. "Tsk," he huffed scooping up the articles on the bench. The blonde stormed off without bothering to dress, shirt still in hand.

"Kacchan, wait," Midoriya called after him following behind. Midoriya was still trailing behind him when Bakugou reached his room.

The blonde turned to his classmate inflating his chest to deter him from following any further. "End of the line nerd."

"Ka…chan," the words trailed off his tongue with a lingering angst. "You should at least see recovery girl," he advised gaze fixed on the wound. There was a churning in his stomach a sense of guiltiness that hovered over him like a storm cloud.

"I'm not weak like you Deku." Bakugou narrowed his eyes accentuating the cruel name he'd given to the once quirkless boy.

Midoriya took a step back his head lowered. Bakugou went to shut his door when Midoriya held it in place. "Kacchan's not being fair."

"Fair? What are we in grade school?" Bakugou snorted.

The blonde raised a brow "Oh, are we playing middle school again? Are you going to pretend to care about my wellbeing? You still want to follow me even though you've finally made some friends? You don't have to stick so closely to me anymore. I'm sure round-face or glasses will let you play pet."

Bakugou stretched out his arm his face contorting. "Or is it that you like to be abused?" he mocked grabbing a cluster of green tresses. The blonde yanked the sulking child into his room tossing him into the end of his bed. Bakugou walked towards the kid who was finding his composure still knelt against the footboard.

"So is that it?" Bakugou grimaced edging closer.

"No…Kacchan…" Midoriya trailed.

"Kacchan, Kacchan, KACCHAN!" Bakugou barked.

Midoriya shut his eyes, as Bakugou's voice grew louder. He didn't know how to react and didn't want to provoke him any further. It was his fault that Bakugou was hurt and it was his fault that he was mad. If he hadn't been so useless the two wouldn't have to take supplemental classes. If he hadn't been so useless his friend wouldn't have be hurt.

"Who told you it was okay for you to call me that?" the blonde gritted, fist now clenched.

"But we're…" Midoriya tried to interject but was immediately quieted by the blonde's roar.

"We're what? Childhood friends? Hmph, who are you kidding? There is no need to pretend no more Deku. You have your friends, that power of yours, Almight's support, what else could you possibly want?" Bakugou words hit harder that he expected when voiced out loud. The reasons for this pain…the sense of inferiority all steamed from that green haired freak across from him. Bakugou hated him because through all the difficulties in life he always managed to keep his composure. He had a temperament he wished he had. Had more resolve then he could ever match. Is that the reason Almight chose him?

The red-eyed boy dove deep into those wild greens searching for an answer that he had no question too. He didn't know why he was the way he was or why the green eyed boy riled him so. The greenette just sat there oblivious as usual his gaze did not waiver. And as usual the obliviousness enraged the blonde. And he thought how could one be so unaware of someone else's feelings…to be so optimistic through all the pain…to be able to be cheerful throughout it all? It seemed as if the other had no worries at all. Or was it just that the blonde was weak? Weak to these emotions he felt? He was swallowed by his inadequateness and the uncontrollable rage that was festering. How was it so easy for him to be so at ease all the time?

One set back. One loss and he was in a world of doubt. But that kid…the kid who was quirkless his whole life never waiver no matter how many set backs he faced. Bakugou wondered was he just that weak that he wasn't as resilient as a mere quirkless human?

"Nothing to say as usual, right?" Bakugou relaxed internally laughing at his pitiful self. "I'm always the bad one, right? Is that how it's written in your little book? Katsuki Bakugou the villain, huh?"

"Ka…"Midoriya hesitated knowing addressing him so casually would anger him further. "That's not…" but before he could translate his feelings into words the blonde whispered.

"If that's how those eyes must see me, then I'll be the villain." Bakugou leant forward grabbing a handful of green hair. Maneuvering the green tresses he craned Midoriya's head back so their faces were inches apart, so that the other understood the sincerity behind the words. "What is it with you nerd? You a dick-rider or something? What you want to be manhandled? Is that why you keep coming back for more?" Bakugou tightened his fist pulling at Midoriya's scalp.

The child yelped in response his cheeks flushed at the comment. Bakugou observed the flustered teen noting the lines between the bridge of his nose and forehead softened and those rounded cheeks colored red.

"That's it isn't it?" the blonde mocked tugging the other onto his knees.

Bakugou thought if he knew what was good for him he would run. There was a good chance he'd be able to make it unscathed. The jolt he felt earlier had suppressed his quirk and he knew if the two were to tangle now he would be at his mercy. However no matter how hard the blonde wished the other would just 'get it,' he knew the kid would allow him to do whatever he wanted with little resistance. And with that confidence in mind Bakugou advanced, steering Midoriya over to the edge of his bed. In one swift move he bent the kid over his footboard slamming his head into the mattress. Forcing himself onto the greenette he leant in and rubbed his crotch against him. "Is this what you want?"

The hunched over teen blushed and the heat pulled into his cheeks, coloring his face red when their bodies collided. There was no reaction and there would be no resistance his mind in such a state of shock. This is not what he had anticipated. When Bakugou had pulled him to his feet he thought he had earned a fist. It was incomprehensible to think he would instead earned his sexual appetite?

What in the world had come over him? Midoriya couldn't help but imagine what Bakugou had in mind and the thought absolutely terrified him. What new torture had he come up with to terrorize him with now? Midoriya didn't have to wonder long before the blonde ironed his face into the mattress.

Those magnificent hands terrible with anger and the blonde scrunched his hand tighter around those green curls, an explosion of emotions flooding out. "Since these powers manifested just about everyone kept their distance. Fuck, I was expected to be unbreakable, but didn't realize how difficult it would be to maintain this facade. Either I'm not living up to my potential or I'm misusing these abilities."

The blonde thought about all the praise he was awarded and how quickly that soured. As time went on he was meet with criticism. The teachers who had once boasted about his potential complain about his disruptive nature. The classmates that rooted for him became the instigators that riled him into these fits. The damage was done he, his over confidence created this destructive image, that even now he could not escape.

"I didn't have any friends after that, just admirers, that also feared me. I wanted to come to Yuuei to leave the past behind. Start anew. Show everyone back home I wasn't a delinquent but befitting of the title hero. But you…"

The break in Bakugou's voice made Midoriya turn his head to fix on those hardened eyes. Bakugou's brows were furrowed, his forehead wrinkled in vexation. The blonde stared back into those worried greens and wondered why the other always looked so closely at him? How did he notice whenever something was amiss with him? Bakugou hated the others intuition and constant concern for others. "You had to follow me didn't you!" his voice raised an octave and his hold became tighter.

"Kacchan," Midoriya breathed squirming underneath his hold.

"You always thought so little of me. Stretching out your hand when I didn't need it. You thought you were a better candidate than me to become hero, right?" Bakugou thought about all the times Midoriya stepped in and made it seem as if Bakugou was the one who was the root of all problems. How he had to protect his classmates against the school bully, who he assigned as Bakugou. "With that cheerful persona of yours and that optimistic smile," he gritted "that stupid smile." The rage boiled over the blonde feed into his hatred smothering his captive into the sheets. He wanted to skew that smug smirk of his. The weight behind the force made it impossible for Midoriya to break free and he soon realized he was being starved of air.

Bakugou soon heard the stifled cries but knew if he didn't obstruct his mouth his classmate would make an attempt at reassuring him. Tell him it was all in his head. How he was much better than he was. But Bakugou was tired of listening to the constant praise. Was tired of how everyone just registered his greatness but never recognized his exhaustion. Raising him up to a pinnacle he could never sustain. Why could no one realize that he was just human like them?

While Midoriya struggled for air, Bakugou secured his other hand inside the kid's waistband. Once he felt the warm flesh against his knuckles he let the other up for breath. "I'll be the villain you always expected me to become."

The oxygen rushed into his lungs and Midoriya gasped, wheezily coughing for breath. The room was spinning and he began to experience the affects of lightheadedness. The sheet was the only thing keeping him grounded as the world spun out of control. The kid held on for dear life his brows furrowed at his classmate. Although Midoriya didn't understand the reason behind the hurt, he understood the pain of feeling inadequate. For years that was all he ever felt. The weight sometimes unbearable that he was certain it'd crush him dead. Shit, he could feel the tears. Like clockwork he'd soon break down. Oh how he hated the fact that he was still so weak and in front of his hero. Midoriya wanted to be strong, wanted to be on the other end of the encouragement, wanted to take the other into his arms, but knew it wouldn't translate as good will. The more he tried to encourage his friend the more Bakugou would think he was being mocked. If only he could muster the courage to voice his feelings. If only he was strong.

And in a moment of strength Midoriya reached out and slid his hand over the clenched fist that was in his hair. After curling his fingers over the white knuckles, he found his voice. "If it's Kacchan," he mustered a smile but it couldn't hide the terrible in his voice. Those crimson red orbs blazed with this ferocity and Midoriya allowed them to envelope him into submission. "If it will make Kacchan understand these sentiments of mine," he swallowed down the lump forming in his throat, "then it's okay." Whatever torture he had in store he'd endure it because Kacchan was he dear friend.

Midoriya shut his eyes tight scared that if he'd look back into he might chicken out. There was this stale silence that loomed in the air and it had Midoriya on edge. The anticipation drove him mad with worries. What was Kacchan's reaction? Was he mad…confused…what was he waiting for? Would he allow him the grace of seeing his true feelings for him? The teen clenched at the sheets again, nervous and unhinged.

The silence was unbearable and he felt like he was suffocating all over again. "Kacchan?" he called in a whisper not sure if he wanted to be heard. Even though he didn't quite understand what he was about to let happen he realized that it didn't mattered. All Midoriya needed to understand was that the blonde before him meant a lot to him. Meant more than his own happiness. The person before him had been the sole inspiration that kept him fighting what had seemed like a futile battle.

Midoriya let his hand fall flat into the mattress and laid his head against the soft fabric. "I've always admired Kacchan. Kacchan is strong but also smart and no matter what is confident in whatever he does." The words flowed candidly and Midoriya had the urge to unburden himself.

Bakugou was taken back by what seemed to be another bout of senseless admission. What was he even talking about? What didn't he understand? His confidence had long been extinguished. And he couldn't understand why it was so hard for Deku to shut the fuck up? Even though he despised his little rants, he still couldn't help but look more closely at the other. It was as if the blinds had been pulled from his eyes and he could now perceive the torment behind those sentiments.

The scene was horrific and it made him sick to see Midoriya splayed out on his bed like that. Made him realize he had become the nightmare that plagued him for all those nights after his rescue. Those tears that trickled down those freckled cheeks indicated that he had hurt him long before this. The blonde knew all to well the undeniable sign of a person who has been repressing unspeakable feelings. This he knew because that is exactly how he felt for the past fifteen years. Unspeakable rage he'd never let anyone see. Could never voice his miserable existence and did not care for it all to coming rushing out now. Not now, not here, not with shitty Deku. Shit, he could detonate at any moment and the fear had him stumbling back dissolving his hold.

Midoriya turned to prop himself up onto his elbows so that he could meet Bakugou's gaze. Those green eyes were lined with tears and he couldn't control his mouth from trembling as he spoke. "At first I followed Kacchan because he was brave and fearless."

In the confinements of his mind Bakugou reiterated over and over again 'that is a lie.' Yes, it was a lie he wasn't, it was so far from the truth. No he wasn't confident, wasn't that fearless, he wasn't that great. Deku is this another cruel joke?

"But I continued to follow Kacchan because he reminded me of how far I needed to strive in order to become someone who could stand next to such an amazing hero like Almight." Being so vulnerable made Midoriya think about the time before he had acquired one for all. Made him think back to when the two were kids. Made him think about how both admired the same hero. How both strived to be just like him before either had quirks. When the two of them were just Izuku and Katsuki. Back to when the two were friends and equals. Even then Midoriya knew Bakugou would be awesome.

Midoriya didn't like to dwell on the hard times after Bakugou developed his quirk. Didn't like to relive how hard Bakugou made it for him. But whenever he had those thoughts of hatred he tried to consider how it established his resolve and made him resilient. Whenever Bakugou would mock or assault him it made him stronger on the inside and made him want to become a better him. Bakugou never pitied him like most everyone else around him. No one understood, not even his own mom. And since he didn't find solace in his mother's empathetic words he found comfort in Bakugou's fist. Those fist reminded him that he was still in the fight and that at least one person in the whole world viewed him as someone tough enough to handle a warrior's resolve.

"I followed you because Kacchan saw me. The real me, before anyone else had. Kacchan is the sole person who knows me…before…" the kid looked down at his scarred palms and then back up at the blonde this time his smile a bit skew. The circles around his eyes were red. "Before I grew confident in my own self. You treated me no differently than anyone else. Even though I was quirkless and weak," the moisture blurred his vision the tears trailing down his cheeks as he tried to hold back the sobs that would ensue. The kid rubbed his elbow over his face wiping away the tears and snot. "You saw potential in me and pushed me to strive harder…to become stronger and worthy of this power. You kept me in your trajectory and made me tougher, although your methods were cruel at times you made me your rival."

Bakugou furrowed his brows baffled at the interpretation of their relationship. Was there merit to what the other was saying? It was true there was always this underlining feeling of contempt between them and Bakugou wondered if was derived from a sense of intimidation? Did Deku have it all figured out? Did he understand what Bakugou couldn't? Did he understand the reason he treated him the way he did? Did Deku understand him more than he understood himself? Could it have been that he was intimidated by an possible power that would manifest in Midoriya? No. Of course not that was silliness. What did the nerd know? Deku was presumptuous and couldn't understand a fucking thing.

"I wanted to become your equal. I wanted to be the one who stretched my hand out and called for you back in Yokohama but I knew–I knew," the tears were streaming down his face and he couldn't contain the hiccups that ensued between his sentences. "I hadn't earned your respect yet. Hadn't become your equal, not like Kirishima. I just want to repay you for seeing me as someone who could become worthy of your rivalry."

Midoriya was now using both his arms to dry the never-ending tears. Of course he didn't expect much from the other. In fact he assumed he'd get no response at all. It'd been a while since Bakugou had lashed out and he wondered if he had ruined whatever it was the two were about to do? Could he have he driven another wedge between them with his babbling? Would the other find him annoying when it seemed they were on the verge of mending their relationship?

Bakugou stared at him confused and a bit vexed at his sudden confession. How had it all become about him? Why did he even follow him into the room in the first place? All Bakugou wanted was to be alone, he was used to that. The blonde needed to maul over his what happened during their examine, needed to think what his next step would be in unfolding the leagues plan and here was Deku crying like a wuss again. Though irritated Bakugou to think back and see it from Midoriya's perspective he did considered what he had said and wondered in what moment had their friendship been obscured? Why was the other still fighting for a bond that had been broken so long ago?

"Stupid nerd," he mumbled unaware that he had even spoke. Those green eyes pierced through his defenses. What was it about this weirdo that ruffled his feathers so?

Bakugou had wanted to respond to his confession but didn't nowhere to start. Of course he felt bad about all those years of torment. It was childish and he never realized that until recent when he became the receiving end. There was a chance he could have been intimidated and he wished he could let the other know the reason behind it. Let him know that in a sense he was right and Bakugou had felt the potential that lurked with in him, but he would never get the chance a shadow emerging from the darkness.