FEBRUARY
"So this is what it's like on the other side," Shinso says as he takes a seat in front of the monitors. On each screen sits a defunct robot, lying in wait for this year's batch of UA hopefuls. Izuku feels slightly out of his depth. Unlike Shinso, he never took the UA practical, so he doesn't really know what to expect. The robots look too big for children to fight, especially the kids he's looking to recruit for Class M.
"How are we going to narrow this down to forty kids?"
"I really don't know how Aizawa does it every year. He has even more kids to sift through."
On the table in front of them is a stack of about seventy UA applications. Every single student in the stack has a nonphysical Quirk. That alone isn't enough to make it into his and Shindo's new classes, but it was a good way to pin down the students they needed to keep an eye on. He's looking for smart, strong willed students who weren't afraid to get their hands dirty. He wanted problem solvers first and foremost. Shinso's looking more for kids with powerful nonphysical Quirks, like his and Aizawa's. At least they wouldn't have to fight too much over students.
They both had twenty spots to fill for classes L and M. In addition to these seventy plus applicants, they also had to consider kids who only applied to the General course. To do that, they added two new questions to the written exam. At the very end of the test, the new questions are: true or false, this test is strictly for General course admission; then, true or false, if your Quirk were "better suited" to Heroics, you would have applied. If the applicants marked true for both questions, and they scored ninety percent or higher on the exam, their applications automatically got passed to Aizawa, Shinso, and Izuku for consideration.
They hadn't settled on a name for the class distinction yet. Shinso wanted to call it General Plus, but Izuku had a feeling that would piss of the General course kids and give classes L and M an undeserved superiority complex. Aizawa suggested calling it Underground Heroics, but nobody wanted to put them in boxes. Their prospective students didn't need to be told what they could and couldn't do in the future. They'd heard that enough from other people. Izuku was pushing for General Heroics. It was vague enough to work, but set the expectation that the class was neither General studies nor a full-blown Heroics course. There were still a lot of details to hammer out. Izuku never imagined everything would still be so up in the air when they started picking students. Izuku was used to fine details and meticulous planning. He was used to never moving unless he had all the information. It was unnerving to be jumping headfirst into a revolutionary teaching program with only half a plan.
Aizawa strolled in just as Izuku was starting to open up the first application. He looked more well-rested than usual. Apparently, the only vacation time Aizawa ever took from his agency was in the weeks before and after the entrance exam. Aizawa could be unpleasant and grumpy, but no one could say he took his job as a teacher lightly.
"You ready?" Aizawa took an open seat at the table. Nezu gave them a private room, away from the other teachers, so they could focus solely on their applicants.
"How do you weed out so many students every year?" Izuku asked instead of answering.
"You can't look at it like you're crushing a thousand kids' dreams. You have to focus on the fact that you're offering the chance of a lifetime to twenty talented kids. If those other kids are smart, they already applied to back up schools. They'll end up where they're supposed to." Aizawa spoke with careful indifference and that told Izuku that he's lost plenty of sleep over crushing dreams. Izuku nodded.
"So what should we be focusing on?" Shinso asked.
"The monitors," Aizawa deadpanned. Izuku chuckled. Aizawa and Shinso were obviously very close. All of Shindo's internships in school were spent with Aizawa and to this day, he's the only hero that's learned Aizawa's capture techniques. Sometimes Izuku felt a little left out of their easy camaraderie.
"Thank you, oh wise instructor."
Izuku could never get away with saying that to Aizawa, and he definitely wouldn't get a smirk out of him.
"Look for applicants who exemplify what you think Heroics is all about. They don't have to score a lot of points to be good. Most of the applicants who show up on these screens won't have good scores, but I know you'll know when you see it."
A buzzing alarm sounds in the room, and the robots came alive on the monitors. With that, Aizawa stands and moves to leave.
"Day one of reviewing footage. I've got to go find my own prospective applicants. Good luck."
MARCH
Katsuki was nervous and excited and probably losing his fucking mind because Deku was due in his family home any minute. His mom kept shooting him looks like she knew something was up. She would stare at Katsuki's tapping foot, his clenched fists, the way he fidgeted with his hair in an attempt to smooth it out.
"You seem…eager." It was an accusation and a question all in one. She narrowed her eyes at him like he was a puzzle to solve.
"Shut up, hag," he snapped, fisting his hands in the fabric of one of his nicer shirts—well, nice for Katsuki—and then he cursed and set out to smooth it out so it wouldn't wrinkle. It was hardly a formal shirt by most people's standards, but this one didn't have a skull on it, so it may as well have been a tuxedo to Katsuki.
"Why are you so dressed up, brat? Got a hot date after this?" His mom asked, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning in the doorway to the kitchen. She wore the beginnings of a smirk.
"No. I—Oh, fuck it I'm gonna go change." The second the words left his lips the doorbell rang. Katsuki physically jolted, legs locking like a startled colt.
"Calm down. It's just the Midoriyas."
That's exactly why he wasn't calm. He hadn't seen Deku since the last time they hosted him for dinner, and that interaction was less than stellar. He knew so much more about Deku this time, and by extension, he knew more about himself. He didn't want Deku to think he was a bully anymore. Gruff and rude with an impressive array of profanities, sure. But not a bully.
On top of the shit sundae that was their relationship, Katsuki would have to impress his mom too. He hadn't seen her since he was in high school. Auntie Inko used to love him like a second son when he was little. When he got older, she was always genial and polite, but there was an insurmountable chasm between them. He understood now that it was suspicion that chilled their relationship. He wondered how much she knew about his behavior when he was younger. Probably much more than Deku let on. His mom shuffled to the front door. Katsuki decided to hide in the kitchen for a little while longer.
"Inko! You little shit it's been way too long," his mom said in her shrill, excited voice she only ever used for Auntie. She continued her antics, probably grabbing Izuku and forcing him into a bear hug.
"Izuku, you looked more handsome every time I see you. I bet chicks dig the scar, right?"
From his hiding spot in the kitchen, he heard a laugh that was distinctly male and not Deku's.
Who the fuck?
Before he could think too hard about the fact that even after all these years, he could still recognize Deku's laugh, he walked into the living room. The first thing he saw were the Midoriyas in all their green glory. That he expected, even excitedly anticipated on some level. What he didn't expect was to see Shindo Yo in his goddamn living room shaking hands with his mother.
"Katsuki, don't just stand there. Greet your guests."
Katsuki mentally shook himself and deliberately didn't look at Shindo.
"Hi, Auntie," Katsuki said, doing his best to sound soft and non-threatening. He held his arms up for a hug and everyone looked at him like he sprouted a third eye in the center of his forehead. It was annoying, but he couldn't really fault them for that reaction. He couldn't remember the last time he put any effort into a hug he was forced into, much less willingly initiating one. After a moment of hesitation, Auntie wrapped him in a hug. It had all the same warmth it did when he was younger. When they separated, Katsuki made eye contact with Deku. His nerves came to a head and he could feel his face getting hot under Deku's indifferent gaze.
"Deku," he said, and it sounded too much like the greeting he gave last time they saw each other. Quickly, he added the first thought that came to his mind. "You look good."
Izuku's only response was to look at Shindo, who Katsuki had been doing a brilliant job of ignoring completely. If he thought he could get away with it, he wouldn't even greet him. Reluctantly, he stuck a hand out towards Shindo.
"Quake, it's been awhile," he said in lieu of a greeting.
"Not since the hero rankings a few years ago. You can call me Shindo. No need to be so formal," Shindo said. Just like the first time he met him at the provisional licensing exam, his voice was polite, but his eyes told a different story. That's fine. He didn't fucking like him either.
Everything was a disaster. Katsuki was doing everything in his power to be polite and repentant and Deku wouldn't even look at him. They spent the evening awkwardly catching up. Deku was damn near mute. Shindo monopolized the conversation—sometimes even answering for Deku when his mom asked him a question. Katsuki was incensed, most of his brain power was going to trying not to snap his chopsticks in half. When dinner ended and the awkward tension finally broke, Deku and Shindo moved to the living room, subtle trying to separate themselves. Katsuki watched them go; he noticed the casual way they touched each other, spoke to each other. He noticed the fact that Shindo calls him Izuku—Izu when he thought no one was listening. Shindo looked at Izuku the way his dad looked at his mom and that felt a little like a knife in the gut.
Suddenly Katsuki felt so stupid for feeling anything for Deku—whatever he may be feeling. He wasn't really ready to get into that. He doesn't want to think too hard about what shouldn't be. He doesn't deserve it. And yet he can't keep himself from trying to repair the decade wide rift between them.
"Deku," Katsuki said, a last ditch effort. They were leaving, and this was the first time all night Shindo hadn't stood between them like he was trying to protect Deku from him. Deku paused on the doorstep. He looked back at Katsuki, tentative, waiting. It was so much like the last time, and Katsuki stuck his foot in his mouth. He knew better now.
"Can I see you again?" Katsuki muttered, his head ducked low. For the first time that night, he felt Deku really look at him. He looked sad and unsure and heavily guarded. Deku's eyes always held so much. On some level Katsuki always knew that, but he never let himself look for too long.
"I'm sure we're bound to run into each other."
That wasn't really an answer, but it was all Katsuki got.
APRIL
Izuku sat in the teachers lounge with Shinso, Aizawa, and Nezu. They had two weeks before the term started and he was determined to put all his energy into classes 1-L and 1-M, the brand new section of classes headed by Izuku and Shinso.
"Nezu and I think it would be a good idea to do a demonstration of the things the students would be learning in General Heroics. Something to separate the real heroes from the dreamers right off the bat," Aizawa said from the couch. He looked as exhausted as Izuku felt. The last two weeks had been full of sleepless nights finishing up lessons plans and finalizing class trips.
"What did you have in mind?" Izuku asked.
"A sparring demonstration. You two up against top UA alums. We were thinking Uravity and Ground Zero. They've already expressed an interest in helping with the classes in the future as well."
"No."
Everyone in the room did a double take at Izuku's outright rejection. Izuku was, up to this point, the epitome of laid back. He'd never refused to do something Aizawa asked.
"Explain," Nezu said, calm, but with a commanding presence.
"I think it's a great idea, but I won't work with Ground Zero. I don't want him anywhere near these kids."
Shinso let out a low whistle, no doubt trying to defuse the tension rolling off Aizawa in waves.
"What's your beef with Bakugo?" Shinso added when the staring contest between Izuku and Aizawa continued for a full thirty seconds.
"He's volatile. I'm not going to let him near kids who've been put down all their lives."
"And has nothing to do with the fact that you went to middle school together?" Aizawa said, narrowing his eyes at Izuku.
"It has everything to do with it. I knew him before he was famous and putting on a good face for cameras. He's a bully and I refuse to let him near my students."
"Too bad. They're already here. Bakugo, long time no see."
To Izuku's horror, he turned his head to find Bakugo in the doorway, looking a little dumbstruck. Izuku smothered the little spark of guilt glaring to life in his stomach. So what if Bakugo heard? He stood by everything he said. May as well let his feelings be known.
"Hey, Deku," Bakugo said. He'd never heard him sound so off-kilter. Good.
"Midoriya, the plans are set. This will be good for your students," Aizawa said with a sense of finality. With the same sense of finality, Izuku stood and leveled a stared at Aizawa.
"No." And he walked out.
—
"Well, this is awkward. How ya been, Bakugo? Make any kids cry lately?" Shinso said. Katsuki could appreciate the fact that Shinso was trying to inject some levity into the heavy atmosphere Deku left behind. He did not appreciate the fact that the levity came at his expense. He was feeling shitty enough.
Bully. Deku called me a bully.
"What happened to Midoriya?" Uraraka asked, walking in a few seconds after Deku's angry exit.
"He's acting like a petulant child," Aizawa said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I'm sure he has his reasons," Shinso said, his eyes darting to Katsuki's for only a second before returning back to Aizawa.
"He does, and it's none of your business. Just… let me talk to him," Katsuki said. He dropped his gym bag by the door before stepping out of the lounge. He heard someone mutter that that was a terrible idea, but he wasn't going to let anyone stop him.
He had no idea what he was going to say when he found Deku, but he knew Deku would be in the nearest training room. He could hear him grunting and punching a bag all the way from the hall.
"Deku," Katsuki said, keeping to the doorway. Deku was like a feral animal when he was angry. It was hard to reconcile with the happy go lucky kid he used to be.
"That's not my name," Deku said, kicking the punching bag without mercy.
"It feels weird calling you anything else," he admitted.
Deku paused in his assault on the bag, panting heavily. He just stared at Katsuki, his green eyes boring holes in his face. Katsuki resisted the urge to fidget under his gaze.
"Why are you here?"
He didn't know if he meant here as in UA or if he meant in the training room trying to talk Deku down. He decided to be obtuse.
"Aizawa called me. You don't say no to Aizawa."
"Not even the great Ground Zero?"
"Sarcasm doesn't look good on you."
"Do you really think you can do anything for my students? They're not like you and your flashy Quirk. They can't blow up robots."
Katsuki did his best to breathe, to stay calm. He walked further into the room.
"I'm not going to be shitty to your students. I want them to succeed too," he said, allowing himself to sounds as tired as he felt. Dealing with Deku and the years of bullshit between them took too much out of him. He wanted it all to be worth it eventually.
"I don't trust you."
"You don't have to. Can't we just… call a truce?"
"A truce," Deku said, his voice flat and dead.
"Yeah. It's just a spar."
Izuku was silent for a long time, looking everywhere but at Katsuki. He was about to give up, tell Aizawa he would bow out and get Kirishima to cover him. Then Deku spoke.
"Fine. Only because Aizawa is going to kill me if I back out."
Katsuki smirked. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
—
"Welcome. I'm Izuku Midoriya, the hero Quirkless, and I'll be your homeroom teacher."
Katsuki stood at the back of the classroom, his eyes glued to Deku. He couldn't see much of the kids' expressions from where he stood, but he could tell they were in rapt attention. Katsuki was never so obedient under Aizawa's tutelage, but then again Aizawa was never much to look at. Deku, with his hard smile and scarred face was a force in the room. He was confident—something Katsuki never would've believed if he wasn't seeing it play out in front of him.
"We've got a demonstration planned today, just to show you what you guys are in for in this course, but first I have a few things I want to go over."
Some students nodded, some pulled out their notebooks and held their pens above a fresh sheet of paper, ready and waiting.
"Raise your hand if someone's ever told you your Quirk wasn't suited to hero work."
At first, only a few hands went up, but after a few seconds more hands tentatively rose to the air. Pretty soon every kid had a hand in the air, their heads dipped weakly in embarrassment. Deku nodded, his smile faltering a bit, but not in a way that showed he was surprised by the answer. It was more like a determined fury he couldn't smile through.
"So we're all in the same boat. Now, raise your hand if you took the hero practical exam when you applied to UA, despite everyone's warnings."
Only about half the hands in the room remained in the air. Deku nodded again, and pointed at a kid who didn't have his hands raised.
"Why didn't you take the hero practical?" Deku asked, his voice softening ever so slightly, so as not to frighten the tiny kid he singled out. Katsuki couldn't believe he was ever that small once. The kid spoke low and tentative.
"I knew what the exam entailed. My Quirk doesn't work on robots."
"Fair enough. Thank you for sharing. Is that pretty much how it went for everyone else?"
Heads bobbed in answer, small whispers flying around the room, but no one spoke to Deku.
"Okay. What about you? You took the test. Why?" Deku pointed at a girl with dark purple hair; she visibly started when Deku's eyes landed on her.
"I didn't know about the robots. But I guess I didn't care. I wanted to be a hero, so I did what I had to do."
Deku smiled at her, a real one, not the hard sham of a smile he'd had on since the class started.
"Thank you. That's the kind of spirit you have to have if you want to finish this course. I can't teach it to you. I can teach you how to push yourselves and how to fight and how to train your mind to see what other don't, but if you don't have the drive or the will to work yourself to the bone, you won't make it." Deku paused. He let his words sink into the children in front of him. Katsuki wished he could see their faces.
"So who's got the guts to stick with this no matter how many people try to tell you you can't?"
No hands shot up in the air but he could see furious head nods and hear some students muttering their assent. One student close enough for Katsuki to hear just said, "I can," over and over again, like she was willing herself to believe it.
Deku's smile seemed unconvinced—he probably expected some of them to fall off the wagon and high tail it back to the General course. He clasped his gloved hand together.
"Perfect. Now take out a piece of paper. Ground Zero, come up here for a second."
Katsuki started at Deku's casual command. He couldn't be sure, but he thought that was the first time he'd ever heard Deku refer to him as Ground Zero. Katsuki sauntered to the front of the class between the awestruck kids on either side of him. He crossed his arms and leveled every kid in the room with his signature glare.
"I'm sure you all know Ground Zero. Top of his graduating class, ranked first in his hero exam, and so on. You can look all this up on Moogle, I don't have time to sing his praises. Now, take some time. Look at me, look at him. I want you to write down on that piece of paper who you think would win in a fight. Quirkless versus Ground Zero. Once you write down your answer, fold it up, turn it in, and go change to your gym uniforms. Meet me in Training Gym 2 in 20 minutes." Deku made a shooing gesture with his hands and all the kids began writing.
"Deku, you really gonna fight me in front of all your students when you just spend half the class time hyping them up?" Katsuki asked when the last of the students funneled out to the locker rooms.
Deku turned his head, his arms crossed and his hands fisted. The mask of cool indifference was back. Deku raised an eyebrow just slightly, gave him an appraising look up and down and up again until their eyes met.
"Yep."
And then he was off, headed toward the training gym. Once he was at the door, he threw a casual, "Don't be late," over his shoulder and left Katsuki staring after him, dumbfounded.
Katsuki stood in a line of UA alums behind Aizawa, Shinso, and Deku. Uraraka stood on his right, and Kirishima on his left. He was surprised to see most of his classmates standing next to him. More than half the people he graduated with stood by—surely to spectate, but also as a means of hyping up the forty prospective heroes on the other side of the mat. As far as he knew, only he and Uraraka would actually be sparring in front of the class.
The last of the kids filed in in their brand new gym uniforms and Aizawa stepped up.
"Welcome, classes 1-L and 1-M. I'm Mr. Aizawa and I'll be overseeing your training from time to time along with your homeroom teachers. Behind me, are some of this generation's most successful UA alums. They're here to help you get into the mindset of a hero. I'm sure I don't need to introduce them. Today, we'll be showing you that you don't need a flashy Quirk to win a fight. Let's get started. Quirkless, Ground Zero, you're up."
Both Katsuki and Deku walked forward. Katsuki shook out his arms and rolled his shoulders. He'd decided to forgo his gauntlets for the exercise. He didn't need them to wipe the floor with Deku, and he couldn't handle anymore structural damage complaints this month.
"Alright, Class M, I've got those papers you turned in. Keep those in mind, and do your best to think critically about the match. Try to see beyond the fight. Break it down into moves and countermoves, and we'll discuss afterward." Izuku turned to face Katsuki and dropped into a fighting stance. Katsuki did the same on the other side of the mat, waiting for Aizawa to start the match.
"Begin," Aizawa said, very little inflection in his voice. Katsuki was lunging forward before the word was even fully spoken. Izuku reacted fast as well, pulling something off his utility belt. That's when Katsuki realized he had no idea how Izuku fought. He was flying completely blind.
The small bar he pulled off his belt extended to four times its original length in a matter of seconds, and before he knew it, Katsuki was being bitch slapped by one end of a bo staff, and lightly electrocuted by the other end. It was hardly more than a little jolt on his side, but it fucked with his balance.
Izuku was fast—much faster than anyone as big as he was had any right to be. While Katsuki was off balance, the bo staff swung again, this time sweeping under his legs. Katsuki was on his back in seconds. He growled, embarrassed and pissed off and the slightest bit turned on. He didn't stay down long, but he knew that Izuku let him get up. He wanted this match drawn out.
"I hope you're not going easy on me, Zero," Izuku taunted as he made a show of flipping backwards to put more space between him and Katsuki.
"Not a fucking chance, Deku," Katsuki growled, sparks popping in his palms. He lunged again, ready for the bo staff this time. He swung his arm and managed to hit Deku's shoulder with a half-powered explosion. He was much better and practicing control over his output. In his early hero days, there were a lot of villains with third degree burns left in his wake. He wouldn't burn Deku that badly, no matter how much he wanted to win.
Deku seemed mildly shaken by the explosion, but his costume seemed to be flame retardant. He figured his skin didn't burn at all, but the punch obviously hurt. Deku swung his bo staff again, then let it fall to the ground. Again, Katsuki was taken by surprise. He didn't expect Deku to drop the staff and punch him in the gut.
"Watch your language around my students!" He punched him again, this time an uppercut the the jaw. Katsuki staggered back. He needed some distance between him and Deku to regain his composure.
Deku couldn't have that, so he lunged at Katsuki.
"And my name," he started, faking like he would punch him again before his momentum changed and Katsuki took a kick square in the chest. "Is Quirkless," he finished. He let Katsuki regain his balance again, opting to step back to his side of the ring, a satisfied smile on his face.
Distantly, he could hear all his old classmates cackling at his expense. Katsuki'd had about enough of Deku's shit, so he lunged again for a no hold's barred attack, ready to be done with the match. Just as a massive explosion went off again, Deku deflected Katsuki's arm in a move that seemed reminiscent of Aikido. He used Katsuki's forward momentum to push him further and slip around to Katsuki's back.
In seconds, Katsuki was on his stomach with Deku's knee firmly in his back, his wrists in Deku's unforgiving grip. His arms were stretched out to the side and pulled up like some kind of fucked up partner stretching exercise. Katsuki was thoroughly subdued.
"Alright, enough. Quirkless wins," Aizawa said. Katsuki couldn't see him from that angle, but it sounded like the bastard was smiling.
"Good spar, Zero," Deku said, dropping Katsuki's arms and removing the knee in his back. Deku dusted off his hands and turned to face his students again.
"Alright, let's discuss. First of all, I know those papers were anonymous, but there's one person who called the match right. Can you raise your hand?"
A short boy with round cheeks and a black bowl cut raised his hand. Katsuki got up and attempted to make his retreat, but stopped when Deku put a hand on his shoulder.
"Stay. We're not done."
Katsuki grumbled, feeling very much like a dog following it's master's orders. A chorus of barely concealed giggles went up behind him again. Deku turned to his student again when he was sure Katsuki would stay like a good puppy.
"What made you vote for me?" Izuku asked. The boy looked sheepish and made an attempt to make himself looks smaller before answering.
"My Quirk. It's called Gamble. I'm… really good at winning bets."
"Hah! That's awesome. We'll have to talk more about it later."
For a second, Katsuki saw the old Deku appear before him. The one who got excited about Quirks, and spent hours writing in his notebooks. He could see the curiosity sparkling in his eyes. Katsuki tried not to smile.
"So what did you guys notice about the match? What can you tell me? Don't be shy! There are no wrong answers."
It's been a long time since Katsuki had seen Deku looking so chipper. Must be the adrenaline. And the sheer vindictive pleasure of kicking my ass.
"You definitely held back. I think Ground Zero did too, at first," a pale girl with fangs and purple eyes said.
"I don't hold back, kid," Katsuki griped.
"Then you're just really bad at hand to hand? How are you the number nine hero?" a girl with blue skin and blue feathers for hair boldly yelled from the back of the group. Katsuki damn near choked on his blinding rage. He hated kids.
"Be nice to Zero. He's a very accomplished hero and all of you would be lucky to learn something from him. That said, it's natural to hold back in a spar, especially with a Quirk as dangerous as his," Deku said, surprisingly coming to his defense. It'd be a nicer gesture if he didn't have such a shit-eating grin on his face.
"Why did you hold back then?" The same feathered girl asked. He wondered what her Quirk was.
"I wanted to teach you guys something. You wouldn't learn anything if the match was over in two minutes. Now, let's get to the good stuff. Show me your analytical skills," Deku said. Katsuki was starting to feel like the butt of every joke. He guessed it was a small price to pay for being an asshole in middle school, but that didn't mean he wasn't seething with rage.
"Ground Zero seemed surprised by your fighting style," the boy with the bowl cut said. He seemed to be gaining confidence after Deku complimented his Quirk.
"Perfect! Nice catch. That's one of the most important lessons you'll learn in this class: no matter what you do, don't be predictable," Deku said, talking with his hands the way he did when he was a kid and he was really excited about a Quirk or an All Might video he watched.
"You also clearly know each other. Did that have any effect on the match?" Someone—Katsuki couldn't see who because he was so taken aback by the statement—said.
"It definitely did. That's another important thing to consider. You have to know your enemy. Many of you will most likely transition into underground heroics, and information gathering is essential to an underground pro. I happen to know Zero. I've spent a lot of time analyzing his fighting style and I know his personality. What did you guys notice about his fighting style?"
"He likes to lunge!"
"He always attacks first."
"He's a very angry boi."
"Killer right hook!"
"Yeah! He almost always leads with a right hook. In other words, he's predictable. See where I'm going with this?"
"Yes, Sensei."
Izuku smiled at the honorific, looking disgustingly fond of his gaggle of baby heroes. They all seemed pretty enamored with their teacher. Katsuki couldn't help but feel the same. Despite his wounded ego, and the blooming bruise on his chin, he was floored by seeing Deku in action. Even more so, he was floored by the life in his eyes. Katsuki didn't know it was missing until he saw it again. He needed this. They needed this.
"You guys did great. Keep trying to think like that with the upcoming match. Try to think of ways you could use your own Quirks in a spar too. Be creative and don't be afraid to speak up."
Deku finally dismissed Katsuki, so he took his place next to Kirishima again. Hair for brains was desperately trying not to laugh.
"That was…"
"Don't fucking start."
"Hilarious. I've never seen someone get the jump on you like that."
"Shut up."
"You're blushing. God, I wish the rest of the squad could've seen this. Maybe Aizawa filmed it."
"Deku may have beat me just now, but you sure as shit can't. Fuck off before I blast you into the next fucking millennium!" Katsuki could feel the heat on his face, but it had nothing to do with the embarrassment of getting his ass handed to him. He was blushing because, just before taking his place in the line of heroes, Deku smiled at him. A real Deku smile. A smile he hadn't been on the receiving end of since he was about ten years old.