Title: Hold On

Summary: Heavily inspired by the song (Hold On by Chord Overstreet). Katsuki had gone back for his school book. He never thought Izuku would listen to him. He was stronger than that. It was infuriating how unwavering the nerd was in his goal, so why... why was Katsuki holding him, drenched in his childhood friend's blood, begging, praying for him to just...hold on.

Anime: My Hero Academia

Pairing: Izuku/Katsuki

Rating: M for Katsuki (I mean, Language) and other sensitive topics. Warnings will be listed as needed.

TRIGGER WARNING:

-Mentions of Bullying

Chapter Seven

"I'm not doing it."

"Kaachan, just try."

"It's weird, and I really don't want anyone watching me do this."

Izuku rolled his eyes, then took off up a mountain of organized junk that now made up what Katsuki could only describe as insidious and grungy. There was a mound, an "organized" mound, of methodically laid out junk, because that's what it was, into a makeshift mega-ultra-extreme slide. Those weren't his words. He was the smart one on the ground, wearing industry standard, orange double-dipped PVC, foam-lined, safety cuff gloves. These motherfuckers were a hundred and seventy on the cheap; Katsuki wasn't about to touch anything that would have him contracting some shitty disease or something. Watching as Izuku grabbed a flat piece of metal, he pulled the front edge into a curl before jumping on it and sliding down the mound with copious amounts of noise trailing behind the insane speed at which he'd gotten the stupid shit sled to go. Cringing, the sound was comparable to a dozen starving cats and dogs fighting over the only piece of meat in a hundred miles. "I don't think this is what Aizawa-Sensei intended when he told us to clean the beach!"

He watched Izuku's sled clip a fridge and send the smaller boy flying down the mess into no man's land. To his credit, Izuku managed to tuck and roll clumsily when he hit the sand. "You're an idiot."

"Maybe, that hurt a lot more than I anticipated. My ears are ringing!" He rubbed his ears and brushed the sand from his messy hair.

The two returned to pick up the trash on the beach surrounding the largest mound and working in opposite directions. There was a wheelbarrow that the two used for heavier items or things that were a bit too dangerous for them to handle with just gloves. A large ice chest filled with ice and a bunch of water bottles. By midday, the number of bottles had dwindled from thirty to eleven, and the boys felt they'd barely progressed with their areas. A few people walking by had stopped to watch them, curious about their actions, but no one offered a hand. No one felt they had the time. It was hot, and they were sweaty, covered in sand, shirts drenched and sticking to their bodies as they started on the pile centered in the mess. Izuku was calling it the great divide now.

"Maybe I should just blast it."

Izuku shook his head, "you want to send shrapnel flying everywhere?"

Shrugging, he climbed up the mound and to the other side of the fridge, submerged in the trash, "move, I'm going to send this one down."

"Feels like a bad idea," Izuku listened, although he could already see what was about to happen. If Katsuki was the one to do it, he could be sure that his friend would be safe. So instead, Izuku just made sure he was out of the way.

He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but Shouta wasn't quite expecting this. The large pile that had been centered on the beach was scattered into piles based on what was easier to break apart and what would need more time to tear down. Izuku was bent over a filing cabinet with a screwdriver, and Katsuki kept the pieces from falling on him as he took the thing apart. A few drawers pulled out, and the back was kicked free from where it had stayed stuck after being unscrewed. "I'll call and get some trucks to take the larger stuff as they deconstruct it."

Dressed comfortably in a white short sleeve genriki Neko shirt and baggy, loose, ankle-length pants. Determined not to wear his black uniform in the sun's sweltering heat. He guessed it was a strange sight since Hizashi had ogled him openly before he left this morning. He'd gone to meet with the Bakugou's for a bit, and then Midoriya Inko, who had been more flustered by his sudden drop-in than she was surprised. He had no intention of reacting to her evident infatuation for him. Nope, best to pretend he didn't notice. Not to be rude, but women weren't his strongest subject. Maybe he could end it all by introducing Hizashi to the families the next time he gathered them together. He normally didn't care to deal with his student's parents. Still, considering the delicate condition of both boys' mental health, he wanted to treat the situation with all the delicacy and gravity it deserved. Speaking of Hizashi, he pulled his phone out, answering the incoming call, "Hey."

"Hey there, handsome. How are your prodigies doing?"

"Well, it's a process. You know the saying, something about breaking a few eggs to bake a cake." Catching a passerby's attention, he moved and stepped out of their way as they eyed his pupils before continuing on their way. "I'm reminded where our society's problems lie every day."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember what the lowest point of your life was? Do you recall what the people around you were like at that time? I see these two boys working hard, sweating through their clothes, and burning calories in a landfill. I can't help but want to ridicule these pathetic spectators who just expect others to do the work for them."

"The world is like that. It's always been like that. However, is this the entire world you're thinking about right now, or is this the community that solely belongs to those two boys of yours?"

"..."

"I thoughts so, Shou. The greatest community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. It's only been a few days since they started, so let's not give up completely on their community just yet, Shou."

As his call ended, he gave Hizashi a brief goodbye after promising to pick up dinner tonight on the way home. Sitting out of sight of the boys, crouched where he could watch them but wouldn't be seen, he watched them work. Well into the night, until the streetlights started to light up, and the boys turned their attention to the nearest glow along the road. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but the two were huddled shoulder to shoulder as they sat on their ice chest, talking in hushed tones.

When Katsuki stood and stretched, Izuku followed him, and the two started to the sidewalk before stretching and taking off in a jog. Shouta followed. Quick down the street, the two started to speed up, and Shouta did the same. Pushing on after the two, he was curious about where they must be going. Then the two split up, and Shouta was on high alert. 'What are they doing?'

"Behind you!"

Shouta lifted his hand to grab his capture weapon and cursed mentally when he remembered what he was wearing. 'Shit!' flipping out of the way of a kick, his hand touched down on the concrete, and he twisted. Sweeping a foot out and knocked the blonde off his feet. Izuku was gone. He had no eyes on the green-haired quirk analyst, and that had him worried. "Where's your friend, Katsuki."

"Izu? You mean you haven't noticed yet?"

Spinning, he ducked just in time to avoid Izuku's kick. "How long have you two known I was here?" Knocking Izuku back with a kick to his chest, he sent the boy flying back before leaning back and catching Katsuki's fist. He gripped it tight and threw him towards Izuku, watching the freckled boy catch the blonde before the force of Katsuki's weight knocked the two back. He stepped up to the two and propped a foot out before crouching down to meet their eyes. "...not bad." He held his hand up, stopping Katsuki as he made to argue. "I said not "bad," but it wasn't great either. You both have serious flaws in execution, but you worked together, and as far as observation goes, you noticed me, and I wasn't aware of that, which is a feat in and of itself. So not bad." Holding his hand out to help the two up, he walked them home while offering words of advice for any future attempts.

"That sucked."

"Well, you can blame me for the shitty idea. I thought we could keep him occupied longer than twenty seconds."

Izuku grimaced, "you got twenty seconds. I was out after three."

"He sent you flying into the trash, nerd. Besides, the goal wasn't to actually beat him; it was to catch him off guard. We did that. I'm not surprised by the turnout. Tomorrow, we'll be training with him again. So don't worry about it."

"Excuse me, but who are you, and what have you done with K-Kaachan?" Izuku felt his cheeks flush brightly when Katsuki knocked his shoulder against his.

"Shut up, nerd."

"R-right. I'll see you at school tomorrow, Kaachan." Splitting at the corner of the street, he watched Katsuki walk across the road before turning and making his way to his apartment complex.

"Izuku!"

Not even all the way through the door, Izuku heard his mom call from the living room. Following the direction her voice came from, she smiled at him from the couch. "Mom, aren't you tired?"

She waved him off, "don't worry about me. I have your dinner on the counter; go take a shower and eat."

He didn't need to be told twice. Covered in the grime from the beach, he felt gross and smelled worse. He could feel his muscles twitch from the heavy lifting and oddly effective workout he'd participated in today.

"I got tricked."

"What's that?"

Shouta placed the bag with their Vietnamese takeout on the counter, "Izuku and Katsuki; they chose a divide and conquer tactic. I wasn't even aware they'd seen me."

Smiling, Hizashi slung an arm over Shouta's shoulder, "sounds like you've got some astute students. Do I get to meet them?"

"...actually, I was planning on introducing you, but not yet. I want to train them a bit longer, and then, if you're up to a spar, I was going to set up a few outings, and I wouldn't mind the help."

"I wouldn't mind." Hizashi grabbed a spring roll and dipped it into the sweet peanut sauce before taking a large bite. Having been craving the dish for the last three days, he was happy to get his food finally.

"Great, I need to introduce you to Midoriya-San too."

"Midoriya-San?"

"Izuku's mom."

"Why?"

"She likes me, and I don't know how to handle the situation."

Hizashi stared at Shouta for a few seconds before bursting into a fit of laughter. He could not control himself as he placed the roll down, doubling over with red cheeks. "Oh gosh, you're trying to use me? No way, you deal with it!" Fanning himself, he took a small drink of his tea before placing it down on the counter. He was blatantly ignoring Shouta's pout, not one to give in to his begging, ever.

"I don't feel safe, Hizashi. You're supposed to protect me."

Hizashi just shook his head. Putting his palms flat against Shouta's back before pressing into it and running them up along the spinal contour. Turning his open palms into closed fists, he kneaded the taut muscles. "Does she really make you feel uncomfortable?"

"...no. Just awkward. I guess the next time I see her, I could just casually mention that I'm gay and not interested in women..."

"Or, you could just keep your conversations strictly professional. She doesn't need to know about your personal life. If she starts to hint at something or asks, then fine, tell her whatever you want, but you aren't obligated to inform anyone of your sexual preference, babe." Resting his chin on Shouta's shoulder, he watched him carefully before smiling at him. He would be fine. He always was. Worst case scenario, Hizashi would have to meet Midoriya-San and make sure she was aware that he was very much so taken and not on the market for a relationship. Bless the poor woman. At least she had good taste in men.

Six Weeks Later

"I don't want him in my class any longer! Starting fights with the other students in my class! This is every day!"

Inko rolled her eyes, looking away from her son, who was sporting a black eye and busted lip. Katsuki, of course, was next to him with a scuffed cheek and busted knuckles but no other injuries. Meanwhile, the fuming teacher in front of her hadn't felt the need to bring the other three students involved in the fight into the office. The principal didn't seem to care that they were missing either. "I see we're missing a few students. Are they not to be included in this discussion? What about the Bakugou's? Where are Katsuki's parents? Or did you think they didn't need to be notified? Or perhaps there's a logical reason for why I'm the only adult that's been called into the office."

"...Midoriya-San. The three boys are currently in the nurse's office, and their parents have already been called. They will be here later to pick up their children. You, on the other hand, are here to talk about your son's pending suspension."

"The hell!? I was the one who bashed those losers' faces in after they ganged up on Izuku!"

"Katsuki, watch your language!" Inko stood up and fixed her glare on the principal as he looked from Katsuki back to her. "Go ahead and suspend my son, and I will see to it that your school is brought down in shambles all around you."

"Is that a threat, Midoriya-San?"

She smiled, "it's a promise." Turning, she met Izuku's eyes. The look of shock and nervous trepidation was almost enough to make her laugh, but she was upset still. "We're leaving, Izuku. Katsuki?"

"I'll message my mom and go with you."

"Excuse me, Midoriya-San. Bakugou-San cannot leave with you. you are not his legal guardian."

"Please look again," Inko spoke calmly despite the warring feelings inside her chest, "I am listed under family contacts as Katsuki's Aunt."

"...aunt?" He stumbled to his computer and looked the student up. Katsuki scoffed at the principal as he wiped a cloth across his forehead and turned back to Inko, "I see, you are there. Then, I will notify Katsuki's teachers that he will not attend any more classes today."

"You'll be doing the same with my son, I assume." Inko didn't wait for a response, turning and walking out of the office with Katsuki and Izuku on her tail. The two followed her silently. Though Izuku was trying to stop his bleeding lip, he didn't say anything.

Inko was muttering and mumbling under her breath, a habit Izuku had inherited from her, but she'd learned to control it for the most part unless in stressful situations. The ride home was mostly silent, with Katsuki and Izuku talking in hushed tones in the back seat. "Are the two of you still planning on going to the beach to clean?"

"...is that okay?" Neither really wanted to upset Inko any more than the school faculty already had. It was clear that they weren't the cause of her frustration, but she was still clearly bothered.

"That's fine. I'll clean your injuries and drop you both off at the beach."

While his mom set about spraying antiseptic on his injuries and Katsuki's knuckles, then wrapping what needed to be wrapped, Izuku wondered what would happen to him. He wasn't too worried, though being suspended would look tacky on his school record. His mom wasn't bringing it up, however, and saying something now didn't seem appropriate.

"I've never once believed Auntie had a mean bone in her body, but she looked ready to string the Principal up by his—"

"Kaachan! Don't, don't say it." Izuku flushed, "she's my mom. I want to preserve the idea that she wouldn't actually kill somebody."

"...fingers...I was going to say fingers, nerd."

Lifting a fridge with the help of Katsuki, the two walked to the corner of the street where a large truck with a dump bed twice the size of the actual truck attached to it was.

Three hours passed, and the beach was looking better every week, and yet still, no one could be bothered to stop and help.

"Hey there!"

It was Katsuki that heard the newcomer. He turned around only to see a girl around their age staring down at them from atop a junkpile; cheeks smudged with whatever it was smudged with. Really, what was on her cheek? His eyebrows squinted as he tried to get a better look at the guck. "Who are you?" He finally asked. This, of course, only drew on Izuku's attention, who popped his head up from the junk pile he'd been playing—cleaning in!

"What's going on?"

"There's a girl in the trash."

Izuku looked back, up, turned, and then up again, smiling and giving a small wave to the girl. "Hey, you want to come down here, so I don't have to strain my neck to talk to you?"

"Really? You don't mind!?" Climbing the rest of the way over the mound, the girl jumped and landed in front of the duo. "What are the two of you doing?" She lifted a metal panning and tilted it back and forth as if inspecting it.

"Cleaning the beach," Katsuki answered as if it were obvious what they'd been doing. It was.

Izuku grinned, giving Katsuki a shove with his fist before turning back to the girl, "what about you? I don't think we've seen you around these parts before."

"No. You wouldn't have. My family only just moved here. I was exploring the area and came across this treasure trove!"

"Treasure trove!?"

"Absolutely! It's amazing here! Oh, would you two mind if I took a few things back home with me?"

Sharing a look between them, they turned and gave her a small nod.

"Oh, great!"

Just like that, she was gone, pulling what looked like a motorized wagon around before she started digging around in the metal. Both boys watched her for a few moments longer before they went back to cleaning. A few hours came and went, and the two realized that the piles were getting smaller and smaller in areas where they were not working.

It was early evening when Shouta snuck up on them and took in their progress. "Not bad; you've managed to even rope another pair of hands into helping you both out."

"Not really, she's just taking some things for a... project... or something." As Izuku said this, Katsuki tossed a portable blender into another pile, only for their junkyard mole to take and disassemble it. She didn't spare Shouta even a glance as she looked over the blade she just pulled out of the blender.

"Well, either way, it's fine. She doesn't look to be hindering your progress." Shouta returned his eyes to Izuku as the girl wandered off. Frowning, he reached his hand forward. "What happened here?" Shouta emphasized his question by carefully gripping Izuku's chin between his thumb and pointer finger. Tilting the boy's head a bit to take in the full extent of damage, eyeing the bruising around his eyes and the swollen and split lip. When Izuku didn't answer, he looked to Katsuki and narrowed his eyes at the blonde's fists, which were also scuffed up. "You two got into a fight at school?"

"You could call it that."

Katsuki shook his head, "more like he got his ass kicked by a couple of quirkist extras."

"I don't need to mention who was the leader of those quirkist extras, do I?"

"Fuck off! You know I don't hang out with those two shits anymore! I separated myself from that toxic crap!"

Izuku nodded, "I know. You're right." He looked away, pulling his face from Shouta's grip as he turned to look at Katsuki. "Shouldn't have even brought it up, sorry."

"It's fine, nerd."

Shouta put together what happened without so much as a whisper of what happened. "From the bruising along your knuckles, I assume you got involved on his behalf?"

"I'd do it again too. Those fuckers had the nerve to tell Izuku to try for a second dive off the roof and to not fuck up! Who the fuck says something like that!?"

Neither Shouta nor Izuku commented. Their shared silence dragged Katsuki from his anger, and they watched him deflate internally.

"I know I fucked up, shit!"

"Are you two done yelling?" Pinkette popped up between the two, lifting a large spring from Izuku's pile as she pulled her goggles off and eyed the spring thoughtfully. "You're both getting so worked up. Don't know what happened, but it's hot, so yelling will only make you tired. I'm taking this too!" She yelled the last bit over her shoulder as she dragged Izuku's makeshift sled away from them.

For a few seconds, the three were quiet. Shouta smiled in the direction the girl had wandered off in before shoving his hands into his joggers. "There you have it. I brought some water. It's in your ice chest." Shouta watched Izuku and Katsuki run off to the chest at their makeshift command post and looked back and around the beach. His eyes were on the beach, his mind on the fight. Telling a kid who just got out of the hospital to go for broke and try again. He'd almost forgotten how cruel teenagers could be. Quietly debating whether he should put in for a visit to the school and see what was going on inside, if the teachers were taking care of the situation, and if not... 'I'll look into it in my downtime.'

Me: Chapter Seven is up~