Chapter Text
Izuku Midoriya is not dumb.
Ok, maybe he’s a little oblivious or dense sometimes, but he’s certainly not stupid. Which is why this whole… ‘What do I even call it?’ … situation… is rather frustrating. Izuku is a smart boy, so why can’t he figure out who’s doing this?!
It’s almost as if they know him well enough to properly evade him! No, no. That’s ridiculous! The only person who knows him well enough for that is- it’s… no, that’s an even crazier thought. ‘He doesn’t even like you Izuku, get it together and figure out the real culprit!’ He scolded himself.
“Are you ok Izuku?” His head shot up towards the caring voice of his mother. “Ah- um, yeah. Yeah! I’m ok, just lost in thought,” Izuku gave her a sheepish smile, which Inko quickly returned. “That’s good. Here, come sit, I made you breakfast!”
Izuku didn’t need to be told twice, all but sprinting over to the table. As if he thought it’d grow legs and run. Inko chuckled at his enthusiasm, setting down the bowl of miso soup and plate of steamed rice with grilled fish. A traditional breakfast for today it seems.
‘The best way to start any day!’ Izuku thought as he happily dug in. Listening to his mother chat about her job as a nurse, gently sitting down across from him despite having already eaten. ‘Watch out surprise-secret-school-Santa! Here I come!’
Izuku severely underestimated how hard this would be. Or- well it actually wasn’t
that
hard to figure out, it’s just- it
can’t
be him! There’s no way! So, clearly, Izuku is missing something. Whoever this is, is just smart enough to leave a false paper trail to someone else. Yeah. Yeah! That’s it!
It has to be, he doesn’t think he’ll be able to handle it if it isn’t.
So- so the amused look on Kacchan’s face the first time he got a gift was just a coincidence, so is the fact that he hasn’t actually tried to do anything since the start of this. ‘He’s been purposefully avoiding me, seemingly only saying something for a status quo,’ he thought bitterly. ‘I’m honestly not sure if this is better than bullying. At least he looked at me then.’
‘ANYWAYS -‘ So what if Kacchan is definitely the only one with enough money to buy all of this. So what if Kacchan is the only one who knows his favorite food is katsudon. So what if Kacchan has been bringing a thermos of coffee to school everyday, always seeming more tired than the last- ‘and why does he-even-bring-coffee-to-school? Kacchanliterally hates coffeeand-‘ “Oh my Kami, it’s Kacchan!” Izuku squeaked in shock.
‘Alright! One issue is down but another one has been gained! This is not ideal!’ he thought a bit hysterically. Izuku was suddenly hit by the dreadful realization that he had to actually confront Kacchan . Ok so maybe Izuku is wrong! It’s happened before, right? Jumping to conclusions with circumstantial evidence is wrong. What if Kacchan really isn’t the culprit? Then he’d just be making a fool of himself! And he does that enough…
Alright planning time! How is he gonna gather evidence anyway? ‘I could show up super early to school and wait for them?’ Izuku pondered before grimacing. ‘That’s- that’s kinda creepy… but a boy must do what a boy must do.’
After a few days of
stalling
careful consideration, Izuku decided to wait and do it on Monday. Which was today… because Izuku spent too much time
stalling
considering… So he still doesn’t have a plan… but he swore to do it today… and he’s not a liar…
‘Well shi-‘ Izuku took a deep breath. ‘This is fine- it’s fine. I’m fine! I can totally do this,’ Izuku forced a smile onto his face; it looked more nervous and wobbly than the genuine, and confident grin he was aiming for. Oh well. Beggars can’t be choosers.
So after another hearty breakfast, courtesy of Inko, he set out to school. At 5:00 AM. Kami is he tired. Izuku’s just glad his mom bought the excuse of ‘I just want to take a more scenic route today!’, he doesn’t think he has the mental power to explain The Situation™ right now.
As soon as Izuku arrived he looked around for hiding spots, can’t be caught after all. Eventually he decided to sit under the teacher’s podium up front, he was small enough after all.
Getting comfortable was hard, but he succeeded eventually; he’d probably be here for a while. His thoughts started to stray away from The Situation™. It wasn’t hard to find something else to occupy his mind while he waited.
Kacchan’s secondary gender has been another question worming its way into his mind. If he’s not thinking about The Situation™, he’s thinking about that. Izuku’s not used to seeing the explosive blonde nervous, for obvious reasons; so to see him clam up at that question made his inner analyst go feral.
Of course he doubts anyone else noticed, Kacchan probably just looked like he was about to blow a gasket. Which he was, but not because he was mad but because… because he was scared.
Scared isn’t a word he ever thought he’d associate with the other honestly. Makes him feel a bit guilty. Kacchans human just like the rest of them. He already has so many unrealistic standards to meet, he doesn’t need any more.
Kacchan has always been so confident about everything. Anytime a kid even tried to make fun of him for something he wouldn’t even falter, just show them where they can shove their opinions. It’s something Izuku’s always looked up to him for, it’s admirable.
Although, now that he thinks about it, it’s actually kind of… sad..? He’s never really tried to stand up for Kacchan before, the blondes never needed it. So when he finally did he’s not sure what he was expecting; but for Kacchan to think he was pitying him? Izuku pitying him ?
Kacchan of all people? Never.
So, rounding back to how it’s sad, that means Kacchan is just so used to having to do everything himself he just… doesn’t know what to make of help. Which, wow, Izuku’s definitely going to re-psychoanalyze the blonde later.
Back to his dynamic. What could make Kacchan that nervous? Maybe he presented as an omega? No. No, if he did he’d probably boast about it. Kacchan’s just amazing like that. He’d just mess up anyone to say anything about it.
Same case with beta or alpha actually, Izuku really couldn’t see Kacchan caring about that.
But maybe he would, Izuku clearly doesn’t know him as well as he thought he did.
So what else could it be? A late presentation? He might be embarrassed over that? Or maybe-
Click.
The door to the classroom slid open, lock sliding open with a click. His mouth shut with a click, hands coming up to slap over it and stop the muttering he only just now registered. The footfalls stuttered slightly, the person pausing in the doorway before deeming it safe and slipping in.
Izuku made sure to measure his breathing, slow, purposeful, and- most importantly- silent. His body tensed as he carefully listened to the mystery person shuffle around the classroom, supposedly to Izuku’s desk.
After a few tense seconds, that might as well have been hours in Izuku's very correct opinion, the person started to retreat. Taking a deep, quiet, breathe to steal himself, Izuku carefully set his palms flat to floor and slowly pushed forward, turning to look and-
‘KACCHAN?!’ he very nearly screamed, barely managing to keep his freak out internal, eyes bugging. The blonde paused, eyebrows furrowing as he turned around to look back at the empty class. Izuku jerked back, barely managing to not hit his head on the wood of the podium and dodge Kacchan’s gaze.
After a few more seconds of suspense, that really wasn’t good for his heart, Kacchan left and closed the door behind himself. Izuku instantly slumped down with a heavy breath, it came out slightly choked and squeaky, but was relieving nonetheless.
The relief didn’t last as long as he’d wish, unfortunately. On one hand: he’d found out the perpetrator. On the other hand: he’d found out the perpetrator.
Kacchan.
He’s not sure how he’s supposed to process this. Is he supposed to process this? Should he process this?
Oh Kami, he’s gonna have to confront Kacchan, isn’t he?
Izuku… had meant to confront Kacchan that same day. And… he was going to- he swears! But it’s just that he had so much going on! With avoiding all the tripping, bullies, teachers calling him out- publicly- for a grade that wasn’t even that bad, and-
Point is he wasn’t stalling, not this time. He just… genuinely couldn’t find a break to… well, corner? That sounds too intimidating or, he doesn’t know, rude? However it is what he was going to try and do to Kacchan. Corner him that is.
Then, when he did find a break, he made the lovely discovery that not only was the blonde ignoring him but was also actively avoiding him! Him! Izuku! Useless, unintimidating, Deku!
What?!
Izuku had a hard time getting mad, he didn’t really like it and was more prone to anxiety or crying anyways. However, to know that Kacchan felt guilty- and wow that never failed to send him for a wild ride, Kacchan feeling guilty?- for what he’s done and try to- what? Apologize? Probably- anyways! But to go through all that yet refuse to talk to him face to face?
Yeah, Izuku was pissed.
But he’s, unfortunately, always been an empathetic boy and can understand that Kacchan just… doesn’t do emotions. As stupid as that might sound. He may not know exactly what the blondes house is like but emotionally available is never a word he’d use to describe it. He might even go as far as to say ‘The Bakugo Household’ and ‘Proper Emotional Support’ are antonyms.
Izuku doesn’t remember when ‘Auntie Mitsuki’ and ‘Uncle Masaru’ turned into ‘Bakugosan’ to him. He doesn’t bother to remember the last time their former titles were ever uttered into existence.
Whatever, the point is he’s mad, but not at Kacchan. He’s never been able to hold any real anger over the blonde for very long. Trust him, he’s tried. Oh Kami has he tried.
No, he’s pissed that the Bakugos couldn’t be good parents for at least long enough to teach him proper ways to deal with his emotional outbursts! Izuku knows that it’s probably not fair to throw most of the blame away from Kacchan to his parents, but he doesn’t care! If it weren’t for their lackluster parenting he and Kacchan could have been friends this entire time! He’s sure of it!
But instead they dumped his best friend out in a world that saw him as the best and left no room for argument. Forcing the blonde to figure out ways to take out his anger and frustration from said expectations all on his own. Insert Izuku, poor little quirkless Deku, so easy to pick on! He’s not even sure the blonde knows why he took out his anger on him, much less why he’s so angry and stressed all the time!
Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, he forcefully shelved those thoughts for later. He hasn’t forgiven Kacchan and he doesn’t think the other is blameless, but it’s really hard to stay mad at him knowing that the blonde grew up in the same environment as Izuku; just with much worse parents.
They might have different expectations placed on them, different titles and uses- or lack thereof, but they still were both raised in the same toxic environment.
Kami, why’d he have to be the emotionally intelligent of the two?!
With a huff he fell back into his bed. His carpet probably had worn down areas from how much pacing he’s done throughout his life, let alone today.
“Alright,” he mumbled, eyes already lagging from the emotional rollercoaster today was. “Looks like I’ll have to take the initiative.” The anxiety and frustration from that statement didn’t get a chance to fully bloom as he was already slipping off into a dreamless sleep.
A week.
An. Entire. Week.
That’s how long Kacchan has been avoiding him and he’s at his wits end. His mother, bless her Kami-sent heart, noticed his stress and offered a weekend for just them. Of course Izuku accepted, he loves his Ma. She’s the best after all!
Currently they were at a mall to get some boba and frozen yogurt. Just a small relaxing trip. Before they could get anything, however, his Ma had to quickly use the restroom. No big deal, Izuku could wait near the shops for a couple more minutes. They’re not gonna go anywhere after all.
Then he saw him. Well, heard her would probably be more accurate.
Kacchan and Bakugosan, his mom, exiting a small makeup shop. His mom scolding him for something or other when Kacchan muttered a response. A quick cuff to the back of his head had him shutting up real quick. Fist clenched and glaring at the ground. Izuku tuned in just in time to hear the awful woman tell him to stay and wait for her to get back from the ladies room.
‘What is he? A fucking dog?’ Izuku internally sneered. He hates few people in his life, she and her manipulative doormat of a husband are some of those few.
Taking a deep breath to calm down, he reminded himself that Kacchan probably wouldn’t like Izuku standing up for him.
Especially
towards his mother.
He wonders if Kacchan even knows it’s wrong.
This is his chance. He feels a bit guilty for it, it’s not like the blonde can go anywhere with Bakugosan breathing down his neck; but honestly if he didn’t want this to happen he should have just talked to Izuku at school!
So, forcing a smile much more sure than he actually felt onto his face, he jogged over. Raising his hand and waving towards the blonde, he pointedly ignored how fast his heart started to race or how nervous he suddenly felt.
“Kacchan!” he shouted with half forced-half genuine glee in his voice. What? He can’t help it if he gets excited to see his best friend!
Can they even be best friends anymore? Or is this all just hopeful thinking?
The blondes head snapped over to him, surprise lingering for barely a second before his usual ‘fuck off’ scowl overrode his facial muscles. “Deku,” he distastefully growled out in return. Izuku couldn’t help but notice the lack of venom, some small part of him felt delusional for thinking it as no one else would even take note of the change, even when pointed out. But Izuku knew better. He knew Kacchan.
Skipping to a stop in front of his childhood best friend he grinned. “What brings you here?” he glanced at the beauty shop briefly. “Didn’t think you liked this shop?” It was just an icebreaker, he knew the blonde hated this shop. Said all the products didn’t look, or feel right on him.
“I don’t,” Kacchan instinctually snapped. He paused, looking Izuku up and down, before sniffing and wrinkling his nose, looking down at him with clear judgment. “How would you even know that? Stalker.” The blonde finished, answering his own question and looking away with a huff. The unspoken ‘this conversation is over’ hung heavy in the air and Izuku’s eyebrow twitched downwards in irritation.
He doesn’t get to just do that! Fine, Izuku tried to have tact but if Kacchan really didn’t care either way-
“Why are you leaving things on my desk?”
The blonde tensed, slack posture going ridged within seconds, pulled as tight as the drawstring of a bow. Eyes widened minutely but never left the wall across from them and his pupils never even twitched in Izuku’s direction.
He frowned and stared at Kacchan with a critical eye, face unnervingly blank but knowing. Izuku’s feet shuffled on the pavement under them slightly as he turned to give Kacchan his full undivided attention. It was weird, he thinks. He never felt like the cards were in his hands around Kacchan. He always thought it would feel good to finally have them in his favor but… he’s not really feeling that assumed euphoria right now.
“I’ll admit it wasn’t easy to figure out,” he started, only half lying. Ok, sure, it was easy enough to figure out but… it wasn’t easy to accept. And it’s easier to say Kacchan was good at hiding it than it is to say it was hard to accept it was him doing it.
“But once I did it all clicked together.” Not a lie. It did all click once he realized who it was and only further solidified when he accepted it. “So what I want to know is: Why?”
Izuku looked up from where his eyes had strayed to the ground. Kacchan was already watching him but not in a way he’d ever seen before. Felt less like a predator finding its next meal and more like a prey being cornered by something far larger than it.
He doesn’t think he likes being on the other side of things. Not at all, made him feel vaguely sick actually. He decidedly hates it. But what must be done, must be done.
Seconds ticked by as they stared at each other, passersby drowned out as Kacchan watched Izuku’s blank but analytical gaze and Izuku watched Kacchans half-hearted glare only held in place by fear and…
And…
Uncertainty.
Suddenly it made sense because-
“You don’t know,” Izuku damn near gasped out, eyes wide in genuine surprise. Kacchan was a bit- ok, a lot of a control freak, he never did anything he didn’t want to or without reason. He wasn’t avoiding Izuku because he was too nervous to actually apologize, or because he thought he was too good for that.
No, it’s because he didn’t know. He didn’t understand why he felt the need to apologize, and not being in proper control of his own actions scared him so-
“Shut up!” the blonde finally snapped, baring his teeth as his eyes flicked behind Izuku. He looked cornered. Anxious. “You don’t know shit about me! I don’t know what the fuck you’re thinking up in that nerd brain of yours-“ he growled, eyes peircing Izuku to his spot. And just like that all the cards he had toppled. “-but it’s not it! I’m- I’m not-“ he faltered, eyebrows furrowing in an- unfortunately- familiar way of frustration that's directed towards the blonde himself.
Seeing the boy he’d come to idolize as this strong unbreakable pillar of victory stuttering in the face of emotions broke Izuku’s heart. The boy in front of him was so different from what he knew but somehow the exact same. How did he miss this?
He knows that even if he did see it he probably couldn’t have done anything anyways. Kacchan never would have let him.
“Just- Whatever!” he finally broke, shoving Izuku out of the way and storming past him. “I don’t care! This is stupid- you’re stupid! Leave me alone stalker!” Kacchan spat out, just shy of running away from him. Bakugosan stepped out just in time to see her son fly by her. She shouted something at him but Kacchan didn’t stop, and Izuku didn’t care to listen in.
Izuku watched as the boy he thought he knew ran away, and wasn’t that an odd thought? Kacchan running away from him? If it didn’t just happen he’d think it was an impossibility. His brain hurt, he had too many questions and not enough answers. In fact the one question he had only opened a floodgate of other questions!
He wonders what made Kacchan change his mind. What made him want to stop the bullying and atone, even if Kacchan himself didn’t fully understand the urge.
“Izuku? Dear? Are you okay?” his Ma asked, carefully setting her hand on his shoulder and knocking him out of his thoughts. He turned around with a forced smile. “Yeah, I’m ok! Lets go get some boba!” he cheered, dashing into the shop and pointedly ignoring the concerned look his mom sent him. He felt a bit bad for it but he can’t do anymore emotions today. Surprising, considering that he was a Midoriya.
Well, actually, one query was answered. Would he feel good if he was the one with the high ground instead of Kacchan?
No.
No he would not.