Chapter Text
Iida could not believe Bakugou fell off the treadmill. He was normally such a careful person; Bakugou was not the type to get so distracted he’d injure himself. Was he uncomfortable because of Iida’s presence? No. That didn’t make any sense, heck, Bakugou was the one to invite him.
Iida tried not to think too much as they approached the café. It had adorable art in the windows of cats- the kind of art with those dry erase markers. Iida loved it when stores had dry erase marker art in the windows.
Bakugou opened the door to step inside, and kept the door open for Iida. “Ah! Thank you, Bakugou!” Iida smiled gratefully. Bakugou just rolled his eyes. Iida led Bakugou to a small table at one of the booths. A small white cat walked its way towards them.
“Is that cat… dressed like All Might?” Bakugou slowly looked back and forth between the cat and Iida. “Iida. Is this a pro-hero themed cat café…?” Bakugou looked like he was in disbelief.
“Perhaps it is. Did you not look at what this place is called? ‘All Meow-t’s Cat Sanctuary’ seems to spell it out, don’t you think?” Iida explained.
Bakugou stopped for a moment to process, “Is that why Deku loves this place so much? Yeesh. Predictable.” Bakugou slowly picked up the cat that made its way to him- the name tag said ‘Biscuit’- and placed Biscuit gently in his lap. Biscuit liked chin scratches.
“Well, I believe that Midoriya just likes cats and tea, but the pro-hero theme sealed the deal.” Iida picked up the menu sitting on the table and skimmed through, “What do you think you’ll order, Bakugou?” Iida paused and showed Bakugou what he got last time.
Bakugou ended up getting some kind of cookie with mango and jalapeño in it- Iida wasn’t quite sure what it was. Something to do with Endeavor. Iida personally ordered madeleine cookies that were Best Jeanist themed! How sweet.
Eventually Biscuit left them, but another cat had come along. Bakugou hummed as the cat started climbing all over him. “Okay, okay, what’s your name, you absolute fluffball?” Bakugou spoke… dare Iida say… softly. Bakugou set down his cookie and picked up the cat. “Hm. Mister. Who is naming these poor cats? Be original.” Bakugou shook his head in disapproval, but gave Mister some pets regardless.
Iida could feel warmth in his cheeks. He knew Bakugou liked cats based on a few random comments here and there, but he had not expected Bakugou to be so different around animals. It wasn’t a bad difference, just strange. It was similar to the off-guardedness Bakugou had when around Iida. He seemed much more peaceful when given a ball of luscious fur and sweet little paws to sit with.
“We should put you around animals more often. I’ve never seen you so calm, Bakugou!” Iida jokes, taking a bite from his cookie.
Bakugou elbowed Iida in the side, though with their height difference it was closer to Iida’s hips than his stomach. Damn. Bakugou finished his cookie up, all while trying to keep Mister from snagging a bite. Mister was quite mischievous. At first glance, he was a sweetheart, dressed like Present Mic. Didn’t that sound lovely? Well, Iida decided it was less lovely when you keep hearing Bakugou discipline Mister for hitting Bakugou with the cat jacket’s zipper. It didn’t look like it would hurt, but oh. It did.
The waiter walked over and asked if they were done. “I’d say so, yes, Bakugou?” Iida turned over to see Bakugou giving Mister some (not so) deserved belly rubs. Oh well. Iida asked for the check.
“Bakugou, I insist, let me pay.”
“Hell no. I’m paying, Blueberry.”
“I’m sorry. Did you just call me a blueberry?”
“Oh, fuck off, just let me pay! Wouldn’t you rather spend your money on a new mechanical pencil or some nerdy shit like that?” Iida couldn’t really argue with that. He had been in the market for a new high-quality mechanical pencil for a while… had Bakugou noticed he started bringing standard #2 pencils to their study sessions?
“Okay, fine, but I’m paying next time.” Iida spoke before he thought. Next time?! What next time? Oh god. This wasn’t even something they normally did! WHEN WAS NEXT TIME? WHAT IS NEXT? WHAT IS TIME? WHAT IS ANYTHING???
“Earth to four-eyes? I paid the bill. We can leave now.” Bakugou flicked Iida’s shoulder in what he assumed was meant to be a show of affection. Iida nodded and got up, waving goodbye to all the cute little kitties. He would miss them all dearly, but he planned on re-visiting this establishment.
“Iida, what’s your favorite movie?” They were walking back to UA. Iida had certainly not expected Bakugou to utilize small talk, let alone initiate it. Iida pondered the question for a moment.
“Well, I quite liked those horror movies Kaminari likes to play on movie nights. I don’t think I have a singular favorite movie though.”
“You actually enjoy that weird clown shit? I don’t get the appeal. Why would I pay money to watch fake people deal with fake demonic dolls when I can go on eBay and buy one for myself?” Iida was pretty sure Bakugou completely missed the point of horror.
“I think people enjoy horror because of the thrill they get without ever having to actually experience what the characters see.” Iida pointed out. Bakugou made a face of mild disgust.
“That’s stupid. You should be prepared for anything, including but not limited to men with chainsaws and dolls possessed by a five year old that was hit by an evil train. Where the fuck did Kaminari even find a movie like that?”
Iida shrugged. Kaminari had a knack for finding the most obscure movies possible then making everyone in the 2A dorms sit in the common rooms and watch them. Their movie nights were actually quite fun. Iida’s favorite part of movie night, though, was sneaking glances at Bakugou every once in a while. The slightest smile flashed on Bakugou’s face when he saw Iida looking back at him.
“Well then. I counter you with this: what is your favorite movie?”
“It’s an American film. You probably wouldn’t know it.” Bakugou was dodging the question.
“You may not know this, but I am quite the film buff! Tell me about this film I do not know.”
“The Fault in Our Stars.” Bakugou was very close to pouting.
“Bakugou… you watch romance films? I wouldn’t expect that from someone so bitter like you!” Iida laughed wholeheartedly.
“Fuck off, man! I’m not bitter. I don’t watch romance either. It’s more of a drama.” That was a pretty blatant lie, but Iida decided to ignore it since they were finally back at UA.
Iida had honestly forgotten he was wearing a too-tight shirt and shorts that hugged his thighs until he walked into the dorms. He was pretty sure Kirishima shrieked, and Midoriya looked scandalized. Iida promptly looked down at himself. Yeah…perhaps this was not completely appropriate. For heaven’s sake, his abs were practically visible! Bakugou too seemed to become very aware of Iida’s clothing situation, rushing them to the elevator. “I didn’t remember I was wearing this. I should’ve changed before leaving, shouldn’t I?”
Bakugou said something like ‘yes,’ but it sounded like it got stuck in his throat. They went up to Iida’s dorm and closed the door, praying nobody like Mina would come up with a list of questions like, “Hey Iida, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU WEARING? ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?”
Iida flopped down onto his bed, Bakugou loitering around the middle of his room awkwardly. “You know you’re welcome to sit down. I don’t mind. It’s no different than our study sessions.” Bakugou hesitantly sat at the edge of Iida’s bed where his legs didn’t quite reach. Iida sat up and looked at Bakugou. By now the sun had fully risen, shining through the window behind Iida, perfectly hitting Bakugou’s face. A ray of sunlight shined right on his eyes, highlighting every last speck of red.
“Stop. Stop staring at me. It’s weird.” Bakugou slowly leaned away from Iida, who subconsciously moved himself towards Bakugou anyways.
Now Bakugou was nearly snapping his spine, Iida on his knees with his torso leaning to Bakugou. Iida took a moment to look at them, and suddenly backed away. “I’m- sorry. I had not realized I was so close.” Iida apologized as he pushed up his glasses.
“Right. I should’ve shoved you off your own fuckin’ bed.” Bakugou went back to sitting normally. Iida felt himself burning up, a pit in his stomach. It was weird. He’d felt this pit before but normally it wasn’t a good thing. Right now? It felt good. He felt giddy.
Iida noticed they were pretty much where they had been sitting before- Iida leaning comfortably on his pillows, the sunlight getting caught in Bakugou’s ruby eyes. Iida sighed softly. “Your eyes are quite beautiful, you know.” Bakugou raised an eyebrow skeptically.
“Okay, weirdo.”
“Not weird. I am normal, thank you very much.”
“That’s what they all say. Then they go and have All Might’s face plastered on the damn walls. Not directed at anyone in particular.”
“Of course not. No one comes to mind.” Iida smiled playfully. He thought it was playful, at least, seeing as he cannot see himself. He needs to get out of his own head.
“Bakugou, can I ask you a personal question?”
“No. That sounds too personal.”
Iida ignored Bakugou, since he was normally melodramatic, “Who is the boy you like? I do not see why you shouldn’t just tell him. If he doesn’t respond well, then that’s his loss. I think you’re a lovely… well, friend.”
Iida had never seen Bakugou look so distraught. His face was completely normal except for his twitching eye. He didn’t do that unless he was cramming for a test or didn’t get to bed on time the night before. “Look- You don’t- Iida, you don’t get it. I can’t tell him. It would ruin our friendship when he tells me he doesn’t like me back. Nobody ever likes me ‘like that’ because I’m me and I’m a pain.” Bakugou waved his hand around to dismiss him, “Can you just talk about something else?”
Bakugou was not right. Iida didn’t want to expose his feelings knowing Bakugou liked someone else, however he couldn’t let Bakugou feel this awful. “What if I told you I knew someone who does like you ‘like that,’ as you so eloquently put it?” Iida pushed his glasses up trying to fill the silence that followed. That was weird to say, right? Right.
“Who, uh-“ Bakugou coughed, though it sounded more like a choke, “Who is it?”
Iida panicked. He didn’t think this far. Fuck. “Me? NO? Meeeena?” That was not convincing.
“Iida… Mina is lesbian. Just say you’re lying to make me feel better. I don’t give a fuck! I’m not meant for that lovey-dovey romance everyone cares so much about and it’s fine.”
How on god’s green earth had Iida saved that? His efforts were barely substantial. Okay. Not the point right now. “Do you want romance? It’s okay to yearn for romance, Bakugou, it is not embarrassing. Plenty of people do, I do.”
“Sure. Tenya ‘I’d Rather Die Than Flirt With Someone’ Iida. Tell it to the judge.” Bakugou raised an eyebrow and subtly nudged Iida’s elbow. It was probably meant to be playful, but his elbows were really sharp. That kinda hurt.
Iida gasped in fake offense, “I would not rather die than flirt with someone! Flirting is fine. I just don’t know how to do it.” Iida pouted slightly, though he felt a little ridiculous. He was sitting with a cute boy on his bed, wearing shorts a solid 2 sizes too small, and he was pouting. What has his life come to? “Bakugou, this is getting ridiculous. Look at us. What are we doing?” Bakugou took a moment to look between the two of them, stopping only to snort.
“You look stupid with those shorts. They look like they’ll cut off your circulation.” Bakugou’s grin was too cute. Who let him look like that? Damn you, good genetics. But also bless you, good genetics.
“My legs may or may not feel a little numb but that is not what I meant. I hate to assume things but I don’t think it’s normal for friends to sit this close… while one of them is wearing shorts this short.”
“What the fuck are you trying to say…?” Bakugou’s eyebrows were furrowed, his eyes unable to focus on one spot. Iida watched Bakugou’s chest rise and fall as he breathed.
“I’m trying to say, both of us are too pretty to not kiss each other. This is how you flirt, right? Am I doing this right?”
“Oh my god, just kiss me already, you beautiful idiot!” Before he knew it, Iida was being pulled into a kiss so inexplicably perfect. It was awkward and soft and everything he wanted. They both pulled away and looked into each other’s eyes, “If you’re not my boyfriend now I’ll honest to god throw you into the wall.” Bakugou’s threat was serious; Iida had watched Bakugou throw several things at several walls and would not put it past him to throw a person.
“Hm, I don’t know, I’ve got oh-so many suitors to choose from. I’ll get back to you on that one.”
BONUS
Mina was losing her mind.
What the ever loving fuck was Iida wearing.
Was she losing her mind?
She opened her phone and quickly dialed a reliable number.
“Kaminari, get over here, like now!”
“Are you okay? Is someone dying? Oh my god I KNEW I SHOULD’VE TAKEN THOSE CPR CLASSES WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE!”
“What? Nobody is dying. I take that back, I might be dying. I just saw Iida and Bakugou walk in, yeah? I SWEAR TO YOU IIDA WAS WEARING BOOTY SHORTS. HE WAS IN PUBLIC. HE WOULD NEVER COMMIT PUBLIC INDECENCY. WHAT IS HAPPENING?”
“Wait, he was with Bakugou?”
“Yes, but that is not the important part here.”
Kaminari screamed on the other side of the phone.
“Mina, babe, love of my life, I have to go. Sero owed me 20 bucks.” Kaminari abruptly hung up.
Mina stared at her phone in disbelief. Her friends were weird.