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"Katchan! You're supposed to wait for me!"
Katsuki groaned. He stopped two steps up the hillside stairs and looked over his shoulder. He glared back at the several steps Izuku was behind him. "Stupid Deku!" he exclaimed. "Hurry up!"
The young boy whined but still picked up his pace to try and reach his fellow student. In his hurry, he tripped over the white cape around his body, but he quickly picked himself up to make the distance between them. Katsuki rolled his eyes when he noticed the pricks of tears in his eyes as he came to the same step he was on.
"Worthless Deku," he muttered. He gripped his face by the chin, his fake claws digging into him a little as he wiped away at the moisture with the fur of his half-glove. "Already crying and we're not even at the haunted spot yet."
"I'm not crying," Izuku weakly defended. His shoulders visibly tensed under his touch, but he didn't push him away. "I just ran up the stairs. It's not fair: you got a head start."
"I want to get there before there's a line." He dropped his hand, moving around behind so he could start pushing him up the steps. Izuku's feet stuttered at first, but he let himself be rushed until he was moving on his own and Katsuki was walking beside him again.
"We aren't even supposed to be out here," Izuku said. "We should be at school; we're going to get in trouble."
"Then go back to school," Katsuki growled. He winced when he bit his tongue on his fake fangs, but didn't make a noise. "I didn't ask you to come, anyway."
He could hear Izuku pout. "...you shouldn't be going alone."
They were nearing the top of hill. Izuku was keeping a step ahead of him now, lest he fall behind again. He had been hard on him since they snuck out of their elementary school during lunch, but in honesty, he was okay with the company.
The whole thing had been the result of a dare from some other kids in class. The group he normally hung out with (he wouldn't really say 'friends,' they more like toadies, but a couple of them could hold their own against his abrasiveness) had mentioned the haunted attraction in an abandoned shrine near the school. The conversation had started with all of them saying how brave they were, escalating until one of them asserted Katsuki would not have the courage to go in. Katsuki had laughed it off, saying he may be seven, but he certainly wasn't scared.
Izuku had overheard the conversation. When he saw Katsuki leaving, he had been on his heels. It wasn't the first time he had followed him around when he was off to do something delinquent. Katsuki knew he wasn't there to stop him. He was there to watch him. Because he still held onto the notion that they were friends.
Katsuki would ignore the fact that he didn't really do anything to dispute this. He may have bullied him, but he never deliberately told him to go away either.
The two boys stopped at the top of the steps, their eyes wide as they fell on their destination. The shrine held to its title of being abandoned: it was falling apart, the wood warped and the paint faded, the ceiling thatched caved in at spots. Even the tourou lights were somehow menacing, their lights flickering even in the middle of the day.
Katsuki grinned at the sight before him. He looked over at Izuku and almost had to laugh at the nervous expression he had.
"Come on, Deku," he said. He grabbed his hand and pulled him forward down sandou toward the entrance of the shrine. There was some resistance, but he had come with him this far, he wasn't going to let him get away now.
"We can just take the picture here, won't that be enough?"
"Don't be a wimp," Katsuki retorted. "There's nothing to be scared of."
Izuku didn't look convinced. He was chewing on his thumb as his eyes darted around the area. It was eerily quiet and empty. "Shouldn't we at least wash our hands or something?"
Katsuki scoffed. "Do whatever you want."
He watched as Izuku found the wash basin, but he stopped short. "There's no water."
"Then forget it," he called back. "Let's just go inside."
Izuku was back beside him quickly enough. He was a little too close for Katsuki, but he ignored it, figuring that he'd be clinging to him for most of the outing. He'd get scared and grab onto him, like he had throughout their young lives.
He made fun of him for it. Some of the other boys did, too, but he shot them intense glares and snarls. Izuku was a cry-baby, yeah, but that was for him to point out.
Izuku's hand was on his shoulder as they approached the offering box. It was missing some of its slates, but he could still see a few coins in the bottom of it.
"Can I ring the bell?"
"Will it help you chill out?"
Izuku nodded a little. "It'll make me feel better, yeah."
Katsuki rolled his eyes and nudged him closer to the rope. "Go for it, then."
Izuku was hesitant, eyes wide on the fraying rope. He gave Katsuki a look, but he waved him on. He swallowed loudly as he took it in both hands and pulled down. The only sound that came was metal hitting metal. It was loud and hollow, almost like the insides were removed.
Izuku was visibly upset by this. He stepped back, bumping into Katsuki. He didn't seem that impressed by it, but the shorter boy was already shaking.
"Deku—"
"Afternoon!"
Both boys jumped, Izuku gripping onto Katsuki's arm, as a tall presence was suddenly in front of them, on the other side of the offering box. He was wearing priest's wear and holding an ounusa. His face was painted in an abstract way, like some of the masks he'd seen in other shrines. His smile was large and almost manic. There was nothing really scary about him to Katsuki now that he could get an eye on him. He felt goofy to him more than anything. Izuku, on the other hand, had let go of him to pull his hood tight around his face.
The priest looked them over, humming thoughtfully. "A wolf and a ghost," he observed. "You're younger than most of my patrons." His voice was annoying and tinny, but it seemed forced, an act for the attraction. "Shouldn't you boys be in school?"
"Y-yeah," Izuku answered quickly, most likely hoping to be shooed away.
Katsuki nudged him. "Is the place open or not?"
His grin widened, his makeup crackling. "Make your offering first and then you can come in."
Izuku glanced over at Katsuki. "Katchan? Are you sure about this?"
"It's fine, Deku."
"I... I don't have anything to offer," he said whispered.
Katsuki groaned. He fished around in his pocket and pulled out the few coins he had. His mother gave him extra sometimes if he wanted to get a snack on the way home. He shuffled through it before pulling out two one hundred yen pieces. He handed one to Izuku who seemed almost disappointed that he came through.
They dropped the coins into the offering box in unison. Katsuki was one step behind Izuku as they bowed, clapped, and bowed again, using his actions for direction. He didn't always remember the pattern, despite the holidays his mother had dragged him to the shrine around their home.
The priest chuckled. "Good, good." He moved to the side, swinging his sleeves as he stepped away from the entrance and gestured inside. "Enjoy~."
Izuku's eyes were on Katsuki. He still looked nervous and hesitant, which was getting under his skin. "Either come in with me or don't, Deku."
He gulped. He took in a deep breath and puffed out his chest. "I can do this!" he exclaimed.
Katsuki scoffed, but still smiled. "Then prove it."
Izuku bit his lip but nodded. He made a small sound before turning around and heading inside the shrine. Katsuki followed him in, ignoring the creepy look on the priest's face. They stepped into the darkened worship hall. There was nothing really to see immediately, as the light from outside only fell into just their feet beyond the threshold. Katsuki squinted, trying to force his eyes to focus.
They both startled when the doors slammed behind them. Izuku squeaked, and Katsuki tensed when the two arms were wrapped around his bicep and squeezing. He buried his face in his shoulder, and he could hear the light sounds coming from him.
Katsuki sighed. "Worthless Deku," he grumbled.
He didn't take his arm away, though.
"It's just dark," he said, his tone terse. "Calm down."
He took a few steps forward, Izuku falling into step with him. He held his non-contained arm out, feeling around. He stepped to the side, trying to find the wall and away from any structures that might be in the middle. Izuku's head was missing from his side, and he assumed he was trying to look around, too.
There was a click and hum and the corners of the room started to light up. Izuku's grip tightened in anticipation, and even he was on edge for whatever might be coming.
What he got made him glower.
"What kind of crap show is this?"
As the lights came up, the entire room was revealed to hold cut out ghosts and fake cobwebs. There were some clearly fake body parts all over the ground and obvious paint for blood on the wood. After a few more moments, recorded spectral noises and howls filled the air through speakers that could be seen in the corners of the room.
Izuku's grip on his arm loosened some. "This... this is kind of lame."
"It's really fucking lame."
"Katchan!" Izuku admonished. "Language!"
Katsuki shrugged. "Let me just get a picture, and then we'll leave."
"Okay." Izuku let him go as he started to pull out his phone. "Did you want me to take it?"
He shook his head. "Don't want them knowing you came with." He held up his phone, moving around so a good part of the room was in the shot over his shoulder.
"They shouldn't think Katchan was scared," Izuku said.
"You're right, they shouldn't." The shutter went off. He took one more to be sure. "But what would they saw if I brought someone like cry-baby Deku with me?"
"That we're friends?"
Katsuki put down his phone to give Izuku an even stare. He could see Izuku's blush in the strobe light that had started only a moment before. He took the two steps he needed to get back to his side.
"Let's just go, okay?"
"Katchan?"
"What, Deku?"
"Can... can I get a picture with you?"
Katsuki didn't respond at first. He just wanted to leave, honestly. He felt stupid for even coming, especially after the way it all ended up. But Izuku was giving him that stupid puppy-eyed look, the one he really hated. He knew he liked taking pictures and selfies. They used to take more when they were younger, but Katsuki's more recent stand-offish nature had made that difficult.
Finally, Katsuki groaned. "Fine," he begrudgingly agreed. "But if you share it with anyone, I'll punch you."
Izuku beamed at him. "Of course, my lips are sealed."
Izuku took out his phone. They quickly took the picture, and Katsuki was able to give something of a passing smile for the photo.
"Let's go," Katsuki repeated, tone insistent. Izuku agreed, and soon enough, they had left the shrine.
"How was it?" the priest asked on their way out.
"Terrible," Katsuki answered. "I want my money back."
"You going to take it?" he replied looking at the offering box.
"Katchan, we can't..."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." It didn't matter if he didn't really believe in it, he wasn't going to be disrespectful. The guy already was by his presence alone. By the look of the coins in the box, he had already tricked other people to come in for a quick yen, even though it wasn't worth it. He just knew no one was going to take money from an offering box.
Izuku grabbed onto his wrist and looked at him with big eyes. "Can we go now?"
Katsuki nodded. "I'm going to tell everyone what kind of shit show this is."
The priest only grinned at them, a snicker passing his lips as the two boys walked back down the stone path. Izuku didn't immediately let go of Katsuki's arm, and he didn't stop him.
"Are we going to go back to school?"
"I don't really want to," Katsuki answered. "I don't feel like making u an excuse."
"They've probably called our parents."
"Augh, that means dealing with mom."
"Katchan..."
They started walking down the steps. "Let's go to the arcade."
"Really?" His tone was almost of disbelief. "You want to go... with me?"
Katsuki missed what his question was really about. He just assumed he was still freaking out about skipping school. "There's a new game that's just easier with two players."
He didn't notice when he had taken Izuku's hand. He only vaguely felt his fingers around his palm.
"Aw, look at the cute kids."
The two boys stopped, still halfway from the bottom of the staircase. A group of four older kids – they looked to be middle schoolers – was walking up. None of their uniforms were buttoned right and most of them had a ruffled appearance to their look. The air about them was static, and he could tell they were just up to no good by their general demeanour.
"Wouldn't bother," Katsuki said. He could feel Izuku was nervous by the way he squeezed his hand, but he knew better than to let his confidence waver around fellow delinquents.
"Oh, yeah?" one of them said. He was smirking.
Another one, his hands in his pockets, remarked, "Or was it too scary for you babies?"
"I bet the small wet his pants."
"I did not," Izuku weakly defended himself.
"Ohh, he sounds so brave, don't you think?"
The group laughed.
"Go on up and see," Katsuki said, his voice tight. He had tried to be passing in his first remark, but now he just wanted to get away from them as fast possible.
"Why don't you guys take us, hmm?"
"No, once... once is enough," Izuku said. He had gained a bit of courage to him, his eyes never leaving them, but he still stayed close to Katsuki.
"Aw, come on," another one said. Katsuki didn't like the grin on his lips. "Stay with us. We can't let some kids go anywhere alone after all, right?"
"We're fine," Katsuki said. "Come on, Deku." He pulled on his hand as he moved to the far side of steps to try and pas them.
One of them, the leader from the general presence he gave up, took one more step toward them. "Hey, where you going?" He grabbed at Izuku's arm and pulled him back. Katsuki was pulled back, too, but he didn't let go of Izuku's hand.
"Calm down," the teen said, snickering. "We just want to take you guys back through. If it's not scary, that shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Back off," Katsuki snarled. He pulled hard on Izuku's hand, thankfully enough that the teen light go out of surprise. He ushered Izuku behind him, almost pushing him off the steps and onto the hill itself. He glared at the group, all four towering over them, imposing as they stepped closer.
"We're just trying to be nice, kiddos."
"Katchan, can we—"
"Yeah, we're going." He gestured for him to move behind him, where there was an opening for him to get further down the steps.
"If you're going to be little shits about it—"
Katsuki held up his hand, smoke already emulating from his palm. "Last chance to leave us alone."
They all laughed. One of them grew claws, another's skin took on a reddish hue, one's body seemed to grow, and the leader's face distorted as it moved up from his neck. He wasn't surprised they had quirks, and he wasn't surprised they weren't that afraid of him.
But he knew better.
The group all yelled in unison as they were consumed in a ball of flame and compression. He held back, his intention only to singe, but he needed the distraction long enough to take Izuku's hand and run. Izuku fell into step quickly, and they hurried down to the bottom of the stairs and past the torii.
They didn't stop until they were well down the street from the shrine. They were at a bus stop when they stalled to a stop, both breathing heavy. Katsuki noticed that the fake claws for his costume had blown off from the explosion. It was a slight irritation, but he would deal with it later.
When he caught his breath, he turned to Izuku to make sure he was okay. He found the boy beaming at him, eyes wide and smile on his lips.
"What?"
"That was so cool, Katchan!"
Katsuki couldn't help but smile at the praise. "It was nothing," he said, waving his hand. He stood up straight and put his hands on his hips. "It's what a hero's supposed to do."
"Then you should do it more often," Izuku teased. "Because that's my favourite Katchan."
Katsuki could feel the heat in his cheeks. He turned away, scoffing. "Stupid Deku," he muttered.
He froze when he felt lips on his cheek. He turned fast to look Izuku in the eyes. His smile was wide but soft. "A hero always gets a kiss."
Katsuki thought his whole face must be red. He pushed away at him, but with no real force. "S-shut up." He turned around, his feet leading him away. "Let's just get to the arcade."
He heard Izuku giggle and his steps following him. "Okay, Katchan!"