Chapter Text
Fucking fuck me in the ass where is that goddamn electromagnetic-
“Kaito? Kaito honey dinner!”
-I was so close to finishing those turbulence deflectors why-
“KAITO YOU BETTER GET YOUR GODDAMN ASS UP HERE OR DAD AND I OUTTA-”
“I'm coming I'm coming!” He may as well cater to his family’s demands for now. A break couldn’t hurt could it? Though he had to admit, his lack of progress lately was frustrating. “Just give me a minute!”
Kaito rolled back on his wheeled chair and stretched his arm muscles for a bit before standing up.
Shit I really wanted to finish up early too.
He glanced around his workshop while slipping off his goggles and gloves.
Maybe I need to organize the place a bit more? So that I can find things easier.
That however, would be impossible. Kaito was a perfectionist down to the bone. Every rusted nail and screwdriver had a specific place in his disturbingly spotless workspace (also known as the Bakugou family basement, though Kaito preferred addressing it by the former term).
“KAITO I SWEAR TO GOD IT WAS A MINUTE FIVE FUCKING MINUTES AGO.”
His lovely sister was probably throwing a hangry fit again. Sigh.
“I said I'm coming!” Green eyes scoured the area. Just one more glance to make sure everything was in check.
His father’s stern voice traveled through walls. “Ichika, no swearing at the dinner table.”
“WHAT? SO I CAN’T SWEAR IN MY OWN GODDAMN HOUSE WHILE THE OLD MAN IS FREE TO SAY WHATEVER THE FUCK HE WANTS ON LIVE TELEVISION!!??”
Kaito hurried his way up the steps and jogged into the living room. Did he get there so quickly because of a slight fear of his sixteen-year-old-screaming-banshee-of-a-sister? No… no he didn't. At least, he'd tell you so were you to ask.
“Here dad lemme help you with that.”
The green haired man stopped struggling from his wheelchair, glancing back at a thirteen year old holding his hand out expectantly. Pausing for a second, Izuku handed him his plates. “Oh Kaito, I don't know what I'd do without you and your magic hands,” he chuckled.
That's what dad always called Kaito’s hands, magical.
“They'd be a lot more magical if they had a quirk,” mumbled a five year old Bakugou Kaito, who had just finished fixing the TV.
It took him a considerable amount of time but somehow, he managed to ram his sweaty hands through the tangled wires to get it up and running again.
“No no no they're definitely magical enough.” The freckled man knelt down and held the toddler’s hands, making sure to lock the pudgy digits with his own scarred fingers. “Not even your hero daddies could do something like that.”
“Why the fuck do we always leave the TV on during dinner? All that noise is pissing me off.” Ichika plopped onto her chair and continued to stab a considerable amount of protein with her chopsticks.
“Funny for you to fucking say…” Kaito mumbled under his breath.
Maybe he was being a little pissy today, but you know what? He deserved to have some attitude every once in a while too.
“HAH??? You got something to say hotshot?” She leaned forward menacingly, “Also why the fuck are you cussing you lil bitch?”
“You cuss all the time!”
This was hardly fair. Didn't he deserve the right to express strong displeasure? For some reason, Ichika felt entitled towards "older sister privileges” or whatever that meant. She was born three years earlier. Big whoop.
“You're not allowed to say shit cus the old man and I do all the cussing for the four of us right Dad?” She turned to the tired man who never volunteered to partake in sibling antagonism.
Izuku took a slow sip of water and sighed, “You know I would appreciate it if there would be less profanity in this house in general. But Kaito...” he furrowed his eyebrows, “you okay? I can't say the same for your sister or father, but you-you don't cuss very much.”
“I'm fine…it's just that the UA exams are a year away and-and I wanna build something really cool to show off to the support course y-you know? I mean THE Hatsume Mei is gonna be there so I really wanna have something...”
“Amazing?” Izuku wore a gentle smile, eyes crinkling at the ends.
Kaito picked at his rice and nodded, “...yeah.” Maybe he was being childish, but a simple acceptance into UA wasn’t enough. He needed to be the best. He had to make it in indisputably. Only then would no one would question why a quirkless kid walked through those halls.
“Honey I've known Hatsume for many years and I know for a fact that she’ll lo-”
Izuku was cut off by a jiggling lock, followed by the front door slamming open.
“FOR THE LAST TIME SHITTY HAIR I’M NOT DOING THE INTERVIEW WITH THAT GOSSIPY BITCH...NO NO I DON’T CARE ABOUT HER REVIEWS-” Katsuki glanced at the curious gazes of his family. “FUCK IT I’M HANGING UP!” He proceeded to shove the phone into his pocket and threw the keys aside.
“Is the Hero Association still pressing about the interview?” Izuku's eyes narrowed, inquisitive.
“Yeah,” Katsuki huffed and sat down at the dinner table, “they won't stop bitchin’ about it.”
The media was often a pain in the ass. Nosy reporters always picked apart the smallest remarks or actions, then fabricated some ridiculous story.
“Maybe you should go…” Izuku began to mumble to himself, pressing a pensive finger to his lips. “Think of it as a chance to reassure the public. Image is important for the number one hero-”
“Bitch is nothing but trouble. I'd honestly interview anyone else BUT her.” He waved his chopsticks with disdain, then started to eat.
Ichika took the moment of silence as a chance to interrupt, “Was that Red Riot Senpai on the phone? Can you ask him to PLEASE visit UA??? He can stop by and teach a lesson! Come on ya gotta do this for me old man PLEASEEE???” Her ruby eyes widened and glimmered. It was the classic, almost cutesy, “I want something” stare.
“Eijirou is way too fucking old for you give it up.”
“I know that,” she sneered, face reverting back into her bitch pout. “I just wanna closer look that's all I promise.”
“Bullshit.”
“YOU KNOW WHAT OLD MAN I’M A GODDAMN WOMAN AND-”
Rrrriiingggggg. Rrrriiiinngggggg.
Katsuki mumbled a string of curses consisting of “probably shitty hair” and “too late for this bullshit” while fumbling for his phone.
Rrrrriiingggg
He dialed and raised the phone to his ear “WHAT.” His right eye twitched profusely while scowling, until his complexion morphed into one more professional. “I'll be there.” He abruptly stood up and began to make his way back to the door.
“Work?” Izuku smiled, a bit sadly, as he followed his husband through the hall.
It was a bit of a hassle wheeling his chair along, but he wanted to see Kacchan out. Random calls were a common occurrence in the hero world. Izuku knew this. Especially being one himself. At least, he was a hero up until the accident years ago. Now, the “Symbol of Hope” was paralyzed from the legs down. Izuku couldn't help but worry if his absence left a giant weight on Ground Zero’s shoulders.
Someone had to fill the gap from Deku’s retirement.
Someone had to be number one.
Useless... I’m useless.
As if sensing his husbands distress, Katsuki knelt down and pecked Izuku’s forehead. “Stop pouting I’ll be home in a bit. Probably some minor thugs with way too much fucking free time.” He got up and opened the door, “You kids better be in bed when I get back!”
“Hai!”
“Yeah yeah whatever.”
Katsuki took one last look at his husband, who responded with an assuring wave and shaky smile.
“Come back safely.”
Katsuki nodded, then left.
——————————————————————
Kaito laid silently on his bed, basking in the darkness and serenity of the moment. One of Ground Zero’s old gauntlet prototypes rested on his chest. He raised it above his face and began fumbling with it between his fingers.
Maybe I should touch up on you a bit. I know you’ve still got some potential in there.
He sighed, setting it back onto the counter.
Knock knock
“Hey…”
knock
"Hey nerd.” Ichika whisper shouted from the other side.
Just play dead she’ll think I’m asleep
KNOCK KNOCK
“Bitch if you think I don’t know you're awake you’re wrong fucker,” she was whispering more aggressively now.
Ugh what have I done to deserve this cruel and unusual punishment.
A reluctant Kaito rolled out of bed and stumbled to the door, cracking it open just a little to peek his eye through. “Ichika, it is literally midnight. I don’t know what the sleep schedule’s like at the dorms but here, we sleep at nighttime.” He whispered harshly, keeping in mind their dad who was still fast asleep in the living room,
Ichika responded by wrestling the door open and slipping through. Of course she could muscle past him. Hero course workout regime displayed itself at inconvenient times.
“I need you to make me support gear.” She shut the door behind her and plopped onto the bed. “Gotta minimize those headaches,” her hands waved in the air deliriously, “they fuck up my rhythm.”
Headaches. Yes headaches. The one side effect of Ichika’s quirk. It made life slightly fair considering how ridiculously overpowered she was. Telekinetic Explosion. The ability to spontaneously create explosions from a certain radius with her mind. Though the scale of explosions she could make seemed to get more and more terrifyingly massive over the years.
“I know that I’m fucking awesome okay stop mumbling.”
Kaito blushed, “wha-whatever… why couldn’t you wait until tomorrow to ask me? A-and couldn’t you just ask the support course to make something fo-“
Ichika tsked. “Hell no. If anyone knows my ins and outs, it’s you. Also your tech is better than some of their shit anyways.”
His face brightened. Kaito was a sucker for compliments, especially by someone as impressive as his big sister. But, now when he thinks about it, she probably knows. Fuck. He’s really easily manipulated huh.
“Can you do it or not?”
“Huh? Y-yeah bu-“
“Good. Have it done ASAP.”
Wow, this was actually happening.
“Wait it doesn’t just work like that! Neuroscience is pretty complicated so I’ll need some ti-“
BANG
Two heads simultaneously turned towards the source. A once playful atmosphere dropped, accompanied by an ominous sense of dread looming over them.
“It’s from the living room,” Ichika‘s voice was stern and alarmed. She was already bracing herself, body on high alert. Ears perked up and eyebrows narrowed as she spread her legs into a battle stance.
Kaito’s knees began trembling furiously as he gulped, frantic eyes searching his sister’s form for some sign of relief. Any sign indicating that the situation was a false alarm.
His hesitant voice vibrated, “M-maybe it’s just Dad?”
CRASH.
There was the sound of glass shattering, followed by a low grunt of pain.
“SHIT. Stay here and hide imma check on Dad.” She was rushing towards the door, mind already formulating various possible scenarios.
“B-but-“
“Oh I don’t think so children~” an eerily condescending voice singsonged from behind.
“FUCK!”
Wasting no time, Ichika leapt towards her brother and body slammed both of them onto the ground. Less than a second afterwards, a swift pressure grazed past her back and crashed into wooden floors, leaving a nasty crater from impact.
It was a giant water-like tentacle. Coiled and dark blue, almost transparent if it weren't for the murky substance scattered within.
“Ohohoho I’d expect no less~”
A delirious smile stretched across the villain's face as she licked her lips. Tentacle raised from its position, it morphed back into an arm.
“I just knew that hero children would be sooo much more fun to play with~”
She then raised a finger to her bottom lip, tapping it playfully as she mocked a thoughtful expression.
“Oh but wait a minute…”
She then pointed the finger to Kaito.
“You don't have a quirk...do you? Truly a shame~”
Shrugging her shoulders, she huffed, “Guess that just makes my job easier then.”
“I don't think so you fucking bitch.”
Ichika jumped into a protective stance in front of her brother, willing an explosion directly at the villains face. For a split second, a tinge of guilt crawled into her heart, wondering if her attack may have been a bit much.
But any hint of remorse faded fast when the gaping hole through the villains head repaired itself, murky liquid quickly reverting back to its original state. A deranged look of utter glee grinned back at her, unscathed. Oh if only she died. If only.
You've GOT to be shitting me right now. Just my fucking lucky day a FUCKING WATER QUIRK FUCK!
Her heart was pounding violently, blood surging through her eardrums.
Come on come on look for an opening any opening. THINK THINK THINK!
“Ichika!” Kaito shouted from behind,“Our best shot is regrouping with Dad! It's better to take them on together!”
Their father was downstairs on his own. And judging by several earth shaking tremors, he was fighting at least a villain or two. This was a premeditated assault designed to separate them. Kaito eyed the hero gear scattered on his table. If he could just-
“No no no children that just won't do. You’re daddy is a very busy man right now~”
Obnoxious giggling escalated into crazed chokes of laughter. The villain’s figure expanded. At a lightning like speed, her entire body transformed into murky substance, engulfing both children instantly.
“Now behave and stay nice and quiet for me. If things go to plan, I won't have to kill you today~”
They were drowning, clawing through for any source of air. It was like desperately trying to swim towards a surface that never came. Ichika attempted to release numerous explosions, anything to break away from their water cage. But no oxygen means no fire.
Eyes squinting through water, siblings shared a final, brief moment of eye contact.
I don't want to die.
Kaito noticed the stubborn, struggling form of his sister come to a gradual stop.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to die
I don’t want to die
He craned his neck backwards, noticing a strange purple image in his peripheral.
A portal?
Through the haze, his eyes met with familiar, frightened green ones.
Dad?
Izuku was frozen. Positioned on top of some stranger, he had one hand gripping said man's throat, while the other was raised, threatening. His arms were bluish purple, fingers jutting out in haphazard angles. A wheelchair laid toppled over nearby, along with numerous scattered remains of furniture and rubble. His dad was still frozen solid, gaze locked on his children. Terrified eyes glossed over, there was a hint of apology mixed within emerald orbs.
Dad.
Kaito felt his vision turn spotted, giving into overwhelming darkness.
________________________________________________________________
Darkness, flashes of red, and wailing sirens.
“His body temperature is low get blankets! Hurry!”
Kaito's skin was enveloped by soft, fabric-like texture. Warm hands pressed to his forehead.
More sirens.
“Dad! Dad! Let me go! Dad!”
Footsteps and murmurs grew louder. His ears were ringing. There was shouting.
“Miss, you need to-”
“I SAID LET ME GO!”
Kaito’s eyes sprung open. His head dazedly turned sideways, eyesight still blurry while assessing his surroundings. After a few brief seconds, his vision cleared, and the commotion in front of him gained more clarity.
Ichika?
She was sobbing, flailing her arms and legs. Four men were struggling to hold her back, one of which he recognized instantly.
Isn’t he Eraserhead?
It was. Eyes glowing red, the pro hero was wrestling against her. Profuse words of comfort, apologies, and pleas murmured past his lips.
But it all came across as white noise.
“FUCKING GET OFF ME! GET OFF! GET OFF!”
Ichika continued fighting against clusters of arms wrapped around her torso. Voice cracking, she continued to scream and cry.
A new figure made its way towards her direction. Now he was definitely familiar. Spikey blonde hair, blood red eyes, firm strides always walking with purpose.
Dad.
“You can let go of her now.” His father’s voice was gruff, quiet. Kaito couldn't see his face well from this angle, but judging from his slumped posture, anyone could tell how tired he was.
The men seemed to hesitate for a bit, exchanging a few glances before nodding and releasing their grips. Completely silent, Ichika managed to stumbled forward a couple steps. Legs shook profusely before caving in, body falling forwards with her.
Katsuki caught her just in time however. Strong arms wrapped around her tight, holding on desperately as if she were life support. They were huddled together, trembling.
Centuries seems to have passed before Ichika finally broke the eerie silence.
Her words were so soft.
Kaito almost didn't catch them.
“He-he can’t…” she croaked, smothering her face further into his chest.
“Dad can't do this. H-he can't… he-he can't just die…”
...
What?