Work Text:
Mina poked her head around the corner, trying to be as discreet as possible, as her target could see her if he simply looked up. “Okay, he’s coming! Everyone know what to say?” Denki and Kirishima nodded while Todoroki just gave a nonchalant shrug. Ochako and Iida both wore determined looks though Iida admittedly looked a bit ill at what was about to happen.
It was apparent to everyone in class 1-A that there was something...more between Deku and Bakugou. Where it had once been Bakugou’s superiority complex versus Midoriya’s sheer, determined will in uncontrollable and unpredictable fights, like two wildfires trying to burn as much as possible before finally wearing both out to extinguish, now it was more of a mutual dance around each other. Bakugou was still too prideful of course, and Deku’s self-sacrificial ways never faded, now instead of ignoring or mocking Deku for injuring himself in stupid ways, there was Bakugou’s personal brand of worry when something bad happened to Deku. In response, Izuku no longer cowered or curl in on himself when going head to head with Bakugou, always there to match him head on with acceptance and blunt truths.
That wasn’t all there was of course. In addition to the (admittedly) large amounts of personal growth both boys had grown through something else was taking place. It was in glances thrown across the room when the other wasn’t looking. In snarky attitudes and gentle platitudes that were familiar and warm. It was a palpable thing, this growing affection between the two that all noticed except them. And since they knew there was no way Midoriya would take that next step, and they were pretty sure Bakugou would rather throw himself off a roof into a pond of killer sharks, it was decided. Their friends were going to take matters into their hands and help out the two hopeless childhood friends. Even if it ran the high possibility of Bakugou blowing them up in the process.
“Remember, don’t be too mean, just casual. Like we don’t expect much.” Denki whispered and everyone except Todoroki nodded, the former muttering, “No promises.” under his breath, prompting a gentle elbow from Ochako. Hearing footsteps getting closer and closer from down the hall Kirishima looked at Mina expectantly.
“Geez did you guys see Midoriya in class today? I swear the hearts in his eyes get bigger everyday.” Mina’s voice was loud, but not unnaturally so, just enough to gain their target’s attention. “Yeah, and of course the only one person who doesn’t notice is Bakugou. The one he’s actually looking at.” A slight shift of feet as the person stopped in the hallway, listening. “Even Aizawa-sensei had notice. If the mumbling about teenage hormones is anything to go by.” Ochako sighed and put a hand to her cheek, playing up the exasperation in her voice. “While I agree Midoriya has been making some rather obvious faces, I must admit Bakugou has been far worse. Exploding things when he looks at Midoriya too long or when something happens to him.” Iida’s voice was a bit strangled but it could be written off easily. “Just this morning he destroyed another textbook because Deku smiled at him. Like, come on dude.” Kirishima was trying hard to stifle his giggles, but it was difficult. “Last week he blasted the lunch Midoriya made him off the roof by accident and jumped down after it without thinking. He almost got himself sent to Recovery Girl.” Denki couldn’t hold his giggles in and leaned on Kirishima to keep himself upright. “That hothead would rather destroy half the school than just admit he likes Midoriya. If he were to just be honest with himself he’d know to take action. Midoriya won’t turn him down. It’s very apparent that the feelings are completely mutual. But he doesn’t have the nerve to ask Midoriya out.”
The silence that followed Todoroki’s statement was deafening. Mina had her arms outstretched as if debating covering Todoroki’s mouth, or possibly even strangling him. Ochako and Iida stared open mouthed, looking rather shocked while Kirishima and Denki both had the dead fish-eyed look of terror. It was as if the school was collectively holding their breath, when finally there was sound from the hallway. The footsteps started again, heading in the opposite direction. And the further away they got, the louder they were as the person started stomping their feet before finally breaking out into a run. “Oh thank god. I saw my life flash before my eyes. Pretty sure I saw my own funeral, and it looked nice honestly.” Kirishima and Denki held each other as they collapsed to the floor in relief. “Holy-Todoroki! What was that?!” Mina cried and Todoroki sighed, eyes closing slowly. “Bakugou only responds to blunt truth, which is why Midoriya is a good match for him. Dancing around the subject would get us nowhere.” Mina scrubbed her hands over her face vigorously. “Ok, but don’t you think that was a bit much?” Ochako cleared her throat before he could answer. “Actually, I agree with him. We all know Bakugou runs on equal parts ambition and spite. Really the only way to get him to act was to say he couldn’t.”
“You realise we’re missing the fruits of our labors right?” All attention shifted to Denki. “Well. Bakugou is obviously going to wherever Midoriya is right now.” There was a flurry of action at Denki’s statement, all students immediately scrambling to get down the hall. “Iida use your quirk to get us there faster!”
“THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE USE OF A QUIRK! AND ON SCHOOL GROUNDS NO LESS!”
~~~~
Bakugou wasn’t stupid, despite what first appearances may give. He was in the top 3 overall of his class, up there with Deku and that damn icy-hot. He was able to tell when he was being manipulated thank you very much. Those idiots thought they were slick, but let’s be honest. None of them could act for shit and it was most obvious with half and half basically saying he didn’t have the balls to ask out that nerd Deku. Which, damn if that didn’t get under his skin. So yes, he knew this was a setup, he knew this was planned, but come hell or high water he was going to prove all of them dead wrong. This- this thing these feelings he was having for Deku were getting out of hand. Everytime he turned that stupid, perfect blinding smile towards someone he just wanted to blow their face off, because how dare they get that, they didn’t deserve that smile. Everyone else was so far out of range of Deku he was a speck in their vision, blazing ahead. Not Katsuki though. Katsuki was right there with him, nipping at his heels. Pulling ahead just the slightest bit, always a push and pull with them. He deserved that smile to be on him.
And he hates how much he wants it, needs it and how he dislikes that he doesn’t get it.
Instead he gets these watery, lopsided half smiles that he doesn’t understand dammit. Now though...now he gets it. If it’s true, if what those losers were saying was real then…
Katsuki was done waiting for something to happen.
Throwing open the door to the classroom, Katsuki marched in and approached Deku who was eating lunch at his desk with Aoyama. “Move Sparkles.” Planting his hand on the back of the chair Aoyama was sitting in, Katsuki threw him halfway across the classroom, the other boy trying to hold on to his lunch. “Kacchan you can’t just-!” Izuku started in on reprimanding Katsuki but was cut-off quickly.
“Go on a date with me this weekend shitty nerd.”
For a second Izuku just sat there with a blank look of confusion. Then just as quickly his entire face lit up like a stop light. “Wh-wha-a what? A what? Kacchan a what? What?” Katsuki rolled his eyes and leaned down closer to Izuku’s eye level. “A D-A-T-E nerd. You and me this weekend, like Saturday or whatever.” Izuku continued sputtering but was nodding along. “I-I-I-I OKAY!” Katsuki jerked back at the sudden increase of sound and Izuku’s sudden standing movement. “O-okay I’ll go on a date with you Kacchan!” He managed to squeak out and Katsuki smirked. “Good. Be ready by noon so we can go got it? Don’t make us late.” With that Katsuki promptly turned and left the classroom, slamming the door behind him. He failed to notice that the teens from the hallways had returned, out of breath but in time to see the results of their actions. “A date Midoriya! Are you excited? What are you going to wear? Oh I wonder where you’ll go, maybe a movie?” Ochako instantly moved in and started planning with a non-responsive Izuku, Mina close behind.
“Well, we did it. Now what?” Todoroki asked quietly, looking at the other boys. “Uh duh, we’re going to follow them! I didn't go through all that not to know what happens and make sure things go good for them!” Kirishima cackled while Denki nodded empathetically. “Spying on our fellow students would be uncouth and completely inappropriate! I dare say almost law breaking!” Iida said in an aghast voice, pushing his slipped glasses back up his nose. “It’s not spying, its making sure Bakugou controls himself on his date. What if he gets overwhelmed and begins exploding things? Wouldn’t it be smart to have some provisional heroes on hand who know how to handle him?” Todoroki looked at Iida expectantly, knowing Iida wouldn’t be able to argue with his logic. To be honest, he just wanted to make sure Bakugou didn’t verbally abuse Deku the entire time. While he wasn’t entirely on board with their budding relationship, he could tell this was something that would make Izuku incredibly happy. And who was he to deny him that?
Iida was quiet for a long time before huffing, “Fine, but we’ll need disguises. Ones that are more convincing than what we wore to rescue Bakugou from the League of Villains. Proper costumes that we should be able to get from…” Todoroki zoned out Iida’s rambling, opting instead to watch Izuku’s reactions. He looked flustered, maybe a bit overwhelmed, but happy. He looked extremely happy. And that’s what this was really about.
~~~~
Right outside the door to class 1-A was a student crouched on the floor with his head between his knees, wondering what in the fuck he had just done in front of his entire class. And a hidden teacher in a sleeping bag not far away, lamenting the end of a quiet day and foreseeable future where two of his most powerful students were in a relationship. God help him he was going gray prematurely.