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A calm tranquility shrouded the quaint little neighborhood in the earlier hours of the day, the sun's rays shimmering across wet lawns, grass blades still frosted over in the shadows and a thin layer of ice upon the windshields of cars. Katsuki almost felt unnerved by how different it was from his everyday life of saving people, fighting villains and then becoming swamped by the press and people shouting, cameras clicking and flashing in his face. He could hardly go out to get groceries without some sort of paparazzi trailing and calling out to him. It was pleasing, however, the blond could feel his shoulders unclench due to the serene atmosphere around him, the only sounds being of the distant city and relaxing chirps of the small songbirds.
Katsuki exhaled slowly, keeping an eye on the house numbers to be sure he didn’t miss his destination as he walked, his boots heavy on the cracked concrete. His breath misted in front of him and he burrowed his face further into his cream colored scarf, his hands pushed deeply into the pockets of his hoodie. It was early and it was cold, but Katsuki still felt warm and nervous on the inside, his heart fluttering about anxiously.
Crimson eyes caught the correct house and Katsuki came to a stop, his stomach dropping with the realization that this was happening, that he was going to do this.
Katsuki pulled out his phone, checking the time, just a little past 8:15 in the morning. He had sent no messages to warn of his arrival, no contact at all. Would the other even be awake at this time?
What a dumb question, of course he is.
Katsuki knew it was only the anxiety bringing up random excuses so he could find a way to back out, but he pushed them back and walked up to the door anyways, because he was the number one hero for God’s sake, he could handle this.
Right?
Getting a grip on his nerves, Katsuki rolled his shoulders, fidgeting a little awkwardly on the doorstep for a moment. He raised one of his fists, hesitating, before finally knocking on the door. He almost flinched at the volume that broke the silence, sparing a quick glance down the street though there wasn't another soul in sight.
Katsuki returned his gaze to the door in front of him, a small frown tugging his lips down. There was only quiet from the other side, and Katsuki worried that he really wasn't awake, or that this might even be the wrong house, but before his thoughts could delve too deep there was the muffled sound of locks clicking and Katsuki instantly tensed, his eyes darting towards the edge of the door as it slowly cracked open.
Katsuki’s heart jumped, his eyes widening as he caught sight of familiar, messy green curls and pale skin, his eyes dropping to meet sleepy and confused jade orbs. When their gazes collided he heard a gasp, the door opening wider to reveal Midoriya Izuku in all his early morning glory.
“Kacchan?” Izuku breathed out in awe, and Katsuki felt a million memories come rushing back to him at the nickname. His knees nearly buckled as the flood of emotions that came with those memories hit him like a ton of bricks, and he was shocked to feel a small stinging in his eyes.
The blond opened his mouth, staring down at Izuku in his big warm sweater and comfy sleeping shorts, all the things he wanted to say rushing through his head at a million miles an hour.
“I’m sorry.” Was all he could manage in a weak, breathless tone, trying to convey everything he wanted to say with his eyes as Izuku stared up at him in surprise. Everyone knew Bakugou Katsuki was bad at feelings.
Izuku swallowed, shivering once from the chill creeping in from the outdoors as he suddenly looked much more tired than before, Katsuki now noticing the small bags underneath his eyes and how the glimmer seemed to dull. He nodded once and stepped aside, pulling the door open wider.
“You can come in,” He said softly, and Katsuki dipped his head once, politely, before he stepped past the threshold and looked around the humble apartment as Izuku closed the door. He noticed the plain couch and glass coffee table littered with a stay cup and plate, and some notebooks. A picture of Izuku and his mother sat on the small T.V stand, and several hero posters were plastered along the eggshell white walls, most of them All Might but some actually about heroes Katsuki could recognize, like Ingenium, Uravity, Froppy, and.. even Ground Zero.
Sometimes he forgot that he was the number one hero .
“Would you like some tea? I was, ah, just about to make some for myself.” Izuku spoke gently and Katsuki turned to face him, looking upon his childhood friend who he hadn't seen for many years, since they split going into high school. Katsuki got into U.A, while Izuku was sent to another one, and they drifted apart. Of course, Katsuki was his bully throughout most of his life, after his quirk developed…
“Uh, yes, sure,” Katsuki answered, trying to dispel his messy thoughts for the moment. “Please.” He added with a soft cough. They would figure it all out in a little while, that was why he came here after all.
Izuku gazed at him for a moment before letting out a slow, shaky breath and nodding, turning to pad into the small kitchen. Katsuki knelt to take off his boots, his ears perking as he heard the sound of soft mumbling from Izuku. He let himself smile, almost wanting to laugh out loud at the entire situation.
There was so much obvious tension and awkwardness, yet it still felt like nothing at all had changed. Izuku was still Izuku, mumbling like he had way back when they were young, and Katsuki felt as though all those years hadn't separated them at all. He wanted to tease the other male, but in a friendly way, needing to bite his tongue so the affectionate “Nerdy older Deku still mumbles” didn’t fall past his lips.
Of course, this wasn't just going to be a session of reminiscing, it was going to be a session of working things out, because Katsuki had risen to the top just like he had said he would all those years ago, had become just as good as All Might was in his prime, but Izuku wasn't by his side, and Izuku had been plaguing his thoughts for months now. Katsuki had suddenly remembered how he had fallen in the river when he was a child during one of his interviews, where a reporter had asked about how his past shaped him to be the hero he was today, and it had continued from there. Izuku was on his mind more often than not, and finally Katsuki decided to seek him out.
As Katsuki stood, taking a few steps towards the carpet from the hardwood entryway, he looked up, watching Izuku take out mugs for them both, the occasional mumble still floating from his lips. He wondered how Izuku was doing with his life, what he was doing, how he felt, if he had his own group of friends, how his mother was doing, he just had so much going through his mind that Izuku’s voice nearly made him jump.
“You can sit,” He said, gesturing towards the couch as he walked carefully, two cups of steaming tea in his hands. Katsuki cleared his throat, uttering a soft thank you as Izuku placed his cup on the glass, moving his things aside. Katsuki sat on the couch gingerly as Izuku sat on the plush carpet across from him. Feeling stuffy and awkward with a rapidly beating heart, Katsuki undid his scarf, letting it hang loosely around his neck.
They were both quiet for a moment, Izuku surely bewildered and thrown off by Katsuki’s sudden appearance at his door after all those years. Bakugou couldn’t help but think that Deku had changed so much, and yet, not at all in the timespan that they hadn't seen each other, hadn't talked or kept in contact.
He still had the same big doe eyes, the same messy green curls, of course, and the same freckles dotting his cheeks, though his face was still a little soft, it was no longer boyish or young. He’d really grown. Katsuki was sure he had grown as well. Did he look the same to Deku? How did the other see him after all this time? How did he feel about the fact that Katsuki had become the number one hero, the same goal that they had both had when they were young. They had been sent down different paths in life, and no matter how similar their goal was, one of them hadn't been cut out to make it.
Katsuki felt a tightness in his chest as he stared at the dark liquid of his tea, watching the small leaf float about and the steam rise and dissipate. Izuku stirred his quietly, the spoon clinking gently, his drink no doubt filled with sugar. Katsuki felt everything he wanted to say on the tip of his tongue and yet nothing would come out; his lips would not budge, his voice choked back in his throat.
After a moment, Bakugou couldn’t help but chuckle lowly, causing Izuku to look up at him curiously as he sipped the hot beverage. Katsuki ran a hand through his spiky blond locks, shaking his head.
“It’s funny,” He spoke, “After all this time, all the time I had to think of what to say to you and I still got nothing.” He hung his head, his weary grin falling as he clutched one of his hands to his face, the other hanging limp over his knee. Izuku watched him without saying a word, no doubt feeling a whirlwind of emotions just like Katsuki was at the moment.
“I’m sorry.” Katsuki repeated in a mere whisper, voice hoarse and choked up. He hated this feeling, the weak trembling in his limbs, the lump in his throat, the sting in his eyes and the restless tensing of his muscles.
“Don’t be.” Izuku said, and Bakugou looked up to see a warm smile upon his lips. A happy, genuine smile that clearly held no pain, no resentment, no grudge against Katsuki for everything that he had done. Crimson eyes widened as Izuku laughed softly, holding his drink, his lashes fluttering as he blinked a few times.
“Kacchan,” He murmured, and Katsuki could find no more words, staring at Izuku with raw emotion written on his face, his lips parted slightly, eyes opened wide. “I… I’m so proud of you!” He said enthusiastically, laughing, and Katsuki’s heart clenched up as he spotted the shine of tears in the other’s eyes.
“You…” Izuku hiccuped, “You did it, Kacchan! You’re the number one hero, you became everything you said you would, even better than that, and how could you be sorry for that?” Izuku chuckled, wiping at his eyes with his sleeves, “And you know, watching you rise up, watching you fight and win and grow, it’s… it makes me so happy, knowing that you could do it.” Izuku’s voice cracked and Katsuki felt an embarrassingly hot tear streak down his cheek. How? How can he still… after all this time… he still is…
“And… and don’t you worry about me, because I’m helping people too, you know.” He smiled again, Bakugou’s shoulders drooping as he swallowed back any further tears. “I’m a nurse, so I can help those who were injured and I get to take care of them and make sure they’re okay, you know? It’s… it’s great, honestly. Makes me feel like I’m a hero too, in some way.” Izuku shook his head and laughed, as if it was silly or preposterous for him to feel that way.
Bakugou clenched his jaw, slamming his hand on the glass table, luckily not breaking it under his strength, though Izuku jumped.
“Shut up! You are a hero, Deku! You’re my hero!” He shouted out, a flush rising up his neck though he fought it back. Izuku’s cheeks bloomed with a rosy red and Bakugou spoke over the pounding of his own heart, “What you said when we were kids.. It’s been stuck in my mind for years, motivating me, reminding me of you and whenever I think of you I just…” Katsuki shook his head, growling as he struggled with his words. “I just.. It’s all your fault!” He glared almost accusingly at Izuku, “It’s your fault I’m a hero! You were the one who helped me through everything without ever being there, so don’t you dare say that I did it all on my own!”
Katsuki finished, breathing rather heavily, with Izuku staring at him with shocked green eyes. His heart thundered in his chest, his palms growing slightly sweaty, the scent of caramel and tea lingering in the air between them. Bakugou’s hand curled into a fist on the glass and he slipped off the couch, kneeling on the floor.
“Izuku…” He said lowly, staring at his reflection in the glass. “I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m sorry for what I did to you in middle school, when I only cared about myself. I could hardly give a shit what anyone else said or did, except for you.” Bakugou closed his eyes, reliving those moments, remembering what he had said, what he had done, it hurt to think of it. “You were always there, always on my last nerve, and I wanted to be stronger than you, because even without a Quirk you were always better than me. I couldn’t handle wondering if you would really follow through and beat me, if you would really become the greatest hero while I struggled in second place, always trying to surpass you.” Katsuki couldn’t stop himself now, he was pouring his heart out, his lips moving almost without his permission, but there was no way he could stop, Deku had to know. He deserved to know.
“And when I got into U.A and left you behind, I thought you would be gone for good. But you never were.” Bakugou sighed, the tension rippling out of his muscles. It felt good to be rid of the weight he had been carrying for so long, to spill everything that had been trapped in his mind. “You were always there, as if you were right beside me the entire time. And I guess, well, I guess I’m grateful.” He finished in a low tone, almost embarrassed to admit it.
There were a few seconds of silence, Bakugou’s words hanging between them, truthful and heavy.
“Kacchan,” Izuku said softly, and Bakugou looked up at him. His eyes were red, but his tears were gone and he was smiling. “Thank you.”
Bakugou stared at him for a moment before a soft chuckle bubbled out of his throat and he closed his eyes, shaking his head as he fell back against the couch.
“Yeah, whatever, nerd.” He mumbled, a fond smile on his face.
“I always did wonder if Kacchan forgot about me, but I guess I have my answer.” Katsuki looked over at the other and Izuku smiled cheekily, taking another drink of his tea.
“I always did wonder if Deku had a big, fat crush on me, but I guess I have my answer.” Katsuki mocked with a smirk. Izuku’s cheeks were stained with a blush as he sputtered, and Katsuki smirked. “Oh, what, you thought I wouldn’t notice? Seriously, you really are a Deku if you think I’m that oblivious or that you’re that subtle. I mean, still, with Kacchan and everything? C’mon.”
Izuku pouted, an honestly adorable expression in Katsuki’s eyes.
“Fine,” He huffed, “I suppose I’ll just call you Bakugou now.”
“Hah?” Katsuki asked, annoyed. His own name sounding so foreign in Izuku’s voice. “You better not, you damned nerd!” He snapped. Izuku smiled deviously.
“Oh, sorry, would you rather me call you Ground Zero?”
“No!”
“Maybe Mr. Bakugou, then?”
“Hell no!”
“Then, how about Katsuki?” Izuku said in a purposefully softer tone, almost intimate.
Katsuki’s cheeks flared pink and he fumbled for words as his heart skipped, a strange feeling zipping down his spine like a shock.
“No! Just stick with Kacchan, damn Deku!” He yelled, flustered. Izuku laughed, and Bakugou clenched his jaw.
“Alright, alright Kacchan,” He giggled. “I see you still haven’t changed all that much.”
Katsuki stared at Izuku, brows furrowed, his heart still beating quickly, an almost sick, nervous twisting in his stomach. Izuku’s smile faded slightly as he noticed the weird expression he was being given.
“Eh? Kacchan? What’s-”
“Go out with me.”
Izuku froze up, his eyes going as wide as dinner plates. Bakugou rolled his eyes, looking away as he crossed his arms.
“Yeah, so what? You got a girlfriend or somethin’?” He muttered out irritably. Izuku relaxed slightly, though his face was clearly still red.
“N-no, I just.. Wasn't expecting that, was all.” He smiled faintly down at his cup. Katsuki raised a brow at him.
“Well? Yes or no, nerd?” He snapped. Izuku laughed, and Bakugou’s heart fluttered.
“Yes, Kacchan,” Izuku said, and Bakugou gazed at him, honestly surprised. “I’ll go out with you.”
“Good. Now get ready.” He ordered, rising to his feet.
“Eh?! What, right now?!” Izuku asked in surprise, and Bakugou huffed.
“Yes, right now, it’s your day off isn’t it?” He asked. Izuku tilted his head, puzzled.
“Well, yes, but how did you-?”
“Don’t worry about it.” He said, waving his hand. “Now hurry up and get ready.” Izuku sighed and rolled his eyes, but a small smile popped up on his lips as he took care of their cups and mumbled to himself as he headed to his room. Bakugou sighed, but an easy smile came to his face and his shoulders felt lighter.
Thanks, auntie Inko, and you too, old hag. He thought to himself with a small chuckle, proud of how far he had come and wondering how far he could go, now that he had the most important part of his life back with him.
From: Mom
Guess who I just ran into? Remember Inko, Izuku’s mom? It’s been a while! Do you and him ever talk?
From: Mom
She said congratulations on becoming #1, and that both she and Izuku are proud. You know, you should really check up on him sometime, catch up.
From: Mom
Inko says his day off is coming up and she’s got his address, if you do want to see him.
To: Mom
When and what is it?
From: Mom
Hah! Stubborn boy, I knew you couldn’t resist.
To: Mom
Shut up, old hag! Give me the date and the address!!