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Izuku Midoriya is reported missing during survival training in the woods. And the news brews an uneasy feeling in Katsuki Bakugou, a feeling he didn’t know how to cope with except by yelling and setting off bombs on his palms.
“What do you mean he’s gone?!” Katsuki couldn’t believe it. The nerd couldn’t just be gone.
“We can’t find him.”
“Then you’re not looking hard enough!”
“We’re doing our best.” The agent says, slotting a consolidating hand on the hero’s broad shoulder, but the blonde disregards it with a rough roll of his muscles.
“Fuck you. I’m doing it myself,” Before the man could reply, Bakugou storms away. In the direction Izuku was last seen. He was called, told that he wasn’t allowed there, but the blonde ignores them, cursing under his breath, “Useless fuckers.”
The search was unproductive, looking everywhere for anything Izuku might have left, but he found nothing. More rocks, trees and puddles he stomps on angrily.
So he defaults to screaming, “DEKU!” Hands around his mouth, “I’ll murder you if you don’t show yourself now, you piece of—!”
There was rustling behind him, twigs snapping and quiet footsteps, and Katsuki gyrates to look down at a tiny rabbit. A rabbit with big eyes, green as the trees around them, and green fur with white spots, frizzy and soft. There’re scattered dots on its cheeks and tall pink ears on its head.
“Get the fuck outta here,” Katsuki snaps but the critter doesn’t obey, only wags its puffy tail faster. Then, when it tries to bounce in his direction, the bunny stumbles with a low cry. One of its hind legs was splintered, “Oh for fuck’s—fine,” Katsuki picks the bum with both hands, fitting perfectly on his palms, “I’m calling you Deku, y’hear?”
The bunny’s eyes gleam, tail twitching happily.
“You like it? Dumbass,” Katsuki scoffed, turning around to walk back to training camp, “You remind me of someone. He’s an idiot just like you.”
Katsuki takes the little bunny to where he was staying the night, making quick work of patching him up with strappings he had stowed in case of emergency.
“There. Try not to fuck it all up,” With one pleading look, pink snout quivering, Katsuki sighs and rolls his eyes. He flicks the bunny’s nose, grinning as he scrunches his little face, “Fine. You can stay. But stop making that ugly look.”
Bunny Deku beams, nodding his small head.
“Good. Remember the idiot I talked about? You’re gonna help me find him,” He starts walking out again to the same place as before, “There’s… something important I have to tell him so I’m gonna kill him when I find him.”
Deku tilts his head, curiosity glossing his big eyes, and Katsuki is baffled at the uncanny resemblance. He ignores it in favor of finding a certain nerd, but again, the search was fruitless and Katsuki grows more frustrated.
Camp was buzzing with 1-A’s cheering students, drinking and gobbling handfuls of food. Kirishima, shoulder to shoulder with Kaminari, bustles in his direction.
“Hey, bro!” Then he notices the little creature in his arms, “Hold on, is that a bunny with you?”
“Yeah, so?”
The other two boys look at each other before returning their attention to Bakugou, “Er, dude, are you okay?”
“What?”
“Who are you and what did you do to Bakugou?”
“The fuck is wrong with you losers? Never seen a fucking bunny or what?”
They throw their heads back and slap their knees in guffaw, “Naw, it’s just that we haven’t seen you holding one and it’s really weird. And worrying. Give it here before you blow the poor thing up.”
But Katsuki reels, pulls the bunny under his armpit and snarls. The horselaugh dies and the bunny yips, nestled between Katsuki’s arms, big eyes blown.
“Hands off, assholes,” Katsuki grumbles, lips pouting as his fingers inadvertently stroke the pooch’s head, “Found him first.”
“Okay, okay! Gee, thought for a second you were gonna bite my finger off!” Kaminari carps, stroking his hand, “Freaking wild.”
“Well, uh, congrats on getting the pet bro,” Kirishima carefully edges close to Katsuki to pat his shoulder, “Take care of it, yeah?”
Then they leave for more drinks. And to gossip about Katsuki’s new pet.
“They’re idiots,” Katsuki grouses again as he strolls to his tent. His fingers were still on the bunny’s head, “Remember that, Deku.”
The bunny coos and once inside the tent, the petite pet skitters his way to Katsuki’s chest after the boy undresses and lays down on the makeshift bed, one knee lifted and arms under his head. He stares up at nothing but the soft texture of the roof of the tent, lost in his thoughts until the critter makes a sound, teeth clicking, to call his attention.
“What do you want?” Katsuki looks down, faced with the bunny’s tilted head and eyes too big for his skull. The way his tiny nose twitches, mouth a little parted while his fur dances remind Katsuki of the missing boy and his chest tightens, “Fuckin’ hell, you’re just like him whining for my attention all the damn time.”
The bunny burrows his face on Katsuki’s shirt with a soft purr. The blonde thinks about how Deku does the same, using his arms to hide his flushed face. He doesn’t know if bunnies can blush in the first place but he wouldn’t put past him.
“What is it? You hungry?”
The bunny nods without looking up.
“The fuck am I supposed to give you?” He groans and fumbles around for the sack of frosted flakes by his bed, “This better be good. It’s all I’m giving you, got it?”
The bunny nods again and sniffs Katsuki’s palm before sticking his small pink tongue out to pick the pieces into his mouth, cheeks bubbling and stirring as he chews and swallows quickly before poking Katsuki for more. His round tail wriggles and he clucks happily.
A flawless image of Deku with his mouth full.
He makes a squealy sound too, like Deku whenever he takes a bite of whatever Katsuki cooks for him.
Wow, Kacchan! This is so delicious!
Katsuki clicks his tongue and brings a frustrated hand over his face, feeling the hopelessness prickling his heart. He feels the bunny shifting, scurrying under his arm to prop down just under his chin. Then Katsuki feels something wet licking the point end of his chin and he scrunches his face in mild disgust, “What the fuck are you—?”
He looks down again to see Deku’s big eyes glossy, stricken with worry as he tries to cheer the human up with small affectionate gestures.
Just like Deku, going as far as brushing his fingers over Katsuki’s hand for reassurance if the blonde was fuming or upset.
And it worked. It always works.
“Fuck you.” Katsuki grumbles, grabbing the critter by his hind to drag him up, just at the side of his head. Bunny Deku twitches as he settles, body twined, legs drawn into his tiny body as he rests his head against Katsuki’s. And just like that, his eyes return to normal and the twinge on Katsuki’s jaw soothes.
Pets were ridiculously loving and loyal, despite having just taken him that same day.
Which, again, summons Izuku to his mind. Deku, the fucking idiot, was trusting and too nice, just like a dog that chases his tail for attention. The bunny was no different.
And despite how annoying they both were, Katsuki enjoys their company and without it…
“Damn nerd,” He inhales. His breath comes out a little uneven, “Come back.”
Please.
Next day, he continues the search for Deku, this time with Kaminari and Kirishima, but it was turning out unsuccessful again.
“I’m worried too bro, but this is hitting you the hardest, huh.” Kirishima says, placing a consolidating hand on Katsuki’s shoulder.
Katsuki dismisses it with a jerk and the roughness upsets the little the bunny in his arm, who he takes everywhere with him. The bunny yips, pressing his tiny legs against Katsuki’s chest and scratching it to call his attention. Katsuki flicks his nose, “The fuck do you mean?”
“Well, you two were always together, weren’t you?”
“No, what gives you that stupid idea?” Katsuki grunts, by this point struggling with the rabbit, who has started to yip louder, “Dammit, Deku! Not now!”
“Deku?”
“Yeah, this little shit is Deku.”
“You named it Deku?”
“He. It’s a guy, moron.”
“Wait ‘till I tell Kaminari.” Kirishima utters under his breath with a low snort.
“The fuck did you just say?” Katsuki snaps, prodding one finger in the bunny’s mouth to quiet him, who tries his hardest to bite him but it was nothing more than a bug’s prick.
“Nothing!” Kirishima lifts one hand while the other scratches the back of his neck, “But this is exactly what I mean, you two were close even if you argue a lot.”
“Bullshit.”
“Just admit it already,” Kirishima ruffles his hair and Katsuki growls, reaching up to take Kirishima’s hand who yanks it back just in time, “You miss him.”
Katsuki stills, eyes broadening a little.
Me, missing that nerd?
Then he turns abruptly, hiding his scrunched face and how his teeth abuse his bottom lip.
“I don’t care about that idiot,” Katsuki grumbles, trying to appear uncaring but his shaking fingers stroking the bunny’s head contradicted his words, “What kind of hero would I be if I do nothing?”
“A jackass.”
Katsuki bellows and rounds on Kirishima, accidentally letting the bunny slip from his grasp and plunge to floor with a loud yelp.
“Shit!” Katsuki turns again to kneel over his body and pick him up to cradle him against his chest, “Deku, I’m—”
The bunny’s body twitches in his arms and whines softly, eyes shiny with teeming tears. Katsuki notices two of his legs splintered.
“Fuck,” Katsuki stands up, securing the critter tightly, “You two, keep looking for Deku.”
They call him but Katsuki ignores them and bolts back directly to his tent, heart cleaved in his throat as he sprints. He takes a seat on his bed, searches for his med kit and unfurls the gauzes before gripping the bunny on his lap by one leg first, one hand by his hindleg and the other by his toes.
“Sorry, Deku, this is gonna hurt, but it’s... it’s gonna be alright, yeah?” Katsuki reassures with a quivering smile, “I promise. I… I’ll take care of you.”
Bunny Deku shudders and whines lowly. He was scared, Katsuki could see it in his eyes, but he nods anyways. Trusting Katsuki, even after hurting him.
The blonde takes a deep breath before pulling and straining Deku’s leg. The bunny cries and trashes until it clicks into place, “There, it’s okay,” He swathes the strips around the and pats it gently, then grants Deku time for the pain to smother, “You… you’re really brave.”
The real Deku may be stupid but he’s brave, especially when in fear, and Katsuki admires him for that even if it pisses him off. Sometimes.
“Gotta move to the other one. It’s gonna be okay,” Katsuki repeats, shifting to the other leg and recaps the process. One click and Katsuki shawls the leg with fine dressings, securing it tightly with a firm tug, “There. Good as new. Try not to fuck it up—”
But the bunny has other plans. He rolls and hops, standing on his hindlegs to nick at Katsuki’s chest with his paws. Like nothing happened. Just like stupid Deku breaking his bones and walking around the next day like his bones were made of steel.
“Fucking—what now?”
Deku hops again and Katsuki rolls his eyes with a tired groan before leaning back on the bed and allowing him to snuggle on his thorax like usual, relaxing to the beat of Katsuki’s heart.
“Weirdo,” Katsuki scoffs, twirling a long, soft ear between his fingers, “You’re just like him.”
The bunny clucks and scurries forward until he was huddled right under Katsuki’s chin. His tiny tongue licks his skin in warm affection, nose and tail wriggling happily.
“Fuck offfff,” Katsuki grumbles, but he makes no attempt to push the ball of fluff away, “You’re disgusting.”
Deku purrs, nuzzling into Katsuki.
“That’s enough,” Katsuki pinches his nose fondly, “Go to sleep already.”
By a miracle, he obeys, crawling back to his spot beside Katsuki’s head, who feels a smile spreading his lips as he succumbs to the exhaustion of his body.
Later in the night, Kirishima and Kaminari pay him a visit to deliver their report on the search for Izuku. Imagine their surprise when they see the blonde hugging a breathing ball of wool to his chest.
Of course they took pictures.
“Fuckin’ unbelievable, how the fuck can you fit so much food in there?” Katsuki complains as he lifts his hand to feed the bunny perched on his head more flakes while his other hand works on homework.
Deku clucks and taps Katsuki’s head for more.
“I can’t take a fuckin’ break with you,” Katsuki grumbles, feeding the fuzzy thing again. The feel of his tiny teeth nipping his fingers was tickling, “I’m gunna hand you to those idiots.”
There was a squeak as Deku burrows into Katsuki’s hair to hide from him.
“No? Then you better be good.”
Deku obeys, albeit temporarily. After a minute or so, he was bored out of his tiny mind, tapping his leg faster on Katsuki’s head. It was time to play. Now. So Katsuki closes his notebooks and stands up to search for small items around the tent. Immediately when he places them down, Deku nose-bonks them with a keen squeal.
“Fucking oddball,” Katsuki snorts as he straightens the item back up only for Deku to knock it over again, “You freaking rabbits are weird,” And then he adds in an undertone: “And stupidly adorable.”
The bunny in question peeps and springs, having heard Katsuki.
“Shut up. You didn’t hear anything,” Katsuki busies himself by fetching a small red ball and shoving it in Deku’s face, “Here. Do your weird thing.”
Deku snatches it between his white teeth, flicking his head to lob it in Katsuki’s direction.
“Nice throw for a runt,” The blonde gives it back and catches it again when Deku flings it. Back and forth until Deku seizes it and runs with it instead, tittering as he skitters behind the chair, still quite visible with his ears, “Oi! What the fuck? Get back here!”
But Deku runs from him and suddenly they were playing hide and seek. The bunny was easy to find by following his titters. It reminds Katsuki of little Izuku unable to control his giggles whenever they played.
Kacchan, Kacchan! Try to find me, Kacchan!
Katsuki breathes deeply as he kneels to look under his bed for the fuzzball.
I’ll find you, Deku.
The fuzzball makes a run for the tent’s entrance, his round shape camouflaging with the grass outside and Katsuki starts to panic, “Deku, stop! Come back!” He follows, looking around for his little Deku, but he couldn’t see or hear him, “DEKU!”
“Is Deku back?”
“Did they find him?”
“Where was he?”
Kirishima steps out of his tent to investigate the commotion and upon seeing Katsuki searching all over the ground, he understands and mitigates the situation. After roughly five minutes, the bunny skips to his feet, looking up at Katsuki with his head tilted. Why didn’t you come to find me?
“Don’t ever do that again, y’hear?” Katsuki bows to pick him up, poising him until they were face to face, fingers tight under his front legs. He doesn’t want to let him slip again, “If you do, I—I'll—damn it, I can’t lose you too.”
Deku’s body quivers and he whimpers as his spherical eyes gloss and his ears droop.
“Yeah, don’t do it again okay?”
Deku nods briskly.
“Good boy.”
Two days later.
Still nothing regarding Izuku.
Katsuki hasn’t given up, and he never will, but his spirits were diminishing, sinking into an enlarging crater Izuku’s absence has sowed. The bunny, always in his arms, was a source of courage that uplifts him. Bakugou strokes his head, his ears, his tail, feeling around the softness that sends warmth across his fingertips to his whole body.
Deku starts to act slightly strange then, making odd sounds, rousing Katsuki from his sleep, scratching his chest more than usual, and the blonde doesn’t know what he wants or what he’s trying to convey this time.
“Deku, stop. I don’t have time for this, I need… I need to find the real Deku,” Katsuki slumps on his bed, arms slouched over his knees, head hanging as he looks down. The critter was between his legs, scratching frantically, “I… I miss him. So damn much,” His voice cracks, “I need to tell him… how much he means to me.”
Katsuki sobs quiet, yet it strikes like thunder in his chest, knocking out the air from his lungs.
“I need to tell him how fuckin’ important he is to me. How much I’m sorry for treating him like shit. For pushing him away. I have to thank him for sticking with my rude ass even after all I’ve done. All I’ve said. He never deserved it. He doesn’t—” Katsuki swallows the knot. The ache in his jaw causes his eyes to twinge with tears, “He doesn’t deserve someone like me. But fuck, I want him. I want that stupid nerd at my side. More than anything.”
The bunny stills and the change of behavior prompts Katsuki to look down.
“And you… you remind me so much of him. You’re fuckin’ brave and stupid and weird like him, but I… I love it all,” He reaches down to touch Deku’s fur, “Do you think I’ll be able to tell him?”
The bun’s eyes swell as he nods and then suddenly, there was a cloud of green exploding in the tent.
“What the fu—?!” Katsuki coughs, fanning the smoke away, “Deku?”
When it finally dissipates, Deku was between his legs.
The real Deku.
And he was naked. In his full, scarred splendor.
“H—hi, Kacchan,” Izuku laughs nervously. Music to Katsuki’s ears. The relief that bursts in his chest soothes the discomfort he has been feeling for days, “I, uhm… oh GOD, I’m naked!” His scarred hands lunge between his legs to cover his privates, “I—I—I’m so sorry about this! This is so embarrassing!”
“You’re here,” Katsuki breathes, reaching out to caress Izuku’s rosy cheeks, “You were Deku all along.”
“Yeah,” Izuku’s leans into the touch, green eyes sparkling, “I tried to tell you, but I had so much fun with you that I…,” He pauses, worrying his bottom lip, “Kacchan, did you… did you mean everything you said about me?”
Katsuki’s face dips in red. Fuck, he curses. How he longed to see that smile, hear his voice, “Yeah, every word.”
Izuku beams and it was blinding. Katsuki missed that too. In his thrill, Izuku jumps and wraps his arms around Katsuki’s neck to kiss his lips in a happy passion. Izuku was soft and tender, just like Katsuki dreamed about, but his glee was momentarily interrupted when Izuku parts.
“I’m, uhm… still naked. I have to get my… my things.”
Katsuki smiles and stands up to grab a shirt and shorts from his drawers, “Here. Use this.” Then he turns to give him some privacy.
“Thanks, I—I’ll be back! Just wait for me!”
“No fuckin’ way,” Katsuki takes his hand, squeezing tightly as he blushes.
“I’m not letting go again.”