Chapter Text
As 3rd year hero course students at the country’s most prestigious hero academy, Class A ha learned many valuable lessons, but none more important than when Aizawa sensei was do e with everyone’s shit. So when Aizawa walked in looking more exhausted than after a freshman orientation day, the class knew he was best left only. Naturally this meant Bakugou had to open his big mouth.
“You look like shit Sensei, what happened?”
“Thank you, Bakugou, for your touching concern,” Aizawa didn’t even bother to stare daggers at the explosive idiot, “Today we’re going over something that will make or break you as a hero. This is one of the last hurtles between you, and your goals, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some of you can never move past this point,” now Aizawa shot Bakugou that glare, before releasing a deep sigh. “To be honest, I’m not even good at this, so for the next week, you lot are Ectoplasm’s problem. Though I do still expect to see you for regular training in the afternoons.”
And with no further explanation, Aizawa zipped up his sleeping bag and caterpillared his way out of the room.
A few moments after the door closed, Todoroki let out a quiet, “What the fuck?”
Kaminari broke out into nervous laughter, “He was joking, right?”
“Yeah,” Shinso added, “because Sensei’s always been known for his sense of humor.”
“I-- I-,” Deku stuttered, “I’m sure everything will be just fine.”
The intercom system interrupted any further discussion saying, “Class 3-A report to Ectoplasm’s classroom in the Business Course Department.”
So, with a little grumbling at their school’s theatrics, and a lot of theorizing about what they were walking into, the hero course Students made their way over to the Business Department.
Following Iida's knock the whole class was ushered into a stadium style lecture hall where Ectoplasm and All Might stood in the center of the floor facing roughly 20 students with twice as many seats.
“Welcome young heroes,” All Might boomed with as much bravado as ever, even in his newer, weaker form.
“Excellent, if you would stay right there, I will explain,” Ectoplasm said having gathered from their general confusion that Aizawa hadn’t bothered to explain anything to the young heroes in training, “As I was saying, we have decided to gather you together for an import group project. The role of heroics in society is heavily influenced by those in the field of public relations. Whether working for media, government, or hero agencies, those in public relations must learn to develop good working relationships with heroes, as well as an understanding for their personal and public needs. Heroes, you will quickly learn you are lucky indeed if a public relations specialist is in your corner because they will make or break your career.”
Suddenly the twenty unassuming students that sat before the young heroes, had a glint in their eyes, apparently a lot more threatening.
“For this assignment, each business course student will choose a hero course student to work with. Together each pair will come up with a look and angle to sell the student as a new hero, as well as two different additional looks and public image portfolios for ways the hero could choose to maintain an image and build a brand in Hero Society.
“While this assignment is a huge test of the business course students’ abilities, the hero course students will also be graded on their cooperation, and helpfulness to the overall project. Does anyone have any questions?”
At this point Bakugou felt many of his classmates’ eyes in him and had to refrain from snarling, even he understood how important it was to be on these nerds' good sides.
“Good,” Ectoplasm continued, “Projects will be presented one week from today. Special passes to go off campus for shopping, photoshoots, and other necessities will be available upon request, however both hero and business course students will be expected to maintain the duties of their other courses and their internships understood?”
Both classes echoed back, “Yes Sensei!”
“And young heroes,” All Might added, “It’s in your best interest to be honest with your partners, it may be the key to your success as heroes!”
And with that, both All Might and Ectoplasm just left the classroom, leaving the hero course students herded in front of the whiteboard, confused.
Then the bidding war broke out.
“I call Midoriya!”
“No way! My last exam beat yours by three points!”
“My portfolio got a better review than either of yours!”
“Kei, I'll tutor you in physics before our next test if you let me take Todoroki!”
“No way Mori!”
Then amongst the chaos a petite girl with black hair and green eyes stood up and walked to the front of the room, silencing her classmates as she walked.
“Since my claim is undisputed,” she shot an arrogant look back at her silent classmates, “I’d like to introduce myself Kirishima-kun,” the girl bowed at the waist in front of Kirishima, then looked up at the large young man through her thick dark lashes, “I'm Ito Airi, and I’ve had my eye on you since the sports festival in year one.”
“Oh, uhh,” Kirishima rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, “Thanks!”
In that moment, Bakugou Katsuki had never hate someone so much. He didn’t even totally know why either. Over the years Bakugou had become protective of his best friend, but it was obvious that this chick wasn’t out to hurt Kirishima; so why couldn’t Katsuki stop thinking of her as a threat?
“I’m Ito Airi, and I’m the top ranked business course student at UA. Why don’t we go to a study room in the library to discuss your future, and how we’re gonna make you the new number one hero.”
“Ah, sure! I’m pumped to get to work with you!” Kirishima shot her his sunbeam smile before she grabbed his arm and nearly drug him out the door.
“Kacchan?” Deku whispered as the business course students began chattering again.
“What is it Nerd?”
“Ah, um, I just wanted to ask if you knew you’re setting off small explosions right now?”
Katsuki had in fact, not realized he had lost control of his quirk until Deku said something, prompting him to clench his fists and take a deep breath. Bakugou had gotten a lot better at controlling, and properly express his emotions since first year, and he’d always boasted great control over his quirk, so this mishap left him pale in the face, and sweating enough to make him extra cautious of his quirk. Not that Deku needed to know.
“I’m fucking fine. Mind your own damn business.”
“Whatever you say. Though, don’t get too upset, Kirishima deserves that kind of recognition more often.”
“I know that! He’s amazing! She just didn’t have to be so damn creepy about it,” Bakugou kicked at the floor in front of him not meeting Deku’s stare.
“Yo, Bakugou, are you even paying attention?”
“Fuckin’ what Pikachu?”
“You gotta pick someone from your fan club to work with,” and sure enough, when Bakugou looked up at Kaminari, there was a group of three girls and a guy arguing right next to him.
“Oh, you all want to work with me?” Bakugou knew he had a reputation for being… difficult, so seeing this many people wanting to work with him brought a slight color to his cheeks.
“Yeah, you’re the biggest challenge!”
And the warm fuzzy feeling vanished as it felt like a rock was dropped into the pit of his stomach. His hard work didn’t mean shit.
“You all think that?”
The guy spoke up this time, “I mean, yeah, at least as far as our line of work is concerned.”
“Then I don’t want to work with any of you,” Bakugou said calmly and walked away.
The group he left behind fell into chaos, and Bakugou knew he may have just shot himself in the foot, but he couldn’t work with people that looked down on him, he wouldn’t. So, he trained his eyes on the back of the room. At this point pretty much all of the business course students had approached heroes they wanted to work with, but one nerd was left in the back of the classroom franticly looking up and down from their notebook to the young heroes at the front of the room. The dude never even looked at Bakugou until he dropped into the chair next to him, and the nerd turned toward him so fast Bakugou was worried he might have snapped his neck until he started stammering unintelligibly.
“Hey, I’m Bakugou Katsuki, you remind me of an old friend. Wanna work together?”
So maybe Bakugou still wasn’t great at humbly asking others for things, but he’d made a lot of progress. This project was bound to frustrate him, and he need to just remember that he might not be great at this shit, but he is making progress, whether those damn extras upfront knew or not. Plus, this nerd reminded him of Deku, and he was certainly good at being liked.
“You wa- want to work with me?”
“If you don’t want to just say so, I’m not—”
“No, of course I want to! You’re consistently a part of the Big Three Power struggle of our year! It’s just that I’m not usually a top pick in the class.”
“Do you suck or something?” Bakugou eyed the dude as they squirmed in their seat.
“No, I mean, I’m consistently near the top on projects and assignments that aren’t graded by other students.”
Bakugou shifts across the aisle separating him from his new partner, “Why don’t they like you?”
“We— well, I uh,” the poor dude had started to sweat nervously, but Bakugou was too curious to divert his intense red stare. He knew all the reasons he had bullied Deku, and couldn’t help but wonder if he was looking at his past mistakes reflected back in this similar nerd, so he let him continue to stammer until they found the words they needed, “Well over the summer I uh, I changed my na- na- name, and uh, m- my pronouns?”
“And what?”
“What do you mean?” The poor dude looked like a chihuahua about to shake out of his skin.
“And why don’t they like you?”
“Ah, well because they uh, don’t think they should have to change what they call me.”
“Well that’s fuckin’ stupid! You don’t get to tell people what they’re name is! So?”
“So what?” The dude’s shaking had started to slow to a slight squirm under Bakugou’s stare.
“So, what are your name and pronouns?”
“Oh!” for the first time Bakugou’s new partner smiled, and he was reminded that his rough around the edges way of caring wasn’t lost on everyone, “I’m Takahashi Tooru, and my pronouns are they/them.”
“Cool, wanna work together Takahashi?
“Sure Bakugou-san!”
The two really wouldn’t have had a choice as their conversation wound down everyone else had already paired up, but they were content with how the cards had played out. The room had several pairs scattered about, and many more had left to find somewhere quiet to begin work.
“Let’s start out just getting to know who you are. Some of the questions I wanna ask are personal, but I want to have a good understanding of you before I really start working.”
“You’re already a better partner than those other losers. Though,” Bakugou rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, “I’m not the best with personal questions.”
“Alright, where on campus do you feel most comfortable?”
Bakugou’s mind immediately flashed to a door room covered in red with more room set aside for the punching bag than either sleeping or studying, “Why?”
“I figured if the questions are gonna make you uncomfortable, we could at least discuss them where you feel most comfortable.”
They ended up in Bakugou’s favorite practice gym, deciding to have Bakugou do some circuit training while Takahashi asked questions.
“How’s your relationship with your parents?”
“Fine, I guess. My mom’s a hag who always yells at me, but I know it’s because she loves me or some shit. ‘ts just the way she is. Old man is chill.”
“Do you think your relationship with your mom is why you’re so aggressive?”
In this instant Bakugou was glad Takahashi had told him not to do a lighter work out, and that it was okay if that meant he would take longer to answer, because his initial reaction was still to yell that it was none of their damn business. Instead Bakugou breathed in deep, gripped the free weights he was working with so tight he could feel the diamond pattern digging into his hands. He did one rep, then two, forcing himself to breathe before he answered.
“Fuckin’ maybe? But my counselor told me it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, just where your goin’ so it’s not like it matters if the hag’s the reason, I gotta figure out a way to be better,” Bakugou dropped the weights and moved to the next station to do crunches.
After Bakugou had done a few reps, Takahashi spoke again, “You see a counselor?”
“Yeah, what of it?”
“I think that’s probably a really good thing, and it gives me some ideas for your image, but I’d like to come back to that later if it’s alright?”
Bakugou stops resting his clenched fists on his knees, “Why? You trying to make me look like some kinda soft, crybaby or some shit? Cause I’m not about to play along with that.”
“I think even the best PR team would have trouble with that. Breathe dude! ‘Sides, I get that’s not the image you’re going for.”
“ ‘Kay, what’s next,” Bakugou went back to his crunches, grinding his teeth, and trying to breathe.
“Have you ever dated anyone?”
“Nope.”
“Have you ever thought about how you might balance having a relationship and hero work?”
That one stopped him mid crunch, feeling like he’d been hit in the gut, crinkled red eyes flashing in his mind’s eye.
“No,” he grunted before continuing his crunches double time.
Takahashi stayed quiet until he finished his set, but that wasn’t uncommon for the rhythm they’d set over the past half hour. This time though, Bakugou felt like they could see right through him, and even after he finished the knot in his stomach was still there.
Bakugou sat down at the bench press, but before he could lay down and start, Takahashi spoke again, “Bakugou?”
“What?”
For the first time Takahashi moved away from the wall where they had been sitting taking notes. They walk in, anxiously skirting the equipment that was as foreign to them as it was familiar to Bakugou, until they were able to gingerly sit on the bench next to him, “You’ve been really patient, not snapping at me while I’m asking what we both know are invasive questions.”
“But?” Bakugou asked, head cocked, and chest puffed out in his usual ‘offense is the best defense’ position.
“But you are snapping at me with this one, and I know it’s shitty, and you probably really don’t want to hear this from a stranger, but a huge hole in the hero curriculum is how to have a work/life balance. Not only is it a demanding and often dangerous profession, but you’re also gonna be in the spotlight, so paparazzi, and vloggers, and all kinds of people all gonna be all in your business. I’m being nice. I’m being patient with you, but they will not be. So, I suggest you do what you gotta do to deal with your feelings and talk to me about this so you aren’t trying to deal with it for the first time in front of hundreds of cameras.”
Bakugou bit the inside of his cheek until he drew blood, took a deep breath that shook his ribcage, then release everything, leaving him slumped forward and entirely too vulnerable.
“You really are just like fuckin’ Deku. Finally growing a backbone just to be a pain in my ass.”
“Deku, like from the hero course? He’s the friend I reminded you of?”
“Yeah, you’re both fuckin’ annoying as hell.”
“Thanks?”
Bakugou ran a sweaty hand through his hair and blew air out his lips. The fucker was right, and that’s what was so shitty about it all.
“Fuckin’ fine,” Bakugou said without any bit to the words, “What do you want to know?”
“Okay, have you ever liked anyone?”
“Yes.”
“Really, we’re already back to one-word answers?”
Bakugou just gave them a look that reminded Takahashi that he was still learning restraint, and it may be safer not to push the volatile guy.
“Okaaaay, moving on, do you like anyone right now?”
Bakugou shifted on the weight bench as his stomach did a flip and his mind instantly went to sharp teeth biting into a full soft lip, worrying it back and forth.
“I dunno,” a moment of silence followed that made Bakugou look back up. Takahashi Tooru wore a near blank expression that radiated a level of ‘I’m done with your shit’ energy Bakugou previously thought the dude incapable of. He really was like Deku if he’d never gotten his quirk. “Fine, maybe? I’m bad at feelings okay?”
“Okay. Tell me about this girl you maybe have a crush on then.”
“ ‘S not a girl.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, see why I don’t like fuckin’ talking about this shit?” Bakugou laid down on the bench and took the bar off the rack. He should have a spotter, but he was doing light weight high reps right now. Besides, his usual spotter was— occupied and he didn’t want to fuckin’ think about.
“Well?’
“’Well’ fuckin what Nerd?”
“Are you gonna tell me about the person you like?”
“What could you possibly need to know that shit for?”
“Well I’ve learned more about the kind of person you are from you ‘not’ talking about this person than from literally any other question before.”
“Maybe it’s ‘cause you’re shit at asking questions,” Bakugou grunted.
“Come on man! I’m trying to help you!” Bakugou racked the bar when he recognized the strain in the other’s voice. Takahashi had their back pressed hard against the mirror, spine straight, grey eyes staring him down. It wasn’t exactly intimidating with their blatant lack of physical strength, and their sweater paws, but Bakugou knew that look. It was the same look Deku or the ‘Baku-squad’ gave him when he was slipping. It was the look of someone who believed he was a good person who was just being an ass.
Bakugou puffed air from his lips and laid back on the bench, but didn’t move to touch the bar, “Fine. What do you wanna know?”
“You said you ‘maybe’ like this person, why maybe?”
“’Cause he’s my best friend ‘ts complicated.”
“Are there any reasons you wouldn’t like him?”
Bakugou ran his hand through his hair and chewed on his bottom lip for a moment before answering, “No? I mean ‘snot like I’d try and force him to like me, but even if he found out, and didn’t like me, I’d still want to be his friend.”
“Would you stop liking him?”
“No.’
The word had come out before Bakugou had even realized he thought it, but now it was out there, dangling above him.
“So, you’re scared?”
Bakugou tried to shoot up, but hit his head on the bar and cursed, then said, “You wanna say that again Nerd?”
This time Takahashi stood up, clutching their note boot to their chest, “Look, it’s okay to be scared. Really. But you’re lying to yourself if you don’t think you like this guy, and if you’re lying to yourself, you’re gonna end up try to lie to me and if you do that, I can’t help you. I mean, I could still do the assignment, but it wouldn’t be you.”
Bakugou kept his defensive stance saying, “What’dya mean by that?”
“What that you’re lying to yourself? I mean yo—”
“Not that, idiot! That it wouldn’t ‘be me’ or whatever?”
“Oh. Well, some public relations specialists think it’s best to create an image for a hero from scratch, but I’ve always thought the heroes that had the most impact were the ones that could be themselves. At my first internship I worked with a guy that tried to change Best Jeanist’s image early on, his first agency thought he was too effeminate and wouldn’t make people feel safe being himself. Now not only is he one of the best liked people in the hero business, he also became a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ people across Japan. My mentor said that was his biggest mistake in his career, but he learned his lesson: PR should be about highlighting the best qualities, and making your subject relatable, not covering up or hiding anything.”
For a long moment the two just stood staring at each other.
“Fuckin’, why’d all the goddamn nerds gotta be smart, making sense, ‘n shit,” Bakugou mumbled, ambling over to the mats next to the mirror that Takahashi stood on and began some cool down stretches because he sure as shit was too distracted to get anything else productive done at this point. “So, what’dya want me to tell you?”
Takahashi drew in a shaky breath as he sat down, showing how scared he was standing up to Bakugou for the first time, “Well, for real this time, do you like him?”
“Yeah.”
“You probably love him, huh?”
“Hmf, probably.”
“So why haven’t you told him?”
“He’s my best friend.”
“And?”
“And, I don’t know. Probably because I’m afraid or some chicken shit like that.”
“Afraid of what, rejection?”
“Yeah, but also, what if he’s creeped out? What if he doesn’t talk to me, doesn’t want to be around me at all?”
“You’re more afraid of losing the friend than you are worried about having your feelings reciprocated?”
“Yeah. I mean, I can’t imagine my life without him. Even if it’s never the way I want.”
“Damn you really got it bad.”
“Yeah. It’s like being in love with the damn sun. You can’t live without it but reaching to hold it’d probably kill me.”
“He must be something,” Takahashi took a deep breath, “You seem really close to him…”
“I mean, he’s saved my ass more times than I can count; we know everything about each other.”
“Except, you don’t.”
“The fuck that’s supposed to mean?” Bakugou sat up from where he had been touching his toes to glare at Takahashi.
“I mean, your feelings for him aren’t exactly small, and if you’re afraid he’ll be creeped out, I’m guessing he probably doesn’t even know you like guys. That’s an awful lot to keep from someone who ‘knows everything about you.’”
Silence hung in the air for several long minutes until the heavy gym door opened letting the bright sun in, forcing the two of them to squint at the newcomer.
“Bakubro! There you are, we’re gonna be late for lunch, and I’m not about to deal with Aizawa-sensei’s close combat training on an empty stomach!”
Bakugou stood up saying, “Yeah, yeah Shitty Hair, I’m comin’!” but he couldn’t hide the blush that rose to his cheeks from Takahashi.
“Oh, man I didn’t realize you’re still working,” Kirishima said as he walked over to the pair on the mats and turn to address Takahashi, “I thought he’d have tried to ditch you, or run you off for asking anything personal!”
“Mmm,” Takahashi turned to Bakugou and raised their eyebrows, “He really is your best friend huh?”
This time Bakugou wasn’t hiding the blush from anyone as his cheeks and ears turned as red as the eyes glaring daggers at Takahashi.
“He told you that?” Kirishima beamed and threw a casual arm around Bakugou, “You actually talked to him!”
“Them.”
“What?”
“Their pronouns are they/them.”
“Huh?”
“Instead of saying him or her, say them dumbass!”
“Really Bakugou, it’s okay,” Takahashi tucked their head down, but smiled, “Honestly, I’m happy anyone at school used my pronouns, and I don’t want to make a fuss, have a good lunch guys.”
“No, it’s not! Misgendering people’s bullshit, and Shitty Hair’s better than that, he’s just dumb.”
“Hey!” Kirishima pouted for a moment before saying, “Okay maybe I am dumb, what’s ‘misgendering?’”
This time Takahashi spoke up, “Ah, it’s when you use the wrong words to refer to someone when talking about their gender. Like calling a guy a girl. It’s just, umm, harder for people like me ‘cause I’m trans nonbinary. So, like, I don’t really do gender. I liked to be referred to by they or them, or just my name, but it’s not really that big a deal. I mean, it’s fine, like whatever.”
“Stop being such a wimp! It’s not okay, and you need to stand up for yourself!”
“Whoa! Baku-bro! Not everyone is used to your aggressive encouragement, give the, uh, person a break,” Kirishima had thrown a hand across Bakugou’s chest to stop him from advancing on Takahashi whose shoulders were now curling in on themselves.
Everyone took a breath, then Kirishima continued, “I’m sorry I mis- mis-“
“Misgendered?” Bakugou supplied.
“Misgendered you! I didn’t know, bro.”
“Uh,” Takahashi’s voice was strangled compared to just a few moments ago, “Coul- Could you not call me bro?”
“Oh shit, sorry du- ah, um…”
“Dude’s alright, I don’t mind that one.”
“Rad, dude! I’m Kirishima Eijiro!”
“Takahashi Tooru.”
“Well, you must be a pretty cool dude if you dealt with Bakugou all morning and neither of you are dead! Wanna grab lunch with us?”