Chapter Text
Katsuki watched the figure behind the glass. His steady and focused gaze was an intense contrast to the figure trapped in the room. No, the young man inside paced the edges of the room and kept darting glances at the one door. He mumbled incoherently and moved like a wild animal. The officers aiding in the interrogation stood waiting expectantly for Katsuki to make a move.
It was peculiar. While the figure showed no signs of sitting at the table in the room or slowing his pattern of anxiousness, he looked exhausted. scars were littered all over his arms
“Explain it to me one more time,” Katsuki said quietly but with steady authority in his voice.
“Some heroes were walking the streets near UA, they both testified of a villain attacking civilians but a flash of light and this kid appeared from nowhere. The villain is still being searched for he vanished the moment the kid appeared. But we've done a face recognition this kid has never existed on any record.”
“Resistance?”
“He was scared and ran at first but when he was taken in None.”
Katsuki sighed lightly. This was his first independent lead assignment. He was excited at first but it was clear there were more questions than answers and while he’d refuse to admit it, he’s never been good with mysteries.
“Quirk?”
“Still unsure, once he appeared he hasn’t tried anything beyond running, he was pretty terrified through the whole thing.”
Katsuki measured his options. Placing his thumb thoughtfully under his chin. Wait till the guy passed out from exhaustion was unfortunately not an option especially as the villain was still running rampant and information was needed quickly at this point. Also, he could see the isolation in the small room was doing the mysterious person no good. However, the risk of an unknown quirk was tricky, if it was a transport quirk and the kid got spooked he’d vanish maybe forever.
Then Katsuki would be missing a lead. But the kid was compliant so far…
Kid.. what was he saying? He looked to be the same age as Katsuki was. They were both still kids.
“Ground Zero?”
“Be on alert,” Katsuki walked to the door to the room, “I’m just going to chat for a bit.”
He knocked lightly on the door before walking in.
The room was uncomfortably bright with the wall of reflective glass bouncing the white walls and the fluorescent bulbs everywhere. Katsuki squinted at the changed atmosphere. The previously pacing form in the room stopped and watched him with wide eyes.
Be friendly.
“Hey.” He started. The figure didn’t respond but Katsuki had his full attention. He tried a small smile, “Would. You like to sit?” It sounded a little forced.
The figure again did nothing, honestly, he looked like he was in shock for seeing Katsuki in the room. His face was going pasty white.
Katsuki figured his costume was the problem, mainly designed for intimidation and it was easy to freak out civilians without his meaning to. Give him something to trust.
He decided to walk calmly to the table. There were two chairs and he took the one closest to the door.
“I’m Ground Zero the explosive hero, I just want to help you out.” He looked at the kid and again attempted a smile, “does that sound okay?” Working with civilians was still frustrating as hell but he recognized the delicacy of the situation and letting his true colors fly out of his mouth may not work.
The other made a face of contorted confusion. However, he slowly brought himself to the other chair and eventually seated himself. The figure was trying so hard to observe the hero but kept looking down at his hands shyly but then moments after trying again.
Katsuki did try not to feel irked, but it was extremely irritating that the other seemed to have his list of questions on his mind and was shifting nervously to find the courage to speak them. It pissed him off because it was throwing his focus on his questions.
Address their needs and help them feel okay.
“You probably have lots of questions and I’ll do my best to help but I need you to answer a few of my own first.” Katsuki felt like that was a good start, “What's your name?”
The boy looked more confused than ever, “Y-you don’t..?” The question faded in his voice. Katsuki grit his teeth together trying to focus on the boy's curly dark hair instead of his bright green eyes that seemed so dedicated to throwing off his focus.
Try to encourage them. “It's not too hard, just tell me your name, I’m sure you have family and friends who are worried about you.”
The boy flinched and looked down again. Perhaps that came off as agitated or pushy.
Katsuki Bakugou sat quietly waiting for the trembling figure to speak. 10 seconds, 30, a minute. He was in the act of going to scoot his chair back ready to get up and leave to go punch a wall when…
“My name is Izuku.” His voice was almost a whisper.
“Oh.” Katsuki relaxed. “Well Izuku, you have anyone that we could contact for you, a parent, a friend, a sibling?
“I--I’m not sure anymore.”
Odd. “Why?” His curiosity threw out his rule of reasonability with civilians out the window.
“I don’t think they know who I am.”
That shot red flags in Katsukis's mind. He stiffened and studied the face of Izuku, who in return did the same with his wide confused eyes. They were scared.
Stay calm. Izuku needs you to be confident. “I just need a name and then you can ask a question if you want.”
Izuku bit his lip and looked away in nervous thought. He looked up after a moment and Katsuki offered another one of his kinder smiles.
“Katsuki Bakugou,” Izuku said looking straight into Bakugou's eyes, “We were childhood friends.”
It was quiet. If he hadn’t said it so earnestly, Bakugou would have laughed at him. Who was this guy? He couldn’t focus anymore on the villain, it seemed this kid was a far greater problem. He thought back to his childhood. There were a few kids he knew from classes, none of them seemed as passionate to be a hero like he wanted though. He went and dreamed of becoming like All Might alone. Well, he pretended otherwise but…
“You better explain yourself,” Katsuki growled. Screw the niceties, if this was someone he knew they could handle his character.
Izuku seemed aware that he was pressing Katsuki’s patience with an instinctive reaction of nervousness. “I- I don’t know what's going on.”
“That makes two of us. If you don’t prove the bull you just spouted then you’ll be sitting in a cell with a dozen villains in the next 10 minutes.”
Izuku's eyes widened impossibly wider, “w-what… Kacchan, you really don’t remember me?”
Katsuki almost flipped the table but instead gripped it tightly. I think it’d be hard to forget someone so irritating. “Prove yourself or I’m leaving.”
The figure seemed to shrink down in his chair lost and dismayed, but it was clear he was jarring his mind for something to say. Then he stilled his mind, seeming to be satisfied with the internal search.
“You’re pretty amazing you know. We grew up together, our houses were a minute from each other and we both pretended to be like All Might, going off into forest was a lot of fun as well, you must be the only one in our middle school that got into UA since I wasn’t here…” He spoke softly and hopefully with a small tremble in his voice but every word jarred Katsuki in his seat, his eyes had drifted down as he spoke and he didn’t see the intense sneer on the hero’s face.
He glanced up worried, “Sorry, I don’t know what's different, they said I have no records, but that can’t be possible, I wasn’t gone very long but-”
“You can’t be real,” Katsuki mumbled.
“W-what…” Izuku looked hurt at the comment.
“I SAID, you ARE NOT REAL.” Katsuki stood abruptly and threw the table aside and shouted the words at him. The table crashed against the wall and noise pierced the room. The actions made the boy jolt and lift his hands defensively. Katsuki grabbed the curly-haired boy by the arms, lifted and shoved him into the wall, “YOU want to mess with me huh? You have a Mind Reading quirk??”
“WHAT?? NO!” Izuku shoved the hero off him with surprising strength, his eyes glared at Katsuki wildly. “Why are you getting mad at me?!”
“Explain yourself you lousy DEKU.” Bakugou was ready to fight the boy.
“You first! I don’t understand why you don’t know who I am!” The boy showed an intensity Bakugou was surprised to see from, only moments ago, such a timid frame. He was clearly frail and weakened yet he stood prepared for a fight and was ready to throw hands with a Hero?
He couldn’t possibly know.
Frustration filled Katsuki. “FINE!” He stomped to the opposite wall and sat on the floor, he looked flushed and closed off, if you looked past the anger wafting off him he seemed a tad embarrassed. Looking up at Izuku he could see his reaction confused the hell out of him.
“Kacchan, please I-” He stilled and his eyes teared up painfully as if a terrible thought dawned upon him, “ My mom, does she remember me?” He stumbled backward and rubbed the tears from his eyes.
“What's her name?” Katsuki asked, letting his personal frustrations pass.
“Inko Midoriya.”
Katsuki stared at the boy again this time in disbelief, “Are you joking?” The words slipped out, “She and my mom are best friends.”
The comment didn’t surprise Izuku, he just nodded still wallowing in his sorrow, his voice became incredibly shaky and quiet, “ I need to know.”
The words Katsuki stuck in his throat, he took in a deep breath, “we can call her, but she’s never had any kids.” The more Katsuki stared at the boy the more he saw Auntie Inko. She was at their place a lot as a nanny because of his parents' work, she was there when he first developed his quirk.
Izuku crumpled to his knees and cried openly. He huffed and sobbed and ran fingers through his hair mumbling, “I didn’t get away for this, this can’t be real.” or something along those lines over and over.
Stay calm. Izuku needs you to be confident. “Hey, it’s going to be alright we’ll just let you talk to her. I’ll make sure you see her myself.”
“You’re going to let me leave?”
“Tch, of course, idiot, I’m here to help” He scoffed trying to avoid the dopey wet eyes looking at him, “If you really are her kid it won’t take much convincing.”
“You- you believe me?”
“Izuku, I don’t know much of anything about you but if you tell me about that villain who vanished I will personally make sure you get your life back.”
He nodded slowly. ‘The villain's name was Vise. He's part of a section of underground trades of.. Quirks, he’s one of the collectors. More of the reckless characters and probably would have given you a good lead, he vanished because I switched places with him.”
“Where is he now?”
“Probably 200 feet underground in the prisons of the trade. I’d say they’ll find him in a day or so and realize I escaped.”
Katsuki twitched his head at that. “Escaped?”
“I was... down there for a.. very long time.” The explanations seemed harder and harder to talk about for him. He started to look like the boy he was watching earlier. The one who was trapped pacing the room like an animal. He suddenly didn’t like the idea of letting this kid out of his sight. In fact, he didn’t even like the idea of continuing this investigation alone. It was just meant to be a thieving bust. He’ll need to contact Endeavors agency to explain, apparently kids can vanish completely with no sign of ever existing.
He didn’t want to leave. The kid, Izuku was unsafe. Being tracked down by some shady underground quirk trading route was the last thing he wanted to lose a childhood friend too. The thought he had a friend was confusing but he'd never live the regret of losing a victim was just as awful.
“I know it probably means nothing, but you’ve matured since I saw you Kacchan.”
Katsuki looked closely at the boy. He looked tired, sad and in pain but far more focused on him like he was something incredible. Despite the bruises on his face and the scars, he beamed like Katsuki held the key to happiness. It was a look that made him feel uncomfortable and he didn't want it to dwell.
“Can I ask you one more thing?” Katsuki couldn’t help himself.
“Of course.”
“What did they do to you?”
Izuku deflated and ashamedly said, “I- can’t think about it right now... Sorry.”
“When you’re ready then.”
He nodded wordlessly. Katsuki went to the door and talked to the two officers. Contacted Endeavor and Aizawa, something he said was peculiar to him and he wanted to check with his teacher. The villain won’t be locatable so he completely refocused his effort to getting Izuku to UA secured and out of the hands of potential villains.
Izuku waited more patiently in the room by the time he returned, now in the far corner looking closely at his hands.
“You hungry?”
He looked up at him like he was dazed. He nodded after processing Bakugou's presence.
“Let’s get you out of this dump then.” They got his paperwork all checked and he was free under Aizawa and Bakugou’s supervision. They explained his legal records would need to be checked with blood samples and contact with his mom but that would take place in about a week.
They had a planned car ride to a couple of places first to Bakugou's old neighborhood to establish Izuku's claims. The conversation in the car was far more relaxed, now that Bakugou had time to think over the claims.
“Why do you call me that?”
“Hmm?” Izuku spoke tiredly and looked at him with half-lidded eyes.
“You call me Kacchan.”
“Oh,” Izuku nestled into the seat of the car in a position he found cozy enough as he looked at Katsuki next to him. “It's a habit, Katsuki was hard to say as a four-year-old. Why? Does it bother you?”
“No,” Katsuki said a little defensively. He looked out the car window avidly avoiding the potential gaze.
“So you said something,” He started a little hesitantly. “That I can’t be real… was there a reason behind that?”
Katsuki's face went flushed, “Stupid Deku, its nothing.”
“Ah,” The was a potential smile in his voice. Katsuki was tempted to see if possible the broken boy had done so. He touched his face and decided it was better to not risk showing his potential secret. He wondered if Izuku knew it. “You called me Deku.”
“Is that strange?” Katsuki felt defensive but didn’t understand why “It's just how I speak.”
If the boy was going to say more, the silence in the car proved he decided against it
“You mentioned something about UA.” Katsuki tried, “Only I got in, but you implied you got in as well?”
“Oh. Yeah, Class 1-A we had a wild year.” He paused, “Have you graduated yet?”
“No? We have about 3 months left with our second year.”
“Really?” He stumbled to find the words, “I haven’t seen everyone for… 8 or so months then.” He hummed in thought as if he were talking about unusual weather. Him being so tired must have tamed his emotions.
Bakugou noticed an extended period of silence and tried again, “So we probably knew each other in middle school then, were we still friends at that time?”
Silence.
He glanced at the boy but he had completely dozed off. He knew what he was like in his middle school days. Absolutely feral. NO one mattered to him unless they were going to challenge him. If this kid managed to be his friend through THaT? Katsuki would bake him a cake. His ‘friends’ from middle school he recalled were hardly more than kissasses, but this kid snapped right back at him the moment Bakugou was in his face. If anything Bakugou didn’t understand why that didn’t help his character back then, someone else worthy to get into UA would have tamed him to some degree. Izuku would have been an equal right?
He wondered what the boy's quirk was.
Looking closer at Izuku he checked the boy's state of health. His entire body was honestly disgusting dirt and dried blood from head to foot, and his clothes were loose on his form with a variety of stains and torn to show old scars. He didn’t have a strong build and the scars that littered his body were everywhere. It wasn’t surprising to Bakugou but the look was unnerving.
Izuku hadn’t said a word about what he went through and while it felt wrong to prioritize Katsuki's feelings to the victims what worried him most was the familiarity the boy had to him and how instinctively natural it felt to Katsuki.
He’d been going to a counselor for months, now for anger management but not at first. No, at first he was going for hallucinations of an imaginary friend.
They arrived at Bakugou's house and he had already texted his mom to be tame or shit would go down.
Old Hag: I'm not going to yell at a kidnapped victim!
Brat: You better NOT
Brat: Is auntie there yet?
Old Hag: Yeah and confused as hell. You better have a good purpose for dragging her here.
He decided it was best not to focus on the irk that was built from his mom's snappy remark. He reached out and touched Izuku’s shoulder.
A hand snapped out and coiled around his wrist, and wild eyes popped open. He’s dealt with sleeping lightly in a dangerous area, Bakugou recognized. Had he not been doing spare lessons of victim recovery training this would have put Izuku in a very difficult position.
Stay calm. Izuku needs you to be confident.
He smirked, “what, do you want to fight again?”
Izuku’s eyes cleared somewhat, tiredness still present. “Ah.” The act of where he was, what he was doing, dawned on him, he let go slowly and covered his blushing face, “God I’m sorry!”
“Good instincts there,” Bakugou grunted ignoring the terror in the boy's voice. “Come on your moms waiting.”
“...Wait,” He started.
“Hmm?” Bakugou looked at the boy again, he looked like a little kid on his first day of school, nervous and unsure of what would happen.
“I feel like I’ll make her upset.”
“HehHH? Why the hell would you want to upset Auntie?” Bakugou got in his face offended by the suggestion.
Izuku's eyes widened, “No! No, I don’t want to! She is just really sensitive to things, I think her realizing she forgot her only son will be something she’ll put on herself, that’s all. It’d be my fault to hurt her like that.”
Bakugou hadn’t considered that maybe he should have mentioned that part to his mom cause he had no clue how to handle it now. “You let me handle breaking the news to her, and try not to do the same as she would then.”
“The same..”
“You say she puts things on herself, hypocrite, aren’t you doing that now?”
Izuku stared at him surprised, “Kacchan.”
“Isn’t it worse to keep yourself away from her?” he grabbed the stupid Deku’s arm and pulled him out of the car. Izuku allowed himself to be pulled out, “Just don’t get all mushy and bawl before I explain stuff.”
“I’m not sure I can promise that…” True. If Katsuki hadn’t seen his mom for nearly 8 months a meeting like this could be frightening.
“One step at a time then.” Deku followed Katsuki to the door. He glanced back as the thought of his imaginary friend crossed his mind. The friend he truly believed would always be there for him.
He shoved open the door, “HEY OLD HAG!! We’re HERE!”
“DON’T SHOUT RIGHT AS YOU WALK IN!!!” The woman screamed back. They walked in together. Bakugou heard a small chuckle behind him. Bakugou went to the kitchen immediately but saw Izuku lingering around the spaces touching things like photos and smiling like recalling old memories.
Auntie Inko was at the kitchen counter talking to Mitsuki. She saw him wander in and smiled warmly, “ Katsuki dinner’s all ready, I brought that dish you were craving.”
“Hey Auntie,” Katsuki said more tame at seeing her.
“Where’s this new friend of yours?” Mitsuki demanded.
“Oh oi! Izuku I thought you wanted food!”
“One second, Kacchan,” Izuku called back. From the hallway. Mitsuki’s grin caught Katsuki’s and he scowled at her.
“You never bring people over, So tell me,” She lowered her voice, “he’s special isn’t he?”
Katsuki was familiar with his mom's tactics of whatever the hell she was chasing after for him. She did it when Kirishima first showed up for their hike, she even did it when he had a study session set for Dunce Face.
He glared at her, “Don’t mess with him, he has enough... Problems he’s dealing with already.”
He took care to censor himself in front of auntie, she always gave a sad look when he did, drove him up the wall. Mitsuki just smiled evilly at him.
Deku finally appeared and Mitsuki looked at him then Bakugou, “he’s Cute.”
“YOU HAG STOP!” Katsuki demanded and stomped out of earshot towards the table, “hey you slow Deku there's a spot here.”
Izuku was not paying attention at all. He was staring at Inko all emotions void from his face. Inko looked his way and smiled politely.
Bakugou could practically see the word mom form in his mouth, “Izuku! What are you deaf?”
It was like he was a broken record, blinking his gaze away. “No.” He didn’t seem capable of doing much more than process everything around him with disbelief.
“Sit here and let's EAT.”
“Your Dad has to work late,” Mitsuki commented
“Pff like I care,” Bakugou grunted
They all arranged themselves around the table and began eating. It was a simple but flavorful meal with chicken and fried rice and steamed veggies all seasoned.
Inko, like the loving woman she was, started to talk to Izuku, “It was Izuku, right? Such a lovely name, how old are you?”
Izuku sitting next to Katsuki tensed, “Uh,” he glanced from his rice to Bakugou, “I’m almost 17.” Bakugou sighed internally. The dumb Deku was practically sweating his nerves all over the table
“Hmm, interesting,” Mitsuki mumbled into her cup before drinking. Bakugou wanted to scream at her but bared his teeth her way.
“I’m amazed you felt okay with joining us for a meal, even right after such difficulties, I know it can be hard to trust people after things like that.”
Izuku played a little with his rice, “No I’m fine with it, It's not like that at all.”
“Oh.”
“He’s actually a student at UA,” Bakugou said, “I’ll be meeting Professor Aizawa about his condition after this to get him back into the second-year program.”
“Wow that's very brave of you,” Inko chuckled and praised warmly, “I’m sure you’ll be a great hero.”
“Do you have a favorite?” Mitsuki asked.
“I’ve always loved All Might.” Izuku Mumbles.
“Wow REALLY??” Mitsuki Looked right at Bakugou, “That's Katsuki’s favorite hero as well!”
Katsuki glared at her, but a small sniff threw his attention.
Inko added in, “I suppose you want to be just like him as well, I’m sure your family is very happy with the path you’re chasing.”
Izuku was leaning over his food. Another sniffle. Bakugou saw some tears dripping into his rice.
“Oh, Izuku, did I say something upsetting?” Inko noticed as well. She watched with apologetic tenderness.
“No, no I- I…” He trailed off
Katsuki sighed, “I need to explain something.”
He still had his suspicions of Izuku but the boy was falling apart on his rice for something so simple, dammit. He moaned internally. Maybe he had rushed things for everyone.
“Izuku is part of an investigation I’m in, I can’t say much except that there is not a single record of his existence. People he knows don’t know him anymore.”
Inko gasped, “Oh no that's horrible.”
Bakugou glanced again at Izuku who slumped forward looked up at him, the look he gave twisted up everything Bakugou ate that day. Misery.
“Auntie.” Katsuki started unable to look away from the boy. “Legally we can’t be sure yet but He-”
The words choked up. He didn’t find the ability to say them.
“You’re my mom.”
The room stilled. Izuku caved into his arms. Bakugou looked at Inko certainly she was going to be fine. But Izuku was right. She was the embodiment of self-blaming, horror in her eyes that became wet in moments.
“I could never… No.” She broke down. As she wept, she rushed from the table and went over to him. She knelt in front of him taking in the sight. Hesitantly at first she reached out and touched his shoulder. Izuku trembled at the touch, but she smoothed her hand along his back in small circles and he leaned towards it, a sob breaking from him.
Inko knew how to read sincerity and she knew from the millions of times she imagined her family she saw a little boy chasing after invisible villains with a wild head of hair. She brushed his hair aside. And that was simple enough, but Izuku fell forward and hugged her tightly crying out mom over and over and sobbing.
Inko was shaken. She trembled and laughed and cried.
“I’m here.” She consoled Izuku, “I’ll always be here.”
Katsuki glanced at his mom, her eyes were wet. She looked at him as well. “Katsuki… What the hell?”
He shrugged no motivation for an argument.
“Auntie, you better not feel bad for anything, else Izuku will too,” Bakugou said trying his best to act like it wasn’t a big deal. Not at all right?
Inko nodded, “It's okay, It’s, “She lifted Izuku's head to take in every detail, “It’s not every day you get your baby back.”
“Momma.” Izuku cried out as she cradled his head and kissed the skin under his hair softly.
Mitsuki glanced at her son, “You may need to delay that visit with Aizawa.”
“I can’t.” He said, “we have nothing on the freaks who took him, it's risky enough just being here.”
She hummed irritated, “So Mr. Hero when should I kick you out like the freeloader you are?”
“HA? Say that again you hag!”
“Kacchan.” Izuku spoke up, he held his mom's hand tight but his eyes had a fire of resolve, “When should we be leaving?”
Katsuki huffed, “Yeah we have 30 minutes I suppose.”
The time was short and Inko insisted that Izuku finish his food before they leave.
“It’s your first meal after everything and our first after such a long time so be proper about it.”
She promised to get him a phone and clothes other essentials sent for him. To visit as soon as she can for the weekends. The goodbyes were teary. A promise was requested from Inko to take care of him. Katsuki nodded.
They were on the road again.
Izuku was far happier, he was smiling and shuffled like he had all the energy of a puppy. He was far more chatty as well. He asked about every single classmate by name, He giggled and beamed. Katsuki found it hard to even look at the Deku with how much energy he was giving.
“Hey,” Katsuki started, “That was nice and all, but don’t be sharing that dinner stuff with everyone, We don’t know how you vanished in the first place so don’t be mentioning Auntie and my mom to anybody.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.” Katsuki eyed him, he was still smiling.
“So we knew each other,” He stated, “ Want to tell me about it?”
Izuku looked at him and the smile faded slightly,“ You want to know about us?”
He shrugged trying to play it off casually. “I mean childhood friends mean a lot right? You looked pretty upset when I didn’t know you”
He shifted uncomfortably, “Well yes it means a lot to me.” He glanced out the window, the conversation was one he seemed to want to avoid. Bakugou felt irritated by the act.
“What? You say we’re friends and you leave it at that?” He snapped out, “That’s damn lousy.”
“I said childhood friends Kacchan.” He said pressing his discomfort plainly into the conversation
“Does that mean we aren’t any more??”
Izuku decided it best not to confirm and stuck his face directly out of view.
Katsuki felt a weight of bricks fall in his gut. He was almost hopeful till that point, that maybe he wasn’t that big of an asshole to everyone. That maybe someone could understand him well enough to know what he needed. Guess that should have stayed dead with the imaginary friend.
Real people were far more uncooperative than the made-up ones. But real ones were far more fragile. Bakugou grabbed the green-haired boy’s arm.
“Tell me, I must have at least treated you as an equal right?” Bakugou asked hesitantly, “We both had strong enough quirks to get to UA hero course after all, so it should have been fine between us.”
Izuku looked away from the window with a sorrowful expression Bakugou could easily mistake for pity, he almost snapped at him for it. But letting go for a second he tried to make certain. No, it was an aching expression for something Izuku wanted that never happened.
“I was- I mean at that time I- was quirkless Kacchan.”
Katsuki didn’t know the details, he didn’t have to. He knew who he’s been well enough. He was cruel enough to the kids with quirks. One without, one that never would appear to have a chance. It was fresh meat to beat. It made him sick but he knew it.
He couldn’t believe it, but there was no way he could deny his instinct.
“You tricked me.” He shoved Izuku’s arm away from his grip,” You damn DEKU.”
Izuku didn’t argue much at that, “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bring it up.”
“Bring up that I'm a Bad Person? Why the hell not??”
“What good would it do for the person you are now?”
“I’m not the recovering victim that has to deal with an abusive dick dragging him everywhere!” He yelled and swore under his breath, don’t yell, stop yelling, nothing is fixed from it. I almost thought I wasn’t so bad. I almost believed I could be less alone
“I’m going to be okay, that's why I stuck around. I knew you’d be amazing.”
“Really. You didn’t want like All might or Aizawa or even like Kirishima to be the one to lead you around? You could have asked and they’d have shown up.”
“You might be a rough person Kacchan but I trust you and also...I’m not ready to see All might not yet..”
“Oh?”
“He’d be disappointed.”
Katsuki frowned at that, “For being kidnapped?”
“No,” Izuku's eyes teared up, “for what I lost.” The drops rolled gently down the boy's freckled cheeks.
Katsuki was so curious but so unwilling to press the buttons for answers. It was hard for Izuku the whole mention of anything to do with the past 8 months he had to deal with was still fresh and turned him to a tragedy of emotions.
“Oi,” He looked coyly at Izuku, “You ever beat me in a fight then?”
Izuku's small smile came back, “Yeah actually, our very first. The team fights they paired us off and we had to retrieve the weapon, you had to keep us away from it, it was close but I won.”
“Tch, Not possible,”
“Well, how do you remember it?” Izuku asked.
“It was me and robot sonic against pink cheeks and Sugar rush, he had to double his rounds cause of odd numbers, the battle fell flat because of a construction error, the whole building just collapsed on all of us, Ururaka was the only one injured.”
“What happened?”
“Just fragile construction I think, I never really asked about it.”
Izuku chuckled, “There was fragile construction but it wasn’t the building, more like my bones.”
His bones. Bakugou stared at him, “What the hell?”
“I’ll explain it later, we’re almost there.”
There it was. UA in its shining sunset glory. They thanked the officer and went in.
They walked in a comfortable silence eventually reaching the offices. Bakugou stopped them before entering grabbing Izuku by the shirt, “Ugh you look like a hobo”
Izuku chuckled, “Given we’re going to see Aizawa I don’t think he’ll mind much.”
It earns a smile from Bakugou as well. “I'm talking about the dorms Deku you want to make first impressions while looking like you’ve dated a blender?”
Izuku blushed and looked away, “No, I guess not.”
“Well it's settled then, I’ll grab a few things while you're with the hobo teacher.” Katsuki took a step back and looked at Izuku's form, “Seems you’re close enough to Dunce faces height, but that bum ain’t clean enough to share. Kirishima might have a few things, if he did his laundry I’ll just grab whatever and meet you outside the office.”
Bakugou proceeded to open the door of the teacher's office, “Hey.”
Introductions were quick and Bakugou waved himself off in search of the boy's necessities. He glanced at the time as he walked, 7:24. Simple time for a bath and just enough time for the class to google their little beady eyes at the new boy.
He entered the dorms and shouts of his name were immediate. He scanned the room for his targets. Kaminari was smiling in his direction with five cables stuck in his mouth for a few phones and a laptop. Kirishima was coming towards him. Oh, right twinkle button boy was about Izuku's height as well. He glanced at the sparkly boy who was looking at him expectantly mid wink. Yeah nope.
“Kiri,” He glanced at the guy, “you got anything clean to wear?”
“Uhh hey man?” Kirishima wasn’t expecting it, “You want to steal my clothes?”
Bakugou was not ready to argue. He glared intensely at the boy and said with impatience, “I need them for an assignment.”
The rest of the students heard because of course, they would. “Dunce Face! You too.”
Kaminari looked up from his phone, “Eh? You want to steal my clothes too?? That's unfair.” His words were muffled by the number of objects he held in his mouth. Drool started to fall out. Maybe twinkle dust would be a safer bet after all.
“I don’t want your filthy worn-out dirt you bum brain, they’re for a- ugh its work-related!”
“Sorry I have nothing my laundry has been on hold all week.” Kaminari went back to his phone
“Bakubro, I have like a spare pair of jeans and a scratched spare school uniform but-”
“I’ll take both.”
Kirishima hesitantly nodded and they went up to their floor. Walking up the stairs Katsuki could feel the bothered boys urge to ask and he eventually did.
“This is about your investigation with the vanishing villain right? His face was all over the news.” Kirishima was confused but he knew a lot
“No, it's about the kid that appeared in his place,” Katsuki grumbled.
“A kid?” Kirishima asked, “There was nothing about a kid.”
“Yeah, as far as the world is concerned he is a bystander, the news spreading his face everywhere is not a good idea.”
Kirishima approached his door and looked his way nervously, “You got into something bigger than you expected huh?”
Katsuki shrugged, “I shouldn’t say. Just don’t question his character when you meet him.” Katsuki trusted Kirishima, he’s been through most of UA with the red-haired boy pushing him to be a better person all whilst being a respectful friend. He wanted to talk to him. He wanted to tell him about the unexpected emotional baggage that came with the kid, but the fact Izuku was an anomaly directly connected to their class history and his life was dangerous to expose.
Kirishima went into his room and grabbed a few things, “How old is this kid?”
“He’s our age.”
Kirishima retrieved a red riot plush the size of his hand from his bed, “Not that he will need it but if he doesn’t just return it.” Kirishima handed the pile of items to him, he grabbed Katsuki by the shoulder, “Honestly you seem kind of weird- weird happy but also nervous? Like someone found your long lost puppy.”
Katsuki grinned a little, “Something like that.”
Katsuki went to his room and grabbed a few clean shirts and a jacket. The nurse's office will have everything else. He grabbed and emptied his bag and stuffed the clothes in it. He waved off Kirishima and took the elevator to outside the dorms.
The stop by the nurse's office was surprising. Recovery girl was with a few first-year students. He waved awkwardly at the entrance.
“Ah Ground Zero, Aizawa told me you’d be here soon.” Recovery girl said with a short glance, “have a seat I’ll be with you in a moment.”
The first years looked at Bakugou with big eyes when the school nurse spoke. They clearly wanted to talk but he was done with the act of meeting new people for the day. He sent a glare in their direction. Don’t try anything stupid.
He found a seat and rested his eyes for a moment. He’s been in his hero uniform all day working with officers, trailing false leads and having Izuku under his watch, with all the emotional ups and downs. He was tired.
It wasn’t until a poke to the knee stirred him. He didn’t realize how much he faded till he had to pull himself out of it. He squinted his eyes open, the room was empty except him and Recovery Girl. She had a bag, “Are you doing well?”
Katsuki nodded, “long day.”
She nodded.
“This boy…” She looked at him with concern, “ I have an appointment with him tomorrow. Did he share anything with you about his injuries?”
“No?” Bakugou frowned, “He was scraped a bit but there was nothing serious.”
“His discussions with Aizawa brought a few things to light,” She said a layer of weight in the words.
“Why not mention them to me?” Katsuki snapped out. He should trust me . “He said we’re close. He said he needed me.”
“Katsuki Bakugou. Don’t bring it up with him.” She ordered seriously. “I’m not going to explain to you the delicacy of his privacy but you need to understand Izuku’s trauma is something he makes the terms on. Guilt on keeping it personal is the last thing he needs.”
Katsuki struggled to shove aside his anger about how deceptive Izuku was being with him. “He hasn’t allowed me to help him, he’s placed all this background and weight on me, I should be allowed to understand this.”
“That's not your decision,” She snapped, “I don’t know what he’s told you and why this is the exception but I can guess he wants to look strong for you. The things Aizawa explained over the phone were not easy to hear.”
Bakugou scoffed, “ Whatever, I get it.” He took the bag from the nurse's hands and left.
He stomped a little louder and the idea of Izuku’s hypocrisy bounced in his head built up his irritation. Being treated stupid and feeling played is not how a reunited relationship should be. I can handle your damn emotions Izuku. I can take a sob story.
He wanted to accuse him, He wanted to say screw you and figure out how to survive on your own, liar. He wanted to know who he was to Izuku and why he was so confused by how he expected Katsuki to act.
Izuku didn’t seem like the type to share if he didn’t have to. And Katsuki was certainly not one to wait for answers that might never come. Izuku also looked like the type that if you pushed he’d cave for it. Don’t push. Maybe give small nudges? What even qualifies as small nudges?
Katsuki was at the teacher's office. He blinked in surprise. It was not far, sure, but his muddled mind took all his focus. He stood still with thought.
There was a muffled voice behind the door that sounded like Aizawa. Had he the decency to step away. While yes, answers were being given to Aizawa and Katsuki was upset, privacy was something he valued. There are so many secrets he reserves the right to a small number and a few to absolutely no one. It's not right to steal the privacy of another. He sat against the opposing wall in the empty hallway. He still felt tired but refused a moment to doze off.
After a few minutes, there was a muffled yell of words and the sound of sobbing that jolted him. It tensed him up and sent a series of shivers through him. It got a lot quieter. Bakugou must have waited 10 or 15 more minutes before the door opened.
Aizawa immediately locked eyes with him, “Bakugou come in.” He went back inside and Katsuki shuffled after him shutting the door. Izuku sat at the teacher's desk and Aizawa on the other side, “Have a seat.”
Katsuki took the one seat next to Izuku, allowing his gaze to linger on the other boy. He looked drained. He also was strictly staring at his hands resting on his thighs which trembled slightly.
“Izuku will be joining our class, we’ve discussed his alias and terms that he needs to follow strictly, One being until this underground villains group is contained he needs to be under trusted supervision.” Aizawa spoke steadily, “There is a great number of unknowns, you are going to share nothing but his approved alias, he can’t participate in public competitions or licensing… While I know this became an unexpected iceberg in your training, you will lose your position in this school if you are the reason for any of Izuku’s personal information being compromised and you will face legal repercussions. Am I clear so far?”
Katsuki nodded, “I understand.”
“Its Izukus choice to share his past, unless I or another teacher is present, you are his guard. I’d rather not have it be this way but from what I understand part of these patterns of disappearances is isolation.”
“You want me to fricken pamper him? What is he going to have to sleep in my bed too?” Katsuki huffed irritated.
Aizawa glanced at Izuku then back to Bakugou, “Your Work-Study has placed you in a position where if Izuku disappears on any of our watches, He’ll never be found nor will any of the other captured victims, people we didn’t know were stolen because we never remember them being there.”
Katsuki clamped his jaw shut and swallowed down the rising guilt from that comment.
“He’s going to share a room with you. Izuku is an experimental private study student, he is staying because of his approval to transfer schools. Health reasons approve him for a roommate and necessary quirk analysis restricts immediate permission for his physical involvement in training and studies,” the teacher paused, “Any questions?”
“Seems like a good sell, what are these health reasons?” Katsuki asked.
“Trauma and depression. The private school he transferred from had abusive students and villain attacks.”
“Seems believable.” Katsuki knew he shouldn’t but, “I’m not sure how possible it is for him to be watched over every second of the day, I know me and tying me to his hip will drive one of us mad.”
Aizawa seemed a little humored by his comment, “I understand Class time, lunchtime, and spare training are already well-supervised you don’t need to worry about then, I’m referring to morning/night routine and any personal activities, off-campus will have to be approved by me or the principle. There's no trying to tie you to anyone's hip just maintain a respectful routine for each other.”
Katsuki nodded. It didn’t seem too hard. Follow him to the bathrooms, keep him in eyesight, and tag along on some nerdy outings. “He needs clothes.”
“Yes, I approve, go shopping after school tomorrow, Izuku has a small fund I got approved till his mom can handle funding.” Aizawa waved the concern simply and nonchalantly. Tiredly he added, “Anything else?”
Katsuki shrugged, “I’ll let you know if I think of something.”
“Please do,” He leaned back into his chair and waved them off, “Go and get him familiar and so forth.”
Izuku stood before Katsuki could and bowed, “Thank you sensei.” He walked out and Katsuki followed close behind. Izuku was quiet and avoided any potential eye contact.
Once out of ears range of the teacher Katsuki called out, “Oi quick trip to clean you up. Also, I’m damn stiff in this suit.”
They went to the heroes changing room and Katsuki led them to his locker. He seated himself on a bench between the rows of lockers and pulled open his bag, “You’re a real tiny dweeb. Kirishima was willing to share a few things but you are also pretty thin. I grabbed a spare belt and a jacket to help if things look too loose, just pick your favorites of the shirts.” He extended the bag to Izuku. It was not immediately taken, He sighed irritated, “Look I made sure to grab clean things so d-”
“I hope you aren’t mad.” Izuku whispered, “I’m sorry.”
The comment irritated him. Izuku knew he would be upset.
“If you weren’t you’re such a fragile little flower boy,” He grumbled, “I’m not allowed to push you cause you’re dainty or whatever, but yes I’m pissed. If you trust me then trust me.”
He should say more, words and connecting them to his emotions has never been the simplest action for him, “I get that there's a lot I don’t know and you’re all sensitive about getting hurt, but you don’t know the time you’ve been gone either.”
There was a long silence between them both figures hesitant and unmoving. Bakugou took the opportunity to shove the bag into Izuku's arms.
“Just hurry up, Deku.”
They each took a quick shower. It was a moment for Katsuki to relax for the first time that day. He took in the steam with a deep breath. The fresh water cleaned off all the tension and sweat.
He stepped out first and pulled his loose spare gym clothes. Izuku was out soon after. His skin was clean but the scars stood out more clearly, there were so many. Bruises that seemed like a smudge of dirt became more obvious. A quick glance at Izuku’s back as he was looking at the shirts put a foul taste in Katsuki’s mouth. Deep, thin, jagged, stitches, pricks. The most disturbing skar that he noticed was small and more of an old burn, like a branding you’d see on a cow, it was an oval and a 8 point star with X025 on the inside just a bit smaller than the palm of his hand.
Katsuki should bring it up in case another student sees it. He didn’t want to, he didn’t know how to. He felt the day had been long enough. Izuku chose his black short sleeve tee and pulled on his jacket to cover the remaining scars. He still looked thin in the clothes, still flimsy but at least he looked more like a regular kid. Those dirty and bloodied clothes went straight to the trash the moment Katsuki could grab them.
Izuku spoke up, “If it’s alright with you, I’d like to keep the introductions short tonight.”
Katsuki nodded, “Yeah, that’s fine. They’ll probably all get in your face though.”
Izuku sighed, “That sounds right.”
“You ready then?” Katsuki wanted nothing more than to sleep. He wandered towards the exit and glanced back to Izuku. The kid smiled and followed after him.
“Oh Wait.” Katsuki turned and pressed a hand against Izuku's chest. He pushed gently and Izuku allowed himself to be slowly pressed against the lockers. He searched and leaned into eye contact with the other. The green-haired boy watched back with questioning eyes. “You said you trust me?”
“Y-yeah I do.”
“I don’t trust you.” He started, “not yet at least, do you want me to trust you?”
Izuku looked a little confused, “yes?”
Katsuki bit at his cheek trying to find the right way to word his feelings, “I’m not saying use me as a tissue, but you say what you need to say, don’t hide it like I’m not worth it.”
Izuku looked down to the floor, “I didn’t want you to think that.”
Katsuki poked at his chest, “Hey,” He may have spoken a little forcefully but it made the boy look back up at him, “No shit from you. I’m not saying it's gotta be me, but don’t decay on yourself then act like it's all daisies and rainbows, I hate liars and I hate hypocrites, those kinds of people are damn losers, so be what you are.”
Izuku seemed to click together what Katsuki was trying to stress, he relaxed in the others grip. “I haven’t been able to safely be myself for nearly a year. Give me time.”
It comes back to patience huh? Man this burns.