Chapter Text
Katsuki let out a silent sigh as he stared out the window of the airplane seeing familiar land. He hated long flights and he hated traveling but having to deal with them both he forced himself to at least focus on the fact that he was over Japan and landing in twenty minutes. He couldn't complain too much given he was in first class and had slept the entire flight but that didn't make the pain of traveling and airport bullshit any less of a pain in his ass.
Being a hero granted him more than enough perks, but Katsuki would trade all of them to be able to skip lines and just enter his damn country without telling the airport staff that he did not bring back any fruits or vegetables.
Bakugou was never a fan of taking time off, but he wasn’t an idiot. He knew he’d have to as a hero, for one reason or another, mostly for injuries. He’d complain and bicker about it but never demanded anything more than what the doctor could do. Healing took time and one poorly healed torn muscle could lead to a cramp that could cause his quirk to act up and for his life to be lost. No, if there was any reason Katsuki ever took time off it was to heal.
He just wished that time off wasn’t three years long.
“Let me! Let me!” His manager Kyoshi stressed, grabbing the suitcase from him. It had wheels thankfully, Katsuki wasn’t in the mood to watch her try to lift the thing. “I figured you’d have more, honestly, given the time off.”
“I wasn’t going to pay for it all to be on a plane. I had it shipped.”
“That must have been a lot.”
“I didn’t start a new life.” Katsuki huffed holding the door open for Kyoshi despite her attempts to stop him. “You know the brace is just so I don’t strain myself.” Katsuki reminded her, waving his braced left arm
“You can never be too careful with recovery, Bakugou. Especially with your arms, really.” He rolled his eyes and pressed the elevator button.
“I wouldn’t be back if I was in a state where I needed to be ‘careful’.”
“But you still have three months of therapy for your arm and leg—“
“One for the leg. Three for the arm.” Katsuki corrected, pressing the floor button.
“I know I read the report.”
“So you know your fussing is pissing me off then,” Katsuki said and Kyoshi pressed her lips together.
“I came to talk business, you know.”
“So talk.”
“Honestly, I knew American’s are known to be rude but did you maybe adapt too much of their culture over there?”
“I think you just forgot the kind of guy I am, Fuki,” Katsuki replied, allowing Kyoshi to lead him to her car where he took the suitcase from her and lifted it into the vehicle.
“Feel good to be home?” She asked
“You have no fucking idea,” he groaned, collapsing into the passenger seat.
“Well, enjoy it now, Bakugou. I got plans we must discuss.” She took the driver's seat and Katsuki just grunted, not making any attempts to move to face her. “Have you been keeping up with everything?”
“You know I have,” he replied.
“Good, so you are aware your popularity and name have slipped away. Your comeback will be very important and huge. We need to do it right and take advantage of it while it lasts. I haven’t scheduled anything yet, but I have arrangements for the last two months of your therapy once your leg is healed.”
“It is healed.”
“Apparently your knee is giving you trouble still.”
“It aches like any other joint made of metal.”
“Still, take it easy, please,” Kyoshi insisted.
“You want to parade me around,” Katsuki reminded her.
“I do, but I am willing to negotiate. I’m not sure how I feel about the brace. People might think you are still hurt or something. I want your time back to be big and exciting! I want those old fans to be as explosive as the hero they love!”
“You know after the therapy I’ll be on basic patrols for a month at least. I haven’t used my quirk in my left hand at all. The agency already said they won’t let me do anything big unless I’m confident.”
“I always thought that was your middle name.”
“It is, but I’m not stupid enough to make any promises when one wrong blast could mean the death of a civilian or fellow hero.” Kyoshi sighed, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“I understand, which I why I wanted to talk to you before confirming plans.”
“Brace stays on for another month, then they’ll decide if I’ll need it longer or not. Once it’s off I can start testing my quirk.”
“Alright, so we save the interviews for the last month. That’ll work, you’ll no doubt be stir crazy by then anyways. You’ll have it off and at least tested your quirk by then. And you’ll be sooner into action. Even if you won’t be jumping in right away to villain takedowns, having you in the public eye will help get your name back on the map. Really Bakugou, three years is huge. If you weren’t as popular as you were when you left I’d fear you’d have to start from the beginning.”
“I’ll crawl back if I have to. I didn’t take three years off to give up and settle for second best. I’m taking back the top spot.”
“That’s the Bakugou I know and love!” Kyoshi grinned, patting his left leg before she began messing with the car radio. “Alright well, that’s all I wanted to say for now. I’ll call you again soon with some more plans. The agency has a lot of paperwork for you to catch up on. You got a week to get over the jetlag but I expect to see you back in the office after.”
“I swore last time I saw you you were ready to quit.”
“You could only wish me away so easily,” Kyoshi said with a coy smile and Katsuki snorted and took out his phone.
He received a few messages during his flight, a missed call from his mother, and a few texts. The old class group chat was blown up as always, always seeming to have notification no matter how often Katsuki opened it to remove them. He muted the chat years ago because some of those idiots never shut up. He loosely scanned the messages seeing it was about some party before he arrived back at his apartment. Kyoshi offered to help with his bag but Katsuki refused. His doctor would be disappointed with him but Katsuki's building had an elevator and he could wheel his suitcase down a hallway without stressing his recovering limbs.
It felt heavenly just to be behind his door, so much so, he nearly shivered hearing the door lock. He didn't allow himself to relax just yet knowing it would be his demise. He washed away the stink of air travel before leaving his suitcase for later and collapsing onto his bed. He sighed heavily, wincing slightly as he adjusted the brace on his left arm.
Injuries were hell, but nothing was more relieving to hear than 'no limb removal'. He'd take minor, he'd take permanent, but so long as he could move he could live. Katsuki nearly cringes recalling the agony his arm was in during the flight that happened—god, nearly three years ago now. Katsuki was certain his arm was lost. His leg was shattered leaving him unable to move not that he could with his hand crushed by a piece of debris and a metal pole in his arm.
“It's not good.” The doctor admitted when Katsuki awoke in the hospital unable to feel or move his arm and leg. “The damage was severe.” They showed x-rays and confessed the extent of the damage. Katsuki swallowed down the vomit burning the back of his throat. “There is no one here that can help at this point.”
“No one here? So there is someone who can though.”
“There is a medical group in America that agencies from all over have sought out. They have the best healing and medical quirks in the world. They've been known to perform miracles. I'd recommend seeking them out.”
Katsuki had, and ended up there for almost a full three years. It was slow going, but the rumors were right, miracles were performed. When Katsuki moved his finger for the first time he nearly cried. He thinks he might have when the feeling came back, too elated to know. His leg healed far better than his hand, which still was tender and would need physical therapy but he could use it. He could still use his quirk, which is what mattered the most.
He shut his eyes, resting his left arm on his chest relishing in the fact that he still had it. He curled the toes on his right foot, thankful his limp was all but gone by now. His bone was now metal, but Katsuki knew just about everyone had some part that was by now. Bones could only be repaired so many times before they were beyond even the best of healing quirks. Katsuki was damn lucky he had it this far without having any long-lasting injuries, especially with his arms. He knew Deku's right arm was dead to him now, something he feared for himself. At least Deku could use his other limbs. He only had two.
His phone lit up beside him and he spared it a glance.
Red Riot: :( Sorry! Can't make it to the party.
Katsuki stared at the message before he set his phone down and decided to go to bed.
__
The next morning Katsuki woke to a call from his manager. She talked about his schedule, therapy, and estimated time before he could get back into action. They had chatted throughout the year so there wasn't much to update on, especially given he just saw her. They ended with an agreement to meet after his first therapy session to see how things went to finalize plans. She was organized, always on time, and always knew just what to do to ensure Katsuki got the attention he deserved. Katsuki hated doing most of the media-related tasks but her sharp tongue was silver too and she knew how to play him like a fiddle and get him to see the advantages of it all.
“You want to be stuck at number ten?” She had asked when they first met. Katsuki had been on and off with different managers none of them blending well with his—well, him. She was bold though and didn't shrink under his glare.
“Who the hell are you?” Katsuki barked in a rather foul mood. He had only managed to increase his hero number by one. He was still ahead of Deku which mattered the most but Deku soared up three ranks and was catching up fast.
“Susume Kyoshi,” the woman said, handing over her card. Bakugou looked it over with a snort reading the kanji. “How are you only number ten with power like yours?” Bakugou sneered. “You managers sucks. They don't know how to market you and they don't know how to handle you.”
“Oh, and you do?”
“You want to know why you aren't raising up faster? No one likes you. Your manager won't put you out in the open probably because you hate that but guess what, Dynamite? Deku will soar over your head and leave you in the dust if you don't start kissing babies and helping old ladies cross the street.”
Katsuki rose to his feet, crumbling the card in his hand.
“What's your game here?”
“I want to move up just like you, Dynamite. I'm stuck recommending bratty kids to agencies at a low-grade hero school. I can sell off even the worst of brats so I know I can handle you. I could sell you garbage and you'd buy it thinking it was gold. It's my quirk, it's my job, it's what I do. You're a hero, you save, you fight, you go home that's what you do. We both should just stick to what we know and do best. I won't try to tell you how to do your job because I don't know how. And judging by the zero added onto that number one, you don't know how to do my job. So let's both work together to rise up in the ranks. What's your overall popularity?”
“Ranked third.”
“Overall.” She repeated pulling out a tablet. “But in these other areas, you are fifth, twelfth, fourth, and oh, twenty-third.”
Bakugou snatched the tablet looking over the rankings. Best looking, easily approachable, kindest, what good were these?
“These silly teen magazine ranking matter, Dynamite. After all, Deku is in the top three of them all.” She snatches away the tablet before Bakugou could destroy it. Holding out another one of her cards. “How long has your current manager been with you?”
“Four months.”
“In two I'll have your rating all in the top ten. You give me six months, top five. You sign me up for a five-year contract now and I'll turn that ten overall into a five.”
“I want one, not five.”
“That all depends on you, Dynamite. I know I can do my job, but you were never one for teams.”
“Two months, top ten across the board,” Katsuki repeated and she nodded. He crossed his arms studying her before he took the card once more. “You fail to keep your work and I'll send you back to the brats.”
She kept her word. There wasn't anywhere he could go without seeing his own face plastered somewhere. He hated it but his ratings were the highest they've ever been and there was already talk he'd raise a ranking from the popularity alone.
Katsuki got ready for his day and decided to head out eager to be on his feet again and surrounded by familiarity. With a hat on and sunglasses, he was not noticed but Katsuki knew his image had slipped in his time off. Things moved quickly and three years out of the public eye was a lot. He'd have one hell of a comeback that's for sure. It made him eager to get back into it all, but he wasn't dumb enough to risk recovery, not when his quirk and future was on the line. He needed to heal first, he was good to no one injured.
Katsuki stopped outside a small cafe, feeling a bit peckish. He'd prefer a more traditional meal right now, having been away from Japan and its cuisine for so long but he'd save that for dinner and for now live with a decent cup of tea. He was seated and propped his leg up on the free chair in front of him feeling it start to tense during his walk. The grey skies told him the ache wasn't because he was still adjusting. Just another limitation he'd need to adjust to. He recalled many of his classmates complaining about aching limbs during the rain. He'd just join in now.
Katsuki pulled out his phone, thinking momentarily about the party. He rarely attended them, knowing exactly what went on and tired of seeing so many drunk people. He wasn't a social person and in the past only ever attended to please Kirishima who wanted him to come. Katsuki wasn't sure if anyone even knew he was back yet. He hadn't informed anyone other than his parents. No one messaged him frequently enough for him to say it either. He supposes he should inform someone, maybe, but at the same time, he wasn't sure who exactly or what good it would do. Everyone was busy, and hanging out was a rare treat. Katsuki also didn't really care to anyways, but given he had months of recovery ahead he'd probably ought to in order to stave off boredom.
He gave his order to the waitress before skimming through his text messages seeing the most recent ones. Minus the two groups he was in and his parents, the last person he contacted with Kirishima.
Took down a monster of a villain today, you should check it out if you can. The guy was a beast. Hope the recovery is going well!
It was sent a month ago and Katsuki hadn't responded. Not because he was being cruel, but busy schedules and his lack of social skills often got in the way of most of his contacting. Katsuki's thumbs hovered over the keyboard, scanning the characters and debating what to say if anything at all.
"Katsuki?" Bakugou looked up from his menu and found Kirishima of all people standing before him. He had a coat over his arm and was grinning at him. "Hey! It's been so long. I didn't know you were back in town,” he said and Katsuki locked his phone.
"Got in yesterday."
"That's awesome! You mind?" Kirishima pointed to the free seat. "You expecting someone or—"
"No, take a seat," Katsuki said, removing his leg from it.
"Anyone know you are back yet? Didn't expect you to make an announcement or anything but your manager on the other hand...” He trailed off with a shrug and Katsuki returned one of his own.
"I'd assume they'd find out eventually like always. My manager wants to make some deal of it I'm sure." Kirishima hummed and nodded.
"How's the leg?" He asked and Katsuki spared it a glance.
"Metal, but I can walk on it again at least." Bakugou kicked it out to demonstrate its mobility. "Still have a month of physical therapy for it but better than no leg."
“And your arm? Still have a brace on it.”
“Some damage was permanent, but nothing extreme. I have three months minimum but my doctor recommended six before anything severe but we'll see.”
"Why come back so early? You'll go crazy with nothing to do.”
"Nothing to do but wait now. Plus I can at least do something here. Hell, I can go back into duty after three months, just nothing major. I'd be willing to take down jay-walkers at this point." Kirishima laughed at that and Bakugou finds himself forcing back his own. "What are you doing here? Coincidence?"
"No, I was meeting with someone," Kirishima says simply and Katsuki grunts around his drink.
"Someone?"
"You should text Denki and let him know you are back in town. Apparently, they are throwing a big party or something," Kirishima says, avoiding the topic and Katsuki allows it to pass.
"Last time I went to one of those, half of the class got drunk and I had to literally carry you into our apartment." Kirishima laughs though he looks pained doing it.
"You know I still can't eat a mango without gagging? I ruined a perfectly good fruit with alcohol. Anything mango flavored and it's like a bad case of PTSD.”
"Drink responsibly next time," Katsuki says simply, earning a snort.
"I can't go sadly, but it should still be a blast, always is. Wish I could."
"You got duty or something?"
"No, I have to take care of my daughter,” Kirishima says with a sigh and Katsuki chokes on his tea. “My sitter quit and-"
"Daughter?" Bakugou blurted, not even trying to hide his shock. Kirishima gave a hesitant nod like it was Katsuki who was in the wrong somehow.
"Yes, Shinko."
"Since when do you have a kid?"
“I told you.”
“No, I think I'd fucking remember that.” Kirishima pursed his lips thinking it over.
“I...guess I forgot.”
“Wh-” Katsuki tried to control the millions of questions settling for the one he had yet to get an answer to. “When did you-”
"Uh-wow, well, she is turning four in a couple of months."
"I-" Bakugou let out a huff, leaning back in his chair. His eyes scanned Kirishima's fingers spotting no ring, but it wasn't uncommon for heroes to hide them. Still, he received no invitation to a wedding. Katsuki knew they had history but they were still friends and he'd expect at least a notice for a wedding. He knows he received some for the others in his class. It seemed extremely odd for Kirishima to not make a big deal about it as well given he was such a romantic and passionate person. "I don't remember you getting married," Katsuki admits a small part of him wondering if he somehow did and ended up missing or forgetting.
"I didn't," Kirishima said with a tight smile, gaze sliding to the window. "Moku and I just dated and, well, we kind of broke up before I knew? She was actually who I was meeting with. She’s…” Kirishima let out a sigh, scratching at the back of his neck. “She's something else. I ask her to watch Shinko for me since I'm busy but she always says she can’t. I mean I support her, tuck her in at night, get her to school, and I'm happy she exists but I'm a hero and being a parent isn't really something I can do all by myself. Like, stuff happens and sitters aren’t reliable and follow a schedule I can’t keep and Moku doesn't work so I just figured she could but she never—okay, uh. I-hm, sorry. That kind of all just came out. You don't need to hear all this." Kirishima blushes, embarrassed for the rant. Katsuki only pursed his lips, something nagging at him.
"No offense but your ex sounds like a bitch."
Kirishima's lips pressed together as he tried to hide a smile.
"She is."
"Your kid, like, does everyone know about it?"
"I think, yeah. I don't hide her, but also don't like being too public about it and all. I kind of kept it a secret for a bit. Not really on purpose but just because I was caught off guard I guess, but everyone kind of found out in time. Couldn't just stop hanging out all the time without telling why.”
Bakugou gave a small grunt, staring down at his food.
"Are you the first parent out of our class?"
"Weird, huh?"
"Yeah. Really weird."
"Well, it wasn't intentional. I love her. She's my world but, I can also admit she was an accident and I didn't know about her until she was born." Katsuki glanced up at Kirishima, gnawing on the inside of his cheeks for a moment before he decided to be himself and just go for it.
"I...don't mean to seem like a dick but if you weren't there...Are you sure-"
"She's mine?” Kirishima finished offering a sympathetic smile like he was answering a question he had been asked one too many times. “Trust me. She is. I had doubts too but I looked into it and it was proved. Shinko kind of proved it herself too, personality-wise ya know? I try to be nice but, I'm glad she resembles me more than her mom. Like, a lot."
"She have shark teeth and punches shit for fun?"
"No, well kind of for the last one," Kirishima admitted with a laugh pulling out his phone and showing off his lock screen which was of him smiling widely with a toddler with an equally goofy and happy grin. It was proof enough for Bakugou they were related and it was only a photo. Anyone with a smile that contagious and stupid had to be a Kirishima in his mind. "She hasn't got her quirk yet but I'm so excited for it. She wakes up every day and tries to summon it. It's adorable." Kirishima blurted, grinning down at his phone.
"You are such a dad," Bakugou says instead of the many comments he wants to in regards to the fond smile on Kirishima's face. Kirishima laughs.
"That's what everyone says but just you wait. Kids are incredible. Like, I made that and it talks and walks and sasses me! I told her to go to bed early for school yesterday and she called me a butthead. I love her. She's amazing and I'm so happy to have her. Oh! This one time, she stole my costume and brought it to school with her to show it off because there was this kid who didn't believe her dad was a hero. It was so cute."
"She sounds like a nightmare."
"She's the best. My poor mom can't handle her though." The comment made Katsuki raise a brow.
"You’re talking to her again?"
"Uh, kinda” Kirishima admitted though hesitantly. “I wanted to tell her about Shinko. It felt fair. She wasn’t exactly happy but uh..” Kirishima looked aged somehow as he trailed off. “I still haven't heard anything from my dad since...you know, the boyfriend thing. I think my mom was happy that I was with a girl, which helped her come around. She wanted to meet Shinko and I knew regardless of the sexuality thing she'd be and wanted to be a grandma so.” Kirishima gave a shrug. “They get along but things are still a little weird between us. I trust her with Shinko and everything, but well, I'm pretty sure she is still deciding which part of she's most disappointed in the boyfriend, sex before marriage, or ending up with a kid.”
“I think she should fuck off, you could have done far worse. At least you kept the kid and owned up to it.”
“Yeah, I think that's also what's helping her come around. She knows Moku is...difficult. She didn't approve really but is too old-fashioned to admit. I know she's happy I kept Shinko too, under my care as well. But, she's quiet about it, which you know how that is. It’s better though, so yeah. I’m glad Shinko can have some family. I always feel bad about not being able to give her that typical nuclear family life and whatnot. But she doesn’t seem to mind, so far at least.”
“I bet the idiots are all over her,” Baku said, trying to change the topic. It works, Kirishima letting out a laugh.
“Mina adores her and Shinko does too. Everyone is really nice to her which I'm really grateful for. I'd be lost without their support.” Kirishima admits looking down at his phone. He sobers up and smiles pocketing his phone once again. “I should get going though. I didn't mean to hold up your lunch.”
“It's fine,” Katsuki says.
“You should go to that party though. It'll be fun!”
“Might, to stave off boredom.”
“Well, if you find the time send me a text. I'm busy but I'll hang out if I'm free.”
“Seems like you got a lot on your plate already.”
“It's fine. Once I get a new sitter things will be alright. Shinko is starting school too which makes my life so much easier too. I'll blabber about her for hours if you don't stop me. Text! I mean it.” Kirishima gives in a playful scowl Katsuki rolls his eyes at but nods to. “It was nice seeing you. I'm glad you are alright, man. I can't wait to have you back in action.”
“You and me both,” Katsuki mutters.
“See you around Katsuki!” Kirishima says with a wave that Katsuki returns.
–
Katsuki does end up announcing he'll go to the party earning a spam of messages he ignores. The party was next week and Katsuki attended therapy three times a week, twice for his arm and once for his leg more as a check-up than anything else. His downtime was spent catching up and doing busy work. He restocked his food and cleaned, watched the news, and read a book before he started to grow a bit tired of lying around. Knowing he had months left of this routine made Katsuki grumble to himself.
He did end up texting Kirishima out of boredom alone, complaining about it. Kirishima didn't respond usually, and Katsuki knew it was because he was watching him on the news and he couldn't. He did it at night or in the early morning neither time Katsuki was awake. They didn't chat about much, but they hadn't in a long time. They weren't as young and free as they once were but Katsuki was glad that despite everything they still were close. It was all he wanted.
Right when Katsuki was about to sink into the past, he was reminded of the date and party that evening and got himself ready. Ashido sent him the address for her apartment and he made his way over arriving on time as usual. His arrival was greeted by a loud celebration that died down into repeated questions of his health and future. He let himself be moved around mostly by Ashido who insisted he get fucked up but Katsuki refused instead nursing a beer while everyone else chugged.
Katsuki knew he changed a lot since first meeting everyone at the party but he was grateful no one ever pointed it out. In truth, all of them had changed but he knew that as the loudest his change was noticed the most. He wasn't quick to anger or bark anymore, though still could if provoked. His rivalries were still that but filled with more respect and understanding. Katsuki always preferred working with Kirishima but he knew that Deku and him worked better together than anyone else. Headlines praised their teamwork giving them the title 'Wonder Duo' whenever they were together. Katsuki didn't mind sharing the glory, knowing once upon a time he'd sooner die than stand on the same platform as Deku. But things change, people grow, and he did. He would always strive to be better, hell he'd admit he was better, but their profession taught hard lessons you learned quickly. It was life or death and if Katsuki could save lives by working hand in hand with Deku he would because it wasn't about who was better by the end of the day. It was about the lives saved and together they saved hundreds.
“I'm glad to see you are okay, Kacchan,” Deku said, followed by Uraraka and Todoroki. Katsuki gave a small grunt from the sofa he was sitting on.
“When are you allowed back on duty?” Todoroki asked.
“Couple months for small stuff. Six or more until the more extreme.”
“That's not too bad,” Deku said and Katsuki knew it wasn't compared to the nearly five years Deku took off from heroic work when his arm was ruined.
“Compared to you everyone's injuries don't seem 'too bad',” Uraraka told Deku who sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “I am glad you are okay though. We all feared the worst when we heard. Everything is fine?”
“Damage has been done, but at least I can still use my quirk.”
“Not your dominant hand either,” Todorki said.
“Not a problem for you, ambidextrous bastard.” Todoroki shrugs at his comment.
“Finally joining the injury club though. Get ready to deal with the pain of metal detectors,” Uraraka groaned and Katsuki scoffed.
“I know, the airport fucking sucked enough already. Now I get stopped because of my quirk and metal bones. Nearly missed my damn flight.”
“But you're back so quit complaining,” Uraraka said with a slap on the back earning a scowl from Katsuki. “Now just get back into action already. I miss hearing explosions that didn't mean work.”
Katsuki lingered around after the three left to refresh their drinks. He grabbed himself another beer, talked a bit to Jirou before he went out to the veranda for some air and silence. The party wasn't bad but still wasn't the same without Kirishima. Katsuki didn't know how he did it, but he always made everything seem more entertaining.
With no reason not to, Katsuki pulled out his phone and opened up his texts with Kirishima. Katsuki took a half-decent photo of himself looking bored with the party behind him before sending it off with a similar message of boredom. Kirishima replied surprisingly faster than he expected, returning one of his own with a fort, popcorn, and cartoon on.
That looks ten times better than this mess.
Katsuki sent out, biting the corner of his mouth when three dots appeared quickly after.
I bet it's fun! But this is pretty great. Shinko and I had pizza for dinner!
An image was sent of Shinko curled around a blanket with her tongue out.
Mature.
She's four!
You aren't.
You are jealous of our pizza party.
I can have my own pizza party.
Yeah but you aren't. And now it's turning into an ice cream pizza party. Jealous?
Still better than this party.
There was a pause for a few minutes and Katsuki decided it was time for him to go. Katsuki finished off his drink and made his way back inside finding a large portion of the group chanting Mina's name as she stood on the table no doubt about to do something stupid. The stragglers lined the walls and couches and Bakugou tugged on his jacket ready to head home.
"Are you leaving already?" Jirou asked and Bakugou pulled out his phone when it buzzed in his pocket.
"Yeah," he answered.
Want to come over?
Bakuogu stared down at the phone.
"You always did fall asleep at sundown," Yaoyoruzu commented.
"I got other places to be," Bakugou said, typing out a response.
What kind of ice cream do you got?
"Other places?" Momo asked with a raised brow. Bakugou tapped the address Kirishima sent along with a photo of a freezer filled with one too many ice cream containers.
"Yeah, other places," Bakugou replied, sparing a glance at the party deciding it was best to just sneak out without alerting everyone.
“Such as?” Jirou pressed.
“None of your business,” Katsuki answered, offering only a nod before leaving.
He took a train to the address which was farther than he expected. He ended up at an apartment building close to eleven and wondered if he would be able to make it home before the trains stopped. Bakugou stood outside the rather nice apartment, double-checking the address and door number before he gave the door a knock. Bakugou could hear feet approaching and Kirishima's muffled voice before the sound of locks came and the door was pulled open.
"Hey there, blasty!" Kirishima greeted holding the door open.
“Hey,” Katsuki muttered, sliding off his shoes after he entered.
"Ice cream!" A childish voice whined and Kirishima snorted.
"In a second, Shinko. Papa's friend is here, come say hi."
She came quickly, eager to no doubt get it over with so she could eat. She came in running and immediately skidded to a halt. Bakugou's eyes widened as did her's, though his mouth remained closed while hers dropped. He didn't take in her feature really, instead, he was focused on the onesie footie pajamas she wore. Black, outlines in orange and green oddly similar to his hero costume. Even the sleeves were decorated in his gauntlets, the hood of it having his mask decor. It wasn't a prank, Kirishima wasn't one to pull something like this off so that must mean these were hers by choice and she wore it by choice which meant.
Bakugou's eyes locked with Kirishima who was grinning.
"You fucking-“
"Katsuki," he said, cutting him off. He reached down to pick up his starstruck daughter, placing her against his hip. "This is Shinko, your cutest and biggest fan."
Shinko looked overwhelmed. Her mouth flapped like a fish out of water, bright red eyes sparkling as she looked at Katsuki like he was something far greater than what he actually was. Katsuki was never great with his fans let alone the super fans finding it awkward at times how much people knew given he really didn’t discuss her personal life. Shinko’s eyes finally settled on the brace around his wrist.
“Are you going to come back?” She asked and Katsuki was glad she asked probably one of the few questions he could answer confidently.
“Of course I am.” Confidently and correctly hearing the answer Shinko exploded. She squirmed in her father’s arms climbing all over him seeming unable to stop moving. Her legs kicked frantically as she waved her arms around Kirishima seemingly to be no rookie in holding her steady as she moved.
“THAT'S WHAT I SAID!“ She shouted, slapping her hand against Kirishima's chest. “I said Katsu is invincible! He can never die! He'll come back better than ever! He's the best! No one can defeat you! You always win. You're Katsu!”
“Shinko,” Kirishima called silencing her. “Why don’t you go get the ice cream out of the fridge for us?”
“I don’t want ice cream!” Shinko pouted. “I want to talk to Katsu!”
“Well Katsu came over for ice cream and it’s rude for you to not allow him to have it.”
With her image on the line, Kirishima set Shinko down and Shinko quickly rushed off to do as she was told.
"You're a piece of shit you know that?" Bakugou told Kirishima who snorted.
"Oh please. Like I was going to say something."
"You should have!"
"It's adorable Katsuki. She idolizes you. She saw you on the news once and was hooked. I couldn't get her to stop mimicking you.”
“How does she even know about me! I’ve been out of duty before she could even walk.”
“She saw some program of yours when she was little. Hasn’t settled down since. I think she liked the explosions truthfully, the colors and stuff she's big into coloring. Then she found out we knew each other then I was in trouble. I had to change your contact name because she kept trying to call you.”
“Is that why I got those weird-ass calls?!”
“Probably, she does it with everyone. She loves everyone but you, in particular, are her favorite.”
“What’s with the Katsu thing? That isn’t even my hero name.”
“She couldn't read it when she first saw it. Still can’t really, English and all that. But she asked so I told her ‘Oh, that’s Katsuki’. And she knew Katsu and thought it was so fitting because ‘He’s the best and he always wins so he had to be called Katsu’.” Katsuki felt his face heat up but he refused to acknowledge it. “I tried to get her to do Baku or something more formal at the least but she is sticking with Katsu. I hope you don’t mind. I can try to get her to add an honorific to it or something.”
“It’s-…whatever.”
“Dad! Get Katsu his ice cream!” Kirishima snorted.
“Katsu, what flavor do you want?” Kirishima asked and Katsuki scowled.
“Don't call me that, you shit.”
“Chocolate then?”
-
They all ended up on the couch eating. Katsuki tried not to let Shinko's obvious staring get to him and Kirishima kept her endless questions at bay. It didn't last for long though, for Kirishima took their bowl to the kitchen and Shinko struck with her father away. She climbed onto the couch and all but sat herself on Katsuki's lap. She studied him and he did in return. She reminded him of Kirishima's mother and their genetics in general. Granted he didn't know what her mother looked like but knowing Kirishima he could tell the kid was his. Her eyes were wide in a way he'd call childlike but Kirishima and his mother both kept their wide eyes beyond childhood. They were red and her short hair was black more family genetics. She looked as if she didn't inherit anything from her mother but perhaps she could also look the same.
“Does your arm hurt?” She asked and Katsuki found her staring at his brace.
“Not really.”
“Dad told me you were hurt. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, we get hurt a lot. You shake it off.”
“I scraped my knee and didn't cry,” Shinko says proudly and Katsuki almost laughed at the childish comment.
“You're made from touch stuff then, like your dad.”
“Yeah! I'm going to be a strong hero like he is and like you are! Invincible! Once I get my quirk I'm going to be the best hero ever.” Katsuki swore he felt deja vu.
“Hoping for your dad's quirk?”
“Yeah! He's awesome. I want to be strong like he is.”
“Gossiping about me?” Kirishima asks snatching Shinko up and tickling her sides causing her to let out a shriek of delight before settling down on the couch with her in his lap.
“I'm telling Katsu how I'm going to be the greatest hero!”
“Oh, the best!” Kirishima agreed. “And you know what the greatest hero needs? The greatest night sleep.” Shinko let out a loud whine digging her fingers into the couch as Kirishima tried to pull her away.
“No!” She protested and Kirishima let out a huff.
“Bed, Shinko.”
“No! I'm not tired! I want to stay up with Katsu!”
“You have stuff to do tomorrow, you can't stay up.”
“No!” Shinko pouted and Bakugou glanced at Kirishima who sighed heavily.
“You know sleep helps develop your quirk.” Kirishima lied and Shinko raised her head staring at her father with wide eyes.
“It's true,” Bakugou added and Shinko now stared at him.
“Really?”
“Yep.” Slowly she uncurled her hands, sliding onto the floor. She pursed her lips together as if debating their lie but held up her arms for Kirishima to pick her up.
“If Katsu says so.”
“I said so!” Kirishima cried and Shinko shook her head pulling up her hood and grinning.
“Katsu did!”
“Say goodnight to Katsu, you doofus.” Kirishima chuckled and Shinko waved, already seeing more drowsiness in her.
“Goodnight Katsu.”
“Goodnight,” Bakugou replied watching the two disappear and he slumped against the couch. He pulled out his phone to check the time. It was getting late, very late in fact. It had been a twenty-minute walk to the station and if he didn't get a move on he would miss the last train.
Curling his toes, feeling if his leg was up for a bit of fast-paced walking, Bakugou stood up and grabbed his jacket. Kirishima returned when he was pulling it on shutting off the tv.
“You can spend the night if you want.” Kirishima offers. “You can—actually with your arm..You can take my bed and I'll grab the couch. I might have a spare futon actually. Either way, you can stay or I can drop you off, I have a car. I think the trains are done.”
“Last one I could rush to get.”
“Is that fine for your leg?”
“Yeah.”
“Still, you can take my bed. I don't mind. I didn't mean to keep you so late.”
“I'll take the couch if anything,” Katsuki says and Kirishima frowns.
“You sure? I don't mind and the sheets are clean I promise.”
“I'm fine. A night on your couch won't kill me.”
“Still...”
“Shut up.”
“Alright. I'll grab you a toothbrush. Do you want to take a bath?”
“I'll live."
“Okay, uh, hold on,” Kirishima says escaping into the hallway where he could be heard rummaging around before he returns with a clean toothbrush and set of clothes. “We're probably the same size still so you can borrow these if you want. The toothpaste is--”
“Unless you changed your entire life in four years, I think I remember where you keep the toothpaste, Ei,” Katsuki says taking the items he was given. “Go to bed, you fool.”
“I need to clean up first,” Kirishima says nodding to the kitchen. “Let me know if you need anything.” Katsuki only nods before he gets ready to go to bed. He leaves the bathroom with a washed face and brushed teeth, rolling up his clothes and setting them on the side of the couch for tomorrow. He snags one of the blankets and pillows from the fort before he lays out on the couch checking his phone as he listens to Kirishima quietly tidy up the kitchen. He sets his phone down with a yawn right as Kirishima turns off the lights to the kitchen. It was the main light casting them into darkness minus the nightlights Kirishima had all of which shaped in a manner that told him that they were not for Kirishima but his daughter.
“You good?” Kirishima asked in a whisper.
“Go to bed,” Katsuki told him.
“Okay, good night.”
“Night.”
–
Katsuki was grateful he wasn't like so many others and didn't automatically resort to using his quirk when he got scared. The last thing he ever wanted to do was blow up Kirishima's daughter because she scared the shit out of him standing in the doorway watching him at seven in the morning.
Katsuki had just opened his eye to check the time, noticing sunlight however faint when he saw two eyes watching him and nearly pissed his pants. He cursed, normally better at concealing it but he also was not at all used to waking up to find little girls staring at him while he slept.
He sat up rubbing at his face.
“What the fuck, kid? You can't just stare at people that's creepy as hell.”
“Were you having a funny dream?” Shinko asked and Bakugou narrowed his eyes.
“What? No? I don't remember.”
“You looked like you were.”
“Shinko?” A whispered voice called. “Hey come on, let him be, he's trying to sleep.”
“He's awake.” Shinko announced dropping the whisper act.” Kirishima sighed, appearing in the doorway already guiding Shinko away.
“Did she wake you up?”
“Staring.”
“I'm sorry, you can go back to bed. I'm going to go drop her off and come back. I have to leave at two for work.”
“Then you'll be home late?” Shinko whined and Kirishima gave her a remorseful smile.
“Mina will pick you up and watch you until I get back.” Shinko still didn't look happy and neither did Kirishima. “I'll be back.” He told Katsuki, nudging Shinko along.
Katsuki waited around until Kirishima returned, maybe around half an hour later. He fucked around on his phone and got changed and when Kirishima returned he had made himself a quick breakfast of eggs and was cleaning up when Kirishima returned. Katsuki set down the pot on the drying rack when Kirishima entered his kitchen and gave Katsuki a once over.
“Oh, sorry for not making breakfast. Shinko usually is late so I am not used to sitting down and eating for breakfast.”
“It’s fine,” Katsuki dismisses, drying off his hands.
“I got work at two but you are welcome to hang out if you want,” Kirishima offered but Katsuki only shook his head.
“I better fuck off. Let you get ready and shit,” Katsuki says with a shrug.
“Okay, well it was nice seeing you again! We should hang out sometimes. I know I got my hands full but I’ll text you, yeah?”
“Sure.”
“Cool. Let me walk you out.”
And he did, like the gentleman he was. Katsuki slid on his jacket though was certain he wouldn’t need it during the day.
“You want a mask or something?” Kirishima asked and Bakugou just shook his head.
“Dead face, remember? Three years and I’m off the top ten charts. Who’s gonna recognize me now?” He jokes and Kirishima snorts.
“I don’t know about that one, man. Your fans are pretty hardcore. I’d know, I live with one.” His smile turns soft for a moment as Katsuki makes his way out of the apartment. “Hey Kats,” he calls, “thanks for coming over. You really make Shinko’s night.”
“Tell the brat if she wants to see my face again she’s gonna have to cough up some change. I don’t do shows for free.”
Kirishima laughed at the comment and Katsuki gave a wave as he walked away.
“See you, Ei.”
“See you later, Kats!”