Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hitoshi didn’t really have anything against the hero students. He just didn’t know them well enough. He was just insanely jealous of them.

Hitoshi had been working his ass off trying to balance his schoolwork, his personal life, his insomnia and other mental issues, on top of unguided training? It was almost too much and it was exhausting. At least now Aizawa-sensei had been helping home when he could, but even that wasn’t as often as he wanted. He didn’t get the undivided attention the hero students did.

Still, he didn’t dislike any of them for any particular reason. Which was why he was in the 1-A dorms today. Kaminari had invited him over for game night. It was a little weird, but at least the actual dorms didn’t feel two different from his.

Kaminari was late though, so Hitoshi was just awkwardly hanging around the kitchen, trying not to really bother anyone. It was kind of unbelievable that Kaminari was leaving him hanging for fifteen minutes and counting, especially considering Kaminari was the one who had practically begged for them to be friends in the first place.

“Oh my- OOF. Shit. Ow” Kaminari had come barreling down the stairs, only to end up face first on the ground. Hitoshi was stifling his laugh. He had been a witness to Kaminari being clumsy many times, but it was still kind of hilarious every time.

“Damn. That was aggressive.” Hitoshi said with a slight smirk. Kaminari lifted his head to glare at him. Then he pulled himself off the floor, a smile now on his face.

“You ready for game night? It’s gonna be super fun!” Kaminari was practically bouncing in front of him. Hitoshi hummed his confirmation before they moved into the living room.

Kaminari went before him, sitting down practically in Sero’s lap on one of the single person chairs. Hitoshi appreciated that he hadn’t done that to him, he knew Kami was a snuggly guy, and had told him he doesn’t really like when people excessively touch him early on in their friendship. Besides, Kaminari’s crush on Sero was blatantly fucking obvious. The dude lit up when Sero flashed a smile at him.

Hitoshi sat down on the edge of a couch. On the opposite end of it were Bakugou and Kirishima. Bakugou looked grumpy as fuck, with the redhead trying to calm him down to convince him to stay.

The only real reason he knew most of their names was because of Kaminari’s storytelling and vivid descriptions. That’s it. It’s not cause sometimes Bakugou fought like a pro and looked pretty as fuck doing it.

Hitoshi didn’t give that much of a shit about the dude, but he did think he was aesthetically nice to look at. He’d barely talked to him before. He just respected him. The dude had been kidnapped, shittalked by the media over a million times, and was still holding strong to his dream of being a hero. Plus he was hella strong.

He respected most of the others in Class 1A too, or at least the ones he knew about. They could all hold their own and they all had been through shit. Hitoshi had been through shit too, but he just didn’t think that highly of himself.

The majority of the games moved pretty quickly until it was a little bit later and people were playing certain games in groups. People had moved around quite a bit during the games, and now Hitoshi was squished into Bakugou’s side. They were on the same couch as before, but instead of Kirishima, Uraraka and Mina were next to Bakugou. They demanded more space with their large movements and loud exclamations.

Hitoshi could feel Bakugou getting more annoyed by the minute from where their sides were lightly touching. Taking a deep breath, Hitoshi stands up, knowing fully that he probably wouldn’t get a seat when he returned. Going to the kitchen, he grabs a glass of water and then starts looking through the cabinets quietly to try and find a snack.

“If you’re looking for something substantial, we have leftovers in the fridge. If you just want a snack we have granola bars in the cabinet to the right.” Hitoshi startles at the gruff voice behind him. He hadn’t expected Bakugou to follow him to the kitchen, but it did make sense that he would want to get away from that noise as well.

Finding the granola bars, Hitoshi mutters a thanks. When he turns around, Bakugou is sitting on the counter eating an apple.

“Do you guys do this game night thing often?” Hitoshi asks, moving to lean on the counter across from him. Through a mouthful of fruit, Bakugou responds.

“Fuck if I know. I think it’s a monthly thing, but I never really attend anyway.” He says, shrugging slightly.

“You attended today.” Hitoshi points out. He knows it’s probably because of Kirishima, based on the quiet bickering he saw before.

“Shitheads begged me. Said they wouldn’t be as loud as they usually are.” Hitoshi raises an eyebrow at that. If this is 1A’s version of trying to be quiet, he could only imagine what they were like when they weren’t trying. Bakugou seemed to see his thought process, continuing by saying “I never said they were actually succeeding in being quiet. They’re just as loud, the little fuckfaces.”

Hitoshi kind of laughs at that. He’d heard the infamous Bakugou nicknames in passing, but it isn’t the same as hearing it in casual conversation. Bakugou’s distain for his friends is fucking funny.

Bakugou was starting to look like he shared the same antisocial tendencies that Hitoshi had.

“They are definitely loud. Not always the easiest group to be around.” Bakugou grunts in agreement at that.

“Then why’d you come?” He says after a moment. He seems genuinely curious on the answer, Hitoshi thinks.

“Kaminari can be a bit persuasive at times. There is also the fact that I wanted to see the magnificent hero students in person.” Hitoshi says with a grin, delighted by the way Bakugou’s face sours.

“Fuck off.” Hitoshi laughs at Bakugou’s annoyed face.

“Nah, it’s just that I figured, I’m trying to get into the hero course, might as well be at least a little familiar with the environment.” Hitoshi says with a shrug. He almost feels like he’s shared too much, but Bakugou doesn’t look like the type to really care for spilling other people’s business.

“You’re trying to get into the hero course?” There’s no surprise or condescension in Bakugou’s voice,only curiosity. It’s a nice shock.

“Yeah. Aizawa helps me train sometimes and goes over certain things with me, but it’s kind of starting to look like a fantasy instead of a goal I can work towards.” Hitoshi sounds a bit sheepish, he knows it, but he can’t help the self-pity from creeping up.

Bakugou stares at him for a moment after he speaks. When he seems to be done, he clears his throat before jumping down from on top of the counter.

“I can train with you.” Bakugou says, standing up straight in front of him. He’s level now with Hitoshi, he’s still hunched over. Hitoshi is definitely taller, but Bakugou’s perfect posture leads him to be eye level with him.

Hitoshi is very surprised. The boy in front of him is known for not liking to hang out with people, but here he was, offering.

“Okay.” His voice is quiet but unshaken.

“Gimme your fucking number.” Hitoshi blinks. Bakugou rolls his eyes at the action. Hitoshi can tell he’s calling him an idiot in his head.

“I’m not gonna fucking hunt you down whenever I wanna spar. And I’m sure as shit not hashing things out right now because you look like someone hit you over the head with a pan and I’m tired.” He says it aggressively, obviously a little tired.

“Yeah okay.” Hitoshi can tell Bakugou is probably at his social limit so he quickly types in his number onto Bakugou’s phone. He texts himself so that he can tell Bakugou his schedule. Bakugou doesn’t tend to start conversations, and Hitoshi is partially scared he’ll take back the offer in the morning.

Bakugou is super strong and from what Hitoshi has gathered, really observant. It would be awesome to train with him, especially because Bakugou will have no problems with pointing out his flaws, while Aizawa likes to play mind games.

He thanks Bakugou and says goodbye to Kaminari. It was starting to get a little late, and he didn’t want to miss curfew and get locked outside (again).

Chapter Text

Hitoshi had talked with Bakugou a decent amount throughout the week. Bakugou wanted to know his current schedule, his eating habits, and his workout plan. It was a lot, but having Bakugou insult him so much was pretty fun.

They had already had a training session, which included sparring and then Hitoshi showing Bakugou his body’s limits. Bakugou had called him a weak motherfucker and had laughed at him, but it didn’t feel mean.

Bakugou had asked what his goals were. He wanted to know which part he wanted to improve. Hitoshi had said stealth and agility, and Bakugou had shown him stretches he was now supposed to do.

Hitoshi was kind of amazed. He had known the hero students definetly knew more than him, but he hadn’t realized quite how much. Bakugou was basically planning out an entire workout plan for him, stuff that Bakugou himself wasn’t even doing. He was almost a personal trainer.

The only problem was that being around Bakugou made him want to be around him more. There was unspoken agreement, they never seemed to overwhelm the other. It was peaceful hanging out with Bakugou. Hitoshi never really had to take the insults seriously, and Bakugou ignored his shit-talking.

Plus, Hitoshi was noticing Bakugou’s pretty face way more often. It wasn’t really something he could help, but if he did a mental fist pump every time he made Bakugou laugh, that was nobodies business but his.

They were texting more often than they needed to, Hitoshi with dry sarcasm and Bakugou with caps lock screaming. It made sense to him, and he found himself smiling at his phone as he made his way to his room.

Bakugou : THIS LITTLE FUCKJG SHIT TRIED TO KILL ME.

Shinsou : I’m assuming you’re talking about Kaminari again?

Bakugou : OF COURSE IM FUCKIN TALKJNG ABOHT FUNCE DACE

Shinsou : Funce dace? Huh I don’t think I know a funce dace. Is that a new student?

Bakugou : LSBSKDHSKJD YOU LITTLE SHIT ILL TIE YOU TO THE FUCKING DOORFRAME LIKE A PIÑATA AND BEAT THE SHIT OUTTA YOU

Shinsou : kinky
Not my style, but I can appreciate it

Bakugou : I hate you and I hope you suffer for the rest of your life

Shinsou : aw thx

They had a lot of interactions like that. Hitoshi had made a game out of trying to see how many typos he can make Bakugou make out of anger. Bakugou’s such a studious student, so it’s fun to watch him lose it just a little bit.

~

Katsuki wouldn’t say he’s enjoying himself, but he does think he might’ve collected another idiot. He didn’t really see Eyebags in the hallways or anything, but he did text him a lot. He didn’t even know why he asked for his number in the first place, but he doesn’t really regret it anyway.

At first Katsuki had been kind of annoyed by the little shit, but it’s not so bad now. Eyebags seemed to take whatever Katsuki threw at him without ever turning it into a lecture like the other idiots did.

They were always trying to get him to act nicer, to be calmer, but Shinsou just kind of took him as he was.

Eyebags. Eyebags took him as he was.

It also wasn’t horrible that the dude seemed to be decent conversation. He never overstepped, which Katsuki almost found suspicious. It was almost like the bastard knew him, which drove Katsuki mad, because no one fucking knew him. Kiri was close, but he still was a little shitty sometimes, wanting more than Katsuki was able to give. He never asked more than once, but Kiri was a touchy-ass person, of course it would make him sad when Katsuki didn’t want to touch him.

Katsuki always felt a little guilty around his idiots. He couldn’t do everything they wanted him to, and he hated a lot of the shit they loved. With Eyebags, it was someone who finally shared the same interests as him, or understand when they didn’t share it.

Katsuki might have been talking to Eyebags way too fucking much.

But it was easy. And he almost always responded quickly. Katsuki kind of likes it. Not that he’d ever fucking admit it to him. He’s not even fully admitting it to himself.

Katsuki made a new friend. All on his fucking own.

Chapter Text

Despite being in different classes with different schedules, the two boys had made a decent amount of time for each other. Hitoshi knew that Bakugou wasn’t a big user of his phone, but he still responded whenever Hitoshi texted him. Sometimes he also texted first. It almost made Hitoshi want to think about the amount of effort Bakugou was putting into interacting with him. He almost thought he might be special.

Until he remembered he wasn’t.

Hitoshi never had a best friend growing up, or even a close friend. It just wasn’t an option. There was no reason he should think that he’d be able to call Bakugou a close friend.

Well maybe.

Especially considering it was currently three in the morning and Bakugou was calling him. He picks up the phone. Once he does, he hears the faint noise of crying and he can tell Bakugou is hyperventilating.

“Bakugou? Are you okay?” He waits for a second but doesn’t get a response besides a high pitched whimper. “Bakugou you gotta breath for me. Can you do that?” Hitoshi exaggerates the sound of his breathing into the phone.

He would head over but he doubts he’d be let in. It’s way past curfew. Luckily, he can hear Bakugou’s breath evening out a bit in his ear.

“Fuckin Sh- Shinsou.” Bakugou wheezes out. He sounds overwhelmed and panicked. It’s probably a panic attack Hitoshi reasons. He knows how to deal with these but it’s a bit harder over the phone.

He could use his quirk… just to get him to breathe evenly.

But he can’t break Bakugou’s trust. He won’t.

“Bakugou, it’s okay. You’re okay.” He pauses for a second to hear if Bakugou is calming down a bit on his own, but he doesn’t seem to be. “Okay, can you name five things you can see?”

Bakugou heaves into the speaker, breathe still coming out roughly.

“I- Fuck. I can see my… desk. And bed. My shelves. The-the” his voice shakes a little but it’s okay “phone. I can see the light from the phone.”

“Okay one more Bakugou that’s it.” Hitoshi says, trying to be as soothing as he can.

“Lamp. I can see the lamp.”

“Okay that’s good. Now can you name four things you can feel for me?” Bakugou’s breath picks up at that, slightly panicked at given another task, so Hitoshi exaggerates his breath more into the speaker.

“I can feel my shirt. Pants. Sheets. Um- I don’t know. I don’t know.” His voice is more panicked at the end, clearly trying to find something to say.

“Can you feel the phone? Are you touching your phone?” Hitoshi asks, trying to give him an answer before he spirals.

“Yeah, yeah. Phone. My phone.”

“That’s good. Now, how about three things you can hear?” Bakugou doesn’t seem to panic this time at the task.

“You. Hear you.”

“That’s right, that’s good. Two more.”

“Umm. I can hear my alarm clock ticking.”

“One more.”

“I think, I think I can hear Kiri snoring?”

“Okay great, now can you tell me two things you can smell?”

“Smoke. I can smell smoke. I burnt my sheets when- when I woke up.” That sentence is accompanied by a sniffle, he seems sad he burnt his sheets.

Hitoshi wonders if that’s a frequent thing, if panic attacks were a frequent thing. He takes a deep breathe.

“Okay, you can deal with that once you’ve calmed down okay? One more thing.”

“Oh- okay. I can smell Kiri’s hair gel. He always gets some on my sheets when he comes over.”

“Yeah? Okay now can you say one thing you can taste?” Hitoshi can hear Bakugou swallowing after he says it, probably trying to figure out if he’s tasting anything.

“Toothpaste.”

“Toothpaste. Good. Are you feeling a bit better now?” Hitoshi asks. Bakugou’s breathing is almost completely even now, with only small hiccups disrupting it.

“Yeah.” He’s quiet. “Shinsou?”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks.”

The call beeps, signaling an end. Then his phone lights up again with a single text : goodnight.

~

Hitoshi doesn’t bring up the panic attack the next time he sees Bakugou. Which isn’t for a little while because Bakugou seems to be partially avoiding him.

Hitoshi isn’t too sad about it though, he understands. What he doesn’t understand is that Bakugou called him. Him, not Kirishima, not any of the others that he hangs out with, him. He kinda wants to know why.

Chapter Text

When Hitoshi and Bakugou finally talk about it, it’s because Bakugou had invited Hitoshi to his room. Specifically. To talk about it. It did make him a little nervous, but it was probably time.

The two boys had been acting the same as before, just with less conversation when they say each other. Bakugou had been much more tight-lipped.

He still seems tight-lipped now, sitting on his own bed across from Hitoshi. Hitoshi is sitting at his desk chair, which is surprisingly comfortable. Knowing Bakugou hates vulnerability, Hitoshi decides to start first.

“So. You had a panic attack” Bakugou flinches a little from where he sits.

“Yeah.”

“And you called me.” If Hitoshi had thought Bakugou was avoiding eye contact before, he definitely was now.

“That is correct.”

“Why.” Bakugou looks up at that.

“Why what. Why did I call you or why did I need to?” Hitoshi shrugs at the question. He doesn’t exactly know what information he wants or even what Bakugou will give him.

“Either. Anything you want.” Bakugou is finally making eye contact with him, and Hitoshi is holding it.

Taking a deep breath, Bakugou prepares himself. “I get them sometimes. Just moments, can’t breathe. Don’t know why I called you but I did. I didn’t wanna bother Kiri and I knew he’d pester me about it so. Yeah I called you.”

Hitoshi blinks. He hadn’t really expected that Katsuki was going to be fully honest with him. He thought he was going to get a general excuse and then kicked out of his room.

“Is there a reason you had a panic attack?” Hitoshi had an idea, considering it was three am when he had called, but he wasn’t completely sure.

“Shitty nightmare.” Bakugou grumbles, sounding like he doesn’t really want Hitoshi to hear. It was exactly what Hitoshi had thought, but he was glad it wasn’t something much worse.

“What was it about?” Hitoshi asks. Bakugou snaps his head up to glare at him for that.

“I’m not weak.” He growls out.

“Never said you were.”

“It’s just a fuckin nightmare.”

“I know.”

Bakugou doesn’t respond, so Hitoshi continues for him.

“I get them too, you know?” Bakugou seems slightly shocked at that.

“The fuck are yours about then?” He demands. Hitoshi would be uncomfortable, but he thinks Bakugou needs to hear this before he opens up. Solidarity.

“Shit that happened to me. People are always nice to little kids with villainous quirks. Being a foster kid kinda made me an easy target too.” He says with a shrug.

“…mine isn’t always considered a good guy quirk either.” Bakugou says quietly.

“It’s not very enjoyable is it.”

“Nope” Bakugou says, popping the p.

He’s quiet for a moment before saying, “Being treated like a villain wasn’t the main thing that was there when I was growing up.”

“Then what was?” Hitoshi is honestly a bit curious now.

“People just kinda wanted to use me.” Bakugou says with a shrug in a sad little voice.

Quietly, Hitoshi asks, “In what way?”

“Like, people have tried to use my quirk as a home supply of explosive chemicals. Human trafficking, and shit. None of them succeeded, obviously, but still. I dunno.”

Hitoshi just kind of stares at him for a moment. This was worse than he had expected, shit.

“Well that’s fucked.” Hitoshi exhales shakily, running his hands through his hair. “I mean, people have wanted to use my quirk as a pawn in schemes and shit, but luckily it wasn’t really a frequent thing.” He thinks for a moment.

“Wait, was this a frequent thing!?”

“Eh. Kinda. It’s not something I think about all the time.” Bakugou says offhandedly.

Then, his demeanor changes, snapping his head forward to aggressively growl out the next sentences.

“I’m not weak though. I always beat them.”

Hitoshi couldn’t believe that that was the part Bakugou chose to focus on. It explained some things, but still.

“Bakugou.” Hitoshi inhales sharply. “That’s not okay.”

“S’whatever.”

“No, it’s not. You’re supposed to be able to feel safe. I want you to be able to feel safe.” Hitoshi says, trying to put comfort into his words.

Bakugou is quiet and small, slightly curling in on himself from Hitoshi’s words. It’s a while before he speaks.

“Shinsou?”

“Hmm?”

“I-Can I um” Bakugou stops talking, simply holding his arms up instead. His face is hidden in his shoulder, and it takes a second for Hitoshi to realize what he wants.

A hug. He wants a hug.

“Of course.” Hitoshi stands up, moving to pull Bakugou into his arms. Bakugou’s head ends up pressed against Hitoshi’s chest, and he can feel dampness through his shirt.

He doesn’t mention the fact that Bakugou’s crying, just holds him.

Chapter Text

After they had talked, it was a lot less awkward between them. They went back to their normal routine, except now Hitoshi was allowed in Bakugou’s room. They’d definitely gotten closer. Hitoshi liked it.

He liked that he was able to help Bakugou and to bond with him about these things. It probably didn’t help that he might be developing the smallest crush on him.

Not a big deal, but Hitoshi could feel his heart skip a beat when Bakugou genuinely smiled because of him. It was a rare thing, but Hitoshi knew he was definitely digging himself into a hole with it. Because there is no way Bakugou would ever like him back.

No way.

~

Katsuki was fucked. He hadn’t realized it until he had called Shinsou, that he kept reaching out to him more than anyone else.

He was putting effort in because Shinsou made him feel safe, and completely understand.

Katsuki had a goddamn crush.

He had never had one before, he didn’t know what the fuck you were supposed to do! So Katsuki just hung out with him, trying to be with him as much as he could.

The only real time Katsuki had hung out with him without feeling affected by that stupid happy feeling was when they were training. He was too focused to think about how Hitoshi’s hair looks good when it’s a little mussed up. Definitely too focused to notice Shinsou’s crooked smile when he finally got down a move he’d been working on.

Nope. Katsuki was so good at shutting him out of his mind.

Ughh, it’s useless even fucking pretended. He needs help.

Bakugou : come over

Uraraka : ????
Are u dying or smth???

Bakugou : no

Uraraka : then what’s up

Bakugou : need help with something.
…someone

Uraraka : omw

Katsuki sighed, plopping down onto his bed. He’d respected Pink Cheeks since the sports festival, and trusted her as soon as he got to know her a little bit. She was strong and loyal.

It wasn’t long until a knock sounded at his door. He got up to let her in.

Uraraka sat down on his desk chair, and Katsuki went back to spread out on his bed, this time face down.

“You better not have killed someone and called me to hide the body.” She said, a hint of teasing in her tone. Katsuki rolled his eyes. He would never call her for that. Maybe Glasses. Or Half ’n’ Half.

“It’s not that.” His voice is muffled from where he’s smushed into his bed. She waits for him to continue. “Issa stupid boy.”

Most of Class 1A knew of his sexual orientation, he wasn’t really shy about it. Even though he’d never actually liked anyone, he had known that if he would, it’d be a boy.

“Oh?” Uraraka sounds like she’s thoroughly enjoying herself now, so Katsuki raises his head to glare at her.

“Shuddup” She laughs at him for that.

“Thought I was supposed to help?”

“Not if you’re going to be mean.”

“Alright alright. Who’s the boy?”

“….Shinsou.” She blinks in surprise.

“Little bit surprising, but when I think about it, it kinda makes sense. You’re both dark and brooding.” He huffs at her. ‘I don’t brood,’ he thinks.

“Well what the fuck do I do.”

~

Apparently crushes were things you either rode out, or acted upon. And he had to choose.

Katsuki’s not a coward, so he chose acting on it. He was gonna woo the fuck outta this dude.

Except, he didn’t really know how to woo. So he was probably just gonna wait for a good moment to awkwardly ask him out.

Right now, he was getting ready to hang with Shinsou, totally not overthinking the fact that the dude makes him wanna scream.

They were most likely just gonna watch a movie, or play some shitty games. Or even just talk. Still, he couldn’t help the pink stain on his cheeks. His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Shinsou : trying to get to ur building but ur prez is being annoying. He says he wants u to come down and let me in urself (weird asf cause I just walked in the last couple of times)

Bakugou : ugh, he’s a little shit. I’ll be down in a sec.

Katsuki caught himself smiling down at his phone and tried to snap out of it. He had to stay calm, not freak Shinsou out by acting like a weirdo.

He made his way down to the common room. As soon as he stepped in and saw Shinsou there, casually arguing with Glasses, he felt himself get warmer.

He catches Uraraka’s eye once he remembers to stop staring, and she give him a knowing grin.

Fuck her.

Shinsou notices him and sighs in relief. Fighting the urge to smile about it, he can’t help but think, ‘Yeah, crushes fucking suck.’

Chapter Text

Katsuki was tired. Really fucking tired.

Seeing Shinsou had almost become his favorite thing to do. It was driving him insane. He hadn’t had the courage to tell him yet, how much sleep the stupid boy was causing him to lose, but he was very close.

The more he thought about it though, the more fearful he became of rejection. Sue him! He actually liked Shinsou, even as a friend. It would really suck if it suddenly became awkward or they couldn’t talk any more.

He was totally gonna do it, he was just a little nervous.

Totally.

~

Hitoshi knew he liked Bakugou. He’d figured out that he had a genuine crush when Bakugou when the boy had laughed at him a couple of days ago for accidentally staining his teeth blue. (He’d been trying to add food colour to something, but added way too much.)

Hitoshi didn’t necessarily want to push his feelings onto Bakugou, especially because he didn’t think Bakugou would return them. However, he knew him. Bakugou deserved to know, to not feel like Hitoshi was only his friend in order to date him.

Which was why he was standing outside Bakugou’s dorm room.

He knocked, holding his breath, afraid of what was going to happen next.

Bakugou opened the door glaring, but looked up at him only in surprise when he saw it was Hitoshi.

“Come in I guess.” Bakugou said, moving out of the doorway.

“Thanks”

Bakugou goes to sit on his bed, so Hitoshi sits on the desk chair. He gets a sense of deja vu, same positions as they had for the first serious talk they had. This would be another one, Hitoshi supposes. Maybe even the last depending on how it goes.

“So whaddya want.” It’s not really a question, but Hitoshi answers it anyway.

“Wanted to talk.” Bakugou raises an eyebrow at that, starting to look slightly worried.

“About?” He prompts.

Hitoshi takes a deep breath. “I’ve got something I need to tell you, and I need you to not freak out before I explain the whole thing”

“You’re not exactly inspiring confidence there.” Hitoshi drags his hands down his face.

“Sorry.” Bakugou waves him off, encouraging Hitoshi to start. So he does.

“I needed to tell you this because I know how shitty it can be to feel like someone’s only in a friendship with you to gain something from you, but that’s not me. I like being your friend. I like hanging out with you and talking to you, and having you basically beat me up at training.” He says with a bit of laughter at the end. “The problem is, I like it too much. I like you, but more than I should.”

“So you’re saying…?” Bakugou trails off, gaping at him.

“Yeah. I like you. Romantically.”

“…”

Damm, Hitoshi does not have nerves of steel. Bakugou hadn’t really done anything but stare at him for at least a minute after he’d said it. He couldn’t tell if he was about to get kicked out, an explosion to the face, or what his fate was. He thinks that maybe Bakugou’s deciding it right now.

“You like me.” Again, statement, not a question.

“Yeah.”

“Damn.”

“Uh huh.”

“Saves me the trouble I guess. Was trying to figure out how the fuck to ask you out for the past week.” Bakugou says unconcerned with the way he had just flipped Hitoshi’s world completely upside down.

He’d never considered that as an option. So what the fuck was happening.

“What” Hitoshi says, monotone and basically dead inside.

“Oi. Did you not hear me?” Bakugou snaps. He’s probably annoyed at being a little bit ignored but. Whatever.

Hitoshi’s busy panicking right now. Come back later.

He hadn’t realized he’d said that part under his breath until he caught Bakugou snorting, hiding his ugly laugh behind his hand.

“What the fuck Eyebags? I break you?” He says grinning at him, not even bothering hiding the fact that he’s laughing at him.

“Kinda dude.” Hitsoshi says honestly. “I hadn’t really considered this outcome when I came here.”

That just makes Bakugou laugh a little harder.

Hitoshi’s head is still a little blank and blown, but he knows it’s been a minute before he feels Bakugou putting his hands on his face.

He had moved until he was standing over him, so close that Hitoshi is sure Bakugou can feel his breath on his chest.

“I like you dumbass. Now are you gonna let me kiss you or not?” The tone is soft, and it forces Hitoshi to blink out of his stupor.

His throat is dry, tongue clicking uselessly, so he nods. As soon as he does, he feels soft lips against his own. He would’ve thought Bakugou would be more aggressive with it, but the kiss was careful and light.

Hitoshi’s first, and he had no doubt it was Bakugou’s too.

He could feel himself smiling into it, up until Bakugou pulled away. Hitoshi had a dopey-ass look on his face, he knew it, but he couldn’t even bring himself to care.

Not when he was staring straight into those intense red eyes above him.

Not when he had just kissed Bakugou fucking Katsuki.

Hitoshi was so goddamn happy.

Chapter Text

THEY WERE FUCKING DATING.

Katsuki was ecstatic. He got a boyfriend, and didn’t even have to put in any goddamn work.

Shinsou was a dumbass, for sure, but he was his dumbass.

They hadn’t gone on a date yet as it had only been a few days, but Katsuki was really hoping for one soon. They had really crowded schedules, so it might be a while before they went out to do something. Even so, a movie date would be cute.

Katsuki just wants to spend more time with his boyfriend. He thought it had been bad before, but it was nothing compared to now.

He was never a touchy person, neither was Shinsou, which he liked, but now Latsuki had this urge to hold his hand or his arm or kiss him or literally anything anytime he saw him.

Uraraka says it’s the ‘honeymoon phase’ or something. He had told her the morning after (leaving out the part where they only got together because Shinsou had the guts) She was really happy for him, and he made her promise not to tell everyone else before it was an established thing.

Katsuki did tell Kirishima and the rest of the idiot brigade though. He told Kirishima separately because he knew he was gonna have a big reaction. Mina had a bigger one though.

She had immediately wanted to know who she could gossip about it to. Asshole. Katsuki pointed her Uraraka’s way.

They had wanted to bombard Shinsou, but Katsuki was keeping him all to himself for a few days.

Which was exactly what he was doing now, studying together on opposite sides of Katsuki’s bed.

“Oi. Fugly bastard. What did you get for number 13?” Shinsou sighed.

“You know, if you’re gonna call me nicknames, at least make them cute ones.” Katsuki could tell he was just joking so he just grinned.

“Pretty bastard?” He says, raising his brow.

Shinsou smirked. “Sure. That suits me just fine.”

“Alright you pretty ugly bastard, what did you get for 13.” It’s not a question, Katsuki just wants to see his reaction. Which totally lives up to his expectations.

Shinsou sighed dramatically, falling backwards with a hand on his head until he is slipping off the bed.

“You wound me babe.” Katsuki makes a wretching noise at that. ‘Babe?’ Fucking crazy.

“That’s my whole goal.”

“Babe. That really sounds like you’re a sadist. Are you a sadist?”

Choking on his own breath, Katsuki makes a garbled sound at that before his laugh actually comes through.

“I-“ coughing interupts him “am NOT a sadist, you perverted bastard.”

“You know, I thought we already covered this, cute nicknames angel.”

Katsuki cackles at him, he had completely forgotten the point of this conversation and it was honestly an accident but damn. That shit was good.

He couldn’t stop laughing until he had joined Shinsou on the floor too, lying on his side in front of him.

“Speaking of nicknames,” Shinsou starts. “You could… just call me Hitoshi.” He’s looking away, obviously not sure if he should say it. It makes Katsuki slowly stop laughing. He sits up.

“Are you sure?” Shinsou nods. “Okay. Hitoshi it is.”

“So can I call you Katsuki?” Shinsou asks, meeting his eyes again.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.” Katsuki says, bearing his teeth in a grin.

~

Hitoshi was definitely spending his time enjoying his new boyfriend.

He felt good. He’d never had boyfriend before, never really wanted to, but Hitoshi hadn’t known what he was missing out on.

They’d had a couple of movie dates, even going out to the mall on a weekend for shopping one time. The second time they had a movie date, they had both fallen asleep and Hitoshi woke up to Bakugou curled around him. It was adorable and Hitoshi took several photos before falling back asleep (Bakugou only hadn’t woken up because it was 3am and Hitoshi didn’t even want to be awake either)

Bakugou was an amazing cook, and Hitoshi could already feel his body getting healthier from actual consistent meals. He was literally already making his life better. It was insane. Hitoshi could feel himself being happier, and he actually had someone to talk to about shit now.

They did that a lot, talking about stuff that was too personal to talk about to their friends. Hitoshi had learned a lot about Bakugou already, but he knew there was more.

They were still developing their trust for each other. Neither of them were very concerned about speeding things up, they had chosen together to go a bit on the slower side. Hitoshi had really only kissed the boy a little bit more since the first one. Each time Bakugou blushed a ripe pink, which was indescribable to see.

Hitoshi honestly couldn’t believe his luck. Bakugou liked him. Him.

It didn’t make much sense.

It didn’t make much sense at all.

Chapter Text

Hitoshi couldn’t fucking breathe.

He had come to the conclusion that obviously, Bakugou is way too good for him. He just couldn’t handle it, and had started hyperventilating, which turned into him barely inhaling.

He can’t stop thinking about when Bakugou was going to figure out that Hitoshi fucking sucks and he should leave him. Bakugou deserves the best, and Hitoshi doesn’t know if he wants Bakugou to leave him so he can date someone better or if he’s deathly afraid of that possibility. It might be both.

Hitoshi wasn’t shit. He was shit. There was nothing special, or strong, the only fucking reason Hitoshi was even able to hold his own in a fight was because Bakugou had taken the time to teach him.

He shouldn’t have done that. Shouldn’t have needed to do that. Bakugou deserved someone who didn’t need him to hold their hand.

Fuck. Hitoshi really wanted him to hold his hand.

He was such a needy shit. Fuck.

‘Bakugou doesn’t like touchy-ness’ Hitoshi reminded himself. Why should Bakugou need to sacrifice his limits just to comfort me? Me?

He should have someone so much better, and Hitoshi wasn’t better. He was the worst. There was no lower option than him.

Hitoshi startles at the loud knock ringing sharply through the air.

Fuck. FUCK.

He’d forgotten he and Bakugou were supposed to hang out right now. Forgetful ass.

Bakugou’s always so diligent, remembers everything. He shouldn’t have to keep track of it.

“Oi, Eyebags, I can hear you breathing open the door.” Bakugou’s voice sounded almost panicked, but it came through annoyed.

Hitoshi clung onto that annoyance, repeating it sharply in his head until it sounded like anger. Bakugou should be mad at him, he had basically trapped him in a relationship without letting go.

Before he knew it, Bakugou had pushed through the chair blocking Hitoshi’s door and was cupping his face.

How the fuck didn’t he hear him come in he’s supposed to be a hero and heroes have good senses he doesn’t have good senses he shouldn’t be a hero he couldn’t be a hero he couldn’t be a hero

“Oi. Hitoshi, I need you to look at me okay?”

Hitoshi met Bakugou’s gaze with his own tear filled one. It was too much but it was so much quieter than listening to his head.

“I don’t remember that shit you did to me but you can match your breathing to mine okay?” Bakugou was mimicking was Hitoshi had done before, loudly inhaling and exhaling until the other was subconsciously matching him.

Hitoshi was trying to put in effort to match Bakugou, but it was easier just to look at him and listen, letting his body follow the rhythm without thinking about it.

He found himself slowly calming down, but tears were still streaming down his face.

“Hi” he said weakly once his breathing was pretty much back to normal.

“Hey.” Bakugou’s voice was soft and caring. “You okay?”

“Not the best” Hitoshi joked, but it didn’t really land, making him cringe at himself.

“You wanna talk about what that was about or you wanna sit for a sec?” Bakugou asks after a moment.

“..sit. And, um, can you give me a hug pls?” Hitoshi asks. He’s a little scared of the answer and it shows as he’s asking it.

“Of course.” Bakugou says, wrapping his arms around Hitoshi. It’s nice and warm, and it helps distract Hitoshi for the dread he holds for the conversation they're going to have about it.

~

They sit there for a while with Hitoshj clinging onto Bakugou before he feels alright enough to talk. He clears his throat, signaling to Bakugou its okay for them to move again.

They move until they are sitting facing each other. Hitoshi isn’t sure when his breakdown had led to him being on the ground, but they were both sitting on the floor of his room.

“You feeling better?” Bakugou, asks, weary.

“Yeah, better.” Hitoshi answers, not wanting to admit that he still kind of feels like shit and his throat is dry.

“Is it something you wanna talk about?”

“I think I should tell you the basics, even if I don’t want to.” Hitoshi says with a sigh. He knows it’s stupid to think it, but he doesn’t want Bakugou to think he’s crazy or something. “It’s just… I don’t think I’m that much. Like, you deserve more. I don’t do as much for you as you do for me and I’m scared of the day when you figure out I’m not worth as much as you might have thought I was.”

Bakugou stares at him for a moment, processing, before correcting him.

“If you weren’t worth it, or putting in as much as I was giving you, I wouldn’t be dating you. That’s bullshit. I don’t need more and even I did I wouldn’t be able to find someone better than you. You got that Hitoshi or am I gonna have to say it 300 more times?” Bakugou raises his hand to knock against Hitoshi’s head at the last bit.

He can feel himself get warmer, and his cheeks pinker, but he doesn’t care. Hitoshi still had shit to work through, but staring Bakugou in the face, he felt a little silly to have ever doubted it. Bakugou has always said “he doesn’t do shit he doesn’t want to do”

Hopefully Hitoshi can start to fully believe that.