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‘We did well today, Bakugou.’
Katsuki’s heart sped up at the compliment and he hunched his shoulders to cover his reddening ears.
‘Whatever.’
They’d just finished yet another gruelling training session, courtesy of Aizawa, but it was no skin off Katsuki’s back. After all, it wasn’t often he had to actually work for his victory; he welcomed the challenge of fighting against strong opponents, and there weren’t many people stronger than Half n Half.
They’d always been a good match up, ever since their first sports festival, and now that they were in their third year, their chemistry was all the more obvious, especially now that Half n Half’s firepower was on par with his cringey old man’s.
Katsuki flexed his fingers, covered in new blisters. It hurt like a bitch, but it was worth it. He remembered the wall of flames he'd barely dodged in time and felt a rush of pleasure course through him.
‘Hey, Todoroki-kun! Kacchan! I saw your fight earlier! You were both amazing!’
Katsuki grit his teeth together. Of course, stupid Dek- Izuku had to go and ruin everything with his presence.
‘You think I don’t already know that, hah?!’ He spat, glaring at Izuku, who flinched out of instinct. ‘Tsk.’
‘Thank you, Midoriya.’ Half n Half completely ignored his outburst and turned to look at Izuku, his eyes soft. ‘I saw your fight too. Your dual control is incredible. I’ll have to work even harder to catch up.’
'I look forward to seeing that!' Izuku smiled brightly, which just made Katsuki even more angry. 'Spar with me later?'
'Sure.'
There it was: a smile. It was small, brief, but Katsuki still caught it out of the corner of his eye.
'What? Am I not good enough for you, Half n Half?' He shouted, setting off explosions from his palms, despite the stinging pain.
'Oh. Do you want to join us, Bakugou?' Todoroki responded simply. The lack of hesitation threw Katsuki off and he narrowed his eyes.
'Pffft. Like I want to hang out with you extras.' He grumbled, quickening his stride to leave the pair as he made his way to the dorms. 'Training with De- Izuku and Half n Half? What a joke, tsk.'
When he made it back to his room, he slammed his door shut with more force than necessary, then leant against it. He rubbed his face with his palms and groaned.
This feeling...
Being around Half n Half—just the two of them—it felt… good. He was a quiet presence at his side and Katsuki liked that. They didn't always need to make conversation, they were fine just as they were, but the quiet often left time for thinking.
Katsuki had imagined so many scenarios where they'd one day break the silence to talk about the giant-ass elephant in the room: their repressed feelings for each other.
After all, it didn't make sense.
Katsuki was a strong person, his power was to be envied and he was an absolute fucking delight to be around, thank you very much. Todoroki was the same. His quirk was incredible and his analytical mind was impressive. It made sense that they should combine their powers and become partners, but Half n Half had never bothered to ask him.
It wasn't like Katsuki expected they'd have children or anything. He'd known for a while that he was gay and that was fine; Half n Half was about as straight as the cold soba he loved so much. That just meant they were even more compatible.
It also helped that Todoroki was built like a fucking god. There was a reason the extras called him the "handsomest boy in class A". His almost chimeric appearance just made him even more entrancing to look at, and the juxtaposition of rough and soft features was beautiful. Sure, the scar turned off some people, but Katsuki liked his men rough around the edges. It showed power.
Katsuki wasn't deluded enough to think that he was hotter than Todoroki, but he liked to think he was also good-looking. So, why hadn't the Half n Half bastard asked him out already?
He sighed. Patience wasn't his strongest suit and Todoroki had kept him waiting for nearly three years now.
'I guess I'll have to fucking do it myself.'
Katsuki took a deep breath and knocked.
He'd waited until after dinner to approach his crush, knowing Todoroki was probably in his room studying. If he was going to do this, he was going to do it away from prying eyes.
It wasn't like Katsuki expected to be rejected. He knew that Half n Half returned his feelings—even though the bastard insisted on calling them "friends" at any given moment—he just hated nosy fuckers getting all up in his business.
The door opened half way.
'Bakugou.'
He looked up to find Todoroki staring at him expectantly. His face was flushed ever so slightly and his lips stood out, red and swollen. Even his hair was messy; the strands stuck out at odd angles and his parting was hardly visible.
To put it simply, he looked wrecked... and gorgeous. It made Katsuki angry that he wasn't the one responsible for such a debauched look.
'The fuck's wrong with you?' He wasn't an idiot—he'd seen enough porn to have his suspicions—but part of him hoped that Half n Half would prove him wrong, for once. Maybe it's just some fling... or a hard-core wanking session? 'You look like shit.'
'I was doing an ab workout. It helps me sleep.' Todoroki replied, tone even, betraying nothing. 'And I chew my lip sometimes out of habit, not that it's any of your business. Anyway, what do you want? I'm in the middle of something.'
Just do it. Tell him.
Katsuki stared into dichromatic eyes. He wasn't a fucking coward—he didn't have anything to be afraid of—so why couldn't he get his mouth to move?
'I… came here to tell you…'
Good start, now he just had to finish the damn sentence. It shouldn't be so difficult, yet Katsuki's jaw tensed and he faltered under that intense gaze.
'To tell you... to stop fucking slacking!' Good job, shithead. 'I had to wash your dirty dishes because you'd buggered off to your room before doing them!'
Those beautiful eyes blinked dumbly.
'But… you were on washing up duty today.' Todoroki raised an eyebrow and a blush spread across Katsuki's cheeks.
'Yeah, well… fuck you! I'm sick of cleaning up after your ass!' He yelled, turning on his heel and storming down the corridor. Frustration bubbled inside him at his own inadequacy. 'Stupid Half n Half.'
'Bye, Bakugou.' His crush called out before shutting his door.
Fucking idiot.
'Ah! Sho… Shoto, not here. Anyone could walk in- mph!'
Izuku's words were swallowed by an eager kiss as his boyfriend moaned into his mouth. It was past curfew and they were supposed to be in their rooms, yet Shoto had insisted on meeting him in the common room, before attacking him in the most delicious way possible.
Izuku pulled back then and admired his boyfriend, laid underneath him on the sofa. Red and white hair splayed out around him, messy and perfect, like the dichromatic eyes that gazed up at him with so much affection; Izuku felt himself fall in love all over again.
'We're supposed to be keeping this a secret until graduation.' He lightly chastised when Shoto tried to bring him down for another kiss. He held back just enough to rub their noses together. 'What if someone finds us?'
'At this point, let them.' His boyfriend replied simply, a dopey smile on his face that only Izuku was privy to. A warm hand then came up to tuck a stray curl behind his ear, while a thumb stroked along his freckled cheek. 'I'm tired of hiding. I just want you, Izuku.'
'You already have me.' He sighed affectionately and leant into the touch, finally relenting.
The moment Izuku closed the distance between them, Shoto's arms wrapped around his broad shoulders and the feel of hot lips surrounded him. It was addicting, having Shoto trapped under him, moaning from all the little things Izuku did, like the way he fisted silky hair and pulled; the way his crooked fingers traced the line of his jaw as he took his bottom lip between his teeth.
It was heated. Shoto's quirk was already starting to come to life with his excitement. Izuku smirked at the knowledge, relishing the dirty noises that accompanied their wet, bruising kisses. They clung desperately to each other, wanting everything and more as Izuku made his way down to mouth at his partner’s collarbone-
Then the light switched on.
'Eep!' He squeaked, pulling away and sitting up as his eyes adjusted to the blinding glow. However, when he saw who was responsible for the interruption, he felt the blood drain from his face and dropped back down, frantically trying to cover Shoto's body with his own. 'K- Kacchan?!'
Crimson eyes narrowed and his bared teeth clenched together, like they did before a fight, except there was no leering smile to accompany them, just pure loathing. Izuku had no doubt whom that hostility was directed towards, yet the blonde didn't say anything.
He just glared.
Izuku felt his heart thud against his ribcage with panic. 'It's… We're not- it's not what it looks like!'
Shoto immediately noticed his anxiety and chuckled quietly; reassuring him that it was okay.
'It's exactly what it looks like.' He refuted, staring up at him. When Izuku met his gaze, questioning, a puff of steam passed his boyfriend's lips, before he surged forward and latched onto Izuku's neck, all teeth and tongue.
Izuku gasped despite himself. Shoto's mouth was so hot against him, inevitably leaving marks as his skin was licked and bitten. He felt his body relax under the touch, trusting the safety of his partner, despite the situation.
'Sh- Shoto, stop.' He stuttered out nevertheless, taking note of the murderous rage on their onlooker's face. 'K- Kacchan's still w- watching.'
'I don't care.' Shoto finally pulled his eyes away from Izuku to glance at Kacchan dismissively. 'Let him. I love you, Izuku. You're all that matters to me right now.'
His boyfriend slid his hands under Izuku's shirt, dragging his nails across his muscular back. He gasped softly at the contrasting temperatures, which preceded the sound of heavy footsteps storming back upstairs.
As much as Izuku wanted to return the favour—rip open Shoto's own shirt and attack his sensitive chest—he reluctantly pulled away. Guilt filled his mind and he sighed, pulling his lips into a thin line.
'That was mean, Sho.' He furrowed his eyebrows with concern. 'For Kacchan to run off instead of biting our heads off… he must be really upset.'
'Why would he be upset?' Shoto frowned, genuine confusion written upon his face. 'I was just telling the truth.'
'I guess, but…' Something about it felt weird, but Izuku couldn't quite put his finger on it. 'What if he tells everyone?'
'You're thinking too hard again.' Shoto soothed the lines of worry that creased his forehead. 'I told you, I don't care if they find out. Do you?'
'Well, I- no, I don't mind people knowing, but Kacchan… I don't want him to hate me again for keeping him in the dark.'
'He doesn't hate you, he's threatened by you.' His boyfriend countered, almost thoughtful. 'And he isn't entitled to know all your secrets, that's for sure.'
Izuku bit his lip. He knew Shoto was right. His secrets were his own and, especially with their past, he owed Kacchan nothing. Logic didn't matter though. It didn't stop the cruel grip that had followed Izuku everywhere since they were kids from squeezing, lodging guilt in his mind that he knew was irrational.
'It's difficult to remember that sometimes.' Izuku admitted softly.
'That's why I'll always be here to remind you that it's always your choice.' Shoto cupped his cheek. 'And if you're worried he'll tell everyone, why don't we take back control of the situation?'
He looked so determined when he said it—it countered his blotchy cheeks and raw lips in a way that had Izuku smiling fondly.
'What're you thinking?'
Shoto said nothing, but when Izuku was pulled down for another sickeningly sweet kiss, he understood.
Katsuki just wanted a glass of water, dammit, yet there he was: stood in the doorway of the common room, watching as his crush sucked face with Deku. It was disgusting. Their hands were everywhere, they were making disgusting noises, the air was humid, but what was worse was that Half n Half's lips were marking weak, freckled skin instead of Katsuki's.
The fuckers had no shame, but they couldn't force him to watch this torture, so, for once in his life, Katsuki turned on his heel and ran.
When he returned to his room, he slammed the door, loud enough to wake his neighbours, while tears gathered in his eyes. He threw himself onto his bed, burying his face into his pillow. He hated crying—it made him feel so fucking gross—yet the material dampened with each shaky breath.
'Fucking idiot!' Katsuki shouted, voice muffled by the pillow. 'What the fuck does he see in him? Stupid fucking Half n Half! It should be me-'
Katsuki woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing ferociously.
'Damn fuckers, it's Sunday.' He grumbled, turning over in bed and grabbing the device from his bedside table.
He'd only just managed to fall back to sleep and they had to go and wake him up like the inconsiderate bastards they were. Oh well, at least they'd interrupted his recollection of last night.
Stupid fucking subconscious!
He rubbed his crusty eyes and sniffed, his nose still congested from last night. Growling at the blinding light, Katsuki then opened his phone and found the group chat going mental.
Ignoring the growing influx, he looked at the first message and paled.
Problem Children of UA
[08:47]: Alien Queen sent a photo.
Glaring at him in the darkness of the room was a photo of Deku and Half n Half, snuggling on the same sofa Katsuki had caught them on last night. Todoroki was missing his shirt, which had been thrown over the backrest, and Izuku was nuzzling against his bare chest. Dark purple marks covered his neck from where an eager mouth had attacked him, while Half n Half also had similar marks painting his torso.
They looked happy; domestic.
Katsuki wanted to throw up with jealousy.
Alien Queen [08:47]: Look who I found getting cosy in the common room this morning
Pluck my G string [08:47]: it's about fucking time
Uwuwaka [08:47]: 👀👀
Froppy [08:48]: Congratulations kero!
That Lemur is being sexualised [08:48]: Yes, congratulations, both of you!
That Lemur is being sexualised [08:48]: Have they been there all night?
Alien Queen [08:48]: They won't tell me >:(
Fried Calamari [08:48]: man, Todoroki looks fuuuucked! Plus Ultra amiright? *wiggles eyebrows* 😏
Uwuwaka [08:48]: Smaaaaaaaash!
Gotta go Fast [08:49]: Ashido-san, it is unbecoming of a hero student to take pictures of her classmates without their consent!
Alien Queen [08:49]: Bite me
Dr 5 Pee Pee Man M.D [08:49]: I give my consent
Fried Calamari [08:49]: oooooooooo
Pluck my G string [08:49]: 👏👏👏
Baby Shark [08:49]: @He Need Some Milk it is so manly to kiss your homie good night and embrace him softly ✊😫
Uwuwaka [08:50]: Asdfghjkl
Katsuki yelled and threw his phone, before he tore the covers away and shrugged on his workout gear.
It was time to hit something.
When Katsuki returned from the gym, his muscles were sore and his sweaty shirt was plastered to him.
All he wanted was to get in the shower and wash off the cold chill that prickled his skin. However, he was quickly interrupted by his classmates, most of whom had filled the common room for breakfast. They all chatted excitedly in groups—Katsuki didn't have to be a detective to know what their topic of conversation was.
'Hey, Bakubro. Back from a morning workout? That's so manly, dude!' Kirishima appeared at his side and slapped him on the back. His presence was a nice change from the nauseating feelings that had consumed him since last night...
Until his friend seemed to notice his demeanour. 'You okay? Something's wrong.'
'M'fine.' He mumbled. 'Can't be arsed with these extras running their shitty mouths.'
'Hey! What's your problem, man?' Kaminari called from one of the sofas. 'Lighten up.'
'Fuck you.'
Dunce Face looked like he was about to retaliate, but stopped when something caught his eye. In fact, everyone in the room turned their heads in the direction of the common room entrance. Raising an eyebrow, Katsuki begrudgingly did the same, wondering what could've possibly drawn Kaminari's attention away from him.
He wished he hadn't.
When his eyes landed on the reasons for his foul mood, stood in the doorway in fresh clothes and holding hands, his lips pulled into a sneer.
They must've gotten changed while he'd been finishing his workout, because Dek- Izuku was wearing a familiar black turtleneck. The sleeves were long enough to cover his hands, but the material was stretched harshly across his broad chest. Meanwhile, Todoroki donned a white shirt with "Tシャツ" written across the front, albeit it was slightly too short for him and revealed a slither of skin along his hips, where a fresh hickey stared at Katsuki mockingly.
'We're here to confirm what you're all thinking.' Todoroki addressed the common room, his expression as calm as usual. At his side, Deku was bright red. 'Izuku and I are in a relationship. We have been for over a year now.'
'We're sorry for keeping it a secret for so long, we were going to tell you after graduation, but after this- er... morning, we figured there was no point trying to hide it anymore.' Izuku added and bowed dramatically. 'Please forgive us.'
As expected, the room broke out into chaos. Some people were shouting questions at the two of them, while others cheered and congratulated them. However, for once, Katsuki was silent among the noise. Instead, he glared—specifically at Izuku.
It didn't take long for the aforementioned to notice. Verdant eyes locked onto his own, before they widened significantly and quickly looked away. By his side, Todoroki noticed the abrupt movement and turned his attention to Katsuki. He noticed the latter's malicious gaze and raised a crimson eyebrow, as if daring him to speak.
'Tsk.' Katsuki grit his teeth and looked away. 'Fucking flaunting it in my face.'
'Why so moody?' Ashido was suddenly at his side. She threw an arm around him, which he quickly batted away. 'I thought you'd be happy for them?'
'Why the actual flying fuck would you think that?' He practically snarled back.
Ashido raised her hands in mock surrender, while Kaminari snorted.
'Really, Ashido? Of course he's gonna be raging.' Finally, some sense- 'I mean, it's obvious that Kacchan's been thirsting over Midoriya since first year.'
Katsuki's eye twitched.
'Enemies to lovers, slow burn, 150K words, only for the pining to be one-sided. No wonder he's pissed off.' Sero grinned.
'Oh, that makes sense!' Ashido gasped, much to Katsuki's horror. 'The lingering looks, always talking about him, wanting his attention. You love Midori-kun! How did I not notice sooner-'
'I don't fucking love Deku!' He roared.
The rest of the room fell silent, but he didn't care. He needed them to know just how wrong they were. He didn't love Izuku—he barely even liked him. It was ridiculous.
'Then why can't you be happy for them, dude?' Kirishima murmured next to him, eyebrows furrowed with confusion as he tilted his head to the side.
Katsuki should brush him off. He should go back to his room, shower and grumble to himself in peace. He didn't owe anyone an explanation, yet his anger bubbled ferociously, begging for liberation.
'Because Half n Half deserves fucking better than Deku!' He spat out, looking up at Izuku. He noticed the hurt on his rival's face and felt sick satisfaction in his stomach. What was wrong with him? 'He should be with someone strong, who doesn't cry over everything. He deserves only the best, not some ugly fucker who hurts himself all the time!'
'Bro, that's not cool-'
'It's the truth!' Katsuki brushed off Dunce Face, watching Izuku for a reaction. Verdant eyes hardened, but no tears fell; he was probably putting on a brave face. 'Todoroki needs someone he can depend on, an equal! He needs someone like… like...'
'Like you?'
'Yes! Like me! I…' Katsuki paused, eyes widening when he realised who'd spoken.
Half n Half's left hand curled into a fist at his side—scarlet flames licked his skin. His face looked murderous, eyes wide with rage and teeth bared. There weren't many times in his life where Katsuki felt truly scared, yet at that moment, his pulse drummed in his ears and adrenaline coursed through his body, preparing for a fight.
'Shoto, it's fine.' Izuku stroked his partner's right arm, brushing off stray icicles. He looked upset, despite how much he stubbornly tried to hide it. 'He's just being Kacchan, ignore him. Please.'
'No, Izuku.' Todoroki spoke firmly and took a step forward. 'I'm tired of his attitude problem.'
Katsuki narrowed his eyes, looking him up and down.
Todoroki was indifferent to his intimidation tactics as he came to a stop in front of him. 'Not only is Izuku stronger than all of us, but he's the kindest person here. In fact, he's too kind. He won't tell you to fuck off, but I will, because you're talking shit about the person I love.'
'Shoto…'
Todoroki briefly turned to regard Izuku, his expression softened when he noticed a stray tear stain a freckled cheek. They shared a look that only intensified Katsuki's jealousy, before dichromatic eyes returned to him, hardened once more.
'He's my best friend, my hero, my partner.' Passion laced Todoroki's usually monotone voice. 'He's the most important person in my life. There's no one else who can even compare and yet you think I deserve better? You think I deserve someone like you? You know nothing, Bakugou.'
Each word shattered Katsuki's heart again and again. His skin felt on fire, his throat closed up and his head pulsed. Regret felt all encompassing, but he couldn't back down. Whether it was fuelled by anger or not, he'd said what he said. He had to face the consequences.
Todoroki sighed, waiting for a response, but when Katsuki remained frozen, not trusting himself to speak, the former shook his head and turned around.
He called over his shoulder, 'I thought we were friends, but maybe I was wrong. Friends don't act like this. You're just like my old man, thinking you know what's best for me. You say you're trying to change, but you still treat Izuku like shit. I'm done.'
Todoroki reached Deku and wrapped him in a hug. Crooked hands clutched him tightly as he leant his head against an icy shoulder.
'We'll be upstairs if anyone needs us.' Izuku told the others, voice hoarse with emotion. 'Thank you again for all your kind words.'
Before anyone could respond, the pair then turned and made their exit.
The moment they were out of sight, the entire class turned their attention towards Katsuki, hounding him with criticism that he honestly didn't give a shit about. He knew he'd fucked up. He didn't need those extras beating it into him.
Drowning out the voices around him, he stared at the empty space where Todoroki had been and frowned. It was only when a firm hand landed on his shoulder that Katsuki turned away to find Kirishima looking at him strangely.
'Want to come to my room and talk about it?'
He studied his friend's face, searching for anger and disgust. Instead, he found a slight frown and curious eyes. The redhead wasn't going to let him off the hook, that much was obvious, but he didn't hate him; that was enough.
Katsuki was reminded of why Kirishima was his best friend.
He nodded with a vulgar sniff.
'Yeah.'
'How could he?!'
Izuku squeezed his eyes shut in response and tightened his arms around his partner, who was laid on top of him on the futon.
'It's just Kacchan being Kacchan. He doesn't mean it.'
'It doesn't matter if he meant it, he said it.' Shoto pressed his scarred cheek further against his chest, finding comfort in his embrace. Wet patches dampened Izuku's shirt and harsh, deliberate breaths filled the room.
Shoto then looked up, rested his chin on Izuku's sternum and shook his head softly. 'How can you be so calm when he said all that?'
'I wasn't calm.' Izuku countered, trying to dodge the question. 'You made me cry when you defended me.'
'Exactly.' Shoto wasn't going to fall for the distraction. 'You were fine until then. It's like you were resigned to it—like you didn't expect me to disagree. Why? Why do you let him talk about you like that, I don't understand?'
Dichromatic eyes bored into his, begging for answers.
Izuku bit his lip and sighed.
'Because I've had the same thoughts before.' He admitted quietly. When Shoto appeared even more befuddled, he shrugged. 'When we first got together, I doubted myself so much—I didn't think I deserved you, because Kacchan's right. I am plain-looking, I do hurt myself, I do cry more than I should. I've heard it all before-'
'Izuku, that's not-'
'It's okay though, Shoto-kun.' He smiled awkwardly and reached out to gently stroke his partner's cheek. 'I'm not the same person I was back then. I got stronger because I didn't want to hurt the ones I love. I made peace with the fact that I cry more often than some people, because you're right, even heroes cry when they need to; crying doesn't make me weak.'
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck as he formulated his next words. 'And as for how I look? It doesn't matter what the world thinks, because the only person whose opinion matters in that regard is you. You call me beautiful and I feel it, because if you say it, then it must be true…'
'It is.'
Izuku hummed affectionately at that.
'Not as beautiful as you.' He replied easily.
'Changing the subject.' Shoto rolled his eyes, but Izuku still took notice of the way his features softened ever so slightly.
'Fine... I'm not affected by what Kacchan said because I know he's wrong.' Izuku leant forwards to rest his forehead against Shoto's. 'No matter what he says, it won't change the fact that we love each other. Kacchan is just acting out because he wants what I have, which I don't blame him for. Clearly, he's liked you for a while to feel so strongly about this.'
'Maybe if he cared about me, he wouldn't act like the man who tried to control me.' Shoto spoke, bitterly. 'If he cared, he wouldn't insult the people I love.'
'We both know Kacchan's a little different when it comes to showing that he cares.' Izuku tried to defend, despite the voice in his head telling him that he's too forgiving. 'It's true, he was out of line, but I think he knows that. Maybe he already regrets what he said.'
Shoto hummed at that, expression dubious, before he lowered his head and buried his face in the crook of Izuku's neck.
'You're too good.' He mumbled, breath fanning his skin. After a moment, his body then stiffened, a telltale sign that he was contemplating his next words. Izuku rubbed soothing circles across his back, waiting patiently.
A minute passed before he spoke again. 'If he wants to talk tomorrow, I'll hear him out, but not today. Today, I want to be with you.'
Izuku smiled and pressed a kiss to his partner's temple.
'I'm all yours. I love you.'
Katsuki leant against the wall of the alcove, looking from blue trainers to the perfect tie and straight blazer, then to the wall—anywhere but Todoroki's face.
'You wanted to talk?'
Despite himself, Katsuki looked up to find a raised silver eyebrow and an unimpressed expression. Even like that, he couldn't help but admire how beautiful he was and the sheer power he radiated.
He felt incredibly small under that gaze.
'I did.' Katsuki huffed, an act of defence to lessen just how vulnerable he felt. Emotional conversations were dumb. 'I wanted to say… sorry, for how I acted yesterday. I know how shitty your old man used to be and I don't want to be anything like him. Even All Might used to compare the two of us and I hated it, so I guess it hurt when you said the same yesterday.'
'I'm not going to apologise for what I said.' Todoroki interrupted, crossing his arms over his chest.
'Then don't.' Katsuki grumbled. 'I'm the one saying sorry, not you.'
He took a deep breath. No point holding back. 'You mean a lot to me. I thought that we could be together, at the top of the hero charts. I thought there was a reason we were always put together. I thought… I thought you were just too awkward to ask me out.'
When Todoroki snorted, Katsuki smiled without mirth. He could take it. 'That's why I reacted the way I did, because it hurt. It hurts so fucking much but there's nothing I can do about it. You've made your choice and I have to live with that... You deserve to be happy.'
He trailed off then, unsure of how to continue. He wanted to ask if Todoroki still wanted to be friends, but he was afraid of the answer; both resulted in more pain.
He didn't have to contemplate for long.
'You know, it's interesting.' Todoroki looked off to the side, expression careful. 'It's interesting that you chose to only speak to me when I'm not the one you should be apologising to.'
'What?' Katsuki asked, incredulously. 'I needed to explain, I needed to-'
'That's the thing, Bakugou.' Todoroki pinched his brow and sighed. 'It's always about you, isn't it? It's all excuses to justify your actions. If you were really sorry, you'd apologise to Izuku, because it's not me you insulted yesterday.'
Katsuki blinked, processing his words.
Fuck.
Todoroki seemed to notice when the realisation hit him. 'It didn't even occur to you, did it?'
Katsuki said nothing. While the old him would kick and scream that Deku deserved nothing from him, the new him felt enough guilt to realise that he'd fucked up. He was so focused on justifying himself that he completely forgot the person who'd suffered the brunt of his anger...
The same person who had always seemed to suffer from that.
Todoroki stepped out of the alcove, pulling Katsuki from his thoughts as he turned his back to him. 'My old man has been changing his behaviour and trying to make amends. In that regard, I think maybe you should follow in his footsteps, then there might be a day where I can call you my friend again.'
Silence; Katsuki didn't trust his voice.
Todoroki turned his head. 'Are we done here?'
Katsuki nodded, not wanting to bite back for once, and watched as his crush made his way down the corridor towards class. Once he was out of sight, he sighed and slid down the wall, elbows resting on bent knees as he pressed his palms against his eyes.
Several minutes passed where Katsuki replayed the conversation in his head and groaned to himself. He'd criticised Izuku so much, yet he never stopped to think about his own flaws—he didn't want to. He couldn't run from them now though, Todoroki had made that abundantly clear.
A shuffling noise suddenly sounded.
Katsuki growled at the intrusion, not bothering to look up. Couldn't he mope in peace, for fuck's sake?
'Fuck off.'
The individual said nothing, unperturbed by the outburst, but then footsteps sounded and suddenly they sat down next to him. Scowling, Katsuki turned, a vicious remark ready on his lips, but fell short when he found Kirishima leaning against the wall, eyes closed and breathing softly. His friend said nothing, but when their knees brushed and their shoulders bumped together, Katsuki understood the sentiment.
His bottom lip jutted out as his anger dissolved into something else, and tears began to fall from his eyes. 'I fucked up. I fucked up so bad.'
'It'll be okay, man.' Kirishima offered a comforting arm and he quickly forwent his volatile persona to accept it. 'We all fuck up—what's important is you learn from it.'
Katsuki hummed as he rested his head against his friend's surprisingly soft shoulder. The touch was comforting.
He had a lot to think about.