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Viridian City was bustling as always at this time, but Izuku had no issues finding a path through the crowd of people.
It was rare he got a day away from the gym to spend time with his partners, and to go see some friends.
This day was one he had been planning for for months now, ever since he saw the article online about a new restaurant that would be opening today.
But it was who owned this restaurant that made up his mind to go to the grand opening instead of waiting for the crowds to die down.
“We must be getting close. I can feel the burning spices on my nose,” Izuku’s partner said, his sharp eyes narrowed with murderous intent. “Only he would be so bold as to open his first establishment here where I could easily-”
“Mewtwo, that’s enough,” Izuku said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “For all we know, Bakugou could have grown up and changed for the better,” he continued, looking at his exposed arms and all the burn scars that had long since healed over the years. Maybe he should have taken his coat with him?
His partner only sighed. “If he pulls anything then I will crush his brain.”
Maybe bringing Mewtwo with him was not a good idea, but at the same time Izuku didn’t want to risk Bakugou challenging him while he only has his Venusaur with him. Even if Bakugou is still banned from challenging gyms, it might still be considered a loophole because it is Izuku’s day off and-
Izuku took a deep breath, remembering what his therapist said, before stopping in front of the door to find the restaurant had already been vandalized.
Obscene phrases were sprayed on the door, throwing insults at the owner of the restaurant in particular.
“Overheat Treats” was crossed off in a familiar phrase, one that Izuku hasn’t heard in over a decade now. But it still stung as he read the words and started to wonder why people couldn’t be open to the idea that Bakugou was probably trying to make himself into a better person.
“What is the point of this? I do not understand why humans do this sort of thing,” Mewtwo remarked.
Izuku only shook his head as he opened the door for Mewtwo.
Under any other circumstances, a restaurant that had just opened up would attract a huge crowd of people. However, it was so dead that Izuku wondered if it was actually open.
“I swear if you are another vandal then Typhlosion and I will cut you to pieces!” A familiar voice shouted.
It made Izuku smile with nostalgia as he walked over to the bar and sat.
“No, I’m just a regular paying customer.”
He could tell that Bakugou Katsuki had seen better days when he walked out of the kitchen.
His skin was actually pale and it seemed like he hadn’t gotten any sleep in months based on the dark circles under his eyes. But he still carried himself with that same confidence that Izuku remembered admiring years ago.
Something he still admired to this day, even if Bakugou used his strength wrong.
But guilt ate away at Izuku, seeing the state his former friend/bully was in because he knows it was technically his fault.
Had he kept his mouth shut then maybe things would have been better for them both instead of just for Izuku-
He shook his head, remembering what his therapist said.
He shouldn’t blame himself for what Bakugou did, but he is allowed to forgive him when he’s ready.
And he has. He’s already forgiven Bakugou a long time ago, but never had the chance until now.
“What do you want?” Bakugou asked.
Despite knowing what Bakugou was truly asking, Izuku glanced at the menu before looking at Mewtwo. “How about the Liechi Stir Fry, extra spicy, and a Mago Malasada?” He asked. “Also two glasses of Moo Moo Milk Tea.”
Bakugou didn’t say anything as he wrote down the orders.
“It’ll be ready when it’s ready.”
“That’s fine,” Izuku said, not sure on how to broach the topic as Bakugou went back into the kitchen. Though he could tell that Bakugou has definitely mellowed out since the last time he saw him, which was just after All Might read him the riot act.
He looked down at his arms before shaking his head.
All Might banning Bakugou from League Tournaments all across the world and from challenging Gyms, it was a mercy compared to what Izuku’s father would have done if he got his hands on Bakugou.
When Bakugou’s Typhlosion came in with the drinks, Izuku gave him a smile.
“Hey Typhlosion, how have you been?” He asked.
Typhlosion only huffed before giving a small smile as he slid the drinks onto the counter with his snout. Though he did look at Izuku’s arms with a solemn and apologetic gaze.
Bakugou came out soon after, setting a gentle hand on his partner’s head before looking at Izuku once more.
“Here’s your food. Now tell me why you of all people came here.”
The smell of overpowering spices burned his nostrils, but Izuku focused on his former friend and shook his head.
“I like trying new restaurants that open in my city,” he began, stopping when he saw a shocked look on Bakugou’s face. “I thought you knew? I’m Viridian’s Gym Leader now, after I took over the gym from my father,” he explained.
Bakugou didn’t say anything as he moved from around the counter and sat next to Izuku.
“Looks like neither of us got to become Champion.”
Izuku snorted. “I don’t think I was actually that passionate about that dream. I just wanted to be a trainer who helped the most people, and at the time it seemed like the Champion was the best person for the job.”
“Yeah, and I figured being the Champion would prove I was the strongest.”
“According to Uraraka, the Champion deals with the most bureaucracy and paperwork. It’s at the point where she rarely gets to battle for fun, or even leave the Indigo Plateau.”
Bakugou scrunched his nose. “Sounds like a snooze fest. I’m almost grateful All Might gave me that ban.”
Izuku winced, feeling like something stabbed him in the chest.
“If you want, I could put in a petition to lift the ban. It would be difficult, but-”
“Don’t even bother,” Bakugou said, half smiling. “I know none of the other Gym Leaders like me, and I doubt Pink Cheeks is nearly as forgiving as you are. Besides, I think my Pokemon likes cooking better than battling,” he admitted.
“Are you sure?”
Bakugou leaned back and actually smiled. “Yeah, you should have seen it when I was traveling with them. Typhlosion was always looking for spices, even when he was a Cyndaquil. Forretress and Minior knew exactly where the best berries were, and then Golem?” He actually laughed quietly. “Golem kept trying to build ovens with Camerupt instead of training.”
Izuku actually gave a small smile.
“Reminds me of how Malamar and Mimikyu would always play together, back when Malamar was still an Inkay. They would always drag me and Bulbasaur into their games, not to mention Dragonite and his penchant for hugs.”
“Wait, you have a Dragonite?” Bakugou asked.
“I do,” Izuku said, scratching the back of his head. “I actually left him with Mom in Alola when I decided to travel around Kanto and Johto. He’s at the Gym now if you want to see him though. I’m sure he’ll warm up to you.”
“Or you could just bring him here next time.”
Smiling at the invitation, Izuku gave a nod.
“Yeah, I’m sure all of my partners would like this,” he said, noticing how Mewtwo has been silently eating the malasada. But seeing the way his eyes shone, Izuku could tell his closest friend was enjoying himself.
After eating a generous amount, Izuku smiled wide at the flavor that burned itself into his tongue.
“Kacchan, this is really good!”
He froze when he realized he slipped back into using that nickname.
But Bakugou didn’t comment on it, only snorting.
“You really haven’t changed at all, Deku. Let me know if you want anything else.”
Izuku nodded, realizing that this was the first time in years that he has heard the name “Deku.”
Even Uraraka had quit calling him that after she learned the true nature of his and Bakugou’s relationship. It was like the name had died along with Bakugou’s chances of ever competing in tournaments.
After finishing the food, he looked down at his empty plate and glass. Contemplating in silence before finally coming to a decision.
While Bakugou may not want to have the ban lifted, there were other things Izuku could do to make it up to him.
When his former friend walked back out with the bill after Izuku added some items to take to go for his Pokemon, Izuku gave a smile.
“Do you want me to help you clean off the graffiti from up front?” He asked.
Bakugou’s face darkened slightly and he opened his mouth, before stopping and quietly counting to ten.
“Yeah, sure. Do whatever.”
Izuku nodded with a smile.
“I’ll come back with Kingdra, Dragonite, and anyone else who is willing to help.”
“That works. I’ll see you later then.”
After leaving a generous tip, Izuku waved goodbye to Bakugou before stepping out.
Even if they may never go back to how their relationship was before, Izuku found that maybe they would have something more stable.
After stepping outside, he noticed a pair of hooligans adding more graffiti to Bakugou’s restaurant.
Not even hesitating, he gave a wide grin that would make even his old mentor shudder with fear.
“Mewtwo? Perhaps we should teach these kids a lesson about respect.”
Mewtwo stepped forward, tail swishing aggressively as he glared down at the hooligans. “It would be my pleasure.”
After that day, no one bothered defacing Overheat Treats ever again.