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When Midoriya Izuku and Bakugou Katsuki are four, they make a pact in the woods.
When Midoriya Izuku and Bakugou Katsuki are sixteen, they come to a compromise.
When Midoriya Izuku and Bakugou Katsuki are eighteen, they agree to tell the truth.
Graduation was long.
What was hoped to be a quick come-and-go ceremony turned into a three hour fiasco of speeches, awards, teary tributes, and a bunch of unnecessary shit. Nedzu opened the ceremony by commending the class for everything they endured during their three years, and everything meant everything . Kamanari stayed awake for maybe the first three minutes before slumping over onto Sero’s shoulder. Even Iida was struggling to stay focused: his eyes kept drifting over to Yaoyorozu who was quietly reciting her speech she would give as top of the class, and he quickly followed suit, pulling out his index cards and reviewing as well.
After that, a slide-show - created by Ashido, Hagakure, and Uraraka - played that showed every student as a baby, child, and teenager matched with cringy music about growing up and becoming a hero. Midoriya and Kirishima cried, of course, and Bakugou almost blew the screen to bits when he saw someone had turned in pictures for him.
Yaoyorozu and Iida took to the stage to give their speeches. Iida went first, and everyone was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly it flowed; he didn’t even chop the air. It focused on the challenges they faced and how they not only brought everyone closer together like a family, but how they pushed them to become the best heroes. He ended it with a quote from Aizawa himself: “We look a little farther ahead than everyone else.” Yaoyorozu stepped up to the podium after and held herself with the newfound confidence she had gained over the years. Her speech was like poetry, retelling the events of not only the class but her personal life. She spoke of hardships and privileges, successes and losses, memories and sacrifices, and how it all was worth it to still be standing strong today. Again, Midoriya and Kirishima cried but so did the rest of the class. They both bowed together before returning to their seats, receiving high-fives and cheers from their peers.
When Aizawa moved onto the stage, the crowd was silent. All of the kids were leaning forward in their seats, expecting him to say something profound. After all, this is the man who sacrificed his life for them with no hesitation, who picked them up off of their asses when they were knocked down, who encouraged them to never give up - never surrender. This was pro-hero Eraserhead. He cleared his throat, and everybody held their breath.
“Good work, Class A. Plus Ultra,” Aizawa spoke softly into the microphone and gave his kids a rare smile.
They went berserk, sobbing and grabbing onto each other. Someone started chanting ‘Plus Ultra’, and it was picked up pretty quickly. Aizawa let them have their moment, looking over each one of his personal headaches and appreciating that they all were here to experience their graduation. After about thirty seconds, he cleared his throat into the microphone again, and his class obediently quieted down.
“Let’s begin,” he said.
Nedzu joined him on the stage and stood next to the table that held their diplomas. As each student rose and walked onto the stage, the crowd full of families and loved ones cheered.
Were they supposed to wait until the end and cheer for everyone as a whole? Yes.
Did anyone follow that rule? No.
But, did anybody care? Also no.
That’s partially what took up so much time. Each kid bowed and shook Aizawa’s hand before moving on to Nedzu where they froze mid-passing of the diploma to pose for Kayama who was playing photographer, then bowed and shook Nedzu’s hand before exiting the stage to applause. Aizawa would wait until the crowd was quiet enough, and for the previous student to return to their seat, so that they could hear his next announcement, and the uproar would begin again. Everybody, for the most part, behaved… with exceptions. Kaminari wore his Heelys and skated across the stage. Sero threw up the peace sign for his photo with Nedzu. Uraraka almost floated Aizawa, too nervous to remember to keep her pinky finger lifted. All in all, it went about as smoothly as everyone expected.
But, no matter how long it was, Bakugou really couldn’t find it inside himself to be irritated. He had been all soft smiles and kind words, minus whenever Kaminari almost spilt orange juice all over his freshly-pressed suit, and it was intensely worrying his friends. Kirishima had asked him about a billion times if he felt okay, and he’d just respond with a smile sweet enough to crinkle at his eyes, and “I feel great, Ei.” To be frank, Kirishima almost passed out on the spot, but he persevered. Bakugou just felt relief. He was going to be able to treat Midoriya normally, drop the asshole act, and honestly, he was just happy to be surrounded by the people he loved.
Kirishima - always to his right - had his hand on his knee for the entire ceremony, squeezing it in excitement every now and then. Kamanari and Sero were next to Kirishima, but Kamanari was sprawled out in Sero’s lap, so Bakugou’s thigh was tickled by the little static shocks that kept sparking out of his fingertips. Sero’s long ass arm was hanging off of Kirishima’s shoulder and somehow made it to him, his hand shit-talking in morse code on Bakugou’s collarbone. Ashido - to his left - was taking advantage of his good mood and hadn’t let go of his arm since they left the dorms. Bakugou was basking in the attention and soft touches from his best friends. Well, almost all of his best friends.
Midoriya was in front of him, and Bakugou made sure he didn’t forget it. He kicked his chair at least once every couple of minutes, and Todoroki had shot him one sharp look before Midoriya poked him in his side, whispering into his ear and getting a nod in return. Bakugou hooked his foot on the bottom bar and lifted it. Midoriya had to untuck his criss-crossed legs to catch himself from sliding off the chair. He whipped around with a “Kacchan!”, but Bakugou just raised an eyebrow at him, looking back and forth from Midoriya and Todoroki. Midoriya just rolled his eyes at his antics and turned back around, scooting his chair back to where it was and keeping his feet firmly on the ground this time.
Toshinori carefully climbed the steps of the stage, arms full of manila envelopes, and the crowd sobered up once more. Normal ceremonies end after handing out diplomas and a closing statement from the principal, but U.A. graduations are a little different. After the final exams, instead of everyone getting a week off to relax before coming back to graduate, U.A. three years get to choose their top three hero-agencies to work with. Chosen agencies will discuss amongst each other - also known as fight and threaten each other - to decide where the graduates will go. At graduation, the results are publicly announced, and the new heroes are told what agency they will be assigned to for their first years of hero work.
As Toshinori took Aizawa’s place behind the podium, everyone wound arms with those seated next to them, fingers twisted and prayers sent to the sky.
“Let me be the first to congratulate you all on being U.A.’s best and brightest graduating class,” Toshinori’s deep voice was no different than it was all those years ago when he was at his strongest. “I don’t think it is possible for me to be able to properly explain how proud I am of each and every one of you,” his eyes lingered a tad too long on curly, green hair. “You have suffered. You have lost. You have wept. But, you have survived. You have won. You have smiled,” Toshinori gave his biggest grin, and the tears pooling in many eyes spilled over. “Without the aid of this class and their members, the world would not be what it is today. For that, I personally thank each and every one of you for the sacrifices you have made and the youth you have signed away. Your hard work has not gone to waste, and it is now that you are able to reap what you have sowed.”
Toshinori looked over them all once again, before opening the first manila envelope.
“The Mt. Agency - operated by Mt. Lady, the current 23rd ranked pro-her - has accepted one member of Class A. Mt. Lady included a statement as well,” Toshinori unfolded a white piece of paper. “‘Although we have three open seats for incoming amateur-heroes, Mt. Agency has only had our eyes on one since the sports festival.’ Exciting!” Midoriya swallowed down a chuckle at Toshinori’s adlib. “‘We have big plans for this rising star and are excited to see not only their hard work at the agency, but also their dazzling personality.’ Let’s find out who it is, shall we?”
The ex-students in the audience started to drum on their laps as a faux drumroll. Aizawa rolled his eyes at their antics but wasn't surprised one bit. The sound met a crescendo then immediately stopped once Toshinori opened the sealed, official certificate of employment.
“Congratulations to Aoyama Yuga, also known as hero Glimmer, for his acceptance into Mt. Agency!” Toshinori announced, and Aoyama jumped out of his seat with excitement. His dangly, sparkly earrings almost took Uraraka’s eye out when she went to hug him, but she expertly dodged and gave him a big squeeze.
Bakugou nearly got thrown off his seat by Ashido lurching forward and shaking Aoyama’s shoulders back and forth, shouting her congratulations. Aoyama will fit right in with Mt. Lady and learn alot from her exuberant personality and hero-style. They all took their seats again as Toshinori resealed the envelope, handing it to Aizawa who stood next to him, and began to open the next one.
“The Ryukyu Agency - operated by the #10 pro, Dragoon Hero: Ryukyu - is also accepting only one Class A member. Which is not unusual, but it is a nail-biting stresser. The Ryukyu Agency is one of the most sought after, due to the fact that those employed get to work under a top ten hero. I’m wishing you luck,” Toshinori began to open the sealed envelope.
Ashido clutched Bakugou’s arm like a lifeline, and he covered her hand with his own. She didn’t know if any other students also applied for this agency, but she was hoping with everything she had that her name was the one on that paper. Ashido looked up at Bakugou, terrified and excited, and he gave her a cocky grin: “You got this, Liner.”
“Congratulations Ashido Mina, also known as the hero Pinky,” her family cheered loud and proud from the stands. “You have been welcomed into the Ryukyu Agency and will work under the #10 pro-hero!”
The moment the first syllable of her name exited Toshinori’s mouth, Ashido was sobbing into Bakugou’s chest, and all of her friends stomped their feet on the ground, hands flying into the sky and cheers echoing off the gates. The end of Toshinori’s sentence was barely heard, but he basked in the happiness of the kids. Bakugou was clapping her on the back and screaming alongside his classmates in celebration. Ashido had really wanted to work under a strong, female hero. He knew how much this meant to her. She collected herself as best as she could, wiping her tears and fanning herself to cool down.
By the time everyone had gotten themselves under control and took their seats, Toshinori already had the other envelope opened.
“Hm, this is an interesting one!” Toshinori smiled cheekily. “Lead sea-rescue captain and pro-hero, Selkie, has sent in a special request and call-to-action for one Asui Tsuyu, also known as the hero Froppy, to join them on the Oki Mariner. Congratulations on being the youngest ever official crew member, Froppy!”
Tsuyu trilled in excitement, and Uraraka lifted her up, spinning her around while her class cheered for her. After her internship, Tsuyu had expressed she already knew exactly what she wanted to do as a hero and who she wanted to work alongside. The sea was her perfect environment, and she felt in her zone. Tsuyu knew this was the place to be and was thrilled to be chosen as a crewmate of the Oki Mariner, even if it meant the constant cringing she’d be doing at her captain.
Toshinori quickly exchanged manila envelopes with Aizawa but paused once he saw the seal from the agency. He leaned back and showed it to Aizawa, who stared at it for a moment before blinking a tad too long and nodding his head. Toshinori took a deep breath and turned back to face the audience, who peered back at him curiously.
“The next agency is one that isn’t really a shock to anyone,” Toshinori’s statement piqued their interest. “Team Idaten will be accepting one freshly graduated student from Class A.”
Iida’s eyes blew wide, and Midoriya almost snapped his neck turning to look at him.
“I thought you didn’t include Team Idaten on your request form?” Midoriya questioned him in a staged whisper.
“I didn’t!” Iida leaned over and loudly whispered back.
They both quickly returned their gazes to the stage.
“Iida Tenya, also known as the hero Ingenium,” everybody’s eyes slid over to watch Iida, sitting upright and as tense as ever. “You have been welcomed to Team Idaten and will be…,” Toshinori paused, probably for suspense, and looked up from the paper to make eye contact with the former student. “You will be taking your brother’s seat as the head of Team Idaten. Congratulations, young Iida!”
Everyone was dead silent, mouths open, before Midoriya let out the biggest scream of the day and tackled his friend to the ground. Not a single person was left in their seats as they all leaped up and down, celebrating their classmate’s monumental success at not only following in his brother’s footsteps but stepping into his shoes. Uraraka wasted no time in joining the dog pile, and the trio rolled around in pure bliss before Iida regained his wit and scooped his friends up, setting them back on their feet. He quickly fixed his askew glasses, and Midoriya straightened Iida’s tie that had flown out of his gown as Uraraka brushed the grass off of him. Everyone acted as if they didn’t see the tears streaming down Iida’s face, and nobody took their seats again and just looked up at Toshinori so he could continue.
“There is an included statement from Iida Tensei, pro-hero Ingenium, but I’ve elected to allow his junior to read it privately,” Iida and Toshinori shared a nod, and Toshinori resumed with his broadcasting.
However, again, he stopped and looked back to Aizawa. Their, now previous, homeroom teacher stepped up next to Toshinori, and looked down at the manila folder. In a creepily synchronized way, they both cocked their heads in confusion.
“Just open it,” Aizawa’s voice was caught by the mic, and he stepped back before quietly saying something else to Toshinori.
“Sorry for the delay,” Toshinori bumbled and cleared his throat as he opened it. “This approval letter is from…,” and although Toshinori had apologized, he paused again. “Wow, this is monumental!”
Aizawa couldn’t help his curiosity and leaned over Toshinori’s broad shoulder to take a peek at what agency had the mysterious, moon-like seal stamped on the manila folder. His usual inexpressive gaze widened in shock before he quickly masked it and elbowed Toshinori so he would continue. Everyone was practically shoving each other in suspense, and Nedzu was genuinely surprised the student body hadn’t rushed the stage yet.
“This letter is from a brand new agency, created by pro-hero and U.A. teacher, Thirteen. The Final Frontier Agency has been made possible due to one student’s ‘moving and compelling argument for the future success of rescue heroes everywhere’, says Thirteen themself. Congratulations to Uraraka Ochako, hero Uravity and now founding member of The Final Frontier Agency!”
Uraraka was frozen where she stood and had been frozen since Toshinori mentioned Thirteen. Even amongst the chaos of her peers losing their marbles over the fact that Uraraka had convinced Thirteen to create an entire new agency, she stood like a newborn fawn, trembling and wide-eyed. Midoriya was too busy weeping to do anything, and Bakugou couldn’t let her blackout on one of the most important days of her life. He surged forward, wrapping his arms around her middle and raising her up. She let out a squeal that quickly devolved into manic laughter as she was spooked out of her fright. Bakugou set her down to spin her around and face him, gripping her shoulders tight.
“Way to fuckin’ go, Cheeks. You’re making history,” Bakugou’s grin was feral, and she matched it easily.
“I can’t believe they took my suggestion and actually made their own agency,” Uraraka was breathless, like the air was stolen out of her lungs. “I’m really going to be living my dream!”
Her friends stole her back pretty quickly after seeing her break out of her stupor, but Bakugou was happy he could share that moment with Uraraka. They had been close ever since the first sport’s festival, and he found her to be an irreplaceable friend. She reminded him a lot of Midoriya, how he was the first person to ever take her seriously and ignore her soft image to see the strength lying below. Bakugou’s chest just kept feeling lighter and lighter as his friends’ and classmates’ agencies were revealed.
“Finally,” Toshinori’s voice was full of delight, and it brought their attention back to the stage. Iida kept his arm around Uraraka’s shoulders, and Bakugou couldn’t help but punch Midoriya’s arm and dramatically nod his head in their general direction to get him to notice. Midoriya waggled his eyebrows back at Bakugou before turning back around, and Kirishima’s laugh off to his side at the action made Bakugou roll his eyes. “The first agency to accept more than one new hero is the Fat Gum Agency!”
Kirishima whooped, pumping his fist, and Bakugou knocked his head against his friend’s in solidarity. Kirishima had been pretty tight lipped about his top three picks, and it had annoyed Bakugou to no end. Sure, he was being secretive, too, but this is Kirishima. He told Bakugou everything, and the fact that one of the most important decisions of his life is the singular thing he chooses to keep from him… It really kinda bothered him. To see his excitement at the announcement of Fat Gum’s agency, it gave Bakugou some information and helped him breathe a little better, even though that was his top pick for Kirishima anyways.
“The first hero accepted into the Fat Gum Agency is,” Toshinori opened the envelope carefully, pulling at the official seal and pulling the piece of paper out. “Ojiro Mashirao, the hero Tailman! The second,” Toshinori gave them little time to celebrate, arms still around their classmate when they paused and quietened to hear the next result. “Shoji Mezou, also known as the hero Tentacole! And finally,” Midoriya’s brain might have short circuited at the thought of two of their strongest being accepted into the same hero agency. The only person that could make the Fat Gum Agency more of a powerhouse was, “Sato Rikido, hero Sugarman! Congratulations to you three, and may God help whoever goes up against you!” Toshinori spoke everyone’s thoughts out loud.
Shoji, in an out of character act, drew Ojiro and Sato in for a group hug. Neither cared, and they smacked their palms on each other’s backs commendation. Their classmates circled around them as best as they could despite the chairs in their way and hooted like idiots. Before Kirishima could join in on the chaos, Bakugou grabbed his bicep and tugged him so he faced his direction.
“Fat Gum doesn’t know what the fuck he’s missing out on,” Bakugou gripped his arm tight and opened his mouth to continue with his shitty pep talk when he almost bit into Kirishima’s finger that came up to shoosh him.
“They weren’t my top pick,” Kirishima shrugged and gave Bakugou a cheeky grin. “I loved interning there, don’t get me wrong. But, I always had bigger plans for after I graduated.”
Bakugou opened his mouth to ask exactly what the fuck his bigger plans where whenver Toshinori interrupted him by holding the manila folder way too close to the mic. The sound of the top being ripped off echoed through the courtyard, and they all winced at the sharp sound.
“Ah, sorry,” Toshinori’s cheeks grew warm at the embarrassing moment, and Midoriya couldn’t hold back the face palm. “Moving on, the next agency is our #3 ranked pro-hero Best Jeanist’s: the Genius Agency. And, although it belongs to a member of the top ten, they have accepted three of our Class A students!”
Bakugou’s eyes turned into slits as he looked amongst his classmates for the traitors. He had been very publicly pissed about his experience with Best Jeanist, and although he’s older now, the experience still left a bad taste in his mouth. He respected Best Jeanist for wanting to fix Bakugou’s behavior, and it had been difficult to keep the act up in front of the #4 hero. But, Bakugou’s pride and promise signed his dignity away. He still couldn’t look Best Jeanist in the eye, and he swears if one of his friends chose him, knowing he’d have to interact with the pro-hero…
“The first hero welcomed into the Genius Agency is none other than, top of her class, Ms. Yaoyorozu Momo, hero Creati!” Bakugou wasn’t expecting that, but Midoriya’s ramblings in front of him explained it pretty well: a quirk not only great for hero work but ideal for creating an iconic image, sure to be a hit with the media and in need of a seasoned, media-centered pro. “Next, is Jirou Kyoka, also known as the hero Earphone Jack!” Bakugou caught the sly look Todoroki sent Yaoyorozu, and he couldn’t wait to hound Kamanari for what that was all about. “Last. but most certainly not least, Kaminari Denki! Congratulations!”
“What,” Bakugou asked without actually asking, his voice monotone and dead. “Did they just say Sparky’s name or am I finally losing it?”
“You haven’t gone off the rails, yet, Bakugou,” Kirishima grabbed one of his twitching hands and patted it a few times. “He really did you like that.”
Kaminari was blissfully unaware of his impending doom and was busy celebrating with Jirou and Yaoyorozu. They did a triple high five, and Kaminari started doing the robot. He was turning in place and swinging his arm when he finally saw Bakugou and the metaphorical steam blowing out of his ears. Kaminari quickly stopped and stood at attention in front of his friend.
“I would like to start by saying it was Yaoyorozu’s idea, and I completely understand your beef with Best Jeanist. Please don’t kill me for going to the agency where they made your hair look like a LEGO head piece. I really wanted to-,” Kaminari cut himself off with a squeak as Bakugou grabbed his shoulders.
“Congrats, Kami,” Bakugou said after taking a deep breath. “You’ll learn a lot there.”
“Okay,” Kaminari was never one to stay silent for long. “Who the hell are you, and what have you done to our Baku-bro?”
Bakugou let go of Kaminari’s shoulders and straightened his gown, “just because it was a shit experience for me, doesn’t mean it will be for you. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather choke and die than go into that agency ever again, but,” Bakugou gave Kaminari a small smile, clapping him on the shoulders. “I’m proud of you.”
Kaminari promptly burst into tears and suction-cupped himself to Bakugou, arms around his neck and legs around his waist. Bakugou stood there for about three seconds before letting off warning pops from his palms, and Kaminari got off of him just about as fast as he latched on.
“That means so much coming from you,” Kaminari wiped his tears, and Bakugou shrugged awkwardly. “But, seriously, why are you being so nice?”
“I’m not being nice,” Bakugou grumbled and faced the stage once more. “I’m just being me.”
His friends were stunned into silence at his confession, and it took some prodding from Kirishima for them to stop gaping and finally pay attention to where their remaining classmates have been placed.
“The Hawks’ Hero Agency, belonging to our #2 seated pro-hero - Hawks, has approved of three more Class A students. This is the most Hawks has ever accepted into his agency!” Toshinori sounded excited. “Congratulations to Tokoyami Fumikage and Dark Shadow, known as the Jet Black hero: Tsukuyomi!”
Nobody was surprised at that, but they celebrated nonetheless.
“Next, Kouda Koji, the hero Anima!” Toshinori announced, and the ear-piercing screeches of a flock of birds outshined the cheers of Class A. “And to round them up, Hagakure Toru - Invisible Girl!”
Bakugou nodded in agreement and clapped for his classmates. Hawks often works alongside underground heroes, and he can see those three doing well in the underground. Bakugou would have to keep in contact with them. Having someone in the dark feeding you intel gives you a huge advantage on the topside - something he learned quickly when he shadowed Mirko.
Bakugou assumed the next agency would be Endeavor’s, since they had gone through the third and second top heroes, but he was surprised when Aizawa stepped forward to announce the next agency.
“The Purple Revolution Agency, ran by His Purple Highness -.” Aizawa was interrupted by Toshinori. “Eraserhead and Midnight’s previous mentor!” Aizawa hip-checked Toshinori out of the way to continue, “has accepted a singular student. Shinsou Hitoshi, hero Mockingjay - congratulations.”
There was so much to unpack from what happened in the following moments, that Bakugou’s brain almost couldn’t process it. Todoroki spoke quietly to himself about another step towards the truth of Shinsou’s sire; Midoriya was hugging Shinsou and jumping up and down; Shinsou might’ve been crying; and Kaminari was cracking a joke about how Shinsou has purple hair and would be working under His Purple Highness at the Purple Revolution Agency. Pair all of that with the rally of the crowd, and Bakugou was starting to feel the first few pricks of actual anger that came with overstimulation.
He watched as Aizawa returned to his spot behind Toshinori and left the final manila folder on the podium. Bakugou could only see the yellow color, but his heart still skipped a beat at the possibility of what lay within it. Midoriya let Shinsou go and went back to where he was standing in front of Bakugou. Bakugou shrugged off Kirishima’s shoulder and stepped forward to put him in a loose headlock, rubbing his knuckles atop his frizzy hair.
“You ready?” Bakugou asked Midoriya, and it made him straighten up, easily breaking the hold Bakugou had on him, and look at the podium with sharp eyes.
“Think that’s ours?” Midoriya questioned back.
“Wait,” Kirishima and Todoroki spoke at the same time, and Kirishima gestured for the other to speak first.
“You guys applied for the same place?” Todoroki looked back and forth between the two with mixed confusion and curiosity.
“Something like that,” Midoriya answered cryptically, and Bakugou snorted.
He still had his arm around Midoriya’s shoulder and practically held the smaller boy against his chest with how close they stood. Todoroki’s eyes looked like a pinball being smacked from one side of the machine to the other as he studied their stance. Kirishima was doing the same thing in a sneakier manner, but Bakugou could always see right through him.
“Now?” Bakugou pestered Midoriya, hand sneakily skirting across his chest to try and tickle his armpit. Midoriya’s grip tightened like iron and made the bones in Bakugou’s hands creak.
“No, Kacchan,” Midoriya moved Bakugou’s hand to where it had started, up by his collarbone. “Patience!”
“Wait,” this time Todoroki let Kirishima talk first. “Are you guys secretly dating or something?!”
Bakugou snorted again, but Midoriya was quick to wave his hands in the air and sputter.
“N-No!”
“You aren’t very convincing, Izuku.” Todoroki narrowed his eyes at Midoriya, like if he squinted hard enough he could see right through him. “Bakugou is touching you without threatening you with bodily harm. That is new.”
“Yeah, Izuku,” Bakygou teased and knocked his skull against Midoriya like he used to when they were little. “This is new.”
Midoriya rolled his eyes and let his skull rock back, bumping against Bakugou’s eye socket and cheekbone painfully.
“Kacchan is just being Kacchan,” Midoriya said as if that explained anything. “Shh! Mr. Toshinori is about to open the last folder!”
The small group decided to ignore the weird behavior in favor of listening to the final announcement. Every single chair in the courtyard was empty. Every person was on their feet, eyes glued to where Toshinori stood. He had slid just a single piece of white paper out of it and held it in front of him. Unlike other times, when he stopped and turned to Aizawa for guidance, he just stood there. The paper began to tremble, visible even to the children below. Midoriya swallowed the bile that was rising in his throat, unable to take the suspense of what could possibly be success and fear of what could possibly be rejection. It’s as if time stood still, like the wind stopped blowing; the clouds stopped moving; everyone stopped breathing; and the clock stopped ticking. There, they all waited, for what seemed like hours, until Toshinori finally cleared his throat.
“Excuse me, I apologize.” Toshinori took a deep breath. “This is a letter from the Hero Public Safety Commission and the Board of Hero Agency Relations in regards to the request from Bakugou Katsuki, the hero Dynamight, and Midoriya Izuku, the hero Deku, to create their own agency, named the Mighty Ones.”
If everybody was holding their breath before, they somehow were able to gasp and take in more - fixing to burst. Bakugou felt Kirishima’s arm clench tight in the back of his shirt, and he saw Todoroki grab Midoriya’s hand. His brain was absolutely void of thought and emotion. All he could focus on was the paper Toshinori held in his hand that showed his and Midoriya’s future.
“You were approved!” Toshinori raised the paper high in the air with one hand and shot his empty fist up alongside it.
Bakugou couldn’t even process the noise that exploded around him. Midoriya just crumbled in his arms, and he was powerless to keep himself up. They both sagged to the ground, the weight of the world finally lifting off of their shoulders. They had done it. Due to Kirishima and Todoroki’s hold on the duo, they wound up on the ground, too. Midoriya was in a ball with his head pressed into the grass. Since Bakugou had followed him, his arms still on his shoulders, he was kneeling behind him. Bakugou let his own head fall and rested against Midoriya’s back. He could feel the tremors that vibrated through his body, likely him sobbing at the feeling of release. Bakugou ground his forehead into Midoriya’s back, reminding him he was here. He always had been, and he always will be.
“However,” Toshinori didn’t stop there, and Midoriya was suddenly sitting straight up and shooting Bakugou off of his knees and onto his butt in the dirt. “That isn’t everything.” Midoriya almost broke his neck, turning to look at Bakugou who was just gaping at Toshinori.
“I believe we have two more students who have not been placed,” Toshinori lowered the paper he had in his hand and drew a second one from Bakugou and Midoriya’s envelope. “Kirishima Eijiro, also known as the hero Red Riot, and Todoroki Shoto, also known as the hero Frostfire, will be the first members joining the hero agency Mighty Ones alongside its co-founders after appealing to be placed alongside their friends.”
“Knew you were up to something,” Kirishima’s voice was welcome in Bakugou’s ear, and Bakugou turned to face his friend, throwing an arm around him to bring him close in a hug.
“I told you,” Todoroki was sat in front of Midoriya, and he turned to look over his shoulder down at him. “I intend to repay you for all that you’ve done for me.”
Midoriya seemed too shocked, or rather too emotional, to respond. He just smiled at Todoroki and shook his head fondly.
“We fuckin’ did it, ‘Zuku.” Bakugou sounded giddy, almost manic, “told you they would be idiots to reject the request.”
Before Midoriya could even respond, their classmates that had apparently surrounded them started murmuring to each other about the nickname.
“Well,” Midoriya mirrored the grin on Bakugou’s face and ignored the pestering coming from around them. “We are professionals at getting what we want, no matter what.”
“Is that what you want to call this?” Bakugou cackled and shoved a hand into Midoriya’s shoulder, knocking him back into the dirt. “I call this master manipulation and a buttload of favors you owe me.”
Bakugou stood up, smacking the dirt that had gotten on his gown out before sticking a hand out to Midoriya: a mirrored image of the day in the creek where Bakugou first had to turn Midoriya away. Midoriya groaned at him before taking his hand and letting himself be tugged up.
“We’ve had this conversation before, Kacchan,” Midoriya reminded him. “You got something out of this, too!”
“Sure,” Bakugou held the vowel out much longer than needed, expressing his disbelief and sarcasm. “You got friends, too, dick. You can’t say this has been equal.”
“What are they even talking about?” Bakugou heard Uraraka ask somebody while they argued.
“I have no idea,” Sero honestly responded.
“Let’s ask!” Ashido butted in and interrupted the duo. “What is the ‘this’ you’re talking about, guys?”
“Does this have to do with your new behavior, Bakugou?” Iida questioned.
Midoriya and Bakugou looked at each other, seemingly having a telepathic argument before Bakugou huffed and stuck out a fist. Instead of punching Midoriya, like almost everyone assumed would happen, they started playing rock-paper-scissors. Bakugou won, best out of three, and stuck his tongue out at a pouting Midoriya.
“Fine,” Midoriya whined. “Basically, when Kacchan and I were kids, we agreed -”
Bakugou interrupted him, “agreed, meaning Midoriya made the plan and forced me to go along with it.”
“Nuh-uh!” Midoriya gasped and poked a finger into Bakugou’s chest that the other tried to swipe away but was too slow.
“God, it’s like they’re siblings rather than rivals,” Jirou observed as they all watched them scuffle like children.
“Is that it? Are you secretly brothers?” Todoroki asked, and Bakugou slapped his own face with his hand.
“Just tell them before Icyhot comes up with more conspiracy theories,” Bakgou ushered Midoriya.
“I don’t see the point in talking if you’re just going to interrupt me!” Midoriya tried to poke him in the chest again, but Bakugou was fast enough this time to smack his hand away before it touched him,
“Jesus H. Christ, okay!” Bakugou fake locked his mouth and threw away the key - that Kirishima hilariously ‘caught’ - and made a go-on motion with his hands.
“Bakugou and I made a pact when we were four promising that he would be mean to me to make me look weak, and I’d follow him around and praise him so he’d look strong,” Midoriya rambled out. “We made a compromise first-year that we would tell everybody and clear the air, so there it is. Kacchan really isn’t mean - he’s still got a short fuse, but he’s all bark,” Bakugou snapped his teeth at Midoriya, “and I’m not actually weak or timid, I just act it.”
“So…,” Sero droned on.
“You’ve been lying to us this whole time?” Iida looked distraught.
“You guys are really besties?” Ashido looked ecstatic.
“You are professional actors!” Kaminari looked pleasantly surprised.
“You are literally the same as you have been,” Shinsou drawled. “You were just exaggerating.”
Everybody stopped talking and mulled over what Shinsou said.
“Why?” He asked.
Midoriya twisted his hands nervously at being asked the one question he wanted to avoid.
“Midoriya’s quirk came in late. You all know that,” Bakugou came to his rescue. “He was diagnosed quirkless as a kid, so everybody just wrote him off like a nobody - a Deku. What they didn’t know is that Izuku is anything but,” Midoriya gave Bakugou a wobbly smile. “We wanted to keep them thinking that he was weak, so that when it came time for him to show he was strong, it would be a shock.”
“And I wanted to make Kacchan look the strongest,” Midoriya piped in. “So, I told him to be mean to me - mean to everyone. That way, nobody would mess with him.”
“You were dumb kids just trying to protect each other,” Kaminari filled in the blanks. “It makes sense.”
“But, why take it this far?” Yaoyorozu asked gently. “Midoriya has a quirk now, and nobody doubts that Bakugou is strong.”
“I guess, I was just afraid of what it would be like after living it for so long,” Midoriya fessed up, and Bakugou kicked dirt onto his shoe.
“I’m still an asshole,” Bakugou reminded him, and Midoriya huffed a laugh. “I just don’t gotta be cruel about it anymore. It’s not going to change that much,” he promised.
“Ahem,” the sound of Aizawa clearing his throat into the mic made all of them stagger to their feet and find a chair faster than humanly possible. “Now that that’s finally done, I’d like to make the closing statement so everyone can go home.”
Everyone blearily agreed.
“Do well. Don’t embarrass me. Don’t die. Plus Ultra,” Aizawa raised his fist in the air, and his class followed his lead.
They all threw their caps and jumped into their friend’s arms, already chattering about future living arrangements now that they’ve gotten their assignments and where they were going to eat after this. Kids ran off to find their parents, and the clean up crew - first year’s with detention - started collecting the chairs and breaking down the stage. The attention was off of the two long-term liars, and it made them breathe easier.
“That wasn’t so bad, huh,” Midoriya rubbed his chest where it felt like his heart had been trying to escape.
Bakugou wasted no time putting Midoriya into another headlock, this one much tighter than before. He lowered himself until his head was level with Midoriya’s, about a foot off of the ground at the angle he was holding him at.
“This is just the beginning, ‘Zuku. I’ve got fourteen years of crap to give you, and we’re just getting started.”