Work Text:
Katsuki is finally free from his patrol. Tonight was the night Deku had gotten back from the States and everyone had already cleared their schedule a few months back to get ready to welcome back. Unfortunately, Katsuki hadn’t been able to get his cleared and his agency stuck him with a whole extra patrol two weeks ago for tonight. When he had tried to fight it he had gotten a very adamant no, so he had to suck it up.
Not like he wanted to see the shitty nerd anyway. His lips pulled up in a snarl at his own thoughts, hating that he actually felt… anxious? to see Deku again. He had been overseas for the past five years and really the only time he had talked to him had been when Deku would message him out of the blue about random things or when someone else was on the phone with him and passed it off to him (against his will, might he add).
But Katsuki had wanted to be there with the rest of their old graduating class to greet him. In a way, it was sort of like a class reunion. Although not everyone had actually ended up remaining in hero work. Which was fair. Sometimes people just weren’t cut out for the long work hours and the environment was always a little bit rough after all the shit went down with the paranormal liberation front and Shigaraki.
Once he’s back at the agency he works quickly, wanting out of there before some extra could stop him and ask him for something he definitely didn’t have time to do. He stripped out of his hero uniform in record time, gentle with the gauntlets lest they explode since they were filled with all of his sweat, and made his way into the showers to rinse off the day.
When he finally managed to get dressed and make it to the bar where his class was meeting he was about five hours late. But that didn’t stop the chorus of cheers that erupted when he entered. He kept up with most of them. It was hard not to see some of them when you’re out on patrol and taking down villains; especially working at the same agency in Kirishima and Kaminari’s case.
But, admittedly, it was nice seeing a few of the faces he normally didn’t. Just based on location or other factors. When he felt a large pair of arms wrap around him from behind, Katsuki was about to fire a blast over his shoulder to berate Kirishima before he heard the voice speak up.
“Heeey Kacchan~ I’m so glad you could come.” Deku’s voice was a bit lower but there was no mistaking it. He felt like something was stuck in his throat as Deku continued to hug him and after a moment he finally let him go and stepped back, although he kept a hand on Katsuki’s shoulder, holding himself up. He reeked of booze and Katsuki was sure he was absolutely smashed.
When he turned to look at his old childhood rival he certainly wasn’t expecting what he saw. Deku had probably shot up a head since he left for the States and his muscles had filled out, better suited for handling his powerful quirk.
“Get tired without the competition?” Katsuki snarked back, a grin splitting across his face while Deku grinned back, laughing at Katsuki’s comment.
“I don’t know, Kacchan. I think you might have to watch out now that I’m back.” He teased. The bold comment made him falter, feeling his ears and face heating up with annoyance before he cleared his throat. He crossed his arms over his chest, tsking as he looked away.
“Yeah right. I could kick your ass with one arm behind my back. I think America probably just made you weak.”
“Wanna go outside and see?” Deku’s green eyes glinted at him in the low light, challenging the blonde. Something stirred in Katsuki’s gut and he scoffed, shoving Deku’s shoulder away. He had the nerve to laugh, not taking offense to Katsuki’s rudeness. “Guess not. You should have a drink though. On me!”
Deku dragged Katsuki towards the bar where a couple of their friends waited while Deku waved over to the bartender and order a pair of shots and a drink for Katsuki to get started on. He wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying so much as he was still soaking him in. He was the same person, no denying it, he just looked different.
“It threw all of us for a loop when we saw him walk in,” a voice spoke up. Katsuki felt a large hand grip over his shoulder, gently shaking him. “Glad you could make it out to join us, man.”
“Wouldn’t be the same without me, huh?” Katsuki teased as he looked over to Kirishima. He remained one of Katsuki’s best friends, not that he’d admit that, and gave him a sharp grin. His face was also flushed, and Katsuki could only scrunch up his face when he noticed.
“Is everyone already drunk?”
“Dude you’re like five hours late. Of course everyone’s drunk already.”
“Seems like Deku is worse,” Katsuki idly commented. That seemed to amuse Kirishima because he grinned wider.
“If you think Midoriya is bad, you should see Denki. He’s currently throwing up in the bathroom. I’m sure Jirou is in there holding his hair as we speak.”
“What the fuck did they do?”
“Denki challenged Midoriya to a drinking challenge. Said there was no way he had a better tolerance. He-” Kirishima motioned to Deku over Katsuki’s shoulder, “-was worse about an hour ago. I’m sure he’ll get worse again now that you’re here though.” Katsuki made a noise in his throat, confirming he heard Kirishima before he turned back to look at Deku. He was currently leaning up on the bar with his forearms, chattering excitedly with someone next to him about how hero work differed in Japan versus America and which system he thought was best and why. Yeah, that was the same shitty nerd from high school. “So how are you feeling?” Kirishima asked.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Katsuki asked, not even glancing back at the redhead.
“Well, I know you were sort of pissed when you heard Midoriya was going to the States. Complained that he was a coward. I know it’s a bit complicated for you two, even after you guys sort of made up in high school.”
Katsuki scoffs at Kirishima’s retelling. “I just said he was a coward for not wanting to stay in Japan where I could kick his ass in the hero rankings,” Katsuki corrected. “You know for someone who says they’re my best friend on every interview I think you’re pretty shit at knowing what I’m thinking and feeling.”
“I look forward to hearing how wrong I am once you’re drunk,” Kirishima laughed. He never took any of Katsuki’s words to heart.
At that moment, Deku received their drinks and he grabbed the two shot glasses full of some amber-colored liquid while a glass of what looked like whiskey was slid across the bar to him. He held out one shot for Katsuki to take, which he did, and Deku held out his own shot glass to toast him. He scowled but complied, tapping his glass against Deku’s.
“To being heroes,” Deku toasted.
“To kicking your ass in the rankings,” Katsuki replied back. Deku laughed, grinning ear to ear before he looked at Katsuki.
“Still the same old Kacchan. I’m glad you haven’t changed.” He downed his drink immediately after, face squinting up as he shook his head to rid himself of the taste and sting of the alcohol. Katsuki felt a smug sense of pride as he took his own shot without any sort of reaction. After the shot, he set it down and reached for the glass of whiskey, following up the spicy shot with a sip of his preferred beverage.
Meanwhile, next to him, Deku ordered a cocktail of some kind. One he wasn’t familiar with. The bartender seemed a little confused too, but after some directions from Deku, he had his own green bubbly drink in hand.
“So how did the States treat ya?” Katsuki spoke up.
“It was great! I wish you could’ve come with me, Kacchan. Everything over there is so different. People sort of just help each other when they can. Their laws aren’t as strict about quirk usage. Being a hero over there is so different from here. I mean, it’s also completely the same in some ways. Being a hero is also sort of seen as this big goal and aspiration in their society, just like here, but people are more like independent heroes! Sort of like Aizawa was, y’know? Not everyone works for an agency either like over here. It’s really just…so free! Making your own destiny and stuff. And wait until I tell you about the relationship between law enforcement and heroes versus Japan, Kacchan!”
“Okay, you know that’s great, but you’re already killing my buzz and I’m not even drunk yet.” Deku’s face, if it even could, grew even darker at his comment.
“Sorry, Kacchan!” Deku chirped back, still grinning and looking away, embarrassed. It made Katsuki’s heart ache with guilt.
“You can tell me all about it later, but I just wanna relax and take a break from hero stuff for tonight. Not often we all get together like this. Been too long since I’ve seen Kaminari short circuit from being too drunk.” Before Deku could even respond, Katsuki added on with what he hoped came across playfully, “And don’t think about adding that shit to your little stalker notebooks about us.”
“Like you could stop me if you wanted. I love studying quirks.”
“Maybe a little too much. How much shit you even got on me in there?”
“Lots, Kacchan. Your quirk is truly one of the strongest ones I’ve seen. Flashy, versatile, and lots of power and speed. I have tons of notes about it and ways to use it. Maybe I could share with you now that I’m back.” Deku glanced over, smiling fondly, and Katsuki could feel his rage meter tick up by a few points. He shifted, trying to ease the tension in his chest, and scoffed.
“Take notes from a nerd like you? Yeah right. Besides, I’m sure I’ve already thought of everything in that stupid notebook of yours.”
“I’m sure you have, Kacchan. You’re really amazing like that,” Deku hummed.
Katsuki busied himself with his drink to resist the urge to punch him after a comment like that. His cheeks flamed and he looked away to resist letting the nerd from seeing how worked up he got over that comment. Maybe he still did have some anger issues to work on.
“Yo Midoriya!” a voice suddenly called out. Katsuki couldn’t help but look, seeing Sero standing on top of a chair and pointing towards the newly returned hero. “You might’ve won against Denki but I bet you won’t be able to beat me too!”
What a stupid idea. Katsuki scoffed, not wanting a single part of their childish drinking games. If they wanted to get wasted that was their goal. However, once he turned towards Deku to keep chatting he realized that he had, in fact, gotten up to meet Sero’s challenge. Shit.
X-X-X
Katsuki really had no choice other than to watch after that. To be sure none of the idiots he considered his friends went a little too hard.
Sero only lasted 30 minutes and three chugged drinks before he grew pale and stumbled off to the bathroom with Kirishima standing and promising to help him to the bathroom as one of the less-intoxicated parties available. Meanwhile, Deku was still standing.
To be honest? Katsuki was impressed he could hold his alcohol so well. Much better than he could considering that one shot and glass had him considerably tipsy. Katsuki never did like drinking anyway. He was just shocked Deku obviously did since he seemed rather unaffected.
That is until Deku saw Katsuki and his face instantly split into a grin as he stumbled from the booth to greet him.
“Kacchan! I toooootally beat Sero,” he bragged, slurred really, as he got up. Unfortunately for him, those three chugged drinks definitely took it out of him and he collapsed almost immediately. He was lucky Katsuki was there and caught him before he could crash to the floor and break his nose or something.
“Tch, idiot! You shouldn’t have let Sero challenge you like that. You’re fucking wasted.”
Deku could only giggle in response to Katsuki’s scolding. He didn’t take it seriously, not even a bit, while he got his wobbly feet under his body and stood which almost had him falling over yet again. Katsuki gripped his torso, yanking him upright, and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“I’m fucking taking you home. We’re paying your tab. Come on,” Katsuki reprimanded. Like a disgruntled father with his delinquent son. There was a cacophony of farewells while Katsuki dragged Deku towards the bar and signaled for the bartender so he could close out both of their tabs. “Where’s your wallet?”
“I dunno,” Deku responded, shrugging as he eyed Katsuki with that same lazy grin. Fucking drunk dumbass. Katsuki groaned and quickly reached into Deku’s pockets, searching for the wallet so he could put Deku’s card back into it. “Kaaacchan,” Deku teased, “Take me to dinner before you start putting your hands in my pants like that.”
“Gross,” Katsuki snapped back, feeling the way his body warmed in response to the comment. As he moved to the third pocket he was glad he finally found his wallet and pulled it out just in time for the bartender to come back and place their cards and receipts on the table.
Katsuki shoved Deku’s card into his wallet before shoving it into his pocket, ignoring whatever words or joke he slurred out in response.
“Where are you staying anyway?” Katsuki grumbled as he finally slipped his arm back around Deku’s waist and lead him out of the bar. “Got an address or something written down so I can check?”
“I don’t know,” Deku whined. “I don’t know where I live, Kacchan. Am I homeless?” Already Katsuki could hear him getting worked up. Hear the beginning of tears in his wavering voice.
“Jesus fuck, Deku. Calm down. If you don’t know it’s fine. You can crash at my place for the night.” He sniffled but didn’t respond which left Katsuki plenty of time to think about the best route home. They could get a train or a cab but as drunk as Deku was, Katsuki sort of figured it would just make him throw up from the motion sickness. At least that’s how it was with the idiots when they went out to drink.
He didn’t live that far, though. Maybe a thirty-minute walk. Fourty-five at the rate Deku was going. Although, in all honesty, he’d take a cab if it meant he could get Deku out of his hair faster. Especially since he was being oddly affectionate. Leaning into Katsuki’s space, laying his head against his shoulder, and kept his arm wrapped firmly around his neck to keep himself upright. Each moment made his palms sweat more and Katsuki couldn’t figure out why other than the fact that having Deku in his space just made him feel upset in a way he couldn’t place.
If there was anything he was grateful for, however, it was the fact that Deku didn’t have to throw up the entire trip. It really helped speed things up when nothing aside from Deku’s overly-familiar touches could distract him from the mission at hand.
The second thing Katsuki was grateful for was when he finally came to the door of his apartment building. The doorman was kind enough to hold it open while he stumbled through with Deku, and the lift attendant also made sure to hold the elevator doors apart while they stumbled on.
“Your floor key, Mr. Bakugo?” the attendant asked politely. A young man who hadn’t quite escaped puberty.
“Yeah, yeah, just a moment,” he responded, digging into his pants for his keys. Deku continued to lean on him, nuzzling his face against his neck, before he finally found it and held it out for the boy to take. He did so reluctantly, eyeing Deku before his eyes bounced back to Katsuki with a nervous grin. “You looking to say something?”
“No! Not at all!” he quickly responded, turning away to slide the key into the elevator and turned it. The doors shut and it went up on its own to his floor where Katsuki stepped out and the lift attendant dropped the key back into Katsuki’s open, waiting hand. “Enjoy your night, sir.”
“Don’t go fucking blabbing to your friends about this. I’ll know who to fire if it ends up in the tabloids. Not that there’s anything to talk about. Right?”
“Right,” he echoed before he pressed the button to shut the doors. Katsuki waited until the doors were fully shut and he could hear the elevator descending before he sighed and focused on getting both himself and Deku inside.
“Annoying ass extra,” Katsuki complained to himself as he kicked off his shoes. He let go of Deku temporarily so he could lean down and take off Deku’s shoes as well. Red sneakers. Just like always. “Won’t get rid of these things, will you?”
“Those are new,” Deku corrected. Katsuki let out a huff of air, grinning.
“You know what I mean. You still wear your same red shoes. Ever since we were kids.”
“Didn’t know you paid attention to me like that.”
“I don’t!” Katsuki snapped back. Once Deku’s shoes are off, he stands up and wanders towards his front door so they can get out of the entrance of his penthouse. He’s just sliding the key into the lock when he feels Deku’s hands settle on his hips. He doesn’t fight it as Deku clumsily turns him around and backs him up into his front door.
“It’s okay, Kacchan. You don’t have to be embarrassed about it.”
“Embarrassed about what?” he challenges.
“I really like you, Katsuki. I think you feel the same. I want you to feel the same.” A moment of silence passes between them, Deku’s lazy, drunk grin never leaving his face. But this time there’s a certain heat to his gaze. Katsuki feels like his stomach is about to jump out of his throat but he can’t find the strength to push him away.
“How would I even know that?” Katsuki breathes into the space between them.
“How about you kiss me and find out, Kacchan?”
Katsuki doesn’t make a move, but it’s fine because Deku makes it for him, pressing forward and sealing their lips together in a kiss. It’s not the best kiss he’s ever had. Deku’s mouth tastes like alcohol, and his mouth moves in sloppy movements against his own, but Katsuki doesn’t think he’d change anything about it if he could.
Deku pulls away, panting just as hard as Katsuki feels he is.
“So?” Deku teases.
“I think I might need to try again.”
Deku laughs, really laughs, in response to that, pulling away from Katsuki so he doesn’t laugh in his face, and raises a hand to cover up his mouth. His freckled face, already flushed from the alcohol, only seems to glow warmer.
“Kacchan!”
This was weird. Katsuki’s stomach was in knots. He felt like he always did around Deku, but it was like a missing piece was put into place. Maybe he did like Deku. All he wanted was to kiss him again. To figure out if that’s how he really felt. But Deku was drunk, he was tipsy, and this was something they could discuss when they were both sober.
“Let’s get you to bed. We can talk in the morning, alright?”
“Alright,” Deku agreed. He stepped away, allowing Katsuki to finally unlock his door and step inside. He followed in behind Katsuki, remaining quiet. He stayed that way until Katsuki got his spare bed set up and helped him into the sheets. Katsuki left the room, coming back with a glass of water and an anti-nausea pill, and left them on the bedside table. He was almost certain he was already passed out before he heard him call out to him. “Kacchan?”
“Yeah, Deku?”
“I’m glad you came out tonight.”
“Me too.”