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The first thing Izuku notices is the cool linen he’s laying on.
He slowly cracks open his eyes and has his corneas attacked by bright fluorescents. His ears are met with a sudden onslaught of noise noise noise , machines beeping, papers rustling, doors slamming closed, a steady shuffle of feet nearby. He squeezes his eyes shut and shoots his hands up to firmly clasp over his ears. His head is pounding, the sudden onslaught of sounds and smells and textures makes him want to heave.
Where the fuck is he and what the fuck is happening .
After a couple of minutes, the pounding in his head subsides and his lungs fill with air. He cautiously sits up, taking in his surroundings. It looks like a.. hospital room? This certainly isn't a hospital though, the double window on the far side of the room giving sight to a lush courtyard with what looked to be students milling about. Wait, those uniforms look oddly familiar. Izuku racks his brain for where he’s seen them before, when his mental search is interrupted by the door swinging open. A disgruntled looking man walks through, long black hair shadowing around his frame, and a strangely long scarf bunched around his neck and chin.
“Problem child, glad to see you’re awake,” the man said, visibly giving him a once over. Wait, 'problem child'? Who is this man? Why is he 'problem child'?
“Hi, yeah so, about that.. where,” his eyes and hands gesture to his surroundings,”where am I exactly, I mean I’m guessing this is a school by the students outside, but what am I doing here, and who are you?”
“You,” the man’s eyes widen slightly, a crease begins to form on his forehead, “you, don't know where you are? Or who I am?”
“...N-no? Should I? Can you just tell me what I’m doing here please .”
The man sighs heavily, and slumps into a chair by Izuku’s bed, body weighed down with stress and fatigue, a pinched expression on his face. He sighs heavily again before speaking.
“I guess I should start off by introducing myself, my name is Aizawa Shouta, also known as the Pro Hero Eraserhead, and your homeroom teacher. You’re here in UA’s clinic, you attend UA and are currently in class 2A. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”
“Yeah, um.. why am I here? At UA?”
“Like I said, you are a student here, as to why you are in the clinic well.. you got caught up in a little quirk accident. You went out and bumped into a kid, who then got startled so bad that he accidently let his quirk activate, and suddenly you just.. passed out. We didn’t think there’d be any lasting effects, but the kid’s quirk had just manifested so we really don't know what it is or what it can do, but apparently it causes memory loss.”
“I’m.. a student? Here? At UA?” Izuku asks incredulously.
“Yes? Why is that so surprising to you? Kid, you have a ridiculously strong quirk, any hero school would beg to have you.”
“Oh, that’s.. really cool! What’s my quirk?” Izuku excitedly says, his face lighting up like a thousand watt lightbulb. Somewhere in the back of his mind, something tells him this isn’t quite right , but Izuku quickly shrugs off the feeling.
Aizawa’s expression softens, and he explains Izuku’s quirk.
“Basically, your quirk is super strength. It enhances your ability to run, jump, punch, you get the idea. When you first came to UA, your control was wildly underdeveloped, which resulted in many, many , broken bones. Nowadays, you have an exceptional grasp on your abilities.”
“Do you know when my quirk manifested? My memories are really hazy, but I can remember the doctor saying something about an extra toe joint and how that means I’m..” Izuku’s gaze lowers and his body shrinks into itself, “I’m quirkless.”
The air stills.
Aizawa bursts into laughter, body doubling over as he struggles to catch his breath.
“Oh, oh my god,” He breaks into another laughing fit, “That was.. The funniest thing.. I've ever heard ,” He says, laughter cutting between his words.
Izuku is the one staring back now, confusion coloring his expression.
“‘I’m not joking, why are you laughing? I know my memories aren’t the most reliable right now, but I swear that happened.”
Aizawa’s laughing stops suddenly at the serious tone in Izuku’s voice.
“Kid, I’ve literally, with my own eyes, seen you use your quirk countless times. You are one hundred percent not quirkless. Maybe you developed your quirk late and don’t remember, but I can assure you, you have a quirk.”
“Oh. Well, that’s.. so freaking cool! I can't wait to try out my quirk oh my gosh I wonder how I could use it in different situations, and all the different special moves I could have and all my classmates I need to know all their quirks too!,” Izuku’s excited rambling is cut off by a scarf slapping over his mouth.
“I’ll tell you everything you want to know just.. don’t, do that again please my head hurts enough already.”
Izuku’s face turns so red he slightly resembles a strawberry.
—————————————
Izuku returns to class the next day. He knows he won’t understand a word of the material, but he’s hoping to take some semi-legible notes for his future self.
Aizawa-sensi had contacted the kids' parents and from what it seems like, the quirk should go away itself in one or two days. Izuku really hopes it’s the former, it’s really nerve wracking to be living in a reality you know nothing about. A reality where he has a quirk! And a powerful one too! Or so he’s been told.. he hasn’t actually tested out his quirk yet. Too afraid of getting more of the broken bones Aizawa had mentioned.
As Izuku stood in front of the large wooden door, the lettering 2-A starkly painted onto it, he braced himself for his, first? second-first? day of being a UA student.
When he opens the door the room is.. Not silent. Very not silent actually. The sounds of teens excitedly chatting and playfully messing around echoes in the classroom, fills every corner of it with noise and energy. Izuku almost feels like it’s his first ever day of school, like his mom just dropped him off into this room full of noisy and loud strangers and expects him to fend for himself. He really wishes that was true, because then he could just grip onto the fabric of his mother’s dress, and cry and wail and scream until he got taken home. But he's not a little kid, and his mom isn't there to protect him from the world, so he carefully makes his way into the room, avoiding papers and book bags as he goes, and takes a seat in the desk Aizawa said was his.
Ok, okay, he’s got this, it’s okay, everything’s fine, he's fine.
And everything is fine, until the blond boy sitting infront of him turns sharply in his seat to look at Izuku and ask, “What the fuck is your problem Deku, you have a fucking aneurysm or something?”
And suddenly everything is not fine. The sheer volume of the boy’s voice made Izuku’s already ringing ears ring louder, and the malice in his tone gave him the impression that this guy does not like him . Izuku doesn’t know what he’s done to piss this boy off, he doesn’t know anything he’s done really but that's another issue, so he offers up a smile somewhere between apologetic and confused.
“Are you good? Not like you to be so fucking quiet, go chat up your nerd squad or something and stop staring holes into my back you freak,” he spits out, Izuku’s lack of response seems to have thrown him off kilter.
Nerd.. squad?
“Hi Deku-kun!”
“What happened yesterday? You went out for study snacks and never came back, we were all super worried,” her voice sounds familiar, and Izuku turns to see a bubbly brunette girl smiling at him.
Izuku’s attempt at a response is cut short by the sound of the door swinging open. Aizawa sluggishly walks through, looking even more tired than the last time Izuku saw him. Being a UA teacher and a pro hero must be rough.
He walks to the podium and begins to speak, “Quiet down everyone, I have an announcement to make.”
The classroom slowly quiets, as the students give their full attention to their teacher.
“Yesterday, Midoriya was involved in a quirk accident. He is okay physically, but he has lost his memory. Help him out when he needs it. You can resume your nonsense, don’t wake me up until the bell rings.”
He pulls out a faded yellow sleeping bag, and slithers into it, zipping it up until only his face is shown.
Well that was.. Interesting.
Izuku looks around and finds 19 pairs of eyes locked onto him.
What the fu-
“Hello Izuku, my name is Iida Tenya, I am the class representative and one of your close friends! You are welcome to ask me any question or for any assistance!”, a blue haired boy with glasses appears in front of him, holding out his hand in greeting. Izuku hesitantly returns the handshake.
The brunette from earlier speaks up, “I’m Ochacko Uraraka! We’ve been friends since the first day of 1st year! You can also come to me for anything, I’d be super happy to help!”
“T-thank you, both of you,” Izuku says, glancing between their faces.
The rest of the class introduce themselves, Izuku hardly remembers all their names in the haste of it all.
Finally, the bell rings, and everyone returns to their seats. Izuku turns himself around to properly face the board, and is met with the face of the blond.. The one classmate who hasn't introduced themself to him.
Izuku sends him a confused look, but the blond simply lets out a quick “tch” and turns around.
Okay.. he must've really pissed this guy off.
Something about him sets off his subconscious, he has a feeling they have a lot of history, more than himself and the rest of the class. Too bad Izuku can’t remember jack shit.
The sound of Aizawa’s voice officially begins the lesson.
—————————————
After their general education classes wrap up, it was time for physical education. During class, Izuku finally learned the name of the blond who sits in front of him. Bakugo. The name sets off more bells and alarms in his brain, practically screaming at him. But Izuku continues to ignore the feeling, pushing it away to pick apart later.
Aizawa had already pulled Izuku aside earlier to tell him that he could participate, if he wanted, but he shouldn’t feel pressured to. Izuku however, had been dying to try out his quirk all day. It almost felt like there was a fire under his skin just begging to be set free.
Needless to say, Izuku was pretty excited.
The class, including Aizawa, make their way to Gym Gamma. When they get there, Aizawa introduces the lesson for the day.
“You’ll all be paired up to duel, while the rest of the class takes notes on each person’s fighting style, special moves, and anything else that makes your style of fighting yours .” Aizawa announces, the students getting antsy as they wait for the names of the first pair.
“First up, we’ll have Bakugo and Midoriya. Now Bakugo, don’t go easy on him just because he’s lost his memory. His body still remembers how to fight.”
“Tch. Like I would ever go easy against Deku.” Bakugo replies, sending a glance Izuku’s way.
All of sudden Izuku feels.. nervous? excited? He doesn’t know what he feels, but it’s making his stomach do somersaults and his hands start to shake.
As Bakugo and Izuku make their way to the center of the room, Bakugo keeps his eyes locked on Izuku’s face, which is not helping his nerves at all.
“Alright, 3, 2, 1, GO!”, Aizwa’s yell starts the fight, and immediately Bakugo lunges at him, hands popping with sparks.
For a second Izuku stands there, his expression much like one of a deer in headlights. As he braces himself for impact, his body moves out of the way. Completely evading Bakugo’s attack.
Bakugo lets out a low grumble at this, clearly displeased, but he already starts his next attack. He swings a leg at Izuku’s feet, hoping to knock him down. But before he can, Izuku jumps and tumbles out of the way, rolling behind him.
Izuku feels the charge of his quirk, the green electricity snaking up and around his legs. Normally he would be geeking over his quirk right now, but he’s busy. He has a fight to win.
In his new position behind Bakugo, he tackles him to the ground. Bakugo thrashes and squirms and manages to turn his body around so he is now face to face with Izuku, but Izuku has him pinned down by the shoulders, green electricity cascading down his arms and hands.
“Why do you not like me?”, Izuku asks the boy, frustrated by the tingling in his mind, something telling him that he and Bakugo have a deep history. And like the problem solver he is, he can’t just let the feeling fester.
“I would never, ever be mean to someone, unless they absolutely deserved it, so what is your problem with me? Are you just a terrible person that hates everyone? But why would they let someone like that into a hero school. ” Izuku rambles on, completely ignoring the boy under him that is growing increasingly angry and thrashing around harder. Izuku’s hands don’t let up though, as they just press harder onto the boy’s shoulders.
“FUCK YOU DEKU! I DON’T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT YOU NOW GET THE HELL OFF ME BEFORE I BLOW YOUR STUPID FUCKING FACE OFF!” Bakugo thrashes around more, and his yelling startles Izuku enough that his grip lets up, and Bakugo rolls out from under him.
Izuku has a dumbfounded look on his face, and stares as Bakugo storms away into the locker rooms, face bright red.
Well, all in all, he’d say his “first” day went.. alright.
—————————————
The next day, Izuku is prepared for the chaos as he walks into class. He dutifully finds his way to his seat and settles in. It’s about 15 minutes until homeroom starts, but Bakugo was already in his seat, head buried in a book. Izuku peeks his head around the boy’s shoulders to see what book had the volatile boy so enamored, and much to his surprise, Bakugo is reading ‘Little Women’. Izuku hasn’t read the book, but he thinks he remembers watching the movie adaptation.
Wait. He.. remembers! He remembered something! This must mean the quirk is starting to wear off! The thought has Izuku cheesing like he just won the lottery, as he still peers around Bakugo’s shoulders, or more like as he was peering around Bakugo’s shoulders, as the boy is now staring right at Izuku, searching his face with a light scowl.
“What made you so happy, nerd.”, Bakugo asks, tone completely different from yesterday morning. He almost seems like he’s trying to be friendly.
“I was just happy that I remembered watching the movie adaptation of the book you’re reading,” Izuku replies quietly, cheesy grin still on his face.
Izuku notices something though, as he was talking Bakugo didn’t look into his eyes, or at his face, his eyes were completely locked onto his lips.
The realization has Izuku blushing, face turning warm. He can tell Bakugo notices, as the boy swiftly turns back around, returning to his book, the tips of his ears turning red.
—————————————
As the day goes on, Izuku takes more notice of Bakugo, where his eyes go, how his hands move, the way he taps his pencil when he’s interested in a topic, you know, totally normal things to observe.
And one thing he notices is that whenever he talks, Bakugo keeps his eyes locked on his lips. While with everyone else, Bakugo simply stares at their face.
Does Bakugo.. like him?
Is the teasing and the names and the anger just a childish expression of his crush on him? The more Izuku thinks about it, the more Bakugo reminds him of a little boy, bullying the girl he likes because he doesn’t know how to express his emotions. The difference though, is that Bakugo is not a little boy, and Izuku is most definitely not a little girl. Izuku thinks his comparison still works though.
Maybe that’s what the tingling is, that itch in the back of his brain whenever Bakugo is around. Maybe it’s his brain telling him that he knows Bakugo likes him!
That must be it! Bakugo must have a stupid fat crush on him!
Wait.. now what.
…
He guesses the next logical step is to.. confront him? Confront him about the weird lip staring, and the childish ‘bullying your crush’ act?
He decides then and there (middle of history class, oops he really should be paying attention shouldn’t he), that he is going to confront Bakugo after school today.
Izuku just hopes he leaves with his bones intact.
The rest of the day drags on, teachers lecturing, uneventful lunch, yada yada. Izuku can’t focus on anything, images of how his plan to confront Bakugo will pan out. Will Bakugo attack him? Laugh in his face? Run away? Will he say ‘yeah I do have a big fat crush on you, what about it’ . The possibilities are endless and it’s making Izuku’s head spin.
During their last class, Izuku slips Bakugo a note. It reads: ‘ Meet me after school, behind the tree on the east side’.
He sees Bakugo read it, staring at it for entirely too long, and then shoving it in his pocket, and returning his attention to Present Mic.
The class seems to last forever, Izuku can’t keep his eyes off the clock until, finally, the bell rings.
Ok, here goes.
Izuku packs his things up swiftly, and rushes out the door, to the tree on the east side. When he gets there, he dumps his bag at the base of the tree and starts to pace in front of it.
It’s fine, it’s going to be okay, Bakugo wouldn’t beat him up just for asking. Well.. he might.
Before Izuku can psych himself out more, he hears footsteps walking up to him. As he looks up, he makes eye contact with Bakugo, and sends him a slight wave and small smile.
“Why do you want me here, shitty Deku,” Bakugo asks, tone lacking any actual malice. He kicks his foot into the ground, digging up the grass and dirt. He’s.. nervous. The great Bakugo is nervous to talk to him alone . The realization of this eases Izuku’s nerves slightly, at least he’s not the only one shitting bricks.
“Bakugo.. do you.”
Bakugo looks up and stares at Izuku, or more like stares at Izuku’s lips.
“Well? Get on with it? Do I what?”
“Do you.. maybe, just wondering” Izuku takes a deep breath and rushes out a ,” Well I was just wondering if you maybe sort of had a, crush? on me? I just noticed the way you’re always staring at my lips and I thought that maybe that meant you liked me and I just wanted to ask pleasedonthitme!”
Izuku holds his hands up in front of his face defensively, waiting for Bakugo to attack him. When all of a sudden he hears a snort, and then a full on cackle coming from, Bakugo? Do his ears deceive him? Is he already dead and this is some sort of weird death dream?
“Oh, oh my god, Izuku, and here I thought you were a genius .” Bakugo gets out, in between laughs and deep breaths.
“Wait but, how? why? If, if you don’t like me then why do you stare at my lips all the time!” Izuku shouts out, feeling very very embarrassed.
“I’m partially deaf dumbass , you talk so fuckin’ quiet and enunciate like shit so I have to stare so hard at your lips to understand what you’re saying .”
Izuku suddenly feels very stupid. How could he not have seen this before, he knows how loud Bakugo’s quirk is, why did he never consider that Bakugo was lip reading .
“Oh my god this is so embarrassing, ok let’s just pretend this conversation never happened and go on our merry ways okay? Okay cool. Bye!” Izuku rushes out, trying to make a quick escape before he embarrasses himself further.
He’s stopped by a hand holding his wrist, and when he looks back he sees Bakugo’s hand, holding him back from his plans to crawl in a hole and die.
“Hey De- Izuku,” Bakugo says, staring him in the eyes.
“Yes?” Izuku squeaks out, still dying of embarrassment, and getting more flustered hearing his given name come from Bakugo’s mouth.
“I.. I never said I didn’t like. yknow, you,” Bakugo says, clearly embarrassed and flustered as well, his eyes darting away as his face gets very red.
Izuku stands there for a second, shellshocked, processing the words he just heard, and then everything goes black.
—————————————
The first thing Izuku notices is the cool linen he’s laying on. Wait. Hasn’t he done this before?
The second thing Izuku notices is the hand holding his, slightly sweaty, but nonetheless comforting.
And just like that everything comes rushing back in, the past two days and his whole life. He remembers it all. He remembers!
And then he remembers what Bakugo said.
The memory brings a giddy smile to his face, which is what alerts the person holding his hand that he is in fact awake.
“Oh my god, Izuku! Are you okay? I didn’t know confessing to you would make you faint !”
Wait, is that? Izuku opens his eyes, it is Bakugo, Izuku could recognize his voice anywhere. Even though he rarely hears it with such a worried tone.
“Hi Katsuki,” Izuku says, giving him a small smile that is somehow filled with years of love and admiration. The smile alone makes Katsuki blush, averting his eyes from the face of the boy he likes, the boy he loves , though he wouldn’t admit that to Izuku now.
“So do you, um do you have a response or, whatever,” Bakugo stumbles out, nerves attacking his ability to make a coherent thought let alone a coherent sentence.
“You know I’ve always liked you Kacchan, so my answer is yes, yes Katsuki , I like you too,” Izuku says, brain clearly working much better than the other boy’s at the moment.
“That’s good, yes, yup, that’s great. Cool, cool.”
“Come here you big doofus,” Izuku says smiling, pulling Bakugo down into a kiss.
“Izuku,” Bakugo says in between kisses.
“Hm?”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Of course,” Izuku says, pulling back, worry and interest coloring his features.
“I also stare at your lips because I like you.”
“I FUCKING KNEW IT!"