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1.Monday
Typically his quirk was easy to handle with exploding his sweat off or some hand washing.
But fuck was this getting ridiculous!
This summer was breaking all kinds of records, Not to mention the fact that the UA school air conditioner broke and can’t be fixed for one whole week! Causing him to wash his hands every few minutes if he can’t explode them!
So here he is trying to avoid his friends so they don’t end up losing a limb, getting a debilitating headache, or passing out from low blood pressure.
He manages half of the first day until walking to English class.
“Man this heat is killing me.” Kirishima wipes the sweat off his brow, face slightly flushed.
A light breeze falls by Katsukis shoulders.
“Stay the fuck away from me shitty hair!” He threatens, sending an explosion over his shoulder gaining the attention of everyone else in the hallway.
Kirishima activates his quirk, dropping his arm from going to Katsukis shoulders as he stumbles back “Hey man what’s the deal?” He snaps looking perplexed
He stomps toward him, his shoulders rigid “I don’t need to explain myself to you!” He argues, his nails digging into his palms.
Iida swings a stiff hand between them “Enough arguing, class is starting so pull yourself together Bakugou.” He announces.
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Katsuki grunts, putting his hands in his pockets shoving his way into the empty classroom taking his seat glaring at his desk.
As his classmates follow he hears them murmur.
“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning,” Kaminari whispers.
“The heat has everyone in an awful mood,” Kirishima replies in understanding.
“Still doesn’t give him the right to yell at you,” Mina added.
Katsuki tunes them out, slightly slouching in his chair as anxiety builds in his chest. He just has to make it through the school week without hurting them and them finding out how dangerous his nitroglycerin really is.
When Present Mic arrives he looks up and catches Dekus analytical gaze on him.
Fuck.
The Damm idiot knows.
2.Tuesday
Katsuki swings his dorm room door open to immediately find Deku standing on the other side, hand still raised.
“Why don’t you just tell them about your quirk?” Deku blurts out rubbing his neck nervously “The teachers won’t separate you from everyone like they did in elementary school, you have amazing control of your quirk even with the heatwaves!” He gushes.
“I know that.” Katsuki scoffs trying to walk past him before Deku blocks his way again.
“Then why?”
He stays silent glaring at Deku, for being as smart as he is, though he would never admit it, he can be quite dense.
Deku never noticed that his classmates started to fear his quirk when that stupid extra wanted to show him something, slamming his notebook down on his desk. It was only one drop of nitroglycerin. Ended up exploding and leaving a hole going all the way through his notebook while also going through his own desk. Nearly missing his classmate's hand.
Even when he learned to control his nitroglycerin sweat, his elementary classmates never went near him, never touched anything after he did, never included in anything, everyone stayed away from him…Everyone except Deku.
“Just stay away from me Deku.” Katsuki answers, finally moving past him, beginning to walk to class before he can reply.
Katsuki doesn’t say anything when Deku follows silently behind him.
“My head is killing me.” Sero says as he grabs his head in his hands, leaning over the lunch table.
“Yeah the heats been giving me headaches too,“ Mina runs her arm across her forehead, “I could go ask Todoroki for some ice for you?” She suggests.
“Totally that would be great but,” his face tenses up going a bit pale “this is no heat headache it’s getting pretty bad I feel dizzy.”
A spike of panic fills Katsuki. It couldn't have been his nitroglycerin Sero didn’t touch him? More sweat starts to pile in his hands as he reaches for his napkin next to his lunch, his breath stops as he tenses, it’s not there.
“Sero,” he asks, trying to stay calm, “did you use my napkin?”
“Oh I guess I grabbed the wrong one.” he grits out, pointing to where the napkin is, closing his eyes and leaning his head on the table.
He snaps in a panic “I told all of you not to touch my things!” He quickly grabs his napkin off the table.
“Hey man it was an accident!” Kirishima reasons.
“What’s the deal with you and people touching your stuff anyway?” Kaminari interrupts.
“It none of your fucking business!” He shouts, hands starting to tremble.
“What’s your problem Bakugou?” Mina whispers angrily “Sero feels awful and your yelling isn’t helping, it’s just a napkin?!” Mina leans forward in her seat, almost standing up.
Sero doesn’t respond to the argument, breathing getting more shallow, no one else says anything either.
Katsuki ignores Mina’s questioning, just making her more angry.
“Just take him to recovery girl or some shit.” He grumbled, taking his stuff and walking off. He pretends not to hear Kirishima calling out to him.
He attempts a few deep breaths, it’s fine, everything’s fine, no one is going to connect one bad headache to his nitroglycerin he thinks as his heart pounds in his chest.
He reaches the bathroom washing his hands then grips end ends of the sink,
He’s fine no one knows.
He breathes in.
He’s fine no one knows.
Then breathes out.
He’s fine no one knows.
And breathes in.
3.Wednesday
It’s the end of the day everyone had already left the gym except Kaminari, Mina, Deku, and of course himself.
Using his towel he wipes the excess nitroglycerin off of him, carefully putting it down grabbing the weights in front of him, walking to the edge of the room to put them away.
Mina hasn’t spoken to him all day. Guess he can’t blame her, it probably does seem irrational to worry about someone accidentally using his napkin.
He can’t help but worry they will fear him and his nitroglycerin if they find out. He doesn’t want to hurt them, he does enjoy having real friends instead of some extras following him around but always keeping their distance.
Dread fills him when he turns around to see Kaminari picking up his towel.
He doesn’t even notice when he starts running towards him, before he can stop himself he rips the towel from his hand shoving him too hard into the ground.
“What the hell!” Kaminari exclaims rubbing his shoulder in pain.
Katsuki really doesn’t know what to say, he goes rigid, feeling his heartbeat starting to quicken.
“Kaminari, are you okay!” Mina rushes over to help Kaminari off the ground. Deku follows behind her, “What did you do that for!” She shouts.
“I’ve told you guys not to touch my workout towels before!” Katsuki shouts, now feeling his hands start to tremble.
“I was just picking it up for you.” Kaminari says stiffly, crossing his arms.
“Why can’t you just accept help from anybody!” Mina steps closer “You have been more of an ass than usual these past three days!” She yells back at him.
Katsuki's breath starts to quicken.
“Maybe we should calm down?” Deku suggests.
“Calm down? He’s the one who shoved me to the ground!” Kaminari responds.
Katsuki suddenly feels like he can’t get enough air. The arguing goes in one ear and out the other every word feeling like an extra weight on his chest.
He barely notices when Kaminari and Mina stormed off, probably mistaking his spike of panic for anger.
“Kacchan,” Deku slowly steps forward, “you need to slow your breathing.”
Katsuki suddenly realizes how close Deku is and how much sweat is clinging to his hands.
“Stay-“ Katsuki stumbles backwards “-stay away from me” he whispers before rushing to the bathroom.
It doesn't stop Deku from following him.
He immediately runs his hands under the cold water.
“Follow my breathing Kacchan, I’m not going anywhere.”
“That’s exactly your problem Deku!” He lightly shoves Deku back, Breathing quickens slightly more. “You don’t leave, you never have! You have no regard for your own safety, never thinking of yourself, I tried keeping you away but you keep running back, why!” He rambles starting to hold back tears.
He notices when everything clicks for Deku.
“Your quirk is dangerous, yes but you're not Kacchan. I've seen how hard you’ve worked on your quirk.” Deku slowly walks closer to him
“Our old classmates had every right to be scared of me once they knew what nitroglycerin can do! And-”
“And you're scared of your friends fearing you like they did.” Deku finishes for him going in for a hug.
He’s too exhausted to push him away, he finds himself matching Dekus breathing, slowly calming down.
He tenses as embarrassment fills him.
“It’s okay,” Deku whispers, holding him a bit tighter.
“I’m sorry for bullying you” he blurts out.
“I know, and I’ve forgiven you a long time ago, but it’s nice to hear it.”
He can feel some tears fall on his shirt and he finally brings his hands up to return the hug he can feel the nerd's big smile over his shoulder.
“Tell anyone about this and I’ll kill you.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Kacchan.”
4.Thursday
Running five laps in this weather seriously! He breathes heavily as he pushes himself forward, doing stamina training outside in this weather is going to make it harder to keep his nitroglycerin in check.
Aizawa sits on the sidelines, watch in hand timing them for each lap.
He can hear his classmates complaining of the heat as he runs past. Feeling the sweat in his hands piling up he sets off an explosion to avoid it falling on the ground.
“No quirks Bakugou.” He hears Aizawa shout from the other side of the track.
Shit.
He speeds up to catch up to the next group of people overhearing them as he runs through.
“Do you know why Kaminari isn't here?” Ochaco asks curiously.
“He sitting this activity out today heard from Mina that he passed out from a terrible headache yesterday, ribbit.” Asui responds.
“Will he be-”
Their voices start to fade as runs further ahead he feels sweat starting to collect in his hands again as he starts his final lap.
Fuck Kaminari passed out yesterday did he hit his head? Did Mina catch him? Will everyone find out how dangerous his hands are? first Sero now Kaminari!
His thoughts feel like they're running a mile a minute but they come to a pause the the sudden interruption of Jiro tripping in front of him.
“Dang it!” She exclaims face wincing in pain.
He quickly comes to a stop observing her scraped up hands and knees.
Jrio extends her hand towards him he instinctively goes to take it but stops himself he has nitroglycerin all over his hands first Sero and Kaminari getting hurt will they connect the dots after someone gets another headache?
Panicked, he of course says the first shitty thing that comes to mind.
“Help yourself up you idiot.” He scoffs, he can see her bewildered face as starts to run off again finishing his lap.
5.Friday
He gets to class early putting his bag down taking a seat in his desk quickly taking note of who else is here.
Iida sits reviewing his notes, Yayarozu making herself a new pencil, and Deku sitting silently behind him wiping sweat off his forehead with his sleeve.
He just has to get through today and tomorrow then the ac will be fixed he thinks as he feels the sweat slowly appearing on his palms.
Mina’s next to walk into the classroom, her glare immediately finding him as she drops her bag off at her desk and stomps over to him.
“What the hell is going on with you.” She snaps, throwing her hands up.
“What are you-”
“Don’t play dumb! I heard from Jiro what you did yesterday and adding on from everything else this week, I just don’t understand what’s going on with you!”
Irritated, he yells back “I told Kaminari and Sero not to touch my napkins and towels before, not my fault they didn’t listen to me!”
“That doesn’t explain-” infuriated, she slams her hands down on his desk hard.
The explosion is the first to be heard.
Then her deafening scream.
Katsuki freezes at the feeling of blood on his face, his body trembles he didn’t even know there was any nitroglycerin on desk.
Everyone else must have made it to class. He can hear Aizawa shouting at everyone to head back to the dorms, Iida staying behind to help Aizawa with Mina while also explaining what happened.
Katsuki can’t seem to tear his eyes away from the finger and thumb that lay on his desk.
He can hear Deku talking to him then slowly begin to walk with him to the dorms with everyone else.
The rest of the day is a blur, nothing feeling quite real yet.
+1 Saturday
“Will Mina be okay?” he asks hesitantly, pain of his fingernails digging into his palm.
“So far yes, recovery girl managed to stop the bleeding and put her hand back together, but it will take a lot of time for her to get her mobility back.” Aizawa rubs his hand over his face, “I have informed yours and Mina's parents of the situation already, also i'm having a support item made for you when the weather gets like this again. Next time your nitroglycerin gets hard to control, I expect you to let me know.”
“Okay.” he responds, feeling the guilt eat away at him.
“Before you go Bakugou, are you okay?”
“Yes.” he grumbles as he stands up from his chair to leave only to see more concern grow on Aizawas face. Finally walking out of Aizawa’s office he heads back to his dorm room.
Feeling the nice chill of the ac entering 1A dorms he hears the chatter of his classmates among the kitchen with the strong smell of pancakes and syrup. Upon noticing him the chatter comes to a tense silence, he immediately puts on a scowl to hide how fucking anxious he is. Deku of course is the first to break the silence.
“Kacchan! I've been having trouble remembering the English alphabet. Can I study with you later?” he asks with a blinding smile.
“Whatever.” he mutters, somehow making Deku smile more. He walks up next to Kaminari who is also getting some breakfast, instantly noticing how he shuffles further away from him. It hurts more than he anticipated. Katsuki tenses quickly putting pancakes onto his plate that he grips so tightly he’s surprised it doesn't break.
Most of the silence is broken by an uproar when Mina walks through the door, her hand wrapped tightly in bandages, classmates quickly rush over to her asking millions of questions in worry.
The guilt comes crawling back, starting to feel the burn behind his eyes. He knows it's time to leave. He quickly takes his food and makes it to the elevator clicking level 4 feeling some of the nerves leave his body as the doors slide closed.
Every step he takes he feels like he's sinking deeper into the floor, wanting nothing more than to run back into his dorm room like a coward and pretend nothing this week had happened. But Bakugou Katsuki is NOT a coward, so forcing himself forward he stands in front of Mina dorm room hesitating for one second…then two…then finally knocking on her door.
Hearing her footsteps come closer to the door he stands up a little straighter preparing for yelling, maybe a slammed door in his face. Then the door opens, Mina's eyes widen and a soft smile appears on her face.
Well that's not what he was expecting.
“I'm so sorry Mina,” he says quickly still half expecting her to change her mind and slam the door on him, “The heatwave made it harder to control the amount of nitroglycerin my hands were making so that's why I’ve been ‘more of an ass than usual’ to keep you guys away till the weather calms down. I never meant for you or anyone else to get hurt.”
“I’m not mad at you anymore Bakugou I kinda figured that's why after thinking about everything in recovery girls office” she responds gesturing for him to walk into her dorm to talk more.
He steps in relieved she's not reacting to him in any kind of fear, still guilt and uncertainty stir inside him.
“I don't understand why you're not scared of me!” he shouts frustrated, “I almost ruined your hand!”
“I was mad Bakugou! I was mad about how you treated our friends! I was mad about my hand! And then I was mad you didn't tell us that your sweat worked like nitroglycerin!” she runs her undamaged hand over her face taking a deep breath, “But then I began to understand why,” And without hesitation she grabs and holds his hands “I’m not afraid of you Bakugou, what your quirk can do doesn't change anything.” Then she lets her hands slip from his.
“Why?”
Mina laughs “Bakugou I can secrete an acidic fluid. In middle school I was so nervous holding a girl's hand I accidentally started to use my quirk and she ended up in a hospital for acidic burns to her hand. People started to get scared of getting too close to me after that.”
He couldn't stop the laugh that escaped him then, “So your saying that we both ended up fucking up peoples hands?”
There was a second of silence before the both burst out laughing.
“I guess so,” she replies while laughing.
The guilt and the uncertainty finally unravel.
