Work Text:
Katsuki likes being a National Park Officer. It’s a good job, he enjoys being out in the wilderness. He’s definitely high in the ranks and in a few years he’d be a Regional Officer.
Though, he has to deal with high-level idiots sometimes. Like this one dweeb who can’t read a map for shit–
“I wasn't trying to like, go where I wasn't supposed to! I mean the trails are very beautiful but the signage isn't the best. Whenever I go to Fuji-Hakone-Izu it’s so organized and marked with safety information. I really think this place needs to step up their game–”
The nerd was rambling again. Katsuki found him about 10 minutes ago. He claimed he wasn't lost but his disheveled look and frantic eyes tell him otherwise. He’s oddly endearing in a weird way, probably because Katsuki likes people who like nature as much as him.
But it’s been open to many times he’s seen this dweeb lost in the trails.
“So why aren't you at Fuji-Hakone-Izu, then?” Katsuki sighs.
“Uhm,” the rambling stopped and Katsuki looked over to see the other man stutter out a response, “I like exploring all parks.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Katsuki walks them over to his work vehicle. His gear and uniform is getting quite sweaty, he can't wait to take a shower. Of course he had to deal with a lost visitor at the end of his shift.
Katsuki swings the passenger door open, “get in the car,” he sighs. Time to escort this guy to the bottom of the trail.
The guy is fidgeting with his seatbelt and Katsuki just knows he’ll open his month again any second, “I mean, I think the amount of international tourists is great for business but they’re just so loud and it’s a bit quieter here–”
Katsuki can't disagree. Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is definitely more of an authentic park, at least in Katuki’s opinion. It’s ideal for more experienced hikers and isn't as much of a tourist destination.
“Just take a map next time, will ya? Katsuki starts the engine, “and a compass.”
They’re swerving into the parking lot of the entry way of the park, and Katsuki is about to dump the visitor at the entryway, before the guy talks again.
Katsuki is a good driver as he steers with one hand. He feels the man’s eyes on him as he swerves around a corner. He feels his gun shake with the car’s motion and the collar of his shirt feels more loose than usual. Fuck. Maybe he lost a button.
“Of course, officer!” The guy’s fumbling over his words now, “Thanks for picking me up, I really wasn't lost but maybe I would've been..eventually,” he awkwardly laughs. “Could I grab your name?” he manages to stutter out. “Since I see you so often–”
“It’s Bakugou,” he rolls his eyes slightly as he stops the car, “Stay safe on the trails, okay?”
“I’m uh, Midoriya Izuku!”
He’s unsure why this guy is just sitting there looking at him anticipating something, instead of getting outta the car, “Okay Midoriya Izuku,” he says leaning into his space and touching the lock on the passenger side door. “Don’t get lost again.”
He really doesn't need some tragic death or man hunt over anyone. Especially some young kid full of life.
Midoriya’s cheek’s blush a light pink, and Katsuki almost feels bad for shooing him out of the vehicle, “Uh, yes officer Bakugou.”
“Skedaddle,” he pushes the door open and Katsuki has dinner to cook. And this kiddo is making him go into overtime.
He’s also trying to steady his own fluster and heart. God, Katsuki is secretly a softy. He can't have this.
Midoriya pops outta the car and gives Katsuki a little nod and playful aye-aye captain salute, as Katsuki rolls his eyes but can't help a small smile curve at his lips. Dammit. Teengers.
He makes his way to the station lounge. His boots are sticking in the mud and making a sluggish noise as he walks. He has to mentally talk himself out of his foolishness.
“Rescuing your boyfriend?" he spots the red hair before the words are even out of his mouth. Kirishima has a stupid grin on his face. For the one fellow park officer, Krishima might just get the most leniency from Katsuki.
Which he really needs to stop. Kirishima gets away with too much shit.
Katsuki’s 25. He entered the national civil service exam straight out of university. He hasn't been on that many dates. His love life isn't something he focuses on, really. Even though he deals with a bunch of people on a regular basis, he’s a bit.. reluctant to human connection.
“Shut up,” he shoves his hands in his pockets, he feels the weight of his gun on the side of his belt, “He’s just some dumb kid.”
Kirishima just waggles his brows at him, “maybe a cute dumb kid.”
He’s just some random visitor in the park, probably like 5 years younger than him, which Kastuki isn't interested in. He cares enough about him just like every other park visitor.
He cares about their safety and wellbeing and hopes they enjoy the wildness. But that’s about it.
━
The best thing about being a park officer is enjoying the trails that aren't open to the public. It’s probably the best thing about enjoying his job, it also keeps him fit and athletic and he can recognize multiple types of birds now. He even has a bird sighting app on his phone.
The worst part about his job is leading lost visitors off said unguarded trails and convincing them to get back on the designated ones.
As he’s walking, at 7 o'clock in the morning to catch the sunrise he catches a glimpse of someone in a bright orange windbreaker, which is definitely not the uniform for park officers.
“Excuse me,” he amplifies his voice trying to have it reach the distance. His voice is stern and authoritative. Some people say Kastuki is too authoritative for his own good and he can’t get loose. “These are not designated routes for your own safety–”
He’s met with the visitor turning round and meeting him with a nervous smile that slowly grows, “Oh! Officer Bakugou! Nice to uh, cya!”
He can't seem to remember the kid’s name, something-something-Izu–De, “Uh huh, Deku,” he’s walking closer to the guy, who isn't budging, “you could enjoy the view from the official paths, you know that?”
“Yeah, it’s just that I saw a deer and it was so cute!” Of course, Deku was an animal lover. “And the view of the sunrise would be so nice here!”
Katsuki leans against the tree as Deku stares into the distance, probably trying to eye the deer. He can catch the side profile of the man, and he’s like.. Kinda cute. Kirishima didn't lie there. Katsuki can see he’s sporting a bit of a tan, hmh, maybe he even has freckles?
“There’s plenty of deer on the trail,” he tries to say indifferently.
Deku looks back at him, warm eyes and a bit of a flirty look, "are you this adamant for everyone to stay on the designated trails.”
“Well,” Kastuki smirks a bit, “It’s easier than to do an investigation for a dead body. What do you think?”
He shouldn't be entertaining this flirting or whatever this is.
Deku shutters a bit, "gruesome, ick,” but he laughs. “And the name’s Izuku, not Deku.”
“Izuku,” he says. First name basis? Katsuki isn't that close to the guy, but he takes a look at his soft smile and nervous mumbling. “You wanna see a really good view of the sunrise?”
Izuku seems surprised, but he grins and walks closer to Kastuki, “Yeah! Sure! I’d love that–”
“Hurry up before I change my mind,” and he’s leading them against the rocky trails. There’s a giant ‘no crossing’ sign that Katsuki ignores and leads Izuku towards.
Katsuki has never actually brought anyone here, but some of his workers have a date idea or to impress someone. Katsuki always rolled his eyes at that and mentioned the safety concerns.
Either Izuku is quite stupid or is trusting in authoritative figures because what if Katsuki planned on pushing him off a cliff? Not all strangers are as nice as him..
There’s a bit of twists and turns and he thinks he feels Izuku stumble behind him, “You okay?”
“Yeah!,” And well Katsuki can't have him slipping on the trails. So he turns back slightly, Izuku is a bit flustered and brushes their shoulders past each other, “is this where you eat lunch?” He jokes a bit nervously, but the earnestness on his face is evident.
‘Tsk,” he mutters as he turns the trail corner which leads them to the best view of the horizon. It’s definitely a hidden gem, but kept off limits due to the risk of falling but the view is marvelous. He hears Izuku gasp beside him.
“Oh my God!”
“You better not come here without me,” He mutters, but even he shuts up for a moment to enjoy the sunrise. “And have your ass slip and fall.”
“Ah, yeah,” and then Izuku moves slightly as if he’s realising how close to the edge they are, “Oh fuck,” as he stutters, almost about to trip.
Without a second thought, Katsuki goes to wrap his arm around Izuku’s waist and stabilize him. The feeling of warmth against his own body even makes Katsuki’s eyes redden up with embarrassment. “Be careful,” he says even more softly than he anticipated.
“Uh, yeah,” Izuku makes no way to move as they watch the sky for a minute.
It’s nice being close to Izuku like this, but definitely not professional and something he should be doing. So Katsuki starts to slowly lead them off the path and back onto the designated route. It’s almost disappointing when he’s no longer making physical contact with the other man.
“So uh, how long have you been working here?”
“About 3 years?” His third year would be approaching soon. He started at this park right after graduation.
“Ah, good,” Izuku seems fidgety, almost like he’s calculating something, “You like it?”
“I studied Public Policy and Law, I plan to move up as an administrator," Katsuki is surprised he’s entertaining this roundabout small talk, but his curiosity is killing him, “What about you?” He turns to Izuku, “What do you do? Other than almost getting lost in parks.”
“Oh! Me?” I’m collecting research for Saitama University! I really like nature and the wilderness is so fascinating…”
“Yeah, I bet,” Katsuki kindly turns him out. He’s a student, huh? That could either mean he’s between 18 and like 22, approximately. But if he’s calculating the legalities then he really shouldn't be considering asking the guy out.
“Anyways, kid, I’m off to work.” Izuku gives him a weird look but nods, “Stay hydrated and don't get lost.”
Izuku laughs, “It’s not my first time on the trails.”
“Tsk,” he mutters as he keeps walking, “I sure hope not.” Katsuki sure hope’s he’s in his last year of university, cause he’d feel sick if he’s flustered over some 18 year old like this.
━━
Izuku feels horrible. He loves Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, he can't stop showing up because he decided to become a cougar!
Officer Bakugo is like, just fresh out of university and he’s probably in his mid-twenties. Izuku is closer to hitting his forties than his twenties.
It doesn't help that Bakugou is so good looking and has somehow enamoured him. His rugged but professionalism is so admirable. And Izuku really likes his blond hair.
Izuku really has it bad.
And it’s not like Bakugou is a minor or anything– it’s completely legal!
It’s just that Izuku feels horrible and he really shouldn't be crushing on the park’s officer, not that anything will come out of it..realistically.
So when he kinda gets lost again following the river and taking water samples he’s lost in his head again. His whole research is about watershed and river health monitoring. Right now he’s collecting algae samples..
It’s not unexpected that he runs into Officer Bakugou after a few hours. His voice startles him from his train of thought, “I hope you wore waterproof shoes,” the voice behind him almost makes him jump, “with how you're almost swimming in there.”
Izuku smiles a little to himself, “Officer Bakugou–”
“You can drop the officer part,” he says with an unamused tone but Izuku can tell he’s not indifferent to the conversion.
Bakugou watches in silence as Izuku jumps out of the river, or well, tries too, before Bakugou offers his hand and helps him step out. Bakugou’s hand is warm and stern, Izuku almost blushes from the slight touch.
Bakugou leads him out of the lake while holding his hand.
Once he steps out of the water, they're closer than anticipated, “Is this what kids do these days? Play in the river?”
The only thing that Izuku doesn't understand is why Bakugou keeps calling him a kid. He’s unsure if it’s a bit of flirting, or is supposed to be condescending, or if it’s just a weird quirk of his–
“I’m collecting samples,” he mutters as he closes the test tube and pockets it, “It’s very malicious research.”
“I hope they're paying you for this,” which makes Izuku side eye him. Of course the university is paying him, he’s not some intern. He’s on route to becoming a tenured professor for fucks sake! Not that there's anything wrong with being an intern…
After a moment of silence, Bakugou adds, “what are you collecting samples for?”
“Well, right now we're collecting water samples. It’s really sick actually! Macroinvertebrates like mayfly show good water quality. Right now I’m testing algae but it’s so cool finding different things in the samples once I head to the lab–”
Bakugou actually does listen, his eyes are warm and he nods along. He’s very very very cute. While explaining, Izuku almost fumbles and slips on a rock (especially since his shoes are wet). He feels his feet fumble and slip fuck..
Bakugou grabs him again, stabilizing his body. His hands are around his waist and they're so strong and stable. Izuku almost loses his mind. There’s only so much he can handle.
“Can’t have the star researcher get injured now, can't we?” Bakugou smiles. It’s a small smile but Izuku still spots it.
His heart can't handle this.
Screw the tourists, he needs to go back to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. He’s about to lose his mind.
━━
Katsuki loves his job as a park officer. But he’s unsure if God is testing his patience or his professionalism, because right now he’s got Izuku in his arms as some borderline flirtatious comment comes out of his mouth.
He lets him settle back in and lets go, “didn't want you to fall,” he steps back, it feels odd apologizing but he gotta, “My bad.”
There’s seems to be some glint in Izuku’s eyes, “It’s all good–”
It’s really not all good, “So how long have you been at Saitama University?” He should ask, to confirm, before he gets into even more trouble. At least mentally.
“Uh, well a few years now?” Few years? “I mean, finished my PhD from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology but that was like like 12 years ago or something–”
“Wait, huuuuh?” Katsuki can't believe this. Izuku has to be lying, no way is he a professor at university rather than a student. “You’re a teacher?”
His heart picks up a few notches.
“Associate Professor, but yeah. Why?”
Suddenly, Katsuki’s heart speeds up. He could definitely ask out Izuku. “Oh. that’s like, super cool,” But Katsuki feels ridiculously silly, no way would an older professor be interested in some rookie park officer, or be single…
Still he should shoot his shot, as they walk, Katsuki bumps his shoulder against him, “So do you spend all that time in that university of yours?”
It’s quiet, they can hear the wind and the breeze and the sun shines onto Izuku's face. Katsuki feels warm all over.
“Mostly,” Izuku’s eyes widened, “But I do have some free time."
Izuku is smiling at him too, like they're suddenly on the same page. It might just be the weather, but Katsuki feels himself heat up.
Katsuki smiles, he can't help the grin from growing. ‘So like,” he mutters, as they walk through the forest together, he sure hopes the associate professor likes younger guys, “How do you feel about going on a date?”