Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Katsuki walked into his first calculus lecture of the semester, looking for a spot near the front that didn't make him look like a try-hard nerd, but close enough he would still be able to take killer notes. 

It's not like he needed a spot all the way in the front anyways, math has always come easy to Katsuki. Ever since elementary school he’d been praised as a genius, even asked to tutor students in higher grades, though he always refused. (he is the best, why should he drag himself down to help some damn extras?)

This was Katsuki’s first semester at the best university in the country, UA. Impressions were everything, and as he was going to be the best damn engineering student to ever grace this campus, he wasn't going to let lack of supplies get in his way. He had meticulously prepared everything he might need, from backup pens and backups for his backups to every labeled folder and notebook being color coded. 

Katsuki tried his hardest to exude his typical nonchalance as he sauntered to class, posture relaxed and his hair in perfectly messy-looking spikes that took him an embarrassing amount of time to get to look unintentional. 

“You really take this whole fashion thing seriously, huh?” Kirishima had said to him the day before while sitting on the floor of their dorm, “Making a first day of school outfit and everything!”

His roommate Kirishima was the only one he tolerated these kinds of comments from, begrudgingly so. Shitty Hair had actually tried to talk to him and wasn't scared off by his brash personality or ego. 

“It’s not a damn first day of school outfit”, Katsuki shot back after a half hour of trying to choose the perfect arrangement of accessories that go with his baggy black jeans and a shirt from his favorite designer, complete with the trademark orange x. The various chains on his belt, the spikes in his vertical helix piercings, and studded cuffs looked pretty damn cool, if he did say so himself. 

He blames his damn fashion designer parents for beating into him the importance of a well constructed outfit.  

In his search for a seat, his eyes catch on a head of green curls hunched over a desk. Images of childhood and innocence flash before his eyes before he shook his head. He needed to stop seeing him everywhere. 

As he walked closer, he heard soft muttering. His eyes were drawn back to that figure, and a split second decision brought him closer to the sound. He set his backpack down as he took an empty seat behind the green haired student. 

He was just early enough to class to appear accidental, so Katuski took this time to pull out his notebook and syllabus to put in front of himself on the desk while waiting for the professor to arrive. 

According to Rate My Professor, Professor Aizawa was a tough grader, but still wanted his students to succeed if he thought they had potential. Of course Katsuki wouldn't need any help, he’d just have to get it right the first time like he always did. 

He was drawn out of his thoughts yet again by the muttering in front of him. The student had sat up a little bit now, and something familiar nagged at Katsuki…

“Deku?” He murmured as his brows furrowed, not even realizing he'd said it out loud.

The boy in front of him whipped his head around immediately at a concerning velocity, startling Katsuki. “Kacchan?”, he blurted, disbelievingly. 

Katsuki’s eyes widened as he saw the student's freckled face turn towards him. He hadn't seen those gleaming veridian eyes since he was eight. His childhood friend stared back at him with matching wide eyes for the first time in over a decade, and the world seemed to stop turning. 

~

I haven't slept in what seems like a century

And now I can barely breathe

Just like a crow chasing the butterfly

Chapter Text

Inko and Mitsuki met in college and were fast friends. Mitsuki’s brash recklessness was balanced out by Inko’s solid grounding and patience. 

Both in creative fields, art and fashion respectively, they had a lot of classes together and stayed friends through adulthood. Even when life pulled their paths apart, they ended up as neighbors in Musutafu so they could raise their children together. 

Of course, when they both had sons at the same time, the boys were destined to be friends from the start. So Izuku and Katsuki had always known each other. 

They played and explored together, becoming an iconic dynamic duo as known by all of their friends and family. They fanboyed over the heroes in the All Might comics, and played heroes in the woods behind their neighborhood. They were the Wonder Duo, always saving the day despite any obstacles. 

“Come on Deku, let’s go!” Katsuki’s shrill voice could be heard throughout the forest.

(In another universe, the name Deku was a dark red stain on the cloth of a torn friendship, and an aching obstacle to overcome and reclaim. In this universe though, it was an innocent playful misreading of kanji, clean of tears and burns)

“Coming Kacchan!” came a gleeful response from the boy with the red sneakers. 

“We’re gonna take down any villains in our way, isn't that right Deku? They don’t even stand a chance against us!” 

“Yeah! You're so cool, Kacchan!”

“Damn right I am! Stay next to me, make sure you don't fall behind-”

The two boys trailed through the trees, across creeks, and into a world that was all their own.

They were a constant in each other's lives. 

That was until they weren't. 

Izuku looked at Katsuki with tears in his eyes, “We’ll be b-best friends forever, right Kacchan?”

“Of course we will be you damn crybaby, don’t you trust me?” He thrust out his hand expectantly. 

Izuku sniffled and reached out to do their hero handshake, then wrapped his arms around Katsuki. The blonde boy brung his arms up to hug him back, burying his face in Izuku’s shoulder to hide his quivering lip and suspiciously shiny eyes.

“Of course Kacchan!” Izuku said wetly as he pulled away. 

“We’ll talk everyday! This is just another villain challenging us! Nothing will change I promise!” Katsuki held his fist up victoriously as Inko had to drag her son away with matching tears running down her face. If Katsuki saw those same tears again in the mirror many times after, he would never admit it. 

They tried their best to keep in touch, but as the years went on and they both found new friends at their new schools, they slowly stopped calling and texting about every little thing that happened. The time zone difference only added to their dilemma, and as they both started high school, Kacchan and Deku and their world together slowly became fond childhood memories far in the back of their minds. 

UA had always been Katsuki’s dream college, an aspiration he shared with Izuku as kids. It was the best school in the country, and fostered the greatest minds of the future that pushed society forward. They swore they’d go together and be unstoppable, just as they always were. Izuku always admired and praised Katsuki for his smarts, however they were all aware that Izuku matched his intelligence in every aspect with his analytical mind. 

The seemingly endless smudges of ink in those piles of notebooks were not easily forgotten.

No one doubted they could both get into the university, but in addition to his satisfaction and triumph, Katsuki felt melancholy when he received his acceptance letter. His childhood friend had drifted so far away he couldn't see him anymore when their shared dream had been actualized. He hadn't heard from the Midoriya’s in years, so it was doubtful he was back in Japan, let alone going to UA.

Pushing down those feelings, Katsuki steadily pushed forward into the next stage of his life, confident in his abilities and assured in his goals. The past was in the past, and Katsuki was rushing toward the future, unstoppable and standing alone above everyone else.

Or so he thought, until he heard that damn nickname that he hadn't heard in a decade from a ghost of his past he never thought he'd see again. 

“Kacchan?” reverberated in Katsuki’s ears over again. 

The Wonder Duo stared at each other for a long moment until their reverie was broken by a tired looking professor suddenly slamming the door open.

“You are being noisy, this is not social hour. I do not tolerate students who do not take my class seriously."

~

Like a crow chasing the butterfly

Dandelions lost in the summer sky

When you and I were gettin' high as outer space

I never thought you'd slip away

I guess I was just a little too late

Just a little too late

Chapter Text

Izuku got over his initial shock quickly at seeing his former best friend and turned back around to pay attention to the professor. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't focus on what the haggard looking man was saying, his mind instead stuck on the boy dressed in black right behind him. 

His stomach fluttered at the idea of talking to him again. He hadn’t told Katsuki when he was applying to UA and then when he got in. How was he supposed to reach out again after so many years? Was his number even the same? There had been nothing but radio silence from Katsuki for years. Did he not want to be friends anymore? Or had he forgotten? It had been a long time after all.

When his father received a job promotion that required a move to America, the whole family had up and left, leaving the Bakugo’s in Japan and in the recesses of Izuku’s mind. 

As heartbreaking as it was, they couldn't afford to turn down the promotion that required the move. Inko’s art career just wasn't enough to support them alone. So, they uprooted everything they had and didn’t look back. 

Eight year old Izuku didn't understand why they had to leave, but after futile explanations as to why he wouldn't get to see his favorite person for an unknown amount of time, maybe indefinitely, they had promised to keep in touch and that nothing could separate them. 

So much for that.

The Midoriya’s had a nice life in America, and Izuku was able to make a few good friends. But it was never the same. 

Now, they had the stable finances to send Izuku overseas and back to Japan to attend the prestigious UA University. And here he sat on his first day. Five thousand miles from his family and friends and five feet from the childhood friend he had left behind, but never forgotten. 

Izuku shook himself out of the train of thought, making sure not to start muttering again. That was one habit he couldn't seem to shake. 

He checked his watch, only twenty minutes left in class. Twenty minutes until he would face Katsuki again. Izuku’s hands fidgeted in anticipation.

He felt bad for his professor as he counted down the agonizing minutes, aware that Professor Aizawa could probably tell his mind was elsewhere. He had chosen a seat close to the front after all. His yearning to turn around and ask those burning questions and see those hauntingly familiar eyes was easily overpowering any real care he had in the end. 

Only Katsuki Bakugo could interrupt Izuku’s infamous focus on school and his ceaseless endeavor for academic excellence. 

When the moment finally came, he didn't know what to do with himself. He suddenly found himself engaged in another staring contest with those sharp, piercing eyes.

He started blubbering the first thing he could think of, “Kacchan I d-didn't know you got into UA! I mean of course you did, there was never any doubt about that, you're so smart and cool! Sorry I didn't reach out I wasn't sure-”

“What are you rambling about, you damn nerd? Good to know some things never change” Katsuki lets out a huff of laughter. 

Izuku cuts himself off as his cheeks heat in embarrassment. Why was he so nervous? During his high school years, it felt like he had gotten more self confident. And this was just Kacchan.

Nervous energy still pooled in his gut at the thought of being able to talk to the boy again.

Then he could feel a different set of sharp eyes glaring holes in his back. 

Intentionally not looking back at their fed up math professor, Izuku offered, “Do you want to go get lunch or something and catch up? I think we might get an F for the semester if we don't get out of Aizawa’s lecture hall soon” The last part falling into a whisper.

With a quirked eyebrow in the man’s direction confirming what Izuku had said, the blonde boy replied, “Yeah sure, let’s get out of here” and started packing up his supplies.

Izuku quickly jumped back around to his school things, haphazardly throwing them back in his bag, shooting up out of his chair once he was done.

“Let’s just go to the cafeteria, I have another class right after lunch” Katsuki said nonchalantly as they walked out of the room together.

“Yeah yeah of course!” Izuku said, still in mild shock at the other boy's presence, following him quickly, subtly soaking in every detail he could.

Katsuki checked his phone and scowled, muttering something that sounded like “damn extras”, piquing Izuku’s interest. 

“I forgot I promised to meet up with my roommate and some other extras today at lunch, to go over our classes or some shit. Mind if they tag along?” 

Izuku gaped as he stared, “Kacchan, you made friends? I definitely want to meet them!”, ignoring the small nagging part of him that was disappointed in the loss of one-on-one time with Katsuki. There will be other opportunities. 

“Fuck you mean I made friends? I didn't say they were my friends, and why the shit do you sound so surprised anyways?" Katsuki grumbled back.

Izuku laughed, causing what looked like a hint of a smile to tug at Katsuki’s lips, “Of course Kacchan, you’re number one and super duper cool how could I forget. I still wanna meet your not-friends.”

“Fine just stop rambling you damn nerd, let’s just get on with it” Shoving his hands in his pockets Katsuki started walking a little faster, and Izuku had to hit a jog to catch up, beaming the entire way.

He’d missed this. 

~

Your words still serenade me

Your lullabies won't let me sleep

I've never heard such a haunting melody

Chapter Text

Kirishima leaned back in his chair and breathed out. He was already exhausted and it was only lunchtime. On the first day of classes. Yikes.

He sat in the cafeteria with his friends waiting for one more to show up.

“You don’t think he forgot right?” Kaminari chirped from the other side of the table, drumming his ring laden fingers on the table. 

“Nah I just texted him, apparently he’s on his way. I guess his calc lecture went long or something? I dunno”

Jiro picked at her black nail polish next to Kaminari. “Does he even like us? Every time we hang out he basically curses us out. I know it goes with his whole punk look or whatever but he doesn’t need to be so harsh all the time. And don’t get me started with the nicknames, like he called me ears? I get that I'm always wearing headphones, but what does that even mean?”

“Yeah and dunce face?? Where does he even get these?” Kaminari pouted.

Kirishima smiles sheepishly and scratches his head. “That’s just his way of showing that he cares! I think…” 

“The fuck are you extras talking about?” A gruff voice interjects behind them.

Kaminari lets out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a screech at Katsuki's sudden appearance. 

“Oh hey Bakubro we were just waiting for you! What took you so long?”

“The hell was that noise dunce face? And I’m not late you losers, you’re just early” Katsuki snarled as he moved to throw his backpack down.

“Kacchan, that's not very nice!” Izuku laughs as he bumps Katuki's shoulder, coming out from behind the boy.

“Yeah yeah whatever you say, nerd” Katsuki replied with a playful smirk, his temper instantly diffused. 

Kirishima just barely prevented his jaw from dropping at the green haired boy's entrance. He took in his gray sweater vest, button up, and khaki pants. The nerdy looking boy really stood out in their black clad group sitting around the cafeteria table. But more than that was the way he talked to his explosive roommate, and without incurring his infamous wrath? And was that an honest to god smile he saw on Bakugo's lips? Who the hell is this?

“Kacchan?” Jiro spluttered as Kaminari started cackling.

“Bakugo, who is this guy? And how is he still alive after calling you Kacchan??” The blonde boy got out between laughing breaths. 

“Shut the hell up, you freaks! I’ve known shitty Deku forever or whatever. I don’t see what’s so fucking funny” Katsuki growled at the group, teeth snarled.

“Hello! My name is Izuku Midoriya, I’m sorry for intruding on your lunch! I just wanted to catch up with Kacchan and he invited me along!” Izuku said with a blinding smile.

“Woahhhh he’s so cute! How did you manage not to scare him off, Kacchan??” Kaminari teased with a gleeful grin on his face.

At that, Katsuki lunged across the table about to grab the perpetrator before Kirishima stepped in and grabbed his shoulders to stop him. 

 “Don’t fucking call me that” Katsuki seethed.

“Okay okay jeez all rights reserved to greenbean over here I get it” he gave in with his hands up placatingly and laughed.

Katsuki just glared at Kaminari while Kirishima took the opportunity to introduce himself.

“It’s nice to meet you Midoriya! You aren’t intruding at all, the more the merrier. I’m Eijiro Kirishima, Bakugo’s roommate!”

“I’m Denki Kaminari! You’re really friends with this jerk?”

Izuku laughed as Katsuki crossed his arms while sitting back.

“How about you go fuck off actually?” He scoffed, earning an elbow in the side from Izuku.

“Kyoka Jiro, nice to meet you” Jiro interjected. 

“So nice to meet you guys! I’m glad to hear that Kacchan found people he can actually get along with! How did you all meet?” 

“Well like I said Bakugo is my roommate! We were friends in high school and ended up going to the same school! We don’t have any classes together though because I’m a sports science major” Kirishima tells Izuku, smiling brightly.

“Wow, that’s so cool! There’s a lot you can do with that, I overdid it a lot with sports in high school, so I am well acquainted with that sort of profession.” Izuku replies while starting to lean into Katsuki’s shoulder.

Katsuki looked over at Izuku, making no move to extricate himself from the smaller boy. He’d have to ask about that little detail later. 

“And I’m an engineering student too! Technically electrical engineering, but I have a lot of schedule overlap with Bakugo” Kaminari leans forward and continues, smiling. “Despite all the insults I stuck around, he’s a pretty cool guy once you get past his nasty personality”

Before Katsuki could get riled up again, Jiro spoke up. 

“And I just started hanging around because I had nothing better to do, I know Denki from high school. And I’m majoring in sound engineering”

“You guys are like the holy trinity of engineering students,” Izuku laughs, his smile blinding the other students at the table.

“Alright we’ve told you about us, it’s your turn Midoriya! How does a precious ray of sunshine such as yourself end up being friends with this bad mouthed hooligan? And what’s your secret to making him so well behaved?” Kaminari says enthusiastically with a sly smile on his face.

“Yeah do you have blackmail on him or something?” Jiro theorized.

“O-oh nothing like that!” Izuku waves his hands in denial, “We’re just childhood friends that’s all there is to it! We practically grew up together. And Kacchan isn’t that bad, he's just not good at expressing himself!”

“Hah? What was that nerd? I do whatever I want, I'm not gonna pander to idiots!” Katsuki cuts in.

Izuku shakes his head “Uh-huh yeah Kacchan, that’s another way to say you’re bad at expressing yourself” 

“Arg whatever Deku, aren’t we here to eat? I have a fucking class soon so how about using your mouths for something other than useless yapping!” 

Laughing at their antics, the eclectic group fell into comfortable conversation as they finally got around to eating.

~

Chapter Text

Katsuki stayed on Izuku’s mind constantly after their first interactions. He yearned to be in his presence more and more, like a starving man thinks of food. A totally normal way to think about your long lost childhood friend, Izuku assured himself. 

They only had the one class together, but at least they got to sit next to each other in class twice a week. He also hung out with Katsuki’s friend group more often as well, from lunches and dinners to weekend outings. 

He had introduced his childhood friend to his own friend group as well, which had gone about as well as expected. 

Uraraka, who had been an online friend of his for almost a year now, tried her best to be friendly despite Katsuki’s standoffish impression. He only exploded at Iida once, only because he made a comment about his outfit being not appropriate for school, which he soon learned to be a futile effort. And finally, Todoroki, who was a computer science major with Izuku, treated Katsuki with a cool, assessing silence that the blonde boy was indifferent to after he discovered his snarls and cussing had no effect. 

Overall not bad! Izuku had to plan to introduce both groups to each other at some point, he was sure they’d all get along really well despite the obvious style differences, given the chance! He could tell his friends were surprised at, well, everything about Katsuki, but that was to be expected. 

They certainly made an interesting picture, with Izuku’s more preppy and academic group contrasting against Katsuki’s alternative friends. They were all great people and Izuku was determined to create some new friendships. 

As one of their lunches ended and Izuku had to leave for class, Katsuki hesitated for a moment before holding out his hand expectantly.

Confusion only sparked for a moment in Izuku’s eyes before muscle memory kicked in and he reached out for his hand to do their elaborate secret handshake they’d made up as kids.

Katsuki grinned with surprise. “So you do remember it, huh?”

Izuku mirrored his expression as he finished off their exchange with a fist pumped up towards the sky, a tribute to their favorite comic book character, All Might.

“I could never forget, Kacchan! What kind of hero partner forgets the secret hand seal of trust!”

“Damn straight, Deku.”

“I’ll catch you guys later then!” Izuku waved to everyone as he quickly walked away to meet with one of his professors.

What he didn’t see was Katsuki’s friends interrogating him about one of the remnants of their childhood innocence that had just been revealed to them. Heat creeped into Katsuki’s face as he brushed it off, just happy in the moment that he found something that the two boys still shared after all these years.

Izuku was diligently taking notes at the end of Professor Aizawa's lecture, trying his hardest not to let his gaze wander over to the boy sitting next to him in the second row. 

Katsuki continued to be the only thing that could tear his focus away from his studies.

Class had ended when he was just putting his finishing touches in his notebook, he had to make sure it was perfectly thorough and organized for later reference. A glance up from his work found Katsuki watching him intently, already packed up but waiting for the green haired boy. 

“Ah sorry to make you wait Kacchan! I’m almost ready”

“Whatever Deku, make sure your nerd shit is all in order” A smirk pulled at Katsuki’s lips.

Izuku quickly put his notebook in his bag, and he and Katsuki walked out of the classroom to the cafeteria, now a consistent part of their routine.

“Oi nerd” 

“What is it, Kacchan?” Izuku tilts his head with curiosity.

“You’re still a try-hard with school stuff right? How about we go over all that math shit together later or whatever.” Katsuki grumbled.

Izuku’s mouth drops open. Was Katsuki asking for him to tutor him? Or just a study group? The taller boy had always been the top of his class as long as Izuku had known him, never accepting help from anyone nor giving anyone his help, academically or otherwise. 

“S-sure Kacchan! That sounds great!” Izuku wasn’t going to think about it too hard, all he really cared about was getting to spend more time with Katsuki, doesn’t matter the reason. Studying with someone was also something that always came easy to him anyways.   

“This Friday work then? Where’s your dorm at?”

Izuku almost bluescreened at that. He really needed to get better at keeping his brain in his head around Katsuki. Was he inviting himself over to Izuku’s dorm? To hang out one on one?

“Well?” Katsuki huffed impatiently.

Shaking out of it, Izuku replied, “Oh yeah yeah umm Friday should be fine! A-and I’m in building B! I don’t have a roommate so we’d be able to focus on studying!”  

“Cool, whatever. That works then, I’ll text you about it later.”

“Yeah that sounds good, Kacchan!” Izuku was grinning wide.

Just then they arrived at the cafeteria, hearing Kirishima calling their names. 

“Bakubro! And Midoriya! Over here!” The redhead waved enthusiastically.

Their small conversation was forgotten for a moment as they fell into conversation with their friends.

Izuku paced around his room for the fifth time in ten minutes as he waited for Katsuki to arrive. 

They made more detailed plans over text, and Izuku had to make sure his room was spotless and ready for the boy to be in his space.

Katsuki was really coming over to his dorm! And he had initiated, meaning he actually wanted to be in Izuku's presence! The butterflies rising in his stomach made Izuku nauseous with anxiety. It was just Kacchan, the same boy he’d played heroes in the forest with when they were six. The same boy Izuku knew had just as many nerdy interests as Izuku, despite all his teasing.

But the difference is they were both adults now, and it had been quite a long time since they’d spent time together one on one. A lot can change in that time, what if they were different people now? Had Katsuki grown out of all that stuff?

Izuku moved over some All Might figures on his desk and patted down his bed again to make sure it was neat. Katsuki probably wasn’t even going to notice, he should stop worrying so much.

He jumped at the sound of light knocking on his door, then taking a deep breath to prepare himself.

A bright smile spread across his face as he finally opened the door, revealing the blonde boy on the other side. Izuku took in the black clad figure standing in front of his door, hair and outfit as immaculate as always.

Katsuki’s hands were in the pockets of his leather jacket, and he was wearing his black shirt with the skull on it. Izuku associated Katsuki with that shirt now, because no matter how many clothes he had, the engineering student always seemed to go back to it. His eyes started roaming down his camo pants held up by a spiky belt to his black combat boots before he was snapped out of his reverie. 

“Oi Deku, are you gonna let me in some time this week?”

“O-oh yes of course! Come on in Kacchan!” Izuku said, trying to stay cool as he stepped to the side and gestured inside.

Izuku watched nervously as Katsuki surveyed his room. 

“Seems about right, still a nerd” Katsuki huffed as he shook his head.

“Haha yeah, old habits die hard… So do you wanna start studying? We could sit here” Izuku asked while moving towards his table with two spots to sit arranged next to it.

“Oh yeah sure” Katsuki took the space next to Izuku on the floor in front of multiple notebooks and textbooks splayed on the surface of the table. 

As Izuku began going over some of the math content they’d seen so far this year, he started getting the feeling Katsuki was doing just fine in the subject of math, just as he always had. He had the feeling he was trying to act like he needed help, but Izuku could see straight through him.

Huh, he wondered why Katsuki had asked to go over this together then? Just to review? They didn’t have any exams coming up within the next few weeks though. And since when did the cocky boy ask for help anyways?

“Hey Deku, random question.” Katsuki said while leaning back away from the table.

“Yeah Kacchan?” Izuku replied, taking his attention away from the papers in front of him, and the questions in his head.

“When you were talking to Shitty Hair earlier, what did you mean you overdid it in sports in high school?”

“Oh yeah I did say that! It’s not really a big deal, I just played some football and did track in America and I got injured a lot. So I talked to sports therapists a lot about the kind of stuff Kristina is studying” Izuku almost stammered at the unexpected topic.

“How the hell do you get injured a lot in high school sports? And why did you keep doing it?”

“Between just straining myself from training too hard and the normal stuff you encounter in a full contact sport, I was in the nurses office pretty much every week” Izuku said sheepishly. “I enjoyed it though! And my teammates needed me, I was one of the best on the team”

“Damn nerd I guess you’re an athlete now then? Good, finally gaining confidence and getting some meat on your boney ass” Katsuki laughed.

Izuku laughed too, the banter between them coming back naturally.

“I wouldn’t call myself an athlete really, it was just for fun! Plus I can tell you’ve kept up your workout routine, I can’t even compare.” Izuku quirked an eyebrow and pointedly looked down to Katsuki’s arms and back up.

“Yeah no shit, I’m buff as hell.” Katsuki smirked as he flexed his arms. 

The thought that Katsuki certainly wasn’t exaggerating about that briefly crossed Isuku’s mind. The haughty boy had certainly grown into his body well since he had last seen him. Izuku wondered if now he had even more fangirls than before…

“Sure Kacchan, you’re the strongest and the manliest” Izuku imitated Kirishima with a smirk of his own.

Katsuki huffed at that. 

“How about we focus on the nerdy shit that I’m here for? Didn't take you for one to slack off, Deku.”

“Umm Kacchan you were the one that got asked a random question and got distracted? For that I think you should redo these problems” Izuku said in mock offense as he exaggeratedly pushed the papers towards him.

Katsuki groaned loudly, bringing his hands to his face in frustration. 

Izuku could tell he didn't mind at all.

~

I took all your pictures off the wall

And wrapped them in a newspaper blanket

I haven't slept in what seems like a century

Chapter Text

These little tutoring sessions (not really tutoring, Izuku could tell they both understood the content just fine) became a routine. Every few days they would meet in Izuku’s dorm and talk about whatever came to mind, basking in each other's presence.

After a few of these nights, Katsuki asked Izuku to come to his dorm instead. Izuku didn’t know what brought this change but didn't question it, he was excited to finally see Katsuki’s room! And it's not like they were actually studying anyways, so a change of scenery couldn't hurt. 

He wrung his hands before knocking awkwardly. 

Katsuki opened the door and the first thing Izuku could tell was that Kirishima wasn't in the room. The second thing was how organized his room was. 

Katsuki had always been put together, but his dark and edgy decorations lead seamlessly into the storage for his extensive clothes and accessories (he knows he got that from Auntie Mitsuki), and he still could see moments of his nerdy side he knew so well. The undeniable All Might comics next to his color coded school supplies shot a bolt of joy and nostalgia through Izuku. Maybe he hadn't changed so much after all.

Katsuki gruffly invited Izuku in and they sat down with the familiarity of this routine.

It only took ten minutes for Katsuki to break the normal pattern of these sessions. He spoke up suddenly, “I was thinking Deku, ya know we’ve already done a shit ton of studying right? And Shitty Hair and the group were planning on going out tonight, one of his friends is throwing a house party…”

Izuku’s jaw dropped, thinking he hadn't heard right at first. He had only been to one party before with Todoroki, and it ended up being more like a networking event than a college party.

“Like me and you? Going to a house party? Tonight?” Izuku asked in disbelief.

“Got a hearing problem or something? Do you wanna go?” 

“I mean I guess? We don't really have anything to study, and if it's gonna be Kirishima and his friends it should be fine I think? But I-I don’t really have any party clothes though, I’m sure I’d just hold you back from having fun, Kacchan”

“You can borrow some of my clothes then,” Katsuki offers. “And I invited you, right? Why the hell would I do that if I didn't think it'd be fun.”

It only took a moment for Izuku to think about it. 

“You know what, why not? I’m down” he surprised himself with his response, finding he actually wanted to do it. He was an adult now, he could handle a party with some friends. 

The smile he got from Katsuki only encouraged him further.

“Alright Deku, we've got some work ahead of us, I have a few ideas,” Katsuki said enthusiastically, laser focused as he started going through his extensive closet.

Izuku scratched his head, wondering what he was getting into.

Katsuki did a pretty damn good job, if he does say so himself.

He stood back from Izuku, admiring his work.

The green haired boy picked at the tight fishnet sleeves he was wearing under a fashionable green shirt (Katsuki could not deny that was his color, through and through). The black cargo pants fit him surprisingly well. They were more of a similar size than Katsuki originally thought, with Izuku actually bulking up a bit in high school. He couldn’t talk Izuku out of the bright red sneakers, but that was fine. The other various chains, necklaces, and bracelets made up for it. 

Katsuki himself was wearing a form fitting black tank top that emphasized his shoulders, complete with his usual baggy black jeans and studded belt. And he never went anywhere without his chunky combat boots and whatever chains and spiked jewelry he could put on his body. 

“Hmm it just needs one more thing” Katsuki reached for his eyeliner on the desk and held it up to Izuku. “Close your eyes nerd”

“Uhm Kacchan, is that really necessary?” He eyes the little pen dubiously.

“I mean it’s up to you but I think it’s pretty fucking awesome” 

Izuku looked Katsuki in the eyes assessingly for a moment before sighing.

“Fine, sure, I’ve come this far, what's some eyeliner?” he closed his eyes in defeat.

“Hold still, Deku,”  Katsuki leaned in and went to work, steadying his hand on Izuku's cheek.

Katsuki could feel the shorter boy's breath on his face as he got closer in concentration. He was almost finished when his eyes flickered to the rest of his face. His stomach fluttered slightly at the sight of Izuku obediently holding his freckled face up to Katsuki with his eyes closed. Had he ever seen his face this close up before? 

Izuku’s quiet fidgeting snapped Katsuki out of it, quickly moving back to his eyes to finish the look.

Stepping back to check the symmetry, Katsuki nodded. “Lookin’ badass, nerd”

Opening his eyes, Izuku pursed his lips. “It feels like I’m just cosplaying you, Kacchan, like a costume” 

“Nah it suits you, don’t sweat it”

Katsuki noticed Izuku was quite flushed, so he decided to move this along.

“I think we’re all set then finally. So you wanna meet up with Shitty Hair and the others?”

“We probably should,” Izuku murmured while looking down at his outfit. 

Katsuki thought that his clothes really did suit Izuku well. This was a great idea, recently he had been using any excuse to hang out with the boy more often. 

They had always gotten along so well, and their effortless and quiet familiarity felt like home. 

He really had missed his best friend all these years. 

Chapter Text

It was a short walk to the house where the party was, they were going to meet their friends outside.

Kaminari noticed them first.

“Hey Bakugo! And is that Midoriya? So glad you decided to come, man!” He turned to Izuku and took in what he was wearing for a second. 

“Damn Midoriya I didn’t know you were chill like that!” He went to high five him as he exclaimed, “let’s get this party fuckin started!” 

“Yeah!” Jiro cheered.

The group started walking towards the house together, and Kirishima sidled up to him with his jaw dropped.

“You look so manly dude, that’s a sick fit! I’m totally psyched you were able to make it tonight” 

Izuku flushed and smiled, “yeah of course, I figured it would be fun! I love your outfit too!”

“Thanks Midobro! We’re gonna have so much fun!” Kirishima pumped up his fist with a smile. 

The group walked into the house together, music booming and lights flashing from the building as they walked across the porch. 

Izuku was already starting to feel overstimulated at the sound combined with the unfamiliar clothes, and found himself leaning towards Katsuki. As they walked in, the blonde boy slung his arm over Izuku’s shoulders.

“Relax Deku, were going to the kitchen in the back to find Shitty Hair’s guy, it'll be a lot quieter”

 Izuku released a breath he didn't realize he was holding at that.

“Thanks Kacchan, I’m just not used to this stuff” he whispered back. 

He managed to calm himself back down by the time they got to the kitchen. Kirishima was talking to a tall, black haired boy. Just then he waved them over.

“Hey this is Midoriya, he tagged along tonight! Midoriya, this is my friend Sero! Thanks again for inviting us, bro.” Kirishima clapped Sero on the back. Midoriya waved and smiled at their host.

“Eyy it's no issue, hope y’all have fun! It's great to meet you Midoriya, let me know if you need anything” He flashed him a thumbs up, then headed into the crowd. 

The group stood around the kitchen for a bit just talking and laughing, Kaminari helping himself to multiple cans of beer he had hidden somewhere in his pockets. He offered one to Izuku and Katsuki, but they both declined.

“... and then he gave me a cup of hot water, I shit you not, from the back of the washing machine!” Jiro finished her story, gesturing wildly. 

Kirishima was laughing hysterically, “I think when you are at some rando’s basement party, it's a good idea to not to drink anything they give you…”

Izuku was starting to feel more relaxed now, laughing with his friends made it feel more familiar. 

“You gotta bring your own drinks! That's the name of the game, trust” Kaminari said matter-of-factly. “Also Midoriya, is this your first party? If you need any advice let me know!”

“Yup, first time at a party like this at least, I appreciate that!” Izuku admitted, only a little embarassed at the admission. Luckily his friends didn't seem to mind at all.

“Yeah of course! Also that’s a great party outfit, you look hot as fuck!” Kaminari exclaimed, the others nodding in agreement. Izuku flushed at the unexpected attention he was recieving.

“Definitely different from your daily wear! I was half expecting you to show up in a sweater vest, not that there's anything wrong with that or anything…” Kirishima added, trailing off sheepishly .

Izuku blushed further at that and stuttered out, “T-thanks guys, umm it was actually Kacchan’s idea… he gave me the clothes and everything”

“Damn Deku is a fuckin’ fashion disaster half of the time, so you know I had to step in for the nerd’s first real college party” Katsuki cut in, nodding and obviously proud of his work.

“It’s not that bad, Kacchan!” Izuku tried to defend himself. 

“Do you still have those shirts that just say a kind of shirt on them?” Katsuki tilted his head innocently. 

“Uhhh I plead the fifth,” Izuku looked away guiltily. 

“Oh I need to see that,” Kaminari grinned while the others laughed.

Izuku smiled sheepishly as the conversation moved onto another topic, he realized in relief.

Eventually they started making their way to the louder room, Izuku feeling a bit more comfortable with the situation now. 

They pushed their way into the crowd, dancing and jumping to the music. It wasn't long before the group got split up, and Izuku ended up pressed into Katsuki's side surrounded by dancing people in their own world. 

Izuku smiled as he got into the rhythm of the music, the lack of spectators freeing. He looked up at Katsuki, finding him watching. Izuku found he didn't mind, grabbing his hand so they could dance together. 

Katsuki startled when Izuku suddenly grabbed his hand. He had gotten lost in watching the green haired boy find his confidence in the masses. As much as he hated to admit it, Kaminari was right, he looked hot as fuck in his clothes. 

His clothes. His childhood friend was right in front of him, wearing his clothes and now grabbing his hands to get him to dance along with him. When the shorter boy looked into his eyes, it was like they were kids again with their own little universe all to themselves. 

How fucking lucky was he to have found this again.

With a smile, Katsuki joined Izuku in moving with the music, with nothing but each other in the noise surrounding them.

Life continued as normal after the party. Katsuki hung out with his friends, he studied hard for classes, and the tutoring sessions continued regularly. 

There was just one thing a little different. Katsuki started to notice Izuku becoming, dare he say, a bit of a rulebreaker. It caught him off guard every time, the Izuku he had always known was a rule follower to a T, panicking when he had to do something even remotely out of line.

So when Izuku asked Katsuki to come with him to the comic book shop a block off of campus to get the latest All Might comic, he found himself speechless. It wasn't the activity he suggested that was surprising, but the time he wanted to go. 

Right during their shared math class. 

“Damn Deku you're skipping classes now? What happened to you??” Katsuki asked him incredulously. 

“Well it's not like we both don’t already know all the content covered in that class…” Izuku looked away in faux guilt.

“I mean I don't have a problem with it, I just didn't take you for a truant.” Katsuki raised an eyebrow at the boy. 

Izuku looked back hopefully. “So is that a yes?”

“Whatever nerd, let’s go.”

Izuku literally jumped for joy as he started skipping down the hallway, earning a disbelieving laugh from Katsuki.

He decided he liked this side of the boy he'd known for years that he had never seen before.

“I’m so excited for the new issue, the cliffhanger with All for One has been killing me!” Izuku rants enthusiastically as they walk together. 

“Can’t believe you still keep up with those fuck ass comics.”

“Well you did too, Kacchan.” Izuku shot back.

Katsuki hums, “Damn, you got me there.”

They arrived at the store just in time, and they were both able to get a copy of the new release. 

While waiting in line, Katuki asked, “So you really don't have a problem with skipping class like this? It isn't secretly eating your nerd self up inside?”

Izuku scoffed at the question, “Nah nothing like that, I’m not that dramatic. It's not like I had a problem with it or anything, I’ve just never had friends that would approve, so the opportunity never really came up…”

“Until now?”

Izuku laughs, “Yeah, well now I have you!”

“So basically I’m a bad influence, is what I'm hearing.” Katsuki put an exaggerated scowl on his face.

“The worst!” Izuku smiles at him, eyes seemingly indicating he thinks the opposite. 

They both walked out of the store victorious, and Katsuki got the feeling this wasn't the last time they’d do this sort of thing.

That sounded good to him.

~

Chapter Text

He should have known having a Nintendo switch in the vicinity of where studying happened was a bad combo. 

So Izuku really shouldn't have been surprised when he found himself shoulder to shoulder with Katsuki, losing Mario Kart in his dorm one night when they were supposed to be studying. 

It's not Izuku's fault the Rainbow Road was calling to him! And to Katsuki too, evidently. 

It was getting late, and a school night too, but Izuku couldn't really bring himself to care enough to kick Katsuki out as they started another round. 

“HAH TAKE THAT BITCH, CHOKE ON MY SMOKE!” Katsuki yelled as he set Izuku back in the race yet again with a banana. 

“That wasn't very nice, Kacchan” Izuku pouted, preparing himself for yet another loss. 

The loud boy aggressively bumped his shoulder against Izuku’s, boasting, “Keep practicing and maybe in a few years you'll be able to become as great as me!”

“Yeah yeah, you're the strongest ever Kacchan, whatever you say.” Izuku deadpanned. 

Katsuki looked over to find Izuku’s tongue sticking out of his lips a little in concentration. 

He didn't realize he was staring until Izuku turned toward Katsuki with a victorious look on his face.

“You were saying, Kacchan?” He taunted as a mischievous smile grew on his face.

Realizing he had just lost, a scowl crossed his face, “You just got lucky!”

“Hmm I don’t know about that, Kacchan. Looks to me like I beat your ass”

“Don’t get cocky! Let's go again!” Katsuki said resolutely, ignoring how weird trash talk sounded in the nerd’s voice. He almost wanted to hear it again.

They stayed up, bantering and gaming, for far later than Izuku would normally stay up. He knew Katsuki always went to bed at a reasonable time too on school nights, but neither wanted to leave. They were both exhausted the next day, but neither could find it in themselves to regret it. 

Katsuki didn't realize he hadn't gotten his shirt back from Izuku until he saw him wearing it in class a week later. Not that he minded, he had plenty of shirts and that one suited the green haired boy well.

But it didn't stop there. 

One of his belt loop chains went missing from his room after one of their increasingly regular gaming study sessions. He was going to ask Shitty Hair if he had seen it until he solved the mystery all by himself. Katsuki heard a suspicious clanking noise as Izuku sat down next to him in the math lecture hall. 

Slowly turning his head to the side, Katsuki narrowed his eyes at the green haired boy, before pointedly and looking down incredulously to chain dangling off his blue jean’s belt loops. 

“Uhh Kacchan I-I can explain-” Izuku began to defend himself as he noticed Katsuki's attention.

Katsuki cuts him off, “You do know you can literally just ask me, right? There's no need to be a sneaky little thief, Deku.” 

“R-really?” Izuku seemed dubious at Katsuki’s lack of anger.

“Yeah of course, it's not your fault my style is so awesome you have no choice but to resort to stealing it” Katsuki lifted his chin, his ego dripping from his words.

Izuku laughed at his antics, unable to take him seriously, and the tension lifted from his shoulders. 

Katsuki looked at the boy next to him again. He had to admit Izuku looked as good as ever wearing his style. He still couldn't get the image of him at the party out of his head. He had more than enough in his wardrobe, maybe some of it would be better with Izuku anyways. 

“It’s my job as your bad influence remember? Let me know if anything piques your interest.” Katsuki smirked, plans already forming in his head. 

When Izuku found an eyeliner pen and some black nail polish in his bag later, he had a pretty good idea where it came from.

Their outing today was a bit different. Izuku followed Katsuki out of the store they were just in, having accompanied him on a shopping spree the blonde claimed he needed. Izuku thought he had plenty of clothes already, but who was he to talk. He personally usually stuck to the same sweaters and tacky t-shirts without too much thought into it.

Thinking they were heading to another clothing store, Izuku was startled when he realized what the next place Katuski had dragged him to was. 

The tattoo shop wasn't sketchy per-say, just a little dark and ominous. Definitely not the place Izuku was used to frequenting.

“Uhmm Kacchan, what are we doing here?” Izuku asked meekly.

Looking over at the cowering boy, Katsuki replied, “Don’t look so fuckin’ scared Deku. I’ve just been meaning to get a daith piercing and we were in the area anyway.”

“A daith… piercing?” Izuku stuttered out. A glance at Katsuki’s ears caused Izuku to wonder where else he could put a piercing. He already had studs in his lobes and spikes and bars across the remaining curve of his ear. 

“Yeah nerd, right here.” He said dryly, pointing to a fold in the center of his ear. 

Izuku’s jaw almost dropped at that, this was news him. He didn't know that was a place that you could pierce.

While he was contemplating, Katsuki walked up to the desk and made his appointment.

Twenty minutes later, Izuku found himself standing across from Katsuki, who was sitting in a chair next to the heavily tattooed individual’s piercing station. 

Izuku watched in fascinated horror as a needle was expertly maneuvered around the peaks of cartilage Katsuki had pointed out earlier. It was over quick, with a small silver hoop slid into where the needle was, and only a little blood dripping down. Katsuki hadn't as much as winced.

“Did it hurt at all?” Izuku questioned worriedly as everything was cleaned up and they were ready to leave. 

“Nah, just a little but I’m used to it. All my other piercings are healed so why not get another one?” Katsuki laughed, clearly unaffected. 

Izuku reached up to feel his own untouched ears, wondering. “Did it hurt when you got your lobes pierced?”

Katsuki looked over curiously before a mischievous grin grew across his face. “Not at all, but knowing your crybaby ass, you'd need someone to hold your hand. What, you considering it?”

With a contemplative look on his face, Izuku replied, “I don't know, maybe."

“I really am a bad influence” he said and began cackling. 

“Would you come with me?”

Katsuki’s heart fluttered a little at that for some reason. 

He smiled softly, “Yeah of course, nerd.”

If anyone noticed the slight changes in Izuku over time, they didn't say anything. 

Uraraka only slightly flinched when Izuku would start to curse more often, and decided not to question it when he came to her for advice on doing eyeliner. And of course she was overjoyed when they were hanging out in her room and he suggested doing each other's nails. All in all, she didn't have any problems with it, he seemed happier nowadays and that's all that Uraraka cared about. 

Kirishima was well enough acquainted with Katsuki's wardrobe that he noticed every time Izuku was wearing the taller boy’s clothes. It wasn't any of his business, and Izuku seemed to like the clothes, so he wasn't going to comment on it. It suited him, in Kirishima’s opinion.

Katsuki was noticeably softer now too, not just with Izuku now but with everyone. He wasn’t nearly as abrasive with Jiro and Kaminari as he was in the beginning. He was clearly focused on academics (even studying multiple nights a week with Izuku!) and became more open with his nerdier hobbies. He let Kirishima borrow one of his comics last week, something Kirishima never would have thought Katsuki would offer.

The two friends almost seemed to be blending together. Maybe it was a symptom of slowly spending more and more time together every day, or maybe they had always been more similar than everyone originally thought. 

They seemed good for each other, both Uraraka and Kirishima agreed.

~

Chapter Text

It wasn’t every day that Izuku learned something new about Katsuki. It was a phenomenon that usually came along with the whole childhood friend thing. 

He relished in his intimate knowledge of the blonde boy's past and personality nuances, and his somewhat unique ability to interact with him. Izuku treasured his hard-earned skill at managing Katsuki’s somewhat explosive temper and his words that come out harsher than intended.

This knowledge wasn't infinite, nor was it up-to-date due to their unfortunately long separation. So, on some rare days he was completely caught off guard by what he learned of the details of Katsuki’s life that had developed completely out of his reach. Today just happened to be one of those days. 

Izuku was sitting in a nice study spot he'd found earlier that had quickly become one of his favorites. It was a comfortable chair with a small desk, tucked in the corner of a hallway. He loved his friends and hanging out and studying with them, but sometimes being alone and hidden, nestled in a discreet corner like this without being distracted just put him in the zone. It was here, right when he was settling into dedicating all his focus on his assignment, he happened to overhear a conversation between Katsuki and Kaminari that caught his interest.

“You said six was good for practice today, right? Jiro’s free then too so we can actually get a few songs in.” Kaminari asked Katsuki as he caught up with the spiky haired boy in the hallway. 

“Yeah Sparky I’ll be there. Maybe you guys will play a fuckin’ chord right so we don’t sound like shit!” 

“Come on, that’s what we’re practicing for man! I guess I’ll see you then- oh hey Midoriya! didn't see you there!” Kaminari exclaimed as they walked past Izuku’s nook.

“O-oh hey Kaminari! Hi Kacchan!” Izuku perked up, waving at the boys. So much for no distractions, not that he really minded in the moment.

“Hard at work I see! Well we’ll leave you to it then!” Kaminari mock saluted with a goofy grin and moved to start walking away. 

Without thinking, Izuku abruptly asked, “Wait, what was it you guys were talking about?”

Kaminari looked back and offhandedly responded, “Huh? Oh nothing much, we're just having a band practice tonight. It’s been a while because everyone's schedules are so crazy.”

Izuku’s eyes widened at the revelation. He looked over to the other blonde boy and exclaimed, “I didn't know you were in a band, Kacchan!”

He really had no clue, last time Izuku checked Katsuki didn't play an instrument? But it would be understandable that he picked it up in the years they had been out of contact. Katsuki had never even mentioned it in the past few weeks, though! The desire to learn more about his oldest friend won out against the sour feeling in his stomach that settled at not knowing such a major thing about him. He would get all the details later for sure.

“You didn’t know? He's our kick ass drummer! You wanna tag along to practice today and see?” Kaminari excitedly offered at the interest Izuku expressed. 

“I hold that dumpster fire together, as you could probably guess,” Katsuki snarked.

“Are you sure I wouldn't be interrupting you guys?” Izuku meekly asked. The truth was that the idea delighted Izuku. He could picture it now, drums really did suit the explosive boy. 

“No, not at all! If anything it gets us motivated, seeing as our only fan right now is Kirishima…” Kaminari trailed off. 

Well that settled it. “I’ll be there!” 

A few hours later, Izuku found himself in front of one of the many practice room doors in the music building. Despite all odds, he had actually finished his assignment earlier! And now he was here, hesitating at the unassuming black door, anxiety crawled up his throat. There was no need to be nervous, he told himself, it was just his friends! He’d been explicitly invited, and Kaminari, Jiro, and Kacchan all wanted him there. He was just getting worked up about this, the anticipation had been causing fluttering nausea to grow in his gut all afternoon. 

Steeling himself with a deep breath in, he pushed the door open. 

Izuku let his eyes roam the unfamiliar environment. The walls were covered in what looked like sound proofing material, and there were multiple instruments and equipment he did not recognize. He stepped further into the room to find his friends, Jiro setting up her guitar and Kaminari messing with the cords laying on the floor. 

Katsuki was towards the back messing with his drums, and he was the first to notice the new person in their space.

“Oh hey nerd, you're right on time.” Katsuki called out to him, fully standing up from his drumset. 

At the drummer’s statement, the other two band members looked up to see Izuku standing in the doorway.

Before Izuku had time to get nervous at the new attention focused on him, Kaminari spoke up enthusiastically, “Yo Midoriya! I’m so hype for you to see this practice! Prepare to be amazed!”

“Actually you should probably meter your expectations…” Jiro deadpanned next to him. 

“I’m sure you’ll be great!” Izuku cheered. He felt himself growing more comfortable with the situation, and found himself getting more excited to see Kacchan all his friends in action.

He nervously found a place to sit on the couch in the room off to the side. Quietly he watched electric guitars being tuned, amps being plugged in, and mic stands being adjusted. 

This really was a whole different world he had never been privy to. This up-close glimpse of his friends and their hobbies filled Izuku with a soft sort of joy. He has had other friend groups before, but none of them felt as genuine as this, and he loved any opportunity to get closer to them. And they looked so cool! 

“Ready?” Jiro asked, prompting an enthusiastic affirmation from Kaminari and a gruff, “let’s just get on with it” from Katsuki. 

As they played, Izuku could only watch in awe. The group messed up a few times and were by no means perfect or professional, but it was mesmerizing all the same. They worked so well together, like watching a well oiled machine doing routine maneuvers.

Multiple times Izuku found his eyes fixed on Katsuki. There was so much movement from the blonde boy sitting at the drumset, arms and legs moving in a controlled but explosive grace that drew him in. He looked so in his element it almost took Izuku's breath away. The way his arm muscles flexed and sweat started to drip down his face painted with his confident smirk- 

Izuku cut off that train of thought swiftly.

Izuku would be the first to admit Katsuki was attractive. Especially since reaching adulthood, the boy had grown into his figure, and his sharp eyes and carefully styled hair always seemed to summon images of runway models. The thought that Katsuki probably had a lot of fangirls falling over him now suddenly struck Izuku. The sharp annoyance that came along with the realization confused the green haired boy, but he dismissed it.

Was it normal to be ogling your best friend like this? Izuku wondered. But surely it was undeniable that his childhood friend was certifiable eye candy, as some would put it. Surely he had a free pass because of their history. Why not take in the art right in front of you? Especially if the art in question had been next to you your whole life. 

Guilt successfully assuaged, the lone spectator of the band turned his full attention back to the alternative group playing for the rest of the practice. Especially to the drummer. 

By the end Kaminari, Jiro, and Katsuki were all glistening with sweat under the harsh lights, and Izuku was thoroughly impressed. Sure it wasn’t perfect, but watching their energy and the processes of working though each song together was something like magic. Izuku would definitely be adding some of this genre to his daily playlist as well. Maybe Katsuki would have some recommendations for him.

“You guys were amazing!” Izuku praised them as they started packing up their gear.

“No need to exaggerate Midoriya, but I appreciate the thought” Jiro laughed sarcastically, shaking her hands out from the duration of playing. 

Izuku’s face stayed lit up in wonder. “No really! I would love to watch you again next time you have a practice! I mean only if you want though…” he faded off tentatively.

“If you liked it so damn much we’re not gonna stop you.” Katsuki piped up from the side. 

And just like that Izuku’s bright smile returned. That was as close to an admission from Katsuki he would get. “Okay then! Consider me your biggest fan!” He pumped his fist in the air enthusiastically. 

His fanatic energy earned smiles from each of the band members, including Katsuki. When he looked over, Izuku’s heart lit up at the sight of Katsuki’s soft smile in his direction. He tried his best to mirror it back to the blonde boy.  He would definitely come to more of these. 

With the inclusion of band activities, Katsuki found himself in Izuku’s presence more often than not in a day. 

Not that he minded, he barely even noticed. The green haired boy at his side felt as natural as breathing, like he was just an extension of himself, not that Katsuki had ever put that feeling into words. Their familiarity was just so easy in the undercurrent of all their interactions, it comfortably remained unsaid.

The sizzling pan in front of him reminded Katsuki of the task at hand. The stir fry he was making in the shitty dorm floor kitchen was starting to look more and more appetizing. 

He looked over to Izuku sitting at the beat up table next to the kitchen, frantically writing notes in his composite notebook. He fondly recalled childhood days filled with his muttering and scribblings in those notebooks of his. Katsuki's kind-hearted teasing of the habit had an undertone of admiration at the muttering boy's intelligence.  

Tonight Katsuki was making dinner for the both of them during one of their “study sessions” that went late (as usual). They no longer bothered with the guise of studying, usually just talking or playing games, and just generally hanging out. 

That was the original purpose of the meetings, anyways. Katsuki had asked him on a whim all those weeks ago, his mind jumping at the first excuse to hang out backed by the desire to not let his childhood friend slip out of his life again. 

It had worked wonderfully, evidently.

“Oi Deku, come and get some food, it’s almost done” Katsuki yelled over to Izuku, trying to get his attention as he took the pan off the heat.

Katsuki had always enjoyed cooking, and thanks to his father he had become quite good at it too. Not that he enjoyed making food for people, but he found the process satisfying and he was able to savor his hard work afterwards. He had felt the compulsion to cook for Izuku, though. A new feeling for Katsuki for sure.

He chalked it up to the small but nagging fear in the back of his head of losing Izuku again. Fear that the green haired ball of joy in his life would drift away again just as unexpectedly as he had appeared. 

So that must be why he felt the need to hang out with him more and the need to do things for him to make him happy, to make him want to stay. Silly, sure, but it made sense in Katsuki’s head at least. 

So here he was again, late at night in his dorm building kitchen, plating dinner for the two of them after their conversations went far later than intended. 

Luckily, Katsuki had the ingredients around in case of a situation just like this one, so he was able to make sure the food was good. The extra effort put into these dinners for just him and Izuku went unnoticed by Katsuki, rationalized by the same train of thought as before. 

“Ooh it smells so good, Kacchan!” Izuku exclaims in delight as he rubs his hands together, walking up to the counter. 

“You’d say that about any shit, nerd. Your eating habits are garbage.” Katsuki criticized while finishing the plates and retrieving silverware for them. 

Izuku huffs and descends on his serving.“Time just flies by! Going all the way to the dining hall is such a hassle, and it's not like I can cook for myself.” It really did look delectable, and he was ravenous since missing lunch because he was studying and lost track of time (a pretty typical occurrence). 

They both grab their portions and sit down at the dorm's communal dining table, currently desolate at the late hour, most other residents out or holed up in their rooms for the night. Alone, the two students dig into their meal. 

Their silence is comfortable as they both eat. The content look on Izuku’s face brought an elated joy to Katsuki’s core. Ever since they were reunited, Katsuki has just been happier overall. The world has seemed brighter, even. 

God, he never wanted this to end. Even these stupid, mundane little moments stretched into what felt like hours, and Katsuki never wanted them to stop. He wanted to keep making dinner for Izuku and to drag him around wherever he went forever. He yearned for this to be a constant.

The depth of these feelings scared Katsuki a little. He had never felt anything like this before, so he pointedly decided to go back to not thinking about it. Avoiding an issue was the best way to resolve it! Especially when it comes to feelings, according to Katsuki, at least. 

“So how are you feeling about that dumbass Spanish midterm coming up?” The cook asked to be distracted from his thoughts.

“I’m sure it'll be fine, I’ve been studying with Sero, he’s in that class and he’s basically fluent already!” Izuku laughed, “I only have to get through this semester to meet the foreign language requirement.”

Katsuki shook his head. “I still don't get why you didn't take English, you could've passed that with your fucking eyes closed!”

“It would've been too easy! I lived in America for years, it’s like cheating.” Izuku insisted. “Plus if I’m paying for a college education, I might as well learn something new!”

Katsuki raised an eyebrow. “Even if it tanks your GPA?” 

At that, Izuku brought his hands up to his face and groaned dramatically. “Oh God, don't remind me…”

Laughing at Izuku’s misery, Katsuki goes back to eating. “You did this to yourself, nerd.”

“Whatever, I’ll recover somehow. At least I’ll have good food on my spiral into failure.” Izuku matches Katsuki in shoveling more beef and vegetables into his mouth. 

“I’m happy to hear my cooking could pull you out of an academic failure-induced early death.” Katsuki deadpanned at his antics, unable to hide his slight smile.

The rest of the night was spent similarly, their laughs echoing through the darkened hallways. 

~

I painted your room at midnight

So I'd know yesterday was over

I put all your books on the top shelf

Even the one with the four-leaf clover

Man, I'm gettin' older

Chapter Text

“No way!”

Izuku heard the high pitched exclamation from his friend sitting beside him on the playground. They were nestled in a far corner, sitting in the grass where no extras could bother them, Katsuki had claimed.

“Oh my gosh Kacchan, what did you get??” 

Izuku leaned over to look at the All Might comic collectible card Katsuki was holding. They had both gotten a mystery pack from their local comic shop with their hard earned allowances. 

The blonde boy had just revealed a limited edition Sir Nighteye card, one of their shared favorites.

“That is so cool Kacchan, wow! Limited edition!” Izuku admired the card from his spot on the ground next to Katsuki. Noticing, the excited boy held his arms out so the shorter boy could see it better. The two leaned in together to appreciate his winnings. 

“Of course! I always get the coolest things. Don’t get too jealous, Deku. I’ll let you see it all the time!”

“Woah thanks Kacchan!”

Izuku looked at his friend in admiration. He really was the coolest. 

“Well what did you get?” Katsuki asked back, snapping him out of his trance. 

“Let me open it now! Maybe I got lucky too!” The green-haired boy responded while quickly turning back to his own card pack, only to find it abandoned in a small wet spot next to where he was sitting.

“Oh no!” Izuku exclaimed in despair, tears threatening to well in his eyes. He had spent two weeks of allowance on that! 

But before he could spiral, Katsuki spoke up. “Wait, don't get upset Deku, look!”

Katsuki had moved to pick up the packaging, gently drying the edges with the hem of his t-shirt. He blew on it lightly as Izuku watched with moist-eyed wonder.

“See it’s not even ruined! You’re still able to see what it is! So don’t cry or anything.” Katsuki stated triumphantly, holding out the slightly water-stained item. 

Sniffling, but also with a small smile growing on his lips, Izuku shakily reached out to grab it and slowly opened it to reveal the card. Through the colors bleeding around the borders, a bright smiling face was discernible on the front. 

His mouth dropped open and green eyes widened, catching the attention of the boy watching him. 

“What is it? Show me!” Katsuki quickly moved closer to Izuku and peaked over to try to see the front.

Katsuki’s face soon mirrored his friends. “Is that an All Might card! Holy shit Deku!”

All of a sudden tears began to fall down Izuku’s cheeks, to Katsuki’s bewilderment. 

“What is it?? The damage isn't that bad!”

He was abruptly cut off by small arms wrapping around him. Izuku was hugging Katsuki. 

He could discern small thank you’s amongst the sniffles and his nickname. 

“Whatever Deku, I’m the coolest so of course I could fix it for you! It’s no problem”, Katsuki assured with a smile of his own, quietly reciprocating the hug, not that he would admit it. 

As Izuku buried his face in his best friend's shoulder, he couldn't help but be floored by his immense admiration for the boy. He hoped he could follow Katsuki forever. 

… 

Izuku smiled fondly at the memory as he looked at the slightly worn All Might collectible card on his desk, one of his most treasured possessions.

Izuku wouldn’t say he’s always had a crush on his childhood best friend. It was deeper than that, a wholehearted admiration that persisted throughout most of his life.

He truly looked up to the boy, finding in him a symbol of strength and success. He was a role model to emulate in attempts to better himself. What he always strived to be.

That feeling that had sprouted as a kid growing up with Katsuki had now only increased into adulthood. The hours on end they spent together any given day continued to add to that.

The subject of his admiration had played such a large part of his life in their early years, their abrupt separation had felt like a sort of mutilation of his heart. Heartbroken is too soft a word to describe how it felt when the two inseparable boys slowly lost contact.

At first, when they both got busier, it hadn’t seemed like a big deal. They were in different countries, both adjusting to new schools, new people, new schedules. Weeks would pass and Izuku would think, ah, I’ll reach out tomorrow. Katsuki must be swamped too. But then tomorrow turned into the next week, and the next.

It was a creeping sort of torture as Izuku found himself busy with academics and the new world he resided in. High school had been filled with attempts to distract himself. It was a chain reaction where, to take his mind off the void in his soul, he ended up not reaching out to the very thing that could fill it. Sports, friends, dates that never went further than awkward smiles. And, not that he would admit it, more than one of those dates had been with brash blondes who were nothing more than pale reflections of the boy he couldn’t forget. It had never worked. They didn’t argue and laugh like Katsuki, and didn't understand him in ways that left him giddy inside. 

But now, here they were again. Back together, in the same school, in each other’s lives. And Izuku felt like he was a kid again again, lungs tight and heart stupidly hopeful.

-

Katsuki hated admitting it (to himself or to anyone) but he thought about Izuku constantly. He caught himself scanning hallways for that green head of curls, adjusting his own schedule to see him more often. It was ridiculous.

He told himself it was because Izuku understood him in ways no one did. Always had. The only one who could take his shit and still stand next to him, chin lifted stubbornly as if daring him to do better. Even now, when everyone else tiptoed around him, Izuku was steady. He called him out when he was being too harsh, but he never backed down. Katsuki had missed that more than he realized.

So he came up with excuses. Study sessions, lunch, group hangouts, late-night ramen runs. Anything to keep Izuku around. He told himself it was just friendship, making up for lost time. But the more they hung out, the more it hit him: this wasn’t just friendship.

It was attraction.

Katsuki Bakugo, who faced every exam, every fight, every obstacle head-on, was suddenly terrified. Because if he admitted it, he could ruin the best friendship he’d ever had. His heart ached at the memory of their separation. He couldn't do that again.

So when his heart thumped too loud, when the way Izuku smiled made his chest ache, Katsuki shoved it down. Hard.

- 

It was Katsuki’s idea to go exploring.

He had spotted the half-collapsed building on a hike weeks before. It had reminded him of the places they’d dared each other to sneak into as kids, abandoned sheds and rusting playgrounds that had felt like whole kingdoms back then.

When he brought it up, Izuku's eyes lit up immediately, and Katsuki couldn’t resist.

-

That was how they ended up picking their way through the ruins of an abandoned building just outside the edge of town.

“Man, this is kinda nostalgic,” Izuku said as he ducked under a crumbling beam.

“Ha! Told you it’d be worth it. This place is sick.” Katsuki’s eyes were alight, the same spark they’d always had when he found something dangerous and exciting.

Izuku smiled. He’d missed that look more than he realized.

The two of them laughed their way across unstable flooring surrounded by graffiti-covered walls. Katsuki leapt across gaps with exaggerated bravado, while Izuku scrambled after him, shaking his head at the dramatics.

“You’re still such a show-off,” Izuku teased.

“And you’re still slow as shit, Deku,” Katsuki shot back with a grin.

The banter was easy. Familiar. For a while, it felt like nothing had changed.

-

At one point, Izuku hoisted himself onto a ledge with a strength that caught Katsuki off guard. His shirt clung to his back with sweat, curls sticking to his forehead, and Katsuki had to look away, pulse hammering in his chest. Izuku wasn’t a scrawny little kid anymore. He knows he was an athlete in high school, but he was… damn.

Katsuki’s train of thought was so distracting that he lost focus. His boot caught on a piece of rubble, and suddenly he was falling.

“Kacchan!”

Strong hands caught his arm before he could hit the ground. The momentum dragged them both down, and they tumbled into a heap on the ground. Katsuki landed half on top of him, chests pressed together, breath tangled.

Strong hands were still curled tight around Katsuki’s arm, Izuku's chest rising and falling fast under his weight. Their faces were close. Too close. For one dizzying second, everything stilled. Izuku's surprised face stared up at him, lips parted. Katsuki’s heart pounded in his ears. The heat of his body, the sharp smell of dust and sweat, those brilliant eyes looking up at him—

He panicked.

Fear of losing him. Fear of ruining the best thing he had. Fear of watching Izuku walk away from him for good.

So Katsuki shoved himself up roughly, stepping back like he’d been burned.

“Watch where you’re going, dumbass!” His voice came out too sharp, too defensive. The cruelty was a comfortable, familiar act.

Izuku blinked, the hope in his eyes shuttering. His arm made an aborted motion towards the blonde boy.

No more words were said between the two as they stared at each other, breathing hard.

The rest of their exploration passed in silence, the air heavy between them.

-

Later, Izuku sat in the passenger seat of Katsuki’s car, fingers twisting in his lap. The silence felt heavy, like a wall between them. His chest still ached from where Kacchan had shoved off him, but it was the look on his face that hurt more.

He shouldn’t have expected anything. He knew better. Katsuki didn’t- couldn't have looked at Izuku like that. And yet, in that one second on the ground, Izuku thought just maybe he had. The laughter, the teasing, the way their old dynamic slipped back into place so easily… it had felt like hope. 

But then came the shove. The harsh words he couldn't seem to see through for once.

Rejection. It had to be.

Katsuki could have anyone at all, of course he didn’t want Izuku. That would be ridiculous. They were childhood friends and that's it.

It was just like before. Just like the months of silence that stretched too long, until Izuku thought maybe he’d never get Katsuki back. The ache was familiar, and that made it hurt worse. Just like before, when the distance between them had stretched until Izuku felt like he was losing half of himself. The thought gnawed at him like an old wound reopening. He had just gotten Katsuki back. He couldn’t lose him again.

He told himself he could live with it. That he could swallow the ache and keep being Katsuki’s friend, like he always had. Being next to him, even if it was only this much, was infinitely better than losing him again.

Izuku never thought his childhood friend would slip away again, he promised himself he wouldn't let it happen. And yet, somehow, with the oppressive wall of silence growing in the car, it already felt like he had.

So Izuku smiled too brightly when they finally parked, waving off the awkwardness with forced cheer. “Thanks for bringing me along today, Kacchan! It was really fun.”

Katsuki grunted in reply, not meeting his eyes.

As Izuku slipped out of the car and headed toward his dorm, he pressed his hands into his pockets to keep them from shaking.

Fuck.