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"This is a simulation generator." Aizawa explained, pushing a few buttons that were in front of him on a control panel that extended further into the room. The huge HD screen above shone to life and the live feed of a slightly trembling Kaminari Denki lit up the darkened room. "It is your mission to make use of your training in the previous simulations. In other terms; don't let it mess with your head."
The only thing Katsuki heard was 'prove you're the best at resisting mind games'..
Seemed simple enough.
"Ready Chargebolt?" Aizawa spoke through a microphone.
Denki on the screen pressed a finger to his ear before putting a thumbs up over his head.
Aizawa pressed a button further to his right and the test began.
The whirring of the air conditioning panels above everyone's heads started up, momentarily bringing their eyes away from the screen.
Purple smoke started filtering into the bright testing room Denki was inside. It began thickening the more concentrated it became.
Katsuki watched as Denki began to back away, slowly realising he was not familiar with such a test being conduced before.
When the smoke began hitting him in the face he quickly placed his arm over his nose, eyes squinting into the thick fog.
All cameras lost sight of Denki as he disappeared into the smoke.
They heard coughing through the speakers and it was the only indication that Denki was still active.
Aizawa leaned forward, pressed another button and spoke into the microphone again. "What do you see, Chargebolt?"
The coughing stopped the moment he finished his question before Denki took a deep breath in.
That was all it took for the smoke to stop being dispensed through the vents.
It began to clear and settle to the floor.
Denki came back into sight and it looked as though he was walking on a haze of purple clouds from the angle the camera was at.
The class noticed his unmoving form before the camera panned over to the right and if Katsuki hadn't been so confident in his eye sight he could've sworn he just saw a figure slowly begin to form out of the smoke.
"What is that?!" Mina shrieked from the back of the class, eyes wide.
They continued to watch with mouths wide open as a fully formed human came walking out of the thick fog.
Katsuki could barely see any details besides the fact they appeared to be female... or rather- if an anime girl with big boobs came to life.
Denki let out an almost inhuman noise at the sight of the 'beauty' in front of him.
The big boobed woman began to approach him, her steel toed boots clomping onto the metal floor.
The camera panned to a closer angle and the whole class got a good look at her.
She was smiling in a less than innocent way at Denki and she had a certain sway to her hips that had the electric boy mesmerised.
"Of course it would be this..." Aizawa sighed tiredly.
The woman quickly closed the gap between the pair, bought both her arms up in a come here motion and Denki fell hook line and sinker into her waiting arms.
Aizawa leaned forward, clicked the microphone and then...
"FAIL!"
The apparition faded at the noise and Denki's eyes went back to normal as he stood straight up.
He was escorted out of the testing grounds by some medics and the class went quiet as Aizawa turned back around.
"Acid Queen, you're up." Mina swallowed heavily before she shook herself off and went though one of the doors that eventually connected to the testing grounds.
Katsuki took that time to figure out what type of training this was exactly. The thick smoke made visibility difficult so maybe the villain focused more on sound or touch? But surely, the class would've heard through the speakers any noises the villain made. Plus, when the smoke cleared there was no one else in the room besides Denki and the women who appeared seemingly out of thin air.
Mina appeared on the screen, everyone quietened down.
"Are you ready?" Aizawa spoke, barely waiting for her to nod before the smoke began to fill the room up again.
Mina guessed it would be pointless to not try to breathe the stuff in as Aizawa made it a point to keep the gas running until they took a breath of the stuff in. She let it enter her lungs and with a deep breath and cough later her body started to relax.
They could see it clearly from the screen. Her guard was completely down, she was vulnerable.
In the distance a shadow formed.
Before long, another one joined and then another shadow by the side of the last one and then the whole testing ground was filled with rows upon rows of tables with all sorts of clothes and cosmetics laid carefully upon them.
Mina let out a squeal at the sight and Katsuki watched as she started walking towards one of the tables. Her fingers brushed one of the pieces of clothing and Katsuki realised with awe that they were real physical pieces of clothing. She held up one of the jumpers to her torso and measured her size.
"FAIL!"
The class jumped at the shout and with a poof, the tables all disappeared.
The same procedure happened with her, the medics rushed in and escorted her out of the grounds.
With an ominous pause Aizawa took his time deciding the next victim. "Uravity."
The girl gulped but gave a high five to Iida and Deku before the next fate awaited her. She hardly waited for the smoke to start entering the room before she went running into it as it approached her.
Katsuki also wondered if it was due to the timing and concentration of the smoke that assisted you in finding the villain or rather, the annoying ass quirk user.
Much to everyone's surprise a lavish home stood before her, with four turrets on each corner, plus a pile of gold coins placed neatly by the side.
She stopped momentarily at the sight and began walking towards the lovely looking things. Her fingers barely brushed the coins before she stopped and stomped her foot down into the floor.
Katsuki watched as she battled with herself. Her right hand, still reaching for the money was trembling as she tried to fight off the urge to grab a handful. Her left side won the battle and she expertly used the hand not reaching for the money to slowly drag the other one away.
"PASS!"
So, that was what it took to pass this? Not fall into temptation? Katsuki smirked.
"Creati."
Momo created herself a gasmask from her stomach and put it on. Aizawa stopped her from entering the doors to the test grounds with a "You pass...".
Mineta protested at that. "Aw but now we won't get to see how much she wants me!"
Aizawa quickly silenced him. "If you feel that way. Why don't you go next?"
The next scenes were far to explicit to view on the screen and Mineta was escorted out with blood running down his nose.
Next was Iida, who saw his brother in front of him- he obviously ran into his arms to hug him and failed on the spot.
Shoto saw his family- his whole family and they looked... happy. He resisted the urge to walk towards them, knowing, cruelly it was not real.
Jirou saw a fresh set of drums in front of her. She reasoned the drums in her room were good enough for her. She passed.
Tsukuyami had the vision of a whole cave. He passed but Dark Shadow failed, for obvious reasons.
Tsuyu saw her home, her family, her brothers and sisters and with a heavy heart she passed.
No one knew if Hagakure passed, they couldn't exactly see what she was doing...
Sero, Shouji, Eijirou and Oijirou all passed.
"Dynamite, you're up."
Only Deku and Aizawa stood in the screen room and a door off to the side opened up for Katsuki to walk through.
The door shut as soon as he took two steps in and he walked confidently down the darkened corridor before reaching the huge doors of the all familiar test grounds.
The doors slid open with a whoosh and Katsuki took a look around before stepping in.
Camera's lined each and every square of the grounds which was designed similar to an empty dome, he couldn't see any natural light coming through what looked like the windows but guessed they were lights mimicking sunlight.
Each step he took closer to the center, the more his shoulders squared.
He just had to clear his mind, right?
There wasn't much he was open about to the class.
He knew Uraraka was money oriented and that Iida missed his brother. He knew that Shoto wished for a functional family. So, he guessed this quirk was the work of a person who knew them well enough to guess their desires.
Katsuki was private about almost everything for this exact reason.
He'd pass easily.
"Are you ready?" Aizawa's deep voice echoed through the ear piece.
He grunted in acknowledgement and he could distintly hear his teacher pushing the button to release the smoke through the vents.
He stood, took a breath in before the smoke hit him and closed his eyes.
He'd meditated before, his therapist said it was a good coping mechanism for when he felt like he was bordering on insanity and with his quirk induced adrenaline, his body needed that relation from time to time.
Clearing his mind was easy until a sneaky little thought started forming in his mind. He didn't sweat it too much, no quirk was able to read minds. It was clearly a personal connection based quirk.
He wondered if the class were watching him live from wherever they were.
He knew Aizawa and Deku were watching.
A shiver ran through him, already imagining the image of Deku pulling out a notebook from out of thin air and beginning to write Katsuki's reacts down in his 'Kacchan' notebook.
He felt the moment the smoke entered through his nose and into his lungs but he kept his eyes closed.
Everything was quiet.
A little too quiet for his tastes.
He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck from side to side, lossening his muscles up.
If he kept his eyes closed, this quirk user wouldn't be able to-
He felt a presence approaching from behind.
It felt odd...
As if his whole body was on fire.
He could feel his restrain begin to falter but he quickly tightened it up once he realised it was coming undone.
The quirk user was simply trying to spook him right?
He felt the presence step closer, and step by step, Katsuki began to hear the soft footsteps of a person slowly approaching him yet again.
He waited patiently, kept himself facing forward- he didn't want the villain to realise he knew where they were lest he ruin his chances of capturing them...
He waited each painful step until they were only a few inches away from his back.
He heard them shift, barely a scrape of the fabric they were wearing to realise they were reaching out to touch him.
He turned, lightening quick and grabbed the wrist of the person.
He felt, through his gloves the warmth of their skin yet he detected no heartbeat or breath from them.
They didn't even make an audible noise of surprise when he turned around.
He peeked an eye open hoping and praying it was his imagination.
His blood ran cold and the hairs on the back of his neck rose up.
In his firm grip, stood Deku.
"What are you doing here, Deku?" Katsuki's voice was hoarse. He was surprised, and slightly ashamed, to find the other boys face inches from his.
Deku smiled up at him, the corners of his eyes crinkling in their usual way.
Katsuki's chest tightened.
He opened his mouth to ask the question again before he realised Deku hadn't replied to the initial question.
His hold on Deku's wrist tightened and the smile began to slip from his lips.
He could see his reflection in the wide forest green eyes that seemed to glow under the bright lighting.
The last time he saw Deku was up in the screen room with Aizawa meaning... this wasn't really him.
But why did his wrist feel so warm?
His grip faltered slightly but that was all it took for the fake Deku to slip his hand away.
All too quickly, the smoke around them cleared away.
It was obvious to everyone watching via the camera feed who had slipped out of Kastuki's messed up visage.
He'd underestimated this quirk user.
He'd underestimated the level of intimacy needed to be able to guess his desires. This was definitely a mind altering quirk, leaking and straining its way through victims brains- absorbing all personal details.
"FUCK!"
The fake Deku had a knowing look on his face, one that he'd never seen on the nerd's face before and it pissed him off even more.
It was as if this Deku knew every little thought that crossed Katsuki's mind.
It was like he knew the feelings Katsuki pushed down and buried throughout the years. His feelings for the nerd took him by surprise and he'd had panicked. It started in middle school and Katsuki, not wanting to be labelled as the gay Bakugou Katsuki started bullying Izuku, pushing down each feeling so deep down in himself he barely registered it until it came back with a vengeance.
Like now.
Katsuki's heart was beating fast.
The anger that he'd worked hard to suppress was bubbling to the surface.
He watched with wide eyes as the fake Deku before him smiled. The smile wasn't one of malice. It was one that was so gentle and loving it hurt Katsuki's very soul.
Deku stepped forward slowly, his hand rising and caressing Katsuki's cheek.
He was so close, their lips inches apart.
His beautiful eyes were half lidded, a small smirk on his lips as he leaned forward, closing the distance between them.
"FAIL!"
Katsuki jumped.
The Deku before him faded away into thin air, his eyes and mouth fading last.
His legs gave way and he collapsed onto the ground, his eyes wide, mouth open in a silent gasp.
His heart was beating erratically, his vision blurred.
He had to take deep breaths, his head was swimming and his hands were shaking.
Deku- the real Deku was watching the whole thing from the screen room...
Shit.
His chest heaved, his breathing was erratic.
The doors slid open and a group of medics descended onto him, two under each arm and dragged him out.
They dragged him further down the corridor before they reached the medbay.
When the doors slammed open he watched with sickening fright everyone's eyes were on him.
He saw his friends watching in quiet worry as the medics continued to drag him way passed everyone in the room.
He didn't dare look over his shoulder at Deku's friends, they were probably disgusted by him.
What would Izuku think? His reaction didn't even register in Katsuki's mind before he was hyperventilating.
He felt the medics lay him down on a sterile bed before they stuck some heart monitor pads on him. The distant sound of fast beeping came into his ears and he realised it was his own heart beat being recorded.
"Sedate him." One of the nurses said.
They didn't even bother putting the needle in his arm, instead they injected it straight through his clothes and into his thigh.
The world went black and his head lolled to the side.
He woke up disoriented, the room he was in smelt of chemicals and he could barely tell what time of day it was through the crack in the curtains.
He sat up and groaned, head pounding in protest.
He went to rub at his temple but found resistance. He looked down. His wrists and ankles were tied down and the IV drip in his arm had him immobilised.
The door opened and the nurse from before entered the room. "It's good to see you awake." She walked towards him and untied the restraint on his wrist, taking out the IV as she did so. "How are you feeling?"
He didn't answer, simply rubbed at the red marks decorating his skin.
"We had to sedate you because your heart rate got out of hand, are you still feeling ill?" She explained.
She didn't mention what happened, didn't ask what had him so shaken up and for that he was grateful.
"I'm fine." His voice came out scratchy.
The next hour was a blur, the nurse asked him all sorts of questions and tested his reflexes.
After all the tests were done, recovery girl spoke again. "The class was worried."
He stiffened.
It was the first time she'd mentioned anything about the class or anything outside of the medbays walls.
Katsuki didn't want to be reminded of what happened let alone knowing people had seen him and the fake aperition.
"Do you remember anything that happened?"
"I..." He remembered his friends looking at him. His teacher calling his name and the feeling of the fake Deku's touch. "No."
He was blatantly lying and he was sure the nurse could tell. She didn't say anything else on the subject and left soon after, discharging him and leaving him to make his own way out.
He stayed put for a while.
He didn't want to face what awaited him when he went back to the dorms.
What would the class think of him? Would they look at him as if he's some sick pervert? What would Deku think? He was the innocent party in this whole shit show.
Katsuki could only imagine what Deku was thinking as he watched the live feed, the disgust he must've felt.
He would probably avoid him for a long time and to be honest- Katsuki was alright with that.
He eventually found the energy to get out of the medbay and headed straight towards the changing rooms. He figured he could kill time by showering and changing back into his casual clothes before heading back to the dorms.
"Hey Bakugou!" Eijirou's voice made him jump.
His heart began beating rapidly and his eyes darted to where the noise was coming from.
"What are you doing here?" He said, his tone clipped.
He opened his locker and rummaged through the contents and pulled out a spare towel and change of clothes, ignoring the red head.
Eijirou stood by the door, leaning against the frame. "Glad to see you're alright. We were all worried."
Katsuki grit his teeth.
Why was everyone saying that to him?
He felt... weak, as if they were taking pity on him.
He gave Kirishima a sharpened look before heading in the opposite direction, towards the showers.
"Wait- Bakugou." Eijirou followed him, his sneakers echoing throughout the quiet changing rooms.
Katsuki didn't stop.
"Dude, talk to me." Eijirou's voice was pleading.
He didn't stop.
He couldn't.
The shower door slammed closed on Kirishima's face just as he caught up to the blonde and he made a noise of protest but decided not to push his luck, knowing Katsuki needed time to cool off.
He enjoyed the feeling of the hot water over his aching body, it relaxed him somewhat.
But, everytime he closed his eyes, a pair of emerald green ones stared back.
He saw him.
Felt him.
The water gliding down his body turned into warm hands worshipping his body.
He snapped his eyes opened and gasped.
Fuck.
He quickly finished up and got changed into something more comfortable.
Each step was harder than the last as he approached the UA dorms.
He knew, eventually he'd have to face them. It was inevitable.
He entered the building and was greeted with an eerily silent lounge room.
It was odd, the extras always seemed to have the TV on or there would be a lot of noise and laughter coming from the living area.
He took a look around the place, the couches were empty, the TV was off and the kitchen was devoid of life.
He made his way upstairs, ignoring the way his gut flipped.
He trudged his way towards his dorm and kicked open the door.
His room was silent thankfully.
The door shut behind him and the click of the lock was like a gunshot to his ears.
He stood still for a moment, staring absentmindedly into the carpet.
He didn't know what he was expecting, maybe a group of his classmates waiting for him to return or a bunch of hate letters stuffed under his door.
But no, nothing.
It was quiet.
He sighed and walked over to his desk, pulling the chair out and sitting down. The homework Aizawa gave them was piled high. He picked up his pencil and began to work, 20 minutes passed of him reading the same five lines. He sighed and banged his forehead onto the wood.
His phone vibrated and he lifted his head to looked at the screen. It was a message from the class group chat. A sick feeling took hold of him- he didn't want to look. He didn't want to see their words, didn't want to read their opinions about him.
But, curiosity killed the cat and he opened the message.
Rock Hard: Is Bakugou alright?
Pinkie Pie: idk
Rich Girl: I heard Recovery Girl discharged him. Also, can someone please change my name?
Lobes: I saw him on my way back from training with Hitoshi. He looked a bit shaken. And Momo my name is far worse.
Pinkie Pie: I didn't see him.
Straight Edge: I too, did not see Bakugou- kun.
Rock Hard: he's not talking to me.
Tape Arms: I feel like it has something to do with that training sesh.
Straight Edge: We should not discuss what happened during the training session, it is personal.
Rock Hard: i just hope he's okay.
Shoto: He'll be fine. Why don't I get a nickname?
Pikachu: I wonder if we could send a get well soon card...
Lobes: No. I don't think he wants anyone to worry about him.
Shoto: He'll be fine.
"Shit." Katsuki put his phone face down onto his desk and put his head in his hands.
He tolerated most of the people in his class, liked some of them and viewed them as friends but this was a lot to digest. And although that rich head of class was a stick in the mud, he had got them to stop talking about it.
He heard a knock on his door and his head snapped up.
He didn't move for a while, wondering if he should pretend he was asleep.
"Kacchan, are you awake?"
The hairs on the back of his neck rose and his heart picked up.
He'd been dreading this, Deku's inevitable visit.
He stayed quiet, hoping the other boy would leave.
He didn't hear anymore knocking or footsteps and sighed in relief, his head thunking back onto his desk.
He'd have to face Deku eventually but not now, not when he was like this.
"Kacchan, please let me in."
He didn't dare move.
"Please..."
The voice sounded so broken and defeated.
"I don't know what's going through your head right now. I wish I knew. Kacchan, it was just a quirk. I'm not mad, I'm not upset, I'm just worried." Katsuki couldn't bear the thought of having Deku see him in such a state. "I'm here whenever you want to talk. I'm here. Just please... don't shut me out." Deku's voice trailed off into nothing and Katsuki sat up, looking towards his door.
Silence.
He got up and walked forward, grabbed the handle, twisted it slowly and peeked out.
There was no one there.
He stepped out and took a look left, then right, his heart in his throat.
Empty.
He sighed, his shoulders sagging.
He went back into his room and shut the door behind him, locking it once again.
Katsuki went back to his desk and sat down, continuing with his homework - he had to get his mind off the events of the day and his classmates.
He worked for hours and his phone buzzed on and off continuously.
It was nearing 1am when he finally completed his homework and collapsed onto his bed.
As if the day hadn't been enough to torment him... he couldn't sleep.
It was as if the quirk was still affecting him. Whenever he closed his eyes, he felt the fake Deku's breath against his lips. Whenever he tossed and turned, he felt thick arms cradle his waist. He felt scarred fingers trailing over his torso and a gentle smile press against his neck.
"Shit, shit, shit!" He threw the covers off his body and threw an arm over his eyes. The pressure was nice and his body began cooling as the temperature of his room settled.
He had no idea what time he actually fell asleep but it wasn't until the sun started rising.
He woke up early and got ready for class, making his way downstairs and finding the living area empty again.
The silence was unnerving, usually someone would be awake at this hour, whether it was Yaoyorozu, Iida or Shoto.
He made his way over to the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast. He honestly didn't know if his appetite would last, so he decided on a simple omelette and toast.
As he was flipping his omelette, his mind began to wander.
He had a long day ahead of him, Midnight said she was going to give them a test today and President Mic was holding another physical training session.
"Morning."
Katsuki jumped, nearly flinging his omelette on to the ceiling.
He turned around slowly and found Deku standing there, a small smile on his face.
"What the fuck." Katsuki muttered, turning away, cheeks a hideous red. He turned his back towards Deku and continued preparing his breakfast.
He could clearly hear the footsteps behind him, the boy walking closer and closer. "Good morning, Kacchan." Deku's voice was so soft, so gentle.
He didn't bother with a response, his throat felt dry and scratchy.
"Are you feeling better?"
He continued stirring the egg in the pan and watched as it began to crinkle.
Deku tried again. "Kacchan..."
Katsuki snapped. "Just leave me alone, Deku."
"Why won't you talk to me?" It pissed Katsuki off that Deku had the audacity to sound confused.
Katsuki scoffed. "We're talking right now, aren't we."
"Stop avoiding me." Deku sounded tired, as if he hadn't slept all night. That made two of them.
Katsuki turned around and properly looked at the green haired boy. He guessed right.
Deku's eyes were red and puffy, as if he'd been crying all night.
Katsuki didn't have the energy to fight him.
"Fine." He slammed the spatula down on the counter. "I'm not avoiding you. There, happy?" Katsuki growled, grabbing his plate and leaving the kitchen, leaving a dumbfounded Deku staring after him.
He placed his plate down on the common room dining table with a little more aggression than he meant to and started to stuff his face as fast as he could.
His ears didn't miss the tell tale sounds of footsteps behind him and the scraping of a chair beside him.
"You look like shit, nerd." He didn't mean for his comment to sound so harsh but it was the only way he could think to get Deku to go away.
"And who's fault is that?" Deku snarkily replied.
Katsuki turned towards him, his mouth wide open, the next insult died on his tongue.
It was the first time Deku had even mentioned acknowledging what happened the previous day.
Katsuki's chest tightened and he swallowed a mouthful of food down, eyes downcast.
"Sorry..." Deku admitted, realsing his comment hit deeper than it meant to.
They sat there in awkward silence, neither really sure what to say.
Deku broke the silence. "Did you sleep?"
Katsuki took another bite. "No..."
"I didn't either." Deku sighed, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. "I was worried."
Katsuki felt his heart thump against his ribcage and he bit his lip, hissing at the slight pain that bloomed.
"That quirk was messed up." Deku laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
Katsuki picked at his food with his fork, appetite now completely gone.
Deku paused, as if thinking about his next words.
"It was a bit weird." Deku spoke slowly, cautiously. "Seeing myself through your eyes."
Katsuki stiffened.
"I mean, I've never seen myself that way. It shook me up-"
That was as far as Katsuki could take, he got up quickly, scraping his chair against the tiles. "Shut the fuck up." He hissed through clenched teeth.
"But-"
"I said SHUT UP."
Katsuki left his half eaten food on the table and stomped his way upstairs.
He ignored the frantic calls of his name and locked his dorm door.
Why did he have to bring that up?
Why did he have to sit down beside him and start talking?
And why did he have to talk about the fake Deku?
Katsuki had been trying to forgot the events of the previous day, but seeing him in person was a harsh reminder that he couldn't simple forget it happened.
The next two days passed in a blur.
Katsuki spent most of his time hiding in his dorm room, avoiding the others and skipping most of the meals.
The only reason he attended his classes was because Aizawa was breathing down his neck, threatening to expel him if he missed another day of school.
It was 5:00pm on Thursday and Katsuki was working on a report from Midnight when he felt his stomach rumble. He couldn't remember the last time he ate something.
Throughout his study session he'd heard voices coming from outside his dorm and the faint sounds of music coming from downstairs.
He stood up, stretched and walked towards the door.
When he opened it, he was greeted with the smell of food and the chattering of his classmates.
Feeling his nose leading him he walked down the corridor. He was greeted by a few of the lesser known extras hanging outside their dorms, thankful that they didn't show him much attention besides nodding their heads.
As he descended the stairs Katsuki could feel the familiar feeling of nausea creeping up his throat. His rubbed his palms against his pants, hoping they'd dry up, not giving away how nervous he was feeling.
He stepped into the common room.
There were a few people there sitting, eating, watching a movie.
"Hey, Bakugou!" Kirishima called, waving at him from the dining area, gaining everyone's attention.
"Bakugou!" The rest of his idiotic friends joined in, getting up from their spots on the couch.
He gave them a wave before heading into the kitchen.
The first thing he noticed was the absolute mess of the counters. He looked around and noticed no one had bothered cleaning up the mess they'd created.
Katsuki groaned and started to pick up the dishes and place them in the dishwasher.
He heard footsteps and turned around lightening quick, hoping to god it wasn't Deku.
"Hey, you don't have to clean up after us." Eijirou walked towards him and grabbed the dirty plate out of his hands.
"Fuck off." He snarled, grabbing the plate back.
"We were going to do the dishes later." Eijirou defended.
"Tch, then do them now."
He put on his best puppy dog face. "Why?"
"Because they're fucking filthy!"
During their arguement none of them noticed a certain green haired runt enter the kitchen with an empty glass in his hand. "Let him, Kirishima. Kacchan doesn't like it to be a mess." Deku said as if he was stating a fact and brushed past them to start filling his glass with water.
Katsuki froze and glared at him.
Kirishima's eyes darted between the two and he awkwardly coughed.
Katsuki turned around and went back to his work.
Ignoring them both.
"Hey, aren't you gonna eat?" Kirishima asked, handing Katsuki another dirty plate.
"Not hungry." Katsuki responded, lieing through his teeth.
Kirishima scoffed and opened the fridge door. "Don't be like that, there's a bit left. It was pretty good, I'm honestly surprised Kaminari and Mina made something this edible."
Deku was still standing beside them, it was obvious he was listening in on their conversation. The tap was still running and the glass was over flowing with water.
It pissed Kastuki off to no end.
He turned around and grabbed the glass out of Deku's hand and turned the tap off.
"Wha-" Deku protested.
"You're wasting water." Katsuki interrupted and presented him with his now full glass of water.
Deku looked a bit taken aback. "Oh."
"Are you sure you don't wanna eat?" Eijirou asked again, hand still in the fridge and clasping the bowl of cold curry.
"No."
"Kacchan." Deku muttered under his breath.
"What?"
"Are you really not going to eat anything? You haven't eaten for a day now."
"You been keeping count?" He looked into Deku's eyes. "Creepy."
"That's rich, coming from you." Deku snapped, sipping his water carefully.
Eijirou watched the scene unfold in front of his very eyes.
He didn't know if he should interject, knowing full well how volatile the situation could turn.
Katsuki decided to ignore the slight back handed jab. "I didn't ask you to be my babysitter."
"Maybe not, but if you're not eating- I'll have to make sure you do."
"You wouldn't fucking dare."
Deku's eyes shone with challenge. "I would and I will."
"Try me, bastard."
Kirishima finally spoke up. "Hey guys, don't you think-"
"NO!" They both shouted, eyes not leaving one another as they stared each other down.
Katsuki growled and stomped towards the fridge, he bent down and began looking for the freshly made curry.
Deku'd won this round. For now. "I'm eating." He announced, pulling out the leftover food and slamming it in the microwave. "You happy now? Asshole."
"Ecstatic." Deku deadpanned.
"Hey uhh Midoriya," Kirishima tried to interrupt, the tension thick. "Wanna watch a movie with us?"
"Yeah okay." Deku beamed, taking one last look at the blonde before following Eijirou back to the common room.
Katsuki finished his dinner in record time and headed back upstairs.
He needed space from Deku and the others, it was beginning to get a bit too much for him. He scurried into the communal bathroom and took a long hot shower, scrubbing himself clean and washing his hair. He came out feeling refreshed and got dressed in a pair of sweats and a hoodie.
He walked back into his room with a skip in his step, that shower really felt refreshing.
His phone vibrated in the pant pocket and his brows furrowed.
Deku: Kacchan, let me in.
Katsuki didn't respond but his feet took him towards the door. He hurried to unlock it, ready to scream at Deku for ruining his refreshed feeling but there was no one there.
Another text came through.
Deku: 'Open your balcony door.'
What the fuck?
He turned towards his balcony and opened the curtains. A figure stood balancing on the small railing just outside of the glass door. He jumped back in shock.
"Kacchan, let me in, please." The figure said.
What the fuck was Deku doing hanging outside his room?
He shook his head adamantly.
"Kacchan, come on." The voice whined.
A few minutes later, a sweaty Deku stood on his carpet in front of him, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. "Thanks." He huffed out. "Thought I was gonna fall a second there."
Katsuki's eyes narrowed and crossed his arms. "Why use the balcony, idiot? There's a perfectly good front door."
"Didn't wanna bother the others." Deku said as if it explained everything.
Katsuki was more curious about one thing. "How'd you even get onto the balcony?"
"I jumped."
"You what?!"
Deku put a hand up to silence him and he felt an all familiar anger overcome him. "Shut the fuck up, you fucking lunatic!"
"I didn't even say anything!" Deku's voice raised in volume.
Katsuki paused. "Well- you were going to!"
Deku was speechless.
Katsuki smirked, he'd won this time.
Just the look on Deku's face had Katsuki stomach clawing in knots. "What the fuck are you doing here, Deku?"
"I came to talk."
"Well, I'm done talking." Katsuki moved away from the door and headed towards his bed, flopping down on it and pulling the covers over his head.
"You're just gonna ignore me, aren't you?" Deku deadpanned.
Katsuki didn't move or speak.
"Kacchan.."
Silence.
"Fine." Deku cracked his knuckles. "Kacchan, if you don't talk to me, I'll tell Aizawa Sensei about the All Might body pillow hidden in your closet."
Katsuki threw his covers off and glared at the green haired menace. "You wouldn't fucking dare."
"Wouldn't I?"
Katsuki stared at him, his face expressionless.
"I'm not above blackmail, Kacchan. Now, please, can we talk."
Katsuki groaned. "There's nothing to talk about. We had a training session that ended badly for me and you had to watch live what happened in that damn chamber!"
"That's exactly what I wanna talk about." Deku looked down and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Then say whatever the fuck you want and leave."
A moment of silence before. "I can't."
"What? Why the fuck not?!"
"Because, you're gonna hate me afterwards."
Katsuki stopped his pacing and looked him in the eyes. "Spit it out, I don't have all night."
Deku worried his lips between his teeth. "You're going to hate me and never want to see me again."
"Jesus fucking christ, will you just get on with it!" Katsuki just wanted the rejection over and done with.
Deku took a deep breath. "When I saw everything..."
Katsuki stilled.
Deku continued. "I realised, I wasn't mad, upset or disgusted. I just-"
Katsuki couldn't take it. He felt the heat rising in his body and his palms started to sweat. He wanted the rejection over and done with. "You just what, Deku?" He spat.
"I'm saying, it was awkward for sure- I mean, I had to watch it in front of Aizawa Sensei... But, I didn't hate it."
Katsuki's palms crackled and he felt his body temperature rising. "Get the fuck out."
"Kacchan, I-"
"GET OUT, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"
"I WON'T!"
Katsuki froze, his hands smoking and his breathing heavy.
Had Deku just raised his voice?
"Kacchan, just listen to me." Deku spoke, voice normal again, it pissed Katsuki off to no end- the tone of his was quiet and controlled as if he were approaching a cornered animal.
"Deku, I won't stand here and listen to you make fun of me."
"I'm not making fun of you, Kacchan. I'm being serious."
"You're a fucking liar."
"Why do you always think the worst of me?" Deku whispered, hurt clear in his eyes.
"Because you're a shit liar and that's what you're doing right now!" Katsuki shut his eyes tightly.
Deku reasoned. "Kacchan."
"No."
"Kacchan." The voice was closer now.
"Don't."
"Katsuki, listen to me." His eyes widened and he felt his body flush.
Deku was standing there, hands held out in front of him, taking small steps towards him.
"Deku."
"You don't have to hide anymore."
Katsuki took a step back, until his back hit the opposite wall, hands clenching and unclenching.
His teeth bit into his bottom lip, the taste of copper entered his mouth.
Deku continued. "You think I haven't seen how you are around me?"
Katsuki couldn't breathe.
"I've seen the way your eyes wander and you think I don't notice."
He was hyperventilating, his chest heaving, hands shaking.
"I've seen the way you care for me in your own way."
Katsuki slid down the wall, his legs unable to support him any longer.
"I've seen the way you looked at the fake me."
There was a warm body crouched beside him, a gentle hand reached for his face, lifting his chin up.
Katsuki stared, eyes wide and mouth parted.
"Kacchan, I love you." Deku leaned forward, capturing his lips with his own.
Katsuki closed his eyes, his breath catching in his throat.
The kiss was gentle, tentative, and soft, and it lasted mere seconds. "I've loved you for a long time and it took seeing myself through your eyes to realise how you feel about me. I'm so happy, Kacchan."
Deku smiled, a tear falling from his eye and Katsuki leaned forward, kissing it away.
"Deku." Katsuki wrapped his arms around the green haired boy and pulled him towards him.
He finally had his Deku, his Izuku.
Not some fake halusination.
This was real.