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Bakugo Katsuki was studying after school in UA’s Library. It was quieter than the one near his home, and had greater access to books that related to what he was looking for. You find hero books in the Hero School Library. There was one problem though.
Some Green Haired extra was staring at him. He’d been staring at him for the past ten minutes and it was getting hard to focus knowing that some strangers' eyes were on him.
‘ Just focus Katsuki, don’t let some Extra get in your head. ’ He thought, diving back into math formulas. He was getting pretty deep when something slumped into the booth across the table from him. Looking up, it was the extra with green hair. Now that he was closer, he could see the piercings on the extra’s face. He had had a snake bite piercing that went around the lip, a nose hoop piercing on the left nostril and a stud in the right, a septum piercing, an eyebrow bar piercing, an eyebrow stud, small gauges in his ear lobes. Thank goodness he paid attention when the high school extras were looking up what piercing they wanted. Katsuki didn’t want one though, He was scared that it would hurt He wanted to be a hero and You can be the top hero with your face full of holes
The only thing of UA’s uniform that was on the extra was the outer Jacket. The tie was gone and instead of a dress shirt, there was a black t-shirt of some band. He couldn’t see the extra’s pants, but he assumed they were in a similar state of non standardness. The jacket was rolled up to the elbows, revealing tattoos on his forearms, one of note being a dna double helix wrapped around the forearm.
“What are you doing extra?” Bakugo barked out..
“Are you so irritable because the Nitroglycerin that you sweat out is also in your bloodstream and if your heart beat was under a certain threshold you’d have possibly fatal damage to your heart?” The extra blurted out.
“Wh-What?”
“Are you so irritable becau-”
“No, I fucking heard you, it’s just sudden! Took my brain a bit to process!” Bakugo said, leaning back in the booth as the extra nodded in understanding, their eyes widening a bit. “What kinda person starts a damn conversation like that?”
“You started the conversation. You initiated the conversation. I simply moved it to where it interested me.” Said the extra. “You still haven’t answered my question.” Katsuki was quiet for a moment before he spoke.
“Yeah… How’d you figure that out? Took a while for the doctors and none of the teachers figured it out, let alone any extras that went to my school.” Katsuki said.
“... I read.” And that was all the Extra said to explain himself.
“Katsuki Bakugou, Remember the name.”
“Izuku Midoriya. You do the same.”
“Why don’t I ever see you study with friends? You missed a subtraction there.” Greenie asked as he pointed out a miscalculation.
“Shit.” Katsuki said, beginning to redo his work. “Cause those shitty nerds don’t see the point in studying when there isn't a final hanging over their heads.”
“No better motivator than fear.” Greenie said, garnering a look from Katsuki. “The thing that motivates them to memorize the information is a metaphorical Sword Of Damocles over their head.”
“They should learn it, not memorize it.” Katsuki said, looking up from his work, towards the sketches Greenie was working on, some sort of gauntlet with detachable tubes on all sides, looking vaguely like flashbang grenades.
“They should but that’s not what the school system prioritizes most of the time. It prioritizes obedience. It wants you to repeat back and not question what it is that’s being said.” Katsuki paused for a moment before closing his books and putting away his homework. Once everything was put away, he looked back to Greenie.
“What do you mean?”
“Hey Kugo!”
Katsuki turned to see Greenie walking towards him with a notebook, walking towards the lunch table where he was sitting with his friends, the shitty nerds that hang around him.
“What the hell do you want, Greenie?” Katsuki asked as Greenie arrived at the edge of the table.
“What’s all this food here? Move it, shoo!” He said to the shitty nerds before turning to Katsuki. “I got something I want your opinion on.” He said, turning back to the table as he began to push open a space for the notebook.
“Bakubro, who’s this guy?” Asked Shitty Hair, moving his tray to his lap to make space for the blueprint.
“Yeah, and what’s he mean about the food? It’s Lunch time, ya eat!” Said Dunce Face as he pulled his tray away from Greenie’s making room.
“Nerds, this is Greenie. Greenie, Nerds.” Katsuki said to explain.
“Name’s Izuku Midoriya, Kugo always seems to forget that.”
“You do the same Greenie!”
“That’s besides the point.” Greenie said before opening the notebook onto the table. “This was an Idea I had once I looked at your Hero Costume. Those Gauntlets are way too big for you right now, it’s too big of a Blast. That would only be useful in a time when collateral damage doesn’t matter, just getting rid of the problem. Which is why I came up with this. It has the same technique of storing the sweat, but instead of one large payload, it goes into multiple that can be detached and used for later usage. The current design allows for flashbangs as that’s the only kind I could come up with a design for that doesn’t create shrapnel. I thought of using the nozzle type of your gauntlets, but due to how smaller the canisters are in the design, I couldn’t come up with a way to implement it without possible damage to your hands.” Greenie said, pointing out in the designs what he was talking about.
“You could make the canisters bigger?” Katsuki said, looking over the notebook.
“That defeats the point, too large of a blast.” Greenie said, pointing over to a math equation of the explosiveness of nitroglycerin and the volume of the canister.
“Why not make it a revolver?” Spoke up Dunce Face, garnering both Greenie’s and Katsuki’s attention. They were quiet for a moment before Greenie spoke up.
“You’re a genius.” He said eyes glazed over in calculations, not hearing the surprise of the entire table. “Using a revolving or carousel system would allow it to fire only in the safest possible space. It would also be able to have a safety in it to prevent misfires, I’m a fool for not seeing it sooner!” Greenie’s eyes returned to reality to look directly into Dunceface’s. “What is your name?” He asked. Dunce face grinned and pointed a thumb at his chest.
“The name’s Denki Kaminari!” He said loudly, a smile present on his face.
“Denki Kaminari. I believe you could be one of the greatest minds of this Generation.” Greenie said with absolute certainty.
“WHAT!?” Yelled the entire table. Greenie put his notebook away after writing a note about the idea into the notebook. He walked around towards Dunce face, putting his hands on either side of his head, looking directly into his eyes
“You lack a filter on your brain. This allows you to give ideas out regardless of your idea of their worth. Even the silliest ideas can become the most solid plans.” Greenie said. “Fly free, Kaminari. Fly free.” Greenie then turned and rushed out of the cafeteria towards the support labs.
“Bakugo! Was that a friend!?”
“Shut it, Raccoon Eyes!” Katsuki said with a growl. The dumb smile on Dunce face caught his eye. “What are you smiling about?”
"O-Oh! Nothing, I just… I’m a little self conscious about how smart I am, so… It’s nice to hear someone call me smart, even if it’s not true.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. Katsuki was quiet for a moment.
“In the time I’ve known Greenie, he’s always been right. If he says it, I’d believe it, Spark Plug.”
“Oh my god, I’m gonna fail!” Spark Plug wailed in despair, flopping onto the table dramatically.
“You’re not gonna fail Spark Plug, not if I have anything to say about it.” Katsuki said, reaching over and grabbing his ear and pulling the shitty nerd up to look at the book in front of him. “Study, or I’ll blast your head!”
“I believe the phrase is that you catch more Flies with Honey than Vinegar.” Said Greenie, walking towards the study group that was sat in the booth. “That being said, the most ideal thing to catch flies that I have found is a concoction of water, apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and sugar. All common things to find in your average household.” He finished.
“I’ll keep that in mind Greenie.” Katsuki said, a small smile flashing into his face for a moment before disappearing back into his normal scowl. It’s not like he enjoys his odd little facts.
“How come you don’t have to wear most of the uniform?” Raccoon Eyes asked. “It’s so out of vogue, you know!?”
“Oh, I asked if I could not wear the shirt, tie, or dress pants. The texture was bad. This is better.” Greenie said.
“Wow! Do you think that could work for me?”
“Unlikely."
“Darn it!”
“Quite unfortunate.” Greenie said. “Well, I was going to speak to Kugo about the gauntlets, but I see he is busy. I’ll leave you to it.” He said, beginning to back away.
“Why don’t you sit down with us?” Spark Plug spoke up, causing Greenie to stop in surprise, tilting his head.
“... But you are having a study session with friends, are you not?”
“You called me smart! Not many have done that. You’re a friend to me and a friend of Bakugos!”
“And a friend of Bakugo’s is a friend to us!” Shitty hair said with a smile. Greenie stared at them all as his eyes grew glassy with tears.
“You c-consider me a friend?” Greenie said, their voice shaky. Katsuki was quiet for a moment before scoffing.
“I don’t let just anyone hang out with me.” Katsuki said. Greenie nodded, before letting out a yelp of emotion.
“I’m sorry, I’m emotional. I’m emotional.” Greenie said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all good man! Crying is manly as hell!” Shitty hair said, sympathetic tears in his eyes. Greenie smiled, letting out a loud laugh.
“This is fantastic, I don’t think I’ve ever had friends before.” Greenie said, sitting into the space in the booth where they made space, next to Katsuki.
“Well, since Katsuki hasn’t yelled at you in any of the interactions we’ve seen, you’ve also got him as a best friend!”
“Fantastic. Kugo is truly my best friend.” Greenie said.
“He’s also my best friend too!” Shitty hair said, wrapping an arm around Katsuki despite the low growl he was letting out. Greenie looked over at Shitty hair with a tilt of his head.
“But he is my best friend.”
“You can have multiple best friends.” Shitty hair explained.
“By the transitive property, are we best friends?” Greenie asked. Shitty hair paused, thinking through the prompt given to him.
“Yeah, it does!” Kirishima decided with a wide smile.
“Fantastic. I grow richer by the day.” Greenie said, tears welling up in his eyes. “I’m emotional, I’m emotional.” He said, wiping his eyes. “Gyah!” He yelped out to release emotion.
Katsuki buried a smile off his face.
“Uraraka’s quirk is incredibly interesting, the unused potential in it that she’s not using is baffling!” Greenie said, with Katsuki’s phone on the library table recording his conversation so Greenie could later write it down in a presentable manner. Katsuki would simply send it to round cheeks to save himself and Greenie some time, but Greenie wants the information to be precise and informational. Katsuki also gets to spend more time with him to help make sure it’s presentable if he doesn’t.
“The Sports Festival clearly showed that, even if it’s subconsciously right now, she can control the elevation in things she uses her quirk on. Also, the fact that every single thing she uses her quirk on doesn’t wrench out of sight at impossible speeds suggests that it also doesn’t Nullify gravity, like the name suggests!” Greenie continues, Katsuki nodding to make sure he knows he’s paying attention. He makes sure to do this with Greenie, otherwise He gets nervous that He’s boring him. Greenie has never once bored Katsuki. It makes it take longer for this to go on and for Greenie to keep talking. Katsuki likes the sound of Izuku’s voice.
“My current theory is a quirk that manipulates Gravity Fields. It would account for the weight of objects, the floating, the queasiness backlash. The possibilities make it so that she could Increase gravitational pull to weigh objects or opponents down. She could also potentially bend the gravitational plane to such a degree that it could be used as teleportation, Though The Potential risk of causing a black hole, or being lost outside of earth’s gravitational pull is too large a risk to consider testing, at least currently. I’ll need to fully work out the math on that before I present my findings.” Greenie paused. “I have been speaking for approximately thirteen minutes. Is that too long?” Fuck, He’s getting self consious.
“Greenie, It’s fine. I enjoy these rants you go on. They’re nice.” Katsuki said, grumbling out in hopes that Greenie would carry on. Greenie smiled at that. Greenie smiles a lot, smiles wide and bright. Katsuki could never do that. As much as Izuku’s talks make him want to. To smile wide and enjoy the moments he has with him.
“Th-Thank You… I…” Greenie paused. “Could you please stop recording?” He asked, wringing his hands, as if trying to squeeze out the bones in them.
“Sure…” Katsuki said, reaching over and stopping the recording. “Is something wrong?”
“No, I just… I have something that I need to tell you and if you find out from someone other than me then I fear you will react badly. Um…” Greenie paused as he collected his thoughts “I’m quirkless.”
Oh. Katsuki knows he wasn’t the best back in middle school and if he had learned this earlier in the year, maybe Katsuki would have acted differently. It’s something he doesn’t like to tell other people. What’s the point? All it does is hurt. Might as well bury it. If the two had met before High School, Katsuki is sure that Greenie would have been a victim of him. But maybe… maybe he needs to give that part of his life a funeral before it’s buried. What better person to tell than the wonderful Izuku Midoriya?
“I was a bully.” Katsuki blurts out. “I’ve gotten better and it’s a part of my life I look on with disgust. I hurt people for reasons that they had no way of changing… even if they had it would’ve still been wrong I just-” He rubs at his eyes. “ I’m better now, I’m trying not to hurt people, I’m trying not to be cruel. I just…” He pauses, trying to figure out the words. “I can imagine what you’ve been through because I could’ve been the person putting you through it and I don’t want you to have to put up with someone who reminds you of bad things Because I…” Want you to not hate me. I want you to still care about me. I want to split the last cookie from the batch I made with you. I want to figure out taxes with you. I want you to help figure out how quirks work with you. I want to figure out how to learn to love myself with you. I want to learn how to love with you. Oh.
Oh.
Katsuki is relieved he hasn’t said any of that aloud, or he would have blown apart the Library Table from sheer embarrassment.
“I care about you, Greenie.” Katsuki said, and that’s the most he’s allowing himself to say of what he just realized.
“Oh…” Greenie said. Fuck. Fuck, he’s going to hate him. isn’t he? Fuck, he shouldn’t have done that too. “Well, you’re trying to be better right?” Greenie asked. Katsuki nodded. “Then It’s fine. I didn’t know you then, and you’re not the same person. You should apologize to those you have hurt, but…” Greenie paused, looking directly into Katsuki’s eyes. Katsuki looked away, a blush growing on his face. “I still care about you too, Katsuki.”
The blush on Katsuki’s face deepened, as a smile grew on his face. And this time, he didn’t try to smother it, He just let it be.
Katsuki sat in the dorms as the party surrounded him. Everyone was celebrating getting their provisional hero licenses. Well, almost everyone. Icyhot was off in the corner, moping over his failure with a soft drink.
Katsuki was in a similar boat, himself having failed. He failed due to “Harsh Language” which feels like bullshit. He talks how he fucking talks, no way that a fuck here and a shit there would make an actual citizen panic. He’s heard more colorful language from EMTs, and it didn’t worry him then.
Hell, he’s even listened to recordings of Mirko, in fights, during rescue, and in interviews, she’s just as if not worse than him with language.
Whatever. He’ll get through whatever shit he has to do to get that damn motherfucking piece of shit license.
Izuku’s still not here.
Katsuki’d invited him but he hadn’t even shown up. It’s been 20 minutes since the party had started and there was no sign of the fluffy green hair. God, ever since he fucking realized his damn feelings towards him, he couldn’t keep thoughts like that out of his brain. It’s fucking stupid. It’s not like Izuku could possibly like him back. What’s the point of this then? Why couldn’t he just cut these stupid thoughts from his mind, go back to just being friends? Why did the thought of just being friends with Izuku hurt?
He needs some air.
Katsuki stood up from his seat and moved towards the front door, moving past groups of laughing people, all enjoying themselves. Why couldn’t Katsuki?
Katsuki pushed open the door and left the dorm, letting it close behind him. The music muffled into loud obscurity, asserting its existence and while being unable to be understood. Katsuki felt similarly. As loud as he is, it’s hard to open up, let his emotions be known. So he falls into Loud Obscurity, never being able to fully connect to the people surrounding him.
Izuku cut through that though. Cut through the muffle, through his walls and understood the meaning, heard the music. No one else had. Not even his parents understood, not fully. Katsuki looked up at the sky, light pollution snubbing out most of the stars, all but the brightest. The exam was similar, only allowing the best, the cream of the crop. Katsuki used to think he was the North Star. The brightest, always shining. Maybe when he was younger, when he was the only star around. Now, he was surrounded by stars and it feels like he might not even SuperNova, just fizzle out and burn or worse, he’ll blackhole and destroy everything around him.
Izuku makes him feel like The North Star again. Like he’s good, shining, and Leading the way, actually helping people. That was the difference between his old self and him now, with Izuku. He was good, he wasn’t hurting people.
He turned back to the door and jumped when he saw Izuku just standing next to the door. “Izuku!” Katsuki said in surprise. Izuku tilted his head before a shy smile grew on his face.
“K-Katsuki.” Izuku said, and Katsuki’s heart did somersaults at that.
“So you showed up.” Katsuki said, cringing at how hostile that sounded.
“I-I have been here for twenty minutes. I didn’t know whether to knock or text or use the doorbell, I-I’ve never actually been to a party before. I do not know the etiquette. S-Sorry.”
“It’s fine, I just…” Katsuki paused trying to figure out the wording. “The only reason I suggested having this party was to invite you.” He blurted out. Izuku’s eyes widened and tears filled them. He began quickly wiping at them.
“Hah!” Izuku exclaimed, just getting the emotion out. “Sorry, That’s just so nice!” He said. “Um, we’re admitting things, so let me admit something about myself. Parties are terrifying to me and the only reason I showed up was because you were there.” Izuku said, and Katsuki’s heart dived and flew. He came here for him.
“Thank you. I…” Katsuki paused. “I failed the exam. Apparently, my “Harsh Language” scares civilians.”
“That’s bullshit. You are kind and caring and a great hero.” Izuku immediately said. Katsuki tired to smother a smile but it broke through anyway.
“Thank you. You’re… wonderful, one of the best people I know.” He said, a blush growing on his cheeks. Izuku looked down for a moment before looking back up to Katsuki, a nervous yet determined look set on his face, having decided something.
“Life comes at us fast and we do not know what’s going to happen next, so I have something.” Izuku said, causing Katsuki to tilt his head. “I have information that you could find actionable, but before I tell you, you need to promise that you will not come to any assertions or assumptions based on this information.” Katski let out a laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
“Fuck it, sure. I promise.” Katsuki said, a smile on his face.
“Alright, Okay.” Izuku paused as he began to wring his hands. “At any waking moment that we have spent together… If you decided to kiss me upon the lips at any of those times, it would’ve been received… Positively. Keep in mind that you cannot make any assumptions towards my feelings using this information.” Izuku said, his face a deep red, which Katsuki was currently matching.
Fuck.
Fuck shit.
Holy Goddamn Fuck Shit.
Okay.
Okay.
Fuck.
“It’s fine if you you disagree but you cannot inference any-”
Katsuki pressed his lips against Izuku who went rigid. They stayed like that for a bit before Katsuki pulled back. Izuku stared at him, eyes wide.
“Sorry. I assumed I…” Katsuki paused, his heart diving into freefall. “Fuck.”
“I…” Izuku started. “Could I get another shot at that?” Katsuki’s heart flew, as light as Pink Cheeks' quirk. “You were perfect, I think I could do better.” He said, wringing his fingers.
“Yeah, Why don’t you show me?” Katsuki said, and Izuku rushed forward, their lips crashing together and Katsuki felt like a star, floating and full of energy, flying through space, Bright and shining. He felt like music, clear and unmuffled, live and in concert.
The two pulled away with a smile on both of their faces. The music inside slowed to it’s stop before it began a new song. Someone decided to open a window and it played clearly. It was a slow love song, full of slow piano and guitar, a steady drum beat.
“Would you like to dance?” Katsuki breathed out quietly, worried that he’ll wake up from this wondrous dream if he was too loud.
“I’d love to.” Izuku said, taking his hand. Izuku’s hands were cold. His hands naturally ran warm for his quirk. The beautiful romance of thermodynamics. They came close, Izuku’s head on Katsuki’s shoulder, and slowly danced together, shifting back and forth in the night.
Two boys in love. Music, made clear.