Chapter Text
Izuku adjusts the strap of his bag as he walks alongside Bakugou through the courtyard, the morning chill biting at his cheeks. The students milling around them chatter about schedules, assignments, and the usual post-break gossip. But Izuku barely hears any of it.
Bakugou had said it so casually, almost like an afterthought, as they were leaving the dorm.
“ I’m not ready for everyone to know about us yet.”
The words replay in Izuku’s mind, slow and deliberate, as if to taunt him.
“ I get it,” Izuku had replied at the time, his voice soft and unsure. And he had meant it. But now, as Bakugou walks a few steps ahead, his hands shoved deep in his jacket pockets, Izuku can’t help but feel a small sting of hurt.
Why was Bakugou so comfortable being affectionate around his parents, openly cuddling on the couch or holding his hand under the table at dinner, but suddenly so hesitant here? Fear? Something else Izuku couldn't put a name to?
“Oi, you coming or what?” Bakugou calls over his shoulder, his tone gruff, but his eyes flick to Izuku with a brief softness that Izuku knows is just for him.
Izuku shakes the thoughts from his head and quickens his pace to catch, but the lingering doubt stays.
Izuku steps into his first class of the day, Psychology, and the faint hum of conversation fills the space as students settle into their seats. The first day of a new semester always carries an odd mix of excitement and dread, but for Izuku, it’s overshadowed by the weight of this morning's conversation with Bakugou.
There’s no one in his class that he's particularly close with, so he sits by himself near the window, setting his notebook on the desk. Outside, a few students linger in the courtyard, laughing and chatting, carefree in a way Izuku wishes he could be. His thoughts drift again to Bakugou’s words. It’s not like izuku wants to shout their relationship from the rooftops. He understands Bakugous’s hesitation. But the more he thinks about it, the more it gnaws at him.
The door to the classroom closes with a soft click, and the teacher begins to speak, her voice calm but firm as she outlines the syllabus. Izuku tries to focus, scribbling notes, but the words blur on the page.
Is Bakugou afraid of how their classmates will react? Or is he afraid of how he’d react to their classmates knowing? A small part of Izuku wonders if it’s more than just nerves. Maybe Bakugou isn’t as certain about this as Izuku is.
The thought makes his chest ache.
The next few days pass in a disorienting blur for Izuku. Bakugou is more distant than he was before their relationship started. He no longer greets Izuku in the halls or stops by his table at lunch to exchange snarky remarks. Instead, Bakugou keeps his distance, barely acknowledging Iuku’s presence during the day. It’s like they're strangers, a wall between them that hadn't been there before.
But at night, everything changes. When the dorm door closes and the world feels far away, Bakugou’s touch is tender and grounding. He pulls Izuku into his arms with quiet certainty, his kisses soft, his murmured words barely audible but brimming with affection. It’s in those moments that Izuku feels cherished, like he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be.
The contrast weighs on him, though. How could someone hold him so sweetly in the dark, only to push him away when the sun comes up? It leaves Izuku spinning, unsure of where he stands, the tension between his heart and his mind growing heavier with each passing day.
Izuku sits in his usual seat in his Psychology class, the room buzzing with chatter as the teacher explains the details of their upcoming project, jotting down key points on the board. Izuku tries his best to listen, pushing thoughts of his relationship out of his head. He’s startled when the teacher claps her hands and instructs the students to pair up.
The room immediately fills with the sounds of desks scraping and excited whispers as everyone begins choosing partners. Izuku glances around but quickly realizes the few students he's familiar with have already partnered up. He’s left sitting awkwardly at his desk as the teacher counts the students aloud and then sighs.
“There’s an odd number today. Looks like you’ll have to work alone…” She pauses, looking at the door. “Oh, wait, looks like our new student decided to finally join us.”
The door swings open, and a tall, blonde boy strolls in, carrying a sleek messenger bag slung over his shoulder. He has an air of confidence that fills the room the moment he walks in.
“Mr. Monoma,” the teacher says, folding her arms. “You’re just in time. We’re pairing up for a Project, and it looks like you’ll be working with Midoriya.”
Izuku blinks, momentarily stunned as Monoma’s sharp gaze flicks to him. The blond boy’s lips curl into a friendly smile as he approaches Izuku’s desk.
“Lucky me,” Monoma says, extending a hand.” “Neito Monoma. Transfer student extraordinaire.”
Monoma pulls out the chair next to Izuku and sets his bag down with a flourish. “So, what’s the project? Something interesting, I hope. If I'm going to make my grand debut here, I'll need to start strong.”
The teacher begins explaining the project guidelines, but Izuku finds it hard to concentrate. Monoma’s friendly demeanor puts him at ease, but the way the other boy smiles at him like they've known each other for years, makes him feel an odd mix of nerves and excitement.
By the time the class ends, Monoma has already offered to meet up later in the evening to start brainstorming ideas. Izuku agrees quickly, his words stumbling over themselves.
As the two gather their things to leave, Monoma grins and pats Izuku on the shoulder. “This is going to be fun, Midoriya. I’ve got a good feeling about you.”
Izuku smiles back, feeling warmth spread through him. It’s been a while since someone new has shown this much interest in him. Someone other than Bakugou, of course.
Izuku climbs the stairs to his dorm, his bag slung over his shoulder and his thoughts swirling. He can’t help but feel a mix of nervousness and excitement about the project. Monoma seemed friendly and Izuku could use a new friend. He hasn’t talked to Todoroki since the Toya incident and Iida is…well he’s smart and a good study partner but when it comes to good conversation he’s lacking.
When he steps into the dorm, he finds Bakugou sprawled out on his bed, scrolling through his phone. His sharp red eyes flick up as soon as Izuku enters.
“Sup’, nerd,” Bakugou says, tossing his phone aside.
“Hey, Kacchan.” Izuku grins.
Bakugou pats his chest, a signal for Izuku to come cuddle him. “I was about to watch a movie, you in?”
Izuku lazily walks over and plops down on the bed next to Bakugou. “I can’t, I have to work on a project for Psychology.”
“Pfft. You can’t multitask, nerd?”
“It’s a partner project, gotta go to his dorm to work on it,” Izuku says, letting his leg dangle off the side of the bed.
Bakugou sits up and leans against the wall, his arms resting on his knees. “Yeah? Who’d you get stuck with?”
“A new transfer student. His name’s Neito Monoma.”
Bakugou raises an eyebrow, his expression neutral but his tone curious. “Never heard of him. He any good?”
“He seems nice,” Izuku answers carefully. “Friendly. Almost as confident as you.”
“Tch, as if.” Bakugou smirks but doesn't push any further.
Izuku heaves himself upright. “I should get going, he’s probably waiting for me.”
Bakugou hums, his gaze softening. “Fine. Just… don’t tell him about us, okay?”
Izuku sighs, wishing Bakugou would stop emphasizing every day that their relationship is a secret. “I wasn’t planning on it, Kacchan,” he says softly, disappointment evident in his voice.
Bakugou leans forward slightly, his expression softening. “It’s not about you, nerd. I just need some time to figure this out. You get that, right?”
Izuku nods, offering a forced smile. “Yeah. I get it.”
Bakugou studies him for a moment longer, then pulls Izuku in and gives him a quick kiss. “Alright. Don’t let this Monom guy walk all over you. Make him do his share of the work.”
“I will,” Izuku says, letting out a small chuckle.
With that, he heads out the door, the weight of Bakugou’s words sitting heavily in his chest.
Izuku stands in front of Monoma’s door, feeling a familiar buzz of nervousness mixed with anticipation. Taking a deep breath, he raises his hand and knocks.
The door swings open almost immediately, revealing Monoma's easy smile. “Ah, there you are, Midoriya. Come in, come in. Don’t be shy.”
Izuku steps inside, his eyes quickly scanning the room. It’s surprisingly tidy for a dorm, with neatly stacked books on the desk and a bed that looks barely touched. What catches his attention most though, is the absence of a second bed.
“You don’t have a roommate?” Izuku asks, blinking in surprise.
Monoma shrugs casually as he closes the door behind them. “Nope. I guess I got lucky.”
“That’s strange…when I transferred here a few months ago they said there weren’t any dorms available so I had to share,” Izuku says, setting his bag down near the desk.
“It’s pretty nice. No one snooping around, no one leaving dirty laundry on the floor. Just peace and quiet,” Monoma replies, gesturing for Izuku to sit on the empty chair by the desk.
Izuku nods, though he can’t help but feel a little envious. He’s more than happy to share a dorm with Bakugou now, it’s the whole reason they're dating, but in the beginning, it would’ve been nice to have his own space.
Monoma flops onto his bed, leaning back on his elbows as he regards Izuku. “so, about this project. I hope you’re ready to carry us to success because I refuse to accept anything less than a perfect score.”
‘Wow, he would get along great with Kacchan,’ Izuku thinks, comparing the two boys’ similarities.
Izuku laughs nervously, pulling out his notebook. “I’ll do my best. But I’m sure you’ll be a bug help too.”
“Of course, I will,” Monoma says smoothly, his grin widening. “With the two of us, how could we possibly fail?”
Izuku opens his notebook, ignoring the flutter of unease in his chest. Monoma’s confidence is almost infectious, but there's something about his relaxed demeanor that makes Izuku feel like he’s walking into a game without knowing the rules.
The project starts off smoothly, with both of them jotting down ideas and discussing how to divide the workload. Izuku is impressed by how articulate Monoma is, his confidence making up for his slightly unpolished knowledge of the subject matter.
But after an hour, the focus starts to waver. The room grows quieter, their conversation slipping away from the project and into casual chatter.
“So,” Izuku begins, breaking a lull in their discussion, “why did you transfer here?”
Monoma leans back in his chair, spinning a pen between his fingers. His smirk fades into something softer, though his voice remains light. “Ah, the million-dollar question. Let’s just say my old school wasn’t a great fit anymore.”
Izuku tilts his head, curious. “What do you mean?”
Monoma shrugs. “You know how it is. Some schools just…suffocate you. Same faces, same expectations, same rules. I felt like I was being boxed in, so when the opportunity came up to transfer here, I took it. I needed a fresh start.”
Izuku nods slowly, understanding the sentiment more than he expected. “That makes sense. It must've been hard though, leaving your old friends behind.”
A flicker of something unreadable passes over Monoma’s face before he smiles again, this time with a hint of mischief. “Who says I had friends there?”
Izuku blinks, unsure if he’s joking or serious. “Oh, I didn’t mean-”
“I’m kidding,” Monoma cuts in with a chuckle. “Sort of. I had acquaintances, sure, but nothing worth clinging to. People tend to keep their distance when you’re… like me.”
“Like you?” Izuku asks, his brow furrowing.
“You know,” Monoma says, gesturing vaguely to himself, “sharp-tongued, smarter than I should be, devastatingly handsome. Intimidating.”
Izuku laughs despite himself, shaking his head. “I think you’ll fit in just fine here.”
Monoma’s grin softens. “Maybe. So far, things are looking up, I mean, I’m partnered up with you aren’t I?”
Izuku flushes slightly, ducking his head as he busies himself with organizing their notes. “W-well I'm glad you’re here.”
Monoma watches him for a moment, his eyes gleaming with something akin to curiosity. “Yeah,” he says after a beat, his tone unusually sincere. “Me too.”
As they continue their conversation, Monoma leans back in his chair and smirks. “So, Midoriya,” his tone casual but probing, “do you have a girlfriend back home or anything?”
Izuku freezes for a split second, caught off guard by the question. His cheeks flush again as he fumbles for a response. “Oh, uhm,” he stammers, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m actually gay.”
Monoma’s smirk widens into a genuine smile, his expression softening. “Me too,” he says easily.
Izuku blinks in surprise, his nervousness easing a little. “Oh. That's…cool,” he replies, unsure of what else to say.
Monoma laughs at his awkwardness, a light musical sound. “Relax, I wasn’t trying to hit on you,” he teases. “I just like knowing where people stand, ya know?”
Izuku chuckles nervously. “Right, yeah. That makes sense.”
“Besides,” Monoma adds, the mischievous glint returning to his eyes, “when I’m hitting on you, you’ll know.” He winks, causing a strange sensation in Izuku’s stomach.
Izuku doesn't know how to respond to that, so he just laughs again, shaking his head as he returns to their project notes. But despite the playful banter, he feels a strange sense of camaraderie with Monoma, a shared understanding that wasn’t there before. One that he isn’t too sure he shares with Bakugou anymore.
Monoma tilts his head, watching Izuku with curious eyes. “So, definitely no girlfriend,” he clarifies, tapping his pen against the edge of the desk. “What about a boyfriend?”
The question sits in his mind for a moment, along with Bakugou's request from earlier. ‘ Don’t tell him about us, okay?’ As much as he wants to respect Bakugou’s wishes, outright lying feels wrong. After a brief pause, he decides on the truth. Well, most of it.
“Actually…I do have a boyfriend,” Izuku says, his voice steady but quiet. “But he wants to keep it a secret for now.”
Monoma’s eyebrows lift in interest, and a show smile spreads across his face. “Oh, mysterious. I see how it is,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “This boyfriend of yours, he’s a little shy?”
Izuku shifts awkwardly. “Not exactly shy,” he says, avoiding Monoma’s gaze. “Just…private.”
Monoma hums thoughtfully, his smile still lingering. “That’s kind of sweet,” he says. “Though, I have to say, if I were lucky enough to date someone like you, I don’t think I could keep it a secret. I’d be parading you around for everyone to see.”
Izuku’s face burns, and he ducks his head, pretending to focus on their notes. “Uh, thanks,” he mumbles. “But, uh, we should probably get back to work before it gets too late,” he says, in a desperate attempt to steer the conversation back to their project.
Monoma chuckles but doesn't press any further, much to Izuku’s relief. Still, the moment lingers in Izuku’s mind, leaving him with a strange mix of guilt and something he can’t quite place… maybe bitterness, but not towards Monoma. Toward a different blonde boy.
Izuku quietly pushes open the door to his dorm, careful not to let it creak. The room is dim, illuminated only by the soft glow of the desk lamp Bakugou must have forgotten to turn off before falling asleep. Izuku’s eyes land on him immediately, sprawled on his side in bed, one arm tucked under his head and the other resting over the edge of the blanket. His face looks so peaceful like this, completely different from the scowling, brash Bakugou everyone knows.
A smile tugs at Izuku’s lips as he tiptoes across the room. He pulls off his shirt and changes into his sleepwear, tossing his clothes into the nearby hamper. Once he’s ready, he hesitates for just a moment before slipping under the covers, He scoots close, careful not to wake Bakugou, and snuggles against his back, wrapping an arm loosely around his waist.
For a while, Izuku just listens to the soft rhythm of Bakugou’s breathing, letting it calm his thoughts. But no matter how hard he tries, Monoma’s words from earlier keep creeping back into his mind.
‘ If I were lucky enough to have someone like you, I don’t think I could keep it a secret.”
The sincerity in Monoma’s voice, and the way he smiled as he said it made something ache faintly in Izuku’s chest. He understands why Bakugou wants to keep their relationship private, he really does. But hearing someone else say that made Izuku realize how much he wished it could be different.
Izuku tightens his hold on Bakugou just a little, seeking comfort in the warmth of his presence. Bakugou stirs faintly in his sleep but doesn’t wake, mumbling something incoherent before settling again. Izuku sighs softly, resting his forehead against Bakugou’s shoulder.
He knows he shouldn’t let it bother him. What he and Bakugou have is special, even if it is just between the two of them for now. Still, he can’t shake the thought of what it would feel like to be loved openly, without hesitation.