Chapter Text
Izuku hummed his way through the halls, giving an occasional beaming smile or enthusiastic wave to a fellow classmate or teacher. Walking into 2-A, he sees the usual group of students that come in early—Todoroki, Iida, Ochako, among others. But the person he was looking for was Katsuki. He scans the room, still humming All Might’s theme song.
Nerd.
He finally spots Katsuki leaning against the wall, talking to Kirishima about some recent hero news. Bakugo smiles faintly when he sees Izuku, and he swears he sees him blush.
"Hi, Kacchan!" Izuku beams, practically skipping his way over to the two of them.
"Nerd. Good morning," Katsuki mumbles affectionately, tousling his green mop.
The fact that they could even be in the same room with each other was a big leap from where they had been three years ago. Bakugo had gained a lot of respect for Izuku, becoming more and more fond of the nerd as time went on. In the beginning of their second year at UA, they had grown inseparable—eating, studying, and patrolling together. They had even planned to go to the same agency after they graduated.
In the time that they had been joined at the hip, they had both become more affectionate. Not in a buddy-buddy way, but a more... loving way. After all the things they had been through, they started relying on each other. Not in a codependent way, but they supported each other. They grew more vulnerable, talking about their grief and the things they wouldn’t dare speak of in front of anybody else.
Izuku had finally won the love of Katsuki one night in his dorm.
Outside, it was storming. Mist clung to the windows as rain pattered against the roof, creating a calm, cozy atmosphere. The rain poured for hours, the occasional thunder or lightning lighting up the sky. The two were cozied up under a blanket in Izuku’s dorm, rewatching an All Might special that had aired years ago. The boys shared popcorn and candy as they rewatched it for the hundredth time.
Izuku was quietly admiring Katsuki as he leaned into him, huddling into the warmth. His ash-blond mop was messy, but nonetheless pretty? Handsome? Cute? Gods, no—there wasn’t a word for everything that was Bakugo Katsuki. His perfectly toned body and sharp smile made Izuku want to melt into a puddle.
As they neared the end of the special, Katsuki caught Izuku staring. Just because they were much closer now didn’t mean he had stopped calling him names.
"Tch. What are you staring at, nerd?" Katsuki bites out, though there’s no venom in it—just affection.
Izuku reddens and frantically waves his hands.
"I-I'm not staring, Kacchan! I—I just—" Izuku blurts.
Katsuki ruffles his hair.
"I don’t mind. I am pretty handsome," Katsuki says smoothly, grinning like a fool.
Izuku swats the back of his head.
"Get over yourself," Izuku giggles. "Jerk," he adds, still slightly pink in the cheeks.
"Ha! Jerk? How dare you," Katsuki says, elbowing him playfully.
They abandon the movie and play-wrestle, throwing out harmless insults and playground taunts. They collapse, laughing. While they catch their breath, Izuku mindlessly says something that shocks them both.
"I like you, Kacchan," Izuku blurts out before he even knows what he’s saying.
"What?" Katsuki asks, eyes wide in shock.
Before Izuku can blunder out an excuse or take it back, Katsuki surprises him. He blushes—actually blushes. Before he knows what he’s doing, their lips meet, earning a startled gasp from Izuku. Katsuki startles himself by deepening the kiss.
Izuku pulls away, panting, red and surprised. Had he really just kissed his primary best friend, former bully, and high school crush?
Katsuki stares at him, pleased—though a little embarrassed.
"M-me too," Katsuki blurts.
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And the rest was history. They had been dating ever since—not necessarily a secret, but they weren’t advertising it.
"Kacchan, are we still on for studying tonight? I’ll bring the chips, don’t worry," Izuku asks, beaming.
"Yeah, yeah, shitty nerd, we are," Katsuki says warmly.
Aizawa dragged himself into the classroom, looking half-asleep as usual.
"Alright. No hero training today—"
The class groaned instantly.
"Yeah, yeah. Cry about it," Aizawa muttered. "All Might’s out, so you’ve got an English test with Mic—"
More groans.
"Shut it. After that, you’ll get some patrol time."
That shut them up—followed immediately by cheers.
"Don’t get used to it," Aizawa added. "I’ll be gone the rest of the week. Classified mission. That means no questions. And if I hear you gave the substitute a hard time, I’ll have you running laps until you drop."
"Alright. Be productive or whatever."
Chatter about the upcoming test fills the class. Of course, Bakugo and Midoriya had studied the night before. Katsuki was good at English. Of course he was—he was great at everything.
Katsuki turns to Izuku behind him.
"Hey Deku, wanna head to Lunch Rush today? They have katsudon," Katsuki says playfully.
"Sure, Kacchan!" Izuku says excitedly.
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After the English test in Present Mic’s class, Izuku and Katsuki mosey over to Lunch Rush. Groaning, Izuku sets down his steaming katsudon, the aroma filling his nostrils. Katsuki sits across from him, setting down his own bowl.
"That test was a bitch," Katsuki mutters, blowing on his food.
"But you’re great at English, Kacchan!" Izuku says.
"Still. Can’t wait to patrol," he replies, already eating.
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When they finish their food, Katsuki takes their bowls—like the gentleman he is—and puts them away after kissing the top of Izuku’s head, earning a squeak from him. They head to the locker rooms to change into their hero costumes.
In the locker room, Izuku can’t help but glance Katsuki’s way several times, his eyes roaming over the subtle curves and tight muscles that ripple under his skin. His skin is tan and evenly toned, every muscle perfectly defined.
Izuku starts blushing and quickly turns away, focusing on putting on his own costume. He swears he can feel eyes on him—so he turns and catches Katsuki looking at him.
They both quickly look away, slightly pink.
Of course, Kaminari notices.
"Aww, the two lovebirds at it again," Denki coos.
"Shut it, Sparky, unless you want a stick shoved further up your ass than Iida’s!" Katsuki growls.
Izuku just blushes and rubs the back of his head, continuing to change.
---------------
They start patrolling downtown. Nothing crazy—just helping old ladies cross the street or getting a kitten out of a tree. Izuku and Katsuki walk side by side, watching for any villains or anyone who needs help.
They don’t get a lot of time alone, so this is one of the few moments they truly have together. They talk and laugh as they patrol, the easy rhythm between them never faltering.
By the time they finish, it’s already dark.
The class heads back to the dorms, changes out of their uniforms, and settles in for the night. Katsuki and Izuku separate briefly to get ready.
The next day is Sunday—a day off.
That means they can stay together.
Izuku climbs under Katsuki’s warm comforter as they rewatch an anime they both love. The two boys munch on the chips Izuku brought.
It’s already three in the morning.
Izuku yawns, his eyes growing heavy. Katsuki nudges him.
"'Night, shitty nerd," Katsuki mutters, shutting off his laptop and kissing him.
Izuku barely stirs.
"'Night, 'Kacchan," he mumbles sleepily.
When Katsuki is sure he’s asleep, he whispers softly,
"Love you, nerd."
He kisses the top of his head and falls asleep soon after.
----------------
Katsuki wakes with a jolt to the sound of a window slamming.
Too early.
He turns to check Izuku.
He’s gone.
Katsuki sits up instantly, scanning the room. The window is slightly open. Scratch marks line the frame.
His chest tightens. Panic crawling out of his chest.
He moves fast, checking the bathroom.
His heart drops into his stomach.
Empty.
"Shit."
Panic sets in as he searches harder. A broken vase near the window. A smear of blood.
Blood.
BLOOD?
His breathing stutters.
shit shit shit.
Someone came in.
And took him.
Rage floods through him, sharp and suffocating.
"I’ll kill them," he snarls.
He looks again—and sees it.
A faint drag mark in the grass outside.
Katsuki crouches, fingers brushing the disturbed earth.
No other traces. Where's his damn nerd?