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It's not that Katsuki thought telling his parents that the boy they’d all mourned for two years was actually alive wouldn't be a difficult discussion, however it hadn’t dawned on him just how difficult until he was approaching his front door following his first day at UA. He had no idea how to even approach the topic. His parents were probably expecting him to drop his things and walk straight into the shrine room to start telling Izuku all about his day. After all, it's what Katsuki had been planning to do when he woke up that morning. How was he supposed to tell them that he didn’t even need to anymore because the boy had been there himself to experience it with him.
That thought alone brought back the heavy lump in Katsuki’s throat he’d been trying to get rid of since the morning. His emotions had been a complete wreck since his initial scene in the classroom. Katsuki doesn’t think he’s cried so much since the day he first thought Izuku had died.
A blush spread across his cheeks in embarrassment thinking about how this emotional side of him was now his classmates' first impression of him. He still wanted to show everyone he was the best, despite his changed perspective. It was just Katsuki’s nature to be a perfectionist. To be a leader. He wanted to show them all he deserved to stand tall and Mighty in the most prestigious heroics institution in Japan. He still wanted to be seen as the best of the best, the hero who could overcome any and all odds and prevail. Still though, despite his discomfort with vulnerability, Katsuki couldn’t help the overwhelming elation he felt knowing that he and Izuku were actually going to be at UA together. Their childhood dream was still within reach. Now all Katsuki had to do was not fuck it up.
The first step, telling his parents.
With a shaky hand, Katsuki twisted the knob and forced himself forward. He could hear the tv playing and the loud boisterous cackles of his mother at whatever show she and his father were watching, his fathers more subdued chuckles harmonizing with her. He took in some deep breaths as he removed his shoes in the foyer, wiping his palms down his school slacks in a feeble attempt to dry them. Without anything more to delay the inevitable, he rounded the corner into the tv room.
Both Mitsuki and Masaru looked up the moment he entered, wide smiles spreading across their faces at the sight of him.
“Bout time you got home! I want to hear all the juicy details from your first day!” Mitsuki said, smacking her hand down on the seat next to her to call Katsuki further into the room as his dad took a moment to mute the television. “How were your teachers? Classmates? Any cuties catch your eye?” She teased with a mischievous smirk.
“Was it everything you hoped for?” Masaru asked softly, his head tilting slightly as he noticed the nervous way Katsuki was pulling on his knuckles. He shared a small look with his wife who’s playful attitude withered as she also noticed his odd behavior.
“It was.” Katsuki replied. “It was so much more than I deserve.” Katsuki’s gaze stayed rooted to the floor. His lungs felt tight, the words stuck on his tongue and in his throat. The room stayed silent for a few more moments, both of his parents waiting to see if he would actually explain his strange behavior.
“Alright, spill it brat. What's got you all worked up?” Mitsuki sighed. She knew her son. She’d especially gotten to know him in the last two years. She’d seen it all happen, and through every therapy session, panic attack, and nightmare, she’d learned something deeper about her kid. Mitsuki had always known Katsuki was a straight forward, say it like you mean it type of guy. Something big happened if he was too overwhelmed to even look either of them in the eyes.
“I don’t even know how to start.” Katsuki whispered, running a shaky hand through his disheveled locks. “How do I even..” His breathing began to pick up.
“Take your time Katsuki. Did something bad happen?” Masaru asked gently, earning an aggressive head shake from his son. “Something good?” He asked tentatively, a sigh of relief falling from both parents at his fervent nod, concluding Katsuki was simply overwhelmed, not distressed.
His parents waited patiently, giving Katsuki as much time as he needed to center himself. His deep breaths echoing through the room while his chest constricted with emotion. There were just so many. He was happy. Terrified. Overjoyed. Guilty. Relieved. Confused. He couldn’t make sense of them all at once. It was like trying to read ten different words all stacked on top of each other.
“This morning,” Katsuki finally started. He tried desperately to swallow down the lump that was lodged in his throat, though it wouldn’t really budge. “When I opened- He was there.”
Mitsuki and Masaru shared a look of confusion. “Who was there?” Masaru asked calmly.
“I-Izuku.”
The name that fell from his lips brought the whole world to a stand still. Two mouths dropped open in shock, not daring to believe their ears.
“What?” Mitsuki breathed.
“Izuku. He was there a-and he’s alive.” Katsuki croaked, his tears returning with a vengeance upon speaking those words out loud again. He still hasn't quite processed it yet. There was still a part of him that couldn’t believe this wasn’t a dream despite having spent the last few hours with the boy himself.
Just as he’d predicted, Katsuki’s parents reacted equally as strongly to the news as he did. His mom’s trembling hand raised to cover her mouth as the other frantically searched for the grip of her husband. Masaru stared at Katsuki in a state of shock, his breath hitching as he tried to find his words. Both gripped to each other and let their composure break, rising to their feet and rushing to embrace Katsuki. It was rare that the teen accepted the physical affection of his parents, but it seemed like today they all really needed it.
The small family cried into each other's shoulders and held each other close. Katsuki’s own tears dried faster, already dehydrated from his earlier crying fit(s). His parents took longer to calm themselves, finally pulling away minutes later with red eyes and stuffy noses.
“H-how? Where has he been? I-is he okay?” Mitsuki asked, sniffing and rubbing her sore eyes.
“He’s fine.” Katsuki answered. “He got adopted. H-He looks healthy. He’s good.” Katsuki decided some of the darker and more depressing details of Izuku’s aforementioned adoption could wait until a later time. He’d bring it up. Eventually.
A few more tears dripped from his parents eyes, huge smiles spreading across their faces. They were overjoyed. Losing Inko had been devastating to their family, they’d all loved her so much. Losing Izuku, knowing such a kind and bright boy had been driven to take his own life, had been heartwrenching. They all remembered how long and grueling it was to recover. Realizing they had all played a part in such a tragedy and that they were too late to help him. They’d lost a piece of their family.
“That's incredible!” Masaru exclaimed softly with an emotional trembling smile.
“C-can we see him? I need to-” Mitsuki started, her eyes frantically searching the room as if Izuku would suddenly appear before her. Her breath hitched with emotion; hearing it all was one thing but she needed to see for herself. She needed to hold him and feel for herself that Katsuki hadn’t been mistaken and Izuku was really alive.
“I don’t know where he lives, but he gave me his phone number.” Katsuki replied nervously. “I-I can try to call him.”
Yeah. Katsuki could call him. He had Izuku’s phone number. To call him with.
Katsuki felt the adrenaline of anxiety surge through him at the thought. Izuku had given him the number himself. But was it really okay for Katsuki to call him after everything? Izuku said he’d forgiven him, but how far did that go?
“Oh please! Please, I want to hear him.” Mitsuki said with a quivering lip. Jesus, how could Katsuki say no? When both of his parents were looking at him like he was holding the secret to happiness in his hands and they only wanted a taste.
“Okay.” Katsuki muttered.
Steeling himself, the blonde pulled out his phone from his pocket. The light from the screen pierced against his eyes despite it still being bright outside. Katsuki scrolled through his contacts, finally landing on the most recent addition. The name Izuku, punctuated by a broccoli emoji. And no Katsuki didn’t giggle like a little girl who’d just been shown a magic trick when he saw that, and anyone who says so is a big fucking liar.
With a deep breath, a sweaty thumb pressed the call button. Katsuki let his determination to be the person Izuku deserved lead him as the rings began to echo through the room. He turned the phone; the speaker turned on so his parents could hear. After 3 rings, the line clicked and an angel's voice melted in their ears.
“Hello?” Izuku asked as he answered the line. Immediately, Mitsuki and Masaru were ambushed by a new wave of tears, both pressing their hands firmly to their mouths to try and suppress their cries of joy. They had still yet to let go of each other's hands too.
“H-hi. It’s me.” Katsuki stuttered nervously.
“Oh! Hi Kacchan! I haven’t put your number in my phone yet so I didn’t realize it was you.” Izuku replied happily, and god it was as if sunshine was radiating through the phone when he spoke.
“That’s okay.” Katsuki said dumbly.
“What’s up?” Izuku asked, his curiosity clear.
“Uhm. So this is fuckin awkward, b-but my parents also thought you were…ya know. And I just told them you’re not. And they really wanted to talk to you.”
There was silence for a moment as Izuku worked through his ramble. A few seconds later a small “Oh.” was heard as well as the scrambling of limbs and the scuffing of fabric as Izuku most likely was sitting up from something. “Y-yeah, I-I’d love to talk to them.” Izuku said, a nervous tremble now lacing his words.
“Izuku?” Mitsuki asked hopefully.
Izuku’s voice hitched as he heard her, squeaking out a small “Hi Auntie.” In reply.
Katsuki tuned in and out of the conversation, only picking up bits and pieces. Right now it seemed Izuku was telling them about his Dads. That tidbit of information peeked Katsuki’s interest considering he knew one of those dad’s was his homeroom teacher and a pro hero. It was always reassuring to him to know that there were LGBTQ+ heroes working successfully, although he hadn’t told anyone about all that yet.
Huge smiles rested on his parents' faces as they finally hung up the phone, handing it back to Katsuki.
“This is amazing! Oh I'm so excited I can’t wait!” Mitsuki exclaimed.
“Huh? Fucking excited for what?” Katsuki asked, snapping back to attention.
“We’re having dinner with Izuku and his fathers tonight!” She cheered excitedly. “I can’t believe after all this time, we’re actually going to see him. Oh I'm going to cry again.”
Masaru smiled as he set a gentle hand on his wife's back, rubbing up and around in comforting circles. Meanwhile Katsuki was completely short circuiting. Dinner? At Izuku’s house? Tonight!
And with both of his fathers?! One of which was his goddamn homeroom teacher who knew all about all of the terrible things Katsuki had done to his son. And if he knew then it was probably a fair assumption that his other dad knew too! Oh god Katsuki was going to throw up. He wanted to see Izuku. Eat with him and talk to the real him instead of a photograph. But the guilt he still felt about it all. Was he really allowed to move forward?
*************
2 hours later found the 3 Bakugou’s standing tall and nervous at the wooden door of a normal looking suburban home. Mitsuki took charge first, her hard fist pounding against the red door exactly 3 times and announcing their arrival. Light footsteps were heard as a jean clad blonde man answered the door. His long hair was pulled back into a half up half down look, the strands framing his face and falling over the shoulders of his gray button up. Simple rectangular lenses rested on his face as he smiled pleasantly at them.
“Hello! Thank you so much for coming, please come in and make yourselves at home.” He said politely. Katsuki’s parents nodded politely and moved to enter the house, however Katsuki stood frozen in shock. Because Katsuki knew the voice that had just greeted them, despite his vehement denials that he enjoyed that overzealous radio show. Stood towering over him was none other than Present fucking Mic. Another one of Katsuki’s teachers. Izuku’s dad’s were not one, but TWO pro heroes who worked at UA and would most definitely kick his ass if he screwed up.
While not overly high in the polls, he was a hero Katsuki respected for his powerful quirk and dedication to the job. He was cheerful and loud, regularly addressing societal issues on his show and never tolerating bigotry of any kind. And somehow he was married to Eraserhead which, okay, not what he’d been expecting.
“Oh you’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.” Katsuki deflated. His mother’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion and was quick to reprimand him, although the voice hero simply laughed at Katsuki’s exclamation.
“You know it took Izuku about the same amount of time to figure it out when he first got here too.” He laughed fondly. “Don’t sweat it little listener, here just call me Yamada.”
His parents eyes widened upon hearing the familiar nickname, cluing in to what had caused Katsuki to freeze in the doorway.
Finally stepping inside, the adults laughed about how they had failed to recognize Yamada at first. Katsuki pulled on the guest slippers laid out for him quietly, allowing his eyes to trail over what of the house he could see. It looked well kept, homely and lived in. Photos and trinkets and books lined the walls and shelves giving the space a comforting familial energy.
“Hello.” A shy voice suddenly spoke, pulling the attention of everyone towards the hunched and nervous form of Izuku Midoriya-Aizawa. He wore black jeans paired with an oversized green hoodie that hung low on his legs and over his hands. His green curls rested as untamed as usual upon his head and framed his flushed freckled cheeks. To put it bluntly, he was adorable.
Immediately Mitsuki’s hand flew to cover her mouth as tears sprung back to her eyes. Masaru himself was teary eyed himself as he clutched his wifes free hand in his.
“Izuku?” Mitsuki asked gently as she slowly approached Izuku, Masaru’s form just a step behind her. Slowly the woman brought a trembling hand up to cup the greenettes cheek, her thumb gliding over his eyebrow softly.
“Hi auntie.” Izuku replied as he leaned slightly into the motherly touch. This seemed to break both parents out of their stunned trance, the two adults surged forward to fully engulf the lost boy in their arms. Trembling cries echoed as the three embraced, Izuku’s own emotional tears trailing down his cheeks now as he hugged them back. Katsuki stood back, allowing his parents to have their moment with Izuku. Yamada stood beside him, a soft smile resting on his face while he watched the sweet reunion.
“I’m not mad at you, you know.” The man suddenly said. Katsuki’s head shot up, his eyes wide as Yamada spoke. “He’s told me all about you. The good and the bad. You hurt him, yes. And he’s ready to forgive you. So I am too.”
Stunned, Katsuki wanted to say so many things. He wanted to scream that he didn’t deserve such understanding and kindness from those around him. That they were wrong to forgive him so quickly. Though, all he could find the power to do was lower his gaze away from the man’s kind eyes, and nod once.
Following the emotional reunion, the remaining dinner was fairly pleasant if a bit tense at times. Izuku revealed briefly where he’d been the last two years, skipping quickly over the bit about his former suicide attempt. It was a gut punch to learn Izuku had been homeless for nearly a year following Inko’s death.
Hearing that, Katsuki began to wither into himself, the guilt clutching his heart in a vise grip. His spiral was broken though as a socked foot made contact with his shin from under the table. Looking across the table, Izuku’s eyes met his; a gentle, understanding smile directed at Katsuki. Funny enough he found his own lips turning up the smallest bit in return.
**********
School became a whirlwind of conflicting emotions for Katsuki in the weeks following that dinner. A part of him still felt wrong about moving forward and finding friendship with Izuku again. Another was desperate to reforge the bond that had been lost all those years ago. They seemed to have come to a mutual understanding at the dinner table, Izuku really seeming to have forgiven him. But could he really just be Kacchan again?
Izuku’s confidence had clearly grown since attending middle school. He was still rather quiet, but he’d gladly engage in a conversation if approached by a classmate. The greenette had nearly cried when Uraraka had approached him one day saying Katsuki had told her of how analytically skilled he was when it came to quirks, and if he’d be willing to help her improve. Following that, A ton of the others had taken to asking Izuku to analyze their quirks as well; after hearing from Uraraka how detailed and helpful his dissection of her quirk had been.
Izuku also had a nasty habit of dropping down on top of Todoroki’s desk from the vents he tended to frequent. The duel quirk user didn’t seem to mind though, honestly if the way his eyebrow rose up everytime it happened was any indication, he thought it was hilarious. It only took a few days for the class to stop flinching when it happened. Izuku was a little vent goblin and it seemed every single one of their classmates adored him.
Still though, despite his new friends within the room. Despite his conversations with the girls about how he occasionally enjoyed wearing skirts, or getting curly hair tips from Mina, or even his long winded conversations in JSL with Shinso that left both of them clutching their stomachs and wheezing with laughter; Izuku always eventually gravitated towards Katsuki.
There appeared to be a permanent dusting of pink across the blond’s cheeks nowadays. But how could he help it when every morning he was greeted by the bouncing steps of his smiling childhood friend and a “Good morning Kacchan!” It was just…so bright. And it made Katsuki feel things.
Aside from that though. The first few weeks of school were mostly information and meeting their teachers. Going over their syllabus and getting familiar with their new schedules while acclimating to the new and hectic environment.
But today was the day they finally got some action. Their first real heroics class. The room shook with excited anticipation as they waited for the teacher to arrive. They had absolutely no idea what the class would entail, but they all knew they’d finally get to show what they brought to the table. Just as the bell rang signaling the end of break, the door burst open with a powerful gust of air.
“I AM HERE! Coming through the door like a normal person!” All Might bellowed as his hulking form bulldozed into the room. The class was immediately in an uproar, everyone yelling with excitement as All Might himself stood before them. After a confident speech about what the day would entail, 20 cases emerged from the wall with a theatrical flick of All Mights wrist.
“Take the case with your designated number and head to the locker rooms. After you've changed, gather at Ground Beta for your first lesson in heroics!”
Katsuki had his case in hand and was settled in the locker room in no time. A wide smirk stretched along his face as he opened the metal case. His costume was perfect. Exactly what he’d asked for. He changed quickly, noticing briefly that Izuku retreated to the bathroom stall to change his clothes rather than stay in the main room with the other boys. It damped his mood a bit when he imagined the implications of why.
20 students soon emerged from the shadows of the tunnel leading them to Ground Beta, some more excited about their costumes than others. Standing in the light of day, All Might waited in the center of the street. An approving nod as he scanned them over.
Looking to the side, Katsuki nearly fell to his knees at the sight before him. There was Izuku, A skin tight black sleeveless turtleneck clung to his lean torso. Up his arms laid fingerless blood red and black gloves that came all the way up to the center of his bicep. While sleek, they seemed mechanical in nature, a few small buttons resting along the inner side of the wrists. Traveling his gaze down, He found a forest green utility belt with black pouches along Izuku’s hips. Several pouches held various knives. Like there had to be at least 15 different blades that he could see alone; and holy shit was that a fucking gun on his hip? Underneath the weapon loaded belt, the boy wore baggy black cargo pants that cinched at the ankles and tucked into steel toed black combat boots. Finally, a black mask covered the bottom half of his face. Additionally, some kind of black headset with red accents rested along the back of his head, hooking over each ear to hold it in place. He looked incredible.
“Wow! That’s an awesome hero costume Bakugou! You look so cool!” Uraraka spoke from behind him. Turning around and forcing himself to stop staring at Izuku, Katsuki gave the bubbly brunette his attention. She looked cute, a white and pink jumpsuit that tightly hugged her curves. But..huh?
“Uh thanks. Why do you have heels on?” Katsuki asked roughly, glaring at the offensive shoes. What dumbass thought heels were a good idea for a hero costume.
“I have no clue! I guess that's what happens when you’re not specific enough with your designs.” She replied.
“Uh. No. You’re gonna break a fucking ankle with those. Go to the support department and tell them you need it changed.” Katsuki said.
Uraraka opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by All Might’s booming voice.
“You all look wonderful! A truly worthy group of future heroes! Let's hope everything works because today, we are doing battle trials!” All Might exclaimed with his signature grin.
“Wait!” A familiar voice called out, cutting off the hulking hero’s next words. Pulling down his mask, Izuku crossed his arms defiantly towards the number 1 hero. “We shouldn’t be doing battle trails yet. We haven't had a single combat class yet and we only just received our costumes. What if something malfunctions and someone gets hurt? And speaking of costumes, what is going on over here?” He continued, gesturing to 2 of the girls.
“These costumes are completely ridiculous! Why are they both practically naked?! Or…wait, Hagakure, are you literally naked right now?” Izuku asked, completely baffled. Glancing at her, Katsuki’s eyebrows raised when he realized her entire costume was literally just a pair of gloves.
“Um…Yes?” Hagakure stuttered out.
“In what world is that practical? You’re completely exposed to everything! You have nothing to protect you from attacks or structural damage. And what about extreme environmental conditions! Nevermind the fact that it's completely degrading to have you naked when it's probably a ploy to market towards perverts! And Yaoyarozu, you literally look so uncomfortable right now! Your costume has all of the same issues and you clearly don’t want to be wearing it. You guys know that they can create durable fabric using your DNA so your costumes don’t get in the way of your quirks right? Hagakure, you’d be protected and completely invisible, and Yaoyarozu, whatever you create could just phase right through. And Uraraka, are you wearing heels? What the hell?” Izuku finished his rant, leaving 19 gobsmacked people staring at him with wide eyes.
All Might faced the group, his smile faltering nervously as he digested the blunt boy's words. “Well, While they are free to request changes, these costumes were approved by the commission's board of directors.” He spoke.
Izuku scoffed lightly, muttering under his breath about the commission and their track record of dismissing safety in favor of making appearances more marketable to consumers.
“What is your name, young man?” All Might asked, his attention now directed completely on Izuku.
“Izuku Midoriya, Sir.” Izuku replied politely. Reaching behind him, All Might pulled out a file and began flipping through the pages until he found what he was looking for. Suddenly, his eyes went wide as he scanned over what was written. “Oh, that can’t be right.” He mumbled to himself while continuing to search the pages.
“Something wrong, All Might-Sensei?” Izuku asked curiously, his head tilting cutely to the side.
“No no young man, it's just, there seems to be a mistake in your file. It says you’re quirkless.” All Might replied. Katsuki’s eyes blew wide, his head whipping around to face his childhood friend who stood now with a scowl and furrowed brows. The rest of the class seemed to have varying degrees of reaction, although all seemed surprised by the declaration. Had they not known?
“That's not a mistake.” Izuku replied bluntly, an edge of irritation slipping into his tone. All Mights mouth dropped open in surprise as he refocused on the boy.
“No no that simply cannot be true. There has never been a quirkless hero student before.” All Might declared dismissively. Everyone was silent, Katsuki scowled towards the hero.
“Guess I'm the first then.” Izuku snarked back.
The smile had long since left All Might’s face as he and Izuku stared each other down. Piercing blue vs wicked green. “If that is the case, then I’m sorry young man, but you should not be here. This line of work is far too dangerous for someone like you. You’ll only be a liability holding your peers back.”
Katsuki was seeing red. ‘Someone like him?!’ How DARE this man. This hero! Have the audacity to completely dismiss all of Izuku’s accomplishments and strength just like that. Those words seemed to have steamrolled over Izuku’s confidence, his eyes now wide and jaw slack. Tears streamed silently down his face as the man he once idolized shit on his dreams.
“Are you fucking serious?!” Katsuki growled. “He got in just the same as the rest of us! Took the same fucking tests! He’s here because he earned it and like it or not, he’s going to be a goddamn hero!”
That exclamation triggered a wave of comments from the other students. Everyone talking over each other but all in support of Izuku.
“Yeah! I mean the fact that he’s quirkless just means he’s probably worked even harder than all of us to be here! I think it’s super manly!” Kirishima yelled.
“Izuku literally came in 8th out of the whole class during the fitness exam on our first day. He’s really good. He deserves to participate!” Sero added on.
“I took my entrance exam with Midoriya. He nearly beat me and he came in 2nd place overall. There’s been no mistake.” Todoroki spoke stoically.
“I can’t believe All Might is a bigot.” Uraraka said loudly from beside Katsuki, the class nodding in agreement.
“Enough!” All Might yelled, cutting them off. “I am sorry if you feel I'm being harsh. But the reality is, Midoriya is simply biologically inferior to the rest of us. His being a hero could mean the death of lives that could have been saved if a quirked hero was there instead.” He addressed the class before turning his attention back to Izuku. “I admire how far you’ve come and your determination. But the hero course is no place for someone as frail as you, you’ll only get hurt. And I, in good conscience, cannot allow that.”
Izuku’s breaths came in short bursts. The sound echoed through the streets and in his ears as the crowd was stunned into silence hearing the hero’s harsh words. They’d all only known each other for a few weeks at most, but each and every one of them could tell that Izuku was meant to be in the hero course. The boy had a spirit that shone bright even when it was clear he’d faced more hardship than most.
“I used to think just like you.” Katsuki said finally, pulling the group's attention to him. “I used to be such a prick, walking around like I was so much better than everyone because I have a big strong quirk. Acting like Izuku was the dirt under my shoe because he had the audacity to be born.”
The class gaped in his direction, clearly not having expected such statements to come from someone who, to them, seemed to treasure Izuku so deeply. I mean their first impression of the boy was to see him break down into tears at the mere sight of Izuku and hold him as though he thought he’d never see him again.
“I nearly got someone killed thinking like that. Fuck, I only found out recently they weren’t dead! Being able to punch down a building doesn’t make you superior to anyone. If anything, I’d trust Izuku with my life over you any day. You might be powerful All Might. But you are still fucking pathetic.”
All Might sputtered incredulously at Katsuki’s words, but before he had the chance to retort the student’s words; Katsuki’s attention suddenly differed towards Izuku’s collapsing form. His knees hit the pavement harshly, his hands clutching his chest and clawing at the concrete as he tried desperately to pull air into his lungs.
It only took a moment for Katsuki to completely disregard the Number 1 hero and throw himself towards Izuku.
“Izuku, Can you hear me?” Katsuki asked gently, his tone a stark difference now to what it had been a moment ago. His voice was now calm and steady, although the edge of fear was palpable. Receiving no reply, Katsuki swore and turned to the class.
“Engines! Go get Aizawa! Now!” Katsuki barked towards the metal clad figure. The boy seemed startled by the abrupt attention, stumbling slightly before nodding and taking off towards the main building. “Everyone else, back the fuck up!”
Izuku was shaking, a bead of sweat running down his face. His scraped and bloodied hands clawed at his own arms as they searched for purchase. Grabbing his hands, Katsuki held them tight and brought one to rest flatly on his chest.
“Izuku, I know you can’t hear me right now. But I need you to try and copy me. Just feel how I'm breathing and try your best. Now in for 4, hold it for 5, out for 6. Keep trying Izuku, you got this.”
The following minutes were spent breathing deeply and Katsuki attempting to encourage Izuku to the best of his abilities. Izuku slowly but surely began to match Katsuki’s breaths until he was at least semi present again. The class remained at a distance, not daring to interrupt in fear of sending Izuku spiraling back into his panic attack once again.
Finally, Izuku’s eyes focused, finding his hands clutched by his childhood friend as he nervously worked him down. The blondes' eyes came into clarity and Izuku was surprised to find them shining with worry directed at him.
“Wha–Kachn’? Izuku asked weakly, his body drooping slightly into the taller boy’s as a wave of exhaustion crashed over him.
The sound of heavy feet landing against the pavement was heard, pulling everyone's attention towards that direction. Aizawa walked purposefully towards the kneeling pair with a scowl on his face. Crouching beside them, Aizawa brought his hand up to run gently through his son’s sweat soaked curls. Izuku’s eyes blearily moved to his dad, all of his energy spent. “dad’?” He mumbled softly.
“Yeah bud, I'm here. How're you feeling?” He asked quietly. Rather than respond verbally, Izuku opted to simply shake his head tiredly and slump further into Katsuki’s chest. Without pause, Katsuki’s own arms raised to wrap protectively around his childhood friend, one of his hands absentmindedly running up and down the length of Izuku’s back. It surprised Aizawa slightly, to see his son so trusting of his former tormenter, but that was something to address later.
“Bakugou, can you please escort Izuku to Recovery Girl?” Aizawa questioned, his eyes not leaving his son.
“Yeah. I got ‘im.” Katsuki replied, scooping Izuku into his arms effortlessly and striding quickly towards the exit.
Aizawa waited until the two boys were out of sight before turning sharply and addressing the rest of his hell class.
“Could someone please, calmly explain to me what happened.” Aizawa grit out tensely.
“What happened is that All Might is a quirkest bigot.” Uraraka said, her arms crossed as her hip jutted out. Her brows were furrowed and her expression was one of tightly withheld fury.
“He basically told Izuku he’s too fragile and “biologically under-developed” to be a hero. It was super uncool!” Mina added from behind the shorter brunette.
Aizawa’s hands began to shake with the rage quickly building up. He felt the anger squeeze his chest as the urge to scream and fight was almost too much to resist. Instead though, he turned slowly and sinisterly towards the Number 1 hero who despite being a full foot taller than Eraserhead himself, flinched back with poorly concealed intimidation. He attempted to seem confident, clearly ready to defend his outdated opinions; although they could all see the fear shining in his eyes.
“You. Said. What.” Aizawa growled through bared teeth.
“Surely you must understand how dangerous it is for someone like him to be here, Eraserhead.” All Might defended. “He’ll only put himself at risk and hold his peers back.”
All Might pleaded with everyone to understand his point of view. How could they not see how asinine it was to have someone so weak training at the number 1 hero school in the country. They had a reputation to uphold after all. It was simply unethical to get his hopes up only to have him killed as soon as he started.
“I think it would be in everyone's best interest if the boy was transferred to general education. He’s clearly very intelligent for his kind, and he would be much safer.” All Might continued. This was obviously a good compromise, He would be allowed to stay at the school like everyone seemed to want.
Despite everything, All Might still failed to notice the scandalized expressions of the 19 individuals in front of him. He was All Might! The greatest hero of all time! There was no way they wouldn’t see his point and come to agree with him. After all they were children, they had clearly been influenced by the woke ideologies the media had been pushing in the last years. The hero was snapped from his thought process by a strong fist colliding with his nose. His hand flew to his face, blood immediately gushing down and dripping to the floor.
All Might was stunned beyond belief. His nose now curved to the left from where it had obviously broken. Before him stood Aizawa, wiping a bloodied fist off onto his pants. Behind them the class stood with gaping mouths, not quite believing, still pleased though, that their homeroom teacher had just decked All Might himself in the face.
“His kind?” Aizawa seethed. “I want you OUT of this school. NOW! I do not care who you are or how strong you may be. NO ONE talks about my son like that.”
All Mights bruising eyes widened. “Son? You mean that boy is your child?” He questioned shakily.
“He is. That ‘boy’ has been through hell and back just for the chance to stand here before cunts like you. He worked his ass off everyday, took 2nd place in the recommendation exams and 1st place in academics, and you have the audacity to call him underdeveloped and weak! Are you fucking serious!” Aizawa yelled. His hair and scarf floated up as his eyes shone with the power of his quirk. His fists clenched so hard his nails dug bloody craters into the palms of his hands.
“I will be having a talk with Nezu immediately, and If you EVER even look at my son again; You’ll walk away with far worse than a broken nose.” He threatened.
The silence was deafening, the only sound heard being the sharp breaths of the two teachers.
“Listen up hellspawns! Not a word of Izuku and my relationship to anyone! If I find out you’ve told others outside of this group you will be expelled and immediately blacklisted from every hero school in Japan. Do I make myself clear?”
Eraserheads hair still stood tall, the words leaving his mouth and addressing the class despite his eyes never once leaving the trembling hero in front of him. Soft affirmatives filled his ears as the class verbalized their acknowledgment of his statement. Even All Might gave the hero a small nod of his own. Good.
“Everyone go change and then you are dismissed for the day. Scram.”
****
Recovery Girl only sighed heavily upon seeing Katsuki carry Izuku into her room. It was clear she’d seen this from the boy before.
“Oh dear. Just lay him on the bed to rest.” She sighed, lifting her cane to gesture towards the bed closest to the window. Katsuki took no time placing Izuku as gently as possible on the cot, immediately pulling the blanket on the foot of the bed up and over his exhausted childhood friend.
A soft sigh left the boy's lips as he drooped slightly into the pillow, though a clear tension still remained locked in his form. Katsuki frowned at the sight, the urge to bring his hand up to caress those freckled cheeks until Izuku finally relaxed fully. He watched for another moment, not wanting to leave Izuku’s side just yet. Despite his own desires though, his task was complete. Katsuki forced himself to turn around to leave, taking a step before a smaller hand reached out to grab his wrist.
“Stay.” Izuku mumbled softly, his green eyes open just a sliver as they peered at Katsuki’s shocked face. Katsuki swallowed the emotion flooding his veins at that one word as he turned back to Izuku’s form.
“Okay.” He whispered hoarsely. Katsuki tensely took a seat in the small chair next to the bed and prepared himself to sit for as long as Izuku wanted him to.
It took another ten minutes before he realized Izuku had yet to let go of his arm.
And if no one was there to see the small smile that splayed across his lips as he gazed at his friend cradling his hand protectively to his chest as he slept, that was for him to know.
Katsuki soon found his own eyelids growing heavy, leaning forward and resting his head on the edge of the bed as he drifted off.
*******
Aizawa was in the middle of seething in his office following his conversation with Nezu. The principal had not been pleased when he’d heard of how his (favorite, but no one needed to know that) student had been treated, by a staff member no less, within the walls of UA. Everyone with half a brain could see how much the teachers at UA adored Izuku. He was intelligent, polite, and the most entertainingly chaotic little gremlin you’d ever meet once he was comfortable. Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a message from Recovery Girl.
A single photo. A sleeping Katsuki with his head curled in his arm, the other held tightly by his son. One scarred hand holding Katsuki’s and the other wrapping around the blonde’s forearm and clutching it to his own chest. Most notably though, both boys’ faces held soft smiles, simply content to be near each other after such an emotionally taxing afternoon.
A small grin spread across Aizawa’s face.
It seemed Katsuki really was in it for the long haul when it came to reentering Izuku’s life. Lord only knows his husband was going to start placing bets on when they were going to fall in love after seeing this picture. Aizawa couldn’t say he was overly thrilled at the prospect of Katsuki being his son’s partner, but he supposes there was still time for the explosive blonde to earn his trust. Afterall he had brought Izuku down from his panic attack, and he’d defended him against All Might’s insults. He and Izuku had been partially glued to each other since the dinner at their household.
Perhaps it was time for Aizawa too to move on from the past and accept who Katsuki was becoming now. With that thought, Aizawa promptly saved the image to his camera roll.
Everyone was beyond pleased to learn the next day that All Might had been promptly fired after a conversation with Nezu following the incident.
And that Recovery Girl had refused to heal his nose.