Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was easy for Izuku.

All of it.

"Izuku..."

"I-izuku......"

"Izuku!" the moment that name struck right through his head. Izuku Midoriya finally woke up from his sudden nap during lunchtime at UA, inside the classroom while marking grades. Teaching students to become the next new hero generations

"Huh! Oh uh what's happening." Izuku said searching around to see Katsuki in front of him standing, waking him up from his restless sleep. "Wait what k-kacchan! Why didn't u tell me beforehand u came here to visit.." Ramblings from izuku…began spilling out, eyes wide, hair tousled from the desk nap.

Katsuki crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. “You were dead asleep, dumbass. I wasn’t gonna shout across the whole damn school.”

Izuku blinked, still dazed. “Oh… right. Sorry. I must’ve dozed off while grading their mock battle reports…”

“Yeah, no shit,” Katsuki muttered, then softened just barely. “You looked exhausted.”

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Guess being a teacher’s harder than I thought.”

"What are you doing here today kacchan, you could have just texted me."

izuku said looking at him, catching katsuki's ear tense up by the sudden question. He quickly started to change the topic not letting out the truth. "How are the kids, huh? I know they've been fucking messing with you about the new hero suit."

" Yes, they asked a bunch of questions even myself couldn't comprehend it sometimes...thank you again kacchan, for the suit it really means so much to me. " Izuku huffed out with a tainted of pinkish red appear on his cheeks. Those admirable eyes of his.

"It's whatever, izuku.. You deserve it." Katsuki said.

Katsuki was prepared to leave the classroom, before he could step out of it, izuku grabbed his hands. "Wait kacchan! Are u going to be there for the reunion party?"

Out of sudden those words came out of his own mouth.

Katsuki paused at the door, his hand still gripped by Izuku’s.

His back stiffened just slightly. He didn’t turn around right away. “…Didn’t think you’d ask me that.”

Izuku’s grip loosened a little, unsure. “I-I mean, you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I just thought maybe…”

Katsuki finally turned, eyes narrowing just slightly hesitation but not in anger. More like hesitation.

“Tch… Of course I’ll be there,” he muttered. “Not gonna let those extras hog the spotlight.”

Izuku blinked. “Wait, really?”

Katsuki rolled his eyes.

The air between them shifted, a quiet, unspoken warmth settling in.

Izuku looked down at their still connected hands. “Then… I’ll save you a seat next to me.”

Katsuki snorted, but didn’t let go. “Better.”

Everything was fine..everyone was cheering, everyone was happy except for one.

Something came up to the table, that weird, eerie aura. He can feel it, day by day. That feelings everything was going to crash between him and the light. That precious light he shouldn't let go.

There he is on the ground bleeding. Fighting for his own lives..that suicide incident. War happened a few years ago but izuku seems like he couldn't let go of it. He was too late, not fast enough, and left kacchan alone.

Blackwhip uncontrollably quirked up, his entire body felt numb. That day was a nightmare for izuku.

"Deku..it's your fault."

"It was supposed to be you on the ground."

Izuku jolted upright, chest heaving, drenched in sweat. The room was dark silent, too silent. His breath caught in his throat as the last echo of the nightmare clung to him like static.

Tears and sweat mixing pouring down his face, izuku takes a deep breath and starts to control his breathing heavily, his heart pounding non stop.

"Kacchan."

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck "shit, should have gone to the therapist.. " Izuku said while searching up katsuki's contact, this might be the worst decision he ever made but he couldn't care less, izuku needs to hear his voice.

Ringing from his phone echoing the same bedroom he sleeps in, All might merchandise scattered around.

"Hello, izuku?"

Katsuki’s voice came through low and slightly hoarse, like he’d just woken up. Izuku froze for a second, staring at the screen even though the call was already active. His lips trembled.

“I-sorry. I shouldn’t have called. I just…” his voice cracked, and Katsuki immediately sat up on his end.

"Are you fucking okay Izuku?" Katsuki on the other line. With a hint of worried voice.

"Yes! Y-yes I'm fine just wanted to check on you."

"Well if you say so." Katsuki said.

"I'm really sorry to bother with your sleep kacchan, goodnight. " izuku quickly shifted from his bed standing walking towards the bathroom, the light shined the entire room. Izuku ended the call without any worrisome in his clouded head.

He takes a few deep breaths before washing his face with cold waters from the sink, looking at himself in front of the mirror. That scar, representing the symbol he stands for.

the scar that scattered around his arm, his hard work, his passion disappears just like that.

"I just really need to get this going." Izuku said while putting on new clothes to fall asleep again.

Next morning was as casual as he remembered, everything was the same, he made his own breakfast, well just baked toast Izuku considered it as breakfast. Shower with cold waters every morning to prepare and start his usual day going to UA to teach.

the same tie everyday, it was all the same.

But something felt off.

Izuku stood in front of the mirror, adjusting that same navy tie for the third time. His fingers trembled slightly, and he forced them still. The reflection stared back at him, messy curls tamed just enough, dark circles barely concealed, and that familiar scar peeking beneath the edge of his sleeve.

It was routine. Automatic. But it didn’t feel right. Izuku is happy with being a teacher just something is wrong about it.

The call with Katsuki last night kept echoing in his mind. Not the words though those mattered but the tone. The way Katsuki's worried voice echoes in his head made him feels butterflies in his stomach. His best friend.

And that terrified Izuku more than the nightmare itself.

“Get it together,” he muttered under his breath, grabbing his worn messenger bag off the chair and heading out the door.

The walk to UA was quiet. Too quiet. It used to buzz with excitement young heroes in training, new dreams, new chances. Now, it was just another part of the cycle. Teach. Smile.

In the teacher’s lounge, Aizawa gave him a nod, holding a cup of steaming coffee, as unreadable as always.

“Rough night?” he asked without looking.

Izuku gave a small smile. “Something like that.”

And then he went to class, like always.

The classroom greeted him with the usual chatter, chairs scraping, students bickering softly before settling in. Faces he’d grown familiar with. Hopeful. Bright. Just like his had once been.

But even as he began the lecture something about rescue tactics and environmental hazards his voice felt detached. His mind wasn’t there.

It was with

Katsuki.

He caught himself staring at his own handwriting on the whiteboard, zoning out mid-sentence.

“Sensei?”

A student’s voice pulled him back. Izuku blinked, offered a small apology, and carried on. But the distraction lingered like a shadow.

"Shit."

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, gripping the marker tighter than necessary. His heart was racing again, He glanced at the class. They didn’t notice. Or at least, they pretended not to. He cleared his throat.

“Right… where were we?”

He pushed through the rest of the lesson mechanically, words spilling out of habit, not thought. Diagrams. Warnings. Procedures. But his chest still felt tight, like he was wearing a suit two sizes too small.

When the bell rang, he dismissed the class with a weak smile.

As the students filed out, his hand found his phone again. Screen dark. No messages.

He sighed.

What did he really expect exactly, he should have known, why would kacchan text him, checking on him?

He quickly kept all his paperworks and students homework sheets into his yellow backpack he has been wearing since middle school. Something about Izuku is so simple and plain. But his plain appearance made him who he is.

Izuku walked out of the UA as casual.

As he went by the road he noticed some young hero striking to fight, they were running to catch a thief? Villain? Yeah he doesn't really know what it is.

Izuku always makes an appearance whenever there is a villain attack but the second he comes in someone else already done the job.

He really is grateful to have amazing ex classmates, they bought the suit for him. Kacchan put all his hardwork into it. But he never uses it. Well he can't say never. He does use it, it's just not the same without One For All.

He loves his new life, teaching. He loves the look of his students excited to fight like a warrior.

Izuku gave away a small chuckle. And continue his walk home.

Suddenly he bumped into someone accidentally.

"Arg! I'm so sorry, I really should have looked my way" He says, sweats can be seen on his forehead.

"Wait, Izuku?"

Before he knew it he bumped into kacchan

Katsuki’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

Izuku froze, eyes wide, his breath caught somewhere between his lungs and throat.

“Ah-K-Kacchan,” he stammered, instinctively stepping back, his hands gripping the strap of his backpack like a lifeline. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention-”

Katsuki raised a brow, arms crossed, eyes scanning Izuku like he was trying to read between the lines. He looked tired, maybe even more than Izuku did, but his voice was sharp. “The hell are you doing walking around like a zombie?”

“I was just heading home,” Izuku said, quickly averting his gaze. “Didn’t think I’d see you again so soon.”

Katsuki’s expression didn’t change, but his stance shifted slightly, like he’d been caught off guard too. “You didn’t answer my text.”

Izuku blinked. “Text?”

Katsuki pulled out his phone, flicked the screen, then held it up. A single unread message glared at Izuku:

-Let me know if you're okay.

Sent at 1:43 p.m.

Izuku’s heart sank. “I-I didn’t see it. I’m sorry.”

Katsuki clicked his tongue. “Figures. You always get stuck in your damn head.”

Izuku gave a nervous laugh "haha yeah..right were you handling the mess that got attacked here?"

Izuku questioned him.

"Yeah no shit, it was a fucking thief robbing a shop, really thought no one could beat his ass."
Katsuki smiles as he averted his gaze to izuku.

"And you did it of course! U caught him, that's very kacchan like." Izuku says.

"Alright, alright why didn't you join in?" Katsuki question him now.

Izuku scratched the back of his neck, eyes falling to the pavement. “I was… around. But by the time I noticed, you’d already handled it.”

There was a beat of silence.

Katsuki narrowed his eyes. “You saw it and didn’t jump in?”

Izuku shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t think I needed to. You were already there and you were handling” he hesitated, then shrugged. "Don't want to steal your spotlight haha.."

That clearly didn’t sit right with Katsuki. "Since when do I give a shit if you steal my spotlight?”

Izuku winced. “That’s not what I meant.”

Katsuki took a step closer, his voice quiet but pointed. “Then what the hell’s going on with you?”

The question hit too close. Izuku looked up at him, green eyes shadowed. “I don’t know.”

Katsuki stared, his frown deepening, frustration giving way to something else, something softer, something like concern.

“Tch.” Katsuki rubbed his neck. "I bought you that suit. So you earned it."

Katsuki snapped, stepping closer again, now close enough that their arms nearly brushed. "Now how about we go somewhere else to talk."

They walked in silence for a few minutes, the city lights flickering against the sidewalk as the evening settled in. Izuku trailed just a step behind Katsuki, eyes occasionally flicking up to watch the set of his shoulders, the casual confidence in his stride, the way he always looked like he belonged anywhere he went.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” Izuku finally said, breaking the quiet.

Katsuki huffed. “Tch. I’m not about to let you starve yourself into a mental breakdown.”

Izuku smiled faintly. “That’s… oddly sweet of you.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

They reached Katsuki’s apartment not long after familiar, a bit messy, but warm in its own way. As soon as they were inside, Katsuki tossed his boots and gauntlet onto the couch and pointed toward the kitchen.

“Sit. I’m cooking.”

Izuku obeyed without protest, sinking into a seat at the small dining table. He watched as Katsuki moved around the kitchen, grabbing ingredients, tossing things into a pan without hesitation. It was strange, this domestic version of Kacchan. Quiet, focused, not yelling. Still rough around the edges, but softer.

Comfortable.

“...I really thought you’d be mad at me,” Izuku said after a moment.

Katsuki glanced over. “Why?”

"Well you know last night? Yeah I was expecting you to be mad at me for calling so late." Izuku says.

Katsuki didn’t answer right away. The sizzle of oil in the pan filled the silence, the smell of garlic and something savory beginning to fill the apartment. Izuku waited, fingers fidgeting on the table.

Then Katsuki spoke, "Why would I be mad? There's no reason to be mad over a small thing. Yes you do woke me up at literally 1AM at the moment. So tell me Izuku, what happened."

Izuku’s heart begging racing whether he should tell him or not.

"It was really nothing."

"What do you mean?" Katsuki said furrowing his eyebrows, katsuki turned off the stove and walked towards where Izuku was seated.

"I really don't want to talk about it. I was lost last night, I didn't know what I was thinking." He says hoping that katsuki would catch up on it.

Unfortunately it did not.

"What the fuck, you gon make me believe that bullshit you made up?" Katsuki said raising his voice.

"I don't want to talk anymore." Izuku shrugged the question and prepared to walk away so he could give room to his clouded head.

"Oh so you gon just leave." Katsuki snapped.

"Yes."

Chapter Text

Leaving.

Izuku shouldn't have done that, leaving alone kacchan without any explanation but what can he say? He already did.

It has been over a week since the last time they talked to each other.

The silence between them had stretched so long, it almost became normal. Almost.

Izuku sat curled up on his couch, still in his work clothes, untouched dinner on the coffee table, phone clutched loosely in his hand. The screen was dark, no new messages. Not from him.

He didn’t blame Katsuki. Not really.

He blamed himself.

"I should apologize, he must have been worried like crazy. Well maybe not crazy that's who kacchan is. "He chuckled at the little joke to himself.

The phone's ringing echoing in his head, a few minutes passed, getting no hope since katsuki wouldn't pick up the phone.

" Knew it."

Izuku was about to hang up before someone on the other hand picked up the call.

"I-i, hey kacchan!"

There was a pause on the other end, just long enough to make Izuku’s heart stumble in his chest.

"...Took you long enough, nerd."

Katsuki’s voice was gruff, tired, and unmistakably real. Izuku’s breath hitched in relief.

“I… I wasn’t sure if you’d answer,” he admitted, curling his knees tighter to his chest.

“You think I wouldn’t?” Katsuki snapped, but there was no heat behind it. “You disappear for days, don’t answer my texts, sound like shit over the phone, what the hell am I supposed to do?”

Izuku lowered his voice. “I didn’t mean to push you away. I just… didn’t know how to explain it"

"Then explain it."

"Well, I have been getting nightmares of you. It was about the war."

The line went quiet again, but this time it was heavier, like the weight of what Izuku just said hung between them.

“…The war, huh,” Katsuki finally muttered, his voice low and strained.

Izuku nodded even though Katsuki couldn’t see him. “Yeah. Everything. The pain, the blood… you...𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 hurt. I know it’s not real, but it feels real. Every time I close my eyes, I’m back there. Watching you on the ground. And I can’t do anything about it.”

Katsuki exhaled sharply through his nose, a sound somewhere between a sigh and a quiet curse. “Dumbass…”

Izuku let out a shaky breath, trying to keep the tears at bay. “I guess I didn’t call sooner because I thought maybe it was stupid. Like I should’ve moved on already.”

“It’s not stupid,” Katsuki said flatly. “That shit doesn’t just go away, Izuku. You think I don’t remember it every damn day?”

Izuku swallowed. “Do you still have nightmares?”

“…Sometimes.” A beat. "Izuku, all of us who got included in the war have their own nightmares."

Izuku’s breath caught again, his eyes wide.

Katsuki’s voice softened. “You think you’re the only one? Well no. Izuku you're not alone here so stop acting like it. You have us."

Izuku's breath hitch, his eyes start to watering

Katsuki continued, his voice low but firm grounding. “You’re not weak for feeling it. You’re human. You think being a hero means brushing that shit off like it didn’t happen? No. It means living with it. Surviving it. And not letting it eat you alive.”

Izuku wiped at his face again, his lips trembling. “I-I know. I just… I guess I needed to hear it from you.”

“Then I’ll say it again,” Katsuki muttered. “You’re not alone. Not now, not ever.”

Silence settled between them, not awkward, not tense, just… full. Full of everything that hadn’t been said before. Of years and scars and the ache of trying to be strong all the time.

Izuku let out a soft laugh through his tears, voice hoarse. “Kacchan… thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Katsuki grumbled. “Now drink some damn water and try to sleep. I’m not coming all the way over there just to drag your tired ass to bed.”

Izuku sniffled. "Alright, alright thank you, kacchan. "

Katsuki muttered "Don't get too sappy with me. "

Katsuki is the one who ended the call first, after the first time in izuku's world he was finally able to fall asleep without any nightmares going on.

They got closer by the time passes, Katsuki just bought a car and he's taking Izuku to everywhere. He would always say, "it's such a hassle to drive Izuku anywhere" But deep down he doesn't really care, no matter what happens izuku would end up be seated on the back seat

And the day has finally come, the reunion party, Izuku was excited to meet everyone there, of course like usual Katsuki drives him and Kirishima there.

"Thank you again kacchan for driving me here!" Izuku said with a big happy smile on his face.

"Whatever, I'm not your goddamn driver!" Katsuki shouted, that's just how he is.

"The back seat is really squishy!" Izuku commented katsuki's car with a little excitement in his voice.

"It's for fucking safety what else." Katsuki replied to him back.

Kirishima started to catch up in the conversation, "Man, katsuki sure does think about safety first"

Izuku let out a laughter and so do kirishima syncing their laughter together.

"Shut up!" Katsuki furrowed his eyebrows.

Special?

The roar of the engine was steady, cutting through the soft hum of city lights as Katsuki drove them through quiet back streets. Izuku sat in the backseat, leaning against the window, watching the world blur past in orange and gray.

Kirishima was up front, asking Katsuki something about soundproofing the ride, but Izuku’s attention was half-distracted, his mind replaying their conversation from earlier, the stuff about sidekicks and special treatment. Katsuki’s words still weighed on him.

It was all going great. But these questions confused him. What does it mean. Kacchan.

Fortunately, the night passed and the reunion party came to an end. Now, he understood what Kacchan meant, someone he should be giving special treatment to.

Uraraka-san.

She is so pretty.

Time slipped by, and before they knew it, months had gone.

The quiet returned. Routine set in. But the world never stayed still for long.

"Deku, we need you in section C. Chargebolt is there to guide you." Said Pro Hero Rocklock on the other line of the phone call. His voice was clipped and urgent.

Izuku straightened up from his desk, the pencil in his hand falling onto scattered hero reports. "On my way," he replied without hesitation, already grabbing his gear.

The city never really gave them a break, but Izuku didn’t mind, not anymore. Not when he felt stable. Not when he already has someone by his side, it has been a few months now since uraraka ask to be her boyfriend. How could he not accept it? He loves her.

"I'm here!" Izuku called out, landing on the cracked pavement beside Chargebolt, sparks still flickering from the other hero’s fingertips.

"About time, man," Kaminari grinned, relief in his voice. "Villain's got some kind of mobility quirk, fast, but not too powerful. Been leading us on a damn chase."

Izuku's eyes scanned the surroundings, already analyzing the damage, the movement trails, and the possible escape routes. His expression shifted, focused, and sharp. The kind of determination that had only grown stronger with time.

"Alright. I’ll try to cut them off from the east-"

Before he could finish, a blur darted across the rooftop two buildings ahead. Izuku’s eyes locked on. “Got them.”

"Woah man! You've gotten faster these days." Chargebolt surprises said with the sudden movements from Deku.

"Haha, it's nothing really Chargebolt you did your best too!" Izuku replied with a compliment to get the conversation going between both of them.

"Thanks bro, by the wayyy I heard you've been dating Uravity heh? " Chargebolt exclaimed.

Izuku nearly stumbled mid-step, his face heating up instantly. “W-What? How did you-”

Chargebolt grinned, wagging his brows. “Dude, you’re not exactly subtle. You walked her to her agency three times this week holding hands. And let’s not forget the bento incident. Adorable, by the way.”

Izuku covered his face with one gloved hand, groaning. “That was supposed to be private…”

“Hah! Sorry, man, but the hero world talks Besides, I think it’s great. You both deserve something good especially after, y’know… everything.”

Izuku’s shoulders relaxed, his embarrassment easing into something warmer. “Thanks, Kaminari. Really. She… she makes things feel lighter.”

"No problem dude. Also have you known what happened to Bakugo? He is always pissed off and doesn't even try to communicate with us!" Kaminari whines loudly, trying to get answers from Izuku.

Izuku blinked at the sudden shift in topic, his steps faltering just slightly.

“Kacchan…?” he echoed, glancing at Kaminari, then back toward the rooftops ahead.

“Yeah, man,” Kaminari huffed. “He's been acting weird. More explosive than usual which, y’know, says a lot. Snapped at Kirishima last week for just asking if he wanted lunch.”

Izuku’s gaze softened, a flicker of concern crossing his features. “He hasn’t said anything to me, either. Not really. We’ve… kind of fallen out of sync lately.”

Kaminari raised a brow. “Thought you two were getting close again.”

“Yeah,” Izuku muttered. “He might be going thru something."

He didn’t say it, but the memory of the last real conversation he had with Katsuki lingered in his mind. The way Katsuki had looked at him then was normal. Nothing happens.So why now?

“You think he’s going through something?” Kaminari asked, more gently this time.

“…Probably,” Izuku answered. “But if I push too hard, he’ll just shut down more. That’s how he is.”

Kaminari let out a sigh. “Man. Y’all are complicated.”

Izuku chuckled softly. “Yeah… we always have been.”

Before either of them could say more, the comms crackled again.

"Get back to section A the villain has been captured and secured by the police. Good job Deku and Chargebolt."

Izuku gave a smile, proud of himself for managing the hero work once again. He feels completely full. He could never ask for anything more.

"Deku-kun!"

Izuku looked at his left side glancing at whoever just called him out, there she is.

"Uraraka-san, you were around here?" Izuku asked.

Uraraka gave him a warm smile. "Ah yes, I saw you nearby here, I guess you took care of the job, you're amazing as usual."

"Thank you, but sorry uraraka I have somewhere else to be, we'll talk back home alright? " Izuku said giving her a kiss on the cheeks before fleeing away from the current place.

A sudden thought struck izuku's head. Kacchan.

Sure it has been a long time since the last time they had a proper talk. Usually Katsuki would text him whenever he is teaching during class or after the patrol.

just a simple gesture made him happy.

His head is pondering with thoughts, he must have told me if something is wrong? Right? He should have. I'm his best friend.

His habits of muttering quickly took a toll on him. It has been that way since middle school.

"Maybe I should ask." Izuku said underneath his breath. Wait. No what the hell is he thinking? Kacchan would not like that at all... But he's changed. They've gone through so much together.

Oh. How dumb is he.

Here he stands tall in front of the silver katsuki's door apartment, he really shouldn't have done this. He didn't text him. This is awful.

Just as Izuku reached the doorknob, the door swung open right from the inside. Revealing Katsuki with a black hoodie covering his body. His emotions quickly turned him confused.

Neither of them said anything.

"What the fuck are you doing here." Katsuki said with a hint of anger in his tone.

"Uh- Hey kacchan! I was about to ring the door, I'm sor-"

"Why are you here, izuku." Katsuki finally spoke.

"I'm worried about you, that's why I'm here." Izuku said tilted his face to face katsuki.

For a second, silence, the tension thickens.

Izuku took a better look at him, Katsuki’s face looked more hollow than usual. Faint shadows hung under his eyes, and his cheekbones seemed more prominent, like he hadn’t been eating properly.

His hoodie looked too big on him.

“You look tired…” Izuku said softly, concern leaking into every syllable.

"I don't need you to be worrying about me." Katsuki’s words were sharp, but they lacked their usual fire. They didn’t land like they used to, like he was trying to convince himself more than Izuku.

Izuku didn’t back down. He stepped closer, brows furrowed. “Well, too bad. I'm deadass worried.”

Katsuki’s jaw clenched. His eyes flicked away, somewhere over Izuku’s shoulder, avoiding the weight of his stare. “I’ve got shit to do. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not,” Izuku said quietly. “You’re not even trying to hide it.”

Silence again. The kind that hurt more than yelling.

Izuku hesitated, then reached out his arm, but katsuki shoved it away.

Izuku’s hand fell to his side after Katsuki shoved it away, but this time his brows furrowed.

“You’re seriously pushing me away?” he snapped.

Katsuki’s glare returned full force. “I didn’t ask you to show up.”

“No, you didn’t. But clearly you needed someone to."

“I don’t need anything from you,” Katsuki growled, his voice sharp.

Izuku scoffed. “Bullshit! Look at you when’s the last time you even slept?”

Katsuki’s fist clenched at his side. “Stay out of my damn business, Deku.”

“No,” Izuku barked, stepping closer. “Not this time. You’ve been shutting everyone out for weeks. "

“You think I owe anyone anything?” Katsuki’s voice rose, his eyes burning now.

"Where did that come from?" Izuku said with a harsh voice.

"Look, Izuku I'm tired."

Katsuki scoffed under his breath, the weight in his eyes barely hidden. “I said I’m tired, Izuku. Just… go home.”

And with that, he moved to close the door, sharp and final, like he was cutting a cord.

But before it could shut, Izuku’s hand shot out, catching it just in time. The door jerked against the resistance, Katsuki’s eyes narrowing as they landed on the hand gripping the edge.

“No,” Izuku said, voice low and steady. “You don’t get to shut me out like this.”

Katsuki stared at him, something unreadable flashing across his face. “Let go.”

“No.” Izuku tightened his grip, green eyes burning. “We can talk about this!"

“You don’t know what I’m dealing with,” Katsuki growled.

“Then tell me!” Izuku shouted. “Stop making me guess!”

Katsuki shoved the door harder, like he could force the space between them wider but Izuku didn’t budge.

"Like you would understand."

There was a pause.

"What?"

Katsuki’s glare hardened as he gripped the edge of the door again. “I said go home Izuku.”

He shoved the door forward with finality, but Izuku’s hand caught it firm, steady.

Katsuki growled, stepping into the doorway, his voice low and venomous. “Why the hell won’t you ever listen?”

Izuku met his eyes, jaw clenched. “Because you’re full of shit.”

That made Katsuki pause.

"I'm done, get lost." Katsuki said with the final decision to shut the door in front of him.

Izuku stood there staring at the closed door, breath caught in his throat.

His fingers slowly curled into a fist, still hovering near the doorknob. That familiar sting of rejection burned in his chest, but so did something else, frustration, helplessness, something deeper.

He hadn’t come all this way just to be turned away.

Maybe he should give him space to figure it out.

Last conversation between them is not the easiest, they got into an argument, Izuku frustrated. Katsuki have completely ignore him, not like they always met on patrol or anything.

Nonetheless he had to move on and continue his life.

Next day was like casual.

Izuku walked the UA hallway going to his class. He is the homeroom teacher for class 1A after all.

Chattering can be heard from outside the class. It's louder than usual.

"Oh my god! Don't you think Dynamight is- " That one girl with a ponytail accidentally talks loudly.

"Dynamight is what?" Izuku said with a curious tone. Walking up to her back without her noticing.

"Sensei! There's nothing haha..." She said quickly before brushing off to her seated place.

Izuku raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. He glanced toward the classroom door, where the usual buzz of students filled the hallway.

As he stepped inside, the chatter hushed instantly. All eyes were on him, but his mind was elsewhere still tangled in thoughts of Kacchan, what were they talking about him? "

He shook his head slightly, forcing focus.

Taking a deep breath, he smiled gently. “Alright, everyone. Let’s settle down.”

The class ended, all of the students prepared to get back home, packing their bags.

"Uh Hinako! Could you please come here? " Izuku said to talk with the girl earlier in class.

"Yes sensei...?" Hinako walked up to him.

"I hope I'm not getting into trouble for talking or....more likely gossiping about older people. I'm sorry! "

"Oh no, no it's okay! You're not in trouble.. I might want to get included in the gossiping, if that's fine hah!" Izuku said with a quick smile.

"Oh, is it fine sensei?"

"Of course! I won't tell anybody. "

"Alright if you say so....this is the latest news about Dynamight and his new sidekick? I think he just make an appearance after fighting off that last week villain, and there's a rumour whether Dynamight is...uhm." Hinako nervously said.

Finally, Izuku spoke with curiosity.

"What is it?"

The girl quietly said as she look away from him. "He might be homosexuals..?"

Izuku blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected rumor. He cleared his throat, trying to mask his surprise with a calm tone.

Kacchan is gay?

“well… rumors are always going to float around, especially about public figures,” he said carefully. “What really matters is who they are as a person, not what others say.”

Hinako nodded, seeming relieved by his response. “Yeah, I guess you’re right, Sensei. I just thought it was interesting since it’s not something people talk about much.”

Izuku smiled softly. “It’s important to be open minded and supportive, no matter what. People deserve to be themselves.”

As Hinako turned to leave, Izuku’s thoughts drifted to Kacchan. Why did the rumour came up? Is it because of the sidekick?

Right. It might actually makes sense. Kacchan never really does talk with girls. Since middle school. They were afraid of him, of course.

He sighed quietly and gathered his things, ready to face whatever came next.

Izuku is not really the type to indulge in these types of rumours about pro heroes.

But this time. For the first time, izuku face stucked reading the article about it. The rumour about Kacchan.

The sidekick.

there's a video of him and Kacchan, beating the humongous villain together. There are clips.

Both of them are holding hands, while taking out the villain.

Holding hands.

For some reason, Izuku felt a rush of irritation by looking at the clips. Sure the sidekick is handsome, he can say that. Dark hair. Taller than both of them. He could beat Izuku in heights.

But.. He is not the fit for Kacchan.

What's his name again...?

right.

Renji.