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Kirishima rolled his eyes as he heard the loud roar of a familiar voice carry down the field. It was a ragged, fierce voice that electrified the air causing heads to turn in it’s direction. Their usual group of friends silenced as they painfully watched the scene ensue. Midoriya shrunk back in a shrug, squeezing his eyes shut as Bakugou laid into him for the thousandth time today. “You want to surpass me loser!? Get fuckin’ real, you can’t even keep up with the basics! Get your shit and get it out of my fucking sight before I rip you apart right here, right fucking now! I don’t have time for your bullshit!” His eyes burned with rage, his hands showing the beginning sparks of the firecracker like tantrum that was about to go off. Each gesture of his hand and jerk of his body made the smaller boy flinch which seemed to agitate him more. Mina’s stomach cinched up. She didn’t like seeing Midoriya cringing like that. She placed a concerned hand on the redhead’s dense thigh as Uraraka eyes glossed with worry. He felt the pressure increase as she leaned into it a bit, requesting him to act without a single spoken word. He nodded to her amicably. Mina was good at gauging the room, and a good friend, so he trusted her judgement when it was time for someone to step in. Kirishima rose from his spot under the tree, the girls huddling to together as the other guys watched dumbfounded. He rose a hand and waved enthusiastically and called out to see where Bakugou’s head-space was at. No response, he was too focused on berating the poor kid in front of him. With a chuckle he jogged over, feet heavily thudding on the ground because of his size. Bakugou’s ears perked at the noise and turned to him, hues full of liquid flame threatening to pour out. With intense scarlet eyes, blonde, unruly hair, and well defined muscles, he could scare off most with ease. Not Kirishima though, he returned his own determined gaze as he placed a firm hand on the blonde’s shoulder. They had become close friends since they first met, giving him an advantage in most situations in dealing with his behavior. Listening most times to reason was one of those perks even if Bakugou didn’t always like it. Even if the blonde decide to oppose him he knew he could not match Kirishima in brute strength. The redhead could crush him if he wanted to, but that’s if he couldn’t outwit him first. Flexing his hand he weighed he options, but only for a moment before spitting creative profanities through his teeth and casting them to the wind. He snapped his head back to bite back into Midoriya, locking eyes on him in increasing agitation, wanting to get out just a few more choice words. Mid snarl, Kirishima pressed onto the blonde’s shoulder with enough force to convince him to shift his footing or else he’d falter.“Bakugou, lay off man. We all can’t be as awesome as you. Give the guy a break.”He punctuated his words with heavy pats to the dense musculature of his shoulder. The sharpness of it caused Bakugou’s skin to sting in which he understood that his friend was not letting this one go. The blonde growled loudly and roughly brushed off the thick mitt seeing as there was no point in arguing this further. His lip curled back one last time, ripping into the air loudly with a bark.“Fuck you Kirishima!”Bakugou stomped off, grumbling to himself as he shoved one hand in his pocket and the other dug it’s nails into the back of his head.He had no desire to strong arm the bigger male. His mind was made up and was tired of wasting his time, he’d find something else to destroy. Kirishima shook his head, feeling the tension dissipate as he lifted his own meaty paw to run through his own crimson mane. He was trying to smooth out his own nerves, since that was only part one of keeping the peace. Now this was part two. His blood red irises shifted back to Midoriya, a smaller boy with wild green hair, sprinkled with freckles. He could see his body visibly relax as the smaller form lowered his shoulders and unclenched his balled fists. His lip quivered as if wanting to shout something at the other boy who walked away, but kept it stuffed down into his chest, decompressing with a sigh. The boy looks disappointed. Kirishima was not sure if it was more at his friend or at himself as brows furrowed more heavily now than before. He reached out and gave the meeker boy a firm pat on the back of his arm “Hey, don’t worry about him man… He is just worried about you. Albeit in his own way of course, not that he’d ever admit it.” Giving a hearty laugh to lighten the mood, he realized that wasn’t reciprocated. The mood was heavier than he thought. Midoriya just blinked, eyes half lidded, brows drawn together, nose wrinkled as if he smelled something bad.“Thanks Kirishima, but you don’t have to make me feel better… It’s not like I don’t know that I suck.”Out of reflex, Kirishima draped his arm around the boy’s neck pulling him in. He hated hearing negative talk, it literally irked his gut and pulled his heartstrings. “Don’t say that! You are doing great! Bakugou is just a perfectionist. He doesn't get that not everyone is a natural like him who can pick things up so quickly. If you ask me it come way to easily for a jerk like him. Can’t say I don’t envy him though.” He paused, smiling sweetly, giving Midoriya a friendly shake to loosen him up “Just give yourself a little more time and practice.” His large hand squeezed Midoriya’s shoulder till the boy turned to look up at him, his green orbs so vibrant and focused, it was startling. Little teardrops collected on his lower lash line as he spoke up to reject of Kirishima's sympathy.“I appreciate what your saying, but I know enough to know the difference between candy coating and a blatant lie.”Kirishima made a breathy grunt and clutched his chest with his free hand. He was a little hurt by that comment, though he didn’t admit it allowed. “Hey now, you got some serious hate going on in there don’t you.” Kirishima new self loathing when he saw it. He caught it often in Bakugou’s spiraling meltdowns, but he also sometimes fought off it in himself. He poked Midoriya in the chest, “I know what you need,” he said actually giggling. Using his massive arms he began to steer Midoriya away from their training spot. He protested with a few wavering whimpers but was unable to convince the larger boy to stop.“W-wha? What are you doing Kirishima?”“Come on, we are gonna get some ice cream and talk it out just like the girls do.”Midoriya made an unpleasant face, his hair bouncing as he resisted with each step but was over all compliant. He was confused as to why this beast of a young man would say such an unusual thing. In the distance Mina waved checking in. The redhead gave a thumbs up in response before turning back to the other boy. Kirishima caught on to the anxiousness in his eye and cast down one of his thousand watt smiles, charming despite being sharp like a shark’s. “Hey don’t judge, I learned it from Mina. It really helps I must say. It’s like therapy but with sugar.” “O-ok..”Soon they were at the ice cream stand, digging for pocket change when Midoriya realized as his finger passed through his pocket that his wallet was missing. “Oh no! Seriously!? Shoot…” He scrunched his face. Just another shitty thing to happen to tac on on top of all the other crap that was going wrong. Kirishima picked up immediately that he was losing his patience fast and offered a sheepish grin, “I am sure we will find it when we get back, or one of the girls will pick it up since they are probably using the field now instead of us. Here,” Kindly he scooped up the boy’s hand and placed some money into his palm. Midoriya quickly noticed it was only enough for one. He opened his mouth to refuse “no I couldn’t.” “You can, and you will. Don’t worry about it Bro, It’s ok. I don’t really want any right now anyway.” Midoriya new even if he tried, he couldn’t fight it. Kirishima was a stubborn, unrelenting force. No wonder he rapidly became best friends with Kacchan. This made him a little jealous. Though the two were on better terms than in the past, everyday was a struggle maintaining a balance of trying not piss him off but being worthy of his efforts. Letting out a heavy breath, he gave in and expressed a soft “thanks”, eyes shaded by his mess of green curls as he pointed to the side of the vendor cart “that one…”Together they sat down on a nearby bench, and Midoriya reluctantly lapped at his strawberry ice cream. Kirishima counted the seconds that it took the boy to lick, swish it around in his mouth and swallow before repeating. The building gloom slowly decreased rate till he paused to sigh and then reluctantly start up again. Despite it being a delicious treat, it seemed to take all of Midoriya's effort to enjoy it. It was a painful sight. He looked completely dejected and the silence between them only grew longer hever moment he waited for the boy to speak. Kirishima exhaled to suppress his bubbling feelings. He knew how Midoriya felt. A growing perception of being defeated and not knowing where to stand. He gave a soft smile in his direction as he leaned forward, elbows on his knees attempting to ease his mind. “Is it good?” he asked, eyes bright and laced with curiosity. The boy gave a subtle nod and a soft sound to signify what he was saying without having to speak. He really didn’t want to, he though swishing the cream in his mouth till it was warm. There really wasn’t anything for him to say. Everyone understood that he was who he was and that Kacchan was right about him being a loser. It was evident in everything that he tried. It was also no secret that he was a danger to himself and others. If he couldn’t get it right, he might as well quit. He consider dropping out of the UA extended program multiple times. He should of had things handled by now, but he still struggled. The only thing keeping him there was the will of his friends. Nothing else, and only a few of those he could say were actually meaningful. Was that enough? Was sheer effort enough?There it was, Kirishima can see as the plug was pulled and he was starting to spiral. He snapped his fingers in front of Midoriya’s face trying to shock him out of it “Ey! I know that look, stop it. Seriously! You need to give yourself a little more credit because you are more impressive than you think. Bakugou is just a harsh person, you should know that by now. You were childhood friends right? I am sure he didn’t just start being an ass today so it’s nothing we all aren't used too right?” Midoriya nodded in response, his mouth a tight line as he tried to hide that his bottom lip was starting to quiver. Kirishima could see it a mile away “Bro, you are like a mini AllMight, and just like him, you are smart, powerful, and you inspire people around you, even Bakugou, to do their best. Who wouldn’t want that?”The boy’s eyes rose to him, tearing up, at the words he was hearing. It was as if he had never been praised before. He hummed in his throat a wavering note, almost in lieu of a subdued laugh, missing a chance to lick his ice cream as it dripped down the side of his cone. He was almost unbelieving at what he was hearing. He had to be sure this was real. He asked with a desperate tone, the restraint he was using to hid it, heightening his pitch “You really think so?”“I know so. You can’t get down on yourself like that. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. You just got to play what you are good at, work on what you are bad at, and screw everything else, because no one deserves to feel like shit trying to make themselves better.” Kirishima extended his arm across the back of the bench, inclining toward Midoriya, eyes intense and confident “Especially you. You work hard, you are kind, and never give up even if the odds are against you. I admire that.” The boy’s eyes sparkled dwelling on those last few words ‘I admire that.’ It echoed in his head, as if stroking his fragile ego. It felt good to hear such words. It also felt good to be looked at in focus and not some extra as Kacchan often called it. He gazed back at Kirishima in reverence with a breath of relief shuddering through his pursed lips, trying to hold back a sob. Instead a blush dusted his cheeks and returned a smile of his own “that means a lot, thanks.” As soon as the words left his mouth, their eye locked and Midoriya felt a flutter in his chest which seemed to stop time, but then...Drip. Drip. Drip.Suddenly, a sharp, cold feeling trickled on to the boy’s knee and his eyes widened ripping his eyes away from the red-headed beast. He had been neglecting his ice cream for too long and it was now dripping down on all sides. His feet shuffled apart and swiftly scooted back on the bench, almost jumping to dodge the pouring drips. He began to panic, letting out a whimper as he frantically began to lap sides closest to him. Kirishima looked on in alarm as the treat threatened to creep down Midoriya’s arm and dirty his clothes. Without thinking, Kirishima leaned in, grabbing the boy’s wrist, and offered several long licks across the back of his hand and up the cone side. With the flat of his tongue he tried to remove as much as he could, curling it at the top to keep the liquid from dripping off. The droplets continued to flow in spite of the effort due to the heat from the sun overhead. As it melted, drips began wandering down over his own fingers on the side he couldn’t reach and he moaned in complaint. The boy retracted at that point, the sound tickling his ears. To Kirishima this was a natural response to a treat emergency since when he hung out with the girls, they were always sharing snacks and drinks. So, definitely not the first time he had to come to the rescue. Sometimes they even tease him and call up Kiripup, or Puppishima because he would lick crumbs and dribbles off fingers, chins and cheeks if they would let him. It was like a dog with a baby, just waiting for the mess to happen. Not that the girls minded after the initial shock was gone. They thought it was cute. On the other side Midoriya froze, the sensation of a foreign tongue dragging along his skin bewildering his mind. He felt chills running over him, up and down his spine and electrifying his nerves. He didn’t know how to respond to the gentle assault. His cheeks grew redder, mouth going dry as he flushed all the way up to his ears. All he managed to do instead of implode was watch and feel. Kirishima’s tongue was hot and a bit textured, unlike his own smooth one, but not in the least unpleasant. The assault continued as the beast turned the cone stroking the boy’s digits on the other side along with his own, half slurping as the ice cream melted further down. Midoriya gulped as his fingers tingle in response.Unable to keep up at the rate it was dripping, Kirishima tilted the cone toward himself and took a shark bite off the top, a small dribble running down the slope of his strong chin “There that should fix it” His words were muffled being full of the ice cream he just bit off. “Mmmnnn..” he licked his lips “What a mess that was! Serves you for getting in your own head. You need to learn to relax bro.” With that, he released Midoriya, licking and sucking at his own fingers. He lapped from his knuckle, then along the length to the tip before delving it into his mouth. Each time he pulled a digit from his mouth there was a distinct and playful pop. Anything he couldn’t get he wiped onto his shirt. Looking at the mess he made on his shirt, his mouth tugged to the side in a grimace. All he did really did was movie the mess. Now what? He looked at the boy’s hands now remembering Midoriya was in the same predicament and needing something to wipe his hands on. “Eh , well it needs to be washed anyway” he moaned in a cheery tone, wiping off right over his head. He offered it to the green haired boy “I know it’s kinda sweaty but it’s better than nothing, right Mid-” As he looked up, he watched as a heated Midoriya choked and dropped the remainder of the ice cream, leaving it crushed on the ground. “Uh… you ok man?”The boy sputtered, the contrast between his hair and his skin growing greater by the second. Midoriya didn’t understand, it wasn’t like he had never seen Kirishima shirtless before, but it was almost as the carved details that sculpted his body seemed more prominent and defined. Not that anything had changed since the last time he saw him, at least he didn’t think so. In response to his mental note he looked harder trying to decipher what he was sensing, but all he was getting was a growing dizziness and a sensation of heat building in his belly. Was he going to be sick? Was it the ice cream maybe? He looked to his hand, shaking out the green mass of curls trying to focus his thoughts and realized the cone was no longer in his hands. He then followed Kirishima's eyes to the ground and yelped, realizing that in his haze he had accidentally murdered the last of his ice cream “crap! I’m so sorry!”Kirishima laughed, a bit amused by the scene. He waved it off casually, unbothered by the waste of a good treat, pushing the crumpled shirt into the boy’s hands “Don’t worry about it man, it’s just ice cream. Not that we can’t buy another one.” Midoriya gave a grin, the corners tugged with guilt, remembering that that was the last of the redhead’s change. Swiftly he wiped off his hands and knee, and anxiously tossed it back to a beaming Kirishima, glazed in sweat, shining as he sat in the sun. Doki the first beat of a change in the boy. Doki The second beat at mention of getting a new cone forced him to replay the scene in his head. Desperate to stop the reel he quipped in a strangled and embarrassed tone “No, I have had enough girl time for today.. I’m good, maybe next time…”Doki the third beatKirishima then stood while Midoriya sat enamored “well, now that you are feeling better we should be getting back.” Kirishima tilted his head to the side with a chuckle, at that point the boy realized he was staring. He coughed and stood reluctantly. Explosions began to echo in the distance, almost like a school bell calling for them to return. Midoriya nodded, following suit as he began to walk away, looking back at the sad ice cream on the ground one last time. Unexpectedly Kirishima commanded “Hold up a second.” There was a small bit of urgency in his voice so he swiftly turned back to see what the fuss was but didn’t expect for Kirishima to be so close when he looked up. He swallowed hard as he looked upon the beast before him. The read head held his powerful arms opened wide,chest and abs on full display “I know I am sweaty but bring it on in bro! You look like you can use one!” With lack of permission, but not unwanted, he wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, giving him a small squeeze. Midoriya could barely return the gesture, completely enthralled by the feeling of having someone close that wasn't his mom or Kacchan. Doki doki the last beat as the hug lingered a bit longer than he expected, or at least to him it felt that way. In those brief moment’s he noticed Kirishima’s scent, the minimal give of his taut muscles, and the way he breathed a sigh of relief over his shoulder as if settling into the embrace. The strange warmth inside that sparked earlier began to radiate more heat, curling up his ribs and down his thighs that did not subside at the beast’s release. What was this feeling?“Alright!” Kirishima punctuated with a fist pump “let’s go kick Bakugou’s ass!”
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Thump thump!“You did it Bro!”Kirishima firmly patted the smaller boy right between his shoulder blades with unbridled enthusiasm. Midoriya actually managed to complete the track Bakugou set for him, earning him some choice works from his fiery friend, cheers from the girls and this. The green haired boy recoiled, tears touching the outer corners of his eyes, the contact carrying a bit of a sting. The red head immediately picked up the boy’s discomfort, splaying a guilty grin in his direction, “Ooh, sorry about that!” The larger boy rubbed the spot tenderly attempting to wish it away and calm the shocked nerve endings “I forget my own strength sometimes.” Midoriya gave a meek smile to show that he accepted his apology. Who could say no to that sweet face? The boy flushed and gave a sheepish laugh. As if Kirishima’s smile couldn’t get any bigger, he beamed from ear to ear, lassoing his densely muscled arm around the smaller boy’s shoulders. “Cool! Now I am sure you are exhausted, so let’s pick up and head back.” The beast then relinquished his hold, bicep curling over his head to comb a hand through his mussed mane “oh and by the way…” When their eyes met, there was startling focus in Kirishima’s eyes, causing the boy to flush a deeper shade “You really gave BakuBro a run for his money today, well, all of us really. Like I said earlier, you really are amazing, so keep it up! No more punishing ice cream cones because of your self doubt ok?” He then reached toward Midoriya, causing him to flinch. It was an automatic reflex he picked up hanging out with Kacchan. To the boy’s surprise, Kirishima gently tangled his fingers into Midoriya’s curls, giving a few tender pets atop his crown. Butterflies began to flit in his stomach, threatening to escape out of his throat if he dared to speak. It was a nice feeling, like a curtain of warmth that wrapped his heart. Sadly this filling was unfamiliar to him and made him mumble in a panicked string of incoherent apologies. “Relax bro. You earned it. You did great. ” With a quick ruffle of the boys curls, he gave a last comforting smile before he ran off to collect his things. The moments that followed grew even stranger. Midoriya felt breathless, almost as if the air in his lungs were sucked out and had left with the large hand that withdrew from his tangle of green locks. It just disappeared with the young man they belonged to, and no sooner did it return until Bakugou roughy shoved his belongings into his arms, punching into his gut. He sputtered at the impact, clenching one eye shit as he fought not to fumble the mass shifting in his arms.“Here’s your shit, nerd, since you're obviously too busy staring off into space to get your shit together your own fucking self!”“T-thanks Kacchan”“Fuck you!”As the day came to an end Midoriya shouldered open his door,his hands full with all the work out gear he brought to the park that day. Once he made it through he kicked it closed behind him with a loud snap, wincing. Oops… Hopefully nobody heard that. He sighed to himself “why does Kacchan have to be sooo mean… I know he has been nicer as of late, but still the constant rain of f-bombs still hurts…” The ghost of Kirishima’s leathery palm passes through his tousled green thicket as he fondly remembers the kind gesture. Shifting the stuff in his arms, he lifted his hand to place it on his own head to simulate the sensation, but of course to his dismay it wasn’t even close. ‘You were Amazing!...’ Midoriya sighed as he recalled those simple words, the feeling as they resonated in his brain, making his ears burn and tickle as if they were being whispered to him right then and there. In his distraction, an object slipped from his hands to the floor causing aloud thud. Luckily it was nothing important but it shocked him back to the present with a jump. He shook his head in attempts to clear his thoughts “you are being silly Midoriya, it’s not like you haven’t been praised before.” Refocusing on the junk in his arms, he couldn't help but think though that something was different. Was it his presentation or tone? Maybe because they were closer in age? The teen mumbled to himself in waves of curiosity and frustration, almost too exhausted to care about where things ended up. Normally he was meticulous, almost too meticulous, but today was particularly draining with Kacchan’s ‘Let’s make Deku suck less’ regime. Fighting off the echoes of demands and consoling croons, he began to haphazardly sift through the stuff he was holding, tossing them in the general direction of where they go. Things he dropped from there on out, he just kicked to the side with the instep of his foot, wanting it all just just magically pick up itself. When he got to the bottom of the pile, a familiar, earthy, musky smell wafted up, and his eyes snapped open so wide His veridian orbs threatened to roll right out of his sockets. “Wait a minute, how did that get here?” The item at the bottom was nothing other than Kirishima’s dirty T Shirt. How did it get there? Maybe in their hurry to clean up, Kacchan mistook it for his? The shirt had a damp texture to it as if was washed and dried but not all the detergent came out. It was soft, but heavy, stained with the notorious strawberry ice cream that rebelled against him earlier that day. He rubbed the fabric between his thumb and forefinger as images began to replay in his head, flashing vividly before him. Kirishima’s dazzling smile, melting into his long and wide tongue lapping against his skin in slow lengthy strokes. Then the moan that emerged and vibrated from his chest as he desperately tried to over take the oozing dessert. Followed by his deep red irises, that peeked through his mahogany lashes, as his mouth opened wide to swallow the top in one bite. Midoriya shivered, his fingers lacing tighter around the fabric in his hands. He couldn’t place how he felt, between jealousy and this weird heat rolling in his gut, it was all to confusing. He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping the darkness behind his lids would bring him some momentary peace but caught himself picturing the red-haired beast instead saying his name in the smooth reassuring lull. He wished that he could feel the weight of his hand on his head again, and encouraging words to heal his battered and bruised ego. Now he knew what the girls meant when they said he gave the best hugs, missing the pressure. In all honesty, how did it take him so long to know? Would he know it again? The thick slabs of defined musculature wrapped tightly around him, pressed against his bulging pecs, feeling the cut of his hardened abs against his own... He unconsciously lifted the garment to his face, pressing his face deeply into the folds with an eager almost starved breath in. He dwelled there, his lungs burning with his scent. His musk was like a walk through the woods, dotted with delicate raindrops of sage and clove, hiding under a vanilla and bergamot umbrella, and a touch of smoke. Midoriya hummed in his throat, voice wavering slightly as his mouth watered. What seemed like ages he started coming to his senses. As if coming down from a high, he barely blinked as he withdrew from the garment, eyes glazed over and glassy. When he realize what he was doing, he broke out in a cold sweat, hands trembling. Below his navel, he felt a pressure that was slightly uncomfortable. Moving the heap in his hand out of his line of site, he noticed a tent building. In a panic, he tossed the shirt away from himself, hooking onto the spine of his chair with a tell tale sway. Midoriya then anxiously took a few steps back, almost as if he could escape the protrusion. “Oh god help me!” he whined and clasped his hands over himself “what is happening!?”KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!“Shit!”Midoriya wasn’t prone to cursing but he had no other words to describe the mess he was in. He bounded over to his bed and plopped down crossing one leg half over the other so his ankle rested on his knee. He then snatched a pillow, defensively slapping it over his now halfie, pulling his phone out of his pocket as if pretending to use it. He then moved forward, propping an elbow on the pillow, to rest his face in his hand, trying to seem as nonchalant as possible. His voice betrayed him as it wobbled when called out “C-come in! T-the door should b-be open!”Bakugou stomped in, catching sight of the mess upon the floor. His eyebrows drew together “What the fuck deku! Think you can slack off because we had a long training session today!?” He kicked one of the piles near the door, his line of sight slowly working its way across the floor to his nerdy friend. His eyes rose to him, making his way toward the center, words carrying loudly “Greatness doesn't stop at one part of your life! You are supposed to carry it through all aspects of your-...” He then freezes, catching the glisten of sweat on Midoriya’s forehead. His face twists in disgust. “Ugh! You nasty little fuck! You better not have fucking inviting me in here mid jack!”Damn Kacchan for being so observant! His face began to flush, and unruly blonde mane started to prickle as he recoiled. What Midoriya didn’t know is he’s seen the ‘oops I have a boner’ face before. A few times when he caught Kirishima and a few times when he was caught himself. He played it off better though. Kirishima on the other hand had no shame. Under his intense scrutiny, the boy sat up straight, setting his phone down, but still clutching onto the pillow. “It’s not like that! I promise…” His emerald hues cast downward, lips in a tight pressed line “It just happened…”“Well not my fucking problem, I just came to see if I accidently gave you Kirishima’s shirt.”Barely able to tear his eyes from where Midoriya sat, he finally noticed the fabric hanging from the nerds chair. “There that piece of shit is!” Seizing it with an impatient fist, Bakugou noticed in his peripheral vision that the nerd lifted a hand in silent plea, but when his focus was back on him he acted like nothing happened. The blonde grew amused at this, a small smirk crawled across his face like a fire lit fuse. His eyes narrowed dangerously, scarlet irised narrowing in on his prey. “Oh? You don’t want me to take this?” He gestured openly at the boy, watching his face reddened like a thermometer registering a heat wave. “Is this what THAT’S about? You sick fuck…” He scoffed as he held it up like a dead animal he just shot. “I can see why you like it” Bakugou’s tone softens as he slowly steps closer to the sweating nerd. “He smells pretty good for a dirty sweaty dude, doesn’t he?” The little nerd was so pliable in his hands he would almost fall for anything. “I hope this wasn’t another one of your dirty little secrets?” The boy shook his head, curls bouncing and reflecting the light from the lamp. He came another step closer, the shirt swaying in his hold “I bet your mouth is just watering to get your hands on this. I was sure you were secretly kinky but this is a new level of lewd...” Midoriya couldn’t help but hone in on his mouth as he hissed “disgusting.”“What are you talking about? I’m not- I’ve never-”Kacchan’s words were so different compared to Kirishima’s. Kacchan’s were always harsh, sharp like a bite and dripping with venom. Kirishima’s were soft like a breeze or the caress of soft ocean waves. Midoriya suspected he may be acting out afraid that he might steal his best friend away from him, but that’s not want he wanted at all.“Is this about Kirishima spending time with me today? We only-”“Save it Deku! This isn’t some jealousy kick. See me and shitty hair are, well… that’s not important. This isn’t about me it’s about you… You and that filthy mind of yours.”Midoriya leaned back a bit, looking for an escape, contemplating crawling backwards on his bed. Bakugou continued to advance, eyes flashing in the lowlight. His pace was slow and deliberate like a predator, closing the distance quickly. The smaller boy’s mouth hung open, palming the bed behind him, his legs starting to tuck up into him. The pillow wobbled in his lap at the movement, very close to rolling off his lap. Curling his lips back in an amused sneer, he stood over the nerd, watching him tremble like a leaf. “I bet you would fucking love it if I threw this over your head and left you to yank one out… wouldn’t you?”Midoriya stuttered, as he flushed a deep shade of red, making motions to speak but everything but a few words were incoherent.. “No I- It’s not- I…” his heart screamed in his chest, ribs seizing making it hard to breathe. Bakugou just cackled, living for stupid Deku’s embarrassment. The boy huffed hard trying to catch his words, raising his arms to try and stop the predator's advance. “I don’t like anyone like that!” He managed to get free, but Bakugou wasn’t buying it. “Y-you just caught me at a bad t-time!”“I sure did fucking Deku!”“K-kacchan, this isn’t funny!”“It’s not funny! It’s hilarious! You getting a hard is fucking priceless!” Bakugou placed his feet on either side of Midoriya’s. “I figured it would be some girl like pink cheeks or something! But this is just too good!”Midoriya had to throw him off his game. He didn't feel like that toward Kirishima, he was wrong! Dead wrong! At least he was mostly sure that was wrong. He hasn't much time to deliberate before he showed up, so how could he say for sure. “I don’t like him like that!!, I just wanted to return it myself is all, a-and t-thank him for helping me today.”“Bullshit nerd! I saw your goo goo eyes!”“I am telling you it's not like that! I am not into-”Enough anger built up in his chest to stand but only got half way before a toned arm forced him back down with a shove. And just like that his courage was gone, robbed right out from under him. Bakugou then squared up, daring the curly haired dweeb try him again. Midoriya couldn’t stomach it, he wasn’t strong enough.“What if-” the blonde began, changing his tone as he snatched the pillow off the boy’s lap, sneering. “I-” he tossed it violently to the floor, placing a knee right in between the nerd’s thighs “...Threw this over your head-” he did so as he spoke, then the blonde grabbed his wrists and roughly forced them upward. Midoriya was now pinned down underneath the ash blond boy, grinning darkly as he relished watching the heaving rise and fall of the other boy’s chest. He watched as he squirmed beneath him, allowing no give in his grip. He wanted him to know that there was no where for him to go as he eyed the tent between his legs still barely half pitched. The boy continued to pant, fluttering the fabric over his face as he tried to break free. Bakugou leaned close, close enough for the boy to feel his breath on the shell of his ear. Putting pressure between the nerd’s legs, he drove home the last detail that would push him over the edge “.. and you pretended I was him…”The fluttering stopped, and a strangled wimper emerged from beneath the cloth, almost haunting. The blonde’s tongue flicked across his toothy grin, eating up the inner turmoil he was putting the nerd through. Carefully he placed both of his hands under one of his own, watching as the boy’s muscles contracted beneath him, struggling to get free. With a heated hand, he palmed at Midoriya’s groin in firm, unforgiving motions. Bakugou felt the other’s body shudder against him, ignoring the boy’s attempt at making words that sputtered in sharp breaths through from the otherside of the shroud. The pads of his finger could feel a growing form just under Midoriya’s gym shorts, so thin he thought he could almost feel the veins running along its length. Bakugou gulped, questioning his resolve. Maybe this was too far? Maybe just a moment more. He firmly grasped the boy, pulling a squeak from his lip, now who was barely breathing at this point. “Think he’d touch you like this shitty Deku?”The blonde felt a strong twitch against his palm, pushing him back. He raised a brow surprised at the response. With a flush, he bailed, releasing the boy with a hard slap on his bicep. “Jeeze! Don’t forget to breathe nerd!” He didn’t know how else to change the mood, adding in a half hearted laugh. At first Midoriya didn’t respond. “I was just joking with you! You are always so fucking sensitive!” Again, no response. Bakugou backed to the far side re-evaluating the situation. He noticed that he accidently elicited a response from himself without meaning to. He coughed and clenched his fist, attempting to recover himself. With a sniffle, Midoriya finally sat up slowly, almost painfully though he was not injured. Under the glow of the white shroud, he could see the beginnings of tear stains soaking into the fabric. His humiliation was so great he barely could grip a fist full to pull it from his head. Thinking of the gentle, bright Kirishima touching him roughly like Bakugou did made him sick. Unwarranted, unwanted, and definitely unexpected. He was sure that if it was Kirishima, it would have been different. Soft like that pat on his head, and his sweet like his sunshiny words. Had to believe that. He had to have hope that things didn’t always end up like this. Not that he had wanted to think of him this way. Bakugou just gave him no choice. He was so nauseated that he couldn’t even bring himself to look up, once the garment flopped onto his thigh. “Me? Sensitive?” He held back a sob, in disbelief of how far Kacchan went for a stupid joke. Holding onto his last bit of dignity, he tightened his grip on the shirt “you kidding me?” A breath stuttered out, like an exasperated laugh that didn’t quite take form. “You..” his eyes finally lifted, brimming with stinging tears. Bakugou swallowed hard. He wasn’t sure if he had ever seen pain in his eyes like that before. Shifting his feet shoulder width, Midoriya took to his feet, shoulders slightly hunched, wringing the cloth in his hands. The blonde could see how bad he was quaking just before he whimpered “how could you… do that.. to me…” “I said it was a joke, can’t you take a fucking joke?”Suddenly Midoriya’s arms went slack, his eyes to the floor. He mumbled something under his breath. The blonde’s ears pricked.“What was that? Speak up nerd!?“I SAID GET OUT!”Rumpling the shirt into his fist he pitched it into Bakugou’s face. For being a soft article of clothing, the speed the boy chucked it at actually hurt.“Agh! What the fuck Deku!?”When he peeled the fabric from his face he saw more coming, the scattered items on the floor quickly becoming ammunition for the angry nerd.“Get out, get out, GET OUT!”Bakugou braced his arms against the onslaught, covering his head as he stumbled over the shrapnel on his way out of the room. “Ok ok! FUCK! I’m going! Ow! FUCKN’A!” The second he made it to the door, the boy shoved him out, knocking him to the floor. “What’s your fucking problem!” The blonde turned with a fury but froze when he saw fat tears, rolling in thick cascades down his face. Midoriya wanted to scream ‘YOU ARE! You are my fucking problem!’ so badly. Ever since Kacchan discovered his quirk the blonde has been nothing but a pain in his ass and a thorn in his side. Despite that, he hung on to their one sided friendship, and even now he bit down on his tongue refusing to say the hurtful words that he might regret. He wanted more than anything in that moment to spit out like the fire like that of which exploded from the other’s palms. He admitted to himself that there were improvements recently, but with this latest fuck up, it set them both back to zero. Bakugou watched as the storm raged behind the boy’s body, taking everything he has to not lose his breath. His cheeks were now ruddy, freckles barely discernible from the rouge flush. Large green eyes painfully glisten behind wet lashes, only balanced by his swollen, red trembling lips. Mussed green curls quivered upon his head as he tried to get his breathing under control. Clutching his fist he finally mustered enough sanity to speak.“Still think it’s funny Kacchan?”This was one of the few times Bakugou had forgotten his ability to speak. All he could do was breath open mouthed, pressed under the distressed teen’s eyes. He couldn’t answer. Choking back a sob, Midoriya finally slammed the door shut leaving the blonde in empty silence of the hallway.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Bakugou used to believe that everyone was below him. Droves of pathetic, weak obstacles that he would crush and crumbled under his feet. He was convinced, even as a young child, that he was A grade material and no one could touch him. Everyone except for his friend, at least till he realized that he was so much better than him. His friend would always cry, even over little things. At first it was hard because he couldn’t stand it when the boy cried He used to rushing to his side to console him as if on instinct. Unruly green curls that remained untamable even when wet, large, vibrant eyes that shined even when he was upset, and a soft squeaking voice that no matter how hard Bakugou tried he couldn't ignore. It’s like he had no choice but to protect him. But as the gap widened between them, becoming more obvious by the day, Bakugou began to resent his frailty. Needy, irritating, pitiful. Even as they grew, the boy remained so weak and had not developed any remarkable abilities, not even a quirk. All he had was his observation, an innate sense to act in times of trouble and drive. None of which would benefit him without strength or skill. It was plain ridiculous that he would even think that he could make anything of himself with no talent. Even so, he rushed to his rescue when he fell in the river. His green watery eyes full of concern… worthless concern when he himself was fine. Or at least he was fine till their eyes met. How infuriating! How nauseating! He didn’t need that... or that stupid look! He would show him, that there was no need for it! Bakugou made it a point to remind him of that, every chance he got. First with just comments and showing off how great he was. He wanted to show him that the boy didn’t even have a prayer, but everytime was overcome with childish enthusiasm. Bakugou grew agitated. What did he have to do to show his friend that there was no chance. Next he tried outpacinging him, then replacing him, but resorted to bullying, having no other option to prove the child’s worthlessness and make him give up. He pounded it into his friend’s head with harsh words and fiercer fists, to concede to the truth, and stop the nonsense. One might think it was an easy task, but when tears were involved, old instincts would kick in. Despite that, he was convinced that if he made the boy believe that was better off a loser, that maybe he wouldn’t do something stupid and get himself killed. Saving him from himself became his warped priority. Almost religiously he delivered daily beatings, and each time he would repeat to the boy in vicious spats that it was for the best. Most of the time, he was fighting to convince himself what he was doing was right. Going so far as positioning himself in such a way where he couldn’t see the other’s tears, learning to yell so he couldn’t hear his cries. It was all he could do to keep himself from running, forcing himself to adapt by growing to like it. Enjoying his whimpers of pain and becoming repulsed by his sniveling. This way they’d both survive… right? Even as the aggressor, he was also intolerant of others laying hands on him, his one law in this twisted mess. No one but him was allowed to abuse his friend, if they were still considered that anymore. After each session, he would corner the boy where he stood or happened to collapse and count the cuts, bruises, and burns. Sometimes he would haphazardly tear open or rip off clothing to make sure not a single mark left by him was missed. He watch as the other’s chest heaved, and muscles trembled, wracked with the reminisces of pain. Sometimes he’d relished the hiss of breath from in between the boy’s teeth, or the whimper he stifled in his throat as his thick fingers passed over the wounds. The pain the boy felt at his touch meant that Bakugou had been there, like a signature, that they both were still here… still alive. He wasn’t sure why he needed to make sure, but he did, he had too. It was strange though, because the boy eventually stopped crying and allowed him to search and feel. Almost in a comforting way, as if he was aware.The marks he left were abhorrent, even to him, but were tolerable. He made sure that in every injury he inflicted, that all HIS marks were only temporary...Promised himself even. He also made sure that only HIS marks were allowed. His marks? Any mark that wasn’t left by him was investigated and addressed with fury. Anyone else who dared over step him, lay a finger on what was HIS, would be severely punished. He assured himself that all his efforts were because he was in charge, and staking his claim over the boy. Subjugation for protection and nothing more…. right??? Things were changing...but things changed all the time didn’t they? It was the nature of the world right? When did this paradigm shift how he saw the world and turn it on its head? When did it start? Was it the transition from childhood friend to rival, met with determined eyes and growing strength? Was it when he was drowning in slime, struggling to breathe and those same determined eyes looked into his and brought him, dare he say it hope? Was it when a once meek, pathetic child punched a hole in the ceiling and blew several levels of a building apart revealing the sky above. All the while those same determined eyes bored into him, barely conscious? Maybe it was all the times he traced the marks he left behind, under the scrutiny of emerald hues filled with both resentment and admiration? Maybe he’s kidding himself… Maybe it’s not as sudden as he thought… Maybe these assaults on his ego were slowly chipping away at him? Everytime it came back to him… and his eyes… Veridian with seafoam striations, filled with hope and resolve. Didn’t matter if they were clear and bright or brimming with tears clinging on his lashes. They pierced through him. They understood him.Izuku Midoriya...A heat curled in his gut that he didn’t understand. Hands that flew so easily with fury became anxious and shaky. Taut muscles that rained down destruction stiffened and shuddered at the very presence of him standing nearby. Bakugou could barely stand himself as he felt saliva pool in his mouth and his mind wandering in ways they hadn’t before. He could say he was even disgusted with himself. He withdrew, unable to bring himself to repeat the rituals of the past. Did he lose his nerve? His mission? Or did he realize that his fucked up guidance was no longer necessary? Midoriya noticed the change to, showing less fear and more resolve. Bakugou wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but denied to himself the transformation that was happening. Unfortunately there was a point that he could no longer refute the the evidence, made clear, one merciless night. A vision that burned into his mind and rocked him to his core. The night of his kidnapping. One would think it would be the incident itself that shook him, but no. It was the last few moments before he disappeared into the darkness that would carve itself into his very soul.Returning from the glass marble prison into his normal form. The cold wind bit into his skin with needle sharp teeth, as he tried to rite his mind but he was disoriented. In his daze, he didn’t have the time to defend himself or react. As much as he wanted to release a roar of defiance and erupt fire from his palms into the brisk air, he knew better. A dangerously calm hand enclosed around his nape, fingers long enough to circle around the front of his throat. The icy digits dug into his flesh, enough to where he could feel his own pulse in his neck. Having no choice, but to surrender, he dared not move. It was far safer to let himself be taken than to react rashly. It was not easy to give in, but the fear of being killed sucked the blaze from his palms, and the words from his mouth. He was helpless. So helpless he didn’t even think to seethe or loathe. Feeling the void taking hold of his numbing body, he drew in his final breath. Air freezing his lungs, he forebodingly rasped out “Stay back, Deku.” That’s when the moment hit.Before his eyes, azure flames danced across the sky, consuming tree and brush alike. Angry darkened clouds soaked up the smoke like a greedy beast above the inferno. Fire burned deep scars into the ground and bark, framing the silhouette of his classmates before him. One in particular desperately charged toward him, limbs bound uselessly at his sides as he moved. Battered and bruised from head to toe, muscles contracting with obvious fatigue, fighting against losing consciousness. As the silhouette closed the distance, he could see his blood matted hair, and the sanguine stains on and beneath the surface of his skin. His large eyes reflected the firestorm that swirled around them, swimming with anguish and fear that he had never seen before. That’s when he knew they had lost… and that is when his vision became clear. Even as the world crashed down around them, time seemed to slow down.This might be the last time he saw him. Midoriya. Bakugou opened himself up to absorb the moment, drinking in every last detail. Scarlet irises strived to escape the void forming around him, clinging to the sight before him. Beautiful desperate eyes, glinting vibrantly in the firelight, framed with freckles, barely visible on his ruddy cheeks. The contrast between the purpling bruises, blood, and dirt, verses his veridian irises was striking. Like a candle in the dark, they the burned through his last heart string, dropping it to the pit of his stomach. He recalled those dreadful, intimate moments of brushing his fingers over Midoriya’s old wounds. Ones that he made. Made with care… if you could call it that. Realizing the marks upon his body were not his own, brought him a sickening feeling. Only he was allowed to do that. How could they do that to him? How could he allow them to do that to him? His Midoriya. His? Just as he was dissipating into the warp he could hear the faint gut wrenching cry, the sound almost drawing vomit from his own lips. A horrible searing sound. Even though his hearing began to fail, the sound fading to nothing, he could still feel the turbulent vibration as molecule by molecule he came apart.When he was reassembled, his presence of mind was only held together by his attitude, ego, and the promise that he would make all of them pay for what they had done. He bided his time in absolute silence. Observing, unmoving except for sharp teeth digging into his tongue to keep himself from a creative outburst betraying his stoic facade. Hour long minutes quickly became blazing fast seconds, as cuffs collapsed to the floor and a roar ripped from his throat. Everything from there was a blur. Roaring fire bursting from his palms, met with skin, cloth, and a tense standoff. He felt satisfaction as the shriveled, hand-faced man hissed with smoke, sweater sizzling. Just as he thought he was gonna have to fight them all, falling rubble signified the end of their tense game. 600lb of muscle and strong wooden vines blasted through and destroyed the wall that kept him contained, taking a few villains down with it. When he saw AllMight he almost shattered. He was saved. Swallowing a lump in his throat, willing away tears, he’d almost let the behemoth of a man hug him, but their victory was painfully short lived. Spilling into existence, he was swallowed up by a mercurous, viscous fluid. Again felt his body rearrange in a nauseating way. Sputtering, he erupted from the liquid veil, barely able to define one part of his body from the other till his cells settled back into place for the second time. Standing before a spire of evil, he thought he was done for. It wasn’t long after his realization that AllMight fell from the sky like a meteor, allowing him the opening he needed to launch himself upward to snatch a familiar hand and escape. Sweating bullets he watched the final battle between AllMight and All-for-One. His heart pounded in his ears the entire time, start to finish. Tumultuous blasts, dancing lights, and sprays of blood in a centrifuge of rubble and dust. It almost looked like the day was lost. Luckily, the mighty pillar of peace was victorious. Jabbing his thumb in the air, barely able to keep on his feet, the crowd cheered his name. A big relief, but, he couldn’t fight the resonance beside him as AllMight’s finger pointed through the camera at them. “It’s your turn” he said, his voice barely able to emerge from his throat, full of gravel and restrained wheezes. The scene engraved itself next to Midoriya’s scream, and gleaming eyes, on the temporal ridges of his brain. The cries of the people didn’t reach him as the images replayed. He stared dumbfounded as the mood shifted from reassurance to sorrow. The green haired teen beside him fell to pieces on his feet. Tears spilling from depths he could not see. Cheeks flushing, body shuddering, lips pulled back in a sob. Bakugou felt a tug in his gut, unsure of how to respond. The familiar but strange feeling returned, curling like flame behind his naval. His hands shifted at his sides uncomfortably where he stood. He swallowed hard, lips forming a tight line. This feeling...It wasn’t revulsion like he trained himself to feel. What is it?---After making it home, safely, he wove his fingers through his blankets and pulled them tight around himself trying to process the events over the last few days. His body was sore, his arms and chest throbbed, and his hands burned from the training and the fighting he endured. For days, he stowed away on his own room, not even allowing his family come in to see him. He couldn’t handle any more stimulation or information coming in from the outside. He had enough jumbled up thoughts inside. If he absorbed anymore, he’d break. His mom tried to bring him food, but he wasn’t hungry due to the stress. His parents pleaded with him to eat something. More like his mother yelled and his father pleaded, because it was not healthy to go without food for more than a day or two. He conceded, only taking protein bars under the door and drinking from his bathroom sink. He didn’t care what others thought of him at this point. All he cared about was getting his head right and getting his shit together.First was the image of AllMight shriveling before his eyes. The mighty hero withering to a husk of his old self. Nothing but skin, scars and bones. If he hadn't been out of control at the festival, attracting the League’s attention, if he had been strong enough to defeat them at camp, if he had been smart enough to escape before he arrived, none of this would have happen. He couldn’t believe that this outcome was inevitable. There had to be some alternate destiny that he could have guided him to, yet he could not. He had to remind himself of his father’s words… “If you always worry about the past, you will never be able to live in the present and chase your future. ‘What ifs’ are wasted energy. Hungry beasts that will eat you up if you let them.” Then his mom would chime in “We raised a fighter, so fight them. Kick their ass and take them down.” He chuckled softly to himself. His mother’s words of wisdom was more his style. Even so, he couldn't shake the feeling… that all of it, was his fault. Then there was the image of Midoriya pursuing him, screaming into the burning night. The look in his eyes, the condition of his body, the meer sound of him chilled his bones. He didn’t know whether he should feel more afraid or more enraged by the whole event. He had come to find that Midoriya helped plan his rescue. He didn’t doubt it because he didn’t think either of the other’s except for Momo could be that clever to come up with such a crazy idea and have it be a success. It warmed him a bit, to know that even as the boy broke the rules, and his body had yet to be healed, he still came. He should give the nerd some due credit but that would be against his ego. He would never tell him that he appreciated his efforts, or at least not any time soon. His gut began to swirl again as thoughts of the boy’s vibrant hues of veridian and seafoam melted into his mind. Those eyes were his best feature. Bakugou especially became worked up when Midoriya’s tears began to flow, or when his eyes were filled with unfiltered, irrepressible passion. It used to be only in an emotional way, pissing him off but… not anymore. The heat spread from his mind like a fire that crept from its pit, looking for more to burn. It crawled and and gnawed at his bones, creeping into the trove tinder below his navel. It caught… and burned.Bakugou leaned his back against the headboard of his bed, recalling the teen’s condition, a garden of dark violet and red bruises. He didn’t like those there… they were not of his making. The thought of replacing them sent a shiver down his spine, though not entirely sure why. He slipped his hand out from under the blanket he was wrapped in. Unlike the green haired teen, he barely had a few scrapes and singes. He was secretly amazed at how much Midoriya could endure. In his own selfish way he wanted to share in the pain, to prove his own worthiness. To show he was deserving of his efforts, loyalty and their complicated friendship. The blonde touched his fingertips to his forearm. He wished he could press his ivory skin against the other’s soft beige and take his wounds away like a transfer tattoo. To bleed them, stain them into his own flesh. He wasn’t sure if it was to remove the other’s pain or so he could feel the sting of pain himself to remind him of his mistakes. Or Maybe it was more intimate than that… maybe he wanted to be imprinted on too? Just the two of them, ceded in mist, sharing a secret garden of violets and roses? He traced his thick calloused pads slowly upward, in a feather soft motion, from his wrist to his sensitive inner elbow. A faint, unfamiliar sound slipped through his lips, his heart rate elevating as he savored the sensation. He wondered to himself what that would feel like to know the brush of another person’s skin. Not like when he was training, not like casual interaction, like tenderness… To experience the shuddering breath, the trembling muscles, and the pounding heart of someone else in synchrony with his own. When he realized what he was doing, he snapped out of his thoughts. His face scrunched in disgust as he shook his hand out acting as if a spider was crawling on him.“The fuck am I thinking! I don’t have the time for fairytale barbie bullshit!”With a loud groan, he pulled his blanket over his head to hide his growing shame. Too bad he couldn’t hide from himself. He thrashed a bit, skewing the bedding around him. Once he settled, surrendering to the fact he is stuck with himself, no matter how pathetic he may be, he noticed something else. A tightness from below. Propping the blanket up with his forearm, he looked down. In the diluted lumination, through the covers he saw IT. Growling in irritation, he was now painfully aware of the growing pulse against his thigh. “Fucking DAMNIT!” he shouted down at it, gripping the elastic waistband to adjust it. He then violently rolled over, momentarily causing his blanket to flutter above him, forcing himself to sleep...not that he actually could.“Stupid Deku..”---Over the following months, he tried to compartmentalize his feelings, going through the motions he knew he was supposed to do. To be normal. Though he had a sneaking suspicion that eventually he would have to form a new opinion of himself in the near future, he wouldn’t let it go without a drag out fight. It was how he did everything, rising to every challenge before him. As much as he tried to avoid it, he couldn’t stop his regrets from returning to mind, guilt chipping away at him without care to his sanity. His insecurities multiplied, as those around him were successful, especially Midoriya. Frustratingly enough, Midoriya would just humbly accept praise or redirect it to someone else with a sheepish comment or laugh. He couldn’t decide whether to think he was fucking arrogant or just damn cute. Cute? Ew! His self conflicting thoughts debased him. This unshakeable idea of himself that he had built was crumbling, turning into sand in his hands, and slipping through his fingers. The final straw was failing to get his license. Trying to reclaim what little stability he had left, he sought his childhood hero for some much needed answers. Instead AllMight avoided him, and sidestepped his interrogation with some teacherly advice which he did not appreciate in the least. All he wanted was the truth. Was that too much to fucking ask for? Bakugou couldn’t take it anymore. He knew their secret. He could see it! He wasn’t stupid! Or at least nearly as stupid as they made him out to be. He was being considerate, and aware of the consequences by keeping his mouth shut. Why couldn’t they reciprocate that for him?“I’ll rip it out of them one way or another… you’ll see you damn losers…”---Like a wolf, Bakugou hid in shadow of the hallway near the common room. Everyone else was settling in the lounge and unwinding from the exams and were not aware of his presence. Red eyes scanned the expanse of tired teenagers, looking for one particularly fluffy and green sheep. On the opposite side of the room he hears the wavering voice and unsure warbling laugh of his prey, causing his ears to prick and hair stand on end. It’s now or never. He steps into the light and into the other’s path on his way to the couch. Midoriya flinched at the blonde’s sudden appearance, barely keeping himself from walking into him. Bakugou glared down at him and spoke low and firm to make sure that the green haired teen could not misunderstand him.“You, meet me out front later… we need to have a talk about your quirk”Time creeped by agonizingly slow, both watching the clock like a ticking bomb. Midoriya understood why Bakugou asked to meet later. They couldn’t leave now or it would cause suspicion. If they were followed or found out, there would be a chance of exposing AllMight which would not be good situation for anyone. Each glanced at the clock, practically in sync, counting the remaining minutes as one by one the other students went off to bed. When the last few stood and said their goodnights, Bakugou, stood and glared at the other to signify it was time before disappearing himself. Midoriya gulped as he waved to the others, trying to ignore the other teen’s intense stare. When the room was empty, he reluctantly trailed off after his friend, to see what it was he wanted to talk about.When Midoriya finally found him, he was outside in front of their dorms. Hands in his pockets, eyes looking off into the distance, breath puffing little clouds from his lips. Despite his seemingly relaxed state, Midoriya could see how tense Bakugou was. Muscles were coiled and taut, something obviously causing him a great deal of stress. He crossed the distance, wondering in what possible way he could soothe the blonde, but as soon as he drew close, the other began walking away not even offering a word. He paused in his steps, blinking after the other. ‘I thought we were going to talk?’ Midoriya thought to himself. ‘This is kind of strange for him to withhold his thoughts from me. Whatever it is must really be bothering him. I wonder if he is not able to form it into words yet, and that’s why he’s not talking.’ He sighed and trailed after him, ‘I guess I will have to find out when he is ready to tell me.’ He jogged a over to him, but kept a safe distance. After about 10 min, Midoriya became suspicious.“Kacchan how far are we going? We shouldn’t be walking around in the middle of the night… hello?”Midoriya trailed a few steps behind Bakugou, a habit from when they were kids. The blonde didn’t like it when he walked in front of him or next to him. First it was that he was the leader. They both couldn’t be the leader. Someone had to be the follower. Midoriya being the more compliant of the two, just agreed to the role, he didn’t care. He just wanted to play with his best friend. When the boy’s quirk developed, things changed. It became that only those who were strong enough could walk beside him, and because Midoriya was weak, he had to walk behind him so he would be protected. When they would play games that had roles of authority, he was often forced to be the underling, which as they got older got harder to except. He tried to focus on the more positive memories.***“Wow your so lucky! Your quirk is amazing Kacchan! When I get mine I hope it’s just as cool!”“Whatever Deku! No matter what power you end up with, you’ll never be able to beat me.”***Finally, Midoriya began to recognizes his surroundings since Bakugou the entire walk offered no clues, not even a sound other than his breath staving off the cold of the night air. They were surrounded by buildings, and industrial structures, walking down a paved street. Though the buildings mimicked a city, the buildings were hollow and empty. A grocere with no produce, a flower shop with no flowers, the list went on.“You brought us to ground beta?”Bakugou spoke low and calm, not even casting a glance over his shoulder. His words were very matter of fact, but growing in annoyance.“This is the place we had our first combat training, where I fought you and fucking lost… You’ve always made me sick. You know that right Deku?” his voice rasped out. He continued, his hands balling in his pockets, “You were fucking useless, no power at all... A Joke! So now you are going to fucking tell me how you managed to get into this shit school with a brand new quirk out of nowhere…” He halted in his footsteps, holding eerily still. Too still for Midoriya’s liking. He froze where he stood only a few feet behind, but dared not show his hesitation. Bakugou shifted eyes, still avoiding contact “I didn’t understand what you meant back then, because what you were saying made no fucking sense. But still you kept climbing higher and higher always looking so fucking satisfied with yourself.” He finally turned toward the green haired teen, scarlet hues flashing in the lowlight of the street lamp nearby “Ever since that shit sludge villain… no, it actually started when AllMight came to town. Better and better… until finally you passed the damn licensing exam while I fucking failed! How the hell is that even fucking possible!?”Midoriya’s eyes widened realizing that his friend was feeling insecure. He wanted to reassure him, words bursting from his lips before he really had a chance to really think them through “That wasn’t a matter of ability!” he said in urgency but was quickly cut off.“Shut the fuck up and listen you damn nerd!”Bakugou wanted to be heard. He was always being spoken to, talked at, and told what he could and couldn’t do. All his questions were deflected and subdued. He needed this, almost more than he needed air in this moment. Midoriya could see that in his eyes. He recoiled, feeling the weight of the blonde’s words.“S-sorry…”After waiting a beat, Bakugou continued. He wanted to make sure that the one person that mattered in this moment was listening.“It fucking pissed me off that I’ve been beaten by a pathetic weakling” He said as he kicked toe into the ground, making sure his shoes were secured. It seemed like prep for what was to come next but really it was his anxiety kicking in “But after seeing what happened to AllMight at Kamino Ward I began to understand…”Midorya gulped knowing it was too much to hope for, expecting Bakugou to look the other way. It was too much, even for him. How could he expect his friend, who admired AllMight just as much as him, if not more, not to be upset that he was overlooked. Being so naturally gifted, he was the better choice, but instead he was chosen. Quickly Bakugou’s jealousy was becoming glaringly obvious even in his current, creepily subdued state. In this moment, he almost prefered him to yell, but still he remained semi calm.“I’ve been giving it a lot of fucking thought. You got your quirk from AllMight didn’t you? He gave you his power,” The blonde felt his hands begin to sweat as his nerves became tested. The stupid nerd just staring at him, with those stupid eyes, filled with pity. He did not appreciate that in the least. He squared his shoulders to the green haired teen “I heard about the boss villain. Apparently he has the ability to steal a person’s quirk and give it to somebody else, which sounds kinda crazy, but then one of those old cat ladies had her power fucking taken from her and can’t fucking work anymore. And then you met AllMight and you started changing. Then he lost his fucking power and had to retire just like her.” He looked down, feeling the temperature of his body begin to rise. He was reaching his limit. Tightening his jaw he clipped out “Remember what he said after he beat the big bad. We all fucking heard it.”***“Now it’s your turn.”***“Back then, you were the only one that really understood what he meant. There is more evidence too, like how those Nomu monster had multiple quirks. Even though it seems fucking impossible,” Bakugou flexed his fingers in his pockets, trying to keep himself in check to finish what he wanted to say “Besides… AllMight and that boss villain new each other before that fight. Quirks can move from one person to another. AllMight new the guy that could fucking do it. And somehow it’s all fucking connected to what you said about getting your quirk from someone else.” He narrowed his eyes at Midoriya “I asked AllMight about this, in a way, but he wouldn’t give me a straight answer.” Releasing his hands from his pockets, he stepped forward toward Midoriya, his tone becoming more menacing “That’s why you’re gonna fucking tell me the truth.”Midoriya looked down and winced, feeling the weight of his mistake setting in his gut. It was unfair of him to have laid this on his friend’s shoulders. It must have been eating away at him this whole time. The words he though would help actually turned into a stewing pot of insecurity, anxiety, and envy. Bakugou, grit his teeth at the other’s silence.“You’re not trying to deny anything. Which means I must be fucking right. So say it.”Midoriya clenched his fists, and began shaking. He couldn’t deny him the truth anymore. The real truth. The whole truth. His brows came together, his vibrant green hues taking on a fierce look that causes Bakugou to flinch inwardly. Midoriya squares off to match the others posture “Okay. What if it is true?”Bakugou eyes tighten further, vindication bringing more tumultuous feelings rather than the clarity he was looking for. He clenched his fists trying to fight against Midoriya’s ardent gaze. Now was not the time for his strange fire to kick in. He bit his cheek to ground himself as he glared back. “You and I both wanted to be just like AllMight when we were growing up. But I was the one who had the fucking potential. Then somehow, a little nobody like you was singled out by the person I admired most, and I didn’t even realize it. That’s why we are fucking here.” He lifted his hand, curling his fingers toward himself to challenge him “You and I are settling this. Right here. Right fucking now.”Midoriya’s eyes snapped wide, feeling vomit travel up the back of his throat “Wait. What!? How is that the best way for us to work things out?” He lifted his hand up in efforts to refuse his challenge, sweat building on his brow “No this is bad. We’re not even supposed to be at Ground Beta by ourselves. Why don’t we talk about this during one of our free periods? We could reserve a training room or something. There’s no reason it has to be right now.”“If we fight for real at school. We’ll be stopped” the blonde growls through his teeth, raising his arms and stretching them wide. He prepares, feeling sweat glaze his palms and they start to spark.Midoriya gasps, the telling signs of a fight crushing his last chances of avoiding conflict. Even so, he still had to try to resolve this another way.“I wanna know what made AllMight give a power to a fucking loser like you” Bakugou hissed with gravel heavy in his throat. Midoriya expected fury in his eyes but found that they were filled with devastation. It was heartbreaking, and unsettling. He continued flexing his fingers “let me see for myself. Is it because you looked up to him more than I did? And if that’s the case, does it mean everything I’ve done to be like him is fucking wrong?” The other teen, could see the blonde’s soul leaving his eyes, as if looking inward, his mind fracturing.“No, Kacchan” Midoriya whimpered out, swallowing back vomit. This was not a demand that Bakugou was making. It was a plea. He was drowning in his thoughts. He needed to work whatever he was feeling out, but there had to be a better way than what he was planning. The green haired boy shuddered as the words left his lips “Y-you really wanna do this?”“If you don’t want to get hurt, punch back” Bakugou grumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest and over his shoulders doing arm stretches. “Oh yeah. You switched to using kicks more these days, didn’t you?”The spirit in his eyes began to return, which was good, but he wasn’t sure if that made Bakugou more or less frightening. He cowered, holding his arms out wondering if Bakugou could see his hands shaking. He’d rather talk it out then brawl. Plus if they get caught, who’s to say that they wouldn’t get expelled. He wanted to be there for him, truly he did, but there had to be another way than this spiraling rage. “Come on. Stop! This isn’t smart” he chided firmly with a soft tone.Bakugou ignores the pleading from the other teen and blasts forward into striking range. His hands are red hot and hissing, leaving smoke trails behind him as he moved. Midoriya’s eyes widened with the sudden advance “Kacchan!” Bakugou raises his arm over head, muscles rolling over one another, singing with power. His signature right hook flew forward, sparks flying over his palm. He smirked to himself. He knows that Midoriya will overthink his attack and try and get ahead of him. ‘Too bad it will be too late!’ The blonde swipes, detonating his hand before impact sending a blast in the other teen’s direction. A plume of fire and smoke bursts out in all directions. The fire cloud devours the two of them, displacing the air with a roar. It’s close, but Midoriya escaped, though not unscathed. His leg smokes with a fresh burn as he dodged out of the way. Bakugou doesn’t let him get far and keeps close in his pursuit.“Your always fucking overthinking things. Just Fight me!” He snarls, curling his lips back.Green voltage flashes over Midoriya’s skin, brows furrowing “You’re serious? You want to spar?” He asked the question in desperation though he already knew the answer. He was hoping that hearing the blonde’s ridiculous request out loud would bring him to his senses, but it only seemed to egg him on.Bakugou launched himself like a rocket, fire consuming the ground where he was just before. Closing in, his fingers curl like claws and rake the air wildly, wanting so badly to make contact. Blasts rip through the air in indiscriminate bursts, devouring the buildings around them. The rolling roar of the detonations resonates like thunder, rocking Ground Beta to its concrete foundation. Midoriya begs at a distance, “why hurt each other when we can talk things out?” Bakugou’s did not respond to his question. His hand crackles and flashes in the dark, illuminating his stoic face. ‘He should know the answer!’ he thought staring at the matted green mop, and glistening eyes opposite him. Again they were full of unwanted pity and unneeded concern. His irritation flared as Midoriya called to him in in a apprehensive tone, attempting to soothe him. “You were right to look up to AllMight like you did. I know just how much he meant to you when we were growing-” The blonde was tired of listening, he didn’t want his sympathy. When will he learn that his attempts to calm him only make things worse. Launching himself again, he arched through the air toward the other teen, redirecting himself with another blast. He then smashed into the ground, shattering the asphalt where he landed. The ground smoldered like coals. He launched another burst that chased Midoriya, but he dodged just in time, shouting as he looked back over his shoulder “I told you to wait!”Bakugou snarled to himself seeing the spark catching in the other teen’s eyes like the start of a campfire. ‘Those eyes…. Those goddamn eyes! WHY!?’ Hot air and smoke swirled around Bakugou, his growl muffled by falling rubble and the echoes of his explosions. Flashes of memories tortured his mind, the sound of cracking glass resounding in his ears. The dam in his mind was breaking. He hated those eyes, yet… the tinder in his gut was just waiting to catch fire. Wanting to… Bile rose in his throat, muscles shuddering in disgust. He could hear Midoriya’s shouts through the rumble, though barely audible. He was tired of his questions! Tired of his demands! Hearing him cry and whine, day in and day out. It was exhausting! Not only because was it irritating and infuriating as hell, but because of what it was doing to him. He reverted to old habits, desperate to smother whatever was taking hold inside him, shouting over him to drown him out.“You were always behind me. Our whole lives. You were fucking stuck to me. I couldn’t get rid of you. No matter how much I fucking tried, you kept coming back!” Grinding his teeth he rushed after him again, cratoring the ground in another failed attempt to hit the boy who haunted him. His mind was misting over, making him a little sloppy. Midoriya weaved out of the way yet again, voice rising over the explosions.“Listen to me!”BOOM!The bang from another detonation left his ears ringing. A little closer to the cuff than he expected, a little stronger than he meant to, but it was all becoming too much. The sound of Midoriya’s voice was distant and faded, Bakugou not quite hearing what was said. Not that he cared to, he couldn’t bare to. Standing he could feel his body trembling. His heart was racing, throbbing painfully like he would implode. He didn’t like this feeling, he had to get it out. ‘Why does he keep rushing to my rescue? Why does he always try to fix things?’ Bakugou’s thoughts whirled faster. ‘I don’t need him to fix things! I don’t want him to! I can handle myself!’ He tried to shut his mind off but his inner thoughts just kept getting louder and louder, that not even his screams could deafen them. AllMight’s advice overlapped within the tornado over the other thoughts in his head, somehow louder than everything else. His voice was the last voice he wanted to hear. ‘Stop! Just stop!’ “Stop running! Stand up and fight! We both admired him so why?” He collided with Midoriya, eyes locking on the other, a mix of crimson and emerald. The teen’s hand gripped onto Bakugou, digging into muscle and fabric of his shoulder creating a thrill in the blonde’s stomach. The look in those eyes, though intense, were filled with care. ‘‘After everything I’ve done… how can he-’!’ his arms spread wide, unable to tolerate his closeness any longer. Choosing to capitalize on the boy’s occupied hands he swiftly kicked upward, knocking the other back. Midoriya grunts, as his teeth clash together, rattling his skull. The sound relieved and sickened him at the same time.“WHY!?”Bakugou brought his arms together in a thunder clap creating a pressure wave of heat, but Midoriya recovered swiftly with a backflip, knocking Bakugou’s hands away with a kick of his own to redirect the coming blast. “Tell me!” the blonde barked into the cold night air, releasing the heat with fury. The detonation that came next spit fire over their heads in a massive mushroom cloud. The shockwave shook his brain, disorienting him, allowing the force of the explosion to knock him on his back. Asphalt crashed against his shoulder blades knocking the wind out of him.“Are you alright?” Midoriya offers his hand, scarred by his experiences.Bakugou swallowed back a cough as his lungs reinflated “Don’t you fucking dare worry about me! Attack me! Why won’t you fight back” he rasped. He wouldn’t dare give him the satisfaction of a real answer. No! He wasn’t alright! He hasn’t been alright for a long time! The blonde returned to his feet, wobbling as he tried to right himself. The effects of the blast hadn’t fully worn off, but he ignored it, biting at the air “why did I end up having to chase after someone who is so far behind me!? Why did a damn small fry like you get strong and become the number-one hero’s sidekick? His favorite!” He notices the blood pulling at the corner of the other teen’s mouth and his lip trembled. “You got so much better, and I destroyed AllMight! I admired him so much” The blonde felt himself caving in as he watched blood run down Midoriya’s chin. He slumped over, staring at the ground, trembling like a leaf in the wind. Bakugou’s voice cracked “But, it’s because of me that he ended up losing his power! If I had been stronger! If I hadn’t been fucking kidnapped by villains! This never would have fucking happened.” He wipes his brimming tears away, the droplets burning on his skin in the cool of the night. “AllMight knows it’s my fault, but hasn’t said anything. Everyone has to know though! I can’t get it out of my head! It’s like it’s constantly playing on loop! So what the hell am I supposed to do!?” His voice breaks as he shouts to the ground, tears finally breaking through the dam behind his eyes, streaming down his face. His hand claws at his shirt, choking on his own sobs. He can’t breath. Clutching at his ribs, he desperately wants to rip his chest open to release the crushing pressure. His lungs heaved, the cold burning his insides. He curled forward, staring into his palm looking for a way out of his own head. Instead he spiralled, obsessing over his thoughts. ‘Make it stop!’Midoriya’s heart sank. It was extremely painful to watch. Winning or losing wasn’t the point. He could see that he was the only person to understand how Bakugou felt, and the only person who could ride this out with him. It’s not the first time, and won’t be the last time. He had to bring him back.Finally catching his breath, Bakugou rushes forward. Midoriya takes a wide fighting stance as electrical sparks skitter across the surface of his skin, dust puffing up under the weight of his steps. Bakugou charges him with another flare. The side of his face is met with a fierce kick from the other teen, stopping him in his tracks. Bakugou recovers with a snarl, lips drawn black, blood dripping from a split that formed during the impact. The feeling brought a strange sense of stillness. This is what he was looking for. His lungs opened up for the first time since the night began. Before he could blink, chatter started to build again. As if knowing what to do, Midoriya raised his fists, neon lights dancing around his body, sparking with power. A particularly bright bolt flecked over his face, lighting up his eyes “If we are going to do this, I’m going all out. Let’s go!”Midoriya was always so damn observant. Always meddling where he wasn’t wanted, but he needed to vent. The other knew fighting was the only way he knew how, and with this emotional shake down, there was no way he could be ignored, especially after all they have been through. Their relationship is totally screwed up, and neither of them ever talked about how they really felt. They were both better with actions, rather than words anyway.Bakugou collected himself with a vicious roar, vaulting upward with a blast. Fire and smoke rains down, singeing Midoriya’s matted green curls. The last explosion he launches misses Midoriya as he jumps out of the way. The blonde whips his arms around gaining momentum to spiral himself into the air, engulfed in flames. The green haired teen can’t counter, as the other redirects his attack, jolting behind him and executing a devastating punch to his gut. Bakugou feels hard muscle molding around his fist with the impact. Midoriya coughs, vomiting as he hits the railing below. Almost losing consciousness, he scrambles to get out of the way. He barely pulls himself to his feet when he is rocked by another blast, smothered in dust and smoke. The smoke wasn’t thick enough to hide him from Bakugou. He clasps his fingers around Midoriya’s arm and throws him violently, sending him skidding across the pavement, knocking himself over in the process.“I shouldn’t be surprised we are both getting stronger” Midoriya mutters getting to his feet, lips curving into a crescent.“What are you smiling about huh!?” The blonde rushes toward the green haired boy, knocking him back with a savage push.“I thought you weren’t gonna be my fucking punching bag!”“I’m not!” Midoriya shouts back with a few moves of his own.“I bet you got some kinda plan up your sleeve” Bakugou snarls as he claps hands together in a flash bang, blinding Midoriya. Brilliant white constricts his irises so fast, it feels like a knife stabbing into his brain. He lifts his arm instinctually to shield his eyes and the blonde takes this opportunity to punch him again but harder this time. His breath is stolen from him and he thinks he feels something snap.“That’s one of the things I hate most about you!”Bakugou blasts him and knocks him into the air.“I can never tell what you are fucking thinking! No matter how much I beat you up you keep coming back! It’s obvious you’ve always looked down on me, even when we were kids!”Midoriya recovers, landing on his feet just barely, alarmed. He gasps, stomach too empty to vomit anymore.“You think your better than me. But if you seriously believe you are gonna surpass me as a hero, even with your new power you better fucking think again DEKU!”Midoriya blinks, a bit dazed from the hit, but mostly at his words.“Wait. Is that what you actually believed? All this time” He stablelizes himself and he stands down. “Think about it Kacchan. If I looked down on you, I wouldn’t want anything to do with you anymore.” The teen clenches his fists “But I’m still here.” He stares across to the crimson hues glaring back at him. He feels the heat on him but does not back down. “I noticed things you couldn’t all these years because I had nothing at first. There were things I hated about you, sure. But I could clearly see how amazing you were. You had so much going for you I didn’t have.” Midoriya’s muscles tense as a bolt of green lightning envelops him. He rushes down Bakugou, flying on his feet, more sure than he has been in a long time. He leapt into the air with haste “AllMight was my hero, but you were the one actually in my life!”‘He’s faster than before’ Bakugou observed, barely having enough time to react.Midoriya launches a powerful kick over head.‘I can’t dodge, gotta block!’ His voice resounds his head as he raised his arms to cross in front of him as a shield. Midoriya’s kick collides with Bakugou’s crossed wrists, instantly bruising his flesh. Aftershocks break his guard, knocking him back.“You passed me.”Unable to coop with that realization, Bakugou blasts forward, whole body ablaze. Midoriya darts in and they collide, passing and rotating back to one another like magnetism. A Lightning wave of pure energy hits, shocking Bakugou muscles rendering them temporarily useless. The feeling like pins and needles painfully jab his nerves causing him to hiss. As he regained feeling, he feels a burning sensation that takes too long to pass. Midoriya executes a few fancy steps, spiralling into the air with an axe kick, narrowly missing Bakugou. The passing of the blade of Midoriya’s foot before him caused electricity to jump between them. Realizing that he was almost cut down, the blonde raises his hand to blast the ground to put himself at a safe distance. The heat lights up the space before them, and the shockwave tosses them both backward. The surrounding windows shatter with an echoing cry.‘My timing was off on that hit’ Bakugou stumbles trying to keep his balance. Fatigue is starting to take hold ‘He kicked it into a higher gear!’“Is that all you’ve got!?” Bakugou roars as Midoriya sprints back, coming down on him as the other teen leaps up to meet him. ‘I’ve got the upper hand in the air’ he thinks, his eyes gleaming through the smoke like embers.Or at least that is what he thought, but was unpleasantly surprised by a feint kick from Midoriya. The green haired boy’s fist then flies meeting his jaw. The force rattles his brain against his skull sending vibrations through his bones. His vision falters, followed by throbbing pain. Bakugou’s hangs on, though by sheer will, keeping himself from blacking out, but just barely. As his eyes regain focus, he snatches the sleeve of the offending hand and connects a vicious kick to the the gut of the other. A grunt from Midoriya confirms impact.“I won’t lose to you!”The strength of the kick causes the two of them to flip over midair, Bakugou gaining control, and Midoriya being knocked beneath him. He raises his hand toward the sky and delivers a powerful blast, sending them plummeting toward the ground, landing with a crash like a meteor. Fire envelops and licks the sky, fracturing nearby buildings and bending light poles.
As the smoke settles Bakugou is victorious. Midoriya is pinned below him, breathing heavily. He coughs, lungs inflating after being flattened against his rib cage and spine. Bakugou’s nose is bleeding but he ignores it. His palm is firmly positioned over the face of the other teen, gripping his arm. One foot is over one his wrists, and his leg is across the his lap. Bakugou panted steadily, not loosening up for a second despite feeling the tension leaving Midoriya’s muscles. “That’s it. We’re done here... I won this fight.” He licked his lips, mouth dry from all the heavy breathing and shouting. “You have AllMight’s power, but even using his strength, even after making it your own, somehow you still managed to lose to me. Why?” He increases the pressure of his hand pressed over Midoriya’s face. The other’s chest rose and fell with wheezes, so winded he is barely able to cough again.“How could you lose?”All Bakugou could see was the green haired boy’s lips wobble into a smile, since the upper portion was blocked by his hand, holding him down. “It’s like I’ve always said Kacchan… your amazing…” he attempts to laugh but could barely croak out a sound “you… never back down from a challenge, never stop fighting. And you almost…*cough* always win.” Weakly he lifts his free hand and grasps the blonde’s wrist, shifting the hand just enough to unveil one glistening veridian orb “That why I admire you…Most…” Midoriya gave a harder cough, his body starting to recover from the impact. Blood ran from the corner of his mouth, down his cheek, reminding Bakugou that their fight was not without cost. He released his hand from over his face, revealing the blossoming bruises on Midoriya’s cheek bone, circling up to his brow. His scarlet hues travel downward. There, scorch marks mared the fabric of his shirt, some places all the way through to the skin beneath. Bakugou gripped his shirt, shifting it upward to see the damage underneath and found webbing bruises on his abdomen and some minor burns speckled across his skin. He must of made an expression of some sort because Midoriya placed a hand over his on his chest. “It’s ok, if you want to count them Kacchan. It doesn’t hurt…*cough* that bad.” The blonde ran his free hand over the lesions, feeling Midoriya’s abdominal muscles retract at his touch, his other hand tightening over his as he drew a shuddering breath inward through his teeth. Bakugou keened inwardly at the sound, feeling the soft flesh under his palm. It reminded him of the old days, but the numbers wouldn’t come. Bakugou bit his lip in realization, feeling his lip split open again, iron bathing his tongue. Some of these will be permanent. He promised long ago that no matter what he did, no wound would be permanent. When did he forget?“How can you be ok with this Deku?” he gruffed out “after all I fucking put you through…” he closed his eyes ‘I was supposed to protect you… when did I ever lose sight of that?’ Looking the boy up and down again, he swallowed hard ‘did I ever have sight of that? Who am I kidding...I liked this’ He growled to himself ‘part of me still does…’ As if on cue the other piped up, still a bit raspy.“What’s a few new scars between friends Kacchan?”Midoriya’s word were like knives. Bakugou’s eyes slowly travelled upward, meeting green where they stopped. His gaze, though soft ,was piercing. The went right through to the blonde’s core. The low heat that had been gather the whole battle began to smolder again. The flush on Midoriya’s cheeks, the darkened flesh that brushed the side of his face, drew cinders from his gut. He shifted his legs to release the other though still crouching over him.“You don’t mean that.. If it were the other way around-”“I know very well what you would do if it was, but it’s not. It’s not Kacchan.”Midoriya’s eyes began to gloss over, sparkling like polished crystal. Bakugou could barely stomach seeing his tears as they began to brim on his bottom lashes. The droplets were fat and shining like gems against the reddening rim. The blonde wanted to wipe them away, maybe kiss them away like when they were kids. What would his tears even taste like? His mind reeled at the mental comment, and quickly shook his head. ‘Kiss? That’s not appropriate… not now or ever.. What am I thinking?’Distracted, he barely noticed the other teen begin to stir. He sat up slowly, gripping the blonde’s shoulder, wincing as he did so. Those large tears he observed fell with the movement, leaving Midoriya’s cheeks glistening in the light of the moon overhead. Still recovering, he wobbled almost falling over, but Bakugou caught him, grasping his arms to keep him upright. The contact almost set him ablaze. This wasn’t a fight anymore. This was just them. It was hard for Bakugou, the tension he held for so long now spent. He didn’t know how to be, and no longer had anything to hid behind. The green haired teen squeezed the muscle beneath his hand “You mean so much to me. If this is what it takes to stay close to you then I...” He then dragged Bakugou in, wrapping his arms around his neck “I-I’ll take what I can get.”“Damnit, that’s not what I wanted to hear...” Bakugou grumbled, wishing he was served with a taste of his own medicine instead of sentimental words and tight embraces. He didn't deserve this constant state of forgiveness.“I know… but at least it’s quiet now right?”He was right. The voices, thoughts, memories were all silent now. “How did you?”Bakugou felt the other’s hot tears dripping down his neck, arms tightening around him, the others breath against his collar bone. The feeling is more than good. The closeness, the contact...He lifted his arms to hug back, but the sparks in his gut were igniting something familiar but strange. The feeling pulled at his lower ribs and wrapped his thighs, settling far too close to his groin. It would be too dangerous...he might not be able to let go. He flexed his fingers, withholding himself though just barely. Midoriya shifted his face into the crook of his neck, lips tickling Bakugou’s throat as he spoke “I know you Kacchan. Give me some credit.” The blonde shivered at the feeling, his muscled beginning to itch under his skin. He wished they would press against him, maybe bite down? Squeezing his eyes shut he fought to reel himself in, wanting so badly to act, but he had done enough harm today already. Finally, thankfully, he let go, though not completely. Midoriya raked his scarred hand through his green tangled locks as the other kneaded Bakugou’s shoulder.“I know we haven’t been the best of friends lately, but we know each other better than anyone. Strengths. Weaknesses. Insecurities. Everything. You need to start treating me like an asset instead of a burden Kacchan.”“What are you getting at?”“Now that our feelings are laid out on the table, maybe we can understand each other better. Build a Mutual respect and focus on making each other stronger. Y’know become ultimate heroes. Winning and saving at the same time.”Bakugou scoffed, gently smaking his hand off his shoulder, standing to get out of range of Midoriya’s hands. “Don’t fucking kid yourself Deku!” ‘This is why I have always feared your heart and spirit’ He sighed trying to keep himself under control ‘you never give up.’At first Midoriya frowned at the response but Bakugou offered him a hand with a smirk “I don’t need you to make me stronger, but you on the other hand-” He took the other teen’s hand and pulled him too his feet. “That’s what we need to fucking work on.” He made sure the other was stable before continuing. “You had the strongest guy lay the groundwork for you, don’t you dare lose again..”“I’ll work harder so I can beat you. I promise, but...” Midoriya remembers something pressing. The thing that started everything. “Kacchan? About me and AllMight…”Bakugou sighs “Don’t worry your secret’s safe with me, I won’t tell anyone what’s going on. Unlike you I can keep my mouth shut. This will stay between us”“Thanks kacchan.”“Not doing this for you. It would just be a real pain if this got out and messed stuff up. If this got out people’d be confused, and they’d start wondering where the power is. You idiot. What were you thinking when you first told me about it?”Midoriya winced. Bakugou just smirked, amused, but mostly glad to be going back to his room.“It doesn’t change what I have to do. I hope you got room for a few more scars because things aren’t gonna be the same Deku, you got that?”----When Bakugou returned to his room, he closed the door and slumped against it, sinking all the way to the floor. He laced his fingers through his wild mane as he gripped his head. He knew he had to do better, be better. But, this feeling was consuming, is consuming him. He couldn't even put words to it other than it conflicted with his interests. He had to subdue them. He was Bakugou, he would find a way. He had too. At least he hoped so. His breath shuddered as he decompressed, slightly afraid of the coming days. He pleaded into the dark.“Why Deku? Why do you always make me lose control..?”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
BANG BANG BANG!Bakugou’s fist hammered heavily on the door “GET UP NERD!” His hair was still damp from his early morning shower, droplets dripping onto the towel that lay across his shoulders. One hand was deep in his pocket as the other rested against the cool surface of the door, waiting to be called to action again. Beyond the barrier he heard the nerd stirring with a waking but defiant whine.“Just give me 5 more minutes Kacchan….”The blonde bit his bottom lip as he pounded again, rattling the wood in its frame. “Deku! You have five seconds to get up or I am fucking yanking you out of bed by that nappy green hair of yours!”“C’mon Kacchan, give me a break… I’m tired, and it’s-” there was a pause “IT’S 5:30 AM! FUCK ME!”Bakugou blushed ‘language Deku…. Don’t say things you don’t mean…’ “I am losing my patience fucking nerd! You better get up on the count of 5 or I am coming in after you!” He heard him gasp on the other side, the bed starting to creak as he moved. He couldn’t help but smile hearing him get all worked up.“Hold up Kacchan, I can’t wake up that fast!”“5!”“4!”“3!”“2!”With a wide toothy grin, Bakugou shoved the door open “1!” Midoriya fumbled with his shirt, almost dropping it to the floor. He gathered it into a wad in a panic, clutching it tight to his chest. His big green doe eyes filled with anxiety as the blonde approached heavy footed. Heel to toe, sounding like the steps of a serial killer in a horror movie. He moved closer, the room still dark, the fading starlight barely illuminating the room. The green haired boy began sweating bullets as the distance diminished between them. Bakugou could see the boy’s muscles lightly accented in the lowlight, it was hard not to stare.“K-Kacchan?”The blonde swiped the shirt out of the other teen’s hand “Not my fault you never learned to lock your door.” The sudden motion made the other flinch and shrink back from him on the bed, eyes flashing between the shirt in the blonde’s hands and his face. Bakugou frowned inwardly, years of abuse still influencing the other’s response. Not that he made it easy for Midoriya to readjust, he still is adjusting himself. He rubbed his nose on the back of his knuckle with a sniffle, the reaction making him uncomfortable. He was stuck in between liking it and hating it, which tied his stomach in knots. He exhaled heavily. He’ll work through it eventually, hopefully. “Arms up nerd” he muttered in an unnamused tone. Midoriya blinked up at him confused, scared and still half asleep. “Wha?” The green haired teen wasn’t sure what he was hearing. Ever since their fight a few years ago, Kacchan was different. Not all of the time, but at odd moments like this one... random, and unsolicited. Standing before him, in the dark, eyes like embers he waited for the other to move. Midoriya shivered, though unsure why. ‘Must be the morning chill’ he thought.“I said, arms-up!” Bakugou punctuated with irritance, unfurling the shirt with a snap. Hesitantly the other teen raised his arms. Almost tenderly, the blonde slipped the shirt over the green haired teen’s hands, sliding it down over his arms. He could feel Midoriya’s muscles grazing against the heels of his palms and under his fingers. ‘When did he get so...?’ His thoughts froze when Midoriya’s head broke through the collar like he was breaking through the surface of the water. His eyes opened once the shirt settled upon his shoulders, irises catching the glow of the early dawn through the curtains. He looked up at Bakugou blankly, pupils still dilated from sleep and the dark of his room. The moment became a breathless one, the blonde’s mouth going dry. He saw Midoriya’s mouth move but it was completely inaudible. His eyes fluttered at the sound of his name being repeated for the third time.“Kacchan? You ok?”“Uh, can you repeat that?” Bakugou spoke with a nervous tone, tugging on his ear as he backed off “I think I got water in my ear this morning.”Midoriya puckered his mouth to one side watching as Bakugou then grabbed his towel to dry his ear, “S-suuuuurrreee… Kacchan.” He knew better than to take Bakugou’s word for it. It was his tell. Ever since they were children he would tug on his ear when he was anxious or when he was lying. To avoid confrontation, the green haired teen chose to ignore it… this time. The blonde scrunched his nose at the other’s teasing reply.“What’s that supposed to mean you damn nerd?”“Nothing! Nothing, really,” he gave a sheepish grin, raising his hands in attempts to deflect the other’s suspicions “I’m just agreeing with you is all.” Bakugou growled, not really believing him, but let it go all the same. Midoriya sighed in relief, though was caught off guard upon standing. He hissed through his teeth clutching his back. The blonde blinked with concern, gently grasping Midoriya’s bicep. “Ah, I’m ok. That take down yesterday was pretty brutal. I guess I am still a bit sore. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” He stepped aside, out of the other's grasp, and went to reach for his shoes at the end of the bed. As he bent over he winced again. Bakugou’s eyes flared.“Dammit Deku!” He lashed out, hooking Midoriya’s arm, yanking him back toward himself “Sit your ass down!” The smaller teen yelped, as he was then pushed back on the bed. The blonde then tried to take the shoes from the other’s hands, but Midoriya refused. He held them tight to his chest, as Bakugou clenched down on his forearm, wrestling him to retrieve them.“Wait Kacchan! Stop! I can do it myself! Hey! Ow!”Midoriya looked up at Bakugou like someone just insulted his mother. The blonde stepped back and just glared down at him, hovering menacingly. The green haired teen rubbed his chest right under his collar bone in the crook of his shoulder. “What was that for!” he demanded barely hiding the quiver in his voice “Did you just pinch me? That hurt!”“I’ll do it again if you don’t give me those damn shoes!”“No!”Bakugou jabbed his hand into Midoriya’s lower abdomen, just above his pantline and pinched again, but harder this time. “Ow! Ok ok ok take them! Gosh darnit!” The smaller teen abandoned the shoes, and then they tumbled from his hands. One fell on the bed and the other to the floor. Midoriya sat up, clutching his side, eyes watering. He inhaled painfully through his teeth, as Bakugou, collected the shoes and knelt before him. He began to untangle the laces as the other continued to groan in complaint. “Dang that hurt!” He uncovered his hands from over the spot and lifted his shirt to peek. The spot had bruised immediately, taking on a lavender shade that was quickly growing darker by the second. “Kacchan! Look what you did!”The blonde looked up to see the welt he had given, Midoriya glaring with an uncommon fury. It would be endearing if the look didn’t annoy him first. Bakugou just blinked back unaffected, lifting his brow on one side as if to question what the big deal was. The other gripped his shirt tighter at the lack of response, exposing more of his abdominals with the motion “It looks like a hickey!” Bakugou burst into laughter, completely blindsided by the comment. A flush crossed the green haired boy’s cheeks as he became more upset “it’s not funny!”“Damn right! It’s fucking hilarious!”Midoriya’s cheeks puffed up “People are going to ‘think things’ Kacchan!” As suddenly as the laughter had started it stopped.“You know that right!?” Looking over the bruise again, he realized that Midoriya’s complaints weren’t too far off. It was difficult to look away seeing Midoriya like this. His blush spreading from his cheeks up to his ears and down his neck, breathing increased from raising his voice, and shirt lifted leaving his abdominals semi-exposed. The mark nestled right where the v of his left hip bone met his pant line. All of it was kind of… hot? The visual sent a zing down between his legs, feeling a twitch. He averted his eyes downward toward his hand as it cupped the bottom of the other teen’s foot. He adjusted his throat with a cough attempting to recover himself, as his body began to heat up .“Well, if you keep it to yourself then people won’t ‘think things’” He gently slipped on the first shoe with minimal effort, Midoriya being surprisingly cooperative for being a bit miffed. He prepped the next shoe but was distracted by fingers ruffling his blonde spikes. It was kind of rough, shaking his head a bit. Bakugou looked up with a glare, batting the other’s hand away. “What!? You’re shit at secrets! Or did you forget that? Damn nerd!?” He slipped on the second shoe while Midoriya huffed. This time it was a bit more difficult, because the other was being too hasty. The blonde slapped his calf, to let him know that the back off, the shoe was folding in, and to let up so he could fix it. ‘He’s bulked up here too…’ Bakugou thought, almost forgetting what he was doing. That’s when the mumbling began. Bakugou rolled his eyes, as he pulled the bow tight on the second shoe “If you got something to fucking say, spit it out!”“You’re acting like I’m going to go around advertising it or something!”“Do what you want Deku, not like I care what other people think anyway…”“KACCHAN!!!!”Bakugou lifted his head at the call only to have the other grab his face, warm palms pressing firmly against his cheeks. Midoriya leaned close, their foreheads almost touching, veridian hues staring into his with a vibrant intensity that left him unsettled. He was so close that Bakugou could smell his melon cucumber body wash and shampoo. “Do you not understand how incrimiating this looks? I don’t need that kind of attention” Midoriya protested. The blonde felt his messy green locks tickling his brow, and his breath fluttering on his lips. He didn’t care that his breath was stale from sleep, for some reason he wanted those lips...to taste them. His mouth began to water with a craving he didn’t recognize.He was so close yet so far. Sound was fading from his ears again as his hand traveled to Midoriya’s chin. The green haired teen said something about himself not being a perv. His fingers closed around the other’s jaw, growling at the contact.“Are you sure?”Midoriya grew stiff as Bakugou’s eyes dropped to his mouth, half open and disconcerted. The blonde’s tongue passed over his own teeth with a predatory lick, before shoving the other teen back onto the bed with a bounce. The green haired teen grunted with the impact, flat out on his back with his eyes closed tightly from the rough landing. Bakugou crawled over him, placing a hand on either side of the smaller teen’s head, his knee snug against his inner thigh. “Because I can give you any kind of attention you want.” Slowly he began to close the gap between them, his heartbeat thrumming in his ears when suddenly Midoriya laughed.“I know! I am still recovering from the ‘attention’ you gave me yesterday. That’s why you put on my shoes for me remember? Gosh you’re strange sometimes.”Midoriya used his forearm to press against the blonde’s chest to push him off. Bakugou retracted from him with a lour ‘What the fuck was that!? What am I doing!? Idiot!’ He sat down on the bed, scowling at the floor like it flipped him off, avoiding looking in the other’s direction. His fingers dug into the mattress, hands heating up with frustration, almost singeing the damn thing. He heard the bed creak as Midoriya got to his feet and went to gather his things for the day. He was relieved that the green haired teen had yet to turn on the light because he could feel his face and ears burning. Bakugou couldn’t tell if he was more upset with himself for acting on impulse or being blown off at his attempt to make a move. Was it a move? Why was he making a move? Stupid! The blonde grit his teeth, removing his hands from the bed to his knees as the smell of smoke began to waft up his nose. “Shit..” he muttered to himself. He was not known for foolish behavior, but Midoriya was making it increasingly difficult not to be.“Hurry the fuck up nerd! You’re taking to damn long. I am gonna go stand in the hall…”Bakugou quickly crossed the room to find relief in the hallway. The space was becoming stifling being surrounded by the other’s scent. He gripped the towel around his neck and pulled it up over his head again, drying his hair some more in a feeble attempt to distract himself. “M‘Kay~” Midoriya called after him, rummaging through his things. The note carried on more than he meant to making Bakugou cringe. He was really enjoying working closely with Kacchan, though he was struggling quite a bit. He knew he wasn’t the least talented of his class, but he couldn’t help but question his own abilities at times. Even with the blonde’s harsh pep talks , he wasn’t sure where he stood. Shaking his head he mumbled to himself ‘don’t give up just yet, Kacchan says he can get us into shape so we just have to trust him…’ Trying to find his duffel bag, he became a bit confused because it seemed to be missing. It couldn’t be missing, he just used it the other day. He looked in several places and it was nowhere to be seen. Deciding that it was a matter better handled later, since Kacchan wasn’t the most patient of people, he opted to only bring a white towel, some arm and leg weights, some weight bands, and a few other small training essentials. Hearing Bakugou tapping his foot in the hallway, he knew he had a min or two left before he’d leave without him. “Just one more moment Kacchan~!” he chirped. The noise to Bakugou was grating.“Stop sounding so happy Deku because I am going to work you into the ground! YOU UNDERSTAND ME!?”Midoriya wrapped everything in his towel and slung it over his shoulder “Yes Kacchan!”Bakugou slapped a hand over his face in response ‘why does he have to be so damn-!’ he wasn’t sure what word he was looking for but whatever it was he was that, ‘I don’t know if I can deal with this today.’ He heard the door click behind him and he turned to find the other waving with his signature bright smile.“What did I just say!?”“You said not to be happy, and I’m not” Midoriya said it very matter of fact which bugged Bakugou.“Then what do you call this, nerd?” the blonde asked sharply, gesturing up and down at his friend.“I’m excited!” He pumped his free fist into the air, the pitch of his voice heightened and enthused. When his hand came down, his expression changed, bringing his index finger to his chin. “By the way, why is your forehead red?”Bakugou slapped his hand over his face again gritting his teeth as his shoulders began to tremble.“Oh, I see. Am I getting to you already?”‘You have no fucking idea…’ “NOT ANOTHER FUCKING QUESTION OUT OF YOU SHITTY NERD! ALL I WANNA HEAR IS THE SOUND OF YOUR FEET TAKING YOUR HOLLY JOLLY ASS OUTSIDE!”“But.. I am not even santa…” the green haired boy giggled as the blonde placed his hands on his shoulders from behind and began forcefully pushing him toward the elevator.“HO HO HO! You think you’re sooo fucking funny Deku. Let’s see if you still think your funny after I waste you!”-----Once they got out to the field, Bakugou was a bit surprised. He only invited Kirishima and Uraraka beside Midoriya, but half the class showed up with them. Bakugou walked up to them in the center of the field, eyeing each one with suspicion and contempt. He sauntered to the middle of the group like a suspicious wolf, scarlet hues flashing back and forth between them “Who the fuck invited you extras!?”Kirishima meekly raised his thickly muscled arm, all too shy for a guy his size “I guess I did, kinda.” He gave a sheepish grin, accompanied by a light laugh as he continued “I told Mina, Kaminari and Sero, all of whom told everyone else I guess. Sorry.” Kirishima shifted his weight to one foot and lifted a meaty paw to scratch the back of his head, his shark tooth smile still beaming despite the blonde’s scrutiny. He was good at appealing to Bakugou’s better nature though the other often pretended he had none.“The more the-”“Don’t you fuck’n dare say merrier… because all I see is work, work, work” He guestured sharply to the lesser of the group individually. Mina, Sero and Kaminari started to hum a song inspired by his comment, and he spun quicker than they could finish the chorus “Fuck off! Do you want to die!?” Huddle together they shook their heads. “That’s what I fucking thought,” Bakugou sighed and rolled his eyes “This ain't no variety show shitty hair! I came here to train, not to entertain! I don’t have time for D-list bullshit. You hear me?” He squared off to Kirishima who was much larger than him now. He was at least 5 inches taller than him and about 50 to 75lbs heavier. Quite a bit more intimidating than the first time they met for sure, not that he would admit that out loud. He narrowed his eyes at the brute, waiting for a reply. Kirishima began to stutter trying to formulate a response, but Uraraka hopped in front of Kirishima, placing her hands lightly on Bakugou’s shoulders with a smile. Bakugou flinched at the sudden movement, taking a step back. His eyes swiveled to her fingers a bit concerned. Her hands rested, pinkies lifted but that didn’t mean he was safe. He looked her over. Her brown a-line bob bounced with her movement, longer front wefts fell about her face following the natural curve of her chin. That wasn’t the only curvy thing about her, not that Bakugou really cared, but her most notable feature was her round, rosie cheeks. Basically she was a chubby china doll with thick muscles underneath. Appearance aside, she was a crafty one, and had gotten pretty good at twisting his arm. He was at her mercy and really did not wish to be sent to space right now, so he focused intently on what she had to say.“Bakugou~ Don’t be mad at Kiri please? You are just so awesome at everything! We thought we could take this chance to learn from you! From the best y’know!”Uraraka then snaked one arm around his neck, pulling him down a bit, the other arm waving to the others for support “What do you say guys, isn’t he awesome or what?” Many agreed with a smile, but were hesitant, probably because of the expression on Bakugou’s face. Uraraka’s smile brightened as she brought her free arm around to the one hooked on his neck, grasping her wrist firmly. “Oh come now, he won’t bite. Will you?” For being an adorable round thing, she definitely was a sleeper cell. He could feel her weight increasing on his shoulders as she cranked her arm a little tighter. He was two seconds from a headlock, and he knew it. He offered a twisted smile to satiate the little terrorist. Kind of made him proud, being one of a few who could get him like this.“W-wouldn’t dream of it cheeks!”“See! Ain’t he just darling!”“Don’t push it…”“So what do you say!?”The blonde looked around at all the eager faces , lighting one by one. Uraraka waved them on and they quickly broke out into cheers. Such a change from the beginning, of how things used to be when they started. Everyone was terrified of him, his own doing of course. It was deliberate to keep his image and his distance, but it wasn’t always a pleasant place to be. As they all got to know him over time they accepted him a bit more with a strong warrieness of his moods. Now, all of them showered him in encouragement and praise, things Bakugou always was a sucker for. It never got old, never. The only thing that he fell for more than raining praises was that he could never back down from a challenge. So he knew what was coming next by the look in the brunette’s eye...“Think you can teach us a thing or two?” Uraraka chimed, easing up around his neck.“Two!? I’ll do better than that!”----The day had been a true test of Bakugou’s patience. For being UA Grads and part of the UA Extended Program, they were still sloppy. He swore if he grit his teeth anymore he would grind them down to nothing and need dentures. Midoriya, Deku, the stupid nerd he dedicated this day to was especially getting on his shit list. Every drill Bakugou executed, the more confidence the damn nerd lost. The blonde knew he could easily outperform everyone there, so why the poor performance? He dismissed the group for a break but caught Midoriya by the wrist. “Not you!” he chided, waiting for the other’s to seat themselves beneath the nearby tree which was just far enough where the two could speak in private. Green eyes slowly turned up at him though the boy was not fully facing him. Bakugou frowned grabbing Midoriya’s chin, slightly lifting him off his heels. Sad eyes quickly blew wide as he flailed on the spot. “What’s with the suck fest Deku? You’re acting pretty fucking lame right now” Bakugou said cooly, glaring down over his nose. The blonde then dropped him, Midoriya wobbling on the spot, barely keeping his balance. Midoriya raised his scarred hand and rubbed the back of his head. It took him a minute to fish for an answer. The blonde wasn’t sure if it was because it was an excuse that wasn’t good enough to satisfy him or that he didn’t know how to phrase it. His lip twitched trying to be patient with the green haired teen. “Words Deku! Normally I can’t shut you up, so what’s going on in that thick skull of yours?”The smaller teen mulled over his words a bit more, but began struggling to form a sentence “Uh… well… I’m just... kinda feeling like… I am not performing my best… today… and everyone is… doing so much better than me...so... I... I don’t know… I’m feeling a bit… defeated I guess?”Bakugou crossed his arms, flexing his muscles in attempts to contain his fury “No shit sherlock. You're the worst here today. Even worse than the three stooges, Pepto Bimbo, Shorter Circuit, and Sticky Jones. At least you're not as bad as you used to be. Don’t you remember how pathetic you were?” The remark and the body language the blonde was displaying was making Midoriya begin to feel uncomfortable and of course Bakugou’s words stung like the crack of a whip. The green haired teen’s shoulders rolled inward, crossing his raised arm over his chest to grip his opposing bicep. His fingers dug in trying to keep tears from forming in his eyes. He didn’t need to add to his embarrassment. Bakugou picked up on his declining commitment. Maybe he was being a bit too harsh. He stuttered trying to recover himself “u-uh, t-the good thing is you have improved a fucking’lot since then, but you still have a fuck ton more to grow.”“Maybe I am more tired from yesterday than I thought…”“That’s more like it Deku! But still...Villains don’t care that you are tired!” Bakugou gripped the back of Midoriya’s neck and forced him to his hands and knees, “working through the pain in the long run will make you stronger. I wouldn’t be out here pushing you if I didn’t think you couldn’t do it. So… get down.” The green haired teen winced at the pressure, feeling the soreness all over. He could fight back if he wanted too, but he wasn’t in the best position to pick a fight with the power house standing beside him. His body condition was suffering due to fatigue so he reluctantly allowed his body to give in. Being compliant may lessen the blonde’s wrath. Midoriya whimpered as his knees met the ground, tension in his back sending an electrical flash of pain. Bakugou’s fingers dug in a bit as he held the other down in attempts to get the other to refocus. “Get in push up position…” Bakugou snarled through his teeth, irritated with the noise he made “Now, 100 push ups.”The smaller teen, moved into a plank position, propped up on his splayed hands. Once there, Bakugou released his nape, allowing him to make his first few dips to the ground. Midoriya counted under his breath, just barely loud enough for Bakugou to hear. After the 20th pump, he paused, his back feeling a small pinch. He winced at the pain, waiting just a moment too long for it to subside. “I didn’t tell you to fucking stop!” Bakugou barked, digging a heel between Midoriya’s shoulder blades.“Hey Kacchan! That hurts!”“No pain no gain, shitty nerd!”Determined to force Bakugou back he returned to his reps, though begrudgingly the weight on his back only increased as the blonde leaned harder into him. He bared his teeth, praying that his teeth don’t chip or crack with the pressure. Midoriya’s muscles began to tremble with the motions, but the voice shouting over the shell of his ear would not allow him to slow down.“61! 62! Come on! Let me see you sweat Deku!”Just when Midoriya thought he was letting up, he felt a greater pressure as Bakugou sat down on his back. “Kacchan!” the smaller teen wailed as his elbows almost gave out, nose an inch from the grass beneath him. As his tendons rolled over and strapped tight with the additional weight, his muscles shook even more than before. “This is so…”Bakugou leaned in and huskily hissed over his shoulder, breath tickling his neck “What? Unfair? Villains are never fair. Push through! Do the one thing I know your good at!” Midoriya rolled his eyes, feeling heat pool in his chest. This talk was starting to bristle him a bit. He could feel his curled locks becoming damp with sweat, droplets beginning to fall from his hairline down the slope of his face. “That’s more like it! 94! 95! 9-!!!”Midoriya collapsed beneath him, his spine screaming. Bakugou, fell over onto his back with a loud groan. It wasn’t a moment before he scrambled to his knees and dragged them both to their feet. “WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!? YOU WERE ALMOST- THERE!”“I can’t do it Kacchan!”“You are not digging deep enough!”“You have been working me hard since we started this program. And I have done everything you asked, but I don’t have anymore! I’m exhausted! I don’t know how you do it… no wonder any of us can’t keep up. You’re just too amazing, and I am just… not you. DON’T TELL ME TO GO BEYOND either... BECAUSE I’M DONE!”Bakugou shoved him away. How dare this little shit disrespect his time. His scarlet irises looked him over like a laser, targeting his weak spots. Spirited eyes challenged him, causing a flicker to spark in his neithers. How he so badly wanted to mark him up and make him whimper more. To push the other roughly beneath him, and hear him hissing loudly when he pressed his fingers into each blooming rosette. Greedily he would count them, loud enough for him to hear over his own complaints, but in a painfully slow manner. Maybe he would hear him beg a little to make him stop? He’d like it better if he begged for more… Biting down on his lip, Bakugou shooed his dark thoughts away, returning to the issue at hand. If Midoriya would just buckle down and just do what he was told to do, maybe he wouldn’t have to remind him that way. Bakugou could see the pulse point fluttering on Midoriya’s neck as his breaths fought to even out. If this loser is to make it in the real world, he couldn’t afford to be nice.“I am so sick of fucking babying you! All this talk of being the number one hero… of beating me...with the way it’s going right now you can just pick another fucking career!” Bakugou raised his fist overhead in a motion to strike, but Midoriya recoiling at the motion snuffed his fire. ‘Why do you make me feel like this’ He lowered his hand to flex at his side, moving the other to mirror it menacingly. “You want to surpass me loser!? Get fuckin’ real, you can’t even keep up with the basics! Get your shit and get it out of my fucking sight before I rip you apart right here, right fucking now! I don’t have time for your bullshit!” His eyes flared as his hands heated at his sides. Sparks danced over his palms with a loud crackle and defining pops. Instead of inspiring Midoriya, the other began to diminish before his eyes. This was not what he wanted. ‘Damnit!’Heavy vibrations traveled up Bakugou’s legs signifying the approach of another. His ears twitched listening for any sign of who it may be, but his guess was pretty accurate. He knew those steps well, it was his best friend Kirishima. The redhead gave him a startlingly hard look, even for him. It was a warning, though it was cleverly disguised behind a smile. The blaze of his sharktooth grin carried across the field becoming more threatening as he closed in. Kirishima’s massive hand gripped his shoulder firmly as a deterrent to further damn himself. Bakugou’s fingers curled repeatedly, craving detonation, to feel the heat roll off his palms and blow the stupid smirk off the redhead’s face. “Son of a bitch! It’s you! Why is it always fucking you? You know what!? NO! Get back on that white horse you road in on and get your fuckin’ chivalrous, piece of shit, wanna be disney bullshit out of my fucking face!”Whipping his head back to Midoriya, he wasn’t done, seething on the spot, about to blow. He needed to fix this… but how? He was more mad at himself than anything. He peeled back his lips to lash out, but hardening fingertips forced him otherwise. The pressure almost caused his legs to buckle ‘shit Kiri!’ He was a beast for sure. The blonde widened his stance to make up for the increased pressure. He’d get back at this asshole later, but maybe he should be thanking him because he did enough damage today.“Bakugou, lay off man. We all can’t be as awesome as you. Give the guy a break.”Each word was accentuated by a heavy thump to his shoulder that popped Bakugou’s collarbone. His skin stung a bit between the painful slaps urging him to step away, defusing the bomb. The blonde rolled his eyes and batted Kirishima’s hand off his shoulder as if ridding himself of a pesky bug. Flashing fangs for the last time, he growled into the redhead’s direction “Fuck you Kirishima!”He scratched the back of his head as he began to put distance between them, hiding a clenched fist in his pocket. If it had been anyone else other than Kirishima, he probably would have decked them, but that didn’t stop him from wanting too. “Stupid Shitty Hair, why you got to be so damn... good all the time…” He cast a glance over his shoulder and saw the red head paw at his mane, “fuck, look at him…” The blonde watched as the larger teen patted the smaller beside him on the back, “look at him, comforting Deku and shit...I’m so fucking stupid!” Though he was standing alone, he cursed quietly at himself, kicking the grass as if it agreed, adding in it’s own insult.Before he could torture himself for too long, he felt a small set of arms thred themselves through the space between his ribs and elbows, closing around his waist from behind. He felt a softness press against his back as the embrace drew tighter. The pressure was comforting, clearing away some of his building anxiety.“You are either brave or stupid, sneaking up on me like that pink cheeks.”“Awww you know you like it” she cooed, pressing her cheek against the musculature of his back. Before lingering too long, she released him and circled around to his front, her brown eyes seeking his crimson. He averted his own, not wanting her to read him even though he knew he couldn’t avoid it for long. She was a persistent little thing, that’s why he respected her. “Are you ok?” her voice was soft and soothing “I heard you guys yelling...did something happen?”“No, Deku is just being Deku…”The two of them cast their gazes to Midoriya and Kirishima. The redhead now had his arm around the green haired teen’s neck and had his head bent down to speak into Midoriya’s ear. It was almost laughable how much larger Kirishima was next to the other. Almost… like a couple. Bakugou cringed, turning his lips to a pursed frown, wrinkling his nose. He didn’t like the sight of them like that. Uraraka choked back a laugh, cupping her hand over her mouth before it fell out. The blonde leaned into her, not losing eye contact with the other two, “Eww is he flirting?” Uraraka did not have time to respond before he pulled away from her, raising his voice “Fuckn’- Kirshimerf!”“No stop! Shhhhhhh! Don’t do that!”Uraraka slapped her hand over his mouth. His red hues flashed to her in irritance, challenging her for cutting him off. He swatted her hand away “What the fuck! Why did you stop me? He’s-” The brunette hushed him again, pressing her finger to his lips.“Midoriya is having a hard time right now. You did your best to cheer him up, but sometimes he needs to be treated more delicately to get the point across. No need to worry. Let Kiri work his magic ok?”“That’s what I am afraid of…”Uraraka grabbed hold of Bakugou’s wrists as he watched Midoriya and Kirishima walk off. At first he didn’t budge, unable to look away. The brunette could see Bakugou’s heart sinking as the two disappeared from their view beyond the treeline. She called to him softly but it was as if he was in a trance. Shaking her head, she planted her feet and then offered a bright smile. She tugged hard making him stumble toward her, which made her giggle. “Oi!” Bakugou barked, his trance broken, finally able to tear his eyes away from where they faded from sight. He glared down at her as he regained his balance.“Don’t you mean thank you?”He blinked at her, not understanding at first. Her sparkling brown eyes gazed up at him, her hands loosening to slide down to his. Her fingertips were cool against the frustrated heat of his palms, giving a gentle squeeze. Her smile did not waver even with his sour expression making him a bit suspicious. What’s going on in that head of hers? Her thumbs brushed the backs of his hands which took most of his concentration wondering what her goal was. Then it hit him. “You little punk,” He growled, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth as he squeezed her hands back, “You’re distracting me.”“Yep! You caught me!” She stuck her tongue out at him feigning her innocence “Now c’mon! Let me distract you some more!” She pivoted her body and attempted to drag him. At first he was resistant, musing at her struggling to move him before giving in.“Fine!” he grumbled, hiding a laugh deep in his throat “if you keep sticking your tongue out though, I’m going to fucking bite it!”. He was trying not to let his smile grow too big but she seemed to have a way with him despite his attitude. He finally had to pull his hands from hers, giving her a small but puckish push. He had to keep up his reputation to a degree. The rest of the group, though at a distance, was still watching them. “Tsh! You are just trying to hide the fact you like having me around” Uraraka bounced back coltishly, bumping back into him as they began to walk back to the center of the field. He shoved his hands back in his pockets, leaning into her a bit.“Do I?”“Of course!” Her exuberant response was almost a shout, which he found amusing. She always seemed to light up around him, unlike everyone else. He watched as she flexed her arms in a show, giving him a coy wink “Especially since I am getting stronger.” “Oh yeah? You think so angel face?”“You know it!”He couldn’t deny the definition in her arms, especially not after the ominous head lock he almost found himself in earlier. He bumped her with his elbow making her falter but she came back linking arms with him, and clinging onto his bicep. He flexed for her, and she flexed back, the two gritting their teeth and growling at one another. Bakugou snapped his teeth at her and she retaliated by snatching his nose between her knuckles. He grunted in response, his eyes almost watering.“You’re getting feisty! You wanna spar? Bet you can’t take me this time!”He turned to face her, at the mercy of her fingers, but reciprocated by pinching her cheeks right back.“Your on!”----Their sparring session lasted for about 45 hour long minutes. No quirks allowed, only body to body contact. The two of them were tangled in a sweaty mess of muscle and determination. Much of the time was spent grappling, of which was mostly Bakugou at Uraraka’s mercy. He really needed to step up his game. Unlike him, she spent most of her internships learning different combat techniques to subdue villains, and boy did she learn. Several times more than he’d like to admit, he found himself twisted up in her grip. Her thick thighs wrapped around his neck, crushing his windpipe as his arm was forcibly wedged between her breasts. He could feel her pelvis crushing against his tricep, as her arms cranked on his wrist, threatening to snap his elbow. He grunted a deep guttural sound, letting her know that he had yet to give in though he could barely breathe. Her eyes grew dark as she increased the pressure, moving toward the top end of his pain limit. Not too far off he could hear noises of jealousy at the position he was in. Did they not realize how dangerous this girl was? He threw his free arm over himself, hoping that the momentum would be enough to fight against her pressure, to grip his captured arm and possibly wrench it free. He missed. No good. He was losing strength, the joint on the verge of hyper extending, no longer able to keep it bent. His throat was straining to stay open but her powerful legs were suffocating him. It was time. He knew when he had been beaten. Just as he slapped his hand against the thick of her thigh he felt a pop. Bakugou cried out with a roar, his body rocking back and forth where he lay, as he pounded the ground beside him. He bit down on his knuckle to deaden his cry, as the brunette froze in shock. Uraraka released, sitting up to assess him, immediately apologizing and moving into medic mode. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean-”“Shut the fuck up pink cheeks! Just fix it!”The others sitting by the tree rushed over to see what the commotion was, realizing Bakugou’s arm was in an unnatural angle. All of them offered assistance but all Bakugou could manage was “Fuck off! Don’t fucking touch me!” Uraraka waived them back to give him space as she moved to aid him. The group dispersed, knowing it was best to leave the most capable one to it.“This is going to hurt!”“It already does! Just fucking get it over with!”She helped him sit up, and stood over him, holding his dislocated arm as delicately as she could. Her face was sympathetic, but the blonde was in too much pain to even open his eyes. “Hold still” she ordered him, but all he could do was inhale and exhale to prepare himself. Like a lever, she cranked his arm again, popping the joint back where it belonged. Bakugou snarled and hissed, kicking his heel into the grass. As soon as the pain settled he turned to Uraraka, snatching her by the front of her shirt, dragging her down to his level. Her eyes shot open wide, gripping his wrist afraid of his response. He pressed his forehead to hers, delivering an almost deadly scowl. But just as she was about to burst into tears, a smirk crossed his lips “I hate you so fucking much right now, but I am also soooo fucking proud of you! I can’t believe you! You bitch!”“I know, I know!” A few tears fell from Uraraka’s cheeks, and she threw her arms around his neck “I’m sooo sorry!!! I guess I am a lot stronger than I thought. Forgive me?” She batted her eyes up at him, and he just tugged her against his chest and he heaved a sigh.“I guess I can forgive, even though I should be fucking pissed as hell…” He leaned his head against her crown, rubbing her shoulder, as his other arm remained slack behind her. “You know what angel, I feel much better now” he used his uninjured arm to muss her already ruffled hair “even though you almost ended my hero career.”“Bakugou~!!!”She slapped his injured arm in response forgetting that it was sore. She whimpered more apologies as Bakugou laughed in pain “Ow! Jeezus fucking christ! I’m fucking kidding cheeks!!!” She leaned into him again, seeking his favor, but he was too bemused at her behavior to let her down so easily. Once he got her calm he grabbed her hand where it clung to his shirt. “What I mean is... thank you.”Uraraka was a bit surprised by his comment, and she flushed a deeper shade of pink “You’re welcome I guess.” It wasn’t often the walking atom bomb spat out polite words.In the distance, he saw the saturated mops of red and green making their way around the bend. The others greeted them with enthusiasm, bounding over to meet them. Bakugou’s face stiffened up at their appearance. He patted Uraraka’s shoulder to signify that it was time to move. Once standing, the two shook off the debris, and smoothed out the wrinkles in their clothing. Watching the blonde’s dimming expression, Uraraka leaned against him. Gripping the hem of his shirt, she gave the fabric a small tug to get his attention “You gonna be ok?” He did not glance her way, but he spoke low, just loud enough for her to hear.“I’ll be fine. It’s him I’m worried about.”“Why are you so worried?”He flicked his eyes to her momentarily as he rolled his shoulder to make sure it had settled right after she adjusted it. “If… If I can’t get him strong enough he could get himself or someone else hurt, or worse...killed.”“You're still thinking about that night aren’t you? It’s not your fault...”“Don’t!” Bakugou snapped. Uraraka gave a surprised look which melted into a frown. He didn’t mean for it to come off that way. He heaved a sigh “Just- It’s my cross to bare. I’ll work through it… like I always do.” The girl squeezed his shoulder and caressed the curve with her thumb to let him know she was there for him. He bumped her chin with his knuckle in an attempt to bring back her smile “Oi, where’s my best girl?”“Here” she said softly, a smile returning to her pink lips.“You’re damn right! Now-” He slammed his fist into the palm of the other, detonation sparking off a large cloud “let’s whip this nerd into shape!”