BakuDeku
May be some uhmph-uhmph later
Who knows
But basically
Deku gets hit with a memory loss quirk
And someone takes advantage

Izuku yelped as a blast from the villain's quirk shot him across the room. He hit the wall with a gasp and fell to the ground.

"Shit- Midoriya!" Eijirou shouted, leaping in front of his friend to block another attack.

Denki bolted across the room to help the greenette to his feet. "Hey, man! Are you good?"

Izuku rubbed his head. "I-I think so," he muttered.

"Tch, stupid Deku!" Katsuki snapped, blasting back the villain that hurt Izuku. "Pay more fucking attention! I ain't gonna weep if you die!"

The greenette huffed. "Asshole," he grumbled, gently ushering the blond off him. "Thanks, Denki. I think I can go on. It looks like Iida needs help."

Denki nodded and gave a two finger salute before dashing away to help his other comrade.

Izuku jumped back into the action, tackling a villain that approached Eijirou from behind. "Kirishima! Cuffs!"

Eijirou reached into his pocket and tossed the cuffs towards the one for all user. "Here! Cuff him quick and help me with this guy!"

"Right!" He worked quickly, keeping the villain pinned down. He jumped up and ran to help the red head, skidding as he noticed another villain swinging down from the high ceiling. Before he could run far, her legs hooked around his head, nearly causing him to fall.

"You're a cutie~!" She crooned, tangling her fingers fiercely into his hair. "You look like the boy Toga likes. Oh, she'd be jealous that I got my hands on you."

"Get off!" He shouted, stumbling back and pulling on her, desperately trying to take her off before she could activate her quirk, whatever it was.

She squeaked and giggled, laughing maniacally as he fell backwards. She wrenched his head up, forcing eye contact. "I'd love to, but I need inside your head, first~..."

Izuku gasped and convulsed as her eyes glowed white. He screamed as his head felt like it was about to burst. His fists beat into the ground, lightening surrounding him as the agony worsened. He couldn't hear as his name was called, the ringing in his ears overwhelming.

With a burst of energy, everything went black.

~

Aizawa sighed as he dragged himself into class, All Might just behind him.

The students in class 3-A all straightened up, immediately quieting themselves. Eijirou adjusted his casted arm, Denki fidgeting with his bandaging.

Finally, Ochako raised her hand. "Sir... How is Deku..?"

The hero hummed, leaning back on his desk. "He woke up this morning."

A sigh of relief swept over the classroom, shoulders slumping, some heads falling into hands.

"However," that word caused the room to become tense once again, "it seems that his memory has been erased."

Iida gulped as he raised his hand. "Erased, sir? Was that that woman's quirk? She erased his memories? Will he get them back?" He asked with barely a break between.

Aizawa raised his hand and waved to his student. "All Might and I have done extensive research on this villain. She steals memories, keeping them as her own for a limited amount of time. The problem is, that time varies from anywhere between a few days to... A few weeks."

"He's not going to be able to come to class, will he?" Tsuyu asked softly, hand barely raised. "If he can't remember anything, he wouldn't remember coming here for school or where to sit or where his dorm is or even-"

"Asui," All Might interrupted, stepping forward. "It will be up to his mother and Izuku if he returns to school during the time the quirk is in effect. If he doesn't return, we will need someone to write notes for him in class. If he does return, we cannot overwhelm him or bombard him, trying to get him to remember things," he explained softly.

The students lowered their heads, no one else speaking.

Aizawa looked over to Katsuki and sighed.

The young blond looked out the window, hands in his pockets as he slouched in his chair, expression unreadable.

~

Katsuki breathed deeply and knocked on the hospital door.

"Come on in," rang a soft voice.

The blond huffed and shook his head. Will Auntie ever leave his side? He opened the door and walked inside.

Inko perked up and stood, "oh, Katsuki! I wasn't expecting you. Your parents said you were busy with school."

"Yeah, I... Had a spare minute," he muttered, hands back in his pockets.

The older woman smiled. "He's asleep, but do you mind staying with him? I have some errands to run and I'd feel better if someone was with him while I'm away."

"Oh, uh... Sure..." Katsuki nodded, leaning down as Inko stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you, Katsuki." She grabbed her purse and glanced back to her son before leaving.

The blond breathed deeply and huffed, sitting in the chair beside the hospital bed. Izuku looked peaceful, completely different from the last time he'd seen the greenette.

The last time had been two days previous after the attack. His body was battered, nose bleeding profusely and body twitching. He was in so much pain as he had been carried away to the ambulance.

Katsuki really thought it would be the last time he'd see the younger teen. He sighed and dropped his head, carding his fingers through his hair.

A soft gasp and rustling of sheets pulled Katsuki out of his head. He looked up to Izuku and froze.

"Who- who are you," the teen whimpered softly, clutching the sheets tightly.

Katsuki's breath caught in his throat, heart throbbing. The fear on the greenette's face was a fear he hadn't seen in a long time. He really doesn't remember...

"Hey, it's okay..." The explosive quirk user slowly got up and sat on the edge of the bed, almost pulling away when Izuku's knee came up to his own chest, keeping himself as far from the 'stranger' as possible. Katsuki bit his lip. "Izuku, it's okay. Your mom just went to go run some errands and asked me to stay."

Izuku gulped, still unsure with tears in his eyes. "Who are you..?" He asked again.

"I... I'm Katsuki..." He muttered softly, and Izuku seemed to perk up. "Bakugou Katsuki."

"Bakugou... Your parents were here earlier." Izuku steadily relaxed.

Katsuki nodded, shifting slightly. "Yeah. Sorry I didn't come with them. I was at school."

Izuku rested his chin on his knees. "I know. They said that. I didn't think you were gonna come, actually."

"I didn't think I was going to, either..." Katsuki admitted, leaning back and placing his hands behind him to support himself.

"So why did you," the greenette asked softly, tilting his head.

"I just... Wanted to make sure you were actually okay... I guess... The last time I saw you... You weren't okay..."

"Oh... You were there in the attack..."

Katsuki breathed deeply and pursed his lips, nodding.

Izuku bit his lip. "Hey... What am I to you..? Your parents come to see me and you're the only one from school to see me aside from the teachers..."

The blond gulped and rubbed his neck. "Uh... Well... We have a complicated sort of relationship, I guess... We've been together for a long time."

A blush crept up under Izuku's freckles as he watched Katsuki. "So... We're together..?"

"I suppose," Katsuki muttered, then realized what Izuku was meaning and how he sounded. He looked wideeyed to the greenette.

Izuku fiddled with the sheets, looking down and blushing heavily. "I-I'm sorry... I feel stupid for not remembering my own boyfriend... This must be really hard on you..."

Katsuki's heart practically burst. Boyfriend..? Oh my God... Oh my God, how do I explain it to him!? Fuck- fucking- shit!

"How... How long have we been together? You said a long time, but..."

"W-well..." Katsuki swallowed hard, his own cheeks feeling hot. "I... We've known each other our entire lives..." I'll just tell him we broke up. "But we kinda... Split it off befoee the attack..."

Izuku almost seemed to have deflated, the returned sparkle in his eyes starting to dim again. "Oh... Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean..."

Goddamnit! Why does that face hurt me so damn much!?

Katsuki grabbed his hand and blurted before he could stop himself, "but the attack made me realize I couldn't live without you!" Mother fucker!

"Really..?" Izuku's voice was meek as he peered up at Katsuki through his lashes.

"It's true..." Katsuki shifted closer, heart beating faster. "You... It killed me to see you like that..." The truth came spilling out. "I thought you were dead and... I thought that I'd die with you, it hurt so bad... I don't want to live without you, Izuku..."

Izuku blushed again and unfurled himself. "Have we kissed..?"

Kissed..? Does he want to..? Katsuki raised his hand and placed it on Izuku's cheek. He leaned closer, smiling as Izuku's eyes closed and he leaned in as well.

Their lips met, Katsuki almost astonished by how soft Izuku's lips were. "That answer your question?"

Izuku was a blushing mess, hands on his face. He nodded slowly. "Y-you smell good..."

Katsuki chuckled. "Nitroglycerin. Part of my quirk."

"Oh... I like it..."

"Good..."

Both of them looked up as the door opened.

Inko perked up and hurried over. "Izuku, you're awake!"

"Hi, mom," he muttered, still embarrassed.

Katsuki stood from the bed, letting the mother coddle her son. "Hey... I'll come by tomorrow."

Inko looked back to him. "Actually, Izuku is going to be released tomorrow morning. You could come by our house, though."

The blond nodded. "Okay. Either way, I'll... I'll see you tomorrow."

Izuku smiled and waved, pink still tinting his freckled cheeks.

Katsuki smiled and waved back before leaving.

~

"You what!?" Eijirou burst out laughing, rocking back on his bed as he held his abdomen. "Oh my God! I can't believe it!"

Katsuki sneered, fists popping. "Shut the fuck up, shitty hair! I need advice!"

"Advice!?" Eijirou cackled, slapping his knee. "Oh, God, this is too good to be true!"

"You need to pipe down," Katsuki hissed, glaring at his friend.

The red head forced himself down to snickers and giggles, trying his hardest to maintain eye contact. "Okay, okay... So, do you want a relationship with him," he asked with a slight gesture of his hand.

Katsuki breathed deeply, wringing his hands together as he looked away. "I don't know... I mean... It felt good to kiss him. I just-"

"You kissed who!?"

Eijirou and Katsuki both jumped and pivoted, quirks activating as they were startled.

Denki Kaminari stood in the doorway, a large grin on his face as his eyes glimmered. "My dude, Katsuki Bakugou, actually kissed someone! No fuckin' way, man!"

"Shut the fuck up!" Katsuki snapped and stomped over. He yanked the younger blond in and slammed the door shut. "I kissed Deku yesterday, Deku thinks him and I are a couple because I explained our relationship wrong and I couldn't tell him that we weren't together. So now, technically, we're together."

The electric quirk user pursed his lips, cheeks turning red as he held back laughter. A few snorts managed to escape.

Katsuki twitched and grabbed the front of Denki's shirt. "I swear to God, if you fucking dare tell anyone-"

A knock on the door stopped him.

"Boys! Come down quick! Deku is back!" Mina shouted giddily before running off.

There was a short silence, all three boys stiff until the two burst out laughing once again.

~

The three made their way down to the common area where the rest of class 3A gathered. Everyone was circled around Izuku and Inko, Aizawa standing close-by.

Izuku looked up and smiled as he spotted Katsuki, his blush returning.

Katsuki forced a smile and waved. What am I supposed to do..?

~

"I still can't believe it," Eijirou snickered, side stepping as Katsuki raised his fist. "Seriously, the quirk will wear off eventually. What are you gonna do when it does?"

The blond huffed. "Pretend it never happened. He'll forget this, right?"

Eijirou's face twisted and he halted. "You're... You're joking, right?" He asked.

Katsuki sneered, looking back to him. "What do you mean? Of course I'm not joking. He's supposed to forget the time he's spending without his memories!"

"Bro... No one ever said that," the red head muttered.

Both stared at each other for an extended, gut-wrenching second.

"Oh, Kacchan! Kirishima!"

Izuku trotted up to them happily, holding his journal to his chest. He blushed and bit his lip as he stopped beside Katsuki. "I've been looking for you everywhere..."

Katsuki gulped, looking down to the shorter male. "Really..? What for..?"

"Well..." Izuku tugged on the hem of his uniform jacket. "I've been... Wanting to spend some time with you... I wanted to ask you about things we used to do as... You know, a couple. I have so many questions."

"Yeah... So do I," Eijirou muttered softly before slowly walking away.

Izuku tilted his head as he watched in concern, shuffling closer to the blond. "Did you two fight? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..."

Katsuki breathed deeply. "It's fine. He's just being an ass. Let's go." He started walking the opposite direction, towards the dorms.

The greenette perked up and grinned, hurrying after Katsuki. He took the taller teen's hand, startling him.

The blond looked down, heart leaping. Izuku's hand was warm in his own, grasping gently as they walked. Katsuki swallowed hard and tried to focus on walking normally and calming his abnormal heart rate.

~

Izuku fidgeted nervously, sitting across from Katsuki on his own bed. He gulped and bit his lip. "Uhm... Kacchan..?"

Katsuki grunted in response.

The greenette breathed deeply. "You're very quiet. Did I do something wrong? Did I upset you? Was the conversation you had with Kirishima really that bad?"

Katsuki raised his brow and looked up to the smaller teen. He leaned back and huffed with a small smirk. "You never change. Always so curious, asking too many questions at once."

Izuku blushed hard, looking away.

"But it's nothing for you to worry about," Katsuki assured, shutting his notebook.

"Well, I can't seem to help but worry about you..." Izuku pouted, glancing back to the blond.

"Yeah... You definitely never change. Always worrying about other people." Katsuki playfully flicked the greenette's forehead.

Izuku gasped, hand flying up to his forehead. "Hey! That hurt!"

Katsuki laughed, rocking back. "Such a dork!" He teased, gasping as Izuku practically tackled him down onto the bed.

He looked up to the younger with surprise in his eyes. Izuku suddenly became embarrassed all over again.

"Oh God, I'm so, so sorry!" He gasped and started to pull away.

Katsuki grabbed his face and pulled him down. Their lips met unceremoniously, Izuku nearly frozen in shock.

The greenette melted as the kiss softened, hand on Katsuku's chest.

With one hand on Izuku's waist, Katsuki rolled them over and pressed his body against the smaller teen's.

A small gasp escaped Izuku's lips as they broke apart for air. His fingers curled into Katsuki's shirt.

Katsuki admired the boy beneath him, trailing his knuckles down the side of his round face. "You... You're beautiful," he muttered softly.

Izuku smiled up at him. "You think so..?"

"Know so," Katsuki huffed, leaning back down.

A deeper kiss ensued, filled with repressed emotions finally surfacing after so long. Katsuki pulled Izuku as close as he could get him, desperate to memorize the feeling of their bodies moulding together perfectly.

Once he gets his memories back... He'll never want to see me again...

~

A week passed and Izuku Midoriya's memories still hadn't returned. Everyone in class found out about his and Katsuki's 'relationship.'

"I highly disapprove," Shoto muttered as he stood beside the explosive quirk user during training. Since Izuku still had no memory, he was allowed to skip training and continue his studies.

Katsuki scoffed, arms crossed over his chest as he watched the screen, he fellow classmates sparring. "I don't remember asking your opinion."

"What are you going to do when his memories come back to him," the duel quirk user asked, adjusting his cuffs. "He's going to remember that you two were never together... That you bullied him and scorned him."

The blond twitched. "You think I don't know that," he hissed back, turning to face the younger teen. "I'm trying to figure it out! I just- whenever I try to tell him, I- I freeze up, I can't get the right words out and he just... Just seeing him like that... It gets me all stupid."

Shoto raised a brow. "You actually have feelings for Midoriya?"

"Yes! I mean... Yeah, I... I think so..." Katsuki turned away, glaring at the floor.

Sighing, Shoto carded his fingers through his hair. "You... You have gotten yourself tangled in quite the predicament, Bakugou. I don't know how you're going to escape this one..."

~

"Kacchan!" Izuku bounced off the bed and to his feet as the blond entered his dorm.

Katsuki raised a brow, dropping his bookbag by the wall. "Is that my shirt?" He asked, looking the shorter up and down.

Izuku blushed and glanced away. "Yeah... I can't remember how exactly my quirk works, so when I got startled, I ripped my shirt... I was already in here, so... I borrowed it. I hope that's okay."

The blond huffed and walked over. "You... You are really fucking cute in my shirt," he admitted, smiling as Izuku grinned up at him. "You can take my shirts or hoodies whenever you want."

"Really?" Izuku reached up, curling his fingers into Katsuki's shirt. He leaned onto the older teen, eyes glimmering. "You mean it?"

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it, dork." Katsuki rolled his eyes and pulled Izuku closer.

Izuku laughed and nuzzled into him. "I suppose so," he mused, closing his eyes.

Katsuki swayed with him, rubbing his back. He stared at the wall blankly, mind muddled and gut twisting. I need to stop... But I don't want to...

~

"I love you," Katsuki whispered out loud, not realizing he did until the greenette looked up to him with big eyes. Katsuki quickly sat up, ready to take back his words or say that he didn't actually say them.

"I love you, too, Katsuki..." Izuku smiled shyly, rubbing his neck. "I wish I could remember how we were before... I want all those precious memories back. I want to remember our first kiss and our first date..."

Katsuki gulped. This is so wrong... It's wrong...

He shifted and leaned forward. He lay Izuku back and crawled on top of him. Their eyes met, Izuku's hands coming up to tangle in Katsuki's hair.

Slowly, Katsuki lay on top of Izuku and kissed him softly. He held the smaller close, pressing into him more as Izuku's legs hooked around his hips.

A soft moan snapped Katsuki out of it after the kiss had deepened. He pulled away quickly, startling Izuku.

"Kacchan..? What's the matter?"

"We can't... We can't do this..."

Izuku furrowed his brows, shuffling closer. "Why not..? Because... Because of my memories?"

"No, no, that's..." Katsuki sighed, hands in his hair as he hung his head. "We never... We haven't ever..." Words are difficult. Words suck.

"Oh," was all Izuku said, face becoming a bright red as he fidgeted nervously.

Katsuki grit his teeth. The truth... I need to tell him-

Izuku took Katsuki's hand, pulling him from his thoughts. He bit his lip, looking into Katsuki's red eyes. "I trust you... I feel so safe with you. I want to, Kacchan," he murmured, kissing Katsuki's palm as reassurance.

The blond swallowed hard and leaned back towards Izuku. He closed his eyes, the kiss tender.

It's been two weeks. Any day, Izuku's memories could finally return to him.

But deep down... Katsuki wished the memories would never return. He wanted things to stay like this. He wanted Izuku to trust him and hold him so close. He wanted to see that sparkle in Izuku's eyes everytime they looked at each other.

His hands traveled slowly along Izuku's body, lips pressing to his exposed neck. Katsuki pulled their clothes off, silently admiring Izuku's body.

Izuku blushed, ever-so embarrassed, but helped Katsuki take off their clothing. He bit into his finger as Katsuki began preparing him, the sensation foreign and almost uncomfortable.

However, Katsuki littered little kisses over Izuku's chest, shoulders and neck, distracting him.

Once Katsuki finished, he kicked off his boxers, then remembered the tube of lube he had been given as a joke not too long ago. He huffed, but thanked Denki in the back of his mind as he searched his nightstand for the lubricant.

"Got it." Katsuki returned to the greenette and looked into his eyes. "Are you sure..?"

Izuku smiled, wrapping his arms around Katsuki. "Yes. These two weeks have been... Amazing. You've shown me how much you've loved me and... I trust you... I just can't wait until I remember all of our other memories together..."

Katsuki stayed still for a moment, gazing onto his eyes, then leaned down to kiss him once again.

The greenette held onto Katsuki, biting his lip.

Katsuki held Izuku close, savoring the warmth of Izuku encompassing him. He breathed in the smaller teen's scent, trailed his hands over Izuku's body, and relished in the sounds that came from the smaller.

Izuku gripped Katsuki, his moans soft as he was loved gently.

"Izu," the blond sighed softly, burying his nose in Izuku's fluffy, green locks.

He only wished it would stay like this... He only wished that his Izuku would never remember their awful past together...

~

Izuku hummed and shifted as he woke, smiling as he spotted his lover gazing fondly at him already. "How long have you been awake..?"

"Long enough to count your freckles," Katsuki mused, then sat up. "We need to get ready. Classes start soon."

The greenette nodded and got up with him. They got dressed into their uniforms, Katsuki helping Izuku with his tie.

"Such a dork," he huffed and playfully flicked his forehead. Izuku pouted, rubbing the newly red spot. "Memories or none, you've never been able to properly tie a tie."

"I'm pretty helpless, huh..."

Katsuki took Izuku's hand as they walked out of the dorm room. "Not entirely," he chuckled and bumped Izuku.

The greenette grinned up at the blond. "I'm glad you think so. Oh, Ochako!" He waved excitedly to the brunette. "Kacchan, can I walk with her to clasd today?"

Huffing, Katsuki nudged him. "You don't have to ask my permission, Deku. I need to talk to Kirishima and dunce-face anyway," he muttered, looking to the two other teens.

Izuku smiled and kissed Katsuki's cheek. "I'll see you later, then. Bye, Kacchan!" He waved and jogged over to his friends.

Katsuki bit his lip and trudged over to Eijirou and Denki. "Hey..."

"Hey," Eijirou muttered. "Midoriya is really... Glow-y this morning."

"Yeah, what'd you guys do?" Denki piped in as they slowly walked together, keeping their voices low.

The older teen, rubbed the back of his,neck, sighed. "We... We kinda... Had sex," he finally managed to utter out.

Both other teens halted in their tracks, Katsuki coming to a stop a moment after. His gaze was downcast, waiting for their scoldings.

"Bro..." The red head started, swallowing hard. "No fuckin' way..."

"Oh my God..." Denki ran his fingers through his hair. "Holy shit... What are you going to do?"

Katsuki shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know... I just- I couldn't stop myself. I tried, but he just... He said that he trusted me and that he loved me and... That he feels safe with me... I never thought I'd ever hear him say that. Any of it. It's like I've been handed a second chance, guys." He turned to look at them, both with worried expressions. "I really can't live without him. I don't want his memories to come back..." He admitted, tears beginning to sting his eyes.

Eijirou gulped, exchanging a glance with Denki. He breathed deeply and nodded. "I think I understand... Let's just... Go to class."

Katsuki nodded and followed his two friends the rest of the way.

Once they reached the classroom, Katsuki froze in the door way. Backpacks had been tossed to the ground, classmates and Aizawa gathered around a student on the floor.

The three friends hurried over. Katsuki managed to pull Tokoyami and Aoyama out of his way to kneel beside the greenette.

Izuku was shaking, curled up tight on the floor and knuckles white with how tightly his fingers clutched his hair. Small, pained whimpers escaped his lips.

Aizawa started ushering students away with a reluctant Iida's help.

"Izuku, I'm going to pick you up, okay?" Katsuki spoke softly, sliding his arms underneath the smaller teen.

Pained sounds erupted from Izuku, but he didn't struggle. He went limp in Katsuki's arms, leaning into his chest.

"Follow me to Recovery Girl's office," Aizawa placed a hand on the blond's back, leading him to the door. "Everyone else, stay here!"

The trip to Recovery Girl was longer than ever. Once they reached her, he was ushered to a prepared bed and carefully lay the younger down.

Aizawa then pulled Katsuki aside. "Thank you. I'll stay with him. Go back to class."

"But-!"

"No." Aizawa narrowed his eyes. "Go to class, Bakugou."

Katsuki's chest tightened and he swallowed hard, looking over to Izuku before finally doing as told.

~

The blond worried on his lip, tapping his foot and fidgeting with his pencil. He stared out the window, brows creased in worry.

"Hey..."

Katsuki paused, then looked over to the red-head. "What..?" He responded quietly as to not gain Present Mic's attention.

Kirishima shifted closer. "Are you worried..?"

The older sneered. "Of course I'm fucking worried, shitty hair! He was in a lot of pain," he hissed back, grip on his pencil tightening.

"No, no, not- not that. About his memory..." He clarified, glancing over to their substitute teacher.

His memory... Katsuki froze, eyes widening. "Oh..." Was all he said.

Izuku's memories completely slipped his mind, he was so concerned about how in pain the boy was.

The pencil slipped out of his fingers and fell on his desk. Katsuki swallowed hard. "Do you really think... This means he's getting his memories back..?"

Kirishima didn't respond out loud, but his expression was sympathetic.

Katsuki ran his fingers through his hair, heart throbbing. It's over... So soon...

~

Izuku stayed with Recovery Girl overnight and returned to his dorm room while everyone else was in class, so Katsuki had no clue if his memories had returned or not. There was relief that Izuku was okay, but panic that Izuku would never want anything to do with him ever again.

What Katsuki did was terrible, horrible. The worst thing he could have ever done. He took advantage of the younger boy's condition.

Once class ended, Katsuki hesitated on the stairway into his dorms.

His friends stopped once they noticed and looked to him.

"He remembers," Katsuki muttered, watching their worried expressions. "He remembers, doesn't he..?"

"We won't know until we go inside and talk to him..." Mina muttered softly.

Katsuki swallowed hard, not sure what to prepare himself for.

With a deep breath, he followed them inside.

Izuku was no where to be seen.

Everyone looked around, glancing to each other, sort of silently asking where Izuku could be.

Ochako finally spoke up. "I'll go check his room."

Iida nodded and followed her.

Most of the class then turned to look at Katsuki. Some glared, some were concerned.

The blond then sneered, hostility returning to him with ease.

"Fuck off, extras," Katsuki snarled and stormed to his room, tears burning his eyes.

~

Katsuki glared down at his homework, tapping his pencil against his desk rapidly.

"Bakugou?"

The explosive quirk user tensed, quirk going off instinctively and shattering his pencil. He groaned amd spun around, glaring at his visitor. "Look what you fucking did!"

Kaminari raised his hands. "Sorry, sorry, I'll get you a new pencil."

Katsuki breathed deeply and sighed, forcing himself to relax. "Sorry... Just... I'm just..."

"I know, man..." The younger waited a moment before shuffling closer and sitting on Katsuki's bed. The explosive quirk user watched him. "Iida and Uraraka haven't updated us on Midoriya so we don't know if he got his memories back or not... But they looked pretty mad, so... We kinda have assumed that Midoriya remembers..."

The older teen looked down, slouching into his chair. "I should... Talk to him, right?"

Kaminari shrugged. "Uh... I don't know how good of an idea that would be."

"Why?"

"Because we don't really know how Midoriya will react to you... There's a possibility he could react violently," the electric quirk user tried to explain.

Katsuki sighed, rubbing his face. "I can't believe I'm about to say this... But you're right, dunce face..."

Kaminari sighed in relief. "Oh good... Everyone was really worried you'd go see him and they all voted me to come talk to you."

The older huffed and smiled slightly. "You always draw the short stick. Alright, head on out. It's getting late."

"Right! See you tomorrow!" Kaminari bounced up and clapped. "Thank God you didn't blow,me up is all I gotta say. Man. Everyone will be so relieved!" He cheered giddily as he left Katsuki's room.

Once the door shut, Katsuki deflated.

He sank in his chair, eyes stinging and gut wrenching. He carded his fingers through his messy hair, his thoughts jumbled together.

I fucked up so badly... I can't ever come back from this...

~

The blond wasn't sure how much time had passed since his friend left his room, but the dorm had finally fallen quiet and Katsuki had finally gathered his wits.

He sucked in a deep breath as he stood and made his way out into the hallway. His teeth worried into his lip, eyes watery, but he powered through it until he made it to his destination.

Katsuki said he wouldn't, but he had to... He had to face him sooner rather than later.

A dim light shined through the cracks of Izuku's door.

Heart pounding heavily, Katsuki raised his fist. He finally knocked on Izuku's door, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"Who is it..?"

He's still awake...

Katsuki straightened up and cleared his throat. "It's, uh... It's me..."

Silence fell once again, Katsuki's nerves nearly getting the best of him until he heard the other teen making his way to the door.

"What are you doing here..?" The door stayed shut, so Katsuki couldn't gauge Izuku's emotions by his face. All he had was voice and with the whispering, it made things harder.

"I... I need to..." Katsuki rested his forehead against the cold wood, trying to piece together how to get his feelings across. "I need to, uhm..." He rubbed his face and that's when he realized just how much he was shaking. "Apologize," he finally muttered, hoping the greenette heard him.

Quiet, then a scoff. "Apologize?" Izuku echoed. Katsuki shouldn't have been surprised by the disbelief that dripped from that word. "You? Oh, holy Katsuki Bakugou, has come to apologize to a stupid Deku like me?"

Katsuki flinched. "Izuku, please-"

"No!" The greenette snapped. "You do not have the right to refer to me like that! I have had it!"

Katsuki's breath hitched, fists clenching. "Deku, I just- I need to explain that I-"

"Explain!? You need to explain how for two weeks you had me believing we loved each other and were a couple!? Please, Bakugou! Please explain!" Katsuki could feel the anger pouring out of the younger, guilt eating away at him as he stood helpless in the dark hallway. "Tell me why for two weeks you had me so completely in love with you and why you stole my first kiss and why you made me believe we were so in love and so happy together that I let you take away my virginity! You stole this from me! You took away these things I can never get back! You took advantage of me! Why!? Was it all some sick, twisted game!? Are you happy!? Are you satisfied knowing you have these things!?"

The blond stared at the floor, tears breaking away and falling freely as his shoulders shook. He swallowed hard, ashamed. No, he's not proud. He hates himself. He's disgusted. He's not in the least bit satisfied.

"Say something!"

Katsuki gulped. "No... No, it... It wasn't game... I'm not happy and I'm not satisfied..." He breathed deeply, trying to keep his voice from trembling as well. "What I did... I was wrong... So... So wrong... I'm so sorry, Izuku... Please, I... I need to say that to you, not your door..."

Izuku stayed quiet for a moment. He shuffled closer to the door and whispered, "I won't give you the satisfaction. I won't ease your guilt. I don't want to see you ever again. I hate you."

Words can feel like knives if used just right. However, Katsuki knew he deserved it. He should have expected this. He should have seen it coming.

He swallowed and stepped back. "Okay..." Was all he managed to say.

He didn't even notice all of the rest of the class was gathered in the hallway, still and wideyed.

~

Katsuki managed to work out doing school from home with the teachers and Principal Nezu. He was surprised they were willing to work with him, but was grateful.

He moved back in with his parents, and only left the house to work a part-time job he picked up for extra cash and to help distract himself. He trained with Aizawa and other teachers after hours and did everything he possibly could to avoid collision with Izuku.

Despite no longer being in-person, Katsuki graduated top of his class, but it didn't provide comfort or relief. He still busted his ass, trying to distract himself from the greenette.

Katsuki had seen him a few times. Walking and talking with friends, appearing happy and his usual self. Katsuki was glad. Very glad.

Side-kicking was damn-hard work. The hero he worked under busted his ass, making him run ridiculous errands.

On top of side-kicking, he still worked his part-time job and helped his parents in their company as he rented a small apartment for himself, focusing on building up his career.

He kept his eyes and ears open for Izuku, watching the media.

Izuku had quickly gained popularity and his path to being the number one hero was clearing. After a year or so of side-kicking, Izuku built up his own agency. The people and media adored the fun, happy new hero that always smiled, no matter what. Izuku was becoming the Hero he always wanted to be.

Katsuki was glad he hadn't ruined that much, at least.

He worked and pushed through for long months before he finally managed to scraped together his own agency and built his presence as a rising hero. His own popularity finally flared and the media immediately blew up about his and Izuku's past rivalry. This of course sparked loads of unnecessary bullshit.

Drama, rumors and loads of nonsense that Katsuki tried not to bother himself with. He wouldn't answer any questions asked about the rivalry or about the Hero Deku in general.

Izuku seemed to do the same. Just smile, wave, and avoid actually talking about the Hero Ground Zero and their past.

This of course was more news to them, but neither hero fed into it.

It was years before they were ever too close again. Katsuki was about to turn twenty-seven and he had been invited to a party.

He was reluctant to go, but Kirishima was very convincing(dragged him over to Sero's house).

Katsuki sat on the couch, glass in hand. He swished it around, staring blankly at the glass.

"Damn, man. You're such a downer," Kaminari huffed and dropped himself onto the couch beside the explosive quirk user. "I was having a good time and then I looked over here and I got all depressed."

The older rolled his eyes and shifted, sitting up more. "Well, don't let me ruin your fun. Jirou looks drunk enough to actually want to pull your pants off."

Kaminari laughed. "Ahh, man! She's been doing that practically every night since I gave her that ring, man! This has been the best three years of my life!" He patted Katsuki's shoulder and took a swig of his beer.

Katsuki scoffed and took a small sip of his drink, not particularly in the mood for alcohol. "Glad you're happy, man..."

"Come on, you'll find someone. You just gotta leave some time to get out there. You need to stop busting your ass and working so hard to avoid one person so you can find someone that'll really make you happy and will help you accept yourself." Kaminari sat up, setting his beer aside. "What you did was definitely fucked up and I'm not gonna try to excuse it, but it's been years, man. You've got to start forgiving yourself and moving on with your life. Midoriya has. He's happy and successful and he's in a good relationship with Todoroki."

The older breathed deeply. "I can't forgive myself, okay? I fucking ruined his life. I took things from him- precious things. I took advantage of his memory loss. I'm trying to move passed it but I'm constantly reminded of what a terrible person I am. So, instead of hooking up with whatever piece of ass I see to get my rocks off, I work. I enjoy my work and I'm perfectly content to just have my work," he muttered, looking over to his friend.

"I'm glad he's happy. I'm glad he was able to move passed it and is achieving his dream despite what I did to him."

Kaminari sighed, slouching forward. "Alright... Alright, fine. I won't push it," he grumbled, grabbing his beer.

Katsuki nodded and stood. "Thanks..." He wove through the crowd to get to the kitchen, nudging Sero once he got there. "Hey, where's the good shit?"

Sero laughed and gestured. "Up the stairs, second door in the left hallway. It'll be in a cabinet."

The blond scoffed and raised his glass as he turned away. "Thanks. I'll be there until I leave," he grumbled and walked away.

Up the stairs, to the left, second door. Katsuki flicked on the light and narrowed his eyes. "'In a cabinet.' Gee, thanks sticky-elbows," he griped and went searching.

Thankfully, he didn't have to search long. He grabbed a bottle, popped it open and took a swig.

Katsuki sighed and closed his eyes. He raised the bottle to his lips again, relishing in the bitter taste and the slight burn in his throat. He turned to walk out and choked, nearly dropping the bottle as he spotted a familiar face.

Startled, the other man rushed over. "Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to scare you, I just- I dunno, I- I froze, I guess!"

The blond coughed, hunched over and wiping his chin with his sleeve.

Panic rushed into Katsuki's gut and he swallowed hard once his coughing fit died down and he could breathe properly.

"Are you okay? Can you breathe now?" The greenette asked, genuine concern displayed all throughout his expression and body language.

Katsuki nodded, heart beating rapidly and head starting to spin. "Yeah..."

Izuku sighed and slowly relaxed, running his fingers through his hair. "Oh, good..."

The blond stared in disbelief. Really. After all this time, Izuku was acting like nothing happened. Or, like... Total strangers?

"What... What the hell are you doing here..?"

Izuku looked up to the other prohero. "Oh, I, uhm... I was invited, I guess. I wasn't so sure about coming, but Ochako convinced me. I just wasn't really expecting to see you here. Everyone said you weren't coming..." He then looked away, fiddling with his thumbs.

Katsuki pursed his lips and ran his fingers through his hair. "I wasn't... Until about an hour-and-a-half ago when I was dragged here against my will by shittyhair," he admitted quietly, avoiding looking at Izuku. He wracked his mind, wondering how Izuku could possibly be talking to him so casually.

The greenette smiled slightly and chuckled. "Sounds about right. Kiri was always the only one who could drag you around. He seems to have a knack for it. Must be his immunity to your explosions," he mused with a tilt of his head.

Silence then crept over them, awkwardness settling in.

Neither knew what to say and neither made a move to leave.

Katsuki cleared his throat. "Uhm... Well, I'll... I'll be going..." He muttered and stepped around him. As Katsuki reached the doorway, Izuku turned.

"Wait!"

The blond halted instantly, breath catching. He didn't look back- couldn't.

"I..." Izuku hesitated. He breathed deeply and straightened up in an attempt to gather his courage. "I've been... Wanting to talk to you... Get in touch... It's been so long..."

Katsuki gripped the door frame. "I thought you'd never want to speak to me again..?" He felt stupid asking that, but it was overshadowed by those awful feelings dredging to the surface.

The younger gulped, fidgeting nervously. "I didn't... Not at first... But, I... I've been wanting to ask you about it for a long time, now... You left school and moved two districts over as soon as you could. You changed your entire life back then. You made things harder on yourself. Why?"

The blond stared forward, unable to face the younger. "You..." He answered quietly, not enough strength to speak any louder. "You had so much potential... Still do. You're a great hero and a better person. You couldn't stand to look at me because of what I did and so I did what I could to make sure I wouldn't and couldn't hold you back anymore than I already had..."

With that, silence fell between them. The party was loud downstairs, people cheering, screaming and drinking, dancing most likely terribly.

"Why won't you look at me..?"

Katsuki grit his teeth, knuckles turning with with how tight he gripped the bottle and door frame. "Because... Even if you've forgiven me for what I did... I haven't..." He admitted quietly, head rushing with the urgency to leave.

Izuku took a step closer. "Will you... Will you meet me for coffee sometime..? Please..?" He asked almost carefully.

The blond tensed more if possible. "You'd want to..?"

"Yes."

Katsuki swallowed hard and lifted his head, heart beating out of control. "Okay," he finally responded. "Just once."

~

Katsuki dreaded the day swiftly approaching. He couldn't face him again, especially on purpose.

But, now, as his side-kicks locked him out of his own damn office, he was snapped back to his old self.

"You better open my own Goddamn door! If you even dare make me blow it down, it's coming out of your paychecks!" He barked, fists popping angrily.

"Happy birthday, Kacchan."

Katsuki gasped and jumped away, heart nearly leaping out of his throat. "Izuku!"

The greenette smiled and waved. "Hey. Sorry, I kinda got them in on it."

"You, uh... You talked to my side kicks..?"

Izuku nodded. "Yes. Well, only one. I caught her as she was closing up your office last night. She's super nice and agreed pretty quickly." He smiled wider and stepped closer.

Katsuki gulped, fists clenching. "You, uh... You didn't say we'd go for coffee today..." He muttered.

"I know, but it's your birthday. You shouldn't work on your birthday, especially since you work so hard every other day of the year. Cut yourself a break once in a while, Kacchan."

God, he hadn't heard that nickname in a long time.

He tried pushing down the panic emerging in his chest. Katsuki breathed deeply and straightened up. If Izuku was wanting to see him, he couldn't exactly turn him away or potentially hurt him more.

"Fine," he sighed and pulled down his sleeves. "Let's go..."

Izuku's face lit up and he grabbed Katsuki's wrist. "Great! I know this great coffee shop nearby! You'll really like it!"

Katsuki huffed as he let himself be dragged, puzzled, but slightly amused by Izuku's enthusiasm.

~

"Nearby coffee shop my ass. We're half an hour away from my office!" Katsuki growled as he sat down across from Izuku.

The younger laughed, leaning back in his chair. Katsuki looked at him, and finally really looked.

Izuku's skin was slightly darker than he remembered, and there were more freckles. His eyes still glimmered and he had a new scar above his right eyebrow. His hair cut was new. Faded out at the back of his head, but was still poofy and curly on top. It stuck out from under the bill of his cap.

"Has anyone else wished you a happy birthday today?"

Katsuki breathed deeply and leandd back. "Yeah. My mom called me and we talked the entire drive to work."

"How are your parents?" Izuku inquired, resting his chin in his palm as he leaned over the table, watching the blond across from him.

"They're good. Dad's thinking about retiring in the next five years. Their business is doing well, though." He tapped his cup, looking down at the table.

Izuku hummed. "Good. I'm glad they're well. What about you..? How have you been?"

The blond shifted, carding his fingers through his hair. "Well, uh... Busy. I've just been focusing on Hero work, really. Once in a while, shitty hair and the gang will burst in and wreck my plans for the day. Last year they somehow managed to drag me out on a trip to Australia."

The greenette laughed, tilting his head. Katsuki's heart fluttered and he wasn't quite sure if it was in a good way or a bad way.

"That group has always been adventurous and spontaneous. I always thought they were good for you," Izuku mused and sipped his coffee.

Katsuki hummed, slouching slightly. "So... What about you? How are you? I heard that you and Todoroki hooked up."

Izuku coughed and blushed. "Uh, well, yes and no... Sho and I were a couple a while back, but it was only for a few months. We figured we were better off as friends."

"Oh, sorry."

"No, it's okay. You didn't know." Izuku smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uhm, but I've been good otherwise. Been keeping pretty busy myself. I've had a few relationships, but nothing really seemed to stick, I suppose. What about you? Any relationships?" Izuku scooted closer.

Katsuki shifted and sighed. "Ahh, no... No relationships. Not a big relationship guy, I guess. Not for lack of trying on Kirishima's and Kaminari's part. They've been trying since graduation," he grumbled, swishing his coffee around in the cup.

Izuku grinned. "They're good friends. They just wanna see you happy. They told me it's been... A while since they last saw you truly happy... They're concerned about you and your wellbeing." The greenette murmured softly, watching the blond across from him. "You've changed so much, Kacchan..."

The explosive quirk user bit inside his cheek, gripping his cup. "Please don't call me that... You... You should hate me... You do hate me..."

A frown settled slowly on Izuku's face, shoulders slumping. "Is that why you can't look at me..? Why you're so uneasy around me? Why you haven't opened up at all?" Katsuki's jaw clenched and his eyes stung, but he didn't dare let a single tear fall. "You think I should hate you?"

"Of course I do!" Katsuki snapped, looking back up to the younger. He swallowed hard and loweres his voice as to not drae attention. "I hurt you in the worst way possible. I fucked up so badly. I took advantage of you and when you got your memories back you hated me so much you couldn't stand to look at me. You told me you hated me... You said you didn't want to see me ever again and I've been trying my damnedest to respect that." He stood and put his glasses back on. "I'll leave... I don't want to hurt you again." Katsuki turned and walked out.

Izuku stumbled as he got up and hurried out after him. "Kacchan, wait!"

Katsuki's teeth grit together as he sped up down the sidewalk.

The greenette caught up quick, though and grabbed Katsuki's arm, forcing him to stop.

"Kacchan, please... Please talk to me... I can't stand seeing you like this. This isn't you."

"No... It's not. I'm a selfish douchebag that takes advantage of amnesiatic people so satisfy my own wants," he ground out through pressed teeth.

Izuku watched him, holding him tighter. "That's not true... I remember everything, Kacchan. I remember how you were those entire two weeks... That was the real you, wasn't it..? That was who you wanted to be..?"

Katsuki didn't respond, glaring down at the sidewalk.

The greenette eased his grip and stepped in front of the blond. "Kacchan... You were kind and gentle... You were so genuine and I really felt so safe and loved with you that entire time... Kiri told me that... That the day my memories came back, you were more concerned that I was hurting than that my memories were coming back..."

The blond shook, biting his lip and still refusing to look up at the younger.

"You stayed by me, helped me with my school work, let me borrow your clothes when I tore mine because I couldn't remember how to control my quirk. You held me close when we shared your bed and the night we had sex..."

Katsuki stiffened, lifting his head to look at the sky.

Izuku moved closer. "You were honest. You pulled away, you said we'd never had sex before... And then... You made me feel good... You were gentle and made sure I wasn't hurting or uncomfortable. I truly felt loved that night..."

Katsuki's heart beat so hard, he thought it might burst from his chest.

"You were honest in the hospital, too, weren't you..? When you said that you realized you couldn't live without me..?" Izuku asked, prodding carefully.

With a sharp breath, Katsuki smiled bitterly. "Yes," he answered. "I thought you died... Until the hospital stabilized you, I thought I'd never see you again. I hated myself for making your life hell and when I found out you were still alive, I... The relief... I knew I had a second chance... To apologize and redeem myself and hopefully... Fuck, I dunno... I knew I scarred you too much for you to concider us being anything more than friends, but I guess I was stupid enough to hope for more... Then I found out your memories were gone and I didn't know what to do or even think.

"I went to the hospital hoping to just see you and confirm for myself that you really were alive and okay... And I ended up doing what I do best... Fucking up and hurting you more."

Silence eased its way between them, Katsuki unable to look into Izuku's eyes as that's all Izuku tried to do.

The sky was bright. Too bright. It made Katsuki's gloom feel all the much darker.

"I raped you, Izuku... And nothing I say or do can ever make up for that... I can't give that back to you... I can't go back and fix things... So, I just... Am staying out of your way. I'm staying out of your path to being the best hero you can be..." Katsuki slowly pulled his arm out of Izuku's limp grasp and stepped away. "Goodbye, Izuku. Thanks for the coffee. I'm glad you're well."

Izuku stood still on the sidewalk, eyes burning with tears as he watched Katsuki walk away, slumped and with his hands in his pockets.

~

"He believes he raped me."

Ochako choked on her food, startling her friend.

"Oh my God, are you okay!?" Izuku rushed to her, hand on het back as she wheezed.

"No!" She yelped between gasps. "We were talking about getting something for Asui's baby shower and then you spring that in out of no where! Who believes he raped you!?" She shouted, grabbing her water.

Izuku sat down, brows creased together. "Bakugou..."

The brunette looked over to him as she drank. "Oh... Did you finally talk to him?" She pondered, but supposed she already had her answer.

"Yeah. I saw him at the party, invited him to coffee after I did what I just now did- scared him to the point of choking." Ochako snorted with a smile. "Then the other day- his birthday- I had his sidekicks lock him out of the office so I could take him out to coffee."

"Oh, you're mean," she mused, leaning back. He tilted his head, confused. "Deku, he's been tearing himself apart while also trying to keep himself together over what happened. He's done everything he can to do as you wanted and you were the one who approached him, expecting him to be willing to spend time with you after all these years?"

Realization seemed to dawn over Izuku as his shoulders stiffened. "Did I just traumatize him!?"

"Well, I dunno if I'd say traumatize, but something pretty close, yeah," she answered, picking her fork back up. "Look, Deku, he's been bottling it up and keeping it down as much as he can, but it haunts him. He's letting his guilt eat away at him. He needs closure, and he can't give it to himself," she sighed and continued eating her take-out.

Izuku bit his lip, carding his fingers through his hair.

The brunette cleaned up her mess. "He gave you space and time and you healed. You've moved passed it and forgave him. I still think you were too quick to forgive him, but you lead a great life now. He needs someone or something to help him do the same before his guilt kills him."

"Could his guilt really kill him?" Izuku asked quickly, stomach dropping.

"Well, yeah. It'll only be a matter of time before he snaps, Deku," Ochako muttered with a loose gesture of her hand. "He's doing his best to hold himself together, but pretty soon... I don't think it will be enough..."

"Soon..?"

"Yeah... Soon."

~

Katsuki gasped a shot up in his bed, panting heavily, soaked in his own sweat. He looked around his dark room, hands shaking with sparks flying from his palms.

He swallowed hard, tears blurring his vision.

Another nightmare.

Izuku dying before he could reach him.

How many more of these would he have to suffer?

Once he managed to calm himself, Katsuki dragged himself out of bed and made himself a mug of coffee.

He got ready for the day, grabbed his mug and glasses and left his apartment. He waved and nodded to other tenants as he passed, scrolling through his phone. The drive to work was uneventful.

Katsuki got out of his car, strolled up to the building and unlocked it, much earlier than normal.

He'd been getting there early on purpose to avoid his sidekicks locking him out again.

Flicked on the lights, turned on the coffee maker for his sidekicks, unlocked his office and went inside to begin that day's work.

Half an hour later, his sidekicks arrived and each entered the office to greet him and go over the agenda for the day.

A very uneventful day.

"Villains must be taking the day off," he grumbled, rubbing his face.

"That's what I thought."

Katsuki jumped and sat up straight. "Izuku!"

"Sorry- God, I keep doing that!" Izuku huffed at himself and closed the door. "Really, I don't mean to keep surprising you."

"What- what the hell are you doing here?"

"Nice glasses," the greenette mused and sat in the chair across from Katsuki. "I noticed you wore those at the coffee shop. Are they, like, part of the disguise or do you really need glasses? I don't remember you needing glasses back in school."

Avoiding the question... Great.

Katsuki breathed deeply. "I only need them for reading... But I do use them for a disguise of sorts, I guess..." He answered, closing his laptop.

Izuku smiled wider. "That's cool. I only use the classic hat and sunglasses disguise. It works way better than it should," he mused and looked around the office. "It's actually really nice in here... Kinda plain. All of your rewards and such are out these with your sidekicks. It's so... Impersonal in here... No personality... It's just... A workspace."

"It doesn't need to be anything else."

The greenette frowned. "A cold response and a cold room... It really has torn you apart more than I thought it did..."

Katsuki grit his teeth and looked away. "Izuku..."

"Anyway." Izuku moved closer. "I want to join our agencies." Katsuki furrowed his brows and looked back to him. "Not, like, combine them, they can still be their own agencies. I just- I want us to be able to help each other and work together. We've both been doing so well, and I know we can do better together."

The blond sighed, head in his hands. "Izuku, we can't just-"

"You don't have to answer right now," the younger interrupted. "You can think about it. I actually just sent an e-mail before I came in explaining how it would work and the benefits of us working together. I know that... That it's asking a lot of you, but I do still... I want us to try to be friends, Kacchan..."

Friends..? Katsuki gulped and pursed his lips, then sighed slowly. "I'll... Think about it... I'll look over the e-mail and get back to you when I can..." He murmured, looking up to the greenette.

Izuku lit up and grinned. He nodded and stood quickly. "Of course! Right! I look forward to your response!" He was so giddy, Katsuki almost felt overwhelmed.

They said goodbye and Izuku left.

Katsuki was left with a jumbled mind and an aching heart.

~

He ultimately accepted Izuku's proposal. Not only would it benefit both their agencies, but it would greatly help his sidekicks get out there and gain more experience.

The only problem was seeing Izuku so often.

It's been three months since he's accepted and he's already noticed an improvement.

Izuku is around so often that Katsuki isn't sure how he feels anymore. They've been spending so much time alone, he's noticed that he's able to look at him without panicking- without thinking of what he'd done so long ago.

He's starting to get comfortable around the greenette.

"I brought some homemade cookies and I was only able to save you one. The kids ate the rest," Izuku mused as he sat across from Katsuki once again.

Katsuki smiled and chuckled. "They're all suckers for sweets, I've noticed."

Izuku grinned, setting the plate down. "Yeah. They're all great kids. How did you pick them for your agency?"

"Well," Katsuki breathed deeply. "They all brought their applications straight to me. Each of them stood straight, looked me in the eyes, and... There was just something in their eyes. All three were practically hired on the spot, I just didn't tell them until the next day."

The greenette smiled softly. "They are pretty special. I'm pickier about my sidekicks." He admitted, looking down.

"Oh, really?" Bemused, Katsuki relaxed into his chair. "I thought I would have ended up being the picky one."

Izuku laughed. "I know, me too! But, I'm crazy picky about my kids. Ochako sometimes tells me I'm a little too hard on them." He sighed, fiddling with his thumbs.

Katsuki shrugged. "Well, there's a lot of pressure set on you for being the number one hero. There's been a lot of pressure on you since you inherited one for all. I think you are just asserting that same pressure on them- to be the best heros they can be," he suggested, taking the last cookie.

The greenette looked over to him. "Think so?"

"Know so."

Izuku smiled softly, pink dusting his cheeks and ears as he looked down. "Thanks... I should be going, though. I have some things to wrap up at my office."

Katsuki nodded. "Of course. Thanks for dropping by."

~

Izuku slouched into the chair across from Ochako, sighing.

The brunette looked to him with raised brows. "You good?"

"No..."

"Why is that?" Iida pipped up, looking at his phone.

Izuku breathed deeply, resting his chin in his hand. "I think... I think I'm falling in love with Kacchan..."

And que the choking on coffee from both his friends. How many times was that now, this year alone?

"What!?" Ochako hissed through her teeth. "Deku!"

Iida set his cup down, regaining his bearings. "What are you on about, Midoriya?"

Izuku bit his lip and took off his cap, running his fingers through his hair. "I just- I've been spending so much time with him for the passed six months- since we joined our agencies in contract. I really enjoy being with him and he's... He's really opened up a lot, Ochako... He means so much to me now and seeing him smile these passed few months has made me so happy..."

The brunette groaned, rubbing her face. "Deku... I told you he needed time and space."

"No, you said he needed someone or something to help him forgive himself," he countered.

"Yes, I did, but do you really think you are that someone or something?"

Izuku stared at her in disbelief. "It's working, Ochako... He's become relaxed and happier... He can look me in the eyes when we talk. He's not so tense or upset. He's become... I dunno, I hope comfortable around me, now... He can now see me without seeing the past..." He shifted and looked away.

"He's starting to be happy and I'm glad I was able to be apart of that..."

~

Katsuki gripped his steering wheel tightly, still shaky and tense from his nightmare.

They were gone, then came back with a vengence. He entered his office slowly, flicked on lights, turned on coffee maker and entered his office.

Katsuki looked out the window of his office, blankly staring into the dimly lit streets as the sun slowly made its rise.

"Are you okay?"

Katsuki tensed up and turned.

Izuku stood in the office, brows creased. He set down two cups of coffee and made his way over to the blond. "Is something wrong..?"

"No," Katsuki muttered and looked away. He then sighed and rubbed his face. "It's nothing."

The greenette watched him closely. "You had a nightmare, didn't you..?"

Katsuki didn't answer.

Izuku breathed deeply. "What was it about," he asked softly, standing beside him.

"You," the older admitted quietly. "I used to have... These terrible nightmares... Where either I had killed you, or... I wasn't fast enough... I can't ever save you in time and if I do, you still... Die in my arms... No matter what, I can never... Never save you... They were gone for a while, but then this week..."

"They came back," Izuku finished for him. He reached up, rubbing up and down Katsuki's back. "I'm right here, Kacchan... I'm okay. I'm safe. I know that in reality, if anything were to ever happen, you'll be the hero I know you are and save me in time."

As Katsuki looked to him, tears in his red eyes, Izuku smiled reassuringly.

Going against everything he ever swore the last several years, Katsuki embraced Izuku tightly, holding him close. Without hesitation, Izuku returned the embrace.

Comfort settled in himself as he held Izuku closer than ever, breathing in his sweet scent and feeling his warmth soak into himself.

Izuku closed his eyes and relaxed, smiling softly. He rubbed up and down Katsuki's back, swaying with him. "It's okay, Kacchan... I'm okay. You're okay..."

~

District after district were being destroyed. Hero after hero taken down mercilessly.

Katsuki had no idea how he of all people would be able to take down this nightmare of a villain.

He panted heavily, worn out and exhausted from hours of fighting. His sidekicks were no where to be found and he feared the worst. He was the last one standing in his district.

Katsuki was the only thing standing between this villain and his next round of destruction.

I'm gonna die today...

He straightened himself up, practically snarling as the villain approached him. His fists popped weakly. Katsuki wouldn't be able to fight much longer.

A flash of green appeared in the corner of Katsuki's sight before it crashed into the villain.

Izuku skidded away, his green lightening flashing all around him.

"Deku," the villain growled and Katsuki shouted in surprise.

"How lovely to see you," the villain huffed out as he pushed himself to his feet. "I was hoping to see you later, but now works just as well."

"Karou, please. This isn't you..." Izuku softened up, worry now etched into his expression as he began to approach the villain.

Karou sneered and whipped his arm around. The asphalt came up and slammed into Izuku, pinning him against a building.

"No!" Katsuki gasped.

"I am Ruin! Don't you dare call me that name!"

Izuku grit his teeth and burst from the confinement. Katsuki crossed his arms in front of his face to block any depris headed his way.

"Karou, what happened to you!?"

"I told you, I am Ruin!" He snapped and lashed out again.

This time, the greenette blocked the attack.

Katsuki roared and fired his own attack.

Karou barely managed to defend himself from Katsuki. "You! You are a thorn in my side! Die already!"

Katsuki wasn't fast enough to dodge the next attack.

~

It was hard to tell how much time had passed by the time Katsuki had woken, but the sun was beginning to set and there were more heros and villains than there were when he had been knocked out.

He groaned as he pulled himself up, aching all over. He was dizzy and nauseous- definitely had a concussion.

"Izuku..."

The world seemed to spin around him, everything sounding so far off despite being so close.

He stumbled forward once he got to his feet.

His ears rang loudly, unfocused eyes searching.

"-gou! Bakugou!"

Katsuki blinked, looking up at Denki as the other blond grabbed his shoulders.

"You need to sit down!" Denki shouted, looking into his eyes.

The older hero started looking around, limply nudging Denki away. "Where is he..?"

Denki furrowed his brows. "Deku? He's fighting Ruin, but- you can't get out there. You are bleeding from literally everywhere and you probably have a serious concussion. You need to wait for the emergency services to take you to the hospital."

"No, no..." Katsuki stumbled by the shorter blond. "Where..? He can't die..."

"He won't die but you will if you go in there! Todoroki, I need you too cover me so I can get Bakugou out of here!"

Katsuki looked around, feet dragging across the broken asphalt.

Denki tried to pull him away, but Katsuki was too focused. Or, unfocused.

Then he saw Izuku.

Uniform torn, blood trailing down the side of his face. He was being pushed into a corner with each attack.

"No..." His eyes stung as he tripped forward, trying his hardest to stay upright.

Denki was no longer focused on him as he tried to get help and fend off more attacks.

"Izuku..." Katsuki gasped, speeding up slowly.

Heart racing and adrenaline beginning to course through him, he steadily regained his senses.

Ruin held up his hand and debris collected, forming a makeshift blade.

Izuku was too focused blocking another attack, he didn't notice.

"Izuku!"

Katsuki launched forward in front of the younger hero.

"Kacchan!" Izuku gasped, reaching for him but it was too late.

The older hunched forward, blade piercing through his abdomen. White-hot pain flashed throughout his body, knees nearly giving out from beneath him.

"Ground Zero," Ruin sneered, driving the makeshift blade deeper.

Katsuki flinched and coughed, blood beginning to fill his mouth. Despite this, he raised his head to return Ruin's glare.

"Trying too hard, too desperately to be a hero. It's pathetic." Ruin leaned closer, grabbing Katsuki's shoulder. "No one will be sad when you die."

Ruin pulled him onto the blade more, nearly making Katsuki drop.

"No, please- Karou stop! Don't kill him, please!" Izuku pleaded, ceasing his own attacks with tears already falling from his eyes. "Leave him alone!"

The villain grinned at Katsuki. "Well... Maybe one person... But he'll die soon after, so don't worry."

Katsuki snarled and grabbed Ruin's head. "Don't throw me a pity party just yet, asshole," he hissed, red dribbling from his lips.

Explosions burst from his hands, breaking down Ruin's makeshift exoskeleton.

Both yelled in effort, the explosions become more and more difficult for Katsuki to make as they destroyed the armor the villain had made.

Finally it had broken away and Katsuki pinned the villain down. "You'll never hurt him again!" He screamed and grabbed Ruin's face with a final explosion, so forceful he threw himself back.

He hit the ground hard, the air practically stolen right out of his lungs. The blade was broken from the impact, but still lodged in his abdomen.

"Kacchan! Kacchan, please answer me!" Izuku fell to his knees beside the other hero, gathering him into his arms.

As his head was raised, smokey air rushed into his lungs, forcing a coughing fit.

Izuku looked up to the other heros. "Someone please find the emergency services!"

"Izuku..." Katsuki rasped, unable to pull himself away from the greenette. "I'm... Sorry..."

"No, no- don't you apologize. You won. You won this fight, so please, don't give up now." Izuku tried to keep his voice strong as he looked down to the blond, holding him tighter.

Katsuki wheezed as he breathed, eyes hazy and unfocused. "I'm sorry... For... Hurting you..."

The greenette shook and adjusted Katsuki carefully. "Katsuki... I forgave you for that so long ago... You've grown, matured, you- you're a good person. You lift people up instead of bring them down... You're the person you've always wanted to be. You just didn't realize it because you were so stuck on one thing you did in the past..."

"It's not... One thing..." Katsuki breathed deeply and coughed. "I hurt you... Over and- and over... Until those two weeks... And I did... The worst thing..."

"No, no you didn't..." Izuku's lip trembled as he cupped Katsuki's cheek. "I had realized... Not long after that... That was your true self, Kacchan... That was the real you... Caring and soft... Gentle and loving... For those two weeks, you showed me how you truly felt about me..." He gently brushed Katsuki's hair back.

Katsuki swallowed hard, blood filling his mouth faster. Breathing became harder- so much harder.

"Kacchan..? Katsuki?" Izuku adjusted his hold, breath catching in his throat. He looked back to the others. "Where are they!? They should be here by now!"

"Iz-Izuku-" Katsuki twitched and heaved, eyes rolling back.

"No, no!" Izuku cried, pulling him closer. "Please- please don't go! Don't leave me, not now!" He sobbed, Katsuki's breathing slowing as his body steadily went lax. "No! Kacchan, please!"

He pressed their foreheads together as the sirens finally filled the air.

"I love you... I love you, Kacchan..."

~

Izuku stared blankly into the crowd as he was ushered through, reporters waving their microphones and shouting their questions.

He felt heavy- heavier than he ever has. He wasn't sure what he'd do or say once he stood in front of that microphone.

Once there, the crowd finally seemed to die down.

Izuku felt empty. He eyes burned from the smoke and tears, lungs aching. His wounds stung, bruises throbbing. He swallowed hard.

"Today... Was not a win..." He admitted, the crowd whispering. "The villain was defeated... But there has been so much... Destruction and loss, there is no way we can... Say we won... So many heros and citizens were harmed, and... The death toll is still counting..."

He gripped the edge of the podium, gut wrenching. Tears welled up again and he bit his lip to keep it from trembling. "The surrounding hospitals are overwhelmed... Let's do what we can to support them and... And rebuild..." His voice broke and he dropped his head.

The crowd fell completely silent, watching him.

Izuku swallowed hard, shoulders shaking. He ran his hand down his face, but it didn't stop the tears. "I-I can't," he whimpered, stepping away. "I can't do this, I can't..."

He was quickly led away as the reporters sprung into action, once again bombarding with questions and their microphones.

The young hero was brought into a room and he asked to be alone.

Once the door shut, he broke down. Fell to his knees and sobbed. His chest heaved for breath, heart pounding painfully.

He's gone... He's gone...

~

"The cheerful young hero who seemed to have always smiled no matter what couldn't hold even himself together last night after the attack. He nearly broke down on stage, leading us to believe the worst. We all know he was close to rising prohero, Ground Zero, but could there have been more that we seem to be missing? My name is-"

The tv was promptly shut off by Ochako and she sighed.

Izuku sat slumped over, hands in his unkempt hair.

"Hey..."

The greenette didn't respond. Didn't even acknowledge she had spoken.

Ochako bit her lip and knelt in front of him. She gently took his hands.

He finally looked up to her, eyes red and puffy. "Any news..?"

The brunette shook her head. "No... He's still in surgery. Still touch and go."

Izuku breathed in shakily, biting his lip. "Ochako, I-I need him to be okay... I need him to make it..."

She nodded and brushed a stray lock of hair out of his face. "I know... No one wants this. We all want him to pull through. That's why we're all here to support him and to support you. The doctors are trying their hardest to help him."

He closed his eyes and let his head drop.

Two hands were placed on his back, comforting as best they knew how.

"Bakugou really beat himself up over what he did back then," Eijirou muttered, gaze downcast.

"Yeah. We tried our hardest, but no one ever was able to get him to open back up." Mina sat beside Izuku, rubbing his shoulder. "Then you came back. I personally thought he was going to just completely shatter, but... Then you were piecing him back together and he smiled... Actually smiled for the first time in, oh God, I dunno... Nearly a decade..?"

The was a collective murmur of agreement among the friends surrounding them, Shoto kneeling beside Ochako.

"Izuku... Maybe six months ago, if this happened, he'd already be dead... Because he'd already have given up... But he's in there fighting for his life... His life you helped him regain." Shoto gently pulled him over and kissed his head softly, something he discovered in their short relationship helped calm him and ease his troubled mind. He'd hoped it might bring even a small source of comfort. "He'll pull through... You helped him become a fighter once again."

"You think so..?"

"I know so, Izuku..." Shoto smiled softly as the greenette looked up to him.

Izuku managed a slight smile back.

~

Nineteen hours.

Katsuki had been touch and go in surgery for nineteen hours.

He was finally stabilized, stitched up, and placed in the intensive care unit for twenty-four hours. In that time Izuku stayed in the hospital, visiting the room when he could, but not allowed inside.

Katsuki lay deep in a coma, tubes connected to machines helping him breathe. Despite the tubes, he looked peaceful.

His facial features were soft and relaxed as if he were merely sleeping.

Finally, twenty four hours hit without any incident, and Katsuki was finally in the clear.

The relief that washed over Izuku was nearly overwhelming.

As soon as Katsuki was placed in a normal room, Izuku planted himself by his side, refusing to leave.

He kept hold of Katsuki's hand, watching over him the whole while.

It was roughly three days later that Katsuki finally woke up.

Izuku was reading, curled up in his chair.

Katsuki's fingers twitched and he breathed in deeply. His eyes fluttered, slightly slightly at the light. He glanced around until he spotted Izuku.

"Izu..?" He rasped out, startling the younger.

Izuku gasped and sat up quickly, dropping his book. "Kacchan, you're awake!"

Katsuki flinched slightly and groaned.

"Oh, sorry..." Izuku lowered his voice, gently taking Katsuki's hand. "I'm just... I'm so glad you're awake."

The blond hummed softly, closing his eyes. "How long..?"

"Uhm... Nearly five days. It's been about five days since the attack..."

Katsuki sighed, having a difficult time trying to keep his eyes open. "So... Tired..."

Izuku nodded, slowly carding his fingers through Katsuki's hair. "Get plenty of rest..."

Before he was able to respond, Katsuki was pulled back into unconsciousness.

~

For the next week, Katsuki stayed at the hospital, unable to do much of anything.

Izuku stayed as much as he could, but not as much as he liked. He ended up having to return to his agency to run things and tidy up. He had to face the media much more than he felt necessary, but thanked God he didn't have to do any one-on-one interviews.

"The vultures still outside the hospital?" Katsuki mused, sitting up in his hospital bed.

Izuku smiled and sat beside him. "Of course. Where else would they be?"

Katsuki chuckled, flipping the page in his magazine.

The greenette sighed, shifting closer. "Kacchan... This is gonna sound... I dunno, ironic, maybe..?"

"Yeah?" Katsuki looked up at him, brow raised. "Ironic in a your classic stupid kinda way, ironic as in a similar situation has happened or ironic as in because of the situation?"

"I'm not sure if any of that is actually the definition of ironic."

"I'm pretty sure it is."

"Anyway-" Izuku waved his hand and breathed deeply. "I just... Uhm... You- you almost died out there..."

"Yeah I know. I got the stitches to prove it," Katsuki huffed and poked his abdomen, then winced and groaned.

Izuku took his hand. "Stupid, don't do that. I'm just- I'm trying to say that... I don't know what I'd do if... If you had really died out there..."

Katsuki looked over at him. "Izuku..?"

The greenette swallowed hard, tearing up. "Spending these last several months with you... Seeing you finally opening up and becoming comfortable being around me again, I..." He trailed off, searching Katsuki's worrying red eyes.

The blond started to pull his hand away, but Izuku squeezed and moved closer. "Izuku, wait..."

"I can't wait, Kacchan. If I don't do this now I don't think I ever will or something like this could happen again and I might not get the chance..." Izuku sat on the edge of the bed, looking down. "I don't... I don't want to be without you... I want to see you smile more, hear you laugh more... You've been working so hard all these years, you deserve a break. You've been hurting yourself all these years and you deserve relief. So, please... Let me be with you, Kacchan... Both of us have our full memories, both of us know what we are getting into, so please..." He finally looked back up, finding Katsuki's eyes watery. "I love you, Kacchan... I don't think I could survive seeing you like that ever again... I need you, and-and I love you... I'm in love with you." His voice dropped to a whisper, nearly pleading for the older.

Silence once again fell over them.

Izuku pursed his lips. "Kacchan... Please say something..."

Katsuki swallowed hard, heart pumping faster than it probably should be. "You... You're serious..?"

"Yes, I'm serious... I'm so in love with you, it hurts. I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if you died that day... It's hard enough seeing you here in the hospital, barely able to stand because you... You protected me..." Izuku sniffed and bit his lip, tears already streaking his cheeks. "You saved me- saved my life and I wouldn't be able to survive knowing you gave up your life for mine because I want you to spend your life with me..."

Izuku couldn't read Katsuki's eyes as he stared into him. They weren't blank, but... Just so full, confused and swirling with emotion.

Katsuki looked away and closed his eyes tight. He pulled his hand out of Izuku's, licking his lips nervously. "I... I can't, Izuku... You know I can't... I can't get it out of my head... I'm reminded constantly of-"

"No, you are letting yourself be constantly reminded, Kacchan." Izuku moved almost too close. "Don't... Don't respond right now, Kacchan... Think about it, at least. I want to be there for you, I want to help you heal, but I won't push you... I won't force you to be around me longer than you can handle..." He murmured, trying to regain eye contact.

The blond couldn't look up, or even open his eyes. He couldn't dare look Izuku in the eyes. "I just... Can I... Can I be alone..?" He voice was soft and almost... Meek.

Izuku breathed deeply and nodded. "Yeah... Yeah, I'll... I'll go." He stood, watching Katsuki carefully. When Katsuki didn't look up, Izuku finally left, heart clenching painfully.

~

Eijirou helped Katsuki back to his apartment once the older was finally released from the hospital.

"Want coffee or anything?" Katsuki asked as he started up his coffee maker and grabbed a mug.

The red head shrugged. "I could go for coffee."

"Milk?"

"Hell yeah I want milk."

Katsuki scoffed and smiled, shaking his head. He prepped their coffee, then looked over to his friend. "What..? What's that look for?"

Eijirou shrugged, sitting down. "Nothing, just... It's been so long since you've really, genuinely smiled, man." He admitted quietly.

The blond scrunched his nose. "I smile all the time, shitty hair."

"No, not real smiles. You'd give half-smiles or smirks, and even then it was mostly to piss off villains. You haven't been genuinely happy since high school..."

Katsuki looked down. "Not much to be happy about, I suppose," he grumbled, watching his mug fill up.

"Bakugou... Midoriya makes you happy... You've relaxed around him, opened up. You weren't so droopy and gloomy all the time. You were... You again. The old Bakugou. The guy I knew." Eijirou breathed deeply and slouched. "But now it's like... You're trying to revert back into your shell... What happened at the hospital..?"

The blonde breathed deeply, gripping the edge of his counter. "He... He said that... He loves me... That he's in love with me..."

"And how is that a bad thing?"

"Because of what I did!"

"And there it is!" Eijirou shouted with a wide wave of his arm, startling Katsuki. "Your decade old excuse! That happened so long ago! You need to stop living in the past, Katsuki! Midoriya has forgiven you and moved on with his life! He's pushing himself forward while you pull yourself back! You owned up to it, you felt guilty because you know what you did was wrong, and now it's time to move on and fucking forgive yourself! Dude, you nearly died to save him... If that isn't redemption, I don't know what is..."

Katsuki swallowed hard, eyes stinging slightly. He bit his lip, breathing deeply. "I... I'll try... I'll try, Ei..." He murmured, raising his head to look to his friend.

Eijirou sighed and relaxed. "Okay... Thank you, man..."

The blond brought over their mugs and sat beside him.

"Thank you for bringing me home, man."

Eijirou smiled and patted his back. "No problem."

~

Izuku sat at his desk, finger tapping slowly as he read e-mail after e-mail.

A quiet knocked rapped on his door.

"Come in..."

The door opened and closed and his visitor approached. A bouquet and a cup of fresh coffee was placed in front of him, easily drawing his attention away from the screen.

Izuku looked up wideyed, pausing.

Katsuki smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I, uh... I'm still not cleared for hero work, yet but I still had some important, uh... I had an important question to ask you..."

The greenette swallowed hard. "Oh... What is it..?"

"Well..." Katsuki breathed deeply, glancing around Izuku's office. "I was... I was hoping that maybe some night this week you might be free... To go out with me... To dinner?" He asked, voice getting quieter, nerves nearly getting the better of him.

A grin slowly built on Izuku's face, and he stood. He took the bouquet. "I can't believe you remembered these are my favorite," he mused, smelling the flowers.

Katsuki looked over to him. "Now, not remembering your favorite anything would make me a complete douchebag, seeing as we grew up together," he muttered, fidgetting with his own cup of coffee.

Izuku laughed softly. "I'm gonna have to find a vase for these..." He looked up to Katsuki. "But yes... I'll be plenty free tomorrow night for dinner..."

The blond relaxed and smiled. "Great. I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too." Izuku took Katsuki's hand and squeezed gently.

Katsuki breathed deeply and leaned forward, resting his forehead against Izuku's.

The greenette tilted his head, watching Katsuki's expression.

He was relaxed and content, eyes closed. His breathing was even and quiet.

"What convinced you to visit me so early after you got out of the hospital..?" Izuku inquired.

Katsuki huffed but smiled. "Shitty hair yelled at me when he brought me home."

Izuku chuckled and closed his eyes. "You know it's bad when he starts yelling," he mused, running his thumb over Katsuki's knuckles.

The blond hummed in agreement.

They both stood quietly, basking in each other's presence.

Katsuki finally felt... At peace. His inner turmoil seemed to slip away as Izuku stayed close, just as relaxed- if not more- as he was.

"I love you," Katsuki whispered, squeezing Izuku's hand.

The greenette smiled softly. "I love you, too..."

-----

14446 words

So, I was reading some of my other oneshots cause I was bored in school and I came across this little gem. I left it at just over 5000 words back in JULY and it is now December, and I was like, "the fuck?" So I decided to continue it and it took me the whole weekend.

I'm really proud of it, actually, especially since I haven't written anything in months so I hope y'all enjoy. I just, as with everything else, am far too lazy to go back and edit. I did some editing as I was writing or as I went back to read something to make sure I was consistent, but that's as much as I'm willing to do atm.

I do hope you guys like it though! It took a lot of work and I'm actually so happy with this!