✎[SFW]
✎Candy Shop AU🍭

Aesthetics by: CrazedSweets-

"Hurry up, dumbass."
If glares could draw blood, Katsuki's demeanour was roughly equivalent to being impaled on an icy spike.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming."
The blonde ceased his browsing, eager fingers snagging the last box of yellow peeps as he joined Katsuki by the checkout counter.

"That's the damn best you could do? This is pinky we're talking about. The woman's a sugar-lunatic."

Denki awkwardly fumbled with the box as Katsuki snatched it, placing it among the several other variations of sweets atop the counter.

Katsuki believed himself to be the superior friend, who always knew what his friends wanted and how to get it.
Instead of boasting about it, he'd simply lavish in the gushing reactions and sappy compliments he'd get in exchange for his spontaneous gifts.

Most of his friends didn't like it when he got expensive gifts, or simply couldn't handle the responsibility of owning one item that could out-buy their entire home.

He'd gotten Denki a couple of Armani dress shirts once, only for him to visit and find them bundled up on the floor beside his laundry basket.

Katsuki would've judged and snapped at the atrocity, but it wasn't as if Denki had known any better--so he let him off with a lecture.

He stayed far away from designer clothing ever since, and only ever spent outrageously on special occasions–otherwise, he'd just get small things to put a smile on those dumb faces.

This was such an occasion where he felt obligated to treat his friend with an array of goodies; also known as bribing her as an apology for the hole he accidentally made in her wall.

"That's...Six dollars and ninety-five cents."

A cheeky grin splayed across Denki's face as Katsuki cashed the goods, catching the blonde's attention from his peripheral view.

"The hell are you laughin' at?"

Denki cupped a palm to the side of his lips, mouthing a,
He is totally checking you out,
Honey-golden irises shifting between Katsuki and the cashier as he did so.

Katsuki gave the clerk a passive glance--allowing his gaze to linger a bit longer than he was comfortable admitting.

The man, whilst he definitely wasn't paying much attention to Katsuki himself, was definitely someone worthy of attention.

If it weren't for the unmistakably innocent gleam in his round, olive-green eyes, or the misleading bubblegum-pink apron that dawned his robust frame, Katsuki would've mistaken him for your standard MMA fighter.

With biceps constricted by the size of his shirt, as well as wild basil curls that hung over a fresh undercut, it would've been an absolute disservice for Katsuki not to gawk at least a little.

"Excuse me...Sir?"

Katsuki sucked in a harsh breath, acknowledging the loose bills that were crumpled within his balled fist, before abruptly slapping them onto the counter and storming out of the shop.

Denki flashed an awkward smile to the utterly bewildered clerk, excusing himself momentarily to go chase after his hot-headed friend.

"Kat!"

He stood at the threshold of the shop, holding the door slightly ajar as he called,

"Where are you going?"

"Finish up by yourself."

Katsuki yelled, already halfway down the block. 

He didn't even look back as he strode down the pavement, hands pocketed and face flushed.

When was the last time the air felt this hot?

...

"Hey, you okay?"

Eijiro gave Katsuki a light pat on the back, fearing that he'd suddenly become ill.

"I'm fucking fine."
He responded, back facing the group as he further curled in on a throw pillow like an overheated pill bug.

"What's with him?" Ashido inquired in a low voice, rather concerned that he'd taken to Denki's sofa of all places if he was feeling unwell.

"Well, he saw this really hot guy–"

Denki had begun, just in time for a throw pillow to collide with the side of his face.

"ACK! Oi! The heck was that for?"

He didn't quite get the message as he was about to begin explaining once again, prompting Katsuki to shove one of the many lollipops from the heap into his mouth in hopes of silencing him.

Denki gave a confused whine, before relenting with a pout, twisting the stick of the lolly for a better taste.

Although Katsuki had stopped Denki pretty early, the little context he managed to get out was all Ashido needed to draw a conclusion.

"You saw someone good-looking and chickened out, didn't you?"

"For fuck's sake."
Katsuki grumbled, retreating back to the worn cushions of the sofa.

"Why don't you just...Talk to him?"

Hanta asked nonchalantly, picking up a toffee and unwrapping it.

"Why don't you spoil yourself a little? You're the one who got comfort food, after all."

Despite not really having sweet tooth like the rest of the group, Eijiro tried his best to make Katsuki feel included.

When the blonde didn't respond, Eijiro gave a gentle sigh.

"How about if one of us–excluding Kaminari–go with you? Would that make you feel better?"

Denki was about to interject, when Hanta held up his index finger as the room fell silent.

There was a long pause, before Katsuki spoke in a low mumble.

"Fine."

...

Katsuki couldn't do this.

He'd sought cover in the frozen goods aisle to come up with a winning line, and was now burdened with the mental capacity of a wad of gum.

He was now seated on the ground hugging his knees, regretting every aspect of this stupid plan. 

Katsuki's skin was crawling with a ticklish warmth, stomach twisting disgustingly and chest aching with distaste.

Ashido and Eijiro were by the pastries aisle which was closest to the entrance, and were ushering him on like eager parents at a talent show.

If only he had a talent for picking up guys.

Of course, he couldn't run now, because he'd definitely look suspicious and would never be able to show his face in the shop ever again.

"Dammit," He muttered, pushing out of his fetal position to a shaky stance.

He was going to face this bastard head-on.

"G-Good afternoon."

He grunted awkwardly at the counter, nearly collapsing when olive eyes flickered to meet his.

The generic employee smile spread across the man's face, leading Katsuki to mentally curse at the fact that this bastard had the audacity to have such cute-ass dimples.

"Good afternoon. Can I help you?"

He placed his hands onto the counter, ready to assist Katuki with whatever he needed to purchase.

Oh, shit.

He was supposed to be buying something.

Without thinking, Katsuki grabbed a fistful of Bobbies that were provided at the counter in a container, setting them in front of the man.

"These...P-Please."

He stammered, placing a ten onto the counter.

The clerk gave a peculiar smile, eyebrows furrowing in the slightest with a mild perplexion.

There was an awkward pause for the few seconds that he typed into the register, before he suddenly piped up,

"Sweet tooth, hm?"

Katsuki tensed.

"Huh?"

The clerk gave a light chuckle as he took out Katsuki's change.

"You must have a pretty prominent sweet tooth, is what I'm saying."

"U-Uh...Sure." He didn't.

"That's pretty cute." He mused, without looking up.

Katsuki froze.
Did he just?...

"Excuse me?"

The man finally looked up from the register, settling his gaze on Katsuki as he seemed to realise that he probably said something out of line.

"Sorry. I just meant it was unexpected--in a good way. You don't look like a sweets kinda guy."

He explained, mainly bringing attention to Katsuki's Morbid Angel tank top.

Oh...
Well, it wasn't as if he was wrong...

"H-Hey...Are you...Available?"
Katsuki bit his lip.

The clerk almost looked surprised, leading Katsuki to assume the worst.

"...Available for what?" He seemed to be tiptoeing a nervous chuckle.

"You know...Going to the movies or something. I'll pay."

"No."

Katsuki's blood ran cold, eyes falling to his feet.

"O-Oh...Oka–"

"If we're going anywhere, I'm paying."

Katsuki thought he misheard, immediately shooting a glance at him to see if his expression had changed.

He bore the most precious excuse of a smirk, if Katsuki had ever seen one.

He slid Katsuki's ten back, bagging the chocolates and placing them beside the bill–which, he'd artfully already scribbled his name and number onto.

'Izuku, huh?'

Katsuki stared at the paper in awe, looking back up to him to see that he was reaching for something beside the counter.

Izuku straightened his posture, before suddenly stretching an arm towards Katsuki.

Not knowing what to expect, he squeezed his eyes shut–only to feel the presence of something being tucked behind his ear.

He slowly lifted his lids, immediately noticing Izuku beaming back at him.

Reaching behind his ear, he found in his hands...
A lollipop?

He must've been visibly dumbfounded, because Izuku opened with,

"They're cherry-flavoured. I think they resemble your eyes--like blazing, wild rubies."

Katsuki couldn't help but feel a little flustered, despite the cheesy attempt at a pickup line.

"Call me later." 
Izuku gave a warm smile, as he handed Katsuki the bag of chocolates.

...

"So...How do you feel?" Ashido pressed excitedly, matching Katsuki's pace on the sidewalk whilst Eijiro trailed behind.

"Like you assholes were no help."
He scoffed, unwrapping the lollipop Izuku had given him.

"Hey! That's not fair--at least we came along to support you."

"Didn't ask for it."
He nonchalantly popped the sweet into his mouth, tucking the wrapper into the pocket of his jeans.

The heavy taste of cherry fell onto his tongue, registering as somewhat bitter since he had a very strong dislike for the flavour as a whole.

But, knowing that it was from him was enough to make it taste that much sweeter.