Chapter Text
second floor, room 204.
the building was plain, unremarkable; and like always, the knot in katsuki's chest tightened as he stepped inside.
that was always the hard part but he was told this class would help so he'd been going to it for a couple days. he was told by his bestfriend, his mother, his co-workers, and even his mother. he didn't think his anger was bad enough to the point where he needed to sit in a circle and talk about his shitty feelings with a bunch of other angry assholes.
but then again he'd always been halfway into a fight before he realized that he was angry, so maybe he needed this more than he could see.
his anger comes fast, boiling under the surface over small things that didn't really matter like traffic, a missed call, or even a sideways glance. he couldn't help it. he couldn't control it. so maybe this class will do all the hard work for him.
he climbed the stairs slowly and paused at the door. inside, there were a circle of chairs with a few others are already there—quiet, eyes down, maybe uninterested like him.
"hey! welcome back!" a cheery voice called. it didn't take long for katsuki to realize that he was talking to him. the shitty haired guy's big sparkly red eyes told him so.
he took a seat.
katsuki sits stiffly, arms crossed, with his eyes flicking from face to face. another blonde guy in a baseball cap taps his foot anxiously. a pink haired woman across the circle avoids eye contact, staring at her hands. no one talks much at first. the room hums with the kind of silence that's not quite quiet—just waiting.
then the facilitator—a calm man, who didn't look much older or younger than katsuki with a soft voice and steady eyes—speaks.
"we're not here to judge. we're here to understand."
katsuki let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. he remembered him saying the same thing last time he was here. part of him wanted to scoff, to say this is all a waste of time and he wasn't quite sure what stopped him.
"we will continue were we left off on thursday and share some experiences" the redhead spoke, "hopefully we'll get around to some new faces before time is up"
they go around the circle. stories come out in pieces. someone talked about yelling at a friend and not knowing why while someone else shared how they punched a wall instead of talking to their kid. katsuki shook his head at that one, his anger didn't reach that level of crazy. so should he really be there?
however when it was his turn, he hesitated.
"my name is katsuki bakugo," he said. "and i... get mad. a lot. i don't always know why, but people close to me think i need help and as stupid as that sounds i kinda agree."
he shrugged, "i don't want to be that guy anymore."
what surprised katsuki the most was everyone's reactions. there was no applause but also no judgment. just nods. understanding. just like the redhead said.
he nods thoughtfully. "thanks for sharing that, bakugo. that takes guts."
katsuki didnt respond and just gave a tight nod, eyes fixed on the floor. he still wasnt used to talking like this—especially not about himself. especially not about feelings. this had only been his third class and he walked out in the middle of the first one.
the session moved on. they talked about triggers—how anger doesn't come from nowhere. it builds, often quietly. from stress, from fear, from pain. that idea unsettled katsuki. he'd always seen anger as power, something he could rely on to get through the day, to shut people up, to keep control.
but now, hearing the others speak, he wonders if it's actually been the thing controlling him.
the redheaded facilitator draws a diagram on a whiteboard—something about the "anger iceberg." Anger on top, but shame, hurt, and loneliness at the bottom. things katsuki hadn't really thought about in years.
by the end of the session, katsuki learned that the facilitator's name was kirishima and that the room felt different. not warm, exactly—but less cold. people were talking more and there were even a few quiet laughs, small ones, like people remembering what it's like to let their guard down.
as the group wraps up, kirishima says, "change doesn't happen in one night. but showing up whenever you can? that's step one. and it's a big one."
katsuki stood, unsure of what to feel. but there's less tension in his shoulders. less weight behind his eyes.
he steps out into the evening air. it's still cold, the huge tokyo city still loud. katsuki felt himself beginning to get irritated but this time, he caught it. taking a deep sigh he looked up from the ground and began to walk toward the bus stop, hands deep in his pockets like always.
the streetlights flicker on overhead. he watches their glow stretch across the pavement like slow breath. he doesn't feel better, exactly—but he doesn't feel like exploding, either. that's something.
when he got home, it was just past eight o'clock. the apartment door creaked open and katsuki stepped inside before dropping his keys into the bowl by the door and kicked off his shoes. his shoulders sag—tired, but not in the usual way. less tense. more... spent.
in the living room, he saw his freckled green haired best friend who is also his roommate, on the couch half-watching a dramatic cooking show. his feet were propped up on the coffee table with a bowl of popcorn nestled in his lap but as soon as he saw katsuki enter the apartment, he removed his feet quickly.
"how was it?" he asked, looking up at the blond as he did.
katsuki walked into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, and leans against the counter. "i don't know," he says. "it was... weird."
deku muted the TV and turned to face him. "weird how? like group-hug weird or cry-in-a-circle weird?"
katsuki rolled his eyes, "neither. just... different. people were actually talking about stuff. real stuff. not just yelling or blaming. it kind of made me think."
deku playfully raised an eyebrow. "you? thinking? wow this class is working."
without hesitation, katsuki threw a bottle cap at him, half-smirking. "asshole"
then his tone shifts. "nah, seriously. it made me realize ive been carrying around a lot more than i thought. and not just anger."
deku quiets. "yeah?" he said with a slow nod, "you think you'll go back?"
katsuki shrugs. "i already said i would. feels like something i need to finish."
a beat passes. deku tosses a handful of popcorn into his mouth, then holds out the bowl. "well, if you ever wanna unpack your emotional trauma over some salty carbs, you know where i sit."
katsuki smirks and grabs a handful. "deal."
deku unmuted the TV and they sat sprawled on the couch in the dimly lit living room. it was quiet as they both watched the show, katsuki not really being much interested but didn't care enough to change the channel and deku who seemed completely focused.
that was until katsuki actually looked at him and noticed that he was shifting in his seat, like something was itching underneath his skin.
"why the hell are you fidgeting like that" he spoke up, giving him a questionable look.
deku exhales and rubs the back of his neck. "yeah, i'm fine. just... i've been thinking about something. kind of big."
katsuki raises an eyebrow. "speak"
but deku shook his head, "no, i don't want to lose focus and make this all about me" he resisted, "you're starting to actually enjoy this anger management stuff and that's really good, that's the most important right now"
katsuki sighed, "deku, just spit it out." he grew frustrated, "you're shaking and shit so it's obviously bothering the fuck out of you. i learned today that it's better to let shit out than to keep it in so just talk."
deku squinted his eyes, "did you really?"
katsuki gave him a semi-soft glare, "that's not the point, nerd, get it out."
deku cracked a grin, but it faded quickly. "don't freak out, okay?"
"deku. if you don't just say it, i swear to-"
"im thinking about proposing to uraraka"
katsuki blinks and suddenly the room felt a little quieter, like even the movie's waiting.
"what?"
deku nodded slowly. "yeah i mean... we've been together three years. she gets me like no one else. and I don't want to wait around for some perfect moment that'll never come. i just...i want her to know im all in."
katsuki leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a second before looking over. "huh, didn't think you had the balls."
deku's eyes widened, "what??"
"who knew between me and you, you'd get married first-" katsuki paused, "well im not surprised, you two are like disgustingly ugily good together. but you could've atleast waited for me to find someone so it could be a proper competition"
deku noticed the joke in katsuki's tone and lightly chuckled, "should i hold off the engagement? just to be fair?"
katsuki playfully rolled his eyes, "if you must"
katsuki's face then grew serious again and he faced deku, "how are you going to do it?"
deku nervously ran a hand through his dark green curly hair. "i was thinking something simple. just her and me. maybe here, actually. on the couch. this couch."
katsuki glances down at the battered cushions between them. "how romantic. nothing says 'forever' like the spot where we've spilled nachos and cried over playoff losses."
deku laughs. "exacrly. it's where we've binge-watched bad TV, argued about movies, had like... a thousand quiet nights together. it's like our place"
"corny" katsuki scrunched up his face, "i wouldn't say yes to you" he said as he threw popcorn into his mouth.
deku frowned, "any ideas?"
"you should take her to her favorite restaurant" katsuki suggested, "if i learned anything from that girl, it's that she loves to eat."
deku considered it for a few seconds, "that could actually work" he nodded, "she loves mochi.."
"there you go" katsuki said, "find a place that serves mochi and a variety of foods and there's no way she'll turn your sorry ass down"
deku rolled his eyes with a small smile on his face. he then turned and faced katsuku with a serious expression, "you think im ready?"
katsuki doesn't hesitate. "you wouldn't be asking if you weren't."
there's a pause. deku nods slowly, the weight of the moment settling in—but not in a heavy way. more like something real finally landing where it belongs.
"you'll be there after, right?" deku asks. "like, if I mess it up?"
katsuki raised an eyebrow, "at the restaurant?"
deku awkwardly blushed, "what if i forget what to say? you have to be nearby with postcards!" he tried to explain, "bring a date and go to a table behind her"
katsuki rolled his eyes, "and what do you expect me to do if she ironically turns around and see's me watching you idiots."
deku actually thought about it for a few seconds and shrugged with a awkward smiled, "what a coincidence?"
katsuki sighed and put a hand on deku's shoulder, "stop being a wuss. you won't mess up if you don't overthink this alright?" katsuki tried to assure, "i can't be there with you, you have to do this one alone"
deku took a deep breath and tried to consider his works but he couldn't help but to feel doubtful.
"you know pink-cheeks better than anyone, just like how she knows you, you know what to say that'll make her feel good so just be yourself and win her over all over again" katsuki continued.
a small smile curved against deku's freckled cheeks, "you learn that from anger management too?"
katsuki lightly pushed him and stood to his feet with a scoff, "shut up, im never helping you again."
deku chuckles, "yeah right"
"whatever im out. early morning tomorrow." katsuki stated
deku stays seated, watching as katsuki makes his way torwards the hallway going to their separate bedrooms. "alright, i'll stay and try to plan this proposal stuff.."
katsuki looks back. "don't think too much, try to sleep on it too."
deku nodded, "right, goodnight kacchan."
"night."
he made his way to his bedroom which was right across the hall from deku's and turned on the light. he saw his barista apron layed across his desk chair and sighed, he wasn't exactly looking forward to going to work tomorrow.
he didn't feel like making coffee or cutting cakes and he definitely didn't feel like putting up a face smile everytime a customer wanted his attention.
and to make matters worse he had the morning schedule, a schedule that'll test every ounce of patience he's been trying to build.
in the dim glow from the hallway, he sits on the edge of his bed, rubbing his face with both hands. he's tired—physically, mentally, emotionally. but there's something grounding in the routine of it: brushing his teeth, setting an alarm, and pulling the blanket over him.
as he lays down and the room darkens completely; he slowly drifted off to sleep. secretly hoping that the sleep would last forever.
—
in the kitchen, the smell of coffee began to fill the air.
katsuki was already up and half-dressed in jeans and a hoodie with his green apron hiding in the pockets. he moved around the space with practiced rhythm—coffee mug in one hand, phone in the other, checking messages as quickly as possible hoping that one would say that he got taken off of the morning schedule; but unfortunately he had no luck.
from down the hall, the bathroom door creaks open. deku stumbled out, curly green hair sticking up in all directions as he rubbed the sleep from his face. he squints toward the kitchen. "did you make the strong stuff?"
katsuki holds up the mug like a trophy. "like you'd get through the day without it."
a smile lights up deku's sleepy face as he heads for the cabinet to grab his own mug. "i love having a friend who works at a coffee shop shop!" he exclaimed.
as the kettle hisses and the coffee drips, the apartment hums with the small sounds of routine—drawers opening, toothbrushes buzzing, sneakers thudding onto the floor by the door.
they move around each other easily, like a dance they've done a hundred times—katsuki throwing toast in the toaster while deku ties their shoes, izuku grabbing a granola bar from the pantry just as katsuki ties his apron around his back.
"big meeting today?" katsuki asks.
"yup!," deku replies, slinging a bag over one shoulder. "and you've got, what, a shift at noon?"
"actually, a shift right now" katsuki corrected him, "i get to deal with cranky coffee-obsessed morning people today."
"aw man, they gave you the morning shift?" deku frowned, "i wish you luck"
katsuki nodded, "if im lucky, i'll only want to quit twice today."
they meet by the door, pausing for a second in the quiet. deku yawns and katsuki glances out the window at the street below.
"see you later, nerd" katsuki said with a huff and opened the door.
they step out together, locking the door behind them, the weight of the day ahead just beginning to settle—but shared, somehow lighter.
the apartment hallway was dark and smelled faintly like someone's burned toast again. their footsteps echo softly on the worn floorboards as they descend the stairs, side by side, shoulders brushing occasionally without notice.
outside, the city is already buzzing. busses wheeze by, someone's walking their dog in pajama pants, and a bike zips past with a bell that rings too cheerfully for how early it is. the sky is pale and wide, still deciding if it's going to be a warm day or not.
deku tugs his hoodie tighter. "i always forget how loud the world is before nine."
katsuki sips his coffee like it's armor. "it's either this or the weird neighbor who plays the saxophone at night."
"im starting to think i prefer the saxophone."
they head toward the corner where they'll part ways—deku to the subway, katsuki to the bus stop. it's a familiar split, the same as every weekday, but not tired. just routine.
katsuki checks his phone, still looking for any messages from his boss. "text me if your meeting goes sideways."
deku nods. "and you let me know if your manager starts monologuing again."
then they go, each parting ways and stepping into their own momentum.
katsuki watches deku disappear into the mouth of the subway station, green curls bobbing in the crowd, and then turns toward his bus stop. the coffee in his hand is still warm, and he takes one last long sip before tossing the empty styrofoam cup into a nearby bin.
the city's alive now—people moving fast, heads down, earbuds in, dodging puddles from last night's rain. katsuki pulls his hood up and slips his hands into his jacket pockets. he feels that familiar morning tension building in his chest: the tight squeeze of a day he's not entirely ready for.
the bus pulls up with a hydraulic sigh, and he steps on, tapping his card with a dull beep. he grabs a seat near the back, where the heater is humming faintly and the window fogs just a little. He presses his forehead to the glass.
he watches the world blur by—corner stores opening their gates, dog-walkers getting tangled in leashes, someone in a business suit already yelling into their phone. katsuki's reflection stares back at him from the glass, faint and tired.
before he knew it, the bus lurched forward again, and katsuki straightens up. he thinks about the shift ahead—customers, coworkers, noise—he wasn't ready. he was already irritated and secretly wished that the bus ride was slow. but he wasn't exactly lucky.
the bus bumps along, stopping and starting through the thick morning traffic. katsuki watches the city wake up—parents walking kids to school, construction workers already covered in dust, a guy in a suit sprinting for a crosswalk like it's life or death.
the usual chaos.
at the next stop, he pulls the cord. the bus wheezes to a halt, and he steps off into the cool air, blinking against the sudden light. his workplace is just down the block—a small coffee shop tucked between a laundromat and a vape shop. it was usually pretty crowded im the mornings so he was surpised to not see as many cars in the parking lot.
then suddenly his morning changed.
katsuki was glancing at his phone with his earbuds in as he looked at his playlist to find a different song to listen to. he had no idea who was approaching him with a cup of coffee in hand and couldn't hear it over the loud rock music blasting in his ears.
thud. a shoulder clips. the coffee jolts. the phone nearly drops.
katsuki looked down at his now coffee-stained hoodie in disgust before instantly noticing the taller male sprawled awkwardly on top of him.
the unknown guy was obviously taller and bigger than katsuki due to him hovering over him even when awkwardly being on top of him. his hair was split evenly down the middle, the right side being pure whire and the left side being a dark red. his eyes were also mismatched: his right eye being gray, while his left eye was turquoise.
despite this, katsuki could only see half of his face because the guy wore a black hospital mask as if he weren't already sketchy enough.
then their eyes met — and in that instant, katsuki felt something unexpected, like a jolt straight through his chest. the unknown guys heterochromic gaze held a mix of surprise and something softer, almost like awe. time seemed to suspend—the noise, the crowd, the rush of people all fading into the background.
his hands braced gently on either side of katsuki, steadying him on the ground. the warmth from his touch spread through katsuki's skin, making his heart race faster than before. for a brief moment, the frantic world outside disappeared completely, leaving only the two of them in a bubble of quiet connection.
katsuki's breath hitched as the guy leaned in just a fraction closer, their faces inches apart. his mind scrambled, caught between confusion and a magnetic pull he couldn't explain. that accidental fall wasn't just a stumble—it was the start of something neither of them could ignore.
but katsuki was stubborn.
without another thought, katsuki pushed the unknown person off of him and stared at him in disgust.
"what the hell is your problem??" katsuki looked him up and down but the man didn't respond and quickly stood to his feet and held his hand out.
katsuki glanced at his hand, very skeptical about touching this random guy at all. but the guy wasnt letting up and just stared at katsuki with his creepy(beautiful) multicolored eyes so katsuki gave in and took his hand.
the man was strong, pulled katsuki up with ease as if he was nothing. now that they were both standing katsuki could more clearly see that the guy was taller which definitely was another surprise since katsuki didn't know anyone taller than him.
then the man bowed, apologized, and quickly walked past him. it was the quickest interaction that katsuki had ever endeared. so quick it was barely an interaction. katsuki looked back but noticed that the man was already gon, probably turned the corner by now and disappeared into the busy streets of tokyo.
katsuki shook his head exhaled trying to reduce the anger that began to flow in his veins. how could he bump into katsuki and then walk away like it was nothing? is he aware that his coffee got all over him??
katsuki wanted to turn around, go find he guy and march right up to him to let him know exactly how he felt about what just happened. but he had work to do and there was no telling where he was now so he sighed and walked through the parking lot with a huff.
he pushed open the door, the bell above it giving a lazy ring.
"morning bakugo!" called ashido, his manager/somewhat friend, already behind the counter, sipping a smoothie and scrolling on her tablet.
"hey" he says, forcing a small smile. "we busy?"
"not yet," she shrugs. "give it an hour."
he clocks in, grabs his name tag from the little hook in the back room, and throws his hoodie into his locker before reapplying his apron on top of his black tshirt.
"oh hey bakugo, you know a celebrity just came in here?" ashido excitedly said from the counter as katsuki joined her and adjusted a stack of coupons for a sale that no one's excited about.
"what are you talking about?" katsuki sighed.
"are you familiar with the todoroki family?" she asked, her eyes lighting up as she did.
"huh?"
"oh em gee, how do you not know??" she screamed, "the todoroki's are like this super rich family that-"
"welcome back to channel 8, tokyo news!"
katsuki glanced up at the mounted TV above the pastry case, where the entertainment segment had just cut to the news. ashido frowned, her conversation being cut short and enterupted by the suddenly loud television; but when her eyes rested on the contents of the screen, her bright smile returned. a bright logo flashes across the huge black screen, and then—
katsuki froze.
there on the screen, half-smiling in a sleek black suit at some red carpet event, is him. the guy that katsuki literally bumped into outside no more than 10 minutes ago.
the celebrity's name appears on the screen in bold text.
' shoto todoroki - son of famous business owner : ENJI '
of course. he hadn't recognized him right away— he didn't know how, he should've recognized those eyes immediately. maybe it was the mask. katsuki felt so blind, how did he not recognize him?
but now, watching him laugh and wave on-screen, it clicked in his head fully. the bone structure. the voice. the way he smelled like expensive cologne and fresh air.
"holy shit." katsuki muttered, eyes wide. "i should've acted injured and sued him.."
"that's him!" ashido exclaimed, "shoto todorki, he's so dreamy!"
katsuki faced her, "he's the 'celebrity' that just walked in here?"
ashido excitedly nodded, "yup! ordered a iced latte with nonfat milk and sugar packets!" she explained, "but then some fan girls came in and he rushed out with the drink, didn't even pay, but i don't care!"
the TV keeps playing clips, interviews, and fans screaming while katsuki leaned against the counter and properly examined him.
he'd just run into that guy. literally. he might've touched the shoulder of someone worth billions of dollars and he didn't use it in his benefit.
katsuki cursed under his breathe just as a normal customer walked inside and ashido headed torwards the back. he took the old woman's order with ease as he kept shooting small glances at the TV up above.
extremely frustrated with himself, he went to the back and slammed his fist on the counter.
what are the chances that he ever gets that opportunity again?