Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Katsuki first noticed him about a month or two ago— the Boy in the Gakuran Uniform.

It was on the same day he had to take the train for the first time in years since going pro. After an unfortunate villain chase down Tokyo streets, his most beloved custom black and orange Yamaha had to be taken into the shop.

It was Katsuki’s own fault when he made the split decision to ditch his bike to dodge an enemy attack. Katsuki himself was lucky and had managed to escape with only some minor scrapes and bruises but the same couldn’t be said for his poor old girl. And to top it off, as punishment for not listening to orders and going in on his own, Jeanist had refused to allow Katsuki to borrow the agency’s spare vehicles while his only mode of transportation was being repaired.

A lesson in humbleness, Jeanist had told him then.

A lesson in responsibility for his own recklessness, too, amongst other things, like: lack of compassion (apparently), refusal to cooperate (the other sidekicks and interns had reported), a big ego (or so they say)...

Jeanist had told Katsuki that this lesson was for his own good.

Whatever, like hell taking public transportation was going to knock Katsuki down a peg. Tch.

Regardless, at 7:05 am, he had found himself standing behind the yellow line of the platform waiting for the doors of the approaching train to open. It was then he laid eyes on him, the boy with the strange dual colored hair, split perfectly down the middle. Left side red, right side white. It was that weird coloring that piqued Katsuki’s interest from the corner of his eye; the mop of candy cane hair pushing forward inside the train while expertly dodging the exiting riders.

Katsuki followed in afterwards when the crowd got smaller, settling to lean against the plexiglass of the bench separators closest to the right side of the train doors. When the doors slid closed and set off to the next station, the blond took in his surroundings while at the same time making sure not to meet eyes with anyone who could recognize him as the current Number 9 hero. He really didn’t need to be sighted while he was trapped in a moving cage, unable to flee like he normally could if he were stopped on the streets for an autograph or a picture by fans.

Kids and normal fans he could deal with, it was the overly touchy and loud fans who didn’t know the meaning of personal space that made him despise the whole fan service ordeal. And unfortunately, those overbearing fans were everywhere and approached him in never-ending waves.

He scanned the not too overly crowded train cart, still early for the day to really begin; it was mostly salary workers and students making their daily commute. No one really paid attention to him and he was glad for it. Not that he screamed ‘I’m a hero!’ while donning civilian clothes, especially when his black eye mask was a signature piece of his hero ensemble and he rarely ever showed his full bare face to the public, but still, he pulled his black ball cap closer to his eyes just in case.

Katsuki’s momentarily startled when he realized that someone was watching him from the other side of the cart; it’s the boy in the gakuran uniform and bicolored hair. Their eyes meet and the pro hero got a better look at him now.

The first thing Katsuki noticed was that the other was a high school student, dressed in all black with his school bag nestled on the floor between his feet. The second thing he saw, and was stunned when he did, was that the student had mismatched colored eyes, too. Katsuki’s first assumption was that the two-toned hair color was dyed in poor taste but seeing the striking set of blue and grey eyes, Katsuki doesn’t think it was the case anymore. The third thing that came to mind, but stayed with Katsuki for days, was damn, the boy was fucking pretty. The last thing Katsuki thought, was that the apparent scar on the boy’s left side of his face didn’t deter from his beauty at all. Instead, it made Katsuki want to know what happened. Of course, those were just a few things that Katsuki noticed on that first train ride.

Later though, after a few more rides, Katsuki would observe more. Like how the boy must’ve been raised strictly, always sitting so prim and proper, back straight and hands politely closed in his lap, and how the boy lacked any friends, or at least any school buddies to make the commute with. Katsuki spied that he was always traveling alone, and rarely made any effort to play or type away on his phone like the other schoolkids who would laugh at whatever was happening on their screens. He also realized that the boy rarely showed any emotion at all, always looking serious and aloof; kind of mature than what a boy his age should be.

Nestled between two middle-aged office workers, the student looked small. He’s got a lithe build, a figure that was delicate in a way that made Katsuki want to handle him with care and precision, too scared that the boy might break if too much force was used. Not in a perverted way, but in a general sense. Like as if a too strong of a wind might blow the boy away.

Katsuki hadn’t seen such a fragile-looking male since middle school Deku, no Izuku, he had to keep reminding himself not to use the negative moniker he bestowed upon the other hero when he was a young, insecure brat; not that he could call his childhood rival that anymore. No, Izuku was a strong hero in his own right, had been since he knocked Katsuki out and won the U.A. Sports Festival in their second year. Of course, Katsuki claimed the number one spot in their first and last year at the prestigious hero school.

The mismatched hair and eyes, Half-and Half, or Halfie, as Katsuki had begun to call the boy in his head ever since, stared at Katsuki a moment longer than most strangers would before bowing his head in a slight nod and then casting his eyes somewhere else.

Did the boy recognize Katsuki as pro hero Dynamight? If he did, why wasn’t he making a bigger deal out of it? Didn’t he want an autograph or a picture to post on his social media accounts or brag to his friends when he got to school? Maybe all those other crazy fans were getting to Katsuki, but the fact that all he got was a simple nod of the head, not even a smile, from Halfie made him think that the boy was something else.

And for the remainder of the twenty-minute train ride until the boy got off at Ginza Station, Halfie never looked back at Katsuki. He would know because he spent all those twenty minutes observing the student that intrigued him.

Katsuki saw him again the next day. And the day after that. And again, for the whole week. Katsuki had only ever saw the lanky boy in the mornings, never on his way home. As a pro hero, he worked long hours most days. By the time Katsuki boarded the train in the evening, there’d be no reason for a student like Halfie to be on it at the same time as him.

But for whatever reason, like Katsuki, the student had a liking to early mornings. He would later learn that it was because the boy didn’t want to be in his family home any longer than he had too. It seemed like a typical teenager response to Katsuki at the time; however, he’d learn the reason was much more heartbreaking than what it was at face value.

Always showing up on the same platform as Katsuki at Asakusa Station right at 7:00 am to catch the 7:05 outbound train to Shibuya. Like clockwork, Katsuki would board cart #3 and lean against the plexiglass by the doors while the boy would find a vacant seat in the same cart. They would ride the train on opposite sides; Katsuki did it so that he can get a better view of the boy from where he stood. As for Halfie, Katsuki didn’t know his reasoning but Katsuki liked to think it was for the same one as him.

They never really interacted though, only sometimes catching each other glancing at the other. When caught, the boy would shyly turn away. But when Katsuki was caught, he would hold his gaze with the student until eventually the younger boy would feel shy and turn away first. Katsuki would smirk when he’d see the pink lighting up the boy’s milky white cheeks. Chubby cheeks. Cheeks that looked so pinchable, like a baby’s.

He might as well be a baby, Katsuki chided himself every time his mind was filled with dirty thoughts, like wanting to bite those baby cheeks to see if they really were soft and squishable as they looked.

No, Katsuki, no. You ain’t no cradle robber, he reminded himself.

The first time he heard the boy’s voice was sometime during Katsuki’s second week of taking public transportation.

It was surprisingly deep and baritone, his voice carrying throughout the cart as the train was still relatively empty and quiet, say for the sounds of the train screeching along the tracks. The phone call that the boy answered didn’t last long, nor did the boy say a whole lot, much to Katsuki’s dismay.

Katsuki didn’t mean to stare, but when the boy hung up and found Katsuki looking, he dipped his head in a low bow again. This time in an apologetic manner, like as if his short phone call had disturbed Katsuki’s morning commute. Maybe it was the signature scowl that everyone said Katsuki wore that made the student think that way.

In reality though, Katsuki was thinking he really liked the sound of his voice. Keep talking, he wanted to say to the alluring boy in the gakuran uniform.

By the third week, Katsuki had opted not to take the train at first. He had his bike back. There was no reason for him to take the train anymore.

It’s not like he enjoyed the public commute; he had actually missed the feeling of the roaring engine underneath him and the thrill of weaving through traffic with expert ease. And yet, by the end of the week, Katsuki found himself back on the platform at 7:00 am sharp, waiting for the train.

And maybe for someone else.

Subjugated to rubbing elbows with strangers and trying his best to stay inconspicuous, Katsuki found that it was all worth it when he made eye contact with Halfie. The boy had been running late in the morning he returned, Katsuki had already boarded the train and was leaning in his regular spot when the grey and blue-eyed boy squeezed through the closing doors just barely making it. Out of breath and looking a bit flushed, Katsuki found him mesmerized by the boy once again.

Feeling eyes on him, the boy turned his head only to find Katsuki’s unwavering gaze. The look of surprise on the boy’s face was evident by the way his mismatched eyes widened a bit though his aloof face soon returned. Without a care that he might be caught, Katsuki watched the boy take his seat, as usual, on the opposite side of the train. Katsuki would have been okay with the day turning out to be like every other time he’d taken the train so long as he was able to get a glimpse of the boy.

But instead, in his first time back after almost a week, to his utmost surprise, the boy in the gakuran uniform confidently glanced over Katsuki’s way and proceeded to give him a smile. A small smile, almost barely there, but a smile nonetheless.

In turn, Katsuki couldn’t help the smirk that formed on his own mouth before covering his eyes with the dip of his baseball cap.

That one smile alone became the sole reason why Katsuki found himself on the train once again, for a fourth week. But something about that week, he felt was going to be different, and he was right.

On Monday, the boy in the gakuran uniform with his school bag slung over one shoulder had stood right next to Katsuki as they both waited for the train. The boy had refused to look at Katsuki directly, but the hero could tell that the boy was stealing glances when he thought he was being sneaky.

On Tuesday, for the second day in a row, the boy in the gakuran uniform stood next to Katsuki on the Asakusa platform but not before greeting Katsuki with a soft hello. Katsuki had thought he was hearing things because why would a pretty boy like him greet Katsuki, a loud and brash hero, so softly like that. But the small smile that followed after before shy eyes turned away made Katsuki realize he heard true. So, Katsuki grunted a hello back, hiding his own blush back.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the boy in the gakuran uniform didn’t show up. If Katsuki had a shit day and was ruder and harder to deal with than other days, it wasn’t because the boy in the gakuran uniform didn’t show up.

Fuck it, it was the reason.

When Friday came, Katsuki had debated while making breakfast in his fancy high-rise apartment if he should take his bike to work that day. What were the chances that he’d see Halfie today if he hadn’t shown up in the last two days?

In the end, Katsuki stood on the platform of the Asakusa Station waiting for the Ginza Line train. The boy in the gakuran uniform didn’t appear, again, much to Katuski’s disappointment.

It didn’t help that the train was busier than usual and Katsuki soon found himself pushed deeper into the cart for the first time. People were crowding on all sides of him and there wasn’t a single seat that was vacant. Rather than just students and office workers like usual, Katsuki found that more families were on the train today. A lot of giddy middle school and high school students were accompanied by dressed-up parents, and older and younger siblings.

Ah, what a shit day to take the train, Katsuki thought.

He let out a tired sigh and was mentally preparing himself for the long, crowded ride. With more people onboard, who looked more awake and energized for early morning than usual, Katsuki pulled up the collar of his windbreaker jacket and hid the lower bottom of his face into the fabric. Cause of course, the majority of commuters today were demographically the same age as the majority of his fans.

“Good morning,” A deep, familiar voice greeted to Katsuki’s right.

Turning to his side, Katsuki was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with the sight of the boy in the gakuran uniform standing so close to him, the closest they’ve ever been to touching.

The boy’s mismatched hair was styled differently, in waves today from his usual straight style. His front bangs that normally covered his eyes were framing the side of his face, giving Katsuki a perfect view, with no obstruction, of the unique icy blue and grey eyes, as well as the scar that adorned his face.

Now that he was up close, Katsuki could tell that the scar wasn’t a birth defect but a scar that was caused by something or someone, an accident probably. Katsuki’s been around enough injured people as a pro hero over the years to distinguish a burn scar when he saw one.

The student must’ve sensed Katsuki’s stare at the scar because the boy’s small smile wavered, turning his head to the side so that the scar was no longer in view. And what confidence the younger boy had when he decided to stand next to Katsuki and flash him the same smile that kept Katsuki up at night since he’d seen it all those weeks ago and wished him a good morning today, was gone.

Instead, the boy looked regretful. Like as if he just remembered something.

Stupid! Katsuki thought. Of course, Katsuki must’ve made the boy feel bad about his scar with all his staring. Couldn’t play it cool but instead had to be ogling him cause it’s the first time he got to look at him so closely.

Katsuki cleared his throat, which brought the boy’s attention back to him.

“Ah, good morning,” Katsuki replied. “You, ugh, made it in time.”

The boy nodded his head in agreement, shifting closer to Katsuki as the other rowdy students brush against him. Katsuki angled his body to make room for the red and white-haired boy so that they’re facing each other rather than standing side by side.

He was so small, Katsuki thought. The Boy in the Gakuran Uniform barely passed the top of Katsuki’s shoulders, standing more than a head shorter than the hero. He was also thin, unlike the more muscular and built men (and women) that Katsuki was usually surrounded by, being a hero and all. So, when the train suddenly jerked forward causing the boy to fall against Katsuki’s chest, the hero was able to easily balance the both of them, securing a strong hold on the boy’s upper arm.

“Are you okay?” Katsuki asked.

“Yes!” The boy answered, quickly jumping back and righting himself. Katsuki didn’t miss the blush of the boy’s face as he grabbed onto the handle ring this time to avoid falling over again. “I’m so sorry!”

Katsuki chuckled. “Don’t sweat it, kid.”

They rode in silence, sneaking glances at each other when they thought the other wasn’t looking. And as they continued on with the commute, the more they got pushed closer together with each station stop but the silence continued.

Looking down, Katsuki could see the boy fidgeting with the sleeves of his jacket uniform. It was endearing since the boy had always looked calm and collected all the other times. It was then Katsuki made the rash decision that he didn’t want this to be the most interaction they’ll ever have. So, he spoke up.

“You look different today,” Katsuki said, wanting it to be known to the boy that he had paid attention to him before. Many times before, if Katsuki was being honest.

The boy looked up at Katsuki with surprised eyes, instantly threading his hand through his left fringe like it was a conscious move on his part to touch his scar. Katsuki saw the moment that the boy realized that he didn’t have any hair to cover his scar today.

“Ah, yes,” The boy spoke quietly, moving his hand down when he realized it was futile to hide. “I’m graduating today. My older sister did my hair; said today was a special occasion.” He explained.

Ah, that would explain all the families aboard the train today and the certain excitement in the air. It was an ending of a chapter and the beginning of a new adventure for these kids. Including the pretty one standing next to him.

The gloomy thought that this might be the very last time that they would ride the train together in the morning hit Katsuki. But he pushed that thought back down, he needed to remember that all they are were fellow train riders on the Ginza Line and nothing more.

There was at least a five-year age gap between them, and Katsuki had no business frolicking with some minor despite how pretty said minor was. But at the same time, there was no harm in indulging in their first and last conversation.

So, Katsuki smiled at the boy and said: “Well, congratulations. You’ve worked hard, student.”

The boy blushed instantly at the praise.

“Thank you,” The boy replied.

There’s another moment of silence, neither one knowing what to say. In between the silence, the next stop is announced over the speakers and Katsuki internally started counting down the remaining stops until he had to watch the boy get off.

“It looks good. Your hair.”

“Hm?” The boy looked up at Katsuki with wide eyes, head tilted to the side.

Fuck, he’s adorable, Katsuki thought. But why did Katsuki even find him cute? The boy was nothing remotely close to Katsuki’s type!

Well, a pretty face was a pretty face.

“You should show off your eyes more. It’s a good look on you.”

“Ah, I’ll keep that in mind.” The way the boy fisted the strap of his school bag tightly didn't go unnoticed by Katsuki. Instead, Katsuki watched the boy with amusement in his eyes, waiting to see what the boy would say next since he clearly had something to say.

Katsuki had an inkling that the boy was aware of his hero identity and was probably working his way up to asking him for a favor. If he did, this would be one of the rare times that Katsuki wouldn’t be annoyed to sign an autograph or pose for a selfie.

“Can I know your name?” The boy blurted out; his eyes closed in embarrassment and fist still clenched tight around his bag. Katsuki could see his knuckles turning white.

That… was not what Katsuki was expecting him to ask. Did he really not know who Katsuki was?

“Hah?”

“I just want to know your name.” The boy repeated, softly. He sounded shy but the determined look in his eyes showed Katsuki that there was a bit of nerve in him.

Sucked into the allure of this boy standing beside him, watching and waiting for Katsuki’s answer, Katsuki had missed the announcement that the next station they were arriving at was Ginza.

“Shoto,” The boy said, bringing Katsuki back to the moment and away from his thoughts. “My name is Shoto.” He supplied instead while Katsuki stood silent in confusion.

“Shoto…” He repeated. The name sounded good on Katsuki’s tongue.

But to his surprise, the boy started moving. Away from him. He fell into step with the other commuters, a whole lot of them making their way off the train.

“It was nice. Talking to you today.” The boy told Katsuki, over his shoulder as he walked further and further away.

Katsuki felt himself inch forward, a magnetic force pulling him towards the boy, until he stopped himself.

The boy turned his back to Katsuki, slowly moving out of Katsuki’s sight as other passengers got up and swarmed the exit. For some reason, Katuski’s heart started beating like crazy. Before, he had only felt this kind of adrenaline when he was fighting villains. But there was no danger right now; so, what could this mean?

“Wait!” Finally snapping out of his daze. Katsuki could see the top of a red and white head turn back but couldn’t see a face, the smaller framed boy hidden between moving bodies. “My name…it’s Bakugo Katsuki!”

Katsuki would like to think that the boy heard him but the hero wouldn’t know for sure because in a matter of seconds, the train cart cleared out and the doors slid closed leaving Katsuki standing in the middle with the remaining riders looking at him strangely.

“Ah, fuck,” Katsuki swore, pulling his cap down before making his way to his favorite spot to stand for the rest of the train ride.

The remainder of the commute went by faster that morning, maybe it was because Katsuki’s mind and thoughts were plagued by the alluring boy in the gakuran uniform, with his pretty icy eyes and his funny looking split colored hair, and mysterious scar.

And his smile, the smile that was so small but so bright. A voice so deep but shy. He was a walking contradiction and yet Katsuki couldn’t stop thinking about him even though he knew he should.

__

It was quickly approaching Katsuki’s twenty-third birthday, almost a month since the last time he rode the train willingly. He had taken it a few more times, but to his luck, he hadn’t seen a certain pretty faced high school student and had since gone back to riding his custom Yamaha to work. To make matters worse, he had been in such a shitty mood for the first couple of weeks since coming to terms that the stranger on the train would stay, just a stranger, that he had opened up to Eijiro, his best friend and fellow hero.

“So, what’s the deal, Bakugo? Heard you’re heartbroken.” Denki, a member of the so-called ‘Baku-squad’ said, nonchalantly as he nibbled on the free peanuts that he was hogging as soon as he sat down at the table of the izakaya.

Katsuki’s eyebrows twitched in irritation. He hadn’t been here for a full five minutes and yet he was already pissed off.

How did he even let Eijiro drag him out for an early birthday dinner and drinks when hanging out with this gang of idiots was never a fun time.

“Oh, man, is that why you’ve been so gloomy lately?” Sero asked before turning his attention to sipping his beer when Katsuki gave him the stink eye.

“What’s this about heartbreak?” Mina singsong, leaning on the table with her head propped up by hands. There was a wicked smile on her face, and Katsuki’s known the pink skinned hero long enough that she wasn’t going to drop the topic anytime soon. “Didn’t know you were even in love in the first place.”

“I wasn’t.” Katsuki answered. “And I’m not. Heartbroken or whatever.”

“Then what’s Eijiro talking about when he told us not to mention the guy on the train?” Denki asked, ignoring the pointed look that the red-haired hero shot him from across the table.

“Ahaha! I don’t know what any of these people talking about!” Eijiro stated, letting out a bellowed laugh.

Katsuki shot his best friend a glare. He really should’ve known better than to spill anything to Eijiro even though his friend probably had good intentions when he blabbed to the rest of the group.

“Dude, you’re telling me you took the train for a man?” Hitoshi, the normally quiet observer of the group, spoke up.

The fact that Hitoshi said something must've meant that Katsuki’s behavior was way off from being normal, that or maybe any mention of his personal life really was as interesting as the media made it out to be. “You actually gave up your bike, to take a train? For a man?”

“First of all, the bike was in the shop. I had no choice.”

“He really didn’t. Jeanist wouldn’t let him take any of the agency’s spare vehicles.” Eijiro attested.

Katsuki rolled his wrist at Eijiro, in a do you believe me now gesture to the rest of them.

“Also, the guy on the train wasn’t a man.”

Everyone at the table shot Eijiro a confused look, urging him to elaborate.

“Don’t tell them anything.” Katsuki warned his friend.

“What? I’m confused.” Mina stated.

“He’s more like… a boy. A high school student.” Eijiro prattled.  

“Oh my god, seriously Katsuki?!” Mina squealed. “How scandalous!”

Katsuki dumped his face into his hands. “What the actual fuck, Eijiro,” He grumbled into his fist. “He’s not a kid! He was graduating the last time I saw him.”

“Yeah, but kid’s still 18.” Sero said, stating the obvious, like as if Katsuki didn’t already know that. “Maybe even 17.”

Of course he did! He couldn't even begin to understand why he’d been so fixated on a kid when there are plenty of legal and grown-up potential partners. Not that Katsuki was looking for a partner, not really in that sense.

He didn’t have time to date, nor had he had any desire to ever date before. He had no yearning to settle down or be tied down to one person; for now, strangers in bars and random hook-ups had been enough for him.

So, to hear that Katsuki was fixated on someone for some time now had everyone at the table watching Katsuki with intrigue. It wasn't a secret that Katsuki was known for his one-night stands or his long periods of celibacy. But the blond hero ignored all the eyes on him. He didn’t need to look at them to know that they probably had a hundred different questions that they wanted to ask.

“Like, so you see this kid on the train and then what? What did you plan to do, he’s a minor!” Denki exclaimed, peanut crumbs flying out of his mouth which caused the rest of the table to groan in disgust. Mina gave Denki a hard slap on the arm and reminded him not to talk when his mouth was full.

“Seriously, though. Was he totally your type? Got killer muscles or those broad shoulders that you’re into?” Denki fished, wagging his eyebrows up and down in a motion that made Katsuki want to hit him.

“No! And fuck off, I’m not talking about this anymore!”

“No, he wasn’t your type?” Hitoshi asked for clarification, taking a sip of his beer.

Eijiro shrugged his shoulder, slinking down even more into the booth next to Katsuki. “Apparently he’s a pretty face.” Eijiro answered on Katsuki’s behalf.

“Really?!” Mina squealed. “Since when are you into pretty faces?”

“You saying I’m into uglies?” Katsuki bit back.

Not that Mina wasn’t wrong.

Sure, the people Katsuki had hooked up with in the past have been handsome and good-looking, but not pretty in the way the boy on the train was.

If he was being honest, the Boy in the Gakuran Uniform was more Kirishima’s or Hitoshi’s type. All soft and delicate, and adorably cute; a perfect opposite that would even out their more harsh and manly personas.

Whereas for Katsuki, he liked someone who was rough around the edges and tough, like himself. Someone who wouldn’t back down but instead, knew how to push back. He wanted someone who could stand on equal ground as him. Unfortunately, those types of people were rare to come by and Katsuki had been disappointed over again and again.

“No!’ Mina shouted. “Not at all!”

“Yeah, yeah, I know what you mean,” Katsuki waved his hand at her. “I’m not offended.”

“Well, it’s not like you’ll ever see the kid again.” Sero, realistically stated.

Katsuki was well aware of this, too. He knew it all too well since that day in March when those doors closed and the shorter and slender boy was carried off the train, lost in the sea of people. He should’ve looked into those mesmerizing eyes longer so he could have that mix of stormy grey and icy blue imprinted in his mind for years to come.

“Okay, we didn’t bring Katsuki out to interrogate him!” Eijiro stated, wrapping an arm around Katsuki and the other around Sero, bringing both of them closer to him. “We’re here to celebrate!”

“Hear, hear!” Sero and Denki chimed in.

Katsuki scoffed. “Like I’m in the mood to celebrate anymore.” The blond was sure that the people at the table heard his grumbling but had chosen to ignore his negativity and instead pressed on with the celebration get-together.

By some miracle, they had made it almost three hours without anyone mentioning his personal life (or lack of). However, by the time the group migrated over to the bar for round two, and most of them were drunk off their asses, Katsuki was more relaxed and a bit… flirty.

And so, what if that guy who’d been eyeing Katsuki from the bar for the last half hour was totally his type? All big arms and chest that left little to imagine given how the tight black t-shirt the man wearing was hugging his torso.

“Go get that piece of ass!” Mina whispered into his ear before leaning forward from the seats the group had managed to secure when they entered the bar.

“What?”

Mina rolled her eyes at him. “The hottie checking you out from the bar. He’s been eyeing you for the last half hour. Just go and have fun for once. It’s your birthday.”

“My birthday isn’t actually until next week,” Katsuki stated.

Mina sighed at his response.

“The fact that you corrected her is all the more reason you need to fuck. Or get fucked. Whatever floats your boat.” Denki interrupted, his sixth or seventh drink of the evening in hand. “What’s seriously stopping you?”

“Maybe he thinks he’s lost his game now that he’s old,” Hitoshi said, lifting a glass to his lips.

“Oh fuck, right off,” Katsuki growled at the purple-haired hero.

Hitoshi raised an eyebrow. He’s got a smirk on his face that Katsuki didn't like; it usually was a bad sign.

“Or maybe it’s because the guy is actually allowed to be in the bar,” Hitoshi started to say. “You know, given that he’s an adult.”

Katsuki’s hands exploded in annoyance but before Eijiro even had a chance to calm Katsuki down, Katsuki had slammed both hands onto the table, shaking all the drinks that were on it, and stood up with a scary, determined look on his face.

“Fucking hate you guys,” Katsuki swore at his so-called friends. “If it makes you guys so happy if I get laid then I will.” He declared.

As he made his way to the bar, he could hear his friends hooting and hollering behind him. If he wasn’t as drunk as he was, Katsuki probably would have thought about his next set of actions more carefully, but he wasn’t. So, he put on his game face and sent a look to Bar Guy when he reached the counter and casually leaned against the wooden surface.

“Celebrating something tonight?” Bar Guy asked, gesturing to his group of idiots who all went back to celebrating without him.

Barely giving the guy a glance, Katsuki folded his hands together, leaning forward against the counter. “Yeah, me.” Katsuki answered.

The guy gave him a big laugh, a deep, loud laugh that matched well with his masculine appearance.

Katsuki gave his head a slight turn and eyed the guy bold enough to try to hit on Dynamight. He’s got warm brown eyes, dark brown hair cut short and a crooked nose; can easily be called good-looking with anyone with a set of working eyes.

“Is that right?” Bar Guy questioned, giving Katsuki a wide smirk. Katsuki smirked back; he wasn’t one to back down.

“What can I get you?” The bartender interrupted, eyeing Katsuki.

Katsuki pointedly looks to the figure beside him and motioned his head to the glass in the Bar Guy’s hands. “I’ll have what he’s having.”

“Coming right up.”

“Oh, and put it on those idiots' tab,” Katsuki motioned his head towards his group of said ‘idiots’.

“Sure thing.”

Even without looking, Katsuki could feel eyes on him. He internally smirked at himself; yup, he’s still hot shit.

“You out with your friends tonight?”

“Mhmm,” Katsuki mummed. “Like I said, today is all about me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yup.” Katsuki doesn’t even have to try hard to hold a conversation, never had to.

He wasn’t like Izuku, who liked to mumble on and on about everything and anything all the fricken time, or like Eijiro, who was easy-going and could make talk with just about anybody. Then there’s Denki, who liked to play the dumb blond but it works; though the day Katsuki ever had to pretend to be a dumb blond would be the day hell freezes over.

As for Katsuki, people seemed to be interested in his appearance solely; not like he could brag about his amazing personality. So, yes, Katsuki rarely ever had to try hard since most of his hook-ups were superficial anyway.

“Say, how do you feel about ditching your friends for the rest of your night?”

“I don’t even know your name,” Katsuki scoffed.

Not that he cared for names, he was pretty bad at remembering names. Unless your name was Shoto, and you were the pretty boy in the gakuran uniform who used to take the 7:05am Ginza Line train from Asakusa Station.

Fuck, stop thinking about him, Katsuki reminded himself.

“You’re all rough around the edges, I’m pretty into that. So, what’s yours?” A deep voice, but not baritone like a certain half-and-half kid. If only he was able to hear that deep voice once more.

Fuck, just stop! Don’t think about him, Katsuki!

The Bar Guy gave Katsuki a strange look.

“Huh?” Crap, he didn't catch the guy's name.

“I asked you what’s your name? Thought it be fair since I shared you mine.”

“Ah, right,” Katsuki said. “The name’s Baku-“

Mind confused with the sudden thought of a pretty boy, Katsuki couldn’t think straight. He didn’t even realize he was about to give out his real name to a stranger. Luckily for him, a sharp elbow to the back interrupted him and brought his attention back to the current situation.

“Oh, sorry, my bad!” A sing-song voice apologized to Katsuki, though it didn’t exactly sound apologetic at all.

Katsuki let out a groan, clearly recognizing the voice. Turning around, he was faced with a wide smiling Hawks and a scowling Dabi.

“Oh, hey! What up, man! Didn’t expect to see you here!” Hawks stated, swinging an arm around Katsuki’s shoulders.

“Hello, Feathers,” Katsuki greeted the slightly older hero.

As much as the winged hero annoyed Katsuki, Katsuki’s parents taught him respect. And the fastest hero around was two-years older than Katsuki and was technically his senpai.

His eyes then shifted to the darker clothed hero standing close to the winged hero. The taller hero looked intimidating. Katsuki was not a smiler, always choosing to smirk or scowl, but he had never seen Dabi smile, fake or sincerely. Instead, the oldest hero present had always looked constipated or annoyed; barely giving any heroes or those he worked with a second thought.

Although, Katsuki swore that Dabi’s eyes are all seeing. There had been many times before when Katuski felt Dabi’s eyes boring deeply into his soul, never failing to make Katsuki shiver to his bones. But today, for some reason, the turquoise eyes that stared at him tonight reminded him of someone else.

Katsuki squinted his eyes, not even caring that he was openly observing the blue flamed hero. “Your eyes… and your hair…” Katsuki drunkenly stated.

“What?” Dabi spat out, eyes squinting at Katsuki. He can feel himself being observed closely. “The heck’s up with you tonight?”

“Has it always been so white and pure?” Katsuki blurted out, eyes still raking over the mop of white, fluffy hair.

He didn't miss the confused, raised eyebrows Dabi and Hawks shared.

Those two didn’t even need to say anything out loud to each other anymore, a testament to all the years they’ve worked together for, and whatever relationship those two are engaged in their personal lives. Katsuki’s no gossip but he had heard things; he regularly hung out with Mina and Denki after all.

“Well, I guess I was born with red hair initially,” Dabi explained, his voice losing a lot of edge that he normally spoke in. Maybe he was thinking about why he was even entertaining Katsuki's weird question.

As for Katuski, he wondered if he broke the other hero.

“You did dye your hair black for a period, too,” Hawks reminded Dabi earning a groan from the other.

“It looks familiar,” Katsuki stated. “Like snow. Reminds me of winter.”

Wait, did Dabi say red? Katsuki shook his head.

“Is he okay?” Katsuki heard Hawks whisper to Dabi. “Should we cut him off?” To which Dabi supplied with only a shoulder shrug.

“Fucking hammered is what he is,” Dabi sighed. “Keep an eye on him.” Katsuki heard him instruct his winged companion before waving down the bartender.

Katsuki ignored Dabi’s concern and was about to bite back; a harsh remark that he was twenty-three now (well, soon; in a week anyway), and that he was a responsible, grown adult who could take care of himself when Katsuki’s ordered drink was set in front of him. He blinked down at it for a while before remembering he was supposed to be talking to the hot guy at the bar before his attention was stolen away by turquoise eyes and snowy white hair.

If he was in the right mind state, Katsuki would have had second thoughts of flirting with a guy when the Number Two Hero and Number Four Hero was standing right next to him; heroes who he had looked up to as a student in U.A. in the hero course. Not to mention that said Number Four hero was the son of the current Number One.

But he wasn’t, so instead, he turned his attention back to Bar Guy whose name he missed because he was busy getting distracted thinking about someone else; someone he shouldn’t be thinking about at all. He didn’t miss the startled jump the Bar Guy made when Katsuki set his eyes back onto him.

“Sorry, just some people I know from work.” Katsuki explained.

Bar Guy just stared at him with wide eyes.

“Are you a hero?” The brown-haired stranger asked.

Maybe Katsuki was getting his mind back because now that he stared at the stranger for longer, there wasn’t anything special or unique about him. Kind of boring… why did Katsuki make his way over to the bar for him again?

“How’d you guess?”

Bar Guy made an indistinguishable, gurgled noise.

“Cause that’s fucking Hero Hawks and Hero Dabi!” The stars in his eyes took even more away from any remaining attractiveness Katsuki saw in him, not that there was much remaining with how fast Katsuki seemed to be sobering up.

“Oh my god! I can’t believe a hero is flirting with me! Wait until I tell the guys at work about this…” The guy goes on to talk about how great he must be to score a hero (which was false because Katsuki was definitely not going anywhere with the guy anymore).

It was in the middle of his own thoughts of wanting to spill his own drink on himself so he could make an escape to the washroom when Katsuki zeroed in the conversation happening right next to him. It’s not that Katsuki wanted to eavesdrop; it was more that the conversation happening next to him was more interesting than whatever Bar Guy was sprouting about.

Something about his gym routine and how his leg routine could give heroes a run for their money. Hah, yeah right.

“Sho still mad at you?” Hawks inquired.

“Well, considering the only ones who showed up on time and were actually present to see him receive his diploma were Mom and Fuyumi, so yeah, he’s still upset even though he claims he isn’t.”

“I mean,” Hawks trailed off. “It was his graduation day and you did say you were all going to try to be there for him.”

Dabi scoffed. “Hah, serves him right if he thought it was going to turn out to be a good day. He should know by now how our family is.”

Well, even Katsuki’s heard of the infamous Todoroki’s.

Even with two highly-ranked heroes in the family, the well-known family unfortunately had some of their dark secrets spilled around the time Dabi entered the pro hero scene. Only a high school student at the time, Katsuki had heard about the family abuse and harsh training Endeavor had put his son through in order to ensure Dabi became a pro hero. The media had dived deep into collecting as much information as they could from the normally secretive family, only to spill to the whole world about how Endeavor had put his wife in a mental institute, too.

But despite having all his secrets out in the open, Endeavor was still very much a hero that Bakugo admired. He was strong, invincible, and determined. He was also a human that had faults, which helped Bakugo feel grounded by the time he became a hero. Sure, Endeavor was a shit father but he was a good hero. It’s why he’s number one.

“He’s still a kid. It’s not his fault for wanting to be treated as one.” Hawks stated. “Besides, the kid’s been through the wringer his entire life. It wouldn’t have hurt if…”

Katsuki jumped in his seat when Dabi slammed a hand against the counter.

“If we tried more? If we’ve been better to him? Was that what you were going to say?” Dabi shouted before dumping his face into his hands.

Katsuki heard a loud, exasperate sigh and it was in this moment of clarity that Katsuki realized maybe he shouldn’t have been listening in on such a private conversation.

“I don’t even know how to be a big brother to any of them, what did he or you or anyone else really expected of me?” Dabi asked, sounding utterly defeated.

“Touya…” Hawks breathed out.

“Hey, hero! You listening?” A sharp voice snapped at Katsuki, trying to gain the blond hero’s attention back.

Wait, did that extra really snap his fingers at Katsuki?

Katsuki gritted his teeth together, rolling his eyes to the ceiling. He repeated a mantra in his head: don’t explode, you don’t need to be reprimanded again, Katsuki, don’t explode. The present cackling on his fingertips was a familiar feeling coming forth even if he wasn’t consciously calling out to it.

“Everything alright, Dynamight?” Hawks’ voice called out.

The grounding sound of the hero’s voice allowed Katsuki to open his eyes again. He didn’t even know he had closed them in an attempt to calm himself down.

“Hey, fucker. Why don’t you beat it?” Dabi commanded, leaning forward so that Bar Guy could see his intimidating face from where he stood behind Hawks and Katsuki.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re playing way out of your league,” Dabi stated. The blue flame hero waved his hand at the stranger, dismissing him without a second thought.

For some reason though, Bar Guy sent Katsuki a stare like as if he thought Katsuki would stand up for him or something.

Instead, Katsuki shot him a glare and motioned his head in a second dismissal. “You heard him.”

And then Katsuki turned his back. Katsuki could hear some motion behind him but he didn’t give the loser an extra second of his attention.

“All good?” Hawks asked, eyebrows raised as he eyes Katsuki.

Katsuki knew the look all too well; it’s the same one he would give when doing a once-over on a civilian he saved.

Katsuki nodded his head. “Yeah, ‘m fine.”

In one smooth movement, Dabi had gripped Katsuki’s drink and steered it out of reach. Katsuki didn’t even fight for it back; his inebriation hadn’t done him any good this evening, and in the end, he was still thinking about Shoto.

“I know it’s none of my business,” Dabi started to say. “But you can do way better.”

Katsuki scoffed. “Yeah, I know. Just trying to forget someone tonight.”

“And how’s that going?”

Katsuki didn’t answer the winged hero right away. Instead, his eyes scanned the dark hero once again, really taking in the white hair and turquoise eyes. The familiarity did things to Katsuki and he couldn't help but miss the boy who kept him entertained for weeks without even putting in any effort.

“Not well,” Katsuki said, with a defeated sigh.

__

It’s funny, what fate had in store for Katsuki.

Really, he didn’t believe in birthday wishes or blowing out candles on a cake. But if he did make a wish the day before, it may or may not have been to give him one more opportunity to speak to the boy that he couldn’t seem to get off his mind.

“What is it about him that makes you keep thinking about him?” Izuku had implored him a few days ago when Katsuki had arrived to patrol with a major hangover.

Izuku with his sharp eyes had taken noticed right away leaving Katsuki with no choice but to update the green haired hero on his disastrous birthday celebration. He didn’t mean to tell Izuku everything, but somehow, Katsuki eventually did spill to his childhood friend and current rival about wanting to forget about Shoto and almost making a mistake with boring Bar Guy only to spend the rest of his night surprisingly with Dabi and Hawks, who apparently were way too protective and made sure he got home safe. By dropping Katsuki off right at the doorsteps of his apartment complex. Talk about overbearing, even his own parents weren’t that annoying!

Then again, his mom did lecture him not too long ago about the dangers of living in a big city like Tokyo, like as though she forgot that her own son was a top ten hero! No matter what age you are, apparently mothers never loosen the reins.

“I don’t know,” Katsuki had simply answered then. “It’s not like we talked.”

Which was true. They barely even had a conversation. So, really, what was it about Halfie that Katsuki found attractive?

“Love at first sight then?” Izuku supplied, which immediately earned a scoff from Katsuki.

The multi-quirk holder rolled his eyes exasperatedly at Katsuki in return. “Well, it’s the only thing that makes sense from what I’ve heard. Sometimes, believe it or not Kacchan, but people do fall for each other at first sight. It’s like a bio-chemical reaction that happens instantaneously for two people that for no other reason other than an attraction…”

And Izuku lost Katsuki's attention in a matter of seconds, going off on his tangent that he’s known to do since the forever of time.

“Anyway, you might not believe in love at first sight, but I do,” Izuku finished. “It’s a powerful thing. Exhibit A.”  The small fry had the audacity to motion his hand at Katsuki.

“Shuddup, Deku,” Katsuki had warned though Izuku only smiled, like as if he’d won something. He wanted to wipe that smug look off Izuku’s face but the shorter hero had walked off with a light bounce in his step.

Yet, the idea stuck with Katsuki for days after Izuku planted it in his head. Too many times, Katsuki had tried to talk himself out of the absurd notion which only made him think about Halfie even more. So much for forgetting about him.

Ugh, maybe the green shrimp had a point. Not that Katsuki would ever admit it aloud, he didn’t want to be some movie cliché statistic. That just sounded too… romantic for Katsuki’s style.

Too many times, he had envisioned a small head with dual colored hair and a set of mis-matched colored eyes, and yet, on an unassuming Friday afternoon, the person of his imagination had somehow materialized in front of him. So really – it was too good to be true, if that really was Halfie walking on the opposite side of the street from him.

For a brief moment, Katsuki had talked himself out of believing it really was Shoto because what were the chances? Tokyo was way too big for him and Shoto to cross paths again. There wouldn’t be a lot for a student like him to be in the area to visit anyway; it was Tokyo’s business district where a lot of hero agencies had set up shop and really not much of anything else.

Each second of hesitation, the mop of weird colored hair was getting further and further away.

Seriously though, what did he have to lose?

In the end, Katsuki cupped his hands around his mouth, and maybe sounding a bit too desperate for his own liking, shouted out to Halfie.

“Shoto!” He dragged out the last syllable.

His loud yelling had startled the younger boy, as well as a few pedestrians on the street. Curious heads turned to face Katsuki, some gave him quizzical look, most just ignored him and continued on their way. As for Shoto himself, the short and slender boy’s head jerked up in shock at his name being called out so loudly in public. That was all Katsuki needed to see before he started forth towards the frozen figure – he wasn’t imagining him; it really was Shoto, the Boy in the Gakuran Uniform.

Well, maybe that depiction didn’t suit the boy anymore. Gone was the sleek, black uniform and in place, the boy was dressed in black jeans and a cozy dark blue sweater with a dark brown knee-length coat over top. Fitting for a college student.

Katsuki watched as Shoto with his wide eyes scanned the crowd, looking for the person who knew him. People brushed against the boy’s shoulders, tilting him off balance as they walked passed him. It only made Katsuki want to hurry to him faster. But when mismatched eyes finally landed on Katsuki, they widened even more in surprise. It didn’t take long before a ghost of a smile formed on his thin lips.

“Bakugo-san,” Shoto breathed out, a shy laugh following after.

His name… Shoto knew his name. He had heard Katsuki that day after all.

Katsuki didn’t know why that knowledge made him feel elated, but it did.

“Hey,” Katsuki greeted. He couldn’t resist the smirk that formed on his lips either.

For standing just mere centimeters from him, was the boy he had fallen in love with at first sight.

__

“You’re…here,” Shoto repeated softly, unblinking like as if Katsuki might disappear if he did. “I can’t believe it.”

“So are you.” Katsuki was just as astonished. "Why?"

For a fleeting moment, he wondered if the Birthday Gods actually answered his wish. Fuck, Mina and Denki were really rubbing off on him.

“Oh, I was visiting my brother nearby,” Shoto answered. “My sister also made some food for me so I was picking that up from him.”

Katsuki glanced down and noticed the hefty looking pink bag with strawberry designs all over it. The bag looked ridiculous, and not at all Halfie’s style but at the same time, suited him. Maybe cause Shoto was all cute and dainty like the red fruit.

Someone bumped into Shoto again, this time causing the bag strap to slip off his thin shoulder. Katsuki reached out to steady the smaller boy, getting a strong hold on the student’s elbow. He didn’t miss the pink blush against pale skin.

Cute.

“If you aren’t in a hurry, do you want to grab a coffee with me?”

Wait, did Katsuki actually ask out the kid? He could actually hear the voices of his band of idiots in his head making scandalous sounds in his head, specifically Denki screeching and calling him a cradle robber, like he has ever since he found out about Katsuki’s obsession with the younger man.

“But if you have to go – “ Katsuki rambled, reaching behind his head to rub his neck. It was a normal reaction from him when he felt out of his comfort zone, whether he was nervous or embarrassed.

Fuck. Was he being a creep?

What if Katsuki read the signals all wrong and Shoto had no interest in him. Was the kid going to report him to the cops?!

Damn, the only one stupid thing he has done since debuting as a pro hero and it was going to get him fired, face plastered all over the media, and blacklisted from all the hero agencies in the country.

Luckily, Shoto stepped in to save him from his internal downward spiral.

“I don’t have anywhere to go!” Shoto exclaimed, gripping onto the front of Katsuki’s jacket. The hasty and unpredictable move surprised Katsuki and it must’ve shown on his face because Shoto slowly pried his fingers off the fabric.

If Shoto’s face could get any redder, he’d be a tomato. It only made Katsuki find the boy even more endearing.

If anyone passing by and were curious enough to look over at them, they would witness both men looking flustered with pink dusted on their cheeks. The two of them both equally embarrassed at their own actions, as well as pleasantly surprised at the other’s reaction.

Katsuki cleared his throat and gestured his head down the street. “There’s, um, a café just down this street. They make good pastries, too.”

It’s where Katsuki would duck into if he wanted a good coffee and a minute to himself away from all the hero work. It was also only a few blocks away from the agency, a good location if he ever had to hurry back.

Shoto nodded in excitement, his face lighting up with eagerness. Or at least as much excitement as the stoic boy can show. It’s the way his eyes widen, a light in his irises that sparkled under the sun.

They walked comfortably next to each other, arms brushing against each other every so often. From the small talk they engaged in, Katsuki confirmed that Shoto was a quiet spoken person. The younger man would speak just loudly enough to hear, in a low voice that vibrated deep to Katsuki’s core. Shoto was the opposite in that way, especially when compared to Katsuki’s loud and boisterous personality. But Katuski could be quiet, too. When he wanted to.

Like now, with Shoto.

It was as though it was just them two in the world, there was no need to be loud when the person he was with was just a hair breadth away, a secret moment between them where they could blend in with the crowd and no one would be none the wiser that there was a highly ranked pro hero amongst them.

“So, what have you been up to lately?” Katsuki asked, taking a sip of his iced black coffee. He was leaning back comfortably in his seat; arm rested on the back of his chair as he observed the smaller boy in front of him.

Katsuki could stare at him all day if he was allowed to. Shoto was just that mesmerizing.

“I go to the University of Tokyo now,” Shoto replied, playing with the straw of his sugary drink. He looked an equal mix of shy and uncomfortable – not in a way that made Katsuki think that he was uncomfortable around him but more so, not used to this sort of situation. “I’m studying medicine.”

Katsuki raised an eyebrow at that. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting but he wouldn’t have placed any money on that answer. But the more he studied the shy boy that could barely meet eyes with him, the more he could see Shoto as a doctor one day.

From first impressions, Shoto seemed studious, and punctual from what Katsuki had observed before – showing up exactly at the same time for the train. He also seemed level headed, calm, and observant, so mature and well-put together compared to much of the population his age who was still trying to figure themselves out.

It made Katsuki think that Shoto and him are quite alike. Back then when he was Shoto’s age – heck even younger, Katsuki had known full well what he wanted to do. There was no guessing about it, he was going to be a pro hero. It was attractive to find that same fire in someone else.

“A doctor, huh?” Shoto nodded his head up and down. “Do you know what field of medicine?” To that question, Shoto shook his head.

“I’m still learning about the different fields, I’ll be able to learn more in a few years when I get to do my residency. But maybe emergency room or maybe even plastic surgeon?” Katsuki must’ve let his surprise show if Shoto felt the need to explain himself. “More like reconstruction plastic surgery, for those who have gotten into accidents and just want to look a bit more like themselves without having to look in the mirror to be reminded of what happened to them.”

Katsuki couldn’t help but glance at the burn mark on the boy’s face. Shoto didn’t have to confirm anything, but his inspiration to go down that route must be because it meant something to him. He didn’t ask about the scar, not when it wss apparent that Shoto felt insecure about it. Unlike the last time Katsuki saw him, Shoto had gone back to hiding behind his long bangs.

“That’s very inspirational,” Katsuki told as much.

A smile formed on the other’s mouth, though the two-toned haired boy was still looking down at his drink. “Who knows what I’ll end up doing, but I hope that whatever I choose, I’ll be able to save lives.”

Oh, it seemed as though they were very similar after all.

“The everyday hero, huh?” Katsuki joked.

It was only a second but the light flickered out of Shoto’s eyes replaced with hatred and spite, and maybe even sadness. Honestly, Katsuki wasn’t even sure what he was seeing; it was a look that didn’t belong on Shoto. He didn’t need to know Shoto for very long to come to that conclusion.

A soft smile, that airy, dreamy look he got when his mind wondered somewhere else, lulled by the rocking of the train. Those were the looks that Katsuki got accustomed to, got to know so well when he observed the younger on the train for weeks.

“Something like that,” Shoto replied, his eyes casted in a faraway look.

Everyone was entitled to their own story, and Katsuki hoped that maybe one day, he would be privy to Shoto’s. In the meantime, Katsuki would do all that he can so that Shoto doesn’t make that look again.

“Do you still take the train?” Katsuki asked instead. He had always wondered if he had given up too quickly, if maybe he had been more persistent than maybe he could have seen Shoto sooner.

“I do, but not the same one as you,” Shoto answered, a small smile returning to his face. “I moved out not too long ago so that I’m closer to the school. I sometimes take the same line if I’m visiting my parents or my siblings back at home.” Shoto decided to look up at Katsuki, like as if he was double checking to make sure that Katsuki was still here with him. “Every time, I always hoped that I would run into you again. I never did.”

“Until today,” Katsuki said, heart beating fast.

“Until today,” Shoto echoed.

The next three hours flew by and Katsuki bought Shoto all the sweet treats that he wanted, his sister’s homemade food sitting forgotten. The conversations came easily and Katsuki got to listen to Shoto speak as much as he wanted, hands flying about animatedly when he got into a topic that got him excited.

It didn’t take long for Katsuki to realize that Shoto did not know about Katsuki’s alter ego, and that the boy seemed to be enraptured by Katsuki himself, and not Dynamight the hero. It was why Katsuki never revealed to Shoto what he did for work– he wanted to relish in the moment where he was just Katsuki to him and nothing else.

Instead, Katsuki talked about his friends and about all the crazy stories that resulted in hanging out with his gang of idiots. He even told Shoto about how his friends even named their odd group the ‘Bakusquad’ after Bakugo. That got Shoto to laugh, although the young man made him blush when he told Katsuki that he wasn’t surprised because he found Katsuki to be bright and shining, it wouldn’t be a surprise if people wanted to orbit Katsuki.

“Well, Pretty Boy, should I get you home?” Katsuki asked, watching Shoto finish up his second strawberry flavored treat.

Shoto blushed hard causing Katsuki to realize the implication of his words. Unless the boy was as sweet and innocent as Katsuki knew him to be, and he was in fact blushing because Katsuki referred him as ‘pretty’.

“Oh, that’s not necessary, Bakugo-san,” Shoto stated shyly. “We’re quite far out, it’ll be an inconvenience to you.”

Katsuki got up from the table and didn’t hesitate to loop the strap of Shoto’s backpack over his shoulder. “It won’t be,” Katsuki insisted. “Besides, I haven’t taken the train in a while. I’ll show you how I normally get around.” The wink sent Shoto blushing even more.

They walked a few blocks from the café where Katsuki had parked his bike near the agency. At first, Shoto didn’t believe that the bike was Katsuki, letting out a light laugh. But when Katsuki leaned his head toward the bike and started fiddling with the storage compartment, Shoto’s face turned scared, finally realizing that Katsuki wasn’t kidding.

“That’s your ride?” Shoto asked, jaw dropped.

Katsuki laughed, patting the leather seat. “Yup, this is her!” He tossed the spare helmet to Shoto, who fumbled with the catch but didn't drop it. He took Shoto’s bags and placed them in the storage compartment next to his duffle bag that carried his hero uniform inside.

“You scared?” Katsuki jokingly asked.

But the frightened look on Shoto’s face wiped the smug look off Katsuki’s face. “Yeah, a bit.” Shoto honestly answered.

“I’ll drive safe,” Katsuki reassured, realizing how nervous the boy actually was. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Shoto looked up at him and nodded his head, seemingly putting his trust into Katsuki.

“I – I don’t know how to put this on.”

Katsuki chuckled. “Okay, come here Pretty Boy, let’s get you all strapped in.”

He motioned Shoto to step forward. It surprised Katsuki how much he had to looked down, his towering height feeling much more apparent in this moment. From his small face to his thin shoulders, the boy was so small even bundled up in his various layers of clothes.

Katsuki almost lost it when wide, innocent, mismatched eyes looked up at him. To combat his fast, beating heart, he snapped the helmet albeit a little too rough onto Shoto’s head, making the boy look down and adjust the helmet so he could uncover his eyes.

“It’s a bit big,” Shoto said, the straps hanging far from his chin.

“Tch,” Katsuki said. He reached out, his finger brushing against the boy’s cheeks. “That’s cause you have to adjust it. Stupid, tiny head.”

“My head is stupid?” Shoto asked.

“What? No!” Katsuki quickly backtracked.

“Then I’m stupid?”

“No! Definitely not!” Katsuki was starting to panic.

Was he fucking things up after getting his second chance with Shoto? He should’ve known better that he wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea; even Katsuki could admit that he wasn’t great at communicating nor good with words in general. He’d been told that the way he spoke threw people off because it’s usually crude.

“But you just said –“

“I meant that your head is small, that’s a good thing! Doesn’t everyone go around saying how small faces are nice and all.”

Shoto blinked in surprise. “Oh, thank you then.”

Katsuki wanted to die; this conversation was so awkward.

“Okay, let’s get going, princess,” Katsuki stated instead, happy to get going now.

With practiced eased, Katsuki straddled his bike and kicked the bike stand back, balancing the bike between his legs. He turned to Shoto and gestured to him, letting the other know that he was ready.

“So, you’re going to want to come onto the bike from the curb. Probably best if you grip onto my jacket to steady yourself until you feel comfortable,” Katsuki instructed. He extended his hand, palm out. Shoto didn’t hesitate to grab on. “Don’t sit too close to the back, you’re better off scootching close to me.”

“You planned this when you offered me a ride, didn’t you, Bakugo-san?” Shoto stated, accusingly but light in jest.

Okay, so maybe Shoto was onto him.

But even so, Shoto followed Katsuki’s instructions and got onto the bike with little struggle. He felt it behind him when Shoto was moving side to side, brushing against Katsuki’s back as he got comfortable.

“Just don’t want my precious cargo falling off when I’m weaving through traffic.”

“Bakugo-san!”

Even though he couldn’t see him, Katsuki would bet that Shoto was blushing red right now. Instead, he felt the press of Shoto’s cheek against his back, in hiding.

Katsuki chuckled. “Don’t worry, that’s not going to happen,” Katsuki said, playing dumb. “As long as you hold on tight.” He then reached for Shoto’s hands that were already gripping onto the side of Katsuki’s jacket, bringing them to the front of his stomach.

The younger boy hesitated for a second before strengthening his hold on his own hands around Katsuki’s waist.

Man, the things this boy did to Katsuki’s already weakened heart. He just couldn't take it.

In all of Katsuki’s twenty-three years of living, no one had made Katsuki feel so strongly about them. Well, maybe Izuku but that was a lot time ago, and it was mostly anger and annoyance. Thinking back, he was full of immaturity and angst, and unfortunately, picked Izuku to be his own personal punching bag. So, whatever Shoto was making him feel, was all too new.

Sure, he had felt attraction to other people before, lots of times actually, but no one he really had any feelings towards per se. No one made him feel anything other than satisfaction (at most) if their night together was a good one. Most times, they were just a sip to clench his thirst, an itch to scratch.

But Shoto – sweet, innocent, and clueless Shoto.

Katsuki knew that he needed him.