Chapter Text
“Another chapter is done. Good job” izuku said, closing his book. Katsuki could see the instant change in izuku’s personality or overall look
He looked healthier, more alert
It is clear he hasn't eaten something as filling as that
“You're leaving already?”
Katsuki checks his phone
“It's only 6”
“Mhm–” izuku says, closing his laptop without much explanation, katsuki felt what the green hair meant without saying a word
‘I dont own you an explanation, we aren't friends nor close enough for me to even tell you an aspect of my life’
“Goodbye katsuki. See you tomorrow” the green hair mumbled
“Wait. Do you want to play video games or something? Got the latest—”
“Im fine. I have to do groceries and study for my other classes” he said, closing the door behind him
Katsuki was left speechless as he stared at the closed door, nobody had ever refused to play with him, sometimes they joked about needing more takeout for it and katsuki wouldn't mind spending pennies to see the faces of poor people staring in shock
Yet izuku denied him now,
More and he proved just how wrong he was
That he wasnt some money-hungry guy, that they weren't friends because he was popular but he tried to push that thought out
He couldn't accept izuku was a good person
Because that meant doing some self-reflection and seeing how he was the bad guy and fuck that
He wanted deku to play video games with him so he wouldnt study, his plan is still in action—right?
Then why did he offer him food? And why didn't the plan cross his mind till now?
Fuck that, fuck /this/
He grumbles obscene words under his breath as he turns on his gaming station, he orders more take-out food while the screen loads, huffing as he places things on his cart
He shouldn't care about that stupid deku if he was good or bad
Even if he had been telling the truth it doesn't matter
He hasn't had real fun in ages, is it wrong to want to play with someone's career?
/It is/ the back of his mind thinks, like his conscience
It doesn't matter, it's not like he could ever touch him—they would just end up poor forever, and that's fun isn't it?
/Why?/
It's funny because…
/He didn't bully you, didn't make fun of you. If anything he might been the kindest person someone could ever know/
Katsuki ruffles his hair, he doesn't want to think anymore
Fuck it. Is deku poor anyways?
He stands up, getting his phone to cancel his order and gets his car keys, he should just follow that stupid need to see if he’s telling the truth
Why? Why does it matter who he is outside these walls he doesn't try to let it interfere with the classes why is he about to do creepy shit?
/He’s bored/, that's all
He walks out of his house, something he rarely does except when he’s needed at school. Tracking that stupid nerd wasnt hard to do, all he had to search up marketplaces that's old and on the brink of collapsing
Besides, that green mop hair is recognizable anywhere. Just like a creep, he stands a few feet away to not be noticed, katsuki was wearing a mask and sunglasses as he watched deku feel the vegetables to then pay them with the guy
Maybe really just like a stalker, watching from the outside as izuku talked with everyone in the store, giving them a big bow when they offered him free food if katsuki could read mouths well some were thinking about his mother, right…she was sick wasnt it?
He hid behind an electric post as izuku dragged himself to the rundown apartments katsuki remembers playing here when they were kids it just—was it always this?
Well, this could be an act! Maybe
He follows the smaller boy from the other side of the street while also staying a few feet behind so he isn't found out
He rolls his eyes behind his glasses as he hears people higher and whisper about him
Fine—he didn't really try to hide his fancy clothes, his mother had always taught him to dress nice everywhere even on a pig farm and this was close to it
He sees the way izuku goes up the same floor he remembers going up to see and he follows, trying to hide his footsteps
/Still believe he is lying to you?/ the back of his mind asked him
/Admit it, you are the bad guy in someone’s story, you are a horrible human being that made izuku’s life a living hell/
“Mom, im home,” izuku said as he opened the door
Even if he peeks inside he can see how much hasn't changed from the inside
“Im not admitting shit” he grumbled
This was a waste
He—he can't admit that he was worse than what he accused deku of being
Except he has to, he has to accept he fucked up and now he has to make it up
Does he /they really/ have to? No, he just has to stop trying to ruin his life and studies
But some part of him feels like he should do more than that, fine fine
He knows they will never be friends, not after the bullying, the destroying of his things, the—fucking everything
But some part of him wants to be still forbidden, just like other people have done so easily
But by now he should know deku isn't like everyone else. He grumbles as he walks back down the stairs
What the fuck does deku want anyway?
**
“...What are these—”
“200 note books. The same ones you used back in high school”
“200—” He coughs
“200 notebooks? How much did that cost? Scratch that why? What are you going to do with that many notebooks when you dont even do your homework?”
He didn't need to do fucking homework–ugh!
“For you,” he says as if that is the sanest thing to say
200 notebooks? Izuku needed 10 for his 4 years of study!
“Is this a joke again?”
“I was doing some self-reflection—” izuku looked even more shocked now
“ —and decided 200 notebooks was the way to say sorry to me?”
“Didn't know another”
Izuku takes a big breath, in and out
He doesn't get paid enough for this, except he does
“Please return them,” he said, opening his notebook and katsuki’s workbook
“Ah?”
“I dont need notebooks right now and certainly dont need 200. Get your money back katsuki otherwise they are going go to waste—or you can destroy them, set them on fire, or throw them inside koi ponds since they don't have any words on them”
Katsuki winced at the casual insult
But was it an insult or the actual truth? The thing he did to him so many years ago when he begged him not to do it?
“Im not the same”
“Good—then please return them. Even if you did I still dont fully trust you”
And he has a good reason to, katsuki is lying to him right now about being horrible at his classes
If he was mean he could just play along with this game until I decided I do not need a true anymore and prove it then leave the green hair with no job, three months of payments is bound to meet its end
“I know im not in any position for you to trust me,” he said, taking his game control out
“But if I didn't mention anything about the food to try to get back at you, why would I do it for notebooks? And im not doing any work today, Im caught up with the homework, and its a holiday for school shit”
Izuku scowled at him before his eyes went back to the notebooks, he reached out for the first one and traced his finger on the cover
It looked exactly like the one from his younger years
He had stopped using these when katsuki had moved out, he had found cheaper alternatives and they—they didn't bring as much trauma as these
It's funny really, there are so many things he has found traumatic and has tried to move on from those PTSD items but to katsuki it was a normal day at school
He traces the corner where each volume would be in
“I’ll keep a few,” izuku said, mitsuki wouldnt mind if he took a few, would he? Sure katsuki paid for it but if there were any complications she wouldnt go out of his way to accuse him of stealing some notebooks
“You want to play video?” katsuki asked again and izuku shook his head
“You had all night to study yesterday and will study today too right? Playing aint going to drag you down” the blond says, grabbing the second control from his bed and izuku bit his lips
Hell, if he’s getting paid to play videogames then fine
He can always repass everything
Those red eyes looked shocked when they were taken from his hands
“I also got us food—”
“I brought my own, I managed to make leftovers from yesterday's dinner” izuku mumbled, staring at the remote like it was his first time using it
Hell, it probably was
And talking about izuku having made leftovers—or having enough food for there to be something left made his changes more notable already with his hair looking shinier and his skin getting some color back
“How do I play these things?”
The green hair sat next to katsuki instead of being on the other side to face one another
Maybe he felt in a better mood because he was full and rested. The money had eased his anxiety huh?
"We're starting with something simple. This is a racing game. The objective is to go fast and not crash into stuff. Got it?"
Of course, katsuki was cruel, the moment izuku thought he had enough knowledge and stopped crashing into it he started to go fast
“Try to keep up” the blond grumbled
Izuku pushed the accelerator to the max, narrowly edging out Bakugou and crossing the finish line first.
Izuku couldn't believe it. He had won his first race.
Bakugou stared at the screen in disbelief. "You little shit," he muttered
“You lost to me?” izuku snorts
“I never play video games and you lost to me of all people?” he fully laughs and katsuki stares in awe
Badum
Ba…ba dum?
TBC
Sneak peek for next ch: "I know what you're doing and I'm not here to make you feel good about yourself, you deserve to live with that guilt forever," Izuku says.