Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Katsuki was stressed. It’s not a word he would typically associate with himself, but the fact of the matter remained that - yep, he’s stressed.

He thought getting his PHD was hard, but being almost done with postdoc and having teaching duties and a lab to help run was turning out to be a real bitch at times. Tonight was one of those times.

He slumps against his room’s window and sighs, breath fogging up the glass of the second story window. It was getting cold as the storm moved in, and the first few misty rain droplets started beading on the outside of the glass. He really should be trying to work, or if he couldn’t he should just go to bed.

He’d finally finished grading finals, setting up experiments that needed to run over the holidays while the students were away, his emails, scheduling, rough class plan for the next quarter and then stayed out with Hitoshi to get dinner and drinks. While he enjoyed the outing with his snarky friend, his mental and social battery were low. He was coming down from what once was a happy buzz and was now quickly turning into a headache. The hag was texting about his holiday plans AGAIN - ugh, he really should just go to bed.

As he gazes out through the storm, his neighbor's dingy front porch light flickers on. Really the bulb was putting in a valiant effort to light the front of the little duplex that has seen better days. It looked like the new occupants were trying to tidy it up the last couple of months, but there was still a way to go. The old lady Katsuki used to put the trash out for moved out about 6 months ago and the place had been a bit let go. A group of young (and rather loud at times) extras took her place at the beginning of the school year.

See, Katsuki spent a lot of time at his window during the 5 years in his townhouse - watching the chaos of life take place in front of his second story office window. He liked the removed but still intimate position of watching the street and seeing how other people lived their lives. He liked the little quiet lady that had lived across the street who made some killer homemade hot sauce and traded it to Katsuki for his help with her garbage cans and a little yard work in spring and fall. He’d been lulled into a routine with the older lady’s kindness and was shocked when a bright group of individuals moved in.

Right on cue one of the brightest of the group snuck out onto the front porch. His normally garish red hair was down today, gracefully spilling around broad shoulders. He turned quickly, stepping from the porch’s overhang and into the drizzle while fishing a lighter from his low riding sweats. His left hand suddenly came to life with the warm glow of fire and the right brought a cigarette up to his lips. A second passed as the red head breathed life into the cancer stick, cherry glowing like a beacon when the lighter sharply clicked off. He looked up into the clouds as he sucked in his first deep breath, held it in for a moment, and exhaled smoke up to the hidden stars.

Katsuki thunked his head down on his desk suppressing a shiver, eyes half lidded as he watched this stranger turned neighbor. He’d seen him pop out for a smoke before. It was not the most common occurrence, it looked like the red head only smoked at home a few nights a month from what Katsuki had observed. But there was something different about this man tonight out in the beginnings of a storm. The crown of his head was slowly growing darker from the rain, turning his layered hair into a slick, dark blood red. Katsuki wondered why this beautiful fool was standing in the rain in just sweats and a t-shirt, surely he should just step back onto the porch and stay dry?

But his nameless neighbor didn’t. He stayed out in the rain, slowly letting it soak him as smoke cloaked his form - eyes never leaving the heavens. Katsuki had never gotten close enough to see the color of said eyes- but in the dim light, everytime the cigarette was brought back to his lips, the redhead’s eyes almost glowed gold. Katuski sat entranced (and maybe still a little intoxicated) watching this silent and clearly private moment this man was having. Katsuki was wondering what led up to such a scene of melancholy addiction. He slowly nodded off to the thoughts of this beautiful man out in the rain.

—-

Buzz

Buzz

BUZZZZ

“FUCK!”

Katsuki slammed his hand over his phone and swiped to answer the call without looking at who was disturbing him.

“Who the hell is calling me this early on a Saturday, is someone dead!?”

“Some way to greet your mother, you brat.”

“HAAAHHHH!?”

Katuski shifted, realized he had his cheek pressed to his desk and peered over to his phone. The too bright screen said 6:23AM and that yes, his lovely birthgiver was on the line.

“Fuck hag, why are you calling me?”

“Well you never answered my text last night about coming home and with this storm maybe your mother wanted to call to make sure you hadn’t died trying to drive home.”

“Why the hell would I come home? I told you I have to stay over break already - I have too much shit to get done at the lab, plus Professor Aizawa needs me to finish prep for next quarter, I’m taking over a whole class.”

“It’s Christmas Katsuki, we want to see you.”

“No hag”

“Katsuki, come on.”

“NO HAG.” Katsuki ends the call with a grimace.

He’s been arguing back and forth with his mother for weeks about the holiday. He did not want to go home and be shown off to their group of aging friends at his family’s annual company holiday party. He’d suffered through enough of that shit as a kid. He could not stand the questions about if he had a girlfriend or if he was thinking about having kids. He liked his life just fine without that sappy shit and he had far bigger goals than meeting some chick and knocking her up.

He stretched his arms up, letting his shoulders pop and roll as he risked a glance back out at the street. It was still raining, the only evidence of the red head from last night was a lonely cigarette butt sitting in the ashtray. His window watching almost seemed like a dream, a hazy vision that he wouldn't remember when he woke up, but that redhead’s image was burned into his mind. He looked so serious compared to how he normally saw the man. He was typically beaming, yelling with his friends, or just in general looking like the fucking sun. It was a stark contrast. One that left Katsuki naturally curious. He had never talked to the new occupants across the street, typically just keeping to himself and his window watching.

As Katsuki watched the sun struggle to light the storm clouds, he stood and left his accidental resting place to begin his daily routine.

Change, protein shake, gym, shower, skin care, coffee, emails, lab, lunch, working on his next paper draft, dinner, class planning. Rinse and repeat. He did finally answer the hag’s texts and said he could be home for Christmas Eve and Day, but he was not going to stay for longer than that and he already said he was going to go to Deku’s New Years party. That was that. The days of holiday break all blended together and soon the first day of the quarter was upon him once again.

—

Katsuki woke up at 5am in the dark and felt those familiar first day butterflies. He really loved that feeling - that excitement of the new and knowing he once again was going to kill it. He was made for academia, research, and pushing students and himself to do better. He leaped out of bed into a scalding hot shower, leaving his cheeks pink as he stalked into his closet and settled upon a tight black dress shirt and gray slacks. He grabbed his favorite Doc Martin slip on boots with orange stitching and matched them with his orange paisley cufflinks. A chunky knit sweater and soft scarf completed the look. It was his first day in front of the undergrads as a “real” professor and he wanted to impress. Plus he had an image to upkeep- the smart, aloof up and coming hot shot from the Chemistry department.

He stopped at his favorite coffee shop on the way to campus since he was still early for the 8am lecture and ordered his favorite, a double dirty chai with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon. The first sip was always divine, a little zip of warmth that left his lips tingling and his stomach warming. God he was addicted to caffeine, but it was worth it. The goth chick at the counter had one headphone in as he paid for his order, knowing she appreciated his general lack of bullshit chit chat, they briefly just smiled at each other. Hustling back to his little Honda civic he slams the door, cranks the engine over and shifts into first. The small luxury of owning a stick shift would never get old and he loved that the smell of spice was deeply embedded into the little car.

Once on campus he frowns, even early it was a pain to park. Well this was one thing he did not miss about when all the students were on campus. He waits outside the lecture hall and dashes in as soon as the doors unlock at 7:30, quickly setting up his laptop, microphone, and getting to work on the chalkboard.

Dr. Bakugo Chemistry PHD is at the top scrawled out in dusty white chalk. Under it “Welcome to CHEM 101: Organic Chemistry” the class number, meeting time, and date. He’s just pulling the printed syllabi out from his bag when the first few students start to filter in. The hall seats about 100 and he knows most spots will be filled. Alright well here goes nothing.

He’s about to start class at 8:02 AM now that it seems like most of the students are seated when he glances up and sees him. Well shit apparently the neighbor is a student here at UA. He’s met with those red spikes, and to his surprise, deep carmine eyes looking right back at him. Katsuki almost startles, but instead clears his throat, turns on his mic and claps, silencing the crowd’s murmurs and a hushed anxiety falls over the room. He smirks.

“Welcome to Chem 101 undergrads, prepare to get wrecked.”

—-

He makes quick work of the class's expectations, assignments, and schedule. He did some clicker questions to gauge general knowledge and was not too appalled yet with the group. He glanced at the clock, with ten minutes left he opened up the lecture hall to questions. The red head’s hand shot up.

“Yes, you in the middle with the red hair.”

“Sir, will there be regular office hours before exams?.”

Oh god, so this kid was already worried about Katsuki’s notoriously hard grading.

“Yes regular hours will be Tuesdays 3-4pm in my office in the Chemistry Department building and I will also host additional study sessions before exams, location will be determined closer to the exam date. If needed you can email me for additional times, but I do recommend you all plan to study outside of class at least 6 hours a week if you want to do well.”

A collective groan sounded from the group and the redhead bit his lip and nodded. Katsuki called on a few other students, answering their questions and tying up a few loose ends for students still trying to add to the class.

“Alright it's 9:30 dismissed! I will see you all on Wednesday, make sure you read chapter one by then and come prepared for clicker questions!” And with that he slammed his laptop shut and shoved it unceremoniously into his bag.

He knew he was a hard ass, even as a TA he had been ruthless with his grading and lectures, but it came from knowing that if his students did not figure out their shit now in this level of class, they would be fucked for any other upper divisions after it. He was determined to have the best students and push his department to be even better.

He jogged out of the lecture hall across campus to the lab. Hitoshi was back today and he wanted to figure out what the fuck they were going to do for their grant applications. Professor Aizawa would have both their heads if they did not get granted another round of funding.

“Hey sleepy fuck.”

Hitoshi didn't even look up at the greeting.

“Always a pleasure explosion boy, what were the undergrads mean to you this morning? Called you old or something?” He deadpaned.

“Oi you know I'm prettier than you so shut the hell up!” He flipped his lab-mate the bird and shrugged off his sweater.

“Wow you really were trying hard today if you’re dressed so nice. What, did mommy and daddy design that for your big first day?”

“Oh my god Hitoshi, give it a rest. Maybe I’m just trying to be professional”

“More like an ass kisser but sure whatever you say.” Hitoshi's eye-roll was killer, but Kat was immune after 3 years of working together.

Their friendly bickering continued and was a normal start to the day. Hitoshi was already working on some fuel dilutions at the bench, so Kasuki figured the 4th year PHD student had been here for a while, or knowing him, did not leave from last night. Katsuki pulled his lab coat and PPE on, and settled down on the bench.

“It looks like the fuel cells from the engineering students are coming along, they just wanted a few different polymerizations to try.” Hitoshi mumbled.

“Hmm, yea to be expected. I’m hoping the mech e and chem e students will get their shit together soon and have more time to test what we make for them.”

See Hitoshi was the lab power behind some amazing fuel compounds, but Katsuki had been granted private funding from Endeavor Enterprises for his combustion research back in his PHD. Together the two of them were helping to pioneer what they hoped to be a dual purpose bio fuel and explosive accelerant. The engineering department was trying to keep up and design some engines to test more of their compounds in, but needed their help with more grants, hence the slower than expected progress.

They worked side by side for a few hours, bouncing ideas off each other for funding. Eventually Hitoshi left to take a break and chug probably his 5th coffee of the day and Katsuki skulked down the hallway to his office. Unlocking it and sighing when he saw a letter stuck under his door. Opening it, familiar looping letters greeted him. He glared at them.

‘We are pleased to offer you an invite to the Dean’s home to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the college of science as a new member of the chemistry teaching staff.’ and under the typed message was a hand written ‘You BETTER bring a plus one!!’ Round face must have thought it was amusing inviting him to such an event. She knew there would never be a plus one if Katsuki had a say.

While he did like Deku’s girlfriend, he was getting tired of her personal mission to force him to go to social gatherings and use them to set him up with someone. Unlike his parents’ friends, she knew he was very much gay, and very much not interested in a relationship yet. But Uraraka liked to abuse her job in the dean's office to make sure Katsuki was dragged into higher profile events. He tossed the letter onto his desk and got out his laptop. What better way to forget about being social by just working the rest of the day?

—

He was tired when he got home that night, but in a good way. He made dinner, indulged in his favorite cooking show, and went upstairs to check his emails one last time before tucking in. He was greeted by the window view of his neighbor just getting home. He looked stunning - a light sweat on his brow from riding his bike home, despite the winter chill and hair fucked from the windy trip. It was dark already and pretty late, but the red head looked full of energy. He left his bike on the porch and fumbled through his tattered backpack for his keys. By chance he glanced up into Katsuki’s lit window. Bright red met carmine, the later widening with recognition. The two men continued their accidental meeting of eyes, and the redhead outside grinned, flashing sharp teeth. Katsuki’s brows pulled together. What the fuck? Why would this idiot be happy that his professor lived across the street? Was his brain just as shitty as his hair? The moment continued and the redhead student waved, making Katsuki frown even more and look away to his laptop, determined to not give his neighbor and student the time of day. He was not going to encourage social interaction with this person outside class, there was no point.

With a frustrated growl, Katsuki slammed his laptop closed, further abusing the poor thing. He decided he needed to forget about the man next door and just go to bed. Later that night, he dreams of smoke that smells of spice, and red red red.

Chapter Text

The first two weeks of classes flew by. Leaving Kat with little time to ponder his growing interest in his neighbor. Katsuki was slammed with emails, requests to join his lab, and was up to his neck in proofreading for his grant request. He was half zoned out sitting in his office during his normal office hours when a knock jolts him back into reality.

“Um hi? Is this Professor Bakugo’s office?” A blonde guy with a curious black stripe in his hair Katsuki sort of recognized chirped.

“The one and only.” Katsuki drawled back. Sitting up in his chair a bit more and rolling up his dress shirt sleeves.

“Oh sweet! You see my bro and I are in your Chem 101 class and since the midterm is in a week and a half I said I’d stop by and ask some questions since he’s stuck in another class when you’ve got office hours.”

Katsuki frowned. The person should just email him what the fuck, probably would have been faster than sending his friend here as a messenger.

“Alright, well sit down… what’s your name?” Katsuki asked as he pulled out a white board marker and eraser, figuring he’d probably need to go over some of the homework set he assigned yesterday on functional groups.

“It’s Kaminari Denki, I’m a third year EE student! My best friend had a rough go starting the homework last night and since I’m sorta helping him with the class and was in the area with the engineering building being close and all I said I’d stop by and ask you about the 3rd problem from the packet.”

“Why are you in Organic Chemistry as an EE, that’s not required for you?” Katsuki scowled deeper.

The kid laughed brightly, “Well my bro needed moral support since he’s new to the whole college thing you know?”

No, Katsuki did not know. College was literally his “thing”.

The blonde continued, “Also like your TA is totally known around campus, so I figured why not! It can’t hurt me to have a better chemistry background.”

That actually almost made Katsuki smirk, oh he knew Sero was well known around campus - the guy was a massive stoner and was probably dealing to half the kids he TA’ed for. At least Sero was good at helping with grading, actually knew the subject well considering his pharmacology background, and was easy to get along with. That’s why Katsuki didn’t object to him helping with the class.

“Okay so what do you and your friend need help with?” Katsuki asked as his student plopped down on the chair opposite his desk and whiteboard.

“So see Kiri has a crap visual memory and is having a hard time remembering the difference between acyl halide and aldehyde or something. Really like memorizing any of the structures at all is an issue, so problem three where you draw and name them he basically can't do from memory and he’s freaking out about it since you said it would be on the test.”

OH JESUS spare me the backstory from hell, Katsuki grumbled internally to himself.

“Okay so basically you're telling me he sucks at studying.”

“Well yea!”

“This seems like an issue your friend needs to come see me for, or get a tutor to help him form a study plan that will work for this class.”

“Yea he also should do that, but he’s trying man! He’s in class right now though. That’s why he asked me to come today, so he could get a head start and all for the exam!”

“Do you have his homework I could look at?”

“Yea of course!” The blonde reached into a surprisingly organized off the shoulder bag and pulled out the homework packet assigned yesterday.

Katsuki took it without a word and started scanning the pages smudged with far too many eraser marks. He wanted to face palm. First red flag of being a teacher was seeing a student work on the final copy in pencil. You should always work out the problems on a separate sheet and then write in pen on the final to turn in copy. Clearly this student didn’t get the memo, or just didn’t give a fuck that his work looked sloppy. The first couple of conceptual questions were done right, but yea the calamari kid was right - his friend did not have a good memory for the diagrams.

“Okay so he needs to go on youtube and look at some videos that can help show a more 3D version of the structure. That should help him visualize. I would also recommend he get a model kit so he can build out the groups and see better how they will interact with molecules and bonds.”

“Oh sick man! Yea Kiri is good with his hands, that’s actually a good option for him!”

Katsuki huffed in annoyance. This kid was like an overly excited pikachu.

“Great, well tell him to get on that. Also he needs to reach out if he’s already fucki- *cough* uh freaking out with the class, it’s not going to get any easier. I can recommend some more memorization techniques too if he’s struggling.” Bakugo passed back the homework sheet to the waiting blonde.

“I’ll make sure to relay the message.”

“Anything else you need help with?” Bakugo questioned, hoping the kid won’t bring up the swearing. Katsuki is TRYING to be more professional damn it.

“Naw, Thanks Proff!” And with that the blonde bounced back up and shoved the homework packet into his bag. He bowed, turned on his heel and nearly ran from the office. Kid was nearly vibrating out of his skin.

What. The. Fuck. Katsuki hopes he was never that fucking strange when he was a student. He spent the remainder of the office hour responding to student emails. Promptly at 4pm, he heard a tiny knock on the door frame. He looked up and grinned. One of his favorite former students glanced at him expectantly, a pair of coffees in hand.

“Hey, come on in Tamaki.”

“Hi Professor Bakugo, I got you your usual from Fat’s'.” he looked at his shoes while speaking, bangs covering his eyes, still unable to meet Katsuki’s when talking even after a year and a half of knowing each other.

“Oh you didn't have to Tamaki, but thank you nonetheless. So what brings you in today?” Katsuki asked softly, knowing not to spook the food sciences student.

“I wanted to thank you for writing the letter that helped me get into Miro’s lab sir. It’s been a busy couple of weeks, but I have been learning a lot from the experience already. It’s exactly what I wanted for lab exposure.”

Katsuki grinned genuinely. Tamaki was a great student, and gifted in science. There was no reason why he wouldn't write him a letter of rec for the food chemistry lab on campus. He never missed class despite having social anxiety, always came to office hours, discussion sections, and connected with Katsuki over a mutual love of cooking. He was thoughtful, cared deeply about those around him, and so what if he was not great socially? Neither was Katsuki. He took a sip of his chai.

“No need to thank me Tamaki. You deserved it, and it’s great to hear it’s been a good experience so far. If you ever need any refreshers or chemistry help, just shoot me an email or stop by.”

Tamaki looked down again and smiled slightly.

“Of course, professor. Well, have a good rest of your day.”

“You too.” Katsuki replied.

—-

Katsuki was headed home at last. He felt his professional facade shed off like a second skin as soon as he stepped into his little car. Heater on high and stereo blasting with the latest from an indie band he enjoyed, he zoned out on the drive home. He pulled into his driveway just as the college bus was dropping off its riders. He glanced over and his eyes nearly bulged out of his skull.

Pulling a bike off the rack on the front of the bus was none other than his redheaded nightmare (really dream if Katsuki would stop lying to himself). The man was clad in tight winter workout gear and looked like he had a serious pump going that most lesser men would be jealous of. The redhead lifted the bike like it was a light as a feather, a frown on his pretty face, ear buds in, and bangs sticking to his forehead with the rest of his hair up in a messy bun. Clearly he was just at the gym - my god his arms were works of art.

Katsuki tore his eyes away and went to focus on unpacking his car. He had raided the farmers’ market on his lunch and was ready to get to work on this week’s meal prep. The redhead called out to someone and started walking over to their street, waving goodbye to some guy walking the opposite way. Almost like he knew Katsuki had been looking, he stopped outside the duplex and set his bike aside. Reaching down to pull the kick stand out and lock up the bike he gave Katsuki another eyeful of glorious muscles. Okay maybe Katsuki shouldn’t be eye fucking a student, maybe it was a sign he needed to get laid again if he was acting this pent up. But sue him, he was oh so gay, and his neighbor was weirdly mysterious and contradictory (who the FUCK smoked cigarettes yet clearly worked out like they cared about their body) and anyone with eyes could see he was hot. Sue him for appreciating the view.

Katsuki’s neighbor turned and caught him looking. His smile graced his face again instead of the frown from a few moments before and he waved. Katuski stupidly waved back, causing the grin of his student to increase ten fold until Katsuki felt the need to squint. So much for ignoring his student outside of class.

The next week the two neighbors fell into a bit of a routine getting home at similar times. Katsuki would look, get caught looking, and the two would exchange waves but never words. Katsuki hoped this meant his student would just see it as being nice to his professor and maybe getting a little ahead in the class - not as Katsuki being a creep. Which was certainly how he was starting to feel as he once again watched the redhead from his second story window.

His neighbor, and now who he presumed to be his roommate, a pink haired girl, were on the front porch despite the freezing weather. The girl was painting her toenails neon purple and the redhead was lighting up again. Katsuki was becoming addicted to the sight of the man smoking. He had his hair down again, a punk band shirt on and a loose pair of cargos with the knees ripped out. His feet were bare. He stuck the cancer stick in his mouth, holding the flame in his right hand this time and cupping his left around to protect it from the slight breeze. He took a couple quick puffs to light it then pulled his hands away, leaving the stick perched between plush lips. He looked over to the pink haired girl who had just said something and softly smiled. Katsuki was amazed by the range of emotions the man's face could go through. As someone with a near constant resting bitch face, it almost hurt to see the redhead’s brilliant smiles, shit eating smirk, pursed lips, and widened eyes. Even sitting in class he was expressive - bright eyes narrowing with focus, bottom lip being worried between his teeth when looking up at the board for clicker questions, and then being released once the grin returned when he got a problem right. Katsuki never saw him at office hours however, just lecture and whenever they happened to cross paths at home. Katsuki secretly began to wonder if the redhead would have reason to stop by his office so he could learn his name.

His thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing.

“Afternoon Professor Aizawa. Did you get the email with this week’s exam?”

“Bakugo, you're just as cruel as always to your students.” The tired voice on the other line mumbled.

“HAH. Like you were any kinder sensei.” Shots fired, but Katsuki knew the old fart could take it and secretly liked it.

“You need to change the wording a little for questions 5 and 17. 35 the answers a and d are too similar - change it so you can have a more clear answer key for Sero to grade.”

“Yes can do, that’s it?”

“Really well done for your first time writing a full exam. I shouldn’t be surprised though, it is you after all, Mr. Prodigy.”

Katsuki smirked. His younger self would have eaten up praise like that from anyone. Now though, he just liked hearing it from people he truly looked up to, Aizawa being one such faculty. He knew he was gifted, he had been told so since a child. He skipped grades, starting community college classes his sophomore year of high school and starting at UA at 17. He graduated in three years, went straight into a PHD and never looked back. Being smart was just part of it though, he worked his ass off in summer classes and internships. He was always studying, always pushing, and rarely gave into the life of a normal college student. He could count on one hand the number of parties he went to, he never had a real relationship, and barely saw his family and Deku. To him these were all easy sacrifices, he was going to be a research professor at one of the best schools in the damn country! He was fucking awesome.

“Thank you sir, I'll continue with this style of exam for the rest of the class.”

“Are you still going to host a study session tonight, do you have time for that Katsuki?”

Ah, first name, so he’s worried.

“Yes sensei, I have it set up from 8-9:30pm tonight at Fat’s in that back study room they let groups reserve. Sero will be helping as well.”

“Okay- just remember you need that grant in by Monday at 8…. Yawn…and I want to read it before it’s sent.”

“Of course, I’ll email you as soon as it’s done.”

“Good, I’ll see you in the lab tomorrow kid, bye.” His teacher hung up and Katsuki let out a grunt.

Fucking grants. The endless red tape was the one thing he hated about research, just let him do his damn job. He let his eyes roam again, finding the beautiful man next door staring at him as he put out his cigarette. Katsuki blinked. So did the redhead. Katsuki frowned, scrunching his brows together. The redhead grinned and waved. Kastuki quirked a brow in question. The redhead made a motion like he was talking on the phone. Katsuki shrugged. So his neighbor watched him too, huh? Katsuki flipped him off. The redhead laughed, shaking his head, hair cascading in soft waves with the motion. He raised his hand again as a final goodbye and turned back to go inside his house.

Huh. Well I guess the people watching went both ways. Katsuki did not know if that made him feel better about his appreciation of the way his student looked or if it meant the man knew Katsuki was spending more and more time at his second story office window. Sighing deeply again, he looked back to his computer and started working on the slides for the review session tonight.
—

Fat’s was one place Katsuki wished he had spent more time in undergrad. The coffee shop was a block from campus and truly was a little jem. Open early and open late, they had a great range of food, treats, and really to die for drinks. From traditional to campy specials and even late night boba, the place really knew how to cater to students. The front of house was a homely mix of bar seating, group tables, and a few smaller high tops. Potted plants hung from the ceiling and one whole wall was a built-in bookshelf with a hilarious cluster fuck of donated textbooks and romance novels. The perfect mix of cozy and functional, and the back even had a larger room that clubs, professors, and student teams could book for 2-4 hour blocks for meetings and study sessions. He was pleased with Tamaki and Hitoshi who turned him onto actually hanging out in the place. He waited in line, seeing that the goth girl was on again today. He was early - he figured he’d get a drink and work on his grant a bit more before meeting up with Sero and starting the review session.

“Your usual Bakugo?” lips lined in the black asked.

“Naw, It’s too late for that, can I just get a herbal tea?”

“Something with a kick yea?” The girl quipped back at him.

“Always.”

“Can do teach.”

He snorted ungracefully. It was obvious he wasn't a student. He did stick out a bit, a dress shirt and slacks and round glasses hiding tired eyes. He hadn’t had the heart to put his contacts back in after his workout today. Back in his student days he'd just sleep with them in, then run in for a mobile order in all black baggy clothes and ears full of metal. He fit the crowd a touch more then, but now the punk clothes, combat boots, and ear piercings were hidden in the back of his closet. How times have changed. He still loved his oversized clothes - but as of late had tried to shift into a more adult wardrobe for professionalism's sake. He still kept his lobes and industrial in place, hair cropped short on the bottom to show them off, but he’s lost some of the other metal as he’d had his headshot get plastered more and more on university websites. He reached up to touch his right ear and fiddled with the stud reminiscing as he waited for his tea. He was all piss and vinegar back then - the fire was still in him, a bit more controlled with a slightly less offensive potty mouth.

“This is a turmeric and ginger blend - I stuck in some loose leaf as well that's got a hint of chili and cardamom. Please let it steep for a few minutes then enjoy.”

Katsuki paid and took the cute tea pot and little mug over to the back room. It was unoccupied at this hour, so he figured he could just claim it now and set up shop. After getting organized at the head of the long table, he took a curious sip from his tea.

“Fucking hell this is good.”

“Yea dude? You act like you're always surprised Jiro knows exactly what you like.”

Katsuki grinds his teeth at the surprise voice. So much for a few moments of peace before the shitshow. Sero always had a way of sneaking up on him. He glanced over to his TA that was leaning against the door frame. Baggy jeans and scuffed converse greeting him. He had his backpack slung over a bony shoulder and a grin on his face showing off those big teeth.

“You’re early, I’m not complaining, just wasn't expecting you for another 20.”

“Sorry to break the stoner student mold man, just trying to set up since it sounded like we might get a big group in tonight.”

Sero was not wrong, his office hours on Tuesday were slammed, multiple students stayed after class Wednesday to ask questions and now the night before the exam typically meant lots of students would come to the session to cram. Wordlessly Sero started to set up his own laptop, notebook and went to erase a few of the lingering math problems scribbled across the room's large windows. With no white board or chalk board, students had started to use the big window as their canvas for problems. Katsuki found it pretty amusing and a bit resourceful. It looked like someone had been practicing their infinite sequences. Good on them.

By 7:50pm most of Katuski’s kickass tea was consumed and some students started to show up with their hands full of coffees and notes. Katsuki queued up his powerpoint and stood, shoulder against the back wall of the room, phone in hand madly texting Hitoshi about how their newest bio fuel was turning out.

At 8pm sharp he started his review session, going over terms he expected students to know, as well as reviewing a handful of important formulas. Just as he was going to start on some practice structures and problems, the door to the room slammed open and threw him out of his teaching headspace.

He glared at the students who dared to wreck his focus and was surprised to see his neighbor in the frazzled group that just crashed the session. Some buff guy with silver hair and the ADHD blonde kid from office hours a couple weeks ago all met his glare with wide eyes.

“Shit dude I told you we should have just bailed.” The big silver one whispered.

“Not manly! I literally need to ask questions bro, I need to pass the midterm.” The redhead angrily whispered back.

“Well that’s great you want to ask questions, but a little hard when you just interrupted the whole session. Sit the hell down and shut up please so we can continue.” Katsuki gritted out. He was over this tonight, he was trying to do his students a favor and they could at least show up on time or respectfully. Disappointment settled unpleasantly in his gut as he sent the redheaded student a particularly pointed death glare. Those pretty eyes widened comically, tanned skin turning pale. If Katsuki wasn't so pissed about the interruption he would have taken more time to trace the scar above the redhead’s right eye, but he was quickly losing interest in the pretty boy next door since apparently he either did not own a watch or really his brain was as stupid as his hair.

Katsuki continued on without another glance finishing his slides and opening up discussion questions for him and Sero to answer. As both made their way around the table, helping students, reviewing problems, and making sure everyone was doing well. As it got closer to 10pm most of the students headed out. A few were left, including the tarty trio.

“Kiri you really suck at this, I’ve explained it like five times.” Pikachu said with an exaggerated yawn, looking up from his friend’s notebook to take a massive swig from an ungodly large iced coffee.

“Kamiiii pleaseeeee!” The redhead begged.

“Anything I can help with?” Sero asked as he came up to the group.

“Ya you happen to have something Kiri can smoke to help him grow some brain cells?” The silver one laughed as he started to pack up. “Gotta bail for an early practice tomorrow but see you in class.” He fist bumped his two buddies as he left.

Sero plopped down taking his place and peered over to the redhead’s notes.

“So what’s the sticking point man? Your notes are decent, I’ve graded some of your homework this past week. Kirishima, you're not doing too bad.”

“Sero I literally can’t remember all these equations, the only reason I do okay with the homework is I can have my textbook right there man.”

Katsuki glazed over the student with a frown on his face. Well clearly this was the friend that pikachu was trying to help up by coming to his office hours. Bakugo made his way over to them once he packed up his teaching supplies.

“Have you tried doing a mnemonic device?” he said from behind the group of students.

The redhead startled, nearly jumping out of his seat.

“Uhhhhh, no sorry sir? I don’t really have much experience with memorizing these kinda of things.”

“Well you got into UA didn’t you? You had to have known some of this for the entrance exam.” Katsuki countered. The redhead grumbled something incoherent in response.

“What was that shitty hair?”

“Dude!! My hair is not that different from yours!” the student looked up at him with a cute pout.

“Yea sure keep telling yourself that kid.”

“I’m not a kid! And I said I’m.. I’m a transfer okay….. So I didn’t do that exam. This is all new for me.” The redhead dropped his forehead to the table with a thunk.

Oh. OH. It was exceptionally rare that UA took transfers, especially past the first year of undergrad, if the kid was in this class he was likely in the second quarter of his sophomore year. The kid clearly was not cut out for chemistry if this class was already giving him major issues, but the school must have accepted him for some reason - he a talent for something. Katsuki sat down next to the stressed student.

“Okay then let’s break these formulas down and I can help you with where you’re hung up.”

Kirishima, he learned, took a break after highschool to work. He took junior college classes on the side to get some basic subjects out of the way. He was recruited to UA to play rugby, apparently the silver haired kid knew him from a local semi-pro club and put in a word after the UA’s star player was injured. He was here on partial scholarship, only had 2 semesters of general chemistry on board, and wanted to be a physical therapist. After staying in the coffee shop well past 10:30pm helping the student, Katsuki told him to go home. Sero had already left and Kirishima’s friend looked about ready to pass out.

“You seem like you’ve got a better gasp now, get some rest so you can be fresh for the exam tomorrow.”

“Thank you professor, I will try.”

Bakugo went to grab his things but the two students made no move to leave.

“I said that’s it you two, now get going.”

“But Proff, the bus doesn’t come until 11:15, we will just stay here.” the blonde slurred sleepily.

Bakugo glanced at the two sighing.

“Kirishima, you live across the street for fucks sake, get up and I can take you home. You have MY exam at 8am tomorrow. As long as that works for dunce face too, I’m not taking any damn detours at this hour the student housing.” Bakugo was tired, his verbal filter had fucked off for the day and he just wanted to go home.

Kirishima’s eyes widened at the brash words, mouth stretching into a grin and cheeks tinting slightly pink. He elbowed the half asleep blonde and started to ram papers into his backpack.

“Oh sweet man!! That would be awesome, I can just make Kaminari crash at my place.”

Katsuki led the way out of the coffee shop, getting a wave from Jiro closing up at the counter. Kaminari all but collapsed into Katsuki’s back seat, and Kirishima took shotgun.

“So I’ve been meaning to ask this but I don’t really get to chat with you man, but my grandma said there was this nice grad student across the street that helped her out. I’m assuming that was you? Kirishima looked over at him softly, glancing up through eyelashes as Katsuki started the car up.

“I guess. She live where you and pinkie do now?” Bakugo shifted gears, peeling out of the mostly empty parking lot.

Kirshima laughed, eyes crinkling with amusement, “Pinkie? You mean Mina? Dude you need to get out more and learn peoples’ names! We’ve been there for like three months! My grandmother had to move into a home and she offered me her place since then I wouldn’t be stuck with some rando on campus housing.”

“Then yea, I helped sometimes, she makes damn good hot sauce.”

Kirishima smiled softly, looking down at his lap, “Yea, she’s got some good family recipes. I miss them.”

Katsuki glanced over to the redhead who was quietly fiddling with his backpack straps.

“Did something happen?”

Kirishima looked up. “ She had a fall, she didn’t recover well since her hip was broken. We had to move her to a spot that was more walker friendly. She was so upset about losing her independence.” Tears started to form in the corners of deep, expressive eyes.

Katsuki’s widened at the show of emotion. “I’m sure she’s safer now.”

A sniffle. “Yea I know. I want to become a physical therapist to help her - if she can get better mobility she could come home. I’m not great at school, but I really want this, to help people get better.”

Katsuki stared blankly ahead - streetlights and headlights a colorful blur as he thought. He never considered other people when he had gotten into UA. It was his dream - only his. He would transform the school, be the golden child boy genius of the chemistry department and go onto make a name for himself. It was never about helping people, only his own goals. Yes, he was less of a shithead now, but still it was a pursuit only for his own benefit. He never let in others’ ideals, he stayed his course, nose to the grindstone unchallenged by the world.

He side eyed the man next to him hoping to not be noticed. Kirishima had just seemed like some young jock. Bright, loud and rowdy. He still certainly was but knowing there was more care and motivation behind his education made something stir inside Katsuki. Little warm butterflies started in his toes, shivering over his body and settling into his gut. Katsuki gripped the steering wheel harder, willing the uncomfortable and unwelcome feeling away and making the final turns home.

A glance in the rearview mirror showed him the blonde had passed the hell out in the backseat - head slumped over his messenger bag and mouth open.

“Kirishima, wake up your friend. We’re almost there.”

Kirishima reached back to softly shake Kaminiari awake. The motion pulled the hem of his hoodie up, exposing a little strip of toned, golden skin and a smattering of black hairs down Kirishima’s abdomen. His scent wafted to Katsuki - he smelled like had recently showered and reapplied some kind of woodsy deodorant that had an uncurrent of bergamot. Now if Katsuki had been a weaker man, he would have closed his eyes, and drank in every moment of the scent, letting it mingle and blend with the chai embedded in his car. It smelled like home, like milk in tea while camping, and comfort.

Katsuki pulled over across from his house, trying to shake the thoughts of waking up in the woods next to a beautiful man. Jamming the car a bit too harshly into park, he unlocked the doors and risked a glance back. The friend was up, groggily wiping sleep from his eyes. Kirishima was unbuckling his seatbelt, hoodie still wrinkled up, and clueless to Katsuki’s inner war.

“Well thanks for the ride Professor! I really appreciate it, I can get to bed before midnight now.” Kirishima smiled, sharp canines shining prettily back at Katsuki.

“Sure, just better not flunk tomorrow kid.”

Kirishima scratched the back of his head bashfully. “ No promises man, but I'll try my best. Have a good rest of your night.”

The passenger doors opened, letting the night’s chill creep into the car briefly before closing, effectively ending the spell of the evening. The redhead pushed his buddy towards the front door of the little duplex - pausing to unlock and open it. He glanced back, a small smile on his lips and waved at Katuski as he shifted and steered into his drive. Katsuki caught the wave in his rearview, nodded back and watched his neighbor’s door shut.

Sitting in the quickly cooling car, Katuski marinated in his thoughts for a moment more. He needed to be careful, this could quickly push out of the realm of professional if he wasn't careful. Yes - Kirishima (finally he got the redhead’s name!!) made him feel a bit too comfortable. He was attractive and youthful - both things Katsuki had found himself drawn to, but he was still a student and Katsuki didn’t get much of a gay vibe from him at this point. He was shit at reading people but still - he always noticed when men and women alike would send lustful gazes his way, and Kirishima didn’t.

Stepping from the car and hurrying in from the cold, Katsuki still was lost in his thoughts. Robotically going through his nightly self care he too made it to bed before midnight, and as his eyes closed all he could dream of was red red red.