Chapter Text
By the start of his senior year, Izuku accepted his place in the social pyramid. In the real world, he was a well-balanced man, preparing for the future. He was fifth in his class, had a good group of friends, and enjoyed hobbies. Sure, they played Dungeons and Dragons on Fridays instead of going to the football game. And he might have won a few trivia events for his My Hero Academia knowledge. Still, in the eyes of society, Izuku was a regular teenager.
But to the students of UA? Izuku was a loser. A no one. A nerd.
Until quarterback Katsuki Bakugo asked a question that flipped the pyramid on its head.
“So, how about it?” Katsuki’s eyes stared at him through the screen, as if he wasn’t melting Izuku’s brain into a puddle. “You gonna be my plus one, Bunny?”
~**~
Okay, maybe he needed to start at the beginning.
Not the beginning beginning. The first eighteen years of his life were pretty boring. Sure, his dad left when he was two, but he barely remembered the man. His mother married his stepfather, Toshinori, a few years later, and Izuku had never looked back.
(His stepfather also came with six uncles and one badass aunt, which Izuku proudly used as his ‘interesting fact’ whenever asked.)
Birthdays, despite having fewer friends than most, were still full of laughter and fun. Their family vacations were captured in dozens of pictures, his mother framing them on the walls. Izuku didn’t think twice about calling Toshinori ‘dad’, because that was the spot the man earned throughout his childhood. The biggest problem he had at home was an argument about getting a cat. His parents still laughed about twelve-year-old Izuku’s twenty-slide presentation over why he needed a furry friend. It worked, and Mighty was the best thing that ever happened to him.
Well, until two weeks before ‘the incident’.
“Mom, I’m leaving!” he shouted his goodbye while rushing down the hall, trying to jam his foot into his red shoe. They were far too worn down to be giving him so many issues.
From the kitchen, he caught his mother’s question. “Did you grab your lunch money?”
“Yup.” Huffing before giving one more shove into his shoe, he let out a sigh once his foot finally settled into place. He yanked open the door while snagging his yellow backpack, hiking the heavy bag onto his shoulders. “I’m going to Shoto’s after school. We’re probably ordering pizza while we watch a movie, so don’t worry about dinner.”
“Okay, dear. Tell Rei I say hello and I’m looking forward to our book club tomorrow.”
“I will.” He stepped through the doorway, but paused to turn back around. “Love you!”
Her warm laugh was one of his favorite sounds. “I love you too. Have a good day at school.”
As much as I can, Izuku thought, though he kept that part to himself. He didn’t like worrying his mother, so he omitted his ‘status’ at school from of their conversations. She knew he had hobbies and a group of good friends. He was doing well in school from an educational level. And from what Mr. Aizawa said, he only had one more year until he found more people ‘like him’ (whatever that meant). Izuku didn’t mind being a little plain, and wore his sweater vest and plaid pants proudly. The My Hero Academia pins on his backpack grew after each comic book convention. And if people didn’t like him for that, he felt that was a them problem.
The ones who mattered thought he was great.
“Izuku!”
At the call of his name in the hall, Izuku looked around, smiling when seeing Tenya waving over his head. Adjusting his backpack’s straps, Izuku hurried through the busy corridor, mumbling his apologies while squeezing past a few students. He almost fell over when someone bumped his bag, but the quick hands of his taller friend kept him standing.
“Thanks,” Izuku said, offering a smile to Tenya before waving to the other friends huddling in the hall's corner. “Morning. Did I miss anything?”
“Nope, just a boring Thursday,” Ochaco answered with a sigh. “No good gossip, either.”
“We’ll probably get some at gym,” Tsu said, letting Ochaco lean her head on her shoulder. The two had been inseparable since meeting in middle school, and Izuku smiled at the comfort shared in their small group. “If not, we can guess how many people will try to flirt with Shoto before lunch.”
“Flirt?” Being the only member of their group who was ‘popular’, Shoto blinked while tilting his head. “Who would do that?”
“The entire school,” Ochaco answered, Izuku holding back his laughter at Shoto’s confusion. “Why do you think everyone nominated you for most photogenic? It’s cause they want to see you become a model.”
“But I’m going for chemistry,” Shoto argued, his flat tone proving he really was oblivious to his own beauty. Then, he glanced at Tsu. “And I voted for you.”
“Really?” Tsu’s smile stayed humble as the group walked to their class, though Izuku knew the compliment mattered to the quieter girl. “Thanks.”
“That’s a commendable vote, Shoto. Though, from my information gathered—”
Ochaco leaned closer to Izuku, interrupting Tenya’s comment with her tease. “He’s been gossiping with the Vice President again.”
“Momo and I’s meetings are not gossip. We balance the senior’s treasury, apply for upcoming fundraisers, and set up the dates for the end-of-the-year events.” Tenya huffed, fixing the tie only he wore to school. It probably didn’t help any of them beat the ‘nerd squad’ allegations, but Izuku liked that Tenya dressed how he wanted over what was ‘cool’. “As I was saying… we wouldn’t be surprised if Shoto and Mio won that particular award.”
It took a moment for Izuku to put a face to the name. Like they were in different universes, Mio was at the top of the social pyramid. She did cheerleading, was a part of the student council, and embodied school spirit at every pep rally. Izuku was amazed by her confidence while she walked through the halls. He knew most either wanted to be her or get the chance to date her. She was in some of his classes, though he couldn’t remember a time he’d seen her open a book. But she always had someone ‘helping’ her do her work, whether it was letting her see their answers or offering to help finish her homework.
Izuku tried not to sit anywhere near her in class, keeping himself far off her radar.
“She’s going to love that.” Tsu didn’t change her tone, but Izuku doubted his friend cared about the silly yearbook superlatives. “But won’t she want ‘Most Athletic’ with Katsuki?”
“Kacchan won most athletic?” Izuku asked, then winced when his friend gave him a knowing look.
Despite what most have thought, Izuku liked being a nerd. Part of it was because his mother had always supported him in whatever he enjoyed. She brought him to conventions as a kid, and let him dress up as whatever obscure character he wanted. When he asked for figurines or vintage comics for Christmas, she only asked him to spell the character’s names. She had never been ashamed of her rambling child.
And his father bonded with him over the My Hero Academia universe. Seeing someone as strong and charming as him enjoying the same stories as him made Izuku’s confidence grow. They debated best volumes and story arcs, and Izuku could never hide something that made his father smile so brightly. So he didn’t care about keeping his head low in school. He didn't need to be known by everyone else, so long as he had his friends and family beside him. The only time being a nobody was a negative was... well, his romance life.
Especially when he had a huge crush on the most popular guy in school.
“Yes, Kacchan is totally gonna get that superlative,” Ochaco said, her grin dragging out Izuku’s blush. “You know, I heard the photography club is looking for some help with the yearbook. If you ask, maybe they’ll assign you his appointment.”
“That would help Izuku finally confess—”
“Shoto!” Izuku hissed out the name while covering his mouth, leaning on the taller boy while pleading with his wide eyes. “Please, not so loud.”
“Izuku, no physical contact during school hours.” Tenya instantly broke the mentioned rule when snatching the back of Izuku’s collar, pulling him off Shoto. Izuku ignored the giggling girls that passed by their strange group, feeling like a scolded kitten when Tenya pursed his lips. “Honestly, this crush has gone on long enough. Don’t you think it’s time you spoke with him?”
“That’s—no,” Izuku rushed out, his heart squeezing at the terrifying thought.
Because Katsuki “Kacchan” Bakugo was more than a typical jock. Sure, he was an insane swimmer, sprinter, and football player. Izuku wasn’t sure which one would get him a scholarship, but Katsuki would have a free ride, regardless. Katsuki being at the top of Izuku's advanced placement classes proved he was also smart. He played the drums, somehow made the debate team cool, and interned at a daycare.
Katsuki was kind, too. When Mr. Aizawa, their AP chemistry teacher, paired them up as lab partners junior year, he didn’t groan. Being popular meant he could have shut Izuku out, or left him to do all the work while he socialized. Instead, he bumped shoulders with Izuku while dragging his stool over, offering to swap writing between labs. And though it was only one period, Katsuki had been… nice during class. He wasn’t offering friendship bracelets and asking Izuku to hang out after school. But he also didn't treat him like a social nobody. Katsuki listened to Izuku's opinion during experiments and shared the workload evenly. He even joked about why they were 'the best duo' in chemistry, and demanded they work together again for their AP physics class the following year.
Really, it wasn’t fair how perfect Katsuki was.
Even if Katsuki called him everything but his name (which, considering Izuku didn’t use Katsuki, was fair play), Izuku thought that was okay, too. He'd been labeled a nerd all his life. And that was fine because, well, he was one. But when Katsuki said ‘Nerd’ like a nickname, tagged on a sleepy greeting or a teasing eye-roll over his rambling, it felt—
Anyway.
“You’re overthinking it,” Tsu said, Izuku refusing to admit she was right while they moved into another hall. “He’s not a rude guy. I mean, he lets you call him a special name, right?”
“I think that’s more a pride thing,” Izuku mumbled, still mortified over the first time it slipped out. In his defense, he was trying to save Katsuki from getting hurt. One of them had left the flask with boiling water on the edge of the table, and Katsuki was close to knocking it over. His mind going haywire seeing Katsuki in danger, he stumbled over his words.
“Kacchan, watch out!”
He would never forget the look of surprise on Katsuki’s face the first time he said it, though Izuku was too focused on keeping him safe to care (at the moment). Izuku had rushed forward, hand sliding over Katsuki’s elbow to guide it away from the overheated flask. It wasn’t until after Katsuki was out of harm’s way, and his adrenaline had calmed down, that Izuku’s mind flashed the childish nickname through his head. Izuku’s body went stiff, sure his face was brighter than the shoes he awkwardly kicked against the stool. With everyone watching them, he knew the class heard his blunder.
But before he could apologize and beg for forgiveness, Katsuki offered him a smirk.
“Nice catch, Freckles.”
And after that, ‘Katsuki’ became ‘Kacchan’ to Izuku.
“I heard Denki say it once,” Shoto said, frowning at the memory. “Katsuki told him he’d shave Denki’s head in his sleep if he used it again. I think that means you're special to him.”
“It’s not like that.” Izuku tried not to think about what that meant. “We’re just lab partners. Kacchan probably didn’t want to put a target on my back. He knows we’re… not exactly on the same level.”
Izuku didn’t take that as an insult, either. He knew his lane and had stayed in it for years. It was cozy being unknown. He didn't need the popularity or clout to feel content with his life. He did his work as Katsuki’s partner, enjoyed his skipping heartbeat and butterflies for that small pocket of time. Then, when the bell rang, Izuku shoved his notebooks into his bag and rushed away from the fantasy of Katsuki enjoying their time together.
“Okay, let’s shelf the ‘romantic’ side of things,” Ochaco said, Izuku wishing he could speed up to end the conversation. “Why can't you be friends? I mean, aren’t you friendly with his besties?”
“Sharing gym class with Kirishima and Denki doesn’t make us friends.”
“You also offered your sweatshirt to Mina when she got her period last year.” Tenya coughed after offering his counterpoint, adjusting his glasses.
Tsu tapped her lip while looking at the hallway ceiling. “I bet she'd be your friend if you didn't duck your head every time she waves to you at lunch.”
“It feels stalker-ish,” Izuku muttered, pressing his palm against his face to hide how he chewed his lip. “Cause I... you know.”
Ochaco sighed. “Half the school has a crush on Katsuki. I don't even like guys and I could be tempted to kiss him.”
“Ochaco!”
“He is quite handsome.” Shoto’s agreement with their friend’s assessment made Izuku groan, pushing away from the group before stopping outside his classroom.
“The answer is no.” He looked at the four pairs of eyes watching him, hoping his tone would finally end the recurring conversation. “I’m happy with my life. I know you’re trying to help me, but just getting to talk to him in class is… I’m okay with that. So, can you please, please, just let it go?”
Ochaco and Shoto wore matching frowns, Tsu seeming to debate the question behind her pensive look. When nobody spoke, Tenya quickly took over the conversation with a nod.
“Of course. We’re sorry if we made you uncomfortable.”
“We just want to see you get the happy ending you deserve,” Ochaco added, and Izuku smiled before stepping into the history class.
“Then let me pick the movie tonight.” Laughing at her eye-roll, Izuku turned away and slipped into the classroom.
As he settled into his seat, he thought over the conversation with his friends. He knew, deep down, they thought he was hiding his loneliness. But Izuku didn't know how to explain whatever he felt when he was around Katsuki. It differed from other crushes he’d had before. Even being Katsuki’s lab partner felt like a dream, and he pinched himself once a class to prove he was awake. Katsuki had caught him once, earning a tug on his cheek while scolding him for hurting himself.
Except Izuku knew that was as far as their dynamic went. Watching Katsuki over the years meant he picked up on his habits. When something was bothering him, he had to deal with it right away. He wasn’t the type to smile while he suffered in silence (like Izuku). If Katsuki somehow saw Izuku as more than a lab partner, the football player would have told him. He was Katsuki! Super popular. Obviously attractive. Could have the attention of anyone he wanted in the school.
Why would someone he called ‘Nerd’ and ‘Freckles’ be worth a second glance?
And that’s why I’m going to stop thinking about it, Izuku concluded, nodding while he organized his pencils on his desk. Really, he was okay with admiring Katsuki over their lab table, or sneaking glances in their other classes. As long as he got some time with Katsuki, he wouldn’t ask for anything more between them.
But then, as if fate heard his thoughts, a shadow fell over him.
“Hey there!”
Izuku flinched at the loud greeting, wincing when seeing two of his pencils roll off his desk. Looking up to see who interrupted his class preparation, confusion swirled in his chest. He wasn’t sure why Mio was leaning over him, her blond hair hanging like a golden curtain to hide them from the other students. With bright blue eyes and a flawless face, Izuku understood her popularity. He knew of Mio, though he hadn’t had an actual conversation with her. Since she’d never invited him to her well-known parties, he hadn’t thought she even knew who he was. So why was she leaning so close?
Swallowing slowly, Izuku awkwardly offered a smile. “Um, hi? Can I—”
Without letting Izuku finish, Mio cut in.
“So Katsuki and I were talking about you the other day.” He tried not to give away his shock at the information. Katsuki... talked about him? Outside of class? Why? What did he say? Was he maybe thinking about him— “He said you're like, super smart. Like his level smart.”
Oh. Of course.
Biting back his wave of disappointment, Izuku forced his voice to stay light as he laughed weakly. “Ah, well, I don't know about that—”
“But you'll totally ace the history test today, right?” She asked, and Izuku shrugged before looking away.
“Yeah, but anyone who filled out the study sheet—”
“So you have the answers?”
She moved back in front of his face again, leaning over his desk. It made the V-neck of her shirt drop, and Izuku's cheeks flushed at the sudden flash of skin. It wasn’t because he wanted to look; he’d come out to his parents years ago, and was very aware of what made his pulse race. But he was still a teenage boy; being awkward around girls that weren't Ochaco or Tsu was second nature to him.
His eyes darted to the side, unsure if his pitch had risen from his anxiety. “Yeah, of course.”
“Great!” Like he’d offered her something, she cheered. “So you can take my test for me.”
The strange statement made him frown, forgetting his discomfort and shaking his head. “I'm sorry, what?”
“My normal test taker is super sick today, and I totally haven't been listening in class.” Mio rolled her eyes, and Izuku wondered how they got placed in the same history class. “I mean, it's our senior year; why do we even need to take tests, ya know what I mean?”
“It's a credit thing for diploma requirements,” he said, though she was already moving on to her next point.
“Anyway, I know you're one of the smartest kids in the school, so you'll be able to ace my tests for me.”
And he could. It wasn’t a hard section, and he had always loved history. Still, he shook his head again, needing to shut down her insane conclusion.
“Sorry, I can't take your test.” She looked like he slapped her, but Izuku had been friends with Tenya far too long to be ethically swayed. “But I've already memorized my study sheet, so if you want to use it before the test—”
“I don't want to take it at all.” Izuku had always been a patient person, but having her continue to interrupt him was starting to wear his smile down. “That's why I asked you to do it. I thought you were supposed to be smart?”
Ignoring her insult, Izuku already had a refusal on his lips. “I'm really sorry, but I will not cheat for you.”
His mother had always taught him to be an honest person. The last thing he'd do was let her down for someone who he doubted even knew his name.
“Are you serious right now?” She asked, giving him a look of disbelief.
He could only nod at the question. “It’s not right to cheat.”
“Ugh, no!” Mio stomped her foot before standing up, Izuku flinching when her pretty face distorted like a harpy. “You can't just say no! Do you think you're better than me?”
“Oh, no, that's not what I meant.” He tried to correct her, because he didn't think anything like that. It was only a few minutes ago that he was telling his friends that he wasn’t special.
But Mio had a different view on the situation. “What, just because Katsuki feels bad enough to talk to you in school, suddenly you're important? You think he'd like you being rude to me?”
He felt the class’s eyes flickering their way; the murmuring grew around them. Not used to the sudden attention, his face bloomed into a shameful blush. “No, but—.”
“Then stop being selfish and help me!”
It felt like the walls were crashing down on him. The whispers and snickers grew louder, like they were watching a TV show. He wasn’t their classmate; he was their entertainment. Izuku felt like a rat in a snake pit at the zoo, meant to be sacrificed for their own pleasure. Silently, he cursed Mr. Torino and the history teacher’s habit of coming in a few minutes after the bell. With no adult there to stop the verbal pressure, Izuku was on his own. With her loud demand and his panicked silence, it was turning into a scene. He just wanted to bury his head in the sand and vanish. To stay the unknown nerd, one that nobody looked twice at—
“Oi.” Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the growing chatter, silencing everyone. Looking up from the curled position he'd unconsciously taken, a breath of uncertainty filled Izuku's lungs. Blond, spiky hair framed a stunning face, red eyes almost glimmering in the classroom’s light. With a body that demanded attention, and shoulders Izuku had stared at once (or twenty times), Katsuki Bakugo stole the show instantly. The sharp gaze flickered with annoyance, and for a moment, Izuku worried it was aimed at him. Had he caught the end of the conversation, and thought Izuku was being rude to Mio? His heart throbbed at the thought, but the casual swing of the stare to Mio helped ease his moment of panic.
“What are you doing?”
Like a switch, Mio lost her ugly expression. Her smile rose like a sunrise, bright as a summer day again. “I was trying to get some pointers for the test. Since you said he's kinda smart and all.”
“Why are you cramming your studying in now? That's pretty dumb.” Katsuki's blunt comment made the class snicker. A flicker of satisfaction danced in the pit of his stomach, but he quickly snuffed it out. He swallowed, unsure how to calm down the situation without making it worse. He wasn’t a fan of Mio trying to pressure him into doing her work, but he'd never been a fan of getting revenge.
So when he saw mortification cover her face, he cleared his throat, trying to ease the growing tension. “Kacchan—”
“Yeah!” Mio’s anxious laugh felt like a weak attempt to hide her embarrassment. “Yeah, you're totally right.”
“Obviously.” Katsuki glanced to the clock, scowling. “You got two minutes until Gramps gets in here, so you better go study at your own desk.
“G-Good idea. You’re so smart.” But her peppy tone didn’t match her face when Katsuki turned back toward Izuku. Mio sent Izuku a scathing look before she spun around, storming off to her seat. In seconds, several classmates from the popular crowd rushed over, quick to console her.
But Katsuki didn’t follow, Izuku surprised when he lingered. With a hum, he leaned a hip on Izuku's desk with an arched brow. “You barking up the popular tree for a girlfriend, Nerd?”
No, I’m hopelessly gay for a muscled football classmate, Izuku thought, trying to clear his head of the impulsive answer by shaking it.
“N-No! She was just... ya know.” He didn’t want to lie, but telling Katsuki everything would probably cause more issues. So Izuku tried to aim for a middle-ground. “Trying to get some help with her test.”
“Help, huh?” Katsuki glanced behind him, nodding toward the empty seat beside Mio. “Her trained pet's out today.”
“Yeah, she told me he's sick.”
“Tch.”
Izuku wasn’t sure what that meant, but Katsuki didn't get to follow up the noise.
“Alright, alright.” Mr. Torino sauntered into the class, uncaring of the papers hanging out of his thick file. “Stop talking and sit down. We’ve got a test to take.”
“He acts like we were the late ones,” Katsuki said, Izuku biting back his smile at the comment.
“You should get to your seat, Kacchan.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He pushed off the desk, but then paused. Before Izuku could question the strange behavior, Katsuki turned sideways, a warm hand grabbing Izuku’s ear. With a playful pressure, Katsuki tugged the appendage, smirking. “Nice to see your backbone, Freckles.”
He tried not to melt, but his cheeks pooled with heat at the soft touch. It didn’t feel like Katsuki was trying to bully him, but tease him in a lighter way. Almost like he would with a friend, or someone he…
Heart racing from the crazy thought, he pretended to brush Katsuki’s hand away from annoyance. It was that, or give in to the desire to turn his face into Katsuki’s soft touch. He glanced up, awed by the half-lidded gaze the taller man gave him. Without permission, his mind raced. What would it be like if Katsuki cupped his face, tilted it up, and kissed—
“Mr. Bakugo,” Mr. Torino called out from the front of the class. “Stop picking on Mr. Midoriya and take your seat.”
“I’m going! Keep your dentures in,” Kacchan snarked back, shoving his hand into his pocket before moving toward his seat. The class laughed at the insult, drowning out Mr. Torino’s scolding. Izuku’s giggle slipped out before he covered his mouth, ducking his head when Katsuki glanced back at him with a half-grin.
Like Izuku expected, the test was simple. He was one of the first people to finish in the class, though Katsuki was right after him. Like dominoes, everyone followed, the people left dwindling until there was only one left. Izuku winced when realizing Mio was the final student with the test. She didn’t turn it in until Mr. Torino warned of the end of class. From the paler look on her face, she hadn't done well. If he had any doubt, the teary, hateful glare she gave him confirmed it.
He tried to shake off the scalding look when the bell rang. Izuku took his time gathering his books and papers, waiting for everyone to leave. Once the class was cleared out, he waved to Mr. Torino and followed, entering the sea of people. He missed the initial rush, allowing him to breathe without feeling like a sardine in a tin car. Izuku glanced around dozens of students, his gaze catching a glimpse of Katsuki down the hall. His lips twitched when watching Katsuki yell at Denki, who had jumped on his back. Kirishima was laughing next to Katsuki, mouth moving with words Izuku couldn’t hear from the distance between them. Like a magnet, more people crowded Katsuki, a metaphorical barrier to Izuku’s deepest desires.
Kacchan’s got so many friends already. He doesn’t need anyone else in his life.
At the sad thought, Izuku's hand tightened on his bag strap before he turned away and sighed.
He headed toward his next class, not giving the previous conflict a second thought. Maybe, if he’d known the consequences of that moment, he would have done something differently. But Izuku was a nobody. Someone people forgot.
He could never have expected that one class would change everything in his world.
~**~
Halloween fell on a Friday. For most seniors, it was the best situation. They’d buy overpriced costumes to wear at an insane party. They’d drink alcohol snuck by someone’s older brother and end up hooking up with someone under the full moon. He was sure that was the expectation, and from all the social media posts from his classmates, he knew some were already on their way to a ‘crazy night’.
But Friday meant something different for Izuku and his friends. They still picked out (or created) Halloween costumes, but there was no party in their future. Instead, they met up at Tsu’s for their weekly game night.
“What's your charisma roll, Lady Tsu?” Tenya was a fun dungeon master, taking the job seriously. He even changed his voice and accent for the role. That, paired with his Frankenstein’s monster costume, made the night even more enjoyable.
Tsu, fully decked out as a swamp witch, tilted her head. “Nineteen.”
“Then you've been able to bewitch the frog to heed your command!”
Ochaco laughed and leaned against Shoto, her Red Riding Hood cape spilling over his thigh. “We went through all this work for a frog? How is that a good familiar?”
“I like frogs,” was Tsu’s reply, seeming happy with the end result of their current side quest. “They're very loyal.”
“Better than a slug,” Shoto said through the fangs of his vampire design. He was actually doing well with the mouth obstruction, Izuku knowing he wouldn’t have been able to speak with the plastic. Shoto looked like he was born to be a vampire, somehow still carrying his ‘pretty boy’ demeanor despite the murderous costume. Then again, it was Shoto. Beauty was sort of his thing. If Izuku had to guess, Shoto probably got invited to a bunch of cool parties.
But he still chose their dorky Dungeons and Dragons game night.
Izuku’s costume choice was actually a tradition in his family. When he was four, as a way for Izuku to bond with his uncles and aunt, his mom let the rowdy bunch choose his costume. They bickered before creating an 'order' of who got to pick his design every year. Even though he was old enough to end the routine, he didn't. He loved his family, and if it made them happy, why would he break it?
Now, with a cotton-ball tail poking out from his shorts and the headband with fluffy ears shifting in his hair, he was second-guessing everything. The shortness of the green singlet embarrassed him, so he shoved black leggings underneath. The sleeveless turtleneck top, with fur on the collar, left his arms bare. Aunt Nana, always trying to tame the prankster uncles, found white opera gloves for Uncle Banjo's costume.
The design wasn’t his normal style, but his night’s plans helped ease his anxiety. He was just playing games with friends, and they would never judge him for his uncle’s prank. Like he expected, Ochaco cooed at him while Tsu took a photo. Tenya, a wrestler for the school, explained how to avoid thigh chafing from his singlet.
Shoto only blinked. “Bunnies aren't green.”
The innocent comment sent the group into a wave of laughter, and Izuku’s last wisp of anxiety vanished into the chilly night. After that, they started their normal routine. It was full of junk food, scary movies as background noise, and fighting dangerous monsters in their campaign.
He knew most seniors would probably find the whole thing a waste of good costumes, thinking the group should be off having parties and being reckless. But Izuku was content with their dynamic. He didn’t need to change anything.
Tenya began spinning his tale for the new scene, Izuku listening to prepare his character’s next move. But the dungeon master only got halfway through his description before Izuku's phone went off. It paused the game, Izuku muttering his apology while rushing to see who was calling.
“It’s probably mom asking when I’ll be home—” But his sheepish explanation stopped when seeing the unknown number. Also, it was FaceTime. “Uh, guys?”
“Is everything okay with your mom?” Shoto asked, Izuku shaking his head.
“It’s not her.” He held up the phone, anxiety catching his voice. “What do I do?”
“It could be a scam,” Tenya said, always cautious.
But Ochaco looked excited. “Or maybe someone wants to join us for games!”
“Who would do that?” Even as Izuku asked the rhetorical question, he slowly swiped to accept.
It took a moment to load, Izuku squinting while leaning closer. He quickly regretted it when the connection went through, almost dropping the phone from the sudden blaring of music. Whoever called was obviously at a party. There were people in the background talking, but he couldn’t pick up on anything specific. Then, after the camera went blurry, a familiar face popped onto the screen.
“Hi Zuzu!” It was Mia, dressed as an angel. She looked amazing, with perfectly curled hair and a stunning application of her makeup. Izuku was a little awed by the skill she had with cosmetics. Though he couldn’t see the full costume, he could tell it wasn’t handmade. For a moment, he wanted to ask where she got it, wondering if they also designed costumes for conventions.
But then he rolled the greeting over, grimacing at the mistake. “Uh, it's actually—”
“Where are you?” She asked, shouting from wherever she was.
“Um...” He looked past the screen, seeing the four waiting for him behind the phone. Unsure why being watched made him flush, Izuku scrambled to his feet, holding up a finger to his friends before scampering away. Looking around the house, there weren’t a lot of places to get privacy. Desperate, Izuku ended up locking himself in Tsu’s bathroom.
Once alone, he turned his attention to the scowling girl. “Sorry! I'm actually with some friends at their house. Is there... something you need?”
“You’re at a house party? I bet it’s not as cool as this one!”
“Oh, uh… no,” he replied, sheepishly laughing. “Not a party.”
“You guys are just... hanging out at home? In costumes?” She glanced to her left, doing a poor job of hiding her laugh before continuing. “But it's Halloween.”
“We always hang out on Fridays for Dungeons and Dragons,” he said, which earned more laughter on the other side of the phone. It was then he realized she wasn’t alone on the call. She probably had him on speakerphone, with a group of people at the party watching. And Izuku wasn't ashamed of his friends or their hobbies, but having a whole group giggling and mumbling about it was…
Mio pretended to shush the group with her finger on her lips, but from her wide grin, she didn't seem too upset about embarrassing Izuku. “Oh, really? That's, like... well, it fits you for sure. Is that why you didn't come to the party?”
“What party?”
“The senior bash.”
It was the first time he'd heard anything about it. “Oh, no, nobody mentioned it to me. Was it a school thing?”
“Ew, why would we wanna do something lame like that? Wait, do you only get invited to things that the school hosts?” She mockingly grimaced. “That's, like, super sad.”
Izuku pressed his lips together, unsure why a weird tingle burned the corner of his eye. He tried to distract himself by moving over to sit on the edge of the tub.
“Um, it's Mio right?” When she nodded, he swallowed. “How did you get this number?”
“Oh, on your tutoring poster. Duh.”
He winced, forgetting his poster in the school. As part of his internship with the head of the math department, Izuku offered help to the younger students and their studies. The school let people post credentials for other classmates on the bulletin board by the office, so both students and parents could see the resources. He rarely got calls, so he forgot he’d put his number on it.
“Right,” he mumbled. “Well, I didn’t know about it, so you should go enjoy your party.”
Instead of ending the call, Mio hummed. “Are you sure you didn't know? Like, Katsuki didn't tell you about the party?”
“Kacchan's there?” He asked, unable to stop the minor hitch in his voice.
From how the people around Mio laughed, they caught it, too. Mio nodded, eyes almost pitying. “Well, he's like, the hottest guy in the school. Of course he's invited. People wanted to see who he came with.”
“Oh, he's… got a date?” Which would make sense. She wasn’t kidding about how popular Katsuki was.
“That's the crazy part; he totally came alone.” Then, she snapped her fingers, though it felt far too planned to be natural. “Hey, I know. Since you're not doing anything fun—”
“Wait, that's not what I said—”
“Why don't I ask Katsuki if you can come as his plus one? Since you're so close and all!” He tensed, eyes widening, at her offer. Her grin went almost manic at his frozen reaction. “Don't worry, it's not a big deal. Not like we all don't know it's your secret dream or anything.”
“What?” More off-screen laughing and 'oos' kicked his pulse into high gear, fingers trembling around his phone. “No, I don't d-dream of him.”
“Aw, don't be so shy! Some guys really like that cotton ball look. And not many people have a bunch of spots all over their face.”
He fought the urge to hide the freckles and his messy waves, shaking his head with a nervous laugh. “No, it’s fine. I don't want to bother him. I-I should probably go back to my friends.”
But Mio was already looking away, waving at someone. “Hey, Katsuki! Come say hi to Zuzu!”
“Mio, please—” But his plea spilled out too late; the phone went blurry again from the sudden movements until Katsuki suddenly appeared on the screen. Seeing Katsuki actually wearing a costume threw Izuku off. He couldn't see the whole thing, but the red collar and dark ears looked animal-related.
“Aw, look. Your costumes kinda match. Bunny and wolf. I mean, wolves can't be friends with bunnies, they're like... mortal enemies or whatever.” Mio appeared, nudging Katsuki's shoulder. “It's almost like Zuzu stalked you to figure out what you were gonna wear. So spooky!”
Izuku, horrified at the implication, quickly scrambled to deny it. “Wh-what!? No, I didn't do that! I don't even have his Instagram. How would I know?”
“Aw, relax! I'm totally kidding.” Except from her smirk, it hadn’t felt like a joke. His shoulders hiked near his ears when she looked at Katsuki. “Aren't you gonna say hi?”
“Why are you in the bathroom?” Katsuki asked instead, not taking his eyes off Izuku.
“Oh, I'm with my friends, but I didn't want to be rude. I, uh…” Izuku fought the urge to rub his nape, knowing the fur collar would block his path. “I wasn't really expecting a call?”
“Lemme guess; Pink Cheeks, Glasses, Frogger, and Candy Cane?”
Katsuki’s little names for his friends made Izuku smile. “Yeah, how'd you know?”
“Cause Icyhot always brings up your game night in art.” He forgot Shoto and Katsuki were in the same class. “What's with the look, Bunny?”
“It's Halloween.” He pet his fake ear nervously. “And you're dressed up, too.”
“Because Shitty Hair made me do it. Said I couldn’t get into the party without a costume.” Katsuki tilted his head, a hint of a smirk tugging up one side of his mouth. “What, jealous of how good I look?”
Before the conversation could continue, Mio cut in, leaning on Katsuki's side. “Okay, enough chit-chat! Katsuki, did you want to hear my awesome idea?”
“What are you talking about?” Katsuki glanced at where they touched, annoyance making his brow twitch. “Can you get off me?”
“Whoops!” Mio's angel wings shifted as she giggled. “Sorry, you're just so big. Good thing you smell yummy.”
When Katsuki didn't answer, Mio looked at Izuku. “Zuzu, don't you think Katsuki is super muscular?”
“He's a football player.”
“So that’s a yes, right?”
“Kacchan’s… in good shape,” he admitted, looking away at Katsuki's eyebrow arch.
“I mean, I'm sure you’ve noticed more than anyone, watching him all the time in school.” Like Mio was performing in front of a live audience, the ‘crowd’ around her started whistling and laughing. Hating feeling like he was putting on a performance again, Izuku tried to think of how to end the conversation. But when Izuku looked back to toss out his excuse, Mio started a metaphorical car crash. “Your puppy crush is totally cute.”
Logically, Izuku knew he wasn’t exactly subtle about his feelings. Like Ochaco said, most of the school had some sort of attraction for the quarterback. But everyone knew it was a death sentence to tell Katsuki their feelings. Katsuki was an unwilling heartbreaker. He was just a very blunt person, and accidentally destroyed people’s dreams with his clear shut-downs.
And Izuku didn't expect Katsuki to like him back. Since Katsuki wasn’t stupid, he probably knew about Izuku’s high-key crush. Izuku let Katsuki call him nerd. He actually liked when Katsuki used the semi-insulting nicknames on him. Only a fool head over heels would enjoy that. Katsuki had been kind enough not to call him out on it. But Mio throwing his feelings out was going to ruin the amicable balance they’d struck as physics partners.
And, somehow, Mio isn't satisfied with outing his feelings. She seemed determined to make sure Izuku knew the consequences of getting on her bad side.
So she continued. “Katsuki, you should have seen how upset Zuzu was when I said you were here with someone.”
“Stop,” Izuku said, though he wasn’t sure his voice came out loud enough for the phone to pick up.
Either way, she didn’t listen. “Yeah, it was so sad! Like a puppy left out in the rain. I had to cheer him up, right? So I maybe told him you were somehow dateless at the party.”
Izuku wanted to squeeze through Tsu's bathroom window and disappear forever. Katsuki's face was hard to read on the phone, but Izuku didn't need to. He had seen what Katsuki looked like when rejecting people. Katsuki did it instantly, uncaring of who was around to witness the accidental heart stomp. Maybe he didn’t wait because he wanted to make it seem normal.
But for those people who got to choose when they confessed, it was done privately. They chose the time and place so that, if rejected, it wouldn’t be humiliating. But Mio decided to confess for Izuku in front of a crowd of people at a party.
“I really have to go,” he tried, but Mio ignored him again.
“And so I thought, hey! You're here alone, and Zuzu's alone. So... why not let him be your plus one, ya know?”
Izuku flinched like someone hit him. His stomach tangled so tightly, he was sure he’d pass out from the pressure. He clutched the tub, silently praying that Katsuki gave him the grace of a swift heartbreak. Then he could go back to his friends, cry into his fun-sized Skittles, and prepare for the awkwardness of Monday’s physics class—
“Sure.” The single word cut through the snickers and chatter in the crowd around Katsuki and Mio. Katsuki didn't seem to care, ignoring Mio's flabbergasted face to send Izuku a half-smirk. “You know where Ponytail lives, right?”
Izuku's brain ran through the nicknames. “Momo?”
“Knew you were smart, Nerd.”
“K-Kacchan, this...” He couldn't think straight. He was barely breathing, if he was being honest.
“So, how about it?” In a surreal moment, Katsuki leaned closer to the phone. Then, he asked a question that stopped Izuku’s heart. “You gonna be my plus one, Bunny?”