WMUWSE / Chapter 3 (ENG) (Patreon)

Izuku was sitting on the couch in the boys’ cabin. Ochaco, Sero, and Denki had come back shortly before Katsuki and he returned from the lake. His best friend was chatting excitedly about everything they’d seen in the little village they visited, showing the many pictures she’d taken and posted on her social media. But even though he wore a smile and nodded along with everything she said, all he could think about was his mother’s message.

He’d seen it just before entering the cabin, which had frozen him on the spot. A million questions were racing through his mind. What did she want to talk about? Had he done something wrong? Had something happened to her? Or someone close to him? Or worse, had she figured out he had lied to her?

He didn’t notice that Katsuki had stopped in front of the steps and turned to look at him, eyes full of concern. “Oi, ner–”

He was cut off and shoved aside by a yellow blur bursting through the cabin door and jumping into Izuku’s arms. “Midooo~ I missed you sooo much!”

After the surprise, Izuku laughed, momentarily forgetting his mother’s strange message. He wrapped his arms around the boy. “Missed you too, Denki.”

He saw Katsuki roll his eyes with a grumble before turning away. “Seriously? You saw each other last night…”

“And so what?” Kaminari protested.

The grumpy blond squinted before growling and heading into the cabin. “Idiots.”

And so, Izuku was pulled inside too, and now here he was, sitting on the couch, so anxious he kept fiddling with his bracelet under the table and bouncing his leg nervously.

“Hey, ‘Zuku… you okay?” Ochaco had leaned close enough that her shoulder pressed against his, making sure only he could hear her words. The boys were arguing about whether to add more or fewer spices to tonight’s dish, apparently it was going to be more... May Katsuki and his spices have mercy on Izuku’s poor tongue...

There was no point in lying to his best friend, she could read him like an open book, and Izuku wasn’t even trying to hide his emotions. “It’s my mom…” he showed her the message and Ochaco raised a brow as she read it.

“Well… call her?” she said, as if it were that simple. And, in a way, it was.

“I should… but what if she found out we lied to her? What if she tells me to come home?”

“Izuku, there’s no use panicking before you even know what she wants, you know? You always overthink things, and it usually ends with a panic attack. So call her, figure out what it’s about before your head explodes.”

Izuku sighed, shoulders slumping. “Yeah… I’ll do it…”

Ochaco got up to let him pass. He told the boys he’d be back in a few minutes and stepped out onto the porch, phone in hand.

Ochaco was right, he overanalyzed everything, and his stupid brain was already going into overdrive, so before he could spiral, he hit the call button next to his mom’s icon.

Beep...

Beep...

Bee–

“Izuku?”

“H-hi Mom. I saw your message… Is everything okay?”

“Oh! Yes! I just wanted to let you know I received your dorm registration for university. You’ve been accepted, so no need to look for housing nearby!”

What?

That was it?

Izuku couldn’t help but laugh, all his anxiety melting away.

“Izuku? What’s so funny?”

Izuku quieted his laughter but couldn’t stop the smile on his face. “Nothing… nothing, Mom. I’m just happy I got a spot in the dorms, that’s all.”

“Alright… Are you okay? Is everything going well with Ochaco? Are you having fun?”

He’d already told his mom he’d made new friends and told her everything they did together. The petite woman always seemed delighted by her son’s adventures. “Ochaco went with two of the guys today, so I stayed back with the other two… But one of them had to leave to see his girlfriend, so I was left alone with the other… We went to the lake… and…” He didn’t want to tell his mom they had talked about the accident.

She always acted weird when he brought it up, like she used his amnesia to pretend it never happened. Izuku knew it hurt her, his dad had been her first, only, and forever love, as she’d said. So talking about the accident was like twisting a knife in her already broken heart, and he hated it.

He didn’t like lying to his mom, but when it came to protecting the tiny woman, he made a few exceptions.

“Mmh? ‘And’?”

“…And… we played with some kids at the campsite… You should’ve seen them, they were adorable!”

“That sounds lovely, sweetheart… So… you spent the whole afternoon alone with this boy, huh?” Her tone had shifted slightly, he could practically hear the smile in her voice.

Oh no, no way was she starting this. “He’s just a friend, Mom…”

“Yes, yes, it always starts like that, you know–”

“Oi, Deku, what are you…” Katsuki’s voice startled him and he turned. The blond saw the phone at Izuku’s ear and lowered his voice. “Shit, sorry.”

Izuku smiled at him. “No problem, Katsuki. I’ll be there in a sec.”

Katsuki made a small “hmm” and went back inside. Why had he come out in the first place? Was he looking for Izuku? Why? Was he worried? No way… He was probably just curious…

“Izuku?”

“Oh, sorry Mom… what were you saying?”

“That young man I just heard… Did you call him… Katsuki?”

“Mmh? Yeah, that’s his name. Why?”

A silence.

“Mom?”

“It’s nothing… It’s late, I’m going to bed. Take care, my baby. I love you.”

“Love you too, Mom. Good night.” She hung up.

She seemed a bit strange, but he blamed it on the late hour and didn’t think more of it.

He stood and went back inside the cabin where everyone was talking loudly and cheerfully , everyone except Katsuki, who was in a corner of the couch. His gaze landed on Izuku the moment he walked in.

How did he know?

Because Izuku’s gaze had landed on his at the exact same time.

The rest of the evening passed in a warm and friendly atmosphere, but everyone was far too tired to stay up as late as they had on previous nights. By around 11 p.m., they had all gone to bed.

Izuku fell asleep as quickly as possible. The day had been exhausting, and his body ached all over from all the swimming and playing.

That night, he had a strange dream. Strange in the sense that it felt so real he could smell the scents and feel the warmth of the sun on his skin. He was in a forest, very similar to the one they were in now, and in front of him, a child was running with a giant stick in hand, pretending it was a sword and a cane. He was singing the theme song of a cartoon Izuku had loved as a child, judging by the many posters and merchandise he used to have in his bedroom.

In the dream, Izuku himself was a child, judging by his height. He was running after the boy in front of him, heart pounding and a wide smile on his face. A strange scent of cinnamon filled the air, and Izuku felt so at peace with that smell. They stopped in a small clearing in the middle of the woods. The child in front of him planted his stick into the ground and shouted, “This will be our base! I’ll be the greatest hero ever, and you’ll be my partner, Deku!”

And just as he was about to see the other boy’s face, Izuku woke up… by falling out of bed.

“Ouch…” He was face down on the floor, legs still on the mattress.

“Izu? Shit! Are you okay?” Ochaco rushed over to him and helped Izuku up.

“Y-yeah…” he sat on the mattress, running a hand through his hair.

“Weird… You usually sleep like a rock… You never move.”

She was right. Was it because of the dream? It had been too vivid and precise to be his imagination. And even though his dreams often felt real, he had never dreamt about him before the accident… and in that dream, he knew he was younger, maybe four or five years old. And that nickname…

“You okay?” Ochaco asked, tilting her head with concern.

“Mmh? Oh, yeah! Sorry, I must’ve fallen hard, my head hurts a bit…” He gave her a sheepish smile. He didn’t want to bother her with his dumb dreams. It probably meant nothing.

The brunette sighed. “We have some meds in the first aid kit in the van…” She got up and opened the tent, and he followed her.

She pulled out a capsule from a small box and handed it to Izuku, who grabbed a water bottle. He swallowed the medicine with a big gulp. “Thanks, ‘Chaco…”

“No problem. Technically, those are my period pain meds, but I figure they’ll work for a mild headache.” She winked.

“…Wait, it's not a hormonal thing, right? I’m not gonna grow boobs or anything, am I?”

She burst out laughing. “No, dumbass. It’s just a painkiller.”

“Who’s growing boobs?” asked a rough, sleepy voice behind Izuku that made him shiver.

When he turned, he saw Katsuki leaning on his windowsill, arms crossed, chin resting on his palm. His hair was messy, more than usual, and he still had pillow marks on his cheek. It was… cute. Izuku couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the sight, which slightly broke the “scary Katsuki Bakugou” myth.

Izuku didn’t notice Ochaco watching him curiously. She smiled and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Oh, that was Izuku. He was wondering if he should start working out to get some boobs. What do you think? I already think he’s super hot as is.”

Izuku turned toward his best friend and stared at her like an owl. What the…? That was not at all what they’d been talking about… Where did that come from? And why would she say that? Katsuki didn’t care about Izuku’s body…

“He looks good,” the blond muttered.

And maybe he should stop turning his head so fast or he’d hurt himself, but… Did Katsuki really just say he thought Izuku looked… good?

Well… okay. That wasn’t really a reason to read too much into things. And he knew Katsuki well enough to know he was just brutally honest. So maybe it was just that, honesty, no hidden meaning.

Izuku didn’t know how to respond, his brain was still overanalyzing, he was still shaken by the dream, and now… this…

He was still too dazed to think straight. Then he realized the sun was much lower in the sky than he expected. “Uh… what time is it?”

“7:30,” Katsuki replied, staring him straight in the eyes.

Oh.

Shit, he must’ve woken Ochaco when he fell…

Seeing the guilt on his face, the girl placed a hand on his cheek. “It’s okay, Izu. We went to bed pretty early anyway, and I’m not even that tired. Want to go into the village for breakfast?” Izuku smiled and was about to answer when she turned to Katsuki and added, “Wanna come with us?”

Izuku raised a brow. What was she doing? A few days ago she couldn’t stand him, and now she was—

Oh.

Oh no, no fucking way.

“Yeah, let me at least take a shower. I’ll meet you in 10.” And with that, he shut the window.

Izuku quickly pulled Ochaco further from the cabin so they wouldn’t be overheard. “What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?” Oooh no, that smile… That little witch knew exactly what she was doing.

“Don’t do this to me, Ochaco.” He crossed his arms over his chest with a frown that, given his baby face, probably wasn’t as intimidating as he hoped.

“Oh come on… You were eyeing each other all night yesterday. I don’t know what happened between you at the lake, but clearly, it had an effect.”

He blinked. “...What?”

That was ridiculous. Katsuki and he hadn’t “eyed” each other… Okay, sure, there had been a few exchanged glances, but they’d had a heartfelt conversation, so obviously things were different between them now. They were a little closer. But nothing more, right?

… Right…?

“Okay…” she sighed and cupped Izuku’s cheeks in her small hands, gently squeezing them to make his mouth look like a figure eight. “You’re the smartest boy I know, so work with that, alright?”

He nodded, not entirely sure what she meant, but he wasn’t going to argue, it was way too early and he was still way too tired.

She let go, and they got ready to head into the village.

Katsuki came out of the cabin freshly showered, hair still damp, wearing a tight khaki green T-shirt and black-and-grey camo cargo shorts, black-and-white Old Skool Vans on his feet. He walked quickly down the steps and joined them in front of their spot. “No way I’m getting in your hearse. We’re taking my car.”

And in true Katsuki Bakugou fashion, without waiting for a response, he headed straight for his Jeep and sat behind the wheel.

Ochaco and Izuku exchanged a glance, the girl shrugging before heading to the vehicle. Izuku paled as he saw her get in the back with a smug smile, leaving the front passenger seat free… for him.

Shit.

He rolled his eyes and climbed in next to Katsuki, who didn’t seem to care about Ochaco’s little manipulations.

“You know where we’re going?” Ochaco asked, leaning between the seats.

“Fuck yeah. I’ve been coming here forever. I know this place like the back of my hand,” grunted the blond, starting the engine.

As they drove out of the campsite, Izuku’s cursed curiosity got the better of him and he started looking around. The car was very new and extremely well maintained. The seats were so comfy he felt like he was melting into them. It had a touchscreen in the middle with multiple tabs, one of which had a music note and the label “playlists” underneath. He couldn’t help but click on it and was surprised to see even more folders, or rather, files that probably contained songs.

Then he saw one that stood out. He couldn’t stop himself from tapping it.

Izuku didn’t notice the curious red eyes glancing at him, but Katsuki quickly asked, “Why that one?”

Izuku turned to meet his gaze. “I… I don’t know.”

That was a lie.

He did know why he picked that folder over all the others. Because the name was too familiar. Because it reminded him of the smell of the forest and the warmth of the sun on his cheeks. Because it made him think of the little boy in his dream. Because it stirred up a strange nostalgia.

Because Dynamight was a name that made him feel too much to ignore.

“What is it?” he asked finally.

“My band… Our band,” Katsuki replied. And Izuku looked back at the screen. There were a lot — a lot — of songs. “Most of them were just recorded in my room, just me and my guitar. Usually, we talk about the next songs we want to work on like that. I prep the lyrics and some notes, we listen on the road or at someone’s place, and then figure out what to do with them…”

Izuku was intrigued. But also… oddly hesitant. As strange as it seemed, he felt like he was intruding on Katsuki’s privacy. Which didn’t make sense, because they did concerts, so their music was public… Still… he hesitated.

“Can we listen to one?” Ochaco asked from the back. And Izuku silently thanked her, because he probably wouldn’t have dared to ask himself.

Katsuki thought for a second, then moved his hand from the gearshift to the screen, scrolling through the songs until he found what he wanted and tapped on it.

The music started right away with a strong drum beat, and every hair on Izuku’s body stood on end. He could easily imagine the blond behind a drum kit, pounding out the rhythm.

The song continued as each instrument layered in, and then a feminine voice filled the car — completely catching Izuku off guard. He turned toward the blond, wanting to ask something, but Ochaco beat him to it.

“Oh! That’s Jiro, right?”

“Jiro?” Izuku asked, twisting to look back at her.

“Yeah, she’s Denki’s girlfriend, I think?”

“Something like that, yeah. It’s hard to tell with those two. I gave up trying to understand them in our first year. But yeah, she sings for us,” explained Katsuki, eyes fixed on the mountain road.

Oh. So there were the guys, and this girl.

The song continued, and Izuku sank into it more and more. The lyrics were soft, matching the girl’s voice perfectly. He could hear influences from several popular bands, but also something unique and indescribable.

He liked it.

So he relaxed in his seat, staring out the window as the trees sped by, letting the bass vibrations echo in his chest with every beat.

The rest of the ride continued like that, Katsuki choosing each song. And although he’d mentioned that he sang in some of them, he didn’t play any of those.

They arrived at the nearby village in 20 minutes. The blond parked the car, and they all got out under the morning sun. Ochaco immediately grabbed Izuku’s arm, giggling like a kid promised an ice cream.

The three of them strolled through the village center, looking for a place to eat, Ochaco practically carrying the conversation on her own, and taking great pleasure in roasting Izuku, apparently.

“And then Zuku walks into class, trips, and while falling grabs the teacher’s pants…” Ochaco was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes, while Izuku was beet red.

“Ochaco!” he groaned.

Katsuki started laughing too, and Izuku thought that maybe it wasn’t so bad to be mocked if it meant seeing and hearing the blond laugh. “Damn, nerd… You’re something else.”

“Oh! Oh! And the first time I went to his house!”

“DON’T YOU DARE!” Izuku tried to cover her mouth, but the little imp dodged and hid behind Katsuki’s tall, muscular frame.

“Now I’m curious.” The blond smirked at Izuku, and he suddenly wanted the earth to open up and swallow him whole.

Ochaco opened her mouth to continue, and Izuku lunged at her, only to be caught by strong, warm arms wrapping around his waist and lifting him off the ground. To be honest, he wasn’t really struggling, because his body kind of liked the contact with the other boy.

Ochaco winked at him from behind the blond’s back, and Izuku froze.

Shit.

He tilted his head and looked up at the blond’s face. And of course, the bastard had the audacity to smile. Ugh. “Katsuki, let me go.”

“Why?”

Izuku raised an eyebrow. “W-What do you mean why? Let me go! You can’t just carry a grown man like that!”

“Where’s the grown man?” the blond asked, and Ochaco burst out laughing. He swore he’d get back at her later.

For now, he closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath before slowly exhaling. “Please, Katsuki…”

“Alright, alright…”

He was finally set back down, stumbling slightly. He straightened his clothes with a scowl.

“Don’t pout, nerd…” Katsuki ruffled Izuku’s curls with a grin.

Well, he didn’t really blame the guy, Ochaco had started it, and Katsuki had just stopped Izuku from wringing her neck.

But he would be having a talk with the girl later. For now, his stomach reminded him why they were here. “Alright. Let’s go eat.”

After finding a small café, they sat on the terrace for breakfast and started chatting about all sorts of things. It was strange seeing Ochaco have a normal conversation with Katsuki. Even though they’d known each other for over a week, the two hadn’t really spent time together or even talked much.

But looking at them now, Izuku thought they actually got along. They even seemed… similar, oddly enough. Not physically, of course, but in terms of personality, their tempers, their directness.

Looking at them like that, they almost looked like… a couple.

Izuku stared into his coffee. He suddenly felt nauseous at the thought of the two of them together. He didn’t think his best friend was interested in Katsuki, her behavior this morning had made that pretty clear, but what if she started to like him? And what if Katsuki liked her back?

Now it felt like a possibility, and it made Izuku sick…

But why?

Was it just the idea of seeing his best friend with such a known flirt that bothered him?

It wasn’t like Ochaco had never dated guys like that before, but Izuku had never felt this weird feeling in his gut…

So why now—?

“Oi, Earth to Deku.” A large hand snapped fingers right in front of his face, pulling him out of his head.

Izuku blinked and looked at his friends. “H-huh?”

Ochaco smiled. “We saw a karaoke bar yesterday with the guys, in the little villa nearby. I thought it might be fun to celebrate your birthday there tonight.”

“My… birthday?”

“Yes, Zu… You know, that thing that happens every year.” He shot her an unimpressed look. “So karaoke bar?” she asked with a wide grin.

Oh yeah… It was July 15 today…

Izuku had never celebrated his birthday without his mom, or in public, at least not since his eighth birthday. And definitely not in a bar. And karaoke? Well… Izuku didn’t sing, he danced… But maybe it could be fun. Especially with friends.

He glanced over at Katsuki to see his reaction, but the blond was looking at him with a completely unreadable expression.

“...Okay? If everyone’s up for it…”

Ochaco squealed and bounced in her seat, almost knocking over their drinks, which earned a grumble from the blond that made Izuku laugh.

After breakfast, they headed back to the campsite. Izuku took advantage of the time to do some laundry. Ochaco had plans to meet Mina for lunch, so Katsuki had “invited” Izuku by saying he could “come eat scraps with the guys if he wanted.”

Izuku was sitting on the bench in the campground’s little laundry room when Shoto walked in, accompanied by his older brother. The older one gave him a wide, toothy smile.

“Oooh, isn’t it the little guy I met the other day… Long time no see, I-zu-ku,” Touya purred, sitting beside him.

Now that Izuku had a vague idea of who he was, from Katsuki’s stories and what he understood about their relationship, he was intrigued… and cautious.

“Touya, please leave him alone. You’re bothering him,” Shoto said flatly, watching his brother throw an arm around the freckled boy, who now looked very uncomfortable and probably beet red, judging by the heat in his cheeks.

Ochaco was right. Even if he wasn’t Izuku’s type, he couldn’t deny the guy was sexy. And he smelled… incredible. Like toasted marshmallow… Weird scent for a man, but somehow, strangely, it made Izuku feel nauseous.

“Of course I’m not bothering him. Look at him. He doesn’t mind me being this close.” Touya’s icy blue eyes locked on him. “Right, Zu?”

Zu?

A shiver ran down his spine. And not the good kind he got when Katsuki teased him or got too close. No, this one chilled him to the bone.

Luckily, the machine beeped, signaling his laundry was done. He quickly stood and emptied it into his basket.

He mumbled an excuse and left as fast as possible.

Those Todorokis really were from another planet. And how could they even be brothers when they were so different? Their only real similarity was their looks, otherwise, they didn’t seem connected at all.

Still, it was odd they were on vacation together… Maybe they were trying to reconnect, or—

Oh.

Wait. Shoto told Katsuki that his brother wanted him back in his band… What if this whole trip was part of a plan? Maybe Shoto was trying to help Katsuki… or at least keep his brother in check?

Izuku didn’t know enough to draw conclusions. It was just more overthinking from his stupid brain.

But he did want to know more about—

“DEKU!”

He was yanked violently backward by the collar of his shirt just as a car zoomed past where he’d been walking.

It had been way too close.

“Fuckin’ hell, are you trying to die?!”

He turned toward the voice connected to the hand still clutching his shirt.

Of course, he knew immediately from the shout, it was Katsuki. But it was strange seeing that expression on his face.

The boy looked totally panicked. If Izuku wasn’t mistaken, he could feel his fingers trembling where they still touched his neck.

“I was lost in thought… I didn’t see it.” Izuku explained.

That clearly didn’t sit well with the blond. “Does this happen often?! Almost dying because you’re too far inside your dumb-ass head?!”

The words were harsh, but the fury in his voice couldn’t hide the worry in his eyes. So Izuku grabbed his laundry basket with one hand, and gently took Katsuki’s wrist with the other to pry his fingers off his shirt. With a voice as calm as he could muster, he simply said, “I’m okay… I’m sorry I scared you.” Hoping that was the right thing to say.

The red eyes stared at him, the frown deepening, before Katsuki clicked his tongue and looked away. “Tch… As if.” he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.

Izuku smiled.

Cute…

Uh…

What?

Cute?!

No! No no no! Goddammit, Izuku!

He shook his head, and the blond turned to look at him like he was a curious creature. Izuku laughed nervously. “S-So… what are we having for lunch?” He started walking, hoping the other boy would follow. Which he did.

“Veggie stir fry and steak.” He followed a step or two behind, hands in his pockets.

Izuku hummed. “Sounds good…”

“Wait till I add the spices…” He could hear the smirk in his voice.

Izuku stopped abruptly, causing Katsuki to bump lightly into his back. He turned with a frown. “NO. SPICES.”

The taller boy looked at him, then let out a laugh. “Alright, nerd. No spices for your delicate little tongue.”

“My tongue’s not delicate…” Izuku muttered.

“Sure it’s not… You’ve even got a piercing to prove it, huh?” He leaned in, face way too close to Izuku’s… He knew the guy was just teasing, his smug grin was proof, but something stirred in Izuku’s chest, and he gripped his laundry basket tighter. His nose was filled with the scent of detergent… but with the other boy so close, he smelled something else…

Cinnamon…

Izuku was thrown back to his dream, or rather, memory, from that morning. That smell… That little boy… That forest…

He winced as a sharp migraine hit and closed his eyes. It was a memory. That dream was a memory from before the accident… he was sure of it. Every time he tried to remember something, his head hurt like hell. It was like there was a locked vault in his mind holding all his memories, and Izuku was trying to break into it with his forehead.

It was pointless. He knew it was. But still… there was something. Since coming to this campsite, little traces of memories had surfaced, blurry, intangible, but there.

He knew he’d done the right thing by coming here. Maybe by the end of the summer, he’d get his memory back. Maybe he’d remember his childhood, his father, and the moments they shared…

Izuku had taken a risk by coming here. He knew the accident had happened near this area, and some internet research confirmed that he and his father had stayed at this campsite just before the tragedy.

His mother knew too, but she never wanted to talk about it. Ever. When he’d mentioned the place two years ago, she’d made him promise never to bring it up again, and to never go there.

So, with Ochaco’s help, he came up with a cover story. His mom thought he was in another campsite, 300 km away. He’d even found a similar-looking one so that if she asked for pictures, she wouldn’t suspect anything.

If she didn’t want to tell him about his past… then he’d figure it out on his own.

Katsuki had moved away from his face, probably due to the grimace Izuku had made from the pain. “You okay, nerd? You’re pale…”

“Yeah… I’m fine, just… a little headache…” Who was he kidding? It felt like someone was jackhammering inside his skull. But he didn’t want to worry the blond again, not after he’d just saved him from getting hit by a car. So he forced a smile. “I should go hang this stuff. I’ll see you later?”

For a second, he thought Katsuki might stop him, but he didn’t. He just stared, or rather studied him before responding with a “Mmh,” and a nod.

“No spices!” Izuku added as he walked away, catching the small smirk tugging at Katsuki’s lips.

“Alright, Mr. Delicate!”

And with an exaggerated eye roll and a smile he couldn’t contain, Izuku walked off.

He spent the rest of the morning putting his things back in the tent. His mother called to wish him a happy birthday. The call was short and just as strange as the one from the night before, but he didn’t want to think too much about it. Around noon, he headed to the boys’ cabin, and the door opened before he could knock.

A wide grin greeted him. Kirishima’s.

“We were waiting for you!”

“Me?” he asked, as the redhead pulled him inside with his strong arms.

“Is that Midoriya I hear?” Denki came rushing out of the bathroom, dripping wet and wearing only a towel around his waist.

“Goddammit, Pikachu! Dry off! You’re gonna rot the damn floor if you keep dripping everywhere!” Katsuki was at the stove, wearing a ridiculous apron that said “Kiss the Cook” as he stirred a pan full of colorful and appetizing vegetables.

Sero tried to steal a bite and got smacked on the hand with a wooden spatula, followed by a storm of swearing.

Izuku couldn’t help but giggle at the chaos in the room.

Katsuki shot him his classic death glare, but Izuku was used to it by now. He stepped closer and leaned over the blond’s shoulder to look at the sizzling vegetables. A sharp scent hit his nose. “You did put spices.”

“...No.”

Izuku raised a brow at him.

“Okay, maybe a little. But it’s bland as shit if I don’t put something! And I didn’t even use that much.”

“Just half the jar,” Sero added from the couch.

Katsuki threw a carrot slice at his face, which Sero dodged with ease.

“Don’t waste food, Kats!” Kirishima scolded.

“It’s fine, I’ll eat it anyway. But if my tongue catches fire and I end up in the ER, it’s your fault.” Izuku smiled at the blond beside him.

Katsuki grunted and focused on finishing the meal.

Lunch went on peacefully after that, though “peaceful” was a stretch, given these guys, but Izuku liked that. He liked their energy, watching them interact. They were so close, and he understood now why Kirishima called them “brothers”. That’s exactly what they were.

Mina and Ochaco joined them after they finished eating. Mina hugged everyone, even Izuku, like they’d all been friends for years, then plopped herself onto Kirishima’s lap.

They started discussing Izuku’s birthday night. Apparently, he had no say in the matter, but everyone seemed so excited and happy about the evening that he didn’t want to ruin it by saying he’d have been fine just sitting by the lake with his friends.

So, each time someone asked him a question, he just nodded with a smile.

And that’s how they ended up outside the karaoke bar just as the sun was disappearing, leaving room for the night. Izuku looked up one last time before entering. The sky was painted in warm orange-pink hues that faded into deep blue. A few stars already dotted the heavens, and he could’ve stayed there for hours.

But he was yanked back to reality as the girls grabbed his arms and pulled him inside.

The bar was exactly how he imagined it: dark. Only the small stage was lit by colorful spotlights. There were several mics, a dark backdrop over the red brick wall, and a small tilted screen on the floor in front of the stage.

The rest of the bar was dimly lit, with little lights on each table, and a faintly glowing bar counter.

They found a table in the corner against the wall, a large round table with a huge red leather C-shaped couch. They sat down one by one, Deku in the middle, Ochaco on his right, Katsuki on his left.

When the server came to take their drink orders, Izuku hesitated for a second. He’d never had alcohol before. But it was his birthday, so… Without thinking, he said the only cocktail name he could remember. “I… uh… I’ll have a Sex on the Beach…” He could feel every eye turn to him, but he focused on the server and added a timid, “Please,” sinking into his seat.

Once the server left, Ochaco turned to him. “You know there’s alcohol in that, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

“...You sure?”

“Yes! And it’s just one drink, Ocha! I can handle it!”

It was not just one drink. After finishing the fruity, sweet cocktail, he ordered another. Then another. And now he was on his fourth.

All his friends had already gone up on stage to sing at least once. All except Katsuki and himself.

“You don’t sing?” Izuku asked, trying to sound as sober as possible. He wasn’t drunk, but… he felt good. Like his inhibitions had been stuffed into a box in the back of his brain.

Katsuki turned to him, and Izuku took a few seconds to admire his beauty. Why was he so stupidly attractive? It wasn’t fair… And those eyes… Damn… Even in the dim light, there was a burning gleam in them… And that jawline…  Izuku wanted to bite it…

Shit… he smelled so good too…

He caught a flash of red on Katsuki’s ears before the blond turned toward the stage. “I’ll go up if you do.”

Izuku blinked. “Me?”

“Yeah, nerd.” Katsuki looked back at him. “Sing with me.”

Remember how he said his inhibitions were locked in a closet? His mouth certainly remembered. “Okay…”

Katsuki’s smile was blinding. And god, Izuku would sing a thousand songs just to see that smile again.

He grabbed Izuku’s wrist and told the others to move so they could get out. Izuku was too distracted by the warmth in his chest and Katsuki’s hand on his arm to notice the giggles from the girls beside him and the whispered, “Go get your man!” from Ochaco.

Once on stage, Izuku was completely lost. Luckily, the lights were strong enough that he couldn’t really see the crowd. It felt like they were in a space just for the two of them.

Katsuki adjusted the mic stand, muttering a joke about Izuku’s height, which he didn’t even take offense to. Once they were both in place, the music started. It was a popular song, Belong Together by Mark Ambor.

But it wasn’t a duet.

Izuku panicked. Should he sing over Katsuki? Wait his turn?

Before he could decide, Katsuki began to sing.

And holy. Fucking. Shit.

His voice was everything.

It was raspy and deep and soft and so much more than Izuku expected. His brain shut down. He couldn’t look away, and he was pretty sure his jaw was on the floor.

Then Katsuki turned to him, smiling, and started the chorus.

You and me belong togetherLike cold iced tea and warmer weather…

Forget butterflies. Izuku was on fire.

And fuck it, he jumped in. He wasn’t as talented, but he was here to have fun.

So he grabbed his mic, pulled it from the stand, and smiling at Katsuki, he sang:

Spillin' wine and homemade drinksWe throw a cheers, the worries sink…

Katsuki joined him again for the chorus, stepping closer, and Izuku swore he saw stars.

You and me belong together…

Their mics touched. Their eyes locked.

And Izuku… was gone.

When the song ended, the whole bar erupted in applause, but Izuku barely heard it. He could only hear his heartbeat, Katsuki’s breathing, and the heat between them.

He glanced at Katsuki’s lips…

But the moment shattered. The blond turned abruptly, put the mic back, and walked off the stage without looking at him.

Izuku followed and went back to their table, but Katsuki wasn’t there.

“Katsuki?” he asked.

“Oh, he went to the bathroom,” Kirishima replied. “Dude, that was amazing!”

Izuku barely heard Kaminari say, “Yeah, Mido, your voice goes so well with his!”

But he didn’t care. His stomach was in knots, the room spun slightly, and the euphoria had vanished.

He felt… sick.

Ochaco noticed first and rushed to his side. “Hey, ‘Zuku… you okay?”

“I… I need air…” Izuku closed his eyes, but that didn’t help the spinning. His body swayed on its own. He hated this.

“Okay, let’s go outside.” She signaled to the others and led him out to a quiet wall behind the bar. The night air helped. It was warm, but not suffocating like inside.

“I’m okay…”

“Yeah… You’re getting your color back. But promise me, no more drinks like that. I thought you were gonna pass out at the table.”

He chuckled and gave her a smile. “Alright, Mom… I promise…”

She bumped his shoulder. “Don’t laugh, idiot!” But she laughed too.

Izuku looked up at the stars. The sky was dark now, and though there weren’t as many stars as the night he stargazed with Katsuki in the playground, they were still there.

“What was that earlier?” Ochaco’s voice pulled him back.

“What?”

“On stage, with Katsuki. Izuku… that was… Jesus, even the best duos don’t have that kind of chemistry. I’m not talking talent, I mean you two together.”

He didn’t understand.

“Izuku.” She turned to fully face him. “Do you like him?”

Wh–what?

“N-no! He’s a friend!”

“Izuku…”

He felt hotter than ever. “He’s… I’m… ugh…”

“Okay. Listen, I like Katsuki. Even if at first I thought he was the biggest asshole on Earth and deserved to be dumped in the lake tied to an anchor—” Izuku laughed. “But I don’t want you to get your heart broken. I was teasing earlier because I thought you had a little crush and it wouldn’t go anywhere. But now… Izuku… He’s not the right guy for you.”

Izuku didn’t know what to say. He was too drunk to think straight. “He’s just a friend… He’ll never be more.” He said it with conviction, trying to convince both her… and himself. Even though it left a hole in his chest.

Ochaco didn’t push. They sat in silence a few minutes more, then went back inside.

But Katsuki never returned to the table.

Izuku didn’t ask.

He let himself be distracted by the fun around him. Mina and Ochaco challenged Kirishima and Sero to darts, and the girls won easily. Kaminari played pool with Izuku, who had no idea how the rules worked, but somehow won. He suspected the blond had let him win… but didn’t say anything.

Later, Kirishima got a message. “Oh, Bakubro’s probably waiting for us outside—” his smile faded as he looked at his phone, then at Izuku.

“What’s he saying?” Denki asked, head drunk and resting on Izuku’s shoulder.

“Uh… He’s at the bar. He’s not coming back with us,” Kirishima said, putting his phone away.

Izuku’s eyes instinctively went to the bar. And there he saw the familiar blond hair.

And red hair.

Wait… red?

Looking closer, he saw a girl with long, wavy red hair wrapped around Katsuki’s neck. She was whispering in his ear. Katsuki smiled faintly, then wrapped his arms around her slim waist.

He guided her out of the building with a hand on her back, without so much as a glance behind.

Izuku looked away and pretended he hadn’t seen anything.

If he felt strange, it was just because he was still a little drunk… and tired. That’s all.

They got back to the campsite an hour later.

At their tent, Izuku noticed a soft light glowing from Katsuki’s window. Then a shadow… and another.

And right then, Izuku wanted to be anywhere else.

But he was exhausted. He just wanted to sleep. So he collapsed into bed and quickly stripped.

He silently thanked the guys who built the cabin well enough that no sound escaped the walls.

And as he drifted into deeper sleep, tears rolled from his eyes…

And a name escaped his lips in a trembling whisper:

“Kacchan…”