#bakudeku time travel | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

funmalibmillie · 9 months ago

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How dialogue is set up for this chapter:

“…” = Audible Speech

Long Italicized Text = Thoughts, Memories, Dreams

Long Italicized Text and Crossed Out = Deep Desires, Unspoken Truths by character in thought

-Bold and Italicized Text with hyphens on either end- =Action Done While Talking

Katsuki fumbled in his sleep at the offensive noise. He’s used to getting up at the ass crack of dawn but that is not his regular phone alarm. Speaking of…where was his phone? Sigh, whatever. He probably left it in his home office again. Slamming down the top of the foreign digital alarm he thought he made sure to never see again when he graduated, he sat up and yawned with a twinge of familiar sorrow suddenly washing over him. Izuku’s funeral was yesterday, but the after events of it and Izuku’s message, the…ring, then came more of the despair, regret, and rage, and then the bleak, bitter cold winter wind at the stream with a strange girl…wait a minute.

He rubbed his eyes and gazed around the room. Something was definitely off. This twin bed is not his California King Bed. Didn’t he throw those old band posters in the trash (of course not the vintage Silver Age Edition All Might strategically tucked underneath one of them) after he graduated? Why was his ring collection still on that bookshelf and where the fuck did the rest of them go!? He got some of those when he was undercover in another cou—Oh. The realization struck him like Sparkplug’s quirk—Kisara. He was in the past—thanks to Kisara. He had been given a second chance – an opportunity to rewrite the past…with Izuku. He swore to himself that if nothing else, he’d find her again to give her the keychain back—and if somehow overcame being an asshole…maybe he’d hug her. A step at a time.

Katsuki from 2200 (Kats 22) dashed out of bed and hurried into his old reflection on the mirror. Staring into his own slightly younger face, he felt a renewed sense of determination. His alarm clock said 5:02AM, but the Clepsydra above him indicates 2 days and about 18 hours. After a quick shower and change of clothes—his past self will forgive him—as it is a sacrifice worthy of the cause, he grabs the backpack, keychained ring and charm glinting in the peaked sunlight shining through the curtains of his room. He didn’t understand why but he kissed it for good luck as he stepped out into the spring air for his love brigade mission before time ran out.

----------------------

Mitsuki couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was off about the 19-year-old staying in her home that looked exactly like her brat. He had come back from the Heights Alliance dorms, claiming to be her son, but deep down, something was off about him. She just couldn’t out her finger on it. Despite their family having a solid TIC to expose the Toga girl, Mitsuki was convinced that the boy was an imposter that somehow had figured out their secret. Mother’s intuition indeed.

What was more frustrating was that the damn kid didn't seem like a lethal threat, but Mitsuki remained vigilant. If he was the shapeshifter girl, that meant her brat was in trouble and there will be fucking hell to pay if the League of Villains got their grimy hands on her boy again. If the kid is not the villain fugitive, then who the hell was he? The next morning, she decided to keep a close eye on him, observing him silently as he moved around the house. He carried out all the usual activities her Katsuki would do, but there was an unusual quietness to his actions. It was as if he was trying too hard to not call attention to himself.

Mitsuki's only interaction with the boy occurred when he left the house, heading in the opposite direction of Best Jeanist’s agency where she knew he interned. Curiosity got the better of her as she called out to him, careful to not reveal any details:

Mitsuki: Hey brat! Aren’t you going the wrong way?

Katsuki: HAANH!? No, hag! I just left something at UA and then I’ll head right over to Denim Head’s!

He didn’t wait for her to respond and simply walked away. As he did so, Mitsuki couldn't ignore the doubt gnawing at her. Reasonable answer…Wrong kid.

Determined to uncover the truth, Mitsuki ventured into her son's room, searching for any clues that might reveal the boy's true identity. She scoured the space, almost giving up hope until her gaze fell upon a notebook with a torn-out page. It appeared that the boy had taken the top page with him, but the faint imprint of its contents remained on the page below.

With a surge of determination, Mitsuki grabbed a pencil and carefully scraped its lead over the blank space, hoping to unveil the hidden message left behind. As the letters slowly emerged, Mitsuki's heart skipped a beat and she howled with glee, her suspicion all but forgotten. Inko owes her 10,000 yen.

“’OPERATION NERD REDEMPTION???!!!!!!’ MASARU, GET A LOAD OF THIS SHIT!” ----------------------

Katsuki Bakugo of 2196 (Kats96) understood himself to be a complex individual, often misunderstood by those around him. His sharp tongue and aggressive nature made people perceive him as irascible and aggressive, even towards his closest friends. Well, they were right, but anyone who truly knew Katsuki Bakugo understood that there was no genuine anger behind his words—sometimes... It was simply his way of being brunt, forward, and unapologetic in expressing his honest feelings.

There was, however, one person in Kats96's life who had managed to carve a soft spot in his heart – Izuku, childhood best-friend turn one-sided-enemy/punching bag turned hero rival turned friend/love interest since…well…a long fucking time ago. Up until this point, he had convinced himself that prioritizing his career and becoming the next Number 1 Hero was more important than risking their rekindling friendship. It is for that reason ONLY that Kats96 denied participating in Izuku’s damn quirk analysis project this morning…yep. The ONLY reason…

Ok, Ok, OK!

He may have lied to Deku, but truthfully he just didn’t want to be around if fucking Shindo Yo appeared out of nowhere on campus like yesterday and shamelessly flirt with the nerd. Damn Pan-Quake’s been lurking around for the opportunity just to get into Deku’s pants, and the nerd was allowing it!!

Whatever…Kats96 thought. It’s not like that human vibrator would ever get far would Deku anyway.

Nope, Kats96 just told the nerd—maybe he could have been a little nicer, but eh—that he wasn’t interested and that he’d be at Best Jeanist’s today on practice patrol. That morning had gone all fine and dandy other than a damn migraine he suddenly got since midnight last night. Coupling that with the lingering anger at thought of Shindo Ho feeling up Izuku might have led to an overly aggressive response toward a purse snatcher.

Which…led him here to damn Billie Jean’s office for the umpteenth time. Best Jeanist stared at Katsuki with a mixture of disappointment and concern, the silence only coupled by the occasional cough that had progressively gotten worse since the war. This was the third time that the young hero had let his temper get the better of him this week, and Best Jeanist knew it was high time to teach him a lesson about keeping himself in check. He took a deep breath and began to recount a regretful memory from his own youth as a new pro-hero.

"It was December 31 of 2179," Best Jeanist began, his voice tinged with sorrowful nostalgia. "I was just a rookie back then, eager to prove myself. There was this petty villain who had been robbing a bank and causing trouble in the city—pretty standard, nothing too serious for pro heroes. But I let my childish nature consume me, just as you have been doing, Bakugou."

Kats96 rolled his eyes, frustrated. He had heard this story countless times before. While he felt a pang of regret for his recent actions, his mind was preoccupied with other matters. He was in the midst of graduating, wrestling with what to with and how to do Deku, moving into his new apartment, etc. The constant lectures from Denim Head were only adding to his mounting stress.

Apparently, the memory was one of Best Jeanist’s greatest regrets as a hero, but the stupid story doesn’t apply to Kats96 because he’d never get himself so worked up to let his feelings and frustrations affect his work. He wasn’t going to become Number 1 that way or win the nerd over! But still, he sat there as he always did, legs spread on the seat, arms folded against his chest, red eyes looking everywhere but at the older blond, tuning him out.

--Flashback to Best Jeanist: December 31, 2179 (Age: 20 Years Old)

It was a night of celebration and hope for the New Year, when Tsunagu Hakamada (AKA Best Jeanist) was still a young and ambitious hero. Fresh from apprehending a notorious bank robber, he reveled in his triumph as he stood before a crowd of eager reporters and throng of evening celebrators. He basked in their adulation, striking poses for the cameras, unaware of the events that were about to unfold.

Lost in his own success, Best Jeanist neglected to ensure that the villain's cuffs were secure. Little did he know, this crucial oversight would lead to a chain of tragic events that would haunt him for the rest of his life. As the villain broke free, he sprinted towards a police car and sped away, carelessly swerving through the crowded streets.

It was then, in a chilling moment of realization, that Best Jeanist noticed a young woman standing by the sidewalk, unknowingly in harm's way. Helplessly, he watched as the reckless villain's stolen vehicle careened towards her. The impact was swift and devastating.

In the chaos of the scene, the woman's ten-year-old son cried out for Best Jeanist's aid. The hero's heart sank as he made a split-second decision, driven by his arrogance and tunnel vision. He dismissed the pleas of the young boy, deeming the capture of the villain to be of utmost importance. Little did he know the immeasurable pain and regret that his callousness would cause.

Though he eventually managed to apprehend the villain, the damage had already been done. The young boy's mother had tragically lost her life that cold wintry night, leaving him shattered and alone. As the sirens echoed through the city streets, the child fled from the scene, disappearing into the shadows and crowd of onlookers.

Best Jeanist couldn't escape the overwhelming guilt that consumed him. At the core of his soul, he knew that his arrogance had cost an innocent woman her life, and a child his world. From that day forward, the regret gnawed at his heart, driving him to tirelessly search for the boy who had vanished without a trace.

Over fifteen long and arduous years passed, with no sign of the lost child. Yet, Best Jeanist never lost hope. Determined to right the wrong he had committed in his youth, he combed the city relentlessly, leaving no stone unturned. He sought the child in every corner, refusing to let guilt win.

He completely changed how he handled hero work and actively sought young, brash, arrogant, naïve heroes-in-training (i.e. Lord Explosion Murder God Dynamight rolling his eyes in front of him) to prevent them from sharing the fate. During the war, when he faked his death and was held in the chamber of Nomus, he thought he caught a glimpse of an older version of the boy, but over time, he believed it only a dream.

Overall, it wasn't just a tale of arrogance and childish behavior; it was a cautionary tale of the devastating consequences that accompany a lack of empathy and understanding, hoping its lesson would ensure that no more lives would be lost due to arrogance and inaction.

--End of Flashback

Meanwhile Kats96 rolled his eyes and shook his leg in agitation, his fists bouncing with the rhythm. Maybe he should’ve taken the nerd up on his Quirk Analysis Exercises. At least there, he’d be sparring with the extras instead of—

Best Jeanist cut through his thoughts, “-akugo…Bakugo! Are you even listening to me?”

Kats96 (mentally coming back into the room): Listen, I didn’t mean to break his arm alright? His nose? Yes. His arm? No.

Best Jeanist laments, “That’s not the poin—"

“I understand your fucking point, Denim Head!" Kats96 replied, his voice enflamed with annoyance. "But this lesson doesn't apply to me! And even if it did, it's future Dynamight’s problem, not mine! I get it! I’ll ease up next time! Can we just drop this?"

Best Jeanist sighed, his shoulders slumping. He had hoped that would finally grasp the importance of emotional control, but it seemed that his words were falling on deaf ears. Nevertheless, he remained calm and composed.

"Bakugou, I get it. Transitions can be overwhelming. But this lesson is not just about villains, it's about life. You’ve grown considerably since your first year, but this arrogance, childishness, and unchecked emotions can cloud your judgment and may lead to something you regret later on," The veteran Pro Hero said, his opinion tinted with both wisdom and concern.

Realizing he had unjustly snapped, Kats96 winced. He knew that Best Jeanist always had his best interests at heart, even if he didn't fully understand the struggles he was facing. The fiber hero simply nodded in acceptance, understanding the turmoil that his intern was going through.

Kats96: I-I didn’t mean it like that. —He looks down, his frustrated brow softening a bit— I understand, and I hear you. Trust me. I do. I just… —He brushes his hand over his faces and slumps back into his chair, looking up at the ceiling—

Best Jeanist closes in on the uncomfortable silence.

"I want you to take a break, Bakugou," he said, his voice gentle. "Go out for a lunch break. Clear your head, and when you return, we'll discuss your transition to desk work for the next two weeks. It will give you a chance to gather yourself and reflect."

Kats96 doesn’t argue this time. He grunts in begrudging acceptance and leaves the office.

Well that was shit. Kats96 thinks to himself as he heads to the nearest café, gritting his teeth. Just remember your why. You’re going to be Number 1 Hero within 5 years of your official hero license and then you’re flaunt it in Damn Deku’s face and tell him there’s never going to be a better person for his taut toned freckled ass than the Number 1 Hero so he’d better wise up and go out with—

Out of the corner of his eye, he spies a familiar tuff of green hair and eyes, a stocky glorious vision of mythical Grecian proportions engaged in an intimate conversation with … some extra he’s never seen before. His heart sank. The big problem that Kats96 couldn’t deny was that the fucking extra was hot: vibrant copper-colored hair that framing his chiseled face in waves and a presence that was a striking sight to behold. His light blue eyes, reminiscent of the clear summer sky, and god damn it if the fucker didn’t have a built body just like Kats96. He even had the same fashion style as him!

WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?! AND WHY ARE YOU WITH MY DEKU?!

He couldn't help but get closer, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation without being seen or recognized. As he stealthily got within earshot, the stranger's eyes flickered towards him, a smirk playing on his lips. He seemed to enjoy the secrecy, aware that Kats96 was hiding in plain sight. Izuku, oblivious to the situation, continued chatting, unaware of Kats96.

A devilish grin played on the guy’s lips as he deliberately concealed Kats96's presence from Izuku. To call the explosive ash blond confused was the understatement of the damn year. Who the hell is this guy? Have we met before? There was no way that Izuku knew someone like that that Katsuki didn’t meet or hadn’t seen before. At least not someone like this guy, hovering a little too close to the nerd to just be mere acquaintances. And why was this cocky bastard smiling at him like a cat that ate the canary?

Kats96's curiosity turned into astonishment when none other than god damn, Shindo Yo approached the pair. Overhearing them, he almost had half a mind to give damn Pan-Quake a Paul Hollywood Handshake at his initial dismissal of the copper headed extra if the stupid human vibrator wasn’t making Deku uncomfortable with his incessant flirting, until the new guy jumped in.

Copper Head: Hey, can’t you take a fucking hint?

Shindo: Excuse me?

Copper Head: The nerd said he wasn’t free and he isn’t. He’s doing analysis, still. He’s helping me.

Shindo: Oh…And you are?

Damn it, if the guy did sound like him too. What the hell is going on?! Anxious to hear the response, around him everything stilled. If Kats96 could stare any harder from his position, he’d shoot an AP Shot through his eyeballs at the extra. His ruby-rimmed eyes then widened, heart shattering with an overwhelming inferno of jealousy engulfing his soul. He was at a loss for words, unable to comprehend the sight unfolding before his eyes. The stranger slings an arm around Izuku’s waist and kisses him. HE. FUCKING. KISSES. HIS. DEKU. He seethed, desperately trying to hide the small explosions reactively producing on his palms avoiding drawing attention to himself.

Deku, completely oblivious to Kats96's presence and even the shell-shocked Shindo’s at that point, looked breathless and dazed as the shithead passionately kissed him in front of god and everyone. The ginger haired man then turns his attention to an equally shocked Shindo, stretches out his hand and introduces himself: “Names Junichiro Aimu, ya little Fuckboy. I’m Izuku’s boyfriend.”

----------------------------

Rewind to earlier that day.

It’s times like these, that Kats22 is grateful for his dumbass friends.

He left his childhood home and marched right up to the gates of his Alma Mater and then…fucking forgot that he needed his student ID to get in. The universe must have pitied him as Shitty Hair was just passing nearby, finishing up a morning run. After a brief conversation at the gates, Kiri let him in and now they were walking side by side back toward the main campus.

Kirishima: So…you left your keycard at Hakamada-san’s, Bakubro? It’s a good thing I saw you at the gate for my morning jog, hunh?

Kats22 feigns annoyance: Tch. Yeah, yeah Shitty Hair. Thanks or whatever.

Kirishima furrows his brow and tilts his head in suspicion before asking, “………… What makes you TIC?”

Kats22 was too taken aback at the sudden demand for the code to be angry, “What?”

Kirishima squints his eyes even further and stops walking entirely, “You never thank me and normally you wouldn’t have forgotten your key card. TIC…Give it.”

You know what? It’s times like these, that Kats22 hates his dumbass friends.

Kats22 pinches the bridge of his nose and curtly responds: “Fucking First of all, GroundZero 926 BJ Green. Second of all, next time Shitty Hair, if you thought I could be that vampire bitch, why the hell would you let me on campus and walk beside you, HANH?!?

Kirishima (sheepishly scratches the back of his head): Oh…well you do have a point there…but at least I know you’re you! Seriously, I still think Ground Zero would have been a better hero name for you, but eh. So, Bro, headed back to the dorms?

Kats22: Y-You…oh god. It’s a good thing you end up with Mina. No, I need to talk to Deku. I need to know this is all real and I’m not dreaming. Is he still doing that Analysis Training shit?

Kirishima: This morning? Yeah, but I think he and Mineta are gonna be finished up soon. I just did mine yesterday and geez…Midobro’s analysis is something else. No wonder Nezu-San is having him do it.

Hell yeah it is. Kats22 smirked. That’s my nerd.

After the war, new laws and reform strategies were put in place on hero work and civilian engagement through quirk analysis & evolution along with more quirk-support item control statutes. There was so much to recover from. No matter how it was first spun, when the backstories behind the league’s most active notorious leaders were displayed to the public, it had to be acknowledged that while it will never excuse the devastation, trauma, and loss they caused, most of the time, villains are made by the society that rejected, abandoned, overlooked or abused them.

With Stain’s lingering influence along with many pro-heroes having retired after Shigaraki’s first awakening, a reform on heroics was implemented, and while the hero charts remained, the intent behind them was not as shallow as before and gaining rank was far more arduous. Detnerat’s scattered support items prompted for the General Course and Support Course graduates from every hero school & workers from every hero agency to play a more active role in control, surveillance, and distribution of these pieces. And, despite what that bastard Dr. Kyudai Garaki had done with the Nomus and League of Villains, his original thesis on Quirk Singularity, otherwise known as the Quirk Doomsday Theory, could not be ignored. The decrepit fucktard was right, and now that Katsuki thought about it, Kisara’s quirk would have definitely ranked as extremely powerful and dangerous considering the implications of it in the wrong hands. He shuttered at the thought and found himself hoping for her safety.

Overall, as quirks continue to evolve, there needed to be a better way to track and monitor them and the first institutions that began implementation of these changes were the hospitals, pro-hero agencies, and hero schools. This plan was developed to address not only those who had powerful quirks when first presented at age 4, but also those who quirks leveled-up later (like Round face’s major advanced use manipulating gravity against Toga). Given Izuku’s unique experience with not only being quirkless, but then getting a fucking multi-versatile overpowered quirk that was passed on to him non-genetically as well as his natural affinity for analyzing quirks, Rat Principal personally appointed him one of the main UA student leads under his supervision to start this task and lay the groundwork on this effort as everyone was recovering from the war. It was also, honestly, part distraction to make the greenie sit his hot ass down and rest from fighting against the successor of history’s greatest villain in the biggest war Japan and the world has ever seen…well…as normal as that shit can be anyway.

It was the perfect resolution for a restless teenager arguing about he could still help round up the remaining escaped convicts, including the still missing Toga Himiko. And this is where All Might came to Deku’s mental rescue. It was about damn time. Taking note of how they both were during Deku’s vigilante days, All Might grew into a more firm mentor/fatherly role with his inheritor and pretty much demanded that premature Pro-Hero prioritize recovery and GRADUAL growth in his percentage use of OFA as was the original plan. Damn nerd was frustrated, but the retired number 1 didn’t let up.

Reliance on teenagers for the defeat of the world’s worst alliance of villains was appalling to start with, so after the war, the veteran pro-hero found new purpose from being All Might, the Symbol OF Peace to Yagi Toshinori, the Symbol TOWARD Peace for the sake of the next generation of heroes and reestablishing order, trust, and economic stability to Japan and the US with the loss of so many heroes, including Star and Stripe. Teaming with the top performing hero agencies across his global connections and those at I-island, and advocating (and somehow winning) for the inclusion of Hawks, Lady Nagant, and Stain into the decision making efforts of Japan’s newly established hero commission, Yagi-San used all 40 years’ worth of his connections and influence to effectively enforced a better environment for post war Japan in the wake of All-For-One’s destruction that became an example for the rest of the world. He felt it was the least he could do. In honor of the words he stated to his successor on the rooftop before offering him OFA, he took up other honorable avenues adjacent to heroics making an impact on the world. Quirkless but not powerless.

Nothing was perfect, but the foundation was fucking better. People not only slowly began to trust in the profession again, but they were more inclined to see the human behind the hero, instead of vomiting the blind praise they used to offer. Arguably, Yagi gained as much respect and notoriety in his latter quirkless years as he did as an active pro-hero and eighth One-For-All holder. But there was only one OFA wielder Kats22 was interested in.

Kirishima (continues to rattle on): Ya know…It’s been 2 years…and I still can’t get over Mineta’s change

Kats22 feigned interest: Oh. Oh yeah. Fucking Grape Juice…It’s one hell of a shock alright.

Kirishima: Well he goes by WineNDine now, remember? I caught a glimpse of Midobro working with him today, and whoa. He’s changing everyday. Whatever Yuuga did, super ma-.

Kats22 cuts in: Deku's at USJ now, right Shitty Hair?

Kirishima: Oh, Yeah! Should be anyway. You should be able to catch him if you… you… Bakubro? Where’d you go?

---------

Kats22 raced to USJ—a mix of uncertainty and anxious anticipation gripping his every step. 10 days. 10. Fucking. Days that Izuku’s been gone. An eternity of grief swelled in that time as he mourned Izuku’s death and the regret that lingered in his heart. Almost ripping the door off its hinges he scanned the expansive USJ in desperation. Several people were there, but of course, he only wanted one person. The only thing Kats22 acknowledged about being in the past thus far was the absence of certain scars and muscle aches after three years of hero work, but the only thing that could fully convince him that he was truly there would be:

Him.

Although already panting heavily and sweating profusely, the sight robbed him of any remaining breath he had. There, in the wide stretch of the massive, multi terrain training grounds, stood a man with striking green and gold flecked eyes, matching green hair, and a lithe, muscular body, seeming almost ethereal. Izuku bulked up more after his stay in America, but none of that took away from the power oozing from this current version of him. Intrigued yet hesitant, Kats22 observed from a distance as Izuku provided suggestions for quirk techniques with grace and precision. His voice, smooth and kind, carried authority that commanded attention. Even his every movement, from the way he walked to the way he effortlessly conveyed strength, exuded a mesmerizing masculinity.

Izuku! Kastuki gasps out in whisper, tears brimming in his eyes with joy.

Izuku is too engrossed in his project to notice Kats22. After taking notes in his (UA Official) hero analysis notebook, he looks up at the specimen of the day: “That’s great! Mineta-Kun! Keep your movements sharps by keeping your head and heart clear and focused and you’ll have better mastery of the newer aspects of your quirk in no time! Amazing progress!”

Hope ignited within Katsuki’s chest. Unable to control the whirlwind of emotions crashing through him, he gathered his courage and ran towards his recently deceased friend (and soon-to-be-lover if he has anything to say about it, and he does, fuck you very much), ticking off everything he could recall about his nerd.

As Kats22 neared, his heart pounded with both excitement and trepidation. Standing before him, he took a deep breath and locked eyes with the only one who made being a hero worth anything. "Deku?" he whispered tentatively, his voice choked with emotion.

Izuku’s green eyes widened, flickering with a mix of surprise, fondness, and recognition. "Hey Kacchan! I thought you were going to be at Best Jeanist’s today," he replied. Good god, he missed his voice.

Without hesitation, Katsuki reached out and delicately traced the contours of the man's face, feeling the warmth and familiarity of Izuku’s freckled, soft skin. Tears streamed down his's face as he drank in the sight and feel of the man he believed he had lost forever.

Izuku, too, was overcome with emotion. Excitement, confusion, anger. In that order. Excitement at the fact that man he’s been pining over since forever is caressing his face and looking at him with a desire that he has only seen in his dreams. Then confusion enveloped that joy into worry as to why Kacchan was doing it as if Izuku had died in his arms or something, and then anger. Katsuki hasn’t cried since his vigilante days, and Izuku’s now glowing toxic green eyes and sparking verdant shots of electricity through his body meant that whoever caused those tears on the blond’s flawless skin were going to be ‘six feet under’ due to a well-aim Detroit Smash. Without thinking, he grips Katsuki’s arms and looks him over fervently for injuries.

Izuku: “Kacchan?! What’s wrong?! Were you hit with a quirk today?!”

Shit. You’re acting out of character, dumbass. Reel it back! Katsuki thought as coughed into one of his fists, relaxing into Izuku’s touch and not so subtely wiped the tears away before speaking: “I-I’m fine. Stupid Beautiful Nerd. It’s uh…a-allergies.”

“O-Oh.” Izuku says, relaxing his grip. Suddenly, he realizes what he was doing and assumes that continuing to hold Kacchan like this would make him feel looked down upon or weak, so he rips away his touch—much to the blond’s dismay—as if he were on fire. “…but why were you touching my face and stuff? Was there something on it?”

Kats22: My lips if you let me. “Um, I—”

“Bonjour Izu-kun.” Greets Aoyama Yuuga, and Kats22 couldn’t be more thankful to Kami for the Sparklespawn. “How has my little WineNDine been faring, ce matin?

Izuku seems also grateful for the interruption, “Hey, Y-Yuuga-kun! Mineta’s been great! His quirk has really transformed and might I add, you’ve been an awesome support to helping in…uh…the way you have been.”

“Oh merveilleuse!” Yuuga smirks, “et Merci, but I haven’t helped my doll with anything that wasn’t already there.”

Transformed is an understatement. Despite his transfer to the support course, Mineta was actually Izuku’s first project case in their second year as laid out by Nezu to get a true feel for how good his quirk analysis aptitudes were. Even those with an IQ quirk couldn’t hold a candle to Izuku on analyzing anything, especially meta-abilities. To the extreme excitement of one green-haired analytical nerd, he practically had a field day taking Mineta’s Pop Off quirk apart and putting it back together, revealing more and most, if not all, of its secrets. Giving the nerd free reign, unleashed what Nezu himself described as “unparalleled genius” after he reviewed the teen’s quirk analysis for Pop-Off (see Izuku’s work below). To be honest, the thought of someone like Nezu praising his nerd made Katsuki fist-pump with pride internally.

Mineta’s first use of the balls on his head was just one side of his quirk that Izuku dubbed as “harvesting.” Most of those damn sticky purple balls began to relax over time, unraveling into soft waves and curls. But that wasn't all; Izuku noted their composition also started to change, adapting itself to reflect the process of fermentation, clarification, and aging/maturation. All four of these stages were the process of winemaking. Go fucking figure. Seems a perfect complement for the SparkleSpawn who adores French cuisine and high-quality cheeses.

Mineta glides to the three in conversation, eyes locked on a twinkling blond in particular: Hey there, Yama-love, you here for me?

Yuuga blushes, “Oui, mon petit amour. Midoriya-kun tells me you were on your best behavior.”

Mineta clutches his imaginary pearls, “You wound me! Of course I was well behaved!” Turning his eyes toward to the greenie, he comments “That was great Mido, thanks! I feel myself getting better everyday! Oh, Hey there Bakugo-San, how’s it going?”

Kats22 has a moment of rebooting his brain before responding, “Alright, I guess. Glad to see you’re getting uh…good or whatever.”

Good God. Katsuki wasn’t attracted at all to Mineta, so that’s not why he was staring. It was just so fucking odd. Even years later, several of their classmates just…stared at Mineta in disbelief over the change. It had happened so often that both Yuuga and Minoru started to just laugh it off and walk away hand-in-hand —like they were doing now— as Katsuki and Izuku numbly watched on. Don’t get him wrong; it was a good change. A GREAT change, actually. It was just again…so…fucking…weird. Half of the people who knew old Mineta still believed he might be under the influence of a quirk that no one—not even the teachers—really tried to save him from. But the little guy benefited, and he definitely seemed more at ease with life than he was before.

It was like Mother Meta blessed his purple balls dropping with a glow up. The Perverted Purple…well…he was that…had always been known for his sick ogling and eye-fucking of just about anyone with boobs and a vagina. The little shit spent most of their first year trying to get into the girls’ side of the dorm or drill another hole in through the boys locker changing room to get a peek at them changing. Most of the 3-A guys assumed but never got confirmation until the summer after the war that while it was natural to have sexual urges and feelings, Mineta’s was by far, more unnaturally aggressive as if he was trying to show everyone his attraction to women rather than just simply be attracted. What was weirder was that the class acknowledged the tension Mineta had with Yuuga, though it was overshadowed by the clusterfuck dumpster fire that lay between Bakugo and Midoriya. Before being outed as the UA spy, Yuuga did keep to himself on his personal life, but Mineta had always actively kept his distance from him in particular. To be honest, everyone just chalked it up to Mineta being a closet homophobe. Nothing more was spoken about since it was all hypothetical, until…

After the war, things changed, for all of them, yes, but him specifically. When the summer came, everyone tried to settle back into a life without the looming threat of escaped convicts, Toga, the remnants of the Paranormal Liberation Front, the incarcerated Shigaraki and ending reign of All-for-One. All students went home to be in the comfort of their families…except Mineta. Aizawa never said anything, but whatever happened in the war revealed something about little pervert’s family, and whatever was found out was enough to get child services involved.

The rest is a mystery. The only thing damn Pinky found out (There’s a reason Katsuki was going to recruit her for his agency in the future) was that apparently Yuuga and Mineta grew up together like Izuku and Katsuki did, and they reconnected over the summer once Mineta was free of his original living situation. Then, all Class 3-A knew after that was that Mineta Minoru left the UA Hero Course for the summer as ‘Grape Juice’ and then, BOOM!, the little fucker came back, self-announced his transfer from the Hero Course to Support with a whole new personality, look and attached at the hip to an eternally smirking Yuuga who bestowed him with a persona: WineNDine.

The guy who would spend time telling all the guys about the top-rated porn sites; when and where to spy on the girls when they did shit as mundane as stretching while objectifying their every move had undergone a complete metamorphosis. His once restless and obsessive demeanor toward the female anatomy had been replaced with maturity, and what’s more, he carried himself differently, no longer trivializing the girls around him and instead treating them with respect. The effect of the change was immediate and fucking jarring. Too jarring.

The first day in class after he walked in, Aizawa broke a damn record with how fast he wrapped his scarf around him thinking he was the vampire bitch. Yeah, the hobo was involved in getting Mineta out of a rough situation, but even he was shocked at the change. People had resist the urge to ask for his TIC everyday.

But that wasn’t the only thing that shocked everyone. The pervert went from aggressively heterosexual to Yuuga-sexual...? If that was even a thing? Evidently it was. Talk about a blind-side hit. Rumors quickly spread throughout the school, and the students were left to piece together what had happened to the boy they had once known. Whenever someone asked Yuuga about it, the flamboyant blond would only grin devilishly, strike a pose, and go: “Mon petit ami WineNDine? Oh, nothing too crazy. Let’s just say…I made an honest man out of him.”

Everyone waited for the other shoe to drop and for the grape bastard to go back to being…well a bastard…in a moment of relapse. It was only natural! The change was too drastic and honestly? It was a bizarre ass, unsettlingly unbelievable pairing. But no. Since then, he never changed. Yuuga and Mineta were some of the few that started as pro-heroes after graduating but didn’t ultimately stay as such. Kats22 smirked at the thought that even from his time, the two partnered with Sato and opened up a popular high clientele restaurant/vineyard in Yamanashi that had just won its 3rd Michelin star in 2200. Mineta was bitched, yet he didn’t seem to mind, and it was weird but welcomed, especially by the girls.

Izuku must have noticed Katsuki’s dilemma with the couple as they walked away, since he broke the blond from his self-induced haze: “Yeah…I’ve had to train myself to not do that so much. I’m pretty sure he’s not under a quirk unless it’s like an alternate universe thing, but it’s still...”

Kats22 nods absent-mindedly, “Y-yeah. Still fucking weird.” But not more weird than the fact that I’m in the past talking to an alive Izuku.

To Katsuki’s credit, his eyes may have been fixed on the purple mystery, but the entirety of his remaining 4 senses were acutely attuned to Izuku’s presence—fearing that he’ll somehow disappear from his grasp. The smell of sea salt and green tea from his shampoo mixed with the slight natural musk from his gym activities, the heat of his body near Katsuki’s skin beckoning him to touch, the sound of his voice that melted away his tension, and taste…well…soon. Right now, Kats22 was stuck between a rock and hard place, he guessed, but if all else went as planned, Izuku’s ass will be met with the same fate. Oh god, he couldn’t wait.

“Good thing though.” Izuku continued, oblivious to Katsuki’s internal struggle. “Mineta seems happier and check this, Kacchan. I’ve observed that his hair will reflect his level of stress. Those balls on his head in our first year were wound up tight because he was stressed out about stuff. When he relaxes as he is now, those balls loosen up and lay like natural curly hair like mine”

Kats22 snorts: So…he’s a visual representation of balls dropping? Are you fucking serious? Impressive Analysis, Zuku.”

Izuku blushes and stutters at the unexpected praise from an unexpected person, “O-oh. T-thanks, Kacchan!”

Kats22 witholds a moan, God. Say my name again. “Um…listen Deku, you have a minute? I uh, could use your nerdy ass brain for something Best Jeanist ask me to do.”

Izuku’s eyebrows shoot to the ceiling, “Really?! What is it?! Is it analyzing more quirks?! Because I’ve been dying to take look at his—"

Kats22 can’t hold back the grin creeps onto his face at the excitement. Damn, he really missed him. “Cool your tits, nerd. I’ll tell you more when we’re, uh, alone.”

Izuku reels back his excitement: Oh, yeah, sure. Give me 5 minutes to wrap things up, and I’ll meet you…

Kats22 suggests, “At the front. Let’s meet at the front, and head back to my room. I’ll walk you through everything.”

It’s 9:30AM, Kats22 thought to himself, Past me doesn’t get out of Billie Jeans’ until 2PM, and I was out for lunch around noon. I should still be over there for Part 1 of this to work. But first…I need to get a few things. A burner phone for one.

Izuku narrows his eyes at the blond before nodding: Cool. I’ll see you in a few minutes.

And if anyone in USJ noticed Kats22 stared longingly at a certain greenie’s ass as he walked away, they were wise to not mention it.

Those were the longest few minutes of Kats22’s life as he stood outside of USJ. Now that he’s laid eyes on Deku, every moment away felt like he was going to lose him again. He couldn’t steady his growing heartbeat at the anxiety the longer the seconds ticked by. In the nick of time, Izuku comes out of the front door of USJ: “Hey Kacchan. Ready?”

Oh thank god, Kats22 sighs: “Yeah, let’s go, Zuku.”

He couldn’t resist the urge to put his hand on Izuku’s lower back briefly as they walked toward the dorms, if not just to reaffirm the belief that his nerd was alive and walking with him. He noticed the pretty flushed look and blush on the greenie’s cheek as he did so, and all the while he kicked himself for not for not admitting his feelings when he had the chance years ago. He’s going to make this right. Even if it kills him.

Izuku bashfully comments, “Wow, maybe I should take you to Chiyo-san to make sure you didn’t get hit with a quirk. That’s 2 times now.”

Kats22 brow perks up at the adonis greenie beside him: “What is?”

Izuku: You haven’t called me Zuku since before your quirk came in. Not to mention you touching me earlier and uh, I mean like…right now…WHICH I DON’T MIND AT ALL! I…damn…I mean.

Kats22 relishes in the thought that Izuku likes his touch before teasing him, “Well, it’s not a crime is it, Deku? To call you, Zuku?” Or touch you?

Izuku waves his arms emphatically while shaking his head, “No! No, but I’m curious as to what caused it. I’m fairly positive something’s making you TIC.”

Kats22 responds without hesitation: GroundZero 870 RG Green

Izuku relaxes his tense shoulders, “Oh, thank Kami. I was prepared to smash your ass into a new millennia if you were Toga.”

Kats22 whispers to himself, You could still smash my ass if you want.

Izuku tilts his head: What?

Kats22: What? I-I uh I mean…I was saying wouldn’t your stupid Danger Sense have picked up on that if I was the vampire bitch?

Izuku: O-oh. Well, Yes and No. I think it relies on a person’s intentions. In the war, it didn’t fire-up as it normally would the first time I interacted with Toga, because she was saying all these feelings she had for me and stuff. In the midst waving her knives in my face, she was trying to get me to be her-

Kats22 winced at the audacity, “Boyfriend. Yeah, I remember that shit now.”

Izuku rolls his eyes: “Pretty unorthodox way to confess your love.”

Well, hold my beer, nerd. You ain’t seen nothing yet. Kats22 scoffs, “Tch. That’s a fucking understatement.”

Now, that he thought about it. The vampire bitch’s obsession of those she claimed to love was staggering. She strove for complete absorption and possession of the one’s she wanted to be like through the blood she forcefully took from them. Kats22 always wondered why the old sightings of the manhunt for Toga neared Musutafu and even when she was later captured, Aizawa’s blood covering her, she didn’t reveal much but only grinned maniacally, saying she’ll return for the person she loves soon enough. Before then, Aizawa had always thought she was after Eri to get her for Shigaraki, but maybe her target was someone else near her. Someone else she claimed to love.

Hmm…I’ll need to address that eventually if my assumption is correct, Kats22 thought to himself.

Ever hyperaware of the growing scowl on Katsuki’s face, Izuku breaks his concentration, his voice full of concern, “K-Kacchan?”

Kats22 absentmindedly responds, not noticing they were standing in front of Height Alliance: Yeah?

Izuku: We’re here. But you spaced out. You sure you’re ok?

Kats22 shakes his head and huffs and sigh: Of course I am nerd. I’m just thinking about…how to practically go about what Best Jeanist wants me to do.

Izuku: OH! That’s all? Well, I’ll try to give you whatever you think I can give you.

Kats22: Good, let’s head in and get started.

One change of clothes later—his past self will forgive him of the thievery—the two met in past Katsuki’s (Kats96) bedroom.

Kats22 fights off the urge to pin Deku against a wall and kiss him senseless, “Alright so. Here’s the deal. Part of doing hero work is sometimes going undercover, right?”

Izuku sits comfortably but carefully on his bed…where the damn nerd belongs: “Of course. But for this, are we talking like taking on another persona entirely or staying hidden so that your target doesn’t notice you?”

Kats22 lays out his lies with ease: In this case, the former. Denim Head thinks I could use a bit of a challenge, so I’ve been tasked with practicing out a few of his agency’s new support items. Here, take a look.

Taking the backpack he’s carried like a lifeline—ring and keychain carefully tucked into one of its small pockets, he pulls out the neck gear and the earring for Deku to look over before he explains the pieces. Their hands brush at the exchange sending a shiver down both of their spines.

Kats22 maintains his composure for the sake of the overall mission, “That choker is a voice-changing mechanism like what Eyebags has. Pretty self-explanatory. That other piece is an earring where when you put it on and fiddle with it, it will change facial appearances.

Izuku looked at the two items in utter amazement: “Whoa! These are sleek and discreet! Whoever is on the support staff at Hakamada-San’s agency is incredible! This is even better than Shinso’s! So wait…Best Jeanist wants you to test these out?”

Grateful his plan was going well so far, Kats22 responds, “Yeah. Try out a different facial feature, a different voice, hone up my acting skills, do all the basic steps a pro would need to do as if on an actual mission.”

Izuku furrows his brow, his voice becoming oddly melancholy, “So you want me to observe you using these tools in public places and pretty much analyze you and how well you use them?”

Unsure of how to interpret Izuku’s facial expression, Kats22 responds with a hesitant: “Yeah.”

Izuku nods his head, not making eye contact with the blond: “No.”

Kats22 (genuinely outraged): HAANH!? WHY THE FUCK NOT?!

Izuku, however, is too acquainted with the ash blond’s mannerisms to respond with any emotion, before huffing a dry laugh and looking up at his eyes: “Why me? Why didn’t Best Jeanist assign someone from his agency for this? At least someone with experience in going undercover—"

Oh no. No, no no. Just you only you. Kats22 hastily replies, “He knows what Nezu-san has you doing, and honestly who knows me better to give this type of feedback?”

Some part of Kats22’s pride was furious with him for this idea of having his actions be critiqued, but he took that bitchy part of him and choked it into submission at the reminder that the green teen before him now was dead in the future, and that even if Deku had lived, it was his own pride that caused the final rift in their relationship—platonic or romantic.

Izuku rolls his eyes, “That’s not the point.”

Kats22 responds with no bite, but a hint of desperation, “What the hell are you talking about, nerd?”

Izuku stands and hands the items back to Katsuki, “Let’s be honest, Kacchan. You would be offended if I critiqued anything you did. You actively didn’t want to participate in my analysis project this morning because—and I quote—'you didn’t need my shitty nerd brain to tell you what you already knew about your quirk.’”

Kats22 mumbles to himself in frustration, I swear to god I’m gonna kick my old self’s ass once I—

Izuku continuing on, not hearing him: “I think you need to pick someone else that you’d feel more comfortable with. Even Mina and Eijiro would be—"

Kats22 refused to let up until his nerd agreed to be by his side, “No, I want you forever to do this. I gotta grow out of that shit, right? Work with extras, become a better hero, a better person? for you? I know I’m not good at this Deku, but that’s why I’m asking for you directly. Give me a chance to try, please?”

Izuku stares at him shock, mouth agape: …………………….

Kats22 almost pleads: Zuku?

Izuku: …………………. You sure you weren’t hit with a quirk, Kacchan?

---------------------

Donning the neck piece and earring that transformed his face and voice, Kats22 and Izuku proceeded to the Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall. Kats22 picked his image strategically. Vivacious ginger hair (all natural unlike damn Shitty hair) which glowed like fire in the sunlight, piercing light blue eyes that twinkled with a hint of his natural mischief, and a voice morphed into a deep and mysterious resonance. Eh, didn’t look half as good as him or his Deku, but it will do for Operation Nerd Redemption.

With this new persona, he would become a force to be reckoned with and a surefire object of scorn for his past self or anyone trying to make a move on his nerd. He made the mall visit fit with his dual sided plan for his impromptu mission. The task at hand was simple with a double sided purpose. Kats22 had to perform all the tasks required of a real underground mission with a different identity, all while remaining discreet. His first mission? Purchase a burner phone. Granted, he did forget his phone his haste run out of his apartment and he had kept the same number since they all graduated, so this kills two birds with one stone. Most importantly, this phone will help keep him in direct connection with Izuku. It was going to be messy if his past self-started messaging the nerd with conflicting details, but given his own track record, he shamefully admits that this part may not be much of an initial problem since he was shit at connecting with Izuku anyway. The other side of this coin was spending time with the nerd in public places. He couldn’t guarantee that every planned hangout with Deku would lead to his past self seeing all of the gestures of his disguised self, so the more they went to places that UA students frequented, the better the odds of painting the picture that Deku was in a relationship. And if that also conveniently meant that Kats22 got to make up for lost (gained?) time in the past and spend time with the man he loved, well, it’s a win-win-win situation for the Symbol of Victory. Kats22 was going to go plus ultra for the next two days and umpteen hours: doing everything he knows would rile up his past self into a forced confession, while living out the shattered dreams of romance he felt Izuku deserved while alive.

Izuku looks over Kats22’s new morphed look. It was getting harder and harder for Kats22 to not push his boundaries with the nerd: “Wow, Kacchan, it looks so real! Those support items completely alter your facial features and are perfectly hidden and changed your voice significantly. The blend-in is seamless and it’s like you were born with these features.”

Only partially offended that something other than ash blond hair and ruby red eyes would be eye-catching to Izuku, Katsuki teased-punctuating the name, “Oh? Like what you see I-zu-ku?”

Izuku sputters: Uh…w-well, the support items d-definitely are effective, but I would never ever change your original look. U-um, but! I will say to tell best Jeanist that since the facial distorting earrings only affect your face, they’ll have to be mindful of covering scars, tattoos, or other significant body features outside of the face that may be recognizable to others while using it.

Katsuki takes a casual step forward looking Izuku up and down like predator to prey, “You mean like someone with freckles all over their body like you?”

Izuku tries to get his bearings, but flails at the advance, “O-oh, um Y-yes! Like that. I guess you’d remember that when we were kids hunh? Well…at any rate a lot of people have freckl—"

Katsuki cuts him off while relishing at the oh-so-cute flushed look on his desired’s face: “Not like you. You have a specific layout of your freckles on certain parts of your body. It’s quite nice actually.”

Izuku chokes back an “eep” before his eyes go impossibly wide. A flirty Kacchan was not something his heart was prepared for: “H-How…How would you? For how long have you—? Y-you can’t possibly remember that after all these years, Kacchan. OH! Oh, I get it now. The dressing room at UA.”

Katsuki practically purrs, never losing his smirk. My Deku has a praise kink, hunh? File that away for later. “Of course nerd. We all saw each other for years in the changing room.” Ah, what the hell. He thought. Let’s go for the kill. “Did you know that you have Orion’s belt on your bottom left hip and Ursa Major almost dead center tucked between your shoulder blades?”

Izuku.exe had stopped working: “WHAT?!”

He gently inches closer to Izuku, savoring the increased warmth of the smaller’s body near his. Taking both hands, he gently places them on Izuku’s cheeks and chin, thumbs roaming tenderly across rosy freckled skin again. He leans in close to Izuku, their noses brushing, catching the faint hint of mint on his breath.

Mission be damned, Kats22 doesn’t currently give a fuck about being in the middle of crowded mall as he traces the ghost of his lips on Izuku’s face from right to left as he speaks: “Damn stars all over your body. Ya know, if I look really carefully, there’s Andromeda going from the right side of your face, over your nose and ending on the far left side of your cheek.

Izuku’s brain flew south for the summer, and while the eyes looking back at him hid the inherent red of his love interest in a steely blue, it certainly didn’t erase the fire boiling in his belly rising to his heart at the affectionate moment. Then reality came back to Izuku, before he lost himself:

Izuku then sighs in disappointment while placing his hands on Kats22’s to lower them: “Kacchan, Sugoi. You’re a really good actor.”

Kats22 is genuinely confused by the response: “W-what?”

Izuku shakes his head forcing a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes: “This is all part of your of undercover practice identity, right? Wow. You really had me going there.”

Kats22 nods his disbelief: “No, Dek-“

Izuku cuts him off, expression forlorn, not returning his gaze, “Didn’t you want to be out of here by 11:30?”

Shit. I didn’t anticipate that. Reluctantly, he nods and pulls away. I’m not letting you go.

Kats22 brings the soft touch of his hand to the underside of Izuku’s chin to grab the nerd’s attention, “You’re only half right on this Zuku.” –green eyes meet his in confusion— “but yeah let’s get this part done. You ready, nerd?”

30 minutes later

As Kats22 stealthily made his way through the mall, Izuku watched him intently, eagerly critiquing his every move while trying to forget their earlier interaction. Despite his vigilante days, Deku wasn’t a master of undercover operations, but he studied enough about it and knew Kacchan well enough to have a keen eye for detail and his rival’s (and hopefully boyfriend when he confesses after graduation) impulses to help his blond crush more effectively carry out his duties.

"You need to be more aware of your surroundings, Kacchan," Izuku advised. "Blend in with the crowd. Don't draw attention to yourself."

Old Katsuki would have been annoyed at the critique especially since he had done a few underground missions in the future to be used to these antics, but Kats22 was elated to have those green eyes on him and was honestly impressed that his Izuku was giving solid direction and guidance. So he humored the nerd by taking his advice to heart, Kats22 altered his posture and demeanor, mimicking the lackadaisical walk and swagger of his persona. He casually strolled into Seiyu, acting as if buying a phone was a covert task. Going directly into an electronics store could tip a villain off and narrow down what an undercover spy would buy. A department store like Seiyu selling all things from clothes, to snacks, household items, and such takes away some of that initial suspicion, while also effectively completing the other part of Kats22’s Redemption plan.

As he carefully selected a burner phone, his attention was divided. Not only was he focused on completing his mission, but he intended to use this opportunity to discover more of the things that Izuku liked, so he could prepare something for them for the next outing.

Kats22 noticed Izuku eyeing a few things in the store. Hero merch shit (no surprise there), a combination of sweets and savory snacks, and other miscellaneous things. From the corner of his eye, the blond quietly took mental notes, vowing to return to the mall alone later to purchase those items, unbeknownst to Izuku.

Satisfied with his success, Kats22 left, concealing the phone in his pocket making his way to the rendezvous point where the nerd was waiting. He couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement as he anticipated the surprise he had planned. Gonna sweep you off your feet, nerd. As they walked toward the mall’s exit, Kats22 took note of the time: 11:37AM. Earlier in his old room, he proposed idea of going to a nice café near Best Jeanist’s agency under the guise of wanting to discuss the day in more depth and also gather more of his nerd’s insight. Izuku agreed, unaware of the other motive simmering beneath the surface of his actions.

Another 30 minutes later

Kats22 hadn’t thought about it, but the café they were going to and the streets around them seemed uncomfortably familiar and not for the main reason of it being near Denim Head’s agency. Focusing almost all of his attention on Izuku, he barely fully took in his surroundings. Still, it didn’t shake the feeling that there was just something about the area in the daytime that unsettled Kats22 though he could figure out why just yet. Swallowing it all down, he refocused his attention to the crux of the plan to change their past: Make his past self, jealous.

Speaking of which…Kats22 knew all too well when he was being watched and has had the feeling of eyes boring into him since the cafe came into view. His younger self should be out on the streets by now not too far from Denim Head’s agency. Fingers-crossed, phase one of his plan works.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of his chosen target. Hook, Line and Sinker. Ash blond, red eyes, pale skin, eternal scowl…well hello there old me. And if the way Kats96 stilled like a stone, mouth agape at the pair, only to duck out of sight nearby was a clear indication of anything, Kats22 knew phase one was a go. All he had to do now was up the ante on the jealousy.

Izuku seemed lost in thought as they got closer to the café, “…I’m still a little confused on how you want to go about this. Observe you for 3 days?”

Kats22 moved in a little closer to his cute nerd, “Yep. It’s easy, Deku. You and I go out and do a few things together while I have these two support items on and you analyze how well I can adapt or change in into a character and personality different from how I normally am.”

Izuku blushes a bit at the increased proximity, “W-Won’t that look weird if I’m trailing behind you taking notes?”

Kats22 arches a brow with playful smile, “You mean, anymore than what you did when we were in middle school and you wandered around the city looking to take notes on heroes in action?”

Izuku: Touché. So…why exactly did you pick this place…uh…Setsuka Café?

Oh shit…That’s why he’s felt on edge. He only first chose the place because it was a few blocks down near Billie Jean’s agency where his past self (Kats96) would be nearby, but –Oh God. That means—His gaze whips toward the site of a looming familiar building a few blocks down that has and would eventually hold the worst and last memories he’ll ever have with Izuku. He’s about to drown in the memory when it is interrupted.

Curious as to where Kacchan’s gaze has gone, Izuku finds the target and stares at the building alongside Katsuki before commenting: “The Imperial is one incredible piece of work.”

“What?” The sight and sound of Izuku by his side as he should be relieves him immediately. He still can’t help but lightly touch his shoulder as the greenie talks just to fight off a memory that hasn’t happened yet.

Izuku: “The Imperial. Shoto was telling me that it was actually one of the buildings and plotlands his dad really wanted to buy for his hero agency when he first started going pro, but it was bought out by HeroTech Tycoon Chikara Hajime.”

Kats22 squints his eyes at the statement. Something about this sounds familiar, “HeroTech?”

Izuku nods, “Yeah, he’s been one of the top international companies making support items for pro-heroes other than Detnerat. Well…before they were taken over by the League of Villains.”

Kats22: So the guy buys a building and turns into a hotel and not another support compa—wait. What’s his name again?

Izuku: Chikara Hajime. Apparently, the hotel was an opportunity just to further build his equity and assets. He bought it ‘cause he cou—

Kats22 cuts him at the recognition of the family name, “Does he have a son?”

Izuku makes eye contact with ruby, curious about the odd question: “What?”

Kats22: A son, Deku. Does he have a son?

Izuku scratches his head, “Uh, I don’t think so. Nothing in the tabloids or any public record mentioned him having any kids though there was always speculation. He was married to a woman for about a decade but she died from a villain attack about 10 years ago. Or at least that’s what was shared with the public anyway.”

Kats22: You don’t sound convinced of that story.

Izuku: Well, the circumstances were just iffy. It was a bit of a scandal.

Kats22: A scandal?

Izuku: Yeah…old photos of him and his first wife often had a little kid with them, but even those medical files have been removed as if the kid never existed. The next woman he got married to had reportedly some ties to a mafia family and also…between you and me and All Might… No one could really pin anything on either of them, but when stuff with Detnerat revealed their association with the League of Villains, HeroTech seemed to have some connection with supporting them. And even before the war, there was a rumor that they were financially providing for the movement of quirk related drugs.

Kats22: Like Trigger and the Quirk Destroying Bullets? Why do you know so much about this?

Izuku: Oh, it was a side project All Might and I worked on when I went vigilante. But again. No one could pin anything on either of them, so it’s frustrating, to say the least. Oh! His current wife used to work at this café actually. It’s how they met.

Crimson eyes widened in surprise: “WHAT THE FU—"

“Midoriya!” Calls out a cheerful intruder.

God, this asshole couldn’t have come at a worse time. Kats22 wasn’t expecting the human vibrator to make an appearance. Damn Deku’s future fiancé…well not anymore when I’m done with this past. I’ll put a pin in that Chikara shit for later. He couldn't help but steal glances at a particular spot in the distance, where a hidden figure remained and lingered. Good. Only Kats22 was aware of the fourth pair of eyes fixated on the interactions between Izuku, Shindo, and himself. Katsuki of 2196 (Kats96) was silently observing, consumed by curiosity, and what Kats22 knew from personal experience, jealousy and longing.

As Shindo approached, Kats22 could already see the somewhat contorted expression on Izuku’s face at the new arrival. Izuku may have been engaged to Shindo in the future, but right now Izuku likes him only as a friend and doesn’t reciprocate his romantic feelings. Probably because damn Pan-Quake often made Deku feel uncomfortable and pressured, unable to escape his persistent advances. Case in point? Right now.

Izuku tilts his head and half smiles, “O-oh hey…Yo-kun.”

Unperturbed, Shindo continues, actively ignoring the person next to them, “I thought you weren’t free today? You said were doing on your analysis project.”

Forcing himself into engaging in conversation, Izuku responds, “I-I am. I mean, I-I’m not free today. I’m still working on—"

Shindo (oblivious to his discomfort): Seriously, Zu, uh-Midoriya, you should take a break every now. Maybe now is the perfe—

“Oi, can’t you take a fucking hint?” Kats22 interfered, placing his hand on Izuku's arm protectively. Fucker’s not even thinking about the nerd being uncomfortable!

Surprised by the assertiveness of the third person he actively ignored, Shindo retorts, “Excuse me?”

Disguise or no disguise; past, present or future, Katsuki Bakugo of 2200 ain’t no bitch, “The nerd said he wasn’t free and he isn’t. He’s doing analysis, still. He’s helping me.”

Shindo remains undeterred, boldly crossing his arms and arching an eyebrow, “Oh” —looking back at Izuku and man in front of him in a barely masked irritation— “And you are?”

Kats22 holds back a snicker as he can taste the tension in the air before he catches a glimpse of it. There, now hiding closer in a shallow alley next to the café, a familiar set of crimson eyes glare at the trio. Kats22 catches spiky ash blond tuff of hair quickly duck out of view, only to peek out once more. BINGO. THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THIS IS TOO PERFECT! Kats22 couldn't resist smirking at the hidden Kats96. Like the finest of wines, he savored having Kats96 witness the chaos about to unfold, knowing it would fuel the jealousy he planned while knocking Pan-Quake down a few notches. He’s gonna spoil the living shit out of Kisara in the future once he found her again.

The rigidity in the air became palpable as Kats22 turned to Izuku, his aura dripping with a newfound sense of possessiveness. He tucked an arm around the smaller boy’s waist, ignoring the smaller’s squeak as he pulled him close, body to body.

There was a flash of confusion in Izuku's eyes and blush blooming across his freckled cheeks, but before he could react, Kats22's lips met his, his eyes briefly fluttering shut. Time seemed to stand still as he felt a surge of emotions flooding through him. In that stolen moment, Kats22 allowed himself to drink in the sensation. It was electric, a current that shot through his entire being, leaving him breathless and craving for more.

As they kissed, Kats22's mind raced. No other kiss he ever experienced could compare to this. Deku's lips were better than anything he had ever dreamed, soft and warm against his own, burgeoning a passion that threatened to engulf them both. He’s tempted to risk violating public decency laws right now just to slam Deku’s body even closer into his; bite him, bruise him and claim him as his own in front of what will won’t be his future fiancé. The sound of restrained pops where Kats96 was standing brings Kats22 back to the moment.

Grudgingly, Kats22 broke the kiss, turning his attention back to Shindo. Izuku stared at Kats22, his eyes wide with astonishment and dreamy haze, skin a raging strawberry, the usually loquacious boy rendered—for once—speechless. Good, I did that. The air around them seemed to vibrate with a newfound energy. Breathless, Kats22 tried to find his words amidst the chaos of his thoughts. A devilish triumphant smirk graced his lips as he stretches out his hand toward the shocked earthquake sidekick:

“Names Junichiro Aimu, ya little Fuckboy. I’m Izuku’s boyfriend.”

-----------------------------

Kats96 didn’t hear anything else but the sound of his thunderous heart and rushing him from the café back toward the Best Jeanist agency. Izuku didn’t even turn around to notice the rushing blond. Rage coursed through his veins and rung in his ears, overshadowing the confusion he felt at the new development of damn Deku having a boyfriend. How did this happen right under his nose?! He watched helplessly as the stranger dared to lay claim to the one he desired most. He could tell the nerd felt something for the guy, because Kats96 hasn’t seen Izuku have that look in his eyes—one of wonder, amazement, satisfaction—since they were kids and those green eyes were always focused on him…as they fucking should be. There’s something wrong with this…there’s no way. There’s absolutely no fucking way. There’s gotta be some damn quirk involved, and I’m gonna figure what the fuck is going on. No one is going to have that fucking nerd but me.

Moments later, a ping comes through on his phone. It’s the bakusquad (there won’t be a day where he’ll like the name) group chat.

Dunce Face: Holy Hell, guys! Look who I saw at the mall this morning! Who the hell is the hot Ginger all over our Greenbean?!

#bakudeku #izuku midoriya #bakugou katsuki #katsudeku #decchan #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #ao3 izuku #mha bakugou #mha deku #time travel

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