#shit fuck this was ALMOST READY

[marimeeko]

Post 431 fic:: Angst, Mutual pining, hurt/eventual comfort

So, horikoshi came in and said 431 wasn't necessarily his doing, and so I of course don't take it as canon, BUUUT I already had this baby in progress and the angst is honestly peak. So going with it for now and doing a Fix-it, hurt/eventual comfort!

**Hey, funny story wasn't QUITE ready to post this but it ended up accidentally posting as I put my phone in my pocket after reviewing/editing it again(I am on my break at work)

BUT ANYWAY I can't really take it back rn so HERE YOU GO??

I need to come back with a few edits later when I have time, but it's Bakugou's side first bc that was the CATHARSIS of this whole thing. Next will be Izuku's side.

//Chapter 1//Chapter 2//

----

The weekend after the 1A class reunion, DynaMight didn't walk the streets in his usual patrol routines.

Masaru Bakugou hitched up his hiking backpack as he stepped in time after his son. His gaze fixed on the blonde head of hair in front of him as Katsuki led the course, picking up one of their favorite hiking trails.

Broad shoulders that were trained and rigid from nearly 8 years of constant hero work hung just low enough that Masaru could notice a change. Many wouldn't have been able to spot the change, but Masaru's years of careful observation of his son's moods and mannerisms told him exactly what he needed to know.

And yet, nothing at all.

Katsuki hadn't said much. Only called one day during the week, out of the blue.

"Can we...go to the mountains? Soon?" His voice over the phone had sounded...so different. The earnest request was punctuated by something Masaru could only place as a silent plea for something...at the time, and even still, Masaru couldn't discern what.

So, he and his wife had ultimately settled on it being a plea for support. They would figure out the what and the why when Katsuki was ready to share. Masaru, who had hiked and climbed with his son many times in Katsukis youth, obliged to Katsuki's request gladly.

The sun climbed the mountain with them, and the sounds of nature surrounded them, a peaceful change from the sounds of Musutafu and the city streets where Katsuki would patrol.

Only occasionally did they pass another person or group, and every time, Katsuki ducked his head to hide under his hat. He didn't want to be waylaid by any potential recognition from civilians.

Conversation was sparse and casual on the way up, but Masaru was used to that. As Katsuki had grown, his fiery attitude had tempered, and the little kid who had too much energy pent up inside of him became more measured, and could more appropriately direct that energy. His father didn't challenge Katsuki's ego as much as his mother did, so Katsuki even reflected a lot more of his father when out in the trails and forests.

Midway through the morning, just over an hour in, they were approaching the summit of their trail. Breathing heavier as they scaled the last stretches, the father and son came upon a familiar sight. A vast clearing, vivid and green, that sloped down to a long beach, bordering a sparkling lake.

Katsuki looked out onto the lake and breathed in the freshest air he'd tasted in quite a while.

"Ah, finally." Masaru chuckled, "Your dear old dad is a bit out of shape after so many years!" He clapped a hand on Katsuki's shoulder as he took the first steps to descend towards the lake.

Katsuki smiled weakly after his father.

"Shut up, you're not even that old," Katsuki grumbled with a cocked grin, and followed after.

Closer to the lake, just yards from the sands, lay a circle of large logs flanking a dormant fire pit. The shade of well-aged trees cast a welcoming, dancing pattern of light filtering through the leaves. A veritable paradise, one that had seen the Bakugou family through many visits in the past.

Masaru basked in the nostalgia of it as Katsuki dropped his backpack against a log, and flung his hat down as well. After the men stretched, Masaru and Katsuki took seats on opposite ends of the large log.

Masaru, who had spent the long haul of the hike up behind his son, finally took the opportunity to observe the 25 year old for real.

As Katsuki peered out over the lake, leaned forward with elbows braced on his knees, his crimson eyes held a certain tiredness. There were thin shadows underneath, but Masaru had seen this before; Katsuki had been working a lot, even for a Pro. What he noticed, was his brows...knitted together, not in anger, but in some form of melancholy, that he hadn't seen before. The corners of his mouth, slack, and void of any telling emotion.

Masaru observed him for a few breaths, and then cleared his throat.

"Katsuki, how are things? Are you doing alright?" Masaru asked softly.

Katsuki's brows pressed together even more. His gaze fell from the lake, to his hands.

"I...I don't know." Katsuki forced it out of himself, and his hands balled up in front of him. Masaru leaned gently towards him, ready to listen.

Katsuki knew that his father wasn't a threat. But the pressure, the idea of becoming vulnerable once again made him feel so oversensitive, his palms prickled. Unable to quell the feeling by willpower, he grabbed a rock by his side, and surged to his feet.

Masaru watched as Katsuki strode some distance forward, to the edge of the sand. He saw and heard the small pops of Katsuki's quirk warming up his hand and the rock within it.

Silently, Katsuki wound his arm backwards, and pitched the rock over the water, a small explosion sending it hurtling faster and farther.

Masaru had seen this before as well. When Katsuki was young, the Bakugous had deemed it as a safe way for the kid to use his quirk and the pressurized energy that came with it. There was times, similar to now, where Katsuki would want to come just to blow off some steam, process some emotions, and hurl rocks out into the lake.

It seemed it was still being used as a coping mechanism, and this was indeed one of those times, as Masaru had guessed on their way out. Katsuki knelt to grab another rock. This time, he paused, feeling the worn stone in his hand.

"Izuku's suit is finished." Katsuki said simply, not facing away from the lake. "All Might and I gave it to him last month."

"That's wonderful!" Masaru exclaimed, but realized that the statement didn't match his sons mood. "How is it, does he like it?"

Katsukis thumb paused.

Pop-pop-BOOM

The rock was thrown across the lake, the same way as the last.

"...Yeah. It's perfect. It fits him." Katsuki wanted to smile, but couldn't.

He picked up another rock.

"He can do Hero Work again." Katsuki grunted, and swung his arm again, another explosion puncuating his statement. "He just needs to get his liscense...and he'll be a hero again. Just like that. Hawks said so."

Masaru leaned towards his son.

"Katsuki, that's great news," Katsuki picked up another rock. "Why are you... feeling so stressed then? It's what you have been working so hard for..."

The palms of his hands still prickled as he glanced back at his father. The rock in his hand felt so cold, fresh from the shade and the breeze. He looked away again, feeling the look from his father to be so full of concern he couldn't bear it.

He swallowed hard. His heart ached in his chest.

BOOM!

He fired the rock further and with a more impressive explosion this time, and breathed heavier as his arm returned to him. Squeezing his eyes closed, he hoped he could keep the tears at bay for longer.

"I told him I wanted him to work at my agency. I wanted him to partner with me..." Katsuki's voice was beginning to shake, and he grabbed a rock more urgently this time. "Like when we were young...we always wanted...."

Pop-pop BOOM

Another explosion, and a grunt of effort sent the rock flying. Katsuki scrubbed at his face with the back of a sweaty hand.

"I asked him, and he said no." Katsuki could barely keep his voice from betraying him with a quiver. "He said no, so easily...he didn't even think about it!"

He sucked in some air and dropped his hands to his side.

"It wasn't even..." Katsuki grit his teeth. "It's like it wasn't even a thought in his head anymore."

"Katsuki...it's his right to say no, if he wants," Masaru gently reminded Katsuki.

"Fuck, I know that!" Katsuki snapped, though the desperation in his voice wasn't that of anger, but of quiet guilt. "I know he doesn't owe me shit, I don't want him to owe me a damn thing, especially after all the stupid shit that I've...." he trailed off with a harsh growl.

In one swift movement, he picked up and exploded another rock out over the lake, a choked sob escaping him.

"I didn't do it for me! It was all for him!" He cried out over the lake. "I wanted to give him back his dream, I wanted him to do what makes him happy, choose himself instead of others! For once, in his frigging life!"

Another rock, another explosion.

"I dont deserve to be pissed off! Or disappointed! I don't have any right!" His vision blurred with unshed tears, and the light shining off the surface of the water became too bright.

"If it's what he wants...if he wants to stay a teacher..." He looked away, his strong shoulders heaving. "He's a good teacher...he's so good at it...Really..."

There were pops and flashes igniting in his palms again, but he smothered them into clenched fists.

"...But...Then... Why does it fucking hurt so much??" Katsuki's voice finally broke, a smoking hand clutched at his chest.

Masaru finally came to his feet, and almost approached Katsuki, but thought to hold off for just a moment. The choked sobs that shook Katsuki signaled that he was in a state where any touch would likely be rebuffed.

Instead, Masaru calmly came towards the same sand that Katsuki stood at. He knelt with a grunt, and picked up his own rock.

"Sometimes," Masaru quietly started, turning the rock once over in his hand. "We grow apart from those we love. Sometimes, goals change as you grow up."

Katsukis breath was hot as he tried to regulate it. Crimson eyes, still wet, followed the rock as his father threw it out over the lake, it landed with a dull splash where the lake was still shallow.

"And it hurts, realizing one day that what you expected, isn't what actually happens..." Masaru told him gently. "You're allowed to feel bad about it, and for a while, it will feel bad. Rejection does hurt."

"But that doesn't mean you won't find different ways to be happy. You and Izuku have so much between you, and you will still have each other. You'll still find him in the field, I'm sure. You can make time for each other."

Katsuki huffed a deep and shaky sigh.

"What did I miss?"Katsuki asked, weakly, as if he was asking himself. "All these years and I thought he was as invested as I was. I thought we wanted the same thing....How did I not know...he had changed his mind...he lost interest??"

He looked down at his palms; they still buzzed with warmth.

"Why is he still in my dreams but...I'm not in his?"

"You can't beat yourself up, Katsuki," Masaru insisted, observing Katsuki's glowering confusion. "You did everything right. And... I'm so proud of what you've accomplished, and what you chose to do for that boy."

"Yeah, well, it wasn't enough." Katsuki cringed under the praise. Crimson eyes still strayed from his father, darting around, searching the sands for the answers to his questions.

"...I wasn't enough."

Masaru, trying to smile at his avoidant son, faltered, a realization striking him.

"This is about more than just a hero partnership...isn't it....?" Masaru urged.

Katsuki felt like crawling into a hole and dying for being so exposed. He tensed, bitter and glaring away.

"I told him he should figure out what's special to him. Who's special to him...and go after what he wants, for once, take himself into consideration." Katsuki murmured. He stooped to pick up another rock, looked over the lake again, and threw it. This time, there was no explosion, only the lowly Plunk of a splash and the quiet that consumed it after.

"And he left after the reunion to see a girl from our class."

Masaru finally closed the distance between them, a large hand settling firmly on Katsuki's shoulder. Katsuki could hardly react.

"I see...I'm sorry, kid," Masaru consoled. "...A broken heart is never easy."

Tears spilled over flushed cheeks and landed in the sand before Katsuki could stop them. But he sucked in air, and wiped the rest away before they could escape. With a curse, he turned away from his father and trudged back to the log, and sat heavily, burying his face in his hands. Just breathing was all he could do for now, and he was beginning to feel dizzy with emotions that he'd rather not have.

He heard his father retreat to their log as well, but felt relief when the man started digging out their lunches and preparing them instead of continuing the conversation.

A fresh lunch was set in his hands silently, and the quiet overcame them as they ate. Katsuki didn't feel much like eating, but knew they had a hike down the mountain coming soon. So he very slowly made his way through the meal.

Masaru began packing empty containers away, and preparing to head back, when Katsuki spoke up again.

"Dad, I..." he sounded short and gruff, but the blonde standing above him, pack already equipped and hat already back on, looked contrastingly pleading. Masaru nodded expectantly.

"...Thanks. For coming out here with me." Katsuki sighed, "I needed to get away. Clear my head. Get some of this shit out."

"Whenever you need, Katsuki." Masaru smiled warmly. Katsuki nodded with a subdued expression, and started heading towards the trail marker. Masaru considered something for a moment, and then called out to his son.

"You know, about Izuku..." Katsuki froze. "I dont think he would mean to hurt you."

Katsuki was silent, gaze pointed downwards.

"I dont think he would either," Katsuki agreed, voice scratchy from the earlier strain. "But I dont think that's better."

"Katsuki...Does he know how you feel?" Masaru pressed.

Katsuki tensed his jaw. He couldn't bear the thought of ruining what he had remaining with Izuku if his feelings were ill-recieved. Izuku was a kind soul and Katsuki had no reason to think he would hate him for having developed feelings...but the risk now was too high, the potential loss, too devastating. He wasn't looking for a pity date either.

"I'm not telling him now. It's too late for that. It would just fuck everything up even more." Katsuki asserted, feeling the lump in his throat again. "I've had enough of things getting fucked up for one week."

Masaru's heart sank for his son.

But Katsuki was the one going through the growing pains, and he would have to be the one to confront them and come out on the other side....with or without Izuku.

Without another word or moment to spare to harsh realities, Katsuki started off on the hike down, and Masaru followed once more. The silence was heavy, but both men were careful to maintain it.

The long drive home allowed for some conversation of lighter topics like plans for the rest of the week, and ultimately, an invite from Masaru to join him and Mitsuki for dinner.

Katsuki got out of the car at the end of the journey, but declined.

"I have to get back, I promised Kirishima I would be back for my evening shift..." Red Riot had taken his day shift, sympathetic to Katsuki's need for some time off. Even if Katsuki's pride was a bit wounded to have asked, he was grateful for the Redhead's willingness to cover for him.

Waving his father off and screaming a greeting at his mother at the front door, Katsuki locked himself in the car and headed off.

"So what's wrong with our kid?" Mitsuki asked as the Sportscar peeled off, and Masaru approached the house steps.

"Broken heart and professional rejection, all in one night, I'm afraid." Masaru sighed. "And from the same person."

Mitsuki's eyes widened.

"Inko's boy??" Mitsuki asked incredulously. As if it could be any other person, she knew what Katsuki had been working at for the past 8 years. Masaru nodded with a sympathetic hum. Mitsukis eyes narrowed and she put her index finger to her lip. "I should give her a call."

"Dear, don't meddle," Masaru warned gently as they went back into the house, "You know Katsuki won't--"

"I'm not going to meddle," Mitsuki barked. "I just haven't talked to her in a while, is all."

"Please, dear," Masaru sighed.

---

(To be continued)

[uncle-fruity]

Guy in the men's room at the library today got Big Mad that I came in to use the stall. He kept saying, "This is the men's bathroom" and "I know I'm a man; I was born with a dick" and various other transphobias. Kept talking shit to the point that I couldn't focus on peeing & getting out of there.

I finally yelled at him to shut the fuck up in my deepest, butchiest voice. He was arguing with me, saying he needed to shit (he had been standing talking to himself in front of the mirror before I came in, so I sorta doubt it). I told him to leave me alone so I could use the restroom. Or that he could use the women's bathroom himself. Thankfully, I'd texted my partner, who came in to help. A librarian also got involved. And this guy kept saying that I was harassing him and that I'd looked like a girl when I walked in. He threatened to call the cops (but didn't). The librarian told him he had to leave, and after some arguing with them, he finally did so. I'm very thankful I had support and allies around me.

So, idk where this fabled male privilege that I supposedly have was in that moment. Maybe it was hiding in my long hair. Maybe I left it home with the binder I barely ever use. Maybe my beard and voice weren't enough to make me pass. Maybe it was too high for me (a whole 5 foot nothing) to reach when I needed it. Or maybe, just maybe... people clock me as trans and therefore my would-be male privilege is extremely conditional based on how much I'm able or willing to conform to the gender binary (which I have no interest in doing).

[sergle]

I think my favorite thing about doing ginger red hair instead of cherry red hair is: lying to people about it

[nekrosmos]

I just woke up from a what’s supposed to be a 20 minutes nap but became 3 hours nap after taking my meds today 😂 can barely open my eyes as I type this

Here’s something random Price HC for you to distract you, not proof read so if it has errors my bad:

Price cared for a small plot of plant at the furthest region of the base he was stationed in. It started with one stubborn patch of green which looked half-crushed by careless boots and was barely clinging to life. Price noticed it one morning during his usual patrol. He paused, crouched down, knees cracking and he’s groaning like an old man he is and studied the struggling little plant. “Tough little bugger,” he thinks.

For some reason, he came back afterwards and poured some water on the poor shrub, and then again the next day, and again on the next next day, watching as the plant loses its yellowing green and grow new sprouts.

He could hardly consider this “farming” or “gardening”, but slowly he started getting more stuff for this routine of his. Like a broken mug as a way to scoop the dirt or picking up a random stray’s dung and pat it into the ground as fertilizer.

The men sometimes caught him lingering by the plants, but no one questioned it. They just assumed their captain was doing some sort of “tactical assessment” of the terrain. If anyone noticed the occasional frost-free patch or the odd green shoot looking a little healthier than before, they chalked it up to luck or nature, when actually it has been the Captain who’s been taking care of the plants on that place.

I don’t know where this is going, but I just think it’s funny to imagine Price walking around and going, “wait, have I watered that bugger today” or like imagining him squatting and fussing about some random plants, talking to it like he’s talking to another soldier.

Something something him being tender to the things no one cares about something something…anyways!! Hope this is enough to distract bud, I’ve yet to catch on on you and Jack’s stuff which I will do later or tomorrow myehehe

Oh this is adorable Gomz !!! Love Price talking to a plant like he's talking to his soldiers. Lots of threats. A (gentle) pat on the leaves. He's so proud when the thing starts getting bigger and stronger. Tough bugger alright. Whenever John is annoyed by his superiors or by bureaucracy, he goes outside and takes care of that plant. Beats yelling at some wide-eyed recruits some days.

Maybe this unlocks something in his brain and he starts to enjoy gardening ?? Nik notices and buys him the required tools next time they're on break together. Price has a small house somewhere in England, with a small garden but he always kept it as practical as he could, nothing fancy. Now he's thinking of growing some plants, some veggies, maybe get his own food so Nik can cook him some homemade meal with homegrown vegetable.

It's a nice little hobby he grows to enjoy, takes his mind out of the job for a few hours and makes him spend some energy (which he always has too much of whenever he's not at work.). Nik loves to sit on a garden chair outside and watch him work while enjoying some tea. It's nice to see John take some time off.

[showtoonzfan]

HB crew/fans: HELLUVA BOSS IS FOR MATURE AUDIENCES, ITS AN ADULT SHOW AND ITS DEEP, IF YOU DON’T GET IT THEN YOU’RE JUST A DUMB PERSON WHO CAN’T CONSUME MATURE MEDIA! 😡

Helluva Boss:

[bucephaly]

Honestly real sick of everyone seeming to be ok with wasting other people's time

[queenofbaws]

there are already roughly a million posts like this already circulating, but man. just. sometimes you really do have to step away from something you're working on and come back to it later.

creative buds, please. please. no one is worse at taking my advice than i am, believe me, but seriously, if you've been feeling down or frustrated or stumped with something you've been working on lately, take this as your sign to maybe take a little break. a week, a month, whatever. you've been looking at it too long, you've read it too many times, you've erased that same line so many times you've lost count - you need to come back to it with a rested brain and fresh eyes.

however rough it feels to you now, i promise, promise, promise that it'll feel so much better after a little distance. <3

[im-tempted]

The combination of eating dinner earlier, the smell of bleach from the bathroom, and jared's voice is doing wonders for the bile staying in my stomach

I hear you and I get that and I don't mean to be pedantic

If you're genuinely experiencing bile even so much as being IN your stomach I need you to at least consider seeing a doctor that's not good or ok bile IS NOT suposed to be in there it is liver and small intestines ONLY (and gallbladder but I don't care about her) thing if it's getting anywhere near your mouth please... if kinda bright yellow liquid I'd showing up in your mouth call an adult

[forcebookish]

i need a new strategy for like, cleaning my room and doing yoga and reading and leaving the house. the adhd has reached mythic levels of bad. i have the thought, "i should do X," and then i won't move. i make a to-do list and i won't do anything on it. i queue up a yoga practice and i won't do it. i stare at my room and get stressed out about how cluttered it is. i write 3000 words of notes for a fic i don't even know if i'm going to write. i think and i think and i think about my OCs and they won't let me write them. i spend hours looking at stuff i can't buy. i take like an hour to write this.

[apocalypticdemon]

I am so beyond ready to quit this job. Wednesday cannot come fast enough.

[moneygoblin04]

I am stressed, and I am on edge, and I feel like I'm actually, legitimately reaching my limit. It's kinda funny how my mom was the one to push me there

[loverboybrightsideghost]

deeply fucking annoyed with my college advisor rn

[flying-cat]

ily bakugou katsuki u are the only thing that hasn't pissed me off today

[mollysails]

and if i went crazy and started translating and adapting the entirety of the beetlejuice musical to spanish, with changes to the jokes that would make sense within the pop culture…

what then

[allpromarlo]

jing yuan should’ve had an idle that’s him snoozing. i rest my case

[quemirabobo]

I just realized that I've been putting too much on my plate lately and instead of getting some of that shit done all I end up with is feeling sick every week and things keep accumulating and I stress myself ten times more and I end up doing nothing, reading something to distract myself of the fucking titanic quest I put my ass on