Chapter Text
It’s early April, and the next school year has started at UA. The cafeteria buzzes with the sound of clattering trays and the hum of lively chatter as Class 1-A, now Class 2-A, settles in for lunch. The air is filled with the enticing aroma of hot meals freshly served, mingling with the crisp scent of spring breezes wafting through open windows. After everything they’ve endured, most of the class feels grateful to have even made it this far. It doesn’t take long for everyone to settle in and get back into their usual rhythm. It takes even less time, of course, for them to get back to their usual shenanigans. Izuku is sitting between Ochako and Todoroki, while across from him sits Bakugo, flanked by Kirishima and Denki.
“Remind me how old you two are again? Seriously, it’s like I’m sitting next to two toddlers sharing a single brain cell.” Katsuki crosses his arms and pouts as Kirishima and Denki pass pieces of rice to each other with a fork catapult. “I swear if either of you gets that shit on my clothes, I’m going to make you wish you were never born.”
Kirishima covers his mouth, holding back a laugh. “Something funny, shitty hair?” Katsuki looks at him, staring daggers. “Jeez, Bakubro, what's got you in such a mood today?” Kirishima leans back, putting his hands up innocently. “Maybe it’s the fact that I have two children sitting next to me playing with their food when they’re damn near 18.” Bakugo growls, running his hand through his hair. “Aww, did Blasty not get his beauty sleep last night?” Denki mocks Bakugo, immediately regretting it as Bakugo turns around, smiling menacingly, then blowing up Denki's bowl of food and laughing hysterically. “No food to play with now, huh, Dunce Face?”
Izuku is staring at Bakugo from across the table, giggling at the interaction. Kacchan puts up a “Mr. Tough Guy” act, but at the end of the day, he knows he’s just a softie. It's nice seeing Kacchan with friends who really care about him, and not just people who hang out with him for status or props like back in middle school. It’s been so long since then, Izuku sometimes forgets there was a time when someone could mess with Kacchan so much, and not fear for their life afterwards.
As the playful chaos across the table dies down, Ochaco draws Izuku's attention back. “Helloooo? Earth to Deku?” she nudges him from the side, snapping him out of his train of thought. Izuku peels his eyes away from Kacchan, looking at Ochaco, who’s looking at him very smugly. “I hate to distract you, but I really need your help to figure out which dress I should get for this weekend.” Izuku looks puzzled, “What’s this weekend?” Ochaco rolls her eyes, “Did you hear anything I just said?” Izuku blushes slightly and rubs his neck with a bashful smile.
“No, not really.” Ochaco dead pans him, “Fine, I’ll restart. This weekend, tsu and I are going to the beach nearby, and I need a cute sundress, so help me look.” Now it was Izuku’s turn to smile, “You and tsu?” Ochaco takes her phone back. “Nuh uh, not doing this. If you don’t wanna help, then I’ll ask someone else.” Izuku laughs while Ochaco looks the other way, hiding her face. “Sorry, sorry, let me see.” Ochaco gives her phone back, and Izuku looks through the different options Ochaco saved to her favorites.
Eventually, they finish eating, and it’s time to head to their next class. Izuku is walking to his statistics class when he hears footsteps behind him. “Hey, nerd, wait up.” Izuku turns around, and Kacchan runs up to him, “Leaving without me?” Kacchan stands in front of Izuku, slightly too close for comfort, and Izuku smiles back at him, rubbing his neck. “Sorry, Kacchan, I got distracted, I guess.” Katuski raises his eyebrow, looking slightly suspicious, “Right…” he doesn’t push any further.
“Hey, what is Auntie making for dinner tonight?” Izuku giggles and smirks at Katsuki, “Is that why you told me to wait up? So you could see if you wanted to stay for my Mom’s cooking today?” Katsuki punches Izuku’s shoulder and laughs, “And so what if that’s why? You didn’t answer my question.” Izuku rolls his eyes and rubs his shoulder. The punch didn’t actually hurt, but he likes to pretend it did, just to be dramatic. “She’s making ramen, but if I tell her you're coming over, I’m sure she’ll make spicy ramen just for you, Kacchan.” Katsuki ruffles Izuku’s hair. “Well, nerd, you better tell her I’m coming over then.”
Izuku laughs and bats Katsuki’s hand away. He looks over at him, the laughter settling down. The sun beams into Katsuki’s eyes, making them an amber color, instead of the usual deep crimson. He opens his mouth, speaking without really thinking about what he’s going to say, “Hey, Kacchan.” Katuski makes eye contact with him, and Izuku immediately looks away. Katsuki responds,“Yeah?” Izuku changes the subject, deciding to ignore whatever it was that came over him. “You’ve got a stain on your shirt.” Kacchan looks down, “Where?” Izuku giggles, “Ha, made you look.” Katsuki looks at Izuku menacingly, grabbing Izuku’s shirt. “Izuku, I swear to God I’ll kill you right now.” It’s kind of funny, actually, how behind that angry scowl is often an empty threat. Izuku burst out in laughter, pointing at Katsuki, only to be pulled into a headlock.