Bakugou felt his entire arm tense as the sweat on his palms ignited, sending an explosion strong enough to reduce concrete to less then rubble at the marble targets at the end of the range. It was one of the many private rooms in his house, this one in particular served as his personal firing range where he could practice with both his quirk and pistol without issue while at the end stood cheap, cookie cutter statues of Tomura Shigaraki that he ordered by the truck load just to work through the fear those nightmares gave him.
He hated it here, but compared to the silence of the rest of his home it was better than sitting around. There hadn't been a job called in for weeks now and he'd been stuck at home since going out to that mixer with Deku, having his fun with those girls and paying them to fuck off afterwards. He didn't need to be around whores like that anyway. What he wanted was to see Deku again, but it was Monday and the fucker had to work and he knew the nerd would throw a shit for if he bribed his company to hangout again. Maybe he could just hire the guy to hangout with him as a sidekick? No, he officially lost the privilege to have a sidekick when he blew up that building downtown so that was not an option.
He was fucking Dynomight, the guy who saved the whole fucking world, but he couldn't just pull some strings to get his best friend to hangout with him? What kind of bullshit was that?
"The world doesn't revolve around you jackass, Deku will make time for you when he's able, for now just leave him alone."
Katsuki growled at his inner thoughts and blasted the last of the statues with a long shot then painted a nice wide pattern of ash on the back wall.
"Easier said then done when all I have is fucking silence you stupid fuck. Maybe if Deku started to show some gratitude for saving his and the whole world's ass and how I always had his back even if I had to get rough on him, then I wouldn't be so pissed. Stupid fucking Deku, he's too dumb to see-"
He paused and inhaled as he saw the bad habits again.
"No, no, Deku isn't stupid, he just has his own bullshit to live with like everyone else. Just give him time and then we can hangout."
There came a little, bitter voice in the back of his head that he knew had been there since the day he was born, one that chipped away at his entire life with little strikes of the worst sort of doubt.
"Or maybe he's forgotten you, thinking that's he so much better then you since he was smart enough to avoid getting in the middle of that stupid war and got to live a safe, cushy life while you suffered and did all the hard work like a slave. You're nothing to him and you both know it."
It came out in a loud, animal like shout as he screamed at nothing with a *boom* from his hands making it all the worse.
"Shut up!"
The voice spoke again with even more potent venom.
"He's going to forget about you, just like everyone else. That's all you'll be, a little footnote in history. A single answer on a test filled with far greater people that the world will remember with more fondness than they ever had for a worm like you."
It continued as Katsuki steamed at the self-destructive voice.
"You were useless throughout the whole thing, the only reason you even managed to not piss yourself when Shigaraki captured you and you faced him again in the war was because Deku was there pushing you forward. You're nothing without him and you know it, but that's what kept you awake at night even more than Shigaraki and his demons isn't it? The thought that your precious friend actually loathed you for what you did."
A gleeful chuckle came from the voice as it kept taunting him.
"Oh how did that torment you, how many nights did you fear going home and seeing Deku regard you with disgust like everyone else had? Yet...There was another, even darker idea that worried you, one where Shigaraki actually managed to find the fucker. Not because you were scared he'd die, but rather that the monster would give him the same offer he gave you, and accept it."
The voice began to shift as Katsuki gripped his head and started to hyperventilate, making it keep going to spite him.
"Deku would have been the perfect candidate for the League, quirkless, abused, forgotten and more than intelligent enough to make them dangerous. You pictured how deadly he would have been if Shigaraki teamed him up with that vampire bitch, how well they could blend into a crowd and take out targets without ever raising suspicion. They'd be unstoppable and with more than enough reasons to make you number one on the hit list. In fact, that can still happen, the bitch is still out there somewhere and she's pretty enough and knows how to manipulate people, especially innocent people like him. All they need to do is meet and then the only person in the world you think you have left would turn on you and end your life in the worst possible way."
He swore it was right in his ear now as it gave one final quip that practically broke the man.
"Who knows? Maybe she's that girlfriend he has and they're plotting your downfall as we speak? All the while Deku is just plowing that bitch until she gets bored and kills him, or maybe they fit together perfectly and he becomes a villain right alongside her. Maybe he even finishes what Handman started and burns everything you suffered to preserve down to nothing?"
Heat built up in his palms as sweat came down in frantic beads, brought on by the silent panic such an idea that threatened to bring him to screaming fear, but he reached the space on his chest and pulled out his locket. Opening it with a shaking, sweaty hand he looked at the picture of one of his happiest memories and fought down his doubt and pain and fear with those old memories like he always had. Even as those old terrors came back and he saw in his mind's eye that horrible picture of Shigaraki laughing with Deku standing beside him with the most malicious smile that the man who was his light had ever made. It was his folly come back to corrupt everything he possessed and turn it to a far greater and older evil of such cruelty that it boggles his mind even now with what that original devil did to people.
Thinking on it as he fought down his panic, perhaps as a way to distract from one of the worst scenes of his nightmares, Katsuki surmised that despite the eternal personal hatred he held for the monster, Shigaraki had, to his credit, done what no hero had been able to do and eliminated All For One so perhaps the fucker did some good in his life. Or maybe he should have just been blasted away the second he took a step into the sunlight. Gathering himself, Katsuki silenced the voice which dogged his steps since childhood and left the room, content on keeping it quiet by destroying his weakness. Soon he entered his training room, a relatively simple home gym with only a few free weights, some rope and a heavy bag. Suppressing a growl, the number one hero began to lose himself in the haze of his actions and slipped into that painless zone of thought as his mind drifted away from his suffering body. It gave him time to think and contemplate his life, to consider how things went.
Instantly he scowled at everything, every little failing and disappointment that followed him which chipped away at his achievements bit by bit. He was at the top, but nobody admired him like they did All Might back in his childhood...okay, so he did have fans and received letters but it wasn't the massive, world-staining impact of the Symbol of Peace. Thinking about it Katsuki recalled how All Might's claim to fame wasn't being a big brusher that beat bad guys, no he gave people hope and went out of his way to help as many people as he could regardless of the size of the problem. He remembered seeing countless news reports of the man saving people from rivers and taking time to talk people out of their depression, fuck the guy even started over one hundred charities with his own funds which still operate even after his retirement.
What had he done to fill in those shoes? Had he lifted people out of their despair and led them to a better tomorrow like All Might would have? No, if anything he made things worse by tainting the image of the heroic almost as badly as Endeavor had. A part of him even though he wasn't worthy of being the number one, that he had served his purpose once he claimed Shigaraki's hand and cast it in bronze and should step down like Round Face always told him to.
But he couldn't, the world needed him and the only other person he fully trusted to not fuck everything up was Beady Eyes. Icyhot had the character and strength to do it, but he wasn't the right kind of person, too removed after his father got killed by that shitstain brother of his. Spiky Hair was the best person out of all of them in the class, but he was too unable to match up, his quirk was good enough to deal with most issues that weren't world ending threats, yet that's what the number one was there to combat. Togata, on the other hand, was literally the best pick for the office. He had the moral fiber, the incredible quirk that made him unstoppable and didn't pull his punches when it counted. Fuck, All Might himself tutored the guy and gave him that other bullshit quirk, so what more could the world ask for in its protector?
But instead of continuing to fight villains until his life ended decades from now, the motherfucker retired from the hero industry the moment the League was taken care of. He didn't even make an annoucement to the public, he just walked into the Commission chairman's office, turned in his cape and went to go live on that fucking island with his wife and Eri. Leaving him to pick up the pieces of a world still in flames. Katsuki can still recall the sour, bitter feeling as he was forced to stand on stage and accept the title while the people cheered for a murderer like him, it was syminalniously everything he ever wanted and his biggest shame. All the while he could hear Deku whispering in his ear that he could do it because he was the greatest hero ever, despite knowing there was a sea of monsters outside and he just wanted to break down sobbing at the burden placed upon him and have Deku or Round Face or Spiky Hair or even Icy Hot give him a hug to let him know everything was all right.
Yet that was years ago and he had managed well enough and had better days ahead. Deku was his friend again and he was seeing more people instead of just locking himself away in his house like a prisoner. Sure it be better if the fucker ACTUALLY CALLED ONCE IN A WHILE! But he, as always, had to take the lead since Deku was too much of a stick in the mud. Thinking on it, Katsuki decided Deku owed him a little of his time, after all he saved the whole world so of course that guy owed him a debt, everyone did. He just needed to rent out the guy's company again, it was only a few hundred thousand dollars so why not? They could go hangout and do all the cool things they missed when they were growing up.
A giddy smile came over Katsuki's face at the prospect of getting to play a few rounds of "Texas Smash '' with Deku again after so long. He still possessed the old system from back when they were kids and had it retrofitted to the nines, it even had the rotten All Might Sticker Deku slapped on the bottom when they were ten. Or maybe they could go to a theme park like that one time his mom got a voucher for a party of four where they got to ride for free. Hell, he remembers how he and Deku ate so much greasy food that they wound up in a food coma. Then there was the idea they could hit up the old arcade like they used to in middle school, he bought the place and renovated it the first chance he got so it was still up and running, hopefully giving kids as good a childhood memory as it did for him and Deku.
Then again, maybe they could go to the shooting range? It would be a good idea to get Deku a gun, though even he wouldn't be exempt from the law if he smuggled one to him, but the guy is quirkless and has a clean record so if anything he'd have an easier time getting one then even him. Not that he really needed one with the ability to shoot explosions from his hands. On second thought it sounded like too much hassle, maybe...they could hang out at Deku's place? That way he could figure out if the guy needed any extra help...would just buying his apartment building be a possibility or was that too pushy? He'd give the guy free rent and even split the profits 50/50 with him every month, but the last thing he needed was upsetting Deku so Katsuki decided to just dial up the company his friend slaved away at and ordered their services.
All that was left to do was ready himself to see his best friend and he did just that as he made his way to the shower built into the wall of the room and washed himself, all the while feeling his childlike giddiness fade away under the weight of adult realization. He just felt gloom and a hint of depression at how he imagined Deku to be in that place with his robotic smile that hurt to be seen by the person who needed him the most in his darkest hours. Stepping out and grabbing a basic outfit of sweatpants and a black hoodie, he made to leave his home and left the empty echo chamber of his personal sanctuary and got into his vehicle.
He was happy to have the thing, even if it was overpriced for a car. Slick, fast and loud just as it should be. Whatever else didn't matter as he backed out of the garage and exited out to the road, his mind slipping back to itself as he focused on the path ahead of him. He considered putting aside some of the childish fantasies and trying to act like an adult, Deku certainly does. But he never got to really enjoy his teens did he? Ah, what did it matter? Katsuki knew he was only here to reconnect with his friend and that's it.
However, there was still the matter of how to get better. He loved Deku and knew the guy would help brighten his life, but he also needed to make an effort on his own part to not feel so shitty all the time. He'd cross that bridge when he came to it, for now he had an appointment to get to. Two hours later he arrived and parked, finding the mere sight of the building disheartening for what it represented and strolled inside. The attendee at the entrance buzzed him in and soon he was in the elevator and was ushered into the CEO's office.
It was a tacky sort of place filled with red velvet bedecked with gold all around the walls and clean hardwood covered the floor. The man himself was a squat man old enough to be Katsuki's grandfather with an almost comical belly that stretched against his gray business suit and those appeasing eyes to someone higher up the social ladder than him that likely helped him get his fat ass into that chair in the first place. If the man had anything to say it went largely unneeded as the hero went on auto pilot as he gave the proper words and stories he saved for such occasions, all the while waiting for his friend to show up as his thoughts began to drift again.
Would Deku be happy to see him? Was he being too pushy? What could he say to entice him into hanging out aside from just essentially renting him? The thought alone was rather uncomfortable since it had a direct comparison to renting out other types of company in his mind, but there was little else he could do, wasn't there?
He wanted Deku's company and the fucker wasn't giving it, which was fine since he had his own obligations. All he was doing was lightening the burden. Thinking about it, maybe it would be better if there was another person with them to help break the ice. Yet he didn't know anyone aside from Shitty Hair who didn't hate him, find him indifferent or fear him. All except...fuck it, that cold bastard needed to get out too, so why not? It'd be easy enough to spin it as a "business meeting" to make professional connections which would get Deku to go alone with it.
Then like the idea was made manifest, the oaken doors swung open and the man who helped him never give up walked in, looking as meek as ever. However there was a detectable anger in those emerald eyes that was shocking strong for once, as if the fucker blamed him for busting him out of this hellhole. Still, his friend was courteous and polite as a corporate lackey could be expected to be, giving a fake smile and bow while the anger boiled in his soul. After a few short greetings were exchanged Katsuki was given the permission to leave with his friend and found themselves inside the elevator where Deku's mask fell and he openly glared with an indignant frown.
"Please tell me you didn't decide to tear me away from my work just because my mother told you to again."
The pro hero laughed and leaned against the glass, happy to see some element of their old life in his friend. Deku always had a sort of resentment towards Auntie Inko, but it wasn't any worse than Katsuki's own issues with his mom. The difference being that Deku was passive aggressive while he was direct with their confrontations, just like how their families were.
"Nah dude, I was just bored and figured you'd want out of this shit hole. Besides, the amount you're getting as a bonus should be more than your regular paycheck so think of it as getting paid to do nothing."
The glare softened, but was still there as Deku relaxed slightly and dusted off his suit. Looking oddly assertive and authoritative as he stared him down.
"I know this might come as a shock to you Kacchan, but some people take pride in the jobs they do. That being said, if you need help with something...then ask away."
There was hesitation there, but it sounded utterly, though not enthusiastically, sincere. Katsuki supposed he was waiting for too much to have Deku jump up and down and be that spastic little fanboy he was in their youth, but time does that to people.
"Well, I...kinda heard how good you were at helping Sweets get his shit in order and thought you could help me reconnect with an old colleague of mine that I had sorta fallen out with."
There was a professional light to Izuku's eyes that made seem like a different person, one who knew what the hell he was doing and was in control of things. Instantly he reached into his shirt pocket and took out a flip book and pen, opening and clicking in a practiced, smooth fashion that admittedly impressed the hero as the quirkless man spoke up.
"I see, I'm not the best communicator, but I've handled deals before in the past for the company with small subsidiaries and managed their numbers once or twice. Now can you tell me who this client is and what your relationship with them currently is?"
Katsuki cringed at the whole vibe he was getting from the guy, it reminded him too much of Four Eyes or Best Jeaniest. He raised his hands in a mock surrender.
"Hey, there's no need to get all formal Deku. I haven't even called him up yet and all we're doing is heading to a bar to check up and get reacquainted, so this isn't a board meeting. Think of it more like a "meet and greet" and you'll get it."
Deku lowered his paper and glared at him with the most uptight look he'd seen since Four Eyes at their graduation ceremony.
"So you're going into this, a meeting that might help you advance even more in your field and abstaining information? Katsuki, hadn't anyone told you that business dealings have to be treated like battles and the companies as armies? You have to approach them with a life or death seriousness or your entire livelihood could be destroyed."
The hero flinched at the hard use of his first name instead of his nickname and the forceful way he was addressed, but he supposed Deku was trying to be helpful and it was likely due to this place that he got such a large stick up his ass. Relaxing somewhat, Katsuki gave a sly eye to his friend.
"It's all in how you choose to manage yourself professionally Deku. So here's how it goes in the hero industry, it isn't nearly as formal as what you'd see in any of the private sector. Namely due to how interconnected so many agencies have to be in times of crisis, like for instance take how Sweets talks to the others and they always head to Toshi's. It's there to familiarize each other with their peers since the product they peddle is themselves and their quirks. So being overly formal would almost be insulting in most circumstances since most need to be on personal terms."
The indignation was extinguished in an instant and was replaced with a clear embarrassment and even shame that left Katsuki feeling sorry for the guy as he hung his head and put his flipbook away.
"I see...my apologies then Kacchan. You clearly know more than me since you're the pro after all."
Katsuki laid a hand on Deku's shoulder and smiled tried to be reassuring even as the elevator doors *dinged* open.
"Hey it happens man, I'm just an old hand at this. Anyway let me make a call once we get outside and we'll get rolling okay?"
Izuku nodded silently, going to a rather numb expression that worried Katsuki, but he didn't address it as they left the building. Walking out they entered the parking lot and found the bright red of his car, but Katsuki paused for a moment as he fished out his phone and opened his contacts. Looking at Izuku apologetically, he unlocked the car and had him wait inside while he made the call.
It took a few seconds but to Katsuki's relief it went through and the closest thing he had to a friend answered.
"What do you want Bakugou?"
The time was stoic and annoyed as always but it was progress at least. Feeling himself become rather desperate for this to work out, Katsuki banished any anger he usually carried.
"Hey Icy Hot, I heard you were off the clock today and figured you wouldn't mind helping me with something. See, I met back up with Deku recently and...honestly, I need help breaking the ice since I have next to nothing to talk about."
There came a slight "hum" from the other end that went on for a solid minute before Shoto responded.
"The same Deku you talked about for years?"
For some reason Katsuki felt embarrassed about that.
"Um...yes. Now will you help me or not?"
Another pause then came the answer.
"You'll pay for lunch and I get to ask him any questions I have, deal?"
The blond rolled his eyes.
"Fine, just meet me at the bar in an hour, alright?"
Katsuki swore that the bastard was smiling on the other end.
"Okay Bakugou, I'll see you in a bit."
The call ended and the explosion user let out a sigh of relief that his plan hadn't gone to shit. Stepping into his car Katsuki smiled a little and kept it on even as Deku had lost his numbness and looked outwardly bored.
"Good news, we're set to go meet him."
The quirkless man turned his head and shrugged.
"Then let's get going."
Not one to argue something so basic, he activated the electric ignition and made way to the road where more thoughts drifted as his fingers tapped the steering wheel. Stealing a gaze at his friend Katsuki cleared his throat, before looking back at the road.
"So...anything new going on in your life?"
Deku pursed his lips for a moment and shrugged.
"I found out that I have a strange fascination with eating the byproduct of my girlfriend's quirk."
The hero raised an eyebrow.
"What the fuck does that mean?"
Izuku looked out the window.
"Her quirk creates this gray goop that comes from her skin and I've eaten it more than once. Honestly it doesn't taste bad, but I do it just to gross her out since she's self conscious about it."
The eyebrow remained raised as Katsuki kept his eyes forward.
"Okay...to each their own I guess. Anyway, if you mind me asking, have you had any luck with that girl of yours or is she still just a lazy stick in the mud?"
Again Izuku shrugged.
"Not really. I mean things are good, but our lives have grown to essentially me going over her place and the two of us watching tv and screwing. Although…"
He paused and sat up for a moment as an apparent thought entered his mind before pursing his lips.
"I was watching some video online about the Calamity and the major players in it and...I don't mean to bring up any bad memories Kacchan, but since you were there can you tell me what exactly the PLA wanted? Because the Meta Army was basic enough, but nobody can really agree on why they waged the war when the organization changed hands."
Most would have expected a tightening of the wheel or a glare of fury or some kind of show of anger, but Katsuki merely shrugged and stared ahead at the path calmly and matter of factly, like none of it bothered him.
"Destruction. Pure and simple destruction of society because they couldn't fit in. They were there to destroy all of society and make little kingdoms for themselves with that white haired bastard sitting at the top and anyone else who says they had a better reason is fucking wrong. I was there from day one before that fucker got his little group together and it was always about destroying society or "Getting even" as he'd put it."
He shook his head for a moment.
"If it's all the same to you, I'm done talking about this shit for now. I'd rather hear what you have planned for the weekend."
Izuku winced in guilt ever so slightly at the harshness in Katsuki's tone and forced a weak smile.
"Same old same old you know? Just me helping out Sato as best I can. Last time I checked in on him he was swamped with paperwork so I'll be pretty busy."
A growl left the hero as his further plans went to rot, but accepted that fact and was happy with what he got. Taking the final turn into a parking garage as they got deeper into the city, Katsuki parked and they both disembarked on foot to reach the bar. During the walk into the sunlit streets Izuku turned his eyes to his former tormentor and held in his own animosity. He had actually had a good day at work and it was more than halfway done when this asshole decided to show up and completely change his schedule, but he supposed having insane money let's you do that.
He had planned to meet up with Himiko after his shift and maybe check on Ochako since the woman probably could do with some comfort when she had to go through all that. Though, on the bright side at least he was able to get out early, even if he felt like a dick for leaving his team hanging, but that was what managers were for. Following Katsuki he entered Toshi's which was utterly empty for once with not a soul around other than the bartender who greeted them with a silent nod.
The pair took a table tucked away at the back with little else in mind except to tide the time until the third member arrived, which Katsuki decided to deal with by heading to the counter and buying the beer and leaving Izuku to absentmindedly stare at the door. However the quirkless man would suddenly become far more aware when the entrance swung open and the same man he met last night who could decide Himiko's fate walked in and froze when they made eye contact.
It was clear that he was just as, if not more shocked to see him here. They both stared at each other in muddled silence as they fought to remain unobtrusive. That idea was doomed the moment Katsuki turned around from the counter with drinks in hand and greeted the number three hero.
"Hey Icy Hot, glad to see you could make it. Hope everything's alright between you and Ponytail, but anyway here's Deku."
He said with a gesture to the only other customer in the place. The bafflement grew a thousand fold on Shoto's face at the news and he practically had to be pushed towards the table where Izuku looked embarrassed and more than a little fearful. Again they stared at each other like confused strangers, not really sure what to do or say when the elemental user extended a hand.
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance Deku."
Anger bubbled in the sidekick's green eyes, but was contained in a wave of civility as he smiled fakely, although the grip was uncomfortably hard.
"Midoriya will do, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well Mr. Todoroki."
A hard slap on the shoulder struck them both as Katsuki gave a relaxed smile and took a seat next to his original childhood friend. Tapping the cap on his bottle and handing the other to Izuku he seemed to be at peace for once.
"Ah you guys are too fucking formal, we're all friends here."
The stoic expression of the Half and Half Hero was marred by shock that lingered around his eyes, never leaving the quirkless crime fighter as his fingers tapped the wood. For a few seconds nothing happened with the two of them in an awkward deadlock, then Shoto broke it with an even sounding question.
"So Midoriya, how long have you known Bakugou?"
The top hero answered himself, taking the spotlight like always as he began to reminisce on old memories.
"Me and Deku knew each other the moment we were born. We grew up together, even went to the same school up till the second year of middle school because this dick decided to waste his entire summer going to cram school so much that they actually let him skip a grade. Recently we met up cause his mama contacted me, saying he got involved with some crazy bitch and we've been hanging out from there."
The shock faded from Shoto's face and grew to a hardened mask of judgment that stabbed down into the green haired man's soul as the hero leaned forward.
"Is your girlfriend aware of your friendship with Bakugou, Midoriya?"
He expected fear, worry, concern any number of things, but what The last son of fire saw was a murderous rage fueled fury that lit only for the briefest of moments before being submerged under a sea of indigation as the man scowled at him accusingly.
"No Mr. Todoroki, she is not and I believe you might want to stop assuming things."
Another laugh came from Katsuki as he slapped Izuku on the back, clearly enjoying having his ego stroked.
"Ah don't blame him Icy Hot, Deku's probably just scared of his girl leaving him for me. You know how it goes with certain women, they'll drop anything to get with a guy like us. Fuck, remember that one bitch who divorced her husband to try and get a shot with you, god I can still see the look on her face when you turned her down."
Shoto grimaced internally at the words. It seems the bastard hadn't changed much since school, always a glutton for just that little bit more of validation from complete strangers. He was so much like Endeavor, but to his credit Bakugou never cheated on his partner, even if he soaked up the attention like a sponge. Yet the Hot and Cold Hero nearly finched at the murder in Midoriya's eyes as he glared at the laughing bastard with so much rage that his skin was turning from a normal pale, to a deep red, to then an alarming purple as he gripped the neck of his beer bottle.
Everything played out in his mind as he watched the quirkless man stand up, but instead of doing the obvious thing and smashing it against the back of Bakugou's skull, Midoriya inhaled deeply and turned towards the exit without another word. Leaving the number one hero looking utterly perplexed as he blinked at where his "friend" once was.
"Hey what the fuck is up him?"
It should have come as no surprise to Shoto that the bastard sounded completely clueless of how badly he insulted someone. But the look on that man's face worried him, so he turned to Bakugou and prepared to follow suit.
"I'll go find him and see what's wrong."
Not wanting to give any more effort into this, he proceeded to leave the bar and attempt to find the wayward sidekick, if only to make sure he didn't end up using that bottle for more than drinking. In a city such as the one they were in, it should have been difficult to find a single person, but by some miracle he caught a break. Walking a few blocks to the east, Shoto halted when he passed by an alleyway and heard glass shatter. Looking down he saw Midoriya standing at the end near a stained brick wall thirty feet in, who appeared to be on the edge of popping a blood vessel in his head with how darkly shaded his head had become.
Veins throbbed around his skull and his breathing was a deep, uneven heave as the last of his control faded and he slammed a kick into a nearby trash can with such a fury that it was little more than dented steel as he reared his head to the ground.
"Fuck!! You goddamn son of a bitch!!"
He grabbed the smashed trash can and threw it with such velocity that it flew like a cannon shot before splattering the ground with its putrid cargo.
"Fuck you Katsuki Bakugou!! Fuck you and your goddamn shit!!"
More screaming happened for a solid five minutes until at last, Midoriya was left exhausted of his fury but still appeared ready to kill a man. Only now coming back to reality and noticing the hero witnessing his outburst. Shoto was met with a glare and a body language that was just itching for an excuse to fight.
"You got something you wanna say?"
Raising his hands in surrender, Shoto remained utterly stoic yet carried a far softer tone, even a sympathetic one that made the fury lessen in the sidekick.
"Not at all, just wanted to make sure you're okay. Personally I wouldn't have blamed you if you had actually brained him. I did the same thing back in Highschool after he insulted my mom."
Midoriya studied him and shook his head in defeat, walking forward in an almost dismissive manner as he aimed to get out of the alley.
"At least everyone agrees he's an ass."
Stepping aside Shoto let him continue on his way and started walking beside him, the two of them feeling rather harmonious heading down the street with the chips on their shoulders. Looking at the quirkless man, a thought came to him as they passed a sign.
"Wanna get some soba?"
Midoriya paused and regarded him, only giving a shrug.
"Sure."
From there they said very little, only following certain directions while they both focused on their thinking. For Shoto's part he felt more than a little vindicated about how blatantly the person he always theorized had the biggest reason to hate Bakugou indeed fell in line with his predictions. Thought the fact he was also dating Himiko fucking Toga was incredibly concerning with that fact in mind, quadruplely so since his old ticks were coming back and smelt the possibility of something nasty in the works.
He needed more information to ascertain whether or not this man was either in danger, was the danger or just an unlucky person with a bone to pick. Whatever the case it was sure to be interesting and perhaps he could complain himself. So when they arrived at a stand and took a seat with the kindly old server handing them two bowls of fresh soba, Shoto took the opportunity to speak once they dug in a little.
"You mind if I ask why you're friends with that guy?"
Midoriya paused as he was about to take another bite and let out a tired sigh.
"I'm not friends with the guy, I put up with his bullshit because I don't want him ruining my life or going after Himiko since I know he holds grudges and he might come digging around. Fuck I was supposed to be at work today, but he essentially rented me from my office just to hangout with you which I can't say no to because he's so fucking rich."
Shoto chewed his noodles and considered it for a moment.
"Sounds about right. He's always been obsessed with you ever since High School, heck I remember how he got flustered because of something someone said about him and shouted "Shut up Deku" only to start to freeze like he hit his head and get really panicky, looking around and the like. He even started to hyperventilate and needed to go to the nurse. Question is, why?"
Midoriya shrugged and took a swig of his cup.
"Fuck if I know and I don't really care. That fucker ruined my life almost four times over and still thinks he can get away with saying shit like that. Honestly, I probably would have smashed his head in one way or another if I didn't give such a shit about her."
The hero raised an eyebrow.
"Are you talking about Ochako or Himiko?"
He took another swig.
"Both, but mostly Himiko. She gives me a reason not to act stupid since she'd be most affected so I stay on the straight and narrow. Not that I'm a criminal at heart, but crimes of passion happen to the best of us."
Suddenly Shoto felt guilt well up in his chest at that.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. So...be honest with me here, why exactly are you with Himiko in the first place if you know about her past? Much less when you two engage in such strange things."
The cup touched the counter with a tap as Midoriya shook his head once more and paused for a moment. His voice suddenly grew heavy and strong.
"Because I would have killed myself if it weren't for her. It was almost a year ago when I was drunk off my ass and pissed at everything in the universe and wanted to get even. Except I didn't want to hurt anybody else so I decided in my stupor to throw myself off a bridge. It seemed like the right thing to do since I was living a soul crushing life alone and the only girl I loved at that point was long gone, so I had nothing left to live for."
He put a hand to his face and went on.
"I had a note and everything, granted it was more a spur of the moment thing then premeditated. I made my way to the Kongu Bridge, drunk off cheap vodka and ready to get back at everyone by telling the world to kiss my ass when I got distracted by the stink of a cigarette. It made me stop and low and behold she was there, gazing out into the ocean with those lonely eyes. I tried to step pass so I wouldn't ruin her night since we were strangers at the time and she decided to talk to me. I confessed to what I was about to do and she...well, she bullied me into not taking the easy way out. From there the rest is history."
There weren't really words to say to that. Of all the people on earth, the last person Shoto could see doing something so benevolent was Himiko Toga. Sure she wasn't an active threat currently and a model reformer, but...It seemed so...kind that it shocked him. There had to be more to it. But before he could say anything further, Midoriya set down his half of the bill and walked out, only stopping to look back at the hero with grateful eyes.
"Hey, thank you for letting me vent Todoroki, I mean that."
Afterwards he was gone, leaving the half burned man alone and Shoto couldn't help but find himself more fascinated by the guy, if only because he seemed kindred to being subjected to people's bullshit. He'd have to make a note to keep a close eye on him, perhaps over a few more bowls of soba and a beer or two.