Chapter Text
It was supposed to be a nice day today. With Bakugou and his friend's going out to get ramen together.
It took a lot of work for Kirishima and the bakusquad to get Bakugou to even agree to leave campus with them. Kaminari mentioning a new hot ramen special was enough to get Bakugou's attention but it wasn't enough to get him to go out. Leaving Mina and Sero to really hype it up. Though Kirishima was the real reason Bakugou went in the end. Hitting Bakugou with a disappointed, "So you're really not going to come man?" A weakness they would use when necessary.
So here they were. All walking side by side on their way to the ramen shop. The Bakuaquad ready to make this day special for their blonde friend. Bakugou, who brought them together in a weird way. Even though Bakugou himself can't see it and doesn't understand why they even stay his friends.
It was sad they thought. How Bakugou couldn't see why they'd be willing to just be his friend. He'd never admit it but it was obvious in the way he'd look at them sometimes with a soft but wary expression on his face. Not to mention and that one time he got really quiet and thanked them for something.
They're pretty sure it was just because they wouldn't leave him alone.
It was super hard at first when they all first entered UA. Bakugou was quiet and subdued for the first few months. He was angry but it seemed depressing. Like maybe he was angry at himself for something.
No one bothered him at first besides Kirishima. Mina, Sero, Kaminari developed a friendship with Kirishima and it was fine. They weren't the closest friends but they had fun together. So they didn't understand why Kirishima was even bothering with a depressed, angry Bakugou.
Sero thought they should leave him alone because that's obviously what the blonde wanted. Kaminari just thought Bakugou was scary at times. Mina didn't know what to think, on one hand it was cool how Kirishima was trying to include Bakugou but on the other hand it was troublesome.
She never stopped it though. Thinking Kirishima would just figure out that it was pointless on his own to keep trying.
That didn't happen. Instead Mina and the rest ended up closer than originally. Bakugou's sadness and anger eventually subtly smoothing out. His anger somehow getting louder than before but it seemed happier and less sad. Being loud and angry seemed more natural than before.
It was great to see it happen and be there with him.
Being screamed at by Bakugou was fun once you realized he didn't really mean it. Sero and Kaminari daring each other to do something idiotic to see who Bakugou would scream at the loudest before sprinting for their lives. Mina and Kirishima laughing at them from the background.
It was amazing how the blonde changed the whole dynamics of the friend group. Where before they'd hang out casually, now could go to each other for help.
It was a real shock for Bakugou to be wise about showing how you feel openly and not hide behind false Im okay's.
It happened because Kirshima got upset over something but attempted to bottle it up.
Bakugou told him, "It's dumb to hide when you're sad because then that shit just gets worse and no one will be able to help when it gets worse and you might just disappear."
It was helpful and Kirishima cried about how manly it was but it also was confusing. What did he mean by disappear? When questioned he said "I knew a damn nerd who acted like he was okay all the time and it didn't end well."
They could all hear the unspoken rest of the story. That "nerd" he was talking about wasn't around anymore and it was obviously a sore spot for Bakugou to speak about.
That person was also obviously a big reason why Bakugou was depressed in the beginning of the year. A friend they thought? Possibly already dead? They were wary to ask. Bakugou got quiet and defensive about it if you asked too much. Locked himself away on bad days even though he was the one who declared it was dumb to do so.
So it was why they went out like this occasionally! A good way to bring Bakugou out before he gets too deep into his own head. Too sad and scarily depressed.
It was going to be a good day and they were going to have fun! Munch out on ramen together while enjoying the day out. Bakugou giving a rare but genuine small smile as they walk.
Until it the smile was gone and replaced with a expression none of them ever saw on his face before. It looked like pain and disbelief mixed with hope. So of course they followed his line of sight to see what he was staring at that would make him react like that. They were quick to go on guard, ready for anything. A fight? Villian attack?...A boy?
Standing far in the ally was boy with curly green hair, his back was turned but he was young like them. Wearing a black vest and pants with a dark green dress shirt.
Guards slightly going down but still alert the bakusquad stood there confused. Why is Bakugou reacting like this to a random boy? Who is he?
"Hey Bakugou?" Kirishima spoke up, catching not just Bakugou's attention but the attention of the green haired stranger too. Who turns his head towards the group.
Cold. It was the first thing they noticed when the stranger turned towards them. His eyes were cold, dull and harsh. Their guards went up again at the sight. Those eyes first going to Kirishima, Sero, Kaminari, Mina and finally Bakugou. Something flashed in those green eyes before, "Kacchan!"
It caught them off guard. Both the unfamiliar name and the bright tone of voice that didn't match his demeanor. Who's Kacchan and who is this boy who can't be any older than them all? And why does Bakugou look like he's seen a ghost?
"Deku?" More confusion arises amoung the Bakudquad when Bakugou speaks. Is that the name of the young man in the ally? Their minds swirl with questions but before they can get any answers the green hair boy speaks up.
"You remember me Kacchan! How surprising!" The boy, Deku begins to walk closer to them, making the four beside Bakugou tense up further. Unsure why they feel like they're in the presence of someone dangerous.
"Deku." Bakugou's voice is worrying for it's full of mixed emotions. Sounding so broken and confused.
"Ah Kacchan what are you doung around here? UA isn't even near here!"
What he says is true, they took the bullet train out here because the ramen place with the new spicy noodles Bakugou was interested in were in this area.
"Uh." Words were failing the young blonde, unable to find any that could express what he was feeling.
"Why are you so quiet? It's not like you! You're loud and angry at everything all the time Kacchan!"
Almost another truth, Bakugou was loud and angry but not at everything and not all the time.
"I, deku? How are you here?"
Deku paused at the question and his expression darkened a bit, "I can't answer that Kacchan."
"BUT-!" Bakugou was cut off when Deku was suddenly beside him with an arm on Bakugous shoulders. Leaning close to Bakugous own face.
"I said I can't tell you Kacchan." It was a threat. Not a clear one but the tight grip the gloved hand on Bakugous shoulder said it all. Stop asking.
"No! You were Gone!" He took a deep angry breath, "you disappeared Deku! You can't tell me not to fucking ask! Not when you've been gone for a year!" Bakugou shouted at Deku, clearly not paying attention to the now angry expression on the green boy.
"You don't have the right to ask where I've been Kacchan."
"Like hell I don't! You just disappeared and left with telling no one! You-!"
"Shut up Katsuki!"
It was scary how angry Deku's voice was, it felt like he shouted right back at Bakugou but in reality it was low and controlled. Bakugou looked like he was just punched in the face though. Shock was clear in his expression.
"Why couldn't you just walk away? Why couldn't you just shut up? Why are you even here?! You're supposed to be at UA!"
His tone got louder and angrier with each word until he was now actually shouting.
"Now you're here in my part of the city! Asking me such stupid questions! Questions you have no right to ask!"
"You want to know how I'm here? Where I've been?" He laughed.
"You shouldn't act like you care Katsuki when we both know damn well you don't!"
Bakugou's face was tight with hurt and pain, by the words or the now deadly grip who knows?
"I DO CARE DEKU!"
Suddenly Bakugou had Deku by the shoulders with both his hands, Deku's arm going down to his side. Bakugou's eyes screamed desperation.
By now the other four were shocked and not sure how to react. Did they stop this? What's even happening? Is Bakugou okay? Is-
"Don't say that."
Deku's voice was back to a cold shallow tone with barely contained anger.
"You don't get to say that when it's your fault I left in the first place Katsuki."
The whole group froze. Bakugou's fault? What did he mean? How did these two know each other? Why is this Deku person so angry? Why does Bakugou look so wrecked?
"Um, Bakubro? Who is this? Are you alright?"
Kirishima realized his mistake the moment the words left his mouth. For now the green eyes were on him.
"A friend?"