Chapter Text
Despite the awkwardness of their encounter Kacchan had been helpful, Izuku had found Ms Oshima, a kindly plump woman, who reminded him a little bit of his mother. She had guided him through the back way to Shoto's room due to his insistence on not being a bother for Miss Tokage, unfortunately, he wasn’t so successful he had run into her halfway up a flight of stairs and their greeting had been tense. He felt his cheeks colour with the embarrassment of greeting her with such a frazzled appearance. Thankfully the meeting had been swift, and he had quickly made his way to the room his brother was staying in.
The room was bigger than any in his own home, with luscious decorations, and a calming ivory colouring. The curtains where drawn and the temperature was notably higher than the outside corridors, a result of the fever and lack of fresh air no doubt. Izuku approached the bed where his brother lay bundled up in thick blankets, a result of Mr Kirishima he suspected. He smiled fondly and gently shook his brother awake.
“You should have seen him Eijiro, I could barely contain myself,” Setsuna Tokage was lounging in her chair screeching at her cousin. Katsuki looked over his book irritated; he could barely stand her.
Kirishima smiled awkwardly rubbing the back of his head, his discomfort obvious.
“Well, I think it shows he cares about his brother, very manly if you ask me,”
Miss Tokage snickered “I’d say it was anything but, did you see what he looked like, his hair! And up to his neck in mud, I hear you had a run in with him Mr Bakugou,”
she turned to him coyly and Katsuki rolled his eyes, if she hadn’t been Kirishima’s cousin he would have sent her away weeks ago. She was far too clingy, always pawing at him, rubbing up against him, worst yet her proximity let faint traces of her scent linger around him, it made his stomach turn, sickly sweet and suffocating. Ever since they had arrived, she had been making snide remarks, about the houses, the people, hell even the weather. She seemed to be particularly venomous towards the Midoriya family. Katsuki hadn’t exactly been very welcoming either, but he had his reasons.
For all his bitterness, privately he had been wrestling with the events of that morning he couldn’t shake the image of a windswept Deku crashing into him. Ruddy cheeks and those big green eyes that stared right through him. He hadn’t changed, still the same naïve brat from when they were children…
“I couldn’t care less, Deku seemed fine to me,” he turned away and returned to his novel.
She faltered for a minute before humming to herself, ‘well I know I would never behave so poorly, tell me why do you call him that awful name?”
At that Katsuki felt his patience wear dangerously thin, he sent a glare over to Kirishima indicating that he needed to control his cousin or Katsuki would do it for him.
“Ah leave it Setsuna, that’s no concern of ours anyway, besides the Midoriya’s and the Bakugou’s knew each other a while back!” Kirishima hurried to answer physically placing himself between the two, she looked unsatisfied but left it at that. A few minutes later she grew bored and left the room taking with her the uncomfortable tension that had built up.
Kirishima turned to him “well that sure hit a nerve didn’t it,” he said grinning awkwardly.
“I know this situation must be hard for you, but you have to admit the Midoriya’s seem like a genuinely good family, I know things were difficult before, but you know Bakugou, you could always- “
“leave it alone Kirishima,” it was a warning, he had confided in Kirishima long ago under the strict agreement that they would never discuss it again. Katsuki was in no mood to revisit the past, he aggressively turned the page to his book a sign that the discussion was over.
Kirishima sighed, “I thought as much,” he left to check on his guests.
Izuku sat by his brother’s side, holding his hand tenderly as Shoto nursed the fever.
“I feel like such a nuisance,” he said quite bashfully. He was sitting upright in a new dressing gown, the old one had been soaked with sweat. Izuku had drawn the curtains and opened the windows, determined for some fresh air to get in and cleanse the room of its sickly atmosphere. Within the past few hours, Shoto had improved, speaking easier than before.
“don’t be silly, we both know it’s not your fault you got caught up in all that rain,” he smiled broadly and Shoto let out a small laugh, their poor mother really was unparalleled. As the siblings talked a knock sounded at the door,
“it’s me, I’ve come to inquire about Mr Midoriya… the sick one that is!” Izuku bit his tongue to stifle his laughter. Shoto panicked for a second, pulling the sheets up to his neck, not wanting to look improper in front of Mr Kirishima,
“don’t worry I won’t come in, only, has he improved Mr Izuku?”
“I am afraid that he is still quite unwell,” he raised his palm to his brother's forehead, the fever still scalding at his skin.
“Let me send for the doctor again, and you must stay until your brother is recovered,” Izuku detected a slight trace of worry in his voice, it seemed he really had grown quite attached.
Shoto spoke up straining his voice “Oh, I would not wish to inconvenience you.” He sounded Just as flustered as Mr Kirishima, Izuku could bet that if he opened the door their faces would be as red as each other.
“No, no on my honour as an alpha I wouldn’t stand for anything else. I’ll send to Sanso for your clothes directly.”
His sincere determination melted Shoto immediately who obediently melted further into the bed seemingly very comfortable despite his sickness.
Deku called out his thanks “Your very kind, sir.” While he had been right in his judgement of Kacchan, Mr Kirishima seemed to truly be a gentleman, caring and patient, perhaps a little eager but kindly none the less.
“Oh, and Mr Izuku, come join us this evening, it’s much better fun when there’s more of us.”
Izuku couldn’t imagine anything more beastly.
The evening came far sooner than expected, Izuku sat at the dresser table trying to tame his hair well enough so he wouldn’t completely embarrass himself again. He brushed the thick curls down and tucked them behind his ears, but the curls always seemed to bounce back up. He sighed, resigned to his defeat, he turned to his brother and smiled
“do you think I’ll disgrace you then?”
Shoto laughed fondly, shaking his head as he chided him “you look nice, don’t worry, even if they don’t realise it.’
Izuku moved to sit with his brother, curling his small figure up against him,
“I wish I could just stay with you; I don’t think I can stand a whole evening of being criticised by Miss Tokage and…you know who?” he sighed resting his cheek against Shoto’s shoulder.
“only your Mr Kirishima is kind and friendly”
Shoto became flustered “He is not my Mr Kirishima” the blush striking at his neck and cheeks. Izuku chuckled, his brother was too easy to tease.
He got up, stretching slightly, “Oh, I think he is. Or he very soon will be.” He winked, then kissed his temple before making his way downstairs, steeling himself for a difficult night.
Surprisingly dinner that evening wasn’t particularly unpleasant, the food was nice, which struck Izuku as being expected, such a fine house certainly had a fine chef and Mr Kirishima was happy to carry the conversation while everyone else responded dully to his promptings, everyone except for Kacchan who barely ate and spent the evening looking rather irritated, Izuku could have sworn if he was not tersely answering his friend then he was glaring at him. It made Izuku shiver.
They retired to the drawing-room, where Mr Kirishima and his cousin began to play a game of cards. The room was large and imposing with dark green curtains and accents on all the furniture, in the centre was a long white Chaise longue with gold detailing and pillows with green patterns. Mr Kirishima had been kind enough to loan him a novel for the evening, with the promise of showing him the library at a more opportune moment (preferably when his brother was well again). He sat on the lounge and began to read, happy to sit silently for the rest of the evening, he didn’t expect kacchan to suddenly ask him
“How is your brother?” Izuku startled, he glanced across the room where Kacchan sat at a desk thoroughly engrossed in writing, he could almost believe that he’d misheard, but he knew it would be rude to ignore him
“he is a little better, thank you,” he squeaked out politely as he could. Kacchan hummed in reply. From across the room Miss Tokage glared at them.
“Will you join us Mr Midoriya?” she asked placing down her hand of cards. She looked at him expectantly, her dark sharp eyes scrutinising him from afar, it was daunting, not in the way Mr Kirishima or even Kacchan were. Her stare was malicious, and Izuku knew it was better to stay away.
“Thank you, but no,” he tried to retreat into his book, but she was persistent, she smiled.
“You prefer reading to cards, do you? How strange”
“I think it’s great, to be such an accomplished reader, I admire you!” Mr Kirishima called twisting his body to face Izuku, giving a wide smile, Izuku flushed at the praise, grateful for the rescue,
“ah, I wouldn’t say I’m acc-“ before he could finish his sentence Miss Tokage was addressing Kacchan.
“what are you doing so secretly Mr Bakugou” he didn’t stop his writings, but his scowl deepened creasing his handsome brow.
“it’s no secret, I’m writing to my sister,” he stiffened slightly, hand flexing around his pen.
‘Oh, little Eri, I must see her sometime soon,”
Izuku stopped his reading, he had known Kacchan since they were children, they had grown together, practically inseparable from infancy. In all that time Izuku had never known him to have a sibling. Before he could contain himself, he had already asked
“I didn’t know you had a sister?”
he was genuine in his confusion, honesty etched into his expressive eyes. The alpha’s expression became unreadable, his red intense eyes scrutinising him, perhaps in search of sincerity. Katsuki turned his gaze back to his letters.
“and I didn’t know you’d collected four other siblings, but then again things change don’t they” the venomous worlds left Izuku taken aback, was that mean to insult him, his siblings were his family, clearly Kacchan disapproved, once again he was reminded of his dislike for this new cruel Mr Bakugou.
“Your right, I suppose they do,” he said not caring to earn a response. Any sister of his must be just as cold and conceited. Izuku returned to his book, thoroughly irritated. Unfortunately, that was not the last time he was disturbed.
“she is so talented, it seems now all omegas are all exceedingly talented, singing, drawing, playing the piano,”
Mr Kirishima seemed easily impressed in a sweet naïve way, his omega cousin was not so easily swayed. She neatly packed her hand of cards away before standing up and slowly making her way around the room, her opulent dress swaying as she moved. As she did Kacchan spoke,
“you're too easily impressed, there aren’t a dozen who meet the requirements of being accomplished, most are still snivelling at the skirts of their mothers,”
Izuku bristled, he couldn’t comprehend Kacchan’s criticisms when he so clearly lacked any basic sense of manners. Surely no accomplished alpha was so rude and conceited. He steeled himself to remain focused on his book and would have stayed that way had it not been for Miss Tokage,
“I agree, I know of none,”
“you must hold the idea of an ‘accomplished omega’ in high regards then, to be so critical?” Izuku smiled at Kacchan without an ounce of sweetness. He said nothing, but his hand stilled his eyes narrowing, Miss Tokage seemed happy to continue
“I do, an omega must have a knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and the modern languages to deserve the word,”
Izuku wondered if perhaps she was trying to endear herself to Kacchan, if only they understood that their great fortunes allowed them the opportunity and free hours to pursue such activities. Not everyone was so fortunate, Izuku knew this well. As children they had no governess, learning at home from their mother and father, their musical knowledge was competent at best and non-existent at worst, him landing squarely in the middle. All other requirements came contingent on money, which his family sorely lacked. Which Miss Tokage seemed to relish.
“And there must be something singular, in the way they walk,” she made a point of swaying her body as she moved, if Izuku had less self-control he would have groaned.
From across the room, the alpha spoke “And they must improve their mind by extensive reading,”
Izuku slammed his book shut. He could tell when he was being mocked. Placing the novel aside he addressed the man who he had admired so greatly as a child.
“I'm no longer surprised at your knowing a few ‘accomplished’ omegas, I wonder at you knowing any, with such high standards,’ Kacchan threw his pen down, unashamedly addressing him
“It doesn’t surprise me that you underestimate your own sex the same way you underestimate yourself.”
Izuku wondered what happened to that sweet, bold child he had known, he feared that Kacchan had vanished forever.
“In not so sure Mr Bakugou” Kacchan’s eye twitched and Izuku smiled openly,
“whoever they are, they must be fearsome to behold.” A heavy sliced enveloped the pair for a singular moment, both their expressions unreadable.
“Mr Midoriya, will you take a turn about the room with me,” Miss Tokage spoke, her tone somewhat more panicked than before, there was no room for refusal, so he rose, and Miss Tokage linked their arms together as they took measured steps together. Kacchan returned to his writing, while Miss Tokage glanced over her shoulder to gaze at him.
“Will you not join us, Mr Bakugou?” she asked coyly, clearly hoping for the alpha to replace him on her arm.
“What would be the point In that?” once again he was thoroughly engrossed in his writings, no doubt tired of the tedious company of such unaccomplished omegas.
“Well, what do you mean by that?” to Izuku’s horror his proximity to her meant he caught a vague notion of her ever ripening scent, sickly and crushing.
“I think we would do better not to inquire.” Izuku was eager to stop any more conversations with Kacchan, his nerves growing in intensity
“no, we insist on knowing what you mean!” Her playfulness only increased with Izuku’s hesitance.
“I’m sure that you know, your figures appear to be most attractive when walking, sitting here I can admire you better,” he slumped back in his chair eyeing them openly, his gaze not predatory but something else something much more calculating. Izuku felt himself blush, that was unnecessary even for Kacchan the very notion of it left Izuku mortified, to be looked at in that way by kacchan…
“What a scandalous thing to say. How should we punish him, Mr Izuku?” She gave a vapid giggle.
Izuku knew Kacchan wanted something to bite onto, something as vicious as he was, but Izuku had grown tired of the malicious aura he took so much pleasure in exuding. Teasing would be so much better.
“We should laugh at him.”
They stopped in front of Kacchan and Miss Tokage thankfully let go of his arm.
“Laugh at Mr Bakugou? Impossible. He is an alpha without fault.”
Izuku bit his lip. That was a sentiment he had heard before, even as a child Kacchan was lorded as the image of the ideal alpha, confident and explosive he commanded the room with his presence. Izuku’s meekness often led him to be teased by his friend. As children, Kacchan had always known him as weak, berating him for every small thing
“always stay behind me Deku, what would you do without me huh?”
Izuku broke away from the memory
“Is he indeed? An alpha without fault?
He raised his eyebrow in challenge, he wondered if Kacchan still felt the same. Evidently, he did, his reply was as curt as ever
“I avoid falling to weaknesses, anyone with self-respect should try and do the same,”
“Weaknesses?! Such as pride…or arrogance perhaps?” Kacchan’s expression turned icy
“You would say pride is a weakness, but when there is clear superiority, there’s no point in denying it “
Izuku looked rather amused, even a little triumphant, perhaps Kacchan wasn’t so perfect after all if he couldn’t recognise the hypocrisy in his own words and manners.
“I know my faults, I know I’m not forgiving, and I don’t give second chances,”
Izuku paused, taking a moment to stare at him, to really look at the man sitting an arm’s length away, and for the first time since they had reencountered one, another Izuku felt his heartache at the loss of their friendship. His amusement faded away and he gave a small resigned smile
“That is a failing, indeed Kacchan,” he had forgotten his previous resolve of calling him by a more appropriate name
“But I cannot laugh at it.” He spoke as if they were children again, still holding hands in that field.
“It’s a shame, you know that I love to laugh.” Kacchan stared at him silently
Mr Kirishima gave an awkward cough, forgotten in the confusion of the evening
“Err, shall we have some music? Be a shame not to”
Miss Tokage made her way to the piano and began to play, Izuku bowed at Kacchan before returning to the Chaise longue. He opened his book but found himself unable to take in a single word.