#bkdk #hogwartsau #crack #fluff
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Imagine: Deku accidentally takes a love potion and everyone starts acting weird.
Except Kacchan.
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Imagine: Deku accidentally takes a love potion and everyone starts acting weird.
Except Kacchan.
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"Hey, Mido," Hatsume greeted him, dropping her bag on his library table.
He flinched. He couldn't really help it. The library was usually quiet, and Hatsume didn't know the meaning of the word.
Besides, Hatsume approaching him usually meant he was—
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"Hey, Mido," Hatsume greeted him, dropping her bag on his library table.
He flinched. He couldn't really help it. The library was usually quiet, and Hatsume didn't know the meaning of the word.
Besides, Hatsume approaching him usually meant he was—
about to be in some sort of trouble.
He breathed a sigh of relief when she pulled a box out of her bag and set it in front of him. "Your potions for the month. If you miss a dose, come see me."
Izuku Midoriya was a werewolf. Thankfully, some of the stigma around—
He breathed a sigh of relief when she pulled a box out of her bag and set it in front of him. "Your potions for the month. If you miss a dose, come see me."
Izuku Midoriya was a werewolf. Thankfully, some of the stigma around—
lycanthropy had died down, but he was still monitored closely, and a lot of his classmates treated him as persona-non-grata.
He didn't mind. He had a good group of friends, and he didn't need anyone else.
Well. He didn't *need* anyone else, but he definitely wanted someone.
He didn't mind. He had a good group of friends, and he didn't need anyone else.
Well. He didn't *need* anyone else, but he definitely wanted someone.
But that was a problem for another day.
"Did you do anything to this batch?" he asked, fond yet suspicious. Hatsume's potions tampering had gotten him into quite a few tight spots.
She was one of his best friends, but that didn't mean he appreciated having—
"Did you do anything to this batch?" he asked, fond yet suspicious. Hatsume's potions tampering had gotten him into quite a few tight spots.
She was one of his best friends, but that didn't mean he appreciated having—
an extra arm for a whole week. Even if had been handy during quidditch.
"Nope. Same old, same old," she sighed. "I've been forbidden from tampering with wolfsbane. Even though my tampering is what made this version so successful."
"Nope. Same old, same old," she sighed. "I've been forbidden from tampering with wolfsbane. Even though my tampering is what made this version so successful."
It was true. The crappy old version made by Damocles Belby was a thing of the past because of Hatsume. Now, he had a daily dose potion that didn't taste like sewer water and didn't have god-awful side effects.
Last he checked, she'd been attempting to improve it further by—
Last he checked, she'd been attempting to improve it further by—
making him more 'human' during his transformation, but that hadn't taken.
They didn't want to risk the potion being completely ineffective, so they'd stopped Hatsume's live-experimentation.
"Okay," he smiled up at her. "Wanna stay and study?"
They didn't want to risk the potion being completely ineffective, so they'd stopped Hatsume's live-experimentation.
"Okay," he smiled up at her. "Wanna stay and study?"
She pulled an apologetic face. "I have to go," she replied. "I have three other projects brewing that I need to check up on. And I promised Madam Chiyo that I'd top up her potions stores this week."
His smile only fell a fraction. "No worries! I'll catch up with you at dinner.
His smile only fell a fraction. "No worries! I'll catch up with you at dinner.
Or after dinner. You need to catch me up on what you're working on!"
She gave him a fond smile. "If you want you can come sit with me and Yaomomo at dinner," she offered. Most of the Ravenclaw table treated him like a threat, but not those two.
She gave him a fond smile. "If you want you can come sit with me and Yaomomo at dinner," she offered. Most of the Ravenclaw table treated him like a threat, but not those two.
Still, the suspicious stares could be...awful. "I'll think about it," he smiled thinly. And he would. The Gryffindor table was only slightly better, but most of them gave him varying levels of cold-shoulder, too.
He was a werewolf who was friends with Slytherins, after all.
He was a werewolf who was friends with Slytherins, after all.
Only a few, but enough to make the Gryffindors suspicious of him.
That was probably the biggest reason he'd been a hat-stall. He didn't really fit in anywhere, but he also fit in everywhere.
He had the ambition for Slytherin, but the bravery and recklessness of a Gryffindor.
That was probably the biggest reason he'd been a hat-stall. He didn't really fit in anywhere, but he also fit in everywhere.
He had the ambition for Slytherin, but the bravery and recklessness of a Gryffindor.
He was kind and loyal like a Hufflepuff, and he was analytical and enthusiastic about knowledge like a Ravenclaw.
On the flip side, he was a muggleborn, which counted him out of Slytherin; he was comfortable with the morally grey which made him a sore spot in Gryffindor, and he—
On the flip side, he was a muggleborn, which counted him out of Slytherin; he was comfortable with the morally grey which made him a sore spot in Gryffindor, and he—
had a competitive brutality that just didn't fly in Hufflepuff.
Honestly, he should have been a Ravenclaw. He would have fit in pretty well there. But his reckless streak—the one that got him to abandon all sense of self preservation in a crisis—had landed him in Gryffindor.
Honestly, he should have been a Ravenclaw. He would have fit in pretty well there. But his reckless streak—the one that got him to abandon all sense of self preservation in a crisis—had landed him in Gryffindor.
And to top that all off, he was a potential danger to his peers.
So yeah, he didn't exactly fit in very well.
But he didn't mind. He had a couple good friends in every house, and he mostly kept to himself except for Quidditch.
Honestly, he was pretty blessed.
So yeah, he didn't exactly fit in very well.
But he didn't mind. He had a couple good friends in every house, and he mostly kept to himself except for Quidditch.
Honestly, he was pretty blessed.
"If you're not gonna study then get the fuck out," a gruff voice snapped. Izuku smiled on instinct.
It had taken years, but he and Katsuki were friends again. The volatile Slytherin had been furious when Izuku had showed up to Hogwarts—
It had taken years, but he and Katsuki were friends again. The volatile Slytherin had been furious when Izuku had showed up to Hogwarts—
convinced that Izuku had been making a fool out of him by pretending to not know about magic.
Then, after he'd established that he was muggleborn, Katsuki had been infuriated that Izuku was so utterly adept at magic. That it came to him like second nature.
Then, after he'd established that he was muggleborn, Katsuki had been infuriated that Izuku was so utterly adept at magic. That it came to him like second nature.
It had only gotten worse when Izuku had made his quidditch team at the same time that Katsuki made Slytherin's—both of them forward Chasers.
And then, for some reason, Katsuki had absolutely *hated him* for standing up for him when some of his house-mates had been talking shit.
And then, for some reason, Katsuki had absolutely *hated him* for standing up for him when some of his house-mates had been talking shit.
Well, standing up for him was a mild word. Izuku had basically bitched them out in the Great Hall for being closed-minded assholes. Apparently, that had been humiliating for Katsuki. A nearly unforgivable offense.
It had taken a month-long detention stint where they were—
It had taken a month-long detention stint where they were—
both required to clean out the potions labs together for them to finally sort their shit out. That had been in their fourth year.
Now, in their sixth year, they were rivals but they were definitely friends. And that was definitely enough for Izuku.
100%.
Now, in their sixth year, they were rivals but they were definitely friends. And that was definitely enough for Izuku.
100%.
It definitely didn't matter that his Amortentia smelled like burnt caramel, old books, and broom polish. It only mattered that Katsuki—the childhood friend who had spun wild stories about mermaids and dragons and magic—was finally by his side again.
"Hey Kacchan," Izuku smiled.
"Hey Kacchan," Izuku smiled.
He was unaware of how Hatsume watched his smile blossom, delighted that something brought him joy when he seemed so hard-wired for struggle.
"Nerd. Ready to get your ass kicked in Arithmancy?" he asked, grinning back—sharp and combative.
"Nerd. Ready to get your ass kicked in Arithmancy?" he asked, grinning back—sharp and combative.
"Please," Izuku scoffed, playfully confident. "When's the last time you beat me in Arithmancy? In utero?"
He felt so at home in his skin with Katsuki. Katsuki was the only person who could match him. He was sure of it.
"Cruising for a brusing, GryffinDork," Katuski warned,—
He felt so at home in his skin with Katsuki. Katsuki was the only person who could match him. He was sure of it.
"Cruising for a brusing, GryffinDork," Katuski warned,—
pulling his books out of his bag. "I'm gonna destroy you this time."
"Promises, promises," Izuku sighed, leaning back in his chair as though he were bored.
He wasn't bored. His blood was *singing* with the promise of challenge.
"Promises, promises," Izuku sighed, leaning back in his chair as though he were bored.
He wasn't bored. His blood was *singing* with the promise of challenge.
"I'll leave you two alone," Hatsume said. "Remember to come see me if you have any dosage issues, Mido!"
Izuku didn't even watch her go—opting to watch Katsuki leaf through his parchment with long, dextrous fingers.
"Your shitty potions giving you problems, Deku?"—
Izuku didn't even watch her go—opting to watch Katsuki leaf through his parchment with long, dextrous fingers.
"Your shitty potions giving you problems, Deku?"—
he asked, still crisp with irritation but a little quieter than before so that Mister Sasaki wouldn't kick them out of the library.
"No, just starting a new cycle," he replied. "But since the new potion is still technically experimental, Hatsume has to keep an eye on me."
"No, just starting a new cycle," he replied. "But since the new potion is still technically experimental, Hatsume has to keep an eye on me."
"Of all the shitty, idiotic things to do," Katsuki grumbled. "Taking experimental potions from that psycho—"
"She's not a psycho, she's brilliant," Izuku insisted. "She's just...overenthusiastic."
Katsuki looked up with an unimpressed glare.
"She's not a psycho, she's brilliant," Izuku insisted. "She's just...overenthusiastic."
Katsuki looked up with an unimpressed glare.
"She tried to carry seventeen kilos of undiluted bubotuber pus through the middle of the Great Hall with a compression spell as her containment method. Not even a fucking *jar,* Deku."
Izuku shrugged. "Sometimes she doesn't think things through."
Katsuki scoffed.
Izuku shrugged. "Sometimes she doesn't think things through."
Katsuki scoffed.
"No wonder you two get along so well," he griped.
"Hey! I think things through!" Izuku huffed.
The look Katsuki gave him for that was still unimpressed, but 100 times more incredulous. "Right. So canonballing the giant squid instead of just—
"Hey! I think things through!" Izuku huffed.
The look Katsuki gave him for that was still unimpressed, but 100 times more incredulous. "Right. So canonballing the giant squid instead of just—
using a tickling charm on it was thought through?"
"That's different, he was trying to drown a first year! And that was like...two years ago. You can't hold that against me!"
"That first year was throwing rocks at him, so serves him right. But still, he's a *giant* squid. What—
"That's different, he was trying to drown a first year! And that was like...two years ago. You can't hold that against me!"
"That first year was throwing rocks at him, so serves him right. But still, he's a *giant* squid. What—
good did the canonball do?"
"He knows me," Izuku huffed. "We play together during full moons. I was hoping he'd decide to hang out with me and let the first year go."
Katsuki closed his eyes and inhaled through his nose—the universal sign that he was trying his fucking best—
"He knows me," Izuku huffed. "We play together during full moons. I was hoping he'd decide to hang out with me and let the first year go."
Katsuki closed his eyes and inhaled through his nose—the universal sign that he was trying his fucking best—
to not explode.
Getting Katsuki to use his words was Izuku's greatest accomplishment in life. And he'd once pantsed the entire Slytherin Quidditch team at once.
"You *play* with the giant squid? As a turned werewolf?" he demanded quietly.
Getting Katsuki to use his words was Izuku's greatest accomplishment in life. And he'd once pantsed the entire Slytherin Quidditch team at once.
"You *play* with the giant squid? As a turned werewolf?" he demanded quietly.
Ah. Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned that. "Um. Yes?"
"What if he *drowns your wolfy ass?*" Katsuki hissed.
Izuku shrugged. "Cool story to tell at my funeral?" he joked. It was not received well.
"When you die, the only story I'll tell at your funeral is—
"What if he *drowns your wolfy ass?*" Katsuki hissed.
Izuku shrugged. "Cool story to tell at my funeral?" he joked. It was not received well.
"When you die, the only story I'll tell at your funeral is—
how you pissed yourself when Maggie Marsden's dog chased you," Katsuki snapped.
Izuku pouted. "Mean, Kacchan."
"You deserve it for *swimming with a giant squid as a fucking wolf!*"
"He's nice! He's just a little testy," Izuku defended. He wanted to laugh when—
Izuku pouted. "Mean, Kacchan."
"You deserve it for *swimming with a giant squid as a fucking wolf!*"
"He's nice! He's just a little testy," Izuku defended. He wanted to laugh when—
Katsuki grit his teeth in frustration.
Sometimes it surprised him how much Katsuki *cared.* "If he's a little testy, you're a little testicle!" he snapped. "You're gonna give me a fucking heart attack one of these days you shitty Lion Turd."
Sometimes it surprised him how much Katsuki *cared.* "If he's a little testy, you're a little testicle!" he snapped. "You're gonna give me a fucking heart attack one of these days you shitty Lion Turd."
"Hmmm," Izuku tapped his chin. "Pretty sure I'm not a testicle. And don't you need a heart to have a heart attack?"
"Fuck. You."
Izuku grinned, heart warm. "It's okay, Kacchan. Your soft gooey center can be our little secret."
"Fuck. You."
Izuku grinned, heart warm. "It's okay, Kacchan. Your soft gooey center can be our little secret."
"I'm gonna tie you up and leave you in the forest," Katsuki warned, his furious glare doing its best to char Izuku's skin.
His eyes were so beautiful when they burned. His guilty pleasure was riling Katsuki up so that he could see them spark and blaze.
It was kinda pathetic.
His eyes were so beautiful when they burned. His guilty pleasure was riling Katsuki up so that he could see them spark and blaze.
It was kinda pathetic.
"Eh," he shrugged. "It's been a while since I've visited the Acromantula. Might be nice."
Another deep breath. "The *acromantula?*"
Izuku grimaced. He *definitely* shouldn't have mentioned that.
Their "study session" was pretty much blown after that.
Another deep breath. "The *acromantula?*"
Izuku grimaced. He *definitely* shouldn't have mentioned that.
Their "study session" was pretty much blown after that.
They'd spent the entire time bickering about what was and wasn't safe to do on Hogwarts grounds, with or without werewolf teeth.
He was touched by Katsuki's concern, especially since he thought he'd *never* get it.
That night, he dutifully swallowed the potion—
He was touched by Katsuki's concern, especially since he thought he'd *never* get it.
That night, he dutifully swallowed the potion—
that Hatsume had given him, appreciating the gentle warmth that draped over his bones. With Belby's Wolfsbane, he'd felt like his body was a cage and the beast within was rattling the bars.
With Hatsume's, he and his furry little problem were at peace with each other, and—
With Hatsume's, he and his furry little problem were at peace with each other, and—
the potion felt like a blanket. A comfort for the beast that made it less restless.
He was so grateful for the people who looked out for him. He barely deserved them.
With that thought in mind, he drifted off—the potion seeping into his body as the night fell quiet.
He was so grateful for the people who looked out for him. He barely deserved them.
With that thought in mind, he drifted off—the potion seeping into his body as the night fell quiet.
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tbc! remember to QRT your comments so I can interact with them <3 if you're able, tips are super appreciated!
ko-fi.com/s_the_queen
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tbc! remember to QRT your comments so I can interact with them <3 if you're able, tips are super appreciated!
ko-fi.com/s_the_queen
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It took him two days to realize that anything was wrong.
He wasn't popular with his peers. More often than not, it made them nervous, so he avoided eye contact. Hell, he avoided interaction.
It was for the best. If looked confident, people got nervous. If he was—
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It took him two days to realize that anything was wrong.
He wasn't popular with his peers. More often than not, it made them nervous, so he avoided eye contact. Hell, he avoided interaction.
It was for the best. If looked confident, people got nervous. If he was—
passionate about something, they'd look at him like he was going to explode.
He'd learned not to defend himself, too. Once, a group of older Slytherins had slammed into him and made him drop his books. He'd been tired and he'd snapped at them, and they'd claimed he'd gone feral.
He'd learned not to defend himself, too. Once, a group of older Slytherins had slammed into him and made him drop his books. He'd been tired and he'd snapped at them, and they'd claimed he'd gone feral.
Not that werewolves actually went feral outside of full moons. But some of the more...ignorant faculty didn't know that.
So yeah, if he stepped 'out of line' he'd usually catch some sort of bullshit. When he graduated in a year, he wanted to search the wild for—
So yeah, if he stepped 'out of line' he'd usually catch some sort of bullshit. When he graduated in a year, he wanted to search the wild for—
magical creatures so that he wouldn't have to deal with prejudiced wizards.
But now, something strange was happening, and he wasn't really sure what.
"Midoriya," a soft voice called. He looked up, locking eyes with Uraraka. "I uh," she blushed violently. "Um. I was wondering—
But now, something strange was happening, and he wasn't really sure what.
"Midoriya," a soft voice called. He looked up, locking eyes with Uraraka. "I uh," she blushed violently. "Um. I was wondering—
if you were done with Gable's Compendium?"
"I still have a few things to look up, but my assignment isn't due for a few more weeks," he replied amicably. "You can borrow it, just make sure to get it back to me." She blushed a little harder.
"I still have a few things to look up, but my assignment isn't due for a few more weeks," he replied amicably. "You can borrow it, just make sure to get it back to me." She blushed a little harder.
"Oh, uh," she sat down next to him, and he frowned. That had definitely never happened before. "What's your assignment?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Probably the same one you're working on," he replied slowly. "The Care of Magical Creatures assignment?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Probably the same one you're working on," he replied slowly. "The Care of Magical Creatures assignment?"
"Oh, right," she giggled. "Silly me. I meant, uh, which creature did you pick to work on?"
"Grindylows," he replied, still not entirely sure why they were having this conversation. They'd been in the same house for years and hadn't had a conversation more than twice.
"Grindylows," he replied, still not entirely sure why they were having this conversation. They'd been in the same house for years and hadn't had a conversation more than twice.
"Oh really? I thought you'd pick something more exotic," she breathed, leaning in. He leaned back reflexively. "You know so much about magical creatures."
"Grindylows may not be exotic, but they're fascinating," he assured her with a small smile. "We tend to only study—
"Grindylows may not be exotic, but they're fascinating," he assured her with a small smile. "We tend to only study—
creatures as they relate to us. How their behavior affects wizards. We don't know a lot about grindylows beyond their tendency to drown people."
She leaned her cheek into her palm, looking up at him doe-eyed. "So what do you want to know about them?" she asked,—
She leaned her cheek into her palm, looking up at him doe-eyed. "So what do you want to know about them?" she asked,—
sounding a little breathless.
He considered her carefully. It wouldn't be the first time someone made fun of his interests. Like the last time he had a group project and his partner pretended to be interested so that Izuku would do the work.
But she looked genuine enough.
He considered her carefully. It wouldn't be the first time someone made fun of his interests. Like the last time he had a group project and his partner pretended to be interested so that Izuku would do the work.
But she looked genuine enough.
"I wanted to study their hunting patterns with aquatic life. I know how they hunt humans, they just drown them. But they hunt humans in packs. Do they do that with other animals? Do they eat mermaids? We just...don't know that much about them because we avoid them. Just like—
acromantula and the kamaitachi. We never search for them beyond trying to see how they distrupt our lives, you know?"
"I love the way your mind works," she replied, scooting closer. He was running out of space to run away. "It's fascinating. You—
"I love the way your mind works," she replied, scooting closer. He was running out of space to run away. "It's fascinating. You—
care so much about them. Aren't you worried that it's dangerous?"
"He has no self preservation in his shrimpy-ass body," Katsuki scoffed, walking up to his table. Izuku felt his entire body unclench now that there was a witness to this weirdness who was definitely in his corner.
"He has no self preservation in his shrimpy-ass body," Katsuki scoffed, walking up to his table. Izuku felt his entire body unclench now that there was a witness to this weirdness who was definitely in his corner.
"Bakugou," she greeted him, polite but cold. "What are you doing here?"
Katsuki looked around the library very deliberately, and Izuku valiantly fought an urge to laugh. "It's a *library* Cheeks. I'm here to study. What are *you* doing here?" he demanded,—
Katsuki looked around the library very deliberately, and Izuku valiantly fought an urge to laugh. "It's a *library* Cheeks. I'm here to study. What are *you* doing here?" he demanded,—
eyes flicking to Izuku and back.
"Just asking Izuku about his Care of Magical Creatures project?" she replied brightly. "It's fascinating."
"Yeah, fascinating. He's gonna go skinny dipping with a Grindylow pack and get himself drowned. Fantastic," he replied sarcastically.
"Just asking Izuku about his Care of Magical Creatures project?" she replied brightly. "It's fascinating."
"Yeah, fascinating. He's gonna go skinny dipping with a Grindylow pack and get himself drowned. Fantastic," he replied sarcastically.
"Since when do you give a shit about grindylows?" he asked, subtly defensive. Izuku only noticed be cause he *knew* Katsuki.
It was sweet of him to be so protective.
"Well he has such a unique perspective," she sighed, turning her eyes back to him. "I couldn't help—
It was sweet of him to be so protective.
"Well he has such a unique perspective," she sighed, turning her eyes back to him. "I couldn't help—
but be fascinated."
"He's always had a unique perspective. Pretty sure you've never given a shit before," he snapped.
"Kacchan, it's fine," Izuku assured him, unearthing the book she'd come looking for. "Here's the Compendium. Can you get it back to me in a couple days?"
"He's always had a unique perspective. Pretty sure you've never given a shit before," he snapped.
"Kacchan, it's fine," Izuku assured him, unearthing the book she'd come looking for. "Here's the Compendium. Can you get it back to me in a couple days?"
"Sure," she replied. Their fingers brushed as she took the book, and she blushed again—normally pink cheeks turning scarlet. "Th-thanks," she stuttered before fleeing.
They both stared after her, perplexed. "What the hell was that?" Katsuki scoffed.
They both stared after her, perplexed. "What the hell was that?" Katsuki scoffed.
"I...have no clue," Izuku replied faintly.
"Whatever. Ma sent these for you," he muttered, throwing a prettily wrapped box at Izuku's face—grinning as his it smacked his forehead and Izuku spluttered.
"You could have *handed it to me,*" Izuku griped,—
"Whatever. Ma sent these for you," he muttered, throwing a prettily wrapped box at Izuku's face—grinning as his it smacked his forehead and Izuku spluttered.
"You could have *handed it to me,*" Izuku griped,—
carefully unwrapping the impromptu gift.
"And miss that startled fish look you make whenever someone throws something at you? Not a fuckin' chance. It's a miracle that you made chaser," Katsuki teased.
"Right. Remind me, who has the better pass average?" Izuku replied cheekily—
"And miss that startled fish look you make whenever someone throws something at you? Not a fuckin' chance. It's a miracle that you made chaser," Katsuki teased.
"Right. Remind me, who has the better pass average?" Izuku replied cheekily—
still meticulously unfolding wrapping paper.
"Fuck you, nerd. Just tear the fucking paper, you're not gonna reuse it!" he snapped.
When Izuku finally opened the package, he pulled out a fancy new set of robes. He glanced at the enclosed note and tears stung his eyes.
"Fuck you, nerd. Just tear the fucking paper, you're not gonna reuse it!" he snapped.
When Izuku finally opened the package, he pulled out a fancy new set of robes. He glanced at the enclosed note and tears stung his eyes.
He was *touched* at how thoughtful the gift was.
They weren't dress robes, because Mitsuki knew he'd ruin them. They were practical—stark but clean. Work robes for psychos like him that liked to traipse through magical forests in the dark.
"The fuck are those?" Katsuki asked.
They weren't dress robes, because Mitsuki knew he'd ruin them. They were practical—stark but clean. Work robes for psychos like him that liked to traipse through magical forests in the dark.
"The fuck are those?" Katsuki asked.
"Tear-proof, element-proof robes," Izuku replied quietly, running his fingers over the soft material.
"There's still something in the box, Deku," Katsuki pointed out. Izuku looked down and teared up again when he saw the expertly crafted dragonskin gloves and—
"There's still something in the box, Deku," Katsuki pointed out. Izuku looked down and teared up again when he saw the expertly crafted dragonskin gloves and—
"Oh, are those the ones lined with sphynx talon?" Katsuki asked, picking up the arm guards. "She got me some of these too. Tempted to wear them in a match so I can fuck up Ravenclaw's shitty beater next time."
"It's too much," Izuku protested, trying not to sob. Katsuki hated—
"It's too much," Izuku protested, trying not to sob. Katsuki hated—
crying. It made him uncomfortable. "These must have cost a fortune—"
"Deku. Don't be a fuckin' idiot. Either Auntie ordered them so that you'd stop bleeding out in the middle of the forest, or Ma sent you prototypes because she knows you're a reckless moron."
He sobbed anyway.
"Deku. Don't be a fuckin' idiot. Either Auntie ordered them so that you'd stop bleeding out in the middle of the forest, or Ma sent you prototypes because she knows you're a reckless moron."
He sobbed anyway.
"She takes such good care of me," he said, gripping the robes to his chest. "I'll never be able to repay her for this—"
"Yeah you fuckin' can. Don't fuckin' *die* idiot. She probably sent it because she's tired of hearing that you got fucked up and sent to the hospital wing,"—
"Yeah you fuckin' can. Don't fuckin' *die* idiot. She probably sent it because she's tired of hearing that you got fucked up and sent to the hospital wing,"—
Katsuki snapped.
Izuku nodded tearfully. "I promise I'll be careful but Kacchan, I can't just—"
"I'm not telling you to stop, alright? You wouldn't be your idiotic self if you didn't go trailing after deadly animals in your free time. Just be more fucking careful, shithead."
Izuku nodded tearfully. "I promise I'll be careful but Kacchan, I can't just—"
"I'm not telling you to stop, alright? You wouldn't be your idiotic self if you didn't go trailing after deadly animals in your free time. Just be more fucking careful, shithead."
He sniffled. "Okay," he uttered, still stroking the fabric lovingly. "I gotta send her something as a thank you, though."
Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Stop crying, loser. She likes Peppermint Imps. Just get her a pack of those."
He gave Katsuki a watery smile. "Thanks, Kacchan."
Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Stop crying, loser. She likes Peppermint Imps. Just get her a pack of those."
He gave Katsuki a watery smile. "Thanks, Kacchan."
"Whatever. Can we study now, you goddamn crybaby?"
Izuku conceded quickly, acutely aware of the boiling point for Katsuki's temper. Emotions made him uncomfortable in an awkward and endearing way.
And also a furious and violent way.
He had a thing for dangerous creatures.
Izuku conceded quickly, acutely aware of the boiling point for Katsuki's temper. Emotions made him uncomfortable in an awkward and endearing way.
And also a furious and violent way.
He had a thing for dangerous creatures.
Hours later, Izuku's stomach growled obnoxiously and Katsuki's head snapped up, eyes narrowed in fury. "Did you eat lunch, fuckface?"
"Uh...probably?" Izuku replied, going back over the day. "Actually, maybe not. Professor Ryukyu needed my help with the Roman Wolves—"
"Uh...probably?" Izuku replied, going back over the day. "Actually, maybe not. Professor Ryukyu needed my help with the Roman Wolves—"
"And you skipped lunch to help her," Katsuki huffed, already packing his bag. "Dinner, Deku. Now."
"I can go a bit longer—"
"Dinner. *Now.*"
Izuku pouted, but packed his things. "Can I sit with you? I we can keep working on our star charts that way."
"I can go a bit longer—"
"Dinner. *Now.*"
Izuku pouted, but packed his things. "Can I sit with you? I we can keep working on our star charts that way."
"Sure," Katsuki replied, standing as he waited for Izuku to pack up. "Neito might be there, though."
Izuku shrugged. "Monoma doesn't talk to me if you're around. It should be fine," he smiled serenely. He was safe with Katsuki.
"Better fuckin' not," Katsuki grumbled.
Izuku shrugged. "Monoma doesn't talk to me if you're around. It should be fine," he smiled serenely. He was safe with Katsuki.
"Better fuckin' not," Katsuki grumbled.
And he didn't. Actually, the space bubble that manifested whenever Izuku was near basically cleared a quarter of the table for them.
He was used to people not wanting to be near him.
But then, he made eye contact with a Slytherin sitting further down the table.
Yuga Aoyama.
He was used to people not wanting to be near him.
But then, he made eye contact with a Slytherin sitting further down the table.
Yuga Aoyama.
Izuku averted his eyes quickly. Aoyama was...fine. He was a little pretentious, but generally harmless. Except for that one time he'd used Izuku as bait while they were learning how to herd Hippogriffs. That had sucked.
And his reasoning was something like:
And his reasoning was something like:
"Mais il est une bête aussi, non? He's less likely to be greivously injured."
A beast. He was acceptable collateral damage because he was just another beast to be tamed, just like the hippogriffs.
So yeah. Generally benign, but kind of an ass. Izuku would rather avoid him.
A beast. He was acceptable collateral damage because he was just another beast to be tamed, just like the hippogriffs.
So yeah. Generally benign, but kind of an ass. Izuku would rather avoid him.
But luck didn't seem to be on his side today. Aoyama stood from his seat and approached them, slinking with his hips like he was on a runway.
"Midoriya," Aoyama purred, ignoring Katsuki completely. "How are you this evening, mon cher?"
Izuku's eyebrows shot to his hairline.
"Midoriya," Aoyama purred, ignoring Katsuki completely. "How are you this evening, mon cher?"
Izuku's eyebrows shot to his hairline.
"Uh...fine?"
"Excellent," he smiled...flirtatiously? "You should join us for dinner more often. We miss you when you're not around."
"You...do?" Izuku asked, eyes flicking to Katsuki. He was relieved to find Katsuki staring at Aoyama like he'd—
"Excellent," he smiled...flirtatiously? "You should join us for dinner more often. We miss you when you're not around."
"You...do?" Izuku asked, eyes flicking to Katsuki. He was relieved to find Katsuki staring at Aoyama like he'd—
grown a second head that had nipples for eyes.
"Well I'm not sure about the rest of these ruffians," he admitted, perching himself on the bench as close to Izuku as he could. "But I certainly do."
"The fuck are you talking about, Sparkle Dick?" Katsuki demanded.
"Well I'm not sure about the rest of these ruffians," he admitted, perching himself on the bench as close to Izuku as he could. "But I certainly do."
"The fuck are you talking about, Sparkle Dick?" Katsuki demanded.
"You were bitching about his muttering less than twelve hours ago."
"And then I realized how much I would miss it if it ceased," Aoyama shrugged, not looking away from Izuku's bewildered face. "The background noise is soothing, just like your presence."
"And then I realized how much I would miss it if it ceased," Aoyama shrugged, not looking away from Izuku's bewildered face. "The background noise is soothing, just like your presence."
"Uh," Izuku uttered, eyes flicking from Aoyama who was *too close* to Katsuki who was confused as *fuck.* "Th-thanks, I guess," he stammered.
"The fuck did you smoke, glitter shit?" Katsuki snapped. "Have you ever heard of personal space? Merlin's saggy left nut,—
"The fuck did you smoke, glitter shit?" Katsuki snapped. "Have you ever heard of personal space? Merlin's saggy left nut,—
you're practically making out with him!"
"An excellent idea, non?" he breathed, eyes flicking down to Izuku's lips.
"If you don't back the fuck off him in the next ten seconds, I'm going to blow you up," Katsuki warned, standing to tower over them.
"An excellent idea, non?" he breathed, eyes flicking down to Izuku's lips.
"If you don't back the fuck off him in the next ten seconds, I'm going to blow you up," Katsuki warned, standing to tower over them.
Aoyama sighed mournfully. "Come find me when this barbarian isn't breathing down your neck," he suggested, playful smile teasing the corners of his mouth. "We can get to know each other better."
"When pigs fucking fly, asshole—"
"Relax Kacchan. Uh...thank you, Aoyama, but—
"When pigs fucking fly, asshole—"
"Relax Kacchan. Uh...thank you, Aoyama, but—
I'm not interested. I'm too focused on my studies, and we're really not compatible anyway," he explained—uncomfortable but firm.
"If you change your mind, you know where to find me," he crooned like he was in a trashy romance novel. "I'll be waiting, mon petit chou."
"If you change your mind, you know where to find me," he crooned like he was in a trashy romance novel. "I'll be waiting, mon petit chou."
He flounced away like that entire interaction had been normal, while Izuku and Katsuki stared at each other in disbelief.
"Did he just call me 'his little cabbage'?" Izuku asked quietly. What the hell?
"That was not the weirdest part of that clusterfuck,"—
"Did he just call me 'his little cabbage'?" Izuku asked quietly. What the hell?
"That was not the weirdest part of that clusterfuck,"—
Katsuki protested. "That was the most accurate. You're little and green."
Izuku snorted in amusement. "Shut up."
"You look more like broccoli than cabbage, though," Katsuki continued. "Or like a very short, awkward tree. The Whomping Willow's pathetic cousin—"
"Mean!"
Izuku snorted in amusement. "Shut up."
"You look more like broccoli than cabbage, though," Katsuki continued. "Or like a very short, awkward tree. The Whomping Willow's pathetic cousin—"
"Mean!"
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The weirdness persisted well into the evening. Katsuki had quidditch practice after dinner, so Izuku made a pit stop by the Hufflepuff table before he headed back to the library.
He needed Kaminari.
"Um, excuse me? Kaminari?" he uttered, reluctant to call any—
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The weirdness persisted well into the evening. Katsuki had quidditch practice after dinner, so Izuku made a pit stop by the Hufflepuff table before he headed back to the library.
He needed Kaminari.
"Um, excuse me? Kaminari?" he uttered, reluctant to call any—
attention to himself. Kaminari twisted in his seat to look up at him, eyes widening.
"Hey Mido," he smiled. Kaminari was a good guy. They weren't close, but he was a great partner whenever they had group work, and he was always friendly. He pulled his legs over the bench to—
"Hey Mido," he smiled. Kaminari was a good guy. They weren't close, but he was a great partner whenever they had group work, and he was always friendly. He pulled his legs over the bench to—
face Izuku completely. "What's up?"
"Could you make a Hogsmeade run for me?" he asked quietly. "I need a few boxes of Pepper Imps and some sugar quills," he requested softly.
"How soon do you need them?" Kaminari asked, smile gentle and fond.
"Could you make a Hogsmeade run for me?" he asked quietly. "I need a few boxes of Pepper Imps and some sugar quills," he requested softly.
"How soon do you need them?" Kaminari asked, smile gentle and fond.
"Preferably in the next few days," Izuku replied. "I can pay you a bit extra if that helps—"
"Don't be silly, Mido," Kaminari replied, smiling a little wider. "This one's on me, okay?"
"Oh no, I can't—"
"Let me," Kaminari insisted, standing. "It's no problem. I need some—
"Don't be silly, Mido," Kaminari replied, smiling a little wider. "This one's on me, okay?"
"Oh no, I can't—"
"Let me," Kaminari insisted, standing. "It's no problem. I need some—
stuff from Zonko's anyway, so I don't mind doing you a favor."
Izuku smiled timidly. "Uh, well thanks," he replied, digging his hand into his pocket. "Here's the money for the sweets—"
"No no," Kaminari chuckled, wrapping his hand around Izuku's fingers to—
Izuku smiled timidly. "Uh, well thanks," he replied, digging his hand into his pocket. "Here's the money for the sweets—"
"No no," Kaminari chuckled, wrapping his hand around Izuku's fingers to—
close his fist around the galleons. "Keep your money. It's *on me,*" he explained softly. "Consider it thanks for whatever you're doing differently. You look...adorable," he said, eyes roaming down his body and back up.
Izuku flushed violently. What the hell was going on?
Izuku flushed violently. What the hell was going on?
"Kaminari?"
"Sorry," he replied, withdrawing his hand but stepping a little closer. "I never realized how cute you are, though."
"Uh...aren't you dating Kyoka?" he squeaked, leaning out of Kaminari's space.
"Yeah, if I weren't I'd be asking you out already," he admitted.
"Sorry," he replied, withdrawing his hand but stepping a little closer. "I never realized how cute you are, though."
"Uh...aren't you dating Kyoka?" he squeaked, leaning out of Kaminari's space.
"Yeah, if I weren't I'd be asking you out already," he admitted.
"Um...well, that's very nice, but you probably shouldn't be buying me sweets and flirting with me," Izuku replied reasonably. "I'm flattered, but I don't want to give anyone the wrong idea."
Kaminari sighed. "Fine. Call me Denki, though. I've—
Kaminari sighed. "Fine. Call me Denki, though. I've—
been telling you to for years, I-zu-ku," he teased.
Was Kaminari—Denki—usually this suave? Izuku was pretty sure he could fry an egg on his face at this point—his third year crush on the electric blonde smacking at the back of his head.
Was Kaminari—Denki—usually this suave? Izuku was pretty sure he could fry an egg on his face at this point—his third year crush on the electric blonde smacking at the back of his head.
Thank Merlin for his *current* crush on Katsuki. It was gatekeeping his attention span. "Sure," he replied. "But you're taking the money," he insisted.
Denki sighed, but looked more amused than anything. "You should let people do nice things for you, but fine," he conceded,—
Denki sighed, but looked more amused than anything. "You should let people do nice things for you, but fine," he conceded,—
holding out his hand. "Fork it over, hottie."
Izuku blushed even brighter and shoved the gold into Denki's outstretched palm. "Thanks," he squeaked before beating a hasty retreat.
"I'll find you at breakfast tomorrow!" Denki called over the din in the Great Hall. He heard—
Izuku blushed even brighter and shoved the gold into Denki's outstretched palm. "Thanks," he squeaked before beating a hasty retreat.
"I'll find you at breakfast tomorrow!" Denki called over the din in the Great Hall. He heard—
silence sweep over the hall at Denki's loud declaration, and the desire to hide increased tenfold.
He didn't need the attention.
Izuku threw a halfhearted wave over his shoulder. He was done with today's weirdness. The library should be normal.
He didn't need the attention.
Izuku threw a halfhearted wave over his shoulder. He was done with today's weirdness. The library should be normal.
By the time he got back to his dorm, most of his bunk mates had fallen asleep, and he was *relieved.* He'd spent his hours in the library tucked into the back shelves, hiding from any more unsolicited weirdness.
People already made him nervous. Today had made it worse.
People already made him nervous. Today had made it worse.
He dutifully took his potion, pleased at the gentle weight that settled over his bones—stilling his soul as his cheeks and fingertips tingled. A little different, but it didn't feel significant.
He just felt lulled. Relaxed.
He curled into bed, hoping tomorrow would be normal.
He just felt lulled. Relaxed.
He curled into bed, hoping tomorrow would be normal.
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tbc! if you're having an good time, consider buying me a kofi! and if you subscribe to my $1 patreon tip jar, you can vote on my prompts and threads!
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tbc! if you're having an good time, consider buying me a kofi! and if you subscribe to my $1 patreon tip jar, you can vote on my prompts and threads!
patreon.com/queenswagzilla
ko-fi.com/s_the_queen
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Izuku woke up feeling a little restless. The sun hadn't even risen yet, but he felt like he was going to jump out of his bones at any minute.
He needed to go for a run. The need to *move* burned under his skin, and before he knew it he was pulling on joggers and shoving—
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Izuku woke up feeling a little restless. The sun hadn't even risen yet, but he felt like he was going to jump out of his bones at any minute.
He needed to go for a run. The need to *move* burned under his skin, and before he knew it he was pulling on joggers and shoving—
his shoes into sneakers before slipping out of the common room as quietly as he could.
The crisp, cold morning air did wonders for the buzzing in his veins—stilling his restlessness for a moment as he made his way to the quidditch pitch.
It would be empty today, if—
The crisp, cold morning air did wonders for the buzzing in his veins—stilling his restlessness for a moment as he made his way to the quidditch pitch.
It would be empty today, if—
he remembered correctly. Besides, it was too early for normal people to be awake.
Normal people didn't get the urge to prowl in the middle of the night. Usually, his Wolfsbane tempered that urge, but it wasn't always suppress the instinct completely.
Sometimes—
Normal people didn't get the urge to prowl in the middle of the night. Usually, his Wolfsbane tempered that urge, but it wasn't always suppress the instinct completely.
Sometimes—
the entire school was like a cage and he wanted to snap at the hands that prodded at him. But he had to keep himself sane. He'd kept a lid on himself for six years, he could definitely do it for one more.
No matter how weird everyone was acting.
No matter how restless he felt.
No matter how weird everyone was acting.
No matter how restless he felt.
He started running as soon as his feet hit the grass on the pitch—practically sprinting as he tried to push the itch out from under his skin.
His lungs felt tight with each gulp of cold air, but in a good way—like a clock being rewound so it could run properly.
His lungs felt tight with each gulp of cold air, but in a good way—like a clock being rewound so it could run properly.
"Oi, Deku!"
Izuku skidded to a halt and fell flat on his face.
"Oh shit, did you break your nose again?" Katsuki asked from...somewhere.
"No," Izuku called back, still face down. He turned over slowly, looking straight up. Katsuki was floating overhead on his broom. "Hi."
Izuku skidded to a halt and fell flat on his face.
"Oh shit, did you break your nose again?" Katsuki asked from...somewhere.
"No," Izuku called back, still face down. He turned over slowly, looking straight up. Katsuki was floating overhead on his broom. "Hi."
Katsuki chuckled. "Hey. You good?"
"Yep. You just startled me," he groaned, sitting up as Katsuki touched down. "What are you doing out here so early?"
"Couldn't sleep," he replied. "You get restless again?"
"Yeah," Izuku huffed.
"Isn't your fuckin' potion supposed to help?"
"Yep. You just startled me," he groaned, sitting up as Katsuki touched down. "What are you doing out here so early?"
"Couldn't sleep," he replied. "You get restless again?"
"Yeah," Izuku huffed.
"Isn't your fuckin' potion supposed to help?"
"Yeah, but sometimes it's just not enough," he explained, getting to his feet. "It's not too bad."
"Have you told the psycho chick?"
"Yeah," he replied. "A few years ago. The approval trials said it was standard. Sometimes you're just restless, with or without the potion."
"Have you told the psycho chick?"
"Yeah," he replied. "A few years ago. The approval trials said it was standard. Sometimes you're just restless, with or without the potion."
Katsuki sighed, propping his broom up against the stadium wall. "Well then, nerd. Let's run."
Izuku frowned. "If you were training you don't have to—"
"Deku. I wouldn't have fucking offered if I wasn't up for it," Katsuki huffed. Izuku felt his cheeks warm but hoped that—
Izuku frowned. "If you were training you don't have to—"
"Deku. I wouldn't have fucking offered if I wasn't up for it," Katsuki huffed. Izuku felt his cheeks warm but hoped that—
he could pass his reddened cheeks off as the bite of the cold morning air.
"Alright then," Izuku smiled, a glint of mischief entering his eyes. Katsuki tensed as soon as he saw it. "Race you!" he said before taking off, Katsuki swearing behind him as he fought to keep up.
"Alright then," Izuku smiled, a glint of mischief entering his eyes. Katsuki tensed as soon as he saw it. "Race you!" he said before taking off, Katsuki swearing behind him as he fought to keep up.
"Race you where you fucking dork?" he barked at Izuku's back. Katsuki's legs were longer, so staying out of his reach was always a challenge.
He loved it.
"Five laps!" he yelled over his shoulder, before picking up his pace.
"Yeah, you better run you fucking cheater!"
He loved it.
"Five laps!" he yelled over his shoulder, before picking up his pace.
"Yeah, you better run you fucking cheater!"
"Not my fault you can't keep up, Kacchan!" he laughed.
At least there was one person who never held his nature against him. One person who worked with it instead of against it.
They ran until the sky turned from the color of the black lake to an inky blue.
At least there was one person who never held his nature against him. One person who worked with it instead of against it.
They ran until the sky turned from the color of the black lake to an inky blue.
The sun still hadn't broken the horizon, but they could see across the pitch without witch lights.
"Hey," Izuku huffed, bracing his hands on his knees as he panted from exertion. "Wanna see something cool?"
Katsuki eyed him suspiciously, also breathing hard.
"Hey," Izuku huffed, bracing his hands on his knees as he panted from exertion. "Wanna see something cool?"
Katsuki eyed him suspiciously, also breathing hard.
His shirt was damp with sweat and Izuku wondered if he would pull it off and towel off his face like he did in training.
Probably not. There was nobody to impress here. No need to put on a display.
"Will it put me in mortal peril?" Katsuki asked, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Probably not. There was nobody to impress here. No need to put on a display.
"Will it put me in mortal peril?" Katsuki asked, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Izuku chuckled—airy and thin. "No," he promised. "But we gotta get there before sunrise."
Katsuki frowned harder. "Get where?"
Ten minutes later, Izuku had dragged Katsuki to the edge of the Black Lake, broomstick and all. The sky was almost purple now—
Katsuki frowned harder. "Get where?"
Ten minutes later, Izuku had dragged Katsuki to the edge of the Black Lake, broomstick and all. The sky was almost purple now—
the red hues from the sun bleeding into the still blues of the night.
"We are *not* going into the lake, Deku—"
"Shhh," Izuku hushed him quickly. "We're not going in, just watch," he said, crouching down. Katsuki followed suit, a little afraid that—
"We are *not* going into the lake, Deku—"
"Shhh," Izuku hushed him quickly. "We're not going in, just watch," he said, crouching down. Katsuki followed suit, a little afraid that—
they might be observing the Giant Squid's secret cabaret routine or something.
"We're not gonna get drowned by a shitty cephalopod, are we?" Katsuki asked, annoyed but quiet. Izuku shook his head, eyes still fixed on the water.
"We're not gonna get drowned by a shitty cephalopod, are we?" Katsuki asked, annoyed but quiet. Izuku shook his head, eyes still fixed on the water.
The sun broke the horizon, casting horizontal rays across the rippling surface of the lake.
Within minutes, the water was dancing—curtains of water and silvery flashes dancing in the low morning light. With it came a ringing song, like bells carried across the wind.
Within minutes, the water was dancing—curtains of water and silvery flashes dancing in the low morning light. With it came a ringing song, like bells carried across the wind.
"What is this?" Katsuki asked quietly, eyes wide with wonder as light danced across the lake.
"Venus Dart Fish," Izuku whispered back. "We have a whole school of them in the lake and nobody knew," he chuckled.
Katsuki squinted to get a better look,—
"Venus Dart Fish," Izuku whispered back. "We have a whole school of them in the lake and nobody knew," he chuckled.
Katsuki squinted to get a better look,—
eyeing the silvery streaks that leapt across the water. "What about the noise?"
"It's what sailors used to mistake for siren songs," Izuku replied. "Schools of venus dart fish will collect early morning sunlight and then use them at night to—
"It's what sailors used to mistake for siren songs," Izuku replied. "Schools of venus dart fish will collect early morning sunlight and then use them at night to—
lure animals to their death. But the sound their fins make in the air sounds the same as a singing mermaid underwater."
Katsuki watched, enchanted. "This is really fucking cool, Deku," he breathed.
Izuku smiled at him over his shoulder, pleased but a little nervous.
Katsuki watched, enchanted. "This is really fucking cool, Deku," he breathed.
Izuku smiled at him over his shoulder, pleased but a little nervous.
"They're really rare. Hard to find. You're the only other person I've told."
"Just don't let them lure you to your death, and your secret's safe with me," Katsuki promised, ruffling his hair.
Izuku chuckled, turning his eyes back to the lake.
"Just don't let them lure you to your death, and your secret's safe with me," Katsuki promised, ruffling his hair.
Izuku chuckled, turning his eyes back to the lake.
"They don't surface during my observation hours. They can't survive full light. But thanks for worrying."
They watched in silence until the lake was bathed in light and the dart fish receded into the depths. As if on cue, the Giant Squid lazily stretched his tentacles above—
They watched in silence until the lake was bathed in light and the dart fish receded into the depths. As if on cue, the Giant Squid lazily stretched his tentacles above—
the surface, almost like he was lazily waving to the boys on the shore.
Izuku sighed, eyes warm and bright. He *loved* watching the creatures he'd found. It excited him. "We should get ready for class," he said, still quiet but less reverent.
Izuku sighed, eyes warm and bright. He *loved* watching the creatures he'd found. It excited him. "We should get ready for class," he said, still quiet but less reverent.
"Hey," Katsuki nudged him to pull his attention from the lake. "Thanks for showing me, Deku."
Izuku smiled up at him. "Thanks for trusting me, Kacchan. And for running with me. I'm glad I caught you out here."
Katsuki rolled his eyes.
Izuku smiled up at him. "Thanks for trusting me, Kacchan. And for running with me. I'm glad I caught you out here."
Katsuki rolled his eyes.
"Sappy nerd. C'mon, or else we won't get dressed in time for breakfast," he instructed, already moving toward the castle.
The quiet spell that had fallen over them broke as they walked into the Entrance Hall, noise already spilling into the recesses of the stone walls as the—
The quiet spell that had fallen over them broke as they walked into the Entrance Hall, noise already spilling into the recesses of the stone walls as the—
students woke and the ghosts clamored for their attention.
Izuku walked away from Katsuki backwards, already heading for the stairs. "See you in Arithmancy," he said, giving a little wave. Nearly toppling over when his foot hit the first step.
Izuku walked away from Katsuki backwards, already heading for the stairs. "See you in Arithmancy," he said, giving a little wave. Nearly toppling over when his foot hit the first step.
"Walk up the stairs facing *forward* you clumsy fuck," Katsuki barked after him. Izuku laughed but complied quickly.
The restlessness had steadied to a mellow thrum. He wasn't sure if he was settled by the run, or by Katsuki's face when daylight broke the water.
The restlessness had steadied to a mellow thrum. He wasn't sure if he was settled by the run, or by Katsuki's face when daylight broke the water.
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Izuku sprinted into the Great Hall. He didn't have a lot of time, and he really didn't want to get on the Potions professor's nerves.
He'd probably have enough time for some toast though. Maybe some bacon.
"Izuku!" Denki called from the Hufflepuff table. Izuku flushed.
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Izuku sprinted into the Great Hall. He didn't have a lot of time, and he really didn't want to get on the Potions professor's nerves.
He'd probably have enough time for some toast though. Maybe some bacon.
"Izuku!" Denki called from the Hufflepuff table. Izuku flushed.
Apparently he'd be grabbing his breakfast from the Hufflepuff table today.
He jogged over, reaching for toast before he even sat down. "Morning, D-denki," he stumbled over the blonde's first name. It still felt foreign in his mouth.
"I got your sweets," he said cheerfully,—
He jogged over, reaching for toast before he even sat down. "Morning, D-denki," he stumbled over the blonde's first name. It still felt foreign in his mouth.
"I got your sweets," he said cheerfully,—
leaning down to grasp for the bag at his ankles. "I was worried I wouldn't get to give them to you until later."
"It's not like he'll die if you don't give him pepper imps before lunch, babe," Denki's girlfriend, Kyoka Jirou, teased, leaning around his shoulder. "Morning, M—"
"It's not like he'll die if you don't give him pepper imps before lunch, babe," Denki's girlfriend, Kyoka Jirou, teased, leaning around his shoulder. "Morning, M—"
Her went still when their eyes met, like she was holding her breath. "Uh—morning, Mido," she breathed.
"I know, but he wanted them as soon as possible," Denki huffed, handing them over.
Kyoka ignored him, eyes searching Izuku's frame for something. He blushed under her stare.
"I know, but he wanted them as soon as possible," Denki huffed, handing them over.
Kyoka ignored him, eyes searching Izuku's frame for something. He blushed under her stare.
"Thanks, Denki," he uttered, putting the sweets away carefully. He reached for toast before addressing Jirou's blatant stare. "Is everything okay?" he asked, shifting uncomfortably.
"Yeah," she blushed, averting her eyes. "You look good today, Mido. Dressing to impress?"
"Yeah," she blushed, averting her eyes. "You look good today, Mido. Dressing to impress?"
"He looked good yesterday, too," Denki remarked casually. "If he is doing something different, it's working for him."
"It really is," Jirou agreed, eyes sliding back to him as though pulled by a magnet.
Izuku's mouth flapped open a few times, dumbfounded. "Thanks,"—
"It really is," Jirou agreed, eyes sliding back to him as though pulled by a magnet.
Izuku's mouth flapped open a few times, dumbfounded. "Thanks,"—
he squeaked after a long, uncomfortable moment. He started packing his toast in a napkin. "That's very nice of you," he continued as he poured coffee into the dinky little thermos his mom had sent him. "I have to go now!" he stood from the table and fled.
Izuku was covered in scars. He was a werewolf, and it came with the territory.
He was plain. His most remarkable feature were his freckles. The green hair too, maybe, but with Hatsume's shocking pink, it basically faded into the background.
He was nothing special. In fact, he—
He was plain. His most remarkable feature were his freckles. The green hair too, maybe, but with Hatsume's shocking pink, it basically faded into the background.
He was nothing special. In fact, he—
was damaged. He'd been reminded of that *many* times.
He was tempted to be flattered by Denki and Jirou's compliments. But they just seemed so unlikely. Were they making fun of him?
He didn't want to believe that. He *liked* those two. They were people he considered friends.
He was tempted to be flattered by Denki and Jirou's compliments. But they just seemed so unlikely. Were they making fun of him?
He didn't want to believe that. He *liked* those two. They were people he considered friends.
Well, friendly acquaintances. He didn't want to believe they'd mock him.
He was so lost in thought that he crashed into someone *hard* when he turned the corner—scattering his neatly buttered toast across the floor along with his bag.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?"
He was so lost in thought that he crashed into someone *hard* when he turned the corner—scattering his neatly buttered toast across the floor along with his bag.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?"
Izuku's eyes widened as they met Monoma's. If he had a tail, it would be firmly between his legs. "S-sorry," he stammered.
Monoma regarded him through narrow eyes. "Mutt," he replied, thoughtful and subdued.
Izuku was frozen in place. His wand was in his bag. If Monoma—
Monoma regarded him through narrow eyes. "Mutt," he replied, thoughtful and subdued.
Izuku was frozen in place. His wand was in his bag. If Monoma—
hexed him, he'd be defenseless. Almost everyone in a classroom. If Monoma verbally ripped into him again, there would be no one to interrupt him.
He had fast reflexes, but Monoma was a damn good duelist. He'd proved it with the...15? No, 18 unprovoked attacks.
He had fast reflexes, but Monoma was a damn good duelist. He'd proved it with the...15? No, 18 unprovoked attacks.
But then, to his surprise, Monoma scoffed and walked away. "Just watched where you're going next time, Midoriya," he called over his shoulder.
Izuku blinked after him stupidly. No mongrel comments? No 'teaching the rabid monster its place?'
Izuku blinked after him stupidly. No mongrel comments? No 'teaching the rabid monster its place?'
His stomach growled, and it drew his attention back to the ruined toast that littered the ground. He sighed.
"Evanesco," he muttered, vanishing it as he picked up his bag and continued his scurry toward the potions lab. He could worry about Monoma's retribution later.
"Evanesco," he muttered, vanishing it as he picked up his bag and continued his scurry toward the potions lab. He could worry about Monoma's retribution later.
He scanned the room for an open seat when he entered the classroom, but he didn't have to look for long. Uraraka practically jumped out of her seat, waving at him. "Izuku! I saved you a seat!"
He cast his eyes down, embarrassed as he picked his way over to her.
He cast his eyes down, embarrassed as he picked his way over to her.
Why was everyone trying to shine a spotlight on him this week? "Thanks, Uraraka," he muttered as he pulled out his books.
"No problem," she grinned, leaning forward. "You left early today," she commented. "Were you working on your grindylow study?"
He blinked at her.
"No problem," she grinned, leaning forward. "You left early today," she commented. "Were you working on your grindylow study?"
He blinked at her.
"Oh, uh..." he honestly didn't expect her to care after the initial conversation. "No. I just...went for a run," he replied.
"When do you think you'll observe them? I'd love to hear more about it when you do," she continued excitedly.
"When do you think you'll observe them? I'd love to hear more about it when you do," she continued excitedly.
"Ms. Uraraka," Professor Nemuri sighed. The students called her Midnight because she spent so much time in the dungeons.
In fact, Potions Room 4 had been out of use for so long that there was a rumor that she'd turned it into a sex dungeon. In reality, it was where Izuku had—
In fact, Potions Room 4 had been out of use for so long that there was a rumor that she'd turned it into a sex dungeon. In reality, it was where Izuku had—
been chained and caged during the full moons before Hatsume had improved his Wolfsbane. Even as a wolf, he was too intelligent to be contained by the Whomping Willow.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm for other classes, but please focus while you're in mine," Midnight instructed.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm for other classes, but please focus while you're in mine," Midnight instructed.
"Sorry, ma'am!" Uraraka squeaked.
Satisfied that she'd caused enough embarrassment to keep their attention, Midnight turned back to teaching with her usual flair.
"Today, we'll be studying the use of certain fungi and their effect on the dermis when used in beauty potions,"—
Satisfied that she'd caused enough embarrassment to keep their attention, Midnight turned back to teaching with her usual flair.
"Today, we'll be studying the use of certain fungi and their effect on the dermis when used in beauty potions,"—
she announced to the room. "Half of you will be brewing with a more common mushroom—the golden tree oyster. The other half will be brewing with Lyodocia's Toadstool. The instructions are on the board. *Follow them precisely*—deviations will lead to a different brew, and—
I don't want any of you in the Hospital Wing today," she instructed, flicking her wand at the board so that the chalk would write out the instructions for her.
"I'll get our ingredients," Uraraka said, jumping from her seat.
"I can help—"
"It's fine!" she assured him.
"I'll get our ingredients," Uraraka said, jumping from her seat.
"I can help—"
"It's fine!" she assured him.
He frowned after him. Was she blushing?
He shook his head and focused on copying down the instructions instead. They were using the fancy pants mushroom, and it was supposed to...
Clear your skin of hair. His lips twitched, barely containing laughter.
He should use it for his—
He shook his head and focused on copying down the instructions instead. They were using the fancy pants mushroom, and it was supposed to...
Clear your skin of hair. His lips twitched, barely containing laughter.
He should use it for his—
furry little problem. More naked werewolf. Less awkward shedding all over his clothes during the full moon.
He would look like a naked mole rat in canine form. The acromantula would never take him seriously ever again. But he would be very streamline in the water!
He would look like a naked mole rat in canine form. The acromantula would never take him seriously ever again. But he would be very streamline in the water!
He was shaken from his amused thought bubble by Uraraka's return. She placed the ingredients on the desk gently and sat back down—way further in his space than she had been before.
"I can prep the ingredients if you want to handle the cauldron," she offered, gazing at him.
"I can prep the ingredients if you want to handle the cauldron," she offered, gazing at him.
"Uh, sure," he agreed, shifting away as subtly as he could. She was so close that her chest was pressed into his arm, and he felt a little hunted.
"Great!" she grinned up at him like he'd given her an award. She reached across him for *his* paring knife.
"Great!" she grinned up at him like he'd given her an award. She reached across him for *his* paring knife.
"You don't mind, do you? Your equipment is always so high quality, I bet you keep your knives super sharp," she teased.
He...got his equipment from Slug and Jiggers like everyone else. And he hadn't replaced his. Ever. He just took care of his stuff. "Sure, I guess," he uttered.
He...got his equipment from Slug and Jiggers like everyone else. And he hadn't replaced his. Ever. He just took care of his stuff. "Sure, I guess," he uttered.
They got to work, and Izuku was *shocked* at how talkative Uraraka was being. This was more words than she'd ever spoken to him in the six years they'd known each other.
She kept asking about his interests, needling him for information like an interrogation. Honestly,—
She kept asking about his interests, needling him for information like an interrogation. Honestly,—
he was kind of intimidated. He knew that *he* was invested in his interests, but very few people listened when he spoke about his many fascinations.
Actually, only Katsuki and Hatsume.
So this was uncharted territory for him, and it was distracting.
Actually, only Katsuki and Hatsume.
So this was uncharted territory for him, and it was distracting.
"Oh, we should time this part properly," Izuku muttered, noticing that they were getting to the complicated part of their brew. "I need to add the powdered yew bark, could you add the sliced flobberworm after the potion turns red? I need to keep stirring," he explained.
"Sure!" she agreed easily. Izuku added the bark and started stirring, and Uraraka resumed her chatter. "So how do you observe grindylows without them noticing you? That seems like it would be tricky," she asked.
Izuku's eyes were on the cauldron as he answered.
Izuku's eyes were on the cauldron as he answered.
"Just a disillusionment charm."
"Really? That seems so simple. They seem like they'd be able to sniff you out in the water."
"If you use the bubblehead charm, they won't have air bubble disruption to hunt for. They mostly rely on eyesight, but underwater—
"Really? That seems so simple. They seem like they'd be able to sniff you out in the water."
"If you use the bubblehead charm, they won't have air bubble disruption to hunt for. They mostly rely on eyesight, but underwater—
a disillusionment charm matches the shifting light from the surface pretty well."
"Did you figure that out on your own? That's amazing," she chirped. He frowned, still not looking up. It was really...a pretty basic observation actually.
"Did you figure that out on your own? That's amazing," she chirped. He frowned, still not looking up. It was really...a pretty basic observation actually.
The potion was almost the right shade of red. "Thanks," he muttered, a little flustered. "I spend a lot of time with creatures. You pick stuff up—oh, add the flobberworm," he instructed.
She picked the cutting board up off the table and moved toward the cauldron as she spoke.
She picked the cutting board up off the table and moved toward the cauldron as she spoke.
"Still, though. Your dedication is admirable—"
Izuku realized that she was adding the wrong ingredient about three seconds too late. "Uraraka, wait!"
Like he said. Too late. Uraraka dumped the sliced *mealworms* into the cauldron instead of flobberworms, and the potion—
Izuku realized that she was adding the wrong ingredient about three seconds too late. "Uraraka, wait!"
Like he said. Too late. Uraraka dumped the sliced *mealworms* into the cauldron instead of flobberworms, and the potion—
turned neon orange before bubbling violently. It started to give off plumes of smoke, and Izuku could feel himself panicking. He had no idea would happen.
The surface tension swelled, and Izuku had enough just enough time to whip out his wand. "Repello Inimicum!" he yelled.
The surface tension swelled, and Izuku had enough just enough time to whip out his wand. "Repello Inimicum!" he yelled.
He pointed his wand at Uraraka. She was veiled in a shadowy shield and he felt a surge of relief.
Then came the surge of pain as the cauldron exploded and he was showered with burning, unknown potion, thrown back by the concussive force.
He blacked out before he hit the floor.
Then came the surge of pain as the cauldron exploded and he was showered with burning, unknown potion, thrown back by the concussive force.
He blacked out before he hit the floor.
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tbc! I hope you're enjoying my nonsense! if you can, tips are super appreciated <3 ko-fi.com/s_the_queen
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tbc! I hope you're enjoying my nonsense! if you can, tips are super appreciated <3 ko-fi.com/s_the_queen
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Someone was yelling. A lot. His head hurt, and even though he liked the sound, it was hurting him.
It had to be Katsuki.
"Get the *fuck* out of here!"
"I have to make sure he's okay!" Was that Uraraka?
"*You're* the reason he's hurt you fucking idiot! If you'd fucking—
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Someone was yelling. A lot. His head hurt, and even though he liked the sound, it was hurting him.
It had to be Katsuki.
"Get the *fuck* out of here!"
"I have to make sure he's okay!" Was that Uraraka?
"*You're* the reason he's hurt you fucking idiot! If you'd fucking—
*paid attention* he'd be fine! He's not incompetent, there's no way he'd replace flobberworms with *mealworms*—"
"It was an accident!"
"You could have gotten him killed!" Katsuki bellowed. "If you don't get the fuck out, I'm gonna return the favor. Explosions are my specialty."
"It was an accident!"
"You could have gotten him killed!" Katsuki bellowed. "If you don't get the fuck out, I'm gonna return the favor. Explosions are my specialty."
"You can't keep him to yourself, you know! He needs more than just you!" Uraraka bellowed back.
Now that was just patently untrue.
Katsuki scoffed. "I'm not keeping him to myself, I'm keeping him away from dumbfucks like *you!* He hurts himself enough, he doesn't need—
Now that was just patently untrue.
Katsuki scoffed. "I'm not keeping him to myself, I'm keeping him away from dumbfucks like *you!* He hurts himself enough, he doesn't need—
to be surrounded by fucking morons who can't pay attention to a simple hair removal potion!"
"You've put him in here on purpose!"
"Yeah, fuckin' maybe but at least I still fucking *talked* to him. At least *I* treated him like he was human before two days ago!"
Izuku flinched.
"You've put him in here on purpose!"
"Yeah, fuckin' maybe but at least I still fucking *talked* to him. At least *I* treated him like he was human before two days ago!"
Izuku flinched.
Uraraka went quiet. "That's not fair," she replied a long moment later. "I'm trying to get to know him now."
"Too little too fucking late, you shitty hot air balloon. You don't get to treat him like a fucking lepper for six years and then sit at his bedside for an accident—
"Too little too fucking late, you shitty hot air balloon. You don't get to treat him like a fucking lepper for six years and then sit at his bedside for an accident—
*you* caused acting all torn up when you've never given a shit about him before. He's been in this hospital wing 184 times before this and I've been here for *all* of them, no matter how much I want to slap his fucking freckles off his dumbass face. *I* actually give a shit."
"I just didn't know how to talk to him before—"
"Simple, you open your mouth and make some fucking noise," he snapped. "Instead of pretending he doesn't exist because he makes you uncomfortable. Now get. The fuck. Out."
More silence.
"He saved me," she murmured. "He...he saw—
"Simple, you open your mouth and make some fucking noise," he snapped. "Instead of pretending he doesn't exist because he makes you uncomfortable. Now get. The fuck. Out."
More silence.
"He saved me," she murmured. "He...he saw—
that the cauldron was gonna blow up and he protected me. I have to make sure he's okay. And thank him."
"He's not okay! He's fucking *covered* in burns and mushrooms!" *Mushrooms?* "And don't you dare thank him for being a reckless self-sacrificial moron!"
"He's not okay! He's fucking *covered* in burns and mushrooms!" *Mushrooms?* "And don't you dare thank him for being a reckless self-sacrificial moron!"
She sighed. It almost sounded wistful. "I'll check in again later."
"Don't fucking bother. He's gotten this far without you. In fact, he was probably better off."
Izuku noted the stinging sensation on his face and arms.
Right. His cauldron had exploded.
"Don't fucking bother. He's gotten this far without you. In fact, he was probably better off."
Izuku noted the stinging sensation on his face and arms.
Right. His cauldron had exploded.
It was nearly silent for a moment. Izuku could hear footsteps and heard a chair scraping somewhere to his left.
"I know you're awake, dumbass," Katsuki grumbled, kicking his bed gently.
"No, I'm not," he groaned.
"Granny healed most of your burns already. She needs—
"I know you're awake, dumbass," Katsuki grumbled, kicking his bed gently.
"No, I'm not," he groaned.
"Granny healed most of your burns already. She needs—
your consent to heal the bad ones since you're technically classified as a magical creature."
Izuku sighed, opening his eyes so the stark whites of the Hospital Wing could blind him. There were spots dancing in his vision. He probably had some minor retina damage from the blast.
Izuku sighed, opening his eyes so the stark whites of the Hospital Wing could blind him. There were spots dancing in his vision. He probably had some minor retina damage from the blast.
"I thought I gave blanket consent to treatment," Izuku muttered.
"The potion she wants to use has aconite as a primary reagent. She needs to monitor your pain level too, or else your dumb wolfy ass might end up charred, poisoned, *and* decaying."
Izuku turned his head to—
"The potion she wants to use has aconite as a primary reagent. She needs to monitor your pain level too, or else your dumb wolfy ass might end up charred, poisoned, *and* decaying."
Izuku turned his head to—
frown at the blonde. "Decaying?"
"You're not actually decaying," Katsuki huffed, looking reluctantly amused. "But the potion that blew up ended up being a sort of watered down fungiface potion. So you're currently a toadstool farm."
Izuku looked down at his arm.
"You're not actually decaying," Katsuki huffed, looking reluctantly amused. "But the potion that blew up ended up being a sort of watered down fungiface potion. So you're currently a toadstool farm."
Izuku looked down at his arm.
He was indeed a toadstool farm.
"Gross," he muttered, observing the way the mycelium was growing out of his skin. "How do I get rid of them?"
"They're already starting to fall off. Should only be a few hours."
Izuku let his head drop back onto the pillow. "Great."
"Gross," he muttered, observing the way the mycelium was growing out of his skin. "How do I get rid of them?"
"They're already starting to fall off. Should only be a few hours."
Izuku let his head drop back onto the pillow. "Great."
Madam Chiyo appeared a moment later, bustling about and applying potions to his skin with an eye dropper. Katsuki remained silent the whole time, staring at his face.
"What?" Izuku asked self consciously.
"Making sure you don't lie about the pain level, shithead."
"What?" Izuku asked self consciously.
"Making sure you don't lie about the pain level, shithead."
Izuku spluttered. "I wouldn't do that!"
Katsuki raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Right."
Madam Chiyo chuckled. "You boys. Always at each others' throats," she murmured, focusing on a larger burn that blotched across his torso. "I'd like to keep you a few hours for observation."
Katsuki raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Right."
Madam Chiyo chuckled. "You boys. Always at each others' throats," she murmured, focusing on a larger burn that blotched across his torso. "I'd like to keep you a few hours for observation."
Izuku groaned. "Do I have to?"
"Better than you collapsing from aconite blood poisoning," she insisted cheerily. "Yell if you feel dizzy or nauseous."
Izuku grumbled, but settled back into his cushions as she walked away. "Can you hand me my bag? Might as well work," he sighed.
"Better than you collapsing from aconite blood poisoning," she insisted cheerily. "Yell if you feel dizzy or nauseous."
Izuku grumbled, but settled back into his cushions as she walked away. "Can you hand me my bag? Might as well work," he sighed.
Katsuki picked it up off the floor and handed it to him, still scowling. "You don't have to stay with me, you know. It's—" he glanced at the clock. "It's lunch time. You should eat."
"Already ate. Brought you food," he muttered, digging in his own bag for the napkin-wrapped—
"Already ate. Brought you food," he muttered, digging in his own bag for the napkin-wrapped—
sandwiches he'd grabbed before sprinting to the Hospital Wing.
Izuku smiled at him softly. "Thanks Kacchan," he said, taking the sandwiches and unwrapping them. "My favorite!"
"Just eat, nerd," Katsuki sighed. He sounded tired. Izuku glanced over at him. He looked tired too.
Izuku smiled at him softly. "Thanks Kacchan," he said, taking the sandwiches and unwrapping them. "My favorite!"
"Just eat, nerd," Katsuki sighed. He sounded tired. Izuku glanced over at him. He looked tired too.
Maybe their early morning run had taken it out of him. He chewed his sandwich thoughtfully, perusing Katsuki's face carefully.
Maybe tired was the wrong word. But he didn't know what the right one was.
He pulled out his book when he was done with his sandwich, opting to read—
Maybe tired was the wrong word. But he didn't know what the right one was.
He pulled out his book when he was done with his sandwich, opting to read—
instead of worry. Katsuki hated being coddled. If he had a problem he wanted to share, he would say it.
So imagine his shock when Katsuki actually spoke up.
"Why didn't you save yourself?" Katsuki asked quietly, raising his eyes to meet Izuku's surprised stare.
So imagine his shock when Katsuki actually spoke up.
"Why didn't you save yourself?" Katsuki asked quietly, raising his eyes to meet Izuku's surprised stare.
Izuku's brow furrowed. "What?"
"When the potion exploded. Why didn't you save yourself?" Katsuki elaborated, showing none of his trademark irritation. Danger. "Why didn't you vanish the potion? Or put a shield around the cauldron instead of Balloon Girl?"
"When the potion exploded. Why didn't you save yourself?" Katsuki elaborated, showing none of his trademark irritation. Danger. "Why didn't you vanish the potion? Or put a shield around the cauldron instead of Balloon Girl?"
"You really shouldn't call her Balloon Girl—"
"Deku. Why didn't you find a way to save yourself?" Katsuki asked. His voice was quiet but his eyes were *burning.*
There was the anger. He was *pissed.*
He swallowed, knowing his answer would not be well received.
"Deku. Why didn't you find a way to save yourself?" Katsuki asked. His voice was quiet but his eyes were *burning.*
There was the anger. He was *pissed.*
He swallowed, knowing his answer would not be well received.
"I...just didn't think of it," he admitted. "I moved without thinking. Just reacted."
"That's your problem!" Katsuki snapped, shoving back his chair to stand as his anger boiled over. "You *never think of yourself!"
"I couldn't let her get hurt, Kacchan!"
Katsuki was pacing—
"That's your problem!" Katsuki snapped, shoving back his chair to stand as his anger boiled over. "You *never think of yourself!"
"I couldn't let her get hurt, Kacchan!"
Katsuki was pacing—
like a caged animal.
Terrifying but beautiful.
"What about *you,* asshole?" Katsuki yelled. "What will it take for you to take care of yourself? God, do you know how fucking *exhausting* it is to care about you? When you fuck off into danger it's fucking *hard* Deku!"
Terrifying but beautiful.
"What about *you,* asshole?" Katsuki yelled. "What will it take for you to take care of yourself? God, do you know how fucking *exhausting* it is to care about you? When you fuck off into danger it's fucking *hard* Deku!"
Izuku's mood soured—even more than it already had from being blown up, bedridden, and covered in mushrooms.
He went still, casting his eyes down to his hands. "Yeah, well, I never asked you to," he muttered bitterly. "Sorry to be such a *problem* for you—"
He went still, casting his eyes down to his hands. "Yeah, well, I never asked you to," he muttered bitterly. "Sorry to be such a *problem* for you—"
"You don't fucking get it," Katsuki snapped. "It's not a fucking *choice.* You're important to me, you stupid motherfucker. Caring about you is as easy as breathing, but I *can't fucking breathe* when you're in danger."
Izuku knew what he meant, because it felt like—
Izuku knew what he meant, because it felt like—
Katsuki had stolen the breath from his lungs. Katsuki didn't *talk like this.* "Oh," he breathed, looking up at the fuming Slytherin in soft wonder.
"Yeah, *oh,*" he muttered, dropping himself back into his seat and scrubbing his hand over his face. "You're fucking exhausting."
"Yeah, *oh,*" he muttered, dropping himself back into his seat and scrubbing his hand over his face. "You're fucking exhausting."
There was a pregnant pause. If Katsuki had more to say, Izuku didn't want to cut him off. But it looked like he was done.
"I'm sorry, Kacchan," he said, smiling when Katsuki lifted his head to pin him with wild, carmine eyes. "It was an instinct, but I'll do try harder."
"I'm sorry, Kacchan," he said, smiling when Katsuki lifted his head to pin him with wild, carmine eyes. "It was an instinct, but I'll do try harder."
"I've heard that before, Deku," Katsuki replied.
"I'm a work in progress. But I am trying. I mean I figured out how to observe the grindylows without attracting their attention, right? I'm not just diving in without thinking," he promised. "Sometimes I slip. But I'll be better."
"I'm a work in progress. But I am trying. I mean I figured out how to observe the grindylows without attracting their attention, right? I'm not just diving in without thinking," he promised. "Sometimes I slip. But I'll be better."
Katsuki gave a jerky nod, and it felt like an accomplishment. An acknowledgement that he was less reckless. That the people who cared about him knew he was trying.
"You—fuck," Katsuki scraped a hand through his hair. "You treat everyone like they're more important than you."
"You—fuck," Katsuki scraped a hand through his hair. "You treat everyone like they're more important than you."
He gave a wry smile. "Maybe they are."
Katsuki glowered at him. "They're not. Not even by half. They don't fucking deserve you."
Izuku chuckled. "What do you mean? I just play with animals and beat you at quidditch—"
"Fuck you. You should hate every fucker in this school."
Katsuki glowered at him. "They're not. Not even by half. They don't fucking deserve you."
Izuku chuckled. "What do you mean? I just play with animals and beat you at quidditch—"
"Fuck you. You should hate every fucker in this school."
Katsuki insisted. "It would be completely fucking justified. But you...are you," he frowned. Izuku smiled fondly. Words weren't Katsuki's strong suit.
"What good would hating them do? I'd just be miserable about something I can't change. Besides, I have you."
"What good would hating them do? I'd just be miserable about something I can't change. Besides, I have you."
"You should hate me, too."
"I could never hate you," Izuku replied immediately.
Katsuki scoffed. "See? Shitty self-preservation skills," he muttered.
Izuku rolled his eyes. "Dramatic, Kacchan. You're my favorite person."
Katsuki flushed. "Fuck you."
"I could never hate you," Izuku replied immediately.
Katsuki scoffed. "See? Shitty self-preservation skills," he muttered.
Izuku rolled his eyes. "Dramatic, Kacchan. You're my favorite person."
Katsuki flushed. "Fuck you."
"At least buy me dinner first," Izuku teased. Katsuki scowled, grabbing a discarded mushroom off the bed spread and chucking it at Izuku's face.
"The fuck is wrong with you," Katsuki barked.
"So many things. I'm covered in mushrooms, for one thing," Izuku laughed.
"The fuck is wrong with you," Katsuki barked.
"So many things. I'm covered in mushrooms, for one thing," Izuku laughed.
"I hate you," he huffed, kicking the bed again.
Izuku grinned at him. "No you don't."
Katsuki rolled his eyes. "No, I don't," he agreed sourly. "But you're a little shit, and the next time you end up in here I'm finishing the job."
"I'm sure."
Izuku grinned at him. "No you don't."
Katsuki rolled his eyes. "No, I don't," he agreed sourly. "But you're a little shit, and the next time you end up in here I'm finishing the job."
"I'm sure."
The clock chimed in the distance and Katsuki scowled, scooping up his bag as he stood. "I'll come back after class."
"I should be out by then, right?" Izuku argued. "I'll just see you in Arithmancy."
"Fine."
"Here," Izuku said, digging in his bag to pull out one of the boxes—
"I should be out by then, right?" Izuku argued. "I'll just see you in Arithmancy."
"Fine."
"Here," Izuku said, digging in his bag to pull out one of the boxes—
of Pepper Imps. "These are for you."
"You were supposed to get those for the Banshee, Deku."
"I got her some too," he assured him. "But you like them too, so I got more." He held out the box (which started smoking at the seams as it was jostled) for Katsuki to take.
"You were supposed to get those for the Banshee, Deku."
"I got her some too," he assured him. "But you like them too, so I got more." He held out the box (which started smoking at the seams as it was jostled) for Katsuki to take.
"Thanks," Katsuki said quietly, taking the box without looking away from Izuku's face. "You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to," he replied with a little shrug. "You're so anal about your health, you probably wouldn't get them unless they were a gift, right? You—
"I wanted to," he replied with a little shrug. "You're so anal about your health, you probably wouldn't get them unless they were a gift, right? You—
deserve to indulge sometimes, you know."
Katsuki studied his face a moment longer. Then he gave him a little smirk. "I indulge plenty, fucker. That's why I hang out with you."
Izuku blushed. "Wha—"
But Katsuki was already heading for the door.
Katsuki studied his face a moment longer. Then he gave him a little smirk. "I indulge plenty, fucker. That's why I hang out with you."
Izuku blushed. "Wha—"
But Katsuki was already heading for the door.
-
-
-
Izuku didn't ask Katsuki what he'd meant when they partnered up in Arithmancy. He just smiled softly and made fun of him when he got his calculations wrong, like always.
"I can't believe you forgot to carry the two—"
"Shut up."
"It's literally elementary school math—"
-
-
Izuku didn't ask Katsuki what he'd meant when they partnered up in Arithmancy. He just smiled softly and made fun of him when he got his calculations wrong, like always.
"I can't believe you forgot to carry the two—"
"Shut up."
"It's literally elementary school math—"
"Shut. Up."
"If you want, I can tutor you, Kacchan," he teased. "Get you more comfortable with the basics—"
"I'm going to chop you up and chum the Black Lake with your dismembered bits," Katsuki warned.
"But you'd miss me! And then who would teach you basic multiplication—"
"If you want, I can tutor you, Kacchan," he teased. "Get you more comfortable with the basics—"
"I'm going to chop you up and chum the Black Lake with your dismembered bits," Katsuki warned.
"But you'd miss me! And then who would teach you basic multiplication—"
"You motherfucking—"
"Boys," their professor's wheezy voice interrupted them. "As entertaining as your daily arguments are, please wait until *after* my lecture to scuffle. Not everyone is ahead of the curriculum, you know."
"Sorry, sir," Izuku smiled up at him.
"Boys," their professor's wheezy voice interrupted them. "As entertaining as your daily arguments are, please wait until *after* my lecture to scuffle. Not everyone is ahead of the curriculum, you know."
"Sorry, sir," Izuku smiled up at him.
"Whatever," Katsuki grumbled, looking away.
They both knew that if they kept it up, the professor would separate them, so they stayed relatively silent for the rest of the class—opting to scribble teasing insults and barbs in the margins of each others' notes instead.
They both knew that if they kept it up, the professor would separate them, so they stayed relatively silent for the rest of the class—opting to scribble teasing insults and barbs in the margins of each others' notes instead.
"Are we gonna work on our Astronomy project today?" Izuku asked when the class was let out. He and Katsuki were walking down toward the library, shoulder-to-shoulder.
"We have an extra practice scheduled today," Katsuki replied, almost apologetic. "If you're still there after—"
"We have an extra practice scheduled today," Katsuki replied, almost apologetic. "If you're still there after—"
"No, don't worry about it. You still have your Potions essay and the Astronomy thing isn't due until next week," Izuku waved him off.
"But you need to practice being grindylow bait most evenings," Katsuki reminded him.
"Eh. I'll make it work. We can do the project tomorrow."
"But you need to practice being grindylow bait most evenings," Katsuki reminded him.
"Eh. I'll make it work. We can do the project tomorrow."
Katsuki nodded, giving him a small, appreciative smile. "If you're sure. If you still wanna study together, we can meet up after dinner," he offered, pink dusting his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.
Izuku wished he would quit being embarrassed about wanting to hang out.
Izuku wished he would quit being embarrassed about wanting to hang out.
"Sure," he agreed. "I still need to teach you math—oof!" he wheezed as Katsuki elbowed him in the side. "Mean!"
"Fuck you, nerd!"
"You forgot how to do multiplication, Kacchan!"
Katsuki left him at the doors to the library. Izuku picked a table at the back, close to the—
"Fuck you, nerd!"
"You forgot how to do multiplication, Kacchan!"
Katsuki left him at the doors to the library. Izuku picked a table at the back, close to the—
windows that overlooked the lake.
In terms of indoor spaces, this part of the library might be his favorite place in the world. It hid him away from the endless parade of gawking peers. It surrounded him with knowledge. It made him feel focused and calm. And it was—
In terms of indoor spaces, this part of the library might be his favorite place in the world. It hid him away from the endless parade of gawking peers. It surrounded him with knowledge. It made him feel focused and calm. And it was—
in plain view of his favorite outdoor place in the world. He could glance out the window and see the Giant Squid lazing in the shallows.
He had just fallen into a steady study rhythm when he was interrupted.
"Midoriya," a cold voice masquerading as warm pulled his attention.
He had just fallen into a steady study rhythm when he was interrupted.
"Midoriya," a cold voice masquerading as warm pulled his attention.
He could practically feel his blood freeze as he looked up at the interloper. "M-monoma," he replied. "Can I help you?"
"Mind if I sit?" he asked politely. Izuku's eyebrows shot to his hairline. Why would Monoma want to sit with him when the rest of the library was available.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked politely. Izuku's eyebrows shot to his hairline. Why would Monoma want to sit with him when the rest of the library was available.
"Uh...sure," he uttered. "Did you need something?"
"Not particularly," he admitted. His tone would have seemed dismissive if his eyes weren't fixed on Izuku's face so intently. "You seem like you'd be a good study partner."
"Oh," he replied, unsure. "Okay, then."
"Not particularly," he admitted. His tone would have seemed dismissive if his eyes weren't fixed on Izuku's face so intently. "You seem like you'd be a good study partner."
"Oh," he replied, unsure. "Okay, then."
To Monoma's credit, he didn't disturb Izuku while he worked. They were mostly silent, only making noise to turn pages or write something down.
But in Monoma's presence, he couldn't relax. He could feel his eyes like a physical presence. They had too much bad blood, and—
But in Monoma's presence, he couldn't relax. He could feel his eyes like a physical presence. They had too much bad blood, and—
he couldn't help but wait for the other shoe to drop.
"So, Midoriya," that haughty voice grated over him, making him jolt. He *really* wasn't accustomed to Monoma calling him by name.
He almost wished he'd call him "Mutt" or "Monster" so that this whole...situation felt normal.
"So, Midoriya," that haughty voice grated over him, making him jolt. He *really* wasn't accustomed to Monoma calling him by name.
He almost wished he'd call him "Mutt" or "Monster" so that this whole...situation felt normal.
"Yeah?" he asked, looking up. He was already grimacing—bracing for whatever hate-filled speech came next.
"Will you go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?"
He sighed. "Monoma—" and then the question caught up with him. His eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
"Hogsmeade. Go with me?"
"Will you go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?"
He sighed. "Monoma—" and then the question caught up with him. His eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
"Hogsmeade. Go with me?"
Izuku wasn't sure how many times his mouth opened and closed as he tried to formulate a response. Because *what did he even say?* Besides a firm 'no,' because he was definitely going to say no.
But if he said 'no' the wrong way, he'd end up hung up by his underwear off—
But if he said 'no' the wrong way, he'd end up hung up by his underwear off—
one of the castle's tower spires. He'd like to avoid that if possible.
"I...why would you want that?" he asked, shifting uncomfortably. "I think you've made it perfectly clear that you don't like me."
"I may have been too hasty," he drawled. "You have a certain appeal."
"I...why would you want that?" he asked, shifting uncomfortably. "I think you've made it perfectly clear that you don't like me."
"I may have been too hasty," he drawled. "You have a certain appeal."
Wow. It was practically a love sonnet. So romantic.
He was deeply unimpressed by the lackluster effort, but Izuku hoped he was keeping it to himself. He didn't want his notes to get scattered over the lake again. And he didn't want to get hexed with zits again. He also—
He was deeply unimpressed by the lackluster effort, but Izuku hoped he was keeping it to himself. He didn't want his notes to get scattered over the lake again. And he didn't want to get hexed with zits again. He also—
didn't want to get jinxed on his way to classes for the next month.
Monoma was *petty.* If that was what he'd gotten as retribution for existing, there was no limit to his potential retribution for rejection.
"I appreciate the offer, but I don't think we're compatible," he—
Monoma was *petty.* If that was what he'd gotten as retribution for existing, there was no limit to his potential retribution for rejection.
"I appreciate the offer, but I don't think we're compatible," he—
replied as diplomatically as possible.
Of course, diplomacy wasn't really Monoma's *thing.*
He scoffed, almost derisive. "Who do you fancy yourself compatible with? Katsuki?"
Izuku spluttered, turning red. "Of course not," he insisted. "Kacchan has nothing to do with this."
Of course, diplomacy wasn't really Monoma's *thing.*
He scoffed, almost derisive. "Who do you fancy yourself compatible with? Katsuki?"
Izuku spluttered, turning red. "Of course not," he insisted. "Kacchan has nothing to do with this."
Monoma laughed, and it sounded mean. "Come on, Midoriya. Everyone knows you like Katsuki. Even Katsuki knows it."
Izuku swallowed. "You're wrong. He would have said something."
"You really think so?" he chuckled, driving the knife a little harder. "He's—
Izuku swallowed. "You're wrong. He would have said something."
"You really think so?" he chuckled, driving the knife a little harder. "He's—
your friend, sure. But he doesn't want you that way. He always goes after what he wants, and you know it."
Izuku felt tears stinging his eyes, but he *refused* to shed them for Monoma. "That doesn't change the fact that *we* wouldn't work."
"Your crush on him—
Izuku felt tears stinging his eyes, but he *refused* to shed them for Monoma. "That doesn't change the fact that *we* wouldn't work."
"Your crush on him—
makes him *uncomfortable,* Midoriya. So instead of being pathetic about him why not give someone who wants you a chance?"
Did he really make Katsuki uncomfortable? Fuck. That wasn't the point right now. "Monoma—"
"You're a werewolf, Izuku," he said, simpering and condescending.
Did he really make Katsuki uncomfortable? Fuck. That wasn't the point right now. "Monoma—"
"You're a werewolf, Izuku," he said, simpering and condescending.
"What does that have to do with it?" he asked dully. He wanted to evaporate.
"You're lucky to be getting attention from anyone. How many more opportunities are you gonna get?"
Izuku grit his teeth. "I don't care if I end up alone."
"You don't have to be," Monoma insisted.
"You're lucky to be getting attention from anyone. How many more opportunities are you gonna get?"
Izuku grit his teeth. "I don't care if I end up alone."
"You don't have to be," Monoma insisted.
Izuku looked at him incredulously through watery eyes. "I'd rather be alone than be with someone who treats me like I'm more animal than person. And I'd rather be pathetic about someone as great as Katsuki than demean myself by *ever* touching you," he hissed.
He started shoving his books back into his bag, and Monoma just leaned back in his seat, looking amused.
"You'll change your mind," he replied, so sure of himself that Izuku felt sick. "As soon as you realize that I'm right."
"Keep dreaming, asshole," he muttered.
"You'll change your mind," he replied, so sure of himself that Izuku felt sick. "As soon as you realize that I'm right."
"Keep dreaming, asshole," he muttered.
He was keeping his tears back by sheer force of will, and he was sure that his voice wavered.
Monoma knew how to stab at soft spots. It was his specialty. But he would be damned if he showed it. His hands brushed the smoking box of Pepper Imps as he shoved his last book inside.
Monoma knew how to stab at soft spots. It was his specialty. But he would be damned if he showed it. His hands brushed the smoking box of Pepper Imps as he shoved his last book inside.
He hauled his bag over his shoulder and booked it out of the library. He could blame his hasty retreat on his burning need to get to the owlery, right?
Nobody would think that Monoma made him cry again, right?
He couldn't wait to never step foot in this school again.
Nobody would think that Monoma made him cry again, right?
He couldn't wait to never step foot in this school again.
-
-
-
He spent a *long* time in the Owlery. So many students forgot about their owls unless they needed them to deliver letters that in second year, he'd taken it upon himself to make sure they got treats and affection.
Then, in third year,—
-
-
He spent a *long* time in the Owlery. So many students forgot about their owls unless they needed them to deliver letters that in second year, he'd taken it upon himself to make sure they got treats and affection.
Then, in third year,—
the ancient, half-giant gameskeeper had passed away in his sleep and a new, lackluster one had replaced him. He always neglected to clean out the owlery, and the first time Izuku had visited in third year, the roosts had been caked in owl droppings.
He made sure to—
He made sure to—
clean out the roosts once a week. It only took him an hour, and the results far outweighed the time spent. The place smelled better, looked better, and the owls actually *liked* to roost there.
They were also very fond of *him.* So he sobbed into his arms for an hour, sitting—
They were also very fond of *him.* So he sobbed into his arms for an hour, sitting—
on the floor with his knees tucked into his chest.
His Spotted Owl, Whitney (named because she looked like Mrs. Whitney, the old lady who used to babysit him and Katsuki) and Katsuki's Eagle Owl, Athena nipped and nuzzled at his ears.
They were upset by his distress.
His Spotted Owl, Whitney (named because she looked like Mrs. Whitney, the old lady who used to babysit him and Katsuki) and Katsuki's Eagle Owl, Athena nipped and nuzzled at his ears.
They were upset by his distress.
He'd sat there crying for over an hour, based on the tolling of the courtyard clock bells.
He was lucky that nobody had stumbled upon him. "Hey Whit," he finally croaked, stroking her chest feathers gently. "Can you take a package to Auntie for me?"
Whitney crooned and—
He was lucky that nobody had stumbled upon him. "Hey Whit," he finally croaked, stroking her chest feathers gently. "Can you take a package to Auntie for me?"
Whitney crooned and—
nibbled on his fingers. He took it as a yes, pulling out a sheet of parchment from his bag to scrawl a hasty thank you note to Mitsuki before tying it to the boxes of candy. "Is this too much? If you need Athena to help, I'm sure Kacchan—"
He swallowed.
He swallowed.
Would Katsuki be okay with him using Athena?
Maybe not.
Athena gave him a sharp bite, tilting her head impatiently. Izuku chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "You think he'd let you help?" he asked quietly. She bobbed her head.
Whitney squawked offendedly.
Maybe not.
Athena gave him a sharp bite, tilting her head impatiently. Izuku chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "You think he'd let you help?" he asked quietly. She bobbed her head.
Whitney squawked offendedly.
"Oh you don't need help?" Izuku cooed. She ruffled her feathers, preening. "Of course you don't, beautiful girl. I just thought it might be nice to have company."
Whitney flicked her wings and looked away.
Izuku huffed a tiny laugh. "Okay, okay. Sorry, Athena," he said.
Whitney flicked her wings and looked away.
Izuku huffed a tiny laugh. "Okay, okay. Sorry, Athena," he said.
Athena nipped at his fingers again. "I'll bring you treats tomorrow to make up for it. And I'll make sure Kacchan—" he paused. He couldn't really *make* Katsuki do anything. "I'll tell him to write home more," he offered.
Athena looked mollified, nibbling his ear again.
Athena looked mollified, nibbling his ear again.
He fastened the boxes to her leg, watching her test the weight before taking off.
He should have known she could handle it. Magical owls could carry whole broomsticks. Candy boxes would be nothing.
"Wanna go for a fly, 'Thena?" he asked the bird who was still on his shoulder.
He should have known she could handle it. Magical owls could carry whole broomsticks. Candy boxes would be nothing.
"Wanna go for a fly, 'Thena?" he asked the bird who was still on his shoulder.
Athena screeched excitedly, flapping wildly. He winced as her talons pinched his shoulder a little too tightly, but laughed at her enthusiasm.
Maybe a pre-dinner flight over the lake with Athena would clear his head enough to deal with people.
Maybe a pre-dinner flight over the lake with Athena would clear his head enough to deal with people.
He held out his arm so that Athena could perch more comfortably while he walked down to the quidditch pitch.
Thankfully he wouldn't have to go onto the pitch—he'd just grab his broom from the locker room. He didn't want to see Katsuki right now.
What if Katsuki pitied him?
Thankfully he wouldn't have to go onto the pitch—he'd just grab his broom from the locker room. He didn't want to see Katsuki right now.
What if Katsuki pitied him?
He could hear Katsuki yelling at the team even from inside the locker room. Even though Katsuki was kinda the center of his current turmoil, his voice made him feel safe.
He was tempted to stay there and listen but Athena was itching for flight, shifting impatiently on his arm.
He was tempted to stay there and listen but Athena was itching for flight, shifting impatiently on his arm.
He carried her as far as the covered bridge before she took flight, and he took off after her.
He mimicked her movements as she flew—almost playing tag as they sailed across the water.
He flew until the clock chimed seven, which meant he should probably go to dinner.
He mimicked her movements as she flew—almost playing tag as they sailed across the water.
He flew until the clock chimed seven, which meant he should probably go to dinner.
He didn't want to. He wanted to stay out here where nobody could bother him. He was tempted to cast a bubblehead charm and just dive into the lake. Even the grindylow were less judgmental than his classmates.
Instead, he turned his broom back toward the stadium. He flew low so—
Instead, he turned his broom back toward the stadium. He flew low so—
Katsuki wouldn't see him from the pitch.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't really on his side on that front. As soon as he entered the corridor to the locker room, he ran into him. "Kacchan!"
Katsuki frowned at him. "Deku. Thought you were studying," he said, holding his arm out—
Unfortunately, luck wasn't really on his side on that front. As soon as he entered the corridor to the locker room, he ran into him. "Kacchan!"
Katsuki frowned at him. "Deku. Thought you were studying," he said, holding his arm out—
for Athena. The Eagle Owl flapped over to him, picking at the laces on his shoulder pads happily. "What are you doing with Bird Brain?"
"Just went for a fly," he replied, hoping it came off casual. "Needed to get outside. I'm just gonna put my broom away," he said, moving to—
"Just went for a fly," he replied, hoping it came off casual. "Needed to get outside. I'm just gonna put my broom away," he said, moving to—
step past him. Katsuki caught his arm, peering at his face. "Have you been crying?"
"What? No," he huffed, shaking him loose.
"Your eyes look like you doused them in nettle extract."
"Bug flew in my eye when I was flying."
"*Both eyes,* nerd? If you're gonna lie, lie better."
"What? No," he huffed, shaking him loose.
"Your eyes look like you doused them in nettle extract."
"Bug flew in my eye when I was flying."
"*Both eyes,* nerd? If you're gonna lie, lie better."
Izuku sighed. "It's not important, okay? Don't worry about it."
"If it made you cry, it's important," Katsuki insisted.
"Everything makes me cry, Kacchan. I saw a shrew curled up in a flower and I sobbed for twenty minutes."
"Did you see a shrew in a fuckin' flower?"
"If it made you cry, it's important," Katsuki insisted.
"Everything makes me cry, Kacchan. I saw a shrew curled up in a flower and I sobbed for twenty minutes."
"Did you see a shrew in a fuckin' flower?"
"...No."
"Then what. Happened."
He sighed, tilting his head back to glare at the ceiling. There was no getting around Katsuki. He was an aggressive, perceptive wall of stubborn. "I ran into Monoma."
"I told you not to listen to that fuckwit!"
"He asked me out."
"Then what. Happened."
He sighed, tilting his head back to glare at the ceiling. There was no getting around Katsuki. He was an aggressive, perceptive wall of stubborn. "I ran into Monoma."
"I told you not to listen to that fuckwit!"
"He asked me out."
"He asked—what?"
"He asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him this weekend."
Katsuki scoffed. "God, no fucking wonder you were crying." Izuku laughed, bright and surprised. "Is that it? What did you say?"
"I told him no. He told me I'd die alone."
Katsuki scowled. "What?"
"He asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him this weekend."
Katsuki scoffed. "God, no fucking wonder you were crying." Izuku laughed, bright and surprised. "Is that it? What did you say?"
"I told him no. He told me I'd die alone."
Katsuki scowled. "What?"
"Come on, Kacchan," he chuckled, looking down. "As if I didn't already know that," he tried to pass it off as a joke even though the notion burned at his heart.
He felt Katsuki's palm on his shoulder a moment later, basically cradling his neck. This...was uncharted territory.
He felt Katsuki's palm on his shoulder a moment later, basically cradling his neck. This...was uncharted territory.
Izuku made eye contact and felt his heart clench at the expression on his face. It was intense—serious and concerned.
It made him feel cared for.
"Stop that shit," Katsuki insisted. "You're a fuckin' catch, alright? Neito's just a dick nugget, and I'm gonna—
It made him feel cared for.
"Stop that shit," Katsuki insisted. "You're a fuckin' catch, alright? Neito's just a dick nugget, and I'm gonna—
yank out his colon and choke him with it."
Izuku wrinkled his nose. "Gross."
"Just like him," Katsuki agreed, giving him a dark grin. Athena flicked her wings, and it made Izuku realize how close Katsuki was. "He's fucking wrong. I told you that you're important to me—
Izuku wrinkled his nose. "Gross."
"Just like him," Katsuki agreed, giving him a dark grin. Athena flicked her wings, and it made Izuku realize how close Katsuki was. "He's fucking wrong. I told you that you're important to me—
less than ten hours ago. Don't fuckin' forget it, Deku. I hate this sappy shit, but you *know* you'll always have me."
*But not like that. He doesn't want you that way.*
But that didn't matter. He didn't care how Katsuki was in his life, as long as he was there.
*But not like that. He doesn't want you that way.*
But that didn't matter. He didn't care how Katsuki was in his life, as long as he was there.
Izuku smiled up at him. "Thanks, Kacchan."
"I gotta take a shower and put my shit away," Katsuki said, stepping away. "We still studying after dinner?"
Izuku nodded. "Of course," he replied. Any time with Katsuki was time well spent. "I wouldn't miss it."
"I gotta take a shower and put my shit away," Katsuki said, stepping away. "We still studying after dinner?"
Izuku nodded. "Of course," he replied. Any time with Katsuki was time well spent. "I wouldn't miss it."
-
-
-
He entered the Great Hall carefully. He glanced over at the Gryffindor table, only to find Uraraka waving at him.
The memory of mushrooms kept his eyes traveling, landing on the Hufflepuff table next. Denki was eyeing him, and while it was flattering, it was uncomfortable.
-
-
He entered the Great Hall carefully. He glanced over at the Gryffindor table, only to find Uraraka waving at him.
The memory of mushrooms kept his eyes traveling, landing on the Hufflepuff table next. Denki was eyeing him, and while it was flattering, it was uncomfortable.
The Slytherin table was definitely not an option without Katsuki there, so his eyes fixed on the Ravenclaw table.
Hatsume and Momo were there, and it looked like there was space for him to squeeze in.
He approached them slowly, giving them time to notice him.
Hatsume and Momo were there, and it looked like there was space for him to squeeze in.
He approached them slowly, giving them time to notice him.
Nothing good came when Izuku accidentally startled people.
When Hatsume saw him, she brightened, scooting over to make extra room. "Hey green bean! Pull up a seat!"
He slid in next to her gratefully, making himself comfortable. "Thanks, Hatsume," he replied
When Hatsume saw him, she brightened, scooting over to make extra room. "Hey green bean! Pull up a seat!"
He slid in next to her gratefully, making himself comfortable. "Thanks, Hatsume," he replied
He looked up at Momo, smiling at his friend. She was actually the first friend he'd made at Hogwarts. They'd been paired together for a group project and they'd hit it off immediately.
But she was popular, and he didn't do well in crowds. They still hung out, but not as often.
But she was popular, and he didn't do well in crowds. They still hung out, but not as often.
"Hey, Momo," he greeted her. When she made eye contact she froze, then frowned *deeply.*
An unusual reaction, to be sure.
She stood abruptly, jostling the table. "I am a *lesbian!*" she shouted for the whole hall to hear.
As if Izuku had somehow suggested she wasn't.
An unusual reaction, to be sure.
She stood abruptly, jostling the table. "I am a *lesbian!*" she shouted for the whole hall to hear.
As if Izuku had somehow suggested she wasn't.
"Uh...congratulations?" he uttered, confused. She'd told him she was gay three years ago. Why was she glaring at him?
"What the hell is going on?" she demanded.
"That's a really good question," he hissed back, shrinking in his seat.
Hatsume's eyes were whipping between them.
"What the hell is going on?" she demanded.
"That's a really good question," he hissed back, shrinking in his seat.
Hatsume's eyes were whipping between them.
Izuku's tone must have snapped her out of it, because she glanced around the hall, taking in the number of people who were watching in fascination.
She was making a scene. That just wouldn't do, so she bent over the table. "Come with me," she murmured. "Mei, you come too," she—
She was making a scene. That just wouldn't do, so she bent over the table. "Come with me," she murmured. "Mei, you come too," she—
insisted as she straightened, turning and storming out of the Great Hall.
Hatsume and Izuku looked at each other. Then Hatsume's eyes widened, her jaw dropping in horror. "Oh crap," she groaned. "Okay, yeah, let's go," she urged, moving to follow Momo.
Hatsume and Izuku looked at each other. Then Hatsume's eyes widened, her jaw dropping in horror. "Oh crap," she groaned. "Okay, yeah, let's go," she urged, moving to follow Momo.
Izuku scurried after them quickly, eager to escape the prying eyes and figure out what the hell was going on.
He had a feeling it wasn't good.
Momo led them to the closest classroom, pushing them both inside and slamming the door behind them. "What the hell is happening?"
He had a feeling it wasn't good.
Momo led them to the closest classroom, pushing them both inside and slamming the door behind them. "What the hell is happening?"
"What's wrong? What did I do?" Izuku asked, wringing his hands anxiously.
"When I looked at you back there, I was *sure* I wanted to kiss you. In a heterosexual way," she shuddered. "What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything!" he argued, cheeks burning with humiliation.
"When I looked at you back there, I was *sure* I wanted to kiss you. In a heterosexual way," she shuddered. "What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything!" he argued, cheeks burning with humiliation.
"Actually," Mei spoke up, cringing when they looked at her. "This might be my fault," she admitted.
"Fine, what did *you* do?" Momo demanded.
"I, uh..." she grimaced. "One of my research projects is the effects of certain ingredient replacements in love potions to make them—
"Fine, what did *you* do?" Momo demanded.
"I, uh..." she grimaced. "One of my research projects is the effects of certain ingredient replacements in love potions to make them—
undetectable," she explained. "There have been a lot of reports of muggles getting drugged with undetectable love potions by fuckboy wizards who think they can get away with it because—"
"Mei," Momo interrupted. "The point?"
"Right," she flushed. "I was working on that—
"Mei," Momo interrupted. "The point?"
"Right," she flushed. "I was working on that—
for two months. I finally synthesized a tasteless version last week, and I was gonna start testing an antidote after the maturation period. But uh—" she rubbed the back of her neck. "I was working on it at the same time as your most recent batch of Wolfsbane," she explained.
They stared at her for a long moment. Then Izuku closed his eyes in horror as the events of the last three days washed over him, and Momo pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation.
"What are the effects and when does it wear off," Momo asked tiredly.
"What are the effects and when does it wear off," Momo asked tiredly.
"It's called Amor Ex Oculis," she replied. "It literally translates to 'love from the eyes.' When you make eye contact with another person, they'll feel a deep attraction to you."
Izuku groaned, pressing his palms into his eyes. "Oh, god."
"It isn't matured, so—
Izuku groaned, pressing his palms into his eyes. "Oh, god."
"It isn't matured, so—
the effects should only last around 24 hours, but if you've been taking it every day like you take Wolfsbane, then the effects were probably maintained over the past few days," she continued.
"Oh *god,*" Izuku whined, slumping against the wall. Suddenly, everything made sense.
"Oh *god,*" Izuku whined, slumping against the wall. Suddenly, everything made sense.
"I'm so sorry Mido, I'll have to brew you the Belby Wolfsbane this month," Hatsume continued. She had taken a few steps back, as though she didn't trust herself to be close to Izuku. She had looked him in the eye, after all.
"I assume you looked more people in the eye—
"I assume you looked more people in the eye—
than just us," Momo said, sounding tired beyond her years.
"This explains so much," he whined. "Uraraka has been all over me. Denki was flirting me and so was Jirou. *Monoma* asked me out today," he uttered, horrified.
"He *did?*" Momo gasped. "No way!"
"This explains so much," he whined. "Uraraka has been all over me. Denki was flirting me and so was Jirou. *Monoma* asked me out today," he uttered, horrified.
"He *did?*" Momo gasped. "No way!"
"He asked me to Hogsmeade while telling me that I was gonna die loveless and alone," he replied.
"Oh my god, what did *you* say?" Momo asked. As refined as she was, she was sort of a bloodhound for drama.
"I *obviously* said no!" Izuku huffed.
"Oh my god, what did *you* say?" Momo asked. As refined as she was, she was sort of a bloodhound for drama.
"I *obviously* said no!" Izuku huffed.
"You should probably lie low until it wears off again," Hatsume piped up, interrupting their derailed conversation.
"I can go to the library," Izuku agreed.
"I'll sneak you some food," Momo agreed.
"Just give it to Kacchan," Izuku told her. "He's meeting me—"
"I can go to the library," Izuku agreed.
"I'll sneak you some food," Momo agreed.
"Just give it to Kacchan," Izuku told her. "He's meeting me—"
He stopped short. He'd looked Katsuki in the eye *multiple times* since he'd started taking the potion. He hadn't been behaving very far out of character. "Hey Hatsume?"
"Yeah?"
"Is there a reason the effects of the potion would just...skip someone?"
"Yeah?"
"Is there a reason the effects of the potion would just...skip someone?"
"Uh, not that I can think of? Well, unless they were already more attracted to you than the effects of the potion could manufacture," she replied thoughtfully.
Izuku reeled through their interactions, eyes flicking back and forth as he thought. His stomach sank as he went.
Izuku reeled through their interactions, eyes flicking back and forth as he thought. His stomach sank as he went.
Katsuki *had* been acting differently.
Just not as wildly different as his other classmates. It was subtle, because Katsuki was already a regular fixture in his life.
But he'd been very vocal about his feelings over the past few days. Telling him how much he cared—
Just not as wildly different as his other classmates. It was subtle, because Katsuki was already a regular fixture in his life.
But he'd been very vocal about his feelings over the past few days. Telling him how much he cared—
and treating him like he was treasured instead of just appreciated.
The way he'd touched Izuku's neck only half an hour ago was enough of a red flag.
But what he'd said in the Hospital Wing all but confirmed it. Before, he'd treated Izuku's hospital stays as an annoyance.
The way he'd touched Izuku's neck only half an hour ago was enough of a red flag.
But what he'd said in the Hospital Wing all but confirmed it. Before, he'd treated Izuku's hospital stays as an annoyance.
But today, he'd said: '*Caring about you is as easy as breathing, but I can't fucking breathe when you're in danger.*'
He should have realized something was off as soon as he said it. Almost as a *rule,* Katsuki didn't talk about his emotions.
He'd show them through actions,—
He should have realized something was off as soon as he said it. Almost as a *rule,* Katsuki didn't talk about his emotions.
He'd show them through actions,—
but talking about themIt made him uncomfortable.
When he'd gotten his new robes from Mitsuki, Katsuki had told him off for crying and being emotional.
At least he knew the truth now. Without the potion, Katsuki was *not* attracted to him.
It hurt, but at least he had clarity.
When he'd gotten his new robes from Mitsuki, Katsuki had told him off for crying and being emotional.
At least he knew the truth now. Without the potion, Katsuki was *not* attracted to him.
It hurt, but at least he had clarity.
He squared his shoulders and shook it off. Just like everything else that happened to him.
"I'll go grab food from the kitchen. Let Kacchan know I wasn't feeling well, so I went to bed early?" he requested.
Momo was frowning at him. "Are you okay, Izuku?"
"I'll go grab food from the kitchen. Let Kacchan know I wasn't feeling well, so I went to bed early?" he requested.
Momo was frowning at him. "Are you okay, Izuku?"
He smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. "Of course," he replied. "I'm fine. Always am. Better safe than sorry, though."
They frowned as he left, but they let him go. He was grateful—he probably would have broken down if they made him talk about it.
They frowned as he left, but they let him go. He was grateful—he probably would have broken down if they made him talk about it.
At least he'd get to say hi to the house elves.
It'd keep his mind off Katsuki.
Like the way he'd interrupted his training to go for a run with him. And watched Venus Dart Fish with him in the sunrise. And how he'd smiled at him like he was magical in a non-literal way.
It'd keep his mind off Katsuki.
Like the way he'd interrupted his training to go for a run with him. And watched Venus Dart Fish with him in the sunrise. And how he'd smiled at him like he was magical in a non-literal way.
How he'd been possessively defensive the past few days—keeping Aoyama and Uraraka at bay.
None of those things had been genuine. They'd been manufactured by a *love potion.*
He laughed to himself. Why else would someone like him?
God, he couldn't wait to get out of here.
None of those things had been genuine. They'd been manufactured by a *love potion.*
He laughed to himself. Why else would someone like him?
God, he couldn't wait to get out of here.
-
-
-
He sat with Hatsume and Momo at breakfast the next morning, and they both seemed immediately relieved. "It wore off," Momo assured him.
"Good," he muttered, pulling the box of *undetectable hair-trigger love potions* out of his bag and shoving them in Hatsume's direction.
-
-
He sat with Hatsume and Momo at breakfast the next morning, and they both seemed immediately relieved. "It wore off," Momo assured him.
"Good," he muttered, pulling the box of *undetectable hair-trigger love potions* out of his bag and shoving them in Hatsume's direction.
"Sorry again, Mido," Hatsume apologized. "I'll make it up to you. What do you want, a memory retention potion? My new-and-improved pepper-up potion? Oh! Do you want to test—"
"It's fine," Izuku assured her. "Just...make the Belby potion?"
"Oh, of course. That's a given."
"It's fine," Izuku assured her. "Just...make the Belby potion?"
"Oh, of course. That's a given."
"Thanks," he replied, giving her a tired but genuine smile. She seemed relieved.
The morning post came, dropping newspapers and letters all over the hall.
Whitney wasn't among the masses, opting to show up right before Izuku made his way across the grounds to—
The morning post came, dropping newspapers and letters all over the hall.
Whitney wasn't among the masses, opting to show up right before Izuku made his way across the grounds to—
Care of Magical Creatures.
"Thanks, Whit," he smiled, pecking her on her feathery head and giving her two slices of bacon. He tucked the letter she was carrying into his pocket before leaving the hall.
"Oi, Deku!"
Izuku stopped in his tracks so abruptly that he almost fell.
"Thanks, Whit," he smiled, pecking her on her feathery head and giving her two slices of bacon. He tucked the letter she was carrying into his pocket before leaving the hall.
"Oi, Deku!"
Izuku stopped in his tracks so abruptly that he almost fell.
"What are you still doing here?" Izuku asked. "You always get to Creatures early."
"Yeah, I wanted to check on you, fucker," Katsuki snapped. "You bailed last night. Princess Priss said you weren't feeling well."
"Stomach ache," Izuku explained without missing a beat.
"Yeah, I wanted to check on you, fucker," Katsuki snapped. "You bailed last night. Princess Priss said you weren't feeling well."
"Stomach ache," Izuku explained without missing a beat.
"You're not gonna spew in class, are you?" Katsuki asked, eyeing him warily.
"Nope," Izuku assured him. "I feel much better."
Katsuki eyed him distrustfully. "If you say so," he muttered. "Let's go, nerd."
"Nope," Izuku assured him. "I feel much better."
Katsuki eyed him distrustfully. "If you say so," he muttered. "Let's go, nerd."
They walked in silence, and Izuku was pleased to find that it was a comfortable silence.
He loved Friday mornings. The weekend was hours away, and he got to spend time with magical creatures when the rest of the class was too tired to make jokes about him being one.
He loved Friday mornings. The weekend was hours away, and he got to spend time with magical creatures when the rest of the class was too tired to make jokes about him being one.
At the edge of the forest, he felt like an adventurer—even within the parameters of class.
Like he could just take off and disappear into the trees, spending the rest of his life observing the way life worked outside of human parameters.
Like he could just take off and disappear into the trees, spending the rest of his life observing the way life worked outside of human parameters.
"If you run into the forest to play happy-fucking-family with the house-sized spiders, I'm having you committed to St. Mungo's," Katsuki huffed, flicking the side of his head.
Ah. He'd been muttering. "I'm not actually gonna," he replied moodily. "I just kinda want to."
Ah. He'd been muttering. "I'm not actually gonna," he replied moodily. "I just kinda want to."
Katsuki frowned at him. "You only talk about running off and living in the woods when you're in a shit mood. What happened?"
"Nothing," Izuku rolled his eyes.
"You still upset about Neito?"
"*No,*" he sighed.
"About being blown up by balloon girl?"
"Stop calling her that!"
"Nothing," Izuku rolled his eyes.
"You still upset about Neito?"
"*No,*" he sighed.
"About being blown up by balloon girl?"
"Stop calling her that!"
"Maybe when I'm dead."
"You're impossible."
"And you're being pissy," Katsuki barked. "What the fuck is wrong?"
"It's been a long couple of days, that's all," Izuku shrugged. "I'm ready for the weekend."
"So you can spend the entire time getting drowned by grindylows?"
"You're impossible."
"And you're being pissy," Katsuki barked. "What the fuck is wrong?"
"It's been a long couple of days, that's all," Izuku shrugged. "I'm ready for the weekend."
"So you can spend the entire time getting drowned by grindylows?"
Izuku huffed an exasperated laugh. "Yeah. Something like that."
"Fantastic," Katsuki muttered.
"If you're so worried, why don't you just come with me?" Izuku asked blithely. Katsuki stopped in his tracks, so Izuku did too, frowning back at him. "Kacchan?"
"You'd let me?"
"Fantastic," Katsuki muttered.
"If you're so worried, why don't you just come with me?" Izuku asked blithely. Katsuki stopped in his tracks, so Izuku did too, frowning back at him. "Kacchan?"
"You'd let me?"
Izuku looked at him like he'd grown another head. "First of all, how would I stop you?"
"I'm not gonna fuckin' go if you don't want me there," Katsuki barked. "I don't wanna disturb your shit."
"Okaaaay," Izuku drawled. "Second of all, why *wouldn't* I want you there?"
"I'm not gonna fuckin' go if you don't want me there," Katsuki barked. "I don't wanna disturb your shit."
"Okaaaay," Izuku drawled. "Second of all, why *wouldn't* I want you there?"
"*In case I disturb your shit!*"
Izuku snorted. "You're the most competent person I know. I think you can manage not to disturb basic observation."
"Then why didn't you invite me sooner?" Katsuki demanded.
Izuku shrugged. "I never thought you'd be interested."
Izuku snorted. "You're the most competent person I know. I think you can manage not to disturb basic observation."
"Then why didn't you invite me sooner?" Katsuki demanded.
Izuku shrugged. "I never thought you'd be interested."
Katsuki's jaw clenched and released a few times. "Fuck you," he said after a long, weird moment. "I'm interested."
Izuku's traitorous heart fluttered. "Really?"
"That's what I fucking said, isn't it?" he snapped. Izuku grinned blindingly, and Katsuki looked away.
Izuku's traitorous heart fluttered. "Really?"
"That's what I fucking said, isn't it?" he snapped. Izuku grinned blindingly, and Katsuki looked away.
"I'd love to have you there," Izuku replied excitedly. "Just wait till you see everything I've found, Kacchan—"
"You can tell me about it later, Deku," he interrupted. Izuku's heart sank. Was Katsuki just humoring him?
"Right, sorry—"
"No, it's just," Katsuki pinched—
"You can tell me about it later, Deku," he interrupted. Izuku's heart sank. Was Katsuki just humoring him?
"Right, sorry—"
"No, it's just," Katsuki pinched—
the bridge of his nose. "We're *late for fuckin' class.*"
Izuku blushed. "Oh, right," he laughed sheepishly. "Let's go then."
As they resumed their treck to the gamekeeper's hut, there was a little more spring in Izuku's step.
He could show Katsuki the mermaid settlement! Or—
Izuku blushed. "Oh, right," he laughed sheepishly. "Let's go then."
As they resumed their treck to the gamekeeper's hut, there was a little more spring in Izuku's step.
He could show Katsuki the mermaid settlement! Or—
the Giant Squid's hybernation cove. Or the small herd of waterhorses that he was pretty sure were Backahasten which were typically native to Scandinavia—
"Show me whatever you want, Deku, but only after Fat stops glaring at us," Katsuki muttered, elbowing him in the side.
"Show me whatever you want, Deku, but only after Fat stops glaring at us," Katsuki muttered, elbowing him in the side.
Izuku looked his mentor in the eye and pouted when he saw his disappointed stare.
Hey, he knew what his superpowers were. He just didn't use them for evil. Most of the time.
Professor Toyomitsu rolled his eyes and turned back around to show off the pack of Orthus Wolves.
Hey, he knew what his superpowers were. He just didn't use them for evil. Most of the time.
Professor Toyomitsu rolled his eyes and turned back around to show off the pack of Orthus Wolves.
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-
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-
Izuku completely forgot about the letter from Mitsuki until his free period after lunch.
He'd been pretty eager to avoid any public, informal meeting with Monoma, since the bitchy blonde had been stink-eyeing him all morning.
Unfortunately, Monoma wasn't just mean, he—
-
-
Izuku completely forgot about the letter from Mitsuki until his free period after lunch.
He'd been pretty eager to avoid any public, informal meeting with Monoma, since the bitchy blonde had been stink-eyeing him all morning.
Unfortunately, Monoma wasn't just mean, he—
was also pretty damn smart.
Izuku was willing to bet that he'd known what happened as soon as the potion wore off. He really didn't want a big confrontation about it.
Uraraka had been avoiding his eye all morning, too. He was kinda humiliated. So he'd breezed through—
Izuku was willing to bet that he'd known what happened as soon as the potion wore off. He really didn't want a big confrontation about it.
Uraraka had been avoiding his eye all morning, too. He was kinda humiliated. So he'd breezed through—
the Great Hall, grabbing a sandwich and an apple off the table before booking it to the library.
Denki had waved at him, friendly as ever, as they passed in the hall. Jirou, under his arm, had smiled. So at least they didn't seem to be disgusted by him.
Denki had waved at him, friendly as ever, as they passed in the hall. Jirou, under his arm, had smiled. So at least they didn't seem to be disgusted by him.
He sat in his favorite spot again, pulling out his books and arranging them in the order he needed them. Then he reached into his pocket for the wrapped sandwich.
His hand brushed the note and he pulled that out, too. He was pretty sure it was just a quick—
His hand brushed the note and he pulled that out, too. He was pretty sure it was just a quick—
'Good to hear from you' note, so he unfolded it while taking a bite—chewing as he scanned it.
He paused mid-chew.
It *was* a short note, but it was more than 'good to hear from you.'
He paused mid-chew.
It *was* a short note, but it was more than 'good to hear from you.'
He read it again, frowning.
His brain was working overtime, like he was trying to solve an Artithmancy problem set with only half the necessary variables.
If Auntie hadn't gotten him those gifts, why did Katsuki say she had? Had he just pawned stuff off that he—
His brain was working overtime, like he was trying to solve an Artithmancy problem set with only half the necessary variables.
If Auntie hadn't gotten him those gifts, why did Katsuki say she had? Had he just pawned stuff off that he—
didn't want?
No, these were really high quality, and he'd have been able to use them. He wouldn't have gotten rid of them just to be petty, especially since they were going to start learning about Manticores next week.
So Katsuki must have gotten them for him, specifically.
No, these were really high quality, and he'd have been able to use them. He wouldn't have gotten rid of them just to be petty, especially since they were going to start learning about Manticores next week.
So Katsuki must have gotten them for him, specifically.
Had Katsuki asked his mom for extra equipment?
No, then she'd know about it, right? But why would he keep it from her? Mitsuki was basically his second mother, she wouldn't say *no,* even if Izuku did think it was too extravagant.
The only time Katsuki ever kept things from—
No, then she'd know about it, right? But why would he keep it from her? Mitsuki was basically his second mother, she wouldn't say *no,* even if Izuku did think it was too extravagant.
The only time Katsuki ever kept things from—
his mom was when he thought she was going to nag him about it. Why would Mitsuki nag him about this?
Or...tease him about this. He would avoid going through his mom if he thought she was going to tease him. He'd definitely pay a hundred galleons to buy equipment that he—
Or...tease him about this. He would avoid going through his mom if he thought she was going to tease him. He'd definitely pay a hundred galleons to buy equipment that he—
could get for free if it meant not getting teased by Mitsuki Bakuogou.
But *why* would she tease him?
The too-recent memory of Katsuki tenderly cupping the back of his neck pricked across his skin like a visceral answer.
There was *no way.*
But *why* would she tease him?
The too-recent memory of Katsuki tenderly cupping the back of his neck pricked across his skin like a visceral answer.
There was *no way.*
He'd given Izuku the package—the *gift*—the day *before* he'd started taking the love potion. There was no way.
Was there?
He was still squinting at the note like it was written in Aramaic when Katsuki found him half an hour later. "What's that?" he asked as he strolled up and—
Was there?
He was still squinting at the note like it was written in Aramaic when Katsuki found him half an hour later. "What's that?" he asked as he strolled up and—
dropped into the seat across from him.
Izuku's head snapped up. "Huh?"
Katsuki raised an eyebrow and jerked his chin at the letter. "What's. That."
"Oh," Izuku put the letter away. "Nothing."
"Didn't look like nothing," Katsuki replied. Izuku *felt* his eyes sweep over him—
Izuku's head snapped up. "Huh?"
Katsuki raised an eyebrow and jerked his chin at the letter. "What's. That."
"Oh," Izuku put the letter away. "Nothing."
"Didn't look like nothing," Katsuki replied. Izuku *felt* his eyes sweep over him—
like a physical touch, as though assessing whether Izuku's caginess was something to be concerned about.
"Well, it's *something.* But nothing bad," Izuku explained. Katsuki seemed to deem that answer satisfactory.
"You know who to ask if you need something blown up," he—
"Well, it's *something.* But nothing bad," Izuku explained. Katsuki seemed to deem that answer satisfactory.
"You know who to ask if you need something blown up," he—
offered, not really concerned. Izuku couldn't help his smile.
"Thanks," he replied as Katsuki pulled out their star chart. "I don't think that's necessary."
They worked in silence for a while, Izuku's mind still reeling.
Maybe it was because the past few days were so weird,—
"Thanks," he replied as Katsuki pulled out their star chart. "I don't think that's necessary."
They worked in silence for a while, Izuku's mind still reeling.
Maybe it was because the past few days were so weird,—
or maybe it was because Katsuki had apparently spent his year's allowance on top-of-the-line gear for him, but Izuku *had* to know.
He had to.
At some point, Katsuki had stood to lean across the table—carefully plotting out stars on their map with a ocular sextant.
He had to.
At some point, Katsuki had stood to lean across the table—carefully plotting out stars on their map with a ocular sextant.
"Hey, Kacchan?"
Katsuki looked up at him, and Izuku couldn't help but notice how close he was. He could count his eyelashes from this distance.
He could lean forward and—
Not right now. Not yet.
"What?"
"Have you felt...weird the past few days?"
Katsuki looked up at him, and Izuku couldn't help but notice how close he was. He could count his eyelashes from this distance.
He could lean forward and—
Not right now. Not yet.
"What?"
"Have you felt...weird the past few days?"
"Well I felt a little more homicidal," he replied sarcastically. "Between balloon girl blowing you up and Neito being a douche-canoe, I've been pissed off on all fronts."
"But like...weird around me."
Katsuki raised an eyebrow. "No?"
"Are you sure?"
"But like...weird around me."
Katsuki raised an eyebrow. "No?"
"Are you sure?"
"Well, maybe more confused about your weird-ass behavior," he allowed. "Why do you ask?"
"Uh," Izuku rubbed the back of his neck. "Hatsume accidentally gave me the wrong potion," he explained.
Katsuki scowled, tensing immediately. "What did she give you? Are you okay? I'll—"
"Uh," Izuku rubbed the back of his neck. "Hatsume accidentally gave me the wrong potion," he explained.
Katsuki scowled, tensing immediately. "What did she give you? Are you okay? I'll—"
"Relax, it didn't hurt me," Izuku chuckled, a little giddy with disbelief. "But it affected the behavior of people around me, and you're around me the most. So?"
Katsuki frowned, thinking over the past few days. "No, I've felt the same. Nothing weird."
Katsuki frowned, thinking over the past few days. "No, I've felt the same. Nothing weird."
Izuku laughed in disbelief, and Katsuki looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "You're sure?"
"Morgana's saggy tit, yes," Katsuki huffed, exasperated.
"Okay. Okay, cool," Izuku nodded. "It was a love potion. Amor Ex Oculis?"
And the thing is,—
"Morgana's saggy tit, yes," Katsuki huffed, exasperated.
"Okay. Okay, cool," Izuku nodded. "It was a love potion. Amor Ex Oculis?"
And the thing is,—
one of Katsuki's strongest subjects was Potions. He preferred Defense and Charms because he lacked the patience for brewing, but he was a goddamn Potions savant in terms of knowledge.
Katsuki froze, his face going blank. "It was?"
"Mhm."
"Amor Ex Oculis?"
"Yeah."
Katsuki froze, his face going blank. "It was?"
"Mhm."
"Amor Ex Oculis?"
"Yeah."
Katsuki was silent for a beat longer, and Izuku could *see* the gears turning as he tried to find a way to explain himself. In the end, he settled for:
"Well fuck me sideways with a centaur spear," as he straightened and rubbed his hand across his eyes in frustration.
"Well fuck me sideways with a centaur spear," as he straightened and rubbed his hand across his eyes in frustration.
"That sounds painful," Izuku chuckled.
Katsuki squinted at him. "You seem really fuckin' chill about this," he snapped. "You know what this means, right? Why aren't you bitching me out?"
"Why would I be upset?" Izuku asked, frowning.
"I'm a dick, Deku. I was a dick for years—"
Katsuki squinted at him. "You seem really fuckin' chill about this," he snapped. "You know what this means, right? Why aren't you bitching me out?"
"Why would I be upset?" Izuku asked, frowning.
"I'm a dick, Deku. I was a dick for years—"
"We're past that."
"And we're *friends,* doesn't it creep you out?"
"Do I creep you out?" Izuku asked earnestly.
"Why would you creep me out?" Katsuki demanded.
At that moment, Izuku realized that Monoma had been *completely* full of shit, and Katsuki had no idea how he felt.
"And we're *friends,* doesn't it creep you out?"
"Do I creep you out?" Izuku asked earnestly.
"Why would you creep me out?" Katsuki demanded.
At that moment, Izuku realized that Monoma had been *completely* full of shit, and Katsuki had no idea how he felt.
Damn, they should really learn how to communicate better.
"So," Izuku began, eyeing Katsuki with purpose. The blonde looked like he was gonna freak out. "You just unintentionally told me that you're deeply attracted to me. And you gave me a super fancy expensive gift, and you—
"So," Izuku began, eyeing Katsuki with purpose. The blonde looked like he was gonna freak out. "You just unintentionally told me that you're deeply attracted to me. And you gave me a super fancy expensive gift, and you—
cried at my bedside like a grieving wife—"
Katsuki scowled defensively, tossing his quill at Izuku's face. "Now hold up you shitty vegetable—"
Izuku smiled, pleased that the tension eased when the bickering started. "I'm pretty sure you have like...real feelings for me. Right?"
Katsuki scowled defensively, tossing his quill at Izuku's face. "Now hold up you shitty vegetable—"
Izuku smiled, pleased that the tension eased when the bickering started. "I'm pretty sure you have like...real feelings for me. Right?"
Katsuki's eyes dropped to the table. "Yeah," he agreed. "Look, it doesn't have to be a big deal—"
"Yesterday, Monoma told me you'd never love me like I loved you, and I cried about it in the owlery for an hour," he interrupted.
There. In for a penny, in for a pound.
"Yesterday, Monoma told me you'd never love me like I loved you, and I cried about it in the owlery for an hour," he interrupted.
There. In for a penny, in for a pound.
Katsuki swallowed, and Izuku watched his Adam's apple bob with the motion. He, for the thousandth time that year, wanted to bite it. Gently. "You did?"
"Mhm."
Katsuki squinted at him. "So you—"
"Love you. Yeah."
"Oh."
"Mhm."
Katsuki squinted at him. "So you—"
"Love you. Yeah."
"Oh."
They stared at each other. If this were a game of chess, it would technically be Katsuki's move.
But Katsuki was taking so goddamn long to move. He seemed frozen by shock and while Izuku was flattered that he'd had such an effect, he was getting a little antsy.
But Katsuki was taking so goddamn long to move. He seemed frozen by shock and while Izuku was flattered that he'd had such an effect, he was getting a little antsy.
"Kacchan?"
"Go out with me."
Apparently he just needed to be snapped out of it. Cool.
"Sure," Izuku agreed immediately, delightedly watching Katsuki's blush creep down his ears to his neck and across his cheeks. "Hogsmeade tomorrow?"
Katsuki frowned, thinking about it.
"Go out with me."
Apparently he just needed to be snapped out of it. Cool.
"Sure," Izuku agreed immediately, delightedly watching Katsuki's blush creep down his ears to his neck and across his cheeks. "Hogsmeade tomorrow?"
Katsuki frowned, thinking about it.
"How about Hogsmeade right now?" Katsuki counter-offered.
It was Izuku's turn to blush. "Now?"
"Now," Katsuki repeated. "We can get dinner at the Broomsticks. Take a walk on main. Fly over the lake on our way back?" he blushed, tapping the corner of the—
It was Izuku's turn to blush. "Now?"
"Now," Katsuki repeated. "We can get dinner at the Broomsticks. Take a walk on main. Fly over the lake on our way back?" he blushed, tapping the corner of the—
star chart where the constellations were listed.
Izuku's breath caught in his throat. "Are you asking me to stargaze on the lake right now?"
"Shut. Up."
That was a yes.
Izuku's eyes widened. "Oh my god, you *like me,*" he breathed.
Katsuki scowled at him.
Izuku's breath caught in his throat. "Are you asking me to stargaze on the lake right now?"
"Shut. Up."
That was a yes.
Izuku's eyes widened. "Oh my god, you *like me,*" he breathed.
Katsuki scowled at him.
"We just fucking established that, asshole," he snapped.
"You just *asked me on a date!*"
"I swear to fucking god, I'll take it back," Katsuki hissed as Izuku's yell rang out through the library.
Izuku shook his head rapidly, fast enough that Katsuki skirted the table to—
"You just *asked me on a date!*"
"I swear to fucking god, I'll take it back," Katsuki hissed as Izuku's yell rang out through the library.
Izuku shook his head rapidly, fast enough that Katsuki skirted the table to—
hold his head still. "Don't take it back," he whispered.
"For fuck's sake," Katsuki hissed, squeezing his cheeks in frustration. "I'm not gonna take it back, but you gotta stop freaking out on me. Only one of us can freak out at a time or this is gonna be a huge fucking hassle."
"For fuck's sake," Katsuki hissed, squeezing his cheeks in frustration. "I'm not gonna take it back, but you gotta stop freaking out on me. Only one of us can freak out at a time or this is gonna be a huge fucking hassle."
Katsuki had just *admitted* that he was freaking out. Katsuki *never* admitted his weaknesses.
Katsuki might straight-up *love* him.
He'd ask, but he was already having a low-key heart attack. He'd table that for another day.
"Okay, Kacchan," he breathed, probably looking—
Katsuki might straight-up *love* him.
He'd ask, but he was already having a low-key heart attack. He'd table that for another day.
"Okay, Kacchan," he breathed, probably looking—
ridiculous from the way his lips were puckered under Katsuki's grip. Katsuki stared at him inscrutably, and Izuku could feel himself turning red under his gaze.
"I'm gonna go put my shit away," Katsuki said, finally releasing his face. "You should too. Meet me at the pitch."
"I'm gonna go put my shit away," Katsuki said, finally releasing his face. "You should too. Meet me at the pitch."
"Okay," Izuku repeated, slowly getting to his feet. They were standing so close together and really, Izuku's willpower was only so strong. "Hey, Kacchan?"
Katuski tilted his head, and Izuku's heart clenched. So, he stood on tiptoe and kissed him—quick and chaste. "Hurry, okay?"
Katuski tilted his head, and Izuku's heart clenched. So, he stood on tiptoe and kissed him—quick and chaste. "Hurry, okay?"
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Izuku was on a date with Katsuki.
He, Izuku Midoriya, was on a date with Katsuki Bakugou.
When they'd touched down in Hogsmeade, they'd shrunk their brooms and Katsuki had—very hesitantly—taken Izuku's hand.
They were on their way to the Three Broomsticks.
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Izuku was on a date with Katsuki.
He, Izuku Midoriya, was on a date with Katsuki Bakugou.
When they'd touched down in Hogsmeade, they'd shrunk their brooms and Katsuki had—very hesitantly—taken Izuku's hand.
They were on their way to the Three Broomsticks.
And Katsuki was holding his hand.
He was so nervous that he felt like he was going to throw up. What did you even talk about on dates?
"Just tell me about your research project or some shit," Katsuki replied. Izuku blushed furiously. "Seriously, I just like hearing you—
He was so nervous that he felt like he was going to throw up. What did you even talk about on dates?
"Just tell me about your research project or some shit," Katsuki replied. Izuku blushed furiously. "Seriously, I just like hearing you—
talk about shit you're interested in," Katsuki shrugged, blushing himself.
"Are you sure?" he asked, voice a little squeaky with anxiety.
"I don't say shit I don't mean," Katsuki replied, refusing to make eye contact.
Izuku swallowed. "Okay," he agreed. "But then—
"Are you sure?" he asked, voice a little squeaky with anxiety.
"I don't say shit I don't mean," Katsuki replied, refusing to make eye contact.
Izuku swallowed. "Okay," he agreed. "But then—
you have to tell me about your curse-breaking project."
Katsuki squeezed his hand gently, and Izuku's stomach did a somersault. "Sure. It's kinda boring, though," he warned.
"Nothing about you is boring," Izuku disagreed.
Katsuki barked a laugh. "I warned you."
Katsuki squeezed his hand gently, and Izuku's stomach did a somersault. "Sure. It's kinda boring, though," he warned.
"Nothing about you is boring," Izuku disagreed.
Katsuki barked a laugh. "I warned you."
Once they started, it was *easy* to talk and bicker like always. Izuku was relieved. He loved the effortless rapport he'd built with Katsuki, and even if they got to make out sometimes, he'd hate to lose the comfortable vibe.
Not that they'd made out yet. But whatever.
Not that they'd made out yet. But whatever.
They walked down main street, and Katsuki draped his arm over Izuku's shoulder as they went.
Izuku wasn't sure that this wasn't an elaborate fever dream.
There was no way he was allowed to tuck into Katsuki's side and snake his arm around his *shockingly narrow* waist, right?
Izuku wasn't sure that this wasn't an elaborate fever dream.
There was no way he was allowed to tuck into Katsuki's side and snake his arm around his *shockingly narrow* waist, right?
There was no way that Katsuki stopped them in the middle of the street to lean down and kiss him so gently that it felt unreal. Unreal in a way that made him wonder when he'd wake up.
There was no way they were hovering over the Black Lake, holding onto—
There was no way they were hovering over the Black Lake, holding onto—
each others' brooms so they wouldn't drift away.
There was no way the stars were reflected so clearly on the lake's still surface that if felt like they were *surrounded* by them, floating in space.
"How did you figure it out?" Izuku asked quietly, as though his voice—
There was no way the stars were reflected so clearly on the lake's still surface that if felt like they were *surrounded* by them, floating in space.
"How did you figure it out?" Izuku asked quietly, as though his voice—
could cause ripples on the water that would ruin the mirage.
There was *no way* Katsuki's answer was to blush while he took out his wand, whispering "Expecto Patronum" into the still night air.
A burst of silvery mist shot took form in front of them, and then—
There was *no way* Katsuki's answer was to blush while he took out his wand, whispering "Expecto Patronum" into the still night air.
A burst of silvery mist shot took form in front of them, and then—
a small glowing *bunny* sprinted it's way through the galaxy lake. Izuku frowned at him.
Katsuki shrugged. "I know you're a wolf or whatever, but you remind me of a bunny. Your nose even twitches when you think too fuckin' hard."
Izuku pouted. "It does not," he huffed.
Katsuki shrugged. "I know you're a wolf or whatever, but you remind me of a bunny. Your nose even twitches when you think too fuckin' hard."
Izuku pouted. "It does not," he huffed.
"It does," Katsuki chuckled. "But how about this," he said, leaning closer. "The memory I used to finally make him corporeal? It's the day you punched me in the face for being a jackass."
Izuku spluttered. "Why?"
"It's the moment we turned shit around. You told me—
Izuku spluttered. "Why?"
"It's the moment we turned shit around. You told me—
what was on your mind for once, instead of just letting me flatten you like a mating Erumpet," he snickered.
"I never let you do that," Izuku scowled.
"But you would hide," Katsuki argued. "You'd walk off and disappear. I was pissed when you hit me, but looking back, fuck,"—
"I never let you do that," Izuku scowled.
"But you would hide," Katsuki argued. "You'd walk off and disappear. I was pissed when you hit me, but looking back, fuck,"—
he dropped his forehead to Izuku's shoulder. "I don't think we'd have worked it out if you hadn't snapped."
"I don't know," Izuku replied, pressing a kiss to his hair. "I was pretty in love with you by then. I think we would have figured something out."
"I don't know," Izuku replied, pressing a kiss to his hair. "I was pretty in love with you by then. I think we would have figured something out."
"But this?" Katsuki asked, lifting his head. "You think we would have gotten here?"
Izuku smiled wryly. "I didn't think this would happen for me with anyone, remember? Let alone someone like you."
Katsuki jerked back, offended. "Someone like me? What, like I'm—"
Izuku smiled wryly. "I didn't think this would happen for me with anyone, remember? Let alone someone like you."
Katsuki jerked back, offended. "Someone like me? What, like I'm—"
"No, stop," Izuku insisted, grabbing his arm. "Not that you'd have something against me. I mean, you're the best. At everything you do. You're brilliant and bright and no matter what you decide to do, the world will be on its knees for you. And then there's me," he shrugged.
"I don't settle for less than the best, Deku," Katsuki reminded him, still a little ruffled. "That includes you. Don't fucking insult me by insulting yourself."
Izuku blushed. "I"ll work on it," he promised quietly. He leaned forward to press a kiss to Katsuki's cheek—
Izuku blushed. "I"ll work on it," he promised quietly. He leaned forward to press a kiss to Katsuki's cheek—
and he could see the patronus glow a little brighter from the corner of his eye.
He made Katsuki *happy.*
"What about you?" Katsuki asked, moving his hand so that it held Izuku's where he was gripping his broom handle.
"My patronus? I haven't been able to do a full one—"
He made Katsuki *happy.*
"What about you?" Katsuki asked, moving his hand so that it held Izuku's where he was gripping his broom handle.
"My patronus? I haven't been able to do a full one—"
"No, nerd," he chuckled. "When did you know?"
Izuku paused. "We were working with hippogriffs in the beginning of third year. Tetsutetsu pissed one off, and it started rampaging."
"I fuckin' remember," Katsuki scowled. "It nearly killed you."
"Yeah, but you immobilized it."
Izuku paused. "We were working with hippogriffs in the beginning of third year. Tetsutetsu pissed one off, and it started rampaging."
"I fuckin' remember," Katsuki scowled. "It nearly killed you."
"Yeah, but you immobilized it."
"That's it?" Katsuki demanded. "Because I didn't sit by and let you die?"
"No, it was after that," Izuku laughed. "I was coming back from the hospital wing at the same time you were getting out of class with some other Slytherins. Toya Todoroki and Tenko Shimura were there, and—
"No, it was after that," Izuku laughed. "I was coming back from the hospital wing at the same time you were getting out of class with some other Slytherins. Toya Todoroki and Tenko Shimura were there, and—
Monoma was telling them about it—"
"I remember," Katsuki interrupted, scowling even harder.
"They saw you, and they asked why you didn't just let it maul me. Shimura said, 'at least if he survived he'd look like the monster that he is.'" Izuku swallowed. "And *you* said,—
"I remember," Katsuki interrupted, scowling even harder.
"They saw you, and they asked why you didn't just let it maul me. Shimura said, 'at least if he survived he'd look like the monster that he is.'" Izuku swallowed. "And *you* said,—
'if you're looking for a monster, look in a mirror. Deku is a dweeb, but at least he's got a soul.'"
"I used way more swear words," Katsuki muttered, embarrassed.
"It was the core that counted," Izuku replied, kissing his shoulder.
"I used way more swear words," Katsuki muttered, embarrassed.
"It was the core that counted," Izuku replied, kissing his shoulder.
He couldn't *believe* he was allowed to kiss Katsuki. When had his luck decided to change for the better?
"I didn't know you'd heard that," Katsuki admitted as he looked down, embarrassed.
Izuku smiled, heart warm—almost burning. "I know," he said. "That's why I believed you."
"I didn't know you'd heard that," Katsuki admitted as he looked down, embarrassed.
Izuku smiled, heart warm—almost burning. "I know," he said. "That's why I believed you."
-
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tbc! if you're feeling soft and key-smashy, consider buying me a coffee! and if you subscribe to my patreon, you get to vote on thread prompts and stuff!
patreon.com/queenswagzilla
ko-fi.com/s_the_queen
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tbc! if you're feeling soft and key-smashy, consider buying me a coffee! and if you subscribe to my patreon, you get to vote on thread prompts and stuff!
patreon.com/queenswagzilla
ko-fi.com/s_the_queen
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Izuku woke up hesitantly. He'd had the most amazing dream, and he was almost sure it was real. But what if it wasn't?
What if he woke up too fast without committing that dream to memory, and the beautiful details faded?
He could hear Kirishima snoring like a lawnmower—
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Izuku woke up hesitantly. He'd had the most amazing dream, and he was almost sure it was real. But what if it wasn't?
What if he woke up too fast without committing that dream to memory, and the beautiful details faded?
He could hear Kirishima snoring like a lawnmower—
rousing him from the last dregs of sleep.
But the memories persisted.
His heart still felt light, as though he were still suspended halfway to heaven with the boy he loved.
The boy he loved, who *loved him back.*
He felt the goofy smile stretching his cheeks, heart pounding—
But the memories persisted.
His heart still felt light, as though he were still suspended halfway to heaven with the boy he loved.
The boy he loved, who *loved him back.*
He felt the goofy smile stretching his cheeks, heart pounding—
as he remembered the way that Katsuki had cupped his face and tilted his head to kiss him good night outside of the Gryffindor common room.
It had been slow, sweet, and searching—taking his time because he was reluctant to break away.
*Katsuki* was reluctant to break away.
It had been slow, sweet, and searching—taking his time because he was reluctant to break away.
*Katsuki* was reluctant to break away.
Katsuki wanted him. Loved him. More than the effects of a love potion could manufacture.
He felt giddy, burying his face in his hands and kicking his feet childishly, barely holding back a legitimate squeal of excitement.
He had no idea how he was gonna get through the day.
He felt giddy, burying his face in his hands and kicking his feet childishly, barely holding back a legitimate squeal of excitement.
He had no idea how he was gonna get through the day.
It was Saturday, so he took his time pulling on his running shoes and making his way down to the courtyard.
On Saturdays, he lapped the castle first thing in the morning, went to breakfast, and then studied until lunch. It was the only routine part of his weekend except—
On Saturdays, he lapped the castle first thing in the morning, went to breakfast, and then studied until lunch. It was the only routine part of his weekend except—
Sunday quidditch practice.
Maybe he could visit the thestrals today. Maybe Katsuki would come with him, even though he couldn't see them.
His run was longer than normal—without Hatsume's Wolfsbane he felt on edge, no matter how happy he was about Katsuki.
Maybe he could visit the thestrals today. Maybe Katsuki would come with him, even though he couldn't see them.
His run was longer than normal—without Hatsume's Wolfsbane he felt on edge, no matter how happy he was about Katsuki.
He really should have noticed that there was something wrong with the potion. Sure, there was still some restlessness with Hatsume's version, but today he felt like he was going to crawl out of his skin if he didn't run himself ragged.
He lapped the castle three times before—
He lapped the castle three times before—
he finally felt calm enough to be around the rest of the campus population.
He practically floated inside—more serene than he'd felt in years. He could hear the clamoring of the student body in the Great Hall and he moved toward it, drawn closer by the scrumptious breakfast—
He practically floated inside—more serene than he'd felt in years. He could hear the clamoring of the student body in the Great Hall and he moved toward it, drawn closer by the scrumptious breakfast—
smells that reached the entrance hall.
The Great Hall went almost completely silent when he entered and it made him go still, smile falling.
He glanced up at the head table, but there were no teachers present. Well, there was one, but it was the History of Magic professor who—
The Great Hall went almost completely silent when he entered and it made him go still, smile falling.
He glanced up at the head table, but there were no teachers present. Well, there was one, but it was the History of Magic professor who—
hated him for muttering in class and correcting him when he mistakenly claimed that George Weasley had died at the Battle of Hogwarts, when in reality George Weasley—87 years old—still ran WWW in Diagon Alley with the help of his grandchildren.
Momo and Denki were beelining—
Momo and Denki were beelining—
toward him, and the look on their faces told him that he should have skipped breakfast.
Unfortunately, Monoma got to him first. "Using a love potion, Mutt?" he asked loudly as he approached. "*Figures* you'd need one to get anyone to look at you twice, let alone *want* you."
Unfortunately, Monoma got to him first. "Using a love potion, Mutt?" he asked loudly as he approached. "*Figures* you'd need one to get anyone to look at you twice, let alone *want* you."
He gave Hatsume a warning glance as she rose to defend him. "It wasn't intentional."
He couldn't elaborate, Hatsume's independent Potions Mastery course would be in jeopardy.
"You *accidentally* took a love potion? At least come up with a believable lie," he scoffed.
He couldn't elaborate, Hatsume's independent Potions Mastery course would be in jeopardy.
"You *accidentally* took a love potion? At least come up with a believable lie," he scoffed.
"I took the wrong box of potions," he shrugged. "I'm sorry you were affected. I'm glad the effects wore off."
"See? Accident," Denki piped up. "Now leave him alone, dude."
"That *thing* violated our minds," he snapped. "He's not getting off the hook that easily!"
"See? Accident," Denki piped up. "Now leave him alone, dude."
"That *thing* violated our minds," he snapped. "He's not getting off the hook that easily!"
"He didn't even know it was happening," Momo insisted, standing in front of Izuku protectively. "Leave him alone!"
"He's not a *thing,* you asshole, he's a person," Denki hissed, shoving Monoma back.
"He didn't know it was happening? What a joke,—
"He's not a *thing,* you asshole, he's a person," Denki hissed, shoving Monoma back.
"He didn't know it was happening? What a joke,—
there's no *way* I would have looked at him without being drugged," he sneered. "Did it feel good to have people want you for once? I hope you got a good taste because you'll never—"
There was a deafening bang, and Izuku watched as Monoma was blasted back, landing—
There was a deafening bang, and Izuku watched as Monoma was blasted back, landing—
hard on his back halfway across the hall.
A warm weight settled over his shoulders, as a deep voice rang out across the hall. "Next time I see you talking to my boyfriend, I'm cutting your dick off with a rusty knife," Katsuki yelled, tucking Izuku into his side.
A warm weight settled over his shoulders, as a deep voice rang out across the hall. "Next time I see you talking to my boyfriend, I'm cutting your dick off with a rusty knife," Katsuki yelled, tucking Izuku into his side.
The hall erupted in noise and chatter. Izuku's stomach flipped over and his heart raced.
On the one hand, he knew what they were saying.
What had *he* done to deserve Katsuki's attention? What was Katsuki thinking, dating a werewolf? It was only a matter of time until they—
On the one hand, he knew what they were saying.
What had *he* done to deserve Katsuki's attention? What was Katsuki thinking, dating a werewolf? It was only a matter of time until they—
broke up.
On the other hand, who fucking cared what they were saying?
Katsuki had just called him his boyfriend in front of the entire Great Hall.
Boyfriend.
*Boyfriend.*
He was Katsuki's boyfriend. Holy fuck.
"Morning, Deku," Katsuki murmured, kissing his curls gently.
On the other hand, who fucking cared what they were saying?
Katsuki had just called him his boyfriend in front of the entire Great Hall.
Boyfriend.
*Boyfriend.*
He was Katsuki's boyfriend. Holy fuck.
"Morning, Deku," Katsuki murmured, kissing his curls gently.
"Hey Kacchan," he replied, smile finding its way back onto his face.
"When did this happen?" Momo demanded.
Izuku smiled a little wider as he met her eyes. "Last night," he replied, letting out a little giggle of disbelief. He honestly could not believe this was real life.
"When did this happen?" Momo demanded.
Izuku smiled a little wider as he met her eyes. "Last night," he replied, letting out a little giggle of disbelief. He honestly could not believe this was real life.
"Finally, dude," Denki snickered. "I was wondering when you'd nut up." He leaned back to look over at the Gryffindor table. "You owe me ten galleons, Ei!"
"Fuck you, Denki! I never took that bet! I don't owe you shit!"
"Wanna grab breakfast and get outta here, nerd?" Katsuki—
"Fuck you, Denki! I never took that bet! I don't owe you shit!"
"Wanna grab breakfast and get outta here, nerd?" Katsuki—
asked quietly. Izuku smiled up at him.
"Sure," he replied, nearly vibrating with excitement when Katsuki kissed his forehead. He was going to combust. "Wanna come meet the thestrals?"
Katsuki chuckled and squeezed his shoulders. "Sure, dork. Show me your invisible horses."
"Sure," he replied, nearly vibrating with excitement when Katsuki kissed his forehead. He was going to combust. "Wanna come meet the thestrals?"
Katsuki chuckled and squeezed his shoulders. "Sure, dork. Show me your invisible horses."
"I wanna see invisible horses," Denki whined.
Izuku looked up at him, surprised. "What?"
"He said he wants to see invisible horses," Katsuki repeated, shit-eating grin spreading across his face. "Too much water in your ears, were-fish?"
Izuku elbowed him, scowling.
Izuku looked up at him, surprised. "What?"
"He said he wants to see invisible horses," Katsuki repeated, shit-eating grin spreading across his face. "Too much water in your ears, were-fish?"
Izuku elbowed him, scowling.
"I *heard* him, Kacchan," he grouched. "I was *surprised* that he wanted to see them. Most people don't like Thestrals." He turned back to Denki with a small smile. "You can join us if you want—"
"No he can't!" Katsuki and Momo barked at the same time. They looked at each other—
"No he can't!" Katsuki and Momo barked at the same time. They looked at each other—
in surprise.
"I just don't want to hang out with Sparky," Katsuki frowned. "What's your excuse, Princess?"
"You can't bring Denki on your first date," she huffed as though it were sacrilegious to even suggest it. "He can bother you about Thestrals later."
Izuku grimaced,—
"I just don't want to hang out with Sparky," Katsuki frowned. "What's your excuse, Princess?"
"You can't bring Denki on your first date," she huffed as though it were sacrilegious to even suggest it. "He can bother you about Thestrals later."
Izuku grimaced,—
giving Momo an apologetic glance. "It's not our first date," he admitted. "We went out last night."
Momo stared at him and it gained intensity with every passing second—enough so that Katsuki's arm tightened protectively around him.
Izuku grasped his hand where it—
Momo stared at him and it gained intensity with every passing second—enough so that Katsuki's arm tightened protectively around him.
Izuku grasped his hand where it—
hung off his shoulder.
Finally, Momo squared her shoulders.
"When you get back, you're telling me *everything.*"
Izuku let out a startled laugh. "Trust me, you'll never get me to shut up about this."
Katsuki's gave him a smug grin, and Izuku was proud to have put it there.
Finally, Momo squared her shoulders.
"When you get back, you're telling me *everything.*"
Izuku let out a startled laugh. "Trust me, you'll never get me to shut up about this."
Katsuki's gave him a smug grin, and Izuku was proud to have put it there.
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end 💕 thank you for joining me for the first installment of swagmas HP aus! <3 if you enjoyed yourself, please consider buying me a coffee or subscribing to my patreon! (my patreon has an exclusive fluffy multi-chapter)
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end 💕 thank you for joining me for the first installment of swagmas HP aus! <3 if you enjoyed yourself, please consider buying me a coffee or subscribing to my patreon! (my patreon has an exclusive fluffy multi-chapter)
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END NOTES (buckle up, there are a lot)
- kacchan calls uraraka balloon girl because in third year she had a fit of accidental magic and she blew up like Aunt Marge and floated away
- an occular sextant is a magic tool that allows you to measure star positions even during the day.
- kacchan calls uraraka balloon girl because in third year she had a fit of accidental magic and she blew up like Aunt Marge and floated away
- an occular sextant is a magic tool that allows you to measure star positions even during the day.
- bkdk become that unbearable couple that are making out in every spare moment or constantly touching each other or sitting on each others laps n shit
- they double date with jirou and denki a LOT
- I mistakenly had both fat gum and ryukyu as CoMC profs. It's fat gum. I love him.
- they double date with jirou and denki a LOT
- I mistakenly had both fat gum and ryukyu as CoMC profs. It's fat gum. I love him.
- with katsuki around, deku feels more comfortable with other people because he knows Katsuki is in his corner. it makes his friend group come together better and by 7th year, he's genuinely enjoying his remaining time at hogwarts
Katsuki helps Izuku with his patronus. When he manages a corporeal patronus, it's a peregrine falcon. The first time he saw Katsuki fly, the way he moved reminded him of a falcon. that's how he got the idea to learn from the owls & it was the reason he wanted to learn how to fly.
- In their seventh year, Izuku gets an internship in the department of magical creatures and meets Hermione Granger the war heroine. She decides to mentor him—learns that Professor Hugo Malfoy, their arithmancy prof, is her son
- also in their seventh year—kacchan decides to become an animagus because he doesn't want deku to go through full moons alone and one of the hogwarts ghosts suggested it to him (guess who)
- izuku can see threstrals because he's the one who found hagrid. he'd found an injured bowtruckle and wanted to know how to take care of him. he brought the stick baby to hagrid, but... 😭
- toya and tomura made a rumor that deku had actually gone rabid and killed hagrid but hogwarts was covering it up. like 50% of campus believed them
- 4 years post-grad, Izuku is offered the care of magical creatures position when he graduates. He agrees under the condition that they fund his research over the summers.
- Katsuki surprises him by accepting the Defense Against the Dark Arts and Flying teacher positions.
- Katsuki surprises him by accepting the Defense Against the Dark Arts and Flying teacher positions.
- bkdk get married on the shore of the black lake at sunrise, with Venus dart fish as their wedding bells
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