Once a band, always a band

Chapter 2

The glass bottles clinked together in a toast and they paused for a moment as they drank. “When my guy said they had a special guest tonight he wasn’t kidding.” Kyouka sat herself on the armrest of the couch next to him. “Pro life suits you.” Her eyes traveled down the length of his muscular arm appreciatively. “I’ve been hearing a lot about you lately on the news. Congrats -- is it,” her head cocked to the side. “Number One or Number Two hero right now?”

His eyebrow twitched as he was reminded of the fact that he and Deku were always neck and neck in the competition for top hero. “Technically, Number 1.45,” he shrugged. “You’re not going to ask for my autograph are you?”

“Mm,” she hummed, pursing her lips as she pretended to think and then shook her head. “Nope. You’re only Number Two, after all.”

He grimaced, her statement annoying him more than it should have, even if she was only teasing. “So, this your band?” he nodded to the other members who had followed her in for a break.

“Nah, we’re all just randoms who wanted to let loose for tonight. Some of us just happen to be heroes.”

“Huh. Couldn’t tell.” Kyouka narrowed her eyes at the jab, and he hid his own smirk by bringing the mouth of the bottle to his lips. “I thought you’d have your own band by now.”

“After a group of villains tried to take us all out during one of our tours…” her eyes tightened and she broke their gaze. “I wouldn't put anyone through that again,” she finished, finishing the rest of her beer with a few more gulps and setting the bottle down on the floor.

Katsuki watched as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, yet the dark color never faded from her lips. “It wasn’t your fault. Besides, we handled it.”

“It was my fault. I was the one who pushed for us to stay together after graduation. And then Momo and Denki were hurt and you were almost--” the words caught in her throat. “Anyways. We all ended up great heroes in our own right. I mean, look at you and Tokoyami. Hell, everyone in our class I hear at some point breaking the news with some big story.” She smiled fondly, but it faded quickly and her head dropped to her chest. “I never wanted my music to get in the way of saving people.”

“Didn’t think you ever had that problem before.”

“That’s not the point.” Kyouka rolled her eyes. “The point,” she shoved herself off of the couch, and ripped the drumsticks out of his grip, effectively ending the conversation, “is that I hope you still can drum as well as you used to.” She twirled the sticks in one hand expertly and ended her sentence with them pointed at his throat.

Katsuki followed after, towering over her at his full height, his eyebrows turned down in a glower. “Who the hell do you think I am,” he asked as he snatched them back from her. His eyes traveled down her figure, “Shortie?” He was amazed at how much tinier she was than him.

“Exactly who I know you are,” she grinned up at him. “A kick-ass musician.”

“Damn fuckin’ right.”

“Kyouka, we’re on in 5,” A man who looked to be their age with bold, blue-colored hair tucked into a beanie and a rolled, lit joint tucked in the corner of his lips ran up to her. He was tall and lean, with tattoos and black piercings in his face and ears. Katsuki’s eyes zeroed in on the hand he placed on her lower back and left a bit too long.

“Got it. Bakugou, this is Ruka, bass guitarist, back-up vocalist. Ruka, Bakugou.”

His eyes lit up with recognition, sticking a hand out for a shake. “Hey man, honored to meet you. Glad to have you playing with us. We heard some good things about you, thanks to Kyouka here.” His gaze dropped to Katsuki’s chest. “Cool shirt, by the way. I love that guy!”

Katsuki shook his hand, squeezing a little bit too hard. “Let’s do this,” he replied amicably, earning an impressed look from Kyouka, though the smile looked a little strangled on his face.

“See you both out there!” Ruka waved as he scampered off.

Katsuki’s eyes tracked him darting backstage. “Kyouka, huh.”

She blushed. “He’s my bandmate,” she offered, raising a shoulder in a shrug.

“Just a bandmate? And how’s that working out for you?”

She frowned at him. “Fine.”

“Thought you were a big proponent of no relationships between bandmates.”

“Yup. Still am.” She avoided meeting his eyes.

“I guess he gets different treatment.”

“It’s none of your damn business,” Kyouka’s flush deepened and she stepped backwards angrily. “Just play the fucking music.” She shoved a piece of paper from her back pocket into his chest and snatched the guitar a crew member handed to her, sliding the strap around her neck. “That’s the set list. Memorize it and try to keep up, Number Two.” She turned away from him.

Katsuki scowled and took his seat behind the set of drums, muttering a string of curses under his breath as he scanned the list. The crumpled paper almost burst into flames in his sparking palm before he recognized her handwriting. ‘Audience Requests Night’ was scrawled on top in capital letters, underlined twice. He realized she had it specially made for the drummer. Kyouka had written little notes and ideas in the section under each title of the song. His face relaxed and he sighed, remembering the strength of her passion for music. It was infectious and he felt it spread through him as he memorized her tips, giving him a new thrill of excitement, something Kyouka always managed to do when they used to perform together.

The curtains opened suddenly, revealing them, and Katsuki was blinded momentarily by the stage lights.