Liquid Smooth

Katsuki's hardened crimson eyes gleam within the bright light of the cafeteria. The illumination of the light shines on him, shadowing certain features of his but lighting up others, his eyes specifically. Making them appear luminescent, so much in fact that to an onlooker they might even resemble glistening rubies.

That fact goes unnoticed by him, the spiky-haired blonde doesn't care about the lights in his eyes, or for anything else really. Instead, his gaze is on one thing or rather one person in particular. He finds his vision set on one single person and one person only. His eyes, they stay there and they're trained towards a certain green-eyed wonder that's halfway across the room.

The person he's looking at? Is none other than Midoriya,

Admittedly, it's not a shocking revelation to him.  Nor is it one that phases him the way he wishes it would. His eyes being on the other is nothing new, at least not really. Katsuki always noticed Deku, probably always would, as much as he'd hated to admit it. What could he say, the damned nerd managed to make him feel things that he'd never wanted to feel.

Frankly, he's rather surprised yet relieved that the others hadn't caught on to his fascination with the other. Because really he didn't understand it himself nor was he ever able to sort out just how he felt towards his former childhood rival.

Emotions that he didn't want to succumb to.

The feeling of overall helplessness is one of them. That's the thing, when he's around Deku he feels entirely helpless, just as he had as a kid all those years ago. When around Deku it's as though his pride has dwindled to nothing. He despises it and hates the feeling entirely. He refuses to ever seem helpless being helpless is nothing more than a weakness. So he disguises his feelings with cockiness.

The tasteless food in front of him continues to go unnoticed as his fork finally falls from his clenched grasp. The food seems to be getting colder and less appealing by the second anyway. Especially the more that he glimpses upon Deku.

And that's the thing, Midoriya isn't even doing anything that should have him losing his appetite in such a way. And yet here he is.

He tries to put a finger on why he's so bothered, Katsuki continues gazing at Izuku's familiar anxiety-ridden figure. To anyone else, Midoriya may seem fine, peaceful even, but Katsuki knows better. Knows that the youngers expression is nothing more than a mere facade. That the smile that dawns on Deku's face is forced, slender shoulders far too stiff parted lips slightly wobbly.

To top it all off Katsuki is almost certain that the disastrous teen's hands are shaking beneath the table. Can practically picture it within his mind and the fact that those extras haven't caught on to the blatant fact that Deku is clearly uncomfortable has him scoffing.

He mentally curses himself for being so captivated by his former childhood friend. Berates himself even more so as he finds himself unable to tear his crimson gaze away.

''Bakugou?'' Kirishima's voice calls out in faux curiously. ''Are you alright, man, what're you looking at?''

And then, the bright red-headed menace has the nerve to cock his head knowingly.

His sharp features harden before settling into a disgruntled expression. He chooses to ignore the second question Kirishima had attempted to tack on.

''Hmm, what is it that you want, shitty hair?'' He retorts with his usual snark.

A second goes by where he has enough grace to pretend to be awaiting a reply. That second however is gone almost as soon as It'd come. Before long, he's right back to where he'd started. With his eyes averted from Kirishimas's face instead focused on the scene before him.