Boosts & Blood (Experimented Bakugou/BakuBowl/Bakuharem)

Chapter 4: Wobbly

'I got us popsicles,' Deku returns with two in his hands. Katsuki swings down from the top of the monkey bars, landing a few feet before him.

'I want the yellow one,' Katsuki straightens to a stand, yanking it before Deku can reply.

'All yours.'

Satisfied with the yellow one, Katsuki sits down on the jagged wood chips. Knowing full well they'll attach themselves to his clothes and his mom will make him handpick them out. It doesn't matter right now, with a frosty popsicle dripping on his fingers, already wilting under the sun's scrutiny, it's the last thing on his mind. He licks it, the taste of mango instant. 'So hot.'

'I wonder why nobody is outside,' Deku murmurs, sitting beside. Usually, the playground would be packed. Today just wasn't one of those days.

'Cause it's hot.' Katsuki deadpans, scrunching his face up. 'Brainfreeze,' he hisses when Deku checks in wonder.

'Okay.'

'Okay?'

'What am I supposed to say?' Deku shrugs, using his free hand to shield his eyes from the burning sun. 'Something other than okay?'

'...You're getting really annoying these days.'

'Am I?'

'Yeah, you are.'

'Oh.'

'Oh?'

It's an agonizing moment before Deku responds, 'I think it's because I'm worried. Mom says worry causes you to bitter.'

The way he says it, Katsuki doesn't even need to ask, but he does anyways, 'Why are you worried?'

'Because of you,' Deku says, 'you're going to the special program.'

'Yeah? Don't remind me.'

'But...'

'But what?'

'But you won't leave me, right?'

'Leave you? Why?'

'Because,' Deku licks his popsicle absently, 'you're my only friend, and all the other special kids are becoming friends with each other. Then ditching their other friends. I'm scared you—'

'That's sad.'

'Huh?'

'That's sad.'

'What? What's—'

'That I'm your only friend,' Katsuki licks the dribble of popsicle on the side, popping his tongue on the roof of his mouth. Savouring the taste of tropical mango. 'You should talk to other people.'

'Do you not want to be friends anymore?' The look on Deku is one of pure horror.

'I didn't say that. Just make friends. I mean I made other friends and you're just one of them.'

'One of them?'

'Oi, don't be so sensitive! Everybody has friends. The thing with you is that you have a friend. That's what's sad.'

'I don't mind.' Deku bites his lip, considering his words but he blurts anyways, 'because you're all I need!'

They stare at each other for a moment, before Katsuki giggles. Soft but hardening to a cacophony, Deku looking about ready to die of shame.

'Forget I said anything,' Deku mutters, speed-licking his popsicle.

'That's so stupid!' Katsuki wheezes.

'I can't help that it's stupid,' Deku says, 'I don't want to—'

'Lose your only friend?'

Deku might burst.

'It won't happen,' Katsuki says, to his own surprise. He's not known for reassuring anyone. The fact Deku came to him looking for support was even sadder than his friendless state.

Deku doesn't catch onto this though, beaming brighter than the sun, so happy he does that stuttering thing, 'Oh! O-Okay... T-thank you Kacchan. I was just... uh...'

'Being stupid.'

'Kind of.'

'So?'

'So..?'

'What do you want to do?'

Deku pauses, relaxing and, 'Special program.'

'Huh?'

'Tell me about it...the special program. Please,' Deku says, 'only the weird things though.'

Katsuki stares at Deku for a moment, 'Well, the guy leading it is super weird. I've heard people say he's dating his cousin,' he may or may not be the root of that rumour.

'Who's cousin?'

'His own cousin.'

Deku balks, 'You're kidding? But that's family, you can't date—'

'I know! It's super gross, but I heard his cousin needs heart surgery.'

'The same cousin?'

'I think. Anyways, that's why he's teaching kids.'

Deku stops licking his popsicle to stare at Katsuki, 'I'm confused.'

'Do I have to explain everything?' Katsuki says, even though he had been vague on purpose. The prizes of telling a story is forcing them to ask for you to go on, there's nothing more empowering than that. He continues, 'kids have young beating hearts. That's why Special's based on PE skills, Deku.'

'What?' Deku squeaks, as terrified as a mouse before a snake

Simply licking the popsicle, 'What do you mean what? Are you deaf or dumb?'

'No! I'm just... Kacchan.'

'What's with the serious look?'

'You can't go there, Kacchan!'

'Eh?'

It can't happen! Nobody should go there!' Deku springs to his feet, waving his popsicle wildly, eyes burning on Katsuki, 'promise me you won't go.'

Katsuki, staring dead at him, tilts his head, 'You're really stupid.'

'Kacchan—'

'—You've been acting weird too—'

'Kacchan!'

'—did you spend all night watching All Might instead of sleeping—'

'KACCHAN!' Deku screams, and Katsuki shuts up, 'I'm being serious! Please, promise. You can't go there,' tears collect on his lashes, 'you can't!'

The mango popsicle is really good. Katsuki raises his brows as he licks it again, deciding to nibble off some in his next steal. He swishes the frozen piece in his mouth to share the flavour. Popping his tongue on the roof of him mouth loudly, and returning back to Deku. Wobbly and soft. 'I won't let it happen to me.'

Deku eyes the popsicle as if he wants to snatch it away, but barely. His eyes shake and tears free fall, 'Please don't go there! I've heard only bad things about it, Kacchan. Please don't go there, please don't go there—'

'It's nothing serious.'

'They're going to take hearts Kacchan! They're going to— we have to inform All Might or someone! We have to—'

'You can't.'

'Why?' The tears slow.

'Because.'

'Because what?'

'Because it won't do anything. It'll just make it worse.'

Deku looks confused.

'So promise,' Katsuki gets onto his feet, 'you won't tell anyone.'

'I won't...' Deku stares at the offered pinky as if it was refrigerated sunshine. Trying to figure something out, 'okay. I won't.' He sniffles, and curls his pinky into Kacchan's.

'Promise?'

'Promise.'

And apparently, Deku doesn't know what a promise is.

Words: 1014