Instant Karma - Katsuki B. x Reader

Chapter Twenty- Three

TW: transphobia

The apartment was in desperate need of a deep clean, the kind most people do once a year during the Spring season. Dust piled on top of the unused bookshelves and lint and other hairs and loose dirt were swept under tables and chairs as if that would be an acceptable cleaning job. It was apparent that Luca was not here often, but the least he could do was spruce it up a bit before having guests. Nothing says hospitality like a collection of dust bunnies and a dead plant.

You sat down on a creaky pink couch that was missing a few springs. The noticeable indent you left on the couch and the uncomfortable angles really hit the spot. You didn't dare trust the rickety coffee table enough to hold your precious coffee, your literal lifeline of maintaining your sanity. You opted for holding it between your hands, the room was cold anyway, Lucas needs to remember to pay the heating bill.

Out of respect for Viper, you waited a few days before dropping by for a little chit-chat. Friendly conversations, that's all. Totally.

Luca walked into the room with a huff, reaching desperately for the pot of warm coffee, and pouring himself a gracious amount. The poor guy looks like he needs it. "She's all yours when you're ready."

"Thanks." Pushing yourself off the couch, you snagged a donut from the box sitting seductively on the counter, practically calling for you. "How is she?"

"Meh." Luca shrugged his shoulders. "She was kidnapped. What did you expect? Her being all cupcakes and rainbows?"

"No." You picked up a pad and pen to jot down anything of importance. "It's just appropriate to ask about a victim before talking about the event and other stuff." You look up at your oldest brother. He looked more and more adult-like every time you saw him. The way he walked, the words he used when he spoke. He was a commission lawyer and the job suited him. He had gotten many agents and hero's out of trouble, you included.

You snap yourself out of your thoughts and make your way over to the living room. Viper is sitting on the couch with a cup of tea. She looks weak, her dark skin was paler, her eyes laced with insomnia, and her body frail from being malnourished.

Viper wasn't having any of your pity "Where would you like me to start?"

You meet her eyes "From the beginning.

She nodded, "Violet and I go back a long time, you see we grew up in the commission together. I desperately tried to befriend him but it was hard since we were always put against each other and compared." She looked down at her hands "The hatred became worse when I was promoted to the Elite Head position."

"Everyone please welcome the new Elite Head, Viper."

She stared at the crowd before her. Some faces showed joy and pride while others showed envy. This feeling of pride she had for herself was something she dreamed about feeling.

She shook the hands of representatives and was talked to with respect and Awe.

"Well look who finally gets the respect she so desperately wanted."

"The only one who is desperate for respect is you, Violet." She turned and faced the man who was once her classmate, her peer.

He picked up a glass of champagne "Oh call me desperate all you want but I will be where you are soon enough."

"I look forward to it."

Violet glares at her before strutting off into the crowd of people.

Viper took a sip of tea before continuing "And He kept his word. About a year and a half later he was promoted to the same position I was." She smiled, but it was more bittersweet than happy. "We worked well together for the first year, but he soon craved...more."

Violet stormed into her office "Viper, why on earth did you allow Mazu's team to go on the category 3 rescue mission?"

"Because they were qualified and I knew they could get the job done quickly." She answered before going back to her team score report.

"I was going to send Himoru's team?"

Viper looked up at him "And how come this wasn't communicated? I sent you multiple messages about my choice for the mission and you ignored them."

"You never trust me with the mission choice, you always favor your little female lead teams and never allow me to choose someone who is actually qualified."

"First off Mazu identifies as male, and second off are you saying that the Women lead teams are less qualified than the teams led by men because they are female?"

"Mazu was born a female so therefore she is a female, and I'm just saying some of these teams have female leaders who are irrational and emotional."

Viper looked at Violet with disbelief "You do not get to decide the gender of another person, if Mazu identifies as a male you will respect his identification, second all these women lead teams you drag through the mud to have better numbers than any of the teams you have suggested, now if you are going to insult one of my agents and insult my gender than please leave my office."

Violet was silent for a moment.

"Fine." He muttered before turning on his heel and walking out the door.

"That was the first time he said anything, from that moment on there were sexist and 'old fashion' mindset comments that slipped into conversation."

It made sense to you. The way Violet trusted only male lead teams, The curfew, the uniforms that made the women look more like nineteen fifties secretaries than agents. Violet didn't like sharing power. And he didn't want anyone questioning who had that power.

He probably called himself an Alpha male. It took everything in you not to crack a smile at the thought.

Viper continued to talk about Violet's sexist and power-hungry tendencies. Over time she began to grow tired so you said your goodbyes.

You make your way out of the apartment. It's colder outside compared to how it was when you entered the apartment. You zip your jackets in an attempt to keep the little body heat you had.

You get on your bike and begin to head back to UA. You didn't realize what time it was as the sky was now dark. You haven't eaten anything so you decided the corner store near UA was where you were going to get some kind of dinner.

You get off your bike and walk to the store. The only light was being provided by the street lamps and the neon storefront sign.

You walk in and grab yourself a few bags of chips and a drink. As you walk back to the counter a certain blonde's favorite spicy chips catch your eye.

"Oh what the hell." You grab a bag and bring it up to the counter.

The cashier looks at you with a tired expression as she rings up your snacks. There are no words exchanged, just awkward silence. You then pay for the food and quietly walk out of the convenience store.

The walk back to your bike is short. As you put the bag in the storage compartment you hear footsteps come up behind you.

Before you had any time to react something was placed over your mouth. Everything went dark. 

Thank you so much for the 700 reads!!!! also I would like to wish happy birthday to our favorite blasty!!! This book has been so much fun to write but it wouldn't be here without him. So happy birthday Bakugou!!!