◉ OFF THE STREETS ◉ A BakuDeku Story ◉

2: Summer Nights

OFF THE STREETS

SUMMER NIGHTS

Katsuki sighed, fixing his shirt as he walked down a street. The lampposts kept his pathway clear, although it was midnight. He could hear dogs barking in the distance, and the sound of mosquitoes surrounding the streetlights. It was sometime in June, and it was a bit warm out. Yet it didn't keep the blonde from walking around in the middle of the night, looking for food. This was his routine and it had always been this way. He sleeps during the day, hidden under a bridge somewhere. During the night, he steps out to find things for himself. Whether it's food or clothing, he always manages to go back home with something. And by home, he means the spot he sleeps at, every day. 

The blonde's eyes trailed off to a nearby bin, where people could donate clothing for people who struggle to bring money in their homes. Katsuki approached it, sliding his arm in the tight opening, trying to reach some clothing on the inside. He eventually managed to grab onto some fabric, sliding it out. His first catch was nothing but a dress, clearly made for a little girl. He set it aside, trying to reach something else that would hopefully benefit him. Before he could reach something else, a loud voice resonated from behind him. He flinched, pulling out his arm and stuffing the small dress back inside the bin as he turned around. His eyes landed on an elderly man, standing next to a shop that was clearly his. 

"Young man, what on earth are you doing?" He questioned, shakily walking across the street to see him better. Katsuki looked down, not wanting to reply. He let the man approach him quietly and watched as the elderly adult stared at his dirty clothing. The old man frowned, his eyes softening in sadness at the sight. 

"You know, how about I serve you a nice meal, son." The elderly man spoke, smiling up to the tall adult. Before Bakugou knew it, he was sitting inside the man's shop with a steaming bowl of pork cutlet in front of him. He still hadn't spoken a word to this kind soul, yet he was serving him a dish, even after closing hours. 

"Why?" Katsuki spoke, looking up to the short man, who was apparently named Sorahiko Torino. 

"Because you were clearly in need. You have muscles, but you're still clearly starving. When was the last time you had a nice meal, son?" The elderly man asked, handing him a glass of water. Bakugou thought hard, remembering the last time he had a warm meal like this one. It was back when he was 14, five years ago. A nice lady had given him a meal she had bought at a local fast-food restaurant. Now, he's nineteen years old, and eating yet another rare, yet delicious meal. He was quick to finish his plate, thanking the older adult as he prepared to leave into the warm streets.

"Now, son- You're invited to come here anytime. I'll serve you free meals as long as you come by between 11PM and 5AM. Okay? And if you need somewhere to live, or a roof over your head, there's this place about 5 miles from here. My friend's son opened his own business, helping out Hosu's homeless. I'm sure you'll be accepted there. I wish you the best of luck, son." Sorahiko spoke, pressing a gentle tap on the blonde's cheek, which was partially covered by a messy beard. Katsuki nodded, thanking him once again before walking out. He decided to ignore the clothing bin and make his way back towards his bridge, getting quite exhausted by his night's adventures. 

His mind trailed off to Torino's advice. He had offered to serve him free dishes every night, and had suggested a home for him, not too far from where he currently was. It sounded like a nice place. A good place to get some good shuteye, for once. 

The blonde sighed as he took a seat on the cold stones under the bridge. He wondered if he should take the man's advice and travel to this homeless shelter, or just stay put for the time being. He could use another free meal, to be honest. But a roof over his head sounded better than a meal. He hadn't slept in a normal bed, in what seemed like forever. The closest he had gotten to sleeping in a bed, was sleeping on an old mattress which had been left behind in an alleyway a few years prior. 

Bakugou groaned in frustration, the idea of this homeless shelter making him feel at home. He knew where it was; Torino had given him the address. It was located about five miles away, which would most likely take the blonde an hour to reach. 

Katsuki hesitated, sitting straight. He thought for a moment, a sudden wave of excitement crawling onto him. An actual roof over his head. A warm bed to sleep in. He wasn't sure if he needed to pay for rent, or if he had any limit to how long he could stay. But he wanted to give it a shot, even if it was swallowing his pride, a little. 

The blonde struggled to stand up again, grabbing the only blanket he had. He curled it around his arms, making his way North. The sound of dogs barking continued to resonate in the distance, the sunrise starting to graze the top of skyscrapers. 

Within the first few miles, the blonde's feet had already began hurting. His shoes were tight and somewhat damp, from the few puddles he had accidentally stepped in. He didn't want to stop now, knowing he was getting close to the building that could quite possibly be his new home. He had already been walking for nearly thirty minutes, and knew he was close. 

The blonde continued to travel off into unknown territories, keeping his eye out for the large building. He eventually came across a road that suited Torino's description. He began walking down the street, looking around for the brick monument. His eyes eventually came across an abnormally large building, looking quite like a luxurious house. Katsuki cringed, unsure of whether he had the right address or not. He hesitated, not wanting to knock on a stranger's house. The tall male sighed, swallowing his pride as he walked up the small pathway. He reached the door, knocking hard three times. It was a bit past midnight, so it wasn't a surprise when nobody answered. 

Bakugou waited and waited, eventually sighing in defeat. He looked away, now suddenly regretting his decision. He should have stayed under the bridge, after all. 

The tall blonde slowly made his way down the pathway he had come up through, head hung low as he stepped onto the sidewalk. This had all been nothing but a waste of time. He had rushed into something so stupid and regretted it immediately. Following an old, strange man's direction is never a good idea.

Katsuki froze, a loud creaking noise occurring behind him. 

"I'm so sorry- I was knitting, it took me a while to reach the door, ha. Hi!" 

The blonde turned around, nearly dropping his blanket as his eyes landed on a gorgeous male. He was definitely shorter than him, emerald eyes glowing from the indoor light. He had beautiful freckles spread across his face, as well as curly, fluffy hair. He was wearing a pajama ensemble, which looked quite comfortable; made of silk. White slippers matched his attire, sleepy eyes completing his look. 

"Hey." Katsuki choked, stepping up the pathway again. He watched as the greenette looked him up and down, a sweet smile crawling onto his lips. 

"Come on in, I'll serve you something to eat and drink." He softly spoke, opening the door wider. Bakugou stepped in without hesitation, feet landing on a soft rug. He looked around the hallway he had just stepped into, seeming to lead into a beautiful living room. He followed the greenette deeper down the hall, eventually reaching the cozy living room. 

"Take a seat! My name's Izuku Midoriya. And you?" The freckled male spoke, disappearing into another room. Katsuki hesitated before answering. 

"Katsuki, Bakugou." He spoke, his voice cutting from the stress. 

"Nice name! It's getting late, you must be exhausted." Izuku spoke, returning into the room with what seemed like a cup of warm soup. He handed it to the blonde before taking a seat in front of him. "I was about to head to bed- I'll set you up in a room, really quick. How about tomorrow, I show you around and introduce you to the others?" The kind male continued, shifting positions. Katsuki took a sip of soup, nodding at the curly-haired male's rambling. A large smile appearing on Midoriya's face, he walked off again. 

Bakugou's head seemed a bit fuzzy, his eyes beginning to feel tired. He placed the mug next to him, on the coffee table, leaning back in his chair. He waited a bit for his host to return, but before he did, he managed to fall asleep. 

Little did he know, he was going to wake up to a very pleasant surprise the next day.

To Be Continued...