Bakudeku/Dekubaku Oneshots

Deku and Dynamight

Katsuki's got twenty minutes before his panel and he's killing time wandering through the convention center. It's crowded as fuck and there isn't really a place to take a breather from the mass of people, but he is at least made somewhat anonymous by the fact that, when he's not speaking, most people think he's just another cosplayer.

Someone tugs at his pants.

Katsuki turns, ready to tell whoever the fuck to keep their hands to themselves, and sees no one behind him.

"Mr. Dynamight, sir," says a small, trembling voice.

He looks down. There at knee-height, is Deku. Not his Deku—not Izuku—but a little kid cosplaying as Deku the Hero. The costume has been lovingly and carefully handmade by one of his parents. He has a little Deku-brand green backpack that's studded with pins from the artists' booths. He's got red sneakers on—fuck, the sneakers, that's so goddamned cute. The kid's eyes are huge and full of tears, and he's doing that thing where he's desperately trying not to cry but can't hide the hitch in his voice or the quivering of his chin.

Hell, he's tugging on Katsuki's scarred heart.

Katsuki squats, so they're eye to teary eye. "What's up, Deku?" he asks. That earns him a small smile.

"I lost my mom," says the boy. He rubs at his face with his hand. "I don't know where she is. But—I'm supposed to find a hero to help me. And I found you!" He brightens. "Will you help me find my mom, Mr. Dynamight?"

Shit, how could he ever say no to that? "Sure thing, kid. Here, take my hand."

-----

It's slow going through the convention center. This little cosplayer's got short legs, and Katsuki can't just shove through the crowd like he normally does in case they get separated. It's kind of nerve-wracking. If he and Izuku ever decide to adopt a couple of brats, Katsuki will hand-stitch each and every one of their shirts with RETURN TO GREAT EXPLOSION MURDER GOD DYNAMIGHT AND DEKU.

Huh. Him and Izuku with kids. That thought's both exhilarating and terrifying. Katsuki promptly pushes it into the back of his mind and focuses on the boy holding his hand.

"You didn't want to ask another hero to help you?" he asks. He's surprised that out of all the people around, the kid chose him. There are heroes who are popular with the really little kids. Froppy, Uravity, and Deku, of course. Dynamight doesn't usually figure among them; he's too intimidating.

The boy shakes his head. "No. Some of my friends say you're scary, but you're only scary at bad guys. I think you're kind of funny."

Katsuki says, "Hmph."

"And, um, you're Deku's friend."

"I am," says Katsuki.

"And Deku's really nice. He wouldn't be friends with someone who's not nice."

He thinks about that statement; that it wasn't his status as a top hero that made this boy come to him for help, but that he's Deku's friend. Years ago that would've pissed him right the fuck off. Now, though, he just feels—

Kind of flustered.

Katsuki clears his throat. "Keep that to yourself. I can't have people thinking I'm nice."

The boy giggles. "Okay, Mr. Dynamight."

-----

Their entrance elicits the usual whooping and cheering and not a few confused murmurs as Katsuki leads the boy to the stage. His fellow panelists stare at his charge with surprise.

"Who's this?" asks Kirishima.

Katsuki snorts. "He's Deku, obviously," and the kid lights up. He kneels down so that they're eye-level once more and asks, "Can I pick you up for a second?"