Trouble (SeroDeku)

Chapter 18

"You've been awfully busy, Deku," Bakugou's snarky remark grated on Izuku's nerves more than he cared to admit, but it didn't matter. If the pro had an attitude, he'd lean more towards violence first, questions later. 

Izuku hummed in a contemplative manner, turning to face the hero with a smile. "Running myself ragged for a family that isn't even mine." 

Bakugou tsked at him, glancing over his shoulder before giving the villain his full attention. "Look at you, being a hero and shit." 

The disgust on Izuku's face was instant. "I really wish everyone would stop saying that," he said with a tired sigh. "You all keep forgetting everything else I've ever done." 

"I haven't forgotten shit," the blond snapped, readjusting the bracers he wore on his wrists (Izuku wasn't beyond happy about it, it was a tick Bakugou did before throwing his first punch). "They're all just trying to convince you that you have a heart." 

Izuku raised a brow, taking two slow steps toward his childhood friend. "And you're not?" 

Bakugou rolled his eyes at the question, his agitation an almost palpable thing. "I'll leave that to the bleeding hearts. I'm here to make sure you don't kill anyone else along the way." 

"And if I do?" 

The hero's eyes narrowed and Izuku knew he got to eager. He had forgotten how well the blond could read him. The only one who even came close to knowing him as well was Hanta. 

"What're you playing at, Deku?" Bakugou asked, letting his arms fall to his sides. 

Izuku didn't like that one bit. He was letting his guard down, he was relaxing. It was the exact opposite of what he needed from the pro hero. He didn't seek out his rival for a friendly chat about his life choices. He sought him out to get beat to a bloody pulp. 

He released a tired and overdramatic sigh at the question. "I'm not playing at anything, just trying to remind all of you that I'm not your friend. None of you should trust me." 

"Well, I don't. Mission accomplished." 

Izuku shook his head, tutting at the hero and his lies. "You're a shit liar, Kacchan. You trust me almost more than Hanta, I just can't seem to figure out why." 

"Like hell I trust you," Bakugou said with a sarcastic laugh. "I nearly killed you today." 

Izuku fixed him with a deadpan look. "And then cried about it." 

"I didn't fucking cry!" 

Izuku put on his best crying bitch face and flung his hands in the air, "He's not dead, he can't be dead. He always dodges, he's fine." He watched with a sick satisfaction as Bakugou's jaw ticked at the reenactment. 

"Why didn't you dodge?" 

Izuku stopped short, all of his master plans momentarily forgotten. He hadn't expected that question. His brain kicked into action not even two seconds later, but he knew that Bakugou caught it. "You caught me off guard," he said with a shrug. "Take the win, it's the only one you're ever going to get." 

"I don't buy that for a second," Bakugou said, his eyes narrowed as he studied the villain in front of him. Izuku could pretend that he was miles ahead of the hero all he wanted, but the truth was he couldn't have been more than a step behind the villain, and lately the gap was closing rapidly. "You wanted me to land that hit. Why?" 

"I didn't want you to blow me up, I was just distracted with Kirishima," Izuku urged, praying that his voice didn't sound as panicked at his felt. He didn't like that the heroes were suddenly picking him apart like a science experiment. All his life, he'd never had to deal with that. He stuck to the shadows, never let anyone close enough to catch a glimpse, now look where he was: seeking out his violent childhood friend to bloody him up and instead getting a free therapy session. He faintly had to the urge to vomit.