Zero - A Vigilante Deku Story

Chapter 24 - What's wrong with me as soon as I look at you?

Sorry I kept you waiting without any notice. I'm still alive and everything is fine now. Here's the next chapter:
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POV Katsuki

He was half lying on the table, staring out the window. Shinsou was right that Katsuki had some making up to do to Izuku. However, he was more than willing to do so now that he finally had the opportunity. He would do whatever it took to receive absolution from his once best friend.

The classroom door opened. The footsteps of at least two people could be heard, who stopped abruptly. Yes, he wasn't in the mood for his classmates now either. An unfamiliar rustling sounded and Katsuki turned his head slightly to the side to see who it was.

Izuku was standing in the doorway. At his side was Aizawa. Katsuki straightened up with a jerk. He had to pull himself together not to jump up again, so as not to catch Izuku off guard a second time that day. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Hello," Katsuki greeted calmly.

Their eyes met for a moment. There was a crackle in the air. Katsuki couldn't tell whether the tension between them was positively or negatively charged. Izuku raised his hand briefly before averting his gaze and looking questioningly at their teacher.

Aizawa pointed to the table, which Katsuki knew was a new addition. "You're sitting next to Toshi. I figured that would be fine with you." Aizawa smiled at Izuku, looking peaceful instead of devilish.

Since when could the homeless caterpillar smile like that? Katsuki hadn't seen that in two years.

Izuku nodded enthusiastically and flapped his wings once. So that was where the rustling sound came from.

This time, Katsuki took the time to really look at the other boy. The wings were still unexpected, but Katsuki really liked looking at them. He loved that green. He wondered if the feathers were as soft as they looked.

His gaze moved on to Izuku's face. It was narrower than before, if not a little angular. There was no sign of baby fat. Overall, he looked a little too thin. The unmistakable freckles were as present as ever. As were his bright green eyes ... which were red and looked puffy. Had Izuku been crying? Was it his fault?

Katsuki bit his lip to suppress the urge to comfort the other boy. Aizawa had said something about panic attacks, and that he feared Izuku might have one after he disappeared from the classroom.

Izuku went to the seat their teacher had given him. He did not take his eyes off Katsuki. When the green-haired boy reached his table, Katsuki couldn't take it anymore and stood up.

"Bakugou, no," his teacher said sharply.

"But-"

"You will accept Zero's limits and wait until he is ready." Aizawa's gaze was unyielding.

Katsuki looked pleadingly at Izuku. "Can I please just say one thing?"

The other boy had tilted his head questioningly. Finally, he nodded hesitantly.

New courage awoke in Katsuki and he took the opportunity to say what had been on his mind for years: "I'm sorry, Izuku." He swallowed the lump in his throat and bowed. "I wasn't a good friend to you before you disappeared. I want to ask your forgiveness for that. I was wrong and I was too weak. After you were gone, I regretted not going home with you as often as I used to." He took a strained breath. Katsuki didn't want to burst into tears before he had said everything. "If you want to talk to me about that time, I'm always ready. I'd like to be your friend again and I hope you'll give me another chance."

Katsuki straightened up, blinked a few times and scrunched up his nose. Izuku's eyes were moist as well. The blond hoped for a reaction.

Finally, Izuku raised his hands. They were trembling, yet they began to move in a practiced manner, forming sings, which Katsuki knew. "I understand."