Zero - A Vigilante Deku Story

Chapter 38 - Our intertwined fingers give me security

POV Katsuki

"Well, well, well! If it isn't the two psychopaths from 2-A. I knew you two would team up. After all, birds of a feather flock together, don't they?"

Katsuki took a step back and put some distance between him and Zero. At the same time, Zero pulled up the wing closest to the voice and shielded them both.

The copycat bastard from blass B was the last person Katsuki needed. He wasn't ashamed of his sexuality, but he had only ever come out to his troop of idiots. The rest of his class had no idea - none of the extras' business anyway.

The problem was that whatever was going on between him and Zero was still so new and they themselves hadn't figured it out yet.

Katsuki reached out to push down Zero's wing, but stopped at the last moment. He didn't know if he was allowed to touch the other boy there or not. Instead, he gave Zero a meaningful look. The latter lowered his wing and folded it slightly so that it rested at his side again.

"This pipsqueak attacked All Might?" Monoma tilted his head. "I somehow imagined him to be bigger. After all, you're in the oh-so-great A class. The B class is at least as good, if not better. Who do you have to thank that you're still here instead of sitting in Tartaros?"

That was enough!

"Now watch out, you envious fucker," Katsuki started and wanted to pounce on the other blond. Small explosions popped on his palms. A firm grip on his biceps held him back. Zero shook his head gently. Katsuki huffed indignantly, but didn't budge. Instead, he scowled at the bastard. "None of the extras from our class suck as much as you always loudly proclaim. The only one with an obvious problem here is you and your massive inferiority complex. Therapy helps - you should try it."

That laugh again, which made Katsuki's teeth grind. "Someone speaks from experience."

"Yeah, do you have a problem with that?" Katsuki crossed his arms and waited. In fact, his honesty had ensured that Monoma couldn't think of anything to say back.

Zero's eyes widened in surprise.

Katsuki made a waving gesture with his hand. "Later."

"Neito, where are you?" a girl called from the other side of the hallway.

The three boys all turned to the newcomer. The redhead, who usually kept Monoma in line, stomped past Katsuki and Zero and stood up in front of her speechless classmate. "Are you spouting nonsense again?"

"They provoked me," Monoma finally replied stubbornly.

"Excuse me?" hissed Katsuki. He could feel his hands getting suspiciously hot again. "You made stupid comments at us from the side for no reason, asshole."

Monoma looked snootily over the girl. "Your presence is provocation enough."

"Neito!" Kendo lashed out, enlarging her hand. Then she brought her closed fist down on Monoma's head. The latter made a strangled sound before staggering. Kendo quickly reached for him and supported the dazed boy. She gave Zero and Katsuki a wide smile, bowing slightly. "I must apologize for him. We just had a strenuous training session, but it looks like Neito hasn't exhausted himself enough yet." Her gaze found Zero. "You must be the new student. My name is Itsuka Kendo. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Zero's feathers rustled softly as he stood up a little straighter. He cleared his throat. "Zero."

If the girl was surprised at the lack of a last name, she didn't let on. "Here's to good cooperation. I'm sure we'll have another training session together soon. Now I should make my way to the cafeteria with Neito. I'm sure our classmates are already waiting. See you later!"

As quickly as she had arrived, she hurried down the corridor in the direction from which she had rushed to them just a few minutes ago. Monoma was dragged ruthlessly behind her.

Katsuki let out an indeterminate snort. Now Monoma had actually managed to deprive him of another kiss with Zero. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the greenette looking after the two of them. Katsuki slumped his shoulders. Whatever had just built up between them was now ruined. "We should get something to eat as well, or your brother will chew my ear off that you didn't get anything because of me."

Zero chuckled softly and started moving.

Together they walked back, even though Katsuki really wasn't in the mood for the loud extras. Warmth brushed his hand. Then rough fingers closed around his own.

Katsuki froze and looked down. Zero was holding his hand and from the looks of it, he had no intention of letting go of it anytime soon. He could feel his face glowing hot. His hands were sweating a little more than usual. Was Zero possibly uncomfortable? Katsuki couldn't say for sure, but the other boy didn't let go of his hand either.

"Is that too much?" Zero asked when Katsuki still didn't go any further.

He cleared his throat and forced his pounding heart to calm down. "No, if you don't mind that the extras are going to be bugging about it." An unpleasant thought occurred to him. If Zero could hear the breathing of people still far away from him, then he could definitely hear him throwing Katsuki's heart out of sync.

Zero gave him a smile. "I do the same with Toshi. It makes me feel safe to be close to someone I trust. Since Denki got so sad about it, though, I've been holding back with him. Mic, on the other hand, is happy and gives me a hug or strokes my hair every chance he gets. I like that too."

That was several pieces of information that triggered contradictory feelings in the explosive teenager. Zero trusted him and obviously felt comfortable around him, but ... "Does it mean the same thing with me as it does with your brother or Present Mic?"

Please say no. Please say no.

Now it was Zero's turn to change color. He raised his free hand. "No."

"Okay, then let's go to the cafeteria before someone else comes looking for us."

They didn't speak as they walked through the hallways, but the silence wasn't awkward, it was familiar. Although they hadn't seen each other for so long and Katsuki had almost completely blown it back then, there was still this very special connection between them that didn't need many words.

Arriving at the wide-open doors that led to the cafeteria, Zero paused and let go of Katsuki's hand. Was he embarrassed after all? Katsuki didn't feel like others getting on his nerves either, but if he could hold Zero's hand longer in exchange, he would put up with it.

The winged boy rummaged in his pocket and pulled out the small box with the hearing protection. Zero inserted it in a practiced manner and stowed the now empty box away. Then he interlocked his pinky finger with Katsuki's and smiled broadly at him.

His heart warmed. Katsuki only realized now, when he saw it, how much he had missed that smile.

"Hungry?" Katsuki asked.

Zero nodded and together they entered the chaos of the cafeteria. With Zero by his side, it was a little less annoying.