Long Time Coming

Building Foundations Pt 2

It was nothing like he thought it would be. He had thought UA would be like home; the others would recognize his overwhelming talent and power and either move out of the way or become followers.

That didn't happen. He snorted, glaring down into his rice, pushing the grains around without interest.

In fact he'd experienced the opposite of everything he'd been comfortable with. Some shitty red head head immediately allied himself to him - had thrown his stupid, sweaty, meaty, gross arm over his shoulder like they were something as base as friends . Some fucked up half-and-half reject had been immensely more powerful, a know-it-all 3D printer had seen and pointed out all his flaws to his face, to Half-and-Half's face, to Deku's face... in front of All Might even.

The shame of the memory burned as he reminded himself to breathe, his grip tightening on his chopsticks. On top of it all Deku's quirk had been a shock to the ego. He wasn't sure what to make of it. He didn't know what to think anymore. This weak worm he'd looked down on all his life was suddenly more powerful; his quirk whispered to be so similar to All Might's. His idol having taken the curly headed fuck up under his wing. He lost sight of himself around the damned idiot again. He couldn't figure out what Deku's end game had been. Was he taunting him? Letting him know that yeah, he was good but Izuku was better? Is that why he kept saving him? He knew he had been mean, but had he never been worth Deku's truth? Not even as children? He didn't have the right to feel betrayed - but he still did. Bakugou glared into his food, his appetite gone.

Then USJ happened. He would never admit it but he had been glad that the overly friendly living rock had followed his lead without hesitation. Or maybe rather moved similarly, of like mind as opposed to following body cues. When they had been separated from the others they had fought together seamlessly, their moves and quirks both complementary to avoid friendly fire and take out their adversaries without having to carry the others weight.

Katsuki stood, dumping the plate of food, feeling the familiar red eyes and smile directed at him. He ignored both as the words echoed in his head.

"I'll follow you."

They had been said in the moment. There hadn't been any meaning in them besides for the purpose of that fight and yet something in the rock kids stance, in his tone, in the atmosphere held a weight... a flavor... a familiarity that had made Katsuki hesitate, that had made him hold the red heads gaze for a little too long. It had made his blood shoot up a couple degrees and the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

Even now, remembering the atmosphere and the conviction in the words, he was experiencing similar effects. Bakugou shook his head, wandering down the hall back towards the class. Then the Sports Festival had happened. Another abysmal failure. And yet...

He looked through the window to the front gates. The yard was green and well maintained now that they were nearing the end of Spring.

Kirishima .

Kirishima had been there again. Following him. Taking his blows when he got carried away with his drive, catching him when he'd gotten too ambitious. Bakugou's fingers grazed his cheek where his cut had been. Kirishima had been the only competitor to land a blow. Katsuki was well aware that he nearly lost that fight. If it hadn't been for that split second when his explosion had hit on Kirishima's follow through he wouldn't have noticed the toll Kirishima's quirk was having on him.

And then damn Icy-Hot. Damn Icy-Hot had to insult him; hand him the win by not honoring the fighting spirit in him. He had gone out of his way to recognize and respect the power of every one of his opponents. Bakugou had seen and recognized the ability of his peers. He had fought them on their terms; not with excessive force as Deku or even Todoroki had. He had carefully assessed each one in-ring and devised specific strategies based on their abilities and in-battle styles. If it hadn't taken him so long with Kirishima the fight would have been over before he started. He just would have gone hog-fucking-wild in the beginning.