Diamonds in the Rough *INDEFINITE HIATUS*

Exam Day

"Do you have everything dear?" Inko fretted anxiously as her son slipped his satchel and backpack on

"Don't worry mama" he reassured, giving her a hug and kissing the top of her head "I'll be fine. I can take care of myself and besides" he picked up the metal bat by the doorway and laid it on his shoulder "Kacchan will be there. He always makes sure I don't get in trouble" he flashed a beaming grin and walked out "I'll call you when we're done okay?!"

"Izuku?!" she said and he paused to look back

"Yes?" there was a small moment of silence

"You've gotten so strong. I'm proud of you" She gave him a soft smile "I just wanted you to know that"

"Thank you. I love you too" he returned the smile before racing down the steps excitedly where an impatient Katsuki stood waiting with his book bag over his shoulder.

"It's about fucking time nerd" he huffed, and glanced at the bat "You sure they're gonna let you take that in?"

"The application sheet said we could bring in any equipment for our quirk we needed" Izuku shrugged "since I don't have one, technically I could bring in anything" he gave an evil grin "I could bring in a tank if I fucking felt like it" Bakugo shuddered in horror at the thought

"Come on nerd" he snapped, jogging ahead "We're gonna miss the train"

~~~

"Sou-chan!!" Izuku greeted as he and Katsuki boarded the train car. Hitoshi looked up from his phone and gave a small smirk

"Gee Izu-chan~" he snickered as the two wiggled their way over "Who are you murdering today?"

"I'll decide on the way" Midoriya snarked back, flashing a grin and hugging the purple haired boy

"Don't tempt him. He'll actually do it" Bakugo sighed, holding on to one of the hand rails above him and giving Shinsou a nod in greeting.

"That...that's actually pretty terrifying" he admitted "So, today's the practical right? after the written portion?"

"Ye. You scared petunia?" the blonde teased. Shinsou flipped him off.

"You wish blondie" He snapped

"Come on guys." Midoriya huffed "Be nice. We're all in the same boat"

"Wrong. I'm in the awesome boat and I'm gonna blast all of you outta the water!" Katsuki boasted

"In your dreams you angry dandelion" Hitoshi answered, right before almost getting strangled

~~~

The trio had grown by the time they stepped off the train, now joined by Sero, Mina and a boy she had introduced as one of her classmates, Kirishima. The colorful group made their way down the pathway, drawing a lot of attention to themselves and parting the crowd. Probably because Bakugo and Hitoshi still hadn't stopped loudly arguing. And maybe the smiling, perfectly calm, green haired boy walking in between them with a bat had something to do with it too.

"Kacchan. Sou-chan." The freckled one said sweetly, interrupting their quarrel "I have a bat and I'm perfectly okay with using it on the both of you if you don't pipe down." Well, maybe not so calm.

"Are we allowed to change?" Sero whined, tugging at his uniform "This isn't very comfortable to fight or whatever in"

"Probably" Mina answered "right after the, ugh, actual test 'test'"

"You two better pass that!" Katsuki yelled, turning his wrath on them "I didn't waste my fucking time teaching you two numbskulls how to math just for you to fucking fail! Mark my words, if you don't fucking pass that I'll kill you!"