Unlikely Friends

Friday rolls around quickly, and the last bell announcing the end of the school day rings through the vast halls of UA. The Bakusquad had all brought a spare change of clothes, just in case to not dirty their uniforms or attract unwanted attention. Mina was the first to collect the guys and then parade their ways to the bathrooms to change. She then took the lead once more to outside the school and to the mall, the boys trailing behind her and talking.

They make it to the mall, with Mina asking the rest of the group what they want to do first. Kaminari and Bakugou don't even wait as they bolt to the small arcade and get tokens to play Pac-Man. Sero just sighs but trails behind them, making sure either of them don't kill someone (or each other). Mina laughs and Todoroki tries to hide his smile. He later joins them after regaining his composure.

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"Alright! We're heading out, text either of us if something's up!" Midoriya had announced as he opened the alleyway door outside, Dabi waving good-bye and trailing behind the smaller teen.

Dabi inhaled the dusty air. He let out a loud exhale. "It feels nice to be out and not be under Handy Manny's constant eye. It's exhausting."

Midoriya looked up at the scarred man and chuckled, "Yeah, I guess I'm used to it. I've gotten accustomed to his tantrums and shit, but yeah, I can see where you're coming from."

"Well, let's stop sulking here. Lighten up, Bunny, we're gunna meet your boyfriend and his friends," Dabi smirked and elbowed him on the shoulder.

Midoriya groaned, "Shou-chan is not my boyfriend! We're just friends."

"That nickname says otherwise, kid."

They walk in silence towards the mall, Midoriya sneaking anxious glances at Dabi, who seems to be radiating calmness. Dabi caught him looking a couple of times, but didn't say anything until they were getting close to the mall.

"Bunny if you're nervous we can just avoid them completely? I guess it could be embarrassing to see your boyfriend hang out with people that aren't you, huh?" Dabi laughed.

"No, no, I'm fine. Don't you wanna see him too? You've been oddly curious about him too, but I know better than to get involved in that shit show. Let's go, its not like I'll see anyone else I know," Midoriya chuckled nervously.

He feels like he swallowed a bag of rocks, and they're weighing down on his stomach as he inched closer to the mall.

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"Fucking Pikachu! How the fuck did you beat me?! Rematch!" Bakugou had yelled out angrily, scaring away some elementary kids that were approaching the arcade game.

Kaminari was laughing so hard he was clutching his stomach, Kirishima right next to him in the same position. Sero was ever the peace-maker, telling the boys to "shut the hell up, we'll be kicked out". Todoroki was chuckling and off to the side, away from any line of fire. He had gotten some tokens from Mina and was ordered to "have some fun", so he went to play skee ball.

He put in four tokens and the machine sputtered and started, lights flashing and cheesy music playing. The skee balls had rolled down, and he leaned over to pick one up when he saw a flash of green from the corner of his eye. He quickly brushed it off, thinking its just some younger kid, and rolled the ball to hit the center hole. It hit the highest score and he smiled to himself.

"Wow, Shou-chan! You didn't tell me you can get it in the hole so easily!"

Todoroki froze. "Izuku?"

"In the flesh! I hope you don't mind, but, I brought a friend! He suggested we'd meet up, he wants to say hi," Midoriya had walked closer to Todoroki and smiled. Todoroki was off-put by it, it didn't seem like a natural smile.

"Yo! Bunny! Where are you? It's dark as fucking shit in here, I've already bumped into a couple brats, but they scrammed," Dabi had called out, looking around behind them. He saw Todoroki and flashed a dangerous smile. "Hey kid, how's the old man?"

Midoriya looked up at his friend, then down at his other friend, then back up at Dabi. It clicked. They were fucking brothers. That's why Dabi had such interest in how Todoroki was doing. That's why he suggested meeting him at the mall. Oh my god.

Todoroki tried to play it cool. "I-Izuku-kun, why are you with him? He's bad news."

Midoriya giggled, "Oh, yeah. Dabi's cool. And so is Shou-chan. And Dabi wanted to see Shou-chan, and you had said you were going to the mall with friends… Which are where? I don't see anyone?"

Todoroki flinched at the mention of Izuku meeting his friends. Nope, no way, no, not going to happen. But, since the universe hates Shouto Todoroki, Kaminari had appeared waving at Todoroki.

"Hey dude! Can ya watch me and Bakugou play another game? We're neck to neck, and I just wanna rub my undeniable victory all over his face! We need another witness, and Mina backed out," Kaminari clearly couldn't sense the tense air around him and the two other guys.

Midoriya choked when the smiling blonde boy had mentioned Bakugou. Why is Bakugou here? He doesn't have friends, he has only ever had followers. Did he make friends? Is he friends with Shou-chan? That can't be—

"Hey! Sorry I didn't catch you there, bro! Do you know Todoroki?" Kaminari had interrupted Midoriya's thoughts with a paralyzing smile.

Midoriya returned his smile with a bright one of his own, his eyes crinkling closed from his cheeks being forced upwards. "Ah, yeah! We're friends! I just wanted to say hi! Right, Shou-chan?"

Todoroki paled and gulped. "Uh, yeah. We actually met at this mall a while back."

Kaminari chuckled at his friend's odd response, "Would you like to be a witness to our games? The more the merrier! I'm sure Shou-chan wouldn't mind his cute boyfriend tagging along."

Dabi chuckled at the blonde at his response of calling Midoriya his boyfriend. He tapped on Midoriya's shoulder, "Hey Bunny, you go with them. It'd be nice for you to chill with kids your age. I'll be around the mall, probably getting some useless shit. I'm a text away if ya need help." And with that Dabi had waved good-bye and left the three boys to themselves.

"Your tall friend looks cool! He seems fun too!" Kaminari had said once Dabi had disappeared.

"Yeah, he gets on everyone's nerves and is a total asshole, but he's fun," Midoriya had responded.

"What's with that nickname 'Bunny'? It's kinda odd," Kaminari had thought out loud, grabbing Midoriya's hand and dragging him towards the rest of the group.

"Ah, that? It's just a joke. I'm Izuku Midoriya," he introduced himself as they approached the Dance Dance Revolution platform where everyone else was. Midoriya felt his chest tighten as he saw Katsuki Bakugou standing on one side, talking to a tall black-haired kid, who had immediately ignored him once Kaminari had appeared with Todoroki and a new boy.

"Kaminari, bro, what have we told you about talking to strangers?" The black-haired kid had scolded the blonde holding Midoriya's wrist.

"Sero, he knows Todoroki! I happened to catch them talking! And then I dragged him over here, as another witness to me annihilating Bakugou's ass in DDR!" He had released his wrist and puffed out his chest proudly, like he even has a chance at beating Bakugou.

Another person came into view, "Dude, you can't drag him without his consent! That's not manly, Kaminari!" This guy had red spiky hair and red eyes, but wasn't intimidating in the least. He was the exact opposite. He looked at Midoriya and smiled apologetically, "Sorry bro, Kaminari just gets too excited. He probably fried his brain again."

When Kaminari yelled out a "Fuck you Ei!" Midoriya looked at Bakugou. There he was. In the flesh. He had the same intimidating glare, as he looked between his bickering friends, but he didn't butt in. Or call them names. Or call them useless. Or tell them to go kill themselves.

Todoroki figured this would be a good time to redirect Midoriya away from his friends, now knowing he associates with a villain (and his brother, no less). "Izuku-kun, let's go. You aren't staying here with us."

Bakugou snapped his glare from his two annoying friends to Midoriya and Todoroki.

"Deku?"

"Yes, Kacchan?"