Past Mistakes pt 2

"Come on Nerd, time to get up," I gently shook the still thirteen year old Deku. "It's morning, we slept through the night, we need to go to school," I tried again when he tried to roll away to hide from the morning light.

"No," he whined and you know what? I can only do what I can do after all.

"Fine, I'll tell All Might that you didn't want to come to his class," I sighed and the way he jolted, sitting up with his back straight is just hilarious.

"All Might?" He asked, rubbing at his eyes until he looked around and I saw confusion on his face until he looked at me. "That's right you're in highschool now," he put the pieces together slowly. His mind is still sleepy.

"WE are in highschool. Hurry up and I'll make breakfast," I pulled him out of bed and we were finally able to go downstairs. There was plenty of time before classes but since Deku and I fell asleep as soon as we got back yesterday neither of us have eaten since lunch. So, big breakfast it is!

"What do you feel like eating today? Waffles, pancakes, eggs, french toast?" I suggested and he swung his legs happily while sitting at the table.

"Anything you make will be amazing!" He smiled brightly at me, even while he was still rubbing his eyes. He likes sweets, but he also needs protein, especially right now since he is so fucking small.

I pulled out the eggs and bread and quickly cooked two over easy eggs and gave them to him. "Eat this for now, breakfast will be done soon," I grinned at him and he nodded before quickly picking up the fork I gave him and I turned back to the stove. By the time I was done cooking we were both laughing, me because I kept teasing him for being a little kid and him because he was accusing me of trying to fatten him up.

"Kacchan! I can't eat another bite," he whined and I picked up his fork and stuck another bite of thick french toast covered in honey in his mouth.

"Look at that, another bite just went in," I teased laughing and he hit my shoulder playfully while he tried not to spit the food out. I picked up a damp rag and started washing his sticky face off. You really are such a little kid," I chuckled and he pouted.

"That's no fair Kacchan! You're only four months older than me," he whined after forcing himself to swallow but he couldn't help making faces while I scrubbed at his face.

"Hmm," I hummed, smiling at him but I didn't point out the fact that he is currently 13 and I'm 18. "Four months and I'm still cleaning your face for you," I smiled at him and he started whining about how I wouldn't let him do it himself but I just chuckled while gathering the dirty dishes and filling the sink with soapy water.

In less than a breath, Deku was standing next to me rinsing and drying them but I had to put them away once I was done washing since he didn't know where they went. Well that's not entirely true, he was able to figure out most but he couldn't find where the pans went and I couldn't help laughing at him when he looked in the oven.

By the time we finished putting everything away the rest of our class came in and Kirishima was doing a big yawn and stretching that made Deku jump at the noise and he ran a few steps to hide behind me. Why does he actually need to give his yawn his voice? Really just don't use your vocal cables and it's like taking a big breath. No one wants to hear that noise!

"Good morning Bakubro," he stretched, not looking around but we could clearly see him take a deep breath through his nose. "Did you cook breakfast? What's the occasion? Can I have some?" He asked, not bothering to wait for a response at all.

"There's enough for everyone to have three," I rolled my eyes and turned back to Deku.

"Only three? Then why did you try to force me to eat six? And then the eggs too? Kacchan you're so mean!" Deku whined.

"Lol I'm the fucking mirror! You look like a strong breeze would knock you over! Fucking eat already!" I picked up his plate that still had half a piece of French toast on it and shoved another fork in his mouth only for him to try and dodge, running out of the kitchen.

"Get your ass back here!" I yelled running after him and catching his hand before he got too far away.

"No more!" He whined still pulling away and I got the forkful into his mouth.

"Chew dammit! Don't you dare fucking choke on my cooking!" I threatened him and he froze, not brave enough to try and spit it back out but still not willing to behave.

"Swallow, you still need to brush your teeth before school," I reminded him, getting pissed off that he is giving me so much trouble in the morning. He finally did what he was told to do and I dragged him off to brush his teeth.

"Is Bakugo taking care of Midoriya?" I heard Icyhot ask someone but chose to pretend not to hear.

"He's so aggressive even when he is being nice. Anyone would think that he was bullying Midoriya, kero" I heard the frog but the elevator dinged, opening the doors and I pulled the now silent Deku in with me.

"Don't be silly, Bakugo taking care of anyone is ridiculous," I heard Round Face huff but I don't actually care what any of them think. Not so long as Deku is healthy and by my side, and at the moment he is.

The doors closed behind us and Deku turned to face me, "we don't actually get along do we?" He stated more than asked, thanks to hearing our classmates talk and I don't know what else he heard while we were down there. The fact that my hearing isn't as good thanks to my quirk isn't known by our classmates, or anyone besides Deku really. So they either think they are that good at hiding from me or that I don't give a shit about what they say.

"We do it's just," I averted my eyes, I guess I should tell him. "We didn't during our first year. We had a fight, a big one and everyone thinks we hate each other because of it. Fucking idiots, if anything us fighting helped us get our shit together but they wouldn't understand that."

He sighed in relief, following me to finish getting ready for class and by the time we were at school our classmates were only just starting to file in. I pointed them out, telling him the shitty nicknames I gave each of them making him laugh out loud at some and even though they couldn't hear what I was saying they didn't like the fact that Deku was trying to stop himself from laughing.

"That's Shitty Hair, his fucking vocabulary is almost entirely made up of lazy surfer lingo so you will hear the words manly and bro in almost every fucking sentence he says," I rolled my eyes pretending not to notice how Deku was holding his sides, failing miserably to contain his laughter.

"Midobro? Are you okay? Bakubro, so not manly," Kirishima called across the classroom and Deku nearly lost his shit laughing so hard, tears streaming down his face, losing the fight with himself completely, now that Kiri actually did exactly what I said he would.

"Uh," Kiri looked at us confused, me smirking while Deku had fallen out of his seat, still laughing.

"Don't worry about it Shitty Hair, it's not a bad thing," I couldn't help the smile I talked and he nodded which only had Deku laughing harder and hitting the floor while trying to breathe.

I was far from done and by the time Eraserhead came in Deku was covered in tears gasping for air. The fact he crawled in while in his yellow sleeping bag however? Well, Deku is having a hard enough time breathing so I don't point it out but I could hear him saying caterpillar while trying to control his laughter which made me smile. That's right, I did call him a caterpillar yesterday didn't I? He must have put it together on his own.

"Midoriya, care to tell us what is so funny? Aizawa Sensei asked and Deku was covering his mouth with both hands, his whole body shaking while he shook his head no, making everyone look at us even more.

"... Fine, I don't care enough to ask again. Ethics-" he went straight into lecturing, slipping attendance altogether and after a while Deku was able to calm down. When I turned to check on him he was drawing in the notebook I gave him yesterday and the fact he can draw so well is crazy. He had a picture of me in potential hero costumes with enlarged design featuring weapon systems that could enhance my quirk in a fight. Whenever I looked back if I saw something that I liked. I would put a star next to it before turning back to the front again.

During English Present Mic called in Deku but before he could apologize and pick someone else Deku had already read the paragraph in perfect English without so much as stuttering. Right, this was before I abandoned him, so as long as I'm in the room he doesn't back down like he did before. The thought of how much he still stutters even now that we hang out bothers me but I deserve so much worse than that.

The class had started at him in silence making him nervous and he grabbed a hold of the back of my jacket.

"Stop staring like fucking creeps!" I snapped at them and they jumped, turning their attention back to Present Mic who was still having trouble connecting his thoughts when Cementoss walked in to start modern literature.

"Excellent job, Midoriya. I look forward to seeing your paper on the failures of society next week," he finally pulled himself together.

"Oh, I already finished that. If you want I can give it to you now," Deku answered brightly and I already knew what I would find when I turned around. Deku was smiling with stars in his eyes at actually being complimented by a teacher for once.

He flipped through the notebook and pulled out the pages and walked to the front to give him the nearly written pages, Present Mic looking conflicted but took them anyway before leaving the class.

"Right, so for today's lesson," Cementoss looked confused but by now he learned not to question things too closely when it came to Deku and I. The fact that today Deku looked several years younger than normal was just par for the course.

By the time class ended Cementoss was also scratching his head confused. Deku had already turned in his assignment and he kept looking back and forth between the paper and Deku before Eraserhead locked him out of the classroom.

All Might walked in, "Time to go and get dressed! We're going to the gym!" He announced and I sighed while Deku cheered. All Might was more than happy to answer Deku's questions on the walk to the locker room, the fact Deku was holding the end of my sleeve as we walked was obviously noticed but mostly ignored by everyone. When All Night was able to talk to us away from our classmates, "I want you both to come to my office after classes today."

I nodded, understanding that it was probably about OFA but Deku was getting anxious, probably thinking we were in trouble.

"It's probably about our after school training," I said just low enough not to be heard by anyone else and Deku looked up confused only for All Might to smile at him kindly.

"Of course, you two never cease to amaze me after all," he pat Deku's head and Deku was over the moon again, his anxiety all but forgotten.

We ended up just running laps and general strength training today and the one time Deku fell running downhill I had caught him, slowing just enough that we wouldn't both fall and once he was steady again he let me go and ran. The look of freedom on his face even now while he looked utterly exhausted, it looks good.

Can we be like this after he goes back to normal? Could we be the best friends we should have been from the beginning? There isn't anything holding us back, not anymore. We don't need Deku to look weak or afraid anymore. We don't need it to look like I'm torturing him just for being alive.

We could just be free.

"Kacchan! Look at this!" Deku came running over from Icyhot, they were only a few steps away but the fact he feels safe enough to be out of arm's reach now is amazing. But I think that is entirely because All Might is in the room.

He slid to a stop and opened his hands carefully to show me an exclusive, limited edition, All Might trading card from before his prime.. Furthermore, it had All Might's autograph on it.

"What the fuck, Icyhot! You were holding out all this time?" I glared at the bastard but Deku was still visibly vibrating with his excitement.

"I've never thought you would care to see it," he looked so fucking serious that sometimes I just want to punch him in his fucking mug.

"Isn't it amazing~?" Deku was still vibrating and I could see All Might blushing a bright red, he was practically glowing in his embarrassment.

Damn, he can't even pretend not to hear us, not that either of the socially awkward students in front of me would have noticed. This is why I hide my nerdiness. I need to be able to function in public thanks!

Deku saw All Might start to leave the room and he took a couple steps closer to me again. Yep, I knew he only did it because our hero was in the room.

Deku cut his excitement though and forced himself to give the card back to Icyhot and I groaned at what I'm about to do now.

"After dinner, come to my room," I sighed and as confused as Icyhot looked, Deku looked just as excited. Looks like Icyhot made a good impression on him today.

The rest of our classes zoomed by and we were finally released for the day. Deku bubbling with excitement about everything he learned and all the heroes he met throughout the day. Even more he was chatting, nervously but still, with Glasses and Round Face. I put my head down on my desk, just letting him talk without rushing him but when he put his hand on my shoulder I stood up.

"Alright we have shit to do," I announced only for both of them to glare at me and Glasses started lecturing about my language but Deku was by my side and when I walked out the door he was holding onto the end of my sleeve again.

"Thanks," he whispered and I nodded in answer. They were pressuring him, nothing extreme or anything, they just wanted to hang out after classes in the dorm common area and maybe study together but Deku has already declined three times and they just weren't taking no for an answer.

I'm not stupid, they just miss Deku but for Deku he has only known them since yesterday and he couldn't take the friendliness. Not after so many years of being tortured for being quirkless and thanks to his nap yesterday they ARE aware that he is currently quirkless. They just haven't bothered to think about what that means for him growing up.

I guess in their own way they are good friends, airheads, but good friends to Deku so I won't fault them too much. At least for now. I'll give them hell after Deku is back to normal.

I took Deku to All Might's office and his eyes were so big as he looked around and All Might happily answered any questions that he had. Chitchatting and just letting Deku fanboy to his heart's content. He didn't bring up OFA and instead just asked how he was handling everything and if there was anything making him uncomfortable.

"Umm, well," Deku looked at me nervously and I gave him a small grin and motioned for him to go ahead. He asked All Might for an autograph, not right now, for after he can get into his room again and pick out his favorite All Might collectible which again embarrassed the hell out of our hero but not in the bad way. All Might is like an "plus ultra" proud father who just found out that he was still his son's favorite hero.

I mean of course he knew he was Deku's favorite hero but right now it's before Deku knows about OFA and before he put the burden of the symbol of peace on him. Right now, Deku is an innocent little kid who was only talking to his idol and I think even All Might needed this little reminder that Deku wasn't some power hungry teenager but his biggest fanboy.

All Might gave us each a cup of tea and put out several snacks and just let Deku have what right now, he considers to be the best day of his life, or so I thought.

"This has to be the second best day ever!" Deku all but squealed in delight after All Might agreed to hug him.

"Second?" I was confused. I would think the first was the day All Might told him he could be a hero but that hasn't happened for him yet. So what could be the first?

"Well the first would be the day Kacchan and I became friends," he turned his huge smile at me and I had to cover my face to hide, he is fucking cuter than I thought he was.

He is only thirteen! I am eighteen, there is no way in hell, ever.

"Kacchan? Are you alright?" Deku asked when I didn't say anything for a while.

"Yeah, I'm just a bit tired," I lied through my teeth. I haven't been able to control my face yet so I'm still covering it.

"Your face is so red! Do you have a fever?" He asked, pushing my hand out of the way and putting his forehead against mine, giving me the most breath taking view of his eyes ever. "And you're hot! You should go to bed, don't worry, I'll take care of you!"

All Might watched amused and I glared at him, begging him to help me but he just turned and gave me a harmless cold pill. "This should help you feel better," he barely managed to conceal his laughter while Deku took the medicine and shoved it in my face after opening the packaging.

"I'm sorry All Might! We should go but I had so much fun talking with you, in hope we can do it again sometime," Deku all but pushed me out of the room. I couldn't stop glaring at the bastard, he is perfectly aware of my crush on a Deku and he is enjoying this way too fucking much!

"Come on Kacchan! I'll help you to bed," Deku was now pushing me from behind and I just took a deep breath and allowed it. When we got to the dorms our classmates were shocked to see me letting him push me around and when he finally got me to my room he was about to run out when he finally realized he would have to face our classmates alone.

After all, if I am sick he can't exactly drag me out of bed anytime he needs to leave the room. I saw him square his shoulders and run out anyway, the door locking behind him. I unlocked the door and changed out of my school clothes and by the time Deku returned I was sitting at my desk doing homework.

"No! You should be sleeping," Deku lectured and I really had to force myself not to roll my eyes at his overprotective ass.

"Deku I'm fine, besides I already took medicine and I am still resting. Normally I would be at the gym working out right now," I told him, setting my pencil down. He looked disappointed but I also noticed that he was carrying a large bowl. "what's that?"

"Soup," he answered quickly and I narrowed my eyes. Probably canned soup but then again Deku can't cook properly to save his life, at least not at this age. I practically beat it into him during our second year of UA though. He set the overly hot bowl down and picked the spoon up carefully, blowing on it before pushing it into my face.

Correction, not soup. Chowder. I can live with this, I also smelled the sharp sting of spices that told me that he tried to make it edible for me before coming back up. The fact that I could see red marks on his fingers from where he burned himself from the bowl made me open my mouth.

Only Deku could make a canned chowder taste this good, what did he add? The saltines wasn't even that bad and it looks like the bowl would have been about a can and a half but I also know he wouldn't waste half a can so how?

He didn't give me time to ask any questions though, he kept the spoonfuls coming fast enough and I wasn't pointing out the fact that I could feed myself when he looked so determined. Besides… Him taking care of me like this? It's like a dream.

When the bowl was empty, I could feel myself getting sleepy so I just gave up on trying to work on my homework and let him drag me back to bed. Well, it couldn't hurt to go to sleep a little early so not with Deku laying next to me.

Once I was in bed, Deku climbed in with me and snuggled into my side, huh, when did he change clothes? Oh well, I let myself be a little greedy, and wrapped my arms around him the way he giggled and snuggled into me made me wonder which one of us was being greedy but I just smiled and rested my head on his.

Is there a reason I shouldn't? For the life of me I can't remember, not with Deku holding onto me like this.

***

I woke up to something tickling my nose but instead of opening my eyes I just cuddled into the fluffy softness instead. Just a few more minutes of innocence, please. I know I don't deserve it but damn it, I really don't want to give it up either.

"Kacchan, I could never tell you while you're awake but I think I could tell you now," I heard Deku's sweet, soft voice flooded my ears. Shit I should open my eyes now.

"I love you," I froze, not able to move, never expecting those words out of his mouth. Especially not when he thirteen, I was his nightmare. Even when I was protecting him I was cruel to him. So how?

"My number one hero but if I tell you that you'll just push me away again. I can't, these past two days have been the greatest dream come true. So…" he fell silent for a moment. "Forgive me for this," my eyes didn't open at the feel of his lips on mine. He kissed me! He thought I was asleep and he kissed me!

His eyes closed, his lips opened and I felt his tongue meet mine. No! This is wrong!

I pushed Deku away, startling him when he realized that I was awake. "Um, I- I- I- I-," he stuttered but his face kept getting brighter and brighter and as hot as my face feels I'm sure that I'm the same way.

"When you're back to normal!" I practically shouted, holding him at arms length so that I didn't do anything stupid. "You're thirteen and I'm eighteen this isn't okay but… when you're back to normal and we're both eighteen… If you still want," I trailed off but I couldn't stop how hot my face feels, it feels like my skin is burning me!

"Really?" Deku asked his anxiety froze and seemed to melt away in an instant.

I nodded before adding, "only if you still want. Deku there are a lot of things that have happened that you don't remember. So you don't have to," I didn't let him go, if I do I know he'll rush back into my arms and my heart can't take that right now. Not after him kissing me.

"Kacchan?" I looked up, surprised to hear the deeper voice only to see Deku in front of me again, my clothes far too tight on him. How is he still in my clothes when he showed up in our middle school uniform?

I don't know what to say and the fact that I still couldn't let myself let him go was obvious. "It's okay to hate me," I whispered, closing my eyes. Damn it, why did he have to turn back now? Right after I said something so embarrassing.

"Forgive me Kacchan," I heard him whisper, my heart breaking, he is probably going to leave now so I let him go.

Instead his arms pulled me against him and I looked up startled to find him smiling. "But I could never hate you," he whispered and in the next moment his lips were pressed against mine, but this time I let him. I melted in his arms and it wasn't until my alarm clock went off that we were forced to pull away from each other.

"Can we- Can we talk about us? Please?" Deku asked nervously and I couldn't hold it in anymore and I chuckled.

"Yeah, we can."

***

"Midoriya, you're back to normal?" Aizawa Sensei looked up surprised as well as the rest of our class. The fact we were late be damned, the fact Deku was holding my hand however…

Well it seemed that not one was trusting it yet.

"Yep! The quirk I was hit with wrote off when I met the condition," he smiled and I glared at him. What the fuck was the condition?

"Oh? And what was the that?" Of fucking course our teacher had to ask in front of everyone.

"I had to realize a truth about myself, the moment I did I was freed," he smiled brightly before pulling me to our seats and no one spoke up about how he was holding my hand but then again my face still feels hot so they probably think I'm pissed. I doubt they would think that I'm embarrassed.

"Bro," I turned to find Kiri next to me while Aizawa Sensei had his back turned. "Your face is still bright red, what did he do to make you that angry?"

JUST GO THE FUCK AWAY SHITTY HAIR!" I snapped and Aizawa Sensei turned, giving Kirishima detention and me cleaning duty. Whatever, at least I'll have time to…

I felt something grab the back of my jacket and when I turned my head I saw Deku smiling at me but he didn't let me go again. I turned back to the front, my face still on fire while I tried to quickly catch up on my notes.

Deku's grip on me didn't loosen and I didn't want it to. Maybe we could be so much more than just friends?

Class ended and Deku stood next to me, chatting happily with his friends before I felt his hands on my lower back. Yeah, that got everyone's attention but none of the fuckers said anything until we were back at the dorms and Deku sat next to me after putting in a film, the lights off but there was still plenty of light coming from the windows, he decided to kiss me.

"I love you Kacchan," he whispered and fuck it. I give up! I leaned against him, returning the kiss.

"I love you too, Nerd."

I heard a blood cooking scream and I threw a couch pillow at Raccoon Eyes with everything I had only for Deku to kiss me again and make me freeze up.

I guess, I'm allowed a happily ever after, after all. Even after I made big past mistakes.

End.