M-Side (Part 7)

Behind them, Mitsuki was shouting that they were too old to let their mothers choose their blankets. But both of the boys knew that their mothers still loved the concept of babying their sons.

They were significantly far away from their mothers when Deku managed to break free from his tight grip.

"Kanchan, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

Katsuki stared at him, dumbfounded. It seemed like it still hadn't registered to him what he had just done. That or he was surprised that Deku had the innate capability to curse.

The blond boy remained to stare at him in silence with his intense crimson irises, it was awfully making Izuku uncomfortable.

"Well?" He sounded sassy even to his own ears. "Are you just going to look at me like that the whole—"

"I'm sorry."

That shut him up.

The raging emotions filled him up the moment he saw Kacchan disappear. Instead, it was replaced by a strong hazing mist of bewilderment that made him unable to make a coherent reply. Instead, he closed and opened his mouth in quick succession, making him look like a goldfish in distress. Or how a goldfish looked in general.

"What?" Izuku finally produced a sound, disappointing even himself with his lack of words.

"I said," Kacchan shoved his hands inside his pockets, sounding more irritable by the moment. "I'm sorry."

"You're saying sorry, but you sound like you want to punch the heck out of me." He shook his head in distaste, laughing mirthlessly. "I mean, why?"

"You know why," Kacchan practically shouted.

"I didn't think you were capable of apologizing," Izuku said, muttering more to himself than to anyone.

Bakugo glared daggers at him but bit back his lips until it bleed just so he could stop himself from saying anything offensive. "I'm also surprised myself," Kacchan agreed, red liquid tainting his lips. "I've been meaning to tell you for a while now."

Izuku wanted to suck that wound dry.

Focus. "Why the change of heart?"

There was another moment of silence. Kacchan seemed to be gathering his thoughts, Deku was stupidly letting him do so instead of aimlessly walking out.

"All Might called for me a few days before he died."

At that moment, Izuku felt like someone doused him with ice-cold water. Judging from his tensed demeanor, Kacchan knew he got his attention and continued.

"All Might made me think about a lot of things,"

I don't mind exposing the truth if it means saving you, Toshinori's words echoed in his mind. Izuku swallowed a sob that was meant to come out the moment his step-father's name was mentioned.

"I wanted to apologize to you but you disappeared after middle school graduation and I don't know where you went. Deku, I'm sorry." Katsuki choked out. "I heard from All Might-san what you've been experiencing during middle school and I want to tell you that it wasn't me."

"What?" Deku scoffed.

"It wasn't me," He repeated. "It wasn't me who vandalized your table, stole your things, and spread those..."

Kacchan trailed, not even wanting to finish his sentence because of how absolutely absurd it was for a middle schooler to be subjected to such indecent rumors.

"Blowjob rumors," Izuku finished for him, the words leaving a bitter taste to his mouth. "So you're telling me, that the reason why middle school was a living hell for me was that other people started joining the hate wagon that you started?"

Kanchan hesitantly nodded.

"I can't believe I'm hearing this now." Izuku wiped his face with his hand as if this could make his face magically disappear. "Assuming what you said is true—"

"I wouldn't lie about something like that!"

"—Don't you think it's still your fault because the only reason why they did that in the first place was because you, a popular kid at school, were doing it that's why other people started following you and thought it would make them look cool as well?"

"I'm sorry," Was the only reply he could muster.

"Your sorry isn't enough to erase the emotional scars you've caused, Kacchan," Deku said, bitterly.

"And yet you're still calling me that, Deku."

He furrowed his eyebrows, glaring at the blond boy who was surprisingly laughing in their current situation.

"You still call me by that stupid nickname," Kacchan wiped the tears forming on the pointy edges of his eyes.

Izuku remained quiet.

"Do you hate me?" He asked, his tone hopeful.

Izuku grimaced, avoiding eye contact.

"Toshinori-san told me that you looked up to me, almost to the point like you were worshipping a god."

"Don't flatter yourself," But Deku was blushing.

"It made me realize that of all people who surrounded me, you're the only person I can consider a legitimate friend." He whispered the last word, cheeks flashing a bright hue.

"What about Yasutan, Popo, and Tsuna?"

Bakugo scowled. "Who?"

"Yasutan, Popo, and Tsuna!" Deku repeated irritably. "Your three goons back in grade school and junior high!"

"Oh," He blinked, "Those guys. Deku, just one look at them and you know that they're only there with me because it gave them the leeway to terrorize people."

"So you do admit that you're a bully!" Deku said, triumphantly.

Kacchan's face twitched, his skin was turning a deeper shade of red by the moment. It looked like he was going to explode anytime soon. "Yes, I know, Deku. I know full well how much of a douche I was."

Deku seemed satisfied at last, gesturing him to continue.

Kanchan sighed and did exactly that. "After speaking with Toshinori-san, I realized that you're the only person who genuinely cares about me, and all I did was take you for granted. That's why I want to tell apologize for all the wrong things I've done. I hope can for—"

"I've never really understood why you got mad at me back then," Deku interrupted.

"What?" It was Kacchan's turn to say it.

"Back in the forest," He said, "we were playing follow the leader and you accidentally fell on the stream. I ran as fast as I could to help you, yet..."

"I remember," Kacchan nodded. "I was too proud to ask for help."

"Help from pathetic Deku, huh?"

Kanchan didn't deny it, instead opting to remain silent.

Izuku scoffed. "Wow, I can't believe you seriously think so low of me!"

"That's why I'm apologizing," He groaned, sounding like he was on the verge of losing control of his temper.

Deku laughed, surprising both of them. "You've really grown, Kacchan." He whispered, his voice so soft it was easily taken over by the wind. But Kacchan heard every word, red irises dilating in shock. "I seriously can't believe you're saying sorry to me."

"I can't believe it either." Kacchan huffed, shaking his head. "I spent three years practicing what I should tell you so if you don't accept my apology, I might just crouch down on the floor and form a little ball of despair." Oddly enough, Deku could imagine the hilarious sight. "That's why, Deku," Kacchan leaned closer, the smaller boy couldn't help but release a soft gasp. "Can we start all over again?"

A strong gust of wind blow over them, Katsuki was still looking at him with this innocent earnest look on his face.

"This is so gay," Deku shook his head, trying to suppress the smile that's been meaning to creep on his lips for a while now. "I don't know if it's because you're horrible with your words, but I hope you know you sounded like an ex-boyfriend who wants to get back together again."

An angry bulging nerve appeared on Kacchan's temple. Izuku stopped mid-laughter, taking a step back as he felt the menacing aura Kacchan was exuding.

"You know what, fuck you," Kacchan snapped, turning his heels, and proceeded to walk back towards the bed sheet corner where their mothers were waiting for them. "I spent three years imagining what I would tell you when I see you again and yet this is the bullshit response you gave me."

"I've been practicing as well," Deku laughed, trailing after him. It's like grade school all over again.

"Oh, shut up—"

"Welcome back, Kacchan."

He stopped so abruptly that Izuku accidentally bumped him. Kacchan spun, meeting him with wide moist eyes. Before Izuku could process what was going on, he found himself trapped in the comforts of Kacchan's arms. Long dark lashes fluttered, inhaling the delicious scent that made Izuku's brain all woozy when they were a child. Apparently, it still applied up until now.

"This is so gay," Deku giggled.

"Can it,"