Such a fool
Pairing : Katsuki x fem!reader
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There were no explosions, no sharp words, or snapping in the air like it usually did whenever Katsuki walked into a room. Not with her, with her, it was quieter like a warmth glazing into your skin without you noticing when it began.
She noticed him first.Not in a way because he was the loudest in the room all though he was but in the moments in between. Such as the way he stayed after training longer than everyone else. The way tight frustration lived in his shoulders like something he refused to put down. The way he never asked for help although sometimes he needed it.
She had liked him before she realized she liked him but she never spoke out since she wasn’t the type to chase something that didn’t turn toward her.
He noticed her later and harder.It wasn’t one simple moment but a ray of collection. Her laugh cutting through a room like sun, the way she carried herself in a soft, effortless manner but still showing she could put up a fight.The way she communicated with people like she knew her worth without having to prove it.
And the worst part of it all was she didn’t look at him the way others did.Not in fear or awe which got under his skin.
It changed after training one evening. The sky was turning into that deep rust orange signifying that night was moving slower, quieter. Most of the class had already gone inside, voices fading into the dorms, leaving behind the hum of wind.
She had stayed behind, sitting on the rough steps, sipping from her water bottle as if it was the only thing that mattered.
He was pacing unaware he looked so crazy.
“You gonna keep walking in circles,” she said lightly, not even looking up, “or are you gonna say what’s on your mind? This is getting overstimulating, Suki!”
He stopped and scoffed.
“Tch, like I got anything to say to you brat.”
She smiled a little, finally glancing at him. “You’ve been staring at me for the past ten minutes. It’s either that or you’ve suddenly developed a deep appreciation for my beauty”
He clicked his tongue, irritated because she wasn’t wrong.
Deep silence stretched between them. Then bluntly.
“I like you.”
He was annoyed he even had to say it.
Her hand stilled around her bottle. This was once in a time where she didn’t have something ready to say.
He stepped closer, eyes sharp, but there was something underneath it something unsteady softening.
“I’ve been trying to ignore it,” he muttered. “It’s stupid and keeps distracting me.”
She stood slowly, brushing her hands against her pink yoga pants, meeting his gaze fully now.
“And???” she asked softly.
His jaw tightened.
“And I don’t like to ignore things.”
She tilted her head slightly, a small smile showing on her lips.
“Took you long enough, dummy.”
That caught him off guard.
“Yo I ain’t no dumbass-”
She stepped closer now, closing the space between them, her voice softening.
“I’ve liked you for a while, Katsuki,” she admitted. “I just wasn’t going to say it first.”
Then something in his expression shifted, a huge wash of relief rain over him.
After becoming his girlfriend officially. He couldn’t keep his distance at all. He wanted her and wasn’t afraid to show it.
This was shown in many ways like his hand at her waist when he passed by, sitting too close, always finding her in a room without trying or his tone softer when he said her name and she matched him in her own way.
Studying together, even if he complained the whole time, late night walks when neither of them could sleep or her teasing him just enough to make him roll his eyes but never pull away
This is what made the end hurt.
It was right after graduation.The environment felt very strange that day a feeling too heavy, like something was about to explode them .
She found him, standing slightly apart from the others, hands in his pockets, eyes distant.
“Katsuki,” she called.
He looked at her, this time in a different way he had ever. There was no warmth or softness. Just pure soulless eyes.
Her chest tightened.
“What’s wrong?”
He exhaled sharply, like he was already irritated.
“I’ve been thinking,” he started.
She stayed quiet, letting him speak.
“I’m going to be a top hero,” he said. “I can’t afford distractions.”
The words didn’t hit all at once.
They rested slowly.
“Okay,” she said carefully. “And what about it?”
“And a relationship, I mean this” he gestured between them, “It’s going to get in my way.”
Pure silence in between.
Her heart cracked but she kept her expression calm.
“Is that what I am?” she asked, voice steady. “A so call distraction?”
He didn’t answer right away. His hesitation said all. She nodded once, swallowing the feeling rising in her throat.
“Alright,” she said calmly which caught him off guard.
“You’re just okay with that?” he frowned.
She forced a small shrug, stepping back slightly.
“If that’s how you see it and want it,” she said, matching his tone, “then yeah. It’s fine.”
It actually wasn’t but she wasn’t going to beg to for someone who made her feel like something temporary.
He watched her as she turned away.
And for the first time in a while this felt wrong which he felt his ache deep in his heart which he tried pushing away.
She didn’t look back even when she walked away.
That night she removed him from everything.
And he told himself it didn’t matter, it’s okay that it was the right decision, he be fine.
Years later will go and standing across from her again he will feel how wrong he had been.
But no, NY didn’t try to swallow her, this is a thing she loved about it. It didn’t care about U.A., about rankings, about who dated who or who broke whose heart well that part was a white lie but still. It didn’t yank her past back to her in familiar locations or shared memories. It kept moving fast,alive,and with progress. As she moved right along.
Her apartment at Suho had been waiting for her like a fresh page.
Soft cream couches, gold accents, big windows that let in the kind of light that made everything feel warm. It was so cozy in a way that felt intentional, warm, soft. The kind of space that made you want to wake up early just to enjoy it.
The first night, she had sat on the edge of her bed, suitcase still half unpacked, her phone in her hand.
The group chat had been blowing up with memes, lans, and chaos.Her eyes lingered on one name longer than the others.
Katsuki.
A message from him filled sharp, sarcastic, something directed at Eijiro, acting as if he hadn’t just ended their relationship like nothing had changed.
Then someone sent it.
“Hold on, why did you stop following her? Is this like a social experiment??”
And just like that the chat froze. The messages stopped coming in, like everyone at the same time held their breath. She stared at the screen, her reflection faintly visible against it.
The weight of it, the curiosity tension.
She could ignore it or rather she should ignore it.
But instead, her thumbs moved.
#HotGirlSummer😚
She hit send.
And just like that, the chat exploded again rapidly with messages flooding in, questions, reactions, chaos but she didn’t read them. She set her phone down, turned on music, to let the sound fill the room instead of her thoughts.
She promised herself that this was the last time she let herself sit in that moment.
She built something after that. It started small. Days filled with exploring the city,getting lost on purpose,finding little cafes she liked, walking through streets that smelled like food and memories,and late night strolls with music flowing in her ears, pretending the world was hers for a moment.
She found comfort in her routine but she also let herself be spontaneous.
Acting wasn’t part of the original plan, she just decided to try out. A little opportunity at first but the more she leaned into it the way she did everything else and people noticed were living for it.
Directors,producers, audiences.
There was something about her something captivating. A presence that didn’t feel forced she didn’t have to.
She became someone people talked about. It didn’t happen overnight but it paced slowly overtime.Until her name started showing up in places she never imagined.
Magazines,interviews, red carpets.
And through it all, she carried herself the same way she always had.She was able to laugh easily, flirt if she wanted to, walk into a room like she belonged there.
She dated but nothing really ever stayed it wasn’t because she didn’t love them but because nothing ever felt the same.
Some nights, when the city slowed just enough, she’d find herself staring out of her window, wrapped in something soft, her reflection staring back at her through the glass and she would wonder for a second.What would’ve happened… if he hadn’t let her go?
She never stayed in that thought for long, she didn’t want to let him have that power over her.
Katsuki Bakugo became exactly what he said he would, a top hero named Dynamight, his name was everywhere.
All over news stations,headlines,interviews he barely tolerated. His victories were loud, explosive. He climbed rankings like it was easy.He got everything he worked for and everything he chose over her.
So why did it feel like something was missing?
He didn’t think about her at first. Well not really a lot.He didn’t have time to since he had to train, do missions, build his reputation, and push himself harder than anyone else.
That was the plan but then he saw her not in person but on a screen.
It was fast a passing motion. A face he used to drain with kisses, he recognized instantly. He tried brushing it off but something in his chest tightened before he could look away.
He paused and watched it again and there she was.Her name on the screen,her voice, softer but still confident,her smile brighter ,and her presence almost like glowing. He told himself it didn’t matter to him at all.
Of course she was doing something with herself. She was never the type to sit still. He turned the tv off and tried moving on which he couldn’t. She started showing up more. On insta reels,interviews,photos on insta then full features like movies,her face on billboards he couldn’t ignore even if he speeded up.
It got under his skin not because she was successful but because she looked happy,living.This wasn’t supposed to bother him. He acted on it from that day and didn’t try to change it.He tried to move on like really did for example the girl he was spotted by paparazzi with ; she was pretty,nice, liked him, and praised him but that wasn’t enough it should’ve been but it didn’t feel right.
Every time she laughed, it didn’t sound right, every time she touched him, it didn’t feel the same, every time he looked at her he wasn’t thinking or seeing her. He was comparing her and that didn’t sit right by him so he ended it. After that he stopped trying.
No matter who stood in front of him they were simply not her. When the rumors came, exploding in that same group chat that never really died, messages would pop up here and there. Filled with updates, jokes or random check ins.
And about her.
“Is she dating that boxer??”
“Yo, did you SEE those pics?”
“I know you see our texts, spill it”
He’d read them silent at night jaw tight as he scrolled as if it didn’t matter which it did, the thought of someone else having her,knowing her even touching her. Twisted a different type of pain into his chest. He never reached out but every time her name came up he paid attention.
Somewhere along the way, the truth settled into him like a slap.He didn’t lose her because of timing, distance or anything out of his control.He lost her because he let her go. And now? She has a whole life that didn’t include him.
And for the first time in a long time he didn’t know how to fix something.
Fate or whatever the hell he believed it was wasn’t done with them yet. Soon he wouldn’t have to watch her from a screen anymore. He’d be standing right in front of her.
NY in December felt like a movie she had stepped into and decided to stay in.
The air was chilly enough to kiss her cheeks pink, streets glowing with lights that never really turned off, laughter spilling out of restaurants and cars like heat fighting against the winter. It was packed with loud, alive and in a sort of romantic way.
“Okay, but this is actually insane,” Ochaco laughed, spinning slowly in the middle of her living room, taking everything in. “You live like this?”
Tsuyu nodded, eyes scanning the space. “It’s very much you.”
Momo smiled softly, already settled on the couch like she’d expected nothing less. “So warm!”
She leaned against the kitchen island, sipping from her glass, a small smile playing on her lips.
“I told you guys,” she said lightly. “NY has an effect on people.”
“Girl,” Mina cut in over the phone on speaker, “NY didn’t change you more like it opened you.”
She laughed, shaking her head maybe she was saying the true. New Year’s was her idea, a rented house just outside the city, big enough for everyone, filled with music, drinks, laughter that echoed off the walls. The kind of night people remembered.She moved through the space like she belonged at the center of it.
Greeting everyone with warmth, pulling people into hugs, laughing easily, dragging them out onto the dance floor. Her curls bounced with every movement, her outfit effortlessly perfect soft but eye catching, something that made people look twice without trying too hard.
She was glowing not just physically but in a that came from building something for herself.
“Okay, I need details,” Mina said, appearing in front of her with a drink in hand, eyes narrowed playfully. “Are you dating that boxer or not?”
She rolled her eyes, laughing softly. “I’m totally not.”
“Then why were you two looking real close in those pictures?”
“Simply because,” she said, taking a sip of her drink, “people can be around each other without it meaning something.”
Mina gasped dramatically. “That’s real grown mindset.”
And speaking of men.
“Hold on,” Denki’s voice cut through the room, looking around. “Bakugo didn’t make it ?”
A brief pause.
“Oh, about that,” Kirishima shrugged. “Dude said he had work or something.”
“Of course he did,he’s like a workaholic” Denki scoffed.
She took another sip of her drink, gaze steady, expression unchanged.
“Not surprised,” she said lightly. “He’s always been one to go for his goals.”
The moment passed, conversation picked back up as music filled the space again.
But later that night, standing outside on the balcony, wrapped in a coat, city lights stretching endlessly in front of her she let herself feel it.
He didn’t come.
She exhaled slowly, breath visible in the warning air.
Then straightened.
Rolled her shoulders back and she stepped back inside.
He could’ve gone. Katsuki sat in his apartment, the city outside quieter than usual, phone in his hand, screen lighting up every few seconds with notifications.
He saw pictures, videos from his friends stories. Laughter frozen in frames he wasn’t part of.Someone had posted a clip short, shaky, but enough.
She was laughing.
Head thrown back slightly, curls framing her face, glass in her hand, surrounded by people.
His didn’t known why after all this time he’s facing those feelings.
“She looks good,” someone had typed.
“Good?” another replied. “She looks stunning, what’s her @.”
He told himself he didn’t go because he was to busy, real important things to do but sitting there, alone, watching her live a life that no longer included him, he knew the truth that he didn’t go because he didn’t trust himself around her. Didn’t trust what he’d say. What he’d feel. What he might want to fix… when he had no right to anymore.
His thumb hovered over the screen, over her name remaining there still in his contact list, messages not deleted.He didn’t press it.Instead, he locked his phone, leaned back, and stared at the ceiling.
“I’m such a dumbass.”
No matter how far she went or time has passed she was still there.
Tokyo felt familiar in a way NY didn’t. Quieter in maybe some places and louder in others. Full of memories she hadn’t visited in years.Dinner with her mom had been very warm, grounding.Soft conversations, laughter, catching up.
Until.
“So,dear ” her mom said gently, setting her wine down, “have you talked to Katsuki?”
The question didn’t hit as hard as it once would’ve. She shook her head lightly.
“Nope,” she said. “It’s been some years.”
Her mom studied her for a moment not wanting to push and willing to understand it.
The group chat came alive again with making plans of going out. Everyone in one place like old times.She knew he’d be there.
She stood in front of the mirror for a moment longer than necessary out of intention. The black top hugged her perfectly.A black mini skirt , pulling everything in just enough to make out her shape without trying too hard. The neckline dipped softly, just enough to draw attention without feeling over much.
Over it, she layered a loose black jacket, slightly oversized, her legs were bare, smooth against the dim lighting, paired with open toe heels that clicked softly against the floor with every step she took. The sound was quite noticeable. Her curls were defined, falling effortlessly around her shoulders. Makeup soft but striking, enhancing what was already there.
The drive with Momo, Ochaco, and Mina was filled with laughter, overlapping conversations, the kind of easy comfort that never really goes away.
“Are you nervous?” Mina asked suddenly, glancing at her.
She adjusted her bracelet, expression calm.
“Nopee.”
Momo’s eyes flicked toward her, knowing.
The club was alive before they even stepped inside.
Music blasting through the walls, lights spilling out onto the street, a line of people waiting to get in.Inside it was much louder. Momo led the way.
“We have a table,” she said, glancing back briefly. “Follow me.”
She felt it before she saw him.
That shift in the air she can’t lie to herself that she was kinda nervous. Then their eyes met. Time didn’t stop but it felt like it slowed down for them. For the first time that night he forgot how to breathe.
He looked older somehow more attractive than she remembered.His gaze didn’t leave hers not even for a second.
She looked away first.
“Yo!” Denki’s voice broke the moment as he rushed over, pulling her into a hug. “Look who finally decided to show up!Super star”
She laughed, hugging him back easily.
“I’ve been busy, I’ve missed y’all” she teased.
Even as she smiled she felt his eyes on her.
The night had only just begun. The table was loud. Glasses clinking, music vibrating through the surface, voices overlapping as everyone tried to talk at once after years of distance. It should’ve felt easy almost familiar.
She slid into her seat, smoothing her outfit instinctively, crossing one leg over the other. Conversations wrapped around her immediately filled with questions, compliments, laughter.
“How’s NY?”
“Are you really filming that new movie?”
“Yo, you got famous on us—”
She handled it all the way she always did smiling, teasing, answering just enough.
“I didn’t get famous on you,” she laughed lightly. “You just finally started paying attention.”
That earned a chorus of reactions.Even as she spoke she could feel him. Across the table stealing glances looking at her with those eyes she once fell in love with.
Katsuki leaned back in his seat, one arm resting lazily against the back of the booth, drink in hand but he wasn’t really engaging in the conversation nor really since his attention kept drifting back to her.
She looked unreal not just pretty but different in a way that made it hard to look away. Untouchable in a way. He looked away,taking a sip of his drink like it would ground him.It didn’t.
“Shots!” Denki suddenly announced, appearing with a tray like it was his life’s mission, setting them down messily across the table.
“Careful!” Momo laughed.
“Relax, I got it, oh, star”Denki paused when his eyes landed on her, lighting up even more. “You didn’t get one yet!”
Before she could respond, he leaned in, pulling her into a quick hug, crazy to say Denki had to many drinks in.She hugged him back just as easily.
Katsuki’s gaze swapped to them instantly.
It was small enough. She noticed every bit of it.Her brows knit together slightly as she pulled away, glancing toward him.A flicker of irritation sparked in her chest.
He ended things with her.So why did it feel like he still thought he had some kind of claim?
She looked away first, reaching for her shot, tossing it back with ease.
“Alright,” she exhaled, setting the glass down. “Now I’m caught up.”
“Let’s go!” Denki cheered.
The night picked up again after that.People moving in and out of the booth, some heading to the dance floor, others getting drinks. Eventually without anyone announcing it,it was just them.She leaned back slightly in her seat, one arm resting against the table, her fingers lazily tracing the rim of her glass.
Katsuki sat kinda across from her now closer than before. For a moment neither of them spoke. Then.
“You’ve been busy.”
His voice was lower than before. To sharp or rough but quite tear.She glanced at him, expression composed.
“I could say the same about you.”
A heartbeat.
“You look…”He started, then stopped like he didn’t know how to finish that sentence, gosh he was acting like such a dork why did she have to have a effect on him even after all those years.
Her lips curved slightly.
“ Like different?”
“Exactly.”
She tilted her head, studying him now.
“You don’t.”
That made his brow twitch.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” she said smoothly, “you still talk like you’re arguing with everyone even when you’re not.”
A pause then a small huff of a laugh escaped him.God he forgot she could do that. They fell into conversation after that.
Pace slow as if they were stepping onto fragile glass.
“How’s acting?”
“It’s good,” she said. “I like it.”
“That all?”
She said lightly. “It makes me want to live.”
That lingered.
Before he could respond.
“Hey,” a voice cut in.
They both looked up. A attractive guy looking directly at her.
“ I’ve been eyeing you for a while can we dance”
She smiled.
“Sure.”
She stood and followed the guy. Katsuki watched her the entire time.Told himself she could do whatever she wanted.But his eyes didn’t listen as he watched the way she laughed at something the guy said and the way his hand rested a little too comfortably at her waist.Katsuki’s grip tightened around his glass.
“Prick.”
He looked away no matter how much he tried but couldn’t ignore it.By the time she made her way back to the table, she was tipsy,warmer, a bit less guarded.Most of the group had left by now.Momo had come by earlier, offering to drive her car and take the others.She had waved her off easily.
“I’ll stay a little longer.”
Now it was just them again.She dropped into her seat, exhaling softly.
“Okay,” she laughed lightly. “I forgot how exhausting dancing is.”
Katsuki watched her.
“You’ve changed.”
She looked at him, brows slightly raised.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Nah.”
A pause then.
“You dating that boxer?”
She blinked and laughed softly, shaking her head.
“Wow straight to it, huh?”
He didn’t answer.She leaned back slightly, studying him now, a playful edge slipping into her tone.
“What about you?” she countered. “How’s your relationship going?”
His jaw relaxed.
“You saw it.”
“Hard not to,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “You were all over the news.”
“It’s over.”
That made her pause for a sec and then she nodded.
“Oh.”
Silence stretched between them.He watched her carefully.
“What about you?” he asked. “That boxer—”
She waved it off instantly.
“Not a thing.”
Another pause something unspoken lingered there.The club started to empty,lights shifting slightly, music lowering just enough to signal the end of the night.
“Closing soon,” someone called out.
She sighed softly, pushing herself up, grabbing her purse.
“Guess that’s my cue for tonight.”
She turned started to walk.The cool crisp night air hit her immediately.She stepped onto the sidewalk, adjusting her bag on her shoulder, glancing around briefly.
Of course, her car was taken by Momo.
“…Shit.”
She exhaled, looking down the street. Facing her options in calling a cab or walk.
She knew her way around so she started walking. Behind her Katsuki stood still for a moment. Watching the way her hair moved with each step, the way her figure disappeared further into the night and
something in his chest twisted.He moved.
“Hey”
He grabbed her wrist a little too rough.She reacted instantly turning, fist connecting with his face.
“Take your hands off..” she shouted then froze.
“Katsuki?”
He turned his head back slowly, hand coming up to his jaw.Then he laughed. She stared at him, confused.
“What’s funny?”
He looked at her, really taking her in.
“I forgot,” he said, voice rough with amusement, “how strong you are.”
Her expression softened slightly, a small laugh slipping out.
“Well,” she said, adjusting her bag, “you shouldn’t grab people like that.”
“I know sorry.”
A pause.
“I’ll drive you.”
“I’m fine,” she waved him off. “I can get a”
He didn’t let her finish.
Instead he stepped forward picking her up and threw her over his shoulder like it was nothing.
“Katsuki—!” she yelled, hitting his back lightly. “Put me down!”
“No, plus your stumbling you could probably fall.”
“I seriously dislike you.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
He was smiling,blushing slightly where she couldn’t see. After a few steps.
“Okay, you can put me down now.”
And just like he listened to her.She fixed herself, smoothing her outfit then looked up and he was already staring at her softer in his eyes unguarded.
“I missed you, I know you probably don’t want to know this but I have-”
The words barely had time to settle before
Flash.
Clic.
Flash.
They both turned facing cameras and voices shouting.
“Is that Dynamight—?!”
“Are you two together?!”
“Does this mean you are cheating on boxer Hen ?!”
Her eyes widened.
“Run come on.” she said quickly, grabbing his hand and they did.Running through the streets, laughter breaking through the chaos, footsteps echoing as cameras chased after them until they reached his car.
Doors opened they got in as he locked the doors quickly since the people caught up to them cameras still flashing outside voices muffled now.
And inside filled with laughs and something else, something that never really left.
