Quirkless AU - Celebrity AU
Warning: Breakup/minor angst

Izuku silently yawned, his tired green eyes staring up at the famous Japanese comedian on stage. He currently sat at a table with a few close friends of his in a large room filled with influencers and other well-renowned and respected people. Specifically, Izuku was at a hall that they had for themselves, wearing a black and white suit for this so called "mandatory" gathering. The more he stuck around, the more he realized that it was just a party rather than a professional meeting.

"Deku, lighten up!" Ochako said, giving him a friendly nudge. She wore an elegantly glittery black dress that exposed her shoulders and most of her back, her short and beautiful brunette hair curled softly to the side.

"I could be finishing up important paper work right now..." Izuku grumbled. He looked down at his covered wrist before fixing the edges of his suit along his arm.

"Everyone famous in Japan is here though, this can be your chance to mingle. You've been so lonely lately, find someone to love." Uraraka said, taking a sip of her glass of wine. She continued after swallowing. "Or someone to mess around with," Followed by a wink.

"Ochako, don't say things like that in public..." Izuku whined, heat rising to his cheeks and ears. He then sighed. "I don't have time for relationships." Izuku reminded his friend all while glancing at Iida a few tables away from them—another close friend of his. He watched as the taller male nuzzled his fiancée, his arm wrapped around her with his forehead pressed against hers. A feeling tugged at his heart at the sight; an assorted emotion of loneliness and want.

However, it was true, Izuku wouldn't have the time to manage a relationship. But that didn't stop him from wanting one. And, during moments like these was when he felt the most isolated. He envied his friends and each of their healthy relationships. He wished he'd managed to find a love like theirs that seemed to last forever. Deep down, he felt jealous that he hadn't while everyone else had. Not that he wasn't happy for them, he was. Furthermore, he couldn't blame them for his lack of a partner. It was his own fault. After all, he hadn't made much of an effort to get out more often and "mingle," as Ochako called it.

He huffed out another sigh, turning back to the comedian on stage. People around him started laughing at something he'd said. The only one who wasn't laughing was Izuku, primarily because he missed the punchline.

"C'mon, Deku, that's what everyone says. We're all busy yet we still live our lives outside of work and social media. Why don't you?" Ochako pressed.

"I just... I don't know. Relationships are hard to handle..." Izuku stated in a low voice. He couldn't help but think about his previous relationship.

He'd be lying if he said he didn't miss his ex. He used to love him and he'd admit he still cared for him. He only wished that things hadn't turned out the way that it did. If things had turned out differently, maybe they'd still be together. Maybe he wouldn't be sitting at a table alone with his best friend since high school but instead, under his previous boyfriend's arm and laughing with the rest of the crowd at the comedian's jokes. Alas, that wasn't the case and his ex was only that. An ex. Their breakup was months ago—nearly a year and a half to be more exact. He figured it must be pathetic how he often he still thought about his ex and their long since retired relationship. He hated how his heart still ached with the remnants of heartache and grief. And most of all, he despised how much he missed his ex. Even though it was nothing to be ashamed of, he felt ashamed. When was he going to get over it?

"Sometimes they can be but they're worth it," Ochako shrugged with a lopsided grin. "Just try to talk to some guys, have some fun tonight." She suggested before leaning in slightly, her voice dropping into a playful whisper. "I think I saw some hotties nearby the bar."

Izuku lightly chuckled at her attempt to egg him into having fun. He felt a blanket of appreciation for his friend fall over him. He would really be lost in life in its entirety if it weren't for Ochako. "Alright, fine. I'll try to have some fun. But I'm not staying for long though." Izuku gave in, his smile returning on his face.

"As long as you at least talk to one guy, that is fine by me!" Ochako grinned in return then returned her focus back to the comedian.

The man on the stage cracked a couple more jokes with the crowd for a few more minutes before thanking everyone for their time and wishing them a goodnight. Once he was off the stage and had joined the crowd in sitting at tables, the host of the party stepped on stage. She had a wide smile on her face as she waved at everyone while she made a beeline for the microphone. Izuku didn't pay much attention to the host as she began to speak but rather, looked at the delicious meal that was being placed in front of him by one of the servants.

"Hello, everyone! Good evening. I hope everyone is having a great time so far," The woman's voice echoed from the speakers ensuring that everyone could hear her. "Tonight, we have a special guest who also made the meal you guys are about to eat that I want to acknowledge. A special thanks to the professional chef that flew all the way from the United States back to Japan to cook each of your meals, welcome one and all, Katsuki Bakugou!" The host announced, stepping a few steps back as a blonde man walked on stage.

Izuku gasped at the name, his eyes widening as he looked back up to the stage. They followed the tall yet well-built figure as he stepped further into the spotlight until he stood proudly next to the host. The sounds of clapping and wooing filled his ears and yet, all of it sounded distant and quiet. His thoughts were the loudest among the ruckus. And he had many of them, coming simultaneously.

He walks the same.
He got a haircut.
How long is he back for?
Has he moved on?
Did he know I was here?
Should I leave?
I don't want to face him.
I hope he doesn't see me.
But if he did see me, would he try to talk to me?
Do I want him to talk to me?

Suddenly, it felt like time froze as gorgeous ruby red eyes met elegant emerald ones. It were as if they were the only ones on the room. It used to always feel that way when Izuku looked at him. All his thoughts seemed to disappear and his racing heart was the only thing he could hear loudly in his ears. He couldn't believe that he was making eye contact with the same Katsuki Bakugou, as in his ex Katsuki Bakugou. He didn't want to believe it but there he was, as real as day. He would have stared at him all night if it weren't for his best friend who was gently shaking him back to reality.

"Deku! Are you okay?" Uraraka asked. Izuku turned to her with a look that could only be described as dumbfounded and confused.

"W-what?"

"I said are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost..." Ochako stated as she glanced at the chef with an unsure gaze.

Izuku nervously chuckled it off before speaking. "Yeah, I'm fine. I guess I kind of got stuck in my head there." Izuku answered and mustered a small smile.

"Alright... I'm going to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back." Uraraka returned the smile before rising from her seat and walking away.

"As the food is being handed out music will be played. Couples, feel free to take the take the dance floor and grab your partners!" The host announced before leaving the stage.

Izuku heaved out a sigh, his hand finding the forest of curls on his head. He wearily stared at the white table cloth, his mind racing. He hoped Katsuki didn't realize he was here even though he knew he was staring directly at him when he was up stage. Izuku groaned with frustration. Why couldn't it be a normal night? Why did he have to fly back from the States? Why couldn't the universe be on his side for once?

Staring at Katsuki on the stage brought back the night they broke up. Izuku could feel a pressure in his chest at the memory accompanied by an all too familiar ache in his heart. He willed for the memory to go away, instead returning his attention back to the plate of steaming food. However, he wasn't in the mood to eat. Not anymore.

He was aware of a person approaching his table, he could see them in his peripheral vision. But, he didn't bother to look up. Instead, he pushed away the plate and picked up his glass of wine, taking a few sips.

"Not going to eat? I thought you liked my cooking,"

His eyes instinctively closed at the sound of his voice as if closing them would miraculously hide him from him. He almost wanted to cry as he had the first night he was left alone in his apartment all those months ago. But Izuku refused to make a fool of himself. So instead of allowing his feelings to get the best of him, he took a deep silent breath and opened his eyes again.

Izuku didn't look at him though, he was staring at the red liquid in his glass with nonchalant eyes. He didn't want to look into Katsuki's stubborn gaze, he knew those eyes which had once comforted him would bring him back down memory road. A road he didn't want to visit.

"What do you want?" Izuku simply asked.

"For you to look me in the eye while you're talking to me." Katsuki huffed, his short-temper already making an appearance. Not that Izuku minded, he used to love everything about Katsuki. Even his short fuse.

Izuku still didn't look at him.

"Leave me alone, Katsuki. Isn't that why you left me?" Deku mumbled the last part before taking another slow sip of wine.

"Deku... Dance with me."

This got Izuku to look up at Katsuki, rage and surprise decorating his freckled face. Although, his rage immediately faded into sadness at the sight of Kacchan. Why did it hurt so much to look at him? He watched as the blonde slowly lifted his hand, offering it too Izuku as gentle music played in the background.

Deku hesitated, staring at Bakugou's hand. For a second, he thought about standing up and walking away. Maybe even punching the bastard. But he couldn't get himself to do either of those things. His feelings took the wheel—the one thing he didn't want to happen—and allowed his hand to slide into Katsuki's. He was warm, just as Izuku remembered him to always be. Truthfully, he missed the feel of his hand in Katsuki's.

Bakugou waited until Deku was out of his seat before he led him to the dance floor in front of the stage, walking past a few other couples slow dancing as he did so. Finally, he stopped at a spot that had room for the both of them and turned to face the beautiful freckled man. He then pulled him close, his hand that held Izuku's staying entangled with his as he lifted it a little while his other slipped on a respectful place on his back. Izuku didn't feel himself holding his breath as his free hand trailed up Katsuki's arm until it rested on his shoulder where he forced himself to breathe again. They swayed gently with the music, their muscles as tense as the silence between them. Izuku leaned in closer and rested his chin on his ex's shoulder, taking in his scent. Katsuki smelled like he always used to; like pine trees and a hint of cinnamon and in an odd way, that comforted Izuku. It gave him courage to speak first.

"What do you want from me, Kacchan? You ended things with me and now you're dancing with me. What are you doing?" Deku inquired quietly while mentally questioning what he was thinking to have agreed to dance with him in the first place.

"... I miss you, Deku. I know the way I ended things was fucked up but I want you back." Katsuki answered in a way that made his voice sound soft and vulnerable—Izuku used to love how his voice did that when he was speaking to him and him alone.

Deku's breath hitched at his words as felt Katsuki softly squeezing his hand. He was stupidly caught off guard but the regret in Katsuki's voice was like a bullet to the heart. He found himself holding Bakugou closer, his arms wrapping around him tightly.

"Izuku, I love you." Kacchan added, his voice barely a whisper. His arms wrapped around Izuku's waist, returning the embrace Izuku was offering him. "Please... I'm sorry,"

Izuku felt his heart sting from those four words before the apology. Those four words used to be his favorite words. He used to long for Katsuki to repeat those words, to say them to him and forever only him. But now those words were a painful reminder of everything that was taken away from him by the same man who spoke them. He kept himself from shaking, slightly pulling away from Katsuki to look him in the eye. Their faces were only a few inches apart. Izuku took in his used-to-be boyfriend's features. He looked the same as the last time he saw him. His blonde hair still a spiky mess, although a little shorter, and his ruby eyes were just as sharp and beautiful. He was as handsome as he'd always been. Izuku watched as Katsuki's eyes shifted downward to his lips. In response, Deku couldn't help but look at Katsuki's lips too. They still looked soft yet dangerous. Perhaps he would have kissed him if it weren't for one nagging thought:

"Kacchan, we're not a thing anymore." Izuku started. "You can't say that you love me when we're not together anymore." He continued, watching something in Katsuki's eyes darken. As if he lost a spark in his eyes. It hurt Deku to see that light disappear in the blonde's eyes just as much as it was hurting Bakugou when he realized that it was too late.

Deku looked away, starting to back away from the taller male to leave Katsuki's grasp until he was abruptly roughly pulled back into his arms. Suddenly, his lips were on his. They were warm and familiar. Izuku couldn't help but melt into the kiss, longing washing over him. But deep down he knew it was all pointless. They weren't meant to be. It was better if they went their separate ways. The way their relationship had ended proved that. That reason alone gave Izuku the strength to break the kiss and pull away from Katsuki, something didn't take much effort to do. Which he knew wouldn't. Even when his attitude said otherwise, Katsuki had always been a gentleman at heart.

Their hands that were intertwined loosened and broke apart with them. Izuku gave Katsuki one last sorrowful look before speaking the words Katsuki never wanted to hear him say again.

"Goodbye, Katsuki."

Katsuki stood in the middle of that dance floor filled with swaying and happy couples as he watched Izuku walk to his table to grab a few things before turning to leave the building. Except when Deku took his last step out through the front door he wasn't just leaving the stupid hall made for celebration but also Katsuki's life. And he was doing so all over again.

And it was all Katsuki's fault. He knew that.

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