Chapter Text
Eijirou officially met Katsuki Bakugou at a party. He didn't really want to be there but it was Mina's birthday so the redhead put aside his hatred of ragers for the night. Eijirou wasn't even sure how Mina knew Katsuki but then again she seemed to know everyone. It wasn't hard to imagine his bubbly best friend meeting the school's notorious asshole football captain and roping him into friendship.
It was awkward, though, meeting Katsuki. Eijirou was in a corner of Mina's sorority's livingroom, one hand awkward in his pocket and the other nursing a beer. The blonde shuffled up closer to him with a nonchalant grunt of acknowledgement. Eijirou side eyed him, praying he looked somewhat cool. Eijirou never knew how to deal with popular people. In middle school he was a loner in the middle of a major emo phase and in high school Mina was basically his only friend when he'd shifted into the territory of scene kid. Needless to say, every interaction Eijirou's had with a popular, sporty guy had borderline traumatic levels of bullying.
"Ya know the bitch?" Katsuki surprisingly had a sort of southern drawl when he spoke.
"Excuse me?" Eijirou sputtered, "Mina's my best friend, asshole."
If it had been a year ago, Eijirou probably wouldn't have said that. Now in collage, the redhead committed himself to being the best man he could. He wanted to be confident and cool and take no shit from anyone. That's why he bulked up to compliment his late growth spurt and made an active effort to speak his mind. It was a work in progress, sure, but Eijirou was still committed to it.
"Relax loser I didn't mean anything by it," Katsuki said after a pause, "She's called me way worse. Trust me."
"If you don't get along then why'd you even come?"
"That crazy bitch is the closest thing to a sister I got," the blonde said, sounding mad he'd admitted it in the first place.
"Oh," Eijirou was at a loss for words, "You're not like pretending to be friends with her to like try and hook up are you? Cause that would be so fucked and I'd have to kick your ass."
"In your fucking dreams," Katsuki barked out a laugh, "You might be a mountain of muscle but there's no way in hell you'd be able to kick my ass. Besides, everyone knows that Mina Ashido is a fuckin carpet muncher and I ain't delusional enough to think I could be better for her than actual pussy."
"What the fuck?" Eijirou took a quick breath in, fists balling, "Are you trying to be homophobic right now or are you just a dick?"
"Just a dick," Katsuki said with smirk followed by the tip of his head to finish off his beer, "I didn't mean anything by it, that's just how I talk."
Eijirou was quiet after that. He wasn't sure what to think of the guy but he knew he didn't exactly like him. He'd have to ask Mina about their relationship later. For the time being, Eijirou needed to finish his beer and figure out how to escape this awkward social interaction. Katsuki was exactly what Eijirou imagined and for some reason it grinds his gears. Why was Mina even friends with someone like him? Why would she subject herself to his bullshit?
"Ever thought about playing football?" Katsuki broke the silence first.
"Ever thought about shoving your hand into a blender?" Eijirou retorted sarcastically.
"You don't have to be so dramatic about it princess," he smirked into the darkness, "You'd be a beast at it though."
"Hard pass," the redhead shot back, "I'm more of a basketball guy. Football is just a way for homophobic bisexuals to be on top of other men and jack each other off in the locker room while still claiming to be straight. I'm not interested."
Eijirou didn't exactly mean the words but he felt like a targeted insult was well deserved. Eijirou hated the type of guy Katsuki made himself out to be and it wasn't outrageous to think he deserved a taste of his own medicine. The instant head whip from Katsuki accompanied by an eye twitch made it totally worth it.
"The fuck did you just say?" Katsuki's face scrunched up as he turned to face Eijirou.
Shit.
"Katssssuuukiiii!" Before Eijirou could answer, Mina's voice broke through the crowd as bounced towards them, "I'm so glad you made it!"
"Said I would, didn't I?" Katsuki's expression instantly lost its anger and was replaced by.... fond annoyance? "Like hell I'd pass up free booze and food."
"I'll remember that next time I invite you out to karaoke," Mina sang before finally noticing Eijirou, "Eiji! You were talking to Katsuki? He wasn't being dick was he?"
"I don't know what your deal with this guy is but I have to assume he was born an asshole."
"Woah," Mina's eyes were wide, "You talked to him for what, five minutes? Katsuki I can't believe you made the kindest, most patient person alive hate you in under five minutes. I'm kinda impressed."
"Ya know I have a reputation to uphold," Katsuki shrugged.
***
Eijirou put the interaction out of his mind after that. It was easy to forget about the blonde as school started to go into full throttle. Eijirou didn't even like football much less think about it enough to remember a one off conversion that was followed by a few too many shots. A week later though, Mina brings up the blonde around a mouthful of potato chips and Eijirou finally remembers that night.
"Katsuki keeps telling me to convince you to join the team," She'd said, criss-cross legs bouncing against Eijirou's bed.
"I already told him I'm not interested," Eijirou shuts the idea down, "I don't know anything about football except that I hate it."
"That's what I keep telling him," Mina nods with an eye roll, "He just started bugging me for your number so I told him I'd at least ask you."
"Why does he even want me to join?" Eijirou said after a long sigh, "I made it clear that I don't even like him."
"I guess the team lost a key player or something and he isn't willing to accept the possibility of losing any game next season."
"Fine just give me his number and I'll tell him to quit bothering you about it." Eijirou said as he took out his phone and passed it to Mina.
It was quiet for a few moments as Mina dug out her phone and started copying the number into Eijirou's. In the back of his mind, the redhead thought about how bad of an idea texting Katsuki was going to be. There's no way the guy would be any better in text than in person. To make matters worse, you can't just walk away from a bad text conversation. You have to live with that shit.
Mina passed back the phone and Eijirou started drafting his message.
To Katsuki: im not joining the football team
To Katsuki: stop bothering mina
Short simple and to the point. He didnt even need to introduce himself, Katsuki would know.
From Katsuki: What type of man doesn't like football?
From Katsuki: We need a substitute tight end and you'd be a beast. Just fucking come meet the coach
From Katsuki: I don't compliment people ever asshole don't embarrass me.
To Katsuki: That means nothing to me
To Katsuki: I'm a perfectly normal man that hates football and I didnt ask for a compliment in the first place
To Katsuki: so youre already embarrassing yourself lol
From Katsuki: Fuck you
Eijirou leaned over to show Mina the messages. There was amusement in her eyes as she shrugged with a lopsided smile. It was quiet for a few minutes after that. Mina seemed to be buried in her own text conversation and Eijirou was left to ponder the situation. Playing a sport wouldn't be so bad if Eijirou was into that sort of thing. Unfortunately though, the most he cared about was staying fit for health and intimidation reasons (never mind how cool he looked after gaining muscle mass). Football though, was the only sport not on Eijirou's radar. It didn't make sense to him and the name didn't fit so the redhead completely wrote it off.
Another buzz from his phone interrupts those thoughts.
From Katsuki: Coach said he'll be able to meet in three weeks.
From Katsuki: I will wear you down Eijirou Kirishima.
To Katsuki: That sounds like a threat
To Katsuki: how do you know my last name?
From Katsuki: How else dumbass?
"Minaaa," Eijirou whined, putting his phone down, "Did you have to tell him my last name?"
"Katsuki is really persistent," she said, voice high pitched and defensive, "Personally I think you should at least meet the rest of the team before completely turning it down. The rest of the guys are really cool and you might like them."
Eijirou leveled her a heavy stare. Mina Ashido was telling him to consider playing football. Mina, who found him with mascara running down his bruised cheeks after getting beat by half their high school's football team. Mina, who time and time again helped Eijirou pick up the pieces of himself after being picked apart by that very team, was asking him to consider it? It felt like betrayal but also vaguely like an opportunity to make new connections. Eijirou had a lot to think about.
"Don't look at me like that!" Mina whined, "This isn't high school anymore Eijirou. People I hang with ask about you all the time but you're not willing to put yourself out there. You'd be really popular if you did."
"I don't care about being popular Mina," Eijirou sighed, feeling his cheeks heat as he rubbed the back of his neck, "People ask about me because they assume I act like I look but I'm not a jock so they get disappointed. A guy is over six foot and ripped? Hot. He starts talking about his favorite creepypastas or rock band from the 80s and suddenly no one likes muscular guys anymore. I don't want to deal with that Mina."
"You should at least let me introduce you to one other guy on the team," Mina sounded like a tired mom, "I swear every time I see this guy he reminds me of you. Like you could be long lost twins. I can't be your only friend through your adult life Eijirou."
Mina's worry made his heart hurt. Eijirou knew she tried hard for him. That she made sure to always keep some of her time to be spent alone with him because he was an anti social mess. Mina did more for Eijirou than he could even hope to repay so he knew deep down, if Mina said joining the team would make her happy he'd do it in an instant. Mina was his best friend but above all else she was his sister and he wouldn't disappoint her.
"Fine," Eijirou relented, "Ill meet the dude but I'm not making any promises."
"Yay!" Mina cheered and brought out her phone again, "I'll text him now!"
This school year was going to be exhausting.
***
Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu was the funniest goddamn person Eijirou had ever met. Mina was right, this man was his long lost twin brother or something. Eijirou was nervous the whole week leading up to meeting him but it quickly dissipated the second they met in that crowded cafe. Tetsutetsu was wearing a R!OT shirt from their retirement tour and instantly Eijirou knew they would be friends.
"You like R!OT?!" Eijirou asked instead of greeting.
"Fuck yeah I do!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, "Crimson Riot and the boys are the perfect blend of blues and rock!"
"THATS WHAT I ALWAYS SAY!" Eijirou sat down with a blinding smile.
From there, Mina rolled her eyes, told Eijirou to sit and talk while she ordered them drinks and thus started their brotherhood. When Mina came back she just watched them talk with a proud, almost motherly smile. This was another reason to prove how right Mina always was.
"So you're the fucking guy captain's been going crazy over recruiting?" Tetsutetsu asked, beaming, "He didn't say you were so funny. I actually think you might be my soul brother."
"Yeah," Eijirou was sheepish, "To be fair, we weren't exactly making each other laugh when we met. He probably just thinks I'd play good I guess?"
"What even happened?" Mina piped in with a thoughtful frown, "You never told me."
"He called you a bitch a couple times and a carpet muncher," Eijirou muttered down at his coffee, "So I told him football is for homophobic bisexuals who want to be on top of other men and jack off their teammates in the locker room while pretending to be straight."
"Holy shit," Tetsutetsu said, slack jawed and slightly amazed, "You lived after that?"
"Mina actually saved me before he could kill me," the redhead looked up at his friend.
Mina was trying her best to hold in a laugh. Her eyes were bright with amusement, lips thin and shoulders shaking. She held it together for a solid three seconds before doubling over with cackles. It made Eijirou feel a little better about being so harsh. Even Tetsutetsu laughed a bit. He still seemed to be in shock about Eijirou living to fight another day after that battle.
"Eijirou that is the funniest fucking thing you've ever said," Mina wiped a tear as she straightened up, "I'm so going to make fun of him for still wanting you to be on the team. He's been so insufferable about it since the party."
"Absolute legend," Tetsutetsu finally managed to say, "Mina says you know jack shit about football but I could teach you. The team needs you."
He said it so seriously that Eijirou could almost feel the gravity of it. He'd definitely only said it because the redhead dared to spit the same game Katsuki usually did and lived. Eijirou wondered if Katsuki was actually willing to risk academic reproductions for fighting but then again, corruption isn't that uncommon and Katsuki seem like a nepo baby. Cowboy, football superstar, nepo baby. Yeah Eijirou would probably be the one to get expelled if they fought, knowing his luck.
"I'll think about it man," Eijirou interrupted his own thoughts, "I still don't really like the sport but for you brother? I'll at least watch a game."
"That's all I can ask brother," Tetsutetsu said, hand covering his heart, touched.
Mina rolled her eyes.
***
From Katsuki: So you met that silver headed freak?
To Katsuki: you wish you were Tetsutetsu
To Katsuki: hes so much cooler
From Katsuki: whatever helps you sleep at night
From Katsuki: you really got along with that thing?
To Katsuki: dont be mean
To Katsuki: he was better at trying to convince me to consider not hating the game
From Katsuki: he did his job then
From Katsuki: are you going to meet coach or what?
To Katsuki: no
To Katsuki: i still dont get the game so im not willing to embarrass myself like that
From Katsuki: you don't get the game?
From Katsuki: are you stupid??
To Katsuki: I hate you
To Katsuki: don't you have class?
From Katsuki: I can afford to look away for a few seconds, unlike you.
From Katsuki: By the way, you have two weeks, Red.
From Katsuki: I will make that silver haired fuck beat it into your skull if I have to.
To Katsuki: Just kill me already T_T
From Katsuki: You wish it was that easy.
***
Eijirou begrudgingly accepted Tetsutetsu's enthusiastic explanation of Football. It was stupid but the man really knew how to get through to him. He'd explained the positions using anime characters while watching one of the team's games from last season. Eijirou hadn't realized but collage football was kind of a big deal. There were local tv channels dedicated to collage games and it amazed the redhead how nonchalant Tetsutetsu was about it.
"You're like kinda famous dude," Eijirou said, googling Tetsutetsu and showing him the news articles that popped up.
"That's, like, local shit," Tetsutetsu was sheepish, "Katsuki's the real famous one. There's talks of him being drafted into the NFL after graduation."
Eijirou rolled his eyes as he began searching the blonde's name. He got an impressive amount of hits from this search and it honestly piqued his interest. There were articles talking about his drive, on and off the field. Videos of interviews after games showed his dedication. There were even a couple links to fan pages on Instagram. That was a little unsettling. Still though, Eijirou doubts we would be that popular if (big fat if) he joined the team.
"So this is like serious for him?" Eijirou concluded, closing his phone on a picture of Katsuki in his gear.
"Its serious for all of us," Tetsutetsu said earnestly, "To Katsuki, its his life."
It made Eijirou wonder if there was more to the blonde than he initially thought. He also had to wonder what it meant that Katsuki was so determined to have him on the team. Katsuki obviously knew his shit so why would he waste his time trying to convince a novice to do something he was clearly uninterested in? Katsuki saw potential in Eijirou but what did that mean? What does it take for a guy like Katsuki to see potential in someone? Eijirou wondered if anyone had really ever seen potential in him besides Mina and it made him slightly sad when he couldn't think of anyone else note worthy in his life.
Eijirou's head spun a little. Another week had passed since he'd last talked to Katsuki. He had one more week to decide what he wanted to do. Tetsutetsu said the guys would love him but would the Coach? Even entertaining the the thought of meeting the coach was a huge step for Eijirou. Maybe it was Tetsutetsu's passion for the game or Mina's gentile reassurance but something was making his attitude change. Something in the back of Eijirou's mind was begging him to make an effort. Begging him to try and make friend, try to be cool, try to be better.
Eijirou wanted to be better.
***
Eijirou forgot about googling Katsuki until later that night. Tetsutetsu had gone home and the redhead was left alone in his little, dark studio apartment. Eijirou turned on the tv on to fill the silence of his lonely life. Blues and greens bounced off cream walls as a shark documentary kept him company. Opening his phone for more stimulation (anything to keep from wishing for more human connection), Eijirou was met with Katsuki's cocky smirk. He was sweaty and flushed after a game, helmet dangling from his fingertips.
Eijirou knew he was hot. Anyone with eyes could see that Katsuki Bakugou was hot. Still though, the thought felt weird as Eijirou found Katsuki's instagram and started sliding through more pictures of the blonde. In the back of Eijirou's mind, he knew this was fueled by more than just curiosity. He knew that there was something about that smirk and those sharp eyes that just drew him in. There weren't a lot of posts in his feed but Eijirou swiped through every one he could.
Halfway down and six scrolls through a photo dump, Eijirou's mouth goes dry. Its a short video of Katsuki flexing in the mirror of a gym, phone propped on a weight machine. First he pulls one leg of his shorts up slightly, thigh gleaming as he flexes with a smirk. Then he turns to flex his arms above his head. Eijirou knew his shoulders were supposed to be the star of the show. Yes, they were goddamn sexy but Eijirou's mind didn't even register them properly.
Eijirou was looking at his ass. Katsuki's glorious, juicy, barely covered ass. Why do straight guys wear booty shorts to the gym? Its not fair to the queer guys with a faint heart. Seriously, Eijirou almost had an aneurism looking at that sweet, sweet ass. He wanted to know what it would feel like in his hands. How soft the skin would be when he squeezed it. The thought of Eijirou's dick pressed against his flesh flashed into the redhead's mind. The swell in his pants was almost shameful after that thought. He felt guilty for looking at Katsuki like this. Like he was meat. The wrongness of it though fueled Eijirou's interest.
Eijirou let that video play while his hand drifted into his pants. The repeated loop of thighs, ass, shoulders was searing itself into his mind as he started to stroke himself. Who gave Katsuki the right to be that fucking hot? And for him to be so cocky and post something like this? This was the best and worst fucking Google search of Eijirou's life because all he could think about while pumping his first is marking up those thighs. He thought about biting and sucking that beautiful skin so much that seeing the bruises was unavoidable. So that Katsuki could post a video flexing his masterpiece and watch his fans meltdown trying to find the artist bold enough to paint such a picture.
Eijirou came with the blonde's name on his lips. His back bowed with the blinding feeling of stars dancing behind his eyelids. The thought of plush thighs squeezing his head until he becomes dizzy flashed in his mind as he rode out the last shocks of his orgasm. Eijirou took a shaky breath as he locked his phone screen and took his hand out of his pants. A wave of post nut clarity brought a slight feeling of regret into the redhead's mind when he stepped into the shower.
A man's Libido can do crazy things to his mind because all Eijirou could think about as he let the water pelt him was how badly he needed to meet the coach. He needed to meet that coach and get on that stupid fucking football team because he had no other choice really. Katsuki wanted Eijirou on the team and Eijirou suddenly wanted Katsuki. Realistically, he knew Katsuki wouldn't be into him but a man can look afterall.
I'm so fucked. Eijirou though, banging his head against the cold tile.
***
To Katsuki: I'll meet him.
From Katsuki: Knew you'd change your mind Red.
From Katsuki: How good did that asshole bribe you?
To Katsuki: I did not get bribed
To Katsuki: I'm just curious now that I know more about the game.
To Katsuki: Meeting the coach doesn't mean he'll want me to play
From Katsuki: He'll want you.
From Katsuki: He'd be stupid to pass up your potential. You're fucking massive
To Katsuki: Oh gee thanks T_T
From Katsuki: You're welcome asshole
From Katsuki: Meet me at the Ag building 6pm Friday, don't be late.
***
The walk from the agricultural sciences building to the football field was quiet and a little awkward. Katsuki wasn't a personable guy and Eijirou had no clue what to say to him. The redhead also felt weird about having jacked off to Katsuki a few nights before so he stayed quiet. Thankfully though, they made their way across the field, through the locker room and into the coach's office. The coach was huge. He was tall and round and had a confidence to fill the entire room.
"Well hello son," He had a deep creole accent, "I'm Taishiro Toyomitsu but the boys 'round here usually call me Coach, Coach Fat or Coach Gum."
"Nice to meet you Coach?" Eijirou shook the man's extended hand, a little weary.
"Nice to meet you too son," the coach sat back down behind his desk, "I bet you're wondering about my nickname. Everyone always wonders about my nickname so I'll tell ya one time so I don't got to say it again later on. So listen good now boy."
Eijirou shot a confused look to Katsuki who just rolled his eyes and nodded. This must be a regular occurrence.
"Obviously they call me fat on account of my big ole belly," Coach leaned back in his chair and patted his stomach twice, "Now the reason they call me Gum is pretty funny. See, when I was a boy people would call me Bubba. That' just what you call fat little boys where I come from. When I would come home crying cause I been bullied, my daddy tell me," he took a breath and a sip of water.
"My daddy tell me," Coach continued his story, deepening his voice to mimic his father, "Now Bubba, I know you ain't crying cause a' no bully. In life you gotta kick some ass and chew gum but you can't be afraid to chew some ass and kick some gum, nah do you understand me Bubba?' And by god it didn't but I thought it was the funniest damn thing so I started to say it all the time. I started telling it to my teams as a pep talk and start goin' 'round calling me Coach Bubba gum. Ain't that the funniest thing?"
"Yes sir," Eijirou laughed, already loving the man, "Can I call you Coach Bubba?"
"You can call me whatever you want, son," Coach beamed at him, "But thats enough about me, where the hell have you been hiding?"
"I'm from Brooklyn sir."
"They make boys big as you up there?" He whistled, "Could have sworn you were farm boy born and raised. You're fucking massive."
"Thanks?" Eijirou felt a bit self conscious but figured it was a compliment.
"So you want on the team? You ever play before?"
"Honesty no but Tetsutetsu has been teaching me." Eijirou cringed.
"I'll make sure he learns Coach," Katsuki piped in, "I'll beat the game past that awful hair cut and into his thick ass skull if I have to."
"I trust your judgment as captain Katsuki," Coach got up and gave the boys a pat on the shoulder, "Georgia ain't got shit in terms of his size or muscle mass. I can't wait to see the look on those fucker's faces when we play them in a couple weeks. They'll piss their pants."
"So I can play?" Eijirou asked, heart racing.
"We'll see how you do in practice son. I would love to have you on the team so work hard kid."
"Yes sir."
Eijirou just scored his way into that locker room.