Tome

There's a steady beeping coming from an alarm clock that is strategically put on a desk. The sound is a mix of joy and reluctance from the students attending the lecture that day.

"That's all for today. Remember to study chapters fourteen and fifteen for next class, and that your midterm essay is due next week" the professor says, his droopy eyes giving an air of carelessness that can be deceiving "We'll talk about final projects and assessments after you hand in your essays" he explains, putting his things inside his briefcase "see you soon" and walks out of the classroom, leaving the chorused sound of 'have a good day Professor Aizawa' behind.

The students pick up their things and start to leave; some in groups, others in pairs. One student quickly puts his laptop in his bag, hangs the bag to his shoulder, and is ready to go, only for an arm to appear around his shoulders.

"Hey Bakugou, what's the hurry?" a smiling redhead asks "you've been ditching the squad for the last few weeks, and we wonder what's up?" he follows up; ignoring the other's attempt to dislodge his arm and just tightening his grip.

"Talk for your self Kirishima" comments a girl with short black hair off-handedly, putting on her headphones and walking away "If you keep pestering Bakugou, you won't get the free meal you won yesterday" she declares over her shoulder.

"Wait!" exclaims Kirishima, letting Bakugou go "don't think that you're off the hook" he warns the other, before running off to reach his other friends.

Bakugou huffs at his so-called friends' antics. With one last check over his table, he gets out of the classroom and walks quickly towards the exit. Once he's out of the faculty, his quick steps become a jog; his eyes shine with expectation, and his lips keep up turning into a smile that he has to constantly erase from his face.

A couple of blocks inside the campus later, he's in front of the library's entrance. He takes a deep breath, slides a hand over his spikey blond hair, and tries to act casual while going inside the place.

Bakugou takes a few steps inside the library and subtlety looks around while getting closer to the reception desk. He feels his mood turning sour at not finding what he's looking for. The person behind the counter observes the young man's movements with amusement.

"Coming to study chemistry and history once again, Bakugou-kun?" Asks the old librarian, smiling at the blond's reluctant nod.

"Well, I won't stop you then. Go on" the librarian says kindly, holding back a laugh when he sees Bakugou walking away with slightly slumped shoulders.

'This has been the most entertaining thing I've seen in years. Good luck young one' thinks the librarian, going back to his work.

---

Bakugou enters the chemistry section with an air of dejection; his eyes narrowed and his fist clenched while reading the different titles around him. He does have a paper to write about famous representatives in the chemistry field, so he's planning to check out some chemistry and history books for that. Thing is…there's another reason he comes to the library, and it seems that he's out of luck this time.

That's the thought running through the blond's head until a soft cheerful voice calls his name.

"Katsuki-kun?"

The blond turns around, and his eyes lock with gentle green ones, on a face a few years older than him. He feels his heart speed up, and scowls to hide the actual smile that tries to come out from his lips.

"Hello" greets Bakugou, fighting the eagerness in his voice "didn't know you'll be here today Midoriya-san," he says with a slight surprise, and hidden delight, at seeing the older man a few steps from him with some heavy books on his arms.

"I've told you a few times already to call me Izuku, Katsuki-kun" reprimands Midoriya with an easygoing smile that takes down the seriousness of his statement "are you here to work on another essay?" he asks, walking towards Bakugou while trying to balance his armload.

Katsuki doesn't even think twice before stepping close to the other and taking some of the books from the other's arms. Izuku tries to protest, but he's completely ignored by the blond who only moves his head to indicate the other to guide the way. Midoriya just shakes his head at this and moves to the literature section.

"To answer your question" starts Bakugou, mentally denying the thrill he feels when Izuku's eyes are on him "I do have a paper due next week" he explains "this one counts as my midterm exam" he confesses with a small downturn of his mouth.

Izuku indicates where to put the literature books "what's the topic?" he asks while putting the books he has on the corresponding shelves.

Katsuki tells him the topic, and Midoriya acquires a thinking look. He puts one hand over his chin and starts to murmur book titles to himself, missing the fond look Bakugou directs his way at this. The blond gets closer to the other; with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he blows softly on Izuku's ear "Earth to Izuku-san, can you hear me?" he inquires, his voice a bit husky in its lower tone.

The other man jumps startled, a charming blush on his cheeks, covering his ear, and looking at Katsuki in surprise. The blond shrugs "are any of those titles here, or in your bookshop?" he asks casually, enjoying the reaction he causes on the older man.

Izuku comes to himself after that question. Being a volunteer here at his former college has given him plenty of time to memorize a great part of the titles there "There are a few of the books you need here, but at least two or three are in my shop" he answers, tilting his head to the side and mentally cataloging the books in his head.

The feel of an arm over his shoulder interrupts his thoughts. Midoriya fights down another blush, when he notices the closeness between his and Katsuki's faces "Lead the way" prompts the blond, a smirk on his face, that Izuku tries not to stare at "s-sure, this way" he says, trying and failing not to relish on the warmth coming from their contact, holding back a gasp, when one of Bakugou's fingers draw lazy circles on his shoulder.

They arrive at the history section; Izuku points out the books Katsuki will need for his essay, the blond pick them one by one, and puts them on a table nearby. When all the books are selected, both sit on the table and give a quick scan to the books.

Bakugou brings out a notepad, Izuku smiles at how the blond may look a bit wild, but actually respect the no-cellphone rule stated on the entrance, and writes down the titles and pages he considers useful. The older man follows this example, brings out his trusty notebook, and starts taking notes.

They stay a while like this; Katsuki steals a few glances towards Izuku, a smile upturn on his lips at the focused look on the older man's face. Bakugou really likes seeing him like this; surrounded by his beloved books and a determined expression when doing anything related to studying or reading. He reluctantly admits that he feels jealous of the fondness in Izuku's eyes when looking at a new book sometimes; he knows it's ridiculous, but he really can't help it, he's selfish that way.

Izuku closes his notebook with a satisfied expression and looks up, only to blush when he meets the intensity of the other's gaze directed at him "W-what is it?" he stutters, mentally cursing that show of nervousness.

"Nothing" Bakugou responds nonchalantly "I finished writing down the books I think will help me," he says, handing his note pad to Midoriya "What do you think?" He asks coolly.

Izuku checks the notes; admiring Katsuki's neat and confident handwriting, compares them with the ones he has, makes a list of which books are the best options out of the pile they have on the table at the end of the page, and gives it back to the blond.

Bakugou reads the list; he nods in agreement, takes the books that he's not going to use to their respective shelves, Izuku notes that the blond seems to know the places by memory already, and sits back down. He puts the useful books one over the other making a small column on his right, crosses his arms, and looks seriously at the other.

"Are you going to be at your workplace tomorrow?" He asks, with feign carelessness, "you mean, at my bookstore? Yes, of course," Izuku answers with a smile, "I'll be there from three till closing time at eight" he continues in a low cheerful voice, keeping in mind the place they currently are.

Katsuki makes a thoughtful sound, stands from his chair, and gets closer to the other, "Then I'll pass by around six to get the books you told me about" he says, stopping just a step away from the older man "I'll work on my paper on the second floor until eight" he informs, bowing a bit to be at face level with Izuku, and locking eyes with him.

Izuku feels his face heating up at the closeness and tries to divert his sight to the side, but fails "S-sure, no problem" he stammers at first, regulating his breathing when he notices the breathlessness in his words "I'll put the books aside, that way you won't waste time looking for them" he says with a polite smile, willing his heart to slow down and to not imagine things that are not from the increasing intensity in Bakugou's gaze, which is still concentrated on his.

Katsuki smirks, feeling at ease at the reactions he's getting from the other man, enjoying the slight flush staining Izuku's cheeks when he gets even closer "Good" he breathes, moving his face to rest his lips against the older man's ear "We'll go for dinner after you close the place" he declares, his voice a bit hoarse, he moves back slowly, purposely letting his lips trail Midoriya's skin until he reaches the corner of the other's mouth "It's a date" he states firmly, taking advantage of Izuku's surprise to press their lips in a quick kiss, that turn slightly heated when the older man instinctively responds.

One peck becomes three; a low moan escapes Bakugou's mouth when he feels the other nibbling his lower lip. He brings his hand to caress Midoriya's cheek, and with one last lingering press of lips breaks their connection.

"See you tomorrow, Izuku" he almost growls, feeling smug at the dazed expression on Izuku's face, "Tomorrow" the other whispers, with an absent-minded nod, his cheeks completely red, making his freckles stand out, tempting the blond to kiss each one, but he shakes his head, steps back, takes the books from the table, and walks away.

Izuku watches Katsuki walk away; he brings his finger to his face, tracing the parts that still feel hot at the reminder of the blond's touch. A goofy smile appears on his face, 'a date' he thinks giddily, looking forward to the next day, and by the almost spring he notices from Bakugou's retreating form, he's not the only one.

After all, this might be the beginning of a wonderful relationship, and both of them have some thoughts running through their mind about that.

'Can't wait so you again, I hope tomorrow arrives faster' one thinks, full of longing, 'tomorrow, I'll make sure to let you know that from now on, it's exclusively 'us' with no exception' the other think determined.

The rest is left to the imagination.

The end