Quaran-teens - Chapter 1

CW: If you couldn't tell from the title, this is gonna be a quarantine/lockdown fic. If you don't want to read it in the current climate I fully understand! But if you're like me and enjoy the thought of how our boys would be coping through the current world, I hope you enjoy!

Spoiler: None of our main cast will be dying, they're all safe at home.

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Day One.

Izuku had suspected the news was coming for at least a week, watching anxiously as the case numbers rose on the nightly news. They'd taken precautions early, with less physical contact in class, seats further apart, more gloves and masks being worn – so far the school had been safe, that much was a blessing, but the rest of the world, and now their own country, was under fire.

“For those of you who may not have heard, the country will be going into a state of emergency as of midnight tonight,” Aizawa explained, voice muffled a little by his mask. “The school is closing effective immediately. If your parents are able to come pick you up, rather than use public transport, that would be ideal. If not, come see me so we can discuss your options. Please return to the dorms and gather your things.”

Izuku kind of expected the class to go into panic or uproar, but instead people just loaded up their bags with textbooks, filing out in an impressively calm manner. The only person who didn't move at all was Katsuki, sitting at the desk in front of him, still staring out the window like he could be daydreaming - except Izuku knew better.

“Everything okay, Kacchan?”

Katsuki grunted a non-committal answer, and Izuku paused as he stood up, hands twitching a little as he debated what to do or say, if anything at all.

“Bakugou, do you need a ride home?” Aizawa asked, glancing up from his papers. “I don't mind taking a few people, if their parents can't do it.”

“My parents aren't home.”

“Well, you're welcome to stay until they finish work, or as I said, I can-”

“They're not home,” Katsuki repeated, a little firmer. “They're out of town.”

“Oh. I see. Well, I suggest you get in touch with them if you can – they may be on their way back now that they've heard the news.”

Katsuki shook his head, no words coming out this time, and for a moment the room fell silent.

“They're not coming home,” he explained finally, when he'd had a moment to gather the words. “They called during lunch, when the announcement happened.”

“They're staying where they are?” Izuku clarified.

“Yeah. Company are putting them up where they've been staying.”

“I've heard it's impossible to get flights and trains right now,” Aizawa sighed. “And with how busy the transport must be, it's probably for the best. We wouldn't want them to catch it on a train, after all.”

“Can you take me home?” Katsuki asked, surprisingly soft in tone, reluctant to ask for the favour. “I'll just stay there by myself.”

“Unfortunately, we can't do that. You're still a minor for a few more months, and if this becomes a long-term problem, we can't in good faith send you home alone. Do you have another relative you could stay with? The alternative would be staying in the dorms and a teacher will have to stay behind with you.”

“Come stay with us,” Izuku blurted out, already fumbling for his phone. “Mom won't mind.”

“Haah?”

Inko picked up on the first ring, and Izuku hit the speaker button immediately.

“Hi Mom, can Kacchan stay with us for lockdown?”

“Oh no, are Mitsuki and Masaru stuck at work? That's awful! Yes, of course he can, you know you didn't need to ask permission!”

“I know, but Kacchan and Aizawa-sensei are here too, I figured it was better if they heard it from you.”

“Katsuki-kun, sweetie, don't worry about a thing! You're always welcome in our home, you know that!”

Katsuki blushed bright red, lips trembling a little as he failed to make words, but he nodded faintly when Aizawa glanced his way.

“Thank you, Mrs. Midoriya. I'm sure he'll be much more comfortable with you.”

“It's my pleasure!”

“I'm not sure when we'll be home,” Izuku added. “It might be a little late, I'm sure the trains will be full. I'll keep in touch, okay?”

“Catch a taxi, honey! It's not worth the risk right now, I'll pay the driver when you get here!”

“I'll drop them off myself, Mrs. Midoriya,” Aizawa interjected again. “It's not a problem, I want to make sure the students all get home safely.”

“Oh! Thank you so much, you're too kind!”

“My pleasure.”

“I'll talk to you later, Mom,” Izuku smiled. “Stay safe!”

“You too! See you soon Izuku, Katsuki-kun!”

“Thanks,” Katsuki grumbled.

When the call disconnected, Izuku half expected Katsuki to protest. Despite his brash manner, he was far too polite to complain with Inko listening in – he had a bit of a soft spot for her, Izuku had always thought, but Katsuki would never even consider admitting to it. Instead, though, he just stared at the floor, silent again.

“Could you drop us off at Kacchan's house?” Izuku asked. “We can get his things and then walk to mine, it's not far at all.”

“I'm sure that can be arranged.”

“Thanks,” Katsuki mumbled. “This is, uh, less shitty than the alternatives.”

With their plans sorted, they finally walked back to the dorms where their classmates were packing bags and calling parents. The walk was oddly quiet, and while Izuku had to fight the urge to fill the silence, he also found himself appreciating that they could walk side-by-side without arguing or fighting over something. They bypassed a few flustered classmates, stepping into the elevator, and when it slowed to a stop Izuku gave Katsuki a quick smile.

“I'll meet you downstairs in half an hour?”

“Yeah,” Katsuki nodded faintly. “Don't be late, nerd.”

“I won't!”

With that, they parted ways, and Izuku found himself smiling faintly. They really had come a long way together.

It had been a long time since Izuku had set foot inside the Bakugou house, but it was just as pretty and airy as he remembered. Wide and spacious, with clean, modern fixtures, a much bigger kitchen than theirs – he was starting to wonder if it wouldn't make more sense for them to stay at Katsuki's house instead of dragging him into their cramped little apartment.

“Shut up,” Katsuki growled, Izuku's jaw snapping shut reflexively – he hadn't even realised he was mumbling. “It's less awkward for me, nerd-ass, so drop it.”

“Y-Yeah, th-thanks. Um, sorry.”

“Just go get all the damn food from the kitchen,” Katsuki huffed, throwing his bags aside. “Probably not much there, old folks have been gone a month, but take what they have.”

“O-Oh. Um, yeah, that- that makes sense, okay.”

Katsuki thumped off up the stairs to his bedroom, and Izuku hurried into the kitchen, hunting down a grocery bag to start loading up. There were a number of cans in the cupboards, bags of flour and sugar, even a few boxes of Katsuki's favourite brand of protein bar that made Izuku smile – even when he barely went home to visit, they still kept his favourite snacks on hand. The freezer held more still, with bags of frozen vegetables and even some meats that didn't expire for a while, lying in wait for the Bakugous to return.

“Sorted?” Katsuki asked, making Izuku jump. “Stop spacing out, nerd.”

“I'm not!” Izuku insisted. “I was making noise in the freezer and didn't hear you coming, that's all!”

“Whatever. You done?”

“I think so!” Izuku nodded, scooping up his grocery bag. “Is there anything else I should have checked?”

Katsuki pulled the fridge open to look, grimacing when he found a few half-empty jars, but nothing particularly worth dragging along.

“Nah,” he conceded, hitching a duffle bag up over his shoulder and returning to the hallway for his school stuff. “Let's go.”

“Coming!”

Izuku followed in a hurry, surprised when he saw the dark car still in the driveway, Aizawa scrolling on his phone as he waited.

“Is everything okay, Sensei?” he asked, leaning down a little to peek through the window.

“Get in,” he instructed. “I'll take you the rest of the way.”

“O-Oh! You don't have to! It's just, like, two streets over!”

“I'd rather see you get there with my own eyes.”

“W-Well, thank you! For caring!” Izuku nodded, sliding into the back seat again. “We really appreciate all the help!”

“Please try not to kill each other during this lockdown.”

“No promises.”

“Kacchan!” Izuku insisted, pouting. “Don't be mean!”

“Don't try that pity act on me, nerd. I see right through your ass.”

Izuku huffed, folding his arms stubbornly, and Katsuki leaned back in his seat as the car pulled out into the road.

“Much better,” Katsuki smirked. “Finally some peace and quiet.”

“Kacchan is such a meanie.”

The quiet lasted all the way to the apartment block where the Midoriyas lived, when the torrent of words began all over again. This time they had Inko at the window to encourage it, babbling her gratitude as she bowed repeatedly, and Katsuki thumped Izuku in the shoulder when he started to join in.

“Thanks,” Katsuki said simply, already heading for the doors with his armload of bags. “Let him go, he has his own stuff to deal with.”

That seemed to snap the pair out of it, quickly letting Aizawa take his leave. They followed Katsuki into the elevator, and Izuku couldn't resist a smile. No matter how many years it had been, Katsuki never forgot their floor, their apartment.

“I brought some food,” Katsuki said, watching Inko unlock the front door. “From the dorms and from my parents' house. To uh, help, you know? Th-Thanks for having me?”

“It's my pleasure, Katsuki-kun! And don't you worry a bit, I'm happy to take care of you, please don't feel like you're putting us out!”

“You can stick your stuff in my room,” Izuku added, waving toward the door with his old All Might nameplate. “I'll sleep on the couch.”

“Haah? Don't be an idiot,” Katsuki huffed. “I get up hours before you drag your lazy ass out of bed.”

“But you also go to sleep hours before me!” Izuku protested. “You need a quiet place to sleep!”

“I don't need your damn pity.”

“It's not pity!” Izuku insisted. “Just- Just share with me, okay? I'll sneak in for bed and you can- Well, you'll probably wake me up on purpose, but I'll try not to wake you okay?”

“Ugh. Fine.” Katsuki looked away, cheeks slightly pink as he folded his arms. “I'll try too.”

“Thank you!” Izuku lit up, cheeks splitting into a grin. “Then it's settled! Go put your stuff in my room, I'll grab the futon out.”

“Already done,” Inko assured him. “I pulled it out after you called.”

“Oh, Mom! You didn't need to do that! You didn't hurt your back, did you?”

“Izuku, dear, I'm not that old.”

“That's not what I meant!”

Katsuki smirked when Izuku spluttered indignantly, catching Inko's eye when she shot a smile his way.

“I'll go make it up,” Katsuki volunteered, already heading for the room.

“What?! No! Kacchan! You sleep in my bed, I'll sleep on the futon!”

“You pitying me again?”

“No! Never! Kacchaaaan! Come on, you're the guest here, you get the proper bed!”

“Whatever, nerd,” Katsuki grumbled, shedding his bags from the dorms and his room at home. “Gonna change out of my uniform, stop looking.”

Izuku squeaked, but closed the door between them obediently, managing a smile again when Inko beamed at him.

“It's nice to see you boys getting along,” she praised. “It's been a while since I've seen you together, I missed this!”

“Y-Yeah,” Izuku mumbled. “Um, thanks.”

When Katsuki returned, it was in a pair of old sweatpants and a hoodie that was at least a size too big. He looked cozy and warm, and Izuku couldn't help but smile fondly. Katsuki would never let most of their classmates see him that way, he was always careful to have proper clothes on when he left his dorm room – snuggly Kacchan was reserved for the people who had known him forever, the people who knew him too well to bother teasing about his lazy clothing choices.

“My turn,” Izuku spoke up, before Katsuki could accuse him of staring. “Back in a minute!”

He stepped into the bedroom, digging some clean clothes from his bag, but when he saw the neatly-made futon he huffed a little. Somehow, he'd believed that Katsuki was just finding clothes in his bag, when he took a while. He should have known better.

“Cheater!” he called through the door, catching a quiet snort in response.

“You snooze, you lose.”

Izuku pointedly moved Katsuki's bags away from the futon, leaning them against the end of the bed, even switched their pillows over and laid out his pyjamas atop the blankets. Surely Katsuki wouldn't bother moving everything back again just to make a point, right?

No, he absolutely would, he was that stubborn.

“I licked the blankets,” he called again, grinning when he heard the confused grunt from outside. “Now they're mine!”

“What the fuck, nerd?!” Katsuki demanded, thumping on the locked door. “Don't go around licking shit! Especially during a god-damn pandemic.”

“Too late, I licked the futon, now you have to use the bed!”

“You did not.”

“I did!”

“Even you're not that fuckin' weird.”

“If you say so,” Izuku sang. “Have fun sleeping on my gross nerd-germs!”

“You wouldn't.”

“Are you really gonna take that chance?”

Katsuki paused, his thumps falling still, and Izuku giggled to himself.

“Fucking fine,” he conceded. “You weird little shit. I'll sleep in the bed if you promise not to fuckin' lick anything.”

“Deal!”

“How am I gonna put up with you for a month?”

“You've put up with me for seventeen years,” Izuku pointed out, finally shedding his uniform. “What's another month?”

“First of all, it's only like ten years, we didn't meet the day you were born.”

“Okay, ten years, whatever.”

“Second of all, I never had to put up with you twenty-four seven before.”

“Isn't that kind of what the dorms are? Except there are more annoying nerds there?”

“I have my own room in the dorms.”

“I offered you your own room here!”

“Ugh.”

Izuku grinned as he finished getting dressed, shrugging on a faded All Might t-shirt before he unlocked the door.

“Face it, Kacchan, you're more than prepared to put up with me for a month.”

“Shut up.”

“Would you rather be locked in with your mother for a month? Every minute of every day with her watching over your shoulder?”

Katsuki shuddered at the thought, but didn't bother to answer, turning away with a huff.

“I promise I won't annoy you too much,” Izuku smiled. “If you need some alone time, just say so!”

“Whatever, nerd.”

Katsuki shoved his hands deep in his hoodie pockets, stepping back into the living room, and Izuku just watched his back for a moment as he left.

If he was going to be locked in with anyone, Katsuki was always going to be his first choice.

When Izuku sneaked into the bedroom, the apartment long-since gone quiet around him, he was surprised to hear a soft voice speak up.

“It's fine,” it said. “I'm not asleep.”

“You're still awake?” Izuku clarified. “I didn't wake you, did I?”

“Nah,” Katsuki sighed, rolling over to bury his face in his pillow. “Can't sleep.”

“Do you, um, want to talk about it?”

“About what, you damn nerd?”

“W-Well, normally when- When I can't sleep, at least, it's because something is... On my mind? Like, nerves? Or stress? Or something? So if there's something, and you want to talk, I'll just... Shut my mouth and listen?”

Katsuki didn't answer for a minute, and Izuku slipped into his blankets rather than push it, snuggling in under his thick comforter and rolling onto his side. The room was dark, almost pitch-black, so he couldn't make out even the outline of the bed nearby, but still he looked that way with undivided attention.

“I swear to God if you ever bring it up again I'm gonna kill your ass.”

“Okay! I was just offering! I would never tell anyone, and if you don't want to talk about it, I'll never-”

“It's like living in a damn movie,” Katsuki began, as if Izuku had never spoken. “It doesn't feel real, you know?”

“I know.”

“Everything is going to change. People are dying. And all we can do is lock ourselves in an apartment and hope like hell that we don't get close to anyone who could kill us. What the hell kind of hero just hides?”

“W-Well, Kacchan, it's not... It's not like we can punch a virus. We're not just stuck here, we're... Staying safe, you know?”

“Of course I fuckin' know,” Katsuki grumbled. “But it's fuckin' weird. And everyone online and on TV and shit is all 'well at least we get to be with our families' but my parents are in another fuckin' city.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Haah? The fuck are you sorry for? Not like you did it.”

“I don't mean I'm sorry like I did something wrong, I'm just sorry. I'm sad that you have to go through this, you know?”

“Don't pity me, nerd.”

“I've never pitied you in my life, Kacchan, I thought you'd learned that by now. It's just... Well, you and my Mom are the only people I would ever want to be stuck with. So I'm... Relieved, maybe? That I'm in this position? But I know it's not the same for you, and I know it sucks that you have to put up with me, but I'll do my best to make it bearable, okay?”

Katsuki huffed, and Izuku waited knowingly, giving him a minute to process.

“Not like being alone would be better,” he grumbled, and Izuku's cheeks flooded with warmth. “I guess... It could be a lot worse.”

“Thank you.”

“Shut up.”

Izuku giggled, sinking into his pillow a little more, relaxing comfortably in his warm little nest.

“I'm always here to listen, okay?” he offered. “If there's ever anything you want to say, or ask, or talk about, or whatever, I'm right here.”

“I know.”

“I bet your parents are missing you a lot. Maybe at the end of this, you'll get along a little better? Once you know what it's like to be apart and worried.”

“I'm not worried about shit.”

“I know, Kacchan,” Izuku smiled. “Maybe things will feel better in the morning. All we can do is try. We get to sleep in!”

“Yeah,” Katsuki grunted. “Be quiet then, let me sleep.”

“Goodnight, Kacchan.”

“Night, nerd.”

[Chapter 2]