Chapter Text
Bakugo Katsuki hated formal events.
Not because they were difficult.
Not because he hated being around other heroes.
And definitely not because of the cameras.
He could handle cameras.
What he hated was everything that came with them.
The expensive suits. The forced smiles. The endless conversations about rankings and popularity and things that, in his opinion, had nothing to do with the actual job.
A hero's job was simple.
Someone needed help.
You helped them.
That was it.
There didn't need to be a ceremony, a stage, and thousands of people waiting to analyze every word you said afterward.
Unfortunately, the Hero Billboard Chart ceremony did not care about Bakugo Katsuki's opinions.
Especially not when it was one of the biggest ranking announcements of the year.
Every six months, the public waited to see how the hero rankings had shifted. Some heroes moved up. Some moved down. Some stayed exactly where everyone expected them to.
For most professionals, it was just another part of the job.
For Deku, though?
This one mattered a little more.
Bakugo knew that.
Which was exactly why he was already ready fifteen minutes before they had to leave.
His suit was perfectly fitted.
Of course it was.
It had been designed specifically for him by one of the top hero costume designers in Japan, adjusted to match both his build and the image he had created as Dynamight.
The base was a deep black, almost charcoal under the lights, with sharp orange accents tracing along the edges of the jacket and subtle red details worked into the design.
It wasn't flashy.
It didn't need to be.
Everything about it was controlled. Precise. Intimidating.
Very Bakugo.
The only thing that refused to cooperate was his hair.
That was expected.
At least his tie was straight.
Unlike someone else's.
"Kacchan?"
Bakugo looked toward the doorway and immediately understood. Deku had absolutely been fighting with his outfit.
His suit itself looked good. Annoyingly good.
Like Bakugo's, it had been designed specifically for him. It wasn't a copy of his hero costume, but it carried the same feeling.
A deep forest green that almost looked black in certain lighting. Clean black panels. Small white accents that caught the light when he moved.
It looked like Deku.
Professional.
Heroic.
But still him.
The only thing ruining the picture was the tie hanging crookedly around his neck.
Bakugo stared.
Deku looked down.
Then back up.
"...Don't say anything."
Bakugo's eyebrow twitched.
"What happened?"
"I tried."
"You researched a villain's entire history before a fight yesterday."
Deku blinked.
"Okay?"
"You can memorize a person's fighting style in minutes."
"Yes..."
"And you couldn't figure out a tie?"
Deku frowned.
"I followed the instructions."
Bakugo looked at the disaster around his neck.
"Clearly the instructions sucked."
Deku sighed.
"I watched three tutorials."
"Three?"
"Yes."
"And this is what you got?"
Deku looked down at the tie.
Then back at him.
"...When you say it like that, it sounds worse."
"Because it is worse."
Deku opened his mouth to argue.
Then stopped.
Because, unfortunately, Bakugo was right.
Again.
Bakugo held out his hand.
"Give it here."
Deku immediately stepped closer.
Bakugo grabbed the tie and fixed it with quick, practiced movements. He had learned years ago. Formal events. Interviews. Meetings. Anything where looking professional mattered.
Things he didn't enjoy.
Things he still prepared for.
Unlike Deku, who could remember the smallest details about a villain but somehow forgot how clothing worked.
As he adjusted the knot, Bakugo noticed the small chain resting against Deku's collar.
The suit was mostly green, black, and white.
The necklace didn't match.
Not exactly.
A tiny orange crystal hung from the silver chain, bright against the darker colors.
Small enough that most people probably wouldn't notice.
Bakugo did.
Of course he did.
Because he knew Deku.
And because his own necklace, hidden beneath the collar of his black-and-orange suit, carried a matching green crystal.
Neither of them had made a big deal out of it.
They didn't need to.
"You know," Deku said quietly, "it's kind of funny."
Bakugo looked up.
"What?"
"You're the one fixing my tie."
Bakugo frowned.
"And?"
Deku smiled slightly.
"I don't know. I just think it's funny."
"Why?"
"Because everyone expects you to be the crazy one."
Bakugo narrowed his eyes.
"Watch it."
"I'm not saying you're crazy."
"You were about to."
"I was saying..." Deku laughed softly. "It's just funny how you're the one making sure I look presentable before a ranking ceremony."
Bakugo finished the knot.
"There."
Deku looked down at it.
Then back up.
A small smile appeared.
"Thanks, Kacchan."
Bakugo immediately stepped back.
"Don't make it weird."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I said thank you."
"Yeah. Weird."
Deku smiled.
And Bakugo hated that somehow, somehow, it made the entire morning feel easier.
The ceremony was still going to be annoying.
The cameras were still going to be annoying.
The rankings were still going to be annoying.
But standing there with Deku beside him, wearing a piece of Bakugo's color while Bakugo wore a piece of his...
Maybe it wasn't the worst thing in the world.
✦ ──── * ──── ✦
The walk into the ceremony hall was familiar.
Not because Bakugo enjoyed it.
He didn't.
But because after several years of professional hero work, the routine was something they had all gotten used to.
The Hero Billboard Chart ceremony happened every six months. The same stage. The same cameras. The same reporters waiting for reactions the second a hero's name appeared on the screen.
Some heroes treated it like a major event.
Others treated it like another responsibility that came with the job.
Bakugo was firmly in the second category.
The ceremony wasn't difficult. It wasn't even something he particularly cared about.
A ranking didn't change what happened during a rescue.
It didn't change the people they saved.
It didn't change the work they put in every day.
But he also wasn't stupid enough to pretend rankings didn't matter at all.
Hero society watched them closely. Civilians looked to those numbers as a symbol of trust. Companies cared about popularity. The media cared about stories.
And this ranking period had been talked about more than usual.
Mostly because of one particular rescue operation.
Bakugo glanced beside him.
Deku was trying very hard to act normal.
Which meant he was absolutely not normal.
He kept looking around the room, taking in every detail, probably analyzing the stage setup, the cameras, and the number of reporters present.
Typical.
The room was already filling when they arrived. Heroes who were usually seen in the middle of battles were now standing around in formalwear, talking casually instead of preparing for a fight.
It was always slightly strange.
Seeing people known for their costumes and quirks looking almost ordinary.
A hero could spend years building a public image, but at events like this, everyone was just another person in a suit waiting for their name to appear.
Deku immediately started scanning the room.
Bakugo didn't need to ask who he was looking for.
"There."
Deku's expression brightened.
Bakugo followed his gaze.
Mirio Togata stood near the front of the room, already surrounded by several heroes. He was laughing about something, completely comfortable despite the cameras nearby.
Some things never changed.
Even after everything they had been through, Mirio still carried himself the same way he always had. Like any situation could be handled as long as people kept believing there was a way forward.
"Mirio!"
Deku lifted a hand.
Mirio noticed immediately.
"Midoriya!"
Within seconds, the two of them were smiling like they hadn't spoken recently.
"How have you been?"
"Good! Really good. Patrols have been busy, but—"
"You're sleeping, right?"
Deku froze.
Bakugo immediately looked over.
There it was.
The hesitation.
"Got him."
"I sleep!"
Mirio smiled.
"How much?"
"Ehhuuhh mmmm..."
Bakugo crossed his arms.
"That answer means not enough."
"It does not mean that."
"It absolutely means that."
Mirio laughed.
Somehow, even after years of hero work, Deku still had the same habit of pushing himself too far.
And somehow, everyone who knew him still noticed.
The conversation continued for several minutes, eventually turning into the same kind of conversation that happened every time Class 1-A managed to gather.
A little bit of hero work.
A little bit of teasing.
A lot of catching up.
"Bakugo!"
He turned at the sound of his name.
Kirishima approached with a grin, looking exactly as enthusiastic as always.
"Looking sharp, man."
Bakugo glanced over his suit.
"You look the same."
Kirishima looked down.
"Is that bad?"
"It's...you."
Kirishima paused.
Then smiled.
"Honestly? I'll take that."
Before Bakugo could respond, Kaminari appeared beside him.
"Okay, but seriously. This is kind of insane."
Bakugo raised an eyebrow.
"What is?"
Kaminari gestured around the room.
"The fact that we're all here. Again."
Sero nodded.
"I still remember watching these ceremonies when we were younger."
Mina immediately pointed at him.
"Don't say things like that."
"What?"
"You're making us sound old."
"We're not old."
"I know. But hearing it is weird."
Deku laughed quietly.
And for a moment, the pressure faded.
Not because the ranking didn't matter.
Not because the cameras weren't there.
But because this part did feel normal.
Their friends.
Their classmates.
The people who had been there before any of the rankings, before the titles, before the world started watching them.
More heroes continued arriving as the room filled.
Best Jeanist entered with his usual confidence, immediately drawing attention without appearing to seek it out. Bakugo noticed him and immediately looked away.
Unfortunately, Jeanist noticed that too.
"Young Dynamight."
Bakugo sighed.
"Don't."
"I simply wished to congratulate you on another successful year."
"Thanks."
Jeanist's gaze shifted toward Deku.
"And Midoriya as well."
Deku straightened immediately.
"Thank you, sir."
Bakugo noticed the reaction.
Of course he did.
Deku still treated every compliment like something he had to earn.
Even after becoming one of the most recognized heroes in Japan.
Nearby, Mount Lady greeted reporters with practiced ease, completely comfortable in front of the cameras.
Shoto arrived not long after.
Unlike some of them, he didn't look nervous.
Then again, Shoto rarely looked nervous.
He walked into the room, adjusted the collar of his suit, and immediately found their group.
"Hey."
"Shoto!"
Deku smiled.
"Your last ranking was really impressive."
Shoto tilted his head.
"Thanks."
"You moved up again."
"So did you."
Deku immediately waved his hands.
"Well, yes, but that's different."
Bakugo looked between them.
"How is that different?"
Deku opened his mouth.
Then stopped.
Shoto blinked.
"I was wondering the same thing."
Deku sighed.
"It's not different. I just meant—"
"You two are still doing this?" Bakugo asked.
Both of them looked at him.
"Doing what?" Shoto asked.
"Arguing about who deserves credit more."
Deku and Shoto went quiet.
Because unfortunately, he was right.
Again.
Shoto looked between them for a moment before speaking.
"So."
Bakugo immediately knew that tone.
"What?"
"How are you two doing?"
Deku froze.
Bakugo stared.
Shoto continued calmly.
"Your relationship."
Deku immediately started coughing.
Bakugo narrowed his eyes.
"You really just ask things like that?"
Shoto looked confused.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because normal people don't."
"I thought we were past that."
Deku covered his face.
"Shoto."
"What? I'm curious."
Bakugo looked away.
"We're good."
Shoto nodded.
"Good."
A pause.
Then:
"I was wondering because you both seem less annoying."
Deku looked up.
"That's your way of saying you're happy for us?"
"Yes."
Bakugo stared.
"You're terrible at this."
"I know."
And somehow, that made Deku laugh.
Eventually, an announcement sounded through the room.
Conversations slowly faded.
Heroes began moving toward their assigned seats.
The atmosphere shifted.
Because even if this wasn't their first ceremony, even if they had all done this before, there was always a moment right before the rankings were revealed where everyone became a little more aware.
A ranking was still a ranking.
A number was still a number.
And this time, everyone knew there was a chance the chart would look different.
Bakugo sat down beside Deku.
Shoto was nearby.
Mirio was seated closer to the front.
✦ ──── * ──── ✦
Eventually, an announcement sounded through the room.
The conversations slowly faded as heroes began finishing their drinks and setting their glasses aside.
Bakugo glanced toward Deku.
Finally.
Deku smiled slightly, and the two of them placed their glasses down before following the rest of the heroes toward the main hall.
The crowd began moving toward their assigned seats, the energy of the room shifting from casual conversation to quiet anticipation.
Bakugo and Deku took their places near the front, with Shoto seated nearby and the other top heroes positioned around them.
The lights above the stage dimmed.
The room fell silent.
A moment later, the host stepped onto the stage.
"Welcome, everyone, to this year's Hero Billboard Chart announcement."
The seats were arranged exactly how everyone expected them to be.
The highest-ranked heroes sat closest to the stage, positioned where the cameras could easily capture their reactions when their names appeared on the screen. Behind them sat the remaining invited heroes, agency representatives, and members of the press, all waiting for the announcements that would determine the rankings for the next six months.
Bakugo sat with his arms crossed.
Deku sat beside him, noticeably more focused than he had been trying to appear all evening.
Shoto was a few seats away, close enough that they could talk quietly if they needed to.
Mirio was already seated near the front.
Of course he was.
Bakugo glanced toward him.
It wasn't surprising. Mirio had spent years proving exactly why he belonged there. He had the results, the reputation, and the kind of presence that made people believe in heroes even after everything they had been through.
Being Number One suited him.
A representative stepped onto the stage and began the opening speech. The words were familiar. The importance of heroes. The responsibility they carried. The dedication required to protect civilians. The continued growth of hero society after everything Japan had experienced.
Bakugo listened for about five seconds before his attention drifted.
Not because the speech was wrong.
Because he had heard versions of it his entire life.
Deku, however, listened.
Of course he did.
He sat there with his hands folded, completely focused on every word, like the person speaking had just revealed some incredibly important secret.
Bakugo glanced at him.
Idiot.
His idiot.
Eventually, the speech came to an end.
The presenter smiled toward the crowd.
"And now, we will begin this year's Hero Billboard Chart rankings."
The atmosphere changed immediately.
Every conversation stopped.
Every camera turned toward the stage.
"Beginning with the heroes ranked tenth through first."
Bakugo leaned back slightly.
Top ten.
That was expected.
He had moved up before. He had moved down before. Rankings were never as simple as who was the strongest or who had the most victories. Public trust, rescue numbers, villain captures, and countless other factors all played into the final results.
Especially for heroes like them.
The first name appeared on the screen.
"Number ten: Edgeshot."
Applause filled the room.
Bakugo nodded slightly.
Fair.
A legend.
The rankings continued.
"Number nine: Kamui Woods."
"Number eight: Gang Orca."
"Number seven: Wash."
Each announcement brought more applause and more attention from the cameras. Heroes whispered quietly among themselves, making guesses about who would appear next.
Bakugo watched the screen carefully.
Not because he was nervous.
Because he was intreiged.
The next name appeared.
"Number six: Ryukyu."
Another round of applause filled the room.
Bakugo's fingers tapped once against the armrest.
Number six.
Interesting.
He looked down the row.
Deku was still smiling politely, clapping after every announcement.
But Bakugo knew him.
He knew that expression.
Deku was trying not to think about it.
Which meant he was definitely thinking about it.
The next name appeared.
"Number five: Shishido."
Bakugo sat a little straighter.
Not enough for most people to notice.
Enough for Deku.
"Kacchan."
Bakugo glanced over.
"What?"
"You're thinking really loudly."
"I don't think loudly."
Deku gave him a look.
Bakugo looked away.
Because there were only four names left.
And suddenly, there was a very real possibility that tonight was going to be different.
The presenter looked down at the card.
"Number four..."
The room waited.
Bakugo already had an idea.
There weren't many possibilities left.
"Dynamight."
For a moment, Bakugo stayed still.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
"...Huh."
Deku immediately smiled beside him.
Bakugo stood.
The surprise faded quickly, replaced by something much closer to satisfaction.
Fourth.
That was good.
Really good.
Did he want higher?
Obviously.
He always wanted higher.
But this meant something. It meant the work was being noticed. It meant people were starting to recognize him for more than his attitude and the reputation he had carried since he was a kid.
As he walked toward the stage, the applause grew louder.
Bakugo ignored the cameras.
Mostly.
He accepted the ranking with a short nod before taking his place among the other heroes.
But even standing there, his attention wasn't completely on himself.
There were still three spots left.
And Deku still wasn't one of them.
The presenter returned to the microphone.
"Number three..."
"Shoto Todoroki."
The room filled with applause.
Shoto stood calmly and walked toward the stage.
He didn't look surprised.
Not exactly.
He had expected to remain near the top. He had worked for it, and he knew his results spoke for themselves.
But when he returned to his seat after accepting the ranking, Bakugo noticed something.
Curiosity.
Shoto leaned slightly toward him.
"Who do you think took my place?"
Bakugo looked over.
Shoto's expression was genuinely thoughtful, and curios.
Not upset.
Not angry.
Just wondering.
Bakugo looked toward the stage.
Then toward the remaining two spaces.
"I don't know."
A pause.
Then he frowned slightly.
"...I can't believe Deku hasn't been called."
Shoto looked toward him.
"That's what I was thinking."
For a moment, they just stared at each other.
Because they both understood what that could mean.
The presenter stepped forward again.
"And now..."
The room became completely silent.
"Number two."
The cameras shifted toward the stage.
The presenter looked down at the card in his hands.
"Rising through the rankings this year after an incredible rescue operation that reminded the country what it means to be a hero..."
A pause.
"Welcome, Number Two Hero..."
The screen changed.
Green.
Black.
White.
"Deku."
The room erupted.
Applause.
Cheers.
Camera flashes.
But Izuku Midoriya didn't move.
He simply stared at the screen.
At his name.
At the number beside it.
Number Two.
For a moment, he didn't look like one of the most recognized heroes in Japan.
He looked like the kid who had once stood in front of a television screen and wondered if someone like him could ever reach that place.
Then reality caught up.
A moment later, he stood.
Slowly.
Carefully.
And he walked toward the stage.
Not running.
Not stumbling.
Not apologizing for being there.
He walked onto the stage as the Number Two Hero in Japan.
His expression was calm and professional, a small respectful smile on his face as he bowed toward the crowd.
But Bakugo knew him.
He knew the difference between the smile Deku showed the world and the one he couldn't hide around the people who truly knew him.
This one was barely holding back the second.
Shoto stood beside him on the stage.
For a brief moment, Deku looked uncertain.
Then Shoto looked over and gave him a small smile.
A simple reminder.
You earned this.
And Deku smiled back.
Really smiled.
The presenter returned to the microphone.
"And finally..."
The room changed before the name was even announced.
Everyone already knew.
"Number one..."
Mirio stood with the same bright confidence he always carried.
"Lemillion."
The applause was immediate.
Mirio walked toward the stage, taking his place among the top heroes with the same optimism that had made people believe in heroes again.
When he reached the front, he looked toward Deku.
Then he gave him a simple thumbs up.
Deku laughed quietly.
Because somehow, even here, even now, Mirio still knew exactly what he needed.
The ceremony continued.
Photos were taken.
The rankings were finalized.
The cameras captured the new top four heroes standing together.
To the world, it was a ranking.
A number.
A headline.
But to Izuku Midoriya, standing beneath those lights with his name displayed across the screen, it was something else.
For years, he had looked at the heroes above him and wondered if he would ever reach them.
If someone like him could ever stand there.
And now he had.
Number Two.