Being the top of his class isn't a flex for Katsuki. It's an...
Sapphire Midnight@SapMidnight
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Aug 31, 2026
~13 min read
1
Being the top of his class isn't a flex for Katsuki. It's an expectation, because he's way smarter than anyone else in the shitty room.
He's never gotten lower than a 97 on a test, does homework with ease, and aces all presentations. Katsuki has no use for a TA.
#BKDK #BakuDeku
He's never gotten lower than a 97 on a test, does homework with ease, and aces all presentations. Katsuki has no use for a TA.
#BKDK #BakuDeku
2
When the last one leaves a week into the semester, Katsuki doesn't notice. Shitty Hair and Spark Plug cry over her departure, and then bug him to become their tutor.
It's annoying, so he demands the caterpillar replace her.
It's a week later when the hobo introduces the new TA.
It's annoying, so he demands the caterpillar replace her.
It's a week later when the hobo introduces the new TA.
3
Katsuki doesn't get why their teacher looks so tired; he knows for a fact the dude doesn't have a class before one.
"This is Izuku Midoriya. Don't run him off like the last TA or I'll fail you all."
Katsuki barely plans to look, but his eyes snap back without permission.
"This is Izuku Midoriya. Don't run him off like the last TA or I'll fail you all."
Katsuki barely plans to look, but his eyes snap back without permission.
4
Green eyes almost sparkle above the softest looking cheeks Katsuki's ever seen. They're peppered with tiny freckles, and his fluffy hair almost curls from the thickness.
He's small, but not scrawny. Smiles like he's shy, but there's fire in the gaze that fills the entire room.
He's small, but not scrawny. Smiles like he's shy, but there's fire in the gaze that fills the entire room.
5
Katsuki can practically smell the nerd on the dorky red shoes and the oversized clothes. But something about the look on Deku (or whatever the guy's name was, he didn't really listen)...works.
And for the rest of the stupid class, he feels his eyes drifting toward the new TA.
And for the rest of the stupid class, he feels his eyes drifting toward the new TA.
6
Of course Rocks For Brains and Sparky introduce themselves the second the class is over, and they drag Katsuki along despite his protests.
"Oh, nice to meet you." The guy's smile is shy, despite his overly friendly demeanor. "I'll be happy to help you all any way I can!"
"Oh, nice to meet you." The guy's smile is shy, despite his overly friendly demeanor. "I'll be happy to help you all any way I can!"
7
Katsuki scoffs at the offer, then glares at Deku. He wants to tell the nerd that he won't NEED it, because he's smart. The last TA said something similar, and he tore her to shreds.
But as he takes in the dumb freckles and eager-to-please expression, he only mutters. "Whatever."
But as he takes in the dumb freckles and eager-to-please expression, he only mutters. "Whatever."
8
His heart does a weird flip when joy makes green eyes brighten, like Katsuki did something amazing. "Great! I'll post my hours and email on the class's online board. I-if you need it for something?"
When Katsuki only shrugs, Shitty Hair steps in. "Sounds great, little bro."
When Katsuki only shrugs, Shitty Hair steps in. "Sounds great, little bro."
9
"I'm gonna live in your office for Mr.Aizawa's class. The only things scarier than his pop quizzes is... well, him," Dunce Face says, and Katsuki rolls his eyes while Deku giggles.
"Then it's a good thing I have a lot of slots for you."
Of course, the nerd's a people pleaser.
"Then it's a good thing I have a lot of slots for you."
Of course, the nerd's a people pleaser.
10
The two idiots start asking Deku questions about himself, and Katsuki quickly dips out to make it to his next class on time.
And for the first two weeks of the class, Katsuki (tries not to) think about the TA.
Except its kinda hard when everyone seems to fall in love with him.
And for the first two weeks of the class, Katsuki (tries not to) think about the TA.
Except its kinda hard when everyone seems to fall in love with him.
11
Katsuki has never seen so many people ask for help. Extras of all types rush to the little nerd whenever he's around, offering to walk him to his office and begging for some of his time to study.
And of course, Deku never complains. He lets people invade his space with a smile.
And of course, Deku never complains. He lets people invade his space with a smile.
12
He doesn't know anything about the TA, but he finds himself ignoring the boring droll of class to watch him. The growing eye bags, the dimming smile, how he starts unfocusing as the days go on.
The nerd's overworking himself, which could be bad. But nobody's noticing except him.
The nerd's overworking himself, which could be bad. But nobody's noticing except him.
13
He blames caring about it on not wanting the idiots to start bugging him again.
The nagging feeling in the back of his brain finally breaks him.
"Oi, Nerd!" Katsuki snags Deku's sweatshirt and drags him from the class before any extra can corner him.
"Oh, hi there, Kacchan!"
The nagging feeling in the back of his brain finally breaks him.
"Oi, Nerd!" Katsuki snags Deku's sweatshirt and drags him from the class before any extra can corner him.
"Oh, hi there, Kacchan!"
14
The childish name halts him in the hall, spinning to glare at the wide-eyed guy. "What the fuck did you call me?"
"K-Kacchan? Kaminari said it's your nickname."
That dumbass had called him that once. Katsuki pushed him out a window. He then bans everyone from using it.
"K-Kacchan? Kaminari said it's your nickname."
That dumbass had called him that once. Katsuki pushed him out a window. He then bans everyone from using it.
15
But when confusion turns to nervous embarrassment in a face that's too fucking soft for a grown man, Katsuki scoffs and looks away. "I need some study slots."
He doesn't, since he can do the current section with his eyes closed. Katsuki could be a TA if he didn't hate people.
He doesn't, since he can do the current section with his eyes closed. Katsuki could be a TA if he didn't hate people.
16
"Really? You..." The pause pulls his gaze back, glaring at the furrowed brows.
"What, I ain't good enough for your time?"
"No, no! Of course I'll help you." The smile is warm, like morning sunlight. "Want to give me your number? S-So I can um... send my schedule?"
"Whatever."
"What, I ain't good enough for your time?"
"No, no! Of course I'll help you." The smile is warm, like morning sunlight. "Want to give me your number? S-So I can um... send my schedule?"
"Whatever."
17
He gets Deku's text minutes after he leaves. Katsuki scans the very giving schedule after his last class and realizes this is part of the problem. Deku offers far more time than needed for a TA.
Katsuki bets everyone who wants to get more than study tips is taking advantage.
Katsuki bets everyone who wants to get more than study tips is taking advantage.
18
"Fucking idiot." He scowls as he pulls up the time offers he first posted on the class board, then fills all the extra spots with his name.
Deku only responds with a smiley face.
And sure, the entire class glares at him when he walks in the next week. But he doesn't care.
Deku only responds with a smiley face.
And sure, the entire class glares at him when he walks in the next week. But he doesn't care.
19
He doesn't know how to be 'stupid', which normally is an advantage.
But when the times comes to learn from Deku things he already knows, he has to channel his inner Dunce Face.
Katsuki thinks about the dumbest (but easiest) things to explain, then presents them to the TA.
But when the times comes to learn from Deku things he already knows, he has to channel his inner Dunce Face.
Katsuki thinks about the dumbest (but easiest) things to explain, then presents them to the TA.
20
And Deku, despite the obviously ridiculous questions, looks far too happy to bump shoulders with Katsuki and point out the formulas in the book.
Katsuki, instead of paying attention to what he already knows, finds himself leaning on his hand and... observing the little nerd.
Katsuki, instead of paying attention to what he already knows, finds himself leaning on his hand and... observing the little nerd.
21
There's just a lot to take him about Deku. There's a little slope to his nose that crinkles when he's focused.
His cheeks turn pink at the smallest eye-contact between them, like he doesn't know how to handle someone actually looking at him.
And he's so damn expressive.
His cheeks turn pink at the smallest eye-contact between them, like he doesn't know how to handle someone actually looking at him.
And he's so damn expressive.
22
"That's perfect, Kacchan!" Deku acts like doing the most basic of problems is somehow impressive. Still, he tilts his head up to smile at Katsuki, eyes shimmering with unfiltered pride.
How dare the nerd be so cute? It makes Katsuki want to pinch his cheeks or...something.
How dare the nerd be so cute? It makes Katsuki want to pinch his cheeks or...something.
23
Before the thought lingers, a growl from Deku's stomach makes Katsuki blink and the TA flush.
"You forget to eat?" It's something he's learned is too common for his comfort.
Deku shrugs, which is obviously a yes. "Well, one of my other students needed help on my lunch block-"
"You forget to eat?" It's something he's learned is too common for his comfort.
Deku shrugs, which is obviously a yes. "Well, one of my other students needed help on my lunch block-"
24
"Jesus, you really are useless." Even though there's still forty minutes of his study time, he stands up and points to the door. "Let's go."
"What? But, Kacchan, your lesson-"
"I'll figure it out when your stomach isn't trying to eat itself. We're going to get food."
"...We?"
"What? But, Kacchan, your lesson-"
"I'll figure it out when your stomach isn't trying to eat itself. We're going to get food."
"...We?"
25
"Hah?" Katsuki scowls at the surprised look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing!" Deku's up on his feet a moment later, grabbing Katsuki's hand to pull him out. "Can we get sushi? There's a new place off campus Iida showed me."
Katsuki hates sushi. He agrees anyway.
"Nothing!" Deku's up on his feet a moment later, grabbing Katsuki's hand to pull him out. "Can we get sushi? There's a new place off campus Iida showed me."
Katsuki hates sushi. He agrees anyway.
26
As the semester continues, Katsuki learns more about the TA than the subject he's supposed to be studying.
(Of course, none of his test scores change)
Deku's name is actually Izuku, but he keeps the nickname. The insult turns into something softer without his permission.
(Of course, none of his test scores change)
Deku's name is actually Izuku, but he keeps the nickname. The insult turns into something softer without his permission.
27
The TA loves science, but somehow also believes in stupid things like astrology.
They spend a whole session just looking up Katsuki's star chart and romantic compatability.
(If Katsuki researches Deku's to check it against his, that's quickly deleted from his search history)
They spend a whole session just looking up Katsuki's star chart and romantic compatability.
(If Katsuki researches Deku's to check it against his, that's quickly deleted from his search history)
28
Deku hates spicy food, which is stupid in Katsuki's opinion. At least once a week, he cuts their session early so he can make the nerd try another bite of whatever meal he orders.
The pursed lips and watery eyes around the whined 'Kacchan' makes Katsuki hotter than the spice.
The pursed lips and watery eyes around the whined 'Kacchan' makes Katsuki hotter than the spice.
29
It's not all about the TA; Deku's super nosey about the things Katsuki likes, then does personal research about the topics to text him when they're not together.
Katsuki doesn't have to respond, normally not a fan of texting. But Deku's different. He's...
A fucking problem.
Katsuki doesn't have to respond, normally not a fan of texting. But Deku's different. He's...
A fucking problem.
30
Icyhot, his stupid roommate, blinks when finally figuring out (after three months) where Katsuki keeps dissapearing to.
"You're pretending to be stupid to flirt with Midoriya?"
"It ain't like that!" At least it wasn't a first. He didn't plan to enjoy his time with the nerd.
"You're pretending to be stupid to flirt with Midoriya?"
"It ain't like that!" At least it wasn't a first. He didn't plan to enjoy his time with the nerd.
31
"Oh." Candy Cane pauses, tilts his head. "So you need his help?"
"No, dumbass. I've got a 98 in the class."
"Then shouldn't you let Midoriya work with other students?" The suggesions feels like the dumbest idea Half-and-Half's ever come up with.
That's his and Deku's time.
"No, dumbass. I've got a 98 in the class."
"Then shouldn't you let Midoriya work with other students?" The suggesions feels like the dumbest idea Half-and-Half's ever come up with.
That's his and Deku's time.
32
Instead of answering, he tugs his bag over his shoulder. "Shut up."
But of course, the asshole doesn't listen. "What will you do in two weeks, when the class is over? He won't be your TA anymore, right?"
The question freezes him, hating that IcyHot realized it before him.
But of course, the asshole doesn't listen. "What will you do in two weeks, when the class is over? He won't be your TA anymore, right?"
The question freezes him, hating that IcyHot realized it before him.
33
Thinking about it on his walk to the TA's session doesn't make him feel any better.
His original reason for taking Deku's extra spots had been simple; keep the TA from passing out so the idiots didn't bother Katsuki with their problems.
It's different now. He... likes Deku.
His original reason for taking Deku's extra spots had been simple; keep the TA from passing out so the idiots didn't bother Katsuki with their problems.
It's different now. He... likes Deku.
34
But each time he tries to mention the ending of their time together, things keep getting in the way.
First, the fire alarm goes off, so they have to evacuate.
Next, when the words are on his tongue, Sparky bursts in, thinking it's Monday (not fucking Wednesday, the idiot).
First, the fire alarm goes off, so they have to evacuate.
Next, when the words are on his tongue, Sparky bursts in, thinking it's Monday (not fucking Wednesday, the idiot).
35
Once he...chickens out.
Then Deku's sick, so they do a zoom call (at the nerd's urging, despite Katsuki demanding he rest instead of 'teaching him').
He thinks maybe it'll be easier to say the truth, that he... wants to see Deku outside of studying.
"Yo."
"Yes, Kacchan?"
Then Deku's sick, so they do a zoom call (at the nerd's urging, despite Katsuki demanding he rest instead of 'teaching him').
He thinks maybe it'll be easier to say the truth, that he... wants to see Deku outside of studying.
"Yo."
"Yes, Kacchan?"
36
The screen makes looking at the pretty eyes easier, and he sucks in a breath before he starts. "Your TA shit's done until January next week, right?"
"Oh, actually." The nerd bites his lip. "Cause of finals, I only have this week's slots left. That's why I didn't want to cancel."
"Oh, actually." The nerd bites his lip. "Cause of finals, I only have this week's slots left. That's why I didn't want to cancel."
37
His mind does the quick math and realizes he's miscalucated. This is it; this is their last official time together. It has to be right now.
"Fuck, Deku, do you-"
Suddenly the computer shuts off. Katsuki blinks, unwilling to let his brain confirm what his eyes are taking in.
"Fuck, Deku, do you-"
Suddenly the computer shuts off. Katsuki blinks, unwilling to let his brain confirm what his eyes are taking in.
38
The darkness of the room, as well as the shouts from outside his dorm room, proves the truth; the power cuts out.
"FUCK!" Katsuki slams his hands on the desk, nearly sending the laptop tumbling off the edge.
By the time the electricity's back on, its way past his session.
"FUCK!" Katsuki slams his hands on the desk, nearly sending the laptop tumbling off the edge.
By the time the electricity's back on, its way past his session.
39
The week after, his mood's sour. Shitty Hair and Dunce Face keep their distance, liking their heads on their shoulders.
Of course, IcyHot has no self-preservation skills.
"Midoriya's pretty sad," he says, between bites of his cold soba. "I think because you haven't talked."
Of course, IcyHot has no self-preservation skills.
"Midoriya's pretty sad," he says, between bites of his cold soba. "I think because you haven't talked."
40
"What am I supposed to say? My whole purpose of seeing him was our shitty class, and I just aced our final. I don't gotta study anymore."
He accepts (only to himself) that it's never been about that. Not since the first time he sees those bright green eyes and freckled cheeks.
He accepts (only to himself) that it's never been about that. Not since the first time he sees those bright green eyes and freckled cheeks.
41
Except then Candy Cane drops a bombshell. "Why does that matter? Midoryia knows you don't need it."
"What are you talking about?" He asks, pushing up to stare at the stoic-faced roommate.
Half-and-Half blinks. "You do realize TAs helps grade the tests, right?"
No, he didn't.
"What are you talking about?" He asks, pushing up to stare at the stoic-faced roommate.
Half-and-Half blinks. "You do realize TAs helps grade the tests, right?"
No, he didn't.
42
He's never really paid attention to a TA before Deku, so he doesn't care to learn their purpose other than helping extras not fail.
"He's been aware of your impressive scores for months."
"Then why the fuck-" Except he stops. Because IcyHot's not the one he wants to grill.
"He's been aware of your impressive scores for months."
"Then why the fuck-" Except he stops. Because IcyHot's not the one he wants to grill.
43
"Jesus, I'm gonna have to let you be my best man, for this shit, huh?"
"I look better in a white tuxedo," is the mild response before Candy Cane focuses back on his soba.
Without another word, Katuski leaves, phone pulled out of his pocket once he's out of the building.
"I look better in a white tuxedo," is the mild response before Candy Cane focuses back on his soba.
Without another word, Katuski leaves, phone pulled out of his pocket once he's out of the building.
44
The call only rings twice before a hesitant voice picks up. "Kacchan? Did something go wrong with your final?"
"Wouldn't you know?" He jogs down the long path of his dorm. "Since you graded it."
"Oh." The squeak proves that IcyHot was right. "I... don't grade yours anymore."
"Wouldn't you know?" He jogs down the long path of his dorm. "Since you graded it."
"Oh." The squeak proves that IcyHot was right. "I... don't grade yours anymore."
45
"Why not?" He asks, unsure if he's upset or embarrassed about Deku's hidden knowledge. If he knew, why did he keep letting Katsuki play dumb?
"Because it's not ethical." The answer has a tension that Katsuki wants to see in person.
"Sushi place. Ten minutes." Then he hangs up.
"Because it's not ethical." The answer has a tension that Katsuki wants to see in person.
"Sushi place. Ten minutes." Then he hangs up.
46
Deku shows up nine minutes later. He looks like he's on his way to his execution.
Maybe that's his fault, with crossed arms and a dangerous glare. "You wanna explain what you meant?"
"Not really." At least he's honest. But he pushes forward. "It's a conflict on interest."
Maybe that's his fault, with crossed arms and a dangerous glare. "You wanna explain what you meant?"
"Not really." At least he's honest. But he pushes forward. "It's a conflict on interest."
47
"With just me? Gonna have to give me more than that, Nerd."
Like always, his cheeks flush at the nickname. "I... can't grade your work because my feelings might skew my score for you."
"Feelings?" His arms slowly unfold, fingers twitching with the desire to touch...something.
Like always, his cheeks flush at the nickname. "I... can't grade your work because my feelings might skew my score for you."
"Feelings?" His arms slowly unfold, fingers twitching with the desire to touch...something.
48
Deku swallows and nods, but stays silent. Katsuki might had pretended to be an idiot, but he's not actually dumb. He reads between the lines.
He can't help but grin. "Damn, Deku. If you wanted to kiss me, just fucking ask me out. I don't bite. Well, not on a first date."
He can't help but grin. "Damn, Deku. If you wanted to kiss me, just fucking ask me out. I don't bite. Well, not on a first date."
49
"T-That-!" Deku huffs and raises his voice. "You could have asked me, too! You...you pretended to be dumb to flirt with me."
Katsuki could explain his original reason for their sessions, but seeing the lips pouting makes him need to taste them.
"And it fucking worked."
Katsuki could explain his original reason for their sessions, but seeing the lips pouting makes him need to taste them.
"And it fucking worked."
50
Before the nerd can protest, Katsuki snags his waist, yanking him forward to kiss the little mouth quiet.
He feels the vibration of a squeak, but he presses deeper, and Deku melts into the touch.
Kissing him feels easy, like it's second nature. Something he can get used to.
He feels the vibration of a squeak, but he presses deeper, and Deku melts into the touch.
Kissing him feels easy, like it's second nature. Something he can get used to.
51
When they part, Katsuki nips the corner of chapped lips and smirks. "I'm making your TA schedule next semester."
"Really?" Deku sounds dazed.
"Yeah," Katsuki grins. "You're gonna need way more slots for your boyfriend."
And from the needy kiss he gets, the nerd agrees.
"Really?" Deku sounds dazed.
"Yeah," Katsuki grins. "You're gonna need way more slots for your boyfriend."
And from the needy kiss he gets, the nerd agrees.
52
Tada!! I owed this to Roasty, because I said I'd make a cute TA story to make their job seem better. (hope you enjoy @roasttchicken )
So let me know what you think, and share/comment to inspire me!
And check out 'Sing To Me's new chapter below!
So let me know what you think, and share/comment to inspire me!
And check out 'Sing To Me's new chapter below!