Katsuki Bakugo didn’t waste time on things that didn’t matter. His days were packed—patrolling, training, keeping his status as a top Pro Hero. That’s why he hired a poolboy. He had the money, and there was no way in hell he was gonna waste his time maintaining the damn thing himself. The kid came twice a week, did his job, and left. Simple.

At first, Bakugo barely paid him any attention. But then, little things started sticking out. The way he worked without slacking, even in the heat. The way his muscles flexed when he skimmed the water. The way sweat dripped down his neck, his shirt clinging to his skin.

It pissed Bakugo off how often he noticed.

One afternoon, after a long day at the agency, he came home to find the poolboy already there, dragging a net through the water. The sun reflected off the surface, making his tanned skin practically glow.

“Oi,” Bakugo called from the deck.

The guy looked up, pushing damp hair from his face. “Oh, hey. Didn’t think you’d be home.”

“Yeah, well, I live here,” Bakugo muttered, then immediately scowled at himself. Nice one, dumbass.

The kid chuckled and went back to work, unbothered. Normally, Bakugo hated small talk, but something about him made him speak. “You in college, right?”

“Yeah. Engineering major.”

“Huh.” Bakugo leaned against the railing. “Didn’t peg you for a nerd.”

The poolboy smirked. “And I didn’t peg you for the type to actually talk to the help.”

Bakugo’s eye twitched, but there was no malice—just amusement. Ballsy little shit. He kinda liked that.

From then on, he found himself sticking around more when the kid was there. Learning small things—his favorite movies, how he hated morning classes, how he liked working with his hands.

And maybe, just maybe, Bakugo wanted more than just a distraction.