Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

  “Are you going to bring someone home for Christmas?” Izuku held back his groan, running his fingers through his freshly washed curls. “You haven’t been home in forever, green bean! We miss you and want you to be happy. I feel like a bad pops with you all alone over there in the states.”

If it wasn’t the guilt trip about living in a different time zone, it was that he was living alone. Now he was getting both thrown at him.

Izuku suppressed a sigh, “Pops, you know I’ve been busy with work.” Lie. “I don’t know if I can come.” Another lie. “I promise to check my calendar tonight.” Liar, liar. He knew exactly what was on his calendar since he checked it every morning when he got to work.

  “And the date? Shota said you were on a date! Why didn’t you tell me, baby?” Izuku cringed at the small bit of hurt coming from Hizashi’s voice. Jeez, he was a crappy son. Not only did he get fired from the University, but he also lied about the date. It was awful. The guy was a jerk and only wanted in his pants so he could say, ‘I fucked Hero Deku’.

There was no Hero Deku.

Hero Deku retired at the early age of twenty.

Now here he was at twenty-four, unemployed, single and lying to his adoptive parents.

Sadly, the reason he was unemployed was due to one of the students hitting him with their quirk. A lot of his fellow coworkers said the kid should have been expelled but since he was quirkless, it would have opened a giant can of worms. So, in the end, it was easier to get rid of the quirkless guy.

Sometimes he wanted to scream that he didn’t ask to be single. Hizashi is very big on happily ever afters. With Shinso—his brother—getting married to Kirishima in the spring, his pops was in fairytale land. Every now and then, Shota would comment on things or Shinso, but it was all Hizashi.

Dating apps were a fucking joke. It was like skin shopping, and you hearted the one you liked most. He tried a few and they all ended the same. He would meet the date at a bar for a drink to see if things could work. Izuku always swore sparks would fly when he met his soulmate. Fluttering butterflies. Sweaty palms. The works. Instead, he met a man who just wanted to fuck him for the claim he fucked the Great Hero Deku.

After the last date, he deleted his profiles and apps.

  “It didn’t end well, pops. For some reason I keep getting stuck with the hero lovers instead of a decent guy.” Izuku admitted. Was it a mistake to tell Hizashi that? Probably. “I’ve been on a few others since that one... anyways I have to go; I have an early class tomorrow.”

  “Okay, baby...” Hizashi paused, “Please make it home for Christmas, we miss you.” All the hype left the blonde’s voice as he spoke. It killed Izuku to know he did that. Why couldn’t he have just died that day?

Izuku’s eyes fell on the picture on the nightstand. The very blonde that stars in his dreams every night. The very blonde that settles the calm in his brain. The very blonde he’s been in love with for so long.

Kachan

He picked up the frame, running his finger along the edge of the dark wood. Katsuki Bakugo—Ground Zero is the new Number One Hero! Katsuki has held the number one spot for two years in a row.

  “Izuku, baby?” Hizashi’s voice pulled him from his head. Izuku placed the frame back on the nightstand where it belonged. “Come for Christmas. You haven’t seen us for four years. Your brother is getting married! Eri’s dating Kota! Please, greenie?! Please come home.”

And words just flew from his lips before he could stop them. “Fine, I’ll come home and bring my boyfriend.”

Hizashi gasped then screamed into the phone. “A boyfriend!? Baby! I’m so happy for you! I can’t wait to see you and meet him! SHO!! SHO!!” Izuku slapped his palm to his forehead. Why did he have to open his fat mouth? “Izuku, baby is coming home and bringing his boyfriend! We need to clean the guest room!” He swore he heard a loud tired sigh, but he couldn’t bother making a comment. “Okay, baby, I’ll see you in a week!”

  “Yup. Bye, pops.” Izuku hung up the phone and flopped back onto the bed. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Why couldn’t I just do what I do every year and say no? No is easier. Safer.” He can’t disappoint anyone if he’s not there.

What in the world was he going to do now?

Lifting his phone, he blindly tapped the screen until he found Shoto’s contact and hit call. Out of all his friends/classmates, Shoto was one of the ones that never gave up. Katsuki didn’t give up, but he couldn’t reply to him, if he did... if Katsuki asked him to come home, he would. Shoto never asks. He says he misses him and wants to visit. Nothing more than that.

  “Hello Midoriya.” Shoto greeted after two rings. “What do I owe this pleasure?”

Izuku sighed heavily, “I may have told my dad that I’m coming home for Christmas... with my boyfriend. Do you have any boyfriends for rent?”

  “Sorry, Denki isn’t for rent.” Shoto chuckled slightly, “Why did you say you’d bring home a boyfriend if you don’t have one?”

  “Cause I’m an idiot? Zashi can’t get over that I’m alone, he keeps bringing up dating and if I’ve met someone.” Izuku sighed again. The hole in his chest getting bigger. He was lonely, he would just never admit it. “He begged me to come home for Christmas and to make him happy I decided to tell him I’d bring someone home too.”

Shoto hummed softly. “Hmm. Most of our friends are dating or married. Well, ones that could pull off being your boyfriend. There’s one—”

  “Don’t say it.” Izuku cut him off. “Kachan will never be an option.”

  “Midoriya, you can’t still be hung up on that.”

  “Why do you think I left in the first place!?” Izuku snapped. He always hated this conversation with Shoto. Katsuki was off limits. Period. “I couldn’t stand to watch him be Ground Zero while... w-while Hero Deku was forced into retirement. I’m a fucking joke. At least All Might got years. He got to be the Symbol of Peace and me? I barely got into the top ten before I was back to being quirkless. So, yes, Shoto, I’m still hung up on that.” Now he felt like an asshole. Izuku sighed, closing his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dump that on you.”

  “Have you talked to anyone about it?” Shoto said gently. “I don’t want to overstep but I believe you would benefit from it. Bakugo doesn’t hold it against you, Midoriya, he’s more confused on why you ran to the States when UA was offering you a job.”

My love for Kachan is too much to handle when I know he’d never go for someone like me...

Izuku wanted to be done with this conversation. “Can you just help me with finding a fake b-boyfriend?” His voice cracked as tears burned to be set free behind his eyes. The faster he got off the phone, the faster he could cry into his pillow.

  “There’s an app called Holidate.” Shoto began, “You make a profile as the requester and wait. The fake boyfriend applicants will then go through and reach out.”

  “So... I just wait for someone to click on my profile?”

  “Yes. It seems fairly easy.”

Izuku deflated into the soft mattress, suddenly tired, like he hasn’t slept in days. “Okay. I’ll get a profile made tonight.” He has two days to find someone and work out all the kinks before stepping on Japan soil again. “Thanks, Shoto.”

  “Always happy to help, Izuku.” He couldn’t help but smile slightly. Shoto only called him Izuku when he was serious. It was kinda like Katsuki but now he wasn’t Deku to him anymore, he was Zuku. “Keep in touch and we’ll have dinner when you’re here.”

  “Of course.” Izuku promised. They said their goodbyes and he instantly went on the hunt for the app.

  “Huh...” Izuku perked up at the NDA. It was one of the biggest things to worry about. The date would have to know he was Retired Hero Deku, and he didn’t need the press finding out about hiring a fake date.

As he scrolled through the app, he found a few more things that piqued his interest. Not only was the profile easy to set up, but it also didn’t require a photo with his face in it. What a relief. If someone saw his face, he would attract all the ones who just want to sleep with him.

He was done being a notch in someone’s bedpost.

  “Looking for a date to take home for Christmas. Two-week time frame. It will be more than just Christmas dinner, sadly. I need someone who will help fight off the vultures.” Izuku slightly twirled his thumbs over the keyboard. “Might as well add it. I will pay you for your time.” He added a picture he used on another dating app. It only showed his chest and arm littered with scars. Why put one of the best pictures on a profile? He always chose one of his uglier ones so when he met the date in person, he would look ten times better.

Scars really icked people sometimes. Best to be upfront with how many and get it out of the way first.

Izuku tapped the upload button and watched the screen flicker to his new profile. Desperate Bunny. It wasn’t a lie; he was so fucking desperate.

So, the plan...

  1. Get a fake boyfriend

  2. Lay out all the rules

  3. Get through the two weeks without anyone finding out

  4. Come home and get my life together

  5. Don’t fall in love

Izuku blinked at number five. Don’t fall in love? That’s stupid. He tapped on the line but stopped right before he pressed the back space. Could he really fall in love with a fake boyfriend? Nah, that would be stupid.

Right?

He sat up and looked across the room, mind whirling into a small panic. Everyone said he was a hopeless romantic and with how lonely he’s been... touched starved. Meeting the wide emerald eyes in the mirror by the closet, he glared at his reflection. “You will not fall in love, Izuku, you will not fall in love with your fake boyfriend.”

Who knows? Maybe the guy will secretly be a jerk and he won’t.

This was going to be a mess.

It’s fine. It’s two weeks then he’ll be back here in America looking for a new job. Hell, he may even move. New York was fun and the snow was so pretty, but he needed a big change. Maybe something on the West Coast. Money wasn’t an issue. The commissioner in Japan paid him handsomely for defeating Shigaraki as a teen. He couldn’t touch it until he was a pro hero, which was nice, he didn’t have to worry about money when starting out as a pro.

He shook his head firmly. Now wasn’t the time to go into the past. The past was always haunting him. It felt like a ghost clung to his shoulders, weighing him down, drowning him in darkness. The nightmares were still real as can be... watching the love of his life die over and over again was heartbreaking.

  “Oh fuck.” Izuku blurted. “I’m going to see Kachan again.” Groaning loudly, he fell back on the bed again and grabbed a pillow. He pressed it to his face and screamed as loud as he could.

Chapter Text

  “Fuuuuuuuuck!”

Katsuki groaned as a firm hand gripped his aching cock, thumb digging into the slit. “Fucking tighter!” The hand tightened around his length, moving slowly up and down, using precum as lube. Another groan fell from his lips. Fuck. This is just what he needed.

He almost lost his shit when the hand loosened. All the anger disappeared as a hard cock rubbed against his, making his back arch off the mattress. “Mmfuck! I’m gonna fucking cum!”

  “I-I’m there!”

Katsuki reached down between their bodies and gripped both cocks between his sweaty hand. He tightened his grip and thrusted up once that caused them both to fall over the edge. The orgasm hit him hard, cum splattering over his sweat glistened skin. “...fuck...” he whispered between pants.

He closed his eyes as a forehead pressed against his shoulder, hot puffs of breath fanning over his skin. Yeah. This wasn’t happening. Katsuki shoved the man off him, causing him to tumble off the bed and onto the floor. “We don’t cuddle, bitch.”

The Alpha hero sat up with a cocky grin on his face. Black hair ruffled and teal strands sticking to his slightly red cheeks. “Damn, Kats, didn’t need to push me off. All you had to do was say please.”

Katsuki rolled his eyes. “I’m really questioning why I fucking put up with you.” Seth Willow—AKA Enzo—started at War Zone two years ago. Not fucking sure how the two of them ended up becoming fuck buddies. No that’s a lie. He decided to rub one out in the locker room shower after a long ass day. He swore everyone was gone but fucking Seth popped into the shower stall, dropped to his knees and gave one of the best blow jobs he’s ever had.

Okay, the only blow job he’s ever had.

Now after a fucking rough day at work, Seth comes over, they get off and go separate ways.

  “You okay, Kats?” Seth asked. In the time his mind swirled, Seth got a warm washcloth from the bathroom and started wiping the cum off his chest. “You’re looking a little lost.”

That’s the problem. He was lost. He was so fucking lost that he’d probably never find the end of the stupid tunnel... because that tunnel was Izuku, and he ran away.

Katsuki grunted as he sat up, his eyes finding Seth’s. The man was beautiful, he’s not that blind to admit that. Creamy milky skin felt as soft as it looked. Almost as flawless as his own. Except for his left arm, it looked like someone injected his veins with black ink. It ran from his shoulder down to his fingers, sometimes if he used his quirk too much, the black ink would spread up his neck. Most of the time he wore a gloved arm sleeve.

Scars were better. Izuku was a hundred times better, duh. “Same old shit just a different day.” Seth nodded as he folded the cloth and ran it along his forehead, moving a few blonde pieces of hair out of the way. Sweet shit like this made his blood boil, he didn’t want it to be fucking Seth, he wanted Izuku to be—

  “Geez. You growl more than I do sometimes.” Seth laughed and wiped the cum off his own body then grabbed his jeans from the floor. “Have you tried calling him?”

  “Have you tried asking him out?” Katsuki shot back.

Seth narrowed his ocean blue eyes at him. “Mine’s different. He doesn’t believe he’s ‘good enough.” Seth spat, making air quotes. “If he wasn’t so damn cute, I’d find someone else.”

Katsuki rolled his eyes, “Right. I swore I heard you say ma—”

  “Nope. We don’t talk about that, Zero. Ever.”

The two of them were too much alike. Both in love, both chicken shits. Katsuki knew exactly where Izuku worked, he could go to the states and demand to talk—to confess his damn love and see what happens. Instead... it was easier to give in to Izuku’s wants and stay away.

Seth handed the sweatpants to him from where the idiot stripped them off. Katsuki nodded a bit, pulling them on before running his hands through his hair. This is how it always ended. Once the high was gone, silence fell into place because they got off together instead of the ones they love.

  “Are you staying for dinner?” Katsuki asked softly. Fuck him. Why did this always need to be awkward as fuck?

Seth shook his head, “Nah. I’m gonna take a shower and go to the cafe. Cutie’s on nightshift tonight.”

  “Do you walk him home too?”

  “Nope.”

  “So, you stalk him as he walks home.”

Seth smirked, “Exactly. Can’t come on too strong! He’ll run away and never look back.” Katsuki couldn’t help but laugh a little. Seth was very possessive when it came to a certain barista. Same way he was with Izuku.

Katsuki shook his head as he stepped into the hallway. “I’m making enough for you and coffee boy.” Seth snorted but Katsuki didn’t wait for a reply. Padding across the living room to the kitchen, he stopped at the fridge and pulled out the things he needed for curry. Just as he pulled out the pot, he heard a slight click.

Then the front door opened.

Only three people had a key, Kirishima, Seth and fucking Todoroki.

Seth was already here and Kirishima can’t be quiet to save his life. So long behold, IcyHot stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

  “What do you want IcyHot?” he grumbled. “I’m fucking busy.”

Shoto walked over to him, “Perfect, you already have your shirt off.” Katsuki blinked as a cold hand landed on his shoulder, spinning him around then a flash hit him in the face. Katsuki rubbed the stars from his eyes. “Here’s your profile—good morning, Seth.”

  “Oh, this looks like an A, B conversation and I’ll C myself out.” Seth slipped out the door with a soft click. Shoto took his phone from the counter and unlocked it. Shoto tapped around on the screen, doing who fucking knows what.

Katsuki glared at Shoto. “What profile are you talking about?” Shoto turned the phone towards him. Holidate! Come find the perfect fake date for those dreadful moments this holiday season. No need to do it alone! Holidate has got your back! Katsuki glanced over the profile, scowling. “You blurred my scars and why the fuck is my username AA?!”

  “Angry Asshole.” Shoto smiled, “Fitting, isn’t it?”

  “I’m going to fuck you up.” Katsuki growled and snatched the phone from his fingers. “Why do I need a fake date?”

Shoto shook his head slightly, “No, you are the fake date. Midoriya called me to vent about how he agreed to come home for Christmas with his boyfriend—a boyfriend he doesn’t have.” Katsuki whipped his head up, meeting the mismatched eyes. Holy fuck. Izuku was coming home. He was coming home! This was his chance to finally confess!

Wait.

Katsuki narrowed his eyes. “Hold the fuck on, Half n’ Half. You signed me up for a fake dating website and conveniently Deku needs a fake boyfriend?!”

Shoto looked him dead in the eye, he might as well have been looking into his soul. “I know you want Izuku back more than anyone. If anyone can get him to stay, it’s you.” Katsuki swallowed thickly. Everyone has told him that, it wasn’t new.

  “I can’t do that to him...” Katsuki whispered. “He needs to want to come back on his own.”

Shoto shook his head again. “But he won’t. He’s known as the Retired Hero Deku. He looks at himself and doesn’t see how amazing he truly is. All Izuku sees is the quirkless part of him.” Shoto took a step forward and laid his warm hand on his shoulder. “I already did all the work, now you just need to find his profile and message him.”

  “And when he finds out it's me?”

  “Well,” he smiled, “he may be flustered but your Kachan.” Katsuki felt like the phone in his hand was going to explode. Shoto gave him a final pat on the back and left without a word. That asshole always knows more than what he says.

Katsuki abandoned the curry and walked out to the living room, his fingers ran over the soft blanket that laid over the back of the couch… waiting for a certain nerd. “You being quirkless means nothing, Zuku... didn’t you see that when I apologized to you. When you became more than just Deku?”

Right before Izuku lost the last bit of embers, he got this stupid apartment. It had Izuku written all over it. Floor to ceiling windows, open floor plan, three bedrooms, two large bathrooms and the master had a damn jacuzzi tub that would fit them both. He made sure each room had the softest blanket in case the nerd got cold. When he turned one of the bedrooms into an office for the two of them, he made sure to add a snack corner, complete with a mini fridge full of drinks.

His stomach twisted in knots as he unlocked his phone and opened the app. Holidate seemed to make sense but didn’t all at the same time. All he had to do was find Izuku’s profile and message him.

At some point, he ended up laying across the light gray couch, arm tucked under his head. “Jesus fuck, there’s so many people who need dates?” Another swipe... and another... and anoth—Katsuki’s thumb froze over the side profile of a man’s chest. Scars. Beautiful fucking scars. Katsuki wanted to kiss every single one. They weren’t ugly like those bastards said, they held a beautiful story. Each one was different.

Just like Izuku. No one was like him.

Katsuki held his breath as he slowly dragged his thumb across the screen. A big red rose bloomed over Izuku’s profile. Match!

  “Okay, nerd, how many profiles have you swiped right on.” Katsuki quickly scanned over the page. It was pretty blunt. Izuku was looking for a two week boyfriend to get through the holidays. Katsuki raised a brow. “He’s offering to pay? The fuck.”

Katsuki smiled. The nerd always loved those stupid fucking emojis. His thumbs paused above the keys as a wave of sudden emotion washed over him like someone dumbed a cold ass water on him. Izuku was texting him back. It hurt. Izuku could text some stranger but not him?

Katsuki scratched his head, watching the bubbles appear then disappear again. He rambles through texts just like he does in person. Cute.

Katsuki grinned as he locked his phone. This was his one chance to get Izuku to come home and stay. Well, he’s never backed down from a challenge yet.

Chapter Text

Izuku rolled his bottom lip through his teeth as he stared down at the messages. This was going way better than expected. He honestly thought he was going to have to beg whoever he matched with and shell out a crap ton of money.

  “He seems nice...” Worry and guilt swirled in his stomach. Guilt for lying and worry that everything will come crashing down on him. How much more can he handle?

Bing!

Izuku sucked in a sharp breath. Holy crap. It’s another message from AA. “I can’t believe it...”

Izuku frowned slightly. All he did was lay in bed all day with his mind running at an unhealthy speed. His fingers itched to message AA. Not in like a clingy way but there were only so many days left before he leaves and meets a stranger at the airport.

  “Oh god. What if he’s a serial killer?!”

Katsuki snorted and set the phone on the counter next to the Deku themed coffee cup. “I’m a serial killer? That’s a new one.” Izuku was still cute as fuck even with an ocean between them. “A few more days, bunny, then you’re all mine.

Katsuki laughed with a shake of his head. “Only you, Zu, only you. At least one thing hasn’t changed, you still are a big fat hero nerd.” Taking a long sip from his mug, he walked over to the large floor to ceiling windows and looked out onto the city. The sun was just peeking through the tall building, brightening the sky with hues of pinks and purples. Izuku was just an ocean away. Something that seemed so small on a map but had so much distance.

Katsuki looked down at his phone, debating how he wanted to reply.

Izuku stared at the single word. “Deku? He thinks Deku is the real hero? Maybe the guy hit his head or something. No way anyone would think I’m the hero.

Katsuki glared down at the fucking bubbles. “What the flying fuck?! Is this how you see your damn self?! A nobody!? A fucking ghost!? Oh, I’m going to rip your ass a new one when I see you, Izuku.”

Katsuki was two seconds away from ripping the hair off his head. Quickly, he let go of his blonde strands and shook out his sweaty palm. “I know the real you, Izuku Midoriya. No one knows you better than me, asshole.”

Izuku needed to get off the hero subject fast. For a split second he almost admitted he was Hero Deku and to fuck off. “I am a nobody... a ghost as the past users.”

Izuku smiled a little. Seeing the nickname that’s stuck with him just as long as Deku made him miss Katsuki. Times like this almost made him call the explosive hero but what would he say? ‘Hey Kachan, sorry we haven’t talked in fourish years. How are you?’

Yeah. That would earn him an explosion for sure.

Izuku nibbled on the nail of his thumb. Why wasn’t he replying? Did the whole Deku thing piss him off that much? Ugh. Of course. He couldn’t just keep his mouth shut for once. Izuku pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and curled himself up in ball, phone gripped tightly in his scarred hand. “P-Please don’t leave me a-alone.”

It was a stranger, no face, no voice. AA didn’t know that he was Hero Deku. AA didn’t know his struggles, the weird things he does or his past. AA didn’t know he was quirkless.

It felt like this stranger accepted him easily without all the baggage he had stacked on his shoulders.

Slowly, his eyes drifted shut, the phone slipping from his hand and falling to the cushion next to his head.

Katsuki frowned at the message, reading it over again. “You make me happy, dumbass.”

Izuku flinched as a single tear dropped onto the screen. Slowly, he brought the tips of his fingers to his cheek and gasped. He was crying. Why was he crying?

  “M-My dream?” Did he have one? The first thing that came to mind was Katsuki. Katsuki has always been his dream. He wanted nothing more than to walk beside him in life—hero or not.

Izuku looked over his shoulder to the window, finding the sky dark and heavy clouds full of snow drifting overhead. Even though his heart felt heavy, something inside him came to life. “I’m going home.”

Katsuki dropped his phone on the coffee table and stood, he padded across the cool wood floor and looked out the window at the morning sky. With winter at full force, he noticed that the sidewalks were growing bare as it was too cold to walk to work. In two days, he would be another driver on the road... “He’s coming home.”

Izuku tugged the blanket tighter around his shoulders. He could clearly picture Ground Zero blasting through the sky to stop the bad guy... “I-I’ll get to see him again.”

Katsuki swallowed the lump in his throat as he pressed his hand to the cool glass, forcing himself to calm down. “I’m going to see him again.”

Izuku smiled a little, his fingers brushing over his bottom lip. Without notice, the dream quickly turned into a nightmare. “What if he... what if he doesn’t want to see m-me?”

Katsuki dragged his fingers down the glass, curling his fingers into a fist. He slammed his fist against the window, scowling. “What if he tells me to leave him alone?”

Izuku blinked quickly, tears pricking his eyes. “Is he d-dating someone?” He let out a shaky breath, heart aching in his chest. “A lot can happen in four years.”

Katsuki shook his head firmly with one last hit to the glass. No. That’s not how the story goes. “I have to tell him. No more fucking stalling.”

Izuku turned to the window once more, waiting for an explosion to light up the sky. “Kachan...”

Katsuki lifted his eyes to the sky, waiting for the door to open behind him. “Izuku...”

  “I love you.”

Even with an ocean between them, they both could whisper the three little words at the same time.

Chapter Text

The flight was awful.

Well, not really but it was long and he was hungry and exhausted. Izuku gripped the yellow backpack to his chest, his hands aching for the death grip as he waited for everyone to leave the plane. He was in the first row of seats but didn’t have the strength to move.

He was in Japan… he was home and it felt so bittersweet. How long would it take for the media to get a hold of him? The beanie hid his curls, sure but the scars and everything else…

Ugh. Why did I do this again?

Izuku smiled at the flight attendant as he stepped out of the row then off the plane onto the boarding bridge. The death grip on his backpack never loosened, not even when he got into an elevator full of people.

Head down, eyes down. No one will notice.

When the elevator dinged, he waited for the people in front of him to move before he slipped out and headed through the crowded baggage claim area.

  “Number four... number four...” Izuku looked to his left then right and spotted the big yellow number two. “Thank god.” He mumbled. It took longer than he thought, his bag finally popped out onto the conveyor belt. The cute little Ground Zero keychain stuck out against the white luggage.

And yes, he has white luggage. It was on sale.

Izuku set the back next to his sneaker and pulled out his phone. AA didn’t send him anything new this time.

Izuku was taken back by the instant reply. Wow. Was AA just waiting for him to text? Well, duh. He’s the one with the car picking me up. Looking around him, he noticed nothing had changed. It was still home with the same airport, same people and same undying love for his childhood friend.

It felt like something forced him to turn around. There were so many people it was hard to see past the line of traffic but there straight in front of him was a man wearing a Hero Deku beanie... only one person had that beanie.

“K-Kachan...” Izuku gasped. Holy shit. Holy. Shit. What the heck is he doing here!? Today of all days, he has to be picking someone up from the airport too!? That’s his luck for fuck’s sake.

Katsuki Bakugo hasn’t changed much since he left. The black slightly puffy winter coat hugged his arms in all the right places, the same with the waistline. Everything about Katsuki was stunning. Beautiful. Sex on legs as the public calls him. What he really loved was the few pieces of blonde poking out under the fabric. His hair was about as bad as his own. It just did whatever it wanted.

  “Just go over there and talk to him. You wanted to see him. Go over there and get it over with.” Izuku muttered that fancy pep talk to himself. Grabbing his suitcase, he carefully weaved through the wall of ongoing people, he came out the other side and stepped up to the blonde, stopping a foot away. “Hey Kachan.”

Katsuki looked up slightly, his scarlet eyes looking at him over the rims of his sunglasses. “Haven’t heard that name in a long time.”

Izuku plastered on a smile and hugged his backpack a little tighter. “Oh... yeah been super busy, ya know, teachers... we don’t ever stop.” Out of habit from the last few days, he pulled out his phone and looked for a new message.

  “Are you meeting someone, nerd?” Katsuki asked as he too looked down at his phone.

  “Umm yeah, my b-boyfriend.” Izuku all but choked on the word boyfriend. How was he going to get through his friends and family if he couldn’t say the stupid word. “What about you? A-Are you meeting someone too?”

The blonde nodded, thumbs tapping over the screen. “Yeah, something like that. Just waiting around, ya know.” A small smirk fell on his perfect lips. “Well, what’s this boyfriend’s name?”

Bing!

Izuku unlocked his phone in a hurry. The faster he finds AA, the faster he can run away to a bed.

The backpack fell from his grip as he whipped his head up to stare at the blonde. “K-Kachan?!”

Katsuki smirked, tipping up his sunglasses to rest on his forehead. “What’s up, bun? Long time no see. Are you ready to woo your boo?”

  “Kachan! You’re AA?! How did you?! What?! I-I don’t under—”

Katsuki gently pressed a finger to his lips, halting his panic. “Did you really think IcyHot would let you take some loser wannabe to family dinner?” Izuku shivered as a warm hand gently cupped his cheek, Katsuki’s thumb running along his bottom lip. “Listen here, angel, you’re going to come home with me and I’m going to cook you dinner. You’ll take a nice long bath then we will talk, okay?”

Izuku tried to get out something. “W-Why—h-how? Ka—” Katsuki pressed his thumb back to his lips.

  “We’ll talk later.” Katsuki grabbed the suitcase and fallen backpack then laced his fingers around his scarred ones. “Your damn brain is running wild, isn’t it?” Izuku nodded slightly. “Let’s go, angel.”

Everything was a blur.

Izuku didn’t remember much of the walk to the car, the ride to Katsuki’s apartment or how he ended up in this fucking tub. Sinking lower in the water, he sighed happily. At this point, why did it matter how he got in the tub... it has bubbles, and his body is pain free.

  “Hey angel.” Katsuki said as he walked into the bathroom with a steaming bowl in his hands. “You finally relaxing?” Izuku nodded a little. “Good.” Katsuki sat on the edge of the tub, dipping his hand in the water making sure it was still warm enough. “Do you want some food?”

  “Kachan...?” Katsuki glanced down as he stirred the food in the bowl. “Why are you doing this? This is bigger than borrowing a cup of flour. You’re putting your life on hold to help me. What about your wife?”

Katsuki legit choked on air. He set the bowl on the tub and stood, coughing up what sounded to be a lung. “F-Fucking what?!” Maybe he had it wrong? Was it a husband? Fiancé? Just a plain old boyfriend? What in the world was Katsuki getting all choked about? “You think I’m fucking married?! To a woman of all things! I’d rather lick Fat Gum’s ball sack before I ever put my dick in a nasty ass shrimp smelling pussy! Jesus Christ, Izuku! What the fuck made you think of that?!”

Izuku pursed his lips for a moment, gathering his thoughts. Huh. He was wrong. “Well, Kachan is very h-handsome so why wouldn’t he be with someone just as pretty? I don’t pay attention to the media anymore... so I don’t know what you’ve been doing the last four years.”

The blonde scowled. “I wouldn’t have gone with IcyHot’s plan if I was dating—let alone married to someone! You think I’m some cheating asshole?”

  “N-No! I’d never think that about you!”

  “Then explain it to me!”

Izuku couldn’t hold it in anymore. He was like a volcano ready to explode. All the feelings and words he’s held back over the years, flew from his lips. “Cause everyone else is living their lives!” The room fell silent, only the bubbles and their heavy breathing could be heard. Izuku took the bowl into his hands and almost sobbed at what Katsuki made. Katsudon. “I-I’m sorry, K-Kachan.”

Katsuki flipped on the water, washing his hands to remove the sweat away. Izuku kept his eyes trained on the bowl, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. He shouldn’t have yelled at Katsuki. No matter what, it wasn’t Katsuki’s fault.

  “Izuku... no matter what you think, some of our lives have been put on pause for a long fucking time. So, don’t go saying shit like that unless you know.” And then the blonde walked out, closing the bathroom door, it was only a few moments later that he heard the front door slam shut.

  “But... who?” Izuku whispered.  

Izuku stayed in the bath until the water grew too cold to stand. The food was tasteless. It smelled amazing, he knew it was anything but amazing... he just ruined it.

  “I guess...” Izuku sighed tiredly. “My bag is still in the car. Great.” He glanced over to Katsuki’s walk-in closet, eyeing the black rows of clothing. “Can’t sit around naked...” Quietly, he walked into the oversized closet and pulled a t-shirt from a hanger then grabbed boxers and a pair of joggers from the dresser. Izuku quickly got dressed and hung the towel on the rack in the bathroom before heading out to the hallway.

Izuku took a few steps and stopped in front of the framed photos. There was one of them as kids before the whole quirk thing happened. He smiled a little. That day at the beach was one of his favorites. He lightly ran the pad of his finger of the wood. Next to that one was a picture of them from second year. The war was over. Katsuki’s arm was still in a sling while his curls were shaved on one side.

Both smiling.

Izuku kept moving down the row of photos. One from graduation. A lot of them were Katsuki scowling as his friends hugged him. A few with his parents. Izuku’s smile grew a little more at Baby Katsuki. “You were always the cutest baby.” Izuku made it to the end of the hallway and froze in place.

In Loving Memory

I’ll miss you dad. See you later.

Masaru Bakugo

  “N-No...” Izuku croaked. When did Uncle Masa die? Why didn’t anyone call him? Surely Auntie would have reached out to him... right?

The front door opened and shut behind him. Heavy boots hit the ground before the man walked over to something in the kitchen. Izuku turned to Katsuki, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks. “K-Kachan?”

  “What.”

  “Uncle died?” The blonde stiffened. He felt like shit asking but he had to know. Out of all things, this is one he wanted to be told when it happened.

Katsuki scratched the back of his head, shrugging. “Yeah, two or so years ago. Heart attack.” Izuku felt like his own heart was trying to kill him. The knife plunged into his chest, twisting and turning with each word. “Ma was there, she called for medics, but it was too late. He was gone by the time they got there.”

  “Why didn’t you c-call me?”

Dark scarlet eyes narrowed into a heated glare. “Why would I? You never answer and I had other shit to deal with than to beg my best friend to come to my dad’s funeral!” Izuku flinched as Katsuki’s voice grew louder, fueled by so many emotions. “You ran, Izuku! You shut everyone out! I needed you! Why can’t you see that!? Why can’t you see that I’ve been here waiting for you to get out of your fucking head and come the fuck home! I thought time would fix that! I have you the fucking time, but I never gave yup...

  “Y-You did. You gave up.” Katsuki quickly wiped his eyes, brushing away a few tears that escaped. Izuku stood frozen in time, barely able to breathe as Katsuki walked over to him, the soft steps twisted the knife further into his heart. “It’s not fair...” Katsuki gently cupped his freckled cheeks, thumb wiping away the tears. “It’s not a fair fight when you look so damn good in my clothes, angel.”

Katsuki bent slightly and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “Foods in the kitchen.” Izuku tried to get his stupid brain to work, to get words out his lips before the blonde closed his bedroom door but it didn’t work.

Izuku fell against the wall, sliding down until his ass hit the cool floor. Uncle was gone and he didn’t even know. Dropping his head back with a soft thud, he hugged his knees to his chest, tears spilling down his cheeks. “I-I’m so so sorry, Uncle.”

  “What did you want to talk about Uncle?” Izuku smiled brightly, gripping his brand new pro hero license. He made it! He graduated UA!

Masaru chuckled, “I just wanted to say I’m proud of you. I know you have two dads now, but I’ve watched you grow from a baby to the man you are today.”

He threw his arms around his Uncle’s waist. “Thank you... it means a lot to me for you to say that.” Masaru wrapped his arms around him just as tightly.

  “I know the future will be tough for you once you lose the embers but just remember, Izuku, you will always be someone’s hero with or without a quirk. Someone out there will always remember The Hero Deku who saved the world so everyone could smile again.” Masaru kissed his curls, sighing happily. “You made Katsuki smile again. Don't forget that.

  “He’s your biggest fan. Protect him, love him and be the best hero you can be for him. Katsuki may be hard with words, just be a little patient and he’ll come around.”

Izuku bit down on his knuckles to stop the sob bursting from his chest. I failed you Uncle. I failed you and I’m so sorry... 

Chapter Text

  “Hello brother.” Izuku knew he  couldn’t  hide from Shinso forever and thanks to the lovely tracking app on his phone. He was dragged out of Katsuki’s apartment  this afternoon to  go get  lunch. Katsuki was already gone when he woke up in the early morning from yet another nightmare. It was  probably the  only thing that was  consistent.

Izuku blinked, his brother’s quirk releasing him. “Wow, Toshi.” Shinso smirked at him. God, he was so proud of himself. Izuku sunk a little  into  the booth with a shake of his head. He  wouldn’t  tell Shinso that he  didn’t  even try to break through the quirk.

  “You left me no choice.” The smirk slowly died on his lips as his lilac eyes  swirled with worry. “Do you know what you put us all through?”

Izuku sighed tiredly. He was  too  exhausted for this conversation. “No, Hitoshi, I  probably  don’t  but you  wouldn’t  be the first to tell me how much  I’ve  fucked up in the last  twenty-four  hours, so  enlighten me, please?  It’s  not like you lost your quirk and went back to the bottom of the food chain.  It’s not like you were forced to retire at the  young age of twenty.” Without a second thought, his hand slapped down on the table, eyes glaring at Shinso. “Go head. Tell me  what I put you all through?!”

Shinso stared at him, the worried gaze growing. “Izuku... I didn’t mean—”

  “To be honest, I don’t  even want to talk about me. I—” He forced his lips shut because if he said them, it would only cause more problems. “Pops said  you’re  getting married in the Spring.”

Even though the worry stayed in Shinso’s gaze, his lips turned up in a soft smile. “Yeah, Eijiro is  pretty excited... kinda  still  can’t  believe he wants to spend the rest of his life with me.”

  “Why?  You’re an amazing person.” Izuku said softly as he picked at the napkin under the silverware. It was hard being out in public now these days. It  felt like he was on the  border line of a panic attack.

Shinso shrugged slightly. “I’m also a grumpy, tired man who lives on coffee.” Shinso waved his fingers through the air as if he  was  dusting that conversation way. “I wanted to do this in person which is why Pops pushed so hard for you to come for Christmas. If you  didn’t,  I’d be showing up at your doorstep.” Izuku stiffened.  That’s  the last thing he needed.  His apartment was a joke. A small studio he paid way too much for. “Izuku, since you are my best friend and brother, would you be my best man in  my  wedding?”

Izuku gulped, one hand gripping his thigh tightly to ground him. “Oh, Hitoshi!  I’d  be honored!” He plastered on the best fake smile he could.  Oh no... no! Why did he have to ask me?! I  don’t  want to come back again! I  don’t  think I can do  it!

  “I couldn’t think of anyone better for the job.” Shinso grinned. “I’m  glad you came home, brother.”

  “Me too, brother...” Izuku dug his nails into his jeans trying to grasp some kind of pain. He brought his other hand from the table and wrung his fingers tightly together. Pain zinged up his arms, but he ignored it, letting the pain settle his panicked body.

Fuck. He was going to be sick.

His stomach twisted in knots as bile was pushed up into his throat. Izuku swallowed hard, forcing himself to calm the fuck down before his brother calls medics or worse... tells dad. Nope. Pull it together!

  “So, um...” Izuku cleared his throat, glancing around  the small cafe. It  wasn’t  too crowded right now, like it was in between the morning and lunch rush. He turned back to Shinso and frowned. “What?”  Shinso’s brows furrowed with concern.

  “Zu... are you okay?” Was he okay? Great question. Probably not. Nothing about him was okay! Everything felt like it was about to come crashing down with no quirk to  help him. “I’m  serious—”

  “How mad are Pops and Dad?” He cut him off. Izuku  couldn’t go there. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Shinso sighed tiredly, letting it go. “Pops is worried, and Dad was two steps away from getting on a plane. I told them I was meeting you for lunch to hold them back.” Izuku was thankful for the  waitress  who interrupted the conversation by bringing their plates. He got a simple sandwich with soup and Shinso got the burger with fries. He quietly began eating, forcing the conversation to die. All he had to do was get through the next twenty minutes or so and leave. Shinso had a late patrol so he couldn't stay long after lunch, he liked to see his soon to be husband change in the locker room. "So, who's this boyfriend Pops said you were bringing home? Do I know him?"

  “Can we talk about something else?” Izuku asked before taking a huge bite of his sandwich. Thankfully Shinso seemed to let it go. Every once in a while, Shinso's eyes narrowed, or lips parted like he was going to say something, but he never did. Thank the heavens and earth for that. Wiping his lips with a napkin, he gave another glance at his brother. "I'm going to use the bathroom."

Shinso looked up, pausing mid text. "You aren't ditching out on me, right?"

Izuku shook his head, "No, I just need to go and I'll be back." If only he could pay the bill and run. Izuku sighed as he walked across the stone floor, the door opened with a chime and a chilly breeze crawled over his sore hands. Quickly, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat. How the heck did he forget his gloves back home? Izuku rolled his eyes at himself, pushing the bathroom door open with his shoulder. He glanced around the small bathroom; two urinals and three stalls lined the tiled walls. He opted for the stall, just in case someone came in and knew him from the back. The beanie was doing its job but there was still a chance someone could recognize his frame... Or maybe he was just paranoid. Yeah, let's go with that.

Izuku quietly shut the door and flipped the lock. He closed the lid on the toilet, sitting down heavily with a weak sigh. It was already exhausting to keep up the fake smiles. Everyone was worried... "Why did everyone have to worry? All I want to do is lay in bed."

He didn't know how long he sat there but suddenly the door opened with a bang, followed by very—very fucking—familiar voices.

  "Bro, you're going to get hurt by playing this stupid game with him." Kirishima started. He's never heard the redhead so upset. "You know he'll run again once Christmas is over."

Izuku pulled his legs up, wrapping his arms around them, hugging them close to his chest. Katsuki flashed through the small crack in the stall, heading over to the urinals. "I'd rather have a few weeks then never knowing what it's like to love him..." Katsuki's voice shook slightly as he spoke. "The way I want to. You're right... once Christmas is over, he'll run, and I'll deal with the heart break. I've done it once; I can do it again."

  "And it almost killed you, Katsuki!" Kirishima protested. "I swore to myself and your mom that I wouldn't let you do this to yourself again!"

Katsuki scowled, "It's my heart! Not fucking yours! Mine! I fucking love him, Eijiro! What the fuck do you want me to do!?"

  "Tell him." Kirishima whispered softly. "Tell him you're in love with him and if he rejects you, I'll be there to pick up the pieces." Katsuki dragged in a shaky breath. "And I'll tell Midoriya personally to stay the hell away and to never come back."

"  You can't do that." Katsuki said softly.

  "Yes, I can." Kirishima shot back.

Izuku clamped both hands over his mouth, tears rolling down the tips of his fingers as he stares at the stall door. Katsuki is in love with him? Since when? How? W-Why? The heroes quickly finished up their business and left without another word. Tears continued to trail down his cheeks and fingers as a sob broke through his chest, threatening to escape his lips. No... No... H-how can this be?! Since when did Kachan love me!? How!?

It took him a few minutes to stop the tears so he could quickly leave the bathroom without Shinso seeing him. He gave the waitress a few large bills and turned, rushing out the side door next to the bathrooms. Izuku didn't stop, he ran and ran and... ran until his legs gave out.

Izuku stumbled a step and fell to his knees, sand curled around his fingers as he tried to grab the ground below him. A new sob wrecked through his body, escaping his lips. There could be people around but he didn't care. Nothing could take away the pain settling in his chest like an old friend.

Izuku inhaled deeply and let out a heartbreaking scream. "W-Why! Just why!" He had a god damn plan and now he finds this out?! How was he supposed to be able to hide away when the one person he wants… loves him back.

The suns slowly faded away as the moon rose high in the clear sky. Izuku hugged his knees tighter to his chest, watching the waves crash onto the rocks. The ocean was peaceful yet unpredictable. At any moment, it could crash over you and drag you away to the deep.

  "I wish you were here..." Izuku slowly lifted his scarred hand and curled his fingers into a fist. He waited... But once again nothing happened. One for All was gone. The vestiges were gone. "You would know what to do." Izuku scrubbed the tears from his cheek. "There's so many whys and no one has the answers. Why did you all have to leave me to win the stupid fight... Why did you all have to l-leave me? I'm all alone in this too big world.

  "I'm the q-quirkless boy again." Izuku slowly got to his feet and toed off his dress shoes, eyes never leaving the ocean. What if the ocean swallowed him? He could end everyone's pain. Each step closer to the dark water, the sand grew colder under his feet. It didn't take long before the ocean water was washing over his skin, forcing shivers throughout his body.

The water was ice cold and he welcomed it. It felt like the more numb he grew, the more these feelings faded away. Izuku stopped when he could feel the water sloshing back and forth over his knees. "I wish you were here..." he whispered, wrapping his arms around his stomach. "I wish you could tell me what to do... I-I'm trying, I really am but it so hard. I don't know what to do anymore and the one person I want to talk to... I can't. I'm nothing but a failure."

  "I think that's my line." A warm arm wrapped around his shoulder, the numbness fading away by the soft touch. Izuku glanced at him.

  "Shoto send you?"

Denki shrugged slightly, knocking the side of his head with his blonde one and resting there. "Bakugo and Shinso are on a man hunt for you but Shoto knows how much you love this beach.” True. Everyone knew how much he loved this place. He trained with All Might here and the best part was the fact he made it a beautiful place again. “Wanna tell me why you ran out on lunch and stayed here until the middle of the night… in the freezing water.”

Izuku swallowed hard, his throat throbbing from crying so much. “Did I really hurt K-Kachan that badly when I left?” He couldn’t help but peek over at the blonde hoping the answer showed on his face. It did and he didn’t like the answer.

Denki blew out a long breath, blonde pieces of hair lifting from his forehead. “And you assholes say I’m the idiot.” Izuku frowned, hands tightening on the fabric of his shirt by his waist. “First year, I swore to Eijiro you two were nuts. Bakugo hated you while you just let it slide. He literally came after you during class that one time. Then the year went on and he got kidnapped,” Izuku couldn’t help but flinch. He hated that day. Denki tucked him closer to his side. Being the same height it was surprisingly comfortable. “Ground Beta really changed things… and so on.

  “When you left because you thought it was the right thing, it flipped some kind of switch inside him. Bakugo changed his tune so to say. He was nicer, man and it was creepy.” Denki laughed lightly. “When you came back, he had light in his eyes again and those eyes were always on you. No matter who the hell was in the room.”

Izuku frowned, “I was too busy with—”

  “You had one goal in mind, save the world.” Izuku nodded a little. He wanted nothing more than to end the war. “Everything changed when you saw Bakugo… d-dead…” Denki cleared his throat with a shake of his head. “Anyways. You both changed a lot during that year and when second year started no one could get you two apart. It was that way until…” Denki trailed off, letting the unsaid answer linger above the ocean.

  “Denki…”

  “I’m not saying what you should or shouldn’t do,” Denki gently turned him around, arm never leaving his shoulders and walked out of the freezing water. Sand stuck to his feet making him cringe. Ugh sand. “But I do think you and Bakubro need to sit down together or spar it out. Whatever will get you both on the same page because you leaving to the States hurt him, deeply. You two went from almost signing as a duo to poof, you’re gone, Mido.”

A few fresh tears leaked from his eyes, Izuku sniffled and wiped them away with the back of his hand. “Does he really l-love me, Denki? Is it t-true?”

  “Sho told me not to answer that question, but this has gone on for too long.” Denki placed both hands on his shoulders and looked him dead in the eye. “Katsuki Bakugo only has eyes for one person and that Izuku Midoriya is you. Quirk or no quirk. Hero or not. He loves you. The hero loving, patient, kind, smart as fuck man you are.”

Izuku shook his head slowly, “H-He would have—“

  “Nope. Not doing that card man. I’ve heard it enough from Bakugo. ‘I don’t want to fuck up our friendship.’ Blah, blah, blah. Right now, that friendship is barely holding on by a thread.” Bright Amber eyes narrowed at him. “If you were Hero Deku right now, what would you do?”

  “Find Kachan… and tell him.” Izuku whispered wetly.

  “Then as a final mission, go tell that angry blonde you’re in love with him and end the fake dating crap! Ask him out on a date!”

  “I’m not—I can’t! I’ll make a fool of myself!”

Denki smiled, “Bakubro thinks it’s cute when you get all flustered. He mumbled one time he’d love to be able to kiss you just to shut you up.”

Izuku stuck his lower lip out in a pout. “That’s just rude.” Tilting his head, he really looked at his friend. “When did you become so smart?”

Denki rolled his eyes. “Sho said we can’t get married until I stop frying my brain and take a few classes from a life coach.”

  “It paid off, Denki.” Izuku tried to smile but his lips trembled as tears threatened to fall again. “I-I’m not too l-late?”

  “Nope!” Denki grinned, “Your man is waiting, and I think he’s waited long enough.”

Chapter Text

  “Hey Blasty.”

Katsuki looked up from the stupid ass reports on his desk. The new interns were killing him with property damage... was he like this? Fuck. He needed to call Jeanist and fucking apologize. “What the fuck do you want, Dog.”

Seth slapped his gloved hand over his heart. “You wound me. Why must you hurt me so much?”

  “You annoy me.”

  “Everyone annoys you, Zero.” Seth smirked as he walked over to the desk, his hands pushing the chair away enough for him to squeeze between, propping his ass on the desk. “You haven’t been around much lately.” Seth’s fingers lightly ran through his hair.

Katsuki sighed, looking up at Seth’s blue eyes. “We can’t do this anymore.” Fucking hell. It felt like a breakup even though both agreed if one of them got the balls to ask out their crush, they’d be done. Seth was a good friend. He didn’t want to lose that.

Seth tilted his head, frowning, his fingers stilled for a moment before moving again. “Finally got the balls?”

  “No.” Seth’s frown deepened. “Zuku is here in Japan, and he told his family he’d bring home his boyfriend for Christmas. IcyHot helped me with everything... right now Izuku is in my apartment and I’m his fake boyfriend.”

  “Kats...”

He shook his head. “I know. I know but I can’t let him go no matter how hard I try. If soulmates were a fucking thing, he’d be it.”

Seth ran his fingers down to his cheek, cupping it gently. “I’ll be here if you need me.” If Izuku and that barista wasn’t in the picture, he could see a life with this man. Sometimes, Seth drives him nuts, but he also knows what he needs without asking... like Izuku. “Tell him.”

  “You tell him.”

  “I’m working on it.” Seth laughed and patted his cheek. “I’ll miss your big dick up my ass.”

Katsuki shoved him out of the way, not caring if he fell to the ground. “Get out of here, asswipe.” Seth chuckled, ruffling his hair one last time before walking out the door. He looked at the door in wonder. What if he let Izuku go? Would he be happy with someone besides Izuku?

No.

Izuku was it for him.

  “Katsuki! You ready for patrol?” Kirishima called from somewhere in the building.

Katsuki closed the file and tucked it away in a desk drawer. His eyes drifted over to the picture of Izuku and him from graduation. The love hasn’t lessened a bit. “I hope you feel the same, Zuku.”

  “Did we really fucking come here so you could see the Troll?”

Kirishima grinned, pointed teeth all but glistening in the light. “But he’s my cute, tired Troll and I love him.”

Katsuki scoffed, “We have thirty minutes before we have to get back out there, Red.”

  “And I only need to kiss him for five!” Kirishima happily strutted over to his fiancé and plopped in the booth beside Shinso. “Hey baby, I missed you.”

Shinso sighed tiredly like always. “I didn’t miss you.” Katsuki sat down in the empty side of the table, watching the couple. Would him and Izuku be like that? Lovey, dovey and shit.

Katsuki set the bag of takeout on the table and noticed two cups next to two plates. “Did you have company?”

  “Yeah, Izuku was just here.” Shinso kissed the redhead softly. “He’s my best man.”

Kirishima punched a fist in the air, grinning. “Hell yeah!” Katsuki couldn’t stop staring at the plate in front of him. If Izuku was just here... then where the hell was he?

  “Troll Face, where is Izuku?”

Shinso nipped at the other’s lips before pulling away. He wrinkled his nose in disgust at the line of spit connecting them together. “Oh, he just went to the bathroom.”

His heart stopped and skipped a beat as he looked at Kirishima. “No...” Katsuki didn’t check the fucking bathroom but why would he?! Izuku doesn’t hide li—That’s a bullshit lie, the nerd has done nothing but fucking hide. “When did he fucking go into the bathroom?!”

  “Probably... twenty minutes ago or so?” he frowned, “Why? What’s going on?”

Kirishima gulped, “When we got here... we used the bathroom and, well... if Izuku was in the bathroom then he heard stuff.”

  “What stuff?” Shinso asked as he glanced towards the bathroom and back to him. “Katsuki, what stuff?”

Katsuki felt like he was going to puke. If Izuku was in there then he knows. He fucking knows. “Fuck! Fuck! He fucking knows! Shitty Hair was bitching about not getting too close to Izuku or I’d end up hurt again and—FUCK!” He curled his fingers into fists, pushing down the urge to blow something the fuck up. “What the flying fuck do I do now?!”

  “We should go check the bathroom and make sure Izuku is alive.” Shinso deadpanned. The three heroes stood and quickly walked to the bathroom. It was pointless because he knew Izuku was long gone by now. “He’s not answering his phone either.” Shinso said once they were out on the streets. Kirishima looked at him with worried eyes.

  “Did he not...” Katsuki swallowed hard. “Does he...”

Kirishima gave a quick glance at his fiancé, shoulders relaxing when he got a slight nod back. “Bro, Mido loves you.”

Katsuki stiffened. “What the fuck did you just say?” There was no fucking way that damn nerd loved him after everything he put Izuku through. Ten fucking years of him being a complete asshole for no fucking reason.

  “Izuku loves you, moron.” Shinso said without looking up from his phone, his fingers tapping frantically on the screen. “Just like you, I highly doubt he believes it either and it came from your mouth.”

  “How the fuck can he be in love with me?!”

  “Why do you think he ran in the damn first place!” Shinso snapped. He’s never heard the tired hero shout before. Katsuki actually took a step back, bewildered. “Izuku left saying he got an amazing teaching job in the States but that’s bullshit. I called his fucking office last week and they said he no longer worked there! The bitch said he was fired due to a quirk accident!” Shinso shook his head, gripping his phone with both hands. “He ran because he lost his quirk, and he thought losing One for All meant losing you.”

  “I don’t give a fuck if he has one or not. I love him for the way he fucking is.” Katsuki spat. Fuck, he was pissed. Pissed at his stupid fucking self for not seeing it. Sweat seeped from the cracks in his clenched fists. “You're telling me that I could have had that damn cute ass fucking nerd this whole motherfucking time?!”

Kirishima and Shinso looked at each other then back to him before nodding. Kirishima gave him a warm smile that made him want to puke right here on the sidewalk. “All you need to do is tell him.”

All he had to do was tell him... well, once he fucking finds him first.

Which was fucking harder than he thought.

The three of them spent hours searching the city for Izuku but came up empty handed. Izuku was nowhere to be found, and the panic was beginning to form in his chest. By the time his shift was over, and he changed into his street clothes, it was late. He was up way past his damn bedtime.

Taking the long way home, he drove through the quiet streets praying to see Izuku just appear. All the words that he’s been holding back were sitting on the tip of his tongue. There was no way he was letting the nerd go now. Nothing could fucking stop him.

  “Only thing stopping me is the damn nerd himself. Where the hell are you, Izuku?” Katsuki dropped his keys into the bowl by the door then toed off his combat boots. He didn’t bother with dinner; he wandered through the living room then down the hallway to his bedroom. “He has a key so he can get in whenever he wants to come home...” Katsuki grumbled as he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed, his eyes closed before he hit the pillow.

Katsuki groaned slightly, trying to roll over but something heavy was laying on him preventing him from moving. He tried to move again but this time a soft snore next to his ear stopped him. Forcing a tired eye open, he looked down his body and found messy curls that only belonged to one person.

  “Izuku?” Katsuki whispered, wrapping his free arm around Izuku’s back. It felt fucking amazing—perfect to have the love of his life in his house... bed and just on him. “Angel?” Katsuki tried again. Izuku must have been out late as well.

Carefully, he hugged the shorter man and rolled them both onto their sides. Izuku snuggled into his bare chest, pressing that cute little nose against the base of his neck. “Angel, where have you been?” Katsuki buried his nose in the mess of curls, inhaling deeply. The faint scent of pine lingered in Izuku’s curls from a recent shower.

  “Kachan?” Izuku mumbled tiredly.

Fuck. He was so damn cute.

Katsuki pressed a soft kiss to Izuku’s forehead then his nose. “Morning, angel.” Izuku hummed and snuggled closer into his chest, scarred hands tucked between them. “Where did you go yesterday?”

Bright emerald eyes looked up at him, blinking slowly. Katsuki couldn’t help but take his thumb and stroke the dark circles under his eyes. Izuku’s eyes fluttered shut with a soft sigh. “The beach.”

That was on his places to check yesterday but Shoto called off the search saying he had it handled. He almost lost his shit. Izuku needed to hear the three little words from his lips.

  “That’s your thinking spot.”

Izuku nodded with a soft hum. “Mmm... Needed to think.”

  “About?” Katsuki pressed. Just give him a sign that Izuku heard, and he’ll explain everything.

  “You... me... all of it.” Izuku yawned lightly. “We’re boyfriends, right?”

Katsuki pulled back slightly to look down at him, but Izuku didn’t let him. The cuddle bug moved closer until there wasn’t an inch between them. “I’m your fake boyfriend, yes.

  “No, real boyfriend.” Izuku peeked up at him, cutely, his lips just right there for the taking... to kiss, lick and bite. “Cause Kachan loves me.” Katsuki couldn’t help but fucking smile. All the secrets were out in the air. Izuku wasn’t running for the hills or making it awkward. “And I love Kachan, so we’re real boyfriends.”

  “Anything you want, angel.”

Izuku smiled happily—a truly happy smile, not the fake ones he’s been sporting since he got here. “More cuddles...” Katsuki chuckled softly, pulling Izuku closer to his chest, soaking in all the warmth. “And pet names. I like them. I also want dates, lots of dates and I wanna hold your hand. I want kisses all the time. I wanna kiss Kachan goodbye and hello.”

Katsuki fucking smiled, his heart fluttering in his chest as Izuku made his demands. Demands he was all willing to make come true. “Anything else, Princess?” He wanted the same things.

  “I’m not a princess, Kachan. You might as well say I’m some damsel in distress.” Izuku pushed against him until Katsuki dropped his arms and watched Izuku stand on the bed, stepping over his body then hopping down to the floor with a soft thud. “No princess could do that.”

Katsuki smirked for a split second before his jaw hit the floor. “Holy fuck.” he breathed. Izuku shoved down his boxers, fabric sliding down his tan legs and pooling at his feet. Izuku fucking Midoriya was naked in his bedroom.

Izuku looked over his shoulder with a shy smile, curls falling over his lashes. “I’m going to take a bath... gonna join me, Romeo?”

To say Katsuki stumbled out of bed it was an understatement. The only thing on his mind was getting his hands on those ass cheeks. Sure, he’s seen Izuku a bunch of time in the locker room, but he made sure to keep his eyes on his traitor of a dick. If he didn’t, the fucker would think it’s funny to pop a boner in front of not only Izuku but others.

Izuku disappeared into the bathroom, his ass cheeks bouncing with every step. God damn! All those squats paid fucking off.

Katsuki stepped into the bathroom and stumbled. That fucking sweet angel was bent over the tub reaching for the bottle of bubbles he bought for Izuku months ago, one of the many things he had stash for Izuku if he ever came home.

Fuck. Even his ass has freckles.

Izuku laughed lightly as he dumped a few capfuls in the water and turned to face him. “Why am I not surprised you like my butt?”

  “Angel, you gotta stop or we’ll never get in the tub.” Katsuki flexed his fingers as he closed the distance between them. Izuku smiled up at him, a beautifully happy smile. “Can I?”

Izuku tilted his head, curls bouncing with each move. “I thought the Great Ground Zero took what he wanted or are you a changed man?” Izuku trailed his finger between his pecs causing him to flex slightly. “So big and strong...” His free hand traced over the veins on his forearm, moving slowly down to his hand. Izuku didn’t care about the sweat dripping from his palm, instead Izuku took a hold of his wrist and guided it back to a beautifully freckled ass cheek. “I’ll let you touch.”

  “Let me, huh.” Katsuki curled his fingers, gripping that ass tightly and pulling Izuku flush against his body. “You got a pretty little cock too.”

  “It is not small!” Izuku glared up at him, eyes blazing. “I’ll have you know! A few lucky men got to test it out!”

Wrong thing to fucking say, Angel.

Katsuki growled as he gripped both ass cheeks in his hands and lifted the shorter man into his arms. “How. Many.”

Izuku squealed and gripped his shoulders to steady himself. “So many I lost count.” Katsuki stepped over to the tub and dropped Izuku in slightly, water sloshing over the sides of the tub, but he didn’t fucking care right now.

  “How many, Princess. That’s the last time I’ll ask ya.” Katsuki pushed down his boxers, watching a pair of emerald eyes move along his body before growing wide when they paused on his cock. “See something you like?”

Izuku squeaked, jerking his gaze away. “Y-Your thingy is small!”

  “Is it?” Katsuki climbed into the tub slowly and crouched right in front of Izuku. “Where did all that sass go? Hmm, baby?” Izuku glanced at him, only for a moment before splashing fucking water into his face. “Fucker!”

Izuku laughed loudly. It felt like the world stopped around them. Katsuki knew Izuku was having a tough time since losing One for All, he knew things had changed for good or bad, he hasn’t figured that out yet but to have a second to see the Izuku he knew was buried deep down... it made his heart swell.

  “Kachan?” Izuku whispered. Katsuki must have been staring too long, lost in the sound of his laughter. “Kachan...”

Instead of saying a word, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Izuku’s equally soft lips. A light gasp traced over his lips before Izuku pushed forward, knocking him back into the warm water with Izuku straddling him. Katsuki didn’t know who deepened the kiss, but he didn’t fucking care. This was something he’s always wanted and now it was all his.

Chapter Text

  “What if everyone finds out, Kachan?”

Katsuki sighed for the fifth time. Right now, they were sitting in front of his adoptive dads’ house as he tries to pull himself together before the interrogation begins. Izuku knows his dads are worried and to be fair they have every right to be. One day he just got on a plane with a backpack full of important things and didn’t come back.

Izuku groaned at the memory. He didn’t turn on his phone for three months. Aizawa pulled every favor he had with the underground heroes all over the world. Finally, one stopped him on the street and force him to call Aizawa on the sidewalk. Hell, he can still remember that phone call.

  “... Hi D-Dad...” Izuku clenched the phone so tightly his hand started to ache. “I’m safe—”

  “What were you thinking!?” Aizawa shouted into the phone. Not once has Aizawa yelled at him for anything. He could see this from Pops but never him. “You think you can just leave without a goodbye and everything will be okay?! You think we’ll just forget you existed?! No! That’s not how family works Izuku!”

  “D-Dad—” He tried.

  “No! I’ve been worried sick about you! Your brother and sister are worried! Pops has cried so much he lost his voice, Izuku and what do you have to say for yourself?” Aizawa paused giving him a chance to speak but when his lips opened to talk, nothing came out. “Izuku, you know you could have come to me.” Izuku squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his head against the brick wall of the alley. Of course, he knew that. Aizawa has done nothing but stand behind him ready to push him along if he needed.

  “I-I couldn’t… stay.”

  “Izuku—”

  “It’s gone!” Izuku shouted as the tears he had been holding back finally escaped, streaking down his cheeks. “Kachan! He was going to ask me to be his partner and open an agency, but the embers were dying, and I didn’t know what to say to him! I’m trying to…” Izuku choked on on a sob, his body shaking as he tried to fight against the pain deep in his chest. “It’s g-gone, dad…”

Katsuki turned to face him from the driver’s seat, scarlet eyes full of softness. “I’m your boyfriend. It’s not fake anymore.” Katsuki’s lips turned up in a smile he loved so very much. “I’m not leaving you, Angel.”

Izuku inhaled deeply, nodding his head, his curls bouncing against his forehead. “This is gonna suck, isn’t it?”

Katsuki snorted, “Fuck yeah it is.”

Getting out of the car was one of the hardest things he had to do today… okay getting up this morning was hard when Katsuki had become his personal pillow. Izuku took another deep breath and stalked forward, pushing through the waves of anxiety causing his stomach to turn.

Katsuki gently slid his fingers over his palm, interlocking them together in a firm hold. Sometimes it was unbelievable how much Katsuki had grown up over the years. So much has changed since that... day.

The front door opened causing him to stumble slightly over his own feet. He wasn’t ready to face his parents, brother, sister... anyone really. Izuku knew he fucked up big time.

  “Hey... Pops?” Izuku scratched the side of his head with his free hand, sheepishly looking away from the loud hero’s eyes. “I-I like the house c-color.”

Hizashi huffed and turned on his heels, nose in the air as he disappeared inside the house. Shinso popped his head out the door, grinning.

  "Look who’s in the doghouse now.” Shinso stepped out on the porch, hands tucked in his pockets. “Why the hell did you bring that thing?” Katsuki growled slightly beside him then settled down as he tightened his grip.

  “This is my boyfriend.” Izuku mumbled, looking over his brother’s shoulder. Shinso looked between them, eyes wide with shock.

  “What?” Shinso gaped. “Your boyfriend? This man... right here is your boyfriend? The one you told Pops you were home... for Christmas...” Izuku shrugged slightly, looking anywhere but Shinso’s eyes. “Katsuki Bakugo is your... boyfriend.”

  “I’m not sure why that’s surprising.” Izuku muttered under his breath. What? Was he unable to love someone?

Shinso stared at him for a long moment. “You... you fucking left the fucking country because of him Izuku! Now you’re here with him! WITH HIM!” Izuku opened his mouth but quickly clamped it shut. Not that he didn’t trust his brother but when Shinso gets this upset, his quirk can sometimes slip, pulling anyone under. “Four fucking years Izuku! Fucking long ass years, we’ve done nothing but worry about you then you show up like you don’t fucking have the love of your life holding your hand!”

  “Toshi—” Without even finish the sentence, he was trapped under Shinso’s quirk. Unlike any other time, he was struggling to break free. How strong has Shinso gotten over the years?

  “Troll, that’s fucking enough.” Katsuki spat, taking a step to stand in front of him.

  “Don’t you dare tell me what’s enough when it comes to my brother. My best friend! You have no right to say another word about this!” Shinso’s heated gaze turned to him as Izuku stared blankly back. “Answer honestly, Izuku, is he really your boyfriend?”

  “Yes.” Izuku whispered with nothing but honesty.

  “How long?”

  “Twenty minutes ago.”

Shinso lost his focus, breaking the hold over him. “Twenty minutes?! Someone needs to start explaining.” Katsuki—thankfully—took one for the team and explained everything to him quietly. So many emotions passed over Shinso’s face, the biggest one being concern. “So, let me get this right. Izuku blurted out he’d bring home a boyfriend he didn’t have. Todoroki signed Bakugo up, you two chatted then met up at the airport. You both know you love each other and now are... real boyfriends.”

  “Pretty much.” His life was a mess. A big fat dumpster fire. “Now can we go inside before our dads come dragging us in.” Katsuki squeezed his hand gently as he dragged him through the front door. The house still looked the same. It even smelled the same. It was a place that would always be his home. “Dad? Pops? Eri?” He called out when he entered the empty living room.

  “Eri’s with Kota on some date.” Shinso said on his way to the couch where his fiancé sat. “Did you know?”

Kirishima slowly looked up from his phone, ruby eyes growing comically wide. “Uh...” Shinso stabbed a finger to the other’s chest. “I was sworn to secrecy! Kats said he wouldn’t talk to me for a week! You know I can’t go that long!”

Katsuki laughed, “Remember two years ago when he got hurt by that shitty villain.” Katsuki turned to him, smirking. “Some low level villain that even a freshie could take out with their eyes close put this idiot in the hospital. As punishment, no talking to him for a week.”

  “Wow...” What else happened in the years he was gone... the hole he thought was slowly closing, grew wider. “Um I’m going to go find Pops.” Izuku pulled away before Katsuki could say anything and followed the lovely scent of fresh baked cookie to the kitchen. Hizashi stood at the oven, putting the warm cookies onto the cooling rack. “Hey Pops.”

  “If I could spank you, I would.” Hizashi set the spatula on the counter, turning to face him with no smile on his face. “Izuku Midoriya, I know we’ve told you so many times if you need help to come to us.”

Izuku couldn’t get the stupid thought in his head. “I don’t need help.” He blurted.

The yellowish green eyes softened. “Oh, baby.” Izuku quickly closed the distance, throwing his arms around Hizashi’s waist, burying his nose in the crook of his neck. “Did you have fun in America?” Izuku shook his head quickly. No, he didn’t. It was awful. “No? Then why did you leave?” Izuku just shrugged. He had every excuse in the book in his back pocket.

He was just so tired of the lying and faking everything.

  “I’m sorry.” Izuku whispered weakly. “I didn’t want to leave but it’s gone... the embers are all gone.” Hizashi’s arms tightened around his back, squeezing him and pouring all the love he could through skin. “I can’t be... a-anything.” Izuku’s fingers twisted into the fabric of the loud hero’s shirt. “I’m not a h-hero anymore.”

Hizashi tried to push him back to see his face, but he clung on tightly. “Sweet, sweet boy. You will always be a hero, with or without a quirk.” Izuku shook his head slightly. Nothing could convince him of that. All Might’s words came crashing down on him like the first time he asked the stupid question.

Why couldn’t he just have been born with a quirk?

Why was he chosen to wear this burden?

He was only a number on a chart.

  “I see our son has made it home.” Izuku stiffened at the sound of Shota’s voice entering the kitchen. “Are you making him cry, Zashi?”

Hizashi rolled his eyes with a huff. “No, Sho. He wanted a hug and I’m giving it to him.” Izuku closed his eyes, soaking in the loving warmth as he was rocked softly side to side. Izuku already knew that Hizashi was giving his dad signals of worry. It wouldn’t be long before he was cornered.

Dinner was amazing like always... well, the little bit he ate. His stomach was twisting and turning from the dark gray eyes watching him from the head of the table. Shota Aizawa wasn’t one to mess with and nothing got by the underground hero. Another reason he was found in the States.

Katsuki was also giving him side glances of worry. Scarlet eyes danced from the plate, back to him, to one of his dads, to his brother then back to the plate. A few times Katsuki nudged him or asked if he wanted seconds, he politely declined.

There’s another look of concern.

Izuku internally groaned when he looked up and saw all eyes on him. “Do I have something on my face?” He snapped; voice rough with unshed tears. “I’m just not hungry, okay? I’m twenty-four, I can decide how much food to eat—”

  “Izuku.” Shota interrupted. “Outside.”

If he still had One for All, his would have made the chair fly as he got up. Instead, it scarped loudly against the wood floor. “Fine. Let’s go fucking outside then.” The few gasps around the table told him enough. Izuku swiftly turned, kicking the chair out of his way like it was someone who insulted him and stomped out the sliding glass door. A minute later, the door closed behind him followed by a few light footsteps.

  “I’m fine.” Izuku spat the two words. “I don’t understand why everyone is looking at me like I’m some poor sick puppy on the side of the road. I’ve lived on my own for four years.”

  “But have you lived, Problem Child?” Aizawa countered. “From what I’ve seen, you may call it living but what I see is your just existing. You’ve become an empty shell.”

  “And?” Izuku whipped around, glaring at the hero. “What’s wrong with that?! I’ve gotten by just fine without any of you! I don’t need you! I was just fine!”

Aizawa’s gaze stayed trained on him, never changing. “You seem to use the word fine a lot. You also did that back in first year, back during the war. Do you remember what happened when you kept saying fine? You classmates had to come save you from yourself.”

  “I’M FINE!” Izuku screamed. “W-Why can’t everyone just leave me alone!” All the rage that boiled under his skin was washed away being replaced with sorrow. “Why do you care?” Izuku whispered. “I-I’m quirkless again... I’m nothing.”

  “Izuku, you are—”

  “I’m not... I’m just the quirkless nobody.” Izuku turned away, wrapping his scarred arms around his stomach. What little bit of dinner he ate was threatening to make a reappearance. “Just leave me alone.”

Aizawa sighed, “You know I won’t do that, Problem Child. No one in this house or your friends will sit back and watch you destroy yourself. Bakugo won’t stand for it.”

Izuku let out a humorless laugh, “Everyone is better off. What’s the point, Dad? Why should I keep caring? This is why I didn’t want to come home in the first place.”

  “Because we all would see that you need help?” Aizawa asked gently. “I think you should talk to Hound Dog if you won’t talk to me or Bakugo or even Zashi. You need help.”

  “I don’t.” Izuku instantly protested. “I’m fine and I will stay fine until something else happens to mess with my life. I already lost my job, my quirk... what’s left? You and Hitoshi? Pops? Eri? K-Kachan? What happens when the media finds out we’re dating? ‘The Great Ground Zero dating the retired Hero Deku who no longer has a quirk.’ Yeah.” Izuku rolled his eyes, “That will look good on national TV tomorrow.”

  “Izuku, son...”

And he hit the breaking point. “You’re not my dad!” Izuku shouted. “You don’t get a say in my life!” Later he would regret those words, they would haunt his never-ending nightmares. Aizawa was the closest thing to a dad he’s ever had next to Hizashi. “I’m... fine.” Izuku whispered as he pushed past Aizawa, going inside the house.

One look to Katsuki and he was out of the chair, following him to the door. “Zuku? You okay?” Katsuki asked hesitantly.

  “I’m fine, Kachan.” Izuku lied. “I want to go to bed.”

Katsuki’s eyes told him that that even he knew he was lying but he didn’t have the energy to care. The blonde nodded and unlocked the car, “I’m here if you want to talk, Zu.”

  “I’m fine.” Izuku lied once again.

He wasn’t fine but that was his problem to deal with alone.

Chapter Text

Katsuki’s great idea to cheer him up was taking him to Friday night bar night. That man couldn’t be further from helping but he was too tired to say anything. All he wanted to do was lay in bed, cuddling and watching horror movies. Not that he could watch them... it was a big excuse to bury his face in his boyfriend’s chest.

  “Doing okay, Zu?” Katsuki asked for the hundredth time.

Izuku nodded, “Yes, Kachan, I’m fine.” There were no words that could convince Katsuki that sentence was true. Sometimes, it felt like everyone thought he was stupid. Like he didn’t know Katsuki and Aizawa were talking for an hour last night after he stormed out.

Words said in anger may not be true, but the pain is real.

The warm rush of air hit his cool skin when Katsuki opened the door for him. This morning on the news they were all happy and hoping for snow. Snow was pretty from the inside of his apartment. He gripped Katsuki’s hand tightly, walking through the small crowd by the bathroom and straight to the bar. Izuku decided to keep his scarf and beanie in place until he was away from the public.

  “Can I get a vodka cranberry and a whiskey on the rocks?” Izuku forced a small smile, grabbing his wallet from the coat pocket. “Top shelf stuff for the whiskey, please.” The bartender was the same one from four years ago. There were a few new faces but it was nice to see a familiar face.

  “Didn’t think you’d come back, D.” Vic grunted as he pulled on of his best whiskeys from the shelf. “How was New York? Shitty like I said?”

Izuku may have come here after losing the embers and got a little drunk. “It sure didn’t feel like home.”

Vic raised a dark brow, “Oh, you stayin’?”

  “Not...” Izuku paused, glancing over his shoulder to see Katsuki watching him with narrowed eyes. “Haven’t decided quite yet. I have a lot of loose ends to tie up first.”

Katsuki scoffed but kept whatever comment to himself. Vic barely gave him a glance as he set two glasses on the bar. Izuku tried to give the man money, he should know by now that Vic always give the first round to heroes for free.

  “You know the rules.” Vic chuckled lightly before going to the next customer.

Izuku went to grab his drink, but a hot hand grabbed his fingers gently. “Kachan, can we do this later?” The conversation would happen, just not in public. Carefully, he pulled his hand out of the blonde’s grasp and picked up his drink. Katsuki’s eyes burned into his back as he walked to the back booth, all he had to do was follow the laughter of his... friends?

  “Midoriya!”

  “Izuku!”

  “OMG! Mido!”

Todoroki lifted his drink to him, silently. Maybe that was a good luck thing. Denki smiled but struggled slightly. Four people knew of the ‘Fake Boyfriend’ thing. Todoroki, Denki, Kirishima and Shinso. He truly wanted to keep it that way too.

Uraraka plucked the glass from his scarred fingers and pulled him into a bone crushing hug. “Oh my god! I’ve missed you so much, Izuku!”

  “Y-Yeah! I missed you too!” Not that she’s reached out any time since he left. “Oh wow.” He blinked at Uraraka’s very pregnant belly. “I see you and Iida have been busy.”

Her cheeks grew bright pink, a lovingly smile on her lips. “Yeah, I decided to take a break from hero work to focus on growing our family. Tenya has been ready to be a dad since we got married.”

Married. She’s married and growing a child.

  “I didn’t know you got m-married.” Izuku tried not to wince at his words. “Congratulations.”

Uraraka beamed and held up her left hand, her ring finger had a beautiful wedding ring with huge diamonds that probably cost more than his condo in New York. “Tenya did an amazing job with the ring. I love it so much!”

Izuku forced a smiled, nodding. “It’s stunning. I’m so happy for you.” Uraraka pulled him over to a small empty table. She held both his hands softly as she told him everything he’s missed over the years. From her wedding to Shinso’s engagement party to Katsuki making it to number one. There were so many things he missed.

  “Oh! He made it!” Uraraka quietly squealed. “That’s Enzo.” She pointed slightly and he turned to find a man with black hair and teal pieces framing his face. The black arm sleeve was a bit odd, but he wore one like it on his elbow. Enzo looked like a damn Greek God. Even his stupid walk was sexy. “He was hired a few months after you left. It was a huge surprise to all of us that Bakugo seemed to like him. Though,” She giggled, watching Enzo throw his arm around Katsuki’s shoulder. “I understand why now.”

Izuku pried his eyes away from the two heroes. “Why? Are they friends?” A little piece of his soul seemed to crack. It’s not like Katsuki’s world paused when he left. “I thought only Kirishima could do that. Kachan hates being touched.”

Uraraka was practically bouncing in her seat. “Bakugo and Enzo are dating.”

Izuku felt that crack suddenly explode, shattering his heart into pieces. “T-That can’t be right... how do you know?” His heart pounding against his rib cage, he couldn’t even catch his breath from the pain spreading all over his body.

  “Oh my god, Izu. It was adorable! Enzo was sitting on the desk and running his fingers through Bakugo’s hair! It was so cute! Bakugo looked so relaxed! No wonder he hasn’t been dating! Bakugo is already taken!”

Izuku turned around slowly, looking at the pair from the corner of his eye. It was true. Enzo hand his hands all over Katsuki... and Katsuki wasn’t pulling away. “Yeah... he’s t-taken.” he choked out.

  “I told you he wouldn’t wait forever Izuku.” Uraraka smiled, squeezing his hand lightly before slowly getting up. “I’m going to go pee. This little baby loves to kick my bladder.”

Izuku maybe nodded, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that his legs helped him from the chair and through the crowd. Pushing the black door open, he gasped—or was it a sob—when the icy air hit the tears trickling down his cheeks. “K-Kachan’s...” The words wouldn’t leave his lips.

The only thing holding him together was gone.

Frantically, he pulled out his headphones, shoving them into his ears with shaky fingers. After two tries to get the left one in, he pulled out his phone and hit play. Last time he checked, he was listening to some Christmas music. Can he wish for a Christmas miracle?

  I'm alone this December... A sob broke through his chest at the words. Was a song even telling him how alone he really was? Izuku tugged his beanie down a bit and started walking. It's the last light of the day. Oh, I can't help but wonder. If you feel the same...

  “Oh, I guess I’ll surrender to the tears and the pain...” Izuku whispered softly. And the cold we are under, will remain. You were the hearth light, my fire that died. Waiting for morning sunrise... There is nothing under the tree... That I wished for.

  “I want you to come back to me...” Izuku felt the whole in his chest continue to grow with every step. Katsuki didn’t even not he was gone... no one was running out calling his name. No one cared. Everyone moved on... families, careers... futures. And be like before have I lost you? Nothin' will ever fill the hole. My heart will be here under the tree, just letting you know.

Izuku wrapped his arms around himself tightly, his hands ached from the cold air but just like his cheeks, everything was slowly growing numb. I'm alone this December and the long nights; they begin still my mind's overthinking... Now whose arms you're in? Was this really all fake? Was Katsuki just helping him out... as a friend? Did Enzo know?

  “T-They make a c-cute couple.” He whispered numbly. And were mine just an afterthought of needing to be kind? Guess when we're out of sight, it's out of mind... Tears were now streaming down his face in a never-ending flow. Everything hurt but didn’t at the same time. “You were the first touch, first look in my eyes... Now we're just strangers who walk by...”

Izuku shook his head pulling his phone from his pocket. No new calls or texts messages. His thumb pressed down on the power button, turning off the song along with anyway to get in contact with him. Shoving it back into his coat pocket, he pushed forward, running down the sidewalk as the snow started to float down in small flurries.

Snow. It was snowing.

In a blink of an eye, he was back on Aldera Middle School’s rooftop. He wasn’t sure what led him here. Nothing but bad memories and pain. Nothing good. Nothing happy. Nothing. Izuku slowly walked over to the far edge of the roof and looked over to see the busy streets filled with people and cars.

  “I wish you were.” Izuku whispered to the empty sky above him. Every time he was down lately, he begged for the former users to appear again. “You would know... right?” Right... Lifting his hand to the sky, he stared at the scars covering his freckled skin. “One more time.” Izuku curled his fingers into a fist and tried with every fiber of his being to activate One for All one last time.

Nothing.

Take a swan dive...

Was that all it took?

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I forgave you so long ago but on the hard days... it sounds like the choice.” He sniffled softly. “W-Why would you kiss me if you were with someone else?”

Izuku scrubbed the tears off his cheeks, it didn’t do him any good since the tears weren’t stopping anytime soon. “Were you right, Kachan? Was this my true destiny? I was born quirkless, got a quirk I had to make my own then lost it? I’m nothing now. I don’t deserve to walk by your side...” Izuku carefully toed off his shoes, the small layer of snow soaking into his socks, numbing his feet. “You were right, Kachan, I really hope I have a quirk in my next life... maybe then I’ll...” Izuku swallowed thickly as he stepped onto the ledge. “I love you... and I’m sorry.”

He lifted his foot, holding it over the empty air, “One step and I could be with you all again and I’d never be alone...” Right as he was about to take that final step a cry behind him froze his body in place.

  “Don’t!” The voice cried. “Please! It’s not worth it!”

  “W-What do you know?” Izuku said loud enough for the man to hear, “Please go away.”

Footsteps grew closer, the man huffed, “I know a lot, Hero Deku.” Izuku gulped, his eyes locked on the cars moving below. “I know because I’m quirkless too.” Another quirkless? Was that even real? “My name is Botan.” Botan shuffled behind him, “Please come down, it’s not worth it. Whatever it is.”

Izuku shook his head, “This is my way out. I can let everyone live without having to deal with the burden of me. That’s all I am.”

  “How can you say that!?” Botan shouted causing him to jump hard and stumbled back, falling on his ass. “You gave us hope! You are the Symbol of Hope and what?! You’re giving up!?”

Izuku laid back, tears running down into his curls. “You don’t understand.”

  “Then explain it!” Botan stomped over to him, standing by his head with hands on his hips and chocolate brown eyes glaring at him. “If you make me understand then I’ll walk away.”

Why did this guy even care? All he wanted to do was end the agony growing inside him. “I lost him... I have nothing left.”

Chapter Text

  “So... where’s this cute little boyfriend of yours?” Seth whispered in his ear, a gloved finger poking his cheek. “I wanna meet him.”

Katsuki glanced over to see Izuku still sitting with Pink Cheeks. “He’s busy catching up with a friend. Once he’s done—and not a minute fucking sooner.”

  “Alright, alright, jeez.” Seth laughed and poked him one last time before stepping away a little. “I heard dinner was a little... rough last night.”

That was a fucking understatement. “He literally told Aizawa that he wasn’t his dad. Zuku has barely talked to me.”

Seth hummed, rocking back and forth on his heels. “He needs professional help, Kats. Not you or his dad is going to get through to him at this point. He’s too deep already.”

  “I know.” Katsuki grumbled. He did know, he didn’t fucking like it either. “Not sure what the fuck I’m supposed to do to make that happen.”

  “Dude, it must be like whiplash to be quirkless, get a quirk then have it disappear again.” Katsuki nodded and swirled the amber liquid in his glass. “Just try.” Seth’s phone screamed from his pocket of his leather jacket, he pulled it out and grinned. “I gotta take this, it’s my future husband.”

Katsuki rolled his eyes and turned to Izuku but... he was gone. Worry quickly filled his chest as he looked around the bar for the wild green curls. “Oi!” He turned to Uraraka who was leaning against Four Eyes. “Deku! Where the fuck is he?”

Uraraka wrinkled her nose like she smelled shit. “I thought you told Izuku.”

  “Told him fucking what?” He was two seconds away from losing his shit. He had to tighten his grip on the glass due to drops of sweat running down his palm. “What did you tell him!?”

  “That you’re dating Enzo.” The entire table went dead silent. Shinso and Todoroki were already trying to get past the ones who trapped them in the booth.

Katsuki narrowed his eyes at her. “Fucking what? Who the fuck said I was dating that Dog?!”

  “I saw you!” Uraraka sighed dramatically. “He was stroking your hair! He was sitting on your desk, Bakugo!”

Oh. Fuck.

The stupid fucking day he called it off.

FUCK!

  “I was breaking off our fuck buddy thing!” Katsuki hissed, “I wasn’t dating the fucking dumbass! He’s in love with someone else!”

  “Zero!” Katsuki whipped around to see Seth running over to him, eyes filled with panic. “Bo called, he found Deku!”

  “Where the fuck is he?!”

Seth’s blue eyes flickered with worry, but the man was an Alpha, one to never back down. “He’s on the rooftop of Aldera... Botan said he was about to jump.”

Katsuki winced as his heart stalled for a beat. Fucking hell. He tried to rid himself of this feeling but instead, he got a glimpse of the past.

  “Take a swan dive off the roof of the building and pray for a quirk in your next life.”

Oh fuck. He felt like he was going to fucking puke.

  “I-I need to go.” Katsuki dropped the glass, liquid and pieces of glass shattering at his feet as he took off running with Seth on his heels. He pushed the door open and winced, icy winds slicing through his jacket. The sweat on his palms felt like they were freezing to his skin. “Fuck! Fucking! Fucks! This is all my damn fault!”

  “It’s not, Kats.” Seth gently pushed him forward, he didn’t let go of his bicep until they were both running, eating the distance to the school. “Deku is depressed, severely.” Katsuki glanced at him, horrified. Depressed?! He knew the nerd was down in the dumps but fucking depressed?

  “I knew I shouldn’t have fucking believed he was fine! I was just giving him space!” Katsuki wiped the single tear off his cheek. “How do I fix this, Seth?!”

Seth grimaced. “You can’t. It has to be him who wants help.” Did this idiot not know who Hero fucking Deku is? The man wouldn’t ask for help if he was stabbed and bleeding all over the sidewalk. I’m fine! would come out of his fucking stupid mouth.

  “Not sure how to do that! The bastard told off his own fucking dad because I bet, he said the same thing!” Katsuki skidded to a stop as he looked up at Aldera Middle School. He never wanted to come back to this fucking place. Seth—thankfully—barely gave him a chance to process it. He was forced into the side door marked ‘roof top’. Katsuki took the stairs two at a time then blasted the door out of the way.

The barista from the cafe lifted his head, eyes wide. Katsuki barely paid attention to him, his eyes locked on to the man he loved... and that man was crying, scarred fingers gripping the front of the barista’s coat. Katsuki went to take a step, but Seth’s arm halted him.

  “He won’t believe you.” Seth whispered, “Deku needs a minute to breathe.”

The barista—Botan—looked between the two heroes as he rocked Izuku’s trembling form softly. “How dare you.” Dark brown eyes glared at him and his jaw clenched to keep from snapping at the guy. “And you!” Botan looked to Seth. “Couldn’t keep your hands to yourself?” Botan scoffed, “Love me, my ass, bitch.”

  “Oh, my sweet Omega.” Seth smiled sweetly. “You just know what to say to make me swoon.”

  “Oh, brother.” Botan rolled his eyes, “You’re just a stupid mutt that humps anything he sees. There’s a pole over there for you to piss on.” Katsuki blinked as the fucking shorty shooed the pro hero next to him. “And you, Angry Asshole, I have a fucking bone to pick with you. Sorry, it won’t be the Mutt’s either.”

Katsuki sighed, “I broke it off the second Izuku got to town, and we haven’t done a damn thing since I started talking to Izuku even while he was in America so drop the tough guy bullshit.”

  “Damn... Kats and here I thought I was the one who didn’t know when to shut it.” Seth ran a hand through his hair, looking to the night sky, cringing.

Botan narrowed his eyes. “Where the hell were you when your so called ‘boyfriend’ was about to take a step off the building, Ground Zero? Huh. Oh. No answer? I wonder why! Deku was over here questioning why you would kiss him if you're with the damn Mutt!”

  “I thought—”

  “Excuses!”

  “If you’ll shut the fuck up for a sec—”

  “News flash, asshole! I don’t take orders from you!”

  “I swear to fucking—”

  “Why didn’t you fight for him!?” Any come back, died on his lips and floated away with the breeze. “Why didn’t you fly to America and drag his ass back?! Why didn’t any of you?!”

Katsuki’s shoulders sagged with defeat. “I... I thought he was telling the truth. That he was okay and got a teaching job in the States.” Botan’s eyes softened as he ran his fingers through Izuku’s curls. The nerd was fast asleep, no surprise with all the shit that went on the last week.

  “Never believe someone who uses the word fine as many times as an alcoholic reaches for booze. Same thing.” Botan looked down at Izuku’s tear stained face. “I think I know how to help him, but you’ll have to trust me.”

  “Will he be safe?”

  “The safest.”

It killed him to leave Izuku with a stranger, but Mari seemed like a good person... after the background check and all that shit. Mari was a quirkless woman who fostered a lot of kids who are also quirkless and thrown out by their families.

  “I will take good care of him, Ground Zero.” Mari gave him a reassuring smile. “He’s not my first ‘roof top’ kid.” Her light blue eyes looked to Botan. “I’ve had him since he was seven. His parents were awful... they did unspeakable things.” She shook her head as if she was shaking away the memories. “Hero Deku will be safe here.”

Katsuki clenched his sweaty fists. “You have Hound Dog’s number?” Mari smiled and nodded. “And the docs? You got his?”

  “Yes, dear.” Mari laughed lightly. “I have all the numbers I need.”

  “I’m really fu—sorry for imposing on you.” Now he was just looking for excuses to stay until Izuku woke up. What if she can’t keep him from running back to the roof? What if he actually jumps this time? “Maybe I should—”

Mari patted his cheek softly. “If a someone comes to me because they tried to jump, the house goes into lock down. I’m the only one with a code to get out the doors. I don’t think Deku will run but we do take precautions.”

Katsuki forced a nod as if it made him feel any fucking better. Tonight was a fucking shock, and he was still trying to process it. “You’ll call me when he’s ready to come home?”

Mari’s smile slipped slightly. “He needs to be the one to reach out. It could be tomorrow or two weeks from now. I will do my very best to help him.”

Deep down, he knew this woman was right, but his heart was selfish and wanted to do it all for the man he loves. “Okay...” He cleared his throat. “I’m going to go.”

  “You can give his family my number but no calls tonight, it’s late and I need to get both boys to bed.” Katsuki almost snorted. Boys. The two ‘boys’ were grown men but maybe it’s a mom thing. “Good night, Ground Zero, Enzo.” Mari rolled her eyes at the Alpha hero. “Brownies are the way to Bo’s heart, Enzo, try that next time.”

  “Yes, ma’am!” Seth grinned, “Want me to help get them to bed?”

  “Go ahead.” Mari patted his arm, drawing his attention from Izuku’s relaxed face. “Time to go home, dearie.”

She was completely right and those few steps out on the porch felt wrong. Every nerve was screaming at him to go get Izuku and take him away.

Katsuki turned and watched the door shut with a soft click. He reached out for the knob then let his hand drop to his side. “Please Izuku... fight. Win the battle like the hero you are.” Turning, he stepped off the porch and forced his legs to move away from the house. Every step... a fresh tear trailed down his cheeks and fell to the pavement. “Fuck this h-hurts.” Katsuki whispered weakly, rubbing the scar on his chest.

This was it... now it was Izuku’s turn to fight the battle.

  “Win, Izuku, I want wake up with you next to me on Christmas morning.”

Chapter Text

  “That’s Hero Deku? He’s so pretty!”

  “Why isn’t he waking up?”

  “Is he dead? Ow! Boo! That hurt!”

  “Well maybe you should be nice before I tell Mari what you’re saying.” Izuku knew that voice from somewhere, but he was too tired to figure it out. “It’s breakfast time, Hero Deku. Seven sharp.” Izuku slowly blinked open his tired eyes and found three faces looking down at him. “Tell them to shoo if you need to.”

Izuku forced a smile, “Good morning, who might you two be?” He didn’t miss the small baby in Botan’s slender arms, fast sleep in a purple blanket.

  “I’m Rina! I’m five!” The cute little girl said, her soft midnight hair pulled back in two French braids. Her lilac eyes shining with wonder.

  “And I’m Airi! I’m three!” Airi was just as cute, only her hair was blonde and pulled back into two space buns on her head. Airi’s eyes were... like Botan’s.

Botan must have understood his unasked question. “It’s possible.” He said with a shrug. “But these are all my brothers and sisters so no need to check.”

  “There’s more?” Izuku asked curiously. Even though he was so tired, he wanted to meet the rest of the big family.

  “There’s Raiden and Hiro. Raiden is fifteen and Hiro is seven.” Botan lifted his arms, gesturing to the sleeping bundle. “This here is Emica. She’s the bestest one here.”

Rina gasped loudly. “No! I’m the bestest one, Boo!”

  “No, me!” Airi screamed. “I’m the bestest... est!”

Botan grinned as he twirled around on his socked feet and skipped out the door. Rina jumped off the bed and darted after him. “BOO! I’M THE BESTEST! MARI! BOO’S BEING A BIG FAT MEANIE!”

Airi just shrugged and crawled over, plopping her butt in his lap. “Why are you here if you a hero? Hero are baddie fighters.” Airi leaned back against his chest and put her thumb in her mouth. Sadly, he didn’t have the right answer for her.

  “Ah. I see our new guest is awake.” Izuku looked over to the door to find an older woman, her dirty blonde hair pulled back in a messy bun. She wore pink sweatpants and a white long sleeve shirt under her Barbie apron. “How are you feeling?”

Izuku swallowed hard. “I...” He wanted to lie and say he made a mistake last night but when he thought it over... in the end, it was something he wanted. “I’m not sure how to answer that... I doubt you’d appreciate lying.”

  “Mari says liars wet the bed.” Airi mumbled around her thumb. “I no liar.”

Mari just smiled warmly. No judgement in her soft hazel eyes either. “Well, it’s time for breakfast. Airi, love, why don’t you go downstairs and make sure our new friend has a seat at the table.” Before he could protest, Airi was up and off the bed, running out of the room. “I assume you have some questions.”

Izuku nodded thoughtfully. “I guess the first one would be what is this place and how did I get here?” After Botan hugged him, he only remembered crying until he passed out.

  “This is my home.” Mari smiled, “I take in foster kids or anyone in need.”

  “You must have your hands full. I’ll get out of your hair.”

  “We’re all quirkless just like you.” Mari’s words froze him in place. “You’re not my first roof top child either, Midoriya. As of now, you are under my care. The house is on lock down until you prove to me that you won’t look at another rooftop again.” Her voice was so gentle. Like a mother soothing her child. “Here, we work as a team. No one is just one person. We are a family and that’s how we act.”

Izuku slowly nodded. “I’m assuming I have some chores to do then.” he said lightly, using her words back at her. He was twenty four but even he knew not to argue with the woman.

  “You’d be correct.” Mari laughed, “Your chore is helping me in the kitchen or helping Bo out with the little ones. He has work around three today and I finish up my office stuff at four. Raiden will take over at three until you're comfortable doing it alone for a bit.

  “Your chores are simple. Hound Dog will be coming by after breakfast today to speak with you as well as a doctor.” Izuku opened his mouth to protest, “Nope. My turn.” Mari shook her head, interrupting him. Izuku pouted slightly, slumping his shoulders. She was just as bad as Aizawa. “I’ve spoken with your dads, brother and boyfriend.”

  “I don’t have a boyfriend.” Izuku blurted out, the words reopening all the barely stitched together wounds. “He’s with someone else.”

Mari sighed softly and sat down on the bed next to him. “If Ground Zero isn’t your boyfriend then it doesn’t make sense on why he was here last night.” Izuku frowned down at his fingers, lacing them together. It didn’t make a lick of sense, but he didn’t want to know everything either. “Botan can tell you more later but Ground Zero and Enzo have never been a couple. From my understanding, a friend of yours saw something and assumed they were a couple.”

  “She said he was sitting on his desk and stroking Kachan’s hair! He doesn’t like p-people touching him!” Izuku cut in, “It’s not fair!”

Mari hummed softly. “Mhmm. Life isn’t fair, Midoriya, you and I both know that to a degree quirked people will never understand.” Gently as if he was a bomb, Mari pulled him down until his head laid on her lap and her fingers found his curls. “Enzo and Ground Zero were only stress relievers for each other. Enzo is madly in love with my sweet Bo and Ground Zero is madly in love with you. Both couldn’t have the ones they wanted so they turned to each other for comfort. It was all purely physical.”

  “Why was he touching Kachan then?” Izuku whispered.

  “Enzo is very touchy. Love language and all that bs.” Mari laughed. “I think he’s trying to prove to Botan that he’s prepared to take on the task.”

  “What task?”

Mari’s fingers ran through his curls, gently scratching his scalp. “Botan is very touch starved much like yourself. It’s why he’s always willing to hold Em or lay next to the little ones at bedtime. I’ll let him tell you his story... just only touch him if Botan touches you first. He doesn’t trust any touch above a child's after all he’s been through.”

Izuku nodded, sinking into the soft caress. “What did my dad say?”

  “Ah, Eraserhead was two seconds away from storming my house with every hero in town.” Izuku frowned a bit. “Anyways, Hound Dog will go into detail with you during your appointment. Oh, and I’m supposed to let you know that the appointment has no end time. So, take your time, okay?”

Take... his time.

Mari got him up and gave him some clothes that must have come from Katsuki. He dug through the bag and pulled out some black sweats and... Izuku ran his fingers along the fabric, staring at the white skull on the front of the hoodie. Before he left, he stole Katsuki’s favorite hoodie from his locker at the agency.

Izuku felt the sting of tears in his eyes, but none fell. He pulled the hoodie over his head and shoved his hands in the front pocket. “Huh?” His fingers pulled out a small piece of paper. He didn’t remember putting anything in his pocket but as he unfolded it, it wasn’t his handwriting.

I love you, Angel. I’m waiting for you.

His lower lip trembled as so many emotions ran through his core. “Deku!” Izuku turned quickly, shoving the note back in his pocket. “Breakfast time!” Airi giggled. “I want uppies!”

  “Okay but you have to tell me how to get to the kitchen.” He couldn’t help but smile when he picked up the giggling girl and followed the directions to the kitchen.

Breakfast was amazing. It’s been so long since he’s sat down at a table and enjoyed a meal. Mari was right about Botan, he always had one of the smaller kids on him almost like a shield. Emica was strapped to his chest and Rina on his right leg, eating away like it was completely normal. Airi stuck close to his side, scooting her chair right up against his.

Izuku finally met the last two children of the home. Botan said Raiden was fifteen, but the kid looked to be as big as Kirishima. Muscles covered every part of skin he could see, his platinum blonde hair pulled back into a low bun on the nape of his neck. Hiro was the last one to the table, bright opal eyes watching him cautiously from the other end of the table. The seven-year old’s head seemed to be freshly shaved or maybe it took a long time to grow.

The meal went by without any hiccups. Once everyone was finished, he stood and cleared the table then got started on the dishes. Mari tried to help or maybe shoo him away, but he stood firm. Mari rounded up Raiden, Hiro and Rina for school leaving him with Airi and Botan.

Airi decided to get out a bunch of coloring books and work on a ‘special project’ she called it for him. Izuku had to swear on his life that he wouldn’t peek. Botan appeared a little later, baby free and now dressed in skinny jeans and a pink Sleeping Beauty shirt. Nap Queen written beautifully across the fabric.

  “Em’s napping, A, so please be quiet this time.” Botan shot the little monster a look before turning to him. “Hound Dog should be here in an hour.”

Izuku slumped lowly in the chair, “Can’t I just go home? I won’t go on another rooftop, promise.” Botan glared at him, propping a hand on his hip.

  “Only Mari knows the code to leave until you’re done throwing a fit.”

Izuku frowned, “I’m not throwing a fit.”

  “Pity party?” Botan rolled his eyes, “Oh woe is me! I’m quirkless again! Oh fucking no. Boo hoo. Poor Hero Deku got to live his dream! He’s a billionaire! He has fucking people that love him and pushes them away because he’s a big fat crybaby bitch boy!”

  “I’m not!” Izuku snapped, shouting at the younger boy. “I’m fucking dying inside!”

  “You got a quirk! You were so fucking lucky and then you decide to throw yourself off a roof?! You went to UA! You did pro fucking hero work, and you expect any of us to feel sorry for your hero ass! Are you that special? You have Ground Zero all but on his knees for you and you just threw it all away!”

  “Botan.” Surprisingly, Botan didn’t move to look and see who entered the kitchen like he did. Hound Dog stood in the doorway with a man to his left. “You’re scaring poor Airi.” Botan snapped his gaze to the girl, hiding under the table, thumb between her lips.

  “Crap, A, I’m sorry.” Botan carefully pulled her out and picked her up. “Why don’t we go make a fort and watch a movie in my room.”

Izuku watched the pair leave then looked over at Hound Dog. “Long time no see...” he muttered.

  “Midoriya, I wish I came on better terms, but Mari called me and explained what happened.” Hound Dog gestured to the table for them to sit. Izuku waited for the two to sit before picking the seat furthest away. “Okay, pup, where do you want to start?”

  “I want to go home.”

  “And where is home?”

His mind instantly went to Katsuki. Katsuki was his home. “With... K-Kachan if he’ll still have me.” Hound Dog nodded for him to go on. “I know I messed up... big time. It’s my fault. I let being quirkless again control me.”

  “Izuku, your actions are not the end of the world. You’ve lived both sides of the coin. Quirkless and Quirked. It’s understandable to struggle with being quirkless again.” Hound Dog leaned back in the chair, watching. “You lost a part of yourself and your family.” Izuku peeked at him through his curls. “Bakugo filled me in on all the parts of One for All and the past users who lived inside you. Do you miss them?”

Izuku let out a shaky breath, “I do... very much.” It felt like a big part of him died when he lost the quirk. The seven past users were always there during the tough times. Helped him, guided him. “I feel alone.”

Hound Dog nodded softly. “It’s hard, Izuku. Grieving is hard.”

  “I want them to come b-back.” Izuku whispered. “I feel so lost without them.” A few tears fell from his eyes to his hands. “I-I carry all these scars... memories but I-I didn’t even get to say goodbye to them or thank them. It’s unfair.”

  “I know, pup.” Hound Dog pushed a box of tissues over to him. He took two and dabbed his cheeks. “You also need to let them go. Let them find peace as you do.” Izuku bit down on his trembling lip, shaking his head. “It’s going to be hard but with the right steps, you can start living again.”

  “Mr. Midoriya, my name is Ren.” The doctor gave him a soft smile. “Hound Dog brought me in because I specialize in many areas that could help you thrive.” Izuku really wanted Katsuki or Aizawa to be here. He wasn’t the best at making decisions like this.

  “Izuku, you have to want help. It won’t work unless you do it for yourself. Not for Aizawa, Shinso, Hizashi or Bakugo. For you.”

  “I-I...” Izuku swallowed hard. “I want this for m-me.”

Hound Dog smiled and let the doctor take over. By the end of the appointment, he was put on a few medications and a schedule for the next month to meet with both of them. Hound Dog requested that he come see him three times a week and the doctor once a week.

  “Izuku,” He looked up to find Hound Dog pausing at the door. “Are you going to stay with Mari or go home to Bakugo?”

This had to be the hardness decision he’s ever made. Katsuki... or himself. He was so selfless. All his thoughts went to others. He destroyed himself for others. Looking down at the scars along his arms and hands, he smiled softly.

  “I think... I’m going to stay for a while.”

  “Good choice, pup.”

Izuku watched the door close, and it felt like the right thing to do. Mari knew how to help him most. In the depths of his heart, he knew Katsuki and his family would understand. Heck, they would be thrilled to see him smile again.

Chapter Text

“Thanks for coming, Bakugo.” Not that he really had a choice. He hasn’t heard anything from Izuku since he left him with Mari. She seemed like a nice lady, but he wanted to fucking know what Izuku was doing. Aizawa waved him over to the dining room table. Katsuki raised a brow in surprise as he moved over to the full table. Shinso, Kota, Eri and Hizashi each occupied a chair.

“Family meeting?” Katsuki asked, sitting in the chair next to Shinso.

Aizawa sighed, taking a stand next to his husband. “Mari called and I thought it was going to be good news.” Katsuki didn’t fuck like where this was going. “Two nights ago, Izuku was stopped by another quirkless man.”

“Dad, what was Zu doing?” Eri asked softly, voice trembling. Kota was quick to pull the girl into his lap and hold her tightly against him.

Katsuki frowned as he watched his former teacher struggle. That man cut off his leg without a damn thought but saying the words out loud makes them come true. Izuku was worse than anyone knew and it’s heartbreaking. “Zuku tried to kill himself by... taking a swan dive.” The words fucking stabbed his heart.

Eri gasped and let out a small whimper before hiding her face in Kota’s neck. Kota wasn’t much better; he ducked his head hiding his tears with his red hat. Hizashi turned to look out the sliding door like it held all the answers.

Shinso jumped to his feet, knocking the chair to the floor. “And we just found out about this fucking now?! Who’s this Mari bitch!? Izuku’s suicidal and he’s out there without help!? I fucking knew something was wrong! I tried everything to get him to talk to me! I s-should have used my quirk! We would have k-known!”

“Son,” Aizawa walked around the table and pulled his son’s shaking form into his arms. “Izuku’s smart, he knew he couldn’t face us, so he ran.” Shinso clung to Aizawa as he silently cried.

Katsuki shifted slightly. Yeah, he was antsy about Izuku being over there, but Botan seemed like a damn force of nature. “He’s with a quirkless woman that fosters other quirkless children.” He started quietly. “She’s nice and has a system in place to keep... j-jumpers safe. Botan is the one who stopped him from jumping that night. I believe he’s okay where he’s at.”

“If we push to much, he’ll run.” Hizashi rasped. He sounded fucking awful, no wonder he wasn’t sobbing along with his family. The loud hero probably ran out of tears yesterday.

“W-What about Christmas?” Eri sniffled. “He’s missed so many.”

Aizawa frowned slightly. “Izuku has to put himself first right now, sweetheart. I think he is. Mari has been keeping me updated and Izuku seems to be going in the right direction.”

Christmas was right around the corner...

The days were fucking long without Izuku around. Seth tried his best to keep him company, though he was nothing but a ghost haunting the couch. Dreams were a real bitch. Some were good, where Izuku came home, and others were finding Izuku’s dead body on the ground... blood everywhere.

Seth finally put his food down two days before Christmas. He stripped off the week-old clothes and shoved his ass in the shower. “Look man, your ass stinks.”

“Can’t you go the fuck away.” Katsuki grumbled, sticking his head under the running water. “I didn’t fucking ask you to be here.”

“Yeah, well, you wouldn’t have eaten if I wasn’t here to baby you.” Seth grabbed a bottle of shampoo and squeezed a good amount onto his black veined hand. “What if your man came home and saw you.”

“What if he saw this?” Katsuki shot back. “It’s my dumbass fault he was on the rooftop that night.”

Seth snorted, “Here’s the deal, big guy.” Seth—not so gently—grabbed his head and started to scrub his blonde hair. “What you and I did while he was in the States can’t be held against. If we dated, he has no right to throw a bitch fit. He wasn’t here. Midoriya ran like a bitc—”

Before his brain could tell his body to stop, he grabbed the Alpha hero around the next and spun until Seth’s back hit the wet tile wall. “Don’t fucking talk to him like that.”

The Alpha growled, “Back. Down.” Katsuki winced as black tipped fingers wrapped around his wrist, squeezing. Icy blue eyes flashed. Katsuki instantly felt uneasy as fear creeped in, flooding his veins. “Now.” Seth growled, forcing his quirk deeper inside him.

But when did he ever back down from a fucking fight?

Katsuki tried to fucking push back, but Seth’s quirk could sense his fears deep within him. It felt like he was pulling the chain that was tied to the locked box inside him. Every second that box was pulled up.

“Maybe you need to face your own fears.” Seth whispered.

The blonde gasped, his arm dropping from Seth’s neck and fell forward into his not so waiting arms. “It’s all m-my fault.” he whispered.

Seth gently ran his hand over his back, rubbing soothing circles into his skin. “No, it’s not. Midoriya was thrown a shit hand, but he climbed those stairs to the rooftop, he walked to the edge... you didn’t do a thing. What if you didn’t bring him home? He could have been on a roof over there without anyone to stop him.”

“Why was Botan there?”

“He’s a rooftop kid from what Mari said. Botan... he’s been dealt a shitter hand then your boyfriend.” The Alpha hero huffed, “I’ve found him on the roof a few times, he likes to sit and look at the lights. That’s the only place he’ll really talk to me. Few weeks ago, he sat in my lap and talked about his past. Hurt like a bitch.”

“Then why won’t you claim him?”

“He’s not ready or maybe he doesn’t truly believe I want him.” Seth carefully moved him to get his soapy hair under the stream. “Bo is a hard nut to crack.”

“Izuku ain’t much better...” he mumbled, closing his eyes and just letting Seth do the work. “ ‘m a failure.” Katsuki whispered wetly.

Seth gently pushed his hair from his eyes and frowned down at him. “No, Kats, this isn’t your fault.” No matter how many times Seth reminded him, he still felt like it was his fault. Maybe it was his younger self he was pissed at.

Take a swan dive...

That sentence will ever haunt him.

Seth finally left him alone the morning of Christmas Eve. Something about going to see his mama and help get things ready for tomorrow. Thankfully, his mom was out of the country, traveling through Europe to avoid the heart of dad’s absence. He understood, sometimes it just felt like she forgot about him.

Katsuki sighed and rolled over to grab his phone off the nightstand. He should get up and go running but instead decided to scroll social media. Ground Zero this... Ground Zero that... Frost Fire this... Red Riot that...

Hero Deku is Back in Japan! Katsuki quickly tapped on the post. Sources say that Ground Zero may have picked up Hero Deku from the airport a few weeks ago. Nothing from Zero’s PR team but if this is true does that mean the Wonder Duo is back in action? Though, I know we’re all thinking about it, why did Hero Deku retire at the prime of his career?

Katsuki scowled, “Fucking assholes. Can’t just leave shit alone.” Right as he was about to put his phone down, a familiar app notification went off. Hope instantly sparked in his chest as he turned the screen to face him.

Holidate - New Message!

His fingers trembled as he tapped on the screen, and he bolted upright to see a new message from Desperate Bunny.

Katsuki blinked and quickly typed out a reply. “Keep it cool, Katsuki, don’t scare the bunny away.”

Katsuki watched Izuku’s name flash on the screen, he quickly pressed accept but froze. Was this real? Or was he fucking dreaming?

“Kachan?”

“...Zuzu?”

Izuku let out a heavy breath, “I wasn’t sure if you’d want to hear from me.” Katsuki scoffed loudly but Izuku continued, “I’ve been working really hard the last week. I’m coming to terms with... losing One for All. It wasn’t just a quirk; the past users were my family and I’m happy they finally were able to move on. It would be selfish for me to keep them.” Katsuki sat silent, gripping the comforter to his chest. Izuku needed to get it all out before he said a word. “I ran to America because I was terrified. I was scared shitless.” Izuku laughed lightly but it sounded wrong. “I-I’ve been working with Hound Dog and a doctor... M-Mari is amazing.

“Everyone is quirkless here and it’s n-nice to be with people that get it.”

“Oi! If you start crying, you’re hanging up the stupid phone!”

Izuku huffed, “Go away, Botan, Mari said I could call him.” Botan ranted off about something until he heard a soft click on the other end of the phone. “Anyways... I’ve spent the last week working on myself. I figured out one thing pretty quickly... I can’t live without you, Katsuki. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Izuku.”

“But,” Katsuki fucking flinched. What the hell was the nerd going to say? ‘I love you but I can’t be with you. Let’s be friends.’ “Katsuki! Breathe!” He sucked in a ragged breath. He didn’t even notice he stopped breathing. “What I was going to say was... maybe we should start over. I would love to live with you, more than anything... it’s just... I want us to date properly. I’d marry you tomorrow if you asked me but Hound Dog said I need to heal before I go and jump into things again.

“So... would you like to come over here for Christmas?”

Katsuki gripped the phone tightly, “Christmas dinner isn’t a date, Zu.” Izuku laughed lightly. “And yeah, I’d love to spend Christmas with you.”

Izuku squealed happily and he could just imagine the nerd doing a little happy dance. “I can’t wait Kachan! Everyone here is amazing and helpful.”

“That’s good, Angel.”

“I really like that nickname, Kachan.” Izuku blew out a soft breath, “This works for you right, Kachan? I don’t want you to wait if there’s some—”

“Shut the hell up, Izuku, ain’t no one else besides you that’s got my heart on lock down.”

“Yay! I’ll see you tomorrow, okay? I need to go help with dinner. I love you, Kachan!” Izuku rushed out and the line quickly went dead.

Katsuki shook his head, a stupid grin spreading over his lips. “Nerd can’t handle a little I love you.”

Christmas was tomorrow and he needed to go shopping.

Katsuki showed up the next morning at ten sharp as requested by Izuku. He may have went overboard but he had so much money why not put it to good use. Right as he was about to lift a finger to the doorbell, the door flew open, and a smiling bunny beamed up at him. “Merry Christmas, Angel.”

“Kachan!” Izuku threw his arms around his neck, hugging the crap out of him. “You came! I knew you would, but I wasn’t sure, sure, ya know! But you came!” Katsuki couldn’t help but laugh into his curls. “Missed you...”

“Missed you too, nerd, now let me go so I can bring these inside.” Izuku stepped back, eyes finding two large bags full of wrapped gifts.

Bright green eyes stared up at him in awe. “You didn’t...”

“I did.”

“Mari won’t let you! She told me no.” Izuku pouted. “I wanted to that two.”

Katsuki smirked, “It would be rude to tell the number one hero no on Christmas.” For a split second he thought Izuku was going to be bummed about the hero comment but instead he beamed.

“Yay!” Izuku took a bag from him and linked his free arm around his. It felt right. Izuku finally was in his arms for good. Sure, they were taking it slow and dating... everything felt perfect. “So, this is Rina and Airi.” Two little girls looked up from their Christmas theme coloring book. The older one waved but the smaller girl popped her thumb in her mouth, eyes wary. “Botan’s putting Em down for a nap. Hiro is seven doesn’t talk a lot and Raiden, he’s the oldest of the kids. He’s about to graduate high school.”

“I was wondering what go that boy talking.” Mari smiled, wiping her wet hands on a red dish towel. “Ground Zero, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Katsuki nodded, “Thank you for taking care of him.”

“Oh, he’s been pulling his weight and then some.” Sounds like Izuku. Mari’s eyes glanced down towards the bags then gave him a stern look. “Those better not be what I think they are.”

Katsuki shrugged, “Are you really going to tell me I can’t bring gifts on Christmas?” Mari looked like she wanted to fight him tooth and nail. Thankfully, she just sighed and waved her hand in the air. “There’s one for you.” Katsuki set the bag by his feet and pulled a card out of his coat pocket. “This isn’t about who has more or whatever the fu—hell you want to try... this is for you because not only did you take in Izuku, you also helped him. For that, I’m forever grateful.” He handed her the card and took Izuku’s hand in his, squeezing lightly.

Mari grumbled something under her breath as her gentle fingers opened the card. She took the check, dropping the card and looked up at him. “Ground Z-Zero this is way too much.”

“No, it’s not enough.” Katsuki grumbled. “Look, I don’t want to overstep. It’s not my damn place but if you can look at Izuku and say he needs help, you do too. I can see this place is too small for all of you. I know the gov don’t pay you damn where near enough to be doing what you're doing.

“I know there will be quirkless kids down the line who need you.” Katsuki glanced at his boyfriend who looked to be vibrating in joy. “I have a few people coming out to add on to the house. They won’t knock down any walls until it’s all done so no need for relocation.”

“Katsuki...” Mari quickly wiped her eyes. “I don’t know what to say. I can’t repay you.”

“You already have.” Katsuki smiled softly. “You helped Izuku, so I think were damn well even.”

The damn fucking woman tried to give back the check a few times until Botan finally had enough. That boy is fucking scary at times.

“For god’s sake, woman! Take the damn money!” Botan hissed over the sleeping baby’s head. “My paycheck doesn’t do anything as it is. He’s Ground Zero! He can afford to give up some!”

“Botan Ito!” Mari glared at him. “It’s too much!”

“Deku, double it.” Katsuki snorted into the rim of his glass. That rich bastard had more money than he did on a good day.

Izuku didn’t look up from his plate, the knife trembled slightly in his scarred hands, but the jelly stayed on the roll. “Done.”

“Izuku!”

“What?” Izuku looked appalled, like he was being scolded. “I don’t understand why you won’t just take it, Mari. Unless you can approve—good luck with that by the way—to Kachan you don’t need the money, he’s not going to stop.” The nerd shrugged and stuffed the roll in his mouth. “ripl wt.”

“He said triple it.” Katsuki muttered loud enough for Mari to hear.

Mari gasped. “Izuku! No!” Izuku happily chewed, leaning against his chest and going back for another roll. “Izuku Midoriya! I won’t allow it!”

Everyone—including the littles—groaned.

Fuck, he thought Izuku was fucking stubborn.

“You're like our mom.” Raiden spoke softly, eyes staying on his plate. In the few hours he’s been here, not once has the teen talked. “Why can’t we take care of you too? If those two want to help with money and a bigger place... do it.”

Mari crossed her arms over her apron in defeat. “Can’t believe you all just ganged up on me.”

“Christmas Mari! Christmas!” Rina giggled.

“Yeah, Mari,” Botan grinned, “It’s Christmas.”

“Fine!” Mari rolled her eyes, huffing. “Thank you both for everything. There, happy?”

Finally, the night was slowly winding down. The littles were all sent to bed—even Hiro who didn’t say a word the whole time. Mari quickly retired for the night, mumbling something about she’s money hung over.

That left Izuku, Botan and him in the living room. Botan kept glancing over at him like he had something to say and when he was about to ask, Izuku kissed him softly. Katsuki got the hint.

“This was the best Christmas ever, Kachan.” Izuku snuggled into his chest, relaxing.

“There’s one surprise left, Angel.” Katsuki pulled out his phone and texted Aizawa. He already got approval from Mari and Botan that a few visitors could stop by for a bit. “Go open the door.”

Izuku pulled back, confusion swirling in his bright emerald eyes. “Why? No one knocked.”

“Just get the door, baby.”

Izuku got up slowly and walked around the couch to the front door. He hesitated for a moment then took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Merry Christmas!”

Everyone from family to close friends shouted two little words making Izuku burst into tears. Katsuki grinned, watching Izuku throw himself at his dads then brother and so on. While they were having a moment, he turned to Botan who was staring at him.

“Got something you wanna ask, kid?”

Botan picked at the lose thread on the throw pillow in his lap. “I... Enzo... is he...” Botan licked his lips, shrugging. “Nice? Mari says so but... you know him.”

Well, that’s not what he expected.

Katsuki cleared his throat. “Are you asking about my sex life with Enzo?” Botan dipped his chin to his chest in a small nod. “Worried about the Alpha part?” Botan tilted his head to the side slightly. “Enzo is the nicest fucker you’ll ever meet—besides Izuku. To be honest, Enzo and I clicked because he is soft like Izuku. Sure, that ass can be cocky, but he knows when and when not to do it.

“That Dog goes and get coffee every morning if you’re working. He doesn’t like the stuff.” Katsuki chuckled, “Most of the time, he gives it away.”

“Why come then?”

“To see you, ding dong.” Katsuki shook his head. “He is so head over heels for you. If you asked him to drop to his knees and roll over like a dog, he would.” It wasn’t hard to notice a light flash of teal out of the corner of his eye. “If you want to meet him—really fucking meet him—I will sit here in case anything got south. It fucking won’t but I’ll do it for you.”

“R-Really?” Botan whispered. He nodded firmly. “I do... think he’s cute.”

“Aw fuck, he’s going to hump your leg for sure.” Seth grinned as he popped his head in. “And speak of the Dog.”

“He’s a Mutt.” Botan smiled shyly at Seth... who in return slowly walked over to him and dropped to his knees. “You don’t have t—”

Seth gently pulled the pillow from his arms and laid his head on Botan’s thighs. After a few minutes, he could hear the soft rumble coming from the Alpha as Botan’s fingers played with his hair. Katsuki quietly got up not wanting to disturb the moment and headed outside.

“Bakugo.”

“IcyHot.”

Todoroki smiled softly. “He’s happy.” Katsuki’s eyes instantly locked on to Izuku. Shinso was throwing a snowball as Izuku used his dad as a human shield. “You did that.”

“Eh. We all had our parts.” Katsuki couldn’t help but fucking smile. “He looks good.”

“I agree.” Todoroki turned to him slightly, “How long are you two going to ‘date’?

Katsuki shrugged a shoulder, “However long he needs. Maybe with Troll’s wedding, he’ll want one of his own and I will happily put a ring on his fucking finger.”

“Kachan!” Thank fuck to his hero reflexes, he quickly grabbed onto Izuku’s ass to hold him up. The damn leech used him as a pole. “I wanna spend the night at your place. Mari said I could and so did Hound Dog.”

“And that do you want at my place?”

Izuku pressed a soft kiss to his neck, sending a shiver down his spine. “We have to do it on Christmas or we’re not really boyfriends.”

“Who the fuck made that rule?”

“Uh, the boyfriend handbook.” Izuku giggled in his ear, his arms bouncing the shorter man slightly. “Please! Please!”

After a shit ton of goodbyes, they were finally free.

Botan surprisingly invited Seth up to his room. Seth swore on his life it was just to cuddle, or he’d have to beat his fucking ass. Izuku watched Botan disappear up the stairs with worried eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Seth’s an idiot but a big teddy bear. He won’t hurt Botan.” Katsuki promised softly. “He said something about mates. His Alpha is very protective of Botan, sometimes it’s hard for him to not see the kid every day.”

Izuku nodded, “Can we go have sex now?”

“Oh my god! My virgin ears!” Katsuki smirked, pulling the love of his life out the door. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

He pouted cutely, lower lip poking out. “I’ve been waiting, Kachan!”

“I’m sorry, Angel but I can’t give you my V-Card until marriage. It’s such a big sin. Do you want God—or Aizawa—to strike me down? Geez!” Izuku slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes filled with lust.

“W-What do you mean... your V-Card? You’ve had sex.” Izuku whispered in disbelief.

Katsuki gently grabbed his wrist and kissed the scarred palm against his lips. He slightly pulled the hand away just enough to speak. “The Great Ground Zero doesn’t bottom for just anyone.” Izuku’s eyes widened.

“Y-You’ll bottom?” Izuku tilted his head, curls dropping to his forehead. “I don’t know if I want to top. I like bottoming...”

“We can try it and if you don’t like it, we’ll go back to what you do like.” Izuku just fucking stared at him with his stupidly beautiful green eyes. “You make it seem like I’m promising you my first born child or some shit.”

Izuku’s eyes somehow managed to grow bigger. “You want to have babies with me?! Oh my god! Kachan! In a world of quirks one of us could carry it—”

“That’s a fucking you thing—”

“Or we could adopt! So many babies need homes! Oh! Oh! Can we adopt all the quirkless babies! They would always know they’re loved and I’m loaded with money! They’d get anything they want and you’d be an amazing daddy! GAH! Can we have babies!?”

How the flying fuck did they go from sex to babies?

Katsuki gently cupped Izuku’s cheeks. “I’m not carrying a baby for you. I draw the line.”

“But you’d look so pretty pregnant!” Izuku protested, “Why wouldn’t Kachan want to carry my babies?”

“Because you’d make the perfect little housewife.” Izuku swooned, falling into his chest. “Your belly so big and the waddle, Angel, I could see it.”

“We’re supposed to be dating.” Izuku mumbled against his chest. “Not thinking about babies.”

Katsuki kissed his curls, hugging him tightly. “I was talking about sex, Zu. The baby thing was all you.” Though, he wouldn’t care if they adopted every quirkless child or had a few of their own or both. “We can do whatever you want once we’re married. You want to adopt. Fuck yeah. You want to carry a little monster, I’ll support you. You want both. I’ll be at your side every step of the way.”

“You’re so perfect, Katsuki.”

“Nah, baby, that’s you.”

Izuku rested his chin on his pec and looked up at him with dreamy eyes. “Let’s go home so I can fuck you.”

“And you fucking kiss me with that mouth.”

Once they got back to Katsuki’s apartment, he stumbled in the door holding on to Izuku’s thick thighs as he carried him in, kicking the door shut behind him. Izuku kissed him deeply, fingers gripping his blonde hair. All the time apart and finally getting to have one another turned him the fuck on like no tomorrow.

“Kachan...” Izuku mumbled against his lips, “I need more.” He moaned, thrusting his hips up as best he could. Katsuki wasn’t much better. His cock was going to have an imprint of his zipper the way it was pressed so tightly in his jeans. “Do you have a c-cock ring?”

Katsuki jerked back. “The fuck you just say?” Izuku’s cheeks grew so red, it was hard to see the freckles. “Are you some kinky bastard?”

“Well... no.” Izuku huffed, “I just want to fuck you and then you fuck me. Simple. Are you able to get hard right away after you cum?”

“Who the hell are you and what have you done with my fucking Angel?”

“It’s not uncommon!” Izuku looked away, cheeks growing even hotter. “Sometimes... I wear a butt plug... I-I like the feeling.”

Katsuki couldn’t fucking believe that one, they were discussing this right now and two, that Izuku had some kinks he really wanted to explore. Later. Right now, he wanted to get fucked then fuck. Ignoring the mumbles, he carried Izuku down the hallway and dropped him on the bed. Izuku squeaked but thank fuck, got with the memo. Quickly, in a blink of an eyes, both of them were naked.

“Fuck, baby, you...” He was lost for words.

Izuku was fucking beautiful.

“I-I know the scars...” Izuku trailed off, eyes looking down at his chest. He could fucking have that. Katsuki slammed his hands down on the mattress, sweat soaking into the fabric. “K-Kachan...”

“You are fucking stunning.” He crawled up the bed, hovering over Izuku’s freckled and scarred body. “I have fucking scars. Hell, some we got on the same damn day.” Izuku lightly ran his fingers over the scar where his heartbeat wildly underneath the skin. “I love you and nothing about you could never make me stop looking at you.”

Izuku hooked his left leg over his waist and flipped them with a swift turn. Katsuki blinked up at him, his curls hanging down almost like a halo. “Cock ring?”

“Don’t fucking need it. I won’t cum.” Well... he hoped. Izuku shifted over to the nightstand and grabbed the bottle of lube he kept there.

The beautiful Angel sat back on his heels and popped the cap, drizzling the liquid on his fingers. “We can stop any time.”

Katsuki wasn’t sure how he felt about bottoming. For Izuku it was a yes but one time Seth suggested it and... it turned him off. What if that happens? What if Izuku touches... there and his dick goes limp? That’s fucking awk— “F-Fuck!” Izuku pressed against his hole lightly, swirling the lube around before gently pushing his finger in to the first knuckle.

It felt weird but sooo fucking good.

He moaned, his fingers curling around the comforter. “More.” he rasped softly. Izuku hummed in response and slowly began to move his finger in and out. It wasn’t too much longer before a second finger joined the first. “Zu...” he choked on a moan as Izuku ran over something inside him.

“Found it.” Izuku whispered. “Make sure you don’t cum, Kachan.”

Easy for him to say!

Thankfully, Izuku was quick and thorough with the rest of the prep. It took his brain a minute to catch up when Izuku appeared with a condom. “No. None of that shit. I want to fucking feel you.”

“A-Are you sure?”

“Have you been some slut in America?” Izuku shook his head quickly. “I’ve only slept with Seth, we’re both tested every month. I’m clean so please throw the condom away.” Izuku watched him, tossing the condom over his shoulder. “Now fuck me.”

Izuku swallowed hard and grabbed the bottle of lube with trembling hands, he poured way too much lube on his cock. Fuck. Katsuki wasn’t the only one who was nervous. “K-Kachan...”

“I trust you.” Katsuki whispered and wrapped his legs around the shorter man’s waist. “I wouldn’t trust anyone but you with this.” Bottoming made him feel weak... vulnerable. When someone bottomed for him, he saw his partner as one of the strongest people he knew. Izuku was that person. So damn strong in everything he did.

Izuku gripped the base of his cock and lined the head up with his hole. Neither of them had words. Maybe it was because it was their first time or the love between them made this so much better. Izuku gently thrusted his hips, his cock sliding in with ease. “F-Fucking tight, Kachan.”

Katsuki moaned like a whore in heat, his body and soul accepting Izuku in every way. As Izuku began to find his rhythm, he lost control. A small explosion popped off his palm, dripping with sweat. Izuku halted, gasping.

“K-Keep going, Angel.”

“Your quirk...” Izuku whispered, worry dripped from his lips. “W-We should stop— Katsuki!” Katsuki pulled the same move Izuku did to him, and he sat down fully on Izuku’s cock. “Ka...” He moaned, scarred fingers gripping his hips tightly.

“It feels good, Angel.”

“Are you s-sure?”

“Let me show you.”

Katsuki made true on his promise. He didn’t cum but it was so fucking hard. Izuku’s cock fit perfectly and rubbing over his prostate at all the right moments. Round two was fucking quick. He barely got inside Izuku’s tight heat before he came hard, white danced over his vision and he collapsed on top of him.

“We won’t ever fucking speak of that again.”

“Wow... Kachan you came super fast.” Katsuki shot him a deadly glare then buried his face into his neck. “It’s okay, your secret is safe with me.”

“Merry Christmas, Angel.”

Izuku sighed happily, hugging him tightly. “Merry Christmas, Kachan.”

Chapter Text

Four Months Later

“Toshi! It’s going to be perfect!” Izuku smiled brightly, adjusting his brother’s white tie for the tenth time. “You need to settle down or I’ll have to get Eijiro and bring him down here.”

“That’s bad luck!” Shinso whined. “I wanna see him!”

Izuku shook his head, smiling. Usually, he was the whiner between the two of them. “Hitoshi, we just need to get you dressed and you’ll meet him at the alter.”

Shinso nodded quickly causing a few purple strains to come out of place. “He’s so perfect, Zu, I can’t believe he asked me.”

Izuku knew that feeling all too well. Every morning, he couldn’t believe Katsuki chose him. Him and all his flaws. “Then let's go make it real, brother.”

“Papa!” Izuku looked over his shoulder and found one of his sweet girls. “Daddy says poopy hair is fweaking out!” Airi said around her thumb. That habit was going to be hard to kick.

It’s been a long four months since that... day. A lot has happened, and a lot has changed. Katsuki took the whole dating thing very seriously. In the end, it worked out perfectly. Living in the foster house was perfect, it made him want to crave life for the first time.

Or selfish as Katsuki would call it.

After a good month, he was ready to move on to the next step in their relationship. Katsuki asked him to move in for good and he said yes... that yes came with a few conditions. He couldn’t leave Airi. It broke his heart every time he thought about it. Rina had already gotten adopted my Momo and Jiro after probably the hundredth time gushing about how smart and cute she was. Sadly, they weren’t up for two kids quite yet.

Raiden got into UA with help of Katsuki and Shoto. Shoto promised to keep an eye on him. Those two seemed to bond in a special way but Raiden didn’t want to leave Mari so Denki and Shoto were at the house a lot.

Hiro... that boy was a tough nut to crack. Shockingly, after a few visits the young boy inched closer and closer to Katsuki until he was in his lap. Two months later, Hiro finally spoke a single word. Suki. Katsuki instantly got papers drawn up to adopt him.

Once the word got out that the Retired Hero Deku and Number Once Hero Ground Zero were helping with a quirkless foster mother and opening a quirkless center just outside the city, Mari’s home quickly filled with children in need. Even with the newly added on rooms, it still wasn’t enough.

That led to Botan moving out, he—no surprise—took Emica with him. Seth was over the moon in love with the two of them. Botan bawled when Em called him mama. Everyone waited for Botan to correct her, but he just shrugged. “If she’s happy, I’m happy.” Botan said that night. Pretty sure Seth was in love with that development.

As for his other favorite girl? She was about to be born any minute. Izuku received a strange phone call in the middle of the night, and it was a sweet teen in America. She was quirkless and her parents had no idea she was assaulted... and she wanted to keep it that way. After getting Nezu on board, he pulled a lot of strings, but he got the girl here as a transfer student for the summer until the baby was born.

Izuku was ready for a sweet baby girl that he knew Airi would love.

“Tell daddy we’re almost ready.” Airi nodded firmly, thumb never leaving her mouth. Izuku turned back to his brother and ran his scarred fingers through his hair one last time. “It’s time, Toshi.”

“This will be you some day.” Shinso whispered. “You’ll be crying so much; I’ll have to use my quirk on you.”

Izuku smiled brightly, “It will be worth it. I love Kachan in a tux.” Taking his brother’s hands, he squeezed them tightly. “You are a picture perfect groom.”

The wedding was stunning.

Kirishima cried his ‘manly’ tears the second he saw Shinso walk through the double doors. Shinso wasn’t any better, but he didn’t have to hold up his brother like Katsuki did for Kirishima. That man was a mess. A happy mess but still a mess.

The reception was small only because the grooms ditched their one party to start the honeymoon early. Shinso wasn’t big on large parties.

“Izuku,” Shoto smiled, stopping to stand beside him with a glass of red wine in his hand. “I see you’ve become a bed.”

Izuku smiled back, rocking side to side slightly with Airi fast asleep in his arms. “Kachan had to run home. The babysitter called when Hiro was having a meltdown.”

“Does that happen a lot?”

He shrugged a shoulder. “Sometimes? Hiro still gets nightmares, and Kachan has the magic touch.” Izuku shook his head. “Or Kachan planned the whole thing to get out of the party too.”

Shoto nodded, sipping from his wine glass. “Did you hear that Uraraka’s retiring?” Now that was news, he hadn’t heard yet and it must have showed on his face because Shoto continued, “She’s a new mother as of last month but that’s not the reason.”

“And the reason is?”

“Bakugo.” Izuku frowned, brows furrowed. “After the gossip train, she caused with you, Bakugo confronted her about it. She made up something about how to leave romance at the door if Bakugo didn’t want his dirty laundry to spread like butter. Her words not mine.”

“Stop.” Izuku fought back a laugh, it was hard, but he managed. “She’s married to Iida who both work at War Zone.”

“Bakugo loudly explained that to the entire building.” Shoto chuckled. “I’m surprised her water didn’t break. Anyways, Bakugo gave her a choice. She either retires or he fires her then black lists her from any agency in Japan.”

Izuku blinked. “W-what? Why would he do that?”

“Would you come to War Zone or a Spring Gala next week if she was going to be there?” Izuku shook his head slowly. “It would have been one thing if she went up and asked Bakugo. Instead, she went to you like it was a good joke. She knew your feelings for him. Everyone but Bakugo did.”

“Still hard to believe...”

“You should get that checked.”

Izuku rolled his eyes, “I know he loves me... now. Some days it feels like a dream.”

“That’s the best kind of love.” Shoto’s eyes fell on his fiancé, a loving smile spreading across his lips. “I’m going to go.”

Katsuki showed up a few hours later to grab Airi so he could help clean up. Katsuki grumbled and whined a bit. It was hard to be tough when his boyfriend pouted so cutely. If it wasn’t for Shinso asking him, he would be in bed by now.

“Hey D.” Seth happily greeted. Seth has been nothing but kind to him. It just still hurt to know that he had Katsuki longer than he did. He had firsts with Katsuki... it made him bitter. “Stop looking at me like a smell like wet dog.”

“Maybe you do.” Izuku snapped back.

“Man, are we still doing this?” Seth groaned, running his gloved hand through his hair. “I thought we moved passed it.”

Izuku shot him a death glare. “No. You did. I didn’t.”

“He was single.” Seth pointed out because that makes it all better. “Look, Midoriya, I won’t apologize for sleeping with your crush. Kats is a grown ass adult who was single. Why the hell are you still holding it over me?”

He deflated. “I... I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at myself.” Izuku sighed heavily, plopping down in the nearest chair. “I’m pissed at myself for letting my feelings get to me.”

“I get it.” Seth sat down next to him, arms crossed over his chest. “Would it help that sometimes when he came, he moaned your name?” Izuku looked over to see Seth was dead serious. He nodded slightly. “Not enough?” Izuku shook his head. “He has a shrine of your hero days and teaching days in the closet in the office. He wore this stupid shirt that had shirt written across the front. Pretty sure it belonged to you.

“All I’m saying is, what Kats and I had means nothing in a romantic way. We were fuck buddies. Kats kicked me off the fucking bed if I tried to cuddle him.” Seth smiled hesitantly and held out his gloved hand. “Truce? For Botan and Em if not for me? Botan misses you, not that he’ll tell you.”

Izuku sighed but firmly shook the Alpha’s hand. “You have to clean the rest of this up though.” Seth laughed, squeezing his hand before heading off to help Sero and Denki. Izuku quickly bolted for the door before he got pulled away again.

The city was quiet, peaceful. Everyone was getting ready for bed and kissing their loved ones goodnight. Izuku looked up at the starry sky, a soft smile on his lips. He started his walk to Katsuki’s apartment a few blocks away. One day, he’d have a house with a yard for the babies and maybe a dog. Aizawa asked him what his next move would be... and he finally had an answer.

I’m going to be a dad.

Izuku’s newfound role made him the happiest man alive. He was surrounded by people who loved him for him not for something that he needed to have. Izuku didn’t need a quirk to be happy.

Bing!

Izuku pulled his phone from his suit jacket pocket and raised a brow at the notification. Holidate! New Message! Well, that was weird. He only had the app because he liked to go over his message with Katsuki when he was sad. The man he loves pulled him from the darkness and Izuku had no clue.

Izuku laughed at the message, rolling his eyes. Of course, Katsuki had to be so impatient sometimes.

No surprise, the next morning he had a ring on his finger and a marriage license on the nightstand. Izuku smiled at the ring then grabbed his phone, clicking on Holidate one last time.

This app has made it, so I never need a fake date again. My Holidate is my forever date, and I couldn’t be happier! 💍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎄