Chapter Text
Tuesday August 5th, 6:30am
“Zu’ C’mon, you gotta get up.” The blonde runs his fingers through messy green tufts as he tries to stir the boy into conciousness.
“fuck offffffff.” Izuku groans as he curls himself further into the blanket he’s holding hostage.
“you kiss your mother with that mouth nerd?”
“Nah… you though maybe.” he mumbles into his pillow as Katsuki tries to yank Izuku out of the bed, but his grip has always been stronger.
“Yeah, well, ive earned the right to swear, dipshit. Now get out of bed ‘zu, you’re gonna miss breakfast!” he yanks harder this time and they both go flying to the hardwood floor upon Izuku's release.
“no… I mean ill kiss you with that mouth.” he giggles as he rubs sleep from his eyes, and Katsuki bakugou is officially out of service.
“ kacchan im going back to sleep, kay?”
the blonde is sat staring into space with a furious blush across his face, as Izuku began to crawl back to bed, snapping Katsuki back into reality
“Oi you stubborn fuck. I win! go eat ‘Zu.” He teases as he grabs the other's foot and drags him back down.
“Ugh you're so mean kacchan.”
“Me? Mean? Neverrrr”
—---------------- – - - —---------------- – - -
Izuku sits at the table with his classmates, but he can barely keep his eyes open. The warm smell of katsukis cooking, the chatter of their classmates eating breakfast and the way the sun outside creates golden beams of light against the cabin’s curtains is enough to put him at ease… and possibly to sleep. Izuku can't even contain the relief of the resolved tension with Katsuki that has now turned to jittery anticipation.
He had stayed up last night trying to figure out… everything: where kacchan is taking him tonight, how he's going to tell his friends, how to actually be a boyfriend, and a bunch of useless stuff like what do boyfriends even buy eachother at christmas?
The scent of burnt sugar fills his senses and makes his body ignite as Kacchan leans over from behind, placing a cup of coffee in front of him. “Here you go ‘Zu, I could see you spacing out from the damn kitchen.”
He beams and looks up into red eyes. God how he loves this man. “Thanks, Kat.”
“oh and-” katsuki leans down close enough that he can feel the blondes warmth behind him, his lips brushing close to Izuku's ears as he whispers “remember we're sneaking out tonight” Izuku just nods a little to quickly, breath hitching and prays katsuki cant see the blush burning across his cheeks.
They stay like that for just a second too long when Shinso speaks up “God you two, get a room or something.”
“Actually they already have one” Denki teases, making Katsuki's face flush. Izuku giggles nervously.
“Thank god we don't have to go in rooms of three” Shoto adds “We’d be scared for life.” This sets Izuku's face on fire.
“Oi! Shut it extras. Dunceface I don't know why you're talking, don't act like I didn't hear you call Ears ‘My perfect queen’ earlier.” the table breaks into laughter.
“WHATS WRONG WITH THAT?” he pleads
“Kami, man… She walks you like a dog dude.” sero says between laughter
“She does not!” Denki screeches as his face grows red.
“Yeah I kinda do Denks” Jirou adds and suddenly the whole table erupts into a fit of tears as they laugh
“You all need to shut up.” Aizawa groans uncomfortably, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, and the whole class freezes in an instant.
—---------------- – - -
10:00 AM
“Allright you pests, today we are doing a first aid training exercise, you'll each break off into pairs and practice treating 3 different medical issues. Well start with a demonstration of each… Can I have a volunteer come up?” The class stays silent as their eyes swiftly avert to the ground, the sound of cicadas buzzing emphasising the silence. “I will sir!” Iida volunteers. Aizawa sighs “right of course. No thanks Iida. Midoriya, you seem to love getting hurt, why don't you help heal someone instead?” Izuku feels his body essentially scream at the thought.
“uh.. N-No sir that's allright” Izuku smiles awkwardly.”
“Uh yeah, kid.. That wasn't a suggestion- get your ass up here.”
Izuku walks over from the class's shaded spot under a tree, over to where Aizawa stands on the field. “Okay so for the first task Izuku and I will- actually, can we have another volunteer?” Shoto raises his hand. “Great okay, so Todoroki you'll be the injured civilian” Aizawa says waving him forward. “Todoroki lie down, ok midoriya, he's got a deep laceration on his forearm, how do you approach?”
Izuku swallows hard, letting his surroundings quiet, nerves settling immediately as he kneels down next to Shoto. This he knows how to do. “First I check if the scene is safe. When I'm sure it is I uh.. Check the wound and apply pressure to stop the bleeding.”
“Good, then what?” Aizawa asks.”
Izuku gently takes Shoto's arm, moving it slowly. “You take gauze and wrap it around the wound.”
“Do you wrap the gauze tightly?” Aizawa asks with a proud smile on his face.
“mm.. No, not too tight. It might restrict circulation, which would be more painful and cause swelling and-” Izuku begins to ramble.
Katsuki watches from the shade. He knows that look. The way Izuku's brows knit together in concentration, his calm confidence when he's doing what he's best at, when he's being a hero.
“Good. Now everyone split off into partners and rotate through the following exercises; concussion, dislocated shoulder and burns.”
Katsuki lays in the shaded grass as he debates whether to tell half and half to bugger off so he can partner with ‘Zu. Then he feels a kick at his side, interrupting his dubious plans, his gaze moves up from red shoes to a sunkissed face smiling hesitantly down at him. “Kacchan, wanna partner with me?”
“tch, of course.”
—--- — - - – - - -—---------------- – - -
“So… you be concussed, ill have the dislocated shoulder and-”
“pfft of course youd have the fucked arm” katsuki snickered. Izuku shoved him with a grin
“Shut up idiot. Anyway, we can flip for who has to be a burn victim.”
“yeah yeah whatever, so what… I have to lie and be all… concussed? And then the big strong hero Deku is gonna save me?” he mocked with a shit eating grin.
“pfft you wish kacchan, with your attitude im gonna make that concussion worse.” izuku rolled his eyes.
“not very heroic ‘Zu” Katsuki chides as he lays on the grass.
“shut your pretty face and be concussed”
Katsuki doesn't miss the way his heart speeds up at that.
The cold grass is welcome as the blonde lays back, blades tickling the back of his neck “so how into this whole ‘roleplaying a medic’ are you gonna get, nerd?” he smirks as he observes the sky.
“well i know how much you hate that cringe stuff, so… im gonna go all in.” he smiles like the little shit he is.
“fuck sake”
“stay with me, okay?” Izuku slips into his role effortlessly, Katsuki can't help but feel embarrassed for him… but it's kinda cute if he's honest.
Izuku's shadow falls over him, blocking out the sun. Katsuki is wrapped in the familiar scent of the boy; fresh and sweet. The sun catches on the side of his face, highlighting the rosey tint of his cheeks. Katsuki can feel Izuku's hot breath brush his neck as he speaks. “Any nausea?”
“no.” Katsuki murmurs as heat pools low in his stomach. Izuku smiles. Katsuki can see each crease on his face.
“Dizziness?”
“no.”
Izuku hums softly, thoughtful, and Katsuki has to bite down on the inside of his cheek to keep from making a sound at that alone.
Izuku leans closer, closer, and Katsuki’s chest rises too fast, breath stuttering out of him as he stares up at Izuku’s face. He can see everything… the faint crease between Izuku’s brows, the way his lashes cast shadows against his cheeks, the freckles Katsuki’s memorized without meaning to. “Okay im gonna check your pupils now.” fuck. He can tell by that smile that Izuku’s enjoying this.
His thumb presses gently against Katsuki’s skin as he leans in, and suddenly there’s no space left. Izuku’s face is inches away. Too close. So close, Katsuki can feel the warmth of his breath on his lips, can feel it every time Izuku exhales.
Katsuki forgets how to breathe.
“Eyes on me,” Izuku whispers.
They already are.
Katsuki’s vision blurs from the way Izuku’s mouth moves when he talks, from how easy it would be to tilt his head, close the space, how badly he wants to-
“Good,” Izuku says softly. “Just like that.”
fuck.
Izuku lingers, just a fraction too long, and Katsuki’s whole body tightens like it’s bracing for impact. Every shift of Izuku’s weight sends sparks through him, his knee near Katsuki’s hip, his hand steady and warm against his face, the way his sleeve brushes Katsuki’s jaw.
Katsuki feels drunk on it. Buzzing. Like he’s sinking and floating all at once.
“Can you tell me your name?” Izuku asks.
Katsuki drags in a shaky breath, puts on a brave face and grins. “Tch, its damn Kacchan Bakugou”
Izuku smiles fondly and Katsuki’s chest aches so hard it’s almost painful. “Pretty sure you mean Katsuki Bakugou” Izuku smirks and draws out every syllable. Katsuki’s heart palpitates, body buzzing. Izuku’s gaze flickers like he feels it too. Like he knows exactly what this is doing to him.
Izuku clears his throat “Okay and do you know where you are right now?”
“Under you”
Izuku’s breath stutters.
Izuku smiles down at him, entertained. He clears his throat and pulls back, far too slowly, like he’s fighting gravity. “Ok, I think you'll live!” he teases.
Holy Shit.
He stares up at the sky again, heart still racing, cheek still warm where Izuku touched him. Tonight. Just gotta wait till tonight for their date.
—---------------- – - -
From a few metres away, Ochaco squints.
She watches Midoriya kneeling in the grass, leaning entirely too close over Bakugou’s sprawled-out form. Close enough that Bakugou’s ears are bright red and his hands are fisted in the ground for dear life.
Ochaco grimaces dramatically. “Do they know it’s legal yet?”
Mina snorts, shoulders shaking as she grins. “Apparently not.”
Bakugou finally sits up, muttering something sharp under his breath while Midoriya laughs, flustered and pink, and Mina’s smile softens without her quite meaning it to.
“Ugh,” she says, fond and quiet, eyes still on them. “I’ve missed this.”
Ochaco bumps her shoulder lightly in agreement, lips twitching despite herself.
—---------------- – - -—---------------- – - – - - - -
03:45pm, nearby coastal town.
Izuku leans back against the cool stone wall near the harbour, letting his shoulders relax for the first time all day. The air here feels different… lighter somehow. A soft breeze rolls in off the water, brushing against his skin, carrying the clean, salty scent of the sea. He hadn’t even noticed how still the air had been up on the training grounds until now.
The sun hangs low enough to turn the water into molten gold. Light skips and fractures across the surface, dazzling and alive, and Izuku finds himself enamoured by the way the waves catch and release the sun over and over again. It’s beautiful. The kind of beauty that settles in your chest.
Behind him, laughter breaks through the calm.
“Denki! give it back!” Mina yells, half-laughing, half-sputtering as Denki sprints down the pier holding her hat tightly on his head.
“Finders keepers!” he calls back, nearly tripping over his own feet.
The sound of his friends’ voices blends with the cries of distant gulls and the gentle clatter of boats rocking against the docks.
“glad that the old man gave us the evening off?” The blonde's gruff voice cut through his thoughts.
“huh?...oh, uh yeah- it's really beautiful here” Katsuki moves to Izuku’s side, shoulder brushing his arm.
Katsuki glances out at the harbour, squinting against the sun. “Are you sure you're good ‘Zu?” Izuku glances at him confused.
“yeah of course” Izuku giggles as he nudges his side, Katsuki's always the worrier… ““It’s nice here,I'm just appreciating it.” Izuku says after a moment. “I didn’t realise how different it’d feel from the camp.”
Katsuki hums in agreement. “The air's better.”
“yeah” he smiles in agreement, turning to face the blonde, then sighs and stretches. “Ugh, I'm gonna miss this.”
“what, the camp?”
Izuku laughs softly, glancing back at their friends. “Nah… not exactly.”
Ochaco and Mina are crammed together on a bench, laughing so hard Mina has to wipe her eyes. A few steps away, Denki and Sero are in the middle of a heated debate about whether swimming in the harbour is technically illegal, while Todoroki and Tsuyu film Kirishima attempting, and very much failing, to deadlift a potted flower bed.
Izuku gestures toward the chaos. “I just… I’m going to miss this.”
“you’re getting sappy.” the blonde smirked.
He lets his hand fall, smile turning a little smaller. “We’re graduating soon, and I don’t know. It feels like everything’s changing really fast.” He exhales, half a laugh catching in his chest. “I don’t think I was ready for it to start ending yet.”
Katsuki glances at him then, slow and soft, like he’s checking something. Whatever he finds must be good, because his mouth quirks up at the corner.
“Tch. You’re such a nerd.”
But then his hand drifts down, fingers brushing Izuku’s for half a second before lacing with them fully, Izuku’s heart stutters, then steadies. He squeezes back. Katsuki's eyes glance down at the bracelet he made resting on Izuku's arm, their eyes meet and any turmoil in Izuku's heart stills.
“yeah, well I may be a nerd… but you're a nerd lover.”
Behind them, Mina shrieks as Denki nearly trips into the water, Kirishima laughing so hard he has to grab the railing. Izuku leans into Katsuki’s side, head resting on his shoulder basking in the warmth and noise and sunlight. He thinks… not for the first time today, that he’s exactly where he wants to be.
—---------------- – -
6pm
They drift through the coastal town in a cluster, no real plan, just following whatever catches their attention. Small shops with open doors and jingling bells. A bakery window fogged up from the heat inside. The sound of “Bleed” by dead calm spilling out of Denki's speaker.
Katsuki walks with his hands tucked in his pockets, Izuku half a step ahead of him, talking animatedly with Ochaco about some dog he drew on the pier. The sun’s warm on his back, the breeze off the water cools against his face, and for once his chest doesn’t feel tight with urgency or pressure or the need to be anywhere else.
Katsuki watches without meaning to. Hates how soft it all makes him feel. Just 2 hours till their date.
“Ugh,” Mina says from behind him, sing-songy. “You are so obvious.”
Katsuki doesn’t turn. “Fuck off, Pinky.”
She leans against the railing beside him, grinning. “So? You guys official yet, or are you still pretending you’re not stupidly in love?”
He scowls. “We’re-” He pauses, jaw tight. “We’re going out tonight. I’m… gonna ask him then.”
Mina’s grin goes feral. “Oh my god. Bakugou Katsuki. Asking someone out!.”
“Do not make this a thing,” he snaps, ears burning. “I’m doing it right this time.”
“Aww,” she coos. “I always knew you had it in you.”
“Tch. Shut up, raccoon eyes.”
She laughs, then softens a little. “Seriously though. I’m glad it worked out. I always thought you’d just… keep circling each other forever.”
Katsuki finally looks at her. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Mina blinks. “I mean… you’ve been like this since I met you two. Wasn't sure if you'd ever do anything about it.”
His stomach drops. “And we're like what… exactly?”
She gestures vaguely between him and Izuku, who’s now perched on the wall drawing something in his birthday journal. “Like that. You hover. You watch him like you’re on guard duty. You always end up next to him without realizing it.”
“So?” Katsuki scoffs. “That’s just- we’ve known each other forever.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Mina says thoughtfully. “But you only get like this with him… even before you guys became friends again in first year.”
Katsuki opens his mouth, then shuts it again.
She presses on, gentler now. “You get weird when he’s gone. You lose your mind when he’s upset. And every time he laughs like that-” she nods toward the pier, “you look like you forget anyone else exists.”
He smiles softly despite himself.
Mina smiles, victorious but not cruel. “I know you say you didn't know you loved him till the string came… but hun, you've been obsessed with that boy your whole life.”
There’s a beat.
Then Katsuki exhales sharply in defeat. “Shut up.”
She bumps his shoulder. “Make me.”
He glares, then mutters, “I’m not whipped.”
Mina’s grin widens. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, lover boy.”
—---------------- – - -—---------------- – - – - - - -
7pm, back in the cabin, 1 hour till the date.
Across the room, Izuku’s sitting on the edge of the sofa, hunched over his journal, the one Katsuki gave him, scribbling something down with his tongue caught between his teeth. He pauses, scratches something out, then keeps going like the thought refuses to let him rest.
Katsuki watches him longer than he means to.
Izuku looks up, catches him staring, and grins. “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what,” Katsuki snaps automatically.
“That thing where you pretend you’re not watching me.”
Katsuki scoffs. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
Izuku walks over and stops right in front of him, close enough that Katsuki can smell him, soap and salty air. He tilts his head, smiling in that way that says he knows exactly what he’s doing.
“You nervous?” Izuku asks.
“No,” Katsuki says immediately.
Izuku’s smile widens. “Liar.”
—---------------- – - -—---------------- – - – - - - -
The Date
They walk uphill together, the path narrow and worn smooth from years of footsteps. Izuku keeps close, their shoulders brushing every so often, the moon casting a soft glow on the boy, illuminating his green hair.
The air grows cooler as they climb, the breeze carrying the distant scent of wet earth. When Katsuki finally leads him off the path, Izuku’s breath catches.
A lookout.
Below them, the training grounds stretch out in familiar lines, quiet in the fading light, and beyond that the coastal town twinkles, rooftops and streetlights catching the stars. The ocean sits farther out, calm and endless, mirroring the dark sky above.
Katsuki clears his throat as he scratches the back of his neck. “I, uh-”
He gestures, stiff and awkward, to the blanket laid out near the edge, a small picnic set up, adorned by candles, pillows and blankets.
Izuku turns to him, eyes wide and shining. “You did all this?”
Katsuki looks away, ears burning. “Told you I was doing it right.”
“But… when did you even have the time?”
“when we got back from town…”
They settle onto the blankets together, knees brushing, shoulders pressed close until Izuku curls instinctively into Katsuki’s side, exactly where he fits. They chat about the ridiculous shit their class gets up to, and how Aizawa is definitely dating Present Mic. Katsuki's speaker is set up playing the mellow tunes of ‘Clementine' by Elliot Smith.
Katsuki shifts, reaches into his bag, and pulls his camera out. “Oi hold still ‘Zu”
“Hah?! You didn't even tell me you were taking one!” He laughs brightly.
“Yeah, well. Too bad.”
The shutter clicks.
Izuku moves closer immediately, peering at the screen. “Can I see?”
Katsuki hesitates a second before handing it over.
The photo shows Izuku sitting with the blanket draped loosely around his shoulders, the fabric catching the breeze as the world stretches out behind him, the clearing of the training grounds, the soft glow of the coastal town, the ocean holding the last light of day. In the photo, he looks so warm and so… free.
He stares at it for a long moment, thumb brushing the edge of the screen as if he’s afraid it might disappear. His smile grows without him noticing.
Then he looks up at Katsuki, eyes bright, voice quiet but sure.
“You always make me look so… beautiful.”
“You are,” he says simply.
He reaches out without thinking, thumb brushing Izuku’s knuckles while he’s still holding the camera.
“I don’t do anything special,” Katsuki adds, quieter now. “I just take a photo.”
There’s a beat where the wind moves around them, where the world keeps going like this moment isn’t everything.
“I used to think all that shit- romance, love, whatever… was like a foreign language,” Katsuki admits. “Like it just wasn’t something I was built for.” He huffs out a short, humorless laugh.
“Kacchan, you don't have to explain yourself again, I-”
“No no, ‘Zu, I wanna say this.” Izuku smiles and rubs his hand.
“I didn't think I was capable of it, and I didn't think I cared. But then…we started cuddling, holding hands, doing all that stuff. And sure, I had my own fucking gay crisis about it- but it never occurred to me that I was doing something clearly romantic, clearly affectionate…naturally.
something I didn’t even think I was capable of, I was doing and I hadn't even realised it. I didn’t stop to notice I wasn't being resistant to romance once it started happening. I didn’t even question the fact that I could do it, because I was so wrapped up in feeling unworthy of you.
“which you're not.” Izuku warns.
“yeah yeah, i know we don't need to have that conversation again.” Izuku giggles.
“I didn’t realise how complete I felt doing those things with you until they were gone. When we stopped having sleepovers, stopped hanging out- even when we stopped holding hands during a movie…I felt unbalanced. Out of place. I don’t think I fully understood it until now, but… you showed me what love is, Izuku. And you showed me that I was capable of it.”
Katsuki takes a deep breath. “I should’ve told you sooner. I know I said I chose not to, but that isn’t exactly true. I was avoidant. I let time slip by while I procrastinated. telling myself I was waiting for the right moment. But I knew it wouldn’t come. I should’ve been braver. I should’ve just come out with it. And I'm sorry for that Izuku.”
Izuku is quiet for a moment. Thinking. When he finally speaks, his voice is steady.
“I’ve always been afraid of the idea of soulmates,” he admits. “The idea that the universe tells you who to be with and you don't really get a choice in the matter…when I found out about our string, it felt like my greatest fear was coming true…” Katsuki inhales sharply. “but for you, like you were the one that didn’t get a say.” the blonde's head snaps towards izuku in confusion.
“I think thats why i was so angry when i found out…It's like the universe gave me the gift of tying me to someone I actually love, that I actually want to be with… string or not… but that choice had then been taken from you in return…But I don’t think that’s how it works. Not really. The universe didn’t make you love me. It just pointed at something that was already there. I realise now the string isn't the cause of people's love, it's the reflection of it.”
Izuku places a hand on Katsuki's cheek, “So this isn’t me accepting fate. This is me choosing you. Fully. Consciously. Knowing everything.”
A beat.
“And if there were no strings at all… I’d still be here. I’d still want you. That’s my decision.”
Katsuki blinks for a moment, then smirks, the tension in his shoulders finally easing. “Choosing me huh?” he leans closer, as if he was turning this into a challenge somehow, “Izuku Midoriya will you be my damn boyfriend?”
“of course I will you idiot”
They sit there for a heartbeat, just looking at each other, smiling, tangled in blankets under the stars. Katsuki’s usual fire softens in his eyes, and Izuku’s tentative gaze blooms into a full, smile. The speaker clicks, and the opening chords of “Heroes” by David Bowie filter into the air. The music wraps around them, low and triumphant.
The air has the earthy scent of summer, crisp against the warmth of their bodies pressed together. Stars cast a faint glow, silver light catching the edges of Katsuki’s hair, highlighting the curve of his shoulder where Izuku rests his head.
Time slows, and every subtle movement, the brush of fingers, the shift of a shoulder, the steady inhale of shared warmth sets them on fire.Katsuki leans closer, his hand brushing against Izuku’s cheek. Their faces draw closer, eyes locked, smiles lingering just long enough to savor the moment. The world shrinks until it’s just them, the music, and the electricity humming between them.
Katsuki leans in, so close he can feel Izuku’s breath hot against his skin, and the buzzing tension between them makes his own breath hitch. His fingers tighten where one hand grips Izuku’s shirt, the other on his cheek.
He tilts forwards just enough that their lips brush gently. The contact rushes through him, intoxicating and dizzying. His stomach flips as Izuku leans in a little harder, making his head rush.
They pull back for a second, Katsuki exhales shakily. Izuku’s half-lidded eyes track him.
Silence.
Izuku surges forward hungrily before Katsuki's brain can even catch up.
Their lips meet again, harder this time, and Katsuki's startled gasp melts straight into Izuku's mouth. Immediately, sensations burst through Izuku’s entire being. No one had warned him this is what kissing felt like. His heartbeat races, stomach fluttering, face heating, and his head swims in a pure, dizzying high. The blonde’s hands rest on Izuku’s hips like an anchor.
Katsuki’s tongue slips past Izuku’s parted lips, confident now. A low, approving rumble vibrates through Izuku’s chest as Katsuki molds perfectly against him,savoring every taste, every brush of their lips. Izuku’s hands drift, one slipping from Katsuki’s jaw deeper into the blonde’s hair, pulling him closer. Their kiss deepens, growing hungrier, and the tight press of their bodies drives Katsuki crazy. Katsuki groans, bites back, and tries to press their bodies even closer, rough hands digging into Izuku’s sides. Laughter spills out between gasps, shivers of delight running across them both.
When they manage to pull away, Katsuki dizzily nuzzles into the crook of Izuku’s neck, lips brushing along the column of his throat, mapping a path to his jaw. Setting Izukus skin on fire as he lays breathlessly.
And when he reaches Izuku’s ear, his voice is ragged and low.
“I’ve waited eighteen fucking years to do that.”
Fin.