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Shinso knew very well - better than anyone in their friend circle - that Midoriya Izuku couldn't find it in him to ever seriously be angry at his very stupid boyfriend. Did Shinso dislike that about Izuku? Yes. Midoriya Izuku had always let things slide when it came to the dumbass named Bakugou Katsuki. Never did he get seriously mad. It was always playful or just a warning and that was all.
Did Shinso expect this? Yes.
Izuku and Bakugou (they weren't that close to being on a first-name basis despite having known each other for six years) had an easily identifiable dynamic. Bakugou the angry one who’s always picking fights; and Izuku who was the warmth and kindness of the relationship.
Shinso, of course, still couldn't hide the sudden surprise that went through his whole body as Izuku and Bakugou entered the agency separately, neither glancing at each other or acknowledging each other’s presence. He had curiously watched Izuku as his best friend didn't even say good morning to any of the coworkers that greeted him. He then drags his gaze to the dreaded boyfriend and finds him angrily making coffee. Obviously, it was no surprise to see the man angry, but today was different.
Denki slowly walked towards him, confusion etched in his face. Shinso pursed his lips as he awaited the question that he knew everyone in the room was asking.
“What's wrong with Izuku and Katsuki?”
Shinso shook his head, very aware of the people not so subtly trying to hear the conversation.
“I don't know. I haven't spoken to Izuku since yesterday afternoon. Bakugou hasn't said anything to your group chat?” Shinso asks, moving a loose strand of hair away from Denki’s face.
The other shakes his head, “No, he hasn't said anything since around dinner time. We figured he muted us again because Sero and Kiri were being dumb again.”
“You included, right?” Shinso snorts.
Denki rolls his eyes playfully, “All I did was mention a vine.”
Shinso smiles, “Should we rain check our date tonight? I feel like today will be a long day.”
“The fuck you staring at bubble bitch?”
They ignore him, “Yeah. I get the vibe it isn't the same as usual if Izu is pissed off...good luck with him, babe.”
Denki pecks his lips quickly before heading to where Kirishima was now attempting to convince an angered Bakugou to leave for patrol. Shinso shakes his head and heads to Izuku’s office. He knocks softly before going into the room, finding Izuku sitting at his desk with his head in his hands.
“Hey Izu…” Shinso shuts the door behind him, “What happened?”
The latter doesn't say anything, he only stands and starts for the door. He only stops when Shinso puts a hand on his chest and narrows his eyes at him. Shinso could see the anger and pain swirling in Izuku’s eyes, but the other only shook his hand and removed Shinso’s hand from his chest.
“I don't want to talk about it. This should remain between me and Bakugou. Please understand.” Izuku says and walks out the door.
Shinso frowns, watching him go. He called him by his last name. What the hell happened?
It was like that the entire day. Everyone whispered amongst themselves about the hero couple that owned their workplace.
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“Kacchan…we talked about this,” Izuku sighs, putting down his backpack.
“No, you talked and I ignored what you said,” Katsuki rolls his eyes.
“Listen this time. We have come so far already, we're nearing our wedding date, and soon enough Kota will be able to finally come with us. We're finally getting there. Ka–” Izuku is cut off when Katsuki explodes the can in his hands.
“Deku, I don't want the fucking kid. I think we're moving too fast. With the adoption and the marriage. Can't we postpone everything? We're at a point where we're busy. We're the top heroes and we own an agency- we don't have time for marriage and a kid right now. I don't.”
Izuku’s face falls, his eyes swirling in confusion, disbelief, and hurt. He steps closer
“Kacchan what are you talking about? You-you're the one that proposed, that brought up adopting Kota and assured me that we could do this? Together. Why are you changing your mind now?”
Katsuki sighs deeply, turning towards Izuku, “It's too soon.”
Izuku balls up his fists and Katsuki is reminded of the younger version of him. He remembers young Izuku with his fists balled up and a tear-stained face. The one he used to look down at.
“We've been together for nearly five years, Kacchan. Five fucking years,” Katsuki almost flinches at the tone of his voice and the first slip of a swear word. “We've both been through so much shit together to get here and when you proposed to me, you told me that it took too long. Too long for me and you to get together. Too long of us just fighting and being stupid with our feelings. You told me we were ready for marriage and a family. You said that, Kacchan. You did.”
“So what if I said that?” Katsuki raises his voice, “I changed my fucking mind. We're not ready for marriage and I'm sure as hell not ready for a kid. Especially not one like Kota-”
“What the fuck is wrong with Kota?” Izuku growls, “He's been nothing but sweet to you. He respects you and even looked past your old self and admires you. And he knows you care about him.”
“The kid isn't the one I want, Izuku. I'm sorry you're struggling to hear the truth. I don't want that kid. I lied just to keep you pleased, but I've had enough.”
“To fucking hell with you lying to keep me pleased. You've never given a shit about me being pleased when you weren't. You always say what's on your mind when it comes up. Why do you make it all about you? Why are you only talking about yourself, huh? We're fucking in this together. This relationship, the agency - everything. Why the sudden change, tell me what made you change your mind?”
Izuku watches as Katsuki rolls his eyes and remains quiet. It surely wasn't the day before. Everything was fine yesterday. But today? Izuku had to work today and Katsuki was off. What did he do that changed him? What happened that could have possibly cha–
Izuku closes his eyes, feeling more anger flood him, “Did you go to that lunch with her?”
Katsuki remains stoic as Izuku questions him and nears him.
“Did you or did you no go to lunch with fucking Kasino Himari?”
Katsuki looks up at Izuku, a glint of humor in his eyes but he doesn't smile or laugh. “And so what if I did? She's someone I consider a close friend, I didn't take you to be a jealous bitch.”
“She's your fucking ex, Katsuki. I told you time and time again that she's just trying to break us up so she can have you again. You've heard what she's said about me and Kota. You watched as she hit my fucking son and demanded I give her money. She's fucked with us in the worst ways yet you still insist and easily agree to meet with her? Let me guess, she gave you the idea. She made you rethink your choices. Made you rethink me, us, and Kota. I can't believe you're still letting her control you like some fucking puppy.”
“What the fuck Deku.”
“You're in disbelief?” Izuku scoffs, “Imagine how I fucking feel.”
“You're an asshole,” Izuku says after some time, heading to their room with Katsuki following. “You're a fucking idiot.”
“Don't call me that shit Deku, you're no one to say that about me. You're looking at me, the number one fucking hero in all of Japan. Me, who didn't grow up a worthless quirkless kid that had to have a quirk given to him instead manifesting his own. Me, who has always been and always will be at the top.”
“You're fucking sick,” Izuku shakes his head in disbelief. “What the fuck did she say to you that made you spew out bullshit and have you bring up the old you?”
“Stop fucking talking about her! This is me and you. At least act like you want to choose me over that fucking kid you adopted.”
Izuku gasps in disbelief, “Katsuki, I never would have thought that you would be this way. I thought you changed. I thought we got somewhere. But you...you haven't changed. The man I see in front of me isn't the one I fell in love with.”
“Then let's break up for good so you can quit being disappointed in a man you supposedly love and stop whining like a little bitchy crybaby,” Katsuki growls. He didn't miss the way Izuku’s words died in his throat. Or the way his shoulders slumped and expression dropped. He chooses to ignore it instead. “Clearly this fucking relationship isn't working out.”
“Right,” Izuku mutters with a scoff. He grabs a set of clothes and his towel, leaving ‘their’ room and slams the bathroom door shut. He's so glad Kota was with his aunt for the weekend.
Soon enough, the shower is running and Bakugou sits on the bed. He can't even deny that he's still angry.
Minutes later, the shower is off and the door is opening. Bakugou hears the shuffling of feet and the sound of another door shutting at the end of the hall. The guest bedroom.
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Days became weeks; weeks had become months. The agency had gotten back to normal - well, as normal as it could get. Not long after that day, Deku and Ground Zero showed up separately, Deku confirmed he and Ground Zero split.
It was taken with disbelief and shock by everyone in Japan and all those who were employed at their agency. Shinso, who most definitely hadn't expected them to split, was most shocked of them all. He helped Izuku forget about Bakugou in the forms of helping him move and keeping him company at his new home when he broke.
It took time for Izuku to get back up. Though he didn't show it to the media and his employees, only those in his friend circle truly saw how affected he was. The two still shared ownership of the agency, deciding it would be a hassle to decide who kept it and who left. They did, however, make the agency two buildings for each to have one.
Shinso did expect the day to arrive wherein Izuku would have enough with Bakugou and finally raise his voice, but he didn’t expect it to be the end of them. Despite their differences and how they were almost strangers, Shinso really believed in Bakugou and thought he was the one his best friend would marry. He was upset when he heard the news that they separated, but all that left him when he learned about the fight and its details from Izuku.
“Hey dad?” Kota looks up at Izuku, frowning.
Izuku hums, crouching down to meet his eye, “Yeah Ko?”
“Are you and Baku really done? I know it’s been months but... I was just wondering. I really like peppermint!”
Izuku can’t stop the chuckle that escapes him. “Yeah Ko, me and Bakugou are done for real. And yeah? You like peppermint? I think I do, too.”
“Deku.”
Izuku looks behind him, giving his ex a glance, and looks back at Kota who ignored the blonde man.
“Dad, can peppermint be my dad! He’s so nice and cool! And his quirk is so awesome too! Wait, can we go see him? I miss him.”
Izuku stands straight, putting a hand on Kota’s head and pats him twice. “No, baby, Todoroki can’t be your dad silly. But I’m glad you like him a lot. We’ll go visit him after lunch, yeah? He misses you too. He said he wanted to try something with your quirk and his.”
“Really? Yay! I’ll let you and him talk now. I’ll be at the slide!” Kota doesn’t let Izuku reply as he dashes to the slides.
Izuku smiles softly before turning around and meeting Bakugou’s gaze.
“What do you need Bakugou?” Izuku asks with the same cold tone he now uses on the man.
Bakugou clears his throat, still uneasy and not used to the tone or the last name instead of ‘Kacchan’.
“We’ve both been asked to help out in the judging panel for this year’s provisional license exam. We’ve also been requested to join the UA sports festival.”
Izuku smiles and nods, “Yes to both. If there’s any more to know about that, or papers to sign, just leave them at my office.”
“Not that it's my business but how’s the kid? And what does he mean by Todoroki?” Bakugou dares to ask, his voice gruff.
Izuku’s small smile drops and his cold demeanor returns. “You have no right to ask about my son or my life. You're right, it's not your business so don’t ask. Nothing about my personal life involves you anymore, and I don’t need to tell you anything. If that’s all, leave. I’m trying to spend my day off with my son.”
Bakugou ignores the feeling in his chest and forces him to mutter out a ‘whatever’ before walking away. Izuku sighs deeply and returns to watching Kota, only to find him being held by none other than Todoroki. The bi-colored haired man looks his way and grins, waving at him to come over. Izuku’s surprised expression washes away and he grins brightly, already making his way over.
And during that small interaction, Bakugou watched with a heavy heart filled with guilt and regret.