Archive of Our Own

"This is your first date," Mirio says, handing Katsuki and Izuku a stack of papers. He's wearing a broad smile as if he'd said something completely ordinary and not absolutely wild.

"What the fuck?" grunts Katsuki.

"Kacchan..." Izuku puts light fingers in the crook of Katsuki's elbow.

"What the hell is a medium kiss?" Katsuki asks, scowling at the papers.

"Mmm, well, more than a peck, but no tongue," Mirio answers.

"How can you just say that shit?" 

"Sorry, I know it seems a bit wonky, but I assure you, you two were selected for this mission because we know you'll execute it with the utmost professionalism. That, and the fact that with your history..."

"Yeah, yeah, you don't need to explain that shit. I get it." 

"If it's too much and you aren't comfortable..."

"We'll do it!"

"Tamaki and I would do it ourselves, but you know how shy he is, he's an amazing hero, but I'm not sure he'd be the best fit..."

"I said we'd DO IT!" Katsuki slams the papers on the desk with a clenched fist. 

Izuku isn't sure how to take Katsuki's whiplash reaction. He prides himself on how well he can read the man, yet here he can't quite tell if he's disgusted or ecstatic. He knows Katsuki is a hero, first and foremost, and he'll take on any job that comes along with gusto. 

"Anyway this date is tomorrow night, so we better prepare," Katsuki says, shoving the case file into an envelope as they moved down the hall, back towards their shared office.

"Prepare?" Izuku asks. 

Katsuki stops in his tracks and swivels on his heel. Izuku almost laughs at the seriousness of his expression.

"It's our first date, so it's fine if we're a little awkward, but we need to be convincing and look like we actually wanna be there, yeah?" He asks, eyebrow cocked. 

"Oh," Izuku gulps, "of course, Kacchan! I'm sure we will. That's why we were chosen, right?"

"Tch. You think that's enough, Deku?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you think this asshole won't be onto us, you're more naive than I thought. You better follow my lead on this!" 

"Okay, Kacchan." Deku trusts Katsuki immensely, trusts him with his life, which is why he literally follows him into the office and doesn't flinch when he shuts the door behind them. 

It's only when Katsuki grabs him and pulls him into a kiss that he wonders if he can trust him with his heart. Izuku squeals in surprise, but he doesn't squirm. Katsuki's lips are soft and warm and the electricity between them sends a jolt to his heart, butterflies in his belly. 

"There," Katsuki says, pulling away and placing his hands on Izuku's shoulders, "was that a 'medium' kiss?" Izuku's sure his face is on fire, it's so hot. Was their office always this hot? Maybe they should open the window, call maintenance to fix the radiator..."Deku!" 

"Oh...uh, yeah...yeah, that seems right," he answers, suddenly looking away, though Katsuki still has him in his grip. If he notices the blush, he doesn't mention it, and maybe Izuku's imagining things, but Katsuki looks slightly flushed too. 

Katsuki nods in satisfaction then removes his hands, clears his throat, and heads to his desk. Izuku remains frozen for another second before following suit. He pretends to work a little, but mostly he's just shuffling papers around and peeking through his drawers. 

"And I know it says 'casual attire,' but you better step it up at least a little from your usual. This can't be like our normal outings for ramen or tea or whatever, you need to be believably trying to get in my pants..."

"Kacchan!" 

"What?! You date, you've been on dates, you know what I mean."

If Izuku took his sweater off, would Katsuki wonder why? He couldn't take this heat.

"Okay, okay, I'll wear something nice."

"You're paying."

"Uh?" Izuku's pretty sure the agency's picking up the tab. 

"If anyone asks, the date was your idea. You asked me out because you could no longer resist my charm."

Izuku snorts. This is just a little too close to the truth for comfort, but it's also funny and Katsuki seems completely serious.

"You've really thought about this, huh?" 

"I'm a professional, Deku. I've got morning patrol. But I'll text you any new ideas as they come." Katsuki retrieves his gauntlets then moves towards the door, where he pauses. "Actually, you should probably send me your outfit choices. I get final say." 

"Wow, being in a relationship with you is fun," Izuku says sarcastically, rolling his eyes. His stomach flipped on the word relationship.

"Pfft. Well, I guess you're about to find out."

*****

Izuku sighs as he continues to pull clothes from his closet. Katsuki has so far been unsatisfied with anything he'd tried on.

"I'm running out of options here," he speaks into the phone, Katsuki's scrutinizing gaze burning through the screen. 

Izuku pulls off and discards a green-grey button down and holds up a rust colored sweater.

"Let's see it on," says Katsuki. Izuku pulls off the blue undershirt he's wearing to replace it with a forest green one. 

He could almost swear Katsuki's face turns pink at the sight of his bare chest, but that can't be right. He's seen Izuku change in person numerous times over the course of their years as rivals, friends, and coworkers. And this whole dating thing is fake, he reminds himself. 

"Spin around, I wanna see the fit," Katsuki instructs. Izuku does. "That one. It's perfect." Izuku tugs at the bottom of the sweater. It's been a while since he's worn it, and with his bulkier arms, it feels like it's riding up a bit when he moves. 

"It's not too tight?"

"No. That's exactly the right idea. You're trying to impress me, right. You've got our colors, orange and green, but it's subtle enough. I might even believe it's an accident."

"So...are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Impressed." 

"Pfft. I can admit it. You look hot."

It's Izuku's turn to blush. He runs his fingers through his hair absent-mindedly. A comment like that from Katsuki. That could easily be his undoing.

"It's settled then. And we're meeting there, right? I'm not picking you up?" 

"I'm supposed to walk you home, remember? That means train."

"Right," replies Izuku, the sweater suddenly becoming much too hot. He remembers Katsuki is meant to give him a goodnight kiss as well. That will most certainly be his undoing. 

The restaurant is cozy and just enough off the beaten path that it seems completely realistic that two very high profile pros would choose it as the setting for their first date. When Izuku arrives, he cranes his neck to look around for Katsuki, in case he's already been seated. 

But as he does he feels warm, calloused hands cover his eyes just as a gruff voice says, "here, nerd."

Izuku spins on his heels, blushing already at the playful gesture and Katsuki greets him with a wide grin.  He tucks one of Izuku's loose curls behind an ear and takes him in with a very believable hungry look that stuns Izuku.

"You look good," Katsuki says as he grabs Izuku's hand and laces their fingers.

We're supposed to be hand-holding and making googly eyes , Izuku thinks. 

Kacchan is just already doing an amazing job at pretending . Of course he is, he's amazing.

"Table for two?" asks the hostess, a smirk playing on her lips. She's clearly happy to see them there and to be getting a look at their dating history in the making, so to speak. 

"Yes, we have a reservation," Katsuki replies.

"Ah, I see. I'll show you to your table."

They're seated in a corner, but not a secluded corner. They'll still be on full display. That's the whole point, of course. Izuku doesn't know why he's feeling so nervous, but he is. 

When they sit, Izuku doesn't know what to say, but fortunately or unfortunately, Katsuki reaches his hand across the table to take Izuku's again.

"I'm glad we could finally do this. Good thing you got up the guts to ask me out." 

Izuku blanches. Katsuki is so smooth at this. Does he have an earpiece or something feeding him these lines? Izuku doesn't feel like much of an improviser. And Katsuki's thumb tracing circles over his knuckles, only makes him that more flustered. 

That is until Katsuki kicks him under the table. He bites his 'Ow,' wincing slightly, feeling the fire in Katsuki's gaze. Izuku takes a deep breath and offers up a smile of his own. With his other hand, the one not entwined with Katsuki's, he rubs at his hair. 

"Yeah. Well, it's about time," Izuku says, trying his best to mimic the stars-in-his-eyes look Katsuki's giving. It's not too far off from how he actually looks at Katsuki, from how he wants to look at him, how he tries not to. But here, he can! He should! So he does. 

Katsuki takes the lead, saying he'll order for them. Their story is that Izuku asked him out but Katsuki picked the place and as such he'll be picking the food. He knows what Izuku likes. And because it's called The Crispy Prawn, they'll start with that. 

"Their tempura's the best I've had, better than mine, even."

"Hmm, I guess I'll have to try it to believe that," Izuku replies, leaning across the table. Flirting, he's flirting, this is flirting. 

"You can handle spice, right Deku?"

"Of course!"

"Tch! "

"I can! Maybe I don't douse everything I eat in hot sauce like you, but I like things spicy," he says with a quirk of his lips. Katsuki's eyes narrow.

"Alright, then."

The food is delicious. Despite neither of them having been there before, Katsuki orders like an expert. They continue to flirt, Izuku thinks, and after a round of sake, he's really leaning into it. 

When Katsuki hovers his chopsticks towards Izuku's mouth, urging him to taste a bite of eel, he does so with a coy expression as if it's the most intimate thing Katsuki could do. And to be fair, it's pretty much the most intimate thing Katsuki has done with him. 

Izuku picks up the tab as agreed upon, Katsuki theatrically offering before Izuku says, "I'm the one who asked you out, remember. This is my treat. You can pay for the next one."

"Next one?" asks Katsuki, coyly. Izuku merely smiles as he places his credit card in the book. 

The Botanic Garden is beautiful. There are lights strategically placed to highlight the different blooms even in the night and Izuku resists the urge to mutter everything he knows about plants as they stroll, hand in hand. 

If he's not careful, he'll be swept up in the magic. It /feels/ like a real date in every way, so far. Neither of them dropping the act for even a moment to regroup, but one going along with the other in effortless fashion. Izuku decides he'll let himself continue pretending. 

Just for the night. He'll allow himself to fully bask in the idea of being with Katsuki, as his date. But as he reaffirms this method once more, he spies the lily pond and the bridge ahead. The bridge where they're supposed to kiss. 

He lets Katsuki pull him along then. He makes a comment about how the scene reminds him of a Monet painting. Izuku nods his head in agreement, but before he can say a word, Katsuki is tilting his chin up and dragging him into a clash of lips and teeth. A soft grunt escapes as Katsuki purposefully nips at Izuku's bottom lip. 

This is miles away from the practice kiss they'd shared in the office. It's more intense, more fiery, and Izuku winds his arms around Katsuki's head before pulling away, flushed, remembering that this is meant to be 'medium,’ whatever the hell that means.

They rest their foreheads together and Katsuki looks positively hungry for more, but Izuku pats Katsuki's cheek and makes some inane comment about being cold and it getting late. It isn't that late, but he needs to deflect somehow. 

Katsuki looks on the verge of words, but instead he smiles, growls, and wraps an arm around Izuku as he offers to walk him home. They take the long way.

When they arrive, Katsuki says, "this was fun. I'd definitely do it again."

"Me too." 

"Good. It'll be my turn to take you out."

"Noted."

"Goodnight, Deku."

"G'night, Kacchan," Izuku says. And because he remembers in that instant that the papers said, 'goodnight kiss at your discretion' Izuku pulls Katsuki to him, gripping his collar, saying  goodnight with a kiss of his own, which Katsuki seems to welcome. And though Izuku thinks it descends into something well beyond medium, Katsuki follows along. Like so many other times when Katsuki had said, 'follow my lead' but ended up doing things Izuku's way.

Izuku freaks out almost immediately, sending a flourish of texts to Katsuki.

[Me 23:16]

was that okay?

Was it too much?

I got carried away. Sorry. it's been a while since I've kissed anyone.

[Kacchan 23:17]

NERD

S'fine

We're trying to be believable, right?

[Me 23:17]

Right

[Kacchan 23:17]

then what're you so worried about?

you nailed it.

Izuku can't tell Katsuki what he's so worried about; not that pretending to be with him is a special kind of pain, because what he really wants is to actually be with him.

[Me 23:18]

Thanks. So, I guess we just wait for Mirio to assign us our next date.

[Kacchan 23:20]

Yeah.

*****

Katsuki has to take a cold shower because he's still imagining the sensation of kissing Izuku, even after the long walk back to his apartment. He pictures the fierce look in his eyes and the sharp tug on his clothing as warm lips closed around his. 

He shivers to think of it, not because it was bad; quite the opposite. It was good. Very good. Too good. For a brief, un-Katsuki like moment, he thinks of contacting Mirio to say they have to abort the mission, that they've been compromised. 

In a way, that's not a lie, but then, they've always been compromised, haven't they? By Katsuki's pesky feelings.

And Bakugou Katsuki doesn't give up. Despite the personal difficulty, he agreed to the terms of the job; agreed while fully aware of the challenges. 

But being aware and actually experiencing are two very different things, he's discovering. And to think, a sick part of him saw this gig as an opportunity to safely live out some of his Izuku-related fantasies. What a joke. Turns out, he's the punchline. 

Fuck, Katsuki thinks as he rereads the memo at his desk one more time. Dinner and drinks at his place. Then a concert. Jirou's band. That meant parading the act in front of their friends. 

"I thought this was a secret mission," Izuku remarks.

"Yeah, well if it's supposed to seem real, we can't hide it from the extras forever."

"It's only been a few days since our first date...would we really tell everyone so soon?"

"Apparently we would, Deku."

"So, should we mention to any of them that we're coming together beforehand or just...surprise them?"

"Well, who would you want to tell if we were dating?" Katsuki asks, seriously. 

Izuku bites his bottom lip in a painfully cute manner and it makes his mind wander to the sweet little nips of teeth they'd shared during their anything but medium kiss in front of Izuku's apartment. Katsuki has to look away. 

"I guess I'd probably tell Ochako. But I think that's it. At least at this stage."

"And Kirishima's the only one I'd trust, but I think I'd wait for a third or fourth date to say anything.  So if he's there, I guess he'll be surprised." 

Katsuki didn't mention that Kirishima was the only person who knew about his feelings for Izuku, that he'd almost told him about the mission and his struggles therein, but had gotten ahold of himself. 

Shit, but Kirishima will think it's all real. Shit, shit, shit. He's so earnest, he'll be so happy for Katsuki and then when it's all a rouse...ugh, he can't deal with thinking about the pity his friend will feel for him. 

He has no time for that. The date is only in a couple of days. Wow, the agency really wants them to look desperate for each other, don't they?

Katsuki has to decide what he's going to serve Izuku for dinner.

*****

Katsudon is too obvious. It's been Izuku's favorite food since they were kids, since before he could properly even say katsudon...since he'd called it 'kacchdon,' and oh god that sounds so much like Kacchan, Katsuki can't handle it.  Now he's remembering how little Izuku used to say 'tonkacchan' because he thought it was funny. How they would both laugh at it until it hurt. But he hadn't thought about that in ages.

So, Katsudon is too obvious, but he's still making it.  And it's gonna be the best fucking katsudon Izuku's ever tasted, including all the previous times Katsuki has made it for him. That's not all, though. This is still a date, not some dinner debrief or friendly hang-out. 

Izuku arrives exactly four minutes before the scheduled time and he looks messily cute in an outfit clearly put together by half himself, half Ochako.

"Hey, nerd,' Katsuki greets him with an improvised kiss on the cheek because it just feels appropriate and he can't help himself.  Izuku appears to blush and Katsuki takes his jacket.

"Wow, you cleaned up just for me?" Izuku jokes.

"My place is always clean!"

"Sure." Izuku holds up his hands in surrender.

"Whisky?" Katsuki asks, but he's already pouring. Izuku nods and accepts the glass with a smile. 

He doesn't look as nervous as he did the last time and he doesn't look as nervous as Katsuki feels. Maybe Izuku is less nervous and Katsuki is more nervous for the same reason: being in the familiar environment of Katsuki's home. 

Not for the first time, Katsuki wonders what a date at his residence will accomplish against a villain. He supposes it makes sense because it appears natural and maybe Papa Ratchi's trailing Izuku. And that thought makes his blood boil. 

But this part of the date is only the opening act. The real show will be later, in front of their friends and an audience of extras.

Izuku compliments the smells of the food coming from the kitchen and when Katsuki moves to add the final finesse, he comes right up behind him. 

It's so domestic and intimate.  So real.

They don't talk about the fact that it's fake, not even in the safety of the apartment, because the whole night needs to be as realistic as possible from start to finish. And their every interaction between these assignments does too. 

*****

The bar is hazy from the stage lights that are already blazing above. Katsuki's holding Izuku's hand so tight and his palms are sweating profusely, which would scare Izuku a little if he didn't know the lengths he went to control his Quirk. 

Even so, the sweet caramel scent that was both a bit sickly and inviting invaded Izuku's nose, mixing with the smell of stale beer and greasy food.

"Midoriya-kun! Bakugou-san!"

Izuku's nerves flared at the sound of their names. His nerves hadn't been bad back at Katsuki's apartment, but out here was another story.  This is it. The big performance.

"You two got here at the same time, huh?" Kirishima asks, then his eyes widen with delight and knowing as he notices their joined hands. And suddenly they’re both being crushed in a rock-hard hug.

"R'lax," Katsuki grumbles. He's still managing to hold onto Izuku's hand.

"But this is great!"

"What's great?" Kaminari's voice wafts over and he approaches with a grin. 

Kirishima is...crying? Izuku's confused, but he tries not to show it. Their friend seems genuinely happy.

"Finally!" Kaminari says, smacking Katsuki in the shoulder, playfully.

"Shouldn't you be warming up, Dunce Face? Lobes'll kill you she catches you fucking around out here." Kaminari merely shrugs.  He looks unbothered.

"What'll I do?" Jirou asks, appearing with two beers in hand, one which Kaminari gleefully takes from her. Izuku watches for a moment as he throws his arm around her and kisses her on the temple. 

He practically jumps as Katsuki does the same to him, but recovers quickly or appears to. He doesn't know how convincing he is, but his heart is racing and they're all staring at them, oh god! Is this what a goldfish feels like? Their friends all blink at them and in the middle of the noisy, packed bar it feels like everything goes silent and still for a minute. 

Izuku smells a familiar perfume and then Mina attacks them from behind, squealing, 'OH MY GOODDDD!!!' 

No one seems to care when they tell them it's only their second date and it's nothing serious yet. That comment is met with scoffs.

"Oh please!"

"You two are made for each other!"

"We figured this would happen one day!" 

Izuku can't help it. His emotions are about to go haywire. He gives Katsuki a pleading look.

"Alright, settle down you idiots. Be that as it may, this is a new thing and yeah, this is our way of telling you, but it ain't a fuckin' press conference." 

Izuku is impressed with Katsuki's ability to do this, to lead. They all back off, congratulatory smiles not fading one bit, though. And as they take their seats and watch Kaminari and Jirou ascend to the stage, their words echo in his mind. 

Finally!  Made for each other. Figured this would happen. 

Katsuki winds their fingers together as the lights fade and the music starts. 

Izuku has to take a deep breath, to exhale his thoughts. Because this now feels like entanglement and he doesn't think he can get out without hurting himself anymore.

The music is great, but the excitement of a live show does nothing to distract Izuku from his thoughts. What had they all meant by those comments? What did it say that no one seems all that surprised by the relationship? 

He chances a glance at Katsuki, who seems to sense Izuku's eyes on him and he returns the look with one of concern almost immediately. Izuku has to wonder what kind of expression he'd had to warrant that. He schools his features into a grin and presses a palm to Katsuki's cheek. 

Katsuki takes that hand and kisses each finger, delicately. It's helping and not helping. Maybe Izuku will just have to ask Mirio exactly how many of these dates they're supposed to go on because it might be easier with the end in sight. 

The concert ends and he's still lost in thought. Izuku is exhausted, but they're meant to mingle and have at least one drink. He takes the beer Katsuki offers, just as Kirishima and Mina plop down next to him. Jirou and Kaminari have pulled Katsuki away to talk music. Izuku sighs as he sips his beer and watches as they introduce Katsuki to their drummer, as he clearly checks out the guy’s setup.

"I know you just started dating," Kirishima says, scooting in closer to accommodate other patrons trying to flag down the bartender for drinks, 

"but man, Bakugou's been in love with you for like...forever. He musta finally confessed, huh?"

"Huh?" shrieks Izuku. What?  

"It was fun watching Blasty suffer, but it was getting to be too much!" Mina says with a huge smile. 

Izuku's heart is racing so fast now, he's worried it will pull him right out of the bar. He takes a long sip of beer because he can't give away the game now. He's got to let his confusion settle and go along with this, however, mistaken Kirishima might be. 

"Yup," Izuku agrees. "It was really romantic and heartfelt."

"What's that, nerd?" Katsuki asks, reentering the scene, now twirling drumsticks through his calloused fingers.

Izuku turns to him, emboldened by the atmosphere, the alcohol, what he'd just heard from their friend. 

"Your confession," Izuku says, "how you finally broke down and told me you'd been in love with me for a long time...for forever.”

Izuku's voice wavers slightly at the words. A shadow crosses Katsuki's face. 

For a moment and his red eyes flicker to Kirishima, who's grinning wildly and looking ready to hug them again. A distinct blush is crawling up his face and he grabs Izuku's wrist, dragging him off the barstool and into an embrace. 

"Yeah, well...Deku asked me out first, actually," says Katsuki, still sticking with the narrative they'd agreed upon. But like any good improviser, he wove in this new information and went with it. Like kintsugi; a mistake is an opportunity for artistry. And Katsuki is golden. 

*****

Katsuki is not golden. Katsuki is going to kill Kirishima. He supposes it's not Shitty Hair's fault for blurting that out in his usual supportive manner, but the look of shock on Izuku's face, the challenge in his voice will be etched in Katsuki's mind for always. 

This job was already becoming too much and now it will be damn near impossible. How long is it supposed to last, again?

The cab ride home is quiet torture. They sit close, stealing a few kisses for show, and now Katsuki is so embarrassed, but there's really nothing for it.  They stop at Izuku's place first. Katsuki refuses Izuku's money, insisting he'll pay for the whole ride. They share another quick, chaste kiss, and Izuku exits.

"Deku!" Katsuki calls, sliding to the edge of the seat, leaning out the door. He's so close to jumping out, admitting it all, to telling him how much he hates this because he loves it and loves Izuku and can't go on this way. Instead, he just says, "G'night."

"G'night, Kacchan."

*****

Izuku doesn't sleep. He can't. He can't stop thinking.

‘Bakugou's been in love with you for like...forever’

He let the words play on a loop, hoping that eventually they'd feel real, but he can't comprehend it.  Sighing, he rolls over and picks up his phone.

[Me] 02:00

Kacchan do you

No, he shouldn't text this in the middle of the night. It's not a conversation to have over text. He's not sure he can handle it face to face, either but that's his own problem. 

But as he moves to delete the text, another pops up from Mirio that says "Great job, Guys!" Accompanying it is a slew of images from not just the concert, but their kiss at the Botanic Garden as well. Plastered all over various social media sites and hero gossip blogs. The whole reason they're doing this. To catch a villain. Izuku had almost forgotten.

He should close the file. His heart clenches to see these pictures of him and Katsuki looking so happy and in love. It's very convincing, he decides. Apparently, the villain thinks so too. Good. 

Without thinking, he takes his phone with him into the bed and he scrolls through the photos, allowing himself to be taken in by the fantasy, to pretend it's real for just a while longer until he falls asleep. 

Work is almost unbearable now because everyone is giving Izuku knowing smiles. Everyone has seen the photos. They have a meeting with Mirio to go over the next phases. They're meant to approach the villain in their next encounter. 

"You guys have crushed it, so far!" Mirio exclaims, pumping his fist. "Now that your relationship is out in the open, you'll have to keep it up at work too. And that's when we're hoping to apprehend Papa Ratchi." 

Izuku watches Katsuki very carefully out of the corner of his eye. They hadn't spoken much since their last date, hadn't shared the office much due to busy schedules. And they hadn't debriefed over text like after the first one. 

Izuku had received a flood of texts from Ochako after the photos came out, mostly supportive squeals and congratulations that only stung. He should have known she'd have guessed at his feelings. 

He'd texted back, 'I guess I was kinda obvious, huh? Sorry, I didn't tell you before, about the date...it's just all kinda new.' And of course, she'd understood.

"How much longer is this gig gonna go?" Katsuki asks point-blank. "Will this be it, then?" Mirio smiles brightly and shrugs.

"Depends on if you get to him or not. From the photo pattern, it seems likely he'll be following along on this one."

Something about the way Mirio says this so casually makes Izuku's heart pound. 

Intellectually he knows his 'intimate' moments with Katsuki are being captured. He's seen the evidence. But emotionally, thinking of the villain lurking, watching...he doesn't like it. All the more reason to end this quickly. 

Mirio slides another paper across the desk and as Izuku reads it, he gulps. He has to wonder how much of this is actually allowed professionally, or if there are some lines being crossed. Actually, scratch that, there are definitely lines being crossed.

Izuku's  so devoted to being a hero, he's never questioned a mission, really. He'd been involved in so many dangerous scenarios over the years; had done some pretty crazy shit...but this takes the cake. Mirio seems to know what he's thinking. 

"Look, I know it might be a bit uncomfortable. It's a lot to ask. I chose you because you're professionals, but you don't have to continue if..."

"Bullshit," Katsuki barks. "Deku and I don't quit. We'll get the damn villain and then this will all be over." 

Mirio nods.

"And we ain't doing a fake break-up," Katsuki continues. "I'm not going through all that mess. We'll put out a statement that it was all a rouse, yeah? You're okay with that, Deku?"

Izuku blinks. He's not sure what he's okay with anymore. 

"Sure," he says. So, Katsuki clearly wants out of this and honestly, after the last date, Izuku can't blame him. It's been fun, in a way, but a little fun is not worth the growing torture this mission has become. 

So almost two weeks to prepare for what will hopefully be the last fake date he'll ever go on. He tries not to think about the carefully crafted instructions for Izuku to take Katsuki home with him after (2) passionate kisses at a ramen shop. 

It's the third date after all. A bit of a cliche. Is this really how he'd approach dating Katsuki? Best not to contemplate this, maybe. He prays for as many separate shifts from his 'boyfriend' as he can get. Otherwise, he may combust. 

*****

Katsuki had texted Kirishima a string of expletives immediately following the concert, along with 'THIS IS A BRAND NEW RELATIONSHIP, YOU ASSHOLE, YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THAT SHIT TO DEKU, YOU'LL SCARE HIM AWAY FROM ME!' 

'Whatever you say bro, but I think you're wrong. He's crazy about you!' had been the response.

"I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT IT ANYMORE, JUST DON'T SAY ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT'

Katsuki is bad at this, right? At feelings? 

He'd opened up to Kirishima about his feelings for Izuku back in high school because they'd been suffocating then. And because the guy was perceptive as hell and had come right out and asked, 'do you like him or something?' Fuck but Katsuki doesn't want to relive all that. 

He just wants some damn peace. He'd deleted the photos from their dates almost immediately. He couldn't be bombarded with that. He'd instantly regretted it though; there are some damn good ones. He almost forgets he's supposed to be taking in the guy who took them. 

Now Katsuki crumples the paper with their third date instructions. Sleeping over at Izuku's house? It's not like he hasn't done it before, on the couch of course, after a long shift or a movie marathon or something. But now it all feels different. 

Mirio does seem to cut them some slack. They're like ships passing in the night for the next few days and they keep up the facade only with a quick peck or a smile before their shifts and they're able to say they're maintaining a veneer of professionalism while at work. 

For the most part, their friends leave them alone, believing both of their appeals to give them some privacy while they figure out this dating thing.

It's just enough of a reprieve for Katsuki to ready himself for the final date. 

Katsuki and Izuku have eaten together at Lucky's Ramen countless times. It's habitual almost to head over there together after a shared shift, though they've never done so with interlaced fingers before. Katsuki attempts to keep the nerves at bay, to at least save them for later. 

When the staff eyes their joined hands, they thankfully say nothing, but they do offer knowing looks and Katsuki knows the news has been circulating. They've probably just been waiting for the chance to see it first hand.

"We haven't been here in a while," remarks Izuku. 

"Yeah," he agrees. Katsuki's impressed by Izuku tonight. He seems composed and natural, while Katsuki feels like a complete mess. He knows he's only able to hide like this because he's had years of training in suppressed feelings. He's always been fuckin' great at that. 

And that's part of the problem here, isn't it? How he ended up here in this fake dating disaster. If he'd owned up to his feelings for Izuku long ago, then maybe things would be different.

"I'm glad to be here with you, Kacchan," Izuku says suddenly, reaching across the table. 

"Me too, nerd," he answers, because it is the truth technically, even if the how of it is murky. For a split second, he thinks he sees the sparkle of tears in Izuku's eyes and that can't be. He squeezes the hand offered to him, then leans over to plant a kiss on Izuku's forehead. 

Izuku smiles, sending shivers through Katsuki because he looks so pleased. Katsuki ruffles Izuku's hair and they order their food and fall into easy conversation, finally.

It doesn't feel like acting; it feels...right and good. 

*****

It's Izuku who initiates their assigned 'passionate kisses.' He figures because he's the one taking Katuski home, he should make the first move. He's nervous as he pays the bill, letting Katsuki pay the tip, nervous as he stands and stretches, as Katsuki does the same. 

"Hey," he says, grabbing Katsuki's wrist and pulling him towards him. "I still have room for dessert...maybe at my place?" He leans in. Whispers this last part. He hopes his blush doesn't give him away. And when Katsuki growls, Izuku goes in for the kill. 

He cups Katsuki's face and pulls him down, arms winding around him. There are hoots, hollers, claps, laughs, rising up around them from the staff and other customers.

Papa Ratchi better be getting this, wherever he is, the bastard. 

"Hell yeah," Katsuki replies, whispering in Izuku's ear, biting the lobe teasingly. They make haste, running together then, in desperation, towards Izuku's place which is only a few blocks away. 

Their instructions were for two kisses in the ramen shop, but Katsuki pulls Izuku into another right in front of the apartment building, while Izuku fumbles for his keys.  Izuku laughs, getting caught up in it all. Katsuki chases him up the stairs and he lets out happy yelps until he opens the apartment door and they're safe inside. Then he exhales. Katsuki's already moving to sit on the couch and he's got his head between his hands.

"Kacchan?" 

"I'm sorry, Deku, I shouldn’t have done that."

"Huh?"

"I just need a minute."

"Uhh...Ok." He moves towards the kitchen to make tea. He finds he needs it. Actually...he needs something stronger. "Tea, sake? both? I'm gonna have both," he says. 

He eyes Katsuki warily, who's still rubbing at his face. He looks exhausted. Izuku gets it. This pretending is tiring.

"You know we don't really have to have sex, right?" he jokes. But why he thought it would be funny is beyond him.

"Of course I know that, idiot!" 

"It was joke," he replies weakly. Yeah, if you have to explain it, it's a failure.

"Yeah, well, it ain't funny. I'll take both. To drink."

Izuku pours the sake and hands it to Katsuki first, not meeting his eye. Then he brews the tea. 

"I'll get blankets for the couch."

Katsuki slams the sake. Izuku pours more, sitting at the other end of the couch, as far from Katsuki as possible.

"I don't wanna sleep on your damn couch, Deku." 

"Oh. Well, I'll sleep here, then. You can have the bed. Is your back sore? I have tiger balm..."

"I don't wanna sleep in your bed either!" he yells.

"Okay...well, sleep on the floor for all I care!" 

He's getting worked up now. They both are. This is too much. It's too much!

"Deku..." Katsuki says, taking a deep breath.

"Yes?"

They stare at each other for what feels like an eternity. That's nothing new for them, is it? Eventually, Katsuki speaks.

"Do you remember what Kirishima said to you at the concert?"

Did he remember? How could he forget? It's only played on a loop in his head nearly every minute since he'd first heard it.

"Uh-huh," he answers.

"Do you know why he said it?" 

"Cuz we're really good at our job and we convinced everyone this is real?" asks Izuku.

"Because it's true," Katsuki replies. "He said it because it's true. I have loved you for forever. I've been in love with you." 

The words wash over Izuku. He hears them. But they don't land. "What do you mean?"

"What do you mean, ‘what do I mean?’ I mean this mission is the best worst thing to ever happen to me. I hate it!"

"Kacchan...is in love with me?"

"Yes! More sake, please."

Izuku pours dutifully. He's trying to process everything he's just heard. 

"I'm sorry to put all this on you, Deku," Katsuki says, drinking smaller sips now. 

"It's not fair. I don't expect anything from you. I didn't expect to blurt this out, but I can't take it anymore. I tried, Deku, really I tried." 

Izuku nods,  pouring himself more. The tea goes untouched.

"It's been hell for me too," he says finally.

"Huh?"

"Kacchan. It's not just you." 

Again with the staring.

"Deku..."

And Izuku thinks he's about to jump on Katsuki and kiss him stupid. It's what he wants to do. He's often been the person who moves without thinking, but when he moves towards Katsuki, instead he just crumbles into a fit of unstoppable tears. 

It's not sexy. His forehead hits Katsuki's shoulder with a thunk, but he can't be bothered to care, not with the soothing hands that enfold him. Katsuki wipes his tears away, smoothing his hair, holding him, and just letting him let it all out without interruption or question. 

And maybe this right here is actually the most intimate moment they've shared. More than the googly eyes, the hand-holding, the food-sharing, or the fake kisses with their very real intent. This is Izuku and this is Katsuki. Unhindered. Uninhibited. Nothing fake about it. 

*****

Katsuki wakes up sore. He slept on the floor after all, by Izuku's side. Izuku, who had passed out on the couch when the exhaustion had finally hit him. Katsuki had covered him with a blanket and laid down right there next to him, assuming sleep was a wash anyway. 

But apparently, he had fallen asleep, the wood floor be damned. He sighed and ran a knuckle over Izuku's freckled cheek, careful not to wake him. The sake bottle is empty. The teapot and cups are full but cold. He sets about cleaning it up and searches Izuku's fridge for food. 

He starts the rice, makes coffee, and decides to make eggs. He'll let Izuku sleep. God knows he must need it. Katsuki feels beat like he'd spent the night crying too, but strangely, he hadn't. Once he'd gotten the words out, he'd felt lighter. 

He hoped Izuku would feel similarly unburdened now. Only then would he feel right about continuing their conversation, about finding out what it all meant for them.

"Hey," Izuku finally says. He raises his head with a yawn, the blanket still draped over him. 

His hair is sticking up every which way and he rubs the sleep out of his eyes as he focuses his gaze on Katsuki.

"You're still here."

"Of course, I am. We have a mission to complete, don't we?"

"I thought...well, I dunno what I thought." 

"Don't think," Katsuki says. "Drink." He hands Izuku a mug of coffee, topped off with a little cream and sugar, just how he likes, and Katsuki pushes back several of Izuku's curls, kissing his temple lightly like he's asking permission. 

"Kacchan...thank you for taking care of me," Izuku says, leaning into the touch. And thankfully, he smiles.

"That's what I want, Deku."

But what do you want?   he thinks. 

"Me too," Izuku replies. He takes one sip of coffee before setting his mug down and pulling Katsuki down to meet him. "Kacchan. I want this to be real."

Izuku's playing with his hair, leaning in, and Katsuki's heart is in his throat. Every cell in his body is screaming. 

*****

They're going to be late for work. Izuku doesn't care. That's probably better for the mission anyway. And in any case, he can't stop kissing Katsuki. Not now. Not ever. He no longer needs this case to end for his poor heart's sake. 

They dress in giddy silence, Izuku noticing every hungry look that flickers in Katsuki's red eyes.

"Let's go catch a villain," Katsuki growls. And Izuku laughs then because he isn't sure if the looks were for him or for the idea of victory. Probably both. He's okay with that. 

Izuku feels a sense of contentment that's almost always been out of reach for him. As he and Katsuki walk to the agency hand in hand, of their own volition, he feels on the verge of breaking down again, but not in tears, just in a complete fit of joy. 

It's as they round the last corner before arriving to work when Katsuki crushes him in a hug and steals another greedy kiss that Izuku notices their target out of the corner of his eye. He tugs lightly on Katsuki's shirt to inform him. 

"Oi! Take a picture, it'll last longer!" Katsuki grunts. “Hey! I know you," he adds, changing his tone. Papa Ratchi turns to run, but before he can, Izuku lets out an air blast that hits the pillar next to where the villain stands. 

He freezes, looking from one to the other, seeming unsure of his next move. They don't have their regular gear or equipment, but Katsuki knows the looks he gets when he makes sparks in his palms, so he does and he moves slowly, but with purpose. 

"How'd you do it? Take those pictures if you don't have a camera?"

"It's your Quirk, right?" asks Izuku, voice laced with simple curiosity. There's no menace, yet.

"You know you're not allowed to use your Quirk unauthorized," Katsuki says. 

Papa Ratchi scowls. He's not dangerous. The most he can do is run and since he hasn't yet, he won't. Izuku knows from experience.

"I'm not a bad guy," he pleads, holding his hands out.

"Then get a camera like the rest of the vultures and play by the rules," says Katsuki. 

"Consider this a warning," Izuku says.

"And we'll know if you comply," offers Katsuki. "We're together now, as I'm sure you've gathered. We know you won't pass up the opportunity to continue snapping images of the famous Wonder Duo...so they better bet on a fuckin' camera." 

*****

"Wow!" Mirio exclaims. "I did not expect you to get him so quickly, or for him to cooperate."

"Well, that remains to be seen, but he did for the time being, anyway," Katsuki replies.

"I guess we put on quite a show for him," Izuku mused. 

"Yeah, so then...I guess we can draft your statement about the relationship."

"No," says Katsuki.

"No?"

Katsuki reaches out his hand to Izuku, who takes it with a squeeze.

"This is real."

"Huh," Mirio says with a shrug. He looks jolly as ever as he registers the news. 

"I wondered if something like this might happen," he says.

"You...what?" Izuku asks.

"I mean, you guys have been dancing around each other for a while, right? Like forever."

"You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me!"

"Kacchan!" 

"So unprofessional!" he exclaims, but he can't hide his smile.

"Sorry about that," Mirio answers. "I figured you could handle it. Looks like I was right!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."