Work Text:
Katsuki blinked several times and double checked to see he wasn’t imagining things.
Fluffy, unruly curls were tamed and brushed back. His face on full display, and his large green eyes glittering with happiness. The same kind of happiness that made Izuku the perfect poster boy of positivity. His skin was smoothed over with a touch of make-up, judging by the way his freckles didn’t stand out as prominently as they should this late in spring.
But what really had Katsuki thrown for a loop wasn’t the windswept hair, or the make-up. But rather, his plush lips that were tinted pink and glossy.
Did Izuku’s lips always look this good?
Katsuki’s known Izuku for a good chunk of their lives, and heck he knows Izuku pretty damn intimately ; five years and counting.
His eyes tracked Izuku as he greeted their staff good morning with his heart-stealing smile, paired with a new air of confidence that Katsuki hadn’t seen before. Though, before he could even think too hard about that, he was distracted when he noticed that everyone’s eyes flicked down to his shiny lips, no doubt wondering what they felt like. Katsuki had half a mind to walk over to the group and remind them exactly who gets to kiss those lips day in and day out.
But the possessive feelings subsided the moment Izuku’s face lit up when their eyes met across the room, and the sight of Izuku’s shiny lips curved in a smile at the sight of him further tamped down his inner rage.
“Hi,” Izuku said softly as he approached Katsuki with his soft endearing smile; a smile warm enough to melt the asshole facade he kept up at work to keep everyone in line, because who was going to listen to a nice Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight .
Katsuki reached up for Izuku’s face and placed his fingers under his chin and tilted Izuku’s face up. Izuku cocked his head at the sudden public display of affection, because Katsuki didn’t like that shit whatsoever.
A moment of tension hung between them as Katsuki’s eyes flitted down to those cursed glossy lips. But before he could even think about kissing Izuku, he took his thumb and swiped the gloss clean off with his glove.
“Take that shit off Deku. We’re pro-heroes not God damn models.”
“Ah, sorry! Though, while we may not be models, we still do photoshoots and interviews! You know I had an appearance on a morning show today.”
Katsuki grumbled, “Yeah, yeah, whatever. We have some briefings today, and other pros will be showing up. So go and get suited up.”
Izuku laughed. “Yes, sir!” and saluted him before he dropped his bag off at his private office before he headed to the locker rooms.
Katsuki headed to their large conference room and made sure everything was in order. Izuku shortly appeared with his notebook and several folders. “I knew you’d be in here already, for your pre-briefing ritual.”
“It’s not a ritual! I just don’t want anything to go wrong during the presentations.”
Izuku smirked at him before he leaned up and stole a quick kiss from Katsuki.
Katsuki was stunned by the surprise attack, his tongue unconsciously ran across his lips, the faint taste of cherry lingered. Quickly he snapped back into his scowl. “We said—”
“—no PDA. I know, Kacchan. But I haven’t gotten my good morning kiss yet.” Izuku pouted.
Katsuki rolled his eyes. “Ugh, fine. Just this once. C’mere nerd.” He wrapped an arm around Izuku’s shoulders and pulled him in and tilted his face and slotted their lips together. The cherry-flavored chapstick was much more definitive as their lips moved together.
“Happy?” Katsuki asked when he released Izuku.
“Mm hmm! Gave me the boost I needed to get me through the day!”
“Whoa, guys! It’s gettin’ hot and heavy in here!”
Izuku jumped away from Katsuki, who only rolled his eyes at the newcomer.
“Whatever Shitty Hair. If anyone is really bad at keeping PDA under wraps, it’s you and IcyHot.”
“Hey now, you know we’re in our honeymoon phase! Give us a break!” exclaimed Eijirou, “Besides, better me than anyone else catching our bosses kissing like they’re newlyweds.”
“This..yes. At least it wasn’t an intern, Kacchan. Or worse, Hawks or another higher-up!”
“Whatever. You’re the one that wanted a damn kiss.” Katsuki huffed as he turned away to prepare the podium at the front of the room. He caught Izuku smiling at him fondly as he turned away.
All this because of fuckin’ lip gloss. Should be no big deal, it was a one-time thing anyway. He thought.
But oh, how wrong he was. A few days later, Izuku walked in with bright pink lip gloss and a bright grin on his face and that air of confidence he had the other day. Once again, Katsuki felt his blood boil, why the hell was lip gloss riling him up.
“What the hell Deku?” He said as he wiped Izuku’s lips with his thumb again. But this time Izuku pouted.
“Aw, why’d you do that?”
“What? You like this shit?”
Izuku shrugged. “It feels–nice? Mina and Ochako said I look good with lip gloss!”
Katsuki scanned their periphery before he pulled Izuku in and slotted their lips together; the taste of strawberry on his lips this time.
“You look good. You don’t need it.”
Izuku blushed at the compliment. “If-if Kacchan says so…,” he trailed off bashfully, “um, I’m gonna–yeah–tackle some paperwork! I’ll see you later?”
Katsuki loved seeing Izuku get flustered over a small compliment. Especially, since Katsuki rarely feels the need to compliment his boyfriend; hell he never compliments anyone really.
But, another few days later, Katsuki noticed that Izuku had stopped using the lipgloss, even when coming back from an interview or a shoot. He also noticed that his mood had somewhat plummeted simultaneously. At first, he attributed it to Izuku being swamped with their work at the agency and keeping up appearances with the media. Funny enough though, Izuku was still wearing the light make-up from his afternoon photoshoot.
So, was he purposely removing the lip gloss before coming into the office?
Katsuki started to feel guilty over admonishing Izuku over the lip gloss. He didn’t necessarily want him to stop; he just hated how riled up and turned on he got from seeing Izuku’s lips accentuated and put on display.
Izuku was cute damn it. Everyone knew that; especially Katsuki. He was dating him after all. Izuku had been cute the moment he met him when they were four years old and that thought hadn’t changed much over the years.
Katsuki had finally come to terms with his feelings being more than platonic when Izuku’s cuteness started to garner more attention; especially in the form of Ochako Uraraka.
He didn’t mean to compete with pink cheeks; but she was getting a little too close for comfort to Izuku. He could tell she was into him just by how she looked at him. It had made him uncomfortable; and that’s when he realized, he liked him.
It had been a race against time to confess to Izuku; especially after overhearing Ochako and the girls talking about love one night.
He’ll never forget the way Izuku laughed at his rushed confession. Katsuki was boiling with embarrassment and threatened to take it back, only for Izuku to crush him in a hug and say, “I’ve always liked you too Kacchan!”
Still though, thinking back on how much shit he gave Izuku over the lipgloss, was it wrong for him to deny Izuku something that made him feel good about himself? Because, despite being cute, Izuku didn’t have the best self-confidence. He was still insecure; after all, he had been scrawny and quirkless for a good majority of his life. He bloomed when he got One for All, getting stronger physically and an even more tenacious mentality.
Katsuki had to think; he couldn’t just take it back so easily after being a jerk about it. He’d have to use action to get his point across that Izuku did look good in gloss. Really good. With that in mind he headed towards the one person that could help.
“Hey pink cheeks, raccoon eyes.”
“Oh my God , when are you gonna call us by our names?” Asked Mina exasperatedly.
“Whatever, are you guys busy? I need a favor.”
The two girls’ eyes widened.
“You? You’re asking us for help?” Asked Ochako.
Katsuki rolled his eyes. “Yeah what of it?”
“...is this about Deku-kun?”
Katsuki’s ears turned red as he crossed his arms and turned away. “Maybe.”
“Honestly? You would only ask us for a favor if it had something to do with Deku-kun.” Sighed Ochako. “Why can’t you just be honest with us?”
He gritted his teeth before he sighed, breathing out and released the tension in his shoulders, “I need you guys to get Deku to wear lipgloss again.” He took out his wallet and took out several bills. “pick whatever you think would look best on him.”
Mina snatched the bills with a grin. “You got it! But why? Didn’t you tell him not to wear it? That’s what Midoriya told us at least.”
“I know. I fucked up okay? He looks good in it. Too good, but…,” he trailed off.
“You don't want to admit you’re wrong. We get it. It’s hard for you.” Replied Ochako.
“Oi, pink cheeks, you got a lot of sass talking to me these days.”
Ochako shrugged before she smiled widely. “Any particular color you wanna see?”
“...not particularly.” He lied, but he wanted to get this particular color himself.
“Got it boss! But, I gotta know, why did you tell him not to wear it anyways?”
“Looks too good,” he mumbled.
The two girls grinned broadly.
“I’m sorry, didn’t quite catch that!” Mina said as she leaned in and cupped a hand around the shell of her ear. “Can you repeat that?”
“I SAID HE LOOKS TOO GOOD! I didn’t like the way extra’s were looking at him!”
“Aww,” crooned Ochako, “It’s because Deku-kun was getting attention. It’s okay Bakugou, everyone knows he’s yours . He has been forever , I don’t know why lipgloss makes you insecure.”
“It doesn’t .”
“Then— oh .” Mina cut off mid-sentence before she smirked at Katsuki. “It’s too hot to handle is it?”
Katsuki blushed.
“ Oh. ” Ochako echoed in understanding. “It’s a turn-on!”
“Would you two shut up!” He yelled. “Just—just get the stuff and get him to wear it. I want him to feel good about himself again.” He turned to walk away from the two.
The two girls saluted him. “Roger! Commencing ‘Operation: Luscious Lips’!”
Katsuki whirled back. “Don’t you dare make this some kind of mission! It’s a favor!”
“No can do! We know it’s your weakness now. We have to make the best of this situation!” Ochako laughed.
“Yeah! We’re gonna make him look so hot, you won’t be able to keep your lips off of him!” added Mina.
Katsuki facepalmed and grumbled as he turned away, wondering if he made a mistake.
----
The girls were out to destroy Katsuki’s resolve.
Izuku showed up a few days later with petal pink lips, and that smile was back on his face. Immediately Katsuki felt better knowing the girls were able to persuade him to wear it again, despite Katsuki mouthing off at him before.
“Hi, Kacchan!”
“Deku,” he acknowledged with a nod.
Izuku stood there with a hint of a smile, no doubt wondering if Katsuki was going to comment.
“You look good,” Katsuki rasped out.
Izuku’s eyes glittered in excitement at the compliment, and Katsuki felt weak in the knees. “You think so Kacchan?”
Katsuki glanced in his peripherals, taking account as to who was nearby before he stepped into Izuku’s space and kissed him softly. The slick gloss glided across his own as he slotted their lips together.
“Yeah, kissable.” He said as they pulled apart, leaving Izuku pink-cheeked and dazed.
His own cheeks burned in embarrassment.
“When did you get so smooth?” Izuku breathed out. “Not fair.”
Katsuki turned away too. “I—whatever. Let’s just get to the next meeting.”
Izuku laughed quietly, “Thanks Kacchan.”
He ruffled green hair before he wrapped his arm around his shoulders and tugged him along, and deemed it unnecessary to say anything more.
---
Izuku showed up in several shades of pink the rest of the week, along with a mixed variety of lip products ranging from lip stains, balms and lipsticks. The girls had pushed subtle colors on Izuku there after, mostly sticking to nudes and pinks.
But there was one color Katsuki wanted to see Izuku wear, and he would be the one to get Izuku to wear it, not the girls.
Katsuki felt weird browsing the cushy department stores of Shibuya. He didn’t have to go to a place like this to pick out what he wanted for Izuku. But, of all the stores he had gone to visit, he just hadn’t found the perfect shade.
And what is it that Katsuki was looking for in particular?
“Can I help you, sir?” A woman approached him as he eyed the display of lipsticks. Katsuki looked at her and noted that her eyes were closed and matched the plastic smile on her face.
“Yeah, actually. I’m looking for the perfect red lipstick.”
“Oh! I can definitely help you. Red is my favorite color.”
“I can see that,” Katsuki replied as he stared at her red lipstick-stained teeth. “What do you have?”
“Well first, let’s talk ‘skin tone’. That will be important to how we choose a shade!”
Thirty minutes later, Katsuki left the department store with a headache; who knew so much went into picking a shade of red lipstick? Also the types? Velvet, matte finish? Also how to make red lipstick stick longer? He couldn’t believe how much went into lipstick .
He was happy he found something that would look good on Izuku. Now he just had to find the best time to give it to him. Luckily, Katsuki thought of the perfect opportunity once he checked their schedule and saw they both had the next night off.
“Hey, you doing anything tomorrow night?” Katsuki asked as he walked into Izuku’s office.
“No, not really? Why?”
“Let’s go out. It’s been a while since we’ve been on a date.”
“Oh! Okay! That sounds fun! What do you wanna do?”
“I’ll pick you up at 7 tomorrow night. Wear black.”
“Black? Why?”
“Trust me.”
“...okay.”
-----
A little black bag sat atop Katsuki’s kitchen counter as he finished up getting ready. Granted he was making this more of a big production than it really needed to be, but he wanted Izuku to know that Katsuki appreciated and loved how Izuku looked with his gloss or lipstick. He loved the new swagger and confidence he seemed to have when he wore it, and if that’s what made Izuku happy, then that’s all that Katsuki needed.
He grabbed the bag as he headed out to pick Izuku up from his apartment.
Katsuki’s heart skipped a beat when Izuku opened the door, his face lit up just to see his boyfriend there. Knowing that Katsuki’s presence was enough to make Izuku happy, was a feeling Katsuki would never get used to.
He followed his boyfriend into his apartment, with the small black bag in hand, while Izuku chatted away about random nonsense. Izuku disappeared into his room to grab his coat, sliding his arms through the sleeves as he re-entered the living room.
Katsuki smirked when he saw that Izuku really had dressed in all black like he told him too. Izuku looked really good.
“Hey nerd, c’mere for a second.” Katsuki said as he placed the small back on the counter.
“What’s that Kacchan?” He asked as he approached him.
“Small gift, open it.”
“Aww! But, what’s the occasion?”
“No reason, just felt like it.”
“You didn’t have to!”
“I wanted to. Now, hurry up before we’re late for our reservations.”
Izuku opened the small bag and took out several small boxes, eyes widened in realization.
“Kacchan? Is this…?”
Katsuki didn’t say a word as he took over, taking the boxes from Izuku’s hands and opened the small packages, and lined them up on the counter.
He stepped closer to Izuku, his hand came up to tilt Izuku’s face up at an angle, and met Katsuki’s gaze. He reached for the products, took the one closest to him, and started to apply the product to his lips.
“If you’re going to wear this sh—stuff, you gotta take proper care of your lips.” He told Izuku as he applied a lip scrub and gently started to exfoliate his skin. It made Izuku scrunch up his face uncomfortably.
He wiped off the excess scrub with a damp napkin, and proceeded to apply chapstick and then another product that made Izuku tilt his head.
“If you want the red to stick longer, you need a primer.”
“Wow Kacchan, you really went above and beyond!” Izuku’s eyes were full of wonder at the extra effort Katsuki was making. Izuku’s lips trembled under his touch as he tried not to smile. After Katsuki finished applying the primer he took out the final box and removed the lipstick.
A glossy sleek lacquered tube rested between his fingers. He uncapped it, twisting the tube that pushed the red product up, and brought it to Izuku’s lips.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel bad about wearing this .”
He gently pressed the angled tip to the center of Izuku’s lips, watching the way his plush lips gave to the soft press of the waxy product. He glanced up at Izuku’s eyes, wide with surprise at his admission.
Katsuki reverently applied the red lipstick, and watched the sinful color stain his naked lips. He bit the inside of his cheek as he followed the curves and contours of Izuku’s lips, careful not to color past the outline.
“Press your lips together.” Katsuki instructed as he finished applying the lipstick, and picked up one final piece.
He watched Izuku press his lips together, letting the product sink in more.
“There’s more?” Izuku asked.
“Yeah, final step. We’re gonna line your lips.”
Katsuki carefully lined Izuku’s lips and carefully dabbed at the edges that had smeared a little. After the final touch, he leaned back to take in Izuku’s face wholly, nodded in approval and leaned in and kissed him at the corner of his lips.
“Perfect. Ready to go?”
“Wai! Let me check the mirror!” Izuku dashed out of the living room and Katsuki heard delighted squeals as Izuku came back beaming as he jumped into Katsuki’s arms.
“I love it! I love you! You’re the best!”
Katsuki squeezed Izuku and put him down. “Yeah, Yeah. Let’s go have our night out yeah?”
The two interlaced their hands as they left the apartment. Katsuki smiled as he watched the way Izuku carried himself. His back was straightened, head held high. It was good to see Izuku in high spirits and feeling good about himself.
As much as he had initially hated the attention Izuku was getting for prettying himself up. He had to admit, he overreacted. Especially, as he sat across from him in the ambiently lit restaurant. As they had traversed the city Izuku had been stopped and complimented by various people that had recognized him. They all praised Izuku for how well red had suited him.
Of course, Katsuki felt his pride swell at the indirect compliment. Of course, he knew what looked best on his nerd. If Izuku wanted to look good and feel good, then damn it, he was going to make sure Izuku wore nothing but the best.
Truth be told he knew Izuku would look best in red. He’d imagined full red lips contrasting Izuku’s pale skin, only to really pull out the way his freckles dotted his cheeks. He knew Izuku would look beautiful in it; it had been on his mind the moment he saw Izuku walk in with lipgloss.
After dinner, they grabbed drinks at the top floor of a hotel. The lipstick had yet to fade as they continued to drink cocktails. Katsuki had never been more grateful for listening to that woman at the make-up department. Soon Izuku’s smile was droopy and his eyes half-closed.
“Time to get you home, nerd.”
“Awww, don’t wanna!”
“C’mon dumbass. I don’t wanna carry you all the way home.”
Izuku pouted cutely. “Okay, finee. But only if we can walk through my favorite park.”
“Alright, let’s go then.”
Izuku’s favorite park was near his apartment. It was lit up nicely at night, especially in the spring, the cherry blossom trees were illuminated. Izuku walked with his arm looped around Katsuki’s, his head resting on his shoulder as they walked through the park.
Katsuki was tugged back just as they were about to pass the last of the cherry trees. A gentle breeze sent a flurry of petals to fall like snow around them. Izuku smiled at him as he took both Katsuki’s hands in his.
“Thank you, Kacchan.”
“For what?”
“For this. ” He says as he pointed to the still there lipstick. “Though, I already knew what you were up to.”
Katsuki felt his ears burn. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You thought the girls would just go along with your plan and not spill the beans? I think you forget who Ochako’s bestie is.” Izuku laughed.
“Ugh, those damn extra’s. I can’t trust anyone!”
“Hey. You knew what you were doing. While it was a great gesture, I think this was the best one of all. You, going out of your way to find out how to apply lipstick? So much more in-depth than anything I’ve ever learned!” Izuku leaned in closer. “And red? No one’s ever thought about putting me in red . Kacchan, why couldn’t you just say you liked it.”
“...I hated the way extras were looking at you,” he muttered.
“But?”
Katsuki sighed, “But, I saw how good it made you feel. How could I deprive you of that?”
“Kacchan…,” Izuku trailed off.
“Look,” Katsuki wrapped his arms around Izuku and pulled him into a hug till their foreheads touched, “I made a mistake. But for what it’s worth I think you look good regardless of what you choose to express yourself with. I love you, Deku—ah, don’t get all sappy!”
Izuku sniffled. “I can’t help it! You already knew I was a big crybaby!”
Katsuki kissed Izuku on the forehead, but just as he pulled away Izuku wrapped a hand around the back of Katsuki’s neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
He stood like a deer in headlights at Izuku’s sudden surge of affection. He blinked a few times at Izuku who only laughed as he reached towards Katsuki, Izuku’s fingers traced his lips.
“I kinda had a feeling you’d look good in red too. And now that I see it, you look really good!”
Katsuki smirked and said, “Oh yeah? Me?”
“Mm hmm! Red’s a good color on you, but I kinda get what you were feeling now. I don’t think the world is ready to see Katsuki Bakugou in red lipstick. So…”
“So?”
“Do it just for me ‘kay?”
Katsuki snorted. “Special treatment? For you? I guess I could do that,” he said as he pulled Izuku in again for a deeper kiss, “But you have to promise me something.”
“What’s that?”
“You can only wear this when you’re out with me.”
Izuku laughed and nodded his head. “Ohhh, okay, only if you promise me one thing in return.”
“Ha?”
“The ‘Special Treatment’ includes you doing that whole routine for me every time.”
“You got a deal nerd.” Katsuki replied with a smirk.
“Okay! Now seal the deal and kiss me.”
Katsuki barked a laugh but did as Izuku asked and closed the distance between them once more, and sharing another kiss that left Izuku’s lipstick smeared.
They pulled apart laughing at the streaks of red stained across their mouths. Izuku reached for a handkerchief in his pocket and proceeded to wipe the stains off Katsuki’s lips.
“Add this to the list of special treatments. For as long as you put lipstick on me as special treatment. I’ll be the one to remove it.”
“Promise?”
Izuku wiped off the last bit of red from Katsuki’s lips before he leaned back in, his lips millimeters from Katsuki’s. “Promise.”