Archive of Our Own

“So, you’re not going to ask me how it went?” Kirishima said with a grin.

“No.”

Katsuki knew his face was blank as Hell. He didn’t give a damn about Kirishima asking Ashido her hand, namely because he was sure it had gone well. They had been dating for years now, and if anything had gone wrong, Katsuki would have bet his quirk Kirishima would have called him sobbing the night before. Plus, Shitty Hair was joyful and had been dropping heavy hints for the whole damn morning. Patrolling was always boring, but with his friend’s oblivious desire to talk about his proposal, the blond was tempted to explode his own face. 

“Aw come on man!” the redhead whined. “You’re my best friend and future witness.”

Katsuki cocked an eyebrow “I’m what now?” 

“Crap! Mina is going to kill me, she wanted us to ask you and Tsuyu together.”His eyes widened “And now I spilled the beans without any suspense. That’s not manly at all.”

“There wasn’t any suspense in the first place, you moron.” 

Kirishima chuckled and rubbed the back of his head, before he took a bite of his okonomiyaki.

“Maybe. I was still so nervous, though! Even worse than when we had exams in UA.” 

Katsuki just kept eating his own meal, knowing they had to resume patrolling soon. 

UA seemed very far, and paradoxically, very close at the same time. Perhaps because in the six years since their class had graduated, they all had managed to remain close - at least, their group of friends. Katsuki often grumped and complained it took too much of his time, and in all honesty he actually thought they didn’t need to have a mutual meeting every other week, but he was glad he still had the idiots from 1-A in his life. Kaminari jokingly called them the Squad - apparently, back before both Katsuki and Deku’s groups of friends had mixed in third year, Katsuki’s had been called the “Bakusquad” and Izuku’s, the “Dekusquad”. When they had started dating, Kaminari had decided to make things easier and just call them the Squad, which had earned a blow in the face from Katsuki - because that was a really shitty name. 

“So, what about you?”

Katsuki took another bite of wasabi-covered yakitori “What do you mean?” 

“Well, you and Deku.” Kirishima stated matter of factly, gobbling the rest of his lunch. “When are you two tying the knot?” 

Katsuki almost choked on his food and glared at his teammate. What the actual fuck?

“The Hell do you mean?!”

“I don’t know,” Kirishima shrugged “Most of us are in long-term relationships and on the way to the wedding point. Ochako is married to Iida, Kaminari and Shinso are engaged and Sero asked me to help him pick a ring for Jiro. And you and Deku are one of the first of us to start dating, it was like, back in UA?”

“Third year. So what? Just because you extras all get married doesn’t mean me and Deku have to. It’s not a damn obligation.”

Kirishima’s eyes turned more serious. “Do you… have any problem with the idea of being married?” He asked carefully.

Katsuki understood what he meant. While it was some time ago, Icy-Hot had stated he would never marry anyone, even if he claimed to be sure he’d spend the rest of his life with Nejire. When facing their friends’ incomprehension, Todoroki had explained that seeing his parents’ misery had disgusted him of the idea of being married. Kirishima was the only person, except for Deku, to whom Katsuki had admitted his family had been super toxic. So the too caring idiot probably thought Katsuki had been traumatized too.

“Don’t start and imagine stupid things. It’s nothing like Half and Half.” he saw Kirishima visibly relax, and it made Katsuki feel better - he didn’t want his friend to worry for nothing. “It’s just… not the right time.”

“Why?” 

“The fuck do you mean, why? We’re too young.”

The redhead made an unconvinced grimace “Man, we’re the same age. All of us in the Squad.”

“And? There’s a deadline for getting married?

“Bro, that's not what I mean and you totally know it.”

“You’re seriously starting to get on my nerves, Shitty Hair. Since when is there a need to justify if you don’t want to get married yet?”

“You don’t want to?”

A scream stopped the conversation on the spot. Lunchtime was over, and so was their break as Bakugo and Kirishima - now it was time for Red Riot and Dynamite to stop a shitty extra attempting robbery. This was small fry by far, and usually, Katsuki would have yelled at the low villain to be a loss of time. Yet Katsuki was actually grateful for the interruption, he wouldn’t have to answer the other Pro’s question.

He didn’t know what he would have said.  

*** 

Later that day, as he is starting to make dinner while waiting for his boyfriend to come home, Katsuki is still upset.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to marry Deku, per say. Katsuki is pretty much head over heels for that stupid nerd ever since UA, and dating him is the best thing to ever happen in Katsuki’s life. Yes, even better than winning the title of Number one, losing it to Deku every other year and winning it back in an endless circle. Izuku was - fuck, he was Katsuki’s life. His North star, his rock, the one who always pushed him beyond his limits and made him become a better person. He knows they’re endgame, and that he'd never love anyone like he loves Izuku Midoriya. 

So yes, Katsuki had actually thought about getting married with Deku. The thing is - he doesn’t see the point. At least, not now. They’re both building their career and people only recently started to call them settled, serious Pros, and not just graduated newbies. They’ve both been taken seriously since their debuts, of course, always being in the top two, but it takes a while to prove yourself as someone here to stay in this business. They were only just starting now, and keeping it that way was a long-term job. Added to that was their actual work: Musutafu’s level of crime, and more generally, Japan’s, was still pretty high. It had been so ever since All Might’s retirement - this particular episode never failed to make guilt rush through Katsuki  - and even if they had managed to catch Shigaraki and his allies some years ago, these villain extras had definitely made it even worse. Dynamight as much as Deku had much to do: people to save, villains to slay, limits to break, names to make sure would never be forgotten. They were the new symbols of hope. They didn’t have the time for worldliness and useless tradition. 

After all, it wasn’t like a fucking paper would change anything to who they were or what they had. Thanks to the constant spotlight Pros were put under, absolutely everybody knew they were together, they lived together and were both explicit in what they expected: a relationship based on trust, complicity, respect, mutual desire and communication that would last as long as they lived. At this point, a ring and a certificate were just a fucking curtesy, and they had more interesting things to do at the moment. 

Katsuki didn’t think about marriage often and never talked about it with Izuku, because marriage was not in the top priorities for now. They would, eventually, They’ll always be able to in five, ten, fifteen years. It’s not like they’d stop loving the other, Katsuki was sure of that. Marriage could wait while other things couldn’t. Katsuki was certain Deku shared this opinion. 

As if on cue, a pair of well known arms looped around the blond’s waist from behind, and green curls tickled the crook of his shoulder. 

“I was starting to get worried. You didn’t answer when I said I was back.” 

“Focusing on not burning dinner was more important than waiting for a signal you were home.” 

Katsuki felt a feigned pout on his cheek “So mean, Kacchan.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m the worst.” 

He lowered the gas and turned around, drawing Izuku closer. He checked for any injury or sign of discomfort on his partner’s face, but didn’t find any.

Izuku grinned and pecked him on the lips, before touching their foreheads. 

“Hi Kacchan.”

“Hi nerd.” 

Izuku’s chuckle was light and brought warmth in the blond’s chest. “Have you been home for long?”

“Less than an hour, just enough time to make dinner.”

“I can see that. It smells amazing, Kacchan!”

Katsuki rubbed at a spot on his lover’s hip bone through his pants. Deku was back in his civilian’s clothes, which usually meant he had had the time to change and that work had been rather calm. They weren’t often put on patrol together, and it wasn't rare for one of them to arrive long after the other.

“Hope you didn’t do anything stupid today. How was your patrol?”

“It was fine! Iida said to tell you hi. Oh, and All Might too! We had lunch with him. And you, how was your day?” 

“Boring. Nothing but a petty robbery attempt.”

A teasing glint passed in green eyes “Not even Kirishima babbling about his proposal to Mina?”

Katsuki grimaced “Don’t. He couldn’t shut up about it, went on all morning. How’d you find out?”

“He started to spam the group chat for the last hour. I take it you didn’t check your phone?” 

“I put the stupid convo on mute, and so should you. Would have spared you Shitty Hair’s rambling.”

Izuku chuckled “Come on, you have to admit it’s cute.”

“Pff. More like lame as Hell.” 

“I know you don’t think that.”

“I sure do.”

“Do you think our friends would say the same about you if I told them you sleep hugging my pillow when I’m on a mission and wear one of my shirts when you're sent away because, quote, you don’t sleep as well without my stupid smell?”

Katsuki felt himself burn in embarrassment “I swear I’m going to kick your ass!”

Izuku laughed and gave him another quick kiss “Do I have the time to shower before we eat?”

“If you go now, yes.” An afterthought crossed the blond’s mind “And put your damn cream on your hands! I saw you rubbing your scars this morning.”

“Oh, right. I had forgotten last night.” 

Katsuki flicked him on the forehead, eliciting an indignant noise.

“Figures. Even though that must itch like Hell, you forget. I even put the tub right next to your toothbrush, you airhead.”

Emerald eyes turned soft “Thanks. Love you, Kacchan.”

“Believe me, if I didn’t love you too, I wouldn’t put up with your shit.”

The cheeky little minx had the guts to stick his tongue out at him. Katsuki slapped his butt as punishment, earning a surprised yelp followed by another laugh. 

*** 

Night had already fallen when the last of their friends arrived at the restaurant for the “Dinner Squad”. Their schedule left very few options for them: beside the variable hours of everyone's patrols and the longer missions, they were not a small group. After the first complicated attempts at reunions, Racoon Eyes had decided it was easiest to just reserve a table around 21:30 every time. The ones working during the day had ended their patrol, and the ones taking night shifts rarely started before 22:30. The perfect window, she had bragged. Not that he’d admit that aloud, but Katsuki had to agree: it was way easier for their almost ritual meeting. 

“Sorry we’re a bit late!” Four Eyes nearly yelled, bowing so low he was almost touching his toes. 

“Whatever” Katsuki tsked “Stop doing that, you’re embarrassing.”

“Kacchan, stop being such a jerk. It’s okay guys, everything alright?” 

“Yep, dandy!” Ochako put her bag on one of the remaining seats, as her husband pulled her chair for her and she smiled at him, eyes full of affection “Thank you, honey. I was just feeling a bit nauseous.” 

“Oh sweetheart! You’re not sick, are you?” Nejire asked with concern.

“I’ve got some painkillers if you want.” Shinso offered.

“Oh no, don’t worry, I’m fine now, really!” 

Sero cocked his head “Did you overuse your quirk? I didn't think you'd still have nausea that bad!”

“You shouldn’t have come if you were feeling unwell, Ochako!” Deku said, brows pinched.

Katsuki held back a huff. He had nothing against Round Face personally. Well, that was not true. She and Deku had had this weird flirting thing in their first year in UA, before deciding they preferred to just stay friends - they had even tried to date for a bit and had kissed once or twice. After nearly a decade, Katsuki was fully aware Izuku loved him now and wasn't into Pink Cheeks anymore. He fully trusted his boyfriend. Still, a tiny part of himself wanted to growl anytime Deku showed care for her. Which was stupid because Deku was the most caring person Katsuki knew: he cared about his friends, his colleagues, animals, Hell, even about damn trees. Izuku was the kindest person he knew, which was part of why Katsuki loved him. Uraraka was like everyone else in their group of friends. The blond knew he was possessive- more like a freaking barbarian, Kacchan, Deku would tease. The blond didn’t like this aspect of himself and tried to work on that, but for now, he still wanted to growl. Not that he did anymore. Izuku must have noticed, because one scarred hand squeezed Katsuki’s own. It settled him down, but just to definitively shut his inner barking dog, Katsuki moved his palm to squeeze Deku’s thigh. 

The young woman, oblivious to the couple’s silent exchange, smiled “No really, it’s fine. Actually, it’s… it’s wonderful.” 

Katsuki caught the knowing look she exchanged with Four Eyes. 

Ashido scrutinized the other girl before gasping “Oh my God. Oh my God ! Is that… ?” 

The brunette bit her lip with a grin “I’m pregnant.”

The whole table went berserk. 

Ashido and Nejire rushed to Ochako, pushing everyone out of their way, and hugged her with a squee; Sero and Kaminari ordered champagne; Jiro bumped her fist on Iida’s shoulder; Kirishima clapped him on the back saying Iida would make a manly father; Shinso and Todoroki calmly congratulated the couple; and Deku… 

Deku’s eyes were shining as he jumped to take both his friends in his arms, repeating what  wonderful news that was and how Uraraka and Iida would make amazing parents. 

Seeing his partner's joyful expression unsettled Katsuki. Sure, this was great news, even if he wasn’t as demonstrative as the rest of his friends, Katsuki was happy for Round Face and Four Eyes. He wasn’t expecting Deku to look so excited at hearing it. The conversation with Kirishima some weeks ago flew back in the blond’s head. 

“Bakubro, say something!”

“Yeah, congrats or whatever.”

“You can’t see it, but it’s Kacchan’s happy face. He just doesn’t want people to notice he has emotions other than anger.”

“What did you say, damn nerd?!”

“I second that. Bakugo tends to be rather demure in his feelings.”

“Shut up Icy hot!”

“Tone it down, boys! We’re not alone in the restaurant!”

“As Pros Heroes, we shouldn’t disrespect other people’s welfare and follow basic manners!”

“Honey, you’re speaking the loudest.” 

“Where’s the champagne?”

“Oh Lord, I’m gonna need these painkillers…”

Later that evening, Katsuki was smoking outside of the restaurant. Everyone was still inside, ordering dessert. The blond never had a sweet tooth, and he hadn’t lit a single cigarette yet today. This was the compromise he had come across with Deku: just one cigarette per day, never inside, and Deku couldn’t complain nor throw studies at him made to scare smokers. 

As he took a long drag, he looked thoughtfully at the dark blue sky. 

“You’re looking pretty pensive, Bakugo.”

He turned his head, not having expected Uraraka of all people to join him. 

“People usually decide to quit smoking when they’re pregnant, not start it.” Still, he carefully angled himself so the young woman wouldn’t get any smoke in her face. 

She just smiled, probably now immune to his snark. “It was getting too hot outside, I needed a breather. I swear they put the heater on max.”

Katsuki didn’t respond. He and Uraraka weren’t the closest friends - nor was he and Iida. Not that Katsuki disliked them, but he had spent more time with the former Bakusquad members and, well, Deku. 

“Congrats again for the brat.” He eventually said. “How far along are you?” 

“About three weeks now.” She hummed, “I’ll have to warn my boss soon. The agency will have to adjust for my eventual maternity leave.” 

“Deku’s already mumbling about its quirk, you know.” Katsuki snorted, fondness carefully hidden at the memory of his boyfriend’s big eyes muttering about the cool possibilities of a mix between Uraraka and Iida’s talents. 

The young woman burst out laughing, “Why doesn’t it even surprise me?” 

“Tch, because we’re talking about the nerdiest nerd of Japan.”

“True, true. And Deku is always so excited about these kinds of things, it’s endearing!”

“Excited about what, babies? You should see him when he sees one crying.” Katsuki flicked his cigarette, the red tip burning in the dark of the night “It totally freaks him out because he doesn’t know what to do and he ends up crying too.” 

“No, I meant stuff like that in general.” The woman chuckled “Do you remember when Iida and I announced we were getting married? Or Kaminari and Shinso? He had stars in his eyes.”

“Of course he did.” He inhaled deeply before slowly releasing the smoke by his mouth, careful to avoid the future mother. “He was happy for you.”

“Yes, I know. But he always gave off this vibe, if you know what I mean? That he has a soft spot for everything romantic? In fact, I’m surprised he wasn’t the first one to get married.”

Katsuki groaned “Did you and Shitty Hair put you up to this or what?”

The brunette looked at him, puzzled “Kirishima? No, why?”

“He told me the exact same thing the other day.” he grunted, before an idea crossed his mind “Did Deku complain to you about it? The fact we’re not planning to get married for now?”

“No, at least not to me. It’s just something I picked up on, I guess?  But maybe I’ve read this wrong. Have you two talked about it? Taking your relationship to the next level? ”

Katsuki was about to say the same thing he had to Kirishima: a piece of paper welding their name wouldn’t change anything to their relationship, and they didn’t have the time at the moment. But he closed his mouth almost instantly. They had, in fact, never had such a conversation. And while Katsuki guessed Deku agreed with him, he couldn’t be sure . He never was, with the nerd, because he never knew how to read his damn eyes.

 Truth be told, maybe it had suited Katsuki fine, to not address the topic. He wanted to have that with Deku, one day. But he wasn’t sure when. Did his preference to put his working objectives above his personal objectives make him an arshole?

The last of Katsuki’s cigarette died between his fingers. 

“You should think about it.” Uraraka gently said. “Thinking like Katsuki Bakugo for once and not Dynamite doesn’t make you a bad Hero.”

Katsuki didn’t know how to respond - what to do. He hated that, because it made him feel powerless. 

Deku’s head popped out from the entrance “Kacchan! You’re going to catch a cold if you don’t get back inside. You didn’t put on your scarf!”

“Ochako dear, your dessert has arrived!” Nejire yelled “Come back or you’ll have melted mochis instead of frozen ones!”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re coming!” The blond screamed back, throwing the butt in the trash. 

As he took his seat back next to his boyfriend, crimson orbs peered at the freckled face. Did Izuku really want them to get married now? No. That was stupid. If Deku really wanted it that bad, he would have proposed to Katsuki and - 

An unpleasant feeling ran through Katsuki as he realised he didn’t know what he would have answered if Deku had actually asked him to get married now. 

***

“Die, bastard!”

Dynamight grabbed one of the huge bug-like creatures by its face and mangled it with an explosion, making the monster screech, while he punched another with the other hand. He and Creati had been patrolling in another area of the city when an emergency call had sent them to the north district, where a villain had launched an attack. Deku and Froppy were already there, the frog girl taking care of the rescue part while Izuku attempted to take the villain down. 

The villain had an army of big, acid-spitting slugs. Dynamight didn’t know if it was his quirk or some mad scientist fuckery, but he didn’t care - these disgusting things were more like a nuisance than a real threat, and they were in the way. From what he had seen, Deku had managed to pass them before the other Heroes arrived and was fighting their controller, but he needed help. 

The blond Hero was finally getting closer to the shop where Deku and the enemy were when it blew up. 

The blast of the explosion spewed fire covered debris, dust and smoke on Katsuki's face, forcing him to take a step back as the ceiling of the building collapsed. 

Ice ramped up his whole body. 

Deku!

This was not the typical explosion following one of his special moves, and he had not seen his boyfriend escape - fuck!

“Deku!” Katsuki shouted, rushing inside, ignoring Creati’s call to wait.

He coughed, the dust invaded his lungs. 

“Deku, where are you?!”

The shop had been short in size, a ground floor and first floor, lengthwise. Katsuki scanned the space with wide eyes, not even looking for the villain. Fuck this extra, the only important thing for now was -

He spotted a piece of green under the rubbles.

“Deku!”

Katsuki ran as fast as he could, throat dry and dread heavy in his stomach. Why wasn’t the other moving? He started to dig frantically, blindly throwing the pieces of roof and broken furniture away. 

“What the Hell happened?! Hey, Deku, I’m talking to you! Move your damn ass and help me, dammit!”

He had cleared a spot to pull the other Hero out. Deku’s face was pale, blood trickling from his mouth, nose, and the left side of his head, matting curls on his forehead. 

Katsuki felt like he got punched in the stomach when he noticed his lover’s chest wasn’t rising and falling.

No…

He fell on the ground. His knees had given up but he couldn’t feel them anymore, like the bones in his legs had been replaced with cotton.

“Deku!” Shit shit shit - he gripped at his communicator with one hand, searching with shaking fingers for the man’s pulse with the other. “Get the damn medics here, NOW! Tell them to move their asses!”

He distantly registered one of his colleagues asking him what was happening, but it sounded dull and far and this was not fucking important at the moment. 

No sign of a heartbeat.

No no no no no -

All of Katsuki’s muscles tensed without him wanting it. Apprehension flooded his system, the feeling of a hand wrapping around his throat choked his next words 

“Wake the fuck up, Deku! Open your eyes! You hear me shitty nerd?!” 

His hoarse voice broke at the end. No no no, Katsuki wouldn’t cry - he wouldn’t cry because Deku wouldn’t leave him, Deku was about to wake up, he had to - 

“Don’t you dare fucking leave me, you damn idiot! You can’t be that weak!” 

Still no pulse, shit, he had to do something - keep the heart pumping! 

Katsuki’s palms started to press in rhythm on Deku’s chest, almost slipping because of the amount of nitroglycerin-like substance on his skin, before breathing in the other’s mouth, pinching his nose.

”If this is the way you go I’m fucking kicking your ass, you damn idiot! You’re supposed to be the best Hero and you’d let yourself be taken down by a shitty extra like that?! Like fucking Hell! Wake the fuck up!”

Time was almost distorting as Katsuki’s blood rushed in his ears, the seconds ticking too fast and as slow as thick goo dripping at the same time.

Crimson eyes prickled, an abyss of hurt gnawing itself inside the blond’s body. Izuku was still not budging. 

Press, press, press, blow.

Katsuki’s heart was thumping, throbbing behind its prison of ribs, like it desperately tried to beat for two - shit, if only it could.

This was impossible. Izuku couldn’t die , dammit! There was - he couldn’t - no. Katsuki refused. The world still needed him - Katsuki still needed him. They still had so much to live together. Izuku was his fucking life and - no. No! 

“C’mon Deku! Don’t you fucking do this to me!” He yelled through desperate tears he refused to acknowledge “I swear to God, Izuku!”

Please, please, whoever, don’t do this, don’t take him away!

He would do anything, please, just don’t - 

He should have been faster, he should have been stronger -

Please don’t make Izuku pay for Katsuki’s weakness, please -

Deku - he - they - 

“You better hold on Izuku, or I swear I will kill myself to get in the fucking afterlife and kick your ass so hard you’ll be projected back on Earth!”

That’s when Katsuki felt it - a stuttering beat under his pressing palms under his pressing palms. 

Deku’s heart had started beating again.

The blond’s own breathing came back with his boyfriend’s. His whole body tingled with the known sensation before a tough battle, or when he was just about to win it. Yet Katsuki didn’t allow relief to soar in him, not until Izuku opened his eyes. But now, there was hope, and Katsuki was gripping it with all his strength. 

“C’mon on babe, that’s it, fight this shit!” 

Katsuki never used pet names, not for Deku, not for anyone, but the word had slipped and he didn’t fucking care.

One of his hands reached for a scarred, motionless one and pressed hard. He didn’t believe in energy sharing and all that crap, but at this moment, he wanted to, he wished he could give all that he had to Deku so it could help him come back. 

“-Kugo! Bakugo!”

In the distanced buzzing that was the rest of the world, he finally heard Yaoyorozu’s voice next to him. He didn’t know for how long she had been there, and didn’t give a damn. He caught sight of people in uniforms - the medical team. Finally!

Everything became blurred after that. Katsuki remembered points of the following time, like Izuku being rushed to the hospital, shoving Yaoyorozu and Asui’s words of comfort aside, or the meds telling him he couldn’t follow any further in the room as Deku needed further exams. He knew he had slumped in a chair at some points, unable to indicate how long any of that had taken. 

He needed to stay calm: starting a tantrum because of anxiety wouldn’t change a damn thing. So he remained calm in the plastic chair, chin on his joined hands, in the quiet of the waiting room. 

The only thing he could do was wait for someone to give him news, he knew it would take a while. the awareness didn’t sooth his nerves in any way. There was nothing he could do but wait, and it was killing him. Being so useless made zings of rage explode in his body: he wanted to scream and hit something. Which wouldn’t change anything, or even make it worse. Katsuki attempted to focus on his breathing, mustering the numerous tips Mirko had given him to manage his anger during his last internship. 

Breath in. Hold it. Breath out. Anger was like a wild horse and Katsuki needed to hold the reins. Breath in. Hold it. Breath out. 

He remained collected, nipping the burst of aggression in the bud. 

“Young Bakugo!” 

Katsuki looked over to All Might’s voice. The older man wasn’t running per say, as it was prohibited in hospitals: however, his steps were quick. 

“I came as soon as I could. I saw the nurse on the way. Midoriya is safe.” 

The lump sitting in Katsuki’s lungs dropped. His muscles almost ached with how quick the tension left him.

He muttered a relieved sigh. “He better be. I would have given him Hell if he had given up.” After a second, his brows pinched “Wait, why didn’t they come to tell me?”

“I think the nurse was on the way to, I offered to let you know so she could go back to other patients.” The retired Hero explained, sitting next to him “Apparently a bad car crash happened a couple of minutes ago, all of the medical staff is required.”

Katsuki nodded without any concern for the new victims “Okay. Can we go see him?”

“Not for now, he’s still asleep. The nurse said he has been very lucky. Nasty injuries such as pneumothorax and concussion are frequent in incidents like that, but aside from a couple of broken bones, Midoriya is fine. He’ll need some rest, though.”

Katsuki snorted. Deku was so used to broken bones they’d soon be able to make a whole skeleton with his X-rays pictures. for once, he was almost grateful for it. This could have end up so fucking worse. 

“The nurse also specified the intervention before their arrival pretty much saved him.” All Might added softly, a contrast with the seriousness on his angulare features.

Katsuki’s throat went dry at the memory “ ‘S nothing. I wouldn’t let the dumbass die.” 

“Still. Without your CPR, there wouldn’t have been anything to do.”

Katsuki didn’t dwell on it. The simple idea of how it could have turned out still sent awful chills crawling up his spine. 

A big yet skinny hand clapped him on the shoulder. The serious eyes of the man Katsuki had looked up to his whole life stared at him with intent. 

“You did great, Dynamight.” 

Katsuki inhaled sharply. 

He hadn’t. He should have done better - be better. The yelling voice of his mother snapped inside his head, calling him weak. Dammit, if he had been faster, Deku wouldn’t have been in danger at all, because he would have arrived earlier and prevented the whole thing. He gritted his teeth, but refused to let All Might see his inner scolding: Katsuki didn’t want any of his pity or stupid pep talk, like the one his former teacher had started to give him back in UA after his first defeat against Deku. So instead he just shrugged, cool as a cucumber. 

“Tch. Of course I did. I’m the Number One.” 

Katsuki expected All Might to point out Deku had been the Number One in last month's ranking. But to his surprise, the former Hero just smiled at him.

“Yes, you are.” 

A silence fell between them. 

That… was unexpected. 

Back in UA, Katsuki had been jealous of Izuku and All Might’s relationship of trainer and protégé. And ever since the Kamino incident leading to the former Symbol of Peace’s early retirement, guilt had gnawed inside the younger’s chest. He couldn't help but feel responsible for every death All Might could have prevented - which had given Dynamight a new reason to aim for becoming the new Number One, so he could make amends and save as many people as he could. Maybe this was why Katsuki had been so stubbornly focused on his Hero career too. He had years to catch up with, and it always felt like no matter how many persons he had saved, it’d never been enough to make up for the ones getting hurt because of his capture. 

Maybe this guilt was something Katsuki should have talked about with Deku, too. 

He opened and closed his mouth for two or three times before deciding, to Hell with it. 

“I’m gonna ask Deku to marry me.”

Bright blue eyes looked at him and blinked rapidly twice, before All Might burst in laughter, blood spouting from his mouth. 

“Well, that’s one way to announce it!”

Irritation made a vein pulse on Katsuki’s forehead “What? No need to beat around the damn bush!”

“Yes, but it’s still rather abrupt. I didn’t know this was something you were thinking about, Young Bakugo! You don’t really seem like the romantic type.”

“That’s because I wasn't!” He huffed in annoyance - he was a badass Pro Hero, not a fucking prince charming from kids movies! “Thinking about it, I mean. But that also applies to sappy shit, it’s more of the nerd’s thing.” 

All Might tilted his head on the side, brows furrowed. “...Are you telling me you literally just came up with the idea?”

“More or less.” 

In any other circumstance, Katsuki would have been embarrassed as Hell and would probably explode his own face. Scratch that: in any other circumstance, he wouldn’t even have approached the matter with anyone, especially All Might. But after the shitstorm of today? Katsuki was sure of himself, embarrassment be damned. 

“I thought Deku was dying in my arms.” He started in an uncharacteristically calm voice “I thought I had lost him for good, and it made me realize there’s many things I still want to live for with this moron. And until now I kept repeating to myself we have all the time in the world and we could always experience shit together later. Except we fucking don’t, because no matter how great we’re at our jobs, we could still fucking die at any moment.”

The young man stopped for a second, the image of Izuku still and not breathing marked with hot-iron under his lids, before resuming.

“Before today, I thought I had to always put my job first, that I had not the damn luxury to commit myself to personal goals as it needed time I could use to save lives.”

Katsuki knew his former professor saw right through him at the moment, up to the guilt the younger man had felt ever since the Kamino incident leading to All Might’s fall. 

“Bakugo.” All Might said in a kind voice. “You are not responsible for what happened when I fought All for One. I get you want to save everyone, which is very noble. I wanted to do the same, and so does young Midoryia. But you have to accept that sometimes, you can’t, and it’s not your fault. Not when you put your life in danger, go beyond your limits and do everything you can until the very last moment.” He marked a pause. “Besides… You also have to understand you are not the only one concerned anymore. The decisions you make for your personal life involve Izuku as well, and it has for a long time. That’s one of the consequences of becoming a couple.”

Crimson eyes squeezed shut. He knew all of that.

“And it also reminded me that the most important thing for me is our relationship.” Katsuki added slowly. “I thought the priority for now was being a Hero - being Heroes - but seeing him like that…it was like a punch in the guts. I can deal with regrets with my job, but I realised I sure as fuck couldn’t deal with regrets about our relationship.” His throat felt swollen and dry, like it had been rubbed with sandpaper. “I don’t want to put it in  second place anymore.”

Katsuki glanced back at the older man. He wasn’t used to talking for so long, or to allow himself to be so open, and now the heavier part had ended, he started to feel a bit awkward. He had already had a somewhat heartfelt conversation with All Might before, when stating his regrets about Izuku, so he had thought it’d be a bit easier. 

Big fucking mistake. 

Fortunately, the older man eventually replied.  

“Putting it that way makes sense. I’d even say it's wise and mature thinking.” He stopped for a moment. “Are you telling me this because you want my consent?”

Katsuki’s eyebrows shot to his hairline.

All Might was definitely a surrogate father to Izuku, no doubt about that. Still, the idea to ask for his approval hadn’t even brushed Katsuki.

“Hell no.” He stated with a grimace “First, because this kind of shitty tradition is both misogynist and heteronormative as fuck, there’s no way I’d take part in it. And second, because I don’t need anyone’s permission aside from Deku.” 

A smile broke on the older man’s emaciated face. 

“Gentlemen?”

Both of their heads snapped to the nurse approaching them. 

“Pro Hero Deku just woke up. You may go see him, if you wish.”

If they - oh no, Katsuki had been sitting in silence like an idiot to finally decide it wasn’t worth it and merrily go back home after all the waiting. Of course he wished to ! 

Katsuki didn’t know if it was because of the bluish garment furnished by the hospital or if Deku was just paler than usual. Still, the smile lighting the bedridden Hero’s face as he saw them entering warmed Katsuki’s heart. 

“Kacchan! All Might, you too?”

Katsuki plopped himself on one of the chairs next to the bed. 

“You look like shit, Deku.” He said without any heat. 

His hand snaked with unusual gentleness to a scarred one resting above the sheet, and caressed it lightly, not daring to apply any pressure on it. The meds had mentioned broken bones, but Katsuki didn’t know where exactly and didn’t want to take any risk. 

“And here I thought I was doing fine for someone who had a ceiling collapsing on his head.” The freckled young man sassed teasingly before getting more serious. “Did you catch the villain?”

Oh. Katsuki hadn’t even thought about that problem. 

“I don’t know.” No need to lie about it.

Green eyes furrowed slightly, but Katsuki couldn’t tell if it was in confusion or because of a sudden pain. “Wha-”

“Calm down, you moron. Ponytail and Amphibian aren’t totally useless, I’m sure they did the job.”

“But -”

“Deku. If you try to get up, I’m strapping you to the bed.”

“Bakugo is right” All Might chimed in “You should be reasonable and take it easy.”

Izuku sighed “Yeah, I know. The nurse already briefed me.” 

Green eyes turned to Katsuki, full of a softness and warmth which always brought a feeling so intense it was almost overwhelming - something that made the blond want to cradle his face in the crook of Izuku’s neck and hide the nerd in his arms at the same time. 

“You saved me, Kacchan.” 

No, you saved yourself , Katsuki wanted to reply. Had he been faster, Izuku would have been less likely to suffer any injuries. Katsuki would have made sure of that. He didn’t deserve the praise, but he was too proud to admit it. Instead, he tried to dodge the topic.

“Who told you that, the damn nurse?”

Izuku let out a light chuckle “No. Well, she did - she also said some of my broken ribs were probably due to your, and I quote, enthusiastic CPR. But I already knew you had saved me.”

“What the Hell are you talking about?” 

Katsuki felt calloused fingers slowly tangling with his own. 

“It’s kinda hard to explain but… even though I was unconscious, I could feel you next to me. It’s not really that I could hear you, and I definitely couldn’t see you either but… more like your presence, like when you’re sleeping next to me and even if I’m not awake, I sense it’s you.” Izuku’s gaze was sure and beautiful, burning in Katsuki’s crimson orbs, melting his remaining anxiety away “I just knew you were there, and you wanted to reach out to me. So I fought until I could reach out to you.”

Katsuki’s heart tripped inside his chest. To think he had been so close to lose that - to lose him . Never again would he allow that. 

Not that Katsuki would admit this aloud - he had standards, dammit. 

So instead, the blond man just turned his head toward All Might and deadpanned.

“See? Told you he was the one for the sappy shit.”

All Might blinked before chuckling and raising.

“I have a sudden crave for caffeine. Would you boys want something as well?” 

Izuku politely declined while Katsuki shrugged. The knots in his stomach might be gone now, he still wasn’t sure he’d be able to eat before a while.

Their former professor went to the door “It might take a moment, I’m not sure where distributors are. I’ll knock before coming back up!”

As he exited, Katsuki arched a brow. He was almost sure he had seen All Might giving him a thumb up. What the -

Oh. 

The realization hit him. All Might was probably thinking Katsuki could use this opportunity to propose 

The blond Hero sneered. As if he’d settle for popping the question without any preparation, in a hospital chamber with Deku - again - broken in various places? Like Hell. Katsuki Bakugo was always aiming for the best, and especially more so with how Deku had to put up with his shit. It might have taken some time for Katsuki to realize it, but he’d make up for that by offering Izuku the  best damn proposal ever. His boyfriend better be ready to get swept up his feet. 

“Kacchan? What’s the smirk for?”

“Nothing, nerd.” A pause. “Hey, Deku?”

“Hm?”

“I love you.” 

The hand entwined with Katsuki’s gave a little squeeze “I love you too, Kacchan.”

***

“Kacchan, have you seen my cap?” 

Katsuki hollered from their kitchen “I’ve already put it in the bag!”

“Oh. Er, thanks!”

Deku knew better than to say he could have done it himself: everybody knew he was a messy preparer when it came to trips. The last time he and Katsuki had gone to his mother’s for Christmas, Izuku had forgotten his toothbrush, and finding a shop that was still open late on Christmas eve had been less than pleasant. He still winced at the memory of his boyfriend’s scolding - which Deku kinda deserved, having claimed he had checked his toiletries the two times Kacchan had asked him. 

Even if they lived in a penthouse, Izuku made sure the windows were closed. Better safe than sorry. 

The blond escaped the kitchen, after he had taken a few snacks for the trip. He was carrying their big suitcase and smaller backpack. Izuku went to help him, but Kacchan shoved the lighter one at him, refusing to hand him the heavy bag.

“Wait, give me the other too.”

“And risk aggravating your ribs again? It’s only been a week.”

“Come on, they only kept me one day!”

“One day and one night. The docs said you have to take it easy, and you sure as fuck will. You should be happy I let you carry anything at all.”

Deku snorted “Do you need to be reminded how you did not follow what the docs said when you broke your leg last year?”

“Alright, let me rephrase it: if we’re postponing this because your ribs break again, or if you break your ribs again and don’t tell me, I’m telling Four Eyes and Round Face we blessed their couch at last New Year’s party. ”

Freckled cheeks burned as Izuku hid his face in the crook of Kacchan’s shoulder and whined. Thinking back… the accident never failed to embarrass him. Their friends could never know, and if they did, Izuku had already made up his mind to jump out from the nearest window. His lover, on the other hand,  didn’t seem to be bothered at all about their shameful slip-up. On the contrary: the smug expression on his face told he enjoyed making him squirm. Kacchan could be so mean!

“You wouldn’t!” Izuku hissed, face aflamed. 

A grin with way too much teeth answered his indignation “Wanna bet?”

“You arshole - that was totally your fault!”

“Really? My memories of you being a very consenting participant are very clear. 

“You did that thing on my neck and you know it just - urgh!” 

Izuku threw his hands in frustration. Katsuki laughed, he couldn’t even be mad at him. He knew these vacations were important to the blond. Stolen moments like that had become rarer since their careers started to really take off, and seeing Kacchan had missed it as much as Izuku meant a lot to him. He had been very excited when his boyfriend had announced he had taken a week-end off so they could spend a bit of Deku’s recovery together, in some kind of romantic getaway. 

At first, guilt had gnawed at Izuku with the idea of depriving Japan of one its best Pro Hero, but as Katsuki had pointed at, it wouldn’t be for too long, there were plenty of competent Heroes, and they both deserved some vacations. Plus, if some especially severe business appeared and required Dynamight, Katsuki would find a way to get back quickly: their destination, Yugakonai, wasn’t that far from Musutafu. 

Kacchan’s phone pinged. 

“Taxi’s here.” He informed after a quick reading. 

Izuku nodded and grabbed the smaller bag with an exaggerated sigh. 

“Just so you know, since you’ve decided I was totally incapacited, I literally won’t do anything to help.”

“Fine by me.” Katsuki snorted. “I’m already the one cooking since you can’t do it for shit, you don’t know how to fold things without wrinkling them and you always splash water everywhere when you wash the dishes.” 

Izuku laughed, not offended at all. It was difficult to buy Kacchan’s crap when the blond had spent the night before stroking his hair and softly murmuring praises when he thought Deku was sleeping.

“You’re so mean, why am I dating you again?”

“You won’t anymore if you don’t move your ass, the taxi is going to leave! And make sure you’ve taken a jacket with you just in case!”

“Alright, alright.” Izuku pecked his boyfriend’s lips before exiting. 

His ribs were still aching a bit, so Izuku decided to take the elevator. Not that he felt like he couldn’t take the stairs, but there was a chance Kacchan would call it ignoring his body’s limits and reprimand him. 

Ever since Izuku’s injury, Kacchan had been… not odd per say, but different. He kept being loud and scolding Deku when he thought he was doing something stupid, but at the same time, Izuku found a certain softness in his boyfriend, that the blond used to be more demure about. The accident seemed to have shaken something in him: Deku couldn’t remember a time where Kacchan had been so determined for something as trivial as vacancy.

Not that the freckled man complained about it.

The elevator finally opened with a clear ding! and Izuku wasn’t even surprised his boyfriend was already in the hall of the building with their bags. 

“Why is this shit so slow?” He grumped as Deku scrambled out, his arms full with the bag.

“So it doesn’t scare little grannies when they use it I guess?” Izuku shrugged, quickening his steps so he could open the door for Katsuki. 

The taxi was just in front of them, the driver fumbling on his phone. 

“Sorry if we kept you waiting!” Izuku said immediately. 

“No problem.” The driver reassured kindly. 

Izuku saw the exact moment the taximan noticed who his clients were, his eyes widening ever so lightly. To his credit, the driver remained professional as ever, offering to put their bags in the car trunk for them - which Katsuki refused, of course, grumbling he could do so himself - and asked politely where to, as if he wasn’t facing the Number One and Number Two Pro of Japan. 

Izuku was fastening his belt as Kacchan indicated the nearest airport. 

As the car started to ride, Izuku felt Katsuki shift next to him, visibly searching for something in his black satchel. 

Deku cocked his head on the side “What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing, just checking I haven’t forgotten anything important.” 

Izuku couldn’t help but smile - usually, Kacchan was so organised he never doubted he had left anything, so it was cute to see him like that for once. 

“Don’t worry.” He said, kissing the blond briefly on his lips. “The plane tickets are in your chest pocket, I saw them when we were at home.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Kacchan said almost absently.

He must have found what he was looking for, as he eventually closed his satchel, looking reassured, and passed an arm around Deku’s shoulders. 

“Are your ribs okay?” Katsuki asked as Izuku felt a thumb stroking his shoulder. 

“Yes, I took the elevator to make sure to not overdo it.” 

“See, you can almost be reasonable sometimes.”

“Once again: pot, meet kettle.” Deku said, attempting to flick at Katsuki’s forehead, but the blond caught his wrist and kissed it instead. “You know, I wasn’t joking. I’m really going to let you do everything since you declared me useless.” 

“Oh no, whatever shall I do.” 

The car stopped abruptly with a screeching halt, jolting the couple forward - Deku felt an arm extended in his direction to prevent him from being propulsed.

“Deku!” Katsuki’s body turned to him, vigilant. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” He replied, pulling at his seatbelt in emphasis. “You?”

The blond nodded before turning to their driver “What the Hell is wrong with you?!”

“I’m sorry, gentlemen” The taximan said “There seems to be a problem on the road...“

Izuku looked out the window - there were a few vehicles nearly nose to nose in front, and a cloud of smoke further ahead billowing towards the sky.

“Are you shitting me?!” Katsuki complained loudly “A car accident now of all fucking time?! We need to be at the airport in fifteen minutes!”

Izuku was about to point out to his boyfriend this behavior was super rude because people might have been hurt and they should probably go check if they could help, when he noticed something. 

Two dozens of men and women were standing around a fuming car. Some of them had their quirk activated and the distance was short enough for Deku to recognize some of them as lower ranker villains. 

This was not a car crash, Izuku realized. This was an attack. 

Next to him Kacchan caught on, exasperation roughening his voice “Are those fucking extras for real?!”

In a blink, Izuku saw his partner get out of the car, explosions already sizzling in his palms.

“Kacchan, wait!” He looked at the visibly anxious taximan “Call the police, stay inside the car and turn back to safety. We should be able to handle this quickly.”

He didn’t stay long enough to see the man’s panicked shaky nod and floated to join the other. Katsuki had already launched himself in the brawl, his orange short-sleeved shirt already torn on some parts and the strap of his satchel almost cut in half.

When the blond caught sight of him, he started to yell “The doc said you have to fucking rest, you idiot!” He easily dodged a woman sending barbed wire to him through her palms “I’m going to take care of these assholes in a blink, get back to the cab!”

“What the Hell are the two top Pros doing here?!” a villain hissed at another, probably the instigator of the crime. 

A villain with cheetah legs jolted toward Izuku, claws out. Izuku narrowly avoided her, only getting a small cut on his cheek, and managed to kick her in the stomach. 

“There’s too many of them, you’re going to need help!” He said back to Katsuki, rushing to get by his side.

The other Hero snorted as he caught one of the assailants, knocking him out

“These are just small fry, I’m gonna take care of this in five minutes! Go back in the car!”

“I already sent the driver back !”

Katsuki momentarily froze, his body going rigid as he whipped his head toward him.

“What?!”

“I told him to turn back!”

“With our fucking bags?!”

Frustration mounting, Izuku spat "I don't think that's really important at the moment, Kacchan!?!”

“How the fuck are we supposed to get to the airport in time if the damn taxi is gone with our bags?!” Katsuki yelled like a petulant child, his nerves visibly raking to his fists. 

Izuku rolled his eyes and kicked one of the closest enemies, who was about to make a nasty move.

“Do you really think it’s a priority now? We would probably have missed the flight anyway! We’ll just have to take the next one.” 

“Dammit!”

The cheetah villain rushed towards them, a clawed hand ready to rip one of their throats. Unfortunately for her, what Izuku had said had pissed Katsuki off. Badly. 

He jumped to her, explosions crackling loudly in his palm. The villain was instantly knocked out, ash and blood covering her face. 

Katsuki’s eyes were wide, pupils turned to slits, fists clenched, and despite the sinister grin on his taut jaw, Izuku knew what that meant.. He could see a vein popping out from the blond’s temple. 

“If we miss the fucking plane, then we’ll be late for the reservation I fucking booked at the restaurant, and we’ll miss the damn fireworks on the beach I fucking set up for five damn days!”

Izuku blinked at that. Uh? He hadn’t known about that - Had Kacchan even talked to him about that? Izuku would have certainly remembered something like that -

“Of all the fucking times you could have played big baddies on the road, you had to choose the only damn time we have time off. You know what that means?” Katsuki said lowly with the same eerie smile, teeth showing “I had managed to plan everything perfectly in such short notice and you shitheads just fucking ruined it all!”

Izuku was at a loss - what “plan”?! What in the world was Kacchan talking about?! Was Deku supposed to know? And not that it has anything to do with the rest, but at that moment, Kacchan was the one looking the most like a villain! The smell of burnt sugar intensified with a sizzling sound.   

“You’re gonna fucking pay for that” The blond prowled forward, and the villains, although probably as lost as Deku, took a step back “But before that…”

Without taking his eyes off the assailants, one of Katsuki’s hands rummaged in his satchel, before snatching something out of it and threw it towards his boyfriend.

“Deku! Fucking take that!”

A squared little something hit the freckled young man’s chest, who scarcely caught it. Green brows furrowed - a box? 

Opening the velvety lid, he felt his eyes pop out. 

A ring. 

A ring?!

Scarred hands shook, almost dropping the precious item. 

Wha-wha-wha-whaaaaat?! 

Was this - Did it mean - Had Kacchan - oh God, oh God, oh God -

“K-Ka-Kacchan ! Is.. Is th-this-”

The blond’s head snapped to him, eyes squinted in anger or frustration, Izuku couldn’t tell, because did Kacchan just-?!

“Want me to fucking spell it out, damn nerd?!” Kacchan yelled, another explosion booming in his palm, before he turned back to the now shaking villains - some already booking it. “Since everything’s already fucking fucked, fuck the damn wedding, we go straight to the honeymoon phase!”

That day, all the villains of the world learned one thing: never attempt an attack on Pro Hero Dynamight’s path when he had deemed it as a not-today-day. 

As the police came to collect the criminals, Izuku was still shocked to the brim. He hadn’t even had to take part in the battle: Kacchan had almost one-shotted every one of the enemies, and Deku suspected it was largely in revenge. Still clenching the velvety box, Deku’s eyes kept going back and forth between the ring and his boyfriend - fiancé now ?! Holly All Might!

“Kacchan - are you - was this - did you freaking propose to me?!” 

His stutter had kicked in full force now, as it always did when he was overwhelmed.

Katsuki groaned “Was the ring and talk of honeymoon not explicit enough?” 

Izuku felt blood rush to his cheeks, his whole face flushed. There were too many details, too much informations. Maybe he was dreaming. Was he dreaming? He tried to pinch himself - ouch! definitely not dreaming. But then - why - this made no sense! 

“B-but I - you never seemed to be interested in - why did you - in a brawl - even if you mentioned a surprise, a pl-pleasant but, - why -” 

Kacchan grabbed his shoulders, the force commanding his emerald eyes. Crimson ones stared him down; clear, angry, loving, honest. 

“Deku. I never talked to you about it before because I thought we had all the time in the world to get married, because I thought we had more important things to do before.” The fingers holding him squeezed a bit tighter. “Then I thought you were fucking dead and I realized nothing was more important than living every possible experience, every aspect of my life, with you. I realised I want - damn, scratch that, I need to marry your nerdy ass as soon as possible.”

This confession took Izuku by surprise almost as much as the ring had. While he knew Kacchan loved him, he was almost never so open in his words when  feelings were involved. Izuku knew it tended to make him uncomfortable, showing vulnerability - something Kacchan hated. Izuku had accepted this and his love for his former rival remained unchanged. But he had never, ever, expected his boyfriend to say something like that, so raw and assured at the same time.

Kacchan was serious. Izuku could see it clear as day.  

Kacchan wanted to marry him. 

Kacchan wanted to marry him!

One of the hands on his shoulders gently trailed down his arm, until it reached the box Izuku was still clasping. 

“You still haven’t given me your answer, damn Deku.”

A breathy chuckle escaped Izuku’s lips “Are you actually worried about my answer?”

“Nah, but no matter how well I know you, I need your fucking consent.” A pause, and more softly. “And I want you to say it.”

This was too much. Warmth bloomed inside Izuku’s chest like Kacchan’s explosions, and he had never felt so breathless, so dizzy with excitement. Not even when All Might had passed him One for All. Not even when he had held his diploma in UA. No, this was something even bigger, even more new. This was the beginning of an adventure in which they’d both live together, Kacchan and Deku, until the very end. 

He threw his arms around his lover’s neck.

“Yes!” He cried out with joy, tears pricking his eyes “Of course, yes!”

Kacchan’s cheek was pressed against his, and Izuku could feel the blond’s smile on his skin.

He moved to touch his forehead against Katsuki’s, a giggle escaping his grinning mouth. Kacchan leaned into the contact, with a smirk as big as Izuku’s and pride all over his features. 

The blond eventually took a step back, plucking the ring from its velvety container. Without a word, Izuku gave him his scarred palm, fingers spread out. 

The ring slid around his finger perfectly. 

It shone as bright as the future Deku knew awaited them.