Chapter Text
“I’m sorry honey. Omegas can’t be heroes.”
Five year old Katsuki stared at her mother, Mitsuki, in disbelief. “But, I have an awesome quirk. Everyone says I’ll be an amazing hero! They were telling me that all day at school!” She searched her mothers face for any sign that she was pulling her leg, but all she saw was sad resignation.
“That’s because they don’t know that you’re an omega. It is very rare and not detectable by scent until around the age of twelve, so of course they would have no way of knowing.”
“Why?” Katsuki’s voice was uncharacteristically quiet. “Why can’t omegas be heroes?”
Her mother pulled Katsuki to sit down on the couch with her. “Do you know what an alpha command is?”
Katsuki searched her memory. She had heard the term before, but did not know exactly what it meant. She shook her head no.
“Alphas have the ability to use their voice and scent to command those around them. Betas have a hard time resisting commands, but they can do it with training. For omegas, resisting is extremely difficult and if the alpha manages to put a claiming bite on the omega, then it becomes impossible.” Mitsuki ran her fingers through Katsuki’s hair as she explained. “A few years ago there was an omega student at one of the top hero schools. An alpha villain managed to bite her claiming gland on her neck during a battle. After that she had to obey his commands. He made her do horrible things. By the time the heroes rescued her and were able to break the claim, it was too late. She quit the hero program and was never the same.”
Katsuki swallowed hard. She could not imagine what that would be like. To be claimed and forced to commit crimes by your enemy. “There has to be a way to prevent that. What if I was already claimed?”
Mitsuki just shook her head. “The only way to prevent a claim from being overridden is to be claimed by your True Mate.”
“True Mate? What’s that?”
“Well, the idea is that it is someone so perfect for you that your alpha and omega will be in perfect alignment. Those bonds can’t be overridden because bonds are based on instinct and your omega would refuse to give up your True Mate for a lesser alpha.” Mitsuki frowned. “But the chances of meeting your True Mate are very low. It’s usually considered impossible.”
Katsuki smiled brightly. “Then I’ll just have to find my True Mate.”
————
“There’s no way someone like you can be a hero.”
Katsuki grit her teeth. She hated that phrase. Even when it was not directed at her, it still hurt. She knew that it was only a matter of time until all the extras that sang her praise started saying that to her. Right now some of the extras were saying it to the new kid that just transferred in for the last year of elementary school.
“Why not?” The green haired boy demanded as he clenched his fists. “All Might says anyone can be a hero. He said that on TV.”
The extras laughed. “He didn’t mean someone quirkless.” Replace that last word with ‘omega’ and they could be talking about Katsuki. Then they pushed the new kid down.
Katsuki decided she had seen enough. She stepped between the extras and the new boy. “Back off.”
“Oh, come on, Bakugo. We’re just teaching the quirkless wannabe his place.” The extra scoffed as if it was silly of Katsuki to interfere.
“I don’t care what you call it.” Katuki let a few explosions pop in her hand. “I said to back off, so go!”
With a few grumbles the extras left. Katsuki turned to the new kid who was staring up at her in surprise and awe. Then he smiled brightly and spoke. “That was so cool! You have an amazing quirk. It’s like you were a real hero protecting me.”
There was heat rising in Katuki’s cheeks. “Whatever.” She held out a hand to help the boy up. The moment they touch, she felt it. Something deep inside just resonated with joy and she knew. This boy was her True Mate. Her alpha. The one she would need to bond with by the start of high school if she wanted any chance of becoming a hero.
The boy was still smiling brightly. “My name is Midoriya Izuku. What’s yours?”
“Bakugo Katsuki.” It was little more than a whisper as Katsuki stared into those beautiful emerald eyes. If this was the face she was meant to see every day for the rest of her life, then Katsuki was okay with that.
————
The day Izuku’s scent came in was the day Katsuki asked him out. The omega had presented a few weeks earlier and it had been during school hours, so everyone knew what she was now. Most of her classmates shunned Katsuki after learning of her secondary gender, but not Izuku. The alpha stayed by Katsuki’s side just like he had since the first day they met.
On their first date Izuku asked, “How do you plan to become a hero, Kacchan?”
Katsuki smiled across the table at him. There was no doubt in Izuku’s voice that Katsuki would become a hero. He just wanted to know how. “Well, first I need to find my True Mate. As it so happens, I’m already on a date with him.”
She watched as Izuku’s eyes lit up. “You noticed too? As soon as I got your scent after presenting I was so sure that we were True Mates, but I didn’t know what to say.”
Katsuki laughed. “I knew way before that, nerd. Omega’s can tell their True Mates from the first time they touch.”
“Really?!” Izuku was practically vibrating. “So you knew from the first day we met? You’re amazing, Kacchan.”
“Yeah. I know.” Katsuki smirked gently at Izuku. He was so different from most alphas. Maybe that is why he was the one Katsuki was meant to be with.
“But, what does us being True Mates have to do with becoming a hero?” He asked. She could see Izuku’s brain running a million miles an hour behind those emerald eyes.
“A few years ago I did some checking into hero schools and their policies regarding omegas. Turns out UA has some very specific exceptions regarding their ‘no omegas’ rule. Rumor on the internet is that one of the few omega pro heroes talked them into it.”
“Who was it?”
Katsuki shrugged. “No one knows. Anyways, there are three requirements. First, the omega has to be bonded to their True Mate before the start of classes.”
Izuku’s face quickly turned red. “B-bonded?” His hands shot up to cover his red face. “We have to be-“ He cut himself off with an embarrassed squeak.
A laugh rumbled quietly in Katsuki’s chest. If Izuku was this embarrassed about that, it would only get worse as they went through the rest of the requirements. “Yep. The second is something you have to do. My mate has to also be a student in the hero course. That means you better get in.”
Izuku perked up at that. “You really think I can do it, Kacchan?”
“You better!” Katsuki glared. “We’re gonna make a plan to get you in and you better stick to it and pass or I’m breaking up with you.”
“Noooo.” His bottom lip stuck out in a pout. “I don’t want to lose Kacchan. We just got together.”
“Then you put in the work and you pass.” Katsuki growled. She did not want to break up either, but if that is what it took to motivate Izuku, then so be it. “We have almost two years until the entrance exam and you’re an alpha so gaining muscle should be no issue. We’ll need to do combat training, too.”
Izuku nodded and started muttering to himself about where to start. Katsuki took the time to finish her ice cream. After a few minutes Izuku pulled out of his muttering. “Oh. I forgot to ask what the third requirement was.”
Katsuki could feel a slight blush on her own cheeks as she answered that one. “I, um, have to take pregnancy tests every month. If it comes back positive, I get booted to general education.”
Red covered Izuku’s face in a fierce blush. “Well, we can just, um, wait to you know, until after graduation.”
“I assume by ‘you know’, you mean have sex.” So maybe Katsuki enjoyed seeing her alpha turn into a strawberry. The guy was way too cute for an alpha. Still, Katsuki had not expected him to be so willing to wait. Alphas had a reputation for being demanding when it came to sexual matters. Maybe Izuku really was different. “Thanks for being okay with that.” Still, Katsuki would need to talk to her doctor about birth control just in case.
————
Izuku hated days like this. Days when the bullying got to Kacchan and her eyes just looked dull. The teacher had told the whole class that Kacchan and Izuku were planning to go to UA. The class had laughed at them, but what got to Kacchan were the more sexual insults. The ones that said she was no good for anything other than being bred. The offers to do just that. The ones that were far too close to threats of rape. She would still yell back and call the bullies extras, but Izuku could see the hurt in his True Mate’s eyes.
“Kacchan?” Izuku finally broke the silence of their walk home. “They’re wrong, you know. You are going to be an amazing hero and you are so much more than your reproductive abilities. Kacchan is amazing.”
Kacchan turned to give Izuku a small smile as they walked under a bridge. Then her eyes went wide. She reached forward to grab Izuku’s arm and yanked him forward. The alpha stumbled forward past his True Mate. He turned back just in time to see dark green slime surrounding Kacchan.
“Well, this works even better. I had planned on grabbing the bigger one, but no one will risk hurting an omega by attacking me. You’ll make the perfect meat suit.” The slimy villain wrapped himself around the struggling girl, quickly covering her mouth.
“No.” Izuku stared in wide eyed horror as his omega struggled for her life. Explosions popped uselessly from her hands doing nothing to stop the slime. “NO!”
The air grew heavy with the scent of Izuku’s strong alpha pheromones. He leapt forward and began pulling at the slime.
“It’s useless kid.” The villain’s voice wavered slightly. It seemed he was being effected by Izuku’s scent. “I’m made of liquid. You can’t pull me off.”
Izuku’s mind whirled as he tried to form a plan. His eyes scanned the slime until he locked onto the villains eyes. Izuku pulled a pen from his pocket. Without hesitation he jabbed it into the villain’s nearest eye.
With a scream, the villain backhanded Izuku away into the wall of the tunnel, but he could hear Kacchan coughing. She had at least gotten some air. Izuku had a little more time.
Izuku yelled and launched himself back at the villain. He was stopped short as a large hand caught the back of his uniform. “Texas Smash!” The familiar yell was followed by a mighty gust of wind.
Izuku was blown backward. As he blinked his eyes open, Izuku had to question if he had hit his head harder than he thought. In front of him was All Might standing over a coughing Kacchan. “All Might?”
The hero smiled and gave him a thumbs up. “Sorry to have involved you in my fight, young man. I’m not yet familiar with this city’s sewer system.”
There were so many things Izuku wanted to ask the hero, but one thing took priority over all of that. Izuku ran to his omega’s side. “Kacchan, are you okay?”
Kacchan was still coughing, but she managed to grab Izuku and pull him into a tight hug. “Of course I am, you idiot. You better not have broken anything when he threw you.”
Izuku relaxed a little as he returned the hug. Out of the corner of his eye Izuku saw All Might moving around to gather the scattered bits of the villain and shove them into some bottles. That seemed like a rather unusual way to contain someone, but surely All Might knew what he was doing.
“All Might.” Izuku took a deep breath before he continued his question. “There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you.”
“Yes, what is it?” All Might continued cleaning up while seeming to half pay attention. Well, this was his best chance to ask.
“Can someone without a quirk still be a hero?” All Might froze when he heard the question. Izuku continued. “You see, I’ve always wanted to be a hero like you. Someone who saves people with a smile on his face. I’ve been training hard to get stronger and I just want to know if it’s really possible.”
All Might turned to face him slowly. His smile looked a bit strained. “I’m sorry, but it’s not possible. Hero work is very dangerous and-“
“Seriously?” Kacchan interrupted. “The only reason I was still alive by the time you got here is because Izuku risked his life to protect me and you’re gonna stand there and say that he can’t be a hero just because he doesn’t have a quirk? Izuku is more heroic than anyone I’ve ever met. Don’t you dare say he can’t be a hero when you know next to nothing about him.” The omega was fuming by this point. Smoke was starting to rise from her balled fists. “I bet you’ll also tell me I can’t be a hero because I’m an omega! You probably don’t care that I found my True Mate and once bonded I won’t be any more susceptible to commands than betas. You’re too busy making snap judgments and assumptions just like everyone else!”
All Might just stared at the fuming girl as the hero’s mouth opened and closed.
“I changed my mind,” Kacchan growled. “I don’t want to be like All Might. I’ll be a real hero who doesn’t destroy kids’ dreams just for fun. Let’s go, Izu.”
Izuku stood and followed as Kacchan started stomping in the direction of home.
“Wait!” All Might called out. “You make a valid point. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions like that. Perhaps I could make it up to you by helping with some of that training?”
Kacchan looked to Izuku, waiting to see what the alpha thought. The chance of training with All Might was one in a million. Izuku smiled wide and nodded.
“Fine,” Kacchan answered. “But you better not pull any more quirkist crap.”
“I promise.” All Might reached down to pick up the trapped villain. “Meet me at Dagobah Municipal Beach this time tomorrow.”
————
When All Might deflated in front of them at the beach, Katsuki just about lost it. “What the heck?! What is wrong with you?!”
“I was injured in a fight some years ago and it has taken a heavy toll on my body. Now this is how I look when not using my quirk,” the skeletal All Might stated.
Katsuki turned her gaze to her alpha as the hero went on to explain about only being able to use his quirk a few hours a day and even showed them his scar. Izuku’s eyes were wide in shock and worry. When his green eyes turned to look at Katsuki she could tell they were both thinking the same thing. They did not want that to happen to their mate. But then Izuku’s eyes turned determined and Katsuki felt the same determination. They would not let fear stop them.
“You’re right All Might. Hero work is dangerous,” Izuku said. “But we’ve always known that. We still want to be heroes. We will save people.”
“And we will win and defeat all those stupid villains,” Katsuki added.
All Might nodded. “In that case, I will help you train. The first step is strength training.” He motioned to the piles of trash that covered the beach they were standing on. “Clearing this beach will serve as both community service and good training. I can see that you both have some muscle, but to be a hero you will need more.”
“Right!” Izuku was way too eager.
Katsuki was a little more hesitant. “I hope you have more to your plan than just strength training. Especially since gaining muscle is way too easy for an alpha like Izu. He needs to know how to use those muscles too.”
“Quite right, young Bakugo.” All Might smiled. “Do either of you have any combat training?”
“Yeah. Kacchan and I have been taking mixed martial arts for about a year,” Izuku answered eagerly.
All Might’s eyebrows rose as his eyes opened wide. “That’s excellent. We will certainly continue to work on that as well.” The hero then turned to Katsuki. “There is an offer I would like you to consider, young Bakugo. As an omega seeking to be a hero you will need to learn to resist commands. There will be special training for this during hero school, however if you wish to get a head start on that training we can work on it. You can let me know later on if you wish to do that with me. It will require a fair amount of trust from you and permission from your True Mate. You don’t have to give me your answer now, but think about it.”
Katsuki just hummed in acknowledgement. She knew that sort of training would need to come eventually, but the idea of someone other than Izuku giving her commands felt unnerving. And after yesterday she was definitely not ready to trust this oaf with such a delicate thing.
“There is one more thing I need to clear up.” The hero shifted and looked a little uneasy. “Yesterday, young Bakugo mentioned that she found her True Mate. I didn’t want to make assumptions, but was she referring to you, young Midoriya?”
Katsuki scoffed. “Obviously.”
————
Things were going so smoothly. The beach was getting cleared, Izuku and Katsuki were getting stronger, and Katsuki had only needed to threaten to kill All Might twice before he stopped treating her like she was delicate. They were making so much progress toward being ready for the entrance exam. Katsuki should have known it would not last. Her luck was never that good.
“Well if it isn’t the school whore.” The taunting voice was accompanied by the stench of alphas. Katsuki barely spared a glance back at the group that was following her. There had been a time when two of these three had followed Katsuki because they saw her as a leader. But then, they learned she was an omega and their respect turned to disdain.
Katsuki ignored the taunts as she made her way back to the cafeteria where Izuku was waiting for her.
“You think you can ignore us, Whore?” The leader of the group called out. Katsuki had no idea what the extra’s name was. He was from one of the other classes. All Katsuki knew was he had some sort of rock quirk. “We’re talking to you. Stop!” The last word was a command and Katsuki’s body froze in place.
Katsuki snarled at the alphas. “What the heck do you-“
“Be quiet.” Rock boy looked way too pleased with himself when Katsuki’s mouth snapped shut at the command. “I think it’s time you learned your place, Omega.” He glanced at the other two as if for approval. The extras nodded before turning their arrogant expressions toward Katsuki. “Follow us, Omega.”
Katsuki could do nothing but follow as they led her out the back of the school and around where no one would see them. The cool fall air added to the trembling already in Katsuki’s limbs. They stopped and so did Katsuki. She struggled to fight against the hold the commands had on her, but it was hard when a large part of her brain was busy panicking over what they were planning. She knew the rape statistics on omegas were ridiculously high and she did not want to join that statistic.
“Kneel, Omega.” It was Fingers who gave the command this time. Katsuki dropped to her knees glaring at the three alphas the whole time. A small growl was able to slip past her lips but it was barely audible.
Rock boy leaned in and stated firmly. “Don’t fight back.”
The first blow was a slap across the face. It was followed quickly by a kick to her ribs knocking Katsuki the rest of the way to the ground. As the three alphas rained down blows they also issued command after command. “Hold still.” “Don’t make a sound.” “Hold out your hands.” As soon as her hands were out they were stomped on. Katsuki could feel something break and her mouth opened in a silent scream. The commands were coming so fast she could not even think to try to resist. All she knew was pain.
“Wait, I know.” Katsuki could not even pay attention to which alpha was speaking. “Don’t breath.”
Katsuki’s eyes widened as her lungs froze. She could not even gasp for breath.
The alphas’ laughter sounded distant as Katsuki clawed at her chest with battered hands. Air. She needed air!
A roar drowned out the laughter and there was the sound of fighting, but all Katsuki could focus on was the need for air. Was this how she would die? Suffocated by an alpha’s command?
“Omega, release all commands!”
Air rushed into Katsuki’s lungs as she gasped and coughed. Her senses were flooded with the smell of burning forest. Her eyes focused long enough to see green above her before she passed out.
————
Izuku had never been so angry. Or so scared. The sight of his omega writhing on the ground face completely white under a layer of blood and dirt would haunt him for the rest of his life. He did not remember much of the fight other than his alpha going nearly feral.
When the teachers had finally arrived, Izuku had been holding an unconscious Katsuki surrounded by the three whimpering alphas who were no longer able to stand. Now he was at the hospital waiting for his True Mate to wake up.
Those beautiful ruby eyes finally opened. They searched for a moment before landing on Izuku. “What happened?” Katsuki’s voice was rough and strangely quiet.
Izuku reached out and rested his hand on Katsuki’s arm just above where the cast stretched down to her hand. “Some alphas from school used commands to control and hurt you.”
“I know that, idiot.” Her voice was a little stronger this time. “I meant how did they get stopped and how did I get here? I thought they were gonna kill me.”
A frown stretched across Izuku’s face. He hated how close they came to doing exactly that. “I found you. My alpha kind of took over and attacked them. I also released whatever commands they had placed on you. The teachers only showed up after it was all done.”
Katsuki nodded slowly. “You get in trouble?”
A chuckle slipped out of Izuku’s lips. Katsuki knew their school too well. “I got a week suspension for fighting.” It did not matter that Izuku had been protecting someone. He was quirkless and therefore always in the wrong. “At least the alphas who hurt you were punished, too. They got two weeks suspension and charged with omega endangerment.” It was honestly barely a slap on the wrist considering they almost killed her, but that’s just how their messed up world worked when it came to alphas and omegas.
Katsuki shifted slightly and immediately a small whine of pain slipped out. “How bad is the damage?” She asked.
Izuku swallowed. “Pretty bad. Three cracked ribs, a fractured cheek bone, two broken fingers on your right hand, plus lots of bruising all over. It will be at least a few weeks, maybe even months for everything to fully heal.”
“The entrance exam is in four months. I need to get back to training as soon as possible.” Despite her determined words, Izuku could hear a slight tremble in the omega’s voice. This had taken a toll on Katsuki more than just physically, no mater what the blond wanted those around her to believe.
“Not until the doctors okay it, Kacchan.” Izuku traced gentle circles on the bruised arm under his fingers. “Trying to do too much too soon will only set you back.”
He could hear Katsuki grind her teeth in frustration. “Fine.” They sat in silence for a few moments before Katsuki’s voice once more spoke with a hesitant tremble. “Do you think... All Might would be willing to do that command training?”
Izuku bit his lip and considered. “Are you sure you want to do that right away? After what you just went through-“
“That’s why I need it.” There were unshed tears in Katsuki’s glassy ruby eyes. “I don’t ever want to be in that situation again. I don’t ever want to be that helpless.”
Izuku nodded. “Okay, Kacchan.”
“One more thing.” Katsuki locked eyes with Izuku. “As soon as I get out of here, I want you to claim me.”
Izuku’s mouth opened and closed at a loss for words. He did not know how to feel at that. Of course he wanted to claim Katsuki, they were True Mates. But they had planned to wait until after the entrance exam. It was supposed to be motivation for them both to pass. At least that was what Katsuki had said. On the other hand, if they had been bonded today then Izuku would have known that something was wrong. He might have been able to get to Katsuki sooner. Plus commands were less effective against a claimed omega. Katsuki would have had a better chance of resisting. “If that is what you want, then okay.”
Katsuki glared. “You saying it isn’t what you want? If you don’t want me then just say it, jerk.”
“That’s not what I meant at all!” Izuku waved his hands in front of him as he tried to explain to the grumpy omega. “I do want to claim you, Kacchan. I want to have you claim me too so I can bond with you. I just meant if you want to do it now as opposed to later. That’s all. Of course I want you. You’re my True Mate.”
With a huff Katsuki relaxed back into the bed seemingly satisfied. “You really are stupid sometimes, Izu. We can’t bond or form a permanent claim unless I’m on my heat. This will just be temporary until then.”
Izuku’s eyes widened. “Oh, right. I guess I just got a little over excited. Um, when is your next heat, Kacchan?” They would not need to do anything sexual during the heat, but that was the only time that an omega was able to mark.
Katsuki shifted in what looked like an unsuccessful attempt to get comfortable. “I have one coming up soon, but we’re waiting until the one right before UA starts. I still plan on using that to motivate you.”
————
Even if the claim was not going to be permanent, Izuku wanted it to be special. That is why he had everything planned out for when Kacchan got out of the hospital two days later. Once Mitsuki finished signing the release paperwork she waved the kids off. “Go have a date and relax. You need it.”
Katsuki gave her mother a suspicious look. “What are you up to, Old Hag?”
“Actually,” Izuku stepped in. “It was my idea. Is that okay?”
Kacchan shifted her suspicious gaze to Izuku. “It guess.”
Izuku led the way to their first destination. It was a new restaurant they had not tried before, but everything he read said their food was great. Especially their spicy options. Kacchan got Mapo Tofu and seemed to love it. Izuku stuck with his personal favorite of Katsudon.
“Where to next, Nerd?” Kacchan asked as they left the restaurant.
“Um, well I was thinking we could go for a walk in the park. That is, if you feel up to it.” Izuku suddenly found himself questioning his choice as he noticed that Kacchan still had a slight limp.
“Don’t look down on me, Nerd. Of course I feel up to it.”
He should have known that Kacchan would say that regardless of how she actually felt. Izuku decided to make the walk a little shorter than he had initially planned and head straight towards his target destination. The path they walked led through the trees into a fairly dense area. It was somewhat overgrown and looked like not many people came back here. That was part of why Izuku chose it.
As they walked Izuku kept up a conversation about everything from the hero news Kacchan missed while in the hospital to their favorite manga to the extra training he had been doing while suspended. The path ended in a clearing. There was a gazebo next to a stream and a lot of wild flowers. This was the other reason Izuku chose this path.
“What do you think?” He asked while studying Kacchan’s face for a reaction.
The blond was looking around with a serious expression. She did not look upset, so that was good. “It’s nice, I guess.”
Izuku felt his heart sink. He had been so sure that Kacchan would like this place. He wanted it to be special. “Oi.” Kacchan bumped his shoulder. “I said it’s nice. Stop looking so upset.”
“Okay.” Izuku tried to cheer up. He reminded himself that Kacchan does not show her emotions much other than anger. She probably really did like this place and just did not know how to show it. At least he hoped that was it.
They moved to the gazebo and Kacchan dropped onto one of the benches with a groan. Izuku sat down on her left. “Still sore?”
“Yeah. Those scum really did a number on me.” She tried to sound nonchalant about it, but Izuku could still hear the hurt.
Izuku hesitated for a moment before he took Kacchan’s hand in his. “Kacchan, did you still want me to mark you? If you want to wait that’s fine too.”
The omega sat up straight. “Is that why you planned all this?” She smiled for the first time since their day started. “I said I want you to mark me and I’m not changing my mind.” She reached out and pulled Izuku into a kiss. When they pulled apart she tilted her head to present her mating gland. “Make me yours, Alpha.”
Izuku moved in. He brushed his teeth along the sensitive skin first and his alpha took pleasure in the way his omega shuddered. Then he bit down. As soon as he tasted blood, a new sensation filled his awareness. It was as if he could feel Kacchan’s presence. The feeling was warm and powerful. Almost like tiny explosions tickling at the edge of his mind, but less distracting. It felt right and Izuku loved it.
When Izuku pulled away his mouth was immediately claimed by his omega. The kiss was far more intense and passionate than the previous one and it left them both gasping for air. “If that’s what just a temporary claim feels like then I can’t wait to see what a permanent bond is like,” Katsuki said with a wide smirk.
“Yeah.” Izuku chuckled. “That will definitely give us extra motivation.”
————
Katsuki had to ease back into training a lot slower than she would have liked. The worst was the way her broken hand kept her from using her quirk for weeks. Or at least, that was the worst until he started the command training with All Might.
The first command was simple “Take five steps forward.” It should not have been a big deal. Even if she could not fight off the command she would have only taken a few steps. Except, that’s not what happened. As soon as she felt the command sink in, Katsuki panicked. She could not breath. She could not focus. Even as she felt her body moving forward, Katsuki was having flash backs to the incident with the three alphas. Katsuki barely finished the fifth step before collapsing to the ground.
“Kacchan!” Izuku was at her side in an instant. He held Katsuki’s trembling body close and tried to comfort her. Katsuki felt so weak. How could she be reacting this badly to such a simple thing.
“It seems your trauma is a bit worse than we thought.” All Might oh so helpfully stated once Katsuki managed to calm down.
“So, what do we do? She has to do the training eventually. What about when she gets to that training at UA?” Izuku asked. He still had his arms wrapped around Katsuki. Perhaps the alpha had been a bit more effected by his True Mate’s panic than expected.
All Might rubbed his chin as he seemed to contemplate the question. “I’m not an expert in trauma. I will have to talk to someone who is. Perhaps we can work on getting more comfortable around alphas in general first. It may also just take time.”
Katsuki hated this. She grit her teeth and tried to argue, but she could not find anything to argue against waiting. So, they moved on. She continued physical training and put command training on the back burner.
By the time the entrance exam came around Katsuki was finally feeling like herself again. She tried to hold onto that feeling as well as her usual confidence even as she realized just how many alphas were there. Sure there had been around a dozen alphas in their year back in middle school but that still meant most students were Betas. Here it seemed like everyone was alphas. Realistically it was probably only half the people, but that was still a lot.
Katsuki stuck close to her alpha, just to be safe. At least, as long as she could. Which meant up until they had to go to separate test areas. Katsuki had to push down her fear and focus. Once the fighting started, focusing was easy. Katsuki funneled all her frustration and anger into destroying as many robots as she could. It felt good to let loose and she had no doubt that she passed.
As they were returning to the building afterwards, Katsuki could hear some of the other test takers talking. “Do you smell that? It smells like an omega?”
Katsuki felt her steps falter. She was wearing scent blockers, but she had been sweating a lot. It was possible that some of her scent had leaked through.
She glanced over at the person who had spoken. It was a large alpha with three others at his side. They were all sniffing as if trying to locate the source of the smell. A passing Beta with pink hair and skin stopped to glare at them. “Even if there is an omega here, it’s none of your business. Stop acting like stupid knot heads.”
Katsuki found herself smirking. She would second what the girl said if she did not have to worry about drawing attention to herself. The last thing she wanted was to make it easier for the alphas to find her.
Once everyone was changed they were released to head home. Katsuki waited out front for Izuku. When her alpha did not come right away she sent a text asking where he was. That nerd better not have gotten hurt. Katsuki focused on the partial bond they shared. It was not enough to tell how the alpha was doing, but she could at least say with confidence that Izuku was alive and near by.
Katsuki was just starting to consider going back inside to find her nerd when the familiar scent of forest met her nose. It was Izuku’s scent.
“Kacchan!”
Katsuki smiled as she turned to the voice, but the smile disappeared as soon as she saw bandages around Izuku’s arm. “What did you do?” She growled.
“Ah,” an embarrassed blush spread over Izuku’s freckled face. “I may have broken my arm. But don’t worry! Recovery Girl fixed it. She said it should be all better by tomorrow.”
Izuku tried to give a reassuring smile, but it did not reach his eyes. Katsuki frowned harder. Her nerd seemed distracted, almost dazed. He better not have failed the test. Not after all the training they went through.
She decided not to ask. They would just have to wait for the results.
————
Izuku barely talked during the weeks waiting for the results. Katsuki was starting to get a little beyond frustrated. The fact that her heat was just around the corner did not help. It finally came to a head when they were hanging out at Izuku’s house. The nerd had not said more than two words together the whole day. “I swear if you don’t stop stressing yourself out about this, I’m going to strangle you.”
That finally got a response as Izuku looked up with wide eyes. “Please don’t!” He squeaked.
“Then talk to me, idiot! I can’t help you if you don’t say anything.”
Izuku fidgeted and looked back at his feet. “I just don’t think I destroyed enough robots to pass,” he whispered just loud enough for Katsuki to make out.
Katsuki’s initial reaction was anger. How dare Izuku ruin both of their dreams like this. Then she pulled that thought back. Izuku was already beating himself up about this plus they did not even have the final results yet. With a groan Katsuki pushed down her anger and plopped down next to Izuku on the couch. “Look, whatever happened we can’t change it now. So stop stressing yourself out and find something to occupy your mind until the results come.”
“Like what?” He looked pleadingly to Katsuki as if the omega held all the answers.
Katsuki moved to the tv stand and pulled out an old game console. They had not played for a while since they had been too busy training, but it was something they both had fond memories of.
They had only played a few rounds of SmashHeroes when Izuku’s mother came in looking desperate. “Izuku! It’s here!” She held out a thick envelope and both teens realized what it was.
Izuku took the letter to his room with Katsuki fallowing him there. They both just stared at it for a minute before Katsuki got frustrated. “Open it already!”
Izuku jumped to comply. A small disk fell out and activated a holographic projection of All Might. “I am here as a projection!” They listened as All Might explained that Izuku had not gotten enough villain points to pass. Katsuki was about ready to despair before the hero said that was not the only thing they looked at. In the end Izuku made it in with rescue points.
“I can’t believe it,” Izuku sobbed. “I’m gonna be a hero!”
“Yeah,” Katsuki might be in a little bit of shock. She needed to get home and check her own results.
Izuku grabbed Katsuki’s hand and dragged her out of the room. “Come on!” He led them out of the house and down the street to Katsuki’s house. There in the mail was a letter to Katsuki with the UA seal on the back.
They settled in Katsuki’s room. It seemed that all the energy Izuku had been lacking the last few days was building up to the point where he was practically vibrating. Katsuki opened her envelope and pulled out the disk. Just like with Izuku’s, All Might appeared. “I am here as a projection!” Seriously? He even used the same line.
The boys listened eagerly as the hero explained that not only had Katsuki passed, but she got the highest score on the practical exam. A triumphant smirk split Katsuki’s face. That would show all those extras. “In addition,” All Might continued. “You will be pleased to hear that your alpha also passed. This means you are both accepted to the UA hero program. Details of the other requirements are included with your acceptance letter. Welcome to your hero academy!”
As soon as the hologram shut off, Izuku tackled Katsuki with a hug. “We made it! We both made it! And Kacchan even got the number one spot!”
“Of course I did.” Katsuki ruffled her alpha’s hair. She was putting forth her normal confidence, but inside she could hardly believe it. Sure she tried to ignore all the extra’s that said her dream was impossible, but they still got to her. Some part of her had feared that even if she was the best they would still reject her just because she was an omega. Or they would reject Izuku due to his being quirkless.
But that was not the case. They were in. They would be heroes.
Katsuki pulled out the other papers from the envelope. There was the official letter, a list of materials they needed for the first day along with some other basic info that was given to all students, then there was the info that was just for her. The info about omegas.
Izuku leaned over her shoulder to also read. Most of it was things Katsuki already knew. She would need to be bonded before the first day of class, she would need to do pregnancy tests the first week of every month, scent patches were required, she would be passed off as a Beta if possible. It would be challenging, but doable.
“So, I guess we really do need to bond.” Izuku sounded about as awkward as possible.
Katsuki smiled at her soon to be life long mate. “Yep.” She pulled the nerd into a kiss. “My heat should start in a couple days. I need to get ready and stuff. I’ll text you when it arrives. But just to be clear, clothes are staying on.”
As expected, that caused to alpha to turn redder than a tomato. With his freckles and green hair he really looked like a strawberry. Katsuki decided to take a bite. She nipped her alpha’s cheek.
Izuku yelped. “Kacchan, don’t do that!” He rubbed at the place Katsuki had bit.
“Oh, come on. I didn’t bite that hard.” She gave a teasing smirk. “I’ll definitely be biting you harder in a few days.”
And now Izuku was officially reduced to a blushing, sputtering mess.
————
Heats at this age were not very intense, especially if the omega was not bonded. That being said, Katsuki was a bit worried about inviting an alpha into her nest during the heat. No, she was not having second thoughts about bonding with Izuku. She knew that this is what she wanted and what was necessary. The fear was from the possibility that they would loose control and go farther than planned.
Katsuki had taken all the precautions she could. She visited her doctor and got an implant that would act as birth control for five years. She had talked to Izuku and made her expectations clear. She even told her mom that she could stay in the house during the heat because they would not be doing anything more than snuggling.
None of that kept her hands from trembling when she texted Izuku to come over.
In all of her uncertainty Katsuki had forgotten one certain fact. It was part of why she loved Izuku in the first place. Her nerd always knew what she needed most in situations like this. Izuku arrived with arms full of gifts. There were soft blankets, plushies of top heroes, even pillows all drenched in the alpha’s scent. It immediately put Katsuki at ease as she tucked the gifts into her nest on her bed.
Lastly, Katsuki pushed Izuku right into the center of the nest and laid down next to him. Katsuki’s omega was purring happily on the inside and Katsuki may have let a little of that purring out.
Izuku chuckled as he hugged Katsuki back. “Kacchan in heat is so affectionate.”
“Shut up, Nerd.” There was no bite in the words. Katsuki was too focused on snuggling.
They stayed like that for a while before Izuku suggested watching something. Katsuki debated. Relaxing in front of a movie did sound like a great idea at the moment, but there was something they needed to do first. “Maybe in a little bit. We need to do what you came here for first.”
“Oh,” Izuku’s eyes widened as he sat up to lean against the headboard. “Okay. How did you want to do this?”
Katsuki sat up next to him. “It’s not exactly about how I ‘want to do it’. Omega instincts are pretty particular about bonding. Part of why we can only bond in heat is because it needs to be something that both my conscious mind and my instincts agree on. You’re the nerd here. Didn’t you read up on this or anything?”
“A little,” Izuku admitted. “But a lot of the sights just talk about how, unlike marking, bonds can’t be forced. So I figured I would just trust you to know how to do it.”
“Right.” Katsuki rolled her eyes. “Well there’s basically three steps. First, you scent me. Once my omega accepts your scent I will present my neck. Second, you mark me once my neck is presented. Finally, you present your own neck and I mark you back. Got it?”
Izuku nodded and pulled Katsuki in so they could rub their neck glands together. It was relaxing to feel her alpha’s scent surrounding her. Katsuki wanted to tip her head and get this over with, but her omega disagreed. It seemed the beast wanted to play hard to get. Izuku switched to rubbing the opposite sides of their necks. At the same time, he rubbed the glands on his wrists along Katsuki’s arms and back. The scent of forest was completely overwhelming her senses and a soft moan escaped Katsuki.
Her omega could not fight back any longer against their True Mate. Katsuki’s head lolled to the side presenting her already marked gland. The mark from before would have faded over time, but the one Izuku made now would last a life time. Izuku kissed along her neck a few times before sinking his teeth in. The first time Izuku marked Katsuki it had been a mixture of pain and pleasure. This time it was pure euphoria. Katsuki doubted any drugs out there could make you feel this good.
It took a few minutes for Katsuki to regain her senses and see that Izuku was waiting with his own head tilted to the side. Katsuki’s omega was thrilled that her alpha was submitting to her. She eagerly nuzzled into the alpha’s neck before sinking her teeth in as well. As soon as she did so, the full bond snapped into place. Katsuki could sense Izuku and feel the alpha’s joy. She knew that Izuku could feel the same in her.
“Man,” Katsuki moaned. “Now I’ll never be able to hide anything from you.” She joked.
Izuku laughed for a moment before cutting off. The joy Katsuki had been feeling from her alpha was now tinged with guilt. Katsuki pulled back and looked into green eyes that refused to meet her own. “Izuku, are you hiding something from me?”
“What? No! Of course not!” It was a lie. Even if Katsuki had not been able to read Izuku like an open book already, the bond would have given him away.
“You’re lying. We’ve been bonded less than five minutes and you’re already lying to me!” Anger and remorse filled Katsuki. She could not handle this right now. Her emotions were already a mess from her heat. Now her alpha was pulling something like this? “Get out,” she growled.
“Kacchan, please let me explain.” Izuku looked desperate, but Katsuki could not care at the moment.
“I said get out!” She screamed.
Izuku yelped and jumped out of the nest. “Kacchan please. I-“ He cut himself off. Izuku chewed his lip for a moment before sighing in defeat. “We’ll talk after your heat.”
Then he left.
Katsuki had never felt so alone. If she could not trust her own True Mate, then who could she trust? Katsuki curled in on herself and wept.