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“Kacchan!” Y/n called, leaving Izuku’s side to run up to Katsuki sitting in the common room. “We got you something while we were out!”
Y/n dug through his canvas bag, searching for the All Might keychain they had found at a gift shop. Holding it up by the ring, he held it between them. Katsuki’s eyebrow quirked, his face confused before a smirk found its way to his lips. Reaching up, he snatched the keychain from Y/n’s grasp.
“Thanks, Sunshine.” Katsuki hums, inspecting his gift.
“No problem! Izu is the one who found it!” Y/n spoke full of light, walking back over to Izuku, “We’re going to train later if you want to join us.”
Izuku looked up to Y/n standing next to him, eyebrows knit together. A scoff came from Katsuki.
“Nah, I promised Sparky I‘d help him study for the upcoming test,” Katsuki moaned out.
“Oh, well, no problem. You can just join us next time.” Y/n smiled, arm now tossed over Izuku’s shoulder and pushing them both towards the elevators.
Katsuki watched as Izuku’s face flushed a bright pink, and he had to keep himself from laughing at his friend. Y/n was ruffling Izuku’s hair when the elevator doors opened up, the duo disappeared up towards their dorms. Everyone could see how much the duo liked each other, all except the two boys themselves. They rode in silence, even walking to Izuku’s door without a word.
“Hey, I thought the training was just for the two of us.” Izuku finally whispered, typing in his door code and stepping into his dorm.
“Huh? But we always invite Kacchan. I didn’t know you wanted it to be just us. Sorry.” Y/n’s smile dropped, concern now filling his face as he followed Izuku into his dorm.
“Don’t be!” Izuku barked, causing Y/n to jump. His following words came up in a whisper, “Sorry, I just- you’re always inviting Katsuki places with us when I ask you to do things. Do you not like being alone with me? Did I do something to make you uncomfortable?”
“What? Of course not! The three of us used to do everything together as kids. I thought you’d be excited that he wants to hang out with us again now that we’re older.” Y/n spoke, setting the bag in his hand onto the ground and sitting on Izuku’s bed.
“Yeah, you’re right. Forget I mentioned anything,” Izuku mumbled, picking up the bag Y/n put down and unloading it onto his desk.
“Wait, no. This is obviously bothering you.” Y/n’s voice was soft as he stood back up, walking over to lean against the desk Izuku was at, “Talk to me, Izu.”
Izuku took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. The bottle of water in his hand shook slightly, and Y/n noticed the pink tint to the tips of his ears. Y/n saw his own reflection in the mirror hung up across the room, his cheeks as pink as Izuku’s ears. Looking up at Y/n, the light filtered in through the window, the golden rays hitting his face and making him look like he was glowing.
“Do you like Kacchan?” Izuku whispered.
“Of course. He’s my friend!” Y/n gave Izuku a confused smile.
“No, that’s not what I mean.” Izuku looks back down at his hands, grabbing the few water bottles and turning to put them in his mini fridge.
“Huh? Not what you me- Oh!” Y/n’s eyes go wide.
It was silent as Izuku continued to put random things away in his dorm. Y/n was busy lost in thought. Things were suddenly clicking into place. Izuku had been asking Y/n to go out to do different things more often over the last month. Y/n had then asked Katsuki if he wanted to join them almost every time. But why was Izuku suddenly asking Y/n to spend so much alone time with him? The easiest way would be to ask, right? A few moments passed, and Izuku took the silence as confirmation. The green haired boy sighed, turning back towards Y/n.
“I don’t really feel like training today. Sor-” Izuku started to make an excuse before being cut off by Y/n.
“I don’t like Katsuki like that. I never have,” Y/n urged, stepping forward, grabbing Izuku and turning him so he could look him in the eyes. “Do you like me, Izuku?”
“I- uh- no, that’d be weird,” Izuku’s voice cracked loudly, something that hadn’t happened in quite some time, and stumbling backward, falling onto his bed.
“I don’t know, Izu. Friends who don’t like each other don’t have their ears turning pink when they’re less than a foot away from each other.” Y/n chuckles, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking down towards his slippers.
Izuku’s eyes go wide, hands going up to cover his ears. He had blown his cover without even knowing. He stuttered out a few incomprehensible syllables, not able to find any words. Suddenly, Y/n was close to him, grabbing his hands and pulling him back to his feet.
“Come with me,” Y/n says, a smile lighting up his face again.
Y/n rushed out of the dorm, hand tightly grasping Izuku’s wrist. Once at the staircase, he let go, running down the steps. Izuku followed, confused and embarrassed about what had just happened. Passing through the door that lead to the common room, Y/n ran up to Katsuki.
“I need to borrow your car. I’ll fill the tank.” Y/n rushed.
Katsuki looked up at the excited Y/n then Izuku, who looked it he wanted to disappear, behind him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his keys, which had already attached was his new keychain. Snatching them, Y/n turned and started speed walking to the front door, trading their slippers for their street shoes.
“What’s going on?” Katsuki asked, looking at Izuku.
Izuku shrugged his shoulders, just as confused. Standing back up after tying his shoes, Y/n looked at Izuku.
“Well, are you coming or not, Izu?” Y/n smiled.
Katsuki shoved Izuku by his shoulder, causing him to stumble forward and catch his footing. He quickly changed into his red sneakers and followed Y/n to Katsuki’s car. Y/n silently started the car and pulled out of the campus parking lot.
“Where are we going?” Izuku asked, staring at the passing trees out his window.
“You’ll see,” Y/n smiled, sneaking the occasional look at Izuku as he drove.
They drove in silence for another 20 minutes, but slowly, Izuku started recognizing where they were. They passed Y/n’s childhood home, then the corner store they’d always get ice cream on hot days. Finally, Y/n pulled the car into a small parking lot, put the car in park, and got out of the car. Rushing over to Izuku’s side, he opened the door, offering his hand to him. Izuku looked up at Y/n surprised, hand still raised where to door handle was on the inside. Y/n grabs Izuku’s hand when the boy doesn’t move and pulls him out of the car.
Y/n shifted their hands so their fingers were interlocked as Y/n pulled Izuku across the park field. Izuku took quiet deep breaths as he followed behind Y/n. He noticed how Y/n’s quirk activated involuntarily, causing them both to glow a bright yellow as they walked. Stepping into the tree line, Y/n weaves between trees, finally stopping in front of a medium Tanoak tree. Y/n finally let go of Izuku, hands now cold from the lack of contact. Y/n looked at the ground, searching for something before squatting down and picking something up. Standing back up, he turned to Izuku, holding out his hand, palm up, an acorn sitting in the center of his palm.
“Remember what I told you in this very spot almost 14 years ago?” Y/n asked softly, searching Izuku’s face for any recognition.
Izuku shook his head side to side sighing, “No, I don’t.”
“We planted an acorn just like this one when we were 4. I told you,” Y/n started, grabbing Izuku’s wrist with his free hand and placing the little acorn in his hand, “as long as this Tanoak tree stands, I’ll stand by your side. Tanoaks can live up to 400 years, so that’s a pretty big commitment for a 4-year-old.”
Izuku inspected the acorn, a smile spreading across his face as he remembered how they’d come here once a week all through elementary school to tend to the tree.
“Yeah, I know that is a pretty vague message for another 4-year-old to pick up on, but I didn’t say that just because you’re my best friend, Izuku.” Y/n chuckled, hands now shoved into his pockets, eyes on his shoes.
Izuku’s head snapped up to Y/n’s face which was obscured by their hair. Y/n chuckled again to himself, looking up to catch Izuku’s eyes with his own.
“So, even if you think it’s weird to have deeper feelings for your best friend, I thought I should probably tell you about mine own.” Y/n smiled, nervous about how Izuku might respond.
Izuku’s emotions were unreadable to Y/n at that moment and Y/n began to panic as words fell from their mouth faster than they could stop them, his glow quickly leaving him.
“If you don’t really feel the same, that’s okay! We can act like I never said anything! We should go, Kacchan probably wants his car back,” Y/n mumbled fast, eyes dropping from Izuku’s, stepping back to walk towards the parking lot.
Before Y/n could take another step, Izuku threw his arms around Y/n’s neck, pulling him into a tight hug from behind. A small gasp came from Y/n before he turns and his arms were locked tight around Izuku’s waist, lifting him so Izuku was standing on his tiptoes. Y/n’s face buried itself into Izuku’s neck. He took a deep breath, relaxing into the hug, letting Izuku’s feet go flat onto the ground. Y/n couldn’t see the smile on Izuku’s face that stretched from ear to ear, but Izuku noticed how Y/n began to glow again, this time much brighter, causing him to close his eyes to not be blinded. Pulling back after a few moments, Izuku’s hands gripped Y/n’s shoulders, looking him in the eyes.
“Really?” Izuku squeaked out.
“Yes, really.” Y/n smiled back at him.
“Are you sure you won’t be embarrassed with me?” Izuku whispered out.
“Do you think I’d be spending every day with you already if you embarrassed me?” Y/n laughed.
Izuku laughed with him. Y/n reached up, one hand on Izuku’s that was still on his shoulder, the other lightly falling to the center of Izuku’s chest. Y/n could feel his heart trying to escape his chest with every heavy thump. Izuku’s laughter was cut short by Y/n’s lips suddenly on his own. Y/n’s hand on his chest found Izuku’s cheek as he gently kissed him. It ended almost as quickly as it had started and Izuku felt like he was spinning.
“There’s one problem,” Y/n whispers, looking down at Izuku.
“What?” Izuku’s eyes filled with worry in an instant, wracking his brain for what could be a problem.
“You haven’t come out to the class yet,” Y/n smiled gently at Izuku.
The next month was filled with hidden kisses and extra solo ‘studying’ sessions between the new couple as they attempted to keep their relationship a secret from the rest of the class. Y/n has been out since they were kids but Izuku hadn’t been ready to come out as bi yet, and Y/n was okay with that. They were successful until Katsuki stormed into Y/n’s dorm one night.
“Hey, nerds! I can’t figure out the calculus homewo-” Kkatsuki cut himself short when he finally saw Y/n and Izuku.
The two were curled up on Y/n’s bed, watching a movie Katsuki wasn’t familiar with. Both of their faces resembled a deer in headlights at their childhood friend who stood in the doorway, a just as confused look on his face. Suddenly, Katsuki’s booming laugh filled the dorm hallway, causing Mina to stick her head out of her own room down the hallway.
“Why are you laughing?” Izuku’s voice cracked, scrambling away from Y/n’s arms.
“God, Mina!” Katsuki looks down the hallway, still laughing between words. “I owe you 20 bucks!”
“What? Seriously?” Mina rushes down the hall and peeks under Katsuki’s arm into Y/n’s dorm. “Ha! Sweet!”
Mina disappears back down the hallway. Katsuki walks into the dorm, closing the door behind him.
“Sorry to interrupt your date, but I do really need help. This homework is due tomorrow and I have no idea what’s happening.” Bakugo crosses the room, sitting in the desk chair and spinning towards his friends.
Y/n sighs, throwing a small pink piece of candy at Katsuki, “you’re the worst.”
Katsuki leaned forward, catching the candy in his mouth, “strawberry mentos? You never grew out of those?”
“No, I didn’t.” Y/n sighs again, sliding off his bed, he leaned over the back of the chair Katsuki had now turned towards the desk. “What could possibly be confusing you?”
Y/n glowed slightly, trying to read the paper better. He was used to using his quirk casually and regulating it better. Something that both Izuku and Katsuki were still getting used to.
The two had used Y/n’s sunlight quirk to gauge his emotions, and suddenly glowing a bright yellow meant Y/n was happy. Izuku was always one to overthink things. Why is Y/n suddenly glowing now that Kacchan is here? Why wasn’t he glowing while we were watching the movie I knew he’d like? Thoughts started to flood his brain.
“Wait!” Izuku barked at the two.
They both looked over their shoulders at Izuku. He never barked at them normally.
“What’s up, Izu?” Y/n asks, head quirking to the side.
“I’m sorry, Kaacchan, but we’re busy right now,” Izuku’s words were calm despite the slight edge in his tone.
Katsuki scoffed looking back at his work journal, “don’t start acting all jealous just because Sunshine here is giving me attention.”
“I’m not!” Izuku started to sound irritated. “If you need help, you can go ask Yaoyorozu.”
Y/n fully turned to Izuku, glow fading and a confused look on his face as he spoke, “Izu, it’s fine. He’s stuck on just one question. This won’t take more than ten minutes.”
Y/n turned back around, one hand on the back of the chair, the other flat on the desk, holding his weight. Izuku watched every little movement Y/n and Katsuki made like a hawk. How Y/n shifted from foot to foot as he pointed at different things in his textbook, how he flicked Katsuki’s forehead and how Katsuki whacked Y/n in the stomach in defense.
“If you aren’t going to listen, I’m not going to help you,” Y/n puffed, standing up straight and crossing his arms.
“Well, if you aren’t going to make sense, I don’t want your help!” Katsuki scoffed.
He walked towards the door, stopping for a second before looking over his shoulder with a smirk, “I’m glad you guys are finally together. Took you two long enough.”
Katsuki disappeared, closing the door tight behind him. Y/n let out a deep sigh, walking back over and crawling onto the bed, head resting on Izuku’s lap. Izuku’s shaky hand tangled in Y/n’s hair a moment later. Looking up into his eyes, Y/n glows lightly, smiling up at him.
“I think you are a jealous man, Izu.” Y/n chuckles out.
Izuku’s face flushes pink in the dark dorm room, looking back up towards the movie as he pressed play.
“Izuku,” Y/m whispered, sitting up and facing him. “You can’t keep acting like that when I talk to my friends. I’m not going to change how I act around my friends and I don’t expect you to either. Mina and Katsuki aren’t going to tell anyone, they’re not like that. So, especially if we’re going to continue to keep this a secret, you can’t get so visibly jealous. You did it in class the other day when Kirishima and I were training together too.”
“I’m sorry,” Izuku whispers back, looking at his hands in his lap.
“Don’t be sorry. I know a first relationship can be hard, but I love you. No one is going to take me from you.” Y/n’s hand gently brushes some of Izuku’s hair away from his face.
Izuku froze at Y/n’s words. They hadn’t said I love you to each other yet, despite the few times Izuku had nearly said it while they were alone. He looked up at Y/n, tears brimming his eyes. He jumped forward, wrapping his arms around Y/n’s neck as they both fell back onto the bed. Y/n laughed as he landed on his back, a sound Izuku could listen to for hours. Izuku’s arms were on either side of Y/n’s head.
“I love you too,” Izuku whispers, dipping his head down to catch Y/n’s lips in a kiss.