Work Text:
“Somebody named Katsuki listed me as a reference for several jobs, only they listed me as Hanta. But it’s okay though, cause I got him! I did the thing! Katsuki is the hardest worker I’ve ever met! He’s saved my child from drowning! Although… my old boss totally called on one of them, and I had to be completely honest with him that Katsuki is someone I don’t know well, but genuinely seems like an amazing person who would fit the company well from my experience. Sorry Miss Nem, but he deserves a chance, and you gave me one when I didn’t have people to help me get it!” Green eyes squint as peals of melodic laughter escape him before the video restarts.
The video plays on Eijirou’s phone, and Katsuki stares in awestruck relief. This green haired, freckled faced man took a call from his old employer about a person he didn’t know, and hyped up his reference. He wouldn’t have gotten on at Best Jeanist’s Fashion Design company without that reference because it’s the one Jeanist said he needed to be sure he could take him on as a new designer. Izuku is one of his best models who freelances now, but still takes on runway photoshoots and drops by to play dress up with his and Midnight’s new designs.
“I’m taking a chance on you because Izuku told me to, but I know you messed up your reference list. You will be treated the same as every other employee, but I expect you to follow my rules, not your father’s. I know you’re trying to get out of his shadow, it’s why you applied to mine and to Nem’s part of the company. You want to learn from someone else, and I appreciate that.” explained Best Jeanist seriously as he looked at Katsuki once he’d called him back in to deliver the good news. Katsuki nodded in understanding, watched the way the man’s face went from understanding and kind to stern and in charge in a matter of seconds. And he knew he’d gotten lucky. “But that means you follow our rules here, and you listen when I tell you to change something. If you can prove to me that your way on something is right, then we can discuss it, but during your probationary three months, you do as I tell you and learn the ropes properly.”
Katsuki had agreed and has been working at the company under Jeanist for almost a month before this video came across Eijirou’s TikTok feed.
“Bro, you gotta reach out to him! This is such a big deal!” exclaims Eijirou as he nudges Katsuki and points at the screen after pausing the video.
“I don’t have to do shit. He’s coming in tomorrow to model some of my stuff for my show in a couple weeks.” replies Katsuki gruffly as he crosses his arms over his chest, nerves lighting up inside him at the thought of this man modeling his rocker looks that he’d designed with Kyoka and Denki’s band in mind. “Jeanist already talked to him about who he’d be modeling for, and the nerd agreed to do it without asking any more questions than Camie did.”
Katsuki knows he’s going to be a mess tomorrow when the man tries on the tight black, ripped jeans with chains and the deep gray lightning bolt tee that’s paired with a leather jacket that has zippers upon zippers. Katsuki wasn’t so sure about the abundance of zippers and chains, but Jeanist had taken a look at some of his reference photos that inspired the look and added them to the design himself. It’s taken Katsuki all week just to finish applying the zippers and chains and adjusting the sizes to fit the numbers he was given for Izuku.
Camie already came in to model the clothes for the women, the fishnet leggings paired with shredded jeans and a netted cropped top over a black sparkly tank and another leather jacket to match the one Denki loved so much. It’s a more coupled outfit because they’re dating, but he had a few others that Camie disliked.
Jeanist loved them though, and so did Midnight who had helped him design a corset-skirt combo look as well. So, Katsuki didn’t bother listening to Camie because he knows her type, knows she’s more interested in the dresses and showy outfits than the more edgy look that he was taking with his first runway projects.
“Bro, this is gonna be the perfect time for you to show him how grateful you are for getting you this job!” exclaims Eijirou excitedly as he claps a hand on Katsuki’s shoulder, almost shaking him as he goes on. “You have to be nicer than you were with Camie though because Jeanist said you were on thin ice after you told her to fuck herself when she was flirting with you, but this could be your chance to meet someone that seems to be exactly your type! This could be the perfect opportunity for you to find a partner to come to our Bakusquad date nights with!”
“I’m not going to date a model. We saw what happened last time I did that, and I’m not going down that road again. Io was a fucking jackass.” replies Katsuki shortly, irritation burrowing under his skin as he removes his best friend’s hand and looks at him firmly. “So, even though this guy seems like the biggest sweetheart to ever walk the goddamn planet, I’m gonna be a damn professional. I’ll be on my best behaviour for Jeanist, I’ll thank him in private for the help with the references, and then I’ll move the fuck on.”
Katsuki repeated that mantra in his head as he went about getting ready for bed, ignoring Eijirou’s pleas to just give it a chance.
And when Katsuki woke up the next morning, that mantra was firmly in his mind as he made a quick breakfast before heading out so that he could get to the office early enough to check over the designs before Izuku showed up. As he walks into the building, he feels on edge immediately because of the unbearable whispers and looks being shot his way as he makes his way to the stairs to head down to the design basement. He can’t hear them until he does as he opens the doorway to the stairs.
“I heard that he’s only here because of Izuku’s reference.“
“I heard he made Camie cry yesterday, and now she’s forcing her way out of the contract she has with Jeanist.”
“I heard that he’s dating Izuku. Apparently that’s why he screwed up his reference list, to use his own boyfriend to get a job.”
“I heard his designs are trash, edgy in the worst way, and only even feasible because Jeanist and Midnight made several corrections to the final project.”
Katsuki storms his way into the stairwell, letting the door slam shut harshly behind him, then he takes a deep breath to control his anger. When he walks down the stairs, he keeps his steps calm, quiet as he runs through a mental checklist, muttering under his breath the things he needs to check before Izuku gets there.
“-can’t forget to double check the zippers and fix the chain because I didn’t have it lengthened the right way.” mutters Katsuki to himself as he makes his way to the door of the space he claimed as his own for this project to avoid the hassle of everyone else preparing for their own project runways. He wiggled the knob on impulse and pushed the door open when it twisted with ease. He stops because he knows this door was locked when he left last night. “Why is this unlocked, and why are the lights on?”
“Oh! You must be Katsuki! I am so, so sorry! Midnight let me in when I got here, she said you wouldn’t mind, but I shouldn’t have assumed she was right because she knows nothing about privacy and personal space. Gods, I’m so dumb for that. I’m the nerdiest model ever, and somehow still stupid at times.”
Katsuki’s eyes lock on green eyes, curls that are contained but messy, and freckles spattered across the bridge of a nose and slightly chubby cheeks.
Izuku Midoriya.
His voice is sexy, he looks hot as hell, and he’s wearing the outfit already. The outfit that Katsuki hasn’t had time to triple check his work on.
“Why the fuck did you put that on without me here?” asks Katsuki harshly before he freezes, eyes going wide as he mentally facepalms at the widening green eyes. “Fuck, I’m so sorry! That wasn’t what I- dammit. Sorry!”
Katsuki twists around to take a breath, ignoring the sound of a giggle as he chills out before turning around and smiling, a little tighter than he’d like because he feels like a dumbass.
“Hi, yes, I’m Katsuki Bakugou. Midnight wasn’t wrong in saying I wouldn’t mind, though I could’ve used some heads up cause I thought I fucked up by not locking the door or shutting off the lights. I am sorry for being an asshole, that’s kind of my regular function, but I also was going through mental checklists for going over the outfits before you tried it on. Also, my brain is a little fried from the drama that followed me to the stairwell.” rambles Katsuki as kindly and formally as he can despite the few curse words he still managed to slip in while also accidentally mentioning the drama that he wasn’t going to mention to Izuku. “It’s nice to meet you, and I’m glad I managed to make the outfit to your size in only a few days of alterations. But it does look like there are a few things for me to fix, so you’re welcome to take it off and change back into your street clothes while I make the alterations if you’d prefer.”
“Jeanist said to be prepared for cursing, and to report it if I heard any. But I’m a Midnight model, and she curses way too often for me to listen to Jeanist on this one. I can see why she likes you, and why Jeanist is such a stickler about you.” replies Izuku with a giggle that’s more chuckly if a bit higher pitched than a chuckle. He quickly continues when Katsuki accidentally winces despite trying not to react. “But he likes you too, just so you know. Most newer designers don’t manage to get a runway set up and start prepping for it before their probationary period is over. I’m fine standing if you’d like to make the alterations, I don’t see a need to change back into my clothes unless you’d prefer it.”
“He’s got rules, and I’m a habitual rule breaker according to the press and my father. It’s no surprise he’s stricter on me, but he’s also given me far more freedom than my father ever would. For that, I’m fuckin’ grateful. And Imma stop talking like that now, so be prepared.” murmurs Katsuki after he makes his way into the space and goes straight for his needles and threads, grabbing what he needs and pulling up a stool for Izuku to sit on. “Sit here, and I’ll make the alterations. If I fuckin’ poke you with this needle tell me before I accidentally do the shit again. And don’t even think about whining about it either, I watched Midnight put together a quick runway with old pieces two fuckin’ days ago, and I swear to god she stabbed her model sixteen times in the span of three minutes. If you’re a Midnight model, you can handle the pain without making me wanna scream.”
“She is rather stabby with a needle, isn’t she? That’s probably why she likes her knives and daggers. She’s not one for swords though, a shame too because I really enjoy a fantasy shoot with swords. Only get to do them now that I’m freelancing and even then it’s rare.” replies Izuku in a short ramble as he settles primly on the stool, shoulders slightly slouched enough to be comfortable but not enough to be noticeable, and he keeps his legs together but not crossed. “So, is the drama that you mentioned relating to my video about being your reference because I took that down as soon as Midnight called me last night about it. I hadn’t realized it was gaining that much in-house traction because the account has been private for the last six months, and I’ve blocked several employees and models from this place because of their need to whisper and shit talk everybody.”
“Yeah, they were running their damn mouths like they haven’t been up my ass about dating me from the moment I stepped foot in here for a goddamn interview. Fuckin dumbass extras just wanna blab.” grumbles Katsuki roughly as he works on rethreading the zipper on the side where a small pocket is to be, the square coming undone with the zipper. He shrugs off the gossip and drama because he heard it when he interned at his dad’s place and dated Io, he’s used to it. “I’ll be out of the gossip by noon, at the very earliest and by Wednesday at the latest. It’s no big deal anyways cause I spend all my time here working on projects for the runway and future pitches since Jeanist holds pitch meetings every Friday for new designs to push for the upcoming runways he’s going to be showcased in.”
“Oh, right, you’re used to this because of your ex, huh? He’s a real piece of work, but I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Ooh, watch the needle, sorry I shouldn't have brought him up.” Izuku winces as he’s pricked lightly in the side, and Katsuki immediately curses under his breath and double checks the spot under the jacket and tee, not seeing blood.
“Fuck, no blood, okay.” sighs Katsuki in relief before he steps back and looks at Izuku. He hasn’t really told anyone outside of his friends about the situation with Io, but he thinks Izuku deserves to know considering the amount of shoots they’ve been advertised for. “Io definitely is a piece of work. He’s a grade-A asshole who sleeps with anyone to get better shoots and designs as well as runways. He used me to get more shoots with my dad, used Keigo to get more designs from Touya, and has talked before about using you to get on more runways because you’re a runway king. Figured you should know, even if you don’t believe it, so there ya go. I’m gonna work on the final stitches then I need to fix the chain near your ankle.”
“I know he’s an asshole, Katsuki, we all do. He had you and treated you like crap. I’m sorry, but have you seen you, Katsuki? I thought you were a model the first time you showed up in a picture on his profile until I read what he wrote.” rambles Izuku softly, but his mouth shuts quickly as his eyes go wide and his cheeks flush when he realizes what he just said.
“Heh, a model? Me? Yeah, right. I couldn’t do that shit, especially when I have too many design ideas to ever imagine posing for pictures.” snorts Katsuki with an amused shake of his head as he gets back to work because while he’s kind of surprised that Izuku would think that way, he’s not surprised about the model comment itself. “I’d rather be sewing the fabrics together and creating personable looks that even I would wear… though admittedly, I wouldn’t wear all of these ones in this addition, but only because it’s designed with my friend’s band in mind. Anyways, I’m about done here, then we can call Jeanist and Midnight to do the little runway bit that they made Camie do.”
“You’re amazing, you know? I couldn’t imagine putting in the work to not only design these pieces in sketches but also putting them together with the fabrics of choice.” sighs Izuku almost wistfully in a way that has Katsuki looking up to find pretty emerald eyes staring at him in awe. “I didn’t know you were the one they were calling about, but I’m really glad you were because you’re super talented and deserve this chance! And maybe, maybe, we can convince you to do a little modeling on the side… I know I’d model more if you were my partner.”
The flush that covers those freckles cheeks as a hand claps over pretty bow shaped lips has Katsuki feeling hypnotized before he shakes his head, smiles tensely, and mentally says, “PROFESSIONAL. BE PROFESSIONAL.”
“Oh good, you’re both here! Are you ready for him to model the outfits yet, Dynamight?” Jeanist’s voice booms into the space and breaks up the awkward tension easily as Katsuki pulls away to take in the finished product.
“Yeah, I’m ready Jeanist.” replies Katsuki shortly as he puts the needle away, dropping the extra thread in the trash after cutting the little bit off that was left. “Is Midnight coming down too?”
“Yes, I am!” calls Midnight as she steps into the room behind Jeanist, grinning wide as her eyes lock on Izuku. “Izu, you look gorgeous in that outfit! Ahh! Makes me wanna try other more edgy, rocker outfits on you!”
“Maybe if they’re all designed by you, Jeanist, or Katsuki, I’ll think about it… It’s good to see you again, Nem.” says Izuku with a soft chuckle, easing into a mode Katsuki has only ever heard about from other models who have worked with him. They call it his Midnight Model Mode because he’s calm, sultry, and sexy when in Midnight’s presence because of her training.
Katsuki can understand why they say that because damn does Izuku sound sexier than he did before.
“I’ll definitely make sure we all have sim pitches for you then, Izu! Alright, let’s get you on the runway next door, you follow me and Jeanist and Dynamight will make their way there from the outside.” Midnight is practically squealing, she’s far more excited than she was with Camie, and yet, Katsuki thinks he might actually prefer her like this.
Katsuki follows Jeanist out of the room, and when they get to the next room, they wait and watch as Izuku quickly professionally models the outfits for them. Katsuki marks down notes for design improvements that need to be made while Jeanist mutters about getting Izuku back as an official model. When they’re done, and Izuku comes out in clothes that he didn’t design, Katsuki goes straight back to his room to get back to work because Jeanist didn’t tell him to stay like he did with Camie.
“You know, Kacchan, it’s not nice to leave without a proper goodbye.” Izuku’s voice comes off teasingly as Katsuki whips around, dropping the jacket in his surprise as he looks at Izuku. Katsuki curses under his breath as he swoops down to grab the jacket as Izuku chuckles. “Sorry, I just wanted to say goodbye before I left, but you’d disappeared before I could say something in there.”
“It’s fuckin’ fine, don’t apologise. I figured that you would all be talking for fifteen fuckin’ minutes like last time, and Jeanist didn’t tell me to stay.” replies Katsuki dismissively of the apology as he waves a hand at him before turning back to his notes and the jacket. “Figured I should fuck off to avoid being a dick in front of him while I looked over my comments. And did you really call me Kacchan?”
“I did, that’s what I thought Jeanist said when I answered the phone, so I’ve been calling you Kacchan in my head.” replies Izuku brightly, a little sheepishly as he rubs his hand against his neck and looks away a moment before he’s looking at Katsuki all apologetically. “Anyways, I wanted to apologize earlier. I shouldn’t have made those comments about you. It was deeply unprofessional, and you seemed uncomfortable. I’m so sorry about that, and if we do end up working together again, I promise it won’t happen twice.”
“For the comments implying you think I’m attractive?” asks Katsuki curiously, surprised at the apology while also thinking it’s sweet that he was worried about making him uncomfortable.
“Yeah, I- yeah. They were true, but I still shouldn’t have said them because we’re working. And I obviously know your history with Io, so I really shouldn’t have tried to- I didn’t- I’m sorry, Mr. Bakugou.” replies Izuku quietly, looking ashamed of himself before he bows at his waist with his apology.
“Stand up and stop that apologizing shit. If I was uncomfortable, I would’ve said as much. I didn’t say anything because I wasn’t uncomfortable.” Katsuki is being open and honest as he twists to look fully at Izuku, stepping back into his line of sight when Izuku glances away to re-emphasise his point. “Flattered? Yes. A little flustered? Also yes. Attracted to you as well? Hell yes. But I felt two of those things before today, and I was trying my best to not make you uncomfortable. So, you didn’t make me uncomfortable and don’t need to apologize for something that didn’t happen.”
Katsuki stands still, nervous about what he’s admitted as he watches Izuku’s eyes widen and his cheeks start to turn pink at his words.
“You didn’t make me uncomfortable, and I am very attracted to you too actually… I- would you wanna trade numbers and maybe go out for lunch sometime?” Izuku’s shy as he poses the question, eyes flickering to the side after the words leave him, fingers fiddling with his soft sweater paws.
“I would love that, Izuku.” replies Katsuki softly, smiling when Izuku looks back at him excitedly, hope shining in emerald eyes as Katsuki pulls his phone out to trade Izuku for his own. “My week shouldn’t be too hectic, so maybe we can do it this week… if your schedule doesn’t take you too far from here, of course.”
“I’ll be around here all week, so I think that sounds like a perfect idea to message about.” says Izuku sweetly, excited as he takes a step forward and they trade phones again to put their own back in their pockets. “I’ll leave you alone to work, but you’re really sweet. And I’m very glad that I got to meet you and convinced Jeanist, more than he already was, to give you a shot because this has been really, really great.”
“I’m glad too, freckles, and I can text you more on my break in an hour and a half as long as that won’t bother you.” replies Katsuki quietly as he’s faced with excitement and a bright smile that has him looking away as his ears start to burn.
“I-“
“I’d like it if you two would save the flirting for breaks and after hours. Katsuki, get back to work. Izuku, Midnight wants to see you in her office.” Jeanist cuts Izuku off with a scolding tone, breaking the excited, happy moment between them with stern, scolding and indifference.
“Yes sir.” says Katsuki immediately, eyes finding Jeanist for a moment before he smiles apologetically at Izuku and turns back to his work.
“Well, you don’t have to be such an ass about it! Izu, sweetie, take your time coming to my office. I’m gonna make sure Jeanist gets back to his first.” calls Midnight with a frustrated tone before she’s bodily shoving him out of the room and following him.
The door slams shut harshly, signifying their leave, but the silence weighs over them anyways.
Katsuki sighs as he chances a quick glance at Izuku, finding him quickly glancing away, a blush covering those freckled cheeks.
“That blush is so fuckin’ adorable it’s actually little ridiculous. How do you look like a fucking adorable man with a blush and a sexy man when you model. How the fuck does that work?” grumbles Katsuki to himself as he turns away from him, glaring down at the jacket he was messing with, squeezing the fabric in his hands like it personally offended him.
“Oh, oh! You have cute aggression, don’t you? Oh, that’s so adorable! Ah! You’re so cute when you’re glaring you know, I didn’t think anybody could make a glare cute, but you are proving me wrong.” Izuku is rambling, sounding happy about the way Katsuki is about to destroy his project just because he saw Izuku blush after watching him model his clothes and look sexy as he did it. “Unfortunately, I should probably head out because you have work to do, and I have to go meet my mom for a late brunch. I’m already running late. You’re sexy and adorable, and I love the cute aggression. Don’t tear your fabric, I’ll message you as soon as I get in my cab, and I can’t wait to hear from you on your break!”
Izuku steps forward to brush a kiss to Katsuki’s cheek before twisting around and taking off.
Katsuki’s hand comes up, fingertips barely brushing the warm skin where Izuku’s lips had just been, and his head and eyes move to stare at the closing door in shock.
Izuku had just kissed him on the cheek after calling him cute, for his cute aggression, and sexy. Izuku just said he’d message him and couldn’t wait to hear from Katsuki.
“What kind of alternate dimension did I step into, and how can I never leave?” mumbles Katsuki as he stares bewilderedly at the jacket that he’d let fall from his hands to the table.
If he yanks his phone out of his pocket when it buzzes so quickly that he gives himself a burn on his hand from his pants… that’s between him, his projects, and his phone.