Archive of Our Own

Izuku stands in front of the flower shop with a sad smile curving his lips because he’d overheard his mom talking about how she’s leaving, going on a trip with her boyfriend Shota Aizawa, underground hero Eraserhead, for their retirement. Shota retired from being an underground hero, choosing to stay a teacher and give up being a hero after a lot of conversations with Inko.

He still remembers when he met the man, after he’d saved his mom when someone broke into the flower shop on the day that Izuku was on delivery duty and in town at the Bakugou Designs company to drop off a huge order for some floral line that Mitsuki was planning. He heard it on the news in the design room, Mitsuki gave him a panicked look, but he didn’t pay it much mind as he dropped the last box of flowers and took off towards the elevator. He’d completely ignored the wave from Kacchan when he’d passed him on the way into the elevator, focused entirely on getting back to the shop that was a good twenty minutes away.

As soon as Izuku got outside the big building, he’d jumped into the first cab he found, threw money in the front as he gave them the address and told the driver to step on it. His panic was whirring in his head as the image that flashed on the tv was his mother being held by something sludge-like, completely overpowering her quirk as her fingers twitched in the dark liquid. As soon as the car stopped, outside the crowd of people standing around where their flower shop stood, he’d burst out and shoved his way through the crowd without an ounce of hesitation, uncaring of the yells and insults being tossed his way as he reached the line of heroes just watching.

His mom was being drowned in this weird sludge that's coming out of the villain’s hand, and all he could think was to get in there. So, he’d let his quirk roll, tossing plant seeds out and immediately warping them until he could create large flowers, using their stems to encase the villain as best he could until his flowers suddenly disappeared back into their seedlings at the same time as his mom dropped from the disappearing sludge-like quirk. He rushed over to catch her before she could hit the ground, but someone beat him to it.

He’d sighed with relief before his jaw dropped as he realized that the person who had saved his mom was Eraserhead.

They didn’t start dating immediately, but it took Izuku two seconds to realize that Eraserhead was the Shota that came into the shop once a week to awkwardly flirt with his mom while picking out flowers and seeds for his adopted daughter. Which he immediately pointed out to his mom when Eraserhead went to handle whatever was left of the clean-up.

It took three weeks for them to go on their first date, but his mom never looked back.

She’d said she knew Shota Aizawa was the one when he awkwardly compared her eyes to the succulent that he’d picked out. He’d chosen a small one in a gray planter, and his reasoning was that he couldn’t take care of a plant to save his life and needed the easiest one he could find to try to prove to his daughter that he could do it.

“Are you going to stand out here all day, Nerd?”

Izuku startles, jumping backwards only for an arm to scoop around his waist and tug him forward into a firm chest that’s not fully covered. His eyes lock on orange and black, and his face turns bright red with heat.

“Kacchan, what’re you doing here?” asks Izuku as he tugs his way out of Katsuki’s arms, feeling beyond flustered at the sight of his childhood best friend.

“Patrolling, Nerd,” replies Katsuki with a smirk as he lifts his mask and stares down at him with amusement curling the corner of his lips further. “I told you two days ago that I was gonna be on this route with Riot for the next couple of weeks. Did you forget?”

“Of course, I didn’t forget! I just thought you said that it was going to start over the weekend, not on Wednesday!” huffs Izuku petulantly as he crosses his arms over his chest to narrow his eyes at the gorgeous blonde. “Don’t be a jerk, Kacchan.”

“It was supposed to start over the weekend, but Jeanist had some change of thought and fucked up the plan. So, here I am. I just left Riot on the fuckin’ corner because he’s talking to Shouto right now, so when I saw you, I took my fuckin’ chance. I can’t stand those mushy idiots,” grumbles Katsuki as he nods to the corner, and Izuku snorts when he turns to find Shouto’s arms laid over Red Riot’s shoulders as he kisses him on the street corner without a care. “Why the fuck they put Riot on the idiot’s route, I will never understand. Anyway, what the hell are you standing out here like an idiot for?”

“Just taking in the shop is all,” sighs Izuku as he turns back to the shop that he’s going to lose. “Mom is planning to retire, and apparently close the shop down. She wants to go on a trip with Shota, and I can’t begrudge either of them that, especially since Eri has already moved into her new apartment. It just sucks.”

“Wait, she’s going to close the shop? Why would she do that when you can just fuckin’ run it instead? I mean you got your quirk work license, so why can’t you take it over?” Katsuki sounds as confused as Izuku feels even as he puts a lot of faith towards Izuku about running the shop in his mom’s place.

It feels good to hear Katsuki ask about why he doesn’t run it instead, but he has to fight the fluttery feeling in his stomach because he’s sure it has more to do with his parents using the shop so often than having to do with him.

“I don’t know. I haven’t even approached her about it, so I don’t even know if that’s the official plan. I just know what I’ve overheard and what Eri’s overheard. Mom called a family dinner meeting for tonight, so I’m assuming I’ll have an answer then,” replies Izuku with a shrug before he steps forward and sticks his key into the door, knowing his mom isn’t actually in yet because she and Shota were having breakfast. “Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your patrol. I gotta get in here and get the shop ready to open for the day. Later, Kacchan.”

“Wait, dumbass!” huffs Katsuki loudly as Izuku disappears into the shop, door swinging shut behind him before the bell rings for a second time. “The hell are you trying to escape from me for, I-zu-ku?”

“Not trying to escape, Kacchan, but we both have work to do,” replies Izuku with a shake of his head as he slips behind the desk to grab their list of orders for the day. “Can I help you with something?”

“Yeah, you can bring your ass to my place after your family dinner tonight,” says Katsuki with narrowed eyes as he leans on the desk.

When Izuku looks up from the list in his hands, he finds those ruby orbs locked on him with a lot of emotions swirling through them, and he doesn’t really know what to do.

“Kacchan, dinner is at seven, and you’re going to be passed out by eight-thirty. I’m not coming over that late,” replies Izuku gently as he subtly adjusts himself to put some space between them.

His heart feels like it’s about to beat out of his damn chest all because Katsuki is so close and in his hero suit. He’s right there. But Izuku swallows around those feelings that are getting harder to keep locked down.

“You’re going to bring your ass to my apartment because it’s literally right across from yours, and we’re going to talk about what happens at that fuckin’ dinner. I don’t give a damn how late it is, you know that, so fuckin’ do it. Got it?” Katsuki poses that final question, but there’s no question about it. He’s demanding Izuku to say yes, to give in and follow the instructions he’s giving, and his tone promises consequences if he doesn’t.

“Kacchan, I think it’s a bad idea,” mutters Izuku as he shakes his head and twists around to head to the back room. “Have a good patrol.”

“If you don’t come to my damn apartment, I’m coming to yours!” hollers Katsuki with an annoyed tone that makes Izuku chuckle to himself as the bell dings moments later.

“I can’t go to your apartment when that blonde woman is always there,” mutters Izuku to himself before he shakes his head and forces his attention back on the list in his hand.

He needs to check over their packed products to make sure what still needs to be done for these orders before his mom gets there and stresses herself out.

When his mom comes in an hour and a half later, Izuku immediately starts handling deliveries while she handles the customers that come in and out of the shop. The morning is spent with Izuku popping in and out of the shop to grab orders and drop off money, but the afternoon is spent side-by-side with his mom helping customers and talking to the plants.

By the time the day winds down and closing time draws closer, Izuku finds himself in the back packing orders for tomorrow and filled with confusion. But he shoves it down as his mom turns the TV on, and they immediately find themselves watching Dynamight and Illus-o-Camie on the screen as Red Riot and Shouto are caught on the other side of the split-screen. Illus-o-Camie has her hand on Dynamight’s chest, and Dynamight is staring down at her with softness in his eyes.

Izuku feels sick to his stomach at the sight of Kacchan looking at her the way he’s always wished the man would look at him. But he watches because there’s also some blood slipping from a cut on his cheek, and he needs to know for sure that Kacchan is okay.

“Get the hell off me!”

The image changes to Katsuki shoving Camie away from him with a scowl on his face, and Izuku shakes his head in bewilderment because of the lovey-dovey image that was on there moments ago.

“Wait! I thought you two were dating, Dynamight!” “Are you two not together?” “Is Illus-o-Camie single?” “Are you single then, Dynamight?”

The questions come quickly, but Izuku’s focused on the smirk that curves Kacchan’s lips, making him look even more sexy than the after-battle look he’s got going on.

“We are–” Illus-o-Camie stomps her foot, looking frustrated, but Kacchan cuts her off, “I’m single, but only because I’m waiting for a certain silly, planting nerd to get his head out of his ass. Blondie has been staying with me because of her building’s demolishment in my fight. But she’s nothing more than a colleague, and she damn well knows it. Which is why she got kicked out yesterday. Now, you can ask her your shitty personal questions, but I’m done with you piranhas!”

Katsuki blasts his way into the air with pride echoing off him as he disappears from camera view, but Izuku’s frozen in place as his words bounce around and around in his head like a goddamn ping pong ball.

“I didn’t know you two weren’t together yet,” says Inko casually as though this wasn’t some huge bomb.

“Mom!” exclaims Izuku as he turns to look at her with wide eyes.

“What?” asks Inko amusedly as she looks back at him. “I thought you were already together and just attempting to hide it, but apparently I was wrong. Why haven’t you told him how you feel about him? He clearly wants you too.”

“No, no, and no. He’s just– He probably just said that so they’d leave him alone, I mean, they’re always prying about his love life. It’s Kacchan, Mom, you know how he is,” mutters Izuku with as much seriousness as he can even though he knows his own words make no sense. He knows, without a doubt, that Katsuki doesn’t say shit he doesn’t mean and wouldn’t have said it on live TV if he didn’t intend for it to be heard. “Just– Let’s finish these orders and close up for the day, okay?”

“Alright, but I think it’s obvious to everyone who knows you two that you’ve been it for each other since you were kids,” says Inko in a throw-away response as she waves her hand at him. For a second, Izuku thinks that’s going to be all, thinks his mom is going to drop the one subject she hasn’t dropped since he slipped and told her that he had a crush on Kacchan just before he went off to a public high school. Unfortunately for him, Inko holds onto tradition. “Especially considering that even after fighting because of your quirk not manifesting in the way that mine did, causing the wrong quirkless diagnosis, you two have never been able to stay out of each other’s orbit. I know you forgave him quicker than I did once he found out that you did have a quirk, and I know that Shota promised not to tell him that he knew about your differences until he brought it up. But I also know that you’ve been in love with him since you were kids and now you’re both going on 27, living across the hall from each other, and still spending just as much time together as you did when you were little. More, actually. Mitsuki said her son’s been bugging her about new recipes to try and the first thing he says when she asks how they were is that Izuku loved them.”

“You– MOM!” exclaims Izuku in surprise because not only did his mom ramble at him, she completely called him out. Inko didn’t hold anything back, which Izuku doesn’t know why he was expecting her to. “Okay, let’s just– let’s stop talking about Kacchan and my unrequited feelings for him. We need to finish this because you have to get home to help Shota with dinner, since he’s cooking, and I need to go home and change before dinner.”

“Shota’s cooking, Kota and Eri are there to help since they’re officially a couple,” murmurs Inko amusedly as she packs away the last bouquet into their case, adjusting the ribbon when it gets awkwardly folded underneath the stems. “Eri argued that he should be allowed to come too because they’ve been together for a month, and Shota decided to agree solely because he intends to scare the heck out of the kid more than he did in class on a daily basis. So, we’re in for a bit of a treat for part of the dinner at least. But that does beg the question, why don’t you invite Katsuki over? Shota’s making a lot for us to take over to Mitsuki and Masaru’s home afterwards, but we can always just invite them all over for dinner instead.”

“Kacchan has a squad thing he does, he won’t be home until close to eight to go through the motions for getting ready for bed. I don’t think he’d want to be at a dinner with his parents, his old teacher, and his auntie while Kota and Eri eat awkwardly in between. You can still invite Auntie and Uncle though,” replies Izuku with a wave of his hand as he finishes packing the group of corsages into their labeled box, quickly closing placing a single layer of tape on it so that he’ll be able to get in and check on the flowers before delivering them to the dress shop around the corner. “I’m done, are you ready to lock up?”

“I’ll just go over with a container and Shota after dinner instead,” murmurs Inko with a decisive nod before she turns to him, hands on her hips that’s paired with a knowing look. “That boy basically professed his love for you on live television, so I hope you intend to speak with him about it. Before or after dinner, I don’t care, but you need to talk to him tonight. Don’t let him get in his head about it, my son.”

“I’ll figure something out, Mom, I promise. I will talk to him, but I– I don’t know about it happening today,” replies Izuku quietly, uncertainty swerving through his words like a driver with zero patience. “Let’s lock up, okay?”

“Alright, but I expect to hear about it once you talk to him. Now, as far as talking to him goes, at the very least, if you won’t talk to him tonight, message him about meeting in a day or two to discuss everything. You need to have an actual conversation about those feelings you two seem to always be choking on,” sighs Inko as she walks towards the door, not even paying attention to the way Izuku’s face starts burning a bright red or the way he gapes after her.

She disappears through the door without looking back once, and Izuku feels like he just got knocked on his ass and then was asked what happened.

He has no clue.

With a shake of his head, Izuku heads to the front only to find his mom still rambling about his and Kacchan’s inability to talk about feelings without a fight or yelling while she makes her way to the door, jacket and purse swung over her. He snorts before following after her and locking the door after double-checking that the closed sign has been turned around.

“Mom, I’ll see you in an hour, okay?” says Izuku as he interrupts his mom’s muttered rambling with an amused tone.

“Oh, alright, Izuku. Don’t be late,” replies Inko with a soft smile as she tugs him into a hug before turning and heading over to her car.

“I won’t be!” calls Izuku with a wave before he turns and starts walking towards his apartment building.

It’s a long walk, but he’d rather walk and take in the view of the sunset than pay for a cab ride or have to go in the opposite direction to get to the train station.

To him, a long walk is technically fifteen minutes, which his mom would shake her head about, but it’s a decent distance considering he has to cross the street three times and go in a circle to get to the door of his building. As soon as he steps into the building, he’s met with a glare from that blonde woman that he now knows is Illus-o-Camie who was waiting.

“Just who the hell do you think you are? Huh?! You’re trying to steal MY Katsuki from me, and you think you’re going to win?! No! You won’t win! He’s mine! And since you won’t get out of my damn way despite all of my planning, I’ve executed my best plan yet! Here’s your eviction notice. You have twenty-four hours to remove your shit from my apartment,” She’s so proud as she slaps the paper against his forehead, shoving him back with it, and Izuku feels his entire world crumble. Twenty-four hours is definitely not enough time to get his things moved, even if he had somewhere else to go, it’s not enough time. “When I return tomorrow after my shift, my things will be moved in, so if you leave anything behind, it’ll be incinerated, kay? Great! Bye!”

Izuku watches Camie walk away, holding the paper against his chest as panic attacks his breathing. He’s stuck. This supposed hero just disintegrated his home in her manicured hands.

“I’m so sharing this, I cannot believe that bitch! Don’t worry Izuku, I’ll tell Katsuki, and the building manager what she’s doing! You’re not leaving!” Izuku turns to the hero student that lives in the apartment above him with his mom, watching his fingers fly over the screen of the iphone in his hand that he knows Katsuki bought for him.  “She won’t get away with this!”

“Kazu, take a breath, okay? Everything’s going to be fine, but you really shouldn’t get involved. You have school to focus on, okay?” Izuku’s quick to try to get Kazu to think things through, but the phone is shoved in his direction to show that a tweet has already been sent and is gaining traction. “You’re really good with getting things blasted across the internet, aren’t you?”

That’s how they actually met because Kazu had posted about the flower shop after Izuku helped him pick out a bouquet for Mother’s day, and it became a whole thing. They got so many orders that day that he and his mom ended up staying at the shop just to pack and prep everything.

“I know what I’m doing, and I sent it to friends of mine to help gain traction. Everyone is going to know what a bitch she is! Even Katsuki has already seen it, look!” Kazu takes his phone back only to grin like a kid with free reign in a candy store as he turns it back towards Izuku to show Katsuki had in fact seen it, shared it, and quoted it.

“This bitch is really trying me right now. She’s not making my Deku move, goddammit! Thanks for sharing, kid!”

“Great, that’s going to be a fun conversation to have when I see him again. Alright, upstairs you go, Kazu. I have to get ready for a family dinner, and I’m sure you have homework. Though I could ask your teacher when I see him in a bit and report to your mom, if you’d rather,” says Izuku with a deep sigh before his voice turns knowing as he nods towards the stairwell, tilting his head when Kazu looks like he’s going to argue. “Do you want me to call Shota now instead?”

“No, nope, I would rather you didn’t do that!” squeaks Kazu before taking off towards the stairs.

“Now, I think I get why Kacchan always complained about Shota being a strict teacher,” mutters Izuku amusedly before he heads for the stairs as well, carefully folding the paper before he gets there so he can slip it into his back pocket as he makes the trek to the third floor.

Once he reaches the landing for his floor, there are footsteps on the landing above him before he hears Kazu’s voice, “Don’t get mad at me, I didn’t know he was already home!”

Izuku huffs with annoyance before making his way down the hallway to find Katsuki leaning against his apartment door, scowling down at his phone like it’s personally offended him.

“You weren’t supposed to be here,” sighs Izuku as he stops in front of Katsuki, watching him look up and roll his ruby eyes at him. “You should’ve still been on patrol, and you always go straight to whatever squad night thing your friends have planned. So, why are you leaning against my apartment door?”

“Well, I decided to opt out of the shitty squad night tonight because my damn group chat has been blowing up since my fuckin’ media mess earlier which is also why I’m not patrolling anymore today. So, I told them to fuck themselves for the week because I’m not doing squad night. But I’m right here, in front of your apartment door, for a single reason,” Katsuki grumbles  at first as he answers Izuku’s questions, looking annoyed at having to answer them at all. But then he’s pushing off the door and stepping into Izuku’s space as those ruby eyes search his emeralds. “Are you okay?”

Izuku’s brows furrow as he asks, “What’re you talking about? Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“The fuckin’ blonde bimbo and her shitty threats! I saw the damn tweet, and I know the brat showed you my response,” replies Katsuki pointedly as he narrows his eyes at Izuku like he’s trying to figure out the confusion. “Were you even going to tell me about her bullshit if he hadn’t called it out online and sent it to me?”

“I– Wait! He sent it to you?!” screeches Izuku as he drops his jaw in disbelief at Kazu’s sneakiness being used against him again. “That little brat!”

“Not the fuckin’ point, Izuku,” snorts Katsuki as he pokes Izuku in his cheek, smirking when Izuku scowls at him. “Were you going to tell me? Or were you just going to panic and move overnight instead?”

“Well, I wasn’t going to tell you. Mainly because I didn’t think you were going to be here,” replies Izuku with an eye roll of his own as he shoves Katsuki’s finger away from his face. As much as he loves when Katsuki touches him, he’s not in the mood for his poking. “I figured you’d hear about it from your mom and dad when I moved myself back into my mom’s house overnight. I was going to tell Shota and Mom as soon as I got there so that they could call in some favors to help. I still might have to because this is a notarized eviction letter.”

“I don’t give two fucks about some bullshit, notarized eviction letter. Fuck her and fuck whoever typed up, notarized, and handed her that shitty letter. You’re not moving back in with your mom and the hobo. If you’re moving anywhere, it’ll be with me in my apartment or a new one that we pick out together, thank you very fucking much,” Katsuki’s grumbling, brows furrowed and lips downturned almost in a pout that has Izuku’s annoyance softening until all he feels is fondness. Katsuki’s words might have his heart pounding in his ears, but all Izuku cares about right now is how adorable he looks with that pout that has his bottom lip sticking out further than normal. “I’m off tomorrow, and I put myself on the don’t call in list at the agency, so I will stay here with you and handle that bitch and whoever comes knocking. You’re not going anywhere, Nerd.”

“You know what? Mom was right, we really do need to have a conversation tonight,” sighs Izuku before he reaches forward and snags Katsuki’s shirt to tug him forward and out of the way of his door. “You’re going to come in here and make yourself comfortable while I figure out what I’m wearing for the family dinner. We’ll talk about everything, including the little stunt you decided to pull in front of the media earlier, and then I’ll go suffer in Shota’s protective dad mode as he talks to Kota about dating Eri.”

Izuku doesn’t leave much room for argument as he unlocks his apartment and walks inside, leaving the door open for Katsuki as he beelines for his bedroom to tug out a new outfit. He’s just going to wear a simple black tee underneath a gray sweater that says, “I’m a Plantom.” with a ghost plant underneath the text, and a pair of leggings that are thick for the cool evening. He’s indecisive on a shower, since he’s got to talk to Katsuki, but right now, he will let that decision wait until their conversation is done.

When he makes his way back to the living room, Katsuki is standing awkwardly by the wall that holds all of the news clippings of Katsuki’s heroic achievements. He’d had it before he met with Katsuki again after the blonde returned from an overseas mission that lasted two years after his graduation, and he was never asked to put them away or get rid of them.

“Why do you suddenly look so out of place in my home, Kacchan?” asks Izuku gently to announce his presence even though he saw the quick glance that was made out of the corner of Katsuki’s eye as soon as he reached the end of the long hallway.

“Because you want to talk about stuff, feelings specifically, and I don’t fuckin’ know how this shit ends,” explains Katsuki with an air of uncertainty and what feels like fear based on the way those ruby eyes still won’t meet Izuku’s even though he’s turned towards him.

“You talked about moving in together or into an apartment of our own, but you don’t know how this ends? You basically inferred that you’re single because you’ve been waiting for me to get my head out of my ass, but you don’t know how this ends? You’ve made a lot of interesting moves for someone who doesn’t see an ending,” says Izuku incredulously as he moves forward, taking long steps until he stops right in front of the man that he’s known all his life, the same man that is staring resolutely at the floor like it’s the most interesting thing in the world. “I’ve been in love with you since we were kids, but you confessed on live television. I’ve wanted to kiss you since I was thirteen, but you want to move in together. I’ve wanted you to be mine since before I understood what that would mean, but you don’t know how this ends. That’s interesting to me, Katsuki, it really is because you never make a move if you’re not certain of the outcome. Even in your hero life, you’re calculating, even when you don’t know if you’ll live or not, you know that everything will be okay. But right here, right now, you’re telling me that you don’t see how this ends with your confession in the air?”

Izuku’s chest is harshly rising and falling, his confession falling to meet Katsuki’s at their feet, but those ruby eyes are finally meeting his, finally clear of the emotions that Izuku hadn’t been able to sift through. Katsuki finally seems to be open again, and Izuku can see the love he holds for him so plainly in those eyes that his knees go weak. He sways from the lack of stability, but he straight up falls forward when Katsuki’s hands settle on his waist and tighten as soon as he goes.

“You– You’re in love with me too?” Katsuki says it like he can’t believe it, like even tasting the confession from his own tongue is too impossible to understand the meaning. He says it like a math problem that he can’t comprehend, a villain he can’t quite figure out, like he knows what he’s saying but the definition is all air. “Did you– Did we– Are we– There’s no fucking way that you’ve been in love with me all this time, and I didn’t know about it. What the actual fuck?”

“Well, you thought I pitied you for a while, then you thought I was straight, then you thought there was a whole hero worship thing happening, that it was me putting you on a pedestal and not seeing you for the feral gremlin that you are. So, I’m not surprised you didn’t know,” replies Izuku with an unsteady shrug that’s all one shoulder and barely noticeable because he feels so numb at the realization that all of this is actually happening.

“You’re such a fucking smartass,” snorts Katsuki as he shakes his head, tugging Izuku forward until his head meets a firm chest that he knows holds a scar over his heart. “I’m in love with you too, in case you needed to hear the actual words and not my basic ass attempt at confessing in hopes you were watching.”

“I’m always watching you, Kacchan, you know that. But I really appreciate you saying the words, I didn’t know I actually needed to hear them until now,” murmurs Izuku breathlessly, feeling lightheaded as the words are said, as the reality of all of this weighs down on him in a way that has him almost feeling giddy rather than overwhelmed. “I think I need to call my mom and tell her that I’m not going to make it to family dinner because I definitely can’t move right now.”

“Nerd,” huffs Katsuki amusedly before he’s adjusting until he gets his hands under Izuku’s thighs to hoist him in the air. Izuku squeaks as he wraps his arms around Katsuki’s neck when he’s lifted into the air like he weighs nothing, when he knows he weighs almost two hundred pounds. “I’ll take you to auntie’s myself, but you gotta go since you were worried about the shop earlier. Don’t worry, I won’t impose on family dinner, I’ll let the hag annoy me for a few hours until you’re ready to come back to the apartment.”

“I mean, technically you could come to the dinner, Mom will want to invite your parents over too though,” murmurs Izuku before he shakes his head and focuses on how close their faces are instead. “You– You are way too close right now, Kacchan.”

“Hmm, am I really?” asks Katsuki as he arches a blonde brow and his hands tighten around Izuku’s thighs just a bit, fingertips pressing in enough for him to feel it. “I don’t think I’m close enough, Sweetheart.”

“You– Kacchan,” stutters Izuku as one of Katsuki’s arms wraps around him, tugging him forward as a warm hand slips up his back to bring their chests firmly together. “I– This is– You– Uh–”

“I can put you down, but I really don’t fuckin’ want to,” mutters Katsuki with an almost pout curving his lips, that lower lip sticking out again.

And Izuku can’t help himself.

Izuku’s hands slide forward until they can cup Katsuki’s face, and then he leans in, lips locking around that pouty lip, and he grazes his teeth over it in a gentle nip before leaning back.

“Kacchan, I don’t want you to put me down, but you gotta stop the pouting because it’s making my head lose my filter,” grumbles Izuku as he looks into those surprised ruby eyes, watching as they swirl with fondness and soften.

“I fuckin’ love it when you lose that filter, Sweetheart. Well, except for when your filter gets you in trouble, physically or verbally. But you just kissed me, and I am not going to let you grumble about that,” huffs Katsuki when Izuku snorts at him in the middle of his words, but then he leans in and presses a quick kiss to those bitten lips. He smirks, and Izuku’s certain it’s because the wonder he feels is shining in his eyes. “You’re going to that dinner, I’ll go to my parents, and we will see each other again when you’re ready to leave, okay? Do you need to get changed?”

Izuku pouts at him as he carefully lets him slide down until his feet land on the ground, but then he sighs, “Okay, that works. Technically, I should change, but I don’t really feel like it now. I’ve not done enough to warrant it either, but I should because Mom will tease me if I show up to this family dinner in my work clothes.”

“Go and fuckin’ change then, into something comfortable for your anxiety, and we’ll get the hell outta here as son as you’re ready to go,” says Katsuki decisively as he brushes a kiss to his curls before carefully turning him around and nudging him towards the hallway.

So, Izuku listens to him, changes into the outfit he’d laid out, and comes back out only to be lifted again. He quietly protests as Katsuki carries him out of his apartment and all the way out of the building as well, but then he squeals as explosions force them into the air. He hides his face for a few moments before pulling away to watch them move, and he feels breathless as they soar through the sky towards their parents’ home. As soon as they land, Izuku slides down and shoves at Katsuki.

“I can’t believe you just did that, Kacchan!” exclaims Izuku exasperatedly as Katsuki laughs at him, wrapping his arms around his waist and tugging him forward. “That was amazing, and thank you, but you can’t use your quirk like that, Kacchan!”

“I fuckin’ can too,” snorts Katsuki with a shake of his head. “I’ll take the shitty fine if needed, but I’ve got permission to transport myself with my damn quirk since I don’t own a fuckin’ car. I just wanted to show you what it’s like to fuckin’ fly.”

“And I appreciate it in a way that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put into words, Kacchan,” murmurs Izuku before he presses up to kiss him gently. “But if Zawa gets huffy about this when I go in there, I am sending him your way.”

“Send the hobo my way, Sweetheart, it won’t change shit,” chuckles Katsuki with a shake of his head before he steps back and nods towards the house. “You need to get inside since you’re already late enough as it is. Text me as soon as you’re ready to go.”

“I will, Kacchan. Thank you,” murmurs Izuku with a soft smile before he turns and jogs up to the door, turning back to find Katsuki standing there watching him as he goes.

He waves before turning the handle under his hand and stepping into the house.

He’s too distracted to really take in the dinner, not even really noticing what they’re eating, and the teasing from Aizawa towards Eri and Kota, but when his mom clears her throat, everything narrows down to her.

“As you all know, Shota and I have been discussing retirement along with marriage. We’ve agreed to retire and take a vacation before settling fully into the marriage discussion,” says Inko softly, hand holding Shota’s as she looks at him with such fondness that Izuku cannot wait to hear her excitement when Shota finally gives her the ring that he had him help pick out. “But with my retirement comes a decision about the flower shop that became my life. It didn’t take long to make the decision, barely took two minutes after I decided that I was ready to fully retire, but I think it’s time to share that decision now that we’re all here together.”

“Whatever you decide, Mom, you know we’ll support you,” says Izuku reassuringly as he looks at her, hoping that she can’t see the fear in his eyes.

“We will always support your decision!” exclaims Eri as she nods vigorously to show her agreement.

“I’m so glad to hear that because I was hoping that Izuku would finally be ready to take ownership of the shop,” says Inko with a soft smile that she turns on Izuku as he chokes on air.

“You– You want me to take over the shop? You– Really?” asks Izuku in shock as he catches his breath, feeling grateful for Shota who claps a hand to his back before slipping it up to squeeze his shoulder to ground him like he’s done often.

“Of course, I want you to take over the shop. Initially, I was going to hold onto the ownership but have you run it until you felt ready to call it your own officially, but I think you’re ready,” replies Inko seriously, tears welling in her eyes that he knows are welling in his own because his vision is blurring. “My son, that has been your shop as much as it has been mine. I think it’s time you take over for real.”

“Mom, I– I can’t believe– I’m so grateful, I just– Wow, I didn’t know this was going to happen. But I– Yes, I’m ready, so ready,” Izuku’s stuttering, his emotions getting the best of him as he stands and comes around the table to settle next to his mom on his knees, wrapping her in a tight hug. “Thank you, Mom, this– thank you!”

“Of course, my son,” whispers Inko into his curls as she hugs him back just as tightly.

“God, Kacchan’s going to kill me for crying,” mutters Izuku to himself as he pulls away from his mom to wipe his tears.

“Oh, does that mean you two talked then?” asks Inko curiously as she arches a brow at him.

“Considering he used his quirk to bring Izuku here, I’d assume they had that conversation,” replies Shota as he calls both Izuku and Katsuki out with an amused tone.

“Hey! You didn’t say anything when I came in, so why are you saying something now?” whines Izuku as he turns to glower at Shota who only snorts at him. “Rude.”

“There was no reason to call it out yet,” replies Shota with a smirk as he stands and stacks his and Inko’s plates. “Who is going to help me with the dishes? Izuku can’t because he helped last time.”

“I–” starts Eri before Kota stands and says, “I will.”

Izuku smiles proudly at the man as he meets Shota’s gaze evenly before stacking his, Eri’s, and Izuku’s plates and heading for the kitchen.

“That kid is as stubborn as he is good,” mutters Shota before he slips out from his place at the table to head into the kitchen too.

“Is he going to kill Kota?” asks Eri as she turns to Izuku and Inko all panicked and uncertain before she shakes her head and rephrases. “I mean, I know he won’t kill him, but like– I thought he liked Kota!”

“He does like Kota,” says Inko amusedly as she turns her attention to Eri. “But he’s also your dad, sweetie.”

“So?” Eri looks genuinely confused, and Izuku almost laughs, he can’t help it.

“Eri, your dad worries about you and cares about you. He’s been protective of you since you came into his custody, and that’s not going to change just because you’re dating someone that he’s watched grow up and has taught. He likes Kota, respects him even, but he’s your dad,” explains Izuku as softly as he can because he knows that she doesn’t quite get it. He hadn’t either before he brought a guy home and had Inko acting out of character. It took a minute to realize that she was being a protective mom, not because she didn’t think he chose the right guy but because he’s her baby. “He has to be this way, even if he already approves because he’s your dad and he’s protective as all get out.”

Eri’s face twists from confusion and fear to uncertainty to processing before it settles on understanding, and Izuku smiles gently as she whispers, “Oh, he’s just– he’s just being dad.”

“Exactly,” murmurs Inko with pride in her voice that tugs Izuku’s attention to her as she beams at him with pride.

“I should get out of here. Kacchan went over to his parents house, and we all know how he and Auntie are, even though they adore each other. He’s probably ready to explode something,” sighs Izuku with a shake of his head as he tugs out his phone to text Kacchan that he’s ready to go.

“You go and enjoy your time with Katsuki, and you’ll have to invite him over to the next family dinner we host!” replies Inko with understanding in her voice as she smiles at him.

A knock stops Izuku from responding, and he snorts because that was quick.

“He definitely was ready to go,” says Izuku amusedly before he stands and hugs Inko and Eri before raising his voice. “I’m leaving!”

“Bye!” hollers Kota in an amused tone as Shota’s own amused voice joins his. “See you later, kid!”

Izuku heads for the door with a shake of his head, tugging it open only to lean against it as he sees Katsuki staring down at the doormat with annoyance. He clears his throat and sees relief swell within him as those ruby eyes lift to meet his.

“You’ve been crying,” says Katsuki in suspicion as he narrows his eyes at him.

“I have, and I’ll gladly explain why in a little bit,” murmurs Izuku softly, smiling to reassure Kacchan as his eyes narrow further before rolling. “Let’s go, okay?”

“Fuckin’ fine, but I’m not happy about having to wait,” huffs Katsuki as he holds out his hand to Izuku, smiling when he takes it without a second thought. “Are you ready to fly again?”

“Yeah, I am, but did you actually feel comfortable with me holding onto you the way I did? I never see you carrying anyone down like that when you do,” replies Izuku softly as he lets Katsuki lead him out to the street again.

“I don’t hold anyone like that because that’s specifically for you,” explains Katsuki gently as he turns to face Izuku again. “You can ride how they do, if you’d prefer it, but I’m comfortable either way.”

“You– How is that specifically for me when we’ve only done that once?” asks Izuku with an arched brow as Katsuki carefully tugs Izuku against him.

“That’s far too intimate for anyone that I don’t love, Sweetheart, so it was always going to fuckin’ be you,” replies Katsuki with a certainty that makes Izuku melt as he wraps his arms around his neck and fully presses against him, getting rid of the space as best he could. “You ready to go?”

“Yeah, Kacchan, I am,” murmurs Izuku before he jumps as Katsuki’s hands slip down to lift him.

Katsuki grins brightly before taking off into the air again, leaving explosions behind him as he takes them home, and Izuku doesn’t know how they got here, he really doesn’t, but he’s pretty glad they managed to be together in the end. When they get back to the apartment, Izuku holds fast as Katsuki carries him inside and up to their apartments. When Katsuki turns like he’s going to leave Izuku’s side, he stops him and tugs him into his own apartment and over to the couch after they kick their shoes off and lock the closed door.

“Mom wants me to take over the shop, officially and entirely,” says Izuku softly as they settle together on the couch, Izuku resting his head on Katsuki’s shoulder as he’s held against the blonde’s side. “That’s what the family dinner was about, that and to explain that they’re actually finally going to discuss marriage officially after their retirement vacation.”

“So, does that mean the hobo is finally going to put that ring you helped him pick out to good use?” asks Katsuki amusedly as he turns his head and buries his nose and words in green curls.

“I think so. I hope so,” replies Izuku with a snort as he leans into Katsuki, pressing a gentle kiss to his neck as he melts into the loving embrace. “He’s had it for almost a year, ever since Mom officially brought up marriage to him and said she was ready to have that conversation. I’m just glad he wanted to buy it as soon as she mentioned it, I mean, we literally went shopping an hour after she told him that. Your mom about had my head when she found out that we closed the shop early because Mom wanted to talk to Eri and Shota took me ring shopping.”

“Yeah, I know, how do you think I knew about the ring shopping before you told me about it? She had a whole fuckin’ breakdown about it because Shota asked her to help him with the proposal plan after you two spilled the damn beans. Can’t believe he asked her instead of dad though, the hag is way too bold for Shota’s proposal to Auntie,” explains Katsuki amusedly while holding Izuku tighter, humming when Izuku adjusts himself to straddle him. “You want something, Sweetheart?”

“Yeah, to be held properly,” murmurs Izuku shyly as he quickly hides his face in Katsuki’s neck as those arms wrap around him firmly.

“Wanna tell me how you feel about finally getting to take over the shop?” asks Katsuki as he swaps topics quickly when he feels Izuku go boneless in his arms.

“Amazing, grateful, surprised, too many emotions to sort through right now, but I appreciate you checking in. I’m okay though, Kacchan, I promise,” replies Izuku with a gentle smile as he leans back to look at him. “And I know how you found out because you told me when you asked me what the ring looked like. Also, Uncle Masaru took over the moment Auntie told him about it. She was as mad as she was happy about it because she said she couldn’t plan a proper proposal like Uncle Masaru could.”

“That makes more sense,” mutters Katsuki with an eye roll before he seems to soften again, hands up and down Izuku’s back sweetly. “You gotta work tomorrow?”

“No, I don’t. At least, not really,” replies Izuku as he tilts his head to the side, remembering the schedule that Mom had sent out. He was supposed to be off tomorrow, but after the news tonight, he’s not really sure if anything’s going to change. “Technically it’s supposed to be Eri’s day in the shop tomorrow, so Mom’s schedule has me off. I'll probably have to ask her about it, but it doesn’t really matter since eventually I’m going to take over as soon as they tell us when they’re leaving for their vacation.”

“You should message her because if you don’t have to work tomorrow, that means we’re doing our date,” says Katsuki with a smirk as he winks at Izuku who feels the heat burn across his cheeks. “If you fuckin’ want to that is.”

“Of course, I want to, Kacchan,” murmurs Izuku as he tugs out his phone and dials his mom’s number. The moment she picks up, his question escapes. “Mom, I wanted to check in about something. The schedule has me off tomorrow, but does that still stand?”

“Absolutely! I’m going to be here for the rest of the week, and the shop is going to be closed over the weekend. We’re doing dinner on Saturday, so we can talk about the plan with Shota and I’s vacation then,” replies Inko with an almost knowing tone that has Izuku’s eyes narrowing at the same time that Katsuki’s eyes narrow on the phone. “Are you with Katsuki?”

His jaw drops as he says, “Why are you– I mean, I am, but what’s with the question?” asks Izuku as his brows furrow.

“Because Mitsuki didn’t believe me,” replies Inko with a victorious tone.

“Ah, proving it to Auntie. That tracks, well that was all I needed to know, so I’ll see you Friday,” says Izuku with a snort before he listens to her goodbye and hangs up the phone, dropping it onto the cushion next to them. “Well, your mom is going to have too many questions for the both of us the next time she sees us.”

“As if she wouldn’t after I burst into the house and plopped on the damn couch next to her instead of sitting next to dad,” grumbles Katsuki as he buries his face in Izuku’s neck.

“Oh great, well, that can be handled when it comes about again,” sighs Izuku as he runs his hands through blonde hair, scratching lightly at Katsuki’s scalp and smiling when he hums into the scratches. “So, this date of ours,  do I get to know the plan?”

“Not a fuckin’ chance,” replies Katsuki proudly, and the smirk curving his lips presses into Izuku’s neck. “All you gotta know is it’s going to be at my apartment, so all you gotta do is bring your adorable freckled self and be dressed comfortably.”

“Sounds perfect,” sighs Izuku happily as he buries his face in blonde spiked strands.

After a few moments of just cuddling each other, Katsuki adjusts to lay down and tugs Izuku against him before reaching out to turn on the tv, flipping to a documentary channel.

“Where’s your fuckin’ blanket?” grumbles Katsuki into Izuku’s hair as he tugs him as close as he can get him.

“Is this what we’re doing tonight?” asks Izuku amusedly as he reaches over to pull the blanket from where it’s laid across the back of the couch and lay it over them.

“Yeah, it fuckin’ is. Don’t worry, I’ll move you to your room when you fall asleep, and lock up again when I head to mine,” replies Katsuki as he turns the volume up before dropping the remote onto the floor without much thought.

“Or, you could just slip into bed with me and sleep,” offers Izuku through a yawn as he melts into Katsuki’s hold, hiding his face in the arm under his head.

“Sounds like a plan, Sweetheart,” Katsuki’s voice sounds strained, almost like he’s choking on the words.

But the day, and the emotions it brought along with it, weighs down on Izuku enough for sleep to welcome him with open arms before he can pose the question. So, the last thing he thinks is that he needs to remember to ask Kacchan about it in the morning before his eyes flutter shut.