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Katsuki expects a certain type of reception whenever he’s back in town. And why shouldn’t he? He sits comfortably at the top of the hero charts. He’s an international celebrity and heartthrob. He’s been voted Japan’s most eligible Alpha, three years in a row. The list goes on.
Which is why Katsuki is confused and slightly pissed off by the radio silence when he lands back in Japan following a highly publicized PR opportunity overseas. His phone is dry; he had texted all of his friends asking what the move was for that night, and no one has responded.
Something is up. Katsuki calls Mina.
“Hello?”
“Hey blasty!” Denki calls from somewhere in the background.
“Nice to know you two still remember I exist.” Katsuki grouches, collapsing back onto his sofa with his phone cradled against his ear and a stack of three weeks’ worth of mail in his hands. “I’m back. Let’s go out.”
“You must be joking, babe.” Mina says, distracted. Katsuki can hear the clatter of makeup brushes against her vanity table. “Don’t you know what tonight is? Anyone who’s anyone is gonna be there.”
Katsuki rolls his eyes. “Can’t be that important if I didn’t get an invite.”
“There’s no way you didn’t.” Mina replies. “It’s Todoroki’s engagement party.”
“Todoroki’s what?”
And as if on cue, Katsuki finds himself looking at a smooth emerald letter, sealed with gold wax. He tears it open, shakes out the card and reads--
You are cordially invited
to celebrate the engagement of
Busujima Kentaro and Todoroki Sho--
Katsuki blasts the invitation to ash with a snap of his fingers. “What time am I picking you clowns up?”
Todoroki’s engagement party.
Katsuki drums his fingers irritably on the steering wheel as he speeds to Mina’s.
Who the fuck told that halfie that he could go and get engaged?
Okay, sure. They hadn’t exactly ended on good terms, and that was 100% Katsuki’s fault. He and Todoroki have been many different things in the 10 years they’ve known each other. Classmates. Enemies. Rivals. Lovers, starting senior year. A real couple, for a short time. And now—strangers.
He and Todoroki were good together, for the most part. They had their issues, but nothing that couldn’t have worked out long-term. The problem was—Katsuki wasn’t in it for the long term.
He liked Todoroki well enough. The omega was strong, attractive, intelligent and loyal. He never looked twice at another alpha with his pretty mismatched gaze. He only had eyes for Katsuki, back in those days.
But Katsuki…well, he couldn’t help that he wanted other things. He wanted more than just Todoroki. Katsuki didn’t want to be tied down; he wanted to be able to choose. He wanted it all.
So Katsuki broke up with Todoroki. And then… he ghosted him. Ignored every single text and phone call that came from Todoroki’s line. Katsuki knew it was selfish. But he’s Bakugou Katsuki. The best. And when you’re the best, you’re allowed to be selfish.
With single-minded determination, Katsuki had chased down every opportunity and omega that caught his eye, and soon he was so caught up in the lifestyle he wanted that Todoroki became barely more than an afterthought.
Until today. And now, Todoroki is the only thing that Katsuki can think about. He speeds through a red light, gritting his teeth with barely-restrained anger. What the fuck is he trying to do?
Todoroki has every right to be mad at him. But still… marriage? With some extra no one had ever heard of before? What the hell is he thinking?
He probably ain’t. Katsuki scoffs to himself, his expression relaxing as he talks himself down from a ledge. Knowing the omega, Todoroki probably found some poor simp who offered a flimsy proposal and Todoroki said yes because he doesn’t know any better. Either that, or he’s doing it to piss off his dad.
It’s an explanation that satisfies Katsuki as he screeches to a stop in front of Mina’s apartment. He slams his palm on the horn until his friends pile into the car.
Eijirou is there too, and he slides into his designated passenger seat, buckles his seatbelt, and turns to Katsuki with a serious look on his face.
“Hey, listen… you’re gonna be cool, right?” Eijirou asks. “About Todoroki.”
“Fuck off.” Katsuki is always cool. He’s not going to make a scene over one empty-headed omega, and he’s insulted that his friends would think so.
“Seriously.” Mina leans forward, placing a hand on Katsuki’s headrest. “You’re not gonna get all weird about him? Like you always do?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Katsuki responds neutrally. “Haven’t thought about him in years.”
He catches Mina and Denki exchanging a look in the rearview mirror.
“Dude, we know you.” Denki insists. “You always act like you don’t give a fuck about Todoroki but then you bite off anyone else’s head who goes after him. And this is his engagement party. Are you sure you’re going to be okay? You can’t fuck this up for us, Mina and I are trying to find husbands!”
“Oh my God, shut up already.” Katsuki groans.
“I’ve met Busujima.” Eijirou offers. “He seems like a really good guy.”
“What the fuck ever.” Everything inside Katsuki wants him to go off on his friends for normalizing this shit. But he’ll save that for later. After he confronts Todoroki and gets him to admit that this entire thing is just a front. “I’m going for the food and that’s fucking it, all right?”
In actuality, Katsuki has a plan. Get in, tell the halfie to drop the shitty act and give me a call when you come to your fuckin’ senses, then be back in the city before happy hour ends.
Katsuki pulls up to the front of the large estate. He slams his door behind him as his friends climb out onto the sidewalk. Mina and Denki hurriedly fixing their outfits while Katsuki tosses his keys to one of the nearby valets.
“Scratch it and it’s your ass.” He threatens.
“Y-yes sir, Dynamight!”
That’s the kind of ego boost Katsuki needs to start climbing the marble steps. He sticks his hands in his pockets and waves his friends forward.
Denki whistles as they climb the steps to the entrance of what could be called a palace. “Damn. I know Shouto’s fiancé was loaded, but this…”
“Busujima’s family is old money.” Eijirou informs, and Katsuki wonders bitterly when the redhead had been hired as that asshole’s personal PR rep. “They’re very well-respected in this area. He and Todoroki met at one of his family’s fundraisers.”
“Tch.”
“For child quirk abuse victims.” Eijirou adds.
“…”
Katsuki’s scowl deepens.
He doesn’t give a fuck if Busujima gave millions to charity or if he had a fancy fucking palace for Todoroki to live in. Since when does Todoroki care about that kinda performative bullshit anyway? Katsuki is further convinced that this whole thing is just a stunt.
The tall ornate double doors are propped open wide, allowing for a steady stream of party guests to enter the grand gold-draped lobby. The crowd, Katsuki notices, is full of upper-class elites. Celebrities, politicians, artists, wealthy retired heroes… Mina was right.
It would actually do his career a lot of favors if Katsuki fixed his face and used this opportunity to do some networking.
But then—his eyes land on Todoroki in the center of the foyer. And a rough noise gets caught in his throat.
Todoroki… Todoroki looks beautiful.
The omega has always been attractive, but Katsuki had never expected to see Todoroki looking like this.
He’s standing tall and stately as he welcomes the guests inside, looking perfectly at home in the luxurious foyer. His bicolored hair is a sleek wave that ends just above the small of his back, with precisely-cut bangs framing his face and the rest secured against the crown of his head with delicate gold combs. Todoroki is wearing light makeup, notably a gold glitter shadow around his mismatched eyes, looking bright and expressive. He’s smiling freely at every single guest, practically glowing.
What the fuck. Katsuki lips curls, tearing his eyes away from Todoroki’s face to glare venomously at his attire. His body is draped in an expensive kimono, dyed with vibrant greens and threaded by gold. Decorated so lavishly in another Alpha’s family color… it’s like this Busujima bastard pissed all over him.
Katsuki’s glare snaps over to the bastard in question, who has the nerve to be standing next to Todoroki with a hand on his waist as they both welcome the other guests inside. Katsuki is further annoyed to discover that Busujima Kentaro is tall and handsome-- with full dark hair, glasses, and a kind smile. His robes are the same color as Todoroki’s, with his family crest embroidered on the front and back of his hakama.
Todoroki spots the group first. He raises his hand and waves excitedly. Mina and Denki sprint towards him, wrapping the tall omega up in a hug. Eijirou and Katsuki bring up the rear.
“I'm so glad you’re all here.” Todoroki says fondly, leaning into the embrace. Affection lingers in his gaze as his eyes meet Katsuki's over Mina’s shoulder, making the blond's heart stutter in his chest. “Ochako and Tenya are already inside. I've saved a few tables for everyone who could make it from UA.”
“The VIP treatment? I could get used to this kind of life.” Denki cheers.
“It’s all Kentaro’s doing.” Todoroki says humbly, looking up towards his fiancé with a soft smile. Katsuki wants to retch.
“Oh, yeah?” Denki and Mina exchange twin looks of mischief. Then they step into Busujima’s space with their arms crossed. The older man regards them politely.
“Okay. First of all—” Denki starts. “If you do anything to hurt Shouto, we’ll kill you.”
“I would never hurt Shouto. I swear on my family name.” Busujima promises solemnly. His voice is deep and refined.
“Good. Secondly—” Mina says, unable to stop her eyes from sparkling. “Do you have any rich single friends?”
Busujima and Todoroki both laugh together like some picture-perfect TV couple. “I’m not much of a matchmaker,” Busujima smiles. “But I’m certain that whoever you’re looking for, you’ll find them inside.”
Denki and Mina give a cheer, then practically skip inside the mansion. It makes Katsuki’s blood boil. What the fuck are those two doing? Joking around with this old pervert as if he’s the good guy in this scenario, and not the main villain in Katsuki’s life at the moment?
Eijirou approaches the couple next, somewhat stiffly. Katsuki is further incensed when he realizes that his best friend is acting shy.
“Hello– I don’t know if you remember me, but–”
“Kirishima!” Busujima exclaims with a grin. He claps Eijirou on the back and shakes his hand firmly. “It’s great to see you again.”
Eijirou retreats, red-faced and rubbing the back of his neck. He grins wide at Todoroki, who smiles gracefully in return. “Congratulations to you both. Sincerely.”
Katsuki’s had enough. He elbows Eijirou aside, coming to stand in front of the couple, face fixed into an expression of deep disapproval.
This should be easy for Katsuki. If it were anyone but Todoroki, he’d give his congratulations to the couple and then head inside to find an omega or two to spend the night with.
But the situation is so bizarre that Katsuki can’t help but act accordingly. He’s going to stick to the plan of getting Todoroki alone later on, but that doesn’t mean he needs to fake politeness for now. He sticks his hands in his pockets as Busujima extends his hand to him.
“Shouto has told me a lot about you.” Busujima’s eyes crinkle when he smiles. “I’m a huge admirer.”
“Can’t say the same.” Katsuki sneers, ignoring the offered handshake.
“Be nice.” Eijirou hisses.
“No worries at all.” Busujima laughs it off. “I’m familiar with your history with Shouto. I didn’t expect our first meeting to be without tension.”
Your history with Shouto. What the fuck does this bastard know?
Busujima continues. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you, Bakugou.”
“Like I said, it ain’t mutual.” Katsuki sneers. “I’m just here to make sure you’re good enough for m-- that omega.”
“From what I understand, it is Shouto’s wish for us to get along.” Busujima says. “And I’d give Shouto anything he asked for.” He smiles. “Wouldn’t you?”
Katsuki grits his teeth, his blood running white hot through his veins. He doesn’t have a response, but he doesn’t need one; not when he has the power to blast that smug look off that shitty alpha’s face. His fingertips start to spark, but then--
“Ken,” Todoroki interrupts, a soft cherry blush high on his cheeks. He’s looking at Busujima with an expression that used to be directed towards Katsuki. With literal stars in his eyes. “This is unnecessary. Bakugou came to have a good time. We should be facilitating that, not interrogating him at the door.”
“Of course, sweetheart.” Busujima says, dropping a kiss on Todoroki’s forehead. “My apologies.”
Katsuki’s palms start to spark again. Eijirou grabs him by his bicep and drags him towards the interior.
“Thank you for having us!” Eijirou says hurriedly. Katsuki’s glare never lets up.
“The pleasure is ours.” Busujima smiles that foxlike smile once more. “Please enjoy yourselves.”
Katsuki is having a hard time keeping his facial expressions in check.
The party is extravagant, with seemingly no expense spared. It’s the type of event that Katsuki would feel right at home in, if the looming threat of Todoroki’s engagement weren’t present. He’s popular among the other guests; celebrities, politicians, movie stars-- everyone wants to stop and talk to Dynamight. But Katsuki can’t bring himself to give a shit about any of them.
His friends keep an eye on him, waiting for the other shoe to drop. They don’t need to. Katsuki’s going to stay sober and stick to the plan. And even if he wanted to drink he couldn’t. This whole place already makes sick to his fucking stomach.
It takes 45 minutes of shmoozing before Katsuki finally spots the rest of the Todorokis, seated around an ornately decorated table. Finally. If anyone could recognize the insanity of this situation surely it would be Todoroki’s family. Katsuki starts to approach, but is then stopped in his tracks by matching ice-cold glares from both Fuyumi and Natsuo.
What the fuck?
Sure, Katsuki assumed that he probably wasn’t their favorite person after ghosting Todoroki. But why would they still hold that against him when there’s some old bastard alpha encroaching in on Katsuki’s territory?
Katsuki turns on his heel. Has everyone lost their fucking minds?
He can’t spend another minute at this farce of a party. Katsuki needs to find Todoroki and knock some sense into him, immediately.
Irritably, Katsuki weaves through the crowds, sidestepping everyone who wants to talk to him. He searches for Todoroki, looking for a glimpse of that pretty face and long silky hair cascading down the back of a green kimono that has no business being wrapped around Todoroki’s body.
Finally, Katsuki spots him outside on the ornate stone patio, chatting amicably with some extra and her husband.
Katsuki makes a beeline for them, slipping out of the tall double doors and into the cool night air.
The couple looks towards him as he approaches, looking excited at the prospect of meeting Dynamight; but Katsuki only offers them a nasty glare in return.
“Beat it.” Katsuki sneers. The couple obliges.
Left alone, Todoroki looks gorgeous bathed in moonlight. The lake glitters just beyond the stone railing behind him. And the worst part is… he look like he belongs. Like this gaudy mansion is already his home.
Todoroki smiles softly as Katsuki comes to a stop, and something in the blond’s chest aches.
“Bakugou.” Todoroki bows. A soft breeze lifts his hair as he rises, before it settles again around his pretty face. “I’m so glad you could make it tonight.”
Bakugou. Who the fuck does Todoroki think he is, addressing him like that? Like he hadn’t been Katsuki for a non-insignificant time while they were seeing each other. As if Todoroki hadn’t whined Katsuki, Katsuki please over and over into the sheets of the shitty full-size bed in Katsuki’s first apartment.
As if they hadn’t had an entire relationship where Katsuki had tried, more than he tried with any other omega, to give it a real shot. Even though Katsuki left, shouldn’t that be the most important thing? That he tried?
The blond alpha sticks his hands in his pockets, coming to a stop in front of the omega. Away from all of the other guests, he can finally breathe easier and speak his mind.
“Todoroki.” Katsuki responds, barely keeping the disdain from his voice. “Or, what—is it Busujima now?”
Katsuki’s tone doesn’t offend Todoroki; if anything, the omega looks a little bashful. “I will be taking Kentaro’s last name, yes.”
What a sick joke. Katsuki bites his tongue to keep from making a retching noise. How far is he planning to go with this stunt?
“How progressive.”
Todoroki laughs, light and airy as if he finds Katsuki’s sarcasm funny instead of cutting. The sound makes something pang in Katsuki’s chest. Todoroki had always been so easy to get along with. He never realized Katsuki was trying to pick a fight with him until they were three quarters of the way into it.
“Kentaro and I were raised in a similar environment. There are some traditions we both agree upon.” Todoroki explains. “He was born from a quirk marriage as well. We spent a lot of time talking about our childhoods when we first met…”
Kentaro this, Kentaro that. Katsuki could not give any less of a fuck about Busujima or how they met or why Todoroki is pretending to want to spend the rest of his life with him. He didn’t come out here to listen to Todoroki go on and on about that bastard.
“...and he’s been instrumental in getting a lot of quirk-related legislation passed, especially when it comes to–”
“Enough.” Katsuki interrupts. He fixes Todoroki with a sharp glare. “When are you gonna drop the act?”
“Hm?” Todoroki blinks. His brow furrows, as if he’s thinking hard about what Katsuki could possibly mean. “Well, I suppose I don't often socialize with so many important people– but aside from that, I’m not acting.”
“Bullshit.” Katsuki spits, glaring at Todoroki’s kimono, his long silky hair, the gloss on his petal pink lips. Fuck, he’s gorgeous. “I barely fucking recognize you.”
“I’m…” Todoroki reaches for a lock of hair, frowning as he twirls it around his finger. “...I’m sorry to hear that. It has been a while since–”
“Tell me the truth.” Katsuki sneers. “Why are you marrying that jackass? Wanna piss your dad off, or something?”
“No.” Todoroki folds his arms across his chest, making the luxurious fabric shift in the moonlight. “I’m realizing now that it might be hard for you to believe, but… there is no act. Kentaro and I are in love. That’s why we’re getting married.”
Katsuki feels like he’s been punched in the gut.
The noise of the party and the soft waves from the lake all fade away. The only thing Katsuki can hear is the echo of Todoroki’s words, over and over.
Kentaro and I are in love.
Love hadn’t even been a thought in his mind. Katsuki never factored it into his plan, why would he? How could he anticipate that Todoroki would actually fall in love with anyone but him? How could anyone?
“In love, huh?” Katsuki mocks, fighting the rising clench of fury in his chest. “You barely even know the guy.”
“We’ve been dating for a year and a half.”
“Bullshit.” Katsuki hisses again. They couldn’t have been dating for that long, because that would mean Katsuki hasn’t actually spoken to Todoroki in a year and a half--
“It’s been three years, actually.” Todoroki corrects. “Since you and I last spoke.”
Katsuki didn’t realize he had been calculating out loud. “That’s not fucking important.” He snaps, betraying his rising frustration. He doesn’t know what to say or do next because he never accounted for love being Todoroki’s motivator. “This guy has what, two fucking decades on you?”
Todoroki scratches his cheek. “I know the age gap is controversial. But most of our friends have come around. I was hoping that you would, too, eventually.” He turns a hopeful expression up towards Katsuki.
Todoroki’s in love.
Suddenly, belatedly, it all sinks in at once, like a slow-driven knife inside Katsuki’s heart.
This isn’t an act. This isn’t some sort of joke or grand scheme. Todoroki fell in love with another alpha and they’re going to get married. And that means…
Todoroki…
Todoroki moved on.
And that’s completely fucking unforgivable.
“Nah. No fucking way.” Katsuki moves forward, crowding into the omega’s space with an incensed expression. “This whole thing is fucking bullshit, Shouto.”
Todoroki’s eyes widen at Katsuki’s reaction. “Bakugou—"
“--Dating some old alpha extra, moving in with him, getting married—” Katsuki spits out the word like venom. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re thinking, if you’re even thinking at all.”
A look of hurt flashes across Todoroki face. His hand goes to his engagement ring, rubbing his thumb across the glittering diamond subconsciously. Katsuki’s lip curls at the gesture.
He knows he’s being an asshole, knows that his friends would tear him a new one if they heard him speaking to Todoroki like this at his own engagement party. But he doesn’t care. He’s Bakugou Katsuki, and he can talk to Todoroki however he wants, because the thing they once had together was more important than any other alphas or omegas that came between them.
“I—” Todoroki pauses. The look on his face is wounded, yet resigned to Katsuki’s ire. “I didn’t expect you to be so angry.”
“Do I fucking look angry to you?” Katsuki spits, looming over Todoroki.
The omega doesn’t flinch away. “I’m sorry if inviting you here has made you upset.” Todoroki says. “I thought it would be a nice gesture.”
“You thought fucking wrong.”
“I– understand.” Todoroki responds sadly. He bows again, then makes a move to step around Katsuki, gesturing towards the patio doors. “ Please, accept my apologies and feel free to—"
Katsuki’s hand shoots out and grabs Todoroki’s wrist.
Enough of this bullshit.
Katsuki needs to keep cool, and he needs to change his approach.
He pulls Todoroki close, turns them both and then backs Todoroki up against the stone balcony. Katsuki’s hands rest atop the ornately carved stone, caging the omega between his arms.
Todoroki looks up at him, patient and non-judgmental. He always was able to manage Katsuki’s temper—his mood swings, his outbursts, his reckless decisions. The omega folds his hands properly, his engagement ring sparkling in the moonlight. “What is it, Bakugou?”
This close, Katsuki can see every sparkle of glitter on Todoroki’s face. He can smell Todoroki’s scent, faint as it is beneath layers of luxurious perfume and what Katsuki assumes is that bastard alpha’s scent.
“Shouto. I’m sorry.” The word feels foreign on Katsuki’s tongue. He carefully slides his arms around the omega’s waist, loathing the texture of that detestable fabric as he pulls Todoroki into a tight hug. “For everything.”
The omega emits a surprised little gasp that sounds like music to Katsuki’s ears. He can feel Todoroki hesitantly raising his arms and returning the hug. Good. Katsuki thinks, pleased. This is good.
He tightens his arms around the omega. “I miss you.” Katsuki murmurs near Todoroki’s ear. “I never stopped thinking about you.”
“I…” Todoroki’s voice is a cautious whisper. “…I miss you too.”
Katsuki fights to keep the triumphant grin from spreading across his face. Finally, I’m getting somewhere.
“So why are you runnin’ away from me?”
“I don’t understand.” Todoroki says, and Katsuki can tell that he’s doing his signature blink of confusion. “You—Bakugou, you were the one who ran away from me.”
Still Bakugou. Katsuki pushes down his irritation, smoothing his hands up and down Todoroki’s back.
“I made a mistake.” More than once. “I was immature. I was selfish.”
Todoroki makes a noise that sounds like agreement. His hands fall away from Katsuki's back. The alpha releases him fully but doesn’t step away.
“Bakugou.” Todoroki tucks a few strands of hair away from his face, looking at Katsuki with an uncertain expression. “I appreciate you apologizing, but… I just don’t think this is appropriate, at my engagement party.”
“What do you mean?” Katsuki feigns ignorance. “This is the perfect time.” He reaches for Todoroki’s hand—the one without the ring—and tangles their fingers together. He brushes his thumb across the soft surface of the omega’s palm.
Todoroki’s body, the things he likes, what he responds to– Katsuki knows these things intimately. He is pleased to see Todoroki’s face coloring as he makes no move to take back his hand.
“What’re you getting married for?” Katsuki asks, softer. “You’re just gonna forget about me, halfie? Forget about what we had?”
Todoroki looks startled by the old pet name. A blush rises on his cheeks, the same color as when he was looking at Busujima earlier.
“All the late nights at the agency? The team up missions?”
“What we had—” Todoroki swallows heavily. “—was really important to me. I’ll never forget it. But that was in the past, and—”
“Doesn’t have to be.” Katsuki interrupts. “We can start over. Give it another shot.”
“What?” Todoroki shakes his head, wide-eyed. “It’s too late for that.”
“How can it be too late? I’m here, aren’t I?” Katsuki coaxes, moving closer so he can rest his other hand on Todoroki’s hip. “Came all this way just to see you.”
A myriad of emotions pass across Todoroki's face. Shock, realization, anger, and then pain. Katsuki feels a hint of regret. He doesn't exactly want to hurt Todoroki. But if that pain leads to Todoroki making the right choice…
“Can’t believe I ever let you go in the first place.” Katsuki soldiers on, cupping the omega's face tenderly. “You look so beautiful, Sho.”
“Katsuki, you can’t—” Todoroki's expression breaks. He closes his eyes tightly, brushing away Katsuki’s hand. “You can’t just show up and say these things now—"
"Course I can.” He’s Bakugou fuckin’ Katsuki. The man who goes after what he wants, and gets it. “I never had the chance to tell you before. But you gotta know, baby. How badly I want you back.”
“Bakugou—"
“You don’t belong with some quirkless old loser. You belong with me.” Katsuki insists. “You know it’s always been about us.”
Todoroki purses his lips, looking away towards the water. The celebration rages on inside, but Katsuki has completely tuned it out. The only thing that matters is persuading the omega in front of him.
“Just admit it.” Katsuki urges. “Just admit that you’re mine, and I’ll take you away from here. I’ll give you anything you want. Whatever that bastard does for you, I can do it better.”
The silence stretches between them, interrupted only by the waves of the lake rolling onto the shore. Finally, Todoroki speaks, heartbreak lacing his words.
“…You had so many chances.” Todoroki raises his free hand, wipes away the ghost of a tear from his eye. His other hand remains tangled with Katsuki’s.
It’s not a yes. But anything other than a no is another opening, another opportunity to wriggle his way back inside Todoroki’s heart. I can do this.
“I know, baby.” Katsuki murmurs, nosing along Todoroki’s jawline. “Just give me one more. That’s all I need, I swear.”
“Bakugou, I can’t.”
Katsuki raises Todoroki’s hand, kissing his palm and along the line of his delicate wrist. “Yes you can, halfie. Come home with me.”
Unexpectedly, Todoroki tears his wrist away. Katsuki stumbles backwards in surprise as a row of ice spikes shoot up from the ground, separating the two. “No. Bakugou, I can’t. I’m…”
Todoroki’s other hand, bearing his engagement ring, comes to rest on his belly. “…I’m pregnant.”
…
…
It feels like the ground has opened up beneath Katsuki’s feet.
Pregnant?
The thought of another alpha pinning Todoroki into silken sheets, pushing his knot in deep and releasing his seed inside of Todoroki—the thought of Todoroki bearing a child, a child that isn’t Katsuki’s—
The blond alpha’s head swims. He feels like he might throw up.
“Pregnant.” Katsuki croaks. “How far along?”
Todoroki gazes at him sadly from behind the barrier he has erected. “You’re supposed to say congratulations.”
“Congratulations.” Katsuki says hollowly, sticking his hands in his pockets. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. This isn’t supposed to be happening. There has to be another way, another strategy he can employ with Todoroki so he can win. Katsuki wracks his brain, unaware that he’s has started pacing.
“Bakugou.” Todoroki says. Katsuki stops in his tracks, turning his frustrated expression towards the omega.
“You didn’t ask at all, not even once—so I’m not sure if you even care, but—” Todoroki brushes his hair back and steels Katsuki with a look of definitiveness.
“I’m happy. I have everything I ever wanted with Kentaro.”
The And not with you goes unspoken.
“I care.” Katsuki spits. “Fuck halfie, of course I fucking care—"
“If you—” Todoroki cuts him off. “—if you had read any one of my letters, or any of my texts, or answered any of my phone calls—then you’d know is that all I wanted was—” The omega wipes at his face again, his voice breaking. “--all I had ever hoped for was that we could still be friends, after everything. But now--”
“Halfie—” Katsuki kicks apart the ice barrier, reaching for the omega again. This time, Todoroki evades him easily, smoothing down his kimono and fixing his hair.
“—now, I think it’s time you left.” Todoroki concludes, turning toward the patio doors. “I’ll arrange transportation for our friends when the party is over.”
His voice lingers softly as he leaves the blond alpha alone on the balcony. “Goodbye, Bakugou.”
Blankly, Katsuki watches him go, a tornado of emotions tearing him up inside.
The realization that if he had just been honest with Todoroki, that if he had listened to Todoroki in return and remained his friend then he could have steered Todoroki away from all this—it hits Katsuki, hard.
Fists clenched, he waits until the door swings closed behind Todoroki. Then he turns and dry heaves over the balcony.
I…
…I lost.
Numb, the alpha makes his way back through the party. When he steps outside again he sees that his car has already been brought out front.
Katsuki drives home, alone. The road ahead is foggy, but what he sees in his mirror is crystal clear.