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It is common knowledge among students and staff alike that Class A’s Wonder Duo are a package deal in every sense. Since day one Izuku could be seen following Katsuki around like a lost puppy, rambling out questions and praises with a million excited ‘Kachaan!’s. And during training Katsuki would turn his signature smirk on his childhood best friend with a cocky ‘You see that, nerd?’ always followed by an awestruck ‘Always, Kachaan.’ It’s adorable, watching the way they gravitate around each other like there’s nothing else keeping them tethered to this life.
They work well together in training, bouncing off each other with nothing more than a single look shared between them. It’s easy. Effortless. A bond so rare most could only dream of truly understanding it. They’re terrifying together in battle, working efficiently like a well oiled machine. Save to Win. Win to Save. And their teamwork, their drive, their sheer conviction is enough to motivate their peers to keep pushing forward.
So it wasn’t really a surprise when they started dating early in their second year. Mina would say she was more surprised that they weren’t dating long before then. Ochako would say that she’s just glad she doesn’t have to bear witness to the pining anymore. Kirishima would shed manly tears of pride for his friends. Todoroki would simply sip his soba in silent approval, happy for his friends.
But the change between the classes favorite duo was shocking in an unpredictable way. Before, when they were nothing more than friends, they were always touching in one way or another. Scarred hands gripping a bare bicep in excitement. An arm slung over broad shoulders as a fist bears down playfully on wild green curls. Thighs pressed together at the dinner table. Casual “platonic” cuddles during movie nights. The occasional linked pinkies on the bus as they sit a little too close.
Now though, those casual affectionate touches are few and far between. Class A expected the PDA to be amplified. They expected hand holding and cuddles. Small kisses at random moments or arms around a slim waist or freckled shoulders. They expected more, not less. Not sitting beside each other with only a knee brushing a thigh for contact. Not close proximity after a stressful day but no touching. Not hovering hands instead of gripping fists when the excitement of a good spar becomes too much to contain.
Izuku and Katsuki don’t much care for PDA. Izuku doesn’t like the attention, far too anxious and self-conscious and insecure to lace his fingers with Katsukis while they walk or offer a cheek kiss in goodbye when he leaves the dorms for training. And Katsuki has never been one for physical touch. Only Izuku can ever really get away with brushing skin against skin or running crooked fingers through blond spikes. In the privacy of their dorm rooms they have no trouble finding the warmth of each other's safe embrace or the slide of lips against lips. But those affections are not and never will be for the eyes of others.
-1-
Izuku was having a terrible day. He ran out of his ADHD medicine days ago and rather than renewing the prescription he and his mom agreed that now would be a good time to try coming off of it. He’s older, more mature. He shouldn’t need it anymore just to function normally throughout the day. But he grew used to the fact that he could just pop a pill in the morning before class and the jitters would calm. He had better control of his filter and didn’t feel the need to fidget every second of the day. He could focus on important things like training or classwork.
Now though, he struggles. Katsuki does his best to refocus Izuku through the day, remaining eternally patient with each gentle tap to his desk when his leg bounces or a quick brush of a thumb to the nape of his neck when they study. Izuku is beyond grateful for his boyfriend and his ability to keep Izuku grounded. But sometimes, even Katsuki isn’t enough.
It happens during training with Aizawa. The day was already terrible. Izuku woke up slowly, missing his alarm by almost twenty minutes and having to rush through his morning routine. His uniform was scratchy and itchy on his skin, the distracting thoughts of ‘please just peel my skin off and leave me to die’ keeping him from being able to focus on his classwork. All through class his gaze was trained on the sway of tree branches outside while his leg bounced and his fingers tapped anxiously. Not even Katsuki's many taps on the desk could reel him in.
He still couldn’t focus right when training started. His costume was worse than his uniform, the material too thick and warm and the hood too heavy on his head. He wanted to rip it off and chuck it in the trash. Instead he just ripped it down to settle on his shoulders. The sounds of others sparring and quirks flaring around him was too much and he could barely get a hit in during his spar with Katsuki through the trembling in his hands.
“You need to focus, Midoriya. Take a br-” Aizawa-sensei starts.
A small, frustrated growl rips out of him as he glares up at his teacher. “You think I don’t know that? I’m trying. This is bullshit.”
Izuku knows he fucked up the second the words leave his mouth. He didn’t mean to snap, least of all at his sensei, but the rage and frustration just poured out of him like a pot of boiling water left on a hot stove for too long. He ducks his head in shame, shoulders rising as a flustered flush paints his cheeks and he trains his eyes on the ground below him where his fingers dig into the dirt.
“Izu-”
“Bakugou, take a break. Go get some water or something.”
“Sensei, he-”
“Go. Now.”
Izuku peers up at his boyfriend, taking in his worried expression. Katsuki isn’t generally so expressive with his emotions past anger. But with Izuku it’s different. It’s always different. And he hates that he’s the reason his boyfriend looks so concerned right now. He hates that he can’t keep himself under control long enough to get through a single school day without causing issues.
Katsuki lets out an irritated huff and storms off. Izuku lowers his gaze again as Aizawa moves to squat down in front of him. His hands are shaking more now, in anxiety and maybe a bit of fear. He bites his lip to keep a small whimper silenced. He knows he should apologize. Should be on his hands and knees, head pressed to the dirt in his deepest bow, with apologies flowing off his tongue like a raging river. But when he opens his mouth to speak only a choked gasp escapes him.
“Breathe, Problem Child. I’m not angry.”
Izuku sniffs and takes in a shuddering breath. He keeps his gaze down still but he manages to bend forward in some semblance of a bow, steadying his shaking palms on the ground in front of him.
“Sensei, I’m so so-”
“I don’t want an apology, Midoriya. I know you didn’t mean it. I want to understand why you’ve been so off lately. Is everything alright?”
Izuku sniffs again and sits up. He pulls his hands to his lap, pulling on his fingers until each one pops and cracks at least three times. When that doesn’t help he moves to tug on the sleeves of his suit, hoping to alleviate at least some of the discomfort he’s been feeling all day. It doesn’t. And when he returns to twisting and pulling at his fingers his sensei slowly reaches forward and lays a calloused hand over Izuku's own. He pauses, unsure of the gentle touch, but after a moment he moves to fiddle with Aizawa's hand instead.
“I’m sorry, Sensei. I don’t mean to be so scattered. I ran out of my ADHD meds a few days ago and I’ve been trying to just go without, since I’m older now. I’ve never done that before though so it’s hard doing it cold turkey. And I guess today's just not a good day. I got frustrated. I’m sorry.”
Aizawa grunts in acknowledgement. He has yet to pull his hand away and Izuku shakes his head of the sudden urge to bite his teacher's palm. “I see. What usually helps ground you when you get unfocussed or overwhelmed?”
“Um, I don’t know. I’m still trying to work all of that out. Kachaan helps when he can. When we’re in class he taps on my desk when he notices me getting distracted and stuff. But, it only works for a little bit before I get distracted again.”
“Right. Ok. Well, you have detention after school today for getting snippy with me but you aren’t in trouble. We’ll be using that time to talk more about this and see if we can come up with ways to help, alright? Just try not to bite anyone's head off in the meantime.”
Izuku ducks his head again, an apology already on the tip of his tongue. “And you already apologized so please don’t do it again. Now go get a drink and take a breather. Maybe reassure your boyfriend before he blows up the school.”
Izuku turns to glance back at Katsuki. His boyfriend is staring intently at the pair, eyes narrowed in rage and concern. He raises an eyebrow and Izuku offers a small smile, pulling a hand away to also flash him a thumbs up. He sees more than anything the huff of irritation but Katsuki's shoulders sag minutely in relief and Izuku turns back to his sensei.
“Thank you, Sensei.”
Aizawa grunts and finally pulls his hand away to stand up. He helps Izuku up and watches with a mumbled, fond ‘Problem Child’ as Izuku turns on his heels and heads over to his boyfriend. Again, Katsuki raises a brow at him but says nothing as he passes Izuku his water bottle. Izuku takes it gratefully, sipping slowly as he imagines the water washing away all his worries and nerves. It helps, if only a little.
“Everything ok?”
“Yeah. I have detention today for snapping but he said I’m not in trouble, he just wants to talk more and try to help me figure out a better way to manage.”
“Tch. Good. You shouldn’t be fuckin’ doin this cold turkey, dumbass.”
“Well I didn’t exactly have a choice, Kachaan.”
Katsuki lets out a small sigh and takes the water bottle from Izuku. He sets it down on a bench nearby before wrapping his arms around Izuku gently. For a second, the embrace startles him. Hugging, or really affections of any kind, are usually only for their dorms. Izuku can’t remember the last time they hugged where anyone could see them, could stare, could comment. But in this moment, where his mind is racing and
his body still trembles, Izuku can only relax in his boyfriend's hold and wrap his own arms around a slim waist as a kiss is pressed to the crown of his head.
“I’ve got you, Zuku. I always will.”
“Thanks, Kachaan. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
-2-
Finals are hard on everyone, there’s no doubt about that. But it can’t be argued that finals are incredibly difficult for hero course students everywhere. When Izuku looked at the lineup of teachers in front of them for the physical exam, he almost expected a repeat of last year. He remembers fighting alongside Katsuki against his mentor. Broken bones and vomit but undeniable victory all the same. But this year, as second years with far more experience than anyone expected, Izuku should have expected the test to be different.
“Today you’ll be split into two separate groups. You’ll be given an hour to come up with a strategy against a large-scale villain attack before being placed in a cityscape where you’ll be fighting against a group of villains. Those villains will be us. Your main focus is, of course, apprehending or incapacitating your opponents. But you’ll also be tasked with saving civilians with minimal property damage.”
Izuku and Katsuki were, unfortunately, on separate teams. For Izuku, the final was relatively easy. These are people he’s been studying for over a year at this point. His group immediately looked toward him for leadership and he assumed the role with only minor nerves, doing his best to guide his peers without taking full responsibility. They were, after all, supposed to work as a group. Izuku can proudly say that their success was not solely a result of his many analysis notebooks.
Katsuki, on the other hand, had clearly struggled. His group passed, though barely. He grew increasingly more frustrated when nobody listened to him during planning and when he found himself separated from his partner during the exam he was forced to face against AllMight, again, without Izuku or anyone else there to back him up. Izuku will admit he shed a few tears on his boyfriend's behalf watching his struggle.
In the aftermath Izuku wasn’t allowed to visit Katsuki in the infirmary. He had been beyond frustrated, simply wanting to sit and hold Katsuki's hand while he slept. But Aizawa had assured him that Katsuki would be just fine and urged him to return to the dorms. Izuku did, though not without complaint. He sat in the common room and waited, eyes trained on the door until finally it opened and in walked his exhausted boyfriend.
Katsuki's eyes found his immediately and as soon as his shoes were replaced with slippers he made his way over to the couch and dropped down beside Izuku with a heavy sigh. Izuku turned to him immediately, hands hovering but never touching. His eyes trailed Katsuki's body, looking for any sign of injury. He looks fine, no bandages and minor bruising. But his hands are idly trembling in that way they do when Katsuki overuses his quirk.
“M’fine, Nerd.”
“Your hands are shaking.”
Katsuki shrugs. He rolls both wrists as if that proves his supposed peak health status. Instead, it only cements Izuku’s worry. Without much thought, he intercepts Katsuki's hands and gently lowers them to his boyfriend's lap. Katsuki glances at him, eyebrow quirked, before letting out a tiny groan when Izuku massages his thumbs along the tendons in Katsuki's wrists. A few people glance their way but Izuku ignores their small, fond smiles to continue massaging his fingers along Katsuki's skin, soothing circles into his palms and rubbing nimble fingers along his wrist and forearm.
Slowly, Katsuki relaxes. The tremble in his hands steadily ceases with every warm touch and as the ache recedes he settles more comfortably onto the couch. Izuku smiles softly. It isn’t often that he has the opportunity to take care of Katsuki like this. To watch him relax at gentle touches and melt like a cat settling in for a nap in a good sun spot.
“You’re like a kitten, you know that?”
“Yeah? Well you’re like an annoying hyperactive bunny. Always hopping around and nipping at my heels and hor-”
“Ok I get it, Kachaan.”
Izuku pulls his hands away to cover his red face. If anyone heard them, they don’t comment on it. The last thing Izuku needs is for their friends to know about that. But before he can press his palms into his warm face, strong hands intercept them and suddenly it’s Izuku's wrists being held gently in a tender grasp. Katsuki rubs his thumbs along Izuku's knuckles with a gentle intensity that draws his attention to soft red eyes.
“Thanks, Zuku.”
Izuku smiles softly. Lovingly. “Always, Kachaan.”
-3-
“Ok! Uraraka, truth or dare?”
How Izuku got roped up in this, he has no idea. He came to the common room to find Katsuki. He was feeling clingy in an annoying ‘I want your attention but I want to piss you off in the process’ kind of way only to find all of his boyfriends friends and half of Izuku’s own in a circle around the coffee table like they were preparing a blood sacrifice. Or maybe a virgin one. Mineta is still around somewhere. He made the mistake of making eye contact with Mina and suddenly he was being shoved down beside Ochako for a game of truth or dare.
He watches Ochako complete her dare, casually floating Shotos soba to the ceiling and watching as he stares up at it with noodles hanging from his mouth with a heartbroken and longing look on his face like he was just left by his longterm lover for another man. Izuku manages to keep a straight face until he hears a quiet ‘please?’ that just sounds so desperate and then he cracks, laughing as he silently considers staging an intervention.
“Ok. Deku-kun, truth or dare?”
“O-oh, um, dare I guess.”
Ochako gains a wild grin and suddenly Izuku feels the urge to run back to his room and hide away for the rest of the night. “Antagonize Bakugou until he gets pissed off and then shut him up as quickly as you can.”
Izuku knows the implications of that even without the eyebrow wiggle she gives him. His face grows hot and he sputters slightly. It’s not like he doesn’t know how to execute this dare perfectly. He’s been doing it in private for years at this point, even before they started dating. But nobody in their class has actually seen them kiss before. They hardly even hold hands around their friends, let alone kiss. But Izuku has never been one to back down from a challenge. And really, this is exactly what he came down here for anyway.
Izuku takes a deep breath, holding it for only a second before raising his voice as loud as he can and intentionally whining as he calls out a loud “KACHAAAAAN!”
A few people in their circle giggle as the loud clanging in the kitchen that Izuku now realizes is his boyfriend preparing dinner grows louder. Katsuki doesn’t answer and Izuku can’t help his pout at the blatant ignorance.
“KACHAAAAAAAAAAAN!”
Again, he receives no response. He shifts around, shuffling onto his knees in a ‘I’m doubling down and making it everyone's problem’ position before calling out once more.
“KACHAA-”
“WHAT? What do you want, Deku?” Katsuki yells in irritation as he storms out of the kitchen.
“Your attention.”
“Too bad. I’m fucking cooking.”
“No. You’re prepping. And I’m needy. Give me attention.”
“No. Fuck you.”
“Not in the mood right now, Kachaan. You’re cooking.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“You love me.”
“No the fuck I don’t”
“Yeah huh.”
“Go fuck yourself.”
“But I have you to do it for me.”
“I’m gonna fuckin kill you.”
“With your di-”
“Deku, if you don’t shut the fuck up and leave me the fuck alone I swear to god I’m gonna-”
“Does this threat involve you coming closer?”
“Fuck no.”
“Boring.”
“Can I finish dinner?”
“No. I’m lonely. You neglect me. I’m unhappy in this relationship, Kachaan. You don’t look at me enough. Give me attention.”
“I’m looking at you right now, Idiot.”
“Yes but you don’t want to be.”
“Yeah, cause you’re ugly as hell.”
“Wha- Kachaan. Mean.”
“Deal with it.”
“Please? Just come give me like five seconds of proximity and then I’ll stop.”
“For fucks sake. You are the most annoying, goddamn, bunny rabbit, ankle biting, needy little sh-”
As he rants, Katsuki storms over. Because of course he does. Katsuki has never been able to really refuse Izuku or his affections. It doesn’t matter how irritated he gets, he’s soft. At least for Izuku. And Izuku has never once believed his annoyed shouts or half-hearted threats. Because even now, Katsuki looks at him with a soft edge and nothing but fondness and love in his eyes.
He’s still ranting as he approaches and Izuku reels up on his knees, wrapping his arms around Katsuki's waist and smacking their lips together in a rough kiss. Katsuki makes a strangled noise in the back of his throat before melting into it. His hand card through Izuku's hair as he presses forward and for a second they both forget about their audience only an arms length away. For a second it’s just them. Sharing breaths as their lips slot together in a practiced motion. Izuku can taste the spice of food prep on Katsuki's lips and he shudders, wanting to taste it on his boyfriend's tongue.
A wolf whistle pulls them away. Izuku drops back on his heels, staring up at Katsuki with a deep flush. He notes the pretty pink on Katsuki's own cheeks as his narrowed red eyes stare back down at him. The hand still in his hair tightens slightly, tilting Izuku's head to the side before letting go with a gentle shove. Katsuki takes a single step back and removes his apron slowly.
“Five seconds.”
“Ok bye guy! Have fun with the rest of the game!”
Izuku runs like his life, or more accurately his ass, depends on it.
Worth it.
-4-
Izuku looks around awkwardly, back pressed against the wall as he fidgets with his hands. He wonders where Katsuki is. Normally, he wouldn’t want to subject anyone to the raging ball of possessive jealousy that is his boyfriend in moments like these. But this girl, a first year if Izuku had to guess, won’t take no for an answer. And Izuku can’t really bring himself to brush past her or be mean in his rejection.
He already explained that he’s gay and in a happy relationship. The words only seemed to float right over the girl's head as she continued to ramble out her affections with a deep flush. Izuku wishes someone would come save him. Wishes Ochako would show up with some excuse to drag him away. Wishes Katsuki would find them with his harsh words and jealous affections. Hell, he’d even take Aizawa swooping in with a random detention for something Izuku doesn’t know anything about but probably did.
“I-I really do appreciate it. I’m flattered, really. But like I said-”
“I know I’m younger, senpai. But I promise you would have no reason to regret it if we just went on one date.”
Somehow, Izuku doubts that.
“Oi oi oi! The fuck is this shit?”
Izuku breathes a silent sigh of relief at the familiar voice. His favorite sound. Katsuki could not have chosen a better time to find them. Izuku can’t even bring himself to offer an apologetic look to the girl in front of him as stomping footsteps approach. To be fair, she kinda deserves whatever happens next. Izuku just hopes Katsuki doesn’t blow her up.
“Kachaan!”
“Nerd. This thing botherin you?”
“Kachaan, she’s a person. Be nice.”
Katsuki tsks as he takes his rightful place at Izuku’s side. Under the glare of one third of the school's big three, having previously been begging to date another third of them, the girl takes a step back and withers slightly. She doesn’t immediately flee, which Izuku thinks might be a mistake on her part. She glances between them before settling her gaze back on Izuku with a determination that Izuku idly thinks would be fitting for heroics if it were under literally any other circumstance. She opens her mouth to speak but Katsuki cuts her off before she can get out anything more than a breath.
“Lemme stop you right there, brat.”
Izuku barely has any time to be jealous over the fact that Katsuki called somebody else a brat before a strong hand grips his jaw and turns his head. The hand squeezes until Izuku gasps and the second his lips part a slick tongue slips into his mouth with angry conviction. Izuku reaches up to grip Katsuki's button up under his blazer, his grip tight enough that he briefly fears the fabric might rip. Izuku whimpers softly into the kiss, the girl beside them squeaking with it.
She sputters slightly before offering the quickest bow Izuku has ever seen in his life and scurrying away. Katsuki's fingers flex on Izuku’s jaw briefly before he pulls away entirely, leaving Izuku to chase his lips in a daze. Katsuki chuckles and snakes an arm around Izuku’s waist, tugging him flush and drawing a small whine from him.
“Pathetic. Were you just gonna stand there and let her throw herself at you like a dirty whore?”
“No. I was trying to tell her that I’m not interested. She wouldn’t listen.”
“You’re too fuckin nice, Zuku. Next time you better declare your undying love for me, you got that?”
“Yes, Kachaan. I’m sorry.”
“Not yet you aren’t. One class left, free period. Go bat those pretty eyelashes at Aizawa until he lets us off early and then I want you on my bed, three fingers deep and waiting. Got it?”
Izuku moans softly, his hand tightening in Katsuki's button up as he nods. “Ten minutes, tops. See you soon Kachaan.”
“Yeah yeah. Get movin.” A firm smack to the ass accompanies the demand and Izuku is helpless but to follow.
-5-
Three years. Three years of hard work. Three years of trauma and villains and war. Three years of pain and laughter and late nights and love. Three years at UA. All for this moment. Izuku stands beside Katsuki, pinkies linked as they listen to Nezu's speech. He catches his mentors eyes, smiling at the tears brimming his bright blues. He glances toward Aizawa, met with a proud smirk and a single nod of his head. This is it. Everything they’ve worked toward. Their final step into the future.
Hand in hand.
Side by side.
Walking across the stage feels freeing. The weight of his diploma in his hands, his official hero license tucked safe inside, is proof of his near impossible dreams coming to fruition. He can’t contain his smile as his teachers and friends clap for him. He can’t help but meet Katsuki's eyes, tearing up the pride he finds there. His boyfriend has been his number one supporter since day one. They’ve worked hard together to get to this point. Training for hours. Pushing each other to get stronger. Holding each other when the nightmares become too much.
And they’ll continue to do that for the rest of their lives.
“Happy?”
Arms wrap around his waist as cheers flare up around him. Nezu is giving his final words and soon they’ll officially be UA Alumni. Pro Heroes leaving the safety of their teachers' care and stepping out into adulthood to win and save and inspire. Izuku steps closer, wrapping his arms around Katsuki's neck. Here, in his boyfriend's arms with the promise of a future, he couldn’t care less about the stares and the jeers he hears fading into the background.
“Very. Are you?”
“With you by my side? Always.”
Katsuki captures his lips in their best kiss yet, tugging Izuku closer and holding him still with a strong hand on the small of his back. Izuku shuts his eyes and returns the kiss with vigour, lacing his fingers in the hair at Katsuki's nape. It’s warm and wet and so, so loving. It’s a promise and a threat all at once. It’s home. And Izuku doesn’t want to be anywhere else. Here, in Katsuki's safe embrace, Izuku knows that it was all worth it.
They walk side by side as the newly graduated students file out past teachers and underclassmen, their hands firmly clasped together between them. Izuku glances at his mentor and homeroom teacher again, taking in AllMights tears and Aizawa's open smile. They’re clapping, but AllMight takes a moment to flash a thumbs up at the pair. Izuku offers one of his blinding smiles, tears of his own pricking his eyes as he feels Katsuki lean back to throw the pair a smirk and one last middle finger.
His hand is raised, a kiss pressed to the back of it, and Izuku turns his attention back to Katsuki where it belongs. His boyfriend brings his freehand up to wipe his tears before pressing their foreheads together and it feels so good. So right. Izuku wonders why they’ve been keeping these affections behind closed doors for so long. He shuts his eyes with a sniff, basking in the attention and care. Soaking in the emotions around him.
“I love you, Zuku. Always.”
“I love you too, Katski. Always. Always. I’m never going anywhere.”
A kiss to his forehead and more tears slip out. “You better not. We’re gonna kick ass, nerd. Together. Side by side. Forever. You got that?”
Izuku offers a wobbly smile and presses his shaking palms to Katsuki's cheeks. “I got it. Forever.”
-+1-
Izuku smiles softly as he stares up into Katsuki's beautiful red eyes. He’s aware of the eyes on them. Family, friends, old teachers and fellow heroes. A handful of reporters stand quietly at the back of the crowd. It’s early May with cherry blossom petals falling around them, setting the mood perfectly. The sky, clear of any clouds despite the normal rain they get this time of year, shines beautifully on the water of the small lake behind them.
But all of that is nothing compared to the sight before him. Hands in his, Katsuki stands tall. His eyes lined with a subtle liner that Izuku knows can withstand any disaster. Hair slicked back but still chaotically spikey all the same. Black tux with a red lace vest fitted perfectly to his chiseled body. Behind him, dressed similarly, Kirishima stands with a proud smile and tears in his eyes. Izuku smiles down at their joined hands, catching the white sleeve of his own tux, accompanied by a forest green lace vest. He can hear Ochako behind him, sniffling in her long silk dress that matches.
Today is their next step to forever. Izuku couldn’t be happier.
“Mr, Bakugou, do you have your vows?”
Katsuki grunts, though he doesn’t pull his gaze away. His hands tighten around Izuku's, pulling his eyes back to that loving gaze. “Eyes on me, Zuku.”
“Always Kachaan.”
Katsuki spares a beat to kiss his forehead before taking a breath. “Words aren’t my thing. You know that. Always have.”
Izuku offers a small nod. He had suggested forgoing vows so that Katsuki could be spared the trouble of vulnerability. But Katsuki had adamantly refused, declaring that he wanted everyone to know where heroes Deku and Dynamight truly stand. As if they haven’t been public since day one. As if Izuku could look at anyone else. As if the world didn’t already know that Katsuki is it for him. Always.
“For as long as I can remember you were there. In my shadow. At my side. Racing ahead of me with that cheesy ass grin that just makes me wanna bite you all the time.”
A few people laugh, Izuku included, and he offers the same smile he knows Katsuki is referring to. Katsuki just huffs and rolls his eyes at him but continues without pause.
“I used to hate it. I used to wish you’d just go away. And I hated you for not getting the hint. But I’ll be damned if I’m not lucky as hell that you didn’t.”
Izuku’s eyes soften as tears brim at the corners and he’s suddenly glad that he fought Ochako when she tried to put him in liner of his own. He’d undoubtedly sob dark streaks across his freckles by the end of the night. Katsuki takes a hand away to reach up and tenderly wipe his tears and Izuku can’t help but lean into the familiar touch.
“I never wanna know a day without you at my side. I never wanna see a life without you in it. I want a forever full of stupid fights and blinding smiles and you intentionally annoying the hell out of me just so you can shut me up with a kiss when I get too heated. I wanna memorize your freckles and the way your hair feels in my hand. I wanna fight at your side for the rest of our lives. Always.”
“Midoriya Izuku, I promise to love you with every ounce of myself for the rest of my life. I promise to find you in the next life and the next and every life after and love you for as long as the universe will let me. I promise to devote everything I am to you. You’re it for me, Izuku. You always have been. I never want anything else.”
“Kachaan.”
“Shut up, crybaby.”
A startled laugh escapes him and he smiles through his tears. “Is it my turn?”
“Yeah. Lemme hear it.”
Izuku sniffles and nuzzles his hand into the palm still on his cheek, half wiping tears and half seeking love. Like Katsuki, he also doesn’t have a speech written out. It’s never been hard for Izuku to express his love for the man in front of him, why would this be any different. He mentally reminds himself not to ramble as he straightens up his posture and meets Katsuki's eyes once more.
“I forgive you.” He starts.
Katsuki draws in a breath, gripping his hands briefly as his eyes widen just slightly.
“I never said it, but it’s true. I’ve always forgiven you, Katsuki. There wasn’t a single second in your shadow that I didn’t savor. There wasn’t a single second at your side that I took for granted. And when I raced ahead it was always with the knowledge that you’d catch up. That you’d be beside me again in an instant. And I looked forward to it every single time.”
His lip wobbles as he smiles up at Katsuki.
“You like to remind me that I have enough words for the both of us. But right now, walking into a future with you that once upon a time I never thought would be possible, there’s nothing I can say that you don’t already know.”
“I love you. I’ve always loved you. I’ve loved you since before I even knew what love was. You are, and always have been, my everything. And I promise to annoy you for the rest of our lives. I promise to make you question what insane decision pushed to marry me. I promise to burn every meal I try to cook for you because I just can’t get the hang of anything in the kitchen. I promise to be by your side in any way you’ll have me, even when I’m angry at you.”
“Always.” Katsuki whispers.
“Always.” Izuku whispers back.
“Bakugou Katsuki, Do you-”
“Fuck yeah I do.”
“Right. Midoriya Izuku, do you-”
“I do.”
“Can’t do a damn thing with you two, can I?”
A few people laugh. Izuku offers an apologetic smile as he hears a voice that sounds suspiciously like Aizawa call a soft ‘welcome to my life.’ Katsuki just rolls his eyes with a glare. From the front, Mitsuki calls them both brats. Earning herself a middle finger from her son. And despite the distractions, Izuku couldn’t be happier.
“Whatever. Can I kiss my husband now?”
A sigh. And then “Yes. Congratulations to the newlyweds.”
Izuku tones out the uproar of applause and cheer as a gentle hand cups the back of his neck and pulls him forward. His hands rest on Katsuki's waist as his eyes slip shut and soft lips press against his own in a familiar dance far more gentle than they’ve ever danced before. It’s wet, from spit and tears alike, and firm. Like they can pour all of their love and devotion into this one single moment. And when they walk back down the aisle together, hand in hand, Izuku’s smile is the brightest it’s ever been.
“Are you happy?” Katsuki asks as they sway against each other on the dance floor.
The reception ended twenty minutes ago, leaving just them and the staff cleaning up nearby. No music is playing but they don’t care, swaying along to their own silent song. Katsuki's heart beats loud against Izuku's ear where it’s pressed against his chest. He opens his eyes and tilts his head up, immediately meeting the content stare of his husband.
“Very. Are you?”
“Couldn’t be happier. I love you, Izuku. So much.”
“I love you too, Katsuki. More than anything.”
They kiss in the silence under the low lights of the reception hall. No applause, no wolf whistles or jeers, no half-hearted teases or calls for them to get a room. Just them, suspended in a perfect moment. Together. Always together. Forever in love. And Izuku can’t help but think this might just be the best kiss they’ve ever had.
“Your ass is so mine later, by the way.”
“You are actually the worst.”
“Yeah. But you love me.”
“I do. I really do.”