Chapter Text
Six months later
_______________
"Ground Zero! Are you all clear?!"
Katsuki grunts and pulls himself up from the ground as Deku's voice crackles over the intercom in his ear.
"Yeah, all clear," he rasps, checking the area. His eyes fall to the unconscious villain on the ground, then moves quickly to get him pinned as Deku flies in through the nearest window with the cuffs. "Perfect."
"I'm glad that worked, I wasn't that sure of it," Deku admits, chuckling bashfully. Katsuki scoffs and flicks him up the back of his head. "Ouch!"
"What do you mean you weren't that sure," he asks.
"Well, I didn't know for sure, it was purely observational," he sighs. "There wasn't much intel about his quirk, but based on his actions, it seemed like he could only process one decision at a time."
The villain was one with a premonition quirk that could tell what his opponent was about to do based on the mental decisions made. It was a great moment for Deku, who stayed back to watch and tell Katsuki how to fight him.
And that's how it has been working for the past few months. Deku trained daily at the agency for about a month, prepping for his debut. When the day finally came, Katsuki couldn't get the nerd to stop sobbing.
But he was so damn proud of him, watching as reporters swarmed him after that first mission, dying to find out more about him. Whether Deku realizes it or not, he's kind of a big deal. Not only is he the first sidekick that Ground Zero has ever taken on - but he's the first quirkless sidekick anyone has heard of.
The team-up has definitely helped solidify Katsuki's Number One status, not that it's the only reason for teaming up. No, really, the greatest reward has been watching Deku go from being this shy, humble, shell of a human to literally glowing damn near every day.
The alpha hardly ever stops smiling, and it makes Katsuki's heart swell every time he looks at him. He's so hopelessly in love with him, he almost doesn't recognize even himself.
"Ah, well, he's been apprehended and the police are here now . . . I guess that gives us time to head back to the agency and change," Deku rambles on, pulling Katsuki from his thoughts. Katsuki's throat feels dry, but he smiles and nods, willingly turning over the villain to the police before leaving the scene with Deku.
Normally, they don't mind facing the press after a big battle, but today is an important day and they can't bother being bogged down by questions when they have something important they need to be doing. So, instead of leaving down the main road, they take to the rooftops and Katsuki's mate clings to him for dear life as he blasts them through the air, making for quick travel back to the agency.
Deku stumbles a bit once they reach the ground.
"I don't think I'm ever going to get used to that," he whines, holding his head between his hands as he dramatically tries to regain his equilibrium. Katsuki smirks and playfully punches his fist against his shoulder.
"You're fine, quit your whining," he laughs, taking his hand as they walk into the agency building. Over the past several months, people had stopped staring at them when they entered the building.
It's no longer weird to see Ground Zero in at a reasonable time. It's no longer weird to see him accompanied by a green-haired alpha. Hell, these days Katsuki gets more strange looks if he shows up without Deku. And besides, being seen holding hands is so tame compared to that one time where they got caught trying to fit in a quickie in Katsuki's office.
They head to the locker rooms and shower - separately- as to not offend anyone. Once finished, they towel off, and Katsuki pulls their dress clothes from the hangers in his locker. They dress in silence, and when they're fully clothed, Katsuki takes it upon himself to tie Deku's tie for him.
"Are you ready?" Deku asks, his voice quiet, and much more of a solemn tone. Katsuki's chest buzzes as he tries to wrap his head around what they're about to do, but he swallows and nods.
"Yeah," he rasps, and Deku takes his hand and squeezes.
"It'll be good," Deku says, softly. He leans in to quickly scent him, offering his support before placing a wet kiss against his cheek. Katsuki nods and wrings his hands together. Takes yet another deep breath as Deku scoops up their bags.
Katsuki just focuses on his breathing as they walk out into the parking lot. Deku unlocks the car and puts their stuff in the trunk.
And then hands Katsuki the keys.
The car keys feel ridiculously heavy in his hand, especially as he stands there.
"Are you okay, babe?" Deku asks as he opens the passenger side door. Katsuki's eyes water, but he nods. Because he's determined to overcome this. He's been practicing. He's been going to therapy.
The first time he tried, all he did was sit in the driver's seat and sob because all he could think about was what if he fucked up again and killed Deku. And Deku never shamed him for it once. If it got to be too much, he would just say everything would be okay and that they'd try again another day.
From there, he worked up to empty parking lots, then to slow-speed residential areas. The more he did it, the easier it got to go through with the action without being plagued by horrible thoughts. His heart still races and his palms still sweat, but he'll be okay.
"I can do it," he says, and he's not sure if he's talking to himself or to Deku.
"Of course you can, Kacchan," Deku smiles, then slides into the passenger seat and buckles in. Katsuki nods and takes a couple of inspecting laps around the car while Deku waits patiently. Katsuki looks underneath, checks the tires, makes sure that nothing is amiss before they begin their trip.
And they aren't going very far. But Katsuki knows he can never be too careful.
Finally, he gets in, fastens his seatbelt and starts to drive.
They take the scenic route with less traffic, even though it adds over twenty minutes to their drive. Deku still doesn't even mind that because he has the patience of a damn saint. He hums quietly to himself, mindful of Katsuki's need for concentration.
He can feel himself relax the closer they get to their destination.
The car is silent as Katsuki rolls to a stop. He puts the car in park and relaxes back against the seat.
"That was amazing, Kacchan," Deku says, smiling, reaching across the center console for his hand. He turns to his mate and smiles. Yeah, he fucking did it. He doesn't know how a thirty minute drive can take more out of him physically than being in battle, but he doesn't question it anymore. Tries not to harbor too much shame in it.
"We should get going before it gets dark," Katsuki says, looking ahead at the entrance of the cemetery. Deku nods in agreement before they get out of the car. They walk in silence to the grave site, wordlessly work through the rituals together to make sure they've properly paid their respects.
After it's finished, they sit side-by-side, staring at the monument to their late hero and mentor.
"It looks really nice, I wonder who keeps up with it the most?" Deku mumbles. Katsuki shrugs.
"He was the Symbol of Peace. Probably gets visitors all the time," he sighs.
"Yeah. I feel bad that this is the first time I've visited since the funeral," Deku says, solemnly. Katsuki shrugs and loops his arm with Deku's, letting his head fall against the alpha's shoulder. He wonders if All Might really knows that they're there talking to him. If he can see that his Wonder Duo ended up together anyway.
If he knows how sorry Katsuki is.
If he knows how happy Katsuki is now.
He squeezes Deku's arm tighter.
"All Might . . . " Deku sighs, as the wind blows against them. Katsuki just stays quiet, still mentally drained from driving. He likes listening to his alpha talk, anyway. "I don't know if you can see us, but . . I hope that you can. I'm sorry I didn't visit sooner . . . but I'm here now and I wanted you to know that this year I met Katsuki and . . . well, I call him Kacchan, but that's not important. A-and you don't need to know how he got that nickname either, but - "
"Deku."
"Right."
He adjusts himself and breathes.
"Anyway. I met Katsuki and it was really hard at first because we were both still hurting a lot because we missed you. But then . . . once we realized how much we had in common, everything got better and I - we fell in love. I don't know if you've heard, but we're mates now. And partners -"
"You're my sidekick," Katsuki smirks. Deku nudges him playfully.
"We're partners," he chuckles. Katsuki laughs with him and buries his face against his arm. "And we're really happy. I wish . . . I wish you were here to see us. I'd like to think you would be proud. Oh and Kacchan and I are -"
Katsuki perks up and slaps his hand over Deku's mouth.
"Don't tell him that," he scoffs, able to tell right away what he was about to blab before he even says it.
"Why not?"
"Because, you'll jinx it," he grits.
"How will I jinx -"
"Don't say it, " Katsuki insists. "It's bad luck."
Deku lets out an airy sigh, and Katsuki settles back against his shoulder. They sit there for a while longer as Deku rambles on about their team-up and the most interesting missions he's been on so far. His heart clenches as Deku tells him that Katsuki drove them to the cemetery and how proud he is that he did it. Deku tells him about his sidekick costume, and about Camie and Kirishima and their baby that's on the way. He tells him how their parents are doing.
"And most of all, the best thing this year is how much I love Kacchan," he finishes, and Katsuki's cheeks burn. "I love him so much I just want to tell everyone I know. I think in a lot of ways . . . even though you weren't here, technically, you were the one who brought us together. So thank you for that, All Might. I'll miss you."
After that, they get ready to leave. They walk out, hand-in-hand, and head back to the car.
"Did you want to drive home?" Deku asks, and Katsuki shakes his head.
"No, I'm still worn out from earlier . . . it's getting dark, too," he notes. Deku nods, understands, and takes the keys from Katsuki so he can drive.
"That was nice," Deku says as they drive away.
"Yeah," Katsuki agrees. "You talk too much."
"Well, I have to talk for the both of us," Deku shrugs. "You love it."
"I do," Katsuki admits, casually, swiping through his notifications on his phone screen.
"Why didn't you let me tell him?" Deku demands to know. Katsuki grumbles.
"Because we don't even know for sure yet. The last thing I need is for you to be getting all excited and telling All Might for it to be a fluke," Katsuki scoffs, referring to the little-known fact that his last heat had ended early.
It wasn't unplanned. It wasn't planned, either.
A few months ago, Katsuki had his IUD removed and instead of replacing it, he and Deku had decided to just . . . not replace it.
"But Camie's heat ended early and she really was pregnant," Deku whines.
"So fucking what?"
"I'm sorry, Kacchan, even with the littlest bit of hope, I'm already excited. I just want to tell someone," he admits. "I'm pretty sure All Might would have kept it a secret."
"That's dark."
"Well!"
"You haven't told anyone have you?" Katsuki asks, quirking an eyebrow at his mate.
"What! No, of course not, Kacchan," he scoffs.
Katsuki just smirks to himself and shrugs, turning back to his phone. He scrolls through social media post after post, most people expressing some sort of remembrance for All Might on the second anniversary of his death.
He startles slightly when a call comes through. The phone lights up and buzzes in his hand when he sees the number.
"Who is it?" Deku asks.
"Doctor," Katsuki sputters, blinking. Because holy hell what kind of impeccable timing -
"Answer it!"
"Shut up!" Katsuki growls, swiping to answer and pressing the phone to his ear. "Hello?"
He glances over at Deku, who's straining between concentrating on the road and listening in to Katsuki's conversation.
"Hello! Bakugou Katsuki?" The voice that comes over the phone sounds cheerful, but it doesn't ease the churning in his stomach.
"Yeah, this is him."
"Oh, good! Well, we had a quick turnaround at the lab today and were able to get your test results back early," the woman's voice says. Katsuki nods into the phone, then clenches his eyes shut as he realizes what he's done.
"Okay, and?"
"Congratulations! The test came back positive!" she cheers. Katsuki's eyes go wide and his jaw drops.
"What is it? What did they say?" Deku wants to know. Katsuki waves his hand at him to shush him.
"Mr. Bakugou, would you like to schedule your first appointment?" she asks, and Katsuki's head is spinning.
"Can I call back tomorrow and get that sorted out?" he asks, his voice small. She replies cheerfully and then quickly says good-bye before Katsuki hangs up.
"Well?"
"Well . . . it was positive," he says, blankly.
"That's - oh my god, that's amazing, Kacchan!" Deku squeals. "See? We totally could have told All Might, it would have been fine."
"You don't know that," Katsuki groans. Deku frowns as he notices Katsuki's tone.
"Are you okay? You don't sound as excited as I thought you'd be."
"I'm fucking . . . I'm excited, it's just a lot to think about. I never fucking thought about . . . this before so I guess I just need some time to get used to it," he admits. He sets his phone aside and slumps back in the seat as his hands go to rest curiously against his stomach. Yeah, he knows he'll get used to it.
As soon as they get back to the house, Deku bolts from the car and runs around to get Katsuki's door so that he can pull him into an aggressive hug.
"What the hell?"
"I just gotta . . . just gotta hug you," Deku says, warmly. Katsuki can feel wetness against his shirt where Deku's leaky eyes are pressed close to the fabric. His heart beats against his, and Katsuki feels loved.
"Love you," he mumbles against the alpha's hair.
"I love you, too . . . please let me tell Camie and Kirishima, I'm dying," Deku begs. Katsuki narrows his eyes and smirks.
"You were just coming over here to butter me up before we go inside?"
"Maybe?" he shrugs, sheepishly, standing up. His eyes stare downwards at Katsuki's stomach, his smile growing wide. Katsuki can tell just by looking at him how much in love the alpha is, even though he only just found out there was something living inside there.
"Fine," Katsuki sighs, and Deku jumps up. Katsuki smiles and follows Deku inside, who rushes to the living room to find Camie with her feet up on an ottoman while Kirishima snuggles next to her. Somewhere along the lines, Camie and Kirishima tried the whole relationship thing. So far it's going well, and Katsuki selfishly hopes it stays that way.
Because there are no words that explain the way it makes him feel to see Deku running to tell them their good news, especially as they sit so close. Especially as Camie runs her hands absentmindedly over her swollen belly.
He gasps quietly, and his hands float protectively over himself as he joins Deku in the living room.
"I have important news!" Deku screeches, stealing the remote from the coffee table and turning the television to mute.
"Dude!" Kirishima scoffs, gesturing something along the lines of hey, we were watching that!
"Just let the guy talk, Kiri," Camie chuckles, amused by Deku's enthusiasm.
"Kacchan is pregnant!" he practically yells, throwing his hands in the air with excitement as he announces the news.
"Holy shit!" Camie gasps, her eyes going wide as she turns to Katsuki. "Bitch, you didn't tell me!"
"We literally just found out," Katsuki smiles, finding it much easier to be excited in the presence of such enthusiastic company. Deku throws his arms around Katsuki's shoulders and kisses him.
"This is going to be so great," Deku exclaims. "We've already been baby proofing, so we're already good there. There's another spare room and - and our baby is going to grow up with such a big pack can you believe it?!"
"Shh, don't you start hyperventilating," Katsuki sighs, rubbing at the alpha's shoulders. "It's fine."
And he really, truly believes that.
Because Deku is right. His pack is amazing. He has an amazing mate, an amazing best friend with an amazing mate, and at least one other pup that will be around the same age as his own. And if these people - everyone in this damn living room- have been so incredible to him when he needed it most -
He can't imagine what kind of life they would help give his future child.
Just a year ago, he never thought about these sorts of things. Never thought too far ahead of the future because he really believed that he didn't deserve a bright future. That he would never find someone to love him unconditionally. To not only cheer for him when he succeeded, but to push him to do better when he didn't.
Somehow his life had gone from completely upended, to solid and stable and so full of love and life that he couldn't believe it.
"Kats, are you crying?" Camie blurts, reaching for his hand. Deku notices, too, and starts to scent him.
"Yeah, fucking great," he chokes. "I'm just . . . I'm really fucking happy."
And he means it.