Work Text:
Eijirou blinks a few times, trying to process what Katsuki is saying. “Wh– You want me to court you?”
His heart flutters in his chest as the words filter between them, sunlight dancing on Eijirou’s scaled skin. They’re just outside one of the larger towns along the coast, on their way north. For once, they don’t have a set destination, just a barbarian and a dragon roaming through the countryside.
But now.
Courting.
What he’d once been able to label as a crush or even mere attraction has long bloomed out of Eijirou’s control— the feeling in his chest shifting from mere embers to a roaring wildfire. It’s an ever-present tug in his mind, a constant pull toward his best friend.
And courting is the obvious answer for any shifter– the next step from friendship to more.
But it’s Katsuki. His Katsuki. His shining and fierce friend, his barbarian, his m–
“Not for real, dork,” Katsuki scowls. His cheeks are pink, and he doesn’t quite meet Eijirou’s eyes as he grumbles on. “You said you don’t want to go home without finding your mate, right?”
Eijirou nods, face scrunching in what he hopes Katsuki reads as confusion rather than disappointment. He’d been half awake when he’d murmured it, speaking more to the stars than his friend. One long day had blurred into a sleepless night where he’d ached for his home, his family.
But most of all, he’d ached for a mate. A mate he could show off to his mom, to his brother, a mate who would walk fearlessly through his family’s mountain at his side.
Though, he didn’t want just a mate. He wanted his mate.
His mate, who had assumed Eijirou was longing for someone he hadn’t found. Rather than seeing that Eijirou had everything he’d ever need at his side.
“But we could pretend, right?” Katsuki’s eyes are hopeful, bright, and gleaming like freshly cut rubies. “And if you were courting me, then you could go home and see your family, right? You keep saying how much you miss them.”
There’s a moment of silence as Eijirou’s eyes flick to the ground, a sharp talon twisting into the dirt under their feet. He doesn’t like to deny Katsuki anything, especially something like this, a request born from his affection for Eijirou.
But fake courting.
If he had the courage, he would tell Katsuki no. He would stare at him and ask, Why would I pretend when you’re all I’ve wanted from the moment we met?
But instead, Eijirou’s mouth cracks open as his heart begins to break. “Thank you, Katsuki. It means a lot that you’d do this for me.”
Katsuki’s eyes shine for a moment before he blushes and scowls at the shifter. “Of course, I fucking would. What are best friends for?”
Katsuki wouldn’t say he’s a genius, but only because it’d be a waste of breath. Of course, he’s a genius. A mastermind on the battlefield and off of it, Katsuki has never failed in something he’s set his mind to.
Though this one is a bit tricky.
He and Eijirou are perfect for each other. That’s obvious. Katsuki is a little annoyed that they aren’t mates, but even the universe must fuck up sometimes.
And besides, it doesn’t really matter. He can take the universe’s mistake and make it right. Fixing other people’s shit isn’t usually worth his time. But Katsuki would do just about anything to have Eijirou forever.
Which lead to Katsuki’s latest grand plan: Fixing the Universe’s Fuck-Up in 5 Easy Steps:
- Make sure Eijirou doesn’t have another mate out there waiting for him because fuck them; he’s Katsuki’s
- Show Eijirou that Katsuki would be a fucking fantastic mate even if he’s not a dragon (again, fuck the universe, he could’ve had wings)
- Impress the fuck out of his family by being the best and by blowing something up
- Tell Eijirou about the Feelings (even though this is in direct conflict of the previous grand plan: Screw Feelings Because Who Needs Them FUCK OFFFF)
- Kiss the idiot because he’s Katsuki’s and then go blow some stuff up. Again.
Step 1 was the easiest because Katsuki was confident that if Eijirou did have a mate, he would never leave their side. The idiot is unendingly loyal and sappy. If he had someone out there, he’d be with them rather than with Katsuki all the time.
So there. Done. Check-fucking-mark.
Step 2 was turning out a bit trickier.
A lot fucking trickier.
He’d initially thought that he could court Eijirou, that he could prove they’re meant to be by leaving his heart, his soul, bare for Eijirou to see. Katsuki lowers his shield for no one, but for Eijirou, he’d let his guard down. For this idiot, he’d risk it all.
But after a few sneaky questions, he’d learned that Eijirou had already dreamed of his perfect way to court his mate, complete with rocks and some overly sappy speech.
If Katsuki didn’t know better, he’d think the idiot already had someone in mind.
But it’s clearly important to Eijirou, and he wanted to court someone. Courting was a tradition Eijirou had grown up with, something he’d dreamed of. It meant something to him as a shifter that Katsuki couldn’t fully understand.
So Katsuki would be the one courted.
Asking Eijirou outright to court him seemed less than romantic— and if Eijirou is anything, he’s a sappy motherfucker— but then the perfect plan had come straight from Eijirou’s mouth.
Fake courting.
Fake courting so Eijirou could go home with a potential mate on his arm, and Katsuki could show Eijirou how good of a mate he would be. And not just a good mate, the best mate for Eijirou.
All he needs is a chance to woo the scales off the idiot.
So all day, Katsuki has done everything to complete Step 2; bringing Eijirou food he caught, making sure they were close at all times, and even offering to brush his scales down.
Eijirou had stuttered and flushed under the attention each time, his cheeks going as red as his wings and scales, before ultimately accepting. And Eijirou had seemed… appreciative of his efforts, though not quite sold on the idea of Katsuki as his mate.
And Bakugou Katsuki isn’t a quitter, but he is a bit annoyed that Eijirou hasn’t swooned yet. So as they walk, he narrows his eyes at Eijirou, glaring at his future mate. Fucking himbo.
“You okay, Kat?”
They’re heading through the forest, walking rather than flying to give them a chance to talk per Katsuki’s request. Afternoon sunlight comes through the leaves, scattering beautiful golden rays across their path as they walk.
Katsuki’s sharp voice cuts through Eijirou’s wallowing. “So, how should I act in front of your family? You know, as your mate?” The word mate rolls off Katsuki’s tongue in that same sure tone that he always uses, but it lingers there, wrapping around the word as his lips pull up into a smirk.
Aaaaand there’s that blush again, the one that Eijirou can’t seem to escape anymore. “Well– uh–” He swallows heavily, forcing his mind to actually think through the question.
And embarrassingly, Eijirou’s mind comes up blank.
Not because there isn’t a way that a potential mate would act, but because there is. And Katsuki is already doing it— Eijirou is already doing it.
They’ve been doing it for months. He hasn’t left Katsuki’s side in weeks; they hunt and travel together, and they share everything– blankets, food, shelter, even clothes. They cook and feed each other, bandage each other’s wounds– hell, they even share a bed roll.
“Ei?”
Eijirou’s head whips toward the sound, heart craning toward Katsuki like it always does. “Uh– well– like–” He takes a breath and focuses on the difference in mated behavior— even if there are only the obvious things left. “We could hold hands, and you know, like romantic stuff–”
“No kissing,” Katsuki says immediately. He isn’t looking at Eijirou when he says it, his crimson eyes on the ground, but his tone is hard and firm.
Despite the initial pang in his chest at the sharp refusal, a tiny part of Eijirou is relieved. He would never want his first kiss with Katsuki to be fake. Even if he’s imagined it a hundred times, or maybe because he has.
“That’s okay,” Eijirou murmurs, voice soft as the fading light between them. They’ll have to start thinking about where to rest for the night soon. It’s still another day before they’ll reach his family home, and Tetsu won’t take kindly if he shows up with an exhausted mate. Let alone how his mom would react.
He’s about to open his mouth and suggest finding a place to sleep when he feels Katsuki’s fingers ghost along his wrist. Their hands link slowly, timidly, almost. But when they finally clasp together, Eijirou’s shoulders loosen a fraction.
It’s just right. It’s like the click of the final puzzle piece; it’s the snap of the last button. If there was any shred of doubt in Eijirou’s mind that Katsuki is his, it’s evaporated now.
This is his mate– his smart, talented, beautiful mate. The everpresent tug Eijirou feels towards Katsuki twists into a solid tether, an unbreakable love that will last longer than Eijirou’s mortal form.
Katsuki hums happily, shifting slightly to put their hands more firmly together. Lightning zings up Eijirou’s hand, arm, and shoulder blade, causing his wings to snap against him. If Katsuki notices, he doesn’t mention it, eyes on their joined hands.
Eijirou flushes as Katsuki stares, wanting nothing more than to tug him close, tuck him under his wing, shield him, protect him, love him–
“We should find shelter for the night,” Katsuki murmurs, breaking Eijirou’s train of thought. He tugs them toward a denser grove of trees, gripping the shifter’s hand like he thinks Eijirou might dart off.
As if there was anywhere else he wanted to be.
While Katsuki had been bold enough to snag Eijirou’s hand in the fading evening light, it’s the redhead who makes the first move the next morning. Almost as soon as his eyes open, Katsuki feels rough fingers link with his.
The walk toward the Kirishima home is somewhat familiar, though home is somewhat deceiving because shifters live in the hearts of the mountains. Dragon shifters spend their time evenly split between the deep mountain caves and the wide open sky.
And even though Katsuki’s never been inside, the mountain range is familiar enough to give him a general idea of where to go.
But even knowing that, Eijirou doesn’t let go of him until they’ve reached the base of the mountain– keeping their hands locked together until–
“EIJI-BRO!”
A silver blur rockets toward them, and without missing a beat, Eijirou twirls Katsuki out of range, unlinking their hands and twisting on impact to put himself between Katsuki and–
Another shifter.
The two collide with a loud BOOM, scales against scales, sending a crash ringing against the mountainside. They’re both laughing, teasing bites as they roll on the ground, twisting out of each other’s range.
It’s Eijirou’s brother. Even without the comfortable nature between them, Katsuki would’ve recognized him immediately because Tetsutetsu looks a whole hell of a lot like Eijirou. That familiar sharp smile, that broad build– the two could be twins save for their obvious difference in scale and wing color. Eijirou is bright red, the sunlight lighting up his scales like a sun flare, whereas Tetsu shimmers like fresh steel.
As the shifters settle from their enthusiastic greeting, Eijirou’s wings fan out, keeping Katsuki mostly shielded from Tetsu’s gaze, which seems unintentional at first. It’s barely noticeable, just a simple flare of his wings to keep the redhead upright as he gets back on his feet.
Until Tetsutetsu shifts to peer directly at Katsuki.
Black eyes flick to Katsuki’s neck, and Eijirou’s snarl rips through the air before anyone can say anything. There’s an immediate shift, the easy atmosphere becoming tense and uneasy.
Katsuki can tell that Eijirou’s fangs have dropped as his wings snap hard in the air, pulling himself to his full height. His voice is a low growl, rolling through Eijirou’s chest as his tail smacks into the ground. “Tetsu.”
Tetsu steps back slowly, eyes and head lowering as a grin breaks out on his lips. “Guess that answers my question of who your lovely guest is.”
Eijirou growls again, an unsettling hiss building in his throat, and Katsuki feels a little… guilty. He isn’t sure how, but he’s certain this is connected to his fake courting scheme. Tetsu doesn’t seem bothered or even surprised by it, but this probably isn’t the family reunion that Eijirou had in mind.
Fucking shit.
“Eijirou,” Katsuki says, hoping to draw attention from Tetsu. “You okay? Hey, Ei–”
“Let me guess,” Tetsu interrupts, keeping his eyes on his brother. He looks serious, but a hint of amusement on his face makes Katsuki feel a little better. Until Tetsu asks, “Never dated a shifter before?”
And something dark rises in Katsuki, vicious and deadly, pink lips twisting into his own snarl. “Why the fuck would I bother with anyone who isn’t Eijirou?”
And just like that, the tension breaks. There’s a happy trill from Eijirou, a soft, delicate sound as red wings wrap around Katsuki’s arms. The barbarian grumbles on principle but is nearly beaming as Eijirou pulls him into his arms.
Tetsu laughs, patting Eijirou on the back with a sharp slap, clearly pleased with his ability to navigate the moment. “He’s got fire in him, bro! He’ll fit right in.”
And for a moment, it’s easy to forget that they’re pretending.
Eijirou’s reaction, their closeness the night before and now, the pink on both their cheeks, it isn’t supposed to be real.
But for a heartbeat, Katsuki wonders if maybe he’s wrong. Because this seems so easy, it feels so genuine. And maybe he’s been seeing something that’s already there, and maybe he really could be Eijirou’s ma—
“Yeah,” Eijirou whispers, breath ruffling Katsuki’s blond hair as he responds to Tetsu without taking his eyes off the barbarian in his arms. “He’s pretty perfect.”
Katsuki’s face heats, and his heart leaps into his chest. He’s still not sure, but he knows he might never be. And wasn’t that the whole point? That he’s willing to take a leap of faith for Eijirou?
Tetsu laughs behind them, cackling about mates, and Katsuki promises to say something the second they get out of there. Because maybe Eijirou just needs a nudge.
Maybe this idiot is already his.
It takes less than an hour for Katsuki to thoroughly charm absolutely everyone in Eijirou’s life. For a barbarian who’s made it clear that making friends is not on his list of priorities, he manages to get everyone in the room excited to talk to him.
Some might chalk it up to Katsuki’s natural charisma; he’s a leader, no matter where he is. People are drawn to Katsuki, his power, and his captivating presence.
But Eijirou can see he’s really trying. Making sure everyone has a chance to talk, keeping his focus on the conversation, snarling and bristling in only the cutest ways, like he really wants them to like him.
It feels like falling in love all over again as Eijirou watches Katsuki display his magic for the youngest shifters, letting them test their brand-new scales against just the barest hint of his magic.
For once, it’s easier for Eijirou to stand to the side and let Katsuki work around the room, earning a smile and laugh from everyone he talks to. Everyone beams at him before beaming at Eijirou like he had anything to do with it.
“He’s sweet,” Eijirou’s mom says, coming up to his side.
She was the first person Katsuki had won over, pulling feathers and a dried orchid from his bag. Delicate items never lasted long in a dragon’s home, no matter how careful they were, but Eijirou’s mom had smiled, patient and kind for the man Eijirou loved.
And Katsuki had thrust the gifts at her saying, I burn sh–tuff too with my magic. These are spelled to be fireproof.
It was a simple silly thing, fireproofing purely decorative items, but Eijirou knew it meant the world to his mom. He looked over at her, preening a bit to see she’d already threaded one of the bright red feathers into her hair.
“He is,” Eijirou murmurs, smiling shyly at her. Her approval meant everything to him.
“And he’s smart as hell, sweetheart. It’s completely fireproof.” She grabs the feather, letting fire engulf it for a second before presenting it to her son again. They laugh together for a moment before she tugs him close. “How did you get so lucky?” she murmurs.
The question is teasing, paired with a ruffle of his hair to let him know how happy she is for him. But it hits Eijirou’s chest with a devastating ring of fakefakefake.
The tears are rolling down his cheeks before he can think to stop them, and his mom twists, concern etched on her face. “Ei—”
“He’s just being nice,” Eijirou whispers. “He’s just here to support me, as a friend, but he’s– I— I lo—”
A sharp but loving smack to the head cuts off his sentence mid-stream. “Eijirou,” his mother starts. “If you try to tell me that man isn’t in love with you, I will throw you into the sulfur pit.” Her no-nonsense tone catches his attention, and he stares down at her as she glares.
His mother is a force of nature, dark scales running down her arms and neck as she gently grips his chin to ensure he’s listening. The height difference should make her less imposing, but Eijirou has never felt smaller despite having to hunch down for her to chastise him properly.
“That man is trying so hard. He’s been nearly tripped by every tail in this room. He’s been set on fire twice by the hatchlings. He’s even eaten your grandfather’s overcooked food without saying a single bad thing about it.”
Eijirou winces, remembering the first time he’d ever had his grandpa’s toasted wheat. It was an unfortunate family tradition that was more ash than grain.
“Do you really think,” Eijirou’s mom goes on, pulling his attention back, “that he’d be putting up with all of us, all of this if he didn’t have feelings for you?”
Eijirou hesitates because he already knows Katsuki has feelings for him. They’re friends— they’re best friends and have been for ages.
“Tetsu told me he thought he was gonna lose a limb between the two of you,” she grumbles. “He’s territorial, preening, gifts, displays of power– honestly, Eiji, at this point, it seems like he’s courting you.”
He’s courting you.
Eijirou’s mind whirls to how Katsuki snarled at Tetsu, the only sign of aggression the entire time he’s been here because Tetsu provoked the response. A response his brother had known to provoke because it’s what a mate would do.
The blushing, the gifts for Eijirou’s mom, letting the hatchlings play with his magic, the thing that Katsuki prides himself on above all else.
He’s courting you.
Suddenly the idea’s taken root, the idea that Katsuki likes or even loves him, that none of this needs to be pretend, that he could have, hug, and hold Katsuki for real, that—
He looks up, twisting wildly to find Katsuki, seeking that poof of blond hair until he finds him sitting off to the side, listening to Eijirou’s grandparents. Without bothering to wait for a break in the conversation, Eijirou leaps into the air, wings fluttering as he tackles Katsuki to the ground.
Everyone laughs, more than familiar with such displays of affection, and Katsuki doesn’t fight it. Instead, he just huffs fondly as he murmurs, “Idiot. If you wanted my attention, you could’ve just asked.”
He runs a hand through red hair, tugging on the strands until they twist under his demand, falling to frame Eijirou’s face just so. Eijirou watches as Katsuki works, red eyes focused but so so soft.
Has he always looked at Eijirou like that?
“Hey,” Eijirou whispers, drawing Katsuki’s eyes to him. “I should’ve said it earlier, but I was scared or worried, or I dunno, I was something but—”
Katsuki laughs, a gentle sound that rolls over Eijirou’s skin like the tide. It’s fond, like everything else Katsuki does, but there’s something else there. There’s something patient in his eyes like he really doesn’t care that Eijirou’s tackled him in public, that he still hasn’t let him up off the floor.
Like he’d lay here forever with Eijirou.
“Just say it, Eiji,” Katsuki smiles. “You’ve already got my attention in the most ridiculous way possible–”
And in a rush, in one breath that feels impossibly long, Eijirou does. He blurts out the certainty that’s been sitting in his chest for weeks. “We’re mates.”
Katsuki’s eyes blow wide, his mouth dropping, and for once, he goes silent. He’s quiet long enough to be worrying until he starts laughing. He pulls Eijirou close, pressing a kiss to his cheek before letting out a long howl. “I knew it!” he wheezes between breaths. “I knew we were fucking perfect together; I just knew it.”
The truth is a shot of adrenaline, and Eijirou grabs his mate, crushing them together. “You— you want me?”
Katsuki is still giggling at their stupidity, face going beautifully pink and bright, before saying breathlessly between laughs, “It’s always gonna be you, Eijirou. It’s always gonna be you.”
They don’t bother to explain it, and no one seems to notice the difference after they’ve made their feelings clear. Even when they return home, their friends barely bat an eye at their behavior, leaving both of them wondering how obvious they’ve been about their feelings.
“Can’t believe you came up with a whole scheme,” Eijirou whispers as he holds Katsuki close as they settle down for the night. “Just to show me you’d be a good mate.” He nuzzles against Katsuki’s blond hair, grinning and huffing against his neck.
Katsuki smirks, tugging the shifter closer and linking their fingers together as he closes his eyes. “Was a good fucking plan, wasn’t it? It worked.”
This has become normal for them, cuddling and holding hands, whispering softly to each other any chance they get. It’s one of the only substantial changes in their relationship, the only thing until—
“Katsuki?”
The barbarian hums, eyes blinking open again as he looks at the shifter. He’s tired from a long day of travel, but he focuses on his mate. “Mmm?”
“Can I—” Eijirou blushes, his eyes darting down to Katsuki’s lips before his blush deepens, blooming down his neck. “Can I kiss you?”
They haven’t yet, either out of nerves or just the newness of being able to finally act on their feelings, and Katsuki freezes at the request, even though he instantly knows the answer he wants to give.
Because kissing Eijirou is something he’s thought about more than once, something that’s come up in his dreams. His eyes dart down too, locking onto pink lips and sharp teeth.
“Fucking— yeah. Yeah, kiss me.”
Eijirou’s teeth dig into his lip nervously as his hand slides up to cup Katsuki’s cheek. They take one breath, then two, and then slowly lean in, closing the space they’ve been dying to close for months.
For a second, Katsuki is terrified. What if this is the moment Eijirou realizes he’s wrong? That they aren’t mates? What if this is the moment he gets everything he’s ever wanted, only to lose it in the same instant?
His breath hitches, and Eijirou tenses, freezing a hair’s breadth away. “Kats?”
“Are you sure?” he whispers, closing his eyes tight against Eijirou’s concerned expression as his voice breaks. “Are you sure you want me?”
The shifter yanks him to his chest, murmuring sweetly and showering kisses on his hair, his temple, his cheeks. “Katsuki,” Eijirou breathes, “you are mine. The universe said it, our friends said it, my mom said it.” He brushes his blond hair away, pushing Katsuki’s chin up to meet his eyes. “And I’m saying it.”
The wobble in Katsuki’s lip is impossible to hide, but he tries anyway. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. You’re my mate, Katsuki. And nothing will ever change that.”
Katsuki’s eyes flick down to Eijirou’s lips once more, but the shifter doesn’t move, waiting for Katsuki to–
Smash their lips together. It’s months of longing in one moment, months of pining in one breath, months of falling in love in one heartbeat. Katsuki’s hand tangles in bright red hair, running through long locks as Eijirou tries to pull them even closer together.
And the fear in Katsuki’s chest settles. Because this feels real.
Eijirou pulls away first, giggling before pulling to lay back down, using Katsuki’s shoulder to hide his blush. “God, I love you so much,” the shifter laughs, warmth bubbling in his chest. He feels like he might be glowing, like he must be radiating how purely happy he is.
“I love you too, Ei,” Katsuki murmurs, eyes closing again as red wings shift to cover them both. He twists slightly, pressing his ear up against Eijirou’s solid chest, letting the thump thump thump of his heart settle his racing pulse. “I love you too.”