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Eight years.
Eight years Katsuki spent killing himself. He took job after job. He put the majority of his earnings into the savings for the suit. He didn’t give a fuck about his hero ranking - because his ranking meant nothing if Izuku wasn’t fighting for the number one spot next to him.
It meant nothing. He wanted to laugh at the patheticness of it all. It all meant nothing. Seriously, what else did he expect?
Izuku was thankful, of course he was. Even if he didn’t say it.
Right. Izuku never even directly thanked him. Everything he did the past eight years was for him and he can’t even be told ‘Thank you, Kacchan!’
It’s fine though. Seriously. He didn’t do all this shit for Izuku to fucking thank him. He didn’t… fuck. Katsuki didn’t do all this just for Izuku to fucking… what? Appreciate him? Care for him?
Obviously Izuku cares for him. He’s always cared for Katsuki. But if he truly cared - why would he deny the request to join his agency? Is Katsuki not worth it?
Fuck. After all of this. Is Katsuki still unworthy of standing next to him? Is that why Izuku denied him? Flat out rejected him in front of Kirishima?
No. No that’s not true. Katsuki knows Izuku doesn’t fucking think that. It’s just like he said. He’s a teacher. He can’t join an agency.
Even though Katsuki clearly fucking remembers his teachers being parts of agencies. But whatever.
When Izuku approached him after the party, he hated that he expected something else. He wanted a ‘Actually, I’ll join you!’ or a ‘Let me finish this semester, and then I’ll fight to surpass you again!’ Just..anything. Anything along those lines would have been fine.
Instead it’s just a goodbye. Katsuki says ‘see you’. Izuku says ‘goodbye’.
He laid everything out for him. He just needed Izuku to grasp that olive branch. Instead he left with his heart aching worse than when Shigaraki stabbed through it. The realization that the person he has been fighting for these past eight years no longer sees him as someone special in his life is not sitting with him well. Not at all.
Izuku and him are in completely different worlds. Is it his fault for not seeing the signs? For focusing too much on the suit and allowing Izuku to slip from his grasp? They were close their second year, inseparable their third. Now what?
Now, what does he do when Izuku rarely looks his way? When he is just someone who exists as a passing memory? A person he will see on occasion. Just an old classmate and forgotten childhood friend.
Katsuki is pathetic. He’s wasted eight years. He pushed himself to exhaustion again and again just for the public to hate him and all of his friends to be just out of arm's length. The one person he did everything for is somehow the furthest away.
He was quiet as he walked back to his car. His group of idiots were drunk and happy and stumbling over themselves. Their laughter filled the street as they reminisced about past parties and friends that they haven’t seen in a while. None of them turned back to include him. They probably didn’t even realize he was there.
Katsuki let his pace slow even further to increase the distance. If he disappeared tonight, would anyone even notice? It’s not like he talks to anyone regularly anymore. He didn’t actively push anyone away. He’s just been…busy.
Now he’s not. And everyone else has better things to do. This party with the class was the first time he’s actively hung out with people in years. His group had messaged him time and time again to catch up. He would give short replies.
Busy. He was always busy. Just for it to never reflect in the charts as his ranking continued to lower. It’s his own fault. His own time wasted. He can’t even blame himself because he got what he wanted, right?
Izuku has the suit. Izuku can be a hero again.
It shouldn’t matter that he doesn’t want Katsuki next to him.
Honestly. He should have expected this from the start. This is an ending he’s deserving of for all the bullshit he put Izuku through. He died for him. He brought his dream back for him. Izuku will get to be properly happy again.
So why does he feel so fucking sick?
He bit the inside of his cheek to choke back the nausea. He needed to get home. He needed to be properly alone and somehow deal with the absolute bullshit of emotions that are tearing through his body.
Properly alone is such an odd way to phrase it. Katsuki is always alone. He lives alone. He works alone. He doesn’t remember the last time he ever had a one on one conversation with someone. He doesn’t remember the last time he even smiled.
He remembers how he used to do that all the time. They were more conceited smirks than smiles - but they were still grins that were almost always plastered on his face.
Just the thought of attempting to force one right now made bile threaten to rise up his throat.
He didn’t even notice that he had stopped walking. His eyes were focused on the busy street as cars passed next to him. So many cars. So many people moving. So many people living lives that do not involve him in any way.
Looking forward, he wasn’t able to see the backs of his friends anymore. He was alone. As he always was. The fact shouldn’t make him bite his lip and dig his nails into his palm, but it did.
It’s like middle school, in a way. Except he’s no longer oozing confidence and arrogance. He doesn’t consider himself better than anyone anymore.
He’s just Katsuki Bakugou, ranked fifteenth hero in Japan under the name Dynamight. So much for number one. So much for competing with the one person he wanted to for the rest of their lives.
Seriously, what was the fucking point?
“Bakugou.”
His thoughts came to a pause as his name was called. Turning, he was shown Todoroki’s concerned face. It was fucking odd to look at. The guy has been smiling the entire night - laughing and joking with the entire class. He had truly left Katsuki behind as he quickly rose to the number two spot. To think they were part of the big three together. That they used to directly rival each other. Now look at him.
God. Everyone is just leaving him behind, aren’t they?
“Todoroki.”
“Are you okay?”
Katsuki couldn’t help but scoff at the question. He’s fine. It’s whatever. Just the guy he has wanted to desperately look his way again brushed him off so casually. The guy he spent the last eight years fighting to build back his dream and bring him back into his life. Just denied. Looked over. Like Katsuki just asked if he wanted sugar in his coffee.
“I’m fine. Just a bit drunk.”
Todoroki narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
“You only had one glass of wine.”
Stupid bastard. He wasn’t going to let this go. Katsuki doesn’t need to talk about anything. He can handle this on his own like he’s meant to. Like he’s supposed to. Like he has forced himself to do for the last eight years.
Each time he has opened up recently, it was glossed over. It wasn’t acknowledged. It was always just a random thought that never had any actual merit to it. He didn’t want to deal with it for a second time tonight.
“Yeah, well. Light weight I fucking guess.”
“Bakugou, I’ve seen you take 10 shots of vodka and chase it with tequila and be sober after.”
Katsuki clicked his tongue against his teeth and stared at the sidewalk.
“It’s whatever.”
“Did something happen?”
The memories from the car played through his head again. It was just a simple ‘no.’ It’s not like Izuku told him he hated him or laughed in his face for the suggestion. He was just told ‘no’. He’s just being dramatic. It’s pointless. Everything is just so fucking pointless. Todoroki continued to speak before he could deflect again.
“I..I know we haven’t talked much since graduation, but you can always talk to me. Even if you just want a sparring partner to blow off steam. Just ask. I’ll be there. Always”
Katsuki looked back up at his former classmate with a thoughtful expression. Similar things have been said to him over the years by Kirishima, Mina, and the rest. But these requests and reaching outs have consistently been ignored and pushed aside.
It was fine. Again, Katsuki had done this to himself. He has no one else to blame but himself. He’s better alone. He can handle this aching in his chest and nausea in his stomach without having to bother anyone else about it.
So why wasn’t he immediately denying Todoroki?
Maybe it’s just the fact that he’s being asked in person. This isn’t just a random text that he can ignore for a few days before responding with a ‘sorry. thanks but I'm fine.” and moving on. He’s directly hearing the concern in Todoroki’s voice. He’s seeing the way his face is being analyzed under the street lights.
He’s taking note of the obvious bags under Katsuki’s eyes. The clear exhaustion in his figure. His hair that’s messier than usual due to not being washed. The fact that his build is thinner than it has ever been. He’s pointing out every issue with just his eyes and forcing Katsuki to accept it.
Todoroki cares about him. They may not have properly spoken in a few years. He may have completely left Katsuki behind as he rose to the number two spot. But he still approached him as he stood alone on the street. He still offered to be there for him.
He was willing to stand by Katsuki’s side, even if it was just for a few minutes on a random evening. That was better than nothing.
Todoroki’s hair was illuminated by the sign of a late night gym that stood behind them. The place was huge, but Katsuki saw barely anyone through the windows. A spar to take his mind off everything sounds pretty good right now, actually. He nodded towards the building.
“Up for one now?”
Todoroki followed his line of sight to the gym. His lips twitched into the light smile that always seemed to be part of his face now. He leveled his arm out towards the front entrance.
“After you.”
Katsuki snorted at his action and bumped into his shoulder. The kid behind the desk shot up in his seat once they entered. Textbooks and journals were decorating the counter as he clearly was attempting to study when on the clock. Katsuki felt for him, truly.
Todoroki spoke for them. His hero smile appeared with his soft voice. Fuck, this guy could probably get anything he wanted by just asking. Number two spot be damned, the guy is just a charmer.
“Good evening. Do you have any training rooms available?”
“H-hero Shouto! Hero Dynamight! Welcome! Oh my gosh um-! Yes I believe we do! Let me just check really quickly!”
The student turned to his computer and started scanning through logs. Making a few clicks, he picked up a keycard from the back wall and handed it over the counter.
“Most of the private rooms are available. I’ve selected the largest one for you two!”
“Thank you.” Todoroki smiled again and the kid’s face flushed terribly. Katsuki bit back a laugh, “How much do I owe you? We aren’t members so shouldn’t there be a fee?”
The worker frantically shook his head and hands, “No! No fee! I could never charge you two! I won't be able to sleep at night!”
The two heroes glanced at each other before shrugging.
“If you’re sure. Which way to the room?”
Standing up, the worker ran around the counter and pointed up the stairs on the left side of the hallway.
“The training rooms are two floors up. Just find the one with the number on the card.”
“Thank you, again.”
“It’s not a problem! Thank you for picking us to train!”
Katsuki gave a nod to the kid before following Todoroki up the stairs. They walked in silence; eyes focused on the hero portraits that lined the walls of the steps. Soon they were standing in front of the correct room.
Pushing it open, they were met with a standard private training room. Punching bags, weights, and mats were all organized up against the far wall. The two placed their belongings next to the lockers and prepped the area for a spar.
Katsuki was at least in a tshirt and gym shorts. Todoroki was in a stuffy button up and jeans which would probably limit his movement. The spar was impromptu and not serious. It’s fine. He just needed to focus on something else besides the shattering in his chest.
When he got to the mat, he noticed Todoroki had tossed off his button up. He now stood in just a white tank top that fitted tightly to his torso. He held his fists up in a starting position and situated himself across from Katsuki.
His biceps have gotten larger since they’ve seen each other last. They might actually be larger than Katsuki’s at this point. He tightened his fists and rested their wrists against each other.
Todoroki is the number two hero. He’s loved by the entirety of Japan. He’s spent these last eight years improving himself, his reputation, and building a name for himself outside of his father. He’s a true hero. A true symbol of victory.
And what is Katsuki? Someone who’s only ranked fifteen on the chart because he focused on Izuku. He has been so focused on someone else’s happiness that he has completely pushed aside his own goals. His own aspirations. And for what?
What was all of it for?
A sharp nod was all he gave Todoroki before initiating the spar. He swung his right hand to the side of his head which was immediately blocked and returned. They fell into a quick succession of blows and blocks. Neither was giving the other any room to breathe as the pace increased.
Katsuki could only focus on how the sickness in his chest had been swapped with adrenaline. His heartbeat rapidly from the exercise instead of dread. Even as his back hit the mat, all he could feel was relief.
Todoroki looked over at him with a raised eyebrow and held out his hand. Katsuki took it with a grin.
“Again, Icyhot.”
Only a smile was given to him in reply before they fell back into another spar. It was exhilarating to be evenly matched again. When was the last time he sparred with someone? When was the last time he focused on anything involving himself and his improvement?
When was the last time he ever even thought about himself.
His back hit the mat again. His breathing tight and congested in his chest.
“Again.”
Further realization pulled at the scar tissue of his heart.This wasn’t evenly matched. Todoroki was holding his punches. Katsuki was sluggish. His attacks became more predictable and weak as they continued to fight. Todoroki’s eyes stayed cold and calculating as he analyzed every move that Katsuki made.
When his eyes darted to Katsuki’s left side, the blonde prepared for a jab to his torso. Instead, his legs were swept from the other side and he was back on the mat and staring at the ceiling. His vision was blurry. His heart was hurting for all the wrong reasons again.
Katsuki was fucking tired. And angry. And absolutely distraught with countless thoughts that ate at him.
“He said no.”
The words left him a lot easier than he expected them too. He didn’t plan on talking about it. He was probably just going to bottle everything inside until it exploded on the next villain to cross him on the field. He would be too aggressive and his ranking would probably lower again. But he didn’t care. Because why the fuck would he care anymore. What was the point of everything?
But in this empty training room with just his previous rival standing at his feet, it just felt easy to say. Everything just began to build at the back of his throat ready to fall out.
Katsuki felt the mat shift as Todoroki sat down. The air was filled with their labored breathing. If the number two hero noticed the drip that fell from Katsuki’s eye or the sniffle he made to hide it, he kept it to himself.
“Midoriya?”
Katsuki nodded up at the ceiling.
“I asked him to join my hero agency. He said no. Apparently he can’t do that as a teacher, or some shit.”
“Oh.”
Yeah. Oh.
“God. What the fuck was all of this for?”
“What do you mean?”
“I..fuck. I fucking spent eight years to get him that suit. You all helped and shit but. I only focused on that. I was so hyper invested on reviving his dream that I put my own to the side, because the ranking didn’t fucking matter if he wasn’t competeing with me. I turned down every side kick application because none of them had the same drive like Izuku. Fuck..I just. I really fucking expected him to want to compete along side me. I’m such a fucking idiot.”
He felt his foot move as Todoroki bumped his own into it.
“You’re not an idiot, Bakugou.”
Katsuki held back a shallow laugh. How is he not the dumbest person in the world? How is he not the definition of a delusional idiot? His voice came out with less bite and more pain than he wanted it to. But he couldn’t find it in himself to care.
Because seriously, what fucking mattered anymore?
“What the fuck am I then? Huh? I know I didn’t do this shit just for him to acknowledge me or whatever but. I don’t fucking know. Don’t I deserve a thank you? Or more than an immediate denial after I offer him to join my agency? I’ve wasted so much fucking time that I’ll never get back. God. I had this whole plan for when we could open the agency together.”
The building had already been paid for. Employees had been hired. There was a list of up and coming heroes that were willing to join the second it was officially open.
Fuck. He already had an office picked out for Izuku. There’s a fucking picture frame on the desk with them as brats in it. He has to remember to throw that out when he goes back.
He has a lot of shit that he needs to throw out.
Todoroki was quiet for a few moments. Katsuki was internally kicking himself for just trauma dumping without any fucking warning. When has he gotten so fucking weak?
“Then open one with me.”
Katsuki pushed himself up onto his elbows to look at the man across from him.
“What?”
Seriously, what? Did he just fucking hear that right?
“This hero agency. Open it with me. I’ve been meaning to create my own and fully get away from Endeavor. Join me.”
That’s true. For the past eight years, Todoroki has been leading the Endeavor agency after his father’s retirement. He never changed the name despite everything.
Still, open one with Katsuki? Him of all people?
“Are you fucking serious? Why..why would you do that? You could ask anyone else-”
“But I want to compete with you Bakugou.” Todoroki cut him off. His voice and eyes stern, “I need someone to challenge my ranking and you’re the only one who scares me when you get serious. Are you up for it?”
Katsuki just continued to stare at him. Eyes blown out and cheek moist from tears that continued to fall against his will. Todoroki wants them to compete with each other. He wants a challenge. A real threat to his ranking on the hero board and he wants Katsuki to be the challenger.
He sees Katsuki’s worth. He still considers him a threat. He still considers him someone to fight against. He doesn’t see Katsuki as a waste of space or just a passing person in his life.
He sees him.
Katsuki’s lips twitched as he raised his hand in front of him.
“Fuck it. Let’s do this shit, Todoroki. Don’t run away from me.”
_____
Opening an hero agency is a lot of fucking work. There’s so many protocols he has to follow. So much shit he needs to organize. He has to keep track of all of his employees and managers and finances and just-
It’s a lot. He never would have been able to do this by himself. He never worried about it because he always just expected Izuku to be next to him as they worked through everything together. He never in a million years thought his new partner would be the Shouto fucking Todoroki.
It made shit a hell of a lot easier, though.
Issues that Katsuki had previously been dealing with were suddenly obsolete. Anyone who was giving him problems was suddenly folding like putty under Todoroki’s sweet smile and kind voice. Stupid charming bastard. But hey, now they’re just a few days away from the official opening.
His heart has gotten lighter over the past month. With everything more or less set up, it was just a matter of fitting Todoroki into the mix. He had passed the Endeavor agency to one of his sidekicks. With the announcement of him leaving, many followed after.
Now there’s even more fucking people working under Katsuki than he expected.
But none of that mattered.
All that he could think about was Todoroki. Fighting alongside him in the field. Chasing him up the ranks. Making the guy fear the stability of his number two ranking.
How Todoroki is properly seeing him for who he is. How Todoroki never once doubted his decision to join him in the agency. How Todoroki saw Katsuki and all of the potential that was still churning inside him.
Katsuki has also noticed things about Todoroki that he never has before.
Like how Todoroki will twirl pens in his hands when he’s bored. How Todoroki will hold a tea packet and coffee cup in front of himself every morning as if he’s seriously debating which to choose, just to always go with tea because he hates the taste of coffee. How Todoroki’s eyes will always find Katsuki’s when they’re alone in their shared office space.
They’ve talked more in the past month than they probably have in the past eight years. It should be tiring. Hell, Katsuki should be annoyed at the amount of time they spend together.
But spending this past month with Todoroki has proven to him that he doesn’t want to be alone anymore. He doesn’t want to ignore texts or allow himself to be forgotten. He wants to make a lasting impact in the world. He wants to prove that he is capable of stealing that number two spot from under Todoroki’s nose.
He wants to be seen. And cared for. Even if that just seems really fucking depressing to think about.
Katsuki still finds himself lost in his head often. His mind drifted back to how he was just a plot point in Izuku’s life that was moved on from. How he was forgotten. How he shouldn’t care about it and how much he hates the fact that he does.
Todoroki always notices even if Katsuki doesn’t say anything. Todoroki notices everything. Any small change in his attitude. If his eyebrows are furrowed for a bit too long. His voice is suddenly quiet and distant instead of loud. Todoroki will walk up to him at his desk when he’s staring at nothing and pull a strand of his hair. Katsuki will scowl but say nothing in response. He’ll nod his head to the door in a silent question. A silent request.
Katsuki will pull himself from his chair and follow him down to the gym. They’ll change if needed and fall back into their usual sparring sessions.
Katsuki wins a lot now. Not as much as Todoroki, but it's a solid 60/40. Their sparring matches last longer now. Sometimes Katsuki will talk during them. Sometimes Todoroki will. Sometimes nothing is said at all and the only sound is their heavy breathing and traded blows.
Recently, he’s noticed that there’s something else as they spar. It usually only shows up towards the end of the sessions. When they are both on the verge of exhaustion - sweat pouring from both of their bodies - their clothes stuck to their skin. One of them is pinned on the mat with the other straddled over top of them.
Katsuki should be grossed out by the prolonged touching; by Todoroki’s sweat falling onto his skin.
But he never is.
He always just..stares as Todoroki stares back. Red eyes take in the flush of the workout that paints itself over Todoroki’s skin. The way the two toned hair is plastered against his forehead. The drip of sweat that falls over his lips that his tongue darts out to catch.
The realization that Katsuki wants those lips to meet his own.
They are stuck in that position right now but with the rolls reversed. Todoroki is pinned under Katsuki’s thighs against the mat. His white tank top clings to his torso as his hands rest on Katsuki's knees. He’s looking up at Katsuki with hooded eyes and a face red enough to match his hair.
Katsuki knows he is probably no better. Hell, with the positioning of Todoroki directly underneath him he’s probably fucking worse. He’s intune with every breath that leaves the man below him. He suppresses a shiver whenever Todoroki’s thumb rubs over the skin of his knee.
He has no idea how long they’ve been in this position - just panting and staring at each other. It’s late into the evening. Katsuki wouldn’t be surprised if it was already dipping into the morning. Everyone else had long since left the building.
It’s just the two of them and that flickering light in the gym that needs to be fucking changed.
“Bakugou.”
Todoroki’s voice was rough and harsh against his throat. They always forget to fucking drink water during these sparring sessions. They were too focused on eachother. Too busy drinking in the sight of their exhausted bodies to focus on actual hydration. Todoroki’s tongue darts over his drying lips for probably the fifth time in the past two minutes. Katsuki’s hands grip the wet fabric of his tank top.
“Stop that.”
At the demand, Todoroki raises an eyebrow. The motion causes a strip of hair to fall into his eyes that attempts to shake out to no avail. Katsuki rolls his eyes and raises his hand to push the hair away. His fingers trail on the moist skin; his hand resting in his sweaty hair as he pushes any remaining strands out of Todoroki’s face.
“Stop what?”
Katsuki grips the hair in his hands with barely any strength. Todoroki gives a fake ‘ow’ anyways.
“You know what, asshole.”
From the twitch of Todoroki’s lips it was clear that he did in fact know. He’s just being a bitch. He loves being a bitch when it comes to Katsuki.
“I don’t, actually. That’s why I asked.”
As Katsuki was about to scowl, Todoroki stuck out his tongue again. This time much slower - clearly deliberate in gauging the reaction of the man above him. He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and Katsuki felt like his body was about to explode.
“Bastard. If you keep doing that I’ll..”
“You’ll what? Don’t keep me in suspense, Bakugou.”
The hands that were resting on Katsuki’s knees suddenly shifted up his thigh. The fingers ghosted under the edge of his shorts as Todoroki kept direct eye contact with him.
Katsuki took a deep breath and leaned himself forward. One hand rested on the side of Todoroki’s head as the other continued to pull on his hair. He wouldn’t be surprised if the other could hear how loudly his heart was beating. How much warmer his body must feel against him. How his eyes showed a mixture of desire and fear. This was a line that couldn’t be redrawn once crossed. They both knew this.
“No running away.”
Katsuki’s voice was quiet. So much so that it could barely count a whisper. It came out more as a desperate plea as he repeated the phrase from a month ago. Todoroki is here with him. They are on the verge of officially opening their agency. They know each other better than any one else.
He can’t imagine his life without Todoroki in it now. He doesn’t want to. He wants this. He wants all of it. Every part of Todoroki that he hasn’t learned yet or that he’s been ignoring since high school. Every piece of him that he has overlooked. Everything that he has missed while he wasted the past eight years to prove something to someone who would never see him any differently from every other person in his life.
Katsuki wants to be loved. He wants to give his love to someone. He wants his life to have meaning outside of a rank on a billboard or the public's perception.
Todoroki nodded at his second demand, his eyes and jaw firm, “No running away.”
Katsuki connected their lips barely a second later. He doesn’t remember the last time he kissed someone. He certainly doesn’t remember the last time a kiss ever meant something to him. He was familiar with how kisses were meant to feel.
At least he thought he did.
He’s never had a kiss like this. He’s never kissed someone and felt the air get completely knocked out of his lungs. A kiss has never made his heart leap into his throat and make his limbs numb. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. He wasn’t even sure he was fucking existing as a person at the moment.
It was too much and not enough and soon both of his hands were gripping Todoroki’s hair. He bit into his lip and almost collapsed at the fucking whine it pulled from him. How has he gone his entire life without kissing Todoroki? How is he ever meant to kiss someone besides Todoroki after this?
He won’t. Katsuki decides after thirty seconds of kissing Todoroki that he’s never kissing someone else for the rest of his life. He’s locking the bastard in a leash and keeping them chained together.
No running away. No seeking out other people. It’ll be the two of them from now till forever as long as Katsuki has any fucking say in it. He’ll pull Todoroki off his silver podium at number two and dip him into a kiss as he does so.
He pulled away to get a proper look at the guy he basically just proposed to in his head. His lips were swollen from the intensity of the kiss. His heterochromatic eyes were glossy and sparkling under his lashes. As they continued to watch each other and catch their breath - the smile Katsuki had begun to cherish spread across his flushed face.
“I think I love you, Katsuki.”
For the first time in many years, a genuine smile showed on Katsuki’s face. His canines poked slightly over his bottom lip as a forgotten light lit up his irises.
“Ditto, Icyhot.”
Shouto scoffed at the old nickname, “How romantic.”
“Oi. I’m the biggest fucking charmer. You just don’t get it yet.”
“I’m well aware. Why do you think I fell for you in the first place?”
How was Katsuki not meant to immediately kiss him again after that?
_____
Katsuki should have prepared himself for how big this after party was going to be. The number two hero just jointly opened his own hero agency with someone thirteen ranks below him seemingly out of nowhere. Fuck. It’s been a little over a month since the initial ask and already Katsuki’s life has completely changed.
He couldn’t imagine it any other way though.
He’s been hounded by the press ever since the opening ceremony. He knows his involvement is being looked down upon. He doesn’t need to open his phone to know that there’s a community of people who believe he’s using Shouto to increase his ranking.
Fucking idiots. Shouto immediately shot down the conspiracy when it was asked to him. Katsuki was standing off to the side and ignoring his own reporting as he focused on his partner’s answer.
“I asked him, not the other way around. Even if he was the one to ask, I still would have agreed without a second thought. If you believe Dynamight is the type of hero to use others as a stepping stone to reach his goals, you have no understanding of his character.”
His voice was stern along with his posture. He gave no room for any further argument on the topic and even was able to force out an apology from the reporter. Katsuki smirked to himself as his chest swelled with pride.
They haven’t told anyone about their new relationship yet. Or the fact that Shouto is in the process of moving out of his family home and into his apartment. Neither of them really want to deal with the prying questions and stupid fucking advice.
He doesn’t need his friends to insinuate that they’re moving too quickly. That normal couples don’t say they love each other after their first kiss and move in with each other after three days of dating.
But normal couples also haven’t known each other for ten years or open hero agencies together. Katsuki has literally died. He should be allowed to move a bit fast in a relationship.
Both Shouto and him don’t really see an issue with it. They’re going to be together every day at the agency anyways. Plus, Katsuki’s apartment is closer than Shouto’s old home. It just makes sense for them to live together as well.
They’ll tell people eventually. Maybe when they’re together for three months with a solid reputation under their new agency. Right now everything is still so new. Katsuki would like to enjoy Shouto by himself for a while.
He finally managed to ditch the press after an hour into the party. The first floor of the agency was flooded with guests that he did his best to worm through. There was only one person he wanted to be next to right now.
A couple people stopped him on his journey through the maze. No long conversations thank Fuck, but a bunch of congratulations and enough handshakes to make his palm numb.
It must have taken him twenty minutes to finally find Shouto. He was sitting at one of the far tables in the cafeteria. Around him sat Mina, Kirishima, Kaminari, Sero, and Jirou. Kaminari was raising his glass high above his head and screaming out a toast that got lost in the sea of voices.
Shouto laughed at the display before holding up his own glass. Katsuki felt his heart pull in his chest. He was so fucking beautiful. He shined so bright whenever he was surrounded by people he cared about. Katsuki’s close friends that he had finally started reaching out to on Shouto’s insistence.
He wasn’t alone anymore. He was cared for. He was loved and appreciated and he wanted nothing more than to kiss his boyfriend in front of the crowded room. Waiting be damned.
A hand on his wrist stopped his pursuit.
“Katsuki! I finally found you!”
Izuku’s voice caused his heart to beat dangerously in his chest. He should have expected this. Of course he would come to the opening of the agency, why wouldn’t he? They were friends. Acquaintances. Old classmates. Once childhood friends.
Katsuki swallowed the dread that was forming in his throat.
“Hey, Izuku. Thanks for coming.”
“Of course! I would never miss something as big as this. I didn’t know Todoroki was partnering with you!”
Because it was supposed to be you. But you didn’t care.
But I’m happier that you didn’t.
“Yeah. Sorta just happened.”
He kept his voice as steady as he could. Shouto has brought up the idea of confronting Izuku. About explaining why he was so hurt and maybe having his old friend realize the severity of what he had done.
But he knew there was no point. Izuku would probably never understand. To him, Katsuki is no different than Iida or Asui or anyone else from their class. All of them are his heroes. All of them are special to him. No one stands out brighter than the rest.
Despite their history. Despite everything Katsuki has done. He is just another person in Izuku’s life. Someone who meant something at some point. It still makes him sick to think about. He’s already spilled his issues of self worth to Shouto over a sparring mat.
He’s okay. He’s really, truly, doing okay now.
“Hey..is that offer for joining the agency still available?”
And just like that, his stomach turned over itself.
“Why? I thought you denied my invitation because you’re a teacher?”
Izuku shifted on his feet. His eyes were bright and hopeful.
“Well, I’ve been thinking about it since the party and talked it through with Ochako! I really want to work closely with everyone again. Her agency doesn’t have any open spots right now but she recommended checking with you again!”
Oh.
He was a fall back option despite being the first one to ask. Despite getting him that suit. Despite reviving his dream. Despite spending eight years of his fucking life that he’ll never get back.
Katsuki laughed. It was short and rough as it escaped his throat and he did his best to cover it with a cough. This whole situation is so fucking depressing that he can’t help but laugh at it.
“Sorry. We’re all filled. If you want, I can give your name to our manager and she can put you on a waiting list.”
It wasn’t true. They could definitely always use more people.
But he felt like being petty. After everything Katsuki has done he still is nothing but a second option. A last resort. The only second place he’s willing to be is the number two hero spot when he takes it from Shouto.
Izuku’s face visibly fell from the rejection. He truly thought Katsuki would welcome him with open arms, huh.
“O-oh! That’s okay. I’ll see if there are any other agencies looking for people.”
“Cool.” Katsuki shook his arm free that was still in Izuku’s grasp and stepped away. “Gotta check on Sho. I’ll see you around.”
He didn’t wait for a reply before stepping back into the crowd. He was soon at the table and wrapping his arms around Shouto’s shoulders from behind. The action earned him some gasps and whistles from his table of idiots.
Mina slapped her hands on the table in her excitement.
“ARE YOU FOR REAL?!”
Shouto’s laughter vibrated against his hands and Katsuki felt any remaining dread in his torso fall away. His boyfriend tilted his head up to lock their eyes.
“I thought you didn’t want to tell anyone for a while?”
Katsuki shrugged, “I want everyone to be aware of my fucking priorities.”
“And that’s me?”
“It’s always going to be you, idiot.”
Mina squealed as she jumped from her chair and wrapped her arms around both of them. Katsuki couldn’t find it in himself to be annoyed.
“Ya know-” Kaminari slurred from the opposite edge of the table, “I always had a feeling you guys had some unresolved sexual tension!”
Jirou choked on her drink and elbowed him in the ribs.
“What changed, Bakubro? I could have sworn you weren’t into the whole romance thing!”
Kirishima was looking at him with bright eyes. He was a bit confused, sure, but he knew better than anyone how these past years have been for him. He was the only one who always kept up contact. Even when Katsuki ghosted everyone. Even when Katsuki was clearly neglecting his health. Kirishima still would reach out.
Katsuki has a lot of apologizing to do.
He rested his head on the top of Shouto’s hair, his arms gripping tighter around his chest. A flash of green stood out from the corner of his eye. Izuku was standing in the sea of people with a look of confusion and hurt on his face. He suppressed the urge to let out another laugh at the irony of it.
“I realized I was worth more than I thought I was. I want to be happy.” He turned his eyes away from Izuku to focus back on his friends, “I’m sorry I’ve been a shit friend since graduation. I hope you’ll take me back. I’m not running away anymore.”
Kaminari and Kirishima’s eyes pooled with tears as they shot up from their seats.
“BAKUGOU!!!!!”
With now three people surrounding him, he was trapped against a laughing Shouto. The melody floated through his ears and filled his entire body with warmth.
If you were to tell Katsuki a month ago that he would be surrounded by people who love him and be able to properly show his love in return, he would have scoffed at you. But today, he’ll let himself experience the warmth of love - both platonic and romantic - and realize he is worth taking the extra steps for.
Katsuki Bakugou is worthy of love.
Shouto places a kiss on his cheek and mumbles his affection into his ear. His voice is filled with promises and desires that Katsuki wishes he could play on a constant loop.
Yeah. He was looking forward to living this every day for the rest of his life.