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Much like every other Pro Hero who offered internships, Tsunagu always paid a close eye on the competitors at UA’s Sports Festival. Every year showed many courageous young trainee Heroes fighting tooth and nail to win first place, competing with unruly passion time after time. Rarely did anyone extraordinary pique his interest; he often chose his interns based on whether or not they were already proving themselves to be ready to follow in his footsteps. Gentle personalities who can gain the public’s trust. Well-groomed, elegant, heroic.
Then the Sports Festival champion was unveiled. Muzzled and chained up like a feral dog, the blonde-haired boy growled violently and lashed side-to-side on the podium, muffled sounds of his screaming still prominent even through the clamp around his face.
“WINNING FIRST PLACE THIS WAY DOESN’T PROVE THAT I’M THE BEST ONE HERE! EVEN IF THE WORLD CONSIDERS ME THE WINNER, I REFUSE TO ACCEPT IT LIKE THIS!” The boy – Katsuki Bakugou – howled at All Might, his neck contorting into uncanny positions to avoid the #1 medal being draped around his neck. It was a fruitless effort; instead, the medal hung heavily in the teenager’s bite, like the neck of a deer in the mouth of a starving lion.
Tsunagu smirked to himself.
He liked a challenge, and this would be his biggest one yet.
“To be perfectly frank, I don’t like you very much.”
“I have to correct people like you.”
“He was inflexible; pride sewn into his very core.”
It had been almost one year since Tsunagu first met Katsuki Bakugou, and he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Those statements echoed in his ears like a blaring alarm as he kneeled beside Bakugou, who was uncharacteristically silent. His piercing ruby eyes, normally swirling with a fiery passion, were now vacant of any emotion, staring blankly at the villain before them. He looked defeated.
“Allow me to suture your arm, Dynamight. We still have need of your firepower,” Tsunagu urged, gesturing to the mangled limb.
Bakugou didn’t respond. His gaze was fixed firmly on Shigaraki, several teardrops soundlessly dropping onto his left hand. Tsunagu placed a supportive hand on Bakugou’s back. It was all he could do right now. He was the Pro Hero, not Bakugou and dammit, he had to be the strong one here.
“Your arm, please. We’ll figure something out later,” he said again with much more urgency than before, but with soothing undertones. “This foe is beyond any of us. He’s surpassed all expectations.”
There was more silence. Tsunagu was about to speak again, before–
“Right side.”
That was when Tsunagu noticed the muttering. Bakugou was predicting Shigaraki’s moves.
This boy… despite everything… he’s still…
“Look after the others,” Bakugou said calmly, when did he stand up? The words were devoid of his usual anger. It was unnerving to hear him sound so… at peace.
To be at peace during a time like this… Tsunagu’s heart missed a beat. He knew what Bakugou was planning.
“Gotta win… right, Izuku?” That all but confirmed his suspicions.
This was not happening.
“No, you mustn’t!” Tsunagu cried, but it was a fruitless effort. His threads followed after Bakugou as quickly as they could in hopes to restrain him, but to no avail.
Once Bakugou had set his mind on something, there was no stopping him. He was always so stubborn.
Shigaraki aimed another attack directly at Bakugou, and Tsunagu could do nothing but watch as his mentee, this young hero he had sworn to protect, was to die in front of him.
Except…
He saw it coming… and dodged it?!
Within microseconds, another attack was being set off at the boy. Lemillion, Suneater, and Nejire-Chan all jumped in to pull Bakugou out of the way of the punch. They had to be quick enough. There was no other choice – they had to be quick enough.
Silence. Then a soul-crushing CRACK.
Bakugou’s limp body was strewn across the battlefield at a speed nobody could hope to reach, and Tsunagu ran faster than he ever thought possible. Blood rushed through his eardrums, making any other background noise sound like a dull buzz, as he kneeled beside the boy.
This was not happening.
“No pulse… his heart is ravaged…” Tsunagu’s eyes stung viciously as tears threatened to fall. There was bile forcing its way up his throat, burning, so much burning, but he pushed it away.
Bakugou’s eyes were open, but the light in them had faded now.
“Hakamada,” there was a calming presence. Shinya. When did he arrive?
“Edgeshot…” Tsunagu tried his best to keep with the formalities. Technically, he was still on duty.
“Yes, I am the Ninja Hero. There is no realm I cannot infiltrate,” Shinya said with a nod, stretching his finger out to prove a point. “I have ample experience invading the bodies of others. This is no time to lie down and die.”
It took Tsunagu a few moments to process the words that were being spoken. It was all too much. A painful knot formed in his stomach.
This was not happening.
“I’m not too late. I shall replace what’s missing and make Bakugou’s heart pump,” Shinya spoke matter-of-factly, already folding himself as thin as possible.
“Kamihara… there’s no coming back from this for you.” Tsunagu felt his own heart ripping at the seams. He knew, of course, that Bakugou was a life that they could not afford to lose. He knew that their duties as Heroes meant accepting that some day, one must sacrifice themselves to protect others. But to lose Bakugou and Shinya? Tsunagu suspected he’d never survive it.
Tsunagu and Shinya never quite got the timing right. He wondered if Bakugou felt the same way about Midoriya in his final moments.
“Just so. I leave the rest in your capable hands… Club President Hakamada.”
This was not happening.
It had been three days since the war was won, and Bakugou had been in hospital ever since then.
As if some higher being was watching over the Heroes that day, both Bakugou and Shinya had survived. Shinya explained that he had sewn up the lacerations to Bakugou’s vital organs (using Tsunagu’s own knotting methods, which made his heart soar), but that it was his own quirk that had restarted his heart. A small bead of nitro-sweat entered his bloodstream and exploded, acting as an artificial defibrillator. Bakugou still needed some surgeries to solidify the magic that Shinya had worked, but he was alive.
They were both alive.
“Bakugou,” Tsunagu said softly, sitting down in the chair beside the hospital bed. “Are you alright?”
“Hey, Denim Head,” Bakugou responded with a weak smirk. “I feel like my damn heart exploded.”
Tsunagu chuckled, the tension leaving his body as Bakugou’s usual personality made itself known. He must be feeling like himself, despite the agony. But still – he had to be sure. “I imagine you must be in considerable pain. But emotionally, how are you feeling? You experienced quite an ordeal.”
Bakugou shifted uncomfortably, as though Tsunagu had pulled on a thread that he didn’t want unwoven. “‘M fine. How are Izuku and Todoroki? And Edgeshot?”
“They are all well, you have no need for concern,” he reassured Bakugou. “They all visited you whilst you were unconscious, but Midoriya was particularly distressed that you had not yet awoken. He was almost dragged out of this room in restraints just so that the doctors could examine you.”
The discomfort on Bakugou’s bruised features only made themselves more prominent, despite not verbally responding.
Tsunagu cocked his head to the side. This was not the conversation he had anticipated having today, but there’s no better time like the present. “If anything is troubling you, I am here to listen. You went through something no 17-year-old should have to endure, and as your mentor, I am here to ease any burdens you may have,” he gently said. “Professional or personal matters.”
Bakugou remained silent for a few more moments, as if he were trying to force the words out. That confirmed Tsunagu’s suspicions, though. With a deep breath, Tsunagu continued to unravel the thread.
“I shan’t pry, you can tell me whenever you feel ready to. But I presume this is somehow related to Midoriya.” Bakugou’s features softened at the mention of his name, albeit still avoiding Tsunagu’s gaze. “If it helps to ease any pain… I think I have a good idea as to what’s troubling you. I came here today, not only to check in on your wellbeing, but to offer you a formal position at my agency once you graduate. You are a remarkable talent and I want nothing more than to continue aiding in your success as you begin your journey as a Pro Hero. And, as one of the few openly gay Pro Heroes in Japan, just know that you will be treated with the utmost respect and care working for me.”
Tsunagu watched as Bakugou mentally processed that information, emotions fleeting across his face within seconds of each other. Surprise, discomfort, pride, realisation, courage.
“That’s a lot to take in, Denim Head,” Bakugou said hoarsely. “How the fuck did you figure it out?”
“When you thought you were going to die, and your final words were to Midoriya, I had never seen you look so at peace. The same look I have seen on the faces of colleagues who have also had to accept death to protect somebody they love, without hesitation.” Tsunagu thought back to Shinya, when the pair realised that there was only one way to save the boy, and his heart ached momentarily. “For what it’s worth, when Midoriya saw your body, he looked as though his entire world had just collapsed in on itself. Like he was prepared to die right there and then, if it meant he could be with you.”
For a second, Tsunagu swore he saw tears forming in Bakugou’s eyes. He chose not to comment.
“I think I… I’ve felt this way for a while, but I – dammit – it didn’t fully hit me until that… that moment,” Bakugou paused, as though he was concentrating on every single syllable. “I love him, but I don’t – fuck – I don’t fucking deserve to, not after how I treated him before. Izuku doesn’t fucking deserve that.”
“I don’t know what happened between you both before, but you have grown exponentially since I first met you nearly one year ago. As stubborn and as prideful as you may be, you are a good person, Bakugou. I would urge you to at least tell him how you feel, no matter how frightening it may be. You two have woven a tapestry of devotion between yourselves that I have never seen in any other couple–”
“Enough with the fucking denim metaphors.”
“Bakugou,” Tsunagu sighed. “You are a strong young man. No matter your past, you are deserving of love and happiness. At least consider what I have proposed – about working for me, and about telling Midoriya how you feel.”
Bakugou nodded uneasily.
As Tsunagu got up to leave, he heard a small voice from behind him.
“Thanks.”
Once he left Bakugou’s hospital room, Tsunagu wasted no time telling Shinya how he felt. The war only proved that life is never a certainty.
It had been two years since the war, and the day that Class 3A finally graduated from UA was filled with smiles and happy tears. Tsunagu would’ve expected nothing less. That class had been through too much.
It wasn’t customary for Pro Heroes who weren’t teachers at UA to attend the graduations, but after the war, Principal Nezu made an exception. In fact, the Pros were welcomed.
Tsunagu attended alongside Shinya, fingers interwoven, as they made their way over to the seating area prior to the ceremony. In the corner of the room, where the graduates stood ready, he spotted Bakugou, with his hand around Midoriya’s waist. He wore a smile larger than Tsunagu had ever seen.
“Hey.” He was snapped out of his trance to the sound of a woman speaking, who was sitting on the other side of Shinya. She was the spitting image of Bakugou – unruly blonde spikes and a fiery passion swimming in her crimson eyes. “You’re Edgeshot, right?”
“I am,” Shinya replied, before being tackled into a forceful bear-hug.
“I never got the chance to thank you for saving my brat, but we’re so grateful that you saw his potential and risked your life like that. Some people wouldn’t have said he was worth it… but he wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for you,” Mrs Bakugou spoke into Shinya’s shoulder, a few stray tears escaping.
Tsunagu wasn’t able to keep watching the interaction, as his hand had been suddenly held captive by another man – brunette hair, nerdy glasses, nothing at all like a Bakugou – was shaking his hand with his own (somewhat clammy) hands. “Best Jeanist! I’m Masaru Bakugou, Katsuki’s father. This is Mitsuki. We– We’re so thankful for everything you and Edgeshot did for our boy. He’s really excited to work with you, you know. I don’t suppose he’s told you that, though. Katsuki’s really grown since training with you, he keeps telling us about his new moves. I don’t really know what he’s talking about, but they sound cool…”
The muttering reminded Tsunagu of someone.
Midoriya.
Those Bakugous have a type.
After the graduation ceremony, the alumni of Class A had congregated into a large dinner hall, along with their families and the rest of the Pro Heroes. Many of the class were hugging, taking selfies, and introducing their parents to the Pros (some of the graduates were definitely tipsy, they must’ve snuck something into the alcohol-free fizz UA had provided). Tsunagu and Shinya had a chance to spend time with Masaru and Mitsuki after the ceremony, until they were approached by Bakugou and Midoriya.
“Congratulations, Pro Hero Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight,” Tsunagu shot Bakugou a wide smile (which couldn’t actually be seen under his Hero suit, but he hoped his eyes conveyed the message). “You are going to be an asset to my agency. I’m extremely proud to have a Hero as strong as you working for me.”
Bakugou let go of Midoriya’s hand to shake Tsunagu’s, giving him an uncharacteristically happy smile of his own. “Thank you… Best Jeanist. I’m gonna be the best damn Pro you ever hired.”
Tsunagu knew that he would be.
He turned to face Midoriya, who was being dragged into an aggressive hug by Masaru and Mistuki. “Congratulations to yourself, too, Pro Hero Deku. Fat Gum’s agency will also be lucky to have you.”
“Oh! Thank you, Best Jeanist! I’m really excited. I know Kacchan is excited to be working for you too, even if he hasn’t said it!”
Bakugou hadn’t said it, but Tsunagu knew.
After the Bakugous had released him from their hug, Midoriya had made his way over to Bakugou, wrapping his arms around his waist. It looked stronger than any of the other hugs Tsunagu had seen shared today. Much to his surprise (or maybe he shouldn’t have been surprised by now – Bakugou had completely changed since their first meeting three years ago), Bakugou hugged him back with equal strength. Full of love.
“Kacchan, we did it! We’re finally Pro Heroes!” Midoriya cheered, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Bakugou nodded and cupped Midoriya’s face in his hands with so much care, gazing at him like he was holding the entire world in his very hands. “God, I fucking love you, Izuku.”
As the two graduates kissed in celebration, Tsunagu squeezed Shinya’s hand just a little bit tighter.
It had been 18 months since graduation when Bakugou had got himself intertwined in a PR scandal.
“Dynamight, what were you thinking?!” Tsunagu snapped. His voice was not raised at all, but his tone indicated his sheer rage.
“That cocksucker had it coming!” Bakugou all but screamed at Tsunagu, slamming his fists on the desk. “You didn’t fucking hear him, Denim Head. He deserved—”
“Don’t finish that sentence.” Similar to their first meeting, Tsunagu trapped Bakugou in a weave of threads around his torso and knees, dragging him away from the desk. “There is no excuse to assault a reporter, no matter how difficult they are being. You are a Pro Hero, it is your duty to protect others, not throw your fists around whenever you feel your emotions fraying.”
The report came in approximately ten minutes after the incident, although it was already all over the news when Tsunagu had seen it. Bakugou had punched a very famous news reporter in the face immediately after a villain attack. He had a temper – that much was known – but he had worked hard at toning it down, so Tsunagu wanted to know what it was that triggered the man into such a violent outburst.
“If I untangle you, will you sit down and calmly tell me what happened?”
Bakugou nodded.
As promised, Tsunagu let the threads go and pulled up a chair in front of Bakugou. He raised his eyebrows, waiting for him to begin, as Bakugou sat in the chair in front of him.
“He… he started off like reporters always do, licking my damn asshole after taking down that villain with the weather manipulation quirk earlier.” Bakugou refused to look Tsunagu in the eye. “Then he brought up those recent anti-bullying campaigns I did. Started off all sweet and shit, then said some anonymous fucking source told the press that I… I was a dick to Izuku in middle school. To most extras, actually, but Izuku got the worst of it – got the worst of me. At first, I did that whole breathing shit. Then told them ‘no comment’, just like you’d have fucking wanted. Tried to walk away, too. But he kept fucking following me, asking if I’d manipulated Izuku into being with me, why he’d wanna date his fuckin’ abuser, that sorta crap.”
“And you just…”
“I fuckin’ lost it.”
Tsunagu remained silent, listening to every single word with utmost importance. This was a delicate material and had to be treated as such.
“Look, I— I know I fucked up. Dammit. I’m not that guy anymore, I thought that was fuckin’ clear…” Bakugou was barely speaking above a whisper, clenching and unclenching his fists with every word. “I never used to care what fuckin’ extras thought of me, I don’t know why I do now.”
“Because your love for Midoriya came into question. That is why you unravelled so easily.”
Bakugou just blinked at him.
“For someone like myself, or your fellow friends from Class A, your love for Midoriya is as obvious as good quality denim,” Tsunagu replied gently, bringing his chair closer to Bakugou’s. He didn’t miss the eye roll that his statement earned, but chose to ignore it. “But the public eye only sees what you and Midoriya allow them to see. I’m not for one moment suggesting that you start publicly displaying your affections if that’s not what you want, but it’s easy for them to pass unfair judgments when they do not know what happens behind closed doors.”
Bakugou was still silent. It appeared as though he understood, but something didn’t sit right with Tsunagu.
“I sense there’s something else.”
When Tsunagu was met with more silence, he shifted his chair directly in front of Bakugou, looking him in the eyes this time. “I need to know, Bakugou. If I’m expected to repair these tears, I need to know everything.”
“It’s just…” Bakugou’s voice was small, defeated. “What if he’s right?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“What if that shitty journalist was right? Why is Izuku with me after I treated him like garbage? Did I somehow manipulate him into feeling love instead of hatred? Without my own fucking knowing?” A few tears had escaped the young Hero’s eyes, and Tsunagu passed him over a box of tissues from the desk. “I told you before, he deserves someone fucking better. I only fuckin’ proved that by smacking seven bells of shit outta that reporter.”
Tsunagu could feel his heart ripping. This boy was burdened with too much guilt.
“Bakugou, I don’t believe that for a second. I also told you that same day, the way Midoriya looked when he saw your body… that was real. He genuinely thought that his world was ending, because as far as he was concerned, it had.” Tsunagu was firm, but placed a supportive hand on Bakugou’s knee. “Midoriya would not have risked his life facing that sludge villain to save you, or followed you to Kamino to rescue you, or have even entrusted you with the secret of One For All, if he did not truly love you. Why is Midoriya with you? Because you are a good man, Bakugou. You have proven that every day since we were first acquainted, and I know that Midoriya sees that, too.”
Bakugou was trying his hardest to not openly cry more than he already had, but it was a fruitless effort. Tsunagu didn’t mind that, though. It was a testament to how strong he had become that he felt he could cry in front of others.
“I have no choice but to suspend you for one week, however, I will not be documenting this on your permanent record. You must also issue an apology to the reporter you assaulted. I expect to receive it by the end of the week, and I will proofread it before sending it to the reporter. Leave the official press statement to me,” Tsunagu said, standing up and going back behind his desk. “And I will be certain to scold the reporter in my statement for passing such unbecoming judgments on yourself this way.”
Bakugou hesitated for a moment before nodding and standing up. “…Thanks. And I— I’m sorry. For what I did.”
“Go home and talk to Midoriya about how you’re feeling. I assure you that he will say the same as I have.”
He did as he was told, turning around to leave the office, before stopping in the doorway.
“Hey, Jeanist.”
“Yes, Bakugou?”
He didn’t face Tsunagu, but his posture relaxed. “Call me Katsuki.”
Tsunagu smiled to himself. “Of course, Katsuki.”
It had been six months since Katsuki’s PR disaster when he, Tsunagu, Shinya and Midoriya attended the annual Hero Billboard Chart JP event.
Best Jeanist and Edgeshot had formally become a Hero duo, both taking place somewhere in the Top 5 ever since the war. Since Hawks and Endeavor had retired after the war, Mirko had usually held the top spot. But what Tsunagu was most excited for was how Dynamight and Deku had fared.
About two months ago, Best Jeanist’s agency paired up with Fat Gum’s agency and sent Dynamight and Deku on an undercover mission to bring down a human trafficking ring which targeted quirkless children. Despite being well-known to Japan after the war, the pair were only in the Top 50 and with some magic from various design teams, were able to sneak in undetected. It was a huge case that came with enormous recognition and awards, as well as further instilling their futures as the Symbol of Hope and the Symbol of Victory.
They must have made the Top 10 after that. Tsunagu had no doubts in his mind.
The annual Hero Billboard Chart JP events were painfully long, covering Pro Heroes up until the Top 500 marks. Thankfully, they only rush through those, spending the most time on the important Top 10 Heroes.
“Number 10 is the Everything Hero: Creati!”
Creati took to the stage, waving and thanking the audience for the honour.
“Number 9 is the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Hero: Shouto!”
Shouto followed next, providing the audience with a brief “thank you”. After taking over the Endeavor agency only two years ago, Tsunagu expected nothing less from the former Number 1’s son.
“Number 8 is our very own Symbol of Victory, Great Explosion Murder God: Dynamight!”
Katsuki headed up onto the stage, but not before hugging Midoriya and pulling him into a kiss that was far too inappropriate for national television. Tsunagu allowed himself to pause his prideful applause momentarily to sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose, as Shinya giggled quietly next to him.
On stage, Todoroki gave Katsuki a warm smile (as warm as possible for a man as stoic as himself), congratulating him for reaching the Top 10. When Katsuki snarled back a (very loud) “in your face, Half-n-Half, I’m better than you!”, Tsunagu buried his face into his hands.
“I’ll be number one next time, assholes!” Katsuki shouted to (read: shouted at) the audience. Despite the unconventional speech, he still received a large round of applause. Dynamight fans were… something else.
“Number 7 is Kamui Woods! Number 6 is the Gigantification Hero: Mt Lady!”
The pair joined the stage at the same time, hand-in-hand, waving to their fans.
“Now for the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the Top 5. Japan’s Number 5 Hero is our Symbol of Hope: Deku!”
Katsuki wasted no time running over to Midoriya as he took to the stage and pulled him into yet another wildly inappropriate kiss. The crowd burst into fits of ‘aww’s and wolf-whistles, much to the dismay of the presenter.
“Fucking Number 5, Izuku! God, I’m so fucking proud of you,” Katsuki gasped, pressing his forehead against Midoriya’s.
Before Izuku could reply, the presenter hissed “language, Dynamight!”
“Hop off my dick, my boyfriend’s the fucking Number 5 Hero!”
Tsunagu sighed once again. Another PR nightmare he’d have to deal with.
“…Moving on. Number 4, a huge leap, is the BMI Hero: Fat Gum!”
Fat Gum took to the stage next, shaking the hands of his fellow Heroes.
“Number 3 is our beloved Fibre Hero: Best Jeanist!”
Tsunagu took to the stage with his signature hair-flick, but kept his gaze on…
“Now for Number 2… say hello to the Ninja Hero: Edgeshot!”
Shinya took to the stage next, standing next to Tsunagu and taking his hand. The crowd once again erupted into coos at the sight of another one of their favourite Hero couples.
“Give it up for our Number 1 Hero… the Rabbit Hero: Mirko!”
At that point, Tsunagu had admittedly zoned out. Standing beside his partner and watching as Katsuki and Midoriya struggled to keep their hands off each other, he let out a content sigh.
Despite Katsuki’s undignified response to himself and Midoriya making the Top 10, his heart swelled watching the young couple celebrate their achievements together.
From: Dynamight
Dinner at that ramen place. Saturday, 6pm.
From: Dynamight
Bring Edgeshot, if you want.
From: Best Jeanist
We would be delighted.
It had been six months after the annual Hero Billboard Chart JP event, and two and a half years since Katsuki graduated from UA.
Katsuki still spent a lot of time with Tsunagu and Shinya, at least fortnightly, that wasn’t unusual. They had all grown used to the routine. Whether it be tea and a chat at a local café on their off-days, or lunch on shifts, Tsunagu always welcomed it. When he had met Katsuki nearly five years ago, he never would have expected to have become so fond of the boy.
Katsuki Bakugou had grown into a wonderful Hero, and a wonderful man.
Saturday rolled around, and Tsunagu and Shinya entered the restaurant at exactly 6pm. Katsuki waved them down from a quiet booth in the corner of the restaurant, well away from the other patrons. That was normal for Pro Heroes, but he suspected that there was something else this time.
“Katsuki, it’s good to see you again!” Shinya smiled brightly, shaking Katsuki’s hand as they sat down. “How are you doing?”
“Same old. What about you two?”
“I’m well, thank you,” Tsunagu replied politely, pouring himself a jug of water and glancing over the menu.
After they ordered their food, Katsuki spent some time talking to Tsunagu and Shinya about mundane topics that five years ago would’ve killed Katsuki to talk about; what his former classmates were up to, how his parents were doing, how Midoriya burned dinner last night.
It was after the food arrived when Katsuki cleared his throat to speak.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” he said confidently, but the uneasy look on his face gave away his true feelings. Tsunagu didn’t push, simply nodding and focusing his attention on him. “I… uh, I’m resigning. From my position at your agency. I’m gonna open my own agency with Izuku.”
Tsunagu knew this day was coming. He imagined that it might’ve hurt to lose such an incredible Hero – and mentee – from his agency, but instead, there was no pain at all. He reached out and took Katsuki’s hand in his, lowering his denim collar to beam a reassuring smile at him.
“I’m happy for you, Katsuki. I really am. I wish nothing but the best for you and young Midoriya,” he said sincerely. “I accept your resignation, but take as much time as you need to get your agency tightly sewn together. You will have a place in my agency for as long as you want. Do let either of us know if we can assist you with its grand opening.”
“You two worked excellently together during the underground mission, I have no doubts that you two will achieve greatness,” Shinya added. “Will you be recruiting anybody specifically?”
“We’ve asked a couple of the extras from UA, so far Shitty Hair is the only one that’s taken us up on the offer. Doesn’t matter if they all say no, ‘cause me and Izuku can do it alone. People will be bustin’ open the doors trying to join our agency someday.”
“I have no doubts that your agency will be very successful, no matter who you recruit, Katsuki,” beamed Tsunagu, picking up his chopsticks.
Katsuki’s shoulders relaxed and the corner of his mouth raised the teensiest bit in return. “We’re gonna surpass you old farts at the next rankings, me and Izuku. Joint number one, just you wait.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Tsunagu replied honestly.
It had been one year since Katsuki opened his own agency with Midoriya, and Tsunagu and Shinya were headed to a local café for one of their fortnightly catch-ups with Dynamight.
Katsuki had texted Tsunagu requesting to meet as soon as possible, which only meant one thing – there was something important he wanted to talk about, and he didn’t want to do it over text.
They exchanged pleasantries whilst waiting for their drinks to arrive.
“Are you alright, Katsuki?” Tsunagu asked, taking a sip of his latte. Katsuki took the time to have a sip of his own drink before responding.
“I’m gonna ask Izuku to marry me,” Katsuki said.
Both Tsunagu and Shinya were rendered speechless whilst they took onboard this information. Whilst it wasn’t a surprise – they had been together for a long time now – he just didn’t expect Katsuki to tell him beforehand.
After all, Tsunagu was just the Pro Hero that Katsuki did his internships with. No – they were colleagues now. Friends.
“You two are the only ones that know, besides Shitty Hair who helped me pick the ring. I ain’t spoke to Auntie Inko yet, she wouldn’t be able to keep that shit a secret, but I am gonna tell her. It’s gotta be right before I pop the question though, so she doesn’t have time to run her damn mouth,” Katsuki continued, staring at a spot on the table. “And I don’t give a fuck what anyone has to say about it. I love Izuku more than anything and I wanna make him happy. And for some reason, that bastard thinks I can do that for him. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me, so I wanna be with him for as long as I’m gonna be in this shitty world.”
“Katsuki…” Shinya quietly said with a tremble, taking ahold of one of Katsuki’s hands. “You are going to make a fine husband. We’re very proud of you.”
“I agree,” Tsunagu finally spoke, tears threatening to spill. “I have no doubts that Midoriya will accept your proposal. I must ask, though… you told us before Midoriya’s mother? Your own parents? Not that we are not honoured, but I had expected to find this out in the news someday.”
Katsuki blinked, as though the answer was obvious. “Edgeshot literally saved my damn life, and you believed in me even when I was a huge pain in your ass. I…” he averted his gaze again, appearing to have difficulty weaving the words he wanted to convey. “You guys are important parts of my life. You helped me grow into who I am today, just like Izuku did. You deserve to hear it from me, not the damn media.”
Tsunagu couldn’t even think before getting up out of his seat, making his way around the table and pulling Katsuki into a warm embrace. It was a testament to how much Katsuki had grown that he even allowed the hug to take place, let alone reciprocating.
“You make me prouder every single day, Katsuki. What a stellar young gentleman you turned out to be.”
If Tsunagu didn’t know any better, he’d say Katsuki blushed.
Then, Katsuki retrieved a green velvet box from his pocket, opening it to reveal the ring. It was a slim band – nothing too flashy that would get damaged in their line of duty – shimmering emerald and orange depending on the lighting, and had the words “WIN” and “SAVE” engraved on either side.
“It’s perfect, Katsuki,” Tsunagu beamed. “Like finding the perfect pair of jeans.”
“Will you shut the fuck up? You’re ruining the moment.”
The three burst out laughing.
It had been three weeks since Katsuki told Tsunagu and Shinya his plans to propose.
Shinya was sitting on the couch reading a book when Tsunagu planted himself next to him, bringing over two cups of coffee. Shinya accepted the coffee with a smile, putting his book down to focus all of his attention on Tsunagu.
He had a ton of paperwork to be getting on with, but to hell with it. It was his day off.
“Have you heard anything from Katsuki?” Shinya asked, rubbing his hand up and down Tsunagu’s thigh.
“No, he said he was popping the question this week, though. I’ll see if he’s said anything.” He reached over to grab his phone – just one text message.
From: Dynamight
He said yes.
Whilst the text message was devoid of any emotion, Tsunagu knew he definitely cried whilst typing that. His heart swelled as he typed his response.
From: Best Jeanist
Congratulations, both of you. Shinya and I are over the moon for you boys.
From: Best Jeanist
PS, we expect an invite to your engagement party.
Before showing Shinya the texts, he checked the local news to see if it had gone public yet. Surely enough, it was making headlines.
Pro Heroes Dynamight and Deku get engaged!
The news came out this morning when Pro Hero Deku uploaded an image on his Instagram profile of him, smiling next to Pro Hero Dynamight, raising his hand to show a stunning orange and green engagement ring. Deku captioned the social media post “Kacchan asked me to marry him and of course I said yes!!! Looking forward to forever with you, my Symbol of Victory.” Reports state that the Wonder Duo first began their relationship when they were still students at UA, but had known each other for much longer… Read more
“He did it, Shinya,” Tsunagu nudged his partner slightly, passing his phone over for him to read. He hummed, accepting the phone and reading over the article, a soft smile gracing his lips as he read down each paragraph.
“You did that, you know,” Shinya passed the phone back and stroked Tsunagu’s hair softly. “You swore to educate him into becoming an exemplary Pro, and you turned him into an exemplary human.”
“You’re wrong, Shinya,” said Tsunagu, pressing his lips to his partner’s forehead. “He did that all on his own.”
It had been five years since the war, six years since Tsunagu met Katsuki Bakugou, and he had never been prouder.