Work Text:
Izuku was acting off, Katsuki was sure of it. His little routines and mannerisms had changed over the course of two weeks, too fast to be a natural progression. He knew better than anyone the way Izuku threw himself off the deep end whenever he was pursuing something, it was all or nothing with him. However he would always share his goals with Katsuki, go over his progressions or just ramble about his day. They’d come a long way since middle school, the bullying that turned to bickering to banter to flirting. They’d been so painfully dense, so oblivious to each other's attempts at expanding their relationship. After years they’d fallen into an easy routine of dating, they still bickered and had their moments, but they always bounced back. Always found a way to talk about it, even if Izuku rambled on and Katsuki made cryptic comments. They always found a way back. However in the past few weeks Izuku had been more reserved.
It started with him being on his phone in the middle of the night, the offending glare of the screen waking Katsuki up in the middle of the night. Knowing damn well how cranky Katsuki could get when he didn’t get enough sleep, he figured Izuku would cut it out after replying to whoever must’ve messaged him. When the light stayed on, growing more and more annoying, Katsuki had moved to snatch the phone, assumed he was up watching video analysis or the news, Izuku had startled and shut it off immediately. Usually he would whine and insist on finishing the video, resulting in the two of them staying awake and debating over the commentary. That time he had just stuttered out an apology and laid in their bed, rigid straight. His phone tucked underneath his pillow, out of Katsuki’s reach. The pair knew each other's codes, variations of their birthdays so it wasn’t too obvious, but Katsuki valued privacy. He had nothing to hide, doubted Izuku did, but the way he’d acted planted the first seed of doubt.
The second seed was when Izuku started doing his own laundry, citing that folding clothing was good for his hands. Helped keep up his dexterity given all the scars and mutilation his fingers had gone through in high school. The only issue was that Izuku hated doing laundry. His mother had washed his clothing until they got to UA, when they moved into the dorms he would bitch and moan about how tedious it was, often putting it off until they went home for the weekend with a duffle bag of dirty clothes for his mother to handle. Izuku was the type to get bursts of energy, cleaning and reorganizing his room in a day and then not picking anything up for four weeks. Laundry messed up his groove due to the downtime, having to stop and pick up again every hour or so. So Katsuki had taken over laundry duty when they moved in together, because it was actually relaxing and Izuku had ruined plenty of sheets using the wrong products or wash cycles. When he’d gone to add a pair of socks to his drawer, a Froppy pair that somehow ended up with Katsuki’s plain black and white socks, Izuku had stopped him. Insisting he could do it, even though Katsuki was already in their bedroom.
The straw that broke the camel's back was the three phone calls in the last week alone that Izuku had abruptly ended the moment Katsuki entered the room. He hadn’t even known that Izuku had been on the phone. He could be quiet and discreet on the phone when it pertained to his students, often taking work home with him, but usually he would get caught up in it. Laughing loudly at a joke Four Eyes had said or gossiping with Chubby Cheeks about various heroes' relationships, all in good fun of course. In the privacy of their apartment Izuku would put his phone calls on speaker while he graded, even having Katsuki talk to whoever was on the line when he got up to use the restroom. More often than not Katsuki would grumble out a hello and leave, if it was his mom or auntie then they’d have more meaningful conversations. If it was their classmates, well he got enough of them from the 3A group chat.
Speaking of the group chat, he’d reached out and asked if anyone noticed something off about Izuku. Any shifts in behavior or explanations for why he was acting so differently all of a sudden. He knew it wasn’t quirk based, knew it wasn’t exam season. There were no villain attacks, the sports festival had just ended, in fact it was internship week. Which meant Izuku should’ve had more free time, but he shut down Katsuki’s offers to take some time off citing he had his own work stuff come up. The majority had nothing new to add, not having seen Izuku in person since their last hang out the month prior. Only Chubby Cheeks and IcyHot had remained silent in the chat, not even liking messages.
So he did the only rational thing and invited them out to dinner. The trio weren’t close, but there was mutual respect all the way round. Katsuki was glad Izuku had such good friends, especially after the torment and isolation he’d put him through in middle school. That Chubby Cheeks was the one to help him change the meaning of Deku, that IcyHot had looked out for Izuku, pushing him while respecting his limits. The dinner went well, mainly catching up and discussing hero related work, but as they neared the end he’d asked his questions. The response only left him more confused than before he arrived.
“Midoriya is nervous that-“
“Deku is planning something!” Uraraka cut Shoto off, making an X with her pointer fingers in front of her mouth. The signal was not subtle at all, but it got the message across. They were in on it. No matter what Katsuki asked, what threats rolled off his tongue, the pair did not budge. Shifting the conversation or outright ignoring what he had said. When he wouldn’t let up, Uraraka fake yawned, exclaiming how late it was and how early they had to patrol. It was bullshit, she had the next two days off to go visit her parents, they’d talked about it that evening. Nonetheless he let them leave without any more protest, walking home alone with just his thoughts.
Katsuki was an extremist. He never did anything casually, couldn’t let go of his goals and did everything in his power to achieve them. That also meant his mind went into overdrive, assuming the worst and catastrophizing. It’s why he spent years assuming Izuku looked down on him, that it was his fault All Might lost OFA, that he had lost Izuku after everything happened. His mind ran rampant with thoughts of Izuku leaving him, that he’d done something wrong, that he wasn’t enough anymore.
Katsuki knew he was gruff, knew he pushed people away despite how hard they tried to get him to let his walls down. He’d gotten better since graduating, mellowed out and gave people more grace. In his first year as a pro hero a lot of his cases involved children. It was tough, it rocked him to his core seeing these little kids go through such turmoil. Made his chest ache when he thought about Izuku at that age, how mean he’d been to him. Izuku had always looked at him with adoration, like he hung the moon and the stars. Bright green eyes that never left him, always pushing him to go beyond. As a kid, a middle schooler, a high schooler, Katsuki had been a prick. Had shoved everything down so as to not let it affect him. If he opened the door, let others in, he didn’t know if he could handle it. It took years of mental preparation to even let Izuku in. To open up about his insecurities and emotions. He couldn’t even look him in the eye, ducking his head down as tears streamed down his face. He’d almost lost Izuku, he’d died for him, and yet it would never be enough. It’s why he put every cent that wasn’t towards bills and their strict budget into the project. Why he would work til the day he dropped to give Izuku the life he deserved. The promise of happiness.
That’s how Katsuki found himself at Auntie Inko’s dining table on a Tuesday night. He’d nicked two bottles of her favorite wine from his father’s wine cabinet. They wouldn’t miss it and it was out of Katsuki’s budget, plus it was for Auntie anyway. They were two glasses deep, polishing off the first bottle with his generous pours. He wasn’t trying to get Auntie plastered, just enough to loosen her lips. He knew Auntie was a lightweight from the way he’d wake up after his parents had thrown a dinner party to see her in the kitchen nursing a headache. He didn’t particularly care for wine, more of an occasional whiskey guy, but he couldn’t deny the warmth spreading through him.
“Katsuki-“ Inko hiccuped, covering her mouth with her hand, “not that I don’t love having you over, but usually you tag along with Izuku.”
She looked older. Of course she did, time had softened her, but she looked so mature in the glow of her dining room. The smile lines and crow's feet, the wisps of grey hair catching the light. He wondered how Izuku would age, in twenty years would he start greying at his temples? Would he have laugh lines and little wrinkles on his forehead? Would his freckles multiply into sun spots, his scars pucker his loose skin? Would he soften in the middle, joints creaking with effort when he got up? The thought made Katsuki’s chest bloom with fondness, a different type of warmth than the alcohol. That’s why he had to ask.
“Auntie, would you lie to me?” His eyes sunk down to watch the wine, swirling the glass slowly between his fingers. Crimson pools went in circles, little waves crashing into each other.
“Of course not Katsuki.” She gave him a concerned look, putting her hand atop his to gain his attention. Her hands were rough, fingertips calloused from years of sewing. She’d always had her hobbies, he’d felt guilty when he learned she’d been the one to make Izuku’s first hero suit. The light green tracksuit with rabbit ears that he’d torn to shreds the first day it was worn.
“What’s wrong honey?” Her tone was so gentle, even if a little slurred.
“Do you know why Izuku is acting… distant lately?” He asked slowly, staring down around where their hands connected. Unblemished compared to her sons, though he had gotten her eyes, hair and demeanor, he’d gotten the freckles from his dad. Got the scars from war.
“Oh um… it’s not really my place to say.” She replied and Katsuki could tell she was hiding something. Her face pinched up the same way Izuku’s did. They were horrible liars.
“Ha,” he exhaled shakily, “so that’s it.”
Izuku was leaving him. That was the only explanation. He was creating an exit strategy, even his mother was in on it. It made sense, after all the years of bullying and failed atonement, Izuku finally had enough-
“Oh honey it’s not like that!” Inko wailed, reaching up to cup his face. He blinked back tears he hadn’t noticed welling up. Fine droplets on the dinning table reflecting his despair. He looked at Inko, her own eyes filled to the brim with tears. She’d always been a crybaby, Izuku had gotten that from her. Made his poor mother worry every time he walked out of her door, only to come back more battered than ever.
“He loves you so much!” Inko wailed before her voice turned to a soothing whisper.
“Ever since the two of you were kids, he’s always told me about how you will be heroes together.”
She wiped at his cheeks, tears falling freely now. It was embarrassing, but Auntie had seen him at his worst. His own mother, loving in her own right, would’ve scoffed and told him to get his head out of the sand. She wasn’t a soft woman, she was direct and to the point. Maybe that’s why Katsuki was so bottled up, so unused to small touches and affection. He craved that gentleness.
“He would come home raving about your accomplishments, how cool you are, how you were everything it meant to be a hero. Katsuki, he loves you more than anything.” They would play for hours, pretending to be the top heroes on the playground. Saving their toys from calamity. Izuku would always be his sidekick, backing up any plan Katsuki came up with.
“More than All Might?” His voice broke at his poor attempt at a joke, trying to lighten the mood. Now that he was out of his hysterics he was beginning to feel embarrassed. He knew his cheeks were flushed, blotchy and red from the wine and his tears. Izuku said he was a pretty crier, that he liked the way his lashes clumped together and his skin looked. Katsuki had barked out a laugh, called him a freak as they wrestled on their bed.
“More than All Might, more than his whole collection.” Inko laughed, ruffling Katsuki’s hair.
“Don’t let him hear you say that.” Katsuki smiled. He loved Auntie, even if he wouldn’t say it aloud. He was sure she knew, could see it in his eyes and gestures. They’d spent a long time together in the hospital as Izuku healed. Played cards and watched bad television. She’d even taught him how to knit, not that he was any good at it. She never made him feel like an outsider, that he was intruding when he walked into the sterile room. Auntie would simply smile, pat the chair next to her or hold out a hand for him to take. They’d sit together in the quiet room, listen to the steady beeping of the heart monitor, the deep breaths of the broken boy in the bed.
“He’d agree with me.” Her voice was so fond. She patted his hand, leaned back in her chair with a sigh.
“Enough sadness, it’s bedtime. Are you spending the night?” She offered, but Katsuki declined. Izuku’s old bedroom was still intact, though less of a shrine to their mentor now that he’d moved the bulk of his collection to his study in their apartment. No, Katsuki had to go home and face this head on. Get his head out of the sand and make sense of what was happening.
With renewed confidence, Katsuki made it back to their apartment just before midnight, he hadn’t realized how much time he’d spent at Auntie’s. He was still buzzed, the alcohol was slowly working its way through his system. He understood why Auntie liked it so much. His mood had flitted from melancholy to anger to remorse and back again on his walk. Auntie had said Izuku loved him more than anything, but if he did then why was he so distant? He was getting answers.
“Oi!” He called out as soon as the front door slammed shut. It locked automatically, a feature he rather liked. Security and location had been his main points while they’d been apartment shopping. Even quirkless, he had no doubt Izuku could hold his own against any intruder, but having a security system in place helped Katsuki sleep easier. Helped to know that the moment the alarm was tripped he would be notified.
“Kacchan?” Izuku’s voice called from deeper in the apartment. He must’ve been in his study, it was the furthest room from the entrance. It was just beyond their bedroom, gave Izuku the most privacy when their friends make impromptu visits and he had work to finish. Katsuki stalked his way there, forgoing taking off his shoes and coat.
“Why are you avoiding me?” Katsuki asked, hands balled up at his sides. He could feel the moisture building up, a small pool in the center of his hands. He stood in the doorway, staring down at Izuku who was seated at his desk. Litany of papers neatly organized, red pen in his hand.
“I’m no-“
“Don’t start. You hid your phone, hiding calls, hell you started doing your laundry.” He could feel the dread pooling in his stomach. It was like a small creature made a home there, eating away at his organs till there was nothing left. An empty gaping maw waiting to consume. Would this be the end of it? Would Izuku break up with him now, would this be their last night together?
“That’s-“
“You hate doing laundry. So what’s up.” Katsuki’s voice came out strained, his throat closing up. Izuku leaned back in his chair, eyes slipping shut. He looked good, hair tousled like he’d been running his fingers through it, tired but good. Was he that tired of Katsuki?
“Kacchan it’s nothing, don't worry about it.” Izuku tried to placate, pushing away from the desk and swiveled to face Katsuki, but it wasn’t going to work.
“What did I do wrong?” He needed to know. Needed a reason, needed to fix it before everything went to shit.
“You didn’t-“
“Then why Izuku? Why do I feel like you’re one foot out the door? Why do I feel like everyone’s hiding something from me? Auntie wouldn’t even tell me what was wrong.” He admitted, pushing further into the room. He stood in between Izuku’s legs, crossing his arms as he scowled. Izuku in turn slumped further into his seat, head tilting back.
“You- you went to my mom?” Izuku blanched.
“Besides the point. So tell me, are you done? Have you checked out?” He could stay with Kirishima, he would leave Izuku the apartment. It was close to UA and his favorite restaurant. He could bounce back. He would, if that’s what Izuku needed.
“Kacchan…” His shoulders slumped at Izuku’s tone, arms dropping pathetically to his sides.
“Cuz I don’t-“ he hiccuped, overwhelmed, “I don’t know what to do to fix it. I can’t fix it if I don’t know. So please-“
“You didn’t do anything wrong! I-“ Izuku bit his lip, Katsuki could see the gears turning in his head. He stood by silently as Izuku pushed his chair back, rising out of the seat, his knees cracking loudly. He didn’t say anything as he left the room, numbly followed Izuku through the apartment.
“Ya know, I had this whole thing planned out and I didn’t even notice I was hurting you in the process.” Izuku whispered as they entered their bedroom. Sleep shirt from the night prior still on the floor. Katsuki had yelled that he better pick it up before he got back from work, it made his chest ache to know he hadn’t. Their little play fights coming to an end, all of Izuku’s annoying little habits that he’d grown to love would be gone.
Red eyes watched scarred fingers as they pulled open his sock drawer, the second indicator that something was off, and rifled through it until he seemed to find what he was looking for. Katsuki wasn’t sure, but he thought he heard a small creak. He couldn’t see over Izuku’s shoulder, too rooted in place to crane his neck to steal a glance.
“You’re so stubborn. So in your own head sometimes, but I can’t blame you. Looking back I can see how suspicious I’ve been acting.” Izuku turned around, a small black box in his palms. It was open, innards facing Izuku.
“It wasn’t my intention, I swear. I just wanted to make this special, but I’d rather do it now if it eases your conscience.” Izuku turned the box around, a simple gold band resting on plush red fabric.
Oh.
He’d really fucked up.
“Are you serious!” Katsuki surged forward, pulling him by his collar. Izuku yelped at the sudden throttling, hands moving deftly to avoid dropping the small box.
“Yes! I’m sorry I really had planned this whole-“
“Do it.” Katsuki cut him off, not wanting to hear the whole spiel.
“Huh?”
“Don’t ‘huh’ me,” Katsuki mocked, rolling his eyes, “do it properly. Knee and all.”
Katsuki pushed off of Izuku, stepping back to watch as his partner sank down to one knee. He was in his pajamas, a white t-shirt with ‘bedtime’ on it in black lettering, vintage All Might sweatpants that had taken a lot of haggling over that Katsuki had gotten him for his birthday. His bare feet on the wooden floor of their bedroom, the only light emanating from the moon outside bleeding through the curtains.
“Bakugo Katsuki, I have loved you since we were kids-“
“Yes.”
“I didn’t finish!” Izuku pouted, jutting his bottom lip out.
“Don’t care.”
“You’re the one who insisted-“ Katsuki dropped to his knees, grabbing Izuku’s face and kissed him with fervor. It was sloppy, he was still a bit lightheaded, from the wine and the emotional whiplash, a little too wet and full of teeth. He didn’t care. It didn’t matter. Izuku wasn’t leaving him, there were no issues, he’d done nothing wrong. The love of his life had just proposed. Asked Katsuki to marry him. That was all that mattered.
He loosened his grip on Izuku just enough for him to slide the ring onto his finger, smooth golden band fitting perfectly. He listened dreamily as Izuku rambled on about taking their time for wedding planning, the cry baby babbling through tears about how happy he was. How he’d asked Katsuki’s dad for his blessing and how his mother had been so happy they were going to settle down. Auntie had gone with him ring shopping, helped plan the actual proposal.
They kept their rushed engagement a secret, not wanting all of Izuku’s elaborate planning to go to waste. He wore the band on a necklace, tucked safely under his shirt when off the clock. When he worked it hung from his locker, protected from the harsh world around it. It blazed against his skin, an ever present reminder of just how loved he was.
In two weeks time they’d go to a restaurant, a real fancy one that had just opened up and was known for having real spicy food, not that cheap shit Dunce Face liked. They’d dress to the nines, crisp button downs and blazers. Izuku would even wear his freshly polished dress shoes instead of his beloved red sneakers. They’d talk, laugh, drink and play footsies under the table like the lovesick losers they were. Towards the end of their meal Izuku would stand up, dramatically dropping to his knees with the same ornate little black box opened gently in his hands. Katsuki would lend him the ring back before they’d go to the restaurant, making Izuku swear on his life to protect the ring. Izuku would get to do his whole speech as the other patrons and staff watched on in surprise. No doubt the tabloids would capitalize off of it, Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight proposed to by former hero Deku.
Katsuki would smile and say yes, the golden ring easily slipped back onto his finger and would pull Izuku up to kiss him sweetly. His own proposal just off into the future, a briefcase filled with sturdier metal and fabric, a promise he made when they were kids, one he intended to keep.