Archive of Our Own

It had been six years since Katsuki had met the guy. No real need for Japan’s number four hero to visit Otheon, they had their own heroes and issues to deal with. It was a place that brought him notoriety but also a bitter taste in his mouth, for that was the country this guy called home. The very guy who had stolen Izuku’s first kiss out from under him. Not that he was still jealous, the teenage angst had worn away with age. That didn’t mean he liked the fucker though. For he had been the sole reason Izuku had been wanted for murder and had his name sullied, of course he’d hold a grudge, he’d also ended up sharing a hospital room with them. IcyHot, Deku and Birdbrain, plus Pino but she didn’t do much to aggravate him. Other than clinging to Izuku their whole stint, curled up against his neck like she was his life line.

Safe to say Katsuki had nothing but bad things to say about Rody Soul, and yet he found the man in his bed at least once a fortnight for the last year.

They’d reconnected, had they ever really connected in the first place, at Izuku's 21st birthday party. Apparently the two had kept steady contact over the years and that did nothing to settle Katsuki’s nerves. He watched as the guy hugged Izuku, gifting him a scrapbook his siblings made and a bunch of souvenirs from countries Katsuki had only ever heard of in the news. The party had gone smoothly, the other idiots got drunk and played games in the living room. Izuku’s face had been flushed, a warm pink glow on his cheeks from the beer and soju they’d been slowly knocking back throughout the evening. It screwed up Katsuki’s chest in knots.

He stepped out into the night, the small veranda attached to the master bedroom provided a bit of fresh air that helped to ease the headache that had been plaguing him for most of the evening. Pressing his palms against the cool railing, he’d closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of the world around him.

They’d broken up a few months prior, eleven months and 8 days ago but who's counting. It had wrecked Katsuki, but he couldn’t blame Izuku. Hero work and College just didn’t mesh well, especially during exam season when crimes spiked. They’d only been dating for two years, nothing serious in the grand scheme of things, but for Katsuki it was like the world had ended. He’d taken a whole week off of work, moved his things to a new apartment as quickly as he could, not wanting to remain the apartment they shared if it wasn’t their home anymore. Too many memories, too many reminders. He’d left all the cutlery behind in his haste, Izuku had kept them. He’d eaten a slice of cake an hour ago with the forks they’d picked out together at an overpriced furniture store when they first moved in together.

Despite the chill in the air, the hair prickled on the back of his neck, his hands were clammy. His body shuddered as he took in deep breaths, trying to sooth the sparks beginning to pop in his palms. They were friends, they would always be friends. Always be each other's number ones, the one they called when there was an emergency, when there was workplace gossip, when there was a new special at that restaurant down the street. That's what they were, inseparable. Where one went the other followed. He wished it was Izuku that slid open the veranda doors, wished it was his hands that reached out to steady himself.

Instead it was the last person he wanted to see. The idiot had followed him out, tripping over the lip of the sliding door.

“Shit!” Birdbrain yelped, reaching out to grip Katsuki’s arm in a poor attempt to steady himself. With a scowl he shrugged out of reach, letting the other man stumble forward until his feet somehow managed to right themselves before Birdbrain face planted directly into the railing.

“That was mean, aren't you supposed to be some hotshot hero?” He slurred, throwing his head back and rested his hands against his waist in exacerbation. He was thin, not frail but not built like the others in the room. Other than Izuku, everyone that attended had ended up being a hero or a sidekick in the years since their graduation. Katsuki wasn’t used to spending time around anyone, much less civilians.

“I don't waste my time saving drunks.” Katsuki muttered, not in the mood for the banter. A few years ago he would have bitten off Birdbrains head, torn him a new one for even daring to be in his space. Maybe Izuku had rubbed off on him, mellowed him out in the years since the war.

“‘Mm not drunk.” The brunette smiled, leaning forward and resting his elbows against the railing. It felt like a mockery, mimicking Katsuki’s position til their shoulders were just barely touching. Katsuki sighed, not in the mood to deal with any of it. If the guy wanted to hang out outside, he could do it alone. Katsuki pushed off the ledge with a little too much force, accidentally shoulder checking him. He tried to ignore the yelp, wanted to turn around and walk back inside and pretend this little exchange never happened, but then he heard it.

“Never thought Izuku would be into assholes, learn something new everyday.” Birdbrain muttered, rubbing his shoulder.

“Fucking what?” Katsuki whipped around, palms already crackling to life. He didn’t know if this guy had a quirk, but with the way he was talking Katsuki wasn't going to hold back. The fucker had the gall to play it off, to look smug about his comment.

“Nothing.” He lied, staring off into the night. Without thinking, Katsuki raced forward, grabbing the man by his shoulder and spinning him around. He didn’t even flinch, didn’t acknowledge the iron grip that was surely bruising his shoulder.

“You know nothing about me.” Katsuki growled, getting in Rody’s space.

“I know more about you than you know about me, Dynamight.” He tried to shrug, Katsuki’s palms not allowing the movement. Katsuki hadn’t really looked at him, had done everything in his power to ignore his existence. But up close he couldn’t deny that Rody had electric eyes, a somber grey that appeared almost silver in the moonlight. The glow from the party gave Rody a sunkissed look, tawny with the slightest bit of a sunburn atop his nose. Had he been somewhere warm lately? A tropical country where he relaxed on the beach?

What the fuck was Katsuki thinking.

“Did you know I was his first kiss?” Rody poked, leaning into Katsuki’s space. The idiot must have been plastered, that was the only plausible excuse as to why the guy had a death wish. Why he was prodding at the only sensitive part of Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight. Whose hands could melt mountains into ash.

“Well I was his first fuck.” Katsuki snarled back, it had been a point of pride. To navigate things with Izuku. To hold him and know his sensitive spots, how he liked it, the praise and sweet nothings that would drip like honey from his lips in the dead of night. The snark hadn’t deterred the man, in turn his smile widened and eyelids hung heavy. Thick lashes created long shadows in his cheeks.

“Yea? How was that?” His voice dropped, low rasp filled with lust. Katsuki scrunched his nose, upper lip curling in disgust. This guy was a freak, no wonder he’d avoided him back in Otheon.

“Get fucked.” Katsuki shoved him away, watching the other man lean back against the rail, picture of ease. He was taller than Katsuki, but barely by an inch. It was his hair that made him look taller, that and his lean build. He was in casual wear, a T-shirt and loose cut jeans. Different from the well worn slacks and button down he’d worn cruising the brick streets looking for trouble. They stared at each other, Katsuki having half the mind to turn and leave the party all together, to get away from this jackass for another five years.

“Working on it.” His voice was barely a whisper floating on the air, barely there against the wind picking up. But Katsuki heard it, heard it with such clarity like it was a bell inside his head.

The journey home was a blur, Katsuki was grateful he’d brought his car, not wanting to deal with the stations in their haste. They’d stomped out of the apartment, Irish goodbyeing Izuku as they left. It wasn’t intentional, but Katsuki was too hot headed to stop and think properly. The whole ride home his hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white from the exertion. It took everything he had in him to not pull into a dark alley and get it over with. The way Rody sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window and humming to music like he belonged there, it drove Katsuki up the wall. He’d practically pushed the brunette inside his apartment, not bothering with the lights or trading out his shoes for slippers.

Eleven months since the breakup and he hadn’t slept with anyone else and not for a lack of trying. Katsuki just couldn’t get in the mood, threw himself into work and climbed from number eleven to number four in less than 6 weeks and maintained that in the months since. He’d come close to third a few times, never quite making it. It was hard to break the top three, his attitude keeping him from making rank.

They’d stumbled back into Katsuki’s bed, shedding clothes faster than their hands could keep up. In the recesses of his mind he pictured Izuku. Wished with everything in him that it was his dear childhood friend beneath him and not this wiry boy. Pictured toned abs where a flat stomach was, broad shoulders compared to the delicate collarbones housed beneath tanned skin. Imagined the pattern of moles and freckles, the scars he’d memorized over the course of years where smooth skin expanded. Rody had four scars, two on his knees from childhood accidents, a tiny one just under his chin that was barely notable from his sister throwing a rock at him, and a round circular one on his torso. The skin was smooth like it had been cauterized. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out where he had gotten it.

He didn’t fuck him like Izuku. Didn’t take his time working him open, didn’t press small kisses down his throat, didn’t whisper praise and work him over for hours. No he fucked Rody like the man owed him something. Quick and dirty, no practiced rhythm or routine, unfamiliar body with too many hidden secrets he didn’t care to unfold. After all was said and done he was exhausted. Heart hammering in his chest at the mess he’d made. When they were teenagers he’d accidentally given Izuku a hickey, right at the base of his neck. It’d been an embarrassing few days as Izuku wore a bandaid to cover it, Katsuki had promised not to do it again and he hadn’t.

Laid out in front of him Rody was covered in marks. His shoulders had bruised, fingerprints on his hips and wrists where Katsuki had held him in place. Snaggled bite marks and hickeys lined his chest and neck like a painting of wilting flowers. Ugly, vicious reds and purples blending together in their circular patterns. Rody had just taken it, taken everything Katsuki had thrown at him in stride. Even when he threw the mans clothes at him and told him to get the fuck out, the jackass laughed and saluted him. Tugged on his crumpled clothes and disappeared into the night like nothing had happened. Like Katsuki hadn’t broken almost a year of celibacy with a hate fuck. It was absurd.

Somehow Birdbrain had gotten Katsuki’s number. He had an idea about who gave it to him, but he pushed the thought away. Truthfully he almost blocked him without even looking at the message, figuring it to be some sort of spam.

Unknown
Oi I left my sunglasses at your place, can I swing by later and pick them up
It’s Rody btw

It had been a week since that fateful night, he didn't know where Rody had gone after he left, didn't really care. Katsuki didn't want to see him again, didn't want the man in his home, but he also didn't want to be accused of keeping his shit hostage.

Bakugo
No

Unknown
Come on man! I fly out tomorrow and need them
Pretty please •3•

That’s how Rody ended up on all fours in Katsuki’s apartment again, supposed sunglasses long forgotten. They followed the same routine, bicker, fuck, kick Rody out. It was odd, having to learn what he was into. Katsuki knew with such clarity where Izuku liked to be touched, the small section on his lower back that made his knees weak when lightly grazed. Knew how to work him to his orgasm, exactly how to poke and prod til the man was a puddle in his hands. Rody was new. It took work to break him apart, testing strokes on his skin, pressing kisses to his throat. Slowly figuring out what he actually liked, since it seemed like he would take whatever Katsuki threw at him.

He had sensitive skin, his ribs were ticklish and he’d kicked Katsuki in the side by pure reflex, hands cupping over his mouth in shock before bursting into laughter. That had earned him fingers digging into his sides til tears welled up in his eyes, Rody laughing out in surrender. Katsuki had beamed with pride that he had won. Totally not that Rody let him tickle him, that he had submitted and let Katsuki have control.

Rody had lithe fingers, slick from his old tricks. Tan fingers wrapped around him so delicately, moving so slowly and deliberately like a tease til Katsuki barked at him for more. Plush pink lips soft and warm, pressing kisses along his length before swallowing him whole. He was messy, clearly knew what he was doing but didn’t quite have the same finesse as Izuku. But he was a fast learner, picked up on what Katsuki enjoyed. The barest graze of teeth, a brutal pace. Managed to have him limp and blissed out in a matter of minutes.

It was quick with Rody, always in a haste to be over with. With Izuku, the pair would spend whatever spare hours they had basking in it together. Slow and gentle love making in the wee hours of the morning turned to lazy cockwarming in the afternoon. It was an all day affair, foreplay lasting hours, working each other into overstimulation til they couldn’t keep their eyes open. Rody was in and out as soon as possible. As soon as they came and caught their breaths, he was out the door. Ignoring Katsuki’s warnings to not come back like a cat that wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Round and round in circles until slowly things changed. The fourth time Rody had come over, another excuse about leaving something behind in his haste to get out of Katsuki’s hair, he’d spent the night. It was unintentional, Rody had flown in late that night, showed up on Katsuki’s doorstep and wormed his way in. There were bags under his eyes, already beginning to purple. He looked like he’d been up for days, the way Shinso looked when he went on extended missions in the field.

Katsuki couldn’t in good conscience let the guy leave, the bird on his shoulder looking like she would drop at any second.

“Sit.” Katsuki pointed at a stool by the kitchen island. His parents had spent a small fortune renovating his kitchen. They didn’t know the extent of the breakup but they knew it hit Katsuki hard. His parents knew of his love for cooking, knew of the project that was consuming the bulk of his paychecks. They wanted to give him a reason to go home, a reason to take care of himself and make use of the space. Not to mention the open layout was to die for, state of the art appliances and bright white lights were enticing.

“It’s alright, I really only came here for-“ Rody began to excuse himself, putting his hands up in mock surrender. He swayed lightly on his feet, blinking slowly with a small smile on his lips.

“Sit.” Katsuki repeated, voice coming out softer than he intended. He’d made tofu for dinner, a recipe Fuyumi had given him when he’d visited the Todoroki estate with his friends back in highschool. Swiftly he pulled the leftovers from the fridge, preparing a plate for his guest. The only people who came over with any regularity was Izuku and Kirishima, the rest of their friend group usually met up at restaurants or other classmates' homes.

He ignored Rody’s tired gaze on him, stare sending chills down his spine. He was used to being watched, being in the public eye meant there wasn’t much privacy the moment he stepped out of his building. There was something in the way that Rody watched him, reminding Katsuki of birds. Hollow bones that made flight possible, Rody’s hollow stare swept over him. Unlike Izuku’s warm stares, analyzing his every movement, it was like he was looking without seeing. Saw something beyond what was in front of him.

Katsuki set the plate down on the counter, nudging it toward Rody without a word. He crossed his arms as Rody took a hesitant bite, the moan of appreciation he let out was obscene. Outside of taunting remarks, Rody was surprisingly quiet in bed. His breath would hitch and he’d tense before coming, but he didn’t really moan. Not the way Izuku did. The crybaby was a blubbering mess, repeating himself over and over.

“Kacchan, Kacchan, Kacchan.” Like it was a holy mantra, childhood nickname setting his skin alight. Ever since that first night Rody had always called him Hotshot.

“Come on, Hotshot.”

“That all you got, Hotshot?”

“Thank you for the meal, Hotshot.” Rody sighed, contented hand on his stomach. Pino looked blissed out, happily chirping from her bed in Rody’s ponytail. The brunette placed his elbow on the granite island, the once crisp white button down of his uniform now wrinkled beyond repair. Resting his head in his hand, he cocked his head at Katsuki, who hadn’t moved an inch since he’d started eating.

“This your thing?” Rody hummed when Katsuki didn’t say anything, not realizing he was staring.

“What?” The question had taken Katsuki off guard, unsure what Rody was referring to.

“Feeding people, that’s a kink isn't it? Fatten 'em up til they're plump.”

“The fuck did you just say?”

“Hey man, I’m not gonna yuck your yum. Especially if it means home cooked meals, I don't think I've had anything this good in a while.” Rody smiled, then his face dropped and he turned deadly serious, “Don’t tell Roro.”

Katsuki stalked off without another word, not caring if the other man followed. He was weird, so fucking strange, Katsuki had no idea why he indulged him. Why he kept letting the guy back in when he knew good and well Rody had never left sunglasses at his place. He hadn’t been wearing any at Izuku’s birthday party. He ignored the footsteps that followed, the creaking floorboard in front of the bathroom door and the quiet click of it shutting. He laid in bed as the water began to run, turning on his side when the door opened again, a plume of steam wafting into the room. He shut his eyes and breathed in deep pretending to be asleep when the bed creaked, dipping as Rody joined on the opposite side. He ignored the ghost of Rody’s lips against the back of his neck, mumbling something Katsuki couldn’t make out without his hearing aids.

He was gone by the time Katsuki woke up, which was saying something considering Katsuki woke up at 5:30am like clockwork. The only indicator that Birdbrain had been there that night were the clean dishes and a small note on his kitchen counter.

See you later Hotshot!

His fingers trailed the scrawled letters, indented where Rody had pressed the pen too hard.

Dinner turned to breakfast, spending the night turned to spending the weekend. Somedays Rody spent more time in Katsuki’s apartment than he did. Coming back from patrols to dinner already made, some dish he couldn’t pronounce set neatly on a plate. More often than not he came home to find Rody sat on his couch, wearing his clothes, catching up on the trashy reality tv shows Katsuki used as background noise.

Most of their time together was spent within the safety of Katsuki’s apartment. It made more sense, spending his layovers in the apartment than wasting money on expensive airport hotels - that was Rody’s excuse, Katsuki knew hotel stays were paid for by the airline but he’d be damned to call it out. After patrols and flights, the last thing the pair wanted to do was go out into a sea of people. Especially Katsuki, now that he was a pro hero, having been popular since his first sports festival, he got recognized in and out of uniform. Usually he would wear a hat and mask if he went out, but that was only ever for errands. If he craved food he would order it for delivery. If there was a movie he wanted to see he would wait for it to come to streaming. Rody didn't seem to mind, he would sit at the counter when Katsuki cooked or answer the door for the delivery people. It was a nice routine, not having to worry about entertaining. He’d gone on a few dates after the breakup, had always gotten ogled at by civilians. It made getting to know someone difficult when he was constantly stopped for photos and autographs.

It was gradual, the little things Rody left behind began to add up. He had his own pair of slippers, bright green with little flowers decorating them. They contrasted Katsuki’s own black slippers in the getabako, but he let them be. Their shoes would sit side by side at the genkan, Rody’s sleek black dress shoes and Katsuki’s boots. He’d worn loafers throughout highschool, though nowadays he chose comfort over style. Even if he had been teased by Sero, called an old man for his taste in shoes. A pink toothbrush found its home next to Katsuki’s white one on his sink, carefully set in the holder like it was trying to hide. Not that it could, stood out like a sore thumb in the otherwise monochromatic bathroom. The left side of his closet was filled with Rody’s clothes. Random shirts he left behind, a pair of slacks he’d forgotten to pick up from the dry cleaners.

Over the course of the months he’d gotten used to Rody’s presence. The essence of sharing a space with someone, how easy it was to maneuver around his things.

“Where are my keys?”

“On the hook by the door.”

“Have you seen my tie?”

“Hanging up in the closet on the left.”

“What about-“

He knew where everything was. Every little reminder of the man who crept into his life and made himself at home.

The apartment felt emptier without Pino chirping around, the flutter of her wings stirring the air first thing in the morning. She had a big cage in Katsuki’s guest room. It was mainly used for storage, but he’d cleaned it up and gotten a rather expensive cage for the bird. The door was never closed, letting her come and go as she pleased, but she seemed to enjoy the window set up. Katsuki didn’t like her in the bedroom at night, especially with their nightly activities when the duo stayed over. Fairly certain the bird would smack him over the head if she heard the things he said to her owner. She was weird. Katsuki figured she was some sort of quirk, he knew birds were very intelligent but she seemed in line with Rody. Like they were connected on a deeper level, but had her own sentience and personality.

It was almost unconscious, the way he accommodated the pair into his life. He’d walk along the aisle in the grocery store picking out their favorite foods. Mentally planning what to make when Rody’s flight landed that weekend. He’d stop by the pet store, pick up new toys and enrichment items for Pino. Even if Rody insisted she didn’t need it, she always fluttered her wings and pressed her beak to his cheek. He’d kept an eye out for anything that involved planes.

It was a learning curve, figuring out Rody’s interests outside of being a pilot. With Izuku it was easy, anything All Might or hero related and he went insane. The nerd was an obsessive mega fan who could talk for hours about the different eras and stats. Rody was more reserved, only speaking of himself in sparse bursts. He spent more time talking about his siblings. Roro was doing well in school, his teachers had discussed having him skip a grade but Rody was hesitant since he didn’t want his brother to stand out amongst his peers. Lala had taken up volleyball with some of the neighborhood girls, his new neighbors had a daughter in the same class and the two were as thick as thieves.

They’d spent hours going through each other's camera rolls. Laying in bed on a hot summer afternoon scrolling away to try and ignore the heat. Rody hadn’t had a phone until he secured a job at the bar, so all of his pictures had been from his later teen years. The bulk were of his siblings, a few of important documents, and a handful were smiling photos of him at foreign places. He spoke fondly of his travels, how he always brought back souvenirs for his siblings and worried sick over them while he was away.

“I’m serious Lala, call me as soon as you get home tomorrow.” Rody scolded, Pino sat angrily on his shoulder. She’d forgotten to call that day, took a nap when she got home and overslept. Rody had spent the last thirty minutes pacing in the bedroom, Katsuki was sure he’d find the carpet worn down in his wake.

“Yes. I will. Don’t- ok. Bye, I love you.” He ended the call with a sigh, flopping backwards onto the bed. He landed awkwardly on Katsuki’s legs, shoulder blades digging into his shin.

“Kids these days.” He muttered, sinking further.

“It’s your bad influence.” Katsuki responded, reaching down to card through Rody’s hair. Thick brown locks weaved through his fingers, silken and smelling of his shampoo.

“Watch it. I’m a great role model.” Rody huffed, Pino popped up to pout in Katsuki’s face. He smiled at her, causing her cheeks to flush and she flew out of the room. Such a strange bird.

“Weren’t you wanted for murder?” Katsuki retorted, earning a slap to his thigh. It was a bad angle, barely felt like anything, but he didn’t let it slide.

Their play wrestling session ended with Rody straddling Katsuki’s thighs, hands pining the blonds wrists above his head. He could easily flip them, have Rody on his back in an instant, but there was something about his expression that kept Katsuki in place. The smug smile on his lips, the flush on the high points of his cheek. He looked like a sunset, radiant and warm.

“Not so tough, huh Hotshot?” Rody teased, leaning his face in close. His hair fell around them, a curtain cutting them off from the world. In their own private bubble, Katsuki surged forward. Breaking loose from Rody’s hold, his own hands grabbing the brunette's face. The kiss started all wrong, the angle was off and their noses knocked together. Rody laughed into it, trying and failing to pull away to say something. Katsuki didn’t care, kept pressing kisses, following Rody’s mouth til they fell backward, switching their positions.

“Katsuki! What-“

Rody was panting, his arms wrapped around the blonde's neck. He squinted when Katsuki leaned in, pressing their foreheads together.

“Why do you squint your eyes when I get close to you?” He asked, staring into grey eyes.

“Huh?” Rody’s eyebrows scrunched together, a little v forming. He was still squinting, he looked like a teacher about to scold a student. How Aizawa looked when Katsuki would act out in his first year. He’d calmed down after the war, still a brat but he couldn’t go all out with his injuries.

“When we fuck. You squint your eyes a lot.” Katsuki settled between Rody’s legs, shifting his weight to one arm. He reached up with the other, smoothing out the crease on his forehead. Rody’s expression dropped, eyes widening slightly.

“Oh uh- it’s cuz I can’t see you very well up close.” He explained, pink filling his cheeks.

“How can you fly then?” He figured there were some guidelines, like people who were colorblind not being able to be pilots. One of his uncles had wanted to be a pilot, only to find out he wasn’t eligible. He remembered seeing the sadness in the old man’s face whenever a plane flew above them. Watching in awe as the machine soared in the clouds.

“I wear glasses when I fly.” He said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, jutting his lips out and looking off to the side.

“I’ve never once seen you with glasses.” Katsuki argued, scanning through his memories. He shifted again, dropping to his elbows, one on either side of Rody’s face.

“Well duh, they make me look like a dweeb.” His eyes narrowed again, scanning Katsuki’s face. As much as he liked the look, the concentration in his eyes, Katsuki was determined.

“Put them on.”

“No-“

Katsuki pushed himself up, enjoying the whine that tore from the brunette's throat. Ignoring the protests and pleas to come back to bed, he beelined to Rody’s backpack. It was propped up against the closet door, easy access for quick getaways when they spent too much time getting ready in the mornings. When did he get comfortable going through the other guys' stuff? He found the glasses case easily, popped it open and looked at the glasses. They were simple, probably standard issue if pilots were treated like military. Plain wired frames, the glass smudged slightly. Probably from when he took them off.

He turned, holding the glasses in his hand with a triumphant smile. Rody just frowned, having sat up against the headboard in the meantime. Pino flew into the room, crossing her wings as she landed on the bed between them. She chirped defiantly at him, but her resolve melted the moment he brushed his fingers against her head. Cooing at the touch.

“Pino!” Rody exclaimed, hands flying up to cover his face. “Seriously, Katsuki I don’t-“

Without a word, he sat on the bed. Reached up with steady hands to slip the glasses on. He ignored the other man’s protest as he stared, soaking in the sight. He didn’t look any different. The frames were too thin to obscure anything, his prescription not strong enough to warp his face like in the cartoons, but it made him look more sophisticated. Like he was older than 22. He decided he liked the way Rody looked with them on, liked how open his eyes were now that he could see clearly. Liked how he looked sprawled out against his black sheets with nothing but his glasses on, trying and failing to cover his face as Katsuki fucked him.

Rody started wearing his glasses casually after that. He’d wear them while reading on his phone, the text visible in the reflection of the glass. Not that Katsuki could read it, it wasn’t English or Japanese. He’d been curious about that, he’d had to borrow Rody’s phone for directions once and couldn’t make out any of the app names. He recognized the icons, but the words were all jumbled up.

“How many languages do you speak?” Katsuki asked after Rody got off a call, they’d been driving back to his place after picking up the brunette from the airport. It’d been three weeks since he’d last been in Japan. He had been scheduled for domestic flights since his siblings had some school events going on that he didn’t want to miss.

“Eight.” Rody smirked confidently.

“How many languages can you have a conversation in that doesn’t involve swearing?” Katsuki instantly called his bluff, watching as Pino deflated in his hair.

“Three.”

“Which are?”

“Japanese, English and my mother tongue.” Rody also rattled off the other languages he knew, demonstrating his vast knowledge in curse words from around the globe. He even knew how to sign ‘bullshit’ in American Sign Language.

“I figured those two, what’s your mother tongue.” Katsuki asked, pulling into his agency. He’d borrowed a company car, but only for the afternoon. He didn’t like driving his car to the airport and there was an event the next day that required it, and he did not want to wake up early to drop it off.

“Ahh well, it’s a hodgepodge of languages. Otheon is a melting pot, we don’t really have an official language.” Rody explained, unbuckling his seatbelt and exiting the car as they parked. Alone in the parking garage, they unloaded his bags from the trunk. Katsuki took the plain black suitcase, pulled the handle up and dragged it to the street. Rody was left with his backpack, slung on one shoulder as he caught up to Katsuki. He’d changed at the airport, not wanting to walk around in his uniform.

“Hodgepodge?” The word felt wrong on his tongue, like marbles in his mouth.

“Uh.. like Canada? French and English are put together to make French Canadian.” Rody claimed, Pino shaking her head behind him.

“That’s not the same thing dumbass.”

“But you get my point.”

“Shut up.” Katsuki barked, turning in his heel and stomped home. He ignored Rody’s booming laughter, the looks he got from sidekicks entering the agency. It must have been a sight, Pro Hero Explosion Murder God Dynamight rushing away from a foreigner manically laughing. They knew better than to speak on it, to incur his wrath.

When summer turned to fall Rody had roped Katsuki into going to a festival with him. It was a local one, some school event the students had put together. Somehow Rody had heard about it, probably from within the airport, and insisted that Katsuki take him. Citing his ‘broken’ Japanese and penchant for trouble. Begrudgingly he’d gone along, donning a baseball cap in a shitty attempt to hide his identity.

They’d walked the street, bought food at various stalls and won games. Rody was surprisingly good at the rigged games, explaining that every game had a trick. One little technique that was fool proof. Katsuki just watched, if Rody wanted to waste his money on games that was his issue. Amongst the glowing lights of lanterns, he looked good. Small bag wrapped around his body, a net in his hands as he scooped up a plastic fish. He beamed at Katsuki, showing him the yellow star underneath. He’d won the grand prize.

That led to Katsuki carrying a huge stuffed cat. It was ugly. Poorly stitched and lumpy in all the wrong places, but Rody refused to leave it behind. He propped the cat over his shoulders like he’d done with Eri when she was little, holding onto the legs with his hands. Rody leaned in, hand resting against the small of Katsuki’s back as he pointed out a snack he wanted to try.

Rody was brazen in public; even when Katsuki would scowl and push him away, the man would come back laughing, wrapping his arm around Katsuki’s neck and continuing as if nothing had happened at all. He was relaxed, not caring when people stopped him for pictures or street interviews, not that he ever really did them. He just walked away, looked at the stalls while he waited for Katsuki to finish up.

Deku was always alert, even as the embers dwindled and faded he kept a keen eye on his surroundings. He had been the one to stop for every picture, every question yelled out by civilians, losing Katsuki in the crowd without a thought. He’d loved it, watching Izuku get praised and cheered on by the public. Knew it helped him deal with losing One for All.

They’d kept their relationship private. Izuku was extremely mindful of those around them, even after years of dating he would subtly avoid holding Katsuki's hand in public. Would stand just off to the side in group pictures. He’d been more handsy before they started dating. Not scared to push Katsuki or link their arms together. In private Izuku would let him cling to his side. Always touching, sitting with their thighs pressed together, their fingers intertwined. In public it was the exact opposite. It had stung, the way his boyfriend would pretend that they weren’t together.

When fall turned to winter their time together was shorter. Rody had more domestic flights than international, but he kept Katsuki updated in his own way.

Birdbrain
[image]
I didn’t know you were in Otheon

Pictured was an angry looking dog, mid bark. From the way the picture was blurred, it must’ve been barking at Rody.

Birdbrain
[image]
Lala’s masterpiece! ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ

Pictured was Rody and Roro, both with clips and bows in their hair. Roro had two pigtails and a giant bow on the front like Hello Kitty. Rody’s hair was in uneven braids, a variety of clips and bows adorning his fringe. He also had a heavy amount of blush on his cheeks, blue eyeshadow all over his lids and bright red lipstick smudged on his lips. He looked ridiculous. Katsuki stared at the picture for a few minutes, soaking up every detail. Pino wasn’t in frame, but Rody confirmed in a later text that she’d gotten a makeover as well. He saved the picture, went back through their entire chat log and saved every picture Rody had ever sent him. Carefully cataloged in a private folder in his camera roll.

Birdie
[image]
Soon!

It was a picture of his flight plans, in a week's time he would be back in Japan. They’d spent the day texting back and forth to confirm pickup and drop off times. Sometimes the texts were instant, other times there were a few hours between responses. The time difference could be brutal, but Katsuki found that he didn’t mind it as much as he thought he would. There was comfort in knowing Rody would respond when he had time. That he didn't have to wait around for a response or get anxious when there wasn't an immediate follow up.

On patrol he kept his phone in his locker, work phone tucked securely in a hidden pocket. If he needed to be reached he could, but there was never a reason for it. Hundreds of miles away, Rody was safe as he could be. Not that Katsuki could do anything if something were to happen. He pushed away the thought, focused on his job and counted down the hours till he would be home again. He’d started spending more time there, working normal hours, well as normal as they could be.

He still had overnight patrols, still woke up at 5:30 even on his days off, but he made the effort to be more present in his life. He went to gatherings his classmates held, went drinking with his agency and sidekicks to kick off the weekend. Though for him that often meant drinking on Tuesday nights since he didn't have consistent ‘weekends.’ It was nice, a change of pace in comparison to the life he’d led the year prior.

“You seem happier?” Izuku stated quietly. It was mid December, the pair had decided to get coffee and chat. Katsuki had been so preoccupied, Izuku had been caught up with his classes, they’d seen each other at gatherings, but not one on one since before the birthday party.

“Huh?” Katsuki had zoned out, staring out the window as he waited for Izuku to return with their drinks. It had been a long, trying day. Too many accidents, an intern had filed a report wrong that almost made the agency get a giant fine.

“Brighter I mean. I won’t pry because I know if you wanted to tell me you would.” Izuku wrapped his hands around his tea, the scars fucked up his circulation. Katsuki used to warm them, hold those powerful hands between his own and wait til they were warm to the touch. He wanted to reach out, but knew better.

“Thanks-“

“That doesn’t mean whoever is taking up all your time is your number one fan! That’s my role! It has been since we were in diapers.” He proudly exclaimed, smiling.

“That’s fucking disgusting.” Katsuki scoffed, shaking his head. He didn’t want to think about that, their history.

“Ask Auntie!” Izuku chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. After a brief moment he continued, “Speaking of which...”

“No.”

“Come on Kacchan!” He pouted, he let go of his cup, pressed his palms together just under his chin like a prayer.

“I’m not going. Hell, the last time I called her she demanded I get laid and get over myself. I mean seriously!” That phone call had actually been thirty minutes ago as he waited in the booth for Izuku’s final class to finish.

“Wow, you really are related.” Izuku deadpanned, letting his hands drop down to his lap.

“Shut up.”

“It’s just a holiday party, we always go!” That left a sour taste in Katsuki's mouth. Every year they went, drank stupid expensive champagne and ducked into Katsuki’s old bedroom for the ball drop. Even before they’d started dating, back to primary, they’d celebrated the holiday together. Every year they’d kiss and enter the new year laughing.

“Fine.” He grumbled, not wanting to argue it further.

“Great! I’ll tell auntie! You should bring them, whoever it is. So auntie doesn’t harass you.” Izuku smiled, already taking out his phone. Of course he’d have his mother on speed dial. He’d always been good with Mitsuki, knew exactly what to get her for her birthday, ate up the neighborhood gossip over tea with her. The dream son in law as she’d joked.

“That will probably make it worse.” Katsuki lamented, finally taking a sip of his coffee. It had already cooled down, he didn’t know why he let Izuku talk him into getting it. He wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep, not lay in bed and let his mind wander because he decided to suck down coffee. That, and his doctors advised him against caffeinated drinks.

“Maybe…” Izuku hummed, looking down. His lashes fanned against his cheeks, lightly grazing the constellation of freckles there, “but it will satiate my curiosity.”

“I’ll see if he’s free.” He acquiesced, though he already knew the answer.

“He?” Izuku looked up, eyes alight with intrigued. He always loved digging for clues.

“You of all people should know I’m gay.” Katsuki snorted, it hadn't ever really been a secret. Their whole year knew, most of the pro’s as well, though that didn't stop a few persistent women from trying to ask him out. It was never going to happen and he sure as hell didn't humor their attempts, but they never gave up. At the very least he applauded their tenacity.

“Not me though, stay safe.” Izuku laughed at his own joke, his first year sexuality crisis still fresh in the mind. Really it shouldn't have been a shock to him, considering he had posters of All Might on his walls from the moment he could crawl.

“You act like you haven’t literally had your dick in my-“

“Kacchan!” Izuku yelped, face bright red as green eyes darted around the room. No one had even turned in their direction, but Izuku’s shoulders stayed raised. “You can’t say stuff like that in public, it’s indecent.”

Rody would have laughed, he would have batted his lashes and made his voice all high and airy like a bad porn actor. He would’ve doubled down, whispered vulgarities and described absurd scenarios to get Katsuki to laugh. Izuku wasn’t Rody.

The revelation struck him hard, mind wandering as Izuku changed the conversation and rambled on about his classes. After a few minutes, lost in the haze, Katsuki excused himself, stood from the table and walked to the bathroom. Inside he stared at his reflection, when had things changed? Instead of going along with Izuku’s needs, following his lead, he wanted to break away. Who gave a shit if he made a crude joke?

It didn’t matter.

He turned on the faucet, watched the water disappear down the drain. He pictured his troubles washing away. Tiny droplets of unease mixed in with the ocean. In reality it would end up in the sewage but that wasn't important. He washed his hands, slowly and methodically. He wiped them dry before heading back out to the table, his mind clear. He wouldn’t dig himself a deeper hole, he would keep this meeting light. He needed to, if being friends was going to work out. As he walked back to their booth, he saw Izuku looking at his phone, head tilted to the side in confusion.

“What are you looking at?” Katsuki had never been particularly private about his phone, outside of encrypted documents there was nothing to hide. He’d changed his password though, the old one being Izuku’s birthday, and it seemed like that had taken the other man by surprise.

“Who’s Birdie?” Izuku asked as he sat back down, setting the phone between them. On the lit screen were two notifications, one from his mom confirming his presence at her party, and the other…

“Th-“

“Is that him? Birdie- no way it’s Hawks. Tokoyami?” Izuku began again, clearly not as hurt as Katsuki would have been in his place. He really did move on.

“Quit interrogating. You’ll find out or you won’t.”

“Fine. You know I can be patient.” Izuku smirked, before shifting the conversation to their classmates. Who was seeing who, what drama had occurred, how the rankings were going. Their normal conversations. Katsuki let himself slip back into that ease, gave half hearted answers and listened to Izuku’s speculations on the next series of awards. The pair had spent hours at the booth, simply catching up as the sun set on the horizon. They parted ways at the door, heading in opposite directions with the promise to see each other at the holiday party.

Outside the cafe, Katsuki sent his mother a thumbs up in response to her message, and sent Rody a middle finger emoticon. When the latter responded with question marks, Katsuki pocketed his phone. He wasn't going to explain himself.

His childhood home was bursting with energy on New Year's Eve. People in every corner, conversations filling the room like static. It made Katsuki’s skin crawl. The excessive noise gave him a headache. He’d debated taking out his hearing aids, but knew better. His mom would be pissed if she had to yell for his attention in front of all their relatives. That and executives from his parents' company. His mom always used holiday parties as a means to mingle and make connections.

He’d showed up about an hour into the party, lied about his patrol running late. In reality he’d stood in his closet debating if he should even go, how severe the backlash would be if he feigned illness. He tested different colors against his skin before he’d settled on a dark blue turtleneck. It was cold enough that he needed the cream scarf his mother had given him in middle school. Swooped around his neck and rested neatly on the collar of his jacket, he’d stood outside the front door of the house. A bottle of whiskey he knew his father liked in his arms as he built up the courage to enter. He had heard the music faintly through the door, and saw the lights pouring through the curtains.

Now inside, he was wishing he’d stayed home. Perhaps put on a movie and snuggled under the covers. It didn’t help that his phone was blowing up from his group chat, the idiots had gone out drinking to celebrate and decided to essentially vlog the whole event. His mother had given him an open invitation to invite anyone he wanted, but he would be damned if he invited his group of idiots to a formal event on a night like this.

“Katsuki!” A soft voice called from behind him, a gentle press of a hand to his elbow. He smiled as he turned, already knowing who it was.

“Auntie.” He greeted, leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek. They’d gotten close as he and Izuku healed in the hospital. She’d taught him how to knit in an attempt to work on his fine motor skills. They were shit, but she kept every single one of his creations. Specifically sought out patterns of grenades and explosions so it wouldn’t be ‘too girly’ for him. She was a saint.

“It’s been so long! You know my heart can’t take it. Have you been eating? You look thin honey.” She fretted, looking over the boy. In her eyes he would always be 16, wrapped head to toe in bandages.

“I’m sorry, I’ve just been busy. Work.” He explained, letting her cup his face.

“Make sure you take breaks. You know you’re always welcome over, I’ll make your favorite, just say the word.” Inko promised, her thumb sweeping under his eye, just along his scar.

“I will Auntie, I promise.” He made a mental note to take an afternoon off, to bring Auntie her favorite flowers. She’d kept a vase full ever since they’d moved into the dorms. Brought some liveliness to her apartment, something alive that she could dote on. She went from one vase, to multiple plants that took up home in her window sills. Katsuki had tried to convince her to move into a home, more than willing to pay for her to have a garden, but she refused. Telling him that buildings hold memories, that she could look down the hall and still see him and Izuku running around in their All Might pajamas. That to her, that was more precious than any flower she could nurture.

“Izuku tells me you started dating again.” Her prodding statement roused him from the memory. He wasn’t prepared to have this conversation, much less with the woman he thought would always be his mother in law.

“It’s not-“

“It’s good,” Inko sighed, letting her hands slide down his shoulders til they caught his hands, holding them tightly between the two of them, “ I know the breakup was hard on you. I understand if that’s why you kept your distance but you will always be my son. That means bringing home boyfriends for the holidays. Okay?”

“Yes ma'am. For what it’s worth he really was unavailable.” Katsuki explained, feeling ashamed for neglecting Inko. He hadn't even thought of how his absence may have affected her.

Truthfully, he hadn’t asked Rody to come, Katsuki had just asked what his plans for the day were. Apparently he had already taken the holiday off, and had a tradition of taking the kids out to the beach at midnight. Something about washing away the year and welcoming the new one amongst life itself. It didn’t make much sense to Katsuki but he couldn’t ask after hearing that. Didn’t want to take him away from his siblings or be snubbed for them. Better to just hold it in his chest than let it burst.

“Next year.” Inko smiled, squeezing his hands tightly before being called away. There was still 30 minutes before the ball dropped, the countdown on the TV with newscasters discussing upcoming events. Katsuki wandered around the house, talked with guests and drank champagne. He’d only seen Izuku once the whole evening, green curls bouncing as he laughed at something his dad was talking about.

With only five minutes til the drop, Katsuki ducked into his childhood bedroom. It had been redone since he’d left home. His pictures and awards were still up, but his knickknacks had been moved to his apartment. The bed was made up in light purple sheets, contrasting the black ones he’d always used. They were soft, smelt of lavender as he laid back against the comforter. It didn’t feel like home. Without thinking, Katsuki fished his phone out of his jeans pocket. He scrolled through his messages, clicked on their message thread and hovered a finger over the call button.

It was still early in Otheon, Japan being hours ahead, so he knew Rody would be awake. He pushed call, brought the phone up to his ear and listened to the familiar ringing. He breathed deep, steadying breaths as he waited. Either he would pick up or he wouldn’t. He had the day off, but that didn’t mean he was free. Shit, maybe he shouldn’t have called, Rody was spending the day with his siblings, it was rude to interrupt and-

“Hey there Hottie, how’s the day been?” Rody’s chipped voice called out, slightly electronic on the line.

“It’s New Years Eve.”

“I’m aware, who are you kissing tonight?”

“No one dipshit, why do you think I’m calling?”

“Awwww going soft on me hotshot? What time is it?” Rody crooned and when Katsuki closed his eyes he could imagine the smug grin that was surely plastered on the pilot's face.

“Three til. I’m at my parents house, they throw a party every year but I broke away from the crowd.”

“Wow, sneaking away for little ol’ me? I’m flattered.”

Bakugo barked out a laugh, Rody was always able to lighten his mood. Greetings aside, they spoke of the day. Roro and Lala had spent the day excitedly planning for the beach, their bags packed for the night trip. Rody had spent the day cooking traditional dishes to bring with them, muttering under his breath about the legality of holiday up charging at restaurants and tourist attractions. Bakugo listened as the man talked about his day, eyes shut as he laid on the bed. He hummed and grunted in response, too tired to respond properly.

“Happy New Year Katsuki.” Rody whispered as cheers from beyond the room rang out.

“Happy New Year.” The words curled with his smile, relief soaked through his body as he sunk deeper into the mattress. The sound of fireworks bursting into the night sky drowned out the sound of his bedroom door opening as his childhood friend sought his company, pillow pressed against his hearing aid muffled the sound of the door clicking shut, footsteps retreating down the hall and back to the party.

In late spring, they laid side by side, Katsuki on his back, Rody on his stomach as they caught their breath. The two were in an overly expensive airport hotel waiting for their flight. The connecting flight on their journey had been so delayed that the airline gave everyone vouchers for cheap motels since they wouldn’t be able to fly out the same day. Katsuki refused to sleep in a dingy motel in the middle of nowhere, made Rody use his pilot privileges to book a suite at the airport hotel.

Feeling grimey from a half day of travel, they’d showered together. Quietly taking their time, Rody had used almost all of the hotel shampoo and conditioner, barely leaving any for Katsuki which led to a wet attack and soapy surrender. It was nice, the familiarity. Being comfortable with another person on that level, he’d never had it before Izuku and didn’t hold out hope that he would ever feel it again.

“What was his first kiss like?” Katsuki blurted out, he kept his eyes trained on the ceiling, blurred patterns overtaking his vision.

“800.”

“Huh?” The response took him by surprise, so much so that he looked over to Rody who had propped his head on his hands.

“800 yen and I’ll tell you.”

“Bribing a hero? That's a new low, even for you.”

“You're the one extorting me for elicit information. What does that make you, Hotshot?” Rody stuck his finger in Katsuki’s face, poking his cheek roughly just to prove he could.

“Forget I asked-”

“It was messy. I mean I’d never kissed anyone either, so neither of us knew what we were doing.” He had a far off look in his eyes, a small smile gracing his lips like he was lost in the memory. It made Katsuki’s chest ache, a familiar feeling creeping back in and making his blood run cold. “He chipped my tooth.”

“Really?” The laugh that bubbled up was as unexpected as the confession, but Katsuki couldn't help it.

“I'm being serious, look!” He opened his mouth and pointed to his front teeth. True to his word, the left one had a slight chip on the inner corner. He’d never noticed it before, not that he paid much attention to the teeth behind the lips.

“How’d he manage that?” Katsuki's skin felt like it was on fire, brimming with the new information. He traced lazy patterns on Rody’s bare hip, looping trails that had no meaning as he recounted Izuku getting over excited and knocking their teeth together with too much force. It made total sense, Katsuki could see it playing out in his mind and found that the bitter jealousy that plagued his teens was nowhere to be found.

“He broke my nose.” Katuski admitted at the end of Rody’s story.

“I can see that happening.” Rody laughed, resting his head on Katsuki's shoulder.

“Twice actually, he doesn’t realize how strong he is. Even after he lost the embers, he still works out and spars with me.” It’d been a while since their last session, but seeing Izuku in his element made Katsuki brim with pride, his deep seated desire to have his childhood friend back in the field, to work side by side again. He missed his muttering, missed his analytic takes in the moment, how confident he became with his strength. He missed him.

“Did you love him?” The words were choked out of Katsuki’s throat, not sure why he was broaching the subject.

“I think I’ll always love him. He gave me something I never thought I’d have.” Rody’s voice was low, a weight behind his words that confounded Katsuki.

“What do you mean?“

“I was always teased growing up, for having long hair and knowing how to sew, my dad never said anything, but I’m sure he knew. Then… everything fell apart and there was no one to tell. People barely looked at me, those who did, did it with disgust. I didn’t have a chance to experiment, far too risky with our situation and the kids safety is my main priority. Then Izuku shows up, gets me on a most wanted list within an hour of meeting, but he always had good intentions.” Rody looked wistfully at Pino, asleep on a pillow on his bedside table.

“Even when he asked about Pino he swore he wouldn’t laugh, he practically had stars in his eyes when he asked more and more. About her, about me. There’s something so irresistible about him, how intense and caring he is. He’ll always be my first love, I wouldn’t change that for anything.” Katsuki could practically picture it, Izuku had told him of their night in the cave. A fire between the two teens illuminated them as they talked about quirks and life. Now with Rody’s side, how he leaned in unconsciously and Izuku lunged forward to knock their teeth together.

A laugh bubbled out of his chest before he could stop it, the absurdity of it all, of asking his current fling about their shared ex’s first kiss. Any fear of Rody misinterpreting his glee was extinguished when he saw the man smile, so sweet and endearing that it made Katsuki’s chest ache. Not painful like it had been in the months after the war, flare ups when his heart went into overdrive, but overwhelming in a way he’d only felt before when he was living with Izuku, when they first began to date. When cocoons ruptured and butterflies battered against his stomach. He felt warm and fuzzy, happier than he’d been in a long time.

Ten months and four days after that first night, Kasuki sat on a sandy beach. It wasn’t a private beach like the ones he’d trained on during highschool but it wasn’t too crowded, the closest person to him was still a good fifty feet away. The sun was blaring down, the cool wind from the lapping waves evened out the temperature. The smell of salt water and the feeling of sand under his feet was incredibly calming. An ideal way to spend his birthday. His agency had warned him to use his vacation time, use it or lose it, so he’d taken two whole weeks off. The first three days he was itching to do something, went running along unfamiliar streets with a little bird trailing after him. Got as far from the house as possible, taking a new route everyday and then worked his way back. By the fifth day he was certain he knew the little town well enough to not get lost.

This was the ninth day of his vacation, his friends already asking when he would be back complaining about the extra work they had to do to make up for his absence. Dunce face had sent pleading paragraphs and crying emoticons, failing to convince Katsuki to come back. He ignored the vibrations of his phone as the group chat exploded with notifications. Given the time difference, it was late night in Japan as Katsuki sat on the beach in Otheon.

Down by the shoreline, Rody was playing volleyball with Lala and some girls she’d befriended that day. He towered over the gaggle of girls, ranging from eight to eleven if Katsuki had to guess. Despite his obvious advantage, his team was losing. Putting on a show of diving for the ball only for it to hit him on the top of his head, sending the girls into shrieking laughter. Roro was sat a few feet away from Katsuki, the two of them prone to burning rather than tanning, watched over the group's belongings.

Katsuki was already dreading going home, the anonymity was a nice reprieve from the constant ranking polls being dropped. He was still number four, they technically weren’t allowed to move his placement in his current absence. Once it hit twenty one days then it was free reign. Too bad he’d be back in Japan in five days.

“Hey!” Lala called from the shore, waving her arms to catch Katsuki’s attention. He raised his head, eyebrows pinched as she ran up to the umbrella he was sitting under.

“Will you play with us?” She pleaded, tan hands wrapping around his wrist in a vain attempt to pull him along.

“No way.” Katsuki barked, “beat your brother and have bragging rights.”

”It’s no fun to beat someone who sucks.” She stuck her tongue out as Rody squawked from behind her.

“What was that young lady?” Rody wrapped his arms around Lala’s waist.

”No! Katsuki save me!” She yelped as her brother lifted her feet from the ground, her palms slipping from his wrist as she squirmed in his hold. Katsuki just laughed as he watched the siblings tussle, as Rody raised Lala slightly higher only to drop her in the cold water. How she got him back, pulled him by his ankle until he fell below the shallow waves. Katsuki sunk deeper into his seat as Roro’s laughter and Lala’s shrieks filled the salty air, feeling contented and relaxed.

Nearly twelve months after they first reconnected they laid in bed together, they’d spent the night wrapping gifts for Izuku’s twenty second birthday. Lala and Roro were asleep in the guest room of Katsuki’s apartment with Pino keeping watch. That morning they’d gathered at the dining table for breakfast, Katsuki behind the stove as he barked empty threats at the kids for trying to steal bacon behind his back. Their laughter bounced off the walls as they scurried away, narrowly avoiding a swatting from his spatula. Rody playfully scolded the children, glasses low on his nose and hands on his hip playing the stern parental figure. The little family had arrived a few days prior and made the most of their visit to Japan, dragging Katsuki along to various amusement parks and shrines.

They’d visited Katsuki’s parents the day prior, his father fretted over the kids and his mother had taken Lala into her closet. Mitsuki had all but shoved a suitcase worth of clothing at Katsuki, demanding he make sure they arrive in Otheon in excellent condition. Masaru and Roro discussed his classes, his father was so gentle with the young boy, his warm smile put the shy boy at ease within minutes.

Plans were in place to visit Inko before the Soul family departed back home, his promise to visit his auntie more often ever present in his mind. It had been hard, to muster up the courage to call her, to bring her flowers and tell her about Rody and the kids but he’d done it before his birthday trip with a promise to bring them by when they came to Japan. He could practically hear the smile in her voice as she urged him to come by, a promise of warm food had him laughing.

“Food is the way to the heart.” She insisted over the phone as he reigned in his giggles and he knew she was right.

That first night Rody had stayed, the night things shifted from meaningless fucking to an understated friendship to something more, it all started because Katsuki offered him a warm meal and a place to crash for the night. An open invitation into his space, into his heart.

“Why did you follow me out that night?” Katsuki whispered into the darkness. He stayed totally still, holding breath as he tried to pick up on any minute sounds. He’d taken out his hearing aids, so the sound of rustling sheets or a hitch in breathing would go undetected if he wasn't paying attention.

“It was fifty-fifty for you or Todoroki.” Rody’s sleep strained voice sounded like a shout, breaking through the tension that had been building.

“What?”

“I mean, you guys were the only ones of Izuku’s friends that I knew. It got repetitive answering the same questions. Where am I from, how did we meet, how long have we known each other. Especially since I have no idea what he told people. How much of that time he had shared with them. When I saw you duck out I figured at the very least I could see how you were managing. Catch up a little ya know? Definitely wasn't expecting the outcome I got.” Rody laughed quietly, shaking the bed.

“Think you would have ended up in IcyHots bed?” Katsuki questioned, unease resting heavy in the pit of his stomach. Was he just a placeholder after all?

“Nah, though to be fair I didn’t really end up in your bed. I recall being kicked out-”

“I’m-” Katsuki cut him off, swallowing against the lump in his throat. “I’m glad you came onto the balcony that night… and every night since.”
His face burned from the confession, hands becoming clammy. He wiped them on the comforter, felt the surface soak up some of the sweat. It was stupid, so fucking embarrassing. He was acting like a schoolgirl that just confessed to her upperclassman. He wanted to bury his face into the pillows, scream until his throat was torn raw and he couldn't voice any more of his idiotic thoughts.

“Me too. I really didn't think I’d find anything like what he’d given me all those years ago, especially not so soon.” Rody shifted on the bed, rolled onto his side or face Katsuki, in the darkness with barely a sliver of moonlight bleeding through the curtain, Katsuki could barely make out the smile on Rody’s face. The softness in his eyes, his genuine affection seeped into the air and filled Katsuki’s lungs.

Loving Izuku came as natural as breathing, like a fish knowing how to swim. It was automatic, and had been programmed into Katsuki since the moment they met. Green eyes and freckled cheeks rewrote his very DNA the moment they held hands to cross the street. Katsuki never had to deal with the embarrassing moments. He’d died for Izuku, his body was a physical manifestation of their story, the scars he’d collected over the years telling all.

He’d never doubted his love for Izuku, even when he’d pulled the blonde aside and explained that it wasn't working out. Their schedules were too incompatible, how they both deserved better. Katsuki figured they’d take a break, maybe go to some counseling or wait for the school year to end. For Izuku to graduate, for the suit to be complete, that they would slot right back together like puzzle pieces. Complete the picture of their happy lives. Izuku didn't want that. He started growing distant, he hung out with his classmates, civilians who didn't know their history. Who had no idea about their relationship. There was no conversation, no discussion of the future outside of the fact they would remain friends. Always and forever each other's number one fan.

Loving Rody was unexpected. He didn't know when his brain had connected the dots, filled in the blanks and assigned Rody a bigger portion of his heart. When the annoyance faded into affection, when he started looking forward to the pictures and hushed phone calls because the kids were sleeping. When he started hanging onto every word, the sound of his voice through the phone put Katsuki right at ease.

Rody was a spark in the dark, he was so electric when he wanted to be. He had a way about him, able to strike up a conversation with everyone he came into contact with. He’d hold eye contact and suddenly there was no one else in the room. Just as easily, he could disappear into the background, his whole demeanor shifting at the drop of a hat. Somehow he always knew when Katsuki was done, when the fans were too much or the grannies pinching his cheeks got on his nerves. He would send Pino off a few feet away, have her perform tricks and aerial performances to draw the attention away from them. Just enough to whisk Katsuki away, into the nearest shop or alleyway, away from the limelight and attention from the masses.

Now as they lay side by side, in the bedroom that held memories of only each other, Katsuki let himself fall into the hope he had held off on for so long. Let all the walls he’d built up after Izuku left him fall away, an opening into his heart that Rody had more than deserved. He reached up and stroked his thumb against the tan skin of Rody’s cheek, his long hair trailed against the pillow as he leaned in. Pressed his lips to Katsuki’s, slow and sweet to convey every ounce of emotion that had been built between them. It didn’t need to be spoken aloud, but Katsuki said it anyway.

“I love you.”