Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Marriage is a tricky thing but Bakugou and Kirishima seemed to have it worked out, they had a steady rhythm, high school sweethearts who just never felt the need to find anyone else. They’ve been together nine years now, getting together in their last year of high school, confessions spurred on by literal threats from their friends.

“Eiji I will shave you bald if you don’t just tell him how you feel.” 

“Mina you can’t do that, he’s going to hate me.”

“No you stupid bitch he’s in love with you and stubborn.”

“No he’s not, you guys just read too much into it.”

“I hate you, you’re giving up on your soulmate Eiji.”

“It’s only a year more and after that he’ll move away and forget all about me. It’s okay I promise, I’m okay with it.” 

“Well I’m not.”

“Bakugou!?”

They spent their university years struggling and fighting against all odds to make long distance work, with Kirishima studying design and Bakugou studying Human Resources (“Human resources? Seriously? You?” “Shut the fuck up racoon eyes.”) they facetimed and saved up for trips to see the other. They made it through University with a need, an ache inside to hold on, to never let go again so they moved in together.

Straight out of University the two boys moved in together, got a one bedroom apartment near the studio Kirishima was interning at. Bakugou got a job as a receptionist at the company he wanted to climb the ladder in. They lived pay check to pay check, they listened to people judge their decisions and tell them they were moving too fast, watched their friends fall in and out of relationships, attended weddings and funerals, they grew and they did it together. 

It was always Bakugou and Kirishima, always Katsuki and Eijirou and when Bakugou pulled out a ring after their seven year anniversary dinner it was assured that it would be Bakugou and Kirishima forever.

Cold nights were Kirishima’s favourite, it meant that Bakugou would hold him closer than usual, wrap his favorite grey cardigan around them both and they would huddle close as they shared warm drinks. Bakugou never admitted he was cold, stubbornly insisted that they finish their walk or sit for a while by the beach but Kirishima didn’t mind. He liked cold nights.

It was a cold night when he asked, Kirishima had been toying with the idea for a while, bringing it up at dinner, making a stupid joke when someone proposed in a show or movie, calling Bakugou his husband just to test the waters and the response was always positive. According to Mina, Bakugou would be ready to drop everything and elope with Kirishima at the drop of a hat but he didn’t want that. He wanted to sweep the blonde off his feet, he wanted to create something they would never forget, something they could tell their kids someday. Something that would make their friends get into fights with their partners because “why didn’t you do something so amazing”. Kirishima wanted to bring the world to its knees for Bakugou because god knows he deserves it. 

“Katsu it’s cold.” He breathed out, rubbing his hands together as they walked out of the restaurant. 

“I told you it would be idiot.” Bakugou replied rolling his eyes but wrapping his arm around Kirishima all the same.

“Yeah but you’re never right about the weather.” Kirishima replied, snorting at the strangled sound that left his boyfriend’s throat.

“Hah?! Your memories shit that’s why you think so.” He said and knocked his hip against Kirishima’s, making him stumble a bit. Kirishima was taller than Bakugou but that didn’t stop him from bullying the hell out of him, in fact Kirishima thinks part of the reason Bakugou bullies him so much is because he grew all of sudden during their second year at University. 

They walked like that, talking about work, basking in the silence that came in a while until they found the bridge they always walked across to get home. Kirishima stopped at the bridge and pulled Bakugou along with him so they could look out at the water, the lights reflected off the water, making it all look like a dream. He watched the boats come and go, waved at the kids on the boats, watched them giggle and run back to tell their parents about the redhead on the bridge who waved at them. He looked out of the corner of his eye at his boyfriend, who’s eyes where focused on the horizon with intense concentration. He wondered what was going on inside his head so he leaned his head on Bakugou’s shoulder and asked. 

“What’s up?”

“Hm?”

“Why are you trying to burn holes into the horizon Katsuki?” Kirishims asked again, laughing a little at the end of his question.

Bakugou didn’t respond, he kept his gaze focused on the horizon until Kirishima lifted his head from his shoulder, worry painted on his face. “Katsu?”

“Are you happy?”

“Huh?” it was his turn to be confused. Bakugou turned to him and took both his hands in his and locked eyes with him.

“Are you happy?”

“Of course I am, what kind of question-“ but he was cut off.

“I’m not.” Bakugou said, not breaking eye contact.

“Oh.” Kirishima breathed out, the word barely left his lips when he felt his eyes prickle with tears. Those where break up words and Kirishima was not expecting this. He was not expecting to lose everything all at once while he was planning to propose. He almost laughed out loud as he felt his heart crack open, so much for eloping at the drop of a hat.

Bakugou squeezed his hands so he would look back at him, “I’m not happy with this. With us right now.” He continued and Kirishima wondered why he was dragging it out so much, why was he so hell bent on hurting him. Kirishima didn’t need a reason, he wanted the upper body strength to push Bakugou over the fence and into the water, wanted his voice to work so he could scream, cry anything other than stand there pathetically as he got his heart broken. Kirishima was thinking too much, he was so very caught up in his own stream of thoughts he didn’t realize that the blonde standing in front of him was no longer there. 

“Eiji?” He called and Kirishima blinked a few times, looking around for him until finally looking down. 

“Wha-“

“Eijirou Kirishima I’m not happy with where we are right now but I think I know what to do about it. Will you marry me shitty hair?” it was the same ring he had been planning on proposing with, Kirishima had even asked the clerk at the jewelry store to keep the ring aside for him. He stared down at the ring, the silence stretching out as Bakugou waited, the ever aggressive, ever impatient Bakugou waited because he would wait a million years for the red head. 

“Yes.” Kirishima whispered, he thought his heartbeat would drown out his words so he spoke again, louder this time as he sunk to his own knees. “Yes, god of course yes yes.” He repeated over and over as he threw himself onto his boyfriend, no his fiancé. Katsuki managed to break himself away from the volley of kisses that where being sent his way long enough to slip the ring on his finger.

It was always Kirishima and Bakugou and now it would always be.

--

“You love him?” 

 “I do.” 

“I understand.” 

Sometimes always just doesn’t mean as long as you think it does.

Chapter Text

Kirishima was going to put his fist through the wall if his designs got rejected one more time, it was four in the morning and he was re imagining a concept for the new spring collection. His ideas, his sketches, his hard work had already been thrown away, put through the shredder and used as scrap paper dismissed like chewed gum and he was at his wits end. Bakugou was asleep, he had gotten home at eight tired and just wanting to spend the night with his husband but one look at the study and he knew there would be nothing but dinner alone and an empty bed tonight. 

He didn’t mind, Bakugou knew how hard Kirishima worked, he understood how cutthroat the industry was. He was upset but he didn’t mind. He made dinner, served Kirishima a plate in his study, kissed his forehead and asked him to rest his eyes for a while. 

Bakugou came back half an hour later and the food sat untouched as Kirishima begged someone for an extension over the phone. He sighed and closed the door when he left. A few hours later as Bakugou sat on the couch rewatching an old show he felt arms wrap around his neck and he smiled as his husband returned the kiss from earlier. 

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay baby.”

Kirishima circled the couch and climbed atop, tucking his legs under him as he snuggled into Bakugou’s side. Bakugou wrapped an arm around him and pulled him as close as he possibly could, he drew circles into his arm as Kirishima all but purred. 

“Fifteen minutes.” Kirishima whispered into his neck as he shut his eyes and tried to enjoy his husbands warm embrace. 

“Fifteen minutes.” Bakugou agreed and dragged his hands through Kirishima’s hair, trying to remove as much stress as he could in those fifteen minutes. Try and help him, soothe his lover in any way he could. 

Fifteen minutes were up sooner than he expected and Kirishima untangled himself from the web of limbs that kept him safe and stood up. He placed a gentle kiss against Bakugou’s lips before returning to the studio, tying his hair up and cracking his neck. It would be a long night. 

Bakugou woke up with hair tickling his nose the next morning, he didn’t know when but Kirishima had climbed into bed at some point and as always they had found their way into each others arms. Kirishima looked peaceful like the ever present storm in his mind had calmed down and he was finally peaceful, sometimes it scared Bakugou just how peaceful he looked asleep but he took comfort in the way his chest rose and fell. In the breath that was blown against the crook of his neck, Kirishima was taller than Bakugou but that never stopped him from folding himself in half to snuggle into the blonde. 

They stayed like that for a while as Bakugou traced the lines on Kirishima’s face until his alarm for work rang and with an annoyed groan he untangled himself from his husband. Kirishima felt around with his hands for a while, the sudden emptiness shaking his unconscious state until Bakugou replaced his body with a pillow. 

Mornings where easy, Bakugou liked mornings. It was quiet in their home as he got ready for an early day at work which was every day really and Kirishima slept for a few extra hours because he didn’t need to be in until later. Kirishima was still only a junior assistant to one of the designers at the his company, Bakugou had joined the human resource team two years ago after the higher ups realized his potential was far too great to be wasted at a clerk job. He was one of their most prized team members who despite his sour attitude got the work done and made their clients happy. No one really understood how he was so good at dealing with people and their problems but they didn’t really question it for fear of jinxing it. 

Bakugou left their apartment the same way he always did, kissing a sleeping Kirishima on the forehead and leaving a note informing him about breakfast in the microwave. His tie hung loose and shirt tucked into dark pants, Bakugou liked formals they made him feel like he belonged to something. People took him seriously when he was in formals, no one believed he would be able to make it in the career path he chose not because it was a weird profession. It wasn’t the same as the criticism Kirishima got, for him it was that his choice was too uncertain, not for men, a silly dream, not a real job. No Bakugou’s choice in career was a regular nine to five, it was a safe job but the problem was no one believed he could do it. So he put on his suit every morning, forced a smile on his face and worked a hundred times harder than anyone else to prove everyone wrong. If there was one thing that attributed to Bakugou’s success the most it would be the simple feeling of spite. 

He made his way inside the office building, smiling at the new girl at the reception desk. He knew the bullshit she would have to deal with on a daily basis so he did his best to be a little kind to her, there were very few people he was actually pleasant with at their office and Uraraka Ochako happened to be one of them. Bakugou had already gotten a message from his boss to be on his best today, they would be working with a new company and it would be a huge deal if it goes through. They already had a few meetings but a few members of their team would meet with Bakugou’s team to discuss the terms of agreement to working together and make sure everything runs smoothly during the signing process. 

It was simple enough, Bakugou had done this countless times. Ensuring nervous clients that their company was the best fit and helping them work through problems and doubts they may have so he wasn’t sure why he was so fidgety about this particular meeting. Bakugou walked into the conference room and found a few members of his team already seated, Sero, Tsuyu and Denki. They  worked together well though the others still hadn’t been able to get Bakugou to go out for drinks with them. He greeted them and took a seat, listening in as Tsuyu told the other two men about her date with Uraraka from the night before. Bakugou smiled to himself, he had witnessed the confession and the commotion that followed while checking out. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone but he was a sucker for young romance though Tsuyu and Uraraka weren’t much younger than him. Both the girls were twenty four, just two years younger than him and Kirishima but it felt like he was watching a high school version of his own relationship when he looked at the two girls. 

“Guys no you don’t understand, she’s my soulmate.” Tsuyu whispered but Bakugou heard. He looked up at her and smiled, a genuine smile spread across his face as he caught sight of the red ring around her pinky finger.

“That’s amazing Tsu, don’t worry.” He told her.

It was well known that Bakugou and Kirishima didn’t have the soulmate mark, when two soulmates touch for the first time a mark grows around their pinky fingers. A simple red circle would grow on both their pinky fingers, it would start off faint and as time went on it would become more obvious until finally it looked the rings where burnt into your skin.

Most soulmates can tell early on at first glance that there’s a special bond, something that goes further than physical marking. People call it a soul bond, Bakugou thought it was silly. Nothing decided who he was meant to be with other than him, Kirishima was his soulmate and he knew that. Kirishima knew that, hell anyone who spent more than an hour with the two of them together knew they were meant to be together but his friends still were careful.

They didn’t talk about their own soulmates or the soul mark openly in front of him or Kirishima. Bakugou worried sometimes about the chance that Kirishima found his soulmate in someone else, worried that his husband would find the person he really was meant for but Kirishima would kiss the worries away.

His thoughts where broken when the door opened again and his boss walked in, long black hair tied back in a neat ponytail and dressed in a pantsuit like always but it wasn’t her that had caught his attention. No it was the mess of green curls and freckles that followed her. It was like a burst of warm air came through the door and when green eyes locked with his he felt like his chest had opened up with new life. 

“Izuku Midoriya, this is my team. I hope you’ll enjoy working with us. Guys, we’ll be coordinating with Midoriya to make sure this entire process goes through smoothly.” Came a silky voice from the head of the table. Bakugou tore his eyes away from the other man and focused on Momo’s voice instead. He could hear his heart beating in his chest, it was way too loud and though all his teammates where focused on their boss as well he couldn’t help but worry that they could hear. 

Bakugou had never felt this way, never felt a rush of oxygen like someone had introduced him to a new world, one without any worry or pain or suffering. He had never felt such pure attraction, not even with Kirishima so of course he did the sensible thing and ignored the questioning eyes that where burning into the side of his skull. 

“Bakugou?”

“Huh? Sorry Momo can you repeat that?” He asked, pushing down the bile that was climbing in his throat. He couldn’t let his team down.

“I said, you would be working one on one with Midoriya since you’re heading the team. The rest of them will be there to offer any help you need but for the most part it’ll be just you and Midoriya. Please take care of him like you always do.” Momo said pointedly.

“I-” Bakugou started, reading to argue but the look on her face made it clear that he needed to be on his A game with this one so he cleared his throat and spoke again, “Of course Momo, you know I always do.” He turned to the greenette, who had not taken his eyes off Bakugou for even a second, “Nice to meet you, I’m Katsuki Bakugou and I hope to make this whole process as easy as possible for you and your company.” He said, forcing a smile onto his face, willing himself to keep his eyes away from the man’s pinky. 

“Great, I’ll leave you two to get acquainted and the details of the deal should be in your inbox already.” Momo said and waited. Bakugou realized that she was waiting for them to leave so she could continue with the meeting. He stood up and bowed to Momo before picking up his file and walking out the door. 

He didn’t know what to say, he wanted to ask about the sudden blast of air, why he kept his eyes trained on him for so long, he wanted to ask all sorts of questions but he didn’t. He had to be professional about this, had to fix this deal for his company and get everything done smoothly. Bakugou was in the process of reminding himself to be professional when the other man cleared his throat.

“Um which floor?”

Bakugou blinked and looked at him and only then realized they had walked inside the elevator. He cleared his throat and reached over to press the button for the twenty first floor. 

“You space out a lot don’t you Bakugou?” Midoriya asked him, laughing a little at the end of his sentence. It sounded like wind chimes, Bakugou felt his stomach turn over itself at the sound of his laugh and was tempted to physically slap himself out of it. 

“Ah just a lot on my mind that’s all.” Bakugou said, replying without looking at the man. Something about his eyes was just too much, too alluring. He felt like he wouldn’t be able to look away if he dared to lock eyes again. 

“That would make two of us.” Midoriya replied, he leaned against the wall of the elevator and looked up at the blonde. He was about a head taller and with his spiky hair, red eyes and fitted suit it was an intimidating sight. Compared to Midoriya, Bakugou looked like a real professional. Midoriya’s hair was untamable, it was extremely curly and he often just left it as was, with his dress shirts and semi formal pants he often looked like a temp or an intern than someone so high up the ladder. The splatter of freckles across his face and large eyes only added to how often people thought he was a college student interning at the company, Izuku Midoriya was twenty five years old but never lost that childish quality to his face. He secretly liked it. 

“What are you thinking so deeply about Bakugou?” Midoriya asked, interested in the man who refused to make eye contact with him. He had felt it too, the sudden weight in his chest like something that had been missing for so long was finally put in. A heat forming at the back of his neck as soon as he first locked eyes with the blonde. He felt it too and he knew.

“You.” Bakugou blurted out, shock and embarrassment taking over his face when the other burst out laughing. “I- no not like that I meant I was thinking about what to do about your case. I’m so sorry.” Bakugou rushed and tripped over his apologies as the other man simply laughed. Even with the situation he was in he couldn’t help but swoon over the sound of Midoriya’s laugh. It really did sound like wind chimes, sounded like pretty bells and the wind pushing and tripping over itself to feel the embrace of the chimes first and Bakugou was obsessed with it. 

“It’s okay, I was thinking about you too.” Midoriya said, once he had recovered from his fit of laughter.

Bakugou swallowed hard again before speaking, “What did you say your name was again?”

“Izuku.” He mumbled, a little upset that Bakugou didn’t remember his name

“Deku?” Bakugou asked, confused about whether he had heard that right.

“What?! No! Ee-zoo-koo” Midoriya replied, startled at what the other man had said but his indignation was long forgotten when he heard a little laugh leave Bakugou’s lips.  

Bakugou led Midoriya out of the elevator and around the corner, repeating the name in his head, it was pretty.

“Um my office is through there. We can talk further there.” He said and lead Midoriya into the office. 

“Can’t wait.” Midoriya, whispered under his breath. He was getting a little concerned about why Bakugou was being so shy, it was obvious they were soulmates. The kind of energy that had come to life when they locked eyes in the meeting room could come from nothing else and he knew that. Bakugou must have as well from the way he eyes blew open. He couldn’t tell just why Bakugou was being so squeamish, so afraid of even looking at him until he stepped into the office room. 

Bakugou was married.

It hit him like a speeding truck, the picture of him kissing a redhead who held up a hand, showing off a blinding ring sitting on his desk, the sticky note under the glass covering with “I love you Katsubear” written on it. One glace at Bakugou’s hands and he noticed the simple golden band and he felt his heart shatter. His soulmate was married, the person he was supposed to love, the person who was supposed to hold him up forever had found someone else. 

Midoriya didn’t even have a chance. 

He looked up at Bakugou and realized that he had seen it all, Bakugou wore a similar expression. Something of unspeakable pain and longing but there was something else, something a lot worse than what Midoriya was feeling. 

Guilt.

Bakugou Katsuki was overcome with guilt and Midoriya could see it so he gulped hard and moved to take a seat in front of the blonde, “So how are we doing this?” He asked, wiping his face of any emotion. He would not break down, he would not fail his company or his father. 

“Right.” Bakugou spoke seconds after Midoriya sat down, it seemed the message had been relayed. It was unfortunate but things happen and life goes on. They would finish their work with each other and never have to deal with any of it again but even as Bakugou explained the process to the other man his annoyingly persistent mind told him that even if he never saw the other man again he would always know. He fucked up, he ruined his chance at what was ordained for him. If Kirishima wasn’t his soulmate then he wasn’t Kirishima’s soulmate, Bakugou had ruined it for both of them and his fucking brain wouldn’t shut up about it. 

As the hours dragged on Bakugou went out of his way to not touch Midorya even by accident, keeping his hands on the corners of documents passed over, placing coffee mugs on the table rather than passing it directly. A single touch would have been enough for the marks to birth on their fingers and that would be too much. The pull from the other person was almost overwhelming, it was like a cosmic force whispering in their ears. A magnetic field around the other person that was too stubborn to let go. 

Bakugou let his eyes wander across Midoriya’s form one too many times and every time he realized what he was doing he would scold himself and rub at his wedding band. He was too tempted to turn down the picture of his husband but that was a line he absolutely could not cross. The only thing holding him back from taking Midoriya’s hands in his own and confirming what they already knew was the picture of Kirishima and the cold of the wedding band against his skin. 

“I think we’re done for today,” Midoriya spoke as he stood up. They had set up some ground rules for the project and how their colleagues would be in connection to each other. The basics of the deal were set and they could now move forward, tell their bosses things were in place. He was done for now, Midoriya was done and yet he couldn’t seem to move his feet. He felt rooted in his place as he watched the other man, Bakugou looked up at him long lashes fluttering every time he blinked. He was oh so pretty, so undeniably pretty and it pained Midoriya how badly he wanted to grab his face, to kiss him but he kept his hands tied in front of him and watched Bakugou rise. 

“It was nice meeting you Midoriya, I look forward to kno- working with you.” He said, catching himself. There would be no getting to know each other, they were business partners for the time being and that would be all but Midoriya noticed and against his own wishes his heart skipped a beat. 

“Likewise.” 

Bakugou stretched his hand out for a handshake and Midoriya almost took it but stopped short and smiled up at him, apologetic and sad and chose to bow instead. “See you later Bakugou.” He said and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.

Bakugou collapsed into his chair, that had simultaneously been the most exciting and tiresome experience of his life. He felt that somehow Midoriya had taken part of his existence with him, a part of him that he didn’t even know existed walked in when Midoriya entered the conference room and now that he was gone it was gone as well. Bakugou looked at the framed picture on his desk and felt a sharp pain behind his eyes. 

“I’m sorry Eiji.” He whispered to the picture and buried his face in his hands. 

Across town Kirishima was in tears as his designs were accepted, they were appreciated, they were good. He was good and they wanted him to make a few changes so that it would be appropriate for the winter collection, they wanted to debut him as their new designer. On his own, Kirishima Eijirou and his winter collection. Kirishima wiped away the tears that refused to stop spilling as he thanked his bosses again and again and backed out of the presentation room. He was greeted by two girls, who scanned his face for a second and attacked him with hugs the moment he smiled and nodded. 

“Kiri congrats oh my god, we have to celebrate. Wanna go for dinner tonight? There’s this new place that opened up across town and we could-“

“Jirou I need to tell Katsuki first.” He said laughing at the girls excitement but letting them jump around with him in their grasp. 

“Oh god you’re right, he’s gonna be so proud of you Eij!” Kendo said, laughing as well. 

The two girls had started at the office with him and they had been bonded over being the new kids, getting a sinful number of coffees and listening to some of the worst berating a person could possibly listen to. They had spent hours comforting the other through another rejected design or a harsh word from a superior, they helped each other and competed with each other. Kirishima had formed some incredibly strong bonds with the girls and as luck would have it the first time Mina came down to visit she formed a soul bond with Jirou. Kirishima watched with tears welling up in his eyes. 

“God okay I’m gonna call him and let him know okay? We’ll go to that desert place for lunch.” Kirishima promised and walked away from the girls. He switched over to his emergency contacts and clicked on his husbands icon, a picture of a sleeping Bakugou with sharpie drawings all over his face. He smiled at the picture.

“Eijirou?” Bakugou’s voice came through the speaker and if Kirishima was any less excited he might have noticed the gruffness in his voice, the telltale sign that he had been crying but wasn’t so he didn’t.

“KATSUKI I GOT!” He screamed into the phone and at the confused grunt from the other side he laughed and explained, “The design, they loved it. We’re gonna rework some stuff and debut it with the winter collection. It’ll be under my name Katsu, finally. Finally I have something to show for my life.” Kirishima finished, sighing in contentment. 

Bakugou’s face tightened, it was unfair, Bakugou wasn’t allowed to feel bad about that. He knew what Kirishima meant but that didn’t stop the pain forming. He listened to his husband talk about what was happening in silence, Kirishima was so wrapped up in all the excitement he didn’t notice the uncharacteristic behavior from Bakugou and honestly he was grateful for it.

“So dinner tonight? At our place?” Kirishima finished and waited for Bakugou to respond. It took a heartbeat too long.

“Y-yes of course. I’ll be home a little late today but we’ll go as soon I'm home.” Bakugou finally spoke, tripping over his words trying to even out his tone.

“You okay babe?” Kirishima asked as he finally caught on.

“Yeah baby don’t worry, just a busy day.” He said, the silence on the phone was heavy for a few seconds before he spoke again, “Hey, I'm proud of you.”

“I love you Katsu.” Kirishima said in response. 

“You too.” Bakugou said and bit his tongue. He couldn’t say it, he didn’t say it. Not after Midoriya, not after everything he felt today. He just couldn’t bring himself to say it. 

Kirishima bit the inside of his cheek, holding his breath for a second waiting for the words to follow but nothing came. “I’ll see you at home.” 

Bakugou stared at the phone on his hand, the picture of Kirishima smiling for the camera both thumbs in the air and a little strawberry painted on his nose. It was from years ago but it was one of his favorite pictures of Kirishima. That feeling of warmth he got when he looked at the picture was replaced by guilt. 

“Shoto I fucked up.”

“Huh?”

“What the fuck is with everyone and not hearing what I say,” Midoriya said, slamming the door to his brother's office. 

Shoto and Izuku both worked under their father, Yagi Midoriya in his company. Shoto wasn’t his blood relative, Yagi and Inko Midoriya took Shoto in when his own father was arrested. They had been living as siblings since they were both fourteen years old and the two of them had become inseparable since. 

“Damn did the meeting go that bad? Shinsou said it was pretty good, the team was nice.” Shoto said as he turned away from his laptop.

“I fucking found my fucking soulmate.” Midoriya said and dropped down into the seat like a bag of rocks. 

“Uh… Izu that’s a good thing why are you acting like someone called you a filthy bitch and stole your shoes.” 

“That happened once, stop bringing it up asshat.” He said and groaned. 

“What happened Izu?” Shoto asked again, leaning forward and resting his chin in his hands. 

“He’s married,” Midoriya mumbled, glaring holes into the ceiling. 

“Repeat that but open your mouth this time.”

“HE’S MARRIED,” Midoriya yelled and kicked the table in front of him which only really resulted in his own foot hurting. “Fuck...”

“Oh…” Shoto responded, he searched his brother's face to try and understand exactly what he was feeling and when the first tear slipped out he knew his course of action. Shoto stood up from his chair and circled around, bent down and wrapped his hands around Midoriya’s neck. Midoriya instinctively hugged back, hiding his face in his brother's neck as he cried openly. Away from all the business and all the pretences, he cried and all the pain he felt when he saw that picture poured out of him. 

“He’s married Sho,” Midoriya whispered again. “He’s married and I lost.”

Shoto didn’t say anything. He couldn’t, he barely knew how to deal with his own emotions and this kind of bombshell from Midoriya was the last thing he expected so he sat there on his knees and hugged his brother tight. Letting him know that in the least he was there for him. 

“Kats is everything okay?”

“Yeah why do you ask?”

“I don’t know, you’ve been playing with the ring all night and you only do that when you’re nervous.” 

Bakugou looked up from his food at Kirishima and gulped, the worry and doubt on his face was clear as day and he hated that he was ruining Kirishima’s big day. 

“I told you Ei, just a busy day.” 

“Kat don’t lie to me, I know when somethings up.” Kirishima said, a frown finding it’s way to his lips. He reached across the table to take Bakugou’s hand in his own and when Bakugou pulled away Kirishima stopped short. His hand hovering above the area Bakugou’s where only seconds before, eyes focused on that spot not daring to look up. “Oh.” He whispered and pulled his hand back. 

“Eijirou I’m sorry, I just. It’s not a good day okay?” He said, trying for a smile. He tried to gauge Kirishima’s reaction but his eyes were hidden under all his hair. “Kiri? Baby? Shitty hair?” he called out again, falling back on the nickname he used during high school but Kirishima didn’t look up. “Honey I’m sorry, let’s just enjoy the rest of dinner okay? I love you and I’m so so proud of you, you’ve done something so amazing and I'm sorry I'm ruining dinner.” He said again, pouring as much of what he was feeling into his words. 

Kirishima was quiet for a few seconds longer before he looked up at Bakugou and smiled, “I know right? I’m pretty awesome.” He said, maybe if Bakugou wasn’t so worried about letting his own emotions slip up he would have caught the crack in his voice. 

Bakugou went to bed first that night, Kirishima claimed he had to mail some final pages to Jirou and went back to the study. Bakugou lay in bed and counted the cracks in the paint on their ceiling as he waited for Kirishima to return but he didn’t. He waited for nearly half an hour and finally when sleep claimed him he dreamed, for the first time, of emerald green eyes. 

“Hey! Hey dumbass, we’re gonna be late hurry up.”

“I’m coming calm your ass.”

If he didn’t hurry it the hell up they were gonna be late for Algebra again and Bakugou didn’t feel like doing another after-school detention so he tapped his foot impatiently as his best friend packed up his books. They had sitting out in the garden when the bell rang, Bakugou had his hands in his red, no green. His best friend had green hair, in green hair as he lay on his lap. Bakugou was listening to some crazy story that happened during Chemistry but he was really more focused on counting the freckles on his best friend's face. 

Did his best friend have freckles? Huh, strange but he must have had them because even thought they were splattered against his face like stars in the night sky Bakugou could place each of them as though he had painted them on himself. They had gotten lost talking to each other and didn’t hear the bell until they saw people rushing back to class. 

“Let’s go Kachaan.”

“Don’t call me that Deku.”

“Don’t call me Deku.”

“You love it.”

“So do you.”

And he was right, Bakugou did love it. He didn’t know why, it felt familiar like going back home after a long day or the hands of your mother or a soulmate mark. He looked down at his own soulmate mark as his best friend entwined his pinky around Bakugou’s. 

He smiled. 

His best friend, Midoriya Izuku, his soulmate. 

Bakugou woke up in cold sweat, he felt a weight around his waist and turned over to see Kirishima sleeping next to him. Cuddled into his side like he always was and that feeling from earlier settled into him, a sharp pain behind his eyes. 

He looked at the clock and saw that he had a few hours left till he had to get to work so he crawled back under the covers and wrapped his arms around Kirishima. Bakugou pulled him closer and buried his nose in the redheads hair, Kirishima shifted a little in his sleep and re positioned himself so he fit comfortably in Bakugou’s grip but went on snoring otherwise. 

He felt his eyes get wet as he held his husband close to him and tried to regulate his breathing but the green eyes that were haunting him wouldn’t leave him alone and when the tears fell from his eyes against Kirishima’s cheeks if Kirishima had noticed he didn’t make any indication. 

Midoriya sat with his feet folded under him at his breakfast table as he ate his cereal, he was due at work in half an hour but he wasn’t even dressed. Some privileges came with being the boss's kid but sadly his father had never tolerated tardiness. Usually, Midoriya was always one to be on time, do his best and earn his spot but this morning was difficult. Last night was difficult, his bed felt an unprecedented kind of loneliness as he lay there attempting to fall asleep but red was all he could see anywhere he looked. Red eyes and red hair, the former making him ache for a love he had never known and the latter filling him with guilt and an unfamiliar sort of anger. 

An anger at being too late, anger that someone else had gotten there first. Like he had lost the race before he was even given a chance to enter and now the only thing he couldn’t work for, the only thing he couldn’t achieve through sweat and late nights, the only thing that was supposed to just come easy, land in his lap was the only thing he couldn’t get. 

He punched the table, why did his soulmate have to be the one that was married? Out of all the people to give soulmate sob stories to why did it have to be him? Midoriya sighed and got up, he dropped the bowl in the sink, washed it quickly and retreated to his bedroom. He pulled on a formal shirt and slacks, this would be enough for today. If he had to wear his full suit he thought he would die from suffocation. 

When Bakugou arrived at the office he felt like there were more eyes than usual on him, like everyone knew about his dirty secret, like they could all see the green that followed him like a stubborn stain. He walked past Uraraka, nodding at her and straight to his office. If he could just get through the normal days without having to see Midoriya, if he could just get through this deal he could eventually forget. He could pour himself into making things better for Kirishima and himself, into working harder. He could forget, he had to. 

So he tried, for a whole month the two men did not meet each other and for what it’s worth they tried to forget but every night Midoriya visited Bakugou in his dreams. Replacing memories he didn’t even know he had, replacing “shitty hair” with “deku”, oblivious pining with mutual love, red with green, it was like Midoriya was rewriting his brain code and Bakugou was helpless to stop it. 

He put in more effort at home, started coming home earlier, took a trip with Kirishima back to their home town hoping the sights of their school, where they had their first date, their first kiss, where he confessed, hoping something would bring back the memories. Would stop those damn green eyes from taking over his life but it never worked. The minute Kirishima let go off him he was drifting off in search of a color that despite his best attempt he just could not find it in himself to hate.

Nothing worked, thoughts of Midoriya overtook Bakugou and soon enough it was driving him mad. He thought he saw him when he went jogging in the morning, he heard his laugh, that twinkling laugh that floated in one ear and settled in his mind like glue but what pushed him over the edge was that name. 

“Kachaan.”

Midoriya had never called him that in real-time, it was a child’s nickname. Something you called your friend when you played in the sandbox and ate glue and yet every time he closed his eyes he could see pretty pink lips forming the letters in a way that was more beautiful than any painting, any scenery, any damn thing Katsuki Bakugou had ever seen. 

And then there was Kirishima, he was like a whirlwind that man. He spiralled every other day about some problem with the designs and only stopped when he saw the confused look on Bakugou’s face. His laugh, loud and boisterous, Bakugou’s favorite sound, would fill the house and he would wrap strong arms around his husband and tease him about his lack of style. He would tickle Bakugou and Bakugou would laugh so hard and long he would forget all about the green eyed demon that haunted his dreams and waking hours. Kirishima with his monthly dye jobs, keeping his hair fresh and red. “It gives me an interesting edge.” He had confessed once, late at night. He would look into Kirishima’s eyes, he would see the years of love, of commitment and promises they made to each other. He would feel the cold of the metal band against his skin when Kirishima would slip his hands under Bakugou’s shirt and he would smile because this was the man he was in love with. 

With his loud laugh and rough hands, scarred over time with needle pricks and unfortunate accidents. With his red hair dye and daring fashion choices, with his soft kisses that filled Bakugou with warmth and understanding. Kirishima was the one he loved and he would hold the redhead close and pepper kisses on every inch of exposed skin, whispering “I love you’s” after each one. 

“Midoriya are you done? We need to meet with their team today.” Shinsou called out to his boss and watched as Shoto all but dragged Midoriya out of the office. “Ready?”

“I fucking guess.” Midoriya said and straightened his tie as he shot his brother a death glare. “You’re going next time.”

“Doesn’t matter, he’s your client.”

“Crawl up a garbage shoot and die.”

“Love you too, bye Shinsou.” 

Midoriya grumbled as he walked with Shinsou to the car, Shinsou kept his questions to himself. He knew better than to ask what was wrong with his little boss, once he started talking he wouldn’t stop and Shinsou simply didn’t get paid enough to deal with that so early. 

They made it to Bakugou’s office building, Midoriya angrily mumbling the entire drive there. They made it up the elevator and into the conference room, Midoriya still angrily mumbling except quieter and Shinsou was this close to smacking his boss across the head when the other team walked in, led by a blonde who looked like he hadn’t gotten enough sleep. 

Shinsou empathized. 

“Good morning everyone, Midoriya, Shinsou. It’s good to have you back, Sero tells me that thing have been going smoothly so far but we need to move onto the next phase? The merger hasn’t been fully worked out yet?” Bakugou asked as he took his place opposite Midoriya. He made eye contact this time, watching the other mans movements and waiting to hear his voice. He had been conflicted about whether the voice he was hearing in his dreams where Midoriya’s or one he had made up on his own but once the man opened his mouth Bakugou swore to hell and back that he would never forget it again. 

They meeting continued on for two hours, Midoriya noticed Bakugou glancing at his phone and then at him. Every time Bakugou caught Midoriya staring he would look away, blush threatening to show on his cheeks and Bakugou had the audacity to smirk at his discomfort. 

Did they get divorced? No that wasn’t possible the gold band was still on his fingers, from what Midoriya saw when he peaked at the blonde’s phone the red haired man was the lockscreen picture. They were still together, Bakugou was still married but where did all the fear and guilt go? Midoriya’s mind was racing, his doubts and questions about his so called soulmate tumbling over his plans and ideas for his company. 

By the time they were done everyone looked absolutely worn out but it wasn’t really anything big, they would have to return to the same place in a while. Just a short lunch break for everyone to stretch their legs or in Shinsou’s case ask his boss exactly why he kept staring at the blonde team leader. 

“You guys wanna come with us? We’re going to Baku’s favorite place, well it’s all of ours but he introduced it-“

“They get it Kami.” Bakugou interrupted as the rambling got louder and louder. 

Kaminari blushed deep red and apologized to the two men. 

“So you wanna come?”

“You’re going?” Midoriya asked, turning to Bakugou.

“Obviously.” Bakugou responded, his eyes where trained on the shorter boy doing his best to look stand offish and intimidating but he couldn’t deny the way his breath got stuck in his throat when Midoriya looked up at him. 

“Okay the-“ He was cut off by Bakugou stumbling forward. 

“Hi baby.” Midoriya looked up to see a redhead, no, the redhead, the one from the pictures and the lockscreen hanging off Bakugou’s shoulders. He gulped when his eyes caught on the ring. 

Still married. 

Bakugou turned around, surprise taking over his features when he saw who it was. Initial shock gave way to a scowl as he folded his arms across his chest, “What?” He asked, his voice biting and cold. 

The rest of his team moved away, knowing exactly what that tone meant. Poor Midoriya was left wondering how he got himself into such a situation completely oblivious to Bakugou’s explosive temper. 

“Is that any way to treat your lovely husband who came to take you out to eat?” Kirishima asked, pouting. He tied his hands together in front of him and hunched a little so he could look Bakugou in the eye. 

“I have plans.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m going out with Midoriya-“ he said, only after a few seconds did he realize that he had stopped speaking, “with Midoriya and the rest.”

“Oh? Who’s this Midoriya who’s stealing my husband away from me huh?” Kirishima asked, laughing as he looked past Bakugou. A simple joke made Bakugou’s stomach turn insde out and brought Midoriya crashing back down to reality. 

“Hello, my name’s Izuku Midoriya. I’m one of the new clients, we were all just about to go eat but by all means take him off our hands.” Midoriya said, swiping on his trademark smile and reaching out to shake Kirishima’s hand. 

“Lovely to meet you, Eijirou Kirishima. I’m this ones husband and thank you very much kind sir, you know maybe you should spend some time with him, he may finally learn some manners.” Kirishima said, laughing again. 

Midoriya laughed too, like a strangled cat and turned away from the couple to hide the blush that was forming on his cheeks. 

“I’m sorry baby, I shouldn’t have yelled please let me make it up to you.” Midoriya could hear the two talking as he walked away, he wanted to punch whoever it was that decided soulmates. Why did his soulmate’s husband have to be so nice.

Midoriya picked up his phone and walked out of the building accompanied by Shinsou and the rest of Bakugou’s team and maybe if he turned around he would have seen Bakugou’s eyes following him out of the building. 

And so spring came to and end, time kept ticking and life went on. The weather became hotter and Kirishima insisted it was perfect weather for the crocs. The leaves outside started to turn crispy and burnt and it was almost too hot for Bakugou to wear his suits to work anymore. 

Three months went by and with every passing night, every meeting and every daydream the soul bond tightened like a noose around the two men. The longer they spent apart from each other they more suffocated they felt, like they where stuck in glass tubes opposite from each other. If they could just break it or swim out far enough they could reach the other, interlock fingers and maybe, the noose would loosen. 

“Give me your number.”

“Sorry?”

“There’s too much to do over mail so give me your number.” Bakugou knew when he made stupid decisions and just for the record he wanted it clear that he knew of the stupidity of this particular decision. 

Chapter Text

“Katsuki can you take out of the trash?”

“Kats?”

“Katsuki Bakugou!” Kirishima yelled, stopping at their bedroom door. He looked inside to find Bakugou sitting on the bed, hunching over his phone and typing into it furiously. “Whacha doing?” He asked as he moved closer to Bakugou. The other man locked his phone too fast for Kirishima’s comfort but he chose to ignore it. He wrapped his arms around Bakugou’s neck and sat down in his lap, “Did you hear me baby?” He asked.

“Hm? No love what do you need?” Bakugou asked, his arms snaking around the red heads waist. He in fact hadn’t heard Kirishima at all and was trying his best to ignore the buzzing of his phone in his pocket. It wasn’t fair that Bakugou’s attention was more on the phone than on the man in his lap but he couldn’t help it. Every since Midoriya and him had exchanged numbers he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about texting him. 

He had taken his number an entire week ago but he hadn’t garnered the courage to actually send a text, his fingers hovered over the contact, sometimes clicking on it just to check his contact picture, sometimes he would type out a greeting but delete with such speed. It was a similar day and Bakugou was typing and retyping a simple “Hey” when he heard the familiar “ping” of his phone and a new message bubble popped up on the screen. 

Midoriya: You’ve been typing for five minutes, what are you going to send to me?

Bakugou stared at the message and all of a sudden his competitiveness kicked in, he was making fun of him. Teasing him, Bakugou wasn’t going to take this shit from the green haired midget so he put his anxiety on a backseat, kicked his feet up and tapped into that arrogant bastard energy from high school.

Bakugou: You waiting for a text from me short stack?

Midoriya: Perhaps…

He wasn’t expecting that, it came seconds after he sent his reply and Bakugou was expecting a little more time. He could practically see the blush that should have spread across Midoriya’s cheeks, lighting up his freckles but that fantasy was squashed with his next reply. 

Midoriya: Or maybe I’m just tired of seeing the “Katsuki Bakugou is typing” only to be disappointed with no follow through.

Oh he was going to tear through this man if he kept teasing him this way, Bakugou couldn’t help but compare it to how Kirishima had talked to him when they first met. With Kirishima it was undying friendship and loyalty, he had latched onto Bakugou from the very first week they had met and he refused to let him go no matter how much of a brat he was. There was no push and pull, Bakugou was sweet on Kirishima from the beginning, when he would yell and threaten the rest of their classmates he would only sneer at Kirishima. A sneer that slowly turned into a smirk which developed into a laugh only he could pull out. 

With Midoriya it was like a game of tag, they were playing games with each other. Trying to win out the other and he loved the rush of competition, he felt like he was in high school again fighting it out to get to the top spot. Be the first one from his family to leave their shitty town but all throughout high school there was no one to fight, no one to compete against. He was always the winner, always the one who came out on top. He was working his dream job, he was attractive and was content, he was happily married to his fucking high school sweetheart for gods sake, he had won but it was never enough. Bakugou never had anyone to compete with and all of a sudden there’s this wide eyed messy haired nerd who refused to let him off easy. Who was determined to tease and taunt, to pull at his heart strings and invade his picture perfect life like something out a movie and he was getting addicted. 

Bakugou: full names? You know many other Bakugou’s?

Midoriya: No one as memorable as you.

Bakugou bit his lip, resisting the urge to smile. This was such a bad idea, a horrible idea in fact, the worst one he’s ever had and yet he couldn’t put the phone away. Couldn’t turn away, couldn’t set the boundaries that where so clearly necessary for the two of them. 

Bakugou: Damn right you haven’t.

Bakugou sent and waited for a second, chewing on his bottom lip as he contemplated sending the next text.

Bakugou: No one else has that much of an effect.

Across town Midoriya nearly screamed at the response, his cheeks flushing a deep red. He was flirting back, maybe he still had a chance. He hadn’t lost yet.

“Take out the trash.” Kirishima said and whacked him across the head before getting off his lap. Bakugou sat there blinking at the redhead as he walked away from him until what he did finally settled and a wicked smirk showed itself. 

“Yeah okay.” He said, his voice with a dangerous edge to it as he got off the bed and picked up his husband by the waist and carried him out. The sound of Kirishima’s laughs and begging Bakugou to stop tickling him drowned out the sounds of the notifications on his phone. 

When Kirishima walked into work on a Sunday afternoon, the place was abuzz with excitement as people in all departments where busy finalizing the details on the gala they were throwing to show off the summer collection. Kirishima himself was assigned to design the accent pieces for the male models along with Jirou and the bags under his eyes was proof enough of how hard he had been going at it. He walked into the office where Jirou and him where working on the accent pieces after dropping off his bag at his desk and saw her pouring over a number of color palettes. 

“Hey J.” 

“Kiri!” Jirou exclaimed and threw her hands around him, “Thank god, so I want to add purple accents under the black tie’s but Miss Riya thinks that’s too dark and I wanted to tell her that the dark and alternative is what’s in right now but she just won’t listen.” She said, her words moving a mile a minute as she gestured at the colors. 

“Hm, she’s not wrong though J. For the summer spread, we’ve been going for light earthy tones though I personally would have preferred earthy for fall. If we push in purple and black against the browns and orange it’ll be too much of a clash of personality.” He said and ran his fingers over the test pieces of different cloth materials, “How about mesh? Mesh is super in right now isn’t it? If we could work mesh in with the outfits, making it stand out as an attention grabber we could sell it.” Kirishima said and turned his attention back to her.

“Hmmmm…” Jirou started and continued muttering under her breath about the mesh as Kirishima watched her. “Let’s try it.” 

They worked like that for a few hours, trying different colors and patterns until someone stuck their head in to let them know that the team was going to get lunch together. Kirishima checked the time and looked at the faces of his colleagues before shaking his head, “You guys go ahead, I think I’m gonna take lunch to Bakugou today.” He said and smiled, hoping they would understand.

“Oh of course Kiri, have fun with the hubby tell him I said hi.” Jirou chirped before walking out of the room. 

Kirishima leaned against the table behind him and took a deep breath, there had been a strange energy between the two of them recently. Sure Kirishima had been undeniably busy but Bakugou didn’t even seem to care, he didn’t realize when Kirishima came home late, sometimes forgot to check up on him when he worked into the night and with the extra hours he was pulling they barely saw each other anymore. Even this morning Kirishima woke up to an empty bed as usual but what was strange was the lack of a note and breakfast made and ready. It had been a steady rhythm the two boys had ever since they started living together, Bakugou cooked and Kirishima cleaned.

He pulled on his jacket and his bag and walked out, contemplating sending his husband a text telling him he was coming but decided against it. Kirishima would surprise Bakugou, take him out to eat at their favorite restaurant and they would spend some time together and everything would be absolutely perfect. He smiled to himself and tugged on the jacket collar as if it would give him a little boost of confidence. He took the train as far as he could and walked the rest of the way to Bakugou’s office, smiling at Uraraka at the reception and walking in. Everyone at the office knew Kirishima, when they had first gotten married Kirishima would be at the office every other day ready to take his husband out to lunch and the days when he wasn’t at Bakugou’s office, Bakugou would be at his. He took the elevator upstairs and made his way to his husbands office only to find an empty room, he frowned at the scene and looked around for a while before popping his head into the break room. 

“Kiri!” Kaminari called out at the sight of the redhead, he was in the middle of biting down on a sandwich . 

“Hey Kami,” Kirishima said smiling and walking into the room, the blonde was alone and had his earphones plugged in. “You seen Katsu?” Kirishima asked.

“Oh… uh he went out for lunch with Midoriya a while back.” Kaminari replied, suddenly feeling a whole lot more awkward at the way Kirishima’s face fell. “Work stuff you know, they were working on something and they didn’t wanna stop halfway so-“ he started rambling trying to soothe Kirishima though he wasn’t really sure what he was soothing him from.

“Ah no it’s okay don’t worry. My fault for not informing early on.” Kirishima said, doing his best to pull his smile back on, “Have a good day Kami, let him know I came by yeah?” 

Kaminari nodded and offered a smile back though it came out a little more dipped in pity than he had intended. Kirishima walked out, his hands tucked deep in his pockets. He didn’t understand what he felt, he had never really felt this heat of jealousy in his body but here it was. Kirishima wasn’t stupid, he knew that the constant barrage of notifications was from this supposed new client. He knew that when Bakugou started laughing all of a sudden it was because Midoriya sent him a funny picture or said something that poked at him. Bakugou had been revived with new life in the past few months, the old competitive spirit that Kirishima had fallen in love with that had become dormant over the years. Kirishima knew that he himself wasn’t much for competition, he preferred enjoying the race and doing what he wanted to do rather than gunning after first place. Bakugou still did everything to be the best at what he did but with no one to challenge him and push him he slowly settled into a simple jog because that was all that was needed from him to retain his spot. 

But now something was different, there was a fire lit in his eyes and Kirishima could see it. He didn’t know Midoriya well, only meeting him a few times when he stopped by Bakugou’s office and once when he stepped in during a video call but he could see how comfortable his husband had gotten with the man. Kirishima huffed and shook his head, it wasn’t fair to him or Bakugou to doubt like this. He was just out with a friend for lunch, they would work on business and Bakugou would come home that day and everything would be fine. 

“Shut up Deku.”

Kirishima whipped around at the familiar voice, his eyes locking into the two men, walking side by side. They were too close if you asked Kirishima. He stood exactly where he was, hidden from view and watched. 

“You need to stop calling me that, I can’t believe you’re sticking to it.”

“Cry about it.”

“Bakugou it’s embarrassing .”

“Too fucking bad Deku, that’s your name now.”

The voices stopped for a minute as Kirishima watched, his fingers pressing against the inside of his hands trying to keep himself from walking up to his husband and claiming him out of the sheer jealousy that was growing in him. 

“Okay Kachaan .” 

Kirishima flinched at the name. He waited for Bakugou to say something, to get angry or at least the familiar flare of his nostrils before he started cursing someone to hell and back but nothing came. He watched as Bakugou stared at the shorter man before scoffing and rolling his eyes. Kirishima turned and walked away in the opposite direction. 

Kachaan, that name. Bakugou had to blink a few times, he was tempted to pinch himself to try and figure out whether he was dreaming. There should have been no logical way for Midoriya to know that name much less call him that but here they were. Standing inches away from each other after what would definitely have been counted as a date calling each other the same names they used in his dreams. Bakugou stared at Midoriya and was gripped with the impossible urge to kiss the other man, his eyes flickered down to Midoriya’s lips and the sight of them dipping into a frown was what shook him out of it. 

“Tch, shut up Deku.” He said and began walking again.

“Whatever you say Kachaan.” Midoriya said, laughing as he caught up with the blonde. 

His heart was soaring, this lunch date with Bakugou, the easy way their conversation flowed. Back and forth like a game of catch were they where both trying to make the other one slip up, it was exhilarating. Of course Midoriya had has boyfriends and girlfriends alike before but none as exciting as being around Bakugou, making the blonde slip up, catch him in a stutter or a blush proved to be more difficult than he had guessed. Over the phone without his piercing red eyes and having to look at the man it was all so much easier but the minute he was actually in Bakugou’s presence he felt most of his bravado slip away but Bakugou didn’t need to know that. 

They easily slipped into a comfortable rhythm of conversation, which was more than a little surprise to Bakugou’s colleagues who had to work for months to even get on a semi friendly basis with the blonde. They swore up and down that Midoriya had some sort of gravitational pull to him due to how easy even they felt around him but Bakugou choked on his own spit. They didn’t know shit about a gravitational pull and it showed. 

“All right then, we’ll be out of your hair for a few weeks while we work out some of the kinks and I’ll be in touch with Sero.” Shinsou said and he closed his laptop and tucked it into the case. Midoriya’s eyes lingered on Bakugou, they had spent the past two weeks together, everyday meeting in Bakugou’s office, going out for lunch sometimes the two of them, sometimes the whole team. It had become a routine that Midoriya enjoyed beyond anything he’s ever known and the idea that he would be away for so long made his heart ache. He really wasn’t sure how he was already so attached to the man considering they had only really been around each other for a month and some change. It was nearly August, summer was almost over and while usually his mind would be pre occupied by thoughts of trips back home to visit his parents now all he could think about was Katsuki Bakugou and how beautiful he looked when the summer sun reflected in his hair and the way his shirt clung to him when he removed the blazer cause “holy fucking shit Deku it’s so hot why are you wearing a sweater?” 

And now he wouldn’t see him all August, even if his team would, he would be back in Musutafu with Shoto and their parents. Midoriya sighed, a little louder than necessary earning him a glare from Shinsou. It had been a solid month of the two of them coming back and forth from this office and every time they had to leave Midoriya would sigh like a child being forced to leave his favorite toy behind, Shinsou wasn’t an idiot he could see exactly what was causing his boss’s moods but he didn’t open his mouth abut it. Midoriya smiled apologetically and returned to packing up his own stuff. 

“Well see you soon Bakugou.” Midoriya said, holding back on his new nickname. He would swear up and down that it was to not embarrass Bakugou in front of his colleagues but in all reality it came from a place of possessiveness. He was already sharing his soulmate with someone else, he wanted someone for himself.

“Goodbye Midoriya, I’ll be in touch. Thank you Shinsou.” Bakugou said and shook hands with the purple haired man. Of course everyone noticed the way Bakugou and Midoriya never touched each other, they would talk to each other like they had known each other for years but kept such careful distance and the doubts were there. Of course they were there but no one said a word. 

Bakugou and his team had their own meeting, going over the progress they had made and making estimates of just how much more time this project would last. He stayed a little late that day, finishing up some pending work that had taken the backseat with this massive project being the main thing on everyones minds. 

Midoriya: Hey Kachaan.

Bakugou’s phone buzzed on his table and he picked it up, smile making it’s way onto his face as he read the text. 

Bakugou: What do you want Deku?

Midoriya: Gosh so rude, just wanted to know what you where up to.

Bakugou: working.

Midoriya: still???? It’s nearly nine.

Bakugou: not everyone’s daddy owns the company Deku. 

Midoriya: oh fuck you.

Bakugou raised an eyebrow at the profanity, in the few months they had been working together and in the solid month they had been talking Bakugou had never heard an angry word much less a curse fall from his lips.

Midoriya: ah shit sorry, I was hoping to keep the dirty mouth hidden a little longer at least.

Bakugou: It’s alright I think like your dirty mouth.

Bakugou only realized what he had done until after he sent the message. His eyes blew wide open and he rushed to type in an apology for what the message sounded like but stopped short when he received the reply. 

Midoriya: yeah?

Midoriya: …it’s pretty useful. 

“Bakugou! Woah hey why’s your face all red?” Came a voice from the door to his office. Bakugou’s head snapped up to find Sero standing there, his hand rubbing the back of his neck like he had just caught Bakugou watching porn. 

“U-uh n-nothing Sero.” Bakugou said, stumbling over his own words. He cleared his throat and went to stand before realizing that all the heat in his body had made it’s way to his groin.

“Oh god. Not good. Not good at all.” Bakugou thought, his inner monologue was going crazy. He hadn’t had a single racey thought about Midoriya till now and he couldn’t believe that such a simple thing had managed to turn him on so much.

“Hey man it’s cool, Kirishima’s attractive I get it.” Sero said, laughing. “Go home to your husband dude, you can wrap it up later. You’ve been working way too hard lately.” 

Every word Sero said was like a nail in Bakugou’s coffin, his husband. Kirishima. His husband who was waiting for him at home after a whole day at work and Bakugou was sitting in his office getting hard over another guy. At least what he said managed to deflate the boner and Bakugou could stand up. He let out a broken laugh and gathered his things, switching off his phone. Completely forgetting to reply to Midoriya. 

“Yeah, goodnight sero.” 

Midoriya stared at his phone, five minutes had gone by, ten, fifteen but no reply came. He threw his phone across the bed and punched his pillow. He had regretted sending the message almost immediately but there was nothing to be done so as the seconds ticked on all Midoriya could do was sink further into his bed and berate himself over and over. Innocent flirting was one thing but being suggestive, telling Bakugou his mouth was useful of all things. Midoriya thought he could die now and be entirely happy with it. He was beyond grateful that he wouldn’t have the face the other man for at least a month now.  

He got off his bed and walked out of his room just to stand in the middle of the hall and look around. He didn’t even know why he left the room he just felt irritable, and thought if he had to sit there staring at his phone waiting for a reply he might just end up breaking his phone. He walked into the kitchen and sighed, he had already eaten, there was nothing to watch and he had no one to spend time with. It was a weekday, everyone would be busy with their families or work and his brother would be with his girlfriend anyway. Midoriya folded himself over the kitchen counter and rested his forehead on the marble, his place was too big, too empty. He cursed himself for moving so far from his family and into a place that was way too big for just one person. 

Midoriya stood up straight again and looked at the clock, 9:30 pm. He could go for a run and make it back before it got too late so he heaved a grand sigh and changed into running clothes before walking out, earphones plugged in. He would run until the thoughts of Katsuki he definitely shouldn’t be having drained away. He stopped short at the realization that his inner monologue had changed. It was Katsuki now, he was so screwed. 

Bakugou waited outside the station, his foot tapping against the pavement as he waited for a cab to get back home. It would start raining soon and once it did he would be truly fucked, almost as if by fate a car pulled up. Bakugou scowled as the cab stopped just outside the station and he walked forward telling the driver the location. The man inside nodded and Bakugou opened the door to the backseat, he was about to step inside when he thought he saw a flash of green across the street under the street lights. He wanted to call out, he was so fucking tempted to call out to check if it was Midoriya but then what? Would he stop and stay there to talk to him, honestly he might have if it weren’t for the text that flashed on his screen asking him where he was. 

“Sir? You getting in?” The driver asked from the front seat, getting annoyed with Bakugou’s stalling. 

“Yeah yeah.” He said and shook his head, getting into the seat and closing the door behind him. He forced himself to stay still, keep his head focused forward as the cab took off, going the opposite direction from Deku. 

“Hey Eiji, I’m home.” 

“Kitchen.” 

Katsuki, took off his shoes and placed his laptop bag and suit jacket on the dining table before joining his husband in the kitchen, “What you doing red?”

“Making dinner.” Kirishima replied resting his head against Katsuki as he slipped his arms around Kirishima’s waist. 

“Mhm, it’s burning Kiri.” Bakugou said, holding back a laugh as he looked at the curry on the stove. 

“Oh fuck.” Kirishima exclaimed as he turned the heat down and rushed to grab the pot, “FUCK!” He yelled letting go of the pot and stumbling back, holding tight onto his hand. 

“You absolute idiot, come here let me see.” Bakugou said, cursing under his breath. He switched off the flame and pulled his husband with him to the washroom so he could check his burns. “You need to be more careful idiot.” 

“You distracted me.” Kirishima said, poking Bakugou with his foot as he sat on the bathroom counter.

“So it’s my fault you got hurt?” Bakugou asked, mainly paying attention to the burn on his hand. It didn’t look too bad, it probably wouldn’t scar either but if it got worse Bakugou would have to take Kirishima to the hospital and if his hands weren’t in working condition he wasn’t in working condition. Bakugou could already feel the migraine coming from Kirishima complaining about not being able to attend the gala. He caught himself on the thought, confusion and anger coming over him. Since when was he one to blame his husband for being upset about something, since when did he think of Kirishima as a headache. He shook his head a little trying to push the thought away as he applied cream on his burns. 

“Yes.” The redhead replied, nodding solemnly, “You’re too pretty.”

“Okay shitty hair, I’m sorry I’m so pretty that you get distracted so often.” Bakugou responded, chuckling a little. 

“Mm it’s okay, at least you’re mine.” Kirishima said, as Bakugou finished wrapping up his hand. Bakugou closed the distance between them, placing a kiss against Kirishima’s lips. He pulled back but Kirishima’s hands wrapped around the back of his neck and pulled him back so that their foreheads where pressed against each other. “Stay.”

“Shitty hair I’m not going anywhere.” Bakugou said, his voice thick. He felt like he was speaking through a tub of Vaseline, like his brain knew that he didn’t completely believe that. Even though he wanted to, he didn’t and he was being punished for lying so openly. For having the audacity to lie to Kirishima when he already knew the truth. 

“Mm…” Kirishima hummed and kissed him again before letting him go. Bakugou was packing up the first aid kit and putting it back in the stand when Kirishima made his first mistake, “Thanks Kachaan.” He said, experimenting. He just wanted to see what the reaction would be, whether his doubts and worries where just that. That there was no truth to them.

“What the fuck?”

No such luck though, “Huh?”

“What did you call me?”

“Kachaan? I thought it was cute, thought of it today.” Kirishima said, twisting his hands behind his back. He wasn’t lying entirely. 

“I see,” Bakugou said and paused for a second, his eyes trained on the floor, “I don’t really like that one, let’s just stick to the hundreds of other ones you have okay?” Bakugou said, hoping it was clear that this wasn’t up for discussion. 

“O-oh, yeah sure Kats. Sorry, it’s kind of silly.” Kirishima said, trying to ignore the way his heart was squeezing in his chest. Maybe Bakugou had just realized the name was silly, maybe he was just trying to please an important client. 

“No nothing like that it’s just. It’s not us.” Bakugou said, quick to defend the name. He regretted it the moment he saw Kirishima’s face, looking like a broken mirror. Bakugou didn’t know why but what scared him more than Kirishima’s expression was the annoyance that grew in him, something that never used to happen. The general reaction to any kind of pain from Kirishima was unbridled worry and guilt, never annoyance and yet here he was. Feeling like he wanted to roll his eyes and walk out, all he could hear was the Midoriya’s voice. His loud and playful voice shouting “Kachaan” and just how right it was on him, how perfect it sounded coming from him. 

“Yeah of course, can you finish up dinner?” Kirishima asked, holding up his hand and trying for a smile. 

“Let’s just order in.” Bakugou responded as he washed the remnants of the medicine of his hands and walked out of the washroom, not looking Kirishima in the eye. 

“Yeah okay, I’ll be in the study.” Kirishima said and followed his husband out, eyes trained on the ground to avoid the tears that where building. 

Bakugou grunted in response and settled on the couch, he turned on the TV and pulled up Netflix. Indian Matchmaking, it was the newest trashy reality show he was watching. He couldn’t explain why he would get so addicted to these kind of shows but he would and he loved to hate them. He pulled out his phone and ordered noodles and chicken for the two of them before laying down on the couch, tossing his phone on the table in front. He could hear Kirishima moving around in the study, knocking things over and mumbling. In the back of his head was the nagging reminder that he should be pulling Kirishima out of there, dragging him to the couch so they could cuddle and watch the shitty show together but he did nothing.

Midoriya lay upside down on his couch, still sweaty and stinky from his run, staring at the ending credits of yet another anime he really didn’t pay attention to, he had been spending his weekends like this for a solid two months now. Replacing every love interest with Katsuki’s face and playing through every possible scenario where they could have met and fallen in love instead of the one they were stuck in now. Hell he didn’t even mind if they were rivals like in that one superhero anime and they had a love hate relationships because at least then he wouldn’t be running a race with his legs tied together. 

He stared at the TV as the credits rolled, darkness like a blanket over him. Midoriya turned his head to where his phone lay on the floor, completely silent and dark. No one had texted, Katsuki still hadn’t replied to him and Midoriya groaned. He turned around fully, falling onto the floor with the all the grace of a hippo and held his phone in his hands. He switched it on and looked at the blue ticks indicating that his message was read. Katsuki had just chosen not to respond, Midoriya bit the inside of his cheek and stared at his phone as if a reply would magically appear if he just looked at it hard enough but nothing came. 

He typed out a message and his conscious started up again, “do you really have no shame?” “Izuku come on don’t give in like this.” “You’re worth a reply.” But his thirst was stronger that his self esteem so he said fuck it and sent the message.

Deku: You up?”

Kachaan: when did I go from business associate to booty call shitty deku?

The response was immediate, Midoriya didn’t even have enough time to roll around on the floor mortified that he did it but now he had more of a reason to do exactly that. 

Deku: Business associate? Damn and here I was thinking we where friends.

Kachaan: you’d be lucky to be my friend

Deku: Uhuh, okay Kachaan that’s why I call you Kachaan.

Katsuki stared at the screen for a few minutes, the nerd had caught him red handed. Hell he had even told his husband off for using the name but Midoriya had no reason to know that.

Kachaan: whatever nerd, what’s up?

Midoriya clutched his phone tight in his hands as he pondered his next question but he was too far gone, there was no turning back now so once again he uttered a loud “fuck it” slapped his hands against his cheeks and picked up his phone again. 

Deku: What you doing?

Kachaan: Watching some shitty show alone.

Deku: Oh? Where’s Kirishima? 

Kachaan: working, he’s got some big gala coming up

Deku: I see, I see

Kachaan: what’s up nerd you’ve got weird energy.

Bakugou waited, his eyebrow raised and breath caught in his throat. He didn’t know why but he got almost nervous energy coming off of the texts from Midoriya which he knew was silly, there was nothing to be nervous about. They’re earlier conversation, maybe yes but this was innocent to a fault and yet there was something off. Bakugou couldn’t think for long though because Kirishima had come rushing out of the study, “Need some stuff. Be back soon, I’ll pick up the food.” He said, not bothering to stop and listen to Bakugou. He was out of sight almost as soon as he appeared. Bakugou sat up and sighed, unsure of what he was expected to do in the situation but all that was replaced with a different kind of worry when he phone started ringing. 

“Deku?” Katsuki’s eyes widened as he whispered the name that was flashing on the screen. It was a video call, fuck Deku was video calling him and he didn’t know how to react. He froze, watching the screen light up for a ring, two, then three until finally he realized the call would come to an end if he didn’t pick up so he did. He slid his finger across the screen and picked up the call to see the most blinding smile on the other side. Deku’s lips seemed to have been stretched across his face, more so that usual and his eyes where twinkling. Katsuki could only see so much, it was so dark on his side just a light glow over his face showing off just how pretty and bright his eyes really where. 

“Kachaan! You picked up.” He exclaimed, surprise and joy battling each other to claim the top spot on his features.

“Why wouldn’t I nerd?” Bakugou asked, scoffing though he could feel the heat rising in the back of his neck.

“I don’t know,” he said, trailing off seemingly lost in thought until Bakugou yelled at him to pay attention. “Ah I was bored, I figured since you weren’t doing anything anyway. We could do nothing together?” 

“Oh.” Bakugou said, letting the mans words settle in. Realizing what he meant, sit in each others company. Bakugou and Kirishima used to do things like that back when they were in university. Stay on call for hours while they did their own work, often falling asleep together. It was the only way they knew how to deal with the distance without losing their minds and here he was, married to the man he once couldn’t bare spending a weekend apart from but seeking comfort from the company of another. It was pathetic, it wasn’t even sex, no he wasn’t even seeking physical pleasure but something deeper. Something more inate, like Izuku filled a gap that’s been empty from the moment of creation. Like he fulfilled some deep sense of want and need that Katsuki had never felt before in his life. He stopped short.

Izuku. Fuck it had become Izuku. 

“Y-yeah, we don’t have to though. I thought maybe it would be nice that’s all.” Midoriya started, his mouth moving a mile a minute as fear settled back in.

“Shut up, you’re right it’s nice to have the company.” Bakugou said and settled into the couch again. He propped his phone up on the coffee table so that Midoriya could see Bakugou without him having to hold the phone up, “You wanna watch the shitty show with me?”

“Oh I would love to Kachaan. What show is it?” Midoriya asked, clicking away from the next Anime that was already loading on the screen to the Netflix home page. 

“Indian Matchmaking, I’m on episode three.” Bakugou said and soon after he had said it he heard loud laughter from his phone, “What nerd?”

“Indian WHAT?” Midoriya asked as he nearly doubled over himself from laughter.

Bakugou wanted to get mad, he wanted to get angry and scream at the boy for laughing at him but he just couldn’t damn it. The sound of his laughter, loud and unrestrained was intoxicating and all Bakugou could do was sit there, smiling like an idiot, his head titled like a dog staring at their owner as Midoriya laughed until tears came out of his eyes. 

“Okay, okay I’m done.” He said and climbed back onto his own couch before scrunching up his eyes at Katsuki, “What? Why you looking at me like that?”

“What? You’re ugly when you laugh.” Bakugou replied, ripping his eyes away from the boy who’s expression had gone soft. His eyes would have turned into cartoon hearts with the way Midoriya was gazing at Katsuki, dipped in affection close to the purest form of love that existed. He looked at Katsuki, with his blushed cheeks and eyes flitting everywhere but the camera, with his hands messing up his already messy blonde hair and his eyes, god his eyes that always felt like they were burning holes inside Midoriya’s defenses. 

He loved Katsuki’s eyes and the fire that blazed in them sometimes dormant, sometimes alight like if he stared too long they would swallow him up.Those red eyes that bore into him like the devil inviting him away from his god, telling him that all will be fine if he would just let up and accept the chains across his wrists. 

Say goodbye to his false god and allow Katsuki to be his new religion, his new meaning and purpose and worship him. Worship what it means to love and be loved by Katsuki, without fear or worry, without regard for safety. Give up his pretences and accept him into his life, let go of all he held onto, let him devour him. Let Katsuki’s love devour him completely until there was nothing left but his eyes and his touch and his taste. Let him take Midoriya until there was nothing but him. Nothing left but Katsuki. 

His eyes burned patches into his skin, leaving him raw and red and ready for whatever he wanted, whatever Kachaan needed.  

“I’m ready Kachaan.” Midoriya said, his voice soft. He had set up the same show on his own TV. 

Katsuki felt the heat in his stomach grow, this man with his velveteen voice and twinkling laugh, this man with eyes that shone like the stars and freckles painted across cheeks that looked like satin. This man with his unruly green curls and lips that looked so soft it was unholy. This man would be the death of him, he thought as he settled comfortably into the couch and watched Midoriya the entire time he was watching the show. 

When Kirishima finally got home, packages stuffed under his arm and the take out bag wrapped around a fist he found Bakugou fast asleep on the couch with the TV still playing. He smiled and put everything into the kitchen before walking over to his husband to wake him up and get him back to bed but stopped short at the reality of the situation. Katsuki Bakugou was asleep, but also asleep was Izuku Midoriya on the screen of his phone. 

Kirishima went to bed alone.

Chapter Text

Katsuki Bakugou was not a patient man, he has never been a patient man but when he had specifically got home early from work so he could cook a special dinner, grab a nice gift he had been saving and clean the whole apartment he expected his husband to be on time. The leaves had turned orange and the sharp cool wind had picked up, it was fall now, October and that meant a certain redheads birthday. Bakugou loved treating Kirishima on his birthday, loved to go out of his way to cook and clean and spoil his husband rotten because he always felt like he didn’t do enough other times so this year with everything that happened with Midoriya and the more than obvious strain on their relationship he was determined to outdo himself. 

Bakugou went the whole way, set up the flowers and candles all over the apartment, cleaned everything, made Kirishima’s favorite food from scratch, he had a cake cooling in the fridge. A gift sitting on the dining table and his parents and Mina where all coming into town. He himself was dressed in a three piece black suit as dark as night with a deep orange lining on the cuffs and the collar. Kirishima had bought it for him on his birthday and expressed time and time again how sexy it looked. 

Well that was three hours ago when Kirishima Eijirou promised he would be home from the party his co workers threw for him, it had been three hours since Kirishima giggled and yipped about how excited he was to see what Katsuki had in store for him. The clock struck nine and Bakugou was sitting on the couch, surrounded in flowers that had begun to wilt and candles that hadn’t even been lit yet. His suit jacket was hanging on a chair and the food had long since gone cold, he sat in the dark, his head pressed against the back of the couch as the glow of the TV illuminated his pathetic state. 

The last time he checked his phone it was eight thirty and he had switched it off out of anger, no texts, no calls, nothing to update him about where Kirishima was. In a state of worry he had called Jirou, one of Kirishima’s colleagues who had picked up, slurred some words into the phone and hung up. They were drunk, they were partying and Bakugou was the poor sucker who was stuck at home waiting for his husband to come home when he could be at dinner with his soulmate. 

Bakugou groaned, he hadn’t talked to Izuku in two days when he turned down a dinner invitation. Well turned down was an understatement, he had all but screamed at Izuku for inviting him and now he was rightfully ignoring him. It seemed like the universe was punishing Bakugou for trying to juggle the men in his life and he didn’t even know which one he wanted. Bakugou was still running back and forth between his husband and his soulmate, it had been months, the year was almost over and Bakugou was nowhere near being able to decide. Sure Izuku made his heart sour, he brought back that feeling of being alive, of wanting to do things, of wanting to make something of himself. When he was around Izuku he felt himself wake up, a part of him that was kept hidden away, that was sleeping for so long, he felt that wake up and jump around like he was a child. When his eyes met Izuku’s green ones or when he laughed and Bakugou had to fight to hold himself back from grabbing the other man and kissing him. It all made Bakugou feel alive. 

But Kirishima was his home, he was safety and comfort and he was everything Bakugou wanted. Strike that, he was everything Bakugou once wanted, now he wasn’t so sure anymore. Sure when he hugged the redhead all he felt is warmth and pure love coming from him, sure Bakugou would do anything to make Kirishima happy, to keep him smiling and safe but he didn’t know if that was enough anymore. 

Even with all the doubts and all the worry every time he tried he couldn’t do it, he could see it in Midoriya’s eyes how hard he was fighting. How hard he was trying to not reach out and take Bakugou hands, to imprint the soulmate mark and his heart yearned for him to do just that. 

The muffled sound of his phone ringing broke him out of his trance, Bakugou all but dragged himself off the couch to look for his phone.

“Deku?” he whispered to himself as the caller id flashed. The call died with how long he had taken to process what he was seeing but before he could call again it started ringing again. Bakugou picked up.

“Kachaan…” 

“Hey Deku, listen about what happened at the company I don’t’ know what came over me. I can’t believe I just started yelling like that, I was so sure I left all that behind in high school. I'm… I'm really sorry Izuku, I didn’t mean to embarrass you like that.” Katsuki said, without breaking for a breath. He wasn’t even sure where the apology came from, he hadn’t prepared to apologize or even talk to Izuku and yet here he was. Just hearing Izuku’s voice on the line made his skin break out in goosebumps, he felt like he was put on life support, like someone breathed life into his corpse and it scared him. Scared him the same way it did when he heard the mans voice the first time. 

It was silent for a while, neither of them spoke. Bakugou could hear the others heavy breathing and pressed his nails into his thigh as he waited for a response. He didn’t know if the reason Izuku called was to terminate their relationship, whatever it was entirely or if he would forgive him. All Bakugou knew was that he would do anything to get Izuku back in his life again. 

“You make this so hard Kachaan.” He finally spoke, voice weak and barely held together. “I'm trying, I'm trying to respect you and your husband but you know we’re meant to be together. You feel it too don’t you? Its not just me and every time I try to push you away and be good you make it so hard. You laugh or your eyes will twinkle when I challenge you, you’ll throw your jacket at me cause I'm shivering or threaten someone for pushing me on a busy street. You make this so fucking hard Kachaan. I can’t not love you but I'm trying I promise I am.” Midoriya finished, his voice cracking and slurred end. He was crying, openly crying as he spoke his mind. 

“Izu- Deku I don’t-”

“No don’t say anything, just forget what I said. Tomorrow morning at work you’ll see me and you’ll forget everything I said. Pretend it never happened, its just too heavy Kachaan. It’s too heavy to hold in my heart alone, I had to tell you. Its okay, I know you’re married. Don’t worry I'm not mad. This never happened okay? I love you Kachaan.” Izuku said, sniffling and Bakugou could almost hear the sad smile on his face. Izuku hung up before Bakugou could reply.

Bakugou brought the phone and stared at it, clutching it tight as the tears that where piling up finally fell. They rolled down his face as he hand turned red from how tight he was gripping the phone, “I- I love you too.”

“KATSUKI! LOVEBUG! HUSBAND!” Kirishima’s voice cried out from the other side of the door breaking Bakugou out of his thoughts. Bakugou wiped his eyes and turned his head to the front door, guilt shooting through him as he walked to open the door.

“Angel! You look so handsome, did you get all dressed up for me?” Kirishima exclaimed, falling into Bakugou’s hands. He smelled of alcohol and his clothes were ruffled and messy beyond belief. Bakugou turned his head the other way and dragged his husband inside, dropping him on the couch. He set to work on removing Kirishima’s shoes and jacket while the redhead babbled on about the party. Bakugou was grateful he was so drunk and talking so loudly, at least this way he wouldn’t notice the tears that refused to stop. 

Once Bakugou was done he carried Kirishima into the bedroom and stripped off his clothes while avoiding every advance the red head made. He sat him down on the bed and held his hands down, “Eiji stop it. You’re drunk, we’re not doing that now.”

“But bakubabe, I missed you so much. Kiss me please, you haven’t kissed me in so long, I miss you baku I miss you I miss you I miss you..” Kirishima started, his voice becoming quieter as he continued chanting how much he missed his husband and Bakugou could hear the hurt in his voice. 

It was true, Bakugou had been distant, he had refused to give in to Kirishima’s advances. Had been spending more time at work, they barely slept together anymore and took any chance to leave the house. Bakugou took a deep breath and pulled a t-shirt over Kirishima’s head and laid him down. He knelt on the side of the bed next to his husband and pet his hair a while as he listened to him mumble but before he could get up to leave Kirishima grabbed his hand.

“Please Katsuki, don’t leave me. I love you. I’ve loved you forever Katsuki don’t leave me we’re soulmates, I miss you.” 

Bakugou sighed, feeling the tears well up in his own eyes at the sight of his husband. The man he promised to love forever until the end. To be there for and take care of through all hell and else, seeing the pain he caused, seeing how broken and lonely Kirishima really was, how broken and lonely Bakugou made him and he knew what he had to say. He knew what was the right thing to say but the words that left his lips where different, “We’re not.”

Kirishima closed his eyes and turned the other way, still and quiet as Bakugou got up and left the room. He slept on the couch that night, there would be nothing good out of them sleeping in the same bed.  The next morning was quiet, Bakugou awoke before Eijirou as he usually does, he crept around the house. Taking immense care to not wake Kirishima, he got dressed, made breakfast and left. Bakugou was so caught up in thinking about what he said to Kirishima the night before, about what Kirishima said, how tired he sounded when said it the events of what happened with Izuku slipped his mind.

Until he ran into said man in the lobby that is. Bakugou walked straight into the him, jumping back when he realized who it was. He had to resists the urge to check his finger, to see if the soulmark had appeared but it couldn’t have, they didn’t even touch properly, it was barely a second. He hid his hands in his pockets anyway.

“Good morning Bakugou.” Midoriya said, forcing his own eyes anywhere but their fingers. “We missed you last night.”

“He missed you, I didn’t notice.” Shinsou piped up as he walked past the two and into the elevator. Midoriya’s eyes widened as a red blush took over his face.

“Had a good time at dinner?” Bakugou asked trying his best to ignore Shinsou’s comment and the slew of memories from their phone call the night before. He was intoxicated and not in the right state of mind, Katsuki was not going to hold him to that conversation, absolutely not but why was his heart pounding the way it was then?

“I guess, was a little bored though. No one really has your fire.” Midoriya replied, laughing a little and regaining his composure. Maybe Katsuki didn’t remember the conversation, he had mentioned that he was planning a huge dinner for his husband, maybe he was drunk too. Maybe Midoriya lucked out this once and wouldn’t have to face the embarrassment of admitting just how pathetically hopeless he was. 

“Damn right there isn’t. Come on, we have to close some agreements. Momo will have my head otherwise.”  

The two men walked side by side, hands tucked away in their pockets to the elevator. Both with only thoughts of last nights conversation in their heads, Bakugou was dying to pull out his hand and check whether the mark had appeared. He didn’t know what he would do if it had, what he would do in case they really were proven to be soulmates but he wanted to know, He needed to know. 

“Hey Baku. Shinsou has some stuff we need to work out.” Sero called out as they entered the conference room. Everyone settled into their seats as Shinsou set up his presentation, it didn’t slip Bakugou’s eye that Izuku stubbornly kept his hands in his pockets. It must be on his mind too, he wondered if Izuku did remember. Izuku wasn’t stupid, he definitely already had some kind of inkling that they where soulmates. You just didn’t feel this kind of a pull towards someone who wasn’t but it wasn’t confirmed, if they where truly soulmates then any question, any doubt of who Bakugou belonged with would be out the window. He could only hold off all this time because of that miniscule chance that they weren’t soulmates but once the soulmark presents. 

“Izuku, you ready?”

“Mhm, start up the presentation.” Midoriya walked to the front of the room and waited near Shinsou as the lights dimmed and the presentation came one. Midoriya stalled for a minute and pulled out his left hand, slowly trying his best to subtly peer at the pinky finger and sighed when there was no red mark. Whether it was from disappointment or relief he wasn’t very sure. 

The presentation began and the whole time Midoriya kept his right hand tucked away and Katsuki’s eyes stayed trained on the hand without the mark. He couldn’t identify whether the weight in his chest was disappointment or excitement. 

“So within a few weeks we should be able to finally sign the final papers and set the merger in motion. Once this goes through both companies will be richer by at least 25% of the current net worth” (I have no idea what I'm talking about here pls) 

Midoriya’s eyes found Katsuki again, he saw some kind of fire in them. The same kind of fire that lights up when he gets really into his work, when he talks about things he’s interested in. When he’s giving a presentation and all of a sudden it was like he didn’t care anymore. He didn’t care if he was doing something wrong, he didn’t care that Bakugou was married or that he would embarrass himself if he was wrong. All he could think about was that this man with the blonde hair and red eyes was everything Midoriya’s ever wanted. He was irrevocably in love with Bakugou Katsuki and he owed it to himself to find out whether he was meant to be Katsuki’s. 

Bakugou raised an eyebrow at the expression on Midoriya’s face, like he had come to some kind of decision. Midoriya only smiled. The rest of the meeting went on as normal as it could with the kind of electrifying tension that was stuck between Bakugou and Midoriya. Bakugou was dreading the end of the meeting from the way Izuku’s face was set, he was sure the greenette was plotting something and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know what it was. 

“Thank you everyone, I hope you’ll all be coming to the company banquet tomorrow. We’ve been working together long enough, you’re all more than invited to join us.” Midoriya said as he stood up and smiled at the rest of the people in the room. A string of agreements followed until his green eyes found Katsuki’s red ones. 

Midoriya pulled out his right hand and it felt like a punch to his gut when he saw the very faint red lining around his pinky. Bakugou eyes widened at the sight of his hand and the faint ring. It was true. It was him. 

Midoriya stuck his hand out and waited, the rest of their teams trained their eyes on the two men, voices stuck in their throats for some reason. Bakugou searched Midoriya’s eyes, it was like he was offering up a challenge. Like he was daring Bakugou to own his destiny, to be brave enough to finally put a face to a name. Bakugou’s lips twitched, this was what dragged him in, the competition, the drive, how alive Midoriya made him feel so he took his own hand out of his pants pocket and grabbed Midoriya’s. 

Everyone present could see the red rings burning into their pinkie fingers, it was no mistake, no secret anymore. Bakugou and Midoriya where soulmates and their soulmate mark had presented. 

“Kats you’re home! I made dinner to make up for last night. Jirou and the others started a game and I guess I got carried away. I'm so sorry love. Kats? What’s wrong?” 

Bakugou blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision as he focused on the man in front of him. Kirishima had the apron tied around his waist and his hair tied back but what caught Bakugou’s expression was the worry on his face. He took a few more seconds, choosing to remain in silence before speaking again.

“N-nothing Eiji, lot happened at work. Just a little tired.” He stuttered, pushing his left hand deeper in his pockets. He had bought a ring, one that was big enough to cover up the soulmark. He had gotten a few dirty looks from the people in the store, only cheaters need to cover up their soulmarks and well he was a cheater just not to his soulmate. 

Kirishima squinted at the man, the events of the night before where blurry in his mind but he knew it was nothing good. They had fought or had disagreed, whatever the case was it had resulted in Bakugou sleeping on the couch and leaving without a word in the morning. He watched Bakugou take off his shoes and place his laptop bag on the dining table until his eyes caught on the new piece of jewelry on his pinky finger. Kirishima’s heart clenched at the sight of the plain black band that rested against his finger. 

“What’s that?”

“What’s what?”

“That.” Kirishima said, his voice tight as he pointed to Bakugou’s finger.

“Oh just something Momo got for everyone on the team as a gift. Rings for the guys, earrings for the girls.” Bakugou said, lying through his teeth. He had come up with the story beforehand, discussing it with Midoriya, what to do, how they would proceed, what could they do. 

“Oh I see, the deals coming to a close isn’t it?” Kirishima asked, forcing himself to believe the bullshit story. If he didn’t believe it he would drive himself insane and in that moment with the gala and his collection being launched he couldn’t afford to be distracted so he simply had to believe it.

“Mhm, a few more weeks and I think we’ll be done.” Bakugou said, his voice disappearing as he moved to the bedroom to change. Kirishima sighed, almost in relief. Once the deal was done Bakugou would stop seeing Midoriya, he didn’t know what it was but the two of them had gotten too close. Kirishima wasn’t usually the jealous type but the shorter green haired man pulled something out of Katsuki and Kirishima hated it. 

“I’ll get you all to myself then.” He said, calling out so his voice would reach into the room. Kirishima waited for some kind of response but it was quiet for a while until Bakugou returned, wearing a t-shirt and basketball shorts.

“Mhm, what you making?” Bakugou asked, ignoring the pounding in his chest as he took a seat on the couch and turned on the TV, pulling up Netflix. 

“Explosive Shrimp Pasta!” Kirishima called out just as he switched off the stove and transferred the food into two plates. He carried it out, handing one plate to Bakugou and keeping one for himself. He waited as Bakugou took a bite, feeling like he was trying to win him over all over again. 

“This is really good Ei.” Bakugou replied, smiling wide with a single noodle hanging out of his mouth. Kirishima laughed and kissed him, sucking the noodle into his own mouth. “You on the other hand are disgusting.”

“You love me.”

“What do you wanna watch?”

Kirishima’s smile dipped a little but he turned around to the television, tucked his legs under him and leant back, “Law and Order?”

Bakugou only grunted in response, he was walking on glass and the only thing on his mind was how warm Midoriya’s hand was in his own. How the red bands had come to life, bringing new color to his life when they finally touched. He couldn’t help but wonder how much deeper the color would go if they kissed, when Bakugou could finally wrap his arms around Midoriya’s waist, pull him closer and claim him like he should have done when they first met. 

He had known from the very first time their eyes met that they were meant for each other, he had known that his fate, his destiny was all leading up to meeting this green haired green eyed man but he just couldn’t accept it then. He decided to do this dance with Kirishima and Midoriya, taking turns with each man as the stage got smaller and smaller and now he had to choose. He had to take the spotlight with either one and the grip both men had on his hands was too tight, their nails where digging into him and he didn’t know which one was pain and which was pleasure. 

“You wanna go out this Saturday? We could go for a movie or something.” Kirishima suggested while drying the dishes Bakugou passed him. 

“Ah no there’s this banquet happening I need to attend. Company stuff.” Bakugou replied, his eyes focused on the dishes.

“But you never go for these.”

“Yeah… they insisted though. I won’t be home too late don’t worry.” 

“I guess. I'm gonna check on something before bed.” Kirishima said before placing the cloth and the plate down and retreating to his study. Bakugou sighed once he was out of sight, he continued to wash and dry the dishes until there really wasn’t much else left for him to do. 

He leaned against the counter and stared at his phone, contemplating calling Midoriya. They had talked a little, very briefly about the marks and what they meant but there was so much they needed to clear up, so much they need to work out still. Bakugou took a deep breath and walked out of the door, he dialed Midoriya’s number, leaning his elbows on the stair raling as he waited. 

“Kachaan!”

It was immediate.

“Hey nerd.”

“What’s up Kachaan?”

“I- nothing, I don’t know why I called.”

“Drop the shit, what’s up?”

“Just confused I guess, we didn’t really talk much.”

“We shouldn’t do this over the phone.”

“We can’t do it at work dumbass. What does it even mean? Fucking hell.” Katsuki ran a hand through his hair and groaned. His heart softened at the sigh that came through from the other side. 

“You’re my soulmate Katsuki and I’m yours and I know your situation is difficult and I know Kirishima is your husband but you’re it for me and I will wait for you. For as long as you need to figure this out because I know the universe doesn’t make mistakes, we’re meant to be.” 

“Fucking hell Deku, you can’t go saying shit like that.”

“I mean it.”

“I know you do asshole that’s why it…” Bakugou started but trailed off as he realized just how royally he could fuck this up.

“Why it what Kachaan?”

“Nothing, forget about it.”

“Tell me or I hang up.”

“Fucking stubborn nerd… Why it hurts so much.” Bakugou mumbled, biting the inside of his cheek so hard it stung. 

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, I just…” 

“Talk to me Kachaan please, I promise you won’t hurt me.”

Bakugou paused and pondered whether it was okay, could he really tell Izuku what was eating him up inside? How he couldn’t choose between the two men? Could he really bare himself out naked and raw like that? Of course he couldn’t, fucking hell when had he ever been so vulnerable and weak in front of another person. Of course he couldn’t tell Izuku but here he was, his tongue was aching to speak, to tell Izuku everything, tell him all his fears and worries and draw out every struggle he’s ever had in high definition for his viewing pleasure. 

“Fuck Deku. I rushed into it with Kiri, I love him I really do but we should have known. We should have known it would have ended bad. We weren’t meant for each other but we thought it would all work out because we did love each other, he was everything to me and I had never felt anything like what I felt for him… until I saw you that day. And now he’s still trying, I know he knows something’s wrong but he’s still trying so hard and I feel like shit. Every time  he tells me to stay, every time he tells me he loves me I just can’t.”

By the time Bakugou was done talking, tears where streaming down his face. He didn’t even plan any of this, the confessions, the rambling, none of it was supposed to be happening and yet here he was. Completely bare, vulnerable and broken and confused all for Midoriya to see. 

“Kachaan…”

“Fucking nerd look what you did.”

“I’m sorry Kachaan.” Midoriya said, laughing a little. “Do you wish he was your soulmate?” Midoriya asked after a few seconds of silence. 

“It would have been easier,” Bakugou admitted but continued, “but no. We weren’t built for that. We’ll figure this out.” He promised. Bakugou heard a shaky breath come through the phone and smiled despite himself. 

“Yeah… yeah we will. You’ll be there tomorrow?”

“Of course nerd, you think I’ll let you take all the glory for my hard work?” Bakugou asked, a playful edge to his voice as he challenged Midoriya. 

“ Our hard work.” Midoriya replied, Bakugou could practically hear the smile in his voice. “Goodnight Kachaan.”

“Goodnight Deku.”

It was six in the evening and Bakugou had gone through every one of his nicer suits trying to find something good enough to really impress Izuku though he would never admit he was trying so hard to look good for him. He stood in his underwear trying to choose between a navy blue three piece and a cream colored one. Kirishima had offered to come home early to help him get dressed but Bakugou turned it down, he didn’t need that added guilt on his shoulders. He eyed the suits again, he had to comb through his hair and actually get out of the apartment soon if he wanted to be on time but the mini Katsuki on his shoulder just wasn’t having it. 

“You look nice in dark colors.” That’s what Izuku had told him one day but he always wore dark colors, Bakugou wanted to surprise him. Wanted to knock his socks off, that’s how good he wanted to look but his limited fancy formal wardrobe was proving that to be a difficult task.

“Fuck it, next time.” Bakugou muttered and picked up the blue suit. He pulled it on, careful not to wrinkle or ruin anything and looked over himself in the mirror before smiling appreciatively. Yeah, he looked good and there wasn’t anyone who could say anything against that. He applied a little concealer under his eyes to cover up the bags from working so late and lack of sleep and a little tint to the inner parts of his lips. Bakugou eyed the blush Kirishima kept but shook his head, no he wouldn’t go overboard. There was enough color on his face, the tint was just for a little extra push. He was going to leave the nerd breathless one way or the other. 

When Midoriya said office party he had expected a few people, some finger foods and maybe a tacky DJ but this. No this was an actual ball, they were in a real life ballroom, a buffet was spread out against the walls, there was slow music playing in the background and the floor was littered by people in expensive looking dresses and suits. Bakugou felt like his own suit paled in comparison to the branded pieces he could see but it was only until a certain green eyed man stumbled over his own feet while on his way to greet them. 

“What? You can’t walk now?” Bakugou asked once they were alone, smirking as Midoriya steadied himself. 

“Don’t be an asshole to me at my party Kachaan.”

“We’ll see nerd.” Bakugou said, his eyes tracing the way Midoriya’s suit clung to his body. His usual sweaters and semi casuals did not do him justice in any way. The dusted grey color of his suit against his forest green hair made the man look like he stepped right out of a magazine spread. He looked like a different person completely, all gelled down curls and cuffs, the only thing that remained the same, that really reminded Katsuki of his soulmate where his bright eyes. Bright green eyes, shining like emeralds in the sun. Katsuki felt like he could melt in those eyes every time they twinkled. 

Bakugou spent most of the party with Midoriya, trying to ignore the people eyeing the ring on his finger. He was never really comfortable with large crowds or at parties, always felt kind of out of place and awkward when he was forced to interact with people he didn’t really know. It was a good party he had to admit, the food was terrific, the music and somehow even the guest list was done to perfection and from the way Midoriya’s eyes flitted between different people and how he spoke in a rushed, quiet tone into the earpiece Bakugou was sure he had organized the whole thing. 

Bakugou couldn’t help but draw parallels between Kirishima and Midoriya, both men where impossibly good at planning and getting things done. They both had a kind of resolve, an impossible need to do and please and it shone through when they where in their element. He had seen the same determination, the drive when Kirishima was in his field, dazzling and bright inside a constant swirl of color and fabric. Bakugou had never been more in love than when he’s seen his husband like that. The only difference was that that part of Kirishima only presented itself every so often, for Midoriya it was sewn into his existence. The need to be better and do better, the competitiveness to outdo himself at every turn was part and parcel of who he was and that was what drove Bakugou mad. It was what matched Bakugou’s own competitive spirit so well. 

“Katsuki Bakugou this is Shoto Todoroki-Midoriya, my brother.” Izuku introduced Shoto to the blonde, who gave Shoto a once over before scowling. 

“Whats with the hair?”

“Kachaan don’t be an asshole.” Midoriya said, trying to hide his laughter behind a cough. 

“I have Heterochromia, thought it would be fun to match my hair to my eyes.” Shoto replied, blinking as if the insult didn’t really register. Midoriya snorted, he was a genius, when it came down to it his brother was a fucking genius but simple things like sarcasm or jokes completely flew over his dual colored hair.

“I- I guess, your brother’s a weirdo Deku.” Katsuki said, turning to Midoriya.

“He is, can’t help but love him though.”

“We’ll see.”

Midoriya looked at Shoto trying to gage what his opinion of Katsuki was so far and caught his eye, he needed to speak to him. Midoriya bit the inside of his cheek, nervous about whatever was to come before speaking, “Kachaan, I’ll find you later, Shoto and I need to discuss some stuff.”

“Sure nerd, don’t fucking ditch me. Nice meeting you half n half.” Katsuki said and did a sort of half wave, his nonchalant, uncaring demeaner contrasting the mess of nerves inside. Meeting Midoriya’s brother? Someone who he’s said over and over is one of the most important people in his life? Sure Katsuki knew they worked together but he was not prepared for such a meeting so of course his walls came up and he had been a perfect asshole. 

“Why’s he wearing the ring?”

“Huh?”

“The ring, to cover up the soulmark. Why is he wearing it? Is he ashamed of you or something?” Shoto asked, crossing his arms across his chest. 

“What?! No no, he’s still married Shoto. He can’t just show off our soulmark like that, he’s not ashamed of me. We’re dealing with it.” Midoriya said, convincing himself more than anything else. 

“Bull. His husband isn’t here, wearing the ring makes him a lot more sus than not. He’s hiding it for a reason Izu.” 

“I know the reason, he’s just being cautious. Just trust me, I know what I’m doing.” Midoriya said and waited. Shoto didn’t say anything, he pursed his lips tight but nodded. “Thank you.”

Midoriya walked away with his stomach in even worse knots than before, truth was he already wondered all of the above. He had noticed the ring the minute Katsuki stepped in and chosen to hide his own mark away out of shame. He didn’t want to be the only one excited about them, he didn’t want to be the that guy so he didn’t ask but he felt it. He felt all the questions Shoto had asked him deep inside him and he was dying to ask Katsuki. 

“Whats wrong with you?” 

“Huh? Nothing, just family stuff.” 

“Don’t lie to me, what’d he say about me?” Katsuki asked, folding his arms around his chest. The black ring catching the light. 

“Nothing just, we don’t need to talk about it here.” Midoriya said, tucking his own hands into his pockets, hoping Katsuki wouldn’t push too far. 

“Let’s leave then. You’ve shown your face, your brother and shinsou can handle the rest of it. Let’s go get dinner and just get out of here for a while.” There was a sort of pleading undertone to his voice, like he was begging for a chance to explain whatever it was Midoriya was upset about and Bakugou hated it. He hated how soft and vulnerable he was, how he was falling over himself trying to prove that he was deserving, that he was what Midoriya needed and wanted. “Please Deku, just for a while.” 

Midoriya looked around and sighed before nodding, he took out his earpiece and handed it to one of his employees before turning back to Bakugou. “Better be worth it Kachaan.”

“You’re doubting me now?” Katsuki asked, but the way his face broke out in the brightest possible smile gave him away completely. 

The two men walked out of the hall together and down the street, it was cold, winter was approaching fast and Katsuki’s mind was overcome with thoughts of gathering the other into his arms, cuddling with him under thick blankets, seeing the Christmas lights with him, sharing their first kiss, everything he had thought where silly things silly couples did. All of a sudden Katsuki couldn’t wait to do with Midoriya. They stopped near a cart selling hot drinks and bought one hot chocolate each, Bakugou led them. He didn’t realize it but he led them to where a few people where putting up Christmas lights, he scoffed, it was only October but one look at Midoriya and he felt like paying them to keep the lights up throughout the year. 

His face was lit up, eyes catching the light from the bulbs as they danced and twinkled in his irises. His mouth hung open in awe as he looked up at the lights and then he turned to Katsuki. He turned to Katsuki and it was like world just shifted it’s course, like the snow had melted away and the flowers where blossoming, like nothing else in the world mattered except for the green haired wide eyed man in front of him. 

“You’re beautiful.”

“KACHAAN!” Midoriya exclaimed and shoved the blonde, his face matching the red in Katsuki’s eyes. 

Bakugou himself was too star struck to be embarrassed by his proclamation, he felt like he was seeing Midoriya for the first time all over again, it was as though he was being reintroduced to the concept of love itself. 

“Kachaan… why did you wear the ring?” Midoriya asked, his voice low once they came to a stop and sat down on one of the benches. 

“What?”

“The ring, why did you wear it tonight?” He asked again, not looking up from his cup that was now seated on the floor between his legs.

“Oh, I don’t want to show people the mark.” He said trailing off before taking a deep breath and continuing, “Not until I deserve you. Right now with the way I’m juggling Kiri and you I don’t deserve either of you. When I deserve you Deku I’ll wear the soulmark proudly, shove it in the face of every extra that dares to even look at you but until then I don’t deserve to have that pleasure.”

“Kachaan you’re so fucking annoying.” Midoriya said, rolling his eyes at the answer. 

“Wha-? I thought you’d like that you sappy shit.” Katsuki exclaimed, shoving Midoriya with his shoulder. 

“So you said it to please me?” Midoriya asked, now content to simply tease the other man.

“No you bitch, you’re such a-”

“Gift? Treasure? Kind and gracious soulmate who you would die for?” Midoriya suggested and laughed as Katsuki’s face turned red. His victory didn’t last very long though because one second he was throwing his head back, tears in his eyes at the way Katsuki’s cheeks puffed out in rage and the next he was being pulled close by large hands. 

Katsuki’s hands fisted around the collar of his suit and pulled Midoriya in so fast he had no time to process anything and the next thing he knew he was kissing Katsuki. Their lips were pressed against each other and Midoriya’s wide blown eyes came to a close when Katsuki’s grip on his suit loosened. 

They pulled away. 

“I- Kachaan um what?”

“Fuck sorry Deku, I wasn’t thinking. You were laughing and I couldn’t think of anything- fucker are you laughing at me AGAIN?” Bakugou asked, his eyes closing to slits as he watched Midoriya guffaw. He gripped onto the bench handles so he wouldn’t fall over. 

“God you’re such a cliché Kachaan.” 

“Shut up nerd.” 

“J can you pick me up?”

“Everything okay?”

“Just hurry.”

All his worst fears had been confirmed and there was nothing he could do. 

Chapter Text

Bakugou came back to a dark house, the party ended at around eleven thirty and Midoriya had dropped him home. The black ring was carefully on his finger again, the red mark had deepened with the kiss. The more contact they had the deeper the color ran, it would be difficult to hide the ring any longer. Katsuki took a deep breath, he just needed to hold out for a week. Just one more week and he would tell Kirishima everything, he would apologize and grovel on the floor for his forgiveness.

He sighed and pulled at his tie, loosening it as he walked inside and threw his keys on the table. The house was quiet and dark, almost like there was no one home but that made no sense. Kirishima would be home, he wouldn’t be out alone this late, maybe he was just asleep. Bakugou walked into the bedroom only to have the shock of his life, his husband was sitting on the bed, his head pressed against the headboard only lit up from the light that leaked through the window. 

Bakugou stood at the door and waited, he felt like the room itself was dispelling his entry, like he wasn’t welcome there anymore so he waited at the door. He cleared his throat, hoping for some kind of response and he was graced with Kirishima raising his head to stare at Katsuki but something was off. Something was off about the way he looked at him like he was looking straight through the blonde, like Kirishima didn’t even register that he was there. 

“You’re back.”

“I just got in.” Bakugou said, forcing his words out. 

“Did you have a good time?”

Bakugou could hear the edge in Kirishima’s voice, he could make out the rough patchy tone making it clear that he had been crying. He swallowed hard, it wasn’t a question, it was a test of some sort and Bakugou had no idea what the right answer was. 

“It was okay.”

“Hm.”

Kirishima said nothing more, he didn’t move from his spot so Katsuki moved. He switched on the lights in the room and took off his jacket and moved his hands to his shirt to unbutton it when Kirishima spoke again. 

“Take off the ring.”

“What?”

“Take off the ring Katsuki.”

Bakugou felt his heart thunder in his chest, Kirishima knew. He had caught on, this wasn’t how he wanted things to happen. He didn’t want to be caught like a deer in headlights, he wanted to make it a conversation. Something that didn’t leave them broken and dangling but here he was caught in exactly what he was trying to avoid. Kirishima was still sat on the bed, his eyes bore into Katsuki’s as if daring him to prove Kirishima wrong. Like he was waiting for another lie, another secret, Bakugou could see a fire, a kind of anger he had never seen in his husbands eyes and it scared him. 

“Eiji-“

“The ring Katsuki.”

Bakugou swallowed the rock that had formed in his throat and took off the ring, slowly slid it off and let it fall to the ground. Kirishima’s eyes glistened with tears as he saw the deep red band around Katsuki’s finger, something broke inside him. Something he was holding onto with the hopes that he was wrong, he was just being paranoid. Yes his husband had cheated but there was no way he wasn’t his soulmate, hopes, stupid idiotic hopes all came crashing down as his eyes locked onto the red band around his husband’s pinky finger. 

“Eiji please let me explain.” Bakugou choked out, his own tears filling up his eyes as he watched Kirishima deflate.

“Explain? What could you possibly explain Katsuki? You found your soulmate, you found what was meant for you and you chose that. You chose him.” Kirishima all but screamed out, his voice held more hurt than anger as it was clear when the waves of sobs wracked his body. Bakugou rushed forward on impulse to hold him, to wrap his arms around the other man and console him but before he could take a second step Kirishima looked up at him, “Don’t fucking touch me. Don’t come near me.” He spat out, eyes glowing with a kind of hatred they were both stranger to. It was as though Katsuki had introduced Kirishima to a new kind of emotion, something neither of them knew existed. A kind of wrath Kirishima didn’t think he was capable of. 

“Eijirou please-” Bakugou said, trying again to move closer. Hoping that maybe if he could get close enough he could get the other to calm down a little but he stood no chance to the wrath that accompanied Kirishima heartache. 

“GET OUT. GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT. GET THE FUCK OUT.” Kirishima screamed and threw anything he could get his hands on at Bakugou. “YOU CHOSE HIM, KATSUKI BAKUGOU YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD NEVER LEAVE ME AND YOU CHOSE HIM. GET OUT… Leave.” Kirishima continued, his voice breaking as he pulled his knees closer to himself as the next wave of tears came for him. 

Bakugou stood motionless, not knowing how to react, what to do except watch the person who once meant the world to him. The person who once held his heart and held all the love Bakugou could possibly have for another person. He watched that same person shrink into themselves and scream at him, every word pierced Bakugou like an arrow, every word Kirishima said soaked in betrayal and an impossible kind of pain. The kind of pain Katsuki thought only existed in stories and fantasy. He watched the man he promised to protect break and he stood by as it happened. 

Bakugou sighed and wiped against his own cheeks before walking out of the room, he closed the door behind him, muffling Kirishima’s cries as he took a seat on the couch. He knew that he should stay, try and talk to Kirishima again the next morning but it would all be for naught. He couldn’t say anything to make the other man feel better, Bakugou knew on the day he met Midoriya that he would leave Kirishima. On some capacity he knew that he would never be able to love Kirishima the way he deserved if he knew his soulmate existed and was within his reach. He pulled at his hair as all the events of the past year ran through his mind, so much had changed. His life had been uprooted and he had caused so much anguish in just one year and now it was all coming to a close and so was his relationship. 

Bakugou put on his shoes again and left the apartment with only his phone and wallet. With every step he took away from Kirishima he felt the string that kept them together falter, he felt it drag behind him as the coil around his heart loosened. As he walked, head bent low so as to hide the tears that refused to stop he could see the string unraveling, creating a path behind him, a lovely red trail of lies and heartache. 

Bakugou walked past their favorite restaurant, past the bridge he proposed on, past the train station, the arcade, past everything that smelt like Kirishima, felt like Kirishima. It was as though he was being haunted, everywhere he looked he could feel Kirishima. He saw the redhead and he saw himself having dinner, wrestling each other at the gym, complaining loudly when Bakugou won another game, crying on his shoulder, all he could see was Kirishima. This neighborhood, this city, everything about the world was tainted with the love he once shared with the redhead and he couldn’t see any different. His world had been painted red once before and only after ripping apart the final strings of his attachment to the painter did the red return. 

Bakugou stepped into the lift at the building he finally found himself at, pressing a button without really looking up. His feet led him to the door and his hand raised on it’s own to knock at the hardwood. 

“Kachaan?”

Bakugou looked up, his face streaked with tears, his hair matted to his forehead from sweat or the rain that had started just moments before he entered the building he did not know. He looked a mess, like a man broken and only half himself and Midoriya knew what had happened. 

“Oh Kachaan come inside.”

Midoriya took the blonde inside, led him to the couch and disappeared to find a towel to dry the mans hair with. The silent cries echoed throughout the place and with every hiccup and cough Midoriya felt the fist around his own heart tighten. He knew deep inside that he should be happy, if he was right then Bakugou had finally told Kirishima. He would finally get his soulmate for his own but the sight of the other man. The broken, shell of a person seated on his couch was not the man he loved, if losing Kirishima meant he would lose himself then Midoriya did not want it. He would rather go his whole life without Bakugou than let Bakugou lose himself. He thought of all this and more as he dried the blonde’s hair. 

By the time he was done the crying had ceased and the man had become quiet. He stared straight ahead, hands knotted together even as Midoriya came and took a seat beside Bakugou. He waited, he waited for Katsuki to reach out to him, waited for him to be ready, he would wait forever. Bakugou did not move for a while, he stayed still, wondering whether it was right, whether it was fair what he did, what he was doing. When the world was painted in such bright ruby red would it be fair to reach for the green? To reach for the hand that was so eagerly awaiting his touch? 

Bakugou finally turned to look at Midoriya and the split second when their eyes met was enough for him to remember. To remember how much brighter the leaves on the trees had become, how Tsuyu’s hair had suddenly become much prettier, how his green ties and socks became his favorite pieces of clothing. How Midoriya’s green eyes where the most beautiful thing in his world. It only took a second to paint over the years of sparkling red with a deep lush green. 

“I love you.”

“I love you too Kachaan.”

“Katsuki Bakugou you HAVE to come.” Came a drawn out voice from one end of the couch.

“I don’t have to do anything half n half.” Bakugou responded from the other end. 

“Izu you want him to come don’t you? C’mon tell your stupid boyfriend to come along.”

“I already asked him Sho, he’s being a bitch about it.” Midoryia responded, sitting on the floor below Bakugou with his head resting on the blonde’s folded knees. 

“Don’t be a BITCH Bakugou.” Shoto said, kicking the other slightly.

“Keep your feet to yourself or I cut them off.”

“You wouldn’t do that you little shit, you need me to like you so you can keep dating my brother.”

“I don’t NEED you to do anything.” Bakugou said, scowling. 

The two men continued bickering between each other as Midoriya closed his eyes to the feeling of Bakugou’s hands threading through his hair. So much had happened in the past three months, it was December now. Bakugou had come to him broken and a shell of himself in October after telling Kirishima the truth, no after Kirishima found out and tore it out of him. They had talked and the next day Bakugou had tried to return but no one would open the door. After a week of nothing one of Kirishima’s friends finally called and told him to pick up his things, Kirishima didn’t want to see him, he wanted him to take his things and leave and so Bakugou did. He packed up his life with Kirishima and moved it all into Midoriya larger than necessary apartment. Three weeks passed and the redhead himself showed up at their doorstep, Midoriya remembered the day like it happened yesterday. 

The pounding on the door was incessant, if the men thought ignoring it would make it go away it did the opposite. The knocking only got louder, whoever was outside was determined to see them and it was becoming abundantly clear. Bakugou growled and ripped off the blanket, he uttered curses as he stalked to the front door and opened it ready to scream at whoever was on the other side until he was met by familiar eyes and all of a sudden the boxers and t-shirt was cause for shame.

“Eiji…” 

“Hello Bakugou.” Kirishima had said, folding his hands together so as to keep himself from punching the other. The anger he thought had subsided was still as fresh as when he first heard the words. 

“W-what are you doing here?” 

Kirishima laughed cruelly at the question, “Why am I here? I have no idea Katsuki, maybe I just wanted to see if you really did run off with him. Maybe I was hoping that I would come here and the bastard would tell me that he hasn’t seen you either. That you didn’t leave me for him. Maybe I thought you wanted to fix us, wanted me but no I was being a fool. A fucking idiot and you strung me along for so long, you absolute piece of shit you strung me along for so long. Were you fucking him on the side? Huh where with you him all along?” Kirishima asked, his voice rising until he finally grabbed the collar of Bakugou’s shirt and pulled him towards him. 

“How long where you gonna keep playing me like a fool? How long where you gonna keep treating me like some side piece while you played pretend with him? Did you ever fucking love me Katsuki? Do even fucking know what love means?” He asked, all questions beating against Bakugou in quick succession but he stayed quiet. 

Kirishima stared into Katsuki’s eyes trying to dig out something, some answer, some reason to why he was left in the dust but there was nothing. Only pain and pity, no regret, no answers, nothing useful. He shoved the blonde away and wiped away the tears that had fallen. 

“See you around Kachaan.” Kirishima said, venom laced in every syllable of the nickname as he fished the wedding band out of his pocket and threw it at Bakugou. 

When Bakugou closed the door and finally turned back around Midoriya was standing behind him eyes leaking like an open faucet. He felt like the bottom of the pile, like everything bad in the world had come together to make him and hearing the way Kirishima’s voice broke when he questioned their love, their marriage that broke him. 

Bakugou walked forward slowly, reached out his hands and pulled Midoriya into him and held him close. “You’re wrong.” He whispered into space under his ear.

Midoriya didn’t say anything, he simply cried and hung onto the blonde as if that would provide him with some solace, something to hold onto.

“You didn’t ruin anything, you aren’t terrible. We were made to be, it was meant to happen.” He pulled away just to hold Midoriya at arms length, his eyes softened incredibly as he stared into the teary eyes of the greenette, “I love you Deku.”

By the end of November the divorce papers had arrived, Kirishima and Bakugou could be in the same room to decide the legal terms of it all without Kirishima wanted to throw a chair at the blonde by then but he would still not look the him in the eyes. Everything moved fast enough and soon Bakugou was completely Midoriya’s, Kirishima Eijiou was a thing of the past but every so often Midoriya could swear Bakugou thought of him. Every so often he would find him lost in thought or tearing up at a song, he would avoid certain movies like the plague and absolutely refuse to eat at certain places. He knew this was unavoidable, it had only been two months since they broke up, since Midoriya broke them up. Midoriya knew these where all memories, all remnants of the love he once had and he knew better that to feel bitter when it happened. He knew that there was so much history, so many years of love and familiarity and it would not be easy to overcome it but he still felt the bitterness in his mouth. 

“Hey nerd where’d you go?” Bakugou asked as he flicked the back of Midoriya’s head. 

“Oh nothing, got lost thinking.” 

“Mhm… well I just wanted to say if it’s really important to you I’ll go.”

“Oh Kachaan you will? That’s amazing, I have the perfect suit for you to wear too.” Midoriya exclaimed getting up off the floor. He bent down and cupped Bakugou’s face as he kissed him. Shoto gagged, loudly. 

“This is like our official debut.”

“What?” 

“This party, it’s like the first thing with other people we’ll be going to as a couple.” Midoriya said as he slipped his hand inside Katsuki’s. 

Bakugou looked at the him and shook his head but squeezed his hand a little tighter, “You’re such a fucking nerd freckles.” 

“Mhm and you absolutely love it.” 

“Yeah yeah whatever.”

The men walked in, hand in hand and from the way people whispered and heads turned it was clear to see they would be the talk of the party. Midoriya was a socialite, he was well known and well connected and that meant his life was everybody’s business. The party they were attending was a launch for a fashion line, some company that Midoriya’s father was investing in and he was required to show face along with Shoto. Neither he nor Bakugou had paid much attention to the details of the event and within the next few minutes they would both realize that they definitely should have. 

“Please put your hands together for the debut collection “Absence of Warmth” by brand new designed Kirishima Eijirou.” The presented announced the name and both heads turned. 

Both Midoriya and Katsuki wore matching expressions as they contemplated how suspicious it would look if they just took off right then. The men swallowed hard and stood their ground. Midoriya tried to slide his hand out of Bakugou’s hold but he held on tighter much to Midoriya’s relief. 

They watched with labored breath as various models walked the ramp, showing off the new collection, all muted colors and somber designs. It truly was an absence of warmth, perfect for a winter collection. 

“Thank you every for the warm reception, I was beyond nervous but the love and support of my friends and family really pushed me to pull this off.” Kirishima spoke as he walked onto the stage. Hair black as coal and styled neatly around his face. He took center spot as the models sporting his clothes fanned out around him, he spoke about the process and how grateful he was for the company that had given him the opportunity, all perfect words said with a perfect smile until his eyes caught Bakugou’s in the crowd and he faltered. His eyes drifted to the intertwined hands and for about fifteen seconds everything was quiet, the mic in his hand felt too heavy and his tongue in his mouth felt too big but Kirishima tore his eyes away.

“The past few months of my life had been especially difficult, colored with loss and grief but it truly brought a spark of inspiration to this collection. The lack of warmth I had felt during this winter season was the perfect muse for what I wanted to create.”

The crowd thundered in applause, Bakugou felt a stray tear escape his eyes that he wiped away in a hurry.

“Thank you again everyone, I am so grateful to everyone here.”

With that Kirishima left the stage and the crowd dispersed but Bakugou had never felt more suffocated. He let Midoriya lead him away and stood quietly next to him as he talked to Shoto and Shoto’s fiancé. He didn’t noticed the way the men stopped talking all of a sudden or the way Shoto’s eyebrow raised. He didn’t notice Kirishima had walked up behind him. 

“Katsuki.”

“Eijirou?” Bakugou exclaimed and turned around sure enough to find Kirishima standing behind him, hands tied the same way they were all that time ago. “Eiji I-”

“No.” He said, cutting Bakugou off. “I don’t want an explanation, I’m not going to apologize for the things I said, you hurt me Katsuki you really did, you took my heart and tore it to pieces but I don’t want an explanation anymore. I only have one question.” 

Bakugou waited. 

“Do you love him?”

The seconds ticked by as Katsuki searched for an explanation in Kirishima’s face, some reasoning to why he was asking. “I do.”

“I understand.”

And with that Kirishima smiled at the men, tight lipped and uncomfortable but a smile still the same and left, Bakugou was left with his feet glued to the ground. When Midoriya finally got him to come back from his daze he smiled. He smiled wide and kissed Izuku hard. Dipped him into his hands and kissed him until he was panting. 

“Wha?” Midoriya asked, flushed entirely red and his brother laughed.

“He changed his hair,” Katsuki said with a smile nearly as bright as Midoriya’s eyes.