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“Happy birthday Bakubro!”
Those extras were already too loud for his liking, but Katsuki clinked his coffee cup with everyone else’s before finally taking a sip. He had always been an early riser but he liked his mornings quiet and alone, thank you very much. Shitty hair had insisted that they needed to do something to celebrate his birthday and Katsuki absolutely didn’t want some kind of stupid party where everyone would get drunk off their ass and leave the cleaning to him. So this was the compromise – breakfast with the squad.
“You’re only twenty five and you behave like a grandpa,” Denki said and smirked at him, while he spread some kind of chocolate abomination on his croissant. Mina nodded enthusiastically and pointed her butter knife at him.
“Since you don’t want to party with us, we’re just going to have fun on your behalf, Blasty.”
Katsuki shrugged and took another sip of his black coffee. They were all pro heroes but apparently he was the only one that actually gave a shit about his health. Not like it was his problem if those idiots wanted to poison their bodies with junk food and alcohol on the regular. Since it was his birthday he allowed himself a small stack of pancakes with fresh fruit and thankfully none of the extras had tried to comment on it. They were nice, but he could make better ones himself.
“I bet he’s too busy celebrating with his hero partner to go out with us or throw a party.”
He glared at tape face and fought the urge to throw something at the asshole. As much as he wished for that statement to be true – it wasn’t. He hadn’t even talked to Deku since they finished their patrol two days prior and the nerd didn’t give any indication that he cared or remembered that it was Katsuki’s birthday. Knowing him though, he definitely remembered.
“Why didn’t you bring him along?”
Shitty hair’s questioning look made Katsuki bristle but instead of blowing up at the guy he drank more coffee and tried to push down the anger. Why did they always have to stick their nose into things and couldn’t mind their own fucking business?
“I’m not his fucking keeper and you extras dragged me here without my consent, so how the fuck would I do that?”
Mina patted his arm, trying to placate him and he shoved her off. They knew that Deku was a bit of a sore subject for him. Couldn’t they at least shut their traps on his goddamn birthday? He and the nerd had worked through their differences during their time at UA and were close friends again. So much so, that they had decided to make their childhood dream a reality after graduation and registered as a hero duo. Things were good, apart from one small issue – he was in love with the nerd.
“Okay okay, calm your tits Bakugou. Just saying, is all.”
He rolled his eyes and cut his pancakes, forcefully spearing a piece of them onto his fork. There was nothing he regretted more than confiding in this group of extras during one of his weak moments. The relentless teasing was going on his nerves big time and they didn’t fucking get it. It wasn’t fun to be in love with his best friend, his hero partner, his fucking childhood friend, because the damn nerd was just nice to everyone and oblivious as all fuck on top of that. He’d probably pine after Midoriya fucking Izuku until the day he died.
Again it was Mina that moved her chair closer to him and leaned her head against his shoulder. This time Katsuki allowed it and was actually kind of grateful for the silent support. As much as these extras annoyed the fuck out of him on any given day, he was still grateful for them. The squad had never abandoned him, even when he was a complete asshole at the beginning of high school. They stuck to him like glue and he would never actually admit to it, but Katsuki loved his friends. Yes, friends, shut up – even if he would never actually say that out loud.
Conversation around him went from work to private things and he halfway listened while he finished his coffee and pancakes. Spending part of his birthday with them wasn’t as awful as he thought but somehow Katsuki felt already peopled out. Sure he was loud and boisterous but deep down he loved peace and quiet and badly needed his alone time.
When he tried to flag down a waiter, Shitty hair waved him off with a smile.
“We’ve got it. It’s your birthday after all, Bakubro. Don’t leave yet though – there’s presents!”
He groaned and rolled his eyes as the idiots came up to him one by one, each giving him a hug and a present. Katsuki didn’t hate physical contact, but he also wasn’t a super big fan of it – Deku being the exception for some reason. He awkwardly patted Drooly’s back and accepted the yellow envelope, glad that he was the last one.
“Normally we’d make you open them right here and now but we value our lives.”
Katsuki snorted and flipped Tape face off, making everyone snicker. He was glad that they had learned his limits over the years. Awkwardly he shuffled the presents into a pile and got up from his chair.
“Thanks.”
Mina cooed and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Unfortunately he couldn’t do anything, so Katsuki just scowled as she had the audacity to ruffle his hair too.
“Bye Blasty, have a great day! Don’t do what we wouldn’t do!”
He snorted and resented the fact that he couldn’t flip her off. With a nod Katsuki stalked to the exit of the café and sighed deeply when he was finally outside. The weather was mild but the wind was still a bit chilly – typical spring weather.
Thankfully it wasn’t far to his place but it was pretty much impossible to open the door without hands. Luckily one of his neighbors was exiting the building just then and held it open for Katsuki. He nodded in thanks and made his way up the stairs to his apartment. There he dumped the presents in front of the door and fished his key out. It was a relief to be in his own four walls again.
Once he’d taken off his shoes he gathered the presents again and dumped them onto his coffee table. There were a number of things for him to do before he sat down and looked at them. Even though it was his birthday, Katsuki was a creature of habit and still followed his usual routine. He’d gone on his morning run before meeting the squad and now it was time for his daily workout. The spare bedroom in his place had been converted into a small home gym because he didn’t really feel like working out with a lot of other people around. Plus, the walls were fire- and soundproofed so he could actually do whatever the fuck he wanted to.
Training always managed to take his mind off everything else and brought Katsuki temporary peace of mind because he was so focused on his exercises. Otherwise all of his damn thoughts circulated around the damn nerd and it was honestly starting to drive him crazy. Those fucking emerald green eyes, the gorgeous messy curls and the damn freckles were haunting his every waking hour, to the point where it was getting utterly ridiculous.
Back in high school he’d held on to the hatred he pretended to feel for Izuku but then the point came, where Katsuki couldn’t even lie to himself anymore. The reason why the nerd always pissed him off so much, was simply that he had feelings for Deku that he didn’t want and didn’t want to acknowledge. Eventually he had apologized for his shitty behavior and they slowly got closer again. Now he was Katsuki’s closest confidant and it was increasingly difficult to keep the best friend situation when all he wanted was pull Izuku into his arms and bury his nose into those curls.
Sweaty and panting heavily, Katsuki took a quick shower and then got comfortable on his couch. He stared at the pile of presents for a while, then decided to actually open them. Pikachu’s envelope was a gift card for half a year of supplements and other necessities and Katsuki really appreciated that. With him training at home instead of a public gym, he could definitely use that. Mina gifted him a collection of different hot sauces and Eijirou had gotten him a gift card for the sports store where he usually bought his tank tops. Tape face being the weird derp he was had bought him a cooking book but even that would probably find some use. He couldn’t help but smile at their thoughtfulness and yet it made him think of the fact that Izuku hadn’t even called or messaged.
More than once over the past few days he’d tried to ask the nerd to spend his birthday with him, but every time Katsuki chickened out or didn’t know what to say. Normally he wasn’t really tongue tied or anything, but when it came to Izuku, everything was a total fucking nightmare. They had known each other for over twenty years now and yet that made everything worse instead of better. Izuku knew him like no other and it was probably just the fact that he was oblivious as fuck that he hadn’t noticed Katsuki’s feelings yet.
Dwelling on all of this would just drive him insane, so Katsuki decided to make himself some lunch. He’d planned another special treat – katsudon. And no that was most definitely not because it was the damn nerd’s favorite food and he had hoped that Izuku would come by. Absolutely not. The fact that he had enough ingredients for several portions was also a complete coincidence. With a snort Katsuki fetched eggs, pork and vegetables from the fridge and got the rice cooking. Next to his hero work, there were two things he was an expert at – cooking and lying to himself.
Just as he got done frying the pork and put it on top of his bowl, the doorbell rang. Katsuki nearly dropped the katsudon and cursed under his breath as he took of his apron and draped it over a kitchen chair. He had no idea who could be at the door but his traitorous heart started beating faster anyway. What if it was Deku? Scoffing he pulled the door open and stopped in his tracks.
“Kacchan, hey. Happy birthday! I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
A shy smile grazed Izuku’s features and Katsuki wanted to kiss the nerd then and there. He rigorously pushed down the joyous feeling of seeing his hero partner and opened the door wide so Izuku could enter.
“Thanks, nerd. I was just making lunch – you want some?”
Katsuki took the other man’s jacket and hung it up while Izuku slipped out of his shoes. The shy one turned into a dazzling smile as he nodded enthusiastically.
“I would never say no to food Kacchan has made!”
With a snort he ruffled Izuku’s hair and had to reign himself in because he just wanted to bury both of his hands in the soft, thick curls.
“Sit down then, I’ll bring the food.”
On his way back to the kitchen he saw Izuku plop down onto the couch where he made himself comfortable. They spent so much time together that it was a normal sight and Katsuki wished that he would get to see it even more often. Whenever his daydreams got away with him he fantasized about them living together, waking up next to Deku and being greeted with a sweet kiss.
Quickly he put together another bowl of katsudon, grabbed his own and carried them into the living room. Izuku’s fingers were nervously nestling at a green bag that Katsuki hadn’t even noticed before. He didn’t ask any questions though, just put the food down on the coffee table and handed the other man a pair of chopsticks.
“Oh, katsudon! How come? Don’t you prefer spicy curry, Kacchan?”
Katsuki shrugged and put a piece of crispy pork into his mouth, avoiding the question. What was he supposed to say to the nerd? That he made his favorite in hopes he would come over because Katsuki was madly in love with Izuku? Surely not. And surprisingly his most fervent wish had actually been granted. Thankfully Izuku didn’t ask any more questions.
“I was beginning to wonder whether you forgot about me.”
The words slipped out of his mouth before Katsuki could stop himself and Izuku smiled at him sheepishly, scratching his neck.
“Uhm well, I didn’t know if you would want me around ... And you didn’t say anything.”
A faint blush was staining his freckled cheeks and it was incredibly cute.
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re my hero partner and we’re friends, nerd.”
Plus, he wanted Deku around all of the time. Wake up with him, do domestic shit, go to work and fall asleep with his arms tightly wound around his nerd. Sadly that was just a dream.
“Kirishima told me you were meeting with the squad, so I didn’t want to get in the way of that. And I thought that maybe you’d want some space since we see each other all the time.”
Maybe he really should have asked Izuku to join them for breakfast.
“That’s bullshit, Deku. And you know it. If I didn’t want you around I’d tell you to your dumb face.”
Izuku chuckled and nodded but quickly sobered up, cocking his head to the side questioningly.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t come see you on your birthday, though? I’d at least drop off your gift if you were busy.”
Katsuki shrugged and didn’t look at Izuku, pretending to be busy with his bowl of food.
“Speaking of which – happy birthday, Kacchan!”
Izuku handed him the green bag that he’d noticed before and smiled. Katsuki stared at it for a moment, then dropped it onto the couch, putting his bowl away. He grabbed Izuku’s too and pulled him into a tight hug. That much he could do, without being weird, right? When the nerd’s arms wound around him he buried his face into fluffy green curls and inhaled deeply.
“Thanks nerd,” he whispered into Izuku’s ear and felt the other man shiver in his arms.
“You’re welcome.”
Izuku’s answer was equally quiet and they stayed in this position for quite some time before Katsuki finally let go. His own cheeks were probably just as flushed as the nerd’s and he swallowed thickly. Izuku slightly nudged the bag that rested between them on the cushion at him.
“Come on, open it.”
Katsuki snorted and emptied the contents onto his lap – two envelopes and a bag of double chocolate chip cookies. Izuku smiled at him sheepishly.
“Those are from auntie, aren’t they? Dark chocolate?”
He smiled when the nerd nodded and carefully put the cookies on the coffee table. A warm feeling flooded him and Katsuki was grateful that Midoriya Inko had eventually forgiven him for his shitty behavior from middle school. When things between him and Izuku had improved, Katsuki had visited the Midoriya’s home for the first time in forever and apologized to Inko. She had been skeptical but gave him the benefit of the doubt.
“Tell her thank you.”
Izuku sighed and Katsuki jolted a little bit when one of his scarred hands landed on his thigh, squeezing lightly.
“You could do that yourself, you know? She keeps inviting you for dinner but you never accept.”
Katsuki felt guilty for that, but he had his reasons. Auntie Inko was way too perceptive and would see right through his intentions towards her son, so he avoided being around her. And maybe he was also still afraid that she didn’t fully accept his presence in Izuku’s life. So instead of answering he picked up one of the envelopes and opened it.
It was a gift card for a one week hiking trip and stay in a cabin for two people. His gaze met Izuku’s and the question was on the tip of his tongue, but did he really want to ask? Sure, he could go with any of the idiots he called friends but the only person Katsuki really wanted to come with him was Izuku.
“You gonna join me?”
Izuku’s eyes widened in surprise and Katsuki fervently hoped that he won’t be rejected.
“I ... Of course I will, if that’s what you want.”
He nodded and grabbed the second envelope to try and distract himself. Katsuki’s heart is pretty much racing at the thought of just the two of them in a small cabin for an entire weekend. No work, no extras – just him and Izuku. The envelope contained three folded up pieces of paper and he chanced a curious glance at Izuku who just smiled.
As he unfolded them and recognized what they were, Katsuki couldn’t help but stare at the drawings in awe. Because that’s what they were – drawings little Izuku and little Katsuki made when they were in kindergarten. One was a very crookedly drawn logo for their own future hero agency and the other two their envisioned hero costumes. His quirk hadn’t manifested yet at the time they made these and Katsuki was once again glad that he’d eventually grown up and gotten over himself.
“Mom found them when she was cleaning my old room and I wanted you to have them ...”
Izuku’s voice was quiet and he nervously scratched the back of his neck. Those drawings must have just as much sentimental value to him as they had to Katsuki and giving them away was a huge gesture. He swallowed thickly and his gaze met Izuku’s.
“It was always you and me, huh?”
With a grin the nerd nodded and gently bumped his shoulder. They’re sitting very close to each other so both of them could see the drawings. Warm breath fanned over his cheek as Izuku spoke.
“We’ve made our dream come true, haven’t we?”
In a way that was true. Sure they hadn’t opened their own agency yet, but at age twenty four and twenty five respectively that was a bit much to ask. Not everyone was like that bird brain after all. They had however promised each other something else in the past and while Katsuki still held on to that promise, he wasn’t sure if Izuku even remembered. He knew he should say something but a part of him was still afraid of that and what if the nerd would abandon him afterwards? On the other hand he couldn’t just go without ever knowing, so Katsuki decided to take the plunge.
“Almost.”
Izuku hummed in a noncommittal way and rested his chin on Katsuki’s shoulder.
“What’s missing?”
He took a deep breath and grabbed the hand that was still on his thigh, interlaced their fingers. Now the moment he’d always dreaded was there but there was only one way now – forward.
“Well, you always said you'd marry me one day.”
Katsuki could feel Izuku stiffen beside him and the nerd’s breath hitched audibly. He didn’t say a single word and it made Katsuki nervous as hell, so he pressed on.
“You gonna keep that promise, nerd?”
Izuku sat up properly and Katsuki looked at him, crimson eyes meeting emerald ones. There were so many emotions he could see in them, until the nerd’s gaze became determined, like he was going into a fight.
“I will, if you'll have me.”
His voice was slightly raspy and it made Katsuki shiver. He looked away and then back at Izuku, swallowing.
“Yes.”
As soon as the word was out of his mouth the tension between them broke and Katsuki didn’t know who leaned in first. Their first kiss was clumsy and inexperienced but it still made fireworks explode in his stomach. Katsuki’s hands carded through Izuku’s hair, grabbing fistfuls and pulled him closer, their lips pressing more firmly against each other. He’d dreamed of this moment for a very long time and now that it was finally there none of his daydreams could ever hope to compare.
Izuku’s tongue licked along his lower lip and Katsuki opened up for him. Their tongues slid against each other and he moaned into the kiss, desperate for more. He wasn’t the only one, Izuku’s hands tightly held onto his hips and Katsuki just wanted to be as close to his nerd as he could possibly be. With a gasp he ended the kiss, sucking in as much air as he could and leaned his head against Izuku’s shoulder.
A large, warm hand was gently stroking his neck and up into his hair and Katsuki closed his eyes with a sigh. Izuku was shaking and a quiet sniffle made him lift his head to look at him. His emerald green eyes were full of tears and Katsuki gently wiped them away, pressing a kiss to Izuku’s cheek.
“Are you okay?” he inquired softly and Izuku nodded. The nerd had always been a crier but seeing the tears now of all times made his heart drop.
“I never thought this would happen, I've always hoped ...”
Katsuki shushed him with a finger to his lips before he kissed Izuku again, this time less frantic and urgent.
“I'm sorry that I made you wait so long.”
Their hands intertwined again and Izuku pressed a soft kiss to Katsuki’s knuckles. The brilliant smile on his face was utterly beautiful even with tears still running down his cheeks. Katsuki leaned his forehead against Izuku’s and returned the smile, but the nerd’s next words nearly made his heart stop.
“I love you Kacchan. I always have.”
Those words were all he had ever wanted to hear and Katsuki couldn’t suppress the shiver that went down his spine. So much time wasted because he’d been afraid of his feelings and then possible rejection.
“I think I did too, I just didn't want to admit it to myself.”
The truth was hard to admit but Katsuki never wanted to keep anything from Izuku again. If he wanted to make this relationship work, he had to man up and say what was on his mind.
“Thank you for never giving up on me, Izuku.”
Izuku rubbed their cheeks against each other and Katsuki couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him.
“I would never.”
They finished their now cold katsudon in silence, stealing glimpses at each other here and there and smiled like idiots in love. It was a huge relief for Katsuki that he didn’t need to hide his feelings anymore. When they were done he offered Izuku a cookie and settled down on the couch, pulling his boyfriend between his legs. Izuku settled with a sigh and Katsuki decided to be courageous once again.
“Do you maybe ... want to spend the night?”
He could see the flush creep up Izuku’s neck and pressed a kiss to the warm skin, making his nerd shudder.
“I’d love to, but ... let’s go somewhere first, okay?”
Katsuki hugged Izuku tighter and buried his nose into the soft green curls, groaning quietly. He was fine staying exactly where he was but he was also weak and prone to agreeing to anything the nerd would ask of him.
“Go where?”
Izuku giggled and caressed Katsuki’s hands on his belly.
“Hm, it’s a surprise!”
He snorted and lightly nipped on Izuku’s ear, earning a breathy gasp for his ministrations.
“Fine.”
Way too soon for his taste, Katsuki was dragged off the couch and out of the house. It was already starting to get dark and he wondered where the other man was taking him, especially since Izuku had insisted on bringing a blanket. The bus was nearly empty and they huddled close to each other, hoping no one would recognize them.
Dagobah beach was exactly like Katsuki remembered it the few times he’d visited as a kid. Waves gently lapped at the shore and he could see the pier in the distance. They took off their shoes and the sand was cold beneath his toes, but Katsuki didn’t care. Izuku’s hand in his was all the warmth he needed. The nerd enthusiastically pulled him down to the water and they walked along the shore towards the pier.
The sun was starting to set and painted the ocean in red, oranges and purples. They settled down on the pier and Izuku wrapped the blanket around them, settling himself between Katsuki’s legs once again.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
He knew that Izuku was talking about the sunset but Katsuki only had eyes for the man in his arms. The last rays of sunlight reflected in his emerald eyes and his freckles seemed to glow like tiny constellations.
“Hmm, but not as beautiful as you.”
Izuku smiled at him, cheeks flushed and buried his nose into the blanket. Katsuki kissed him gently and silently vowed to himself that he would never spend another birthday without Izuku by his side.