Chapter Text
Shouto is so happy to have two boyfriends.
Ironically, if anyone had told Shouto back in first year just who those two boyfriends are, Shouto probably would have laughed. Maybe. He hadn’t laughed much that year, so instead maybe he’d have frozen them and reported them to Aizawa that there was a clearly delusional person making wild, false claims about the future.
And yet.
“Look, Sho!” Izuku tugs Shouto by their linked hands, looking so excited at a Squishmallow display in one of the storefronts of the mall. “This one is so perfect! And it’s huge!”
Izuku, who is so cute with his bright green eyes and wide smile and the way he speaks to everyone with such conviction and belief, is someone that Shouto would have considered untouchable. Surely out of his league for someone like Shouto, who is still learning how to be more open around people.
But Shouto would follow Izuku to the ends of the earth and back again. And in the span of their three years knowing each other, he feels like he already has.
“Idiot,” a gruff voice says from behind them. “Don’t you already have enough of those shitty dolls, Deku?”
Katsuki, on the other hand, has always been seen as untouchable for a completely different reason. Whereas Izuku’s personality is so warm and affectionate that it always seems like everyone would fall in love with him, Katsuki’s personality is prickly and angry. He’s brash, quick to anger, and has an inferiority complex that can quite literally level a neighborhood.
But all of that is—well, not quite a lie because Katsuki really is like that, but Shouto has spent enough time with Katsuki to realize that Katsuki is just as bad at expressing emotions as Shouto is. That he cares deeply and has just a good and caring heart as Izuku. That his way of showing affection lies in his actions, rather than his words. That he has a tendency to bully people—into taking care of themselves, into trying harder, into being better.
Katsuki makes himself untouchable, which means it is an honor to be one of the few Katsuki willingly clings to.
”Kacchaaaaan,” Izuku turns to face their blonde boyfriend with those big wide green eyes that made Shouto fall for him, and Shouto knows that Katsuki is powerless against them. He wonders if this might be another quirk Izuku hasn’t told them about. “They’re not dolls! They’re Squishmallows! They’re so soft and cuddly and cute and this one is so perfect!”
“We’re not here to add to your stupid collection, Deku,” Katsuki says with what sounds like an impatient growl. To anyone, it would seem like Katsuki is annoyed. But Shouto can see the softness, and yeah, those eyes definitely worked on Katsuki. “We’re here so you can get a shitty present for Round Face.”
“Perhaps you can find something for Uraraka and use your leftover funds to buy the cat.” Shouto offers, trying to placate the two of them.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Izuku says. And no, that won’t do. He sounds so defeated.
They do shop around, and Izuku does find something he likes for Uraraka. It’s another plush, about the size of Izuku’s torso, but still so much smaller than the cat plush he had been looking at.
Izuku looks absolutely adorable holding the plush, and it tugs at Shouto’s heartstrings. Izuku is so open, so unafraid to be himself with his emotions, and Shouto treasures it forever.
Izuku heads up to the cash register, putting the little bunny on the counter. The cashier politely tells him the total, and Izuku opens his wallet to hand her the money. Once bagged, Izuku secures the handle of the bag around his wrist and takes Shouto’s hand again.
“Come on, let’s head to the food court,” Izuku says.
“What about that cat plush, Izuku?” Shouto asks curiously.
“Oh,” Izuku blushes, looking sheepish. “I didn’t bring enough money for that. But it’s okay! I know Ochako will love her present. I didn’t come here for me after all. I’ll just get it next time we come back!”
“If you’re certain,” Shouto says. He turns to their other partner. “Katsuki, you’re unusually quiet. Not that I mind, of course.”
Katsuki, like clockwork, growls at being called out, the tips of his ears red. “I’ll show you quiet Halfie!”
“I think you’ve just proven that’s physically impossible,” Shouto smirks as they make their way to the food court. “I want soba.”
“Of course you do,” Katsuki—to his credit, quietly—grumbles.
The three of them enter the food court area, and thankfully it’s not as crowded as it usually is.
“So what’s the deal with that stupid cat doll anyway, Deku?” Katsuki breaks the silence.
“Oh,” Izuku says, and he shuffles nervously. “It’s just—it was like a perfect combination of the three of us, you know? It had two different colors on each side—like Shoucchan, except one side was green like my costume. And it was lifting weights, which I mean, we all do, of course, but, plus—And! The workout band said ‘I don’t sweat, I sparkle’ which….made me think of Kacchan. So, I thought—I mean it was just so perfect to represent, you know, us and how close we’ve become—”
“Deku, you fucking idiot,” Katsuki rolls his eyes. “You think I fucking sparkle like that glittery French fucker?”
“Wha—no! I didn’t mean it in that way—”
“Whatever, Deku, just get your shitty food and find us a table,” Katsuki huffs.
He sounds annoyed, but Shouto sees a faint pink dusting his pretty features. He wonders if Katsuki has ever been immune to Izuku, or if he’s just gotten really good at hiding it.
“The fuck are you looking at, Halfie?” Katsuki growls at him, like he’s about to set off some explosions in his direction.
“You do sparkle,” Shouto says, because riling up his boyfriend is still a favorite past time. Katsuki is always so attractive when he’s angry.
“Listen, you fucker,” Katsuki steps forward and grips Shouto’s collar.
Shouto’s listening. But he’s also watching.
He and his boyfriends are taking it slow. Katsuki is like a feral animal at times, still so skittish to show or receive affection. Shouto has never kissed him in the months they’ve been together. Instead he treasures the rare contact that Katsuki gives or allows, even under the guise of threats.
In turn, Shouto has never kissed Izuku either. They hold hands, hug, even cuddle, most times. Izuku almost always initiates, because Shouto is still also new at affection himself. He knows the reason Izuku hasn’t kissed him is because of Katsuki; Shouto is okay with this, because he thinks all three of them should move forward at the same pace. It’s only fair after all. If Katsuki isn’t ready for kissing, Shouto doesn’t want to make him feel left out by kissing Izuku.
But when Katsuki gets close like this—when he grips Shouto’s collar, or presses Shouto up against the wall, or crowds into his space, or the times that they’ve sparred and end up on top of each other—Shouto wants . He thinks Katsuki will close the distance and press their lips together, or that he’ll let Shouto capture his mouth with his own.
Shouto licks his lips. It isn’t a conscious gesture, but given the way Katsuki’s eyes track the movement and the way those crimson eyes darken, Shouto is glad. After all, if now is the time Katsuki finally kisses him, Shouto doesn’t want his lips to be chapped.
Katsuki backs down instead, averting his gaze. He’s still gripping Shouto’s collar, but it’s a looser grip now, much to Shouto’s disappointment.
“You’re coming back here tomorrow,” Katsuki says. “And you’re not breathing a fucking word about it to Deku. Got that?”
Shouto is taken aback by that, because it’s the last thing he’s expecting Katsuki to say. “Why?”
“Weren’t you listening, you idiot? To get him that shitty cat doll.”
“It’s not a doll,” Shouto says, because he’s still in shock. “It’s a Squishmallow.”
“Halfie, I swear to fuck —”
“But why? Izuku said he’ll buy it the next time we come here. Which will more than likely be in two weeks.”
Katsuki breathes through his nose, sighing like Shouto is missing something important. “Deku only had ¥7500 from his last job. Between the food and Round Cheeks’ present, he’s got about ¥1000 left. That stupid doll cost six times that.”
“Oh,” Shouto says, not realizing. But it makes sense. Katsuki always acts like he doesn’t care to the untrained eye. But he pays attention to them, looks out for them. “Okay. Tomorrow we can come back and buy it.”
“Were you not listening to a goddamn thing I was saying, you fucking idiot?” Katsuki growls. His eyes dart away from Shouto’s face to presumably scan for Izuku. “You’re getting him the damn cat.”
Shouto frowns, not paying attention to the threatening growl. They grab their food, and he turns to Katsuki. “Why not both of us?”
“Do I have to spell it out for you, you helpless asshole?” Katsuki is keeping his voice lower now, and that growl makes it harder for Shouto to concentrate, and even harder for him to take Katsuki seriously. “It would mean more coming from you. So get out that firefucker’s little credit card and bring your ass here tomorrow.”
“Oh,” Shouto says. He realizes that Katsuki may not have funds, though he has always assumed he gets an allowance from his parents. Perhaps Katsuki can’t afford to chip in for Izuku’s gift. “All right, Katsuki. I understand.”
“About fucking time,” Katsuki holds his food to him, and he’s making a face at Shouto. “I swear I do more shit in this goddamn relationship than the two of you idiots.”
Shouto can’t help but give a small smile. It creates a fluttering feeling whenever Katsuki mentions their relationship.
They spot Izuku already sitting down, practically guarding a small table. He waves to them when they catch his attention, and Shouto feels his heart swell.
Izuku doesn’t seem sad about not being able to afford the cat, but he doesn’t bring it up again either. Shouto eats his soba diligently, and he can’t help but smirk when Izuku steals a piece of broccoli from Katsuki’s plate, earning him a warning growl.
Katsuki won’t actually attack though, mostly because it’s his way of letting Izuku eat healthily. It’s absolutely entertaining.
The cold soba is fine, decent anyway. But he does prefer Katsuki’s now. Perhaps Katsuki has spoiled both himself and Izuku.
“The fuck are you smiling at, Candy Cane?” Katsuki growls, pointing his chopsticks at Shouto.
“That you’ve spoiled us,” Shouto says honestly. “I prefer when you make soba.”
Katsuki stops mid-growl, his chopsticks frozen. His ears and cheeks are turning red, and his brain only seems to restart when Izuku uses the opportunity to steal one of Katsuki’s dumplings.
“What the fuck Deku, that’s mine! If you wanted some you should have fucking gotten your own!”
Izuku plops the whole thing into his mouth, chewing it with pride. He swallows, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Shou’s right, food really does taste better when it’s yours, Kacchan.”
“How about you taste my goddamn fist!”
Izuku just bursts into giggles, because Katsuki is doing his best to look threatening while guarding his food. It’s not working. Shouto feels warm as he watches his two boyfriends bicker, and it has nothing to do with his quirk.
Finally Katsuki backs down, never going to admit defeat and practically hunches over his food. “Fucking freeloaders, both of you.”
“May I have some of your food, Katsuki?” Shouto asks in his most innocent voice, because he is still a brat who loves to watch Katsuki get riled up.
The blonde glares at him. “Fuck off and die.”
Shouto and Izuku exchange a look. Shouto is not always the best at reading people, not by a mile. And yet, he knows that he and Izuku are thinking the same thing. Katsuki is absolutely adorable.
When they get up to leave, Izuku takes Shouto’s hand. He likes the warm side the best. Shouto stretches out his other hand to Katsuki, daring to take a risk.
“The fuck do you want?” Katsuki eyes Shouto’s hand as if waiting for Shouto to summon a weapon of ice with it.
“Hold my hand, Katsuki.”
“HAH?”
Shouto is patient. He doesn’t want to push Katsuki into doing things he doesn’t want to do. He knows Katsuki is like a scared, skittish animal when it comes to affection and yet—
“I’d like for you to hold my hand,” Shouto says with no waver in his voice.
Katsuki sputters again, and it’s so endearing. Shouto knows that they have always challenged each other, pushed each other. It’s what’s made them so great.
“The fuck, did you hit your head? The fuck you wanna hold my hand for? Deku not enough for you?”
Shouto does start wavering then. He doesn’t want Izuku to think it’s that, not at all. His heart is there for both, never because only one is not enough but because they are equal to him.
“I want to see if you’re better at it than Izuku.” It’s a very transparent way of goading him, and Katsuki narrows his eyes at him. But a little bit of that confusion has relaxed into something else, like temptation.
“Kacchan’s just self conscious about his hands,” Izuku says. “Because he sweats so much. But it’s okay! I’m on Sho’s warm side. His other side is cool, so you shouldn’t have to worry about sweating.”
“I’m not fucking self-conscious about anything, Deku!”
“Ah,” Shouto says, the final nail in the coffin. “Then it’s as I thought. You’re just afraid of simple affection. It’s understandable. Izuku was the one who helped me—”
Katsuki stomps over to them and takes Shouto’s hand, a little aggressively. It’s a little sweaty and clammy, but not in a bad way at all. Shouto does his best to regulate his temperate on that side, to cool down where their hands are joined.
“I’m not afraid of anything, fucking—shut up,” Katsuki seems to try to make it come out intimidatingly, but it’s just a low, growling mumble that Shouto has come to learn is embarrassment.
Katsuki doesn’t let go of his hand though, not even when Shouto threads their fingers together.
Shouto is happy to have two boyfriends. Even when they can be a handful or two.
–
–
Izuku is so ecstatic to have two best friends.
Well, he has more than two best friends, but Iida and Ochako are different kind of best friends than Shouto and Kacchan.
For one, the three of them were an unlikely trio. Shouto and Izuku were rivals—and still are—and it wasn’t until the Sports Festival that that had changed. Since then, Shouto has been so protective of Izuku, and Izuku has been helping Shouto come out of his shell a lot more. To see the boy who had built up so many walls around his heart because of his horrible childhood starting to become more relaxed—smiling more, laughing more, becoming more affectionate—is amazing.
Kacchan is another entity entirely. Izuku isn’t naive enough to put their past aside completely or write it off. Kacchan hurt him for most of their formative years, bullied Izuku and said horrible and awful things. Izuku only had ever seen the good in Kacchan, but still had always craved his approval.
Katsuki over the time they’ve spent at UA has softened a bit, and it’s perhaps from all the shared trauma or just general growth that Kacchan has developed a respect for Izuku. Even to the point where one night, after a particularly nasty villain had placed the two under a living nightmare quirk that Katsuki had broken down, apologizing for everything he’d put Izuku through.
The two of them had ended up talking long into the night, side by side, leaning against each other. It was a moment of vulnerability and a time that Izuku will never forget. It’s changed things between them since, and Kacchan has become so much softer now, more teasing and—caring. He’s trying, and that means everything.
And Shouto and Kacchan are also getting along. It’s amazing really. At first the two were competitive in every way, antagonizing each other. And then as Shouto grew closer to Izuku, and Kacchan and Izuku patched things up, the two boys became competitive over Izuku.
And then something had seemed to click, and now the three of them are practically inseparable. It’s taken them a long time to get to where they are now, and there are still challenges and bumps. So it’s different from Iida and Ochako, who have never had any real bumps or obstacles to overcome.
And the second biggest difference? Is that Izuku is also head over heels in love with both Shouto and Kacchan.
He’s always been a little in love with Bakugou Katsuki. Since the day they met back when they were children, Izuku’s always felt that Kacchan was different. Amazing in a way beyond others. He supposes that that was why he tended to write off a lot of Kacchan’s bullying during those years. But since they’ve been spending more time together, not only have those feelings come back in full force, but they’ve blossomed into something deeper, more mature. Less of a child with a deep crush and more of something real and forever.
With Shouto, it’s almost the opposite. It isn’t a small flame that had been nursed through the years. Rather, it had come from awe and respect, starting from the time Shouto had used his fire. Izuku had always known Shouto was incredible; but that day, Shouto was truly his own person. Izuku had seen a glimpse of the true Shouto and had wanted more.
Of course, he can never tell them. Because he knows they’ll never reciprocate.
He sees the way Kacchan looks at Shouto when he thinks they’re not looking. The way those crimson eyes will track him, that softness. The way Kacchan will look so proud of himself whenever he makes Shouto smile or give a rare laugh, and the absolute trust and adoration Kacchan has for him in a fight.
He sees the way Shouto wants and the way Shouto likes to rile up Kacchan just to get a reaction. The way that Shouto seems to thrive when Kacchan teases him, turns his attention to him.
Izuku is in love with the both of them. He can never have them. But he’s so happy that they’re all best friends.
“Oi! Nerd!” Kacchan throws something small at Izuku’s face, and it catches him between the eyes. “You’re fucking muttering!”
Izuku blinks, caught off guard. He looks at the projectile—a piece of popcorn.
He turns to the rest of the room, where the class is watching a movie with them. It looks like the only one who actually cares is Kacchan, since the others are either passively watching while on their phones or talking to the others, or are too engrossed in the film to care.
“You realize that you shouting is more disruptive than Izuku’s muttering?” Shouto asks from practically underneath him.
Izuku is curled up on the couch, wedged between Kacchan and Shouto. It’s become almost their designated couch now during movie nights, since no one wants to deal with Kacchan yelling in their ear, or with Izuku’s muttering during the whole movie, or Shouto’s tendency to ask terrible questions or make comments during inopportune moments—usually something that causes the former two’s actions.
Case in point.
“It’ll be sure as shit disruptive when I blast your ass with my fist, Halfie!”
“I didn’t know you were into fisting, Katsuki,” Shouto responds with the same deadpan tone as always.
Izuku and a few others start to giggle. Izuku especially is giggling at the way Kacchan’s face turns red and his mouth hangs open in shock.
“Did you just make a fucking sex joke, Two Face?”
“Nice one, Todoroki!” Ashido says with a cheer.
“Aww, you made Blasty blush, dude!” Sero chimes in.
Izuku gives a happy sigh. His heart is full, and he’s with the people he loves the most. His classmates are all amazing people, and despite the rivalry between Shouto and Kacchan, the two are friends and Izuku is so happy to just watch them get along.
“The fuck’s wrong with you, Deku?” Kacchan asks, eyes on him when he hears Izuku sigh. His eyebrows are pinched in something akin to worry, but Izuku knows it’s teasing, and fond.
Another check for things that make Izuku happy.
“I’m just…happy,” Izuku says. He nuzzles further into Shouto’s warm side, his thighs in Katsuki’s lap. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
He can feel Kacchan go tense under his legs, and when Izuku looks up, he sees an expression on Kacchan’s face that’s different from anything he’s ever seen.
His eyes are almost wide and vulnerable, searching and intense. They hold an array of emotions that make Izuku feel warm and full of want.
But Kacchan’s gaze isn’t on Izuku.
Rather, Kacchan is looking above Izuku, where Izuku knows Shouto’s face is. He knows Shouto is turned toward Kacchan, because he had felt him turn his head earlier, chin brushing against Izuku’s curls.
He doesn’t know what expression Shouto has on his face, but if it’s enough to make Kacchan look like that then it must be pretty full of emotion too.
Izuku feels like he’s witnessing a moment not meant for him.
Izuku is in love with the both of them. And if they never return his affections, that’s fine. He’s perfectly happy with moments like this.
It seems that Kacchan and Shouto only have eyes for each other anyway.
“Just…shut up and stop your damn mumbling,” Kacchan says to Izuku quietly, his own tone mumbled. He sounds a little embarrassed, and huffs as he turns back to the screen.
Izuku knows he must be rattled or struggling with whatever emotions he’s feeling toward Shouto. He wonders if he should say something…but he knows he’s selfish and he’s afraid he might end up saying something that could sabotage the two of them getting together. Maybe it needs to happen naturally anyway.
When Kacchan’s hand comes to gently rest on Izuku’s leg, Izuku nearly cries from happiness.
Even if Kacchan and Shouto were to end up together, it’s nice to know Izuku won’t get left behind.
—
—
Katsuki hates Deku and he hates Todoroki.
He hates Deku’s stupid face, the amount of freckles on his face that always seem to grow in number in the sunlight. He hates Deku’s shitty green hair and green eyes that remind Katsuki of running through the forests when they were little, the curls that make Katsuki want to run his fingers through. He hates Deku’s shitty smile that’s always so wide and animated, that makes Katsuki want to smile back, wants to reach out and touch it and see if it tastes as good as it looks.
He hates that Deku has always been in his corner, even when Katsuki had treated him like shit. Hates the guilt he feels when he sees Deku flinch sometimes when Katsuki reaches for him, the pain he hears in Deku’s voice when he talks about how people treated him in the past. He hates that Deku, despite all the shit Katsuki has put him through, is still by his side.
He hates Todoroki too. He hates that pretty boy face, the way his hair, his eyes, his entire body is split into two colors, two sides and with that scar around his eyes he still looks fucking perfect. He hates the smoothness of his voice, the deadpan snark he gives, and the way he doesn’t flinch whenever Katsuki is in a Mood.
He hates that Todoroki is badass, powerful on a whole other level, and that when he laughs it feels like one of Katsuki’s proudest accomplishments. He hates that Todoroki is not only hot but he’s fucking cute and says such funny, snarky things but also innocently stupid things. He hates that he puts Katsuki in his place and is unafraid, and even more so, that he sticks by his side and that Katsuki trusts him with his life.
Katsuki hates that Deku and Todoroki make Katsuki feel so many things that he never wanted, that he fucking loves them both.
He hates it, because Deku and Todoroki are dating each other.
The worst part is, they’re both good for each other. Deku does what Deku does best—he brings out the best in Todoroki. He helps Todoroki come out of his shell, helps by encouraging him to use his fire, to turn his back on his shitty old man, to be himself and no one else. He makes Todoroki laugh and smile more, makes him seem more open and touchy and gives the space for Todoroki to show off who he is. It’s those glimmers of personality that Katsuki cherishes so much, that softness that Todoroki trusts Deku with, that he seems to inexplicably trust Katsuki with too.
And Todoroki is…kind to Deku. He shows Deku what a real friend and rival should look like. Not the shitty punk kid bully that Katsuki had been so long ago. He takes care of Deku, guards him, watches over him. Todoroki would die for Deku five times over, would give Deku the world.
It makes Katsuki want to be better. It makes him want to be a better friend and rival to Deku, to take care of the shitty nerd. It makes Katsuki bite the inside of his cheek when Shouto shows himself more, like the time that he took them to a cat cafe and Katsuki got to see the dumbass looking so at peace and happy in a way he’d never seen.
It all comes to a head when Deku gets sick.
The dumbass is terrible at taking care of himself. It’s almost to the point where Recovery Girl, Aizawa, All Might, and practically anyone with half a brain cell are barring Izuku from getting himself healed too easily. Thinking that that’ll be a deterrent for him not breaking himself over and over to the bone.
It’s tough love, and Katsuki is nothing but the toughest.
That’s why he’s angrily stirring the soup he’s making, tasting the broth and making faces because it’s not fucking ready yet.
“What did the soup do to piss you off?” Shouto’s voice startles Katsuki from his thoughts. He isn’t showing it though; doesn’t even bother to look up at the other boy.
“None of your damn business,” Katsuki snaps instinctively. Todoroki doesn’t even react. “Here, taste this.”
He holds the soup spoon up to Todoroki’s lips, hovering it a couple inches away. Todoroki looks at it like it’s poison, one eyebrow raised.
“It’s fucking soup, idiot. I didn’t poison it.”
“It’s not spicy, is it?” Todoroki pauses.
“The fuck would it be? Deku doesn’t like spicy shit. Fucking whimp.”
Something lights up in Todoroki’s eyes, something soft that warms through Katsuki’s heart.
“Ah. This is for Izuku?” Todoroki asks, before he dives in.
Katsuki‘s about to say something witty and call him a dumbass because that’s what he just fucking said except—Shouto’s lips wrap around the spoon and he tastes the soup and his eyes flutter closed and he makes the most sinful fucking noise that echoes through Katsuki’s brain and it’s too fucking pornographic for goddamn soup and—
“Izuku will appreciate it,” Todoroki says. “It’s really good, Katsuki.”
Todoroki’s voice is soft in a way that Katsuki isn’t totally sure he’s just talking about soup. Like Katsuki has done something good and Shouto is…proud? And Katsuki doesn’t need his approval for shit, doesn’t need him to tell him he’s good, except—he feels himself preen under the praise anyway, eats it up like it’s the best thing.
“I’m not doing this for Deku’s shitty appreciation, Candy Cane,” Katsuki glowers at the soup. “I’m doing it because the idiot can’t take fucking care of himself and I’m tired of going easy on all the fucking extras. He needs to get better so I can have someone on my level to spar against.”
“Ah, well at least you’re admitting I’m far better than you.”
“That’s not what I fucking said!”
Todoroki gives one of those smiles and fucking FUCK. Katsuki needs to focus on cooking before he burns something.
A too-warm hand falls onto the nape of his neck, and Katsuki feels his heart both seem to stop and beat faster than ever at the touch.
“Thank you, Katsuki, for looking after Izuku. For caring for him the way you do.”
And there it is, that other shoe, that reminder that Todoroki and Izuku are together, that Todoroki is only looking at Katsuki with soft smiles because Katsuki is doing something nice for his boyfriend.
Katsuki hates it. He hates that it doesn’t make him angry like it probably should, doesn’t make him want to snap or yell. That he’s going to care for Deku and Todoroki anyway, even if they don’t look his way.
Fuck.
“Yeah well, it’s not like you can cook for shit,” Katsuki says. “It’ll be done in a half hour. Just gotta let it simmer.”
“Okay,” Todoroki says. “Can I help you clean?”
Katsuki looks at him through narrow eyes, skeptical. “Why.”
“You went through so much trouble making Izuku soup to make him feel better,” Todoroki says as if it’s obvious. “It’s only fair that I be the one to help you clean.”
Ugh. Katsuki hates how logical it sounds, while also sounding like Todoroki is helping him. When really, he’s probably just doing it so he feels like he’s helping his stupid boyfriend or whatever.
“Fine, whatever,” Katsuki says. “I don’t fucking care.”
Todoroki gathers the dirty dishes—not much except for the chopping knives and cutting board, some bowls and measuring spoons. He doesn’t turn the water on, instead hovers both hands over the sink.
Katsuki’s eyes widen as he watches ice and fire come out of his hands simultaneously, turning into hot water. Todoroki looks like he’s concentrating to do it, and soon the dishes are soaking in hot, soapy water.
He puts his hands down, and while he looks like it’s totally nothing, Katsuki can see the telltale little smirk that pulls just slightly at the corner of his lips when he takes in Katsuki’s expression.
“Impressive, right?” Todoroki says. “I’ve been working on that, creating different types of water between my quirks. I thought it might be useful for certain disasters.”
Katsuki scowls at being called out for the stupid look on his face. It’s probably is a more muted look of the one he’d had when he’d first saw Todoroki use his quirk.
“It’s okay, I guess,” Katsuki scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Stop fucking fishing for compliments.”
He glances at the soup, knowing it’ll be another half hour or so. He’s itching to do something, but also doesn’t want Todoroki to leave either. Not that he’d admit that.
“Would you like to watch something?” Todoroki asks, tilting his head. “I know you said there would be some time before Izuku’s soup is done.”
Fuck. Katsuki hates Todoroki sometimes, like when they’re on the same goddamn page and things are just so…easy. Like Todoroki understands Katsuki in a way that others don’t.
“We’re not watching one of your shitty animal documentaries,” Katsuki says as he makes his way toward the common room.
Partially because Katsuki fucking hates how Todoroki looks so damn cute when he’s watching one of those nature shows about animals and especially big cats. He knows that right now he needs to ramp down all those feelings, because Todoroki and Deku are together, and Katsuki is—
He’s just…their friend. That’s what he needs to be. He can’t keep letting his feelings for either of fuck up one of the only things that matter in his life.
“Can we…watch an All Might special?” Todoroki says, in that voice that Katsuki recognizes as almost timid, shy. “Izuku says they’re worth watching. That you two watched them growing up.”
Katsuki initially scowls at that, wanting to bite out a retort about Deku being a fanboy, about how he’s fucking surprised that Deku wouldn’t have forced Todoroki into watching every single All Might movie that had come out as a requirement to be his boyfriend.
But then…he remembers Todoroki’s father. He remembers exactly why that bastard had given Todoroki such a shitty, trauma-filled childhood. He knows without a doubt that any and all All Might merchandise or paraphernalia would have been banned in the Todoroki household.
He wonders if Todoroki ever wanted to watch one of these movies, had asked to watch one as a boy innocently to his father, and what that asshole’s reaction would have been.
Katsuki, not for the first time, wants to fucking kick Enji Todoroki’s face in for ever laying a hand on Shouto.
So instead he rolls his eyes, moving to flop on the couch. “Deku had every single tape he could get his grubby little hands on.”
Todoroki’s lips quirk in a grateful smile, and he sits on the same couch, just a few inches away from Katsuki. “I bet you did too.”
Katsuki glares at him without any heat, scrolling through the video library until he pulls up one of his childhood favorites.
“Just shut up and watch.”
And they did just that.
As the movie goes on, Katsuki can’t help but be more tuned in to the way Todoroki seems to be so enraptured. His heterochromatic eyes are alight with wonder, and so engrossed in the film. It’s practically a kid’s movie and yet—
The small gasp at his side when All Might seems to be in danger makes Katsuki’s lips move, warms his heart. Considering that Todoroki knows All Might personally and knows that he’s obviously safe and sound.
Over the course of the next half hour, they seem to also lean into each other, scooting closer to each other subconsciously. It’s not until their thighs are practically touching and Katsuki can feel the heat radiating from Todoroki that he even really notices.
As the short movie comes to an end, Todoroki’s eyes are lit up with excitement, and he turns to face Katsuki.
“Thank you for letting me watch this,” Todoroki says. “I’ve…never watched anything with All Might until now, except for what’s in the course curriculum.”
“We’re just killing time, Icy Hot,” Katsuki rolls his eyes, squashing down how those words makes him feel. “Not like I’m trying to do you any favors.”
“Still,” Todoroki says. He’s so close to Katsuki. “I…I really like spending time with you, Katsuki.”
The first name basis. The way it rolls off Shouto’s tongue like silk. The way he can feel the heat of Shouto’s body and the coolness of his breath.
“Icy Hot,” Katsuki starts, his voice dry. It comes out as a whisper, not wanting to break whatever atmosphere this is.
“Shouto,” Todoroki says, voice quiet. “Call me Shouto.”
Katsuki licks his lips, his heart racing at the intimacy of it all. Shouto. Fuck, it’s a curse. The way it’s all so pretty on Shouto’s lips, his own name, Katsuki’s name, that he’s offering Katsuki another part of him, platonic when all Katsuki wants is—
“Shouto—”
Shouto’s lips on his. A sweet kiss, Shouto cupping Katsuki’s cheek. Katsuki feels his heart stutter, feels himself pressing his lips back.
Shouto’s lips aren’t hot or cold, but are chapped and rough. Whether from biting or from some weird effect from his quirk, he isn’t sure, but fuck does this boy need chapstick. And yet—it’s perfect, everything Katsuki has ever wanted.
Todoroki— Shouto —makes a noise in the back of his throat, pressing closer, and Katsuki grabs a fistful of Shouto’s shirt and pulls him close.
It’s so perfect, and Katsuki wants to bury his fingers in Shouto’s hair, wants to grab Shouto’s perfect and cute little ass and hear Shouto make those noises, wants to do everything he’s been trying not to fantasize about because—
Deku.
It’s like Shouto's just used his quirk on Katsuki, because in that moment he feels as though his blood is running cold.
And is replaced with red hot anger.
He immediately shoves Shouto—Todoroki—back on the couch with as much force as he can muster, fury filling his mind.
“What the fuck, Icy Hot?” Katsuki glares at him.
Todoroki touches his own lips gently, his eyes wide. “What….was that….not okay?”
“Was that not okay?” Katsuki repeats, explosions popping from his hands. “Of course that wasn’t fucking okay! What the fuck is the matter with you? Just—kissing people just because you fucking think you can?”
“I—” Todoroki looks a little confused, if not also just a little sad. “I misread. I thought you’d wanted me to kiss you. And you just looked so…good.”
“What the—” Katsuki reels at that last part, and really, is he so fucking obvious that Todoroki can see his crush on him? Not like that fucking matters. “And what about Deku, huh? What, you can’t get any from him because he’s fucking sick so you decide to fucking throw yourself on me instead?”
“That’s not why I kissed you, Katsuki—”
“Out.” Katsuki commands, pointing toward the door. “I’ll bring up the soup to Deku and take care of him, because at least one of us gives a shit. Get the fuck out of here. Before I blow your fucking face off.”
“Please, let me explain—”
“I don’t fucking care,” Katsuki says, eyes hardening at the name. “What the hell kind of boyfriend are you, anyway? Because from my viewpoint, you’re a fucking shitty one. Never thought you of all people would stoop this low.”
Todoroki looks struck, hurt and he nods. “Okay. I’m…I’m sorry, Katsuki.”
And with that, he’s gone.
What the hell just happened?