Chapter Text
He ends up moving in with Katsuki, and becomes an expert in avoiding the topic about the fact that he's quirkless and is already preparing himself for a life without a romantic connection. Being single is not bad, well, at least for the people who choose to be.
Another couple of weeks pass, and it's even more difficult to guard his heart when he's living with the man he has a crush on.
Dynamight doesn't make it easier for Izuku either; he walks around the penthouse shirtless, is extremely kind and gentle with him, and is an excellent cook. In exchange, Izuku lets the pro hero cuddle him after a long day at work to "recharge" and makes sure his wounds are properly cared for.
When their jobs collide, Katsuki always asks the makeup artist to sit on his lap, taking advantage of the fact that Izuku can't refuse because everyone thinks they're dating.
That day he can't stop ogling the pro hero because the theme for that issue is pro heroes as rockstars and they decide to dress Dynamight as a drummer wearing dark pants and nothing else. He looks really hot.
Izuku gets slightly flustered when they ask him to add a few "tattoos" on the blonds chest and his arms.
"You like what you see, nerd?" Katsuki smirks, enjoying the way his friend blushes. Nobody bats an eye when he starts flirting with Izuku because they're supposed to be dating.
He decides to make an effort this time, and get his revenge in the process, so he smiles back, flutters his long eyelashes at the pro hero before answering his question.
"You know I do, Kacchan," he purrs, despite feeling so nervous. However, it seems that his act is good enough because Dynamight blushes to the tip of his ears and remains speechless for a while.
However, when he recovers enough, the pro hero leans to give Izuku a quick kiss on his lips.
"You'll ruin your makeup!"
"Good thing I have you here to fix it."
"You're so mean, Kacchan!"
"I'm being a fucking amazing boyfriend."
However, the smile on his face vanishes when pro hero Shoto walks in and Izuku immediately goes to him to begin with his makeup.
"Here."
"For me?" Izuku asks, admiring the hairpin. It does look quite expensive. "Really?"
"Yes, since your hair is green, I thought a cherry blossom made of pink gold would look good on you."
"Thank you, it's beautiful!"
"Let me help you put it on, Midoriya."
Izuku doesn't notice, but Dynamight's eye starts twitching dangerously in that moment. The people around decide not to bother him.
***
He starts hanging out with Todoroki; some people use that to spread false rumors about Izuku considering leaving Dynamight for another pro hero, and when the manager pleads him to stop going out with his friend for a while, he complies, mostly because he signed a contract.
Todoroki doesn't take it well, and blames Katsuki for it, well, that's Izuku's fault actually because, since he can't tell the other pro hero about the contract, he has to lie and say that his boyfriend is getting jealous.
Of course, he has no idea that his lie hides the truth behind it; Katsuki is struggling at work because he's often grumpy and moody, especially after he sees another picture of Izuku and Todoroki together.
When the makeup artist comes back from a long day at work, and collapses on the couch, the blond hero narrows his eyes, looking like an angry Pomeranian for a moment.
"Aren't you gonna go out with Half and Half today?"
"Kacchan, you know I only hang out with Todoroki when you're busy, besides, your manager said it's better if I don't see him for a while."
"Only because Hana told you, huh?"
Izuku has been with Dynamight long enough to realize something's bothering him by the tone of his voice. Despite looking a bit grumpy, the pro hero is still making dinner for the both of them.
He doesn't want to bother him, but he can tell he needs to ask what's going on before his childhood friend explodes. So he gets up, and walks closer to the counter so he can watch Katsuki cook and talk to him. To his surprise, the pro hero stops what he's doing and turns around to face him; it looks like he wants to talk after all.
"What is it, Kacchan?"
"He's trying to steal you from me, and you can't even see it!" Katsuki growls, finally letting go of what he probably wanted to say for a while now.
"What? You mean Todoroki?"
At the mention of the name, Dynamight bares his teeth.
"He's my friend. He doesn't want anything else from me. I think he's a bit lonely."
Despite Izuku's words, Katsuki doesn't stop frowning.
"What about you, nerd? Do you like Half and Half?"
This looks like a typical display of jealousy, but Izuku doesn't understand why his childhood friend is doing that in the privacy of his penthouse. He doesn't have to pretend while they're alone. Or maybe he doesn't like what people are saying on social media? Perhaps that has affected his image somehow.
Izuku suddenly feels bad about it, he promised to do his best for his friend and he's failing at it. He's even being paid to do it and he's doing a terrible job.
"I'm sorry, Kacchan. I won't do that anymore. It's not an excuse, but I didn't think it'd affect our deal. I'm not used to being a public figure like you; I should've thought about it before agreeing to spend time with Todoroki."
For some reason, this doesn't seem to calm the pro hero down. However, he's not that upset anymore, he just looks like he's in physical pain.
"That doesn't answer my question, nerd. Do you like him?"
"As a friend? Yes, of course!"
The tension on Katsuki's shoulders fades, just a bit. He takes a few steps forward until he's right in front of Izuku, and he carefully removes the hairpin Todoroki bought for him before pulling him into his arms.
"He has feelings for you," he huffs, tightening his grip around the makeup artist, not in a painful way, just in a very possessive one.
"He does not!" Izuku mumbles, rolling his eyes, even though he knows the pro hero can't see him.
"He does" Dynamight retorts, pressing his lips against Izuku's forehead. "But if he thinks I'll let you go, he's very much mistaken."
The green haired man pushes him away gently, mostly to see his expression. He tilts his head to the side, looking a bit confused.
"Is this about the deal?"
Katsuki runs his fingers through his own hair, pushing it back; it's obvious the conversation is making feel quite frustrated.
"Forget about the stupid contract. This is about us. I don't want to share you with anyone!"
"Kacchan, I don't understand..."
"I'm very much aware," he groans, irritation and pain clear in his deep voice. "I though it was obvious. Pinky told me I was anything but subtle, and I laughed at her because I didn't care about hiding anything from anyone, not even you. How could you not have noticed by now?"
"Noticed what?"
"I'm in love with you!" The words are not soft, but harsh and passionate, like they have been burning inside Katsuki's throat for a while now. "You're so fucking smart, Izuku! Why are you acting like a dense idiot out of the sudden?"
His weak heart suddenly gives in, and Izuku starts tearing up. Immediately, Katsuki's irritation vanishes, only to be replaced with worry.
"Why are you being mean to me, Kacchan?" Izuku sobs, realizing there's no way to protect his heart anymore. This is not just a crush. "You don't have to keep pretending when we're alone!"
Gently, Katsuki cradles his face with both hands, staring into those green eyes, the ones who have been blinded by years of unfortunate encounters with bad people and discrimination.
"Do you really believe that? Look at me in the eyes and tell me you haven't noticed that I never bothered to pretend. Every kiss, hug and every single thing I have done for you, even in front of people, has been real to me. Do you think I told Pinky you were the ideal candidate for this deal just because? She figured it out right away! Why haven't you? I just wanted to take the opportunity to woo you!"
As his face turns completely red, Izuku's cruel voice assures him this can't be possible.
"But you can't be in love with me!"
"Izuku, my love, don't you ever tell me how I fucking feel."
He can't help but chuckle. The mixture of irritation, frustration and fondness in his voice is unique; Katsuki is the only man who can do that at the same time.
"I'm looking for a serious relationship, Kacchan."
"That's fucking great, me too."
Katsuki must've noticed the doubt and fear in Izuku's eyes because he huffs and stomps his way into his own bedroom. When he gets back, there's a tiny red velvet box in his hand.
Izuku gasps, heart beating like crazy in his chest.
"I bought it a few weeks ago. Open it, and see how serious I am about you, you oblivious nerd."
He finds a ring with two gemstones in it, a green and an orange one, secured by an infinite symbol made of silver.
As all of his irritation fades, Katsuki's expression turns into something close to sorrow. He stares at the ground like he's waiting for a death sentence.
"Now, I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to, Izuku. You're free to tell me to fuck off if you don't feel the same. But, if there's any part of you that thinks you could love me the way I love you, then please consider giving me a chance."
In seconds, Izuku makes up his mind; his heart had already chosen, but he hadn't realized until that point. He surprises Katsuki by taking the ring and sliding it onto his finger himself.
"I love you too, Kacchan."
Eyes glimmering with happiness, Katsuki takes Izuku into his arms and carries him to his bedroom; they both have to take the day off.
Later, when they talk to Katsuki's team, and Ashido too, none of them look surprised when they tell them they're not going to follow the breakup plan.
"We'll announce our engagement instead," Dynamight grins, like he's the happiest man on earth. Izuku finds his expression so endearing that he kisses him on the lips in front of everyone.
When they tell their respective parents about it, as all of them have dinner together, Inko throws a look at her son that it's something close to: "I told you so."
Izuku had started to see the contract like an ending, but it turns out it's just the beginning.