Work Text:
Shouto pulled his coat tighter around himself as snow began to fall. The only reason he was even out right now after interning all day at the Endeavor agency, was because Midoriya had insisted. When they were leaving that day, he had been hell bend that he, Shouto, and Bakugou stop to get something to eat. Shouto agreed because he always did. Study nights in the dorms, food trucks after work, shopping trips on the weekend- Shouto would go with them anywhere. Wherever they let him tag alone. So here he was tired and cold, following Midoryia and Bakugou into a noodle house that had just opened.
Inside was packed but at least it was warm. Shouto was able to shrug off his coat as Bakugou led, really pushed, the way through the crowded restaurant. There were times when Shouto could appreciate when Bakugou used his “Alpha-ness” like now when he secured the last open table.
When they were all settled into the almost too-small booth, Shouto looked around. The place was cozy with a lot of dark wood. Nicer than he was expecting for an impromptu dinner. He felt Midoryia shift beside him. Their thighs pushed together as Midoryia wiggled out of his coat. Midoryia was telling them about the history of this place, and why to owners had opened it. He talked a lot tonight, even for him but Shouto didn’t mind. He never did. Midoryia and Bakugou had strong personalities. Maybe that's why they made such good mates. But he liked spending time with them. They never made him feel like a third wheel.
The server came and they placed their orders. Shouto went with the cold soba noodles even though a blizzard was forming outside. After the server delivered their drinks, the idle chit-chat died down, meaning Midyoria’s chattering stopped. Midyoria and Bakugou exchange a look that Shouto can not decipher. He was getting better at reading people’s facial expressions but tonight he was at a loss. They were mates after all. They had a connection that Shouto couldn’t understand. He doubted he ever would. Many other people his age dreamed of their future mate. Finding this person that you connected to on all levels. But Shouto was not interested in that. He had his friends and that was enough. It was enough just to have dinner with his two best friends.
Midoryia turned toward Shouto and said, “We are really glad that you came out to dinner tonight.”
“Yeah, this place is nice,” Shouto said.
“Good! I’m glad you like it.” Midoryia said. Shouto waited for Midoryia to say more because he usually did. “So, um…”
“Will you get on with it?” Bakugou grumbled.
“Get on with what?” Shouto asked.
“Well… we wanted to tell you that we, um, like spending time with and being with you so um...” Midoryia was stumbling over his words more than normal. He took a deep breath and then said, “What I’m really trying to say is that you are important to us.”
Shouto had not been expecting that. “You guys are important to me too.”
Midoriya smiled looking relieved “Good, so Kacchan and I have something we would like to give to you.” He looked pointedly at Bakugou, who must be warm cause there is a light color on his cheeks.
Bakugou reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.
“It’s not my birthday yet,” Shouto said.
“Here, just open it,” Bakugou growled and he pushed the box across the table. He opened it and inside was a silver chain necklace with three small circles at the end. Even though it was a simple design, Shouto thought it was amazing. He had only had the gift for a few moments but was already very fond of it. If asked to explain why he felt an immediate attachment to this piece of jewelry, he couldn’t tell you.
Shouto felt eyes on him. Both Midoryia and Bakugou were looking at him like they expected him to say something.
“Oh, thank you,” Shouto said.
“So do you accept it then?” Midoriya asked sounding breathless.
“Of course. Why won’t I?” Shouto answered.
Bakugou visually sighed and Midoriya beamed at him. Were they worried about him not accepting a gift?
_____________
Shouto knocked on Midoriya’s door. He knew he was late and Bakugou would have something to say about it. He should have been at the study session about ten minutes ago. But his sister had called and Shouto never knew how to get off the phone.
Midoriya opened the door with a smile and said, “Hey Sho!”
Shouto really liked the nickname.
“You’re late,” Bakugou called from across the room.
Shouto began to apologize but stopped short. Bakugou was lying across Midoriya's bed with a book propped open in his lap. Midoriya’s bed was without the canopy that normally covered an omega’s nest. Shouto hesitated but Midoriya ushered him in. Midoriya closed the door and settled himself down on the end of the bed. He picked up whatever homework he was working on before. Shouto took this as a sign to sit down, so he chose a spot on the floor.
Shouto knew he was not the best with social stuff but even Shouto knew you didn’t normally see a friend's uncovered nest. He thought that all omegas kept their bed covered when they had people in their rooms. Normally you won’t go near an omega’s nest unless you were a mate or close family member but in the dorms, it couldn't be avoided. So omegas would keep their beds covered with a canopy-type thing when friends were in their dorm. Shouto had studied with Uraraka and Iida several times and she always kept her bed covered. He put this out of his mind and focused on studying.
Sometime later, Shouto was struggling with the math homework.
“Bakugou what did you get for number four?” He asked.
“87,” Bakugou answered without looking up from his own work.
“Oh.” Shouto frowned
“What did you get?” Bakugou looked up and narrowed his eyes.
“3A.”
“How is that even possible?” Bakugou half shouted.
Shouto began to explain how he solved the problem but Bakugou cut him off-
“You started all wrong. Come here and I’ll show you.” Bakugou gestured for Shouto to sit next to him on the bed- in the nest. Shouto felt momentarily really hot but pushed himself up and settled next to Bakugou. It was crowded with the three of them on the bed. Shouto carefully sat without pushing into Bakugo's personal space. Bakugou though didn’t seem to care. He moved closer to look over Shouto’s work.
“Okay, this was your first mistake.” Bakugou used his pencil to point to the problem. Bakugou walked Shouto through the problem step by step. But Shouto was still not getting it. He was surprised that Bakugou doesn’t just blow him off after his first explanation.
At some point, Midoriya joined in trying to help Shouto understand. He leaned over Bakugou's shoulder and also tried to explain. Shouto realized how close they all were. He looked at Bakugou and then at Midoriya. They were inches away from him. Bakugou’s brows were knitted together as he tried to explain the problem again. Midoryia was fidgeting with his silver necklace, looking like he too was also having a hard time following Bakugo’s explanations. Shouto like looking at them. More than he did other people. He liked the definition in Bakugou’s jaw and the curve of Midoryia’s neck. The collar of Midoryia’s shirt had been pulled down slightly and he could see a hint of his mating bite…
Shouto quickly looked away. He had let himself wonder too much. He reminded himself that no matter how close they all were, they were the mated couple. Shouto was just a guest. A guest closest enough to be invited into the nest but a guest nonetheless.
Shouto wasn’t getting the problem and called it a night soon after that.
_____________
Today they were joint training with class 3B. Shouto walked out to the training grounds with Bakugou and Kirishima. They were discussing what they thought today’s class would be. Most of the other students were waiting on the observation deck. Before they were able to join their classmates, Monama intercepted them.
“The fuck do you want?” Bakugou asked.
“Oh nothing, just overheard you three strategizing,” Monama said. He leaned in towards the group and whispered, “You know it's a waste of time. My class will easily win.” Then he slapped
Kirishima in the shoulder.
“Hey!” Kirishima shouted and jumped back.
Monama smirked and raised his arm showing off Kirishima’s hardening. “Just collecting some quirks for class.”
“You should ask next time. Stealing is not cool man.” Kirishima said and rubbed his shoulder.
Monama laughed him off then he turned to Shouto. “If I say please?”
Shouto frowned. “No.”
“See I tried asking nicely,” Monama said with a shrug. He raised his hand as if was going to slap Shouto too. He could easily dodge but he never got the chance. Before Monama had fully raised his arm, Bakugou was between them. Bakugou caught Monama’s arm and got right in his face.
“Don’t,” Bakugou growled. Literally, he growled. It was deep and threatening. A warning. Shouto was shocked and from the look on Kirishima and Monama’s faces, they were too. You didn’t go around growling at your classmates, even if you are Kastuki Bakugou.
Monama visibly gulped and averted his gaze. An act of submission. Monama muttered an apology. Bakugou let him go and Monama hurried back to his class.
Bakugou did not move. He stayed in front of Shouto. Almost like he was guarding him or something. Bakugou took a few deep breaths and tried to calm down.
“Look nothing happened, man. Walk it off before teachers get here okay.” Kirishima said.
Bakugou grunted as an answer and walked away. Shouto turned to Kirishima.
“What got into him? I know Monama is annoying but…”
“Monama crossed a line,” Kirishima said. “And you know Bakugou is super territorial.”
Shouto nodded in response but he didn’t really understand what Kirishima meant.
_____________
It was class 3A’s weekly movie night. After some debate, they settled on some action movie sequel. Shouto had not seen the first one but since he seemed to be the only one, he didn’t say anything. He didn’t mind.
Most of the class had claimed their seats by the time Shouto made it to the living room.
“Sit with us.” Midoriya waved Shouto over. He was sitting with Bakugou on one of the smaller couches. It was only meant for two people but you could fit three if needed. There was open floor space but Shouto squeezed in next to Midoryia. Bakugou was on Midooriya’s other side with his arm slung over the back of the couch
The movie started. There was a lot of running around and shooting guns. Shouto thought the effects looked cool but he was definitely not as invested in the story as most of the class. When one character popped up there we some gasps and tears.
About halfway through he felt something bump his shoulder. He looked down and Midoriya had fallen asleep. Midoriya rarely made it all the way through any movie. Shouto thought about gently shaking him awake but he looked peaceful. Shouto liked the weight and warmth of his body. Bakugou shifted on the other side of the couch. Right, Midoryia’s mate was right there. Maybe this wasn’t okay for Shouto to let Midoryia keep sleeping on him. He probably would have preferred to fall asleep on Bakugou. Shouto snuck a glance at Bakugou. His eyes were on the screen then he looked at Shouto and then at Midoryia. Shouto could have sworn he smiled. Maybe Kirishima was wrong about Bakugou being territorial.
Shouto tried to focus back on the movie. He missed a couple of scenes but the plot was not hard to follow. Just as Shouto is getting back into the story, he felt something tickle the back of his neck. It was Bakugou. He was playing with Shouto’s hair… Bakugou was gently twisting the hair on the back of Shouto’s neck. His face felt warm for some reason.
Then Bakugou moved his hand so he was rubbing the back of Shouto’s neck! He couldn’t remember anyone touching the back of his neck, even when he was a child. Is this something the friends do? None of his other friends have done this. Not that Shouto would want that. As close as he was to Iida and Sero, he doesn’t think he would let them touch the back of his neck like this. But with Bakugou it was nice. Midoriya snuggled even closer. He couldn’t name this feeling. The warmth in his chest. The weirdness in his stomach. But it was not a bad feeling. Being close to them. He liked it.
It was different with them.
Shouto never caught the end of the movie.
_____________
The common room was quiet for a Thursday evening. All of the girls had gathered around the TV to watch the season finally of anime and they demanded silence. A difficult feat with a full dorm.
Shouto was studying English with Midoriya, Kirishima, and Kaminari at one of the tables. They had been allowed to stay since they were finishing up. Shouto was getting tired and the others were getting restless. Most of all Denki, who dramatically laid his head on the book and whined-
“Will this ever end?”
“Dude, you have like two more questions,” Kirishima said.
Denki frowned then looked up at Shouto with pleading eyes. “Will you just tell me the answer?”
“No. You won’t learn that way.” Shouto said.
“And that is dishonest,” Midoriya added.
“Yeah, Midoriya’s right. Not cool man,” Kirishima said.
“Hey, don’t gang up on me and make me feel bad.” Kaminari decided to just finish his own work.
Shouto was checking over their work while the others started to talk amongst themselves. He could also hear the anime the girls were watching. He did not know what the story was about but knew it was romance from all the pink and hearts. All the girls were obsessed with the show. Most of the boys were too.
“When I get a courting gift, it better be nicer than that,” Kaminari said.
Shouto looked up at the TV and one of the girls on the screen was giving the other girl a simple woven bracelet.
“I think it's kinda sweet. It’s a metaphor for their whole relationship.” Midoriya said. He had read the manga the show was based on.
“But shouldn’t the gift be like flashy?” Kaminari asked.
“I think the gift doesn’t matter as much as who gives it to you,” Midoriya said as he fidgeted with his necklace. Shouto’s was hidden under his shirt.
“That’s disgustingly romantic,” Kaminari said.
Kirishima threw an arm around Kaminari’s shoulder and said, “I’m sure if a certain purple-haired someone gave you a courting gift you wouldn’t care what it is.”
“I would not. I’m not some hopeless romantic.” Kaminari shock Kirishima off, only blushing a little. “What do you think, Todoroki? You’re not a sap like these two.”
“I never really thought about courting gifts before,” Shouto said with a shrug. For some reason, Kirishima snorted at that.
“You must have some option,” Kaminari pressed.
Midoriya nudged Shouto in his arm. “You can be honest, Sho. It’s fine.”
Shouto didn’t understand why Midoriya was smiling at him like that. He felt like he was missing something.
“I was being honest. I never really thought about them before. I don’t watch any of that romance anime so why would I think about them.”
“Cause someone might give you one,” Kaminari said like he couldn’t believe he had to explain this.
The thought had never occurred to Shouto before. Accepting a courting gift would mean that you wanted to be mates with that person. A lifelong partner. Shouto didn’t know anyone he wanted that with. Other than Bakugou and Midoryia, but they had each other so-
“I wouldn’t accept one,” Shouto said. He didn’t want anything that might distance him from Bakugou and Midoryia.
“What?” Midoriya looked confused.
“I wouldn’t accept a courting gift because I don’t want a mate.”
Kirishima gave Shouto an odd look. Midoriya was staring at him too. He felt like he just said something wrong but doesn’t know what.
“Shouto are you joking right now?” Midoriya asked. Shouto didn’t know when their lighthearted conversation had turned so serious. Denki looked as lost as Shouto felt.
“No.”
Midoriya's face fell. Shouto had never regretted one word so much in his life.
“Sorry, I just remembered I need to. Um…” Midoryia trailed off as he quickly gathered his things. Before anyone can say anything he hurried to the elevator.
Shouto wanted to take back his answer but couldn’t. It was the truth. He was not joking.
“What’s up with Midoryia?” Kaminari asked after a moment.
They both looked at Shouto like they expected him to answer. But Shouto had no idea why Midoryia would be upset.
Then Kirishima leaned closer to Shouto. “Dude, did something happen?” He asked in a low concerned voice.
“No,” Shouto said because to his knowledge nothing had. Kirishima didn’t look satisfied with that answer but didn’t ask anything else.
They fell into an uncomfortable silence. Kirishima and Kaminari looked at him like he had done something wrong. Maybe he had and didn’t realize it. He hated that. Hated feeling out of the loop. Not understanding what everyone else did.
But the look on Midoryia’s face, he hated that even more. He had to know what happened. If it had been something he did or said then he would make it right. Shouto excused himself. The others didn’t question him.
_____________
Shouto hesitated in front of Midoriya's door. He gathered himself and knocked. Bakugou answered and looked more pissed than usual. He stared down at Shouto.
“I came to see Midoriya,” Shouto said as he stepped around Bakugou. Midoriya looked up from where he was sitting on his bed. His face was tear-stained. Shouto’s stomach twisted with guilt. Bakugou slammed the door pulling Shouto's attention back to him.
“So do you think this is funny?” Bakugou spat. There was real anger in his voice. Angry alpha. Protective alpha. Why wouldn’t he be? Shouto had made his omega cry. He resisted the urge to bow his head.
“Stop it Kacchan. Don’t be mean.” Midoriya said as he stood up from the bed and walked over to Shouto. He looked up at him. “Sho, I understand not wanting to tell Kaminari. And I’m sure you didn’t mean anything by it but hearing you say those things did hurt.”
“Midoriya I'm sorry. I would never intentionally say anything to hurt you.” Shouto said. Midoriya gave him a small smile. “But I don’t understand why what I said would hurt your feelings.”
Midoriya just looked at him.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Bakugou barked from the other side of the room.
“I also don’t understand why Bakugou is so upset,” Shouto said. Midoriya still didn’t say anything.
“I’m getting tired of these games Todoroki.”
“I’m not playing games, Bakugou,” Shouto shot back. He was feeling heated now. Everyone tonight had looked at him like he was the bad guy. Like he should feel bad about something and Shouto was tired of it.
Bakugou stocked over to Shouto. “If you changed your mind then fucking say that.”
Midoriya tried to intervene. “Wait, Kac--”
“I have no idea what you are talking about!” Shouto said, cutting Midoriya off.
Bakugou grabbed the front of Shouto’s shirt. “Don’t play dumb. If you changed your mind about courting then you can give the necklace back!”
Shouto’s mind went blank. He blinked up at Bakugou.
“What?” Shouto’s voice was quiet.
“What do you mean what ?” Bakugou did not let go of Shouto’s shirt but he did loosen his grip.
“Kacchan! Calm down.” Midoriya pushed in between them now. “Shouto do you really not understand what Kacchan is talking about.”
“No,” Shouto answered.
“At dinner, when we gave you that necklace. What did you think it meant?” Bakugou asked.
“I thought it was like a friendship necklace.”
They both just stare at Shouto like they couldn’t believe what he just said.
“Was it not?” Shouto asked. He had to be sure. He couldn’t let himself entertain the idea that the necklace had meant something more.
For one horrifying no spoke and then Bakugou said, “It was a courting gift. We want you to be our mate.” He spoke plainly but Shouto could see how that was masking his nervousness.
“Oh, um, thank you for clarifying,” Shouto said. He knew he should say more. He wanted to say more. “I’m not sure what to say now.”
“Why don’t I ask you a question- straightforward this time. Do you accept the necklace as a courting gift?” Midoriya asked. His voice shook slightly. He seemed just as nervous as he did at the noodle shop when he first asked this question. Shouto now understood why he had seemed nervous that night.
Shouto touched the necklace. Even though he had never let himself fully want this, he wanted to be with them. In all ways. He loved them. And they were saying that they felt the same. He opened his mouth to speak but felt the wave of emotion break free. Tears started to roll down his face.
“Yes,” Shouto was finally able to get out. His voice was raw from emotion. “If I haven’t messed everything up.”
“No of course not.” Midoriya threw his arms around Shouto's neck. He was crying now too as he buried his face in Shouto’s shoulder.
Bakugou sighed dramatically behind them and then wrapped his arm around both of them.
“I can’t believe I have two cry babies now,” Bakugou said. “Guess I should have known that we need to make things extra clear with you. Shouldn’t have let Izuku ramble through the confession.”
Midoriya pulled away and frowned at Bakugou.
“It wasn’t that bad!”
“Sorry I didn’t understand the first time,” Shouto said.
“Sorry I wasn’t clearer with you,” Midoriya said.
“Alright, both of you stop apologizing.” Bakugou hugged them tighter.
Shouto held onto them both. Trying the wrap his mind around what just happened. He went from no mates to two in the last twenty minutes. He is feeling a lot of emotions right now but he is happy.