Archive of Our Own

“You know I love you, right Zuku?”

Katsuki stared at the boy in his arms, sprawled across his chest. Both sets of eyes glowing with the certainty the other provided.

“Of course I do, Kachan” Izuku smiled back at him.

There were no words left to say, the boys knew the depth of their souls. They could both feel eachother in the deepest, darkest parts of their being, confident that their love needs no vows to tie them together. That didn’t stop them from trying though.

They were still so young, so immature and naive, but their love never faltered. In that moment, laying together in their highschool dorm rooms, they knew despite it all, it was still worth it to love.

Falling asleep in each other’s arms was something they did often. Each having their respective night terrors about the other one’s injuries. Izuku often awoke knowing all of these moments with Katsuki were borrowed time gifted to him from above. Katsuki awoke feeling fear, realizing once again that Izuku only needs saving from himself. Although they never spoke of such terrors, they could feel it with each morning hug after a restless night. The blessing they were to one another did not go a single day without recognition.

“Do you, Izuku, take Katsuki as your husband?”

“Of course.”

“Do you, Katsuki, take Izuku as your husband?”

“Always.”

The crowd cheered as they embraced in a sweet kiss. Izuku wanted the day to be perfect, every picture properly posed and hair in place, but standing there with Katsuki he couldn’t wait a second longer to kiss his husband.

“Then, I now pronounce you husbands” The officiant stated mid kiss, knowing better than to wait for them to stop.

The audience never ceased either, continuing with their hoots and cheers as they smiled at each other. Mom’s crying, teachers sniffling, and classmates gawking, it was exactly what Izuku had in mind.

Married life served Katsuki and Izuku well. They enjoyed the simplicity their life gave them outside of their hectic jobs. Essentially, they found solace knowing at the end of every dangerous, shitty day their other half would welcome them with open arms.

At this point, the two are inseparable. They work together, eat together, sleep together. Katsuki figured he’d spent too much time of his life pushing away Izuku to make the same mistake now. Izuku had always been the clingy type. Neither of them minded their constant proximity.

Their continuous contact didn’t make for an unhealthy relationship either. After the war, after everything, they knew no matter what they would always make the time, the effort to be there for one another.

Laying in bed, Izuku in Katsuki’s arms just like in high school, they continue to whisper their deepest desires, secrets, and confessions. No amount of growing up would change that.

“You know I’d do anything for you.” Izuku stares at his lover, skin on skin, sharing warmth.

“And I you?” Katsuki retorts lovingly.

“Promise?” Izuku already knew the answer to that, but he liked to hear it every now and again.

“I promise.” His voice ended softly after that. The finality of his statement made Izuku smile wide. Teeth peeked out behind his lips, eyes shut with bags hugging his lower lid, and nose crinkled.

Katsuki wasted no time before lifting Izuku to reach his face. The swift motion shocked Izuku, and his eyes shot open to be met with Katsuki staring right at him. In moments like this Izuku knew he was understood. That another human being saw him, and loved him despite it all. In Katsuki’s eyes he saw no regret or malice, only acceptance and love. Izuku knew he was worth more than every diamond or piece of gold this world had to offer to Katsuki, all from his stare.

Izuku, overwhelmed by love, leaned forward placing his hands on the back of his lover's head and pulled him in for a kiss. It wasn’t long, but it was gentle and sweet. He tried with all his might to communicate with his lips what Katsuki could with his eyes. He didn’t know for sure if it worked, but he liked to think it did.

“What was that for, pretty?” Katsuki pushed a curl from Izuku’s eyes onto his ear.

“Just cause I love you.” A slight blush crossed Izuku’s cheeks, but he knew better to turn away from his husband's stare. He didn’t want to miss a second of this.

“Oh yeah?” A breathy reply

“Yeah.”

The morning sun on Izuku’s face has got to be Katsuki’s favorite thing on this planet. Of course he loves when he saves a civilian and the look of gratitude they display, or the smell of his moms cooking, but his husband sprawled out across their bed with tousled hair and crust from his drool is the image Katsuki holds dearest to his heart. Watching the man he loves snore away, Katsuki very delicately runs his fingers over his lover’s scars. The skin on his back and shoulders shows clear signs of Izuku’s dedication and bravery with many slightly pale marks raised from the rest of his tan and freckled skin. It hurts Katsuki to remember all of the pain Izuku has endured, but he is forever grateful it led him into his arms.

A sleepy yawn comes from Izuku before his eyes even open. Morning breath hits Katsuki’s face, but he doesn’t care.

“Good morning my love” Katsuki’s voice is rough from being used for the first time today, but still sweet.

“Good morning my darling” Izuku responded, cracking open his left eye, pupil dilation while absorbing the morning sun.

“Do you sleep well?” The former’s voice is softer than before as he grazes the other’s cheek with his finger.

Izuku just hummed, leaning into the touch.

“Got any plans for today, hm?”

“Yeah, just catching up with Shouto. I haven't seen him since he and Ochaco tied the knot so I figured it would be nice to invite him over for some drinks.”

“Drinks huh? During the day?” Katsuki teased.

“Oh grow up, you know I can handle my liquor. Besides, our plans are for mid-day, so more like wine and tea than anything else.” Izuku teased back.

“Well, I shouldn’t be off until 5. Wanna grab dinner after?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” A smile crossed Izuku’s face.

“I can’t wait then.”

“Me either.”

The two shared a small kiss as Katsuki walked out the door for work.

“Shouto! Long time, no see.” Izuku wrapped his friend (admittedly much taller friend) in a soft hug.

“I know, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to make time.”

Shouto aged just like the rest of them, he has new scars with hero stories to accompany them, and hair that is slightly longer than Izuku remembers, but he is still just as handsome. Just like Izuku and his husband though, he managed to mature very nicely.

“Oh please, I know how hectic adjusting to married life can be. I am just happy we have time now” Izuku ushered Shouto into his home.

After pouring two modest glasses of wine, the two cozy up on the couch.

“So, tell me everything.” Izuku smiles.

Katsuki had a long day. A really long day. First there was a car accident on the way to work. No paramedics had arrived yet so he obviously stepped in. Thankfully nobody was hurt, but it did make him late. This normally wouldn’t have mattered except a task force from the pd came by to go over a case he and Zuku would be working on. It was Izuku’s day off so he had to pay extra close attention which was basically impossible after entering the press conference 15 minutes late. Whatever. He could just brush it off and move on. Then, he realized his assistant forgot to order some costume repairs. Not like he had much of a choice, so he went off to do hero work with a busted shoe which ultimately resulted in a twisted ankle. None of these things were a big deal, but Katsuki had felt all of the stupid nit-picky bullshit add up one event after another until he couldn't take it anymore.

He glanced at his watch, five till three.

“Hey, sorry to do this to you but I have had the shittiest day. I am going to head out early. You think you can handle things around here for a few hours?”

All of the sidekicks nodded, excited about the prospects of some flashier action.

“Great, if anything comes up, call me and I’ll be there.” He reassures his staff before heading home.

The drive home was long. By now it was three which meant he caught traffic at the worst possible time. No matter though, he was on his way to a warm shower and his loving husband so all was good in the world.

After graduation, well after the war essentially, Katsuki took the initiative to step up and behave like a real hero. Not just on the field, but in his day to day life too. It caused a dramatic shift in his personality, no longer viscous and conceited, but he still remained Katsuki. Stubborn and determined, just less angry. He is happy he did, because days like today wouldn't be manageable if he hadn't.

As he pulled up into his driveway, he realized Shouto’s car was parked on the side of the road.

“Nice, I will get a moment to catch up with him too” Katsuki thought as he fumbled with his keys before entering the house.

It was quiet in the house. Weird, but not necessarily out of the ordinary. Shouto was always quiet, and Izuku had mellowed a bit since high school so it makes sense he guessed. He didn’t really think much of it as he walked into the living room where the other two were.

“What the fuck Zuku?”

His voice came out more confused than angry.

“What? Oh- OH KACHAN, KACHAN IT’S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE” Izuku turned around facing Katsuki, voice frantic and panicked.

Instead of walking into a gossip session like he expected, Katsuki instead walked in on his husband stradling Shouto where he sat on the couch.

From the front door, an unknowing Katsuki walked through the hallway closer and closer to the living room. As he did, he found the lack of audible speech more concerning with each step. By the time he had reached the doorway, his husband's painting was clear as he sat on top of their childhood friend with their lips intertwined.

Izuku had his shirt off. The scars Katsuki loved to caress and kiss in both recognition of Izuku’s sacrifices and in hopes that he could just kiss them away were tainted as Shouto ran his hands over them aimlessly. Thankfully Izuku’s shirt was the only discarded item, but that did not stop Katsuki’s heart from breaking as he heard a weak whimper leave his husband's mouth at the hands of another man.

It seemed like the two were in a trance, unable to recognize the looming presence of another at the door way. Too wrapped up in each other to realize the reality of their situation. Shouto’s hands moved across Izuku, one hand going down to his ass while the other went to his hair pulling him closer stealing another gasp. If neither of them were married, or if Katsuki wasn’t gawking in horror, the scene could have been romantic. That's when Katsuki spoke up.

“What the fuck Zuku?”

As Izuku immediately pleaded, all Katsuki could do was stare at Shouto. He had this odd look on his face. One of both fear and satisfaction. He hadn’t shown remorse like Zuku, in fact Katsuki was sure he was happy he finally got a chance. He did however, look scared and sad he was caught.

“Explain what Izuku is? Explain how you were letting him feel you up? How did you like it when he shoved his tongue down your throat while I was away?”

For the first time in years, venom laced Katsuki’s voice as he spoke.

“Go ahead. Try to rationalize this.”
“I was just…we just…Kachan I had a bit to drink please, we were just messing around and one thing lead to another, it was nothing it meant nothing I promise Kachan I can make this up to you we can work through this please don't leave me I love you Kanchan please it was a mistake.” Izuku couldn’t prevent himself from rambling in hopes of fixing this. Some habits can be broken, just not this one.

“So that’s it? You were just drunk and messing around? You know, coming from you, that is the shittiest excuse fathomable.” Katsuki’s gaze finally met Izuku’s teary eyes. He was still shirtless as he scrambled to reach for him.

Katsuki however, refused Izuku’s advancements, slapping away the hand that reached for him.

“Don’t touch me.”

He stormed off to the door and Izuku fell on the floor.

“KACHAN PLEASE, PLEASE WAIT PLEASE, KATSUKI”

In the end the Izuku’s pleas fell on deaf ears as Katsuki continued out the door.

Sitting in his car, Katsuki had not one notion as to what he should do next. Izuku, his Izuku…

If you had told him Izuku would cheat on him, let alone with Shouto, Katsuki would have laughed in your face. Before the war, he may have even gotten violent. But it is true. Undeniably true. And Katsuki didn’t know what to do.

Before he could develop a plan of action Izuku and Shouto shot out the front door after him.

“Bakugo, if you would just give us a minute to ex-”

“Kachan, please come back inside!”

It was all too much for Katsuki. He knew in his heart they would never use their quirks to stop him. They knew just as well as he did how bad they fucked up. But he couldn't risk being trapped with them, so he backed up and left without wasting one moment to hear them out.

Rather than going to his moms, or back to the office, Katsuki decided on going to enlighten Ochako before Shouto had the chance to contact her. He really, really, did not want to. He couldn’t fathom watching her face as she learned about their husband's infidelities the same way he had. But Katsuki was nothing if not a hero at heart, and she had the right to know too.

The drive to her house was not long, maybe twenty minutes with traffic, but it had felt like hours to Katsuki. The scene of Izuku on top of Shouto replayed behind his eyes over and over and over as he tried to figure out how to breach the topic with Ochako.

They were good friends, they were all good friends. Everyone from 1A stayed connected. Sure some moved off to pursue their own heroic dreams, but Katsuki, Izuku, Ochako, and Shouto all made sure to stay close. They had all gone through crazy shit no one else could understand, and it was nice to be seen, so they stayed close. It was inevitable that Katsuki and Ochako would become best friends. Thats why this was so fucking hard.

Pulling into her driveway, Katsuki felt ice in his veins. He still hadn’t established what to say or how to say it. But he was here, so there was no time to back down.

“Suki?! Oh my gosh it’s so good to see you, please come in.” Ochako ushered him in, whether she was ignoring or oblivious to the look of despair on his face he had no idea.

“Hey Chako, long time no see.” He didn’t bother to ask her how she was because it didn’t matter. Everything was about to change for her like it had him.

Finding his own way into the living room, Katsuki sits on the couch and it wasn’t long before Ochako accompanied him with two cups of tea.

“So, what's wrong? You and Zuko fight again?” Her voice was lighthearted but still serious as she handed a cup to him. She could see something was wrong, and Katsuki was never the type to show up without permission so she figured it was serious.

“He cheated.” His voice was soft, but resolute.

“Izuku, no. No he would never cheat on you. You’re his soulmate, Suki.” Her voice wavered.

“He cheated Chako. With Shouto.” He looked up from his cup (the designated “Suki” cup Ochako had painted on during one of their outings, holding her designated “Chako” cup Katsuki had painted for her) right into her eyes. Tears welled for the first time since this whole thing started.
“Wh-what?”

Her reply hung in the air.

“I caught them at the house.”

“What kind of joke is this? Katsuki, this is not funny.” Her stern voice stabbed at Katsuki’s chest as they continued their eye contact.

“Fuck Chako, I wish this was a joke. But it’s not. I saw them.”

“You’re lying. YOU’RE LYING TO ME KATSUKI, PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE LYING.” Tears burst from her eyes as the pleading boomed from her chest, waiting for her best friend to say “sike.”

It never came though, as Katsuki continued.

“It’s not a lie. I would never do that to you. You know that. They cheated. I saw them and came here because I figured you would want to know.” Katsuki’s voice was sullen and deep. He realized the gravity of this situation and knew his best friend’s heart was breaking the same way he was.

“Did- did they sleep together?” She spoke with caution, like she did not want to know, but needed to anyway.

“I don’t think so? Maybe before, but when I saw them Zuku was just shirtless while they felt each other up on the couch.”

“Still though.”

“Yeah. They cheated.”

Their mutual understanding is what broke the tension as Ochako sprung into Katsuki’s chest, hugging him for comfort as a sob ripped through her body. Katsuki welcomed her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder placing the other on the back of her head. Skinship wasn’t odd for them, not common necessarily but when they did it felt comfortable. And it was while embracing his dear best friend that Katsuki allowed himself to cry too. Loud, and hard, and messy they cried together.

Hours had gone by, and tears had been shed longer than either of them would like to admit. The space around them was palpable as sadness and heartbreak seeped from their lungs with each shaky exhale. Both of them felt dirty from the snot and sore in the face, but that did not stop them from staying together. Relying on each other.

“What do we do now?” Ochako’s voice finally broke the silence.

“I don’t know.” Katsuki muttered. And that was the truth. For the first time in his whole life, Katsuki Bakugo did not know how to handle the situation he was in.

“I hate him.” She placed her head on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Chako.” He rested his head on hers.

“For what?”

“For being the one to tell you.”

“I’m sorry you had to see it.”

“Yeah… thanks.”

“You too, thanks Suki.”

He just hummed back.

“Oh shit.” Shouto’s eyes widened as he saw Katsuki with Ochako. It was apparent she had been crying, her nose, eyes, and ears were all red, and Shouto knew it was all over. There was no coming back from it because Katsuki had gotten the jump on him. He felt guilt hit his stomach in a heavy mass regretting not getting here first. He should have gotten to her first, but for some stupid reason he thought Izuku needed him more. He had not even considered that Katsuki would come here instead.

“Oh shit? What do you have to say for yourself?” Ochako spit out.

Ochako stared at her husband, eyes meeting, but grabbed Katsuki’s hand. Ochako was brave. You can’t be a pro hero without being brave. On numerous occasions Uravity has rushed into crumbling buildings, entered fights with villains she knew could kill her, she was brave. But in this moment, facing the love of her life, she felt nothing but cowardice. She knew they couldn’t stay together, but she didn’t feel like she had the strength to pull the plug. That is why she grabbed Katsuki’s hand, tight and firm. She had no bravery to give so she borrowed his instead.

“I don’t know what he told you but-” Shouto was cut off just as fast as he began talking.

“We’re done.”

“What? Ochako you don’t mean this.” He fought back, not quite yelling but louder than normal. Almost warning her about her mistake.

“I do. We are getting a divorce. We are done.” Katsuki squeezed her hand and she was thankful.

“No. We did not even talk about it. I won’t let you end things this quickly.” This was something foreign to Katsuki. Normally Shouto was the best at keeping his head on straight and remaining calm, but that is not the Shouto he is seeing now.

“You know Shouto, sometimes you act so much like your dad.”

If Shouto hadn't gone off the deep end already, he did now.

“You fucking bitch, how dare you say that to me.”

“How dare I? I’m not the one that fucking cheated Shouto.”

Katsuki could tell things were going to get messy, and while he knew Ochako could and would handle herself, he thought it would be best for him to step in.

“Chako, hey” he rubbed his thumb against the top of her hand, “go pack a bag.”

“This is her house, she is not leaving” Shouto shot back.

Rather than replying, Katsuki just looked at Ochako. Slowly she nodded, tears filling her eyes as she stood up with Katsuki following behind.

“I think she is. It's okay, he won’t bother you while you get your things. Take as long as you need” he turned his head, ushering Ochako to the hallway.

Katsuki knew he wouldn’t let Shouto touch her. Shit he wasn’t positive he would try. But even so, he knew it was his job to prevent any unnecessary harm from reaching his best friend. So he stood in the hall blocking Shouto from getting past him.
“Move out of my way, Bakugo”

“Like hell.”

“You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

“You’ll regret it more if I do.”

The two stared at each other, fully seeing each other for the first time since Katsuki walked in on them this afternoon. Katsuki could only tell from up close, but Shouto had been crying too. And somehow, despite everything that had happened, seeing the salt deposits on Shouto’s face made Katsuki sad. He couldn’t believe how soft he had become.

“You did this. Not me. Not her. Never forget that.” His eyes pierced through Shouto’s.

Rather than retorting, Shouto just stood there. He didn’t stand a chance against both Katsuki and Ochako, so he just waited for his wife to come back to try and talk some sense into her.

Somehow with perfect timing he heard Ochako call from their room “Katsuki, I am about ready.”

“Ochako, you don’t have to do this. You don’t have to leave me. It was a mistake, we can work through this.” Shouto seized his opportunity to yell in reply before Katsuki did. He spoke with a speed and intensity that allowed him to expel every word, every plea, from his chest begging Ochako to talk to him. To his benefit, his words reached his wife’s ears. To his detriment, Katsuki’s fist reached his lips.

The punch sent him stumbling back. A punch to the face thrown in earnest is no joke coming from Katsuki. While it isn’t the most painful thing he ever lived through, Shouto could tell already his lip would be fat for a while.

“What the fuc-”

Katsuki grabbed his chin, pinching his face between his thumb and fingers as his other palm landed sternly on his chest.

“She said she wants to come with me. So you’re going to let her. Got it?” This time it was Shouto’s turn to have shivers. Katsuki’s eyes shone similarly to when he was fighting a villain. It was cold and mean, so unlike the Katsuki he knows now. Furthermore, with a hand on his chin and a palm on his chest, Shouto knew one misstep and Katsuki could legitimately kill him. The position he was in was no coincidence, it was a threat.

“That’s enough.” Ochako’s voice rang from behind Katsuki, prompting the man to turn and face her, hands still in place.

“You ready to go?” He asked softly.

“Yeah, I am.”

Katsuki got up, leaving Shouto on the floor in a heap. Shouto took the opportunity to catch the breath he had been holding as the two walked to the door. Taking one look back, Ochako made eye contact with Shouto, she could see his eyes welling up.

“I’ll see to it that my lawyer sends the papers to you by next week.”

“Ochako, wait!”

The door slammed, cutting his sentence short. It was over, truly over for Shouto.

In the car the two just stared out the window for what felt like ages before Ochako spoke up.

“Where to now?”

“I don’t know. Do you have anywhere to go?”

“Not really? You?”

“I mean, my mom’s house but I think I’d rather not explain all of this to her tonight.”

“Let's just get a hotel room then, yeah?”

Katsuki kept looking ahead.

“Yeah.”

The drive there, even the check in was quiet. They got looks from the hotel staff, seeing as they were two openly married pros getting one hotel room with another person who clearly wasn’t their husband. But neither of them really wanted to be alone, so it didn’t matter much.
They laid in bed for a while, limbs touching but not tangled. The darkness of night was creeping in quickly before either of the two talked. It felt nice to be honest, just being there with each other. The whole world was shitty, but at least they understood each other. They had each other. And in this very moment that made things a little bit better.

“Ochako, I am sorry to do this. But is it okay if I leave for a bit to grab some stuff? I imagine we will be here for a while and I think I'd rather get this over with now rather than later.” He asked with eyes promising it would be okay if she said no. Secretly Katsuki hoped she would, just so he could put this off one more day. But she didn’t.

“Of course. Do you need me to go with you?” Her voice was soft.

“No, but thank you. I will be back soon, okay?”

“Okay. Be safe.”

Katsuki got into the car. He knew Ochako would be okay, but he felt a little guilty taking the only car they had at the moment. Tomorrow he will go with her to pick hers up, but right now Katsuki had business to attend to. Looking at his phone for the first time since he pulled into Ochako’s driveway all of those hours ago, Katsuki found an array of messages.

Izuku <3 3:15pm
Kachan, please come home, we can talk about this.

Izuku <3 3:20pm
Kachan, what you saw, it was a mistake. It meant nothing.

Izuku <3 3:22pm
We have gone through worse. We can get over this.

There were dozens, if not hundreds more, so he just scrolled to the bottom.

Izuku <3 9:46pm
Katsuki came home. I can’t do this without you.

Ignoring the messages, Katsuki just put the car in drive and began the journey home. The whole trip was about 15 minutes, so deciding on a hotel close to Ochako’s house meant a longer drive for Katsuki, but he didn’t mind. If anything it gave him time to get his head on straight.

Pulling into the driveway Katsuki felt nothing but agony. He knew things were over, but now it was time to make it official. Walking through the door into the home, the man saw dozens of framed photos of him and Izuku spanning all the way back to high school. After the war, Katsuki made more of an effort to take photos with Zuku just in case something ever happened to either one of them. It took a minute to gain his confidence back because of the new scars on his face, but with his boyfriend’s help he began to love his appearance again. Staring at the photos, Kasuki wished he could just go back.

“Katsuki, Katsuki is that you?” Izuku turned the corner, catching his husband looking at their photos.

“I’m here to grab some things.” He spoke very monotonously in an attempt to prevent an argument.

“What? Why? Are you going somewhere else? Is that where you’ve been?” Izuku rattled off questions leaving no time for Katsuki to answer them even if he wanted to (which he didn’t for the record). The desperation in his husband's voice oozed out from his lips, leaving a sour and bitter taste in Katsuki’s mouth. He never liked hearing Izuku in distress, but this time he couldn’t budge. Ochako had been so brave standing up to Shouto. Now it was his turn.

“I’m leaving, Izuku. What did you think was going to happen?” Their eyes met. Izuku was crying.

“Kachan, you don’t have to leave. We can get over this.”

“How?”

For the first time, Izuku was speechless.

“You cheated on me. With that fucker Shouto no less.”

“Don’t talk about him like that” Izuku piped off.

Katsuki scoffed, “you are kind of pathetic, you know that right?”

That one stung. It’s been so long since Katsuki had spoken to Izuku like that, and now it was undeniably his fault.

“At least I’m not the one running from this. From us!” Izuku started shouting.

“That’s not fair and you know it.” Katsuki tried to remain calm, keeping his voice down. “We were done the second you decided getting laid or whatever the fuck you were doing was more important than me. Then this life.” He flung his arm at the portraits on the wall in an attempt to prove his point. Looking at the pictures again, this time it felt like they were all mocking him. Looking down on him for believing things could ever be okay with the two of them. What a fool he was. What a fucking fool.

The two stayed silent, just looking at the pictures for a moment.

“Why? Why did you do it, Izuku?” Katsuki sounded weak, like a hurt animal in the grasp of its predator staring up at it waiting for its end. He hated feeling weak, but he just couldn’t help it. Not when it came to Izuku.

“I, I don’t know.” He took a breath. “I guess I just wanted something different. Something new, and dangerous.”

“What, so I wasn’t enough? We weren't enough? ”

“I don’t know what I was thinking. If I could go back in time and change it I would.”

“But you can’t.”

“I know.”

Katsuki brushed past him going to their room, Izuku followed. He didn’t know what to say to fix this. He loved Katsuki more than he loved anything else. That's the truth. More than hero work, more than his goals, he loved Katsuki most. So, as Katsuki began digging around throwing his clothes into a suitcase it all truly hit Izuki. Katsuki was leaving him, at least for now. And he couldn’t handle that.

A wave of desperation washed over Izuku as he watched his future preparing to leave. Leave his home, his life, him. The thought of being alone without Katsuki broke Izuku, unleashing a side of him neither of them could recognize. Without thinking Izuku grabbed Katsuki’s shoulder forcibly halting the blonde’s movements.

“We need to talk this out. You are not leaving until we do.” Izuku’s voice was deep and uncanny and that scared Katsuki. “The fuck I am” his composure dropped for the first time since this started. He turned around to face Izuku, meeting green eyes once filled with love deeper than any ocean searing into his. “Let go of me, Izuku,” he warned. “Not until we talk this through,” Izuku shot back.

“There is nothing to talk about. You cheated on me. I’m pretty fucking sure thats all there is to this.” Despite his words, Izuku continued holding onto him, now with his other hand mimicking the first on his lover’s shoulder. So, as a last ditch effort Katsuki spoke again, “let me go Izuku, now.” What Katsuki didn’t expect was Izuku’s hand cupping his cheek. Not in the way Katsuki had grabbed Shouto, instead Izuku touched him like he had a million times prior, soft and lovingly. “Just sit down, we can talk about this.”

“Okay that’s enough of this” Katsuki spat as he shoved Izuku’s hands off him in a semi-violent manner. It took only a second for Izuku’s face to shift before Katsuki felt the sign of a harsh slap across his cheek. “Sit down Kachan. So we can talk.” “What the fuck Izuku? Did you just fucking slap me?” Katsuki shoved him this time, sending his husband stumbling back a few feet. The shove wasn’t rough per se, but definitely hard enough to get his point across. And Izuku didn’t like that.

Wordlessly Izuku plunged at Katsuki maneuvering his head so his shoulder slammed into his stomach wrapping his arms around his torso. The act flung them both on the bed, but because Katsuki hadn’t been expecting the attack, Izuku had the advantage. Seizing the opportunity he had provided himself, Izuku detached from a rattled Katsuki before finding a position on his stomach. In a straddling position Izuku forced Katsuki’s legs under his to prevent him from squirming before grabbing his hands placing them above his head.

“I don’t like doing this to you Kachan, but I can’t risk you exploding if I keep your hands free.” The man’s tone was borderline condescending at best, and if this situation had been any different Katsuki would have blown his fuse. But the combination of his extra shitty day and Izuku’s actions had temporarily drained Katsuki. If it were a villain he would be fine, hell even if it were All Might he would be fine. But he never expected Izuku to hurt him like this. To play with his heart and body in such a cruel way, blow after blow. He felt betrayed.

Pleading, Katsuki looked up at Izuku, “just let me go, please. I don’t want to be here anymore, Zuku.” The look of hurt on his face didn’t matter in the end, as Izuku kept his grip and continued patronizing the blonde. “Just be a good boy Kachan and calm down. Can you do that for me? Hm?” The weight of Izuku on top of him, the cheating, the voice he was using was all too much for Katsuki as he felt tears well up in his eyes. “Shh, it’s okay Kachan, just calm down okay?” Izuku nuzzled his face into Katsuki’s neck trying to calm him, but hot, heavy tears just poured down his already red face. “Please, let me go.” He tried one more time before a rough sob broke through his voice.

Keeping his face placed in the crevice of Katsuki’s neck, Izuku let go of Katsuki’s hands opting to run them through his hair instead. Izuku could feel his lover’s heartbeat through his own chest. He could tell Katsuki was nervous by the speed of the beats, so he just kept rubbing his hair, quietly offering praises.

“See, it’s okay Kachan. I’m only here to help you. Just breathe for me, okay?”

Katsuki listened, inhaling and exhaling with Izuku, but tears continued to flow and his body continued to shake. He was so, so tired and Izuku’s skin on his felt nice. He closed his eyes and tried to pretend this was coming from a place of love, not control.

Izuku on the other hand began kissing up and down Katsuki’s neck, hands getting more desperate in his hair. He was trying hard to make Katsuki forget his mistakes, because he did regret it. He really isn’t sure why he did it, but he knew Katsuki would not leave him for it. Izuku forgave Katsuki’s mistakes, now it’s his time to return the favor.

The peppered kisses on Katsuki’s neck should have made him melt into the mattress like it had dozens of times before. He should be reaching for his husband, returning each kiss tenfold. But despite Izuku’s attempts, Katsuki could not forget the image of him and Shouto. The lips on his shoulder, moving down bit by bit, were the same pair that felt another man’s just hours ago. Remembering the sounds of Izuku’s groans, the heat of the room from their movements, Katsuki’s body just stiffened up. Izuku noticed instantly.

“C’mon Kachan. Enough of this. Just relax.” His voice was sweet as he continued pampering Katsuki. “It was a mistake, just let me make you feel good now. Okay?”

At this point Katsuki felt trapped in his own mind. He could hear Izuku, but not comprehend him. Even the kisses being laid on his skin were going unrecognized because Katsuki just wasn’t there.

“Kachan, you okay baby?” Fuck Izuku and his ability to read Katsuki like a damn book.

“Get off me, Zuku.” His voice was just a whisper.

“Aw, it’s okay handsome. You know I’d never hurt you.” Izuku caressed Katsuki’s face so sweetly as he said that. Katsuki should have snicker at the irony, but he didn’t have it in him.

“Zuku, I have to go. Ochako is waiting for me.” Izuku’s soft smile dropped, and Katsuki knew this could backfire on him, but he needed to say it. Needed to remember someone was waiting for him to get through this.
“What do you mean, Ochako is waiting for you? Huh, Kacahn?” Izuku repositioned himself directly over Katsuki looking him in the eye.

“She knows, Izuku. I told her. And now she is waiting for me to get back.” Katsuki was scared, apparent in his shaky words.

“Waiting where?”

“A hotel.”

That’s all it took for Izuku to wind back and swing, hitting Katsuki square on the chin with his right hand. With his left, he grabbed Katsuki’s hair forcing the blonde to keep eye contact.

“A hotel? A HOTEL? What are you some whore Kachan? Huh? Was this what all this was about? You wanted a shot at Ochako?” Izuku’s words came out cruel and loud, only making Katsuki cry harder.

“No-no Izuku it’s not like that.”

This time it was a slap rather than a punch that met Katsuki.

“Fucking liar. I know you just want to fuck her, yeah Kachan?”

“No, I don’t, I just didn’t know where else to go Zuku.” Now it was Kastuki’s turn to yell, shaky voice and all.

Izuku smacked Katsuki again, this time his lip caught on his teeth causing a pretty nasty cut.

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me. Got it?”

Katsuki just nodded.

“Good boy.” Izuku ran his hands over Katsuki’s chest and shoulders as red eyes stared up at him.

“Now baby, how long did you tell Ochako you would be gone for?”

“I…I just said I’d be back soon. That I was just grabbing some things.” Katsuki muttered, trying to avoid another attack. In the back of his head he knew he should fight back. He was strong, and could easily get Izuku off him. But he just couldn’t. Trapped under Zuku like this, Katsuki felt helpless and weak. Nothing more than a bug in the palm of his husband’s hand waiting to be crushed. He knew he could fight back, just not against Izuku.

“Hm” Izuku clicked his tongue in response, “well that is problematic isn’t it? We wouldn’t want her showing up here on her own right?”

Katsuki just shook his head, but that wasn’t good enough for Izuku thus prompting an actual punch this time.

“Use your words, love.” Despite the blows he had dealt, Izuku’s breath was calm.

“...no.”

“No what, Kachan?”

“No, we don’t want her to show up here.”

“Well done Kachan.” Izuku kissed his lips this time. It was sweet and loving against Katsuki’s still lips. Only when he came up did Katsuki notice blood that must be from his cut lip on Izuku’s.

Izuku continued after the kiss. “I suppose if we don’t want her to come to us, we will have to go to her.”

“What? What do you mean?” Katsuki’s words were laced with nothing but worry.

“What I mean is,” Izuku kissed him again, “we will have to take care of her before you and I can have our talk.”

“Take care of her? Izuku what the fuck does that mean?” The curse awarded him another blow.

“Don’t be dumb, I would never even consider laying a finger on her. I do, however, think it would be for the better that we get her out of some random hotel room and back at her house with her husband, so they can talk too.” Izuku smiled like this was some kind of heroic heartfelt favor he was doing to save his friend’s marriage.

“Izuku, no. You didn’t see Shouto when he saw her. You didn’t see the way he was talking to her. You can’t-'' Izuku shushed Katsuki with one finger, “If Ochako was being half as difficult as you are right now I don’t see why that's a problem. This is an issue to be dealt with privately. Do you even know how much press we could get up our asses if the hotel staff told them two married heroes were sleeping in the same room without their husbands? Did you even think about it?”

It was at this moment Katsuki realized how bad this really was. The fog suddenly cleared and he realized Izuku had him pinned, beaten, and was now trying to get to Ochako. She was all he had left, and he was going to die before he let them get her.

With nothing else to say, Katsuki threw his hands just a few inches from Izuku’s face and utilized his quirk. He didn’t use enough power to hurt Izuku, but it was enough to crackle and create smoke. Now that Izuku had a blind spot, Katsuki sat up using his hands to push Izuku’s shoulders back with enough force to untangle their legs. Izuku yelped out of shock as he tried to get to his feet. It didn’t matter though as Katsuki was already sprinting down the hallway towards the door. Izuku inhaled, feeling the air flow through his teeth into his lungs before calling out “Kachan, don’t be like this honey.”

Katsuki couldn't give a fuck about what Izuku was saying, all he could focus on was getting to Ochako before anyone else. In the back of his head he realized nobody else knew where she was, but in this situation all it would take for them to find her was one civilian’s picture plastered on twitter. So he had to get to her first. He was about halfway through the hall, right past the same living room where this whole thing started, when he felt a tight pull around his ankle. Izuku’s blackwhip had stretched out to Katsuki and yanked on his leg, sending the man plummeting to the ground. In midair, Katsuki had flipped so he landed hard on his back rather than his face. It wasn’t much of a defense but he knew he couldn’t leave himself exposed.

Izuku just tsked as he slowly marched to his husband. “A for effort Kachan, but I’m afraid you will need more than that to get out of this.” Now that Izuku was standing over Katsuki rather than straddling him, Izuku had more places to aim assaults. This time it was a kick to Katsuki’s ribs. If it were a simple normal kick it would have just hurt, but Izuku used a hint of One For All, the green lights wrapping around his leg as he landed it squarely on Katsuki’s left side prompting a loud wail. And because this little stunt of his was so aggravating, Izuku decided Katsuki needed two. After the second blow Izuku just watched as Kastuki coughed up a bit of blood. Izuku would feel bad, but the blonde deserved it. Nothing a little hospital trip couldn’t fix.

“Zu-” a chough broke up his sentence “ku, please-please stop.” Tears were streaming, pooling on the floor next to the remnants of his coughs.

Izuku placed his left foot on Katsuki’s chest, feeling the man rise and fall under him. “Kachan, all of this could have been avoided if you were a good boy, but no, you had to act up.” Although his words were rough, Izuku said them so sweetly. It made Katsuki sick.

“M’ sorry Zuku. I’ll behave now, please-please stop this.” Katsuki refused to make eye contact with his husband, instead staring shamefully at the floor. The sight implored Izuku to take pity on him as he took his foot off Katsuki instead sitting on the floor next to him. He took the blonde head into his lap and rubbed his scalp.

“Now, stop being silly, let's go get Ochako.”

“No.” Katsuki was firm as he met Izuku’s eyes.

“You’re still going on with this? Just tell me where Kachan is.” The grip on Katsuki’s hair tightened as his head was pulled closer to Izuku’s.

“No.”

Izuku’s face grew angry once more. “Last chance. Tell me where she is.”

“No.” No matter how many times he was asked, Katsuki’s resolve would not falter. Out of aggravation, Izuku kept his hold on Katsuki’s head as he moved from under him. This confused the blonde until he felt the force of Izuku’s arm sending him towards the ground, resulting in a very rough head to floor collision.

“OW FUCK IZUKU.” Katsuki screamed in agony. His head was spinning badly, seeing multiples of Izuku as he leaned over him. His hearing and sight were disoriented as he felt the urge to throw up. He tried to keep it down but a cough from nowhere rippled through him forcing the puke from his stomach up to his throat. He tried to sit up, but Izuku just pinned his shoulders to the ground, preventing him from doing so. Suddenly, Katsuki felt like he couldn’t breathe. He looked in horror at Izuku as the man just watched him struggle with hands around his throat signaling he couldn’t breathe. About one minute in, Katsuki started blacking out, vision getting splotchy as he begged wordlessly for Izuku to help him. Just before he slipped out of consciousness Izuku rolled him onto his left shoulder, allowing the bile and puke to spill from Katsuki and free his airways. After a long coughing fit all Katsuki could bring himself to do was cry.

Unfortunately for him, Izuku’s patience was wearing eerily thin. “Where is she, Katsuki?” It was a question by nature, but the way Izuku said it was more of a demand than anything else. “I’m not telling you,” was all Katsuki could whisper.
Izuku stood up and kicked him again, this time in the face, effectively breaking Katsuki’s nose. All he could manage was more cries as he threw his head back in anguish causing his blood to pool around his eyes before falling off his face.

“You’re a mess Kachan.”

Katsuki’s jaw hung open as whines and cries fell out in sync with his tears. The pain he was in was excruciating, both physically and emotionally. Back in hero training towards the end of highschool they were put through torture training. Sometimes villains were ruthless and would stop at no means to secure information so they had to be prepared for that. In those situations villains were often after information of life or death, so it was vital that they learned to remain composed. But this was not high school, and Izuku was no villain. In his heart though he knew just like in training, this was a matter of life and death for Chako just like it was for him now. He was trained for this, he wouldn’t crack.

Another blow hit his stomach. “Were you listening? I asked you where Ochako is, Katsuki.”

“...not saying.” Another kick. “Where is she?” “n-no.” Another. “Katsuki, where is she staying?” “not telling you.” Another. At this point his words were slurring as blood seeped out of his mouth, tongue and teeth stained red.

After a while, Izuku got an idea. “Well, if you’re not going to tell me, I guess I need help getting it out of you.” Izuku walked into the living room and began scrolling on his phone. Katsuki was confused, he wasn’t sure who Izuku could even call for help with this. Who would dare to support him through-

“Shouto?”

Oh. He would.

“I heard. Actually he’s here now. Yeah. No, he won’t tell me, only that she’s at a hotel. Yeah. See you soon.” Izuku hung up the phone with a smile. “He will be here soon.”

Shit. Katsuki’s brain was running a hundred miles a minute trying to think of a way out of this. If Shouto came there was no saying what they would do to him. How far they would go to find her. More importantly, Katrsuki realized he was fading in and out of consciousness and didn’t know how much longer he could take. If there were two of them, he was certain he would die.

Izuku was still in the living room messing around on his phone, giggling occasionally. Was he looking at fucking memes or something? While his husband bled out, he was on his fucking phone. Realizing how little Katsuki meant to Izuku broke his heart again. He hadn’t really had time to think about it until now, but Katsuki regrets everything. He wished he never married Izuku, never met in highschool, never hung out as kids, shit he wished at this moment he was never born. That would have been better than this realization that the Izuku he spent his life loving was doing this to him.

He knew when Shouto got here it was over. There was only so much he could take and he was already beaten beyond saving. He had already come this far. He lived a good life full of happiness and love. And now, he will die a hero knowing he won’t let them find Chako.

“Izuku.” Katsuki spit out, voice incredibly wobbly.

Izuku’s eyes glanced at Katsuki over his phone lazily.

“Tell-” he sputtered, blood spewing from his mouth, “tell my mom, I love her.”

Izuku’s eyes widened as Katsuki brought his palms to his head. This quirk of his was something that brought him both immense joy and anguish during his life. It was the only thing he could always rely on for better or worse, and now this quirk he was born with would aid him in finding peace.

“KATSUKI NO” Izuku lunged at his husband, eyes meeting mid air, green and red mixing for the last time.

The explosion was big. Not big enough to ruin the house, but enough that Katsuki’s death was undeniable. Especially after the beating he had received, Katsuki’s body had no energy to give towards saving him. He was dead.

After that, it didn’t take long for police and news to arrive. The reports of an incident printed across the internet.

Ochako was still in the hotel room on her phone when the notification popped up, “incident on the city's west side.”

“West side? That’s where Katsuki lives.” She said out loud to herself.

“Shit, I hope he’s okay.”