Chapter Text
Bakugo sighed as he made his way to the address his mother sent him. If it wasn’t for the fact that he worked for her and she was practically blackmailing him into going to this speed dating event then he wouldn’t have gone. He highly doubted that he’d find a mate at this event and he didn’t think he was desperate enough to go to one. He was only twenty-six, not too old to find a mate and have pups. The only reason he agreed to go was because his mother threatened to put him on the front cover of her magazine, again. Twice was enough as he had been younger then.
He sighed deeply as he entered the establishment and looked around for someone that looked like they were heading up the event. He saw a lady with a clipboard that said ‘Speed Mates’ in bright bold print. He headed to her with a tight smile. “I’m here for the event. Katsuki Bakugo.”
The woman smiled brightly and looked at the list of names. “Ah yes here you are!” She plucked a name tag with the no. 1 and Alpha Male printed on it. She handed him the name tag and a sheet of paper with his name and tag number at the top with space to write the numbers of those he was interested in contacting after the event. He doubted very much that he would be writing anything that evening. His mother had told him that he would only get contacted by others that he matched with. As much as he doubted this whole venture he had made an effort to look presentable and not wear his most expensive suit and watch. His mother’s warnings about gold diggers still rung in his ears. “The bar is open if you’d like to grab a drink. The Alphas and Betas on your side are to wait here till the event starts. You will be shown through to where the Omegas and other Betas are with a number you’ll start with and move around to the next in line once the bell goes.” Bakugo nodded as he went to the bar to order a beer.
Bakugo looked around at the others that would be on his side of this event. Clearly this was aimed at Alphas and Omegas but had opened it to Betas that were looking for partners too though they would have to choose a side to be on. Bakugo ordered a beer when the bartender was free. The blonde eyed up his competition, not that he was really in competition. There were a few Alphas and Betas milling about with their own drinks. Bakugo could see maybe two others that were as tall or as muscular as he was and maybe one that was wearing clothing as expensive as his own. It wasn’t that he didn’t think someone would be interested after a single meeting, it was more that Bakugo didn’t want to just be like any other Alpha. Usually Bakugo didn’t get on well with other Alphas and he didn’t want to be seen as the stereotype, his mother taught him better than that.
The blonde sipped his beer casually as he waited for the event to start. He saw that he was getting glowered by another Alpha there that made Bakugo tense. The look he was getting was hostile and that was never a good thing, though if Bakugo had to defend himself, or others, he was happy to go swinging. Bakugo checked that his scent patches were still in place on his neck as he didn’t need his scent to set someone off in a public fight.
The event co-ordinator coughed loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Thank you for coming out tonight ladies and gentlemen. It looks like everyone is here now. When I bring you through you’ll start with the person with the same number as you. You’ll have five minutes to talk and then the bell will give you time to move to the next number. There are six people on each side, and if you find someone you like, put their number on your sheet. Once done, hand your sheet to me and you’ll get an email with your matches.” The co-ordinator grinned brightly. She showed them through to the back of the building where there was a long bench seat with people sitting spaced out with a single table and chair in front of them.
Bakugo glanced at the name tags and found the one with no. 1 on it. He approached the person and looked up to their face and was caught off guard by a bright sharp toothed grin, bright red hair and red eyes. As their eyes met each other, Bakugo heard his inner Alpha voice louder than he had in years.
Mate. Our Mate. Big strong Mate. Make big strong pups. Ours.
The blonde shook himself as he took the seat across from the redhead. He had no idea that his Alpha could react so loudly to someone he hadn’t even smelt, seeing as the other had scent patches too on his neck. As he looked him over, he realised that his Alpha was right. The man in front of him was big, possibly taller than Bakugo himself, and strong looking. If it wasn’t for the name tag saying ‘Omega Male’ on the redhead, Bakugo would have thought he was an Alpha. “I’m Katsuki Bakugo,” Bakugo said with a small head bow.
“Eijiro Kirishima, it’s nice to meet you.” The redhead’s smile was bright and genuine. Bakugo watched Kirishima’s expression and there was no look of recognition that he had seen before for those that were in his industry. Bakugo found himself smiling back at the bright expression. “What brought you to an event like this? I mean cause a good looking guy like you, I would have thought you’d have people throwing themselves at you.”
Bakugo felt his inner Alpha preen at the compliment. “I’m not great with people,” Bakugo admitted. “I was set up by my mother to come here. But I figured while I was here I’d actually follow through.” Bakugo didn’t want to scare Kirishima off. “What about you? A big strong Omega like you, I’m also surprised you’re single.”
Kirishima blushed across his cheeks and looked kind of bashful. Bakugo found himself thinking the other was cute and that the colour red suited him so well. “My friends suggested this event. I’m the last single person in my friend group and I haven’t had any luck with finding a mate.” Bakugo could tell there was more to it but they didn’t have a lot of time at the moment but he was already mentally planning their next date.
“Well in the spirit of speed dating, I have one deal breaker question if you have any,” Bakugo said confidently.
Kirishima’s bright smile was back on his face as he straightened his position. “Straight to the point, sure go for it.”
“I want pups. Do you want pups in the future?”
“Wow, that is a big deal breaker question,” Kirishima said amused. His face softened. “I do though. In the future.”
“And w-”
“Ah, you asked yours. My turn,” Kirishima said teasingly.
Bakugo smiled and nodded, giving Kirishima the space. “Go ahead, your turn.”
“What’s your thoughts on Omega Rights?” Kirishima said seriously.
Bakugo raised his eyebrows in surprise. “That’s a big question for a five minute conversation but to shorten my answer I’m in favour of Omegas and women getting more rights. I don’t believe it is right that Alphas aren’t penalised for ruts but Omegas are for having heats even though it's a very similar thing. It’s biology and can’t be helped. Paused with suppressants maybe but not stopped.”
Kirishima looked surprised but pleased. “Do you have an Omega parent?”
“I do, my mother.”
“That makes sense. What did you want to ask earlier?”
“I wanted to ask if you would want to carry pups, in the future?”
“Isn’t that the same question you asked?”
“Not necessarily. Having pups and being pregnant don’t have to be connected.”
Kirishima chuckled. “I guess you have a point there. Most would assume it was the same. I would though. I’d want to carry my own pups.”
Bakugo smirked. “So is my answer a deal breaker for you?”
“No, opposite actually,” Kirishima admitted. “Still wondering about the part you said about not getting on well with others. You’ve been respectful and haven’t immediately questioned my secondary gender.”
Bakugo chuckled. “I’m on my best behaviour. I’m assuming that happens a lot to you?”
Kirishima sighed loudly. “Yes, too much. People see my height and build and they make assumptions.”
“That must get frustrating.”
Kirishima shrugged casually. “So Bakugo, what do you do for work?”
“Oh I work for my mother. She has her own business,” the blonde said vaguely.
“The same mother that set you up for this event?”
“The very same. She wants grandbabies and says ‘if you don’t put yourself out there to find a mate, then I’ll do it for you.’” Bakugo said using air quotes. Kirishima laughed loudly and the sound made Bakugo’s heart feel like it swelled. The sound was bright and beautiful. Bakugo wanted to make Kirishima laugh again, all the time.
“It sounds like you're close.”
“We are. My parents are good people even if we occasionally butt heads. More so myself and my mother. My dad says it's because we’re similar in some ways. We butt heads a lot more when I was a teen. Anyway, what about you, what do you do for work?”
Kirishima blushed at the question and Bakugo wasn’t sure but he thought the redhead looked ashamed. “I actually lost my job recently, so I don’t have one,” the redhead said softly.
“Oh, what did you do?”
Kirishima perked up a bit. “I was a personal trainer at a gym.”
Bakugo smiled in interest. “That sounds like an interesting job. If I were to hire you, what would you recommend as training?”
“Oh, I couldn’t just give you a list of exercises. It would depend on what you wanted to achieve, whether that was to gain muscle, tone up or whatever,” Kirishima said excitedly, his hands moving as he spoke. “And then it would depend on if you wanted a meal plan with it as they should work together.” Bakugo found himself intrigued at how animated Kirishima was as he explained his previous job. It seemed like Kirishima had enjoyed his job and Bakugo was curious as to why he lost it. “A plan for one person might not be right for someone else.”
“Have you ever thought of working for yourself as a personal trainer?”
“Yes but I would still need a place, like a gym, where I could show someone around and how the machines work.” Bakugo nodded in understanding. “I mean I’d love to have my own gym that was geared more to Omegas to stop creepy Alphas but that's a long time off dream.”
We could give Omega that. We could make Mate so happy.
Bakugo was not used to hearing his Alpha again but it was true. He could give Kirishima everything he wanted and he wanted to. Even from their short interaction Bakugo wanted to see Kirishima again, take him on dates. That smile and laugh had him hooked already. He was going to ask more when the bell to move to the next person rang. “Oh, I should move to the next person,” Bakugo said disappointed.
“Yeah,” Kirishima said, also sounding disappointed. “Maybe we could talk more, after the event?” The look in Kirishima’s eyes looked hopeful. Bakugo found himself looking deep into those beautiful red eyes, with the little scar above the right one, not wishing to look away.
Bakugo smiled back. “Definitely.” Kirishima smiled back brightly while Bakugo got up, taking his forgotten drink with him. “See you later, Kirishima.”
“You too, Bakugo.”
The blonde made his way to the next table with a pretty brunette Beta woman. He introduced himself politely as she did too. He tried his best to be pleasant and polite but his heart wasn’t in it. The woman in front of him didn’t seem to be that interested in him either. He glanced over to Kirishima when it wouldn’t seem rude to do so. The redhead looked uncomfortable and tense. Bakugo’s ears perked up as he heard the other man in front of Kirishima say the words ‘real Alpha’. Bakugo looked more closely at the other man and realised he was the same one who had been glowering at Bakugo before the event started. The blonde made a note to watch out more for the other guy as he seemed dangerous.
Bakugo continued the evening being pleasant to every person he met, even ones that seemed unpleasant. A few of the people seemed to either look like they knew his face or his name but none made a big deal about it. It wasn’t like he was famous per se, more that those in the fashion industry or big fans would know who he was. The name Bakugo wasn’t common either. At each table he went to he got further away from where Kirishima had been sitting and he couldn’t look over without it being more obvious about what he was doing. He finished his beer by table three and handed it back at the bar before table four. His inner Alpha was silent for every other person. Part of Bakugo just wanted to stop the event just so he could talk to Kirishima again.
Eventually he did get through everyone and the final bell rang. The co-ordinator thanked everyone for coming and told everyone to hand their sheets back to her before leaving. Bakugo found a pen on a table next to her and wrote no.1 on it. He only wanted to see Kirishima again, no one else. He handed it to her with a nod and went back through to the front, his eyes scanning for the tall redhead. As he got back to the front he saw Kirishima waiting there, the redhead smiled when he met Bakugo’s eyes, and Bakugo smiled back.
Out of the corner of his eye, Bakugo saw the glaring Alpha also making eyes at Kirishima. He also looked like he wanted to talk to the redhead but Bakugo wouldn’t have that. The blonde stepped up to Kirishima and realised he was right, the redhead was a bit taller than he was, by a few centimetres before the hair adding more height. “Hi,” Kirishima said softly.
“Hi,” Bakugo replied dumbly. He mentally shook himself to get himself together. “So I put your number on my sheet but I’m not willing to wait that long.” Bakugo dug out his wallet from his pocket and pulled out a business card. He presented the card to Kirishima as he put his wallet away. “I’m interested in you, if you’re not interested in me you can tell me to f- uh piss off.”
Kirishima chuckled as he took the card. “I put your number on my sheet too. I’m interested too.”
“Good,” Bakugo said. “That’s my personal number, not a work one.”
“Oh, I didn’t even think to bring any business cards,” Kirishima admitted.
“That’s alright, you’ll just need to reach out to me first. Though if you don’t have to rush away, can I buy you a drink?” Bakugo nodded towards the bar where there were a few stools free.
“Yeah, I’d like that.” Bakugo led Kirishima to the bar, with a hand on his lower back. He glanced back to the other Alpha and flipped him off with a smirk. He heard a growl from the other as he walked away. He was still touching Kirishima when the other took his stool. Bakugo pulled a stool a bit closer and sat facing more toward Kirishima than the bar. “So what can I order you?”
“Just a beer, thanks.” Bakugo turned to the bartender and ordered a beer and water.
“You don’t drink?” Kirishima asked.
“I do, but my car is parked down the street.”
“Ah, a sensible driver,” Kirishima teased as their drinks were handed to them. “So Bakugo, thoughts on speed dating?”
Bakugo shook his head. “I don’t think I would do it again but I’m glad to have met you. I didn’t think I’d find someone that was so much my type.”
Kirishima’s face reddened brightly. “I’m your type? Are you sure? You don’t know me though.”
“I know enough that I want to know more.” Bakugo took a sip of his water before facing Kirishima fully. He straightened up and met Kirishima’s red eyes. “You were the only number I put on my sheet, Red. You are tall, strong and a man, which all together makes you my type. On top of that you also want pups and are so beautiful.”
Bakugo watched as Kirishima’s face seemed to get even redder. “You’re very forward.”
“I don’t see the point in not being direct. Especially in a setting like this.”
“In that spirit,” Kirishima said softly. The redhead paused and took a big gulp of his beer before turning to fully face Bakugo. “You are the most attractive man I’ve ever met. I still don’t quite get that you are into me but I’m sure I could get used to that. I was really impressed by what you said about Omega rights. I’ve met way too many Alphas that have been dismissive or aggressive about that stuff.”
“They are fucking idiots then,” Bakugo said before realising he swore. He had been trying to limit the amount of swearing he did in front of new people. “Sorry I-”
“It’s okay,” Kirishima said with a chuckle. “I don’t mind swearing. Why’d you stop yourself?”
Bakugo gave a big sigh. “I used to swear a lot more because I used to be a lot angrier of a person. I have been working on that with a therapist. I found that I swear more when I’m angry.”
“Are you angry now?”
Bakugo shook his head. “No.”
“Then it’s safe. Swear away.” Kirishima leaned an elbow on the bar and rested his head on his hand. “That is unusual. I don’t think I’ve met any Alpha men that have gone to therapy before.”
“Yeah well more of them should. They would learn to not be fucking knothead idiots.” Kirishima laughed loud and brightly at that and Bakugo found himself chuckling too.
“Oh I like you,” Kirishima grinned. “Got to say I’m so close to inviting you back to my apartment.”
Do it! Go with Omega, breed him. Make Omega ours!
Bakugo had taken a sip of his water when his Alpha spoke up. He choked a bit and felt a strong hand patting his back. When he could breath again he found that Kirishima was so close. From the closeness he could see how thick and dark Kirishima’s eyelashes were, beautifully framing his ruby eyes.
“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to kill you there,” Kirishima apologised.
“It’s okay, I’m good now.” Kirishima sat back on his stool as Bakugo took a sip of water again, without choking. “As enticing as that sounds, I want to do this right.” Kirishima looked confused. “I want to court you properly.”
“Court me. Why?”
“Because you deserve to be courted properly.”
“What does that mean though?”
Now it was Bakugo’s turn to be confused. “Like what they taught us in health class. The stages of courting.”
Kirishima shook his head. “That’s not what I was taught. They only teach Omegas about heats, pregnancy, birth and the like. Nothing about courting, that sounds kind of old-fashioned.” It was then that he remembered that he hadn’t learnt about the stages of courting from health class, it had been his parents. They had wanted to make sure he knew the most gentlemanly way to treat a future mate. He had been taught the stages throughout his whole life that he had forgotten who had taught him.
“Oh,” Bakugo said softly. “Of course. Yeah I guess it is sort of old-fashioned but I don’t want to be a knothead and rush things. I like you and I don’t want to mess this up.”
Kirishima's bright grin was back. “Okay, so how does courting work? What are the stages?”
“First is a real date. I would love to take you out to dinner at a nice restaurant with good food. I’d pay because I’m inviting you.”
“Okay, then give me your phone.” Kirishima held out his hand. “I’m giving you my number so you can contact me when you have somewhere booked.” Bakugo got his phone out of his pocket and unlocked it so Kirishima could put his number in it. When the redhead gave it back Bakugo looked to see how the other’s name was written. “So what’s the second stage?”
“Scenting.”
“Oh, so we’d still be wearing scent patches on the first date?”
“Yes,” Bakugo said carefully. “As highly compatible scents could send us into heat and rut. I’d prefer to get to know you more before that. I don’t want to get together just because of pheromones. There should be more to a relationship and mating than just pheromones.”
Kirishima chuckled. “I can see the point. It does sound quite old-fashioned but I agree that going on a date without pheromones would mean we would have a clear mind. I’ve known of too many Omegas in unhappy relationships because of their partner's scent. They stay with them because of the pheromones.”
“Exactly,” Bakugo agreed. “I’m not just looking for someone to sleep with. I don’t want something temporary.”
“Me neither. I want something where I see a future. I do want pups and ideally I’d like to have a job and be married before. I’d also like to have my first pup before I turn thirty.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-five. I’ll be twenty-six in October.”
“Oh we’re the same age then. I just turned twenty-six in April.” Bakugo said. “I agree with you. It makes sense to be married and mated before pups.” Kirishima's smile brightened and he chuckled.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page about that.”
At that moment the bartender came over to them. “We’re closing shortly if you are still wanting any more drinks.”
Bakugo shook his head and turned to Kirishima. “No thank you,” the redhead said. The blonde hadn’t seen the other aggressive Alpha leave though he had been paying more attention to Kirishima than anyone else in the room.
“How are you getting home this evening?” Bakugo asked.
“Oh I was going to take the metro.”
“Can I drive you home?”
“Are you sure? Even if it’s out of your way?”
“I’d still like to.”
Kirishima nodded. “Okay, just to drive me home, nothing else.”
“Agreed.” Bakugo finished his water as Kirishima finished the last of his beer.
Bakugo bounced off his stool and signalled to let Kirishima leave in front of him. Kirishima walked in ahead of Bakugo to the door as Bakugo looked around for the other Alpha. Bakugo saw the Alpha watching them both and the blonde smirked at him before following the redhead out of the building.
“You saw him too,” Kirishima said, leaning closer. “He was super creepy.”
“Yeah he was glaring at me before the event started. I flipped him off earlier when we went to the bar for a drink.”
“Good idea.” Kirishima looked through the window and flipped the Alpha off, Bakugo flipped him off too. The Alpha inside screamed and seemed to start shouting. Bakugo laughed with Kirishima as they walked away. “I wanted to do that all night.”
“Yeah I heard him use the words ‘real Alpha’ when he was at your table,” Bakugo said as he cringed.
“That wasn’t all but I don’t really want to talk to him. I’d much rather talk with you more.”
Bakugo smiled as they walked side by side, their shoulders occasionally brushing against each other. “Yeah, same.” As they got to Bakugo’s car he paused. “Wait, I need to get rid of my scent from the car.” Kirishima stood back and waited while Bakugo opened up the door and grabbed the scent neutraliser he kept on hand. He sprayed it in the car and closed the door.
“Do you always have that in your car?”
“I’d rather be more prepared than less.”
“Boy scout,” Kirishima teased as he bumped his shoulder with Bakugo. They waited for a moment before Bakugo opened the door for Kirishima.
“It’s ready.”
“Thank you.” Kirishima said as he climbed into the car. Bakugo closed his door before going around to the driver’s side and climbing in. He heard a soft whistle. “This is a really nice car.”
“Thank you. I like it,” Bakugo replied.
“It’s a sports car, right?”
Bakugo chuckled. “Yeah it is.” Bakugo switched the car on to load up the centre console and went to navigation. “I guess you don’t know much about different car models. Put your address in.”
Kirishima leaned over to type on the screen his address. “I don’t know cars as well as I know bikes.”
“Do you have a bike?” Bakugo asked as he put on his seatbelt.
“Not at the moment but I do have a dream bike I’d like,” Kirishima answered. “I was saving up for it before I lost my job.” Kirishima put on his own seatbelt before Bakugo started driving. Bakugo made sure to keep his eyes on the road while glancing down at the directions to Kirisihima’s home. “Thank you again for driving me home.”
“You’re welcome. Looks like I was going to be heading in this direction anyway.” Bakugo said glancing at the address with a feeling that he recognised the building. “Wait, is your home in one of those Omega Protection Apartments?”
Kirishima grinned. “It is, yeah. You’ve heard of them?”
“Only a bit. I heard they have security guards and only those permitted beforehand are allowed in.”
“That’s right! It’s really great. All my friends live in the same building too. Even Sero who’s a Beta.”
Bakugo nodded slowly. “That is good. I’m not sure though why someone as strong as you would need to be in an Omega Protection Apartment.”
“Oh because of my heats. I black out and it’s just like my Omega has taken over. I forget to eat or do anything really.”
“Wow,” Bakugo said, letting out a breath. “I’ve had ruts like that a few times. Does that happen all the time? Even if you have another person there.”
“Oh I don’t share my heats with anyone. I’ve had boyfriends before but no heat partners. And just so you’re aware, given that it will come up soon, I always have my heats. Heat suppressants don’t work for me.”
“None of them?”
Kirishima shook his head. “I’ve tried them all. Every brand and generic make of heat suppressants. I get bad side effects and still have my heats so I just don’t try them anymore.”
Bakugo pulled up to a red light and looked over at Kirishima. “That must be tough.”
“It is but I have good friends around that have brought me food and stuff when I need it. My parents have done what they could to make things easier when I was just learning about it all as a teen.” Kirishima gave a little shrug of his shoulder.
The light turned to green and Bakugo pulled off as he followed the directions. “I guess that would make things hard to keep a job, if your heats hit every three months like most Omegas.”
Kirishima chuckled. “Yeah, just a bit.” Bakugo could see why someone like Kirishima would struggle as the world wasn’t built for him. Though from talking Bakugo didn’t hear any resentment or anger at the world, which Kirishima would be justified in feeling. Bakugo was impressed by just how cheerful and friendly Kirishima was given the fraction of what Bakugo had learnt about the redhead.
Bakugo pulled up to the tall apartment complex. The large glass front had a bright wide lobby with a guard at a desk off to the side and elevator at the opposite side of the entrance.
“This is me,” Kirishima said, taking off his seatbelt. The redhead turned to face the blonde. “I’m really glad I met you tonight, Bakugo.”
“Me too. You’ve made my night a lot better than I thought it would be.” Bakugo admitted. “I’ll call you tomorrow once I have a place booked for our date.”
Kirishima grinned brightly, the smile reaching his eyes and leaned over to kiss Bakugo’s cheek. “I’m looking forward to it. Goodnight Bakugo.”
“Goodnight Kirishima.” With that the redhead climbed out of the car and walked to the door. Bakugo waited till Kirishima was in the lobby, the redhead waving to the guard, and Bakugo knew he was safe. The blonde pulled off heading back to his own apartment.