Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Love is something expensive for someone like Todoroki Shoto. He learned that through heartbreak, whether it's from his own family or with the person he was in love with.

Platonic love can be as deep as romantic love. He loves his classmates, he loves the Dekusquad, and he also loves his best friend, Izuku Midoriya.

Then, Shoto went and fell in love with Bakugou Katsuki. 

And no, Shoto knows the urge to hold Katsuki's hands is not platonic; the way Shoto wants to kiss Katsuki's frown is clearly romantic, and Shoto loves every interaction they both had.

If he could, Shoto would've confessed by now. If he could.

But Shoto Todoroki is not an idiot. 

Maybe people tend to think that once they knew him, maybe they saw him oblivious, and Shoto has to admit that there are some parts of his life where he can be oblivious.

But people tend to forget the fact he can be observant.

So he knew something had been going on between Izuku and Katsuki since their high school days. At first, their relationship was a bit... rocky. But as time goes by, Shoto knows they clearly care about each other. 

Maybe because he's always the third wheel to whatever has been going on to those two, so Shoto always noticed the look of adoration from Izuku's side. And he always saw the look of devotion from Katsuki's side. 

So one night, in their 3rd year of high school, Shoto asked Izuku about it. 

“Um, what do you mean about me and Kacchan, Shoto?” His best friend stammered as he nervously glanced down at his tea.

Both of them were in the living room, woken up by nightmares from the war, and coincidentally met in the kitchen. It's not uncommon for some of the Class A students to meet each other late at night in the living room or in the kitchen; they already have their own protocols if they ever did so, such as Momo placing some tea in the cabinet or Katsuki and Satou already baked something earlier that day for the classmate who would pad their way to the kitchen in the middle of the night.

Shoto cleared his throat. “I mean, what do you want to do about your feelings for Katsuki?” 

And isn't calling Bakugou his first name something new? Shoto is happy to see how close he has gotten with his classmates this past year to call them by their own first names, especially Katsuki. 

“I don't know what you mean,” Izuku answered, it's not the words Shoto expected.

Shoto tilted his head. “I thought you liked him?”

“Wha—No! I don't.” His freckled friend nervously laughed. “Kacchan is my friend—someone I consider more special than anyone, and I don't know what I would do if he was not here anymore—but I don't like him that way, so yeah.”

Katsuki is someone he considers special, and not knowing what you would do once he's gone... Isn't that how you think of someone in a romantic light? 

Instincts tell Shoto this is not one of many incidents where he's clueless about something but more like he's right on the money. 

So why is Izuku denying his own feelings...

“I still remember the time Katsuki got kidnapped,” Shoto slowly says. “You were inconsolable at that time, it's obvious how much you cared for him. There's also the fact you're kinda... possessive of him.” 

“That's—”

“So don't worry, Izuku,” Shoto smiles. “You don't have to hide your feelings from me or to Katsuki; I'm sure he would—”

“Wait, no!" Izuku suddenly exclaims, Shoto blinks. “You got it all wrong! Kacchan is really just a friend to me. Now that we became friends, I'm already satisfied with what we have.” 

"So... you don't like him that way...?" 

Izuku’s face turns red. “Definitely not. It's just… I never felt any butterflies in my stomach or nervous with him, so…” Izuku purses his lips. “I don't really think I like him that way.”

The thing is... Shoto was not convinced. But he just nodded and left it that way. 

He pretended not to see the sigh of relief from his best friend when Shoto dropped the topic.

A few months later, before they graduated, Katsuki announced a meeting as Class A but without Izuku. 

Katsuki told them he wanted Izuku to still become a hero, so he suggested creating a hero suit for Izuku to wear. It was discussed they were going to collect loads of money for this project.

Something in Katsuki's eyes made Shoto not want to look away. His ruby eyes turn into burning starlight.

Whatever is going on between Katsuki and Izuku, Shoto knows for sure Katsuki can feel it too.

One thought comes into his mind; I don't want him to get hurt.

***

“Hey.” Katsuki sat right in front of Shoto, he propped his elbow and smirked at him. “Long time no see.”

Shoto’s mouth suddenly blooms into a smile. "Katsuki."

“I didn't know you'd be here in Fukuoka.”

“I visited my brother.” Shoto slurps his coffee shakes. 

“Ah right, Natsuo does live here, doesn't he?" Katsuki's face scrunched at the thought. 

“What about you? What are you doing here?”

“Just finished my damn mission. I'll go back to Musutafu tomorrow.” 

“Do you want to hang out for a while?”

“Sure.”

Shoto blinks. “Really? 

Katsuki rolled his eyes. “It's been a while. Of course, I would like to hang out with you.”

“Did I ever tell you, I really liked it when you started not denying the fact you cared about our friendship?”

About me.

"Oh, fuck off,” Katsuki says, but there's a soft smile on his face. 

They decided to walk around the city, but not before putting on their disguised hoodie and cap. Since the war, they've been famous people. 

“I know a place,” Katsuki suddenly says. 

“Let me guess.” Shoto blows a breath. “We’re going to the arcade, right?” 

“Hah? How the hell did you—” 

“Your competitive nature never died down, Katsuki.” 

“You say that as if you were never fucking competitive to begin with, hypocrite.”  

He grins at Katsuki, and Katsuki almost smiles but tries to refrain from the said smile as he glowered at Shoto.

Shoto doesn't know why, but it makes him so happy to hang out with Katsuki again as if they are still in high school, when in fact, they are almost going to turn 20 in a few months. 

Sure, they've been close before the first war. But before the second war began, they also got closed because of the drama around the Todoroki family, and Izuku went missing. 

The machine made a sound of ding. Shoto frowned as he lost another round in the claw machine while Katsuki cackled. 

“For someone who has a higher ranking than anyone us, you're always on the bottom of the fucking trenches when it comes to claw machines.” 

“At least I'm not being bitter about the fact being at the bottom when it comes to the hero polls,” he mutters.

“You little shit—”

“You're next, Katsuki.”

Katsuki narrows his eyes at him, and Shoto tries to look as innocent as possible. Then, Katsuki clicks his tongue and hovers the claw machine.

Shoto watches as Katsuki sticks his tongue out in concentration, his ruby eyes turning into a burning starlight.

This is one of the things Shoto knows about Katsuki, something about him made Shoto not want to look away. The class already knew the fact that both Izuku and Katsuki are charismatic in their own way, but since the day Katsuki announced his plan to make Izuku a hero, something shifted in Shoto's heart. 

Shoto has to look away, or else he would decipher the feelings he can't take back. He already accepted the fact that nothing would come out of pining someone who is not in love with him. 

“Here.” Katsuki pushed a cat teddy on Shoto's chest. “I got it for you, so stop frowning that you damn lost.”

“I'm not frowning.” 

“Yes, you are.”

Did I?

Maybe Katsuki saw something in Shoto's face because Katsuki's expression turns amused. “You didn't know you were frowning, did you?”

Shoto is silenced. He's pretty sure if he was really frowning, the reason is entirely different from what Katsuki is thinking.

Katsuki chuckles. “Never change, Shoto.” 

He tilts his head. “I thought you didn't like my idiotic obliviousness?"

“I didn't like it,” Katsuki smirks. “I love it.”

Before Shoto could react or say something about that, Katsuki's phone started to ring. He retrieved his phone from his pockets while Shoto looked away from Katsuki. 

“Just right in time,” the spiky blonde says, holding out his phone in front of Shoto. “It's Izuku."

"Oh."

The bitterness that started to swallow was overwhelmed by the sheer happiness to talk to Izuku again. After all, it's been a while since he and Izuku have had a conversation.

Both Katsuki and Shoto decided to go somewhere secluded where fans wouldn't find them. Having a video call is a great idea, in Shoto's opinion, to talk more to his two friends. After that, they happily made conversation like they always did in high school.

As they talked, Shoto cast a glance at Katsuki. He's not surprised to see Katsuki being more soft than usual and using a gentle tone only reserved for Izuku. 

There's the burning starlight again in Katsuki's eyes.

When Shoto gets to Natsuo’s home, Shoto decides to look up Katsuki's career. He did realize Katsuki has been tired lately, despite how happy the blonde was earlier. 

He frowns when he sees Katsuki is doing more than Shoto usually does. Katsuki has numerous cases solved under his belt for someone his age, and apparently, he was prone to also do his work at late hours. 

It's obvious to Shoto why. Because of Izuku's hero suit.

The next time Katsuki and Shoto met, he invited Katsuki to go get some lunch but also gave him some snacks afterwards. Then, he placed a hefty amount of money for Izuku's suit. 

The week after, it made Shoto smile to see Katsuki slowing down with his work.

***

Shoto was happy to see his brother healed, even though it's a slow process. The two of them have a lot to work on individually and together as siblings.

But some days it can get a bit too hard, especially on this kind of day where both of them have bad days. Touya started lashing out behind the bars, and Shoto’s attitude was too cold for anyone to get close to.

He's already going through therapy, so why isn't this enough? Shoto thought he's already making his own progress, and yet—

“What the fuck happened to you?"

Shoto snaps out of his trance and looks up to see Katsuki raising his eyebrows to him. 

This time, Shoto is just behind the prison building where Touya was held; he is currently sitting on the pavement. Shoto is glad no reporters are in sight.

He doesn't want to hear anymore about the inevitability of being like his father, or he would also lose his mind like his brother.

 “Visiting my other brother,” Shoto frowns. “What are you doing here?”

“I need to be here to interrogate someone who I caught 2 days ago,” Katsuki shrugs. 

“I see."

There's a beat of silence. 

For months, the previous class A became busy. But they do try to get together sometimes. It's only luck that Katsuki and Shoto are the two people who got to interact the longest considering the fact they coincidentally teamed up together during work hours. 

Katsuki suddenly sat next to him with a sigh. There's some awkward shuffle from the blonde, but Shoto is not interested to look as he wraps his arms around his legs like a child.

“Your brother being an asshole again?" Katsuki questions.

Shoto didn't say anything, but his silence is apparently enough for Katsuki. 

Katsuki blows a breath. “He's always an asshole; don't take his fucking attitude seriously.”

“Is this your way of comforting people?”

“So what if it fucking is? It comforts you in the end, doesn't it?”

“You suck at comforting someone.”

“Say you.”

Shoto frowns. “Our classmate told me I'm a comforting person to be around.”

“That's because you're a good listener.” 

“I am?”

“Hell yeah,” Katsuki grumbles. “You don't judge what they fucking told you; you just sit there like a fucking puppy and be their shitty therapy dog.”

“I see.”

Another silence went by; this time it's not awkward or uncomfortable but something more... pleasant. Just two friends enjoying each other’s company.

Katsuki then opens his mouth, “But knowing you, Shoto, your brother's shitty attitude is not the only thing deterred you.” 

He's right. Shoto grumbles under his breath, but Katsuki doesn't say anything after that, just patiently waiting for Shoto.

Processing this interaction between them, he realized Katsuki had come a long way from being just a bratty child to this mature adult. 

Shoto sighs. “The media keeps comparing me to my dad and Touya-nii.”

“Ah.”

That's old news around Shoto's circle. Every month, the vultures that people call paparazzi keep hunting some blood to ruin Shoto's reputation. Sure, he has gotten used to it at some point, but now that he's climbing higher in the polls, it keeps getting bad.

“Fucking animals never knew how to quit,” Katsuki mutters. “I'm definitely going to start a Twitter war later.”

“Wait what? ”

“Don't worry, icyhot, I'll do it anonymously.”

“That's not—what—you’ll do that for me?”

“Why the hell I wouldn't do that for you?"

Sure, it's also been known to their friends that Katsuki can be... intimidating when it comes to argumenting someone on the internet. But for Katsuki to do this… 

It's ironic for Shoto to get used to being hated by the world for something his family did, but he never got used to the love and care he got from friends who built and supported Shoto from the beginning. 

“Izuku is lucky to have you.”

Especially when Katsuki keeps demanding more and more missions to fund Izuku’s suit, the blonde doesn't even focus on himself to the point he's not competing with the other heroes to be higher in hero rankings. 

Katsuki sputtered. “Where the hell did that come from? ”

Shoto shrugs. “Just another realization that you're a kind-hearted person.” Although he already knew about that fact since highschool.

“Who are you calling kind?!"

“You.”

“I'm not.” 

“You definitely are,” Shoto mumbles, ever so softly as he stares at the beautiful Ruby eyes. 

Katsuki stares at him with wide eyes before he clears his throat and looks away from him.

He would gladly burn for that burning starlight. It's fine for Shoto to have another scar in his body, a trophy that he had from Katsuki. 

Ah, Shoto realized why Katsuki’s devotion to Izuku is so beautiful.

The love Katsuki can give to someone is unconditional. 

Shoto hopes they get together soon, or else he might strangle someone. 

I want someone who can love me the same way Katsuki loves Izuku.

 (I want you, Bakugou Katsuki)

***

A year later, it was only a mere coincidence that Shoto met with Katsuki's parents.

Shoto was out shopping when suddenly, Bakugou Mitsuki called out to him. Seriously though, Shoto never saw Bakugou’s parents in that shop for years, so it's a surprise he encountered both Mitsuki and Masaru that day. 

“Is that you, Shoto?"

And that's when Shoto has been dragged for a family dinner, but no one should blame him for not denying the invitation. He can't say no to the woman named Bakugou Mitsuki.

This is not the first time he met Katsuki's mother; they met after the first war when parents visited their children in the hospital. Then later on, before the 2nd war, Shoto got to talk to Katsuki's parents. They keep thanking him for being Katsuki’s friend while their own son was raging in the background that they are not friends. Fortunately, Katsuki stopped denying Shoto is a friend after the 2nd war. 

So when Shoto entered the Bakugou house as the Bakugou parents escorted him inside, Katsuki merely blinked at him.

“The fuck is he doing here?" For some reason, it lacked some usual confusion but more like Katsuki is pretending to be confused. Shoto narrows his eyes as Katsuki blinks at him innocently.

“Katsuki, be nice.” Mitsuki glowered at her son before she smiled in Shoto's direction. “I met Shoto earlier, and I invited him for dinner.”

Katsuki raises an eyebrow before he sighs. “Sure, let him in.”

“Thank you for the kind words, my son. But I'm not asking for permission anyway.”

“You damn old hag—!”

“Please,” Katsuki's father says, tone placating. “We have a visitor.”

After that, Shoto awkwardly waited for their dinner while Katsuki and Mitsuki cooked. He sat on the couch, trying to slink himself from the background, but Masaru wouldn't let him as the man started talking to Shoto about the hero rankings. 

Shoto was surprised that he's comfortable talking to Masaru. There's something about Katsuki's father that made Shoto feel calm, even if their conversations are pure mundane things. Masaru even went as far as to indulge Shoto's theories, such as that one of his former classmates was Aizawa's secret lovechild. 

“Dinner is ready!”

The family, plus Shoto, sat at the dining table. Shoto has a pleasant evening as he watches the Bakugou family talk and eat their dinner. Although they are loud, it's clear that Mitsuki and Masaru both love their son, and Katsuki equally loves them despite the nefarious words he points out to his parents. 

Shoto thinks about his other family, it sober him up real quick.

Natsuo has a new life, and he also doesn't want anything to do with Endeavor and Dabi. Although Shoto could tell, there's a chance Natsuo and Touya can talk in the future.

At the same time, Fuyumi has her own life; she is still talking to their father and trying to repair the damaged relationship she has had with him since childhood.

Touya is still in prison, but it's likely he's going to be out of the prison too, although Touya said he's not interested in accommodating Endeavour just because their father is becoming a decent human being.

Speaking of Enji... Sure, Shoto doesn't talk to him unless he has to, but as much as possible, he's not going to talk to him just to have a family bonding like Fuyumi wanted to. Thankfully, Enji respected Shoto's decision.

And mom... Rei is taking care of Endeavour. Shoto despised it.

“By the way, Katsuki.” Mitsuki smirks. “How is the hero suit funded for Izuku?”

“It's doing fine.” Katsuki chews his food.

“Make sure after this whole thing ends, you make a marriage proposal to Izuku,” Masaru points out.

Katsuki sputters. “Proposal—We’re not even together! ”

“Really.” Mitsuki deadpans, Masaru looks at his son indulgently, while Shoto snorts. 

“You always go to see Izuku whenever you have the time, you even take him out on dinners whenever both of you are free. You don't even care about your ranking because you're prioritizing Izuku's suit and feelings,” Shoto comments one after another. “Even some of us don't have much time to talk to Izuku, but for some reason you're able to give him some time of your day.”

“I'm sorry, son,” Masaru says, not particularly apologetic at all. “But your friend got you there.”

Katsuki broke his chopsticks as he glared at Shoto, red in the face. “How the fuck did you all know that?!”

“Izuku called me just yesterday.” Shoto shrugs and starts chewing his rice. “He says, ‘Kacchan this,’ and ‘Kacchan that.’ It's exhausting to hear it, but at least your relationship is thriving.” 

Mitsuki watched them with an amused look on her face until she couldn't take it anymore and started laughing at her son’s expense. Katsuki looks like he wanted to explode, and Shoto tries to bury his amusement by eating his food to avoid being exploded by Katsuki. 

Later that day, Mitsuki and Masaru hugged Shoto; they told him they are really thankful he and Katsuki are still friends. They proceeded to give him multiple foods that they cooked; Shoto didn't deny the food, especially when the Bakugou family cooked too many for the three of them. There's even a cake they bought that the Bakugou family refused to eat earlier. 

And when Katsuki and Shoto are alone, Katsuki sighs as he hands a paper bag to Shoto.

“It's from your family,” Katsuki says as Shoto glances down at the paperbag in confusion before he accepts the paperbag in his palms.

“What is it?" Shoto was about to open the paperbag when Katsuki pushed a box on Shoto's chest. 

“Happy birthday,” Katsuki says before Shoto can reply. “I was fucking planning to have all our classmates celebrate your shitty birthday, but most of them are busy as fuck, but the Dekusquad will surely be in here any moment now.” Katsuki clears his throat. 

Gingerly, as if Shoto would've destroyed the box with one finger, he inspected the box carefully. 

Honestly, Shoto was not expecting more of this day. Everybody already wished him a happy birthday, and reading those multiple notifications that morning makes Shoto smile. 

Still…

“Is that the reason why your mother cooked too much?"Shoto blinks. Maybe that's also the reason Bakugou's parents are in the same shopping place as Shoto earlier. 

“Yeah.” Katsuki smirks, proud of his family and the day for Shoto.

 He wants to kiss that smirk off his face.

Suddenly, there's a car parked right in front of Katsuki's house. 

“Kacchan!" Izuku gives Katsuki a big smile before his green eyes turn to Shoto with a big, bright smile and leaps toward him. “Happy birthday, Shoto!”

Shoto smiles softly. “Hey, Izuku.”

After they disentangle each other, both Izuku and Katsuki look each other in the eyes, something unspoken between them before a small conversation is created.

Although Katsuki would never be his, Shoto is already happy for the fact that Katsuki and Izuku would make each other happy someday. 

When his birthday ended, Shoto found out from Fuyumi that Katsuki came over to all of the family members to retrieve each of their gifts for Shoto. Meaning: Katsuki drove off to different places because the Todoroki family was scattered around Japan just for Shoto.

Maybe someday, Shoto will talk about his family again, but not right now.

Shoto smiles as he places a limited All Might pocket watch in his closet. He wants to use it, but he's scared that he might break it, especially when he's a hero. 

*** 

At age 22, Shoto was happy for his life turning for the better. Being a hero feels amazing, but reconciling thoroughly with his brother to the point the said brother agreed to live under the same roof and have bonding moments with him is an incredible turning point for Shoto.

“I can't believe there's a day I'll see this brat again to help me move in with Shoto,” Touya tells the room as his eyes never waver away from Katsuki. 

Unlike before, Touya's skin is more pale, and his hair is as white as snow. Dare Shoto thinks Touya looks more like their mother. 

And no, Touya didn't undergo some medical treatment to get that fair skin, but it's more because of his mystery quirk. 

Katsuki clicked his tongue. “I bet your ass you never expected to move in with Shoto after the war, much less has a semblance of a fucking peace between the two of you, yet here we are.”

Shoto, from where he stands next to his brother, expected Touya to be offended and to give a disdainful glance at Katsuki’s form—but what he did not expect is for Touya to look at Katsuki up and down, surveying him with amusement. 

“You know what, Shoto? Keep being friends with him.” Touya smirks to Shoto as he points his thumb to a glowering Katsuki. “Now I know why Fuyumi likes him.”

“I don't know about you, Touya-nii, but Katsuki treats Fuyumi-nee far better than this single interaction you have with Katsuki as of this moment.”

“As if Yumi doesn't know how to tame someone like him.”

“Oi, you fuckfaces, I'm still here.”

"Oh, I'm well aware.” Touya gives him another smirk. “I'm glad you heard our conversation loud and clear.” 

Shoto already flung himself right in front of Katsuki as the blonde wanted to attack him, while Touya just stuck his tongue and wandered away from them to inspect the barren home. 

As Touya has been pardoned—not exactly free yet—Shoto bought a house for the two of them. Initially, he was living in a place where pro heroes are secured to live in an apartment building, but that apartment is for one person only, so Shoto decided to buy a house for them.

He doesn't want to think about the house Enji bought for them years ago.

After that whole debacle, Touya and Katsuki went surprisingly quiet. They talk to each other unless it's necessary as they do their own task—which is moving some furniture and unpacking some boxes.

The silence between the three of them is comfortable; Shoto is genuinely happy to have the two people, who are one of the most important people in Shoto's life, here. 

“Shoto? Are you in there?" A voice from the front door. Shoto beams as he walk away from the kitchen to greet his best friend. 

"Izuku."

They hug each other with a smile on their faces. A moment later, Katsuki comes by and greets Izuku with a soft face and welcoming voice that is only reserved for Izuku Midoriya. At the same time, Izuku gives Katsuki pure adoration.

Looking at the two of them, Shoto can't help but smile. Although the conversation Shoto had with Izuku years ago is still ringing in his head, Shoto is pretty sure the two of them would have fixed whatever the tension they both have, and Izuku will ring up on Shoto in the future that they'll get married soon. 

He would do whatever he could to be their best man, man. Shoto wouldn't settle for anything less. 

Shoto nods, satisfied with his imagination. 

“Whenever you have that look on your face, you're thinking something stupid,” Touya commented as he tapped Shoto's forehead. 

“Ah, hello Touya-san!" Izuku immediately bows at Touya. Shoto is thankful that his best friend remembers Shoto's reminder not to call his brother ‘Todoroki.’

“Shigaraki's brat.” Touya nods in lieu of greeting. Then, his eyes roam over to Katsuki and then to Izuku again. “Huh. Maybe Shigaraki was onto something about you two.”

“The fuck do you mean?" Katsuki narrowed his eyes. 

“He mentioned to us Izuku Midoriya's weakness is Bakugou Katsuki.” Touya shrugs. “So are you two dating now?”

Instead of answering, Katsuki's face exploded to red as smoke was practically coming out of his ears, while Izuku was also red in the face and trying to sputter out some response. 

Although there's a tinge of bittersweet feeling in his chest, Shoto still prefers for his two friends to get together already. Watching them pine to each other is painful. 

Shoto snorts. “They are not.” But then his mouth turns to smirk. “Although I'm expecting to be their best man in their wedding.”

“Shoto!" Izuku and Katsuki exclaim, and Touya cackles as he starts to instruct Izuku on what to do.

Later on, Touya watches the wonder duo argue something about the decorations that Shoto and Touya couldn't care less about. It's obvious they are in their own world; they can’t stop looking at each other with wonder and awe in their faces, not even the new house Shoto bought. For short, they are too busy flirting in front of Shoto's salad.

Still… Shoto noticed something far more important than flirting…

Katsuki looks so tired. 

“Are you really ok with this?" Touya questions Shoto once he finishes tidying up the kitchen. 

“What do you mean?”

Touya rolls his eyes. “I may have been in a cell for longer, but my intelligence has never decreased into stupidity. I have eyes, Shoto, I know how you have a look of longing towards that blonde brat.”

Shoto blinks at Touya, but nervousness bubbles up his throat despite not being as transparent as it is from the outside. “Am I obvious?”

"Nah,” Touya says. “I've been in the streets for years; it's a damn requirement to know someone's mind when you interact with a stranger who you need to make a deal with.”

He never knew that's how people lived in the street. Shoto put that information in his ‘Touya's folder.'

Shoto sighs. “Although I'm in love with Katsuki, I also love Izuku in my own way.” He then smiles softly as he watches Izuku and Katsuki interact like they usually do back in the UA dorms. “For the two of them to get together... is something I genuinely want and a treasure to await.”

Touya hums, but there's a considerate look on his face. 

“For both of our sake, I hope they do get their act together.”

With that cryptic message, Touya walked away from Shoto, leaving Shoto confused but resigned because he knows very well his brother can be dramatic like that. 

At the end of the day, Katsuki and Touya exchanged phone numbers, much to Shoto's confusion and awe. 

Is there a code Katsuki and Touya-nii share that Shoto doesn't understand???

When Shoto and Katsuki had some time alone before Katsuki could leave with Izuku, Shoto pulled him aside.

“Rest well, ok? "Shoto said. “I know Izuku's hero suit is important, but your health is also important too.”

Katsuki’s eye bags are more prominent than ever as Shoto stared at him; it overwhelmed the starlight that usually lit up from the ruby eyes. 

At first, Shoto tried to light up Katsuki's burden, but as the suit funding was about to get finished, he could see Katsuki being impatient and anxious because when this project ended, Izuku would return again as a hero.

“I'm fine." Katsuki grumbles. 

Shoto frowned, obviously not believing him, but he nodded nonetheless. After all, he knows Katsuki would always pretend he's fine. Katsuki is stubborn like that.

***

When it was announced to the public of the former Villain Dabi’s release, the reporters went nuts again, and journalists started comparing Shoto and Dabi, something about the history repeating again. It soured Shoto’s mood, but he remained motionless to the media. 

The people went as far as to ambush Shoto in villain attacks or some natural causes. Unlike his brother, Shoto does not explode, but instead he bottles everything up and takes it to the gym or in his own room where no eyes can follow Shoto's form. 

His mom called, but Shoto did not answer, even if it hurt Shoto to do that. Natsuo called, but Shoto rejected the phone call, although he texted him. He did try to comfort Fuyumi that he's fine, while Touya tried to hide his guilt and regret whenever Shoto interacted with his brother. Fortunately, Enji only called once and had the grace to read the room when Shoto didn't want to speak with him, unlike his high school days. 

Weeks went by, and a camera and mic were shoved in his face after a villain attack. This time, Shoto wanted to explode, but an arm around his bicep stopped him.

“Fuck off, or do you want to shove my fist in your own face?!" Katsuki shouted to the man who was the first one to ambush Shoto.

Shoto stared at Katsuki incredulously. Although thinking about Katsuki's reputation is going to get hurt tomorrow, it hurts, but...

He's larger than life right now. Not the Katsuki who sometimes has the life drained out of him.

“You can't speak to me like that—"

“If you want to be a real fucking journalist, search for a way to see if your wife is cheating on your insecure dick,” Katsuki snarls. “I bet my ass you never told her about us and your cheating ass and just blamed everything on her.”

The guy was so red in the face, Shoto immediately grabbed Katsuki and hauled them out of the crowd, leaving for the reporters to write new gossip for the public. 

Once they were out of that huge crowd—Shoto flew them to a secluded alley—and let out a long sigh. 

“Son of a bitch,” Katsuki mutters under his breath. 

Shoto looks up to him. “Did you really become a homewrecker?”

“Wha—Fuck no! ”

“Oh, I thought you're with that guy."

“Obviously, I fucking lied.”

"Congratulations, you will be on the news tomorrow morning. Why would you do that anyway? ”

“I was giving them some new damn gossip.” Katsuki shrugs as he smirks at Shoto. “And now everyone would be focused on my fucking reputation again; your family drama is becoming overrated anyway.”

Shoto can see the vision; it's likely Katsuki would uphold an image of a ‘fuck boy.’ How did Shoto come to that conclusion? Mina and Shinsou corrupted him back in high school with all kinds of reputations the Class A will have once they graduated. 

“You don't have to do that for me,” Shoto rubs his right elbow. “Especially when you're trying your best to fund Izuku's suit.”

“I do whatever I want, and nothing can fucking stop me.”

That comment made Shoto smile. 

He's so in love with Katsuki Bakugou.

His phone suddenly pinged. Shoto grabbed his phone and saw Touya's message. 

“I better go back home,” Shoto says.

Katsuki nods. “See you tomorrow or whenever.”

“See you,” Shoto replies. "Oh, and Katsuki? Thank you.”

Although there's a stoic expression on his face, Shoto saw Katsuki's ears turning red. Cute.

When he got home, Touya crossed his arms and scowled. “Shitty ass bitches reporters.” There's a concerned look on his face once it landed on Shoto's form. “Are you ok?”

“I'm fine, I already got used to it, like I said multiple times.”

Touya then smirks. “I really like that Bakugou kid, he does not care about public appearances. It's a shame he already had someone because I wanted that damn kid to be my brother-in-law.”

“Touya-nii!”

“Hey, I'm just saying.”

***

The very next year, before winter has begun, the funding for Izuku Midoriya's suit has ended. Naturally, Katsuki announced he's going to give it to Izuku, with All Might by his side. 

So Shoto was not surprised to hear Izuku sending a recording video on the group chat—he was thanking everyone for the hard work everyone did to be able to afford this armor suit. There's tears in his eyes on that video as Katsuki and Allmight patted him on the back. 

Being a hero is good—helping everyone makes Shoto light up, but... He missed being challenged by Katsuki. As the years passed, Katsuki was not even trying anymore as a hero but more to be a hero that could provide Izuku. 

A month later, they celebrated their high school reunion when they saw who became the number two hero. 

It was a happy celebration for the Class A, and there were some Class B who also attended.

But…

It also ended miserably between Izuku and Katsuki. 

***

Shoto has the decency to wait for Izuku to finish his class. The truth is, he wants to burst the door open and demand an explanation from Izuku, but his immaturity days have long been gone, so Shoto waited. 

When the familiar alarm bell of the school rang, signaling the end of the class, Shoto didn't waste his time to really burst the door open. 

As expected, every student gawked at him and likely wanted to interact with the number 2 hero. But unluckily for them, Shoto has no mood to do such a thing, especially when one of his friends was hurt by what happened yesterday. 

Nevermind the fact that Katsuki has been ignoring his calls since this morning. 

“Shoto?" Izuku blinks at him confusingly. “What are you doing here?”

“I want to talk.” Shoto gives a side-way glance to the UA students. “Alone.”

As if a switch had been flipped, everyone scrambled out of their seats and practically ran away from the classroom. Although some students still hesitated, one look of Izuku's stern glare made those students cringe away. 

When it’s clear they are now alone in this familiar classroom, Izuku awkwardly clears his throat.

Before Izuku can make out some words, Shoto cuts him off. “You barely spoke to Ochako for years, and now you two are suddenly dating?”

“We're not exactly dating; we're just taking things slow.”

“Same thing, so I'm confused. How did that happen?”

Izuku fidgets with his two index fingers and says, “I don't know if you know Shoto, but I liked Ura—Ochako when we were in high school.”

“What?" Confused, Shoto tilts his head. “I thought there's something between you and Katsuki.”

“That again? Shoto, I told you, there was nothing.” Izuku starts to frown at him, but Shoto notices the way his shoulder hunched up in a defensive way. 

“Nothing?" Shoto asked incredulously, “You've been obsessing over him since we were in high school. Hell, you've grown closer in recent years.”

“That was nothing, Shoto!”

Nothing? Katsuki's time and effort for Izuku throughout this year has been nothing. Does Izuku realize how much Katsuki's effort has been wasted for years just to catch up with Izuku? Sure, they were explicitly not dating yet, but some of the people around them expected it. 

Katsuki sacrificed his desire to be ranking higher because he's too focused on funding that hero suit, and he also wanted to compete with Izuku in being number one once Izuku came back as a hero. Shoto knows this because he's been watching Katsuki for years. Recently, Katsuki looks exhausted, as if life is literally draining out of him; it saddens Shoto to see it. 

What the hell happened?

“Between the two of us, Izuku.” Shoto paused for a moment. “I'm supposed to be the oblivious one, so I don't believe you never felt what's going on between the two of you.”

Something twisted in Izuku's expression before it smoothed out, and his best friend looked away. 

After a moment of silence, Izuku opens his mouth. “I really don't know what you are saying, Shoto.”

“Is that really final?”

“...Yes.”

Something heavy sinks on his chest, then Shoto nods acceptingly. “Suit yourself, Izuku.”

He turns around with one goal in mind. 

Shoto needs to find Katsuki.

***

Unexpectedly, Shoto didn't have to search for Katsuki. 

Because the blonde is sleeping on his couch, while Touya nurses a tea for himself and for Katsuki. Shoto turns his head to Touya in question. 

“The brat messaged me, asking me for a bar where reporters can't find him, so I guided him to some... questionable bars.” Touya takes a seat on another empty couch. “Then he ranted to me about... a lot of things.”

Shoto is not going to question Touya, who was a former villain, skirting around some alleyway, so he becomes more focused on Katsuki, who was lying on his couch and dead to the world. 

He crouches in front of Katsuki's face, not minding Touya watching them.

Shoto then pushes the bangs out of Katsuki's head with his knuckles. He noticed the dark circle in Katsuki's eyes and the tear marks trailing down his face. He placed his palm on Katsuki's face and sighed. 

“He doesn't deserve this,” Shoto settles as he lets his arms fall. 

“No, he doesn't,” Touya murmurs. “I'm not surprised this happened; he was chasing a man who never intended to return the same affection Katsuki gave. That kind of devotion is a dangerous one.”

He glances to Touya as his brother stares at his own cup, a contemplative look on his face. He knows where this conversation is going and was surprised for Touya to open up like this. 

Touya continues. “At least I know somewhere in my heart that Endeavour would never return the affection he once had to me when I was a toddler.” He smiles, but it's bitter. “But that blonde brat? He was expecting something, but definitely not this one-sided.”

Shoto sighs as he bites his bottom lip, his concerned eyes going back to Katsuki. “I thought he and Izuku had something.”

“Then tell that to the brat, because he was losing his mind and thinking he's being delusional about every interaction he had with that Shigaraki's brat.”

And isn't that so much worse?

***

Once Katsuki woke up, Shoto pounced on him with words. 

“You weren't being delusional.”

Katsuki stares at him with a deadpan look before he groans on the couch. “Your shitty brother blabbered everything?”

“Not really,” Shoto says honestly. After Touya said about his comparison to his own past and to Katsuki's situation, he finished his tea and went upstairs. 

“But you got the gist of it?"

“Yes.” He pauses for a second before he continues. “I also thought you had something going on with Izuku.”

“Then you thought wrong, we're both being delusional as fuck.”

“Ask some of our classmates, even Monoma was expecting you two to get together.”

“Ask them? Mina fucking thought we're just brothers and was even looking forward for Izuku and Ochako to date each other until yesterday.”

Come to think of it, Shoto remembered some of their classmates fawning over Izuku and Ochako. He even remembers Ochako's crush on Izuku, but the thing is, Shoto thought Ochako had gotten over it.

“Wait, how did Mina find out about you and Izuku? ”

There's a moment of silence. Shoto can see Katsuki is choosing the words he wants to get out of his throat. 

“They saw me suddenly crying yesterday when I drove them home,” he murmurs, and Shoto didn't ask further but still...

“Fine, maybe you were right about Izuku and Ochako, but half of our class is betting about you two.” Shoto hums, “I wonder what will happen to the bet.”

“Wait what?" Katsuki immediately sat up, but the headache suddenly fought on him, making the blonde wince. 

Hmm, maybe Shoto shouldn't have said that? Too late to take the words back.

Later on, Katsuki finally understands he didn't imagine what he had with Izuku, or at least he's trying to appease Shoto because Shoto keeps repeating the fact he and Izuku got something going on over the years. 

After their talk, Katsuki offered to cook food for the brothers. Shoto sat obediently and waited patiently for the cold soba to be created. He did miss Katsuki cooking for him; it's one of the reasons he missed having the Class A dorms together. When the cold soba was finished making, Touya finally appeared once he smelled the cold soba from the kitchen.

After eating the food Katsuki made, Katsuki then goes to wash the dishes without any say from both brothers. If this were any other day, Shoto would've been the one to insist that Katsuki doesn't have to wash the dishes, but he knows Katsuki needs something to distract himself, so he let his friend be. 

“Shoto,” Touya suddenly whispers in his ears. “Grab that bag, he's a damn package. A good future husband.”

Shoto shoves his brother out of the chair as Touya cackles in delight, while Katsuki just glances at the two of them almost curiously before Katsuki returns back to the sink. 

Once Katsuki was out of the door, Touya ruffled Shoto's hair messily. Shoto frowns at his brother.

“I'm serious about what I said earlier,” he says. “Once word got out that brat and Shigaraki's brat did not work out, many people would start noticing your beloved Dynamight.”

With that, Touya turned around and went back upstairs. Shoto frowns in his direction because, how the hell does Touya know these kinds of things? Surely his brother is wrong in this department, right? 

***

Unfortunately, and this shouldn't be surprising anymore, Touya was right. Again.

Because a week later, Izuku announced he's officially dating Ochako, much to most of their shock and some with pleasant surprise. 

At first, he checked on Katsuki to see if he's doing fine. But Katsuki just looked indifferent as he told Shoto that he was already expecting them to get together, but Shoto stayed with Katsuki as much as he could, offering a distraction. Katsuki cracked a smile at him; it's worth it to see that smile despite the fact he gave up doing his patrol on that day.

One good thing that came out of the rejection from Izuki is the fact Katsuki is finally trying to be a number one hero. 

“I'm happy.” Shoto smiled at Katsuki. “You're trying to become number 1 again.”

Katsuki blinked. Something flashed in his beautiful ruby eyes but it was gone before Shoto could decipher what it meant. 

Shoto smirked, the smirk he wore when he's being a little shit but trying to be oblivious about it as Katsuki described a few years ago. “Although I don't think you'll be able to beat my record for years, or ever.”

“Oh you're fucking on.” Katsuki laughed, and it was music to Shoto's ears. Katsuki threw his head back, sun brightly shining down on him and it's one of the best images Shoto had ever seen. This is the first time in years Katsuki is genuinely laughing with no heavy burden on his shoulder. If he could, Shoto would've taken a photo by now. 

Back to the topic at hand, Shoto finally saw what Touya was trying to say to him.

Shoto watched in horror as he saw Monoma give Katsuki his favorite chocolates on a patrol. Shoto's eardrums almost burst when he heard Shinsou flirting with Katsuki on a hangout. Camie even went so far as to contact Shoto and ask for advice about Katsuki. There’s also the fact that some unknown pro-hero handed a love letter to Shoto just to give it to Katsuki. 

He doesn't even want to start with the fact that numerous people other than the people he knew started flirting with Katsuki, according to Sero, who called Shoto one night and wanted to tell the hilarious adventure of people wanting to get the Bakugou Katsuki snack. 

One day, Shoto went home, frustration built up in his face, smoke coming out of his nose and ears. Literally.

“Woah, what happened, little brother?” Touya suddenly sat up. 

Shoto sat next to Touya and asked his older brother seriously. “About grabbing the damn package of a future husband...”

“What of it?”

“I'll do it.”

Touya raises an eyebrow, amusement showing. “Let's call your other siblings.”

“Natsu-nii and Fuyumi-nee? "Shoto asked, “You started talking to them? Not just to say good morning or happy birthday?”

“Yeah. Just days ago.” Touya starts typing on his phone, unbothered by what Shoto said. “I found out your brat was in contact with those two, I'm pretty sure they'll help you get together with the brat.” 

Huh. What a weird way for the three of them to speak again. Although it's not like they don't speak to each other at all, Shoto knew their conversation went as far as greeting each other and not delving into other different topics, so this was still a surprise. 

It's also a surprise that Katsuki is in contact with some of his family, but he shouldn't be when Katsuki was the one who delivered their birthday gifts to Shoto years ago.

Maybe his siblings are more interested in Shoto's love life than he expected. The class A was also interested in that too, considering the fact they pestered him about it sometimes. 

***

Shoto marched inside of Katsuki's agency like he's on a mission; nobody stopped him as he stepped inside the building, knowing very well that Shoto always comes and goes as he pleases. 

Still, the bouquet, chocolate bars, and some box of spices in his hands lift an eyebrow to some of them, but most of them look exhausted; there's even a guy who mutters ‘not this again.’ Naturally, he ignored them as he walked towards Katsuki's office; he also ignored the bare room that was supposed to be someone's office. 

Before he knows it, Shoto is right in front of Katsuki's office. To be polite, he knocked, and Katsuki yelled he could come in.

He went inside with snacks and flowers on full display. Katsuki stared at him with wide eyes and disbelief. The blonde was about to open his mouth, presumingly to shout at him when Shoto cut him off. 

“I like you, please go out with me.” Shoto bowed his head, his voice soft as he spoke. 

Although he marched here like a soldier, nerves are suddenly prickling Shoto under his skin. 

Shoto heard Katsuki sigh before his friend opened his mouth, “You know, you're the first person who has the balls to ask me out directly.”

“Really?" He looked up. “I heard some of them were still planning—wait, you know people want you?”

For the past few days, Shoto thought Katsuki didn't know. He even told Shoto that he doesn't want anyone's pity because people keep giving him gifts after it coincidentally was known that Izuku and Ochako started dating. 

To this, Katsuki grumbles, but embarrassment is clear on his face. “Eijiro finally said something about it.”

“I see,” Shoto says. “So what are you going to do?”

Katsuki leaned on his seat as he eyed Shoto with a critical look. It started making Shoto nervous because it's clear he's indirectly asking Katsuki what he plans to do with Shoto now. 

He clears his throat to answer. “I was planning to say yes for a few dates, see if it would work.”

Hm, that's a reasonable answer. “Are you saying yes?”

There's a moment of pause, and Shoto almost felt his heart sink a bit, but he remained placid, or trying to at least. There's a voice in his head that was doubting Shoto's actions. 

Shoto waits.

 Katsuki sighs. “Are you not fucking aware that if this worked out and then suddenly it's not working out anymore, we would be fucking awkward to each other?" He questions, “I can't lose a friend, Shoto.”

His eyes widened as he understood where Katsuki was coming from. 

Sure, that can be a possible scenario, but... Shoto doesn't think he would be awkward with Katsuki. Maybe at first, but Shoto knows himself and Shoto knows Katsuki; Shoto would be persistent to resume their friendship if their romantic relationship did not work out, and Shoto knows Katsuki is still in contact with Izuku despite the fact Shoto knows there's some tension between them according to Tenya.

“You don't have to worry about that, it won't happen,” Shoto firmly said as he resolutely stared at Katsuki, and the blonde is giving an equal measure of the stare. 

Finally, after seconds ticking by, Katsuki slumped. 

“Ugh, fine, you persistent bastard.”

At first, the words Katsuki said didn't sink in to him. Then finally it does, and Shoto beams, grinning ear to ear. 

Katsuki blinks at him before he scowls. “Now give me those snacks; I'm getting hungry just by looking at them.” 

When Shoto phoned his siblings—messaging them in a group chat that Fuyumi created—Natsuo was ecstatic as he messaged him, ‘Hell yeah,’ Fuyumi typed multiple emojis before congratulating him, and Touya recorded himself dancing happily. In Touya's video, Shoto rolled his eyes at his older brother's dramatics, but there's a smile drawn in his face as he exited the group chat. 

***

Shoto was the one who decided the date. 

Katsuki glanced at the building before he raised his eyebrows to ask Shoto, “Aquarium?”

He shrugs, “It has been pretty hectic for you, especially now you're actively trying to become a number one.” Shoto smiles at him. “I thought you'd appreciate some nice and calming environment.”

Katsuki stares at him for a moment, contemplating. Shoto almost fidget and hoped he did nothing wrong. Maybe he should've asked his siblings’ opinion, but they do not know what Katsuki would like whenever he's in a mood to be calm or to be enraged. 

Finally, Katsuki nodded. “You're right.” He then strolled down to the building, Shoto in tow. 

When they walked inside, Katsuki was surprised everything was deserted. He looked around the corner as the staff smiled at them. 

“Did you reserve this building?" He asked incredulously. 

“I did,” Shoto says, proud of himself. “Fans won't bother us anymore, or at least for today."

Katsuki snorted. “I'm fucking glad that you did.”

They both wander around as they watch in amazement at the creatures that swarm around, while some animals decide to stop whatever they were doing to stare at them from the glass. 

It was obvious Shoto doesn't know all kinds of fish, so Katsuki started educating him about it. It was not surprising to see Katsuki more informative than the building holding the aquarium itself. 

As they went to a sculpture and drawings of the fish that went extinct, Katsuki went on in more detail about it, even going so far as to say where and when one of the last fish unofficially disappeared. Throughout this, Shoto watches him with fond eyes and rapt attention from the burning starlight of Katsuki's eyes and the voice full of enthusiasm that Katsuki lost after the Izuku incident. 

Then Katsuki stopped. He frowned at him, tilting his head in confusion. “Is there something on my eyes?”

"No,” Shoto says. “You really look beautiful, that's all.” 

Katsuki's face went red; he ducked his head to avoid Shoto's eyes, but then Katsuki remembered himself as he looked up again and stared at Shoto with stubbornness in his eyes that he wouldn't look away. 

Shoto chuckles before he is suddenly reminded of something, then he grabs Katsuki's hands and says, “I have something to show you.”

As they were walking together, he realized Katsuki went quiet. Shoto turns around to ask, only to see Katsuki staring at their hands that were still wrapped around each other. 

He forgot that he grabbed Katsuki's hand without thinking. 

“I can let go.” Although Shoto doesn't want to, he'll respect Katsuki's boundaries. “If you want.”

But Katsuki did not answer him; instead, he squeezed Shoto's hands gently, indicating he doesn't want to let go yet. Shoto almost beamed in happiness but he contained it, or else he might have frightened Shoto away. 

They entered a room that looked like a cinema. Shoto took them to the best seat, as Katsuki followed him with no hesitation. Once they sat, the ceiling lit up. 

Their chairs moved, but Katsuki wasn't focused on that as he stared at the ceiling with wonder in his eyes. 

The ceiling has pseudo stars, lighting up like real constellations. Each star has a beautiful hue and amazement that feels like they are staring at the real stars.

Shoto looks at Katsuki's reaction, and once he saw Katsuki's face, it was decided that he doesn't need to see some projection stars but a real star that is sitting next to him. 

“You really fucking outdone yourself, Shoto,” Katsuki says, still watching at the ceiling. “This is beautiful.”

“Yes,” Shoto unhesitantly says, “it's really beautiful.”

“I didn't even know this aquarium has this—” Katsuki cut himself once he realized he's being watched by Shoto. 

No one should blame him when Katsuki is so beautiful while basking on the lights; the burning starlight keeps shining and shining, and Shoto will gladly touch the light even if it burns him. 

Katsuki clears his throat as he looks away. 

They then resumed watching the ceiling, but there was no awkwardness in the air, just a comfortable silence. 

***

On their second date, they go mountain climbing. 

Katsuki was ecstatic to hear it, especially when Shoto got a ticket to climb a mountain that was expensive to some people. He watched Katsuki being over the moon.

While venturing the mountains, Katsuki instructs him on what to do in the wild and how to survive it. There are times Katsuki has to admit that Shoto is a good company because he's a good listener and learns how to do things quickly, unlike the Bakusquad. 

Two days passed, and they were able to go to the top of the mountain. Shoto watches Katsuki look more satisfied and free as they watch the whole world from the top.

“You really like being above everyone else, huh?" Shoto observed.

"Naturally,” Katsuki scoffed. “Just look down, everyone looks so insignificant from all the way here, it's fucking nice to be the big one.”

Shoto shook his head fondly. “Your head is getting bigger.”

“As it fucking should.”

“And you don't have to climb mountains to feel significant, you're larger than life down there.”

Katsuki's snorts, bitter. “Nobody is special down there.”

“You are,” Shoto firmly says, “at least to me.”

His ruby eyes widened in shock, trying to come up with any reply. Still, nothing comes out of Katsuki's throat as he stares at Shoto like he never saw him before. 

Shoto continues, “Do you know how your voice sometimes takes a commanding tone to everyone else, but it's music I can listen to all day? Do you know your face whenever it becomes determined it always turns the shape of the sun that I can't look away from? And do you know your eyes look like burning starlight whenever you stare at something you love?”

He didn't realize he was reaching for Katsuki's cheekbones until his hand touched the smooth pale of Katsuki's face. Shoto felt Katsuki hitch a breath under his palms. 

“You're so, so special, Katsuki.” Shoto softly whispers, “In my life full of tragedy, you're one of my best happy endings I can have, with or without me by your side.”

And then, Shoto let go, but Katsuki snatched his hands again, full of questions burning his ruby eyes and something, finally letting Shoto in. 

"Shoto,” Katsuki hesitated for a moment. “How long have you been in love with me?”

And of course, Katsuki would realize Shoto has been loving him from far for who knows how long.

Anyway, that's an easy answer. “Since High School, give or take.” 

“Hah? What?! Seriously?!”

“Yeah, why? ”

“What do you mean, why?! You knew I'd been pining after Izuku for that long!”

“I know,” Shoto says, albeit confused. “What does it matter? ”

“You were the number one person—except Allmight—who kept supporting my relationship with Izuku and even looking forward to it!”

“So? I love you, and if Izuku is the one you wanted, then that's even better because Izuku would treat you right... or so I thought.” 

Katsuki let go of Shoto's hands. Shoto felt lost for a second before his focus returned to Katsuki again. At the same time, Katsuki took one step back as he glanced steadily at Shoto in disbelief.

“And you've been in love with me for years?”

“I couldn't stop.”

“But that must hurt you.”

Shoto chuckles. “You didn't, I was genuinely happy for you and Izuku.” He smiles at Katsuki so tenderly, “Like I said earlier, you are one of my happy endings.”

Katsuki swallows before he turns his head to look down to the whole world again, where he calls the bottom insignificant and no one is named as special. 

“I see.”

So that's that. Shoto knows he needs to let Katsuki process everything, so he's not offended by the continuing silence between them. After a moment too long, they need to eat something, and then later on, they go back to their normal dynamics as if nothing shocking happened. 

When Shoto got home, Katsuki thanked him in the message for the mountain climbing, and he looks forward to having another date. 

Multiple dates came by, and Shoto saw Katsuki start glowing throughout those dates.

***

Sero and Shoto met for a brief coffee. It's a coincidence they have free time as of this day, so they took that chance. 

So right now the two friends are gossiping like they did during high school—or, well, Sero would talk about the rumors he heard while Shoto gives him an input. Although sometimes Shoto would be the first one to talk, instead of gossip, it's conspiracy theories. This time, though, Sero has a pack of gossip. 

Such as…

“I never thought Izuku and Ochako would get together,” Sero says as he slurps his coffee shake. “They barely spoke for years, so it's kind of a surprise for me.”

Shoto nods. “Katsuki is the one with the most contact with Izuku for years, so...”

"Yeah,” Sero agreed as he narrowed his eyes at the shake. “Is it bad I'm angry at Izuku? It's not like he owes Katsuki to return his feelings, but... Izuku should've properly rejected him, especially when something has been going on between the two of them for years.”

“No, I get that,” he says. “I'm angry too, but I respect Izuku's decision, moreso when Katsuki is now doing fine on his own.”

“Speaking off,” Sero clears his throat, indicating a change of subject. “Katsuki gave a task to the Bakusquad months ago to spread around the fact he's not available anymore, that's kind of curious. Anyway, we just thought he wanted to have time for himself, especially when he's trying to become the number one hero now.”

Thankfully, Shoto was not sipping his cold coffee, or else he might've spilled some to Sero. 

At first, Shoto thought Katsuki finally had someone, but then his thoughts went to the fact that someone is Shoto. He knows Katsuki, the blonde would've cancelled all his dates with Shoto if there really is someone in the picture other than Shoto. 

It's been six months since he started pursuing Katsuki, so this was a surprise. He's been... courting Katsuki for months, but the blonde is still hesitant to officially date him. That was ok for Shoto because he can wait. But what Sero said... It's still a surprise for Shoto. 

Or maybe it shouldn't really surprise Shoto. The thing is, Katsuki has been in love with Izuku for years, so Katsuki really needs to sort out his feelings before officially going to date Shoto. 

After all, Bakugou Katsuki is either to go big or go home. 

“Shoto?”

Shoto blinks out of his stupor. “Um, what did you just say, Hanta?”

***

A year after pursuing Katsuki, there's nothing in his bones telling Shoto to give up.

Shoto was glad he never thought of giving up. 

They went on another date. This time, Shoto decided to search for a spot to see the stars more clearly for the two of them to sightsee. Unexpectedly, Touya knows someplace, but Shoto should've thought it was expected considering the fact that Touya loves stars. 

He suspects that Touya led someone special there, maybe before the war. Shoto actually asked this to his brother, but unsurprisingly, Touya didn't answer and swiftly changed the subject. 

Shoto had it planned. There's a warm blanket for them, snacks if either of them gets hungry, and a telescope to see the sky clearly. 

But what Shoto did not plan was for Katsuki to kiss him under the stars. 

It was a chaste kiss that Shoto did not unfortunately return because he froze first as his mind went blank. 

Katsuki scratches his neck awkwardly. “That was bad, was it?"

“What? No!”

“Don't lie, damn Icyhot, that was my first kiss.”

“I was just really surprised! —wait.” Shoto blinks. “That was my first kiss too.”

“What the hell, how?" The tone of that question is full of disbelief; it almost amused Shoto. 

He snorted. “Do you think I would let just anyone touch me, Katsuki?”

Katsuki pondered it for a moment before nodding in acceptance. “Ok, you got a fucking point.”

“Now that was out of the way,” Shoto starts to lean into Katsuki's space, he almost grins when he notices that Katsuki did not back away but instead was looking forward to what Shoto would do next. “Can I kiss you again?”

Katsuki did not answer, but he grabbed Shoto's nape and pulled him forward. 

Although their first proper kiss is full of teeth and their nose keeps brushing each other, their second kiss was more manageable, albeit it's full of spit, but the third one is when they are really doing a proper kiss. Then, they kissed fourth time in a row, and then fifth, and then sixth, and so on. 

It's a perfect first kiss, in Shoto's opinion.