Chapter Text
It had been a week since the interviews. By some miracle Katsukis hero license was not taken away, nor did he face any consequences. Within the week katsukis popularity skyrocketed like never before. More pole is coming out to discuss his successes and focus on his victory rather than his attitude. He couldn't believe it. It was like magic. Everything he wanted was coming true in his heroic career. Fans were less pushy and more appreciative. This was it for him. Katsuki should be happy. He should be ecstatic that his dreams are coming true. But all he could think about was Izuku.
He wasnt avoiding Ejiro anymore, and they had even talked about it multiple times. But he still hadnt said anything to Izuku. He hated it. He had gone longer in the past without talking to him, but there was always the belief that they would see each other eventually. That they would hang out or see each other on a hero mission, and it would be like nothing had changed. If it had been a day or months. But this time everything was different. Katsuki knew that. He knew that he had fucked up. Fucked up really bad. He needed to fix it, but he just didn't know if he could face Izuku again.
Another week goes by, and his success doesn't slow down; his anxiety about Izuku getting worse and worse. He managed to keep a lid on it. Not snapping at people like before. He just felt nothing but shame. Then, on a Tuesday, while working in his office, the news broke.
“Pro Hero Deku and Uravity confirmed dating by their agencies following leaks of their relationship.”
Fuck
Was all he could think. The jealous crashing down on him like a tsunami. For the first time, Katsuki didn't feel rage. He felt such deep shame. The kind of shame that you can feel in your bones. He didnt want to be jealous of pink cheeks. He shouldn't be. But shes everything that Katsuki isn't, Kind, Capable. Sweet. She always cared for those around her. Even those who didnt deserve it. Her and Izukus' contributions to society combined were indescribable. Of course, he loved her. With her warm smile and caring nature. And Katsuki hated himself even more.
The rest of the day was a blur. He tried his best to act normal, but he mostly kept his mouth shut out of fear of revealing how he felt. When he finally makes it home, it all spills out, and Katuski cries the second he makes it into his apartment. The tears keep coming as he collapses to the floor. Calcifer comes over he gives her lots of pets.
“Its ok Im ok’ he repeats through tears.
He isnt really talking to the cat.
After a few minutes, he stops. His face feels sore, his muscles tired after contorting from pain. His phone dings.
“Ejiro Kirishima(Shitty hair). Did you hear the news?”
He picks up his phone and plops down on the couch. He goes to resposnd but he can't even think of a good response. “Fuck off? “Yes dickhead.” ? he didnt know what to say. He opts for sending an eye roll emoji.
“So yes,” Kirishima responds.
“Obviously yes, and before you ask, no im not fucking thrilled about it.”
“I'm not surprised; it was the best move on the part of their teams after the leaks.”
“Yea yea,” He sends another eye roll emoji.
A yellow middle finger pops up in the text chain, and Katsuki smiles a little bit.
“I'm just jealous of her yk.”
“Do you still think you're gonna talk with him?”
“I don't know, eventually I suppose I just don't know how to face him.”
“I honestly got nothing.”
“Helpful dickhead…I really meant it too, it would be so much easier if I didnt but it's true. I really fucking love him.”
“I know, man.”
“I'll figure it out somehow, I guess, I have to, I'm not gonna let this be the end of us.”
“I'm glad”
“Look Im gonna make myself some dinner, but I will see you Tuesday.”
He puts his phone down and goes to the kitchen.
What is he going to do about all of this? The worst part of it is that Katsuki truly has no idea.
A month passes. A month of jealousy and shame. A month of nothing but hating himself while being showered in praise in his career. For the first time in Katuskis life. It falls on deaf ears. He doesn't believe the compliments and success. It always fuelled him, but now it just felt like he didn't deserve it. He was always told he was the best, but it didn't matter this time. Not after everything.
He hated how jealous he was of Ochaco; why, she had been nothing but kind to him. He shouldn't be. Hes THE Katsuki fucking Bakugo, Hes untouchable. But his classmates were out doing what he had always set out to do. Surpassing All-Might, Izuku defeated All for One, and Ochaco was constantly changing the hero environment. But wasnt it this thinking that got him into this situation in the first place? Being jealous and afraid of being surpassed, isn't that why he pushed away Izuku? And now he may have lost him for good.
Another Month passes, Same shit, different day. He was sky rocking. He was number 3 in Popularity, following Shoto and Mirio. Surpassing Deku, but just by one spot. He felt awful when he overtook Dekus's spot. He wanted to talk to him. He was being asked about it in interviews. He would simply brush past it, changing the subject. He realised Izuku and His career were always going to be interlocked.
He didnt seem as angry as he normally was. He was quieter; he wouldn't snap at people. Others noticed the change, but he was in a worse place mentally than he had ever been. It was just another day with Ejiro, working out together, training quirks. When he came to the agonizing realization that he might want to go to therapy. He hated the thought, but it had been so long since his fight with Izuku, and he wasn't feeling any better. So he found someone with the help of Ejiro.
He didn't like therapy. Like many things in Katsuki's life right now. He didn't like how calm his therapist was. He didn't like that he wouldn't respond to Katsuki's range. Would refuse to talk in anything but a calm tone. But despite it. He was still helping Katsuki.
In one particle session Dr, Briner was asking a series of annoying questions.
“Well, why did you kiss him instead of talking?”
“I'm shit at words Ive alwas been shit at words. I wasnt thinking straight and standing so close to him. Hearing his heart beat, I don't know, I guess I read the signals wrong?’
“Ok.. are you sorry?”
“So fucking sorry. I feel awful. Like, I really blew everything between us. I know he won'tt love me back as much as I want him to, I know it will always be one-sided now, all I want now is for us to go back to being friends. To like how it was before, hes never not been in my life. I don't know what to do about it”
“So then apalogize”
“What?’
“Go to him and apologize, it's that simple.”
“Its never that fucking simple.”
.
.
.
It had been 3 months since the news broke about Izuku and Ochaco. With the help of Dr Briner, he finally got the courage to talk to Izuku.
He was nervous. Really nervous. He didnt know what the fuck he was doing. But here he was driving towards Izuku's apartment.
It was raining as Katui drove up. He hates the rain.
Or at least he hoped it was still his apartment. He didn't even know at this point, with unprecedented confidence, Katsuki stormed toward the door and knocked loudly. He regretted it the second his fist left the wood on his first knock. He wanted to run. Wanted to hide, but he didnt.
Instead, he stood in the pouring rain getting soaked. He hates the rain. He almost turns around to leave before the door opens.
“Kachan…”
Izuku looked too stunned to say anything else. His apartment behind him is warm and welcoming. A faint smell of popcorn wafts out the door.
“Who is it, babe?” a familiar voice calls from inside the building.
“Kachan…” He calls back. Unsure of what else to add to the sentence
“Can we talk, please?”
“I'll be right back Ochaco!” He calls into the house, stepping out into the rain. Both of them were standing in the pouring rain, but it didn't matter,
“Ok, I need to say something, and you're not allowed to say anything until I'm done.”
“Kachan…” Izuku says hesitantly
“Please, I won't yell,l I promise.”
“Fine”
“I-Im not good with words, I'm not good at this dumb emotion stuff. I'm just not. But I do know something, I'm sorry, really fucking sorry. These past few months, I haven't done anything but feel sorry, feel worried. I fucked everything up with you. That I would never talk to you again, and I would never be your friend again.”
“Sure seems like these past months haven't been so bad for you.” Izuku crosses his arms.
“Look, I know I fucked up ok. I know I shouldn't have done that, but I didn't lie, not once. I do love you, but I know now you can't love me back, but I need you to hear me now when I say I'm sorry for what I did, all I want now. Is for you to forgive me, and we can go back to like how it was before, please… Izuku”
Izuku's expression softens.
“Kachan, you know I forgive you, but you have to know it's not going back to how it was; it never will. I don't want to cut you off. Of course, I don't want that. Ive missed you these past months, and I suppose I also owe you an apology. I shouldn't have said what I said, but it's not going back to like it was before. I still am your friend, and I will always be your friend, but things are changing, Katsuki. For better and for worse.”
“I can accept that.”
“Now, can I please go back inside?” Izuku cracks a smile
“I’ll see you out there… Izuku…”
Katsuki turned and walked down the steps to his car.
He hears the door behind him close as Izuku goes back to Ochaco.
TIME SKIP - 1 year later
“I do”
“And do you,u Mina Ashido, take Ejiro Kirishima to be your lawfully wedded husband. To hold and love through rich and poor, sickness and health until death do you part.” The pastor continues
“I do”
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Ejiro and Minas' wedding was huge; most of our UA class was there, with newly engaged Shoto and Iida. The reception was massive, and the party went late into the night.
Katsuki was so fucking happy for Ejiro, Happy at how happy his best friend was. He was his best man at the wedding. With his brother, Izuku, and Denki being his other best men. Ochaco was in Mina's bridal party, as well as Tsuyu, Momo, and Kyoka.
In the end, Izuku was right. Things never went back to how they were with each other. That is to say, things changed. For the better and for the worst.
As the party blared on, Katsuki stood on the side of the dance floor, watching Mina and Ejiro dancing. Izuku eventually joined in.
The Disco lights illuminate his smiling face, and he feels a familiar twist in his chest. His breath caught in his throat. Just for a second.
He’d always love Izuku. Katuski accepted that at this point. He would always be chasing after Izuku. For the rest of his life. For now, for tonight, He just wanted to dance, and soon he was on the dance floor with Ejiro, Mina, Ochaco, and Izuku. Smiling, dancing with the most important people in his life, his feelings melted away. Enjoying the moment. Katsuki was happy.
.
.
.
Time Skip
“Carfull Kachan,” a timid and tired Izuku says
“I got it, I got it,” Katsuki responds, taking a fresh baby from Izuku's arms.
“Shes still so little, I feel like I might break her.”
“You're gonna grow up to be big and strong dont you worry,” Katsuki says
Izuku walks into the kitchen to talk to Ochaco.
Katuski looks down at baby Ichika Midoriya, a full head of green curls, round cheeks like her mom. His heart filled with love looking down at the combination of some of his best friends. Sleeping peacefully in his arms.
The peace didn't last long before she woke up and started crying.
“Shhhhh, hey its ok, Uncle Kachan has got you.” He had big green eyes and looked up at him. They looked just like Izukus growing up. Reality washed over Katsuki. Here he was comforting Izuku and Ochacos' baby. Even after everything. They were still intertwined.
Her parents come rushing into the room from the crying.
“Shes fine, I got it, Uncle Kachan has got her.”
“Uncle Kachan?” Ochaco says
‘What do you have an issue with that Pink cheeks?” He teases
“I like it,” Izuku says.
“I'll go put her down upstairs.”
“Ok, just in the nursery where I showed you.u”
Izuku says as Katsuki walks up the stairs,s patting the small baby on the back.
He puts her down, still neatly tucked in her swaddle.
A beautiful girl covered in freckles. She settled before katsuki walks back down stairs to talk to Izuku.
Later in the car, he thinks about everything that they have gone through. Things are so different. He still thinks he might still love Izuku. In a way, he dont think he will ever really shake that feeling. But glancing down at his engagement ring on his hand as he drives his car back to his apartment. He thinks things will be ok.