Archive of Our Own

0.

He meets the person destined to be his eternity at an upscale bar somewhere in the heart of the city.

Now, Katsuki’s never been one to buy into any of that True Mate bullshit. All of the fucking propaganda about being biologically inclined to the scent of one person – the person who’ll be compatible with you on this otherworldly level.

Handpicked by fate and crafted by the stars… A load of fucking bullshit.

There’s just no way -no way in hell that someone he’s never met will just miraculously and magnificently be in sync with him. It’s impossible that they won’t be an annoying, useless, jackass that pisses him the fuck off more than they don’t. Nope. Not happening. Not at all. Matter of fact, that person will be exactly what he wants – absolutely everything that he needs to be complete and fulfilled in life.

Yeah… he’ll get all of that and more based on a scent being off of the fucking charts.

Fucking lies.

All of it.

Until it isn’t.

When he smells him, he knows.

Knows without a fucking doubt that that omega -the one with the lush green locks, pretty freckles, and coy smile at the end of the bar- that’s the one that’s meant to be his. Feels it right down to the bone marrow and it’s electrifying. Literally pulses a jolt of electricity through his nerves and grips at his heart like a vice. It’s a full body experience that constricts his pupils, flares his nostrils, makes him pant, and surges through all of the shit that defines him. That scent – that fucking scent is just everything. Honey-sweet and all-spice with just a pinch of something floral… eucalyptus and lilac… intoxicating. So much so, that he doesn’t even doubt or question it because the alpha in him is certain beyond a reasonable doubt.

Katsuki follows that scent all the way to the back of the bar.

He doesn’t give two fucks about the handful of alphas already attempting to entice freckles because he’s Katsuki motherfucking Bakugou, alpha of all alphas. Number five hero (for now) and number one bad ass. So fuck ‘em. They’ll just become afterthoughts anyway and he’s used to that. To extras fading into the background and taking their rightful place beneath him.

Freckles seems to know what’s what too.

Before Katsuki even gets close, the omega looks around, nostrils flaring and green eyes wide as they search and- yeah. They make eye contact and Katsuki’s palms crackle – anticipation and need simmering just beneath the flesh. Those gorgeous emerald irises spark to life and the man that houses them gives a full body shudder – his scent perforates like a fine perfume. He’s gorgeous.

He’s perfect.

“Can I buy you a drink?” Katsuki’s in his space, lips pressed to a warm ear, and one hand poised on a trim waist. He doesn’t even remember getting so close but it doesn’t even fucking matter because he’s staking his claim.

“What do you say to a late dinner instead?” Pert pink lips stretch into a soft, timid smile as that scent wraps around them and-

And Katsuki is so gone. “Whatever you want.” For the rest of your goddamn life is what he tacks on in his head but that can wait until dinner.

They end up at a small diner tucked down a seedy alleyway – not Katsuki’s first choice but Izuku (because they exchange names before they even make it out of the bar) says he knows the place and it’s only a three minute walk away so why not.

As a hero, he should be more cautions. As a potential mate, he’s really fucking trusting, apparently.

They get a booth in the back and some menus and then, it’s just them and silence. A staring and sniffing contest by anyone’s standards.

Izuku breaks the silence first, light blush dusting his freckled cheeks as he stares from beneath thick lashes. “So um… I don’t mean to be forward or anything but- but I think you’re my True Mate. Which is odd, I know, because a lot of people don’t even believe in True Mates but you- you smell like a burning match and dragon’s blood incense and hearth fire and- and I can barely concentrate here. It’s so- it just completes me in this weird way. Um… how do I say this? It feels like a ‘eureka’ moment where everything in my life has led to right now or something like that and things are only going to get better from here and- and I’m rambling but this is surreal.” He takes a breath and smiles a bit, something sweet and inviting.

Katsuki leans back in his seat, one arm resting on the table. He studies Izuku for a moment, makes him squirm because he thinks it’s kind of cute, before he adds his two-cents in. “I know you’re mine. Knew it the second I got to that fucking bar. Never expected you, as in a mate. Period. But, if this is how that shit feels, then I’ll take it.” Despite himself and every damning thought, debunking theory, or curse he’s ever mustered at the mere thought of a True Mate, he can’t deny that the feelings that come with finding the one doesn’t make the wait and disbelief worth it.

It’s unexplainable and wholly un-fucking-believable.

Hell, he’s surprised he’s not fighting this shit tooth and nail. On the other hand, there’s something subduing about being plucked by the cosmos and handed the stars like they’re crafted for you. Reaffirms his worth and his hard work because he’s put in a lot of fucking hard work to be where he is and who he is so he deserves this shit.

“This is so bizarre… We don’t even know each other but something in the universe believes that we’ll be perfect for each other just because of our scents… it’s so illogical, honestly.” Izuku looks uncertain but hopeful.

“You’re preaching the fucking choir. Never thought I’d end up destiny’s bitch but, if this is all meant to be, then we’ve got the rest of our lives to get to know each other.” He shrugs because he’s got nothing to lose by going for this. Nothing at all… except for maybe his pride for a little bit if this all goes to shit but, other than that, he’s got nothing to lose. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“You could be a villain.”

“Hah! So could you.”

“We might not want the same things from life.”

“Or we might want everything for and from each other. But we could ‘what if’ to fucking hell and back. Are you in, or are you out?”

Izuku doesn’t hesitate when he says, “Oh, I’ve been in since the second I smelled you… just, you know, had to put all of that out there. I mean, I’ve got a lot going on in my life so, fair warning here. You may not like everything that you learn.”

“Same goes for you but, if it’s like you said, that everything in our fucking lives led to this moment then there’s no secret or life experience that won’t be worth knowing between us.” Oddly enough, he means that shit.

Katsuki has never half-assed anything a day in his life and he damn sure won’t half-ass being a mate. It isn’t something he vied for or cared about before – he’d been with enough alphas, betas, and omegas to have his pick of the litter whenever he was ready to settle down. But now might be that time. After all, he’s used to having the best when he’s supposed to have it and if the fucking fates deem Izuku the best, then, by all means, he’ll take him.

“This is… nerve wracking. But exciting. I, um… I don’t even know where to start now.” Izuku’s lips quirk in amusement as he unabashedly stares.

Katsuki grins and leans forward, chin resting on his knuckles. “From the beginning. I want to know everything.”

Green eyes widen before Izuku nods, “Well, then. We’re in for a long night.”

Katsuki stares at the omega curled up in his bed, furrowed deep into the comforter as calloused fingers cart through incredibly soft green hair.

He isn’t wrong about always having the best, that’s for damn sure. It’s all Katsuki’s been able to think about all night – from the instant they leave the closing diner and end up at his dining room table to finish talking, to the moment Izuku starts nodding off mid conversation and asks if he can just pass out because he feels safe with Katsuki.

Izuku’s the fucking best.

Has the life story to back it up.

See, Izuku talks about how he grew up loving heroes and dreaming of being one – of surpassing all of them, his favorite hero (All Might) included. He doesn’t give a damn about being quirkless or being bullied or being alone because he has his mom and finds comfort in the confines of his beautifully brilliant mind – in all of his quirk analysis and observations. In his ability to dissect and tease apart all of the best and worst attributes of a quirk. So, he’s going to become a hero no matter what, even if that means his only ability is in his analysis skills.

No one’s going to stop him.

Not even All Might who flat out tells him it isn’t possible to be quirkless and a hero.

But then, that bastard All Might turns around and crowns Izuku his successor. As Izuku tells it, they meet when a sludge monster kidnaps one of his classmates and, back then, he’s just a scrawny, quirkless kid but, from the story, he’s so selfless and brave and just… Izuku’s a hero through and through and All Might recognizes that. Deems Izuku worthy of passing his quirk on to and-

Who would fucking believe that someone- that fucking All Might has a quirk that he can go around giving to anyone and then, the anyone that he chooses to give it to winds up being Izuku – Katsuki’s mate.

That shit is more unbelievable than having a fucking True Mate.

Anyway, Izuku becomes All Might’s successor when he’s twelve and trains his ass off to get into UA – comes in as a first year a year after Katsuki graduates. He gets second place in the Sports Festival, impresses that IcyHot bastard enough to be recruited for an internship at Endeavor’s place. Graduates half a year early because, apparently, he’s a smart little fuck. All of that quirk analysis pays off and lends to his brilliance. Makes him a commodity.

Turns out, Izuku knows a lot of the same people as him. And most of those people try to poach Izuku for their own reasons, which, once Katsuki learns Izuku’s hero name, he remembers hearing about him. Remembers Eijiro saying some shit about some fucking kid named Deku and he remembers saying that he doesn’t want someone named fucking Deku – useless- working with him… Deku being Izuku.

Who would’ve guessed?

But, Izuku takes on a job as the damn half-and-half bastard’s sidekick (Katsuki vaguely remembers hearing about that too) and that’s what he’s up to until about three months ago when he goes Pro Hero. His current rank is 17, which is fucking phenomenal for a rookie Pro Hero.

Outside of that, there are a bunch of little things about Izuku that just fit. Things that make Izuku simultaneously his best and worst half.

Like the fact that he can’t cook to save his life (Katsuki can cook his ass off) but he’s a neat freak (they both are) – needs to be organized and tidy so that all of his fucking merch (which is, apparently, a fuck ton) can fit in his place unscathed.

Izuku has a thing for holidays (the bane of Katsuki’s existence) because he loves to decorate and dress up and he likes the food. He also has a thing for volunteer work, which he usually does on every major holiday (well… Katsuki digs this one and swears to go next time Izuku volunteers).

He loves kids and always said he’d pop a few out if the right alpha ever came along (Katsuki never thought he’d find someone worthy but now he can’t wait to get started).

Izuku’s shit when it comes to style and fashion (bright red sneakers are a dead giveaway but so fitting, which isn’t a problem because Katsuki will dress him up first chance he gets) but he’s got this sexy little tattoo on his hip and his belly button is pierced so that at least counts for something.

When he has down time (when he’s not training or working out or saving the world one villain at a time), Izuku re-watches hero and villain videos until he’s red-eyed because he gets a kick out of teasing apart all of the different quirks. Even though it’s a luxury, he really likes to go out dancing (Katsuki prefers a bar to a club any day of the week but he’ll concede if Izuku makes it worth his while) and loves the arcade (Katsuki swears he’ll wipe the floor with Izuku at any game, any day of the week).

Izuku laughs more than he cries, loves more than he hates, he’s cheeky and quippy when it suits him, and he’s modest. Humble and sweet and gorgeous… He’s light-hearted jokes, soft awed tones, stern and sturdy reprimands, and pouty when he’s angry. Furrowed brow when agitated. Izuku is… perfect.

All in all, Katsuki knows that he has the best possible mate. Someone that aligns with his own goals and values.

Knows this because he talked about himself too.

He tells Izuku that he’s Ground Zero and he’s rewarded with sheer excitement and praise along with fighting and costume suggestions and it all warms his gut, even though he scowls the whole way through. The fact that neither his sneer or his tone deter Izuku from prattling on with his analysis just reaffirms that he’s the one.

In comparison to Izuku’s life, he doesn’t have any bombs to drop because it’s pretty straightforward. He’s an only child, he was a terrible little shit growing up and, sadly, he probably would’ve been one of the bastards that tormented Izuku – would’ve regretted that shit forever too. But he grew up. UA humbled the fuck out of him, right along with his stupid fucking classmates turned family (not that he would ever tell them that). So he put his all into school and training and becoming a hero and it pays off.

That’s how he’s so fucking awesome now.

The only thing that’s probably a sore spot is the fact that he blames himself for All Might losing his powers and he’s blamed himself for that shit for years now. Years. If he hadn’t been kidnapped, then maybe- but- Izuku is perfect because Izuku reminds him that, before he was ever kidnapped, All Might was already losing power because the man had given it to Izuku. So, really, it was inevitable, All Might’s retirement. Despite knowing that. Izuku internalizes the same shitty feelings that Katsuki has when it comes to All Might. So, unbeknownst to them, they’ve been sharing the pain of feeling like they doomed their favorite hero.

What are the fucking odds?

One in who the fuck cares because they are definitely meant for each other.

Yup. Katsuki has Izuku now and he’s never fucking letting him go.

First chance he gets, he’s claiming him and then breeding the fuck outta him. Okay, not the first chance. They agree to wait until Izuku breaches the top 10.

But, the very millisecond that happens, Izuku’s getting knocked up.

It’s a promise.

It takes three months to fall in love.

To know with absolute certainty that it’s not just their biological and destiny driven imperatives that fuel the connection their building.

Katsuki is genuinely in love.

Loves all 23 freckles splattered across pale cheeks and the vivid green gaze that looks at him from above them. Loves the heart twisting smiles and the jubilant laugh that tickles his ears like music. Loves that mind – that fast acting, over-indulgent, and beautifully brilliant mind.

Izuku’s body is provocative. Sexy, sensual and salacious – enticing and tempting in it’s deceptively lithe appearance. It’s compact but packs a punch like nothing anyone else can control. And Katsuki loves it. Loves every scar and blemish, every freckle and blotch. Loves marking and contorting and strumming that body. Loves worshipping it even more because Izuku is gorgeous.

Loves how they move so effortlessly around and with each other. Like Izuku’s clairvoyant and can foresee their next steps so he takes them without being told or cajoled into action. It’s organic.

He can’t get enough of listening to the nerd mumble when he gets swept up in his thoughts or flustered. Can’t go more than a handful of hours without needing to see, hear, or talk to Izuku because he’s so enthralled.

Makes it so easy to let Izuku into his life.

They train together. Push and drive each other to the limits because they’re both trying to be the best. Both aiming for that number one spot. Izuku’s tenacity is down right sexy. Watching him kick ass gives Katsuki a hard-on in an instant. That’s probably why their first time sparring devolves into something sinful.

He cooks for him. Every Saturday. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He gets a kick out of watching Izuku watch him cook and gets more of a kick out of watching his mate enjoy the meals.

They have a lot of the same friends and mentors. The Hero world isn’t small unless you’re hot shit or you’re full of shit. Izuku’s the former so, it’s a no brainer that their circles end up intertwining with ease. Katsuki’s only a little put off when he finds out that that fucking half-and-half asshole might have had a thing for Izuku. Might being the operative word Mina uses. But the bastard’s respectful and, if he did ever feel that way, he doesn’t let on about it now.

Suffice to say, Katsuki falls and he falls hard. Thought he felt it before but really feels it settle nicely in his chest one night when they’re laying in Izuku’s bed.

Starts with Izuku’s staring at him and Katsuki dares to ask, voice gruff, “What?”

“I know it’s only been, what? Three months? But- um- I’m in love with you.” Izuku sits up and stares at him like he’s everything and everywhere.

That look damn near stops Katsuki’s heart. But he has to know- “What do you love about me?”

The question has Izuku blushing, it spreads prettily down his naked chest. “A lot of things. I love how blunt, abrasive, and aggressive you can be because I know how soft you are too. I like your morbid sense of humor and the vulgar way you speak actually turns me on. A lot. I love that you don’t half-ass anything that you do. Seriously. I’ve only been around you for a few months but you just go at things like failure will never be an option and that’s motivating. I love your sense of self, sense of style, and that you’re secretly just as nerdy and geeky as me. You… you’re gorgeous, protective, funny, unrelenting, obnoxiously self-less, and headstrong. You’re an alpha that I can take home to meet my mom, which I’m doing next weekend by the way.”

“I’ll bring wine.” Katsuki grins and hooks an arm around Izuku’s waist from where he’s lying, pulls him closer. “But, keep going. I wanna hear all the shit that you love about me.”

Izuku laughs and carts his fingers through blond hair. “I love it sometimes when you’re cocky. I don’t always love it when you have an attitude but I love that you let me in and you let me help calm you down. I love your food, obviously. I love the fact that we can push each other to be better and that we get better together. I love looking at you and I love how you look at me back – like I’m the center of your world and everything just revolves around us. Not my words, mind you, Ochaco’s the one that pointed it out.”

“Course she fucking did. She’s always been a nosy little-”

“Be nice,” Izuku laughs and playfully tugs at Katsuki’s hair. “Anyway, I just- I really love you. And it’s not because I’m supposed to love you or some scent told me that you’re the one that I have to love or any of that stuff. It’s because you’re you and I- um. I love you.”

Katsuki takes all of that in, lets it fester on his tongue before he swallows and sits up. He knocks their foreheads together, his red eyes burning into green. “I love you too, you know. Not gonna say this shit all the time but, you’re really something else. You just speak your mind whenever the hell you please. There’s no doubt about it, you’re the one meant for me.”

“Kacchan…” The kiss snatches Izuku’s breath away. Lips mesh and teeth tug before Katsuki eats up every feeble mewl and teases the tastebuds.

They make love in earnest for the first time – he has Izuku quivering and whimpering as he strokes that prostate and bruises puffy pink lips. Feels fiendish as he rocks his hips with brutal accuracy – slow and tenuous pace that’s torturous but rewarding. His mind is wrapped up in heat and suction and finger nails raking down his arms – angry red lines etched into tight muscle-bound flesh. The thick thighs locked around his waist goad him impossibly closer – urge him to blend into Izuku until their one undistinguishable entity.

Inseparable.

His name is uttered like a mantra that soothes the soul. A litany of lofty whispers and needy moans that get lost every time he leans forward to lick into a waiting mouth like he’s starving.

Katsuki’s gums itch as he scrapes his canines along the abused expanse of collar – he wants more than anything to mark. To claim. To let everyone know that Izuku is his. He wants a similar mark so no one ever questions who he belongs to either.

It’s so tempting.

Makes his jaw ache.

But Izuku can read him so well, knows him like they’ve always been. It’s fucking terrifying and freeing all at once. “Claim me.” It’s not a question. It’s a demand.

And Katsuki doesn’t think twice as he bends Izuku’s neck to an awkward angle and sinks his teeth in. Growls, chest rumbling and body impossibly hot as his soul surges. Euphoria burst at the blood vessels and seeps into his bones as the world mutes. His hips lock in place as he cums, body bowstring tight and mind whirling as he allows himself to revel in all of the sentiments flowing through him.

Izuku cries out in sheer ecstasy, hands griping sweat mused blond hair. Murmurs Katsuki’s name listlessly and rides out his orgasm.

It’s powerful and commanding, the way their bond solidifies and crashes right through them like a tidal wave.

Katsuki’s the first to catch his breath. Unclamps his teeth and licks his lips. He sits up but doesn’t dare to pull out, just pulls a boneless Izuku up with him. “Your turn.”

“Huh?” Izuku looks blitzed out and buzzed.

It makes Katsuki laugh as he turns his head and pulls Izuku closer. “Go on, fucking claim me.”

“Oh.” He sounds startled and flattered and- “You- you um- this will make it official.”

“Aren’t we?”

“Yes.” There’s no hesitation there.

“Then fucking do it.” He groans, a throaty noise that tumbles from his mouth when Izuku bites into him. Feels his flaccid and spent cock coming back to life -entirely ignoring his refractory period.

Izuku gasps and holds tight to Katsuki’s shoulders, “You can’t be-”

“The hell I can.”

“I’m going to die before this night is over.”

“Best send off ever.” Before Izuku can dish out a quippy rebuttal, Katsuki rocks up and into that wet warmth and wrings a silent cry from his mate.

All night indeed.

It takes three months to fall in love but Katsuki’s positive nothing short of death will snatch away what he has with Izuku.

I.

“CONGRATULATIONS!”

Izuku stops and stares at all of his friends and then he stares with impossibly wide eyes at Katsuki who looks oh-so smug…

Katsuki leans forward, mouth pressing to the corner of lips parted in awe. “Congratulations on ranking number 5, baby. You deserve it.”

When Izuku starts to cry, no one says anything about it. Matter of fact, they cheer louder. He offers a wet laugh and a handful of sappy thank yous. Gets a few “awws” from around the room.

And then Kaminari yells, “Let’s party!” and the room just erupts from there.

Drinking doesn’t do anything for him. His metabolism is way too fast, courtesy of One For All.

It definitely does something for Katsuki. Makes the alpha handsy and affectionate. His drink of choice is cognac, one ice cube, straight up. Katsuki’s not much of a drinker because he hates the taste but, sometimes, he likes how it makes him feel, which he swears Izuku to secrecy about.

Anyway, because Katsuki is sauced, Izuku gets to pull him to the middle of the makeshift dance floor. Gets to be held close – ass gripped while his thudding pulse is mauled and then, heat stirs in his belly, coils and wraps snuggly around his core before he’s enveloped by his own scent and choked up by Katsuki’s.

There’s a guttural laugh that tappers off into a growl – slinks goosebumps down his spit slicked neck, sits at his spine. “You’re about to go into heat. Swear the fucking universe loves me.” Well, an inebriated Katsuki is just as sharp as a sober one.

Izuku shivers, his skin feels like it’s instantaneously scorching and freezing. If they weren’t mated- if Katsuki hadn’t claimed him- this would be excruciating and embarrassing because his heats are so irregular. Haven’t had a proper pattern since he got One for All. So it should feel disconcerting. Should. Instead, he just feels incredibly horny and needy as his heat starts to seep in – feels like Katsuki’s scent is his lifeline and he just wants it all to himself. He wants to be filled to the brim and he wants to be knotted – wants Katsuki’s knot so, so bad. And, like always- like they’ve been for the last year and a half- Katsuki (drunk and all) reads his mind and starts to guide him away from the dance floor.

To this day, Izuku is still amazed by how seamlessly they fall into each other – like the cogs of a mechanical clock. A constant, easy, ebb and flow. Synchronicity at its finest. Just the thought makes him purr.

“Gonna split you wide open, promise.” A hot tongue draws lazy patterns against the back of a pale neck – outlines and traces the indents of a permeant claim while strong hands maneuver Izuku by the hips.

Izuku bites his lip because he wants that. Wants his alpha to have every part of him. As soon as possible. It doesn’t help that he can feel how hard Katsuki is – feels that bulge pressed up against his jean clad entrance. Feels slick gathering and staining his boxers and-

They get to the front door before someone stops them, causes Katsuki to growl low and deep. Intimidating.

Eijiro raises his hands, gaze amused. Knowing. “Yo bro, I was just gonna let you know that me and Mina will clean the place up. You two have fun.”

“Gonna put a pup in him!” Katsuki murmurs, mouth still burning a trail over sensitive skin.

“Kacchan!” Izuku cannot believe he just said that out loud.

Eijiro laughs, “Then good luck!”

Everything after they step into the hallway is a vortex.

Izuku doesn’t remember reaching his place but he remembers being out of his clothes before they even reach the bedroom. Vividly recalls presenting and begging and keening as slick gathers and drips down his thighs. And then there’s the muscle memory of an eager tongue lapping at his messy inner thighs before his puckered, sopping hole is unabashedly sucked at while fingers pry him open.

Before he can even indulge in the sensations attacking his flush, wanton body, Katsuki pulls away.

Izuku turns to look back and he can’t breathe. His mate- his alpha is so stunning. Rippling muscle taut beneath unblemished tan skin and hungry fire laden corneas that stare at him with an intensity that blisters. His cock is engorged – looks strained and painful as it stands at attention, precum gathered at the head and dribbling down the swollen shaft. Katsuki looks crazed and ravenous but it’s so appealing. Makes Izuku want.

So he begs, “please, Katsuki. Please, please…” His body is ablaze and it won’t be satiated until Katsuki devours him -body, mind, and soul.

Powerful, calloused, hands grip at Izuku’s waist, ignites the flesh in ways that nothing else can. Katsuki pulls at Izuku until the tip of his cock is pressed just at that saturated entrance. “I’m gonna fucking breed you, Izuku…” He rumbles as he pushes in – slow and easy. Savors the way he’s being sucked in, inch by greedy inch. “Gonna fill you with my seed, knot you up real fucking good.”

“Yes… oh god, yes!” Izuku absolutely purrs before his mouth falls open in a silent cry because Katsuki’s all the way in now, slotted at just the right spot.

A snarl curls at thin lips as Katsuki leans forward, mouths at his claim mark at the base of Izuku’s neck. “You’re mine.” That point gets accentuated with a hard, languid, thrust. “I’m yours.” And he snaps, teeth sinking into malleable flesh and hips jutting forward and back with an urgent reckless abandon.

Izuku can barely catch a breath, can’t formulate a thought, because he’s being so thoroughly claimed and every part of him sings with anticipation. With a carnal need to be fused at a cellular level before dissolving and reforming again and again. He wants to give his alpha a baby. Wants it so, so bad.

If anyone can make it happen, it’s his alpha.

That lone thought makes Izuku cum. Has his muscles spasming and body heaving uncontrollably and he brings Katsuki over the edge with him – feels that knot lodge deep within before warmth spreads inside.

It takes 5-minutes before Izuku gains his bearings. Rouses to the feeling of Katsuki rubbing his belly and nuzzling his face. “We’re gonna have a fucking brat.”

Izuku laughs and pushes into Katsuki’s warmth – gasps a bit as he jostles the knot inside of him. “You haven’t even made an honest man out of me.”

“That can be arranged and you know it. But you’re the one that wanted to fucking wait until you climbed the ranks. Didn’t wanna seem like you were riding my coattails.” There’s a frown there, Izuku can hear it.

Which makes him laugh again and thread his fingers through the ones splayed over his stomach. “After the first baby, we’ll get hitched.”

Katsuki snorts. “The poor little shit’s gonna be a bastard.”

“It’ll be our little bastard.” God… Katsuki’s sense of humor has rubbed off on him.

“I like the sound of that.”

He finds out he’s knocked up three weeks after his heat.

His scent gives him away to Katsuki not even three days later but he still waits and takes the test around the third week. They’re elated – they celebrate by making love and going out to dinner. Make a whole day of it.

They decide not to tell anyone until after they find out the gender. Less pressure that way.

They talk about moving in together and, almost overnight, it becomes a reality. They spend days looking at places before or after their respective patrol shifts and then they find a place just outside of the city that’s big enough for three kids and a dog if they want. Katsuki loves the kitchen and modern finishes. Izuku loves the backyard. They buy it and spend the first night in their empty bedroom laying claim to each other over and over again. Until the house feels like home and their entwined scents nestle comfortably in the confines. Izuku lets Katsuki decorate the place – he’s the one that’s good at that kind of thing and has this keen eye for fine detail. So long as Izuku gets to complete his merch room, they’re all good.

They have a house warming a week later and, okay. Mina outs them for being with child – says she can smell a difference because she’s an omega too and then Ochaco, Jiro, and Asui chime in as fellow omegas that think Izuku’s scent is off and- and the house warming becomes a celebration of life. Izuku cries and then he’s all smiles because Katsuki is grinning and if the alpha’s face is a little red, no one mentions it.

They’ll be the third pair in the group to start a family. The first being Iida and Ochaco. The second being Momo and Jiro.

Little by little, their large family is growing.

Which is why month three takes Izuku by surprise. Hollows him out and leaves him numb.

By the end of month three, Izuku is cramping and in so much pain. He’s at work when it happens – when his gut and pelvis tugs in on itself and then there’s agony like nothing he’s ever experienced before. It singes through his nerve endings – makes him collapse in upon himself and implode. It’s a hurt that cripples and he counts himself lucky that he isn’t pursuing anyone when it happens. And then there’s the blood – knows it’s blood streaming down his legs and staining his suit because he can smell it.

His mind is reeling – from suffering physically or emotionally, he can’t discern.

He manages to call Mina and Ochaco because everything in him says it’s the right thing to do. He’s not sure how he pulls that off but he does. They drop what they’re doing and find him at a Starbucks bathroom. He must look awful because they just give him these sympathetic and understanding looks, pretty faces awash with regret and then their nervous scents make it worse -make him full body cry. Right there. At Starbucks. In the bathroom at the back.

Izuku knows what those looks mean. He knows what his body is doing and telling him.

And he just wants the agony to stop.

He’ll never know how Katsuki finds him but his mate damn near destroys the door coming in and when Izuku sees him, he cries harder. And Katsuki doesn’t mean to push Mina and Ochaco out of the way when he goes to his distressed mate, eyes poison as they survey the room before focusing on Izuku.

“What happened?” It’s asked with an eerie calm that carefully holds his rage in check.

Izuku swallows and wipes at his eyes, “Lost the baby, Kacchan. I- I’m so sorry.” He bawls.

Katsuki tells him that it’ll be okay. That they’ll be okay and they’ll make another one. He “guarantees it”, which he says as he wraps Izuku in his jacket and picks him up.

That makes Izuku cry harder. Keels into a ball, a sobbing mess as he wails and shrieks for so long that he falls asleep on the way home.

When Izuku wakes up, it’s to the warmth of a hard chest and hands wound tightly around his waist. He’s been cleaned up and cared for. Is surrounded by the comforting scent of his mate – match tips, incense, and embers. He feels safe. He feels vulnerable.

“You’re still fucking perfect, ya know.”

Izuku’s only mildly startled when he hears that scratchy voice. Mildly.

“We’ll make another and another… fuck, we’ll make as many as you want. And we’ll celebrate that that little guy or doll made it as far as they did. You’re perfect. Always.” Katsuki’s warm lips meet Izuku’s forehead.

“I love you.” Because that’s the first thing that comes to mind. Katsuki’s the perfect one, Izuku’s positive about that.

“Love you too.”

“Well make a baby my next heat.”

“Bet your ass we will.”

And they do. Sadly, the next time ends up like the first. The third time ends up like the second.

Each time just as devastating.

Each failure chips away at Izuku’s strong constitution and makes him feel inadequate. Lesser.

He’s not one to lose hope but he’s only human. So he can’t help overanalyzing and picking himself apart. Can’t stop internalizing the noxious emotions that bubble up whenever he fails to deliver or whenever he goes through heat. He feels utterly broken with every failed conception and every word unspoken between himself and his proud mate.

Katsuki never says a bad thing about their circumstances. Never blames him, never admonishes him. Just says they’ll keep trying until it catches because he knows it will. Knows it.

And since Izuku can’t believe in himself, he believes in his Alpha.

II.

He’s fucking defective. He just knows it.

Now, Katsuki isn’t one to come down on himself. Not usually. But, fuck that shit. How the hell is he supposed to be the alpha of all alphas if he can’t even impregnate his omega? He’s been trying to get Izuku pregnant for a solid year and a half now and that shit just won’t stick. Won’t. Not one of the six little bastards have made it past three months. Which means there’s something he’s not fucking doing right because there’s just no way… Yeah. Katsuki’s sure he’s fucking something up and something’s gotta give.

He’ll be damned if it doesn’t.

And, on top of his diminishing pride, his mate is getting really fucking depressed – doesn’t say shit about it but that salty-sweet floral scent gets more bitter with each baby lost. Those blinding smiles and reflective green eyes are dim. Izuku’s head is every and nowhere – he’s absentminded at the best of times and withdrawn at the worst. Izuku’s not himself and Katsuki’s trying to fix it. Trying.

But how the fuck can he fix his mate when he can’t even fix his goddamn self?

Especially when he’s starting to fuck up too.

Keeps getting angrier and angrier – too aggressive for his own good, especially when it comes to the criminals. It’s even starting to seep into his personal life. On his worst days, he’s snappy and short with Izuku who just panders off and out of his way now instead of coaxing him to calm down like he used to. No, Izuku just retreats to their room and welcomes Katsuki with open arms when he does make it in there to apologize. He’s been apologizing a lot lately. See, Katsuki doesn’t even bite his fucking tongue when he’s talking to his friends; words vicious, scathing, and biting as they slice deep – dig in just enough to pinch and sting. Which is really fucked up because they’ve all been so understanding – they all kind of know what’s going on.

If he’s honest with himself, he doesn’t know what the fuck to do or where to start. Doesn’t know why he can’t bring one brat to full-term life. It’s really fucking with his self-esteem and confidence. So he might be a fucking defective alpha but that shit doesn’t sit well with him.

Not one bit.

Katsuki finds himself at the bar after a really stupid fucking argument with Izuku.

It starts with him asking where his cellphone charger went and why the hell it isn’t in the living room where he left it. Izuku says he doesn’t know but his attitude has been shitty recently so it comes off snippy. Katsuki slams and stomps his way through the house, Izuku calls him a petulant child, he calls Izuku a lifeless zombie – watches the sorrow seep into emerald irises and the remorse cloud that sad face before Izuku walks into his merch room and shuts the door.

It’s a really fucking dumb argument and Katsuki knows he was an asshole. So he’ll be kissing ass to make up for it for days but, right now, he just needs to cool off.

Needs space.

Because it’s more than just the argument that drags him out of the house.

The turmoil roiling inside of him is near bursting and he needs to get that shit under control. Needs to let it out before it erupts and consumes him in the worst possible way. That’s probably why he invites Eijiro, Hanta, and fucking Todoroki to the bar – the latter gets invited because Katsuki needs someone to tell him like it is and that lackluster candy cane has never had a problem doing just that.

“Bakubro, over here!” Eijiro waves him over and the other two alphas are already there.

Katsuki makes his way to the table at the back. The bar is relatively empty, which bodes well for him. He doesn’t want any more of an audience when he spills his guts. He’ll need a few shots before he can get to that point though.

“Hey man, I got you a beer.” Hanta slides it across the table with a curt nod.

Todoroki offers a, “Hey,” as Katsuki takes a seat. Stares with that unreadable heterochromatic gaze, takes a slow sip of his drink before he says, “You look like shit.”

“Hah!” Katsuki snorts and chugs his beer and accepts the shot Hanta pushes his way. Leave it to that icy-hot bastard… “Feel like it too,” because he does. God… he feels fucking worthless. But he’ll need more alcohol before he’s spilling his guts.

Eijiro rests a hand on his shoulder and gives a light squeeze, red eyes more understanding than Katsuki’s sure he deserves after being such a shit friend. “What’s been going on, man? You’ve been really edgy lately and Izuku is… um… Well, you guys have just been a little off.”

“Get me two more shots of tequila and I’ll squeal like a fucking pig.”

Hanta says he’s on it.

Katsuki steels himself. He feels like it’s going to be a long night.

Two hours later and he feels flayed open – his innards strewn and strung out for the world to bare witness to. It’s probably the most vulnerable he’s been with anyone that isn’t Izuku but he’s at a loss.

He tells them everything. Every fucking insecurity and worry. Every fucked up thought that’s crossed his mind and every sordid detail of how those thoughts have been gnawing away at him from the inside out.

Talks about being a failure of an alpha because he can’t do the thing his mate wants the most and that’s giving them a family. And, on top of that shit, he can’t even fucking comfort his mate through every failed attempt. Not anymore, anyway.

Opening that can of worms just brings him closer to the shit that nips at his mind and drives him to insomnia.

So, since he’s on a fucking roll, he tells them that shit too. Tells them the things that he hasn’t been able to say to himself, not even in the safe confines of his own mind. Lets them know that he doesn’t blame Izuku but- but. But what if it’s not him. What if he’s not the defective one and Izuku- That thought makes him wretch – makes bile rise in his throat and pinpricks the eyes. Fuck. Fuck! How can he- and he doesn’t- but. But. But he has to be honest and that thought is tangled amongst all the others.

Surprisingly, or not so much, he’s not demonized. There’s no judgment when he breaks down – chokes back a gritty sob and hides it in the rim of a glass. They let him move through the motions – the anger, the wallowing, the self-deprecation, the hollowing sorrow, the hope that shines through, and the guilt that consumes. In their own ways, they help – Hanta orders food and water to sober them up, Eijiro’s a comforting presence with his arm just barely touching Katsuki’s (but it’s more than enough), and Todoroki listens intently, his face emotive for once as he stares with understanding.

When Katsuki gets back to himself- when he’s calm and breathing at a steady, even rate, he looks up. Stops hiding behind his glass and prepares to be hit with the truth.

But these guys… they’re full of fucking surprises.

Eijiro offers a smile, tone placating, “Bro… that’s some heavy stuff you’re carrying on your shoulders. I- We knew you guys were trying but we didn’t know about all of that so- You’re one helluva of man to be able to still function like you are with all of that going on. I mean, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to deal with it like you.”

“Yeah, dude. You’re strong as fuck. Trying to work through all of that by yourself. I feel for you, man. I do.”

“But, you know what you’re not doing? You and Izuku. You aren’t working through this together, which, is baffling when you consider how you two efficiently work through everything else together.” Todoroki takes a sip from the same drink he’s been nursing all night and he easily ignores the scowl pointed his way. “Glare all you want but, you’d probably feel like less of a fuck up if you had an open conversation with the one person who probably understands your thoughts better than you do. Izuku is-” Todoroki pauses and looks thoughtfully into his cup, mouth quirking into the smallest smile. It pisses Katsuki off because the bastard always gets this look on his face when it comes to his mate but-

But Todoroki has never been anything but respectful and honest so- “Izuku is a good mate. He’s a good person in general. And, most likely, he’s just as torn up about this as you – maybe more so given the fact that he’s the one that physically keeps enduring failed pregnancy after failed pregnancy. He’s the one that, despite the way it torments his body and his emotional constitution, he keeps trying because he wants the same things that you want.”

Yeah…

Fuck.

Izuku is definitely something special and- and Katsuki’s been a really shitty fucking alpha. He can admit to that.

Somewhere between trying to reassure Izuku and trying to bolster his own self-worth, he kind of stopped trying and there’s been this chasm forming ever since. That’s his own fucking fault because Izuku- his mate has been hurting for a long time now and he’s been so oblivious that it’s excruciating to think back on now.

Eijiro slings an arm over Katsuki’s shoulders. “Yeah, bro. Sho is right, the key to any good relationship is communication. I know you guys are True Mates and all that jazz but, you still have to remember that you’ve only been together for about four years. You’re still fine-tuning all of the things that destiny or fate or whatever didn’t hand to you on a platinum platter.” He snags a nacho and chews it loudly in Katsuki’s ear, gets a half-hearted elbow to the ribs and a withering glare for his efforts. “What I’m saying is, you can’t expect your relationship and things in it to just go perfectly because you guys are perfect for each other. So, any time shit gets rough, Izuku is probably the first person you should turn to.”

“I say you man up, go home, hash it out, and start off fresh. Tell him what’s eating at you. Make him feel safe and remind him that, no matter what, you’ll always love him. I know Kami needs a lot of words of affection and affirmation when he’s feeling down.” Hanta drains his glass of water before sliding a cup over to Katsuki.

“If I remember correctly, Izuku’s similar – gets really flustered when he’s complimented but it’s about 100 times worse when he feels like he’s screwed up or he’s screwing up. His mind is always either working for him or against him and when it works against him, it takes him somewhere far off. You’re the only person that I’ve met, thus far, who’s able to pull him back down to earth.” At that, Todoroki finishes his drink and, if he sounds bitter, Katsuki lets it slide.

Right now, he feels a little weightless, mildly sober, and beyond grateful. It’s not too often that he owes anyone a goddamn thing, let alone, gratitude, however, “I- uh… Thanks. I gotta get home and make this shit right.”

“Fucking boss.” Hanta’s grinning.

Eijiro looks close to tears but elated all the same, “Very manly.”

“Just remember me when you name your first child.” Todoroki smirks -actually fucking smirks.

That pulls a laugh out of Katsuki. “Fuck that, I’m not naming my brat after any of you fucks.” Except that, he might actually because these guys are the fucking best and he’s lucky to have them just as much as he’s lucky to have Izuku.

The universe loves him.

How the fuck could he have forgotten that?

“Get going, bro. We’ve got the tab.”

Katsuki doesn’t need to be told twice.

It’s damn near 2AM when he gets home and the house is dark.

Izuku’s scent is everywhere and it’s comforting. Makes him feel at ease.

He makes his way upstairs and into their bedroom, spots the lump at the far edge of the bed and smiles softly to himself as he sheds his clothes.

He’s gonna make this shit right.

Before he can even climb into bed, Izuku rolls over, eyes puffy and red, bottom lip swollen from being chewed on – seeing Izuku like that makes Katsuki’s feel like shit. Like the lowest of the low because that -that look is on him. No matter the reason.

“Baby-” He snaps his mouth shut when Izuku sits up, legs pulling to his chest as he stares.

“I know.” The words are soft and knowing. Determined. “I- I know it’s hard on you. I- I know you’re struggling with this too, right? The fact that we keep trying and we can’t- but I don’t want to give up! I love you and I want to start a family and I’ve thought about not wanting that- about how much easier it would be on me mentally, physically, and emotionally if I just said ‘fuck it’ but I can’t. That just- It felt all wrong when I thought it, ya know.” He looks away, gaze studying his knees.

Katsuki climbs onto the bed and grabs for Izuku’s hand. Is surprised for some reason that he’s allowed to hold it but he shouldn’t be. Same as he isn’t surprised that Izuku’s the one who starts this conversation – fucking mind reader that he is.

“We’re so close, Katsuki. So, so close. I can feel it. So, I’m sorry.” Izuku’s smile is melancholic at best.

Breaks Katsuki’s fucking heart, “You damn sure don’t have to-”

“Let me finish.” Izuku waits a beat before he goes on. “I’m sorry that I keep locking everything inside but my thoughts have been pretty scary lately, Kacchan. I- um… I feel like shit, to put it bluntly. I feel like there’s something wrong with me because I can’t give you a child and each loss hurts just as much, if not more than, the last one. It’s physically painful and then I get all caught up in my own head… I have been struggling at work and I’ve been researching and doing everything that I can to make sense of this when all I really should’ve been doing is talking to you.”

The irony of that statement doesn’t go fucking unnoticed. Still, Katsuki manages to coax Izuku into his lap and he even manages to kiss at both swollen eyes and bruised lips.

Izuku’s arms find their way around Katsuki’s neck, fingers tracing his claim mark as he breathes in. Breathes out, “So, I’m sorry that I’ve been going through this alone when you’ve been hurting too and I’m sorry I wasn’t receptive to all your efforts. I’m sorry you’ve been hurting too because this is a loss for us both. I’m sorry we’re stupid because we should’ve been talking all along but we’re a work in progress so we get a bit of a pass. I’m sorry I might be inadequate but I’m not going to give up so you can’t either. And I’m sorry I’m stubborn but I hope you’ll bear with me.”

Katsuki captures those lips in a slow, demanding kiss before he murmurs against them, “I’m the one that should be fucking sorry. I’m your alpha and I haven’t been protecting you where it counts the most. Right here,” he taps the space between Izuku’s chest, directly over his heart. “I’m sorry I got caught up in my own fucking emotions and stopped trying to up you when you fell down. I’m sorry we’re fucking dense because the make up sex could’ve happened ages ago.” That gets a laugh out of Izuku. “I’m sorry I’ve been an ass because I’m a little fucking emotionally inept but I’m working on it. I ain’t fucking apologizing for not wanting to give up because you’re just as stubborn as me. So I’m gonna fucking breed you. There’s probably a lot of other shit that I should be sorry for and I am sorry so we’ll leave it at that because I just want to love you. Make you feel safe again and comfortable because, I don’t give a fuck what you think, to me, you’re perfect.”

Like clockwork, Izuku burst into tears and it makes Katsuki laugh because Izuku’s such a fucking cry baby. It’s as endearing as it is annoyingly cute. All the same, he pulls him close and tucks the mop of curly hair beneath his chin.

There’s a mumbled, “love you so much.”

It makes Katsuki smile like a dope -fucking pity Izuku can’t see it. “Love you more. Now, so we’re on the same page, your next heat, I’m knocking you the fuck up. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it.”

Izuku nods, hair tickling Katsuki’s chin. “We’re definitely getting pregnant next time.” He smothers a yawn in Katsuki’s chest.

It doesn’t go unnoticed. Katsuki falls backwards, holds Izuku close and rubs his hands up and down a shirt clad back. “I like the sound of that. Go a head and go to sleep, baby. I’ve got you.”

“I know.” Because he does.

III.

He stares at the little white stick on the bathroom sink and thinks, holy shit, it stuck.

ItstuckItstuckItstuckItSTUCK … repeats the words over and over again in various pitches in the confines of his mind because-

“I’m pregnant!” He whispers in awe and elation and then he’s sobbing – it’s a gut wrenching and blood curdling wail with big, ugly crocodile tears streaming down his face as he damn near hyperventilates because he’s so overwhelmed. Is consumed by so, so many emotions that surge through his veins and settle tightly in his chest.

They’ve been trying for two years. Two staggeringly painful and stutteringly slow years.

Trying to breed and begin a family. Cement their soul bond.

And it’s been so hard.

Six miscarriages. Six devastating and soul-crushing conceptions that never panned out – each one breaking his heart and breaking him down more than the last.

It took such a toll on him mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually…

People think it takes a lot of strength to be a hero – to go out there and selflessly risk it all for strangers, good or bad. Being a hero is nothing compared to just being yourself, Izuku knows this for a fact. It takes so much strength to just be a person -to be comfortable in your own flesh and blood without remorse or regret. To deal with all of the personal matters that no costume or villain chase can help you hide from. Being a person can pull you apart at the seams and humanize you. Humble you. Can break you down to nothing and rebuild you from the debris left behind. Izuku’s had to battle with feeling broken and useless before but nothing quite compares to the feeling of wanting a family so badly that you physically ache only to not be able to accomplish that goal.

There’s an entirely different level of insignificance that nestles into the soul with that.

So, they were trying, harder than they’ve ever tried for anything, and they were failing but now-

Wet green eyes stare at the little white stick on the bathroom sink as hands carefully cradle his pudgy stomach. He purposely waited four months before testing again. Four. His heats have always been irregular so missing some months is nothing new but-

But he’s going to be a mother.

Katsuki’s going to be a father.

They’re going to have a family.

And he can’t wait to break the news to his alpha.

Izuku’s sitting in the living room with the tv watching him when Katsuki comes bustling through the front door with groceries.

Heavy snow boots clunking at the entrance and keys jangling as the door slams shut. Startles Izuku only for a moment before he turns to stare, welcomes the cold press of lips to his cheek and a gruff, “Hey, baby,” muttered into his hair before the alpha heads to the kitchen to put away the food before starting dinner.

Izuku smiles and ambles off of the couch, nerves vibrating as he sits on a stool at the island to watch Katsuki work. All day he’s been trying to figure out how to break the news – how to tell his mate that they’re definitely going to have a family. That they’ve finally broke the three month curse. He toys with a bunch of different words and sentences and expressions because he wants it to come out right. Just right. And he doesn’t know (all while knowing) how Katsuki will take the news. So Izuku thinks about that too -thinks about Katsuki’s possible reactions and all of the ways that they can celebrate thereafter and-

“The hell are you muttering about over there?” There’s a fondness twisted around those words and lodged in pitiless cinnabar irises as Katsuki turns around, refrigerator shutting quietly behind him.

After thinking and overthinking about how to tell Katsuki that they’re having a baby, it all just melts away when he sees the tiny smirk adorning that handsome face. So Izuku just spits it right out- “We’re pregnant!”

Because they are and he knows that Katsuki has known from the beginning but this is different. This time is so very different than any other time before and for so many reasons.

A myriad of emotions shift across Katsuki’s face: confusion, surprise, awe, and finally, elation. He rounds the island in record time, spins Izuku on the stool before picking him up and plopping him down on the countertop. “You’re not shittin’ me? This is real fucking deal, right? Right.”

Izuku laughs when his shirt is tugged up, red eyes scrutinizing his pudgy belly as cool fingers rake down his sides. “It’s the ‘ real fucking deal’. We made it to four months, Kacchan. I took the test this morning.”

Katsuki sits on the stool between parted pale thighs, presses tender lips just above Izuku’s naval piercing. “Gonna have to take this shit out.” He tugs the piercing lightly with his teeth and looks up, meets a loving forest green gaze. “Knew we’d get it. I knew this one would stick ‘cause of how fucking big you were getting and all of those cravings. Plus, you’ve been all needy and shit.”

Izuku blushes a gorgeous scarlet because, yeah. He’s been having a lot of odd cravings. Katsudon with balsamic vinegar drizzle. Sweetened stir-fries with udon and veggies. Pickled everything. Various food cravings that spring up with no rhyme or reason throughout the night where he’s waking Katsuki up to cook or run out to the 24-hour convenience store for whatever random thing his body tells him he needs- absolutely and irrevocably needs.

But it’s not just food cravings, nope.

He’s insatiable when it comes to Katsuki too.

Loves being buried in his alpha’s scent – litters their bed with Katsuki’s dirty laundry and burrows into it whenever the man isn’t physically present. Which is a lot recently because Katsuki has the morning/afternoon patrols for this special case they’re working and Izuku has the night shift to keep the balance so they only get a few hours awake together – it’s torture. Anyway, he can’t get enough of the man. Loves every touch and caress. Loves cuddling, kissing, and just being close… Loves it more when he’s held down and taken or when he’s riding or when his lips are wrapped around his alpha’s twitching cock and-

A throaty laugh brings Izuku back down to earth. “You’re thinking naughty shit, huh?”

Izuku’s face heats up as he glances away, “No. I-”

“Your dick is poking me in the sternum.” Katsuki deadpans before standing and picking Izuku up with a grunt.

Izuku laughs, “I’m sorry. We’re supposed to be talking. Talking! This is major and-”

“And so is my cock right now because you’re fucking beautiful and we’re having a baby. So, right after I fuck you, we’ll talk alls you want.”

Well… there’s no arguing with that kind of logic. So Izuku doesn’t.

“I’m disappointed that the two of you waited so long before coming to see me. Then again, you were both troublemakers during your days here so I suppose it’s to be expected.” Recovery Girl’s smile is nurturing as she rubs gel onto Izuku’s stomach for an ultrasound.

Iida gives them the idea to go to her and Izuku can’t believe the thought never crossed his mind before. Definitely would’ve saved them a lot of grief. More so when he considers everything she tells them after hearing their story and running a few labs. Like how his body needed time to regulate once he stopped taking birth control – needs more time than the average omega due to him housing One-for-All and the way in which the quirk is still resonating with him. And all of that makes so much sense but, hindsight is 20/20 so-

“So, this whole fucking time, we just needed to what? Wait it out?” Katsuki’s face is as unreadable as his tone but the hand holding Izuku’s is exceptionally hot and there’s the distinct smell of freshly scorched wood.

“Yes. Izuku should be of sound fertile health about now. Just take a look at the monitor.”

“Are there-”

“Three brats?”

Recovery Girl nods, “Yes.” Her smile’s infectious, “One set of twins – identical boys from the looks of it. And then another little bundle of joy resting in there – a precious baby girl. Three babies, all relatively healthy but we can listen to their heartbeats if you’d like.”

Izuku doesn’t particularly hear anything after she confirms that he is indeed pregnant. With Triplets. They’re going to have not one, not two, but three babies. Three. Healthy. Babies. That thought ricochets within the confines of his mind and then, it nestles snuggly -all heat and comfort- in his heart and then he’s bursting into tears. Tears that are, obviously as infectious as Recovery Girl’s smiles because, when he turns to look at his mate, Katsuki is gripping his hand with tears streaming down his face and the biggest, dopiest grin. He’s so gorgeous and- and Izuku made three babies with the man. With his alpha.

“Holy shit… Holy fucking shit! I’m going to be a fucking dad! Times three!” Wild and ecstatic red eyes turn to Izuku before Katsuki moves in, mouth hungry and burning as he steals the air right from those strong lungs. When he leans back, he’s all teeth, “Two boys and a fucking girl! We’re going to be parents! We’re going to be the best fucking parents, sweetheart.” He says the words like a promise, like a reaffirmation of something that’s just meant to be.

Izuku wipes at his eyes before using his free hand to caress Katsuki’s strong jaw. “Does that mean you’ll finally make an honest man out of me?”

Katsuki laughs, the sound soul soothing. “Could’ve done that shit years ago and you know it. But whenever you want. Before or after the little bastards get here. However the hell you want it.” And he means that.

Izuku knows. He has the best alpha – has a man who gives him all of himself so openly and so freely that it’s as overwhelming as it is comforting. Katsuki is- he’s passion and compassion, strength and resilience, rage and rescue, a depth defying love paired with carnal desire… he’s absolutely incredible. Katsuki is everything that Izuku can ask for and then so, so much more.

If someone had told him when he was a child that he’d find happiness in the form of a life with one person, he would have called bullshit. He might be a hopeless romantic but- but that’s always been for everyone and everything outside of himself. Yet, he’s been given the world- no, the cosmos in a platinum chalice and that world just so happens to contain one Katsuki Bakugou. For that, he’d happily redo all of his hardships one-hundred times over so long as it means he’ll keep coming back to this man and all of their shared moments.

That’s probably why he says, “I just want all of you. Always.” Because he wants to be with Katsuki until the end of days.

“You’ve had all of me since the second I scented you. Until our bones turn to fucking dust and long after that shit gets scattered, I’m yours.”

Izuku’s eyes sting but he bites back the urge to cry -he’s been crying an awful lot lately and he’ll blame the hormones but- “If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were proposing.” It’s said in jest, but the look on that strong face.

Katsuki fishes around in his pocket for a moment before he pulls out a ring. It’s white gold with diamonds embedded around the band and their names etched in a loop on the inside. “I’ve been carrying this thing around forever, honestly. Never seemed like the right fucking moment but, shit, why the hell not.” He pulls Izuku’s trembling hand to his mouth, kisses each finger before slipping the ring on Izuku’s ring finger. “I know this shit is just material -one of those stupid fucking formalities because we already belong to each other in all of the ways that really fucking count but, I’d be honor if you took my last name. I’m already honored because I met you and you’ve done nothing but add to my life ever since but, like you said, I want all of you. Always. So, let’s make that shit happen. All the way.”

“Yes!” The kiss is sweet and savory. It’s earth shattering and reality bending.

It’s promises of forever.

Recovery girl quietly exits the room and gives them their privacy. They’ve certainly earned it.

They tell their parents first on a three way call – they tell them about the engagement and the triplets.

Inko cries and blubbers and it’s cute – a very Midoriya thing to do when it comes to receiving any news. Mitsuki screams with glee and goes on and on about how her kids are “fucking rockstars” because they got three in one go and- fuck if that isn’t a feat. Masuru congratulates them and plans for a family dinner in the very near future. There are promises and more plans for celebrations and talks of baby showers and a slew of upcoming firsts “with the grandkids” that overwhelms Katsuki but not Izuku who eats it up so the call ends with more tears and declarations of love and a future to look forward to.

Next are the mentors – All Might, Aizawa, Endeavor, Fat Gum…

Endeavor puts Izuku on immediate leave for his efforts, which Izuku resents but, better safe than sorry. Fat Gum offers Katsuki the same option once the babies are born and he accepts without hesitation. All Might promises to come visit when he gets back to Japan and he says he’ll come bearing gifts like the doting father figure that he’s always been. Aizawa gives them a curt congratulation and promises to show up for the shower and wedding at the very least.

As for the big reveal with their friends (aka extended family and pseudo-pack)…

Well, they manage to arrange a rare opportunity where everyone can meet up – takes about a month and a half of carefully coordinated scheduling and cashing in on favors owed but, everyone gets one Sunday off and they all happily gather at Izuku and Katsuki’s house under the pretenses of a BBQ. Katsuki’s the one to greet everyone and he ignores questions about where Izuku is and he manages to hold out all the way until everyone is present. And then Izuku makes the big reveal – comes hobbling out of their bedroom, pleasantly plump around the belly and a gorgeous six months pregnant.

There’s complete silence as he stands there, pink blush dusting gorgeously freckled cheeks as he chews his bottom lip.

Katsuki comes to his side, eyes the crowd and offers a snappy, “We’re getting fucking married too, just incase you morons didn’t catch the ring on his finger.” He holds up Izuku’s hand, devilish quirk to his lips.

The room erupts. There’re tears and shouts and hugs and kisses. Plans are tossed around about showers – baby showers and wedding showers and bachelor parties and- and Izuku thinks it’s all really beautiful as he weeps, his hands massaging his bulging stomach and smile stretching his face. He feels unbelievably and incomprehensibly elated – feels like he’s floating and he doesn’t mind that one bit. Doesn’t mind being crowded and nuzzled and petted and complimented. He certainly adores the way Katsuki is pretending not to blush and boast by being gruff and rough around the edges.

It’s really heartwarming.

It’s perfect.

Epilogue.

“Water broke!”

“Already? We got a fucking month and a half to go!”

“Nu-uh, always- always premies. Remember. Send the text!”

“Fuck. Okay. Alright. Contractions?”

“Six minutes apart!”

“God-fucking-damn it! When the hell were you gonna tell me?”

“At… two minutes?”

“The fuck! You’re so fucking lucky right now… Where the hell did you put your overnight-”

“I have it. Let’s- Let’s go. Contractions-”

“Coming!”

Katsuki stares at the little girl in his arms with curly deep green locks and all-seeing fire-red eyes -feels his heart constrict and expand. If he thought he was gone for Izuku… “Hey Misaki, you were a long fucking time coming – you and your brothers.”

Izuku’s half asleep and exhausted. Absolutely exhausted. He’s been in pain before but nothing- not a goddamn thing in the world can ever compare to labor pains and labor. And he knows because he’s been all kinds of banged up – quirk injuries, buildings toppling on him, being thrown and hurled and- and he’s felt it all. Labor… is a different beast.

But it’s so worth it.

He’s holding tightly to two baby boys with flaxen hair and startling emerald corneas – one’s asleep and the other is wide-eyed, looks content in his swaddle as he’s held close to Izuku’s chest. “Shinonome doesn’t look like he’s going to sleep, Kacchan. And Setsuna looks like he could sleep forever. I’m so tired… I dunno how he’s up right now.”

Katsuki walks over to the bed and sits near Izuku’s hip. “Yeah, at least they’re not screaming their little asses off. Might give us hell in the future, though.”

Izuku snorts with all of the energy that he has left in him, “Wouldn’t put it past them. As your mom tells it, you were a hellion.”

“Hah! Like you were an angel. I heard all about your ‘mine’ phase.”

“To be fair, my mom was and is mine.” Izuku yawns and pushes his head into the pillow. He feels like he can pass at any minute now.

Without a word, Katsuki takes Akio and lays him down in his bassinette before hefting Shinonome from Izuku’s arms. He ignores the startled yelp and leans forward to kiss a damp forehead, “Get some rest, I’ve got it from here.”

Izuku frowns. Bites his bottom lip to smother another yawn. “But-”

“But nothing. Our folks will be here in an hour so I’ll wake you up then.”

“Fine. Just one hour.” He doesn’t wait for an answer before he’s nodding off.

But Katsuki doesn’t wake him up in an hour – doesn’t so much as jostle his mate when their parents show up with flowers and balloons and baby clothes. Izuku sleeps through their cooing and fawning over the triplets – all of the comparisons and the unprompted baby lessons that Katsuki is forced to endure. Sleeps through fond smiles and light kisses to his temple from their mothers.

Definitely doesn’t budge when All Might and Aizawa come to visit with more presents than Katsuki’s prepared for but he accepts them and lets the men coddle his children – gets to see his favorite Hero cry and his mentor make an expression that’s borderline awed.

Pity Izuku misses it.

And then there’re the surprise visits, calls, and texts from their pseudo-pack. Getting bombarded by Kaminari, Hanta, Eijiro, and Mina who fuss and prod and annoy the fuck out of Katsuki but not really. Or Iida, Ochaco, Jiro, and Momo showing up with their little families to welcome the newest members to the pack. Aoyama brings blankets and bottles and- and fucking cheese because he’s him. Sato brings cake. Shoji brings a stuffed animal for each twin. Tokoyami and Asui tell Katsuki they’re expecting when they show up – they want to tell Izuku but he’s dead to the world. Hagakure brings her little girl and sends love from Ojiro.

Todoroki shows up last, large bouquet and giant teddy bear in arms as he makes his way into the room. He hands the items over to Katsuki, soft smile playing at his lips when he glances at a sleeping Izuku. “You didn’t name any of them after me.” He dares to sound affronted.

Katsuki scoffs, “A cold day in hell.”

Without missing a beat, Todoroki says, “I could make that happen.”

“Hah! Just go have a brat of your own, bastard.” Katsuki begrudgingly hands Misaki over when the icyhot bastard holds out his arms. He’s completely taken aback when Todoroki smiles and nuzzles Misaki’s tiny face – startled by how genuinely happy the usually stoic man looks. Fucking off putting. “When the hell do you plan on settling down?” He’s not sure what makes him ask but, well, fuck it. He does it anyway.

Todoroki glances at him and then stares back down at Misaki, “Thought about it a lot a few years ago.” He focuses on tiny fingers wrapping around his index finger before he meets that intense red glare head on. “Truth is, you’re lucky I’m a coward where it counts least or, maybe, I’m just unlucky… whatever the case, I envy you. Admire you too because you’ve always been so brazen and so… fortunate is the word I’m searching for.”

“The universe fucking loves me.”

Todoroki snorts at that, “Probably. Doesn’t change the fact that I’ve thought about what my life would have been like if I’d taken a chance and properly pursued Izuku. If I were in shoes instead of my own. Izuku’s truly something special… he’s the reason I’m able to wield both of my quirks and he’s- well, you know better than any of us. And, as a friend to you both, I’m very happy for you. Always. It just doesn’t take away from wondering what could have been. My point is, I feel like I let the chance to start a family pass me by. On the other hand, Izuku was always meant for you and you for him so maybe I’m just hung up and I’m still working on moving on.”

Katsuki doesn’t know what to say to any of that shit.

He’s always suspected that the half-and-half bastard had a thing for Izuku but this is the first time it’s being confirmed. Even Izuku was in fucking denial about the whole thing (always dismissing Katsuki’s theory by saying all kinds of bullshit, like, “Shouto’s just an amazing friend, Kacchan”, “ how could you think that? Where is this even coming from?”, or even “even if he did, I’m yours forever so…”) so it sucks that he’s sleeping through this shit.

Still… he should probably be really fucking pissed off. But that’s a hard emotion to pull forward when the fucking idiot is over there bearing his soul -telling Katsuki that he’s jealous and happy for them. Yeah. Can’t come down on an alpha who’s being all fucking vulnerable in the oddest way. Really can’t fuck over the guy who’s always been in his corner, even when he’s been the biggest asshole, so- “I’m sure you’ll find someone -not as good as Izuku but someone half-decent. Fuck man… I mean, you’re the number two hero. Probably have a shit ton of fuckers out their just begging for your knot.”

That drags a laugh from the man, “Crude as you are, I do appreciate your encouragements.” With a quick kiss to a chubby cheek, Todoroki lays a sleeping Misaki in her bassinette. “You’re truly a lucky man, Katsuki. Congratulations on building such a beautiful family.”

Without much thought, Katsuki accepts the hug Todoroki offers. It’s not awkward but it doesn’t feel right either. What the fuck ever. Stranger things have happened.

“Give Izuku my regards and the bouquet, that’s for him.”

“Motherfucker-”

Todoroki’s chuckling is heard even after the door closes behind him.

With the triplets asleep and visiting hours over, Katsuki slots into bed right beside Izuku, arms winding around his mate and face burying in thick green curls. Todoroki’s right, he is lucky and he does have a beautiful family. “So fucking perfect,” He mutters before he lets sleep claim him.

Epilogue I.

Despite plans for a grandiose and elaborate wedding, courtesy of everyone’s plans sans their own, they get married in a small, private ceremony.

Izuku feels terrible about it. Just terrible, because so many people put so much effort into planning something that might’ve been really gorgeous. But the timing… time just keeps escaping him. Between being a hero, a mother, a friend, and a mate, things keep getting pushed back. Before he can even get a handle on anything, life throws him for a loop-de-loop -has him playing hero roulette with Katsuki and Shouto where they shuffle between the top three hero slots, the triplets turn three in the blink of an eye (they’re so busy and smart and just everything wonderful in life), they have another baby boy a year after the triplets are born (Akio, who’s the spitting image of Katsuki but has Izuku’s tame personality and he’s so precious), and Izuku somehow still manages to find time for all of the people most important in his life. Still finds snatches of time for him and Katsuki where they’re disgustingly affectionate or clawing at one another like touch-starved, ravenous animals…

Life is busy.

Too hectic for a grand wedding but not too much for a nice and quick little ceremony.

So the moment is sweet.

It’s Katsuki getting All Might to officiate in their backyard with their parents and Aizawa as witnesses while the children happily run amok. It’s the sunset painting the sky in streaks of honey-reds, plum-purples, and golden-oranges, illuminating searing blood-tinted corneas stare at Izuku like he’s the personification of all of the best things in life and that look – that look is breathtaking. Liquifies Izuku from the outside in. Fries and frazzles the neurons as they misfire and make him a blubbering wreck.

It’s Katsuki standing there in his pristine black suit with his hair parted and combed back, hands shaking as he darts his eyes towards his written vowels. Swallows thickly before he reads, “You once said to me that something in the universe believes that we’ll be perfect for each other just because of our scents -told me the shit was bizarre. And I fucking agreed with you. But the universe, the gods, the cosmos… whoever the hell is behind the curtains and pulling our strings has been right on the money because you are abso-fucking-lutely perfect for me in every way possible. You’re my air when I can’t breathe, my eyes when I can’t see, my ears when I need to hear, the strength I need to keep pushing forward, and more love than I fucking deserve sometimes but, ultimately, you’re my everything. You and our brats.”

Izuku sniffles and grabs Katsuki’s hand, squeezes and whispers, “ Kacchan…”

Katsuki blinks careful, gaze boring into Izuku and conveying all of his unbidden emotions. “Someone close to us both told me a while ago that I was a lucky man because I built such a beautiful family and, well, if he were here, I’d tell him, damn right I am. I’m beyond fucking lucky for all of this – for the brats that drive me up the wall with all of their energy and for you who came in to my life and took over every part of me. We’ve been through so much together and we -not me but we have built something so fucking incredible together.” He moves close, cups Izuku’s cheek and flashes a watery smile,

Izuku’s not even trying to hide the tears at this point. His lip is quivering and- yeah. He’s a total wreck.

“So thank you. Thank you for putting up with me for all of these years and thank you for giving me your all and loving me. Thank you for our family and making an honest man out of me and keeping my head on right when I could barely hold it up. I love you, baby. Love you to a really fucking terrifying degree because I can’t see me existing without you right here beside me. That shits unhealthy but I’m pretty sure it’s what we signed up for and I wouldn’t change a damn thing.”

Izuku’s not the only one bawling like one of the toddlers making mischief in the background, completely bewildered by all of the sappy adults. Their mothers are holding each other and they’re not even trying to hide the fact that they’re wailing. All Might’s dark eyes look misty and Aizawa looks like he needs eyes drops with how red his eyes are from resisting the urge to shed a tear.

But Izuku doesn’t see any of that. His vision is filled with Katsuki. With the man- the alpha who laid claim to his heart and soul all over those years ago. He takes a shuddering breath, “I’m, sadly, not as romantic as you when it comes to these things, which is really surprising because no one ever believes me when I tell them what a sap you are and how you’re constantly wooing me with your words but, I’ll do my best.”

He gets a low chuckle and soft smile for his efforts.

“I uh… I’ve spent a lot of mulling over how unreal this life is all because you came into it and, sometimes, it’s really baffling to think because I start to think about how you were made for me. For me, Katsuki. And I was made just for you too but- out of the billions of people on this planet and all of the pairs and all of the places that we could’ve been, we were at the right place at exactly the right time to find each other. You know, they say it’s rare to find your destined one- your True Mate . 1 in 320,000,000 chance, according to research.”

Katsuki openly laughs and tugs Izuku close, shakes his head ruefully- “Of course you’d research that shit.”

“Of course. Now stop interrupting.” Izuku runs a hand through his carefully combed curls. “Hmm… I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about me and you, and us, and then, later, our family because I do a lot of thinking but you’ve always been the one thing I could never wrap my mind around. The one person who can turn me topsy-turvy and the world still feels oh-so right. Like I said, I’m not as eloquent as you when it comes to these things but I do know one thing- I will love you until the day I breathe my last breath. Will love you in this lifetime and everyone that comes hereafter because you are so ingrained in my being that there will never be a version of me that exists without you, Katsuki. I can’t wait to see where this life takes us.” Izuku feels terribly undressed under the down right filthy look his soon-to-be husband is shooting at him.

A promise of what’s to come later.

All Might clears his throat and joins their hands. “That was, really something, my boys. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we couldn’t be more proud to bare witness to this moment. With that said, Katsuki, the ring.”

Katsuki fishes the ring from his pocket and places it on Izuku’s finger in the same manner he did the first time – a kiss to each scarred knuckle before he slides it onto a trembling ring finger.

“With the power vested in me, I pronounce you Mr. and Mr. Bakugou. You can now seal this union with a kiss.”

They don’t waste any time meeting in the middle, lips clashing like waves onto the sand as they fall into each other. Izuku moans into Katsuki’s mouth, feels like he’s being scorched from the inside out as a wicked tongue expertly traces the contours of his mouth. Tickles at gums and outlines teeth. There’s a growl and bruising nip to plump pink lips. Regretfully, they pull apart, aware of the audience that they have.

“Mom!” Misaki and Shinonome crash into Izuku’s leg, little hands covered in dirt and staining white pant legs.

“Mom, Shin and Saki played in the garden!” Setsuna ambles over with Akio gripping the back of his shirt.

Izuku finds himself laughing as he picks up the two little dirt balls, white suit forgotten. “Well, I suppose it’s bath time.”

“Hah! You’re talking about bath time and we just got fucking married? Did you forget the arrangement?”

“Izuku, honey, give us the babies and you two go get ready for your honeymoon.”

“Yeah, fork over my favorite brats and get your asses out of here.”

Between a withering glare and their mothers’ egging him on, he relents. It’s only when they’re up in their room and he gets pushed up against the door with lips hot on his pulse that everything sinks in. Izuku’s married. He’s married and his name is officially Izuku Bakugou.

Izuku Bakugou. Just the thought of the name has him hard and aching.

“I hope you’re prepared. Not letting you outta my fucking sight for the next three days.” Katsuki’s breath fans across Izuku’s neck, brushes pink tinted ears. “You’re ass is so wrecked.” If his hips jut forward teasingly… well, it’s just a sample – a reminder of what Izuku does to him. Makes him fucking delirious sometimes with how much he wants to join them in the most intimate way.

Izuku shivers and feels slick beginning to gather with the anticipation of what’s to come. “Hope that’s a promise.”

Katsuki sucks at the claim mark engraved on ivory flesh. “It’s a fucking fact.”

Izuku whimpers and resist the urge to march over to the bed and just offer himself for the taking then and there. Takes everything in him. “Can’t wait.”

Sure enough, everyone is kind of bummed about not being apart of the wedding but they go all out for the reception, which is held a week later.

There’re horrible, hilarious, and downright endearing speeches. There are memories shared, tears shed, and laughs had. There’re chants to kiss and then there’s follow through. There’s drinking and dancing and debauchery tied up in there somewhere because the music makes the blood boil in the best of ways. Everyone’s happy. There are a gaggle of children who rip and roar and give the alcohol induced parents a run for their money. There’s a thriving energy and so much love packed into the rented hall – gets everyone drunk off of endorphins and elevated dopamine.

Everyone that feels like home is right there with them – their pack. From the children to the adults and everyone in between.

Izuku gets passed around the room – dances with damn near everyone until he ends up wrapped in the one pair of arms that he’ll never tire of.

Katsuki grins, kisses at his lips sloppily (tastes like embers and whiskey) before pressing their foreheads together and swaying to the beat. “Not sure if I fucking said it earlier but, I love you. Gonna make you so fucking happy for the rest of your life.”

Izuku laughs and threads his fingers into blond hair, “I love you too and you already make me happy.” Katsuki, the children, their overflowing extended family… all of it makes him unbearably happy.

“Yeah, well… better never fucking forget it.”

“Not in this life time or the next.” Because the universe loves them.

Izuku’s certain of that.

THE END...