#izukatsu

"Have you ever liked a guy Kacchan?"

If only he knew.

A beat passed before Katsuki's laughter ensued, because if only Izuku knew about the guy he liked, he wouldn't want to sit in the same bar as him perhaps ever again.

But Midoriya was unshaken by his reaction, still peering at him with his forest-green eyes, curiosity clearly reflected in them.

"Yeah," Katsuki's laugh faded as he stared at his glass. "In highschool once. He was someone I couldn't help caring for even before I'd realised it."

"Wow, I'm envious of that person," Izuku mused, "To be loved by the hard-to-please Kacchan of the Bakugos."

"I may be drunk but I can sweat it just fine Izuku"

It was now Izuku's turn to laugh.

"Do you still like him? The guy I mean..."

"Nah, I got over him a long time ago."

It was almost insulting for Katsuki to assume that his closest childhood friend couldn't tell when he was lying. Izuku thought it was quite funny how the signs of truth evasion in this grown adult man was similar to how his students acted when they forgot their homework. Dodging eye contact, fidgeting hands and the tell-tale nervousness that laced one's voice. It was almost cute.

Almost because despite everything, Kacchan was clearly in love with this boy that he said he was over.

"Jeez, what's with this depressing mood, this is why I don't go out for drinks with you" Katsuki grumbled.

"Aah I'm sorry Kacchan, I was just thinking."

"Don't tell me you're already thinking about some other man the day after you got dumped."

Izuku chuckled, "No, I'm just wondering what to do with the ring now."

"Ring?! What ring- Oi were you going to propose to round-face?"

"Ochako. Yes, I though after three years of dating it would be the right thing to do."

"You idiot. Who goes and proposes to someone with such an unromantic sentiment."

"Me apparently. Now I'm unsure of what to do with the ring."

"Are you stupid? You can sell it."

"I suppose, but some part of me doesn't want to let go just yet,"

Izuku sighed, placing a titanium band on the counter between them. It was simple and elegant, with an inscription on the inside that couldn't quite be deciphered. For some reason, the sight of it made Katsuki feel nauseous.

"Do you want me to hold on to it?"

The words left Katsuki's lips before he could think.

"That would be nice. Only if it isn't burdensome for you."

"I wouldn't have offered if it was."

Izuku laughed, "This is true. Maybe if I don't find a use for it in the next five years, we can even make it official."

Katsuki's breath stilled - only for a moment. I've been waiting for you a lot longer than five years. "DO YOU WANT TO DIE?"

"I'm sorry! I just meant if you and I are both single we could enter a lavender marriage or something when we're old!!"

"ITS NOT A LAVENDER MARRIAGE IF WE"RE BOTH GAY YOU IDIOT"

The bar seemed to have quieted just in time for Katsuki to yell - capturing the attention of the patrons who were now beginning to recognize the pro heros.

Warmth crept up their collars as Katsuki immediately grabbed Izuku's hand and the ring and made for the door - throwing enough bills on the counter to buy the drinks and silence of the bartender.

They ran out further into the city, gasping for breath only when they reached emptier streets where the only lights were from the 24/7 convenience stores.

Izuku burst out laughing hysterically, while Katsuki raised his eyebrows.

"What's so funny Izuku?"

"I thought I'd made news enough today by being dumped bu Ochako, but it seems I'll be on headlines tomorrow as well for our alleged upcoming nuptials," Izuku grinned.

Katsuki ran a hand down his face as he groaned, "You and me both..."

His face reflected resignation as he sat on the edge of the sidewalk.

"You know, I was serious," Izuku crouched to level with him, "There's nobody else I'd rather be married to anyway."

Katsuki

It is a quiet evening in Tokyo, the slanted rays of the sun filter through the brown glass of an empty beer bottle as they caress Katsuki's slanted lashes. He blinks as he suddenly gained awareness of his own sloth. It was nearly sunset, he hadn't even made it to the pub yet and he had already gotten through his hidden stash of alcohol.

The world would not recognize Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight if they saw him now.

Usually, Katsuki wouldn't drink. In fact, he was a clean eater and preferred to maintain a healthy and regular diet. However, he allowed himself these indulgences once in a while – no not even then, but today was an annual exception as it marked the three year anniversary of one Round-faced gravity hero and Izuku Midoriya. He groans as he picks up his phone, knowing the news would be all over his feed whether he liked it or not when he sees a notification.

Izuku: Can we talk?

Great. That's exactly what he needed. The source of all his problems that he was diligently trying to forget about wanted to talk to him on the anniversary of his relationship rather than his own girlfriend. He swiped away at the ominous message, wondering what could've prompted it when his phone started ringing. 'All Might! All Might !All Might! With a Heart Full of Justice-' It was Kirishima again. Katsuki swore he never took his phone off silent but here he was. Bracing himself, he answered the call.

"HEY BAKUGO! How're you doing man? Hey! Denki wait-

Yoooo I heard about Midoriya are you okay?

Stop crowding him!! He might not even have seen-

Guys stop I think you're-

How could he not see it? It's virtually everywhere dude-

Guys!! Can you give me some spa-

Even still! What if he deinstalled social media again?

Guys stop you'll over-"

"OI!!! SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU LOSERS"

Silence on the phone. What happened? And only one of you explain this to me - what's wrong with Midoriya and why am I concerned? Well you see, we all know you have feelings f- NO what Mina meant was that we know how close you are to Midoriya, and we wondered if you had heard the news about his breakup with Uraraka-san. Yeah its literally all over Twitter right now breh. Yo? Bakugo? Are you there? ...Remind me again why the fuck would I care? Hey, Katsuki. We're here for you man. Mina-san, please take Denki with you, I'd like to speak to Katsuki alone. I understand. What? That's not fair-

"You know you can talk to us. You can talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"Katsuki. I know how you feel about him-"

"You don't know shit about me"

"I know you're saying things you don't mean right now, but I know you, and I know you're going to give yourself hope again and-"

"Kirishima. I gave up on him a long time ago. In fact, there was nothing there to begin with."

"Then why?"

"..."

"Then why can't you move on? There's more than Izuku in your life do you know that? You have your friends that love you and care about you. I... care about you."

"I'm hanging up now."

"Goodbye Ka-"

Katsuki stared at the phone screen. Against his better judgement, he opened the messages Izuku had sent him. There was a new one now.

"8pm The Broken Glass"

It was the pub they went to before Izuku had told him he was going to ask Ochako out. Maybe he was still buzzed because despite this harrowing reminder, despite what he had told Kirishima on the phone, he felt the traitorous flutter of hope in his heart.

He cleared away the bottles and showered, time seeming to pass by twice as fast now that he had somewhere to be. He shrugged on a jacket over his skull adorned graphic tee and allowed himself a spray of cologne. The All Might figurine on his dresser seemed to follow his movements rather judgementally today.

"What? I always put this on."

The figurine continued to stare with a frozen grin.

"Tch. Talking to a toy, I must be going crazy."

But he did feel like he was going crazy. Why else did he leave the jacket behind for a nicer hoodie and change his pants thrice after? What else could explain the second time his body betrayed him as he felt his heart race while getting in his car. There was no reason for him to glance at himself in the rearview mirror this much while parking. But here he was, ever the fool, dawdling outside the entrance to a half-empty bar frequented by salarymen and loners fifteen minutes before he was meant to be there.

"Kacchan! You're early"

A bright familiar voice called from behind him. As if on clockwork the traitorous hope in his heart leapt at this presence. No matter how many times Katsuki had seen Izuku, he could never get used to his smile. It seemed to light up his entire body, and infect the very air that touched him. He got out of his haze and pulled out the messages that he had sent him.

"You're one to talk. We still have fifteen minutes, nerd."

Izuku smiled gently. "Right, lets talk inside."

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Izuku

Izuku Midoriya knew three things with complete certainty in his life - the entirety of recorded history about All Might's hero career, the number of smile lines on his mother's face and the fact that Katsuki Bakugo is his best friend. And he was also the first person he wanted to talk to about the events of today.

The pair headed for the barstools, where Katsuki ordered an old fashioned for Izuku and cider for himself. He didn't remember telling him what to order, but it made sense that he knew. As they faced each other again, Katsuki broke the silence.

"So are you going to explain to me why the fuck you sound like you're confessing to a damn crime?"

We need to talk.

Izuku downed his glass.

"Ah, yes. Ochako broke up with me."

Silence followed for a beat.

"Bartender, can we get two more drinks here?"

A hearty chuckle burst from Izuku as the drink seemed to hit him all at once. Kacchan scrunched his eyebrows deeper and he resisted the urge to smooth them out for him.

"Don't worry Kacchan, I'm not really heartbroken - in fact I think I'm more confused than anything."

"You're confused? I've never seen anyone act this way after losing the supposed love of his fucking life."

"Did you think she was? The love of my life?"

"Tch. I wouldn't know this, would I?" He slammed a now empty bottle of cider on the counter.

"You know, she didn't think so. In fact, according to Ochako, the love of my life is the furthest thing from her possible."

Katsuki raised his eyebrows.

Izuku suppressed another laugh, "She said I'm gay Kacchan."

This time, an expression passed over Kacchan's face that Izuku couldn't read. He would've almost though he imagined it, but before he could think further, Katsuki scowled as usual and interrupted him.

"And are you?"

"I don't know. Maybe?"

"Well you either are into men or you aren't - do you even like guys?"

"I've never thought about it before..."

Katsuki sighed.

"But," Izuku drank the last of his second drink and slumped on the counter. He peered up at him from under his lashes and grinned, "If I really was into guys, I think it would be you."

He didn't know why he said that. Even as he did, his face heated up and he almost instantly regretted it. The atmosphere seemed to have taken an unfamiliar shift that neither of them knew what to do with. With this set-up Izuku decided he would dig his grave even further.

"Have you ever liked a guy Kacchan?"

/to be contd.

Usually, Katsuki wouldn't drink. In fact, he was a clean eater and preferred to maintain a healthy and regular diet. However, he allowed himself these indulgences once in a while – no not even then, but today was an annual exception as it marked the anniversary of one Round-faced gravity hero and Izuku Midoriya.