Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Katsuki never goes to these things. 

He loves his packmates, sure, but he’s not the type to go out drinking and ‘let loose.’ He has too much on his plate. Especially now that he’s cracked the top ten, hero work takes up almost all of his time. Bars are too crowded, loud and pumped full of unfamiliar scents. Plus, his packmates like to get drunk , which is often more trouble than it’s worth. Katsuki babysits those dumb fucks enough as it is. He doesn’t need to be there while they all drink themselves stupid. 

But tonight is a special occasion. Kaminari and his stupid eye-bagged boyfriend just got engaged. 

“Check it!” Kaminari says, already flush with booze and shoving his ringed hand in Katsuki’s face. “I’m fuckin’ taken.” 

Katsuki rolls his eyes as he plops down at the table next to him. “Yeah, yeah congratufuckinlations or whatever.” 

Kaminari’s giggles are high-pitched and shrill. Kirishima and Mina arrive a moment later and she practically shrieks when Kaminari shoves his ring in her face, which of course means Kaminari is shrieking right along with her. Katsuki winces. Yeah, alright. Katsuki rarely indulges, but tonight he’s gonna need it. He leans over in his chair, calling over their waitress and ordering a whiskey. Kaminari and Mina are still hugging and giggling when the drink is set down in front of him and he downs most of it in one go. Sero announces his presence by clapping Katsuki on the back.

“Whoa, Mr. Packleader, easy there!” he teases. “Who’s gonna be our DD if you’re schwasted?” 

“Hanta!” Kaminari cries, shoving his hand in his face. “Look!” 

Sero takes his hand, tilting the ring this way and that. Finally, gives a low whistle. 

“Damn,” he says. He almost sounds impressed. “You really locked him down.”  

“I did!” Kaminari is almost entirely red as he giggles. He admires his ring again with a wild fervor in his gaze. “I— I still can’t believe it.” 

“I’m so happy for you dude!” Kirishima says, already misty eyed as he throws both arms around Kaminari, standing behind his chair and hugging him from behind. He rubs his cheek into Kaminari’s golden locks, gently scenting him in the way packmates are prone to do. 

“That makes all of us now!” Mina cries, clapping her hands together excitedly. “Me and Ei, Hanta and Todoroki-kun, and now you and Shinsou-kun!” 

There’s a chorus of cheers. Oh. Katsuki’s brow twitches into a tiny frown. He hadn’t even realized his entire pack was coupled up. Everyone except him, that is. There’s a twinge of discomfort in his chest. He polishes off his drink. 

“I’m so happy,” Kaminari says, cupping his own face in both hands. “Everyone is living happily ever after.” 

“Whoa, whoa, whoa don’t forget Bakugou!” Kirishima cries, pulling out a chair and plopping himself down beside Mina. He sends Katsuki a furtive look. “We still gotta find an omega for our packleader!” 

Mina and Kaminari both hum and go ‘oh yeah’ like they’d forgotten him. Sero waves a dismissive hand. 

“Oh, he doesn’t count,” Sero says with an easy-going grin. “No omega is good enough for him.” 

Katsuki’s packmates burst into laughter, but Katsuki narrows his eyes. His mouth squirms uncomfortably. That wasn’t it. Katsuki’s alpha is just… broken. While most alphas found the scents of omegas inviting and intoxicating, Katsuki’s alpha was repulsed. Even during his ruts, Katsuki’s alpha rejected the comforting scents of his pack omegas. Too sickly sweet, too sour, too overwhelming. Most days it doesn’t bother Katsuki. He’s got a pack to take care of and hero rankings to climb, after all. But something about today, something about the knowledge that he’s the only one of his friends not coupled up, plucks at sensitive strings in Katsuki’s chest. Fuck, he needs another drink.

“Yeah, yeah,” Katsuki says. He glances around the room for their waitress and calls her over. “I’m just glad I don’t gotta babysit your dumb asses anymore.” 

More laughter. Kaminari gives him a fond look. 

“Oh, I’ll miss heatsharing with you,” he admits. He props his chin up on his knuckles as he smiles at Katsuki. “Shinsou’s cooking is never as good as yours.” 

Kirishima and Sero agree heartily. Mina’s smile is absolutely wicked.

“I’m sure his knot makes up for it,” Mina teases, elbowing Kaminari playfully; Kaminari flushes.

“Oh it does,” he says, sighing dreamily. “I dunno how I ever went through a heat without it.” 

“Well, Bakugou didn’t give us much choice,” Kirishima says, shooting Katsuki a grin.

“Oh my god it was torture,” Sero says. He takes a sip of his beer and shakes his head. “It’s nuts that you’ve heatshared with all of us, but never fucked anyone.” 

“And now you’ve missed your chance,” Kaminari says, admiring his ring smugly. Katsuki rolls his eyes. 

“You fuckwads all smell like shit,” Katsuki says, and there’s another round of laughter. 

Katsuki won’t miss babysitting his pack omegas. He loves them, of course, but their cycles turned them into horny, needy gremlins. Kaminari always cried, Kirishima became unbearably clingy, Sero had a bad habit of humping all of Katsuki’s favorite hoodies. Ugh. Omegas always smelled worst to Katsuki when they were in heat, and having his packmates beg for his knot was always eye-roll inducing. Mostly Katsuki was there to scent their nests, cuddle, and be an overworked errand boy. Fetching nest materials, making meals, running to the store for more slick-pads. It’s tedious work but omegas needed the comforting presence of an alpha during their heats. Someone to look out for them when their cycles left them defenseless. It’s some evolutionary survival tactic from when omegas would go into heat out in the wild, and would be helpless against any predators or unwanted alphas. Katsuki supposes now that they’re all coupled up he isn’t needed anymore. He tastes something sour at the back of his throat. 

“I can’t wait for his bite,” Kaminari says, gnawing on his bottom lip excitedly. His ring tinks against his beer bottle as he rolls his fingers against the glass. “I can’t decide if we should do it during the ceremony or wait until I’m on his knot.” 

“Wait for the knot,” Kirishima advises. He reaches over and squeezes Mina’s hand. “It feels amazing. Like— just being connected on every level.” 

Kaminari sighs dreamily. Kirishima and Mina exchange sweet smiles. Even Sero has a fond look on his face, undoubtedly thinking about his own alpha. Mina and Kirishima lean in and nuzzle noses, scenting each other gently and… and…

I’ll never have that, some small voice inside Katsuki whispers.

Oh. Katsuki feels like he’s shrinking in on himself. No, no shut the fuck up. What is he doing? Katsuki shakes himself like he can shake off the thought. It doesn’t fucking matter. He downs the rest of his whiskey and promptly starts looking for their waitress again. 

There’s several rounds of drinking and laughter. It’s a Friday night, so the bar is pretty packed, thick with the scents of happy, chattering people. There’s karaoke going on in the corner and everyone sounds quite terrible, but Katsuki is tipsy enough to find it amusing rather than annoying. Mina and Kaminari are already wedding planning, googling venues and gowns on their phones and giggling. Sero keeps egging Kirishima on to get up and sing. Katsuki nurses his drink and fights off the creeping sadness. 

What the fuck would he need a mate for anyway? He has his career, his pack. Katsuki should be happy. There’s no point in longing for something simply not meant for him. It’s a waste of time. Katsuki has been to countless doctors and alpha-specialists, but there’s nothing wrong with him. His alpha is just…. picky. He sniffs at the air experimentally, but it’s just alphas, betas, and the scent of sickly sweet omegas makes his stomach curdle. Ugh. Whatever. Where’s their waitress? Katsuki needs another drink. He leans over his chair, but can’t spot her in the throng of people. 

“Come on, one song, Ei,” Sero goads, jostling Kirishima good naturedly. 

“Let me get drunk first!” Kirishima cries. 

“You literally only have one chance to wear a wedding gown,” Mina is arguing. “A white tux is too boring.” 

“I don’t have the tits for a wedding gown,” Kaminari complains, looking truly put out about it. 

Katsuki still can’t spot their waitress. Whatever. His chair makes a horrible sound as it scrapes across the floor when he stands and— whoa. Katsuki wobbles, hunching over and catching himself with a hand pressed to the table. Okay, holy shit. The room is fucking spinning. He’s gotten way drunker than he thought. Ha. Haha. Katsuki doesn’t know why he’s grinning. 

“Are you gonna sing?” Sero cries, eyes bright with mischief. Katsuki seizes his head and ruffles his hair meanly. 

“No dumbass,” he says. “Looking for our waitress.” 

“You should drink some water,” Kirishima advises. He has to speak loudly over the cacophony of chatter. Katsuki grunts his displeasure. “Aw, don’t be like that. Let us look after our packleader!” 

Sero agrees, patting what little of Katsuki’s arm he can reach, and Katsuki rolls his eyes. 

“Fine,” he says, clipped. “I’m getting another drink and water.” 

They all cheer. Katsuki ignores them as he weaves through the crowd toward the bar top. He’s so drunk the room feels like it’s pulsing. Even sound feels like it’s warping around him, laughter and music fading in and out of focus as he moves. But it’s pleasant. Katsuki’s body is warm and buzzing. Shit, should he drink more often? Is this why his packmates were always begging him to come out? He nudges through a pair of betas to lean against the bartop and smiles to himself. Even the overly-loud music is kind of nice. Overstimulating in a way that overrides his mopey-alpha brain. He orders his drink and the water pitcher and waits. 

And that’s when it hits him. 

It’s soft and faint. For a moment, Katsuki thinks he’s imagining it. Almost drowned out by the crowd, Katsuki only catches a wisp, but— he sniffs again, just to be sure. Omega. A wonderful omega. Bright and distinct, smelling like ozone and orchids and fresh rainfall. He closes his eyes as he breathes in and oh my god it’s perfect . Sweet, but not too sweet. Sharp without being harsh. It’s invigorating. Holy shit. 

Katsuki whips his head around, frantically searching for the source. His sluggish heart is pounding so hard he feels like he might choke on it. Omega, an omega who smells good. Not once in Katsuki’s twenty-five years of life has an omega smelled good, but this one— this one smells fucking divine.

But it’s too hectic. There are too many people. The scent is quickly drowned out in the crowd and Katsuki’s inner alpha whimpers at the loss. 

Shit! Katsuki sniffs the air, leaning over patrons hanging around the bar and earning himself a few dirty looks, but he doesn’t care. He needs that scent again. He has to be sure— Was it just his imagination? Has he gotten so drunk that his alpha has finally stopped being so picky? Katsuki frowns at the thought. 

“Here you go,” the omega bartender sets the pitcher and whiskey down in front of him. Katsuki sniffs her, but no she smells like every other omega. Like rotten cotton candy or spoiled sugar. What the hell? What’s going on? Is Katsuki’s booze-addled mind playing tricks on him? Shit, shake it off, shake it off. Katsuki takes his order and heads back to his table. 

“There he is!” Sero says, waving at him when Katsuki approaches. Katsuki sets the pitcher and whiskey down. Sero snorts. “Dude, you forgot to bring cups.” 

Fuck. Katsuki had been so caught up in that brief snatch of that scent— whatever. It doesn’t matter. He spins around again without thinking and—

Crash! 

Solid weight collides with Katsuki’s chest, a fluffy head hits his collarbone and drinks splash over Katsuki’s sleek, button up shirt. Whoever he’s just bumped into is so startled that the drinks slip out of his hands and go smashing to the floor. 

“Oh my god!” the stranger cries, and Katsuki grabs onto the person’s shoulders, trying to steady him instinctively. 

“Shit,” Katsuki mutters. “Sorry.” 

Katsuki looks down. 

A head of green curls. Beautiful, enchanting, achingly familiar green. Katsuki breathes in and—

Everything stops. 

It’s the scent. It’s him.

Everything else vanishes in an instant. The bad karaoke, the laughing patrons, the cacophony of a hundred conversations blending together all blip out of existence. There’s perfect silence, perfect peace. It’s like Katsuki’s been transported into a white void where there’s only him and the perfect creature in his arms. 

The stranger’s viridian curls bounce as he shakes his head, his scarred hands wrapping around Katsuki’s biceps.

“Oh shit,” he says, and the tenor of his voice is sweet music. “I’m sorry I didn’t even see—”

The omega looks up. 

The floor is swept out from under Katsuki’s feet. 

Oh. 

Oh my god. 

The omega is gorgeous. He’s the most beautiful man Katsuki’s ever seen. All soft cheeks and strong jawline and smooth, freckled skin. With a cute button nose and a full kissable mouth and long, sweeping eyelashes. And his fucking eyes. Deep, rich foresty green and more hypnotizing than they have any right to be. Fuck, just look at him. He’s the perfect man, the perfect omega. Sweet-smelling, beautiful, and well-muscled underneath his dorky All Might t-shirt. 

Katsuki’s knees are fucking weak. His chest is aching. The name comes back to him then, hazy and distorted, like it’s coming from a dream. 

“Deku?” Katsuki breathes. 

Deku stares up at him, gaping. “Kacchan?” 

Kacchan. The memories come surging forward suddenly. A tiny freckled face, sweet cherub cheeks, a soft embrace. A warm presence at his side as they wandered the woods behind Katsuki’s house, tiny coos and chirruping as they snuggled together on the couch as pups, wide emerald eyes that always stared at Katsuki with so much adoration. Deku. Izuku. Oh my god, Izuku. 

“Holy shit,” Katsuki whispers. “Izuku?” 

Izuku breaks into a brilliant grin. “ Kacchan. ” 

Katsuki doesn’t think. He just throws his arms around him, nuzzling into Izuku’s throat and scenting him furiously. Izuku, Izuku, Izuku. Oh god, Katsuki is trembling. Holding onto Izuku is the only thing keeping him upright. Izuku, his Izuku. How many years has it been since he last saw his sweet face? They’d been children when Izuku had been forced to move. They couldn’t have been older than six or seven. Izuku clings to him, shaking with quiet sobs, and Katsuki buries his nose in his hair, breathing in deep. A heavy weight is lifted off his heart and deep ease floods in to take its place. The memories are still hazy, but growing stronger and more vibrant. Coloring on their bellies in Izuku’s nest, chasing each other through sprinklers, play fighting in the sandbox. Izuku’s tiny omega claws dig Katsuki’s shoulders, a tiny whimper escaping him as Katsuki keeps scenting him. His cheeks, his chin, his forehead, his throat.

“Kacchan,” he says, again and again. He arches his neck to give Katsuki more access. “Oh my god, Kacchan.” 

Katsuki presses his nose to the scent gland on Izuku’s throat and god . Katsuki breathes in deep, right from the source and it’s the sweetest thing Katsuki’s ever known. He’s engulfed in it, lost to everything but the wonderful aroma of his perfect omega. It’s somehow electrifying and comforting all at once. It strikes a powerful chord within Katsuki, fierce recognition ringing through him so hard it feels like his body is shaking with it. Every particle of his being is screaming at Katsuki. His alpha is wailing. 

This one, his alpha insists. This one.

Izuku nuzzles Katsuki gently and Katsuki’s chest rumbles with a deep, contented purr. Izuku lets out a watery laugh. 

“Oh, Kacchan,” Izuku says like he’s admonishing him, but he purrs back, rubbing his scent gland against Katsuki’s face. “I missed you too.” 

“Whoa, Bakugou is that you?” Kirishima cries, eyes wide and round. 

“No way, our alpha doesn’t purr,” Sero says dismissively. 

“Shut up!” Mina hisses, swatting at Sero and Kirishima across the shoulders. Kaminari looks around between all of them, gaping. 

Katsuki barely hears them. He hardly registers that anyone else exists at all. There’s only Izuku. His warm body in Katsuki’s arms, his incredible scent filling his nose, his gentle purr massaging Katsuki’s chest. Katsuki cups the back of his head and his curls are just as soft and springy as he remembers. He almost chokes on a sob. 

“I— I can’t believe you remember me,” Izuku whispers.

“I remember you,” Katsuki answers. He hasn’t thought of the omega he’d lost as a child in years, but it’s all rushing back to him now. He remembers clinging to Izuku the day the moving trucks came, sobbing his stupid little heart out when Izuku was whisked away forever. He draws back, frowning slightly as he gazes down at Izuku. “You never called.” 

Izuku shakes his head. God he’s so pretty. Everything about him is beautiful: the way he wets his lips before speaking, how his sharp jawline quivers, the way his eyebrows pinch as his enormous evergreen eyes drink Katsuki in. He’s living artwork. A breathing, dreaming masterpiece. 

“My mom smashed her phone while we were moving into the new house,” Izuku says, and his scent goes bitter with distress. “Lost all her contacts.” 

God. Was that all it was? Katsuki had agonized for years wondering what he’d done to offend the omega so much. Sure, Katsuki pushed him around on the playground sometimes and taunted him with the name Deku, but that hadn’t scared Izuku away before. Katsuki had holed up in his den for a month after Izuku had left. Katsuki shakes his head over and over again. 

“I called you,” Katsuki tells him. “I called you every day for months.” 

Izuku’s breath hitches. He’s so fucking lovely as he stares up at Katsuki in awe. He pets Katsuki’s biceps gently. 

“Oh Kacchan,” he whispers. “You did?” 

Katsuki squeezes Izuku’s shoulders. “Of course I did.” 

Izuku makes a pained sort of sound. He throws his arms around Katsuki again, nuzzling his scent gland, and Katsuki’s purr is so loud that he swears he feels it rattling his organs. 

“Is everything alright over here?” 

The voice that breaks in is jarring and unfamiliar and they break apart with a jolt. But it’s just their waitress with a broom and dustpan to clean up the shattered glass. 

Oh fuck. The spell is broken. Reality comes crashing back in all at once. The noise and scents of the crowded bar all slam into Katsuki like a wall and leave him staggering. Izuku gasps.

“Oh! I’m so sorry,” Izuku says to their waitress, so sweet and polite. He covers his cheek with a hand. “I didn’t mean to make a mess.” 

“My fault,” Katsuki cuts in, refusing to allow his omega to blame himself for anything. “Wasn’t looking.” 

The waitress assures them it’s alright, and Katsuki keeps a hand on Izuku’s waist as he guides him out of the puddle of spilled beer and broken glass. He toes a jagged shard of Izuku’s path before letting Izuku step over it. Katsuki makes a note to leave his waitress a generous tip for the trouble. God, has the bar always been this loud? Katsuki blinks several times, still a little disoriented. 

“Um,” Izuku says, still with Katsuki’s hand on his waist. His throat bobs as he swallows, watching the waitress sweep with a look of deep concern. “I’m really sorry about that.” 

“‘S fine,” Katsuki assures. He tugs Izuku closer, but Izuku keeps his arms curled up to his chest and doesn’t meet his gaze. Katsuki feels a pinch of concern. “You okay?” 

“Yeah,” Izuku says, shaking himself out of it. He takes a step back. “I’m sorry. I should really—“

“Can I buy you a drink?” Katsuki blurts out suddenly. 

He doesn’t know what compels him to say it, but he knows he has to. His inner alpha is howling in his chest, begging Katsuki to do anything to keep his chosen omega close. Izuku does look up then and his cheeks go pink. It’s such an adorable shade on him. 

“Oh,” Izuku breathes. And there’s that smile. Dreamy and soft and undeniably pleased. “Oh, Kacchan… I’d— I’d love to. But—” 

But? Katsuki’s heart cracks. His inner alpha whimpers and his hand tightens on Izuku's waist instinctively. Izuku makes a pained little noise. He takes a shaky breath, then stands up straight, determination brightening his features as he pats Katsuki’s chest. 

“Just— just stay here!” Izuku says, hurriedly. “I’ll be right back!” 

Izuku slips out of his embrace and darts away, quickly disappearing into the crowd. His intoxicating scent trails behind him and Katsuki closes his eyes, breathing it in one last time before it fades. The loss is so palpable Katsuki wobbles where he stands. His inner alpha cries out in agony. No, no, don't let omega go! Katsuki shakes it off quickly. Izuku said he’d come back, so he will. 

Right? 

A sharp wolf-whistle breaks him out of his reverie. Katsuki’s attention snaps over to his right and oh shit. All of his packmates are still sitting at their table, grinning up at him like madmen. Goddamn it, Katsuki had forgotten they were there. 

“What the fuck was that?” Kaminari demands, looking absolutely delighted. 

“Now it is all of us!” Mina cries. She’s clapping her hands excitedly and looking around between all of them. “Bakugou found his omega!” 

His omega. Katsuki’s inner alpha purrs at the phrase. That’s it, it has to be it. Everything—all of the awful omega’s scents, all of Katsuki’s miserable, comfortless ruts, nearly two decades of being resigned to loneliness— it’d all been for a reason. Katsuki was never broken, his stubborn alpha had just already chosen its omega. Katsuki had been too young to recognize his attachment to Izuku for what it was, but now it’s startlingly clear. He breaks into a grin. His omega, his Izuku

But Izuku left, Katsuki’s brain is quick to remind him. His scent sours. Izuku said he’d come back, but did he mean that? Fuck, Katsuki’s legs wobble as he sits back down at the table and scowls. Where did he go? Katsuki feels like gravity has shifted under his feet. Like his entire world has reoriented itself revolve around Izuku, and Izuku leaves him just like that? Does Izuku not feel it too? He swallows thickly. 

“Dude, you’re drenched,” Sero says. Mina passes him over a fistful of napkins the waitress must have dropped off for them. Katsuki dabs at his beer-soaked shirt half in a daze. 

“Do you know him?” Kirishima asks. 

“Yeah,” Katsuki says, but also no. Fuck, he hasn’t seen Izuku since they were, what, six? Almost two decades have gone by since then. Logically, Katsuki knows they’re practically strangers, despite what his instincts are screaming at him. “We were pups together.” 

“Oh my god,” Mina squeals. She shimmies her shoulders in a little happy dance.

“No wonder all omegas smelled like shit to you!” Kaminari cries, banging a fist against the table. Sero curses as he barely stops his beer from sloshing over. “You must have imprinted on him!”   

“That can’t be it,” Sero says. He takes a sip of his beer and gives himself a little foamy mustache. “Imprinting only lasts until the first rut. There’s no way Bakugou’s alpha held out that long.” 

But what else could it be? Katsuki’s heart is thudding in his chest painfully. Maybe it was just him then. He’d imprinted on Izuku, but that didn’t mean Izuku imprinted back. Fuck. Katsuki grabs one of the glasses the waitress had brought over, and struggles to pour himself some water. He needs to sober up fast. He has to be at his best when Izuku comes back; he can’t mess this thing up. 

“Dude, he was purring,” Kaminari says, flatly. “When was the last time you heard Bakugou purr?” 

“Never,” Mina answers and Sero squints skeptically. 

“He also never drinks,” Sero reasons. “Maybe his alpha just needed to let loose to finally get that stick out of his ass.” 

His packmates laugh, and Katsuki pounds his water. It’s not the alcohol, Katsuki knows. It’s Izuku. All of the other omega scents filling the crowded bar are still as unappealing as ever. It’s Izuku. Just Izuku. Katsuki manages to down three glasses before his bladder strains in protest. Fuck. 

“I’ll be back,” Katsuki says, standing suddenly. He points a warning finger at everyone. “If he comes back, be nice. Don’t fucking scare him off while I’m gone.” 

“We would never,” Kaminari says, sounding offended, and there are several noises of agreement, but Katsuki’s frown only deepens. Fuck, he really shouldn’t risk it, but his bladder aches too sharply to ignore. He’ll have to make it quick. 

It’s difficult. The bar is fucking crowded. Katsuki’s step is wobbly as he swerves through the mesh of bodies and maze of tables. And the bathroom has a fucking line. Katsuki’s never seen the mens bathroom have a line before. Katsuki briefly considers ducking outside to take a piss in the alleyway, but no, he can’t fucking risk it. Not when the chance to win over his chosen omega is on the line. Getting arrested for public indecency would be the fastest way to lose Izuku forever. 

God, it feels like an eternity before Katsuki gets the chance to relieve himself. It hits him just how drunk he is when he staggers over to wash his hands. Fuck, what was he thinking? He curses himself as he misses catching the soap out of the soap dispenser twice. And then he looks up, squinting at himself in the mirror. He’d dressed nice: a sleek black button up and dark-washed jeans. Only because he didn’t want Mina pouting at him for undermining a special occasion but now Katsuki supposes he should be grateful. His shirt is still a little damp with beer, but it shouldn’t stain. Should he fix his hair? Katsuki’s never bothered styling his unruly blond spikes, but maybe his omega would appreciate the effort. Katsuki runs his hands through it a few times, trying to— ugh. He doesn’t even know.  What the fuck is he doing? Izuku could come back any minute. 

Katsuki steps out of the bathroom and his stomach fucking drops. 

Shit. 

It’s the worst-case scenario. Izuku has come back while he was gone and is sitting at their table, surrounded by Katsuki’s dumbass packmates. Fuck, fuck. Izuku is gorgeous. Like a bright green jewel amongst his friends, but Sero, Mina, Kirishima, and Kaminari are all leaned in toward him, laughing and chatting and setting off all of Katsuki’s alarm bells. Goddamnit they’re going to scare him off before Katsuki’s even had the chance to make a good impression. Katsuki power walks in a beeline back to the table. 

“Really?” Izuku is saying when Katsuki is finally in earshot. “That’s so sweet.” 

“Oh, he’s the sweetest,” Sero says, waving a dismissive hand. He’s leaning back in his chair lazily. “He tries to hide it behind all his snarling and swearing, but it doesn’t fool anyone.”

“He still makes me heat soup, even though I have Mina now!” Kirishima chimes in, bright with eagerness. 

Fuck. Goddamn meddlesome packmates. Katsuki could throttle them.  

Izuku’s eyes are strangely misty as he looks between them all. “Heat soup?” 

“It’s the best,” Kaminari cuts in. “You gotta have him make it for you some time.” 

“It’s his own recipe!” Kirishima says. “My first heat was so bad, I couldn’t get anything down and so Bakugou had to improvise.” 

What the fuck? Heatsharing? Of all fucking things to talk about to Katsuki’s prospective mate, they’ve chosen to start with fucking heatsharing stories? Katsuki had warned them not to scare him off! Katsuki flushes a deep, angry red as he rejoins them at the table. Izuku shoots him a glance and his eyes are all glittering warmth.

“Really?” Izuku says, gaze not leaving Katsuki for an instant. God, Katsuki feels it like a physical touch. Like a warm hand pressed right to his heart. 

“It became a tradition after that,” Sero continues breezily. “Oh man. Remember our winter heat third year?” 

“Our cycles all lined up,” Kaminari recalls, shaking his head. “That was so bad.” 

“I thought I was gonna go nuts,” Mina agrees. 

“Shoto almost claimed me,” Sero says, chuckling at the memory. He nudges Katsuki with his stupidly huge elbow. “Only our big, bad packleader stopped a teenage pregnancy.” 

Katsuki snorts. Like scaring off Half-and-Half was a challenge. He fidgets with his empty whiskey glass nervously. “Wasn’t a big deal.” 

“Don’t be so modest!” Kirishima cries, punching his shoulder. “You really saved Hanta there! You’re the best alpha ever!” 

There’s the sound of consensus. Izuku purses his lips like he’s amused. Goddamn idiots probably think they’re helping, but they’re being way too obvious. Izuku would have to be a fucking idiot not to see what they’re trying to do. Izuku looks away shyly. 

“He always was,” Izuku says and god even his voice is captivating. Katsuki’s heart races as he stares at him, his alpha fluttering at his praise. “You should have seen him as a pup. He was the pack leader of our little neighborhood gang too.” 

Was he? The memories are hazy; the only thing Katsuki remembers with clarity is Izuku. All of his friends ooh like it’s some big revelation. 

“Damn, born for greatness then,” Sero says, popping his eyebrows up at Katsuki suggestively. 

“A natural leader!” Kirishima chimes in and Kaminari cheers. 

“Any omega would be lucky to have him,” Mina adds and oh my god shut up. Katsuki’s stomach lurches and it’s a fucking fight not to glare at her. Izuku chews on his bottom lip with an almost thoughtful expression.

“I’m… I’m sure,” Izuku says, in a painfully light tone.

Katsuki wishes he could melt into the floor right about now. He can’t believe they’re all trying to sabotage him like this. Goddamn his stupid bladder. Goddamn his stupid impulse to actually drink tonight. This is a fucking disaster. 

But then Kaminari does him one better. He leans in toward Izuku, ringed hand covering his mouth as he whispers, “He’s single.” 

Fuck! Katsuki facepalms. He heats ten degrees with his rage, but he can’t murder Kaminari with Izuku watching on. What kind of impression would that make? All his stupid friends titter and Izuku lashes flutter as he looks between them. 

“I— I see,” he says, sweet and a little shy. He’s jostled as Kaminari elbows him playfully. “Um. Kacchan?” 

Katsuki straightens with a snap; Izuku grins at him nervously. 

“Did you, um,” he begins, chewing on his bottom lip. God, he looks like a dream. “Did you still wanna get that drink?” 

Oh thank god. The relief is so palpable it’s like cold river water rushing over Katsuki. His body is bright with hope. Yes, yes, perfect. Holy shit, Izuku is an actual angel. Katsuki stands up quickly, stepping over to offer Izuku his arm.

“Come on,” he says and Izuku smiles. He takes Katsuki’s bicep, letting himself be guided toward the bartop as Katsuki’s packmates jeer after them playfully. God, Katsuki really is going to have to strangle them. The next time Kaminari is pitted against him for sparring pratice, he’s a fucking dead man. 

“I’m sorry about them,” Katsuki says, the moment they’re out of earshot. He’s still a little drunk so he rambles. “They’re drunk, and stupid, and I fucking told them not to scare you off and they took it as a fucking challenge or something and—“

Izuku bursts into laughter and fuck it makes Katsuki’s heart leap. He leans in, giving Katsuki’s bicep a little squeeze.

“They’re… very friendly,” Izuku says, diplomatically. Katsuki cringes. “Heat soup? Really?” 

Katsuki groans, but Izuku keeps giggling. That’s it, they’re all dead. Even Kirishima won’t be safe from his wrath. 

Incredibly, there are two seats left vacant at the bar top and Katsuki and Izuku fill in the space quickly. Izuku orders a mojito, and after a long moment of consideration, Katsuki orders a beer and some water. Drinking more is risky, but not drinking somehow feels riskier. God, he’ll just have to take it slow. 

“So,” Izuku says, eyeing Katsuki after their drinks arrive. “You have a pack.” 

“Unfortunately,” Katsuki says, sourly. Izuku giggles. 

“No, I like it,” Izuku says, smiling. “They really love you, it’s sweet.” 

Katsuki grunts. He takes a sip of his beer to give him time to think of the best answer.

“I take care of them,” he finally settles on. There’s something strange, almost heated in Izuku’s gaze. “You have a pack of your own?” 

Izuku shakes his head with a sad little smile. “No. It… it never worked out.” 

Izuku stares down at his drink, stirring it with his straw as his lips twist uncomfortably. Questions are springing to mind, but Katsuki doesn’t want to push him. 

“Their loss then,” Katsuki says, and Izuku’s lips stretch into a grin. 

Talking to Izuku is shockingly easy after that. Katsuki has never been the most social person, but Izuku is different. Being with him is familiar and comfortable, and conversation flows naturally between them. Izuku laughs at his jokes, hums and nods in all the right places; Katsuki only occasionally stumbles over his words when Izuku hits him with a sweet smile. Izuku catches him up on all he’s missed since they’ve parted ways, sending him shy little glances over his drink as Katsuki listens on, utterly enraptured. 

“I’m a quirk analyst,” Izuku informs him, when Katsuki asks about his job. “I specialize in advising aspiring heroes how to best utilize their quirks for hero work.” 

“Cool,” Katsuki says, nodding. Though his heart pangs. Izuku never did become a hero like he wanted. It must hurt to help others achieve the dream Izuku could never have. “Do you like it?”

Izuku shrugs one shoulder. 

“I’m good at it,” he says, and eyes glint with pride. Oh. A shiver ripples through Katsuki and he grins.

“Yeah?” Katsuki says, challenging. He leans back in his chair, cocking his head up as he appraises Izuku. “How good?” 

“I could probably teach you a thing or two,” Izuku says, gaze flicking over Katsuki’s stretched out form. Heat rolls over Katsuki’s skin.

“Hit me with it,” Katsuki demands. 

Izuku settles back in his seat, eyes bright and glittering with mischief. His mouth twists, tapping the glass of his mojito to his chin as he thinks. 

“Analyzing trying to improve you would be difficult,” Izuku says, thoughtfully. “I could do it, but I’d need time. Kacchan does so much to improve himself already.” Katsuki’s alpha preens at the compliment. “But… I think I have a solid strategy to take you down.” 

Holy shit, yes please. Katsuki feels a shot of hope. No wait, he means in a fight, doesn’t he? Damn it. Katsuki gives himself a little shake. 

“How?” Katsuki demands.  

“Well first of all, I’d get you wet,” Izuku says. (Katsuki valiantly does not choke on his drink.) “Your quirk is sweat based. Anything I can do to water it down will make your explosions less effective. And water would cool your body down too, make you produce less sweat to work with.”

Damn. Katsuki does always hate going up against water-quirk users for that exact reason. Katsuki nods. 

“What else?” he prods.

“I’d have to somehow limit your mobility,” Izuku goes on. “Tie you up or hold you down.” Holy fucking shit. Katsuki’s cock stirs in his pants traitorously, but Izuku just looks thoughtful. “You’re fast and agile, and the more you move the more firepower you have to throw at me. I’d have to corner you. Maybe get you into a building so you can’t risk blasting me without risking bringing the entire building down on top of everyone.”

Katsuki snorts. But Izuku isn’t wrong. It’s a problem he’s encountered often. It’s why he’s currently honing his quirk to form tighter, more compact explosions.

“Not bad, nerd,” Katsuki says, roughly. He breaks into a crooked grin. “If you were a villain, you’d be a pain in my ass.”

Izuku gives him the sweetest of smiles. “Thankfully I don’t use my powers for evil.” 

God, he’s so cute. Katsuki is so done for. No wonder his stupid alpha had held out for him for so long. Izuku is the fucking jackpot. Katsuki can’t help smiling at him and Izuku smiles right back. 

When the bartender passes by, they order another round of drinks. Izuku tells him more strategies he’d use against him and somehow the topic wraps around to the sports festival in Katsuki’s third year. 

“No, that was such bullshit!” Izuku cries, slapping his hand down on the bar top angrily. “It was a technical knockout! Todoroki passed out way before you stepped over the line!”  

“I fuckin’ know right!” Katsuki can’t help but get heated when he thinks about it. Stupid Todoroki won by technicality only . “Fuckin’ ridiculous.” 

Izuku shakes his head like it’s a shame. His cheeks are adorably round with his pout and booze-flushed. Katsuki just wants to take a bite out of one. See if it’s as soft as it looks. 

“They just didn’t want you winning the sports festival three years in a row,” Izuku mutters darkly and Katsuki breaks into a grin. 

“Do me a favor and tell Tape-face that,” Katsuki says, tilting his drink at him. “He always says his alpha won that shit fair and square.” 

“Oh, I will,” Izuku says, with a truly fierce look on his face. “I’m not scared of him.” 

Good omega , Katsuki’s alpha rumbles in his chest. Brave, strong . Izuku is still shaking his head as he takes a healthy drag of his drink. 

“I was so mad when they called it for Todoroki,” Izuku admits. 

Katsuki can’t help smirking. Omega wanted us to win! “Oh yeah?” 

Izuku flushes a soft pink. 

“I— I was cheering for you,” Izuku admits, almost sounding bashful. He twirls his drink with his straw. “Always have been.”

Katsuki’s breath catches. His heart actually fucking flutters like he’s a twelve-year-old girl or some shit. He stares at Izuku for a beat, but Izuku doesn’t falter. He just looks back at Katsuki, steady and serious. 

“Really?” Katsuki asks, too husky for his liking.

Izuku nods, lowering his lashes shyly. Katsuki curses under his breath. All this time? The thought is almost painful. 

“Why the hell didn’t you reach out to me?” Katsuki demands. 

Izuku shrugs one shoulder. 

“I— I did. Once,” Izuku admits. He fidgets in his chair. “Technically it was fan mail, but—”

Katsuki curses again, louder. “I don’t read that shit.” 

Izuku sends him a knowing little grin. “No, I didn’t think you did.” 

There’s another beat of silence. Izuku stares down at his half-empty drink and Katsuki clears his throat. 

“Wish I had,” Katsuki admits. He watches the bubbles in his beer pip out one by one as he continues. “Coulda seen you sooner.” 

Izuku sits up straight, gaze snapping over to Katsuki. His enormous emerald eyes are all glittering delight. 

“You wouldn’t have written back,” Izuku accuses, even as he smiles. 

“I would’ve,” Katsuki counters hotly. He forces himself to look at Izuku directly. “If it was you, I would have.” 

Izuku’s breath hitches. God, he’s fucking enchanting. Katsuki loves the way his lower lip wobbles, the flush creeping up his freckled cheeks. Katsuki can only watch as Izuku searches Katsuki’s face again and again, like he’s searching for his sincerity for himself. Katsuki isn’t sure what he sees, but it must please him because his lips stretch into a grin. 

“Oh Kacchan,” he breathes, sounding dreamy. “I missed you.” 

Oh god. It’s too much. Katsuki’s heart fucking spasms. Izuku is going to be the death of him, Katsuki just knows it.

“Yeah, I missed you too,” he says hoarsely. 

Izuku props himself up on an elbow, cheek smushing against his hand. God, Katsuki just wants him. Wants to touch his cheek, hold his hand, card a hand through his hair. And then bend him over and fuck the ever living daylights out of him. Fuck, is that coming on way too strong? Probably. Katsuki swallows thickly. 

 Izuku’s eyes don’t leave him for a moment as he murmurs; “I guess it’s a good thing I’m a clutz.” 

Katsuki snorts. He takes another swig of his drink. “I ran into you, dipshit.” 

“Did not!” Izuku protests, sitting up straight suddenly.  

“Did too!” 

“Did not,” Izuku counters, cheeks puffing out in indignation. Cute .  

“Did. Fucking. Too,” Katsuki says, jabbing a finger in Izuku’s chest between each word. Izuku leans in, a protest already half-formed on his lips— 

“Alright, lovebirds,” Kaminari comes out of fucking nowhere, slinging his arms around both of their shoulders and leaning his full weight onto them. Katsuki oofs. “I’m out. The fiancé is calling.”  

“Oh!” Izuku says, blinking rapidly. He glances back at Katsuki’s packmates, only to see they all have their coats on like they’re ready to leave. He covers his mouth with a hand. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry— I totally ruined your night out!” 

“Don’t,” Katsuki scoffs, he shoves Kaminari’s arm off of him. “I hang out with those idiots all the time.” 

“Well, it was my engagement party, but—” Kaminari says, and Izuku cries out in horror. “I’m sure you can make it up to me somehow.” 

Kaminari shoots Katsuki a sloppy wink. Katsuki has to bite back his growl. 

“Just get home to Eyebags in one piece,” Katsuki sneers and Kaminari salutes him. Izuku is still blushing as he waves him goodbye. 

“So much for making a good impression on them,” Izuku mutters, almost more to himself than anything. Katsuki barks out a laugh. 

“You don’t need to impress those dipshits,” Katsuki assures him, grinning. Omega wants to please our pack! “They had you alone for five fucking minutes and started sharing heat stories.” 

Izuku’s blush deepens. He looks away shyly. 

“Kacchan is such a doting alpha,” he says, a little slurred. He squints at Katsuki then, like he’s suspicious. “You really heatshared with all of them?” 

“Of course I did, I’m their packleader,” Katsuki answers. He takes another swig of his drink. “Didn’t touch ‘em though.”

Izuku raises a brow at him like he’s skeptical. “Really?”

“Fuckin’ of course really,” Katsuki says, scornfully. “I let all those horny hobgoblins fuck each other instead.” 

Izuku throws his head back laughing. So bright and loud he attracts glances from all around the room. Katsuki’s inner alpha purrs in his chest. God, he could get used to this. His omega, happy and carefree. Izuku dabs his eyes as he collects himself. 

“Yeah, they said the same thing,” Izuku says, shaking his head. He chews on his bottom lip. “You— you have really impressive self-control.” 

Katsuki scoffs lightly. “Not really.” 

“Three willing omegas?” Izuku demands, fixing him with a hard look. “All at once even?” 

“They smell like shit,” Katsuki says and Izuku’s brows quirk. 

“O-oh.” Izuku’s shoulders drop. He looks away quickly and clears his throat. “Are you… are you not…” Katsuki gives him a puzzled look and Izuku swallows thickly. “Are you not into omegas, then?” 

“I—” Fuck, what’s he supposed to say? Everyone smells like shit except for you? Way to put the pressure on quickly. It sounds like a bad pick up line. Like something from a cheap Alpha/Omega porno. “Not— not those omegas.” 

Izuku is quiet for a moment as he stares at him. And then he nods slowly, lips twisting in amusement. 

“Kacchan is picky then,” he reasons. 

“Very,” Katsuki agrees, tipping back his beer as he polishes it off.

“Hmmm,” Izuku says. He draws his drink close to his face, eyes glittering as he looks at Katsuki over the rim. “How to impress Kacchan’s picky, picky alpha.” 

Katsuki watches him hungrily. Izuku doesn’t have any idea what he does to him, does he? Fuck, Katsuki has no idea how to flirt, but he’s gotta try. 

“You’re the analyst,” Katsuki returns, propping himself up on an elbow and leaning toward him. “Don’t you have a guess?” 

Izuku giggles softly, squinting slightly as he looks Katsuki up and down.

“Kacchan… would want a strong omega,” Izuku deduces. Oh, he’s actually guessing. That’s so fucking cute; Katsuki breaks into a grin. “Someone who can take the heat of having a partner who does hero work. I doubt you’d want someone wailing at your bedside every time you got injured.” 

Katsuki scoffs. “No fucking thank you.” 

Izuku giggles. He chews on his straw thoughtfully. 

“Smart too,” Izuku adds. “Kacchan needs someone who can keep up with him. Someone who challenges him, pushes him to be better.” 

Damn, Izuku is good. Katsuki didn’t know it was possible to get turned on by someone else’s brain, but there the blood goes rushing south anyway. Katsuki’s mouth is suddenly very dry. 

“What else?” he rumbles. 

Izuku’s throat bobs as he swallows. His laughter is a little nervous as he stares down at his empty drink. 

“I dunno,” Izuku says, bashfully. He sets his drink aside. “Someone… someone pretty? But—” Izuku sputters, shaking his head. “Doesn’t everyone want a pretty mate?” 

Izuku turns away, hanging his head like he’s disappointed in himself. Katsuki stares at him. His heart is fucking pounding in his chest. 

“Someone like you then,” Katsuki says before he can think better of it. 

Izuku’s breath hitches. His gaze snaps over to Katsuki, jaw quivering as he gapes. “Wh— me? ”  

“Yeah you,” Katsuki says. His blood is thunderously loud in his ears, but he can’t back down now. “Sounds exactly like you.” 

A soft, pained sound escapes Izuku. He’s smiling, but he shakes his head, screwing his eyes shut. 

“Kacchan,” Izuku says, almost admonishing. “Kacchan, don’t tease me.” 

“Who’s teasin’?” Katsuki frowns. But Izuku only shakes his head again, covering his mouth with a hand as he looks away. Katsuki shuffles closer. “I’m serious.” 

“Kacchan,” Izuku whines. He refuses to look at him, the back of his neck flushing a deep pink as he hides his face in his hands. “You— you can’t just say things like that!” 

“Why not? It’s true,” Katsuki says, almost petulantly. What the fuck, is Izuku allergic to compliments or something? Or is he just shy? “You’re strong, smart. Pretty as fuck too.”

Izuku squeaks, but the scent of pleased omega is unmistakable. “Kacchan.”

“So fuckin’ pretty,” Katsuki continues, too tipsy to stop himself. Too tempted by the prospect of more of that happy scent to want to stop himself. God, he can’t stop staring at Izuku. “Prettiest omega I’ve ever seen.” 

Izuku hunches over the bar top, face still buried in his hands. “Oh my god.”

Fuck, was that too much? But Izuku doesn’t smell displeased, just embarrassed. Katsuki leans in.

“Oi,” he says, nudging Izuku with his knee. “Quit hidin’ from me.”

But Izuku doesn’t move. Katsuki reaches over then, taking his wrist gently and tugging Izuku toward him. The bar stool shrieks as it drags across the floor and Katsuki spreads his legs so Izuku can slot between them. God, they’re so close that Izuku’s scent envelops him. Sweet and enticing, and a little sharp with embarrassment. Katsuki pries Izuku’s hands off his face one at a time, taking them in his own and rubbing the backs of his hands gently. 

“There you are,” Katsuki purrs. Izuku doesn’t meet his gaze, glowing strawberry-red as he stares at their joined hands. God, his proximity is more intoxicating than any alcohol Katsuki has consumed. Izuku’s mouth keeps twitching like he’s fighting not to smile. “Look at you.” 

Katsuki reaches out, touching the soft curve of his cheek with the backs of his knuckles gently. Pillowy soft and silky smooth. Izuku shivers at the contact, eyes fluttering shut. He leans into Katsuki’s touch. 

“You’re so fucking drunk,” Izuku whispers.  

“You’re drunk,” Katsuki shoots back and Izuku’s laugh is shaky. 

“Just a little,” he admits. He reaches up then, taking Katsuki’s wrist in his hands and guiding it to the scent gland on his neck. His mating gland. “Kacchan smells so good.” 

Good, Katsuki thinks with a dangerously pleased rush. Izuku scents himself with Katsuki’s wrist, eyes shut and panting softly. Katsuki’s heart is fucking skyrocketing in his chest. He’s got him. His omega, his chosen mate. His other hand comes up to trace the scent gland on Izuku’s neck gently. 

“No bite,” he observes. Izuku is unmated, available. 

Izuku gives him a mysterious little smile. “Well. I have one bite.” 

A dead weight drops into Katsuki’s gut. His body flashes cold, awful dread prickling up his throat and threatening to choke him. His scowl is a fearsome thing to behold, but Izuku only laughs.

“You don’t remember?” Izuku cries, brows arching in surprise. He tuts, nuzzling Katsuki’s wrists gently. “Oh Kacchan.”

He draws back a little, sitting up straight and turning his arm to expose his wrist for Katsuki. There. A tiny crescent moon scar on the scent gland on his wrist. A child’s bite. His bite, Katsuki suddenly remembers. 

“What the fuck,” Katsuki whispers, seizing his arm and tugging it in for a closer look. He traces over the ridges of very clear teeth marks with his finger. “I did this to you?”  

Izuku laughs. “Kacchan, it’s okay! We were only pups.” 

Katsuki’s heart has been tugged in too many different directions too quickly. He can’t believe it. His stupid toddler self had gone so far as to try to claim him? No wonder he’d imprinted on Izuku. How could he not after that? Katsuki blinks several times, bewildered. 

“I fuckin’ scarred you,” Katsuki protests. 

“I don’t mind,” Izuku says, smiling. He stares up at Katsuki: booze flushed, starry eyed, and adorable. “You really don’t remember?” 

Katsuki shakes his head. Izuku hums, but he looks a little disappointed.

“I told you I was moving away,” Izuku says, low and almost sultry. His lashes tilt as his gaze rakes over Katsuki’s face. “And you tried to claim me.” 

“Jesus,” Katsuki curses. “What an asshole.” 

“Kacchan, no!” Izuku laughs again. He squeezes Katsuki’s bicep reassuringly. “I didn’t mind. You were just trying to keep me. We thought—” Izuku flushes as he says it. “We thought if you claimed me I wouldn’t have to move.”  

Ah. Katsuki supposes he can’t blame little-Katsuki then. And if Izuku had agreed to it too then no harm was done really. God, it was forever ago, but Katsuki can’t help but be pleased that— at one point— Izuku had agreed to take his bite. 

“Didn’t work,” Katsuki mutters sourly. 

“No, of course not,” Izuku says, amused. “It’s the wrong gland. And you weren’t old enough to produce claiming-venom yet anyway. But we didn’t know that.” 

Katsuki draws Izuku’s wrist to his face. He breathes great lungfuls of his scent as Izuku watches on, eyes hooded and panting softly. Katsuki doesn’t break eye contact as he brings the bite to his lips, giving the scar a soft kiss. Izuku’s inhale is shuddery. 

“What are you doing?” he whispers. 

“What’s it look like?” Katsuki says, too far gone to say it with any heat. “Kissin’ it better.” 

Izuku’s giggles are high pitched and breathy, and cut off immediately when Katsuki kisses the mark again. It’s an intimate gesture. Too intimate for a public setting probably, but Katsuki’s whole body thrums with its rightness. Heat pools in his lower belly; his cock pulses in his jeans. He kisses Izuku’s wrist again and again, open mouthed and wanting. Coaxing out his sweet, refreshing scent. 

“Kacchan,” Izuku breathes, eyes glassy and chest heaving. God, Katsuki has to stop. He doesn’t want anyone else seeing his omega like this. He leaves the bite mark one last kiss before drawing it back. 

“Sorry,” Katsuki whispers. He licks his lips, tasting what little of Izuku is left over. 

“It’s fine,” Izuku says, swallowing thickly. “It— feels good.” 

The tension between them is almost unbearable. Katsuki doesn’t let him go, he traces over the bite again with his finger and shakes his head. 

“Can’t believe it scarred,” he says. 

“Kacchan, seriously, I don’t mind,” Izuku presses. His smile is so fucking sweet, so earnest and sincere. Izuku’s flush deepens as he continues, “I— I like the scar.” 

God. Katsuki’s heart fucking lurches; his inner alpha purrs. Good, lemme give you more. Let me bite you for real.  His fangs descend without his consent, mouth filling with the bitter tang of claiming venom. Fuck, fuck, slow down. Katsuki forces himself to swallow thickly. 

“You like it?” Katsuki gruffs. Izuku has the decency to look bashful as he nods. 

“For a while,” Izuku says, slowly. “That's all I had left of you.” 

God fucking — It’s a spear skewering Katsuki through his chest, punching the air out of his lungs and leaving him gaping. He stares at Izuku, but he only smiles as if Katsuki should have known. Katsuki can’t bear it. He lurches forward suddenly, seizing Izuku’s face in his hands and nearly wobbling off the edge of his barstool. His whole body is throbbing with want. Izuku gasps.

“Lemme kiss you,” Katsuki begs, and oh god, he’s begging. But Izuku is grinning, nodding frantically.  

“Yeah, yeah, yes—” 

Katsuki kisses the words out of his mouth. And oh my god. This seals it. Katsuki had already known, but now he really feels it. Kissing Izuku is transcendent. Katsuki sees infinity in this brief moment. All of the molecules and chemicals of his carnal body sing one harmonious note. Izuku, Izuku, Izuku . Everything was always leading him back to Izuku. His sweet mouth, the gentle press of his lips, the wet glide of his tongue. Izuku is purring so loudly that Katsuki’s chest is massaged with it, leaving him all gooey and melty inside. Izuku. Katsuki winds his arms around him, nearly pulling him into his lap as he kisses him deeper. Fuck, fuck it’s so good. It’s everything. Izuku makes him feel so much. Izuku cradles his face in his hands and Katsuki knows he’s found it. He’s found the home he’s always belonged to. 

“Izuku,” he hushes into his mouth. “Izuku.” 

“Kacchan,” Izuku echoes, kissing him gently. He strokes Katsuki’s face with his thumbs. “My Kacchan.” 

Yours. The euphoria is so sweet and complete that Katsuki thinks he might die from it. Embarrassing tears are burning in his eyes, but he doesn’t care. He’s kissing his chosen mate. The one his life has always secretly belonged to. Katsuki only stops kissing him to scent him aggressively, and Izuku laughs. 

“Kacchan,” he whispers. “Kacchan, I missed you so much.” 

“I missed you more,” Katsuki answers. He seizes Izuku’s wrist and plants it firmly on his head, silently demanding Izuku scent him back. Izuku giggles as he does so.

“No, you didn’t,” Izuku accuses. He rubs his wrist over Katsuki’s hair and down his neck. “I missed you way more.” 

“No fucking shot,” Katsuki snaps. His stupid fangs keep descending and it’s making him slur his words. “Goddamnit—” 

“Kacchan!” Izuku cries. “Are you flashing your fangs at me?” 

“I can’t fucking help it!” Katsuki snarls and Izuku throws his head back laughing. 

“Are you trying to bite me again?” Izuku teases, eyes dazzling with wild delight. 

Bite, bite, bite, Katsuki’s inner alpha chants. He’s too tipsy to stop the words from spilling out.

“Would you let me?”

Izuku’s inhale is shaky. He stares at Katsuki, eyes dilated and chest heaving. His hooded gaze leaves Katsuki’s body simmering. God, Katsuki can’t stop staring at him: flushed cheeks, dark eyes, kissable lips. Fuck, focus, this is serious. A ghost of a smile crosses Izuku’s lips. 

“You barely know me,” Izuku whispers, but it isn’t a no. Katsuki’s body sings with hope.

“I know you,” Katsuki counters. He reaches up and thumbs at Izuku’s sweet, freckled cheek. “I’ve always known you.” 

“Kacchan,” Izuku says, voice trembling. God, he’s so pretty that Katsuki almost can’t concentrate on what he’s saying. “We should— we should take this slow. There’s still a lot you don’t know about me.” 

Katsuki nods slowly, but he can’t help the fear prickling in his chest. 

“Is there someone else?” Katsuki gruffs out and Izuku’s laugh is watery. 

“No, baby, nothing like that,” Izuku says, reaching out and patting his chest soothingly. “Just. Important things. Things we should talk about sober.” 

“Okay,” Katsuki says, though he’s frowning. Izuku’s eyes are strangely teary. Katsuki’s heart picks up, scent souring in concern. “You okay?” 

Izuku nods quickly and sniffs. “Yeah, yeah, I just— I’m sorry.” 

Izuku looks down and Katsuki can see him trying to compose himself. Katsuki’s frown deepens. He takes Izuku’s wrists and nuzzles them gently. 

“It won’t change anything,” Katsuki promises. “Money, family— whatever it is, I can handle it.” 

Izuku makes a pained, whimpery sort of sound. He shakes his head and refuses to meet his gaze. 

“You don’t know that,” he whispers. 

“I know that I want you,” Katsuki counters. I was made for you, nothing made sense until I found you again. I wish I really had claimed you as pups.  

“You might not,” Izuku says. He winces like the words hurt to say. “When… when you know the truth.” 

Katsuki takes his face in his hands, tilting until Izuku is forced to look at him. God, he’s so gorgeous. Lips kiss-flushed and teary eyed. Katsuki thumbs along his jawline gently. 

“Tell me,” Katsuki murmurs. Izuku’s mouth squirms in an uncomfortable line. “Tell me what it is, and I’ll tell you it doesn’t matter.” 

Izuku looks away. Tears roll down his cheeks and Katsuki coos, drawing him close and nuzzling into his curls. Izuku’s scent is heavy with unhappy omega as he wraps his arms around him.

“You promise?” Izuku whispers into his throat. 

Katsuki croons very, very softly. Just loud enough for Izuku to hear. “I promise.” 

Izuku is quiet for a long moment. Katsuki doesn’t mind. He just holds him close. God, Izuku shakes in his arms and it feels awful. Like Katsuki’s swallowed broken glass and every small movement is stabbing at his insides painfully. 

“I can’t— I can’t give you what other omegas can give you,” Izuku admits, quiet and strained. “I’m broken. I can’t give you a family. Can’t have children.” 

Oh. Katsuki’s relief is so potent and instant that he feels about fifty pounds lighter. Katsuki couldn’t care less about having kids. His alpha had rejected all omegas so strongly, he’d never even considered it as an option. A life with beautiful, wonderful Izuku is more than he could have ever hoped for. But there’s a tug of sorrow too. Izuku’s poor omega. It must be in agony knowing his body can’t do the thing it was built for. 

“Oh baby,” Katsuki murmurs. He cards a hand through Izuku’s hair gently. “That must be so hard for you.” 

Izuku nods into his shoulder, sniffling. “I’m sorry.” 

“What the hell are you sorry for?” Katsuki asks, softly. 

Izuku doesn’t answer. He just keeps sniffling into Katsuki’s shoulder, tense in Katsuki’s arms like he’s waiting for the ax to drop. Katsuki strokes his back up and down soothingly. 

“Listen to me,” Katsuki murmurs. He draws back just enough so Izuku can look at him, witness his sincerity for himself. “It doesn’t matter.” 

Izuku’s breath hitches. Tears make his eyes look like great wobbly lagoons.

“But—” 

“I don’t need pups,” Katsuki continues, firmly. Izuku opens his mouth to protest, but Katsuki cuts him off, cupping his soft cheek in his palm. “I have everything I need right here.” 

Izuku’s face crumples. “Kacchan.”

“We don’t have to rush into things,” Katsuki continues as he thumbs over Izuku’s cheekbone gently. “But I’m not going anywhere. Especially not over something as small as that.”

Izuku chokes on his sobs, but he’s smiling. “Really? You don’t— you don’t want kids?”

Katsuki wipes his tears away with the pads of his thumbs. The bloodshot of his eyes makes the color of his irises pop. His precious omega is even pretty when he cries. 

“If you want them, we can adopt or something,” Katsuki answers. “It doesn’t matter to me.”

Izuku’s smile is so radiant, so sweet and hopeful. “You mean it?”

“Oi,” Katsuki gruffs, pinching his tear-slick cheek meanly. “I don’t say shit I don’t mean.”

Izuku’s giggles are shaky. He sniffs and smears his hands over his face.

“Oh Kacchan,” Izuku says. “I— I’m so happy.”

Katsuki’s inner alpha purrs. 

“Lemme keep making you happy,” Katsuki murmurs, looming in even closer now. “Lemme court you.” 

“Yes,” Izuku says, beaming. “Yes Kacchan, of course.”

He throws his arms around Katsuki’s neck, dragging him in for a kiss and it’s oh so good. It’s so fucking right. Izuku’s kisses are a bit frantic, but Katsuki holds him still, kissing him tenderly and reverently. Like he can infuse the enormity of his love into Izuku if only he’s careful enough. He kisses him over and over again until Izuku has melted into his embrace. Izuku is grinning so hard it’s a struggle to do it properly. 

“Kacchan,” Izuku says, when he breaks away. “Kacchan, can we—”

But then Izuku’s gaze catches sight of something over Katsuki’s shoulder. He freezes. His nails dig into Katsuki's biceps suddenly. 

“Quick, hide me!” he whisper-shouts.

Katsuki obeys unthinkingly, wrapping his arms around Izuku’s neck and tugging him forward until he’s tucked safely into the crook of his shoulder. Katsuki scans the room for threats, growling low in his throat and Izuku shakes them both with his giggling. 

“Don’t,” Izuku whispers, giving his shoulder a little pinch. “He’ll notice.” 

He? Is it an alpha? Katsuki’s scent sours, but Izuku keeps giggling. After a few minutes, he pokes his head out again and breathes a sigh of relief. 

“Thank god,” Izuku says. He pats Katsuki’s arm. “We should get out of here.”

Katsuki waits for an explanation, but Izuku just stares at him expectantly, smiling like an idiot and blushing. Katsuki frowns.

“Why?” Katsuki asks, slowly. Izuku’s grin has guilt written all over it.

“I… um. I might have come here with a date,” Izuku admits, bashfully. He cups Katsuki’s cheeks in his hands. “Don’t hate me?” 

“What?” Katsuki’s gaze whips around the room, but he has no real way of identifying which alpha had dared try to date his omega. His growl only makes Izuku giggle again. “Who is he?”

“No one,” Izuku assures, petting his chest soothingly. “Some guy from Tinder, I dunno.” 

Katsuki’s gaze flicks back to Izuku. He’s so fucking cute. So innocent looking and adorable as he chews on his fat bottom lip. 

“You ditched him,” Katsuki says point blank. Izuku scratches the back of his neck sheepishly. 

“Y-yeah,” Izuku says. “I did.” 

Katsuki stares at him. For a moment, there’s only the sound of bar patrons laughing and glasses tinking. There’s a chorus of cheers as someone scores a shot in pool in the background. 

“You ditched him for me?” Katsuki asks, even though he already knows the answer. Izuku grins.

“Couldn’t help it,” he says, lowering his lashes shyly. His gaze drags down Katsuki’s body and fuck. The arousal is thick in Katsuki’s bloodstream. He just wants to ruin him. Bite his flesh, tug on his hair, pound into his pussy until it’s throbbing and sopping wet.

Katsuki gestures toward the door with his head. 

“Let’s get out of here.”