Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves” – Victor Hugo

“Happy birthday, Katsuki!” 

Izuku smiled as their friends cheered out the friendly greeting toward Katsuki, whose surprise quickly shifted to feigned annoyance over the surprise party. The time and effort he put into having their friends finagle their work schedules to be at the event almost made Izuku pull his hair out. Still, everyone from their old class, as well as some of their co-workers at Best Jeanist’s agency, managed to come to the celebration. Though the main cause of the event was to celebrate Katsuki’s birthday, another important milestone simmered just under the surface. 

“Maybe that’s why the hero ranks finally let you break the top five.” Monoma, sipping on a fancy water that he brought himself (because he ‘knew’ Izuku wouldn’t have his brand), looked far too proud at his casual swipe at Katsuki.

The top five hero flipped off the other blond, his grin friendlier than it would have been ten years ago. “Who the hell invited you, ya damn wannabe?” 

“My mate ,” was the smug answer, Monoma leaning against Shinso as if to show him off. The quiet alpha sighed at his beta’s bragging, though didn’t push Monoma off. “You know, that thing you can’t get, since you hate human contact that doesn't involve fists.”

Izuku tried to ignore the pleasant flutter in his stomach when the birthday boy’s eyes barely flickered his way, a silent nod to their secret, before the focus shot back to Monoma. “Ain’t my fault Tumbleweed’s got low standards. And I’ll take number five hero over getting locked into some lame relationship for the rest of my life.”

“Katsuki Bakugo, the hero of true love,” Hanta said, the party laughing while Katsuki pretended to throw his quirk toward his lanky friend.

Izuku smiled with the others in the group, knowing that the words had long ago lost their sting. It wasn’t like Katsuki’s declaration was something new. Ever since they first presented, Katsuki had said one thing about bonding and mates.

“That shit would just get in my way of being number one. I don’t want to bite some idiot and lose my dream because of some stupid instincts.”

At sixteen, Izuku had thought nothing of it. When they were still trying to process the effects of the war, physically and emotionally, Izuku couldn’t imagine a world where he’d shared a life with someone. Trying to re-balance the One For All transfer from Tenko (who Izuku forced his quirk into during the final battle) without killing the ex-villain had been his only focus at the time. Both he and Katsuki had months of therapy ahead of them, and their fates as heroes had been more unknown than their first day at UA. Mating was the last thing on his mind.

“He’ll get there one day,” Denki said, grinning around a mozzarella stick. “The world needs little Dynamights for the future, right?”

“Don’t be gross,” Katsuki replied, accepting a drink from Momo with more respect than most of their old classmates. “I have to keep all you idiots in line. Half of you have the brain capacity of a pup, anyway. The only thing I’m focused on is getting my own agency, and beating Icyhot and Deku in the rankings.” 

And, in the seven years that had passed since their war, Izuku’s eyes were also on the future. He’d regained full control of One For All, and built up the embers of the quirk to fully blossom inside him. It was no longer borrowed, but his to use in order to keep the world safe. He didn’t abandon Tenko or any of the League of Villain members that All For One manipulated. Though most wouldn’t be fully free, he had hope his continued work with the council and the prison board could give them glimmers of ‘normalcy’. 

His eyes drifted to Himiko, who had attached herself to Ochaco while they chatted with Jirou and Mina. Due to her age and Ochaco’s advocacy after nearly sacrificing her life for the hero, she had been given probation over jail. He’d gotten closer to her while they worked together in visiting and advocating for each of the league members to have more privileges in their contaminants. To see her thriving in her new position as a mentor for children with difficult quirks proved what Izuku had been fighting to change in hero society. Spinner’s story being published, and interviews with Tenko, Mr. Compress, and a (slowly) recovering Touya had gained traction. He wanted to do more for the other league members, but Himiko’s presence in society was a good start.

But, even with so many wins under his belt, a glance to the birthday boy made one part of his heart clench with longing.

“I thought these pills would stop these dumb urges,” Izuku muttered to himself, taking a large drink of his water to try and ignore the tingling of warmth under his skin. He was old enough to know the symptoms of pre-heat, and the way his eyes kept looking back to Katsuki throughout the party was the first sign it was ready to shift out of the ‘pre’ stage. The only thing keeping his symptoms at bay was the delaying medication he’d taken that morning, knowing it was a dissolving barrier over a strong wall of defense. 

“Your scent is seeping through.” Ochaco’s knowing tone made Izuku lift his head up, trying not to blush when she nudged his side and lowered her voice. “It’s getting a sappy scent to the pine, which means you’re going to be in heat soon.”

“I was meant to start it this morning,” Izuku admitted, checking the scent patch against his throat to make sure it was still in place. The dampness of his neck proved he was starting to sweat through it, another red flag regarding the ending of the delaying medication. “But I took Seinkun earlier, so I should have a couple more hours until my full heat hits.”

Her concerned look made him shrug and glance away, knowing what she was thinking. Omegas that took the medication had more intense heats afterwards, though that wasn’t the biggest consequence of the delaying medication. He couldn’t take a contraceptive at the same time, as the two targeted the same hormones and could cause severe reactions. Izuku had been on birth control since he was eighteen, and always rode out his heats naturally. To get off of it so close to his heat wasn’t recommended by most doctors. 

But Katsuki was planning on leaving for a four-week mission, the first he’d be going on without Izuku. Duos didn’t mean they’d always be working together, and the danger of having two of the top five heroes out of the city wasn’t ideal. Logically, Izuku knew it was the right choice, but some trauma didn’t heal completely. Having Katsuki out of his reach for a month made him anxious. Haunting images of what happened the last time still pecked at the corner of his mind. If he’d started his heat that morning like planned, he’d miss out on the chance to celebrate Katsuki’s birthday before he left. 

“How bad is it?” Izuku asked, trusting her to be honest in the heat scent he was producing.

Ochaco sighed, tilting her head to make her sniff casual. “Let’s just say I understand why Katsuki looks ready to come over here and eat you alive.”

“He does not.” Izuku dismissed her dramatic comment, glancing around to make sure nobody else heard her. “I don’t even know if he’s planning to help me out this time; you know he doesn’t like to do anything that could compromise his performance on missions.” 

“Doesn’t he know your schedule? You two have been heat partners for years—”

“Ochaco, please . Not here”

She looked at him like he had two heads before challenging his plea. “Everyone here has some inkling about you and Katsuki’s dynamic. It’s your worst kept secret. Even if you hadn’t told me, I’d be able to guess, though I blame that more on his alpha than you.”

   Izuku hadn’t meant to fall into a ‘heat partner’ situation with Katsuki. Two years ago, during the celebration of someone’s ranking, the two tipsy heroes ended up wrestling in a treehouse like normal. What deviated from routine was when one of them pressed a little too hard over the other’s hips, and their mouths found each other like it was a foregone conclusion. He never expected to be twenty-one and dry humping in a children’s treehouse with his best friend, despite how Ochaco claimed it was ‘bound to happen’ eventually. Izuku chose not to ask what she meant, electing to avoid Katsuki until the other locked them in one of the agency’s closets.

After the embarrassing interaction, both came to the awkward agreement. Sleeping together was better than losing their instincts on someone who would expect more than their hero-focused lives could provide. They couldn’t help that they had sexual needs, and ignoring them could compromise their focus on the field. So sharing heats and ruts with someone who couldn’t be used by a villain (not without a fight, at least) felt like a safe choice. Katsuki didn’t look at him any differently after hearing his heat whines and cries for an alpha, and Izuku only respected Katsuki more after seeing how determined he was to provide for his ‘partner’ during his ruts.

Two beautiful years of the dynamic hadn’t ruined their friendship or duo compatibility.

“Yo, Nerd!” He lifted his head from Ochaco’s conversation at Katsuki’s call, his omega rumbling without permission in his chest at the alpha’s attention. “You put this shit together and don’t even bother saying hi? What kind of a host are you?”

“It wasn’t just me.” He sent Ochaco a look that only made her sigh and wave him away like a mother extending his curfew.

“Go let Mr. Possessive scent you; we both know your omega wants it.”

Izuku didn’t bother protesting her claim, his instincts dragging him toward Katsuki like a magnet. Though he knew part of it was instinctual, since Katsuki was the alpha he’d been with for several heats, blaming it all on that felt ungenuine. The truth was, Izuku enjoyed being around Katsuki, even when he wasn’t driven by heat. Feeling the broad arm wrap around his shoulders, Katsuki casually rubbing his nose against Izuku’s temple in a pack-like greeting, made his heart warm. Still, being held so openly in front of their classmates felt more transparent than any physical affection they’d displayed before.

“Happy birthday, Kacchan,” he mumbled, trying not to flush at the open affection in front of Kirishima and Tokoyami. The duo glanced at each other before making a quiet escape, though Katsuki didn’t seem to notice. Then again, with how caught up he was scenting Izuku, it made sense the two alphas picked up on the territorial movement. 

Muttered close enough to his ear for only Izuku to hear, Katsuki growled out. “You in heat?”

His omega purred at the display, craving the touch on his bare skin. The fact he already knew how it felt to be taken care of by the talented fingers made his imagination so much more vivid. Swallowing back a whimper that reminded him how close to his heat he was, he let his muscles melt into Katsuki’s care. Having the alpha’s touch, and his scent staining his skin, would keep some of his symptoms at bay. 

“Pre-heat,” he answered, knowing it was pointless to lie to him. “I think I’ll be okay until the end of the party.”

“If you’re not, you better tell me.” There was no obligation that demanded he follow Katsuki’s command. His pre-heat wasn’t only affecting him, but the alpha DNA that flowed inside his handsy friend. Izuku didn’t mind his touches and the way he almost curled his body without thought around Izuku. If they weren’t a little tipsy off their pheromones, he doubted either would enjoy the mindless behavior. But with the buzz in the back of his mind, Izuku only nodded and leaned closer to Katsuki.

For most of the event, the two were inseparable. In some moments, if his omega felt Katsuki was focusing on another too long, it ignored the ‘friends’ side of their dynamic. It filled his body with urges to bite, rub, or flirt with Katsuki to keep his attention. Making it worse was how easily Katsuki accepted the bratty behavior, uncaring about their friends' snickers and blushes to pet down Izuku’s spine or rub his hip. Caramel, a sweet scent normally associated with omegas, held a richer redolence when mixed with Katsuki’s alpha blood. Izuku wanted to bathe in it, to lather it over his sensitive skin. The pre-heat simmered hotter with each touch, and Izuku forced himself away at times to get water and distract himself with other, less appealing scents.

But, just like Ochaco had warned, he only managed another hour at the party before the first wave of need punched into his stomach. A clenching of his body meant he felt the hint of wetness growing between his legs. He was playing with the razor-thin line left between his pre-heat and heat. He paused in his conversation with Momo, forcing a smile when she glanced at the hand pressed to his stomach. Knowing she was too polite to mention his bloom of scent (he’d slapped on a new scent patch, but he doubted it did anything now), Izuku excused himself to slip through the party. 

Without someone to distract his senses, everything slammed into him at once. The burn of pheromones raising his body temperature, how his omega’s impatience tugged more of his focus in several different directions. Despite friends surrounding him, the back of his throat coiled with the desire to growl or whine (depending on their gender). The sluggish weight of the heat chained itself to his ankles, trying to drag him into a presenting position. He breathed through his mouth to ignore the now overwhelming scents in the air, knowing he had to say goodbye to Katsuki and rush back to his nest.

But the moment Katsuki noticed him, before he could even begin his excuse to leave, a hand snapped around his wrist. “Come with me.” 

“Okay,” he breathed out, the arousal elevated by his heat dampening his briefs. Katsuki’s shoulders snapped into a rigid position before bullying his way through the group of people, eyes darting around like they were tracking a villain before he yanked them both onto the patio. The moment the glass door closed behind them, Katsuki shoved him against the side of the building, Izuku moaning at the hard press of the tone body against his. Without thought, he parted his legs, dropping his hips down to grind against the thigh Katsuki moved against his heat.

 “You waited too long.” The teeth against his collarbone sent a thrill up his spine, Izuku gasping as he shamelessly rocked his needy body into the firm muscle. “How did you plan for us to sneak out of here without making a damn scene? You smell like a forest dripping with sap.”

“I-I was leaving,” he said, head leaned back against the brick as he trembled in his spot. Thankful for the dark pants he wore, he knew his slick would seep into the cloth if he didn’t stop the furtive movements on Katsuki’s thigh. Pleasure filled his stomach, his body needing something inside to ease the growing ache. “Just want t-to sa—ah! Say goodbye.”

“Goodbye?” The skin where Katsuki’s mouth sat filled with goosebumps when he pulled away from Izuku, making him groan in protest before gripping Katsuki’s back. He tried to yank him back down, missing the warmth, but Katsuki refused to move while staring down at him with a scrunched nose. “Who the fuck are you leaving with?”

“Who?” The question didn’t make sense. Furrowing his brows, Izuku forced his hips to stop, ignoring the throbbing between his legs to try and focus. “I used my quirk to get here. Was just gonna—mmh…fly home?”

“By yourself?”

“Obviously,” he snapped, lust taking a back seat for irritation at the implication. “You’ve got a mission in two days, so you’re off limits. I did handle heats on my own before you, I ha-have…well, you know what I have!”

“Of course I do.” Another low rumble matched the firm hands that slid up his torso, lifting Izuku off the ground to press fully against the wall. The show of strength made Izuku’s body clench, his breathing a shaky mess as Katsuki dipped down to speak against his panting lips. “I’ve used them on you when you’re too impatient to wait between knots, remember?” 

Flushed, but unable to be ashamed when feeling the hardness pressed against his core, Izuku squirmed in the hold. “You just like overwhelming me.”

“I like taking care of an idiot who never listens to what his body wants.” The banter between them always made the sex feel even better, proving they were still them after their dynamic change. Even now, with them glaring at each other with dilated eyes and heaving chests, Izuku’s omega could only think of how perfect the alpha would feel burying his teeth and cock inside him.

“I want you,” he admitted quietly, reaching up to cup Katsuki’s tense jaw before tilting his own head to tease a kiss against the softer lips. “You know I’ve never shared this with anyone else but you. But you’ve got that mission, and your rule—”

“Since when do you give a fuck about rules, ya damn vigilante?” 

With the snarky answer, Katsuki seemed done with the foreplay. The kiss pressed to his mouth left no room for questions over who Izuku would be going home with that night. Izuku didn’t fight the connection, wrapping his arms around Katsuki’s neck and eagerly returning the fiery kiss. Strong hands slid around his back and down until cupping his ass, lifting him up to fully control his body. Izuku’s thighs nearly popped out of their sockets when trying to spread wider to fit Katsuki, who sucked his lower lip into his mouth while grinding their bodies together. White-hot pleasure rushed through him, making him moan into Kacchan’s mouth. The new buzz encouraged him to lap at the tongue he wanted to feel trace every inch of his body. 

Something in the back of his mind tried to remind him he needed to go home alone. That it was crucial to handle his heat by himself, no matter how much better Katsuki was at draining the need from him. But whatever logic was pounding against his brain, it couldn’t compare to the perfect way Katsuki’s torso molded to his. 

“We’re leaving,” Katsuki said when breaking off the kiss, mouth unable to stay off of Izuku’s skin for long. 

The nips to his jaw made Izuku close his eyes, drinking in the pampering while he nodded. “If you’re sure...”

“You think I’m gonna choose to waste another minute here when I could be inside you? That heat’s really fucking with your damn brain.” After another hot kiss, Katsuki ripped himself away, fingers weaving between Izuku’s to drag him back into the party. He could feel the growing problem in his pants, and he tried to casually tug down his sweatshirt to keep himself decent as Katsuki stormed to a mixed group of his and Katsuki’s closest friends. “Oi, losers!”

“What a nice way to greet your guests,” Jirou said, her flat tone exposing her sarcasm. 

“Shove it, Ears.” Katsuki barely gave the group a short eye scan, yanking Izuku behind him when his gaze stopped on Shoto and Tenya. With canines bared as if threatened, he raised his voice. “Izuku’s feeling like shit, so I’m walking him home.”

Izuku felt Ochaco’s gaze boring into the side of his skull at the announcement, and he peeked over the broad shoulder to give her a reassuring smile. He wasn’t sure if it eased any of her worry, the previous concerns he’d forgotten with Katsuki’s tongue in his mouth bubbling up.

If only I wasn’t born without the carrying gene.

An alpha or a beta’s secondary genders matched their primary sex ninety-nine percent of the time. Despite Mina being an alpha, she had Kirishima’s baby the same way any female beta or omega would. But with male omegas, they were a toss up. Some, like Denki and Katsuki’s father, were identified as omegas for their sweet scent, submissive tendencies, and the marked chromosomes within their DNA. But they weren’t born with the reproductive organs meant to carry a child. Izuku (along with Tamaki and Aoyama, something he learned after the war) had the parts to carry, though the chances of a male omega getting pregnant were the lowest of all carriers.

 Not that he had to worry about any of that; he could avoid all of his problems by simply asking Katsuki to wear a condom during sex.

Except he’d forgotten one simple factor; his entire life, since the moment they met, he always lost all logical sense when it came to Katsuki Bakugo.

The first piece of evidence to prove that point was when he found himself pressed against the wall of his apartment, Katsuki’s heated mouth leaving bites along his neck. 

“Your heat hit yet?” Katsuki’s question was growled against his skin, making Izuku moan and clutch at his hair in excitement. 

“Yes, so we have to ma-ah! Make this quick.” His pants were thrown somewhere in the living room, Katsuki’s hips thrusting against his quivering body. His teeth nibbled just under Izuku’s ear, making him shiver from pure bliss. It shouldn’t have been a surprise that Katsuki could rile him up so easily.

Heat turning his brain to soup, Izuku groaned in excited annoyance when Katsuki eagerly ripped the briefs right off his hips. 

“You owe me another pair of underwear,” he gasped, then cried out when two fingers slid into his slicked hole. The pleasure pulsed through his entire body, and he ground down on the long digits to make them fill him more. He shuddered when Katsuki curled his fingers, clutching Katsuki’s shoulders to keep from falling to the ground. Normally, the two took their time when it came to sex. Katsuki enjoyed making Izuku come undone a few times before sliding inside him. Tonight, however, they knew they were on a time limit, the flames of Izuku’s heat warning of his dwindling reality. 

“Only if I can pick them out.” 

Katsuki’s demand followed him pulling his fingers out of Izuku, needing the freedom to rip his shirt over his head. Izuku tried to be polite over the new expanse of skin, because he respected Katsuki for more than his body. But he was always left breathless by the bare chest, perfect pectorals, and starburst scars with Izuku’s name written in invisible ink. Even if he plugged his ears with wax, Izuku would always be weak to Katsuki’s siren call. 

“You’re so beautiful,” Izuku whimpered, praying Katsuki would hear lust over adoration in his compliment. Needing the sweaty skin closer, Izuku’s fingers grasped at the back of Katsuki’s bare shoulders. He clutched to Katsuki, who yanked off the rest of the alpha's clothes. 

“Worked damn hard to look good for you,” Katsuki teased, both knowing his workout regime was for his job far more than Izuku’s personal pleasure. Still, he couldn’t deny he loved the way Katsuki’s body looked when they had sex, and the explosive hero knew it. “How about we take care of you, omega?”

One smooth hand slipped under Izuku’s shirt to play with an oversensitive nipple, the pinch urging Izuku’s back to arch off the wall. Continuing to torment the swelling areola, the other palm angled Izuku’s hip, urging one leg to wrap around Katsuki’s waist. His throat rumbled with a whine when his muscles clenched around nothing, rocking his hips up into the touch of his bare skin.

“Kacchan, please ,” Izuku groaned, the end of his plea’s pitch scaling up when Katsuki’s tip pushed inside him. 

His body welcomed the advances with a greedy eagerness, leaning forward to snag Katsuki’s lower lip with a playful nip. From years of sharing their bodies, he knew the hint of pain was an instant turn on for Katsuki. Like magic, Katsuki swore before grabbing Izuku’s hips with both hands, thrusting inside him. The swell of bliss made his mind scatter, nails digging into Katsuki’s skin as he fought against the hold on him to try and rut down deeper. Never willing to let someone outdo him, even in sex, Katsuki growled into their rough kiss before increasing his pace. Their eyes clashed in a staring contest, drinking in the arousal stoking each other’s gazes. Izuku couldn’t maintain the contact when Katsuki played dirty, his hand sneaking between them to rub his clit. Like a slingshot, the pleasure arched his back as his head slammed into the wall. He gasped out his protest when Katsuki hissed and slowed the pace to a complete standstill. 

“Don’t do that, idiot!” Katsuki’s hand left his hip to slide to the back of Izuku’s head, the gentle movement releasing a rush of embarrassment through Izuku. If he wasn’t already flushed from their ‘activity’, Katsuki would have noticed his blush from the kind action. Red eyes locked on him again, but the fire was lowered to an annoyed simmer of concern. “You okay?”

“I-I’m fine,” he mumbled, trying to prove himself by rocking his hips forward. Katsuki nodded, head dipping back down to bite at his earlobe. His hips snapped back to a fast speed, rushing Izuku’s first orgasm to the edge again. He moaned at the nips Katsuki gave on his ear and jawline, knowing his heat partner was still concerned. Even with the increased pace, he refused to move his hand from behind Izuku’s head. Katsuki never made him feel like a solution to a problem, or an itch just needing scratching. 

As their pleasure swelled between whimpers and growls, Katsuki’s open-mouthed kisses against his throat felt more intimate than heart partners. In the throes of their climax, Izuku’s heart beat faster, but he knew it wasn’t because of the upcoming orgasm. Trying to ignore the pointless clarity, he wrapped the other leg around Katsuki’s hips, giving Katsuki free reign to use him as he needed to bring them both over the edge. 

“I’m gonna fuck so good, even One For All won’t let you walk straight.” Katsuki’s sex voice was mesmerizing, and Izuku felt his whole body convulse at the sexy idea. 

Their first rounds during heats and ruts were always quick, and they had to squeeze in quickies when their normal urges got too loud to ignore. But the rare nights that neither of them had to get up in the morning were the highlights of Izuku’s month. Katsuki was a sex god, though Izuku felt he carried his own weight when he took initiative. They matched each other in stamina, creativity, and insatiability. And somewhere, in the deepest part of his mind, Izuku wouldn’t want it any other way. 

Just the thought made Izuku moan, his body shivering against Katsuki’s heavy thrusts. “I’m—I’m so close! Kacchan, Kacchan , I need—alpha, please!”

“Then do it,” Katsuki panted as he slid his hand off Izuku’s torso, thumb returning to the clit he abandoned to stroke it again. “Want a damn invitation, hah? Then give me what I earned and fucking come for me.” 

Izuku’s mind filled with white as he dropped into an earth-shattering orgasm. He closed his eyes as his mouth cried out Katsuki’s name, his whole body clutching him to keep from falling off the earth. The bliss Katsuki created in him was another secret only Izuku knew about. No toy or self-exploration had ever made him feel so good. It was going to be a hard task for someone to compete with Katsuki after they ended their heat sharing. 

His hands ran down the broader back when Izuku came down from his high, feeling the tense muscles straining just under the skin. The rabbit-like thrusts against him felt like Katsuki was holding back, waiting for Izuku to come back from his own climax. But in doing so, Katsuki hadn’t finished yet. Izuku, craving Katsuki’s pleasure more than his own, tugged himself up higher on the wall as he leaned closer, his lips brushing under Katsuki’s ear.

“You’re a good alpha,” Izuku whispered, feeling the instant effect. Katsuki’s breath sucked in sharply before he finally succumbed to his orgasm, the knot that his omega needed all night locking them together. At the first feeling of Katsuki’s shooting inside him, Izuku’s eyes widened, everything he forgot in his lust slamming back into him. Normally he couldn’t feel his orgasm as vividly as tonight, but without his birth control–

His heart plummeted into his stomach. 

I forgot to tell Kacchan to wear a condom.

Which wasn’t unusual, since (normally), Izuku was on birth control. Of course Katsuki didn’t think to suddenly wear one, especially because heats and ruts were easier to get through with full skin contact. Except Izuku’s momentary clarity (since the heat would make his brain useless again) screamed out his error. Izuku trembled as he squirmed to get Katsuki to come back to reality, but stopped when feeling a gentle kiss over his pulse point. The kind gesture, something softer than Katsuki ever showed the outside world, made the panic feel muted under a swell of comfort.

After fully scenting Izuku, Katsuki pulled back from his neck, satisfied eyes and a toothy smirk tinted with his afterglow. “How was that, Nerd?”

“We–” 

The truth about the problem died on his lips, frantically crunching numbers and scenarios in his head. Izuku did his best to hide his panic while a chart appeared in his head, trying to weigh his options without breaking down or getting swallowed by the next wave of heat. He only had a few minutes to organize his chaotic thoughts and come up with a plan. 

It was all about probability . He wasn’t on his contraceptive, which was an enormous problem. His heat would only increase his odds. Silently, he cursed his body, even as it hummed and clenched around Katsuki like he was meant to live inside Izuku.

But there were some things working in Izuku’s favor beyond being a male omega. The lacking bond between him and Katsuki added another strike against the dangers of sharing his heat. Plus, it wasn’t like Plan B was out of his reach. As long as he took the morning after pill the day his heat ended, they’d be fine. Izuku could be smart about countermeasures after his heat with Katsuki. 

As if the plan allowed his heat to flood him again, Izuku rotated his hips on the knot still stretching him, lashes fluttering closed before both moaned at the needy movements. “Can we relocate? I wanna…a-ah.” 

It was almost too much of the sharp pleasure, his body both desperate for another orgasm and still reeling from the first. Katsuki’s hands slid under his shirt (the only piece of clothing left on either of them) before slowly hiking up the fabric, encouraging Izuku to lift his arms up and let the obstruction pool by their feet. Then, Katsuki collected his naked body against his own, walking them (still happily stuck together) past Izuku’s room and into his nestroom.

Izuku secretly loved that Katsuki didn’t ask for permission to enter, as if knowing the safe space was made for them to use. When Katsuki laid him out on the blankets and pillows, he instantly latched himself onto Izuku’s neck. At the pleasant buzz from the intimate action, Izuku hummed and slid a hand through the blond strands. “Be careful, if you leave a mark—”

“We’ve got two days; it’ll be gone by the time your heat’s done,” Katsuki answered, nipping his pulse as if to challenge the protest. 

The mention of time made another concern bubble up. “I didn’t tell Hawks or Best Jeanist about my shifts.”

“Texted Denim Head on the way here.” The words vibrated against his skin, feeling Katsuki’s lips pull into a smile. “And put my shifts into the hero portal so the idiots can cover it.”

“What a good alpha.” The title, only used when one of them was entrapped by their instincts, made Katsuki growl and bite over his collarbone, close to where a bonding mark would go.

My alpha takes care of me. The thought didn’t belong in the moment, because he had no claim over Katsuki. They were hero duos, best friends, heat partners… but not mates. Not bonded . If Katsuki wanted to walk away, Izuku would have no right to stop him.

The chilling thought, paired with the knot finally loosening enough to move, made Izuku act. He shoved Katsuki back, rolling them so he straddled the surprised man’s hips before laying over his warm chest. The last strands of his logical mind begged him to slow down and explain to Katsuki why it was risky to let their instincts take over. Even with his well-laid plan, nothing was ever guaranteed. He had been shown that unfortunate lesson time and time again. A single cable around Izuku’s wrist nearly thwarted the greatest hero minds in the world. And that risk had cost Katsuki–

Hunger blazed through the pain, needing to devour whatever Izuku could to erase it. And his body, too vulnerable from his heat to face past ghosts, plunged him past reason. A simple look into the red eyes beneath him, and Izuku threw caution to the wind. 

“Ready for round two?” Izuku asked, fingers tracing the edge of his scar before tilting his head. “Or should I get my…my s-stuff and do it myself?”

Katsuki’s grin went feral at the challenge, giving his answer by yanking Izuku down for a deep kiss.

And Izuku let his worry melt away in the heated haze.

Chapter Text

“The best moments happen when they’re unplanned” -Unknown

The morning after his heat broke, Izuku felt amazing.

Well, mostly. The fact he hadn’t cared about normal things like bathing and brushing his teeth during the two days of sex left its mark on his body. Izuku hummed against the caramel-scented pillow pushed under his head, curling tighter into his nest before he groaned in displeasure. Like a punishment, aching muscles barked back at him. Even if his omega was quiet as a well-fed kitten, Izuku scrunched his nose at the sweat (and other fluids) that had dried on his skin. 

Heats felt unlike anything else during the throes of passion. Even now, feeling the bites and bruises left from Katsuki’s mouth, Izuku’s toes curled at the pleasant memories of their time together. He never went unfulfilled when Katsuki was there to take care of every need his omega demanded. Katsuki tried to be the best at everything he did, and Izuku had no doubt his skills as a heat partner were top tier.

But the aftermath of the lovely experience had Izuku whining against the pillow, wishing he hadn’t woken up in a pool of his and Katsuki’s heat sharing. The only benefit was that they had made it to Izuku’s nest, meaning his bed was perfectly clean and ready for him to collapse into after a shower.

“Ugh.” Moving his hands onto the bottom of the nest, Izuku slowly pushed his torso off the plush cushion, the fluffy blanket sliding down his spine like a caress. He silently wished it was a strong hand massaging the aching skin, but he forced through the pain to prop onto his knees. Pushing into the ‘cat pose’ he’d learned from yoga with Ochaco, he groaned at the pressure that stretched his back. The problem (or maybe the benefit) of sleeping with Katsuki was how compatible they were, meaning they tended to get rougher the last day of heat. 

The quiet of the room allowed him to hear movement deeper in his apartment, Izuku turning his head toward the doorway. He didn’t need to see the mystery person to know it was Katsuki in his kitchen, the familiar routine pulling his lips into a smile. He’d talked to other omegas who had similar arrangements with their alpha friends or used heat clubs to find a casual partner. Though some of their alphas stayed around to help them into the shower or offer a protein bar before heading out, Katsuki never left until Izuku asked him to. Part of it was due to their lives outside of the nest; having Izuku drop after a heat could make him vulnerable on the field. Even if there were no romantic feelings between them, poor after-care could ruin their duo dynamic.

The darkest part of Izuku, however…it liked pretending Katsuki cooked him a full breakfast or made sure he had everything he needed after because he enjoyed making Izuku happy.

“Stop that,” he scolded himself, wiggling his hips to make sure the ache was bearable before pushing out of the nest. 

He took it slow, squatting a few times to wake up dormant muscles. He couldn’t remember the last time he walked somewhere on his own. Even when using the bathroom, he forced Katsuki to be his transportation. The thought burned his cheeks, but he reminded himself it wasn’t him ordering Katsuki to bridal carry him. His omega was clingy in the worst way, bursting into tears if he woke up between waves of heat without the caramel scent and warm body surrounding him.

After regaining his bearings, Izuku wobbled from the nestroom, peeking down the hall when pausing in the bathroom doorway. He could hear the stove sizzling with something that smelled delicious, meaning Katsuki was too busy cooking to join him. Normally, if still buzzing from the heat, he didn't care about being gross, letting Katsuki start the morning after care by feeding him delicious food. Then, they’d take a shower together, Katsuki methodical when rubbing aloe on the bruises and toasted spots (as Katsuki’s quirk could pop if Izuku rode him hard enough) before dressing Izuku in cozy lounge clothes. 

But today, his skin was too itchy, needing to cleanse himself of their several rounds together. Mourning the loss of a potential shower massage, Izuku pressed forward with his plan. The shower pouring over his shoulder pulled out his moan, body shuddering at the chilled water. Everything felt more intense, as if part of him was still tangled in his heat. He wasn’t sure if it was due to the spring temperatures rising, or the first heat he had without his—

Oh. Izuku’s hands paused in his hair, forcing his eyes to stay shut despite the sudden recollection. He logically knew nothing was wrong with his lungs, but breathing became laborious in a mere heartbeat. One palm reached out to grab the side of the shower, knees threatening to drop him. The alarming problem that had fallen out of his skull days ago now reared its ugly head.

“Calm down,” he muttered to himself, forcing his limbs out of their frozen state. It would be fine. It was fine. He just had to… make sure it stayed fine.

As Izuku worked the washcloth over his body and brushed his teeth (he’d need to do it again after breakfast, but he hated morning breath), Izuku tried to make a plan to fix the situation. He’d have to check in with the agency to let them know his heat was over, and they’d probably slip him into a night shift. That would give him time to relax with Katsuki before he left for his mission, get to the store for Plan B, and sign in for his first patrol–

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The blaring alert on his phone stole all of his attention. He snagged the phone Katsuki must have charged for him while he slept off the last of his heat, swiping it open. The ‘code red’ was all he needed to see before he hurried back to his closet, ignoring his lounge clothes to snag his hero uniform. 

“Yo.” He nearly fell over while yanking on the pantleg of his costume, looking up to see Katsuki leaning in the doorway. The normal orange and black Katsuki had stuck with since they were students met Izuku’s gaze. “A group of villains are fucking with the city park. Blabbering about plant rights and our ‘abuse of their floral friends’ or whatever. They’re calling everyone in.”

“Alright, I’ll be done in a second.” He finished pulling the zipper up, slipping past Katsuki to move down the hall toward his shoes. “That’s your emergency suit, right? It’s actually pretty smart to leave it in your car.” 

“Better than getting caught with my pants down. Here.” Izuku looked up from tying his shoes to see a perfectly rolled breakfast wrap, the cheese melting over the fluffy eggs and speckles of vegetables. “Scarf this down on the way there.” 

“Thanks.” Smiling, he snagged the offered food before pushing back up, hissing at the twinge of pain in his left thigh. At Katsuki’s frown, Izuku tried to cover it up by changing the subject. “What about your mission? Is this gonna delay your departure?” 

“Not if I leave you with my paperwork.” Katsuki moved forward, smacking his palm on Izuku’s forehead and holding his head steady to scan his face. “You need to sit this one out? I can fry the tree huggers without you.”

“I’ll be fine.” He moved Katsuki’s hand to his cheek, leaning into the warmth barely seeping through the glove before he looked back up at Katsuki. “You were amazing, Kacchan.”

Then, like he always did before leaving the fantasy of being Katsuki’s actual mate, Izuku leaned up on his toes and pressed a gentle kiss along Katsuki’s lips. He didn’t linger, a simple exchange of gratitude between a thankful omega and the alpha that didn’t treat him like an object. Izuku dropped back down to flat feet, eyes darting away to the breakfast wrap before taking a giant bite and humming around the meal. 

Katsuki scoffed above him, one gloved finger poking his protruding cheek before turning Izuku around to push him toward the door. “Hurry up before Icyhot steals all the glory. We need to take that motherfucker down a peg.”

“Don’t call Shoto that! Remember when you called him a bastard, and he explained in detail why he doesn’t fit that criteria?” 

“He really needs to learn what sarcasm is.”

And as the two bickered while rushing out of the apartment, Izuku knew they left their omega and alpha roles behind in his nest. Here, facing the world, Deku and Dynamight were equals.

~**~

Since Izuku inherited One For All, he could count on a single hand how often he got sick. All Might explained that the quirk helped him heal faster than most, which could also apply to internal viruses. There wasn’t a lot of data on the long-term effects of the quirk, since it had been a secret until All For One forced it into the light. Izuku didn’t mind the lack of runny noses and painful coughs, only having one instance of sickness when in UA.

So when he woke up with an upset stomach, he assumed it more to do with eating something weird over any illness. Katsuki had been gone for three weeks, which meant his nutrition habits had slipped back into his old patterns. Izuku ordered more takeout and used frozen meals on nights he’d normally eat with his duo. He missed that more than the casual sex, though he wondered if that lack of ‘self-care’ was also causing his sharper mood swings at work. Fatigue that should have been solved with earlier bedtimes (as he had nothing to distract him) only increased as the days went on. The soreness of his chest and thighs he assumed would fade like normal after heat lingered. 

But he didn’t really notice the accumulation of symptoms until, after a week of the growing discomfort, a sudden cramp seized him mid-fight. 

“Deku!” Shoto shouted out in concern when Izuku stumbled into the wall, though he was unable to do much else while fending off his own enemy. 

“I’m okay,” he called back, then blew out a huge breath of air to quiet the clenched muscles in his stomach. His eyes lit up with his quirk as he bounced in his spot, letting his power coil around his feet before he charged forward. Normally more careful of his strength, the simmering anger of the throbbing pain made his punch a little heavy handed. Izuku flinched when the villain’s body darted across the road and slammed into the flower shop. He quickly reigned it in after, and the rest of the battle came with minimal injuries. But after watching the concussed villain get wheeled away to the hospital, Izuku knew something was off.

“Are you in need of an alpha scenting?” And from Shoto’s blunt question, he wasn’t the only one.

Blushing at the offer, Izuku shook his head. “I’m okay. Why would you think I needed that?”

“Well, your mate is currently out on a mission, and I’m aware that you had a heat before he left.” Shoto’s kind, but oddly clinical, response made Izuku’s returned nausea feel worse. “After a heat-sharing, omegas can drop if they feel left or abandoned by their alphas. While I know Katsuki would never desert you willingly, and he should be home in a few days, the circumstances and length of distance between you could explain your recent behavior changes.”

“First of all, Kacchan and I are not mates.” He rushed to continue his explanation before Shoto could refute his claim. “And I don’t have to be around him all the time. We’re two different people with friends, hobbies, and obligations that have nothing to do with the other. I’m not so dependent on him that I can’t physically function without him around! Just because I’m an omega, and him an alpha, doesn’t mean I sit around and wait for him to come home and coddle me—”

“You’re growling.” Shoto’s interruption yanked Izuku out of his tirade, and Izuku lost all of his suddenly surging anger when feeling the fierce rumble in his chest. Ashamed at treating his friend’s concern so poorly, Izuku quickly bowed his head, ignoring how the drop made him dizzier than he expected.

Still, he focused on his apology. “I’m so sorry. I-I guess maybe I am a bit out of sorts without Kacchan around. But that doesn’t give me the right to take it out on you.”

“I’m more concerned with your well being.” When Izuku rose back to his full height, Shoto’s eyes shimmered with genuine worry. “If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. After everything you’ve done for myself and our friends, we’re here for you, too.”

“Thank you. That… really means a lot.”

“Of course.” Shoto held out his wrist, a friendly offer of his arctic ice redolence. 

Izuku yanked up his sleeve before moving their wrists together, a normal practice between platonic friends. He’d done it less now that Shoto and Hanta were courting, wanting to respect the sanctity of their newly developing relationship. Still, pact-scenting was different from the intimate way Katsuki covered his neck and jaw with his caramel aroma. He liked Shoto’s arctic scent, the same way he enjoyed Ochaco’s matcha, Tsu’s seaweed, and Tenya’s aftershave. Having the familiar aromas on him made him think of living with them in UA, the late night movie marathons and cuddle piles that lacked any romantic undertones. Even Himiko’s blood orange had started feeling like a comfort over an intrusion.

Except, as Shoto gently rubbed the scent glands against each other like several times before, Izuku held back a sudden urge to throw up. He didn’t know what he’d even expel, skipping most solid meals all day due to his nausea. But as he forced his smile and prayed his pine scent didn’t rot from his discomfort, Izuku finally admitted the truth; something was wrong with him, and he had no idea what.

The fear of it being quirk-related was enough to act. When he made it home, he rushed to his laptop, quick to pull up the portal to his doctor. The benefit of being a top hero had been the access to doctors focused on supporting heroes, meaning they had more openings for emergency services. As he clicked through the appointments and matched them to his days off from work, he let out a relieved sigh when finding one the following week. Once the confirmation email came through, the questionnaire popped up, asking preliminary questions to provide the doctor more insight. 

Most of the questions didn’t raise any red flags for him, until he came to one that made him pause.

Have you been sexually active in the past thirty days?

“Several times,” Izuku muttered, the follow up question earning his hitched breath. 

Were any of these sexual activities during a heat/rut? If so, were contraceptives used?

Izuku stared at the question, knowing the answer. Yes, he’d had sex with Katsuki during his heat. And no, despite his best intention, they hadn’t used contraceptives during the timeframe. He had gone and collected Plan B, but due to the villain attack and the extra work he’d picked up to help Katsuki get on his mission, the timeframe was a day off. He knew the further away from his heat he got, the less effective the medication became. But everything he knew about unmated male omegas getting pregnant implied his chances were slim to none. So there was no way he was—

“Just be honest,” Izuku whispered while staring at the box asking for ‘additional information’. 

After he wrote the facts he had regarding the heat into the box, he didn’t look back, trying to shove the unlikely possibility from his mind. Completing the rest of the questionnaire only took a few clicks, sighing when submitting the form. Until the doctor got back to him regarding their first assessments, he could only distract himself and wait. Staring at the screen for a moment, Izuku flopped back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling while pressing a hand to his stomach.

“I’m sure it’s fine.” 

He didn’t know who he was talking to, the silence of his apartment making him groan before he pushed off the sofa. Too in his head to think about food, he walked past the kitchen and into the hallway, barely glancing to his room before he wandered past it. The nestroom, normally only used for when he was in heat, called to him in a way he hadn’t felt since he was a child. When sick, his mother used to cuddle with him in their old home, reading him stories and running fingers through his hair. Though he wouldn’t bother her so late into the evening, he still wanted the comfort of the enclosed space. 

When he curled into the warm blankets and soft pillows, Izuku buried his face into the nest, nose nuzzling the padding with a sigh. Even after his thorough wash of the linens after the heat, a hint of caramel still lingered in the bedding. Purring despite himself, Izuku yanked the thick orange blanket around him. The nest felt too large without the alpha body he normally had beside him, but Izuku shifted some of the pillows to fill in the space. Once settled, Izuku flopped back into his space, closing his eyes and curling into a ball.

“Hopefully, I can figure this out before Kacchan comes back,” Izuku whispered, not wanting to deal with Katsuki nagging him for ‘letting himself get sick’.

He ignored how his arms naturally drifted around his stomach before he fell asleep.

~**~

The same day Katsuki came home, Izuku received an email from his doctor. Izuku took one look at ‘pre-appointment pregnancy tests’ before he closed out of the request, choosing to meet up with Katsuki instead. Knowing Katsuki chose to see him right after a long mission made something warm bubble inside him, his smile almost too big for his face when jumping on Katsuki for a hug. Hearing the muttered ‘ missed you too, Nerd ’ while muscled arms actually returned the affection almost made him forget about the email completely. They spent the night watching All Might reruns, eating greasy take-out Katsuki normally never touched, and letting their bodies ‘catch up’. The frantic way Katsuki held him, biting the spots that Izuku knew would be hard to hide, only made Izuku’s body shudder in pleasure. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think Katsuki was in a rut from how possessive the three rounds of sex were. He went home, sated and ignorant.

But the next day, when he woke up and rushed to the bathroom to throw up everything he’d eaten the night before, Izuku remembered what the doctor requested. 

It took him two days to research, buy, and have the six pregnancy tests sent discreetly to his apartment. The doctor had only suggested one, but Izuku had too much riding on the situation not to be thorough. He hadn’t cared about the price for the tests or the overnight shipping, unable to focus at work with the daunting thought hanging over him. Katsuki had even made a comment about Izuku ‘smelling anxious’ during their patrol, which decided it for him. Now, after forcing himself to supply the sample for each of the tests, Izuku sat on the bathroom floor and waited for the timer to chime. 

When his phone buzzed with the alarm, Izuku took a slow breath and set his shoulders for battle. “No going back, now.”

The first two tests were the basic kind that the doctor has suggested in the email. Izuku took in the two lines on the screens, knowing what they were meant to symbolize. He’d practically memorized the instructions of each of the tests, knowing how much relied on them having the right response. Two lines was not what he wanted to see.

“They could be faulty,” Izuku whispered to himself, shifting his attention to the next pair. They were the advanced type he’d seen in the video Mina and Kirishima used to announce their pregnancy. He trusted their choice, and turned the cup they sat in. For a second, the minus sign flared his hope up, but the moment was lost the second the light caught the lighter red line that created the plus.

He stared at them for almost a minute, unsure how to accept what was seeing. His only hope for a reason to doubt was the last set of tests. They were a doctor's grade level, and cost Izuku twice as much than the other four. Anxiety made him hesitate to flip the screen, but Izuku took a sharp breath and forced himself to move. It only took one shift to see the letters that caved something in Izuku’s chest.

All six tests, whether it was a plus sign, two lines, or a single word, implied the same thing; Izuku was pregnant with Katsuki’s baby.

“He’s going to kill me,” Izuku whispered, unable to take his eyes off the last pregnancy test sitting in his hand. “I ruined everything.”

Every time he tried to think of the next step, his head went back to red eyes and blond hair. The Katsuki Bakugo; number five pro-hero, top unbonded alpha, and most omega’s wet dream. But to Izuku, he was so much more; his duo, his first (and only) sex partner, his rival, and his best friend. The one person that saw him at his worst, and treated him exactly the same as he did at his best. There wasn’t a person in Izuku’s life that he trusted more. How many people could say they literally died for him? Really, Izuku had hundreds of reasons to be thrilled. 

But with one selfish night, he Detroit smashed their fool-proof plan.

“Not if he doesn't know.”

It was a terrible thought as soon as it popped into his head. Katsuki’s intelligence was one of his best features. As soon as his scent started changing, and his body began showing—

“Oh my God.” He choked on the thought, legs automatically curling against his stomach. It was flat, because it’d only been a month since they slept together. For now, there were no external indicators that he was carrying a pup. 

Except he didn’t even know when to expect the changes, or which symptoms would come first. He had a sex class years ago, but it wasn’t something he bothered thinking about after becoming a hero. Why would an unmated omega plan for a pregnancy? His mind spiraled when he realized the lack of preparation on his part. Ever since he was a child, he had always been the one with notebooks full of information. Izuku loved looking at data, and gaining more knowledge from those around him. Quirks, history of heroes, villain reform, the evolution of One For All—

“But never pups .” He closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the wall. Maybe if he stayed in the darkness behind his eyelids, he'd be able to pretend he was dreaming. “What did you get yourself into?”

Izuku jumped out of his skin when his phone went off, the ringtone familiar and heart-stopping. Izuku stared at the phone, unable to answer his most common contact.

“Kacchan.” Just saying the name made his panic surge. He hadn’t felt so afraid of speaking to Katsuki since the night they faced off at Ground Beta. Izuku could barely hold the phone, which continued to screech with a stupid song Ochaco programmed to tease Katsuki. He couldn’t pick up, but he knew ignoring Katsuki would make everything worse. His omega didn't care about his uneasy feeling, overjoyed at the sound that normally meant Katsuki wanted to give him attention. 

Izuku read news articles where people claimed they knew Katsuki’s alpha style. Several assumed he used an iron fist and commanded others to 'keep order'. And yeah, it wasn’t hard to see Katsuki enjoyed being in control. When things got intense on the battlefield, or plans didn’t go the way they were meant to, Katsuki stepped up and demanded others to listen. But his version of being an alpha outside of work didn’t follow suit. The skewed views of people who didn’t lay under him, didn’t feel how he used all his perfectionism to please Izuku—

“Stop,” he muttered to the toes that curled against the tiles, cheeks hot at the memory from just the other night.

His mind whirled when he realized something that momentarily stopped his heart; the night Katsuki came home, he’d bent Izuku over his couch and made up for the month of lost time. Which meant, if the tests were true, they had sex…while Izuku was pregnant with Katsuki's pup. He’d assumed the rougher session, and the possessive undertone Katsuki held when flipping him over and burying inside Izuku, was because of the month apart. Katsuki’s growls near his ears had been musical. The pleasant buzz of bruises along Izuku’s hips after the amazing rounds of intimacy still lingered. But now, with the information he knew…

“His alpha probably could sense the pup inside me,” he concluded, groaning before he dropped the pregnancy test and covered his face. His shoulders sagged when the phone stopped ringing, Izuku chewing his lower lip. He wasn’t sure what Kacchan would do with the lack of a response. The only times he missed a call was when he was asleep, in battle, or semi-dying. He’d even answered once while on the way to the hospital, against the medic’s recommendation. He winced when the phone rang again, sucking in a deep breath before he accepted the call. “Kacchan—”

“What the hell was that?” Despite Izuku’s mixed bag of emotions, hearing the gruff voice made a pressure in his chest ease. “You better be dying or hiding a body if you ain't answering me.”

“Sorry, Kacchan, I was—” He looked at the test sitting on the floor. “I'm in the bathroom.”

“That means nothing to me. I saw your freckled ass two days ago.” 

The blunt words made Izuku's face flush, voice squeaking. “Y-You can't just say that! What if someone heard you?!”

“What, you scared people might think we're fucking?” Izuku switched his focus to his stomach, a fresh worry growing. They weren't mates, not even dating. Despite their arrangement, and some of the curious looks from their friends and fellow heroes, they never spoke about it openly. Their agency knew about their heat sharing, but the public and most of their friend group were unaware of their dynamic. He was pretty sure society thought he was still a virgin. “Oi, Izuku!” 

The sharp tone of his name made him flinch, pressing the phone closer to his ear. “Ah, sorry! You… asked something?”

“Seriously?” Katsuki’s voice crackled the phone when he sighed. “What's wrong with you?”

“Nothing!” He switched the subject before Katsuki could prod. “What did you need to talk to me about?”

“Tch.” He heard the annoyance seeping from Katsuki’s tone. “Are you busy tonight?”

“Um.” Izuku tried not to think about how now, and for the rest of his life, he'd always be busy. “I don't have plans.”

“Now you do.” There was no alpha command behind the words, but Izuku wanted to follow the statement without question. “You're gonna keep me from blowing my brains out.”

“Is this a quirk training thing?” Could he do that? He didn’t know how One For All would affect the pup, but who was he supposed to ask? As far as he knew, he would be the first user to have One For All while pregnant. Would Katsuki still work with Izuku if he knew the truth?

“I wish.” Katsuki grumbled something, but Izuku couldn’t hear it from the phone's angle. “Dunce Face and Pinky tricked me into going out tonight. I'm surprised your little nerd squad hasn't told you about it.”

Izuku pulled the phone back to see the several missed texts he’d left unanswered all morning, too anxious about the pregnancy tests to speak to any of his friends. “Guess I missed them all.”

“What, you distracted by some lame documentary playing?”

“I actually haven’t watched anything today.” Just his hopes and dreams swirling down the toilet. 

“Whatever. Be ready for eight.” 

“You're gonna pick me up?” Izuku asked, unsure if the proposal was a blessing or a curse.

“Obviously, Nerd. We're gonna end up back at my place after the bar, anyway.” Kacchan's expectation of a sleepover made him purr without thought. Despite his squeak and quick covering of his mouth, Katsuki's grin bled through the phone. “Wow, way to wear your heart on your sleeve. This is why they don't let us do undercover shit.” 

“I thought it was because you blew up—”

“Oi, that was three years ago! Stop bringing it up.”

Izuku laughed despite the lingering worry in his chest. “Sorry, Kacchan. Eight works for me.”

“Good, cause I wasn't changing it.”

Except Izuku knew he would, because Kacchan was the best person in Izuku's life. He was Izuku's hero. Without thought, his hand drifted to his stomach. Would the pup get the same experience? Or had Izuku's total mess up robbed the innocent life of having an alpha so amazing as Kacchan? Though not teenagers, they were still young. It was so early into their careers, both still trying to open their own agency and branch off from Best Jeanist’s care. But more importantly, they weren’t even dating. Each daunting fact worked against Izuku's growing anxiety.

Suddenly, he couldn't be on the phone anymore. “I should get some things done before tonight. I'll... I'll see you later?”

“Stop acting like it's an option; you ain't getting out of it.” But then Kacchan paused, voice almost soft. “You better not be hiding an injury or something.”

“Huh?” Izuku hopped to his feet, pacing the bathroom while he forced a laugh. “Kacchan, I'm not hurt.”

“You sick, then? Cause whatever's going on, you better fucking tell me. The last thing I need is you dying on our patrol tomorrow.” 

“Why would something be wrong?”

“Because I know you.” The sigh carried less irritation than Izuku expected. “And somehow, someway, whatever you're hiding is going to fall back on me. It always does. So spare me the headache and spill.” 

The offer covered itself in gruffness, but Izuku read between the lines. Katsuki was worried.

“I…” Izuku glanced at the pregnancy test, the innocent device shriveling up his glimmer of courage. “Guess I didn't sleep well last night. It was too cold.”

“Then fucking call me next time, idiot. I'm a living heater.” 

It sounded so easy, and before discovering what was growing inside him, maybe Izuku would have melted at the offer. But he had to think about more than just his stupid heart, now. He couldn't let Katsuki in his bed again without telling him they weren’t alone. If Katsuki chose to walk away, that was fine. Izuku fought All For One at sixteen and survived. He could handle loving a child enough for two parents.

“Yeah,” he whispered, closing his eyes. “See you tonight, Kacchan.” 

He ended the call and tossed the phone onto the counter, groaning into the palms he pressed to his face.

Izuku could only hope the night wouldn’t end in tears. 

Chapter Text

“Love is a friendship set to music.” —Joseph Campbell

By the time Katsuki picked him up for dinner, the uneasy feeling Izuku had about the situation had only grown. The trip to the bar Mina picked was only three blocks down the street, meaning the two could have walked. But Katsuki loved showing off his car, even if he didn’t admit it, so Izuku let his duo drive them to the event. The short distance meant limited time, allowing Izuku to keep the conversation surface level. Anything that needed real brain power would make him fall apart, barely able to cover up his puffy eyes and runny nose from the day of sporadic crying.

Still, he felt the suspicious red eyes follow him when he rushed out of the car and into the bar.

“Izuku!” Ochaco shouted, bumping shoulders with Hanta as she waved. “You made it!”

“Ah, yeah. Kacchan brought me.” 

Shoto took a sip from whatever Tsu handed him before he nodded. “We were worried when we didn't hear from you all day.”

“So the Nerd ignored everyone, huh?” Izuku felt Kacchan's hand on his lower spine before the heat brushed his side. “Tch.”

“K-Kacchan, I wasn't ignoring anyone.” He gave a glance to the group and offered a guilty smile. “I should have answered, though. I'm sorry.” 

“It's fine, sweetie!” Mina waved him away. “Ejirou and I get it. We forget half the world anytime the pup makes an unfamiliar noise.”

“Where is the giggle monster tonight?” 

Denki's adoration of the newborn never surprised Izuku, his omega nature shining through. Normally, Izuku didn’t mind conversations about Daichi, Kirishima and Mina’s child, loving to coo at the rosy-cheeked boy whenever their friends brought the three-month-old around. But the morning and earlier revelations made his spine stiffen over the topic. He reminded himself that nobody knew about his pup. How could they, when even the alpha who helped make the baby didn’t?

As if Katsuki could hear his thoughts, his hand twitched in its spot against Izuku’s back.

“With my moms,” Kirishima answered, popping a kiss on Mina's temple. He grinned like Daichi was his greatest achievement. “I'll bring him by when we hang out Sunday.” 

“I'm impressed with how easily you adapted to being a father,” Tenya said while skimming the menu.

The talk tugged at every nerve in Izuku's system, so he quickly tried to change the conversation. “Is the food here any good? I haven't eaten since breakfast.” 

“What the hell?” The hand on his back slid to his hip, yanking him into Katsuki’s side. “Don't do that shit, idiot.”

“I didn't mean to, I just forgot—”

“How'd you forget, dude?” Denki asked. “I've seen your black hole appetite after a mission.” 

Before he could explain away the lack of hunger over the past week, Hanta's finger poked his stomach. It was a harmless joke, but he jerked away behind Katsuki.

“Don't!” He snarled, pressing his stomach to the strong back in front of him. His omega screamed to hide his pup, and Katsuki felt like a safe space. Instincts rushed through him, relying on his experiences with Katsuki to protect the baby. The laughs and teasing coos at Katsuki being a 'protective alpha' instantly died at the strange behavior. With no words to replace it, tension filled the air.

Thankfully, Katsuki didn't miss a beat, glaring at Hanta. “Don't touch people without permission, dumbass.”

“Uh, sorry.” Hanta looked apologetic under his confusion. Izuku begged the floor to swallow him, knowing he needed to move his body away from Katsuki. Despite his mental pleas and the eyes watching him, his feet wouldn't budge. The pressure of the situation, mixed with his own emotions and the stress on his mind, made him want to cry.

Ochaco jumped in to fill the space. “Izuku, wanna split an appetizer?”

If they weren’t both stupidly gay and sleeping with blond-haired gremlins, Izuku would have kissed her. “Sure. That sounds perfect.”

Izuku wiggled out from behind Katsuki, sending him a grateful smile as he passed. Not that he needed to, since Katsuki followed him into the booth. The group made room for them, like they assumed the two were a packaged deal. Instead of feeling embarrassed or annoyed at being clumped in with Katsuki, Izuku fought back a purr. His tongue pressed to the back of his teeth, sneaking a peek at Katsuki’s neck while the alpha argued with Shoto about something. His immediate urge to rub along the soft slope of skin, staining it with his pine scent, almost made him lean forward. They’d had sex a couple days ago, which normally settled him for a week before itching for another taste. But now, just letting his eyes drift down Katsuki’s pretty profile… 

His ears turned pink when Katsuki glanced over and sent him a knowing smirk, another downside of sleeping with his best friend.

“You good with potato skins? Or some spinach dip?” Ochaco's excitement made him relax and lean into her welcoming scent. Between her and Katsuki, two of his most trusted friends, his omega’s previous anxiety settled. They’d keep him safe from whatever ridiculous fear his instincts picked up on for the pup. “Oh, we could share a scorpion bowl, too, since we're both lightweights—”

He was so comfortable between the matcha and caramel scent, his lips moved without thought. “I can't.”

“Aw, no way. Is Bakubabe finally letting you drive his baby?” At Mina's question, Izuku's eyes popped open, sitting up straighter in the booth. Knowing Izuku hadn't driven, Katsuki’s once cocky grin switched into a skeptical frown. 

Panicked at the first slip up, Izuku rushed to correct himself. “No, I... w-we have morning patrol tomorrow. Kacchan always says he won't help me if I'm hungover, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“That's quite responsible of you,” Tenya said, then glanced at Hanta. “You should follow his lead.” 

The group rushed into a conversation about whose 'went to work hungover' story was the worst in the room. Izuku tried to follow the loud talking, plastering on a smile and laughing when he caught someone’s joke. But, despite Izuku’s best attempts during the night, he knew he was making mistakes. They felt minor on their own, or to someone who wasn't attuned to his behavior. But for Izuku… 

When the waitress came by and (after freaking out about the heroes at her table) asked about drinks, Izuku’s brain stalled. Was carbonation okay for someone pregnant? What about the sugar content? Would a lemonade be a good choice, or bad parenting? Panicking over the lack of knowledge, he quietly stared at the table while asking for water. All throughout the night, he winced at each sudden cramp that cut off his rants. The food dropped at the table looked amazing, but he bit back the urge to gag when he got a strong whiff from Kirishima's fish tacos. It was normally a favorite of his, but something about the pungent odor made his stomach flip. 

And then, the topic of Daichi came back around.

“He's pretty adorable.” Tsu tilted her head while peering down at a picture on Mina’s phone. “It’s cool that he has your eyes.”

Hanta grinned, flicking a fry from the long finished meal toward Kirishima. “Who would have thought your ugly mug could make such a cute kid?” 

“Hey, I'm super adorable. And my pup looks just like me!”

“Isn’t it kind of crazy that you can just tell it’s Mina and Kirishima’s kid?” Denki asked, sighing with a dreamy edge. “I can’t wait to see what part of Kyoka our pup has.”

“ If she wants to procreate with you,” Shoto said, the table laughing when Denki gasped too dramatically to be real.

Though the conversation continued on, Izuku's mind drifted again, eyes flickering down to his stomach at the new thought. What would their pup look like? Could he even hide who the alpha was? There was a possibility his mother’s green eyes or hair would power through, but Mitsuki's DNA was as tough as the woman it came from. Without permission, an image formed, Izuku’s heart clenching at his wild imagination. 

Little blond spikes paired with small, freckled cheeks. Innocent green eyes too sharp-edged to be anyone but Katsuki’s. A baby with the Midoriya and Bakugo genetics would be beautiful, but they'd have expectations. His pulse raced at the terrifying thought, brain racing. The world would demand so much from them. Just thinking about what the future would hold for the child doused his palms in sweat. What if they didn’t want to be a hero? Or what if they did, but took on Izuku's quirklessness-

“Nerd, breathe!” When realizing his lungs burned from the lack of use, he sucked in a huge breath, hands grasping the edge of the table to keep from falling over. Izuku's eyes poured out tears, the edges of black proving how long he’d been stagnant. Katsuki’s hands cupped his face, uncaring of who saw them when staring into Izuku’s wide eyes. “Izuku, you gotta focus on me.”

As he heaved from his sudden consciousness, Izuku's gaze flitted around the table, realizing his breakdown had become the prime show of the night. Each face that watched was full of concern, confusion, wariness… but Mina’s look was different. She stared at Izuku with a light that only came from experience. Like she could read his mind, and understood why his hand automatically snapped to his stomach. In a heartbeat, his thoughts crashed down around him.

She knows.

And Izuku needed to escape. “I've gotta—” 

Izuku ignored the shouts of his name as he activated his quirk. Blackwhip rushed out and pulled him over the table, Izuku tucking his legs in to keep from knocking into any of the food or drinks. He barely remembered to throw money back at his friends before he dropped to the floor, sprinting out of the bar. People on the street looked at him in alarm as he made it outside, but the adrenaline of escaping blocked out their words. The cool May air sliced into his chest as he sprinted down the sidewalk, unable to catch the breath he’d lost at the table. With his eyes too blurry to navigate his overflowing quirk around civilians, he tilted his head up, a new solution tugging on his brain.

“Rooftop,” he muttered, letting his legs build up energy with his bunny hops before he shot up over the bar. 

Except he barely got his balance on the roof before a hot hand grabbed his collar, yanking him off his feet. “Where the hell do you think you're going, Nerd?”

“Let me go!” He tried to wiggle out of his jacket, feet kicking in protest. “Please, I—I just need to go home and sleep.” 

“I know what you're like when you're tired.” Katsuki turned Izuku to face him, exposing his scowl. “I know you angry, bored, horny as fuck—” 

“Kacchan!”

“And I know when you're scared.” Izuku tensed at the growl, his eyes darting away to hide his fear.

“Why would I be scared?” He asked, praying he didn't tremble in Katsuki's hold.

“I have no damn clue. You've been hiding shit from me all night, and I'm sick of it. Remember what you promised me after the war?“

He knew he hurt Katsuki during their first year of UA with the multiple times Izuku hid the truth. First with One For All, then leaving school, and finally how his feelings for Katsuki connected to his quirks. When they became a duo, Izuku vowed he wouldn't hide things anymore. If there was a problem, they would work on it as a pair.

“Please.” But this was different. He needed time, just a few seconds to make a plan. 

Katsuki’s free hand came up, mini explosions popping in warning. “Start talking, or I'll give you a reason to be scared.”

He knew the attack was a fake threat, but his omega could only think one thing; protect the baby. Izuku snarled and kicked one percent of his strength into Katsuki’s stomach. It broke the hold on his jacket, allowing him to shove away without actually harming Katsuki.

Not expecting the sudden attack, Katsuki stumbled, but recovered with both hands popping from anger. “What the fuck —”

“You'll burn the pup!”

Izuku's shout froze Katsuki in place. Wide-eyed and lips parted, Katsuki's hands dispersed his quirk and dropped to his side. “The... what?”

It was a normal response, but it made Izuku burst into tears. His arm wrapped around his stomach, his free hand covering his mouth as he sobbed.

“I'm sorry…” Everything he wanted to say, the words that had been running through his mind all day, evaporated. “I'm so sorry, Kacchan.”

“You're not even making sense, what—” Katsuki moved closer, and Izuku flinched hard enough to freeze him. Confusion filled Katsuki’s face as his eyes scanned Izuku. “ What pup?”

Izuku tried to form words, but his panic and crying left him mute. Instead, he could only tighten the grip around himself. He fought the urge to turn away when the red gaze dropped down toward the movement. The only sound on the roof was Izuku’s wet gasps, wishing he could disappear. But Izuku knew it wasn’t fair to leave Katsuki in the dark. 

Sucking in a weak breath, Izuku ignored the painful beat of his heart to force his tearful state up to meet Katsuki’s. “The one inside me.”

Katsuki’s shoulders tensed after his confession, Izuku hating how the simple motion made his omega wail from rejection. He looked like All For One had risen from the grave, the wide eyes and parted lips too shocked to hide. 

“But you’re–I saw you take your birth control last week.”

“I didn’t know then.” 

“Why would you– how ?” 

“Remember how my heat started a day later than normal? For your birthday, I used Seinkun so my heat didn’t mess up your party.” The plan seemed so stupid in hindsight, and he wanted to go back in time and knock himself out to stop the selfish decision. 

“And you can’t use that without getting off your birth control.” Katsuki rubbed his palms over his face, sliding fingers into his hair while he closed his eyes. 

“That was why I planned to handle my heat alone, but you… you were so…” He didn’t want to place the blame on Katsuki, knowing he was the one who didn’t explain the situation the night of his heat.

“I knew you smelt different. My fucking alpha was way too happy about that. I should have clocked it, should have–fuck.” Katsuki sucked in a breath, lashes trembling in a way Izuku had rarely seen before. It took a lot for his best friend to show any hint of fear. Before guilt could dig any deeper into Izuku’s soul, Katsuki’s eyes popped open, meeting Izuku’s watery gaze with his wary one. “Nerd–”

“I didn't mean to mess this all up.” Izuku pleaded like they were in middle school again. “I swear, if that emergency alarm hadn't gone off the morning after my heat, I would have remembered—I wasn't trying to trap you. I know what we are—”

“Izuku.” Katsuki’s voice lacked any anger, and Izuku doubted he could hide it so well. In a second, Katsuki was in front of him, reaching out. Izuku tried to back away again, but a larger hand snagged his wrist. Thankfully, the touch was gentler than the last grab. Izuku blinked another set of tears down his face, confusion filling his racing thoughts when he heard a soothing rumble. It was only when Katsuki tugged him forward to press Izuku's face into the crook of his neck did he realize the sound was coming from Katsuki's chest. He was used to hearing a growl or croon from alphas, but a purr wasn’t their normal choice of noise. It felt… vulnerable. Intimate in a way heat partners didn’t share.

“Kacchan...?” Unsure if he was allowed to indulge in the tense moment, Izuku grabbed at the back of Katsuki's shoulders, breathing in the warm caramel pooling off the scent gland near his nose. His eyes fell half-lidded, body melting into the safe embrace.

“It's ours, right?”

“Mhm,” He mumbled without thought.

“You’re sure about it?”

“I took six tests.”

“That’s…okay then.” A hand grabbed his nape, thumb stroking his pulse to ease its fast pace. “You need to get checked out. And we have to figure out what we’re telling the agency.”

Izuku leaned deeper into the hold, unable to stop the tremble in his voice. “Kacchan, if you need space to process what I did–”

“Oi.” The bump of Katsuki’s forehead against his temple stayed soft. “Stop acting like this is something to be ashamed of. Nothing that's ours is a mistake, got it? We'll…we’ll figure this shit out. Just like we always do.”

The statement felt like a dream that couldn’t be true, no matter how much Izuku yearned for it. He’d heard how often Katsuki didn’t want a pup or mate, never shy in his disgust over the idea. Why would an unplanned child with an unbonded omega be somehow more acceptable? The thought made another rush of tears fill his eyes, lowering his face to hide his crying against Katsuki’s neck.

“I’m so sorry,” he mumbled, feeling a hot breath against his cheek before Katsuki scented his temple. He wondered if it was to calm him down, or to let their pup know of his presence.

Katsuki didn't acknowledge the apology. “How long have you known?”

“This morning, when you called, I–” His voice quivered, pulling Katsuki closer when he couldn’t get the rest of the words out.

“Knew you were gonna drag me into something. But this… what the hell.” Despite the air of disbelief in the mutter, Katsuki continued to rub his nose over the side of Izuku's face. The action, no matter how unconscious it was, still made Izuku purr in acceptance. “You're gonna be all nerdy about this, huh? Reading books and articles, getting yourself fucking dizzy with data.”

“Well, I don't wanna hurt them!” Izuku pulled back and scowled, closing an eye when Katsuki cleaned his cheek from his previous tears. “I've never needed this information before, and I could mess something up if I don't do research. There's so many factors, and with my quirk and body—”

“Yeah, there he is.”

Izuku tilted his head at the interruption, Katsuki rolling his eyes before he knocked their foreheads together. “Ouch! Kacchan, be careful.”

“We're gonna be fine.” He didn't know if he was imagining the confidence in the red gaze, or if the night embellished Katsuki's cocky grin. “Once you stop freaking out, we’re gonna make a plan and rock this shit.”

“You’re probably right.” Izuku sniffled, lips wobbling from the support. Even if his emotions were like scattered marbles in his chest, the moment of not feeling alone wrapped around him in a warm embrace. “I'm sorry I went a little crazy at the table. Hormones, and... the pup hates fish tacos.”

“Good. Now I can ban it from my house and your diet. That greasy junk is clogging up your arteries.”

“Fish is healthy.”

“Not fried and smothered in coleslaw.”

Izuku whined when Katsuki cleaned his other cheek, leaning his tired body against the alpha's chest. “You don't get to change my life just because I'm—”

Both paused, Katsuki looking from his wet palm to Izuku. “Gonna finish that sentence, Nerd?”

Emotions surging up, Izuku gave a weak smile. “I'm pregnant, Kacchan.”

Pride flooded the caramel scent. Izuku wasn't sure if it was Katsuki's for helping his best friend recover or... his alpha's satisfaction in his ability to make a pup. Looking past the alpha response, he could see the hint of a tremble under Katsuki’s lower lip. He wasn’t sure if it was the low light of the rooftop or his imagination that added a shimmer to the corner of Katsuki’s eyes. A flashback from when they were kids popped up, remembering seeing the same expression after chasing the older kids away. He was scared, probably just as much as Izuku. 

But the fear wouldn’t make him back down from what he’d set his mind on. “Damn right we are.” 

Embarrassed at how quickly the possessive wording made his heart thud against his chest, Izuku hid his face in Katsuki's neck again.

Because Izuku knew Katsuki. Knew that voice, that tone . It proved that, despite his fear…Katsuki was excited for the challenge growing in Izuku’s stomach.

~**~

Telling Katsuki about the pregnancy felt like the first real step into accepting the truth. Seeing it on a stick was one thing, but whispering the words to the man he would share the experience with was another. He still kept the news from their friends and family, not wanting to bring up the announcement until he had confirmation from a professional. But that also brought up a hurdle that he hadn’t thought he’d need to plan so early (if ever) in his life.

An obstetrician. One who could work with him as not only a male omega, but a hero. The secrecy had to match the experience needed for his rare case while also being able to keep a secret. Izuku wasn’t dumb; he knew that once the news broke about his pregnancy, everything would change. If Katsuki was revealed to be the alpha, every news channel and social media app would be filled with the story. Though doctors had a HIPAA obligation, leaked files happened with other heroes before. 

“I could help you with that.” Mina’s whisper next to his ear made Izuku shout out in surprise, quickly hiding his phone with the list of obstetricians sent to him by the insurance company. It was his fault for skimming the choices while he was at work, but he hadn’t expected anyone to find him on the agency’s rooftop.

Flushed and scared over how much she saw, Izuku’s pitch hiked. “Mina! W-What are you doing up here?”

“Bakubabe wanted me to let you know he’s gonna be late from the meeting, and he’s got no service in the conference room. He’s the one who told me you’d be up here.” Her mind quickly switched back to the topic he wanted to avoid. “I still have the one I used for Daichi, and she’s honestly the best. She actually has a specialty in male omega pregnancies, but she took me on as a special case. Is this something we’re expecting…?”

“I’m—” Izuku swallowed, stuck at a crossroads. He hadn’t planned to tell anyone until he figured out how much Katsuki wanted others to know. But Mina was Kirishima’s mate, one of Katsuki’s best friends, and had first hand experience being pregnant. If there was anyone who had to discover the truth, wasn’t Mina the best case scenario? Not having any more time to think about his decision, Izuku placed a hand over his stomach. “I think I might be.”

“Oh my gosh!” Mina’s bright smile took over her face before she plopped next to him on the roof, tugging him into a hug. “I’m so happy for you and the gremlin. You’re gonna have the cutest pup.”

“I didn’t say who—”

“Izubabe.” She pulled back far enough for her knowing eyes to arch a brow at him. “I know about your hook-up in the treehouse. Who do you think that explosive alpha went to for advice? You didn't assume he asked Ejirou , did you?”

“You told him to lock us in a closet to talk?!”

“It worked in the movies!” She stuck her tongue out while she winked, proving that despite being older, she was still young at heart. “And since it got you pregnant, I see it as a total win.”

“Please don’t say that so loud,” Izuku whispered, glancing around the rooftop before continuing. “I don’t even know for sure, and there’s no guarantee Kacchan will want us to go public about this. I still have to talk to him about his… involvement.”

Mina made a face like she wanted to challenge him on something he said, but she sighed before she leaned her shoulder against his. “Well, how about I come with you to the first appointment? That way you have a familiar face who already knows the place, and you can get all the information you want before you talk to Katsuki. Deal?”

“You’d really come with me for my appointment?” He asked, his anxiety dropping at her eager nod.

“The real fun doesn’t start until they start the photo ultrasounds, so the first few appointments are super boring.” Then, Mina reached out, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. “But it’s still nice to have someone there with you.”

He took a deep breath to hold back his tears, blaming the rise of hormones over his natural compulsion to cry. “Thank you. I’m kind of scared of this whole thing.”

“You beat All For One and saved Shigaraki; I think you’re gonna rock being pregnant.” She helped him to his feet before the two walked toward the exit. “Now let me tell you all the ways you can use being pregnant to your advantage with getting Katsuki to buy you stuff—”

“Mina!” Despite refusing to do anything close to her suggestion, he still laughed, enjoying the sway of their hands while she rattled off her reasons for the ‘totally necessary’ manipulation. 

Like her quirk had switched from acid to making quick appointments, Mina managed to get him re-directed to her obstetrician for the following Monday. When they walked into the waiting room, nobody else was in it, which Mina had promised on the way over. The clinic shared space with the dental, eye, and other medical businesses, which helped mask their reason for going in. The media covered Mina’s pregnancy and the birth of Daichi in great detail, which was also another cover-up if anyone followed them inside. 

None of that made his legs stop twitching when sitting on the medical bench, waiting for the obstetrician to arrive. Resting his hands on his stomach had become second nature, though he tried to be aware of it when out on duty or in public. His eyes danced around the room, feeling uneasy despite Danger Sense laying dormant inside him.

“Bakubabe coming would help some of your nerves,” she said, her jasmine scent filling the room to try and settle him. “My scenting’s not as effective since I’m not your lucky alpha. Once your pup’s nose starts developing, you’ll be able to see the difference when Katsuki’s around.”

He didn’t know how to explain his guilt over the botched protection. Deep down, he understood that once the baby was out, Katsuki would be stuck dealing with Izuku and taking care of the pup. The softness of their conversation outside of the bar had been nice, but it didn’t erase everything Katsuki said before it. He hadn’t wanted a pup to interfere with his hero career. If Izuku could handle the pregnancy on his own, and kept the process as stress-free as he could for Katsuki, maybe some of his shame would disappear before their child arrived.

So he settled for a lighter reply. “I think the appointment stuff is my responsibility, not Kacchan’s.”

“I’m sorry, did you knot yourself?” Her blunt question made him choke on his spit, Mina waving his wide eyes away. “Sweetie, you’re a very adorable omega, and I know any alpha would kill a few people to get a shot with you. But even if you were on birth control, if that idiot didn’t wear a condom during your heat , then he’s just as responsible for this as you are. And unless he’s blamed you for the pregnancy, I can’t imagine Katsuki acting with such a knothead mentality. He’s one of the good ones… well, when it comes to you, at least.”

“It’s not his fault that I’m needy during heats.” He tried to ignore his warmer cheeks while tangling his fingers on his lap. “I don’t think I would have let him use one once I… well, you know. My omega likes to be as close to Kacchan as possible when I’m under like that.”

“You two are so grossly cute.” She giggled as he whined, eyes full of mirth. “I promise, my bestie is going to love pampering you. Trust me, okay?”

Before Izuku could refute the claim, there was a knock on the door. Both looked up to see a small woman enter the office, the white coat enough evidence for Izuku to assume she wasn’t like the nurses who guided him through the pre-exam tests. She reminded him of Lady Chiyo, except her hair had more black than gray. Still, her warm smile and bright eyes made Izuku think she truly enjoyed her work as an obstetrician.

“Good morning. I’m Dr. Moro, and I’ll be one helping you through this wonderful journey. It’s nice to see you again, Mina. And you’ve brought us a new patient. What would you like me to address you as? I know some prefer their hero names, while others want to keep this separated from their jobs. I’m happy to accommodate whatever makes you more comfortable.”

“Oh, uh, Izuku is fine!” 

“Alright, Izuku.” Another motherly smile took over her small face before she walked over to the counter where the nurse had left some notes. “And I see we’re inquiring about your pregnancy?”

“Um, sort of. I don’t even know if I’m actually pregnant. I took the tests like my doctor told me to, of course!” Izuku blurted out, the nerves he’d worked down spiraling back into his throat. “Like, six of them? I tried to get a few different ones, but then I thought taking from the sample might have messed up whatever result I got, so there might not be even be a pup—”

“Well, let me ease some of your mind.” Dr. Moro gave a final glance at the paperwork before meeting Izuku’s gaze again. “The hCG levels in your blood confirm you’re a little over six weeks pregnant. Congratulations, Izuku.” 

“Oh.” For a moment, he forgot how to breathe. It shouldn’t have thrown him so off balance, since he’d been functioning like he was pregnant since telling Katsuki the week before. When coming to the clinic, he hadn’t imagined the doctor telling him he wasn’t pregnant. But somehow, hearing how far long he was, and the scientific proof in his blood —

“Wait a minute.” Mina counted on her fingers before she gasped, looking at Izuku with a mischievous grin. “So that’s why he ditched his own birthday party. Feeling sick my butt!”

“Mina, please.” Embarrassed over the story he would make sure none of his friends told the pup in the future, Izuku covered his cheeks with his hands and turned back to Dr.Moro. “I wasn’t exactly planning to be pregnant, so I’m a little behind. Is there something I should be doing or..?”

“Don’t worry, we have a lot of unexpected parents come into the clinic. It’s actually more common than you think; about forty percent of pregnancies are unplanned. You aren’t alone in this.” The doctor walked over to a shelf and pulled out a pamphlet, handing it to Izuku as she spoke. “Here are some details you might want to go over regarding your nutrition, work management, communication with friends and family, as well as the vitamins and supplements we may need to put you on.”

Izuku glanced at the thick packet, lips pressing together before forcing them open. “That’s… great, thank you.”

“You can take it home to discuss with your mate, since I’ve worked with Mina and know she wasn’t the one to help you make this gift.” Dr. Moro’s gentle comment aimed to keep the conversation light-hearted, but Izuku squirmed in his spot while fighting the urge to touch the unbitten gland. 

“I’m actually not bonded to anyone,” he said, grimacing at the societal shame that came with his circumstances. “He was a heat partner. I’m… not sure how involved he’ll be.”

Mina sighed next to him, but Izuku wanted to be safe over sorry. It would be more embarrassing to claim Katsuki’s undying support, only for him to never come or change his mind. Dr. Moro didn’t currently know Katsuki was the father. For now, he would rather add Katsuki into the process than have to painfully remove him later on.

Despite Izuku’s discomfort in the admission, Dr. Moro didn’t bat an eye. “Then it’s a good thing you have Mina to support you. I’ll go get a nurse to prepare for the medical examination. Then we’ll ask you some questions about your records and go over any questions you may have. Please, excuse me.”

Izuku waited until the doctor left the room before he glanced back at the brochure, looking thicker than it had originally. As he opened the paperwork, the amount of things he couldn’t engage with without hurting the baby filled the page. The more his eyes skimmed down the list, the blurrier his sight got, Izuku realizing his anxiety was taking over his senses again. It was why he hadn’t noticed Mina’s hand on his arm, or her voice calling his name with a worried expression.

“Izuku? Are you okay?”

“I…” He searched her face before he let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know if I can do all of this.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m so young! I know you and Kirishima had a baby even younger than me. When Mirio told me he and Tamaki were expecting last year, it made perfect sense to me. But I didn’t think I’d ever have this as an option! Both of you had pups because you’re bonded and in love with your partners, but I’m… society makes it difficult for omegas to be heroes, nevermind ones who can get pregnant. There’s so much I still need to learn, and Kacchan wants to be the top hero more than anything. This is the worst timing for me to make such a stupid mistake—”

“You know that you don’t have to, right?” Mina asked. “Have the baby, I mean.”

“What…what are…”

“You’re still really early into this, and you have every right to decide you’re not in the right place to become a parent. This clinic can also set up an appointment for an abortion, if that’s something you want to consider.”

“An ab—no!” Feeling a drop of dread in his chest at the thought, Izuku quickly covered his stomach with both of his hands. “Why would you want me to get rid of Kacchan’s baby?!”

“Sweetie, that’s not what I said.” She gentled her voice, squeezing his bicep to show her lack of judgement when she spoke. “I’m not telling you to do that; you have an entire village of support behind you, no matter what choice you make. If you want to have this pup, I’m your person to step in when Katsuki can’t. It’ll be a long, tough, beautiful road. But I don’t want you to feel like Katsuki, or any of us, would think negatively of you walking out of here with a different plan than I had. Not everyone wants to have kids, even if our bodies tell us we should. Your physical and mental health matters most to us, Izuku. Don’t ignore what’s right for you.”

He listened to what she said, feeling the anger and fear from his first reaction seep away. After weighing her words, Izuku shook his head. “I don’t want to do that. This pup is mine, and I could never accept getting rid of them. Thank you for worrying about me, and explaining it as a choice, but—it’s not an option in my mind. I’ve… maybe this is silly, but I’m already attached.”

“That’s not silly,” Mina cooed at him, the jasmine from before helping him ease his shoulders from his flushed ears. “There’s no question in my mind you were born to save the world and have gremlins with Bakubabe. Everyone knows you’re going to be the best mama for your baby. ”

Hearing the title he wasn’t sure he’d earned yet, Izuku leaned his forehead onto Mina’s shoulder, closing his eyes to try and collect his emotions. “Being pregnant is messing up my hormones.”

“We can talk to Dr. Moro about how to help you out with that. Or maybe Ejirou, because he was a champ when it came to keeping me from tearing Denki and Hanta’s heads off,” Mina said, giggling as she petted his head. “Don’t worry, we’ve got you. This will be the best journey of your and Katsuki’s life.”

And despite the lingering fear in his chest, Izuku felt his lips twitch into a smile.

Chapter Text

“Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” – Winnie the Pooh

Izuku never asked to be pregnant. Sure, as a child, he would occasionally think about it. The ‘dream’ of finding a perfect alpha to bond with and start a family had been drilled into his head through the media. Except now, Izuku was a hero, which was already a job not deemed ‘appropriate’ for omegas. He wasn’t mated to the alpha who got him pregnant. In all ways he could frame it, Izuku recognized it wasn’t ideal. He didn't blame Katsuki, because they were both consenting adults. When they started their arrangement, they knew the slim possibility of it happening. Both learned how pups were made. That was why they'd been so careful over two years. Katsuki kept track of their cycles, Izuku never missed his contraceptives, and he had taken Plan-B (despite the timeframe being off). 

And yet, here they were. Or, rather, Izuku, because both knew who society would blame. Despite what Mina said at his appointment, Izuku accepted most of the burden fell on his shoulders. He understood that.

But he felt like morning sickness was cruel and unusual punishment.

“Oh, God.“ Izuku shook his head and dropped it onto his toilet seat, wondering if he could trade Tenko cutting off his arms again over this. He was good with pain in the physical sense, but morning sickness was, apparently, the ultimate weakness for All Might’s successor. Who knew?

Through his bleary eyes, he looked at Mina's text and whined in distress. Her discovering his pregnancy had been a blessing in disguise, since she knew better than most of their friends about the lengthy duration of nausea he'd feel. Except she had Kirishima to sit with her while she fell apart. Izuku was alone.

“That's okay,” he whispered to the air, forcing himself not to cry despite how disgusting he felt. “I can do this. Chisaki stabbed me in so many places. Muscular nearly squashed me to death. I’m pretty sure I half-died against Tenko. I'm stronger than this.” 

For a moment, he didn’t want to be strong. Brave. Independent. All of the things that made him a selfless hero despite the judgements thrown at omegas. In the tiny bathroom, with spit and shame staining his face, Izuku wondered what it would feel like to be spoiled. Cuddled. Loved. To be someone's mate.

You don’t need that to be happy, Izuku thought to himself, ignoring the crooning of the omega inside. Izuku refused to let his instincts infect his life outside of heats. Getting to share that with an alpha who he trusted not to objectify him was enough. There'd never been a time, outside of his mindless days of heat, that he felt such an intense craving to... mate.

If the option presented itself, Izuku could see an argument for finding someone that saw him beyond a safe heat partner. Even if it would be dangerous as a hero, he did daydream of a mate that wanted to claim him. Like a taunt, a smart mouth and bright red eyes flashed through his mind. Even in his miserable state, he purred at the soothing thought. He wasn’t dumb; Katsuki would make a great mate. If Izuku was a different omega, pretty and lacking the damage from throwing himself into danger every day, maybe he would have been appealing enough for Katsuki to change his mind about—

The upsetting thought cramped his stomach, and he pressed his hand to the life inside him. Dr. Moro said his emotions could affect the pup, who had a direct connection to his distress.

“Sorry, sweetie,” he mumbled, tearing up. 

He was only seven weeks pregnant, and he was already failing his first duty as an omega. Another wave of sickness hit like a sucker punch. He lurched forward over the toilet again, helpless to his body’s demand. Gagging, he closed his eyes and wondered how anyone would willingly do this to themselves multiple times. If he needed proof that he wasn't meant to be a parent, it was right here, on the bathroom floor.

“I'm so sorry,” he apologized again to the baby. This time, the tears rolled over his cheeks. His voice shook, and despite having the power of One For All flowing through his veins, he couldn’t muster the strength needed to wipe his messy face. The morning had been miserable, and he was only in his second month? His eyes closed tightly enough to make his head fuzzy.

Trying to keep his stomach settled, he missed the opening of the bathroom door. He flinched at the touch on his back, though the lack of Danger Sense meant whoever was behind him was no threat.

“You look like death, Nerd.” 

“Kacchan…” Izuku sighed when the palm on his spine heated up from his partner’s quirk. He couldn’t lift his head to investigate the shuffling, but he didn’t need long for an answer. Well-sculpted thighs bracketed his curled frame without any hesitation. He was used to Katsuki surrounding him during sex, or having his back in battle. But this… somehow, sitting on his bathroom floor, with Katsuki’s clothed chest pressed to him, felt far more intimate.

The rubbing along the bottom of his spine made him relax for the first time all morning.

“Pinky said you'll have a lot of lower back and hip pain. Shitty Hair used a heating pad, but I'm way better.” His blunt words were wrapped in a softer tone, like the bathroom had a volume policy. “Who knew throwing up was a workout?”

“You talked to Mina?“ He asked, surprised.

Katsuki scoffed and showed no uncertainty in sliding his hands under Izuku's shirt to massage the skin. Izuku didn't know why the touch flushed his cheeks. They'd been naked together several times. Katsuki had seen Izuku bent in every position possible, crying and begging without any shame. This was nothing in comparison. But when the hands slid around to rub his pelvis, he shivered, his mind dipping into something soft and fuzzy. True to Kacchan's words, the pain and nausea ran from the heated touches on his body. Free of discomfort, he leaned eagerly into the pleasant warmth soothing his aching muscles. Every dark or damning insult he threw at himself melted away. If he wasn’t pregnant, he’d think he was drunk from the lack of solid thoughts in his head.

“Oh, wow... that feels amazing.” 

“Would've been here sooner if someone told me what was going on. Instead, I woke up to Raccoon Eyes yelling at me about shit I had no idea you were dealing with.”

Guilt threatened to topple his sweet headspace, making him bite his lip. The terrible taste in his mouth scrunched his nose. “We had a late patrol last night, and it's not your job to—” 

A low growl from behind dared him to finish the sentence. Even with the clear warning, Katsuki's thumbs continued stroking down his hips, dragging him back into the thoughtless space from before. Silence ticked away in the strained air, though Izuku thanked God he’d emptied everything out of him already. After some time without any changes, one hand left his back, though Izuku was too hazy from the warm massage to care. 

Izuku jumped when something cool touched his cheek. Once realizing it was a wet face-cloth, he settled, lifting his head to let Katsuki fully wipe his face. The toothbrush came after, Izuku trying to ignore his shame when Katsuki cleaned his teeth before he spit the foamy mint into the toilet. It was only after his face was cleaned up, the gross evidence of his morning flushed away, that Katsuki spoke.

“So, what? I'm just the fucking alpha donor now?” He tried to hide it, but Izuku heard the pain beneath the accusation. “Thought you'd at least still treat me as your duo partner.”

“I am.”

“Pinky ratted you out and told me you asked her to go with you for the first appointment. Said you made it seem like I’d rather lick Tape Face’s elbow than show my face at the clinic.”

“Kacchan…” Feeling like mostly himself, Izuku pushed from the toilet, shoulder bumping Katsuki’s chest when turning sideways. “I'm sorry.”

“Tch.” Katsuki still frowned, and Izuku almost whined when the caramel that wrapped around him gained a charred tinge of displeasure. “If you don't trust me to be a part of this, that's shit we gotta talk about. I know you like doing everything on your own, but not this time. Not with something this fucking important.”

Hearing Katsuki speak so protectively about their pup made Izuku’s heart race, threatening to explode from his affection. The rapid shift of emotion loosened his lips. “I was scared you didn't want anything to do with us.”

“Hah? Didn’t I tell you the exact opposite last week?”

“Well, yes, but—”

“Then why the hell are you making up shit I never said?!” 

“No, I just—research says unmated alphas—”

“Since when do we ever match what data says? Pretty sure most people don't survive their heart exploding or breaking every bone in their body.” And he wasn’t wrong, though Izuku had noticed his baby-fueled brain didn't like logic very much.

“So, you... want to be here for all of it?” He glanced at the toilet, wincing at the unattractive display Katsuki had walked into. “Even this?”

Katsuki’s blunt answer didn’t hold back any punches. “Deku, I've seen you dislocate fingers willingly and burn chunks of your flesh off in battle. A little puke ain't gonna scare me.”

“I told you that I’m really hormonal,” he said, unsure why he was trying to sway Katsuki’s mind.

“Good.” Katsuki squeezed his hip, nose nudging the edge of Izuku’s ear. “I heard from Shitty Hair there's a horny stage during pregnancy.”

Izuku's face heated in protest, despite knowing he didn't need to be pregnant to want Katsuki in his bed every morning. Trying not to melt instantly into the small showing of affection, Izuku cleared his throat. “And there will be a lot of appointments. It might mean lowering some of your overtime.”

“So what? I don’t need extra shifts to prove I’m the best hero around. Besides, I've gotta make sure our ember is beating all the doctor's expectations—”

“Ember?“ Izuku's lips trembled around the word. “You... named our baby E-Ember?“

“What? No, it’s my–shit.” Kacchan fell quiet for a moment, as if embarrassed over whatever he planned to say. Izuku tried not to squirm in the silence, heartbeat rising with the discomfort he could feel in the tense body behind him. Had Izuku stumbled over something important? For all the years he knew Katsuki, the name hadn’t been brought up. He doubted it was something passed down, and Katsuki never planned to have kids. Izuku couldn’t bite back his soft whine when his anxiety surged, unsure how to fix something Katsuki wouldn’t talk about. 

But the worrying thoughts eased when Katsuki brushed lips against Izuku's gross, sweaty temple. Without thought, he leaned back into Kacchan's chest, the worry of being rejected vanishing without warning.“They connect us, Izuku.” A hand touched his stomach, Izuku staring down at it like he’d never been held by the man behind him before. “Whoever they are, whatever they'll be, there's a piece of me and you inside them. So I can't call them something stupid like spawn or parasite. Not… not when they're gonna be my whole fucking world once they're here.”

His happiness was a firework in his chest, bursting with enough power to shake his entire core. Words couldn’t articulate the wheel of emotions spinning through him, lovely and overwhelming at the same time. To hear Katsuki speak so softly about something that had, at one point, terrified Izuku, proved he still had so much to learn about the endearing alpha holding him. And though Izuku hoped he could be strong enough to raise their pup alone, the possibility of Katsuki actually wanting to hold his hand and stay by his side–

With an ugly sob, Izuku curled around the arm resting against him, grabbing the hand to press it tighter to his skin. Large tears took over as he clutched onto Katsuki, terrified it was all some wishful dream. Had he fallen asleep after throwing up? Could Katsuki really be giving him such a precious gift? Even if Katsuki didn't love him, he already loved their baby. Their ember .

“So, are you up for it, ya big crybaby?” Katsuki didn't demand Izuku to stop his sudden burst of emotion, but offered a teasing question while he wiped his face with his free hand. Like the hero he was, Katsuki rocked him gently to soothe his dwindling hiccups. “Wanna be the best parent duo ever?”

“It's not a competition,” he said through a watery laugh, wondering how he was so happy sitting in his own filth on the bathroom floor. He needed a shower, clean clothes, and some food for the pup. But Katsuki was so warm. He was kind, rubbing his stomach and crooning for him. And, deep down, Izuku knew Katsuki was the perfect alpha.

“Course it is.” Katsuki seemed content with Izuku's blooming scent, shaking off the sickness and anxiety he'd woken up with. A nose rubbed down his neck, though it lacked his normal sensual touch when they were pressed so close. “We'll blow away Shitty Hair, Pinky, Streaker, Animal Boy, Ears, Dunce Face—”

“They’re not even pregnant!”

“I don’t care. We’re destroying all of them.“

“You're too much this early in the morning,“ Izuku said, though giggled when sharp teeth nipped at his cheek. 

“Weird, didn't say that shit last month when I had you bent over the table—”

“Kacchan!” He shrieked and turned to tackle him, trying to cover his wide grin.

Most things hadn’t changed. He was still pregnant, without a mate, and unsure what would happen tomorrow. Yet somehow, as he demanded Katsuki make 'their ember' breakfast, getting an eye-roll before being pushed to the kitchen, he knew one fact was true.

The pregnancy wasn’t ideal for either of them. But it was theirs , and both were committed to making the best of it.

~**~

In the eighth week of their pregnancy, Izuku and Katsuki agreed to tell their close circle about the pup. The range of emotions that weaved through their friends made Izuku swing between laughter and tears. Questions about how they ended up pregnant and their dynamic popped up, and he had a feeling some were asking to settle bets that they had behind Izuku and Katsuki’s backs. He saw at least two different exchanges of money after telling the news, though nobody met his gaze when he asked. Despite their teasing or mischievous behavior, all of their friends were supportive, and none seemed concerned about the lack of a mating mark between them.

With their family, however, Izuku felt less confident the result would be the same. Katsuki and Izuku agreed they should tell them at the same time, to make sure none of the grandparents felt left out. Setting up a dinner the following week with the three wasn’t hard, as it’d been a while since Izuku had visited due to work and the pregnancy panic. The discussion of inviting All Might had come up, but their mentor was visiting Melissa and Dave the weekend of the dinner.  

As Katsuki drove them toward the Bakugo home, Izuku tried not to think of every terrible outcome of revealing their news. He loved Katsuki’s parents like family, Masaru and Mitsuki both supporting him throughout his life. Even when Katsuki wasn’t the biggest fan of Izuku in middle school, his parents still sent him birthday cards and checked in on how he was. When Katsuki gave his life for Izuku, they didn’t make him carry any of the blame. The last thing he wanted to do was change their view on him when he revealed what he had dragged their son into. If they accused him of ‘baby trapping’ (a terrible trend mateless people of all kinds did to manipulate their sex partner) Katsuki, Izuku wasn’t sure how he’d live with himself.

His mother was a completely different concern. All throughout his life, his mother had never made him feel inferior by being a quirkless, male omega. With so many ‘difficulties’, most parents wouldn’t be blamed for giving up on their child. But his mother was the kindest soul he’d ever come across, and she never hesitated to love him as he was. She spoke about him having children with the same excitement as other parents, despite knowing the likelihood of it happening. Even if his body wasn’t working against him, being a hero had always been his dream. He hadn’t even told her he and Katsuki were sleeping together, speaking of their dynamic in purely platonic terms. 

The weight of their two families' future views of Izuku pressed on his shoulders without reprieve. Each time Katsuki brought up something to talk about, he did his best to smile and keep the conversation normal. Still, he didn’t add his own topics, knowing his mind was too busy perseverating to think of something else. He tapped his fingers against his thighs as he stared out the window of Katsuki’s car, wondering if the slight rain was a warning sign. 

“You sure you want to do this?” Katsuki’s question after parking the car outside his parent’s home caught Izuku off guard.

“Of course I am,” he answered, though he wasn’t sure if any of his hesitation bled through when Katsuki tightened his grip on the wheel. “Why are you asking that?” 

“You’ve been off since you got in the car, and I’m not stupid.” Katsuki slumped in his seat, but didn’t turn his face to look at Izuku. “You’re not showing, so we have time if you’re freaking out.”

“We planned this dinner to tell them. I had several opportunities to cancel if I thought I needed more time.” Then, an unwanted thought seeped into his mind. “Unless… are you not ready to tell your parents?”

“Don’t be stupid.” Despite him opening the conversation with the same question, Katsuki scoffed. “I don’t want you to let your baby brain warp the situation. Keeping it from extras outside of our immediate circle is the only way we’ll be able to work in peace. That’s why I ain’t shouting it from the rooftops; everyone is gonna bug us once word gets out.” 

His omega preened at the implied desire to show off the pregnancy, Izuku’s short laugh finally dragging the red gaze over to him. “How alpha of you, Kacchan.”

“You’re annoying.” Despite his scowl, the hint of Katsuki’s blush around his ears proved the truth over the comment. “And last time I checked, that’s who I am, Nerd.” 

“It’s just easy to forget, sometimes.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Nothing bad!” Izuku rushed out, still giddy from the previous comment. “You’re so good at controlling your natural tells, it wouldn’t be hard to convince someone you’re a beta. Nobody questions if you’ll control yourself when dealing with omega heroes. You treat them as equals without actively trying, you never use your alpha commands, and the only person you leave your scent on is me. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just… different for an unmated alpha. Actually, I think some of the younger heroes are bummed you don’t give in to your alpha more, because they have some fantasy of you ravishing them after a fight or something.”

“So, what? Because I don’t go around broadcasting my knot like Shitty Hair and Golden Boy, that’s a problem?”

Izuku shook his head, trying to hide his amusement over how ruffled Katsuki’s feathers were getting. “I think you’re fine the way you are, Kacchan.”

“Yeah, cause you know damn well how alpha I am.” As if to prove a point, Katsuki snagged Izuku’s nape and pulled his forward, growling at whatever unpleasant thought he carried before rubbing their cheeks together. Even as he scented Izuku without prompting, the gentle way he skimmed the bridge of his nose over Izuku’s jaw tickled. It was almost cute coming from the bulky hero who could squish a watermelon with his bicep. 

But the fluffy feeling quickly dipped into something deeper when Katsuki brought his teeth into the equation. A nip just above his scent gland drained Izuku of any humor from before. The intimate action, normally reserved for mates, shouldn’t have made Izuku’s head tilt so easily to the side in submission. But the trust he held for Katsuki not to bite him without discussion made it easy for him to expose the slope of his neck and close his eyes. Katsuki’s appreciation (or maybe his alpha’s) vibrated against the sensitive skin, nose and lips moving along the gland in a way that would fully blend their scents together for the night. Izuku simmered in the warmth of the process, one hand clutched onto Katsuki’s shirt with no intent to push him away. 

By the time they left the car and knocked on the front door, the caramel redolence had done its job in relaxing Izuku’s body for the upcoming dinner. They only waited a moment before the entrance swung open, Mitsuki’s wide grin appearing as soon as her eyes caught sight of them. In a surprise twist, instead of reaching for Katsuki, she yanked Izuku forward first, her lean arms wrapping around him like a warm blanket.

“There’s my favorite hero,” she greeted, Izuku’s cheeks warming with the same intensity as whenever All Might complimented him. The richness of her coffee scent didn’t wear down on him as much as other alphas since the pregnancy, and he wondered if the baby was able to recognize the familial tie.

“Hello?” Katsuki huffed and crossed his arms. “I’m your actual child, and you never greet me like that.”

“Cause you’re a brat.” Despite her comment, she reached over to ruffle his hair, which made Katsuki grumble despite lowering his head an inch to the older alpha. “And we saw you last week. You’ve been hoarding this little powerhouse to yourself all month, just like when you were pups.”

“That’s actually my fault,” Izuku said, swooping in to save his duo partner with a  sheepish smile. “I’ve had a lot on my plate recently, and with Kacchan out of town for a month, I got a bit behind. Now that he’s back, I’ll make sure to come by more often and see you all. Maybe we could make dinner a monthly thing?”

“Having brains and a cute face? It’s a wonder some alpha hasn’t come around and snatched you off the market.” Mitsuki squeezed him for a second longer before she sniffed him, sending a sly glance to Katsuki. “Then again, who knows if the brat would let someone else play with his favorite shiny toy.”

“Oi!” Katsuki growled and knocked her hand away, pulling Izuku from her loosening hold and into his care. The way he bared his teeth, almost possessive, made Izuku’s stomach flutter. “He’s my duo, not a damn pet . If he wanted me to back off, he’d tell me. Now stop rubbing all over him like a mateless cougar and get us some dinner.”

“Yes yes. I'm sure those baby fangs scare all your enemies away. Now come inside.” 

She urged the two in, and Izuku hummed in pleasure at the amazing smells wafting from the kitchen. His stomach rumbled with the desire to eat half his body weight, though he was used to the urge. Izuku had done his best to stick to the nutrition plan Dr. Moro gave him. It helped balance his needs as a hero, omega, and provider for the pup. But despite his steely resolve, his urges weren’t always so easy to ignore, especially when Masaru was making one of his favorite meals. He knew splurging every now and then was fine, but he had to keep their ravenous ember on a tight leash. 

“It smells amazing in here,” Izuku said, nodding a greeting toward Masaru behind the stove before his eyes moved to a matching pair of green sitting at the table. “Hi, mom.” 

“There you are.” At her smile, he left Katsuki’s side to bend over and nuzzle his nose against his mother’s. “I missed you, my little sunshine.”

“Missed you too,” he mumbled, chirping without thought.

Despite being twenty-three, he had never let go of the childish noise. They only had each other for most of their lives, and he never wanted her to feel like he forgot her sacrifice. His mother always let out her happy purr when seeing him, cupping his cheeks in her soft palms. For a moment, he felt like a child again, bathing in her minty scent before moving to sit next to her.

Like a magnet, his attention swayed to the table, hooking on the basket of bread. His mouth filled with saliva at the sight, knowing Mitsuki’s talent was in baking over cooking. The bread held a scent of honey that matched the butter next to it, something he’d indulged in several times at dinners and parties. Now, his stomach lurched with the need to fill the hunger he knew wasn’t real. He really shouldn’t have slept through his afternoon snack, but the pup was sucking the energy out of him.

The seductive carbs almost made him miss Katsuki taking the space on his other side, exchanging polite pleasantries with his mother before turning his head toward his own parents. “Where’s dinner?”

“It should be done in ten minutes,” Masaru said, pulling out the pan from the oven in order to add the finishing touches. 

Izuku’s hands dropped to his thighs to keep from grabbing the basket. It was rude to eat anything before everyone was sitting at the table, even if he was growing their future grandbaby. Katsuki, however, didn’t seem to care about etiquette. After taking one look at Izuku, he scoffed, reaching over to grab the mini bread. 

“Kacchan, don’t,” he whispered, though Katsuki showed no sign of hearing his warning when ripping the loaf apart. Izuku almost drooled seeing the steam billowing out of the middle, the crisp crinkle of the crust dragging out a half-formed whine. 

“What the hell, brat?” 

Katsuki ignored his mother’s sharp question to spread some of the honey butter on one side of the bread. “If you invite us over for six, then have dinner ready at six. Don’t starve your guests cause you suck at time management.” 

Then, without a word, he dropped the buttered bread onto the napkin between them, turning with the plain half to make a show for his mother by biting into it. Mitsuki swore at Katsuki, who only continued to munch on his piece while volleying back his own insults. Stunned, Izuku hesitantly took the offering in both of his hands. He peeked once more at Katsuki’s back, realizing his partner’s plan. Katsuki was taking all of the attention for his ‘rude behavior’, letting Izuku nibble on his side without judgement. Without any words, Katsuki read Izuku’s needs and met them, consequences be damned.

Smile wobbling, he took a small bite of the bread, sighing around the perfectly baked treat. He quickly devoured his loaf, knowing it tasted even better because Katsuki prepared it for him. It was an archaic desire for an omega to want their alpha to provide their nourishment. Really, a piece of buttered bread shouldn’t have made Izuku feel so spoiled. But as he licked a stray trail of honey butter off his finger (forgetting his manners in a moment of weakness), his omega wanted to crawl into Katsuki’s lap and repay the favor.

It was only after the crumbs were wiped off his lap that he noticed his mother watching him. The curious edge of her expression made Izuku bite his lip, forcing his hands to stay away from his stomach. He wanted to have dinner before they dropped their announcement, which meant he had to be careful with his behavior.

Thankfully, once the meal was on the table, everything went smoothly. Conversation flowed without any weird pauses or mishaps, their parents asking about their jobs and recent fights. Izuku made sure to carve out space to ask about what was happening in the neighborhood, laughing at how knowledgeable his mother and Mitsuki were about the local gossip. The night was full of laughs, smiles, and memories from their parents that made both of them flush from their old behaviors. 

With his stomach full and Izuku ready to cuddle into something warm, the group moved to the living room for dessert. 

“What did you make, Mitsuki?” His mother asked, the blond woman winking at Izuku.

“A favorite of Izuku’s.”

Before he could ask, Masaru appeared like magic with a perfectly constructed tiramisu. His excitement quickly flipped into panic when he realized he couldn’t eat the dessert. Mitsuki was right about it being one of his favorite desserts. He couldn’t remember the last time he got to indulge in the delicacy. But there was a difference between having a treat outside of his nutrition plan and consuming the raw eggs inside Mitsuki’s traditional recipe. It was one of top things Dr. Moro said were off the table. He sucked in a sharp breath as the dessert was placed on the coffee table, already cut into portioned pieces.

Marasu, picking up on his reaction, gave a worried frown. “Is something wrong?”

“I’m…” 

Unsure how to avoid the conversation any longer, Izuku glanced at Katsuki, swallowing before he tilted his head. He hoped Katsuki read his mind, unable to ask if he was ready without confirming to their parents that something was off. Katsuki sighed, then reached over, grabbing Izuku’s hand like he’d dreamt of as kids. The familiar sensation still flushed his face, letting Katsuki take the lead when he turned to their parents.

He’d only seen the serious look on Katsuki’s face when he chased Izuku down during his vigilante era. “Freckles can’t have anything with raw eggs in it. The doctors say it's not good for the pup.”

For a moment, the living room fell into silence. As if encased by Shoto’s ice, none of the parents moved. Izuku found himself unable to meet any of their gazes, so he dropped his attention to his lap. He squeezed Katsuki’s hand dangerously tight, but the alpha didn’t pull away. After a second, Izuku peeked up at Katsuki, who showed no intent to back down from the stare he gave their parents. He kept his head high, barely blinking. Katsuki had settled on their choice, and it didn’t seem like he planned to let anyone change his mind about it.

Building up his courage when seeing Katsuki’s commitment, Izuku turned his fearful gaze back to their parents just in time to catch Mitsuki’s grin. “Well, it’s about damn time.”

“Huh?” He and Katsuki said at the same time, both thrown off at her answer.

“We’ve been wondering when you two would take this step,” Masaru said, the softness in his expression lacking any joke or teasing.

His mother’s hands pressed to her mouth, the excitement shining in her eyes. “A pup to celebrate your courting? That’s so traditional.” 

Oh no . Izuku stiffened when he realized the miscommunication. 

It wasn’t their fault; decades ago, far before any of them were alive, the mating of a pair was celebrated by one partner getting pregnant. The mating bite helped the pregnancy and bonding of the newlyweds, and by the time the baby was born, their pair was supposed to be in sync with each other. It also helped keep the ‘provider’ faithful, as the ruts and heats of the mated pair disappeared during pregnancy. But with the accepted changes of same gender (primary and secondary) relationships and pairs not wanting children, the tradition had faded out of style. Dating multiple partners, heat/rut sharing, and casual clubs for rental partners took over the mainstream.

Now, for someone to mate with their first partner, it was framed as ‘soulmate pairs’. Movies romanticized it, the pair was looked on in higher regard, and it was something any parent would want for their pup. From the way Mitsuki, Masaru, and his mother were acting, it was obvious what their conclusion was. Reflecting on how their scents were blended upon arrival, and how Katsuki was taking care of him throughout the night, Izuku silently groaned at the landmine they unintentionally stepped on. 

No wonder his mother was looking at him funny.

“It’s… not that,” Izuku finally said, knowing the bite of shame from their confused faces burned his cheeks.

“You’re not courting?” his mother asked, glancing between the two of them while dropping her hands into her lap. “I don’t understand.”

Hating the terrible feeling in his chest, the only thing that let him push forward was the squeeze around his hand. Taking a slow breath and remembering everything that hadn’t killed him yet, he faced the tension. Turning his head, he tugged down his shirt to show his unbitten scent gland.

“Kacchan was helping me during my heat, and our preventative measures didn’t work. This wasn’t planned.” He didn’t know why the truth burned when he’d said it so easily to their friends. Placing his free hand onto his stomach, he looked back and barely mustered a hopeful smile. “They’re our little surprise, and we… we wanted to share the news with you.”

“You knocked Izuku up in an heat-induced fling?!” Mitsuki’s blunt question made Katsuki glare, quick to correct her.

“No, ya crazy hag. This wasn’t a one-time thing. Are you stupid?”

“You think you have a damn leg to stand on right now, Brat?”

The two alphas growled at each other, Masaru quickly moving in to dampen the flames. “We’re not trying to pry too much. This is just very sudden, so we’re looking to understand you and Izuku’s new dynamic.”

Izuku didn’t know why the attention shifted back to him, like he knew the answer to a question he had been circling around since discovering he was pregnant. He looked again to Katsuki, but for once, the alpha was scowling while glaring out the darkened window. 

So much for doing everything together, Izuku thought, sighing before working through the several options that didn’t feel quite right. 

“We’re partners,” he settled on, hoping it was broad enough to appease their parents without revealing too much to Katsuki. Keeping his anxiety in the intense grip he kept on Katsuki’s hand, Izuku swallowed down his swelling emotions. “And the parents to your first grandbaby. We hope you’ll want to be a part of this with us.”

He barely got the explanation out before his mother burst into tears, head collapsing into her hands. Izuku was on his feet a second before Katsuki, both of them rushing over to check in on the older woman. He might have been more frantic if not for how sweet the mint rolling off of her was, proving the tears were of joy over disappointment. 

“Mom?” He asked quietly, his touch gentle when resting it on her back. “Are you okay?”

Instead of answering, she pulled her head up, but didn’t look at him. Instead, her tear-soaked face focused on Katsuki, pushing off her couch to step into his space. Katsuki’s lips barely twitched before settling into his defensive grimace. The height difference between them was almost comical, if not for the tense moment. Izuku watched his two favorite people, begging for his lungs to function. His mother sniffled once before she moved again, stunning Katsuki when she hugged him. 

“Thank you,” she whispered, resting her wet cheek against his sturdy chest. “Thank you for taking care of Izuku, and not leaving him to deal with this on his own.”

It wasn’t an outlandish fear; Izuku had done the research, and came to the same conclusion before their bathroom conversation. Katsuki was the alpha, but the lack of a bond with Izuku meant he could walk away with little consequence. Izuku would carry the burden, responsibility, and the judgement. In fact, once the news got out, Katsuki could face more consequences by staying by Izuku’s side without ‘claiming’ him. It would make him seem like a weak alpha, despite everyone knowing Katsuki could destroy anyone who said it to his face.

But like everything else in the world, Katsuki scoffed at society’s view of him. He was a little awkward, putting a stiff arm over his mother’s smaller frame, but his tone didn’t waiver. “It never crossed my mind.” 

And when the red eyes looked up over his mother’s head to meet Izuku’s gaze, the honestly made his shoulders feel lighter.

I believe you, he thought, hoping it came across in their connected stare. It wasn’t everything their parents (and maybe, deep down, Izuku) wanted, but it was more than enough. Hope fluttered in his chest, words he was too scared to say dancing in his mind. We’re gonna have a little pack.

His smile took over his face without effort, and Katsuki rolled his eyes before nodding down in a silent plea to collect his sobbing mother. Izuku pretended to miss his obvious request, glancing out the same window Katsuki abandoned him for earlier. They were a team, but he wasn’t above being a little petty.

Before Katsuki could call him out, Mitsuki chimed in. “So if this wasn’t a one-time thing, how did my horndog brat end up putting our grandpup in you, Izuku?”

The chaos that followed took over the rest of their family night.

Chapter Text

“If I can see pain in your eyes then share with me your tears. If I can see joy in your eyes then share with me your smile.” ― Santosh Kalwar

“You can do this.” 

Izuku paced his living room and repeated the mantra to himself, unsure if he actually could . His eyes didn’t leave the phone, staring at the conversation he’d had with Katsuki the day before. The weekend had been great, one of the best since he’d looked at his pregnancy tests (all six of them) and started his new path with Katsuki. Ten weeks into the pregnancy felt like a fever dream, but the changes to his body and his continued battle with morning sickness proved it was real. He was actually having a baby with Katsuki.

And now, with an appointment set up for his second ultrasound, Izuku was at a crossroads. 

“You talked about this with Mina,” he muttered to himself, hand shoved into his hair while the other clutched his phone. “She told you he wants to be a part of this. Kacchan told you to trust him. This is what he was talking about. He wants to be in the pup’s life. Just send the text and let him prove it.”

Even as he tried to talk the anxiety out of himself, Izuku’s thumb shook while hovering over the send button. He’d had the message typed out for almost an hour, but despite everything, the last string of insecurity tugged the finger back. Izuku closed his eyes, groaning as he brought the phone to his forehead and sighed. Sending the message now wouldn’t matter; Katsuki was at work, so the likelihood of him seeing it right away was slim. Katsuki never took out his phone on shift, scolding any of their friends when catching them on their own devices during their patrols. Izuku wasn’t sure if the knowledge made the thought of texting him now better or worse.

“Even if he says no, it’s not the end of the world,” Izuku said, sighing against the device before pulling it back to look at the text. “I’ve got people who would come. Or I could go alone. I mean, I fought All For One! I’ve proven that omegas can be heroes. And I’m the person who got Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight to pup me. I’m Deku, number four hero, and part of the greatest duo in all of Japan. A text will not take me out. So go beyond, Plus Ultra !”

With the shout to pump himself up, Izuku forced through his insecurity and slammed his finger down, sparks of One For All shimmering off his hand from the pep talk. He yanked the touch away before it shattered the screen, watching as the text sent to Katsuki. There, with a picture of the time and date of his ultrasound, was a simple question.

>> If you have the day off… would you like to come meet our ember?

Izuku let out a slow breath when seeing the message had been sent, knowing he couldn’t take it back. He didn’t know why it was causing him such anxiety, probably the pregnancy hormones. Out of all the side-effects of growing a life, the lack of control over his emotions was almost as terrible as the morning sickness. 

“Ugh, this is fine. Mina already told me she’d come when Kacchan can’t.” Even as he rambled out the panicked monologue, Izuku paced the room, keeping the phone clutched tightly into his hand. “Ochaco would probably want to go, too. She loves kids! And Denki has been talking about pups a lot lately, so if I want an omega to come with me, he’d love it. This doesn’t have to be the end of the world, Kacchan probably has stuff to do on his day off and—Waachan!!”

The shift front ‘sent’ to read’ had come way too fast for Izuku’s sensitive heart. He thought he’d have time to talk himself down, eat something he’d regret, and take a nap before Katsuki even looked at the message. Now, his plan was blown apart, like Katsuki had used his quirk on it. Each second that ticked by was another level of stress on his shoulders, despite knowing Katsuki was in the middle of his shift. Maybe he had accidentally swiped into it when trying to clear his screen. But the question of how Katsuki even knew about the message was a mystery, since Katsuki put his phone on silent during his shifts.

Izuku took three slow breaths and counted down to settle his first wave of panic. “I need some frozen yogurt.”

He moved into the kitchen, fighting with the far too secure top of his salted caramel treat, when the phone left of the counter buzzed again. Groaning at the paused battle, he put the carton down and turned to the device, a surprised purr slipping out when seeing Katsuki’s name pop up onto the screen. 

<<I’m good for Monday.
<<I’ll pick you up for the appointment.

“Alphas and their obsession with being in control,” he mumbled, though his smile proved how little he cared about the habit. Some might have called him a passenger princess from how much he enjoyed riding shotgun for Katsuki’s trips, being the only one who got away with messing with the radio and putting his feet up on the dashboard. Denki complained about the special treatment, Hanta teasing Katsuki for spoiling Izuku. He let his mind wander a little, wondering if Katsuki would make another exception when their ember arrived. 

Realizing he hadn’t answered Katsuki, he quickly swiped into the conversation, trying not to pour his excitement into the reply.

>> Great! Can’t wait to see you

“That… totally sounds like a love-struck teenager.” Groaning at his pathetic behavior, Izuku covered his face with his hand, shaking his head. Still, he couldn’t stop laughing, too happy to linger on the silly emotion. Katsuki continued to prove why he deserved to be number one, both in the rankings and Izuku’s life.

The good mood carried him into his next shift, Izuku humming happily as he opened his agency locker. He looked over the schedule of the day taped to his door, already planning which teams made the most sense and where to send them. As he muttered his battle plan while lacing up his shoes, a shadow fell over his crouched frame, catching the leather scent before he looked up at the familiar grin.

“Hey, buddy!” Kirishima held a bit of distance between them, and Izuku realized it made the man’s natural scent a little less overwhelming to his sensitive nose. For all the comments Katsuki made about the ‘rocks’ that replaced Kirishima’s brain, he had picked up several tricks to keep someone comfortable during their pregnancy. “How’s it going? Did the peanut butter toast help with the you-know-what?”

Grateful that Kirishima was aware of their surroundings (despite being the only two in the locker room), Izuku gave a quick nod. “It’s been a lifesaver. Thank you so much for letting me know about that.” 

“Don’t sweat it! Anything for my buddy.” The two walked out toward the meeting room where they gathered for assignments, Kirishima linking his hands behind his head. “So, you excited about Monday?” 

“Monday?” It only took him a moment for the doctor appointment to flash through his mind. “Oh! Um, yes. I’m kind of nervous, but that’s probably normal, right?”

“Yeah, totally. But it’s actually really cool once you’re doing it.” 

“I’ll have to reign in my desire to ask all about the process.” After they shared a laugh, Izuku realized something strange about the conversation. “Wait, Kirishima. How did you know about Monday?”

“Who do you think is covering Bakubro’s shift?” 

“I didn’t know he had one.” He’d assumed Katsuki had it off, since they normally shared the same schedule. It wasn’t always identical if covering shifts or if a mission dragged one off kilter. Katsuki was on their current shift, but Best Jeanist had pulled him aside to review his mission report the day before. 

“Technically, he wasn’t.” When Izuku tilted his head, Kirishima proudly puffed out his chest when boasting about the new information. “He’s been picking up hours on his days off to make some extra money. You know, just in case someone may need extra things when they show up. Nothing’s manlier than an alpha that makes sure everything’s taken care of.” 

“Kacchan never told me about that.” 

But when he thought about it, the evidence was pretty obvious. He’d been so wrapped up in adjusting his nutrition, setting up appointments, and trying to manage his growing list of pregnancy symptoms, the decreasing quality time they spent together had slipped out of his mind. He assumed Katsuki had been hanging out with his friends or avoiding the gross aspects of Izuku, not finding another way to support Izuku and the pup without telling him.

Shaking his head, he quietly thanked Kirishima for holding open the door before they slipped inside. “He’s going to run himself ragged.”

“Nah, we’re built for this.” They sat in the room's corner, letting Kirishima lean a little closer while lowering his voice. “When taking care of our own, nothing slows us down. He’s gonna do anything if it’s for you and the pup.”

Izuku tried not to let his cheeks heat up when he glanced over to the opposite entrance, catching his first glimpse of Katsuki walking in while arguing with his mentor about something. Fighting the urge to press his palm over his stomach, Izuku let out a content sigh. “I’m… really starting to believe that.”

Like they were connected, Katsuki’s eyes moved across the room to find him. Izuku gave a hesitant wave, fingers fluttering as if they were dainty, not crooked and scarred. Katsuki’s mouth moved like he scoffed, but he nodded at the gesture before returning to whatever he had been arguing with Best Jeanist about. Izuku didn’t mind the lack of attention, soothed that they could still live separate lives despite the new circumstances dragging them into each other’s personal business. 

Now, knowing Katsuki would be there, Izuku couldn’t wait for the Monday appointment.

~**~

According to the research Izuku had read, ninety-three percent of lost pregnancies happened before the second trimester. It was even higher for male omega carriers, most of the data mentioning abnormal uterine growth and the body’s lack of nutrients provided to the baby. It was why Izuku had been hyper-fixated on his diet and not taking any chances when it came to what he put into his body. While Mina and Dr. Moro explained regular appointments and his healthy lifestyle would improve his chances over the average male omega, Izuku couldn’t settle until he had physical proof.

Maybe that was why he was so nervous, sitting in the waiting room before the ultrasound. He had one during the original meeting with the obstetrician, but there wasn’t much at the time to look at. Izuku tried not to panic when not being able to hear the heartbeat, the doctor assuring that early scans didn’t always pick up on the baby’s vitals. Only being six weeks at the time, there had been no concern (on the medical provider’s side) over if the pregnancy was vital. She set up the next ultrasound for eleven weeks, where they would get a better understanding on where Izuku’s pregnancy health sat. 

“Thanks for paying for lunch today,” Izuku whispered, glancing at Katsuki when he got no verbal response.

Katsuki’s attention focused on the posters on the opposite side of the room, his arms crossed as he slumped in his seat. The tense shoulders and lack of movement was a blaring sign to Izuku that Katsuki was not feeling comfortable. Just like his original appointment with Mina, the waiting room was empty. The only person who knew of their appearance was the secretary, and she had been kind enough to cover up her shock when Katsuki stood next to him during the check-in. While the clinic was meant for heroes, Izuku doubted anyone at their level had been in there for some time. The fact they weren’t even dating probably threw her off, though she didn’t let her professionalism slip as she reviewed Izuku’s information. 

Did I tell him about their privacy policy? Izuku thought, wondering if part of Katsuki’s strange behavior was his fear of the pregnancy being exposed. They had both agreed that maintaining the low-profile about the pup was important for their careers, as well as keeping the world out of their business. Izuku hadn’t even let Katsuki tell their agency, despite the alpha’s annoyed scowl. He wasn’t ready to give up being a hero yet, and he knew the mention of his pregnancy would put pressure on him to shift into a desk role. Still, even with keeping the information to close friends and family only, Katsuki seemed on edge even when the nurse called them into the doctor’s room. 

“Izuku,” Dr. Moro said with her friendly smile, entering without any acknowledgement of Katsuki’s status. “Oh, and we have a new friend. I’m Dr. Moro. It’s nice to meet you.” 

Katsuki’s stiff posture didn’t loosen as he stared at the doctor. “You’re working with him for his pregnancy?” 

“Kacchan,” Izuku whispered, tugging on his sleeve. “Be nice.”

“Tch.”

Despite the rude display, Dr. Moro only laughed. “So nice to see a protective alpha here to support you, Izuku. Is this another friend?”

Before Izuku could nod, Katsuki puffed his chest out. “Oi, I ain’t lame like Pinky. This pup’s ours, so don’t plan on seeing anyone else here in the future. Got it?”

Dr. Moro didn’t let his demanding tone change her warm look, and Izuku wondered how many pushy alphas she had dealt with in her decades of experience. “It’s always beneficial to have the father here. Your scent should settle Izuku and the baby while we do our examinations. If you have any questions, please ask them. The more educated you are, the better it’ll be for Izuku to get through this wonderful journey with limited bumps.”

“Thank you, we’ll be sure to let you know if we need anything,” Izuku answered when Katsuki went silent again. He didn’t understand what about the comment pulled his partner back into his head, but Izuku tried to keep his mind positive as he spoke to Dr. Moro. “So, today we’ll… hear the baby’s heartbeat?”

“That’s right,” she said, pulling the machine over to the side of the medical bench. “I know you won’t be able to focus on anything else until we get that going, so why don’t you lay back? Oh, I didn’t even ask what your alpha would like me to address him as. I doubt he’ll be happy with me calling him Kacchan, since that seems to be reserved for your use.”

Izuku’s face bloomed with color at her wink, though he wasn’t sure if it was due to the movement or her hint that Katsuki was his alpha. Katsuki moved to the other side of the bench, his eyes fixated on the medical screen of the ultrasound as if trying to see how it functioned without asking. “Dynamight, Bakugo, I don’t care. Call me whatever gets the results faster.”

She only hummed at the reply, moving to help Izuku hike up his shirt to the right length before she started preparing him for the procedure. The gel against his stomach was warmer than the first time, though he still scrunched his nose at the slimy feel. His head naturally tilted toward Katsuki without thought, and he let out a quiet sigh when the hint of caramel settled the nerves in his chest. Izuku continued to remind himself of all the positive changes he’d performed to his diet and lifestyle as she turned on the machine, though the muscles in his legs and arms started to tense once she pulled out the machine’s connected wand.

“Bakugo,” she started quietly, though her head turned toward the screen once it lit up. “You weren’t here the first time, so I’ll explain what you’ll see. At first, I’ll have to move the transducer probe around Izuku’s stomach in order to find out what position your baby is resting in. It might take a minute, but that’s normal. Once I locate them, the sound waves will bounce back to the machine and create a little image of the pup. Izuku’s around eleven weeks, so we’ll get a much better image than the first one. And we’ll be able to confirm the baby’s heartbeat. Any questions?”

When Katsuki shook his head, Dr. Moro then looked at Izuku, as if asking for permission to continue. Izuku swallowed before he gave a weak nod, one hand grasping the side of the bedding when the transducer touched the lower part of his stomach. Seconds went by as she moved it around, Izuku trying to keep his breath steady while she worked. Despite the explanation, the lack of a pulsing sound from the machine started to tug on his heart. Without thought, his free hand reached out, grabbing onto Katsuki’s forearm. He didn’t mean to dig his nails into the skin, but the growing panic when no heartbeat hit his ears stiffened his fingers. 

“Kacchan,” he whispered, but he couldn’t get another word out. Lashes blinked with the warning of tears, terror setting in. Had he messed up? Did he not catch the pregnancy soon enough, and ruined the pup’s chances before they even had a chance? He thought about the hits he took during fights that week. Though Mina and Dr. Moro gave him the green light to work for now, his brain flared with negative thoughts. Their ember was helpless to Izuku’s whims, and if he had done something to take their ember away from Katsuki—

“Breathe.” Katsuki’s hand grabbed his, weaving their fingers together after detaching him from where he’d marked the skin. If there was any pain, Katsuki didn’t mention it, letting his calming pheromones wash over Izuku. “Give her a minute.”

Like the machine heard Katsuki’s words, a sudden beat filled the room. Gasping, Izuku’s head shot over to the screen, eyes growing wider. Watching the machine flash an image of his stomach left him speechless, seeing the grainy image slowly appearing through the sound waves. But it was the little heartbeat, steady and quick, was like music to his ears. 

“Ah, there we go. This one enjoys snuggling close to his mama, so it took a minute.” Dr. Moro nodded as she looked over the information on the side of the screen, then turned her head toward them with a smile. “They look perfectly healthy. I’m seeing an excellent position, all of the development appears to be growing in time with expectation, and we’ve got a strong heartbeat. We’ll take some blood from you to check everything on your side is also doing well, but I’m seeing nothing that concerns me. You’ve done an amazing job so far.”

“They’re…” Izuku could hear the tears in his voice. “They’re okay? I didn’t mess up?”

“No, Izuku.” Gently, she rubbed his arm with a maternal tone. “You’re doing everything you need to be. It must be because they’ve got such dedicated parents keeping them safe.”

Overwhelmed with the praise, Izuku forced his eyes back to Katsuki, who hadn’t said a word since the heartbeat took over the appointment. The red eyes locked in on the ultrasound, his face unreadable. It wasn’t anger, but it lacked the joy that was flowing through Izuku’s body. Worried over his silence, Izuku tugged on their connected hands, hoping to bring the man’s attention back to him.

“Kacchan?” When the other only blinked at the name, Izuku tried again. “Is… is everything okay?”

“If you have any questions about the ultrasound—”

Before Dr. Moro could finish her offer, Katsuki dropped Izuku’s hand, moving away from the medical bench as he grumbled a short answer. “Need to use the bathroom.”

“Of course,” Dr. Moro replied without missing a beat, though Izuku had to bite back a whine with the sudden distance between them. “Ask the front desk, and they’ll unlock the restroom for you. I’ll work on Izuku’s bloodwork while you’re gone.”

Katsuki didn’t say a word as he disappeared, Izuku’s eyes lingering on the doorway. Though he hadn’t expected Katsuki to jump for joy or have an extreme expression of happiness, the sudden shut down left Izuku feeling cold. His previous joy slipped away into worry, looking at Dr. Moro while forcing out a smile.

“Kacchan’s… he’s new to all of this.” 

“Having your first baby affects everyone differently,” she said, no judgement in her soft cadence. “I’ve seen lots of strange reactions to good news, so nothing surprises me. It’s quite common for alphas to not process and connect to their first pup so early into the pregnancy. You’re feeling all of the changes, but they’re only experiencing second-hand symptoms from whatever you’re displaying.”

“That makes sense.” Except Izuku’s omega snarled at the implication that Katsuki wasn’t already bonded to their ember. 

Dr. Moro moved the machine to the side, beginning to clean up his stomach as she continued. “I would advise not to engage in a mating bond while you’re pregnant. However, once you two mate, it’ll help the connection between him and the baby sync up the same way as yours.”

The words, meant to be a comfort, sent Izuku’s mind spiralling. Because what happened with alphas with no intention of bonding? Would that mean Katsuki wouldn’t have the same relationship with their pup as Izuku? Before the ultrasound, Katsuki’s commitment to them was a fairytale. Every time he was sure Katsuki would drop them or let him down, Katsuki rose to the challenge and exceeded his expectations. But had seeing the ultrasound been a reality check? 

Maybe he had hoped the pup didn’t make it.

It was such a vile belief, Izuku flinched. Dr. Moro peeked up at him curiously, but Izuku rushed to cover his intrusive thoughts, asking questions he already knew the answers to. Dr. Moro seemed to pick up that something was off, but she didn’t call him out, giving the information he requested. When Katsuki came back ten minutes later, he didn’t ask questions, quietly listening to the doctor’s instructions between appointments. Once they were done, both thanked Dr. Moro before leaving the clinic, the awkwardness trailing behind them as they moved to Katsuki’s car.

Clutching two two copies of the sonogram, Izuku cleared his throat. “Um, thank you again for coming. I know we planned to have dinner together, but it’s been a long day. If you want to drop me off at my apartment, I don’t mind—”

“Hah?” Katsuki scowled while pulling out of the parking lot, hand tense on the steering wheel. “I already pulled out shit for dinner. If you’re tired, take a nap at my place while I cook it.”

“Oh, I’m fine!” He sat up straighter, as if to prove he wasn’t the one who needed space. “What did you plan on making? Maybe I could help.”

“Hm.” The non-committal answer didn’t settle the uneasy feeling in his stomach, but he tried to ignore it when sinking into Katsuki’s passenger seat. Though a part of him wanted to crawl into the security of his bed and sleep through the wave of negative emotions, Katsuki’s cooking sounded amazing. Their ember was a black hole, making Izuku always hungry (until his body suddenly rejected everything he ate). Though some of his preferences for foods had changed, his love for Katsuki’s meals had only increased.

Once at Katsuki’s house, the alpha did let Izuku linger in the kitchen while he prepped their dinner. Izuku was able to do small parts, like making the salad and cleaning off the used utensils to decrease the amount of dishes for after the meal. Even as they moved around each other and worked in their normal synergy, Izuku could sense a growing tension. Every time he looked to Katsuki for instruction, or announced he finished the task ordered, he noticed the other wouldn’t meet his gaze. It felt like, despite them being in the same room, Katsuki was thousands of miles away.

Izuku set the table at their normal seats, unsure why the domesticity of it left something bitter in the back of his mouth. A feeling of disillusion swelled in his chest, like they were putting on a performance for an audience who wasn’t there. Izuku’s body moved on marionette strings, lacking his own desire as he went through the motions. He helped bring out the food, glancing at the meal they made together before accepting the plate Katsuki offered. 

Except, while staring at the perfectly seasoned meat bleeding its juices into the rice and salad, Izuku’s vision went blurry. His single blink rolled the growing tears down his face, hands quiet as they placed the utensils onto the table before clutching the napkin on his lap. The explosion of emotion felt like Katsuki’s quirk hitting into his chest, Izuku unable to avoid the sensation overtaking him.

“What the hell?” His head felt heavy when he lifted it, eyes struggling to take in Katsuki’s pinched face. “Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know.”

“How don’t you know?! It’s your damn body—”

“Are you having second thoughts?” Izuku hadn’t realized what he asked until it was out of his mouth. They shared a confused look, though Izuku recovered faster when he clarified his question. “About the baby. Did the ultrasound make it too real for you?”

“Are you asking if I thought you lied about being pregnant?” Katsuki asked, and Izuku shook his head hard enough for the tears to fly off his jaw. 

“No, but knowing about it and seeing it are two different things.” Izuku knew, because he’d experienced the same revelation when hearing the pup’s heartbeat. “And sometimes we think we’re okay with something, but then the reality of it makes us realize we… we don’t want all of the obligation that comes with that.”

“That’s what you think?” Katsuki’s hand clenched around his fork, nearly bending it. “You honestly believe I see this as a burden ?”

“I don’t know.” Another painful clench around his heart made Izuku suck in a shaky breath. “Maybe it was her asking about who you were to me. Or her assuming—I already told you we didn’t have to go public with this. None of our friends would tell the media who the father was. The agency would help us keep it a secret. And if anyone asks, I could inform them that the alpha would prefer privacy. If that’ll make it easier for you to grow a dynamic with our ember, I…I don’t mind you not claiming them as yours.”

Izuku flinched when Katsuki rose from his chair, the clattering of silver on the table showing his displeasure with something said. The speed Katsuki used to get around the table was almost impressive, Izuku yelping when hot hands pulled him from his own seat. He flailed his arms when Katsuki didn’t stop at Izuku standing up, scooping under his knees and back to lift him off his feet. Without another word, Katsuki left the dining area, heading into the living room and sitting sideways on the couch. Izuku dropped between Katsuki’s thighs, his back falling against the other’s chest like they were cuddling.

Strong arms snapped around Izuku’s waist, the tip of his nose burying against the back of Izuku’s ear. The pushy affection didn’t stop there, Katsuki making it a point to slide across his neck and down to his collarbone. Izuku squirmed at the sudden scenting, trying to express his confusion between the purring and chirping. Any time Izuku tried to turn and address the silent behavior, a warning growl kept him quiet. It wasn’t like Izuku disliked the scenting, always finding himself relaxed and dazed when doused in the specific caramel that only Katsuki produced. He realized that part of it was probably trying to cover the rotted scent of his own pine, hating that he hadn’t managed his distressed scent while trying to give Katsuki an out.

It was when Katsuki’s nose brushed the scar on his face that his duo partner finally spoke. “This pup is mine , Freckles. When you can’t hide it anymore, and you let the world know, my name better be coming off your damn lips.”

“Okay,” he answered weakly, far too happy over something so simple.

 Not satisfied with Izuku’s faint answer, he nipped at Izuku’s jaw. “This ember is ours, remember? Who said I was ashamed of that? The voices in your damn head?”

“You know I can’t hear the vestiges anymore.”

“Then why are you trying to piss me off?” 

At Katsuki’s accusation, Izuku sighed, resting his hands on the ones around his torso. “Why did you leave the appointment today?”

“...Had to piss.” Except the pause, and the way he buried his nose against Izuku’s nape, proved he wasn’t being honest.

“Kacchan.” Leaning his head back to feel the hot air blooming against his skin, Izuku closed his eyes, reaching one hand back to bury into Katsuki’s hair. “I don’t want to hide things from each other.”

“Cause you suck at it.”

“Cause I don’t want us to hurt each other again.” The silence after made Izuku tilt his head, wishing he could see Katsuki’s expression at his next murmur. “Dr. Moro told me that alphas struggle to bond with their first pup. If they’re not bonded to the carrier, it can be even more difficult. Is that why you needed to leave the room? If so, she said that’s normal, and she can probably give us resources to help you sync up with the baby. But I need to be on the same page as you, so I can be there and support whatever you’re going through.”

“It’s not that.” Katsuki huffed after his admission, pressing his forehead against the middle of Izuku’s shoulders like he needed the support to force the words out. “I went to cry, okay?”

“You…” Stunned, Izuku tried to look back at him, but Katsuki’s firm hold on him kept Izuku stuck looking into the empty space in front of them. “Why did you hide that?”

“Because I’m not here to be a blubbering mess. I know my job is to keep you happy, and help manage your ridiculous hormone influxes. How the hell am I supposed to be your strongest support if I’m too busy sobbing over shit I should’ve dealt with years ago? But then… fuck, that damn heartbeat.”

“You mean on the ultrasound?” 

He felt the nod against his collar. “When the doc found it, it reminded me of how close I got to never hearing that. If I had died facing Creepy Hands, our ember wouldn’t have been here. It was a lot; I needed space to get my head on right.”

“Oh, Kacchan…” Izuku felt the grip around him loosen, letting him slowly turn toward Katsuki as he continued to speak.

“It’s not like I’m still fucking broken; I did my therapy, worked through the shit that used to keep me up at night. You’d know better than anyone if I was still struggling with what happened back then. But it never fully leaves, and this came—the realization hit me out of nowhere. How close I was to losing this without even realizing it. All of that felt too much, so I had to go.”

Izuku fully spun himself around, forcing Katsuki’s legs together so he could straddle him on the couch. Thankful his partner wasn’t stingy with his furniture (buying one big enough to keep from slipping off), Izuku cupped his face, tilting it up to look at him. Katsuki didn’t meet his eyes at first, but Izuku was patient, letting Katsuki huff and scowl before finally giving up on his pride. The red gaze slipped up to his, and Izuku gave a gentle smile before squeezing the warm cheeks. 

“It’s okay for you to cry with me.” When Katsuki’s stare narrowed, Izuku nodded, refusing to back down from his claim. “This whole time, you’ve been reminding me that this is our pup, right? Which means I should trust in you. But that has to go the other way, too.”

“That’s different.”

“Because big, scary alphas aren’t supposed to have emotions?” He asked, knowing they both didn’t believe in the stereotype. Katsuki showed how little he cared about the image with a roll of his eyes, tugging out Izuku’s laugh. “Honestly, no matter how much you cry, we both know I’ll be way ahead of you. Yesterday, I bawled over a penguin documentary.”

“Why did that set you off?”

“They were really cute.” Katsuki fought to keep his mouth straight, and Izuku leaned closer to try and drag out his grin. “One was giving a pebble to the other, but they couldn’t find the right present for their potential mate. It had to be the right one, Kacchan, because they didn’t want to get rejected. I was rooting for them, and his mate accepted!”

Katsuki shook his head in Izuku’s hold, but the edge of his lips tilted up. “And that made you sob like a baby, I bet.”

“I would have made my mom so proud.” 

“You’re such a nerd.”

Happy with Katsuki’s relaxed body under his, and the warm hands coming up to hold his hips, Izuku stared down at Katsuki’s calm features. His heart clenched with the impulse to kiss him, though he only indulged in that act during sex. Outside of that, their dynamic didn’t leave space for their mouths to soothe each other. Normally, he could ignore his desire, knowing he could be content with Katsuki’s friendship. Now, sitting in his lap and hearing how dedicated he was to the life in his stomach, the desire to lean down and capture his mouth nearly took him over.

Respect Kacchan’s boundaries , Izuku scolded himself, beating down his growling omega to keep it from ruining the moment. Hadn’t he just told Katsuki to trust him? How well would that go if the second he showed his sensitive side, Izuku tried to make out with him? Heats, ruts, and their body’s needs excused the behavior. But they’d never kissed… romantically. No matter how badly Izuku wanted to.

Instead, he leaned down just enough to brush their noses, wiggling his face to let them bump together. Unlike the soft connection he created with his mother, performing the action with Katsuki always left a fuzzy feeling coiling in his stomach. Katsuki didn’t pull back, trusting Izuku enough to close his eyes in the vulnerable position. Most alphas would rather cut their own arm off than let themselves be dragged into something so soft with someone outside of their mate. Even his close friends, like Shoto and Tenya, wouldn’t let Izuku shower them with such a childish intimacy. But Katsuki was always different, never afraid to let Izuku be bolder than most omegas presented. 

Neither of them fit their ‘roles’ completely, which made them work pretty well together.

After getting his fill, Izuku eased back to finish his earlier thought. “I would never make fun of you for loving our baby, Kacchan. Doing this together means the road has to be a two-way street. We save to win, and win to save. Even for emotional ultrasounds.”

“You would bring that up right now.” 

A hand fell on the back of his head, Izuku yelping when he was dragged down to collapse onto Katsuki’s chest. Once securing Izuku against him, Katsuki sighed and fell back to lay fully on the couch, their bodies fitting together without effort. All of his life, Izuku had always hated being smaller than Katsuki, even if it was only by a few inches. Now, being able to lay his face into the crook of Katsuki’s neck comfortably, he thanked his mother’s short genes for giving him a small pocket of happiness.

“Someone should put a warning label on those damn ultrasounds.”

At Katsuki’s mumble against his hair, Izuku laughed, closing his eyes to bask in the warm body under him. Their dinner was getting cold, and he’d have to listen to Katsuki complain over how microwaves destroyed the integrity of food. But getting to snuggle against his best friend, purring at the fingers that unconsciously snuck under his shirt to stroke along his spine, made it worth it.

“I bet Kirishima cried during Mina’s,” he said, smiling when the chest under him vibrated with Katsuki’s cackle. They spent the next hour there, exchanging theories over how all of their friends would react to different ‘stages’ of pregnancy.

But, despite his best effort, Izuku brushed his fingers against his lower lip, hating the ‘what if’ that lingered in his brain.

Chapter Text

“You are the closest I will ever come to magic.” — Suzanne Finnamore

When Izuku saw All Might open his door, the awe from his childhood simmered under the surface of his skin. It didn’t matter that he’d lost his muscle mass, his eyes sunk deeper into his face, or that his clothes swallowed his older body whole. Once All Might saw him, the smile that took over his face brought Izuku back to his childhood. “My boy.”

“Hi,” Izuku said, moving forward without hesitation to accept the hug offered. Like Katsuki, All Might’s olive scent wasn’t normally associated with an alpha dynamic, tending to be attached to those with beta genetics. It had always been a soothing scent to Izuku, even during his darkest times. He’d worried when All For One was gone, and One For All was (temporarily) out of his body, All Might would have no real reason to keep working with Izuku. But the older man had invited him and Katsuki over whenever they wanted, treating them more like sons than students. 

Now, pressing his face into the other’s shoulder, he closed his eyes and silently prayed he wouldn’t disappoint All Might with the news. 

“It’s a shame Katsuki couldn’t come with you,” All Might said once the two sat down on the couch, his smile edged with laugh lines. “From what I’ve heard, he’s been picking up as many shifts as he can.”

“You know Kacchan,” Izuku replied, trying to keep his fingers still on his lap. “Getting to number one is his primary goal.” 

“He’s very goal-oriented with his career. It makes sense for one to think that.”

All Might’s gentle reply, without a commitment to Izuku’s claim, made him blink. It almost sounded like he agreed with the assumption of the statement, but wouldn’t say it himself. Izuku opened his mouth to answer, but he hesitated at the new thought. Despite being Izuku’s mentor, and their connection through One For All, All Might had spent just as much time working with Katsuki. They had times where they spoke outside of Izuku’s knowledge, both bonding over some of the dangerous and reckless decisions he made. After their final battle, where Katsuki literally saved both of them, All Might showered the two with equal praise. To him, they were both his students, and even graduation didn’t stop his life lessons. 

So was there something All Might knew that Izuku didn’t?

“But that wasn’t what you came here to talk about, right?” All Might’s gentle question proved Izuku still wasn’t good at hiding things from him. Chewing his lip, Izuku reached for his cup, sipping the drink to buy himself a second more of time. But eventually, he had to swallow down the warm tea and accept the moment he made happen.

“All Might,” he whispered, staring at the tea and catching the ripples from his trembling hand. “Did Nana ever talk to you about how One For All affected our secondary genders?”

“Yes, we spoke sometimes about it. Most of the chosen users were betas, so the changes didn’t matter much in their cases. Nana and I were both alphas, but the quirk only enhanced some of our normal instincts. There aren’t a lot of records regarding Yoichi’s omega status, and how One For All’s original form was affected by his quirk. Then again, with the trauma he went through being under All For One’s supervision, we can’t be sure what was quirk related and what was simple survival skill. You’re the only other omega we have passed the power onto.”

“Ah.” Izuku swallowed, knowing that his true question wouldn’t be answered that easily.

Picking up on the nervous energy, All Might tilted his head. “Is there something that’s changed? We want to keep a close eye on any recent developments, since the length of time you’ve held it and the intensity of the quirk is different than other users.”

“This one… it isn’t quirk related.” Izuku closed his eyes, shaking his head to try and push through the discomfort before meeting All Might’s gentle gaze. “I have to tell you something, but I’m worried you’ll be upset with me.”

“My boy,” All Might replied, the long face still welcoming him with a warm smile. “There’s nothing you can do to disappoint me. You’ve been my precious student for years, and I’m proud to call you my successor.”

“All Might…” He refused to let the emotion sweep him up, sucking in a sharp breath through his nose to battle back the hint of tears. Izuku straightened his back, preparing to face the truth head on. “I’m p-pregnant. Me and Kacchan, we’re…having a baby together.”

“Oh.” Surprise that matched his mother’s washed over All Might’s face, though he recovered faster when settling his hands in his lap. “That wasn’t what I expected to hear.”

“Yeah, we didn’t tell a lot of people we were heat sharing.” There had been a chance All Might would have stumbled onto the information just from his status and lingering around Best Jeanist’s agency, but it toed the line of medical records. Still, Izuku clarified quicker for All Might than his mother and Katsuki’s parents, not wanting another misunderstanding. “We’re going to raise the pup together, but this isn’t a… a mating proposal or anything.”

“I think if Young Katsuki wished to ask you to be his mate, he’d like to do something he had full control over.” The fact All Might had accepted their heat sharing so easily meant he was either using his hero training to adapt to a new situation, or he had better insight on their dynamic than Izuku and Katsuki thought. “That is quite the news, though. How do you feel about it?”

“I’m better than when I originally found out.” Izuku was far enough from the memory to realize his frantic panic was a little over the top. Even if the pregnancy took him by surprise, using Blackwhip to run away from their friends hadn’t been his best idea. Now, with a few more weeks under his belt and the support of his family and friends, Izuku tried to keep the nervous energy contained while facing the last person who mattered. “But it means I’ll have to take some time off from being a hero. That’s why I wanted to talk to you about this, and… apologize.”

“The beginning of a new life is nothing to feel sorry for.” 

“But that’s not the reason you gave me One For All.” An unfamiliar emotion surged up into his throat, weaving itself through his next words; guilt. He set the tea to the side while he spilled out the unfiltered thoughts bouncing through his head. “I told you I wanted to be a hero, one that would never turn his back on the people around him. But with the baby, I have someone I might have to put first. Nana sacrificed her family to do her job protecting the world, and you never allowed yourself a weakness for villains to use against you. Tenko realized how important Kacchan was to me, and nearly won the war because of that. If anyone put my pup’s life on the line, I—I’m not strong like you and Nana. I can’t cut off these feelings for the ember inside me.”

Finishing his apology, Izuku bowed his head to the table sitting between them. He closed his eyes and waited for All Might’s answer, knowing he didn’t want to lose the other’s respect. Katsuki had known Izuku would be telling All Might the news about the pup, but he kept the second reason for the visit to himself. It was something only he and All Might could understand, being two people who weren’t supposed to carry a quirk. One For All was meant to save the world, and Izuku’s human desire to feel connected to others had compromised the quirk several times before. But this one wasn’t something he could train away or shut out; the life inside him would always be in the back of his mind every time he put the suit on and threw himself into danger.

“Raise your head, my boy.” Sniffling despite promising he wouldn’t let his emotions get the best of him, Izuku did as asked, surprised to see the space across from him empty. All Might had moved to sit beside him on the couch, a bony hand resting on his back without any judgement. “My mentor made her choice due to having nobody to pass the power to safely. Nana regretted leaving her son behind every day, and I think she might have passed on the quirk far earlier if I had been more mature. Her desire to end All For One and bring peace to our world was fueled by the desire to keep her child safe, too. She thought of her family every day.

“My choice was a little simpler; I wasn’t able to have children.” Izuku’s eyes widened at All Might’s gentle confession, though the lack of pain over the other’s face proved he’d accepted the fact long ago. “It had nothing to do with One For All or being quirkless, before you think of that. You’re not in danger of having the same fate. From what my mother told me, it was a congenital disease that I was born with. So the ability to have my own pup was never a battle I had to take on.”

“I’m… I’m sorry.” 

“For what?” All Might’s true strength had never been his body, but the power of the unbreakable soul that rested in his weary chest. The smile didn’t radiate bitterness or shame, but a healthy acceptance that Izuku couldn’t wrap his head around. “They told me I’d never have children, but they were wrong. I had Young Katsuki and all of your friends to help raise. But more importantly, I was blessed with the chance to see you grow into the fine man I proudly claim as my own. There’s no reason to feel sorry for me; my life has been full of the love I’m sure you’ll give this pup inside you.”

Despite his best efforts, Izuku couldn’t keep his eyes dry, tears pouring down his cheeks. When All Might grabbed a tissue from the coffee table and held it out for Izuku, he instead grabbed the older hand between his own, holding it to keep from crumpling into himself. All Might didn’t shake off his hold while he ugly cried the same way he had years ago, after being accepted as his protegee. No matter how old he got, and the challenges that faced both of them, Izuku would never think of All Might as anything but his hero.

But I want him to be a part of our ember’s life, too. Izuku thought, staring at the wrinkled skin that he held in his care. The hand was frailer than it’d been the first time All Might offered it. His mentor had seen so much in his life, yet never lost his belief in the good of people. Deep down, when Izuku thought of bringing a child into the world, he couldn’t imagine anyone who would offer more hope than the person who gave him his dream. Without All Might, there was no guarantee that Izuku would have been able to become a hero, repaired his friendship with Katsuki, or saved the world for their pup to grow up in. Izuku only became Hero Deku because of All Might’s faith. 

After collecting himself, Izuku lifted his head, giving a wobbly smile. “Do you have enough love to give to one more child?”

“If you mean you and Young Katsuki’s baby—”

“Not our pup,” Izuku interrupted, smiling at All Might’s slow blink. “ Your grandpup.”

“My…” For once, it wasn’t Izuku choking up, though just seeing his hero with glossy eyes made his own tear ducts burn.

“Kacchan and I already talked about it.” He squeezed All Might’s hand. “I can’t imagine bringing our ember into this world without you there, and Kacchan agrees. My mom gets a little overwhelmed at times, and I think having you there might help her calm down a bit. She’s always found you soothing, and you can probably help her with being a new grandmother. So… will you?”

All Might’s tears weren’t loud or childish like Izuku’s. He didn’t bow his head, letting the jubilation he felt over the request pour down thin cheeks. Izuku’s lower lip trembled as he watched the closest thing he had to a father figure openly weep. For Katsuki and Izuku, asking All Might to step in as a grandfather was a given. But maybe, now knowing the ugly truth of why All Might never had a child, Izuku had given a dream back to his mentor. One that, like Izuku’s with One For All, had felt impossible. 

His hero, still just as bright as the first day Izuku met him, held Izuku’s hand in his shaky grip and shed tears of joy. The smile All Might wore was so wide, it made Izuku’s cheeks ache. A bittersweet feeling flooded Izuku, not realizing how his simple offer would shake the strongest man he’d ever met. Witnessing All Might crying for his baby, treating the request like such an honor…Izuku’s heart wanted to burst from his chest with how much it ached for All Might. 

Even when All Might composed himself, he couldn’t hide the delight in his olive scent. “I would be honored to be your pup’s grandfather.”

“Thank you,” Izuku whispered, All Might giving a final chuckle when wiping his eyes with his once offered tissue.

“But I must say, I doubt your mother will need anything from me. She is quite a resilient woman. I can’t imagine what I could do any better than she already has. She raised you, after all.” Izuku wanted to chirp over the pride he had in his mother, but managed to keep himself from embarrassing himself when All Might squeezed his hand. “However, whatever you, your mother, or your precious pup needs, I will do whatever I can to get it for you.”

“That’s a relief. I couldn’t imagine going back and telling Kacchan that you said no.” Both laughed at the implication, knowing Katsuki’s temper still held a bite to it.

After the shared moment of mirth, All Might patted Izuku’s leg. “I didn’t say it before, but you choosing to start a family doesn’t make you any less of a hero. There’s nothing to forgive.”

“I guess I just feel like I’m wasting the quirk.” Izuku looked at his hand, letting his fingers curl into his palm. “I almost lost this power. Isn’t it my obligation to use it and keep the world safe?”

“There are others who can step in. If we put all the responsibility on your shoulders, we’ll continue the cycle that created Shigaraki. People aren’t helpless, and we don’t need to make heroes anything more than the neighbor next to them.” All Might’s reply was a warm drink after a day in the snow, warming him. “That was the message you wanted to make, wasn’t it? That relying on others doesn’t make you weak, and holding out a hand is the most heroic thing we can do?”

“I might have said something like that,” Izuku said, remembering how often he threw himself into danger to try and save people others had given up on. Though most would say his rescue of Eri or stopping Tenko had been his biggest example of the belief system, Izuku had a personal win that struck deeper. Years of dedication and refusing to give up had earned him Katsuki’s respect. The mending of that bond helped shape him to become the hero he was today.

After giving a soft chuckle, All Might nodded. “So then listen to your own advice, and let your friends support you. You have something much bigger to worry about.”

“Yeah,” Izuku said, quietly looking down to his stomach with a small smile. “I guess I do.”

But, feeling All Might’s arm drop over his shoulders, pulling him into a hug, he knew he wasn’t alone in his newest challenge.

~**~

Thirteen weeks into a journey he never expected to be on, Izuku was… managing being pregnant pretty well. His morning sickness wasn’t gone, but the tricks he learned from Mina and Kirishima, paired with Katsuki’s magical hands, were helping. His sleep schedule had never been as good as Katsuki’s, so saying it was ‘stable’ was a bit of a stretch. The uptick in his energy meant work had gone back to normal, though the emotional rollercoaster took up half his concentration. He was unsure how he got away with bursting into tears mid-fight the week before.

(In his defense, the villain felt so horrible, he actually turned himself in to stop the distressed omega scent. Denki framed it as a win, though Izuku couldn’t show his face for two days after)

All in all, Izuku felt like he had his pregnancy under control. In fact, one symptom had completely missed him.

When Mina told him about her cravings hitting pretty early into her pregnancy, he’d let out a quiet sigh of relief. Three months hadn’t changed much about his eating urges. Sometimes, like with the fish tacos, the baby got fussy about foods Izuku normally loved. He couldn’t remember the last time he ate yogurt without throwing up minutes later. But their ember (his heart still skipped a beat hearing Kacchan's sweet name) had been okay with most of the things Izuku snacked on between patrol routes and team meetings.

Then the thirteenth week came, and Detroit Smashed him in the stomach.

“Sweetie,” he whispered while rubbing the tiny bump. "Right now?"

He tried not to let his anger over the sudden craving take over. Two in the morning was not the time for the baby to demand specific food. Izuku took a slow breath, closing his eyes to try and will his body to sleep through the faux hunger. It wasn’t their fault his hormones were all over the place. If he and Kacchan hadn't... created the baby, Izuku wouldn't have had the biggest desire to consume french fries. 

The problem wasn't the craving, but the specifics of the snack. Their ember didn't want normal fries.

“You really got your alpha's tastebuds.” Izuku groaned and tried to ignore his stomach's cramping, but it was a losing battle. "I don't even like spicy fries."

Kacchan does, Izuku thought, hating that his lips curved into a smile over the silly bit of information. Even if he lies and says he doesn't eat 'nasty junk food' . 

His logical reasoning didn't seem to matter to his body, which refused to let him sleep with the craving on the brain. Now, at two in the morning, there was only one place open that had overnight spicy fries. The problem was the location; the fast-food restaurant was halfway across the city. Going out so late at night, as a pregnant omega…

“Its not worth it.” He didn't know who he was trying to convince. The baby couldn’t hear anything yet (he checked), and he was the only one in his apartment. 

Like so many nights before, he was all alone. 

“Kacchan would blow you up if he heard you say that.” With their pup inside him, he knew it wasn’t true, but it drew a laugh out of him.

The moment of happiness at his best friend's demand to be a part of the pregnancy faded when the truth crept in. After their ultrasound talk, they’d been a cohesive unit. Kacchan brought him to appointments, and supported him without hesitation when his symptoms reared up. When Izuku said he was good to go another week at work, Katsuki didn’t give his opinion on it, simply nodding and going over their schedule. He hoped his silence came from Izuku’s weekly check-ins with Mei, the beta surprising him with how dedicated she was to protecting his stomach. Every visit added another high-tech upgrade, the creator waving him off whenever Izuku asked how much he owed. 

The other half came from One For All, which had become far more sentient. Different parts of his quirk came out without Izuku calling to them. Blackwhip was the most active, turning into an insta-shield at the first hint of danger. He couldn’t remember the last time he ended a shift with an actual injury. On the field, when Izuku got knocked back, Katsuki didn’t go into normal alpha mode and demand he get behind him. He trusted in the fail-safes from his equipment and quirk, barking at Izuku to focus on what they were fighting for. The simple reminder kicked Izuku into serious mode, ending the fight in minutes.

But no matter how amazing Katsuki was during the day, Izuku couldn’t ignore one blaring difference between life pre-ember and post-ember. The nightly routine had changed. Not his, theirs . Katsuki had told Izuku several times he wanted to be a part of raising the pup. Despite the claim, sleepovers stopped instantly. After shifts, Katsuki would invite Izuku over or bully his way into his apartment to make dinner. Even on nights they didn’t work, Izuku was fed delicious meals from the skilled alpha.

But then, once the plates were cleaned, and the sun tucked beneath the horizon, Katsuki would leave. 

He tried to be understanding about it. Despite the baby not changing much of his physical appearance (yet), other factors had started to shift. His aversion to other alphas had finally simmered, and he craved his pack’s scents on him whenever he could get it. He sought out Katsuki’s first, but if his duo was busy, Tenya’s, Shoto’s, or any strong person he trusted settled his greedy self. And even better, it masked any hints of changes to his pine scent. Mina warned it would get a creamy edge once he moved into the second trimester, which would make it harder to hide his pregnancy. So maybe Izuku’s increased desire to be cuddled, touched, loved—  

“I need fries.” Getting out of bed, Izuku whined when realizing he had to put real clothes on. With his birthday only a few days away, becoming a human incubator lowered his tolerance for any heat. For now, he forced himself into shorts and a loose sweatshirt, grabbed his keys, and left his apartment.

It was only when he stepped outside that his omega started to protest. The darkness stared at him like a taunt, and normally he didn't think twice about what lurked inside it. After all, he was a top hero who had saved the world from the true meaning of evil.

Now, with the life sleeping away in his grumbling stomach, it was different.

“It's fine.” His omega refused to listen, only settling in ‘dangerous’ situations when his suit was within reach. One For All was the most powerful quirk in the world, and Izuku was trained to fight. Nobody passed Aizawa’s class without learning how to take a villain down with technique alone. The average mugger would barely be a fight. Still, like a broken record, it’s need to 'protect' their ember had his omega crying to see the baby's alpha. It wanted Katsuki, despite not being his mate.

Izuku shook his head, forcing his hand away from the phone in his pocket to start his walk to the bus. What would Katsuki do for him that Izuku couldn’t do on his own? Izuku could take a bus, order his own food, and pay for his late night snack. He doubted Katsuki would want Izuku to wake him up at two in the morning for a carb-heavy treat.

As he walked down the street toward the bus stop, his omega couldn’t settle. Izuku’s body locked up, as if waiting to be attacked. The deep displeasure of his omega only increased when he noticed a group of men hanging out on the path he needed to take for the bus stop. He tried to scold his omega, reminding the restless mess inside him of the bar that had just closed down the street. 

They’re probably just getting off of work, he thought, though tried to compromise with his omega by tugging his hood over his head. He pulled his phone out, pretending to type on the screen while slipping past the trio. At first, like he expected, the only noise came from his sneakers on the sidewalk.

But then, he heard a call out. “Hey there.” 

Izuku flinched, anxiety spiraling without reason. Danger Sense wasn't going off, which meant he was safe. But then again, hasn’t his quirk been tricked before? Slowly, he turned, his instincts under the quirk wanting to lash out at the man taking a step his way.

“Yes?” Izuku asked, unsure why the situation felt so intense.

“You’re an omega, right?” 

It had to be the sweeter edge of his smell giving something away. The sweatshirt, his muscle density, and the earthy pine would make most who didn’t know him assume he was at least a beta. But Mina had warned him of the pheromone change. He wasn’t wearing any scent patches because of the abruptness of the departure, and his earlier dip in mood might have made his redolence stronger. 

“Is there something you need?” He asked instead of confirming the information for the three men watching him. 

“It’s just dangerous for someone like you to walk all alone so late at night.” And maybe it was the stranger trying to be nice or helpful, but all Izuku could feel was the desperate need to get away from the smiling alpha stepping closer. “Should have an alpha walking you—” 

It only took a touch on his arm for Black Whip to burst out, hood flying off from the surge of his quirk. With a yelp that sounded more like a pup than an alpha, the man and both his friends jumped back to avoid the dark energy.

Uncaring if the loss of his covering exposed who he was, Izuku bared his teeth, posturing toward the freaked men daring to approach him and his unborn baby. “Leave, now .”

“What the hell—” Was all the guy could get out before a tendril of Black Whip darted toward him, his avoidance nearly causing him to bowl over the duo behind him.

“You’re fucking crazy! Let’s get out of here.” One of the betas said, the men scampering with metaphorical tails between their legs.

Izuku watched them sprint off into the night, waiting until he couldn’t see them anymore to drop his quirk. Thankful fear seemed to blind them to who he was, the sudden use of Black Whip without preparation made him sway with dizziness. He didn’t want their help, kind or nefarious. He wanted spicy fries. Sleep. To feel loved. And most of all, what he really wanted was—

“Kacchan.” Emotions bubbling from the hormones and lack of a full night's rest, Izuku finally broke, tears spilling over his eyelashes in seconds. With one arm wrapped around his stomach, the other hand pressed to his mouth, he tried to muffle his sobs as he rushed to the semi-coverage of the bus stop.

Thankfully, the late hour meant nobody else was on it. Izuku crawled onto the bench, curling his knees to his chest before burying his face into them. He didn't have a clue when the next bus would come around, but he lacked the energy to go anywhere else. Izuku was still crying, making it impossible to walk back to his apartment and risk someone who might recognize him as the number four hero. He was lucky fear and the darkness hid who he was earlier, but he knew not to challenge it twice. Instead, Izuku let his omega wail while he rocked himself, mindful of his stomach and the cramped position he was in. 

Through his hiccuping tears, he pulled out his phone, planning to call Ochaco to talk him out of his bad headspace. But then, he paused. Katsuki's last message sat at the top of his texts. It was from hours ago, because Katsuki would never be awake this late at night. He wasn't a night owl like Izuku, and Katsuki had an extra shift he picked up for the morning.

Knowing that, Izuku also knew he shouldn't call him. It's wasn’t fair to wake him up and ask—

So, you up for it, ya big crybaby? Wanna be the best parent duo ever?

The memory of Katsuki’s question echoed in his head, and he blinked through another set of tears before he clicked the contact to call. 

It rang twice before a groggy voice cut through the silence. “Zuku? Wha... fuck, what time…”

Hearing Katsuki mess his name up almost made him smile.

“Ka-Kacchan.” He sniffled back his weepy tone, but knew it still seeped through without permission. “Kacchan, I'm…”

“What's wrong?” The sleepiness evaporated from the other side of the phone, Katsuki’s concern coming through. “Is the baby okay?”

“Our ember's fine, I just—” He whimpered, curling up tighter.

“Where are you?” There was shuffling, then a mumbled swear as something crashed in Katsuki’s house before he spoke again. “I swear, if you took on a night shift without telling me—”

“I'm at the bus stop by my apartment,” he confessed, sobbing in his sudden shame.

“Stay there.” After the sharp order, Katsuki hung up.

For Izuku, the minutes of silence after the call were worse than him puking on the bathroom floor. At least he had a reason to be a mess then, his body becoming a hostile war zone.  But here, the hero who took on All Might's legacy, was a total disaster. Once again, he needed Katsuki to pull him from his head. What would the alpha think when finding him at a random bus stop. Would he see Izuku differently when hearing it all started over an order of spicy fries?

On a normal day, it took Katsuki about twenty minutes to drive from his house to Izuku's apartment. So when the sound of a familiar engine rushed toward him only ten minutes after the call ended, he knew Katsuki broke the rules on the roads to find him sooner. Seeing Katsuki shove out of the seat, hair messy in his sleepwear, shouldn’t have made his heart squeeze. The humid air swelled when Katsuki left the car where he’d haphazardly parked (illegally) to jog toward the bus stop. At his approach, Izuku slowly pulled his head out from his bent arms to get a better look, unprepared for the hands grabbing the edge of the bus roof. Bare, sweaty arms proved he wasn’t fairing any better, probably leaving his perfectly tempered home to chase after Izuku. 

In just a black tank-top and gray sweatpants, he was still Izuku's wet dream. “Deku.”

“Kacchan.” He teared up again at the slight scrunch of Kacchan's nose, proving his misery was souring his scent. Hating how out of control he was, Izuku pushed his feet off the bench and onto the ground, trying to clean his messy face with his sleeves.

“Why the hell are you at a bus stop at three in the morning?”

“It was only two when I left my apartment,” he mumbled, then hunched his shoulders closer to his ears when Katsuki sighed and dropped next to him on the bench. 

“That didn't answer my question, Freckles.” 

Even with the sharp tone, Katsuki was gentle when batting away Izuku’s hands, wiping the decorated cheeks himself. Izuku whined at the pup-like treatment, though the purr in his chest proved he liked any sort of attention from Katsuki.

Knowing he had to be honest, Izuku leaned into the touch and spilled the truth. “I wanted spicy fries.” 

“Spicy—” Katsuki groaned, bumping their foreheads together. “You don't even like spicy fries.”

“The baby does, apparently.” He pouted, muttering. “Wonder who the pup gets that from.”

“Maybe you'll get better taste after this.” Embarrassed and still feeling awful about the situation, Izuku huffed at Katsuki’s tease. His partner, showing how 'great' he was with empathy, didn't try hiding his snort. “Not my fault you eat like a six-year-old.”

“Kacchan…”

He stopped when a soft hand cupped the back of his head, thumb stroking along his nape like it was second nature. And maybe it was, since he always did it to make Izuku melt after a rough round of sex. Izuku tried not to keen at the intimate touch, but he always loved how sweet Katsuki was in their afterglow. He missed the glimpse of their old dynamic.

“Alright, let's go.”

“Hm?” The mini massage muddled his mind, Katsuki’s warm sigh blooming over his cheek. 

“To get spicy fries, Nerd.” Izuku finally looked up, catching Katsuki’s softer expression in the streetlight. Despite the darkness, Katsuki's eyes glow. “Does our ember still want them?”

“Oh.” Izuku dropped his hand over his stomach, which grumbled on command at the offer. “Um, yes?”

“Exactly.” Katsuki rolled his eyes, then moved without warning. Izuku yelped when he was yanked off the bench, but his feet didn't return to the ground. It took him a moment to realize he was lifted into Kacchan's arms.

“Wait, I'm heavier—”

“I can carry Shitty Hair in his unbreakable form; you're fine.” Proving his strength, Katsuki walked them back to the car, not dropping him when bending to pop open the passenger door. Izuku was placed into the car, Katsuki leaning his forearm on the back of the seat with a smirk. “See?”

“Kacchan's amazing, as always.” Sarcasm teased the edge of his compliment, though he blamed it on the lack of sleep and hunger still tugging on his stomach. “What would I do without you?”

“Not be craving spicy fries, probably.”

The comment finally pulled out Izuku’s laughter, reaching up without thought. His arms wrapped around the sturdy neck above him, pregnancy brain robbing him of common sense. “I missed this.” 

“Hah?” At the confused scowl, Izuku tensed, realizing his error. “Missed what?” 

“Just, um…” He hoped he didn't sound pathetic. “Seeing you.”

“You see me at work every day. I walk you home and cook you dinner half the time.” 

“Right, but—” His lips took a moment to form his true feelings. “It's just that we used to have sl-sleepovers and stuff. I guess I didn't realize how lonely my apartment is without... you there.”

“You haven't said anything about it.” 

“I didn't want Kacchan to feel like he had to,” he answered, quiet but true.

Katsuki stared at him for a moment, face not giving away his thoughts on Izuku's confession. But then, he threw Izuku a curveball. “So just come live with me.”

“W-what?!” He wasn’t sure where the offer came from. Katsuki didn't seem nearly as panicked when he leaned over to buckle Izuku in.

“I've got a house. We're pregnant, so we can share a bed. And it'll stop you doing weird, three in the morning craving runs like this alone.” After a soft tug on the belt to secure Izuku and the baby, Katsuki pulled back to catch his wide gaze. “You freaked the shit out of me when you called. I thought something had happened to—look, it just makes sense, okay? So stop gaping at me and say yes.”

Izuku wasn't sure what emotion filled his heart as he stared in shock at Katsuki, but it made his recently dry eyes flood in seconds. “You really want me and the baby to move in with you?”

“Obviously. We're gonna raise ‘em together, so might as well start living together, too.”

Izuku didn't think when yanking Kacchan down, hugging him around his neck while rubbing his cheek against the other's face. 

“Oi, Freckles, I can't breathe—”

“I wanna live with you.” He unlocked one arm to grab Katsuki's hand, pressing it to the barely there curve of his baby bump. “ We want to.”

Katsuki stopped squirming away when his palm laid over Izuku's stomach, as if it dispelled the desire to do anything but rub the tiny extension of their lives. It was the first time Izuku let anyone, outside of Dr. Moro, touch his stomach. But it was Katsuki, and giving him the moment felt right.

“That's...fuck.” Something close to a growl weaved between Katsuki's next words. “You're moving in right now.” 

“Okay.” Before the moment could settle, a familiar sensation of hunger hit him. “After we get spicy fries.” 

Katsuki bought him the largest order of fries possible while they talked about moving vans. They didn't get back to Izuku's apartment until the sun was already rising. Katsuki had patrol in two hours, but he still dragged himself up the apartment stairs and flopped into Izuku's bed without being asked.

Finally, fed and cuddled in Katsuki's arms, both of Izuku's cravings were settled.

Chapter Text

"Life's greatest blessing is being pregnant alongside your best friends." -Unknown

The morning of his twenty-fourth birthday, Izuku felt warm. Which, given the month he was born in, really wasn’t surprising. Still, even with the sunlight seeping into his bedroom window, the true heat came from the body pressed to his back. Muffling a noise into his pillow, Izuku dragged his hidden face from the soft fabric to slowly open one of his eyes. He didn’t need to look far to remember he wasn’t alone in his room; the strong arm wrapped around his rucked up shirt proudly displayed scars that Izuku had memorized by heart. 

Since their conversation at the bus stop a week ago, Katsuki had spent every night at his apartment. Some of it could be excused by moving plans and lining up their schedules to officially transport Izuku’s things into Katsuki’s home. Their friends had been open with their time, but work and personal commitments caused more stress than hiring rental trucks. Katsuki accidentally melted his water bottle from his irritation, which made Izuku laugh. The giggles were too much for his relaxing pelvic muscles, and he quickly moved from humor to horror when feeling himself leak into his boxers. 

Despite the overwhelming embarrassment of wetting himself as an adult, Katsuki didn’t use the moment to get his revenge. Instead, they switched to researching the best way to avoid the awful situation again, leading to Izuku’s first pair of maternity panties (or panties in general) and liners. Sharing something so mortifying should have made Izuku flush and force Katsuki out of his apartment for the night. But Katsuki hauled him against his chest, balancing the laptop on his thighs for them to compare brands. There was obvious discomfort at first, but Katsuki was the king of adapting when under pressure. By the time the items were researched and bought, the awkwardness had vanished, Izuku half-asleep in the powerful arm that kept him against Katsuki’s torso.

It took them days to finally put everything together, with Izuku planning to move the following Saturday. The last weekend he’d spend in his apartment would be his birthday. Getting to wake up in Katsuki’s arms, the slow breath pooling along his nape, had already made it his best birthday ever. Simmering in the moment, Izuku finally moved, keeping his pace slow when turning around to face his bedmate. Because of the summer season, and the temperature of their bodies, Katsuki didn’t sleep with a shirt. The toned muscles of Katsuki’s chest made him sigh in pleasure, though his moment of happiness dimmed when his gaze hitched on marred skin.

Like Izuku, Katsuki carried scars from their battles like a medal. There was almost a morbid beauty in the symmetrical mark in the center of his pectorals. He could never look at the scar for too long before a nostalgic guilt nipped at the back of his brain. Just like the one on Katsuki’s left shoulder and right hip, it reminded everyone that the explosive hero nearly died (twice) for Izuku. The one on Katsuki’s cheek, which mirrored his own, always mocked him. Without thought, Izuku reached up, fingers gentle in their quiet tracing of the permanent mark. Katsuki’s nose barely twitched, like picking up on Izuku’s scent, before he blew a hot breath out and relaxed.

Smiling at how soft the alpha looked while he slept, Izuku let his impulse win out over the steady walls around his heart. Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to the edge of Katsuki’s chest scar, silently thanking the heartbeat that thrummed steadily under the marred skin. He closed his eyes while lingering against the kissed spot, savoring the sleepiness of the morning air. Being in Katsuki’s arms, with their baby resting between their bodies, felt like heaven. 

“You’ll never have to be scared,” Izuku whispered, his hand dropping from Katsuki’s cheek to rub his belly. “Because Kacchan and I will always keep you safe.”

The intense desire to protect the pup left him breathless. To think that just a year before, the thought of his future and a baby hadn’t crossed his mind. He remembered the over-the-top party Ochaco and Himiko had thrown him, with more alcohol and crazy antics than he ever expected. Their friends let loose, living out the years that they had been robbed of as teenagers. He still couldn’t look at some of the pictures without blushing or laughing enough for tears to fill his eyes. When he had blown out his candles, he’d met Katsuki’s eyes over the cake and silently wished he’d get to stay by the other’s side forever.

He hadn’t expected that birthday to be the last one before his life no longer belonged to him. Now, he had to think about their ember before himself. Izuku didn’t mind giving to others, since that was part of his job. He loved making people happy, and he’d never forget Eri’s first smile after her years of torment. But he knew being a hero and being a parent were two different roles. Loving the ember inside him wasn’t hard. It came without thought, as simple as breathing. His fear came from all the choices he’d have to make beyond his love. The foods they’d eat. The school they’d go to. How to explain why he and Katsuki ended up creating such a beautiful soul, despite not being together. Why his father would eventually find a mate that wasn’t Izuku, one he could actually love—

“Shut off your brain.” The arms around him tightened after the sleepy mumble, Katsuki reeling him in to press their bodies together. Izuku’s nose bumped into Katsuki’s collarbone, his noise of protest muffled into his skin. A hand grabbed the back of his head, though didn’t add any pressure. “You smell like damn pine compost. How the hell are you upsetting yourself so early on your damn birthday?”

“Sorry,” Izuku mumbled, knowing his turned scent had probably woken Katsuki up. 

“Whatever. If the nerds find out you’re bummed out before their party, they’ll blame me.”

“Party?” Blinking, he turned his head enough to peek up at Katsuki’s scowl. “What party?”

“Should have known something with your extras would make this place smell like Christmas.” Katsuki sighed and nudged his chin against Izuku’s temple. “You better pretend to be surprised when we walk in, because I wasn’t supposed to tell you shit about it. Cheeks is gonna talk my ear off and Glasses will rant about some friendship infraction I violated. Prince Zuko ain’t even gonna realize what’s going on, but I know he’ll piss me off the most. Stupid extras can’t expect me to deal with your mopey ass all day.”

Izuku wasn’t confused about the ‘surprise’ part of the event, but the event itself. “Why would they throw me a party? I’m not able to drink, I can’t stay up too late without getting cranky, and who knows what my cravings are gonna demand. Even if it’s my birthday, I can’t do anything fun.”

“Shut up, Freckles. You're pregnant, not dead. Nobody cares that you’re carrying our ember in there. They’re gonna make fools of themselves on grape juice and sugar highs.” Katsuki moved his hand to Izuku’s cheek, pinching his scar and tugging on his face with a smirk. “And if you keep with that dumb look on your face, I ain’t telling you about our plans for today.”

“There’s more ?” So surprised by Katsuki’s nod, Izuku didn’t notice the slight ache in his cheek. “Kacchan, you don’t have to—”

“We’re going out to breakfast with our parents.” Katsuki cut him off, seeming far too smug as he slowly explained the upcoming plans. “You know the place with the mini blueberry pancakes you get way too happy about? My old hag is getting us a spot there.”

“They’ve also got the only hashbrowns you’ll eat,” Izuku countered, though knew his toes wiggled in the sheets from excitement. They rarely met up for breakfast, either oversleeping from their late night shift or cooking themselves. Hearing Katsuki remembered his favorite place, despite only being there a few times with Izuku, made him rub his cheek against Katsuki’s knuckles to scent them.

Katsuki ignored Izuku’s input, but didn’t pull away from the nuzzling. “Then, once you’ve stuffed yourself, we’re meeting All Might for some private tour of the new hall in the hero museum. You’ll get to geek out and ramble about all the random facts crammed in your head without anyone pushing us along.”

“That’s supposed to have an entire section on our battle with All For One and Tenko.”

“Yeah, it’s even got some pieces from All Might’s armor.” Izuku nearly vibrated out of the arm around his waist, making Katsuki scoff and tighten his hold. “We’re getting katsudon after, and then I’m bringing you back here to take a nap.”

The comment was so unexpected, Izuku couldn’t stop the laugh from slipping out. “A nap? Who plans a nap on their birthday?”

“Listen, I know how cranky you get with an empty stomach and no nap. I’m doing your extras a favor by making sure you get some sleep before the party.”

“I’m not a baby,” Izuku protested, but knew Katsuki’s assessment wasn’t wrong.

From how Katsuki ignored his complaint, he didn’t give it any weight. “Then you’ll wake up, soak in the bath, and we’ll go to the agency.” 

“Why there?”

“Denim Head’s letting us use the conference room for your party, and we figured it’d be the easiest place to get you to without raising suspicion.”

And realistically, that made sense. If Katsuki said they needed to pick something up, Izuku wouldn’t have thought twice. Surprised by how much care was put into the preparation, Izuku relaxed further into Katsuki’s hold. “It sounds like the perfect birthday.”

“Obviously. You don’t think I know you?”

“No, it's not that—” Izuku paused, leaning back enough to arch a brow at Katsuki. “I thought my friends planned it?”

Katsuki blinked before he hid his embarrassment with a scowl, glaring over his shoulder. “Someone had to keep your extras from doing extravagant shit you wouldn’t like. They’ve followed you around for almost a decade and still know nothing.”

Filled to the brim with his happiness, Izuku leaned up to show his appreciation by rubbing their noses together. He purred out his unspoken happiness, and even as Katsuki huffed, he let Izuku express his gratitude for the effort. Izuku had hoped to spend some time with Katsuki, and maybe see some of his friends. Thinking back on his own plans for Katsuki’s birthday, he knew getting everyone together was a headache. Katsuki not only rose to the challenge, but tried to pass off his effort onto other people. Once again, the alpha proved he wasn’t the conceited man some of his critics claimed.

“Thank you,” Izuku whispered, expecting Katsuki’s ‘tsk’.

“Stop acting like it was some elaborate mission.”

“Hm, I don’t know.” Hoping his birthday and the morning ambiance would excuse his teasing tone, Izuku bopped the tip of his nose against Katsuki’s. “From what I’m hearing, you should be in charge of all our pup’s birthday parties.”

“In your dreams.” Finally meeting his threshold of Izuku’s syrupy affection, Katsuki eased him back before rolling off the bed. “Alright, enough being lazy. We’ve got a full schedule, and I ain’t starting off on the wrong foot.”

“How much time do we have?” 

“About an hour.” Katsuki stretched his arms over his head, wincing before leaning to his right. “The second you move into my house, I’m burning the shit out of this piece of cardboard you call a mattress.”

Slowly sitting up in the bed, his original plan to protest the dangerous action fell away when a more concerning thought popped into his head. “Kacchan? Are you… you really sure you want me to move into your room? I know you have guest space in your house—”

“Hah?” Face scrunched at the suggestion, Katsuki quickly shut down Izuku before he could finish the thought. “Why the hell would I waste space like that? You’re not a random roommate or anything.”

“Well, no, but—” Izuku paused, wondering why the air felt heavier on his tongue. “It’s not like we have an official title.”

“What are you talking about? We’re hero partners. The Wonderduo, or whatever stupid name the media gave us.”

“I meant outside of Deku and Dynamight. When we take off the uniforms and come home together, we don’t really… fit into any specific category. Not since…” He put his hand over his stomach, Katsuki’s eyes darting down at the motion and lingering.

Losing the easy going flow of the morning, Izuku’s hair on his nape rose up at the long silence. Every second that slipped by thumped against his heart. It reminded him of the same tension that bloomed when their parents asked for clarification on their dynamic. Katsuki didn’t meet his gaze, no matter how long Izuku stared at his partner. He wondered if his face would ask the question he couldn’t get past his lips.

What am I to you, Kacchan?

In the end, neither of them broke the moment, but his ringtone. All Might’s cheerful shout of ‘I am here!’ echoed in his bedroom, both flinching at the abrasive interruption. Izuku forced his limbs to move, crawling over the bed and snatching his phone off his charger.

He took a glance at the screen before mumbling. “Mom’s calling.”

Katsuki turned away from him, walking toward the doorway. “Answer it; I’m gonna go take a shower.”

“I—” He didn’t have a reason to protest Katsuki leaving, but the noise surged in his throat like Izuku needed him to stay. The small protest wasn’t loud enough to stop the other, who vanished without hesitation from sight. Izuku chewed his lip before the phone’s ringtone popped up again, dragging his attention from the doorway and answering the call. “Hi mom.” 

“Happy birthday, Sunshine.” The gentle greeting, full of love, was just the start of his day. He knew he’d hear the same message from all the important people he’d see throughout the day. Colleges, friends, family. Those he admired and those that saw him as a hero. Even going out in public would probably earn him birthday wishes. The notifications on his phone showed several sites were already broadcasting the ‘special day’.

But somehow, even as his mother chatted about his plans for the day, Izuku’s smile couldn’t grow when looking toward the empty doorway again.

~**~

Izuku’s birthday, full of laughter, surprises, and overflowing affection, carried him effortlessly through the next week of work. The countdown for his move-out day dwindled between hero patrols and fights with villains. His checklist got crossed off, every last-minute concern dealt with by their friends before Izuku could panic about it. Before he could blink, he’d stepped out of his apartment for the last time, everything packed and driven across the city to his new home.

“We’ve got another box!” 

Hanta’s shout when he and Kirishima hauled their recent load into Katsuki’s house lifted Izuku’s head from his current project. “Can I see the side? I think those are my winter clothes.”

“How can you tell?” Kirishima asked. 

“I labelled all my seasonal stuff with a red sticker.” Izuku scanned the cardboard before the mentioned label caught his attention. “Yup, that needs to go in Kacchan’s room. If you leave it there, I can go through and put it in one of the drawers Kacchan cleaned out for me.”

“I can do it!” Himiko swooped in from nowhere, patting Izuku’s head before giving a fanged grin. “You just sit there and keep looking pretty, okay?”

Though he knew she was trying to be helpful, the familiar offer made Izuku sigh. “I’ve been sitting all day.”

“And you are making the cutest couch ornament,” she answered without missing a beat, showing her open affection for others hadn’t been an act when working for the League of Villains. Even knowing she happily wore Ochaco’s macha scent on her, Himiko still squished his cheeks in her palms and crooned like he was her omega. “Pretty, pregnant omegas shouldn’t move a single finger when we’ve got an entire moving crew for you.”

“I lifted a bus and carried it thirty yards yesterday,” Izuku replied, though Himiko pretended not to hear him when she followed a laughing Hanta and Kirishima down the hall. Looking around for an ally, he turned his attention to Tsu and Jirou working on the kitchen organization. “Do you two need any help?”

“You could change the song,” Tsu said, dashing his hopes without looking up from the dishes in front of her. 

Having both his and Katsuki’s packs (which, really, were basically one at this point) in the house made it burst with scents and good vibes. Izuku had seen them all at dinner and during his birthday, but this was the first time in months they’d been able to hang out outside of the public or their mentors' watchful gazes. Being in Katsuki’s home meant most didn’t bother to wear scent patches, comfortable from their time living together in school. Being spoiled with their open redolences made Izuku’s omega putty, but he couldn’t say he enjoyed the other type of pampering his friends were ‘bestowing’ on him.

With six alphas in the group, and Izuku’s scent dipping into the creamy pine Mina warned about, he expected some fuss about keeping him from lifting furniture or heavy objects. Even if they saw him exceeding most of their strength limits at work, their instincts came out more when not wearing their hero titles. That was normal, as most people kept closer holds on their behaviors when in society. Alphas weren’t able to get away with as much as they had decades ago, so commands and demeaning other genders stopped being seen as ‘alphas being alphas’. Etiquette was expected, not suggested. It wasn’t perfect, but most omegas and betas appreciated the change in culture. 

Being in their packs, especially in the safety of one of their dens, was different. Izuku knew Kirishima’s constant check-ins over his hunger and fatigue weren’t because he thought the omega was forgetful. Tenya’s offering of an extra pillow when Izuku winced from the slight discomfort of his position on the couch held no implication of inferiority. Even Shoto, who barely exhibited his alpha tendencies during their friendship, had looked strained when removing a box from Izuku’s hands and politely asking him to return to the couch. The betas snickered after each silly display of concern over Izuku, but never stepped in and spared him. Then again, if he wasn’t the one being doted on, he could recognize why they were doing it.

Izuku held their newest pack member inside his body; he had to be protected.

“It’s kind of sweet,” Denki said when dropping next to him. He kicked his feet up on the table, nudging the box Ochaco offered for him to sort through from his ‘throne’ on the couch. “Even though they’re supposed to be these unstoppable fighters, alphas go all soft-belly when there’s a new pup on the way.”

“If it makes you feel better, Ejiro and Katsuki did the same thing with me.” Mina took up Izuku’s other side, rubbing her cheek on his shoulder without trying to resist her compulsion. “My alpha was ready to throw them both off a cliff by the time Daichi finally popped out. I’m sure they’re being ultra careful with you because you’re an omega, but it’s got way more to do with that little firecracker inside you.”

“I don’t mean to seem ungrateful,” Izuku said, settling between the honey and jasmine scents. “Everyone’s been so kind, offering their time to help me move in. That’s why I feel like I need to… do something, instead of watching everyone haul my stuff in and organize it without me.”

“I say take the free labor and pampering.” Denki tossed both of his hands behind his head and relaxed without shame. “If these alphas want to run around and stumble over themselves to keep you happy, why stop them? We’ve earned it from all the years of being treated like garbage.”

Izuku laughed, some of his discomfort fading at the outlandish claim. “Our friends were never like that.”

“Exactly.” Mina leaned around Izuku, making sure to stay clear of his stomach to smack Denki. “And what do you mean we ? You aren’t pregnant.”

“I’m here as an emotional support omega,” Denki replied. “I’m the only other one in the group, which means us omegas have to stick together. Mighty alphas like you wouldn’t understand our struggle.” 

Mina rolled her eyes at the sarcastic claim, then beamed up at Izuku. “Just enjoy watching all the hot people work for you, Queen Izuku.”

“Qu-Queen?! That’s not what I—don’t call me that! We’re all equals here.”

“You’re Katsuki’s queen,” Denki amended, leaning into his side. “And since he’s our pack leader, doesn’t that sort of make you our queen, too?”

“Did Katsuki claim to be your pack leader?” Izuku asked, refusing to answer the question that flushed his cheeks.

“Does he need to?” Mina plucked out one of the shirts from the box, holding it out to inspect while she explained. “Everyone knows us as the Bakugo squad. I have no desire to claim any of these knuckleheads as mine. Ejirou is my heart, my mate, and my entire soul . He’s everything I could ask for in a partner. So I say proudly that I know Jirou could take him out with two passive aggressive comments about his dye job. Bakubabe’s the only one with enough patience to handle all of us while also being level-headed in times of crisis. He makes choices no one else will, so long as it's right. Of course he’s our pack leader; he basically claimed the spot for our entire class years ago.”

“That… does make sense.” Momo and Tenya, two alphas in their own right, had been the president and vice president their entire UA experience. Still, with Mina’s framing, he couldn’t deny it made sense. Katsuki stood out as a leader even without an official title, and people looked to him during stressful and chaotic times. Izuku always felt at ease when he scoffed, put on a scowl, and let his brain shine even more than his amazing quirk. Katsuki wasn’t a top five hero because of sheer power; it was his ability to make people feel safe under his care. 

Which, ironically, was also what members in a pack looked for when picking a leader.

As if thinking about the alpha caused a signal to flash over his head, Katsuki appeared in front of the couch, arms crossed and his iconic scowl catching his unimpressed mouth. “What are you two extras doing?”

“Keeping your baby company.” Then, being far too sneaky for her own good, Mina added. “And the pup, too.”

Izuku’s skin flushed when picking up on the implication, though Katsuki only glared at her before turning his attention toward Denki. “I didn’t tell you to come over and sit on your ass. Put something away before I throw you out a window.”

“What about Izuku? We can’t leave him here,” Denki argued, wrapping around his arm and cuddling into the limb. “He’ll be lonely.”

“You let me worry about Freckles.” 

Then, the alluring gaze turned to him, losing their sharp edge when rolling down his frame. Heat coiled in his stomach, his unhelpful brain reminding him of how long it’d been since they’d touched each other. Other than the mission Katsuki took after his birthday, the longest they went without shedding clothes had been two weeks. Now, rolling into three months (since the baby was fifteen weeks along), Izuku’s omega rattled around with the need to present for the watching alpha.

Before his scent gave away his dirty thoughts, Katsuki held out his hand. “Get up.”

“Really?” Excited to move, Izuku didn’t wait for confirmation when accepting the offer, letting Katsuki pull him off the couch. So happy to be free from his sofa prison, Izuku didn’t care about bumping into the firm side, catching a whiff of the warm caramel that almost sparked from his hidden excitement. Whatever plan he had hidden, Katsuki seemed pleased with himself over it.

“Oi, dumbasses.” A hand on his back smoothed down his spine while Katsuki gave his order to Mina and Denki. “I have to show the nerd something, so don’t bug us. Unless this place is on fire, none of you go into the study. If I smell any of your gross scents, I’ll blow your head off.”

“We would never,” Mina replied, though Izuku knew her sneaky smile matched Denki’s too quickly.

Katsuki gave a final glare before he scoffed, linking his fingers between Izuku’s to secure the grip. When he tugged Izuku after him, the two left behind released a set of cat calls, proving where their minds went. Izuku’s cheeks rushed with color while Katsuki scoffed, moving into the hall. “I’m surrounded by creeps.”

“Be nice. They just helped move my entire apartment over here.” 

“Lifting a few dishes doesn’t mean they get free rein to run their big mouths.” 

Izuku looked back from where they came from, the chatter of their friends fading as they dipped into the back of the house. The pack had no reason to come into the hall, since the only thing located on the left of Katsuki’s house was the extra bathroom and his study. Even Izuku rarely came into the space, normally lingering between Katsuki’s living room, kitchen, and his bedroom. Glancing around the random pictures of friends and family Izuku knew Katsuki hadn’t hung, he turned back to the conversation at hand.

“You told them you were taking me somewhere alone and not to bug us. They’re going to assume we’re doing something dirty.”

“Oh, yeah?” Katsuki stopped walking and spun around, dropping his attention down to Izuku’s stomach before arching his brow. “Think they know we fucked?”

“Kacchan!” He wrapped his free arm around himself, huffing. “Stop being… you know.”

“Nah, not sure what you mean.” Despite his faked innocence, Katsuki was too smart not to connect the dots. Picking up on the slight mood change, Izuku backed away when the alpha took casual steps toward him. He hated how his omega vibrated in excitement at the hint of dilation in the red eyes following his movements. It was that specific look that helped them end up in their current predicament. “Gotta be more specific, Freckles. Use that big brain of yours and tell me what you’re thinking about.”

Like I could ever say that outside of heat, Izuku thought, coughing before he forced his attention to the hall behind them.

“I-I thought you wanted to show me something,” Izuku said, changing the subject before Katsuki could drag him down the rabbit hole. “We should hurry up before the others get curious, right?”

He could feel the narrowed gaze on him for a few seconds before Katsuki scoffed. “Fine. Come see your new space.”

“My new… space?” Caught off guard by the unexpected information, Izuku hurried after Katsuki when he pushed his hands into his pockets and nudged the door at the end of the hall open. “What do you mean—oh.”

Izuku’s mouth dropped open when he froze in the doorway Katsuki casually walked through. He couldn’t wrap his head around the stunning room that he was sure had once been a study. The reminding bookshelves built into the wall near the floor-length window proved his shaky memories weren’t wrong about the previous use of the room. But instead of Katsuki’s work supplies and mission papers, the shelves were covered with… nest items. Lotions, scent diffusors, a mix of hero books that looked educational and fun. Fairy lights wound through the pretty glass bottles and welcoming plants scattered on the shelves, creating a warm ambiance for the star of the room.

There, snuggled into the corner, was a nest. With two levels, Izuku wasn’t sure which one called to him more. The top had a small bed and decorative pillows, seeming open enough to play with a pup or watch a rainy day through the window. A curved staircase led to the floor, where the true ‘nest’ of the design sat. Unlike the top, the circular bedding looked like something Izuku would sink into, several blankets and fluffy pillows the perfect place to snuggle during heat. Even the walls were higher, providing a protective nest for an omega that needed security when at their most vulnerable.

He couldn’t pull his eyes away, struggling to soften his purr in order to force his voice out. “You made me a nesting room?”

“You’re gonna need one, right?” Katsuki leaned against the staircase, scanning his own work. “I’m not home a lot cause of all my shifts, so I barely bring work back that I can’t do on my laptop. If you want a desk or something, we can talk about moving around the furniture in the living room, but I thought this was more important. You told me how much you liked your mom’s nest as a kid, and you loved the one at your apartment, so you should have a room. It’s got a lock on it in case you need time just for you and the pup. Not like I’m really planning on coming here unless you invite me. And the doorway’s got scent diffusers, so nobody will know what you get into when in here.” 

“This place is amazing,” Izuku whispered, finally stepping inside.

Katsuki looked over, watching his cautious approach as he continued. “Also, since the extras wouldn’t let you leave the couch, you probably didn’t see the guest room was gutted.” 

“What? But we don’t need two nestrooms—”

“Nah, not for that. It’s the pup’s nursery.” Izuku blinked in surprise, though Katsuki only shrugged. “It’s not like my alpha’s gonna feel safe with anyone else sleeping in here for the first year after the baby’s born. No need for a guest room, and our ember’s gonna need their own space eventually. It’s right down the hall, so neither of us will get anxious about them being too far away, but still gives us space when they get older. I left it empty, but when you figure out what you want to do for the baby’s nursery, we’ll start working on it.”

“Kacchan…” Fireworks bursting inside his chest, Izuku swallowed his desire to rush over and kiss the man in front of him to focus on his curious side. “How did you get this all done so fast? You’ve been at my apartment every night, and our whole week has been full of shifts. Are you even sleeping?”

Confusion made Katsuki squint at him. “Fast? It’s almost been two months.” 

“Almost two—but you only asked me to move in last week!”

“Just because I asked then didn’t mean the idea hadn’t popped in my head already. I was waiting for you and the baby to be ready.” Katsuki crossed his arms, huffing. “Hell, it’s been the plan since our talk outside the bar. My alpha demanded I move you and the ember in that night, but I told him to shut the fuck up.”

The simple comment left Izuku overwhelmed and emotional, though neither felt wrong. He loved being someone the world relied on, and took on his role with pride. But, despite his best efforts to be self-sufficient and take on the burden of the pregnancy, he was human. Izuku had moments when he wanted to be taken care of. To be thought of outside of the benefits of having Hero Deku around. He craved someone looking at him, and instead of promoting his strength, tucked him into their arms and let him be weak. Butterflies fluttered in his chest as he looked up at Katsuki, wondering how the quiet man knew every one of Izuku’s deepest desires without him saying a word.

Swallowing over the emotional knot in his throat, Izuku whispered. “Can I scent it?”

“I told you it’s yours, remember? Go crazy.”

He barely waited for Katsuki’s finished permission before he crawled into the lower part of the structure, amazed at the perfect resistance of the nest’s bottom. His hand slid over the fabric, fingers buzzing from the pleasant sensation. It felt like his nest from home, but with nicer materials. Izuku bent down to rub his cheek against the side, enjoying how easily his pine coated it. Everything felt tailored to his setting, making Izuku sit in the middle before turning to face Katsuki.

“How did you know what to pick?” Even if Katsuki asked other omegas for help, everyone had different tastes for their nests. Firmness, color schemes, textures, and types of materials were hard to get right without the guidance of the omega the nest was created for. Katsuki was an attentive alpha, sure, but the exact information felt too spot on for even his keen skill.

And Izuku’s instincts were right when catching the hint of pink on Katsuki’s ears. “Your mom came with me to the nest depot store.”

It was a smart move; his mother had helped him create his first few nests as a teen, and until he moved out, she had ordered fabrics for him to build with. He tried to hold back his laughter at the funny image. Katsuki, a larger than life alpha who ranked in the top five of heroes, had been surrounded by intimate omega supplies with his tiny mother. He could only imagine the omegas trying to ask Katsuki and his mother about slick absorbency and material thickness to avoid tearage depending on the roughness of the heat sex. Katsuki adapted to things well, but even the perfect alpha had limits. Still, somehow, Katsuki forced himself through the embarrassing situation to make him the perfect nest.

There was, however, one thing missing. Something that his mother wouldn’t have known he needed for comfort, because Izuku only started using it two years ago. Normally, it was a shirt or a pair of sweatpants that carried the caramel scent, stuffed under one of the pillows. 

But why did he need any of that, when the owner of the scent he needed was standing right in front of him?

“Kacchan.” He wondered if the croon under his voice sounded as low to Katsuki as it did himself. With his partner’s eyes on him, Izuku leaned back, feeling like his limbs were filled with molasses as he parted his legs and curled two fingers toward Katsuki. “I need your scent, too.”

“Cause you’re a scent gremlin,” Katsuki answered, though appeared inside the nest a heartbeat later. 

Izuku didn’t care about the pleased purr that spilled out of him when Katsuki crawled up his body, the familiar sensation of strong hips between his thighs setting fire to his stomach. Being surrounded by the fresh burst of caramel, while Katsuki’s arms rested on either side of his head, left Izuku breathless. Everything in his body was honed in on Katsuki’s movements. From the way Izuku’s shorts bunched up against the thicker sweatpants, to how Katsuki’s hot breath fanned across his neck, everything about their connection made his head spin. It’d been so long, too long, since they’d been in the intimate position. Being in a nest, one that Katsuki made for them to share with their pup, only amplified the hormones he’d been ignoring for weeks.

“Shit.” Katsuki panted the swear against Izuku’s jaw, body pressing Izuku’s down harder into the fabric. Even if Izuku couldn’t feel the growing hardness against his thigh, the tone of voice would have given away that Katsuki was feeling the sudden intensity of the moment. “You trying for twins, Nerd?”

Just the thought of Katsuki’s illogical implication made Izuku shiver, hips rolling up without his permission while he grabbed the back of his shoulders. “Scent me, please?”

There was no real reason for it, which both knew. Izuku wasn’t afraid, in heat, or nervous to the point of needing assistance calming down. He was an actual puddle in the nest, barely squirming enough for whispers of friction to spark between them. The subtle movement felt taboo, like too much rutting between them would tip them into something dangerous. Izuku moaned when Katsuki grabbed his waist, pulling him off the padded bottom of the nest to fully grind them together. That commanding motion, paired with the rough nip of sharp teeth against his throat, stole a keen from Izuku’s parted lips.

Katsuki’s response came out in a growl and hot lips running up his throat. The slow stroke of a tongue on the sensitive skin made his muscles clench in need, the hint of wetness staining the recently bought panties. Brushing the dampened fabric against his sensitive, needy skin made him want to rub through it, craving Katsuki’s bare touch on him. The thickness of the underwear, meant to be a support for Izuku, now became a cruel barrier that muffled the motion of their bodies. Whining out his frustration, he dug his heels into the nest, turning his face to plead against the sweaty cheek. 

“More,” he begged, unsure if he meant the scenting or the slow thrusts he knew felt amazing without clothes between them. Thankfully, Katsuki was great at multi-tasking, trying to meld their hips together while burying his nose behind Izuku’s ear. Even though he couldn’t be in heat while pregnant, Izuku felt under a hazy spell, unable to stop his whimpers and gasps. His thighs trembled around Katsuki, squeezing him tighter. No matter how close they were, Izuku still itched for more, sliding a hand under Katsuki’s shirt to grope the muscled back. The deep grunt pushed against the top of his jaw filled his heart with excitement, trying to grind up again to earn another noise.

So hung up on the tantalizing blending of their scent in his new nest, and the build-up from months without Katsuki touching him, Izuku didn’t notice the thuds of footsteps rushing down the hallway until it was too late.

“Yo, Katsuki! Kirishima and I finished unloading the truck—woah.” The cut-off shout forced Izuku’s head up, squeaking when seeing Hanta and Kirishima’s wide eyes. Both had frozen in the doorway, the latter’s blush matching the sheepish look back down the hallway. Hanta, always an instigator, only smirked. 'Well, what do we have here?’

Izuku tried to think about how they hadn’t noticed the intensity of their redolences, sifting through his muddled head to remember the conversation before things got out of control. It was hard to put things together when his hips squirmed against Katsuki’s, wanting more even with the audience. 

But because his hand was still on the strong back above him, he picked up the sudden tensing of Katsuki’s muscles, the alpha whipping his head up to snarl at their friends. Suddenly, he was crouched over Izuku, keeping him out of sight from the ‘intruders’. “ Leave or I will kill you.”

The feral expression that exposed Katsuki’s fangs sent a shiver through Izuku, whose body only leaked more slick from the display. The rare exposure of his alpha persona, one he had insane control over, only came out to protect Izuku and the pup in a precarious position. Hanta and Kirishima got the hint, both shouting their apologies while stumbling over each other to escape the tense situation. Katsuki didn’t move an inch until Izuku could hear their shouting from the other side of the house, proving they were no longer a threat. Slowly, Katsuki dropped his posture out of its intense hold, the fierce snarl returning to his normal grumble.

“Guess those diffusers work too fucking well.” Still seeming on edge, Katsuki turned his attention back to Izuku, eyes glancing without thought down his body. Izuku didn’t know why the action made his body throb, his omega more than happy to remind him of what they were doing before. A tiny twitch of Katsuki’s nose was all Izuku got before the other sighed, pushing off him. “Stay here, alright?”

“Where are you going?” Izuku asked, sitting up with a frown when Katsuki left the nest. 

“To make sure the idiots didn’t burn down the house while we were gone.” Katsuki paused in the doorway, but didn’t look back at him. “Text me if you want me to kick them out. If you want them to stay, I’ll grab you a change of clothes.”

It was only after Katsuki left that Izuku realized what he meant; a slight shift of his position pressed the wet underwear against him, making his cheeks flare. Even with the added support, if Katsuki could smell him…

He groaned before flopping back into his nest, covering his face with his arms.

Maybe living with Katsuki wasn’t the best way to keep his more-than-friendly feelings hidden.

Chapter Text

“Everything grows rounder and wider and weirder, and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world you will turn out to be.” - Carrie Fisher

Nearly two weeks of living with his duo partner had been a dream Izuku never wanted to wake up from. It shouldn’t have been so easy, settling into the new location. He’d always heard not to move in with a best friend, because then their ‘real colors’ would come out. Izuku waited for growing pains, or for their first argument over small habits to kick in. But Izuku forgot that, for three years, they technically had lived together at the dorms. They had some space after they graduated, but sleeping together had caused them to share proximity more than he originally realized.

Izuku knew Katsuki’s morning routine. He could point out where he kept his keys, his self-care on days off, and the amount of spice he liked in his lunch. Katsuki was just as knowledgeable about Izuku’s preference of sweet mint toothpaste and his disgust with generic wheat bread. When Izuku lost his cell phone or forgot where he left the report he was reviewing, Katsuki popped up with the needed information. All the things that normally caused tension after shifting into roommates wasn’t a problem when they knew each other like the back of a hand.

He loved the smell of Katsuki’s home. The open floor plan. How he kept it at the perfect temperature without Izuku needing to ask. Izuku adored how safe he felt crawling into his nest, rubbing every inch with his scent before curling up for a nap. He liked it even better when Katsuki tracked him down, leaning on the doorway to tease his ‘lazy’ behavior. Still, he let Izuku coax him into snuggling, reminding him of Dr. Moro’s pamphlet to promote healthy pheromones for the pup. Having someone to go home to, whether as a pair or greeting one another when separate, was a nice difference from his lonely apartment.

There was just one problem with his perfect home; Izuku wanted to break the mirror on Katsuki’s door.

“Hm.” 

Izuku tried not to frown when turning to the side, taking in the naked body reflected back at him. He’d never given much thought about the aesthetics of his body. When he was younger, it became the reason he couldn’t be a hero. Now, it was the powerhouse which allowed him to live out his dream with Katsuki and the others. But the anxiety about how others saw him hadn’t mattered much until he started sleeping with Katsuki. Laying without clothes under (or over) someone who was the embodiment of perfection had flared up a few skeletons from his closet. It wasn’t too bad, since he was in his physical prime. One look online made him confirm that yes, people found him aesthetically pleasing.

Rubbing a hand over the bump curving his stomach, Izuku sighed. “Glad to see you’re doing so well, sweetie.” 

Seeing their ember’s growth was a mixed feeling; he loved knowing they were doing everything they needed to make sure the pup continued on a healthy path. His stomach’s enlargement was right on track, according to their last visit. Dr. Moro even joked about how their second child would show much sooner, as if knowing something he and Katsuki didn’t. Getting past her embarrassing joke, Izuku tried to focus on the pleased flutter over being a good carrier, doing his job to feed the baby nutrients. 

But he also worked really hard on his body, pushing himself daily to keep up with Katsuki for their hero duties. And now, staring at his distended stomach, he felt out of place. Like, somehow, his body wasn’t his anymore. Izuku was still young, and just like Mina, he knew he’d be able to bounce back once the pregnancy was over. That didn’t stop his current concern from bubbling up.

What if Kacchan doesn’t like how I look anymore? 

He knew some of it was silly. Most alphas enjoyed seeing their omega’s pregnancy. Research mentioned they had evolutionary instincts that, when the omega started gaining weight and becoming ‘softer’, would encourage them to mate and re-affirm their bond. But most pregnancy studies were for bonded pairs. It wasn’t as easy to find empirical data about unbonded omegas having a pup, and the father’s reaction to the physical changes. A few alarming (but also conservative) research studies implied that the lack of a bite would chase the unconnected alpha to bond with another beta or omega. They needed to feel in control of something to counteract their anxiety of the pregnant omega being unobtainable.

Katsuki never hid how much he liked Izuku’s toned body, and seemed interested in whatever they’d started (and sadly never went back to) in the nest during his move. But what seemed like overnight, Izuku’s stomach stood out in a way that he could no longer hide behind his largest shirts or loose shorts. Frustrated with the lack of choices for comfortable fitting clothes, Izuku moved over to his phone, putting Ochaco on speakerphone while he rummaged around for his underwear. He was thankful he bought them a bit bigger, sighing when the waistband didn’t cut into his new stomach’s curve.

The phone rang twice before she picked up, her cheerful tone only dampening his mood more. “Hi, Izuku! Himiko thought you forgot about us.”

“I said Blastboy had you face first in your nest—”

Ochaco quickly cut Himiko’s teasing comment from the background. “Are you ready to go to lunch?”

“No.” Izuku groaned and moved over to his bed, flopping into the middle of it. Thankfully Katsuki used his day off to help his parents with something out of town, meaning he couldn’t see Izuku’s childish pout. “I don’t want to leave the house.”

“Oh, really? I thought you were out of the nausea stage.” 

He wished it were that simple. “It’s not that. I was getting ready, but I couldn’t really fit into anything comfortably. The only thing that worked was my sweatpants and an old tank top, which I can’t wear out without people wondering why I’m dressing like that in July. I’ll get all sweaty, probably become irritated, and my body’s…I just don’t feel like I’ll be good company today. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, Izuku, that’s okay. I don’t want you going out if you’re in a wardrobe transition phase.” She hummed over the phone before he heard her shuffling on the other side of the phone. “Hey, how about we come over there? Himiko and I can bring some snacks and we’ll watch whatever you want while we bookmark some maternity clothes to buy?”

“You don’t have to waste your day dealing with me,” Izuku answered, feeling guilty over taking up time for the couple to spend together.

Himiko’s coo barely caught Ochaco’s microphone. “But we love a good shopping session, and we don’t have a reason to look for any more of our own clothes. If we’re buying for you, it’s killing two birds with one stone.”

“You don’t have to always be in a good mood,” Ochaco said, voice softening. “I can only imagine how tough it must be, not having full control of your body. Nobody expects you to think everything about pregnancy is sunshine and rainbows. You’re allowed to be grouchy with us; we’re your people.”

“Ochaco…” Lower lip trembling, Izuku nodded. “Okay, come over. I could really use some pack scenting right now.”

“Great! We’ll be there in the next hour, okay? Just have to pick up some things to host a perfect self-care day.” Then, with a giggle, Ochaco hung up. 

Izuku laid on the bed for a few minutes before he slowly rolled himself out of his stewing position, knowing he couldn’t sit there forever. He hadn’t expected people to come over, so there were some dishes and dirty clothes he’d left out from breakfast. The cool central air of the house meant he could force himself into his thicker clothes without worrying about turning into a puddle. The shirt took time, settling on letting a peek of his smooth skin slip out from his short shirt and the sweatpants he tied under their ember. 

He managed to wash the dishes and cleaned the scattered items on the floor before the knock on Katsuki’s door echoed through the empty space. Shoving the final pieces of clothes into the hamper, he hurried down the hall, calling out to his guests.

“Hold on, I’ll be right—” His voice paused after opening the door, eyes widening when realizing it wasn’t just Ochaco and Himiko waiting. “Guys? What are you all doing here?”

“Ochaco told us that you were in need of our assistance!” Tenya’s formal stance didn’t lower, even when around friends. Tsu didn’t blink at his stiff position when brushing by, holding out a bag of chips and vegetable dip.

“The website said this was safe for you to eat, but doesn’t taste gross. Thought you might want something to snack on while we hang out.”

“Oh, it’s good to see you found clothing to wear.” Shoto’s arms relaxed around the duffle bag pressed to his chest. “The girls have a plan to fix your situation, but if that fails, I asked Inasa for his largest clothes. I didn’t tell him why, of course, though he didn’t ask. If you need them while we shop for your own items, I can wash them after.”

“He’s going to think you’re using it for a rut,” Tsu said, causing Shoto to blink.

“Why would I need that? Hanta’s more than capable of satisfying my urges.”

Ochaco laughed while Tenya coughed while fixing his glasses. “I don’t think that’s what we’re here to discuss. Our time should be focused on—”

“Pack scenting!” Himiko burst through to latch onto Izuku’s side, rubbing her nose against his shoulder before squeezing his arm. “We brought some extra blankets and pillows to make a giant nest in the living room. This is going to be the best self-care day ever.” 

“You… you didn’t have to do all that,” Izuku whispered, glancing around at his friends without pushing Himiko away. “Tsu, I know you and Shoto were supposed to work tonight. How did you—”

“Toru owed me a favor,” Tsu answered, then jerked a thumb over her shoulder at Shoto. “And his boyfriend is a simp.”

“He offered when hearing Ochaco’s call.” Shoto seemed in agreement with the claim, Izuku silently apologizing to Hanta for the accidental insult on his behalf. 

Ochaco didn’t let the moment linger, moving forward to grab Izuku’s free hand. “Okay, let the boys set up our hang out spot while Tsu, Himiko and I see what we’re working with.” 

“Make sure you pull up the website for the maternity stuff,” Himiko said, still holding Izuku’s other arm while speaking to the two alphas following. It was almost amusing to see the smaller woman bark orders, though Tenya and Shoto didn’t blink at her taking the lead. “The one with the hero-themed designs. We’ll find stuff for the pup, too.”

“That’s too expensive!” And maybe he knew that because he’d looked a time (or six) when cranky and cramping back in his old apartment. 

Like magic, Shoto lifted a gold credit card that seemed to appear from nowhere. “I’ve got it.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Oh, I’m not.” Shoto held no shame in his brazen claim. “It’s my father’s card. I’d like to see how he reacts when he discovers All Might-themed maternity clothes on his bill.”

“Shoto!” Despite Tenya’s scolding shout, the moment lightened, everyone laughing over the thought. The group split up after, with the girls guiding Izuku back to his bedroom. Tsu sat next to him on the bed, encouraging him to mirror her and sit in a butterfly pose.

“It’ll help the strain in your thighs, and keeps your pelvic floor muscles strong,” she explained, tilting her head when he sighed at the loosened tension. “And it reduces stress, which you seem to have a lot of.”

“Sorry,” he answered, looking at Ochaco and Himiko rummaging through his side of the closet. “The last time I couldn’t fit in something was after my growth spurt training to handle One For All. I’ve never been a big guy, so having everything getting out of control when I’ve worked so hard to keep up with our friends is scary.”

“Good thing you know a thing or two about beating the odds and ending up stronger than before.” Himiko pulled out one of his work-out shirts, humming before she tossed it to the side. “Tenko used to complain about it all the time. Affectionately, of course. He’s always admired your way of breaking bones and somehow coming back for more. Like a flexible, durable, puppy.”

“Kacchan used to say the same thing.”

“Yeah, but he probably thought it was hot somehow.”

Thinking of how often Katsuki grinned when bending Izuku into intense positions, praising him between frenzied thrusts, brought heat to Izuku’s cheeks. “Why are you two making a mess of my clothes? I already told you there’s nothing in there that fits right. Either it’ll get stretched out, or I’ll have to wear it as a belly shirt.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Tsu asked, legs flapping with her words. “It’s not like you have to hide your pregnancy from any of us.”

Despite her kind tone, Izuku moved his hand to his stomach, making sure it was covered. “I guess I’m still a little sensitive about my new look. I don’t even like when Kacchan sees it, and it’s his baby.”

“Please don’t tell me you change in the bathroom.” Ochaco looked over the vintage Edgeshot shirt she held up, Izuku blinking before realizing she had moved into the other side of the closet.

“Wait, that’s not mine. You—we can’t touch Kacchan’s stuff!”

“Aw, lighten up,” Himiko giggled when she pushed the hangers around while scoping the ‘choices’. “If that warhead is even half of the alpha I think he is, he’d want you to wear whatever you want.”

“He’s not that much bigger than me,” Izuku protested, the original problem still hanging over his head. “And he wears tighter styles, too. Even if there was something I wanted to wear on Katsuki’s side, I couldn’t without stretching it out.”

Tsu hummed, shifting her weight sideways. “Most alphas seeing their fertile omega’s stomach like that would make them feel proud.”

“That’s for bonded mates .” Izuku had read the article Tsu got her information from during his frantic first couple weeks of being pregnant. “Kacchan and I aren’t even dating. His alpha won’t have the same reaction as a mate.”

The three women looked between each other, their expressions ranging between resignation, disbelief, and frustration. They didn’t speak, but Izuku had been around them enough to know when they met on the same wavelength. Despite not being invited, he knew they were sharing a thought regarding his comment about Katsuki. It wasn’t the first time Ochaco had given her silent opinion about Izuku’s ‘obliviousness’. And, maybe if he was in her shoes, he’d have the same train of thought. An alpha and an omega made sense, but they weren’t… normal. With everything they’d gone through just to be friends again, to even risk the thought of something more—

“You’re not giving Katsuki enough credit.” Ochaco’s gentle voice ripped through his rambling, and he looked up to see the care that mirrored her tone. “You’re not those middle school boys anymore. Both of you have grown into something else. It’s way more than best friends. You’ve been sleeping together, exclusively , for two years. You’re having a baby together, which you’re both excited for. Now you live together, sleep in the same bed, and you smell like each other anytime you come to work. What part of this life you’ve made with Katsuki doesn’t scream mates?”

“The part where he’s never asked to bite me,” Izuku answered quickly, Himiko rolling her eyes before moving to tug Ochaco’s shirt away from her gland.

“Do you see one on her yet? No. But that’s because I’m waiting until I’m fully off my probation before I link my life to her forever.” Izuku knew how much both women wanted to claim each other, but part of Himiko’s program forbade it. He hadn’t agreed with the stipulation from the start, but Ochaco hadn’t fought it, knowing the plea deal Aizawa and Nezu worked out for the traumatized girl was the best they’d get. Three more years, and they’d get to have forever together.

“But Kacchan doesn’t have anything that would hold him back,” Izuku said, Tsu raising her hand like they were in school.

“I think you haven’t officially mated because Katsuki knows that bonding while pregnant puts a strain on the baby.”

“So, what? He only wants to mate with me because I’m having his baby?” Izuku frowned, shaking his head. “That’s not good enough for me, and it’s certainly not worth ruining my friendship. We can raise the pup without him forcing himself to bond with me.”

“Because everyone knows you can force Katsuki to do things he doesn’t want to.” Ochaco’s sigh after her comment didn’t let him answer, though his attention slipped to the black fabric in her hands. It only took a moment to recognize the Dynamight merch from Katsuki’s first line, and his excitement rumbled in his chest at the sight. He’d helped make it with Katsuki, so the fondness of the sweatshirt pleased him. The pulled threads and faded color proved how loved it was. From how often he’d seen Katsuki wear it, Izuku bet it was stretched out.

“The purrs have it,” Himiko said, grabbing the merchandise and tossing it over to Izuku. “Put this on, and you can wear some of your stretchy work-out shorts. Then you’ll be comfortable without overheating.

“I really shouldn’t steal his stuff.” Even as he faked a protest, his nose buried into the soft fabric, feeling the stress from not finding the right clothing melt away. The caramel smelled like it was woven into the actual fabric, mirroring Katsuki’s sleepy redolence in the morning. His hands tightened on the sweatshirt, knowing his omega would bite anyone that tried to steal it from him. He didn’t meet any of the gazes watching him rub it against his cheek, shoulders dropping as he sighed. “I guess one day won’t hurt. Just until the stuff I order comes in.”

“Great plan.” Ochaco moved with Himiko toward the doorway, talking while Tsu climbed off the bed and joined them. “We’ll wait for you in the living room to start our movie marathon. Don’t take too long!” 

He didn’t move until the bedroom door closed, still feeling unsure of taking off his shirt around others. Just like he thought, when slipping on the sweatshirt, it barely touched his stomach. The little hint of his baby, without broadcasting it with every move he made, allowed Izuku to let out a sigh of relief. He was proud of their ember, and planned to show the pup off one day. But for now, with his insecurity still running rampant, the protection of Katsuki’s sweatshirt was enough to settle his anxious soul.

Himiko was right; slipping into his shorts helped keep him cool when returning to his friends. He laughed at the opening left in the middle of the pile for him, though he didn’t protest the special seat. Being snuggled by his pack, who made a point to mention how ‘cute’ he looked in the new outfit, fed the ego he’d been starving for days. 

After getting over his self-made problems, the day was surprisingly fun. None of his friends mentioned his pregnancy, choosing to pick his brain about the old heroes that popped up in the documentary series. For the first time in weeks, he wasn’t a pregnant omega or a symbol of peace. He was just Izuku, who laughed at Tsu and Ochaco’s discussion over which teacher they’d sleep with. Tenya shouted about ‘ethical conflicts’, while Himiko pulled up a roster to better fuel the fire. He really lost any sense of worry when Shoto brought up Aizawa’s binding wraps between casual sips of his soda, causing everyone to shout in excitement or horror.

He loved that, when he needed them the most, his friends helped him find balance with himself again. Even if his body was changing, the people who mattered still loved the person inside. Izuku was on a journey that was similar to gaining One For All. It changed his life path, altered his body, and added new roadblocks and goals to his future. But even when Izuku knew about the daunting task ahead of him, Izuku only tightened his gloves and rushed forward. Why did having their pup need to be any different? Just like his missions, Ochaco, Shoto, and the others would always have his back.

After his friends left, Izuku couldn’t wipe the smile off his face while cleaning up the final remnants of their visit. He’d kicked on the diffusors while walking them out, knowing the lingering alpha scents could rub Katsuki the wrong way. Even if he’d semi-adopted them into his pack, the lack of anything official still left his reaction in the gray zone. If he’d had a good day with his parents, Katsuki might just scrunch his nose. But if his mother had ruffled his feathers a little too hard, the scent of arctic ice would ruin the whole night.

He popped up onto his tip-toes to push the blankets onto the top of the hallway closet when he heard the front door open. Excited enough to chirp, Izuku snapped his mouth shut and prayed Katsuki didn’t hear it while trying to push the folded fabric into the crammed space. His brows furrowed when the blankets refused to comply. Huffing, he shoved harder without success.

“Come on,” Izuku whispered, wiggling his hips to try and get more power in his frame without activating One For All. “You were in there perfectly fine this morning. Why are you being so difficult now?”

“Because you folded them like shit, probably.” He heard a plastic bag hitting the kitchen counter, Katsuki’s voice coming closer after dropping whatever he was holding. “My old man packed you some dinner, so let me fix whatever you’re fucking up while you eat—”

The sudden cut-off of Katsuki’s snarky words made Izuku pause in his futile attempt, resting his hands on the bottom of the shelf when he looked over his shoulder. Katsuki stood at the entrance of the hallway, staring at Izuku. The intense focus wasn’t on his face, but lower on his body, and Izuku slowly glanced down to see what caught his interest. Izuku blamed his baby brain for how long it took to realize where the sudden halt of the conversation came from. With his arms extended so high over his head, Katsuki’s borrowed sweatshirt pulled up over his hips, exposing the skimpy shorts and the hint of his baby bump. The unwavering focus and lack of conversation made Izuku swallow, breathing through his nose to calm his nerves.

“Kacchan?” He called out, hating the slight shake in his voice. “Are you going to help me with the blankets?”

Katsuki didn’t answer, but moved down the hall, stepping behind Izuku to grab the blankets. Izuku dropped his hands once sure the fabric wouldn’t fall on him, though didn’t hold back his confused noise when Katsuki didn’t push them into the top shelf. Instead, he yanked the lopsided blankets out completely, dropping them to the side of the closet. Unsure what caused the abnormal behavior, Izuku turned around to face him. Before he could get the start of his question out, hot hands grabbed under his armpits, lifting him off his feet.

“What are you—put me down!” He kicked his feet in protest over the childish mode of transportation, but Katsuki ignored the light bumps of Izuku’s feet against his shins to carry him out of the hallway. He didn’t stop until they entered the kitchen, Izuku catching the bag of promised food on the counter across the way. Distracted by the promise of a good meal, Izuku yelped at the bite of cold from the marbled counter pressing to the back of his thighs. Katsuki hauled him onto the kitchen island, hands sliding down from their snug spots to push Izuku’s knees open. He didn’t resist, leaning his hands back on the solid counter behind him to give Katsuki space to do whatever was brewing in his analytic mind. Who wouldn’t let Katsuki do what he wanted, when it ended with the silent hero slipping between his thighs?

It wasn’t the position that caught Izuku’s interest, but his scent. The smokey edge deepened the caramel pouring from the gland Katsuki left open when visiting his parents.

Izuku shivered when big palms roved over his knees, sliding like molasses up Izuku’s freckled thighs while Katsuki spoke. “You raided my closet.”

“Technically, Ochaco and Himiko did,” Izuku replied, biting his inner cheek at the firm squeeze over the thickest part of his legs. 

“Don’t get cocky, Freckles.” Even with the stern tone, the linger of heat and the spiced redolence proved Katsuki’s mind was still fixated on the sweatshirt hanging off his shoulder. “ Why did Round Cheeks and her vampire girlfriend dress you in my merch?”

“You haven’t noticed something different about me?” Izuku asked instead of answering, fingers plucking the stray string at the bottom of the comfortable sweatshirt. “Like the fact none of my clothes fit right?”

“Yeah, obviously.” Katsuki scoffed, tugging Izuku an inch closer to the edge of the counter. “That’s what happens when you’re stuffed with a pup.”

“ Kacchan .” Izuku groaned at the terrible description, covering his face with the longer sleeve. Wanting to get over the embarrassing conversation, he forced out the truth in a rushed sentence. “I don’t feel good in any of my clothes because they make it obvious I’m pregnant. Your sweatshirt’s the only thing I can wear that I don’t feel… I don’t know, bloated I guess. It hides stuff well.”

“Why do you want to hide it here?” Katsuki’s movements were smoother than silk when he leaned over Izuku’s body, face nestling into the crook of his neck and shoulder. The casual press of his nose into the bare skin peeking out from the hood of the sweatshirt enchanted Izuku’s goosebumps out of hiding, making him shiver. The vibration of Katsuki’s words teased the scent gland he knew poured out his pine redolence. “I get it when we’re out, but this is our fucking house. It ain’t like anyone that comes through that door is unaware of the ember.” 

“Knowing it’s normal and getting used to my body’s new shape are two different things.” Izuku shrugged one shoulder, keeping the other still to avoid jarring Katsuki’s settled head. “The clothes thing was the first time I had to really face that my body’s ready to welcome the pup. I’m still processing how much I’ll change.”

“You don’t like how you look?” Even without seeing Katsuki’s face, Izuku could see the displeasure in his mind. Holding back a smile, Izuku leaned his weight onto one hand, using the other to reach down and press against his stomach. 

“I don’t hate it; it’s just a lot to get used to.” After tracing his fingertips over the fabric, Izuku licked his lower lip and looked up at the ceiling. “And I guess I… I didn’t know how you felt about it.”

“What? You stealing my clothes? If it makes you less stressed, I don’t care—”

“I meant about needing them to hide…the changes. Or, maybe the changes in general?” 

He flinched when Katsuki pulled from the spot to give Izuku an arched eyebrow. “You wanna know how I feel about the omega carrying my pup, wearing my clothes? And it's because he’s taking care of said pup so well, his body’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to? That’s what you’re asking about?” 

When Katsuki said it like that, it felt a little obvious.

“Well, how am I supposed to know if you like it or not?” Izuku asked, flustered. “It’s not like we ever talked about it, and I know we started hooking up cause your type is guys in shape. The only time we even got close to touching each other after finding out about the baby was when we were scent-drunk from breaking in the new nest. What other reason could there be besides my body’s growth?”

“Do you really think I’m turned off cause you’re showing? Cause I know you can fucking smell me, Nerd. I probably reek like Crème brûlée.” 

Which he did, the aroused scent dancing through Izuku’s stomach. But he didn’t want to make assumptions, especially about their dynamic, so Izuku only shrugged and offered a weak smile to Katsuki. Not seeming satisfied with the response, Katsuki hooked his hands around Izuku’s thighs, yanking the body closer to the edge again. Izuku shouted when the abrupt tug had him falling back onto the countertop, sliding the sweatshirt up over his stomach from sticking to the unrelenting surface. Katsuki drank in the sight before he dragged a stool over, sitting down while he tossed one of Izuku’s legs over his shoulder. 

“You were the one who kept rushing to get changed. Any time your scent dipped into something more, you found every excuse to keep our clothes on. Living with you means I can sense when your omega wanted so much more. But fuck—” Katsuki ran his palms along the inside of Izuku’s sensitive thighs before hooking into the lining of his shorts and underwear, pausing to finish his question. “Did you want me to tackle you while you were changing your underwear? Attack you in your sleep? Getting permission to have sex with you last time isn’t free access every time. Especially when you’re looking at me like you’re terrified of me touching you.”

Flushed at the exposed position of being splayed out on their island counter, Izuku hurried up onto his elbows. Chest heaving from the pleasure slamming through his body, Izuku whined as he tried to widen his thighs, hips arching up into the touch he’d craved for weeks. He gasped when Katsuki tugged both pieces of clothing down, guiding the leg not curling over his shoulder out of the leg hole of the obstructing clothing. Red eyes flashed over the small swell of his stomach, pausing when the fabric hit the top of Izuku’s shaking foot.

“You need some undeniable proof?” The lower pitch, reminding him of the tone he used when driving into Izuku in the throes of a heavy fuck, promised so much if Izuku answered correctly. “Say the word, Freckles. We both know you’re gonna like the results.”

His heart, body, and soul screamed for Izuku to accept the offer, but his mind had to make sure the last negative thought was fully put to bed. He shook the clothes off his foot, letting it hang from the leg tugging Katsuki closer to him. “O-Only if it’s something you want to do, not just to appease my omega or something.”

“Jesus, Nerd. Come here .”

The first swipe of Katsuki’s tongue against him made Izuku’s body jolt from the sudden sensation. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt the skilled way Katsuki used his mouth, unable to stop the needy noises from spilling out. His hands gripped the edge of the counter as Katsuki took his time licking the growing slick, chasing it back up to brush over his clit. Nearly painful pleasure throbbed in Izuku’s gut, trying to arch away from the broad swipes of Katsuki’s flattened tongue over his sensitive nerves. Strong hands held him in place, as if forcing him to endure the bliss he’d missed deep in his bones for months.

“A-Ah!” His muscles clenched with the desire to be filled, arousal and Katsuki’s spit dribbling out over the curve of his cheek to drip onto the counter. Katsuki had splayed him out like a feast in the kitchen, pushing up into a crouch to give himself a new angle. Izuku’s groan came out strangled at the hint of teeth that joined the suckling over his clit. His torso curled around Katsuki’s hungry mouth, hands abandoning their perch on the marble to grab his hair. Izuku’s head rolled back and forth at the unrelenting strokes that fluttered down his body, lapping up the pooling slick he couldn’t hold back.

Panting out between his broken cries for more, Izuku couldn’t think straight. He knew Katsuki was good, and he’d never felt unsatisfied with any previous performance. But something about peeking an eye down, and getting a glimpse of Katsuki’s gentle bobbing beneath his extended belly, made his whole core quiver. Katsuki held onto the softer parts of him that had lost some of his firm toning without any sign of caring or disgust. He didn’t half-ass the methodical movements of his mouth to rub each nerve ending inside Izuku’s walls into hypersensitivity. Hormones bouncing around, Izuku felt like he would vibrate off the counter if not for how Katsuki started to bend him in half while quickening his movements. Pleasure was a hurricane, bashing through any protectors Izuku put up and flooding him with unspoken arousal.

The call of his orgasm started pulsing between his legs, making his thighs quiver before trying to trap Katsuki’s head between them. With just his back now supporting him on the counter, lower body fully held by Katsuki’s shoulders and hands, Izuku could only manage aborted thrusts in the air while he clawed for his climax. Whimpers from the back of his throat switched to growls of aggravation from the lack of control to push over the edge. Eyes starting to blur from his frustrated tears, he gasped through the anger when he tried to rut into the rough licks against the throbbing skin. Everything felt amazing, but Katsuki was taking his sweet time getting his fill.

“Kacchan,” he begged out, hiccupping through the tears rolling over his temples and onto the marbled counter beneath him. 

“I’ve got you,” Kacchan mumbled against the mess between his legs, then dove in for more.

His head filled with the warmest haze, the tension that made him sob slowly shifting to something indescribable. The fight and whimpers from before faded to the back of his mind, body going lax in Katsuki’s trusting hold. He didn’t want to fight or struggle, not when the touches and licks held nothing but reverence. Katsuki would take care of him. Hadn’t he done that, time and time again? Another nibble on his clit, followed by the curling of Katsuki’s tongue through his lips and around the sensitive bud, paired perfectly with his sudden release of control. As if waiting for the limp surrender of Izuku’s legs, Katsuki growled and spiked up his mouth’s movements, careening Izuku over his edge.

The orgasm shook his whole body, and Izuku gasped out his praise in the form of Katsuki’s name and variations of noises he’d be too embarrassed to admit to. Katsuki let him drop back to the counter so he could hook his hands over the top of Izuku’s thighs, his tongue never slowing in its collection of Izuku’s pleasure. Even when the line between pleasure and overstimulation became razor-thin, Izuku didn’t pull away from Katsuki’s whims, wanting to reward him for the first orgasm he’d been given in months. He kept as still as he could, though his hips jerked and shivered without his permission from the overload of his nerves.

Finally satisfied with the ‘clean-up’ he’d done, Katsuki pulled away, wet lips glimmering in the dull light of the kitchen when he smirked. “I knew the thicker counter was the right choice.”

“Oh my God.” Whining weakly, Izuku nudged his knee against Katsuki’s cheek, refusing to admit he was too weak to do anything else.

When Katsuki’s nose rubbed against the sensitive skin of his inner thigh, Izuku tightened his hand in the blond strands, urging Katsuki up to lean over him on the counter. Still panting from the orgasm, and the scent of sex in the air, Izuku used both as a reasonable excuse to lift his head and kiss Katsuki. If Katsuki minded the intimate exchange, his relaxed body showed no signs of it, tilting his head to deepen the affection. Catching the hint of himself on Katsuki’s lips made his omega curl in his chest and purr. They exchanged a few slow kisses on the tail end of Izuku’s body finally settling from his orgasm high. Izuku knew he couldn’t let it go on for too long, afraid he’d forget the line and cross it. Swiping a final brush against Katsuki’s mouth, Izuku broke away, sighing.

“Wow.” Was all he could muster out, leaning his head to the side to let Katsuki finish rubbing their mixed scent against his neck. He scrunched his nose at the display, knowing it wasn’t Katsuki’s fault. When hooking up with an unmated partner, it was the alpha’s nature to promote his ‘conquest’ on any open skin he could. Keeping his eyes closed, he didn’t expect the nip on the tip of his nose, forcing them open to look up at the intense gaze over him.

“That’s what I want to do every time I see your body, Freckles. Especially when you’re carrying my damn pup.” Despite calming down from his climax, he couldn’t find his breath at Katsuki’s blunt comment, bringing back the topic that started the counter ‘discussion’. “So hide our ember from the world if you want. Wear my shit if it keeps your stress levels down. But don’t do it in our home cause you think I have a problem with your new body. It’s fucking fine, and anytime you need me to prove that, I’ll haul you on this counter and melt your brain again. Ya got it?”

“Mhm.” Too swayed by their mingling scents and how relaxed his omega was, he let his hands slide up to hook around Katsuki’s neck, as if knowing what would happen after he spoke. “I need a shower.”

“You gonna be able to stand in there? Or do you want a bath?”

Izuku shrugged, taking a risk only fueled by the good vibes of the moment by giving a shy glance down his body. “Don’t you think you could use a shower, too? To take care of things?”

“What, miss being on your knees for me that much?” Squeaking at the crass question, Izuku kicked his weak heel into Katsuki’s hip. His duo only cackled before grabbing his hips, hiking him off the counter. “Alright, let’s get your perverted ass off the counter before you make a puddle thinking about sucking my dick.”

“Kacchan’s the worst,” Izuku muttered, burying his face into Katsuki’s neck and relaxing in his hold.

“So you don’t want my All Might vintage sweatshirt after our shower?”

Izuku gasped at the offer, arms tightening around Katsuki’s neck as he whined. “I want it.”

“Yeah, I thought so.” Katsuki wore his pride like a badge while they moved down the hall. “It’s a little tight, you know. Got it back when we were graduating, not like this one. You’re gonna show our ember off real nice while you eat pop’s dinner. How’s that sound, Freckles?”

And even though he couldn’t put into words how perfect the image was in his head, Izuku’s purr the entire way to the bathroom said enough.

Chapter Text

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul” ― Martha Graham

Frustration mid-battle was never a good sign. Izuku huffed in exertion as the woman deflected another of Shoto’s attacks with malicious glee. The battle had been going on for almost an hour. Despite understanding the villain’s directional quirk, managing it was another thing entirely. Any quirk, whether it was Katsuki’s explosions, Shoto’s elements, Denki’s lightning, or Izuku’s multiple options, was under her control. The only one that seemed resistant was Blackwhip, which was too focused on protecting Izuku to attack. Her skill made it dangerous for any of them to face her, knowing their own power could be used against them or their allies. 

But Izuku was seventeen weeks pregnant, and his mood was making it hard to be patient. His suit, checked the morning before by Mei, wasn’t supporting his stomach with the same flexibility as it had the last adjustment. Part of it was due to his stomach’s growth, and the limits of physics. The warning whisper of the encroaching deadline made his anger spike, eyes narrowing when the omega villain easily sent Shoto’s fire straight to the lake to her left. His irritation, elevated by his hunger, still paled in comparison to his growing concern. Denki’s shoulder sagged from Katsuki’s explosion, and Shoto learned how sharp his ice got when the woman turned it back against him. Izuku’s fail-safe protection from Blackwhip and Mei’s newly added force-field in his belt kept any of her tricks from getting him, but he still couldn’t hit her. 

The worst of them was Katsuki. Refusing to slow down from his anger over someone controlling his quirk, he was bleeding and burnt in several places. He avoided several of the shifted attacks, his reflexes higher than most of their allies. But even his near perfection had its flaws, and with his unrelenting determination, it left more opportunities for him to get hurt. Izuku knew what had made Katsuki so desperate to end the battle; there, right next to the battle, a group of civilians were trapped in a cafe. The longer the fight went on, the more dangerous it was for the defenseless people inside.

“Get your shit moving and attack together!” Katsuki barked out, flying forward with Denki and Shoto following behind. Izuku swept to the outside with a wider run, his eyes darting between the three men while also tracking the woman’s glowing hands. He’d pinpointed the timeframe between usages, and knew Katsuki’s plan was a synchronized attack. If timed right, she wouldn't know who would be using their quirk before it was too late. But Izuku had another theory brewing; it didn’t seem like she could control more than one quirk at a time, so if they all struck at once—

“Too slow.” Her fingers spread before she swept her hand to the left at the same time Denki let out his blast of electricity. 

Izuku’s brain caught onto her plan instantly, jumping back while shouting out. “Shoto, it’s coming your way! Make a wall to intersect Chargebolt’s lightning so Kacchan can attack!”

Instantly, ice shot into the sky, tearing across the battlefield to slam into the controlled electricity. It shattered, stopping Denki’s quirk from hurting Shoto. Though happy he avoided seeing his friend get electrocuted, both he and Shouto had to cover their heads from the falling debris. Needing to see if they timed the space between Denki’s discharge and Katsuki’s blast forward, his hope swelled when Katsuki propelled within punching distance.

“Die, you worthless hag!” Katsuki threw one hand out to hit her, the other keeping himself moving forward with his mini explosions. Before the fist could connect, she swung her hand behind her, the power from Katsuki’s palm expanding without notice. His glee turned to a sliver of shock, the extra pressure shoving him forward to slam into the villain. Izuku’s panic shot through his stiff body when watching the woman snatch Katsuki’s neck, her thumbnail teasing just under the edge of the scent patch.

“My, you’re a fun alpha.” Her purr was too close to Katsuki’s face, Izuku unable to tear his eyes away from her finger peeling away the protection keeping Katsuki’s caramel safe. With her other hand still glowing, Katsuki’s hands shot back behind him each time he tried to use his quirk, meaning his explosions were useless to stop the grip over his Adam’s apple. Her eyes held a gleam of intrigue when she tilted her head, and even from his distance, Izuku could catch the sweet edge of her blueberry scent. “Bet we’d smell really nice together.”

“Get… off me!” Katsuki snarled and swung his leg up to kick her, finally breaking the contact. She giggled as she jumped away, Katsuki swearing as he chased after her. “She can't control physical attacks. Just forget the damn quirks and knock her down.” 

Shoto and Denki rushed to help, but Izuku stayed frozen in his spot. He couldn’t stop staring at the scent patch, which flapped in the wind as Katsuki moved after the woman. The mission swelled in the front of his mind, and he wanted to help their friends before someone else got hurt. But something deeper in his core twisted with a dark energy, a single thought seeping into the base of his brain.

She touched Kacchan’s scent gland. Another omega touched alpha’s—

A red hazed his thoughts before Gearshift kicked on, Izuku’s speed shooting him across the destroyed street in seconds. Pushing his quirk beyond comfort, Izuku released his smoke screen, using his running to build up Fa Jin. She snapped her head up toward him, but before the woman’s hand could move to try and stop any of his overwhelming quirks, he forced Blackwhip away from his stomach. Tendrils wrapped around her wrist like a steel cuff. When she flicked her fingers, he felt the pull of Blackwhip on his arm, trying to yank it in a different direction. But Izuku only snarled like an animal, letting the burn of resistance fill his shoulder. Even when he felt it pop out, Izuku ignored the pain, using Blackwhip to lift her from her feet and slam her into the brick wall across the street. He didn’t care about how quickly she crumpled after the toss, keeping Blackwhip around her hands until Denki stumbled over to slap the quirk nullifying handcuffs onto her. 

“She’s contained!” Then, Denki waved a hand in front of her face, wincing. “And definitely knocked out. Man, Deku, you did a number on her. Where was this guy twenty minutes ago?”

Izuku didn’t answer, heaving from the sudden depletion of strength. Using so many quirks at once would wind him on a normal day, but with his current state, he felt his legs begging to give out. His shoulder screamed in pain, and he hissed when he shifted his arm to force Blackwhip to disperse. 

“Icyhot, help Dunce Face with the witch.” Katsuki’s broad chest took up his line of sight, Izuku hesitantly looking up to match the fierce red glaring down at him. “Get off the field.”

“What? N-No, I’m okay.” Izuku tried to look past him to see if the civilians had managed to escape the cafe, knowing there were several things required before calling it a day. The police needed statements, and then the media would want their five minutes to review what happened. Clean up had to be called in and managed. They hadn’t checked the perimeter to make sure the villain was working alone. Those who didn’t put on the suit never saw the backstage procedures that all heroes had to go through to make sure every loose end was tied up, assuming it was all left on the battlefield.

“Let the others handle it, Deku,” Katsuki said, though Izuku shook his head before the sentence finished.

“I won’t let a minor injury stop me from—”

“Izuku!” 

It wasn’t the shout of his name (already a rarity when they were on patrol) that shot Izuku’s eyes back to Katsuki. What threw him off was the growl that followed, the alpha Izuku rarely saw peeking out from Katsuki’s steel resolve. Stunned, Izuku couldn’t find his voice, lips parting without any words coming out. It wasn’t a command, and yet his omega stood at immediate attention, far too in-tuned with the alpha to ignore his obvious distress. A strange tingling of shame crept down his back, like he’d done something worth getting scolded over. But this was his job , just like Denki and Shoto. Everyone was hurt on the field, Katsuki bleeding more than all of them. So why did Izuku feel so embarrassed?

Katsuki scanned his face, a pensive look crossing his own before he spoke without the rumble. “We’re gonna get you checked out. The extras can handle this shitty clean up.”

A peek at their friends proved the two were trying not to pry into the tense conversation, but Denki had never been a good spy. The whistling was way too over the top, though Shoto’s confused look while glancing between the obvious omega and Izuku also didn’t help. Knowing their friends were listening made Izuku cradle the injured arm, focusing on the growing ache over his flushed cheeks. Shoto and Denki both respected him. They would never see Katsuki’s hand, now pushing him toward the approaching medical team, as anything but healthy teamwork. Duos were meant to take care of each other. Katsuki was just… doing his job. And if it was an omega thing, wouldn’t Katsuki also be worried about Denki? 

Denki’s not compromised with a baby, he thought, hating how it was the only conclusion that made sense. Why else would Katsuki look so worried over a dislocated shoulder, knowing Izuku’s high pain tolerance and quick healing? He stayed silent with the odd-tasting thought, letting Katsuki guide him to the tent the medical team always set up after a multi-hero fight. He knew it’d be a simple fix, and if Recovery Girl was around, she wouldn’t put it in Izuku’s top ten injuries she had to heal. Still, he winced when hopping onto the pop-up table, resting the stiff arm on his lap. Once sure he settled it in a position that would cause the least amount of pain, he lifted his head, watching Katsuki pacing in front of the tent’s entrance.

“Don’t you think you should get looked at, too?” He asked, eyes skimming over Katsuki’s battle-worn frame. His eyes caught on the scent patch, which lost enough of its adhesion to expose a peek of the scent gland. 

But his attention focused back on the moment when Katsuki whirled around. “When I said not to use quirks, why did you think it was a good idea to use all of them at once? Her whole thing was using quirks against us, and you tried to hand her One For All on a damn platter.”

“She couldn’t control all of them at once,” Izuku argued, though Katsuki looked less than convinced by his claim.

“Did you know that, or were you making another one of your nerdy guesses?”

“I observed her use of her quirk and came to a scientific conclusion.” Tenya would have been proud of his reply, though Izuku bit back his wince at the framing. “And I had to do it. She was hurting everyone. She grabbed you—”

“I broke out three seconds after she got her lucky shot in,” Katsuki replied. “She didn’t even use her power to attack me. The hag was just trying to get under one of our skins, and you gave her that opening. What the hell set you off?”

“That’s…” Izuku’s stomach clenched, quick to drop his gaze to his injured shoulder. He knew deep down, the truth didn’t make anything better. How could he say it was his jealousy over another omega touching Katsuki that made him lose his cool? Even admitting it to himself felt like a punch to the stomach. Wincing, Izuku took a shaky breath, settling the omega still growling in his chest. He wasn’t sure if it stayed out of his voice when lifting his head, keeping his face calm. “One For All was made to step in when nothing else works. That’s my job as a hero. So long as Blackwhip and Mei’s improvements keep the baby safe, my body can handle everything else.”

“Our pup is in that body,” Katsuki growled, and Izuku’s back stiffened to match his narrowed look.

“I know that better than anyone else. But I’m your duo, the one you asked to stand by your side. You’ve never doubted my ability on the field since I said yes. You’ve trusted me to make the right call when everything is on the line. Is… that not true anymore?”

“It’s not about—fuck.” Instead of his anger rising, Katsuki’s face fell into a grimace, body slowing its pacing to turn toward Izuku. With his shoulders squared and his eyes losing their spite, Katsuki looked like he was ready to jump into another battle. Except the only person in the tent was Izuku. “Make an appointment with Dr. Moro.”

“What?” Thrown off by the sudden demand, Izuku tried to figure out where the conversation had veered off course. “She said I was good until next month.”

“She also said we could set up an appointment whenever we needed one. Most extras can’t tell, cause you’re overusing One For All to cover it up, but I’m not stupid. You’re losing control of your omega instincts, and I can’t have that on our mission.” The pushiness of the reply tugged at something in Izuku’s chest. “I’m not fucking around, Deku. Set up an appointment, make sure everything’s still safe, and get her approval for you to keep working.”

“All of this because I got a little aggressive in our fight? Civilians were in danger! Did you want me to let someone get hurt?” But Katsuki didn’t take his bait, eyes narrowing to prove how stubborn he was over the demand. Swallowing down a weird rush of anxiety, Izuku crossed his uninjured arm over his stomach, leaning back on the table. “Kacchan, talk to me. What’s really going on?”

Katsuki’s mouth tightened, a pinch to his face proving there was something Katsuki was hiding. But before Izuku could wiggle the truth from his silent duo, the medic popped into the tent, surprised when seeing them inside.

“You two? Why am I not surprised? Hero Deku, what did you do this time?”

“Ah, sorry.” Izuku tried to show how honest his apology was with a sheepish smile, his eyes instantly darting back to Katsuki. “Actually, Dynamite is—”

“I’m fine.” Turning away from them, Katsuki didn’t give the medic a second chance when he pushed from the tent, muttering low enough that Izuku almost missed it. “Don’t let him leave until you fix his damn shoulder and he sets up an appointment with his doctor. He knows which one.”

“Kacchan!” He didn’t say Dr. Moro’s name, keeping the identity of the obstetrician as an inside conversation between them. But he didn’t want to risk giving anyone any indications. His scent already needed extra patches to keep the softened pine scent from giving his pregnancy away. If Katsuki heard his shocked irritation at the comment, he didn’t show it, disappearing from behind the flap of the tent.

“Deku?” The medic called, Izuku shaking his head before turning back to her with a smile.

For now, he had to push the uncomfortable conversation to the back of his mind.

~**~

Frozen yogurt, Izuku learned, was a healer of the soul. He thought it was strange that their ember adored the cold treat, when regular yogurt had been the easiest way to make him feel queasy. It was the same with his avoidance of tomatoes, while wanting to dunk everything he could in marinara sauce. Being pregnant meant strange food combinations weren’t off the table, and he’d even made Hanta wince after trying pickles in peanut butter.

For now, he was content to sit at the island in the kitchen, taking another bite of the chocolate frozen yogurt. His feet swung from the stool, sighing while the cooled dessert helped drop the temperature of his overheated body. Wearing shorts that were far too little to cover most of his thighs, and a Dynamight muscle shirt stretched across his stomach, he couldn’t lose anymore clothes without being naked. Even with the well tempered room, he still sucked on the chilled spoon while skimming down the papers for their upcoming mission. His eyes tried to stay focused on the history of the villains involved, but the moving phone chat beside it caught his attention. Their friends, not stuck doing extra work off-duty, were more focused on discussing the upcoming gala the following week.

“I wonder if Shoto will actually talk to his father at this one,” Izuku mumbled, smiling despite his slow head shake.

In truth, Izuku wasn’t sure which event was more exciting. The two week mission was his and Katsuki’s best chances to get the final push over Mt Lady, taking the third and fourth spot. What was even better was the pairing of him and Katsuki on an assignment outside of the city. Due to their high ranking, they never got to do long distance missions like their current one. They’d be in a hotel room together. Even if he knew they’d spend most of it planning for the mission, it felt kind of romantic. It shouldn’t have mattered, already sharing a bed and simply being duos. Even if he told himself that, his feet kicked against the stool in unspoken excitement.

“But everyone always looks stunning at the gala.” 

The plus side of the gala was seeing the friends and allies he didn’t get to in his daily routine. Sometimes schedules and the changes of the hero rankings meant he didn’t see some of his old classmates for months at a time. But the magic of the gala was how many heroes were able to socialize without blood and explosions around them. He wanted to check in with those who hadn’t gone into active duty, but were still being heroes in their own right. Katsuki had even agreed to come with him, a rarity for the grumpy hero. The annoying inner voice that sang of them going ‘together’ didn’t help his already overheated body.

A noise in the kitchen’s doorway made Izuku lift his head, surprised to see Katsuki up. He carried a sleepy expression, his hand casually scratching under his shirt. The hint of the firm stomach made Izuku’s thighs clench, quickly glancing at the clock to cool himself off. The late hour proved it was far past his normal bedtime. 

“Kacchan?” Izuku turned away from the mission papers, keeping his voice soft in the dim light. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, just wanted to make sure you didn’t sneak out for an extra shift.” Despite the grumbling tone, Katsuki’s hidden care made Izuku smile. “You weren’t in our room or your nest, so I figured food was the next best guess.”

“Ah, guilty.” He waved his spoon before sneaking another scoop of frozen yogurt, offering the bite to Katsuki. “Want some?”

“Pass.” Scrunching his nose when Izuku shrugged and shoveled the dessert down in one bite, Katsuki let his eyes flicker to the files on the counter. “You’re looking at that again?”

“Just want to make sure I have everything memorized.” He knew about ‘momnesia’, or how his hormones could make his greatest asset become a vulnerability. Part of the reason he’d been chosen to go on the mission (other than One For All, of course) was his ability to plan three steps ahead. Katsuki could, too, but his quick thinking cost more money in damages. To make sure no red flags went up regarding his cognitive abilities, Izuku read through the mission report and their alter egos every night. He refused to let Katsuki and their team down after waiting so long to work with his duo.

“Tch.” Socked feet moved across the floor, Izuku caught off guard when Katsuki slid between Izuku’s open knees, feet twitching on the footring. He tried not to think of other times Katsuki had been in the same position, and the fun they had together. Something hot buzzed along his legs, and he silently scolded himself. Katsuki had always been attractive, but Izuku’s growing desire was quick even by his standards. Katsuki still had all his clothes on! “Gonna be real hard for you to do anything if you keep ripping your arms out of their sockets.”

“I told you, it’s fine.” He rotated his shoulder, showing his healed range. “I survived Tenko decaying my arms and Chisaki making me a pincushion. The other day was nothing.”

Katsuki’s frown didn’t lift, but the vibration of Izuku’s phone against the counter made both look at Mina’s new message. “What the hell is Pinky yapping about now?”

“She’s picking some songs to recommend for the gala’s DJ. They’re letting people send in three songs each, but Mina’s got an entire playlist of ‘party’ anthems.” He doubted most would be accepted, due to the style of the gala over Mina’s genre of music. But even if only a few snuck in, it would liven up the mood. “And it’s not just her. Everyone’s putting in things they’d want to dance to.”

“There’s no way you’re planning to actually dance.” The question was more of a statement from Katsuki, but Izuku only smiled.

“Why not?”

“Because we’re heroes, not fucking ballerinas.”

“Dance isn’t too different from some of your battle moves.” Katsuki glared at him, but the focused gaze didn’t instill danger. Something about his duo partner looking so fierce while standing between his legs made him flush. What was wrong with him? Was this the hormonal surge Mina warned him about for the second trimester? Praying Katsuki couldn’t smell his improper arousal, Izuku glanced at his phone, quickly searching through the linked songs. “Oh! Tsu sent a really sweet song that I first heard when I was away from UA our first year.” 

“Why would you want to be reminded of that?” Katsuki asked, though Izuku ignored him while clicking on the link. His lips softened at the first pretty notes that slipped through the air, leaning his head back while closing his eyes.

“Music really helped me feel connected to the class, even when we were apart. I knew that lots of our classmates used music for different parts of their routines, so I started making small playlists to share with everyone when I got back. Sometimes it was the only thing I had to look forward to.” Darker thoughts always came up when reminiscing on his vigilante era, so Izuku blew out a slow breath before looking up at Katsuki. “Did you ever dance with your parents as a kid?”

“When they forced me to one of their lame black-tie events,” Katsuki answered, and Izuku smiled at the thought. If he could get a picture of baby Katsuki in a tux from Mitsuki, he could hang it in his agency locker. 

Keeping the plan to himself, Izuku rotated his ankles, relieved that the swelling wasn’t enough to be painful. “I used to dance all the time with my mom. Anytime we cooked breakfast together, she’d put on music and let me stand on her feet. But I was never good at dancing, and it wasn’t like I had a lot of people who wanted to for our middle school dances.” 

“Nobody danced at those lame things,” Katsuki muttered, though from his softer tone, he knew their experiences were different. People wanted to dance with Katsuki. Even with his sour mood and cruel personality, Katsuki had been popular. His quirk was enough for people to admire him. Izuku’s lack of dance partners wasn't a choice on his side.

But that was years ago, and the old pain barely registered when Izuku swayed on the stool to the beautiful song. “The galas have been plenty of fun. Lots of heroes love dancing, even with someone clumsy like me. Then again, by the time the event comes around, who knows if my swollen ankles will even let me dance.”

“You don’t have to go.” The sudden drop in Katsuki’s tone matched his quiet expression, Izuku unsure if it was the dim light of the kitchen that made him look so grim. “Nobody’s gonna care if you take the night off. Your extras know you’re pregnant, and we’re gonna have to tell the agency soon. Could just use the gala as a way to let ‘em know.”

“That’s almost two weeks before our mission,” Izuku said, voice rushing to shut down the idea. “If I tell them now, you know they’ll switch me out.”

“If you get the okay from Dr. Moro, they wouldn’t.” Katsuki placed his hand on the counter, leaning closer to keep their eye contact. “You set up that appointment?”

“Yeah, it’s Tuesday.” 

“Should’ve told me sooner. I picked up… ugh, nevermind.” Katsuki rubbed one of his eyes, sighing like the appointment he bugged Izuku about was now a burden. “I’ll be there.” 

Izuku tried not to frown at Katsuki’s focus on visiting the doctor. Before, when Izuku said he was fine to work another week, Katsuki didn’t challenge him. It’d only been after the incident with the omega villain three days ago that his duo partner had added the new request. Izuku’s bite of irritation over the change lingered under his skin. Why wasn’t his word good enough for Katsuki anymore? He knew his body better than anyone. 

Then why are you so scared of what Dr. Moro’s gonna say when she hears about the mission? His voice of reason asked, and Izuku quickly shoved away the growing anxiety. 

“If you have to work, just tell me what to ask.” Izuku slowly reached up, pressing his palm against Katsuki’s scarred cheek and softening his voice. “Cause it feels like there’s something you’ve got on your mind.”

The look from the tent flickered over Katsuki’s face again, digging into Izuku’s chest without knowing why. Instead of a quick denial, or an insult to ensure Izuku was overthinking, Katsuki stayed silent. Without words shared between them, the cooled air of the kitchen suddenly felt stuffy. Izuku wanted to hear Katsuki’s cocky snort, see his eyes roll, feel the tension break in the clenched jaw under his touch. But the only thing that changed in the room was the song ending, a hiccup of silence sneaking in before another one started. 

Before he could try to understand the tension growing, Katsuki grabbed his hand, tugging him off the stool. Izuku stumbled into Katsuki’s chest, the slight ache of his tired feet disappearing when a warm hand rested on the lowest part of his spine. With his other hand linking their fingers together, Katsuki straightened up, using his grip to start swaying their bodies. It took Izuku far too long to realize their movements matched the new song filling the kitchen, like they were… dancing. 

He hadn’t expected Katsuki to dance with him at the gala. Sure, the romantic part of his soul dreamt of it, both dressed up in fancy suits while everyone watched them glide around the dancefloor. But Izuku knew just having Katsuki by his side was already asking for too much. 

Tonight, Izuku wore stretched out pjs, half stolen from Katsuki. The only thing that watched them was the kitchen light. Neither moved their feet in fancy steps, nothing with flair or skill. Katsuki knocked his chin against Izuku’s temple and awkwardly shifted their weight to a soft melody. There was no regal fineness, no eyes to gaze upon them in awe. And yet, despite everything working against what Izuku dreamt of, his heart wouldn’t stop pounding in his chest.

He felt something more important than being envied; Izuku felt safe.

“Kacchan knows how to dance.” The late night dragged away his impulse control, and Izuku leaned forward to rest his head on the broad shoulder. Warm caramel washed over him, his nose brushing the edge of Katsuki’s scent gland. He smelled amazing , and the simmer of need entwined with his relaxing muscles. Izuku wasn’t sure if he wanted to fall asleep or crawl Katsuki like a beautiful, thick tree. Sighing, Izuku closed his eyes, whispering. “But you’re good at everything, so I shouldn’t be surprised.”

For once, Katsuki didn’t feed into the compliment, his normal bragging missing in the summer night. Instead, strong fingers felt like feathers when sliding along Izuku’s spine, tracing every node as if trying to memorize them by touch alone. The slow movements made Izuku shiver, biting back a whimper for more touches. Silently, he arched forward to give Katsuki space to explore. It allowed him to bury closer to Katsuki’s warm torso while they swayed, hips pressed without shame against the alpha’s. Wrapped in Katsuki’s embrace and his sweet redolence, Izuku revelled in the layers of protection. His skin buzzed, the omega inside curled up and ready to submit to whatever Katsuki wanted to do with him.

But Katsuki’s lips skimming his hairline kept him from fully dropping into the safe haze. “Do you trust me?”

“Trust?” His mouth formed the word like it was foreign, a soft laugh slipping out despite the question lacking humor. “More than anyone.”

“Even when I tell you shit you don’t want to hear?”

“Mhm.” His nose nudged Katsuki’s scent gland again, mouth wanting to feel the pulse against his teeth. “You’re my hero, Kacchan. Our pack leader. Even when our friends drive you crazy, I trust you to make the right call.”

“Good thing I don’t mind being an asshole, huh?” Izuku knew that was a lie; Katsuki pretended not to care what their friends thought of him, but their respect and trust mattered. It was why he didn’t use alpha commands, and got nosey when someone missed a patrol or skipped out on a friend event. Katsuki cared, which he proved again by nuzzling against Izuku’s temple. “I’m gonna do everything I can to keep you two safe. Ya hear me?”

“Kacchan.” He forced his fuzzy head up while pressing their foreheads together. Izuku loved how easy it was to live in Katsuki’s space, the hand on his back only pulling him closer when their noses brushed. Simmering in the moment, he finally opened his eyes, meeting Katsuki’s half-lidded stare. “It’s not just on you. We’re a team, okay? If you need me, I’m here. I want to protect our little family, too. Fighting together, forever, doesn’t just mean on the field anymore. Because I want to be someone you trust, too.”

Katsuki’s lips parted, but instead of scoffing or challenging Izuku for who was the better protector, nothing came out. His eyes pinched, like he wanted to look away, but his pride wouldn’t let him. Katsuki never hid, no matter how hopeless the fight. Their bodies stopped moving, and Izuku realized he was pressed so close to Katsuki, he could feel the frantic heartbeat against his own chest. Something charged the air, needing any hint of a spark to burst open. The problem was, Izuku didn’t know what kind of explosion Katsuki was holding back. 

A sudden apprehension swept through him, realizing he didn’t need to be an idle bystander. Katsuki looked torn over something, finally being the one with too many thoughts. Izuku knew the man holding him had the power to shred him apart or heal every scar with a few simple words; he’d done both before. But it’d been so long since Katsuki had torn him down and made him feel useless. Years, even. How would he handle it now, when he’d put his whole heart and future in Katsuki’s strong hands? He knew things weren’t right with them right now, something lurking under the surface. But if he parted the curtain, even a little, he’d have to pull the whole thing down.

 Not willing to risk their current happiness, Izuku finally gave into the desire building inside him. He rolled his hips forward, hiking his leg up to fit snugly around Katsuki’s waist. The sharp inhale and shiver proved Katsuki enjoyed the open display of desire, Izuku hoping his scent sweetened with need over anxiety.

“You promise to take care of me?” He asked, leaning his head back to better display the bare neck left open from Katsuki’s borrowed tank-top. “Do everything I need? Make me feel good, Kacchan?”

“You know damn well this isn’t what I meant.”

 But even as Katsuki said it, hot lips sealed over the bottom of Izuku’s neck, the sharp thrust of Katsuki’s hips into his making Izuku gasp. Powerful hands caught his waist, their sensual movements dancing to music created by their shaky breaths and moans. Izuku scrambled to get a good grip on Katsuki’s nape, needing stability with only one foot on the ground. Heat flooded his core at the first skimming of teeth along his neck, the barest brush on his open scent gland flooding his senses. 

Needing more, Izuku grabbed at the back of Katsuki’s shirt, starting to reel in the fabric to ball it against his palms. Why had Katsuki chosen that night to wear clothes, when he normally slept without them? Whining at the injustice, his body clenched with the desperate need to feel bare skin. Needing more, Izuku tugged hard enough to get his point across. Katsuki gave a final lick over Izuku’s flushed throat before he leaned back and ripped the obstructing fabric away. Before the shirt hit the floor, Izuku was on him again, mouthing across the protruding collarbone like a famished dog. He didn’t care how he looked, rutting against Katsuki’s twitching arousal, almost purring when his bite on the other’s shoulder earned him a groan of pleasure. He didn’t want to think about their tension, his growing feelings, or what Katsuki was hiding. All Izuku wanted for the night was to feel the alpha’s passion covering him.

“Please,” he mumbled over the bitten spot, kissing it after his plea. When Katsuki only shivered under his affection, Izuku ground against him again, uncaring if his needy scent gave away how desperate he was for their bodies to meld together. “Let me touch you?”

“Izuku…” 

He hated hearing Katsuki’s voice add a heavy layer around his name, tossing up another red flag. His chest ached, a normal sign they needed to sit down and talk. They’d gotten better at expressing themselves without sharp words and invisible walls. Sometimes it still hurt, yet even the tough conversations left room to heal. But Izuku, not trusting what would come out so late in the night, ran away from their norm. Grabbing Katsuki’s cheek, he jerked their lips together, mouth parted to entice the other’s soft groan with his tongue along Katsuki’s lower lip. With their kiss distracting his duo’s thoughts, Izuku arched his hips back just enough for his hand to cup Katsuki’s arousal through his pants, feeling the heat against his palm. He fought the urge to purr with how it pulsed eagerly at his touch, Katsuki rocking his hips to rub against his fingers.

Izuku only pulled back from their kiss to breathe his request against soft lips. “Take me to our bed.”

“We’re not done talking,” Katsuki answered, because he was far too good at multi-tasking to let Izuku completely get away with his evasive tactic. 

But the mouth came back to his, taking another long drag of Izuku’s taste while Katsuki guided them out of the kitchen. Izuku returned the heated affection, trusting his partner to guide them down the hall without bumping into something. He gasped at the hands wrapped around his waist, angling them through the bedroom doorway without breaking their kiss. When the backs of his knees hit the bed, Izuku sat on the soft mattress, trailing his fingers down Katsuki’s body in silent reverence. 

Wrapping his fingers around the other’s waistband, he looked up through his lashes, hoping he appeared seductive instead of pathetic. “You don’t have to carry everything alone. Let me be here for you, Kacchan.”

Silent while staring down over his flushed chest, Katsuki only nodded. Izuku nuzzled his lips along the sharp hipbone as he slid the barrier down between them. Rubbing his palms up Katsuki’s thighs, he basked in the tingle of baby hairs scraping his palms, trailing his touch up to cup Katsuki’s cock. Hearing the quick inhale above him, Izuku felt a tendril of pleasure curl in his lower belly. He rotated his wrist, stroking the heated skin throbbing between his fingers. Izuku trembled in his spot, feeling caged in-between the legs that almost straddled his thighs. The thrill of touching Katsuki, feeling the growing pre-come wetting his tip from Izuku’s strokes, made Izuku press his forehead to Katsuki’s torso while panting against the exposed skin. Their bedroom’s lights were dim, but his front row seat meant he didn’t miss a single second of the sensual touches. 

Caramel poured off Katsuki’s twitching frame, hips rocking into Izuku’s rough touch. One hand grabbed the back of Izuku’s head, but didn’t force it down. Instead, smooth fingers slid into his curls, almost petting Izuku’s scalp in silent praise. Katsuki didn’t need to coerce or exchange anything for Izuku to mouth at his hip and squeeze his cock. Izuku would do it, every day, for the rest of their lives, if Katsuki asked. But the gentle scrape of nails against his sensitive head made Izuku shiver, quickening his strokes along the hardness his body wished was inside him.

“Fuck,” Katsuki cursed, barely tugging on Izuku’s curls at the next tight jerk of his hand. “I can smell how much you’re enjoying this. Bet you’re real wet for me, huh?”

“Kacchan,” was all he could mumble onto the pale waist, tongue poking out to lick at the sweet sweat that slid down from his clenching abs. In his right mind, he would scrunch his nose at the disgusting impulse, but his omega wanted to smother himself in the tantalizing scent.

“Check for me.” Katsuki’s thumb swept against his nape, the filthy suggestion a direct contrast to the gentle affection. “You’ve got another hand, Freckles. Use it.”

Izuku’s fingers had already snuck under the waistband of his shorts and panties before Katsuki finished his suggestion. Lashes fluttered shut at the first brush against himself. The hypersensitive skin clenched instantly, slick coating his fingers when sliding inside. A loaded moan poured from his mouth, grinding against his own touch once finding his swollen clit. He couldn’t remember the last time he touched himself, but doing it with a hot gaze watching his thumb’s eager swirl made the intensity hike. Using his non-dominant hand on himself allowed him to still stroke Katsuki without losing his strength or rhythm. His hips couldn’t arch from his seated position, thighs forced closed from Katsuki straddling them. The inability to fully thrust inside or rub himself made it feel dirty, like he wasn’t supposed to have a hand in his soaked underwear.

“Tell me,” Katsuki said, a deeper growl rolling like fire down Izuku’s spine. By now, strong hips were fucking his hand, as if imagining the tight grip was a different part of Izuku’s body.

Hearing the want dripping from Katsuki’s tone made Izuku whimper, another lucky grind of his thumb making him keen. “I’m…I-I’m ready for you. Please, inside, I want you—”

His head was yanked back, making him lose his grip on Katsuki when being laid onto the bed. Dazed from the growing pleasure and change of position, Izuku gave a sleepy blink before focusing back on Katsuki now bullying his way between Izuku’s legs. The sudden opening of his thighs meant his fingers had free rein to sink inside his warmth, and Izuku thrust two in before he arched his back from the mattress. Frantic swipes of his thumb over his clit matched the pulsing of his fluttering walls. Izuku couldn’t catch his breath, only fighting to open his eyes when Katsuki’s lips peppered his cheek and jaw. 

There, perched over him, Katsuki had his larger hand wrapped around his leaking arousal, jerking roughly above Izuku. Closed teeth skimmed his throat from how hard Katsuki clenched them, and Izuku wondered where they’d bite if the shaking alpha let his restraint go. The movement on the bed tugged Izuku’s borrowed muscle shirt up, leaving his growing stomach free for Katsuki to see. But the lust-focused man didn’t just admire; he angled his thrusts to make sure his wet tip smeared against the extended skin with every stroke. Like Katsuki wanted to mark the sign of life as his . The possessive behavior made Izuku roll his hips into his frantic fingers, crying from both the pleasure and at the lack of fullness. Everything felt amazing, desire heightening each second while watching Katsuki get off on top of him. But his omega wailed, missing the feeling of Katsuki burying inside. It’d been months since Katsuki had filled him, connecting their bodies in a way only he could.

Izuku opened his mouth, but before he could ask, Katsuki’s lips were on him again, cock fully pressed against his exposed stomach. Elongated fangs nicked his tongue when Katsuki sucked it into his mouth, the body over him locking up. Izuku’s own pleasure skyrocketed when feeling Katsuki’s orgasm streak across his stomach. He thrust once more into himself before everything went white, his climax flooding his mind with pure bliss. Riding out his orgasm, Izuku didn’t resist Katsuki’s snarling bite on his throat, inches away from the scent gland begging for his mark. Melting into the bed from the waves of pleasure created by his twitching fingers and Katsuki’s bite, Izuku didn’t fight either sensation. 

Once his soul returned to his body, Izuku lifted his clean hand to Katsuki’s nape, needing more skin contact. Katsuki’s teeth had gone back to normal, letting him pull away to nuzzle the bruised spot before rubbing their scent glands together. Izuku closed his eyes, head too fuzzy to form any coherent words. The stickiness smearing on his stomach would get unpleasant quickly, and the panties still cradling his hand were ruined. But he couldn’t start cleaning until Katsuki finished his normal post-sex marking. Instead of trying to ask Katsuki to move, he sighed and settled into the sheets, opening his tired eyes to stare up at the ceiling over them. The sex was amazing, his body still buzzing from the endorphins. Something about the second trimester hormonal surges flashed in his mind, but he let it slip away. Fatigue rolled over him like a fog, lulling his eyes to close.

“Hey.” Katsuki’s quiet tone bumped his ear, Izuku barely humming to show he was listening. Still, there was a hiccup of silence before a resigned sigh blew over his skin. “Course you’re about to pass out now . The one time I…ugh.”

Izuku wanted to ask what Katsuki meant, something bothering him about the comment. An alarm went off, but it felt smothered under the blanket of sleep taking over his mind. The fight to stay awake quickly slipped from his battle-worn hands, Izuku unable to hear the next mumbled words spoken in the late-night air. It was the one draw-back of their reigniting their intimacy since he got pregnant; how quickly it zapped his energy. 

I’ll ask him tomorrow , Izuku swore to himself. Maybe after we go over the mission plan. 

Content with the compromise, he squeezed Katsuki’s nape and fell into his peaceful dreamland.

Chapter Text

“Jealousy is the fear of losing something that you value.” — Nurudeen Ushawu

August was too hot for a hero gala, especially when Izuku was eighteen weeks pregnant. Sweat pooled on the back of his neck, Izuku cooling himself with the make-shift fan created from the welcome brochure. His only saving grace was the breathability of the tailor-made suit. Despite hating taking hand-outs, Katsuki’s constant badgering made him agree to let Mitsuki dress him for the event. Her skills not only hid the growing bump with a maternity belt, but used an aerodynamic fabric to keep him cool. She couldn’t work miracles, but her effort was appreciated.

Still, there were some facts that still made him miserable. The baby had given him a sour stomach all day, his need to pee every hour was getting tiring, and his swollen feet wanted reprieve.

“I told you to stay home,” Katsuki said, looking far too smug about his brag when tugging a piece of yakitori off the skewer. Izuku had already turned his nose to the heavily spiced meat, despite his stomach growling. Though there were plenty of small treats being offered by the wait staff, most were nothing but a teaser for the upcoming meal. He hadn’t realized how late into the evening they served dinner at galas, though it was the first one he’d been pregnant for.

“I had to show up,” Izuku replied, glancing around before lowering his voice. “It’s not like we’ve told anyone yet. This is probably the last time I’ll be able to do an event before it’s public knowledge.”

“We could have made up a lie.” Katsuki nudged his side, leaning close enough to mutter his proposition against the shell of Izuku’s ear. “Then you’d be snuggled in your nest, off your feet, eating that roasted salmon I cooked for lunch.”

His mouth watered at the recent memory. “It’s polite to attend when invited, especially for a work event. What would Best Jeanist think if I cancelled?”

“Like Denim Head gives a fuck. Your work speaks for itself, idiot.” When Izuku hummed but didn’t agree, Katsuki pulled out what they both knew was a trump card. “I did laundry today, too. Could've had your pick of anything you wanted.”

Despite his best efforts, Izuku’s cheeks darkened. Ever since their interaction on the kitchen counter, Izuku spent more time in Katsuki’s clothes than his own. Part of it was due to their larger size, though even after the maternity outfits came in, he only saw those as options when he left the house. Within the safety of their home, Izuku enjoyed the caramel scent that graced every shirt and hero-themed merchandise he ‘snuck’ for his use. Katsuki never complained, especially when Izuku wore one of his older shirts. Coming from when Katsuki was smaller, the fabric pressed closer to Izuku’s growing stomach. The snug fit completely contradicted Izuku’s original avoidance of his own wardrobe.

Luckily, their trip to Dr. Moro helped give him a reason to continue his new favorite routine. 

“It’s a great way to encourage a bond between your alpha and omega without putting the baby in danger,” She said to the pair while going through the check-up. “It helps the baby feel safe with both scents and your connection. I encourage you to continue wearing your alpha’s clothing in-between internal scenting.”

The embarrassing implication of them having consistent sex wasn’t corrected by Katsuki. Then again, Izuku didn’t pipe up, either. Though they broke the temporary seal on their sex life two weeks before, actual sex hadn’t been added back into the mix. Izuku couldn’t complain; Katsuki was a master with his fingers and tongue, and he’d sated his own oral fixation with his duo partner’s enthusiastic consent. Any form of foreplay was fair game, making up for lost time since Izuku discovered their growing ember. Being under the same roof meant more chances to rub each other the right way just from sheer proximity. Before, they’d have to catch each other at a good time, planning ahead to align their schedules. Now, if Izuku rocked his hips back during a lazy morning in bed, or Katsuki popped into the bathroom while Izuku was mid-shower, an orgasm was all but guaranteed soon after.

And yet, no matter how hot they got for each other, neither suggested actual sex. It almost felt like they were teenagers, too afraid of getting pregnant to go over the finish line.

The irony was not lost on him.

“I have to stay until dinner,” Izuku finally forced out, knowing the temptation to leave clawed at the back of his mind. “And don’t act like you’re trying to convince me to leave just for my own good; I know you hate these things almost as much as Shinso.”

“Yeah, but that fucker despises everything that’s not sleep and CopyCat. Can’t compete with a guy whose normal heart rate makes a corpse look lively.”

Despite insulting their friends, Izuku laughed, hiding the noise behind his hand when a few people looked at them. “Kacchan, be nice. Comments like that are why you’re not higher than me in rank.”

“Tch, whatever.” Red eyes flickered to something over Izuku’s shoulder, narrowing in annoyance. “Looks like another wave of rookies want to come over and gush at us. Spare me.”

Ignoring Katsuki’s forced irritation, Izuku turned around, waving with a cheerful smile. “Hi, there! What agency are you from?”

Throughout the night, Izuku kept up his kind facade to mask feeling under the weather. Despite the aches and discomfort, several people claimed he was ‘glowing’. He tried not to show his panic when some of the younger heroes mentioned the richness of his scent, which shouldn’t have been able to seep out through his extra scent patches. The change did get picked up on by others who knew him better, earning him varied looks of confusion or curiosity. Everyone was too polite to speak on it, but he knew he’d be the main topic in some locker rooms the following day. Some (mostly those who had been, or had mates who’d been, pregnant) held a gaze and tone flickering with awareness. Tamaki whispered a quiet congratulations during their short exchange before Izuku could muster up the courage to tell the two older heroes. But the people who hadn’t had the special experience only complimented his appearance and sweeter scent.

“Alright.” Katsuki’s tone told Izuku what he planned to say before the words slipped out. “You’re done.”

“I’m fine,” Izuku answered, though his wince when he shifted his weight on his sore feet proved the exact opposite. “And I can see them wheeling out the serving trays. I didn’t go this long to throw in the towel right before the best part.”

“Dr. Moro said you needed to stay off your feet unless absolutely necessary.” Then, as if reminding himself, Katsuki scowled. “By the way, what did she say about the mission?”

“Ah, well.” Izuku tried not to let his smile falter at the question he’d avoided since Tuesday. “She said to go with my instincts.”

Which she had… about his question regarding birthing options. The question Katsuki planned to ask, before an emergency call forced the alpha to leave halfway through the appointment, never came up. Deep down, Izuku knew why he had looked away when she asked if he needed anything else from her. He wanted to respect Dr. Moro’s medical advice, feeling guilty if he went against whatever she wrote for him to follow between appointments. If she’d advised against going on the mission, Izuku would have been forced to listen. But he knew his limits and his body better than anyone. One For All wasn’t a normal quirk, and Mei’s equipment could last a final mission. He could keep his baby safe and still be a hero. So Izuku ‘forgot’ to ask, silently promising he’d call her the second the mission was done. Until then, he could blame plausible deniability.

“Nerd—” Something across the banquet hall grabbed Katsuki’s attention, lips pressing together before pushing air through his nose. “You head over to the table. I’ll get in line and grab you a plate after I check-in with Denim Head.”

“Check-in?” His first thought went to their upcoming mission, though he doubted it had to do with that. If so, why wouldn’t Katsuki drag him along to discuss it? They were running the mission together, and he had just as much responsibility for it as Katsuki. “Is everything okay?”

“Nothing you gotta worry about.” Katsuki reached over, ruffling Izuku’s hair out of his half-attempt to control it for the event. Whining, Izuku moved his head away, huffing when Katsuki smirked and nodded toward their marked seats. “Get off your feet, or I’ll drag you there myself.”

“Okay.” But after the agreement, Izuku snuck in a request. “Could you find me some more water?”

“Got it.” With a final nudge of knuckles against his cheek, probably softer than a normal hero partnership allowed, Katsuki moved away. Izuku did his best not to swoon as his eyes followed the confident gait, forcing his hand not to move from his side. The last thing he needed was someone snapping a photo of him touching his stomach after the intimate exchange. 

Sighing, he slipped his hand into his pocket, grabbing his phone to see where his friends were in the gala. He’d caught a glimpse of Shoto and Hanta making the rounds last, Tenya only exchanging a simple hello before he disappeared in the crowded event. Tsu was on a mission out of town, though he had a feeling she volunteered to avoid the social gathering. Ochaco refused to come due to their barring of Himiko until her probation was over, while Mina and Kirishima opted to stay home with Daichi. The rest of Katsuki’s group was assigned their table, but a quick scan of the large banquet hall didn’t pick up on Denki’s bright hair or Jirou’s pretty purple dress. 

Before he could send out the message to see who would be willing to sit with him at the table, an unfamiliar touch caressed his arm. Stunned, Izuku jerked away, his omega snarling with enough defensiveness to trigger Blackwhip. The surge of the quirk wasn’t its full potential, more a warning than an actual attack. But it was enough to make the person step back, surprise in the youthful face proving the reaction wasn’t expected.

“Whoops, sorry.” A rich laugh came out from the well-dressed man, deeper than Izuku expected. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Oh.” Recognition pooled through his brain, having seen the face on the rising up heroes bulletin board. He loved watching the weekly show, his childhood thirst for knowledge on quirks never being satisfied. The alpha was three years younger than him, just breaching the top fifty ranking with his storm quirk. With the data calming his racing heart, Izuku managed to pull Blackwhip back into his body. Despite his omega still growling in his chest, Izuku offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I was a little distracted.”

“No, it’s my fault. I should have announced myself. Omegas are more skittish.”

The traditionalist viewpoint caught him off guard, though a closer look at the younger man picked out similar clues. His heavy, open scent made Izuku’s omega stay on edge. In older times, alphas weren’t held responsible for monitoring their scents, regardless of having a dangerous effect on unbonded omegas and betas. Since more social movements had been initiated, the cultural expectations shifted to all secondary genders wearing scent patches at social events. It was why Katsuki’s scent wasn’t dripping off Izuku, despite them spending the entire night together. Now, with the brass scent starting to seep into Izuku’s space without permission, he fought the urge to cover his nose. 

Some alphas, who labeled themselves ‘naturalists’, didn’t feel the societal changes were fair to their evolutionary instincts. They didn’t believe the responsibility laid on their shoulders, but the omegas and betas that ‘couldn’t control themselves’. Most were elderly alphas refusing to change from their ways, but a wave of younger alphas had brought the sentiment back to the surface. It seemed, from the lack of a scent patch on the man in front of him, he joined the old mindset without shame. Izuku’s omega snarled at the thought of an unmated alpha being anywhere near him or the baby, the scent turning his stomach. Even if Katsuki wasn’t his , the proximity and the time spent together had caused a pseudo effect with their secondary genders. 

It was enough to make Izuku step back, masking his need for distance with a laugh. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. I know your hero title is Tempest, but I haven’t had time to learn too much about your year of heroes.”

“I’ve heard from my colleagues that you have a high interest in heroes, so I’ll try not to take that personally.” The hand held out to him made Izuku’s lips twitch, holding back a growl most omegas wouldn’t dare to use on an alpha. “I’m Tomoki.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” He kept the shaking of their hands brisk, pulling away quickly before glancing around. The lightness in his voice didn’t match his frantic desire to find a familiar face close enough to call out to. “Your skill with your quirk is very impressive. With a little more training, you’ll be coming for my position in no time.”

“I’m sure I’m years away from taking the spot of a war hero,” Tomoki replied, Izuku finding Katsuki before the moment of hope quickly vaporized. He wasn’t looking at Izuku, distracted by a conversation with Aizawa and Hawks. Though he was holding two plates of food in his hand, with a water bottle shoved in his coat pocket, he wasn’t heading toward their table. Whatever the conversation was about, it was serious enough to keep Katsuki from returning to his side. That didn’t make Izuku’s growing discomfort any easier to swallow before he turned back to Tomoki.

“Have you found an agency yet?” Izuku asked, unsure what the purpose of the alpha’s appearance was. “Currently, Best Jeanist isn't open to any new heroes, but I heard that Mt. Lady and Kamui Wood were going to look for some sidekicks—”

“Actually, I was coming to speak with you about something else.” The cut-off paired with Tomoki stepping close to him, Izuku flinching at the brush of fingers along the side of his torso. Then, lowering his voice, the alpha’s clarification tensed every muscle in Izuku’s body “Mainly, how far along you were.”

“What?” Breathless, Izuku couldn’t raise his voice from his shock, eyes growing wide when looking up at the ease covering the stranger’s expression. Even when their friends who had experienced pregnancy approached them, nobody brought up the topic until Izuku gave some indication it was okay. That was common courtesy. For someone he had never met to speak about his pregnancy was not appropriate in any aspect of life. 

Still, the young man only tilted his head closer, like he deserved to linger in Izuku’s personal space. “I’m surprised I didn’t hear about it in the news for someone with your status. It took me a couple passes by to pick up on where the scent was coming from. You see, my sister’s pregnant, so I’ve been pretty well acquainted to that specific scent. But you’re wearing one of those annoying scent patches, so it took me a bit to track it down.” 

“Why…” The explanation, paired with how the alpha’s eyes dipped lower on Izuku’s frame, set off warning bells in Izuku’s head. Why would the alpha actively look for the person who was pregnant? What benefit did it have? And when he discovered it was Izuku, why had he waited until Katsuki left in order to approach him?

“I don’t think my sister really started to scent with her pregnancy until her second trimester, so I’m guessing you’re about halfway along?” The smile and hint of a croon under Tomoki’s voice sent chills down Izuku’s spine.

Losing any desire to smile, Izuku kept his voice flat. “We’re not ready to share any information regarding the pup.”

“It’s nice to see male omegas are just as feisty as their counterparts. Some snobby naturalists think you can’t be good carriers, but I think you’re perfect. Any alpha would love to keep you happy and pupped.” Tomoki’s answer reeked of fetished entitlement, proving his views on Izuku’s secondary gender. Even with his status as the number four hero, and all of the ways Izuku had proven he wasn’t just something to create life, naturalists still only saw him for his parts. “Switching your kind demeanor out to protect your child is…very attractive. Shows you’ll be a strong omega role model for your family.”

“I think my work saving the world from the strongest villain in the world already proved my resilience." Izuku hid his anger and shame with the PR-esque answer, looking down at his phone to avoid his glare giving him away. Quickly, he typed ‘sos’ in his group chat, hoping for Shoto or Tenya to be close enough to interfere. 

He managed to send it out before Tomoki’s hint of annoyance seeped into his question. “Who are you texting?”

“My alpha.” His lie slipped though without hesitation. Though he hated using such an archaic technique to make the nosy alpha leave him alone, he could feel the baby starting to get restless inside him. Between Izuku’s distress, the overload of unwelcomed alpha scent, and his already tired body, he was willing to go below the belt to escape the tense situation. So, he put everything into his made up life. “He didn’t even want me to come here tonight, because he’s a worrywart. Thinks I should be off my feet in our nest, but he respects my need to help support the agency. Now that food is coming out, I’m going to see if he’ll put it into a take-out box for us. I just have to see where he is, and then my alpha’s gonna bring me home. So, if you'll excuse me—”

“It is pretty hot in here for someone in your condition.” Tomoki’s presence by his side didn’t feel friendly, Izuku’s hand fisting when the other spoke. “Why don’t you come with me and we can find you a quiet place to rest?”

“I’d rather wait for my alpha,” Izuku answered quickly, realizing the situation was starting to get out of his control.

“Really, it’s no problem.” The placating coo didn’t hide the slight alpha aura that entwined into his words. “Let me take you outside, omega .”

The benefit of being a hero meant he was around several unbonded alphas for his career. Through that, he’d grown a tolerance against subtle commands. Aizawa made sure unbonded omegas and betas went through special training in case villains tried to use commands against them in a battle. Unless being directly commanded by an alpha of equal or higher status, he could fight off the instant need to follow. In fact, his omega revolted against the tingle of the command in the back of his head, rejecting it instantly. 

With a clear mind, Izuku knew he could take out the novice hero without issue. The problem wasn’t strength, but their situation; being in the closed event with their friends and colleagues around kept his quirk under a tight leash. No matter the circumstance, Izuku would end up being looked down upon, both because of his experience in the hero community and his secondary gender. And that was without the knowledge of Izuku being unbonded and pregnant. Once that information was exposed, there was no telling what way the media would go to excuse away Tomoki’s inappropriate behavior. They’d claim Izuku drew him in with his alluring scent, or allowed an alpha that wasn’t the father to flirt with him without disclosing being ‘useless and pupped’. Every reason he wanted to keep his pregnancy a secret spilled out in front of him. It was a silent threat; if he refused to bend to whatever Tomoki wanted, his reputation, and his pregnancy, would be exposed in the worst way possible. But more importantly, it could drag Katsuki down, too.

Tomoki, unfortunately, seemed to recognize the current conundrum as well. An unwanted hand moved up his arm, sliding close to his neck’s scent gland as he spoke. “You look a little pale, omega. Please, let me take care of you as a good alpha should. I’ll be happy to help you feel better somewhere more private—”

Suddenly, the alpha yelped. His hand jerked away like he’d been burned. Izuku used whatever caused the reaction to stumble away. 

“Hands off .”

When he looked up to figure out what had stopped the skin-crawling touch, Izuku gasped. There, with his hand nearly crushing Tomoki’s wrist in his steel grip, was–

“Kacchan.”

Katsuki didn’t respond. His focus stayed on the unnatural way he held the other’s arm. Any movement had the risk of damaging not only the muscle, but the actual bone in Tomoki’s arm. Katsuki’s scent patch didn’t matter; scorched caramel blew through, coating the brass tone with his own fury. 

He didn’t smell like Katsuki. This was Dynamight, the hero who destroyed anything in his path with a bloody grin. 

“You tried to alpha command Izuku? You? ” Katsuki’s snarl barely stayed contained within his words. Izuku’s heart raced, but lacked fear. His omega vibrated, proving it was Katsuki’s alpha taking over. 

Silence strangled the hall. Everyone was captivated by the sudden brutality. Nobody moved, unwilling to become Katuski’s next target.

His tense body, dilated pupils, and enlarged canines stayed focused on Tomoki. Katsuki was a breath away from feral. “If you ever make him smell distressed again, nobody will find your body.”

While Izuku would take the brunt of a social attack if he put his hands on Tomoki, Katsuki would get the grace of protecting his omega duo from an ‘overzealous newbie’. Still, even with the leeway they’d give Katsuki, Izuku didn’t want to see what some of the anti-Dynamight sites would say if he actually hurt Tomoki. 

Tomoki’s voice quivered as he tossed out his final plea. “I-I’ll make a complaint to the committee—”

“ Do it. ” Katsuki’s voice teetered on a command. He shoved closer, forcing Tomoki to his  knee. It was that, or snap his arm. “ Tell them you forced yourself on Deku. Say you alpha commanded a pregnant omega with my pup inside him. Do it! See how quickly I ruin you.”

“Your—” White as a ghost, Tomoki’s voice cracked like he was revisiting puberty. “Bu-but your scent isn’t on him. He said it was his alpha’s baby.”

His fear over Katsuki learning the lie he told quickly disappeared when Katsuki only growled, crowding over Tomoki with enough rage to make his ears flush from heat. 

Izuku’s breath caught in realization. Katsuki was so deep in his instincts, he couldn’t hear or process what Tomoki was saying. A quiver in the hand around the throttled wrist proved he was losing control of his alpha. The entire gala’s attention was on them, with Katsuki seconds away from crossing the line into something darker. 

Izuku knew he couldn’t let his duo lose everything they built together. Rushing forward, Izuku pressed against Katsuki’s back, which radiated heat even through the suit. Wrapping his arms around Katsuki, Izuku pushed up to the tips of his toes and buried his face into the other’s strained neck. 

“Kacchan,” he called out, nuzzling the edge of the scent patch. A snarl was all he got, Katsuki fixated on Tomoki like he was prey over human. The body in his arms didn’t relax, too wired to snap out of his aggressive stance.

Letting his own instincts take over, Izuku’s loud purr spilled out. It radiated his omega’s happiness with the brazen display of protection for their pup. Even if Izuku hated seeing Katsuki put his reputation on the line, some instincts couldn’t be denied. An alpha willing to rip apart anyone who touched the carrier of their pup was…

“Kacchan,” he tried again, letting his lips brush the sweaty nape while his hand slid up to press the scar between the other’s pectorals. “Can you hear me?”

Katsuki didn’t answer verbally, probably using every ounce of control to keep from tearing Tomoki’s face off. But the slow relaxation of the muscles pressed to his chest, and Katsuki’s lowering growl, proved he recognized Izuku’s touch. 

His pulse shouldn’t have skipped at the thought, because of course Katsuki knew him. They were roommates, best friends, duos, and now…Swallowing down the rush of heat in his stomach, Izuku tried to ignore the dozens of eyes on him while he led his fingers down Katsuki’s bulging bicep, skimming the forearm before placing his palm around the wrist that kept Tomoki in his terrified spot. 

“We’re tired, a-alpha.” The word slipped out without permission, proving his own omega instincts were desperate to connect with Katsuki. Relaxing his full weight against Katsuki, Izuku made sure the curve of his growing belly hit the lower part of Katsuki’s back. “It’s hot, I’m so hungry, and the pup misses your scent. We want you to bring us home, to our den. You want that too, right? To…to be with me and our ember?”

Katsuki took a shuddering breath, staying silent when his fingers detached themselves from Tomoki’s wrist. The second his grip was gone, Katsuki let out a final, brutal snarl, which dropped Tomoki fully to the ground. He released a squeaky whimper that sounded like Kota’s during puberty. Seeming satisfied with Tomoki’s trembling collapse, Katsuki whirled around to face Izuku, catching and pulling him close before Izuku could say a word. Without warning, the pinch of the scent patch peeling off his neck made Izuku gasp, shivering from the tingling sensation. 

“Kacchan, people will smell the pup.” Not that it really mattered anymore; everyone had seen the fight, and those closest to Izuku had probably heard his gentle words about the baby. Everything was out of the bag, and he knew they needed to think of damage control.

“Good.” A bloom of hot caramel muddled his mind. Katsuki had ripped off his own patch, rubbing their necks together to quickly blend the redolences for all to smell. Katsuki’s voice, still deeper than normal, didn’t hold his normal cadence. “My pup’s omega.”

There was possession under the words, like Katsuki would rip out anyone’s throat that challenged the claim. Izuku had no intention of denying it, knees going weak while letting Katsuki scratch whatever itch he needed to settle his alpha. It was so unlike Katsuki to lose control, always being one who showed perfect management of his instincts. He didn’t know what he looked like when Katsuki saw him being cornered by Tomoki. But somehow, something about his presentation screamed loud enough to break through years of Katsuki’s air-tight control. Despite knowing all of the consequences of the outburst, he happily closed his eyes, feeling soft hands cradle his stomach while teeth marked his cheek and jaw with gentle nips. The baby settled in him at the tender care, recognizing Katsuki.

Clearing his throat to hide his overwhelmed emotions, Izuku leaned his head against Katsuki’s. “Home? Please?”

“I’ve got you.” Katsuki always did, even when he wasn’t in full control of himself. With a final nuzzle to his temple, Katsuki pulled away, but grabbed his hand to lead him out. People parted without words, Izuku barely catching Tenya’s worried expression next to Shoto’s small smile. He wasn’t sure which one was the right reaction. Maybe both. 

But for now, Izuku let his fear of tomorrow morning rest in the back of his head, focusing on the fingers laced between his.

~**~

Out of all the people he thought would first confront him about the gala incident, Tenko wasn’t even on his list. “You sure know how to make an announcement, Izuku Midoriya.” 

Izuku chose not to answer right away, waiting until the facility workers slipped out from the area to turn back to the man who once tried to kill him. Tenko’s hair was shorter than before, kept in a ponytail except for the wispy bangs he never seemed to care about. Despite keeping an aloof demeanor, Izuku noticed being in the treatment facility (far better than the jail cell most wanted to banish him to after the war) had helped more than his mental health. His skin had a better flush, lips lacking the cracked presentation from their younger years. He knew Himiko always came to visit with spa supplies for his ‘self-care’, but seeing Tenko actually use it spoke volumes about how much she actually mattered to the ex leader.

“What did you hear?” Izuku asked, biting his lip when Tenko’s eyebrow arched over his scarred eye. 

“That your alpha decided to try and commit murder in a room full of heroes to protect your pup.”

“Kacchan didn’t try to kill him!” Then, rewinding the entire claim in his head, Izuku’s cheeks flushed. “And he’s not my alpha. Everyone needs to stop saying that.”

“You called him alpha at the gala, according to ‘secret sources’.” The fact Tenko used his free time to read gossip articles said something about their dynamic. Either the man still enjoyed watching Izuku suffer, or he might care about his life outside of their visits. Unsure if he was confident enough to ask, Izuku rubbed his hand against the stomach hidden in Katsuki’s oversized sweatshirt. He didn’t try to dress up as ‘Hero Deku’ when he visited Tenko, preferring to be Izuku. 

“I wasn’t talking about Kacchan; I just had to make up a lie to get that other hero away from me. He was…” Izuku winced at the memory from three days before, hating that the phantom touch had the power to make him shiver. He was in control of the most powerful quirk in the world, and he still felt helpless to the new nightmare that danced just outside his conscious mind.

Tenko watched his face quietly before he pulled one leg up onto the chair he sat in, turning his attention to the plants he kept alive in the spacious room. “You want me to get Himiko to kill him?”

“That’s not funny.” 

“Depends on who you ask.” Still, the hint of a smirk on Tenko’s face when he shrugged proved he was teasing over giving an actual offer. “Bet she could make it look like an accident.”

“Ochaco will send us both to the moon if she hears you plotting to ruin Himiko’s probation. They’ve got a jar for their vacation fund and everything.”

“Gross.” Tenko scratched his neck like the thought of having such an intimate relationship made him unwell, though he didn’t gouge himself the way he had when under All For One’s control. “What’s your deal with your most important person, anyway? That scent patch doesn’t do anything to hide how much you smell like a candied pinecone. Is that because of the pup?”

“This isn’t how I planned to tell you,” Izuku said with a sigh, though blinked when Tenko turned to him with a look of surprise. “What?”

“Why would you waste time planning that?”

It took Izuku a moment to realize what he was referring to. “Because you’re my friend? I told the others last month, but our meeting got canceled cause of your practice. How was that? Any changes?”

“My original quirk isn’t going to come back.” 

Tenko had repeated the same hopeless statement since Izuku first offered the restorative therapy, which had worked with people who had trauma related to their quirk. Eri’s quirk, mixed with Katsuma’s improved healing, had been used to repair all of the damage done to Tenko during the years with All For One. An unknown spark in his soul had been detected two years ago, and from what the doctors said, there was a chance his old quirk had been brought back from the mixed quirks. 

For now, there were hints of positive progress, but Tenko had been let down too many times to hold the same hope as Izuku.

“Your notes said you made a box lift off the floor without touching it, and there was a detection of increased air current in the exploration room.” They avoided using labels like ‘experiment’ and ‘lab’, the facility well aware of Tenko’s extensive trauma. 

“Shouldn't have signed that medical release.”

“Do you want me to stop checking in?”

Tenko stayed silent before sighing. “They probably left a window open.”

“ Under the box?” 

“What are you having?” Izuku hadn’t expected the sudden switch, Tenko smoothing the fabric over his legs before leaning his chin on one of his palms. “For the baby.”

“We decided not to find out until they’re born,” Izuku answered softly, hand pressing to his stomach before feeling his lips quirk. “Kacchan thinks our ember is a girl, though.”

“Him and his schoolyard nicknames.” Tenko blew out a sharp enough breath to move the bangs scattered on his forehead. “So what is your plan now, hero? If someone like me has learned of your pregnancy, the rest of the world must be fixated on the newest power couple.”

“This is the first time I’ve been out since the gala.” 

He hadn’t wanted to let the incident change anything about their routine, but a polite text from Best Jeanist informed him that his shifts were covered for the following week. Anxiety made it impossible for him to stay stagnant in his house without any answers, but he knew he had to slip under the radar to let the chaos simmer. Katsuki trusted Best Jeanist to handle their situation, and All Might mentioned he’d be at the meeting the following Monday for how to manage the messaging to the people. Without any shifts, and Katsuki off doing some final preparations for their mission next week, Izuku was left to stew in his own thoughts. It only took him two days to realize how dangerous that was, and come to visit Tenko for a distraction.

“What will you do now?” Seeming far more amused than Izuku felt was appropriate, Tenko twirled the loose strands with his unoccupied hand, tilting his head to look out the window. “I can’t imagine you being an omega content with doing nothing until your baby comes.”

“Do you mean after my mission?”

After Izuku’s question, Tenko scoffed. “And I thought you were known for your intelligence.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Izuku asked, frowning.

“Do you really think they’ll let you back onto the field after your alpha’s outburst?” 

“I already told you, he’s not my—”

“Yes, yes, feigned mutual ignorance.” Before he could wrap his head around the loaded comment, Tenko’s face grew grim. “No matter your power, quirk, or status, as soon as you let that alpha impregnate you, everything changed. The fact you hid it for this long proves you already knew that.”

Stomach dropping at the growing panic, he tried to hide the brewing emotions by shaking his head. “I did that for Kacchan. And he’s been supportive of me continuing as a hero! Kacchan isn’t like that. He’d never make me stop working before I was ready.”

“Your lover is an alpha. One who nearly killed a hero for merely touching you.” Blunt with his words, Tenko didn’t hide what he felt was the truth. “At the end of the day, instincts drive us all beyond societal courtesy and personal respect. Even if I wasn’t aware of the gala disaster, your scent alone gives away your pregnancy. And if I was still a villain, discovering your medical change would make you my number one target. Kidnapping you has such vast ramifications on the hero infrastructure.” 

He didn’t like exploring the ‘what if’ with Tenko, who had done so much work to step out from the villain title. If anything, seeing Tenko scrunch his nose, like putting himself back into those shoes disgusted him, proved his growth in the years of working on himself. But when it came to something as important as his ability of being a hero, and keeping those he loved safe, Izuku had to push his bleeding heart to the side.

“Explain how I’m any bigger of a target now than I was simply carrying All Might’s quirk?”

“Pack mentality.” Tenko’s response was quick and smooth, proving he wasn’t simply talking to scare Izuku. In fact, him giving the perspective proved how much he actually cared about the hero’s well being. “You’ve always been the top omega in your pack. That class, if not the entire hero society, was wrapped around your broken fingers from the moment you faced Touya’s brother in your silly school game. Even as a beta, I see how all secondary genders look at you. And now you’re carrying the newest pup for your pack, who also has the blood of your explosive partner. The child is immeasurable to your people. And the villains now know that.”

“I won’t let them hurt my pup,” Izuku snapped out, hating how he couldn’t reign in the threatening tone. 

“Yeah, duh. Everyone knows about omega adrenaline when it comes to their young.” Tenko, thankfully, only sighed at the aggression. “But that desire to keep the kid inside you safe will get stronger, and infect your fighting style. Eventually, your omega won't let you throw yourself into situations that puts your body at risk. If you face someone with long distance quirks, your tricks will work. But you get someone like Muscular, and your maternal instinct to protect will make you easier to manipulate. And do you wanna know what that means for your pack, Hero Deku? How they’ll deal when knowing you and the pup are missing?”

Just the thought of the offered situation left a sour taste in Izuku’s mouth. “They’d find us.”

“Ah, there’s that hero pride.” Tenko laid out on the table, one bicep cushioning his head as he closed his eyes. “Deep down, under those righteous speeches and good intentions, are darker voices. Your alphas will either go crazy in their feral states or collapse into alpha drops for failing their pack leaders. The omegas will start having somatic symptoms of pup loss. And that’ll leave your betas to care for all of them while also trying to find you. I don’t even want to think about what’ll happen to your landmine’s hero career after he goes on his bloody warpath. Just think of all the chaos that’ll ensue, simply because you’re terrified they’ll leave you behind.”

“That’s not…” But the protest tangled in his throat, leaving him speechless. For a moment, they sat in the heavy silence, Izuku looking down at his crooked fingers and scarred skin. Queasy over Tenko’s words, he closed his eyes, voice soft but steady. “We’re more than our secondary genders. Heroes will always put the greater good first. And I will keep the world and my baby safe, the same way any beta or alpha would. Kacchan trusts me to make the right choice.”

“Hm.” Tenko didn’t correct him, but wasn’t kind enough to offer his platitudes. Instead, he walked his fingers along the table, keeping his apathetic gaze on the slow movements. “Well, if someone was going to defy genetics, it would be the wonder duo. I’ve learned not to doubt the magic that happens when you two are in sync. But if you're not on the same page… well, you can shed that hero smile and come complain to a crazy person. Nobody would believe me, anyway.”

“You’re not crazy,” Izuku said, smiling despite the rough conversation. “But thanks. I’ll be sure to take you up on that.”

“Don’t thank someone who ripped your arms off.” Despite his crude comment, Tenko turned his face into his arm, hiding his reaction. “Tell me how your living bomb swindled you into becoming his kept omega. Heard he bought you a house.”

“That’s not what happened at all.” 

And Izuku dove into the new topic, happy to ignore the uncomfortable sensation that lingered in the back of his heart.

Chapter Text

“Words don’t have the power to hurt you, unless that person meant more to you than you are willing to confess.” ― Shannon L. Alder

“You’re officially off active duty.”

Izuku’s brain didn’t take in Hawks’s sentence right away. He blinked once, wiggling his fingers from their tense position on his lap to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. Once confirming he was awake, Izuku slowly looked around the room of those who had been some of his biggest supports in his hero career. Ones who he never thought would ambush him. 

Aizawa looked like he wanted to be anywhere else, slumped in the corner with his scarf covering most of his face. All Might sat at the table, but Izuku couldn’t look at his sympathetic frown without static buzzing in his chest. A glance back at Hawks, who had started the meeting with the outlandish statement, didn’t soothe any of his confusion. Best Jeanist had the decency to look guilty in his leaned position against the table, though his attention shifted between Izuku and the final person in the room. Not wanting to look at the last member of the team pulling the rug out from under his feet, Izuku swallowed and focused on Hawks.

“What about my mission?” Izuku asked, a growing nausea filling his throat. “Kacchan and I are supposed to lead it in two days. It’s a two-week assignment. There’s not enough time to train someone on the background information with such short notice.”

“Shoto’s been given the file to go over,” Best Jeanist answered, his gentle voice not making the knife in Izuku’s back any easier to brace for. “He’s been briefed and feels comfortable supporting you in this situation.”

“It’s not a situation!” Izuku’s desperation to advocate for himself felt pointless, knowing the decision was already made. Still, something viscous inside him demanded he stand up, eyes darting around the room to everyone but the one silent man to his right. “I’m perfectly fine to go on this assignment. Most of my responsibilities were passive, anyway, and Mei’s been padding my suit every week to accommodate for the pup. Dr. Moro said some heroes go until their twenty-third week, and I’m only on week twenty—”

“Heroes who don’t have a physical quirk.” Aizawa’s frown seemed less on board with the conversation, though Izuku wondered if it was the topic or the approach. “If you were Monoma or Hitoshi, this would be a different conversation. And, knowing you, I doubt you told your doctor the truth about your out-of-town mission.”

“She knows I’m a hero,” Izuku answered, avoiding confirming the truth. 

From how Aizawa stared him down, he read between the lines. “You hid the mission from your medical provider for the same reason you hid your pregnancy from your agency; both would have ended with you getting taken off the mission.”

“I’ve been pregnant this entire time, and none of you noticed any drop in my work performance.” Which was true; if anything, he’d gained popularity over the time of his pregnancy, challenging Mt. Lady for the third spot on the hero board. Despite being sick and struggling with his body’s changes, Izuku made it a point to amp up his work performance. With the added bonus of One For All putting in overtime, he looked better than ever. And he refused to let his pregnancy become an excuse to lose all the hard work he made.

“No matter your power, quirk, or status, as soon as you let that alpha impregnate you, everything changed. The fact you hid it for this long proves you already knew that.”

Tenko’s words spilled into his head like a vestige. Without permission, he wondered if his frantic need to surpass Mt. Lady had to do with the dwindling time left in his active hero role.

“If we put you on the field after what happened last week, we’re asking for a media catastrophe.” Hawks clicked a button on the desk, lighting up the hologram screen in the middle of the table. Izuku flinched at the gala’s damning image. Every inch of it spoke volumes. How he hung off Katsuki. The protective way Katsuki pressed against Izuku. His adoring palms cupping the underside of Izuku’s growing belly. The camera’s low angle emphasized the truth. His pregnancy was undeniable. “The video of Katsuki trying to break Tomoki’s arm and then scenting you makes it quite clear whose child that is. We haven’t done an official announcement, but if we stay silent and send you out on the field again—”

“So this isn’t because I’m incapable of doing the job.” Izuku felt a pinch of Katsuki’s attitude flow through him when he narrowed his eyes, daring anyone to challenge the sentiment. “It’s the aesthetic of me being an omega still working while pregnant.”

“There’s also the factor of Young Katsuki’s reaction to you being in danger,” All Might said, being the first one to mention who actually caused the scene at the gala. “Putting you on such a long mission, away from all of your supports, would mean the pressure of taking care of any pup-related concerns falls on him. Even if there’s a false alarm, we’re not sure how his alpha will react. That’s a lot to ask of Young Katsuki while also leading a mission, and you’ll feel compelled to hide things to keep him focused. It’s asking for a disaster none of us wish to witness if we could avoid it, instead.”

All Might’s reasoning wasn’t wrong, but Izuku’s frustration over Tenko’s prediction being right ate him alive. Needing someone to be on his side, he finally turned his attention to the silent alpha sitting stiffly beside him. “And you agree? You were a part of the team who decided to kick me off our mission, Kacchan?”

Izuku didn’t know why his omega was so hopeful that Katsuki would shut down the idea instantly. That he’d walked into the conversation just as naïve as Izuku, and the older heroes made a choice without his opinion on Izuku’s capabilities as a hero. Maybe part of it was that, if Katsuki did know, then Izuku had to ask another question that could shake the foundation between them beyond being hero duos. 

“I picked Icyhot.” Katsuki’s answer sunk like a rock into the deepest part of Izuku’s heart. Still, Katsuki gave no reprieve, turning his head to look up at Izuku with eyes that lacked any hesitation or regret. “He was the closest to your capabilities that I could stomach for that long of a mission. Taking two of our top five out-of-town sucks, but we had already prepared for that when you and I were originally leaving. All Might asked a favor from the United States, and they’re sending over their top hero to support the city while we’re gone.”

So that I don’t have any excuse to stay on active duty. Izuku thought, clenching his teeth at the hole swirling in his chest. Feeling sucker-punched by every angle of betrayal, his mind went on overdrive, a flashback of the gala popping into his head. He had been so wrapped up in trying to get away from Tomoki, he forgot that he’d seen Katsuki in a conversation with two of the men in the room. He’d also mentioned checking in with Best Jeanist, despite both of them having the next day off. 

“This wasn’t because of the gala.” Horrified at his own brain’s realization, Izuku took a step away from the group. “You planned to bench me before the Tomoki thing even happened.”

The shifting tension in the room provided his answer long before Aizawa sighed. “It’s normal policy in any agency that, when two heroes are involved in a pregnancy, they’re not on the same missions.”

“That’s only if they’re bonded,” Izuku shot back, yanking his collar down to show the patch hiding his unblemished scent gland. For once, outdated procedures benefited him, knowing management from decades ago would never protect a pregnancy out of wedlock. “Which we’re not. Kacchan and I are just heat partners, not mates, so the rule doesn’t apply.”

Tension seeped into the room after Izuku’s argument, though he couldn’t figure out where the source was coming from. He doubted the simple misstep of the ethics committee caused the sudden strain, Izuku almost feeling the heaviness pressing against his shoulders. Best Jeanist coughed and adjusted his collar while All Might dropped his attention to the useless papers in front of him. Aizawa was the only one who looked at Izuku, though his annoyed disbelief was pretty common from the years of Izuku’s reckless behavior. But what had he done now to cause the look?

Katsuki’s reaction threw Izuku off most of all. The way his brows pinched, paired with his fingers clenching around the top of the table, compared more to his battle mode over having a mission debriefing. From his stiff frame, to the sneer that exposed one of his canines, Izuku did a quick scan around the room to see if Danger Sense missed something approaching. When nothing went off, he turned his concern back to Katsuki, trying to read his face for some sort of clue. But the only thing he noticed was the hint of caramel that tried to break through Katsuki’s scent patch. It wasn’t full of the potent rage he expected, but something Izuku couldn’t put his finger on. And while Izuku wasn’t exactly pleased with his duo, he hated seeing him hurt. 

Hawks was the only one not bothered by the weighted air, rubbing his temples as he leaned on the table. “Like All Might said earlier, even without a physical bondmark, hormones of the carrier have the power to derail the sire in order to keep their baby safe. If we’d known about it sooner, we would have made these arrangements then, but Katsuki only brought it to our attention last week.”

“You told them?” Unable to keep the hurt out of his tone, Izuku prayed the scent patch stopped his scent from dousing the room in rotted wood when turning back to Katsuki’s stormy expression. “Without asking me?”

“I realized we’d hit the twenty-week mark during the mission,” Katsuki answered, like logic had anything to do with the current situation. “I was going over the mission with Best Jeanist when it happened, and you weren’t there.”

“Katsuki did the right thing, both for you and your baby.” Hawks sighed and scratched the back of his neck. The hint of omega he hid so well as a hero seeped out in the understanding look he gave Izuku. “Doesn’t probably feel that way, but you know it’s true.”

And yes, at the end of the day, Izuku understood twenty weeks was the normal time any carrier left the field. He had witnessed plenty, including alphas, take their time even earlier, as most medical professionals encouraged active jobs to step down as soon as their companies allowed. Dr. Moro would have, if he told her about the mission. But Izuku was also told he’d never be a hero or stop All For One. Izuku made it his job to beat everyone’s expectations. All he needed was his friends, his family, his partner—

He hadn’t felt so alone since he went into hiding during his first year at UA. Outside of the anger and indignation of his choice being ripped from his hands, fear festered like an unforgiving wound. He was losing everything that made him ‘Deku’, being seen as ‘omega’ and ‘carrier’ before a protegee of All Might. People of all types loved those titles, their version of ‘a fulfilled life’ being a parent to a beautiful pup. Izuku had only dreamed of being a hero, and to have that taken away for a third time…

“Is there anything else? Or can I go start my paperwork?” Despite his polite tone, Izuku was already moving away from the table after his question, not meeting any of their gazes. He could feel several following his stiff movements, though he refused to lift his head. Izuku grabbed the door of the conference room, but before he could pull it open, a warm hand curled around his wrist.

“Deku—” Katsuki’s voice, normally a soothing balm against his ears, felt like jagged glass stabbing into his heart. He ripped his arm out of the touch, teeth bared toward the wide eyes staring down at him.

“ Don’t ,” he snapped out, wisps of Blackwhip pooling off his shoulders. Spewing out like ravenous serpents, the crackle of the quirk mimicked a hiss of warning. Blackish-green energy hovered around Izuku, an open threat in the frozen room. The temperamental quirk would never actually attack Katsuki, even when they were training, but the meaning behind it was clear. 

Even if it was only for a moment, Izuku didn’t see Katsuki as his partner. 

He wasn’t his ally, his fellow hero, his… friend. Something in Izuku’s soul decided Katsuki was someone he needed protection from. From how Katsuki flinched, he knew exactly what Blackwhip’s appearance meant. Their eye-contact didn’t break, both breathing like they couldn’t get enough air. Katsuki’s hand still hovered in the space between them, fingers slowly curling into his palm. For the first time in their friendship, Izuku rejected Katsuki’s touch. He might have done less damage actually hitting Katsuki. 

“All Might,” Best Jeanist didn’t let the tense moment linger. “You’ve had plenty of experience with filling out the medical paperwork for leaves of absence. Why don’t you go with Izuku and help him with the process? It’s quite long, so I think he’d do better with someone to keep him company. Katsuki, Shoto and your intel team are waiting for your presence in conference room three.”

“That’s something I don’t miss from my days as a hero.” The olive scent settled by his side when All Might moved over, though kept his hands to himself while nodding to Izuku. “If you’d like some company, I’d be happy to help. But that choice is yours, my boy.”

Izuku hesitated. All Might had come into the meeting knowing what they would be revealing. But while Katsuki made it clear he was involved, even choosing Izuku’s replacement, All Might was out of the hero scene. Being UA’s vice principal, most information he got was out of respect, not for his permission. Izuku doubted his mentor had any actual say in removing Izuku from active duty. If anything, they brought him in to do exactly what he was now; soothe Izuku’s initial anger.

“Thank you.” He didn’t feel the smile he forced onto his lips, not looking back at the eyes following out the door All Might held open for him. Izuku’s omega whimpered at the snub, but didn’t demand he go back for a caramel scenting. Even it sensed the growing weight in his chest. The emotions flooding his body wouldn’t relent, breaking every hopeful rebuttal he tried to grasp. Deep like a sinkhole, he felt himself falling into his darkest thoughts, with nothing to break his fall. 

And for the first time since getting pregnant, Katsuki wasn’t someone he could trust to catch him.

~**~

When they were kids, Izuku had drawn their house. He picked the brightest colors for their walls, they had a basement full of their hero supplies, and he forgot to give them a bathroom. But even though they had several rooms for their future home, he drew their beds pushed next to each other. When Katsuki asked why, Izuku explained how much easier it’d be to watch All Might together during their sleepovers. Back then, Katsuki hadn’t argued about sharing a room, but what posters they’d hang on the wall. Smiling wide enough to hurt his cheeks, Izuku never thought there’d be a downside to living with Katsuki.

Twenty years later, Izuku had everything he wanted. The pretty house, the fancy equipment, and Katsuki as his roommate. He traded in gaudy colors for softer walls that made the pictures and vintage hero memorabilia stand out. Thankfully, they had a bathroom, with a luxurious tub he could swim in. As a child, he hadn’t thought about a nest, but he doubted his dreams would compare to the one Katsuki made just for him.

Now, the house that had been his safe space felt like a prison.

I don’t know what to do, Izuku thought, curling tighter into his nest. With the door locked, and diffusors on to hide his miserable scent, Izuku wallowed in self-pity. Katsuki had come home over an hour ago, but after two sets of knocks from the hallway, and a single call of his name, Izuku hadn’t heard from him since. All out of angry tears, Izuku laid limply in his nest, unsure if the caramel scent soothed him or made his heart ache more. His hands wouldn’t leave his stomach, trying to calm the restless pup inside him. 

“I’m not mad at you,” he whispered, ignoring the orange and black sleeve that covered his palm rubbing his belly. Even though thinking of Katsuki made his blood boil, the sweatshirt he’d found laying over the couch when he came home was too tempting to ignore. Pretending he’d rather get tears and mucus on the alpha’s clothing, Izuku brought it to his nest and buried into it. The second his nose pressed to the collar, the sobbing began, unable to stop until exhaustion and lack of tears dried him out.

Izuku lifted his head from the soft pillows when a knock echoed through the nestroom again. He stayed silent, eyes staring at the door as if waiting for Katsuki to break through. Katsuki had said he’d respect if the lock was on, but after the morning sabotage, he didn’t know what to believe anymore.

“Come eat dinner.” 

Katsuki’s voice still had enough power over Izuku to make his omega sigh, even if he had the urge to throw his duo’s gauntlet at his pretty face. Though he wanted to be petty, refusing to eat would hurt the little life inside of him. Missing one meal for himself was far too much for the innocent soul that didn’t ask to be born into such a messy situation. Sucking in a slow breath to try and settle his emotions, Izuku wiped the remaining mess off his face before pushing from his nest.

When he unlocked and opened the door, he wasn’t ready for the sharp eyes waiting for him. Silence curled around them like a meat hook, pricks of discomfort lodging into his chest. In all the years he’d known Katsuki, he could only remember one time his words refused to come out. That’d been on their walk to ground beta, where they’d beaten each other bloody from their inability to communicate. With their ember settled against Izuku’s bladder, he doubted Katsuki would be willing to let their fists talk. Instead, Katsuki scanned him once, as if making sure he was real, before turning away and moving down the hallway.

Izuku watched Katsuki’s back muscles shift as he walked, remembering the fear he’d had following that same frame to ground beta. He’d gotten bigger, but the slump of his shoulders proved the anger from their childhood wasn’t filling the silent gait. Izuku took on the mantle of irritation, a flicker of it sparking again when Katsuki hooked his foot around Izuku’s chair leg to pull it out for him. Maybe, if he wasn’t so raw from the morning, Izuku would find the effort sweet. Now, he questioned if Katsuki would have done the kind action if he hadn't been pregnant.

But his mother had raised him to be polite, so Izuku sat in the offered seat. “Thank you.”

“Tch.” Even Katsuki’s normal response rubbed him the wrong way, though he lowered his gaze to the steaming plate in front of him. 

He waited until Katsuki dropped into his own seat to eat the savory food in silence. The clinking of utensils was the only noise between them, the air almost stifling as he swallowed another delicious bite of dinner. Izuku knew, as he stuffed his cheek full of the tender meat and well-seasoned rice, that something had to give. 

They were both in the wrong, like most of their tense conflicts. But unlike every time before, where Izuku would hold out his hand and offer a middle ground, he didn’t try to fix it. Something about the situation made him too upset to be the normal peacemaker. The longer they ate, the harder it became for Izuku to swallow his food.

If Katsuki noticed his growing discomfort, he didn’t show it. “You got any dirty clothes?”

“What?” He asked, unsure if his confusion was because of the question or the lackadaisical cadence Katsuki used. 

“Gotta do laundry tomorrow.” Katsuki took a casual swig of his drink, like everything between them was normal. “Figured I’d shove your stuff in there, since you’ll probably forget.”

Anger bubbled like acid under his skin. Izuku didn’t hide his irritation, refusing to take the high road when he kept his voice clipped. “Well, you know how forgetful us omegas are. Can’t be trusted with anything. Pregnant ones, especially.”

Katsuki’s ire sparked in the twitch under his eye. “When the hell did I say that?”

“Actions speak louder than words.”

“Deku—”

“ You don’t get to call me that right now.” He only hesitated for a moment after Katsuki growled, though his lips pushed forward. “Since you decided I couldn’t be Deku anymore.”

“That’s fucking bullshit and you know it,” Katsuki snapped out, any attempt at nonchalance fading. “You’ve been Deku to me long before you put on your first shitty uniform and hopped around UA.”

“My mom made that.” Izuku frowned, grabbing his plate before he moved out of his seat. “I’m going back to my nest.”

Normally, Izuku hated fighting with Katsuki, and would listen to his omega’s crooning by changing the subject or offering a happy medium for whatever conflict they were having. He didn’t know if it was the hormones, the morning meeting, or something deeper that made Izuku push every button he knew would get under Katsuki’s skin. Something wicked coiled in the pit of his stomach, wanting the glaring alpha to feel a sliver of the negative emotions sticking to his bones. 

“Jesus fucking—” Katsuki shoved a hand into his hair, tugging on the strands before he sighed. “Sit down and talk to me.”

“Is that a command?” The question slipped out before he could stop the impulse. Izuku bit back his wince, knowing he crossed the line. Katsuki had never used an alpha command on Izuku, Katsuki admitting the ‘non-consensual power’ it gave alphas made him gag. Izuku, even now, trusted Katsuki with his life. So, to throw it in his face—

“Fine. You wanna do this?” Katsuki rose from his seat, moving around the table while he spoke. “Yes, I made a choice that I knew you wouldn’t. Every damn book, article, and video I researched about heroes said twenty weeks was the maximum for active duty. But you get in your head so much! About proving the world wrong. Proving to people who don’t matter that you do . There was no way in hell you were gonna take yourself off the field. You can’t stop, you never have been able to.”

“So you think it’s your right to decide for me?” Izuku couldn’t stomach the pig-headed belief, dropping the food and moving away from the table to keep distance between them. “Weren’t you the one telling your mother I’m not your pet?”

“You’re not,” Katsuki replied, though his growing aggravation proved they weren’t on the same page. “You’re just an idiot who doesn’t know when enough is enough.”

“It’s my body, Kacchan!” Izuku rarely raised his voice anymore, because he and Katsuki had learned how to communicate without fists and harsh words. Now, it felt like everything they’d worked on when becoming a duo was washed away, leaving raw nerves too open to protect. “And, despite what you and everyone in that meeting thinks, I don’t need other people choosing what’s best for me and the pup. There’s no mark on my neck, and even if I had an alpha, I’d… I’d expect my partner to talk to me.”

“I tried!” Katsuki answered, matching Izuku’s ire.

“Kacchan doesn’t try. If it matters enough to him, he always makes it happen.” When Katsuki winced, but didn’t reply, Izuku’s ability to read him took over. “But you didn’t want to have this conversation, which is why you demanded I see Dr. Moro. If she was the one who took everything from me before this meeting, you didn’t have to admit you went behind my back and told the agency first. Then you planned to use the gala as an excuse, hoping I wouldn’t put everything together. If I hadn’t seen you talking to Hawks and Aizawa, you might have gotten away with it.” 

“Don’t frame this like I back-stabbed you,” Katsuki growled out, though his body language lacked its normal prideful stance. “Keeping you and the baby out of harm’s way was the right choice.”

“Asking me to stay back isn’t the problem.” Izuku wrapped his arms around himself, feeling too vulnerable in the conversation. “You didn’t trust me enough to tell me how you were feeling.”

“Why, so you could argue with me, and think of some crazy loophole to get them to let you on the mission? Like you always do? You brought up baby doc, but you didn’t even ask her my question! Every time you know someone will get in your way, you bend the rules in your favor. And since it normally works out, nobody calls you out on it. But I wasn’t doing it this time; not for something as important as this.”

Izuku flinched, but shoved through the pain to fight back. “So your solution was to skip me altogether. I’m too difficult to deal with, so you thought making the choice for me was easier.”

“Can you just listen to me?!” 

Katsuki’s eyes were wild, but the anger that had started the conversation vanished into something desperate. Izuku had never seen the open look cross Katsuki’s face, his cadence losing its strength. Powerful arms Izuku had witnessed holding buildings went limp by Katsuki’s sides, useless in their current battle. Izuku couldn’t catch a full breath, unsure why he felt so worn down despite standing still. His legs wanted to give out, feeling unsteady in the moment. 

Tension clawed through the dining room like a panther, silent but deadly to all it focused on. His slow swallow did nothing to settle the lump in his throat, the hand pressing to his stomach locking up when Katsuki sighed.

“The week before the gala, I watched you throw yourself at a villain without a second thought. No plan, no backup, just going off your hero training. Seeing you kicking ass made me fucking proud, but—I nearly lost my damn mind. You’ve got our pup inside you, Freckles.” Slowly, Katsuki moved, and Izuku let him step close enough to touch. Neither reached out, Izuku still feeling an invisible wall between them as Katsuki continued. “What kind of an alpha would I be if I put your pride over our fucking kid? If I didn’t listen to my instincts, and something happened to you or our ember, I–”

Izuku’s heart pounded with an ache that grew when seeing Katsuki’s body shudder. Nothing about the argument felt right, and hurting Katsuki was like digging a dagger into his own hand. Agony poured out his soul, wishing he could break through the tension and gather Katsuki into his care. They were partners, meant to protect each other. How did all fall apart so quickly?

“Kacchan…” He swallowed whatever he planned to say when Katsuki stood up straighter, face steeling before he spoke.

“You wanted me to look at myself in the mirror and swallow that pain. To treat you and the pup like a bone or a muscle, trusting you’d heal if something went wrong on the mission. That’s what you asked me to do, and I’m telling you, I can’t .” Katsuki scanned his face, then offered his final stand. “I know you think the world needs you, but there are bigger things at stake right now. So I won’t feel bad for trying to get you to slow the fuck down.”

Izuku took a shaky breath, trying not to drown in the overwhelming emotion filling the room. He knew Katsuki wasn’t coming from a place of malice. The honesty and vulnerability in Katsuki’s words were too raw to be a game. In any other situation, Izuku would have fallen apart at the growth of the man he’d adored since childhood. This was the care and consideration he’d dreamt of sharing between them.

But Katsuki’s feelings were an explanation, not an excuse, for why he hurt Izuku. The damage was still oozing from his broken heart.

“You don’t see why I’m actually angry?” Izuku winced when Katsuki didn’t answer, hand rubbing over his face. “Between Mei’s suit changes and One For All’s desire to protect the pup, I’m safer than any hero out there. But a bunch of alphas thought they knew how to take care of my baby better than I did. Do you really think I’d put our pup in danger for pride? Is that the kind of mom you think I’d be?” 

“It’s not about that,” Katsuki said, Izuku snapping his head up while raising his voice.

“That’s exactly what it is! Yes, I don’t mind taking a hit. I love being a hero, and don’t want to step down until I’m ready. But you’re ignoring everything I’ve done outside of that last resort to keep the baby safe. My diet changes, my workout routines. The vitamins I’ve shoved down and the constant check-ins with Mei. Countless hours of research just to make sure my sleep pattern wasn’t harming the baby. Does none of that show how committed I am to sacrificing my way of living for the pup inside me?!”

When Katsuki only narrowed his stare, Izuku’s anger surged again. “And when we made the plan for this mission, you knew I was pregnant. Each time you asked me to take the passive role in the plan, even though we both knew One For All was a better fit for what we needed, I agreed. And I did that to make you feel better. You didn’t once vocalize your discomfort with me being on this mission; from my perspective, you’d been supporting me going this entire time! But then you told three other alphas and Hawks, all heroes I admire, that I was too pregnant to make the right choice.”

“Bird Brain’s an omega, so he gets it. All Might already knew you were pregnant. Denim Head and the Hobo don’t see you any differently cause you want to be a good hero.”

“They saw me differently the second you told them I was pregnant.” It was the ugly truth he hadn’t wanted to accept when Tenko said it. But he couldn’t ignore the facts. These heroes, who had once trusted him to lead an army into war against All For One, treated his choice-making skill like a child’s the second a pup was mentioned. Their one-track minds tore into his chest, but he let the wound flow freely while he let everything spill out between them. “I have worked my entire life to get where I am, and not let being quirkless or an omega stop me from becoming a hero. I got One For All, and I’ve built Deku to be something I’m proud of. You don’t understand how terrifying it is to have all of that ripped away because of our pup. A pup who I want to keep safe, too.”

“Nobody’s trying to take what you’ve worked for away from you!” Katsuki shouted, his raised hands matching his growing frustration. “Pinky and Animal Boy got knocked up, and look at them. They’re still heroes. Once the pup’s out, you’ll come right back to your spot at the agency.”

“Until they’re sick.” Izuku stepped back when Katsuki opened his mouth, holding his hand up to keep him from interrupting. “Until they need to go to the doctor’s, or the babysitter we hire can’t come in. If the pup is too fussy, or doesn’t sleep well. Anytime our beautiful, perfect ember needs someone, guess who won’t be going to work?”

“We’ll figure something out with our parents or All Might. And once they’re old enough, school will fix half the problem for us.”

“Which brings parent-teacher conferences. Recitals. After school events for socialization. Tutoring. Sports. There’s a hundred more things that will be tossed into the mix once they can walk and talk. Think about everything we did as children; don’t you want our baby to have those same chances?”

“Obviously, but we’ll… figure it out.” Katsuki’s moment of hesitation proved that, despite how adaptable he’d been throughout the pregnancy, the needs and expectations of motherhood hadn't been drilled into his head since early childhood. Never being one to enjoy feeling unsteady in an argument, Katsuki quickly cut the conversation down to a simple conclusion. “We’ll talk to Denim Head and plan for this shit when it comes up. It won’t affect our work that much.”

“You mean your work. You’re the sire, Kacchan, on top of being an alpha; nobody’s going to expect you to give up your dream. But when someone has to sit out on a mission, cut their hours to watch our ember, or think of the baby before the career, it’ll always be my burden to bear. You get to be a hero first, just like you’ve always wanted. But my first label will be ‘mom’, not hero, because that’s the value society will now put on me.” Seeing the furrowed brows on his duo partner, Izuku’s defeat dropped his shoulders. “Stepping down doesn’t feel like a big deal to you, because you’re thinking of it like medical leave. You get hurt, heal up, and jump right back in without any consequences.”

“I know it’s not that simple,” Katsuki said, chest puffing out like Izuku insulted his intelligence. “Your body’s gonna be different, and you’ll need time to work back up to where you are now.” 

“It’s not just that.” Izuku tried not to wince at how, despite his best efforts, Katsuki couldn’t put himself fully into the omega’s shoes. Why would he, when the internal struggle Izuku was having would never be something he’d have to think about? Taking a breath to battle down his anger, Izuku offered a new tactic. “Haven’t you noticed how often Mina has to change her shifts since Daichi was born? Or that she’s dropped down to part time, while Kirishima kept the same hours? Ever talk to Tamaki about how he met with Fat Gum to change his position in the agency? That he took on more administrative roles so he could work at home? But yet Mirio stays as number one, despite having the same child?”

Stiff arms crossed over Katsuki’s chest. “What’s your point?”

“I didn’t fight stepping down to be reckless. It was because Tenko was right; the second they learned I was pregnant, my life as a hero was changed forever. And thinking about all the children who look at me and see their dreams as a possibility—I need to be more than the omega of Dynamight’s pup. That might be someone’s ultimate dream, but it’ll never be mine.” 

Katsuki flinched, hands fisting with enough pressure to whiten his knuckles. Izuku hated hurting Katsuki, but he had to get his point across. The longer the argument went, the more damage Izuku could sense creaking between them. He couldn’t stop to reflect on how he was feeling, knowing it had the potential to completely collapse the ice they were teetering on. But Izuku was terrible at letting things go, even when they hurt him. And struggling to keep Katsuki in his life would always feel like death by a thousand cuts. He’d bear every slice if it meant there was a chance they’d make it out alive on the other side. And they had, each time, stronger than before.

But staring at the dejected alpha in front of him, both of the scents plaguing the air with their anger and sorrow, he couldn’t see the way out this time. “Being a hero is all I’ve ever wanted. The first time we spoke after the war, you promised we’d chase each other, fight for this dream, forever. Nothing would stop us from being number one. So, yes, maybe I would have argued with you if you’d told me you wanted me to sit out on this mission. That’s who I am, and I thought that’s what you admired about me. But if you still believe going behind my back, instead of just talking to me, was the right choice, I… I don’t know if we’re on the same page anymore.”

Katsuki stayed silent, staring at the ground with tense fists pressed on the inside of his biceps. Without his partner’s unconditional support, Izuku’s omega whined, and he felt himself swaying from his emotional turmoil. 

This is too much, Izuku thought, hand grabbing his aching chest. Something had broken inside him. Each breath burned, every swallow filled with shards of glass. Izuku knew pain, had damaged his body beyond a normal person’s threshold. But this felt unbearable. Needing a moment to recover, Izuku moved out of the dining room, stumbling to the couch and dropping onto the middle cushion. Pressing his palms against his eyes, he tried to keep his tears behind his lashes. 

Anger and guilt waged war inside of him. While he knew his feelings were true, the bite of selfishness sunk in around his heart. How could he frame the baby like a burden? Did he really have no maternal instincts after all? He wanted to give everything he could to the life inside him, to make sure they never went without. But there were some things that were etched into Izuku’s soul, and being a hero was one of them.

Flashes of his mother’s sacrifices filled his head, and how he never saw her complain about the life she gave up for him. She probably had dreams that came crashing down once finding out about Izuku. What would have happened if she was more like him, wanting to keep her career instead of being the perfect mother? His shoulders shuddered as shame cascaded over him, hating how the thought made him sick. What was wrong with him? A part of his brain, probably the logical, level-headed side of himself, was disgusted with his emotional blow-up with Katsuki. And yet, if he was given the chance to take any of it back, he knew he wouldn’t. Those were his true feelings, and even if they made him the worst omega in the world, he couldn’t change it. 

Izuku didn’t realize he’d started to cry until a movement in front of him made him lift his head, the tears dripping off his jaw. Katsuki knelt on the rug between Izuku’s thighs, eyes downcast and face tense with his distraught. A hiccup passed Izuku’s lips from the emotional upheaval, but he didn’t ask why Katsuki was there. He watched quietly, waiting for Katsuki to say something to make them feel better. Izuku wondered when he’d started looking to the alpha for healthy communication to strengthen their relationship through the years. They’d gone so long without hurtful words, the argument felt like ripping open wounds he swore healed decades ago.

But Katsuki didn’t speak when he leaned forward, forehead dropping to rest against Izuku’s stomach. Paler lips stayed silent when Katsuki closed his eyes, but Izuku could feel the hint of a tremble in the powerful shoulders brushing his thighs. He didn’t need an explanation to hear the underlying message. Katsuki didn’t have a magical speech to fix what they broke. There was nothing else to say, and yet the damage continued to pour out. Izuku’s heart squeezed so hard he couldn’t breathe, panic flooding his veins. Needing something to cling onto, he curled around the soft head of hair, hugging it closer to his stomach. 

In truth, he knew neither of them was ready to hear the other’s side. He was hurt. Katsuki was, too. A thread of miscommunication and fear made them run away from each other, with devastating consequences. He didn’t know how they would clean up the mess of verbal punches and spiteful words they left scattered through their house. Slowly, while he threaded crooked fingers in the blond strands resting against him, Izuku glanced up at the dinner left behind during their fight. It was a dismal sight, but wasn’t it perfect for their situation? Instead of enjoying what they had, the food was left half-eaten and soggy on a forgotten table. They couldn’t salvage it, but the thought of throwing it away terrified him. He didn’t want it to be ruined, didn’t want to think how something so lovely could be spoiled in a matter of minutes. 

And, even worse, he didn’t want to think of what that meant for him, Katsuki, and the ember between them. 

Izuku squeezed his eyes tightly, hoping to escape from the terrible dream. If he could just wake up, the painful hole in his chest wouldn’t make it so painful to breathe. He and Katsuki wouldn’t be fighting, but joking about their terrible motel food choices for the upcoming mission. Or maybe, if Izuku wasn’t so damaged , he’d already be comfortable on his maternity leave, soaking up the time he had left with Katsuki before the mission separated them. Somehow, neither vision sounded scary compared to the current nightmare he was experiencing. But another agonizing inhale slipped through, reminding him the moment was no illusion. This was real, and Izuku had no quirk or battle strategy to fix it.

I’m sorry , Izuku thought to himself, face turning silently against the soft hair resting against his stomach. I’m so sorry I’m the one you got stuck with. 

But Izuku didn’t know if it was Katsuki or the pup he was apologizing to.

Chapter Text

“And no relationship is perfect, ever. There are always some ways you have to bend, to compromise, to give something up in order to gain something greater.” —Sarah Dessen

Silence, Izuku learned, was not always golden.

Despite their blowout, Izuku and Katsuki lived together for the two days between their fight and the start of the mission. Izuku slept in the nest, pretending it didn’t feel too large without a warm body snuggled against him. He didn’t lock the door, but Katsuki stayed in their bedroom. Both avoided being in the same space as each other, Katsuki working more than Izuku knew he’d been scheduled for. Probably getting ready for the assignment, which only made the ache in his chest grow. Both were still licking their wounds from the argument that wouldn’t leave Izuku’s head. 

One thing that didn’t change was their meal routine. Food was left in the kitchen every time Izuku wandered from his nestroom, a single green post-it note on top of the Tupperware. Izuku remembered, from articles read throughout his pregnancy, how most alphas needed to provide for their pup’s growth. Even if they weren’t speaking, Katsuki’s instincts filled the refrigerator with undeniable care. If Izuku was spiteful, he would have left the food where it was and made his own meals. But Izuku missed Katsuki like a limb, and no amount of anger would ever stop his omega’s crooning for the man on the other side of the house.

Emotions shifted like autumn leaves in a chilled wind, leaving him raw and barren inside. The desire to cry clashed with his urge to find Katsuki and challenge him again. Neither would change the facts. He felt as if their cruel words were painted on the walls, mocking him whenever he ventured from his safe space. How Katsuki didn’t trust him. The cruel way he accused Katsuki of going behind his back. Each callous dig followed him like a shadow, chasing him deeper into his mind.

The pup’s restlessness hiked up his discomfort, even pulling him from the nest at midnight and leading his feet to the bedroom door. But when he raised his hand to knock, he couldn’t force it to connect. He stood there far too long before pride towed him back to the nest.

In the end, Katsuki left for the mission. Without Izuku.

After being put on ‘desk duty’, Izuku had plenty of free time on his hands. Whether the original plan, or Best Jeanist’s guilt over how the conversation went, Izuku was allowed to work from home. It meant he got to stay in a comfortable environment with welcoming scents, and friends could visit. 

When Mina swung by the house, Daichi came with her. He knew she brought the baby for more than a simple visit; it was for his omega, who wouldn’t settle since Katsuki left. The natural appeal of a baby’s noises and appearance called to his maternal side, and Izuku happily accepted Mina’s offer to hold Daichi. He stared at the little life in front of him, unable to fully process that his own baby would grow just like Daichi. Izuku wanted to see their face, hear their giggles. But the stress of fighting with Katsuki had dimmed some of his excitement for meeting their pup outside of his belly.

“Of course Bakubabe pulled you off the mission,” Mina said from the couch opposite of Izuku’s, sighing as she relaxed on the expensive furniture. “Pretty sure Shoto was gonna lose his mind if he saw you in another fight. And you know how hard it is for someone to make him panic without the name Todoroki attached.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, wiggling fingers over Daichi’s face to watch him light up. Even as he spoke about the sensitive subject, the child’s reaction soothed something in his soul. “You don’t think he should have asked me first?”

“Sweetie, I think you’d do anything for my bestie. It’s obvious he’s hung your moon.” Being friends with Mina for years, Izuku lifted his head and waited for the truth after the buttering-up. “But everyone and their mom knows you’re the biggest martyr in the world when you’ve got your suit on. Do you know how often you gave that man a heart attack in high school?”

“That’s my job as a hero,” Izuku answered quickly. Mina nodded several times to prove she wasn’t insulting him. 

“And we love you for that. But don’t you see why, given your current circumstances, it’d be a little different?” When Izuku only frowned at her comment, Mina shrugged and tossed her arms behind her head. “Ejiro was so worried when I was pregnant, Fat Gum begged me to go on leave fifteen weeks in. My man’s very in tune with his feelings, and I hate when he gives me those sad puppy eyes.”

“But Kacchan’s never been like that with me,” Izuku said, turning back to Daichi to tickle the happy baby’s belly. “He knows I can handle myself. We became duos because he trusts in my ability to have his back. I’ve fought for years to get his respect. What are we if we lose that?”

“Has he said something to make you think you won’t be duos after the baby?”

“It won’t be the same.” His eyes fell half-mast when hearing Daichi’s playful giggle, unique eyes staring up at Izuku in wonder. The follow-up comment lacked confidence. “You should know that better than anyone.”

“Me? I’m not sure if I should be flattered or offended! Mainly cause I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mina snickered after her playful reply.

“I mean how you had to step down from being a full-time hero after Daichi was born,” Izuku said, hand pausing on the baby’s belly. “And I just… I don’t know if I can make that sacrifice.”

“Then don’t.” At the casual comment, he turned toward her, surprised at her simple shrug. “Just because I chose to split up my time doesn’t mean every mom does.”

“You volunteered?”

“Uh, yes?” Mina laughed at Izuku’s mouth dropping open. “Wow, you really are a perfect match for Bakubabe. Not every parent needs to be a full-time hero to feel like we’re making a difference. But some are just as crazy as you. Mount Lady is still a top hero after her and Kamui Wood had their kid.”

The reminder of their child, who was well into his toddler years, had slipped Izuku’s frazzled mind. Was it because she was an alpha? Even though she was the carrier, she hadn’t let her pregnancy stop her from claiming her spot within a year after the pup was born. Instead, Kamui slipped into a nurturing mode with little fanfare. In his growing panic over his own identity, his brain had filtered out their dynamic.

“Being a hero and a mom looks different in every scenario. For you, going part-time to balance life outside of being a hero is a downgrade. But I love it! I still enjoy hero work, but my goals… I guess they shifted a bit once I discovered I was pregnant.” Mina smiled without shame while looking up at the ceiling. “When I came back, I spent my first month trying to work my normal schedule. It felt like torture when leaving Daichi behind. All I could think of was what I was missing being away from him. So Ejirou offered to work full-time, meaning I could stay home more with the baby.”

“You chose to step down.” Izuku’s stomach clenched at her confident nod, mind whirling at the new information.

“Yeah, of course. Well, we ran it by Fat Gum and stuff, but you know how he is! That big old softie took one look at Daichi and promised to give me enough hours to keep all my hero benefits. And if you think he melted over my pup, imagine how he was with Mirio and Tamaki? Fat Gum changed the entire system for that nervous omega!” 

“That can’t be the normal response,” Izuku said, Mina scrunching her nose. 

“Yeah, you’re right. The system rarely supports mother heroes, which is awful. Omega carriers lose a lot of chances to be heroes again, so they have to settle. Alpha carriers get forced back whether or not they’re ready. Their crash-outs after the lack of support… it's not pretty. But most industries stop caring about pups and their mother’s needs after they’re born.” The lack of understanding of a carrier’s mental health hung heavy in the air for only a moment before Mina smiled. “But you don’t have to worry about that, since you work under Best Jeanist. There’s no way he’ll let you or your pup suffer from burnout or postpartum without getting you support. And Katsuki is going to make sure you get exactly what you want; he’s the biggest service alpha for you and your pup.”

“Even when I don’t want him to be,” Izuku mumbled without malice, though Mina only grinned wider.

“Figuring out what’s right for you after the baby’s born doesn’t happen overnight. It took me weeks to admit I needed to be with Daichi more. Even knowing how amazing my mate is, I was still terrified. There’s a lot of options, and no cheat code for the right pick, ya know?” Mina paused before her voice softened. “But you won’t figure out anything without saying it, loud and clear. And I don’t think I’m the person who needs to hear it. Don’t you agree?”

Izuku’s elongated silence was an answer in itself. Thankfully, Mina took the hint, switching her conversation to the light topic of Daichi’s newest milestones. Izuku tried to keep his mood up, forcing his smile and laugh when Mina’s comment swirled around in his head. When she left that evening, and Izuku crawled into the bed he’d reclaimed, he couldn’t sleep. Rolling onto his back, he pressed his hand to his stomach, eyes staring into the darkness. The days without Katsuki made some of his fire cool, the loneliness and confusing feelings washing out his anger. It was fair to be hurt. But the longer he thought about it, the more he wanted to understand why Katsuki left him out of the conversation. 

Needing guidance, he went to the place that he knew would always make him feel better; his childhood home.

“There you are,” his mother greeted, quick to nuzzle their noses before pulling Izuku into a hug. “Oh, look at you. You’re glowing, Sunshine.”

“That’s just sweat,” Izuku mumbled, but squeezed her closer while closing his eyes. “I missed you.”

“You know you can always come for a visit. I’m sure you’ll have more time now that you’ll be on your leave from active work.” Izuku ignored the sting from the comment to let his mother usher him through the home. She fluffed the cushion before helping him onto the comfortable spot. “Just give me a moment; I’ve got your favorite cookies in the oven, and I refuse to let them get too crispy.”

Being back in the warm home pulled a weight off his shoulders. His mother was full of energy and loving touches, making up for the lack of contact with his empty house. The cookies melted in his mouth, but it was the light-hearted conversation she offered that really warmed his belly. For the first time in days, his omega settled, happy to be smothered with love from his mother.

“You’ve got some pretty deep eyebags.” His mother leaned over, stroking the puffy skin once before dropping her hand to his knee. “Katsuki’s been gone for a week, right?”

Izuku didn’t like how quickly his mood dropped when bringing Katsuki into the conversation. “He left last Wednesday.” 

“This is the first time he’s been on a long-distance mission since your pregnancy.”

Izuku lowered his gaze to the cup of milk he wrapped both hands around, hoping the chilled drink would help him keep his cool. “Yeah.”

“That must be tough for you and the pup.” When he only shrugged and thumbed at the ceramic mug, his mother asked her next question. “Has he been able to check in about when he’ll be home?”

“Nope.” Despite his best effort, the sharpness of the word cut his throat. “They locked me out of all the mission reports, and only mates are provided updates when pregnant.”

“That’s a silly rule. You’re Katsuki’s duo, and having his pup. I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t let him check-in, especially since it must be weighing on his alpha to be apart from you.”

“I’m sure he’s fine without me. Not like he wanted me there.” He quickly looked up when catching his anger, rushing to explain after seeing her surprised expression. “We… weren’t really talking before he left. There was a fight about my active duty leave.”

“Oh, I see.” Despite not explaining the situation, his mother knew him better than anyone else. “I can’t imagine your company would risk you on a mission with you so far along in your pregnancy.”

“They weren’t supposed to know.” 

“Sunshine.” 

“I just wanted to finish this last mission!” Izuku said, feeling his defenses shoot up despite her lack of argument. “I had the suit, and I didn’t put the pup in any danger. Whenever I felt a hint of discomfort, Dr. Moro did a check for me. I’m a good mom—or, well, I’m trying, I’m really trying to be everything for everyone—”

“You’re being a very good mom.” The easy way his mother grabbed his hand and offered the kind reassurance was a punch to the chest. Her lack of judgement made Izuku’s emotions surge. 

“Mom, did you…” Searching her curious head tilt, Izuku squeezed her hand and pushed through. “Did you ever think you weren’t meant to have me? That the maternal gene skipped over you? Or did you always want to be a mom?”

“I wanted you the second I found out I was pregnant.” Her solid confidence made the ugly tendril in his chest bloom, but her next comment tugged it from its roots. “But I didn’t feel like your mom until you were born.”

“Really?”

“Well, there was a lot I had to do before you arrived.” She scooted closer, resting her head on his shoulder like he used to as a child. “Your sire left pretty early into the pregnancy, so I had to figure out finances and a living arrangement. My body was a war zone, and my emotions were all over the place. It was very stressful, so I couldn’t think much about myself and the new world I was stepping into. The future felt a little dreary.”

Izuku winced, though his mother didn't let him linger in the momentary fear. “But then, the day came where I got to meet you. Something clicked the moment I held you in my arms. As you cried and squirmed, full of life, everything brightened. You were my missing sunshine. At that moment, I realized your world was just me. Your mom. Things were still hard after that, and I had my rough days. But you were always worth it.”

“I do feel like my pup’s omega,” Izuku whispered, using his free hand to rub along his belly. “And even if they weren’t planned, I’m so happy they’re here. But… I’m scared to lose my dream.”

“I don’t think Katsuki will let that happen.” 

“He’s the reason I’m benched to begin with.” Shaking his head, he shifted his body to face her. “Katsuki told the agency I was pregnant without talking to me first. He knew I wanted to go on this mission, but he took that away from me. And our fight was because he didn’t regret doing it. I thought he trusted me, and knew how important this was. He didn’t see me as an equal, but just a pregnant omega he needed to protect by himself.” 

Inko sighed like his comment brought up forgotten memories. “Most people underestimate how much we can do, even when growing a life inside.” She stroked her thumb over the back of his hand before she softened her next sentence. “And I bet fighting with Katsuki doesn’t make this any easier.”

“It’s so hard without him.” Sucking in a sharp breath at the admission, he let everything out. “I never wanted to argue with Kacchan. It makes me feel horrible, and my omega isn’t happy with me not scenting Kacchan before he left.”

“He didn’t seek you out?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe?” Katsuki had left early in the morning, but Izuku had stayed in his nestroom. Remembering that Katsuki never entered without his permission, he couldn’t help but wonder if Katsuki had wanted to say a proper goodbye. Even without the confirmation, some clues proved he was on the other’s mind before he left. “Kacchan left some clothes with his scent on them. There was a week’s worth of food in the fridge. And the house was spotless before he left.”

“Sounds like he wanted to make sure you were taken care of, even when you two were arguing,” his mother said, Izuku chewing his lip before he sighed.

“That’s not good enough; I can’t just concede without some sort of…understanding.” If he gave in without getting his point heard, he’d cave over everything that made him ‘Deku’ in the future. “I thought Kacchan was different and knew how important this was for me. But he’s… just like every other alpha, I guess.”

His mother stayed silent for a moment, arms wrapping around him to pull Izuku into a hug. Izuku buried into her neck, wanting the minty scent to wash away all of his sadness. He felt her smaller fingers petting his head, the same way she would when he was young and upset over a bad interaction at the playground. If he wasn’t twenty-one weeks pregnant, he would be tempted to crawl into her lap and hide away from the world that had turned its back on him again. 

“Sunshine.” When she spoke, it wasn’t just comforting platitudes. “Do you really think he’s just another alpha?”

He didn’t need long to shake his head against her neck. “No.”

“Is it possible that we’re not being fair to him by saying that?”

“He wasn’t fair to me when he told the agency about my pregnancy,” Izuku replied. 

She only hummed and continued to pet his hair. “We do our best to make choices outside of our instincts, because we’re not mindless animals. If I was asked about Katsuki’s ability to control his alpha, I’d say he’s a powerful hero who rarely lets his instincts control his actions. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Kacchan’s never let his alpha stop me from being a hero before. And even when I made mistakes, he didn't blame me being an omega.”

“Because he thinks the world of you,” was her reply, a gentle kiss on his curls making him slowly lift his head to face her next observation. “But despite his best intentions, Katsuki's nature will always be to protect the things that matter to him. Even if it upsets those he's protecting.”

The memory of them dancing in the kitchen, and Katsuki’s vow to keep him and the pup safe (no matter the consequence) rattled in his head.

She picked up on something in his expression, his mother offering a simple smile while cupping his cheek. “I know it probably feels like a betrayal, and you two should talk. But any sire who saw the carrier of their pup fighting with your style would have asked you to step down weeks ago.”

“He said he tried, but never found the right time. Why didn’t he just say it, like he does everything else?” Izuku asked for what felt like the millionth time.

“Maybe he did, and you didn’t notice. Or it’s possible he didn’t know how to bring it up without upsetting you.” She gave him a quiet moment to take in her thoughts before gentling her voice. “No matter how amazing Katsuki is in your mind, he’s still human. He’ll make mistakes, and let his alpha instincts kick in. I can’t imagine your omega has stayed silent during these five months.”

 Izuku’s cheeks warmed at the countless times his omega spilled out, begging for Katsuki to put him back together. “It’s harder to keep it under control with the baby riling my hormones up.”

His mother laughed, squeezing his cheek. “Just like this is your first pup, it’s his, too; he’s probably terrified of messing things up. If he wasn’t trying to protect the things that matter to him, I’d be worried about him as my grandpup’s alpha.”

“I want him to be protective of the baby,” Izuku admitted, knowing nothing made him feel safer than Katsuki. “But I don’t know what to do if this changes how much he trusts me on the field afterward. What if he doesn’t think of me as someone who can also protect him anymore?”

“Oh, Sunshine, you know that’s not true. He sees you as his equal, even now. It’s not about trusting you as a hero, but providing for you as his future.” When Izuku made a noise of confusion, his mother leaned forward to nuzzle their noses together. “When we went shopping for your nesting items, he didn’t care about how much it'd cost to make. Katsuki constantly second-guessed himself in ways I haven’t seen since you were boys. All he wanted was to make an acceptable nest for you and the baby. He didn’t act like he knew more than any of the omegas or betas working there, even as a famous alpha hero. You were all that mattered to him.”

“I…” Izuku tried not to smile over Katsuki’s previous panic, but the sentiment reminded him why he’d never worried about his spot next to the alpha’s side. “I would have loved anything he gave me.”

“Because you’re both silly,” his mother replied, Izuku scowling at the answer. She sighed, leading him back to rest against her as she spoke. “He loves you, Izuku.”

Izuku’s eyes shot open wide at the sudden statement, fighting back his omega’s excitement to sputter. “M-Mom—”

She didn’t give him time to object. “Whatever way you want to take that, it's true. That boy's loved you for a while. But love isn't enough if you two can't trust and communicate with each other. That's what made you hurt each other the first time you were friends.”

“We won’t do that again.” Even if they weren’t fully talking at the moment, he refused to let their baby lose either parent. “I just want what’s going to be best for the pup.”

“And what about you? Are you okay with holding your line, without any compromise? Even if that means you and Katsuki raise your child in separate homes?” He flinched at the question, unable to breathe at the sudden pain squeezing his chest. His mother covered her nose to block his sour redolence. Even without being able to smell himself, he knew how rotten it’d become. Not that she needed that as proof, when his eyes filled with tears instantly. The baby’s fussing inside him made him whimper, collapsing into his mother’s warmth when she tugged him into her embrace. “Oh, my sweet baby.”

“I don’t want to do this without him,” Izuku wailed, wrapping his arms around his stomach while burying his face into his mother’s scent gland. “Kacchan means so much to me.”

“I know, Sunshine. I know.”

Her soothing mint washed over him, but he knew his omega wanted something else. His craving was beyond his grasp, on some mission that kept Katsuki away from Izuku and the baby. Izuku still felt he was right about some aspects of their fight. But beyond his initial fear and anger, was it something he truly felt couldn’t be talked about? If Katsuki had come to him first, or if Izuku hadn’t ignored the signs, their departure would have been a happy sendoff. Instead, they held their shields up, not realizing they were bleeding out from the stabs in their backs.

After his tears slowed, his mother moved him back, cleaning his face. “It’ll be okay. You and Katsuki will fix this.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because the two of you have never stayed apart for long. Sometimes, you both take the long way, but you always find each other again. Even when you weren’t close, I saw him watching you with feelings he wasn’t ready to understand yet. Mitsuki used to send me pictures of him sitting in the window, like he was waiting for you to show up to play. He’s really grown a lot, hasn’t he?” Maybe that had been the reason she held no resentment towards Katsuki for their rough times in middle school. “Now, there’s someone that needs you both to put down your armor and tend to each other’s wounds.”

She led his palm over the bump under his shirt, squeezing the back of his hand. As he looked down at the life hidden within his body, her last words settled in his ear.

 “Give Katsuki a chance; I have a feeling he won’t let you, or your pup, down.”

~**~

Four days after the conversation with his mother, Izuku was halfway through washing leftover dishes from the afternoon when the front door opened. Despite his heart racing at the unexpected noise, Danger Sense and Blackwhip didn’t pop out, proving the ‘intruder’ wasn’t an enemy. And since only one other person had a key to the home, he knew whose boots were hurrying across the front floorboards. 

Katsuki, still dirty and in his full uniform, appeared in the kitchen entrance. It was a rare sight, Izuku remembering his partner’s post-mission routine like the back of his hand. Katsuki finished his reports, took a shower at the agency, and wiped down all of his equipment while logging everything he needed Mei to look over and upgrade. Then, after his ritual was done, Katsuki would look at Izuku (who stayed every time, despite having no impulse to follow his lead) and nod his head toward the agency’s exit.

Tonight, he came straight home. 

Slowly, Izuku turned away from the soapy water in the sink, lips trembling before he pushed out his greeting. “Welcome home, Kacchan.”

Katsuki continued to stare at him silently, and Izuku noticed the quick shifting of his shoulders. He was panting, as if he sprinted to the house as soon as he was released. Had he even gone back to the agency? Izuku couldn’t be sure, since the mission ended days before the projected plan. Was that because Shoto and Katsuki still had the synergy Izuku saw when they were teenagers, making them more efficient? Or…something else?

Seeing Katsuki again sparked some coals of anger he’d let cool over the days they were apart, but not nearly as hot as before. He could recognize how much happier he was to take a slow breath and catch the fresh scent of caramel. It tugged on something in his chest with a harder pull than the clothes and nest left behind. Katsuki was covered in blood and sweat, his uniform torn with dirt smeared on the dark material. He wore every ounce of the difficult mission on his weary body. Despite that, Izuku wanted nothing more than to hug him. The only thing that held him back was the conversation they had paused weeks ago.

But he didn’t want to jump into that right away. “Did you have dinner?”

“No.” Katsuki looked down the hall, taking in the home’s changes since he left. “Need to shower first.”

“I can make you something.” Food was used as a peace offering in his family, and he hoped his smile looked genuine when Katsuki’s attention snapped back to him. “Tsu and I went shopping earlier, so everything is fully stocked. Oh, but I don’t have any meat thawed. Maybe I can put it in warm water, or the microwave has that button—”

“You’re rambling.” Katsuki stepped forward, but the abrupt stop of his movements felt like he thought better of getting any closer to Izuku. A weird beat of silence bubbled into the conversation, Izuku’s twitching fingers grabbing the hem of his shirt to try and soothe his anxiety. Red eyes glanced down at the movement, scowling. “Let me wash this shit off me and I’ll see what we got. Just finish what you’re doing and go relax; I’ll figure it out.”

“You don’t have to,” Izuku protested, moving around the kitchen island while shaking his head. “It’s not fair to make you cook when you just finished a mission. I can do this—”

“Stop.” Katsuki’s sharp shutdown caught Izuku off guard, noticing how his hand curled into a fist by his side. Still, Katsuki didn’t meet his gaze, like he couldn’t face him. Izuku’s chest went tight at the fear that, despite his hope to settle things between them, Katsuki was still angry from their previous fight. “I’m filthy right now. If you bring the pup any closer, I’ll need to scent you both. And we still gotta talk, but my alpha is…really fucking hard to ignore right now.”

“Oh.” The word came out as a whisper, Izuku unable to catch his breath. Silence followed each exchange of words, neither knowing which step would set off a landmine. Everything felt charged. There was no space to land with the promise of safety. It was like the moments before he built up One For All’s final smash to land the ending blow. Excitement buzzed under his skin, tension bunching his muscles with each passing second. 

Knowing he wasn’t the only one who craved closeness despite their tension, Izuku tried to grab Katsuki’s avoidant gaze by letting his pleased redolence unfurl into the air. Then, he took a step closer, tilting his head to better share his scent. Even without Katsuki looking, his body locking up and his sharper inhale proved Izuku’s plan hit its mark. 

Gentling his voice, Izuku offered something without thought. “Then don’t stop him.”

“ Izuku —” Katsuki hadn’t been exaggerating about his struggle of containing his alpha, the warning growl sending a shiver down his spine.

“I missed you.” He swallowed after his vulnerable confession, finally taking a full breath when Katsuki’s eyes lifted to his. The wariness mixed with Katsuki’s surprise made Izuku’s soul ache, though he understood the hesitation. Even as he said it, part of him wanted Katsuki to be the one to apologize first, the few remaining strings of hurt draped over his heart. But while he stared at the dirty, exhausted man barely standing in front of him, the need to be right felt so insignificant. “There’s a lot we need to talk about. Missing you—missing us , doesn’t change that. But if we try tonight, nothing would come out of it. Being angry or hurt can wait until tomorrow.”

“Then why would you want me to listen to my alpha? He’s half the reason we’re in this fucking mess. If I wasn’t so freaked out about—” Katsuki cut himself off with a grimace, fangs bared at something that crossed his mind. “ Stupid things, I would have tried talking to you more. You’re beyond stubborn, but not as thick-headed as me.”

Just hearing some of Katsuki’s thought process proved his mother right; it was more complicated than simple instincts for both sides. Tonight wasn’t the place for them to mend invisible wounds. He knew they might not agree on everything the next morning, which could end in more arguing. Izuku didn’t like that it was a possible outcome, especially after being apart for two weeks. But if they spent another night sleeping in separate spaces, his omega and the baby might kick him from his own body.

For a moment, everything that could go wrong in the next minute hooked into his mind. The fear dragged him toward the impulse to run. It was the same desire that had avoided their conversation in the kitchen before the gala, and why he shut down Tenko’s warning during their visit. He could send Katsuki to the shower alone, listen to the heavy voices in his head, and hide away in his nest while the alpha took care of himself. 

Katsuki warned him that his alpha wanted to come out, a normal impulse for mates who had been separated for long periods of time. Except Izuku and Katsuki weren’t mates, no matter what his omega thought. Without the bite on his gland, Izuku telling him to let go of his control could be dangerous.

“If I ask you something, will you be honest, no matter what the answer is?” Izuku waited for Katsuki to nod before he continued. “Does he want to hurt me?”

“ No ,” was the quick response, which Izuku expected. Maybe he asked just so Katsuki could hear it spoken out loud. 

Izuku tried to offer a kind smile before stepping forward again, finally reaching out to place his hand over Katsuki’s heart. “Your alpha is every fascinating and intimidating part of you. It means well, the same way my omega demands things I don’t like admitting. Maybe all of this came from us both struggling under their influence since we found out about the baby.”

“It’s not just him.” When Izuku looked up, Katsuki searched his face and sighed. “Yeah, he’s loud and annoying. But I’m the one who spilled to Denim Head. I told him and the commission about your pregnancy. I’m not using instincts as an excuse for choices I felt were right at the time.” 

“Same here.” Izuku thought about how clear his head was each time he avoided answering Katsuki. He’d used intimacy to keep Katsuki from speaking his mind. Even before their recent stress, some of his actions had less to do with being an omega, and more his long-term infatuation. 

A hand smoothed over his hip, like Katsuki couldn’t resist touching him anymore. In turn, Izuku’s chest vibrated from his pleased purr, his body relaxing in places he hadn’t felt relief since the morning before their fight.

And from Katsuki’s soft sigh, he picked up on it, too. “You’re a ball of tense nerves, Freckles.”

“Yeah, I know. We didn’t scent the morning of your mission, so it’s been rough. The baby was all sorts of angry.” 

“Well, we can’t let our ember have their first temper tantrum before they’re even born.”

“Tell my stomach that.” 

As if Izuku had demanded an instant fix, Katsuki grumbled something incoherent before nuzzling his gland. Pleasure and comfort shot through his nerves like adrenaline, making Izuku almost dizzy from the sudden rush. He swayed into his chest, head lolling to the side of Katsuki’s shoulder. His stomach pressed against Katsuki’s firmer frame, but he couldn’t find a speck of insecurity when bathed in sweet caramel. A hand found his wrist, Katsuki making sure to rub his cheek against the gland there before settling Izuku’s hand on his nape for balance. Then, he dove back down, lathering the opposite side of his throat with his redolence.

Izuku chirped, then bit back his whine of embarrassment. “You’re really covering me this time.”

“Cause someone left me for his nest,” Katsuki mumbled, sounding distracted when his lips found a sensitive spot behind Izuku’s ear. “My alpha almost chewed a damn hole in the door.”

“A-Ah, that’s—” Hormones in the second trimester were impossible to predict, his thighs clenching at the first wave of need swirling inside him. “Wait, Kacchan—oh.”

Suddenly, a sharp tug on his lower stomach made Izuku pause. It wasn’t painful, more jarring than anything else. The squirming sensation felt like a shift of gas, or a weak hunger pang. Izuku almost convinced himself the stress and relief from Katsuki’s return had caused his tired mind to create a phantom nudge. Before he could shelve the incident and settle into Katsuki’s marking, another flare of pressure made him gasp out his confusion. 

“Hey.” A touch to his scarred cheek led his eyes up, catching Katsuki’s pinched eyebrows over his dirty face. “You okay?”

“I don’t know. I think so?” Izuku pressed on the spot that still felt like something had bumped it, looking for another sign that he wasn’t going crazy. Luckily, the wait was brief, and his lips parted without words when a soft kick bumped his palm. Realization crashed over him, though joy followed it instantly. His sight went blurry, voice shaking. “Oh, my God.” 

“What?” Katsuki asked, but Izuku couldn’t put the revelation into words. He simply stared, tears rolling down his cheeks while he tried to clear his eyesight. “Nerd, now’s not the time to forget how to ramble. Is the pup okay? Are you okay? Give me something, or I’ll call the Doc and make her come for a damn house visit.”

Instead of answering Katsuki’s several questions, the hand Izuku didn’t have pressed to his belly frantically moved down Katsuki’s arm. “Gimme—I need your hand.” 

“Hah?”

“Kacchan, please !” 

Something in his tone must have expressed the intensity of his desperation, because Katsuki lifted his hand for Izuku to grab. Snagging the offering without explanation, he let out a delirious sob while he tugged up his shirt, needing to feel the soft fingers against his stretched skin. Unsure how long the little bubbles of movement would continue, Izuku made sure to press Katsuki’s hand fully around the curve of his stomach, holding his breath while they waited in the silence. Katsuki had questions, but he needed the alpha to experience it first. Tears continued to drip from his overwhelming joy. He knew the emotional outpouring between Katsuki arriving, their tentative make-up, and the realization that their baby had—

There it was. Like the pup read his mind, the kick on the same spot made both him and Katsuki jump. Still, he needed the confirmation. It didn’t take much; a simple look at Katsuki’s wide eyes and trembling mouth proved he’d been hit with the same wave of awe Izuku had experienced moments before. The question in the bright stare spoke volumes, Izuku laughing through his next round of tears while he nodded.

“Yeah, that’s our baby.” Covering Katsuki’s hand with his own, he pressed the touch closer while he whispered. “You felt them, right? Their k-kick?”

“When did that…” Katsuki trailed off and looked down at their joined touch, as if unsure the moment was real. 

“I don’t know. I mean, I’ve felt things I assumed were just body shifts, but this…” Wanting to soothe the other, Izuku sniffled back the growing mucus from his overload of emotions and leaned up, nuzzling against Katsuki’s scent gland. “This was the first time I’ve realized what was happening. You didn’t miss a thing, Kacchan.”

Katsuki stayed silent, a pained expression tightening the edges of his eyes.

“...But I could have.” 

Katsuki’s mutter was too quiet, like he was ashamed of the confession. Izuku blinked when the alpha stepped back, and the only thing that saved Katsuki’s knees from his sudden drop was his uniform’s braces. Mirroring the pose he’d taken the night of their fight, Katsuki didn’t hide his face this time, hands sliding up Izuku’s thighs before cupping the baby. 

“Kacchan?” Izuku called, unsure how to take the sudden shift of Katsuki’s mood. 

“From the moment I stepped out of the house, to the second the plane landed, all I could think of was coming home.” Eyes locked on the stomach exposed by the rucked-up shirt, Izuku knew Katsuki’s mumbled words were directed toward him. “I couldn’t stop thinking about what we said to each other. How gutted I felt watching you fall apart on the couch. Each night, I went over everything I should have done, instead of just… sitting there. 

“And then I stepped off the plane, and I almost didn’t come back tonight.” Katsuki’s admission shocked him, unable to look away from the pain crossing his face. “Not because I wanted to stay away. Who knew I could miss shitty rambling so much?”

“You—” Izuku reached out, uncaring how dirty Katsuki was when brushing over his cheek. “Did you want to stay away because you were mad?”

Two weeks had given Izuku time to think about his own responsibility in the fight. Hiding his mission from his doctor, someone who only wanted the best for him, had been out of line. How could he look at his baby in the future and know the possible danger he’d almost put them in? But then he didn’t tell Katsuki, and tried to give him a false sense of confidence for their mission. Even if Katsuki went behind his back to get his way, hadn’t Izuku done something similar?

Like Katsuki read his mind, heavy words rolled out in a mumble. “We both did shitty things. You lied to me. I acted without thinking how it’d affect you. Neither of us came out of this looking like heroes.”

“Kacchan, we don’t have to do this tonight.” Even now, Izuku could see how the mission had worn Katsuki down. He looked like he was seconds away from passing out. “Let me bring you to the bathroom, okay? Get you washed up, feed you, maybe some sleep—”

“I’ll drop it after this, but if I don’t say it now, it’ll eat me alive.” After Katsuki’s confession, Izuku couldn’t deny him, only giving a quiet nod. Blowing out a slow breath, Katsuki closed his eyes. “I never thought I’d be a…the extras joked about it, but nobody expected me to really have a pup. Nothing about me is soft and loving. Not like Shitty Hair or Golden Boy. They were meant for this shit. People ain’t betting on them to fuck their kid up.”

“Nobody thinks that,” he argued, though Katsuki only scoffed.

“Not like they’re wrong.” They were, because those cruel people never saw the soft man smoothing his thumb under Izuku’s belly button. Katsuki, a proud alpha, knelt in front of Izuku like he was beneath him. That, more than any grand gesture or loud proclamation, proved how little his pride mattered when bigger things were at play. Still, the calm words spoken near their pup reminded Izuku of a rainy day during their first year of UA. “I did it once before. Treated someone I was supposed to protect horribly. Shut ‘em out from how I was feeling, cause I’m a fucking coward. Did it again two weeks ago. That’s just who I am, I guess.”

“Kacchan, don’t say that,” Izuku whispered, choking up again from hearing the pain in his partner’s voice. 

But Katsuki had something on his chest, and he seemed too tired to hold it any longer. It radiated from the smeared eye black, his sweat-slicked hair, and how his shoulders slumped while cradling Izuku’s stomach. Izuku hadn’t seen Katsuki look so helpless in years. 

“The truth is, I’ve never questioned if you could handle this. You don’t need anyone to be a good mom, because you’ve always been good. But me?” Katsuki scoffed, lacking any of his normal spunk. “I needed twenty years, and almost dying, to figure out how to stop letting you down. Maybe I’m still fucking that up.”

“You aren’t.” Izuku shook his head, unable to stay quiet and watch Katsuki cut his own heart out for the world to witness. “One real fight in eight years isn’t failing.” 

“It is . I already took so much from you, Izuku. There’s no erasing that, even if you somehow forgave me. But if I can’t figure my shit out, and I do that to our ember, I—” The red gaze shined from his tears, but Katsuki didn’t hide the thicker emotion coating his throat. “I don’t want to hurt them. Leave scars that will always make them second guess themselves. Not… not like I did to you.”

Needing a moment to collect his thoughts, Izuku put his hands on Katsuki’s shoulders, wishing he could join Katsuki on the floor without making a fool of himself. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to accept what Katsuki said. Even if Izuku didn’t agree, denying Katsuki his feelings wouldn’t magically cure him. Just like Izuku questioned himself, and his ability to be a mother, Katsuki had his own insecurities. 

Izuku never shied away from talking to friends and family about his heavy emotions regarding his pregnancy. Katsuki tried to manage his fear by pouring his energy into making everything perfect for Izuku. That had been what the world, even Izuku, had heaped onto him for years. He was the ‘perfect’ alpha in so many ways. So when one of his attempts to live up to that expectation caused them to fight, Katsuki’s entire foundation crumbled.

Katsuki didn’t need to be perfect for their baby; he needed to have reasonable, healthy goals. Ones he could attain without breaking his back in the process. But this time, they had to be with Izuku, not for him.

“Then we need to work on this, on us , before the baby comes.” Izuku started by making sure his voice lacked any accusation. Collecting Katsuki’s face in his hands, he tilted it up so their watery eyes met. “We will never fight like that in front of our pup again. If we don’t agree on something, we talk it out together. We work as a team, picking up the slack the other can’t carry. Just like on the field.”

“We talk it out,” Katsuki agreed while blinking back his tears, though took a moment before he added his own input. “And if we’re not ready to talk, we go to the gym and punch some shit. Or I drag you to bed and we fuck it out.”

Despite his best efforts, Izuku felt his cheeks warm. “But you like talking during… that .”

“Never heard you complain before.” The first spark of Katsuki’s confidence came back in a faint smirk, though it faded with his next serious boundary. “We're not fighting it out like we did in UA. I ain’t using my fists on you when we’re pissed off at each other. That’s not what I want to teach our pup.”

“I like that rule.” Izuku moved his fingers into Katsuki’s hair, uncaring how oily it was when massaging his scalp. “Even if we’re not talking, no silent treatment the day before or after a mission. We scent each other as a send-off, and again after the mission’s done. I don’t want either of us to be afraid of coming back to the home we’re building together.”

“Yeah, Icyhot’s couch sounded fucking awful.” He knew Katsuki was being dramatic just to make him smile. Sharp eyes looked up at him, chin resting on his stretched skin. “Anything else, Freckles?”

Izuku could think of six other topics they needed to cover, but the bags under Katsuki’s gaze made him soften his. “Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow.”

“Good.” 

Like the word was a final string holding his head up, Katsuki dropped his cheek to Izuku’s stomach, a low growl vibrating the soft skin. Except, when Izuku listened to it closely, it didn’t carry the rough timber of a growl. Instead, it almost sounded like…

“Kacchan, since when do you purr?”

“I don’t.” Hearing him deny it while the noise still poured out made Izuku laugh, continuing to stroke through his messy hair. He’d have to convince Katsuki to leave the spot he was nuzzling soon, needing him to shower and eat before he passed out on the kitchen floor. Tomorrow would be another round of conversations about autonomy and discussing how to avoid another unraveling of their relationship. But, for now, he’d give Katsuki a minute to re-unite with his pup.

Our ember really has the best alpha protecting them, Izuku thought, watching Katsuki scent his stomach without shame.

And maybe Izuku did, too.

Chapter Text

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill

 After their rollercoaster conversation, Katsuki spent the rest of the night hoarding Izuku like treasure. He refused to let Izuku leave his sight, keeping a hand on some part of his stomach. Izuku didn’t fight the possessive behavior, the rough tugs of clothes off his body, or how Katsuki crowded him under the hot shower raining over their naked forms. Instead, Izuku let himself cave to every impulse he normally tried to keep under lock and key. It was almost animalistic how little they spoke. Izuku ran soapy hands over Katsuki, mouth and teeth pressing to each inch of skin after it was clean. Katsuki didn’t push anything sexual, Izuku’s fuzzy mind remembering the alpha’s past refusal to mess around in the ‘slippery deathtrap’. 

That didn’t mean Katsuki let them get dressed, barely allowing either a pair of underwear before Izuku was dragged to the kitchen. He was the one responsible for clinging to Katsuki while the other made the quickest dinner possible. Izuku wasn’t sure what he ate, face buried in Katsuki’s scent gland and simmering in the pleasant headspace. It felt like seconds later that Katsuki had finished his pathetic excuse for a meal before carrying Izuku to their shared bed. Any thought of doing something with the earlier desire fell out of his head when they hit the sheets, fatigue sewn into the blanket Katsuki tossed over them. Instead, Izuku curled into Katsuki’s chest, falling asleep to his gentle breathing. 

After the peaceful end of their night, talking with Katsuki the next morning didn’t feel like a firing squad.

“You were right; I would have fought to stay on,” Izuku said, closing his eyes to let the warm light spill across his naked chest. “But it was my mission, too. I felt this pressure to prove I was still a good hero, just like when I was quirkless. I guess I didn’t want to be defined by something out of my control again.”

“Nerd, you’re a semi-waddling penguin with a half-baked ember inside you. Pretty sure you punching some low-life dirtbag wasn’t going to be people’s focus if you went.” Despite Katsuki’s blunt comment, the way Katsuki’s nose followed the curve of Izuku’s shoulder lessened some of Izuku’s annoyance. “Besides, I wouldn’t have been able to focus with you out there.” 

“Because you were worried I couldn’t protect our pup?”

“Don’t be stupid.” Teeth nipped at his sensitive skin, smoothing it over with his tongue. “You heard those old geezers; pregnancy’s weird. Even if you weren’t in danger, we weren’t near our den. None of our pack would be there. The baby doc would be hundreds of miles away. We’d be separated from anyone who knew you were pregnant except me. The second the baby gave you a sour stomach and your scent went wrong, I’d be fixated on taking care of you.”

“Maybe you should have been the one that stayed home—ah!” Izuku squeaked at the poke against his side, quickly rolling to his back to stop the sneak attack. He also didn’t mind laying in the space created by Katsuki’s body, loving being pressed to his warm torso. “It’s not really fair your bratty alpha is why I got kicked off the team.”

“Cause you freaking out over an omega villain touching me was so smooth." The knowing look of the alpha quickly humbled him. “Yeah, I figured it out. You aren’t the only one who has oblivious dumbasses droning on and on in their ears.”

“Wait.” More than happy to change the subject from his unexplainable jealousy, Izuku latched onto the hint of who he was referring to. “Did you and Shoto talk about me on the mission?”

“He talked. I silently tried to glare my quirk into his head.” 

Izuku had a feeling the truth was somewhere between their two scenarios. Shoto wasn’t the type to press a topic if a friend lacked interest, but he could be observant and honest if the other person asked for his input. From how Shoto acted confused during the interaction, he probably didn’t pick up on why talking about it (and Izuku’s jealousy) would be embarrassing for Izuku. Then again, Katsuki would have to be the one to approach the conversation, first.

“I wish I had been a fly on the wall for that.” His joke tugged a little too close to the truth, his smile losing some of its strength when he glanced away. The fact he hadn’t noticed Katsuki’s hand resting on his belly, rubbing along the bare skin, proved how relaxed he was with his best friend’s touch. He clung to that comfort while he leaned his head on Katsuki, keeping his voice quiet. “I’m still going to be a hero. Even after they’re born, I want to be Deku. Not part-time, not as an administrator. I want to be someone our pup can be proud of.”

“Izuku is just as good as Deku, Freckles. But I know that ain’t enough for you; it’s never been.” Izuku tried not to feel guilty about the truth, the weight on his shoulders easing when Katsuki curled closer. “Once you’re ready to come back, and you get Baby Doc’s approval, Denim Head already said it’s the same position as before. My parents are more than happy to babysit the pup, and I can’t imagine your mom saying no. All Might might actually pass out if we tag him in. And we’ve got a crowd of idiots lined up behind all of them.”

Izuku dropped his palm on the spot he’d felt the baby kick last night. “We really do have a village for our pup, huh?”

“Tch, whether we like it or not, people give a fuck about us.” Katsuki’s grumbling softened on the next vow. “I know being a hero’s been offered and taken away from you like a damn yo-yo since you were born. And maybe I was thinking like a sire over a carrier when assuming you’d come back without any issues after the baby’s out.”

“Well, it’s not something people who can’t carry are taught as kids, or even adults. But it was drilled into my head for years.” 

He always thought the education about pregnancy and child-rearing should have been taught the same way between the genders. But the fear of ‘encouraging’ youth to have sex kept healthy discussions from happening in class. Instead, Izuku had been corralled in with other carriers for a ‘special’ sex-ed seminar. There, they discuss his body’s ability to grow a child and tricks to remember for a carrier’s primary purpose; raising the future. But when he spoke with peers who had the other sex-ed presentation, they knew nothing about nursing positions and diaper rash.

“Then teach me what I gotta know. Send me shit to read, or pick videos we can check out on lunch breaks. Help me get ready to be a semi-functional parent to this pup. That way, if you’re stuck saving some international prince or stopping global extermination, I can handle the real mission back home.” Katsuki admitting he needed help made Izuku’s heart ache at his quiet vulnerability. “Because as long as I’m still breathing, nobody’s gonna stop you from being a hero again.”

“You promise?” Izuku asked, seeing the quiver in his fingers on the top of his stomach. The view was quickly blocked when Katsuki slid his hand over, squeezing firmly. 

“I don’t say things unless I mean them. If there’s nobody free to watch the kid, we’ll alternate who stays home. And we’re gonna go to the pup’s extra stuff together. It ain’t like the world’s gonna fall apart cause we’re at a karate tournament for a day.”

“Already assuming they’ll be athletic?” Despite his joke, the growing ease from the daunting thoughts pulled a smile from Izuku at Katsuki’s snort.

“Either that or an ultra nerd.” Then, Katsuki nudged Izuku’s face up, making sure he heard his final statement on the matter. “We’re chasing each other to the top, forever. Whether it's as heroes, or parents, it doesn't matter. We’re doing it together, got it?”

“That means you have to tell me things,” Izuku replied, happy when Katsuki nuzzled into his neck before huffing his hot breath against the skin.

“You'll have to listen. If you hate the answer, that doesn't mean you get to bend situations to better fit what you want. Sometimes, you don’t think before you act, Nerd.”

“I know,” Izuku whispered, recognizing how much damage he'd done because of his stubbornness. 

“Good. And don’t come crying to me when I say shit you don’t wanna hear.”

“Bet if I do, you’ll cook katsudon and cuddle me in my nest.”

“Oi.” Izuku squeaked at the bite on his earlobe, though the lack of pressure limited the threat. “You’re getting too big for your damn boots, Nerd.”

“I’m getting too big for everything .” He pushed his stomach into Katsuki’s palm, as if thinking the alpha forgot their growing baby.

“That’s what should happen,” Katsuki said. Seeming satisfied with their conversation, he bullied Izuku back to his side, locking his knees behind Izuku’s before pressing his torso against Izuku’s back. “You gonna start listening to your body when it says to sit the fuck down?”

“I’ll…try.” He knew how difficult it was for him to rest, even when he was injured. “Dr. Moro said walking is good for the baby, and I can do light workouts.”

“We’ll get a list from her when we check-in next week. She’s gotta have a stack of routines for pregnant heroes.” 

“You’re probably right.”

“Course I am. Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Kacchan’s the best,” Izuku mumbled without a second thought, too used to the saying from the years of childhood admiration. As he settled into Katsuki’s warm embrace, his blinking slowed, feeling cozy enough to fall back asleep. Struggling not to succumb to the dreamland, he forced his drowsy lips to move. “When do you have to go into the agency?”

“I told them to fuck off until my next official shift.” All heroes got three mandatory days off after long-distance missions for recovery. Considering Katsuki finished his mission two days early, that gave him a mini-vacation. “Why? You trying to get rid of me?”

“No.” Izuku grabbed the arm wrapped around him, heart beating happily at the good news. “I wanna spend time with you.”

And for the next few days, Izuku got exactly that. They barely left the house, making up for the days they lost fighting. Izuku, who hadn’t been able to sit still since being benched, loved cuddling for hours in the nest with Katsuki. He still did work (since, unlike Katsuki, he had shifts), but it was with Katsuki muttering his opinion on whatever task he’d been sent to do. If Katsuki wasn’t pressed to his back, rubbing the baby, then he was taking care of chores around the house. It was perfect.

Except, Izuku realized he had a problem. A blond, muscular, mouth-watering problem. Because, after the two talked through their conflicts, Izuku’s mind was free to tangle with other thoughts. Like how toned Katsuki’s biceps looked when hauling their laundry basket. Or that his sweatpants hid nothing each time the alpha bent over to pick something up. Every moment he wasn’t focused on busywork, he found his eyes drifting to trace the insane shoulder-to-waist ratio of his duo partner. The intense demand to ravish the tantalizing man lifting the couch mid-vacuum was almost shameful.

Kacchan isn’t a piece of meat to drool over! He tried to remind himself, crossing his legs to capture any hint of slick seeping out after the brazen display of strength. Mina made it a point to explain (in proud detail) how often she jumped Ejirou during her hormonal spikes. They’d taken another small hiatus of intimacy since Katsuki’s mission, and he wanted to get back on the right track. But he couldn't ask so soon after their fight. Katsuki seemed content getting comfortable with each other again.

When Katsuki had gone back to work, Izuku had hoped the distance would cool down his libido. But every morning, before he left for patrol, Katsuki snagged Izuku by the waist, yanking him close to fully scent the flushed omega. He tried to keep from moaning at the sensual touch cupping his hips, of the hint of teeth that nicked the side of his gland during the scenting. By the time Katsuki pulled away and left for the day, Izuku was half-drunk on the lust dancing through his blood.

He couldn’t count the amount of showers he took to calm himself down. It rarely worked, his fingers bringing him to climax under the cool water. Izuku had even spent an hour looking through boxes in the closet to find toys he used during his heat. Katsuki’s name had left an indent on his lips from how often he called it. The pleasant feeling only lasted until the guilt rushed through, Izuku scrubbing any evidence of his orgasm from the shower before Katsuki came home. 

“But it doesn’t feel as good without him,” Izuku whined to himself, pressing the pillow between his thighs to soothe the throbbing ache. His face shoved into the couch cushion, eyes looking to the clock to see when Katsuki would be home. The thought made him huff, flushed cheek rubbing against the soft surface. “Bet Kacchan would make me feel better.” 

The little rolls of his hips against the pillow barely satisfied him, but he was too tired to leave the couch. Even if he had a toy within reach (which, sadly, he didn't), Katsuki would be home any minute. What would he think if he walked in to Izuku splayed out on the sofa, humping it like a mindless animal? Even with his panties keeping him from staining the decorative pillow, he wanted to leave his mark on the item. Would Katsuki be able to pick up on his aroused scent when he sat on the couch? If he did, would it disgust him? Or would Katsuki’s alpha growl in pleasure, wanting to taste Izuku—

“I’m home.” The voice snapped Izuku out of his tantalizing thoughts, sitting up and biting back the moan from the new angle’s pressure on his hips. Izuku mournfully tugged the pillow out from between his thighs, tossing it to the side at the same time Katsuki appeared in the living room. “Shit, were you taking a nap?”

“No, just laying down.” He left out the fantasizing part, hoping his cheeks and scent wouldn’t display his dirty mind. “Welcome home, Kacchan.”

“For someone who fought tooth and nail to avoid desk duty, you sure got the housewife greeting down.” Before Izuku could protest, Katsuki dropped his hand on Izuku’s head when walking past, ruffling his curls. “It’s a good look on you, Freckles.”

“Oh.” Purring from the compliment and sweet touch, Izuku melted. “Ah, we-well, don’t get used to it.”

“Tch. As if I want some docile couch potato wasting space in my house.” With a final brush through his hair, Katsuki pulled away, ignoring Izuku’s whisper of a whine to walk toward the kitchen. “I smell something spicy. Did you try to make food?”

“Yes!” Despite his omega wanting to demand the touch return, Izuku pushed off the couch, following after to showcase what he made.

Dinner caught Katsuki off guard. Izuku tried not to beam when earning a compliment over his improved cooking, but he knew his metaphorical tail had wagged throughout dinner. Katsuki discussed work between bites, and Izuku eagerly listened. There was a hint of longing under his skin to be out with Katsuki, patrolling the streets. But they’d come to a healthy agreement, and Izuku accepted that going out there now was too dangerous. 

Once the meal was done, Katsuki sent him back to the couch while he washed the dishes.

“Kacchan, I can help you—”

“You and the pup will just get in my way.” The tease in his comment made Izuku huff, though Katsuki nudged him further into the living room. Then, he pushed up the sleeves of his t-shirt, exposing his toned biceps. “Go sit there and watch me work.”

“Fine.” He allowed himself to trace the curve of the appealing muscle before forcing himself to sit on the couch that faced the kitchen. 

Izuku didn’t think something as mundane as washing dishes should have been sexy. Whenever he did the draining chore, all he felt was tired. Now, leaning back on the couch, he couldn’t stop staring at Katsuki. He knew his duo partner was stunning on his worst day. It wasn’t unheard of for Izuku to lose a minute simply admiring him. But that was nothing compared to his current desire simmering under his heated skin. 

Katsuki was so elegant with his fingers while moving the dishes under the water. Izuku’s legs twitched when remembering how amazing they felt inside him. The calm expression made Katsuki look younger, the cut of the kitchen light reminding Izuku how soft the alpha’s mouth was against his skin. As if feeling Izuku’s unwavering gaze on them, the lips parted enough to flash a hint of Katsuki’s fangs. The shiver wrapping around Izuku’s spine dripped down into the warmth that throbbed between his thighs. Katsuki’s mouth was one of his deadliest weapons, both on the battlefield and in bed.

But even though he loved the feel of Katsuki’s fingers and tongue, what made his pulse race was something he hadn’t felt in months. Katsuki turned to drop a bowl on the drying rack, and the familiar swing of the man’s hips dragged Izuku’s attention to what the dark sweatpants hid from him. Breathing through his mouth didn’t help the want curling inside his stomach. How would Katsuki react if Izuku dropped to his knees between him and the sink? Would he bark at him about hurting his knees, or let Izuku yank his pants down and swallow him whole? Could he tease Katsuki enough to drag his alpha out? And if he did, would he finally get bent over the closest surface and—

A sudden growl snapped Izuku out of his thoughts. His eyes opened, though he wasn’t sure when he closed them. At Katsuki’s intense, dilated gaze staring at him across the room, Izuku’s body clenched. His gasp slipped out when realizing he wasn’t empty; two of his fingers had slipped under his panties, filling the space he wanted Katsuki inside. So lost in his fantasy, he hadn’t realized he’d let his blatant need bleed into reality. Unable to look away from Katsuki’s sharp stare, a bloom of pleasure filled his chest. The smallest brush of his thumb against his clit made Izuku moan, legs parting wider to reach deeper inside. 

“What the hell are you trying to do?” Katsuki asked, nostrils flaring. Izuku attempted to find his modesty, but hearing the lust in the other’s cadence washed the last of it away. In the years they’d slept together, Izuku had never been so brazen with his self-pleasure. Katsuki liked to watch, and would encourage Izuku to touch himself if their position kept him out of reach. Still, no matter how much he lived for Katsuki’s praise during the vulnerable moment, he never started it himself.

Tonight, he couldn’t stop moving his fingers, chest heaving as he whined for the alpha in the kitchen. “Please, I need you. Wanna feel good. Wanna feel good with you .” 

“Right now? I’m trying to—fuck, wait a minute.” Katsuki swore again while he attempted to dry the soapy mess off, but Izuku’s omega crooned at the lack of immediate relief. 

“Need you now .” Izuku spread his legs wider, curling his fingers inside without finding the right relief. His hips squirmed against the muffled pleasure, knowing he was tired of half-fulfilling orgasms that left him aching for more. “It hurts, alpha. You promised to take care of me.”

“I’m gonna, ya impatient nerd.” 

Katsuki appeared over him, hands grabbing Izuku and sinking his fingers around the shorts clutching onto his hips. Feeling Katsuki’s hard body over him, Izuku nabbed his neck with his free hand, yanking him down until their chests pressed together. Katsuki caught himself on his elbows, but their hips bumped together, forcing Izuku’s fingers deeper inside. The pleasure flared in his mind, lashes fluttering shut for only a moment before forcing them open to stare at Katsuki’s surprised face.

“You’ll touch me?” He asked while spreading his fingers, loosening himself even more. His brain was on autopilot, needing to make space for Katsuki to thrust inside. But the months without the final connection made him whimper, body clenching with the phantom sensation. His fingers weren’t enough, and he was too turned on to hide his genuine desire. “We can have sex?”

Katsuki’s mouth tightened, and the edge of Izuku’s eyes burned before the man snuck his thumbs under the waistband of the wet underwear. “I’m gonna take care of you.”

“No!” Izuku sobbed out, shaking his head against the back of the couch. “Not if you d-don’t want me.”

“I do.”

“Then why won’t Kacchan have sex with me anymore?!” Being aroused and miserable was a horrible mix, and he sucked in a watery breath. Thoughts racing too quickly to keep his heart hidden, Izuku’s omega nudged his words out from shaky lips. “Dr. Moro said it was okay, even encouraged it. But you… I don’t understand. I need you, Kacchan. All of you. Don’t you…did you change your mind?”

“No.”

Despite the quick answer, Izuku’s brain wouldn’t accept the comfort until he poured out everything filling it. “You always check for consent, and I always want you. You’re a perfect partner. And no matter how much I touch myself, it never feels the same without you. You make me feel amazing. But when I get worked up like this, I never think to see where you’re at—”

“I’m here.” Quickly, Katsuki slid one hand over Izuku’s. Both moaned when his longer fingers easily slipped through Izuku’s slick, intertwining with the ones still inside him. The mutual touch sent fire through his worked-up body, Izuku rolling his hips down without thought. The fullness was almost what he wanted, and he tried to catch his breath as Katsuki guided their fingers to rock inside him. “Right where I wanna be. Ain’t gotta worry about that, okay?”

“Oh!” Shuddering under Katsuki’s touch, Izuku grabbed his shoulder, thighs stretching wider despite the slight ache of his hips from the shifted weight. He rolled his head as he panted, eyes pleading for more of the addictive rhythm. Even with the rising pleasure, his soul still ached for something beyond the confident touch thrusting into him. “ Kacchan .”

“Yeah, that’s me, Freckles.” Katsuki wiggled his fingers in time with the nickname, teeth nipping at his earlobe. “Stop letting that big brain of yours make up shit I never said.”

“Then we—ah, there, do-don’t stop.” His head leaned back on the cushion, letting Katsuki move their fingers together while he tried to collect his thoughts. “W-we can do it?”

“Thought you said not to stop?”

Swallowing down his moan, Izuku closed his eyes to keep his head clear. Mindlessly, he slid his palm along Katsuki’s collarbone before cupping his jaw, body throbbing in need. “Want you. Want you so bad, I need… please? Please, alpha?”

“Shit.” A pressure on his forehead enticed Izuku to part his lashes, staring up at the dilated pupils hovering over him. “You really wanna test me, omega?”

“I know Kacchan.” Because even if his muddled brain couldn’t understand what Katsuki meant, he knew the man touching him would never hurt Izuku. “You’re a good alpha.”

“...Too fucking trusting.” 

The strange sentence, lacking Katsuki’s normal elegance and intelligence, tugged on something in his brain. It wasn’t enough to stop purring when Katsuki finally slid their fingers out, shifting Izuku to lay out on the wide couch. Thrilled at the implication, Izuku grabbed at his clothes, kicking out of his shorts and panties without shame. By the time the clothing dropped to the living room floor, Katsuki was back between his thighs, naked skin rubbing against him. 

The first brush of Katsuki’s hardness against his warmth made Izuku keen, back arching to try and force him inside. A sudden growl from above stilled him, feeling his muscles melt against the couch without a fight. After the warning noise, Katsuki went to work ripping the back cushions off the sofa. With more space for their heated bodies, one leg was led up to hook over the back of the sturdy surface. His stomach meant Katsuki couldn’t lay fully against him, but once the wet tip rubbed through his slick, Izuku didn’t care. His hands reached up over his head, grabbing the armrest to keep himself grounded. As soon as his fingers locked into place, Katsuki rolled his hips forward, Izuku’s gasp loud enough to echo in the humid air. 

It felt like the first time all over again. His body buzzed with an ache that lined the right side of too much, butterflies exploding through his stomach and chest. Katsuki scratched the itch inside him so perfectly, he couldn’t speak for a moment, head filling with white noise. He struggled to keep his eyes open as he watched Katsuki’s expression, shivering at the exposed fangs. Katsuki was always stunning, but when pleasure flushed his skin, it made him ethereal. Like he wasn’t meant to be human, but a god for Izuku to worship. He felt the brush of Katsuki’s lower stomach against his before his partner huffed, sneaking both hands under Izuku’s ass to lift him up off the couch.

“Ka-Kacchan, wait, I’m too heav— oh .” 

The shift of his body let Katsuki push in the final few inches that Izuku could never reach by himself. Katsuki dropped a pleased noise, some mix of a croon and growl, rocking back before thrusting fully inside again. Crying out at the intense sensation, Izuku twitched in Katsuki’s hold, nails digging into the armrest before trying to grind down. Greed washed down his body, the hunger for more filling every gasp and moan that Katsuki fucked out of him. He didn’t want to speak, choosing to focus his attention on the physical connection he’d craved for months. Katsuki didn’t seem to mind, though his sudden silence stood out. Normally, Izuku couldn’t keep the dirty words from falling out of Katsuki’s mouth. 

Tonight, Katsuki seemed focused on gripping Izuku’s soft skin, holding him steady despite his added weight. The force behind the thrusts rocked his body against the sofa, Izuku thankful he kept his shirt on to avoid the rug burn. His stomach had snuck out from the fabric during the frantic movements, but with Katsuki holding him up, the exposed skin didn’t matter. Katsuki curled over him protectively, panting through his open mouth like he couldn’t comfortably shut it with his larger canines. Staring at the alluring sight, Izuku wished he could feel Katsuki’s lips on his neck. His scent gland throbbed with a soft ache that made him tilt his head. Katsuki’s eyes darted down to the spot, and Izuku moaned when the next thrust suddenly picked up speed.

“Feels so good,” Izuku gasped, letting his praise bubble over for his growling partner. “A-Amazing, it’s—I-I missed you, I—Kacchan, more?”

“Gonna give you everything you need.” Was Katsuki’s promise, a firmer hold on Izuku’s body proving he planned to keep it.

He wanted to ride the wave between them for hours, but the previous foreplay and finally getting what he needed overrode his emotions. His spine arched, one hand releasing its tight grip to reach out toward Katsuki. The growing stomach made him miss how close their bodies normally pressed during sex. Like Katsuki read his mind, he balanced Izuku in one hand, not missing a step in his rhythm when entwining their fingers. Tugging Izuku’s wrist to his lips, Katsuki nuzzled the scent gland there, Izuku whimpering at the intimate touch. 

“Oh, that—I’m close. So close, just a bit…” His orgasm swelled through his stomach, but something kept him from spilling over. Clenching around Katsuki, he could feel the knot brushing his entrance, trying to lock them together. The thought of Katsuki being inside him, unable to leave, scratched something in his mind that bordered on primal. He wanted Katsuki to live inside him, so he could never leave. 

Then, after a harsh thrust, Katsuki snarled before sinking his teeth into Izuku’s wrist. Bumping the scent gland with his nose made pleasure slam into Izuku. That, paired with the sudden fullness of the knot inside, made his body fall into his climax. He called Katsuki’s name like a vow engraved into his soul. Each pulse of his orgasm rushed through his body, Izuku unsure where his bliss ended and Katsuki’s began. 

A new spike of pleasure crashed over him when Katsuki lowered his butt to sit on the stronger thighs beneath. Seeming satisfied with how Izuku fit against him, Katsuki slid his thumb through his warmth to brush his clit. Katsuki kept the stroke over the sensitive skin gentle, proving he knew Izuku’s body in all states of arousal. His feather-soft touch paired perfectly with the mouth still fully sealed around Izuku’s scent gland, the tongue matching the pace when laving over the bite mark. The attack made his climax linger longer than normal, his body trying to milk Katsuki like he wasn’t already pregnant. 

A last flick over his sensitive nerves finally made him twitch, whining through his oversensitivity. “Too much.” 

“Tch.” The noise vibrated against his wrist before Katsuki finally popped his mouth off it, moving his hands to grip the top of Izuku’s thighs. Rubbing the skin there, Katsuki licked his lower lip, like he wanted to keep the taste of Izuku on his tongue. “So, what was it?”

“Hm?” Izuku, feeling the familiar edge of fatigue of pregnancy sex, relaxed into the couch beneath him. From how Katsuki’s knot continued to throb, they’d be stuck together for a couple minutes. “What was… huh?”

“You suddenly got a kink for Dawn soap?” Amusement filled the red gaze above him. “Or should I start adding rubber gloves to our foreplay?”

Realizing what Katsuki meant, Izuku whined, lifting his heavy arms to cross them over his face. “Kacchan, don’t tease me.” 

“Says the one fucking himself on the couch when I’m elbow-deep in dishes.” 

“I-I obviously didn’t mean to do that,” Izuku said, tensing his forearms when a hand wrapped around his wrist and tugged.

“Why are you acting all shy now? We ain’t moving for another five minutes, cause my damn alpha doesn’t get that you’re already pregnant. Thinks he can pack a whole litter inside you if he tries hard enough.” Despite his embarrassment, Izuku couldn’t stop his laughter from slipping out at the silly thought. Dropping his guard let Katsuki drag the arm away, Izuku pausing mid-protest when catching Katsuki’s growing smirk. “Laugh it up, Freckles. But you’re still not getting out of telling me what the fuck just happened.”

“Well…” Izuku chewed his lower lip, a nervous squirm making both moan at the rush of oversensitivity between them. Letting his lashes flutter shut for a moment to bask in the nostalgic sensation, he forced himself to open his eyes and look up at Katsuki. “Remember what Kirishima told you about a trimester where my hormones will… uh, fluctuate?” 

“The horny stage?”

“T-That’s not what it’s called!” 

Ignoring Izuku’s flustered protest, Katsuki smoothed his hands down the freckled thighs like Izuku was the eighth wonder of the world. “So, what? Is this our new routine? We have dinner, I do chores, and you give me a show?”

“I already said that wasn’t my intention,” Izuku replied, even as goosebumps spread over his legs. Being pregnant meant no cycles, but the non-existent refractory period mirrored a heat when his muscles clenched around Katsuki’s hardness. Another wave of slick threatened to drip out, though Katsuki’s snug fit kept the couch below (mostly) clean. His gasp blended with Katsuki’s groan, though the alpha followed his noise with a warm scoff.

“I think your omega likes my plan.” 

“Kacchan, please!” 

When Izuku tried to hide again, Katsuki snatched his bitten wrist, keeping the grip gentle while leading it back to his lips. Breathless, Izuku’s eyes widened when Katsuki skimmed his teeth on the bottom of his palm, nose dipping down after to nudge the scent gland. They were still locked together in the deepest connection possible between two souls. And yet Izuku couldn’t look away from the gentle kiss pressed just under the tingling bite. With his eyes closed and face relaxed after the intimate scenting, Katsuki looked heavenly. His sharp lines were smoothed out, the hand not cradling Izuku’s wrist tracing the stretch marks decorating the distended stomach.

Then, Katsuki mumbled his reply on the racing pulse fluttering under Izuku’s skin. “Nobody said I mind taking care of you like this.”

“No, but—” He hesitated to continue. They had both been working diligently on mending the damage done from their fight. Katsuki’s touch wasn’t forceful, but still held an undercurrent that dared the world to try and steal Izuku away. They’d finally had sex again, Katsuki even feeling comfortable enough to lock them together. Would bringing up Katsuki’s avoidance before this be worth it? Or should he simply let the small ball of uncertainty slip under the waves of pleasure between them?

“Hey.” Flinching when the firm word cut into his growing panic, Izuku focused back on the strong gaze watching him. “No more hiding shit, remember? Let me in that big brain of yours.”

“Right, yes. Sorry.” His apology earned another nip of encouragement on his palm. Even as he waited for Izuku to build up his courage, Katsuki couldn’t keep his teeth away from Izuku’s sensitive skin. Tingles rushed through Izuku’s relaxing body, encouraging him to take the chance and jump into the unknown. “I feel kind of… embarrassed, needing this more than you. You have your reasons for not wanting to have sex with me, but then I sort of tricked you—”

“Hah?” A hint of a scowl twitched along Katsuki’s lips, though he kept his eased demeanor when scoffing. “You discovered your domestic kink and begged me to fuck you on the couch. How is that tricking me?”

“But I asked you the night we danced in the kitchen, and you didn’t do it. Even today, it wasn’t like you jumped at the chance right away.”

“Ugh, overthinking little nerd.” Resting his forehead against Izuku’s wrist and closing his eyes, Katsuki sighed. “It’s not you, okay? This one’s on me.”

“You?” Confused, Izuku tilted his head, reaching up to brush Katsuki’s cheek. “What do you mean?”

“Some of it was me feeling shitty about hiding the plan to take you off the mission. Guess a part of me knew it wasn’t right.” Katsuki’s jaw tensed, taking a slow breath through his nose. “But I also didn’t want to send you into that chaotic hellhole you call your mind. Turning you down completely would make you aim the blame inward. I’d willingly blow my heart up before I let you feel insecure about your body again. So, I made some mental compromises, and decided to take care of you without crossing that final line. Not until I told you the truth. Except that sort of went to shit, too.”

“But… you still hesitated today,” Izuku whispered. He wasn’t trying to call him out, and the articulated explanation rang with truth. Just like before their blowout, Katsuki tried to carry everything on his shoulders while also taking care of Izuku. Katsuki was strong, but even diamonds cracked under too much pressure. 

“That’s why I said some , not all. The other reason is more about my alpha. Things in my head, instincts, and body aren’t matching. It happens sometimes, but lately—he’s being a pain in the ass. I’m… working on it.” When the red gaze re-emerged, Izuku’s chest filled with cotton candy at the vulnerability. “Not really much else I can say until I figure it out. When I do, you’ll be the first one I tell.”

Izuku knew that the comment was almost hypocritical, since Katsuki had reminded Izuku about their promise to work on problems together. But after his immediate surge of hurt that Katsuki was keeping something from him, Izuku took a slow breath and settled his omega. Katsuki had given him more information than Izuku had originally asked. He was trying to be as transparent as he could. And if Katsuki wasn’t confident in the current conflict between himself and his alpha, Izuku wanted to give him the space to explore it without feeling judged. His mother said communication was important, but trust was the second half of her advice. 

If Izuku wanted them to work, he had to put his faith in Katsuki.

“Okay.” Offering Katsuki a timid smile, he hoped his belief cushioned his cadence. “And, for the record, we don’t have to go this far again if you’re not comfortable. Now that I know what’s going on, I can manage my… hormones on my own.”

“Yeah, should’ve thought of that before you seduced me mid-cleanup.” Izuku squawked at the claim, but quickly shoved any protest back down his throat when Katsuki crawled up his body. Both moaned when the warmth inside him slipped out. No longer stuck, Katsuki could carefully maneuver around Izuku’s stomach to lean over him. Now, with their faces close enough for their lips to brush, Katsuki continued. “I was already close to jumping you before your little stunt today. Do you know how damn ready you’ve smelled for the past two weeks?”

“You noticed?”

“It was like you were in constant pre-heat. I had to scent you every time I left like a damn animal. Went to work with a boner way too many times to count.” The open admission made Izuku purr, proud his simple scent caused such a strong reaction from a normally composed alpha. “Once I felt you come around me again, I knew my alpha wasn’t gonna let me ignore you anymore.” 

“So we can keep doing this?” He shouldn’t have been excited about ruining all of Katsuki’s hard work. But knowing it was him that snapped the last string of restraint made him want to dance around in victory.

Katsuki looked at him for a second longer than Izuku felt was needed before he gave a slow nod. “Probably better for the pup.” 

“Dr. Moro said internal scenting can be very positive for their bonding.”

“Yeah, bonding . I’m sure that’s why you smell like a Christmas Tree Shop, and are leaking like a damn faucet on the cushion.”

He could only confirm the latter, feeling the slick starting to wet his thighs. “W-Well, if we’re going to take a shower anyway, we… maybe—”

“What is your obsession with shower sex? Do you want to give me a heart attack by slipping in the tub?” Even as he complained, Katsuki was already moving off the couch, lifting Izuku up once he had a good grip under his knees and shoulders. “No shower sex. If you wanna get fucked again before we clean up, we’re doing it in the damn bedroom. I’ll turn your legs to noodles, and then we’ll go soak in the tub. Got it?”

“Yes.” He wasn’t going to complain about getting exactly what he wanted. Especially when Katsuki slid two fingers under his chin, turning Izuku’s head and nipping his lower lip. The pleasant buzz of pain dripped through his body, loosened muscles clenching with the desire to feel Katsuki inside again.

“Good omega.” 

The title out of sex and their cycles made Izuku chirp, going fully limp into Katsuki’s hold. All of the tension from the past month vanished, head dropping without shame into the palm easily catching him. Led to rest on Katsuki’s shoulder, Izuku hummed, feeling too safe to care about his loose lips. 

“Alpha,” he murmured, his new headspace lacking any shame. Instead, he settled into the warm pressure brushed over his forehead, lashes fluttering shut while carried down the hall. His body still craved another knotting, a reborn addiction after months without. But his heart…

All it needed was Katsuki.

Chapter Text

“Like a lioness, I am a protector by nature. Threaten what I love, and you will discover why even the king of the jungle knows better.” - Unknown

“How’d your puppy interview go?” Ochaco asked Izuku, greeting him with a bag of his favorite candy. 

Izuku hummed while he reached out for the treat, his answer coming from a mouth full of caramel. “Kacchan told me I couldn’t bring them home.”

“Told you that you’d fall in love with a puppy.” She laughed when he sank lower on the sofa, moving to take a spot on their loveseat. “Which one did you ask him to adopt?”

“All of them.” At her sigh, Izuku whined. “I couldn’t separate the pack! They were all so happy together, and we have that huge backyard—”

“You don’t think having a kid will be stressful enough without ten puppies?”

“Stop sounding like Kacchan.” Pressing the hand not holding his candy to his forehead, Izuku closed his eyes and sighed. “I know that once they come, I won’t need any more excitement. It’s just… I have so much time on my hands.” 

Boredom had become Izuku’s biggest enemy. He hated sitting around, doing nothing at their house. Sure, sex with Katsuki had kicked up (alot, to Izuku’s pleasant surprise) since their couch conversation. Pouring his energy into sweaty sessions with Katsuki cured some of his restlessness. But after their last appointment with Dr. Moro, who had strongly advised the limited use of One For All, the extra energy from his quirk stayed caged in his body. 

The first week of October moved like molasses. Small floor work-outs stopped being a thing when Izuku realized getting up wasn’t always a guarantee. Their ember had pushed his belly out enough to hide Izuku’s feet, and compromised some of his movement. Katsuki tried to help out when he could, but working full time pulled him away from Izuku most of the day. He had his desk job, but Izuku had always been too smart, getting through the requests in half the expected time.

So, Hawks found a solution that had been semi-successful over the past two weeks; public engagement.

“Did the puppy interview beat the cooking show?” Ochaco asked, taking the caramel candy Izuku offered.

“They asked a lot less questions.” Izuku knew that the main goals of the interviews were to talk about Izuku outside of being a hero. Most focused on his pregnancy, and some of the things he’d been doing since finding out about the baby. He had always been a more social hero, known for his rambling and knowledge of other heroes. And in truth, he liked meeting new people. Hawks had gotten him an interview with a popular vlogger, a cooking show, and the recent puppy interview. Aizawa’s offer to have him come to UA and work with his students wasn’t about social engagement, but Izuku was happy to join. 

He also was sent to be the ‘face’ of the current hero society. Dinners, opening of new medical facilities, or just a spokesperson when Hawks was stuck in a ‘boring meeting’, Izuku was offered the opportunity to get out of the house. It kept him on his toes, especially when he was presented a special award at an omega ceremony. He gave a speech, took far too many pictures, and had passed out before Katsuki could get his socks off for him. 

“You can say no to some of these events.” Ochaco skimmed through something on her phone, lighting up once she found her intended information. “Himi and I are going to see that new romantic comedy Sunday, if you’d like to come. I’d invite Katsuki, but I don’t know if he has the day off.”

“That sounds like a lot of fun, but I might already be booked.” Izuku’s memory stayed sharp as ever, something he’d worried about since first reading of pregnancy symptoms. “There’s a possibility I’m going on ‘Life Bites’ that day.” 

“What?” Without looking, he could tell her reaction to the news matched his first one upon hearing Hawks’s request. 

“I know,” Izuku said, closing his eyes. “They asked for me yesterday, but I told them I needed some time to think about it. I’m supposed to have a meeting with Hawks and All Might about some of my concerns.”

“Why the heck would the agency or the commission want you to go on that nasty woman’s show?”

“I don’t think they do.” He had forwarded the email to Hawks, who told Izuku to leave all further communication to the commission’s representatives. A conference call was set up within an hour for the next day, giving them plenty of time to decline if needed. All Might, after Izuku called him in a nervous panic, demanded to be at the emergency meeting.

“Good. She’s the worst. She doesn’t interview; she attacks, and then tries to make it seem like her guests are the emotional ones.”

“Yeah, Haruka’s hard to listen to sometimes. But she’s not always awful. Didn’t she do that fundraiser for mothers that lost their mates during the war?” 

“Yeah, mothers who followed the traditional rules. Women omega that lost their alphas.” Izuku winced at Ochaco’s clarification. “It’s so strange, since she’s an alpha herself.”

“Her husband’s some fancy lawmaker.” He’d done some research on her, always wanting to know the type of person that was interviewing him. “Guess he was one of the authors for the revival of ‘Natural Love’ theory.”

“They would be a part of that cult.” 

The older naturalist idea had promoted the only types of omegas meant to have children were those who identified as women. Male omegas, according to some of the writing, sent ‘dangerous messages’ to the younger youth, though none were ever discussed. Most of it came from old religious texts and outdated biological beliefs most in the medical field disputed. While it was harder for the carrier themselves, there were no lasting defects to the baby’s health being carried in a male womb. The naturalists making claims of developmental and mental dysfunctions never held weight. 

“If she really believes in all that, are you sure you want to go? I’ve seen how she talks to omegas before, and it’s pretty uncomfortable. She tries to gaslight people who don’t agree with her crazy ideas, and she makes it difficult for people to leave the interview looking good. I don’t think you and Katsuki need more stress with the baby coming.” Ochaco’s worry warmed him, holding back his laugh when she pretended to punch the air. “If you want me to go as your body guard, I can totally push back the movie.”

“The last thing you and Himiko need are targets on your back from that group.”

“But you know we’d do it, right?” Brown shifted over to him, Ochaco softening her voice. “For you, we wouldn’t hesitate.”

“I appreciate that, but it’ll be okay. If I don’t want to do it, I’ll let Hawks know and he’ll support me.” 

Except, as soon as the words left his lips, his phone vibrated on the coffee table. He planned to ignore it, assuming it was a pointless alert of a mobile game he’d started with his recent free time. The weird tickle of Danger Sense (the only quirk, other than Blackwhip, he couldn’t stop) crept in. Izuku groaned while squirming out of his cozy position, reaching out to swipe into his phone. Several notifications of ‘Hero Deku’ and ‘Life Bites’ sprung up on his screen. Scrolling through all of them, his eyes grew wide in his panic. 

“Oh, no.” He sat up, ignoring the protesting kick in his stomach to look up at Ochaco’s worried expression. “Looks like someone from the production sent out a message welcoming me to their show Sunday. It’s all over the place now.” 

“See, this is what I’m talking about. You know she totally got that employee to drop the announcement ‘accidentally’.”

“But why would she do that?” He asked, Ochaco sighing while rubbing her temples.

“Because now, if you turn her down and don’t go on, she can use it to feed her weird followers. I bet everyone is excited to get more interviews with you, and she’d get to imply you and Katsuki are hiding something about the pregnancy. Like the fact you two haven’t officially stated the pup is his.”

“I thought everyone already assumed that.” Katsuki nearly breaking a fellow hero’s arm and then snuggling up against Izuku’s neck seemed pretty obvious. 

“Many people do. Especially the ones who think you and Katsuki are already bonded, and are just hiding your bite marks. There’s an entire group that tracks all your ‘mate’ moments in public.” She gave him a pointed look, though Izuku’s scowl seemed enough to keep her on track. “But some people put it on your duo dynamic, and think your sire might not be in the picture anymore. I don’t think you should give her show the honor of making it official, but it might be better than letting her control the narrative.” 

“So basically, no matter what choice I pick, she wins.” 

“She gets a victory, cause that’s the type of sneaky woman she is.” Ochaco sighed. “Talk it over with Katsuki. He might go there and burn the place down instead.” 

“Why are you saying that like it’s the best option?!”

She laughed at his frantic question, though never corrected him.

Maybe Himiko wasn’t the only one changed by their relationship.

~**~

Izuku accepted the invitation. Just like Ochaco predicted, there wasn’t much of a choice after the post went out. He still wasn’t a fan of it, and his agreement came with the promise of All Might being provided a front row seat at the show. Even if he wasn’t the mountain of a man he used to be, All Might still mattered to society.

“You don’t have to go.” Katsuki’s voice made Izuku look up in the mirror, catching his best friend leaning in the doorway. Izuku took in the stunning image Katsuki presented in his work uniform. He hated how much he admired every inch of the open skin, lingering on the scar across his cheek. 

Once he got his shameful fill, Izuku turned around, offering a sheepish smile. “How do I look?”

“Pregnant as fuck.” Izuku laughed at Katsuki’s blunt comment, muscles unwinding as soon as the alpha started walking toward him. He already knew where the warm touch would land, Izuku fighting back his shiver when fingers snuck under the bottom of his shirt. The impulsive action proved the calm presentation was a ruse.

“You seem more nervous than me.” When Katsuki only narrowed his gaze and scooted his hand higher on the pup, he knew he was right. “I’m gonna be okay. All Might’s coming with me, remember?”

“Yeah, but you ain’t gonna let him do anything that fucks with his ‘legacy’ or whatever.” Which was true. If anything, he was letting All Might come with him to make the older man feel better. 

Knowing that saying that wouldn’t help the current tension Katsuki kept in his bunched shoulders, Izuku hummed, hands rising to land on Katsuki’s bare shoulders. “When are you changing into your winter uniform?”

“When it’s winter.” 

“It’s getting pretty cold out; you won’t be able to collect as much sweat in this—”

“Hey.” At Katsuki’s interruption, his thumbs paused over the edge of Katsuki’s chest scar, eyes moving up to catch Katsuki’s serious stare. “I meant it. If you don’t wanna go, we’ll cancel it right now.”

It seemed Izuku wasn’t the only one who could pick up on nervous tells. Izuku nodded, slow to answer the statement. “I want to. Maybe she’ll still have her strange beliefs about people in our situation, but I’m not really doing it for Haruka. My only goal is to provide a face to the problem. Hopefully it’ll be a good one.”

“Tch, like you gotta ask.” Sliding one hand out, he reached up and pinched the damaged cheek. “This mug got Dynamight to fuck you.”

“Kacchan!” Laughing despite his outcry, Izuku leaned forward, dropping his forehead against the other’s collarbone. Breathing in the scent mostly covered by the patch, Izuku tightened his hold on the other’s shoulders. “She… might ask me about you.”

Her type of interviewing came from finding loose threads and pulling on them, gaining the benefit of her guest’s breakdown. Tenko had put on open display how Katsuki was, and would always be, Izuku’s soft spot. Adding his pregnancy, and some of Katsuki’s recent behavior, was more than enough ammo for her to indulge on. 

“Last time I checked, she ain’t Tumbleweed.” Katsuki slid his fingers though Izuku’s hair, cupping the back of his head against his palm. “She can ask you everything under the sun, but can't brainwash you to answer. It’s our life; you tell them what you want the world to know. If you ain’t ready to spill your guts, then don’t.”

“So if they ask about the sire, do you want—”

“You ain’t listening again.” Katsuki’s chin dropped on the top of Izuku’s curls. “I’ve already tried running your life once, and that nearly ruined everything. My hag raised a stubborn asshole, but not a fool. You tell the loudmouth whatever you want. I’m not ashamed of us, or everything we came from. You’re leading this mission, Freckles. No matter what stupid shit you say to the harpy, I’ve got your back.”

He wasn’t sure when his body started to tremble, but he buried as close as his extended stomach would allow into Katsuki’s body. “Okay.”

“Okay.” After another stroke through his hair, Katsuki guided Izuku back, nodding toward the door. “If you don’t want to be late, we should go. I already talked to Denim Head; I’ll park my car in the studio’s parking lot so I can end my patrol there later. If everything goes right, I’ll be there for the end of your interview. That way I can drive you and All Might home.”

“That sounds amazing.” He enjoyed walking, but even for him, the distance between the house and the studio was a bit too much when pregnant. 

“Good.” Izuku yelped when the hand left on his stomach dipped down, barely skimming the waistband of the panties beneath his maternity leggings. “Then maybe I’ll treat your domestic kink by washing the dishes again.”

“I don't have a— stop bringing it up!” Hitting Katsuki’s shoulder, which shook from his open laughter, Izuku pushed away from him and rushed out of the bedroom. Still snickering, Katsuki followed behind him.

The teasing banter between them continued throughout the drive to the studio, only pausing once the two saw All Might waiting in the parking lot. Izuku exchanged a pleasant greeting with their mentor, then sent Katsuki off, wishing they’d scented before putting patches on. Katsuki’s scent kept him calmer during tense situations, so missing the caramel as he stepped into the building kept his spine tense.

“Oh, hello!” A man popped up the second he and All Might made it through the doorway, Izuku jumping at his sudden appearance. Even the baby stirred from the unexpected greeting, Izuku grunting at the sharp kick against his sore stomach. Luckily, the man caught the reaction, softening his voice. “Sorry, I’m a loud talker. My mate wanted to sew my mouth shut when she was pregnant. It’s so nice to meet you both.”

“Nice to meet you, too. And really, if you know my duo partner, the volume isn’t a problem.” He relaxed when the employee laughed, nodding several times before turning and bowing to All Might.

“We are so honored to have you at our show. Mrs. Soahc has always admired your work on the field, and her husband has a collection of your memorabilia in his study.” 

All Might kept his smile polite, but Izuku knew his feelings about the couple from their talks after the interview post. “I’m happy to be here and support Young Izuku in any way I can.”

“That’s perfect! The show won’t start for a couple hours, but we can give you a tour of the facility before we prep Hero Deku for his interview.” Hearing his title despite not being on active duty made butterflies flutter in his stomach. 

“We’re in your care,” Izuku said, the two following the eager employee. 

Just like their first encounter, everyone at the studio radiated positive energy. Their smiles and endearing compliments for both his and All Might’s heroism didn’t feel forced. Still, Izuku’s caution about the interview lingered in the back of his mind. He’d learned from All For One how power could force kind people to work under an iron fist. From how All Might stood close to him, never leaving his side, the older man had the same life lesson. All Might only took his leave when Izuku was brought to the guest’s dressing room.

“Did you want me to cover your scar?” The makeup artist asked while finishing the eye-liner on the other side of his face.

Trying to stay still and not mess up the beta’s work, Izuku hummed his denial. “No, I’m okay. I’m not ashamed of what I got for the people. Sharing it proves that we all survived something difficult. And… I guess it’s sort of a part of my journey, right?”

“You’re really as good as they talk about,” the woman replied, a couple people in the dressing room pausing in their jobs to nod. Izuku’s cheeks darkened at the attention, closing his eyes again to let the makeup artist continue her work. The soft brushes against his skin and the slow application kept him calm, though some of his anxiety shot up once the first assistant rushed in to guide him to the stage.

“You’re going to do great out there,” he whispered to Izuku, nodding at someone across the stage. “And three, two, one… go.” 

Izuku bit back his squeak when stumbling forward, catching himself quickly at the sound of the audience. He looked out to see the place was packed, his eyes taking a few seconds to adjust to the bright lights. After a few blinks, Izuku finally managed to catch a glimpse of All Might. Izuku waved before the corner of his eye sensed movement coming toward him.

A woman taller than him approached with a confidence that came from years of being in the limelight. She looked older, her black hair pinned up in a perfect ponytail. Makeup coated up to the sharp edges of her face, the golden eyes staring him down reminiscent of Himiko’s. 

“Welcome, Hero Deku.” 

“Mrs. Soahc.” 

“Oh, please! I’ll feel so old if your babyface calls me that. Let’s go with Haruka. Who here doesn’t want to hear a stunning omega hero call their name?” 

The crowd’s instant cheer over her blunt comment caught him off guard, but Izuku had been trained in UA to handle the media. Plastering on his best smile, he followed the alpha toward the studio’s couch. It was only when he sat down that he got a strong whiff of cinnamon, his back tensing at the heavy alpha scent. Casually, his eyes skimmed Haruka’s neck, breathing out slowly at the lack of a patch. He tried not to think of Tomoki, and the awful experience he’d had with the prior naturalist. But a phantom touch slid down his arm, and his fear of smelling brass made him breathe through his mouth.

“When I saw that my show was able to entice such a famous hero on for an interview, I couldn’t believe it.” If she knew about the framed situation, she played ignorant well. “It was the fastest sold out show in the history of ‘Love Bites’. People really love Japan’s sweetheart, don’t we?”

Another loud cheer from the audience earned Izuku’s smile, trying to make his inching away from the host look like a search for back support. “I’ve been doing a lot of these visits, so I’m happy to interact more with the people of our city.”

“And you’ve certainly been busy.” A pointed glance to his stomach dimmed her plastered smile, but she quickly fixed it when waving her hand. “But we’ll save the spicy stuff for later. First, I want to talk about your amazing journey to stop All For One.”

His recounting of meeting All Might, and the conflict with All For One, went by without a hitch. Izuku’s love for his mentor filled his voice, and a spotlight had dropped onto All Might at one point. The audience’s loud screams proved that no matter how many years went by, All Might would be a loved icon to all. When she switched into the process of becoming a licensed hero, Izuku made the crowd laugh and gasp through the stories he shared. He’d gone over the script with his friends the days before the interview. Everyone helped him prepare ways to switch topics or offer ‘juicy’ stories to keep away from vulnerable memories. He loved speaking about the work he did, and how his experience as an omega hero stood out as a story for children to follow. 

“All I want is for the younger generation to feel that they can do whatever they want. Whether they’re quirkless, omegas, or have any other barriers to their dreams, there’s a hero who is always going to be on their side.”

“Well, not for the next few months.” Haruka’s tease made the crowd laugh, and Danger Sense shot through his head when her golden gaze tightened over her frozen smile. “Because you’re pregnant.”

“About twenty-seven weeks,” he answered, the crowd’s gentle coos proving not all were die-hard naturalists. The post enticed people to buy tickets, but maybe their plan caused less of Haruka’s normal crowd to fill the audience. Testing his theory, Izuku tossed out a line. “But really, it felt like a blink of an eye. Luckily, I’ve got an amazing duo, so Kacchan’s taken some of the stress off my shoulders.”

Like he expected, the mention of Katsuki made the entire studio rumble with excitement. 

Haruka’s laugh boomed louder than her previous exchanges. “Ah, of course. Dynamight certainly has been making the front page for a lot of explosive reasons. That one’s a bit dangerous.”

“Only for villains,” Izuku replied, unsure why the cinnamon he’d been trying to avoid breathing in suddenly darkened. It was like swallowing a spoonful of the spice, Izuku having to clear his throat several times to keep from choking. “But he’s been one of my strongest supports during my pregnancy.”

“Don’t you think he’s reckless? His quirk is one thing, but that sort of temper around your unborn child?” Her sharp question paired with her loss of a smile. “Then again, that wouldn’t be the first time you’ve made a questionable call.” 

Caught off guard by her passive aggressiveness, Izuku tried to keep his response polite. “Being a hero means making tough choices. That’s part of my job.”

“I’m not talking about your life as a hero,” she replied without hesitation. Izuku had watched enough of her ‘interviews’ to know she was finally ready to attack. “You’re this pup’s carrier, and yet you’re always putting yourself in danger. In fact, you were on the field up until twenty weeks, weren’t you?”

“Well, yes, but—” Remembering Katsuki’s earlier pep talk, Izuku straightened up on the couch and set a limit. “I don’t think speaking about my personal choices on live television is appropriate.”

“You’re a public figure, Hero Deku.” The challenge in her voice matched the growing intensity of her redolence. “Don’t you think it’s our right to know if our child’s role model puts his own pup in danger? And the fact you see nothing wrong with allowing such a destructive alpha into this innocent child’s life is cause of alarm.”

“So you also condemn Endeavor, right?” The mention of the retired hero brought tension into the studio, Izuku keeping his calm when folding his hands onto his lap. “Because we’re aware of what he actually did to his omega and children, but I’ve never heard you speak of him the way you are Kacchan.”

“Endeavor is an acclaimed hero who has earned our respect. He had an unstable mate and a volatile child with extreme mental health concerns—”

“That he caused.” Unlike the previous avoidance, Izuku faced the comment head on. “Why are we excusing that behavior, when he himself has spoken openly about his mistakes?”

Haruka glanced out toward the audience when they murmured in quiet agreement, scowling. “And yet I don’t hear you speaking of Dynamight’s aggressive attacks on you during childhood. Some of your old classmates said he would bully you relentlessly in middle school. You want someone who enjoys hurting children to raise your pup?”

“Anyone who holds a child’s behavior against him a decade later isn’t coming from a genuine place.” Izuku closed his eyes, remembering Katsuki’s distress in the pouring rain. The somber face shifted and aged, but the regret in the red gaze didn’t change the night he had knelt in front of Izuku. Heart aching at the atonement, Izuku re-opened his gaze and met Haruka’s sneer. “He has never hidden what he did to me. Kacchan has sacrificed his pride, his body, his life to atone for something I forgave years ago. He’s out there, breaking ribs and bleeding out, so you can sit here and judge him for not being lily white. This city recognizes him as a hero. They put their trust in him every day. So I’ll ask again; why are you questioning his ability to protect our child?”

Something about the comment caught Haruka off guard, and the audience broke out into gasps and hushed murmurs. Izuku rolled the comment back, realizing what had caused the instant clamor. It was the first time since the gala event that Izuku had fully claimed who the sire of the baby was. His hand shifted to his stomach, pressing a soothing touch to the pup moving inside him. Despite the moment feeling big for everyone in the studio, Izuku barely blinked. Since the moment Katsuki confronted him on the rooftop, Izuku had thought of the baby as ‘theirs’. It was as normal as breathing now.

But Haruka’s disgust radiated in her tone. “Do you think that’s what children should look up to? You, waving around your improper relationship with your hero partner? This woke display of radical mindset proves my point. You’ll never be an actual mother.”

“Excuse me?” Stunned by her harsh comment, Izuku froze, cold anger bubbling in his chest. 

“If you were a real mother, you would have stepped down from your job the moment you found out you were pregnant. Once your body is the home of a new life, you dedicate everything to that soul. This may be hard for your kind of omega to understand, but your life no longer belongs to your dreams and goals. Real omegas know they are a mother, first. But not only did you continue to work in a dangerous job, but you accepted an almost feral alpha in your company.” 

The audience went silent at her aggressive words. The blooming anger made her alpha aura seep out, despite her calm-looking appearance. Her authoritative glare and confrontational words held a threat that filled the air with tension. The lack of a scent patch meant only her scent bled into the space, trying to force Izuku to bend to its whim. 

“That’s… enough.” Even with his training, it took him some time to force his voice out. Was this what she did to all of her guests? 

“Why, do you not want the world to see what is really going on?” Her judgement hung off her like a robe, any warmth from before gone in her attack. “If an omega lets a violent alpha, one who won’t bond them, near their pup, then they're unworthy to carry a life. It’s inappropriate, and they shouldn’t call themselves a mother. Do male omegas have no maternal instinct?” 

Though some of her oppressive words cut into his ego, it was old news. Izuku had already confronted the topic after his fight with Katsuki. He’d hit his low-point, where he felt he wasn’t meant to be a mother. Mina, his mother, and Katsuki had dragged him back from those depths. Haruka had her beliefs about him, and his ability to be a mother. That was fine. 

But what he couldn’t let linger a second longer were the caustic words spewed out about the one thing that kept him sane. “Any respectful omega wouldn’t raise their pup with an unfaithful monster who–”

“You will not speak about Kacchan like that.” 

Izuku’s lower tone couldn’t hide the growl at the end of the words. Omegas couldn’t command, but from how the room froze, it felt like he’d ordered absolute silence. His eyes didn’t leave Haruka’s sneer, making sure to keep his cadence clear. 

“He’s been to every appointment I’ve told him about. Kacchan’s sat on the bathroom floor with me several mornings. Has run late to work because of it. Picked up extra shifts and worked himself to the bone to make sure the baby never went without. He’s canceled visits with friends when I don’t feel good, made sure I had everything I needed for a personal nestroom. That violent alpha scents my stomach every morning, just to make sure our baby knows how much Kacchan loves them. He’s better than any mate or bondmark would demand him to be! Kacchan’s done more in these seven months than most alpha’s do the entire life of their pups.”

“And yet he didn’t mate the carrier of his child—”

“Do you know how dangerous it can be for the carrier and the child to create a bond while pregnant? Have you spoken to professionals or read the articles?” Izuku snapped back, not caring how rude he was while interrupting the host on her own show. “Because I know Kacchan did. He’d never put me in danger to appear to your archaic need for-for dominance.”

“You can’t talk to me like that,” Haruki snapped, the flush of anger finally breaking through her caked-on make-up. 

Izuku didn’t care about media etiquette, passion fueling his words. “And maybe you’re right about me; maybe I’m not the perfect mother to this beautiful soul inside my stomach. There are several mistakes I’ve made during my pregnancy that I can only hope our baby will forgive me for. Being a mother, no matter my primary or secondary gender, is hard. It’s a lifelong mission nobody can train for until they’re in it. And I’ll do my best, knowing I’ve never been good at anything the first time I’ve tried. But that’s okay, because Kacchan is.

“He’s the best alpha, one that protects everyone. Kacchan sacrificed himself countless times for the greater good of the mission. He saved me when I couldn’t get out of my own head. And for our child, I know he’ll be everything our ember needs. Anyone who talks to him knows he loves our baby more than anything else in the world. If you don't understand that, it's because you do not want to.” He stood up from the couch, no longer able to stomach her caustic scent. “I’m sorry you can’t see past your ugly beliefs. I hope one day, you’ll escape this awful mindset and apologize to those you’ve harmed. But you’ve never been in Kacchan’s boots. Never carried the fate of the world on your shoulders. So you will stop talking about my partner like you’re an inch of the alpha he is.” 

“Sit down, now!” Haruka shrieked, the command echoing in her shaky tone. The audience voiced their protest over the blatant display of manipulation, but Izuku shook off the alpha aura. 

“Kacchan will be the best alpha for me and our pup, not because he's perfect. It's because he cares enough to try and fix it when he's not.” With both hands pressed over his belly, he stared the insulted woman down, uncaring of the consequences. “And anyone who dares to tell me otherwise will learn very quickly how far I’m willing to go to keep my family safe. If someone ever puts our ember in danger, Kacchan isn’t the one you’ll have to worry about.”

Then, making sure his words left an impression, Izuku bared his fangs at the stunned alpha. His warning wasn’t subtle, coy, or demure. Nothing like an omega, especially a ‘mother’, should be. Izuku didn’t care. Even as the audience cheered his name, Izuku kept his serious stare on the woman who lost any mask of respect for Izuku. Which, despite his normally kind demeanor, didn’t matter to him. Izuku could be the bad guy if it took some of the heat off of Katsuki. 

“I’ll be leaving now.” 

He bowed before turning away from her, not waiting for her response. Moving off the set, he couldn’t hear the rush of people around him. Their words smashed together in his stuffed head. He didn’t regret the open display of protection over his duo partner and his pup. That was his job as a mother. But the adrenaline from the presentation left his body in fight or flight mode. Normally, he could push out his frantic energy with his quirk, but the limits of his current circumstances left flight as the only option.

He searched for an exit from the staffers around him, knowing his rotted scent had probably seeped through the soaked patches from the interview. Despite his best effort, he couldn’t remember how to leave the studio. Breathing picking up from his sudden captivity, his body started to tingle with numbness. He hadn’t expected his escape to be so frantic. Where was All Might? Was he disappointed in Izuku’s display? What would his mother think when she saw it? Would society realize Deku was nothing more than a dangerous omega who couldn’t be a hero? Would Kacchan regret having their ember with such a deplorable—

“Got you.” Arms wrapped around Izuku, pulling him into a warm embrace. Izuku flinched at the sudden touch, but one sharp inhale of muted caramel quickly settled his nerves. Like the strings barely keeping him up were hacked off his back, Izuku collapsed into the hold, limbs losing any control over keeping him upright.

“Kacchan,” Izuku whispered, a firm squeeze confirming his guess. “How long…?”

“Long enough.” Katsuki turned them away from the staffers watching, barking over Izuku’s head. “Get All Might and tell him I’m taking Deku outside. He’ll know where to find us.”

Izuku wanted to apologize to the nice employees. They had worked so hard to make his experience pleasant. It wasn’t their fault Haruka was a cruel woman who looked to humiliate others she found beneath her. He doubted they enjoyed her beliefs. But needing a steady job could mean compromising their moral compasses. While understanding their predicament, his lips stayed still as Katsuki guided him out of the building. The chilled air of the night greeted his face, trying to soothe the heat from the cheeks starting to bloom with shame. Katsuki didn’t try to force a conversation, sitting on the back of his car and pulling Izuku to lean against him. Izuku tried to shut out his racing thoughts, focusing on the strokes along his nape and hip.

“How is he?” All Might’s voice cut through the noise in his head, his quiet gait barely scraping against the pavement. 

“He’ll be good. The nerd won’t let some shitty alpha ever hold him down.” Katsuki’s confident reply paired with a squeeze on the back of his neck. “You look like you wanna put on the suit again.”

“Young Bakugo, I would never use my power against a civilian.” After All Might’s pause, Izuku barely peeked his eye open, catching the dark look rarely seen on the older man’s face. “But from the way she spoke to my boy, it’s hard not to see her as a villain. One that needs enlightenment on how to address her fellow human.” 

He spoke as if Izuku was his son over his pupil, and Izuku’s chaotic emotions started to settle in the safe space between his two favorite alphas. Leaning more into Katsuki’s touch, he let their strong scents soothe him into a thoughtless headspace. He wondered if being pregnant made it easier to fall into the vulnerable mindset, which normally alluded him unless in the throws of heat. 

“Get in line.” Then, Izuku felt himself hiked up in Katsuki’s hold, feet dangling above the ground. “Alright, you limp noodle. Let’s get you and All Might home before the press find us.”

The car ride to drop All Might off was quiet, but comfortable. Izuku didn’t contribute to the casual conversation between the other two in the car, leaning his head on the window. Their words didn’t fully connect in his head, like he was underwater. But the warmth of their cadence kept him from fighting against the strange feeling, knowing Katsuki and All Might would keep him and the baby safe. A hand on his thigh throughout the drive anchored him to the real world, burning against his skin despite his pants between them.

He only realized the car stopped when the fingers squeezed his leg, forcing his head up from its resting place. “Where…?”

“Just dropping All Might off. Stay here.”

Despite the warning, Izuku whined when the touch slipped off his thigh, unsure why he felt so cold. Why was he being left alone? Had he done something wrong? Before the panic could rise again, Katsuki leaned over, pulling off the useless patch on his neck before pressing a firm kiss over the sensitive gland. Izuku moaned into the solid touch, the previous numb nerves sparking like a firework. He trembled in the spot, neck losing any strength when his head rolled back to expose the gland.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, unsure what he was apologizing for. 

Katsuki only hummed against the skin, nuzzling down the lean slope of his throat to mix their scents together before pulling back. “Nothing you need to say sorry for. You’re good, okay?”

“I’m good?” A mixture of happiness and insecurity filled his eyes with tears, letting them roll over his temple while arching his neck higher. “Good for Kacchan?”

“You’re good for everyone.” Though he couldn’t see Katsuki’s expression with his face pressed to his jaw, the words wrapped around his ear like a bow. “Perfect for me, Nerd.”

“Kacchan.” His swell of shame was muted, chest too full of affection for the alpha leaning over him to feel anything negative. Tipsy off their blended scents, Izuku wished his arms weren’t so heavy, needing to pull Katsuki closer to his buzzing body. 

“I’ll be right back, okay? Don’t take your seatbelt off.” A final press of Katsuki’s warm mouth to his jaw made Izuku chirp, feeling the noise made more sense than any words. Katsuki pushed out of his space, but Izuku didn’t chase him. Katsuki had told him to stay in the seat. The words weren’t a command, because Katsuki never used his power against him. Still, nothing in his body wanted to challenge the request, content to stay exactly where Katsuki left him.

Like he promised, Katsuki appeared beside him again. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been out of the car, time turning to syrup in his head. After another compliment, paired with Katsuki’s thumb stroking over his gland, the car moved again. Streetlights cut across his closed eyelids, a steady rhythm that his heartbeat matched without thought. He swayed and jerked with the bumps of the road, giggling at the loose feeling of the muscles he’d kept tense all day. Katsuki’s hand had returned to his thigh, like that was where it had always sat during their drives. Izuku purred at the thought, knowing his omega would never want another alpha to touch him so intimately. 

“Alright, up you go.” Izuku didn’t fight Katsuki’s lifting out of his carseat. “Come on, Lazy Bones. Arms around me so you don’t fall.”

“Mmk.” Finally, his arms shook off the invisible weights, lifting up and around Katsuki’s neck. Once secured, Izuku snuggled into Katsuki’s now patchless neck, sighing.

“Good.” Katsuki moved them across the yard with ease while praising Izuku. He knew he should be worried about something, but his muddled brain didn’t care. Being in the safe embrace, he refused to disrupt his happiness with worrying thoughts. Nothing mattered but feeling Katsuki’s heartbeat against his body when he managed to open their front door. “You or the baby hungry?”

“Nn…”

“Want to decompress in a bath?” Izuku, not wanting to speak again, only shook his head. “I’m not a mind reader, Nerd. Gotta give me something to work with here.”

Izuku whined, unsure why Katsuki kept asking him questions. He hung limply in the other’s hold for what felt like forever. But Katsuki didn’t budge from his space in the kitchen, and Izuku’s omega needed to please him. It grew restless under his skin, jarring his current comfort.

So, shaking a part of his brain from the drowsy state, his lethargic lips move. “Nest.”

“Got it.” 

He chirped when Katsuki pressed a firm kiss to his temple before walking them down the hall. The softness of his nest drew out his moan, rolling to his side and rubbing against the silky fabric. He reached behind him while he nuzzled the nest, grabbing a part of Katsuki’s clothing and tugging him forward. When Katsuki didn’t move, Izuku whined and yanked harder, still burying his face into the softness under him. Finally, pressure sat against his back when Katsuki moved into the nest, arms slowly wrapping over his stomach. Fully cocooned, Izuku purred, letting go of every inhibition. His lips mumbled something, feeling the body behind him tense. 

But Izuku couldn’t care; with a final sigh, he let himself slip into the welcoming darkness. 

Chapter Text

 “Change is the end result of all true learning.” — Leo Buscaglia

For all things considered, the fallout after the interview wasn’t bad. In fact, Izuku would even say he thought the response was great. ‘Love Bites’ got the best ratings they’d had in years, even if it was because of Izuku’s outburst. People started sharing the negative experiences they’d had with Haruka and her husband. Some of her employees even left the show, speaking against their ex boss and the abuse she used against them. While naturalists spoke out against his ‘rabid’ behavior, and tried to make demands for him to lose his license, most were on Izuku’s side.

He’d been brought in to speak with the commission about his ‘outburst’, though his anxiety about their ruling vanished once Hawks dropped in his chair and sighed.

“Okay, so it says… ahem. Heroes cannot threaten civilians,” Hawks said, though his flat tone and the way his eyes moved across the page in front of him proved the speech wasn’t his. “The commission does not support using the power bestowed on heroes to put awfully dressed peacocks—oh, whoops. That’s not what they wrote. As I was saying…”

Best Jeanist and Hawks both agreed that Izuku was ‘no longer needed’ for media endeavors. At thirty weeks pregnant, Izuku didn’t feel the same bite he had two months before. In truth, he wasn’t sure his body could handle the day-long adventures anymore. His legs hurt, the energy he thought would never expire draining halfway through the afternoon. Clothes fit weirdly, so the choice of not wearing pants was always the better option. If he could spend his day at home in nothing but Katsuki’s shirt and a pair of panties, he would be tickled pink. Being so lackadaisical was out of his norm, and yet his idle life made the baby happy. He could entertain the slower pace (until the pup was out, at least). 

The chillier November night forced Izuku into One For All sweatpants, though he refused to give up his Dynamight tank top. He’d spent the day cleaning the kitchen to the best of his ability, knowing Katsuki preferred cooking in a spotless space. Izuku had offered to make dinner, but the new schedule they’d made to split the house duties meant it was his ‘rest’ day, despite Katsuki working a full patrol. 

“It’s nice he’s taking what I said about not getting used to me being a housemaid to heart,” Izuku said to the empty living room, lowering himself onto the couch. 

He let out a slow sigh while settling into the cushions, feeling the tingling at the bottom of his feet from the day of movement. The shirt, which had once fit loosely around him, looked more like a crop top from his healthy belly. What had once been his greatest fear now only made him smile, rubbing over the expanded skin. If he needed a reminder of how beautiful growing a life was, he only had to walk past Katsuki in his old shorts and t-shirts. He normally made it partway down the hall before hot hands were around his hips, dragging him to the closest soft surface. Izuku had to order another collection of panties from the ones accidentally ripped in their frantic movements.

Once he took a moment to relax, he leaned over, dragging the tablet up to rest on top of his stomach. Unashamed of the new way he used the device, he clicked it on, swiping into the check-list. “Oh, Ochaco finished the party favors for the shower. They look so cute.”

He hadn’t planned to have a baby shower. Izuku felt guilty asking for people to pay for baby supplies, knowing he made more with his ranking than most of their friends and family. Katsuki hadn’t cared either way, saying it was more Izuku’s choice than his. The decision didn’t come from either of them, but Eri, who had visited with Aizawa and Yamada last month. 

“Did papa tell you? I saved up the money from my last gig, and I got a present for your baby shower! I really hope your pup likes my gift. It has to be coming up soon, right? Oh! Can I help make the decorations?”

Seeing her excitement, and knowing she’d thought of his baby first, sealed the deal. His mother burst into tears when he asked if she could help put something small together, instantly calling Mitsuki. The two mothers worked magic better than any quirk, creating a group chat with several of their friends. Izuku wasn’t allowed to do anything but select colors and themes for the baby shower, getting pampered far beyond his expectation.

“Kirishima is way too good with a glue gun,” Izuku murmured when swiping through the woodsy centerpieces. He loved the handmade feel everything had, realizing far too many of their hero friends were secret crafters. “Oh, I never told Sato which type of cupcakes Kacchan and I wanted…”

He settled into the distracting task, answering the questions posted in the chat and approving their friend’s progress on their tasks. While he waited for answers, he switched to the browser tabs for things he needed to order for the baby. With the extra time on his hands, Izuku had started to plan the pup’s room. Not knowing the gender meant most of his choices were neutral colors and toys, piling them into the cart for him and Katsuki to go over that night in bed.

It feels so… domestic, he thought, biting his lip while staring at the crib mobile. Debating Katsuki on the best kind of rocking recliner felt like a fever dream. A year ago, he would have sputtered at the ludicrous idea. Now, he couldn’t imagine falling asleep without the caramel scent and strong shoulder under his head. 

Izuku lost track of time, not realizing how dark the room had gotten while swept up in baby land. He almost missed the phone’s screen lighting up beside him, though the sudden vibration by his thigh finally dragged his attention to Mina’s call.

“Hello,” he greeted while squinting at the two color choices Hagakure put in the chat. “Do you think white is a bad choice for tablecloths? I think the dark green is smarter—”

“Izubabe, are you not watching the news?” 

“The news?” Confused, Izuku glanced at the television that he hadn’t used all day. “No, I’ve been working on baby stuff. Is everything okay?”

“See for yourself.” 

Izuku had already started struggling against his body to push up and grab the remote, clicking on the television and finding the local news. His eyes widened at the chaos on the screen, flashes of police lights and people running around in several directions. In the middle of it was an apartment complex that was billowing smoke from the top. With the fire department and emergency services being kept back, Izuku had to guess it’d been the end location of a hero fight. Scanning the angles he could see from the reporter’s camera, Izuku caught sight of two villains being hauled away toward the police van. 

From the sudden screeching of metal grating against concrete, Izuku realized the concern was now the building itself. “It’s going to collapse.”

“Ejirou got called in to help with stabilization while they get everyone out of the building,” she said, and he could hear Daichi’s crying from the other side of the phone. Izuku couldn’t tell if it was because of the sudden change of his night routine, or his mother’s distress. “There’s a lot of families that live in that building.” 

He could see several heroes at work on the scene. Mount Lady was doing her best to try and keep the building stable, but the intense blaze wouldn’t let her hold the structure for long before having to step back. Shoto’s ice flashed in different places, trying to smother the flames near the exits and windows. He didn’t understand the focus, until he saw Shoji rushing from the building with three people in his grip. 

“Oh my God,” Izuku whispered, hand covering his mouth. “It’s not vacated yet?” 

“They’re trying, but with the time of night, everyone’s back from work and school by now.”

His eyes wouldn’t stop moving, searching for the one face he hadn’t seen. He knew Katsuki’s shift was close to over, but he wouldn’t leave with such an intense crisis going on. So Izuku kept his focus moving, gaze snapping to the right when the camera shifted. Like it was connected to his brain, the lens focused on Katsuki, who was yelling something to a group of civilians before pointing toward the area marked by the police. The ripped uniform and blood were nothing new after an intense battle, but the way Katsuki leaned on his left side proved that he’d done something to injure his right leg. Sweat dripped off Katsuki’s face despite the fall night, letting him blast to the other side of the danger zone. 

Izuku could see him barking an order at Tenya when he appeared with another group of civilians before a loud explosion made the camera shake.

“It looks like the building is about to be consumed by the flames,” the reporter said, her camera showing Mount Lady, Kirishima, and several of the other heroes rushing away from the building. Izuku could almost feel the heat from the screen as the fire started staking its claim on everything in its path. “We’re far enough away to avoid the debris when the building collapses, so we’ll keep live streaming the—wait, what is Dynamight doing?”

“Kacchan?” Izuku forced himself onto his feet, uncaring where the tablet or phone fell as he stared at the horrifying sight. Katsuki had broken out of Shoto’s hand on his forearm, rushing through the smallest opening of flames before his quirk catapulted him into the air. Aiming himself perfectly, Katsuki shot another explosion at the third-floor window before he disappeared into the crumbling building. “Kacchan!”

The panic slammed into his chest so fast, he couldn’t breathe. Every muscle locked up as he stared at the screen, mouth open with no sound coming out. He stared without seeing anything, ears muffled from the swelling of emotions rattling in his head. Izuku’s mind rolled through the hero guideline of dangerous environments, knowing his partner wasn’t following any of the regular protocol. But that couldn’t be true, because this was Katsuki. Izuku was the one who bent things, found loopholes that made everyone pull their hair out. Katsuki, despite his snarky mouth and aloof personality, kept himself in line. So this had to be a horrible nightmare, because otherwise—

His omega snarled inside him, kick-starting his depleted lungs as he gasped for air. Unable to think about the consequences, Izuku sprinted out of the room, ripping open the front door before he ran across the lawn. His feet felt the soft grass before the rough pavement dug into his skin. Izuku couldn’t recall the last time he’d tried running, knowing he was far slower than he’d been in years. People on the sidewalk turned toward him in confusion or alarm, but Izuku ignored all of their calls. The chill against his bare skin reminded him he’d forgotten shoes and a jacket, exposing himself to the public in a way he’d never done before. Everything inside pushed him through the pain, embarrassment, and logic, focused only on getting to the scene where he’d last seen Katsuki.

“Sir, you can’t—oh.” The first officer he came across didn’t hide his shock, hands moving from their halting motion to curl awkwardly by his chest. “H-Hero Deku! You should stay back, it’s—”

“Move!” Izuku snarled without care how feral he sounded. He knew Blackwhip had already started spilling out of him; it helped him swing around a sharp corner when running to the scene. From how pale the officer looked before stumbling out of his way, Izuku knew he’d get another ‘talk’ from Hawks once the news posted his appearance at the disaster. But for now, he couldn’t care about the consequences. Not when Katsuki was—

“Izuku?” Tenya’s call of his name came a moment before the hero rushed over, concern and panic woven into his words. “You can’t be here; it’s far too dangerous.”

“Where is Kacchan?!” Izuku shouted, refusing to stop his pace when storming past his frantic friend.

“You’re not wearing shoes! And your clothes, this is—Shoto, Kirishima, I need some assistance here.” 

“Hey, buddy.” Kirishima’s gentler voice didn’t slow Izuku down, even as Kirishima tried to hop in front of him with hands hovering. “I really don’t think Bakubro is going to like this.”

“Here.” Izuku flinched at the heavy fabric dropped around his shoulders, though relaxed when Shoto stepped back. “The firefighter gave me a jacket for you to wear. I can’t assist with the shoes, though.”

“That is not what I meant,” Tenya said, Izuku shoving his arms into the oversized covering before moving forward again. “Izuku, please, you’ll hurt your feet.”

“I need to see—”

Izuku’s eyes widened when he finally caught sight of Katsuki. Out of the collapsed building and out of harm’s way, Katsuki looked like he’d been through the ringer. His face was covered in sweat and soot, and parts of his uniform were burned beyond its normal wear and tear. Kneeling just inside the sectioned-off area, he was fully engrossed in the conversation he was having with a medic. It was only when he blinked again that he realized what sat on Katsuki’s propped knee; there, no older than four, was a crying boy. The child clung to Katsuki while he wailed, looking away as the medic cleaned a cut on the boy’s shin. Katsuki balanced him perfectly on the leg Izuku knew he’d injured, showing no signs of discomfort. 

Staring at the developing scene, Izuku’s mind whirled.

“He ran in the second he heard there was a missing child,” Shoto said, standing next to Izuku and holding out his palm. Not realizing how tightly he was grabbing the jacket, Izuku instantly latched onto Shoto’s hand, needing the touch to keep him grounded. “I believe his paternal alpha instincts overrode his hero training.”

“Happens to the best of us.” Kirishima shrugged and placed his hands onto his waist, eyes going fond when shifting to Katsuki and the child. “It’ll cool down once your pup’s out, but this time right before is pretty intense. I took on every mission I could that had kids the last month Mina was pregnant.”

“Why?” Izuku asked, squeezing Shoto’s hand tighter when Katsuki gave the kid a fist bump before ruffling his hair. 

Tenya sighed, but even the strict rule follower relaxed at the heart-warming scene. “I’ve never had the honor of being a father, but from what I’ve been told, it's his alpha’s way of preparing him for the anxiety that’ll come up once the baby is born. For now, your body protects our little pack member from the world while they’re inside you. But once the child is out, that seal is broken. Katsuki will be their biggest protector, so his alpha is seeking out chances to practice the skill.” 

Izuku took in Tenya’s words as the boy’s mother finally scooped him up, her face covered in tears while she thanked Katsuki. His duo partner tried to keep his scowl on during the praise, as if the world hadn’t just seen his soft underbelly comforting the boy. The fear and pride that filled Izuku’s blood overwhelmed him, unsure which one he wanted to lean into more. He stayed silent while he waited for Katsuki to turn away from the retreating family, knowing his next step would be to check on his fellow heroes. He caught the moment Katsuki saw him, the casual walk freezing while red eyes widened.

“Freckles?”

“Kacchan!” He tried to move forward, forgetting he was still holding Shoto’s hand. The sudden strain on his arm sent him wobbling backwards, Tenya quickly supported Izuku’s spine to keep him from toppling over. His stomach was his greatest joy at the moment, but it certainly made him more unbalanced. 

“Hey!” Katsuki’s sharp call came with a growl, eyes narrowed on the two alphas touching Izuku. Despite Shoto being in a happy relationship with one of Katsuki’s best friends, and Tenya never showing romantic interest in Izuku, the irritation was palpable. Izuku wiggled out of their grasps, sending both a grateful look as he rushed forward. Katsuki gave them a final glare before his eyes turned to Izuku, softening without hesitation. “What the hell are you doing out here? Without a damn scent patch, too? Are you trying to piss me off—oi!”

Izuku didn’t listen as he dove into Katsuki’s chest, turning his torso to the side to avoid mushing his stomach and upsetting the pup. His arms looped around Katsuki as far as they could in his current condition, the jacket and his pregnancy limiting him. Izuku clung to him for a moment, breathing in the sweet sweat and alpha pheromones sticking to Katsuki’s tattered collar. Once able to settle his omega’s worrying, Izuku pulled back just enough to send Katsuki a heated glare.

“What were you thinking?!”

“Hah?” Stunned at the sudden switch up, Katsuki jerked his head back. Izuku growled at the hint of separation. Not calling for them, Blackwhip’s tendrils snapped forward and locked around Katsuki’s biceps. Grunting at the sudden binding, Katsuki tried to shake it off, but the pressure of the blackish-green energy had always been stronger when Izuku was dysregulated. “Nerd, if you don’t put your damn quirk away—”

“You don’t get to lecture me when you’re running into a burning building!” Izuku shouted back, more wisps of Blackwhip unfurling from his hips to bind their bodies together. The energy didn’t hurt, more a warm pressure as it continued to hook around any part of Katsuki he could. “Do you realize how scary that was to see? How helpless I felt?”

“Welcome to my life,” Katsuki snarked back, though Izuku wasn’t in the mood to compete over who scared the other more.

“You can’t leave our ember like this!” Izuku’s panic broke through the hint of tension between them, Katsuki falling silent. Now sure Blackwhip would keep them locked together, Izuku slid his arms back, grabbing Katsuki’s hands. He pressed the gloves onto his stomach, Izuku shaking his head as he fought the desire to cry. “All this time, you said I was the one being reckless. But they need you. I need you. So you have to think of us and stop acting like you don’t have anything to lose if you die.”  

“Izuku…” Slowly, Katsuki squeezed the belly hidden under the fireman’s jacket. Then, he dropped his head down, pressing the messy forehead against Izuku’s before lowering his voice. “You two were the only thing on my mind the entire time.”

“If we were, I wouldn’t have to run halfway across the city to remind you what you have waiting for you at home,” Izuku muttered. He refused to look up at Katsuki, keeping his gaze on their hands. 

It meant he missed Katsuki pulling back just enough to press a kiss to the center of his forehead. “I’m not gonna leave you to deal with this world alone. I played it out in my head and knew I could get out before the structure fully collapsed by removing the weight of my gauntlets. Those fuckers slow me down, but it’s worth it for the punch they give me during fights. Except all I was going against here was time, so they had to go.”

“Oh.” He hadn’t thought about the weight difference, but he knew how heavy the gauntlets were in the few times he had to use them during a battle. Izuku’s main power was in his legs, but Katsuki’s upper body had always been beyond measure. Dropping such heavy gear probably quickened his speed in a way most wouldn’t think of.

But Katsuki wasn’t ‘most’.

Proving his point, Katsuki scented along Izuku’s temple as he continued. “On a shitty day, I can get fifty feet with one burst of my explosions. If the brat was higher than the fifth floor, I might not have been able to do it. But the third was an easy clear. The window’s glass fucked me up a bit, but considering what the other option was, I picked letting you play Nurse Deku over wasting time trying to avoid it. So I know what it looked like, but this wasn’t instincts; I did the math and waged my bets.”

“Then why did you say you thought about us?” Izuku asked quietly, leaning into the nose slowly dragging along his scar. Even as Katsuki played calm and collected, the aggressive scenting and hands refusing to leave his stomach proved something about the rescue still rattled his bones. Slowly, Blackwhip started to reel back at Katsuki’s explanation. 

“Because that gremlin is someone’s ember.” Katsuki’s next breath came out shaky, thumbs pausing on their slow stroking. “If there had been no way to get to him, it would’ve haunted me for a few days, but I’d heal. It’s a part of the job, and the hobo always said every hero lost someone. But if I knew our pup died, and there was a hero who could have saved them… I’d never be able to sleep again. When I thought of what it’d be like if that was our ember, my body moved on its own. And I know damn well that if you were here, you would’ve been two steps ahead of me.”

Izuku couldn’t deny the probability of that being true. Even hearing how Katsuki broke down the problem and solutions felt like something Izuku would do while running toward the blaze. He hated agreeing with Katsuki when remembering how terrifying it’d been from the outside. But wasn’t this what Katsuki was always doing? Watching Izuku throw himself into impossible situations, unsure if he had made a plan or was just being a martyr?

Not liking the self-awareness, Izuku turned his face into Katsuki’s neck, hating the patch that somehow still clung to Katsuki’s skin. “I wanna go home.”

“Yeah?” Katsuki had several steps that he needed to finish before calling it a day. Reports, cleanup, media management. Still, Katsuki tucked Izuku into the crook of his arm, pressing his mouth to the edge of his ear. “Then we’ll go home.”

Izuku nodded, but when he went to step away, Katsuki yanked him back and easily lifted him up. The embarrassing carry had slowly become one of his favorite modes of transportation, but they’d never done it in public before. Flashes of lights from the media outside of the marked off area proved they would be the talk of tomorrow. Izuku dropped his head onto Katsuki’s shoulder, too tired to care. Being thirty weeks pregnant had taken away most of his modest behavior, needing the energy to raise the life inside him.

“Shitty Hair, tell Denim Head I’ll get the report to him tomorrow morning. I’m leaving the vultures to Glasses, and Pretty Boy can clean this shit up.” Then Katsuki sent a warning look to the three alphas, exposing his fangs while he spoke. “And if you fuckers want to keep your eyes in your damn head, you’ll never look at Izuku again.”

“Kacchan,” Izuku said, trying to ignore the omega that purred at the possessive display. “They’re our friends. Kirishima’s mated, with a kid.”

“The other two aren't.” 

Izuku tried not to smile at Shoto’s confused look and Tenya’s awkward fiddling with his glasses. “They were just trying to keep me safe, like a good pack.”

“Tch.” Scowling, Katsuki hiked him up higher before barking at the two. “I’m watching you.”

“We’ll continue to have your back, as well,” Shoto said, nodding without hesitation. “It’ll help the transition of our packs once you and Izuku’s baby is here.”

Tenya bowed, Izuku holding back his giggle at how absurd it looked with the armored uniform. “Please provide us with any improvements throughout your observation.” 

“That’s not what—ugh. Whatever.” Katsuki brushed past the trio, muttering for only Izuku to hear. “Taking in strays like I’m a fucking shelter. Damn nerd, stupid extras…”

Too happy to listen to Katsuki’s half-baked grumbling, Izuku settled into the secure hold and let himself tune out the rest of the world.

~**~

Izuku couldn’t remember the last time he slept in. If it wasn’t the baby kicking his bladder until he rushed to the bathroom, then it was Katsuki who woke him while getting ready for work. Having neither beat the sunlight meant sleepy lashes fluttering open, taking in the quiet of a late morning. With Katsuki breathing quietly behind him, their pup at peace in Izuku’s stomach, he was able to simply settle in the silence.

That was until his phone vibrated. Izuku didn’t mind the first time, barely noticing it when smothered in sweet caramel and soothing warmth. It wasn’t until the fourth annoying buzz cut into his peace that Izuku sighed, reaching out to fumble over the nightstand before finding the loud device. Dragging it back over the crumpled sheets, Izuku forced one eye open to read who was trying to reach him. 

All edges of sleep evaporated when seeing the mixture of texts, emails, and news notifications with his name in them. The photos from the night before were expected, and he almost didn’t recognize himself. He lived with his new body daily, but seeing it in a photo felt so different. Most were after Shoto found him the fireman’s jacket, but the few without it almost felt too intimate for the public to see. He hadn’t realized how much skin he’d exposed, too worried about Katsuki to care about the open display. Now, with the man safely sleeping behind him, the modesty he’d left in the house slammed into him. 

“Oh, no.” Scrolling through the photos in the articles, Izuku covered his mouth to keep his noises muffled while taking in the damage. Friends and family of both him and Katsuki continued to flash over the top of his phone with their concern. He ignored them to see why they were so worried. Some conservative outlets spoke about his ‘inappropriate’ outfit, like the sleepwear was lingerie instead of simple hero pajamas. 

Others focused on pictures with him and the three alphas that intercepted him before he could reach Katsuki. The outlandish titles of the articles he came across made it hard to breathe. They claimed Izuku was ‘unsure’ of who the father was, despite his open announcement on television weeks before. The pointless theories were emphasized by the unbitten scent gland he hadn’t patched up during his frantic rush from the house. Then, they added photos of him with their friends, as if any of them were in the conversation for the pup’s sire. Even Kirishima, who was happily bonded to Mina, caught fire in the gossip pages. 

“He has a child,” Izuku whispered, wanting to gag at their focus of pictures that made Kirishima’s care look intimate over platonic. Tenya being the first one to approach Izuku, and seeming the one to keep him ‘apart’ from Katsuki (not the dangerous scene behind him) also caused people to question their friendship. The amount of commentary that debated if alphas and omegas could ‘just be friends’ filled the replies under the articles. 

Shoto had it worse than anyone. Despite being with Hanta for almost two years, both rarely spoke about it to the media. The pain his mother went through marrying a prolific hero made Shoto hesitate to broadcast it beyond going to galas and quiet dates that could be passed as platonic. Hanta, always adaptable, met Shoto where he was at. Izuku blinked back his shameful tears when seeing the zoomed in pictures of Shoto’s hands on Izuku’s shoulders when covering him up. Izuku’s head turning toward Shoto to thank him was full of gratitude for the kind gesture. They focused on their hands pressing together, cutting off who Izuku was looking at. But the heart emojis around his head, paired with another picture of Katsuki yelling minutes later, framed everything in the worst way.

Hero Deku; Heat Partner of Multiple Alpha Heroes? Dynamight Explodes!!

Dynamight Deku DRAMA: Shoto Removed from Dynamight’s Contacts?!

Unmated and Unleashed; The Danger of Unbonded Omegas in the Hero World! 

Dynamight; Dutiful Superhero, or Damaged Sire? Photos Inside Tell All!

“Oh, Kacchan.” He wasn’t a fan of what the articles wrote about him, but the comments about Katsuki were devastating. Katsuki had nearly died the night before to protect the people who were now writing horrible things about him. Some articles did take snapshots of the moment Izuku and Katsuki had together, and spoke openly about the unsupported propaganda being spread. It didn’t take more than a few minutes to realize the pushed articles were because of algorithms over actual engagement. But people didn’t look at that information when reading about a trending topic. Businesses knew the cruel headlines made more money, and Midnight’s classes taught them to let their agencies deal with the negative witchhunts. From Best Jeanist, Hawks, and All Might all texting him (surprisingly, Aizawa also left a message), they were already sending out letters regarding the defamatory articles.

But Katsuki was still struggling with who he was. Some pieces geared toward ripping Katsuki apart brought up their past. Izuku could see the ruse for what it was. But if Katsuki saw the hurtful words, and how others supported another alpha being the father for their baby—

It’s always going to be like this, his mind whispered, haunting and dark enough to make his omega whimper. People will always question who you slept with, because you aren’t good enough to be Kacchan’s mate. He’ll get sick of the accusations and leave.

“That’s not true,” Izuku mumbled, curling tighter onto his stomach to try and squeeze out the anxious energy pooling in his body. “He loves our baby.”

But now, because of his desire to see his pup’s alpha, several of their friends were put over the fire. Mina and Kirishima would get hounded by the media. Tenya’s kind action as a friend now needed a defense for outlandish claims. And what would Hanta think? Even if he trusted Izuku and Shoto, did he also have small inner demons that would put a crack in their relationship? Plus, the stress he was putting on his agency’s shoulders was more than Best Jeanist deserved. If his mother saw the article, if Katsuki’s parents got the wrong idea—

For a moment, his desire to flee rushed through him. A flicker of the heavy emotion matched the same sensation he felt one other time in his life. After Tenko’s attack on his friends and allies, Izuku could only protect those he loved by fleeing. And it had worked for a while, until he ran himself down and slipped up. But he was smarter now and had more resources to keep himself healthy. Plus, there was no All For One chasing him. If Izuku left a statement for Best Jeanist to read, took responsibility for the baby as his own, and disappeared for a couple months…

“We’re chasing each other to the top, forever. Whether it's as heroes, or parents, it doesn't matter. We’re doing it together, got it?”

Katsuki’s words from after their fight slipped into his head, quickly smothering his dangerous thoughts. Izuku had promised not to shut Katsuki out anymore, even with tough conversations. Running now wouldn’t stop the rumors from spiralling. And worse, he’d leave Katsuki alone to deal with whatever negative thoughts he would have when reading the articles. Izuku needed to be a solid foundation for Katsuki, not only the other way around.

“Together.” Clinging to the word, Izuku let out a slow breath, turning around in the bed to face his sleeping partner. Staring at the relaxed face for a moment, Izuku memorized it before he leaned forward, nuzzling into Katsuki’s collarbone. The movement was hard to manage with the pup between them, but his sheer will let him wedge his face into the crook of Katsuki’s neck. By the time he found a comfortable position, his face had dragged up the slope of Katsuki’s throat, ending on his cheek. 

A few rubs of his nose into the marred skin earned him a grunt. 

“I’m up, Nerd.” Despite the hint of annoyance, Katsuki’s arm flopped around his back before pulling Izuku closer. The returned scenting along his temple was slower than normal, Katsuki still trying to fight off the last threads of sleep. “What’s with the wake-up call?”

“Why does there need to be a reason?”

“Because I can smell your anxiety, which ain’t exactly my favorite way to start my day.” Sighing hard enough to move Izuku’s waves, Katsuki nuzzled against his hairline before pulling back to look down at him. “So, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, really. It’s just some people talking about last night,” Izuku said, hand moving behind him to grab the phone on the mattress. Bringing it back, he clicked on the new set of notifications and turned the screen for Katsuki to see. “They’re saying a lot of stuff about us. Obviously, it shouldn’t matter, but some of it—”

“Fucking vultures.” Katsuki growled and snatched the phone, barely giving the articles a second glance. Instead, he shut it off, tossing it to the side before turning his attention back to Izuku. “They can fuck off.”

“Kacchan!” Stunned at the casual brush-off, Izuku rushed to explain. “People are trying to say the baby isn’t yours. And now they’re questioning our friends, and your alpha—”

“Why the hell would I care about a bunch of nobodies trying to climb my knot?” Katsuki tangled their legs together when scooting closer, coaxing Izuku to relax against him again. “They’re just doing it to get us to react, so they can make more money. Denim Head will deal with it.”

“You… you don’t care?” Izuku asked quietly, hands curving into fists against Katsuki’s shirt. Though the colder air chased them back into appropriate sleepwear, he wished he could feel the heartbeat without the obstruction. “Not about them thinking the baby’s Shoto’s, or their comments about your alpha?”

“I’ll make Flat Face man up and pop the question about bonding. He’s been moaning about it for months, so now I can give him a damn reason to do it. That, or I kick the shit out of IcyHot and prove I let him be higher than me in the ranks.” 

“Because that’ll help the rumors,” Izuku replied sarcastically, though found himself smiling for the first time since reading the terrible comments. 

Katsuki rubbed his chin against Izuku’s forehead in a lazy scenting before dropping back down to bump their noses together. “Any chance Candy Cane’s the sire?”

“Why would you ask that?” Izuku huffed when Katsuki only arched an eyebrow, though the softer edges of the red gaze lacked accusation. “You know it’s only been you.”

“Course I do.” The morning light made Katsuki’s hair almost shimmer with a golden glow. ‘Angel’ flickered in Izuku’s mind, though he knew most would argue his comparison. “Why the hell would you go somewhere else when you have the best already?” 

“Kacchan is the best,” Izuku mumbled.

“And that’s why that shit doesn’t matter.”

“Do you really not care about anyone’s opinion?”

At Izuku’s question, Katsuki paused, eyes going half-lidded.

“There’s only one person’s opinion that matters to me; the nerd carrying my pup.” Katsuki’s hand nudged under his chin, making sure his words hit their mark. “You're the most important omega in my life.”

“I…” Stunned by the soft confessions, Izuku couldn’t speak around the swell of emotion in his throat.

Fortunately, Katsuki wasn’t done. “You have been since before we made the ember. Before you were my duo partner. Hell, probably before we even presented. Because you’ve been my friend even when I didn’t want to be around myself. So if you’re proud to have my pup, why the hell would I care what some Fuckface at HeroBuzz thinks?”

Every person had a breaking point. A moment where restraint snapped and walls collapsed. Izuku tried his best to keep his feelings platonic, because letting himself think of Katsuki beyond the safe barriers of his heart was just asking for trouble. But when Katsuki vowed such dedication to him, and looked at Izuku like he actually meant it, every protective measure in his life momentarily faltered.

Without another word, Izuku grabbed Katsuki’s nape, yanking him down and pressing their lips together. 

The instant satisfaction spilled through him like tipped-over honey, slow but all-encompassing. Katsuki’s mouth stayed still for only a moment before he slowly returned the pressure. Unlike the kisses Izuku snuck and savored during sex, there was no intensity in their exchange. Izuku didn’t want to spoil it with lust or desperation. Katsuki’s syrupy slow return of affection hinted he was on the same page, a whisper of a hum vibrating their lips. Izuku’s eyes fell shut the moment the kiss started, but he could feel Katsuki watching him. Unsure what he’d see if he looked, Izuku squeezed his lashes tighter, focusing on the soft mouth cradling his. 

The ending of the kiss was met with shaky breathing and a hiccup of silence. Izuku’s heartbeat echoed in his body, but lacked the frantic pace he expected. Even as he opened his eyes and looked up at Katsuki, everything in his soul felt… good. Safe. Right. Maybe it was because Katsuki’s chest rumbled quietly with a noise he’d only heard the night of the pup’s first kick. Izuku stared at Katsuki’s calm expression, catching the smallest hint of strain at the edge of Katsuki’s mouth. What did he want to say? What was he waiting for? Izuku felt there was something Katsuki needed to get out again. But the words were too scared to come to the surface.

So, when Katsuki finally parted his lips, Izuku caught himself off guard. “Sweet pickle.”

Katsuki blinked slowly. “Hah?”

“I…really want a sweet pickle.” 

“This better be a damn euphemism,” Katsuki said flatly, though Izuku shook his head.

“No, nothing like that! I’m craving one of those bagged pickles and—” Izuku licked his lower lip, biting it when the buzz from the kiss lingered. “Mint ice cream? I really want to try them together. It sounds disgusting, but also amazing right now.”

“It’s ten in the morning.” Which Izuku knew. But his body cramped again with a hunger that could only be settled with the strange request. 

“Sorry.” He pressed his hand to his stomach as he apologized, knowing they didn’t have either item in the home. Katsuki’s eyes flickered down to the motion before he let out a short huff through his nose. 

“Damn pup.” Even as he grumbled, Katsuki moved down, pressing a kiss to Izuku’s stomach before he pushed out of the bed.

Izuku slowly lifted to a sitting position, watching Katsuki mutter to himself while he switched out his sleepwear for his regular clothes. “What are you—”

“I’m going to the store, obviously.” Katsuki moved to the bedroom doorway before he paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t move, Freckles. I’ll be back in ten.”

“Okay.” Izuku watched Katsuki nod before disappearing from sight. He waited until he heard the front door shut before his body relaxed, letting out an inaudible sigh while closing his eyes. After a moment of silence, Izuku lifted his hand, fingers brushing over his mouth. The phantom pressure from Katsuki’s lips sent a shiver down his spine. He kissed Katsuki, with no excuse other than he wanted to. And Katsuki had returned it. Which begged the question…

What are we?

Chapter Text

"No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it." —Anonymous

December brought snowy weather, seasonal decorations, and the ember’s baby shower.

“Oh, wow.” Izuku unwrapped himself from his All Might scarf, eyes wide, while taking in the venue. The transformation blew him away. His friends had filled the space with tasteful decorations, without making him worry about overspending. The dark greens and soft oranges shouldn’t have worked together, but his friends were far better with color theory than him. Taking in the stunning work done by his support system, Izuku knew the party would be more than he expected.

“They’re actual gremlins when you unleash them,” Katsuki said beside him, taking the scarf and both of their jackets to hang in the coatroom. Once secured, he turned back to Izuku. “How many people did you invite to this?”

“Um, I’m not sure?” He offered a sheepish smile when the two walked into the banquet hall, taking in the moment he never thought would be his. “I left that to your mom and Ochaco.”

“So, half the city.”

“That’s not true!”

“Have you seen those two at an event? They think doing your taxes needs a party. The only thing that would have made it worse was if you let Raccoon Eyes join in.”

“Oh, come on.” Izuku nudged Katsuki’s arm. “How many people would actually want to come to this?”

Katsuki sent him a look that should have been a warning. 

Less than an hour later, Izuku couldn’t process the droves of guests filling the space. Everywhere he looked were people he never expected to want to celebrate his and Katsuki’s child. Friends and family, sure. Co-workers were pleasant surprises, the heroes switching out between their shifts. But the amount of people that swept through from other agencies and departments caught him off guard. Several came with baskets of things from civilians that had ‘dropped their thanks’ at the agencies. He hadn’t known Ochaco sent out a message to all hero agencies, asking for their contributions to the baby shower.

“Once word got around it was you two having a baby, people were like, totally down to fill our ‘DynaDeku box’,” Cami had said when Inasa hauled a huge crate of cards and small presents into the baby shower. 

The table that had been set up for the gifts couldn’t hold everything. Katsuki grumbled about the amount of ‘thank you’ cards they’d have to fill out. But even he seemed caught off guard by the plethora of love out-poured by the citizens. Izuku cried within the first hour of the baby shower, overwhelmed by the admiration he thought they’d lost after the disgusting articles. But like Katsuki had said, Best Jeanist’s press conference made it clear who the father was. More articles came out to support Izuku and Katsuki, sharing the pictures of the forehead kiss and their quiet moment at the disaster site. Instead of people attacking and shaming them, the citizens only seemed to love them more.

“Heya, mama!” Mina popped up, waving both hands with a grin taking over her entire face. “I’m so jealous how good you look pregnant! You’re at what, thirty-two weeks?”

“Thirty-three,” Izuku said, feeling every day of the process in his distended stomach.

Still, Mina’s energetic squeal made him feel a little less tired. “I was a sweaty, gross mess after thirty.”

“You were gorgeous, babe.” Kirishima snuck up behind her, peppering her cheek with a kiss before hiking Daichi up higher onto his hip. “Great party, bros.”

“It’s too loud,” Katsuki muttered, snagging Izuku and tugging him closer. He’d been using Izuku like a shield from socialization, scenting him after every interaction (despite their scent patches making it pointless). Izuku wasn’t sure if it was the amount of people, the alpha’s unease of his baby being vulnerable, or socialization that kept Katsuki so on edge.

“Wait until your pup is screaming bloody murder at two in the morning. Then you’ll know the meaning of loud.” Mina winked at them before turning to tickle Daichi’s belly. Izuku watched how quickly the baby’s face lit up at his mother’s attention, giggling and squealing while Mina cooed at him. “Who is my favorite foghorn? That’s you, angel!” 

“It’s kinda crazy to think our kids are only going to be a year apart,” Kirishima said, looking at Katsuki with his signature grin. “Hey, maybe they’ll end up in the same grade. If they both go to UA, they might even pair up as duos!”

“My kid ain’t gonna be dumb enough to do that,” was Katsuki’s quick response, keeping his annoyed scowl while the other three laughed. 

Mina paused when she leaned close to Daichi, sniffing before she tapped the happy child’s nose. “Uh-oh. Looks like daddy needs to change your diaper. You’re a little stinkbug right now.”

“I left the bag at our table. Bakubro, wanna show me where to change Daichi?”

“How the hell would I know? I don’t own this place.” Katsuki pressed his face into Izuku’s hair, lowering his tone just for his ear to catch. “You good?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He patted Katsuki’s shoulder to reassure him. “Go help Kirishima out and say hi to everyone. I’ll be okay.” 

“Call me if you want me to shut this shit down.” The protective mumble paired with a nip on his ear, Katsuki waiting for Izuku to nod before he pulled away. Izuku watched Kirishima quickly engage in some ‘fatherly’ conversation as the two alphas walked away to find a changing spot for Daichi. Once they were out of sight, he returned his attention to Mina, offering a hesitant smile. 

She jumped at the opening. “Let’s go get the party games started! Oh, and we need to find a place for you to open your gifts. We’re going to need a big notebook to write everything down…”

As the party swung into full motion, Izuku tried to keep up his energy. The first hour hadn’t taken up too much of his effort, simply greeting people near the doorway. But when the party games began, and the focus shifted to him and the baby, he felt himself draining. From moving around more than he was used to since leaving active duty, to being a natural empath, everything tugged another strand of his energy away. Even when they took a break to enjoy Sato’s amazing desserts, Izuku couldn’t rest. Ochaco and his mother rushed over to set up the next event. Katsuki was always in the corner of his eye, stuck in conversations with people Izuku felt too guilty to call him away from. So he took another slow breath and tried not to acknowledge the growing aches of his protesting body.

“Okay, let’s let the pretty mama open all his presents,” Himiko shouted, grabbing the attention from the crowd to huddle around Izuku.

Switching to opening the gifts made Izuku realize just how much Katsuki did for him. The baby’s change to his body’s flexibility and strength caught him off guard while he worked through the piles of presents Ochaco and his mother offered. The growing tension in his triceps paired with the ache in his back, though the physical fatigue wasn’t his biggest stressor. With the large crowd came a clashing of scents that slammed into his nose without permission. Maybe it was because of a decreased amount of social engagement, staying home more. He loved the people sitting in the venue taking pictures and watching with excitement for him. But the onslaught of muted scents, loud noises, and the strain on his stomach, was overwhelming.

And if he was honest with himself, he wanted to be home. In pajamas, with a bowl of katsudon and his All Might blanket. But most of all, what he craved was…

Where’s Kacchan? He thought after the last present, feeling his omega rattle around in his torso while looking around. There was still another hour of the event, but he needed to see the alpha. Sometime between his last few presents, he’d lost sight of Katsuki after he brought over a water bottle. Despite knowing he didn’t actually leave, his weary mind raced with an unreasonable panic. Katsuki knew what he was getting into. A few presents and praise from the community wouldn’t suddenly shake him. But his irrational thoughts wouldn’t quit, demanding to see his—

“Oh.” His heart fluttered when finally locating Katsuki. 

In most cases, the carrier was the star of the baby shower, and the sires weren’t expected to come. Katsuki took part because Izuku asked, but still let him bask in the spotlight. If he’d snuck out in the last hour, Izuku wouldn’t have held it against him. Katsuki deserved a day off to do something outside of training and taking care of the pregnant omega. 

But Katsuki had stayed, with the one person who couldn’t ramble his ear off. Despite his complaints to Kirishima and his eye rolls whenever Mina called him ‘Uncle Grumpy’, Izuku knew Katsuki loved Daichi. Now, Izuku stared at the evidence in the corner of the busy venue. Daichi was laid out on a blanket, Izuku’s mind whispering ‘tummy time’. Mirroring his pose was one of the top five heroes in the country; Katsuki faced the drooling pup, a hand under his chin while watching Daichi. Izuku had known his partner long enough to recognize when he was trying to memorize something, eyes focused on Daichi’s wiggling fingers and see-sawing motion. Even as people walked past them and giggled, Katsuki ignored them, only moving his lips when Daichi babbled something at him. 

He’s practicing for our pup. The moment hit him in the stomach like the softest pillow, his smile filling his cheeks as he watched. Omega preening, Izuku’s thoughts drifted without permission. Did he ask Kirishima for help? No, probably Mina. How long has he been doing this? I bet he doesn’t realize how cute he looks. God, I want to kiss him again. He’s going to be so good to our baby. My mate’s amazing—

The thought sliced through his chest. So surprised by the possessive term, he nearly fell off his seat. His movement caught Ochaco and Himiko’s attention, who sent him looks of concern. Knowing he needed to process the thought himself before trying to give it a name, Izuku pushed up to his feet with a weak smile.

“I’ve got to go to the bathroom again.” He pressed his hand to his belly, knowing how many times he’d paused the festivities to relieve himself. “I’ll be right back.”

“If you need any help, text us,” Ochaco said, showing she didn’t care about any modesty between them. 

Thankful she didn’t prod, Izuku only nodded before he wiggled his way across the venue on the familiar path. Katsuki, despite being locked in on Daichi, still lifted his head when Izuku passed by him. Izuku mouthed his destination, which earned a teasing eye-roll before Katsuki looked back at the squirming pup. Knowing he couldn’t watch any longer without losing his composure, Izuku spun away, rushing (as quickly as he could in his current condition) out of the hall. 

He pushed into the bathroom, leaning against the door before locking it. The second he heard the click, everything he tried to hold in broke.

“Oh, my God.” Both hands snapped to his mouth, unsure if he wanted to sob or puke from the upheaval in his chest. Body trembling and knees losing their strength, he struggled to keep himself from sliding onto the floor in his panic. His tongue felt too heavy to keep quiet, disorganized words pouring out. “Why did I call him—but we’re not, we’re not. I promised I was okay with that, but if I’m not—why? Why now? How could I get this far and ruin it now?!”

Because you love him, rattled in his brain, as if his omega had suddenly gained a voice. Just like he loves you.

“Stop it.” Izuku shut his eyes and shook his head, even if he knew it was true. He loved Katsuki, had loved him as far back as he could remember. Katsuki was a part of every important moment of his life, whether in a good or bad light. He wouldn’t have agreed to raise a child with someone who didn’t own a part of his heart. 

But he’d convinced himself that loving Katsuki didn’t have to be romantic. He blamed their history for why his heart sometimes got its wires crossed, thinking they were something more. Then, when that stopped explaining his skipped heartbeats and flushed cheeks, he reasoned it was because their duo partnership changed. Sex became the next feeble excuse when things started shifting to an emotion he couldn’t put into a neat little box. And when he got pregnant, Izuku pinned his growing infatuation on their shared feelings for their baby. Katsuki was taking over his life in a way that felt like a mate because they were having a pup together. 

Now, hunched over in the bathroom of his baby shower, Izuku was too tired to fight it anymore. For years, he’d refused to give into the teasing comments from their friends or the intrusive questions from citizens. If he’d known his total unravelling would be witnessing Katsuki acting like the perfect mate with a baby—

“No, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go.” Izuku’s fingers slid up into his hair, tugging both handfuls hard enough to sting. “He’s being good to me because I’m his best friend, and pregnant with his pup. But he doesn’t want a mate. He wants to be a good father to our ember.”

And once the baby was out, Katsuki’s love and affection would shift. He wouldn’t be expected to take care of Izuku the same way; unbonded, the only thing that mattered was if he was a good alpha to the baby. Katsuki would still respect Izuku, because he was an amazing duo partner. If Katsuki planned to abandon him after, he wouldn’t have moved Izuku into his house. 

Single omega mothers are damaged goods, a darker voice emerged from his panic, digging into his trembling soul. But Kacchan will be an unbonded, alpha father. Others will see how great he is with the pup and want to steal him. He’ll find someone better than you. Then you’ll be all alone.

“That’s not true.” He clenched his teeth and forced a breath out of his burning lungs, trying to work through his growing terror. “Mom was single, and sh-she’s perfect. Plus, Kacchan isn’t like that. He cares about the pup and me. I trust him. I trust him, I trust him, I trust him.”

Izuku chanted the mantra while holding his head until a knock against the bathroom door made him flinch.

“Izuku?” Mitsuki’s confident voice came from the other side. “A few guests wanted to say goodbye, but Ochaco said you were taking a while in the bathroom. Is everything good?”

“I-I’m okay!” Sucking in two deep breaths, Izuku pushed off the door. He slowly opened it once he managed to plaster a smile on his face, meeting Mitsuki’s concerned look with a laugh. “Sorry, baby bladder. You probably know how that is.”

“Yeah, it gets the best of us.” Even as Mitsuki said it, her gaze traced his expression, lips tightening. “Never goes back to the way it was after the pup’s out, either.”

“Ah, I’ve heard that.” When Mitsuki didn’t answer, Izuku’s nervous fingers smoothed over his sweater, trying to keep his composure. “So, who needed to see me?”

“Nobody that matters right now.” He always forgot where Katsuki got his bluntness from. When he tried to form a response, nothing came out. Mitsuki hummed, reaching out to grab his hand. “Come on, let’s have a talk. You look like you need it.”

“Oh, but the guests—” His protest stopped when Mitsuki let out a soft croon, shutting off something in the back of his brain. Her smile made him feel safe, and when she reached up, he didn’t flinch from her touch on his cheek. Kind fingers rubbed just behind his ear, the same way his mother used to when he was a pup. Even decades older, Izuku melted into his affection, unsure why the motherly touch and her softening expression made his eyes burn.

“There you go, dear. It’s alright. We’re going to find you a nice quiet place so you can tell me what’s got my favorite hero so upset.” 

Izuku gave a weak nod. Mitsuki smiled, kissing his forehead before taking command. Her confidence exuded from her gait as she weaved them through the back of the venue. Izuku didn’t know where they were headed until Mitsuki opened a door, leading him into a smaller room. Mitsuki walked through like she owned the place, gentle in her guidance to the couch in the breakroom’s corner.

“Are we allowed back here?” He asked, though slowly sat down in the middle of the couch.

Mitsuki kept her elegance when dropping next to him, but she wasn’t done with her preparation for their talk. Izuku didn’t fight her prompting when she pressed on his chest, shifting his weight to lay backwards. His head met the softness of her thighs, looking up as she smiled and pet his bangs back. Having her palm against his forehead made Izuku realize how clammy his skin was, and he closed his eyes at the cooling sensation.

“See? There you go. Doesn’t that feel better?” Mitsuki asked, weaving gentle fingers through his hair. “Always working so hard for all of us. But something’s got you pretty upset. My brat is going to pull his hair out if he smells you like this.”

“I-I’m okay,” he whispered, the position and tender ambiance reminding him of his childhood. His mother cared for him in the same way. Was the technique something every mother learned instinctively? Would Izuku learn it for his pup? Or was it just another thing he hadn’t gotten right? 

“Sweetie, your distress is leaking through your patches.” Izuku whined at the reply, though Mitsuki cooed and rubbed behind his ear to keep him calm. “So, tell me, is my grandbaby giving you a hard time?”

“No, they’re good.”

“Then it’s my pup. Did he mess up again after that mission fiasco? I almost pulled his ear off for that knothead move, even if I know he was trying to be a good provider.” The fact Katsuki even told his parents proved how distressing it’d been to the alpha. “If he upset you again, I’ll knock some sense into him.” 

“No, Kacchan’s amazing. He’s been trying so hard, it’s—” Izuku swallowed, squeezing his eyes tighter to keep his voice clear. “It’s everything I could ever want in my alpha.”

“Then what’s got my favorite hero so upset?”

“Because that’s not what he wants.” Her hand paused at Izuku’s confession, and his final twist of fear broke through his composure. “We had a plan, one that’s worked for us for years. But now, things feel so different from when I agreed to our dynamic. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do for Katsuki anymore. Sometimes I feel like we’re friends, but sometimes he treats me like—I want to respect Kacchan’s independence. But my omega… it wants to be with Kacchan.”

“That’s okay,” Mitsuki soothed, and Izuku turned his face into her hand to hide his next words.

“No, it’s not, because I’m…” Finally, he opened his eyes, staring at the wall across from them. “I’m in love with Kacchan. More than friends should be. But I don’t want to trap him by my side even more than I already—I’m sorry for getting your son into this mess.”

“Katsuki is not trapped,” Mitsuki answered, shushing him when he protested. “He’s the one who chased after you, who demanded you become his duo partner. And I bet he was the one who offered this silly ‘friends with benefits’ ruse you two keep clinging to, right? I swear, my brat is the worst. He snarks at All For One no problem, but the sweet omega he’s obsessed over since he was four? Can’t say a peep.”

“I don’t know what you mean by that.”

“Oh, I don’t believe that for a second. Not with how smart you are.” Mitsuki turned his face to look up at her, her soft expression a contrast to her confident smile. “You are his world, Sweetie. And I couldn’t pick a better mate for my son.”

“Mi-Mitsuki!” Izuku fumbled the woman’s name in shock, but he saw where Katsuki got his lack of humility from when she laughed.

“You have saved my brat in every way possible. You’ve protected his body as his hero duo, never thinking twice of sacrificing yourself to keep him safe. But anyone could do that. What you did as his friend, one who never gave up on the good in him, saved his mind. You helped him be the hero he is today. And now, sharing the beautiful gift in your stomach? You’ve changed his future, in the best way possible.” Mitsuki combed through his hair, the warmth in her words leaving Izuku speechless. “When you stop doubting yourself, you understand him in ways most could only dream of. But part of that is because he’s never let another in. Nobody except you. And I can’t see that changing in this lifetime.”

“Even if that’s true, Kacchan swore he’d never get a mate,” Izuku said. “My omega hurts thinking about us never being together. But I don’t want to tie him down or guilt him into bonding because of our baby.”

“He also said you’d never be a hero, and he’d never see you as an equal. My brat refused to eat broccoli for almost a year because it ‘looked too much like Deku’.” The words were an old wound that had long ago healed over, which proved her point even more. “But now, it’s one of his favorite foods. He hates making you feel bad about yourself, and brags weekly about being your duo. The thing is, Katsuki always says what he means in the moment. And most of the time, he sticks with that opinion. But for things that matter, for people who matter, he’ll always change.”

“This is a little bigger than changing his mind about vegetables,” Izuku mumbled, though leaned into her hand when it swept through his hair again. When she only hummed, he relaxed under the touch. “I’m sorry about this. You made such a wonderful event, and I’m ruining it.”

“What’s that motto about crying at your own party?” She laughed, pressing a peck onto his hairline to emphasize her teasing. “You’ve handled your first pregnancy well. I was a disaster when I was pregnant, and that was with a mating mark. Masaru’s a literal angel for dealing with everything I threw at him. Compared to that, Katsuki lucked out with you.”

For the first time since the revelation, Izuku smiled. “Let’s hope I don’t lose it in the last couple weeks. This baby is taking everything it can out of me.”

“My advice to you? Trust your pack. Having a baby isn’t something you can do alone, no matter how much of a hero you are.”

“I’m trying to remember that.” Then, as if testing the advice, he tossed out a hesitant question. “Can we… stay here? Just for a couple minutes?”

“We can stay here as long as you want,” was her answer, continuing to comb through his waves without request.

Humming, he closed his eyes, settling into the touch. He could only hope he’d be half the mother Mitsuki was.

~**~

“This is fucking stupid.”

Izuku sighed while looking toward Katsuki’s voice, though he couldn’t see the man in question. The only thing in the empty nursery was his phone, the speaker icon glowing. He sat on the floor, both legs stretched out to ease their ache from the day on his own. Katsuki had left the day before for a four-day mission neither had expected him to be on. 

But that was ‌part of being a top-five hero, and Izuku had to remember that. “It’s your job, Kacchan.” 

“Why couldn’t IcyHot or Golden Boy do it?” Katsuki asked. “You’re ready to pop, and I’m stuck on this pointless mission over an hour away.”

“We’ve got another month,” Izuku replied, ignoring his lack of flexibility while leaning over to pull a piece of the crib he was putting together closer. 

“That’s an estimate, and Baby Doc said the ember could show up at any time. I’m gonna choke Denim Head with his own damn belt—”

“Shoto just returned from a mission, and Mirio already left the country for the conference in America. They needed your firepower, and you know that.” Wishing he didn’t have to be the logical one, Izuku looked between the random part and the instruction manual on the floor. “I’m okay, really. I’m not feeling any of the warning signs, and Dr. Moro didn’t see any hints of the pup being ready to leave their little condo inside my womb.”

“This is bullshit and you know it. They wouldn’t have made anyone else go, just because we’re not—” Izuku bit back his wince at Katsuki’s aborted sentence, thankful the hiccup of silence was only a moment. “Seriously, fuck them.”

Both of them knew why Katsuki hadn’t been given mate leave. Without the mating mark or a formed bond, sires were only offered two weeks off after the baby was born. Even though Izuku had only slept with Katsuki, DNA couldn’t be extracted until the baby was out. His ‘sire rights’ were paused until then, leaving Katsuki available for duty. 

Mate leave, allowing the sire a full month before and two after the birth, was only offered to proper mates. With Izuku’s gland unbitten, and no promise ring on his finger, mate leave was off the table. Izuku and Katsuki’s situation had brought attention to the outdated insurance policy’s need for change. Katsuki’s ‘expressive’ protest over the mission nearly blew up the conference room. He only settled when Hawks gave Izuku 'liaison access’, allowing phone check-ins. The commission director and All Might both promised to work on the policies, but any changes would be far after their ember was born.

For now, Katsuki had to leave Izuku for the short mission. “When I get back, they better pray every villain takes a sabbatical, because I’m not leaving again.”

“Please don’t jinx us,” Izuku said, sighing. “As if I need another headache.”

He’d rather be fighting All For One again than dealing with the mess of screws and wooden pieces scattered all over the floor. After hearing about Katsuki’s mission, Izuku tried to turn the anxiety into opportunity. They’d ordered the nursery’s furniture and decorations, but most hadn’t come in until last week. Their hectic lives hadn’t given them time to put it together. Now, he wanted to surprise Katsuki with the fully furnished room when he came home. The shelf and the baby dresser were put together, and he’d taped the room’s trim for the paint job. But fatigue struck him as the snowy day turned dark, leaving his brain too frazzled to work on the crib.

 “You sound tired.” Katsuki’s scowl bled through the phone. “Did you take your nap today? Or eat? How much water did you drink?”

“You’re being a worrywart.” He wondered if Katsuki had similar thoughts on his first mission. “I didn’t nap, but I did eat lunch earlier. I’ve got a water bottle with me, nice and full. Once I’m done with some stuff around the house, I’ll make dinner.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. Anything stressing you out can wait until I come home.”

Izuku hated how much his omega crooned for the alpha he could hear, but couldn’t hold. He knew Katsuki loved expressing himself through physical touch. Every chance he got, Katsuki snatched Izuku in his grasp, his omega basking in the affection. To have it stolen away felt like ripping part of his soul from his body. If his omega’s protest of the separation wasn’t enough, their baby had picked up on Katsuki’s absence. Maybe it was the lack of his voice, or the scenting Katsuki rubbed over Izuku’s stomach every morning. Their pup had been kicking up a storm since Katsuki left, making it impossible for Izuku to sleep throughout the night.

Not wanting to stress Katsuki out, Izuku kept his voice light. “I think our moms are coming over to visit tomorrow, so they’ll make sure I slow down.” 

“You really can’t help pushing the line, huh?”

“I’m trying, I promise! It’s just—” Izuku looked around the room, shoulders dropping forward when realizing how empty the space felt. “We miss you, Kacchan.”

“What, can’t go a week without my perfect omelettes? Little breakfast gremlin.” Katsuki’s voice lost its tease soon after, lowering to a mumble. “But… same. Gonna kick ass to make sure I can get back faster.”

“Really?” Izuku tried not to smile at the weak scoff on the other side of the phone, hearing Katsuki’s embarrassment.

“Don’t milk it, Freckles.” Something in the background made Katsuki cover his side of the phone, yelling at the distraction before turning back to their call. “Alright, I gotta go. Gonna go dark for a couple hours, but I’ll check in before bed. Don’t stay up if you’re tired, got it?”

“Only if you promise to stay safe,” Izuku replied, the burning building still living in the corner of his mind. 

“I’m coming back, I promise.” Katsuki’s confidence was infectious, filling Izuku’s chest with every word he spoke. “So keep the pup in you until I get there.”

“I will,” he whispered, hand pressed to his stomach.

Once the phone call ended, Izuku let out a long sigh, glancing out the snowy window. He loved the wintry weather, but that was normally because of his busy schedule seeing friends and family. Being pregnant had slowed him down, and with everyone still rushing around with their jobs and the upcoming holidays, Izuku…

“Stop that.” Shaking his head, Izuku sucked in a slow breath before focusing back on the crib.

Despite having the instructions and plenty of intelligence, Izuku’s battle with his current task was anything but easy. Some parts were labeled, while others had nothing to tell Izuku what part of the process they belonged to. Some of the screws could be twisted with just fingers, while the smaller ones needed an actual tool (that didn’t come with the package). Each time he thought he’d gotten the upper hand, a sudden step would come along that threw his process out of order. As the time dragged on, the mess only grew, and Izuku’s stress started to pool in his shaky fingers and tense arms. 

Then, a surge of frustration made a spark of One For All rush through him, tearing apart a slat from its base.

“What? No!” Panicked, he tried to push the damaged wood back into place, feeling his breath catch in his throat when the slat instantly slipped out. “There’s no way I just… what am I supposed to…”

Kacchan can fix this, was his first thought, though his stomach clenched when remembering how far away his hero duo was. Katsuki couldn’t do anything, because this was meant to be a surprise for all the hard work he’d taken on for Izuku and the baby. Now, all he’d done was break the crib. It’d be another problem Katsuki would have to solve after working to provide a home for their pup. Izuku stared at the two pieces of wood in his hands, though his sight quickly blurred when overwhelmed tears took over. 

Before he could fully break down, his phone vibrated against the floor. Sniffling to hold back his tears, Izuku dropped the damaged pieces and turned his attention to the ringing device, confused at the contact popping up on his screen.

“Kirishima?” He asked once answering the call, putting the phone against his ear. “W-What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing! Bakubro texted me thirty minutes ago, told me to wait a bit and check in with you. I’ve been ordered to get your food request and get it sent to the house. And I can’t take no for an answer, so you better be hungry.”

“Kacchan did that?” Before Kirishima could give his answer, Izuku’s strength gave out, sobbing. “H-He’s amazing. I…I…I’m so grateful.”

Kirishima, seeming confused from the contradiction in Izuku’s words and his crying, tried to soften his approach. “Woah, buddy. What’s wrong?” 

“I don’t know,” Izuku said, whimpering afterward. “I just feel…I’m so…Kacchan isn’t here.”

“Oh.” Izuku didn’t know what Kirishima put together, but the clarity in the cadence came through instantly. “Yeah, I get it. Your house is kinda big without my bro there, huh?”

“Yeah.” Izuku wished he could curl his legs up and bury his head into his knees, but the ember left him open and vulnerable. “I tried to put the baby room together for him while he was gone, but I ruined it. Kacchan’s already doing so much, and now I’m making more work for him. I feel so useless.” 

“I bet Katsuki would have some words about that kind of talk.” Then, Kirishima laughed, and Izuku felt his own mood lift a bit from the cheerful noise. “Okay, the Bakugo Squad is on the case. Text me what food you want, and we’ll come figure out what really happened.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to—”

“Course we don’t.” Even as Kirishima agreed, Izuku could hear him moving around. “But you’re our friend, so we want to. You’d do the same for any of us, right?”

“I’d do my best.”

“Which is pretty awesome, since your best has saved the world a time or two.”

Izuku wiped the back of his hand over his eyes, cleaning the tears away. “You really don’t mind?”

“Just tell us what you want, and we’ll be there in twenty.” 

“I…” Izuku thought back to his promise to Katsuki and Mitsuki. He kept trying to do things on his own, only to fall apart when his current limitations hindered him. It wasn’t weak to ask for help. They had a support group that was willing and able to lend a hand. Izuku just had to ask. Or, in this case, accept the offer. So, swallowing his fear of judgement, Izuku nodded. “I’ll text you my order.”

“Awesome! Don’t touch anything until we get there, okay?” 

Izuku didn’t have to wait for long. Just like Kirishima promised, twenty minutes after he sent his order, he heard the front door of the house open. Kirishima’s text of borrowing a spare key kept him from panicking over the intrusion. He stayed on the nursery floor like the friendly hero said, listening to the several pairs of feet rushing up the stairs. Thankfully, Jirou was at the front of the group, gentle as she pushed the baby room’s door open.

“Hey,” she said, offering a smile that buzzed as pleasantly as her blackberry scent. The lack of a patch proved they had come as packmates, not heroes, to support their fellow member. “Special delivery for an omega who needs a pick-me-up?”

“I really appreciate you coming over,” Izuku replied, his eyes moving over to Hanta when he wiggled his way past her.

The lanky hero rubbed his chin while he crouched over the half-formed crib. “Well, she’s the only one who Katsuki trusts with a key.”

“Which is awful, Izubabe!” Mina rushed to his side without care of her knees getting scuffed from her drop, her cheek mushing into his shoulder. “Why is Blasty so stingy with his keys? Doesn’t he know he’s got a pretty omega that needs us to shower him with love and affection every day?” 

“It’s Katsuki; he’s not a big fan of sharing Izuku. Been like that since high school.” Denki scrunched his nose like the information disgusted him, glancing at Kirishima when he appeared with bags of food. “Which one is Izuku’s? Mina and I can take care of pampering him while you and Hanta try to figure out whatever that mess is.”

“It’s a crib,” Izuku said, lower lip trembling. “Sorry, I know it’s awful—”

“Nah, nothing I didn’t do myself when putting Daichi’s room together.” Kirishima handed one bag to Denki, who rushed over to Izuku’s other side, before he dropped the rest of the food onto the dresser from earlier. Putting his newly free hands on his hips, he took in the scene before giving a confident nod. “These things come with a lot of extra parts, but they don’t label them or give you a heads up. It’s annoying, but comes in handy when you make a mistake or two.”

“I think Ejirou snapped three pieces when he put ours together,” Mina said, giggling while she started unwrapping the delicious-smelling food and setting it up in front of Izuku. “Is there anything else you need help with? I used to hate trying to lift the laundry basket or put it away when I was pregnant. I almost started trashing clothes to solve the issue.” 

Izuku could never think of tossing away the clothes he’d been wearing over the past few months. Mainly because most of them were Katsuki’s. “No, this is fine. I just wanted to give Kacchan something nice to come back to.”

“Don’t need clean clothes to give Katsuki a welcome home treat.” Hanta looked up from the instruction manual, grinning too wide to have pure intentions. 

“How are you dating Shoto?” Jirou asked, shaking her head when he shrugged before pointing to something for Kirishima to pick up. Then she switched her focus back to Izuku. “If I had to guess, I think rest and preparation for the baby is all Katsuki expects you to do right now.”

“And I know that.” Because Katsuki hadn’t left him with any requests for the house while he was gone. “I guess… maybe a part of me wanted to prove to myself that I’m not just taking space up. I can’t work, can’t help Kacchan much with chores anymore. Now I can’t even put a crib together. And then whenever I get worked up, I start crying. None of this is going to plan. Nothing over the past few months has turned out how I thought it would.”

“Welcome to my life.” Denki offered him the bowl of rice, waiting for Izuku to take it before flopping against his side and continuing. “I don’t know what I’m doing seventy percent of the time. But you’ve got the whole ‘beauty of growing a life’ thing going for you. I’m just an idiot.”

“You’re too hard on yourself. Jirou wouldn’t date an airhead, so you’ve got some stuff in that fluffy noggin of yours.” Mina’s compliment made the group laugh, Jirou’s cheeks turning pink while she glanced away and played with her ear. “But seriously, Izubabe. Give yourself a break! You’re always so busy helping the world and being the literal sun in everyone’s life. If there’s one thing you’re going to need after the baby, it’s stored energy.”

“Is there anything you want to do that doesn’t need you to get up?” 

At Jirou’s question, Izuku chewed his mouthful before he nodded. “Well, I’ve got to go through some of the stuffed animals and toys from the baby shower and see which ones are for newborns. Someone bought a hanging net that can store them without taking too much space in the room.”

“We can pull the boxes in here and help you sort everything!” Mina offered, patting his head while she pushed up to her feet. “Where did you and Blasty store them?”

“The end of the hall.”

“Got it! Denki, help me grab the first one. Jirou, can you put on some music? Let’s get this place looking amazing for when Bakubabe gets home!”

For the next hour, Izuku’s expectations flipped on their head. What he’d assumed would be a long and lonely night was changed into hanging out with Katsuki’s closest friends. A part of him understood that, despite them being closer to the alpha, that everyone in the room also cared about Izuku. They’d been friends for years. But then Izuku learned the group’s original plan (and why they’d been together when Kirishima got Katsuki’s text) had been to go out for a night out. Kirishima and Mina had even sent Daichi to his grandmother’s house, so they didn’t have to worry about coming home at a certain time.

But they instantly sacrificed a night of fun to argue over the size of pre-cut screw holes and who got the burnt order of fries during their dinner break. Denki demanded Christmas music between boxes of sorting, and Hanta started a debate on the best seasonal cookie that nearly made Mina throw him out a window. Izuku watched them bicker and tease like family, his body slowly unwinding from his earlier sadness. Was this what it felt like to rely on others without the fear of being a burden? 

“And done!” Kirishima grinned like he’d made the top ten of the hero rankings while staring at the crib, holding up a thumb to Izuku. “Are we good or what?”

“It’s perfect. Thank you,” Izuku said, changed into fuzzy sleepwear at Mina and Denki’s demand. “Really, I don’t know how I can repay any of you.”

“Don’t sweat it.” Hanta waved him off, pushing the crib to the side. “If you need help with painting this place tomorrow, let me know. I’ve got the day off, and Shoto’s back from his mission. We can swing by and get the taller parts.”

“I can come, too.” Jirou shrugged at Izuku’s head tilt. “Whatever will keep you off climbing up ladders.”

“Are you sure? You’ve all done so much, and I ruined your night—”

“Hey, that’s not what happened at all. We had a ton of fun tonight.” Mina pinched his cheek, giggling. “And this is what packs are for, right? Whenever you, Bakubabe, or your little firecracker need us, call. We’ll be here for you.” 

“Please call. Especially for the baby. I can’t wait to piss Katsuki off by spoiling his pup. I’m gonna be his favorite uncle!”

At Denki’s declaration, Kirishima frowned. “Hey, not cool. You can’t bribe our niece or nephew.”

“It’s the only way the pup will like him,” Hanta said, snickering at Denki’s betrayed noise.

While they fell into another loud debate, Izuku only smiled, squeezing the stuffed bunny he'd kept to scent for the baby. The house filled with noise and life, reminding him he wasn’t on his journey alone. As their packmates bickered, Izuku’s phone buzzed against his leg, making him look down. 

<< Did Rocks For Brains get your dinner?

Izuku lifted his phone, snapping a picture of the food. He wanted to show their friends, but he still planned to surprise Katsuki when he got home. For now, he sent over his dinner, hesitating before adding a text under it.

>> The baby says it's not as good as your cooking. So come home soon. 

Because even if he was in a room full of people, he knew Katsuki was the only person he wanted to see. 

Chapter Text

“Death, taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them.” ― Margaret Mitchell

“If you give me another name based off an old hero, I will blast you out of this nest.”

Izuku laughed before he snuggled closer to Katsuki, closing his eyes at the lovely bloom of caramel greeting his nose. “I thought it was a strong boy’s name.”

“Bet that’s what Shitty Hair’s parents thought, too. And look at him.”

“I don’t hear you coming up with anything,” Izuku said, humming when Katsuki’s hand drifted along his stomach. 

It wasn’t how they planned to spend their Christmas Eve. Their schedule had been jam-packed with visits between their parents and friends, ending up at the city’s Christmas ceremony. But before he could get out of the covers, Izuku’s entire world went sideways, feeling too sick to leave bed. He’d told Katsuki to go without him, perfectly fine with wrapping himself in blankets while watching ‘A Very All Might Christmas’ re-runs. Katsuki had only scoffed at Izuku’s offer, cooked him the perfect bowl of soup, and made sure he ate every drop while cancelling all of their plans.

They’d spent the entire day in bed, Izuku unsure if he’d ever seen Katsuki willingly stay in the same stationary position before. Katsuki only made him get up to take a shower, scrubbing him from head to toe before bullying him into his nest while Katsuki put the bedding into the laundry. By the time Katsuki came in to slip behind him, Izuku was already falling asleep, enjoying a lovely afternoon nap. He woke up feeling amazing, but with all of their plans already canceled, the two explored something they’d been avoiding for months; names for the baby.

“Cause I don’t know what I want; I just know what’s stupid,” Katsuki said, Izuku sighing before opening his eyes to look back at the list of names on his phone. 

“Should we even be looking for boy names? Since you’re so sure they’re a girl.” 

“That’s not a guess; it’s what all your signs point to.” 

Between the two, Izuku hadn’t expected Katsuki to be the believer of ‘signs’ for the baby’s gender. Izuku had known about some, simply because people liked to tell him the ways they knew their own baby’s gender before they were born. He never shut them down, or offered the scientific reason their bodies did the common behavior. But as soon as he left the conversation, he forgot about their advice, more focused on taking his vitamins or the next doctor’s appointment.

But Katsuki seemed to absorb every tradition and trick, using them to fuel his conviction.

“Okay.” More amused by Katsuki’s explanation than any of the previous claims, Izuku ran his fingers over Katsuki’s on his stomach, casually linking them together. They’d had sex, and were having a child together. But the gentle hand-holding felt more intimate than he could explain. Feeling his heart skip at the soft connection, Izuku prayed his voice didn’t fray from his rush of childish excitement when Katsuki didn’t pull away. “Why are we having a baby girl?”

“Your face is softer, for one.” Katsuki swiped along the webbing between Izuku’s thumb and pointer finger, nerves tingling under the touch. “Boys make your face get all tight. But you look like a damn baby yourself now, all soft and fluffier than a marshmallow. Also, the shape of your belly is screaming girl.”

“And I thought I was the one who analyzed too much.” Still, there was something thrilling about being the center of Katsuki’s focus that made him want to prod more. “Is it because I’m the size of a beach-ball? Do boys look smaller or something?”

“It’s the position. My hag said when she was pregnant with me, I hung low. Same with your mom. But you’re holding all the baby weight higher up.” 

“That could be because of my frame before. Being a hero probably firmed up my lower muscles differently than our moms,” Izuku argued, even if he didn’t care about which gender their pup was. He’d love them just the same, only worried about them being healthy. While Dr. Moro had seen nothing wrong during their last appointment, Izuku knew some things could show up during the actual birth. Being able to focus on the silly traditions Katsuki seemed so into helped bat the anxiety away.

“Pinky swung like a worn-out hammock with their gremlin.” 

“Kacchan!” Gasping while he looked up at Katsuki, he tried not to laugh at the blunt comment. “You can’t say that about a woman’s body.”

“Hah? She’s the one who gave me the phrase.”

Knowing Katsuki wasn’t lying, Izuku sighed and squeezed their hands. “Please don’t say that in front of her.” 

“Why not? She bounced back like she wasn’t even pregnant, but there was a reason she avoided leggings when Rocks For Brains knocked her up. I’ve never seen Raccoon Eyes wear so many dresses before, but she said she hated how the elastic band cut into her stomach.” 

Izuku shook his head, smiling at the ridiculous observation. “All I’m hearing is that you think they’re a girl because I carry my baby fat in my face and upper torso. I’m not exactly convinced.”

“The biggest clue was your sweet tooth,” Katsuki said, leaning down to nip at his scarred cheek. Izuku purred without thought, tilting into the bite to better feel the lips now moving along his skin. “Boys want salty, savory shit. Cheese, chips, all that junk Dunce Face eats on his lunch breaks. But you’ve been obsessed with frozen yogurt and chocolate the entire time you’ve been pregnant. You literally mixed sweet pickles and mint ice cream. That’s got girl written all over it.”

“You’re forgetting the spicy fries.” Because that had been a craving he hadn’t shaken since the night Katsuki asked him to move in.

Red eyes appeared over him when Katsuki shifted, his free hand resting on the nest by Izuku’s head. “That’s just cause she’s mine. Gotta have something to earn the Bakugo name, ya know?”

“Who says they’ll be a Bakugo? What if they look more like a Midoriya?”

“It’s not about looks, Nerd.” Katsuki’s mouth struck again, teeth barely pressing around the tip of Izuku’s nose. “Midoriya, Bakugo, whatever we choose doesn’t matter. Mash them together for all I care.” 

“I like that idea,” Izuku said, Katsuki nodding before moving back down to press against his spine again. Once they settled into their familiar hold, Izuku switched to the second tab on his screen, eyes skimming along the girl names off the website. “There’s a lot of pretty choices on here. Reina, Asami, Kanako… unless you already came up with one?”

Katsuki didn’t answer right away, his hand tensing under Izuku’s before slowly losing its strength. Curious, but wanting to give Katsuki time to speak, Izuku kept his eyes on the phone and didn’t acknowledge the obvious movement under his palm. 

“I don’t want to use Ember.” The veto of the familiar name caught Izuku off guard, furrowing his brows. Izuku was unsure why the clear boundary didn’t sit right in his chest, until Katsuki lowered his forehead and rested it on the back of Izuku’s shoulder. “When I heard you decided to use the name Deku for your hero title, I remember feeling a lot of weird emotions. Angry, embarrassed, but also… sad? That had been my name for you. Something that, when you heard it, would make you think of me. Even if I was a prick for its meaning, Deku was something I thought would always be mine. I had no right to feel that way, but what else is new?”

“I didn’t know,” Izuku said, looking down at Katsuki’s hand mindlessly stroking along his skin.

“It wasn’t something I was proud of. Being jealous of a bunch of extras using the name I used to bully you with? Takes a real asshole to feel possessive of an insult, even if I didn’t mean it like that anymore.” Izuku fought the urge to protest the comment, knowing his feelings weren’t the center of the current conversation. Instead, he tried to press closer to Katsuki, hoping his body warmth could silently give his support. “I’m over it now, though I’m gonna blast the first person who tries to call you Freckles.” 

“Pretty sure that’s just yours.” Nobody else had found such a fondness for the speckles across his skin. Silently, Izuku vowed to (politely) correct anyone who tried to use it in the future. 

Katsuki hummed, squeezing Izuku as if silently thanking him. “If they’re a girl or boy, it doesn’t matter. They’ve been our guiding light since day one. They’re someone we’ll do everything possible to keep safe. Call me a selfish bastard, but that’s something I want to keep just between us. The pup is our ember, for the rest of our lives.”

After hearing the loving explanation, Izuku blinked back his tears, knowing he was handing his heart over to Katsuki for the umpteenth time. “Then let’s keep it for ourselves. I’m okay with picking a different name.”

“Good.” Katsuki sighed, hooking his chin over Izuku’s shoulder. “Show me what else you like, Nerd.”

Izuku held the phone higher, the two dipping back into the topic of contenders for names. Despite the baby’s due date coming up, he was okay with not agreeing on any option yet. Some parents didn’t choose until after the pup was born, needing to interact with the baby before one fit. Izuku tried to keep his mind focused on the names scrolling down the dimly lit screen and the conversation with Katsuki. But as they got deeper into the choices, a question circled in his head. One that popped up when he was having a low day, and all of his normal defenses failed to keep him above water. 

The thought only gained weight when Katsuki’s casual comment hit his chest. “Whoever gave their pup that name just wants their kid to hate them.”

“I don’t think that’s true,” Izuku said quietly, though his distracted mind couldn’t remember what name they were talking about. Eyes staring without actually seeing the baby names, Izuku swallowed. “Kacchan?”

“It’s not going on the damn list—”

“No, it’s not that.” Izuku dropped the phone, the light of the screen disappearing when flipping over. Darkness swallowed them, the shadows playing tricks on his already anxious mind. “If I ask you something, can you be honest with me?”

“I don’t lie,” Katsuki answered, Izuku nodding at what he already knew. 

“Are you worried at all?” Trying to clear his throat when the anxiety swelled, Izuku forced his nerves down long enough to continue. “About me not being a good mom?”

“What the hell?” The instant confusion over the question helped chip away at some of his sudden panic. “It’s wired into your instincts to be a good mom for the pup. Blackwhip proves that more than anything.”

“I don’t mean the physical stuff,” Izuku said, shutting down the ‘omega’ route. Even if he had his doubts earlier, spending more time with his instincts since stepping out of the uniform had helped him see his omega in a different light. Izuku’s focus wasn’t about the unconscious decisions he’d make as a carrier, but the man outside of that. “Do you think I can be a mom that makes his kid feel safe? Or heard. Understood. Supported, like our parents did. Is there a chance that maybe I… I won’t be prepared for all the stress that comes with helping the pup grow up?”

Katsuki’s scoff rolled over his neck. “Freckles, have you met my dad?”

“Your dad? You know I have.” 

“Then you also know he’s just as emotional and anxious as you most of the time.” Katsuki nudged his nose into Izuku’s jaw until he finally caved and turned his head, looking up to the red gaze already staring at him. “I know you like having all the data you can about every situation we come across. God knows how many pregnancy articles and books you’ve already tried to store in your brain. As soon as this pup pops out, you’ll be neck-deep in child-rearing research and videos of developmental interventions.” 

“There’s nothing wrong with being prepared,” Izuku argued, Katsuki rolling his eyes.

“That’s not the problem here.” When Izuku frowned, Katsuki leaned closer to nudge their foreheads together. “This ain’t some mission or class test we can study ahead of time. We’re gonna fuck up. Our kid’s gonna hate us sometimes, especially if we raise them right. Remember when your mom wouldn’t let you sleep over cause it was our first day of pre-school? You told me you were packing your All Might figurines and running away.”

“I was four.” 

“A very angry, teary-eyed four-year-old.” Katsuki grinned like he didn’t remember he had been the one who didn’t want to let go of Izuku’s hand. His mother had to drag Katsuki, kicking and screaming, out of the room so Izuku and his mother could leave. But he knew that wasn’t the point of Katsuki’s sudden recalling of the event. “We won’t be their favorite person all the time. Imagine how much they’re gonna hate me when they hear about the shit I put you through in middle school?”

“We don’t have to tell them about that,” Izuku said, though Katsuki shook their heads from the connected spot.

“You don’t think they’re going to ask about how we met?” Izuku grimaced at Katsuki’s question, knowing the answer. “And if we don’t tell them, the internet will. Just like they’ll look up the shit we’ve done between then and now. But I don’t plan to hide who I was. We’ll tell them, and then talk about it. I’ll still be their dad regardless if I’m their favorite person or biggest pain in their ass. I’m not trying to be our kid’s best friend, because that’s not my job. If they’ve got my temper, I expect them to have a dartboard with my face on it.”

“We’re not letting our kid throw darts at your face,” he said, Katsuki only shrugging. “And I know our kid will love you. You’ve worked so hard to improve yourself. But I’ve still got a lot of my demons from when I was a kid. I’m always anxious, and my self-esteem can be my worst enemy. I’ve worked through most of the guilt and shame from the war, but you know I still get nightmares. And I never want to hurt the people I care about, so I put my own needs to the side to cater to them. What if I overdo it, and I spoil them to the point of losing their respect? Or worse, I spend so much time taking care of others, I… I neglect the pup?”

“You’re not gonna do any of that,” Katsuki replied, even while Izuku shook his head.

“There’s so many ways I could mess them up. I don’t want my personal problems to hurt our baby.”

“How come you’re so fixated on the couple things you struggle with?” Katsuki’s question threw him off, staring mutely at the scowling face. “Sure, you’re a little anxious. And we all know you’re the biggest martyr in the world. Anyone who went through what we did as fucking kids would have lifelong trauma. But none of that changes all the shit that’s gonna make you a great mom to our pup. You’re smart, caring, and are willing to see things from other people’s points of views. Even assholes like Creepy Hands got your compassion, and that was after he tried to kill you. Our kid lucked out having a mom like you. Because you’re aware of where you need help, and you’re getting better at actually asking for it. And when you falter, that’s when I step in.”

“I know you’re right,” Izuku said, sighing. “It’s just getting my brain to stop trying to convince me otherwise that’s the struggle.”

“Does it ever tell you that I’ll be a shitty dad?” Katsuki’s question made Izuku flinch, though it didn’t stop him from poking the bear. “You heard what the crypt keeper said on her show; I’m sarcastic, threatening, and short-tempered. That’s not even getting into my trauma. So if we’re basing this shit off our worst traits, then your brain must be worried about leaving the pup with me.”

Izuku growled without thought at the ridiculous question. “No, never! Kacchan’s going to be amazing, and anyone who thinks otherwise knows nothing about you.”

“So we’ve both got some issues.” Katsuki made the proclamation while dipping down, scenting Izuku’s throat slowly. “But when we’re working on something together, we’re unbeatable.”

The buzz in his stomach felt like a simmering pot, warm but nothing that demanded instant relief. Instead, he leaned his head back, submitting easily to the gentle scenting. Once Katsuki finished his thorough routine, covering Izuku’s neck and collarbone with his open caramel scent, he poured out a short growl. Even without words, Izuku turned his head, chirping when his nose rubbed over Katsuki’s cheek. Wanting to fully entwine their scents, Izuku dragged his face down, nuzzling against Katsuki’s thick neck. He couldn’t move fluidly like Katsuki, feeling like a turtle on its shell. His omega purred when Katsuki shifted for him, giving him more bare skin to run his pine redolence along. Strong hands grabbed his waist, thumbs rubbing in rhythm to Izuku’s slow heartbeat. 

After he guaranteed Katsuki would smell like him well through Christmas, Izuku tugged him as close as his belly would allow. Burying his face into the crook of Katsuki’s neck, the unbitten scent gland muffled his words. “So you don’t regret having a pup with me, right?”

For a moment, the room fell quiet. Izuku kept his eyes closed, unsure why he’d let the stupid thought sneak through. His omega always had an easier time breaking out of Izuku’s carefully constructed cage post-scenting. Now, after a perfect evening together, his inner fear seeped out without warning. A gentle sniff didn’t show any bitterness in Katsuki’s scent. At least his alpha didn’t mind the intrusive inquiry.

“Hey,” Katsuki’s voice went lower, masking whatever emotion simmered under his words. “Look at me.” 

“I can’t.” Izuku whined at Katsuki’s demand, knowing he’d want to hide after hearing the truth. He’d give too much away if Katsuki saw his face when answering his question. 

Katsuki didn’t seem willing to accept Izuku’s excuse, a soft hand sliding up his nape before weaving into his hair. The gentle tug on the strands didn’t hurt, but got the message through. Slowly, Izuku loosened his hold around Katsuki’s neck, laying back fully into his nest. Even with the darkness of the room, he used the sliver of hallway light to memorize Katsuki’s pretty face.

Once sure Izuku was comfortable, Katsuki released his hair, though moved the soothing touch to cup his cheek. “You want to know if I regret our ember?”

“A-Actually, you don’t have to answer this,” Izuku rushed out, even if his omega wailed in protest from its need to know. “You love our pup, and I don’t doubt that. Sorry, I don’t know where that—”

“Izuku.” Hearing his name spoken so gently left him momentarily speechless. Katsuki took advantage of the rare moment. “Tell me what you meant.”

Even without a command in the tone, Izuku felt compelled to answer. “It wasn’t about regretting them. I meant more having the pup with an omega like… me.”

“And what does that mean?” The repeated statement was flatter, and Izuku looked away, lashes lowering.

“Cycle partners are an unspoken norm. Something people use when they’re looking for no-strings-attached fun.” Even as he said it, his stomach turned like it had earlier that morning. “A cycle partner isn’t anyone’s first choice to have a baby with. I bet it didn’t even cross your mind, since the likelihood of a male omega getting pregnant is so much lower. Plus, with my job and all the damage I’ve done to my body, nobody looks at me and thinks ‘great carrier’. That’s not even factoring in my quirkless DNA, because we don’t know if One For All changed the probability of—”

Before Izuku’s heart could burst from his spiralling anxiety, Katsuki squeezed his cheek, cutting him off. “You’re something else, you know that?”

“You’ve… said that before,” Izuku mumbled, leaning into Katsuki’s hand. “Still trying to figure out if that answers my question or not.”

“Then look at me, Nerd.” At Katsuki’s request, Izuku nervously forced his eyes up, unsure how to read the serious look crossing the alpha’s face. After finding something in Izuku’s expression, Katsuki spoke softly. “Let’s clear this up right now. You’re not just a cycle partner, so stop with that shit.”

“Oh.” The clarification made Izuku’s mind whirl while his heart danced a tango in his chest. Sure, most of his head knew that now, but just hearing it… something in his soul sat a little lighter. “Okay.”

“Good.” Katsuki sighed. “Now, about what you asked. No, I didn’t expect to have a pup. And I know you didn’t plan it, either.”

“Not really,” Izuku admitted, though the thought of their pup not being a thing felt strange to him now.

“Exactly.” Then, Katsuki sighed, their foreheads bumping together. “So if it had to happen, you’re the only one I’d trust with something this important. Now, or in the future, it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“How can you be so sure?” Izuku asked, Katsuki frowning.

“Because it’s always been like that with us. I doubt it’s gonna change in this lifetime.” The way Katsuki spoke so casually about sharing ‘forever’ with Izuku always stole his breath without permission. “Even if I somehow got mind-controlled into getting someone else pregnant, I’d spend the whole time comparing the extra to you.” 

“Me too.” Izuku knew Katsuki didn’t need the reassurance, but he rushed to clarify it anyway. “What you said a-about it just being…me. I feel the same for you.”

“Good.” Izuku wondered if Katsuki realized his scent had gotten sweeter during their talk. His touch slid back to Izuku’s nape, thumb skimming over his neck’s gland. “So tell your hormones to relax, cause I’ve got you.”

He nodded, letting the conversation fade away. Izuku took in Katsuki’s gentle expression, and the intimacy of the touch on his face. The ambiance danced with their unspoken feelings, urging Izuku to reach up and hold Katsuki’s face with both hands. He could feel the tremble in his touch, but he refused to let insecurity stop him. With his omega and heart syncing up, Izuku gave in. Slowly, he tugged Katsuki closer, giving him time to pull away after the first brush of their lips. When Katsuki sucked in a quicker breath, the last whisper of fear disappeared. 

“I know you’ll always have me. I’m never scared when you’re by my side.” Izuku closed his eyes, keeping his voice low. “Kacchan’s my hero.”

“You’re…” He couldn’t see what Katsuki looked like at his bold statement, but his cadence untangled something heavy in Izuku’s lungs. “My damn nerd.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No,” Katsuki said, hot air spilling over Izuku’s cheeks. “Never, Freckles.” 

When their lips met, Izuku squeezed the sharp jawline, easily letting Katsuki lead the moment. A mirror of their last shared kiss, nothing sensual lingered in the gentle exchange. He let his neck ease into Katsuki’s grip, the other palm resting on his stomach while the alpha leaned over him. His heart didn’t race, taking slow breaths when their lips parted before one chased the other into another sleepy kiss. Izuku’s mouth had pressed against Katsuki's hundreds of times before. He knew the slopes and curves of the silky skin. But tonight, cradling the plush lower lip between his, it felt like their first kiss all over again. A snow-globe of flurries shook in his chest, leaving a beautiful cascade of emotions sprinkling over his heart.

They kissed until sleep claimed their relaxed bodies. Neither tried to speak about the intimacy, the gentle words, or what any of it meant. But as Katsuki snuggled closer, Izuku felt something click between them. A piece he’d been too scared to look at finally settled into its place. And while the moment stole some of his breath, his mind didn’t spiral. Thoughts that normally overwhelmed his brain never came. The fears and ‘what ifs’ didn’t rear their ugly heads. All Izuku could focus on was the strong arms wrapped around him and their baby.

Katsuki had him. Izuku didn’t need anything else to feel safe. 

~**~

Despite being thirty-seven weeks pregnant, Izuku still had some routines he refused to relinquish. Even if he couldn’t keep up with his normal workouts, Dr. Moro had supported Izuku continuing to do small tasks to stimulate his body. While Katsuki was the king of the kitchen, he had a distaste for going to the grocery store. He hated how busy it was, and the attention he got whenever someone recognized who he was. Izuku enjoyed the small moments of interaction on a smaller scale, so he volunteered to do the chore for the home.

Katsuki left him a grocery list every Friday, when the new deals came out. Izuku took the one-block walk to the store, shopped for the week, and put everything away before Katsuki came home from his shift. Being a hero meant turning down most perks people offered, not wanting to play favorites or get corrupted by the power. But when Blackwhip was put in timeout (as much as Izuku could), he lost his ability to carry his groceries back to the house. So, as a ‘thank you’ for his work as a hero, the grocery store let him take one of their shopping carts home. Izuku dutifully brought it back each week, building another bond between him and the community.

“Kacchan always complains about this brand of pasta,” Izuku muttered, looking between the two boxes in his hands. “But the other type is more expensive. Then again, when has that ever mattered to him?”

He nodded to himself before putting the first box away. Izuku winced at the ache in his arm before dropping back down to his heels. Without prompting, a wave of discomfort spasmed through his stomach, Izuku fighting back a surge of nausea. He hadn’t been feeling well throughout the morning, though Dr. Moro said increased digestive problems near the due date were common. Paired with the sudden aching of his body, Izuku almost hadn’t gone shopping. All he wanted to do was lay in bed with the baby and Katsuki, though the latter had a shift to work.

“Just one more week,” Izuku whispered, smiling as he pushed the cart down the aisle. “Then Kacchan will get to use his vacation time and stay with us, sweetie.” 

Just thinking about the alpha made his heart squeeze. Christmas had been magical. While their friends and family made sure to visit, Izuku could barely pay attention to any of them. His mind kept going back to the soft words and intimate moments they shared the night before. Katsuki had kissed him with an emotion that couldn’t be friendly. And Izuku gave it back whole-heartedly, proving something was changing between them. Izuku was unsure how many times he caught Katsuki watching him from across the room. Despite being exposed, Katsuki didn’t look away, and Izuku’s omega rattled around in his chest while he flushed and smiled to himself. 

The few days after had kept the same energy. Even if they hadn’t taken the ultimate step of putting it into words, Izuku was enjoying feeling like a teenager again. 

“Ugh.” Izuku sucked in a sharp breath when stopping in the cereal aisle, his body clamming up without warning. It wasn’t only painful; the sudden clench of everything inside him took the wind from Izuku’s lungs. He tried to ignore the sensation that had been happening since the night before. Fake contractions were normal toward the end of the pregnancy. He was only thirty-seven weeks pregnant, so the likelihood of the symptoms actually being real was rare. 

When the discomfort finally released, Izuku hunched over the cart, taking a few steady breaths to try and settle again. He knew Katsuki would snap at him for not going home after the first contraction, but Izuku had a list of things he still needed to get done. The surge of energy he’d lost two months ago had finally returned, urging him to use the free time before the baby came. He did his best to clean the house and organize the items Katsuki kept buying impulsively. Katsuki gave him a look when he came home to Izuku scrubbing the walls or re-organizing the baby’s dresser (for the fifth time). 

“Hero Deku?” Izuku slowly lifted his head up, biting back a whimper at the shot of pain radiating from his back. It flared between annoying and debilitating, but Izuku was used to ignoring his physical pain to get tasks done. Here, he had to keep a smile on when seeing a young worker stepping closer, concern written on her face. “Do you want me to get you a motorized cart? You look like you’re in pain.”

“Ah, no.” Pushing to his full height, Izuku shoved down his warring feelings of nausea, pain, and discomfort to offer the citizen peace. “I wouldn’t mind a little help trying to find the oats for homemade breakfast bars, if you have time.”

“Of course!” Even with his dismissal of the assisted cart, she tiptoed to his side, taking over pushing his cart. “Here, let me take this. You can let me know if you need a break on the walk over.”

“Thank you.” With the fake contraction over, Izuku was able to move more freely, pulling out his phone to text Katsuki. 

>> Do you think you could come home for lunch today? I’m not feeling well, and I could go for another scenting.

Knowing Katsuki might not respond right away, Izuku put the phone down and focused on the employee helping with finding the oats. Having someone to chat with was a double-edged sword. Though it settled some of his unreasonable anxiety about his body’s strange behavior, it was harder to hide the contractions that kept claiming his uterus without mercy. The employee seemed to notice, and stayed with him even after collecting the oats.

Izuku didn’t mean to count them, knowing that carriers sometimes tricked their bodies into fake labor by fixating on it. The last thing he wanted to do was set all of his friends into a frenzy over a false alarm. But trying not to think about it seemed to make the pace between the contractions quicken, his entire back feeling on fire as he continued to push through the shopping excursion. 

“Was there anything else on your list?” The employee asked, pushing the full cart toward the register. “Or would you like me to start checking you out?”

“I-I’m…” Izuku tried to keep his breathing even when another surge of overwhelming sensation flooded his body. Something strange wiggled in the lowest part of his stomach, and when Izuku blinked, he felt a gush of slick burst between his legs. Mortified over his hormonal influx in front of the younger beta, Izuku pressed his hand to his stomach while trying to think of an excuse to leave. 

But when a strangely sweet scent hit Izuku’s nose, he froze. All his life, friends and family had told him he smelled like pine. An earthy, grounding redolence that changed depending on his emotions. But whatever was now soaking the panties under his maternity leggings, threatening to spill over his normal protection, was lighter than that. He didn’t know what to compare it to, though his omega’s chirps and frantic movements proved it also felt warmer from the scent. Like a burning Christmas log, or toasted sap. If it was his slick, he wouldn’t have smelled anything. Which meant…

“No.” Panic crashed over him as he backed away from the confused beta, his shoulder knocking something off the shelf from how hard he rammed into it. 

“Deku?” She called out, though Izuku’s ability to speak vanished instantly. 

Breathing picking up as his heart raced, his eyes darted around the space without knowing what he was looking for. Katsuki wasn’t there. His mom was at home. Their friends were probably off saving the world, not wondering if Izuku was losing control of his body in the middle of the grocery store. No Dr. Moro, nobody to help him feel safe. It was just him and the pup. Except Izuku wasn’t supposed to go into labor alone. 

Everything needed to slow down, but each time he tried to take a breath, he felt like he was choking. The walls started to crowd him in, closing off any means of escape from the debilitating feelings wrapping around his limbs. 

There was no plan for his water to break at thirty-seven weeks! He still had so much to do for the baby. What if there was something wrong? What if the baby was hurt? Did he cause it? Would Katsuki blame him if there was a reason the baby was coming before their due date? He wasn’t ready. They weren’t ready—

“Honey.” A small hand touched his arm, Izuku flinching before he suddenly gasped. Air finally flooded his lungs again, Izuku turning his head to take in the older woman kneeling beside him. It took him a moment to realize he was on the ground, legs giving out during his panic attack. The omega beside him looked older than his mother, wrinkles catching the edges of her face. A maternal purr danced from her chest, Izuku’s trembling easing at the first hint of peach. He could see her patch had been peeled back, but the normally taboo behavior was exactly what Izuku’s omega needed to settle down.

“You’re okay,” the woman said, her soothing tone wrapping around him like a winter blanket. Her hands moved down to collect one of his, squeezing it gently with another purr. “We all know your hero title, but your name… is it Izuku? I’m Emi. My grandson talks about you all the time, but my memory isn’t what it used to be.”

“Ye-Yes,” he forced out, and she hummed and stroked his hand. 

“This is your first pup, right?” When he nodded, the woman matched his movements and kept her voice low. “Ah, yes, the first time changes everything. I have three babies myself, so I know it’s a lot all at once. Why don’t you focus on your breathing, and we’ll make sure to take care of the rest?”

“No, I—I’m a good… I can do this.” He didn’t know what he was trying to say, but something in his chest clawed at him to escape. 

“Of course you can; your body was made to bring your pup into the world.” Hearing her comforting words, with no judgement or concern over being a male omega, made tears spring into Izuku’s eyes. Decades ago, when she was younger, Izuku’s pregnancy would have been treated with shame. But the loving woman saw nothing but his current state, and connected in a way only mothers could. The softness in her aged gaze spoke of a knowledge she’d collected from her lifetime. “Let us help you for once. We’ll keep you and your baby safe.”

“I.” Unsure how to answer, he glanced around, surprised at the surrounding changes. Though there was a crowd growing, a few of the employees had created a space while asking the customers to ‘give Hero Deku privacy’. The employee from before was on the phone, and from the pieces he could catch, she had called for an ambulance. 

“Mom.” Another stranger came over, the family resemblance standing out like a sore thumb. 

“Hikaru,” Emi answered warmly, turning back to Izuku and squeezing his hand. “Izuku, this is my oldest omega pup. He helps his ancient mother get her groceries despite his busy schedule.”

“Mom, please.” He took a quick assessment of Izuku before moving to the other side of him, reaching into his pocket and pulling out surgical gloves. “Sorry for the intrusion, but I’m a doctor. I ran to my car to get some of my supplies. I’d like to do a quick assessment for you, and make sure your vitals are in a good place until the ambulance gets here. I won’t move any of your clothes, and if you feel any discomfort, please let me know. My only goal is to help you and your baby, if you’re okay with that.”

A part of Izuku hated the idea of anyone he didn’t know touching him, but the sudden contraction hitting his body made him whine in pain, head falling back onto the shelf behind him. “Okay.”

“Can you tell me how far along you are?” Hikari asked, gentle in his touches to Izuku’s pulse. 

“Thirty-seven weeks.” He gritted his teeth through the intensity, muscles locking up as he tried to dig his feet into the ground. Blackwhip sprung out from his back and shoulders, and Izuku cried in fear as he tried to pull away from both omegas tending to him. “S-Stay back, I can’t control it!” 

“It’s okay,” Emi replied, not letting go of his hand. “Your quirk is just trying to take care of you; it won’t hurt people helping your baby.” 

Sure enough, when his contraction finally released his body, he looked up to see Blackwhip had latched itself onto the shelf behind him. Even as it pulsed and crackled with his energy, it barely dented the items in the aisle, as if trying to make a backboard for Izuku to rest comfortably against. A few tendrils had coated Izuku’s back and hips, the warmth of the quirk working to unwind the tension in his body. None of Blackwhip went after the woman or her son. 

“See?” He turned back to her, watching Emi’s eyes crinkle from her smile. “You’re still a hero, honey.”

Speechless, he couldn’t think of what to say. The space was filled when the beta from before came over, phone still pressed to her ear. “They said help is two minutes away. Is he safe enough to move?”

“From what I can tell, his vitals are a little shaky, so we need to get him to the ambulance.” Hikaru leaned back, calling out to the employees forming the barrier. “Please, make a space large enough for a stretcher to come in.” 

“Two minutes?” Izuku tried not to clutch too hard onto Emi’s hand. “I—It’s too early. The baby’s not supposed to—”

“Pups come when they want to. And that little one is ready to meet their parents.” 

“But, I need—” He shuddered as he shook his head, feeling the overwhelming anxiety starting to take over his mind. “I need my alpha! I want Kacchan, please!”

“And we’ll make sure Dynamight meets you at the hospital,” Hikaru said. “But he wouldn’t want you to risk your or your child’s health by holding off on your preparation. This is what you two have been waiting for.”

“I know,” he whimpered, unable to feel any shame over the tears rolling down his face. “But I’m… I wasn’t supposed to be a mom. I don’t know how to do this.”

“Oh, honey.” Emi’s shushing softened some of his noises, pressing the hand not holding his to the scarred cheek. He could see, from the corner of his eye, the medics coming into the building. But his focus was on the brown gaze over his. “You were meant to be this pup’s mother. And this little soul will be so happy to meet you. For the rest of their lives, you’ll be their first choice, always. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

“Okay.” Izuku’s omega tugged him toward the same headspace he normally settled in during his heat, but the fear of letting go without Katsuki there made him fight his instincts. “But I’m scared. I need him. I need alpha.” 

“And he’ll be there,” was the last thing Emi said before the medics from the ambulance eased her and Hikaru away from Izuku. 

For a moment, Blackwhip lashed out when their hands fell apart, Izuku crying as a painful contraction slammed into him. Another harsh tug of his omega dragged him down, but he wasn’t sure if he was moving into a safe headspace or something more dangerous. If Izuku fell into a drop now, it could force his body to shut down, trapping the baby inside. Izuku’s ears ached from the amplified noises around him, scents and touches overstimulating his stressed out senses. He tried to call out, but nothing escaped, gagged like the first time visiting the vestige realm. Voices faded in and out around him. Izuku tried to hold on to something under the current pushing his mind into the darkness.

“His pressure is dropping.” 

“Make way, everyone! Check his breathing and give him some oxygen once we’re in the back.”

“Has anyone gotten a hold of Dynamight? Without his mate…”

Alpha? Izuku thought, lids too heavy to keep up. He felt like he blinked, but when they opened again, the top of the grocery store had warped into a moving ceiling. Faces he couldn’t identify hovered over him, blurred eyes unable to pick out any distinguishing details.

“Deku, can you hear us? We’re almost at the hospital, but you’re already eight centimeters dilated.” 

I can’t be. He wasn’t sure if the words were passing his lips, eyes unblinking while staring without seeing anything. That means I’m about ready to give birth, but alpha’s not here. Can’t smell alpha. Alpha isn’t mine. The baby needs him, I need him. Can’t have the pup without him. I promised, I promised!

“How was he able to walk like this?” Someone asked, Izuku wondering if the floating feeling was made up, or if they were moving him.

“It’s… quirk might have masked...” The sudden flood of hormones submerged his brain, Izuku missing parts of the discussion while rows of lights rolled past his eyes. “...haven’t you seen… pain tolerance?”

“He once broke… fingers…lost arms…”

“...ready to push… or…. possible hemorrhage…and pup distress.”

I’m ready, he tried to shout, even as the darkness and cold edges of his drop began to creep into his mind. I want my baby. I want to see them. Someone, listen to me, please! 

“Izuku.” Finally, a voice he recognized tugged on his ear, making Izuku struggle through the paralysis grabbing his throat.

“Dr…Moro?” he whispered, whining as her familiar touch pressed onto his bare stomach. He didn’t know when he got changed, or how he ended up in the suddenly bright delivery room. Several unknown people surrounded him, but his eyes locked in on his doctor’s face hidden under her mask.

“We’re going to count down, and then I need you to push,” she said, tilting her head like it was an offer over what he needed to do. “And after that, you’re going to meet your baby.”

He trembled on the table, feeling the sweat pouring over his neck. Why was he dripping when he felt so cold inside? His body throbbed, his instincts screaming at him to push. And yet something in his chest curled with refusal, tears burning his lids with agony. Everything felt different than he expected for the most important moment of his life. It wasn’t the right time. The right people weren’t there. His mind wasn’t clear, and his omega was distressed. How was he meant to bring their ember into the world when everything was so wrong?

But then he caught it. 

The sliver of caramel suddenly poured over him when the door of the delivery room burst open. Izuku followed everyone’s attention when looking over, his body losing all of its tension. Katsuki, half dressed in scrubs, half in his uniform, stood like his hero in the doorway. His scent was morphine; all the pain and anxiety from before seeped down into the floorboards, leaving Izuku with nothing but relief. Words eluded him, only sharp chirps breaking past his dry lips. 

Even as Katsuki walked forward, Blackwhip grabbed his wrist, tugging him faster toward Izuku. He didn’t care how sweaty or dirty Katsuki was. People were talking and rushing around, helping tie the gown on to cover his uniform and snapping arm-length gloves over his filthy biceps. Izuku didn’t care what rules they were breaking, reaching his hand out with a whimper when a painful clench of his body demanded he push the baby out. 

His fingers weren’t empty for long; Katsuki slipped their hands together, lining their palms up like they were praying. Red eyes, smeared with his eye-black, softened with enough love to blast the last wisps of fear from Izuku’s chest.

“Here’s what we’re gonna do,” Katsuki said, because everything about their journey had been something they shared. “Baby Doc is going to say push, just like in all the documentaries we watched. Then you’ll go plus ultra and be the best damn pusher of our lives. You’re going to hold this hand, squeeze all of your pain, fear, and anger into it. And I’m gonna take it. I’ll carry everything you need me to, because you’re giving me the best damn gift I’ll ever get. I’m here. Now until the fucking sun dies out, in whatever way you’ll have me, I’m here.”

Izuku didn’t wipe away his tears as he stared up at Katsuki, lips trembling from his unspoken emotions.

“We’re ready. We’ve got this,” Katsuki finished, with the confidence he held anytime they stepped on the battlefield together. “My omega.”

The title made him suck in a sharp breath, squeezing Katsuki’s hand as another intense cramp blindsided him. “M-My alpha.”

“That’s me.” Leaning over, he kissed Izuku’s temple, sweat and all. “You did so good taking care of our ember. But it’s time to meet them. Let go, Izuku.”

Closing his eyes, Izuku squeezed his lashes tightly before he nodded. With a cleared mind, he gritted his teeth to face his most important battle. “I’m ready.”

“Alright.” Dr. Moro’s voice came as gentle as a spring wind across an open field. “Take a deep breath. Perfect. We’re going in three, two, one…”

And with Katsuki by his side, Izuku pushed.

Chapter Text

“You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time.” – Unknown

“She’s perfect.” 

Izuku looked up from where Yuki slept on his chest, offering a small smile to his tearful mother. “Yeah, she is.” 

The pain and emotion that flooded him four days ago had been worth the joy he felt now. Most of the pregnancy was a blur, though certain moments of clarity stuck in the back of his head. Izuku still couldn’t believe some of the insults and threats he made to Katsuki during his contractions and pushing. Blackwhip had sprouted out again toward the end of Yuki’s birth. He was grateful it could never hurt Katsuki, no matter how much anger he felt toward the alpha who put him in the painful position. Izuku had apologized several times since then, though Katsuki had more fun repeating the phrases to every friend and family member who came by to visit.

He couldn’t believe how much hair she arrived with, the golden strands fully covering her head. Little fists pressed to the side of her temple and under her jaw, Izuku unsure how she could find that comfortable. Even with the new distance between them, Izuku could see her rosy cheeks in the rumpled blanket. The flawless skin screamed ‘Bakugo’, though doctors told him freckles weren’t out of the picture once she spent more time in the sun. 

“How is our little snow flower doing?” All Might’s gentle approach when stepping closer to Izuku’s bedside was meant to keep Izuku’s omega from flaring up. Most carriers who just had their babies became highly protective, their instincts demanding they do whatever they could to intimidate the approaching danger. Packs and family were exceptions, craving their contact and scents to blend the baby into their support system. 

His mentor approached like he wasn’t a part of Izuku’s trusted circle. A hesitant hand by his gland exposed his insecurity with having his olive scent out. But it was needed to mix with the pine and mint of the two omegas in the room. Yuki wouldn’t have a scent until she presented, but could still become agitated or upset if a stranger's redolence overpowered the pack. From her sound sleeping, Yuki wasn’t bothered by the new alpha’s scent. Izuku wondered if it was his relaxed heartbeat, or All Might’s proximity during Izuku’s pregnancy, that kept her so calm.

“A sleepy baby, for now.” Izuku brushed the back of his fingers against the soft crown of Yuki’s head, lashes lowering with his quiet murmur. “She’s doing well with the bottles, thankfully.”

One drawback of being a male omega carrier was his body’s inability to provide for the baby. While he came with a womb and the reproductive organs needed to birth a child, his upper body was a different story. He didn’t have the milk ducts in his chest, meaning he could only feed Yuki through formula. The omega inside him didn’t understand, yearning for the connection without having a solution to soothe. 

Luckily, the nurses were well taught in the art of formula mixing and feeding newborns. None treated him differently, always encouraging him to lay Yuki against his heartbeat after feeding to produce the same skin-to-skin connection. Yuki only fussed the first morning, mouth gumming at Izuku’s pectoral with the smallest whine that fractured his heart. A weird pulse of coldness shadowed his mind, the contact between him and his daughter feeling like ice. He snapped out of it when a nurse’s soft hand tilted Yuki’s head away from his chest and to the bottle, which she happily sucked once discovering the formula. 

The phantom feeling hadn’t returned since learning how to feed the pup, his omega purring when watching Katsuki’s first trial at Yuki’s lunchtime. Seeing their baby cradled along Katsuki’s bicep, the safest place for Yuki to settle, made any chill from before vanish. But even if Katsuki demanded the nurses also teach him every procedure, he knew the truth. When it came down to leaving the hospital, it would be Izuku’s duty to keep Yuki alive.

“I think this is the first time we’ve come here without the place being packed,” his mother said. Since visits had been permitted, he felt like the door was constantly revolving. Though happy to know they had so many people excited to meet their baby, Izuku missed his alone time. If it wasn’t friends or family, then it was nurses and doctors. He almost cried when Katsuki finally stepped in, banning anyone (outside of the grandparents) from visiting for their last day at the hospital. 

All Might glanced around, humming. “I’m surprised Young Katsuki isn’t here.” 

“He’ll be back soon,” Izuku said, too tired to smile. “This morning, I made him go with Mitsuki and Masaru to finish getting the house ready for Yuki. They promised he’d have a full meal and a couple hours of sleep in an actual bed before coming back.”

Katsuki hadn’t left the hospital room since Yuki was born. He growled at everyone that suggested he leave, a chair practically glued to the side of Izuku’s bed. The lack of a bond or mating mark worked against Katsuki’s alpha, who wouldn’t even shower if there was a chance of someone entering the room during his absence. The only reason he’d left with his parents was Mitsuki’s higher alpha ranking and Izuku’s spoiling scent at the tension between the two blondes. One whiff of rotted pine and Yuki’s scrunched nose cut Katsuki’s anger out at the knees, scenting both Izuku and the pup before leaving. Seeing such protectiveness was a radical difference from what Izuku had read about regarding unmated parents. 

Then again, how many of them openly used possessive terms for each other after their child’s birth? 

Trying not to blush at the first stir of his omega all day, Izuku looked to his mother while shifting Yuki. “Did you want to hold her?”

“Hm.” Older green eyes took him in for a moment before she smiled. “Why don’t we let Papa Toshi greet her first today?”

“Oh.” Unsure why his mother’s redirection bothered him, Izuku nodded, looking to All Might and lifting Yuki. “She fed right before you showed up, so she’ll probably just sleep.”

“Well, she’s been through a very busy week. I think she’s earned a little rest.” Like he’d been a grandfather for decades, not days, All Might scooped under Yuki’s tiny frame and settled her into his hold. 

Warm fingers slipped into his oily curls, making Izuku flinch at the sudden contact. Looking away from Yuki, he found his mother sitting on the edge of his bed, petting through his hair.

“How are you doing?” She asked, and Izuku blinked slowly.

“We’re adjusting. Yuki’s sleeping more than most babies, but she’s an early riser. I don’t think she’s a fan of baths yet, but the nurse is going to send us home with some special cloths and soaps—”

“I know Yuki is doing well,” she said, gentle in her interruption. “But I’m asking about you.”

“I’m… why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“Because anyone has the right to not be okay.” She guided him closer, moving her hand to massage the tense muscles in his neck. The sudden pressure made him shiver, unsure when the growing ache had started. 

“Well, yes, but…” He tried not to melt into the touch, eyes glancing back at his pup. “Didn’t you come here to see Yuki?”

“I can’t multi-task?” 

“No, of course you can! I just don’t want to take up your time—”

“Izuku.” The hand not massaging his tired muscles patted his thigh resting under his thin hospital sheet. “Yuki has a beautiful mom and a strong dad who will shower her with love and safety. And I will support you and Katsuki every way I can. I love Yuki with every inch of my heart. She’s my first grandbaby, and there will not be a mountain I won’t move for her smile. But you are my pup, and the dedication you have for your daughter? That’s what I feel for you.”

“I…” His lashes fluttered, trying to ignore the growing tears in the back of his throat.

Leaning over, she kissed his temple and cooed. “My job isn't just to spoil her; it’s to make sure her mama isn’t forgotten. Because my reason for living beats in your chest.”

“Mom.” He croaked out the word before turning his head, rubbing their noses together while he chirped. “I love you.” 

“Oh, Sunshine. I love you so much.” She returned the soft affection, purring when Izuku relaxed into her side.

The sniffling from across the room made them both lift their heads, catching All Might’s large tears wetting his cheeks. “The Midoriya bloodline has such beautiful souls, little snow flower. If you follow suit, I don’t know if my aged heart can handle it.”

Izuku laughed at his emotional display, resting his forehead against his mother’s cheek. She swayed them slowly on the bed while they spoke, discussing the events going on while Izuku was in the hospital. Yuki slept without a noise as All Might’s body rocked side to side, and Izuku watched in silent awe. 

A sense of comfort rushed over him while realizing what he was witnessing. The idol he had looked up to since he was a child, someone who had helped him become the hero he was today, was holding his and Katsuki’s baby. If a younger version of himself witnessed the moment, Izuku knew nothing would convince him this was a reality. He had never dreamed of this being his life. Even now, living it, was still hard to wrap his head around. For now, his heart rested in All Might’s thin arms, Izuku unsure why there was a sliver of relief under his instant desire to hold her again.

A growing commotion outside of the room interrupted their conversation, Izuku peeking over to the doorway. He only needed to wait a moment before the Bakugos appeared, their normal energy pouring into the once quiet hospital room.

“If you don’t mind your damn business, hag, I’ll blow—” Katsuki paused his threat when noticing the trio in the room, his mouth clicking shut before he huffed and lowered his tone. “Sorry, didn’t know the nerd had guests.”

“It’s okay.” His mother gave a last stroke through Izuku’s hair before she pushed up to stand, bowing to the new family. “Thank you for taking care of the house for Izuku and Yuki.”

“That’s my job.” Red eyes glanced between Izuku and his mother, scowling. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m fine,” Izuku answered quickly, not wanting Katsuki’s alpha to scold him for leaving the hospital. If Katsuki thought Izuku was hurt while he was gone, the protective alpha would never leave the house again. “Did you get some sleep? And a good meal?”

“Tch.” Katsuki didn’t answer while he moved closer to All Might, reaching up to rub the back of his fingers on either side of Yuki’s face. It was normal for new parents to need to re-scent anytime another person touched their pup. All Might was someone Katsuki saw as his pack, which explained his lack of a territorial growl. Even as he went through the process, Katsuki’s eyes stayed on Izuku, attention scanning over him with concern. “You’re the one who looks like you need a nap.”

“Maybe I can sleep a little better when I get home.” 

“We just need to figure out how to shut your damn brain off for once.” 

Without hesitation, Katsuki moved across the room. He ignored the four grandparents watching when he leaned over the bed, hands on either side of Izuku’s hips. The slow way Katsuki’s nose nuzzled the slope along his neck made Izuku’s face heat at the open display. His omega, which had been quieter since Yuki was born, sprung into action, purring while urging Izuku to lean his head back. His breath caught when Katsuki peeled off the scent patch he had put on before leaving earlier, turning to rub their glands together. The heavy scenting, meant to blend their redolence for the rest of the day, made an explicit statement to all that came across them. Izuku was under Katsuki’s care, his… omega.

“My brat has no manners,” Mitsuki said, though her grin held far too much pride over the intimate moment. 

Cheeks steaming, Izuku snapped his face back to Katsuki’s shoulder, whining while pawing at the alpha’s chest. “Kacchan, our parents—”

“Yeah, yeah.” Finishing his scenting with a growl, Katsuki pulled back and nudged Izuku’s head up. “You ready to get out of here?”

“Right now?” 

“Yeah, they’re bringing up the paperwork to sign you out. I already took the discharge packets and info sheets you’ve probably read a hundred times back to the car.” When Izuku only chewed his lip, Katsuki covered Izuku’s hand with his palm. “The nursery is fully set up. My old man packed our fridge with fresh food. Thanks to the hag, Yuki’s got enough formula in there to last the first day.”

“You didn’t have to do all that,” he whispered, though Katsuki rolled his eyes.

“Let me milk my parents for all they’re worth. You just worry about Yuki.”

Izuku hesitated. Things felt stable for the moment. Katsuki, their families, and their friends had been unwavering support for him from day one. He’d been able to take care of Yuki with mild success, learning from each mistake he made. But the hospital had several resources to keep him on track. When they went home, the nurses wouldn’t be there to help. If he slipped without someone to double-check his work, would he be able to catch it himself? The tingle of something lurked near the base of his skull, taking up the space his omega once filled with demands for Yuki. 

Despite his uncertainty, Izuku gave Katsuki a quiet nod. “Okay. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me for being a good partner.” Katsuki squeezed his hand. “We’re going to bring our pup home, Freckles.”

“Yeah.” Izuku smiled. “Together.”

 He hoped his worries were just new-mother jitters.

~**~

Getting out of the hospital was a labor in itself. The media had camped out front, and even with their masks and hats, the hungry paparazzi lunged at them like vultures. Izuku, normally happy to wave and interact with the citizens, felt his entire body tense, Danger Sense slamming like a pinball through his head. Before Blackwhip could manifest, Katsuki stepped in front of him and Yuki, fully extended teeth exposed in his snarl. The deadly aura that radiated off him held no heroic undertone, and the lack of his scent patch made the media cover their noses and step back. A few even dropped to their knees in fear, any hint of sweetness burnt away by his protective fury. 

“Back off,” Katsuki growled, voice deepening close to his alpha tone. The command was just on the edge of his lips. Izuku knew it was Katsuki’s sheer will that stopped him from letting himself cave into the compulsion. While seeing Katsuki sacrifice his composure to protect the pup wasn’t good for his image, Izuku’s look to Yuki’s content face proved she didn’t mind the scent. Luckily, it didn’t go any further before All Might moved forward, using the power of ‘disappointed father’ to distract the paparazzi. His mother and Katsuki’s parents quickly ushered them to the car they’d left in the pickup area.

Getting back to their home did feel like a relief to Izuku at first. He walked with Yuki into each room, explaining what it was and how it would help her grow. When stepping into her nursery, he sat down on the floor, ignoring the aches of his body to show her every toy. Even as Yuki squirmed and drifted in and out of sleep, Izuku still felt an excitement he hadn’t been able to locate in the hospital. 

Yuki was everything bright in his world. He loved her beyond words, and he’d never felt such a strong connection in his life. It was like his brain chemistry completely changed the second he heard her cry. Izuku adored her clean scent, even if she didn’t have her own redolence yet. He could listen to her simple coos and giggles for hours. The world stopped when her tiny fingers gently explored his face as they cuddled. Her soft skin and bright green eyes stole his heart without warning.

He stayed in the room until Katsuki appeared in the doorway, helping them up before guiding them toward the kitchen for a late lunch. They spent the day together as a family, settling Yuki in the crib (that they moved into their room) before passing out together.

But after the first day back home, things got intense. It wasn’t Yuki’s fault, doing nothing outside of a normal baby. If Izuku hadn’t been battling hormones, sleep, and several strange reactions from his omega, maybe he could have recognized that Yuki’s cries and tears were healthy. She had no ability to voice her needs other than shrill calls and wailing. And in the grand scheme of things, Yuki was a happy baby most of the day. 

Still, even with how much he loved Yuki, everything around them pressed onto his shoulders.

“Sweetheart,” Izuku cooed to the upset pup, trying to keep his desperation out of his voice. “We do much better when we nap. Why do you fight it so much?”

Yuki’s little cry felt like a punch to Izuku’s heart. His brain whirled with everything he could be doing wrong to cause his baby to be so angry. Gentle in his movements, Izuku walked back and forth down the hall, bouncing each step to help rock the wailing pup into a comfortable haze. Izuku took a slow breath, needing to keep his scent stable. If he got too upset, it risked making Yuki even more dysregulated. Every small task he did could destroy Yuki’s happiness. Cleaning her diaper, feeding her, giving her a nap, or simply existing was a roulette. He couldn’t function if he had the smallest sign that Yuki wasn’t content. How could he focus on himself, knowing she was upset? A good mother would put their child first without question. And if he couldn’t—

“Hey.” Izuku’s head snapped up at Katsuki’s call. The man emerged from the bedroom, frowning while he glanced between Yuki and Izuku. “Sounds like our pup’s trying out for a scream-o band.”

“She’s fine,” Izuku rushed out quickly, holding Yuki closer to him. “It’s not her fault that she’s upset. I need to walk with her more, but I got distracted with the formula—”

“Okay, then hand her over.” 

Katsuki swayed closer, bending down a bit to nuzzle Yuki’s splotchy cheek. How he was able to keep his scent so composed while their baby screamed bloody murder, Izuku couldn’t figure it out. Then again, this was Katsuki; he was always able to overcome the impossible. Izuku was the one that stumbled throughout his hero journey. Why would parenthood be any different? 

Yuki’s hands bumped into Katsuki’s jaw, whimpering a notch softer than she’d been before. Katsuki didn’t stop her, glancing up at Izuku. “If you want to make a couple bottles ahead of time, I can walk her around. Or I can be on formula duty and you stick it out with our ember.” 

He doesn’t think you can handle this, Izuku’s mind whispered, the cold static from the hospital crackling in his head. That’s why he wants to take your baby; it’s not like he needs you anymore. Anyone who can’t feed their own pup isn’t fit to be—

“I’m okay!” Izuku ignored how his body tingled like a sleeping limb when he stumbled away from Katsuki, shaking his head. “You need to go talk to Best Jeanist about your return, right? I wouldn’t want you to be late to that because I’m being lazy.”

“Lazy?” Katsuki’s eyes narrowed, and Izuku wanted to flinch at the skeptical look. “Hey, that’s not—”

Yuki let out another cry. Izuku crooned at her before something flashed through his head; Mitsuki’s soft touch behind his ear, the same as his own mother, rubbing the sensitive skin. Quickly, Izuku moved his hold, following the distant memory and brushing behind Yuki’s ear. After three gentle sweeps, Yuki’s painful shouting softened, watery eyes looking up at him in wonder. The soft look tore through his chest with relief, body sagging from the tension carried throughout the tantrum. 

Taking a shaky breath, Izuku looked back up at Katsuki, trying to give a convincing smile. “See? I can be a good mom.”

“Izuku, I never said you were doing a bad job,” Katsuki replied, concern filling his red gaze. After sweeping down his body, he returned the look back to Izuku’s. “Oi, when’s the last time you ate?”

“I think I had an apple when Yuki had her morning bottle?” He couldn’t remember if that had been the day before or that morning, but his stomach wasn’t begging for food. Now that Yuki was out, he didn’t worry about missing a meal or two. “What are we having for dinner?”

“It’s your—” Katsuki winced and cut the automatic answer off, but Izuku instantly hooked onto it.

“It’s my night to cook. Of course.” How had he missed that? They put it on the refrigerator so Izuku wouldn’t forget. Katsuki had already offered to cover most nights, so Izuku could spend more time cuddling with Yuki. If Izuku couldn’t manage taking care of their pup while making dinner, how could he be a mother and a hero?

“I’ll fix something up when I come back.”

At Katsuki’s offer, Izuku tightened his lips, a growing nausea weaving through his stomach. “It’s my responsibility.”

“Can you just let me do it?!” The sharpness in Katsuki’s question made Izuku straighten up, arms tightening around Yuki. He barely remembered to keep rubbing behind her ear, putting all of his brain’s attention into the slow movement. An uncomfortable silence fell over them, the only noise emitting from Yuki. Katsuki grimaced before rubbing his nape, shoulders dropping from his sigh. “Really, I don’t mind. I want to take something off your plate.”

“You do so much already,” Izuku replied, wondering if he’d somehow made Katsuki feel like he needed to step up. “Yuki and I are okay, so don’t worry. You check in with Best Jeanist, tell him I said hello, and I’ll have dinner ready for you when you get home.”

Katsuki stared at him for several seconds before speaking. “I’m going to ask for the extended leave.”

“What?” Stunned, Izuku furrowed his brow, wondering if his tired mind heard him right. “You’re not trying to get back sooner?”

“No. The DNA obviously came back as mine, so I’m eligible now. The city can handle a couple extra weeks without me. I think you and Yuki need me here more.”

“Oh. Yeah, that’s…okay.” He wasn’t sure why he heard the comment like a threat. Keeping his thoughts to himself, he turned around to avoid letting his eyes scream his feelings. “Good luck at your meeting.” 

“If you don’t get to cook, I’ll take care of it when I come back.”

Katsuki’s sudden heat against his back made Izuku freeze, eyes unmoving from Yuki’s drowsy expression. Hands that had held him for years curled around his hips, lacking any pressure in their presence. Though part of his soul ached with the desire to feel Katsuki’s touch on his skin, another part trembled with unspoken anxiety. The tear between his mind and omega widened when Katsuki nuzzled along the back of his neck, inches from his scent gland. Everything felt right about the moment, except Izuku himself. Enjoying Katsuki felt… wrong, even if his omega begged to bury in the sweet caramel scent.

“I’m gonna make sure we get through this,” Katsuki said, squeezing Izuku’s waist. “Trust me, omega.”

“Of course.” It wasn’t just the title that made his stomach clench. Because he did, more than words could explain. “I trust you, alpha.”

He wished he could trust himself, too.

~**~

The next two days, Izuku felt off. He thought it was Katsuki’s increased attention around the house, not sure how to think of his oversight. Katsuki picked up on simple things that Izuku didn’t think mattered much in their current state. While Izuku did his best to never miss Yuki’s signs of distress, Katsuki asked questions about when he last brushed his teeth or changed his clothes. Even without words, Izuku could feel Katsuki’s alpha getting restless, sometimes slipping just under the surface during their conversations. Nothing came close to a command, and Izuku didn’t feel pressured to follow the suggestions. If anything, Katsuki looked frustrated when the alpha would sneak out, quickly removing himself from whatever room they were in.

Each reminder tugged at another thread of his self-esteem. Sometimes, he could understand that Katsuki was worried. If Izuku wasn’t taking care of himself, then how could he properly take care of Yuki? It was his alpha’s instincts to make sure the carrier of his pup was in good health, or it would risk Yuki’s care. But when he couldn’t rationalize, and the darker side of his emotions took over, each of Katsuki’s suggestions pointed out another flaw. Feeling Katsuki watching him feed or change Yuki made it hard for him to breathe, unable to understand the shaded look in the pretty gaze. His omega had curled up in his soul, barely engaging with him anymore. Afraid what his redolence would give away, Izuku started hiding scent patches under his clothes, and made excuses to avoid being close to the alpha. 

He knew Yuki picked up on his distance from Katsuki, her head movements looking for something before her feet kicked in displeasure. And if their ember, only a few weeks old, could sense the change, Katsuki was very aware of it.

The start of Izuku’s breaking point came Wednesday morning, when he woke up to Yuki’s soft whimper. Sweating under Katsuki’s arm, he slowly pushed out of the bed. His head throbbed while he tried to swallow through the pain cutting into his throat. Muscles ached with a heaviness he hadn’t felt since his first training sessions with All Might. Everything hurt, but he sucked in a shaky breath and forced himself to move over to Yuki’s crib.

“Hi, my pretty ember,” he whispered, volume missing from the tender vocal cords. Lifting her up, he dragged his weak body out of the bedroom, not wanting to wake Katsuki before the sun came up. He wandered with bleary eyes down the hall, pushing through his bicep’s discomfort to rock her. Once they were in the kitchen, he nudged the refrigerator open with his foot, sighing in relief at the pre-made bottle.

Except Yuki was Katsuki’s daughter, meaning she was perceptive. Even at her young age, she seemed to pick up on the sick undertone of Izuku’s scent. And though she took on some of Katsuki’s traits, Yuki was also Izuku’s child. He knew that catching the spoiled edge to his mother’s redolence as a child would send him into tears, afraid she would leave him. By the time Izuku warmed up the formula and tried to press the bottle’s nipple to her mouth, Yuki’s fussiness spilled out.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Izuku leaned his weight against the counter, trying to guide the formula to Yuki’s pouting mouth. A wave of nausea punched through his stomach, but he pushed through it to soften his scratchy tone. “Mama’s really not feeling good, so I need you to help me out.”

Another attempt only made Yuki twist her face away from the breakfast, Izuku feeling his frustration growing under the sickness. He tried to breathe through it, but Yuki’s bubbled-out cry broke all of his concentration. His third attempt to feed Yuki was met with another rejection, her jerking arms smacking into the bottle. The slowed down reflexes from his oncoming illness made him unable to re-orient the bottle, causing it to topple out of his hand. Once it hit the ground, the bottle’s nipple popped off, the formula spilling over his feet and the kitchen floor. 

The mess, paired with Yuki’s increased crying, finally broke something in Izuku.

“I… I’m a terrible mom.” 

Suddenly, his knees gave out, Izuku holding Yuki’s wailing frame to his chest when he collapsed onto the ground. With formula soaking his pants, and his pup’s painful sobs tearing into his chest, Izuku’s mind collapsed into itself. The tears hurt coming out of his swollen throat, barely able to breathe while he buried his stuffy nose into Yuki’s cheek. Hot tears dripped down his face, wishing he could curl into a ball and disappear. As he cuddled his upset pup closer, he whispered his apologies between his choked sobs, body shuddering from the overwhelming feelings crashing through him.

“Freckles?” With puffy eyes, Izuku slowly lifted his head, wincing at the immense pain that pierced his brain. There, with the lowlight of the kitchen behind him, was Katsuki. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” was all he got out, repeating the statement several times before Katsuki crouched down in front of him. Seeing Katsuki’s foot in the spilled formula, Izuku tried to sniffle back some of his tears. “Ka-Kacchan, you’re stepping in—”

“Shut up.” Katsuki’s hand snapped up, pressing the back of it to Izuku’s forehead. From how cold Katsuki felt against his skin, a red flag went up even before Katsuki scoffed. “You’re sick, Nerd.”

“Can’t be,” he muttered, even as he pressed closer to the touch. “Yuki… needs me. Have to… be a good—”

“Will you stop that?” The hand on his forehead shifted to cup his cheek, guiding Izuku’s face to meet his serious stare. “Izuku, you do trust me, right?”

“I do.”

“Then why do I feel like we’re back at square one?” Katsuki asked, and Izuku hated the confused cadence wrapped around his pained tone.“I thought when we came home from the hospital, we’d start our family together. But it feels like you forgot I’m your partner in this. You’re making me watch you destroy yourself, but every time I try to help, your scent goes dull. Like I’ve… sucked the life out of you by reminding you I’m here, too. You don’t let me scent you, and I can barely sense your omega anymore. How am I supposed to take care of you if you shut me out?”

“I’m not trying to, but I—” Izuku looked down at Yuki, who seemed to settle when the two familiar scents danced together again. He tried to clear his throat, but his voice was too weak to express his genuine fear. “My omega isn’t telling me what to do. Without it, I’m terrified to close my eyes and miss something. I thought once Yuki was here, all of my maternal instincts would kick in and I’d just… know how to make her happy. But my head’s empty. My omega’s silent. And I’m so scared this means Haruka was right. That I don’t have what it takes to be a good mom inside me. What if I hurt our ember, Kacchan?”

The ugly thoughts caged in his head were now freed, Izuku wishing he could hide his face into Yuki and sink into the floor. Shame caked his lungs, making it even harder to breathe without a wheeze. Yuki squirmed against him, sensing Izuku’s discomfort, but he only held his greatest accomplishment closer. 

Luckily, the silence was only a second long before Katsuki scoffed.

“For someone so smart, you sure let your brain tell you stupid shit.” Sighing, Katsuki tapped Yuki’s button nose, giving her a smile before addressing Izuku again. “I really want to put you two in my lap and scent you, but I ain’t gonna move without you being comfortable with it.”

“Oh.” He hadn’t expected the soft request after gutting out his heart and throwing it between them, but the offer sounded amazing. “I’m okay with that.”

Katsuki moved without hesitation. Yuki’s coo lacked any fear or irritation of their sudden movement when Izuku was lifted, plopped into Katsuki’s lap while the alpha used the kitchen island as a back support. It felt like coming home when he leaned against Katsuki’s chest, settling into the warm embrace. They still slept in the same bed together, but the long hours of Yuki’s care meant Izuku barely felt his head hit the pillow before he passed out. He didn’t realize how touch-starved he’d become until Katsuki’s arms wrapped around him. Izuku was sure he would have cried again if he hadn’t drained himself earlier. 

“There you go,” Katsuki’s quiet praise was a soothing flow of warm water rolling down Izuku’s spine. His words were delicate when unweaving the strings of guilt threaded into Izuku’s bones. As Katsuki scented over his shoulder and up his neck, he heaped praise onto Izuku. “Gotta stop holding yourself up to impossible expectations. You’re exactly the mom Yuki needs.”

“She deserves more.” Feeling his omega spark to life inside him at Katsuki’s scenting, he fought against it, even stuffing down his purring. “You do, too. You can’t attach yourself to a broken omega—”

Katsuki’s growl cut him off, body tensing at the low noise. Once Izuku stopped talking, Katsuki nudged his head further to the side, bullying his way to fully spread his caramel over Izuku’s gland. 

Seeming satisfied, Katsuki mouthed the spot like a lover coming home from war. “What’s Yuki’s favorite toy for her stroller?”

“The baby penguin your father brought to the hospital,” Izuku answered, unsure where the random question came from.

“And her favorite place to sleep?”

“It’s either your chest on the couch or in her little pouch I use when I’m cooking. Kacchan, what does this—”

“Birthmarks?”

“There’s a coffee stain on the left side of her ribs.”

“What’s her sleep habit?”

“She likes to sleep with her right hand near her mouth, and the left one by her head. Sometimes she’ll kick her feet in her sleep, but that normally means the onesie is making her too hot, so she’ll stop if I switch her outfit. I guess she gets her temperature from you.”

“And hopefully she’s got your brain.” Katsuki hooked his chin over Izuku’s shoulder closest to Yuki, who was already looking at him without direction. “You keep yapping about not being everything she deserves, but you’re already making her your top priority. If you don’t see it in your knowledge, then look at how you’ve been rejecting your own needs for her. In fact, you’ve sacrificed so much already, you’ve worn your omega out. It’s not rejecting Yuki; it’s just tired, and you’re not letting your omega get the stimulation it needs to recharge. No self-care, no socialization for yourself. Definitely no time for your personal needs.”

“Good moms put their babies first,” Izuku whispered, leaning his head against Katsuki’s.

“Yeah, they do. But they have to be alive and stable to do that. That’s where I come in, Freckles.” A gentle squeeze around his waist solidified the statement. “Let me step in, for both you and Yuki’s sake.”

“I didn’t want you to think you had made a mistake...” Izuku winced, only continuing when Katsuki hummed a questioning tone. “Putting your trust in me carrying your pup.”

“The only one who’s questioning your ability to be a good mom is you. Relying on me doesn’t make you weak. You don’t always have to destroy yourself to prove you’re good enough. I just need you to let me in.”

Unsure how to answer, Izuku looked down, watching Yuki’s little kicks and coos. They were all covered in formula, but would Izuku have even noticed his own mess if Katsuki wasn’t calling him out? Or would he have walked around in soggy pants, too worried about cleaning and re-feeding Yuki to even think about his own comfort? How long had it been since he showered without shutting it off the second he heard Yuki’s cry of discomfort? He couldn’t remember a meal he ate with silverware, always holding his pup while grabbing a tiny snack. Even when Katsuki made dinner, he wasn’t sure how much he actually ate, rushing away to change Yuki the second her little nose scrunched up.

“Our blended scents.” He swallowed, wincing at the pain pulsing in his throat. “She… probably remembers it from when I was pregnant with her. I’ve never seen her so quiet in the morning.”

“I bet it’s the first time she’s seen you relaxed and content, too. A happy mama means a sweeter scent. I know that’s my favorite way to wake up.”

Which he knew was only possible because Katsuki forced him to slow down. Closing his eyes at the realization, he gave in to the omega now flaring up inside him. Feeling the instincts after so long made it impossible to fight against, reaching back to press Katsuki’s face closer to his gland.

“I don’t feel good.” Turning to bump their foreheads together, Izuku sniffled and whimpered out. “Kacchan, everything hurts.”

“Cause you’re sick and dumb, Freckles.” Still, Katsuki nuzzled their noses, tone unaccusing. “I’m gonna do my job and take care of you, okay?”

“Okay,” Izuku replied, hesitating.“I think I… I could use a bath? Maybe… some real food, or just a little nap?”

“Whatever you need.” Katsuki leaned up, kissing his sweaty forehead. “My good omega.”

His purr exploded from his chest without shame, every thought of resisting the title falling out of his mind. Ignoring how much his body hurt, he turned with Yuki to sit sideways in the warm lap. Izuku snuggled into Katsuki’s shoulder and chest, the soothing caramel scent easing some pains of his illness. Katsuki cradled both him and Yuki, a caring touch rubbing along his spine. When smothered in the alpha’s scent and warmth, Izuku couldn’t feel the anxiety and doubt that had plagued him all week.

“I like when you call me that,” Izuku muttered, unsure if the heat in his face was from being sick or his accidental confession. 

“You like being good?” Katsuki asked, using his leg strength to push up onto his feet.

Izuku coughed from the jarred movement, which gave him time to think about how honest he wanted to be. If it all crashed down, maybe he could blame the fever for his next ‘delirious comment’. “That, too.”

“Yeah?” Katsuki walked down the hall toward the bathroom, but the look of ease on his face lacked any surprise. “Guess I gotta listen to your omega’s rambling more.”

“What does that mean?” He asked, but Katsuki only chuckled.

“I’ll tell you when everything’s settled, and you’re back to my annoying nerd.” 

Izuku wanted to pry, but before he could voice his curiosity, Katsuki leaned down and kissed him. He squeaked at the sudden affection, even as he returned it. Izuku’s brain jumped between worry about passing germs and the confused excitement of the intimate exchange. Even when he was tired, sick, and overwhelmed, kissing Katsuki made everything a little easier.

Once ending it, Katsuki gave another peck between his brows before stepping into the bathroom. “Alright, bath time.”

Izuku wasn’t sure what Katsuki meant before the kiss. For the moment, it didn’t matter. Because Izuku knew, no matter what the explanation was, he trusted Katsuki. 

And that was enough.

Chapter Text

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” - Oscar Wilde

After a day of being under Katsuki’s care, the alpha corralled him and Yuki for a doctor visit. Dr. Moro checked him and their pup over, happy to report that both were in great physical health. She took her time explaining how ignoring his own needs could induce a ‘postpartum acute drop’, something Izuku hadn’t learned about in school.

“Unfortunately, most teaching facilities don’t like to explain the consequences of pregnancy,” Dr. Moro said, balancing Yuki in the basket scale to record her weight. “About one in every ten carriers are treated for PPAD, but we think it’s closer to one in five that are affected. If they don’t have good support systems, like you, many miss the obvious signs. When not treated, it can become a bigger concern for the health of your omega. However, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It seems like you came during the early stages, making the recovery much shorter. We have lots of resources to help you and Katsuki work through this. No matter what you two decide is best, this doesn’t make you a bad mother.”

Izuku’s shame didn’t vanish after a mere conversation, and he had spent most of the day after the appointment in his nest. Katsuki did what he could, bringing him food and checking on what he wanted in the moment. Yuki clung to Izuku like she could feel his sadness, his heart aching each time she voiced her distress. Katsuki didn’t complain about his lack of communication, scenting him and Yuki every time he left the room. Even if it burned, thoughts whispering reasons to reject it, Izuku tried to focus on the lack of anger or disappointment in the caramel against his skin. Toward the end of the night, when Katsuki moved to leave, Izuku reached behind him and grabbed the alpha’s sleeve, silently tugging him back into the nest.

“Stay,” Izuku asked quietly, voice rough from the lack of speaking. 

Katsuki didn’t hesitate, climbing behind him and wrapping his arms around both. Burying his face into Izuku’s scent gland, Katsuki mumbled his answer. “Always.”

After a week of slow progress, including Izuku joining a group for carriers with PPAD, Izuku felt more himself. The constant mental berating and questions of his worth as a mother started to lessen, feeling more comfortable asking Katsuki for help. He still felt a part of his chest go numb when handing Yuki over, especially while she was upset. A good sign, despite making him feel worse, was his omega’s vehement reaction to walking away while their baby cried. But after he took a nap, finished his shower, or ate a meal with both hands, he’d come back to see Yuki had survived their time apart. When Katsuki noticed his return, he didn’t look at Izuku with judgement. If anything, the half-smirk was full of pride while showing off the happy (or sleeping) baby settled in his care.

“See, Nerd? You ain’t the only ember soother on the block.”

Izuku almost cried in relief when feeling nothing but warmth filling his chest.

Two weeks of check-ins with his group, and working with Katsuki on their new dynamic, Izuku felt himself again. He wasn’t the person he’d been before the pregnancy. One session with the support group was recognizing growth meant leaving both the good and bad parts of the past behind. But he could close his eyes at night without seeing every mistake he made throughout the day. Instead, his dreams were filled with Yuki’s giggles, Katsuki’s soft praise between kisses, and his own reflection wearing a smile he actually felt. Life wasn’t perfect, and he knew he had the potential of falling back into that dark place in his mind. 

But for now, he was finally enjoying life with his new family. And he wanted to share their love with their closest people.

“Hello, snow flower.” All Might’s smile lines crinkled when he stepped into the home, closing out the February chill before tapping Yuki’s nose. Once she giggled, All Might glanced up to him, eyes softening without request. “You look like you’ve gotten a full night of rest. I don’t think I’ve seen you this refreshed since meeting you, my boy.” 

“Yuki’s been doing better with her sleep, and Kacchan has turned waking up first when she cries into a one-sided competition.” Izuku tried not to laugh at the absurd behavior. Somehow, when it came to Katsuki, the ‘battle’ made sense.

And from how All Might chuckled and looked over to Katsuki, he agreed. “It doesn’t surprise me that you two have figured out the best way to support Yuki. No matter the obstacle in your way, it’s always been something I knew you would beat as a pair.”

“Kacchan’s… he’s been a lifesaver,” Izuku said, uncaring how fond his voice sounded. He watched Katsuki’s energetic conversation with Tsu and Denki, letting his heart beat wildly in his chest. There was no point in trying to stop himself from falling even deeper in love with the man his omega claimed as theirs. “I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.”

“I have a feeling his answer would be the same.” 

A part of him murmured something at the bottom of his brain, but Izuku didn’t give it a second thought. Katsuki had proven himself more than enough; Izuku wouldn’t let his demons dig into their trust again. Instead, he simply nodded, hiking Yuki higher on his hip before offering to give All Might an ‘official’ tour of the home. 

Their pack filled the space comfortably. Seeing his and Katsuki’s friends blending in so seamlessly stitched something warm together in his heart. Hanta and Shoto’s relationship had helped the process start before Yuki was a thought in anyone’s mind, but their pup changed the name of the game. Bonded pairs would pick one side (normally the alpha’s) as the primary pack, adopting the other partner. But without Katsuki and Izuku bonding, both of their groups had continued to claim their ‘member’ as their own. 

In Katsuki’s pack, he was highlighted as the leader of their squad. Izuku had a unique case of being an omega leader, despite there being alphas in their group. Shoto’s father had made him avoid being the ‘leader’ of anything, even in his relationship. Tenya kept his focus on rebuilding his brother’s company and managing his time with others in their class. Himiko had the personality to be an alpha leader, but her limitations (due to her probation) and working through her post-war demons kept her out of the race. 

Without Izuku and Katsuki’s official bond, there were two options; the more common outcome was both packs claimed Yuki as their own. That caused conflicts and stress for the parents. Sometimes the pup would grow up with no set pack identity, increasing their chances of anxiety and social deficiencies. Luckily, Katsuki and Izuku were close before Yuki’s creation, so the second option of blending their packs made more sense. With Izuku and Katsuki taking the lead of their identified groups, and most of the members being connected from school, it was a seamless integration.

Now, watching their friends and family joke, chat, and scent amongst each other, Izuku’s muscles relaxed into the welcoming blends in the air. 

“Look at my favorite niece.” Even with the mask over his face, Izuku could tell Hanta was smiling. Izuku was still a little wary about letting others too close to Yuki, knowing her premature status made her more susceptible to illness. He tried to hide his wince when asking their guests to wear masks and wash their hands when entering the home. But everyone easily agreed, and waved off his apologies to enjoy the night.

“She’s quite little.” Shoto was still working on his compliments, though Izuku could tell from the ease of his arctic scent how much he liked Yuki. 

“Well, she’s only five weeks old,” Izuku replied, rocking the squirming baby as he laughed. “But, yes, she’s a little smaller than most babies her age. Dr. Moro thinks she’ll grow out of it over time, but we just need to make sure she has enough formula and exercise.” 

Hanta’s humor wrapped around his teasing reply. “She’s got you and Katsuki in her; I can’t imagine her size will keep her down.” 

“Let’s hope not.” Because he wanted Yuki to feel like she could do anything she put her mind to. When discussing his genetics with Dr. Moro, she reported that quirklessness was hereditary, but recessive; there was no guarantee that his past mutation would follow any of his children. On top of that, One For All had infused with him far before Yuki was born. For all they knew, her quirk could have speckles of the mystical power mixed with Katsuki’s. 

“May I hold her?” Shoto asked. 

The forward question caught Izuku by surprise. Though he had been supportive of the birth, Shoto was one of the few people who hadn’t gone ‘baby crazy’ during the hospital visit. Instead, he had updated Izuku about what went on while he was in the hospital, answering all the questions everyone else was too distracted to focus on. Now, he stood quietly in front of Izuku, politely waiting for the answer.

Smiling, Izuku stepped closer, easing Yuki into his care. “Here, just make sure you support her head—yes, perfect. You’re a natural with kids, Shoto.”

“I’ve been around my sister’s children,” he replied quietly, lashes lowered as he shifted his hold with confidence that matched his quirk skill. “Yuki’s name suits her.” 

“Ah, thank you.” Unsure why the comment made him blush, Izuku let his eyes drift to find a new topic. When his gaze stopped on the ring hanging off of his friend’s neck, he gasped. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t even congratulate you two on your courting announcement.”

“Well, you were a little busy, having a baby and all.” Hanta stepped closer to Shoto, his long arm wrapping around the alpha’s waist. “But, thanks. Feels nice to share it with everyone.”

“I’d be happy to help with anything you two need. It’s the least I could do after the media incident.” Izuku bowed during his apology. “I know you liked your privacy, and my omega instincts made things more difficult for you.”

“There’s nothing for you to apologize over,” Shoto replied, Hanta nodding his agreement.

“I mean, it all worked out in the end. I’d accept some grovelling for forgiveness from the media, but not you.” Hanta shrugged, bending down an inch to rub his chin against Shoto’s cheek. “If anything, I should probably send you and Yuki some flowers for getting us moving.”

For a moment, Izuku observed the two, wondering if the discomfort in his chest was his imagination or indigestion. He didn’t like thinking it could be the third option; jealousy. What kind of a hero would look at some of his closest friends and feel envy for their joy? He wanted everyone to get their happily ever after. But something so easily captured for them always felt just out of his reach. The care and affection Katsuki showered on him and Yuki was more than enough. Izuku knew he was special and loved in more ways than he could count. Just gazing at his amazing pup was enough.

He had to be grateful for everything the world already gave him.

“And you’re sure you’re ready for this?” Izuku asked, his question softer when aimed at Shoto.

His quiet friend didn’t answer at first, watching Yuki’s little lashes flutter as she fought against the rocking motion. “I am not my father, nor is Hanta my mother. We have a connection that needs no bond. In my mind, I was protecting Hanta by keeping our relationship away from the horrible people that would try and harm him in my name.”

“Not like I’m a hero or anything.” Despite his playful protest, Hanta’s cheeks offered a rare blush on the confident man.

Shoto nodded, but his attention drifted to Izuku. “It wasn’t until Katsuki spoke of his own regrets that I realized the truth. Waiting for the perfect moment, or for my family’s stained past to fade away, only wasted our time together. Hanta is the love of my life; in return, he accepts every flawed and broken part of me. The world’s forgiveness of my father and brother’s decisions do not matter anymore.”

“Shoto…” Though part of his heart swelled from how far his friend had grown since their first year battle, something about his confession confused him. “What does Kacchan regret?”

“Damn, was hoping you didn’t catch that.” Hanta sighed, scenting through Shoto’s hair. “Babe, we weren’t supposed to say anything. Blasty’s gonna murder us.”

“But Katsuki said being blunt was the only way to get the point across, and I want my friends to be happy. Izuku deserves his mate.”

“My w-what?!” Stunned at the open claim, Izuku stumbled over the question.

“The one you’ve never let officially court you.” Like it was common knowledge, Shoto tilted his head. “Katsuki.”

“Oh boy. I know that tone.” Groaning, Hanta gave Shoto a final squeeze before he stepped back. “Shoto’s not gonna let this go. And since I like my head on my shoulders, I’m gonna get a soda.”

Izuku didn’t move his eyes from Shoto as the beta left, unsure if his ears were hearing things correctly. “Shoto, what are you talking about? Kacchan’s never—”

“We shouldn’t talk here.”

“Huh?” Izuku blinked when Shoto glanced around the room, silently acknowledging the large crowd of their friends.

“I’ve been told this conversation might upset you, and I fear that’ll affect Yuki’s happiness if she smells your distress.” Shoto offered her back to Izuku, who huddled her closer to quickly scent along her cheek and forehead. “Shall we ask your mother to watch her while we talk? Katsuki says you enjoy the backyard patio.” 

Izuku hated being out of sight of Yuki for too long, but he needed to know what Shoto meant. After making sure his pup was covered in his scent, he found his mother, who happily took the baby to give him a break. Anxious about the sudden claim, he couldn’t look for Katsuki, too scared seeing him would make him lose his nerve. Instead, he focused on leading Shoto out of the warm house, shivering at the first burst of the February night’s chilly air. 

“The backyard is quite lovely with the snow,” Shoto said while removing his mask, standing next to him on the large porch. 

Izuku let out a slow breath, willing to withstand the biting cold around his lungs to get an answer. “What do you mean Kacchan hadn’t started courting me officially?” 

“Because he hasn’t.” Normally, Shoto’s blunt demeanor was refreshing in a world that had too much fluff and not enough substance. But tonight, with such an important topic on the line, Izuku needed more. Something must have given away his frustration, because Shoto frowned. “He has to wait until you’re willing to take his offer seriously.”

“I don’t know who told you he asked, but Kacchan has never offered to court me. That’s the last thing he’s probably worried about right now.”

“I don’t agree.” Shoto pressed his fingers to his scent gland, where Hanta’s courting mark sat for all to see. It wasn’t the official bond, needing to wait for one of their cycles, but the intent was there. “Outside of this bitemark, how would someone be aware that Hanta and I were courting?”

Not understanding the connection, Izuku tossed out the obvious answer. “The ‘BINGS’ scale. But that’s not–”

“Which is?”

“Shoto.” Izuku tried to hold back his annoyance, unsure how any of this answered the original question. He didn’t care about something they learned back in middle school. All he wanted was an answer to Shoto’s previous accusation.

“Please.” Despite the polite tone, the serious flare in Shoto’s gaze made Izuku shuffle his weight between his feet. 

“Blending scents, instinctive greetings, nest offerings, gift exchanges, and sharing a future den for a pup.” After tossing out the five factors of courting, Izuku’s irritation softened, hand pressing over his heart when looking at his quiet friend. “And, well… maybe it’s not an official step, but I think the fact that you’re in love matters the most.”

“Couples who complete all of these steps are ready to bond, right?” Shoto asked, Izuku trying to read the intent behind his composed expression.

“Yes, of course. What pair would go through all of that without wanting to be together?”

“I agree. And Katsuki does, as well.” Shoto’s smile barely moved his lips. “Can you not see that he’s done all of these things for you?”

Izuku’s eyes widened, heart stalling at the bold claim. “No, that’s—even if some of them are true, they’re because of Yuki.” 

“Are they?” Shoto challenged instantly, stepping closer to place a firm hand on his shoulder. “Before you answer, think about the truth. ‌I’ve learned that hiding from our feelings isn’t the way to live. And you were the one who taught me this, Izuku.”

“No, we’re…” Except the protest refused to leave his throat again. His omega wouldn’t let it form. 

Without permission, his brain started pulling out every strand of evidence to support Shoto’s theory. The times Katsuki covered Izuku in his caramel, despite never being a fan of over-scenting his pack members. How, outside of his mother, Katsuki was the only person who made him chirp. The way they bought things for each other, without thought or reason. Katsuki built him a nest. In return, Izuku only allowed the amazing alpha inside it. And right now, they were celebrating Yuki in Izuku and Katsuki’s den. The one Izuku had settled into without hesitation, because it felt more like home than anything before it. They’d done everything a courting couple would.

“When you went on leave, I was paired with Katsuki often,” Shoto said, Izuku unsure why he brought it up until he continued. “People consistently asked if he had officially started courting you.”

“Really?” Izuku wasn’t sure why the new information tickled the back of his throat. “They’ve never done that with me around.”

“It’s improper for them to offer themselves to Katsuki if he’s officially courting someone else. I doubt they’d be so lewd as to do it in front of said courted partner.”

“Offer themselves?! Why would they—you mean like cycle partners?”

“Like future mates.” Somehow, that hit harder than his original assumption, his omega snarling inside his chest. If Shoto noticed his clenched teeth and stiffer frame, his friend didn’t show it. “He never accepts, but it sours his scent enough to leak through the patch.”

“Why was he upset?” If anyone should hold that negative emotion, wouldn’t it be Izuku? Then again, what right did he have to feel so possessive of Katsuki?

“I can not say I know exactly what he’s thinking, as Katsuki is quite protective over his internal monologue.” Shoto’s gentle framing of Katsuki’s defensive personality almost made Izuku relax. “But, I could understand if I was in his position. Each offer would remind me that I am a desirable mate to everyone but the one I want to share my life with. If I thought Hanta was comfortable letting me slip away, I would be… unsettled.”

Stunned at Shoto’s implication, Izuku quickly shook his head. “Of course I’m not okay with someone taking Kacchan away! And, yes, I… probably should have realized we were doing some things that were in the realm of courting. But he never told me other people were asking him to be their—I thought what we had going was kind of working.”

“Do you want to be his mate?” Shoto asked, no judgement or assumption in his tone.

It made Izuku’s frantic shout feel desperate. “Yes!”

“Then you should talk before your cycles begin again.” He understood Shoto’s concern; most cycles restarted three months after a pup’s birth, though he wasn’t sure if his heat or Katsuki’s rut would kick in first. “The desire to bond is stronger after having a child. If you share your heat or his rut, Katsuki will bite you. It will be out of his control, no matter how much that would tear him apart. So unless you are ready to accept his courting, you both may need to find other cycle partners.”

After Shoto’s somber ultimatum, the conversation died a silent death. Before Izuku could think of how to process it, Ochaco pushed open the backdoor, calling for them to re-join the party. Shoving on a smile he didn’t feel, Izuku followed her inside, rushing to take Yuki back into his arms. He peeked up over her soft hair, not looking far for what he needed next.

“What were you and Icyhot doing?” Katsuki asked, sliding up next to Izuku without any space left in-between. The arm that found his waist felt like it had always belonged there, tugging Izuku closer. “Did he make you build a snowman or something? Bet the fucker never did it as a kid, that wannabe Elsa—”

“He was just talking to me about courting,” Izuku answered, hoping Katsuki would assume he meant Shoto and Hanta’s. When a flicker of wariness caught the edge of Katsuki’s expression, Izuku knew he needed to change the topic. It was that, or let his heart fall out of his chest from its intense beating. “Kacchan, would you get Yuki a bottle? It’s almost time for her to eat.”

“Got it.” With an unconscious nuzzle to Izuku’s temple, Katsuki was gone, flipping Jirou off when she arched her brow. Though the sentiment should have melted him, Izuku couldn’t settle into the domestic bliss. Not with the heavy topic now resting on his shoulders. 

And like a vengeful spirit, Shoto’s warning haunted Izuku for the rest of the night.

~**~

At first, Izuku thought about talking to All Might. He had always been a good person to go to about Katsuki, understanding both of them since they were teenagers. Or maybe Ochaco, who (inspired by Himiko) had gotten more vocal about her opinions. But everyone that he thought to turn to had one common trait he didn’t need; they would always put Izuku’s feelings first. He loved his support group, and respected their concern of upsetting Izuku so soon after having Yuki. If Izuku wanted an honest, brutal, opinion, he would have to step outside the warmth of their immediate pack.

“You brought your gremlin to a prison?”

“Treatment center,” Izuku said, ignoring Tenko’s scowl to shift Yuki up into view. “Sweetheart, meet my friend Tenko.”

“I doubt your spawn will consider me a friend after hearing I nearly erased both of her parents from existence.” When Izuku only hummed and lifted one of her small hands to wave at him, Tenko sighed. “How did you get this approved?”

“People get visited by their family all the time. Why would you be any different?”

“Because I’m a mass murderer? Also, all my family’s dead.” 

“You were a child manipulated by something that turned everything in the world against you,” Izuku reframed, cooing down at Yuki before turning his attention to Tenko’s droll stare. “And you can be Uncle Tenko.”

“Are you an idiot, or do you just have short-term memory? I tried to eradicate all the heroes from the world. What part of that screams uncle?”

“Kacchan and I are going to let Yuki make her own opinions of people before she learns of their past. If you want to tell her your story when she’s older, we won’t stop you.”

“And your alpha knows you’re here?” Tenko asked. Izuku hesitated, gently moving his leg to keep Yuki happy.

“He’s aware I took Yuki for an adventure.”

“So, no.”

“Not because I think he’d tell me not to!” Izuku corrected quickly, though Tenko’s scoff proved his disbelief. “It’s because I don’t want him to know why I’m here.”

“Is Japan’s favorite hero doing something he shouldn’t?” Tenko asked, though the mockery lacked its old sneer as he leaned on the table between them. “Something only a villain would understand?”

“No, nothing illegal.” Then, he blinked, wondering if his face gave away his guilt. “And we already talked about this; you’re not a villain. I came here to ask something only you could answer. Half of that’s because of our history, but the other half… I feel like you’re the only person who won’t hold back on me.” 

“That’s cause I don’t put you on a pedestal and pretend you’re God’s gift to earth.” When Izuku nodded, Tenko studied his face before he scowled. “Fine, ask me.”

“You once told me that the ‘search’ quirk had been the reason you went after Kacchan. That he…” Despite forgiving Tenko, and working through his trauma, Izuku hated visiting the worst day of his life. Seeing Katsuki’s motionless corpse, and hearing he had been the reason for the devastating scene, would never leave his heavy soul. Taking in a slow breath to settle any hint of discomfort, Izuku pushed forward. “The quirk highlighted who was most important to me. But at any point during the battle, did you use that quirk on Kacchan?”

“Why would I need to? All For One had a weird obsession with your alpha looking like the second One For All user, but he wasn’t our target.”

“Ah, right.” He had expected the response, but it still deflated his final flutter of hope for an easy answer. “I guess that makes sense.”

“Why are you bringing it up?” Something about the prodding grabbed Tenko’s attention, chin resting in his hand. “You never talk about that day. I doubt you mentioned it for a simple walk down memory lane.” 

“I had a conversation with someone the other day, and… I guess my brain is looking for some undisputable proof that Kacchan and I are on the same page regarding our feelings.” 

Tenko stared at him like he had three heads before moving his gaze to Yuki.

“Isn’t that proof enough?”

“People don’t need to be in love to have pups,” Izuku answered, lifting Yuki higher up in his hold. “Actually, her arrival makes things more complicated. According to every developmental book and article I’ve found, having a baby with Kacchan might make us need to find other cycle mates.”

“I’m not interested.” Izuku sputtered at the lazy rejection, Tenko rolling his eyes. “I have no desire of getting between you and your alpha. I don’t know anyone dumb enough to take on that pipebomb. Do you really think he’s going to let you mate with anyone else?”

“Kacchan is not my mate.” Frustrated at the common error, Izuku huffed and rubbed his nose against Yuki’s cheek. “Everyone acts like he got down on one knee and offered me a courting ring.”

“Would you be smart enough to know what it was if he did?”

Izuku flushed, lifting his head to protest. “That’s not fair.”

“Life’s not fair.” Out of everyone, Tenko probably knew that best. “And let’s be real, Hero. If you had wanted to figure this out, you would have. So you’re intentionally making yourself stupid.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Really? Enlighten me.”

Izuku didn’t answer right away, taking his time to admire Yuki. Unaware of the conversation, she rested comfortably in Izuku’s arms, fingers brushing her mouth without any coordination. His heart automatically squeezed with the intense affection he had for his pup. Even if the topic felt too sensitive to speak about, she deserved a home without tension and regret. Petting the curve of Yuki’s cheek, he smiled when her mouth turned to his touch instantly. 

“I’ve been Kacchan’s cycle partner for three years. We’ve kissed. Been together. T-Touched each other in ways I couldn’t with anyone else.” Even if the confession made him blush, Izuku pushed forward. “But no matter how good that felt, how much I loved when he called me his omega, Kacchan never asked to court me. He just does things, and I’m supposed to read him. And normally, I don’t mind. We’ve gotten better with words, and the times we communicate feels like everything is right in the world. But I’ve never been in—I mean, felt this way before. Courting… it’s all so new to me, too.”

“Ugh.” At Tenko’s grunt, Izuku glanced up, catching his bored look. “Why don’t you say what the real problem is?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You want him to ask.” Tenko’s dark eyes met his, voice far too soft for the hard-hitting truth spilling from his lips. “You want the romance, the flowers, the moment of being a normal omega. All your life, you’ve tried to be something more for everyone around you. But this? For your most important person? You’ve proven you can be a hero, a duo partner, probably a mother. But you never did anything in order. You went backwards; got knocked up, and then learned what you wanted in a mate. There was no dating, no gross displays of open affection outside of dying for each other. Deep down, in those instincts you keep trying to ignore, all you want is for him to see you as an omega.”

“That’s not—”

Izuku tried to protest the ludicrous claim, knowing he was far more than his secondary gender. Hadn’t he fought tooth and nail to shove those traditional thoughts out of his life?

But then, the truth slammed into him without permission. Tenko was right; Izuku had been everything to everyone. From the first day he stepped into UA, all he’d wanted was Katsuki’s respect. He earned it through blood, sweat, and tears. Now, when Katsuki grinned his way, it held nothing but pride.

So why did he, deep down, want to nod at Tenko’s brazen theory? When his hero uniform was off, when he was nothing but skin and bones, Izuku ached for Katsuki to look at him. That his instincts would crave Izuku, the alpha inside needing him to his very core. He wanted to be pretty. Desired on a primal level. To be something Katsuki couldn’t help but bite, which was why he would clearly ask to court Izuku first. Every time they shared one of their cycles, Katsuki’s steel-like control eased a bit. He didn’t need to be the hero who put the ‘greater good’ over his own needs. He was a strong, hot-blooded alpha, who made sure every inch of Izuku felt it.

But then their cycle ended, and Katsuki would go back to his respectful duo partner. And Izuku was left feeling…empty.

“There’s no reason to deny it.” Tenko sighed and leaned back in his seat, arms crossed over his chest. “That’s your dumb nature. Court, mate, bond, pro-create. Happens like clockwork. The only good thing I got was being born a beta, cause I barely like the low level of instincts I have. Couldn’t imagine being a knothead or a leaky faucet.” 

“We’re not always like that,” Izuku replied, though Tenko ignored his input.

“What’s worse is none of that even matters in your case.”

“My…case?” Izuku asked, still trying to compose himself from his earlier revelation.

“I thought all you heroes got your heads checked after the war?” Tenko slumped lower in his chair, scowling. “Why am I stuck being your therapist?”

“Tenko, please.” Izuku tried to keep the begging tone from his request, forcing a purr out to soothe Yuki when something made her whine. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Mama’s not upset. You’re okay, my perfect ember.”

Tenko stared at the small interaction before he scoffed. “You need to be greedy.” 

“I’m a hero—”

“Last time I checked, heroes are human,” Tenko cut him off, leaning his head onto the back of the chair to stare boredly at the ceiling. “Pretending none of you desired things was part of why I hated heroes.” 

“You don’t hate all of us.”

“I’m luring you into a sense of false security so I can backstab you.”

“Then I’d have to tell Himiko, and she’d get upset,” Izuku said, smiling when Tenko hesitated. Almost nothing made the carefree man think over his choices, but his old group members were still a soft spot.

“Snitch.” Izuku couldn’t help but laugh at the childish mumble, expecting it from Denki or Mineta over the older man. “All I’m saying is you don’t need a bite to claim him. I’ve known it since you two were teenage pups acting like you weren’t obsessed with your bond. Your manic need to keep your eyes on each other made him an obvious target. Mr. Compress picked up on it far quicker than Search did. It was pretty gross.’’

“We weren’t that bad.”

“Mr. Compress thought you were going to bite him to death when we kidnapped your alpha.” He could feel his cheeks burning when remembering how frantic he’d been trying to save Katsuki. Their classmates told him the scream he’d released that night was something they’d never forget, even if Izuku himself couldn’t recall. After watching Katsuki disappear into Kurogiri’s vortex, Touya’s hand around his neck, Izuku’s mind went fuzzy. 

“Anyone would react to their friend being kidnapped by a group of villains,” Izuku forced out, unsure if believed himself.

“It’s that thick-headed denial that got you into this mess, Hero.”

Not able to argue against the truth, Izuku focused his attention on Yuki, gently rubbing her belly. “Your Uncle Tenko is very good at reading people.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“I think Uncle Tenko will be your best bet for real-life advice when you’re mad at me and daddy.”

“You sound way too comfortable with that title.” Then, the man made another quiet observation. “So, you’ve accepted it.”

“Accepted what?” Izuku asked, unsure what could make Tenko look so amused.

“I’ve called him your alpha a few times today, and you haven’t tripped over yourself denying it.”

Izuku stayed silent for a moment, sure his face held too much fondness once he started. “He calls me his omega. I know it seems silly, when I just made a big fuss about the mating thing. What’s the difference between being his omega, and his mate, right?”

“It does sound pretty stupid.” Then, Tenko pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. “But, knowing who I’m talking to, you’ve already constructed some sort of difference in your mind.”

“His alpha comes out without his permission. Mostly when he’s stressed, or feels he needs to protect his pack beyond his normal means. It’s endearing to know that part of him is already sold on me. I mean, it was his alpha and my omega who made us cross the line in the treehouse to begin with.” 

“A treehouse? And I thought villains were the ones with no shame,” Tenko grumbled. 

“It wasn’t my best moment, but it got me here.” Stroking Yuki’s hair, Izuku smiled through his soft confession. “Even before you put things into perspective, I knew some of what you said was true. But I don’t want to just be the choice his alpha makes on instinct; I want Kacchan to see me the same way the alpha inside him does. And I guess him asking with his words, not just the things evolution tells him to do, is what I need to fully believe both sides see me as a fitting mate.”

“And your spawn doesn’t scratch that itch, because you know a hero like him is ‘too good’ to abandon you. Even if he didn’t feel the same as his alpha.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Way to make things complicated. You can’t just be happy the hunk of feral meat wants to pup you every chance he gets?”

Pushing through his embarrassment at Tenko’s suggestion, Izuku shook his head. “That’s not love, Tenko.”

“You wouldn’t accept love if it blasted you in the face with a sweaty hand.” Tenko curled his lip like he was reliving a terrible memory. “Such a disgusting quirk.”

“It’s actually quite fascinating, once you examine the breakdown of the chemical components in his perspiration.” When Tenko sent him a look, Izuku laughed, feeling his body relax fully for the first time since the party. “Thank you for talking with me, even if I don’t always want to hear what you have to say.”

“Not like I have a choice,” Tenko replied, though Izuku knew that wasn’t true. If he wanted, the man could deny the request for Izuku’s visit. 

Holding Yuki up again, he pressed their cheeks together. “Say thank you to Uncle Tenko.”

“Your spawn can’t speak.” Despite the grouchy comment, Tenko’s sleepy gaze rolled over Yuki as she squirmed, her little feet kicking. “No doubt that’s Dynamight’s brat. She's a carbon copy outside of her eyes.”

“Thankfully, she looks like him now over when he was her age.” He’d seen the interesting image Katsuki made when first born. Mitsuki had cackled when she whipped out the baby photos, ignoring Katsuki’s threat to blow up the house when showing Izuku. Despite his partner being gorgeous now, the newborn pictures were hard not to laugh at. Katsuki had pouted the entire drive home, only giving up his annoyance when Izuku beckoned him to snuggle with their pup.

“And you keep planning on bringing her along?” 

Izuku nodded. “Whenever I can. Maybe when the spring comes, we can take her for a walk in the treatment center’s garden to see all the blooming flowers.”

“She’s not a dog.” Tenko rolled his eyes. “And that won’t be for months.”

“That’s okay,” Izuku replied, feeling his eyes crinkle from his smile. “We’ll be here.”

Tenko watched him before he sighed, laying his chest against the table with his arms crossed under his head. “I’m sure you will, Hero. Can’t leave a kicked dog alone.”

And even if Izuku could no longer see the man’s face, he knew the hidden expression was a smile.