I'm sorry this update was so late! I was just so busy T_T

On that note, this'll be the last chapter for tihs year as I'll take a small break for 2 to 3 weeks (max!) to focus on my exams and my own mental health.

That being said: Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Izuku stood at the edge of the gym, stretching his arms above his head. The class they just had, had been intense and Aizawa had ordered them to do a cooling down after they were done.

So Izuku was there, stretching before he was allowed to go change back into his regular uniform.

While walking to the changing rooms he was met with Shouto halfway. Shouto smiled at him softly, at which Izuku gave him a wide smile in return. It hadn't gone unnoticed that Shouto had started smiling more often and Izuku really liked it, so he tried to encourage the teen as much as he could to do so.

They chatted for a bit about their training before they went separate ways in the locker room to find their own belongings.

Shouto waited at the door for Izuku, turning to open it as they both left. When they exited the room, Izuku looked up in surprise, seeing Katsuki standing on the other end of the hall.

Katsuki's head turned to Izuku as he noticed the smaller boy. Katsuki moved over to the both of them, stopping in front of Izuku. 'Can we talk for a bit?' the blond asked.

Izuku smiled a little, failing to notice the tense atmosphere that enveloped Shouto and Katsuki. 'Yeah, sure!' Izuku replied happily.

Katsuki's gaze averted towards Shouto. Izuku looked at the both of them, an eyebrow raised, as they appeared to be in a silent stalemate.

'I'd rather talk with him alone,' Katsuki said.

Shouto looked displeased, but took a deep breath before turning to Izuku. 'I'll see you back at the dorm.'

Izuku was a bit taken aback. 'Oh, okay. I'll be there soon!'

With that, Shouto planted a quick kiss on Izuku's cheek before leaving, making Izuku turn red at the sudden display of affection. When Izuku turned back to Katsuki, the blond was already walking away.

He looked over his shoulder, jerking his head as if Izuku should've known to follow. Izuku jogged softly to catch up.

'What's up?' Izuku asked as they were walking on a steady pace throughout the building towards the exit. Izuku looked over at Katsuki, but his gaze was aimed at the ground.

'Your boyfriend came to talk to me yesterday.'

Izuku skidded to a halt, frowning. Katsuki turned around, his hands shoved in his pockets, his expression neutral.

'Why?' is all Izuku managed to ask.

Katsuki looked away again. He so badly wanted to tell the truth, to create drama between the two lovers, but somehow, he couldn't.

Izuku could see that Katsuki was gritting his teeth. A pit formed in his stomach. He can't think of a single reason why Shouto would go to Katsuki. Well… there were many bad reasons, just no good ones.

'He told me about your problem.'

Izuku held his breath. His mind was going a thousand miles a second. Why on Earth would Shouto tell Katsuki that without his permission? Why tell the blond at all!?

This only made things so much worse, because now Katsuki knew that Izuku still liked him and even though the blond had been improving a lot, Izuku was afraid all of this was going to mess it up again.

Katsuki ran his hand through his hair, gripping the base of the spikes tightly. Then, he breathed out slowly. 'Look, just… calm down okay? I'm not going to do anything if you don't want me to I just.. I wanted you to know your options.'

Izuku's head was spinning. His options. His only options were Katsuki or Shouto. He already knew about those options, so why would Katsuki need to confirm that?

'For fuck's sake,' Katsuki muttered under his breath before stomping forward.

Izuku wanted to flinch, just barely having the sense of mind not to, as Katsuki reached out and grabbed his wrist, putting his hand out in front of him. Katsuki brought his own hand up to Izuku's, pushing something into the smaller boy's palm.

'Just take your time and look at this. If this is not what you want, you don't have to do anything. If it is, then you can just come to me. Okay?'

Izuku looked down at his clenched hand, then back up at Katsuki. Katsuki's brows were furrowed, but not in an angry way.

Izuku gazed back down, slowly unfolding his hand to reveal a piece of paper. He blinked a couple of times as Katsuki released his wrist and pulled away. 'What's this?' he finally managed to say.

'It might be a solution to your problem, or not. That's for you to decide. Just wanted to give you the option.'

Izuku lifted his other arm to unfold the paper, but Katsuki almost growled at him. 'Don't open it here you fucking nerd. Go back to your room, without the bastard, and see if this is what you want.'

With that, he shoved his hands back in his pockets and turned around, leaving Izuku behind dumbfounded.

Izuku sat on his bed with his legs folded. The piece of paper was lying ominously next to him, begging to be opened.

Izuku had felt bad to ask Shouto to leave, having to come up with a reason before the boy would get jealous and angry (even though Izuku had never really seen him angry), but in the end, Shouto had left him alone.

He tentatively reached out and picked up the paper, slowly unfolding it as if it would hide something bad that could jump out at him. Except, there was nothing bad.

Written at the top in a very messy handwriting stood one single word: Polyamory.

Izuku's brows knitted together. It didn't sound like a real word and he certainly didn't know its meaning. Beneath it were some links to websites.

Izuku put the unfolded note down by his feet and reached out for his laptop, propping it up on his lap. His fingers glided across the keyboard as it typed in his main search engine.

He looked down at the note again. He couldn't understand how a single word could be a solution to his problem, especially one that looked this weird and surreal.

Izuku took in a deep breath before his hands hovered over his keyboard again. Izuku just wanted to get this over with and leave all of his confusion behind, and if Kacchan said it would help… well, he'd just have to trust that.

His fingers moved fast as he typed, pressing enter in satisfaction as the search bar read Ok Google what is polyamory?

A huge array of websites, videos and definitions instantly popped up on screen.

His eyes moved towards the big box at the top first. All it read was:

Polyamory
/ˌpɒliˈam(ə)ri/

Noun
noun: polyamory
the practice of engaging in multiple sexual relationships with the consent of all the people involved.

Izuku gulped. Izuku had heard of polygamy, where multiple people would marry one person. Usually it was a religious act where multiple women would marry one man. The idea made Izuku shudder.

He wanted to close the page, crumple up the paper and toss it out only to never think about it again, yet somehow, the idea also intrigued him. He had said he wanted both, right? Maybe this was the only way…

Izuku scrolled down a little and opened the Wikipedia page.

Terminology
The word polyamory is derived from the word 'poly' in English (meaning multiple) and the word 'amore' in Latin (meaning love). Some reference works define it as a relational form that involves multiple people with the consent of all the people informed, others declare it as a philosophy of life.

Izuku's mind was reeling. He didn't know what all of this meant and if it was even useful to him. Somewhere he hoped there was some kind of online test to see if he was polyamorous…

He sighed and pressed his fingers to his temples. He wasn't polyamorous. Someone could be in a polyamorous relationship, not be polyamorous.

Izuku looked back up and read more of the article.

Values within polyamory
Some of the most common values within a polyamorous relationship are loyalty, trust, honesty, respect, communication, non-possessiveness and management of jealousy.

At least this made sense to Izuku. If multiple people were involved in a relationship together, there would need to be a certain aspect of communication and respect to make sure all parties involved would be happy.

He could also easily see how being with more than one person could lead to jealousy and if this wasn't talked out honestly, there could be great implications.

He tried to look at it from his point of view. If Izuku was in love with Shouto and Katsuki, he would be the middle person. He would be the center of attention and the person they could get jealous about. Shouto and Katsuki would need to be able to talk it out without getting into a fight and learn to share.

Izuku sighed heavily. He couldn't even slightly imagine any of them wanting to share without getting jealous.

Izuku clicked the Wikipedia page away and went to look at one of the other websites Katsuki had written down.

One of them lead to a page called Myths about Polyamory. Izuku felt a bit uncomfortable reading it. He wasn't even sure he wanted to go this path, so why would he do all this research?

Still, his curiosity getting the better of him, he started scrolling down.

Myth: People in polyamorous relationships don't get attached

Fact: Mostly, the opposite is true, but instead of getting attached to one person, they become attached to multiple. It usually ends up in a very loyal relationship that equals "normal" relationships.

Izuku rubbed his eyes before reading that again. He could barely believe that would even be remotely true.

Throughout the years he was taught that a man should be with one woman (or another man, in this particular case) and that anything else would be considered cheating and would prove that they weren't loyal to their original partner.

Izuku was intrigued by all this new knowledge, but it also scared him. His stomach was fluttering anxiously as he scrolled to the next one.

Myth: People in polyamorous relationships usually only do it for sex

Fact: While most people in polyamorous relationships do participate in sexual acts with two or more of the partners, the main aspect revolves around a healthy relationship based on love

Izuku rolled his eyes. Why did everything in the world have to be about sex? Yes, it felt amazing and surely he had imagined doing it with Shouto (and Katsuki) on more than one occasion, but it was just a minor part of his relationship. He felt a stronger mental connection to either of them than physical and that was Izuku's main point of focus.

He scrolled down a little further, but all of the "myths" and "facts" were basically the same thing. It was all just myths about sex, emotions or misconceptions which were then disproved by the facts listed below.

All of the facts weren't really facts, though. They were things people in normal monogamous relationships did.

Izuku knew that relationships were based on love, trust, respect and communication. He didn't really see what made a polyamorous relationship any different than a normal one.

Izuku looked up from his screen. Oh. It really wasn't any different, was it?

With both Katsuki and Shouto he was already at such a level of trust and respect. Communication was a different point though, but that was a sore spot for all of them. They'd just have to work on that.

It was pretty clear to Izuku that this was indeed the solution to his problem. He had said he wanted both and he thought he just couldn't, but this proved him wrong.

Izuku shut his laptop and pushed it aside. He picked up the note. It was crumpled and the handwriting was smudged. Either Katsuki had been really frustrated writing this or it had been late at night. Probably both, Izuku thought.

Izuku let out a long sigh before falling back onto the bed, holding the note up in front of him. He knew what he wanted now: a polyamorous relationship. He wanted both of the boys and he finally knew he could.

Izuku let his arms fall down next to him in defeat. What would Shouto think? Izuku was sure that Katsuki had already approved of Izuku taking this path, seeing as Katsuki was the one to give him the note.

Izuku rolled over. He was scared for Shouto's reaction. The fact that Shouto had gone over to Katsuki's room to talk about Izuku's "problem" and hadn't told the boy afterwards probably meant that Shouto hadn't gone there to become friends with the blond.

Izuku felt a little sad at the thought of Shouto making the decision for him, even when he wasn't sure yet, though he could hardly blame the guy either.

Shouto had never really had anything for himself and the thought of losing Izuku would probably be hard on the guy. It didn't excuse his behavior, but Izuku could understand why.

Because Shouto had gone to Katsuki, making clear that the other had to back off (at least, that's what Izuku assumed), it was clear that Shouto had a certain possessiveness.

Izuku thought back on the info he just read. Non-possessiveness was a key aspect to a polyamorous relationship and Shouto would probably not take it well to be asked to share.

Izuku pushed himself upright, picking up the note and clenching it in his palm. He could stay here forever, wracking his brain over situations that would always stay uncertain unless he acted, or he could go and just ask.

He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and left the room.

Katsuki snarled, baring his teeth slightly, as someone knocked on his door and interrupted his thoughts again.

It took the blond enough energy to stay sane after giving that information to Izuku, so for someone to come bother him again was just plain frustrating.

Still, Katsuki got off his chair and moved to the door, revealing Izuku standing there. Katsuki raised an eyebrow at him, seeing Izuku's cheeks tainted red.

'I.. I wanted to talk,' the smaller teen sputtered, putting the note out for Katsuki to take.

Katsuki didn't take it. Instead he turned around, leaving the door open for Izuku to follow him.

Katsuki sat down on his bed, his legs crossed as he watched Izuku close the door behind him. Izuku walked in, awkwardly taking a position opposite of Katsuki.

'Was anything unclear?' Katsuki asked, taking the initiative.

Izuku's eyes flickered up to Katsuki's before he shook his head. 'No, no, it was all pretty clear. I just.. I don't..'

'You don't know what to do now.' It wasn't a question, but a statement. Izuku slowly nodded.

Katsuki knew that it would end up like this. After hearing from Shouto that Izuku had wanted both of them and not wanting to make a choice, he knew that this is what Izuku initially wanted, he just didn't have a word for it. He knew the guy better than he'd give credit for.

When he left a question about dating two people at the same time on one of the internet forums he encountered, he was quickly directed to the same pages he had given to Izuku.

Even though Katsuki wasn't a huge fan of the half 'n half bastard, he couldn't deny Izuku his happiness. If this is what the guy wanted, Katsuki would find a way to make it work.

Sure, there were a lot of things that needed to be discussed before anything of this could ever happen, but Katsuki supposed that that was why Izuku was here now.

'Have you talked to Todoroki?' Katsuki asked. He just hoped Izuku understood that this wasn't meant to be cheating or an open relationship, but something they all consented to.

'No, not yet. I didn't.. I didn't know what to tell him.'

Katsuki suppressed the urge to chuckle. Of course he wouldn't. If there was any chance of the other party involved getting hurt, Izuku would rather avoid it than face it head-on.

'But this is what you want?' Katsuki pressed.

Izuku nodded fervently. 'Yeah. When I was looking it up it just felt like.. like this is what I wanted all along. I just didn't know it was an option.'

Katsuki could understand that. It wasn't normal, but it was an option. Katsuki looked into Izuku's eyes. The smaller boy seemed so determined, yet at the same time so insecure.

'You get that it isn't really normal to ask your boyfriend to date someone else as well, right?'

Izuku gulped. Katsuki knew that Izuku realized that.

'I'm just afraid he doesn't get it. I'm not even sure if you do,' Izuku admitted, redirecting his gaze to his hands fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

Katsuki had to stop himself from clicking his tongue. 'You're right, I don't get it. I know you love that guy and that you're dating him, so I don't see why you'd always fall in love with me. It seems stupid.'

Katsuki could see Izuku's shoulders slump.

'But I know it'd make you happy and that's why I'm willing to try.'

Izuku looked up, a certain twinkle in his eyes. Katsuki looked away, heat creeping up to his cheeks.

'If it doesn't work, we can always call it quit.'

Izuku hummed softly in agreement.

Even from Katsuki's point of view, it seemed stupid. He would get to share the person he loved with someone else.

He wasn't quite sure how any of it would work. Would they make a time schedule on who gets him when? He wasn't a dog or some child after a divorce.

He wanted Izuku full-time, twenty-four seven, just all for himself, but somewhere deep inside, he could agree with this.

Izuku let his face fall into his hands. 'How would I ever tell him? How does this thing even work?'

The boy seemed plagued by the same questions that were stirring inside of Katsuki's mind.

Katsuki ran his hand through his spikes. 'I don't fucking know, but we'll figure it out. Got it?'

Izuku looked up from his hands, tears gathered at the corners of his eyes. Geez, that guy cried way too easily.

Katsuki shifted uncomfortably, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and leaning back. 'I think it's best if you tell that guy on your own. If I'm there he'll just think I talked you into it.'

'But you didn't!' Izuku argued.

Katsuki looked over at the boy, which immediately shut him up. 'I know I didn't, but he doesn't really like me and the feeling is mutual.'

Izuku looked sad. Katsuki rolled his eyes this time.

'How many fucking times do I have to tell you this? I'm doing this for you.' He gritted his teeth. 'If this means I'll have to throw away my pride and my stupid selfish desires, then so be it. I'm going through with this if this is what you want, even if I don't like that guy and he doesn't like me. You understand now?'

Izuku wiped at his eyes before looking back up again and nodding.

'And then when you're done explaining everything to him, you can come back here and we'll talk about it.'

Izuku nodded again. Katsuki watched as the boy slowly crawled off the bed, lingering on the edge. When Izuku looked back, Katsuki almost forgot to breath.

The boy smiled so genuinely, seeming so happy now that his mind was finally settling down, a warm fuzzy feeling was coursing through Katsuki's veins.

'Thank you,' Izuku said.

A pink blush covered Katsuki's cheeks as he turned away. 'Anything for you,' he muttered.

Izuku pushed himself off the bed. 'I'll talk with him this weekend.'

Katsuki watched Izuku disappear as the boy closed the door behind him. Having seen Izuku so happy, so carefree again, it had made Katsuki so happy too…

For once, instead of making him agitated at the thought he'd have to share, he smiled.

Thank you so much for reading this story.

I constantly forget to reply to all of your comments but I read them and I love every single one of them, I really do! So thank you, I love y'all and see you in a couple of weeks 3