Chapter 12

"Need a Manhattan."

"You got it, bro!"

"Kaminari, make a White Russian for the man at booth three."

"White Russian? You sure? Uh, I uh… messed up last time."

"The more you do it, the more you'll get better."

"Oh, uh. Okay."

Kaminari slinked to the other end of the bar, eyes wide as he stared at Bakugou. Kirishima was working on the Manhattan drink next to him, his eyes also nervously looking back and forth from his drink to his boss.

"Dude, what is going on with him?" Kaminari asked him. "He's been moping around here for about a week."

Kirishima sighed, clinking down the large bottle of bourbon. "Todoroki left his place."

Kaminari's jaw dropped. "What?! Why the heck did he leave?" he asked. "I thought things were going so well between them!"

Kirishima winced and rubbed the back of his neck and paused for a moment before he went back to making the drink.

"Well, they weren't going poorly," Kirishima said. "But… Bakugou told me he confessed to Todoroki."

"Huh?!"

"Shh!" Kirishima slapped a hand over Kaminari's mouth and glanced over his shoulder to look at Bakugou, hoping and praying that he wasn't listening in. He looked preoccupied with his own thoughts, though, his eyes blankly staring at the counter as he continuously tried to rub a hole into it.

Kirishima sighed in relief and looked back to Kaminari. "Don't say that too loud, Denki!"

Kaminari nodded with Kirishima's hand still over his mouth, and when Kirishima removed his hand, he pointed to Bakugou.

"I can't believe he confessed," Kaminari said. "He was so hell-bent on going to the grave with it."

"I know. But it… just kinda happened, apparently," Kirishima said. "Todoroki was totally wasted and jumped him."

Kaminari's jaw dropped. "Whoa, way to go, Todoroki!"

Kirishima smiled. "Well, it was pretty bold of him, right? Super manly!"

"So why didn't Bakugou go for it? He usually goes right for it," Kaminari said. "And since Todoroki initiated it, doesn't that give him the green light?"

Kirishima frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, yes, but… they just discussed divorce, Denki. And he was hammered—there's no way he was in his right mind."

"Damn," Kaminari said. "Is he gonna be okay?"

Kirishima sighed and looked over at Bakugou, lifting one shoulder in a lousy shrug.

"I don't know, man," Kirishima said. "But we should try to be supportive to keep his mind off of it, okay?"

"Got it," Kaminari said. "And don't talk about Todoroki, right?"

"Right," Kirishima said with a smile. "Let's get back to work and keep him happy."

"On it! Operation: Keep Bakugou Happy is a go!"

As the two of them shuffled about to do their job, Bakugou stood on the other end of the bar, still staring into space. While he looked completely dead on the outside, his ears were still working. He painfully heard Kirishima and Kaminari's conversation, and he couldn't blame them for wanting to talk about it.

He knew he was acting strange but he really couldn't help himself.

He missed Todoroki.

And it was tearing him up inside.

"Can I just get a beer?" a customer asked as he sat down at the counter.

Bakugou blinked out of his daze and glanced up at the customer in front of him. Normally, he would have the desire to punch the guy in the face, but today, he found that he just didn't even care.

"Yeah," Bakugou said, reaching for a mug. He filled it in the tap and slid it over to the man. The customer thanked him with a nod and slid over some yen on the table, telling him to keep the change. Bakugou took it with a sigh and went over to the register to put it in.

He never wanted to make a stupid Long Island Iced Tea so badly in his life.

It had been days since Bakugou went to the gym. He could feel it in his muscles: the deterioration, the achiness. But his lingering depression could also have been the cause.

He was eating his third cup of noodles—and watching stupid crap on the TV—when he heard banging at his door. He glanced up, his heart giving a pained lurch.

Could it be…?

He put his cup of noodles down on the coffee table and hoisted himself over the back of the couch, hurrying to the front door. He nearly ripped the door from its hinges with how fast he pulled.

"Todo—"

"Dude! It's so good to see you!"

Bakugou snapped his mouth shut. There stood Mina, all decked out in her hot-pink workout clothes with her gym's logo on her t-shirt.

"I'm glad you're actually alive, bro!" Mina said. "I was gettin' real worried and—"

Bakugou slammed the door shut in her face and walked back over to the couch to continue eating his noodles.

"Bakugou Katsuki!" Mina yelled through the door, banging her fist on the door. "Don't you dare ignore me!"

Bakugou slurped loudly and kept his eyes on the TV, even though he couldn't concentrate. That stupid white cat was curling itself around his legs. Annoying.

"Bakugou, c'mon. Let me in!" Mina pressed. "You haven't been to the gym in nearly three weeks!"

Three weeks? Had it really been that long since Todoroki left?

"I'm not leaving until you answer this door, Katsuki!" Mina said, usurping his first name as a threat. "Katsuki! Kaaaatsuki!"

With each time she used his name, there would be three corresponding knocks on the door. Bakugou sighed and sagged into the couch, his body feeling heavy. He could feel his brows twitching with each knock, which only added to the blooming headache that was forming on his temples.

"Ugh, shut up already," Bakugou groaned as he forced himself up from the couch. He dragged his feet over to the front door and begrudgingly opened it. "Whaddya want?"

"Ah, good! So you decided to finally let me in!" Mina said, pushing her way past him.

"I didn't let you in, you piece of shi—"

"All right! Time for you to get your workout clothes on!" she said. "And bring extra tape! We're gonna box."

Bakugou rolled his eyes and shut the door. "'M not going."

Mina put her hands on her hips. "Um, yes you are?"

"Says who?"

"Me!" Mina said, pointing her thumb to her chest. "You can't keep yourself cooped up in here thinking about him, Katsuki. You need some fresh air. And exercise."

Bakugou sighed. "I walk to work. That's enough exercise, ain't it?"

"Well, not if you eat like this," Mina said, picking up the cup of half-eaten noodles. She sniffed inside and made a face. "Ew, it's not even the chicken flavor."

"Are you done?" Bakugou barked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Aw, c'mon!" Mina said, putting down the cup. "Don't you wanna look good for your man for when he comes back?"

Bakugou felt as if his stomach bottomed out. He turned away from her and felt his hands clench into tight, shaking fists.

"What if he doesn't come back?" Bakugou asked softly.

Mina's smile fell from her face as she stared at Bakugou with wide, sad eyes.

Ah. Damn. Could he be any more pathetic?

He really hated himself.

"Why do you think he won't come back?" Mina asked as she took a cautious step forward.

Bakugou swallowed and glanced away, his stomach churning as he felt his shoulders begin to tremble. He bit his lip and narrowed his eyes.

"I don't know," he answered. "They never usually stick around, so…" He swallowed hard. "So… why should I expect this one to stay?"

"Oh, Katsuki," Mina said with a sigh. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his tight shoulders and squeezed him. "You're a good one, okay? And if he doesn't come back, then that's his loss!" She nuzzled his jaw, trying to get him to loosen up. "He's an idiot if he lets you go."

"Tch. If anyone's an idiot, it's me," Bakugou grumbled, not bothering to move to hug her back.

"Nah. You're smart," Mina said. "And super hot, so like I said: that guy is an idiot."

Bakugou rolled his eyes, but his chest felt warm all over. He reached up and tapped Mina's elbows, gently nudging her off of him.

"Alright, alright. You win," Bakugou said. "Geez, you're so annoying."

Mina stuck out her tongue and smirked. "It's part of my charm!"

Bakugou grimaced and folded his arms across his chest with a sigh.

"You're not leaving until you get your way, are you?" Bakugou asked.

"Nope!" she said.

"Ugh, you're impossible!" he yelled. "Fine! I'll go get changed."

Mina smiled and lifted her hands in the air in victory. "Yay!"

"Shut up! Damn, you're so loud!"

Another month passed without a word from Todoroki, and it was driving Bakugou absolutely insane. After a few phone calls back and forth to his parents, he finally decided to make an appointment with his therapist.

He'd been avoiding going ever since Todoroki left. He hadn't felt the need for it, but his father convinced him that he should get some extra help.

He hated it. He didn't want to admit defeat.

So there Bakugou sat in the lobby of the doctor's office, his hands fisting his jeans as he fidgeted in place. His body was stiff, which he never usually felt while at the therapist. But today he certainly felt it coursing through his veins.

After a few minutes of waiting, the door to the doctor's office opened and his therapist, Ito-san, stood there with a kind smile on his face.

"Bakugou-san?" he called, getting Bakugou's attention.

Bakugou exhaled quickly and stood up, following the man into his office. The door shut behind them and Ito gestured towards the comfy couch.

"Have a seat. It's good to see you back here," Ito said as he sat down on his chair across from the couch. "I thought I'd scared you off, or something!"

Bakugou sat down on the couch quietly and settled into the cushions, giving him a one-shoulder shrug.

"I guess I didn't think I needed it," Bakugou said.

"I see," Ito said, his brows creasing in concern. "And what was it that made you think that?"

Bakugou kept his eyes on his lap. "I wasn't gettin' mad."

Ito hummed and rubbed his chin. He hadn't written anything on his notepad yet.

"And what was it that made you want to come in today?" Ito asked.

Bakugou hesitated, his thoughts immediately going to Todoroki. He felt pathetic—going to seek his anger-management therapist to talk about a stupid boy. He felt like he was in a dramatic soap opera.

"It's stupid really," Bakugou said. "It's not really worth coming in."

"But it must be important or you wouldn't be here today," Ito said. "C'mon. Just let it out. Hasn't stopped you before."

Cheeky bastard, Bakugou thought. Ito knew exactly how to get a ruse out of him. It worked every time.

"It's about a dumb idiot," Bakugou said. "He was a big part of my life and then he left."

"Was the parting on ill terms?" Ito asked.

"Not exactly. He just decided he needed space to think." Bakugou shrugged. "It was best for him."

"Do you believe it was best for him?" Ito asked.

"Well, yeah. I was the one who pushed him away."

Ito frowned. "Now you're going to have to give me more context here, Bakugou-san."

Bakugou sighed and tilted his head back in despair, looking up at the ceiling in disgust. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to hash this out. But he could hear his mother nagging him about it if he didn't.

"Ugh, it's just… Okay," Bakugou huffed. "This guy, he… he just separated from his husband and I was there for him. But I…" He felt his cheeks flush and he felt the embarrassment taking over.

Ito nodded and hummed, sitting back in his chair. "Ah. So you fell in love with him, then!"

Bakugou glared at him like a petulant child and then quickly glanced away. Ito probably knew more about him than his own parents.

"Yeah, I guess," Bakugou grumbled.

"And did he know about your feelings before he decided to leave?" Ito asked.

Bakugou's face burned. He thought of that fateful night where Todoroki jumped him, and Bakugou could finally taste his lips. The skin on his abdomen still burned from Todoroki's lingering touch.

"Yeah," Bakugou muttered. "He knows."

"I see," Ito said. "So he left to gain clarity, then."

Bakugou nodded. "I didn't want to be his rebound."

"Well, that is very smart and mature of you."

Bakugou frowned and looked down at the floor, eyeballing the coffee table that sat in between him and Ito.

"But it's been almost three months and I haven't heard from the guy. At all," Bakugou said.

"Does that make you angry?" Ito asked, tilting his head.

Bakugou thought it over. Of course it made him upset and frustrated, but he wasn't angry about it.

"No," Bakugou said.

Ito's eyes widened—just a fraction. "Then what do you feel about him not contacting you?"

Bakugou shrugged. "Sad, I guess." He paused. "I don't know, I just… feel on edge. But not mad."

"Are you perhaps afraid?" Ito asked.

Bakugou snapped his eyes up at Ito and stared at him hard. "Afraid? Of Todoroki?" he asked. "Tch, I'm not afraid of him! That would be pathetic!"

"No, no, don't misunderstand," Ito said with a kind smile. "I meant if you felt any kind of fear about the situation, not specifically afraid of him." He folded his hands on his lap. "Do you think you could be afraid that he won't come back at all?"

Bakugou frowned. "Well, yeah. That… makes me nervous."

"And why is that?" Ito said.

Bakugou fidgeted, eyes scanning the room for something to keep his attention while he tried to explain himself. His eyes settled on a painting of a red sunset overtop a snowy field.

"I just… I want something real, I guess. A real relationship," Bakugou said, taking in the red and white of the picture. "All of my other past relationships never stuck around. So… when I was with Todoroki, I felt like I could be myself. Even if I was shitty."

Ito hummed quietly. "This is quite new for you, Bakugou-san. You're taking a step into territory that you haven't experienced, yet."

"Don't you think I know that?" Bakugou snapped, eyes glancing away from the painting for just a moment. "I wanted that genuine love, but you can't just force it. Especially when the other guy is in love with someone else!"

"You're exactly right," Ito said. "I think you're on the right track here, Bakugou-san."

Bakugou looked at him, exasperated. "But what am I supposed to do?" he asked, spreading his hands out. "I want to talk to him, but I also don't want to get too pushy. He needs his space."

"Yes, he does need space."

"But what if he doesn't come back?"

"Then you move on."

Bakugou's jaw dropped, his brows pinching. "What?"

Ito shrugged and stood up from his chair. "If he doesn't come back, then he doesn't come back." He walked over to the table near his desk and picked up the electronic kettle pouring two cups of tea. "If that fear is a possibility, then you need to consider your own happiness."

He walked back over and handed Bakugou a cup, who took it with ease. His shoulders were slumped but he didn't look away from Ito as he sat back down in his chair.

"You can't keep waiting for him forever," Ito said. "My suggestion? If you find yourself waiting so long that the pain is unbearable, then it might be time to let him go."

As Ito took a sip from his cup, Bakugou stared down at his cup, looking at his distorted reflection in the murky liquid.

Ito was right, and he hated that he was right. If Bakugou ever wanted to be happy again, maybe he should try it. Maybe he should try to think about his own happiness.

He glanced up at Ito. "Can I… Can I set a time limit?"

Ito raised his brows. "Of course! What a great idea." He placed his cup down and reached for his notepad instead. "What time frame were you thinking?"

Bakugou took in a deep breath. "I'll do… a month."

One month. Thirty days.

That would give Bakugou time to start thinking about other people. Maybe go on a few dates here and there while he waited.

And then, if Todoroki didn't show back up, Bakugou would have to let him go.

Ito nodded and scribbled down quickly on the page.

"A month it is."

The days that led to Bakugou's ultimate deadline for Todoroki were exhausting and stressful. He found himself anxiously holding onto his phone at all times, waiting and begging for it to ring with Todoroki's name on it.

After a week or two of radio silence, Bakugou finally decided he needed to at least try to move on. And once he made that decision, the stress and pain mellowed out into a numbness that took over his whole body. He felt nothing.

He briefly spoke to Kirishima about his therapy session and his friend lovingly offered to set him up with some of his friends for some dates. Bakugou, while reluctant, agreed to it. He needed some kind of distraction to help him through this.

The dates were fine, but Bakugou never took them back to his apartment or agreed to go to theirs. He also never gave his phone number out. No kissing, no hand-holding. Nothing, really. Just light conversation over a shitty meal that tasted like cardboard.

After his fourth set-up date that failed terribly to take his mind off of Todoroki, he called Kirishima and told him to cancel any future dates.

Bakugou was at the bar out back, signing for some deliveries of beer kegs for the tap.

"Ah, just sign and date here," the delivery guy said, pointing to the paper on the clipboard.

"Yeah, got it," Bakugou said.

He pulled out his phone to look at his calendar for the date, and his heart gave a painful lurch in his chest.

Tomorrow would be thirty days.

"Shit," Bakugou whispered, his hand shaking as he squeezed his phone.

The delivery guy quirked a brow at him. "Uh. You good, dude? Are we missing any?"

Bakugou took in a deep breath.

Well. This was it.

He had to say goodbye.

He pocketed his phone and carried on with the signature and date.

"No. It's fine," Bakugou said, handing him back the clipboard.

"Cool," the guy said. "Now, do you want help carrying these in?"

Bakugou looked down at the kegs sitting by the back door. He felt so cold inside.

"No," he said. "I'll get 'em."

The delivery guy bowed to him and went on his merry way, and Bakugou envied him. He probably was just going home and enjoying whatever company he had there. All Bakugou had to look forward to tonight was sitting with that damn cat and watching reruns by himself.

Bakugou sighed and knelt down to pick up a keg. "Well, whatever."

He was already starting to accept it. He knew he had to, anyway. The sooner he could do it, the sooner he could get back to feeling normal.

He walked in through the back and toward the bar, nodding to Kirishima on the way.

"Oi, go grab your idiot and get the rest of the kegs to put in the storage cooler," Bakugou said.

Kirishima saluted him. "Aye, aye, Boss!"

Bakugou rolled his eyes, but he was glad for some alone time. He didn't think he could sort out his feelings around anyone right now.

He made it to the counter and placed the keg down, glancing around the bar. It was mostly empty, luckily, so he knelt down next to the keg to start replacing the old one. He could focus his mind on this for a while. This would distract him for at least a few minutes.

Suddenly, he heard the front door open, the bell above the frame jingling softly. He heard footsteps getting closer to the counter.

Bakugou felt his chest drop in frustration. "You've gotta be shittin' me."

The footsteps stopped, and Bakugou sighed. They probably couldn't see him from down there. He debated just hiding behind the counter and praying that they would just leave, but he knew that wouldn't be very professional of him.

"I'll be with ya in a sec," Bakugou called out.

"That's fair. I've made you wait quite a while, anyway."

Bakugou's heart slammed against his ribcage as he sucked in a harsh breath that nearly made him choke.

He scrambled up from the ground, almost banging his head on the counter on the way up, and stood face-to-face with blue and grey eyes.

"T-Todoroki?" Bakugou said under his breath.

Todoroki leaned on the counter and smiled shyly at him. "Oh, uh. I thought it was 'Shouto' now."

Bakugou gaped at him like a fish. "What the hell. What the hell."

Todoroki frowned, looking apologetic. He stood up straight, taking his elbows off the counter and started fidgeting with his jacket.

"Sorry. I… I know I should've called sooner," Todoroki started. "I didn't mean to make you wait and, well… I was just confused for a while. So I wanted to figure things out."

Bakugou could barely hear a word he was saying. All he could comprehend was that Todoroki was here. And he was standing right in front of him.

The realization slammed into him all at once, and the thought nearly made him drop to his knees.

Todoroki came back.

"You came back," Bakugou vocalized.

Todoroki stopped his apology and looked at Bakugou with a strained look on his face. He nodded and hummed.

"Yes. I did," Todoroki answered.

Bakugou swallowed. He couldn't take his eyes off of him.

"Does this mean you're… here for me?" Bakugou asked.

Todoroki paused, processing his question. Then, his eyes sparkled with understanding and he gave a small smile.

"Yes. I mean… if you'll have me," Todoroki said. His cheeks reddened. "After being away so long, I stopped thinking about Izuku at all. Which was great, but…" His eyes stared straight into Bakugou's soul. "I couldn't stop thinking about you."

Bakugou inhaled sharply.

He had started to give up. He was ready to move on, to quit, to be done with this man.

But he was here. He was right here and there was no way Bakugou would ever let him go.

"If you're upset with me, I can understand," Todoroki said. "I didn't mean for this to be so messy and I know I must've hurt you badly and—"

"Oh, will you shut up?!"

Bakugou grabbed him roughly by the collar and yanked him forward to kiss him. Todoroki gasped in surprise but quickly started to kiss back, his hands reaching up to cradle Bakugou's cheeks.

"Bakugou…" Todoroki whispered once they broke the kiss.

"Don't give me that shit," Bakugou growled. "It's 'Katsuki' now, got it?"

Todoroki's eyes shimmered and he smiled. He nodded, letting his thumb swipe along Bakugou's cheekbones.

"Okay… Katsuki," Todoroki said.

Bakugou nodded, his eyes squinting as he looked down at him fondly. He gently pulled Todoroki back in and kissed him more, and Todoroki hummed into the kiss, letting his hands drop to Bakugou's chest. Bakugou raised his hands to card his fingers through Todoroki's hair, and it was just as silky as he remembered.

Damn it. If this was a dream, he hoped he would never wake up.

"Oh, Katsuki."

Todoroki broke the kiss and looked up at him, his lips swollen and eyes wispy.

"What?" Bakugou said, wondering why he would stop.

Todoroki swallowed and smiled at him, his hands gripping Bakugou's shirt.

"I love you," Todoroki said.

Bakugou's chest ached from how hard his heart was pounding. He took in a shaky breath and went back in to kiss Todoroki more.

It was real. Holy shit, this was real.

"Yo, Bakugou! We did as you said and—whoa, what's goin' on here?"

Todoroki jumped back from Bakugou, seeming to just realize that they were practically making out in the front of the bar where all of the customers could see. Bakugou didn't give a shit. He was more pissed that Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Asshole had interrupted him.

"None of your damn business, dumbass!" Bakugou barked at his employees.

"Aw, Todoroki! So good to see you, dude!" Kirishima said. He gave him a thumbs-up. "Way to step up! Very manly!"

"Will you shut up?!" Bakugou yelled. "Geez. We can't get any damn privacy around here."

"Ah. Well, I could… take you out to dinner. If you'd like," Todoroki said.

Bakugou looked back at Todoroki with flushed cheeks.

"What? You mean now?" Bakugou asked.

Todoroki rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah for like a date. Or something."

"D-Date?" Bakugou felt like he was a teenager. Why was he getting so flustered over a single word?

"Go for it, bro!" Kaminari said. "You've earned it."

"Denki's right. You go on," Kirishima said. "We can cover everything here."

Bakugou felt a prick in his heart, his lips pressing together so they wouldn't tremble. He was so overwhelmed by it all that he wasn't sure of what to do.

Finally, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Fine. But you two better do a good job or I'll kick your asses," Bakugou threatened.

"You got it, Boss!" Kirishima called with a cheeky smile. Next to him, Kaminari made kissy faces.

Bakugou growled at them, shaking his fist at them, but Todoroki gently reached over and grabbed his fist, pulling his attention away from the two idiots behind the bar.

"Are you ready to go?" Todoroki asked. He tilted his head and his hair fell to the side in such a sexy way. Bakugou was doomed.

"Yeah," Bakugou said, his anger gone. "Let's go."

He rounded the bar counter and finally could see all of Todoroki. He was so beautiful.

"So. Where are we going?" Bakugou asked.

Todoroki shrugged and gestured to a nearby booth.

"I made a reservation here..."

"You what?!"

"I'm joking."

Bakugou huffed, a hint of a smile playing at his lips but he refused to let it show completely.

"Idiot. C'mon," Bakugou said, grabbing Todoroki's hand, and boy, it felt so right. "You're buying."

Todoroki huffed. "Sounds good."

They ended up having dinner at the same ramen shop they went to back when they first met. Todoroki ordered his typical gross cold soba and Bakugou got his ramen. The food hit just right and was a thousand times more delicious than usual. It was probably due to the fact that he hadn't been able to taste his food in four months. Depression can do strange things to the body.

They didn't speak about the elephant in the room. Not yet. Bakugou wanted to enjoy his time with Todoroki before they had to open up their hearts and talk about the gritty details of their relationship. Bakugou didn't know if Todoroki wanted a relationship at all. Maybe he just wanted a "friends-with-benefits" thing.

It made Bakugou feel uneasy, so he pushed those thoughts away.

Once they were done, Bakugou took Todoroki to a nearby park. The sun was starting to set, casting beautiful colors across the sky and hitting Todoroki's face just right. It made him glow.

He really didn't want to interrupt this moment, but he knew he had to. He had to wrap his mind around all of this.

"I think we should talk," Bakugou said, looking at Todoroki. "About everything."

Todoroki hummed and nodded, his eyes glancing away for a moment. But they found their way back to Bakugou, and Bakugou felt his chest burn. Todoroki had never looked at him like that before.

"I, uh... I guess I want to figure out exactly what we're doing here," Bakugou said. "I mean. I know you took me out, but… Shouto, you've been gone for four months." Bakugou shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm just a bit… confused here. I mean… I tried to get over you."

Todoroki twisted his lips and thumbed at the edge of his scarf. He took one looked at the sunset and then stared at Bakugou, all of his attention on him.

"I'm sorry I put you through that," Todoroki said. "I was just… trying to figure things out. I wanted to be certain that…" His cheeks flushed. "…that I was in love with you."

Bakugou eyed him carefully. "And you're sure you're over him?" he asked. "You're over Deku?"

Todoroki hesitated, eyes looking up at the sky to see the first few speckles of stars.

"When I was trying to figure myself out, I started questioning my relationship with Izuku. I started asking myself, 'Was it real love?' and things like that," Todoroki said. "I actually went to visit my mother to get her opinion on the matter. I hadn't seen her in… quite some time."

He sighed and looked down at the ground, his hand reaching up to touch his scar. Bakugou's heart did a weird stutter in his chest.

"O-Oh, uh, well… no, he uh… not directly from his father. It was… a result of his father's abuse, definitely.

Shit, Bakugou thought. This boy had truly been through a lot.

"She helped me think through things, since her marriage to my father was not one out of love," Todoroki said. "That's when I realized my love for Izuku was different. I did love him, but not in a way lovers should."

He smiled sadly at Bakugou and dropped his hand from his face.

"He was the first person to save me from my terrible life. From myself. I… was so lost, Katsuki." He looked down at the ground. "I couldn't help but want to be with him."

It was starting to hurt, but not because Bakugou was jealous. He was hurting because Todoroki was hurting, and he wanted to do anything to soothe that ache.

"So… once I separated myself from everything and cleared my head, I found myself thinking about you all the time," Todoroki said. "I wanted to see you. I… actually walked by your bar nearly every day last month, hoping that I could get a glimpse of you."

"The shit?!" Bakugou said. "Why the hell didn't you come in to see me?"

He couldn't believe how close he had been to seeing Todoroki. If only he had stepped outside during one of his breaks. Dammit!

"I wasn't ready to see you. I had to be sure that what I felt for you were genuine," Todoroki said. He stepped forward, close enough that Bakugou could grab his hand if he wanted. "And they are. I want you, Katsuki."

Bakugou tried to swallow down the lump in his throat. "You're sure of that?"

"One-hundred percent," Todoroki said, moving closer to lean his forehead against Bakugou's. "I know what I feel for you, Katsuki. Will you have me?"

Bakugou thought his heart was going to explode. He reached down and cupped Todoroki's waist, pulling him infinitesimally closer. Todoroki let out a soft gasp, and the noise sent tingles down Bakugou's spine.

"As long as you'll have me," Bakugou said.

Todoroki's eyes shimmered and he wrapped his arms around Bakugou's neck. He breathed against Bakugou's ear.

"Yes."

That was all the permission Bakugou needed.

He leaned forward and kissed Todoroki tenderly and deeply. His hands pressed hard on Todoroki's back, trying to press as close as possible. He wanted to feel all of him all at once. He wanted to memorize every part of him.

"Katsuki," Todoroki breathed once they broke the kiss. He nuzzled at Bakugou's jaw and then smiled at him fondly. "I love you."

"Yeah, Half 'n Half," Bakugou said. "I love you, too."

Later…

Sunlight peered inside their new and clean apartment, its warmth touching the bright kitchen cabinets and fresh countertops.

Bakugou was standing in front of the stove making traditional Japanese pancakes, wearing only a pair of sweats. He took in a deep breath as he flipped over one tall pancake, his chest feeling a bit squirmy.

Today was the day…

"Mmm… Morning."

Bakugou felt a pair of arms wrap around his middle, and he felt a bare chest press against his back. His lips quirked up in a small smile as he felt a pair of lips press into his shoulder.

"Mornin', Half 'n Half," Bakugou greeted, flipping over another pancake.

"You're making pancakes?" Todoroki asked, resting his chin on Bakugou's shoulder.

"Yep."

"But you normally make something healthy," Todoroki said.

"Yeah, but today is special, ain't it?" Bakugou asked.

Todoroki huffed a breath. "You remembered."

"Tch. I wouldn't forget, idiot," Bakugou said, turning in Todoroki's arms. He leaned forward and kissed Todoroki's cheek. "Happy anniversary."

Todoroki's smile was so shy and fond. It was cute as hell.

"Happy anniversary," Todoroki said back. "Did you plan anything for today? I made a reservation for dinner."

"A reservation? Where?" Bakugou asked with a quirked brow.

Todoroki shrugged. "At your bar."

"You'd better be joking."

"What? It's the prime anniversary spot."

"Over my dead body!"

Todoroki huffed out a laugh and then leaned forward to kiss him deeply. Bakugou nearly fell to his knees. Kissing him made him feel weak.

"I'm joking," Todoroki said once he pulled back.

"Of course you are," Bakugou said, pinching his cheek.

Todoroki grabbed his hand from his cheek and kissed it, and it made Bakugou's face flush. He still got butterflies from the guy, and it had been a year since they had been together.

"You sap," Bakugou said, taking his hand back to run through his hair. "Go wash up. Breakfast'll be ready soon."

"Okay," Todoroki said, leaning in for another quick kiss to Bakugou's cheek. He walked towards the hall but stopped at the doorway. "You have any other ideas for today? I didn't want to plan too much. I know you hate that stuff."

Damn, this boy knew Bakugou inside and out. But while the gesture was sweet, it wasn't entirely accurate.

Bakugou stuffed one hand in his pocket, feeling the small velvety box sitting inside.

"Nothin' much," Bakugou said with a nonchalant shrug. "What you have planned sounds good."

Todoroki smiled and nodded, and then he disappeared down the hall.

Bakugou let a long sigh in relief and gripped the box in his pocket. He took in a deep breath and turned back to finish up the pancakes.

He couldn't help it. He felt his lips quirk upward. In all of his life, he never imagined that he could feel this happy, this at peace, this full. It was like that satisfying feel and sound of a beer bottle being opened—all of that pressure being released.

For the first time in his life, Bakugou had something genuine and real.

END