Izuku scowled at the wrinkled paper beneath his irately tapping pen, though he had long hit a wall in his reasoning. He laid on his stomach, the floor cold against his skin, but ignored the discomfort in favor of his thoughts. Around him littered the remains of two separate notebooks, their pages marred by scribbled ink and rumpled beyond comprehension. It had been hours since he'd sent Todoroki and Bakugou away, yet he still hadn't made much headway in figuring out how the quirk works. With a sigh, Izuku dropped his pen and stared down at the information he had managed to gather. It was a simple recounting of that day and the previous day's events, but he'd been able to glean little insight into what it might mean. He'd wracked his brain over and over trying to make sense of it.

Love (?) Quirk Log Days 1-2:

Initial observations:

Both subjects display affection and desire towards me not previously recorded or observed.

Both subjects seem less guarded than normal, revealing their relationship that had been hidden. A breakdown of barriers? Which ones? Why?

Both subjects appear to be able to sense when I'm feeling strongly about something. They can't, however, read thoughts outright. Impulses? Emotions?

Unspoken desires: Inconclusive–Needs further testing.

Subjects seem compelled to do things that make me happy or more comfortable.

Contradictions: When I wanted them to confess, they were honest about their feelings rather than stating what I wished to hear.

Perhaps they can resist if they feel strongly enough about something?

Izuku paused here. Something about that statement bothered him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He jotted down another couple notes in the cramped margins before moving on.

An order spoken out loud: Untested.

Izuku didn't remember ordering them to do anything outright. He would need to give it a try when he got the chance. Something small that perhaps they wouldn't normally do, but that wouldn't make them terribly uncomfortable. Or maybe it should be something that would make them uncomfortable, just to test if they can resist it? The thought made Izuku sick to his stomach and he decided vehemently that he was going to make this as painless as possible. Hopefully, nothing would come of it...he didn't want that kind of power over anyone.

Spoken Requests: Inconclusive–Needs further testing.

I requested for subjects to leave my side. They only complied when I truly wished them to leave, when my words and my desires aligned. So, subjects are more likely to comply with requests than usual, but can still refuse with some effort.

A spoken request with a desired outcome: Inconclusive–Needs further testing.

A spoken request without a desired outcome: Inconclusive–Needs further testing.

Izuku sighed, resting his face against his folded arms and effectively blocking out the room and the irritating, inconclusive notes sitting defiantly on distressed paper. He wished he'd been paying closer attention, but the past two days were so muddled up in his head that he couldn't make heads or tails of it.

A swell of emotion built up in Izuku's stomach to crowd his throat and he was dangerously close to crying again. He was getting nowhere, nowhere, nowhere. He needed to talk to someone. All Might came to mind first, but with a prickling behind his eyes, Izuku remembered that he was still busy with the police investigating the mission and wouldn't be back for a few days. Also, Izuku didn't want to bother him with something so trivial after his best friend died. He would handle this on his own before he bothered Toshinori, who had it so much worse.

Aizawa sensei came second, but he hadn't been terribly concerned the previous day and was just as busy as All Might...maybe he didn't realize how serious this all was? He'd seemed unbothered, as if he felt Izuku could handle it.

Izuku wished for once that Aizawa had a little less faith in him.

He rolled his head to the side to regard his phone, briefly considering texting Uraraka or Iida. But it sat still and silent, no notification light in sight, and that stung for reasons he couldn't quite examine on top of everything else. He reached for it listlessly but dropped his hand just before touching the smooth surface. He didn't want to bother them either...

His mind wandered down darker roads.

He wondered how Eri-chan was doing. He hadn't been able to see her at all yet, and it was eating away at him inside. Her fear, her grief, haunted him. Such a young face shouldn't bear such terrible expressions, as if the shadow of her captor still hovered over her like a dark cloud. Izuku didn't know how to help her. He saved her, but it didn't really feel like it. It didn't feel like enough. Togata senpai had also been out of sight for days. Sir's death hung heavily on his mind as well and he hadn't spoken to Izuku at all since the rescue. Izuku could imagine all too clearly what he must be feeling. If All Might died...

All Might wouldn't die. He promised. Pressure built behind Izuku's eyes, throbbing in time with his temple. He didn't want to think about this.

He didn't know how to make it stop.

A sharp pain in his midsection accompanied by a heady wave of nausea reminded him without mercy that he hadn't eaten anything at all except for a few measly bites of pancake, the rest of which sat ruined and cold on his coffee table. It only made him feel worse that he'd wasted all the effort Bakugou put into it for his sake...

Still, despite the cramping in his abdomen, he couldn't bring himself to move, because getting up meant he would have to go to the kitchen and face everyone again.

Was that a better alternative than stewing in his spiraling thoughts? He couldn't decide.

With a sigh, Izuku flipped his notebook closed so he wouldn't have to look at it anymore. He would talk to Aizawa in the morning and maybe get a headstart on figuring out how the quirk worked so he could help his friends. For now, he just wanted to pass out and forget everything for a while.

If only he could. Already he could feel the nightmares that had plagued him for too long hovering on the edge of his exhausted consciousness, those that had been blessedly silent last night when he'd slept with...when he'd been held by…

A soft knock startled Izuku, heart jumping in his chest uncomfortably as he whipped around to stare at the door. Immediately he felt conflicted, dread and anticipation flooding him equally at the possibilities of who might be looking for him.

He needn't have fretted. Without having to answer, the knob turned and a sheepish Kirishima peeked around the frame. Izuku relaxed, the dark shadows of his mind receding minutely at the friendly face.

A friendly face that immediately crumpled in concern when Kirishima saw the state of the room and Izuku himself. "Midoriya? Can I come in?"

"Y-yes, of course," Izuku said in a rush, pushing himself to a seated position, utterly relieved for the distraction. Kirishima frowned before shouldering the door open, carefully stepping past the piles of discarded paper. Izuku was surprised to see him carry two steaming bowls and instantly his stomach complained loudly for the abuse he'd put it through the last forty-eight hours.

Kirishima's brows rose on his forehead and he laughed at the rumble, placing a bowl in front of Izuku and taking a seat opposite him.

"...Thank you," Izuku mumbled, pulling an amazing looking pork cutlet bowl closer and immediately digging in, groaning as he ate for the first time in far too long. Maybe it was that he hadn't eaten for a while, but it was unaccountably delicious. For a moment, Izuku's mind went blissfully blank and Kirishima likewise remained silent, eating his food and giving Izuku all the time he needed. Izuku felt Kirishima's eyes on him, but couldn't bring himself to acknowledge it just yet, not until he'd eaten the very last grain of rice. Mournfully, he stared down in the bowl, wishing more would magically appear. Alas.

"Do you feel better?"

"Yes," Izuku answered, remembering with some embarrassment that he had an audience. His mind was clearing now that he wasn't so hungry, and now he had to wonder what compelled Kirishima to bring him food. Don't get him wrong, it was nice, but they weren't all that close. "Um. Why…?"

Kirishima's brows drew together, his smile turning a bit sad. "No one has seen you all day. We were worried." He closed his mouth, hesitated. Then tried again. "I know it's been...rough. I just wanted to check in. Like, that mission was really awful, you know? I mean." Kirishima fidgeted, a smile struggling to remain on his face and avoiding Izuku's eye. "Tetsu and Bakugou have been helping me deal and...I just want you to know that I'm here for you, man. If you wanted to talk, or whatever."

For a full minute, Izuku didn't respond and Kirishima backtracked a little, flustered. Izuku watched with some fascination as Kirishima became animated.

"I mean, it's alright if you don't! It's just, it only went down a couple days ago and the girls haven't been talking to anyone. Tsuyu is doing her best to help Uraraka and Iida is hovering over them both. Heh, Uraraka's been acting annoyed, but I think she's enjoying the attention."

Huh. So that's why neither of them had tried to contact him. Immediately Izuku felt bad for thinking poorly of them. Uraraka had been so upset that morning, Izuku should be there for her right now. What kind of friend was he? He wasn't the only one going through a hard time.

He looked down. "Maybe I should…"

"Ah–" Kirishima interrupted, waving his hands nervously. "Best leave them alone for a while. I think Tsuyu has it covered. She looked pretty scary when I tried to talk to them myself. Besides, what about you? How are you doing with that whole love quirk thing?" Kirishima laughed awkwardly and tried to fill the silence as Izuku's stomach dropped. "Bakugou practically assaulted me in the hall and ordered me to bring you food. I mean, why didn't he just do it? Shouldn't the two of them be glued to your side right now–Midoriya?"

Izuku slumped back against his bed, looking at the remains of the delicious lunch he'd just had. Kacchan had made this for him? Even after Izuku was so awful to him? "...What about Todoroki?"

Kirishima was starting to look really concerned, leaning closer and lowering his voice. "I didn't see him, but Bakugou stalked off toward the garden after giving the food to me. Todoroki likes to hang out there."

"Ah." Izuku mumbled. He had seen the boy in the garden more than once himself, now that he thought about it. Bakugou noticed that? They knew each other so well...

"Hey man, what's wrong? You know none of this is your fault, right?"

Izuku laughed dryly. "I think I messed up. I...might have ruined everything." He shivered even though it wasn't cold in the room. Abruptly he missed having someone close to him, missed having arms wrapped around him. His eyes flickered to Kirishima and away, but it was too awkward to ask for such a thing, though he was certain the other boy would. It would help, but it wasn't...exactly what he wanted right now.

At Kirishima's prompting, Izuku told him briefly what happened, stuttering to a halt with a furious blush when he got to the part about the kiss. Kirishima raised a curious brow but didn't push.

Kirishima, to Izuku's surprise, looked more impressed than distressed at the news. "Wow, Bakubro finally admitted that he liked Todoroki? About time."

"...What?"

"Dude, they've been dancing around each other for ages! I don't think anyone else noticed, but after the whole kidnapping incident, Bakubro's really opened up to me. Mostly cursing, but I think I've got the hang of his mood swings now…" he trailed off thoughtfully with a small smirk, amused. "Hagakure wasn't wrong. That fight with Todoroki during the tournament really messed Bakugou up and he hasn't shut up about him since. It's almost as much as he complains about you! I am surprised they went as far as sleeping together already, but who am I to judge?"

"Um." Izuku really didn't know how to interpret that. He shook his head. "I think you're missing the point! I made them confess before they were ready! Todoroki looked like he was going to be sick!"

"Yeah, but Bakugou stopped you, right?" Kirishima said easily.

Izuku nodded slowly.

"And Todoroki seemed honest? It sounds like this might be a good wake-up call if he thought that Bakugou wasn't being serious with him," Kirishima said gently. "Maybe this is a good thing. I'm just saying, it doesn't sound like you can actually make them do anything they truly don't want to."

"...Maybe," Izuku said doubtfully, rubbing his eyes roughly. "But that doesn't change the fact that this quirk has forced me between them."

"Has it? I dunno about that." Kirishima rested his cheek on his palm, watching Izuku closely with a reassuring smile. "I'm not sure exactly what's going on with you three, but I do know my bro, and he only ever seems to react when it comes to the two of you. Just...maybe give him a chance? And I could be just imagining it, but Todoroki smiles a lot more when you're around."

Izuku shook his head sharply. Kirishima just didn't get it. He wasn't there when Bakugou fought with Izuku after All Might took down All for One. He wasn't there in middle school when Kacchan told him to die. He wasn't there in elementary school when Kacchan turned his back on Izuku. "Kacchan hates me, Kirishima. He's hated me for ages and you said it yourself, he only ever complains about me!"

Wait.

That didn't sound quite right.

But Izuku was on a roll. And yeah, maybe Todoroki had gotten a little more friendly over the months, but nothing that would make the way he'd kissed Izuku any less shocking. "Besides, why would Todoroki like me when he clearly has feelings for Kacchan? They're together. No, I don't know why the quirk made them fixate on me, but I just have to ride this out so that everything can go back to normal and they can start to date for real without me messing things up."

Kirishima fell silent, face unreadable. "Do you really believe that?" he said eventually. Izuku didn't have an answer for him, just knew he was right, lips set in a stubborn line. Kirishima sighed, getting to his feet. "I'm going to go find Tetsu and maybe have a spar. Do you want to come?" When Izuku shook his head, Kirishima gave a small smile and turned to leave, empty bowls in hand. Just before he closed the door behind him, he gave Izuku one last look. "I may not have known Bakugou for as long as you, but he doesn't give the time of day to people that don't matter to him. Come to think of it, neither does Todoroki. They already focused on you long before they were affected by any quirk, and I think that says something. Just. Think about it?"

As the door closed softly behind him, a stunned Izuku realized that he wouldn't be able to do anything but.

After several silent moments, he pulled the notebook back to his side and flipped it to his notes. With a shaking hand, he wrote:

I wanted Kacchan to hold me. I wanted Todoroki to kiss me. Why didn't they resist?

Three hours earlier

Katsuki seethed, teeth grinding together so hard he was half convinced they were producing the sparks dancing in the shadowed grass beneath his heels. But no, it was his clenched fists that caused the light and incessant popping he couldn't hear over the sliding of his jaw. He wanted to destroy everything in his wake, to burn. Instead he poured the hot, humiliating ache in his chest into his pounding steps, taking him farther and farther from the source of his ire. If Deku wanted him gone, then fucking fine, he'd give him all the goddamned space he wanted.

How dare he? How dare Deku lie to his face like that, when he could feel that Deku didn't mean what he said?

Somewhere in the back of Katsuki's mind the fact that he could do such a thing was alarming. But the overwhelming forefront was glad of it, because it meant that he could love without fear.

How dare he push Katsuki away, look at him like Katsuki was some sort of fucking damsel that needed protection?

It was an expression Katsuki was unfortunately used to seeing, and it grated at him every. Single. Time. He did not need that nerd's goddamn protection, he knew what he wanted and what he wanted was that thrilling defiance in Deku's scowl, that determined look that always set his blood ablaze and made Katsuki's heart race with excitement at the sheer challenge to be better. He wanted the blind faith in him that he could never dissuade from Deku's determined eyes no matter how much Katsuki tried to push him away. He wanted that pure smile Deku blinded him with when Katsuki did something to make him...proud. Katsuki wanted that with more passion than he'd ever experienced in his life, and passion had never been a deficiency of his.

He did NOT want whatever pitying bullshit that had been written all over Deku's stupid teary face.

"Dammit!" Katsuki screamed, heedless of the explosion of startled birds his voice incited.

With every step he took the ache in his chest got worse, and the shitty part was that he knew it was Deku's fault. If he would have just let Katsuki stay by his side and let himself be happy for once in his goddamn life then none of them would be feeling like this. Even now, with the awful indignation behind his sternum, there was the insistent urge to turn right back around and soothe the frown off of Deku's face with soft touches and everything the nerd liked. He would, too, was half thinking about doing just that; spinning on his heel and pulling Deku into his arms, to give him all the contact he wanted, his lies be damned.

It had felt amazing to finally do what Katsuki had always wished he was capable of doing, because for some strange reason he felt absolutely none of the usual shame or fear in doing so. He didn't because he knew that Deku liked it, that he wanted it and hadn't felt the revulsion towards Katsuki that Katsuki always expected, that he knew he deserved.

But why...why had he never done this before? If it was so easy, why...

Katsuki's steps slowed, a frown pulling at his face as he looked at the ground without seeing. A slow, creeping dread was welling up in his chest as, without Deku there to distract him, Katsuki found himself replaying the past twenty-four hours slowly in reverse, starting with a very unplanned, embarrassing confession.

What...what exactly was he doing? His eyes narrowed as he tried to pinpoint exactly when he went absolutely nuts and started spouting all of the bullshit he'd been holding back for longer than he'd care to admit, even to himself. But it was slippery, smoke slipping through his clenched fist. All he knew was that he wanted more than anything to wrap his arms around Deku again and nip the pathetic pout off his face.

At the same time, he struggled to remember why he never had in the first place. Why had he never taken that step before when it felt so good? He couldn't remember for the life of him.

Quit—shitty brat! I don't—goddamn weakling. Stay in here until you learn—!

A small twinge in his chest—so distant but familiar for some reason—made Katsuki pause, but it was banished with the crystal clear, radiant memory of Deku's smile when he'd tasted Katsuki's cooking for the first time.

It felt...incredible to make Deku feel good, like a hit of the most potent drug. To finally say the name he'd long ago lost the right to use, to finally touch those stupid freckles, to find out presicely the way they tasted on his warm skin, to have him trust Katsuki again when Katsuki knew he didn't deser—

You wa—love? Then quit sniveling and get stro—fucking deserve it—

Katsuki's chest clenched, but he wasn't sure why. Words echoed in the back of his mind along with all reasons this was a terrible idea but he just couldn't pin any of it down.

He was more concerned with the expression that had been on Deku's face when he'd left him.

When Deku had thrown them out.

Deku hadn't trusted him, had he? He didn't seem to believe a single word that came out of Katsuki's mouth. Katsuki's head spun, something insistent niggling at the back of his mind. Something was...something wasn't right. Deku hadn't believed him because….because.

A fog was lifting from Katsuki's mind, the insistent pull in his chest lessening the longer he was away from Deku. He groaned, events replaying behind his clenched eyelids as all-new humiliation burned at the back of his tongue. What the fuck had he been doing? Saying?

He'd told Deku he loved him. He'd called his name and fed him like he was some sort of stray, fussed over him and staked his claim in front of everyone, practically started pissing to mark his territory!

He'd finally put voice to his attraction to Todoroki.

Katsuki froze, eyes going wide. Todoroki. He looked behind him sharply, as if the boy might have followed him all the way out here in his irate retreat. But of course, he was nowhere to be found.

Shit, shit, shit, he fucked up. Katsuki growled in frustration as he remembered the broken look on Todoroki's face when Deku rejected him, the wounded sound he'd made. Stupid, shitty Deku, did he have to be so freaking harsh? And why had Katsuki said all that?

Katsuki needed to find him. He shouldn't have left him like that, no matter how pissed he'd been. If Katsuki had learned anything about the boy in the time he'd been seducing him–he refused to think the word 'dating' when he wasn't even sure himself what the fuck they were doing, just that it was something–it was that Todoroki was ridiculously sensitive. Though insults would slide off of him like water, he had a nasty habit of self-flagellating every time he perceived he'd made a mistake or hurt someone else. It was both frustrating and endearing, though Katsuki would swear up and down that it was only the former.

After only a handful of minutes searching, Katsuki found Todoroki and the panic that sat like bile at the back of Katsuki's throat receded in a tide of relief. Katsuki scowled grumpily. The moody bastard was nothing if not predictable.

Todoroki was sitting in the same spot he always did when he disappeared to sulk; a small alcove behind the gym where a garden had once been cultivated, though it had long overgrown since the person who made it graduated some years ago. The fairer boy was curled up on a bench, knees drawn to his chest and arms resting on them listlessly, gaze far away. Light speckled over his pale skin in the light breeze, the sycamores overhead swaying gently.

Something tight relaxed in Katsuki's stomach as he stopped in front of him with a crunch of dried leaves, but Todoroki's blank gaze didn't waver, not even to notice Katsuki's approach.

"Oy, half n' half."

No response. Katsuki sighed but wasn't terribly surprised. This is not the first time he'd found Todoroki like this. Katsuki sat down with a huff, letting himself calm down while he waited….

The first time had been right after the tournament, one of the worst days of Katsuki's life—at least, it had felt that way at the time. He'd had more experiences since then, and had enough self-awareness to realize how badly he'd overreacted.

Even if it was his right to walk away, to not accept. Even if it was their fault what happened next.

Katsuki had been so angry. He'd been looked down on, silenced and chained, forced to receive an award he didn't deserve. Not only had Deku once again outshone Katsuki, but Katsuki was found unworthy by Todoroki, one of the most powerful people he'd ever known. The rejection had burned Katsuki in a way he'd never quite experienced since wimpy Deku had looked Katsuki in the eye and said you can't stop me.

That day had been the beginning of Katsuki's fascination with Deku. And on the day of the tournament, the broken look in Todoroki's eyes when he'd refused to use his fire for Katsuki was the beginning of Katsuki's fascination with him.

No one refused to acknowledge Katsuki, not ever. Not until them.

But Todoroki hadn't even looked at him the day he'd found him on this dilapidated bench overgrown with flowers and weeds, arms wrapped protectively around himself. His arrogance was long gone, the fire in his eyes that had been so prevalent even behind his stoic exterior snuffed out with a resignation that enraged Katsuki in a way he couldn't understand, because it looked like he'd given up.

Such a person with so much raw power and talent wasn't allowed to give up, especially not before Katsuki had overcome everything he could dish out!

Katsuki wanted to see it. Wanted to see those fiery eyes directed at him, wanted to see Todoroki give Katsuki his all because that's what he deserved, dammit!

Katsuki had been too angry then to do more than turn on his heel and stalk away, the numerous wounds on Todoroki's bandaged skin–the pathetic look on his face–enough to cool even Katsuki's hot temper and realize that even if he tried to provoke him, Todoroki was too pathetic to give him what he wanted. He hadn't examined the emotion that hung heavy in his chest at the sight then. It would be a long time before he did.

Over the following months Katsui found himself wandering past that damned bench when Todoroki pulled one of his disappearing acts. Sometimes Todoroki was there and sometimes not, but when he was it was always the same—hands resting listlessly at his sides, shoulders slumped, resigned and painfully alone.

Even outside of those quiet, secret moments, Katsuki watched Todoroki. He'd learned more about the boy little by little, the way he seemed to shrink from praise, the way he couldn't stand to be touched even by those who meant him no harm, the way Todoroki's usually empty eyes slowly lit up when he finally started to make friends.

Katsuki wasn't an idiot. He knew what child abuse looked like disturbingly well, and Todoroki had it written on his forehead in blood for all that he tried to be so damn stoic. Not that it was hard to make the leap, what with that bastard Endeavor haunting his son's shadow like a particularly vengeful firefly, or the way Todoroki had become visibly healthier and less grim when the students were moved to the dorms, or his unique eyes darkening with storm clouds every time Endeavor imposed his scowling mug.

It was part of the reason Katsuki had been drawn to Todoroki. Instead of becoming a belligerent asshole as Katsuki had, he'd closed himself off like a steel trap. It made it all the more incredible when he'd ended up letting Katsuki in anyway.

Even if the damn fool didn't realize what it meant.

It was after Bakugou had been kidnapped by Shigaraki—after surviving that hell, being rescued by those suicidal idiots, after Katsuki's only hero's heartbreaking fall because of Katsuki and the realization that Deku had been chosen over him again — that he found Todoroki in the same damn spot.

Katsuki had been fleeing from the nightmares that plagued him more than they ever had, even worse than the ones that had driven him from his bed after that slime monster nearly killed him, worse than those that came before that, from a darker part of his childhood.

But the second he'd spied Todoroki's reliable brooding, all of that faded away to nothing as a tightness he didn't know he'd been carrying eased away. That was when he knew that what he felt for Todoroki was more than idle curiosity.

That kidnapping and subsequent rescue had solidified a few things for Katsuki.

One. He had a best friend despite having done nothing to deserve it. Kirishima hadn't let him down once, and Katsuki could finally accept that he never would. With that realization, he was finally able to start to open up to others. Pikachu. Bubblegum. Even round cheeks was getting under his skin and...he was okay with that.

Two. All Might may have chosen Deku to be his successor, but Katsuki was still the most powerful challenge that Deku had to overcome. Deku proved it to him every day by his unbending faith, his dogged chase after Katsuki's back as if he were truly worthy of such admiration. Katsuki could help Deku become what All Might wanted for him, and that was starting to be enough for Katsuki to finally let go of the past, to turn around and reach out the hand he'd always wanted to extend beneath the hurt and the jealousy—because Deku had always been there for him, whether he deserved it or not.

And now this. Todoroki sitting alone as if he had no one at all in the world after having helped save Katsuki's life, after mirroring the volatile boy in more ways than Katsuki was willing to admit.

It was time for his solitude to end. Katsuki, after months of silent observation, walked up to him and.

Well.

Challenged him to a fight.

Hey, he may have been having a lot of life-changing realizations, but he was still Katsuki Bakugou, dammit, and he didn't do mushy confessions.

It had been rough. Todoroki had been rightly surprised, but didn't back down when Katsuki threw himself at him. They ended up not using their quirks, just exchanging blow for blow–and damn, he was stronger than his scrawny limbs suggested, but Katsuki was still better.

It was messy, primal in the way Katsuki needed, and when they ended on a stalemate, Katsuki pinned to the ground with a seething Todoroki panting furiously over him with that delicious fire in his eyes, it was so similar to Deku's that it made Katsuki's grin sharpen with pure pleasure.

Yes. That was more like it. A different kind of heat consumed Katsuki's blood then, one he'd never allowed himself to feel for anyone before. He'd never bothered with romance or any of that crap, too driven by his goals to see anyone else as anything other than an obstacle to overcome. But right then, with the slighter boy seething over him, looking upset but so much more alive –

Katsuki did something he had never, ever allowed himself to do in his life.

He submitted.

Shut up, he hadn't lost. He believed with every fiber of his being that he was still stronger, could have easily changed their positions and taken the overemotional boy out. But that wasn't what he needed. What they both needed.

With a soft smirk, Katsuki relaxed beneath Todoroki, letting him hold him down without taking his red gaze off Todoroki's enraged face.

The utter shock that overtook those usually cold features was priceless and would be burned into Katsuki's memory for the rest of his life.

Gently, Katsuki reached up and brushed his knuckles across Todoroki's damaged cheek, just beneath his widened eye. He didn't miss the flinch, as if Todoroki had never been touched gently before, especially not there. Anger flashed hot in Katsuki's blood for whoever the fuck did this to Todoroki, but he didn't let it surface, simply running his fingers through Todoroki's sweat-slicked hair until he too relaxed, just as Katsuki did for the stray cats that always found him. Still confused, but no longer desperate, Todoroki eased his hold, looking down at Katsuki like he'd never seen him properly before.

Then Katsuki leaned up and kissed him.

Then Katsuki did more.

He continued to find Todoroki in the months following—the certification test, the remedial courses, the drama in between as Izuku and the others started to come back looking more and more haggard—and Todoroki had let him. Their relationship outside of that didn't change. They were still rivals. Katsuki still gave him shit when he fucked up, and Todoroki gave as good as he got. It was how they were.

He'd thought the other boy had understood, but if the scene with Deku earlier demonstrated anything, it was that Todoroki absolutely hadn't. Maybe it was Katsuki's fault that he didn't realize sooner that Todoroki would have zero experience with something like this.

Though he was Katsuki's first as well, so he really didn't have an excuse for being such an idiot. Looked like he was going to have to spell it out for him. As many times as it takes.

A small movement at Katsuki's side had him paying attention to the here and now, letting go of the memories in favor of the wind against his face and the buzzing of the insects on the warm summer day.

"Bakugou," Todoroki finally said, blinking out of his thoughts and finally noticing Katsuki sitting next to him, idly stroking his shoulder and waiting for him to come around. There was little point in trying to snap Todoroki out of his thoughts when he got like this, though Katsuki had never explicitly tried. A man was entitled to his own thoughts, afterall.

"Welcome back, candy cane," Katsuki said gruffly, flicking a lock of crimson hair from Todoroki's forehead without looking at him.

"...You never call me by my name." Todoroki stated the obvious, settling his chin back on his knees and looking out into the garden again. He didn't go anywhere this time, leaning into Katsuki's touch as if it grounded him. Katsuki once again wondered how the fuck he could always do this–allow Katsuki so close –and not realize that there was something between them. The thought itched like a shitty sweater, but he set it aside for now because he was feeling generous.

Katsuki grumbled under his breath, answering the unspoken question. "Names are important."

"You said Midoriya's name."

"...Yeah."

"Midoriya is special to you."

Katsuki peered into the other boy's face, trying to discern what he was getting at. "What's your point?"

Todoroki didn't meet his eye. "This is weird, isn't it? Why are we both after Midoriya all of a sudden?"

...That was a good point. All he knew was that whatever had been stopping Bakugou was gone. "I don't really know. We probably were hit with something." The thought irked him, because he didn't like to be controlled. No one controlled Katsuki–not the slime villain, not Shigaraki and definitely not—

He sighed, allowing the toxic thought to drift away.

"Whatever it is," Todoroki said slowly, "I like it."

"Hn."

Todoroki hunched into himself further, his brows furrowing. "I used to be afraid to reach out and touch—anyone. But especially those I liked. Now...now I can. I don't remember why I never did before."

Katsuki rolled that one around in his head. It was the same way he'd been feeling; as if all the impulses he'd ever held back around Deku and Todoroki had been set free of the inhibitions he'd held his whole life. Quickly, he cataloged his feelings about the others, concluding that aside from Todoroki and Deku... "Everyone else can still fuck themselves." Except maybe Kirishima. But then again, he was the exception to a lot of things.

Todoroki huffed, a faint, genuine smile lightening his features. "Midoriya...I didn't know I felt this way about him. But I guess he was always easier to be around than other people. Like, when he smiles…"

Todoroki trailed off, a small glimmer in his eye, and Bakugou laughed internally. He made an agreeing sound, unable to argue with that.

"And also, it's easier to touch you, too. What's happening to us, Bakugou?"

"I don't care," Katsuki decided. He liked how he felt now. There was something...freeing about whatever they'd been hit with. It made it so much easier to say what he meant, to finally go after the things he wanted, as if a terrible, crippling wound had been lifted from his heart.

That child is so–better than everyone else–

You don't deserve–weak–

So violent– probably be a villain–

Such a shame. All that talent, but he's still so—

S-stop it, Kacchan–

...Silence.

Katsuki blinked, his thoughts quieting as contentment filled his chest. He felt at peace, something he didn't experience very often in his life but for brief moments when he could take Todoroki apart, when Todoroki let him, when Deku smiled at him without reserve...

"How long have you loved Midoriya?"

Katsuki took a long time to answer, but when he did his words flowed like water, the rasping growl of his voice softening into new shapes as nothing stopped him from saying what he wanted. It was a strange feeling, but he wasn't about to complain. "Dunno. Maybe forever. For a long time I thought I hated him, but now I'm not so sure that's what it was." Resentment, maybe. Jealousy, definitely. But he'd never hated the nerd. Not really.

"You really like me?" Todoroki asked and Katsuki didn't even try to hide his irritated scoff, nor the light dusting of red on his cheeks. How many times was he going to have to say it?

"That's what I said, half n' half. Fuck, you're thick."

Todoroki hummed consideringly, ignoring his insults as easily as he always did, eyes distant as if he couldn't really understand what Katsuki was thinking. There was that adorable look of consternation back on Todoroki's face and it was distracting. Katsuki grimaced at himself for the obnoxious thought, for being such a sap even if only in his own mind.

"So, we both like Midoriya."

"Yeah?"

"And you like me. We're together?"

"Yeah?" Katsuki said, losing his patience. Was this guy just going to repeat the obvious all damn day?

He looked like he was still having trouble wrapping his head around it. "And I...um. I guess, I…want...you both."

Katsuki's brows rose on his forehead. He guessed? Well, at least Todoroki was finally getting it. Again, there was the feeling that what they were contemplating was impossible—probably a million reasons why something like this would never actually work under any other circumstances, people, memories standing in the way—but for the love of everything unholy he couldn't think of a single fucking one.

He got the feeling he was better off for it.

"So...what exactly are we going to do now? Midoriya rejected us."

Katsuki rolled his eyes. "What do you think, candy cane? We're going to make Deku ours."

"But…"

"Listen. You felt it, right? He wants us too. Shitty nerd never was good at lying."

Todoroki fell silent, thoughtful, and lifted a single finger to his lips. Katsuki was gratified to see the determination growing in Todoroki's face, and offered him a confident grin.

Katsuki knew what he wanted, and that was the two most singular people in his life to be his. Right now, with the unexpected gift he'd been given, nothing could stop him from making that happen.

AN:

...This was supposed to be funny. Well. Whatever ;)

So the timeline is a little weird. I admit only watched the episodes once and likely won't watch them again, so it probably isn't going to be entirely consistent with canon events. Think of it as an AU? It'll make sense in the flow of the story at least.

Everyone needs therapy, especially these three boys.

And Toshinori. Please let him get all the hugs.

Am I doing alright with their voices? Please feel free to let me know what you think! Thanks everyone who's shown support so far. You're the reason I'm still writing this disaster. ;) See you next time!