Shoto's P.O.V.

Clear your head. Focus on your breathing. In. Out. In. Out. Become one with nature. Find your center. Find yourself. Breathe in. Breathe out.

"Shoto?" I exhaled and turned towards the doorway, ending my yoga session.

"Good morning Ochaco, is everything alright?"

"I umm… I just wanted to talk to you. There wasn't much time to talk to you when we were in Tokyo and I just wanted to make sure we could have this talk before the new semester begins."

Yes, our last year at UA. "You… you wanted to talk to me?" Although we are friends, Uraraka and I have never really had a one on one before.

She nodded, "Please." I leaned back on the balcony and she came to stand next to me. "You've sure gotten strong. Especially in Tokyo. They treated you like you were already a full-fledged hero, the rest of us little kids." I've felt better since that chemically induced rut. Like I can focus again. Think clearly. The drugs, the alcohol, what was I thinking? That's not who I am. Though my heart is still broken, I need to move forward. Cease grieving. Throw all my energy into becoming a hero, get back to what matters most to me. I've been doing that this break and… it's been working. I suppose people are taking notice of that.

"That's not true Ochaco."

She put her hand up to stop me, "Everyone feels it, you, Deku and Bakugo. The three of you are pulling away from the rest of us." I looked down, not really sure how to answer her, what she wanted me to say. "I… I wanted to talk to you about Deku. I know he's probably the last person you wanted to talk about."

I turned back towards around on the railing of the balcony to face the forest, taking in the fresh morning air. I most certainly did not want to speak or even think about Midoriya. I may be attempting to move on, to pick up the pieces my relationship with Midoriya left me in, but the pain is still there. And especially after rutting, thinking solely of him, fixating on him… I feel… ashamed? Embarrassed that I did it. Unconfident that I won't do it again. My mind is in turmoil when I think of him. "It wouldn't be my first choice." I admitted.

"I'm worried about him Todoroki. Ever since he started dating Bakugo… he's changed. I don't know if it's Bakugo or if it's Deku, but something's not right. He basically stopped hanging out with us, his friends, spends all his time with Bakugo, he's wearing a collar, always wearing long sleeves, he's acting like… a kept omega." Tears came to her eyes as she said those words. He was acting like a kept omega. Isolation, collars, covering their body only for their alpha to see… It's what omega in traditional relationships do. It's what my mother did. Abusive doesn't even begin to describe the alpha/omega relationship my parents were in. I know Bakugo is possessive, but for Midoriya to just let him control him like that… that's not the Izuku I knew at all.

"I'm not sure-"

"Do you still love him?" Yes. But I was in no way prepared to admit that to her or anyone else at the moment.

"Ochaco I-"

"If you do Shoto, then you have to get him back, get him away from Bakugo. When he was with you, he was free, happy. Free to be any kind of hero he wanted, any kind of omega. I worry what his hero career will become if he stays with Bakugo. I worry his bright future will be for nothing because Katsuki wants him safe at home having kids. I-"

"Uraraka. What you're asking me to do…"

"I'm asking for you to be an alpha and take back what's yours!" She nearly screamed, balling her hands into fists.

I looked down at my hands. That's precisely the problem. "You're asking me to treat Midoriya as if he's chattel, something I can just take away from Bakugo. Like I can just puff my chest out and take him. Being with Bakugo is Midoriya's decision, leaving him must be his decision as well. I will not be the type of alpha that treats omega as though they can be won and lost." Uraraka looked up to me, her eyes sparkling.

"That's exactly why he needs you Todoroki, you love him for who he is, you make each other better. With Bakugo… I don't know, he cares for him, but… I just don't feel he appreciates Deku in the same way you once did." But Izuku seems so happy with him. Happier than I could ever make him.

"Maybe you should talk to Midoriya about this instead of me."

"I'm not sure Bakugo will even let me get close to him." She said in a defeated way. I wasn't entirely sure how to react, it didn't just flow easily. But she was worried about her friend, doing anything she could do to save him. Even going as far as to come to me. But there's nothing I can do. Izuku chose Katsuki over me, even during our relationship he did. Even if I had a magic wand that could suddenly make everything between us okay again, how would I know he wouldn't simply choose Bakugo again? I don't and to be frank, I don't want to steal him away from Bakugo either. Sure, my every alpha instinct may be telling me that I should, that I should take what's mine. But Midoriya isn't mine, and that isn't the type of Alpha I want to be. I'm so sorry Ochaco, but I'm just not that kind of alpha. I pulled her close to me into a hug. Feeling a wetness on my shirt, I'm not sure I did the correct thing.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful." I apologized.

"No Shoto, you were very helpful. Thank you." She bowed to me, wiping her eyes with a smile. "I just hope whoever you end up with… sees how big your heart is." She waved goodbye and walked inside to the common room where Asui was waiting for her. I paused for a moment, trying to come to terms with what she said. Whoever I end up with? After Midoriya, I don't think I should even try to attempt love again. I felt as though I gave him my heart and soul and it wasn't good enough, that it will never be good enough for any omega. I didn't know what to make of it… at all.

So I rolled up my yoga mat and got ready for class, pushing Uraraka's comments as far from my mind as I could. Even still, when I walked into class, I couldn't help but notice. Izuku was different. He was sitting in Bakugo's lap, laughing and smiling, but surrounded by Bakugo's friends, not his. Bakugo had his arm wrapped possessively around him, like if he let go Midoriya would run. Not only that but he was letting out protective pheromones. My classmates had previously said Bakugo was a weaker and less commanding alpha because he keeps company of lesser types. That he can't persuade other alphas to follow him. They were right. He was surrounded by nothing but betas and omegas, the protective pheromones he was putting out undetectable to them. All the while making the rest of the alphas in the class very uncomfortable. I sat down in my chair and continued my observations, realizing everything Uraraka had said was true. Is Midoriya trapped in a relationship run by a possessive alpha? From my observations, it seemed as though he wasn't even aware of it. He was just… happily in love. Certainly happier than I could ever make him.

During hero training that day, I got an inside look much deeper into their relationship than I ever wanted to see. We were having abduction training. If we're kidnapped by a villain, what do you do. It was valuable training, but not ideal conditions. Not ideal for me to be exact. We were paired off in threes by our ranking. Which meant I was trapped in a locked box with shackles around my ankles with none other than Bakugo and Midoriya. It was the last place I wanted to be in the entire world. Bakugo's rage, possessive, and back off scents nearly gave me a migraine, and as for Midoriya… he smelled different. Being this close to him, the three of us crammed in a 5 by 3 foot container, it was hard not to notice. I hadn't been near him in so long, been this close. He usually smells of a minty meadow, full bloom in the spring. It's… incredibly inviting. And that scent was certainly there, filling my nostrils with feelings of nostalgia. I wanted nothing more than to take him into my arms and nuzzle into his neck, just holding him near me. But… there was more to it this time. His scent has evolved. It was more like mint tea, after adding sweet milk and honey. Still Midoriya, but more warm… more comforting… more omega. Was this change in scent Bakugo's doing? Can an alpha change an omega's scent through claiming them, or was this something else? I wasn't aware scents could change like that. It wasn't a drastic change, it was very subtle, but even still, I had no idea why.

"Hey Icy Hot, get your shit together and focus on getting us out of here." I couldn't hold back my eye roll. And then there's Bakugo. Yes, anywhere in the world, even enduring my father's abusive brand of training, would be much better than this.

Bakugo's P.O.V.

"Don't roll you're eyes at me. Are you even listening Half and Half bastard?!"

"Kacchan calm down, we should be focusing on a strategy."

"Why do we always have to work with this asshole? You and I would be better on our own."

"Obviously a villain might want to capture the top three at this school. Kacchan you can't just-"

"Quiet Deku!" I made a series of explosions on the top of the box, trying to get us out, but it didn't even make a scratch. Damn it. They began coughing, waving off the smoke.

"Explosions won't help, all you'll do is suffocate us in here. Kacchan!" I began punching the roof, kicking and muscling through it. No good either. I could barely hear what Deku was saying and I just wanted to get out of this lock box of hell. "Maybe he could use our help."

"Maybe he could use a muzzle."

"What'd you say Icy Hot?!" He sat back, apparently getting comfortable. "So you're gonna just sit there? Give up? Use your quirk damn it."

"Sure, would you rather burn or freeze to death in a box the size of a shoe? The choice is yours."

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't knock your lights out right here and now."

"Because this is a three-man exercise and you'd be down a man." I formed a fist about to deck two tone right where he sat but Deku caught my wrist, releasing a calming pheromone. I fell back instantly, Icy Hot visibly relaxing too. How does he get off being calmed by my omega, my Deku. And the way he was smelling him earlier, ugh it all pisses me off.

"Deku." I growled, but my body felt useless. I couldn't move, I glanced at peppermint and he had his eyes closed, trying to recover.

"Sorry, I didn't mean for that to be so strong, to affect you both." Deku looked at him with sad eyes. I couldn't stand it, stay away from him! I almost screamed. Why am I so angry? So angry that Half 'n half was even near my Deku. I'm having a complete meltdown. This isn't good.

"This is bullshit." I said, moving as far as I could away from the two of them. I wanted nothing more than to tear the other alpha limb from limb, take my omega as far away from here as possible. Obviously, that wasn't more than a few centimeters at the moment. Calm down Katsuki. Count to ten.

"You have a plan Midoriya."

"More like just thoughts. Obviously this box is designed against our quirks, so there would be no point in using them, at least not in obvious ways." Deku kept muttering and as I looked back at the bastard he was focused, particularly on Deku's collar. It made me want to boil over with rage. What the hell was he thinking? Staring at his neck like that.

"Izuku?"

"Yes?" Was Deku… trembling? Nervous under Icy Hot's stare? What the hell?

"Do you know what your collar is made of?"

"Umm… It's flexible… stainless steel and titanium mostly woven into the fabric, but Yaoyorozu said the buckles are made out of… silicon and germanium I think."

The alpha's gaze widened. "Can you take it off, do you have the key?"

"Icy Hot." I dared, growling dangerously. If he won't take it off for me, why the hell would he take it off for you?

"I know the implications of what I'm asking have a very deep meaning, but I'm not asking it lightly. You want to pass, right Bakugo?" Before I could answer, Deku took the key out of his pocket.

"What's the plan Todoroki?" He asked, handing me the key and moving so I could remove the collar. I was so angry I could barely breathe. He'll remove the God damn collar for Scar-face, but won't even consider it for me? Who the hell does he think he is? And Deku's just going along with it? Asking me to unlock the damn collar like I'm his damn butler! I nearly passed out I was so angry.

"We need to find a weak point in the box. They reinforced it to withstand blasts, strength and extreme temperatures."

"No shit sherlock." I said, crossing my arms after taking off Deku's collar, finally being able to see his beautiful neck.

"Just give him a second Kacchan." I rolled my eyes as they started pulling the buckles off the collar.

"Silicon and Germanium expand with freezing temperatures, not at high temperatures like most metals. Not many people know this, and I doubt they even thought we had something like this in here." He explained as he tested various spots around the box. "Midoriya can you let off a smash right here?"

"I can try." He used his pointer finger and flicked. The amount of energy it gave… it was a fuckin lot. I thought my ears were going to explode.

"The hell Deku!"

"No that was perfect." The damn bastard grabbed the buckles and shoved them in in the tiny crack Deku made. "It's going to get really cold, but hopefully you'll only have to endure it for a few moments." He began using his right hand. Cold was an understatement. The freakin prick made it a damn icebox. Part of me was really hoping that it didn't work, but well… it did. The damn metal expanded in the crack in the box and forced the roof to break. It really fucking pissed me off.

"Wow, you did it, Todoroki!" Deku marveled.

"Sorry about your collar Midoriya."

"Don't worry about it, passing was more important." I couldn't stand them talking like they were suddenly old friends again. It made me sick. Once we were dismissed, I just left. I had no interest in dealing with Deku after that. Deciding to go for a run, I went out to the track. Kirishima met me there like he knew that's where I'd be or something.

"Someone must have had a fun day. Being in a box with your boyfriend and his ex-boyfriend."

"What do you want shitty hair?"

"You could ask me how my day was. I was with Kaminari and Ochaco. Got a little electrocuted, thought I was gonna puke with that zero gravity stuff, but I survived it."

"I'm not in the mood Kirishima."

"I just… wanted to know if you had talked to Deku yet." I told Kirishima I was going to tell Deku about the claim when we left for Osaka, then I told him I would tell him when we got back from Osaka, then when we were back in school. All those deadlines have come and gone, and Deku still has no idea that I've claimed Kirishima. "You're not going to tell him, are you?"

I scratched my head, stopping my run. "Look… Deku's not looking to get married right now. We're seventeen."

"And if you don't have a mate you can't have a pack." Kirishima finished for me. "You… you want to marry him?" I played with the earring on my earlobe, stalling mostly.

"I… am considering it…"

"Katsuki."

"I want you in my pack, that's all I know for sure right now, alright?"

"Do you even know how he feels about a pack?" I'm pretty sure he doesn't want one. Like, at all. Which isn't his fault, but… if he wants to be with me, he's gonna have one. And packs aren't like a bad thing. Shitty hair will be there to like help out with kids and protect Deku and shit, why wouldn't Deku want that? All I know Kirishima is important. I always kinda knew if I was gonna have a pack, he'd be in it. Well now that's really a real possibility so Deku has to just… deal with it. He just has to deal with it.

"So… we're gonna have to discuss it… down the road."

He let out a frustrated breath. "Right."

"It will be fine Kirishima."

"I just keep having nightmares about you not telling him until your back from your honeymoon and have claimed him. Him not knowing until you come through the door and I'm just there… moved in and no one's able to do anything about it." That… actually isn't the worst idea in the world…

"Come on, let's just run."

"Okay." So Kiri and I ran. We ran all afternoon, in silence. It was… exactly the kind of stress relief I needed after the day I've had. After that we showered up and I went to Deku's room. I hate going to Deku's room. It's like All Might is watching me fuck his prodigy. I can't get comfortable in there. I just like my room better. Anyways, I had to today, he was already pissed off at me for not wearing my hearing aids this morning, and that was before the whole half 'n half shit. Whatever, he's lucky I'm comin over here at all. So I knocked on the damn door and he took forever to answer.

"Oh hey Kacchan." He looked… tired. It was weird. I growled and walked in, throwing my bag on the floor then laying in his bed. He sat back down at his desk after closing the door. He was lifting his hand weights like he always does, but he seemed to be struggling more than usual.

"You going up in weight today or what?"

"No actually, this is actually down about ten pounds from last semester."

"And you're still struggling?"

"It's weird right?"

"It happens." Sometimes… to some people, I guess.

"Do you want to talk about today?"

"No, I do not." I said putting my hands behind my head and looking up to the celling. Deku got up and snuggled against me, still not wearing his collar. "What? You're not terrified I'm gonna claim you anymore?" I said running a finger along his neck. I did want to bite him, but I resisted, forcing my fangs back into my mouth without him noticing. I don't know why I go brain dead when I see Deku's neck. I just… want him so bad. Does that mean I should marry him? It's never been like that with anyone else. I mean Eiji is hot as hell and smells like dark chocolate, so good it makes your mouth water, but Deku. Awe man that mint meadow thing he has going on, with this beautiful milky warmness he's had lately, it makes me want to bury my cock in him to the hilt and sink my teeth right in. Especially without his collar. But I remained in control, for now.

"Yayorozu said she'll need a couple more days to fix it."

"But you're gonna keep wearing it."

"I'm not ready to be claimed yet Kacchan."

I let out a breath. Of course, he's not. "Well… what would it take for… you to be ready?" I muttered.

He looked at me with wide eyes, then he looked away, thinking. "Well for my alpha to love me, unconditionally. To want to be with me for the rest of our lives. To respect that I want to be a hero and support me no matter what." I put my hand in his hair, thinking it over slowly.

"So what if your alpha already does that?"

"Kacchan…"

"Would you… ever consider marrying me?" There, I said it, it was on the table now, no going back.

"Consider… Kacchan, I've considered it my whole life."

"And…?"

"I… I want to. Yeah. I do. But… I mean, we're still just kids, we just started our final year at UA…"

"Does that matter?"

"Yeah, Kacchan, it does. Will agencies even recruit me if they know I'm a married, claimed omega? Will they pay me less? Not want me because they think I'll be pregnant soon and have to stay home?"

"None of your worries have anything to do with me."

"No… they don't." I pulled him closer to me, nuzzling into his neck. He let me, trusted me. God he smelled good.

"You can put that damn collar back on, I just wanted to know you were open to it."

"I'm… I'm open to it." I breathed in his scent gland and gave it a lick. God I've missed his neck.

"You smell so good Deku, like milk and tea."

"Kacchan." He giggled, straddling my lap.

"Mmm I want you, need you." I said peppering kisses along his collar bone, grabbing handfuls of his ass. He smelled so good! His scent was seriously messing with me today. More than usual. And he wasn't even in heat. I didn't want to control myself. Just don't bite him. That's all you have to do. Just don't bite him. Okay. Come on. I took his shirt off and began kissing him everywhere. Marking his as mine all over again. I like seeing my marks and bites on his skin. He won't ever show them off to anybody, show the world he's mine. It bothers me but… I guess it's fine seeing as marking Kiri may have potential to bother him. We fucked that night, and it was great. I licked and sucked on his neck but didn't claim him. That seemed to make him pretty content and we tried some stuff he hadn't let me try before. Like super-hot shit. Maybe I can have it all. Icy Hot shouldn't even bother me, because I'm going to get everything I could ever want. That's for certain.