Greetings gentle reader, and thank you so much for spending some of your precious time with my story. The support you have shown for my story with every kudo, subscription, bookmark, and comment warms my heart and make my days. They've been especially comforting these last few weeks; rest assured things appear to be getting better.

It's important to note that I deliberately used Bakugou's fanon hero name, to avoid spoilers in case anyone is not yet aware of his cannon hero name. I hope that's alright, and I hope you enjoy this week's update!

Chapter 13: Blurry at the Edges

"Where did you put the fucking carrots?"

Amusement tugged at something deep in Shouto's middle. "They're in the strainer in the sink."

"Why the hell did you leave them there?"

"And I quote, 'Just rinse them and leave them! I'm not putting waterlogged carrots in our lunch, Dumbass!"

Pearls of laughter echoed down the short hallway to Shouto's bedroom. Izuku swept into the common living area with a beaming smile nestled between his freckles. "You two are having so much fun; I'm almost jealous."

"This looks fucking fun to you?" Katsuki's blonde brows were bunched together in what might appear to be frustration. Shouto knew it was just concentration.

Izuku rounded the counter and wrapped his arms around Katsuki's waist. "You love cooking, but you put too much pressure on yourself. I think Shouto does a good job of keeping you level. Also, I know you, Kacchan." Izuku pressed a kiss into Katsuki's bare shoulder, to the left of his tank top strap. Katsuki turned his head to frown at him and Izuku lifted himself onto his tiptoes to press a soft kiss against Katsuki's lips. The worst of the furrowed brows receded.

"Take a seat, Deku. The onigiri are almost done.

Izuku slid into one of the bar stools on the other side of the counter and smiled fondly at his husband. "Thank you for making lunch, Kacchan and Shouto."

"Tch. I can't leave him to survive on cold soba and his sister's cooking." Katsuki slid the carrots he'd just sliced into a bowl with one deft movement. "His knife skills aren't horrible."

"That's Kacchan speak for: you're doing very well."

"Fuck off, Deku."

The spot in Shouto's chest that normally writhed with cold, wicked barbs glowed with the warm light of a welcoming fireplace. He hadn't needed Izuku's translation, not after almost three months in their constant company, but he still loved watching their affectionate banter. The love and respect they held for each other shone from every casual touch and the subtext of Katsuki's sometimes cruel words.

Lazy weekend mornings won't be the same without them…

Shouto shoved the thought away as soon as it appeared. He knew trouble was waiting for him; he didn't need the reminder. There could be no softening the blow now, so why not revel in every forbidden joy?

"Can you—oh." Katsuki reached for the seaweed paper that Shouto was already holding out to him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Katsuki's hands moved with polished precision as he assembled the onigiri. Shouto had just enough time to wash most of the leftover dishes before he was called to the table with a curt, "Come eat."

Izuku had taken the middle seat and Katsuki and Shouto took the stools on either side of him. For a few minutes, the space between them filled with the sounds of quiet chewing and the clink of glasses against the counter.

"Your terrarium is growing," Izuku observed, nodding to the glass case that hung just to one side of Shouto's largest living room window. "I think it's happy there."

"You'll need more than that to get your life together, Shou, but it's not a bad start." Katsuki leaned around Izuku and grinned wolfishly. "You're welcome."

"Kacchan, are you taking credit for Shouto's terrarium?"

"I'm doing more than taking credit; I'm taking partial custody."

Izuku choked on an aborted laugh and Shouto patted him lightly on the back. "Kacchan!"

"Not only did I have a heart to heart with Shou about him needing to get a life; I helped assemble the terrarium when we brought it home from the store." Although they'd needed to keep a low profile for the last three weeks, they didn't need to shelter at home 24/7. Quick trips to the doctor or the store had continued largely uninterrupted. It wasn't as though three pro heroes needed their own bodyguards.

"What are you going to do?" Izuku sputtered, "Take half of it when we move back home?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Deku. I'm going to visit it periodically and make sure Icy Hot isn't living at the hospital again. He'll regress if we give him half a chance."

Shouto should have protested that he was a fully functioning adult, but he took another bite of onigiri instead. He was saved from having to make any verbal response when his phone chirped in his pocket.

"Kazue is transferring to the Freedom Project today," he observed, holding his phone out so that Izuku and Katsuki could see the picture his mother had sent. Kazue stood shoulder to shoulder with Rei and glowered into the camera.

Izuku's chuckle ruffled the fine hairs along the back of Shouto's neck. "He's cute when he's mad."

Katsuki's nudge was so forceful it rocked Izuku into Shouto's shoulder. "You would think grumpy is cute."

"Yes I would." Izuku slipped his hand into Katsuki's and pressed a kiss to his temple. "I'm so glad the courts gave him some time to get his bearings at the hospital before transferring."

"Between you, Ma, and Rei-san, they didn't have a choice." The knuckles of Katsuki's hand brushed Shouto's side when he wrapped his arm around Izuku's waist.

"I'd much rather he have the chance to be a future colleague instead of a villain in training." Izuku popped the last bite of his onigiri in his mouth and chewed slowly. After he swallowed he added, "Do you think they'll let us visit him?"

Katsuki leaned back in his seat and mouthed, "Save the world by loving it." He winked at Shouto conspiratorially and Shouto felt the corner his mouth curl in an involuntary smile.

"I'll schedule us for something on a Tuesday; that'll work best with my schedule."

"And what about my schedule?" Katsuki's voice lifted an octave with indignance.

"They'll keep you on desk duty your first week back," Izuku replied. "You'll be itching to get out of the office."

Katsuki's fingers tussled Izuku's hair with more vigor than usual. "Sure Deku, I'll say hi to the kid."

"Do you think they'll let me see him?" Shouto's voice was quiet, even to his own ears, but Katsuki and Izuku turned to look at him instantly.

"You want to get in on this Icy Hot?"

Izuku nudged Katsuki in the ribs while maintaining an expression of calm curiosity. "Do you want to come with us or go on your own?"

"I don't know." Shouto smoothed his fingers across the knee of his trousers, only to watch them curl into a fist again. Making plans with Izuku and Katsuki now didn't mean that they would honor them when they all went back to their normal lives. Izuku's idea was still a good one. Trying to form a connection with Kazue might help his chances of staying out of a villain organization. "Maybe both?"

"I'm sure that'll be okay," Izuku beamed.

Katsuki clapped his hands together a few times to brush away stray grains of rice, then lifted his arms in a long stretch. He leaned back into a warm breeze that crept in through the open window. He reached for the patch of sunlight streaming through and smiled when his fingers grazed it. "Let's head down to the park."

Izuku turned to look at his husband. "Are you sure you're not too tired after pro hero physical therapy this morning?"

"It's fine. They said I could start working out on my own between sessions. A stroll in the park barely even counts as exercise."

Izuku's eyebrows lifted towards his hairline. "And if I thought you would keep it just a stroll, I wouldn't question you."

"Let me take a look," Shouto offered, already reaching for Katsuki.

Katsuki lifted his shirt and grumbled, "The two of you together are worse than Ma."

Shouto pressed his fingers into the new grooves and rippled scar tissue that mottled Katsuki's right side. The skin under his hand felt firm and strong. It was warm, but not more so than the unmarked skin surrounding it. The remnants of what had once been a gaping hole in the side of Katsuki's body was now only slightly larger than the span of Shouto's hand. The skin was forever marked, but the muscle was building strength every day. It wouldn't be long before Katsuki was back on patrol. If he kept up physical therapy, and was mindful of executing his fighting style with the proper adjustments, his Pro Hero career would hardly be impacted.

Scarred, freckled fingers moved across the remnant of Katsuki's injury alongside Shouto's pale thin ones. "I'm so glad you're healing well, Kacchan."

"Of course. I'm not some extra." Katsuki pulled Izuku close to his side and turned his wolfish grin on Shouto. "Do I pass inspection?"

That had never been in doubt in Shouto's mind. He was only healing Katsuki every fourth day now and even that was excessive. Any other patient in Katsuki's condition would be using ice packs and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication with weekly or bi-monthly healing appointments to aid in a rapid return to Pro Hero work. Katsuki joked about Shouto wanting to get his hands on him, and Shouto pretended there wasn't real irony in his words. "Just don't do anything excessive, and you're good to go. Listen to your body. If something hurts, take a rest."

A frown rippled Izuku's brow. "You're not coming with us?"

"Of course, he's coming with us." Katsuki held his hand out expectantly. "You're going to keep an eye on your patient, right?"

"It'd be nice to have more than one voice of reason when Katsuki's tempted to push himself," Izuku added.

There was no medical reason for Shouto to come to the park, but he took Katsuki's hand anyway.

It was easy to see why Katsuki had been tempted outside. The weather was perfect. There were just enough clouds in the sky to keep the sun warm but not hot. A refreshing breeze ruffled the leaves overhead and the sky was a deep brilliant blue. The park bustled with other people of all ages and group sizes, but there was still enough room for Shouto, Katsuki, and Izuku to meander down a gently curving path. Even though they could hear the hum of other conversations around them, the path they walked felt peaceful and, when it ducked behind a clump of trees, almost private.

Izuku lifted his hands into the cool wind, and tipped his head back when it started to ruffle his hair. "It's so nice outside today!"

"Why do you think I said we should come down here?" Katsuki grinned at his husband and shuffled until he was walking backward so they were facing each other. "I thought you'd be getting a little stir-crazy by now. No offense Shou; your place is very cozy, but Deku doesn't know what to do with downtime."

"I can relax just fine!" Izuku protested.

Katsuki lowered his chin and lifted his eyebrows, staring fixedly at Izuku.

"I can!" Izuku huffed and let his arms drop to his sides. "I'll admit I like to stay busy, but…" He stared through low hanging willow branches glimpsing sparkles from the lake beyond. "I don't want to waste this time." Izuku lifted his gaze back to Katsuki and reached for him. "It's been a while since we had some time to ourselves." He smiled when Katsuki held his hand. "I'm not in a rush for the task force to give me the all-clear to return to work, and even when they do…we need to use more of our vacation days spending time together."

"And less of them in the hospital?" Katsuki asked, wriggling his eyebrows slightly.

"Yes." Izuku lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of Katsuki's knuckles. "I want you safe, Kacchan."

The grin on Katsuki's face softened into a fond smile. "You too, Nerd."

It should have felt like a private moment he was intruding on, but Shouto couldn't summon an ounce of feeling awkward walking beside them, not even when the path pushed through a screen of branches and forced them all close together. As far as he could tell, Katsuki and Izuku didn't feel a moments hesitation to press in beside him as they navigated the path. They even shot him conspiratorial glances as they pushed through the thick underbrush.

The trees gave way into a smooth expanse of grass that stretched right up to the edge of the lake. The light bouncing off the water was almost blinding.

"Look out!"

Shouto moved in front of Katsuki and Izuku instinctively, blocking them from the shouted warning with his body. The frisbee that struck his shoulder a moment later clattered unceremoniously to the ground.

"Sorry!"

Shouto turned just in time to lock eyes with a brown-haired child who was scrambling to pluck the frisbee from the ground at Shouto's feet. Large brown eyes widened considerably as they looked up into Shouto's face.

"Oh my gosh! You're Pro Hero Shouto!" The brown eyes darted left and right. "And Ground Zero! And Deku!" The child turned and yelled over his shoulder. "Guys! I found Pro Heros! Deku and Ground Zero are here! Shouto too!"

"Incoming." Katsuki's voice was low and held more than a hint of amusement.

"They're only children, Kacchan." When he glanced over his shoulder Shouto caught the edge of Izuku's 'Kacchan' smile.

"I didn't say I couldn't handle them."

A low roar of excited voices and running feet proceeded an onslaught of school children. It was a weekday, and Shouto's suspicions of a field trip were confirmed moments later when a harried-looking woman rush around the barrier of trees.

"Class 3-8! Don't swarm the Pro Heros! I know you have better manners than that!"

A ripple of hunched shoulders and, "Sorry, teacher!" ran through the crowd of children.

Izuku stepped forward with his camera-ready hero smile. "We don't mind saying hello, if you'll allow it."

The teacher smoothed her hair back behind her ears and scanned her class with a frown. "I'm not sure if I want to reward bad behavior…"

"Sorry, teacher!" Her students bowed low and formed themselves into almost orderly rows. "We'll be good!" Another bow rippled through the children. It looked like they might get on the ground in supplication. "Please!"

The teacher stared firmly and impassively at her students for a long moment, as if she was waiting for one of them to break their en masse bow. Shouto watched the more energetic children start to quiver in place before the teacher allowed a small smile to grace her features. "Alright, we can stay." Celebratory cheers were cut short with a sharp warning gesture. "But we are going to take turns. We're going to speak politely, no yelling. We are going to treat these Pro Heroes with respect."

Another round of bows rippled through the students. "Yes, teacher."

"And if we can't follow the rules we're going to leave immediately."

The student's bows dipped lower. "Yes teacher."

The teacher made her students wait another long moment, perhaps a final test, before she nodded again. "Very good. Go say hello."

The class turned towards Deku, Katsuki, and Shouto with excited smiles. The children moved forward to form a half-circle around them. A sea of eyes shone up at them in devoted adoration. The little boy that had called his classmates over after chasing the frisbee was the first to speak. "How did you become the top hero Mr. Deku?"

Izuku crouched down and ruffled the boy's hair. "I worked hard and had amazing friends supporting me."

Katsuki gripped Izuku's shoulder and Izuku leaned back against his legs and smiled up at him.

Another child with bright blue eyes and hair as blonde as Katsuki stepped forward. "Are you okay Ground Zero? Mama said you were hurt…"

"I was," Katsuki agreed. The weight of Katsuki's arm settled around Shouto's shoulders. "I've been working hard to recover, and Shouto has been using his quirk to help me heal."

Shouto turned his head and watched the way Katsuki's eyes crinkled when he smiled. He turned away when Katsuki's gaze started to slide towards him and met the newly awed faces of the children around them. But now they were looking at him.

"That's so cool!" Someone near the back shouted.

"Todoroki-san's the best!"

Shouto turned towards the voice, drawn by the use of his family name. A familiar head of swirling brown braids bobbed it's way through the crowd until she was in front of him.

"Todoroki-san!" Alyssa-chan pushed off the ground in a skip and used her forward momentum to fly into Shouto's arms.

"Alyssa-chan!" Her teacher scolded.

Shouto caught Alyssa-san easily. He used the force of her jump to spin them both around while he smiled down at her laughing face. "It's fine," Shouto assured the teacher. "Alyssa-chan always greets me this way."

"How do you know pro hero Shouto?!"

"No way!"

"That's awesome!"

Alyssa-chan nestled her head in the crook of Shouto's neck. "Todoroki-san healed me too. His mom's been helping out since he needed to stay with Ground Zero." Alyssa-chan thrust her hand towards Katsuki who shook it.

"Hey kid. How've you been?"

"Good. Rei-san is very kind, but I've missed Todoroki-san." She wrapped her arms more tightly around Shouto's neck. "You've got to share." If she'd had her feet on the ground, Shouto felt certain she would have stomped one for emphasis.

The corner of Katsuki's mouth kicked up into a grin. "I'll work on that."

"Have you been listening to Todoroki-san?" Alyssa-chan pressed. "You won't heal fast if you don't."

"Yes, kid. I've been listening." Katsuki's voice rumbled with exasperation. "Deku won't let me get away with anything else."

Alyssa-san's brown eyes gaze shifted to Izuku and she nodded. "Good."

Izuku chuckled and slipped his hand into Katsuki's. "I'll keep him in line."

Shouto eased Alyssa-san to the ground. "It's good to see you, Alyssa-chan."

She beamed up at him. "It's good to see you too, Todoroki-san." She frowned and rested a tiny scarred hand against his cheek. "You were hurt too?"

"Just a little." He wasn't bandaged anymore, but Wrench's talons had left thin white scars across Shouto's abdomen and cheek. They would fade away to almost nothing in time. "I was protecting Ground Zero from a villain attack."

"I held my own in that fight," Katsuki protested.

Alyssa-san glanced dubiously at Katsuki, then looked back to Shouto. "Are you coming back to the hospital soon?"

"Yes." A cruel hand-squeezed something tender and aching in Shouto's chest. "It won't be long now."

"Good." Alyssa wrapped thin arms around his middle and hugged him. "My treatments are every other week now."

Shouto let his fingers trail lightly over her braids. "I'll keep that in mind."

The questions kept up rapid-fire and, although Shouto was the only one who was nearly tackled, Izuku and Katsuki received a fair number of hugs and requests for pictures from their young admirers. Shouto received some admiration as well and, with permission from the teacher, created a localized snow shower for the students. After one or two snowballs and a hasty snow angel the children persuaded Katsuki to let off one small explosion above their heads. The students shrieked with delight and began to ramp up a demand for Katsuki and Shouto to team up and make exploding snow. Shouto never got the chance to explain that A) that would melt the snow and B) he could create snow that cascaded outwards like an explosion all on his own. The teacher clapped her hand smartly three times and her students pulled themselves back into reluctant order.

"Lets thank the pro heroes for visiting with us, class!"

"Thank you pro heroes!" The students bowed in almost perfect formation with further mumbled thanks for them by name. It was unexpectedly charming to hear a mix of "Shouto" and "Todoroki-san" alongside "Deku" and "Ground Zero."

Several of the students snuck forward for one last hug or handshake as the larger group began to line up for their teacher. They waved in unison as they started to move back down the trail and onto their next lesson. Perhaps it was time for them to head back to the school by now.

Alyssa-chan was surrounded by a tight gaggle of talkative classmates who leaned close to speak to her and glanced over their shoulders at Shouto and the others. Her smile glowed in the sunlight reflected from the lake. Shouto waved goodbye, even though she wasn't looking at him anymore.

"You're sweet on that kid, Icy Hot."

"Hm?"

"Don't frown at me like you don't know what I'm talking about. Alyssa-chan has you wrapped around her finger."

Shouto shrugged. "I'm glad to see she's happy."

"This is a little more than that," Katsuki insisted. "You were smiling. I saw teeth and everything. I mean I can see why you like her; she's a badass kid."

"Kacchan," Izuku nudged his husband, jostling him in place. "Shouto smiles all the time."

"Yeah, but normally he smiles more with his eyes; they go all sparkly and stuff."

The sun beat down hard on Shouto's cheeks and nose. He concentrated on his breathing for a moment. "I'm glad she survived."

The grin on Katsuki's face softened. His eyes caught the glittering light reflected from the lake. "Yeah, you did good there." He swayed and started walking along the side of the lake. Shouto and Izuku moved alongside him, keeping pace. "You could be a great teacher, if you wanted."

"What do you mean?" They were walking so close together that their shoulders bumped together with every other step, but Katsuki didn't pull away.

"Like at UA or something. You were great with those kids just now, and you're not afraid to branch out your hero work. If you wanted to go into teaching, I think you'd be good."

"I just like children; I'm not sure that translates to teaching."

"I think it can be a beginning, if you want it to be," Izuku added. "You present so calmly, and that can help children feel safe."

Shouto felt his shoulders drawing tight. It wasn't such a large movement that most people would usually notice it, but Izuku and Katsuki paid close attention to everything, it seemed.

Katsuki leaned close until the heat of his skin was radiating across Shouto's cheek and neck. "You're not your asshole father, Shouto."

Fuck. First Izuku at the sports festival, now Katsuki all these years later. Was he that transparent?

Fingers slid and curled over his hand. Shouto looked over to see Izuku had reached behind his husband's back to grab Shouto's hand. "You're nothing like him, Shouto. You're kind, and patient, and very sweet."

"You're making him blush, Deku."

Why did Katsuki sound so goddamn amused by that?! Shouto forced himself to lift his head until he was looking Katsuki in the eyes. "Have you and Izuku ever thought of having children?"

The smug smile dropped into a confused frown. "What?" The ripples in Katsuki's brow almost made a perfect "W".

"Have you and your husband ever thought about having children of your own?" Shouto repeated. Izuku and Katsuki blinked at each other and then him. Deflection successful. They wouldn't be getting back to the topic of Shouto and children anytime soon. Shouto hadn't been made to endure public speaking courses by Endeavor for nothing. Some of the tension eased out of his shoulders and he made a point of lowering them.

Izuku lifted his free had to rub across the back of his neck. "I-I…haven't really thought about it."

"How did we go from teaching to having kids?" Katsuki asked.

"I don't expect either of you would back off from your active pro hero work, so I made the next logical leap."

Katsuki's frown deepened. "Like we couldn't teach part-time when we retired or something?"

"Or that," Shouto agreed. "Have you ever considered teaching?"

Katsuki shook his head. "I'm too hot-headed to handle a whole class." His gaze drifted to Izuku's wide green eyes. "Kids though…" The lazy tilt of Katsuki's smile was something Shouto only ever saw when Katsuki was looking at Izuku. "We might have to talk about that."

Izuku's answering smile was a little wistful. "Yeah."

Shouto had to look away. He couldn't regret the distraction tactics he'd used. Izuku and Katsuki would make amazing parents. It was a step that made sense for them; something that would tie them closer together and cement the bond they already shared. As much as it hurt to look at from the outside, their connection was magnetic, compelling… gorgeous.

The rubber soles of Katsuki's trainers scraped across the gravel of the path, and the weight against Shouto's shoulder was suddenly more than a casual bump. Shouto's arms brushed Izuku as they both reached out to steady Katsuki, who was already trying to shove them both away.

"Stop that. I'm fine. I fucking tripped; it's not a disaster."

"Are you sure you're okay, Kacchan?"

"I said I'm fucking fine, Deku."

When Shouto reached up and grasped Katsuki's shoulder he received the full force of Katsuki's snarl, but he wasn't phased by it. "Will you let me check so that we can put Izukui's mind at ease?"

"You don't need to check! I'm fine!"

Izuku opened his mouth to speak, but Shouto lifted a hand to stop him. "Your husband was on the battlefield with you when you were hurt. He watched you fall, and he was all but glued to your side when you came into the hospital. Those are hard images to forget, even if you're nowhere near at risk of dying at the moment."

Katsuki's shifted into something that was still defensive, but also vulnerable. "Do you have to lift up my shirt here?"

Shy wasn't a word most people thought of when they considered Bakugou Katsuki, but it was a natural and endearing counterpoint to the reservation Shouto already knew was there. With a gentle squeeze, Shouto released Izuku's fingers and held his hand out to Katsuki. "I can check this way too."

Katsuki slid his hand into Shouto's without a moments hesitation. "Can you tell Deku I'm not about to keel over?"

Shouto wrapped his other hand around Katsuki's, closed his eyes, and concentrated. Katsuki's was, of course, fine. His muscles were still a bit sore from pro hero physical therapy, but no worse for wear than they had been before they left for the park. Still, Shouto let the moment linger before finally opening his eyes. The sunlight made Katsuki's hair glow. "You're amazing."

"See? I fucking told you, Deku!" Katsuki aggressively grabbed his husband's hand with his free one. "God, stop scratching your fucking wrist. You're going to give yourself a blister or something."

"Sorry, Kacchan." Izuku looked a little chagrined. "I don't realize I'm doing it most of the time."

"This has been going on for weeks. You need to see a fucking doctor."

"It feels silly to bug them over allergies or a bug bite, or whatever this is. It's not serious, Kacchan."

"If you're still scratching your fucking wrist next week I'm dragging you into the clinic myself." Katsuki rolled his shoulder a little. "If we're done with the dramatics, let's keep walking."

Shouto lifted his and Katsuki's joined hands. "Like this?" Katsuki was still holding Izuku's hand, keeping them all linked together.

"Why the hell not? You can keep tabs on me and Deku can calm the fuck down."

Shouto let himself fall into step beside Katsuki and his husband. It felt natural, like he belonged here, connected to both of them. Shouto pushed away the trembling ache in his chest. There would be time enough to explore that later. When this was finally…over, he would have the rest of his life to pick himself to pieces

The path they walked wound close to the lake, skirting the edge as if it were tempted to take a dip into cool water. Now that they were away from the cover of the trees the gentle warmth of the sun had intensified. The breeze off the water offered some relief, but not enough. It was a pity they couldn't go swimming. Aquatic exercise would help improve Katsuki's range of motion without putting undue strain on healing muscles.

"Well?" The question, from Katsuki, was accompanied by a shoulder nudge that jostled Shouto in place, breaking his reverie.

Shouto looked up, squinting in the sunlight. "What?"

"Is something wrong, Icy Hot? You keep checking out."

"I'm fine." It was an automatic response. Shouto shook his head trying to ground his attention. "What were you saying?"

"Do you want to go out on the lake?" Katsuki spoke slowly, emphasizing each word in apparent agitation.

Shouto looked out across the sparkling water. It did look tempting… "It's not a swimming area."

"Kacchan wants to rent one of those rowboats," Izuku clarified, pointing to a small dock area two hundred yards or so down the path.

Oh.

"And Deku wants you to give me the all-clear." The set of Katsuki's jaw betrayed his irritation.

Shouto squeezed Katsuki's lightly calloused hand in his. "That should be fine, just make sure you say something if you start to feel increased soreness or pain. I won't be able to hold your hand while you're rowing."

Katsuki nodded, irritation seeming to give way to determination. "Of course."

They rented a boat and less than five minutes later Izuku pushed them away from the dock while Katsuki started to work the paddles through the water. The movement of the boat amplified the cool breeze and created a soothing counterpoint to the heat of late summer afternoon.

Izuku was pressed close beside Shouto on the bench seat opposite Katsuki. The further they moved towards the center of the lake, the more the hum of the crowd on the shore and surrounding park spaces faded away. It was peaceful out here. Shouto closed his eyes against the bright glare of the sun and tipped his head back, feeling the wind on his face and basking in the presence of his two companions.

The oars clacked softly when Katsuki locked them in place and let the boat drift. "So you can relax, huh? I was starting to wonder." Katsuki's voice held an obvious note of sarcasm which didn't necessitate a response. Shouto tipped his head back further, arching into a stretch until he could feel it from his neck to his hips. He didn't expect a hand to slide over his. He just managed to avoid startling, but his gaze still whipped around to meet Izuku's hesitant smile.

"I hope we haven't been working you too hard, Shouto." Izuku squeezed Shouto's fingers casually, like he didn't think anything of holding hands with someone who wasn't his husband. "I feel bad we've been monopolizing your time."

"Don't feel bad." Shouto turned his head and spoke directly to Katsuki. "You've got a temper, but otherwise you're not a very demanding patient."

"Yeah? Well you're not as much a pain in the ass as healers normally are."

"Kacchan!"

Katsuki's grin was completely unrepentant. "It's almost a shame we have to give you back to the hospital."

And Shouto would have to go, probably sooner than later. He'd had so much more time than he'd had any right to have, but it didn't feel anywhere close to enough.

"It's not like we'll never see each other again," Izuku murmured. "You're still invited to family dinners. I know our free days won't line up very often, but we can still hang out."

Shouto knew better than to let himself count on these promises. He didn't really have a place here, not a permanent one. Regardless of what Shouto felt…or wanted. He couldn't lose sight of reality.

"Don't forget to take care of yourself." Katsuki's voice was low and almost threatening.

"Or what? You'll take custody of the terrarium?"

Katsuki's laugh was fierce and lovely. Shouto wrapped both his arms tightly around his ribs, knowing they wouldn't be able to shield him from the assault on his heart.

"I'm sure as hell not letting you get away with treating yourself badly," Katsuki insisted.

"We'll kidnap you from work or something," Izuku suggested.

For once Shouto didn't fight the chuckle that rose low in his throat. "Aia-san would let you." He leaned over and let his fingers trail in the cool water. "But you might want to start with yourselves. When was the last time you had time off together that wasn't mandated by a task force?"

"It's been too long," Izuku agreed with a wistful look at Katsuki.

"The world isn't going to save itself... but yeah. I guess we could share the spotlight a little more."

The way that Izuku and Katsuki looked at each other was agonizingly beautiful. As much as it hurt, Shouto couldn't find any scrap of jealousy in his heart. A love like theirs deserved to be protected and cherished, and it was still drawing Shouto in like a moth to a flame.

Green eyes flickered to his heterochromatic ones when his hand covered both of Izuku's.

"You were scratching your wrist again."

Izuku glance down, then hesitantly lifted his eyes to Katsuki's glower. "Oops?"

"Let's get off this lake before the mosquitoes eat Deku alive."

One of Izuku's hands escaped Shouto's to reach out for Katsuki. "Are you sure, Kacchan? We haven't been out on the lake very long."

Katsuki shrugged. "It's enough and…I'm starting to get tired. I'd rather call it quits now instead of having this one—" he gestured at Shouto, "—put me on house arrest later for pushing myself."

"Wise decision." Shout nodded.

"Like you wouldn't fucking enjoy it too." Katsuki's words were sharp, but his smile was amused, not fierce.

Shouto traced the lines of their hands with his eyes. He was connected to Izuku, who was connected to Katsuki. They were all connected, for the moment. It wouldn't last. He lifted his eyes to Katsuki's challenging red ones. "I do what my patients need. There's always pleasure in a job well done."

Katsuki chuckled. "Fucking sadist."

When Katsuki picked up the oars Izuku dropped both their hands. Shouto folded his neatly in his lap and tried not to wonder how many more times they would be connected in this way, or if this had already been the last time…

TROUBLE IN PARADISE?

This afternoon Midoriya Izuku was seen in Yoyogi Park with his husband Bakugou Katsuki, and the part-time Pro Hero, part-time healer, Todoroki Shouto. Rumors are growing that Midoriya and Todoroki's relationship isn't as professional as it should be.

Izuku scanned the trashy news article and paused over the blurry picture of him holding Shouto's hand behind Kacchan's back. This was so stupid. Did anyone seriously think Kacchan wouldn't feel that? Or that Izuku would cheat on his husband in the first place? People were so starved for drama they'd invent it from nothing.

"Hey guys!" Izuku almost trotted into Shouto's bedroom. Kacchan and Shouto had laid down early so Shouto could get a healing session in on Katsuki. Izuku was almost certain Shouto was spoiling Kacchan at this point, but he also didn't want it to stop. Why? Exhibit A was right in front of him: Kacchan and Shouto were leaned one against the other fast asleep.

Izuku leaned against the doorframe to Shouto's bedroom and watched them for a moment. Kacchan's head was nestled in the crook of Shouto's neck and Shouto's head rested against disordered blonde hair. Strands of red and white fanned across Kacchan's brow. It looked like it would tickle, but Kacchan's face was completely relaxed. His mouth was slightly open and his cheeks were dusted with the warmth of deep sleep. Shouto, as always, was more reserved even in sleep. He was so pretty he almost looked like a statue, but the way his arm curled like a protective barrier across Kacchan's hip made Izuku smile.

A quick flick of Izuku's thumb minimized the ridiculous news app and opened the camera feature of his phone. Izuku shuffled forward in socked feet, snapping pictures as he went. Was this the second time he'd taken pictures of Katsuki and Shouto cuddling? Or the third? Did something have to happen at least three times for it to be a pattern? Something in the back of Izuku's mind whispered that this should be a distressing habit, but he didn't feel any distress. He felt warm and safe and home. Soft quiet moments of security were rare in the life of any pro hero, and Izuku wasn't about to waste this one.

Of course, he would have to show Katsuki and Shouto these pictures when they were awake and let them decide if he could keep them, just as he'd done with his previous nighttime photo shoot. For now, however, he could sneak in a few more pictures. His fingers brushed across Kacchan's forehead, just barely brushing the skin as he swept Shouto's hair up into Kacchan's hair and away from his face.

Kacchan's face twitched, but he didn't wake. The movement turned into nuzzling Shouto's shoulder. Shouto responded by licking his lips and snuggling closer to Kacchan. Izuku pressed his palm to his lips, trying to stifle a chuckle. They were just so cute!

Izuku moved incrementally until he positioned himself beside Katsuki. He smiled up into the camera's lens and shot another round of selfies. He set a quick automatic sequence, then turned his head to look at his sleeping husband and dear friend. The gentle fuzzy feeling swelled inside his chest. Izuku wanted to set his phone down and join the cuddle pile, but he really needed to take a bath before he joined them. It was such an ingrained part of his nighttime routine that he never slept well if he skipped it.

He brushed his lips across Kaachan's temple and smoothed his hand along Shouto's arm. He couldn't feel the tingles he associated with Shouto's healing, which was a relief. Since the first night that Shouto had fallen asleep healing Kacchan, Izuku and Kacchan had both made a point of keeping an eye on Shouto at bedtime, trying to prevent the same thing from happening again. He couldn't help anyone if he exhausted himself in his sleep.

Shouto's fingers caught and held Izuku's, preventing him from retreating. Izuku returned the slight squeeze. "I'll be right back," he promised. "Sleep."

A sigh slipped between Shouto's lips and his fingers gradually relaxed against Izuku's. It hurt to pull away. At first Izuku thought it was because he was tired and Shouto's bed was so soft, but by the time he made it to the bathroom the heel of his hand was pressed against an ache deep in his chest. Maybe it was heartburn? Something was wrong with him. His chest pulsed with sharp tendrils of pain and his wrist felt like it was on fire! Izuku rubbed his wrist furiously across his shirt, trying to scratch the desperate itch. Maybe Shouto had heartburn medicine? … and an antihistamine.

Izuku closed the bathroom door for privacy and flicked on the light. He reached for Shouto's medicine cabinet, but his fingers stopped just shy of the smooth surface of the mirror.

No.

No, he was seeing things.

Izuku rubbed his eyes to the point of pain before he smoothed his hand across his wrist and looked down.

Fuck.

Bakugou Katsuki, the name Izuku had carried with him, etched into his skin from the moment he was sixteen years old, was fading. The edges were smudged, running like ink when someone spilled water across a freshly written page.

Fuck.

Air hardened in Izuku's throat and his eyes burned and blurred until he couldn't read the name on his soulmate mark anymore.

Fuck…

I don't think anyone will be surprised to hear that we're in the endgame now. Please hold onto the warm fluffy feelings, you may need them. It's going to be a rough ride, but they will come out the other side happy and together. If you're anxious to see how this happens, you won't have to wait long. I update my story every Friday afternoon/evening PST. I hope to see you back next week! ^_^