The mountains were high as they shaded the village from the evening sun, casting shadows along the roads and against cabins that littered the side of those very roads. The wind was becoming chilly due to the leftover dregs from the winter season. Katsuki could hear it battering against the walls of Granny Chiyo's cabin, causing Katsuki to shiver. He burrowed deeper under his blanket, unable to heat himself up due to his body being incapable of handling his magic.
It was months after the war against AFO. Three of those months were spent being unconscious, having been told that he had been fighting for his life. If it weren't for Kamihara stitching him back together with his magic, he would have died on the spot, never again to see another day. Unfortunately, they lost Kamihara due to mana depletion, which burdened Katsuki with immense guilt. He couldn't even attend the send off for all the hero's lost in the war, due to his coma at the time, but he vowed to do his own send off when he was finally allowed to leave.
Chiyo was in charge of getting Katsuki healed up and well again, but Izuku insisted on helping, unwilling to explain why. Chiyo had argued with Izuku that he also needed to rest and heal. He also needed time to get back to his former strength after healing from a broken arm and many other injuries. However, Izuku was stubborn and adamant on his choice. Eventually, the elder Beta woman relented and allowed Izuku to continue to aid him.
When Katsuki awoke for the first time, he found himself unable to chase the Omega away. He was leaning over Katsuki, applying badges to cover his chest entirely. By the time Izuku finally noticed Katsuki was awake, it wasn't long before he all but sobbed against the blond's arms, speaking so fast not even Katsuki could understand him. He just laid there, taking in the figure of his childhood friend, his victim, his rival, his…
Katsuki wasn't sure what they were anymore, but it was definitely more than rivals. After he confessed his inadequacies and faults, shouting out his truth in the rain to Izuku, he felt something shift between them. That moment opened up something that Katsuki wasn't sure he was ready for.
So he let Izuku cry while he laid there in silence, taking in the fact that the Omega had survived the war. He felt a great comfort in that knowledge, but Katsuki wouldn't let him know this.
Sure, he wasn't rejecting Izuku's help anymore, but he didn't want to admit that he needed it due to being unable to do things for himself while his body was still healing. So he would silently accept it, allowing the Omega to do as he pleased, and he didn't complain.
Time seemed to go by slowly as their injuries healed. Katsuki would notice every once in a while, when he caught Deku looking at him with this pained look in his eyes, it would cause his heart to stutter. He couldn't make heads or tails from it, but he was also unwilling to ask the Omega. He just wished that he could smell his feelings but they were hidden behind a scent salve under bandages around his neck and it frustrated him to no end.
When he was finally able to stand up on his own two feet, it was the day his idiot squad was visiting. Deku wasn't there due to him going out and doing who knows what. Eijiro was supporting him with an arm around his waist, the red head grinning like a maniac while Katsuki gritted his teeth in frustration at how weak he felt. Denki was busy making bets with Sero on how long he could keep himself standing while Mina was cheering him on.
Suddenly he heard a soft, almost inaudible pained noise from the entrance of the room. When he looked up at the source, he caught the glimpse of green hair that was leaving. His Alpha whined in his mind, urging him to chase after the Omega, but he could barely hold himself up even with the help he was receiving. Eijiro frowned next to him as everyone looked at Katsuki. "What's wrong bro?" No one had noticed the noise or the figure leaving, and Katsuki wasn't sure if he was happy about that or not.
"Where is Midobabe today? He is usually always here when we come to visit." Mina questioned.
Katsuki scoffed at the Alpha. "Who knows, and who cares."
Denki gave him a deadpan look. "Seriously Kacchan? Who Cares? We know you do, no use hiding it."
"What the fuck did you say Dunce Face?" He bared his fangs at the Omega.
"Whoa, calm down Kats, Denki has a point you know." Sero was the next one to voice his opinion, his hands held up in a placating manner. "We've seen the way you've been looking at him recently. You can't really hide anything from us you know. We've known you for way too long not to be able to see these things."
The blond Alpha huffed. "Let me down Ei." With the help of the red headed Alpha, Katsuki was gently lowered back onto the cot, Denki jumping up to place a pile of pillows behind Katsuki to help him sit up. Once he was situated, everyone pulled in closer to him; Denki sitting at his feet on the cot, Eijiro sitting next to his hip, leaning against the pillows, Mina sitting next to Denki and Sero sitting next to his knee. "You guys are gonna break this cot and I will tell Granny Chiyo on you."
"Oh come on Blasty, stop distracting from the subject, tell us what's going on." Mina put a comforting hand on his shin, encouraging him to speak.
He let out a deep sigh, realizing they weren't going to drop it until he came clean. "Ever since I woke up, things started to feel different around that Nerd, and I don't know what to make of it."
Denki was the first one to ask. "What do you mean 'feel different'? Different how?"
"I'm not sure how to explain it, it's just…" He rubbed his face in frustration, unable to understand how he was feeling. "Ever since I woke up, something in me has been clawing at me to keep him closer. I still sometimes want to tell him to fuck off and leave me alone, but when I try, something just feels wrong. I can't get the words out, and then my Alpha keeps whining at me. I don't know what it wants."
Mina let out a contemplative noise. "Do you think that maybe you and your Alpha see him differently now after everything the two of you went through together? Maybe your Alpha feels a bond with him now."
Katsuki groaned. "But that doesn't make sense. Sure I see him differently after I realized the truth of our past, but at that time, he changed from being my enemy to my rival. This is something different. Every time he gives me this look, I can feel my chest constricting."
"Maybe you see him more than a rival now?"
He looked at Sero. "What do you mean?"
"It's not that difficult to understand Kats. Ask yourself this question. Do you love Mido?" Sero gave him a pointed look.
The word 'love' struck something in him.
The pink haired Alpha spoke next. "We've also noticed how differently Midobabe looks at you now, and he definitely didn't look at you that way before the war." She shrugged. "I mean we know he always looked at you in wonder and admiration, as though the sun shines out from your asshole." Katsuki growled at the comment. "You can't deny it Blasty, we know you saw it as well, just not in the way we did. But after you got your head out of your ass, did you see the difference? That's when you apologized to him and treated him as an equal, but now? After the war, after almost losing each other? We see the same look in his eyes, but this time it's more. We take note of these things more than you know babe. It's about time you did as well."
Eijiro stood up from his spot next to Katsuki. "I think we should go and leave you to yourself for a while. Think through some things, and maybe figure out for yourself what it is that has changed and how you feel about it bro."
The rest of them stood up with him, getting ready to leave.
"We'll be back tomorrow Kacchan, don't worry." The blond Omega grinned.
"Tch, like I give a shit if you visit or not."
Eijiro chuckled while the others smiled at his brashness. "You know bro, you need to be more honest with yourself."
"Ei is right, Kats. Once you're honest with yourself, things will make a lot more sense to you." Sero gave him a two finger salute before making his way out. The others followed behind, sending back goodbyes and promises to see him again tomorrow.
Once Katsuki was left to his own thoughts, he allowed himself to relax and let his mind wander over everything that was said. One question stood out amongst everything else. Did he love Izuku? He knew he felt affection because the Omega was part of his pack, his village, his life, but was it love that he felt now? Was what he felt different now the result of his feelings evolving into something he had never felt before?
He let his head fall back. He knew there was a lot that he needed to sort out in his mind, with not just himself, but his Alpha as well. Where he felt one way, his Alpha felt another. However, at the same time, the similarities between them were so confusing.
He heard a soft knock on the door causing him to lift his head up to see Izuku standing in the doorway. "Sorry to disturb you Kacchan."
"Tch whatever Nerd. I'm used to it by now." Once again he was met with the feeling of calmness whenever the Omega was near him. His Alpha settling.
"I came to change your bandages. Granny Chiyo is busy helping with a birth at the moment." Izuku stepped into the room, making his way towards the table holding all the supplies.
Katsuki felt himself relax further into the pillows. Pups. He wondered what Izuku's pups would look like one day. He wondered what his would look like. Maybe even what their pups would look like. The thought was so jarring that he sat straight up, his eyes almost bulging out with the shock of the route his thoughts decided to take.
The comotion alerted Izuku causing him to come rushing over to Katsuki's side. "Kacchan!? Are you okay?" His hands hovered over Katsuki as though he wanted to help but didn't know what to do.
The blond forced himself to relax back into the pillows, coughing away the awkwardness in his mind and the flush on his ears. "Yeah, fine Nerd, just remembered I forgot to tell Shitty Hair something." He hoped the lie was believable.
"Are you sure Kacchan? Is there any pain? I can give you more painkillers now." He stepped back to the table, looking for the dried herb mixture.
"I said I'm fine Deku. I'm not in pain right now, just stiff from being stuck in this cot." He swung his legs over the edge of the cot, needing to move to expel the nervous energy coursing through his system.
Izuku turned back around to face the Alpha. "Well, I need to help you change your bandages."
"Yeah yeah, you said that already. Now get a move on." He felt guilty after the words came out of his mouth when he saw the Omega flinch. "...sorry."
Green eyes met red. "It's okay Kacchan, I can understand being stuck here must make you very frustrated. Maybe we can get you to walk a bit today."
Katsuki sighed. "I know you were here earlier and saw me on my feet, why did you leave?"
The call out made Izuku squeak in surprise. "I-I'm sorry. I just didn't want to interrupt your time with your pack." He was nervously fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.
"You do know you're a part of my pack too, Izuku?" He kept his gaze on the Omega and watched as his eyes widened in surprise. His mouth hung slightly open in a small 'o'. The Alpha let out a breath through his nose. "When we went to find you, after you went rogue, when I-" He looked down to his hands. "When I apologized, that was the day I considered you my pack." He huffed out a small laugh and let his gaze land on Izuku again. "In fact, even before then, my pack had already considered you a part of it. Maybe I did already, but just didn't know it until that moment. You had all the right to come in here and spend time with them." The last bit was whispered. "With me."
He watched as Izuku's face crumpled, tears trickling down his cheeks. He felt himself panic. Katsuki wanted to get up and do something, anything, but he didn't know what. On top of that, he was unable to get up by himself. He was about to speak when Izuku beat him to it.
"Kacchan~" He hiccuped. "Oh, Kacchan." The greenette stepped forward and stood in front of the blond. "You have no idea how much that means to me, Kacchan." The blinding smile that spread across his face eased the tension in Katsuki's shoulders. "Thank you Kacchan." He sniffled and wiped his cheeks with the back of his hands.
Katsuki shrugged and looked away, feeling his ears heat up. "Yeah well, I thought you should know, in case you didn't understand." The giggle that the Omega let loose sent shivers down the Alpha's spine. He yearned to hear it more.
"Let me change your bandages, then we can talk more and maybe get you outside for some fresh air, okay?" Izuku hummed, his breath tickling over Katsuki's shoulder when he leaned forward to pull the gauze from the healing wound on his chest.
"Yeah yeah Nerd, let's do that." He lifted his arms as Izuku reached forward to start unraveling the bandages wrapped around his chest. "What made you think you're not part of my pack?"
Izuku's face pulled into a grimace when the wound came into view before he pulled back with the bandages. He turned around and faced the table, his hand moving around to dispose of the soiled bandages and get new ones. "Well, to be honest…" His voice was low and sounded hollow. "I never felt as though I deserved to be a part of it because I thought that was how you felt. I'm sorry for assuming."
"Deku…"
Katsuki was cut off when Izuku continued. "And then there's the fact that we aren't friends, and how you always pushed me away, no matter how hard I tried." The Omega took in a deep breath. "Maybe I felt that you wouldn't want to be associated with me in any way possible, considering that even though you apologized - and don't get me wrong, I really appreciated the apology and I've forgiven you but - it never changed your attitude towards me. You still treated me as though I was a thorn in your side and it was as though you couldn't stand the sight of me. There was also the time when we got separated and when I found you again, you were practically dead. Now after the war, you are acting completely different and it's throwing me off. I mean, for all I know, it could just be your new way of ignoring me and it-"
At this point Katsuki had heard enough. "Deku!" The force of his own voice made his chest ache, causing him to suck in a sharp breath with a wince. The next moment his vision was full of green. Misty eyed green.
"Kacchan! Are you okay!? Where's the pain?" He was once again facing Katsuki, but not with the same smile on his face as before. Now, the tears ran freely down his face as his eyes roamed over his chest, looking for anything that could be causing him pain.
"I'm fine, nerd, just didn't expect that to pinch, but it wasn't enough to hurt." The Alpha let out a breath through his nose. "Stop stressing."
"How can I not stress!? You almost died, Kacchan!" His hand was hovering over the healing wound on Katsuki's chest, scared to touch.
"Listen Izuku-" He reached forward and grabbed Izuku's arms, trying to somehow bring comfort to him. "Let me clear something up, before you drown me with your tears. We are friends, at least I hope we are. You and me, we were childhood friends, and then I ruined it. Hearing that you forgave me, it feels so surreal and honestly, I don't feel deserving of it. I'm grateful."
Izuku gasped. "But Kacchan, you were always deserving of it."
He slid his hands down till they were over Izuku's, grasping it lightly to stop his own hands from shaking. He wasn't the best at getting his feelings out. He knew he was abrasive, but he was really hoping that the Omega would be able to see what he was really trying to express. "I know that my attitude hasn't been the greatest, but it's not that I am trying to push you away or anything, it's just that old habits are hard to get rid of, ya know?"
The look on Izuku's face turned into one of understanding. "You're right, I'm sorry Kacchan. I'm glad we're friends again. It's always been something that I've wanted." Even with the green eyes swollen with tears, the smile still made him look beautiful. "I'm really happy Kacchan."
Katsuki huffed out a soft laugh. "Yeah Nerd, same."
It had been a grueling time for Katsuki and his healing journey, but it wasn't all that bad. Izuku and him had been getting closer since their talk. They had been slowly building up the friendship they both wanted, starting off with light topics and bickering. As time went by, the topics turned into more personal ones. Their understanding of each other growing into something that opened up their eyes to each other in ways neither of them thought were possible.
The conversations changed from strained to carefree. Finding it easier to talk to one another. As time went on, they both got their strength back. Izuku worked closely with Katsuki in his physical therapy, motivating him everyday to be better than the previous day. It had taken another three months of physical therapy and healing for him to be able to function by himself. By then, they could truly say they were friends, talking about things with each other that they had never spoken about before, easily jesting with each other. Katsuki did find it fun to still tease the Omega, but not like he used to when they were brats. Now, whenever he teased him, it wasn't to cause him any harm but rather to make him blush and stutter, Katsuki grinning each and every single time.
The more they spoke, the warmer his chest got. The feeling of a comfortable connection between them growing the more Katsuki allowed it. He could feel his Alpha pulling him closer to the Omega, confusing him even more. His Alpha had never made him feel this way towards Izuku before. It had always been dormant when Izuku was around him before. It all but dragged him to the greenette now.
When they were together, his Alpha felt at ease in his chest. The more time they spent together, the more content his Alpha felt. When they were apart, his Alpha whined in his chest, mourning the company of the green-eyed Omega.
Katsuki was constantly questioning himself and what these feelings meant, especially after the conversation he had with the idiot squad. When he tried to think of how he or his Alpha felt around his pack mates, he realized that what he felt with them was nowhere close to what he felt towards Izuku. With his pack mates, he felt camaraderie. A sense of belonging and the need to support. But with Izuku? With Izuku he felt a sense of need. He felt the need to protect him and wanted to stand side by side as they went through the trials of life, together, in a sense of companionship.
He would sit with himself late into the night, when he was laying all alone in the cot, trying to figure out what it was that he was feeling, and one night, he was finally able to answer the question Sero had asked him.
"It's not that difficult to understand Kats. Ask yourself this question. Do you love Mido?"
He did indeed love Izuku, but what kind of love did he feel for him? That, he still needed to figure out. Was the love he felt familial? Of friendship? Of passion?
He knew there was no passion, they weren't like that with each other, but nothing else fit. There was also the fact that he felt himself being pulled closer and closer to the Omega and nobody else. What he felt with Izuku, he felt with no one else, so that had to mean something? Right?
The day he was released from Chiyo's care had finally arrived and Eijiro had come to fetch him. He had decided to go back to his own cabin to see if everything was still standing and what he would need to do in order to get it in tip-top shape again. He was casually walking with Eijiro, talking about what he was planning to do to renovate his no doubt damaged cabin. Thinking it may have been destroyed in the war, only to be completely surprised when he turned the corner to see that his cabin was standing right there. It wasn't crumbled in on itself like he expected it to be after hearing from everyone else how they had to rebuild their homes. It was fully intact.
He turned to Eijiro to ask how his cabin was still standing. The red head shook his head and motioned for Katsuki to enter his home. When he walked in through the door, he was immediately greeted with cheers of "Welcome back!", startling him.
Everyone was there, his whole pack, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to run away or hug them all. He decided to scream back at them and threaten bodily harm if they had so much as damaged anything in his cabin. It was met with giggles and chortles, some rolling their eyes, however his own eyes widened when he took in the state of his cabin. It was in immaculate condition.
Izuku stepped forward and smiled at Katsuki, causing his chest to stutter. "Don't worry Kacchan, we didn't break anything. We maintained it for you and fixed up everything that was affected by the war. All you need to do now is make it your own again. I'll explain more later, so why don't we just enjoy this celebration?"
Katsuki felt his shoulder's drop as the tension eased out of them. "Yeah sure nerd, whatever."
They continued to enjoy the rest of the day, and when it was getting a bit late in the evening, he started kicking everyone out saying that he needed to go to sleep. They all complained and bemoaned saying that he had enough sleep at Chiyo's, but he refused to budge. Luckily Izuku stepped in and corralled everyone out, saying that Katsuki was still healing and needed his rest. He grumbled out under his breath that he was just fine and didn't need to be babied, but he was reluctant to say that out loud. He desperately needed some peace and quiet after being around so many after such a long time. They finally conceded when Izuku didn't relent and they all bid Katsuki a good night and to heal up well before they left.
When it was just him and Izuku left in the cabin, he started to get nervous. He's not used to having Izuku in his cabin, but he was distracted away from the thought when the Omega started to talk rapidly while cleaning up around his living area. He was excitedly explaining everyone's part in fixing up his home, and how they were so excited for him to see it. Katsuki joined in on the cleaning, quietly listening to Izuku talk, allowing it to calm him down and dissipate the nervousness in his chest. He allowed himself to feel grateful for everyone's help. He planned in his head on ways to repay them back as best as he could. He knew that he would have had trouble trying to do everything himself, and he was glad he was part of this pack that he considered family.
They continued to clean and talk, Katsuki asking him questions here and there on everything that had been done. It felt so natural with them working together like this, almost as though they were a family.
He felt his Alpha purr at the thought, his ears warming up alongside the idea. Making sure Izuku wasn't facing him, he looked at the Omega, watching him being busy around his cabin. It was almost as if he knew the place well, looking like he belonged there. He imagined what it would be like to have that. What it would be like to do this everyday. Living here together and making this cabin a home together. What it would be like to come home to the Omega, or even with the Omega.
He shook his head and looked away, coming to realize what it was that he and his Alpha wanted for them. However, he also came to the realization that he would probably never get to have that. He felt his Alpha whine inside his chest that was busy cracking. The fact that he had gotten Izuku's forgiveness was a miracle all on its own. He still didn't even understand why he had gotten that miracle, but he was grateful for it nonetheless. He could never allow himself to hope for more, that would be asking for much more than he deserved.
When they were done cleaning up, Katsuki started to feel anxious knowing that Izuku would be going his own way now. He won't be staying like his Alpha begged him to. As Izuku was getting ready to leave, sitting by the door putting his boots back on, Katsuki stood next to him. He felt compelled to reach out and hold him. He was able to stop his physical pull, but not the verbal, his lips working against him as he desperately asked. "Izuku, why did you forgive me?"
The Omega looked up at him in shock. "What? Why do you ask that?"
"Because I don't understand why." Katsuki shook his head, trying to get the correct words together before he could screw this up. "We both know what I put you through, and here you are, after everything I had done. Forgiving me as if I hadn't done anything wrong. I just don't get it."
Izuku stood up after tying his boots, facing Katsuki with an understanding look on his face. "I know you don't believe that you deserve my forgiveness Kacchan, but you have it anyways. The reason for that is quite simple." The greenette took a deep breath before speaking again. "You, as Katsuki Bakugou, as Kacchan, as our pack-mate, as our family and as our friend, you changed, and you changed for the better. I believe you deserve forgiveness because you were able to see what you were doing wrong, understand that it was wrong, and then correct that behavior. You took something of yourself that you deemed cruel and took it apart, building a beautiful human being in its place."
Katsuki felt absolutely breathless at Izuku's words, never having seen himself that way. He felt shocked that was how he was seen by one of the kindest souls he had ever had the luck to meet.
The Omega continued to speak when he saw that Katsuki was just standing there, looking at him in disbelief, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Kacchan, you have proven yourself over and over again how amazing of a person you are, how much you love your pack and put them before you when you protect them with such fierce loyalty and dedication. Sometimes when I see you around those you care about, it takes my breath away because I know I am finally seeing the real Katsuki Bakugou. Not the mask he put up in place to protect something he once upon a time thought was more important than love. I see that you now put love above pride and you have found the true path that it is you need to pursue." The smile that split his face felt blinding. "I am so proud of you Kacchan, and I hope you know and understand why I forgive you."
Katsuki couldn't stop it, but he reached out and grabbed Izuku in a bone crushing hug. He heard the Omega let out a huff at the sudden hug, the wind wheezing out of his lungs in surprise. Then he felt Izuku stiffen, his body going completely rigid in his hold. He was about to let go in fear that he had made the Omega uncomfortable, when suddenly he felt the tension leave Izuku and arms coming to wrap themselves around his waist, hugging him back just as tightly. "Izuku…" He couldn't hold it in anymore. He finally let the tears fall from his eyes, cascading down his cheeks in waves, soaking the top of Izuku's green curls.
The Omega let his hands rub at the Alpha's back in a soothing manner. "I promise you Kacchan, you more than deserve forgiveness."
The blond was outright sobbing at this point, his body being wracked with relief as he clung onto Izuku even tighter. When he tried to speak, the words came out in a choked warble. "Tha-thank you, Izu-Izuku."
Izuku continued to comfort him, allowing him to pour out his tears onto him, allowing the gratitude he felt soak into his veridian curls. The Omega didn't seem at all bothered at the mess he was making, in fact pulling him in closer. Humming a soft tune while Katsuki let it all out and allowing himself to feel as though the world had been lifted off of his shoulders.
When some time had gone by and Katsuki had mostly quieted down, his tears drying up and the exhaustion of the emotional upheaval tiring him out, he reluctantly pulled back allowing Izuku to let him go. "Don't you dare tell anyone about this nerd, or you're dead meat. Ya hear me?" He rubbed his face in both of his hands, feeling the dried and crusted tears pull at his skin.
The greenette giggled at that. "No worries Kacchan. I won't tell anyone you cried like a baby, no one will know of your weakness." He gave him a sly wink.
The Alpha looked at him with a weak glare. "You're a little shit, you know that right?"
That's when the Omega burst out laughing. "I learned from only the best, Kacchan." With that, he gathered his bag at the door and slipped through before Katsuki could retaliate.
When the door was once again closed and Katsuki was alone in his cabin for the first time in months, he let out a long breath, trying to get the feeling of loss in his chest to dissipate. He already missed the presence of the Omega. He shook his head and turned to the rest of his cabin, looking for the blanket he had seen strewn on his couch so he could curl up by the fire and be alone with his thoughts. However, he spotted a wrapped package on the small table next to the couch, wrapped in a pelt and string. He picked it up and examined it, wondering if someone had forgotten something here by accident. That's when he noticed a piece of crumpled paper tucked under the string. Pulling it out and opening it to read the contents, he discovered a letter from Izuku.
"Welcome home Kacchan! I hope you like this housewarming gift I made for you. From Deku."
He dropped the letter to the table and immediately began unwrapping the package, opening it up to find a bundle of soft leather. Pulling it free, he unraveled the leather and came to see that it was a vest. He turned it over in his hands, and stared at it in disbelief.
It was made from the hide of a dragon and dyed a deep dark red, as though it were to match his eyes. Intricate patterns had been embroidered into the material, the sleeves long and stitched with different hues of red, orange, and green. The golden looking thread was shown in each stitch, giving it a tailored look. The collar was trimmed with the softest fur he had ever felt. The front of the vest was split down the middle, with a golden threaded string acting as a tie to close the vest to cover his chest. He also noticed that the leather was thicker in areas that were near his vital points.
When he brought it to his nose, he got a faint smell of Izuku's pheromones. Honeysuckle and cedar. He let out a content sigh, happy that he was able to once again smell the Omega. Izuku kept covering up his scent and it drove him a little bit crazy sometimes. He wished he could smell it freely when they were together. He wanted to drown himself in the comforting scent.
He quickly put the vest on, only to notice how it fit perfectly on him. Tight enough to keep him warm and show off his hard earned muscles, yet flexible enough to allow him free range of movement. He pulled the strings tight and found that it cinched his waist snugly, leaving none of his undershirt exposed. It perfectly matched his aesthetic, making him preen.
This was probably the best gift he had ever received, and not just because it was Izuku that had gifted it to him, but due to the fact that he could see how hard he worked on it and just how much effort was put into it.
Some months had passed and it was now well into summer. Katsuki had been able to fully recover and was still working on bringing up his strength that he had lost when he was healing. His chest still ached whenever he was training, but it disappeared as time went on. He was also finally able to start sparring again and using his explosion magic again.
When Izuku had found out that he was training and spatting again, he had quickly suggested they spared together. Katsuki jumped at the chance not only because Izuku was one of the few that could match him easily before he was injured in the war, but also because it was as good as any excuse to spend time with the Omega.
They had already been spending a lot of time together in the months that had passed, especially since he told Izuku that he was part of his pack. He knew that Izuku wanted to be friends with him again, but Katsuki wished it was because he wanted more. Izuku was just too pure of a soul to not want to be friends with everyone. Hoping for anything else would be pointless and just painful.
He was currently sitting on a log with Izuku and his idiot squad by a fire outside his cabin. They were all discussing the sparring matches they were all doing earlier. Eijiro was busy reenacting a move with Denki, having him in a head lock while trying to use his foot to trip the blond Omega, however Denki was little compared to him and was able to out-maneuver the red head's foot. Sero was busy making joking remarks about how someone smaller than Eijiro was able to hold off against a "giant", while Mina was cheering on Denki. Izuku was next to him furiously scribbling in his notebook, probably analyzing the move and making his own improvements on it.
Katsuki found it difficult to keep his eyes away from the green eyed Omega, not paying much attention to the commotion in front of him. Unfortunately, because Katsuki wasn't looking, Eijiro was finally able to trip Denki causing them to both fall against his legs, startling him out of his staring.
He pushed them away from his legs with a rough kick. "OI! You idiots leave me out of your fuckery!"
The pair got up and Denki ran to hide behind Mina, while Eijiro rubbed the back of his head with an apologetic smile. "My bad Kats, got carried away there."
"Tch." The blond Alpha grumbled until he heard soft giggling next to him. When he turned to look, he found that Izuku had a hand over his mouth, trying to stifle back a laugh. "What are you laughing at nerd?"
Izuku let his hand drop and shook his head. "Nothing Kacchan."
"Whatever." He turned to the fire and let himself relax.
"Hey Kacchan, I noticed earlier that your magic has changed a little bit. What was that new combo you did? It caught me by surprise."
He looked over to the Omega again, about to answer when Denki had crept out from his hiding spot and spoke up. "Yeah! Wasn't that the move you were training when Izuku went rogue?"
Katsuki saw Izuku flinch at the mention of when he went rogue. He caught a glimpse in the corner of his eye of Mina smacking Denki on the arm, who in turn flinched when he realized what he had said and softly apologized.
Izuku shook his head. "It's okay, don't worry about it." He turned back to Katsuki and asked. "So it was something you trained? Can you tell me more about it?"
The blond shook his head with a small side smile, not surprised Izuku wanted to know. However, this time he wanted to answer him. "Basically I just concentrated my mana into tiny packed sphere's inside of my body. When I hold them like that and keep building the mana in those sphere's and don't release them, the pressure builds and with nowhere to go, the energy they produce allows for me to move faster."
"That's amazing Kacchan! I knew you were amazing!" The look in the Omega's eyes were of awe, the light shining as though he were looking at a star.
"Pffft! What do you mean 'were'? I still am! I kicked the most ass in the war!"
Mina laughed, Eijiro smiled in exasperation, all while Denki decided to argue. "No! Mido kicked the most ass! He defeated that crusty dude!"
Sero was shaking his head in amusement while Izuku blushed up a storm.
Katsuki jumped up and faced Denki, his palm out and open, small explosions popping off. "Huh!? Are you arguing against me, Dunce Face!? Let me tell you something you shit face!"
Ejiro jumped in front of Katsuki to get his attention off of the Omega. "Now hold on bro, Denki kind of has a point." When Katsuki turned his glare to the red head, Eijiro continued. "Mido-bro did defeat All For One and Shigaraki, that's a lot more than most of what the rest of us did." Denki's head popped out from behind him, nodding his head in agreement.
Mina spoke up in her excitement. "Yeah, but Kat did face off against Shigaraki and did very well! I say they both did equal parts."
"I agree." Sero is the one who spoke next. "I don't think it really matters who defeated the bad guys, we all worked together to win this war."
"Yeah Kacchan! We all played important parts! Without everyone else, we definitely wouldn't have won at all. The amount of damage you did on Shigaraki was what allowed me to take him down. I wouldn't have been able to have done it without you!"
Izuku's beaming smile and praising words made Katsuki struggle to think and he ended up blurting out- "I was definitely the best because I will always protect the one I love most!"
Silence fell over the group at his proclamation.
When Katsuki realized what he had said, the blush that spread out over his ears and neck could rival the sun in intensity. Izuku gazed at him in stunned silence and the blond wanted to crawl into a hole and pretend that he didn't exist. He didn't mean to blurt out his feelings like that and Izuku's lack of reply was making him panic.
Eijiro coughed into his fist, but Katsuki and Izuku didn't stop staring at each other. "Well, I'm hungry, why don't we go get something to eat while you two finish chatting. How's that sound?" He let out a nervous chuckle while wrestling a curious Denki to follow him, the blond Omega protesting.
Sero grabbed Mina while she was squealing in excitement. "Have fun with your chat boys!"
As soon as the group was gone, Izuku pulled up his hands to cover his face.
Katsuki knew with that reaction, he had fucked up. He felt his heart drop down into his stomach, his skin breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Deku…" His throat suddenly closed, unable to get the words out of his mouth.
Izuku let out a whine and the Alpha dropped down to his knees in front of the greenette. "Izuku. Izuku, I'm sorry. I know this isn't something you wanted and I know that this probably makes you uncomfortable or angry, but please, don't let this ruin what we have now. I know I was a shit to you most of our lives and that I ruined our friendship before, but I really don't want to lose it again." He looked down between Izuku's feet. "Yes I love you, but you can pretend it's pack love if you need to. I'll pretend as well." He looked up to see that Izuku still had his face covered. "Izuku?" When no reply came, he sighed and looked away from the Omega. It felt as though someone had ripped the heart out of his chest. "I guess I'll leave you alone now. I'm sorry."
Before he was able to fully stand up and leave, something grabbed his hand and wretched him back. "What the-"
"Kacchan!"
Katsuki turned to look at Izuku, only to find that his face was but an inch or two away from his own. He wasn't able to see his face properly when they were that close, the color of shimmery emeralds taking over most of his vision. "Deku?"
The Omega pulled back a bit and Katsuki was finally able to see that Izuku had the brightest smile on his face that the blond had ever seen. His eyes were glimmering with unshed tears. "I love you too Kacchan!"
The Alpha's eyes widened in shock. Izuku loved him back? No way, he had definitely fainted from embarrassment and was dreaming now because there was no way that the one he had hurt the most in his life could love him back. "Iz-Izuku? What?"
Izuku giggled and stood up, pulling Katsuki up with him and holding his hands in his own scared ones. "I said, I love Kacchan as well."
"No, there's no way you could love me. This is a dream."
"Kacchan!" The Omega whined and pouted. "It's not a dream! I really do love you!"
"Prove it." Was the first thing that popped into Katsuki's head.
Izuku leveled him with an incredulous look. "Fine." Then pulled one hand away and before Katsuki could complain, Izuku then whacked him upside the head.
"What the fuck!" He yelped in surprise, bringing up his free hand to rub at the stinging spot.
"You wanted proof, and we all know you can't feel pain in dreams." He took Katsuki's hands in his own again. "Do you believe me now Kacchan?"
When the truth of what just happened hit Katsuki both figuratively and literally, he found himself sag in absolute relief. "You love me back? You'll let me court you?"
The Omega pulled Katsuki's hands around his waist and then pulled his own around the Alpha's neck. "Yes Kacchan, I love you back, more than you could possibly ever know. And you better court me or I will hit you a lot harder than I did just now." The smile on his lips was mischievous and it made Katsuki's heart flutter.
"I'm still gonna get you back for that nerd." The smirk that played on his lips was practically feral. "But first I'm going to court you to death and then make you mine."
Izuku giggled. "I'd like to see you try Kacchan."
"Oh?" The smirk turned into an interested smile. "Is that a challenge Omega?"
"You bet it is." Raising himself up on the tip of his toes, Izuku brushed his lips gently over Katsuki's. "And I can't wait."
Katsuki growled low in his throat before pressing his lips forward to give Izuku a bruising kiss. He could feel the Omega's fingers threading through the soft hairs on his nape. He pulled Izuku closer to him, allowing their bodies to fit seamlessly together. The kiss deepened and Katsuki was able to taste the Omega, a slight hint of his scent. Honeysuckle and cedar.
The Alpha abruptly pulled back enough so that their lips were just grazing. "What's wrong Kacchan?"
"I'm getting real sick and tired of you hiding your scent."
He watched as Izuku shyly looked away. "Well I don't have a typical Omega scent, Kacchan."
"I don't give a shit, I wanna smell it." He reached up to the bandages covering the Omega's scent glands. "Please?"
Izuku took in a deep breath and nodded his consent.
With that, the Alpha slowly started to remove the coverings. Once they were removed, he gently used them to wipe off the scent salve from the Omega's neck. The scent that hit his nose in a fuller intensity made him feel as though he had finally found something he had been missing for such a long time. He chuffed in bliss, allowing his own scent of burnt sugar and cloves to come forth and mingle with the Omega's. "You smell amazing."
"You smell even better Kacchan." His cheeks were luminescent at this point, the blush making him look even cuter.
"I say we smell best together."
Izuku giggled. "I will agree with that statement."
"How about we get out of here and I make you something to eat?" He turned and started to walk away, but before he could get far, he was grabbed around his neck and soft, warm lips landed on his cheek. He cringed slightly when he realized Izuku was trying to give him a slobbery kiss, not yet used to the affection they were sharing, however his Alpha was howling in his chest how happy the fucker was. "Deku!"
The Omega let go and started running towards the blonds cabin, laughing in his merriment. Katsuki could feel an involuntary smirk grace his lips as he allowed the Omega a five second head start, knowing that he now had permission to chase after Izuku for the rest of their lives. This was only the beginning of their happily ever after, after all.
End!