Incomplete [Chapter 8]

[Chapter 7]

Katsuki had never really done much to celebrate his birthdays. Sure, as a kid his parents had thrown a party for all the kids in his class to come over and play party games, but by the time he’d hit middle school, he’d no longer had any interest in that kind of over-the-top social endeavour. Instead, he’d kept his head down at school and hoped no one would remember, so it could just pass by like any other day. His father would cook him his favourite dinner, his mother would write some pretty message in a greeting card for him to pretend to read while he pocketed the cash that was also inside, and then they would just move on with their lives.

Izuku, of course, refused to let that slide.

“I know you don’t want a party,” he assured him. “But we have to do something.”

“We really don’t.”

“Let’s go out for dinner. Just me and you. I promise there are no stupid surprise parties being planned.”

They’d tried that one year just out of high school. Katsuki had played nice, he wasn’t that much of an asshole, but all his friends had quickly realised he wasn’t impressed by the ploy.

“Do you think the agency would hurry the fuck up if I told them it was my birthday?”

Izuku laughed brightly, but shook his head, slipping an arm around Katsuki’s waist to snuggle in closer.

“I wish,” he said fondly. “I only sent the email last night, it’s too early for them to reply yet. Hopefully later today, maybe while we’re out at your birthday dinner!”

“We don’t need-”

“Kacchan,” Izuku interrupted with a pout. “I just want to celebrate that you made it through another year! I would cook for you, but we both know I’m a shitty cook, so taking you out for dinner is the best low-key thing I can manage.”

“Stop by that place with the roast beef bowl,” Katsuki decided. “With the really good gravy. Bring us home dinner and we can eat on the sofa.”

“Done!” Izuku beamed. “Thanks for humouring me, Kacchan.”

“On my birthday,” Katsuki teased, cracking a smile. “But no cake.”

“I’ve known you for how long, Kacchan? You think I still need reminders that you don’t like cake? Not to mention I was there for that photoshoot where they wanted you to eat Christmas cake and you couldn’t keep a straight face.”

“It was so damn sweet.”

“I know. That’s why you bake your own treats at home, so you can make them how you want them, it’s been years Kacchan, I know these things!”

“Fine.”

“Besides, I already ordered your favourite mochi, I’m sure I can put a candle in that.”

“You’re such a nerd.” Katsuki snorted, but smiled all the same. “Thanks.”

“If you’re done underestimating me, can I give you your present now?”

“Fine.”

Izuku released Katsuki from his hug prison, rolling over to reach under the bed, finding the shiny parcel he’d tucked away there the night prior. It was nothing big – they both preferred to make big or expensive purchases together, with discussion about it, rather than try to surprise each other – but Izuku couldn’t wait to see his face when he opened it, all the same.

Katsuki slid a finger under the edge of the paper, popping the tape off to open it neatly, and found a plain, brown box inside.

“A cardboard box, just what I needed,” Katsuki teased. “Thanks nerd, you know me so well.”

“Open it, Kacchan!”

Katsuki lifted the lid obediently, carefully lifting out an unassuming black mug. It was a nice weight, with a strong handle, none of that cheap and shitty stuff – Izuku had made sure of that – but when he turned it around and saw the white writing, he froze.

“Best Fucking Dad,” he read aloud, his voice catching. “Shit, Deku, you’re gonna make me cry.”

“Success!”

He slung an arm over Izuku, pulling him close, and nuzzled into his fluffy hair, savouring the moment. Izuku hugged him back knowingly, just letting him be silent for a while.

“Thank you,” he murmured, not lifting his head.

“You’re welcome, Kacchan. You’re gonna be so good for these kids, I just know it.”



─────

When the email popped up with barely more than a yes in the message, Izuku could no longer contain in his excitement. They’d had plans all week to take the kids out again on Saturday, but it had taken until Friday morning to finally get permission to have them overnight on Friday, as well. The idea of having so many extra hours with them was mind-boggling, and his mind ran at a mile a minute as he thought about all the things they could do.

Katsuki would be at work until noon, probably napping for a few hours after that, but Izuku would be able to go and pick them up after school, to bring them home even if it was just for a little while.

He made sure to be there at three o’clock on the dot, when the kids were just arriving back, and Koharu greeted him with the biggest smile and a tight hug, excited to share the news.

“They said we can sleep over!” she squeaked. “Is it really okay?!”

“Yeah! Just for tonight, they want you back after dinner tomorrow, but we can hang out tonight and tomorrow if you want to.”

“I do! Please!”

“Perfect. Why don’t you go grab your stuff, then? Pack up anything you’ll need for the night, your toothbrush and things.”

“I’ll help,” Yoshiki assured him, cracking a tiny smile. “Um, thanks. For having us both.”

“Of course! I’m super excited to have you!”

He nodded along with everything the caregiver said while the kids were gone, taking notes on his phone about what time they went to bed and when they needed to be back and all of that nonsense. Thankfully it didn’t last long, and soon the pair was back, Yoshiki with his old school bag in hand, Koharu with her tiny pink bag they’d seen at the zoo. The bag itself was beat up, like it must be years old at this point, and he wasn't entirely convinced she even had a full change of clothes inside – come to think of it, he wasn't sure he'd seen her wear much more than one outfit. He didn’t dare address it, just welcomed her back into his arms, and smiled as he took Yoshiki’s hand to take them out to the car.

“Do you, um... live with Dynamite?” Yoshiki asked, as they climbed into the back seat again, settling themselves in their booster seats and getting their belts on. “He’s not here with you, usually.”

“I do! We take turns working, but he’s not as chatty as me, so he’s been working pick-up days so I can come be nice to your caregivers. He’s worried he’ll say something stupid and we won’t be able to take you out anymore. It’s kind of sweet actually, how concerned he is. He’ll be at home by now, though!”

“Cool,” Yoshiki mumbled, blushing faintly. “I uh, just wondered.”

“You’re always allowed to ask questions, don’t worry!”

He double-checked the kids were belted in, then pulled out smoothly from the kerb, smiling to himself as he turned toward home. He was getting more used to driving around the area, more confident about it with every attempt, and he suspected by the time they got to stop bringing the kids back, he’d finally be an expert.

When he pulled into the driveway, both the kids seemed oddly nervous, and it took a moment for Izuku to catch on, kicking himself for it.

“This is your first time here, right?” he asked brightly. “We just bought it, I like it a lot. Come have a look!”

He locked the car behind them and led them up the front path, the front door standing open with inviting smells wafting out the doorway.

“We're home!” Izuku called, as he kicked his shoes off and shoved them into a corner. “It smells good in here!”

He waved the kids through, showing them to the spacious living area, and Katsuki was immediately setting a rack of fresh, still-hot cookies on the table before them. Izuku didn't even bother to ask, snatching one as he passed and stuffing it in his mouth, and Katsuki laughed at him when it burned his tongue.

“They're a little hot still,” he explained, as Izuku fanned his tongue. “But help yourselves when they've cooled a little. I felt like baking today and I can't possibly eat them all myself, so eat a bunch for me. They’re a little different to the ones we had at the zoo, I hope you still like them.”

“Can do!” Izuku grinned, taking another bite of his very-slightly-less-scalding cookie. “They're so good!”

On the other end of the table sat two packages wrapped in shiny paper, and Izuku shoved them at the kids the moment his cookie-hand was empty. Inside he'd stacked three shirts each, hoping they were at least approximately the right sizes. On the top, the fiery silhouette they'd asked about at lunch a few weeks prior, brimming with confidence and explosive energy. Beneath it, Izuku's counterpart, a dark green shadow surrounded by neon lightning. And finally, on the bottom, a new prototype they were in the process of approving, the pair of them back to back with matching smirks that it had taken forever to master and capture on film.

Yoshiki lit up when he saw them, stammering over his thanks, and Koharu clutched hers to her chest, hopping up and down as she hugged them tightly.

“I love them so much!” she exclaimed. “Thank you!”

“It was no problem at all,” Izuku assured her. “I'm glad you like them!”

Yoshiki blushed when Katsuki joined them again from the kitchen, glancing from the shirt, to him, then back again, and Izuku couldn't resist a grin as he watched.

“They're really cool,” he croaked finally. “Thank you.”

“I'm glad,” Izuku grinned. “They've been washed, too, so they won't stink your bags up with chemicals and things.”

“I've never owned a brand-new shirt before,” Koharu told them, unaware of the way both the men's faces fell. “Now I have three! I'm so lucky!”

“Let me know if you want more,” Katsuki instructed, before Izuku had a chance to consider similar words. “They have to print a bunch of them anyway to make sure they look okay on all the sizes, so it's easy to get more. If one doesn't fit or you rip one or anything, just tell us, we can replace them.”

Yoshiki's hands were shaking slightly as he clutched at them, and Izuku couldn't decide if he should mention it or just ignore it, but Koharu, of all people, understood immediately.

“Yokkun doesn't get much,” she explained, despite the half-hearted glare it earned her. “Since he's the biggest he has to do stuff for himself. He only has one pair of socks!”

“How many do you have?” Izuku asked tentatively

“Two!”

Izuku and Katsuki met eyes across the room, no words required to exchange the stubborn message. They were gonna buy those kids so many damn socks. It took a minute for them to find their senses again, but finally Katsuki cleared his throat, gesturing toward the kitchen.

“What do you guys feel like for dinner? What do you normally like to eat?”

Izuku cringed a little when both kids looked nervous, and Katsuki frowned slightly.

“Or what's something you've always wanted to try? I can make just about anything. Might take me a while though, that's why you have cookies. Don't tell anyone I let you have dessert before dinner, they'll say I'm irresponsible.”

Koharu giggled, stifling it quickly, but still neither of them offered any suggestions.

“I could go for those yakitori you made for house-warming,” Izuku offered, glancing at the kids for a reaction. “Do you guys eat chicken?”

Both of them nodded, and Izuku smiled again finally.

“If there's anything you don't like or can't eat, just tell us or don't eat it. Like, Kacchan is a weirdo who refuses to eat cake – isn’t that so strange? And I don’t like mushrooms, blech, they taste like the ground. But we're still getting to know each other, after all, so don't be afraid to speak up, okay?”

“I like chicken,” Koharu said quietly.

“Me too.”

“Sorted,” Katsuki nodded. “I'll go get it started, it'll need to marinate for a couple of hours.”

“Can I watch?”

Katsuki blinked in surprise, but nodded without even thinking about it, surprised when Koharu's face lit up.

“You can help, if you want. Is the step-ladder still in the closet, Deku?”

“I moved it, it should be by the fridge.”

“Oh, in the crevice?”

“Yeah! I found a use for the crevice!”

“Come on then, kid,” Katsuki ruffled her messy hair, smiling faintly. “Let's show the boys how it's done.”

“Aren't you a boy too?”

“That's not the point.”

She followed him out to the kitchen happily, and Izuku smiled when he caught Yoshiki's eye.

“What would you like to do while they cook? Watch a movie? Read a book? Play a game?”

“Umm...”

“You have your school stuff with you, right? Do you have homework?”

“A little. I can do it on Sunday.”

“Let's do it now, I'll help you out.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, of course!”

Yoshiki nodded, picking his bag up and setting it on the table, and Izuku laughed when he saw jade eyes dart to the tray of cookies.

“Eat one, they're really good.”

“Is it okay?”

“He made them because you guys were coming, he likes to bake when we have important guests.”

“I-Important?”

“Yeah! You're important to us!”

Yoshiki blushed, but accepted a cookie, closing his eyes to savour it as he took his first bite.

“You don't have cookies often, huh?” Izuku grinned

“Not like this. Only the ones that come in a packet.”

“Oh, store-bought cookies are nothing on homemade, especially fresh from the oven! We've ruined you forever, you'll always resent the packet cookies from now on.”

“It's really good.”

“Yeah, he's a good cook!”

Yoshiki pushed a textbook toward Izuku timidly, fingers tapping on his notebook cover.

“Um, there was some stuff I didn't really understand, but the teachers at home are really busy and um, not always very helpful with math? So if you don't mind...”

“Of course I'll help you,” Izuku agreed. “Show me which bit you're stuck on.”

He flipped to somewhere near the middle of the book, pointing out a chapter, and Izuku skimmed it briefly to see what he was learning. He nodded when he'd flipped through a few pages, then turned it to face Yoshiki, pointing at a question halfway down the page.

“Let's start with this one, the first one is boring.”

With a little bit of help, he seemed to catch on quickly, and Izuku found himself wondering just how much the boy had been stuck working on his own, when he just needed that little bit of extra attention to nail things down. Katsuki and Koharu returned to nab cookies, and Izuku shot a little smirk at Katsuki, holding up the textbook with neat black characters inked on the front. Katsuki froze, staring at it for a moment before he burned red, turning back toward the kitchen as Izuku giggled.

“What's funny?” Yoshiki asked, glancing up from his work as Koharu hurried after Katsuki again. “Did I do something?”

“No, no, nothing like that, I promise!”

After a brief pause, Yoshiki nodded, turning his attention back to the questions, and Izuku smiled to himself as he ran a finger over the kanji again, one of them more familiar than the rest.

Mitsuki. Katsuki. Yoshiki.



─────


With their stomachs full to bursting and plates stacked in the dishwasher, Katsuki fell onto the couch cushions. He was just about ready for bed, truth be told, after an eleven hour work day, but the two timid faces could keep him up for as long as they wanted, he had no doubt about that.

Yoshiki and Koharu glanced at each other, still full of the same nerves they'd been seeing since day one, but slowly and gently Yoshiki took a seat on the other end of the couch. With the way it curled around the corner, he ended up sitting almost directly opposite Izuku, only a couple of footstools between them. His eyes never quite reached Izuku's face, but he didn't stare at his feet, either, and for the moment Izuku considered that a victory.

Katsuki ruffled Izuku's curls fondly, and when Izuku laughed and leaned further into him, the kids seemed to relax a little. Koharu pulled her knees up tight, careful to keep her threadbare-socked feet off the cushions nervously, and in response Izuku pulled his own feet up, sprawling against Katsuki's side. With a little smile Katsuki shoved him off, pulling the top off a footrest to dig blankets from inside. He threw one into Koharu's lap, secretly a little proud of his aim though he played it off like no big deal, and a second onto the other footrest, right near Yoshiki's knees. A third one, a little bigger and older, worn by too much love, he pulled around Izuku, making sure to cover his mouth with it pointedly and muffle the protests it generated.

“I guess summer is still a few weeks away,” Izuku sighed, when he freed himself from the blanket gag. “Oh well, more snuggles!”

“Shut up,” Katsuki snorted, elbowing him in the ribs sharply. “Don't make the kids vomit on their first visit. You're allowed to put your feet on the furniture, by the way. We're not that polite around here.”

Koharu curled up under the blanket happily, and after a moment Yoshiki reached for his, too, pulling it up over his lap.

“Coffee?” Katsuki asked quietly, levering Izuku off his side. “Tea?”

“Tea, but the decaf.”

He nodded faintly and ducked out of the little television area, heading for the kitchen as Izuku suppressed a yawn. The kids would be due for bed in another couple of hours, he only had to hold out a little longer. It was still hard to get conversation out of them at times, and he didn't want to waste a single precious moment where he could be making progress. He suspected Katsuki felt the same way, only held over by the couple of hours he snatched after work, but there was no way either of them would go to bed before the literal children.

Katsuki returned with four steaming mugs, handing Izuku his tea and setting his own coffee beside it, then sliding hot cocoas to the kids, complete with cream, chocolate shavings and marshmallows. Over the years, Izuku had grown used to the way Katsuki showed his affection: little gestures, going out of his way to help or make something special, that was how Izuku knew he loved him. And their kids – well, future-kids – too, it seemed.

“So good!” Koharu exclaimed, as she took a big sip. “It's so yummy! Thank you!”

“You're welcome,” Katsuki smiled, a little awkward as always, but making the effort all the same. “I'm glad you like it.”

Yoshiki nodded his agreement, almost dribbling chocolate down his chin, and Izuku giggled at the way his eyes widened as he caught himself. He wasn't sure if they were clumsy kids, or if all kids were a little uncoordinated, or if it came with the nerves, but regardless, they reminded him all too much of himself at their age.

Izuku snuggled into Katsuki's side again now that he'd settled, curled up with his soft blanket, his hot tea, and his human space heater. He smiled to himself at the comfort that washed through him. His favourite man, his favourite kids, his favourite place to be, it was all just too perfect.

“I'm so lucky,” he sighed, tilting his head to look up at the angle of Katsuki's jaw, the glimmer of light reflecting off scarlet eyes. “Thank you.”

“Whatever, nerd,” Katsuki said fondly, waving his left hand in Izuku's face. “You're stuck with me whether you like it or not.”

Yoshiki watched their teasing curiously, as if he were trying to work out exactly how much argument was really going on, and Katsuki gave him an understanding look as he wound his arm around Izuku's waist.

“You're allowed to ask questions,” Katsuki reminded him. “You look like you have one.”

“Oh, n-no, that's okay! It's silly.”

“Silly questions are fine too,” Izuku assured him. “Sometimes they're the best ones.”

“Umm, I just... I wondered... You two are... Married, right?”

“Uh-huh!” Izuku grinned, digging his hand out of the blanket to show his matching ring. “Not long ago, a couple of months. We've been together for a long time, though.”

“I don't see many, um, boy couples.”

“Oh, do we need to have the sexuality discussion?” Izuku asked, suddenly serious as he sat upright. “Okay, so, some people like girls, and some people like boys, and whether you're a boy or a girl yourself, it doesn't matter, you can love who you want to love!”

“Some people like both or neither,” Katsuki added pointedly. “And some people aren't a boy or a girl themselves. The options are endless.”

“There are a few people in the world who don’t like it, who think people should be limited on who they’re allowed to be and allowed to love.” Izuku grimaced. “So sometimes people say mean things about us, but I care way more about our love than I do about some jerk's opinion.”

Both kids nodded earnestly, taking it all in, and Koharu hummed to herself as she finished her cocoa and set the mug down carefully.

“But girls get all the pretty things.”

“Boys can have pretty things too, nothing is stopping them,” Izuku assured her.

“The boys at preschool say pink things are icky and weak.”

“I own at least one pink shirt, do I look weak to you?” Katsuki asked, his dark singlet only emphasising his point as her eyes went to his biceps.

“You're not weak, you're a hero. The best hero, right Yokkun?”

Yoshiki blushed and quickly looked away, but Katsuki held back his teasing.

“So does wearing a pink shirt make me less of a hero?”

“No.”

“Then those boys are idiots, aren't they?”

“Yeah,” Koharu giggled. “I still like pink anyway.”

“Good.”

Katsuki's thoughts drifted to the room above them, decorated in shades of pink and glitter, and he cracked a smile to himself.

“You'll like your bedroom,” Izuku mused, always on the same train of thought. “I guess we haven't shown you yet, huh?”

“Bedroom?”

“Uh-huh, we have two rooms upstairs for you guys, I guess we should take you up to see. Sorry, I didn't think of it before.”

He hauled himself off of Katsuki, setting the blanket aside, and by the time he finished opening the doors upstairs, both kids were already amazed. Yoshiki just stared, with his jaw hanging open, while Koharu squeaked excitedly as she bounced up and down.

“These are for you guys,” Izuku grinned. “I hope they're comfortable.”

“It's so pretty!” Koharu enthused. “I love it!”

“It's really cool,” Yoshiki nodded, taking a nervous step through the doorway. “You said you don't have kids, right?”

“Not yet,” Izuku reiterated, smiling to himself. “We wanted to have the rooms ready before the kids came, though. Seemed silly to do it the other way around.”

“Yeah,” Yoshiki smiled softly, a look in his eyes that Izuku wasn't quite sure how to address. “Thanks for letting me use it, it's super cool.”

“Make yourselves at home!”

They headed back downstairs, but it wasn’t much longer before the kids were beginning to lag, too, and Katsuki leaned over to give Koharu a little poke.

“You awake enough to take a bath or are you gonna go to bed dirty?”

“I can do it,” she nodded, rubbing her eyes. “I'm sorry.”

“Don't apologise for falling asleep, it's natural. We had a long day, after all. You coming up to the bath too, Yoshiki?”

“Uh-huh, coming.”

Katsuki left them to clean themselves under the shower as he ran the bathwater, pulling a face as he debated whether it was too hot for them. It felt practically cold to his touch, but with the way Izuku always looked at him for running what he called “a hellfire of a bath”, he didn't want to take any chances.

“Deku, tell me if this is okay,” he requested, when he stuck his head in to check on them. “Too hot?”

Izuku slipped past the kids to stick his hand in it, smiling as he leaned over to kiss Katsuki's hair.

“Perfect. Good work.”

He took a note of the temperature on the control panel, then stepped back, letting the kids climb in happily to relax and warm up.

“The bath is so big!” Koharu exclaimed, ducking down so her mouth was in the water to blow bubbles. “I've never had a big bath before.”

“I should have gotten some toys or something,” Katsuki mused, watching them splash each other. “I'll find some for next time.”

He saw the same telltale little dart of Yoshiki's eyes, the suspicion that he wasn't willing to voice, and Katsuki smiled faintly. The agency had made it very clear that they shouldn't use the words until they'd been approved, but Katsuki fancied himself a master of loopholes and not-so-subtle hints.

“You want to come back next weekend? I know we have all day tomorrow still, but I'm sure we’ll have fun.”

“Can we?!” Koharu asked, her mouth hanging open. “Please!”

“Yeah, I'm sure it'll be fine. I'll talk to your caregivers but I don’t think they'll say no.”

Izuku looked in a second time, smiling when Yoshiki looked up at him.

“I'm gonna watch the new All Might movie before bed, should I wait for you guys?”

Yoshiki immediately climbed out of the tub, reaching for the towel Katsuki offered him, and Izuku laughed brightly.

“You don't need to rush, I’ll wait as long as you need!”

Yoshiki nodded faintly, wrapping his towel around himself for warmth, and Izuku flashed him one more smile before he stepped out again, off to get the movie set up, for them to get cozy as a family. Yoshiki looked back at Katsuki again, a little surprised to find a little smile waiting on the usually-scowling lips.

“I'm gonna go get dressed.”

“Go for it. I'll see you downstairs for the movie soon.”

Koharu wasn't far behind, climbing out of the water to get dry, and Katsuki laughed when she attempted to blow dripping-wet hair out of her face. He grabbed a second towel, gently combing her hair back with his fingers, and while she dried her limbs, he gently squeezed at locks of hair.

Downstairs, Izuku grinned when Yoshiki appeared in his new Dynamite shirt, a pair of old shorts underneath, his hair still damp in his haste. As he sat down, Izuku took a clean towel from the basket he'd brought out for folding, leaning over the back of the couch and draping it over Yoshiki's dark hair.

“Is All Might your favourite hero?” Yoshiki asked quietly, as Izuku gently towelled at his hair. “You have a lot of figures and stuff.”

Izuku glanced at the shelves in the corner, covered in old photos with friends and family and teachers, from award shows and medal ceremonies, and scattered throughout the frames, various hero merch.

“Yeah, we both looked up to him as kids, and then he was our teacher at high school too, so he's really special to us both.”

“I like him too.”

“Is he your favourite?”

“Mm... Not my number one favourite but he's up pretty high.”

“Who's your number one favourite?”

Katsuki walked in just in time to hear a little mumble that made Yoshiki blush, frowning when Izuku grinned at him from across the room.

“Yeah, you're right,” Izuku nodded. “He's my favourite too.”

He tossed the towel aside to deal with later, laughing when Yoshiki shook his head a little to settle his hair, and rounded the couch to take up his usual post in the corner. He left a gap behind himself pointedly, and as soon as Katsuki had settled the kids in with blankets again, he filled it. Izuku leaned back into him, turning his head to rest a cheek on the firm chest muscles, leaving him with a perfect view of the slightly angled television set. He was well-practiced at this, even the kids could see it.

Koharu fell against Katsuki's shoulder within twenty minutes, breathing slowly, out like a light. He wriggled his way out from under Izuku's weight, tenderly taking her into his arms, and without a word he carried her off, up the stairs to her bedroom. She stirred a little as he tucked her in, but he stroked her hair, making some attempt at a soothing noise.

“It's okay, Koharu, you sleep well.”

Her eyes stayed shut, but her lips parted slightly, the quietest mumble leaving her lips.

“Monkey?”

Katsuki stifled a laugh, but reached for them all the same, setting the smallest in her outstretched hand and tucking the rest into the blankets beside her. She smiled softly, one hand clutching at the furry toy, her other arm draping across the rest of the family. Katsuki took a step back.

“Sweet dreams, Koharu.”

When he returned downstairs, his boys were talking quietly, the screen stilled.

“How many heroes do you know?” Yoshiki asked. “Lots, right?”

“Yeah, way too many to count. Probably most of them, at least in this region.”

“Wow. I want to meet heroes too, one day. More of them, I mean. I'm happy I met you guys already. Do you think you could sign something for me, one day?”

“Whenever you want,” Izuku assured him. “We both will, right?”

“If you want,” Katsuki agreed. “Thanks for waiting. She's out for the night, cuddled up with her monkey family.”

“Thank you both for taking us out, then and today and... all the times. It’s been a lot of fun. And thank you for buying us presents too, I promise I'll take good care of them all.”

“I know you will,” Izuku grinned. “We had a great time doing it.”

They hit play again on the remote, snuggling in to watch, and all too soon the credits were rolling over All Might's beaming smile.

“The heroes never lose in movies.”

“People wouldn't want to watch it if it had a sad ending,” Izuku pointed out. “Everyone likes a victory!”

“Have you guys ever lost?”

“Not really,” Izuku hummed. “Not that I can remember.”

“Not really?” Katsuki demanded. “We've never come close to losing.”

“Speak for yourself!”

“When did you ever lose?!”

“You've had to save me a bunch of times!”

“That's not losing, that's teamwork!”

Katsuki turned with a serious look on his face, eyebrows knitting together, and pointed a stern finger at Yoshiki.

“Don't listen to this nerd. It's only a loss if you give up fighting, which we don't do. A real hero never loses.”

Yoshiki giggled, nodding firmly, and with a smile of his own, Izuku looked over at him.

“It's probably time you got to bed,” he pointed out. “Don't forget to brush your teeth.”

“I should help clean up first.”

“That sounds like an excuse if I ever heard one,” Katsuki teased. “We can handle it. Go get some rest, buddy.”

Yoshiki nodded, thanking them one more time before he headed up to his room. Katsuki gathered the dishes, rinsing them out in the sink and stacking them in the dishwasher, while Izuku left to put the laundry in the dryer. Soon they agreed it was time for them to hit the hay as well, and Izuku stifled a giggle when he glanced through Yoshiki's doorway to check on him. With his black and orange shirt on, and a spiky grey hippo under his arm while the rest watched from his bedside table, Yoshiki was already out like a light.

“You're his favourite,” Izuku whispered, nudging him teasingly.

“I'm everyone's favourite.”

“Yeah, true.”

They exchanged matching smirks, and Katsuki reached for his hand, tangling their fingers together to drag him across the hall. He fell back onto the covers, yanking Izuku with him, and despite the giggles brought with it, Izuku kissed him.

“I'm tired, Kacchan.”

“Yeah, me too. Wanna cuddle?”

“Always!”



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Katsuki slept late for the first time in months. He woke up to his phone buzzing with a text that didn't even matter, rolling over with a grumble only to find the bed empty beside him. It was always jarring to wake up without Izuku beside him; even when they worked different schedules, Izuku had a habit of crawling into bed ten minutes before Katsuki's alarm time, snuggling up for a comfortable snooze with a husband who was just beginning to stir.

It wasn't until he heard noises across the hall that he remembered, cursing himself as he climbed out of bed in a hurry, hunting for clean clothes to throw on. He uncovered a pair of sweatpants from the day prior, a t-shirt that didn't seem to smell just yet, and with a quick run of his hands through his hair, he stepped out of the room.

“Oh,” he said quickly, a little surprised to see the tiny face immediately staring at him. “Morning, Koharu. Sleep okay?”

She nodded, rubbing her eye sleepily, and Katsuki cracked a smile.

“Did you sleep in too?” he asked, crouching down to be closer to her height. “I just woke up.”

“Me too,” she yawned. “My bed was really comfy.”

“Mine too. Do you need some help getting dressed and things or are you okay?”

“Umm...”

“Let's see how you go, yeah? If you get stuck I'll help you out.”

When he saw the tiny pink bag she'd brought with her, he frowned a little, hoping she hadn't noticed it as he quickly tried to cover it up. She reached for the worn-out skirt and tights she'd been wearing the day before, and Katsuki's face fell as he caught on. She pulled clean underwear from her bag, thankfully, but apparently that was it. Maybe it had just slipped her mind, but considering the discussion about new clothing, he had a sinking suspicion that this might be it.

“Can I wear the new one?” she asked, pointing at the little stack on her dresser.

“Of course you can, why wouldn't you be able to?”

“Yokkun would say it's weird to wear a shirt with your face on it while I'm with you.”

“It's not weird at all, I think it's cute,” Katsuki assured her, amused when her eyes lit up. “He did it too, last night. Which one do you want to wear?”

He held up all three so she could choose, and immediately she pointed at the Wonder Duo one, at the stupidly determined attempt at a smirk on Izuku's face, and the repressed laughter on Katsuki's.

Yeah, the shirt was pretty cute too.

He held it out and she stuffed her arms through the sleeves, letting him tug it down over her head. It fit her perfectly, though he made a mental note to get a larger one for when she inevitably outgrew it within the year.

“What do you do with your hair?” he asked next, tugging at a blonde strand gently. “I've never had long hair, did you bring a brush or something?”

She nodded, picking it up from her bag, and a nervous look crossed her face.

“What's wrong?”

“Um... The teachers say I can't do much. It's... umaginable.”

“Unmanageable?” He asked, scowling. “Like hell, look who you're talking to. We can do whatever you want.”

“Even bows?”

“The biggest bows ever!”

Koharu beamed, and Katsuki softened, watching the way her eyes squinted a little when she smiled, just like Izuku's did when he was excited.

“I even know where to find one, give me a second.”

He ducked back across the hall to hunt down the little collection of housewarming gifts, the wrapping still neatly stacked beside them to sort into the recycling bins later. A glittery silver ribbon lay in the pile, initially tied around Ochako's gift, if he remembered correctly, and he retrieved it triumphantly, carrying his prize back to Koharu's room.

“It's so pretty!” she gushed, her eyes shining when she saw it. “Can I really wear it?”

“Of course you can. You can keep it,” Katsuki told her. “Any time I come across a good one from now on, I'll keep it for you. Promise.”

“You're the best!”

He picked up the brush and sat on the floor, surprised and a little pleased when Koharu dropped into his lap with no hesitation. As gently as he could, he began the slow process of untangling her hair, a little amused by the way it seemed to stick out in every direction. He knew that feeling.

“What should we do, then?” he asked, as he began to make progress. “A ponytail with a big bow? Pigtails with two bows? That half-tied thing with a bow in the back?”

“Mmm... Pigtails!”

“Okay, can do. Up high or down low?”

“Down low.”

“Got it.”

He split the ribbon in half with the tiniest explosion he could make, scorching the ends a little to keep them from fraying, and held them between his teeth as he carefully raked the hair into place. It took a solid minute to make sure they were split perfectly evenly, the line down the center dead straight, and then he looped a ribbon around the first section, tying it nice and tight with a big bow.

“Like that?” he asked, reaching for his phone to hand her as a mirror. “Or further down?”

“It's perfect!” she announced gleefully, kicking her little feet in her excitement. “It's so pretty!”

“Yeah, you're super cute,” Katsuki agreed, fixing the other side to match as she watched her reflection. “Is that the same height?”

“Mm... Maybe a little too high?”

“How about here?”

“Good!”

He tied it off and leaned back a little to survey his handiwork, grinning.

“You did good, they're perfectly aligned. We make a good team.”

He offered her a hand and she giggled as she high-fived him, looking back at his slightly menacing smile and not showing a hint of fear or concern.

“Thank you!”

“Any time, kid. We'll figure out all the tougher stuff together, I'm sure the internet can teach us everything we need to know.”

“Okay!”

His stomach growled, and he sniffed a little, turning his gaze to the doorway.

“I smell bacon, the nerd must have decided to cook for us. Shall we go check it out?”

“Yeah!”

She climbed off his lap, quickly putting all her belongings back in her bag, and he followed a few steps behind as she skipped down the stairs to investigate. Sure enough, Izuku and Yoshiki had a big frying pan going on the stove, a tray of bacon cooking in the little toaster oven. The step-ladder Koharu had used to make dinner stood once again in front of the bench, Yoshiki balanced carefully at the top with a ladle in his hand.

“Pancakes?” Katsuki asked, leaning over to kiss Izuku's cheek as he investigated. “What did I do to deserve this?”

“Pancakes?!” Koharu repeated, hopping up and down lightly. “I've always wanted to try pancakes!”

Yoshiki looked away immediately when Izuku smirked at him, and Katsuki couldn't help but laugh.

“Looks like you did a good job,” he praised, ruffling Yoshiki's dark hair. “I know the nerd can't cook, so this must have been your handiwork, yeah?”

“It was a team effort,” Izuku protested, puffing his cheeks out in a pout. “Meanie.”

“You know it.”

“Here, watch this so I can say good morning.”

He switched places with Katsuki at the stove, turning instead to give Koharu a hug.

“Your hair looks amazing! I love the bows!”

“They're sparkly!” she grinned, her face lighting up all over again. “I love them!”

“You'd better thank round-face, Deku,” Katsuki mumbled. “They came from her house-warming wrapping.”

“Oh! You helped?”

“Excuse me? Why do you sound so disbelieving, asshole? I did a great job.”

“He's super good!” Koharu praised. “The teachers and stuff can't do it cos my hair is bad.”

“It isn’t bad, it’s super cute!”

“But it’s hard. To do things with.”

“Ohh, and this one took that as a challenge, huh?” Izuku grinned, punching Katsuki in the arm. “Yeah, he can do anything if people say it's hard. That's how I got him to marry me, did you know? I told him that I was hard to live with, so he proposed.”

“That's not... entirely true,” Katsuki grumbled, as Koharu giggled, and even Yoshiki cracked a nervous smile. “I love you, that helped too.”

“Had to challenge him to say that, too. He thought it was weird. Now I don't even have to prompt him. Love you too!”

Katsuki flipped the cooked pancake out onto the stack, holding the pan toward Yoshiki to let him carefully pour the last of the batter in the center. He swirled it around a little and set it back on the heat, glancing over to where Izuku pulled bacon from the oven and scooped it onto a bed of paper towels to soak up the excess grease.

“Bubbles,” Yoshiki said quietly, Katsuki's attention darting back to the pan.

“Good work, kid.” He grabbed the handle again, giving it a quick little flick with his wrist to flip the pancake over. “Perfectly golden, you're good at this.”

Yoshiki blushed, mouth opening and closing nervously as he fought for words. If it had been Izuku, Katsuki would have yelled at him to spit it out, but somehow this little bundle of nerves was different.

“How did you do that?” he asked finally, nodding toward the pan. “The flip.”

“Oh, it just takes practice. I'll teach you some time.”

Yoshiki nodded eagerly, and as Katsuki turned the last pancake onto the stack, he climbed down from his step and dragged it over to the sink to rinse their dishes.

“Come eat,” Izuku instructed him with a smile, nudging him away from the cleaning. “We'll all pitch in and do it after, the food will get cold if we do it now.”

“I don't mind doing it, you've done so much for us already.”

“We all pitch in around here. But first, stomachs need filling.”

He nodded, climbing down and following them out to the table where plates and toppings already laid in wait. Both the kids sat down and just waited, watching for Izuku and Katsuki to serve themselves first, but Izuku caught on immediately. He knew that look.

He reached for the plate, two pairs of eyes growing wide as he scooped the best looking pancakes onto their plates. Katsuki poured them both juice, and Koharu teared up a little as she watched.

“Everything okay?” Izuku asked gently.

“You're both so kind,” she sniffled, scrubbing her eyes with her fist. “I just- I j-just-”

“At the Home, everyone just kind of grabs and fights,” Yoshiki explained quietly. “Everyone wants the biggest pieces and fullest bowls.”

Izuku stubbornly put an extra pancake on each of their plates, even though he knew they'd never finish it all, and Katsuki loaded them both with bacon with an equally determined look on his face. Yoshiki ducked his head in response, embarrassed, but Koharu managed a little giggle, hiccuping as she wiped away her tears stubbornly.

“Thank you,” she smiled. “It looks so yummy.”

“Eat up, sweetie,” Izuku directed, as he finally took some food for himself. “We have a long day ahead of us.”

[Chapter 9]