Katsuki waited outside his door wondering how he should approach him. Be friendly? Compliment him? He wasn't given much time to think as the door opened.

"Move." Izuku demanded.

"Not until you hear me out." Katsuki said, still blocking his path.

"There's nothing left to say, move. I need to get to training and you're in my way." Izuku said, one step away from using his quirk to force him.

Katsuki put his hand over Izuku's face then exhaled.

"I know what you're planning. You'll use One for All to force me out the way. So, if you don't want to go to training all bloody, I suggest you let me talk." Katsuki threatened, wishing it didn't get this far.

"You make it seem like I won't break your arms." Izuku threatened back.

They stood in silence before Katsuki moved his hand. This wasn't how he wanted things to go. He stepped aside then crouched down in shame. He was reverting back just like Shoto wanted.

"Forget this conversation happened." Katsuki muttered, unaware of the fact Izuku had already left.

He looked up and saw he was alone. Maybe this was how things were meant to be.

˗ˏˋ❀ˋˏ ˏˋ❀ˋˏ˗

Izuku happily ate what Shoto fed him which earned them teases and coos. No matter how great it was, something was still missing.

"Katsuki hasn't bothered you at all today. How does it feel?" Shoto whispered.

"Nice. I feel like I can breathe." Izuku replied then noticed he didn't see Katsuki in the cafeteria.

In fact, he hadn't seen him since their classroom class. Shoto changed the topic, steering clear of causing worry to arise in him.

"So, I'm taking one for the team." Yuuga said as he stopped by their table with the rest of 1-A. "Are you two... a thing?"

"Yes." "No." they said at the same time.

"Which is it?" Tooru asked in confusion.

"Yes." said Shoto, discreetly keeping Izuku silent.

"Wow. What will your dad think?" Kyoka asked.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. We're going away together on vacation anyway." Shoto said, then allowed Izuku to speak. "Right?"

"But-" Izuku started then looked at all the wondering eyes. "Right..."

Everyone dispersed, eagerly talking about how lucky the two were. Izuku looked at Ochako and Tenya who seemed supportive of it too.

"Shoto, I don't want to lie. Let's-" said Izuku but was silenced by a kiss.

The sound of something hitting the floor filled his ears, making him want to turn and find out. Shoto finally pulled away then smiled happily. Izuku looked towards where the sound came and saw a tray and food splayed out on the floor. Did someone drop it without cleaning up?

"Do you really want to tell them the truth and dampen their spirits? It's harmless. It's not like they're going to force us to do stuff." Shoto said then ruffled his hair.

Izuku looked at him then rose from his seat before leaving the cafeteria. He knew what was missing. He just refused to acknowledge it.

˗ˏˋ❀ˋˏ ˏˋ❀ˋˏ˗

Katsuki wiped his eye as he reread the same paragraph on the same page for the second time. He heard the door open and only had a bit of time to react before he was hugged from the side.

"I can lie about it all I want, but nothing is right by his side." Izuku mumbled as he talked into Katsuki's hair. "I apologize for my behavior."

"He was manipulating you know..." Katsuki replied as he held Izuku's arm. "Everything I've said and done has been the truth. I do want to be friends, I do want to be close to you. Please, believe me."

Izuku let him go and Katsuki instantly met his eyes.

"I'm sorry for doubting you. He really made points..." Izuku said while rubbing his neck. "You are a good guy... sometimes."

Katsuki collected himself before rising from his seat and hugging Izuku tight. He personally would've gone in for a kiss, but it seemed too soon.

"Thank you, Deku." Katsuki whispered.

"Kacchan..." Izuku whispered back before pulling away. "Close your eyes."

Katsuki obeyed then wondered if he was going to ditch him. There was always the chance he'd prank him too. Izuku placed his hands on Katssuki's shoulders and tiptoed slightly. He pressed his lips onto his and felt the rush and excitement he had gotten before. He was already panic-y and nervous just by being this close to him.

Katsuki resisted the strong urge to hold him, to bring him closer and submit to the feelings that had implanted themselves and festered within him for a long time. Izuku pulled away then turned his back to him.

"You can open them..." Izuku muttered.

Katsuki quietly stood there wondering if he should bring it up or change the subject. He wasn't given a chance to do either as Shoto had entered the room.

"Izu! What happened? Did he do something?" Shoto asked as he hurried over to him.

Shoto glared at Katsuki as he could hear faint sobbing from Izuku. Katsuki didn't say a word as he made his way towards the door. It was a setup. He was stupid for thinking anything otherwise.

"I like you, Kacchan!" Izuku shouted.

Katsuki stopped in his tracks as he had reached the door. Did he hear correctly? He turned around and saw Izuku's teary eyes. Shoto looked between them, wanting to know what happened in the minutes they were alone.

"Izuku, I'm glad to hear you like me. It'd be weird if you didn't like your friend." Katsuki replied, not trying to get his hopes up.

"That's not how I meant it, you idiot." said Izuku as he pulled away from Shoto to make his way over to him. "I didn't want to admit it. I didn't want to believe it. Me, a guy having these romantic feelings for you, a guy. Even after denying it, it just kept appearing..."

"Izuku, if you're joking, please stop..." Katsuki said, glancing over at Shoto. "Please..."

"I'm not joking." Izuku said, holding his hands in his. "I like you. Be mine..."

Katsuki once more glanced at Shoto who looked ready to kill him. He wanted Izuku, but he also didn't want dire problems to start between him and Shoto over Izuku.

"I would love to, but Shoto... he's not going to let me live peacefully. It's going to stress you out too..." Katsuki said then ruffled his hair. He searched through his pockets then frowned when he came up empty handed. He jogged over to his bag then found what he was looking for. "Here. This All Might pin to remind you I'm yours in spirit."

Izuku tenderly held the pin then looked at him misty eyed. Even now, Katsuki was caring about his wellbeing. Shoto bit his thumb as there wasn't anything else he could do in this situation.

"I don't want this. It's either you or I date Shoto." Izuku said with determined eyes.

"Date him then." Katsuki replied.

"How could you answer so quickly?" Izuku asked in disbelief.

"Because I care. Shoto would probably treat you better anyway." said Katsuki.

"Just agree. I'm willing to face everything with you." Izuku said.

"Look, if you don't accept him, I'll wholeheartedly do it for you. You don't want that now do you?" Shoto said, getting tired of their banter.

"Fine. I'll be yours..." Katsuki mumbled then had his cheek kissed.

Izuku hugged him tight and relished in the light feelings. Everything felt perfect. This was how things were supposed to be. This was what he needed.

"Are you going to tell the class?" Katsuki asked, looking at Shoto.

"Heavens no. I can imagine the cardiac arrest they'd all go into at the news." said Shoto before heading towards the door. "Take good care of him."

Katsuki quietly stroked Izuku's head and feared of his affection that had been bottled up over time would come pouring out and scare him away.

"Let's hang out after school. Just us." Izuku said into his shoulder. "And more head strokes..."

"As you wish." Katsuki replied then kissed the top of his head. "I'm glad it's not one sided anymore..."

Izuku giggled softly as he buried his face into his chest. He was afraid to let go in fear that it was just his imagination, that it was his secret desire making itself known in a vivid dream.

˗ˏˋ❀ˋˏ ˏˋ❀ˋˏ˗

The rest of the day passed by smoothly and soon Izuku and Shoto were swamped by the rest of the class.

"So, what do you and Shoto plan on doing as a couple?" Denki asked.

"Denki, we're not really a couple. We were just playing along with you all. Seems like Izuku already has his eyes on someone." Shoto said with a smile.

Soon Izuku was bombarded with questions. Katsuki did nothing. He didn't want the class to suspect him if he came to the rescue. It'd make Izuku look bad for having poor taste in a partner.

"Kacchan." Izuku called out.

Everyone quieted down and looked at Katsuki. He could feel everyone's eyes on him.

"I like Bakugo Katsuki. It's a shock to me too." Izuku continued as he looked at his boyfriend fondly. "With that, we'll be leaving."

Izuku grabbed his bag then pulled Katsuki along with him by his hand. Katsuki looked at Izuku who smiled happily. He wasn't ashamed. He didn't feel the need to keep it low key. He wanted to show him off.

"Stay with me tonight...?" Katsuki blurted out.

"Of course. I'm no stranger when it comes to sleeping with you." said Izuku who immediately started to panic. "Sleeping with you meaning in the same bed!"

"I know what you mean. Don't get so flustered." Katsuki said as he intertwined their fingers. "I'm really happy right now."

"Me too." Izuku said then remembered his summer plans. "Summer vacation..."

"It's okay... There's hopefully next summer." Katsuki responded, knowing how much he wanted to go overseas.

"No. I'll figure out a way for you to come with us. Spending our first summer as a couple apart is the worst." Izuku exclaimed as they exited the building.

"It's fine if you can't do anything. We can still video chat and all." said Katsuki, grateful that Izuku was willing to pull strings for him.

Izuku stopped and held his pinky out while looking at Katsuki. Katsuki looked at him curiously.

"I promise I'll find a way. If not, I'll be your slave for a week." said Izuku seriously.

"I'll promise you, but I'm not agreeing to the slave thing." said Katsuki.

They linked pinkies then pressed their thumbs together. Izuku smiled happily along with a beaming Katsuki. This was the beginning of their odd relationship.

Coming soon: BakuDeku Summer Vacay Epilogue!
Keep a lookout for: A Friend Best Forgotten
(see you all soon!)