Katsuki Bakugou 

Izuku still was getting used to the fact that I wanted him, and I couldn't blame him for being cautious in some situations with me. I knew that things were up in the air between us. We were mates – we had accepted that. But now we had to work towards this new part of us. It wouldn't come easily and we'd have to work through some things. But I was willing to do that if it meant I could have Izuku.

We spent the night huddled together on the sofa. I think Izuku had not come to terms with the fact that I wasn't leaving. He clung to me carefully until he fell asleep on my chest. I barely remembered the fact that there was some other man in the house with us.

The Alpha walked by, uncaring. He glanced at mine and Izuku's display on the sofa before smirking and walking through the house and towards the guest room. I couldn't both move and wake up the peaceful looking Omega in my arms, so we slept on the sofa together. I didn't mind one bit the uncomfortable position. I was just happy to be this close to him without him pushing me away.

The morning was a whole new situation. I woke up with a blanket covering my body instead of my mate. However, after the brief panic as I untangled myself from the sheets, I realized where I was. The smell of breakfast foods carried me to the kitchen where I found Izuku quietly working over the stove. He swayed, humming something softly under his breath. I couldn't help but smile as I watched him, surprised that he hadn't realized my presence in the room.

He was dressed for the day already and the clock on the wall told me it was still morning. I didn't move from my spot. I only watched him with a soft smile on my face. I knew things were going to be new and confusing, and we had so much to talk about still. But it could wait.

"Up early again, Izu?" I tensed slightly, not having heard the other man make his way into the kitchen. Shoto looked at me for a second before brushing around me and walking over to Izuku. My mood instantly soured as he approached my startled mate who was staring at me with pink cheeks and wide eyes.

"Oh, hi guys," Izuku mumbled before shifting his eyes to Shoto for a moment. I hated seeing them together knowing what I know now. I hated smelling the man on my Omega. But I couldn't bring myself to hate the guy. He saved my mate's life and kept him safe when I failed. 

"Morning," I said and walked over to Izuku who snapped his eyes back to me. His body froze while I approached. I wanted to test the waters, unsure of where we stood. So, I wrapped my arms around his small waist and dipped my head to capture his lips in a soft kiss.

He gasped but kissed back instantly, grabbing hold of my upper arms and humming softly. I pulled away after a brief second and smirked at his starstruck expression. He stared at me for a few seconds before yelping and jumping back.

"You - You can't do that!" He scolded and I chuckled softly while Shoto watched us from the dining room table with curious eyes.

"Why?" I hummed and stepped up behind him, curling my arms around his torso and pressing up behind him. He shivered and spluttered, hands shaking as he tried to flip pancakes. I grinned, this was familiar. 

"Because -- I'm cooking," I chuckled and pressed my lips to the back of his neck, ignoring how his scent still lingered mixed with Shoto's. Instead, I peppered light kisses over the area I would one day mark. He faltered, hands slipping and dropping the spatula onto the counter.

"Katsuki," He whispered and I smiled. It was so nice to hear him say my name again. I knew that I might have been pushing him too far too fast though. So, I stopped and released my hold on him.

"You're right. Sorry," I hummed and backed off him so he could cool down. He seemed confused by my actions, and he watched me for a moment before going back to the pancakes.

Breakfast was great, but I spent the whole time watching Izuku. He still looked the same in a lot of ways, but he was filled out and looked less sickly and thin. He stuffed his face with pancakes and eggs while Shoto chatted with him the whole time. 

It surprised me when the Alpha turned the conversation my way. Izuku froze with a forkful of eggs halfway to his mouth as he watched with shocked and wide eyes.

"I'm planning on going back home today," He started, sipping a cup of steamy tea. He looked at me with a blank expression and I stared back, half excited that he would be gone soon, half concerned why he was watching me like that.

"Yeah?" I asked, not really sure why he was addressing me when this was Izuku's house.

"I want to make sure everything is okay before I go. Izuku is always welcome at my house, so if you are just going to fuck up again then you should leave him alone and let him move on," The Alpha said steadily. Izuku spluttered on his food and quickly guzzled down some water.

"Shoto!" He gasped but I shook my head.

"It's fine, Izuku. He's just concerned," I soothed him first before turning back to Shoto. "I don't plan on fucking up. Izuku and I have a lot to talk about and work through, but if he wants me, then I am going to stay and work it out with him," I explained honestly and stared right back at the older Alpha.

"Izuku?" Shoto broke his glare at me and shifted his eyes to my mate who fiddled nervously with his fork, pushing food around his plate. "Are you going to be okay if I leave today? Are you sure about this?" He asked more seriously and I bit back a growl. I know I am not perfect, but I am doing better for Izuku's sake.

I think Izuku noticed my discomfort because he shot me a worried glance before quickly speaking up. "I'm fine, Shoto. Really. I - We - Katsuki and I talked a lot and -- I'm okay with this. I'm sure. I want to give this a real chance. I'm better, okay?" Izuku added softly at the end and Shoto's worried eyes searched his for a moment before he sighed and sat back in the chair.

"Right, okay then. Well, I will be heading out soon. If you ever need anything, you know how to get in touch," He then looked at me and gave a heavy sigh. "Take care of him," He warned and Izuku scoffed.

"I'm older than him. If anything I will be taking care of him -- again," Izuku joked and my jaw almost hit the floor. Shoto blanched before busting out laughing while my mate turned beet red and quickly stood up, rushing to the kitchen with dirty dishes and mumbling under his breath.

"I don't think I need a babysitter anymore, Izuku," I called after him while Shoto chuckled still. I laughed softly while shaking my head. A lot has changed for sure.

"I think you two will actually be good for each other once this is all settled out," He sighed out with a small smile. I thought so too, but it made it more real to hear someone say it out loud.

"I -- I wanted to say thank you," I muttered before inhaling deeply and looking him in the eyes. "Thank you, for keeping him alive. I still don't like you -- you slept with my mate, I won't ever like you. But I respect you for doing what you did. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I will take care of him," I vowed and rolled my eyes when Shoto smirked.

"I don't trust you, and I won't ever like you. You almost killed your mate and you are a selfish asshole. But -- I respect you for turning your life around," He stood up and walked around the table before patting my shoulder. I sat still and watched him walk off towards the guest room. "Don't fuck it up," He called over his shoulder before entering the room.

I sat there for a few minutes just letting everything sink in. My life had done a total 180 over the last few months and now I was sitting at the same table I sat at over half a year ago. Except for this time, my mate was healthy and I wasn't my old asshole self.

The faint scent of strawberries lingered in the background. I knew Izuku was listening in to our conversation. I could hear his breathing pick up when Shoto called me an asshole.

"You can come out now," I smirked and listened as his heart thumped faster and his bare feet padded across the floor.

"I just wanted to make sure you two didn't rip each other's throats out," Izuku muttered and slipped into the open seat to my left. I smiled at him and shook my head. My sour mood fading as he filled my vision.

"Nah," I smirked and he shot me an amused glare.

"Yeah, you thanked him," Izuku teased with a playful grin. I rolled my eyes and turned in my chair and swiftly wrapped my arms around Izuku's hips before yanking him into my lap so that he was straddling me.

"Yeah, yeah, shut up," I gruffed, cupping the back of his neck in my hand and pulling his lips down to mine. That shut him up alright. He melted into me, all signs of tensions and shock fading from his limbs as he sunk into my kiss. 

We stayed that way for a while, just kissing and holding each other. Izuku didn't push me away or grow tired of my touch. If anything, he pulled closer, pushed for more, and met each of my touches with eager and willing reactions. After a moment, I eased up and ran my lips softly over his until he smiled and giggled. I smiled and ran my hands down his back before resting on his hips.

"Properly, huh?" I grin and Izuku leans back, slapping my chest once before jumping out of my lap with a fierce blush coating his cheeks. I laughed and watched him mutter under his breath and walk off to hide his embarrassment. I don't think I have smiled that much in a long time. My body was still buzzing with lovely sparks that lingered from my mate's touch. I have felt them before. Only this time, I welcomed them and craved more of his kisses and touches. 

Heh, that's new.