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#bkdk Quirkless Izuku AU
The near-constant noise and fast-paced environment of a big agency wasn't for everyone. Working under Bakugou Katsuki's thumb, when he was likely to explode at any perceived wrong created a bit of a pressure-cooker situation, but Izuku thrived in it. https://twitter.com/_Mighty_Heart/status/1409273651854254084
The near-constant noise and fast-paced environment of a big agency wasn't for everyone. Working under Bakugou Katsuki's thumb, when he was likely to explode at any perceived wrong created a bit of a pressure-cooker situation, but Izuku thrived in it. https://twitter.com/_Mighty_Heart/status/1409273651854254084
Not that he ever saw Bakugou Katsuki in the flesh for more than a minute or two. He doubted many people had, despite it being /his/ agency, and despite the anticipation of a run-in with the number one hero. Rumor mills were very real and people loved to talk.
Yes, someone heard that Bakugou had fired a poor soul on the spot for answering the phone on the third ring instead of the second, that he'd burned a stack of papers to a crisp because he didn't like the way someone said 'Dynamight Agency.' Izuku knew better though.
This was all bluster and show. Izuku knew Bakugou Katsuki...had known him since they were little kids, when 'Dynamight' was simply one of many possible future hero names scrawled messily on scratch paper--sometimes Izuku couldn't believe he'd actually gone with that one.
But Izuku knew Bakugou Katsuki...because first and foremost he was a fan and he'd been following his life and career. And because deep down Bakugou Katsuki would always be his 'Kacchan.'
It embarrassed Izuku a little, to think of their past and how he'd ended up here.
It embarrassed Izuku a little, to think of their past and how he'd ended up here.
Not enough to quit the job and find something else to do, never! But he knew following Kacchan this way was risky, or it would be if Kacchan were to notice him and remember that Izuku was 'Deku.'
So Izuku kept his head down and worked hard, always doing his best.
So Izuku kept his head down and worked hard, always doing his best.
And if he was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of pro hero Dynamight in his full gear that clung to him in places that made Izuku's mouth water, well...it was more than enough. As long as he could be close to Kacchan in some capacity, he didn't feel so bad about being Quirkless.
TBC
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Pro hero Dynamight was /more/ than aware that his former childhood friend was now working for him in dispatch. It was impossible to miss the signature green curls that were truly Midoriya Izuku's namesake.
There was also no mistaking the freckles, the wide-eyed hero obsession, or the /muttering./ That had been Katsuki's first clue...the voice. He'd frozen in the middle of the bustling office when he'd first heard it, catapulting him back to days in the woods chasing bugs.
So, the nerd worked for him now, huh? How about that. He supposed it was a fine job for someone who'd unfortunately remained Quirkless. And there was no denying Deku was fuckin' good at it. Despite his obvious passion for heroes and excitable nature, he kept it cool on the phone.
Others seemed to do their best around him, like they wanted to impress him or something...as though /he/ were the hero. /Tch./ He'd also gotten hot.
Katsuki had a reputation to keep, or rather Dynamight did...so he made himself scarce. It worked much better that way.
Katsuki had a reputation to keep, or rather Dynamight did...so he made himself scarce. It worked much better that way.
As long as he was an invisible, mysterious presence, people seemed to work much harder. If word got out that he was merely human and a bit of a nerd himself, well...things might get lax. And he couldn't have that at his agency; not when the villains still raged.
But now that Deku had caught his eye, he felt a growing desire to check in on him, even at a distance, to watch him working diligently, bright smile lighting up the entire room. Katsuki wanted an excuse to get closer, without losing the hold he had on the office.
For a start, he began using the main entrance. It caused quite a stir, him walking through the room in full hero gear, explosion headpiece to gauntlets. He was a vision and he knew it; an intimidating one, by design.
The gasps that went up in the room and the silence that followed pleased him. When the only sound was a phone ringing several times too long before getting picked up, all Katsuki had to do was take a sharp inhale, and everything started up again as though nothing had happened.
He watched Deku out of the corner of his eye as he stalked through towards his office, lingering just for a fraction of a second to hear, "we'll send someone right away. Stay put, okay!"
Katsuki knew without a shadow of a doubt, whoever was on the other end would obey.
Katsuki knew without a shadow of a doubt, whoever was on the other end would obey.
He also felt Deku feeling his presence and that was his cue to keep moving. Of course, the nerds's eyes stayed trained on him as he walked. He felt that too and it made his lips burst into a spontaneous cross between a grin and a smirk.
With his final patrol over and no urgent calls, Katsuki was free to go home for the day. Deku, he noticed was pulling a double shift. He'd been on the phones all morning and he was scheduled to stay well into the night.
Sure, it wasn't as exhausting as nabbing villains all day, but it couldn't be easy to be answer all those calls either. Come to think of it, he'd never noticed Deku taking a break for more than a piss or grabbing a pre-made snack. Did he really watch Deku that much? Shit.
He took time getting cleaned up and into his civvies. The locker room and hero break room were positioned away from everything else. He'd never even have to see the dispatchers if he didn't want to. But here he was, contemplating going back out that way just to see Deku again.
Red Riot was taking over for him, spiking his hair with an inordinate amount of product that stunk to the high heavens in Katsuki's opinion. But it was part of his whole look and Katsuki had long since given up teasing him about it.
"Headed out?" Kirishima asked, though the answer was an obvious yes. Katsuki grunted and nodded before turning back on his heel.
"Hey, Weird Hair..."
"At your service."
"Have you ever...well...tch...have you ever asked anyone out?"
"Hey, Weird Hair..."
"At your service."
"Have you ever...well...tch...have you ever asked anyone out?"
This was a stupid question, Katsuki realized, the minute it spilled from his lips. He and Pinky had been a thing off and on since high school. They'd never really talked about it, but Katsuki had been there for him for extra workouts when he'd been seemingly upset or nervous.
To actually say this out loud was crossing a threshold of sorts in their long friendship.
"Do you like someone?" Kirishima asked, eyes widening. He hadn't answered Katsuki's question, because he knew he didn't have to.
"Do you like someone?" Kirishima asked, eyes widening. He hadn't answered Katsuki's question, because he knew he didn't have to.
Katsuki sighed, rolled his eyes, tilted his head back in despair, as though what he was about to say was the worst thing in the world instead of something that gave him butterflies.
"There's a guy I've known for a long time...and I know he's /into/ me, but I don't know if he's into ME or into Dynamight..."
"You are Dynamight."
"I know /that./ Guy's obsessed with heroes, or he was anyway."
"You are Dynamight."
"I know /that./ Guy's obsessed with heroes, or he was anyway."
Katsuki actually didn't know for sure whether he was or not. Was he being presumptuous? He was so used to people being interested in him for his persona and power. He hadn't actually stopped to think about how that might affect his (nonexistent) dating life.
"Is it someone I know?" Kirishima prodded.
"I doubt it."
"Well...why not go for it? It can be nerve racking to ask someone out, most definitely. Especially if it's someone you've know forever. Rejection is hard..."
"Why would I get rejected?!"
Kirishima shrugged.
"I doubt it."
"Well...why not go for it? It can be nerve racking to ask someone out, most definitely. Especially if it's someone you've know forever. Rejection is hard..."
"Why would I get rejected?!"
Kirishima shrugged.
Katsuki wasn't sure he could handle rejection, but Kirishima clapped him on the back with encouragement.
"Like we've established, you're Dynamight! And more importantly, you're Bakugou Katsuki! You can handle it. What's a few nerves compared to going toe to toe with villains?"
"Like we've established, you're Dynamight! And more importantly, you're Bakugou Katsuki! You can handle it. What's a few nerves compared to going toe to toe with villains?"
Kirishima had a solid point. And Katsuki started to feel determined to find an answer to that very question.
TBC
TBC
Izuku tried not to freak out when he noticed a sharp increase in Dynamight's 'appearances' in the office. Day after day, the hero cut through the rows of dispatch desks--hovering every so often around Izuku's work station--on the way to his private, personal office.
Once, he thought their eyes met and he'd had to suppress a potentially very embarrassing squeak. It was impossible to tell whether a look of recognition had crossed Dynamight's handsome face; he'd been so stoic and professional--as far from his explosive nature as could be.
Needless to say, Izuku was on edge, but did his best not to let it interfere with his work. He needed to be the calm voice of reason on his end of the phone; it simply wouldn't do for him to let his frayed nerves show--that would be a surefire way to garner Kacchan's attention.
So the best way to avoid that, was simply to continue on as though everything was normal, even if his breath caught in his throat ever time he heard the familiar combat boots treading in.
He'd become so attuned to Kacchan's whereabouts, he thought he could smell him...and wasn't that embarrassing too? It was a /very/ distinct smell of musk and campfire and sugar and piny sweat. He was sure that description would sound gross to anyone /not/ enamored with Kacchan,
but Izuku had grown so used to it over the years.
On Thursday all his efforts were rendered moot, because he was singled out. For what, he could only guess, but a rough hand grasped his shoulder and a gruff voice grumbled, "you. my office. now."
"UhahUh?"
On Thursday all his efforts were rendered moot, because he was singled out. For what, he could only guess, but a rough hand grasped his shoulder and a gruff voice grumbled, "you. my office. now."
"UhahUh?"
He padded along behind Kacchan; he wasn't about to hesitate in obeying. His coworkers gave him wide-eyed looks of concern that he brushed off while also running through all his most recent calls to determine where he might have gone wrong.
Was he about to get fired from the best job he'd ever had? The closest he'd ever get to working alongside heroes? He stifled a sniffle. He couldn't cry in front of Kacchan, in front of the PRO HERO DYNAMIGHT! Then he'd /surely/ place him as his former childhood friend.
"What's this about, sir?" Izuku ventured as they entered into Kacchan's huge office, the door closing behind them with a thud. He wondered if it was wise to speak first, but he couldn't stand the silence.
He had to at least fein confidence if he wanted to keep his job. Kacchan would appreciate that, confidence.
Kacchan paced the length of the room. He didn't gesture for Izuku to sit at one of the plush leather chairs in front of his desk, or ring his assistant to bring water.
Kacchan paced the length of the room. He didn't gesture for Izuku to sit at one of the plush leather chairs in front of his desk, or ring his assistant to bring water.
He removed his headpiece and unceremoniously dumped it on the desk, rubbing at his eyes and forehead. It left charcoal smudges there from the eyeliner he must wear and Izuku gulped because the sight was something to behold and he wasn't sure his heart or his body could take it.
"So..." Kacchan finally said, moving towards Izuku like a cat about to pounce. Izuku wasn't aware that he was backing up, until his back hit the wall.
"So..." he repeated, dumbly.
"I've got something important to ask you. /Deku./"
TBC
"So..." he repeated, dumbly.
"I've got something important to ask you. /Deku./"
TBC
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"Uhhh..." Izuku gulped. Kacchan was so close and the dizzying scent of burnt sugar filled Izuku's nostrils with each inhale. "Sir?"
"Don't gimme that crap. I'm on to you!"
"Sorry."
"Dammit, you don't have to apologize. Go out with me!"
"Don't gimme that crap. I'm on to you!"
"Sorry."
"Dammit, you don't have to apologize. Go out with me!"
Izuku blinked. "What?"
Kacchan let out a heavy sigh and moved away from Izuku, only slightly, eyes still boring into him. "Go out with me," he repeated."
"Like...on patrol? Surely you have a sidekick or an intern to—"
Kacchan let out a heavy sigh and moved away from Izuku, only slightly, eyes still boring into him. "Go out with me," he repeated."
"Like...on patrol? Surely you have a sidekick or an intern to—"
"On a date, dummy!" he replied, voice laced with affection.
"Oh. You...Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight...wants to go on a date with...me. Izuku."
"No. But me...Kacchan...wants to go on a date with you. Deku."
"Oh. You...Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight...wants to go on a date with...me. Izuku."
"No. But me...Kacchan...wants to go on a date with you. Deku."
Izuku's hands flew in front of his face. "I really didn't think you'd remember me! A Quirkless nobody…
"Hey! Don't you dare say that shit about yourself."
"It's okay...I don't really think that way, I'm just saying...you're you and I'm me."
"Yes. Exactly. I like you."
"Hey! Don't you dare say that shit about yourself."
"It's okay...I don't really think that way, I'm just saying...you're you and I'm me."
"Yes. Exactly. I like you."
Izuku stared at him for a moment, attempting to take it all in, but it was impossible to process what was happening.
"Is this some kind of prank?" he asked. Kacchan groaned and grabbed Izuku's wrists.
"Is this some kind of prank?" he asked. Kacchan groaned and grabbed Izuku's wrists.
"You really think so little of me? I'm a pro hero, Deku, I don't have time for games. I like you. I'm asking you...will you please go out with me?"
His grip relaxed but his face did not. Izuku thought he looked vulnerable actually...and unmistakably genuine.
"Kacchan..."
TBC
His grip relaxed but his face did not. Izuku thought he looked vulnerable actually...and unmistakably genuine.
"Kacchan..."
TBC
"Say yes," Kacchan said, the desperation clear. Izuku couldn't believe it, but he also couldn't possibly resist.
"Okay. Yes. I'll go out with you. I'd like that."
The relief was palpable. Izuku took the opportunity to step away from the wall.
"Okay. Yes. I'll go out with you. I'd like that."
The relief was palpable. Izuku took the opportunity to step away from the wall.
"Really?" Kacchan eyed him carefully.
"Yes!"
"Friday. I'll pick you up at your place, say...seven?"
Izuku can only nod. Anytime would be more than fine with him.
"Sounds perfect."
"Yes!"
"Friday. I'll pick you up at your place, say...seven?"
Izuku can only nod. Anytime would be more than fine with him.
"Sounds perfect."
"You don't even know what I have planned!" Kacchan said cheekily, regaining some of his confidence. It was a good look for him.
"Oh, right. Well, I'm sure it will be amazing, because Kacchan is amazing!"
"Tch. You don't gotta flatter me like that, nerd!"
"Oh, right. Well, I'm sure it will be amazing, because Kacchan is amazing!"
"Tch. You don't gotta flatter me like that, nerd!"
"What? I'm not! I mean...yeah I am because it's true, but...I'm not just saying that because you're you. Dynamight. I'm saying because you're you...Bakugou Katsuki. Kacchan."
"I see." Kacchan's eyes bore into him and Izuku had no doubt that he did in fact, see.
"I see." Kacchan's eyes bore into him and Izuku had no doubt that he did in fact, see.
Kacchan leaned into his space and God, he smelled good! Izuku felt their breaths mingle; they were that close. Was he about to be kissed?
Bzzt
The intercom burst the bubble and Kacchan was at his desk, pushing the button.
"Go ahead, " he said, eyes still fixed on Izuku.
Bzzt
The intercom burst the bubble and Kacchan was at his desk, pushing the button.
"Go ahead, " he said, eyes still fixed on Izuku.
"Sir, they're requesting you at Creati's Agency."
"On it."
He was Dynamight, then. Izuku watched him transform emotionally and physically. Izuku remained transfixed as Kacchan put on his mask and gauntlets.
"You can return to your desk, Deku."
"Oh. Right."
"On it."
He was Dynamight, then. Izuku watched him transform emotionally and physically. Izuku remained transfixed as Kacchan put on his mask and gauntlets.
"You can return to your desk, Deku."
"Oh. Right."
And as he headed back that way, he prayed for Kacchan to be safe and wondered what the hell he had planned for their date.
****
Katsuki had no idea what to plan for his date.
TBC
****
Katsuki had no idea what to plan for his date.
TBC
"You're Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight!" Kirishima encouraged Katsuki with a clap on the back and a punch in the air, "anything you do for the guy will be super special! Plus, you said he like, loved you, right?"
At the word /love/ Katsuki blushed, which made him grunt.
At the word /love/ Katsuki blushed, which made him grunt.
"I said he loved /heroes/. We were brats together. He followed my career..."
"And now he works for you."
"He works at the agency, yeah."
Katsuki didn't want to think of it as Deku working /for/ him, even if it was technically true.
"And now he works for you."
"He works at the agency, yeah."
Katsuki didn't want to think of it as Deku working /for/ him, even if it was technically true.
He signed the paychecks, sure, but there was a whole chain of command between the dispatch team and him. He'd only recently become more aware of the inner workings of the place. It worked like a well-oiled machine, and he'd started to see that had very little to do with him.
Katsuki's hero name was on the door, but replace him with some other pro and things would probably work in much the same fashion.
Deku was a big part of what held the dispatchers together. A low-ranking employee, and he still managed to be the one people looked to for morale.
Deku was a big part of what held the dispatchers together. A low-ranking employee, and he still managed to be the one people looked to for morale.
"I just want to impress him, ya know. Make him feel special and important. Because that's what he is. I wanna make sure he knows that."
"Bro. Just say that. That's so manly!"
"Tch. You know I ain't good with words."
"Dude, that can't be, when you just said all that!"
"Bro. Just say that. That's so manly!"
"Tch. You know I ain't good with words."
"Dude, that can't be, when you just said all that!"
"I mean in the moment, Shitty Hair. Sure, I can say all this shit to you because you're not him. My mind is clear, I know how to speak it. I don't say anything I don't mean...but then when it really counts..."
"So the guy makes you nervous. I think that's sweet!"
"So the guy makes you nervous. I think that's sweet!"
"Pfft."
"And I think this Deku person will agree, if he doesn't already. Though, it sounds like he does."
"Stop trying to butter me up, you're just setting me up for disappointment. Now what was the name of that sake bar you took Pinky too on your anniversary?"
"And I think this Deku person will agree, if he doesn't already. Though, it sounds like he does."
"Stop trying to butter me up, you're just setting me up for disappointment. Now what was the name of that sake bar you took Pinky too on your anniversary?"
A/N Oh, fuck me, a typo! grrr
TBC
Izuku didn't have anything to wear for a date with Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight. Iida and Uraraka, his two best friends from high school had watched him try on his entire wardrobe three times and to their credit, hid their boredom and kept up the encouragement.
"I like the rust-colored one," Uraraka chirped, pointing a finger towards one pile of shirts. "It brings out the color of your eyes; plus...you know orange is like.../his/ color. It's a nice subtle hint that you're thinking of him!"
"You think that's /subtle?/" asked Iida.
"You think that's /subtle?/" asked Iida.
Uraraka nodded and stood to pull the shirt again. "Here!" She thrust it at him. "Pair it with the black blazer and the dark jeans and I think you've got something."
Izuku sighed. Why was he making such a big deal out of this?
Izuku sighed. Why was he making such a big deal out of this?
Hadn't they decided to just be Katsuki and Izuku? Kacchan and Deku? No Hero stuff on the date, right? Surely it would be annoying to have Izuku spouting off his stats, impressive as they were, even if he did long to ask him a million questions.
He was about to ask himself how he even got into this position in the first place, but instead he took a deep breath and tried to cool it on the negative self-talk. Katsuki had remembered him, seen something in him; that was enough. He, Izuku, was enough; more than!
Giving himself a final glance in the mirror and running a hand through his curls, he could see how Katsuki had noticed him. He looked pretty hot. And he felt good. Uraraka's suggestion had been a good one.
She and Iida were still bickering about whether or not it was subtle when the clock read seven and Izuku's buzzer was already buzzing. So, Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight was punctual. Izuku smiled to himself as he ushered his friends out the back door.
Tugging at the blazer, he went to the door and inhaled deeply. This was it. A fantasy was about to become reality. He would have urged himself to 'be cool' if he didn't think that what Kacchan like about him had to be, on some level, his nerdiness. 'Be yourself,' he muttered.
*****
Katsuki's jaw nearly dropped on the floor when he was greeted by the sexiest version of Deku he'd ever seen. The nerd was wearing /his/ color, but it was understated enough for him to have plausible deniability about whether that was the reason behind the choice.
Katsuki's jaw nearly dropped on the floor when he was greeted by the sexiest version of Deku he'd ever seen. The nerd was wearing /his/ color, but it was understated enough for him to have plausible deniability about whether that was the reason behind the choice.
His curls were tousled just right, maybe with some kind of product, just a hint, and he smelled heavenly.
"You look hot!" It burst out of him, with less control than he had on his Quirk. Deku blushed but didn't demure. He held his head high and beamed soul-catching smile.
"You look hot!" It burst out of him, with less control than he had on his Quirk. Deku blushed but didn't demure. He held his head high and beamed soul-catching smile.
"Thanks. You too."
Katsuki stood in the doorway. Deku looked torn between inviting him in or joining him on the other side, so Katsuki offered his hand and said, "shall we?"
Deku nodded and took his hand, not seeming to mind that it was sweaty, which meant it was explosive.
Katsuki stood in the doorway. Deku looked torn between inviting him in or joining him on the other side, so Katsuki offered his hand and said, "shall we?"
Deku nodded and took his hand, not seeming to mind that it was sweaty, which meant it was explosive.
They waked in silence, which would have been a comfortable one if Katsuki wasn't so damn nervous. But Deku looked content as fuck, with a smile playing on his lips for the entire time. When they arrived at the sake bar, Deku froze. Katsuki had to pull him.
"Kacchan...this place is too fancy!"
"For what? A first date?"
"For /me./"
"Nothing's too fancy for you, Deku. You deserve the fuckin' best. And for some reason you're willing to see if that includes me, so...come on."
"For what? A first date?"
"For /me./"
"Nothing's too fancy for you, Deku. You deserve the fuckin' best. And for some reason you're willing to see if that includes me, so...come on."
He nudged Deku lightly in the ribs, trying to make him see he was attempting a joke, even as his heart was in his throat.
"Okay, Kacchan. Let's go." He squeezed Katsuki's hand and they walked in together, proudly.
"Okay, Kacchan. Let's go." He squeezed Katsuki's hand and they walked in together, proudly.
"Oh my!" Deku declared as the took in the sleek environment, but Katsuki realized quickly that he was also reacting to the looks they were getting. Because there was no denying that Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight was on a date with someone the public had never seen before.
Shit. Katsuki hadn't even thought of that beforehand, how jarring it would be to be treated like a piece of meat. He was so damn used to it. Fuck, he didn't mean to be so inconsiderate. How could he be such an idiot?!
But just as he was about to lean in and apologize, he noticed Deku holding his head high. His back stiffened, he straightened his blazer and waltzed forward, Katsuki's hand still in his.
"Hi, reservation for two. Bakugou Katsuki," Deku said to the host with a smile.
"Hi, reservation for two. Bakugou Katsuki," Deku said to the host with a smile.
Damn, that was smooth as hell. Katsuki could get used to this.
"Of course," the host nodded, "right this way."
And they followed him to the table, Katsuki more in awe of Deku than he'd ever been.
TBC
"Of course," the host nodded, "right this way."
And they followed him to the table, Katsuki more in awe of Deku than he'd ever been.
TBC
"This is an impressive place," Izuku said, looking around as they took their seat, next to to a rushing fountain that emptied into a small koi pond. Indoor fountains could be tacky, he thought, but not this one.
"So, are you impressed, then?"
"So, are you impressed, then?"
Katsuki grinned, crossed his arms on the table, and leaned in right into Izuku's space, flirting as hard as Izuku had seen, yet somehow making it seem effortless.
He decided to flirt right back. His heart still pounded from giving Katsuki's name at the host stand,
He decided to flirt right back. His heart still pounded from giving Katsuki's name at the host stand,
like they belonged together, so why not?
"Yes, very," he answered, leaning in himself. He was being bold, but also honest. And he could feel the lengths Katsuki woud go to, just to make him happy. It overwhelmed him, but he welcomed it. He planned to have a good time, tonight.
"Yes, very," he answered, leaning in himself. He was being bold, but also honest. And he could feel the lengths Katsuki woud go to, just to make him happy. It overwhelmed him, but he welcomed it. He planned to have a good time, tonight.
And he did. Truly. Flights of different sakes, a full bottle (or was it two?) of the one Izuku had deemed his favorite, delicious small plates, shared between sly, flirtatious glances, and witty banter. None of it about heroes, or Quirks, or the agency.
They went home together. Just like that. Izuku obliged when Katsuki asked if he wanted to come up for a night cap, and completely forgetting he was in the home of Dynamight, and plunged forward, collecting kisses like he collected hero merch, and every bit as greedily.
It was good. Divine. Izuku thought Kacchan certainly earned the 'God,' in his hero name, if he had anything to say about it. They held each other after, falling asleep entwined in each other, amidst the silky sheets. Maybe Izuku had died and gone to heaven.
But with the morning light came the unexpected (though maybe they should have seen it coming) consequences of their night together.
As they sipped their coffee and flirted, Izuku absent-mindedly scrolled the news on his phone.
As they sipped their coffee and flirted, Izuku absent-mindedly scrolled the news on his phone.
When he came across the article, he gasped. He saw the photo first, him and Katsuki holding hands as they walked into the restaurant. And above it, in big bold script, read 'Dating Dynamight: Who's the Pro's Mystery Man?'
Izuku gulped. The comments were cruel. Not all, but many.
Izuku gulped. The comments were cruel. Not all, but many.
"What is it?" Katsuki asked, sliding up next to him, planting a lingering kiss at his temple. He quickly shoved the phone away, cursing his reaction immediately, because he'd just drawn more attention to it. Katsuki wouldn't let that lie.
Izuku winced as Katsuki scowled at him and took the phone.
"It's just a lot of talk," Izuku said.
But the words he'd just read.../looks like a nobody/, /cute, but not hot enough for a pro hero!/, /Dynamight deserves the best/,/Who the hell is this guy?!/ echoed in his mind.
"It's just a lot of talk," Izuku said.
But the words he'd just read.../looks like a nobody/, /cute, but not hot enough for a pro hero!/, /Dynamight deserves the best/,/Who the hell is this guy?!/ echoed in his mind.
Katsuki growled at the phone, then immediately had his own out and was dialing his publicist.
"Pay those fuckers no mind, Deku. Never read the comments..." then when the publicist answered, "I need you to pull that bullshit story. Yes, it was a date...
"Pay those fuckers no mind, Deku. Never read the comments..." then when the publicist answered, "I need you to pull that bullshit story. Yes, it was a date...
they don't know shit about him, though, & they better keep their paws off."
Izuku was moved by the protective streak, absolutely he was. Major turn on. But he couldn't help feel like he was causing problems for Katsuki.
Izuku was moved by the protective streak, absolutely he was. Major turn on. But he couldn't help feel like he was causing problems for Katsuki.
"Kacchan...I really don't care what strangers have to say," He said. Yes, it was hurtful, but the didn't know him; they were jealous, of course, and they had Katsuki on a pedestal, because of his work. It was a natural reaction.
"I care, Deku," Katsuki grunted. "They're wrong!"
"I care, Deku," Katsuki grunted. "They're wrong!"
"Aw, come on. Your Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight! It doesn't matter what they think about you."
"Yeah, well it matters what they think about you. If those damn extras think they can pass judgment on my boyfriend--"
He cut himself off. Deku's face grew hot. Boyfriend?!
"Yeah, well it matters what they think about you. If those damn extras think they can pass judgment on my boyfriend--"
He cut himself off. Deku's face grew hot. Boyfriend?!
"Shit, Deku...sorry, if that's too fast...I mean, I think I know how you feel, but I didn't ask--"
"I'llbeyourboyfriend," Izuku sputtered. Then he broke into a huge smile, and Katsuki was hugging him, crushing him, smashing their lips together greedily.
"I'llbeyourboyfriend," Izuku sputtered. Then he broke into a huge smile, and Katsuki was hugging him, crushing him, smashing their lips together greedily.
Yeah, with Kacchan, it was easy not to care about what other people had to say.
TBC
TBC
Izuku didn't know how he could possibly go to work the next day, after the story broke with the photo. Sure, Kacchan's publicist had worked wonders to get it pulled fast, but the internet was still a thing and it still circulated.
The public at large might not know who Dynamight's mystery man was, but his co-workers sure did.
He decided the only way to do it, was to hold his head high. And not bring it up until someone else did. Which lasted all of about five seconds.
He decided the only way to do it, was to hold his head high. And not bring it up until someone else did. Which lasted all of about five seconds.
All eyes were on him as he took his seat and logged into his computer, the tense silence hanging over him like a cloud about to burst. Then the vultures descended. Only his version of vultures, his desk-mates, were not nearly as vicious as the press. They were clearly impressed.
A chorus of chatter went up around him
"Dude!"
"Why didn't you tell us you were dating him?"
"Shut up dummy, why would he tell /you?/"
"How did you manage it?"
"Tell us your secret!!"
"Dude!"
"Why didn't you tell us you were dating him?"
"Shut up dummy, why would he tell /you?/"
"How did you manage it?"
"Tell us your secret!!"
"I really didn't do anything," Izuku said with a smile and a shrug. "Kacchan and I have known each other since we were little and we...reconnected, I guess."
"KACCHAN?! Did he just refer to Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight as /KACCHAN?/"
"KACCHAN?! Did he just refer to Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight as /KACCHAN?/"
"Stop talking about him like he's not here!"
"Isn't that what you're doing?"
"Guys!" Izuku raised his voice, enough that people from other desk clusters started to stare too, though no doubt also because they'd seen the news. "You're all doing it."
"Isn't that what you're doing?"
"Guys!" Izuku raised his voice, enough that people from other desk clusters started to stare too, though no doubt also because they'd seen the news. "You're all doing it."
In perfect unison, they all slid back, stiffening in their chairs and returning their focus back to their work. A grunt and a cough told him that Kacchan had entered the building.
Izuku couldn't help the small smile on his lips as Kacchan walked by, stopping behind him for a split second, before going to his office. Izuku wanted to melt into a puddle. Clearly, he'd come in that way so he could see Izuku! It made his heart flutter fast in his chest.
Part of him wished Kacchan would lean down and kiss him, right then and there in front of everyone, claim him and declare them an item for the world (or at least the agency) to see. But he knew that wasn't practical and despite his public persona, Kacchan was a private person.
He deserved to hold onto whatever sliver of that privacy he could, to reveal the details of his personal life in his own time, on his own terms. Izuku didn't care about being protected.
He'd be more than willing to take whatever scrutiny was hurled his way, if it meant a life with Kacchan. Whoah...a /life?/ Wasn't he getting way ahead of himself, there? Ever since Kacchan had pulled him into his office unexpectedly, his life felt completely jostled.
Actually, probably well before that. He'd never moved so fast with a guy before, but then his previous boyfriends weren't Kacchan.
For the rest of the day, he continued to hold his head high, as more and more people stared at him openly, whispering in his wake.
For the rest of the day, he continued to hold his head high, as more and more people stared at him openly, whispering in his wake.
Around noon, when Kacchan peeked his head out of his very large door to yell very urgently for 'Deku,' Izuku waltzed into the office like he'd won a prize, because he had.
TBC
TBC
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Katsuki's lips were on his as soon as Izuku entered into his office; back against the door like a scene in a soap opera.
"I want you to have lunch with me," Katsuki said when he pulled away.
"Lunch, or...something else?" Izuku raised his eyebrows.
"I want you to have lunch with me," Katsuki said when he pulled away.
"Lunch, or...something else?" Izuku raised his eyebrows.
The idea of it thrilled Izuku and terrified him. He'd thought about it before, sure, no doubt half the office had. But now that the offer might actually be on the table (and /they/ might actually do it on the table), he was completely flustered.
"Just lunch," Katsuki replied, killing that particular fantasy for the time being. "I don't have time for anything else. But I really wanted to kiss you."
"Fair."
"Did you bring a bento? Or we could eat together in the cafeteria."
"Really? Is that such a good...idea?"
"Fair."
"Did you bring a bento? Or we could eat together in the cafeteria."
"Really? Is that such a good...idea?"
"Look, I get it if it's too soon. I don't want you subjected to any of this paparazzi crap, but some of it's inevitable, If we're gonna do this. So we might as well do it on our own terms. They won't bug me or /us/ here at the agency, because they know I'd blast 'em.'
"Okay," Izuku agreed. It made sense. They were going to be seen together eventually and the tabloids would run stories, make shit up, all in the name of entertainment. That was Katsuki's world. It was safe to start here, in a familiar place where Katsuki ran the show.
"It'll get people used to the idea of us...while /we/ get used to the idea of us."
"I like that, Kacchan." Izuku leaned up while Katsuki was still close and planted a soft peck on his cheek. He actually did bring a bento, but he could save it for later.
"I like that, Kacchan." Izuku leaned up while Katsuki was still close and planted a soft peck on his cheek. He actually did bring a bento, but he could save it for later.
Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight having lunch in the agency cafeteria...with a dispatch worker. That would be a first. But hopefully not a last.
Izuku knew it would turn heads, and turn heads it did. Especially because Kacchan was still half in uniform.
Izuku knew it would turn heads, and turn heads it did. Especially because Kacchan was still half in uniform.
Without his mask, his dark eyeliner was extremely prominent and Izuku suspected it wasn't a look the people got to see very often and it was something. There were gasps and oohs and sighs, but no rude comments, and no purposeful vies for their attention.
There were many options to choose from. Kacchan said the place was inspired by Lunch Rush's operation back at U.A. which had kept the young heroes very well fed. He urged Izuku to get whatever he wanted, so he did. And they sat in the very middle of the room on full display.
Izuku was surprised to find it wasn't embarrassing at all. In fact, he kind of liked the attention. It made him feel powerful, important. Was that pathetic, or what. His own worth wasn't tied to Kacchan's and he hated to think people might see it that way, but he /was/ proud!
If Kacchan saw something special in him, then he wanted to see it in himself. It was hard being Quirkless sometimes, and he'd be lying if he said it didn't get him in his head or make him feel left out. But he'd found a way to be in Kacchan's world, in the hero world.
Their lunch date ended much too quickly, and Izuku was extremely grateful for the lack of paparazzi at the agency because Kacchan leaned over wiped a bit of rice from his mouth before kissing him unexpectedly. His face burned bright red.
With his green hair, no doubt he looked just like a tomato. They walked hand in hand back to the office and Kacchan kissed him again before going back behind the big doors. When Izuku walked back to his desk, /everyone/ stared at him.
He smiled at his desk mates as he situated himself in his seat and promptly got back to work as though he wasn't part in the biggest agency gossip in history.
TBC
TBC
"What?" He asked innocently.
"You're the worst," one of his co-workers said with a click of her tongue. "Okay, fine we won't bother you about it."
"Thank you," he said, straightening in his seat.
Pride didn't begin to cover how he felt. He was a whole mix of emotions.
"You're the worst," one of his co-workers said with a click of her tongue. "Okay, fine we won't bother you about it."
"Thank you," he said, straightening in his seat.
Pride didn't begin to cover how he felt. He was a whole mix of emotions.
Of course, he'd admired heroes since childhood, had been thrilled to watch Kacchan rising in the ranks, and over the moon to get hired at his very own office. But it's not like he had some grand plan to win the man's heart! He'd just wanted to be close to him, to the action!
But here he was, living a dream life that he hadn't even really allowed himself to imagine. He felt truly blessed. Press be damned, office mates staring at him be damned. He was with Kacchan. They were really doing this dating thing. That must mean Kacchan was proud of him too.
He stayed later than what was strictly required for his shift; typical for him on any given day really, but his now his reasoning had changed. He wanted to wait for Kacchan, whose last patrol should have been wrapping up.
The call volume had slowed, though, which was a good sign. If there was a pattern to when villains were most likely to attack, Izuku had not detected it, even over the years. They tended to be pretty random and chaotic. Made sense.
A good half hour went by without any calls and Izuku was thinking he might as well call it a day, ask Kacchan to meet him at home, but just as he was standing to stretch and grab his jacket, his phone rang.
"Dynamight Agency," he answered, cheerily.
"Dynamight Agency," he answered, cheerily.
The voice on the other end was frantic; shot through with static from a bad line. It was hard to hear exactly what was being said, but Izuku heard enough.
"Come quick...send...other hero...villain attack...Dynamight...danger..."
"Come quick...send...other hero...villain attack...Dynamight...danger..."
Before he knew what he was doing, Izuku was dashing out of the office. He'd thrown the phone down so hard he'd completely missed the receiver, just as the caller had shouted out the cross streets. Izuku couldn't be bothered with his jacket or his bag, he had to get to Kacchan.
No, he was no hero. Others would come; they'd save the day, but Izuku wasn't helpless either, he refused to be. As he approached the area, he was almost worried he was in the wrong spot, for he didn't see anything untoward. Then he heard it, a loud explosion and a pained grunt.
TBC
