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Katsuki woke up to the sound of the front door slamming shut. The four-year-old rubbed his eyes. The little stars pasted to his ceiling were the only light in the room.
Sometimes Mama would come home late because of her work. Maybe it was her. Katsuki tried to fall back asleep while watching the little stars that Dada had put above his bed. Katsuki loved when his Dada would pick him up and let him soar between them.
A few minutes after he heard the door slam Katsuki heard voices speaking loud and fast. Was someone crying? The little boy buried himself under his blanket.
He wasn’t scared. He knew his Dada and Mama would protect him if something bad happened. But what if it was Mama or Dada who was crying? Katsuki’s stomach started feeling weird. He had to go check on them. That’s what All Might would do!
The four year old pushed back his blanket and sneaked out of the bed holding his All Might plushy. He left his room and walked towards the stairs. Katsuki knew he had to be careful, Mama wouldn’t like it if she found him awake after bedtime.
“Please, Inko, stop crying.”
Katsuki gasped. Auntie Inko was in the living room, sitting in Dada’s arm chair. She was crying. Why was she crying? Auntie Inko always smiled. Always. Did something bad happen to Deku?
Katsuki had so many questions.
Katsuki watched his mama get closer to Auntie Inko.
“Inko -”
“I swear he’s not like that! It’s not his fault! He was tired because of his work! And it’s my fault-”
“No, Inko.”
Katsuki saw Dada put his hands on Auntie Inko’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault. Not today and not the other times, either.”
Katsuki watched Mama walk to the couch. “I’m going to take Izuku to the hospital. You stay here with Masaru in case Hisashi comes back.”
Did Uncle Hisashi do something bad? Mama didn’t like Uncle Hisashi and neither did Dada. They never wanted him to be alone with Uncle Hisashi.
Mama went to the couch where Deku was sleeping. Katsuki frowned. Deku never slept when he was home, he was always running everywhere and wanted to play all the time. And when they had a sleepover, Deku wanted to talk all night (but most of the time he would just fall asleep in the middle of the sentence).
Also Mama didn’t say Deku was coming for a sleepover. And why was Deku’s face bigger, and why did he have purple marks on his arms and face?
Auntie Inko stood up, still crying. “No. I’m staying with him. I’m staying with my son. I can’t let him wake up without me. I can’t, Mitsuki."
“Inko.” Mama hugged Auntie. “I can’t let you do that. Hisashi will know and find you faster if you go to the hospital with Izuku. If he finds me in the pediatric section, he’ll just think Kats is sick and leave us alone. You need to stay here. I know it’s tough. But please trust me. I will protect Izuku, I promise.”
Katsuki was worried and he didn't like it. Something bad happened to Auntie Inko and Deku and he couldn’t understand what it was.
Mama must’ve sensed something because she looked up and saw him. Katsuki tried to hide but she called out his name. Mama crossed the living room and climbed the stairs.
She smiled, sat on the floor in front of him, and ruffled his hair. “Hey, Firecracker, why are you not sleeping? Did we wake you up? If we did, I’m really sorry, baby.”
Katsuki nodded. “Why is Auntie Inko crying? And why is Deku sleeping? And why does he have purple marks on him? Did Deku get dirty with his crayons again?”
Mama sighed “Oh, my Firecracker. Something bad happened to Izuku and I need to get him to the hospital.”
“Can I come too, please? Pretty please.”
Mama ran her hand through Katsuki’s hair. “No, baby, you’re going to stay here and go back to sleep, okay? Dada and Auntie Inko are also staying home so you’re not going to be alone. Don't worry sweetheart.”
“But,” Katsuki rubbed his eyes. He was so tired but he needed to stay awake. “Deku doesn’t like hospitals and needles and doctors. I want to be with him so Deku knows he’s going to be okay.”
Mama was about to say something when Auntie Inko called out to him. She wiped her tears and tried to smile but Katsuki could see she didn’t want to. She climbed the stairs and sat on the floor next to Mama.
“Hey, Katsuki. Are you alright? Why are you not going back to sleep?” Auntie Inko smiled but her smile wasn't as bright as it used to be. “You know, little boys like you and Izuku need a lot of sleep if you want to become heroes and be strong like All Might.”
Katsuki saw a tear traveling down Auntie Inko’s cheek. He put his plushy down and drew up his hand to carefully stop the rush of tears and avoid the purple mark on Auntie Inko’s face. He wasn’t sure what it was, but Auntie didn’t have it this morning at school. It looked like Deku’s marks, but Auntie Inko never got dirty when she was coloring with them.
Katsuki put his hands on her cheeks like Mama and Dada do when he’s sad. He tried to smile like All Might did when he was saving people. “Don’t worry, Auntie, Deku will wake up soon. Mama is going to take care of him and Dada will protect us because he’s the strongest. So please stop crying, Auntie. It’s going to be fine.”
Auntie Inko’s eyes watered and Katsuki heard his mama whisper, “oh, my Firecracker.”
Auntie Inko took him and hugged him so tight Katsuki could hardly breathe. “Thank you, baby. Thank you. You’re right, it’s going to be fine.”
Auntie Inko kissed his hair. She was still hugging him when Mama spoke up again. “I’m going to take Izuku to the hospital, okay Firecracker?”
Katsuki nodded, even though he wanted to go with Mama and Deku because he was worried about his friend. But he knew Izuku would prefer him to stay with Auntie Inko. Deku didn’t like it when his mommy was alone.
Mama kissed his forehead and promised Auntie Inko that Deku would be fine. She would protect him. Katsuki saw Mama kiss Dada and pick up Deku, still buried in his All Might blanket, fast asleep.
Katsuki heard Mama close the door and he knew he couldn’t show Auntie Inko that he was worried or sad. Mama said that he was a hero, and a hero protects people who need help. Just like All Might. And right now, Auntie Inko needed help. So did Deku. Katsuki had to be strong.
Katsuki heard someone climb the stairs. Auntie Inko stopped hugging him and wiped her tears.
Dada came up next to them and knelt down. “Hey, Firecracker. How about we go to the kitchen? I can make you a warm hot chocolate and you can tell Auntie what you did today at school, okay?”
Katsuki nodded. “Can I have sweet clouds too, please, Dada?”
The two adults didn’t respond. They looked at each other and Auntie Inko started laughing. “So that's where Izuku found the name.”
Dada smiled. “Yes, you can have marshmallows Firecracker.” Dada got up and ruffled the boy's hair. “Come on, and don’t forget All Might, sweetheart.”
The four year old picked up his plushy and frowned as his Dada held his hand to get down the stairs. He whispered, “mashamallows?”
Katsuki didn’t understand the weird word Dada just said, but as long as he had the sweet clouds in his hot chocolate and Auntie Inko was smiling again everything was fine by him.
He just hoped Deku wouldn't cry too much when he woke up at the hospital.
———
Katsuki woke up at the sound of his dorm room door closing. The door was carefully shut as if the person who entered didn’t want him to know they were there. But with the past three years of hero training and all the shit they’d been through, Katsuki had become a light sleeper.
Even if he was sleeping facing the wall with his back to the door, the blond knew who entered his room as soon as they stepped inside, and decided that if his boyfriend couldn’t wait until Katsuki finished his Sunday afternoon nap then Izuku would have to wait five minutes.
Katsuki kept his eyes closed. He was about to start counting how much time Izuku would spend without talking. He was barely at two when he heard “Kacchan?”
Katsuki fought the urge to smirk.
“Kacchan?”
Katsuki felt the bed moving and a presence coming closer.
“Kacchan. Kacchan, wake up.”
The blond could feel his boyfriend’s breath on his face.
“Kacchan, wake up, please.” Izuku got closer. “Pretty please, Kacchan.”
Katsuki sighed and opened his eyes. “What, nerd?”
Izuku smiled. “Hey Kacchan. Did you sleep well?”
The explosive teen sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I was sleeping great until someone decided to interrupt my nap.”
He heard his boyfriend giggle and saw Izuku smile. “I would never interrupt Kacchan’s nap. But Kacchan, you napped for forty-five minutes so I knew you were done sleeping by now.”
“You’re a stalker. You know that, right nerd?”
Izuku rolled his eyes and pouted. “I’m not a stalker, Kacchan. I just pay attention and remember things about you.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that. But I know the truth, and it’s that you’re a freaking stalker. Also, nice sweater Mr. Freckles.”
Izuku smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Kacchan. It’s the new Dynamight sweater that just came out.”
“Dynamight?” Katsuki raised an eyebrow. “Is he a new hero? Never heard of him.”
Izuku beamed. “Yeah, he’s my favorite hero. He’s— ”
Before Izuku could finish, Katsuki cupped his boyfriend’s face and kissed him. One of Katsuki’s hands left his side and started exploring the green messy curls. Izuku had one hand on his boyfriend's neck and the other was clenching the black tips of his blonde hair.
Only their heavy breathing could be heard when they parted. Katsuki rubbed his nose against Izuku’s.
“So, Freckles, what do you want to do now that I’m awake?”
It took Izuku a minute to make his brain function again and respond. Kacchan’s kisses would make him lose his mind one day. “I thought we could watch the second All Might movie and cuddle.”
Katsuki smiled. “Sure. And you want a hot chocolate too?”
“Depends. Can I have sweet clouds in it?”
The blond teen kissed Izukus’s forehead with a small laugh. Neither of them had grown out of their childhood nickname for marshmallows.
“Of course, Freckles. Take my laptop and look for the damn movie. I’ll bring back the mugs, okay?”
Izuku beamed. “Thank you Kacchan.”
After another quick kiss on the forehead, Katsuki left the room while Izuku took the laptop and started searching for the movie. After he went down the stairs and walked through the common room, Katsuki arrived at the kitchen.
Katsuki opened the top left closet next to the fridge. It was the mug closet. All of 3A had their own personalized mug. Katsuki and Izuku used to have matching All Might mugs before Denki broke it.
It happened two months ago. Kaminari was bringing Katsuki’s mug to him when Shinso, who had just come back from the shower, passed by. The sight of Shinso made Kaminari trip and accidentally break the mug in his fall. Kaminari apologized and even proposed replacing the mug, but since it was a very limited edition he couldn’t find it.
Izuku had been incredibly sad about the broken mug. He tried to find the same one for weeks. Katsuki was sad too. The mugs were their six month anniversary gifts to each other, but seeing his boyfriend overworking himself about a simple mug made him take action. Katsuki bought a white mug and wrote with a green marker Deku's boyfriend and he drew little explosions everywhere in orange. The next day Katsuki had been very proud of his new mug while Izuku blushed all through breakfast.
Katsuki opened a new chocolate bar after taking a pot and starting the hot plate. Some extras would say that his technique was just a waste of time, but his dad taught him how to make hot chocolate, and if there was one rule in the Bakugo house it was that Dad’s way of making cocoa was the right way.
Katsuki added the milk to the melted chocolate and stirred it carefully. He waited two minutes after lowering the heat. Once he was sure the hot chocolate was hot, Katsuki turned off the plate and poured the hot chocolate in the two mugs. Katsuki opened the right top closet and took out the marshmallow bag. He opened it and made a note to add it to the grocery list since they were almost out.
Katsuki was about to add the little sweet clouds to the two mugs when he heard shouting in the common room. He frowned. Katsuki only noticed Four Eyes, Pinky, Pikachu, and Round face when he passed by, and those four weren't the type of fighting.
Katsuki put the sweet clouds in the box and left it on the counter. He exited the kitchen to see what was happening.
Four eyes crossed his arms. “I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t come in here.”
The man sighed. “Like I said the past three times, I’m Izuku’s father. I want to see him now. Let me pass, kid.”
Katsuki stopped breathing. He was here. He was fucking here. He couldn’t be here. He was supposed to be in America, across the freaking ocean, not here in the dorm. Auntie Inko had put his name on a list of people banned from visiting when the dorm opened during their first year. He had no fucking right to be here.
Four eyes said something again, but Katsuki didn’t hear it.
Hisashi was about to respond when he noticed him. He smiled. “Hi, Firecracker. It’s been a long time.”
Katsuki felt a shiver run up his spine. How dare Hisashi use his parent’s nickname? Katsuki wanted to throw up. He clenched his fist. Katsuki couldn’t let Izuku see him. Hisashi needed to leave. Now.
Katsuki only hoped Hisashi had come directly to UA and didn’t go see Auntie Inko. “Don’t call me that. What the fuck are you doing here?”
Hisashi had the audacity to smile. “What do you mean, Firecracker? I’m here to see my son, Izuku. I was so proud of him when I saw him fighting Endeavor’s son at the UA sports festival. Too bad he lost the fight, though. I’m sure he would’ve won if he’d been stronger.”
Katsuki frowned. “What are you talking about? Last time Izuku fought Icy-Hot at the festival was during our first year!”
Hisashi frowned. “Really? I mean, like we say, time flies, right Firecracker?”
“Stop fucking calling me that!” Katsuki clenched his fist. He knew Izuku would find it weird if he didn’t come back soon and would surely get down to see if everything was alright. Katsuki couldn’t let that happen. “And fucking seriously? What took you three years to cross the freaking ocean!”
“It’s not my fault, Firecracker. I was really busy. I didn’t have time for him.”
“I fucking told you to stop calling me that. And are you fucking serious? You didn’t have time to see your son?”
Hisashi sighed. “You know, Katsuki, it’s really cute and entertaining to see you act all protective. But even when I was away, I was still in contact with some parents from school. I know what you’ve done. I know about the bullying in middle school. You really think you’re better than me?”
Katsuki froze up. “I apologized. I changed. Can you say the fucking same?”
“You apologized. Right. I did too, you know.”
“Really? Is it before or after you sent Auntie Inko and Izuku to the hospital with bruises and broken bones?”
Hisashi chuckled. “You know, you really should cut the act, Firecracker. You and I, we’re the same. So you should stop judging me. Glass houses and all that.”
“Maybe,” Katsuki swallowed, “maybe we are similar, but at least I’m trying to change.”
Hisashi titled his head. “I always thought you were your mother’s son, but now I definitely see that you’re more like your dad. All hypocritical judgement.”
“My dad is a better fucking person than you’ll ever be.”
Hisashi smirked. “Right. You know that the last time I saw your perfect father I ended up with a black eye.”
“Can’t blame him. I bet my mom wasn’t there. Otherwise you’d have ended up with a broken nose too.”
Hisashi snorted. “The Bakugo’s family must have violence running through their veins. Maybe that’s why Inko and Izuku stuck with you all. Maybe they just like being bruised.”
Katsuki clenched his fist. “Fuck you! My parents would never put a hand on Auntie Inko. And neither would I!”
“Right. Keep telling yourself that if it’s what helps you sleep at night.” Hisashi took a step toward the stairs. “Now you’re gonna let me see Izuku.”
In the corner of his eyes Katsuki saw Four Eyes and Pikachu shifting. They wouldn’t let Hisashi pass. Katsuki saw the girls leaving the dorms. Hopefully they were going to get their homeroom teacher. He hoped Aizawa-sensei could arrive before Izuku saw his father.
Hisashi snorted. “You kids are cute.”
Katsuki crossed his arms. Between the preparation of the hot chocolate and him, Katsuki must have been gone for more than ten minutes. Izuku would venture out soon. “You should fucking leave. Now.”
“Why’s that? It’s my right to see my son.”
“Actually, I know that Auntie Inko put in a note to get you banned from campus, asshole, so I should call our homeroom teacher so he can show you the fucking exit.”
“Right.” Hisashi smiled. “You know, you should really stop pretending to be a hero. It doesn’t suit you, Firecracker.”
Before anyone could respond Katsuki heard the voice of the only person he didn’t want to see right now.
“What did you say?”
Katsuki and Hisashi turned their heads and saw Izuku in his oversized Dynamight hoodie and gray sweatpants. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs, clearly mad. “What are you doing here and what did you just say to Kacchan?”
Hisashi's smile didn’t drop at the sight of his son. “I just came to see you, son. And I was just talking to your boyfriend. Or should I say your ex-bully.”
Izuku clenched his fist. “Kacchan had made mistakes, yes, but he realized them and he changed. Unlike you, Kacchan is a good person.”
Hisashi snorted. “Changed? You think that people like us change? We have the internet, you know, in America. I saw your little Kacchan’s exploits and it seems that he’s the same little violent, arrogant brat I remember.”
“Then you don’t remember Kacchan very well. But you know what?” Izuku crossed his arms. “I don’t even need to explain or defend my relationship to you because, to me, you’re nobody.”
“Nobody!” There was smoke coming out of Hisashi’s nose. “I'm your father, boy. Show me some respect!”
“You lost my respect the second you punched mom.”
Hisashi started advancing toward Izuku “I punched your mom because she deserved it. She’s a little crybaby like you, you little–”
Iida blocked his path. “That’s enough. You’re not welcome here. You should leave. Immediately.”
Hisashi was about to respond when a voice cut him off.
“Funny, I was going to say the same things.”
Hisashi turned around to see who was talking. Katsuki recognized the voice of his homeroom teacher, Aizawa-sensei, and saw him with Round Face. Pinky was next to All Might-sensei. The girls must've thought about splitting up to find two teachers, in case something went wrong.
Aizawa-sensei walked toward Hisashi, his hands in his pants pockets. “I believe my students told you to leave politely. You should do that before they start being less polite.”
Hisashi raised an eyebrow. “And who are you?”
“Aizawa Shouta. I’m the 3A homeroom teacher.”
“Oh.” Hisashi extended his hand in greeting. Aizawa looked at the hand and kept his own in his pocket. Hisashi clicked his tongue. “Right. So, finally, a responsible adult. I’m Hisashi Midoriya.” Hisashi pointed at Glasses and Pikachu. “Could you tell those brats that they’re wasting my precious time and that I want to see my son?”
Aizawa sighed. “Those brats, like you say, are heroes-in-training. It’s their home and their right to not want you here.” The teacher’s eyes drifted to look at Izuku. “Problem child, do you want to see him?”
Hisashi opened his mouth but Aizawa cut him off. “I’m talking to Midoriya, not you. Problem child?”
Izuku nodded. “I want him out.”
“So it’s settled.” Aizawa nodded towards the door with his head. “You’re leaving.”
“What? What kind of teacher are you to stop a dad from seeing his son?”
“The kind who doesn't want an abuser close to his students.”
Katsuki could see smoke coming out of Hisashi’s mouth. Hisashi clenched his fis.t “Who do you think you are, talking to me like that? Don’t you know who I am? I mean,” Hisashi looked at All Might, searching for support, “I’m sure you agree with me. Right, Sir?”
All Might stared Hisashi down. “Young Izuku says that he wants you to leave. You’re leaving.”
Hisashi frowned. “Why should I listen to you? Are you even a teacher?”
All Might walked toward Hisashi and stood in front of him. All Might clenched his fist when Izuku said, “he’s not worth it, All Might-sensei.”
Hisashi’s eyes widened at the name.
All Might didn’t move an inch. “You’re right, Izuku. He’s not worth it.” He passed the man and put himself between Iida and Kaminari. “For your own safety, you should leave now and go back to the airport without stopping anywhere else.”
Hisashi’s face was beet red. He opened his mouth and Bakugo could see little flames coming out and then nothing. Katsuki looked at his homeroom teacher, hair up. Aizawa had his scarf in hand and his red eyes pierced Hisashi.
“You’re out. Now.”
Before Hisashi could react Aizawa tied him up and left the dorm with him. Katsuki let out a breath he had been holding since he saw the flames. He walked toward where Izuku was being comforted by All Might.
“You’re okay, my boy?”
Izuku nodded. “Better since he left. I’m just worried he went to see mom before coming here.”
All Might ruffled his green hair. “Don’t worry, my boy. I’m sure your mother is well. But I’m going to see her just in case, okay?”
Izuku smiled. “Thank you, All Might.”
The two teens saw All Might and their other classmates leaving the room. Izuku looked at his boyfriend and asked if he was okay.
“I should be the one asking you that. You’re good?”
Izuku nodded. “I’m fine. Thank you, Kacchan. You?”
Katsuki pinched his lips together. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make him leave faster.”
“Kacchan” Izuku put his hand on the blond’s cheek “It’s not your fault. Now how about we pick up our perfect hot chocolate that you made and see that movie like we planned to?”
Katsuki smiled. “Of course they're perfect. I freaking made them.”
Izuku giggled and the couple went to the kitchen to pick up the mugs. The hot chocolate had gone cold but Izuku put the two mugs in the microwave to reheat them. After taking out the two mugs, Katsuki opened the bag and Izuku took a couple of sweet clouds and added them to the hot chocolates.
On the way to the blond’s room, Izuku noticed that Kacchan was more silent than he usually was.
Izuku tried to start a conversation. “Auntie and Uncle are going to be pissed that Hisashi called you Firecracker. I mean, I remember when our mean teacher called you that in Kindergarten. I thought Auntie was going to destroy him. Uncle was pretty pissed too.”
Kacchan hummed, eyes focused on his mug.
Izuku sighed softly. He hoped Kacchan wasn’t thinking too much about Hisashi’s words. That man had the capacity to get under your skin and mess up your head pretty fast.
When they entered the bedroom Izuku put his mug on the night table and took Katsuki’s mug from his hand and put it next to his.
“Freckles?”
Izuku took Kacchan’s hands and sat on the bed. “Kacchan. Are you okay? Are you thinking about what Hisashi said? Because if you are, I hope you know that he’s wrong. Okay?”
“Is he?” Katsuki swallowed. “Freckles, in the time we’ve known each other I’ve spent more years hurting you then not.”
“Kacchan, it’s different.”
Katsuki opened his mouth to argue when Izuku stopped him. “Kacchan, you’re a kid who grew up in a society that makes us think that if we don’t have a strong quirk, we’re useless. It’s not your fault. In high school you realized how wrong you were and you changed. You went to therapy, you asked questions, you helped people. Kacchan,” Izuku cupped his boyfriend’s face, “Kacchan, you’re a hero. You’re my hero. You’ve been my hero since the day you saved me from that mean dog on our way home.”
Katsuki snorted. “We were freaking three, Freckles.”
“Yes, and?” Izuku smiled. “That just proves my point. You’re a hero and you always have been.”
Katsuki kissed the palm of Izuku’s hand. “You know, I was worried you would be scared of him.”
“I was scared. The last time I saw him I went to the hospital with Auntie. Mom cried for hours. Now I’ve grown up and gotten stronger. I can defend myself now. And for you, Kacchan? I’m ready to fight the world.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, nerd.” Katsuki put his own hand on his face to hide his blush. “You can’t say something fucking cheesy like that.”
“Why not?” Izuku giggled. “It’s true, and I know it’s the same for you.”
“Of course it’s fucking the same for me, Freckles.” Katsuki stopped hiding and cupped his boyfriend’s face. “We’re a freaking team, right?”
Izuku beamed. “Yeah, we're a team. The best team ever. Victory and Save.”
“Yeah, Save and Victory. Best fucking team ever.”
Katsuki pulled Izuku into a kiss. After one, two, three seconds the two future heroes remembered they needed to breathe. Despite their best efforts they couldn’t be each other’s oxygen.
They lay down on the bed, the two of them clutching onto each other. Izuku pressed himself against Kacchan’s chest. He could hear his heartbeat. He knew Hisashi wouldn’t bother him anymore, and even if he did, his hero would be there to help him to take care of it. Because that is what Kacchan was: his hero. Stronger and better than All Might.
Katsuki held on tight to his boyfriend and buried his nose in his messy green curls. He wasn't asking himself questions anymore. He wasn’t worried either. He knew Hisashi wouldn't come back again to hurt Izuku, and even if he did Katsuki knew his nerd was capable of protecting himself. And if he couldn’t? Kastuki would be there to help him. Always. Because they were Save and Victory.
The best fucking team ever.