{BNHA} Number One, Together

It was a complete disaster! This weekend was an endless whirlwind of incidents, forcing the duo on duty to run themselves ragged. Sometimes, for one reason or another, bargain-bin villains seem to set up a meeting and just keep chaining crimes and robberies! So the heroes stay ready, welcoming them as they should... after all, it’s their job. But this time could definitely be carved in stone! They didn’t get a single minute, and Katsuki would never admit it for anything in the world, but he’s pretty damn glad this shift is finally over.

With the number of calls piling up, under normal circumstances they should have even called for backup! And then Chargebolt and Shoto would have come to lend a hand... But no way—there will never be a day when the great Dynamight openly admits, especially to his rival, that he can’t handle things alone! So yes, he had grumbled his refusal when his teammate merely whispered the idea...

Even if it means ending up completely exhausted—as is very much the case anyway—he’d rather avoid the image of that awful reality where he looks at that half-and-half idiot and relies on him! The mere thought of calmly resting while the other hero handled his duties in his place is unthinkable! He can shove his good intentions wherever he wants—he would never admit defeat to Todoroki... It was his shift, and he had made it a point of honor to see it through!

And yet, he can barely stand anymore and genuinely feels drained, struggling heavily with his eyelids between each blink to keep them open. If Eijiro Kirishima, who just spent this long weekend with him, managed to take a two-hour nap this afternoon, it’s only thanks to Katsuki, who handled a known pickpocket from their files all by himself! So he hasn’t had a single moment of rest, and he feels horribly sore all over.

He wants his bed—nothing more, nothing less! He’s thinking about it so much it’s almost obsessive... oddly recalling the feeling of his duvet under his fingers! He can almost picture the seams of his black memory foam pillow against his head, sighing with relief at that magical moment when he can close his eyes. He doesn’t forget his large blanket—black as well, though he chose one with orange stripes, even buying several just in case... after all, he’s still a neat freak. Just the idea of sleeping surrounded by colors he chose himself helps him fall asleep, soothing him more than anything...

Even if, this time and exceptionally, he doesn’t care whether his bed is made or not. He just wants to collapse into it for a week or two...

“Do you want to eat or go straight to bed?”Eijiro yawned beside him, no doubt trying to find the motivation to stand up after making the mistake of sitting down on one of the locker room benches.

“I’m going home.”

“Huh?! Are you serious?!”

“Leave me alone, shitty hair, I’m going home. I’m not tired.”

Obviously, that’s a complete lie! You could easily mistake his dark circles for two massive bruises devouring half his face, they’re that bad. But beyond that, from the outside, there’s nothing more to say—he even looks fine. It’s crazy to think that inside, this man feels like he’s at his breaking point! He’s clearly on the edge of a cliff, barely holding on, truly feeling like he could fall at any moment. And yet, he stands tall and proud, his usual grumpy, icy expression frozen on his face.

Katsuki Bakugo is, however, an incredibly attractive man! He’s often offered damn photo shoots, usually shirtless, meant to make girls drool—girls who dream of laying a finger or two on him and settle for tearing magazines apart instead. He knows exactly what he gives off anyway, but it’s not something he likes to play with. Even if he knows he’s good-looking, it’s not important. Just a bonus, at most. Still, his manager often forces him to go—for his image, he pleads—so sometimes, he accepts.

And at that level, he’s just as brilliant as in everything else! He can hook the camera with a single glance, commanding his coral-colored eyes to seize all the photographer’s attention, making the background blur as his gaze completely dominates the frame. And if he plays the disinterested type, looking elsewhere, he knows how to flex his muscles just right to tempt the glossy paper his photo will be printed on, even letting a few scars show—marking his chest with a memory from high school, or lower down, that circular one blending with his abs.

But strangely, it’s his hands that often spark fantasies. He’s always had large hands in which others’ seem to disappear. And even though his knuckles give them a rough look, hinting at the calluses from his hard work, anyone can tell just by looking that they’re soft. He often highlights them—palms visible, running through his ash-blond hair shaved at the nape, or held out toward the crowd flashing cameras nonstop—letting them imagine the sensation of the nitroglycerin-filled pads of his fingers against their skin. Many secretly dream of losing themselves in that idea, and that’s something he just doesn’t understand! He’s a hero, and that’s what he should be judged on—not those damn pictures people seem to love so much...

He’s a sought-after, very famous hero, one who makes hearts sway simply through his natural charisma, sure... but he trained to stop villains, not flirt with cameras. So he’s never put much effort into that—unlike when it comes to proving he’s the best, head held high after a particularly exhausting weekend...

But his best friend knows him well—his pride will be his downfall one day, without a doubt!

“Don’t do the Bakugo thing—you can’t drive in this state!”

“Want me to knock you out to prove I’m fine?”

And obviously, he has to set an example! His fingers crackle with threat, and the shield hero can only sigh in defeat... Still, he can’t deny the obvious. He does seem fit enough to drive—and probably even kick his ass if he really pushed him! This guy was a genius combined with raw power—it was completely unfair!

“You’re unbelievable, I swear! I can’t even activate my Quirk after a weekend like this!”

“That’s because you don’t train enough!”

The redhead grumbled in frustration, honestly thinking his friend was unfair when he always gives it his all—but no matter what, it’ll never match what Katsuki Bakugo considers acceptable! So it’s probably better to drop it.

“You’ll text me when you get home?”

“What are you, my grandma?”

“Damn, you’re annoying.”

It’s obvious his red-haired friend is just trying to take care of him. Eijiro doesn’t have the power to stop him from doing what he wants—and he knows it! After years of often explosive and painful experience, he also knows he can’t talk sense into him. In fact, maybe no living creature has that power over this incredibly stubborn man—he practically embodies the word “unyielding”! So his partner says nothing more. And the silence says it all—his best friend won’t be able to stop worrying...

“See you next week, shitty hair!”

“Yeah, yeah! Take care of yourself!”he shouted at the door closing on the raised middle finger of this hero with a far-too-salty attitude.

And Dynamight heads back up the stairs to the hall, avoiding the elevator out of principle. As someone who represents strength, he’s not about to let himself be carried! Of course, it’s a bit of flawed reasoning, since he uses it normally. But here, it’s about proving he’s still perfectly capable! At the top of his game—despite his muscles aching terribly, begging for a hot bath he’d most certainly fall asleep in.

Maybe he really is too tired to drive... Just the thought of shifting gears makes his thigh ache painfully, reminding him of its presence in a very unpleasant way! Might as well leave his vehicle in the agency parking lot—he’ll pick it up later...

So yes, he digs into his pocket for his metro card, which he rarely uses anyway but that the agency provides regardless, as he negotiated into his contract. Even if he has his own means of transportation, he still has this option—and so he steps out into the cold streets of the Japanese winter, his feet sinking into the unsalted snow.

The scenery is beautiful at this early hour, the sun shining timidly, his breath fogging with every exhale.

White is everywhere, gently covering every building and object outside—even the parked cars that haven’t moved all weekend and are now completely buried. The holidays have just passed, winter is in full swing, and sometimes a few nostalgic Christmas decorations still blink faintly. It’s magical, truly—giving the sense of warmth inside buildings, while outside there’s a calm serenity that many people need...

But all of this leaves Katsuki completely indifferent! He worked through the holiday celebrations and had to intervene in utterly unimaginable and grotesque family conflicts during those festive days, often leaving Deku—his partner at the time—to do the talking for him! So he finds it rather hypocritical, knowing that half of them had a miserable Christmas and will probably resell their gifts online at the first opportunity...

And the only thing he thinks about in front of this enchanting scenery is that he made the right call leaving his car behind! The streets of Musutafu are clear, but still slippery—and yes, he has to admit it, he’s exhausted!

He knows he should wash up and eat before going to bed. He feels like grime is clinging to his skin despite a refreshing shower between calls, and his stomach is making unpleasant noises, twisting painfully from hunger. But he feels truly drained and doubts he has the strength to delay the moment he collapses into his sheets. Even when he gets onto the subway, he doesn’t bother sitting down—because he knows. Damn, he knows!

If he sits, there’s no question about it—he’ll fall asleep instantly and won’t be able to get back up! Some assholes would take pictures of the great Dynamight asleep in a damn subway! He’d wake up frustrated and irritated, because, damn it, his legs would hurt even more than they already do, barely able to carry him! So no—no way. He stays standing, upright and proud, his breath muffled into his black scarf as he struggles to keep his eyes open, staring blankly at the underground walls rushing past the windows.

Only four stops separate him from home, but it feels like an eternity!

And yet, he chose this neighborhood on purpose! It’s quiet and not too far from his agency. He wanted a house—not too big, reasonably priced. It was perfect! Exactly what he needed for his privacy! For someone who expresses himself loudly—or blows things up at the slightest annoyance—it’s better not to have neighbors complaining about slammed cupboard doors.

Besides, he can’t forget how quickly his popularity has skyrocketed! As soon as his generation entered the workforce, almost all of them found agencies, and very quickly climbed the rankings, even breaking into the top twenty in their very first year!

Seven years later, only five of them made it into the top ten—and of course, he was number one! His goal had been achieved quickly, letting him raise his fist in victory as the top-ranked hero! He can leave Shoto to struggle in second place while Deku just smiles at their obsessive rivalry. To Katsuki, it’s only natural that the Todoroki heir watches his back! Shoto doesn’t even react anymore when, every six months, Dynamight throws him pride-filled smirks during the rankings announcement!

Still, he can’t ignore that burning desire to beat him, constantly pushing him forward and keeping him sharp! And while he’d never thank that half-and-half idiot, he knows it motivates him every single day! He can surpass himself—because Shoto is right behind him...

That’s what he’s still thinking about, a satisfied smile etched onto his lips, as he gets off the subway, barely holding back a long yawn while climbing the stairs to the surface, ignoring the overly-early high school girls who recognized him and follow him with their eyes.

He knows full well that if he gives them the slightest attention, one of them will come ask for an autograph or a photo. That’s just how it goes—but it’s not his favorite part of the job, even if he’s always known it comes with it. Still, he sometimes makes the effort, and many fans have photos of him frowning while flipping off the camera.

Everyone knows him anyway—being “Number One” doesn’t leave much room for privacy! And it’s often hard to deal with that! Still, most of the headlines about him? He couldn’t care less! His agency manager can pull his hair out if he wants—Katsuki fully intends to do things his way, as surely as the snow crunches beneath his feet as he walks up the street.

And finally, after a journey that feels like forever, he sees it—his front door. The one thing separating him from that “rock-solid” image he always has to maintain. For others—because it reassures them to see him unshakable—but also for his own pride! And when he crosses the small garden in front of his house, ignoring the path he’ll have to clear later, steps inside, and closes the door behind him, he lets out a deep sigh—finally letting that tough mask slip from his hands and shatter on the ground.

Here, he’s home. And he can be at peace. No one here can make him feel inferior or shake his damn pride!

It’s warm, too—a deeply comforting warmth that seeps under his coat sleeves, gently brushing his forearms. Outside, the temperature sits at a biting -6°C, but inside, it’s soothing. The winter cold is harsh, but his home is welcoming—and it does him good! All he has to do is let himself enjoy it as he removes his shoes, giving in to the ease of sitting down on the floor, even though he knows getting back up will be a nightmare.

But it doesn’t matter. He’s home—and the thought makes him sigh again in relief! Sitting there stupidly in his entryway, the warm, fluffy slippers Mina gave him this year almost massaging his toes. He yawns loudly, thinking about his raging hunger, and just sits there, staring at the door.

“Kacchan?”

Behind him, he hears Deku approaching, quickly joining him as he crosses the hallway from the kitchen to reach his lover, who, as usual, has collapsed from exhaustion. It’s practically routine—nothing unusual for Izuku Bakugo, finding his husband like this. And as always, he’s ready to welcome him with all his kindness...

Honestly, it was obvious those two would end up together! Once the blond finally accepted what his feelings really meant, he never backed down. One day in high school, while they were messing around playing the Pocky game, he made his move—just like always. His feelings had always burned fiercely, overwhelming him, so he needed to express them his own way. It was the same when he realized he was in love with his childhood friend!

So yeah, at seventeen, he grabbed a white chocolate stick and challenged the green-haired boy with a single smile. And when Izuku accepted, determined to win as their faces got closer, Katsuki bit the biscuit, leaving him confused. But Katsuki had no intention of hiding behind a stupid game! That wasn’t the plan at all! So he ate the damn thing while those emerald eyes, so close to his, shone with confusion—and he smiled back.

“I don’t need a stupid game as an excuse to kiss you, Deku.”

That’s what he said, leaving Izuku completely stunned as he processed it. Then it was easy—too easy—to place his hand on the back of his neck, feeling the base of his green hair tickle his fingers, pulling him closer until their lips met, stopping the distance between them as their breaths mingled perfectly. They stayed like that for a few seconds that felt like forever, locked in each other’s gaze, reading everything in each other’s eyes...

“If you don’t pull away now, I’ll take that as a yes,”he added.

Izuku blushed, swallowed—but didn’t move. So Katsuki took it as a yes...

And they shared their first kiss! Right there, in front of all their stunned friends, who were left completely speechless. And every kiss that followed had its own story, each one marking a new step in their relationship—up to the one they shared at their wedding, three years ago.

“I saw the news. I prepared your bath and tried to spice the curry the way you like it,”his husband said, a soft smile on his lips.

And even though Katsuki feels utterly exhausted, there’s one thing that can make him stand up. He pushes himself up with a grimace and walks toward that very special man. Izuku is truly the best thing that ever happened to him. Today, he’s not sure what he would have become without him. And every day since he accepted that, he thanks him with a kiss, doing everything he can to make him happy too.

It wasn’t always easy, accepting everything that changed in their relationship—but he has never once regretted letting him into his life. Izuku is the most loving man there is, and the only person he could ever share his life—and his number one spot—with!

Logically, that shouldn’t be possible... but it became a sort of game between them, probably frustrating their fans—but making them laugh. Izuku started it four years ago, when he was about to reach number one for the first time. He worked so hard that he ended up tying exactly with Dynamight.

He was incredibly proud—and for the first time, they stood together at the top, achieving their childhood dreams side by side!

Six months later, the situation reversed... Just as Deku was about to take second place, Katsuki matched him instead, proving with a triumphant, arrogant smile that he could do it too!

Since then, they’ve kept playing this game, enjoying this little shared pleasure together.

There’s no real rivalry left between them anymore—it softened over the years. And while they might have feared losing that spark, another one quietly replaced it. A softer, calmer flame that rocks them to sleep every night, as they sigh in gratitude, feeling the other beside them.

That’s why he can fall into his arms now, burying his nose in his green curls, calming at the scent of that awful strawberry shampoo he hates—but that smells like Deku. So he stays there, in his arms, surrounded by that familiar scent.

Izuku says nothing, knowing how exhausted he must be after three relentless days. He simply wraps his arms around his husband, tilting his head closer, shivering slightly as he feels his warm breath against his neck while his nose is still freezing cold. Izuku is smaller—it’s always been that way—but he’s always felt like someone who shields him from the sun just by walking ahead. And whenever needed, Deku stops, turns, and offers him his hand with a gentle smile. Because yes—Katsuki understands now—Izuku simply cannot move forward without him by his side.

They’re the best team—the most reliable duo there is. That’s how they chose to face life: together, ready to take on the world. And it’s in each other’s arms that they recharge!

Then Izuku places a soft kiss on the rough skin of the blond’s jaw and lifts his head to meet those coral eyes he loves so much.

“Do you want to wash up first, or eat?”

And Katsuki truly feels better. Yes, he’s exhausted! He could collapse right there if Izuku dares say the word “pillow.” But it doesn’t matter. Izuku can see him like this—it’s different from anyone else.

“I’ll wash first... gotta text shitty hair to say I got home. And I left the car at the agency.”

“You did the right thing. I’ll go get it later!”

That gentle smile appears again, making Katsuki grumble as a bit of energy returns.

“Or I could take my time devouring you instead...”he murmurs smoothly, diving onto his lips.

And even if Izuku could protest, he doesn’t get the chance—pulled into the kiss by his suddenly hungry husband. And he can’t help but give in to the man he chose.

Kacchan may be harsh and difficult—but Izuku knows him better than anyone. He loves him deeply, fiercely—and he knows that love makes him stronger.

That’s just who they are: friends, enemies, rivals, teammates, and lovers. They can be all of that for each other... but the role that suits them best is simply this one: being in love.