Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Alright, Rin. Slow and steady this time.”

The therapist crouched beside her, calm like they weren’t standing next to a five year old with literal explosives in her palms.

Katsuki watched like usual, arms crossed as he sat on the bench across the room, his full attention locked on the tiny little copy of himself standing in the center of the training mat.

Rin barely even acknowledged the therapist’s words, her little fingers were twitching in her gloves. She was excited. Too excited.

Katsuki could see it in the way her feet bounced slightly, and in the way it looked like she had to physically stop herself from launching forward.

The therapist sighed.

“Remember,” they said. “The goal is control, not power.”

Rin nodded fast. “Got it!”

Katsuki huffed, shaking his head.

She did not have it.

She was about to go way too hard, and they both fucking knew it. The therapist took a step back, motioning for her to begin. Rin inhaled deep, setting her stance the way he had taught her. Feet apart, knees slightly bent, braced. She lifted both arms.

BOOM

A loud explosion erupted from her palms, the force rocketing her backward, her tiny legs stumbling.

Katsuki was already moving before she could hit the ground. His hands caught her shoulders, steadying her before she could faceplant onto the mat.

Rin gasped, her fingers immediately gripping onto his wrist.

Katsuki looked down at her. “The hell was that?”

“It wasn’t that big.”

Katsuki arched an eyebrow, dragging his gaze toward the absolutely fucking obliterated training dummy across the room, now a pile of burnt debris.

Rin followed his gaze. She quickly looked back at him, flashing a sheepish little grin. “…Oops?”

Katsuki snorted. “Yeah. Oops.”

The therapist let out a slow, deep sigh, pinching the bridge of their nose before speaking again.

“Alright,” she muttered, tired but still patient, “Let’s try again, but this time—” her gaze shifted to Rin, pointed, like they already knew what the fuck was coming, “—keep it small.”

Rin nodded enthusiastically, already bouncing back into her stance, like she hadn’t just launched herself backwards across the room. Katsuki exhaled, stepping back, hands on his hips, watching her closely.

This had been their life for the last six months.

Ever since her quirk had manifested. It was almost exactly like his own.

But it had one key fucking difference.

It responded to her emotions. If she was excited? Too much nitroglycerin, too much output. If she was angry? Explosions, uncontrolled, too fast, too big, too dangerous. But she was learning.

Rin clenched her fists, took a slow, deep breath.

And fired again.

BOOM

This time, it was controlled. More precise. Katsuki smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. The therapist nodded approvingly as the explosion dissipated, leaving the training dummy smoking but intact.

“Better,” they said, jotting something down on their clipboard. “Still a little strong, but that was much more controlled.”

Rin beamed, her gloved hands twitching slightly at her sides like she was holding herself back from clapping in excitement.

Katsuki took a breath, watching as she shook out her hands in the specialized gloves that went up past her wrists.

She had hated them at first.

Cried the first time they put them on her, clutching at his shirt, as she asked, “Why do I gotta wear ‘em, Daddy? You don’t have to.”

And fuck, that had wrecked him.

Because she was right. Katsuki had never needed gear to keep his quirk in check. He had just learned. Through instinct, through trial and error, through sheer fucking willpower.

But Rin wasn’t him. Her quirk just didn’t listen to her body the way his did. When her quirk manifested, she had given herself third degree burns before they even knew what was happening. That had been the first trip of many to the emergency room. Who subsequently referred them to a specialist.

That had been when they explained it.

Her sweat production didn’t just release nitroglycerin, it stored it when her adrenaline spiked. If it built up too much, her body tried to discharge all at once, triggering an uncontrolled explosion.

The gloves helped with that. They were designed to absorb excess sweat and regulate the temperature and pressure in her palms. They couldn’t stop her from building up nitroglycerin, but they could slow it down, give her more time before her body overloaded itself. She had to wear them at all times. Or at least until she could control it on her own. And that could take fucking years.

Katsuki rubbed his jaw as Rin ran back over to him, her big green eyes shining.

“Did you see that?” she asked, grinning up at him, cheeks flushed.

Katsuki smirked. “Yeah, yeah. You’re a real badass.”

Rin giggled, leaning into him without thinking, little arms wrapping around his waist, her gloves pressing into the fabric of his hoodie. Katsuki’s chest tightened for half a second, automatic, like his body still reacted every time he felt those gloves instead of her hands.

Rin noticed, tilting her head slightly, curious.

She had his whole face. It was kind of eerie sometimes. Like looking at his mom. Sharp features, strong jaw, same scowl when she was concentrating too hard. But those eyes? Bright, round, green as hell. Big and expressive, always giving her away, the way Izuku’s always did.

Katsuki reached down to squeeze the back of her hoodie. “Proud of you, brat.”

Rin beamed, her nose scrunching in that way that was all Izuku.

And fuck, It still fucking boggled Katsuki’s mind that she had just appeared one day, like the universe had decided you two idiots aren’t ever gonna do this yourselves, so here, fucking figure it out.

Some villain, barely older than them, had lost control of his quirk during a robbery. Izuku had been one of the heroes responding, one of many, just doing his damn job, when the guys power went off. It wasn’t flashy. Wasn’t violent. No big explosion, no city wide destruction.

Just a ripple. A shift in the air, a pulse that passed through him and every other poor bastard in the blast radius.

A month later Musutafu General hospital had called Izuku. There were tons of babies, basically appeared out of thin air into the nursery. One was Izuku’s. And someone else’s. Someone his heart had “longed for”.

Nobody knew at that time, but that was the fucking quirk. It took from whoever was in range, from whoever had left a mark so deep on someone else’s soul that it changed them at a fundamental level, and it made something new. And somehow, out of everyone in the damn world, it had been him.

Because before Rin even existed, before they had confessed, before Katsuki had even fucking kissed him, Izuku had already been carrying something for him so deep in his chest that the universe itself had chosen him.

At first, Izuku had thought it had to be some random civilian caught in the blast. Some poor bystander. Someone he’d never even spoken to. They started trying to find who the hell it could be. Ran tests. Checked records. The kid who had fired off the quirk was fucking dead, killed in the chaos he had accidentally caused, so there was no one to ask. His quirk name wouldn’t be discovered until much later.

Then the results came back. The other half wasn’t some random civilian. It was Katsuki fucking Bakugou.

Katsuki, who had been nowhere near the fucking scene. Who hadn’t even been in the same prefecture when it happened. Who Izuku hadn’t even seen for days before that day. Who had never even so much as kissed Izuku at that point in their life. 

And that was the moment that changed everything.

Katsuki had still been trying to process that part when he had walked into the hospital for the first time, pissed, still refusing to believe this was real.

And then he saw her.

She had been tiny. His hair, his features, but Izuku’s eyes, the same bright green that had haunted him his entire fucking life.

He had thought the universe was playing a joke on him. A cruel, vicious joke. But when he had stepped closer, when Izuku had nervously handed her over, when he had touched her for the first time, she had scowled. His scowl. His expression, crumpled onto her tiny, perfect face.

Katsuki’s knees had nearly buckled.

Izuku had just stood there, watching him with those soft, hopeful eyes. Like Katsuki showing up had been a gift, like his acceptance was something to be grateful for.

She had grabbed on to his finger then, her tiny hand wrapping around it. His hands, hands that had spent years breaking and burning, hands that could destroy, kill, were now holding the most fragile thing he had ever known.

Izuku had stood nearby, quiet. He looked like he was waiting for Katsuki to snap, to hand the damn baby back and walk out. Like he was bracing for it.

“You named her yet?”

Izuku had blinked, surprise flashing across his face. “I was… I was waiting to see if you were… if you wanted to help.”

Izuku’s voice had been cautious, like he didn’t expect the answer he wanted. Like he had already prepared himself for rejection.

“Yeah,” he had muttered. “I wanna help.”

Izuku had fucking lost it.

And that had been it. She was his. Theirs. She wasn’t just some baby born from a quirk. She wasn’t some accident, some mistake. She was his fucking kid. Their fucking kid. 

The therapist clicked their pen, flipping their clipboard shut, snapping him from his thoughts.

“That’s a wrap for today. She’s improving. Her reaction time’s getting faster, and she’s adjusting better when her quirk spikes.”

Rin beamed, rocking back on her heels. “So does that mean I don’t gotta do the breathing stuff anymore?”

Katsuki snorted. “Not a damn chance.”

Rin groaned. “But it’s boring.”

The therapist chuckled, shaking their head. “Your quirk doesn’t care if you’re bored.”

Rin pouted, crossing her arms over herself.

Katsuki flicked her forehead lightly. “You wanna stop wearing the gloves, don’t you?”

Rin scrunched her nose. “… Yeah.”

“Then do the damn exercises.”

Rin just sighed, dramatic as hell, and turned back to the therapist. “Fine.”

Katsuki smirked. “Good.”

The therapist shook their head, amused. “We’ll keep her on the three sessions a week for now, but if she keeps improving, we can look at spacing them out in a few months.”

Katsuki nodded, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Alright.”

Rin perked up immediately, grabbing his sleeve. “Can we please go now?”

Katsuki rolled his eyes, already motioning for her to follow.

The second they were outside, Rin was off, practically skipping down the sidewalk, her gloved hands smacking against the side of the SUV as soon as she reached it.

Katsuki clicked the fob, watching as she scrambled into the backseat, already pulling herself into the booster seat.

He slid into the driver’s seat, checking his phone as he adjusted the mirror.

[Izuku]

she do okay today?

He took a breath, then typed a response.

[Katsuki]:

she’s fine. blew up a whole dummy. almost knocked herself on her ass.

[Izuku]

wtf kacchan

Katsuki smirked, shoving his phone into the cupholder as he started the car.

“Can we get Boba?”

Katsuki sighed deeply, pressing a hand against his temple. “You’re spoiled.”

“I am not,” Rin gasped, offended.

Katsuki huffed, backing out the spot. “You are.”

“Papa says I’m deserving.”

Katsuki rolled his eyes. “That’s because he’s a damn pushover.”

Rin giggled, her little eyes sparkling in the mirror.

“…Please?”

Katsuki shook his head, pressing his foot on the gas. “Fine.
Rin cheered, throwing her arms up in victory.

***

Katsuki pulled into the parking lot, throwing the SUV into park. Rin was already wiggling in her seat, little gloved hands grabbing at the straps of her booster seat.

“Daddy,” she whined dramatically, kicking her feet, “Hurry up, I need my boba.”

Katsuki snorted, shutting the car off. “You don’t need shit. You want boba.”

Rin huffed, struggling with her seatbelt before Katsuki reached back and unlatched it for her. She immediately scrambled out, sliding onto the floor and jumping down onto the pavement before he could even open his own door.

She stood there, hands on her hips, waiting impatiently as he stepped out. Katsuki rolled his eyes, shutting the door and pressing the lock button before reaching down and adjusting the hem of her hoodie. She barely noticed, her little custom black and orange Nike dunks tapping against the pavement.

She fucking loved wearing his colors. She had tons of hoodies. Regular ones, UA ones, even a Deku hoodie that Izuku had snuck into her closet, but this was always the one she picked.

She had begged for it when she saw the promo shoot for his merch line, eyes wide, little hands gripping the tablet as she pouted dramatically until he finally caved.

And now she was obsessed. It was way too big for her, but she didn’t care. And maybe he secretly loved it. Not that he’d ever fucking admit it.

“Alright, c’mon,” he muttered, ruffling her hair.

She dodged, giggling as she bolted ahead, practically running toward the boba shop.

“Rin,” Katsuki called, warning in his voice, but she ignored him, yanking the door open and stomping inside like she owned the place.

Katsuki sighed, following behind her as she marched up to the counter, and stared up at the menu like she was on a mission.

The cashier, a college aged girl with pink streaks in her hair, blinked down at her, clearly trying not to laugh. “Uh…can I help you?”

“I want a large brown sugar milk tea,” Rin declared, dead serious, “with extra boba. Please.”

Katsuki grunted, stepping up behind her. “Yeah, no. Medium.”

Rin gasped, whirling around. 

Katsuki arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. “You’re tiny.”

“But I can drink a large.”

Katsuki snorted. “Yeah, and then you’ll be bouncing off the walls like a damn maniac.”

Rin pouted, lower lip jutting out dramatically.

Katsuki ignored it, turning back to the cashier. “Medium. And a black milk tea, 50% sugar.”

The girl nodded, biting back a smile as she punched in the order. “Anything else?”

Rin huffed, still pouting. “Guess not,” she muttered.

Katsuki smirked. “Good choice.”

She scowled at him, but it wasn’t real, her tiny fingers tapping against the counter as she watched the drinks being made.

Katsuki pulled his phone out while they waited, checking his notifications and shooting a text to Izuku.

Katsuki: little shit talked me into boba

Izuku: send me pics !!

Katsuki: you see this kid every damn day

Izuku: and???

Katsuki rolled his eyes, already snapping a quick shot of Rin standing at the counter, her hoodie hanging off her tiny frame, the back of it displaying his hero name in big, bold lettering.

Izuku: send them

Katsuki: you’re so fucking annoying

Izuku: and yet…

Katsuki: [Attachment: 1 Image]

Izuku: oh my god. look at her. i’m gonna cry.

Katsuki: Jesus Christ

Katsuki snorted, shoving his phone back into his pocket.

The drinks came out a few minutes later, and Rin grabbed hers immediately, stabbing the straw in with way too much fucking force.

Katsuki took his with a muttered thanks, guiding her toward a table by the window. Rin slurped, making a deeply satisfied sound. Katsuki shook his head, taking a sip of his own.

“Thank you, Daddy.” 

Katsuki set his cup down with a smirk. “Yeah, yeah.” And for a few minutes, they just sat there, Rin swinging her legs under the table, content as she sipped her drink.

Katsuki leaned back, watching her, his chest feeling weirdly warm. Days like this, just the two of them, no chaos, no crazy schedules, felt rare. And hell, maybe he was spoiling her, but he was gonna let her have this. Rin slurped at her drink, little legs kicking against the chair, her face scrunching slightly as she chomped down on a tapioca pearl.

“Kaya almost did a back handspring yesterday,” she said suddenly, voice full of importance.

Katsuki raised an eyebrow over his cup. “Yeah?”

Rin nodded fast, her hair bouncing under her hoodie. “Yeah. And she almost caught a girl by herself.”

Katsuki grunted, taking another sip. “Sounds like dumbass shit her parents would let her do.”

Kaya Kirishima. Mina and Eiji’s daughter.

Kirishima and Mina had met Rin. About a month before Kaya was born. They were the first of their friends to meet her. 

***

Five years ago…

“Don’t drop my fucking daughter.”

Kirishima’s arms had automatically tightened around the unknown tiny, two week old baby that had just been shoved into them.

Then he froze.

Mina, who had been comfortably sprawled on the couch, suddenly sat bolt upright, eyes wide as hell. “Your what?”

Kirishima was staring, like his brain had short circuited.

“Our daughter,” he muttered gesturing between him and Izuku, then shoving his hands into his hoodie pockets, trying not to look like he wanted to bolt.

Mina’s mouth had opened. Closed. Opened again. Her gaze snapped between him and Izuku and Rin, like she was trying to math her way through this. “What the fuck do you mean, our?”

Katsuki gritted his teeth. “Some villain quirked Izuku during a robbery last month.”

Kirishima still not speaking, still looking like he had completely left his body.

Mina whipped around, eyes locked on Izuku. “Someone what?”

Izuku gave a tiny, tight, panicked laugh. “Um.”

Katsuki grumbled, already running a hand through his hair, exhausted. “The quirk took DNA from someone in the blast radius and” he motioned vaguely at Rin, “boom. Baby.”

A pause.

Mina’s brows had furrowed. “But…” Her gaze flicked toward Katsuki. Then back to Izuku. Then back to Katsuki again. “…Why yours?”

Katsuki’s entire body went tense. “Doesn’t matter.”

Izuku made a small, choked noise.

Mina squinted harder. “No, see, I think it does.”

Katsuki scowled. “It doesn’t.”

Mina ignored him. “Because if the quirk pulled your DNA specifically, it had to be from someone who—” She suddenly gasped, both hands smacking over her mouth. “Oh my god.”

Katsuki immediately turned away. “Shut up.”

Mina cackled, grabbing Izuku’s shoulders and shaking him slightly. “Are you telling me you have a magic love baby with Katsuki fucking Bakugou?!”

Izuku squeaked, red from the roots of his hair to the tips of his fucking ears. “I don’t think it’s—”

“Ohhh my god.” Mina beamed, eyes sparkling. “That’s soooo romantic.”

“It is not romantic,” Katsuki snapped. face burning.

Mina ignored him. Instead, she turned to Kirishima. Who had still not spoken, still clutching the baby, still looking like he was processing this in slow motion. His eyes suddenly glossed over.

Katsuki immediately groaned. “No.”

Kirishima sniffled. 

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,”

Kirishima was already gone, running a massive hand over the tiny pink blanket wrapped around her, his entire expression melting. “Dude, she’s got your whole face.”

Izuku made an emotional noise behind his hands. Katsuki dragged a hand down his face, grumbling.

Kirishima gently adjusted her, his big hands careful as he brushed a thumb across her tiny, scrunched little features. His red eyes soft in a way Katsuki had never seen before.

“…She’s so tiny. I can’t believe this is real.”

Mina, standing beside him, practically glowed, her pink eyes wide as she stared at Rin.

“Oh my god, those eyes.”

She turned to Izuku, looking wildly between him and the baby. “She got your pretty eyes huh?”

Izuku flushed, rubbing the back of his neck, his own green eyes locked onto Rin’s face. “That’s like… the only thing she got from me.”

And he wasn’t wrong. Kirishima suddenly looked up and grinned. A slow, knowing grin. He shifted Rin slightly in his arms, still rocking her instinctively, his gaze flicking toward Katsuki, full of something teasing, something obnoxiously smug, something that made Katsuki want to punch him straight in the jaw.

“Oh, you’re so fucked.”

Katsuki froze. Izuku blinked, confused. “Huh?”

Kirishima laughed, shaking his head, still looking at Katsuki like he knew exactly what the fuck was going on.

Katsuki’s eye twitched. “Shut the fuck up.”

Izuku glanced between them, eyebrows furrowed. “What? What does that mean?”

Kirishima just grinned harder, clearly enjoying this way too much. He ignored Izuku, thankfully changing the subject. “What’s her name?”

Izuku answered quietly. “Bakugou…Rin.”

Mina gasped and grabbed Katsuki by the hoodie, yanking him down slightly, her voice pure chaos.

“You really gave her Bakugou?”

Katsuki grunted, yanking himself free. “Why the fuck wouldn’t I?”

Mina’s mouth fell open. “What about Midoriya? No hyphen?”

Izuku, still pink in the face, rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t really…care about carrying on my dad’s name.”

Mina blinked. “Oh.”

Izuku shrugged, giving a small, almost sheepish smile. “Besides, Bakugou-Midoriya is a mouthful.”

Katsuki snorted. “Yeah, no shit.”

Kirishima, still rocking Rin slightly, blinking down at her, finally spoke up again. “What about Rin.”

Katsuki arched an eyebrow. “What about it?”

Kirishima’s lips quirked, his voice softer. “It’s cute. Where’s it from?”

Izuku’s expression softened, his gaze flicking toward Katsuki before he answered. “I saw it on a baby name website after she appeared.”

Kirishima’s brows lifted slightly.

Izuku exhaled, watching Rin, his voice warm. “It just… felt fitting. The way we decided to write the Kanji, means jewel.”

Katsuki didn’t say anything. Didn’t add that Izuku had said it so quietly the first time, hesitant, voice unsure, like he wasn’t sure if Katsuki would like it. Didn’t add that Katsuki had stared at Rin, at her tiny sleeping face, at the way she fit in his arms, at the way the name had settled so damn right in his chest, and hadn’t even argued.

Mina sighed, melting. “That’s so sweet.”

Katsuki rolled his eyes.

“Oh!” Izuku suddenly perked up, turning to them. “Do you guys have a name for your baby yet?”

Mina and Kirishima shared a look.

Then, Kirishima grinned. “Yeah. Kaya.”

Katsuki blinked. Mina beamed, reaching over to squeeze Kirishima’s hand. “We wanted to name her after Midnight. We thought Kaya was a subtle but cute nod.”

Izuku’s face softened, his green eyes shining , holding back tears. “That’s perfect.”

Rin and Kaya.

“Oh my god,” Mina gasped, her hands clapping over her mouth as realization hit her like a train.

Katsuki braced. “What? ”

Mina practically vibrated, grabbing Kirishima’s arm and shaking him slightly. “They’re gonna be best friends.”

***

Now, five years later, she and Kaya were inseparable, best friends, practically sisters at this point. Katsuki exhaled, shaking off the memory as he glanced back at Rin.

“She’s gotta get stronger before she can base bigger flyers. She says she’s already strong, but Coach says we all gotta keep getting stronger.”

Katsuki rubbed his temple. “Still can’t believe you ended up in cheer of all fucking things.”

Rin huffed, rolling her eyes. “It’s not just cheer, Daddy. It’s All-Star cheer.”

Katsuki grunted, unimpressed. Rin narrowed her eyes, her whole body bristling the way his always did when someone challenged him.

“It’s hard, you know,” she declared, setting her cup down with way too much confidence. “We do conditioning and stunt training and we have to be perform.”

And Rin was a performer. A damn good one, too. Naturally expressive, her emotions playing out all over her face, her energy contagious, something that pulled people in, made them watch her. But she had drive. She wanted to fucking win.

Not in some casual, happy go lucky, let’s havefun way. No. She wanted to be the best. Wanted to nail her skills, wanted to push harder, go higher, be the strongest on the team.

It was hilarious, considering she was so small, considering that when she wasn’t flipping her ass across a mat, she was still his baby, still crawling into his lap with her little hands gripping his hoodie, still asking for bedtime stories like she wasn’t the most competitive five year old on the damn planet.

“We have competition next weekend,” Rin said, taking another slurp of her drink, like this was new information to Katsuki. “Coach says we gotta W-lock in.”

Katsuki squinted. “ Lock in, huh?”

Rin nodded, brows furrowed, looking serious as hell. “Gotta focus.”

Katsuki smirked, shaking his head. “You better focus, kid. Your ass is gonna be in the air.”

Rin grinned, no fear in her eyes. “I know.”

Katsuki sighed, rubbing his temple. “Jesus.”

Rin slurped at her boba, deep in thought.

“Is Papa gonna be home when we get back?”

Katsuki huffed, adjusting the lid on his cup. “Dunno. He’s got parent meetings all day.”

Rin pouted, swirling her straw around. “He said he might be done early.”

Katsuki smirked, shaking his head. “Yeah, and when’s the last time that actually happened?”

Rin sighed, dramatic as hell, her whole body slumping forward like the weight of the world was on her tiny shoulders. “He’s always busy.”

Katsuki gave her a look. She blinked. Then her mouth twitched, like she had just realized who the hell she was talking to. Katsuki raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

Katsuki shook his head. “You’re one to talk.”

Rin grinned sheepishly, taking another sip of her drink. Between school, quirk therapy, cheer practice three times a week, competitions, playdates with Kaya, and her absolute refusal to ever fucking sit still, she had a damn schedule like she was a pro hero.

She never complained about it.

She loved it. Loved being busy, loved always having something to do. She had energy for days and enough competitive drive to make even Katsuki himself do a double take sometimes.

He sighed. Then, his gaze flicked toward the window. And his whole body went rigid.

Outside, across the street, two guys with cameras stood near a vending machine, eyes locked on the boba shop, angled slightly toward the entrance. Not a huge crowd.

Not the usual paparazzi swarm they got at events, or outside big hero conferences, or when they were caught on some date in the city. Just a couple of freelancers, guys probably looking to get a shot of him and Rin, maybe some bullshit about father daughter bonding, maybe stir something up about Izuku’s absence.

Katsuki gritted his teeth. It wasn’t new.

He had been dealing with paparazzi for years , ever since he broke into the top ten, ever since he clawed his way up to fucking number three .

Izuku had it worse, of course.

Between his legacy from the war, the whole One For All mess, and the fact that he was basically the the strongest hero alive…there wasn’t a single place in Japan where people didn’t know his name.

And now, there was Rin.

She was used to it. She had been dealing with cameras since the day she was born, since the day the entire damn country found out that Dynamight and Deku had a fucking kid together.

And she handled it fine. Didn’t flinch when they called her name. Didn’t hide when people whispered as they walked past. She waved at fans when they saw her, smiled for cameras when they asked.

Because she was Izuku’s kid. Of course she didn’t give a shit. But Katsuki fucking did. He  hated it. Hated her face ending up on every damn tabloid. Hated the way some of them speculated about her quirk. Hated the fact that she was five and already had people watching her like a damn science experiment.

Right now, he just wanted to finish their damn boba in peace.

He pulled his phone out, typing fast.

Katsuki: fuckin paparazzi outside. gonna leave out the side door.

Izuku: ??

Izuku: bad??

Katsuki: just a couple guys. nothing crazy.

Izuku started typing again, but Katsuki ignored it, shoving his phone back into his pocket before looking at Rin. She was still swinging her legs, totally unaware.

Katsuki took a slow breath.

“Alright, kid,” he muttered, standing up. “We’re heading out.”

Rin blinked. “Huh? I still got boba left.”

Katsuki grabbed it, plucking the cup right out of her hands before she could react.

“Daddy!” she gasped, betrayed.

Katsuki sipped it right in front of her.

Rin gasped louder, little hands smacking against his hoodie. “That’s mine! ”

Katsuki grinned, nudging her toward the door. “Dad tax. C’mon. We’ll finish it in the car.”

Rin huffed, following him out, her tiny fingers gripping his sleeve as he led her toward the side exit.

And as soon as they stepped outside, Katsuki pulled his hoodie up, shielding her as they walked. Katsuki unlocked his Porsche Cayenne with a click of the fob, ushering Rin inside quickly before shutting the door behind her.

She huffed dramatically as she climbed into her booster seat, still muttering about the absolute injustice of him stealing her boba. Katsuki smirked, setting the cup into the cupholder as he slid into the driver’s seat.

“Buckle up,” he muttered, pressing the start button.

Rin groaned, fumbling with the seatbelt. “I wasn’t done with my drink.”

Katsuki snorted, adjusting the rearview mirror. “You still got it, didn’t you?”

Rin grumbled something under her breath, finally clicking the belt into place.

Katsuki shifted into drive, pulling onto the street, eyes flicking briefly to the mirror. The paparazzi guys were still there, cameras lowered now, probably disappointed they didn’t get a clear shot of her.

Katsuki gritted his teeth, forcing himself to ignore it, focusing on the damn road instead.

“Papa home yet?” Rin asked.

Katsuki huffed, making a turn. “Rin, I told you already. he’s got meetings all afternoon.”

Rin sighed, kicking her feet. “But he said he might be done early.”

Katsuki smirked. “Yeah, and you might start listening the first time I tell you something.”

Rin gasped, scandalized. “I always listen.”

Katsuki barked out a laugh and Rin huffed, turning her face to the window like she was deeply offended. He took a slow breath, eyes flicking to the time

12:02 PM. Still early.

Did they need to do anything before heading back? Rin was already set for school next week, didn’t need any extra supplies. Cheer practice was tomorrow, and her competition was next weekend, fuck, he had to check in with Izuku about their hotel. And then there was dinner.

“Oi,” Katsuki muttered, checking the rearview mirror, “What do you wanna eat tonight?”

Rin tilted her head, considering. “Hmmm… Katsudon?”

Fucking Izuku Incarnate.

Katsuki grunted. “We had that two nights ago.”

“So?”

“So, pick something else.”

Rin huffed, kicking her feet against the seat. “Uhh… curry?”

Katsuki nodded. “Curry works.”

“I want Papa’s curry.”

Katsuki grunted. “Then you better ask your damn Papa if he’s making it tonight.”

Rin giggled. “I will.”

Katsuki sighed, checking the traffic as he switched lanes, already mapping the best route back to their place.

And then his phone started ringing.

Katsuki glanced at the console screen. Mom.

Oh, fucking great. He sighed, pressing the answer button on the steering wheel.

“ What?”

Mitsuki scoffed on the other end. “That’s how you answer the phone when your mother calls you?”

Katsuki rolled his eyes. “What do you want?”

Rin perked up in the backseat. “Hi, Grammy!”

Mitsuki immediately switched tones. “Rinnie, sweetheart!”

Katsuki gritted his teeth.

“Are you with your useless father right now?” Mitsuki continued, voice sweet as hell.

Rin giggled. “Yep!”

Katsuki grumbled, making a turn onto their street. “You called my damn phone, didn’t you?”

Mitsuki ignored him. “And how’s my favorite grandbaby today?” Like Rin wasn’t her one and only grandbaby- probably always would be.

Katsuki sighed dramatically, but Rin grinned. “Good! We got boba.”

“Ohhh, lucky girl.”

Katsuki gritted his teeth harder. “You called for a reason, or you just wanna piss me off?”

Mitsuki scoffed. “Piss you off, obviously. But also—are you and your husband free next weekend?”

Katsuki gritted his teeth, flicking on his blinker. “We got Rin’s competition.”

Mitsuki sighed dramatically. “Right, right. You and Izuku playing the proud parents, front row?”

Katsuki grunted. “Damn right we are.”

Rin beamed in the mirror.

“Well,” Mitsuki continued, “make sure you get good seats. I’m coming too.”

Katsuki sighed, pulling into the underground garage of their highrise apartment complex.

They lived on the top floor, a massive penthouse with floor to ceiling windows, way too much space, and an entire balcony view of the city skyline.

Izuku had wanted a house, something with a yard, something quiet, but Katsuki had shut that shit down immediately. At least for now.

They both worked in the city. Rin went to school in the city.

And Katsuki refused to deal with a damn commute.

So, they had settled on this.

Gated entrance, high security, full privacy, paparazzi proof.

Mitsuki was still talking as he parked the car.

“—so tell Izuku to text me later, because I know you won’t—”

Katsuki pressed end call before she could finish.

Rin giggled. “You hung up on Grammy?”

Katsuki unbuckled his seatbelt, sighing as he leaned back. “She’ll live.”

Rin giggled again, grabbing her boba before scrambling to unbuckle herself.

Katsuki shook his head, stepping out and clicking the automatic lock before motioning for her to follow.

The elevator ride up to their apartment was quiet, Rin sipping on the last of her boba while Katsuki leaned against the wall, arms crossed, already thinking about what they had in the fridge.

When the doors slid open, Rin took off , bolting down the hall toward their front door, her little sneakers squeaking against the polished floors.

Katsuki rolled his eyes, clicking the fob to unlock the door before she even got there.

She flung it open, immediately dropping her empty cup onto the entryway table before kicking her shoes off in different directions .

“Oi,” Katsuki grumbled, nudging them with his foot. “Put ‘em in the damn basket.”

Rin sighed, scooping them up and tossing them in.

Katsuki sighed harder, flicking on the lights. Their apartment was huge, but not in the way that felt cold or too much.

It was lived in.

Spacious, open concept, sleek black counters and dark wooden floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the living room, giving them a view of the city skyline, their balcony lined with Izuku’s tiny garden project —potted herbs, some flowers, and a damn tomato plant that he had been way too excited about when it started sprouting.

The kitchen was stocked with high-end appliances, mostly because Katsuki insisted on cooking as much as possible.

Their dining table had three chairs. Rin’s in the middle, her little booster cushion still strapped to it, even though she was insisting she didn’t need it anymore.

Katsuki sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“Alright, kid,” he muttered, stepping into the kitchen. “Lunch. What d’you want?”

Rin plopped into her seat, thinking. “Grilled cheese.”

Katsuki snorted, already grabbing the bread and cheese from the fridge. “So original.”

Rin grinned, kicking her legs against the chair.

He made two, plating hers with some carrot sticks on the side.

Rin immediately scrunched her nose.

“Eat ‘em,” he muttered, sitting down across from her.

Rin sighed, but obliged , picking at them while Katsuki scrolled through his phone.

Izuku had texted him again.

Izuku: tell her i love her

Katsuki smirked, typing back.

Katsuki: do it yourself dumbass

Rin giggled when she saw his screen. “Did Papa text you?”

Katsuki smirked. “Yeah. Told me to tell you he loves you.”

Rin grinned , taking a big bite of her sandwich. “Tell him I love him more.”

Katsuki rolled his eyes, but typed it anyway.

The next few hours was quiet , just the two of them in the living room, Rin stretched out on the couch with her iPad while Katsuki sat back in the armchair, sipping at a protein shake.

It was nice, a slow afternoon, just existing together.

Until.

“Daddy.”

Katsuki immediately looked up, instincts kicking in at the seriousness in her tone.

Rin was staring down at her hands, little fingers twitching, her jaw tight.

Katsuki recognized that look immediately.

He sat forward, placing his drink on the table. “Your hands?”

Rin nodded, her shoulders tensing. “They’re—” she flexed her fingers, her little gloves stretching slightly, “—they feel tight.”

Katsuki was already standing, already moving toward the hallway.

“Alright, let’s get it out,” he muttered, motioning for her to follow.

Rin hopped down from the couch, trailing after him as he walked toward the home gym.

Which wasn’t just their home gym.

It was a training space. A safe place for Rin to release energy when her quirk built up too much.

Basically a requirement for Rin. 

Katsuki flicked on the lights, stepping into the training room, Rin trailing behind him.

The walls were reinforced, lined with shock-absorbing material, the floor padded for safety. A few scorch marks still marred the walls, remnants of past training sessions, but for the most part, it was clean.

Prepared.

Controlled.

Which was the whole fucking point.

Katsuki turned, watching as Rin automatically walked to her spot. A designated area in the center of the room, a circular mat with scorch-resistant padding, marked with faded yellow tape from months of use.

She was calmer now, standing still, rolling her shoulders like she was shaking off tension.

“Gloves off,” Katsuki muttered, stepping to the side.

Rin obeyed without hesitation, slipping her little fingers under the wristbands of her gloves, peeling them off slowly, like she was bracing herself.

Katsuki watched closely, noting the way her hands twitched, the way she flexed her fingers as soon as they were free, the way her breath hitched slightly when the air hit her bare palms.

Katsuki’s stomach twisted  as he crossed his arms.

“Alright,” he muttered, nodding toward the target on the wall. “Let’s get it out.”

Rin nodded, stepping into her stance.

Katsuki didn’t move, didn’t take his eyes off her, watching the way she braced herself , the way her fingers curled, her little frame tensing like a coiled spring.

She fired.

A sharp, controlled explosion burst from her palms, loud, crackling against the reinforced target with a thunderous boom.

Katsuki barely blinked, watching as Rin exhaled sharply, shaking out her hands before setting up again.

Another blast.

Smaller this time.

Then another.

And another.

Her shoulders relaxed, the tension in her fingers easing.

She sighed, shaking out her arms, turning back to Katsuki. “I’m good now.”

Katsuki exhaled through his nose, stepping forward, reaching out.

“Lemme see,” he muttered, nodding toward her hands.

Rin obediently held them out, little fingers stretching, palms facing up.

They weren’t red. No visible burns.

Katsuki ran his thumb gently over the center of her left palm, feeling for any abnormal heat, for anything out of place.

Rin let him, standing still, watching his face closely.

Katsuki grunted, satisfied, then reached down and picked up her gloves, rolling them in his hands before handing them back.

“Back on,” he muttered.

Rin slipped them back on without complaint, pressing the wristbands securely before wiggling her fingers.

She grinned, holding up her hands. “All good!”

Katsuki smirked, ruffling her hair roughly. “Yeah, yeah.”

She giggled, leaning into it.

And fuck—that sound.

That was the only reason he could truly breathe right now. Because when he had seen her tense up, when he had noticed that hesitation in her face, that brief flicker of discomfort.

His stomach had fucking plummeted. Like it always fucking did when she was in pain.

Because it was his fault. 

Because she had his quirk. 

A fucked up mutated version of it.

Katsuki swallowed hard, shaking himself out of it, eyes flicking back to Rin.

She was still grinning, still bouncing slightly, energy returning now that her quirk had settled.

“Can we play Mario Kart now? ”

Katsuki snorted, smirking as he reached down and scooped her up, slinging her over his shoulder.

She shrieked, laughing as she kicked her feet in protest.

“Only if you let me win this time.”

“ Never!”

Katsuki huffed, carrying her back to the living room, shaking his head as she giggled into his hoodie.

Some time passed, the afternoon stretching into early evening. Rin had already demolished him in Mario Kart, screeching in victory as she threw her little fists in the air, still bouncing with energy even after their match was over.

Katsuki had grumbled, but he let her have it, sinking further into the couch, one arm thrown over the back, watching as she ran around the living room.

It was comfortable in the way that their little family had settled into. Something he never would have fucking pictured years ago.

If you had told 16 year old Katsuki that in a decade he’d be only the number three pro hero, married to “Deku”, and sitting on his couch watching their five year old terrorize the living room after absolutely wrecking him in Mario Kart he would’ve blasted you in the face on principle.

Then he would’ve gone back to his room, blasted his music way too loud and and picked a fight with the nearest wall like that would somehow stop the way his chest got tight every time Izuku smiled at him.

The front door clicked.

And Rin immediately perked up, head snapping toward the entrance, a grin splitting her face.

”Papa!”

Katsuki didn’t even have time to react before Rin bolted off the couch, socked feet sliding slightly as she sprinted across the hardwood floor.

The door swung open, and there he was.

Izuku stepped inside, shaking out his hair, pushing the door shut behind him just in time for Rin to slam into his legs, hugging him tight.

Katsuki barely registered his entrance at first—too busy watching Rin, the way she lit up, the way she giggled into Izuku’s coat, already launching into a rapid-fire rundown of her day.

Then Izuku took off his coat.

And Katsuki actually looked at him.

… Shit.

The nerd looked good. Annoyingly good.

Like he had actually taken time this morning to make himself look like this on purpose.

Black button-up, sleeves rolled to his forearms, slacks that were definitely tailored, green curls still slightly tousled.

Katsuki felt something annoying and warm twisting in his chest.

“—and I did so good at therapy, and I beat Daddy at Mario Kart, and we got boba but he stole mine, and—”

Izuku laughed, reaching down to scoop Rin up, one arm under her legs, balancing her effortlessly on his hip.

“You beat Daddy?” he asked, feigning shock.

Rin beamed, gripping his collar. “Twice!”

Izuku gasped, eyes wide. “No way.”

Rin nodded fiercely. “I crushed him.”

There was a beat of silence then:

“You guys eat yet?”

Katsuki grunted from the couch, stretching his legs out. “Just lunch.”

Rin immediately perked up, her big eyes locking onto Izuku, full of hope.

“Papa,” she said, all sweetness, the way she always did when she really wanted something. “Will you make your curry?”

Izuku blinked, caught off guard for a second—then softened, rubbing a hand through his still-damp curls. “Of course.”

Rin cheered, throwing her arms up in victory before Izuku chuckled, gently setting her back on the floor.

Katsuki exhaled, watching as Izuku stepped toward the fridge, pulling it open, scanning for ingredients.

Then froze.

Katsuki caught it immediately, the way Izuku’s hand lingered on the fridge handle, the way his eyes narrowed slightly.

“…Crap,” Izuku muttered, sighing as he straightened up.

Katsuki exhaled sharply, already knowing. “What?”

“We’re out of potatoes,” Izuku muttered, shutting the fridge. “And carrots.”

Katsuki grunted. “Great.”

Izuku turned, leaning against the counter, thinking. “I can run to the store real quick—”

“ Hell no.”

Izuku blinked, caught off guard by how fast Katsuki had shot it down.

He already had felt guilty about Rin asking Izuku to cook after he had been at work all day. Now that they didn’t have the ingredients, there was no way in hell Izuku was gonna go to the damn store to get them.

Katsuki crossed his arms. “You just got home. You’re not goin’ back out for some damn potatoes.”

Izuku sighed, pushing a hand through his curls. “Well. No curry, then.”

Rin gasped dramatically, like he had just told her Santa wasn’t real.

Katsuki huffed, already unlocking his phone. “We’ll just order.”

Izuku gave him a look, because if they didn’t have anything usually Katsuki would just whip something up. “You, willingly suggesting takeout?”

Katsuki grumbled, dragging a hand through his hair. “I’m tired.”

His whole body felt heavy, his limbs aching in a way that wasn’t quite exhaustion but was close enough. His chest was definitely tighter than it should be. 

Izuku’s expression softened slightly, something small flickering behind his eyes, something knowing, something worried.

But he didn’t push.

Instead, he nodded. “Alright. What do you guys want?”

Rin immediately perked up, hands slapping against the counter. “Sushi!”

Katsuki smirked. “Oh, now that’s what you want?”

Rin grinned. “It’s so good.”

Izuku chuckled. “Sushi it is.”

Katsuki sighed, grabbing his phone.

It only took a few minutes—he picked a place they liked, added Rin’s usual order (which was basically just a bunch of salmon rolls and edamame), made sure Izuku had what he wanted, and threw in some extra for himself.

Estimated delivery: 40 minutes.

He set his phone down, exhaling as he leaned back against the couch.

“Daddy.”

Katsuki glanced over, watching as Rin stretched her arms over her head, letting out a loud sigh. “I need to take a shower. But I’ll be fast.”

Katsuki smirked, shaking his head. She had only just started showering unsupervised in the last couple of weeks, still figuring out how much shampoo to use, still needing reminders to actually scrub instead of just standing there under the water.

It still made him and Izuku a little nervous. But they were trying.

He nodded. “Alright, kid. Don’t take too long.”

Rin beamed, already dashing down the hall. “I won’t!”

Izuku stretched, rolling his shoulders. “Might as well shower too before the food gets here.”

Katsuki grunted, watching as Izuku started toward the hallway, pulling his shirt over his head as he walked.

And maybe it was instinct, maybe it was just exhaustion making him soft as hell. But before Izuku could disappear, Katsuki grabbed his wrist.

Izuku paused, glancing back, eyebrows raising slightly.

Katsuki didn’t say anything.

Just tugged him forward, his head coming over the back of the couch to close the space between them.

Then, without thinking, he tilted his head up and pressed a kiss to his mouth.

It wasn’t deep. Wasn’t messy.

Izuku inhaled softly, lips parting just slightly in surprise.

Then, almost instantly, he melted into it.

Katsuki felt his hand slip up, fingers pressing lightly against the side of his neck, warm and grounding, before Izuku kissed him back, slow and steady.

It lasted barely a second before Katsuki pulled back, exhaling softly against his lips.

Izuku blinked, looking dazed.

“…What was that for?”

Katsuki tilted his head slightly, gaze flicking down, eyeing the way Izuku’s muscles flexed, the way his hair was already slightly tousled, the way his lips were still parted just a little from the kiss.

His mouth twitched. “You look hot.”

Izuku blinked again. Then, after a beat—his whole face went red.

Katsuki smirked.

Izuku groaned, covering his face with his hands. “Kacchan.”

“What?” Katsuki murmured, pressing another quick kiss to the corner of his mouth before finally pulling back entirely.

Izuku sighed dramatically, shaking his head as he started down the hall again. “You know what.”

Katsuki snorted, crossing his arms, watching him go. “Yeah, yeah.”

Izuku shot him a look over his shoulder, cheeks still pink, before disappearing into their room.

And just like that, Katsuki was alone in the living room.

He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Quiet moments like this were rare.

Katsuki exhaled, settling back into the couch, stretching his legs out as the apartment hummed with the quiet sound of running water. Rin in her own bathroom, Izuku in theirs.

For once, it was still.

He picked up the remote, flicking through the TV menus, pulling up Netflix and switching to the Family profile. Izuku had insisted on making separate ones years ago, bitching about Katsuki’s obsession with true crime and war documentaries screwing up their recommendations. Now, their family profile was a mess of animated movies, old Ghibli films, and whatever superhero bullshit Rin was currently into.

He left it open on the main page, letting it idle as he grabbed his phone off the coffee table.

A few notifications lit up the screen.

Sushi order confirmed. Unread emails, one from his agency, one from Rin’s specialist about her latest medical bill.

A couple of messages from Kirishima.

But before he opened anything, his gaze flicked to his lock screen.

A beach trip last summer.

Izuku in the center, his head tilted slightly, caught mid laugh, curls a windblown mess, freckles dark from the sun. Rin was hanging off his back, little arms hooked around his shoulders, her grin wide, her nose scrunched, both of them looking like they had been laughing at something just out of frame.

He unlocked his phone, pulling up his messages.

Kirishima: yo bro u guys book your hotel yet?? Its hyatt Tokyo right? 

Katsuki: yeah.

Kirishima: sick. gonna be a long ass weekend huh

Katsuki: no shit.

Another text from earlier. 

From his dad.

Dad: Hey, kid. How’s Rin doing?

Katsuki sighed, shaking his head. Of course. It was always about Rin.

Not that he minded.

His old man had been wrapped around her tiny little finger from the moment he first laid eyes on her.

Katsuki tapped out a quick response.

Katsuki: she’s fine. did quirk therapy today. blew up a dummy.

Dad: Haha. That’s my girl.

Katsuki huffed, stretching out his legs on the bed.

His mom had been shocked when they told her. Loud as hell about it, too, demanding answers, demanding explanations, demanding to know how the hell this happened.

His dad had just held her.

Had stepped into the hospital room, seen that tiny, wrinkly, scowling little thing in the bassinet, and immediately teared up.

Katsuki still remembered the way Masaru’s hands had shaken a little when he picked her up for the first time, how his voice had cracked when he whispered, She’s beautiful.

Katsuki had barely even known what to do with himself back then.

The whole thing had been so fucking jarring.The way she’d been born, the way she just appeared, the way their whole lives had changed overnight.

Katsuki hadn’t even fully processed it yet.

He had just started clawing his way into the top fifteen. Had just started building his career, throwing himself into it with everything he had. He had no idea what the hell he was doing.

And his dad had known that.

So after Masaru had held her, after he had let his hands rest against that tiny, warm little back, after he had wiped his eyes and laughed a little at how much she looked like Katsuki.

He had sat Katsuki down.

Just the two of them. 

Inko and his Mom had gone to the cafeteria. Izuku had passed out on the couch, completely drained, exhaustion written all over his face. Rin had been in the bassinet, bundled up in that tiny pink blanket.

And Masaru had looked at Katsuki, really looked at him, before exhaling slow.

“Are you ready for this?”

Katsuki had scoffed at the time, scowled, grumbled something under his breath about not having a fucking choice, do I?

But Masaru hadn’t let him dodge it.

“I mean it, Katsuki. You’re still young, you’re twenty-two.” He exhaled, rubbing his jaw, like the weight of that realization had just hit him.

“You have barely started your career. You are getting better, but…you still have that temper. You still have things you are working through.”

Katsuki had crossed his arms, hated how his dad had hit every damn insecurity dead on.

But Masaru hadn’t been trying to talk him out of it.

“I know you, son. And I know you don’t half-ass anything. If you’re in this, you’re in it all the way. So… are you?”

Katsuki had looked at Rin then. Had looked at her tiny, sleeping face, her little nose wrinkling slightly in her sleep.

And even though he had still been processing, still been trying to wrap his head around the fucking impossibility of it all.

The answer had already been there.

“Yeah.”

Masaru had watched him for a long moment, then nodded.

“Then you’re gonna be just fine.”

Katsuki exhaled, shaking himself out of it.

His phone buzzed again.

Dad: Tell her Grandpa loves her.

Katsuki: whatever 

Katsuki ran a hand through his hair, switching over to his emails.

The medical bill.

Just another charge for her weekly therapy.

She was fine. Getting stronger. Her hands weren’t burning as much, and her control was improving, but she still needed the gloves. Still had to do the breathing exercises. Still needed the specialist to monitor everything.

Katsuki paid it immediately.

Didn’t matter how much it was. She needed it. So she got it. Always.

He exhaled, leaning back against the couch, watching the Netflix home screen scroll through movie options.

*

The bathroom door down the hall creaked open, and soft, socked footsteps padded quietly across the floor.

Katsuki barely glanced up from his phone, already knowing who it was.

Izuku, fresh from his shower, his curls damp and a little messy, hanging in soft waves around his face. He was wearing one of Katsuki’s old UA shirts, loose as hell, and a pair of black pajama pants that sat low on his hips.

Izuku ran a hand through his damp curls, eyes flicking toward the hallway. “Rin still in there?”

Katsuki grunted. “Yeah. Check on her.”

Izuku hummed, padding toward her bathroom. Katsuki listened as he knocked lightly before cracking the door open just enough to peek inside.

“Rinnie?” Izuku called softly.

From inside, over the faint hum of the bathroom fan, Rin’s voice chirped back, “Almost done!”

Izuku chuckled, stepping inside for a moment. “I brought your pajamas.”

A shuffle, the sound of fabric rustling, then a quiet, “Thanks, Papa!”

Izuku murmured something else, too soft for Katsuki to catch, before retreating back into the hallway, a smile tugging at his lips.

He sighed, rubbing at his temple as he made his way toward the couch. Before he could sit properly, he reached out, wrapping a hand around his wrist and tugging him down onto his lap.

Izuku let out a soft noise of surprise, but didn’t resist, settling into him easily, his body warm from the shower, smelling like vanilla.  His body fit perfect against Katsuki’s chest.

Katsuki exhaled slowly, pressing his forehead against the side of Izuku’s head, his grip tightening slightly around his waist. Izuku let out a quiet sigh, his fingers curling absently against Katsuki’s sleeve. He melted into the hold, letting himself be pulled in completely, resting against him.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Katsuki breathed him in, his palm pressing lightly against Izuku’s spine.

A door clicked open down the hall, followed by the soft shuffle of small feet.

Izuku lifted his head slightly just as Rin appeared, fresh from her shower, her All Might pajama shirt falling past her knees, her damp blonde hair cascading in waves down her back, curls forming near the ends.

She was holding her pink hairbrush tightly in both hands, big green eyes hopeful as she stepped into the living room.

Katsuki immediately narrowed his eyes at her hair. Too damn long.

Too damn unruly.

But his mother had damn near threatened his life when he had mentioned it.

“She’s got beautiful hair,” she had snapped at him over the phone. “You are not chopping it off just ‘cause you don’t know how to take care of it, dumbass.”

She was kinda right.

And that had been that.

Rin bounded up to the couch, gripping her brush tightly. “Daddy,” she said, her voice already laced with dramatics. “Can you brush my hair?”

Katsuki smirked, already reaching out for the brush. “C’mere.”

Rin beamed, practically climbing into his lap before plopping down between his legs, her back facing him. Izuku shifted slightly, making room, his hand resting lightly against Katsuki’s arm as he carefully ran his fingers through her damp strands.

It was pretty as hell.

But it was so much work.

Katsuki exhaled, starting to carefully work the brush through her hair, his hands practiced, steady.

She was cursed. She had gotten the absolute worst parts of both of their hai. But damn if it didn’t suit her.

Rin sighed happily, her shoulders relaxing as Katsuki carefully worked through a knot near the bottom. Izuku chuckled beside them, reaching over to twirl one of the loose curls at the end around his finger.

Katsuki just, smoothed out the last few tangles before running his fingers through her now-brushed curls.

She tilted her head back to grin up at him. “All done?”

Katsuki nodded, setting the brush on the coffee table. “Grab a hair tie.”

Rin jumped up immediately, dashing toward her room. Izuku chuckled, stretching his arms above his head. 

The door buzzer went off.

Food.

Katsuki sighed, already pushing himself up. “I’ll get it.”

Izuku hummed, watching him go.

Katsuki grabbed the food, handling the usual transaction before bringing the bags into the living room, setting them down on the coffee table.

By the time he turned back, Rin had returned, hair tie in hand, hopping back onto the couch as Izuku quickly tied her hair back and grabbed the remote.

Katsuki exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “What’re we watching?”

The TV scrolled through the Netflix home screen, flipping past animated movies, old hero documentaries, and whatever random garbage had ended up in their recommended section. Rin was curled up between them, bouncing slightly as she pointed at covers, tossing out random Ooooh, can we watch that? before getting distracted by the next one.

Meanwhile, Katsuki was setting out their food, opening takeout containers and arranging them on the coffee table. Izuku passed him napkins and chopsticks, already familiar with their usual system. Rin, fully distracted by the TV, barely even noticed until the smell of fresh sushi hit her nose. 

“Ooooh,” she said, eyes immediately locked onto her plate. She scooted forward, her hands hovering like she was ready to attack.

“Calm down,”  Katsuki muttered, sliding her salmon rolls and edamame in front of her.

Izuku chuckled, settling back as he pulled his own plate closer. He leaned back, scanning the screen just as Izuku gasped.

Katsuki barely had time to react before Izuku smacked his arm, sitting up straight. “Oh my god,” he said, already grinning. “Kacchan—we have to show her.”

Katsuki followed his gaze.

A bright red cover. Bold yellow letters. The Incredibles.

Katsuki smirked. “Oh, shit.”

Izuku turned to Rin. “You’ve never seen this, right?”

Rin blinked, tilting her head. “No.”

Izuku gasped again. “We have to watch it.”

Rin perked up. “Is it good?”

Izuku nodded fast. “It’s so good.”

Katsuki huffed. “Your papa loves this damn movie.”

Izuku beamed, not even denying it. “It’s one of the best animated hero movies ever.”

Rin’s eyes sparkled. “Really?”

Izuku grinned. “Oh, you’re gonna love Jack-Jack.”

Rin gasped. “Who’s Jack-Jack?”

Katsuki smirked, clicking play. “Guess you’ll find out.”

The familiar opening theme started, bold and heroic, filling the living room as the first scenes played out. Izuku was already grinning like an idiot.

Katsuki shook his head, popping open a small container of soy sauce as Rin reached for her chopsticks.

The first few bites were quiet, everyone settling into their food as the old school hero interviews rolled across the screen. Then, as they got through the introduction, Izuku suddenly spoke up.

“Oh,” he murmured, his voice bright with realization. “Speaking of Disney—”

Katsuki arched an eyebrow. “What.”

Izuku grinned. “Worlds is in Disney.”

Katsuki blinked.

Izuku nodded, still grinning. “In America. Disney World. In Florida.”

Katsuki groaned immediately, rubbing his temple. “Fuckin’ Florida?”

Izuku laughed, nudging him. “If they qualify at Nationals in Osaka.”

Katsuki snorted, tilting his head back. “So you’re tellin’ me I gotta prep for a whole-ass international trip just ‘cause this kid wants a stupid ass ring?”

Izuku beamed. “Pretty much.”

Before Katsuki could even process the logistics of that, Rin immediately perked up. Her whole face lit up.

“I really wanna go to Worlds,” she breathed, her little fingers gripping onto her chopsticks tightly. 

Katsuki sighed, glancing between them. “And what if you don’t qualify?”

Rin huffed. “Next year.”

Izuku grinned, reaching over to squeeze her shoulder. “That’s right.”

Katsuki exhaled deeply, already running the mental calculations in his head.

It wasn’t like they couldn’t afford it. Hell, they were fine. More than fine. Between Katsuki’s agency, Izuku’s teaching and part time hero work, their combined sponsorships, investments, they had more than enough.

Still.

PTO. Flights. Hotels. Travel expenses. Not to mention whatever dumb-ass merch Rin was gonna beg for at Disney.

Katsuki sighed. “You better qualify.”

Rin grinned, absolutely radiating confidence. “I will.”

Izuku squeezed Katsuki’s knee, smiling. “It’d be so fun.”

Katsuki glanced at him, at the way his green eyes sparkled at the idea, at the way he looked so genuinely excited.

Yeah, it probably would be.

He grunted in approval, shaking his head. Rin beamed, satisfied, as she shoved an entire salmon roll into her mouth.

The movie kept playing, and soon, she was completely absorbed.

She laughed when Mr. Incredible got stuck in traffic. She gasped when he got caught sneaking around. She practically vibrated when Dash started running on water, eyes shining with pure awe. Rin grinned, popping another piece of sushi into her mouth, her little legs kicking excitedly under the table.

The movie kept rolling, food disappearing slowly as they all relaxed.

By the time they reached the second fight scene, Rin was practically bouncing.

She gasped. “Oh my god, look at Elastigirl!”

***

Then it fucking happened.

That tightness that had lingered in his chest all day turned into something else entirely.

His chest clenched hard, pain stabbing deep under his sternum, like something had locked up inside him. His hand flew to his chest, fingers pressing hard, his breath hitching.

Katsuki never reacted. He always breathed through it, brushed it off, forced himself to move past it. So they wouldn’t get worried.

BEEP BEEP BEEP

There it fucking is. Goddammit. 

Izuku was already moving, his hand grabbing Katsuki’s wrist, his green eyes flashing as they scanned the screen of his heart monitor. And then froze. Katsuki knew before Izuku even said anything.

IRREGULAR RHYTHM DETECTED: 145BPM

Way too high for just fucking sitting here on the couch. It didn’t happen often, maybe once a month, but when it did, it was scary. It didn’t seem to have a pattern. He’d get tachycardia sometimes when he was stressed. The monitor would let out warning beeps and let me him know whether or not to take his emergency medicine. But this was an irregular rhythm. Fuck. 

Izuku’s grip on his wrist tightened , his whole body going stiff. “Kacchan.”

Rin’s hands grabbed his sleeve, her little fingers wrapping tight around his hoodie. She moved, shifting up onto her knees beside him, reaching for the watch, her tiny face set in that serious, too calm look she always got when this happened.

Katsuki gritted his teeth, still gripping his chest, but let her. She tapped at the screen, scanning the number, her brows furrowing.

Izuku inhaled, snapping out of it, as he stood up fast. “I’m getting your medicine.” He didn’t wait for an answer. Just went straight for the kitchen.

Katsuki exhaled hard, pressing his fingers into his chest, trying to ease the tightness. “It’s fine.”

Rin ignored him. Took a deep breath.

“Daddy,” she said gently, “We need to breathe.”

Katsuki blinked, looking down at her.

Her little hands were so steady on his sleeve, her face serious, her big green eyes locked onto his. Way too fucking calm and collected for a five year old.

Katsuki swallowed, rubbing at his sternum. “Baby, I’m okay.”

Rin shook her head. “No. Breathe.” 

Katsuki sighed, but let his eyes slip shut. Then she guided him.

“In four.”

He inhaled.

“Hold seven.”

He held it.

“Out eight.”

Same exercises she used for her quirk. She was too fucking smart for her age. He exhaled slow, the tension in his chest easing, the ache dulling. Rin nodded, watching closely.

Again.

And again.

And by the fourth round, his pulse had dropped.

His chest didn’t feel tight anymore. His breathing was steady. Rin let out a tiny breath, her little shoulders relaxing.

Katsuki smirked slightly, ruffling her hair. “Didn’t know you were my doctor now.”

Izuku came back fast, water bottle in one hand, pill bottle in the other. He dropped both onto the table, then immediately grabbed Katsuki’s wrist again, scanning the monitor, his breathing off.

Katsuki deeply sighed, watching him spiral “Izuku.”

Izuku ignored him, twisting open the bottle, shaking a pill into his palm, pressing it into Katsuki’s hand.

Katsuki exhaled, but took it, popping it in his mouth. Izuku just watched him swallow, like he needed to see it.

He knew exactly why Izuku got like this. Obviously. Why his brain seemed like it just locked up every single time this happened. Obviously. Because Izuku had seen him dead before. Had arrived to Katsuki’s corpse. Had seen his chest blown open, his heart ripped to shreds, already fucking gone.

And now, even over ten years later, even when Katsuki was here, alive, mostly fine, Izuku never could shut down that panic when it rose.

It got even worse when Katsuki’s heart had fucked up bad two months ago. He had actually passed out in the living room, alone with Rin.

Rin had called Izuku using his phone, her little voice breaking, sobbing into the receiver as Katsuki tried to get back up, Daddy won’t wake up!

Izuku had basically relived it all again. And he didn’t handle it well. At all.

Izuku inhaled, unsteady, his fingers still pressing against Katsuki’s wrist, like he needed to feel the pulse like he needed the confirmation. Katsuki squeezed his wrist lightly in silent reassurance.

Izuku let out a slow, breath, pressing his forehead against Katsuki’s shoulder.

“…I hate this,” he muttered.

Katsuki sighed, rubbing his wrist. “I’m fine.”

Izuku inhaled again, deeper this time, his fingers just barely curling against Katsuki’s knee.

Rin checked the watch one last time. Her little fingers tapped at the screen, her brows furrowed in deep concentration, scanning the numbers like she needed to be sure.

Izuku lifted his head from Katsuki’s shoulder, his breath still a little shaky, but he softened when he saw her.

“Rinnie,” he murmured, shifting slightly, brushing her hair back from her face. “It’s okay now.”

Rin hesitated. Then, after a second, she pressed her lips together, nodding slowly.

Katsuki exhaled, ruffling her hair roughly. “Told ya, brat. M’fine.”

Rin gave him a look. The same unimpressed, skeptical little squint that was so him it was almost annoying.

Katsuki smirked. “Don’t look at me like that.”

Rin huffed, flopping against his side, her little hands gripping the sleeve of his hoodie.

Izuku let out a breath, reaching over and squeezing her knee gently. “You did so good.”

Rin beamed, her nose scrunching slightly. “I know.”

Katsuki snorted, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah. Quit braggin’.”

Rin giggled, still clutching his sleeve as she nestled back into his side.

Izuku sighed, rubbing his temple before sinking back against Katsuki’s other side. For a moment, it was quiet.

“Can we finish the movie?” Rin asked hesitantly, already reaching for the remote.

Katsuki smirked. “Click play.”

Rin clicked play, and The Incredible s continued, the soft flickering light of the screen casting a warm glow across their faces. Izuku leaned into him, finally breathing steady, his fingers tracing absentminded little patterns against Katsuki’s knee.

Rin curled deeper into his side, her body warm, her hands still holding onto his hoodie, like she needed to keep touching him, just to be sure.

Katsuki let out a slow breath, his arm settling around both of them.

***

The credits rolled, soft music filling the quiet apartment. The warm glow from the screen flickered across the living room, but neither of them moved.

Because both of them were out cold.

Rin was curled up against his side, her tiny body completely relaxed, her little fingers still gripping the fabric of his hoodie. Her face was pressed against his ribs, slow, steady breaths puffing against him.

And Izuku had sunk into his other side, one arm draped lazily across Katsuki’s stomach, his head tucked into the curve of his shoulder. His legs were stretched out, one foot hooked over Katsuki’s ankle.

Katsuki huffed, tilting his head back against the couch.

Fucking great. 

He sighed, rubbing his jaw as he glanced between them. Rin was easy.

Izuku, though.

Katsuki shifted slightly, testing to see if he could wake him up without making a whole thing of it.

“‘Zuku.”

Nothing.

Katsuki grunted, nudging his shoulder. “Izuku. ”

Izuku just exhaled, pressing closer, mumbling something incoherent against his hoodie.

Katsuki rolled his eyes. “Jesus Christ.”

He was not about to sit here all damn night.

With another sigh, he carefully shifted Rin first, maneuvering her limbs until he could scoop her up. She stirred slightly, making a soft, sleepy noise, but didn’t wake.

Katsuki adjusted his grip, cradling her against his chest as he stood. She curled into him instinctively, her nose scrunching slightly as she mumbled something under her breath.

Katsuki smirked, pressing a quick kiss to her temple before carrying her down the hall.

Katsuki adjusted Rin in his arms as he stepped into her room, the soft glow of fairy lights wrapping around the corners of her walls, casting a warm, gentle light across the space.

Her name was painted in neat, flowing script across the door in soft gold. Izuku had commissioned it from some fancy kids’ decor shop after they had officially moved in, insisting she should have something special for her own space.

The room itself was painfully neat.

The cleanest room in the damn apartment, which was entirely her doing. She was obsessive about making sure everything had its place, from her little bookshelf stacked with bedtime stories, to the cubbies filled with cheer gear and hero figurines, to the carefully arranged row of gloves on her dresser, each pair neatly folded, organized by color and purpose.

Some were for training, some for daily use, some for cheer and some waterproof ones for swimming.

Her bed was covered in pastel pink sheets with tiny little star patterns, her pillows stacked neatly, her favorite plush, a stuffed All Might, tucked right in the center.

Above the bed, posters of pro heroes lined the wall, Edgeshot and Jeanist, Allmight, Red Riot, Creati, Uravity.

Her nightstand had a framed picture of the three of them, Rin in the middle probably four years old beaming at the camera, Katsuki and Izuku on either side of her. It was taken at her first little cheer performance.

Katsuki set her down gently, adjusting her against the pillows before pulling the blanket up over her.

She stirred slightly, her freckled nose scrunching as she mumbled, “Mmm…Daddy?”

Katsuki smirked, smoothing a hand over her hair. “M’here.”

She sighed sleepily, curling deeper into the blanket.

Katsuki tugged it up to her chin, tucking it in around her the way she liked, then leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead.

“G’night, brat,” he murmured.

Rin hummed, already asleep again. Katsuki took one last look around, before stepping out, leaving the door cracked just enough to let the hallway light spill in.

One down.

Now for the biggest pain in his ass.

Katsuki stalked back to the living room, crossing his arms as he stared at Izuku, still knocked the fuck out on the couch, sprawled in the spot Katsuki had just been sitting.

“Oi,” Katsuki muttered. “Get up.”

Nothing.

Katsuki scowled, nudging Izuku’s leg with his knee. “Izuku.”

Izuku made a sleepy, incoherent grumble and turned away from him, burying his face into the couch cushion.

Katsuki sighed deeply. “For fuck’s sake.”

He reached down, grabbing Izuku’s arm and hauling him up.

Izuku yelped softly, blinking blearily, his limbs barely cooperating. “Kacchan?”

Katsuki grunted, slinging Izuku’s arm over his shoulder. “C’mon, idiot. Bed.”

Izuku whined, leaning heavily against him, his body completely useless. “But ‘m comfortable…”

Katsuki gritted his teeth, dragging him toward their room. “You’re not sleepin’ on the couch, dumbass.”

Izuku sighed dramatically, but didn’t fight him. He let Katsuki guide him down the hall, his steps slow and half-limp, mumbling nonsense under his breath. By the time they got to their room, Katsuki was over it. So he dumped Izuku onto the bed.

Izuku flopped onto his side, making an oof noise before groaning. “You’re so mean.”

Katsuki smirked, yanking the blanket up over him. “Shut up, nerd.”

Izuku grumbled, rubbing at his face, but he was already settling, eyes slipping shut again.

Katsuki exhaled, leaning down and pressing a quick kiss to his forehead. “Go to sleep.” Izuku made a tiny, content noise, barely awake now.

Katsuki shook his head, rolling his shoulders before stepping into the bathroom.

The shower was quick, just hot enough to ease the tension in his muscles. He scrubbed the day off, washing away the lingering tightness in his chest, the ghost of pain still sitting under his ribs.

By the time he stepped out, toweling his hair dry, his body felt loose, calm.

He pulled on a pair of black sleep pants and a loose t-shirt before heading back into the bedroom. One last thing. He grabbed his phone, opening the security app, checking the camera feeds.

The front entrance, secure.

The garage, locked.

Their floor’s private hallway, quiet.

All clear.

Satisfied, he set his phone down on the nightstand, flicking off the last light before climbing into bed. Izuku immediately shifted, curling into his side, his arms tucking against Katsuki’s chest.

Katsuki smirked, pressing a hand against Izuku’s back, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing.

For a long moment, he just laid there , letting his body sink into the mattress, feeling the weight of Izuku against him, the quiet hum of the city outside. His heart was steady.

The apartment was safe.

Everything was fine.

Finally, he let himself drift off.