Mending What Was Broken

by doodle_005

Summary:

According to his parents, Bakugou Katsuki died during his first ever heat after presenting as an omega at the age of 14. His best friend, basically his older brother, mourned for him and cried for weeks unable to get out of bed. Eventually he figured he had to move on with his life, live the life Kacchan would have wanted him to. Two years pass and not a day goes by that Izuku doesn’t miss his little brother. Then one day everything changes when he hears screaming coming from the house next door, Kacchan’s old house. That in itself isn’t strange but the blur of ash blond fur that flies out the front door and to the woods was what caught his attention. Especially since he only knew one wolf that could possibly fit that description. Before he had time to think he was chasing after the wolf and leaving his pack behind.

Notes:

Sorry if this is formatted weird or whatever I’m writing on my phone which is suuuuuuper fun.

Trigger warning- mentions of abuse and neglect as well as rape.

Chapter 1: The Escape

The muzzle bites into his snout, blood welling around the offending metal. Chains clink together every time he moves at all, the sound the only thing keeping him grounded. For the first few hours of being chained and muzzled he tried to whine and plead to be let out of the dark, cramped closet. The next hour was spent thrashing and scratching at his face with his claws in a desperate attempt to get the restraints off his face. Finally, he gave in to his fate and spent the next god know how long curled into a ball trying not to completely lose himself to his panic. The closet he was shoved into was barely big enough for him when he was a pup, and now that he was nearly 16, it was even more cramped.

He knows this is his own fault, he knows that he shouldn’t have tried to sneak out, but watching his former best friend, Deku, lounge in the shade was too tempting. All he wanted was to rekindle their friendship. Up until he was 14 him and Deku were inseparable. They did everything together, from homework to sleeping, but once he presented as an omega all that changed. He was never allowed to leave the house for fear of embarrassing his parents. He hadn’t properly seen, let alone talked to Deku in the past two years. According to his mother he is dead, he died the day he presented. After his first week long heat he was told by his mother that “no son of hers was going to be a bitch of an omega”.

His mothers had always been disappointed in him but the disappointment only grew. She had always assumed that, with his prickly attitude and the fact that he looks just like her, he would be an alpha like her, if not at least a beta. Never had it crossed her mind that he would present as an omega. She had always hated him, though, even before he presented. He was always too brash, too arrogant, too annoying, too……too much. While he was always punished harshly no matter what he did or how old he was they were never as bad as now. Nowadays he was lucky to only be locked in the closet, the claustrophobia would normally cause him to hyperventilate which in turn would lead to unconsciousness, meaning his punishment would pass by quicker.

His father was a whole other problem entirely. Whereas his mother despises him, his father loves him in all the wrong ways. She uses harsh words and her fists against him, his father uses soft caresses and loving touches. Even before he presented his father, who is a beta, would brush up against him or let his fatherly touches linger too long. It wasn’t until he was talking to Deku about it that he learned fathers aren’t supposed to touch like that. He never got the chance to find help because the next day he had presented and was thrown into his first heat, where his father decided to “help” him through it.

Thinking back on his childhood with Deku was the only thing that kept him sane these last two years. He always swore that if he ever escaped from this prison he calls home, him and Deku will run away and find a new pack that will love him the right way. Deku always promised to take care of him when they were younger. One memory always brought him the most comfort when he was trapped. Being a year older than him, Deku was always slightly over protective, claiming it was his job to make sure that “Kacchan” didn’t get hurt. One day while they were playing in the stream, crossing a fallen tree that spanned from one bank to the other, Katsuki’s foot slipped and he fell, albeit it was only a foot or two of a drop, and splashed in the cold water. Surprise rendered Katsuki silent for a beat before he started laughing at his mistake. Before he knew it Deku was yanking him out of the water and lifting his arms and checking his legs and torso for any cuts bumps or bruises. It was only when the older boy realized he was okay did he join the laughing. Unsurprisingly, the next year at the age of 13, Deku presented as an alpha. Suddenly all of his over protectiveness made sense.

Katsuki is ripped from his memories when he hears yelling coming from outside the cramped closet. He can hear his mother and father arguing. He takes his front paws and covers his head trying to block out the yelling and slamming coming from outside the door. His paw bumps the muzzle ever so gently but still causing the rough metal to dig into his already cut snout more. A whimper escapes his throat at the pain it causes. His normally ash blond fur is matted and caked in fresh and dried blood.

Footsteps stomp towards the black room, making Katsuki curl into a tighter ball hoping and praying to whatever god might be out there that he can just disappear. Brightness floods into the room, he slams his eyes shut against the harsh light, another whimper making its way out of him.

“Fucking pathetic,” a manicured hand grabs him by the scruff and yanks him out of his safety corner. At some point he cuff chaining his back paw to the floor is undone and he is dragged roughly out of the closet. His mother’s voice is screeching and grating on his sensitive ears. “Is this what you fucking want, Masaru? You want your Whore back?”

Looking up at his mothers scowling face causes him to flinch instinctively. She side eyes him and scowls deeper. His father pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs deeply. He clearly is done with whatever argument they are having, though based on the context Katsuki can figure that his fathers…unhealthy obsession with him is the cause…again.

“Listen, Mitsuki,” his dad looks at his mom with tired eyes. “You’re a busy woman and your not always around. I’m just using him for what he’s made for. That doesn’t mean I love yo…”

A harsh slap cuts his father’s pandering short. His head is tilted sideways and a red handprint blooms on his fathers cheek from his mothers harsh slap. The silence is thick and loud, neither Katsuki nor his father dare to move. Slowly but surely his father looks back at his mother, a quiet sort of rage hiding behind his eyes that Katsuki knows he is going to be on the receiving end of later. The nails that were dug into his scruff are gone and his mother marches towards the front door of the home. As she turns the knob and the door creaks open she turns back one more time and points a single manicured finger at her husband.

“Figure out who is more important to you,” her eyes narrow. “Me or him. I will not be sharing MY husband with some stupid omega slu…”

The door is open. No one is paying attention to him. Now is his chance. Before she finishes her insults Katsuki makes a mad dash to the door. His father falls back from the surprise force of the boy sprinting at him. He falls to the ground with a loud thud and his head cracks on the floor. Mitsuki is slightly more prepared but still not quick enough to catch him before he is out the door and running towards freedom.

He can’t even bring himself to care about the muzzle that’s still locked to his face nor the throbbing pain in his ankle. He is out, he never has to go back to that wretched place. His parents didn’t see where he ran to. No one can catch him now. The trees blur past him as he runs and runs and runs.

Relief floods his soak and the wind blows through his fur. He only stops running when the woods stop looking familiar, no one will know where he is now, and if what him mother said is true then the rest of the pack thinks he’s dead so no one will come looking for him.

His throat burns from running and dehydration and his stomach growls, he’s starving having not eaten in most likely days. A trickle of water makes his ears perk up. Following the sound he comes to a small watering hole in a clearing surrounded by flowers and trees. A small laugh escapes him. He’s free.

Trotting up to the water he bends down to try and take a drink around the muzzle. After a few failed attempts he sits back on his haunches and thinks. When he ran he didn’t think about how he would find food or water let alone eat and drink with the muzzle still on.

Just as he is about to try and drink again he hears heavy footsteps crashing through the bramble towards him. A stone sinks in his gut. They found him. He wants to run, he begs his legs to work but they just won’t. After running for what felt like hours with no food or water, his body won’t listen to him. Before he can turn around and face the perceived danger head on a body collides with his, pinning him on his side. Expecting teeth to be gnashing at his face or claws to scratch at his underbelly he closes his eyes tight and prays that his death is quick. When, after minutes of silence and stillness, nothing happens he risks opening his eyes and looking at the alpha wolf that looms above him.

Emerald eyes stare down at him in wonder and confusion . Eyes that he hasn’t seen in years that he wished to god he would get to see again. His best friend’s eyes widen even more when they lock with his bright red ones. Tears pool until they fall and roll down freckled cheeks, god how he missed those freckles.

Morphing back into his human form, Deku slowly brings a hand up to the leather strap on the back of the muzzle using a claw to tear it in two. The muzzle drops to the mossy ground with a muted thunk. Deku leans back until he’s sitting on his heels, just watching Katsuki lay on the ground, taking in all the cuts and bloodied fur he can see.

With great effort, Katsuki pulls himself back to his feet and limps closer to the water. Cautiously he lowers his head into the cold water touches his nose ever so gently. He chugs the water until he feels sick and even then he wants more, the only thing stopping him is the feeling of wanting to puke it all back up. He wants to savor the water and throwing it all back up seems like a waste. Deku still sits on his knees watching him drink, neither has said anything to the other. Deku doesn’t want to say anything because he is afraid this is all a dream and that he will wake up and it will all be fake. Katsuki, on the other hand, just doesn’t know what he can say.

Eventually, Deku switched back into his wolf form and slinks over towards Katsuki, keeping his belly close to the ground and his ears back and pinned to his head. Katsuki lets him approach until they are close enough to touch. He leans into his best friend and for the first time in what’s felt like an eternity everything feels right.

Katsuki falls asleep that night curled against Deku, while the latter licks and cleans his wounds. He supposes sometimes the overly obsessive and protective nature of his friend isn’t all that bad after all.

Chapter 2: What Now?

Summary:

Katsuki wakes up and now him an Deku are forced to figure out where to go from here.

Notes:

Trigger warning- Panic attacks, brief and undetailed mentions of abuse, blood hunting and eating rabbits (sorry not sorry)

Mint and evergreens. That was the smell that greeted him as he stretched awake. It was a smell that he remembered from when he was a pup playing at Deku’s house. The scent curls around him and blankets him is a feeling of warmth and comfort. Nothing was ever able to calm him more than the earthy scent of Deku’s pheromones, even before he was fully presented. Katsuki hesitantly opens his eyes against the blinding morning sun. Blinking away the last remnants of sleep from his face he digs himself out from under the comforting weight of the wolf on his back. With one last stretch and yawn he shakes his fur out and finally takes in his surroundings. The clearing is filled with wildflowers of all types and colors, the pollen floats on the wind tikling his nose and making his eyes itch. It’s uncomfortable but he missed it, almost more than anything…almost.

Katsuki coughs, his throat feels like he swallows buckets of gravel. The small watering hole calls his name, smacking his lips together he limps towards it. At some point in his great escape last night he must have twisted his back left ankle, he can barely put any weight on it so instead hobbles on his remaining three legs. He takes a deep drink from the water, barely remembering to breathe. Gasping for air he chances a glance back to where Deku is still sleeping. The massive wolf snores quietly in his sleep, he looks so content, almost like the worry and sadness from last night was never there. He has grown so much since the last time they had seen each other. Katsuki, on the other hand, barely grew at all, whether that is from his omega presentation or from the neglect he experienced he didn't know.

A loud growl breaks the silence of the clearing, on instinct Katsuki tense ready to be grabbed, hit or scratched. It takes longer than he cares to admit for him to relax again and realize that the growl was coming from him, more specifically his stomach. Having not eaten in days he is starving to say the least. The clearing is empty of any prey animals and the few that he does see are going to be too quick for him to catch. He is out of practice with his hunting and even if he could make up for it with his natural speed, his ankle wouldn't be able to take any more strain without causing permanent damage. The only option, as he sees it, is to ask the sleeping giant who is still snoring away without a care in the world. Huffing, Katsuki makes his way over to his friend. Even after everything, even knowing that he won't be able to survive without the help of his friend, he absolutely despises the thought of actively having to seek help.
“Hey,” his voice is hoarse and quiet from disuse. He can't remember the last time he spoke to someone without begging or crying. He uses his front paw to gently nudge Deku. “Hey, Deku……come on Deku…”

He will never admit to the small whine that escaped him when his friend didn't wake up. All he wanted was to see those green eyes open, and to eat a nice fat squirrel. No, a rabbit. No! A small fox. Or maybe all three! He is so hungry and his stupid friend just won't wake up! What the hell is that idiot even dreaming about that is so important that he's still sleeping? Now Katsuki and hungry AND angry. Stupid alpha Deku!

“Deku!” A scowl forms on his face and he nips at the sleeping alphas ear and gives a tug just hard enough to wake him up.

With a jolt Deku shoots up, nearly knocking Katsuki over. In order to keep from falling over, Katsuki has to catch himself with his bad ankle. The shock of pain startles a yelp out of him, only leading him to get more frustrated at the stupid, idiot alpha. Emerald eyes lock on to narrowed red ones, the annoyance obvious.

“K-kacchan?” Deku lets his eyes roam over the omega. Now that is day time he can see the full extent of his injuries. The cuts on his nose extend over the bridge of his snout and back around behind his ears, small droplets of blood seep from the wound where it hasn’t scabbed over yet. Green eyes squint in concern when he notices the unnatural swelling of Katsukis back paw, the omega refusing to put any weight on it. It wasn't until he looked back to meet the others' eyes that he took notice of the clear annoyance shining in the red. He shrinks back, remembering his little brother's short temper. “Is…is everything ok?”

Katsuki gawks at him. What kind of dumb question is that! Is he ok? No! Of course he isn't ok! His body aches, he’s hungry, he smells like old blood and filth. Nothing. Absolutely nothing is ok! He wants to kick and yell and punch something! Or maybe someone. As soon as the thought crosses his mind his face loses a shade. He reminds himself of his mother. How her every solution to anything is immediately violence. How much she enjoys watching the bruises blossom on pale skin and hearing the cries and begging of someone less capable.

Katsuki can’t breathe. Is that how Deku thought of him? Thinking back on all the times his initial reaction to any minor inconvenience had been to shout and shove. The tightness in his chest spreads and the world around him starts to blur. Vaguely he can tell that someone is next to him, shaking him, shouting his name. Is it his mom? Of course it’s her, it was stupid of him to think he was able to escape the prison she built for him. He can’t catch his damn breath. Fuck. He needs to fucking breathe. It's not hard, so why can't he do it? It’s something he has literally been doing his whole life so how the fuck did he manage to forget how to?

Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. A steady thumping echoes through his head, along with the comfort of mint and an evergreen forest. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Slowly, with something to focus on other than his mothers sharp words, Katsuki is able to take a breath, then another and another, until finally he is breathing normally again. The tightness in his chest dissipates gradually and his vision unblurs. Pheromones float around his head helping him regain some of his sanity. Deku has the omegas head pulled to his chest so his ear is right where his heart is, and Katsuki can’t bring himself to pull away from the steady thumping of his brother's heart. Glancing up at Deku, he can see the older boy trying to keep himself from prying. Katsuki knows that eventually he will have to talk about it, but he doesn't think that he is ready just yet.

“I’m hungry,” Katsuki’s voice is barely a whisper. Deku hums, the sound deep and vibrating from where the blond still has his head resting on the green fur covered chest. “I’m…sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to wake you up and…and you just weren’t. And I was hungry but I can't hunt because I forgot how and with my foot I can’t run and…”

“Shh Kacchan, breathe,” Deku starts to release more calming pheromones. “It’s okay. I’m not hurt, you didn't hurt me. You’re starting to panic again.”

Right, breathing, that’s important. He can do that. No more panicking. He isn't going to be looking weak again, not now. He doesn't need Deku to look down on him.

“Wait here,” Deku shifts Katsuki to the side, laying him down on the soft moss. It’s still warm from where the alpha had been sleeping…the scent still lingers too. This is the closest thing he has ever had to a nest. Katsuki is so comfortable that he lets out the slightest bit of pleased pheromones, carmel and smoke, the scents swirl together with the alphas. He almost purrs…almost. “I can hunt for you, all you need to do is lay here and get some rest. I’ll be right back, I promise.”

Deku nuzzles against his neck and trots off into the tree line. Katsuki hates the sight of him leaving, somewhere deep inside him he feels like he isn't going to see the alpha again. A part of the omega is willing to forgo eating just to keep the alpha wrapped around him. Being alone in the woods slightly unsettles him, but all at the same time it relaxes him. Unlike the silence that would shroud his home in uncertainty and nerves, the quiet that blankets the woods isn't true quiet. If he listens close enough and keeps still he can hear the critters crawling in the brush, and the chirping in the trees. The melody of the woods surrounding him lulls him to sleep as he curls deeper into the moss that smells of the only home he has ever needed.

In no time Katsuki is startled awake by the sound of an overly excited alpha crashing through the bushes. Clenched between the wolf’s teeth is not one, not two, but THREE rabbits. Saliva pools in Katsukis mouth, he can't wait to sink his fangs into those. Deku is going to make someone a great alpha someday. If he wasn't like a brother to Katsuki then he might have even tried to make the alpha his but the thought of being with Deku in that way is borderline repulsive. After struggling to his feet, he totters to snatch two of the rabbits out of the larger wolf's jaw, leaving a decently fat one for the alpha to eat.

The warm blood of the rabbits fills his mouth drawing a purr from deep in his chest, his eyes roll back in his head. Oh god, this is the best tasting thing he's ever eaten. He basically inhales the first rabbit leaving only bits of fur and bone behind. The second rabbit he eats more slowly, savoring the tender meat. He can see Deku watching him, having already finished his only rabbit and deciding to take a deep drink from the water hole. Choosing to ignore the concerned stare of his friend, so as not to ruin the second half of his meal, Katsuki tears small bits off the rabbit making sure to chew slowly letting the taste linger. In his human form the rabbits would taste like garbage without being cooked, but as a wolf it tastes better than a perfectly cooked ribeye steak made by the best chefs.

“Um,” at least Deku waited for him to finish eating before talking. It warms Katsuki’s heart to know that his friend remembers his distaste for small talk while trying to eat. “Kacchan, did you…um…was there…do you…”

Katsuki rolls his eyes, god help his idiot alpha brother.

“Spit it out Deku,” despite his glare, the words have no bite to them.

Taking a breath, Deeku does his best to collect his thoughts. It was nice to see that the nervous fiddling with his fingers and mumbling he used to do when he was thinking hasn’t changed, as much as Katsuki used to complain about it it was alway nice to know what was going through his brother's head. After another minute of thinking, Deku finally looks up, his gaze firm.

“What’s your plan?” The question catches Katsuki off guard. Shit. He hadn’t thought of that. What was the plan? “We can’t go back. Your parents will be looking for you and my mom passed away last year so she won't be able to help us. I do remember when we were younger she used to tell us of a pack farther north of us. She said that my Uncle Aizawa lives there. Apparently he moved there with his partner after our pack shunned him for marrying a beta instead of an alpha. Which is stupid because there's no reason a omega HAS to marry an alpha, you know? Betas are just as good at protecting an omega. Not that omegas need protection or anything…”

Deku’s rambling fades into the background as Katsuki gets lost in his thoughts. Deku, the brightest alpha of his generation, basically a shoo-in for pack alpha once the current on steps down, is willing to leave that all behind just for him. He is willing to throw his whole life away and leave behind all the friends he’s made and the potential mates he could have had. If Katsuki hadn’t been in his wolf form Deku would have been able to see the tears that drip from his eyes. Even if he does notice the damp fur surrounding his eyes he, thankfully, chooses to ignore it, instead continuing his haphazard and thrown together plan. Despite all the random tangents the plan has taken, Katsuki can tell that it's a good plan, that is as long as this other pack and Deku’s uncle is willing to take them in.

Notes:

Guess who found a working computer hiding somewhere in their house!! ;p

Chapter 3: Poor Timing

Summary:

Katsuki goes into heat. Izuku panics. Two new people make an appearance.

Notes:

I was late to work because I was too busy writing this. oops……

They have been walking for hours, it was slow going with the dense brush and Katsuki’s ankle. The makeshift splint that Deku made, the crafty little shit, at least made it so that he was able to put a little bit of weight on it. Sweat sticks his fur to his body, irritating his already sensitive skin. They haven't even been walking for a day and he is already exhausted. It would be nice if they had some sort of idea how far away Deku’s uncle’s pack was so they could figure how far they had left to travel. Unfortunately, Deku never was never able to leave to visit his uncle since his mom was always on the weaker side and couldn't make the trip and Deku, being the mama's boy that he is, couldn’t just leave the pack without her. Thinking of Deku’s mom, he is reminded of what he said last night. Auntie Inko is dead. Granted she was never the healthiest person but she wasn't sick per say. She was barely older than his own parents so to be dead…it just doesn't make sense.

“Hey…um…Deku,” Katsuki was never the best with emotions, especially sadness. Deku on the other hand was, in Katsuki’s opinion, too comfortable to show any and all emotions he felt. So he was a bit hesitant to bring up Auntie Inko knowing that it would result in lots of tears. “I’m…sorry about Auntie.”

“It’s okay,” Deku, surprisingly, was calm. “After your parents announced your supposed death, Mom stopped taking care of herself. She thought of you as her own son, she really loved you Kacchan. She stopped eating, and she was barely sleeping, I wasn't much better but I tried to be there for her. It was about a year after that she finally passed away. I miss her everyday but, in all honesty, I was glad that she didn't have to suffer anymore. I just wish that she…that she could have seen you again, to know that you were alive. It would have made her happy.”

“Oh.”

It’s not his fault, he knows that, but that doesn't mean that the guilt in his gut doesn't weigh heavily on him. If only he was stronger, if only he could have fought back, done something more to get away from his terrible parents. He hates his parents. Guilt turns to anger. His parents, the woman that was supposed to love and care for him and the man who was supposed to protect him from the harsh world, practically killed the only person who showed him what an actual parent was meant to be. Auntie Inko was the closest thing he had to a real mother. And now she's dead. He breathes through the anger bubbling in his gut.

“Hey, Kacchan,” Deku steps in front of him, halting their progress. “Are you okay? Your pheromones are going crazy right now.”

Shit. He tries to reel in his scent, now that Deku mentions it, his pheromones are freely flowing. Warmth creeps up his neck, his face flushes under his fur. Oh, fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. He should have known that he wouldn't have had an easy time escaping. All the symptoms point towards his preheat. The warmth, the weight in his gut that he thought was guilt, the sweat, the exhaustion, the excessive pheromones. Dammit. He should have seen the signs sooner, usually his father is the one to notice that he was entering his heat cycle. Clearly, Deku figured out what was happening too, his eyes growing comically large.

“Oh shit. Crap,” now Deku starts to panic. “Crap, we need to get you somewhere safe. We won't be able to travel with you in heat, and you're going to need a nest. Omegas need a nest for their heat. Dammit we have to find you a place to nest.”

Katsuki lets Deku ramble to himself, letting him have his moment of panic, because all Katsuki can think of is how nice a nest would be. He’s never been allowed to have a nest, everytime he tried to build one his mother would destroy it or his father would defile it. But a nest filled with his brother's protective scent, one that is a mix of both their smells. It would have been nice to have Auntie Inko’s scent too, the reminder that his nest will never have her smell draws a pained whine from his chest. No, now is not the time to think about that, but it's so hard to pull his mind away from the thought of a nice warm nest that he can curl up in. A gentle hand on his shoulder pulls him from his thoughts. When did Deku switch to his human form?

“Kacchan,” worry swims in Deku’s eyes. “Hey, Kacchan. We need to keep going, we have to try and get to the new pack before your heat fully hits. It’s not safe to be out here in full heat. I know, I know, but the sooner we get going the sooner we can build you a nice fluffy nest so that you can be nice and safe and comfortable.”

Deku is able to draw Katsuki out of his own mini panic and eventually they are walking again. They are making progress, albeit very very slow progress, but progress nonetheless. His inner omega begs to be close to an alpha, anytime he falls behind or wanders too far from Deku his omega whines and begs to get closer. Lucky for him, Deku doesn’t let him wander more than a few steps before the alpha chuffs and demands the omega return to his side. The omega preens at the attention from the older alpha.

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After another hour of walking, the sun is low in the sky and Kacchan’s omega is practically begging to build a nest. Small whines have been a constant background noise along with the chirping of birds and rustle of leaves in the wind. It’s killing Izuku’s inner alpha to not let the omega nest,to let his little brother fulfill what his instincts are begging him to do. But he knows that if they stop, that if he lets Kacchan nest, they won't get to the new pack in time for his heat.

The best he can do is let Kacchan curl up against him and let him burrow into the alpha’s fur. Before he can even allow the omega that small bit of respite from his inner turmoil, Izuku needs to find food. He remembers his mother, back when she still had her heats, before his father passed left, that during the preheat an omega is practically insatiable. Having to store up enough nutrients to last them the whole week of heat, they practically can’t get enough to eat. He feels like the crappiest alpha ever. Not only is he stopping his little brother from nesting, but he is also forcing him to walk for hours at a time. He's making him walk while he is still hurting from everything his parents did to him but also pushing him to expend energy that he doesn't have.

Even with everything he has had to put up with these last 48 hours, Kacchan is being such a trooper. The only sign of his discomfort is the barely audible whines slipping past his lips. Izuku makes a promise to himself that he won't ever let Kacchan feel this way ever again. Spotting a tree with an abandoned burrow dug underneath it, Izuku figures that this is as good a place as any to stop and sleep for the night. He ushers the small omega into the burrow and makes sure he's all settled and that the hovel is thoroughly scented before he turns to leave. Teeth latch on to his back paw. The look in Kacchan’s eyes is practically begging him to stay, and Izuku wants to stay, he wants to so badly. All he wants is to curl around his little brother and protect him from anything that wants to harm him, shield him from the world. But he has to find food, and maybe scout ahead to see if there are any signs of his uncle's pack.

“Hey, it’s okay, it’s okay,” Izuku leans down and nuzzles gently the top of Kacchan’s head. “I’ll be back before you know it. I’m just going to get you something to eat, in the meantime you should get some rest. You're going to need the energy for tomorrow.”

With that said, he turns his back on the omega and leaves the small burrow. After covering the entrance of the temporary shelter with a few branches and leaves, he walks away to find food. Hopefully he will find something big enough to sate Kacchan’s huger. He can’t help but feel like he is making a mistake by leaving Kacchan alone, but he unfortunately doesn't have a choice.

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Katsuki curls up into the tightest ball he can manage, He buries his head under his front paws and drapes his tail around his body. The burrow Deku found isn't anywhere close to being enough to quiet the omega's need for a nest but the protective scent that the alpha covered the space with helps calm the need for a nest just enough that it's not constantly tugging at his mind.

Rustling from outside the entrance to the burrow makes Katsuki’s ears perk up. His sense of time is warped from the heat building inside him but even he knows that it’s too soon for Deku to be back with food. The space is thoroughly drenched in Deku’s protective scent that practically screams to back off. Any predator would smell it and immediately turn tail and run. Not many creatures are brave enough to fight an alpha that is protecting an omega, especially an omega in heat. The only ones that would forgo the warning and venture closer are other alphas, ones that believe themselves to be stronger than the original alpha, and the other would be the one living thing that Auntie Inko always warned both him and Deku to always steer clear of no matter what. They can’t smell pheromones and they have weapons that can overpower any beast that lives in the woods. When he was a pup, she always warned them that if they caught the scent of one to run, never get close enough to see them. They are ruthless monsters who will steal a pup from their mother with no remorse. Auntie always said they were the reason that Deku’s dad never came back. She always said that his father was killed by…

Heavy footsteps stop outside the entrance. Katsuki holds his breath. They don't know he’s in here. They. Don’t. Know. More rustling. Then a hand rips the branches from the doorway.

…a human.

Katsuki curls his lips back in a snarl. The man leers down at him, blocking his only escape. Fuck. Katsuki has never been one to spook easily, but something about this man is deeply unsettling. He can’t decide if it is the scarring that consumes most of his face and arms or if it is the evil glint in his eyes but Katsuki can tell that he isn't about to get out of this unscathed. He growls louder and attempts to stand and make himself seem bigger, more intimidating. Then he figures it out, it’s the terrifying way that the man doesn't flinch away from the challenge, the way that he leans in closer to Katsuki, the feral grin that splits his face, that's what has him so wary of the man. Most predators would retreat at the threat, but this man looks ready to meet the threat with open arms. He looks eager to take the challenge the omega presents.

Just then, Katsuki can practically hear Auntie Inko’s panicked voice echoing in his head ‘Run!’ So he does. He barrels through the man knocking him on his ass. He desperately looks around for an easy escape and spots the perfect getaway along the treeline. He tries to make a mad dash and just when he thinks he’s made his escape, something grips his bad ankle. The crash to the ground, draws a pained yelp from him. When he looks back and sees the hand with a deathgrip on his foot, a stone settles in his stomach. He isn't going to be able to get out of this on his own, he needs Deku.

============================================================

A massive buck struts through the trees completely unaware of Izuku stalking him. Keeping hidden in the bushes with his belly low to the ground, he inches closer and closer. A distant sound makes his ears perk up, his step falters and the buck dashes away finally noticing the threat. Crap.That buck would have been perfect for making it through Kacchan’s heat. Not only would they have had food for a few days but Izuku could have also used the pelt as a gift for Kacchan. He could use it for his nest and hopefully had a little bit of comfort. Now he will have to settle for a couple of small rabbits. With a huff he starts searching for something else to hunt. That is until he hears a panicked, desperate howl. Kacchan. Kacchan is in trouble.

It takes less than a minute to get back to where he safely left Kacchan in the burrow only to see the omega pinned underneath a…a human. No, no, no. Not his little brother, he will not fail his little brother again. He will protect him this time. Using all his strength he growls, hackles standing on end, and lunges at the man. Blood pools in his mouth as his teeth latch onto the man's arm, the bone crunches in his massive jaw.

“AH!” The man cries out when even after the bone breaks Izuku doesn't stop squeezing his jaw shut. “Stupid. Fucking. God. Damned. Mutt!”

 

The man accentuates every word with a punch to Izuku’s snout, it isn't until with the last punch he releases his grip on the arm after the punch lands directly in his eye. Shaking his head to get his bearings back, Izuku backs up and stands protectively over Kacchan. The omega lays not even ten feet from the safety of the burrow, he’s panting on the ground and his ankle is bent at an odd angle. Crap. He shouldn't have left. He knew he shouldn't have left Kacchan alone. He could have figured something else out, would have gotten food some other way.

The man stands from where he had been tackled to the ground, cursing about his crushed arm. His good hand reaches behind his back and points something at Izuku. Confusion paints Izuku’s face, when a victorious smirk splits the man's face. His thumb pulls back on the thing in his hand, a click makes Izuku’s ears twitch. What is this strange contraption and why does the man think he can beat Izuku with it?

“Bye, bye, stupid fucking dog,” just as the mans pointer moves, a massive wolf, bigger than Izuku has ever met, jumps from the trees and latches on to the mans shoulder. This new wolf, whoever he may be, is clearly an alpha. Angry pheromones flood Izuku’s nose, and, even as strong as he is, he can’t help but want to cower from the clearly powerful alpha.

The man is dragged by the giant wolf for a few feet before he shakes his colossal head and tosses the man aside. Something about the new wolf appearing must have made the man recalculate his chances of coming out on top, and he turned tail and ran out of the clearing. Izuku and the new alpha start to give chase, they would not let this stranger get away, not after hurting an omega in heat, not after hurting Izuku's little brother. A needy whine stops both of them before they even make it one step, looking back at Kacchan breaks Izuku’s heart. The omega is leaking potent distressed pheromones, whining when he shifts and jostles his now broken ankle. Izuku rushes back to his little brother's side. He shifts back into his human form to better help the omega, completely forgetting about the strange wolf.

“Oh, Kacchan,” Izuku’s hands hover around the omega, not wanting to touch him and make his injuries worse. “I’m so, so sorry.”

Izuku tenses when he feels the new alpha approach. His protective instincts rear up and he almost shifts back into his wolf form until he sees the submissive stance of the alpha. Strange. Very strange. The alpha is all black except for his eyes, and a ridiculous patch of crimson red on the top of his head. A small scar where no fur is able to grow slashes just above his right eye. He shifts into a tall, muscular man. Much taller than Izuku is and if Kacchan were able to stand he would be dwarfed by this alpha, at least a foot taller than the omega. The red head crouches next to the two brothers.

“He needs a healer,” red eyes stare into Izuku’s green ones. “My pack has a very skilled one…if you are willing to let me help you.”

Izuku thinks it over. He doesn't think he can afford to turn down the offer, hopefully they will be allowed to stay until Kacchan is healed enough to finish the trek to his uncle's pack, and maybe until his heat is done. With a nod Izuku looks back at the other alpha.

“Ok,” he reaches out a hand. “Izuku, Izuku Midoriya. And this is Kacc- Katsuki.”

“Eijirou,” the stranger smiles, teeth sharp and smile blinding. “Eijirou Kirishima.”

Notes:

Thanks to the people leaving comments and kudos🙂🙃🙂🙃

Chapter 4: The Alpha

Summary:

Eijirou Kirishima was expecting a normal day of walking the perimeter of the pack's territory. What he wasn't expecting was to be fighting a human, or to be face to face with the most stunning omega, he had ever laid eyes on, in a full blown heat.

Notes:

Kirishima's POV in this chapter. It's not my favorite chapter but let me know what you guys think. :)

Eijirou’s day had been pretty mundane up until about 20 minutes ago. He had been patrolling his pack's perimeter with Shoto when he caught a smell he never wanted to smell anywhere close to his pack. A human was nearby, maybe within five to ten miles. At first he paid it no mind since they were far enough away from the perimeter for him not to worry about it. Then two new smells hit his nose, they were wolves not from the pack, an alpha and omega. They were getting closer and closer to the pack.

“Hey,” Eijirou’s nose twitched, the two rogue wolves were maybe two miles from the perimeter now. “Shoto, do you smell that?”

“Um,” the beta takes a deep breath in through his nose. “I don't smell anything out of the ordinary.”

With a hum Eijirou, continued trotting along. As an alpha, his sense of smell is superior to the beta’s so it’s not really a surprise that Shoto can’t smell the two rogues and the human. He can’t shake the uneasy feeling he gets with the three strange smells being so close to his home.

It’s another five minutes of Shoto and Eijirou walking their normal route, Eijirou making sure to keep tabs on the wolves and the human. At some point the alpha left the omega behind, the omegas scent slightly dimming, seemingly having been covered up by something. As the alpha moved farther away from where he left the omega, the human moved closer. Just as the creeping uneasiness grew too much for Eijirou to ignore, a quiet cry unsettled him even more. It was the omega, he doesn't know how he knew but he did, his gut was telling him he needed to go.

“Shoto,” he started. “Something isn't right…”

A howl splits the afternoon silence and Eijirou is taking off at a full sprint. He can hear Shoto telling him to stop but he isn't listening. The howl of the omega did something to his inner alpha, his pupils slit as he let his alpha take over.

Growls fill the air the closer he gets to the omega, Eijirou knows that the alpha made it to the omega already but his alpha is still on edge but has withdrawn enough to let him think clearly. A break in the trees gives him a clear unobstructed view of the group of three. Blood drips from the human’s arm, the mangled limb oozes blood from a bite, whichever of the two had bit the man did a good amount of damage. Eijirou pushes himself harder to run faster when he sees the man pull a gun, the protective alpha doesn't move from his position over the injured omega, he doesn't even know how easily the human will kill him.

Before he can think, Eijirou is launching himself into the clearing past the two wolves and sinking his teeth into the meat of the human's shoulder. Using all his strength he shakes the man once, then twice, before throwing the man towards the trees. Blood drips from Eijirou’s teeth, staining the fur around his mouth. The human must know the odds aren’t in his favor and that going against two angry wolves won’t end well for him so he turns and runs into the woods.

Eijirou wants nothing more than to give chase, he wants to feel the crunch as he bites into the man, feel the blood gush into his mouth, watch the light fade from his eyes. The only thing stopping him is the small whine from the omega, the sound is heartbreaking , it tears at his heart like nothing ever has before. He shakes his head quickly to get a clear mind before turning his back on where the man disappeared to. As soon as his eyes lock on to the omega everything blurs, the only thing he sees now is the small ash blond wolf. Even hurt, even laying limp and unconscious on the ground, he is the most beautiful creature Eijirou has ever seen. The blond fur is spiky but somehow still looks softer than a cloud. The small omega is littered with some insignificant scrapes and bumps and some slightly more concerning injuries, noticeably the deep cut across the bridge of his nose extending towards his ears and the ankle that is bent at an odd angle. He will need to get help, professional help, from a healer. Luckily, Eijirou’s pack has the best healer of any other packs in the area.

In the time he was admiring the omega, the other alpha switched into his human form, his hands hover over top of the omega making sure to not touch him almost as if he was worried he would hurt him even more. The fear was warranted seeing the state the omega was in. The alpha couldn't be older than 18, definitely not old enough to be wandering the woods alone with his omega. A mess of green curls sits on top of his head and freckles dot his cheeks giving him an innocent look. For a kid he did a pretty decent job standing up for his omega, he will make a great alpha when he is older.
So as not to freak out the young alpha even more, Eijirou lays close to the ground and inches closer as slow as he can manage. He notices the green headed boy tense, but he doesn't stop approaching, only slowing down impossibly more. He doesn’t say anything for a moment letting the boy look him over so that he knows he isn't a threat. Finally he speaks.

“He needs a healer. My pack has a very skilled one…if you are willing to let me help you,” a part of Eijirou is worried that he will be rejected. This kid seems smart enough to take the help but sometimes when it comes to an omega, the alpha pride can be dangerous.

The boy has a not so internal debate about accepting the help, the emotions clear as day on his face, but finally gives the faintest of nods. Eijirou lets out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding.

“Ok. Izuku, Izuku Midoriya,” the kid, Izuku, extends a hand to shake, which Eijirou accepts willingly. Then the alpha gestures to the omega. “And this is Kacc- Katsuki.”

“Eijirou. Eijirou Kirishima,” giving his friendliest smile seems to help the young alpha relax even just a little.

The adrenaline starts to wear off just as suddenly as it came and with it the smell of heat hits Eijirou. Katsuki is in full blown heat. Oh shit. That’s bad. He smells amazing, like caramel and a campfire. It makes Eijirou’s mouth water, in all his 20 years he has never smelled anything as delicious as Katsuki. He wants to get closer, to press his nose to the gland and smell it straight from the source. As much as he wants to, he has to resist the urge. This omega has an alpha, not only that but an alpha who cares deeply enough to put his life on the line. So caught up in his own thoughts he didn't even notice the growl building in Izuku’s chest or Shoto’s scent getting closer and closer until he is crashing through into the open area.

“What the fuck, Ei!?” It’s a rare occasion to have Shoto swear but Eijirou supposes it’s warranted with how he just left him on his own. “You can't just take off like that!”

Eijirou can see the moment when Shoto notices Izuku, his eyes widening just so.

“Shoto,” he gestures at the beta without taking his eyes off Katsuki, then sweeps his hand towards Izuku. “Izuku. Izuku, Shoto.”

Shoto just hums quietly in acknowledgement, his eyes wander to the omega, both alphas growl. Eijiro stops himself, slightly embarrassed, and clears his throat.

“Erm,” he scratches the back of his head. “We should get going…It’s going to be dark soon and we probably shouldn't be out here with that human. He probably isn't alone.”

It takes longer than it should have to get the four of them back into pack territory, carrying the unconscious omega proved more difficult than he had originally thought. Shoto had run ahead to get help from the rest of the pack, that was ten minutes ago. In the time they had been walking Eijirou has gathered that Izuku is only 17 while Katsuki is even younger at only 16, too young in his opinion to be in the woods alone. Izuku told him bits and pieces as to why they are out, he can tell that there's some parts that Izuku is purposefully leaving out. From what he was able to gather, the both of them had run away from their pack due to the omega’s awful parents, and were now searching for Izuku’s uncle’s pack in hopes they can join just like his uncle did as a young wolf. After hearing that, Eijirou just wants to get the omega somewhere safe, his alpha demanding he protect and shield Katsuki from any more pain. The sound of running makes his ears perk up. Shoto made it back, and from what Eijirou can tell there are four pack members accompanying him.

When they are finally in view shortly after Eijirou can see he was right. Shoto brought the pack alpha, which is understandable, Toshinori Yagi, followed closely by Hizashi Yamada, the one in charge of perimeter patrols, anything that happens while out on a patrol gets reported back to him. Between the two of them is a stretcher, thank god, to lay Katsuki out on. Riding on Hizashi’s back is the pack's healer Chiyo Shuzenji whom everyone just calls Recovery Girl. The final person to appear is Shota Aizawa, Eijirou can’t figure out why he might have shown up other than him being mates with Hizashi.

“Where is the poor boy?” Recovery Girl slides off Shoto’s back once they get closer. The stretcher is placed at Eijirou’s feet and, taking the utmost care, he squats and slowly places Katsuki down.

Out of his peripherals, Eijirou notices Shota pulling Izuku into a hug, which strikes him as odd. Shota is prickly for an omega, even with people he’s known for years, so the sight of him hugging a veritable stranger is shocking for everyone it seems. Well, everyone except for Hizashi, who ends up wrapping his arms around his mate and Izuku.

“Uncle Aizawa,” Izuku’s voice is thick with emotion. “I’m so glad we found you.”

Bursting into tears, Izuku hides his face in his uncle's chest, muffling the sobs. After the day, or more like few days, these boys have had, no one dares say anything as they watch the boy break down. He sobs into both his uncles’ until he practically passes out in their arms, Shota scoops him up and carries him on his back. Hizashi helps lift the stretcher, now that Recovery Girl has finished her initial exam, with the help of Toshinori. Shoto lays down to let her hop back on his back so that she too can be carried home. And Eijirou, well, he can’t get the feeling that his life is never going to be the same now that these two kids have barreled their way into it.

Chapter 5: A New Pack

Summary:

Katsuki wakes up from his heat and meets some of his new pack.

Katsuki doesn't want to wake up, he is so comfortable and warm. He can feel his chest vibrating with a purr, and it feels so good. He is surrounded by his own smell of caramel and smoke, he buries his face deeper into the softness that covers him. Deku’s scent of mint and evergreen is also thick in the air. A part of him, his inner omega, knows he is in a nest and he never wants to leave. He finally has what he has been begging to have for years, he finally feels whole, but the same part of him that purrs at having a nest after so long is also dreading having to give it up. His eyes ache as he opens them, the light from the room burns them. A quiet whimper squeaks past his lips. Whispering from somewhere finally makes him open his eyes fully.

Two people, omegas if his nose is correct, sit on a small couch facing the bed. The woman has bright pink hair, rich brown skin, and the most unique eyes he has ever seen. Where the whites of her eyes should be is a pure black color and her iris is a golden yellow. She is, most likely, in her early to mid twenties and heavily pregnant. The man looks to be younger than in his late teens, maybe 21 at most. His golden eyes match the color of his hair, though he does have a painted black lightning bolt in his bangs. He presses his face to the woman's stomach and giggles every so often. His excited scent fills the air, even when the woman smacks his arm and calls him an idiot.

“Who the fuck are you?” Katsuki tries to add a bit of a bite to his voice but his sleepiness just causes his tongue to get tied and his words to slur. He looks around, not recognizing anything. “And where the hell am I?”

The two omegas stare at him for a brief moment before the pregnant woman practically throws the man off the couch and launches herself towards Katsuki. She is far more agile than the size of her belly should allow. With a loud grunt and a curse, the man hits the ground and just stays down, Katsuki is almost worried about him…almost.

“Oh! My! God!” The woman squeals and settles herself to Katsuki’s left, directly next to his nest, making sure to not touch it. “I have been dying to come see you ever since Eiji and the rest of them brought you and Izuku in. When Recovery Girl told everyone that your heat seemed to be over this morning, Denki and I made sure to be the first ones to come see you. Eiji wasn't very happy about that but after getting a good scolding from Mr. Aizawa about etiquette and proper heat procedures, he gave up on trying to sneak in. It was kind of dumb of him to think he could sneak past Mr. Aizawa in the first place since he was the one to teach us all about stealth and combat, but sometimes Eiji doesn't use his brain. Even though he is super smart he can do some pretty dumb things sometimes.”

Holy shit. This lady doesn't shut up. She hasn't even taken a proper breath, since she noticed Katsuki was awake, too busy talking to care. Katsuki is pretty sure she talks more than Deku, which is a crazy feat to accomplish. The bed dips on his right side as the man, who finally dragged himself from the ground, sits on the mattress.

“Oh, right! Doy!” She hits herself in the forehead with the heel of her hand.. “Sorry! I get too excited sometimes and forget the important things. My name’s Mina Ashido, and this is Denki Kaminari. We’re both omegas like you, which you probably figured out already.”

Mina takes a big breath and Katsuki prepares himself for more word vomit. All he wants to know is where he is, how long he has been here, and where the hell Deku is, but he knows he won't get any answers until she is done.

“When Toshinori and Eiji brought you here you were in pretty rough shape. You were covered in cuts and bruises and your ankle was pretty messed up, it was almost backwards, which was pretty gross to look at but that's besides the point. Recovery Girl said that the cuts were mostly superficial so she didn't do much other than put a few stitches to the cut on your cheek, but she was really worried about your leg, she said that if it didn't get looked at soon that you would be in danger of it never working properly again! But after she set the bone and brought you to your room you-”

“Dude, you almost messed up your ankle even more!” The man, Denki, interrupts Mina, whose lips turn down in a pout and crosses her arms across her chest resting them on her swollen belly. “You were super deep in your heat, like, couldn’t speak kind of deep, and you kept trying to stand up and walk around to collect things for your nest. You took almost all of your brothers clothes, which was really funny to see since he had to walk around in his underwear for a while until Mr. Yamada was able to find clothes in his size. Like, dude, you were so crazy desperate that you kept getting out of bed and then hurting your ankle all over again. Finally, Me and Mina were able to build you a makeshift nest out of some random blankets and pillows we found laying around, which was enough to calm you down so that you at least stopped trying to get up and get stuff for yourself. The only thing that you added yourself was the stuff from your brother and the shirt you stole from Eiji. Oh, boy was he happy about that!”

Now that he thinks about it, other than his and Deku’s scent, there’s a third scent clinging to the next. His eyes scan the nest, while the other two keep talking even if he isn't listening, looking for the offending item, they lock on to a brown shirt tucked next to where his head was laying. It smells like the first rainfall after a dry spell, the scent is pleasant, he stops the purr that it pulls from his chest before it can escape.

“-cchan, Kacchan,” Denki grabs Katsuki’s shoulder making him jump a bit. “Hey, man you alri-”

“Don't touch me, idiot!” Katsuki bares his teeth at the blond. Denki retracts his hand fast and holds both in the air. “Wait, what the fuck did you just call me?”

Mina scoffs and rolls her eyes at Denki. Katsuki’s eyes drift over to her but he keeps an eye on the other omega, not fully trusting the man.

“I told you he wouldn't like that, Denki,” Mina looks back at Katsuki. “Ignore him. He doesn't think before doing things. But anyway, we were gonna ask if you wanted us to get Izuku for you now that you're awake. Since you were sleeping for most of your heat, and Recovery Girl and Mr. Aizawa were keeping an eye on you, we were able to convince him to go hunting with Shoto. They should be back by now though if you want one of us to go get him, he’s probably at Shoto’s place if he isn't here.”

Normally, Katsuki would be offended by the insinuation that he needs them to help him, but between the growing pain in his ankle and the last bits of his heat still clinging to him he knows he isn't going to be getting up anytime soon. He nods at Mina and she shoos Denki out of the room telling him to hurry up or she is going to kick his ass. Denki shoots out of the room and the slamming of a door somewhere tells the remaining two that he has left the building to go find Izuku.

“Where am I?” Katsuki stares at Mina, unblinking, daring her to go on another tangent.

When he was a pup and he would glare at someone, like he’s glaring at Mina, they would cower and some would even run away. Never in his life has he ever had anyone laugh in his face, that is until Mina does just that. She laughs for a while, only causing Kastuki to scowl more, before she wipes a tear from her eye.

“Oh, honey, you are just too damn cute!” She sighs and composes herself before continuing. “After Eiji and Shoto found you and your brother in the woods, and after Eiji scared off that human, they brought you back to our pack. Right now you are in one of the spare bedrooms of our mentors house. Mr. Aizawa really took a liking to you while you were out. I’m pretty sure he even imprinted on you, which is crazy because of how grumbly he usually is. I didn't even know he had a nephew, he never talks about his life before he joined Toshinori’s pack, so we were all pretty surprised when you two showed up.”

They found Deku’s uncle. All the tension drains from Katsuki, and he slumps back into his nest. They are finally safe, he can finally relax. A soft knock at the bedroom door makes him jump a bit. Standing in the entryway is a middle aged man with unkempt black hair and a scraggly beard. Bags sit under his eyes making him look like he hasn't slept a day in his life.

“Hey, kid,” he has practically no emotion showing on his face but his voice is calm and soothing, but not in a way that makes Katsuki feel pitied. “It’s good to see you awake and coherent. My name’s Shota Aizawa, but feel free to just call me Shota. My husband should be back shortly, he left with Zuku and Eijirou to go hunting, and to make sure the problem children didn't get into any trouble, but I saw Denki running to the Todoroki’s house so I assume they will be back shortly.”

Shouting comes from somewhere outside the house before a door slams open and running can be heard throughout the house. The sounds get closer and closer to the room until two overly energetic alpha’s are tripping over themselves, falling through the door. A tall, blond, lanky man steps over them and walks right up to where Shota is and places an obnoxious kiss on the man's temple. Denki behind all of them appears looking way too amused at the happenings around him.

“This is my husband,” Shota states, gesturing to the tall blond.

“Hey, hey, hey,” the blond points two finger guns and shakes them at Katsuki. “The name’s Hazashi Yamada, but you should just call me Hizashi, I mean we are family after all!”

Fucking hell, are all the people of this pack crazy? Katsuki looks between the two adults, Mina, the two idiot alpha’s still trying to untangle themselves on the ground, and Denki who is trying, and failing to hold his laughter. Then he looks back at Deku.

“We get to stay?” he barely gets the words out as a sob gets stuck in his throat. “You really mean it?”

Deku nods, his own tears spilling down his face. Shota takes a step forward and slowly places a hand on Katsuki’s shoulder, gently squeezing it. Katsuki can’t even find it in himself to be upset by the action.

“Welcome home, Katsuki.”

Chapter 6: The Squad

Summary:

Katsuki has a bit of bonding with Shota and he gets to officially meet the squad.

Notes:

Sorry this took so long. I had it written and ready to post but then AO3 was down all yesterday and then as a cherry on top my entire neighborhood lost power so even if AO3 came back up I wouldn't have been able to post. But we are back now at least until next Thursday.

Overwhelmed was not quite a strong enough word to describe how this new pack was making Katsuki feel. After two years of talking to no one except for his shitty excuse for parents to being surrounded by six people, five of them being complete strangers, was…a lot. By the look on Deku’s face, he could tell just how uncomfortable Katsuki was, and he clearly wanted to say something.

“Hey, guys. C’mon give the guy some space,” to his surprise it wasn’t Deku who spoke up but the shitty, red haired alpha who was still dusting himself off from crashing through the door. The alpha rubs the back of his neck and gives a nervous chuckle now that all eyes in the room are focused on him. “Let the guy breathe a bit. I mean, can’t you see he’s uncomfortable.”

Everyone seems to flinch back at that, finally taking a look at Katsuki. They notice the way his hands grip the blankets, how tense his shoulders are tucked up near his ears, and the most telling was the scent of anxiety oozing from him. How no one had noticed the smell up until now was beyond him, but now that it’s been brought to their attention there’s no ignoring it. Their noses scrunch and some even cover their noses. Being the center of attention was doing nothing to quell the growing tension inside him, he is about to snap at all the random people crowding him until the warm scent of coffee and worn leather flooded the room. The tension melted out of Katsuki , he sagged in the bed, hooded eyes searching for the source of the smell. A hand snakes around the back of his head, fingers lightly scratching his head, and pulls him forward until his face is nestled safely in someone's neck. He wants to pull away, to yell and shove, but the scent of coffee clouds his mind and all his anger seeps out of him.

It reminds him of when he was a pup and Deku and him would be playing together and one of them would come home crying about a scraped knee or an older pup being mean, Auntie Inko would use her scent to placate them. It’s a different smell but it's the same feeling he would get, calm and protected.

“Feeling better, pup?” Shota’s voice is quiet, it doesn't fit his gruff exterior.

“That’s it, deep breaths,” Hizashi’s hand cards through his hair, the old leather scent stronger now that he is closer.

The room is empty now, save for the two men and Deku, who is standing awkwardly by the door, he is shifting from foot to foot obviously not comfortable with how close the two veritable strangers are to Katsuki. He didn't even notice when everyone else left, which isn't completely surprising since he was just coming out of his heat but it still unsettled him. The protective parental scent still fills the room, but it's not quite as strong now that he has mostly calmed down. Shota pulls aways from Katsuki, who wants to stay tucked away in the other omegas neck drinking in that maternal scent but he doesn’t let himself.

“Alright, pup,” Shota’s fingers still run through his hair in a comforting motion. “Do you want to try and get up or would you rather have us leave and you can stay in your nest and sleep some more?”

Katsuki doesn't know what he wants to do. He knows for certain that he isn't ready to get up just now but he also knows that he doesn't want to be left alone. Shota nods very subtly and goes to usher the other two out of the room. Without even thinking of it, Katsuki reaches out and grabs onto Shota’s sleeve.

“Could you…um…” Katsuki doesn't know why but he wants Shota and Hazashi to stay, even more than he wants Deku to. “Could you stay with me?”

“Of course, pup,” Shota steps back towards the nest and doesn't climb in until Katsuki gives him the okay. “Do you want all of us to stay or just me?”

“Just you,” as an afterthought he adds, “please?”

Shota leans against the head of the bed and pulls Katsuki under his arm. He can hear the other two leaving, with only a little hesitation from Deku. A tingly feeling shoots down his spine from the base of his neck all the way to his toes as Shota scents him. Again the feeling brings him back to all the scentings he used to get from Auntie Inko. He purrs and falls back asleep tucked safely away under Shota’s arm.

============================================================

This time when he wakes up it’s because he is absolutely starving, a long growl comes from his stomach practically begging for food. The last time he actually remembers eating is when he was with Deku in the woods before they had made it to the pack. A deep chuckle followed by the sound of paper rubbing against itself breaks the silence of the room. Yawning, Katsuki raises his head and groggily looks around him. Shota sits next to him, or rather underneath him, he is reading an old looking book but has taken a pause after noticing Katsuki had woken up.

“Welcome back,” Shota leans over and puts the book he had been reading on the bedside table. “Hizashi made some dinner. Izuku already ate and, with much convincing, left to see Shoto so it will just be you, Hizashi and I down there.”

As he stands up, Shota groans and his joints all pop loudly drawing a barely stifled chuckle from Katsuki. An amused glare is directed at him before Shota speaks again.

“That boy really cares for you, you know,” he stretches almost like a cat.

“Tch,” Katsuki can't stop the scoff. “Of course he does…he’s my brother.”

Shota nods than leans forward and snakes his arms under Katsuki’s knees and back and lifts him in the air. With a surprised yelp, he grabs onto Shota’s shoulders tightly. He can't remember the last time he was carried like this and the fear of being dropped rippled through him.

"Wh-what are you doing, Old man?!” Katsuki will deny until his dying breath that he squealed like a little girl. “Put me down!”

“Yeah sure, pup,” Shota scoffs at him and rolls his eyes. “Tell me though, how do you plan on getting down the stairs to eat with that ankle of yours?”

Oh, right. His ankle is still broken, he nearly forgot about that. But, Katsuki is nothing if not stubborn, he sticks to his guns and insists he be put down. Hell, he’ll crawl down the stairs if he has to. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, for him, Shota doesn't listen to him and continues to carry him down the stairs and to the dining room table.

“Tomorrow Recovery Girl is going to be coming by with Toshinori to officially welcome you to the pack,” Shota moves around the table to take his own seat, ignoring the glare Kastuki continuously shoots in his direction. “They are going to be bringing you an old set of crutches to use. Once you get them, and only then, will you be allowed to walk around on your own. I will not have you breaking or rebreaking any bones while you are still healing, especially when you are living under my roof. Okay, problem child?”

Katsuki huffs a response and crosses his arms over his chest. He was not pouting, he wasn't. The heavenly smell of whatever Hizashi was cooking hit Katsuki’s nose and his stomach rumbled again. Whatever that man made smelled amazing, his mouth instantly watering causing his to have to swallow several times so he doesn't drool all over the place.

Once Hizashi appears in the doorway with the food, the smell is a hundred times more captivating. Katsuki can't wait to dig into what looks to be some kind of stew with chunks of carrots, onions and some type of meat. He is almost vibrating in his seat with anticipation of being able to sink his teeth into the delectable smelling dinner.

After he has eaten his fill, two and a half full bowls of homemade deer stew, his eyes start to droop closed and he slumps lower in his seat. He notices the other talking and he can feel himself being lifted into the air but can’t find the energy to be upset. With a full belly and the scent of coffee curling around him he drifts back into unconsciousness.

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“Kacchan!” Katsuki groans and hides his head under his pillow. It is too early to deal with Deku. “Get up, Kacchan! We’ve got so much to show you!”

A body lands on his back fully startling any remnants of sleep away. He jolts up onto his knees, whomever was on his back falls to the floor with a thump and a grunt. That wasn't Deku. Who the fuck was it? Deku is the only one who calls him Kacchan and he sure as hell is the only one who could get away with it.

“Who the fuck…” Sprawled out on the floor spread eagle on his back is Denki, the idiot omega from yesterday. “Who the hell said you could call me that?!”

He flicks his eyes from the moron on the floor to the door where three other idiots stand. The pink haired omega from yesterday rests a hand on her swollen belly and the other hand covers her mouth trying and failing to hide her amusement at the other omega’s demise. Next to her, with a hand resting on her lower back, is an alpha with straight black hair. He has long lanky limbs, and Katsuki is surprised he isn't tripping over himself all the time. He isn't trying to hide his laughter and is instead doubled over gripping the shoulder of the third person on the doorway as if they were the only thing keeping him standing. The last person in the door is the shitty haired alpha from yesterday. Taking a good look at him now, Katsuki can see that he is built like a rock. Under his shirt, his muscles ripple with his own laughter. Sharp teeth fill his mouth, which is odd but not a complete turn off. He is tall, at least a good foot and a half taller than Katsuki is.

“Ow,” Katsuki looks back at Denki who has sat up and is rubbing at the back of his head. “That was aggressive, Kacchan.”

Again with the nickname. A pillow is launched at Denki hitting him square in the face. He falls back to the floor and the three dumbasses by the door start a whole new bout of laughter. Does this idiot not have any sense of danger? No survival instinct? Because Katsuki is dangerously close to committing murder.

“Ok, ok, ok,” the red head wheezes out waving his hand towards Katsuki. “Please, have mercy on him. I don't think he can function with any more brain damage, he is already struggling, please don't make it any more difficult for him.”

The alpha wipes a tear from his eye and flicks it onto the ground. After taking another second to compose himself, he steps forward and hoists Denki back to his feet. The blond has a pout on his face in mock offense and his hand grips his chest where his heart would be.

“You wound me, Ei.”

“Yeah, yeah,” The alpha ruffles the blonds hair and steps to the side. “Anyway, sorry for waking you up like that, man! We were waiting for a while but you still hadn’t woken up and Denks here just got too impatient.”

He places a hand on Denki’s shoulder and squeezes affectionately, then gestures to the two omegas.

“You met these two yesterday but this is Denki Kaminari, and Mina Ashido, both are omegas but you knew that already,” the alpha walks over to the only other alpha and claps him on the shoulder. “This is Hanta Sero, he is an alpha. Him and Mina are together and they have a pup on the way. They are the first of all our friends to have a pp so everyone is pretty excited! Everyone thought the first parents would be Denki and his mate but…erm…nevermind.”

Denki rubs at his neck where there is an obvious bit right on the scent gland. Katsuki’s heart squeezes painfully, at the thought of losing a mate. He has never had a mate but he has heard the stories, he saw how broken Auntie Inko was after Deku’s dad left them behind. Even after years of him being gone, Katsuki could always see the distant look in her eyes when she would see a mated pair. Whatever happened to Denki, Katsuki knew there was a story but it wasn’t his place to pry.

“Um,” the red head clears his throat and taps himself on the chest. “I’m Eijirou Kirishima, head alpha of our little pack. I’m 20, Hanta is 21, and Denki and Mina are 19. They were the babies of the group but now that you're here you get to have that title!”

“Who said I was going to join your pack of dipshits!?” Katsuki snaps at Eijirou, expecting him to flinch away from the harsh tone but instead he flashes a blinding sharp toothed smile.

“You don't have to, I suppose,” he steps back closer to the bed. “But we would love to have you be the newest member of our pack. And once you heal you can join us in training with Mr. Aizawa and then we can go on patrols together. I mean, I like Shoto well enough, and he is pretty strong, but I think your brother has stolen him as a patrol partner. Plus, Izuku said you were really strong when you were pups so I figured that you wouldn't like being cramped at home doing mundane shit. And since you're only 16 you got lots of stuff to learn so you might as well tag along with one of us since we are the best at what we do. Oh! And also…”

Katsuki tunes out the rambling alpha and instead lets his mind drift to what he had said. He can go on patrols, even though he is an omega. He doesn't have to be subjected to staying home cooking and cleaning and popping out pups. The fact that he can actually do something meaningful to him, instead of having to be a slave to his secondary gender, makes butterflies burst to life in his stomach flitting around in eager anticipation. He looks at Eijirou with a new fire in his eyes, one that hasn’t made an appearance since before he presented.

“When can I start, Shitty Hair?” A feral grin splits his face, one that is mirrored on the alpha’s face. Maybe he won't mind being in a pack with these idiot wolves.

Chapter 7: The Rest of The Pack

Summary:

So many introductions......

“What do you mean I have to use these stupid things for three fucking weeks!?” Katsuki can’t believe what this tiny old lady just said. Three weeks he has to use these crutches for three weeks, he’d rather have to hobble around as a wolf on three legs than have to struggle with these shitty sticks.

“Well,” the old wolf looks thoroughly unimpressed. “Technically, young man, it's a minimum of three weeks. As I said before, you will have to keep all weight off that ankle, meaning that if you want to go for a walk you will bring your crutches, if you want a snack, you will bring your crutches, if you want to use the bathroom, you bring your crutches. If you do that, and you manage not to hurt yourself more, then you will be able to be rid of the crutches. After that we will determine how long until you are able to join in on training. For now though, stay off that foot and don't do any strenuous work. I heard Momo and Mina are going to be making baskets, you can always join them.”

Three weeks. Minimum. Fuck. All he is good for for the next three weeks is baskets. Katsuki deflates on the couch. Damn his parents. While Deku is out there training and getting to do cool shit like go on patrols and get to learn from the pack alpha himself, Katsuki gets to make baskets. A hand squeezes his shoulder, he tries to shrug it off but the hand stays. Looking up he makes eye contact with Shota.

“Don't worry, pup,” Shota’s hand drops to his back and rubs soothing circles. “Three weeks will pass in no time then you can train. I promise.”

Fuck it. Three weeks. He can do this. He can do three weeks of making baskets. He’s Katsuki fucking Bakugou, he cna do anything. He is about to make the best fucking baskets ever, this pack won’t even know what hit them.

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“Come on Kacchan,” Deku hovers around Katsuki acting like the wind will blow him over. Granted, Katsuki is a little unsteady with the crutches but Deku’s hovering is only serving to piss him off more. “One more step…”

“Fuck off, Deku!” He feels a little bad for snapping at him, but Katsuki doesn't need to be babied like this. “I got this.”

Taking the few steps down from Shota and Hizashi’s front porch was a bit harder than Katsuki was expecting but he isn't about to let anyone know that. Especially not Deku, and especially not when the redhead alpha is waiting at the bottom of the steps. Katsuki refuses to look any weaker than he already has. Deku pulls his hands back and mutters an apology but still sticks close to Katsuki’s side, just in case.

“Hey! Good to see you Walking on your own!” Eijirou beams at the pair. This alpha is way too happy for how early it is. Once Katsuki and Deku were next to him he started walking away prompting the other two to follow. “I was thinking that today I could show you around the pack and maybe introduce you to some more people. Ever since you two showed up you have been the talk of the town.”

From down the path, Katsuki can see the rest of the idiot squad huddled together. The three of them are with someone else. The new person has dark black hair that, when the light hits it just right, looks purple. She is leaning down with her palm resting on Mina’s belly bump. Her and Denki talk to the bump as if it could talk back, they look ridiculous.

“Hey!” Eijirou waves at the group excitedly. “Look who I brought!”

The four stop cooing over Mina’s stomach and look to where Deku, Eijirou and Katsuki are making their way closer.

“Hey guys,” Hanta gives a lazy wave and puts his hand on Mina’s lower back. He eyes Katsuki. “Nice to see you up and about finally.”

“Tch,” Kasuki gives his signature scowls and looks at the ground. “Whatever.”

“Kacchan! I missed you!” Denki, bless his heart, launches himself at Katsuki, with complete disregard for the crutches and broken ankle. Katsuki braces for the collision, but Eijirou catches Denki midair before he can make the three weeks longer than it needs to be. If Denki fucked this up for Katskui, he might just have to commint murder. “Ei! Let me go! Don't hog Kacchan all to yourself! You need to share the new cute omega with the rest of us!”

“I…What…Denki!” Eijirou’s face turns bright red, matching the color of his hair. He practically drops Denki on his ass and hides his face in his hands. “Why did you have to say it like that? I’m just trying to keep you from hurting him more.”

Denki seems to realize his fuck up and at least has the decency to look embarrassed by it.

“Oh, sorry,” he rubs his neck and stands back up, it seems like he is always on his ass. “I just got excited to see Kacchan again. Oh, right, and you too Izuku.”

Katsuki rolls his eyes at the ridiculousness that is the other omega. He sighs and brings his attention back to the more normal people in the group. Over the past day he has realized that the word normal doesn't really apply to this little pack, but he thinks that's okay. Mina is basically waddling as she walks up to them and Hanta is hovering around her just like Deku was doing to Katsuki earlier, but unlike Katsuki, Mina seems happy with the overbearing alpha. Gross. Katsuki will never be like that.

“Anyway,” Denki grabs the new girl by her arm and drags her forward. “This is Kyoka. She’s my little sister. Her mom married my mom a few years back. She’s 17 and a beta, you two should get along great.”

Now, with the addition of the other four, the seven make their way to start making baskets. Apparently, Kyoka and Mina are going to be making them too. Kyoka doesn't like having to run around all day and would much rather strum her guitar and hang out, but unfortunately for her playing the guitar doesn't count as “productive work” so she settles for basket making. Mina is too heavily pregnant to be doing anything but relaxing, according to her she is only maybe a week away from giving birth to her pup, but unlike Kyoka she can’t stand being on bedrest so she begged to do something, and as it turned out that something was making baskets. Katsuki finds a little bit of respect for her after finding that out. Deku, being the overprotective ass that he is, keeps trying to say that he will stay behind with Katsuki and help with the baskets, but he will be damned if he lets the idiot pity him.

They make it to the center of town where a large fire pit sits in the center surrounded by benches and tables, pathways shoot off in all sorts of directions leading to more houses and shops. One especially large table is filled with twine and bark strips surrounded by a large group of people all in their early 20’s.

“Hey everyone!”

A chorus of hey’s, and what's up’s are exchanged, people giving hugs and sharing complicated handshakes. Even Deku gets a few claps on the back and good to see ya’s, a beta with split hair seems just a little more excited to see him than everyone else. A woman with a high ponytail struts up to Katsuki and stands straight, with ehr back ridged, and extends her hand to him.

“Good morning. I assume you are Katsuki Bakugou,” he takes her hand so that he doesn't make too bad of an impression. “My name is Momo Yaoyorozu, me and my mate, Tenya Iida, are the head alpha’s for our own pack. We are both 23 and have been head of our little pack for the past three years.”

A man with glasses and just as ridged of a posture steps forward and bows too deeply.

“It is a pleasure to meet you!” He stands up and puts his hands on his hips. “We would like to officially welcome and meet you. We have already met your brother and have been eager to meet you!”

 

Mina slowly lowers herself into a seat with the help from Hanta. Denki sits cross legged on the ground in front of her. Kyoka rolls her eyes at her brother and takes a seat on the far side of the table, she grabs some supplies and starts to weave them together quietly humming to herself.

“My name is Ochaco Uraraka. I’m 20 and an omega.” a girl with rosy cheeks and a brown bob haircut skips forward and smiles at Katsuki. “It’s nice to meet you, Zuku told us all about you while you were unconscious. We have all been super excited for you to wake up.”
“I’m Shoto Todorkoki,” the split haired man says, not moving any closer. Katuki waits for him to continue but it seems he's done with his introduction.

“Shoto is a beta,” Deku steps in to fill in the blanks. “Oh, and he’s 20.”

After another ten minutes of bullshit introductions, Katsuki decides to sit down and get comfortable seeing as they will probably be here for a bit longer. Another 30 minutes pass before introductions are done. Most of the group disperses and heads to either patrol around the pack perimeter or to go do whatever else the fuck there is to do.

Katsuki went over all the people he had just met. Even though he acts apathetic he doesn't want to fuck this up too much and get himself kicked out. Other than Ochaco, Shoto, Momo, and Tenya, Katsuki met nine other people. Everyone he had talked to, or rather that had talked to him, was so excited to meet him.

Yuga Aoyama was an overly flamboyant beta. The 18 year old spoke with a very french accent and kept trying to get Katsuki to eat random cheeses. Tsuyu Asui, or as per her request Tsu, was another omega, she is pretty short, surprisingly so, Katsuki thought she was maybe 13 but turns out she was one of the older of the group at 21. Mashirao Ojiro is very plain looking even for a beta, he works with Shota apparently helping to train the newest recruits to the border patrol. He has been doing it for a few years, since he was 18 and now that he is 22 he is one of the head instructors. His girlfriend is Toru Hagakure, another 22 year old beta. According to them, they grew up next door to each other so it was only a matter of time before they ended up together. Koji Koda was a pretty big alpha for only being 18, if it wasn't for the faint alpha pheromones floating around him Katsuki never would have guessed with how shy and timid he is. Rikido Sato was another large alpha, but he was 20 so his size made more sense. He helped to hunt and cook for the pack when they have weekly pack gatherings. Fumikage Tokoyami was very depressing to talk to, everything he said was cryptic and about the shadows and darkness. He is a 20 year old beta, mated to Mezo Shoji, a 21 year old beta. The beta had a mask covering his mouth, Katsuki never figured out why though. He was massive too, what the hell is with all these huge motherfuckers in this pack? Last and most definitely least was the smallest alpha Katsuki has ever seen. The little alpha introduced himself as Minoru Mineta. The little fucker almost got himself into a shit ton of trouble when he tried to grab Katsuki’s ass. Not only did Deku growl at him but so did all of the idiot squad, the loudest of all of them was Eijirou. The dumbass alpha squeaked and ran off before he finished introducing himself, not that Katsuki cared. The rest of the pack filled him in though so he eventually found out that he is 19, even though he is barely taller than a toddler, and he is a massive pervert. He has, according to all the other omegas, done the same thing to them.

Now he just has to try and survive the next three weeks of making baskets with this ragtag group of morons.

Chapter 8: Done Healing

Summary:

A bit of a time skip so that the story can progress, Katsuki is finally feeling more like himself and is one step closer to getting what he really wants.

Notes:

Hey sorry I haven't updated in a while. I had a birthday, then a vacation, then getting back into the swing of things at work, then I had to offer housing for a displaced friend. God it's been chaotic but we are back, hopefully to a more regular updating schedule. Probably gonna try and update every Wednesday but please don't hold me to that. Anyway, enjoy the chapter! :)

It has been five weeks of having to sit around with these idiots, and Momo, weaving baskets. The old lady said it would be a minimum of three but after the first two weeks of the tedious process of winding twine and twigs, Katsuki decided he had had enough of that bullshit. He threw the crutches on the floor and mustered all his strength and made an attempt to stand. Only after collapsing to the floor in a heap and landing awkwardly on his ankle did he learn to listen to the old lady. Shota and Hizashi didn't let him out of their sight for days after that, and when they finally relented and let him go back to making the stupid baskets he was basically being babysat by the other pack members. It took Deku staying back from a patrol with Shoto for Katsuki to relent and just suck it up for the remaining time that he would need to heal. It killed him inside to see his brother have to miss out on spending time with the beta, whom he obviously wanted to court. Deku shouldn't have to miss out on living his life because Katsuki is too much of a stubborn piece of shit to pull his head from his ass.

His temporary guardians were furious that he was stupid enough to hurt himself again because of his sheer stubbornness, though when he braced to be hit or kicked he was met with nothing. After untensing and sparing a glance at the two men they both seemed……almost sad.

“Oh, Kat…” Hizashi reached out but paused before touching Katsuki’s hair.

Shota on the other hand, grabbed Katsuki and pulled his head to lay on the older man's chest and carded his fingers through blond spikes, gently scratching his scalp as he went. It was very calming and helped all the tension melt from Katsuki’s body. He was subjected to a long lecture from the two about how they would never lay a hand on him to hurt him in any way and that no other adult ever should. If anyone ever were to even think about hurting him again he pities them because it seems, now, he has a small army of people willing to fight with him and for him. A part of him doesn't think he deserves this but the rest of him is relieved to finally have people on his side. He would do anything to make them proud of him.

So now, although he hates having to hobble across the small village and he hates being left behind, he puts his all into making the best baskets this shitty pack has ever seen. Like with everything else he just wants to be the best. With the help from Momo and Mina and, despite all of Denki’s efforts to derail the learning process, Katsuki is proud to say he is getting pretty damn good at these baskets. He can practically do it with his eyes closed.

The muscle memory keeps his hands moving while he watches Mina, basket making supplies completely forgotten and laying strewn across the dirt ground, pelt small berries at Denki who is hopping around like an idiot trying to catch them in his mouth. Momo seems impervious to their antics, and Kyoka purposefully tries to sabotage her brother by throwing acorns while Mina tosses the berries. Every time he catches one of the nuts she laughs at his annoyance or even better is when it hits him on the top of the head and he grimaces at her. The first time she pelted him with an acorn it bounced off his cheek surprising him so bad he forgot to pay attention to the blueberry flying towards him resulting in the circle of juice staining his forehead. That managed to get a laugh, that was quickly disguised as a cough, from Katsuki. Despite his efforts to hide it, Momo noticed but, smartly, chose not to mention it.

“Good afternoon, Young Katsuki,” Recovery Girl waddles towards the table, expertly dodging some stray berries that fly her way, and hoists herself up onto the bench next to Katsuki. He watches her settle herself in, but his fingers keep weaving the damn baskets. “Looks as though you are finally settling in, despite the small mishap a couple weeks ago.”

She shoots him a disapproving scowl, Katsuki had the wherewithal to be embarrassed.

“Yeah,” he turns his attention back to his nearly completed basket. After already finishing the baskets he was tasked to make for the week and picking up the slack from Denki fooling around, he decided to make a custom basket for Mina when she finally has her pup. The basket is big enough to fit the newborn and a blanket, all while being sturdy enough that there wouldn't be any worry about it not being strong enough to support the pups weight. Katsuki was very proud of it, and he was happy that he was able to show his gratitude to at least one of the people who have helped him. “Well, I just don't want to have to deal with Hizashi panicking like a fool again.”

“Hmm,” He can tell she isn't buying it, she is too perceptive for such an old lady. “Anywho, dear, why don't you stop by my office before you go home tonight and we can check on your ankle. I suspect that we may be able to finally remove that cast and then you can finally join your brother and Shota.”
She pats his good let twice before hopping off the bench and hobbling away, sidestepping Denki as he trips and falls on his ass while trying to catch yet another berry. Mina’s high pitch laugh should be grating on his ear drums but he was too wrapped in what he was just told. He can finally get this stupid thing off his foot and he can finally join Deku on patrol. More likely he still wouldn't be able to go patrolling but at least he would be able to have Shota train him in some combat or go for a jog, or even, bare minimum, he would be able to walk around the house without having to use the crutches. After five weeks of using them his armpits were sore and probably bruised, they needed some relief from the constant pressure.

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Around seven at night, after he had finished his work with the baskets and had talked to Recovery Girl, he was finally on his way home, free of his crutches and cast, a small limp the only evidence that he had ever hurt himself. No matter how grumpy he wanted to pretend to be he couldn't wipe the genuine smile off his face. Absolutely nothing could put a damper on his mood, not even the colossal alpha lumbering his way trailed by Deku making googly eyes at the blankfaced beta walking beside him.

“Deku!” Katsuki picks up his pace, excited to share the good news with his brother.

Deku paused his steps and looks around, when he sees Katsuki his eyes widen impossibly and he jumps up once and sprints directly at Katsuki. The idiot would have barreled right into him if Katsuki didn't have the mind to step to the side and let the alpha skid past.

“Kacchan!” Deku pulls him into a bone crushing hug. “Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit! When did you get the cast off? Wait, are you supposed to even have it off? Does Recovery Girl know? Did Shota and Hazashi…”

“Shut it, Nerd,” Katsuki slapped a hand over his mouth to stop the unnecessary rambling. “I just got it off. Yes, I am supposed to have it off. Recovery Girl knows, she’s the one who took it off. And I have no idea what Shota and Hizashi know, you three are the first people I've seen since getting it off.”

Much slower and more in control, Eiji and Shoto come striding up towards the two brothers. Eiji is smiling so big that all of his sharp teeth are on display, and Shoto, unsurprisingly, seems unaffected by everything around him.

“Kats! Good to see you walking!” Katsuki didn't think it was possible to see the man be even more happy than he normally was but he was proven wrong. The giant alpha was probably as excited if not more excited than Katsuki himself. “I can’t wait to finally be able to work with you! To be honest, I’ve been a bit jealous of Denki and Mina for being able to spend all day with you.”

Katsuki was glad that it was dark and that no one could see the blush that painted his cheeks. His omega wanted to purr but Katsuki wouldn't give in to that urge and embarrass himself in front of these people, but it was proving difficult. He wasn't used to having the attention of an alpha outside his family, and his omega was preening. The alpha spoke like Katsuki never spent any time with him at all, but in reality he hung out with the self proclaimed Bakusquad nearly every day. Katsuki couldn't get rid of the Idiot squad, not that he wanted to, he quite liked the attention he was getting as the newest and youngest of the pack. Though he couldn't wrap his head around what Eiji’s deal was with the small gifts and trinkets he would bring back from his patrols to give Katsuki. The omega wouldn't admit it but he has kept every single item that was given to him and had them hidden safely in his room.

“Tch…whatever Shitty Hair,” the alpha just chuckled at the insult having gotten used to it after spending so much time with the gruff omega.

“I’m gonna walk home with Kacchan,” Deku turned his attention back to the others, but kept an arm around Katsuki’s shoulder. “But I’ll see you tomorrow, Sho.”

Much to Katsuki’s surprise a light dusting of pink made its way onto Shoto’s cheeks and he averted his eyes to stare at a very interesting leaf on the ground. That is the most he has ever seen Shoto emote in all the five weeks he’s known him, he didn't know he even had the ability to show emotion. Katsuki also didn't miss the embarrassed look on his brother's face, oh he was going to tease the shit out of him for this.

After another awkward moment of the two avoiding eye contact and blushing, Katsuki had enough and grabbed Deku's arm to drag him home. Eiji shouted a goodbye after them, promising to see them both soon.

The walk home was quiet until, with a teasing nudge to Deku’s ribs, Katsuki decides to bring up the cringey goodbye between his brother and the half and half beta. Using two years worth of pent up little brother energy he clasped his hands together and tucked them under his chin, tilted his head and bat his eye lashes at the alpha.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Sho~” he mocked his brother. The alpha turned neon red and sputtered trying to find a response.

“It’s….I just….We…” Deku stuttered and somehow turned even redder, practically lighting up the surrounding trees. “We’ve just been paired up a lot for training, and he’s been showing me the ropes since he’s been doing this more longer than I have, and Shota said that he was the best to teach me since there would be less chance of alpha posturing and a dominance struggle, I swear nothing weird is going on between us, and he told me the other day to call him Sho since it could get confusing since there’s a Shota and a Shoto, which I thought was nice of him to offer, but I promise we are just friends that's all.”

As much as the rambling annoyed Katsuki, he was kind of impressed that Deku managed that whole pointless spiel in one breath, but he was a fool if he thought he was going to get away with claiming to “just be friends” with the other man. Any half wit with eyes and even those without them could see that his brother was head over heels in love with the older beta. For what it’s worth, the beta seems to feel the same.

“Relax, Nerd,” Katsuki bumps his shoulder with Deku’s. “I’m just teasing. But you're a shitty liar, you were when we were younger and you are now. No one is buying that ‘we’re just friends’ bull shit.”

Deku buries his face in his hands and groans.

“I approve,” Katsuki adds as an afterthought. Deku peeks at him through his fingers giving him a confused look. For how smart his brother is he can be real dense sometimes. “Of the half and half idiot. You two look good together. Plus you could do worse, you could be pining after that stupid looking grape thing. I think you should go for it, chances are he will say yes.”

Done hiding behind his hands, Deku locks eyes with Katsuki, probably looking for any sign that he is lying, which he isn’t, when he doesn't find any he relaxes, falling back in step. They walk for another minute before Deku speaks up.

“Thanks, Kacchan,” then a devious smile creeps onto his face. “And you know, I'm pretty sure the same could be said about Eijirou and you. You both are pretty smitten with each other.”

Katsuki lunges as best as he can after the alpha, who was smart enough to start running before he was even finished speaking.

“Deku! Get back here you shitty nerd!” Katsuki sprints after him, though slower than he wants to with his still tender ankle, and Deku laughs the entire way back to the house. “I’m gonna smother you in your sleep!”

Both boys ignore Hizashi’s protest and Shota’s exhausted grumbling as they run through the house. Neither man had the heart to put a stop to it though seeing as for the first time in only god knows how long, Katsuki had a genuine smile on his face while running around chasing his brother. He was having fun doing what a boy his age should be doing, and honestly, that was all the couple could have ever wanted.

Chapter 9: The Realization

Summary:

Katsuki has an eye opening talk with Hizashi and Shota.

Notes:

Sorry for any mistakes in continuity or typos, I am slightly inebriated while writing this and I have no one to revise it for me. Anyway, enjoy and if you find any typos feel free to call me out and I will do my best to fix them! <3

Katsuki couldn't stop thinking about what Deku had said earlier about him and Eiji, how they are “pretty smitten with each other”. They are just really good friends, who hangout all the time, and who give each other gifts occasionally. Now that he thinks about it a little bit more, Eiji is the only one who gives any gifts, Katsuki is the only one receiving anything. His omega purred in the back of his mind, something about a good alpha, but Katsuki pushed the little voice away to the point that it was almost nonexistent.

The nest on his bed caught his eye, specifically the single red shirt that belonged to his…the alpha. He lets himself inch closer to the piece of cloth, his eyes fixed in place. The shirt takes a prominent place in his nest, right next to the head, right where he sleeps. Almost every night he wakes up holding the shirt in a death grip and shoved against his nose, even though the scent of alpha has long since faded, but Katsuki would sooner chew off his own foot than he would admit to wanting the alpha to scent the shirt again. Fuck. All this instinctual bullshit is too new to Katsuki, even though he is 16 and should understand his own biology, his biological parents never taught him anything that all the other pups were learning. He had tried to get them to teach him but they refused, they had never intended for him to set foot outside the house so what need would he have to know about any of that anyway.

Thinking about his parents put a sour taste in his mouth. He tried not to think about them too often. Mostly because he was finally free of their oppression and abuse and he didn't want to let them steal anything else from him, but he also didn't think of them as his parents. Shota and Hizashi treat him more like a son than Mitsuki and Masaru ever did, even before he presented. These two veritable strangers look at him with more love than he has ever seen. A small part of him thinks it's funny how people who he shares no blood with, Auntie Inko, Deku, Shota, Hizashi, and……Eiji, have become his family, and the people who he shares biological ties to mean less than nothing to him.

“Shit,” Katsuki runs his hand through his spiky hair, while the other grips the red shirt. The only way to figure out what is going on with him was to ask someone who might know. There was no way in hell that he was going to ask Deku and even less of a chance that he was going to go to Eiji. Even though both those alphas would probably know what to do, that would be way too embarrassing for Katsuki to stomach. Recovery Girl was another option, but he didn't want to have to walk all the way back to her house, he hates to admit it but the short walk took a lot out of him, and he didn't want to have to wait until morning. “Fuck.”

His only option was to ask Shota and Hizashi. This option is only slightly better than asking Deku, only because he knows that Shota wont let Hizashi tease him too badly, and they are adults so it’s their job to answer the embarrassing questions that kids have about their bodies. Taking one last deep breath to steel his nerves he throws…places the shirt back in its spot in his nest, the slams the door to his room open.

Katsuki stomps into the kitchen to find Shota sipping a coffee and looking thoroughly unimpressed with the world, and Hizashi singing loudly to himself as he washes dishes from dinner. The sight helps Katsuki feel a bit less nervous just by how domestic and unintimidating it all is. Hizashi spun around using a soapy soup ladle as a microphone but stops mid-lyric when he sees Katsuki standing in the entryway.

“Yo!” He throws his arms wide as if to hug the young omega forgetting all about the dripping, soap covered utensil until it was too late. Soap and water fly across the kitchen and splash Shota across the face, the man doesn't even flinch. Katsuki bursts out laughing, while Hizashi pales slightly and quickly grabs a towel to try and dry off his pissed off husband. “Oops, sorry Sho! I was just excited to see my favorite little listener!”

That damned nickname. Hizashi has been calling him that ever since he was caught listening to Hizashi singing. Katsuki hadn’t meant to snoop but Hizashi was in the living room folding laundry and he was singing a quiet tune to himself when Katsuki walked in. The man had a surprisingly smooth voice for how loud and obnoxious he normally was. Katsuki couldn't help but sit behind the couch and listen a bit. What he hadn’t meant to do was fall asleep and for Hizashi to find him purring while sleeping on the ground. That was one of the most embarrassing things to have happened to him since coming to the new pack, right behind stealing Eiji’s shirt. For the next week he couldn't look Hizashi in the eyes, but Hizashi had absolutely no issue with banding him as “his favorite little listener”.

In response to Hizashi fretting over him, Shota just grumbled something about his coffee being fine and that it wasn't a big deal. Katsuki had a stupid grin on his face from the whole thing, for the longest time he had been afraid of adults because of Mitsuki and Masaru, but these big idiots made him feel loved and completely and utterly safe. It was a nice feeling.

“So,” Shota took a sip of his coffee, and looked directly at Katsuki. “What did you need?”

Katsuki just scowled.

“Tch,” he crosses his arms and averts his eyes. “Why do you think I need something from you? Maybe I just wanted to grab something to drink.”

Shota had the gall to roll his eyes and take another sip of coffee. He takes his time in responding and placing his mug on the table.

“Pup, I know you,” Katsuki is so caught off guard by the statement that he forgets to snap back. He doesn't like to be so predictable to someone. “Plus, I would hope you're not just slamming doors and stomping around my house for no reason.”

He picks his coffee back up to take another sip, arching an eyebrow as if daring Katsuki to try and argue. There is no argument, Shota was right after all, there is no use in trying to act tough, not when Katsuki needs their help. So he huffs and flops down in one of the open seats, the wooden legs scrap on the floor from the force. Hizashi has finished the dishes, set the last one on the rack to dry and makes his way over to the seat on the other side of Katsuki. He rests an arm on the back of the seat, not quite touching but close enough for comfort. Maybe these two men really did know him better than he thought.

With the attention of both men on him, Katsuki tells them everything. He tells them about the small trinkets and gifts. He tells them about all the late night hangouts with the small pack, and specifically the ones with just Eiji. He tells them about the shirt that takes the most important spot in his nest and about how he doesn't think he can sleep without it anymore. He tells them about what Deku said, about what his omega is saying, and how he is so deeply confused about what it all means.

By the end of the explanation Hizashi looks to be nearly vibrating out of his seat from excitement, even Shota, who normally looks like he couldn't give a crap about anything and everything, has cracked a small knowing smile. Obviously, what Katsuki has told them actually means something, and something good by the looks of it, but he can't stand the fact that he is the only one who doesn't understand. After a too long beat of silence Katsuki can’t take it anymore.

“Well?” He looks between both men. “Are you gonna tell me what’s going on, or are you just gonna sit there and stare at me like a couple of…”

He doesn't get the chance to finish his sentence before he is ripped from his chair with a yelp and wrapped in a bear hug from behind. Hizashi’s squeal is too loud and too girly, if Katsuki didn't know any better he would have thought a little girl had hugged him and screeched in his ear. But no, it was Hizashi, a thirty something year old grown ass man.

“Oi! Let me down, old man!” He looks to Shota for help, but is just ignored, the man's attention focused solely on his cup of coffee.

“Pup! Do you know what this means?” Hizashi finally places Katsuki back on his feet, before he can regain his balance though he is spun around to face the older beta.

“What kind of dumb question…Of course I don't know what it means!” He can feel the frustration bubbling up in his chest. If he knew what any of this bullshit meant he wouldn't have had to ask and embarrass himself like this.

“Little listener, you're being courted!” Hizashi’s face lights up even more, if that's possible. “Eijirou is courting you! Isn’t that wonderful, Sho?”

Courted? Him? By Eijirou? That doesn't make any sense. Eijirou is courting him? Holy shit. Holy. Shit. Holy shit, holy shit, HOLY SHIT! Eijirou is courting him! Wait. Eijirou is courting him……What does he do now? How does he accept? Did he already accept the courting and not realize?

The internal panic may have been more external than he thought based on the reactions of the two other people in the room. Shota slowly stood and scented Katsuki, helping to calm the anxious, and excited feeling warring inside him. While Hizashi gently rubbed his hands up and down Katsuki’s arms, from shoulders to elbows back to shoulders, the movement was grounding and calming, it was exactly what Katsuki needed. Shit, these two really did know him pretty damn well, almost as well as Deku did.

“What now?” Katsuki’s eyes were bugging out of his head, as he looked at each man. Fuck, he really wished that he grew up like every other pup he knew, he hates feeling so lost and confused.

“Now,” Shota took a sip of coffee, a new, full mug, and dragged his fingers through blond spikes. “Now you go to sleep. Then tomorrow you go talk to your alpha.”

His alpha. He liked the sound of that. With an excited chirp and a quick scenting back to each man, he turned and ran from the room. His hand caught on the door frame halting his movements and he turned back to the others.

“Thanks, Dad, Pops,” he can bring himself to make eye contact with either of them as he continues on to his room. He does however hear another loud as fuck squeal from Hizashi and a significantly quieter, but equally as please huff, from Shota.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day and he can’t wait.

Chapter 10: Class Time

Summary:

A little bit of Eijirou’s perspective.

It was early morning and he was sitting with his moms eating breakfast when someone knocked on their front door. He wasn’t expecting to see a very chipper looking Yamada standing on the other side of it, and he was for sure not expecting to see Izuku standing behind him looking extremely smug, a shit eating grin plastered on his face.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Yamada practically yelled in his face, too loud for how early it was. “Good morning, Eijirou! ‘Zuku and I have a proposition for you.”

A sly smile spreads on his face. What the hell is this about?

“Shoto and I wanna cover your patrols for today. Shota said that he wanted your help with training the younger kids today,” Izuku chimes in. Then his shit eating grin gets bigger somehow. “Kacchan will be there.”

Eijirou’s face glows red, nearly matching his hair perfectly. Clearly his intentions to court the omega didn't go totally unnoticed. He knew he wasn’t being subtle but the fact that he got caught by the omega’s brother and his father was mortifying.

Before he knew it, he was being dragged from his house by the two others and was ushered towards the training grounds. Dammnit. Now he was nervous. He wasn't ready to face Katsuki. Not now. Eijirou was pulled from his internal debate by a firm hand on his shoulder. Yamada was a few steps ahead of them so when Izuku squeezed his shoulder and spoke it was just the two of them.

“You know,” Izuku looked straight ahead, completely oblivious to the panic that was consuming Eijirou. “Growing up Kacchan had a hard time figuring out his emotions, and other peoples. He would get so confused when I would cry from being too happy, and he would always ask me why I was upset after his mother would hit him. His parents never taught him how to feel things properly. Then again I don't think they even knew how to.”

They lapsed into silence for a few minutes. Eijirou only knew the bare minimum of what happened to Katsuki at his old pack, but from what he had gathered his parents were abusive assholes who locked him away once he presented. Beyond that though he knew nothing. A stuttered inhale from Izuku draws his attention back in. A single tear slides down Izuku’s cheek before he wipes it away with the back of his hand.

“He was locked in that house for three years, Eijirou. Three years away from his friends Three years of being told he wasn't enough. They never taught him anything, no math, or history, and especially nothing about being an omega. They wanted to pretend that he didn't exist, unless they were in the right mood,” a fire was burning behind Izuku’s eyes, he’s never seen the green haired alpha so mad before. “Eijirou, you have to understand that he didn't know what courting was, he was never taught. He wasn't ignoring you or rejecting you he just didn't know.”

Now Eijirou just felt stupid. He should've known that Katsuki didn't understand courting. It all made sense now, he didn't realize that he was being courted so he wouldn't know that there was something to be accepted or rejected. Something that Izuku said makes Eijirou stop walking.

“Wait,” Izuku stops and turns back to face him, waiting for him to continue. “You said he didn't know, does……does that mean…”

A sly smirk stretched across Izuku's face, and Eijirou feels his face heat up once again.

“Well,” Izuku starts walking again. “He was never taught but that doesn’t mean he’s blind. He was bound to notice eventually.”

Oh god…Eijirou wants to disappear. Now he has to go face the blond Omega and pretend to be normal.

============================================================

Yamada and Izuku walked with him the rest of the way to the training field, they talked among themselves, leaving Eijirou to his own thoughts. The two were walking a few paces ahead so he was able to tune out their idle banter pretty effortlessly. He had more important things to think about, like what he was supposed to say to Katsuki when he sees him? How was he supposed to act? Should he just outright ask if Katsuki would be willing to be courted by him? What would he do if Katsuki rejected him? Izuku and Yamada made it obvious that they both knew that he was trying to court the omega and if Yamada knows then Shota definitely knows too. The two walking ahead of him seem pretty confident that things will turn out in Eijirou’s favor but what if they are wrong? What if he gets rejected?

Before he has the chance to lament any more, Yamada and Izuku are waving bye and Eijirou is left by himself. By the looks of it he is the first one here. He huffs, Shota definitely took advantage of the extra help he had today and left Eijirou to greet the kids as they arrived, all for a couple extra minutes of shut eye. The crafty bastard.

The first kids started to show up soon after he did, and good lord he forgot how energetic kids could be in the morning. Maybe Shota did deserve a break. After about ten minutes all 20 kids were present, the only people who were missing was the teacher and Katsuki.

“Eijirou!” One of the kids, Ren, yells and launches himself at the alpha. “You didn't tell us you were gonna be teaching!”

Eijirou is well known in the pack, not only for being next in line for pack alpha but for his outgoing personality. He has always made it a point to help where it's needed and to make sure he knows everyone by name. Ren and his dads moved to the pack two years ago after a huge storm that flooded their packs territory, Toshinori allowed a few families to stay and helped countless more find a place to live when their pack grew too crowded. Eijirou helped Ren’s family out a lot when they first moved in with getting themselves settled and showing them around the town. He even helped them when they wanted to open a small food stall, he is even their most loyal customer. Ever since they moved in though, Ren has idolized him and is determined to surpass him in manliness and awesomeness, at least, that's what Ren said. Any time Eijirou and Ren are in the same room they end up wrestling, Eijirou always wins. Today, unfortunately, Ren has 19 other ten year olds to help take Eijirou down.

That's how he finds himself suffocating underneath 20 screeching and giggling ten year olds. Truth be told he doesn't mind it in the least, if he really wanted to get out from under the pig pile he could but he figured that he can let them have their fun. They are helping ease his nerves.

“Alright, problem children,” a tired voice breaks through the sound of giggles.

Ever so slowly, the weight on top of Eijirou disappears and he is able to stand up. When he finishes dusting himself off and picking leaves from his hair he looks up and his breath catches in his throat. Standing next to Shota is the most beautiful wolf he has ever seen. Even though he had only seen Katsuki’s wolf once before, he had missed it all these weeks. It had felt like a piece of him was missing, no matter how stupid that sounds. The light hit the blond fur just right making it shine. Katsuki was by far the most gorgeous person he had ever met, whether he be a wolf or a man. Blinking a few times to clear his head and to push down the rising panic he smiles and jogs forward to meet the two omegas.

“Kat! Isn’t this great! I get to help out Mr. Aizawa with his class today! And I get to see you too! How awesome is that?”

Eijirou just prayed to whatever deity was out there that Katsuki couldn’t tell how nervous he was.

Chapter 11: The Catalyst

Summary:

Katsuki gets to observe training but it doesn’t go as smooth as he hoped it would.

Katsuki walked next to Shota, he walked in his wolf form next to the other man, struggling to keep pace with the older man, even though he was still in his human form, with his ankle still a bit tender. Ever since they came to this new pack, Katsuki hasn't been allowed to transform into his wolf and it felt like a part of him was missing. He has always felt more comfortable and safer as a wolf , he has claws and teeth made for killing. He can protect himself better, not that it’s helped him in the past, but it's the thought that counts.

Right now he really needed the comfort of his wolf. He is on his way to observe training, since Recovery Girl refused to clear him for any strenuous activity. Apparently just because he was well enough to get the cast off doesn't mean he is cleared to train. It’s some bullshit in his opinion. Shota told him this morning that Deku and Shoto had taken over patrols for Eiji so that he could help with training today. There’s another thing that Katsuki calls bullshit on. There is no way that Eiji just so happens to be joining training the day after Katsuki realizes that he has been trying to court him. He can see the scheming from a mile away. But Katsuki isn't a bitch, he’s not about to chicken out of going to training because he is scared. Fuck that noise. Katsuki is going to man up and face that shit head on. He was so caught in his own mind that he didn't realize that they were already at training until he ran straight into the back of Shota.

“Alright, problem children,” Shota’s tired voice quieted the gathered group.

There were probably around 20 kids that had been talking and wrestling until Shota showed up. Not a single person was over the age of ten, except for one person. As the kids dispersed and stood looking at Shota, Katsuki could see ridiculous red hair. Of course that idiot would be at the center of the chaos. Shota must be thinking the same thing based on the side-eye look he shot Katsuki’s way, but he refused to be embarrassed about it. He couldn't be, not when he sees the blinding smile the man shoots his way.

“Kat!” Sunshine incarnate dusts himself off and jogs over to the other two. “Isn't this great! I get to help out Mr. Aizawa with his class today! And I get to see you too! How awesome is that?”

Something about the alpha was feeling a bit off to Katsuki making him scrunch his nose in annoyance. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was that was different, maybe it was the way Eiji was holding himself, or the way he kept glancing around, or the way he wouldn't meet Katsuki’s eyes fully. Whatever it was was pissing him off though. Rolling his eyes, he huffs and struts away from the red head, he will use the time during training to try and figure out what is going on with the alpha.

“Now that you are all done bullying Eijirou it’s time that we actually train,” Shota already looks like he wants to send the kids back to their parents, even though it has been a total of 23 seconds since he got here.

Another five minutes pass of Shota explaining what he had planned for the day, another two minutes of trying to get the kids to settle down after one of the children burped, and then announced there would be a surprise for the winning team at the end of the day. Finally, after he was through telling the children about the day's plan he turned his attention back to Katsuki, who had spaced out for the last bit of the lecture. His ears perked up and something about the look on Shota’s face put him on edge.

“Lastly, we have a special guest with us today. Everyone say ‘hello’ to Katsuki,” Shota’s eyes softened ever so slightly. “He’s my son and he will be joining us occasionally for training. He is just here to observe for now, his ankle is injured and we don't want to make it any worse.”

Katsuki forgot to listen to the rest of what Shota had to say about him because he was replaying what was said on repeat in his head. Shota called him his son. No one had ever said that with anything other than disappointment and disdain. Now this man, who he had barely known for two months, has decided to show him off to his class, and when he locked eyes with Shota he saw nothing but love and pride. God he could get used to that.

“Alright kids!” Eiji’s shouting pulled him from his thoughts. “Let’s split up into two lines behind me and we are going to go for a warm up jog before we get started with some sparring!”

The kids and Eiji take off at a slow jog, though some kids still struggle to keep up but the sunshine man keeps encouraging them. Shota watches them until they disappear around a corner then makes his way to sit on a mossy rock next to where Katsuki is lounging. Katsuki had never been the best at expressing his emotions but he feels like he needs to somehow show Shota he is grateful for him. Slowly, almost as if he was afraid the man would run if he noticed him inching closer, he leaned towards the older omega. He rested his chin on the man's leg and glanced up at him, a firm hand landed on his head and pet through blond fur. A quiet purr started building in Katsuki’s chest that soon was echoed by Shota’s own purr.

The group of kids led by Eiji reappeared too soon and the moment ended. Shota stood up and brushed off his pants from any dirt or leaves then placed one last pat on Katsuki’s head.

============================================================

For the most part training was what Katsuki had expected from a bunch of ten year olds. A lot of running, and yelling, and not a lot of paying attention, save for a few kids who looked to be fully engrossed with what Shota and Eiji had to teach. Katsuki, for one, was paying rapt attention, he was absorbing anything and everything he could from where he was stuck on the sidelines. He stored every little bit of information in his mind so he could take notes and analyse it all later.. Next time he would have to remember to bring a piece of paper and pencil.

The kids had the last 15 or so minutes of the class to run around and try to steal a strip of fabric off of Eiji’s head. Katsuki could tell the idiot was going easy on them but even still they couldn't get the fabric away from him. Shota, finally, decided to end the class and send everyone home. Some of the kids couldn't wait to leave while others were crowding around Eiji asking him questions or just being general nuisances. One of the kids who couldn't wait to get out of there was running past Katsuki when her foot caught on a tree root and she fell flat on her face, and of course her full weight landed directly on top of Katsuki’s bad ankle. He let out an involuntary yelp at the jolt of pain, it didn't hurt too bad but 50 pounds of child falling on him was enough to catch him off guard and let his filter slip.

“I’m sorry,” the little girl sniffled and sat up, her teary eyed stare reminded Katsuki too much of Deku as a kid and he couldn't find it in him to be upset.

Before he had the chance to reassure the girl or even scoff and ignore the apology a deep growl shook the ground. Katsuki looked to where the sound was coming from, ten feet from him stood his sunshine alpha, pupils slit and looking ready to kill. Shota crept closer to Katsuki and the little girl, Eiji’s growling grew louder. He reached out and lifted the girl off the ground and pulled her close to his chest, slowly backing away after making sure Katsuki wasn’t hurt.

Once the “threats” were far enough from Katsuki, Eijirou stalked towards the omega, not taking his eyes off where Shota had retreated with the girl. Halfway to Katsuki, he shifted into his wolf, and damn no matter how many times he sees it he will always be surprised by the sheer size of the wolf. The massive red and black beast stands in front of the omega and tentatively sniffs his ankle, checking for any signs of hurt. Once it was deemed ok by the alpha’s standards, he curls himself around the omega and begins to lick behind his ear.

Katsuki doesn't know what the fuck was going on. Nothing like this has ever happened to hom before, sure sometimes Deku would get worried about him but never enough to growl at a child, let alone with such aggression. He looks to Shota, hoping the other omega would know what to do, but Shota looks just as concerned, which doesn't help Katsuki settle down at all. Shota must see the confusion and panic mixed on his face because he places the girl down and crouches to get closer to the two wolves.

“Eijirou,” his voice is calm and firm. “You need to let Katsuki go. He is safe, it was just an accident. Mio just tripped.”

Still Eijirou didn't budge. He only shifted closer to Katsuki and buried his nose in soft blond fur.

“You need to get control. Now, Eijirou,” Shota tried again, this time more stern but still calm. “You are scaring the kids.”

The children who remained were watching with wide eyed expressions, in awe of how different the normally joyful alpha was acting. That seemed to be enough to snap him out of whatever trance he was in, his pupils went back to their normal round shape, and the persistent growling stopped. Eijirou stood up quickly and backed away, looking more than a little embarrassed.

“Go home, kids,” Shota didn't take his eyes off Eijirou, as if he was worried he would lose control again. “We will talk about this next lesson, it’s important to know what happened today and how to avoid it.”

The kids reluctantly left, except for Mio who all but sprinted away crying. A small whimper slipped past the alpha’s lips as he turned to leave, tail tucked to his belly.

“Where do you think you're going?” Shota raised one eyebrow at the retreating alpha. “Both of you get up and follow me.”

With that, Shota turned and walked back in the direction of their home. The trek home was quiet and tense. Katsuki kept stealing glances at Eiji, who hadn't bothered to look up from where he was staring at the back of Shota’s shoes. The guilt on the alpha’s face was killing Katsuki, he hated seeing anything but happiness shining in those eyes, anything else just felt……wrong. Before he knew it the three of the were standing at the entrance of the home.

“You two wait here. I am going to go get you clothes to wear then you are going to talk,” Shota turned and began walking into the house before turning around and fixing Eijirou with a glare. “And you and I will have a talk right after, about you growling at my students.”

With that he slammed the door and left the two alone on the front step. Damn, this is not how Katsuki thought the talk with Eiji would go but he will have to make due with what he was given.

Chapter 12: The Talk

Summary:

Katsuki and Eijirou finally talk through their feelings and figure out what is going on.

Katsuki and Eijirou stood outside on the front step in awkward silence. The alpha shifted back into his huamn form shortly after Shota had disappeared through the front door, his pants were luckily in good enough condition for Eijirou to wear. Once he was decent, or semi decent, he kept glancing at Katsuki and opening his mouth before closing it immediately. The omega laid on the ground and huffed through his nose. He’ll give the damn alpha until Shota returns with his clothes to think of what he wants to say before Katsuki takes the reins of the conversation. If Eijirou wants to say his part then he better say it before Katsuki is able to speak., Right as the thought crosses his mind the alpha seems to find his tongue.

“I’m sorry,” Katsuki looks up at the red head waiting for him to elaborate. In Katsuki’s eyes the alpha had a couple things to apologize for, one being the incident at training, though he can’t exactly say he was upset about it, and the other being that he didn't come outright and say he wanted to court Katsuki. “I…my alpha hasn’t ever really done that before. I mean sure when I was younger I had my moments but not since I’ve been an adult. I didn't mean to jump on you like that. I’ll just leave you alone if that’s what you want.”

Before Katsuki even had the chance to second guess himself he was shifting into his human form and tackling Eijiou to the ground. He couldn't even find it in himself to care that he was butt naked in front of the alpha he was in love with. The alpha that had the audacity to try and leave Katsuki before he even had the chance to be with him. What the fuck did he mean he’ll “leave Katsuki alone”. How the fuck did he think that that would make Katsuki happy. Fucking stupid alpha. He growled in the red head's face, a face that was turning redder by the second. His eyes shifted and try to focus on anything but the very naked omega on top of him.

“Katsuki, maybe you should…”

“No! You. Shut up!” Katsuki dug his claws into Eijirou’s shoulder, drawing a small amount of blood. “What the fuck is wrong with you, you stupid, shitty heaired, alpha? You think that that shitty apology will make everything better? What the hell is wrong with you?”
Eijirou opened his mouth to respond, when the front door opened. A very confused, very unamused and very tired looking Shota stood there holding a bundle of clothes. He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs.

“You couldn't have waited five minutes?” Shota slumped forward and tossed the clothes to Katsuki who hurriedly got dressed, finally feeling a bit of embarrassment for his nakedness. “You two need to have an actual adult conversation. Either you two do it on your own in a civil manner or I will sit out here with you and babysit, which I don't think that any of us want.”

After a look at Eijirou, they both decided that they can have the talk on their own. Shota only disappeared back into the house once Katsuki promised not to strange Eijirou and Eijirou promised to actually listen to what Katsuki had to say. Another few minutes of silence passed between the two before Katsuki spoke up again.

“I don't want you to leave,” it came out sounding more desperate and pathetic than he would have liked but Katsuki figured that if he were to spend the rest of his life with this alpha then he could be a little bit vulnerable. “I like having you around, my omega likes having you around. If you left now I…I don't know what I would do.”

He takes a deep, shaky breath and averted his eyes. Fuck, this whole being emotionally exposed thing wasn't easy.

“The reason that I didn’t respond to your courting was that I didn't know. But I talked to Deku and Shota and Hizashi and once I realized…I was happy. I had butterflies or whatever in my stomach and I couldn't wait to see you again,” Katsuki looked back at the alpha. Fuck it, he’s too deep to back down now so might as well double down. “Eijirou Kirishima, I accept your courting.”

Eijirou just sat there dumbfounded. His mouth moved like a fish out of water. He sat for so long not answering Katsuki that he was starting to worry that he had been wrong about the alpha’s feelings towards him. Then out of nowhere, Katsuki was tackled to the ground in a bone crushing hug. Relieved pheromones filled the air around Katsuki. Eijirou nuzzled into the omega’s neck, chuffing and rumbling, unable to contain his happiness.

“Oh thank god,” Eijirou squeezed tighter. “I was so worried that you would hate me after today.”

Stupid alpha. He rolled his eyes and carded his hand through tangled red hair. They stayed like that for what felt like hours but could have only been a few minutes, neither wanted to leave, they wanted to stay tangled with each other for as long as possible. Unfortunately, Deku and Shoto chose that exact moment to return from their morning patrol. Both freeze as they see the scene in front of them. Protective pheromones erupt from Deku, clearly having misunderstood what he was seeing. In his defense, a giant alpha was crushing his little brother, who only just was healed enough from his abusive family to walk on his own, to the ground.

“What’s going on here?” The tension was thick in Deku’s voice. “Get off him.”

Without much hesitation, Eijirou stood up. Deku reached down and lifted Katsuki to his feet. The four just stood there looking between each other. Deku was glaring at Eijirou who was looking sheepishly at Katsuki who was glaring right back at Deku for interrupting.

“Hello, Eijirou,” ever the one to be unable to read the room, Shoto spoke up. “I didn't think I would see you here. I am glad that Izuku and I already had our goodbye kiss because otherwise that would be awkward. Well I’ll be going now. Goodbye, Katsuki. Goodbye, Eijirou.”

God forbid it got awkward. Katsuki watched Shoto walk away , highly amused with the turn of events, and the ridiculously embarrassed look his brother had smeared across his face. He grabbed Deku by the elbow and dragged him towards the house. Sparing one last look over his shoulder at the older alpha, he snorted at confusion evident in his eyes. It was a rather bizarre couple of minutes leading to the end of their conversation.

“Eiji,” Katsuki shoved Deku through the door, smirking back at the red head. “Good luck talking with my dad.”

As if on cue Shota appeared next to the omega, ruffled his hair, then stepped outside to address the alpha.

“Alright, Eiji,” Shota put an unnecessary emphasis on his name, causing the alpha to noticeably gulp. “Time for the shovel talk.”

With that, Katsuki closed the door and joined his brother on the couch to curl up by the fire. He may not have known Shota long but he knew he was a badass and a bit overprotective, Katsuki did not envy Eiji the conversation that was awaiting him

Chapter 13: The Happy Couple

Summary:

Bit of a time jump. It has now been a just over a year since Katsuki and Eijirou have been courting and Katsuki couldn’t be happier. Or could he?

Notes:

Here is a bit of happy stuff before we get to a bit more angst. Enjoy. Let me know if there is any mistakes or continuity stuff that I fucked up on.

It has been just over a year since Katsuki and Eijirou have officially been courting, and Katsuki couldn't be happier. For the first week Eijirou was a bit timid around Katsuki, but only when Shota was around. Whatever Shota had said to the alpha clearly had him freaked out a bit. The last year was the best year of Katsuki’s life, he was happily being courted, and Deku was chosen by Eijirou to be his right hand man once he officially took the place of pack alpha.

Shoto and Deku had announced their courtship and shortly after, while on patrol, Deku found a small wolf pup injured and alone in the middle of the forest, and, of course, being the softy that he is, decided to take her in. The little pup had bonded with him and, for the first few months, refused to be further than ten feet away at any time. Shoto and Deku decided that they would adopt the little girl and move into their own home. They have been raising her ever since, and Katsuki doesn't think that he has ever seen Deku so happy than when he was surrounded by his little family. The girl, Eri, was only five when they found her and she was so, so small. Now she is six and with the proper nutrition and care she has nearly doubled in size. Now she runs and plays with all the other pups, Katsuki barely recognizes her from when he first met her.

Eri wasn't the only new addition to the pack. Mina’s pup was born a week and a half after Eiji and Katsuki became an official pair. The little boy was so small and wrinkly and ugly when he was first born. Katsuki had never seen a newborn baby before and he swears that, after hearing how much it cried and how much pain Mina was in, he was never going to have pups of his own. Maybe he will just take in a stray like Deku and Shoto.

“Uncle Kacchan!” A tiny body slams into his legs nearly knocking him to the ground. Attached to his legs like a leech is Eri grinning up at him.

“What is it, you little rat,” Katsuki ruffled the little girl’s hair and smiled down at her lovingly. He never in a million years would have guessed that he would love being an uncle as much as he did.

“Grandpa Shota told me to bring you home. He said that if I can get you to come home in,” she unlatches from his legs and stares hard at her fingers counting them. Finally she triumphantly holds up seven fingers “ten minutes then I will get extra ice cream with dessert! So, you. have. to. come. home. now.”

She accentuated every word with a tug to his arm using all her strength to pull him along. He didn't move an inch. Instead he hoists her onto his shoulder and lets her dangle there for a moment. She giggles at being flung around by him, there isn't a better sound in the world, in Katsuki’s opinion.

“Alright, let’s go then or we’re gonna be late,” Katsuki wipes the sweat off his forehead and walks away from the sparring dummy that he has been beating up for the past two hours.

Normally, Eri enjoyed being able to walk on her own and would squirm until Katsuki is forced to put her down before she falls, but today, it seems, the fear of being late for extra ice cream is enough to get her to sit still. Without her wiggling around, Katsuki is able to jog back to the house and get just a little bit more of a workout in. Ever since he has been going on patrols, exercising has been his new favorite activity. Any chance he gets, outside of his heats, he will be found doing some type of workout, currently his go to is to spar with his alpha then race back to his house. Unfortunately, the shitty haired alpha claimed to be too busy today, so Katsuki was forced to beat up a wood and straw dummy.

The added weight of having Eri clinging to his back made his jog home more difficult than usual but the burn in his muscles made him grin. Eri slipped from his back once the house was in sight and sprinted to the front door. Katsuki caught his breath and walked after her, he placed his hands on his head to get rid of the cramp in his side. At the door he hesitated to go in, based on the different smells he was picking up on there was at least nine people already in the house. He gripped the door knob and glanced at Eri out of the corner of his eye, she had a very mischievous grin on her face. Squinting at her, he finally twists the knob and opens the door.

“Surprise!” Eight people shout at him when the door is fully open.

Standing just inside the door are his two dads, his brother and Shoto, Mina, Sero, and their one year old son, Denki, and his shitty haired alpha. Katsuki is speechless, he has never had anyone throw him a surprise party before, hell he barely remembered it was his birthday until he opened the door. Eri grabs him around the legs one more time and hugs with all her might, making the cutest little face.

“Happy birthday, Kat!” Eijirou runs forward and buries Katsuki in a hug, practically smothering him. When he pulls away and Katsuki still hasn’t said anything, he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Sorry, I didn’t know if you would like it but I wanted to do something special for you. I mean you don't turn 18 every year-”

The alpha gets cut off when Katsuki slams into him.

“Thank you,” Katsuki spoke just above a whisper, only loud enough for the alpha to hear.

“Anything for you,” Eiji hooks his finger under the omega’s chin and lifts his head until he can lean down and comfortably capture the omega’s lips in a chaste kiss. “Happy birthday.”

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The party was less of a party and more of a gathering, but Katsuki loved it all the same. It was absolutely perfect. All 11 of them sat and ate dinner and cake, Eri with an extra scoop of ice cream on her plate, then Hizashi called everyone to the living room so that Katsuki could open presents. Even though he loved praise and having all the attention on him when he was sparring, he hated being the center of attention outside of training. Thankfully, his family knew this about him. The whole group chipped in and got Katsuki one single gift, a leather backpack that he could take with him on patrols. Each member of the group helped in their own way, the adults, minus Mina, helped hunt and skin the deer for the leather, while Mina and the kids decorated it. Small skulls and bones and little explosions were painted with dyes all over the bag. Kacchan was written on one of the straps, clearly having been written by Eri, with the help of Mina.

Although he isn't emotional, he was having a hard time holding back tears. This was the most thoughtful gift he has ever gotten, it was personalized for him by all the people he loved. It was even made so that he could carry it in both his wolf and human form. He can't keep the tears from slipping down his face and of course his family notices and swarms him with a huge group hug. He puts up with it for a couple of minutes until he gets too claustrophobic and shoos everyone away.

“Um,” Eijirou speaks up just as everyone was deciding to go home. “So, I actually have one more gift for you Kat.”

“Eiji,” Katsuki glares at him for putting him on the spot. Looking around everyone else seems just as confused as he is, everyone except for his dads.

“I wanted to wait until you were 18 before I asked you,” The alpha reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a hand carved wooden box. He bends down on one knee and opens the box. Inside is a small handmade ring with Katsuki and Eijirou’s initials carved into the top. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake up by your side every morning. I want to protect you and have you protect me from anything that wants to hurt us. You are the most amazing and unique person I have ever met and I can’t even begin to imagine my life without you in it. So, Katsuki, will you be my mate? Will you marry me?”

Katsuki’s brain froze. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. He was being proposed to. This amazing alpha was down on the ground singing Katsuki’s praises and asking him to marry him. Holy shit.

“Yes.”

Chapter 14: Trouble in Paradise

Summary:

Katsuki and Eijirou have a fight, Katsuki takes refuge with his family.

Notes:

TW- slight panic attack, and a bit of imprisonment mentioned

Katsuki swears to whatever deity is out there that he is never going to fucking move ever again. First off, the packing and unpacking took way too long for his liking. It didn't help that his omega was so god damned particular about the most random shit. There is absolutely no reason that the arm chair had to be in that exact corner facing that specific direction but his omega deemed it necessary. He was at his wits end with the whole thing. It double didn't help that he had to dismantle his nest to move it to his new home, it took a whole week, and lots of comfort and reassurance, for him to feel even remotely comfortable to think about having to take it apart. Shota assured him that the nest would be the last thing that was going to be brought over so that Katsuki would be able to stay in it whenever he needed. That small bit of comfort kept him sane during the move to his new house.

The Second, and honestly most important reason he would never be moving again is because he doesn't want to. Every night since moving in with Eiji has been amazing. His days start curled in his nest next to his alpha, one of his ridiculously large arms thrown protectively over the omega. Every morning when Katsuki stretches awake, reluctantly, crawls out of bed, the alpha makes the smallest sound of protest before finally settling back to sleep. Hours after he wakes up and has one for his morning run and cleans himself up, he starts making breakfast, usually something simple like eggs and bacon. The alpha never fails to wake up to the aroma of his mates cooking wafting through their small home.

“Good morning, Babe,” Eiji yawns and scratches the back of his neck. He sleepily walks up behind the omega and drapes himself over the smaller man. “Smells good.”

Like every morning before, the alpha has decided to forgo a shirt and stands half naked in Katsuki’s kitchen, and like every morning before, the omega pretends to be annoyed but does nothing to get the alpha to move. He just rolls his eyes and continues to scramble the eggs. Eventually he is forced to shrug off Eiji, unless he wants the breakfast to burn, and tells the alpha to get some plates. The alpha, as always, rushes to do his omega’s bidding, ever the one to please.

This has been his life for the past two months. Katsuki wouldn't trade it for the world. This was his Paradise.

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“God damnit, Katsuki!” The alpha was red in the face, Katsuki could almost see the steam shooting from his ears. “Why can’t you just be reasonable for once? I mean for crying out loud! You're going to be going into heat soon!”

“You can’t tell me what to do! You don't own me, Eiji!” All Katsuki wanted was to go on one last patrol before his heat actually started. He was technically only in preheat right now. Which means that he is perfectly fucking fine to go out one last time. He wants to tell his idiot alpha this but is cut off before he even can get a word out.

“No. I am putting my foot down on this one,” The tone of voice the alpha took didn't sit right with Katsuki. “We have talked about this for the past week, even Shota agrees with me that you shouldn't be out, especially not on patrol, when you're in preheat. You are staying home, I don't care if I have to lock you in the bedroom to keep you here.”

The words instantly freeze the building anger in Katsuki’s chest. They ring back memories of being locked away, of being held back, of being chained to the ground. His hands start to shake, and tears build in his eyes. Katsuki was already uncomfortable because of his preheat and all he wanted was for his alpha to support him and be there for him. He wouldn't have even complained if the alpha insisted on going on the patrol with him. None of the outcomes did he ever think that his mate, the one person who is always supposed to be on his side, would throw his biggest fear back at him. Katsuki’s heart shattered at the betrayal.

“Shit, Kat. That’s…I didn't mean it like that,” the alpha took a step towards his trembling mate, who backed away with every step. He knows he fucked up, he is just so sick of the yelling that they have been doing for the past three days. They went back and forth for hours arguing, Katsuki yelling at Eiji and vice versa. “Kat, baby, I’m sorry. I swear I would never…”

“Fuck you.” Katsuki’s words were drenched in hatred and betrayal. The air thickened with the scent of distressed omega pheromones. Deep down Katsuki knows that Eiji didn't mean it, that it was only said out of anger in the heat of the moment, but his omega was having trouble rationalising that. Being just a few days from his heat made him more emotional. This was the first heat that Katsuki was going to spend with his alpha. After two years, he had finally decided to spend his heat with his alpha, then this happens. Just his luck.

“Kat, please wait,” Eiji reaches out to pull the omega into a hug, instead Katsuki flinches away. “Baby…”

“I’m leaving,” Katsuki sniffs and backs towards their front door, reaching behind him and fumbling for the door knob. “I’m going home, stay the fuck away from me.”

With that Katsuki runs out the door leaving the stunned alpha regretting the whole morning. He should have just let Katsuki be, let him do what he wanted. He should have agreed. He should have, should have, should have…. He royally fucked up. Eiijrou wants to follow after the fleeing omega but he knows that will only make the situation worse, so instead he stands and watches his whole world run from him.

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Katsuki can’t breathe by the time he gets to his dad’s house. Inside, he can hear the voices of his family, the giggles of his niece, and he just wants to be surrounded by them. Tears blur his vision as he stumbles up the steps and slams the door open. The scents of his family flood his nose which thankfully helps him slow down his breath. He slowly collapses to his knees in front of the open door, the talking stops and he whines at the loss.

Footsteps thud through the house towards Katsuki. Shota is the first to get to his side, crouching and pulling Katsuki to his chest. The older man holds his son close, scenting him the whole time in an attempt to calm the younger omega.

“Sho? What's going on?” Hizashi pops his head into the entryway, Izuku close behind. His eyes widened slightly seeing his youngest son sobbing on the ground. “Oh.”

Hizashi crouches next to the two omegas and begins to run his fingers through Katsuki’s hair. A stuttered purr slips from the boy’s throat, giving Hizashi and Shota a bit of reassurance that their son will be okay, even if he is hurting for whatever reason right now.

“Kacchan?” Izuku stands behind the three on the floor, his scent thick with worry for his brother. “What’s going on?”

Hizashi and Shota share a glance then look at the young alpha.

“We don't now,” Shota finally says. “I’m gonna take him to the nest. Keep everyone here, Zashi.”

Hizashi just nods and Izuku, even though he wants to follow his brother and figure out why he is so distressed, decides to listen to his father and stays put. At least until his own daughter comes up to him and tugs on the hem of his pants.

“Is Uncle Kacchan ok?” Eri asks. Izuku just smiles at her and hoists her in the air, settling her on his hip.

“He will be, Love. He will be.”

Meanwhile, upstairs, Shota lays Katsuki down in his nest and curls around him protectively, hoping to shield his son from whatever hurt him.

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“Kat, are you sure you want to go? No one will judge you for not patrolling, you’ve had a tough morning,” Shota stands with Katsuki at the front door, only an hour after he got to the house completely distraught.

“I’m fine, old man,” Katsuki rolls his eyes, he doesn't need to be babied like this. “ I just needed a bit of time in the nest. No big deal. My preheat just had me fucked up for a minute.”

Shota let him leave, albeit reluctantly, and only after thoroughly scenting the boy, if only to put his own omega at ease. It isn't easy for him to let his pup go after watching him break down, and no matter how much he wants to keep the boy in the nest, he refuses to hinder his freedom.

“Ok, just make sure to be careful,” Shota pulls him in for a hug, planting a kiss on Katsuki’s forehead. “Shoto is going with you, make sure to tell him if you aren’t feeling well.”

“Tch, whatever,” Katsuki turns and jogs away from his dad.

Hopefully going on patrol with Shoto will help Katsuki decompress. Maybe he will be able to sort through his thoughts on what he needs to say to Eiji, they both fucked up and Katsuki needs to fix it becasue no matter what happened, Katsuki can’t imaging life without his alpha anymore.

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“Traps are set,” the tall scarred man says to another man as they walk down a set of stairs into a musty basement. “Now we just have to wait.”

The other man brought his hand up to his neck and started scratching, the skin there raw and raised. His cracking, dry lips split into a feral grin. Finally, after three years his plan is going to be coming to an end. The two men make their way towards the end of the dark room and stop in front of a cage. A growl fills the air, the wolf in the cage cowers against the wall, his purple tinted fur standing on end and his tail curlers against his belly. The man stops scratching and grips the bars of the cage in a white knuckled grip.

“Perfect, Dabi,” a deep chuckle rumbles from his chest. He locks eyes with the wolf. “Soon you won’t be alone.”

The wolf shrinks further into himself and watches the two men leave. His heart breaks for whatever poor wolf gets dragged into this hell. It’s been three years that he has been trapped down here, three years since he has seen his parents, his pack…his mate, and he wouldn't wish that pain on anyone. He prays to whatever diet is out there that no one gets trapped by these human monsters.

Chapter 15: Fuck

Summary:

Katsuki and Shoto patrol together, while Izuku has a talk with Eijirou.

Notes:

TW: some gore

“-uki. Katsuki.”

Katsuki jumps a mile, pulled from his thoughts by Shoto. Glancing at the beta from his peripherals, Katsuki notices the worried look that the other is shooting his way. Well, as worried a look as the unexpressive man can manage. Fuck. He needs to get his shit together. He swore to his dad that he would be fine, and he threw a whole fit with Eiji, saying that his preheat wouldn't affect him on his patrol. In Katsuki’s defense, it likely wouldn't have been that big of a distraction if it weren't for the fight with Eijirou right before he had to leave.

“Katsuki!” Shoto grips Katsuki by the shoulder and stops him in his tracks. “Are you okay? I have been trying to talk to you for the past five minutes.”

Katsuki shrugs the hand off his shoulder and keeps walking. He can hear Shoto let out a frustrated sigh before jogging to get back in step with Katsuki. They are both quiet for a while before the blond chooses to speak up.

“I’m fine,” it's mumbled but Shoto clearly heard him based on the small disbelieving scoff. “Really, I’m fine. Eiji and I just got into an argument. We both said some shit that was fucked up but it’s fine. We’ll be fine.”

He knows it sounds like bullshit, almost like he is trying to convince himself, but Katsuki really and truly believes that they will be fine. He loves Eijirou, and he knows just how much Eijirou loves him. Even as emotionally constipated as he is, Katsuki can’t help but to see how the red head alpha lights up when Katsuki walks into a room or when he laughs. Hell even when Katsuki is scowling and glaring at every living thing that is near him, Eijirou still looks at him like he hung the stars. They will get past this little rough patch.

“Okay,” Shoto stops scanning Katsuki’s face, looking for anything that would indicate that he is lying but finding nothing. “As long as you’re sure. Izuku and Eri were just worried about you, me too.”

Katsuki’s eyes widen in surprise. He never thought that Shoto cared about hom like that, he figured that the glances and talk was because Deku had asked him to keep an eye on Katsuki, not because he actually cared for him. He’s glad though, it’s nice to know that people care.

“Thanks, I guess,” Katsuki rubs the back of his neck, fingers catching on the small twine rope holding the ring he got from Eiji. A smile creeps onto his face at the thought, he can’t wait to get back home, to see his mate, to actually apologize for one in his life…

The sound of rustling makes the two jump to attention both shifting into their wolf forms. A small fox jumps into the path in front of them. None of the three move for a minute, then Shoto lets out a huff, the closest thing that he can get to a laugh as a wolf. Katsuki can't help but find it funny too, he can’t believe that a tiny fox had scared the two.

Shoto continued walking, Katsuki spared the startled fox one last glance before it jumps away and back into the woods. He mourns his needlessly destroyed clothes that he now has to leave behind, but follows a few steps behind the beta. After only four steps he stops again, something shiny catching his eye. Directly next to where the fox had been, only a foot away, was a thick metal chain partially buried by leaves.

Getting closer, Katsuki crouches next to it and clears off more of the brush and leaves. What’s revealed is the sharp metal teeth to a bear trap, one big enough that if stepped on it would snap a bone easily. Katsuki’s eyes grow in panic. Fuck. This is not good. He needs to get back and warn the rest of the pack. There are so many others out on patrol right now, so many that could possibly get hurt, badly, if they accidentally step on one of these traps. Shit. Shoto.

Katsuki whirls around to stop Shoto from leaving but is met with emptiness. Shoto mustn’t have noticed Katsuki had stopped. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Katsuki kicks a rock into the trap setting it off with a loud clang, effectively disarming it making it nearly harmless, then takes off in a sprint after Shoto, following his scent.

Luckily, Shoto hadn't made it too far and Katsuki was able to catch up to him in no time. Katsukki crashes through the trees getting hit in the face by various tree branches, the commotion causes Shoto to stop walking and turn back to Katsuki. The clearly startled beta pauses for a moment, until he notices the look of panic on the omega’s face. Shoto cocks his head and steps closer to Katsuki. All Katsuki can think to do to get Shoto to stop moving is growl at him, which, unfortunately, only causes the beta to quicken his pace to find out what is wrong. Fuck. He needs to get Shoto to stop moving, they need to check the area for more traps.

Katsuki scans the area, eyes shifting and scanning the fallen leaves and bushes and twigs, looking for anything out of the ordinary. He is about to relax, when he finally sees it, right in Shoto’s path. Shit! Without thinking, Katsuki lunges forward, tackling Shoto, saving him from the trap. Unfortunately, Katsuki isn't as lucky. The metal teeth bite into his leg, pain blooms from the wound, the bone snaps, Katsuki yelps. The pain is like nothing he has ever experienced, it’s worse than he could have ever imagined. Warm blood trails down his leg and pools at his foot, a tingling sensation already consumes his foot from the blood loss.

Shoto stumbles to his feet, shaking himself out. He turns to Katsuki ready to chew him out, until the scent of fear and pain swarm his senses. Kasuki is only about five feet from Shoto and he struggles to try and stand but only crumples to the ground with a pained grunt. Shoto creeps closer, belly low to the ground. Katsuki flops to his side, panting heavily, and shifts his head so he can watch Shoto approach. A whine escapes his throat, Shoto runs the rest of the short distance and freezes when he sees the damage.

Just below the omega’s ankle, the large metal teeth of a bear trap clamp into his leg. Below where the trap is locked to him, Katsuki’s leg is bent at an odd angle and oozing a steady stream of blood. The flesh of his leg is torn and ripped from the omega tugging at it to try and free it initially. A bit of bone is visible, Shoto shudders at the sight.

Without a second thought, Shoto shifts back into a human, shivering slightly as the cool breeze hits his now naked skin.

“Fuck, Katsuki!” Shoto grabs the trap by the teeth and tries to pry them apart to free the omega. It doesn't work. He tries to pull the chain that is staked into the ground, again to no avail. Fuck he is going to have to find help. He is going to have to leave Katsuki by himself, while he runs to get help, it’s not ideal but it’s his only option. “Okay, okay, Katsuki. Hey, Kat, buddy, look at me.”

Shoto places his hands on either side of Katsuki’s face and waits until the blond looks at him. It takes longer than he would have liked for red eyes to find his own mismatched ones. When they finally lock eyes, Shoto curses under his breath at the far away look in the usually sharp eyes.

“I need to get help, okay? I promise I will come back as soon as possible with someone who can help.” Katsuki whines again and closes his eyes, letting out a small huff of air.

Dammit, he needs to stop the bleeding, or at least slow it down before he leaves, or else Katsuki might bleed out before Shoto even gets back to the pack. Shoto runs back to where their shredded clothes were left, making sure to watch where he is stepping. The already triggered trap sticks out of the leaves, and Shoto realizes that Katsuki was trying to warn him. Fuck if only he had noticed sooner. He grabs the longest piece of clothing he can find, the remnants of Katsuiki’s torn pants, and splints back to the injured wolf. He crouches next to the blond armed with the cloth and a sturdy stick.

“Alright, Kat, this is going to suck, like a lot, but it is going to let me get help without having to worry about you bleeding out on me first,” with careful hands, Shoto wraps the cloth around the omega’s leg just above where the wound is, and ties it to itself. He slides the stick into the cloth and twists it, cutting off the circulation to the lower leg. The noise the younger wolf makes breaks Shoto’s heart, there is so much pain laced into the simple whine. “I know, I know. It’s okay. This should hold until I get back with help. I’ll bring Eijirou, I promise, you're going to be fine, just hang in there.”

Shoto stands, shifts into his wolf and runs at full speed back the way he came. Now that he is looking out for it, Shoto can’t help but notice just how many traps have been set, it’s honestly a miracle that it took so long for them to find one. His nose twitches as he gets closer to where the next patrol group is, he quickens his pace, chest heaving, but he doesn't slow, he can’t slow if he wants to get Katsuki help in time.

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Eijirou will literally never forgive himself. He will spend the rest of his life trying to atone for what he said, he will do whatever it takes to get Katsuki to forgive him, if he even wants to. After what Eijirou said, he wouldn't blame Katsuki if he never wants to see him again. The thought makes his alpha whine, he would be miserable if Katsuki decided to cut him out but if that's what would make Katsuki happy then Eijirou would just have to make do.

He should have just gone on patrol with Katsuki. After knowing him for just about two years, he should have known that no matter what he said, Katsuki was going to go out on patrol. Eijirou would have felt much better about Katsuki being out if he had just gone with him. If they were partnered up for the patrol then Eijirou’s alpha wouldn't be losing its mind over having to protect its omega. He also wouldn't be stuck on this awkward patrol with Izuku. When they first met up, Izuku was so mad about what transpired between him and Katsuki that the green haired alpha actually growled at him. Not that Eijirou blames him, he deserves it.

“Hey, um, so are you both alright, or…” The annoying nasally voice of the beta trainee that Izuku and him were paired up with breaks the tense silence. “I mean, you kinda seem…pissed.”

Eijirou doesn't answer him. If he did, he probably would have snapped at the teen, which was unfair to the boy. Izuku sighs to show his annoyance but decides to answer regardless.

“We’re fine, Yuto,” Izuku glances at the boy briefly. “Don't worry about it and just focus.”

The three walk in silence for a little while longer. Though soon, the tension between the alphas grew too much for Eijiru to handle.

“Look, Izuku,” Eijirou began, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I’m not sure what you know about what happened but I didn't mean to upset him. I just got frustrated. I was just trying to protect him.”

“Protect him?” Izuku stopped walking abruptly and spun around to face Eijirou. If Eijirou was anyone else, the glare plastered on Izuku’s face would have him shaking in his boots. “If you were trying to protect him, why did he show up crying? Why was he breaking down without you? Why was he alone? If you were protecting him then he wouldn't have come to us.”

The words were harsh, they cut deep, but Eijirou couldn't find any fault in them. They were true.

“I didn’t mean…”

“I would hope you didn't mean to hurt him,” the scowl on Izuku’s face deepened. “If you meant to then we would have a whole other issue. Kacchan will get over it, eventually. As for me, Pop, and Dad, you'll have to earn our trust back.”

Eijirou dipped his head in shame, he really and truly deserved this.

“Um, guys.”

“Hell, even Eri is pissed at you, Eijirou,” Izuku throws up his hands. “You fucked up.”

Damn, he knew he fucked up bad. Izuku never swears. He is like the golden boy, so his swearing means that he is really and truly pissed. Rightfully so.

“Guys.”

“You’d be lucky if any of us trust you enough to let Kacchan move back in with you after this.”

At that, Eijirou looks up, with his own scowl plastered on his normally happy face.

“Look, you can say what you want, but you can’t make that decision for him. I know I messed up big time, and I am going to spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to him. If you try to control him he will just end up being pissed at you and then he will have no one,” Eijirou takes a breath and gets ready to say more, but is cut off before he can start.

“Guys!”

Izuku and Eijirou both snap to attention, eyes finding Yuto who is crouching on the ground staring at them, looking very done with their bickering.

“If you are done fighting, you might want to take a look at this,” Yuto stands and steps to the side.

A small fox lays dead in a heavy metal trap. Its neck snapped by the jaws, while the teeth dig into the flesh of its neck. The poor thing never stood a chance. The only bit of solace that Eijirou can find is that it’s very unlikely that the little guy suffered, it most likely died immediately.

“We have to tell someone, right?” Yuto spoke up. “I mean, like, if there’s one then there are probably more. Right?”

“Yeah, we should turn back and warn…” Izuku stops in the middle of his thought, his nose twitching as the wind blows slightly. “Sho?”

A twig snaps to Eijirou’s left and he tenses, readying for a fight. Instead of a predator, a frantic Shoto crashes through the trees, nearly slamming into Eijirou, who sidesteps causing Shoto to go careening into Yuta. The two tumble a little ways before Shoto untangles himself. He shakes himself off and gets on all fours, chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath.

“Shoto? What are you doing here?” Izuku reaches out to his mate in a feeble attempt to calm the beta down.

Shoto looks around, eyes wide with panic. Then he shifts out of nowhere leaving himself naked, his hair is a mess, plenty of burrs finding their home there, and his body is covered in scratches. Yuto makes a choked sound and turns his back to the now naked man in front of him. Shoto’s eyes flick to the dead fox before landing on Eijirou.

“You-” he pauses, allowing more oxygen to fill his lungs. “You need to come with me. It’s- it’s Katsuki.”

Both Eijirou and Izuku freeze up at the mention of the omega.

“We were,” he catches his breath once more, accepting a bottle of water offered to him by Yuto, who is still avoiding looking at him. “We were patrolling until a fox jumped out at us. We shifted and kept on patrolling until Katsuki started acting weird. He was growling at me, then he just tackled me, but he- he landed on one of the traps, and I can’t get him unstuck. His leg is all messed up. I can’t move him.”

Shoto barely finished talking before he shifted again and ran back in the direction he came from. Eijirou is close behind him, also shifted into his wolf. His ears are ringing, the only thoughts running through his head is how he should have stayed with Katsuki, he should have been there, if only he was a better mate, please, please, please be okay.

Notes:

Comments and kudos are appreciated :)

Chapter 16: Gone

Summary:

Shoto, Eijirou, and Izuku fight to save Katsuki. Shota brings in the cavalry.

Notes:

A second chapter as an apology for missing a couple weeks of posting.

Katsuki slowly blinks awake, he can't remember how long it’s been since Shoto left, or why he left in the first place. They weren’t supposed to be out on patrol alone. His whole body tingles and his brain is functioning at half speed. Why is he just laying here? Why is he alone? He shouldn't be out here on his own, it’s dangerous. There could be predators, he really should get up. But he’s just so tired, he just wants to sleep, curl up in his nest with his alpha and sleep for a while. Yeah. That sounds good, but first he has to get up.

With a grunt, he tries to pick himself off the ground., but only gets halfway up before he collapses back on his side. Huh…strange. He tries again to lift himself but again falls back to the ground. As weight on his leg keeps him from getting up and going home. Katsuki blinks a couple times to clear his blurry vision, why is it so blurry? When he inspects his leg to see what is preventing him from standing.

Oh. Oh, right. Everything comes rushing back to him, the fox, the trap, chasing Shoto, the glint of metal, the sound of metal teeth biting into flesh and bone….the pain. Oh, fuck, the pain. His leg hurts, it hurts so fucking much. He chances a glance back at his foot where the once ash blond fur is now a deep crimson of dried and still leaking blood. Too much blood, that explains why he has a fuzzy feeling all over. Just above where the blood seeps from his body is a torn piece of cloth wrapped tightly around his leg, a crude makeshift tourniquet. Even with the tourniquet, though, the puddle of blood beneath his body steadily grows. Katsuki makes a small noise, a huff mixed with a whine, and lays his head back on the dirt ground. Shoto will come back, he wouldn't leave him to die alone. He will come back.

A cool breeze blows through the trees making Katsuki shiver. His nose twitches and his ears perk up. If he could smile he would because the breeze carries the scent of Shoto, Deku, and Eiji and they are so close. Fuck. Katsuki might cry from relief, he doesn't even care about trying to seem strong anymore. He just wants to have his family to make him feel better. The only problem is that they aren’t with him yet, he needs them to be here. Now.

A branch snaps, Katsuki's ears twitch, and he whines. The distant thudding speeds up, body crashing through the brush, then plowing into the small clearing where Katsuki is laying. Two sets of red eyes lock, and Eiji sprints the rest of the way to the omega, shifting halfway and sliding on his knees, coming to a stop by Katsuki’s head.

“Fuck,” Eiji’s voice is thick with emotion, his scent laced with worry. “Fuck, Baby, I’m here. I got you.”

Katsuki sighs and lets Eiji lift his head and rest it on his bare leg. The alpha’s large hands pet the side of Katsuki’s face in soothing strokes. It feels so nice, it’s just what Katsuki wanted.

“Hey, hey, no don’t sleep, Kat,” Katsuki’s eyes shoot open, he doesn't remember closing them. He blinks once then locks eyes with Eiji again. “There we go, just keep looking at me. Okay?”

Shoto and Deku finally catch up to Eiji and huddle around Katsuki, who is starting to feel a bit claustrophobic. The three men talk to each other, trying to figure out the best way to get Katsuki back to the pack. Their first plan of using a branch to pry the jaws of the trap open doesn't work, they can't get the right leverage without hurting the omega.

“What if we dig up the stake?” Deku, ever the clever one, suggests. In retrospect, that should have been the obvious answer, but in their desperation they weren’t thinking straight. “If we dig it up then we can carry him home. We would just have to be careful of how heavy the rest of the trap is so it doesn't put too much strain on his leg.”

“Shit, yeah. That’s smart,” Shoto shifts and starts digging around where the stake has been driven deep into the ground.

“Hopefully we will meet up with Yuta, and whoever he has to help, on the way back,” Deku shifts as well and starts digging

Eiji places Katsuki’s head back on the ground, ready to help digging. Katsuki is not having it though and whines, long and low. All three others top and stare.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Eiji soothes and sits back on the ground and holds the omega’s head once more. He gestures for the other two to continue digging. After all, the two of them should be able to dig the stake out without his help. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

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“Crap,” the stake is dug up and pulled from the ground, the only problem is the stake is four feet long and made of solid iron, though it isn't heavy enough on its own to pose a problem, it makes it significantly more difficult to carry along with carrying Katsuki. They don't have much of a choice though. “Ok, I’ll carry Kat, Izuku you carry the stake, and Shoto, you are going to keep an eye out for any other traps so that no one else gets hurt.”

Izuku and Shoto both nod. Izuku joins Eijirou in crouching next to Katsuki placing a kiss on his forehead, whispering encouragement and apologies, before grabbing on to the stake. With only a foot or so of chain linking the stake to the trap Izuku and Eijirou have to crowd together while lifting together.

“Alright, on three, okay?” Eijirou looks at Izuku, who nods back. “Okay, one, two, thre-”

A distant sound makes Eijirouu cock his head. His ears strain to hear better, based on the reactions of the other two cognizant people they hear it too. The sound and smell is completely foreign to his ears, it’s accompanied by the familiar snapping of branches. Whatever it is, it’s moving fast and it's big. Eijirou steps away from Katsuki, ignoring the omega’s protesting whines, and shifts getting ready to protect him. Izuku’s wolf steps up to Eijirou’s left and Shoto on his right. The sound is nearly on them now, the volume makes Eijirou’s ears flip back, it’s too loud. Just before whatever it is breaks through the trees into the clearing, Eijirou smells it, humans, more than he is comfortable with fighting, especially with only minimal backup and an injured mate.

The machine plows into the clearing and skids to a stop, three more follow close behind. Seven humans in total, a big black crate sits on the back of one of the machines. Eijirou ‘s hackles raise and he growls deep and menacing. A few of the humans flinch back, but most are unfazed.

“Hello there little puppies,” one of the humans speaks up, his eyes scanning each of the wolves, settling on Katsuki. “We came for our little prize over there. If you let us have him we will let you go home unharmed, well mostly unharmed.”

The man lifts a long rifle onto his shoulder and smirks. Eijirou immediately recognizes him, the burns that cover his face, neck and arms, as well as the bite mark, the same bite that Eijirou gave him two years ago back when he first met Katsuki and Izuku. Based on his reaction, the green haired alpha also recognizes the man. What is surprising though, is that Shoto also seems to know the man, even though he wasn't there. The beta’s eyes widen slightly and his growl pauses.

“Well , well, well,” the man's eyes find Shoto’s mismatched ones. “If it isn't Shoto Todoroki. Been a while, little brother.”

Little brother? Eijirou chances a glance back at Shoto. That’s something they will have to unpack later, but for now they have bigger problems. Izuku deepens his growl and steps forward threateningly. The man sighs and rolls his eyes. The gun levels at Izuku and a loud bang fills the clearing, the three wolves flinch at the sound. Izuku crumples to the ground, a dart sticks out of his chest, his eyes roll back in his head and his tongue lolls out the side of his mouth. Shoto steps over the alpha protectively, growling at the man. Eijirou takes the opportunity to lunge at the man while he is distracted. The wolf's body collides with the man, knocking him off balance. Chaos erupts. Shoto lunches at one of the other people and latches onto their throat, with a quick shake of his head he rips through the man's jugular and leaves him to bleed out.

It isn't long before a second bang cuts the air, and Shoto hits the ground. Then a third, and a dart digs into the meaty part of Eijirou’s hind leg. He fights the sedative, unwilling to give in, unwilling to let these humans take his omega. Before he lets the grogginess fully take hold of him, he inches back to where Katsuki lays panting on the ground. Eijirou nuzzles his face into Katuki’s neck, he ungracefully flops to the ground next to his mate. The fogginess in his mind grows.

He wishes he could apologize, wishes he could beg for forgiveness. But he can do nothing but watch and growl weakly as the humans surround them. They use a small key to unlatch the trap, releasing the omega’s leg. A barely audible whimper escapes Katsuki’s throat as his leg lands roughly on the dirt. Eijirou’s eyes droop closed, no matter how hard he tries to fight it.

The largest man of the group stalks up to Katsuki and lifts him in the air, taking no care to not injure the wolf anymore. A girl with pigtail buns unlocks the crate and lets the door fall open. Katsuki is laid in the crate, Eijirou locks eyes with him one last time before the door closes and Eijirou loses his battle with sleep.

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Shota sprints through the forest, Hizashi close on his tail. He can’t lose another of his children to the humans, it would break him. They are getting closer, he can smell them. Shoto, Eijirou, Izuku and Katsuki, all four of them, their scents mingled together with the overwhelming, unpleasant smell of humans. He picks up his pace, and barrels into a clearing just in time to see his son getting locked in a black crate, the three others lay motionless on the ground.

Hizashi lunges past him, aiming for the girl standing next to the crate. A man jumps in front of the girl and blocks Hizashi’s assault on the girl. A second man grabs Hizashi around the middle and bear hugs him. The man's muscles contract and squeeze the air out of the wolf lungs. Shota launches at the man and locks his teeth on the man’s face, he drops Hizashi in favor of trying to claw the other wolf off his head, he has no such luck. He falls to a knee, just as six more wolves breach the tree line. Toshinori, Enji, Hanta, and Denki take up a defensive position around the downed wolves, while Recovery Girl and Yuta check on the three.

“Let's go! Himiko, you take Goto’s quad,” the heavily scarred man shouts. The remaining five humans get on their quads and begin to drive away, taking Katsuki with them.

Toshinori, Enji, Denki and Hanta take off in a sprint after the humans. As much as Shota would like to follow and get his son back, his other son needs him too. Hizashi and Shota share a look, a knowing look. They can’t lose Katsuki too, they will find him no matter what or how long it takes.

Chapter 17: Touya Todoroki

Summary:

The Todoroki family history comes to light.

Notes:

This is kind of a slower less interesting chapter. Also Happy late Thanksgiving. :)

Waking up was a disorienting experience. Before Eijirou even opened his eyes, noise filled his ears, borderlining on overwhelming. He can make out two different voices, both comforting to him even though he isn't fully cognisant. His vision is blurry no matter how much or how fast he blinked and his nose couldn't pick up on any particular scents to help him identify anyone.

“What’s going on?” Eijirou’s throat is too dry. To his left one of his moms, his omega mother, comes into his line of view. “Mama?”

A hand cards through his hair, detangling the strands and scratching against his scalp. He follows the arm and finds it attached to his alpha mother. A rumble forms in his chest and he leans further into her and nearly falls back to sleep. Nearly.

Eijirou’s eyes shoot back open. He remembers everything. No. No, no, no, no! He has to find Katsuki. They took him and Eijirou couldn't do anything to stop it. Not with the help of Izuku and Shoto and especially not by himself. Fuck. He is the worst alpha. He failed at his most important job. Fucking hell, he even promised Shota, Hizashi and Izuku that he would watch out for Katsuki, he promised himself that he would protect Katsuki. Fuck.

“Hey, hey, Ei, baby look at me,” a pair of soft hands cup his face and force him to look at his mama. “You're okay. It’s okay.”

How the fuck is any of this kay? Katsuki is gone. He was taken from him and Eijirou couldn't do anything to stop it.

“Eijirou,” his mom’s voice demands attention, using her take no shit mom voice that he was so used to growing up. “Katsuki will be okay, you’ll make sure of it. Now before you descend into any self deprecation or self flagellation, you should talk to Toshinori and Enji. From what little they have told us they were able to track the humans for a while and Denki and Hanta are still on their scent.”

That’s good news. If Denki and Hanta are still on the humans trail then Eijirou can catch up to them. That’s the most ideal outcome for such a shitty situation. Now all Eijirou has to do is get out of bed. Both of his mothers complain about him trying to stand, saying that he needs to rest, regain his strength, that he won't be of use to anyone if he isn't 100%. They don't get it. He can't just stay laying down and resting, not while Katsuki isn't safe at home in his nest. Once that happens, then Eijirou will rest, but not before.

“Ei, baby, listen,” his mama pleads with him. “Please just stay here and wait until Toshinori finishes speaking with Shoto and Izuku. Then you can figure out what to do. Okay?”

Eijirou didn't hear the rest of what she said, his mind was too focused on Shoto. Something one of the humans said to him. They called him brother. What the fuck? If, somehow, that’s even possible, maybe Shoto can figure out where they took Katsuki. Eijirou needs to find him and talk to him.

Shoving his way past his moms, he stumbles his way down the hall of the small medical building. If he was taken here then chances are that Izuku and Shoto also were, he just needs to find them.

Quiet conversation spills into the hall from one of the rooms with its door cracked open. Based on the voices, everyone who he was wanting to talk to was already there. Perfect.

The door slams open, almost hard enough to make a dent in the solid wood wall with how hard and fast Eijirou pushed it. Six sets of eyes look at him, mouths hanging open. They clearly weren’t expecting such an abrupt interruption. Shota and Hizashi are crowded around Izuku’s bed, a small makeshift nest circles the younger alpha. Shota’s omega must be going crazy with one son missing and the other injured. Enji Todoroki stands by his son’s bedside, as always the large man is as stoic as ever, possibly the only thing he and Shoto have in common. He offers no comfort to his son.

“Young Eijirou,” Toshimori’s eyes widen slightly. “You should be in bed. I don't believe that Chiyo has given you the okay to be walking about. We don’t know what the humans drugged Shoto, Izuku, and you with. We will meet with you once we are finished here, so please go back to your room and…”

“No,” Eijirou said, more forcefully than he had intended. The surprise on everyone's faces only deepened. “No, I need answers. My mate was taken and there was nothing I could do to stop it. So I think that I’m owed an explanation, starting with why the human called you ‘little brother’.”

Shoto flinches at Eijirou’s tone, which he can only ring himself to feel a little bad about. Enji, for his part, seems sad. The blatant emotion the man displays is startling for Eijirou, in all his 22 years of knowing the massive man he can’t remember him ever being one to be outwardly saddened by something. With a deep sigh, Enji pinches the bridge of his nose and straightens his back.

“You're right, you are owed an explanation,” the man sits in a small, uncomfortable looking chair, his large stature absolutely dwarfing the chair. His elbows rest on his knees and his fingers link together. “Shoto’s mother was a human. I met her when I was young, in a rebellion against my father, I decided to venture to the human village. At first I would only watch them from, and learn about them, then I became obsessed with them, enough to risk speaking to a human. Rei was the most amazing woman I had ever met.”

Holy shit. If Eijirou was given a million guesses he never would have suspected that Enji had mated a human, that Shoto’s mother was a human.

“We mated quickly, within the year, and had our first pup. Touya was the most amazing little boy. He tried his best to be just like me, but he was always more like his mother. He was a human like her too, except for his nose, his nose was purely that of a wolf’s. For their safety, I decided to live in the human’s, I didn't expect any pack to accept two humans into their borders,” Enji pauses to collect his thoughts. Shoto’s hands grip his bed sheets. “Soon after Touya turned two Rei gave birth to our twins, Fuyumi and Natsuo. They, too, were born human. For six years we lived with the humans, and we were happy, then Rei got sick, and we found out she was pregnant with Shoto. Every doctor we spoke to said she should terminate the pregnancy. That they couldn’t give her any treatment while she was pregnant. She refused. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her child.”

Eijirou spares a glance at Shoto. Izuku had crept towards his mate, his hand gently rubbing the beta’s back.

“She died shortly after giving birth to Shoto,” a single tear slides down Enji’s face, he wipes it with the back of his hand. He sits straight and crosses his arms over his chest. With a shaky inhale he continues. “I decided to take our children back to the forest, I couldn’t bear to live in the house without her.”

A knock on the door snaps everyone's attention to the short older woman hobbling in. Recovery Girl glares at Eijirou, who looks slightly guilty for having left the bed without permission.

“Sit,” she points at a chair and he does as he is told. He is smart enough not to argue with her.

As she does a quick check on Eijirou to make sure he is okay after being drugged, Shoto decides to finish his father’s story.

“I was five when everything went to shit. We were living with my grandfather's pack and Touya had taken me to a stream to play. We had been splashing and playing when out of nowhere smoke was everywhere. There was fire surrounding us, a burning branch fell and hit me in the head burning my eye, giving me my scar. Touya tried to grab me but I fell in the water and the current took me away,” Shoto stares at his lap, his voice thick with emotion.

“It took two days of searching to find where Shoto was,” Enji picks up where Shoto left off. “He was badly burned and was taken back to the pack. I spent the next week searching for Touya, but came up with nothing. All that was left of him was the burnt remains of the backpack he carried with him everywhere. We thought he was dead. We were wrong.”

Silence filled the room. Recovery Girl finished her exam and had long since left. The story is crazy, borderline unbelievable. There is just one thing that doesn't add up.

“That doesn't explain why he would help kidnap Kacchan,” Izuku says.

“No,” Enji looks at every person in the room, and buries his face in his hands. “No it doesn't.”

Notes:

Hey sorry if there are more typos than normal, I closed my hand in a car door so typing and I are not agreeing with each other. Just for a little clarification for this chapter, Enji is not a crappy abusive asshole in this story, and Fuyumi and Natuso still live with the pack they are just not really relevant to the story so they won’t be brought up very often.If there are any other questions, comments, or criticisms just let me know. :)

Chapter 18: In the Basement

Notes:

A bit of a longer chapter this time. Hope you like it.

Toshinori stands hunched over a massive wooden table in the center of the packs meeting hall, a marker in hand. A map spans the width of the table showing the forest, trails, and different pack territories. The rest of the table is surrounded by the different pack leaders and any of the pack who volunteered to aid in the search and rescue of Katsuki. To the left of the pack alpha, Enji stands with crossed arms, eyes scanning the map watching as Shota points at different points on the map. Each small red circle shows where a trap was discovered, each trap being accompanied by a small cube with a blinking light. According to Enji, the small devices were cameras, they allowed the humans to watch the traps while not being there in person, it’s how they knew they caught something. There were up to 50 traps and devices found already, and the scouts were still finding more, some of them even venturing into neighboring packs to warn of the danger.

Eijirou was getting restless. It has been two days since he woke up in the infirmary, and three since Katsuki was taken, and they are no closer to finding him. Denki and Hanta still haven't come back and the rest of the scouts have been too busy finding and disarming traps to go out and search. Eijirou wants to be out looking for his mate but Toshinori wouldn't let him go. He told Eijirou that he wouldn't be of any use to Katsuki running around aimlessly. Of course he was right, but that doesn't mean that Eijirou is any less pissed off.

“The last one is here,” Shota’s tired voice trails off as he points to a spot on the map.

Toshinori circles the point then caps the marker. Silence stretches long as everyone in the room contemplates the map. 63 traps in total surrounding their territory, some encroaching on the neighboring packs. Luckily, no one else was injured by the traps, just a few smaller animals that were unfortunate enough to fall victim to the metal teeth. Shota sits back in his seat, there is an uncharacteristic slouch to his shoulders, Hizashi rubs a hand across his shoulders. The man hunches even more into himself and leans into his husband.

Izuku and Shoto sit next to Eijirou, also watching Shota curl into Hizashi. A guilty look flashes on Shoto’s face, and Eijirou notices how Izuku squeezes his hand trying to comfort his partner.

“Okay,” Toshinori straightens his back and cracks his neck. “Until Young Denki and Young Hanta return we won't be able to know where the humans have taken Young Katsuki. Unfortunately, the human we were able to capture hasn’t revealed anything of use.”

Toshinori lets his words sink in, taking his time to look each person sitting at the table in the eyes. He makes sure everyone feels the weight of his words.

“Just because we don't know where he is doesn't mean we can’t make a plan for once we do get news of his whereabouts,” the pack alpha jabs his finger into the map, right at the border of the forest where the closest humans are known to live. “Here is the most likely location for Young Katsuki to have been taken.”

Eijirou straightens his spine and leans in eagerly, he notices Izuku and Shoto do the same. Toshinori sighs and brushes his two blond bangs out of his face, the man looks tired. He sits in his seat at the head of the table and steeples his fingers. Enji steps forward and looks at where the blond man had indicated.

“That doesn't narrow our search radius down nearly enough,” he takes a moment to observe the area of the human city. “That’s nearly 900 square miles of land. It will take days, if not weeks, to search all the possible locations that they took the boy.”

An air of hopelessness settles over the room. 900 square miles is a lot of acreage to cover. The weight on Eijirou’s shoulders doubles. How the fuck is he going to find Katsuki in such a big place, in such unfamiliar territory? Eijirou has barely left his pack’s boundaries, only venturing to neighboring packs when Toshinori named him as the successor for pack alpha, and even then he has never left the forest. No. Fuck that. Eijjirou isn't going to let hopelessness drag him down too. He is going to find his mate and bring him back. His chair falls to the ground as he stands causing a loud clatter, all eyes are focused on him. They all notice the renewed glint of determination reflected in his eyes. Izuku leans forward in his seat, the same look mirrored on his face.

Eijirou slams his fist on the table, ready to begin his speech, to light the fire under the asses of the pack. To prove that he is a worthy alpha leader, and mate. Before he is able to get past inhaling, the door to the room bursts inwards and crashes against the wall. Denki Kaminari stands in the open doorway, he braces his hands on his knees and pants, his chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath. No one speaks, too stunned by the sudden interruption. Toshinori is the one to break the tension.

“Young Denki,” he strides up to the young omega and ushers him to a seat.

Someone offers up a cup of water, which the blond chugs in seconds, another full cup ends up in his hand, this one is sipped slowly and savored. Denki looks up and startles at the people crowding him, his eyes meet Toshinori’s and they widen as if remembering why he was there.

“We…” He swallows and catches his breath once more, before locking eyes with Eijirou and smiling. “We found him.”

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Katsuki didn't want to wake up. In his dreams he was in his nest with his alpha, he was safe and warm and he didn't hurt. The distant voices don't care about his wants though and he is dragged from his peaceful slumber. The first thing he notices is as his consciousness returns is the pressure on his leg, something squeezing him fitting snug against his skin. Next he notices the wetness, a steady dripping echoes against the walls and the musty air tickles his nose and causes it to twitch.

“Hey, Tomura,” one of the voices speaks louder than before. “Looks like sleeping beauty here is finally awake.”

Katsuki risks opening his eyes. He is surrounded by two concrete walls spotted with mold and efflorescent. The ceiling drips water into a growing puddle that a large rat drinks from, taking no care of the others in the room. Steel bars complete the rest of the room. One set separates his cell from an identical cell, a lump in the corner of the adjacent cell moves ever so slightly under a blanket. He can’t tell who, or what, is under the blanket, all the mold and mildew is messing with his sense of smell. The other set bars him from a small hallway, four humans stand watching him like a hawk.

A girl, probably around his age, sits on a crate against the far wall. Her blond hair is up in two matching messy buns, a few loose strands frame her face. Katsuki would go as far as to say she is cute, if it weren't for the unnerving, crazed smile that splits her face as she cleans under her nails with the point of a hunting knife. She notices Katsuki watching and her smile grows, sharp canines glinting in the dim basement lighting. Standing next to the girl seemingly having a debate with himself if a taller, older man with similarly colored hair. A long scar connects his hair line to his brow, based on the scar pattern it looks to have been healed sloppily. He shouts to himself again before the girl shoves a paper bag with two eye holes, and the man goes quiet.

The third man leans against the bars, his arms resting on the horizontal rail, carelessly dangling on the inside of the cell. His messy, black hair spikes around his head turning to white the closer to the roots it gets. The man’s piercing blue eyes stand a stark contrast to the lower part of his face, which is covered in wrinkled burnt skin spanning all the way down his neck, disappearing under his white shirt and navy trench coat. Katsuki remembers him, he was the man who pulled him from his makeshift nest back before Eijirou had found him and Izuku.

Lastly, the fourth man leans back against the wall, his hands resting on his stomach, his fingers intertwined. Pale blue unkempt hair covers his face past his eyes, a couple strands shift with every exhale. Dry skin stretches across his face, and cracked lips are slightly parted. Slowly, one of his hands reaches up to his neck and he begins to scratch, flakes of dead, dry skin flakes off and slowly floats to the ground.

“Welcome,” the scratching man begins. “To your new home. My name is Toura Shigaraki. We apologize for our…err…methods of attaining you. We didn't want to be so rough, but were unfortunately left with little choice in the matter.”

The man’s voice is as dry as the rest of him, it grates on Katsuki’s ears.

“Though we did make sure to fix up your leg,” he gestures to Katsuki’s leg that he now notices is wrapped in a hard white plaster. “Consider it an olive branch. We helped you, we fixed your leg instead of just getting rid of it. So now, don't you think you owe us? You should repay the favor.”

What could they possibly want from Katsuki? What could he possibly give them?

“You see, we are just a small ragtag group of criminals,” he leans forward and clasps his hands in front of him letting his elbows support his weight on his knees. “Unfortunatley, our boss was recently arrested which has left us without the funds to continue with our plans. Lucky for us, though, our dear friend Dabi has a bit of a grudge against his dear old dad and was more than happy to tell us all about the wolf packs.”

The blue haired man gestures to the scarred man, Dabi, who lets a feral grin make a home on his face. The scarred skin around his mouth pulls awkwardly tight making the smile seem even more unsettling than it already was.

“He was also kind enough to tell us about your unique mating abilities. You see, us humans can’t just ‘mate’ with anyone and then miraculously have offspring. But not you, right?” Tomura throws his hands to his side. “So, as agreed upon earlier, you owe us a favor for saving your leg, and we would like to cash in on that favor sooner rather than later.”

What the fuck is this psychopath on about? Fucking hell, Katsuki has half a mind to stop listening to the crazy man’s nonsense.

“My friend Twice here,” Tomura claps the man with the bag on his head's shoulder. “He has connections. He got me in touch with a man willing to help with our money troubles, in exchange for an exotic animal. I spent too long trying to fulfill my end of the deal, but now that you are here we are finally able to move on to the next part of our plan.”

The young girl stands and skips to the far wall to push a small button. Metal scraping sounds fill the air, Katsuki hides his head under his paws, trying to block out the borderline painful noise. When, finally, the basement is quiet again except for the steady drip of water, Katsuki lifts his head. The steel bars separating the two cells are now gone, somehow having been retracted into the ground.

Tomura claps his hands against his knees and stands up. The other three are already making their way down the hall towards a staircase that Katsuki hadn’t noticed until that moment.

“We will leave you two alone to get acquainted,” Tomura slams the door at the end of the hall closed leaving Katsuki alone with the stranger hidden under the blanket.

Minutes pass without the blanket moving, and if Katsuki’s leg wasn't messed up he would have stormed up to the pile and demanded answers, at least that's what he tells himself. Looking around doesn't reveal any weak spots that he could exploit and use as a means of escape. Even though the concrete is cracked and clearly old, it is still built strong enough to withstand any measly escape attempt he would be able to cook up. Katsuki was so caught up in his thoughts, he hadn't noticed the bundle of blankets moved and is now sitting up staring at him with tired purple eyes.

“Hey,” Katsuki stops looking at the room and focuses on the man now sitting against the wall, the blanket covering his lap. “Looks like we are gonna be stuck here for a while, we might as well get to know each other a bit. My name’s Hitoshi, I’ve been here for a while now, though, I lost track of time a while ago.”

Katsuki doesn't answer, he can't shift into his human form with his leg covered in this plaster stuff, instead he just stares at Hitoshi waiting for him to continue.

“Well, I guess for now it will mostly just be me talking,” he chuckles to himself. “They brought you here a couple days ago, and I’m gonna be honest, you've piqued my interest.”

Hitoshi stands and walks slowly towards Katsuki. With each step he takes, the man's scent gets stronger, overpowering the heavy stench of mildew. He is clearly an alpha judging by the thick pheromones he is giving off. God, the man is tall, nearly as tall as Eiji, but not nearly as bulky. The lean stature suits him.

“When you are healed enough to shift,” Hitoshi stops walking when he is standing directly in front of Katsuki, then crouches so they are eye to eye. “I’m gonna need you to tell me where you came from and why you smell like my dad and pops.”

Notes:

Feel free to let me know what you think, any questions, comments, or critiques are welcome. :)

Chapter 19: NOT A CHAPTER JUST ART

Summary:

Just some cover art I drew while watching college soccer with my family.

I just wanted to draw what these two would look like along with their wolves. I think it came out decent enough.