"A Bit(e) Of Love" 🔞 | Art x Story Collab

Art by Shi | Story by SapphireTwilight

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“A costume contest?” 

Izuku blinked when Tsu nodded, following her and Denki down the hall of the dormitory. He hadn’t expected to have the two waiting for him and Katsuki outside of the showers, nearly falling back into his grumpy training duo at their arrival. After recovering from the jump scare, he followed them through the building, confused by their sudden announcement. “When did that get added to the Halloween party?”

“Mina and Hagakure thought of it last night,” Denki replied, shrugging. “Since it’s our last one before we graduate, they wanted to have some fun with it. So we’re doing couple costumes.”

“Co-Couple?!” Without permission, Izuku’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He forced his eyes not to shift to the man scoffing beside him.

“How the hell are Invisalign and Pinky doing that? They’re the only two in relationships with Tailboy and Shitty Hair.”  

“Not romantic couples,” Tsu explained, looking at Izuku long enough to increase his blush before she turned to Katsuki. “They’re just themed. Hagakure has a friend in one of the general studies who has a ‘body blend’ quirk.”

The new topic stole his attention. “I’ve heard of that quirk. It takes something synthetic on a person and blends it into a more realistic dynamic for a short period.”

“Oh, cool!” Denki nodded several times before he paused. “Wait. I don’t get it.”

“Are you stupid?” Katsuki scoffed. “It means whatever you slap on your body, the extra can make function like a real thing. So if you shove a mask on your face, you get to pretend you ain’t ugly for a night.”

As Denki whined at the insult, Izuku tried to soften the blow with a smile. “It can help people see if the body modifications they’re thinking of doing will be right for them without fully committing. If you want to change your hairstyle, you can put on a wig and the quirk will make it your own hair for a day. Or, if you’re playing a part for a performance, their ability enhances the costume by making the accessories authentic.”

“So if I want to try an earring without piercing anything, the quirk will turn clip-ons real?” When Izuku nodded, Denki cheered. “That’s so cool! This party is gonna be so much fun.”

“I think it’s dumb.” 

At Katsuki’s curt reply, Denki waved him off while leading them toward the living room. “You’re just scared you’ll lose the contest.” 

“Hah? As if! Freckles and I are gonna mop the floor with your shitty costumes.”

Izuku blushed again, hiding his smile when realizing Katsuki wanted to partner with him for the Halloween contest. He had thought the same thing, of course! Doing anything with Katsuki was always better, in his opinion. And maybe the idea of a couple’s costume, even if they weren’t ‘together’, felt… sort of important. Just the thought made his heart skip a beat, cheeks darkening even more.

The two had gotten really close since the war. Most of their mornings started with a workout before classes. They traded the responsibility of who brought lunch to share, though they never thought to ask others to join in on the task. After class, they’d end up in one of their bedrooms, studying together for upcoming tests. Sometimes, they even slept together (only sharing a bed, though Izuku’s ears would steam whenever his friends caught them leaving the same room in the morning). Neither wanted to explain it had started as a way to provide comfort when one of them had a nightmare.

Their bond was deeper than daily activities. Izuku only went to therapy if Katsuki walked him there. He’d silently wait in the lobby, then drag Izuku back to the dorms to train or watch mindless re-runs of All Might movies. In return, Izuku went to every medical appointment Katsuki had for his heart and arm, learning the occupational exercises to help Katsuki’s recovery. They were a bit co-dependent, which some of their friends pointed out. But Katsuki never pushed him away. He always left his door open for Izuku when he showed up in the middle of the night.

“Actually, we don’t get to choose.” Tsu’s sudden revelation tore Izuku from the warm thoughts. 

“Huh?”

“Oh, right.” Denki snapped his fingers. “We’re picking our theme from a hat or something. Whoever gets the opposite of your costume is your partner for the competition. It’s really up to fate.” 

Trying to ignore the slight bite of disappointment, Izuku offered a weak smile. “Ah, that makes sense. Like Kacchan said, most of us aren’t in a relationship, so it wouldn’t really be fair.”

“I think it’s bullshit,” Katsuki replied, huffing out his irritation after. 

“Kacchan, it’ll be fun.” Reaching out in a way he couldn’t dream of years ago, Izuku took Katsuki’s weaker hand into his own, squeezing it gently. The pressure was just enough to drag red eyes back to him, Izuku’s new smile more genuine. “We don’t know who we’re going to get. Maybe it’ll be the person we want, you know?”

“Tch.” Despite his abrupt noise, Katsuki’s body relaxed, fingers spreading enough for Izuku’s to slip closer together. “Whatever.”

“See, Tsu? You can teach a new dog old tricks.” 

“What the fuck did you say, Pikachu?!” 

“Ah nothing!” 

“Kacchan, not so loud,” Izuku said, trying to keep his friend from blowing up their classmate. 

But it was Tsu’s comment that froze everything. “I’m happy you found each other again.”

“Found–wh-what are you talking about?” Izuku sputtered out, laughing louder than needed. A sneak glance toward Katsuki caught how red his ears had gotten before Izuku’s gaze darted back to Tsu’s head tilt. “There’s nothing different between us!”

“Not yet.” Then, like she hadn’t just left both men speechless, Tsu tugged a snickering Denki into the living room without another word. 

For a moment, they stood in silence, Izuku struggling to think of anything but the pounding heartbeat in his ears. Swallowing twice, Izuku slowly took a chance and looked to Katsuki, caught off guard when finding his stare already on him. Without permission, his face heated, and Izuku ducked his head down before quickly tugging Katsuki to join their other friends in the living room.

“Oh, look who the cat dragged in,” Hanta called from where he sat on one of the couches, waving to them with a grin. “What took you two so long in the shower, hm?”

“Fuck off.” Katsuki sent his friend a glare before he took the lead. Izuku voiced his concern with a noise when he used the weaker arm to pull them over to the last two open spots. The fact it was not only on a couch, but next to each other, felt like a statement. Izuku didn’t meet anyone’s gaze as he sat next to Katsuki, eyes focused on the bowl in Mina’s hands.

“Alright, listen up!” Mina shook the papers as she moved into the center of the room, looking around with a wide grin. “The rules are simple. You pick a slip, and whatever is on it is your costume. Your partner for the contest will be whoever picks your opposite costume. No trades, and no changing the theme. I’ve picked choices that Nova can quirk into reality. The changes will only last for the night, so choose your accessories wisely.”

“This is so cool!” Ochaco quickly raised her hand, squirming in her seat. “Can I go first?”

The process of picking the costumes was more fun than Izuku expected. He liked the anticipation of watching his friends select their fates, and cheering when pairs were connected. The one person who had a stipulation was Mineta, the girls banding together and forcing him to pair with a guy from class. Izuku couldn’t defend his friend, knowing he hadn’t done himself any favors with his one-track mind. He ended up as Toto to Hanta’s Dorothy, which made the entire room snicker. 

“Mineta as a dog? Guess Nova won’t have to use her quirk on him,” Jirou said, Momo hiding her laugh behind a polite hand. 

There were other fun match-ups; Mina and Sato were paired as Barbie and Ken, while Kirishima and Ochaco got Hansel and Gretel. The choices were simple but open to interpretation, and Izuku felt his nervous anticipation spike when Mina stepped in front of him.

“Alright, Izuku!” She shook the bowl and held it out, giggling. “Give it your best shot.”

“Um, okay.” Taking a slow breath, he dipped his hand into the options, not letting himself linger too long before he grabbed a slip. Pulling out his answer, Izuku slid his thumb to the middle of the crease, flipping it open while his other hand tensed in Katsuki’s grip.

“I…” Slowly, he lifted his head, showing the slip to everyone in the room. “I got ‘vampire’.”

“No way!” Hagakure’s gloves clapped from across the room. “That means you’re paired up with Shoto for the contest.”

“Hey, that’s actually a pretty good fit,” Hanta said, nudging the quiet man next to him. “After that big fight between you two in first year, we all thought you were two peas in a pod.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Katsuki sat up straighter on the couch, narrowing his eyes at the lanky man.

When Hanta only sheepishly shrugged, Hagakure jumped in with her own perspective. “I mean, it makes sense, right? They’re kinda adorable together, and everyone enjoys a good friends to lovers trope.” 

“I thought they’d start dating after Shoto had him officially meet his family,” Mina chimed in, the class’s agreeing murmurs warming Izuku’s neck. 

“What? No, Shoto and I are nothing like that!”

“Izuku is simply my friend.” Shoto’s calm tone and small smile matched the honest affection shimmering in his heterochromatic eyes. “He’s the first person I felt cared about me more than my last name. Without Izuku’s compassion, I might not have found my way out of the coldness. I’m grateful for his camaraderie, and I trust him with my life.”

Several girls (and some guys) awed over the sweet comment, and even Izuku felt a little flustered. Shoto had really come out of his shell, and the openness made him smile. “Thank you for trusting me. You know I feel the same, right?”

“Yes, you’ve never hidden your heart from others for long.” 

Before he could protest the comment, Katsuki’s hand left his, standing up from the couch with a scoff. “Gimme my damn paper.” 

“Kacchan,” Izuku said, though he wasn’t sure his warning tone was heard as he slammed his hand into the bowl. Ripping out a paper, Katsuki glanced down at the slip before sneering.

“Devil.” 

“That’s a good pick,” Shinso said from the corner of the room, the class snickering as Katsuki glared at the sleepy man.

“What the fuck are you going on about?”

“I don’t think it’s gonna be hard for you to act like a devil. Most villains call you that, already.”

“You have been mistaken for a wrathful spirit a few times during battle,” Tokoyami said, and Izuku winced at the unintentional insult. From the mature classmate, it might have been an attempt at a compliment.

“Hey, don’t blame us that you got something that suits you,” Jirou said after Katsuki growled.

Tenya’s hand shot up into the air, cutting through the teasing. “That makes you my partner, as I am your angel.” 

Kacchan’s angel? 

Something unpleasant slithered through Izuku’s stomach, his hands balling into fists on his lap. The reaction was weird, eyes flickering between his two friends. 

Tenya was actually a good pick to work with Katsuki; he was one of the people who had been supportive of helping Katsuki re-train. On days he was told to rest his arm, Tenya stepped up to help work with Izuku and Katsuki on leg attacks. Despite Katsuki hating being told what to do, he’d learned to keep his complaints to smaller grumbles when coming from their class president. He’d even seen them work together on school-related projects, Katsuki once telling Izuku he respected his leadership. And all of that should have been a relief to Izuku. 

So why did he feel so… off-kilter?

“Whatever.” Katsuki didn’t spare anyone a second glance before he stuffed the slip into his pocket, turning away and storming from the living room.

“Hey, hold on!” Moving out of his seat, Izuku turned toward their snickering friends to bow for both of them. “Sorry about him. I’ll go make sure he’s okay.” 

He didn’t wait for a response before he scurried away, chasing his grumpy friend.

Izuku could only hope the weird feeling from before wouldn’t grow into something bigger.

**

For the next two weeks, Katsuki confused Izuku with his unreliable behavior. Izuku tried to understand the changes, but the second he thought he found steady ground, Katsuki rammed through it without warning.

One second, he avoided Izuku, giving him the cold shoulder or a harsh look that reminded him of their first year. The next time he’d stumble into Katsuki, the man hoarded his time like it was his last day on earth. He needed to have a secure hold on Izuku, wrapping an arm around his waist or grabbing his hand. One time, while Izuku was watching a movie before bed, Katsuki dropped next to him on the couch and silently dragged Izuku’s head to his shoulder. No words were exchanged, and Izuku ended up falling asleep against the warm body. He didn’t exactly mind the sudden touching, but the confusing behavior left him unsure how to proceed.

Izuku tried not to give it too much attention. Instead, he focused on making a good costume with Shoto. Hanging out with the quiet friend was refreshing, Izuku apologizing for not making more time for him. Shoto didn’t hold it against him, and took some responsibility for being off campus more to visit his family. Remembering the burden his strong friend held on his shoulders, Izuku offered to go with him anytime he needed support. The hint of a smile Shoto wore was so much more hopeful than years ago. 

But while he loved hanging out with Shoto, he also… missed Katsuki. Especially when he noticed his friend had started going to Tenya’s room to work on their costumes. 

“Tenya?” Izuku called out, knocking on his bedroom door. “Do you still have my extra water bottle from our training class?”

“Ah yes! Please come in.” 

Hearing the approval, Izuku turned the knob, pushing into the clean space. “Thanks, Kacchan and I are going to work with All Might, and I always–” 

His voice paused when he noticed something different. Tenya’s area was always tidy, to the point that Denki joked about him not actually living in it. But today, papers were scattered everywhere. Curious, Izuku took a peek at the two on his desk, realizing they were costume designs. It was a strange look that didn’t scream mainstream angel. Though it had wings, the cybernetic arms and the black bodysuit of the art confused him. Tenya was really putting attention into every detail of his partnership with Katsuki.

“Here you go.” The sudden appearance of the water bottle made Izuku blink back into focus, slowly taking his possession. 

“Oh, thank you.” He played with the bottle before he licked his lower lip. “That’s an… interesting angel costume.”

“Yes, indeed it is.” Tenya looked at the drawn schematics, pride filling his voice. “I’ve done my research, and after careful consideration, I’ve decided to base my angel off Alita.”

“I’m sorry, who?”

“She is the battle angel of one of my favorite pieces of literature.” Tenya adjusted his glasses, hands posting on his hips. “Her journey is one of sorrow and triumph, and I feel I can represent her spirit with this costume. Plus, my under-suit matches hers quite well, so it limits the financial burden.”

“Have you told Kacchan yet?” Izuku asked, fingers tightening on his bottle. “I mean, I don’t think he’d have any idea who that is.”

“He didn’t, but once I discussed my reasoning and explained Alita’s warrior spirit, Katsuki asked to borrow my collection and spent the night reading through several volumes. When Katsuki is determined, I can’t think of anything that can stop him. It inspired me to double my efforts for the costume. I can’t let him down.”

 Without warning, Izuku felt the weird sensation again. Like something was being stolen from him, despite nothing in the conversation being his. Unsure how to erase the bitter feeling, Izuku casually glanced at the designs again and swallowed.

“You know,” Izuku started, unsure why his heart pumped more blood through his chest. “I know that Kacchan can be a little intense when it comes to competition. And I’ve started working on my costume, but nothing’s been sewn together or anything. So, if you wanted an easier costume, we could switch–”

“No can do.” Tenya chopped his hand into his other palm, shaking his head. “That is a direct violation of Mina’s rules. Furthermore, I have already started this partnership with Katsuki. He is a friend, and I will not let him down simply because the design is complex. I will put my all into making him proud.”

“That’s… great.” Except he didn’t believe his own words. Something vile pooled in his stomach, forcing Izuku to rush his goodbye to his friend before scampering away. He hated the gross sensation that took over his lungs, but he couldn’t figure out how to stop it. Why did he feel that way? Tenya was a good friend to him and Katsuki. Of course he wanted to make Katsuki proud–

Somehow, his logic only made it worse.

The day of the Halloween party, Katsuki didn’t try to hide his avoidance of Izuku. It wasn’t too weird that Katsuki chose to go to the party with his group, especially since they weren’t partners for the contest. But Izuku had wanted to go together, the same way they had for every other event over the past year. 

“Oh my gosh, you two are so cute!” Mina gushed after Nova’s quirk finished adapting his and Shoto’s costumes. Izuku slid his tongue over the sharpened fangs in his mouth, which had been plastic seconds before. He wasn’t sure if he regretted letting Ochaco add the pointed fake nails and ears to his costume, looking at his now clawed fingers. Even though he wasn’t an actual vampire, he almost forgot the truth when looking at himself in the mirror.

“Do your ears itch?” Tsu, not needing any quirk to be a robber to Shinso’s cop, tilted her head toward Shoto. 

“No, but I can move them if I concentrate enough,” Shoto replied, proving it with a gentle twitch of the new appendages. Nova’s quirk molded the fur-coated ears on his headband and the gloves to Shoto’s skin. Izuku cautioned putting anything over his face, not wanting his friend to be stuck that way all night. Shoto had found some canine contacts and matching teeth, the end result being spooky while still allowing Shoto to enjoy the party.

“Here, take this.” Mina appeared nest to him like magic, offering a cup to Izuku before moving to Tenya. He took a small sip of the cool drink, blinking at the punch inside.

“Mina, does this… is this alcoholic?”

“Duh!” Mina winked at him, pressing a finger to her lips after handing Ochaco hers. “But don’t tell Aizawa.”

“That is highly inappropriate at a school event,” Tenya said, though the host only waved him off.

“Relax, Prez! We’re eighteen. It’s not like we’re supplying to minors, ya know?” 

Even though the drinking age was twenty, he knew everyone in their class had already tried alcohol. How Hanta kept finding ways to get the illegal substance in for parties, he wasn’t sure. Aizawa having no idea about the shenanigans seemed unlikely. But after the literal hell the class went through, the teacher probably thought it was better for them to experiment in the safety of the dorm, and let it slide.

Normally, Izuku didn’t drink, choosing to stay sober in case someone got a little too intoxicated. But tonight–

“Oi, Raccoon Eyes.” Katsuki’s voice cut into the conversation. “Don’t be a bad influence on the nerds.” 

When Izuku looked over to assure they were okay, all words fell out of his head. Katsuki didn’t go over the top, or come with a shocking costume design. The black button-up was rolled to his elbows, layered with a blood-red vest. His fingerless gloves showed off his matching black claws. The ram-like horns looked amazing nestled in the blond hair. Nova’s quirk made the black bone glimmer with a realness that stole Izuku’s breath. Even Katsuki’s eyes, which already haunted Izuku with their beauty, held a glow that screamed devilish intent. Just having the hot gaze checking out his costume made Izuku’s cheeks heat. He quickly shoved the cup to his face, taking a large gulp.

But Katsuki’s scowl lacked any murderous intent. “You all look like a bunch of Spirit Halloween rejects.”

“Well,” Shoto started, glancing over to Izuku and tugging the pointed ear now merged into his lobe. “We did buy some of our items from there.”

“You went together?” Katsuki’s nose scrunched. “Bet you two had lots of fun.”

Not wanting to start the night off on a bad note, Izuku quickly stepped between them, offering Katsuki a smile. “Kacchan, I like your costume design!”

“Tch.” 

“It’s a nice balance of original and recognizable,” Ochaco added, Tsu nodding once.

“I think you and Tenya have a good chance of winning together.”

Instead of rolling his eyes or bragging about the ‘obvious’ choice, Katsuki’s attention shifted to Tenya. Without warning, a slight quirk to his lips tilted his proud mouth into a smile.

“With all the time Glasses put into his costume, we fucking better.”

Oh. Izuku’s spine snapped straight without permission, something itching under his skin. He knew Katsuki was competitive. That wasn’t new. And he always bragged about how nobody could beat him and Izuku when they worked together. But Izuku couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard of Katsuki enjoying partnering up with someone other than him. Which was fine, because it wasn’t like Izuku had any ownership of his friend. He could work with whoever he wanted, whether it was a costume competition or hero–

He cut off the awful thought with another mouthful of the spiked punch.

Luckily, he didn’t have time to ponder the guilty reaction. Denki popped up, the bolts of his Frankenstein’s monster design looking creepy fully fused into his neck. “Hey, why are you guys standing around? Hagakure said we’re gonna start the games.”

Despite being war heroes, they were teenagers. Adults in age, but still immature in their own ways, meant the games matched the things Izuku saw on TV. Sitting in a circle, Izuku was pressed between Ochaco and Shoto, the latter resting his arm on the back of the couch they sat against. Katsuki was across from him, fang popped out from his sneer before turning to answer something Tenya said beside him. The bubbling discomfort from before came up, forcing Izuku to take another sip of his drink.

 Truth or Dare was a mess of laughter and screams of protest. Izuku was sure they would wake up all of Japan from the rambunctious game. After Shoji almost busted a hole in the wall from one of Mina’s dares, they switched to a new game; Never Have I Ever.

Like a sleeper agent, Katsuki focused all his energy on trying to bury Izuku in embarrassment. 

“Never have I ever worn All Might underwear,” Katsuki said, eyes never leaving Izuku’s face. 

Grimacing at the aimed attack, Izuku took another sip of his drink before scowling at Katsuki. “I was four!”

“More like fourteen.” Katsuki’s smirk was almost caustic, looking every bit the devil he dressed up as. Unable to deny how attractive he was, even when picking on Izuku, he huffed. If Katsuki wanted to play the petty game, Izuku could match his energy.

“Never have I ever shaved my entire body.” Their classmates blinked at the random fact, the girls taking their sips without any shame. But Izuku’s true target was Katsuki, whose ears matched the color of his eyes while he took a swig of the punch.

Hanta, catching the silent drink, dramatized his gasp. “No way.” 

“Bro, why did–” Kirishima’s question was cut off when Katsuki raised his voice.

“I was testing a theory, that’s it.” Showing off the quirked fangs with his growl, Katsuki slammed his cup down and leaned forward. “Never have I ever peed myself on a school field trip.”

“Never have I ever tried to eat soap cause it smelled like fruit.”

The fact Denki and Mineta also drank with Katsuki on that one almost made Izuku laugh, but his growing frustration with Katsuki and their verbal battle kept his lips locked in a frown.

“Never have I ever cried because I couldn’t marry All Might.”

“Kacchan, stop picking on things I did when I was a kid!” When Katsuki only scoffed, Izuku dug his temporary claws into his thigh. “Never have I ever gotten kicked out of a restaurant for trying to fight the chef.”

“That asshole didn’t know how to cook a damn fish to save his life!”

“Aren’t other people supposed to make up scenarios?” Kirishima asked, though Shinso’s amused chuckle proved some of their friends were enjoying his and Katsuki’s trainwreck.

The sudden realization that everyone was watching them made Izuku flush, shame filling his tipsy mind. Why was he even fighting with Katsuki? He hated arguing with anyone, especially his favorite person. This was a party with his friends. He was supposed to be having fun!

But something inside him, which had twisted and hissed every time he thought of Tenya and Katsuki’s matching costumes, begged him to keep going. Like Nova’s quirk had actually made him a monster, he craved pushing that line. Because when Katsuki was sneering at him, his glare sharp and voice low, Katsuki didn’t care about winning the event. His costume. Certainly not Tenya. All of Katsuki’s hot-blooded focus was on Izuku, and that felt– 

Needing to cool down, Izuku slowly pushed to his feet, wobbling a bit before he offered a shaky smile.

“I’m going to use the bathroom. Keep playing without me.” 

He ignored their protests begging him to stay, forcing himself out of the room. While he walked down the hallway toward the bathroom, the path was anything but straight, grabbing the wall to keep from crashing into it. He was a little more tipsy than he thought, only realizing when away from the chaos of their friends. Knowing he needed a closer solution, he turned into the kitchen, the sink fine for his cool-down. 

The space was fully decorated for the spooky holiday, with fake cobwebs and jack-o'-lantern lights hanging throughout. The thick black curtain over the kitchen door muffled the noise from the party once he passed through it. Thankful for the moment of peace, he cupped the water, letting it run over his face. He didn’t care if it washed away the fake blood and make-up, needing its comfort more than the cosmetics. The next handful pressed to his lips, gulping the water down to help clear his head. It took a few repetitions and the cooler air of the kitchen, but it was enough to make him feel steadier on his feet. Once his heartbeat slowed and his eyesight lost its blurry edge, Izuku dried his face so he could return to the party. He was going to shove down his strange feelings, enjoy his time with his friends, and not think about–

“Oi.” Izuku froze when a familiar voice dragged down his spine, the clawed hand curling over his hip stealing his shaky breath. “We need to talk.”

“Ka-Kacchan.” Swallowing, he slowly turned around, goosebumps sprouting under Katsuki’s hand as it followed the motion. He didn’t expect the sudden pressure on his spine, and before he could blink, Izuku was leaned against the counter. Looking up at Katsuki, now towering over him, Izuku took a shaky breath and tried to keep his knees from buckling. “What are you doing in here? The party–”

“Fuck the party.” The puff of breath held the scent of the punch, proving the hint of red around Katsuki’s quirked ears might have come from alcohol consumption. “You’re loving it, huh?” 

“Loving what?” He asked, unsure why his response earned Katsuki’s narrowing look.

“Your little rigged vote.”

For a moment, Izuku’s brain couldn’t process the comment, more focused on the sudden pout that curved the handsome lips. Despite the tension growing in the room, Katsuki looked adorable with his furrowed brows and scrunched nose. Were devils supposed to be so cute? Even if Katsuki was boxing him in against the counter, accusing him of something he still didn’t understand, Izuku couldn’t be scared. He wanted to run his quirked claws through the blond strands. Would Katsuki feel it if he petted the fancy horns? If he told Katsuki how pretty he was as a devil, he knew the man would blow his face off.

Instead, he tried to focus his semi-tipsy mind. “We voted on something?”

“How did you manage to get Icyhot for your couple’s costume?” Katsuki asked, fingers almost digging into the counter Izuku leaned against. “Did you get Pinky to put a dot on his slip or something?”

“You think I–” Floored at the accusation, Izuku stared at him in shock, unable to understand where the thought process came from. “I didn’t even know about the contest until that morning, remember? We were training together! How could–and why would–you think I wanted to be Shoto’s partner?”

“What else was I supposed to assume?” Katsuki asked, sneering. “Apparently he’s the one you’re gonna go play house with when we’re out of school. Going on little shopping trips, working on your lame costumes together. Makes me wanna barf.”

“You can’t be serious.” Shock turned to anger when he pushed closer, their chests bumping. “What about you and Tenya? He was so focused on making you happy, and you took time from training to read his favorite series. I’m sure everyone has been looking at you two all night. And you didn’t hesitate to sit next to him for the game! Since when are you two so close?”

“The whole point of the contest was to win, Nerd.” At Katsuki’s logical counter, Izuku glanced away, mouth tightening at Katsuki’s next taunt. “Did Candy Cane help you get your costume on? You were probably so happy you got to pair up with Prince Charming, huh? Since everyone thought you two were gonna date. The fucker probably doesn’t know the first thing about being a good boyfriend.”

“I don’t want to date Shoto!” 

“Tch.” 

Katsuki’s disbelieving scoff and glare at the adjacent wall made something snap in Izuku. The dangerous jealousy from the past two weeks pooled into his stomach, lips parting without anything coming out. His eyes darted to Katsuki’s profile, gaze dropping without permission to the powerful jaw. Then, his focus landed on the strong slope of pale skin peeking out from Katsuki’s collar. And maybe it was the alcohol, or the influence of the costume he wore. But Nova’s quirk came in handy when he lunged forward, sinking his new fangs into the side of Katsuki’s neck.

“Fuck!” Katsuki’s hands grabbed his biceps, though didn’t pull Izuku away from his throat. “What the hell are you doing?”

Not wanting to move his possessive hold yet, Izuku sealed his lips around the punctured skin, wincing at the hint of iron in his mouth. It wasn’t a deep bite, but it was enough to break Katsuki’s skin. He’d probably have a bruise there for a couple days. The guilt and shame he should have felt never came. A sickly sweet surge of pride encouraged his tongue to slide over the sensitive skin, feeling Katsuki shiver at the touch. Katsuki guided Izuku to lean back against the counter again, though he followed the movement to keep from breaking their connection. 

The hand cupping the back of his head didn’t carry any pressure, fingers slow to weave in his curls. Sharpened nails (claws, he reminded himself) dragged over his scalp, earning his quiet moan. An unknown heat between them made Izuku squirm, his hands grabbing Katsuki’s vest to steady himself. Cheeks flushed and breathing picking up, Izuku’s need to swallow the pooling saliva made him suck on the tender neck.

“Fuck, Freckles.” Katsuki groaned before tugging on the sweaty strands in his hand, finally guiding Izuku’s mouth away from the bitemark. Izuku stared at his work, entranced by the implication. People would see it. Would ask Katsuki who marked him so greedily. And since Katsuki wasn’t a liar, he knew one of his personal nicknames would spill out like the punch they’d drunk. A thrill coiled in his stomach, but Katsuki’s throat clearing finally snapped his attention to annoyed red eyes. “You gonna tell me what I did to deserve that?”

Feeling high from the previous connection, Izuku couldn’t hide the truth. “I tried to get you.”

“Hah?”

“I-I asked Tenya.” Searching for any hint of approval from his words, Izuku slid his hands up the vest to link behind Katsuki’s neck. He felt it was only fair, since Katsuki was grabbing his hips like they were his personal handlebars. “Last week, I went to his room to get something. And when I saw his costume, I… but Tenya is such a stickler to the rules, he wouldn’t switch.”

“It’s not like you could.” Izuku blinked at Katsuki’s reply, which made him scoff. “Everyone saw you pick vampire. Racoon Eyes and Invisible Girl would have caught you before you even came through the door. Did you forget we picked our costumes in front of the extras?”

“I don’t know!” Izuku shouted, too embarrassed by the oversight to stop himself from blurting out his next thought. “All I was thinking about was being your angel! Or you as my werewolf, just–whatever would make me yours.”

For a moment, Katsuki simply stared at him. Izuku almost pulled away in the silence, unable to take another embarrassing blow in the night. But as soon as his fingers loosened, ready to drop away from Katsuki’s nape, the devil tightened his hold on Izuku’s waist, hiking him up onto the low counter. Izuku squeaked when his thighs were bullied open with Katsuki’s hips, who stepped up to the counter before yanking Izuku across the polished surface to rut their bodies together.Katsuki’s gloved palm roamed down Izuku’s thigh, urging him to bend it against his side. The other set of curious fingers slid down the slit of his flowy shirt, spreading the sides to expose his chest for his half-lidded stare.

“You damn nerd,” Katsuki muttered, leaning forward to brush their mouths together. “You’ve always been mine.”

Izuku met the oncoming kiss, using one hand to balance himself on the counter while keeping a steady grip on his nape. Hungry for every inch of Katsuki, Izuku slid his tongue into his open mouth. He explored the warmth, moaning into it when Katsuki’s hip rolled up against his. The pressure made him realize how hard he already was, body throbbing with the desperate need to feel more of him. Katsuki ravaged his mouth while leaning over his prone body, happy to build a slow rhythm between them. Izuku wanted to submerge himself into the pleasure, but a sudden boom of laughter from just beyond the kitchen’s curtain made him break the kiss.

His eyes darted to the only protection keeping their friends from discovering them, unsure why it made a thrill trickle down his spine. If Katsuki remembered the party just a few feet away, he didn’t show it, lips catching a part of Izuku’s pointed earlobe and sucking it. A gasp filled his chest, and he had to avoid biting his lip with his sharp teeth.

“I’m gonna devour you, Freckles.” Katsuki panted the hot words against his ear, and Izuku’s hip ground forward into the sturdy body at the promise. Even as they spoke, their motions didn’t stop, Izuku’s caution watered down from the alcohol and his feelings.

“Right here?” He pressed their foreheads together, unable to stop the laugh of excited disbelief. “Seriously?”

Katsuki’s hips rolled away for a moment, but before Izuku could whine at the lack of stimulation, a hot palm pressed over the front of his pants. Shocked at the sudden touch, Izuku arched into it, clutching onto Katsuki to keep from melting off the counter. Katsuki’s grin was truly devilish, eyes drinking in Izuku’s reaction while he rubbed the palm down harder. Unable to speak, Izuku leaned his head back, eyes closed as he rode the bliss filling his stomach. Every time he rocked forward, Katsuki’s fingers curled around the hardness hidden in his far too constricting pants. He knew the outfit would be ruined if they continued, but his warning became a cry in Katsuki’s mouth when he squeezed Izuku’s tip while kissing him. 

The hand slipped away so Katsuki’s body could replace it, Izuku instantly wrapping his legs around the missed hips. Katsuki grunted when Izuku used his thigh muscles to lift off the counter, trying to grind down over the cock he could feel pressed to his. Just knowing how turned on Katsuki was for him, fully clothed, made Izuku’s pride swell.

“K-Kacchan,” he begged through his moan when they broke apart, lips sloppy as they peppered Katsuki’s scarred cheek. “I want you, take off–”

“Not here.” The shutdown barely had time to pinch at his confidence before Katsuki kissed him again, grinding hard enough for stars to explode behind his closed lids. “Nobody else gets to see you. Especially not Icyhot.”

“I-I told you,” Izuku said, shuddering as one rock of their hips fully pressed their arousals together. Even with the layers of costume between them, he could feel Katsuki throb against him. Needing more, his arms crossed behind the strong neck, hands clutching the back of Katsuki’s head. “There’s never been anything between us.” 

“Good.” Another thrust paired with Katsuki dragging his mouth to Izuku’s neck, kissing and nibbling the flushed skin between dirty words. “Maybe he’ll hear you moaning and come try to see what’s wrong. Get a front-row seat to me melting your big brain with an orgasm. Wanna show him that pretty face when you come?”

“S-Stop being crude.” Except even as he protested, his body went hot with the image. He’d never actually want his friends to see them in such an intimate position. If they did, he’d have to avoid eye-contact for the rest of his life. But the idea of it, that Katsuki wanted to show him off like a prized possession only he could tear apart at the seams–

“Says the one clutching to me harder,” Katsuki cooed in a mocking tone, breathing heavier as their bodies increased their pace. Izuku was helpless to the onslaught of pleasure, hands cupping his ass to keep him from dropping back to the surface. Their bodies worked seamlessly without words, Katsuki refusing to slow as their climaxes hit the point of no return. Izuku barely gave his costume a second thought, knowing he’d happily ruin it to feel Katsuki fall apart against him. Tightening his hold, Izuku turned his head toward Katsuki’s and whined, his orgasm hitting the second their mouths met again. 

Trying to rock through the waves of bliss was harder when held in the air, but Izuku didn’t care. Not when feeling his lips vibrate from Katsuki’s groan before he tensed a few seconds after, their bodies pulsing together in the humid kitchen. Their kiss continued, but had grown lazy as they both came down from their high. 

With the smallest nip to Katsuki’s lower lip, Izuku pulled away. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, ya fucking freak.” Katsuki kissed him for only a moment before adjusting his hold on Izuku, dragging him to rest fully against his chest. “Alright, you’re done. We’re leaving.”

“But the contest,” Izuku mumbled, even as he laid his tired head onto Katsuki’s shoulder.

He closed his eyes when hearing a scoff, warm lips pressing to his forehead. “I showed up, looked the best in the damn place, and got myself a vampire boyfriend. I already won.”

Boyfriend, Izuku thought, his smile going wide enough to expose his temporary fangs. He settled into the hold, too relaxed to care about the sudden noise by the kitchen curtain.

“Alright, it’s been twenty minutes, if one of you is dead–oh, ew!” Denki’s shout of rambling protest made Izuku smother his embarrassed giggle into Katsuki’s collarbone. “I know that look. It’s the ‘I just got laid’ look. And is that an actual bite on your neck? Seriously? Next to the sliders? So barbaric.”

“I’m gonna throw you out the window, Dunce Face!” 

Izuku knew he’d be mortified of getting caught tomorrow, when the liquid courage and endorphins finally faded away. His friends would ask questions. Katsuki’s would tease them for weeks. He couldn’t even imagine what Aizawa, All Might, or their parents would think. But for tonight, his boyfriend muttered death threats about his ‘stupid extras’ while carrying Izuku home.

And that was the best prize of all.

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Thank you so so much for reading! 🥰 This collab with Sapphire has been in the works for a while now, and I’m so happy we finally get to share it with you, hehe! I had so much fun drawing it and Saph’s story fits so perfectly with the vibe!!

Make sure to check out Sapphire’s Patreon too (her writing is chef’s KISS!) and let us know what you think in the comments! Happy spooky season, lovies! 🎃

PS: If you wanna check out all the other Art & Story collabs I've already been part of, please feel free to browse through my new collection Art & Story – Collab Archive here on Patreon!