Two to One (Katsuki Bakugou x Reader x Izuku Midoriya)

Chapter 5: Katsuki

Izuku invited (Y/n) over for dinner at least once a week since then. Katsuki never opposed the idea, and, surprising Izuku, started making a third plate before (Y/n) even responded to the invite.

Most visits flowed naturally, like she was a part of this small, growing family of two heroes and their admirer. (Y/n)'s apprehension often seemed misplaced, and it fell off of her in layers with each visit. They'd ask each other about their days, sometimes laughing about a villain encounter while dining on an exquisite yet simple meal cooked by Katsuki. Katsuki would usually critique Izuku on an encounter he witnessed to which Izuku dutifully noted for next time. Izuku cooked occasionally when Katsuki was too exhausted to even look at the kitchen, and while the food was good, it was never as good as Katsuki's. (Y/n) wouldn't dare tell him that. The domesticity of it all made her feel older than she actually was.

Katsuki usually was the one to walk her home afterwards. It gave them time to get to know one another, Izuku would say. Though, Katsuki still wouldn't talk much on the trip back, his hands shoved deep in his pockets as they cut through the backroads to (Y/n)'s apartment. She didn't mind, still finding Katsuki to be much more intimidating than his partner. Holding a conversation with him proved to be rather difficult; what exactly did he like? Explosions, and what else? Food? Neither of them attempted to talk to the other, really.

Other nights, though, the table was much quieter than normal. (Y/n) never really noticed how large of a house they owned until no voices filled the empty space. Both Izuku and Katsuki picked at their food, each of them shooting glances at the other when he's not looking. (Y/n) didn't feel like she should've been invited if this was the atmosphere she'd walk into. Sometimes, she felt as if they invited her intending to placate the room (how often did that work, really?). She'd glance between the two men, waiting for someone to say anything. Maybe it'd be best for her to be the one to start the conversation tonight.

"How was–?"

"This meat isn't cooked properly, Deku," Katsuki suddenly muttered without lifting his gaze, his chopsticks carefully flitting through his stir fry. (Y/n) paused, and she looked at Izuku, who was eating silently.

Izuku blinked, hiding the roll of his eyes as he swallowed the vegetables he was chewing. "You don't have to eat it," he retorted, not even looking at his boyfriend. Katsuki's face twisted slightly, now giving Izuku just a hint of a glare.

(Y/n)'s always been bad at this: playing the game of "the elephant in the room". Sometimes, things are easier if she lets them sit. It's never that simple, though.

"Is something wrong?" (Y/n) asked.

"No," they bit at the same time, each giving her a quick and mean side-glance before returning to scowling down at their plates. (Y/n) closed her mouth, a little shocked at how insistent they both were. After a few moments, Izuku sighed, dropping his chopsticks down on his plate. He stood, picking up his food.

"I'm eating in the living room," is all he said before leaving (Y/n) alone with Katsuki.

Katsuki shook his head, his chopsticks still toying with his food before he became restless himself. He left the table soon after and trudged to the front door.

"I'll just take you home, then," he mumbled to (Y/n), misplaced hostility in his tone. His eyes were on Izuku, whose feet were propped on the coffee table while he lounged on the couch. Katsuki stepped into a pair of his shoes, and Izuku pretended to not see them, but (Y/n) could see he was watching out of the corner of his eye.

***

Katsuki found his voice when he walked (Y/n) home on these nights – the nights where he and Izuku acted like they either didn't know each other or at least didn't want to. (Y/n) may even look forward to the stiff dinners because she knows Katsuki will be more likely to talk to her afterwards.