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

Chapter 8: First Touch

The throuple continued their routine dinners and sleepovers. Becoming more considerate of (Y/n)'s schedule was a hurdle for both men, but they were trying. Moving in together wasn't brought up again, perhaps out of courtesy of (Y/n)'s hesitance.

Katsuki, however, found himself offering to pay for her things more frequently, and very soon after, Izuku followed. Part of them enjoyed providing for someone, especially Katsuki, though he'd never admit it. He and (Y/n) always struggled to connect, and paying for a textbook for school, a restock in feminine products, or a dress she found online made him feel closer to her. (Y/n) never asked for either of their financial assistance, though, and she became wary of what she brought up to them in passing conversation. She mentioned her feet hurting after going for a run in her old gym shoes? Izuku already ordered a brand new, expensive pair of sneakers, and they'll be here tomorrow morning. On the phone with Katsuki, telling him about how she's only eaten gummy bears and iced coffee all day? He's ordering a surplus of groceries to her apartment with a furrowed brow and her still on speaker.

It was subtle at first: takeout here, a coffee there. Nothing unusual. (Y/n) didn't ask why they began gift-giving, but she assumed they were trying to "lighten her load" after learning of her financial situation. If she lingered on their gestures, it might've seemed as if they thought she couldn't handle herself on her salary. She can only assume their efforts grew because she never told them to stop.

"Where the hell did you get those?" Hana gaped, eyeing (Y/n)'s new sneakers. (Y/n) tilted her foot, showing off to her friend.

"Jealous?" She giggled, sarcastic.

"Yes?" Hana snorted, leaning forward on the counter, a curl bouncing out from under her work cap. "I don't remember the last time I bought new shoes."

(Y/n) agreed reluctantly with a nod. Katsuki and Izuku's gifts were typically practical, but these sneakers were the first to break the boundaries placed. They were a surprise, but upon finding them when she checked her P.O. box on her route to class that morning, she only inhaled with a tight lip. Izuku didn't really respond when she sent him thanks and told him he didn't have to buy this; he just glossed over her text and asked her to avoid certain roads when she went for a jog, out of precaution of villain activity. She couldn't help the pit in her gut, telling her she was becoming a burden to the two heroes.

"You still coming to Asuka's party tomorrow?" Hana asked slightly quieter, so the single customer working on their laptop in the café's corner couldn't hear her over the smooth jazz. (Y/n) sighed inwardly, going to get a new towel to clean the steamer. She, Izuku, and Katsuki intrinsically scheduled their sleepovers now, and Friday became a "date night" for the three of them.

"I... actually had plans already."

Hana whipped around. "So, you are seeing someone–!" She accused quietly with a sly grin. (Y/n) tried to hide her smile by clenching her jaw, but her giggles burst through, joining Hana's giddiness.

***

"Deku's got a mission in Kyoto. 's just us tonight," Katsuki grumbled as soon as he stepped out of his shoes.

(Y/n) clutched her bags as she followed in behind him. He couldn't have mentioned that on the drive over here?

"Is he after that 'mutant fucker'?" (Y/n) quoted bitterly, taking her own shoes off and setting her bags down. Katsuki hummed.

The house was so much quieter without Izuku to fill the gap between (Y/n) and Katsuki with his overflowing affection. Katsuki didn't even glance back at her as he bounded up the stairs, to which (Y/n) made a face at.

"Don't you want to do anything? It's...," she watched Katsuki trudge to the bedroom, noticing how exhausted his form looked for the first time that night, "date night." She heard him groan in reply, a bit muffled because of his distance.