Chapter 10
Lost in thoughts, or drowning in them?
It had been 2 days.
Two long days since the meeting with Izuku, and it was still confusing the shit out of Bakugo. On one hand, he was so happy to see his childhood friend again in one piece, but that was overshadowed by the whole situation. A depressed air swarming around the blond no matter where he was.
The once green haired child that was so timid and scared of everything around him, wasn’t here anymore. The way he would cling to the blond’s shirt when he got nervous and would follow the alpha around like a lost puppy, was not who he saw the other night. Izuku was so different from anything Bakugo could have ever prepared himself for.
This person shared little resemblance -outside of the matured physical appearances- to the child of almost a decade ago. Izuku had grown into something that was barely recognizable. He was sharped tongued, courageous and bull headed. He was so strong and not just in the physical sense, but in almost every other aspect as well. Izuku wasn’t weak minded as he once was, he was quick and wise with his interactions. Still reserved but fierce in a way that only reminded the blonde of possessiveness.
Part of the alpha wondered if it was because the omega had a few too many screws knocked loose over the years for him to be this way. The trauma that he endured acting as a sharp knife that hacked away and carved out a new person. Bakugo doubted that Izuku actively chose to be like this. No, Bakugo knew through his years of underground training what resource guarding looked like. The unhinged reactions to unfamiliar situations prodding out the feral nature. There was no way that Izuku would have mentally survived without something to keep him grounded.
Yet, he knew that wasn’t entirely true. Yes, the omega was a totally different person, but who wouldn’t after a decade of abuse and isolation. Even as Bakugo thought back to the years they grew up together, Izuku had shown a few of these traits back then too. Even if it was just a hint of it, that was enough for the alpha to remind himself.
Whether that was standing up against Bakugo before and after he presented; voicing his opinions despite the threat that loomed over him. The continuous way the omega tried to protect anyone when Bakugo’s friend group set within their sights on someone. The open and honest way he dreamed bigger for his future than what his bullies allowed him; so loudly no matter the repercussions.
That young child from before was just a fraction of what the hero saw the other night. This version of Izuku was hard for the blond alpha to not feel some kind of pride for. Izuku had stayed strong, pushed himself and didn’t cave under the stress of the horrendous system he was kidnapped into. The pain he must have endured; the loneliness and desperation that ensued for years.
Bakugo wasn’t going to ignore that, wasn’t going to let that all be for nothing. The blond from 10 years ago would have written it all off, saying the nerd deserved it. But thank god Katsuki had grown up. Finally, forced to learn things the harsh way and actually take a good look at himself instead of ignoring it all. Forced to experience the heavy consequences of his action; but with continuous support from people that actually cared.
That sudden difference in his adolescence did wonders for his bruised and delicate ego. How could he not when Eraserhead was his first real teacher- though he acted more like an adoptive father. But that was followed by Best Jeanist, who adopted him like a feral house cat. Taming the wild furball with structure that he never had before. Hell, even his group of friends practically chained him to their sides. Forcing their way into his life and somehow becoming a safety net. No matter what it was that Bakugou experienced; PTSD, depression, isolation and occasionally his manic episodes- they were there for it all. They refused to allow him to suffer alone, even if he was a total dick the whole time. Always right by his side to validate and soothe when he couldn’t sleep at night or needed to blow off steam.
There were so many times Hanta and Jiro needed to take a metaphoric spray bottle and spray his ass for his unnecessary behavior. Though he wouldn’t change any of that. Nor the way that Kaminari and Eijirou burrowed their way into his arms when he was in the midst of a panic attack. How their firm and rough hands were careful as they pried his hands away from his hair and immediately began to wrap them in damp towels to prevent himself from burning himself or his things. Their hugs and finger’s were a lifeline as they scratched his scalp and back.
He hated to think about the obvious differences he had compared to Izuku as they grew up. He didn’t want to know the type of horrors that Izuku was cornered into. Even the vague thoughts he could conjure up sent his stomach into a deep pool of dread. There was no way that even the great Bakugo; hero, alpha, and prideful asshole, would have survived such abuse. Very few did, even when heroes arrived to save the day.
Images of missions from the past few years flashed through Bakugo’s head. The omegas that ran away as he chased after them during a raid. The pursuit always continued out into the streets as the enslaved trailed behind their masters to ‘safety’. The members of the trafficking ring were determined to keep their flock close and out of reach from the heroes. Some would willingly die to keep the omegas in the system’s possession.
Bakugo could logically understand why the traffickers would go to such lengths to keep the ‘willing’ omegas with them. That group of enslaved were treated like gold because of the higher yield they made; despite how difficult it was to create them. Those omegas who would fall into full submission without interference of drugs were the most desirable for clientele, a diamond in a gravel pit. Those omegas were easier to handle, traine and sell. They had all the attributes of a trafficked individual, but were more vocal, active, and reciprocated sex with full compliance toward the alpha- and sometimes beta- that rented them out.
These were the ones to be gathered and whisked away first during a raid. The ones that Katsuki would try desperately to save, but his efforts were rarely rewarded. Those omegas always went willingly, not wanting to disobey their masters. In full support to stay with the alpha’s they loved and who ‘wanted’ them.
The other omegas are readily abandoned and forgotten if needed. The dregs of the bottle that could be replaced within the week.
So many of the omegas left behind and ‘saved’ never actually returned. Most were barely conscious enough to know what was happening around them, let alone what the heroes and medical staff were there for. Their vitals were slow, barely present with the amount of sedation that was pumping through their system. They were used, abused, broken and discarded into dark rooms. Forgotten until they would either die or were shot up with more drugs for the next client. Rarely did those omegas make it through the withdrawals, those drugs inevitably becoming the only thing keeping them alive.
The few that were conscious and aware when help finally arrived, were usually the newest of inventory. Having only been there for a few weeks. Beginning the process of submission through brainwashing, physical harm and being tricked to consume poison filled cocktails.
Those newly drugged omegas were usually kept isolated- in tiny cells- as they were reduced to a husk of a person. Becoming a hollowed version of what was once an exuberant person with dreams and desires. Those individuals were like zombies, no emotions evident as they were rescued. Their eyes dull and blank with a reaction time was non existent. They couldn’t really see who or what was in front of them, just that something was happening. They would submit to anything that came into their cell; even other omegas that arrived with EMS to be pheromone support.
Some would try to attack other omegas as they sensed competition from their fellow cell mates. Though they were easy to calm down once bakugou would release his scent. The sudden mental shift was always startling to watch. One moment they would be feral and trying to kill their compitition; and the next they would be attached to his leg while releasing their aroused scents in hopes that they could sway him to fuck them.
These situations were more common if there were groups of omegas in one cell or bars were used instead of walls. The rescue team had to usually stay back until enough alphas had arrived to help placate the group. Everything for the trafficked was stopped down to only survival; desperate to secure food and care; even at the exchange of physical services. It was impossible for the heroes not to feel overwhelmed.
But there was one last group that many heroes prayed to never have to confront. Those were the individuals that every alpha had the hardest time rescuing. Heroes rarely talked about their feelings, but kept their lips zipped when this group of slaves were brought up. Processing was already hard enough, but talking about them was impossible for most.
These omegas were the ones who refused to submit to their traffickers no matter the punishment. They were beyond feral, completely incapable of any kind of interaction with others as their carnal mind was the only thing left. Even the attempts to drug them had been abandoned with how dangerous they were.
Yet, that didn’t mean that they weren’t able to be rented out. Some clients- those sick fuckers- came in deliberately for a resistant omega. They were a nice challenge to any alpha that could pay the hefty bill. A fun fuck as they forced there way into the room and dominated over the poor resident.
The rescue teams for an omega like this could only be betas specific training. They were the mediator, the ones who put their necks on the line in hopes that the entire group wouldn’t have to use excessive force.
But it seemed no matter how cautious everyone was during evacuations, if a feral omega was located, it seemed that there was no way to fully prevent them from attacking any alpha that came into their sight. So many times had Katsuki been jumped from behind, the smaller trying to rip his throat out, but he had to stay calm and collected. Hoping that one of those trained betas were nearby to help him.
It was horrible to watch and even worse to endure. To have the primal urge to throw the omega off, to use anything and everything- even a quirk- to make them submit being ignored. But any restricting or harsh contact couldn’t be done. No matter what, physical restraint from an alpha couldn’t be used with an omega like this.
Through years of rehabilitating omegas, it was found that the recovery was faster and easier if the omega’s rescue wasn’t executed with violence. The percentages of omegas that could reenter society far higher than their counterparts that were restrained and sedated during transpiration.
The phrase ‘actions speak louder than words’ holding the weight of gold for a feral omega in rehabilitation.
The new regulations put into place for trafficking raids were strict, but the reasoning behind it was absolutely heart shattering as many alpha heroes suddenly realized the weight of their previous actions. It was easy to fall into instinct, especially when a hero was flanked by other alphas. It was previously instilled early in training to trust instincts and rely on it when in a situation like this.
Because just as much as heroes relied on their instincts, so did every omega. Bakugo cringed every time he thought of how a group of alphas would enter with no consideration for the power they held. The only alphas to ever enter before them were there for ‘services’ or to keep the captive contained.
It was hard to work around this instinctual response. Alphas were needed in evacuations for the groups that were drugged or unresponsive; their pheromones being an important aid in keeping them calm and sated. Yet, that only caused the second group to be thrown into a feral state. The sudden influx of alpha pheromones seemed to escalate them to take actions that may not have happened before.
This category of omegas learn during their time in captivity that reducing the overall amount of unclaimed omegas would allow for their individual needs to be met. This was an awful realization for Katsuki. These reactive omegas were only responding to the pheromones of the alphas, no matter if they were there for service or to rescue them.
Bakugo shivered as he tried to clear his head. He didn't want to think about those cases right now, they would haunt him for the rest of his life. They would be there waiting in his nightmares, every night no matter how much therapy he did. No, he wanted to think about Izuku, his childhood friend. Izuku seemed to defy everything that the alpha would assume about him.
Everything that Bakugo had witnessed and experienced over the years urged him through the beaten path of thinking, pushing him to treat the green haired omega like he would when at work. He habitually wanted to choose a category, a box to place Izuku into. Just like he had done when he was young, convinced that he knew more, that his thoughts were the correct assumption.
Even as he sat, lost in thought as the world passed by him. The low lights cast dark shadows as people moved around him. The conversations, music and laughs somehow far too distant as he held a small glass, rested on a round table and slowly twirling the bottom along the woo grain. His eyes watched the dark liquid, the melting ice swaying back and forth blankly. Even the condensation that dripped onto his fingers didn’t feel real. The cold of the drink was too far away despite being within his grasp.
The alpha couldn’t break free of the confines of his head. No matter how much he tried to glance around- insistent to grasp onto anything that could set him free. But it seemed that everytime he was close to finding something to distract him, he was dragged back down into the deep depth of his head. The music nor the occasional brush of a body walking past him was enough to have him break the surface of his thoughts. His brain continuing to analyze and replaye everything over and over again.
Bakugo thought back to the first match, when Izuku was trapped in that death grip. It seemed that the omega channeled the psychological responses of the last category of omegas’ into his matches.
It seemed that Izuku could easily let go and allow himself to fall into a feral state. It wasn’t a drastic fall because even before that point, he was using his instinct in a way that Katsuki would only expect a trained hero to do. Izuku was insync with his omega inside the ring or out; acting like a hero would use their alpha. It was fascinating to watch. It took years to hone those instincts and use them instead of allowing them to be a hindrance.
Izuku didn’t have any of that training, yet he merged his analytical mind and feral instincts together so he could perform to the best of his abilities. Even with all of the cards stacked against him, he was still in control as much as a hero would be when set under the same pressures.
Bakugo paused at that thought. He wondered if Izuku had been able to do this from the beginning of his fighting ‘career’. Of course he had learned some things over time, but even before Izuku had presented, he had been weirdly in tune with himself. His situational awareness was on the verge of creepy with those big-ass eyes that watched everything.
The alpha remembered back to the first time Izuku stood up to him. He was so small back then, maybe 6 or 7. The only scent that he was able to release was soured milk. His eyes full of unshed tears as he wobbled back and forth on his feet. Bakugo remembered how shocked he was, Izuku had always stayed down before. He never got back up until the alpha had left him alone and on the ground.
But that day, something seemed to change in that boy's head, he no longer kept his head down but rather glared back at him. The tiny growl that had been emitted would be amusing to him now- it was adorable in retrospect- but back then it was startling, almost scary.
Bakugo had never seen this type of reaction from the smaller boy and part of him wanted to change what he had done to cause it. If he recalled correctly, he had been bullying another child that day; pushing a girl into a mud puddle over and over again because her quirk was deemed silly to his new friend group. She was a bit older, already in grade school but still hung around at the park that was by his house. Her quirk was a camouflage mutation, her skin would change colors to the same shade of the things she touched. Like a chameleon, but with more detailed lines and colors.
Izuku had been watching her, his green eyes bright with wonder as she blended into the play equipment while playing hide-n-seek. Bakugo couldn’t remember exactly what happened next, what led up to his assault, but he had pushed her into the mud in an attempt to see if she would blend into it.
He could see her clearly in his mind’s eye, even after all these years. Large tears rolling down flushed cheeks, as her dark skin slowly faded into a murky gray-brown. The color was gross as it spread over her arms and bled up her neck and face.
Izuku had stumbled over from the swing set he was perched on. His small voice suddenly loud and direct as he started yelling at the blond to stop. His words were harsh and unkind as he told the blond off for his mean behavior. Bakugo could still feel the drop in his chest as he watched the smaller boy run up to him, his feet stomping on the wood hips. He didn’t like being called out for his obvious mean behavior.
Katsuki knew the cries from the girl, and the shouting from Izuku was sure to draw the attention of an adult. The rising panic to shut his childhood friend up took over, the smaller Katsuki so desperate not to get into trouble.
So he pushed Izuku into the puddle right next to the little girl. The shocked gasp and small splash erupted a laughting spree from the kids behind him, but Bakugo didn’t join in like he usually did. He was too focused on the now wet and dirty boy below him.
Izuku lifted his hands up with wide, shocked eyes; gravel embedded into skin with large and deep scratches already pooling the dirty water red. His face filled with confusion as blood streamed down his wrists and down to his elbows. His eyebrows scrunched together as the air between them shiften dramatically. Bakuogo remembered the guilt that drenched over him like ice water. He didn’t mean to cause Izuku to bleed. But that didn’t matter because when Izuku looked up at him, it was in a way that he never had before-
“Hey Baku-babe!”
Bakugo jolted slightly at the heavyweight that now pressed around his shoulders. He rolled his eyes, already knowing that this night was going in a direction that he didn’t want.
“I haven’t seen ya in a while. How is your term going?” Mina asked; her hair falling onto the alpha’s head as she held him close, chin resting against his temple.
Bakugo grumbled under his breath as he tried to shake the pink girl off of him to no avail; she clung to him like a boa constrictor. Of course she would want to talk about his mission. Things like this were a big deal to the alien queen and she loved the tea that could be spilled.
“You know I don’t like talking about my fuckin business.” He growled, gripping the drink in front of him harder before chugging it. For the first time he regretted the code words they came up with so they could talk freely in public- without exposing their jobs and any sensitive information.
They were in a bar for hell's sake. Even if it was supposed to be ‘hero safe’, one could never be too comfortable when it came to speaking about an active mission in public places. There was a reason for the restrictions that were put in place years ago.
“Oh common, babe.” Mina whined, sliding into the bench of the booth and scooting herself right up next to him. “You always have the craziest stories.” She hummed, laying her head on his shoulder.
“No.” he stated, already accepting defeat in unattaching the parasite from him.
“Bro, it’s been so long!''
Bakugo turned and saw the rest of the idiot brigade walking over. Denki in the lead as he practically skipped to the table, excited sparks dancing from his fingertips as he smiled brightly.
Bakugo gave a short nod in reply to the greeting. “I thought you were out of the country for the foreseeable future?” Bakugo asked as non-shilaunt as possible, though happily surprised at seeing the other hero. The lightning hero had been gone for months over his original mission timeline. His absence was evident anytime the group got together.
“Ya, just got back- like 2 hours ago.” Denki replied, flopping heavily into the booth with a flick of his hand to dismiss any concern. “Long flight, but so glad to be home.”
Mina giggled as she shifted to cage the electric blond in a death gripped hug. Denki welcomed the embrace with his own strength in return. The two giggled as they squeezed each other tighter, waiting for the other to give up. Denki’s face began to turn red, but the grin on his face showed the determination to win this round.
Bakugo grumbled a hello to the others walking up; Eijirou, Hanta, Kyouka and -. Bakugo narrowed his eyes as he recognized the purple haired alpha that stood behind Sero.
Shinso dragged along, his hands in his jacket pockets as he observed the crowded bar. When their eyes met there was a flash of something in those dark eyes before relaxing into a lazy stare. The mind freak gave a quick nod as though it was a regular thing for him to hang out with this loud group of friends. Part of Bakugo was surprised that the other was here since he wasn’t one for crowds, but that didn’t stop him from giving a nod in kind.
“Where’s your lover boy?” Mina asked loudly, her attention directed toward Jiro as the beta hero squeezed herself into the remaining space next to Denki.
“Oh, we broke up.” she said, her eyes staying on the drink she brought with her. She kept her face flat despite dropping a topic-bomb. Bakugo curled a brow toward her, huffing as Kirishima forcefully pushed him further into the booth.
“Oh no!” Mina whined dramatically. “I liked him, he was really cute.”
“You don’t even remember his name.” Eijirou piped up with a grin.
Mina gasped dramatically, fingers grasping her chest in fake insult. “Of course I remember. How could I forget an English name like Oliver.”
“Edward. His name is Edward, Mina.” Eijirou laughed, his hand trying to cover the laugh that was starting to fall out of him.
Mina frowned, a little bit of red dusting her cheeks in embarrassment. She glanced at the beta with a shy smile as she seemed deep in thought for a moment. “Oh well.” She relented with a small giggle, already brushing off her mistake once it was evident that the hearing hero didn’t care. “English names are hard to keep straight. They all sound the same.”
Kyouka hummed with a small smile. “No, not really Mina.”
Golden eyes rolled, though not allowing her mistake to ruin her mood. Before anyone could teaser her more, she was already directing her attention to someone else. Everyone easily accepting the topic shift, especially Kyouka.
The group squeezed tightly into the booth, chatting and drinking as they talked to Denki about his recent mission. The electric hero seemed overjoyed to be back, his exuberant personality coming out in full force as he told stories- in coded words- his hands dancing through the air to emphasize.
After a few rounds of drinks, the small group shifted with a new buzz. The sudden clamber of bodies rushing out of the booth as a familiar song began to reverberat through the bar. Bakugo grunted as Mina- who was too impatient to wait her time to scoot out of the bench- put all her weight on him. The alien queen using him to propel herself over the back of the booth; her ass hitting his shoulder in the process and causing him to lean away with a frown.
“Sorry, Baku-babe.” She giggled with little remorse in her voice before running to the dance floor. The bar was even more packed than the last time Bakugou let his eyes drift around. It was evident that the city was trying to squeeze the last bit of fun out of the weekend before the work week starts again.
“I didn’t take you as someone who liked to party.” Katsuki stated, sipping his dirty coke casually. He didn’t mind that his friends left, he imagined them like a litter of puppies; let them play to get their energy out and then they’d come back tired and ready to crash around him. It was so much easier to handle them when they were comatose.
“I don’t, but Hanta demanded I come out since everyone would be partnered up tonight and he didn’t want to be the odd man out.” Shinso explained casually. He was the only one of the group to stay behind, the rest already on the dance floor. The other alpha sipped lightly from his drink, the liquid a bright blue with a cherry floating on the ice.
“What does that make me, then?” Katsuki asked. He didn’t really expect to get an answer since the other wasn’t one to hang out with his group.
“Probably the single mom of the group.” Shinso said with a smirk. Katsuki furrowed his brow and glared at the other.
“What is that supposed to mean?” He barked back. He hated the connotation that was already forming in his head.
“From what I have noticed, you are like the home base for everyone. Like little birds learning to fly. They flutter away, but come right back to where they know they are safe.” Shinso said, his fingers fluttering lightly in the air as he explained. “Mama bird will watch them and keep them safe, ignoring herself to make sure her babies are happy.”
Katsuki barked out a laugh, the imagery hilarious in his head. “Then they are long over due to leave the nest.” He purposefully ignored the last part, not wanting to talk about anything personal with the mind freak. They already spent too much time together now, and he knew more about his past than most of his friends- besides Denki. That little shit was somehow the easiest to talk to and kept a secret like an armored safe.
“Not necessarily.” Shinso replied, looking off to the dance floor with a curious expression. “Maybe you guys are more like geese. Flocking together and migrating throughout the years. Each of you takes the lead when one is tired during travel, but all imprinted on one parent goose.” He drawls, before looking back to the blond alpha. “Did you know that geese are very protective of their mates and offspring? So loyal that even if one dies, they will defend the body at their own expense. They mate for life and keep their family unit close.”
Bakugo stared at the other alpha for a moment, surprised by the sudden comprehensive comparison. “How the fuck do you know so much about birds?” Bakugo grumbled, breaking eye contact and taking another swig of what was now just ice.
Shinso laughed lightly. “I did a whole presentation on geese back in elementary, guess it stuck to my long term memory more than I thought.” He sighed. “Those birds fascinated me as a kid, as you can probably tell.”
“Ya, you definitely have an above average knowledge of weird ass facts.” Katsuki snorted. The other hummed in agreement, his eyes tracing the dance floor and reflecting the various lights that encompassed the dark space.
The two were silent, both comfortable as they watched the group of idiots act like absolute morons in their drunken state. Mina was hanging all over Eijirou as he tried to hold her up and dance at the same time, the two laughing with huge smiles. The redhead’s hand slowly traveled up and down the girl's back. Kaminari was showing Kyouka some of the dance moves he learned while out in Korea. The two were twirling and swaying together. He was uncharacteristically a good teacher, guiding the other carefully with gracefully but persisting movements. Though the best was Sero, standing and moving slightly back and forth with hands in his pockets as he ‘watched’ the others. The tall hero doing little more than staring off into space with red eyes and a soppy grin.
“You know, I was obsessed with Sables when I was little.” Katsuki suddenly said, catching the purple haired alpha off guard. “My mother was watching a documentary late one night when I was young. I hid on the stairs since it was way past my bedtime, but watched the whole thing.”
Shinso nodded, a small smile pulling at the corner of his lips as he shifted his attention toward the blond. Those red eyes were still trained on his group of friends, continuing to talk like Shinso wasn’t actually there. It was interesting to listen to, very different from how the gruff hero usually portrayed himself. His usual closed off and brash attitude was now replaced with a calm and gentle ambiance, the harsh lines on his face now relaxed and smooth.
“They are solitary animals for most of their lives, mostly hunting at dusk and only convening together for mating and child-rearing before eventually going their separate ways. There are a lot less of them now- almost gone extinct since the British empire decided their fur was a statement of luxury.” The blond takes a deep breath while still in thought, gaze suddenly sad. “They were hunted for their unique fur, so now there isn’t a large population left. A bit sad.” Bakugo shifted in his seat, his gaze moving to Shinso as he continued.
“I think I was fascinated by them because the females reminded me of my dam. The documentary showed them building nests and reinforcing their dens with different sticks and vegetation. They purr, and rub like omegas do when comfortable or happy.” He hummed, a small smile growing on his face. “Small but mighty. The males are fierce protectors of the den when their young are in there. It was a comforting idea when I was little.”
Shinso nodded, a smile now on his face as the two looked at each other. Conversations between the two had become easier over the past few weeks, it didn’t feel as if they were forced to spend time together. Their previous facades withering away with each of them becoming more genuine with every day as their connection formed.
“I don’t know a lot about them.” Shinso eventually said after a moment of silence between them. He didn’t want the comfort between them to diminish. He wanted to keep the conversation going, brushing off any negatives that he could think of. “I always thought they were like a Lynx.”
Bakugo nodded, settling further into the cushioned bench. “Ya, I can see why. I know nothing about Lynx, so they could be some kind of cousin or freaky extended evolution link.”
Shinso huffed a laugh at that, his mind conjuring a mental tree of a possible extended family. “Ya, speaking of evolution. Do you think we come from wolves or cats?” He asked as casually as possible, his mind already making multiple mental hops. The look on the other alpha’s face pushed him to explain the question he asked. “It seems that everyone has a different answer. I’m curious where you stand.”
Many experts were at odds when it came to the DNA structures of Alpha and omega versus beta. The secondary gender only chromosomally applied to those of alpha and omega, leaving betas falling into an off branch of the genetic tree that didn’t have the same evolutionary result. Though on the outside the two were very similar and seemed to function just the same, the inner workings were a different story. Science was still discovering more differences in betas and their family tree siblings; Alpha and omega.
Some of these differences were hard to figure out. Like the evolved jugulars on the neck and wrists to produce pheromone oils, or the heightened sinus and sensory refractors in the nose and tonsils. Both being larger and having more sensors than a beta. Wisdom teeth having ample room in an alpha and omega, while betas had to get them taken out since their mouths didn’t have enough room.
Though some were not as known to the general public. For instance, it wasn’t seen as strange for Betas having to get their tonsils or appendix removed. But it was strange to have an entire family branch reject organs. It seemed that betas were taking a different road in the evolutionary story. The appendix, which helped with the function of an alpha’s knot or an omega’s uterus didn’t perform for a beta. It was useless in a beta as their body didn’t need the extra organ to enhance reproduction.
All in all, the two groups of homosapeans seemed to be more like cousins than siblings. As science progressed and the studies toward evolution became more widely embraced, some began to put forth the hypothesis of separate ancestors. Since the DNA structures were mostly the same -just a few, but major differences- it seemed that a common ancestor was less likely. Though somehow evolution eventually allowed the two species to reproduce together. Many papers had been released of mammals of different species having many similar characteristics but not being of the same family tree; the example brought up of wolf and cat.
“Hell if I know.” Bakugo snorted, tilting his head lazily to the size. “From the way you were talking before we might be geese. I believe that there is room for more debate.” The blond let a small laugh slip through while his eyes closed; obviously enjoying his own comment before continuing.
“Why does it even matter? I can see where these experts are coming from, sure. ‘knowledge about the past can help the future.’ Blah Blah Blah. Is it really that important though? I mean, to try and classify our species into different aspects like one is better than the other? All that talk feels a bit like eugenics to me- though maybe it’s not. I just don’t see the importance of putting our second genders into restrictive boxes. Kinda feels like the debate about what it means to be gay since two genders make it hard to classify.”
Shinso nodded, his mind deconstructing what the other was saying. What the alpha said made a lot of sense, though obviously speaking from an uneducated stance. “Obviously, I am no expert on the matter. Nor do I think I ever will be.” Shinso clarified before continuing. “I find that the answers people produce usually hints towards who they are on a deeper level, or what their intentions for life are.”
Bakugo chuckled, opening his eyes to look at Shinso. “Of course you would be one of those fuckers who over analyze people off of one question.” He shook his head, a smile hinting at the corner of his mouth. “I believe that people are more complex, not a single question can truly give a glimpse to who they are. Only those that are allowed will ever have that right, no matter the situation.” He flicked his hand out as if to dismiss any rebutles from the other. “People will either mirror the people they are around or close off. It’s a long process to learn who someone is.”
Shinso nodded, his smile growing as he listened. The other alpha may be stating a strong opinion- one that again made sense- but Shinso couldn’t help but feel like he too was correct in his own assumptions. It was because of that one question that Bakugo even divulged any of his opinions and thoughts. To Shinso, he felt like he was getting that glimpse into who Katsuki Bakugo was, and what accumulations of morals and beliefs built his core. Honestly he found himself liking the small amounts that he saw.
“So you believe that we shouldn’t have categories for people then?” Shin asked, his interest in this side of Bakugo only growing.
Bakugo sighed, his demeanor changing into one of annoyance as he gave the alpha a hooded stare. “I do believe that categorizing is needed in some aspects. Like medical info, but to just label people for labeling sakes seems like a recipe for issues. Give people the info, but leave it up to them if they want to use the damn thing.”
“So, would you classify yourself as someone who doesn’t use labels or puts themselves in a certain category?” Shin asked, with a quirky brow.
The blond groaned in the back of his throat, shifting closer to Shinso as the group in the booth next to them started to get louder. “I wouldn’t say I lean either way, more like I’m not going to force someone to accept a term that I think they are. It’s like when my parents were young. Female alphas and male omegas were determined to be a flaw in biology because people only saw their outer gender. My sire physically looks like a woman. She was labeled as female after birth and was treated as such until she went through puberty- where her second gender presented and resulted in her growing a cock though still having a vagina. Not one doctor checked her at any point in her adolescence to see if she even had a uterus.”
The alpha rolled his eyes. It was a new development for ultrasounds to be used during yearly checkups to confirm organs were healthy. “My dam physically looks like a man despite also having a form of both genitalia.” Bakugo stated, his hands dragging along the table as he explained. Shinso scooted a little closer as the blond continued, interested in where Bakugo was leading them.
“When my sire hit puberty, her fucked up parents had her hide her secondary ‘gender’ because she wasn’t normal. Put her on pills and made her dress how society expected, despite the statistics and history that proved a woman being an alpha isn’t as rare as portrayed. I mean, many ‘barren’ and single women a hundred years ago were secretly alphas. They were forced to live against who they were because of what, religion, a moral code?” Bakugo looked at the other alpha to see if he was following. Shin nodded for him to continue, a concentrated look on his face as he listened.
Katsuki looked down at his hands, his fingers feeling along a particularly deep groove on the table. His eyes looked distant for a moment as he contemplated over something.
“My dam, he is an omega. He was part of the party that advocated for change and representation for male omegas and female alphas back in the day. He volunteered for medical studies and even signed up for experimental stuff to further research. I’m sure you learned about some of that in school. Hell, it’s a lot easier to learn about this stuff now that society has been forced to change for the past 25 years. Fuck, even science had discovered 4 years ago that there is a DNA strand in Female alphas that is coded for them to present when they do. Same with male omegas, it is in their DNA, the same structure as conforming alpha and omegas. My sire considered getting her breasts removed so people would accept her, but that was before that big movement.”
Shinso nodded, he learned about the protests and the hundreds of individuals that were beaten and arrested for speaking against the status quo. It was decades before change was noticeable on a large scale. Though it paid in some ways, allowing couples like the Bakugos to live comfortably without a threat to their lives.
“My parents were one of the many who traveled to get married by a judge that would recognize their union.” Bakugo smiled, looking at the table as he seemed to remember something. “My sire always talked to whoever would listen about my dam’s courage. How he walked proudly with her through the crowd of people protesting and shouting slurs at them.”
Shinso smiled as well. His parents were part of the ‘conforming’ pairings, but even they would talk about what it was like from their end. The mental shifts that they had to make. The decisions that seemed to only bring backlash, but how they knew what they were supporting was important. They believed everyone should have the same rights and privileges as them.
“Would you boys like another round?” A beta woman asked, holding a serving tray against her abdomen as she smiled at them.
“Dirty Coke.” Bakugo grunted out before drinking the last bit left of the ice in his glass.
“Hot plum sake” Shinso stated, the woman nodded as she gathered the empty glasses before leaving.
So,” Shinso asked, his mind remembering what his initial question was. “How does that answer my question?”
Bakugo rolled his eyes, “If labels and categories weren’t a thing, how many people would have a life that they could actually live without prejudice people getting in the way? How many lives would have been saved from violence as discrimination? I believe a lot.”
A noisy couple walked by, the woman hitting the corner of their table with aloud slap. The shake of the table and their loud laughter forced the two alphas closer, trying to reduce the space between them once again in cause for their discussion. Shinso brushed off the sudden thought that they were only a few inches apart now, both leaning forward with their elbows on the table with their shoulders almost brushing.
“Izuku for example.” The blond stated, his focus on his hands again as he continued to use them while he talked. “We had teachers when we were kids that would make comments in passing conversation with the other adults; some of them not being what I was hearing from my parents. Even though they weren’t talking to me, I still fuckin heard them. One of my friends in middle school was from a family of “purists”. They were kind in passing, not forward about their views to my family or even me. But their son heard it all and would parrot them at school, and my teacher wouldn’t stop him.
“When Izuku presented, we all followed his loud ass lead and made fun of Izuku. His dam, Inko, was always reserved and a nervous wreck. But with the support of my parents, she didn’t hide him away. Rather she allowed him to be who he was without feeling bad about it.” He sighed heavily, his eyes closing as he pinched the top of his nose.
“And he did, even when my group of fucked up friends picked on him. Even a kid like me, raised by progressive parents and knew to some extent that it shouldn’t matter that Izuku is an omega, still bullied him. I tried to deter the group from picking on him and rather other kids, but Izuku was always there to defend them. Thus the focus was back on the male omega.”
The two shifted apart slightly as the server came back, setting their drinks down with a smile before leaving as quickly as she came.
“If I am following you correctly, you believe that categorization to the extent that our society has it, has been more damaging than not?” Shinso asked as he poured his sake into the tiny ceramic glass.
“To a point, yes. While I do believe that some labeling is needed in certain areas, I don’t believe it is necessary on a general basis.” He twirled the little staw around in his drink, pushing the ice cubes around as he glared down at it as if it personally offended him. It took a moment, but the blond continued. Not seeming to notice the pause in conversation.
“I just can't help myself from wondering how different the world would be if we didn’t care what people's genders were. Our DNA is fragil, but it has evolved to this point for a reason. So why should it matter if someone looks like a woman but has a cock. Whose fuckin business is it anyway to make someone feel bad for something that they cannot change or didn’t chose to be born with.” Bakugo breathed out, his gaze turning to the other waiting for a response.
Shinso nodded, searching the red eyes before him as they swirled with deep emotion. He thought over what the alpha said, a part of him understand the inner termoil that that was swarming withing his partner.
“I agree with you in a lot of ways. There has been so much progress when it comes to the acceptance of those that aren’t what history says is the norm. Yet, there is so much more that needs to be fought for.” The purple haired alpha agreed. “Like Eijirou and Mina, why should it matter if two alphas love each other. Does love have to be dependent on reproduction?”
Bakugo nodded with a smile, his eyes finding their friend group and following their movements as they danced around. “Ya, I am proud of them. They have fought for each other in ways that seemed impossible. Even now, they aren’t touching like a couple should for their own safety in a building full of drunk assholes. But at UA, they never allowed anyone to make them feel dumb for their love.”
The two sat there for a few minutes, both content in watching the dance floor as they sipped away at their drinks. It was a nice night, the music that played was enjoyable and not too many people were plastered yet. Though, Mina was now trying to show Sero a set of dance moves. The taller one moved with surprising elegance as he copied her. Jiro was taking pictures of the two, her and Eijirou laughing as they talked to one another.
It was a good night, nothing too out of Shinso comfort zone. The purple haired alpha hummed with contentment, closing his eyes and enjoying the light buzz he was starting to get. He let his mind wander through his body, content with the feelings that were becoming more fuzzy from the alcohol. It wasn’t until he felt a shift next to him that he realized how close he and Bakugo now were. He could feel the other’s thigh pressing against his own. Everytime the blond alpha moved, their pants would rub together and send a pleasant sensation across his leg.
Shinso opened his eyes to peek down, and yep, they were sitting just as he thought. The confirmation did little to deter himself from moving away. He was comfortable, the heat from the other bringing reassurance that tonight was going to be a lot better than he could have predicted.
The other alpha’s attention was still on their friends as he sipped away at his drink, elbows on the table as he hunched over. Shinso wondered if the blond had noticed how close they were sitting, but eventually decided that he didn’t care. If the blond wanted to move, he could. Bakugo didn’t stay in situations that he didn’t want to be in.
With that thought, Shinso smiled as he leaned back into the seat. He liked how much their relationship had grown, this new connection was making their mission easier and more enjoyable. He was rarely on edge around the explosive blond anymore, and that was on and off the clock. The two seemed to be growing an understanding for one other. Something that neither of their younger selves would believe could happen if told back in UA, but it was here and it was a start. The beginning of friendship.
“Aww, Katsuki!” Denki shouted as he un gracefully fell into the booth. “Are you making a new friend?”
The sudden appearance of the loud blond made the two jolt slightly in their buzzed state. Bakugo growled low in his chest, a small threat to the other for catching him off guard.
“Fuck off, Dunceface.” Bakugo grumbled, his once expressive eyes now hardened into a glare set on the electric blond. Though Denki only smiled in return with pink dusting across his cheeks with slightly hooded eyes. “And I told you not to call me that!”
“What? Your name?” Denki laughed back. He shifted weirdly as he tried to sit up and rest against the back of the bench. “Isn’t that what your name is for? So people can use it.”
Bakugo grumbled something under his breath that Shinso couldn’t hear. The drink in his hand quickly meeting his lips as he took a few big gulps. The alpha slammed the now empty glass on the table, the sound barely making any noise in comparison to the blaring music. The alpha turned to Denki, his back straighter as he habitually tried to make himself the dominant of the two.
“You know how I feel about people using my given name. Have I given you that permission, no. So what’s it going to be Dunceface? An apology for not respecting my boundaries, or an explosion to the face to learn some respect for people?”
Denki laughed, his drunken state not helping him in the situation. “Oh Bakubro, you know that I was just teasing.” He hummed out with a sly smile. “But you are right.” He continued, he face becoming serious as he tried to focus all his drunken attention to his friend. “I am sorry for crossing your boundary. Won’t happen again.”
Bakugo nodded, his posture slouching back into it’s former comfort as he accepted the other’s apology. Denki continued to lean back into the bench, a dopey smile falling on his face as he laid his head back. “God, I love being back home. “ He cheered, his eyes closing.
The three sat in silence longer than Shinso expected there to be with Kaminari around. Usually he was full of chatter and full body expressions, but he was sitting there peacefully, head resting back as he watched the dance floor.
Shinso huffed a laugh when he noticed that this silence wasn’t due to an abnormal Kaminari, but rather one that was passed out. His mouth was now slightly open with his head laid against the top of the backrest. His arms crossed over his chest in a loose hug as his chest moved slowly, drool starting to form at the corner of his lips.
Bakugo sighed, leaning back next to Shinso, shoulder to shoulder. Neither moved at the additional contact, but rather both seemed to lean further into the other as the time slowly passed. Kaminari slept away the night while the other two sat in comfortable silence.
A sprinkle of world building
Word count: 8797
Hello 👋 welcome back
World building and some fluff between out two heroes. I also can’t write a story without some background fun.
