The Uchiha's Kind Words.
Katsuki sighed, the very unofficial Dinner with the older Uchiha at the Japanese restaurant near his office building was going as awkwardly as he thought he would. Usually, Katsuki and the older CEO met up in the conference rooms of their respective company buildings, but today the Uchiha had offered to treat him out for dinner, which he knew he could not decline, even if it meant leaving Izuku alone at their two-bedroom apartment yet again this week. He pouted as he replied back to his husband, he was sure Izu missed him the same way he missed his cute, green-haired partner-for-life. The usually stern Uchiha too seemed to be messaging someone on his own phone, a smile on his face. In contrast to what Katsuki felt at that moment, the Uchiha's expression was starting to irritate Katsuki. What was he smiling about? Katsuki's face scrunched up more as the older raven-haired man chuckled at his phone.
It seemed the irritation was evident enough for Sasuke to notice immediately.
"Ah, is my company not what you were expecting to be in, Young Bakugou?"
Katsuki jumped, "Ah no it's not like that, Sir." He replied anxiously, he hadn't realized he had slipped, letting his emotions show upon his face.
Sasuke chuckled, "Let me guess, you have a significant other waiting for you at home perhaps?"
Katsuki noted how Sasuke did not say "Wife" before replying, knowing the shrewd Uchiha would anyways point it out if he didn't say it out straight and with a sigh replied to the older man, "Yeah, um, my husband."
Sasuke chuckled at the nervous Bakugou's expression. "You know, you don't have to keep acting like you are walking around eggshells with me, right?"
"Oh, what do you mean, Sir?"
Sasuke shook his head, a smile on his face, "You really don't think I haven't noticed how you have been acting around me, young man?"
Katsuki looked back squeamishly.
"You remind me, of well, me."
This time, surprise flashed through Katsuki's face. "How?"
"Ah let's see." Sasuke held out one finger. "First, I was a huge people-pleaser too."
Katsuki blushed bright red in embarrassment.
"Secondly, I definitely have worked overtime." Pointed Sasuke out, another finger joining the first.
Katsuki shifted nervously, opting to down the rest of the sake he had in his glass.
"And I definitely missed my cute partner whenever I couldn't go home." Sasuke teased Katsuki more.
"Okay! Okay! I getcha." Katsuki slipped into his normal way of speaking, Sasuke's laughter ringing through the private room.
The older man continued laughing, until he finally calmed down to say, "So, tell me about your husband, who's keeping your attention from me?"
Katsuki's blush softened and Sasuke smiled fondly as he saw how much Katsuki's voice changed as he started describing Izuku.
"He's a total nerd," he started, eliciting another chuckle from the older man, "He loves superheroes and analyzing his favorite superheroes. I swear you could have a whole conversation with him about them. Once he's passionate about something, you can't stop him at all. He even decided to join my company to keep working by my side. He's a total family man. He loves Katsudon, sometimes even more than me. We were childhood friends, it was in middle school I realized I was in love with him." His voice became a bit serious, "I was such brat to him then, because I didn't wanna accept the feelings I had for him, and I kept thinking I never deserved such a pure, kind-hearted angel like him, at one point we'd be at each other throats over silly stuff because I didn't know how to talk to him civilly."
Sasuke listened intently, his gaze not leaving the young man as Katsuki continued, "Somehow, as if it were a miracle, we ended up confessing in the most ironic way; while we were literally bashing each other's faces in." Sasuke chuckled, familiar memories of his own flitting through his mind as Katsuki spoke, "All of our friends were so confused when they caught us, all bloodied up and kissing each other. We ended up dating each other after that and marrying half a year ago."
"You really had a journey with him, ha?" Sasuke asked, a fond smile still on his face. As much as people thought him to be a serious guy, he was actually soft for love stories like these. He chuckled as Katsuki hid his face in his hands in embarrassment, he was still not used to being seen so vulnerable in front of people. He was only this soft in front of Izuku, and any talk of Izuku made a new side of his come out, that countered his usually Tsundere-like personality.
"Ah, young love." Mused Sasuke, taking a sip of his own sake. Katsuki who felt himself opening up to the older man then asked.
"So you got a partner too ha, Old man?"
Sasuke almost wheezed at the younger's change in demeanor, replying back, "Yup. Been married for fourteen years and have been blessed with two munchkins as well."
"Wow." Katsuki said, downing another shot.
"Wow indeed," agreed Sasuke. "Though I came pretty close to not having all that you know."
Katsuki looked on curiously as the Uchiha spoke, this time soberly.
"The reason why I say you remind me, of me, is well, because of how I was, as a younger man, I almost abandoned my husband," said Sasuke, Katsuki's eyes widening. "We both got so busy in our lives that we barely made time for each other. Naruto was working on his own book while taking care of his mentor's bookstore. I had been busy with taking over the company from my older brother. At a point, I didn't even know what was going on in his life and career, I was so focused on mine." Sasuke took another swig of his sake. "Heck I even thought it was over for us."
"What did you do then?" asked Katsuki desperately, the Uchiha's words striking close.
Sasuke took a deep breath, "Once things started settling down, we were able to sit down one day and decide what we wanted from the other. We were able to figure out that we both craved the other in our lives more than anything in the world. We had dreams, which we wanted to complete together. We were twenty-eight when we finally were able to adopt our eldest, our daughter, and that's when I set my boundaries. Naruto did the same too. Now every decision we take, we keep our family in mind first."
Katsuki sat silently, slowly processing what Sasuke said.
"So by setting boundaries, what do you mean by that?" he asked the older man.
Sasuke sat up straight, placing his arms on the table in front of him as he stared down at Katsuki. "First, I made sure to never let my work come in between the time I am supposed to keep aside for my family."
Katsuki nodded furiously.
"Second, I had to teach myself to say 'No'. In our business, being a people-pleaser is good, but learn to say 'No'. Remember, work can come later. You can always schedule it later. Family comes first. You'll be surprised to know how much and how many people will appreciate that. They too have families and sacrifice their time with them for work. They appreciate getting that extra time."
Katsuki looked in awe at his senior, as Sasuke continued.
"Third, Never overwork yourself," Sasuke raised his hand and Katsuki sat surprised as the older raven-haired man tapped his two fingers furiously on his forehead in a brotherly manner. "Your health is important too."
Katsuki smiled back, his hand rubbing the sore spot on his forehead.
"You sure are wise, old man." He stated and the two laughed together.
"Don't call me old man. I still am quite young at heart. Call me Sasuke or Senpai." Chuckled Sasuke back.
Katsuki nodded slightly, "Senpai it is."
The two toasted and downed their remaining sake before Katsuki asked.
"So, can I get a couple of days off then, Senpai?"
Sasuke good-heartedly let out a laugh, "What do you mean? You were already getting the next few days off. I have a husband and kids at home waiting to spend Christmas with me. No offense, as much as I love our meetings," he winked at the younger Bakugou, "There's no way I'm spending my holidays packed in an office, young man."
Katsuki's face brightened up at the older Uchiha's words.
"I'm starting to like the way you think, Senpai."
Sasuke could only grin back at the younger blonde.
Once the dinner was wrapped up, the two men made their way out of the restaurant. Before Katsuki could bid the older Uchiha goodbye, Sasuke spoke.
"Young Bakugou," he patted Katsuki's shoulder. "Cherish every moment you get with your husband. Remember that at the end of the day, he is your home. Your love for him will always lead you back to him."
Katsuki blushed red, a slight smile on his face as he said back, "I definitely will."
As Sasuke made his way towards his car, Katsuki called out.
"Thank you, Senpai!"