Katsuki Bakugo had never been the type to care what people thought. He had spent years proving himself, shutting down doubters, and carving out a life that was his own. So when people started making comments about his husband, he told himself it didn’t matter.

At first, it was just little things. A passing remark from Kirishima— "Man, your mate’s glowing lately. Everything good?" Bakugo had rolled his eyes and grumbled something about how, yeah, of course everything was good.

But then it kept happening.

Mina had grinned at them during a gathering, nudging Bakugo’s side. "His scent is sweeter, y'know? Like, extra sweet. You sure you’re not hiding something from us?"

Denki, ever the troublemaker, had outright smirked and leaned in close. "C’mon, man, just say it. You two are expecting, huh?"

That one had made Bakugo freeze. Expecting? As in...pregnant? He had scoffed and pushed Denki away. "You dumbass, we’d fucking know if that were the case."

Wouldn’t they?

It wasn’t just their friends. Strangers had started to glance at his mate with that knowing look, Omegas in particular offering soft smiles. Even at work, a few coworkers had pointed it out. Glowing, they kept saying. Sweeter.

Bakugo had brushed it off for as long as he could. But that night, lying in bed with his mate curled against him, he found himself hyperaware. He inhaled deeply, pressing his nose to the crook of his husband’s neck. The scent was definitely different—richer, deeper, almost intoxicating in a way that had his Alpha instincts stirring.

His hands slid over his husband’s stomach, not expecting anything, but still...wondering.

Bakugo swallowed. He could ignore other people, could brush off their words like they meant nothing. But this? This was his mate. His world. And suddenly, he wasn’t so sure anymore.