Work Text:
The pitter of Katsuki’s now steady heart beat is all he can hear with his ear smashed into the side of the rather cool pillow, reminding him of footsteps of a child that hides from their parents at night, hoping to grab a snack in the late hours, just like him when he lived with his now older parents. Angering thoughts and a sense of what he would rather not call guilt swarmed his mind like an aggressive storm, insults he received only hours ago hit bouncing off his skull and hitting his brain like hail, and water collecting in his eyes rapidly like gutters that rush with dirt and water. His heart beat was getting faster as childish feelings swarmed his chest, therefore making the ‘footsteps’ on his pillow get louder.
Sleep was not going to come easy, he knew this yet, it’s all he wants. Sleep is an easy way to leave these thoughts and feelings for another time, and day. His worn out eyes yearning for sleep even with the knowledge that it was 7:12PM on a Saturday night, and rather early. The time didn’t matter to him though. Yet, no matter how silent he became, no matter how still and how much comfort his body got, his mind refused to let him catch a break. The adrenaline from his arguments and anger still imprinted on his brain, like purple and green bruises on his knees.
Letting an exasperated sigh leave his lips, he flopped his body over, for what seemed to be the 10th time in the past few minutes, though the minutes felt like hours on his exhausted brain and muscles. Katsuki’s thoughts filled with his yelling mother and disapproving father once again.
“Fuck,” His voice was quite and deep, warn from the yelling he was directing at his parents only mere hours prior. Thoughts running through the blonds head on repeat like a broken record or VHS on an old TV, annoying anger rippling through his body and causing more of a headache then what he already had. Pulsing pain rippling through his skull and anticipation for nothing in particular doing the waltz on his fingertips and palms. His temples tensed with his jaw that only seemed to make the pain worse, but holding firmly onto his pointless pride, he refused to make any noise.
The tiredness he held in his eyes wasn’t in his mind. No matter how early it was, and no matter how hungry he was, the afternoon and late morning held many exhausting moments, moments that made him want to scream, moments that made him want to punch something yet forcing him to tighten his stilled and calloused hands at his sides, and moments that made the blond want to roll over and pass out, and never be awoken again.
He couldn’t help but feel as if all the lectures he gets from his parents were pointless, but he also couldn’t stop from feeling like they were right. He was in the top three of his class grades wise and, even with his brash comments and rude outbursts, he rarely got detention. He wanted to make himself believe that his parents where dumb and had no reason to yell at him, he wanted to side with his logical thinking brain, but something in him made him feel as if, maybe he deserved the yelling and slaps. He loved his parents and in their weird way, they loved him too, so they wouldn’t just yell at him for nothing, right? It was his fault he got a B- on his last test. It was his fault for getting distracted during the exam and forgetting a few answers. His mother was the smart one, right? She knew what she was talking about.
Just as he was in the middle of a staring contest with the bare wall next to him and drowning in the swarming thoughts as if they were the ocean and he didn’t know how to swim, Katsuki heard a short ring come from his phone.
Flipping his head over so that he was now facing the small table that sat snug beside his grey sheeted bed. He lazily snagged the small device—that was protected with an over the top otter box case— off of the wood and roughly turning on his phone he read the name of the boy who decided to disturb his rambling thoughts.
Shitty Hair- hey dude! u awake?
Shitty Hair- u went to ur room right after u camf bacj from ur parents >:p
Huffing out of his nose while he read the admittedly dumb message he got from his classmate, Eijirou Kirishima. He would never say it out loud, as to protect his prideful reputation, but he sees the redhead as a friend. Although he wasn’t complaining much, for some reason the shark toothed loser was one of the only people in his class, no— maybe the whole campus, that he could stand. Letting out an annoyed huff, he held onto the home button and successfully unlocked the phone and opened the text conversation that held hundreds of messages between the two that were now considered old. He quickly wrote a response but unlike the idiot he was talking to, made sure no spelling mistakes were clear.
Katsuki Bakugou- Ofc I'm awake, It’s only 7PM.
Shitty Hair- thats what i thought!!!
Shitty Hair- can i ckme over :>>
Shitty Hair- kami is high with zerro again and i dont wanna dea with that >:(
Of course those idiots are high again, the only thing Denki and Hanata know how to do is smoke weed and rage on Mario kart.
Katsuki Bakugou- Whatever.
Katsuki Bakugou- Just don’t break anything.
Katsuki knows that the red head wouldn’t leave him alone even if he said no, but, these thoughts were only excuses to see the overly happy boy, besides saying no would mean he would be admitting that he was feeling worse then he was willing to admit. However, deep down Katsuki knows that he wants the redhead to come and ruin the weak moment.
A few pings came from his phone indicating that Eijirou texted him again but he didn’t even bother to check it. Not even bothered to change out of the comfortable clothing he was adorn in, a red tank top that hugged his broad chest and hung loose at his smaller waist, and black sweatpants that were somewhat baggy, hanging around his ankles and clung to his heel, the pants where obviously too tall for him. He sat up on his western spring mattress bed waiting for the other male to eventually knock on the white door that blocks his dorm room from the rest of the building.
After some time collecting himself and his thoughts, three soft knuckles collided with the other side of the door making subtle knocking sounds, of course he would come soon, his dorm room was next door after all. Knowing that the person on the other side was welcome he rose off the bed and shuffled over to the thin door, letting his posture turn terrible as it normally did, his shoulders hung, his hands stuffed inside his sweats pockets, and his feet dragging on the carpet.
He shoved a hand onto the knob and swung the wood door open, to greet the smiling dumbass. Ejirou’s hair was down, and not in the upward gelled cinder block it normally was in, bright red strands framing his face and stubborn bangs where in front of his eyes, though it looks like he didn’t care much. He wasn’t wearing anything too different then Katsuki was, a crimson red hoodie that was a tad loose on his fit, that has a ridiculous cartoon character on it, and his gym sweatpants.
“Hey, bro!” Eijirou’s actions while he was talking was incredibly animated and his hand went up in reflex an knocked into Katsuki’s chest jokingly
“Hey,” Katsuki’s voice was blunt, and uncaring, however still horse from earlier. Though, he didn’t bother to try and cover it, knowing it wouldn’t work.
Eijirou smiled at him and let a childish laugh escape his mouth before talking, “You okay? Your voice seems tired ‘s all,” The redheads voice was softer now as he stepped closer to his friend.
“Tsk, shut up,” His voice bitter with annoyance, and turning mid sentence and flipping the light on as he stalked to his bed and collapsed in front of the bedding and onto the floor, motioning for the other to follow his lead with his head.
He still smiled at the other teenager— did he ever stop smiling? Eijirou shut the door and followed the others' lead, though less lazy and with better posture, to sit beside him and lean on the bed frame. The two were now facing a black screened and small TV, “I should have expected that, I guess... Just- If you need to talk, I'm right here!” He smiled at the slightly shorter male.
“Hah?” He looked slightly up at Eijirou before snapping his head away, smashing his cheek and unruly hair into his bedsheets. Kirishima thought for some seconds before speaking his overthinking mind hesitantly, “Am i intruding on something? If you don’t want me here just say something, bro.” The redhead smiled at him before he started to play with the others fingers, gently tugging the knuckles away from the first he was self consciously making. Katsuki stared at their hands, but made no effort to stop the other from sliding his fingers into his own hand, before answering, “Can it, dweeb. When I say yes I mean it...” Katsuki’s voice was gruff and curt though getting quieter at he spoke, continuously staring at their fingers, however the surprise on Eijirou’s face was gone just as fast as it came, giving the others hand a gentle squeeze before talking, “Wanna see if i can beat you in COD?” it was obvious by the way he was talking that he was smiling.
“Get ready to lose!” Katsuki’s voice went back to its normal competition it normally held, in only mere moments.
Hesitant fingers let go of each other as Katsuki scooted closer the the TV and turning it on right after roughly pushing the power button on the console, already knowing the disc he wanted was in the tray. Throwing a remote back at Eijirou he spoke with a grin, “Im going to fucking murder you!” The other laughed at his half hearted threat, “Sure,” Eijirou’s voice was laced with sarcasm as he turned on the remote, them both laughing now.
Katsuki doesn’t know when but the thought of his angry mother yelling at him was now gone from his mind and the anger induced headache lessened. His right leg draped over the others lap as they sat close and the sounds of the guns on the game shooting, Eijrou or him laughing in victory, or his own curses riggings out of his mouth in defeat, filled the room and completely put him at ease. It was easy to just forget with the cheery boy next to him. It was difficult not to like him, even Katsuki could admit that.
Their game lasted about an hour before Eijirou sat his remote down and pushed his weight onto the other side as a sign for a break.
“Tired of getting your ass kicked?” Katsuki teased the other boy. Eijirou let and over the top sigh leave his mouth and nose, going along with the joke, “You wound me,” It wasn’t long before he laughed at their moment, and for a moment Katsuki laughed too.
“It’s nice to joke like that, dude” His voice was much softer than his teasing tone before.
“Hm,” Katsuki did nothing but hum in a non specific tone.
They fell into an easy silence, comfortably basking in each other's presence. The only noise was their own relaxed breathing and the soft tune of the waiting room on the video game for some minutes.
“...Can you stay over tonight?” Katsuki’s voice was nothing above a whisper that you wouldn’t have been able to hear unless you were as close as Eijirou was.
After hearing this the other sat up slightly to look at Katsuki before speaking, “Yeah, of course, Baku-Bro, What’s up?” Eijirou’s voice was soft, also unwilling to break the silence.
“Don’t call me that... Fuck,” The words where nothing but a mutter through his breath as he averted his gaze from the other boy.
“I’m— I just—“ He was having trouble speaking about the current stress he was going through.
“You don’t have to talk, see?” Eijirou tugged lightly on the controller that Katsuki was lazily holding onto, and set it onto the carpeted floor beside them before gently gliding his fingers through the blonds slender ones. Katsuki didn’t speak, just like he suggested, rather, he stared at their intertwined fingers like before, but now he refused to look away from the other, for the time being at least.
“Today’s been fucked.” his voice was quite as he stared at their fingers, refusing to look at the others eyes. Though, his voice, and words, caught the other off guard causing him to look up at his face and away from their hands, “Yeah?” His question was only answered with a single nod and small grunt.
After some time of Eijirou rubbing his thumb over the others knuckles, as a way to calm him, Katsuki shuffled closer and brought his hand away from his, and rather, bringing his arms up and latching onto him for a hug, hiding his face in his neck. Eijirou did not react immediately but when he did, he laced his arms around his slim waste, bringing the other closer, with Katsuki reacting by also scooting closer. They now sit with the blond in Eijirou’s lap and Eijirou swaying side to side slightly, tightening his grip on his back.
“What happened?” His voice was hesitant but inviting, conveying how he didnt need to reply if he honestly didn't want to.
“‘Did shit on the test,'' his voice was quiet and muffled through Eijirou’s hoodie. It was easier to talk without being looked at.
“The english one? What was your grade?” Eijirou drew circles on his back, understanding the feeling of feeling dumb after a particularly bad test.
“B-,” He did nothing but mumble.
“Huh? Isn’t that good? I got like a C I think...”
“Thats what i fuckin’ thought as well...” He sighed but held onto Eijirou slightly tighter.
They fell into another silence, Eijirou humming in response and allowing him the silence for him to continue or not, whatever he was comfortable with. However, it was odd to see Katsuki in this position, even to Eijirou. The two of them had a somewhat unspoken respect for each other, a mutual agreement. Whatever is said behind closed doors, stays behind closed doors, but, the two of them have never really gone this far with their actions. Katsuki must be really distressed for him to be this clingy and let go of his normal brash attitude and pride for some comfort, Eijirou thinks.
The cheery boy can't really deny how much comfort he finds in this as well. Katsuki’s vulnerable touch is intoxicating, having the normally fuming blond holding him close like this and allowing Eijirou to trace absentminded shapes with his finger on his back, allow him to hold him just as close. It's exhilarating. He doesn’t want it to end. Is that weird? No. Yes? Eijirou doesn’t know. Katsuki is just a bro who happens to be good at hugging.
Katsuki shifts, moving his legs to hold onto Eijirou’s torso as if challenging him to move away. He sniggers “I'm not going anywhere, as long as you want,” Eijirou’s voice is but a calming hum to Katsuki’s ears.
“Good,” His words are lacking the normal threat they normally held.
The two of them stayed like this for some time, no explanations where needed from Katsuki, not if he didn’t feel the need to explain himself. Eijirou sometimes hummed a small tune and swayed along to its beat as he played with the hem of Katsuki’s tank top collar. Is it okay to find enjoyment in his friends obvious distress? Is that selfish? No. Right now isn’t about Eijirou’s thoughts, right now is about Katsuki.
Maybe a distraction will help?
“How are you so good at COD anyways?” Eijirou laughs.
“‘S not hard, dunce.” Katsuki’s head shifted slightly so he wasn’t talking into fabric, now his breath was warm on Eijirou’s neck, and he was certain to ignore it.
Looking over at their previous games scores, he sighed.
LordExplosion - 23 Kills/ 5 Deaths
RockHard - 12 Kills / 16 Deaths
“You’ve gotta be cheating or something...” His voice is a mumble as he speaks his wandering thoughts.
This response causes a snort from the other boy as he shoves his face into the dip of Eijirou’s neck, as if to hide his amusement. Eijirou hums and takes one hand away from the boy in his arms to use the remote and turns off the console leaving them in the silent hum of the room, “You tired?” Eijirou voices. The only response he receives is a slight huff and then a nod into his shoulder. Humming, as he places his hands onto the backs of the other’s thighs before standing. In response Katsuki tightens his grip on his shoulders. The two shuffle for this to be comfortable for a second before Eijirou stalks over to the light switch and turns it off. The only light sources in the small dorm room are the dim light of Katsuki’s alarm clock, and the moonlight pooling into the room. White dim light drips off of every surface and runs through Katsuki’s ashy hair, like the hands of a soothing mother or partner.
Waiting for the darkness to settle before he makes his way over to the dark sheeted bed. Dipping down so that Katsuki can slip out of his grasp and lay down. However, arms still lock together around his neck and pull him down close to Katsuki’s face. Red eyes challenging him to leave, yet pleading for him to stay. Emotions run wild through his sharp eyes that lay beneath dark eyelashes. Eyebrows pulled together in a frown and hair framing his face almost perfectly. Dim light tracing his jaw and the bump of his nose like water pooling in the calm of a river. He can't take his eyes off him.
“Stay,”
And he does.
He will stay with him forever if he has to. All to make the other smile and tease him again. “Of course,” immediate hands pull him down onto the sheets next to Katsuki with a “Oof!”
His head lands right onto Katsuki’s shoulder, his nose crushed on the point of the bone.
“Ah! Me schnoz...!” Eijirou jokes before shuffling into a more comfortable position, looking down at Katsuki’s face as he holds back an amused snort.
“Go to bed, you fucking heathen.”
“Aye-aye, caption!”
Katsuki grunts, for what seems like the millionth time that night, before scooting closer to Eijirou, shoving him onto his back, and plopping down on his chest.
No matter how weird Katsuki’s behavior is, no matter how touchy Katsuki is or guilty Eijirou feels for liking it. Eijirou will be there for him, to “stay” when he asks for it.
They don’t ever need to talk about what’s on their mind. They’ll talk in the morning, they have time.
And for what feels like the first time in weeks, Katsuki sleeps happily.