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Izuku lay on the sofa with Katsuki on top of him as the newsreader rambled away on the TV. The blond wrapped his strong arms around Izuku tighter than usual, which he reasoned must have something to do with his particularly stressful day at work.
He carded scarred fingers through Katsuki's ash-blond hair, so much softer than it looked, but Izuku had always known that. When they were young and all the other kids had left the playground bidden by their mothers in the late afternoon, Katsuki would lie in the sandpit and stare at the clouds with Izuku right behind him. One day, overwhelmed with his characteristic curiosity Izuku had asked to touch Katsuki's hair, he had hypotheses to test, after all. The blond huffed and crossed his arms but eventually shrugged and granted Izuku silent permission. Izuku was right, Katsuki's hair could not be rough and dense by the way he had observed it ruffled by the wind so gently. Whilst the greenette was absorbed in his study of Katsuki's contradictory hair he always missed the blond's crimson eyes fall on him, the slightest of blushes dusting his round cheeks.
"'Zuku," Katsuki mumbled, lifting his head up from Izuku's chest to look at him intently who's attention was on the TV screen.
"Hm?"
"Is it," a sigh escaped Katsuki's lips. This drew Izuku's gaze towards his boyfriend.
Katsuki cleared his throat.
"Is it okay that we're together like this? Are you okay with this… us?" The blond averted his gaze but Izuku had already seen the TV light illuminating Katsuki's glassy eyes.
Izuku's hands stilled at that and his dark brows furrowed as his he took in his lover's demeanour. He tried his best not to let that spark of fear grow before knowing more.
"What are we talking about right now, Kacchan?" Izuku tried his best to keep his voice steady, not wanting his own emotions to fuel whatever Katsuki was going through.
"Am I good enough for you? Be honest, 'zuku." Katsuki's voice was low but his breathing had quickened slightly.
Izuku was silent for a beat, focused on understanding what Katsuki was really trying to communicate here. No, Katsuki did not want to break up with him but a small part of him felt he should. Relief washed over him. They could work through this, their relationship was fairly new, six months in and there were a lot of conversations they were yet to have. Izuku had hoped that Katsuki was not still carrying his guilt with him but it seemed that was not the case.
Katsuki however had taken Izuku's silent contemplation to mean hesitation in answering his question and began to pull himself off Izuku. Snapped out of his trance Izuku reached up to Katsuki's biceps and pulled him back down, holding his chin in his right hand and forcing red eyes to look into his green.
"Let me go," the blond growled as Izuku's left arm snaked around Katsuki's waist holding him closer. Katsuki was shaking and the turmoil in his eyes gave Izuku a lump in his throat.
“Kacchan, do you love me?” Izuku asked simply; too many words would overwhelm him.
Katsuki nodded. Izuku quirked his eyebrow at his response.
Katsuki rolled his eyes minutely, “Of course,” he amended gruffly.
“Do you want to be with me? Like this?” Izuku continued, stroking his thumb across Katsuki’s lightly scarred cheek. The blond leaned into the touch, his breathing getting deeper and calm.
Katsuki nodded again, quickly followed by “Yes, nerd,” he knew where Izuku was going with this.
“Do I love you, Kacchan?” Izuku whispered; the world felt so quiet.
“You do,” Katsuki whispered back, red eyes glimmering.
“So, you know I want to be with you. Instead, I’ll ask: am I happy with you?” Izuku smiled softly.
Katsuki’s eyes blazed at this, as they always did when it came to protecting Izuku’s happiness, “You think you are but –,” he rushed out until Izuku placed his thumb on Katsuki’s lips.
“Kacchan,” Izuku began firmly, he needed Katsuki to understand him, really listen to his words.
“I love you. I always have,” Katsuki’s eyes lowered at this, “and I always will. I want to be with you because I cannot imagine life without my Kacchan. There is no life without you, not for me, understand this,” Izuku’s voice was trembling now and his own eyes filling with salty tears. Katsuki sniffled and met his eyes, in a similar state to his lover.
“I know our past has been rocky. I told you I forgave you a long time ago. You make me so happy,” Izuku gave Katsuki a watery smile, “One day, you will see it, that nobody else can make me feel as happy and safe as you do. The only ways we part, according to me, is if one of us dies. Although, if you die first, you best believe we won’t be apart for long,” Katsuki’s brows furrowed at that, eyes wide as he took in the implication of Izuku’s words and frantically shaking his head, a sob escaping him.
“The other way is if you choose to leave me for something… someone else,” Izuku’s heart constricted at the thought, he could not even think about it without feeling like he was being destroyed.
“Never, baby,” Katsuki’s spoke sternly, stunned by Izuku’s words. His heart felt steadier, reassured. The blond positioned himself so Izuku could breathe better and to wipe tears off freckled cheeks.
There was silence between them for a minute or two as they took in each other’s warmth and calmed themselves down.
“Do you understand, Kacchan?” Emerald eyes shone at him and Katsuki could see his reflection in them and he saw himself for a split second how Izuku did. He looked like what Izuku looked like in his eyes. Katsuki felt like the pieces of their relationship and history together had finally clicked into space.
Katsuki let out a breath and nodded. He did understand. It would take him a while to get accustomed to receiving Izuku’s pure love, but he could see now he would never squander or question it.
Izuku smirked and quirked a dark eyebrow at that.
“I do,” Katsuki rolled his eyes and wiped the remaining wetness from both their faces, “You little shit,” he added for good measure.
Izuku laughed his beautiful laugh then, his strong frame shaking underneath Katsuki.
“Good. Now get off me, fat shit,” Izuku retaliated and pushed at Katsuki’s chest, shoving him off him, “Make me some katsudon, I’m starving.” Katsuki fell unceremoniously on the wooden floor beside the sofa glaring at his boyfriend. Izuku crossed his arms behind his head, biceps bulging and looking immensely smug.
“Oi, Deku,” Katsuki sneered playfully, “What do I look like? Your fucking wife?” he stood up and towered over his boyfriend who looked far too relaxed for his liking. His eyes were closed but he had a small smile on his lips.
“That’d be nice. I expect a better proposal than that, by the way,” Izuku responded calmly and met Katsuki’s incredulous gaze.
A deep blush filled both of their cheeks. Katsuki crossed his arms in front of his chest and huffed.
“In what world am I the wife, nerd?”
“In what world am I?”
They glared at each other in that childish way they were used to, noses almost touching in a way they were not.
“Fine, I’ll make you your damn katsudon. But first,” he pointed at his lips, “pay the fee.”
Izuku tapped his pockets and responded mock-innocently, “Oh but, Kacchan! I don’t have change on m -,” he was promptly interrupted by Katsuki’s mouth against his, a chaste kiss with a gentleness only Izuku received from Katsuki.
Seconds later, Katsuki pulled away and ruffled Izuku’s hair so his curls covered his eyes and stalked off to the kitchen to feed his damn boyfriend, the love of his life.