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Two hours and twenty-three minutes.
Two hours and twenty-three minutes until Katsuki can lock the doors and retreat to the back for the highlight of his day: glorious, solitary, quiet inventory before going home.
Two hours and twenty-two minutes.
He gives the woman cashing out a parting grimace before storming into the back office. “I need a fucking break,” he snarls. “If I have to help one more middle-aged woman ranting about how Eat, Pray, Love changed her life, I’m going to burn this place to the ground.”
Hakamata looks supremely unimpressed. “You had a break fifteen minutes ago, Bakugou. You would never burn the books, and I expect better of my employees.”
Katsuki scowls. “I’m the best employee you got and I know it.”
“Interesting. Seems you should act like it, then.” Hakamata casually flips the page of the book he has open in front of him, like the fucking slacker he is. “Get out there, please. And be friendly. Otherwise I’ll swap a couple shifts next week so you’ll be opening with Midoriya instead of Kirishima. I’m sure he would be happy to go through the customer service training modules with you again.”
Katsuki stares. “You wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t I? Midoriya is excellent with the customers, particularly the middle-aged women pursuing their own Eat, Pray, Love revelation. He might be good for you.” Hakamata raises an eyebrow and waves at him dismissively. “To the floor with you.”
Katsuki growls and stalks out, slamming the door shut behind him. He doesn’t think Hakamata would swap shifts – because not even the cruelest person Katsuki knows would want to upset Kirishima – but still, it’s not worth the risk. If he’s lucky, no one else will come in at all.
Before he’s even finished the thought, the bell above the door lets out a gentle ding.
Fuck. Maybe just a comic book nerd – or a quiet, nervous girl who just wants to know where the fantasy books are – it won’t be so bad. He turns reluctantly, mumbling, “Welcome to The Next Page. How can I help you today?”
By the time he’s done speaking, he already knows he’s fucked.
This is no comic book nerd.
No quiet, nervous girl.
Not even another Eat, Pray, Love Karen.
It’s worse. It’s so, so much worse.
The bright, bubbly, (gorgeous) mess of a human being wearing an apron that’s splattered with chocolate and dusted with flour gives him a brilliant grin and holds out a tray loaded with small desserts. “Hi!” she chirps. “My name’s Ochako. I just started working next door! You know, The Sweet Tooth? The coffee shop? Anyways, I thought I’d bring these by and say hi!”
Katsuki stares.
Her brow furrows, and she retracts the tray slightly. “Are you okay?”
Katsuki watches as the desserts tilt to the side, their carrier clearly more worried about Katsuki than their balance, and snaps out of it to say, “Quit that! You’re getting that fuckin’ powdered sugar shit all over the books!”
“Oops!” She lurches it back straight and skips a couple of quick steps to set it on the counter – before spinning on Katsuki. “You know you didn’t have to be such a jerk about it, right?”
Katsuki scoffs. “Wouldn’t’ve had to be if you’d been paying attention. What are you here for?”
“I told you! To say hi.” She holds out her hand, apparently undaunted. “I’m Ochako!”
“Great. Do you need a book? No? Even better. You can leave now.” He turns around, stalking towards the office again. Fuck it. He can handle opening with Deku for a week.
“Hey!” she calls. “Hey – quit – stop walking away!”
Hakamata pokes his head out of the office. “Bakugou. Is that a customer?”
He freezes. “Maybe. Probably not. You deal with her.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Not a customer?”
“I’m a customer!” Ochako yelps. “I – I need help finding a book, please!”
“Excellent.” Hakamata disappears back behind the door. “Duty calls, Bakugou.”
Katsuki resists the urge to punch a bookshelf – really only because he doesn’t want to damage the books if they fall – and slowly, slowly turns back around. “What book,” he asks through clenched teeth, “can I help you find today.”
Ochako does not look even remotely ashamed. “Umm… Something about constellations, maybe? I’ve always liked space.”
He jerks his head. “This way – no, leave the damn diabetes bars. That shit ain’t coming near my books.”
She frowns, hand still outstretched towards the tray. “They aren’t shit!”
“Probably are. I don’t like sweet stuff,” he tells her. “Either you stay here with them or you come with me to see the books without them. Your fuckin’ call. Makes no difference to me.” He crosses his arms.
She tilts her head. “I’ll make you a deal.”
Katsuki can’t believe this. He’s less than three hours away from locking the doors. How is this shit happening? “Don’t see that you’re in a position to bargain, but what the fuck ever.”
“Customer’s always right,” she says cheerily. “Which is obviously a lie, but since I’m the customer in this case…” She reaches over and plucks a dessert from the tray, holding her other hand beneath it to catch the inevitably falling crumbs. “If you try it, I’ll leave it here and let you talk books to me.”
“I won’t like it. Seems like a waste of time.”
“Even if you don’t like it!” she adds hastily. “Come on…Katsuki? Katsuki!”
He slaps belatedly at his name tag before letting his hand fall in defeat. It’s too fucking late anyways. “Don’t fuckin’ call me that. And get that shit away.”
She pouts.
This grown-ass woman in a fuckin’ apron in his store pouts because Katsuki won’t eat her brownie.
Fucking hell.
Katsuki snatches the thing out of her hands because really, he doesn’t see another option. “Quit that shit,” he snaps. “I’ll try it, okay?” He bites into it, and yup – “Sweet as fuck. Disgusting.”
She looks horrified. “Okay! I’m sorry! Um – here!” She digs into her apron pockets and whips out a small cloth, holding it out. “Put the rest here!”
He dutifully drops it. “You gonna buy a book now?”
“Hang on. I’m pretty sure I said I’d let you talk books to me. Not that I’d buy one.”
He stares. “You’re fucking kidding.”
She smiles prettily. “Guess you’d better sell me on it, then!”
“Good advice,” Hakamata calls from inside his office, and Katsuki hates his boss and his job today.
“Come on.” Katsuki stalks off, not bothering to look if she’s following. If she gives up, all the better. She can take her mess of brownies and go.
Of course, he isn’t that lucky, and she catches up to him after only a moment. “Great!” she says. “I’m excited to hear your sales pitch.”
“Don’t be,” he grunts. “It’s not gonna be exciting. Here.” He points to a section of books lining the lower half of one shelf. “From here to here, that’s the science shit. The true stuff. Next shelf up is horoscopes, astrology, all the bullshit I’m sure you want.”
She frowns. “Why do you think I want the bullshit?”
He deliberately looks her up and down. “Don’t you?”
She scowls, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see. “No. And if you took the time to ask me about myself a little, you’d know that.”
“Too bad I didn’t do that, then.” He bends down, running his fingers along the spines before finding the one he wants and tugging it free. “Here. Try this one.”
She squints at it. “A book on black holes?”
He shrugs. “Not stars, but star-adjacent. Should interest you.”
She frowns. “I doubt it. I’m not much of a reader.”
He leans over and snatches a magazine on horoscopes off the shelf. “Here. This should be more your speed then.”
To his surprise, she bursts out laughing. “You’re such an ass! Okay, okay, fine. I’ll try the stupid book, but if I don’t like it, I’ll be back for more. And I’ll bring a different dessert next time, deal?”
“I don’t remember asking you to come back at all.”
“That’s the best part, Katsuki! You didn’t have to ask. I just know.” She beams at him. “Card okay? I think I have some cash at the shop if that’s easier.”
“Probably shouldn’t tell a stranger that,” he tells her, leading her back towards the register. “I could stalk you. Steal your shit.”
“Maybe, but you won’t.” She smiles and pulls a card out of her apron pocket.
He takes it. “Tell me you don’t just have that shit lyin’ loose there.”
“It’s not like I’m wandering downtown.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m just walking back and forth between here and the shop! We share a wall.”
“Still not fuckin’ safe.” He swipes it and hands it back. “Don’t be a dumbass. Get a wallet. Be more careful.”
She smiles. “Are you worried about me?”
“Nope. Now leave.”
She dutifully picks up the tray of brownies after tucking the book into her apron. “I’m going, I’m going! But I’ll be back. See you tomorrow, Katsuki!”
“Not if I can help it,” he mutters as the door dings behind her. “Fuck off.”
“That’s no way to speak to customers, Bakugou,” Hakamata calls. “You must always present yourself to the best of your ability!”
Katsuki whirls towards the door. “Take off that fucking jean jacket and say it to my face!”
Hakamata strolls out of the office, jacket snug over his shoulders. “I think not. Close up for me, Bakugou? Thank you.”
“I didn’t agree!” Katsuki shouts at his back, but it’s futile. He never listens no matter how much Katsuki yells. He occasionally does have more luck when he talks quietly, but that, well. It’s never been Katsuki’s strong suit.
“Oh, and if that young lady comes back tomorrow, keep her coming!”
“I think the fuck not!”
Katsuki’s had enough of people today and enough of Ochako, he thinks, probably forever.
She doesn’t like books, and he doesn’t like sweet shit, and he’s pretty sure that is proof enough they’ll never be friends.
Two weeks later, Katsuki has reluctantly conceded that every evening at approximately two hours to close, Ochako Uraraka will waltz into his store with a dessert that will inevitably be far too sweet and make his life a living hell.
The worst part is that she always shows up under the premise of needing a new book, and she always buys whatever Katsuki tells her to – and then proceeds to hate every single thing he recommends.
Crime and Punishment? “He just talks in circles, Katsuki. I couldn’t get past the first chapter –”
Les Miserables? “The actual worst thing I’ve ever read, Katsuki. I only got through thirty pages on the Parisian sewer system and he wasn’t even halfway done.”
Pride and Prejudice? “Don’t you have any books where they talk like normal people?”
Eragon? “Too many characters with too much to visualize, Katsuki. Isn’t there something simple?”
Big Little Lies? “It’s like she can’t decide how to tell the story! It’s too hard to pay attention.”
It peaks when she declares The Art of War “useless old man talk” that he snaps. “Out!” he snarls, pointing at the door. “Get the fuck out. You don’t get to be here anymore – talking shit. Get out!”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, quit it, you giant baby. We’ll find one I like! Don’t worry. Here – I tried a new recipe today!”
“You try a new recipe every day!” he points out, enraged.
“But this one is the winner! I know it in my heart.”
“You don’t know jack shit, since you never finish any of the damn books you try to read.”
“Harsh, but fair. I’ve never bought baking books, though. You know why?” She barrels on before Katsuki can say anything. “That’s right – because my baking knowledge is already complete. Try it, try it!”
He eyes the small round dessert skeptically. “It’s not dripping. That’s a victory.”
“I’ve apologized for the pudding a dozen times already,” she says impatiently, “and I bought that copy of The Hobbit anyways! So come on, just try it! Please!”
“That apology would count if you’d liked The Hobbit. You didn’t,” he says flatly. “Deku’s covering Hakamata’s lazy ass today. Go bother him.” He turns to walk away.
“Actually,” she says, and there’s a shy hesitance in her voice that makes him pause, “Deku stopped by the store earlier, so I already gave him some… These are for you!”
He isn’t exactly sure why that bothers him so much, but processing his emotions before he acts on them isn’t exactly Katsuki’s brand, so he whirls on her. “He what?!”
She looks a little confused. “You know we’re all friends, right?”
That only serves to confuse him more. “All?!”
“Katsuki, Deku’s been friends with Tsu and Mina for years,” she says slowly, “and they opened The Sweet Tooth here partially because he ran all the numbers for them. I know he’s told you that at some point. And Kirishima and Mina have been dating for months now, too. Your coworkers visit all the time –”
“Employees,” Katsuki corrects instantly. “I’m the manager. They’re subordinates.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” She waves the term away dismissively. “It’s not like you treat them like that, you know. I don’t know why you’re so weird about it. But! The point is that Deku already tried these, so it’s your turn! He liked them!”
Katsuki glances around briefly. It’s near closing – as is standard for coffee shop girl’s visits – so the only person here is a girl browsing the music section, earbuds in. Should be safe enough, he thinks, and he shouts, “Oi! Deku! Get out here!”
It takes only a few seconds before Deku pops out from the comic books. “Kacchan?” he calls. “What’s up? I was just in the middle of All Might’s – oh! Hi, Ochako!”
Katsuki feels his eye twitch. Damnit.
“Hi, Deku!” she says with a laugh. “How’s it going?”
“Great! I just got done organizing –”
“Shut up,” Katsuki interrupts. “Nobody cares.”
Deku frowns at him. “You’re the one who asked me to do it, Kacchan.”
“I don’t ask. I tell. Now, Round Face here tells me you tried those desserts earlier.”
“Yeah, they were great!”
He crosses his arms. “Would I like them?”
Deku hesitates, and Katsuki smells victory. “Well…”
Ochako looks horrified. “He’ll like them! Deku, I know he’ll like them! I even –”
“The dark chocolate is a good start,” Deku assures her, smiling nervously. “But, uh, the inside is caramel, and that’s…kind of sweet for Kacchan…”
Katsuki laughs as her shoulders slump. “This is impossible,” she moans. “There’s something wrong with you, Katsuki. You’re broken.”
“You’re the one who has no taste in books,” he snaps. “I told you I don’t like sweet things. Don’t mean I don’t like anything. Stop bringing sweet shit around and expecting me to like it is all.”
She thinks about this. “That’s…actually fair. Okay! I’m gonna get it right this time, okay? I’ll do it!”
He snorts. “Sure you will, Cheeks. I’ll believe it when I see it.”
He feels Deku’s eyes lock onto him and snarls, “What?!”
Deku jumps and says quickly, “Nothing! Uh, Kacchan, I’ve gotta – um – oh! Return a – book. To Mina. Next door. So I’m gonna go do that real quick, okay?”
He frowns. “Can’t you just give it to Round Face baker lady here and –”
“Nope!” he yelps. “Gotta do it now – bye!” He bolts out the door.
“Did he even have a book?” Ochako asks, popping the small ball of chocolate and caramel into her mouth.
“Don’t think so.” Katsuki squints after the door for a moment before concluding, “He’s an idiot. If I pick out a damn book for you, are you actually gonna read it this time?”
She smiles impishly at him. “If you find the right book. That’s the game, right? You find the right book, I find the right dessert?”
“Yeah, except the problem in both situations is your bad fuckin’ taste,” Katsuki snaps. “Come the fuck on, then. You’ll like this one.”
When she hasn’t shown up for the next three days in a row, Katsuki isn’t sure if it’s because she’s found herself absolutely obsessed with Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief or if it’s somehow offended her so deeply that she’s decided to never come back.
And because Katsuki’s a fucking dumbass who never got her number, he has absolutely no way to find out.
The frustration boils over that afternoon when Kirishima catches him sitting in front of the newest novel display glaring daggers into the door. “You do know,” he says casually, “that if someone were to actually open the door, that look you’ve got would immediately make them run away again?”
Katsuki glowers. “Fuck off.”
Kirishima circles him, staring quizzically. “Oh!” he exclaims suddenly. “You’re waiting for Ochako, aren’t you?!”
“Am not!” Katsuki barks. “I said fuck off. Go organize the fuckin’ kids’ section. The twins were here earlier today, so you know it’s a damn wreck.”
Kirishima groans. “Come on, bro! I gotta go meet Mina soon!”
“You’re closing tonight, Shitty Hair.”
“Nuh-uh! Todoroki’s coming in to cover. I’ve gotta get Mina’s laptop to her, and she didn’t have time to pick it up this morning before the shop opened.”
Katsuki finally looks away from the door and turns his glare on Kirishima. “Who the fuck did you say is covering for you?”
Kirishima at least has the decency to look sheepish. “Uh…Todoroki?” He laughs nervously. “Sorry, bro, I – actually, you know what? You leave early and run the stuff to Mina! It’s just next door!”
“No way in hell –”
“So you’d rather stay and close with Todoroki?”
“ – am I not gonna do that,” Katsuki finishes lamely. “Fucking fine, jackass. Give me the laptop. When does she need it?”
“As soon as you think you can leave, dude.” Kirishima shrugs. “Todoroki should be here any minute –”
Katsuki jolts upright. “Give me the damn laptop before he gets here so I can get the hell out,” he hisses. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”
Kirishima chuckles. “Honestly, I kinda forgot. Here, I left it in the office.” He leads Katsuki – way too slowly – to where he’s tucked the laptop into a bag in the corner. “Tell Mina I’m sorry and I’ll see her tonight, okay?”
“Oh, is Bakugou not staying?” a quiet voice says from behind them. “How disappointing.”
It’s absolutely fucking remarkable, Katsuki thinks, how that voice manages to get under every single one of his nerves instantaneously. “Shut the fuck up,” he says, spinning and walking past him as quickly as he can. “I’m doing Kirishima a favor. That’s fucking it.”
“Going to The Sweet Tooth? Say hi to Izuku for me, please.”
Despite himself, Katsuki freezes. “Why is Deku at the bakery and why do you know Deku’s at the bakery –”
“We’re dating.”
It’s officially the worst day of Katsuki’s life. He strongly considers knocking over a bookshelf on the way out, but since the one carrying Eat, Pray, Love and its only slightly less annoying cousins isn’t immediately available, he decides to spare them. If he leaves Kirishima and Todoroki to clean up something that’s actually good, they’ll just get distracted reading and he’ll have to come back and clean up anyways.
He settles for slapping the door frame on the way out, hoping it resounds enough to give Todoroki a headache and knowing it won’t. It might piss off Kirishima though, and that’s satisfying in its own right today.
It has occurred to him, too, that this might give him a chance to see Ochako. Or at least find out if she’s still alive. If she’s disappeared into Percy Jackson (he approves) or decided she hates it so much she can never see him again (in which case he has no arguments, except that then the game would be left incomplete).
He stalks into The Sweet Tooth and immediately freezes when an overly enthusiastic Mina exclaims, “Welcome to – oh! Katsuki! What’s up? Eijirou okay? You okay? Why are you here? What’s –”
“Shut the hell up,” he says, stepping forward and shoving the bag at her. “Idiot’s fine, everyone’s fine. He’s just sparing me from working with Dye Job, which he fuckin’ should, since it’s his fault he’s working tonight at all.”
“Aww.” Mina pouts. “I was hoping – never mind, it’s fine. Thanks for bringing it by, Katsuki!”
“Whatever.” He shoves his hands into his pockets. “So, uh. Not that I give a shit, but what the fuck happened to Round Face? You fire her or something?”
“Rou – oh!” Mina bursts out laughing, and Katsuki slides his gaze sideways, pretending his ears aren’t burning the slightest bit. “I forgot Ochako said you call her that! Kinda cute, you know? For you, anyways. She’s sick, though.”
“Sick?” His eye snap back onto her.
“Yeah, she’s been out of commission since Tuesday morning.” Mina’s brow scrunches worriedly. “She came in looking like death, so Tsu and I sent her home right away.”
“Fucking dumb of her to come in sick at all,” Katsuki says before he can stop himself. “Alright. Fuck. Shitty Hair gave me the night off, so –”
“Wait – Katsuki!” Mina scrambles out from behind the counter. “Hang on – hang on!” She waves her hands in front of him and, apparently deciding he’s not going anywhere, rushes to the back.
Katsuki frequently regrets that he allowed Kirishima to annoy him so much that he eventually became less annoying – with the result that tolerating his girlfriend is no longer really optional. “You have ten seconds before I leave,” he barks after her.
“No problem!” she calls, voice faintly squeakily. “It’ll just be a sec!”
It takes, in fact, twelve seconds, but who’s counting? Not Katsuki because Katsuki apparently can’t actually stomach the idea of an upset phone call from Kirishima on his night off. If he thinks too hard about this, he might worry he’s losing his edge, so he squints at the décor Mina’s thrown around the place instead.
She comes running out with a cloth bag stuffed full and talking a mile a minute to Tsu, hovering over her shoulder. “So that’ll be – Katsuki! Here!”
He instinctively holds out his hands as she presses the bag into his chest. “What the fuck?”
“For Ochako!” she chirps. “Tsu and I have so much to do tonight, so she’s gonna be totally alone for hours. You can help! And it’s not even out of your way since our apartment is right upstairs!” She beams at him. “I appreciate it so much!”
“There’s no fucking way –”
“There’s enough food in there for you, too,” Tsu interrupts, more quietly but with all the firmness that tells Katsuki he’s not getting out of this. He’s only met Tsu a handful of times, and while he likes her, there’s a steel behind her that – well, it would scare a lesser man. “And some tea. She really should drink the tea, please. That will help her heal more quickly. And please make sure she eats something and gets some sleep, even if it isn’t a lot.”
“Katsuki’ll be the perfect nurse,” Mina exclaims. “I’m sure of it.”
Katsuki glares at her. “I –”
“She’ll really appreciate it,” Tsu says firmly. “I know she’s been worried about not making it down to the store to see you. She’s been missing her books and her friends from The Next Page.”
Katsuki’s protests die in his throat. Motherfucker.
He knew he should’ve convinced Kirishima to break up with Mina when he had the chance.
“Great!” Mina spins him, a hand on his back pushing him firmly past the counter and into the back. “Stairs are in the back right corner! Stay as long as you like!”
“I’m dropping this off and leaving,” he mutters, but they’re clearly not listening – or if they are, they sure as hell don’t care.
Fine. Whatever. Except –
Except this will be the first time he’s ever seen Ochako outside of the store. He has no idea how to interact with her outside of food and books. Which, okay, he’s got the food, but –
Katsuki freezes for a moment before turning and rushing through the shop.
“Katsuki, what –” Mina tries to ask.
“I ain’t fucking leaving. Just going next door,” he says hurriedly, waving her off and striding as quickly as he can to The Next Page. By this time, if he’s lucky, Todoroki should be completely consumed by the romantic fantasy section – which he always lies about, the fucker – and Kirishima will be knee-deep in organizing the new display in the kids’ area.
The book he wants is in the classics section. He should be able to get in and out with minimal contact –
And he does, only moments later. He flips Kirishima off and snarls Todoroki away when he dares to poke his head up, snatches the book he wants, and tries to remember that their door can’t actually be slammed on the way out.
(He tries, though. He can’t quite help himself.)
Five minutes later, he’s standing outside of the apartment that Mina and Tsu apparently share with Ochako trying to bring himself to knock and wildly irritated because this should not be this damn hard.
He doesn’t even know her. He doesn’t even know why he’s here, much less why he grabbed one of his favorite stupid books for when he’s sick –
This whole thing is dumb, and it’s that thought that has Katsuki slamming the door with his fist, bag of food, tea, and a book precariously balanced on his forearm and palm. “Round Face! Open the hell up!”
There’s a sickly groan from inside that has Katsuki rolling his eyes, regardless of whether or not anyone can see him, and he tries the handle. It moves easily – stupid, too; they should be more damn careful – and he stalks inside, slamming it behind him, which kinda makes up for the gentle close of The Next Page’s door. “Ochako!” he shouts.
There’s a yelp from down the hall and a tentative and confused, “K-Katsuki?!” that follows.
Bullseye. Katsuki beelines for the door and hesitates only momentarily before knocking. “Better have some fuckin’ clothes on, Round Face. I’m coming in.”
“I – okay!” she yelps, and there’s a distinct fuzziness to her tone that makes him frown as he opens the door and walks in.
“Still fuckin’ sick? Probably because you haven’t been sleeping or eating properly. What the fuck do you not get about resting?!”
Ochako glowers at him from where she’s clearly just dived beneath the covers, hair a mess and a half-folded pile of laundry on her desk. He feels some unrecognized tension evaporate from his chest as he takes her in – tired and sick, but whole. Okay. “I’m feeling an awful lot of judgment for someone I haven’t eve seen in three days,” she says, sniffling. “I’m sick. Aren’t you supposed to be nice to sick people?”
“I’m sure Mina and Tsu have been more than nice enough for me. You need someone to kick your ass into bed, that’s what you need.” He shoves at her legs, and she scoots obediently, leaving him room to sit down and slap his hand over her forehead. “You have a fever.”
“I do not!”
“Shut the hell up and quit being so stubborn.” He brushes the hair out of her face before he realizes what he’s doing and turns bright red. She smiles at him, and there’s something that’s irritatingly indulgent about it as he grabs the bag to distract him and starts pulling out its contents. “Okay, Bossy Ass down there says you have to drink the tea –”
“You realize they’re both equally bossy, right? I don’t actually know who you’re talking about –”
“Fucking – Tsu, okay? Tsu’s the bossy one, and I don’t know how you fucking work with them, actually, both nightmares –”
“Which means you don’t think I’m a nightmare! I knew we were friends!” She beams at him, and Katsuki’s train of thought exits his brain without so much as a sayonara. Right up until she coughs, that is, and he snaps back.
“I’m making you this damn tea, and you’re gonna drink it while I get this food ready, which you’re gonna eat. And then if you’re good and do what I tell you to, I might have brought something else for you.”
Her face lights up. “Is it a book?! Tell me it’s a book! Katsuki, I’ve been so bored!”
“You call all the books I pick boring, anyways. Don’t know why you’re so excited,” he grumbles, standing to hide the smile that he can’t quite keep back.
“The books are boring, but you aren’t,” she says bluntly, and he rushes out before he can say anything stupid like, you aren’t either or I missed you, so get better.
It doesn’t take him nearly long enough to make the tea, but he’s starting to think that maybe, if he’s going to be around Ochako too much, he might just have to get used to smiling.
It’s not the worst idea that’s ever occurred to him, at least.
He should probably hate it more than he does.
He sets it on the nightstand and grumbles meaninglessly as he fluffs her pillows and sets her up to drink it, making sure to ascertain a promise that she’ll stay in bed and drink while he prepares the food. Thankfully, Tsu’s done most of the work, and it’s only half an hour later when he finds her obediently propped up and mug empty. She smiles at him, and he smiles back – reflex, he thinks, reflex – as he hands her the dish.
“Okay, if I eat this, I wanna know what you brought for me,” she says stubbornly, pausing with the fork halfway to her mouth.
“That wasn’t the deal, Cheeks.”
“It’s the deal now,” she counters. “Come on, Katsuki! At least show me?”
Katsuki is starting to realize that he is a weak, weak man as he finds himself reaching for the bag and slowly pulling out what he stole from the store. “You’re a fucking menace. Anyone ever tell you that?”
“Constantly,” she says cheerily. “I’ve learned to embrace it. Ooh! It is a book! You’re the best! What one did you pick today ?”
Katsuki turns it back and forth in his hands, suddenly uncertain. “The Princess Bride,” he admits after a moment. “It’s – uh, it’s an old favorite. There’s a movie about it, too. But you’re supposed to – well, it’s good for when you’re sick, okay, so I thought – what’s wrong?!”
Ochako’s eyes are, alarmingly, suddenly brimming with tears. “Thank you,” she mumbles, staring at him and wiping at her cheeks. “I – this was so sweet. You didn’t have to, and I’m so glad you did. I’ve been so frustrated and I can’t stop thinking enough to sleep and – thank you.”
He stares at the book. “Don’t have to make a big deal of it. Your bossy-ass friends did most of it.”
She chokes on a laugh. “Yeah, maybe, but I bet they didn’t tell you to bring the book, huh?”
His silence is probably answer enough.
“Thank you,” she says again.
“Shut the hell up and eat. I’m not explaining to Tsu why I’m bringing back a full bowl, okay, so fucking eat it all.”
“Yessir,” she giggles. “If – one condition.”
“What?” he asks warily.
“I’m gonna – you said it was a movie, right? And it’s for sick people? To help me get better?”
“If you’re just gonna repeat the shit I said –”
“No, no, no, no, no!” She waves the spoon around frantically. “I don’t mean that! I just – will you read it to me? Please? I bet it’ll help me sleep.”
Did Katsuki mention he’s become weak because he’s not sure there’s a rational explanation for how his brain melts when she looks at him like that. “I’m not fucking reading it you!”
“One bite for every page!” she bargains.
“Not happening, Cheeks.”
She pouts. “I’m sure I’ll like it more if you read it to me, though!”
He groans. “A bite per paragraph.”
“Deal!”
She proceeds to eat with what Katsuki is sure are the smallest bites in history, but she clears the bowl, and he’s hard-pressed to be angry when she settles in and listens as he reads.
As it turns out, he’s made a good pick.
She gets invested almost immediately in the story of Buttercup, Wesley, and the Dread Pirate Roberts. She laughs at the right places and cries at the wrong ones (or so Katsuki thinks), and she’s just starting to drift off as Inigo Montoya and the Dread Pirate Roberts begin their duel. Katsuki slowly closes the book and swallows, throat dry more from reading than anything else.
“Noo,” she protests sleepily. “Don’t go yet.”
His heart stutters. “You’re half asleep, Cheeks. I ain’t gonna read when you can’t hear it.”
“Just a little longer,” she says, eyes mostly closed now. “Please? It’s…good. You’re so good.”
“First person to ever say that,” he mutters, but opens the book obediently anyways. “I’m stopping after this chapter, so you better go the fuck to sleep.”
She reaches over and twines her fingers loosely with his. “Pinky promise.”
It’s a flimsy excuse, but Katsuki finds he doesn’t really care as he starts reading again.
It takes another couple of days before she’s able to return to the store, but this time, Katsuki finds his phone constantly blown up with texts – mostly relating to The Princess Bride, which is apparently her new obsession.
Katsuki is probably more pleased with victory than he should be.
Every time he leaves his phone to do his job, he comes back to a slew of excited messages squealing about whatever part she’s reached. It’s more amusing than he wants to admit, and he finds himself always answering whether he wants to or not.
Still, he misses her daily visits. Her baking might be sweet as shit, but – well, maybe it’s just the break in the monotony, but Katsuki still finds himself looking towards the door each day.
She finally returns with a shout. “Katsuki!”
He’s been working in the office and jumps, smiling to himself without thinking before hurrying out to see her. “Hey, there, Round Face, you survived.”
“And thrived! Thanks to you!” She smiles brightly at him. “Happy birthday!”
Katsuki’s smile falls, and he scowls at her, crossing his arms. “Who the fuck told you?”
She sets her usual tray of offerings on the counter by the register, looking supremely unconcerned. “Deku. You know he can’t lie to save his life, Katsuki. You shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Then he also shoulda told you I don’t celebrate. Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t want a fuckin’ cake or presents, alright? Just another year older. Not a big fuckin’ deal.”
“It’s a good thing he said all of that, too, then,” she says. “I just want you to have a good day. It doesn’t have to have presents or cake. But you do –” She leans over and snatches a cookie – “you do have to try this. Okay?”
He frowns. “I don’t think so, Cheeks.”
“Katsuki,” she whines. “Please? I worked so hard! I’m sure you’ll like it. Nothing sweet in it!”
He raises an eyebrow.
“Okay, I mean, there’s some sugar,” she admits. “But Katsuki, it’s a spiced cookie. I promise, it’s so different than anything else I’ve brought you before. Please try it! For me!”
“I thought I was supposed to get to choose what I want on my birthday?” he asks, taking it anyways.
She laughs. “I guess you should start celebrating birthdays, then. You can’t have it both ways, Katsuki!”
“Watch me,” he mutters, tentatively taking a nibble.
…It’s good.
Shockingly, startlingly good.
He doesn’t say anything, but his face must give him away, because Ochako lets out a cheer and jumps excitedly in the air. “Oh good! I’m so glad! I win!”
“You don’t win,” he snaps. “I found a book you liked before you found this. I win.”
“Maybe, but…” She looks suddenly shy, twisting her hands together. “Okay, I have a present for you. I lied.”
He scowls. “I told you –”
“Just close your eyes, okay? Trust me.”
He sets the spiced cookie aside and makes a face at her.
“Please?” she asks, stepping closer. Too close. Katsuki feels his heart speed up. “I promise, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to stick around, and I won’t bother you. Or I’ll only bother you as a friend. Whatever you want.”
“As a frien–”
“Just close your eyes,” she interrupts impatiently, and Katsuki chuckles.
She’s cute. Fuck. Trying not to hope, he lets his eyes slide closed and his arms fall to his sides.
When she kisses him, he finds himself thinking that there may be something sweet he likes after all.