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Katsuki's eyes are pulled open by the overwhelming warmth streaming through her window, it’s something she has yet to get used to. Hisashi insisting on the sun being her alarm clock, in the orphanage you found anyway you could to wake up before the others. If you didn’t, you could forget breakfast. That’s another thing, she could sleep through the rays of sun and would still have food on the table. Apparently, in normal households you don’t fight for food.
There were many things that happened in normal households which would shock the core of which her previous orphanage functioned. She still felt a faint power imbalance but nothing like before, this one seemed to stem from the fact that these were her parents. She was the child who was meant to learn from these people who took time out of their lives to stimulate her growth. They asked for nothing in return, nothing but her to tell them of her weaknesses and when she’s feeling down. Even Shouta, who was known to lack emotional depth, would reach out to her as often as he could.
An interesting feeling, to be expected to do something as simple as share her emotions.
She likes to think that she’s doing her part, there’s nothing she keeps from her dear parents. She’s never wanted to, there’s so much she’s yet to understand about herself and others. Her therapist says human interactions are her weak point, it’s to be expected as her orphanage was essentially closed off from the world. It’s why she joined the cheer team, none of them had high hopes for it considering the traditionally closed off stature of the team.
Nemuri loves Katsuki.
The moment the coach met the blonde, it was love. She saw the fear in her eyes, despite her head being held to the sky, and immediately reeled her in. She took her under her wing like the lost duckling she was, she fed her knowledge and caressed her in warmth. In turn, the young blonde became who Nemuri herself could never. She was strong and brave, was intuitive and cheeky; but it wasn’t those features that overtook the woman’s own personality.
The blonde was kind.
Her heart was truly too large for the tiny body it inhabited.
Everyone could see it, in her golden smile or the way her eyes shone. They saw it in her hands which reached to all, even those who have done nothing but wished harm upon her.
It was cute, the way she denied it. The way she’d yell and scream to cover up her soft nature. Nemuri supposed she was to blame, she had forgotten when listing strengths that emotions should be said. The same as her mother, but unlike her; Katsuki had more than one parent. She had two of the most- eh.. One of the most emotionally stable people she had ever met to guide her.
The child would be fine, she’d thrive.
…
“He did WHAT?!”
She supposed she put too much faith in her Papa, this was uncrossed territory after all. She had never so much as looked a boy’s way and now..
“Papa. Please, calm down. Shindo only meant-”
“He only meant that he wants to date you! You’ve known this boy for 3 weeks, Katsuki! You are moving entirely too fast!”
At this point, Daddy had made his way from his eternal slumber to discern the cause of the ruckus. His hair was in it’s natural unruly state, that was Katsuki’s favorite as it left her Dad looking ethereal and her Papa speechless.
Well, usually.
“Your daughter decided she’s gonna bend it over for the first boy who shows interest!”
“Hisashi!”
It seems Papa only just realized what he said, it was slightly funny how fast his face fell. He began spouting nonsense, solace she assumed but she couldn’t actually hear over the beating of her heart.
“Come on, love. Show us what they keep you around here for.”
“Look at that chest, I wanna bury my head in between those pillows.”
“She’s such a sl.. Look at how she clenches around m..”
“.. Katsuki!”
The blonde is jolted awake by a sudden voice in her ears and hands in her hair. Two pairs of hands in her hair, huh?
Oh, she’s done it again. She’d gotten better, they said she’d gotten better. So why can she feel the blood and strands of hair under her nails?
Her therapist was going to be so disappointed. He’d look at her with that face he makes, with his eyebrows drawn just an inch lower and his jaw set that much tighter. She hated that face, it made her feel dirty, like those hands that just wouldn’t stop touching her. She needs them to stop touching her.
All at once, the hands stopped. Her own were sat passively in her lap, the evidence of what she’d done was erased. The other hands were palm up on the ground, she could now see that they were Hisashi’s. His hands were always so soft and warm. He was always so soft and warm. Her Papa.
She wanted her Papa.
Slowly, she began to scoot forward. He took notice but didn’t move. She was thankful for that, she needed to take her time right now. She was rather exhausted so she couldn’t move too fast. Her Papa would understand, he always did after all.
“.. bend it over for the first boy..”
Almost, always. He must feel very bad. He was always so much more sensitive than the rest of them. Or maybe he’s still mad about Shindo.. Katsuki hadn’t thought it was that big of a deal, it was rather shocking when the boy asked her out in the first place. No one had ever shown romantic interest in her, she figured she was unapproachable or something but her aunt Nemuri had assured that wasn’t the case.
Her therapist had been meaning to get around to helping her with confidence, there’s just so much to cover and she’s only had him for a few months.
Maybe she should have led with the fact that she wasn’t actually wanting to date the boy, she was just updating him on her life as she usually does. She thought he’d let her get to that point so she hadn’t concerned herself with the organization of her thoughts. Maybe, that was her fault.
“It wasn’t. It wasn’t your fault, little listener. I got ahead of myself, let my emotions take over.” She hadn’t realized she was speaking out loud, she must have picked up that annoying mumbling from Deku. She’d have to yell at him for it.
“Katsuki?,” Ah, right. She must have forgotten to answer. “I understand if you’re upset but please come here. I need you in my arms right now, okay? Can Papa have that?”
She looked down at herself, not realizing she hadn’t made her way over yet. She could’ve sworn that she.. Maybe not? Well, yeah not because she’s still sitting in the same spot. Her Papa now felt unbearably far and she was told if something was unbearable she should tell someone. She usually told whoever was closest so she figured she could do that now.
“...” Except, she couldn’t speak. She could speak no more than five minutes ago so why was she struggling so hard now? Why couldn't she do anything?
Before she could slip further into panic, her father reached forward and scooped her in her arms. The result was instantaneous as she was warm and safe. She remained in that spot for a long moment before her Dad came around the corner with some cakes from the bakery down the street, he must have left when her mind was otherwise occupied.
All three of them migrated to the kitchen table, she was sat in her Papa’s lap as he spoon fed her some cake as she refused to remove her hands from his shirt. She knew they had to talk about it, she knew her Dad was mad and her Papa was guilty, but she couldn’t talk; not yet anyhow.
Luckily, her parents seemed to understand her, as they usually did. The subject was dropped for the moment as they continued to bask in each other’s presence for the rest of the afternoon.
She would’ve forgotten Shindou completely had he not reached out to her the next day seeking a response. She hadn’t even meant for the conversation to drag on that long, she just wanted to verify with her Papa first so she knew she wasn’t reading his intentions wrong.
Shindou Yo
Shindou
What do you say, Kitten?
Katsuki
I told you not to call me that
Katsuki
Also, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Maybe, if there were more people.
Shindou
It wouldn’t be date then now would it, Kitten?
Katsuki
I told you at the game, I don’t want to date
Shindou
Then stop being a damn tease
Katsuki paused for a moment, needing to take in the boy’s reaction. It made her mad, she couldn’t fully understand why but she did understand that what he said was not okay. She’d seen movies of girls being called “teases” when they were simply saying no, she believed that was what was happening now but she wasn’t sure. She was a bit afraid to bring up the subject with her Papa and surely her Dad wouldn’t understand either. Maybe..
Katsuki is calling the group chat Simps
sHOEto joined the call
Rockhard joined the call
Deck You joined the call
“Kacchan!”
“Princess.”
“Bakubabe!”
“Hey guys.. I need your help with something”
“You know I’d do anything for Kacchan!”
“Do you need someone killed?”
“Todoroki!”
“Yes?”
“You can’t just-”
“Guys! Can you focus?! Please?!”
“Kacchan said please..”
“We’re listening, Pebble.”
“So you remember Shindo, right?”
*Groan* “How could we forget that privileged asshole?”
“Is he still calling himself your boyfriend?”
“He won’t leave me alone.. Callin’ me a tease and what not. I don’t even know what that means?!”
“He.. what?”
“He called me a tea-”
“Let’s kill him.”
“I’m ready when you are.”
“Shall I use my father’s contacts?”
“Great idea, Todoroki.”
“Let us handle it, Katsu.”
“But-”
This group call has ended.
Well that was.. Interesting. At least now she knew she was right in being upset at being called a tease. She’d learned over the past few months how overprotective her boys could be, almost as bad as her dads, so she figured things would be resolved if they were left to them. Hopefully, they were kidding when they discussed murder.
~
“So we heard you’ve taken an interest in Katsuki.”
Katsuki never got an apology but also never got another message. So a win is a win.