Work Text:
Alternative Outlet
Katsuki stifled a sob, his lips contorted into an angry pout. "I told her I don't wanna play drums! That's so shtupid!" He sniffed. "Why would I need to hit noisy plates when I have a strong quirk?! I can spend my days popping fireworks! Waz wrong with her?!"
With a gentle smile, Inko gestured to her son, asking for tissue and Izuku waddled, raising his tiny arms to reach for the box on their desk. He came back with his steps unsteady and handed it to his mom with a proud smile. "Gwot it!"
The lady patted his head. "Thank you, Izuku," she whispered and placed a soft kiss on his small forehead. Then, she sat next to Katsuki. "When did your mommy ask you to play drums, Katsuki?" The kid made grabby hands and she chuckled, carrying him to her lap.
"Ih was... was..." He opened his palms, counting seven small fingers.
"Ung!—" Izuku groaned, trying his best to climb the chair until he gave up, his eyes welling up with tears. He sobbed, looking up while biting his bottom lip. "M-Mama…"
Inko bent down a little, her left arm occupied with the crying child. "Come here, baby- and here you go!" She lifted Izuku with her other arm, earning a small "weee~" from the kid.
Then, Katsuki grabbed his arm and helped (not like it worked but Inko still let him). "So weak, Izuku!"
"T-Thanks, mama! Thanks, Kacchan!" The kid beamed despite the tears on his cheeks. He looked around and Inko noticed it so she handed the tissue box to him. As soon as he got it, he took one and gave it to his friend. "Here, Kacchan. Y'should wipe-wipe."
Katsuki glared at the tissue but still took it. He also grunted a small thanks which made Izuku smile wider. "You're welcome, Kacchan!"
The blonde kid looked at his friend's face and said, "You too." He took another tissue and wiped his friend's face, squishing his cheeks.
Inko smiled at the small gesture. "So, when was it, Katsuki?"
The question seemed to snap Katsuki and his adorable pout came back. "Wednesday! It's Friday today! And she gave "em to me on Wednesday!"
"What did she say?" she asked, her hands caressing his fluffy hair.
"She said I could play them..." He froze and the lady took note of it.
"Do you think your mommy was forcing you?"
Izuku reached for his mother's hand, gripping her finger with his whole palm and holding it close to him. Then he leaned against hIs friend who now looked guilty.
Katsuki looked away. "Naw."
Inko didn't poke any further and only rocked her legs gently. "Is there any reason why you only seemed to be upset now when it happened on Wednesday, hmm?" She hugged the two tighter and kissed their heads.
Katsuki closed his eyes, feeling sleepy after a whole hour of tantrums. Then, he rested his arms on top of Izuku's body while the latter hugged him back.
"...saw the drums and just remembered it." Katsuki answered.
"That's fine." Inko spoke softly, knowing that the two were slowly drifting to sleep.
"Kacchan..." Izuku mumbled.
Katsuki pinched his cheek lightly. "Am here, Izuku." He yawned and nuzzled his nose against Izuku's. "I hate crying."
Inko hummed, luring the two of them to sleep. "Crying is natural, Katsuki. We all need an outlet for our emotions. We're humans, after all."
"Waz an outlet...?"
"Hmm, like a technique! A super technique to feel less sad!"
"Hah, I bet Izuku doesn't know that!"
"Uhuh, teach him that when he wakes up, okay?"
"Of course!"
A soft snore erupted from Izuku which made the two of them giggle.
Then silence.
Inko stared at nowhere. "But if it's really—I mean it when I said 'reallly'—necessary for you not to cry, how about hitting the noisy plates instead? It could be an alternative outlet," she advised but there was no response.
She looked down only to find the kid with his eyes closed, his features looking so peaceful as he slept with her son cradled in his arms.
Inko smiled, unaware that the kid heard her before his eyes became heavy.
—
"I don't want you! I want Auntie Inko to be my momma!" Katsuki struggled against his mother's arms. "Izuku! Izuku!"
"Kacchan!" Izuku began wailing when he saw Katsuki being taken away by Mitsuki. They both reached for each other but the elder's height hindered them from touching each other's hands.
Inko smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry for such a mess."
Mitsuki laughed, used to their drama. "These two always act like this whenever I'm taking Katsuki home." Then, she wore her angry frown again. "Katsuki, it's nighttime!"
But Katsuki only screamed louder.
She sighed and turned to Izuku instead. "Izuku, I'm going home with Katsuki for now, okay? But I'll let you meet tomorrow, I promise. Is that fine with you?"
Izuku looked up, his face seconds away from crying again. "O-Okay, auntie." Then, he toddled over to Katsuki. "Les' play again tomorrow, Kacchan?" He fiddled with his hands, his head tilted to the side.
Katsuki didn't respond, still not wanting to go home. But when he saw his friend sobbing, he gave in. "Fine!"
They bid their goodbyes after that with tears that made it seem like they won't meet again.
—
"Kacchan?" Izuku called.
They just had a bad argument and he knew just where to find him.
He went to the studio where Katsuki and his band (Jirou's) usually practices and his face softened when he saw his boyfriend hitting the drums with so much intensity of emotions.
And as soon as their eyes met, Izuku's tears fell.
Kacchan looked miserable.
He ran towards him and hugged him tightly, not even caring when his body hit the drums. He just dove in straight to his lap and locked him in an embrace. "I'm sorry, Kacchan, I'm sorry…"
And his heart broke more than it already did when he heard the restrained sob coming from Katsuki.
They didn't say anything after that, just savouring each other's presence in silence, not breaking the shared intimate moment between them. Izuku felt Katsuki's hand stroking his back lazily and he rested his body completely against his, feeling cozy at his touch.
It's just like that time. That time when his mom hugged them closely until they fell asleep. And he knew Kacchan was thinking the same thing.
So, he said nothing and only lifted his head to place a gentle kiss on his boyfriend's forehead.
Katsuki closed his eyes and buried himself on his shoulder before mumbling, "Lemme sleep. We'll talk later."
Izuku smiled. "I love you." But his heart clenched when he only received a grunt from the man. He clenched his jaw, his tears threatening to flood again.
Then, he looked down.
But Katsuki didn't let him.
A short kiss was planted on his lips and sweet words were whispered. "Love you too." Relief flooded over him as Katsuki tightened his embrace. "So much that an alternative outlet won't do when you're gone, Izuku."
"I know, Kacchan." Izuku let out a fond sigh as he melted in that moment. "And you know how much I feel the same way about you."
[Fin.]