Work Text:
“Sometimes, I wonder what makes you stay,”
Izuku stops writing at the sound of Katsuki’s voice. He sits up from place on the bed and looks at Katsuki, head sunken, scribbling into his notebook. He sounds so… sad. And empty. Izuku frowns. Before he can say anything, Katsuki speaks up again.
“Why don’t you hate me? Why don’t you choose anyone else to look up to? Why? When you have anyone else to choose from…”
Izuku has so many answers to ‘why?’. He’s not sure he’ll be able to say any of those words aloud, though. He can say that it’s because Katsuki is the best image of victory, but that’s not much explanation. He can say that’s it’s because Katsuki is his oldest friend, but that’s not really true. He can say it’s because Katsuki is always by his side, but that one’s on him.
He could say it’s because all of those things and one more; he’s the only one he’s loved like this.
Izuku moves himself off Katsuki’s bed and kneels in front of him. Taking a breath, he takes a hold of his right hand. Katsuki looks up, shocked, and Izuku can see the tears threatening to escape his eyes.
“Kacchan,” Izuku smiles, soft. “Nobody else is you.”