Work Text:
It’s that time of the year again when Izuku and his friends are hunted by a frenzied mob of girls and a couple of guys to give their chocolates.
Izuku barely makes it out alive as he slams the door close with a thud and slumps against it, sucking in lungfuls of air as tiredness rockets all over his body. Through the fringes of his hair, Izuku sees Katsuki sitting by the rooftop fence as the blond crosses his arms against his chest.
Katsuki’s glare is enough to tell Izuku that he is annoyed that Izuku is late.
“I-I’m sorry for being late, Kacchan. I couldn’t shake them off.”
Katsuki clicks his tongue when Izuku forces himself to stand so he can sit beside him.
“You should have just turned them down.”
“Kacchan should know how I feel. You, of all people, know that they don’t want an answer. They just want to give their chocolates.” Izuku remarks as he gestures at the paper bag full of chocolates beside the freshman.
Katsuki glares at the bag as if its existence is offending him. He never asked for chocolate in the first place. He is not even fond of sweet things, unlike Izuku who has a sweet tooth.
Plus the fact that Katsuki doesn’t even like girls.
“I didn’t accept theirs. This is Pinky’s fault. She collected their chocolates and promised to give them to me. I can’t even throw or give it away to Dunce Face because she always stops me.”
Izuku hums in understanding as he secretly glares at the letters and chocolates in it, considering those things lucky that Katsuki has given it the time of his day.
“I’ll throw it for you. These are too sweet for Kacchan anyway.”
Izuku pulls the paper bag to his side and gives him a wide smile. He will put these chocolates where they belong later. In the trash.
For now, Izuku is happy enough that Katsuki has no qualms about him taking it. Then again, it is the only way for Katsuki to get rid of the chocolates without Mina knowing. Still, Izuku is glad that he can help Katsuki in any way he can.
With Katsuki having zero chocolates again, Izuku decides now is the time to present his gift. He rummages through his blazer’s pockets and sighs in relief that it is still in good condition.
“Here. Kacchan can have this instead.”
Izuku takes Katsuki’s hand, pleased by how it fits perfectly in his huge hand, then puts the gift on Katsuki’s palm.
Katsuki’s ears tinge red at the sudden gesture that he quickly retrieves his hand back as though he is scorched yet the warmth of Izuku’s hand lingers on his skin.
Cute .
Izuku thinks as he tries not to ruffle the blond spiky hair to tease him more. “Don’t worry. It’s not sweet.”
Katsuki huffs and closely inspects the small bag full of chocolates.
It’s handmade.
Katsuki gently smiles as he admires the uniquely shaped chocolates and their colorful wrappers, lightly caressing the messily tied red ribbon, very telling that it is Izuku who also tied it.
“Thanks.”
Katsuki’s voice is so soft that Izuku almost misses it but that single word is more than enough to make his day that Izuku mirrors his smile.
The tiredness and sleeplessness from those nights Izuku spent practicing with his mother, spilling and tasting chocolates until he makes the perfect one, are pushed into the back of his mind as he witnesses Katsuki’s tough exterior soften and melt, feeling the blond relax, almost leaning on him, exuding that tender radiance instead of the usual fierce determination.
It’s worth it.
Everything is worth it when it comes to Katsuki.
And he is willing to repeat those nights if he’s going to be graced by an even sweeter treat. Katsuki’s smiles.
Izuku wishes that he can pause this moment. Capture it. Soak into it and savor it a little while longer as he basks in Katsuki’s presence as though he’s a drop of saturated sunrise.
Yet the moment is cut short when Izuku’s stomach grumbles at his pining.
Katsuki snorts at the sound and pockets the chocolates he received from Izuku with care before taking out neatly wrapped bento boxes with furoshiki he prepared for their lunch.
“Here, eat.”
Izuku’s eyes widen at the bunny-designed bento box Katsuki gives him.
“It’s not from the konbini…”
“Of course, it’s not.” Slightly miffed at the remark, Katsuki leaves him to his own devices while he eats his bento.
Izuku carefully uncovers it and silently gasps when he sees the deftly wrapped bread in parchment paper.
“It’s delicious!”
“You haven’t even tried it yet, idiot.”
Izuku chuckles and picks one up, admiring its golden hue and springy softness, getting a whiff of that slightly sweet and warm aroma, as though inhaling a blanket on a cold winter day, that conjures a bright smile on his face.
The first bite is accompanied by a crisp, immediately followed by a burst of savory flavor.
It's katsu curry bread.
His heart squeezes at the thought of Katsuki combining their favorite food. Izuku eagerly takes another bite to get a hold of its filling and revel in it.
There is a glowing sense of comfort with the second bite as Izuku focuses on its taste as if he is bathing in golden light that kindles in his core when he finally recognizes the hint of sweetness in the curry.
It’s made with chocolate.
His eyes instantly wobble before bursting into tears, moved by Katsuki’s unique way of giving him chocolates.
Izuku can’t help but look at Katsuki. Then Izuku lunges at him for a hug.
“K-Kacchaaan…”
Katsuki’s palm pushes against Izuku’s cheek, trying to pry his senpai off of him but Izuku’s arms already snake their way around his waist to pull him impossibly closer. Instantly, his face turns red, reaching up to his ears making Katsuki turn to look away.
“S-Shut up. It’s not what you think, nerd. I was just experimenting to make a new recipe for the bakery.”
Yet both of them know it’s a lie. Katsuki doesn’t make recipes for the bakery.
He only does it when it involves Izuku. Only Izuku.
“I-If you’re just gonna cry, then I’m out of here.”
Katsuki successfully pushes him off yet he already yearns for the missing warmth that was enveloping him seconds ago. He shakes his head at the thought and quickly gathers his things.
Izuku manages not to pull him down and hug him again, wanting to keep the blond forever in his arms. If only that’s possible.
An amused smile curls on his face as he watches Katsuki scurry away, admiring how cute Katsuki’s tsundere antics are, especially when Katsuki blushes.
And Izuku’s the reason for that blush.
He stares at the bread with fondness and takes another bite with a pleased hum, almost bouncing on his seat, relishing that Katsuki solely made it for him.
And no.
Katsuki isn’t running away. He’s not a coward to deal with being trapped in Izuku’s arms again. Definitely not liking how it felt to be in it. And surely not drowning in his eyes, as he tries to count the constellations dusting his cheeks.
So no. Katsuki isn’t running away.
It’s a strategic retreat, that’s all.
Yet on his way back to his classroom, he almost breaks into a run, a smile etching on his face, unable to control his blush. He pockets his hand, caressing the clumsily tied ribbon of the bag of chocolates.
“As if you didn’t make chocolates for me too, stupid senpai.”