Work Text:
Katsuki is curled up on the common room couch, entire body covered by a plush blanket.
Usually, he runs like a furnace, probably because he’s so fucking angry all the time, but right now he’s freezing his ass off.
During the day’s training, he miiiight have overworked himself and sweated out his abnormally high body temperature. Lay the fuck off. Anyway, he’s sure as hell paying the price for it now.
But yeah, that's why he’s here.
The common room is well known to be the warmest room in the Heights Alliance building. The dormitories aren't bad, in fact they’re probably nicer than most of the students' own bedrooms, but there’s an unfortunate draft that comes in from the floorboards in the winter that the UA staff haven't fixed yet.
Katsuki grumbles and turns back over to face the back of the stiff green sofa, trying to block out the footsteps of whoever’s now rattling around in the kitchen. He’s a goddamn pro at ignoring people.
"Hey, Ochako! Are you still sulking? I didn't mean it, I swear, you know my jokes never come across properly!" someone says in a bright, mock-whiny tone. The person plops down on the arm of the couch and tries to tug at Katsuki's blanket. Being unsuccessful - as he’s got it completely tucked around himself - they then stick their cold hands underneath the edges of the fabric. Eugh, he’s just gotten warm-
"Come on, 'Chako, I need help with the rice, I'll burn down the-"
Katsuki's blanket is abruptly pulled back from his face, revealing the other person to be none other than Izuku Midoriya.
"Ah! Ka-Kacchan! Shit!" Izuku scrambles back hastily and almost topples off of the end of the sofa. Katsuki makes a wild grab out of reflex, and finds himself tugging Izuku towards him as his fingers find purchase around his freckled wrist.
Izuku reddens and pulls his hand out of Katsuki's grasp, instead nestling it in his hair to rake his fingers nervously through the wild curls.
"Sorry, Kacchan, I thought you were Uraraka. She said she was coming here, uh...I was teasing her, so..."
Katsuki sighs, letting his head drop back against the arms of the couch. "Whatever, Deku, I literally don't care. I'm fucking tired, okay, I don't need any of your shit right now."
Izuku's brow furrows, and his lips turn down in a small, displeased frown. "Kacchan."
He still doesn't move, he just kind of stands there awkwardly, like he’s trying to stand up for himself or something but only coming across as vaguely obstinate. And chronically baby-faced.
Katsuki studies his expression for a moment, before groaning and shuffling to one end of the couch. He’s getting increasingly less immune to Deku's pouts.
Back in middle school, he saw that expression every single day and it only served to provoke him into more abusive behaviour. Katsuki has definitely matured since then (In fact, thinking about it, if he ever meets his past self somehow he’ll one hundred percent be punching that little asshole in the throat, Detroit Smash style, and then dangling him out of a multiple story window just to see where his bold words are then) but he can't help but wonder when exactly that look stopped bothering him quite so much.
Although, the look is now in fact gone, replaced instead with a self-satisfied little grin as if Deku’s won the entire fucking lottery or something. He sits down and sticks his cold ass feet under Bakugou's blanket. Public nuisance, this kid.
"Wanna watch something?"
Izuku waggles the remote in front of Katsuki's nose, causing him to go cross eyed to look at it.
"Fine. What's on?"
They end up just watching one of the Spiderman cartoons, with Deku letting out amused little huffs of air when they do anything stupid. Katsuki can see him holding back from commenting on the film out loud - Deku’s funny like that. He makes mental notes of everything, and he’s clearly seen this before. He must have a lot to say about it.
He would probably be a lot more talkative if he were sitting with someone else.
Katsuki feels a slight disappointment stir in his chest. It’s very Izuku to be considerate like that, since he probably thinks Katsuki doesn’t want his commentary. And he knows they're still only kind of friends, despite his apology a few weeks ago, but that bothers him - that Izuku’s still walking on eggshells around him.
Although, he decided to stay and watch TV. He wanted Katsuki to let him stay. Maybe it isn't so bad?
Katsuki returns his attention to the screen. Some dumbfuck kid is attempting to steal a computer and failing, really hard. What even is this movie?
At least Izuku seems to be enjoying it.
But suddenly, he grabs his arm, and Katsuki flinches hard on reflex.
“Ah, sorry Kacchan - but look! This character, she’s really cool, she reminds me of you!”
Katsuki peers at the screen again. Deku has paused it, and the character in focus is a blonde girl who looks about ten times more badass than the main guy.
He scoffs and turns back to Deku. “I mean, she looks more competent than the rest of them, but that’s about as far as it goes.”
“Well yeah, Kacchan, she has cool hair, and she plays the drums, and she’s really experienced in combat, like you. Also, she’s really grumpy and doesn't have a lot of friends.”
“Uhm, fuck you?”
“Then I can be Miles.” he continues excitedly, “because he has a kind of electricity superpower, and his webs are like my Blackwhip, and he’s really nerdy like me.”
“Pfft, yeah, and just fucking sucks at everything for loads of the movie.”
“I know that's not what you think about me Kacchan. I'm basically Spiderman but in real life. I'd be so good.’ Izuku rolls his eyes.
I mean, can't argue too much with that. “You’d be fine I guess. But I think I’d be the main character.”
“Uhh, as if, Kacchan. You’re not cheerful enough.” he replies. What a menace.
“I'm plenty cheerful, what the hell. Keep coming after me like this and see what happens.” Katsuki grouches, despite knowing full well how uncheerful he is.
“Let me finish! You’re more like...not a sidekick, no way, but you're like…the secondary main character. Not cause you're less important, that's not what I mean! But you complement me, even though we're kind of opposites. And we help each other get stronger. Right?” Izuku asks.
Oh. That's....Katsuki likes that. He likes to think it's true.
“Whatever. At least you said my character was cool, so I’m going to focus on that.” He turns up his nose. Izuku laughs.
“I can say you’re cool however much you need, Kacchan.”
“And I’ll never get tired of hearing it, nerd.”
Uh...that sounded...
“Damn, okay, smooth talker.” Izuku laughs again. He looks around for the remote to continue the film.
Katsuki checks under a pillow halfheartedly, but suddenly Izuku’s face lights up as he spots it on the opposite arm of the couch and dives right over Katsuki to grab it. His chin is practically resting on his thigh. The guy is basically planking across the length of the sofa, reaching for the remote.
“Kacchaaaan.” he whines. “Can you please pass it?”
He takes it and holds it high, smirking. “This?”
“Yeah! Give it!” Izuku clambers over him in an attempt to steal it back, reaching to meet Katsuki’s hand in the air.
“Come get it, Number One.” Katsuki laughs evilly, leaning back to get the remote further out of Izuku’s grasp, even going so far as to wave it around teasingly. Izuku’s practically trying to climb him in order to reach. Without thinking, he puts a hand on Katsuki’s chest, pushing him, and the two fall backwards over the side of the sofa and onto the floor. He bumps his shoulder as they go down, but the slight pain is ignored in favour of a panicked thought;
Izuku’s face is very close.
“Ha! Gotcha!” he crows, but all Katsuki can do is grunt in response. He feels like he’s on fire.
Izuku seems to deflate slightly, before seemingly brushing it off and getting to his feet. He settles back on the sofa and Katsuki does the same, neither saying a word but still maintaining a comfortable, companionable atmosphere.
The film continues.
-
Miles and Gwen Stacy, the blond girl, sit together on a bus, and talk about their pasts.
-
Gwen Stacy looks on while Miles gazes at superhero costumes.
-
As a storm of colour whirls around them, they shake hands to say, yes, we’re friends.
-
As the film ends, Katsuki becomes aware of the time, the rapidly darkening sky visible through the large windows of the common room. Still, he doesn't move. He’s gotten comfortable, and tiredness is beginning to blur the edges of his vision.
Gentle snores rumble against his side. Warm exhales fan over the back of his neck. Dark curls, illuminated by the post-credits scene, tickle his shoulder.
It would be so easy, like this, to press a kiss to the top of Izuku's head. He kind of wants to. Really badly, actually, he thinks, sleepily.
But even his tired brain knows that he doesn't deserve that. It would be a bad idea, so he sits back, arm still slung across Izuku's shoulders, like some fucked up guardian angel protecting him as he sleeps.
────────────────
The morning light hits his eyes like a bullet from a fucking assault rifle. Katsuki isn't a big drinker, but he’d swear this is what people say a hangover feels like. Why’s it so bright, what the fuck? Where- oh.
He’s still in the common room, with its lack of blinds, and Izuku is still sleeping peacefully in his position beside him, with his chest pressed to Katsuki’s back and an arm slung around his waist. Never mind, that last part is in fact cause for concern. Panic is back on!
How did they get like this? They’re so close, tangled up in each other, like- like people who- people who’re in lo- together-
Then to make matters worse (And your boy is lowkey already on the verge of having an aneurysm) Izuku stirs, eyelashes fluttering slightly.
Katsuki holds his breath, not daring to move at all, but Izuku seems to stay asleep.
He lets himself breathe again, but his heart is hammering against his ribcage, so it seems the damage has been done.
No fucking way. No FUCKING way. I need out of here.
Attempting to extricate himself from Izuku's grasp without waking him proves difficult, to say the least.
The guy is a light sleeper, and he’s also very much clinging onto Katsuki. He ends up shuffling onto the floor little by little, replacing himself with a couch cushion so the other boy doesn't immediately notice the lack of extra body heat, and standing back to admire his handiwork (and also Izuku’s sleeping face. He’s pretty. Katsuki will admit that to himself, if nothing else.)
“Have you two been here all night? Nobody could figure out where you were.”
Todoroki says softly, appearing out of the shadows like the freak of nature he is. Katsuki damn near has a heart attack.
“Where the fff-”
“You guys seem to be on great terms now.” he continues.
Katsuki bristles. “What, did you space out during my huge public apology?”
“Not what I meant. And you know it.” Todoroki does this thing where he lifts his eyebrows in a way that he probably thinks is funny and mildly suggestive.
“Piss off, Ice Spice, no one asked you.” Katsuki scoffs, sauntering away as nonchalantly as he can manage. His face is furiously red.
Todoroki just laughs.
────────────────
Katsuki steps out of the shower and into the cold air of his bathroom, grabbing his towel and wrapping it around his waist, and peers absentmindedly into the steamed-up mirror.
His reflection stares at him, surrounded by a swirling haze of water vapour, and Katsuki stares back. Silent appraisal. As with all things, Bakugou Katsuki starts from the top, and lets himself work his way downwards.
He runs his hands through his sand-blond fringe, pulling out strands to inspect their singed, split ends, and rubs a careful fingertip across an almost-healed scar, just over his brow bone. Studies his nose, to make sure it really did heal correctly, from that last time he'd broken it. Picks at a couple spots on his cheeks and grimaces at a new breakout developing at his jawline. Not even his mother's glycerin quirk is a match for the killer combination of city grime, sweaty hero training, and regular old teenage acne.
Younger Katsuki was never one for looking at his own imperfections, and that was putting it very lightly. Katsuki from middle school thought with his quirk and not with his brain - he didn't scrutinise himself in the mirror, he didn't see anything in himself other than power and potential. Yet since he first stepped foot into UA, it seems like all he’s been doing is noticing flaws.
His explosive temper. His extreme arrogance. His desire to be the best of the best, no matter what it took or who it hurt.
Sometimes Katsuki understands very clearly just what that League of Dickheads down in their cringy little bar had seen in him.
But he's learned since then. That experience had somewhat put things into perspective.
That pale, scarred, blemished, flawed face is gonna be the same one he'll be staring at for all his life. And at least now, he sees it for what it is - just the face of a boy with a bad attitude and a foul mouth, but a heroic heart and a strong will. A dependable, irritable, thoughtful, impulsive asshole, who knows what’s right, and will do his best to live up to it. What’s wrong, and will do his best to make it better.
Deku’s forgiven him already, hasn't he? He's far too kind. Katsuki doesn't deserve his forgiveness, not really - he needs the things he did to hang over his head and keep him in check. Just putting his all into getting physically stronger isn't enough anymore.
Katsuki nods curtly to his reflection. Good talk.
Of course, the reflection nods back, and suddenly he feels a little stupid. Katsuki flicks his silvery copycat in the forehead and goes about the rest of his day.
────────────────
After a 2 hour study period and a short but mildly painful talk with Aizawa-sensei about work experience, Katsuki wanders back down to the common room. It's almost like morbid curiosity - he half expects Izuku to still be sleeping on the sofa, but also desperately hopes that he isn't, so he can pretend the whole thing didn't happen. Schrödinger’s sofa scenario?
Lo and behold…the sofa is empty.
But because Katsuki isn't allowed a moment of peace ever, lo and behold, here is the Idiot Brigade, acting like idiots.
Mina’s wearing a jacket covered in blue sequins that are so fucking sparkly they’re giving him a headache. Sero and Kaminari keep walking back through the door to try and slap the top of the doorframe. Kirishima is holding a rabbit, obviously. Usual bullshit.
'Look, Bakugou! Kouda let us hang out with his bunny!' Kirishima thrusts the ball of fuzz right up into Katsuki's personal bubble. He’s gotten way too comfortable with shit like that, apparently.
'Shitty hair, I swear to God, get that thing outta my face.'
He pouts, pulling the creature back against his chest. 'But he's so cute! I bet even you could get along with a bunny. I mean, you have shit in common! You're both albino, and you used to bite people!'
'Asshole, I told you that in confidence!'
'Anyway, there's no way you're not into animals. Your dad literally has a snake back home.'
Katsuki snorts. 'Yeah, a snake. Not an armful of cotton wool. King would eat this bitch for breakfast.'
'BAKUGOU YOU CAN'T SAY THAT.' Kiri glares at him, while simultaneously using both hands to attempt to shield the rabbit.
'Besides,' continues Katsuki, 'If anyone's got shit in common with a fucking rabbit, it's definitely not me. Deku, on the other hand-'
Mina raises her eyebrows and pretends she isn't smirking. 'Elaborate on that last part, maybe?'
Sero makes a weird snorting noise, which is immediately followed by some very fake-sounding coughs.
Katsuki huffs. 'It's not rocket science, Pinkie Pie, think about it. His hero suit literally has bunny ears on it, and he jumps around on the battlefield like an idiot, and his hair is all-' he pauses and makes a kind of scrunching gesture with his hands, trying to think of the right word, 'It's all fluffy, and he's always trying to cuddle up to people, clingy motherfucker-'
'No fucking way, bro, are you kidding-' Sero wheezes. Kiri pats them on the back.
'Dude, hold up for a second! What do you mean, cuddling up to people?' Kaminari cuts in. His tone is both amused and disbelieving, and Katsuki suddenly feels like he’s said something he shouldn't have. He thinks about lying, he does. But all his friends are painfully aware that he’s incapable of dishonesty.
'Literally yesterday, he put his head in my lap when we were sitting on the sofa, and we ended up just falling asleep because I kind of didn't know what to do. But then I panicked when I woke up and got the fuck outta there. Honestly, who does he think he is? He didn't ask to do that, or anythin’, and why would he even want-’
Katsuki is now simply met with four blank stares. The feeling that he's said something wrong increases tenfold.
'Bakugou. How often do people hug you? Not just Midoriya. Or actually, how often do people like, physically make contact with you?' Sero says carefully.
'What the fuck is that supposed to mean?' Yeah, Katsuki’s feeling pretty goddamn vulnerable right about now!!
Kaminari manages to make this worse by plonking himself in Katsuki's lap.
'SPARKY IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR BONY FUCKING ASS OFF ME RIGHT NOW-' He screeches and shoves the other boy roughly to the floor, scrambling to the top of the chair he’s in to get away from him.
Kaminari, now sitting on the ground, stares up at the other three like he’s had a fucking epiphany. 'Guys. There's no way this guy's had enough contact in his life ever. He’s touch starved. Like, to the point of being touch averse, even.' he says, flatly.
'Oh my god.' says Kirishima tremulously. He’s still clutching that accursed rabbit.
'Noooo, now I feel bad for laughing!' Mina pouts. 'Awww, Katsuki baby, come here, we can give you hugs!'
'SHOVE IT RIGHT UP YOUR ASS, MINA, I'D LITERALLY RATHER DIE-'
'Oh my god.' Kiri actually sounds like he’s about to cry.
'Man, I kind of don't know what to say. It's kinda obvious now that I think about it though?' Sero ponders.
'GUYS OH MY GOD!!' Kirishima wails, sinking to the ground. The rabbit makes an alarmed squeaking sound. 'How did we not even notice! I'm such a shitty friend!'
Kaminari pats him on the back. 'Ei, it's literally not your fault, how the hell would you have known?'
'I thought we had a bond! Bros are supposed to look out for each other, Denki!' he sobs.
'Shh, babe it's fine, bro-'
Katsuki levels a finger at the two of them and glares at Mina and Sero accusingly. 'Is this what you want me to be doing, then? If this is being touchy then I seriously don't want it.'
Mina rolls her eyes. 'No, they're just stupid. Also, they're dating, and we're not gonna unpack your Midoriya shit until we've somewhat dealt with this, like, platonically.'
Kami makes a 'pft' sound at that. Kirishima sniffles.
'What the fu-'
Mina flaps a hand in Katsuki’s face, attention now focused on scrolling through some article on her phone.
“SHUT UP. I'm contemplating.”
"Do you even know what that me-”
"Buh-buh-bup! No talking!"
Katsuki huffs and complies. Why’s everyone losing their shit over this? Is it really that big of a deal? He just doesn't like hugs and shit, so he doesn't make a habit of receiving them, nothing wrong with that. His parents backed off from that kind of thing years ago - they showed they loved him in other ways, like when he used to play card games and cook with his dad, or how his mum would come up with a different bedtime story with him as the hero every night before he went to bed. He doesn't need people to be close to him all the time. It just makes him uncomfortable, to be honest.
“Okay!” announces Mina. “Here’s what we’re gonna do. I have read one website and am now an actual expert on this so listen up.”
“Dude-” Sero cuts themself off with a sigh. As the usual voice of reason, they’re often forced to let the bullshit run its course before piping up.
“Kirishima, give Bakugou the rabbit.”
Kirishima looks horrified. “Did you not hear what he just said? He threatened to feed this poor lil guy to his snake. His SNAKE, Mina!”
The rabbit looks like it agrees. Wretched thing.
“Do you want Bakugou to be developmentally delayed, Kiri? Do you want him to be producing suboptimal levels of oxytocin? He probably has so much cortisol right now.” Mina argues. She clearly has no fucking idea what she’s on about.
“Bakugou you know I love you, man, but like… I am responsible for the welfare of this rabbit, so if you blow him up you will be explaining it to Kouda.” Reluctantly, the redhead hands over the creature, and suddenly there’s a bunny in Katsuki’s lap.
He keeps his hands held up and away from it, and looks around in disgust. “What now, losers?”
Mina checks her stupid goddamn article again. “Spending time with animals is supposed to help! Since you aren’t big on, like, human touch. We can leave you to it, right? I just got my reminder for calling my sister.”
Sero stands up and stretches, spine making audible cracking sounds. “Yeah, I need to go finish my maths assignment.”
“You're all just going to leave me with this fucking rabbit?”
“I’ll stay! We can hang out!” Kirishima looks excited, and despite all the stupidity this afternoon Katsuki’s inclined to say yes.
“Yeahh!!” Kaminari cheers. “Sorry ladies and non binary people, I guess. Mario Kart time is for the boys.”
“Damn, that stings, to be honest,” Sero fake sniffles, then grins. “Nah, it's fine. I’ll join you later.”
They follow Mina out the door, and then there were three. Four, if you remember the rabbit.
Katsuki hesitantly strokes the thing’s ears, carefully so as not to startle it. It chirrups. He isn't sure if that’s positive or not.
It’s weird to have such a small thing be...alive, and able to react to his actions. Katsuki never had actual pets as a kid - animals couldn't be impressed and won over by his quirk, and he’s more of a bugs and snakes kind of guy anyway. And his dad does have a snake now, sure, but it’s not really an animal that you, like, pet, ‘cause it's not allowed out of its tank, so….this is…yeah. Weird. Nice, he supposes, even though he’s out of his depth when it comes to rabbit knowledge.
He pets it again.
Honestly it’s kind of amazing, he thinks, that something so destructive as his hands can be so gentle. Usually his hands are his weapon, his source of power, the fuel he can ignite with a single spark whenever it’s time to blast some D-list villain straight to hell.
Still, there they are, knuckles brushing against silky fur.
He doesn’t hate this, actually. It’s relaxing. Maybe Mina’s dumbass article had a point.
“Yooo, dude, wanna be player three? Or are your hands full!” Kirishima calls, pulling him out of his bunny-induced trance. Him and Kaminari have managed to set up the console, and the familiar start screen music blares from the television.
“I’ll just watch. I’d fuckin’ smoke you both at this, anyway, might as well give you and Sparkplug a fighting chance.” he smirks back.
“Fuck off, Bakugou, I’m good at Mario Kart! I play it all the time, jeez!” Kaminari argues.
“Yeah?” Katsuki challenges. “Let’s see it then.”
Twenty three rounds later, Kaminari is in eleventh place.
Katsuki and Kirishima are howling with laughter.
“Babe, respectfully, you are not good at this.” Kirishima gasps for air as he clutches his sides.
“You’re such a fucking loser!” Katsuki crows, unmoved from his position on the armchair. His legs are starting to cramp, but he’s not about to move. The bunny on his lap has fallen asleep, so content to be petted by Katsuki’s warm hands.
“No, I swear, I can beat the CPU! One more round!” Kaminari protests, but Kiri is unplugging the console.
“Nah, time to go upstairs, Denks, okay? Bakugou, how’s the little guy doing?”
“It’s sleeping. Can you take it back to the Animal Whisperer guy on your way up?”
────────────────
Later, as he stands in front of the mirror again, Katsuki prods a finger against his cheekbone. He furrows his eyebrows experimentally and taps his finger on the sharp point of his nose, traces it all the way down over his lips to his chin.
There's nothing interesting about touching his own face. There's nothing interesting about his touch at all. Admittedly, allowing his friends to be close to him was...nice, however weird (besides, he should be doing it way more often if what Mina said is true and you can actually turn out to be developmentally delayed from a lack of physical contact) but it wasn't the instant cure that they thought it might be.
He’s still awkward, and touch still makes him very uncomfortable. But it's something he supposes he’d better try and get used to. It's weird, he thinks, that he doesn't hate the idea. Why doesn't he hate the idea?
A sudden image of freckled arms and scarred hands - grabbing his wrist, draped across his shoulders, fingers rubbing gentle circles into his thigh - comes to mind.
Where else..?
Katsuki shakes his head like he’s attempting to scramble his brain. That’s what it gets for being a traitor. Fuuuck no. Time for bed.
────────────────
Katsuki startles awake.
His digital clock reads 3:26, in bright green letters. The feeble light falls across his bedsheets as he sits up.
Ugh. Do I have any water? My throat's dry.
There's a glass on his bedside table, but it's empty. Katsuki sighs in frustration and flops back onto his pillow. Weirdly, there's a wet patch next to his face.
He wrinkles his nose, and realising he's been crying, rubs his eye.
Katsuki stares at the back of his hand, at the tear that he's just wiped off his face, illuminated in green, and feels something like disgust well in his throat.
It's not that he thinks crying is a show of weakness, or something. Not necessarily, anyway. Or maybe he does? Subconsciously? Is that what toxic masculinity is?
Rationally, he knows it's fine, it's normal, everyone cries every so often and honestly with the shit he's gone through it's no surprise he's having nightmares. But he can't help but feel like he's doing it for attention, or to distract from his failure to keep himself together by getting pity. Even though he's alone in the dark of his room.
It's a stupid way to feel, but it's the way he's feeling, so. Can't do much about that, I guess.
No way he’ll be able to get back to sleep now, though. There’s a reason his routine is so strict - his insomnia can’t really be managed otherwise.
Fucking damn it!
He spends the entire walk down the 4 flights of stairs to the Heights Alliance student kitchen praying that he's the only one awake. Which is a complete waste of a prayer. The complex’s entire population of students is deeply traumatised and nightmare/insomnia prone, and none more than the green-eyed freak currently slumped on a barstool.
'Kacchan, what are you doing here? It's like, late- no, early, and you go to bed while it's still light out. You okay?'
'I'm great, Deku.' (He looks like an extra from the Walking Dead.)
'Alright, then what's up? Are you here for nefarious purposes?' Izuku presses.
“I’ll fucking kill you, how’s that for nefarious purposes?” Katsuki grouches.
'That doesn't make you any less suspicious. Sus, if you will? Is that joke too old?’
'I actually don't care how sleep deprived we are, man, shut the fuck up. Why are you sitting in the dark, alone, eating, at the asscrack of dawn? And what even is that? It looks like, genuinely, it could poison a main water source."
Izuku pauses, squinting at the smudged label on the stolen takeout container before giving up and continuing to shovel the mystery food into his mouth.
"Yeah, 'm n't sure, tastes like...mmf....chick'n? Oooor...v'g'tables? Both?"
This is not gonna fly. Izuku will not be eating actual rotting garbage on his watch.
Bakugou scoffs. "Fucking give me that," he snaps, "I'm making curry, you shitty, stupid bastard. You better eat it." He grabs the plastic box and stomps into the kitchen. The offending food is dumped unceremoniously into the bin on the way.
Izuku is once again asleep when he returns, forehead pressed to the counter so that the only visible aspect of his entire being is his wiry curls.
He stirs as Katsuki places a bowl in front of him, either from the sound or the smell of homemade katsu curry, and smiles sleepily. Gratefully.
“Not to sound like a struggling student or anything but this is probably my first proper meal in days.” he quips. Which is stupid, because he should know Katsuki will berate him for that. Luckily most of the fight has drained out of him due to lack of sleep.
“Why don't you just. Cook. And eat.”
“I d’know. Don't feel like it. Besides.” he stares up at Katsuki through his pretty lashes, “When I don't, you take care of me.”
Katsuki wants to smack Izuku upside the head with a saucepan, but also to carry him upstairs bridal style and tuck him in bed, and hand feed him dates, or something.
“I ain’t always gonna be available to cook you meals at midnight, loser. I have a sleep schedule, and a semblance of rationality. You’re just lucky I was here.” he says gruffly, sliding onto the stool beside him.
Izuku shrugs, and stands up. The bowl of curry has been scraped clean in absolute record time.
Katsuki stays seated as the other boy loads the dishwasher, but stiffens when he feels arms around his shoulders.
“I know.” Izuku murmurs into his hair. “Thank you.”
He disappears back upstairs, but Katsuki remains, bewildered and feeling like the imprint of Izuku’s body has been seared into his own skin.
────────────────
After a long day of classes, Jirou suggests a big movie night, and since Katsuki secretly considers her a friend he feels obligated to show his face. How long he stays will remain to be seen.
The common room is pretty much at capacity. About half of 2B have shown up, as well as most of his own class, and the projector screen that Momo made takes up a whole wall. Katsuki dithers in the hallway for a good few minutes before Izuku catches his eye from one of the sofas and beckons to a patch of space on the carpet in front of him. Still, he hesitates for a bit, watching the girls pull out dozens of boxes of DVDs, and pretending to be interested in which movie is chosen.
Mina money spreads a huge stack of ancient Blu-Rays, and cheerfully starts to list out options.
“Legally Blonde, Sharknado, Superbad, the Lego movie, Bend it like Beckham, Men in Black, Harry Potter but only the fourth one, Howl’s Moving Castle, uhh, Wii Sports?, Pitch Perfect 3, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles boxset, my sister's school production of High School Musical from 2018, Rio…”
“Please, we cannot watch Rio. Dark Shadow sings the villain bird’s song when I try to sleep. I would do anything to stop it.” Tokoyami pleads.
Todoroki kicks his feet against the sofa and pops a bag of crisps open obnoxiously. “I think we should watch Sharknado again.”
'Shouto do you take constructive criticism?' Uraraka frowns.
'I take cash or card.' he replies, daintily licking chilli Dorito dust off of his fingers.
Mina continues to pick through the neverending pile of films, “Goosebumps, Rise of the Guardians, Insidious, Big Hero 6, Ponyo, Bring it On, Gnomeo and Juliet, Good Will Hunting, Tangled. Anything so far?”
“There's no way you don’t have any hero movies in there.”
“We are not watching the All Might cartoon.” Iida says firmly.
“Okay, so Big Hero 6.” Izuku relents.
Katsuki suppresses a laugh, and finally slouches over to his reserved spot on the floor. When he sits, Izuku’s strong legs bracket his shoulders, and he does his best not to think about it.
The rest of the room is still arguing about which film to watch.
“We have to watch Mean Girls. It waters my crops and clears my skin.”
“Toru your skin is see through.”
“Omg! Thank you!”
“I genuinely do want to watch Rio though.” Aoyama pouts.
Tokoyami makes a sound like he's dying. Nobody looks at him.
“Tetsutetsu, there's no camera there. This is not The Office. You look like an idiot staring at the wall with one eyebrow raised.”
“Fine, guys, just put on Big Hero 6.” Jirou sighs.
The film begins and Izuku shuffles forward in his seat, occasionally leaning down to whisper little comments about the characters in Katsuki’s ear. He remembers how Izuku held back from doing that when they watched Spiderman the other day, and smiles to himself. Me and Izuku are getting really close now, he thinks dazedly.
At some point, Izuku even starts idly playing with the ash-blond tufts of his hair, twisting the strands around his fingers. He would be lying if he said it wasn't one of the best sensations he’s ever experienced.
Katsuki tips his head back more, leans into the touch. Blunt nails scratch pleasantly at his scalp. Despite his most valiant effort, a sort of small half-sigh leaves his lips, but he stifles the embarrassment. Nobody can hear him over the film anyway. It's fine. It's just nice.
Until Izuku pulls just a bit harder.
Katsuki practically whines.
Izuku's hands freeze.
He needs to get out. Out out out out out. Leave! Right now!
He stands up abruptly and goes to the door as calmly as he can manage. The plan is: to just absolutely book it down the hall and back to his dorm. But Izuku's got other ideas, because he follows him out and marches him up a flight of stairs to his own room. Zero fucking boundaries, this guy. And there's so much All Might shit in there.
Katsuki is made to sit down, on the All Might bedspread on the All Might bed, next to the All Might pillows and 7 All Might plushies, and Izuku launches into a tirade. Not quite tearful, but getting there. God, he would give anything not to have this conversation right now. He could cry of embarrassment.
"Kacchan oh my god I made you so uncomfortable just now I didn't mean to pull your hair! Did it hurt? I'm so sorry!"
"Deku what the fuck? It was me who made it weird. You were being so normal. I went and fucked it up."
“But,” Izuku continues, “There's some kind of problem! You made that...s-sound- I- You were gonna just leave!”
“I’m just very on edge.” Katsuki replies tensely.
“Why?”
Don't tell him shit, Katsuki. Don't run that fucking mouth of yours. Be tactful. No, actually, fuck that, lie. Just lie.
“You, uh, make me feel like that a lot,” (SHIT! GOD FUCKING DAMN IT) “You’re so. You. And you're near me all the time, a-and god, ‘Zuku, you're always touching me!" he hisses, face burning white-hot with the admission.
Izuku's ears are red, but he blinks slowly and nods.
"So you want me to stop?" he asks, looking a little crestfallen.
"No!!" Katsuki puts his head in his hands. "No, I don't want that at all."
Izuku, now confused, tilts his head to the side, which is cute and therefore really not helping.
"Kacchan, I don't understa-"
"I don't want you to stop! I want you to, ugh, keep doing it, or whatever! Do it more, even! Every time you get close to me I feel like I'm actually going insane, like I'll fucking die if you move away 'cause you're so...I don't know, you're just so...good! And I can't get enough of you, or your stupid touch, and your dumbass hair and those shitty freckles and you just-!" Katsuki pauses for air -
"And you know, you're really fucking distracting, Deku, all I can think about 24/7 is when you'll put your hands on me again - motherfucker! How am I gonna improve when I can't concentr-uh?"
Izuku's pinching his chin, using his thumb to lift his head, effectively shutting him up.
"So what you're saying, Katsuki, is that you like me being close to you?" Izuku's words are serious but his gentle voice is so close to Katsuki's ear that it feels almost teasing. He wills the furious blush on his face to back the fuck off.
"Yeah, Izuku, that's what I'm saying."
Izuku grins, a beautiful, bright, lopsided and buck-toothed smile.
"So I can do this?"
He snakes his arms around Katsuki's torso and clings to him, tucking his head into his shoulder. Katsuki feels suddenly lightheaded. He trails hesitant hands down Izuku's back, making him sigh contentedly.
"I wonder what else you'll let me do." Izuku says smugly into the fabric of his sweatshirt. Katsuki's breath catches in his throat at that one.
"Maybe, I can lean against your shoulder again, or you can sit in my lap, or you'll let me play with your hair."
Izuku turns to look up at Katsuki's face. "Or maybe," he whispers sweetly, "you'll let me kiss you."
Oh holy fuck. Katsuki thinks that if his heart beats any faster he’ll crack a fucking rib.
"Yeah, I’ll let you. You should. Kiss me, I mean. Will you kiss me? Please."
Because really, in Deku's stupid fucking bed, wrapped in his stupid fucking All Might blankets, there is nothing Katsuki wants more. The way he's saying it sounds really fucking desperate, which... he is, ‘cause if this idiot doesn't kiss him right the fuck now, there will be Consequences. Yeah.
Izuku cups his face in his hands again, so gently, with his viridescent gaze firmly on Katsuki’s mouth, and Katsuki falters.
Okay, ohh god. I really didn’t think I’d get this far. What. What the fuck. This is happening? Shit, I’ve gotta make this count. He’s not gonna want to do this twice. Fuck. Shit. What if I suck at this? What if-
While he hesitates, Izuku leans forward and captures his lips in a kiss.
And oh, never mind, this is so unlike anything he's ever felt before. Katsuki is dizzy with the sheer proximity. Drunk on the very closeness of it all. His calloused fingers wind tightly into the soft curls at the nape of Izuku's neck to keep him grounded, and the other boy shivers into the kiss. It's not enough, Katsuki thinks - he pulls him even closer, til their chests press together and a stray gasp escapes Izuku's lips.
He wants to stay like this forever, skin on skin, so physically close that they may as well fuse into one being. Deliriously, he wonders if that kind of contact still works at a molecular level, and whether he can somehow bind Izuku to him permanently.
Don't let go don't let go stay close stay right here I need you-
What the fuck, this guy makes him completely batshit insane. Dial it back, idiot! Do- do something-
"I need, I need air, Kacchan," Izuku pants, and wow his voice is wrecked. And wow, Katsuki did that. That’s…that’s really hot. Okay good job, do that again next time, yeah.
Damn, he’s mumbling. That's supposed to be this loser’s job. He might as well get himself a hero notebook too, and start writing up the next instalment of dork fucking diaries.
"I never thought you'd end up this...clingy." Izuku says, amused, voice still distinctly raspy.
Katsuki shrugs and looks away, so the flush rising up his neck is less obvious. “You’re like...okay with it, though, right?” he asks.
Izuku laughs incredulously. “Okay with it? Kacchan, all the times I’ve hugged you, or- or, y’know, engaged in some kind of physical touch, it's been a hundred percent on purpose. You know what I’m like. After we watched that first film together there was no way I wouldn't have kept going as long as you let me. Give me an inch and I’ll take a mile.”
“I…” For once, Katsuki’s completely lost for words. Even his usual, near constant inner monologue of colourful language has stopped in its tracks.
“I kind of felt bad about it, but I couldn't help myself. It’s so good being friends with you again, I just really wanted - well. You.”
At that, Katsuki smirks, some of his confidence returning. “Just friends, Izuku?”
The other boy blushes, but meets his eyes, green irises blazing. “No, Kacchan. We’re definitely more than that,” He smiles, lopsided and eager. “If that’s what you want?”
Katsuki has never been more sure of an answer in his life.