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"Are we there yet?" The ash blonde boy asked his mother for the fifth time in 5 minutes.
"No, Katsuki. We aren't there yet."
"This is dumb, we should just turn around and go home." The boy huffed and leaned against the cold car window and watched as the beautiful whitened landscape sped by.
"We're almost there Katsuki. I think you'll have a fun time." His father replied. How was he supposed to enjoy whatever this is, While his friends are going on vacation to a nice beach resort Katsuki has to stay at a stupid icy, snowy, boring bed and breakfast in the middle of the woods.
Katsuki groaned in annoyance as he kicked his mother's seat with his shoe. "Oi, brat. Quit kicking my seat." His mother said as she continued to watch the road ahead as his Father drove the car.
"If I'm a brat, then you're just an old hag."
"YOU CALL ME A HAG AGAIN AND YOU'RE GETTING PUT IN AN ORPHANAGE BOY." His mother screamed at him. Snapping her head around to glare at Katsuki.
"Katsuki, don't call your mother that." He turned his attention to his wife. "Honey, we've talked about this. Yelling doesn't do anything but furthering the situation." After that, Katsuki and his mother's silence rivaled the peacefulness of a relatively empty library.
Soon enough, his dad took a turn through a graveled driveway that looked as if whoever cleared it obviously didn't do a very good job of it. The car shook and Katsuki bounced in his seat and almost fell off which prompted his mother breaking the peaceful silence by yelling at him for removing his seatbelt while she wasn't looking. Katsuki quickly managed to get back into his seat and slid his seatbelt back on.
A very large cabin soon came into view. It wasn't all that fancy and looked really old, but at least it didn't look on the verge of collapsing. They pulled in closer and off to the side of the big cabin. As soon as his Father got out of the car a man had already left the house and was probably offering to assist with the bags, to which Katsuki noticed through the car window clearly his father had said yes because the two were headed towards the trunk of the car.
His mother opened his door and Katsuki shivered at the rush of cold that quickly satiated his desires to put his coat and boots back on and climb out and followed his mother and the men hopefully warm inside.
The inside of the big cabin seemed a lot bigger than it did on the outside. With a small little foyer that led to big room that seemed to be the place where people would socialize. A main room maybe? His Mother's tug on his arm was telling him to follow them up the stairs but then the party of three stopped as soon as A woman came up to the man. His wife, Katsuki assumed.
The adults started with their useless conversations and Katsuki very quickly stopped listening and let his gaze wander the large room. He noticed a big moose head on the wall above the fireplace. Disgusting. Katsuki was irked by the sheer amount of dead things practically displayed on every wall possible. Katsuki looked away and back at the adults talking, until something caught his eye.
Something was clinging to the woman's skirt. A boy. He looked to be around Katsuki's age. Maybe a little younger? He was definitely too small to be older than Katsuki. But not small enough to be that much younger. His raven black hair framed his face and his red eyes seemed to be stuck to the floor.
It didn't take long during Katsuki's intense stare for the boy to finally look up from the floor and look back at Katsuki. His neutral expression quickly morphed into a big toothy grin as he waved at Katsuki. Katsuki gasped as he looked at the boy's teeth. They looked very sharp. He had a few normal teeth but most of his mouth was littered in shark-like teeth. Almost as if more sharp ones would replace his normal ones.
His mother seemed to notice what Katsuki had seen. The boy's smile disappeared as she quickly excused herself from the conversation and scurried off as she dragged the other boy behind her by his wrist. The man was now apologizing to Katsuki's parents who seemed to be very confused. They definately didn't see what Katsuki saw.
Soon enough the man wrapped up the conversation with Katsuki's parents, and stomped off in the direction where the woman went. His parents and him went up the stairs to the room that they were instructed with and entered the room. There were two queen sized beds. Sweet! Now Katsuki gets a big bed all to himself. What a nice change of pace for being stuck in a car with his parents constantly reminding him to put on his uncomfortable seatbelt.
As the room got darker and his parents tucked him into bed and went to their own. Katsuki lied awake and thought about the boy he had seen. He wondered why they dragged him off like that. He wondered why he was wondering when he could go find out for himself. His parents were now fast asleep and Katsuki was more than ready to use that to his advantage. He wouldn't be gone that long and the cabin wasn't even that big. He'd be in and out. Find the cabin boy. Demand an explanation. Get back to bed in no time. His parents wouldn't even notice he was gone. There was no way he'd get lost in a place that was so boxy and probably didn't have very many hallways.
He spoke too soon. Not that he'd ever admit it but, he was lost. He kept wandering the hallways that seemed to just lead to another. And then another. And then another. The more he twisted and turned throughout the place he only wound up more and more lost. Retracing his steps wasn't an option. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going because he was really only thinking about the cabin boy. Katsuki decided to give up and just try to find his way back to his parent's room. The boy was probably asleep anyway. He turned another corner. And then another. Until finally. . .
A boy. Familiar black hair. Holding a dampened sponge and rubbing at the high trim on the walls. He bent down, wet the sponge in the bucket some more. Squeezed some of the water out of it, and then lightly wiped the walls again. On repeat.
Katsuki stepped closer. "Hey."
The cabin boy immediately jumped back. Clearly startled by Katsuki's voice. He opened his mouth to say something in response but quickly covered his mouth with his hand. Then waved eagerly.
Katsuki stepped. Even closer. Braver this time. "What are you doing?"
He promptly pointed at what he was doing. As if it wasn't already obvious from Katsuki watching him earlier.
"No, I mean. Why are you up so late, doing this? Don't you have a bedtime?"
The boy stopped to think as he quickly realized he can't use hand signals in response to Katsuki's latest questions. He uncovered his mouth a little and whispered something Katsuki couldn't understand.
"Speak up, I can't hear you." Katsuki paused. The boy obviously needed some reassurance.
The Boy uncovered his mouth and obeyed Katsuki's words and spoke up. "Trouble." He didn't open his mouth very wide but at least Katsuki could at least make out what he had said this time.
"What are you even in trouble for?"
The boy paused, and fumbled with his hands a bit. He looked down at the ground again and eventually looked back up at Katsuki. He pointed at his closed mouth as things slowly started to piece together in Katsuki's mind.
The teeth. Why would he get in trouble for that? They made him look cooler. It definitely wasn't something Katsuki had ever seen before but they definitely weren't weird. Just cool. They made his smile look all the more radiant.
"Your teeth. Show them to me again." Katsuki said as he stepped closer. Hoping to get a better look.
The boy shook his head as Katsuki continued to step closer.
Katsuki stopped. "Why not?"
"Trouble." The boy mumbled again.
"Is that the only thing you know how to say?"
The boy shook his head again.
It seems they were back to body language. "I promise I won't tell that you showed me."
Another unspoken 'no'.
Fine. Katsuki didn't care. He turned his heel and started walking away. Completely forgetting he was lost. He heard a faint sound behind him. Followed by a louder one. "Eijirou!"
Katsuki whipped his head around. "What?"
The boy was covering his mouth again. "My name," the boy was looking away again. "It's Eijirou. . .".
"Katsuki." He said as he turned away again.
It took him some time to find the familiar main room again and went up the familiar stairs to a familiar numbered door which signaled his parent's room. He slowly creaked open the door and didn't notice his mother wasn't in her bed. He quickly climbed back into his big bed and got back under the covers until he heard their door open again.
"Where have you been?" He heard his mother say right in his ear. Clearly leaning over him.
"Nowhere. . ."
"Is that so? I thought you might be in the bathroom since you weren't in your bed. But I couldn't find you there either. So where did you go?"
He realized arguing like this when sleep deprived wasn't going to get him anywhere. "On a walk."
"Really? On a walk, at this hour?"
Katsuki turned over in bed. Attempting to ignore her.
"We're talking about this in the morning. No more sneaking out without telling us."
He mumbled a quick 'mkay' as his mother climbed back into her bed and he quickly drifted back asleep.
In the morning, his parents dragged him down to eat breakfast at one of the many tables in the main room. Katsuki tried to look for the lone cabin boy but couldn't find him. He wasn't with his mother when she brought them their well-cooked eggs and hash browns. Katsuki wondered if the boy was as good as a cook as she was. Probably. He thought.
Soon his parents went back up to their room, leaving Katsuki in the main room. Katsuki wasn't sure why they weren't letting him go back to the room with them but he assumed it was because they wanted him to interact with the other kids here. And so that was exactly what he wasn't going to do. He ignored all of the extras and decided to go find Cabin boy and hang out with him instead. He wandered in search of the boy he had only just met the night prior.
A black haired woman with a maxi skirt and an apron walked up to him. "Where ya' goin' hun?" Cabin lady said.
"Where's your kid?" He asked her.
She looked on edge at the question. "Whatever do you want to see him for?" She deflected.
"None of your business."
"Well then, seeing ma' son is none of yours. Why don't you go play with them other kids stayin' here too?"
When Katsuki realized he wasn't getting any answers from her he turned heel and trotted away from her and those other extras. Fine. He could find Cabin boy himself, he knew his way around from his walk from last night.
He did not know his way around from his walk last night. He somehow ended up even further down into the cabin. It was starting to feel like a mansion at this point. The part of the home he was in barely matched the rest of it. The main room and their bedrooms seemed like-new. Not quite modern but at least it had lighting and plugins. This part of the house though, the walls were blank and undecorated, and it was cold. Not as cold as outside but still cold enough for Katsuki to wish he'd have brought a jacket.
He continued to wander. The welcoming wurr of some machine was luring him in. He eventually found the source of the sound. A washing machine and dryer. And over to his left was a boy with black hair folding towels on a table with his back to Katsuki.
"Found you."
The boy dropped what he was doing and turned around again. Katsuki could have sworn he almost smiled for a moment, but instead opted for his usual ecstatic wave.
Katsuki came closer again, "What are you doing? Can I help?"
The boy shook his head. Katsuki already knew what he meant. He was the guest. He wasn't supposed to help with the housework.
"Did you just want to talk then?" Katsuki asked.
Finally, a nod. Just the assurance Katsuki needed to go off on rants about the stupidest things. Cabin boy was a good listener, he supposed. Although, Katsuki wouldn't be opposed to the boy going on little rants of his own. Katsuki complained about his friends back at home, his mother calling him a brat (although he deserved it) and how cool Cabin Boy's teeth are. Which definitely got him a dumb stare from Cabin Boy himself. And maybe a little blush that Katsuki hadn't quite picked up on since he likely just assumed it was because of the cold.
"Hey, Cabin Boy-"
"Eijirou."
At least he was talking now. "Can I see your teeth?" Katsuki pried.
"No."
"It's just you and me here. I'm no snitch. Snitches get stitches."
"I said no." The boy said with an apologetic look. Katsuki decided to stop asking. he didn't want to pressure the boy to do something he wasn't comfortable with.
Katsuki noticed Cabin Boy still had a ways to go before he was done. "How about I help you so we can go play faster?" Katsuki said. Reaching for a towel.
Eijirou grabbed his arm. "No, 'ts okay. I have other things I need to do after this anyway." He let go as Katsuki pulled away from the unfolded laundry.
"What else do you have to do after this?" Katsuki asked.
"A lot."
"How much?"
"Umm. . I think I have to mop the floors in the bathrooms and in the main room after everyone goes to bed."
"So. . What you're saying is you'd have time to play after mopping the bathrooms until everyone goes to bed?"
"I mean, I guess?" The boy responded with a curious look plastered onto his face. Katsuki was starting to really like this Cabin Boy. Probably more than his friends back at home and definitely more than a certain messy-haired crybaby.
"Then can I help? Then you and I can go play in the snow until people go to bed. I'm lucky, my bedtime is 9pm while on vacation. That's more than most kids." Katsuki said. Proud of himself but leaving out the tiny detail that his bedtime when not on vacation is usually 8:30. So he's really only getting 30 extra minutes. He decided Cabin Boy doesn't need to know that.
Cabin Boy looked at him dumbly again. Katsuki wondered if he'd ever tire of it. He looked as if he was going to say no again but instead he hesitantly nodded and handed Katsuki a towel.
Katsuki tried to fold the towel. Then he tried to fold it again. No matter how hard he tried he just couldn't get it to look like Cabin Boy's. He struggled until Cabin Boy eventually noticed his failure and giggled, showing him step by step how to actually fold it. Katsuki followed along, but didn't quite get it for a few more tries. When he finally succeeded Cabin Boy gave him a big high five and they continued their folding without a hitch. . . Until they came across another article of clothing and the boy had to show him how to fold that too. . .
Time flew by, and before they knew it everything was folded. Cabin Boy said to leave it on he counter and that he was supposed to put everything away tomorrow. So that was what they did. Katsuki realized he had completely forgotten about the slight cold pricking at his cheeks and ears. He wondered how the boy was just fine in this room for who knows how long without a jacket. He was more than happy to walk with Cabin Boy back to the warmth of the main hallways of the cabin.
There was only one mop, so Katsuki couldn't be much help while the other cleaned both bathrooms. He had an inkling Cabin Boy wouldn't let him mop for him even if he asked nicely. So Katsuki Talked while the brunette cleaned. Before they knew it, they were done. With lots of time to spare.
They quickly ran to the foyer where they were all instructed to leave their coats. Katsuki slipped his on without a hitch and quickly put his boots on. His new friend took a little longer than Katsuki did but Katsuki could wait. Soon enough they were both out the door and Katsuki was already picking up a big ball of snow to throw at Cabin boy. WHAM right in the face. He wiped the snow off his nose and eyes and laughed through his tattered scarf as he picked up some snow of his own and threw it right at Katsuki's torso. Katsuki Tried to dodge but he wasn't quite fast enough. In retaliation he picked up more snow and instead of throwing it he innocently walked up to a very confused Cabin boy and shoved the handful of snow right into his face again. He stumbled back and snorted as he tried to get the snow off of his face again.
They played like this for a while. Ignoring the other extras. Katsuki liked being in his own little world with only him and Eijirou. If the world would only let him he'd stay in this little bubble of time forever. It didn't last long though because soon the two had already ventured far from the house during their hit and run escapades with the cold snow. They both plopped down side by side on the hillside staring up at the winter clouds that not a spec of sun could shine directly through. He wanted to savor this moment. He hoped that his family would come back next year so he could see the boy again. Maybe next time-
"Hey, Katsuki?" Cabin boy interrupted.
"Yeah?"
"When do you have to go?" He said rolling onto his side to face Katsuki. Crunching the snow beneath him. Katsuki Turned as well.
"In about a week." Cabin boy didn't look very happy to hear that.
He looked a little apprehensive, but eventually spoke up. "Will you. . Would you mind sending me letters sometime?"
"Do you have a phone?" Katsuki scoffed at his own question. Of course he doesn't. Katsuki doesn't either.
"We have a home phone. I'm not allowed to use it. It's for business stuff only, momma says." Katsuki sighed at that. Letters it is then.
As the horizon only got darker and darker, the sun had clearly begun to set. Katsuki decided it was time to go back to the cabin. Eijirou was clearly thinking the same thing as he started to get up as well. They walked back together.
As soon as they opened the door they were greeted by Katsuki's parents worried expressions. Although his mother looked more angry seeing him just fine. He almost didn't notice Cabin boy's parents stomping ever closer and their child gettin increasingly more anxious as he removed his coat. As soon as he took his boots off he was grabbed by the arm and dragged away again. Katsuki would be more worried for him but he had his own set of parents to deal with.
"Where were you?"
"With Cabin Boy." Katsuki deadpanned.
"That doesn't answer my question."
"Yes it does." The hag glared at him. He simply glared back.
"And you were with him? All day?"
"Yes."
"Even though Mrs. Etsubaki told you not to hang out with him?"
"Etsu-who?"
"Don't play coy! She told me you were asking about him."
"So what if I was? It's his choice to hang out with me or not. Not hers."
"Katsuki, you're not understanding. She doesn't want you interrupting him. He has a job to do, you can't just get in the way of that just because you want to go play with him."
"But he was done with his work! All he has to do now is mop the main room as soon as everyone has gone to bed."
"It doesn't matter. She's been looking for him all day. Didn't you even consider that maybe she'd need him to do another chore in between those times?"
"No, he looked like he needed a break. Do child labor laws not apply out here?"
"Katsuki, it's a family business. Things are different for them."
"Why can't he play then? If he's family they should be giving him a break and understand that kids like to play sometimes!"
His mother scoffed. She clearly wasn't going to listen. They started walking up the stairs to their room. Katsuki noticed a large bell tied to the outside of their door. He glared at his mother.
"What the hell is this?"
"Katsuki, language." His father finally decided to speak.
"So you won't be sneaking out again. Now get in there." She pushed his shoulder to urge him into the room. Katsuki pouted as he climbed into bed. How was he supposed to check on his friend now? They flicked the lights off and hopped into bed as well. Katsuki decided that he might as well sleep. And go see Eijirou tomorrow.
The very next day. Cabin boy wasn't as welcoming. He wasn't as keen on letting Katsuki carry some of the laundry that needed to be put away to lighten the boy's load. He wouldn't even let him touch it. Katsuki assumed it had something to do with the stomping cabin lady and the man that followed closely and dragged him away. Katsuki decided not to ask him about it and instead wanted to double check that sending letters would be okay. The boy promptly said yes. And looked all too eager at the idea of making a pen pal out of Katsuki. Had it been anyone else Katsuki probably would send 2 response letters and let that be it. But he somehow had a feeling he'd be sending more letters to Cabin Boy than he could ever count.
Maybe he'd kept trying to sneak off to go play with Cabin boy again, but it didn't look like they'd be able to play any time soon. The brunette kept shooting him down. Telling him to go pay with the other kids instead. Katsuki still refused that offer. He didn't want to play with some other kids. He wanted to play with his new friend, The Cabin Boy.
As the time passed and days went by and as Cabin Boy continued to relax around Katsuki even while he was doing his work. Katsuki followed him around—it was a change of pace Katsuki welcomed. Usually he was the one being followed around.
And maybe as the days went by he'd kept hanging out with Cabin boy more.
And maybe his face started to heat up when the boy laughed or even so much as giggled.
Maybe he didn't let Cabin boy know he was letting his teeth show because he didn't want to distract from the moment.
And maybe when they had both gone out to the shed on the fourth day and Katsuki caught a board that was about to fall on the brunettes head the boy's face started to heat up too.
And maybe when the final day of Katsuki's stay had arrived he'd wanted to ask Cabin Boy to sneak off into the woods with him and run away and play in the snow with him forever. They'd have fun snowball fights every day and nobody would be there to stop them. They'd be in their own little world together.
Katsuki let go of that fleeting dream as soon as his car door was slammed shut on him. He didn't even get to formally say goodbye. That was, until he saw a familiar boy standing outside the home by the trees. Staring at the car as his parents pulled out of the driveway. Katsuki ripped off his seatbelt and rolled down his window. Ignoring his mom grabbing at his leg to get him to sit back down.
The boy started to chase the car as Katsuki poked his head out the window and waved. "EIJIROU!!" Katsuki shouted. "GOODBYE!!!" He said while aggressively waving. He sat with his head out the window as the car drove off and Eijirou stopped chasing the car. Standing silently. They must've reached the rough part of the graveled driveway because Katsuki hit his head on the car door as the hag yanked him back inside and rolled up the window. Demanding he put his seatbelt back on.
He complied. As he sat there, he didn't think about anything other than the Cabin boy. And the defeated look he had as Katsuki was driven away. He could only hope they'd be able to come back next year.
They weren't able to return next year. Or the year after that. Or even the year after that. Soon enough Eijirou's letters had stopped and soon Katsuki's did too. All before the age of sixteen. He still hadn't felt such a strong attachment to anyone quite like that before. Just thinking about the boy he'd left behind. When he tried to google Eijirou Etsubaki for any social media presence or contact information nothing ever worked. He assumed that he probably didn't have very much time for it anyway with his workload of chores probably only getting larger over the years.
You could only Imagine Katsuki's surprise when the old hag revealed they'd be going back to spend their vacation there once again. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't excited. He hoped Eijirou would be as excited as he was.
The car ride over was just as boring and bumpy as last time. There was less snow but nevertheless the gravel probably didn't make the drive all that much easier. This time the hag didn't even bother him about his seatbelt. He was heavy enough to keep himself in his seat without one. He'd be fine as long as they didn't crash.
When they finally reached the big cabin (that he found out was actually called a lodge) he'd expected the man from last time to come out and help with their bags. He sure wasn't expecting the look of shock on the other person's face as Red eyes pierced Katsuki's own as he rushed over like a puppy happy to see it's owner again.
"Katsuki?"
"Hey, Cabin boy. How have you been?"
Eijirou laughed at that. "I guess I'm still Cabin Boy to you, huh?" Eijirou's change from quiet and timid to still-the-same-but-more-confident was quite the refresher Katsuki needed. Eijirou did a good job at not letting his teeth pass his lips when he spoke. A well trained skill Katsuki secretly hoped to break. Katsuki watched as he offered to help with the bags to Katsuki's father which the old man was all too quick to accept. Like usual. Katsuki couldn't help but stare as Eijirou carried all of their heavy bags in one trip. It was quite impressive.
They followed Eijirou inside and Eijirou even offered to carry the bags up the stairs. To which the old man refused. Like usual. It seems Katsuki wasn't the only one who was staring. Because when Katsuki caught him Eijirou face simply went even redder as he turned and walked away noticing he wasn't needed anymore. Probably off to do more chores.
"Mitsuki!" A familiar woman walked up to her. She looked older. But definitely not wiser if Eijirou had learned to keep his teeth hidden. "You look as young as ever."
"And you look fucking old as hell." Katsuki said. Cutting the old hag off from her response.
The woman looked offended and scoffed. "You brought your little troublemaker along this time I see." This time? Katsuki shrugged it off. It was probably nothing.
"Katsuki, go take the bags to the room." The hag told him.
"Why do I have to do it when Dad's the one who declined Eijirou's offer to bring them up?" Katsuki barked back.
"Just do it Katsuki."
Mrs. Etsubaki handed him some keys. He trudged up the stairs with the bags. Damn. Eijirou made this look so much easier than it really was. He finally reached the room and practically threw the bags in and shut the door. But then he noticed there was only one bed in the room and looked at the keys. Noticing they had two rooms booked. Sweet, Katsuki could get some privacy this time. Katsuki grabbed his bags and moved them over to his room. All the way across the main room's second floor. Sweet. Even more privacy. He dropped his bags and turned to head back down the stairs. His parents had left to go get settled into their room after they had Katsuki already do the hard part for him. Katsuki had other plans for today. Go hang out with Eijirou. Maybe see his teeth, If he was comfortable with that.
If there was one thing Katsuki wondered, it was how Eijirou's teeth would look after they had all finally grown in. He was a little too happy while imagining it. He still remembered how cool they were when he first saw them. Katsuki still didn't know his way around, he realized. He decided he was going to blame it on the fact they probably painted the walls a different color by now.
Katsuki continued to wander the halls until he found a familiar corridor, and the welcoming wurr of a machine that he now knew was a washing machine. He entered the laundry room and sure enough-
"I knew you were going to come find me." The brunette laughed as he turned around. Holding a towel out to Katsuki. "Still remember how to fold them?" He asked.
"You think I'd forget?" Katsuki said as he snatched the towel out of Eijirou's hands and walked over to the table.
Katsuki did forget. Eijirou realized that pretty quick as he laughed and showed him how to fold it again, but this time Katsuki caught back on fast. Katsuki didn't mind someone laughing at him as long as that someone had a stupidly cute face and an adorable laugh. And their name was Eijirou. Even with the light atmosphere between the two of them, Eijirou seemed to be a little on edge.
The two folded clothes in silence for a while until Eijirou finally spoke up.
"So. . . Any particular reason you stopped sending me letters?"
Katsuki immediately stopped what he was doing. "The hell do you mean? You stopped sending letters to me."
"What? No? I've sent you a letter every week. I only stopped a few weeks ago when I had finally given up. Your parents did say you didn't want to be friends with me anymore, but even after that I took a while to actually accept it. You saw how surprised I was to see you this morning." Katsuki tried to butt in to ask about when his parents had the chance to say something like that but Eijirou had other plans. "I'm not very happy that you're still standing here pretending like you've done nothing wrong. You were my only friend Katsuki. It really hurt me when I saw your car again the following year but you weren't there."
Eijirou finally paused. Katsuki didn't speak for a moment. "I stopped receiving your letters three years ago Eijirou. And what the hell do you mean my parents came back? They haven't been back here until today."
Eijirou scoffed. Which was very out of character for him. "Yeah, like you didn't know." He said. Returning to folding towels.
"No, Eijirou. What the hell is going on?"
"Katsuki! Stop. Just stop. You keep acting all innocent. There's no way you somehow weren't aware that your parents came back every year since then. Without you. Their presence here without you was like a slap in the face every time I saw them. They said you didn't want to come. That you didn't want to see me."
"That's not fucking true! I've asked every damn year if we could come back. They've- They've Always kept saying they wanted me to stay with my relatives for a week instead. Fuck." Katsuki felt so betrayed. While yeah, his mother could be a bitch sometimes he really didn't expect this from her. Not even from his father who had a history of snitching on either Katsuki when he did something wrong or his mother when she did something shitty behind the scenes to Katsuki. How could he keep this from him?
Katsuki sat on the ground and ran a hand through his hair. If they could keep something like this from him, what else have they done? Had they kept Eijirou's letters from him too? Had Eijirou's parents kept Katsuki's letters away from Eijirou? Was their friendship doomed? Why were the adults in their lives so adamant on keeping them apart?
Eijirou knelt down next to Katsuki. "So. . you really didn't know?"
"No."
"Okay." Eijirou kind of rested an arm on Katsuki's shoulder awkwardly. Like he didn't know what else to do. It was okay because Katsuki quickly dragged him into a big hug. Eijirou wasn't quite sure how to return the gesture but Katsuki would teach him soon enough.
They stayed like that in their own little world for a long time. They'd talk about it more later but for now he'd hoped they could enjoy this moment a little longer. And so that was what they did, until Eijirou excused himself to continue folding the clothes on the table above Katsuki. Katsuki sat there next to Eijirou for a while. He didn't want to face his parents yet, he didn't know if he ever wanted to. Why couldn't they just let things be and let Eijirou and Katsuki be friends?
When Eijirou was done, he told Katsuki to follow him. Katsuki had no objections to that. He was all the more eager to postpone facing his parents. Katsuki followed him through the corridors. Still not paying any mind to remembering the layout, he'd rather focus his attention on every pore on Eijirou's Perfect face.
Eijirou led him to the foyer where they put on their coats and walked out before anyone could see them leave. They walked out past the graveled driveway to the hill they once lay on side by side.
He thought Eijirou was going to sit down but instead he grabbed a bunch of snow in his hand and calmly walked up to Katsuki. He's imitating what Katsuki had done last time. Oh, poor sweet Eijirou. You think Katsuki forgot how to play? Katsuki practically invented that strategy. Katsuki bent down to pick up some snow of his own before Eijirou could shove some into his face. But Eijirou seemed to be one step ahead of him. He instead opted for shoving the snow down the back of Katsuki's jacket and shirt while he was bent over. All the while laughing hysterically. Katsuki would be mad if Eijirou's laugh wasn't so contagious. .
Instead of yelling at him he picked the snow he dropped during the last attack and charged at Eijirou. It seems Eijirou forgot to take something into account. Katsuki was a hell of a lot faster now. Eijirou barely had any time to dodge as Katsuki knocked him down and smooshed the snow snow right into his face. Sweet revenge. It took a few moments of silence and staring at Eijirou's dumbfounded blushing face for Katsuki to realize he was now sitting right on top of him.
He immediately stumbled to get off and let Eijirou sit back up. Katsuki could feel his face was already heated up as he put his hand out for Eijirou to grab too. He did, but then he used Katsuki's hand to yank himself back up and smoosh some of his own snow into Katsuki's face. That seemed to cool off his red cheeks quite quick.
"You should know by now-" Eijirou said in between laughing so hard his stomach probably couldn't handle it much longer "What goes around comes around to ya!" Katsuki almost forgot about Eijirou's stupid country accent.
"Yeah?" Katsuki said picking up more snow. "Then why don't you let me know how the ground tastes!" Katsuki said ramming his shoulder into Eijirou rugby style. As Eijirou fell onto his back again. Katsuki wasn't quite on top of him like last time, only his side was resting on Eijirou's chest. "That's for not sending me letters."
Eijirou picked up a handful of snow. Katsuki didn't move out of the way or try to stop him as Eijirou smacked him in the face with the cold snow. "That for not sending me letters. And not using your critical thinking skills to figure out your parents were coming to the lodge without you." Eijirou said. Jokingly.
Katsuki was the one scoffing this time. He picked up some snow of his own, smacking Eijirou with it back, "That's for not having any social media, Eijirou Etsubaki. This would've been so much easier on both of us if I could find you on instagram or something."
"What's instagram? And wait-" Eijirou paused for a moment. Looking at Katsuki with that same dumb look that Katsuki loved back during his first time meeting Eijirou. "My last name isn't Etsubaki?"
"Don't be stupid, your mother's last name is Etsubaki, isn't it?"
"Well, yes. But people do remarry, Katsuki."
"Oh. Is that why you look so scrawny compared to that guy I thought was your dad?"
"Hey!" Eijirou yipped. "I'm not scrawny."
"Lies."
"At least I can carry some bags up a flight of stairs."
"You saw that?"
"Of course I did. My only friend came to visit. It'd be stupid of me to not stay and watch you for a while longer. It doesn't help that you're just so pretty-" Eijirou paused and covered his mouth. Katsuki wasn't sure if it was a reaction to what he had just blurted out or because he realized his teeth had been showing the whole time they've been outside. "I'm sorry, forget you heard anything." Katsuki was sickened by how embarrassed Eijirou looked after what he said. As if admitting Katsuki was a natural beauty out loud was somehow bad.
"You're not so bad yourself." Katsuki smirked as Eijirou looked shocked at his response. His mouth in an 'o' shape. Katsuki laughed. This was so stupid.
"You're not mad?"
"Why would I be mad?"
"Well. . I mean, for one you're always mad. And I mean. . .I'm a dude, and you're a dude. . . It's not- It's not normal for me to think these things about another guy. None of the girls who would stop by the lodge really ever made me have that kind of reaction to their appearance."
Katsuki elected to ignore the comment about him always being mad. "Where I'm from, dudes liking dudes is normal." Katsuki was almost starting to get mad that Eijirou's vocabulary was starting to seep into his.
"Really? How do you guys continue repopulating your town?"
"People are still having sex with the opposite sex. Plus, adoption." Eijirou gasped at the vulgar language as if it's somehow worse than 'shit' and 'fuck' that Katsuki has been saying all evening.
"So, you're really, really not mad at me for saying that?" Eijirou said. Probably trying to change the topic. Katsuki didn't mind.
"No."
"And. . Things like that. . Are normal?"
"For some people, yes." Katsuki paused and wondered weather or not he should tell Eijirou that he can relate. Katsuki decided to stop wondering. Katsuki wasn't a coward. "It's normal for me too."
Eijirou looked at him dumbly after Katsuki's own revelation. Katsuki didn't think he'd ever get tired of his dumb face. Nor his stupid messy brunette hair lying in the snow or his dumb words. His cool teeth did nothing to ruin his appearance. Katsuki loved the dumb look he always gave when Katsuki said something shocking. Katsuki loved Eijirou.
As Katsuki leaned down and clasped Eijirou's gloved hand with his own as he kissed Eijirou. For a moment he was worried Eijirou didn't feel the same. But then the Cabin boy hesitantly squeezed his hand and kissed him back. Matching the amount of pressure Katsuki was inflicting. That was all the reassurance Katsuki needed to let himself lean into Eijirou more and let his hand wander up to Eijirou's ratty hair. He decided he wasn't going to take this any further for now. He didn't want to scare Eijirou with too much too soon. So for now, he wanted to just stay in his own world with Eijirou for as long as possible.
And maybe if Katsuki asked nicely Mr. and Mrs. Etsubaki would let Katsuki stay with Eijirou for the rest of vacation to help out. And maybe after Katsuki's parents went home without him Katsuki And Eijirou kept sneaking into each others rooms at night
And maybe during the day Eijirou showed Katsuki all of the good hiding places in the lodge for them to have privacy.
And maybe Katsuki was still mad at his parents and Eijirou's for trying to keep them separated.
And maybe, just maybe Katsuki was counting down the days until the newly divorced Ms. Etsubaki dies so he and Eijirou could have the place all to themselves where Eijirou could just be himself and smile without restraint.
And maybe Katsuki finally taught Eijirou what Instagram was.
And maybe after Eijirou inherited the lodge they'd deregister it as Bed & Breakfast status and go to the very same orphanage the old Hag threatened to send him to and adopted all of the kids. So the very same lodge Eijirou kept from falling apart his whole life would become their home with all of their kids.
And maybe Katsuki still invited the old hag and his father to their official Wedding. And maybe his parents explained that Masaru felt guilty for what they were doing to Katsuki so he convinced the Hag to let him visit.
And maybe they'd adopt a lot of pound dogs after Eijirou found out what the word 'euthanize' meant.
And maybe they'd all play in the very front yard where Eijirou first taught Katsuki the true meaning of revenge.
And maybe Eijirou could finally smile unrestrained.
And maybe they all lived in their own little world together. Where Katsuki got his wish of being in his own little world With Eijirou. Their 22 kids. And their 9 rescue dogs. Where waking up every day felt like a dream. Where the lone little Cabin boy finally felt loved.
Where their world was just that.
Theirs.