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“Icy Hot! I promise I’m fine!” Katsuki hissed. Once again, Shoto started prodding at the developing bruise and bump on Katsuki’s temple. His fingers were gentle but cold making the burning throb in his temple all the more noticeable. Shoto, dare he say, pouted as he dropped his hand. The other hand that rested on Katsuki's waist squeezed in protest.
“Please, Katsuki. Just a couple of minutes to bring down the swelling.” The pout turned into a plea that Katsuki found he couldn't resist time and time again.
With his resolve crumbling he nodded his ok. Shoto’s small smile that appeared was almost worth the sting of pressure and cold against his temple. He hissed again but didn't comment. He took a second to look around at the train car. It was almost empty apart from a drunk man in the corner and two women sitting close together at the other end whispering and giggling. The lack of people wasn't surprising though considering it was two in the morning. Katsuki himself would have been in bed already if it weren't for the villain they had run into at the end of their patrol. By the time they were able to detain the villain, it was one in the morning and they were a little worse for wear. They quickly made their way back to the agency to shower and change into clean clothes. They didn’t waste any time at the agency as exhaustion started to creep into their bone. Though both of them had a few injuries, neither of them wanted to take the time to go to the medic on duty.
And that's how Katsuki found himself half asleep on a train back to the UA dorms, arm curled around Shoto's waist and a hand on bar to keep them both stable. His own worry started to peek when Shoto winced when he yawned. His free hand came up to brush against Shoto's side. “How’s your ribs,” he asked quietly.
Shoto shrugged, “They’re ok, I’ve had worse,” he said dismissively. Katsuki glared at him, “That’s no-”
“I promise, it's fine. Nothing's broken, just hurts to breathe a little bit.” He interrupted. The cold hand on Katsuki’s temple slid down to cup his cheek, warming in the process. Katsuki leaned into it, trapping it in between his cheek and his shoulder, letting his eyes close as he soaked in the small bit of affection. His eyes slowly opened when he felt a small squeeze on his hip, locking onto Shoto’s face. His breath caught in his throat at the sight. Katsuki didn’t think he would ever get used to seeing such a soft look on Shoto’s face. The sheer look of adoration and devotion made his chest tight every time, making it hard to breathe and focus on anything else. It was a look so foreign yet so cherished by Katsuki that he couldn't help but blush and hide his smile in Shoto’s wrist. Shoto’s own soft smile widened, lighting up his face and simultaneously opening the cut on his lip. A drop of blood started to form and Katsuki moved his hand from Shoto’s side to catch the drop with his thumb. He brought it to his lips and cleaned his thumb off.
Shoto scrunched his nose in disgust, “Gross,”
A grin spread across Katauski's lips, “You love me,” he stated. His grin softens as Shotos grimmis melts into a small, private smile. His hand slid down to his neck, thumb softly rubbing Katsuki’s jaw.
“Unfortunately,” He whispers as he brings their lips together in a tender kiss. He breathed a content sigh and rested his head on Katsuki’s shoulder. His hand dropped and fell onto his waist, looping around it in a loose hug.
-
By the time they arrived at their stop, Shoto was sagging against him, completely exhausted. Katsuki wasn't fairing much better as they stumble out of a car and Katsuki could only hope they could make it the half a block to UA.
“C’mon Half n’ Half, the faster we get back the faster we get to go to sleep.” Katsuki urged, squeezing his hand. They walked hand in hand, slowly making their way to the front lawn of Class 3-A’s dorm building. Then they got close enough he could see all the lights on the first floor were on, meaning some if not most of their classmates had stayed up waiting for them. Katsuki internally groaned at the thought but his pass quickend at the sight. The prospect of sleep was just too enticing to care about those extras.
Before he could push forward, he was pulled back by his hand. He turned around the face Shoto and was pulled into his arms. His confused hum turned into a sigh as their lips met again. Shoto held onto him tight as he deepened the kiss and Katsuki melted into it, gripping Shoto's shirt as he pushed back into the kiss. When Shoto calmed down, his hand came up to hold his jaw gently. He rested his forehead against Katsuki’s, with his eyes closed, and caught his breath. Katsuki studied his face in the limited light. The way his eyelashes cased feathery shadows over his cheeks. The sharp contrast between uneven, scared skin, and smooth pale skin, both loved equally. The narrow cut of his jaw and soft lips. He watched as those lips opened and closed as Shoto decided what to say.
“I- I know it's an occupational hazard,” He started, “but I’m really glad you didn’t get too hurt. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.” He whispered.
Katsuki smiled, the rare soft smile that made Shoto’s chest hurt, and leaned in this time kissing Shoto lightly. “You can’t get rid of me that easily Icy Hot.”
Shoto's own soft smile made another appearance making Katsuki’ heart to do things he would never admit out loud. “I love you Katsuki,” Shoto said softly, squeezing his hand.
Those words never failed to take his breath away in the best possible way. Giving him one last peck and squeeze, Katsuki replied, “Love you too Sho,” he pulled away and tugged in Shoto’s arm, “Now c’mon I want to go to sleep.”
Just before they reached the door they let go of each other's hands and Katsuki pushed it open. Heads snapped from the TV screen to the doorway at the noise.
“Bakubro!”
“Todoroki!”
The small group started talking over each other, getting louder as they made their way to greet them. The throbbing in his temples that he had been able to ignore started turning into a pounding. Maybe he had hit his head harder than he thought. Just as he was about to yell at all of them to shut the fuck up, Shoto spoke up.
“Guys, please quiet down. Bakugou has a concussion,” He stated simply.
Katsuki glared at Shoto but didn’t argue. The room blissfully quieted down as Shoto engaged in a conversation with Deku and Pink Cheeks. Meanwhile, Kirishima came right up to him and slapped a hand on his sore shoulder. “I’m glad you're alright! We watched the whole thing on the news and you looked so manly, dude!” Kirishima commented.
“Yeah, you and Todoroki really tore it up out there. Could have almost been an action movie,” Mina interjected.
“You're internship really must be working out, you guys work so well together, who would have thought!” Kaminari said next.
Done with their loud chattering he interrupted, “What are you extras even doing up?” He glared.
Deku spoke up first, “We were worried when you didn’t get back on time. You know it’s unlike either of you to be untimely, so we turned on the news and saw the villain attack and stayed up to watch the news and make sure you two were okay. Not that either of you can’t take care of yourselves but we-“
“Ok, we get it, damn Deku,” Katsuki mumbled rubbing his temple. “Now fucking move so I can sit down.” He muttered. Exhaustion hit him like a bus and one glance at Shoto’s drooping eyes said he was feeling it too. The mass of chatty annoying people parted and Katsuki made his way to the couch. He flopped down on the couch and leaned his head on the backrest. Shoto closely followed and sat next to him, his close presence calming his mind. Everyone was still chatting away and Katsuki couldn't care less at that point. The hours of fighting and rescuing caught up to him the moment he sat down and any will to lash out at everyone was whisked away when the weight of Shoto’s head fell onto his shoulder. He shifted into a more comfortable position, leaning his head on the armrest instead and lifting his feet onto the couch. Shoto’s weight withdrew for a moment only to reappear a second later on his hip, tucked behind his folded legs. Soon found himself plunged into the sweet abyss of sleep.
-
Sometime in the middle of the night, Katsuki woke up shivering. With Shoto’s quirk, he had grown accustomed to it and found himself on the left side more often than not when he slept over. Because of this, he had learned to shift to Shoto’s other side months ago. He settled himself between the couch and Shoto, head on his chest lulled back to sleep by Shoto’s slow, steady breaths.
-
This time when he woke up he felt much more groggy. The early sun was starting to shine through the open blinds casting the room in a warm yellow. Katsuki was used to waking up before Shoto and usually managed to get in a run before Shoto managed to even get out of bed. The ice user usually was dead to the world whenever he fell asleep and little could wake him up. He let himself rest there with his chin on Shoto’s chest, looking at his relaxed face. His head was leaning on the armrest and his hair which was usually perfectly parted was now tousled and mixed together. Katsuki found him mesmerizing like this. His face was void of all worry or stress and Katsuki couldn’t help but think he was undeniably beautiful. Shoto has always been insecure and though it's gotten better over the years, he still can’t seem to accept a compliment.
Katsuki’s hand found its way to Shoto’s exposed waist where his shirt had ridden up. There, he started to draw little circles and scribbles. After a few moments of contentedness, he felt more than heard Shoto hum as he started to come to. His head lulled towards Katsuki with his eyes closed and a sleepy smile pulled at his lips. His hand came up to rest on Katsuki’s back and ran up and down at a slow lazy pace. Katsuki relaxed into the touch letting his own hand slide up just under Shoto’s shirt and rest there.
“G’morning,” Shoto replied, dropping his head back into the armrest and closing his eyes yet again. “How’s your head?” He asked quietly.
Katsuki scowled, “Hurts like a bitch, but not as bad as last night.”
Shoto hummed in acknowledgment, ”We should probably get you some painkillers soon,” he paused. “But not right now.” Shoto's arms tightened around him and pulled him back into his chest. Katuki went willingly, closing his own eyes as he brought his arms tighter around Shoto. It was short-lived lived however when he heard Shoto sofly hiss in pain. He quickly let go and propped himself up again.
His brow knitted together in worry as he glared down at Shoto. “No, we’re going now.”
Shoto groaned again, “Oi, shut it Halfie, I'll make breakfast if it makes you feel better.” Shoto said nothing but a pleased smile lit up his face. Katsuki shuffled off of him, grunting in pain as his sore shoulder protested. When he got to his feet, he stretched his arms up and felt three satisfying pops run up his back. He felt an arm snake around his hip and pulled towards Shoto where he placed a small kiss there. Katsuki ran his fingers through his messy hair, disrupting the part even more. After a few moments of soaking in each other's affection, Katsuki slowly pulled away. Shuffling his way into the kitchen, he made his way to the coffee pot. Thanks to Mindfuck and his inability to maintain a sleep schedule, it was almost a guarantee that there was a warm pot of coffee ready. Touching the pot to check the temperature, he happily sighed at the warmth. After pouring two mugs, he searched through the cupboard to find the painkillers.
With coffee in one hand and tablets in the other, he turns around coming face to face with Shoto. He shoves them into his hands, “Take,” he commands. Shoto obays, popping the tablets into the back of his mouth followed by the coffee.
They both lean against opposite counters looking at each other over the lip of their mugs. Shoto studied Katsuki. His hair was a mess, flattened in some areas and he had an indent running down his cheek probably from Shotos T-shirt. He turned his neck and Shoto heard it crack and saw relief flash across his face. It quickly melted into a neutral expression as he took another sip of his coffee. Bright red eyes, stunningly beautiful in Shoto’s opinion, caught his own and softened as a light blush bloomed across Katsuki’s cheek. He held eye contact as he lowered his coffee cup and studied Shoto in turn. Apparently, he liked what he saw because Shoto’s chest suddenly felt tight as a fond smile brightened his face.
“I love you, Shoto.” He said suddenly, startling Shoto out of his affection-filled spiral.
He regarded Katsuki’s unguarded expression for a short moment longer. “I love you too, Katsuki.” He breathed. Of course, at that moment his stomach chimed in with an unhappy grumble. Katsuki’s head dropped between his shoulders as an amused snort shook his holders. “I guess that’s my cue.” He chuckled.
As Katsuki started to rush around the kitchen collecting the ingredients that he needed, Shoto gingerly sat himself on the counter he was leaning against. They sat in comfortable silence as Katsuki focused and Shoto tried to wake up more. Katsuki could see him slowly sway where he sat, eyes half closed as he waited for the coffee to kick in.
He’s standing in front of the stove when he hears Shoto slide off the counter and put his cup down. Moments later he feels arms snake around his waist and Shoto’s chin hooks over his shoulder, holding him close. Katsuki, ever so slightly, leans back into him as he continues to move the egg around on the frying pan. He feels a light kiss on his cheek and they slowly make their way down his neck to his shoulder. Katsuki hums in appreciation and feels Shoto rest his face in the crook of his neck, not making any further advances.
The peace was short-lived when Katsuki heard the artificial click of a camera shutter and fast retreating footsteps. His whole body went rigid and he became hyper-aware of their poiston and Shoto’s own flinch. Shoto gives him a slight squeeze, which relaxes him ever so slightly.
“Can I murder them?” Katsuki seethed as he turned off the burner.
Shoto’s mouth twitched against his neck as he paused as if in thought, “No,” He stated simply.
Katsuki grumbled. “It’s too early for this shit,” and Shoto just hummed in agreement. His weak attempt at composure crumbled the moment he heard a giggle from behind them. He twists out of Shoto’s embrace, ignoring his unhappy grumble to find half the class peeking through the door frame, Kaminari in the front holding his phone and Mina hovering over his shoulder. Midoriya stood behind them looking vaguely ill, and a grinning Kirishima right next to him. Before Katsuki could make his move at destroying Kaminari’s phone, Shoto hooked an arm around his waist, and though gentle it held fast. He didn't pull out of his grasp this time but pointed at Kaminari and Mina.
“You better hope I don’t get paired with either of you dumbasses tomorrow during training, or they'll be scraping you off the walls.” The venom in Katsuki’s voice was potent and the small crowd cringed back. Except for Mina, who didn’t seem to have a shred of self-preservation.
“Aw, common Blasty, you two are cute together!” She gushed. Katsuki lunged at her but Shoto held tight.
Turing his noticeably softer glare to Shoto, he grumbled, “Who’s side are you on?”.
“Mine,” he stated simply. “I’m hungry.”