Chapter Text
“I’m going to beat you, you nerd!’ Katsuki cried out, controller in hand, eyes locked on the television screen. Beside him, Midoriya Izuku lay slouched against his friend’s bed frame, body shaking in a hysteric fashion. They’d been playing Mario Kart for three hours straight, and were tied at twenty four wins each. Katsuki looked as though explosions were about to shoot through the palms of his hands.
“Not so fast Kachaan!’ Izuku responded, his face holding an evil grin. With those words, his pixelated Luigi character picked up a banana peel and threw it directly towards the blonde’s Bowser Jr sending the ape flying across the racetrack just like Katsuki’s controller.
“That was such a bitchy move.” he yelled as Luigi passed the finish line increasing Izuku’s win score to twenty five.
“Admit it. You’re just a sore loser!’ Izuku fired back, sticking out his tongue and blowing a very loud raspberry at his friend. Unfortunately he was met with a pillow to his face, followed by him being tackled off the bed and onto the carpet.
“No! You’re just a massive cheater!`’ The blonde grumbled, releasing the green haired boy from his grasp.
“How?”
“Well for the starters, the fact that you-”
That second, the two were interrupted by the sound of All Might’s voice echo through the room. Katsuki’s eyes met Izuku’s, both of them knowing exactly who’s phone was ringing.
“God you are such a dweeb.” The blonde muttered rolling his eyes, expression still full of affection. Rising from the carpet, Izuku picked up his phone, smiled lovingly at the contact name that showed on screen and was quick to answer.
“Hey Mom, I miss you.” he spoke very softly. It was a transformation Katsuki had only seen a few times before. Izuku’s mischievous eyes merged into ones full of fondness and his grin turned into a soft smile.
At first, no sound came from the other side of the line but after a long minute, Izuku could hear a hushed sobbing sound come from what he guessed was his dear mother. The moment he could make out what it was, he grew very concerned for the wellbeing of his Mom.
“Mom? Are you okay? What’s the matter?” he questioned whilst shaking his head at Katsuki’s questioning gaze.
“Oh my Izu…” Midoriya Inko’s normally loving voice echoed through the line. The sound of a voice normally so enthusiastic, so despondent sent a shiver down the boy’s spine.
“I’m here Momma, what is it?” He uttered.
“I love you my baby boy so so so much..” As she spoke, her voice broke and stuttered several times as she sobbed.
“Mom? Have you been drinking..?” Izuku asked exasperatedly.
It didn’t surprise him one bit to find his Mom on the phone, upset after several shots and pints. Addiction had run in his family for as long as he could remember, it had ruined several lives and Inko had struggled terribly with it for years. The first time she’d called him intoxicated, Inko had spoken of jumping into the train tracks and killing herself. With just those words, Izuku had dashed out of school and ran at full speed seven miles to their local train station. To his relief, he found his Mom sitting on a bench on the platform, munching very happily on a dozen jam filled donuts. Although he’d been grateful that she was safe, Izuku had missed the most important English exam of the year causing his grade to drop drastically. He had to do six months worth of extra credit to restore it.
Twenty seven more phone calls worth of experience, he’d just learnt to order Inko a pizza, send Eri to her friend’s house and continue what he was doing.
This time seemed different though. His mother didn’t have that trace of mischief in her voice she normally did after drinking.
“I’ll order you a pizza, okay Momma? Vegetable one like always, right?” He said desperately trying to get his Mom to make sense. But the only thing that boomed through the phone speakers was the sounds of Inko’s tears, “Do you need me to come home? I really don’t mind?” he offered, beginning to grab his things, eyes focused on Katsuki’s confused expression. He knew the blonde wouldn’t really mind if he had to leave- especially for Inko. Katsuki loved Izuku’s mother almost as much as Izuku himself.
“No!” she cried out, causing Izuku to jump in surprise,” no don’t do that. Enjoy your evening.”
Reluctantly Izuku placed the pile of clothes he’d hurriedly picked up back onto his friend’s Present Mic chair. Although he knew it wasn't a good idea not to go home, Izuku knew better than to not respect his Mother’s wishes.
“Alright if you’re sure. I’ll see you tomorrow Momma.” he said uneasily.
“Mhm, see you.” Inko responded not sounding as if she fully understood what her son had said.
“And Izuku..?”
“What is it Momma?” he returned the phone to his ear urgently.
“I love you. Always remember that okay..” she whispered shakily, gasping and sobbing.
“Of course Momma.” he sighed in relief,a smile appearing on his face,” I love you too. Bye bye!’
Pressing the red button to hang up, he looked up to find his friends questioning gaze.
“Is Aunty okay?” Katsuki cried pressingly. His face had merged into one of distress and fear.
Rolling his eyes fondly, Izuku nodded. Katsuki definitely felt enough emotion for the both of them. Hell, he felt enough for perhaps the whole entire world. Perhaps he didn’t know it, but Katsuki Bakugo was the most human person he’d ever met. That was why he was so popular at school.
“Momma’s just been drinking.” he stated casually ignoring the look of horror on his best friend’s face,” she’s feeling slightly upset but told me that i should stay out with you and that she’s okay.”
“Wa- wait. Since when does Aunty Inko drink?!”
“Since around last year of elementary school. You remember when I left in the middle of our English Exam?”
Katsuki snorted as he recalled the memory, “Sensei was pissed. Her face literally turned the color of Kirishima’s hair.”
“I didn’t know it was possible to get a S-.” he laughed.
“Guess Miss really loved you.”
The two boys fell to their knees laughing, remembering the exasperated look of their middle school English teacher when Izuku’s phone had gone off and then the screaming match that had ensued when he’d got up to leave the exam hall.
After several seconds of hysterics, Katsuki’s facial expression fell back into one of concern. He looked at Izuku who slowly rose from the floor to level with his friend.
“Does Aunty…hurt you?” The blonde winced at his own words the moment they left his mouth.
“What! No no she doesn’t.”he shot back rapidly,” Momma never hurt me or Eri. She’s..she’s good.”
The blonde looked at him accusingly, “And you haven’t drank, have you?”
He questioned with the most serious sounding voice Izuku had ever heard
“No,” he reassured, “I promise you that.”
Katsuki stared into Izuku’s eyes, causing the boy to shrink back at his friend’s intimidating gaze. After an eternity of what felt like an excruciatingly torturous staring contest, Izuku watched as his friend got to his feet. Then finally after another minute of long winded silence, Katsuki stared at Izuku before sighing.
“Are you coming?” he snarked, a look of deep impatience forming on his face.
“W-what?”
“Well if you happened to pay attention, you’d see that it is eleven p.m” the blonde scolded, stopping mid-sentence to check his watch for emphasis, “it’s way too late”
This sent Izuku back onto the floor in barrels of laughter. His friend had never changed, not even from when they were little kids. He still went to bed at seven o’clock and still slept with stuffed animals (which Izuku respected massively since he had to give Eri all of his).
“Okay Kachaan, I’m sorry.” he chuckled, “Let’s go to bed.”
At those words, Katsuki grabbed Izuku’s hand and tackled him onto the bed. Although Mitsuki had offered, they’d both been stubborn about wanting to share a bed like they were still seven. It kept them close (and also Katsuki’s comforter was extremely comfy).
“Goodnight Kachaan.” he hummed, but laughed softly at the sound of snores already coming from the blonde haired boy beside him.
The moment Izuku closed his eyes, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Something about the way his Mom had sounded on the phone left a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. He loved Inko with every inch of his being, but that also meant he knew her all too well. And doing risky things when intoxicated was not out of ordinary for her.
He held Katsuki close hoping the feeling would cease. But it didn’t.
After a while of staring at the dark bedroom, Izuku drifted off into an uncomfortable sleep.