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Katsuki’s not stupid. He knows bullying Izuku is wrong, but he can’t do anything else. Ever since the boy was diagnosed as quirkless none of the adults in the school would listen to either of the boys when they told them about the bullying. 

Katsuki realized that all of the other kids listened to him: though, only when he was ‘on their side’. If he was defending Izuku to them, they would hurt him when Katsuki wasn’t there to help him. So, with the exception of their family dinners, Katsuki started bullying Izuku.

It was weird– their family dinners, that is– after Katsuki started bullying Izuku. At first, Izuku tried to avoid Katsuki: offering himself up to clean, running out claiming he had to get something, or just hiding in his room. Once, when Mitsuki forced Katsuki into Izuku’s room on one of those ‘hiding in his room’ days, they finally talked.

Izuku sat silently, messing with his hands while Katsuki awkwardly shuffled by the door. 

Izuku jumped when Katsuki started talking, “Listen, Izu-”

Katsuki was cut off by a startled noise from the latter, immediately moving closer to him. He went to touch Izuku before rethinking and taking a step back. Izuku took a deep breath before asking, “Why- Kacchan- what?”

Katsuki tilted his head, a silent question the two of them knew well– it had been something he picked up from Izuku years ago, same with Izuku picking up Katsuki’s habit of wringing his wrists when he was nervous.

Izuku looked at the blonde with watery eyes, “Yo-You called me, me Izu? W-Why? Why w-would you, you call me that h-here but not, not at school? W-What happened, Kacchan?”

Katsuki looked down at his feet guiltily, feeling bad about never telling his friend ? about his realization and plan. Katsuki knocked his slippers together as he explained his earlier realization to Izuku.

Izuku nodded along, agreeing that it was a way, but he didn’t like it. He told Katsuki that he would rather be bullied by others and keep him, at the least. Katsuki didn’t like the idea, but he agreed anyway. He had to make up for the bullying Izuku somehow.

Izuku motioned for Katsuki to sit on the bed next to him, so they sat and talked like that until Mitsuki called out that it was time to leave. Katsuki gave Izuku a hug, promising to be better the next day, and bid farewell to the boy.

Katsuki held his promise: the next day, he acted normally with Izuku, not pushing him around or anything, just playing like they did before he was diagnosed as quirkless.  Granted, he had to ward off a few of the extras, but it was worth it. He got to see Izuku smile– a real, genuine smile– after not seeing it for a few weeks.

As they got older, it got harder. Sometimes, Katsuki wanted to go back to being the ‘class leader’ just so everyone else would leave Izuku alone, but that would mean Katsuki would have to leave him, too. He couldn’t do that to Izuku. He loved him cared about him too much. 

He had noticed that Izuku was hurting, but he kept it from their parents per Izuku’s request; a decision he truly regretted now. He kept the depression he knew his crush   friend had a secret; Izuku didn’t want to burden his mother even more.  He kept the cat scratches he saw a secret, the fact that he always checked Izuku’s dresser and asked if it happened again a secret– Izuku could never lie to him–, he kept the love he felt for the troubled boy a secret; why had he ever kept it all a secret?

He should have told someone, anyone. He could lose Izuku. He could lose his Izuku. If they lost him, it would be his fault. He’s the one who kept everything a fucking secret- why would he keep it all a fucking secret ? He’s so fucking stupid. Now, Izuku could die. Izuku could die by his own hands, as many quirkless kids before him have. And it would all be Katsuki’s fault.

He could die without making it through middle school. He could die without meeting All Might, without getting his autograph. He could die without becoming a hero- the first quirkless one in Japan. He could die without becoming Katsuki’s hero partner and designing their not-matching-matching costumes. 

He could die without seeing if they made it into Yuuei, without meeting Nedzu, Eraserhead, Present Mic, Ectoplasm, Midnight, Power Loader, Vlad King, Cementoss, Lunch Rush, and Recovery Girl. He could die before learning at Yuuei, without eating in the cafeteria, without competing in the Sports Festival, without going through their training programs.

He could die without knowing that Mitsuki and Masaru loved him as their own, without knowing that Inko didn’t regret having him. He could die without knowing that Inko still loved and supported him. He could die without knowing that Katsuki supported him. 

Izuku could die and Katsuki would never see him smile again. Katsuki wouldn’t hear his laugh when Katsuki told a stupid joke. He wouldn’t hear the muttering and analysis that he was so fond of. He wouldn’t hear the other teen gush over his cooking anymore. He wouldn’t hear Izuku call him ‘Kacchan’ ever again. He wouldn’t hear Izuku (hopefully) say ‘I love you’ to him. 

He would never be able to make Izuku cry from laughing again. He would never see those eyes sparkle again. He would never hear the cute noises he made when enamored with something. He would never see Izuku blush again. He would never hear Izuku praise him again. He would never hear Izuku claim to be the best hero again. He would never, never , be able to look at Izuku and be able to think– and hopefully say– ‘I love him, so much.’

He could die without knowing that Katsuki loved him.

And it would all be Katsuki’s fault.

Why would he keep all of this shit a secret?

Katsuki sat in the chair numbly. He wanted to hold Izuku’s hand, but didn’t know if it would be okay. He always asked before touching Izuku. He wishes he could ask now. He knew he should go home soon, he was rushed here halfway through the first period when Inko called him mom, but he didn’t want to leave Izuku sooner than he had to. He had already left the boy once, never again.

He knew he should have at least changed, but he couldn’t be bothered to change out of his gakuran when he heard what happened. He urged his mom to get there as soon as possible, wanting to be there when Izuku wakes up. Only to find out that the doctors don’t know if he’ll wake up. Katsuki almost collapsed in the hallway hearing Inko tell him mom that.

He did break, eventually. When they were finally allowed to see Izuku, he let himself break. He took one look at his friend, the boy he cared deeply for– the boy he loved – and promptly turned to break down in his dad’s arms. He looked so small. Izuku had just gotten over being small, growing muscle and gaining weight as he trained with Katsuki, but he was so small.

Katsuki hugged his dad until there were no tears left, then turned to examine Izuku. He was so small, like Katsuki felt curled under his dad’s arm for the first time since he was five. He was in one of those ugly ass gowns, with his eyes closed and a tube in his throat, forcing him to breathe. He had an IV attached to his inner elbow, showing off the marks that Katsuki should have told someone about months ago .

Katsuki turned away again, burying his face in his dad’s shirt, to compose himself. After a few minutes, he drew himself away from his parents and to the opposite side of the uncomfortable couch, the side right next to Izuku’s bed. He curled into a ball in the corner of the couch, keeping his eyes on Izuku’s chest, watching it go up and down.

He doesn’t know how long he sat like that for, just knowing that food was placed on the tray in front of him— the tray Izuku should be eating from– from time to time. He watched as Inko grabbed one of Izuku’s hands, the one opposite of him, and motioned for him to grab Izuku’s other like he obviously wanted to.

He uncurled himself from his ball on the couch, only to move a chair directly in front of Inko. He curled up into a ball on the chair, one of his hands gently grabbing Izuku’s empty one. He felt his eyes start to water as he felt how cold it was, Izuku always ran cold. He would beg Katsuki to hold hands or to share his pockets to keep his hands warm.

He kept the tears in, gently squeezing Izuku’s hand instead. He watched Izuku’s chest from up close, counting the rises and falls. He nodded numbly when his parents told him they would be back, not listening to why they were leaving in the first place.

He only started listening when Inko started speaking to him, “Katsuki?”

He blinked and glanced at her, humming so she knew he listened, “He adores you, you know?”

He blinked again, lifting his head up and tilting it while looking at Inko. She took a deep breath, eyes filling up with tears again, “He- He left a note.”

Katsuki froze, a note? He didn’t want a stupid note. He wanted Izuku’s voice. 

She pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and reached over Izuku to place it next to Katsuki’s hand, “This one was for you. He left one for me and one for you. I didn’t read it, I wouldn’t do that to him. Uhm, please, read it. He would be so sad if he learned you didn’t. He always talks about you, you know? Even now that you guys are closer than ever.”

Katsuki could feel tears sliding down his face. He slipped the note into his pocket. He’d read it later. Izuku still talked about him that much? Even though they’re best friends?

Katsuki shook his head, refusing to believe what Inko was telling him. She was having none of it, simply talking in a soft tone, “He found one of your notebooks one day. He glimpsed through it, he never told me specifically what was in it, but he loved it. He said something about music once, and a hope to hear it one day.”

Katsuki froze, tears coming faster. Izuku had seen his songs? Had said that he wished to hear them? Izuku had told Katsuki that he would support everything he chose to do, but supporting something he hadn’t really told Izuku about? 

He looked at Inko, attempting to wipe the tears off his face, “T-Thank you, A-Auntie. I-I love you so much, y-you know that?”

Inko smiled at him, reaching a hand to cup his face and wiping some tears away, “I know, Baby,” she whispered. “I love you, too. So does Izuku.”

Katsuki shook his head, “I-I love h-him, Auntie. I-I’m so s-sorry. I-I should have, should have told you. I-I’m so sorry, Auntie. If, If I did-didn’t keep it a secret, h-he might be ok right now.”

Inko shook her head at him, “It’s ok, Katsuki. You didn’t know this would happen. Things could have been worse if you did tell someone. He could have stopped trusting you, or he could have tried a worse way.” A way with no chance to survive. The silent words hung in the room.

“A-Auntie?” Katsuki asked.

Inko withdrew her hand, smiling at the boy, “Yes, Baby?”

Katsuki took a deep breath, curling in a ball and resting his head on his knee, “Do you think Izuku loves me? The way Dad loves Mom?” He knew it was a dumb question. He knew he revealed his crush to Inko, but he couldn’t care. He might not get the confirmation from Izuku, so he wanted it from someone else.

Inko's smile got sadder, “I think he does. He looks at you the same way. You’ll just have to wait for him to wake up to ask him yourself.”

Katsuki nodded, cheek sitting against his knee. He sat like that for hours, ignoring everything around him. He took in every detail of Izuku while he sat there. He took in his freckles and the way they traveled down his neck and shoulders. He took in the marks that look so wrong on Izuku’s arms. He took in the bracelet Izuku had on, one that Katsuki had gotten him for his birthday that year.

He watched Izuku until visiting hours were over and his family was kicked (kindly asked to leave) out. He was silent the whole ride home, but clingy when they got home. He repeated his apologies to his parents, hugging them tightly and crying in their arms for what felt like hours.

It was around ten o’clock when he decided to get up. He uncurled himself from his mom’s side, his dad on her other side with one hand in hers and one in Katsuki’s hair.

“I’m gonna go to bed,” he whispered to his parents. 

Mitsuki got off the couch and kissed his forehead, “Ok, Katsuki. Shut off your alarm, you aren’t going to school tomorrow.”

He nodded to his mom and gave his dad another tight hug before running to his room. He closed his door and jumped on his bed, pulling out his music notebook and some pens. He opened to a new page and started on a new song, one that came easy to him, one that helped get rid of his emotional turmoil.

He was up all night working on his new song. He finished the lyrics first, working on the instrumentals after. By the time he checked the clock it was the time he would usually get ready for school. He grabbed his back pack and put his phone charger and an extra notebook with his pencil case in it before going downstairs. 

His parents seemed to be surprised that he was awake super early, especially without his alarm going off, but ignored it in favor of making breakfast. Since it was Friday, his parents explained, visiting hours would be longer so they were going to spend the day with Inko as long as Katsuki was ok with it.

Katsuki nodded and put his bag in the car, pulling out his music book so he could work on his newest song. He took the seat next to Izuku, grabbing his hand again. It was hard to work with his one hand taken up, but he made it work. He ended up finishing his first song completely and starting on the lyrics for two others.

He was going to start on the instrumentals for the other ones when he was tapped. He pulled himself back to reality to notice that Inko had placed a bento in front of him. He looked back and forth between her and the bento before nodding in thanks, working to get the cloth undone with one hand.

Only after he ate did his exhaustion hit him, he hadn’t slept and had run on adrenaline for a while the day before.  His parents assured him that it was okay to fall asleep, so he fell asleep with his arms crossed under his head, hand still holding Izuku’s.

He woke up to Inko and his parents talking to the doctors outside of the room. He was a little nervous as to why they were outside instead of in the room, but paid it no mind. He pulled his extra notebook out and started on drawings for his songs. He may not be making an album, but the singles still needed covers– even though he would never likely release them.

He was almost halfway done with a sketch when the adults got back in the room. They didn’t spare him a glance as they sat down on the other side of Izuku. They sat in the quiet room, the only sound being Katsuki’s pencil scratching at the paper.

Eventually Masaru broke the silence, “Katsuki?”

Katsuki didn’t pause his drawing, but he hummed to let his dad know he was listening.

Masaru took a deep breath, “I want you to remember that Izuku still has a high chance of being healthy after this.”

Katsuki looked at Masaru, wondering why he was bringing this up, “I know that. Why are you bringing this up right now?”

Masaru looked at him sadly, “They said they don’t know when he’ll wake up. His doctor said that he seems well, but they have to put him in a medically-induced coma for a few weeks before he can wake up. They’re positive he’ll wake up, they just don’t know when.”

Katsuki sat and processed the information, watching the hand holding Izuku’s. He didn’t realize he was crying until his dad crouched in front of him to wipe the tears off his face.

“I know this will be hard,” Masaru whispered, “But we’ll be here together, the four of us, when he wakes up. We’ll make sure he’s okay. You can come after school and over weekends, as long as you don’t ruin everything you’ve worked so hard for, okay?”

Katsuki nodded numbly, squeezing Izuku’s hand. Please, wake up, Izu. I have so much to tell you, he thought.

So far, it’s been ten months of Izuku being in his coma. Katsuki has visited everyday, telling stories about everything that happened. He told Izuku about the day that All Might saved some kid that they knew from some villain a few days after his attempt. He told Izuku about how he started to clean the beach, but left part of it to do with Izuku’s help so he can gain his muscle again.

He told Izuku about Yuuei’s entrance exam. He told him about how he got scolded by a boy for stimming and about Present Mic defending him against the boy. He told Izuku about the robots and saving random kids from getting crushed or hit.

He never told Izuku about the music though. He had written seven songs so far– all of them in the process of being recorded. He told him about his parents trying to get him to model for their company, but how they gave up and rented him a music studio so he can record all of the songs he’s had so far. 

He told Izuku about all of the silly songs he had written while they were in their first two years of junior high, and about how he won’t record those ones, but will still keep the lyric pages.  He told Izuku about how Inko shut their school down and how this year would be the school’s last year open.

He stayed until visiting hours were over, doing homework, talking, sometimes just holding Izuku’s hand and napping. He stayed with Inko, with his parents, and by himself. He made sure that someone would be there whenever Izuku woke up. 

He even had his mom bring his Yuuei acceptance (maybe not) letter to the hospital so he could open it with Izuku. He hugs Izuku when he sees he made it in, and cries when he realizes that Izuku won’t be with him like they always planned.

He waits and waits for Izuku to wake up, hoping everyday that he would hear the nickname he hadn’t heard in almost a year. He still texts Izuku’s phone all the time, stupid things he would always text his friend when he got bored in class.

The Hobo yells at him all the time for it, but he doesn’t care. If he isn’t going to be there when Izuku wakes up, Izuku’s going to wake up to his texts. He texts Izuku on the way to the USJ, sending a picture of the building. He texts Izuku– even though the message doesn’t go through until later in the day– how much he loves and misses him when he sees the villains come through. He sends a preemptive apology for if he might not be there for Izuku when he wakes up.

He texts Izuku when they make it out safe, and sleeps in the boy’s hospital bed that night. He begs and begs Izuku to wake up that night, not wanting to give up hero school, but needing to be there if when Izuku wakes up.

He starts spending weekends at the hospital, enough that the nurses bring him food when they bring some to the people in the neighboring room. He cries to Izuku more often, asking him to be okay and just wake up.

He tells Izuku about the Sports Festival, about how his teacher made them think they were going to get attacked again. He tells him about how he needs to do the opening speech and doesn’t know what to say.

He admits his fears about being further behind his peers to Izuku, admits to feeling at fault for how their teacher got hurt and has to commentate in casts and bandages. He admits to being scared that Izuku won’t be okay, that he won't wake up.

He spends the night the day before the Sports Festival, trying to calm himself down. Before he leaves Izuku that morning he takes the boy’s face in his hands and presses their foreheads together.

“Please be okay. I love you so much, Izuku. I can’t wait for you to watch the Festival and tell me everything about my classmates, even if I know it all. Have a good day,” he lifts his head up and kisses Izuku’s forehead.

He backs up, only holding his hand, “I love you so, so much. I’ll be back after the festival, okay, Izuku? Stay safe for me.” He kisses his hands before leaving, a drawing Izuku made of the two of them in his pocket.

He goes through the Festival like a pro, destroying everything while keeping the people safe. He wasn’t expecting to get first place, but he took the medal with pride, wanting Izuku to see him on the screen when he watches the reruns.

He isn’t expecting to see anyone when he leaves the stadium, especially not his family. He isn’t expecting to hear anyone either, especially not his favorite nickname.

He was walking out of 1-A’s field room with his classmates surrounding him, bothering him about getting first place and beating Todoroki. He was about to yell at them all to shut up when he saw them by the gates.

The first thing he noticed was the heads of blonde, green, and brown hair standing up. He then noticed they were all facing down. He followed their sight and saw another head of green hair.

His heart dropped. There's no way that’s Izuku, right? He thought, My mind has to be playing tricks on me. But then he heard that blessed name. The name he’s been waiting months to hear.

He was making his way over slowly, trying not to get his hopes up, when he heard it, “ Kacchan !”

He ran the rest of the way over, falling to his knees the second he got close enough. He hugged Izuku, pushing his face into his chest. He could feel Izuku’s arms barely holding on to him, as well as his classmates watching him, and the tears rolling down his cheeks, but he didnt care. 

His Izuku was here, he was okay . Katsuki didn't know what to do, he just hugged Izuku tightly and silently cried into his hair. He could hear his classmates whispering behind his back but ignored them, pulling away from Izuku.

“Izu? What the fuck? How the fuck did you get out? Oh my fucking god, when did you wake up? I was so worried. I hate you so much. Don’t you ever do that again you shitty ass nerd. I was so scared. Why would you do that? Why didn’t you tell me anything? Why didn’t you go to Auntie for help? How did you find out about my songs? Did you know I wrote some for you? Nevermind, no I didn’t, you’re hallucinating. I’m hallucinating, that’s why my class is staring at me, isn’t it?”

Katsuki’s rambling was cut off by the laugh he hadn’t heard in so long, one that he’d been longing to hear. He cradled Izuku’s face in his hands and stared into the green eyes. 

One of Izuku’s hands came up and covered his own, while his other wrapped around Katsuki’s and pulled him so their foreheads were touching, “You’re not hallucinating, Kacchan. I’m here. We’ve got to head back soon and they still want to admit me, but they let me come and watch the end. We got to sit in the announcers booth, as long as we stayed quiet. Nedzu was really nice, actually!”

Katsuki felt all of the tension drain from his body. He hugged Izuku, pushing the green head of hair into his chest. He placed a bunch of kisses on top of the hair, muttering about how lucky he was. 

He backed up after a second, wiping the unshed tears from his eyes, “As much as I hate that place, we should go back. We need to have some time together, don’t ya’ think?”

Izuku nodded, pulling Katsuki back down. He kissed the blonde’s cheek before motioning to his mom. She let go of the handles of his wheelchair and motioned for the other teenager to take over. Mitsuki took his bag from him and let him push Izuku back to the hospital.

The walk was pleasant, despite the tension between the teens. There was lots of laughter and joy, as well as catching Izuku up on the things he missed. The nurses smiled softly at the family when they walked back in, heading to Izuku’s room.

Once Izuku was situated in his bed Mitsuki, Masaru, and Inko left the teens alone. Katsuki was going to protest, despite being the one to say they needed alone time before their walk, when his mom interrupted him.

Mitsuki raised her hand, “Katsuki, don’t. You boys have a lot to talk about. Plus, we got to catch up with Izuku while we watched the Festival. Also, I’m so proud of you, Baby, congrats on first place!”

Before Katsuki or the other adults could say anything else, Mitsuki pushed them out the door and closed it behind them. The boys sat in silence for a bit before Izuku broke it,

He was fiddling with his hands, refusing to look at Katsuki when he muttered, “I didn’t want to be a burden.”

Katsuki’s head snapped up and he looked at the love of his life his best friend, “What?”

Izuku pressed his hands between his legs, hoping to stop the shaking, “I, just. Uhm, I,” he took a deep breath, “It was a lot. Everything. I felt like a burden. To you, to Mom, to the school, to Auntie and Uncle. I could see it in your eyes how it hurt you to keep my secrets. I thought.” 

He was crying now, unashamedly letting the tears fall onto the sheets below him, “I thought that, that if I d-died, that you guys would be, would be okay. You wouldn’t have to w-worry about some, some stupid, useless, quirkless kid like me. I thought you would be happy abou-about not having to keep my secret anymore.

“I thought that Mom would, would be able to find a good job that doesn’t, doesn’t cut her pay because I’m quirkless. I thought Auntie and Uncle would be happy to not have to hear Mom talk about, about all the rude people who say stuff to her because of me. I thought teachers would be happy about not making it seem like I’m cheating. I thought it would be easier than trying to find a hero school that would accept a quirkless student.”

Izuku didn’t look up, the fear of whatever emotion he would see in Katsuki’s eyes was the only thing stopping him from lunging into the other’s arms for another hug. He saw hands enter his space and shuffled forward, hoping to actually feel Katsuki’s touch instead of the faint whispers he’d felt in his coma.

Katsuki slowly reached a hand up, showing Izuku that he could back up if he didn’t want to be touched. He didn’t move, Katsuki’s hand resting on his cheek. He felt his face get pulled up by the hand cupping his face and let it, keeping his eyes screwed shut the entire time.

Katsuki’s other hand comes up to cup the other side of his face, “Izuku, Baby, open your eyes.”

Izuku resolutely shook his head, thinking Katsuki held negative emotions in his eyes. Izuku’s learned that over the years, Katsuki has been able to force his actions to be soft, but not the emotions his ruby eyes hold.

The grip on his face tightened, “Izuku, Honey, Sweetheart, don’t cry. It’s okay. I’m not upset with you, Baby. I’m upset with myself for not noticing. None of this is your fault, Hun. You did nothing wrong, you’re not a burden and will never be one.

“I’m so sorry we ever made you feel like that, Izu. You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me. No words can describe how happy I am that you’re okay. Plus, I’ll be here for you, forever. I’ll stay by your side while you’re admitted and after you get out. I’ll help you get stronger again so you can still be a hero.

“I’ll be by your side no matter what, I was the whole time you were in your coma, and I don’t plan on changing that,” he brushed Izuku’s tears away with one hand, the other pushing the overgrown green hair back, “I love you Izuku, I always have and always will. I’m going to be by your side and nothing will stop me or push me back. Nothing.”

Izuku’s eyes snapped open at the admission, the amount of emotion, love , in Katsuki’s voice couldn’t be faked. He’s so happy he opened his eyes, the pure amount of love and adoration and relief swirling together in those red eyes melting him instantly.

His eyes met Katsuki’s, hands leaving his legs and going to grasp the blonde’s wrists, “You, you mean it, Kacchan?”

Katsuki nodded, a small smile gracing his face, “Every last word, ‘Zu. You can’t get rid of me. You’re stuck with me, not just because I feel like it. I love you. I love you so much. I thought I’d never get to tell you, so now you have to know. I love your smile and how it lights up a room, no matter how small. I love your laugh and how it sounds so happy all the time.

“I love your eyes and the brilliant green they shine when you’re analyzing. I love your hair and the curls that you’ve never properly taken care of. I love your freckles and how they look like millions of constellations on your face. I love how you wear your heart on your sleeve.

“I love how you take care of everyone. I love your determination. I love your admiration for others. I love how caring you are. I love how you always check in. I love how observant you are. I love the way you make me feel. I love the butterflies you send through my stomach when I cause that smile or laugh. I love you, Izuku. All of you. I’ll shout it from the rooftops if I have to.”

Izuku giggled, happy tears rolling down his cheeks, “I love you too, Kacchan.”

Katsuki froze, confusing Izuku. He looked at Katsuki, seeing tears in his eyes. He started freaking out, pushing Katsuki’s hands off his face and cupping the blonde’s face in his own.

The tears started rolling down his cheeks as he talked, “I, honestly, I. I never thought I-I’d hear you say that, ‘Zu.” He sniffled, “Please don’t be saying it just because I said it first.”

Izuku forced Katsuki to face him, bringing their faces closer, “I would never do that. I thought you read your letter?”

Katsuki nodded, leaning his head forward and against Izuku’s chest, “I did. Hearing you say it is different. For a while– with how the doctor’s were talking about you and whatnot– I thought I wouldn’t be able to tell you, much less hear you say it back.”

Izuku wrapped one arm around Katsuki’s shoulders, the other going around his neck and playing with his hair, “Well, Bakugou Katsuki, I, Midoriya Izuku, love you very much.”

Katsuki snorted, arms wrapping around Izuku’s very thin midsection, “And I, Bakugou Katuski, love you, Midoriya Izuku, very much as well.”

Izuku snorted this time, the two dissolving into a fit of giggles soon after. That’s how their parents found them, hugging and whispering and giggling as if they were five years old and sneaking candy again. It made the three adults smile, feeling the light heartedness in the room.

The five sat and ate their lunch. Katsuki sitting on Izuku’s bed next to him, Izuku practically in his lap to avoid being squished. During a lull in one of the conversations, Inko perked up.

She looked between the boys with a fond smile before putting her attention on her son. “Izuku,” he looked up at her, “Did you know that Katsuki wrote you some songs? I mentioned to him about how you knew he wrote them and mentioned wanting to hear them. Next thing we know, he’s curled up by your bed writing lyrics and designing covers for them.”

Izuku looked over at Katsuki with wide eyes while Katsuki, turned red, casted a fake glare at his pseudo-aunt. Katsuki avoided making eye contact with anyone by looking down at his hands.

“Did you actually, Kacchan?”

Katsuki grumbled his answer, “Yea. I was upset and missed you, even recorded ‘em.”

Izuku lit up, getting more into Katsuki’s space, “Really? Can I listen to them? Please? Pretty, pretty, please?” 

Katsuki turned his head away from Izuku, “I’ll show them to you later, you damn nerd. Finish eating before I eat it for you.”

Izuku beamed at Katsuki again before going back to his lunch, catching up with his family.

After lunch a nurse came by, letting the family know that, now that Izuku was awake, one person was allowed to spend the night. When he was in his coma it wasn’t a concern, but now they felt it was important to keep him comfortable, especially since he was still– technically– on suicide watch.

The adults went into the hall to talk more to the nurse, diving deeper into the topic and what will happen to Izuku when he’s physically better. While the adults did that, Izuku beckoned Katsuki closer to his bed.

Katsuki sat on the chair next to it, not climbing on the bed. Izuku laced their fingers together, his thumb brushing across the back of Katsuki’s hand, “It’s gonna be okay, you know that, right?”

Katsuki laughed weakly, “I should be the one telling you that, Nerd.”

Izuku shook his head, brushing Katsuki’s hair back and kissing his forehead, “I know, but you also need to hear it. I heard every word you said. I know you were scared.”

Katsuki, turning pink, scoffed, “I wasn’t scared. I knew you would make it.”

Izuku grinned, “Sure, just how you’re totally not blushing right now.”

Katsuki turned more pink, taking his hand back and crossing his arms over his chest, “Fine. If you’re just gonna be mean, then I’ll keep my songs to myself.”

Izuku gasped, draping a hand over his heart, “Oh, dear Kacchan. How could you do this to me? After spending hours working on them with me, you’re just going to leave me hanging? What ever shall I do?”

The boys devolved into giggles soon after, childish humor rising back up after the traumatic events. Their parents came in to let them know that they would be allowing Katsuki to stay night over the weekends, as he didn’t have school, providing they got good night and good morning calls.

The goodbyes that night were a bit tense, the adults not wanting to leave but wanting to give the boys time together all the same. Once the nurse came by for one of his many nightly check-ups Izuku brought the topic up again.

He was lying in his bed, facing the ceiling. He had Katsuki’s hand clasped in his, the boy sitting in the uncomfortable chair he pulled up, “Kacchan?”

Katsuki looked up from where his eyes had been focused on Izuku’s hand, “What’s up, Hun?”

Izuku blushed slightly from the name, messing with Katsuki’s fingers, “D-Did you mean it? N-Not showing me the songs?”

Katsuki stood up, one hand holding Izuku's, the other turning his chin so he faced the blonde, “Oh, Baby, no. I was kidding. Of course I’ll show you the songs. You want the lyric pages while we listen to them?”

Izuku shook his head, “This, uhm, might sound stupid.” Ignoring the murmur along the lines of ‘nothing you say is stupid’ Izuku continued, “But, uhm. I’d rather know your thought process. Y’know? Like, what the, like, specific meaning behind it is.”

Katsuki nodded, “That’s not stupid, Izu. It makes sense. Let me pull the songs up, I’ll tell you the name and reason before I play it, okay? But, just, don’t mind the changes in genres. These were written over the whole ten months you were out.”

Izuku nodded, feeling happy when Katsuki pulled his phone out and found his playlist without letting go of Izuku’s hand.

Katsuki rubbed Izuku’s hand with his thumb, “This one is called A Match Into Water . It’s about your battle to stay here.”

Izuku looked about to cry, “Kacchan, you wrote that for me?”

Katsuki huffed, rolling his eyes good naturedly, “Yes. Don’t you go crying on me, I’ve still got six more songs.”

Izuku sniffled, “Okay. I’m ready for the next one.”

Katsuki nodded, “This one’s called Cigarette Daydreams , it’s about feeling lost but isolating yourself anyway.”

Izuku and Katsuki went through the songs one by one, taking a break occasionally so Izuku didn't start sobbing and set off his monitors.

“ Lose Control , about being in love and how it can feel like an addiction.”

“ Beautiful Things , about the fear of losing someone you love.”

“ How to Save a Life , about my guilt and how I could’ve helped if I just said something to someone.”

“ Black Friday , this one’s meaning is more sad. It’s comparing myself to you, and how you wouldn’t let something like that go on if our places were switched.”

“This is the last one, called Blue Hair . It’s written more from your point of view, or what I assume it is, about trying to fit it and still being considered an outcast.”


Izuku finished listening to the songs, now basically on top of Katsuki while he gave his thanks. He hugged and cried into the blonde’s neck, arms around his chest and one leg thrown over the older’s. They sat in silence with Izuku calming himself down for about twenty minutes. Izuku was the one to break the silence, “Kacchan?”

Katsuki looked down at the beauty of green hair on his chest, kissing the curls, “Yes, Baby?"

Izuku blushed and started twisting his fingers in Katsuki’s shirt, “You know, uhm. You know I still have to get admitted to a yard right? For, for at least one month they said.”

Katsuki nodded, arms squeezing Izuku tighter, “I know,” he whispered. “But, I’ll still be here everyday that they allow me to be and I’ll still sit and talk with you. I’ll still be waiting for you, though. Even if you get kicked to a grade or two under, you’re going to be a hero. I’ll make sure of it.

“Once you’re outta this place, we’ll start training and get you on a meal plan. You may not go to Yueei, but you’ll become an amazing hero anyway. The world’s first ever quirkless hero, and husband to the number one hero.”

Izuku blushed even brighter, “Hus-husband?”

Katsuki started blushing at that, bringing one hand up to Izuku’s hair to tilt him so they were facing each other, “Yea. I’m going to make you my husband. I almost lost you once, without you knowing about my love. I know I might lose you again– heroics is dangerous– but I’d rather be the happiest I’ve ever been. 

“And that’s with you by my side, My Love.”