Archive of Our Own

“And that’s how we got together!” Eijiro exclaimed in enthusiasm.

“Wait, so lemme get this fucking straight, you guys just met a month ago?”

“Mhm”

“And you both just got together?”

“Mhm!”

“Are you fucking kidding me?!”

Katsuki stared at him in bewilderment.

“You don’t fucking hook up with someone you just met like one fucking month ago!”

“Coming from the king of romance himself huh? besides Shoto is really sweet! He’s pretty and his mum’s pretty chill with us too.” Eijiro said as he took a sip of his chocolate shake.

“Yeah, I don’t say this often but I agree with Mr. anger issues here, you can’t hook up with someone you just met” said Zay, as she looked him up and down with a look of concern.

“You sure you didn’t hit you head or this ‘Shoto’ person didn’t drug you?”

Eijiro laughed, "Nah, I'm fine. I know what I'm doing." He paused, taking another sip of his shake. "Besides, it's not a hookup. I think there's something real going on here you know?”

Katsuki scoffed. "Yeah, right. Love at first sight, huh? More like lust at first sight."

"Whatever, man," Eijiro shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're just jealous because you don't have anyone to cuddle with at night."

Katsuki’s fiery red eyes glared mirth at him. "Shut up, dumbass. I don't need anyone."

"Sure, you say that now," Zay teased with a mischievous look in her eyes. "But we all know you're just a big softie on the inside."

Katsuki rolled his eyes and stabbed his pasta in anger. He couldn't deny that the idea of having someone to cuddle with at night was just a little bit tempting, but that was as sappy as anyone could get, and he was not fucking sappy in any way.

As he sat there, lost in thought, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe Ei was right. Maybe it was time to loosen up a bit, pull the defenses down. But the mere thought of it terrified him. He'd been hurt before, and he as sure wasn’t going let that fucking happen again.

“Hey, what about that ‘Deku’ dude?” Zay suddenly asked.

Katsuki's fork paused mid-air. "What about him?" he asked, his voice sharper and eyes narrowed to slits.

"Well, you know, the one you're always arguing with," Zay explained. “I’ve seen some teasing between you both before.”

Katsuki scoffed. "Yeah, right. Me? Going out with him? Go fuck yourself”

"I don't know, man," Zay mused. "He seems pretty obsessed with you. Maybe you should give him a chance."

Katsuki scoffed again. Obsessed was an understatement, Izuku was far from obsessed, he was in the ‘I’m a skilled stalker’ territory as of recent events that had played out.

“Nah I don’t think Katsuki would even come close in the range of his type!” Eijiro said as he gave Katsuki a toothy smile, showing off all of his shark teeth.

Katsuki gave Eijiro a look. “Hah? What do you mean by that?! I sure as hell his type, heck I bet you people even fight over me!”

“Yeahhh, but I think Midoriya deserves someone kind and caring you know? Someone that can cook for him, take care of him when he’s sick, give him plenty of attention, and most of all give him amazing cuddles!” Eijiro snickered. “And you can only do the first one.”

Katsuki's face turned a deep shade of red. "What the hell are you talking about, dumbass? I can do all of that stuff!"

Zay tsked him. “Not with that attitude you can’t.”

 With an evil look Katsuki countered Zay. “Oh, Like your any better! Don’t think I haven’t seen you stare at your boyfriend before! You practically have fucking heart eyes when you look at him!”

Now it was Zay’s turn to become a strawberry. “Hey! At least I have the capability to like someone! Unlike your sorry ass I have my anger issues in check!”

“Oh, you wanna go now?!”

“Yeah, I’ll take you on right here!”

Katsuki and Zay were now glaring at each other with mirth, their faces flushed with anger. Eijiro (poor boy, he just wanted to share his happiness), caught in the crossfire. He knew better than to intervene in the argument, but he had to unless he wanted to ruin the booth they were sitting in and pay the consequences.

"Alright, you two, that's enough," he said, trying to calm them down. "Let's just order some more food and forget about this yeah?"

And all he got in return was a grunt.

--------------------------------------

“Sho! I’m back!” Eijiro shouted as he took his shoes off at the entrance of his apartment, placing them neatly against the other pair in the rack.

Ever since they had gone on their first date, Eijiro had suggested that Shoto should move in with him, and much to his delight he had agreed, and they had spent the next few days shifting his stuff to Eijiro’s apartment.

As Eijiro turned the corner he found Shoto sitting on the couch with a steaming cup of tea.

"Welcome back, Eijiro," he greeted, his voice soft and gentle. His eyes, usually a cool, icy blue, held a warmth that made Eijiro’s heart flutter every time.

"Hey, Sho," Eijiro grinned, "I brought takeout! Ramen to be exact, plus I see Nana has already done her shift?"

Shoto smiled. "Thank you. Oh, hmmm, told her to go early today, and she made me a cup of tea before leaving."

As they sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily. They talked about their day and their plans for the weekend, Shoto was particularly excited about his outing with Izuku.

“Oh, yeah! Me and Izuku decided we’re going on a nature walk in the nearby park.”

 Eijiro let out a playful gasp “Oh, you’re replacing me? I feel betrayed.”

Shoto lightly giggled and Eijiro felt his heart swoop. “It’s just a onetime thing besides, no one can match your descriptions.” He said as he lightly placed a kiss on his cheek.

After dinner, they curled up on the couch, a blanket wrapped around them. Shoto leaned against Eijiro's shoulder, for warmth. Eijiro, in turn, ran his fingers through Shoto's hair.

“Any luck with Midoriya?” Eijiro asked, curiously still running his hands through the multi-colored hair.

“Hmm” Shoto paused, “Well as much as I tried to convince him, he won’t even go and talk to Bakugo, let alone come in his sights. Too scared I think.”

“Oh, well we, me and Zay of course, figured out that Katsuki does have loose feelings for Midoriya, because the way he reacted when we said that he wasn’t his type at all, we’re sure we hit a nerve.”

Really?" Shoto asked, intrigued. "That's interesting. Maybe we could try something different. Perhaps a more subtle approach?"

"Like what?"

"Well, we could try setting them up on a double date," Shoto suggested. "Maybe with you and me, and them. A casual setting, no pressure. Then leave them in between, telling them that we have to go visit my mother, pretend we get a text from her in between?”

Eijiro's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! We could go to that new ramen place downtown, and in case we can’t eat anything, well get takeout instead."

"Perfect," Shoto smiled. "I'll ask Izuku tomorrow and see if he's interested."

-----------------------------------

The next morning, after Eijiro had helped Shoto cross the street, he had made his way to the library, where Izuku was waiting for him at the entrance.

“Hi Shoto! How was your day yesterday?” Izuku smiled.

“Ah, it went well thank you for asking” Shoto said as he made his way to sit on one of the plush sofas.

“Hmm, I still have concerns about Eijiro. What if he hurts you? What if he plays you? What if he cheats on you? What if he-”

“Izuku, calm down, I know he won’t do such a thing”

But what if?" Izuku persisted, his voice filled with worry. "You have to be careful, Shoto. People can be cruel."

Shoto sighed. "I know, Izuku. But I trust Eijiro. He's a good person."

Izuku hesitated. "I just want what's best for you," he said softly.

Shoto smiled gratefully. "I know, Izuku. And I appreciate your concern."

A comfortable silence fell between them, as Izuku shifted through the books setting them into their respective categories, before Shoto arose with a question.

“Hey Izuku, I have a question.”

“Hmm? What is it?” Izuku tilted his head to one side.

“Are you free this evening?”

“Yeah why?”

“I was thinking, maybe me, you Eijiro and someone else, I don’t know who yet, we all can go out this evening. It’ll give you a better chance to assess Ei more, and then decide if his good for me or not.”

Izuku paused, his fingers lingering on a book. "A double date?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice. "I don't know, Shoto. I'm not sure if that's a good idea. I mean I won’t even know the other person."

Shoto smiled gently. "It'll be fun, Izuku. And it'll give you a chance to see Eijiro in a different setting. Maybe you'll change your mind about him."

“Hmm,” Izuku mused. “But if I see one slip up, you’re breaking up with him immediately.”

Shoto chuckled. “All right, but I promise you he’ll be extra caring with me.”

And that was how Izuku had found himself a few hours later struggling to find a perfect outfit.

His room was full of clothes scattered about and his hair a mess. So, in a fit of desperation, he called his fashion expert, and currently studying designing, Ochaco.

“Hi Izuku-kun! What’s up?” Her enthusiastic voice filled his ear.

"Ochaco-chan, I need your help," Izuku groaned into the phone. "I have a double date tonight, and I have no idea what to wear!"

Ochaco laughed. "A double date, huh? That’s a first for you but anyhow, let's get you looking sharp. What's the occasion? Casual or dressy?"

"Casual, I think, I heard we were going to the ramen shop downtown." Izuku replied, unsure. "But I want to look good."

"Perfect!" Ochaco exclaimed. "I have the perfect outfit in mind. You should wear those light blue baggy type jeans with the cream sweat-shirt, you know the one with the forest illustration on them? And don't forget to style your hair! That unruly nest needs to be tamed. Oh, and don’t be afraid to apply just a hint of blush, highlighter and eyeliner to your face, not too much, but enough to make you noticeable."

Izuku sighed in relief. "Thank you, Ochaco-chan. You're a lifesaver."

“Hey! Anytime, don’t forget to send me a pic of your final look at the restaurant!”

With that she cut the call and Izuku got to work. Twenty minutes later and he was out of his apartment and making his way down to the shop where the others were waiting for him.

As Izuku arrived at the shop, he could see Eijiro and Shoto already seated at a booth in the corner. They were deep in a conversation, their laughter filling the air.

Just as he rounded the corner, he was greeted by Shoto.

"Hey, Izuku!" Shoto greeted him with a gentle smile. "Glad to see you could make it."

Izuku smiled back at him. "Thanks."

But the moment he was about to sit down his eyes met with fiery red ones and his heart dropped.

The air seemed to thicken between them, the only sound the soft clinking of silverware.

"Deku," Katsuki growled, his voice low.

Izuku swallowed hard. "Kacchan..."

“W-what are you doing here?”

“That’s none of your concern, you stalker.” Katsuki sneered at him.

Izuku felt a pang of hurt. Looking away from Katsuki, he sat down in the farthest corner of the booth, pulling out his phone as a distraction. He scrolled aimlessly on his phone, his mind racing. He couldn't understand why Katsuki had to be so rude. It was like he was trying to ruin the evening for him and everyone.

Shoto, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "So, Izuku, how's your project going?" he asked, hoping to divert the conversation.

Izuku forced a smile. "It's going well, I guess. A lot of calculating and paperwork, but it's a good learning experience. My team’s also been a real help, finding all the bugs that I’ve overlooked."

Katsuki scoffed. "Teamwork? That's all you do huh? Wouldn’t have fucking expected less from someone like you."

Izuku flinched at Katsuki's words. He wanted to lash out, to tell Katsuki how hurtful he was being, but he held his tongue.

Patience Izuku patience. He’s just trying to get under your nerves.

Instead, he simply focused on his food, trying to ignore the tension in the air.

Suddenly in between, Eijiro got up.

“Ah shit, Sho, we gotta get going.”

“Why?” Shoto said sounding confused.

“I just got a message from your mother; she’s inviting us over for dinner.” Eijiro explained, sheepishly

"Oh, okay," Shoto said, a bit disappointed. "We'll have to reschedule this, then."

"Yeah, sorry about that, Midoriya," Eijiro apologized. "Maybe next time?"

Izuku nodded, trying to hide his disappointment. "Yeah, maybe."

As they got up and left, Izuku felt disappointed. Why had he put so much effort into his appearance when, everyone had left?

It wasn’t soon that Katsuki also got up and left him alone in the booth, taking his leave, without saying good bye.

As Izuku finished up his food. He quietly left his money on the booth he was sitting in and he made his way out of the shop only to be met with pouring rain.

Great, just great, even the world was against him today, wasn’t that just peachy.

Taking a deep breath, he started making his way, to his apartment.

Ten minutes in and he was soaked.

Twenty minutes in and he was drenched from head to toe.

Fifteen more minutes in and he was shivering like crazy.

But with every step he took more and more tears fell from his glossy eyes, blending in with the raindrops that were already there.

After a while Izuku noticed something out of the corner of his eyes, something he recognized immediately.

It was Ground Zero or Katsuki’s ‘baby’ as he called it.

And on the bike? Was the ash blond himself.

But Izuku ignored him.

He wasn’t about agree to a ride from him after all the humiliation and the bullshit Katsuki had given him.

As the bike slowed down, Izuku picked up his pace, determined to out walk the bike. But the blond (stubborn as ever) honked the horn of the bike making Izuku stop in his tracks and whirl around in anger.

“What?” Izuku said his voice trembling.

Katsuki rolled his eyes and took off his helmet soaking his hair in the process.

"Get on."

Izuku hesitated for a moment.

"No, I’m fine. I can walk home. I don’t need any help."

"You're soaked, idiot," Katsuki retorted. "You'll catch a cold."

“Why do you care huh? All you did was humiliate me Infront of everyone, you think I’ll talk to you after a stunt like that?”

"Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Katsuki sighed.

Izuku scoffed.

"Yeah, right, and I'm the Tooth Fairy."

Katsuki's jaw clenched.

"Just get on the bike, Deku."

“No.”

“Okay, that’s fucking enough.”

 Katsuki got off and grabbed Izuku’s wrist, dragging him towards the bike. "Get on," he ordered, his voice low and demanding.

Izuku hesitated, his heart pounding. He knew he should resist, but something about Katsuki's gaze made him submit.

He reluctantly climbed onto the back of the bike, and waited for the other to do the same.

Before Katsuki did so, he took his helmet and pushed it on Izuku’s head, then got on.

“Wah? Hey, take your helmet, you need it!” Izuku protested.

“Oh, shut up, you need it more than me. I’m not the one who like a dumbass started walking in the rain without any coverage.”  Katsuki grumbled as he turned the engine on.

“Hey, you don’t have any coverage too!” Izuku pointed out.

“I’m wearing a leather jacket.” Katsuki countered.

As the bike roared to life, Izuku silently wrapped his arms around Katsuki’s waist. When he got no objection, he scooted closer and let his cheek rest against the cool leather jacket.

The wind whipped through his hair, and the rain stung his face, but Izuku felt refreshed. At first, he didn’t recognize where they were going but, a few blocks later and Izuku recognized the road.

They were headed to Katsuki’s apartment.

“Kacchan- this isn’t the road to my apartment, why are we headed to yours?” Izuku mumbled against his jacket.

“Because I know you won’t take care of yourself, you’ll just dry off and flop on to your prison grade bed.”

But before Izuku could reply back the bike slowed to a stop and Katsuki helped Izuku dismount.

They were at Katsuki's apartment building.

"Come on," Katsuki said, leading Izuku inside. "I’ll get you dried off."

Izuku’s heart fluttered at the simple thought of that.

No, keep your emotions in check, you don’t want to repeat what happened before, now do you?

As they entered Katsuki's apartment, Izuku was taken aback by how cozy it was.

It was way more organized from the chaotic mess he was used to with bookshelves, plants and warm lights here and there.

The thing that caught his attention the most though was the kitchen, but before he could walk towards it, Katsuki led him to the bathroom and handed him a towel.

“Here take this and take a shower, I’ll leave clothes for you outside the bathroom door.”

Izuku nodded, taking the towel. He stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash away the cold and the stress of the day. As he washed his hair, he wondered if this was what would be a casual night with Katsuki if they were ever together. Blushing furiously, for ever thing about something such as that, he brushed the thought and finished up his shower.

After his shower, Izuku dried his hair and changed into the clothes left outside the door and made his way to the living room.

There he was met with an interesting sight, Katsuki was working in the kitchen, making something with chocolate, as the creamy scent wafted through the air, filling the apartment with head to toe with it.

“Kacchan? Are you cooking?”

Katsuki suddenly let out a hiss and he turned around to face Izuku.

“Nerd. Pass me the first-aid box.” He said calmly.

And Izuku being Izuku, he launched into a full panic.

“Oh no- Did I distract you? Oh, I’m so sorry, I should’ve given you a warning before calling out, oh no what if it leaves a mark, what if you can’t cook, what if-what if-”

“Nerd.”

“O-oh right, first aid box.”

Izuku calmed down and handed Katsuki the first-aid box.

"You should be more careful," Izuku said as he grabbed Katsuki’s hand and started covering it in the bandage.

"Tch, whatever," Katsuki grumbled. "It's not like it's a big deal."

After that was done, he wandered into the kitchen to see what had caused such a big cut on Katsuki's forefinger.

He saw two cups of steaming hot hot-chocolate, all topped with marshmallows, and beside it a bar of chocolate half cut.

Grabbing the knife, Izuku started cutting the rest of the chocolate. All of a sudden, he felt a heat to his back and the smell of caramel filled his nose. Two hands much larger than his reached out from behind and placed themselves on his, like a guide.

“Dumbass- you’re doing it wrong, look this is how it goes.”

As Katsuki guided his hands, Izuku felt butterflies arise in his stomach. The warmth of his hands on his, sent a shiver down his spine.

"You know, you're not half bad at this," Katsuki commented, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“y-yeah” Izuku said breathlessly.

But as suddenly as they came, they went, leaving Izuku behind with an annoyed feeling.

Scrunching up his face, he sprinkled the chocolate and he turned around only to be met with Katsuki leaning against the island counter looking him up and down.

“What?” he said as he passed the drink to him.

“Nothing, ‘just thinking.” Katsuki shrugged.

“About what?” Izuku raised an eyebrow.

"Just thinking about... stuff," he mumbled.

Izuku knew that it wasn’t the truth and he minded it, but he didn't push it. Instead, he took a sip of his hot chocolate and smiled.

"This is really good Kacchan. Thank you."

Katsuki just grunted in return and ruffled up Izuku’s hair.

“Don’t worry about it nerd. For now, just enjoy the hot coco.”

-----------------------------------

Izuku didn’t remember when, where or how but he had fallen asleep, (God knows where) because when he woke up, he was in a bed all warm and cozy.

But there was a weight against his back, and the sudden realization hit him that he wasn’t in his bed and that someone was currently spooning him.

Izuku turned his head and the first thing he was met with was blonde spikes.

Bakugo Katsuki was spooning him.

Oh, this was not good for his health.

Definitely not good.

Izuku's heart raced as he realized the position he was in. Katsuki's arm was draped over his waist, holding him close. He could feel the steady rise and fall of Katsuki's chest against his back, his warm breath tickling the nape of his neck.

For a moment, Izuku allowed himself to enjoy the feeling. It was everything he had ever dreamed of - being held by Katsuki, feeling safe and protected in his arms. But reality quickly set in. This wasn't real. Katsuki didn't feel that way about him.

This was all just... an accident.

As the minutes ticked by, Izuku's mind whirled. How had they ended up like this? The last thing he remembered was sipping hot chocolate in the kitchen. Had he fallen asleep on the couch? Had Katsuki carried him to bed? And why was Katsuki in bed with him instead of sleeping on the couch?

Just as Izuku was working himself into a panic, Katsuki stirred behind him. The arm around his waist tightened slightly as Katsuki nuzzled into Izuku's hair, still half-asleep.

Carefully, Izuku tried to pull himself away from Katsuki's embrace without waking him. But as he shifted, Katsuki's arm tightened around him, pulling him closer.

Katsuki mumbled something incoherent.

Izuku froze, not daring to move a muscle. He held his breath, waiting to see what Katsuki would do next.

"... Deku?" Katsuki's voice was rough with sleep, sending shivers down Izuku's spine.

"K-Kacchan?" Izuku squeaked, his voice unnaturally high.

There was a moment of silence, and then Katsuki jerked away as if burned. The sudden loss of warmth made Izuku shiver.

"What the fuck?!" Katsuki exclaimed, sitting up abruptly. His hair was a mess, sticking up in all directions, and his eyes were wide with shock.

Izuku sat up, pulling the blanket up to his chin. "I-I don't know what happened," he stammered. "I just woke up, and you-you-you were spooning me!”

Katsuki paused for a minute, and then he said the very words Izuku didn’t want to hear.

“Get the fuck out.”

“W-what? B-but-”

“I said, get the fuck out.”

“Fine.”

Izuku threw the blanket away, and made his way to the living room.

There he grabbed his phone and wallet, and he left the apartment banging the door behind him carrying his broken heart in two pieces.

Izuku stormed out of Katsuki's apartment building, his heart pounding and his eyes stinging with unshed tears. The cool morning air hit his face, a stark contrast to the warmth he'd felt just moments ago in Katsuki's arms.

He walked briskly down the street, not really knowing where he was going. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions - confusion, hurt, anger, and a lingering sense of longing that he couldn't shake off.

"Stupid Kacchan," he muttered under his breath. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"

As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided with someone.

"Whoa there, Midoriya!" a familiar voice exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

Izuku looked up to see Kirishima's concerned face. The redhead was out for a morning jog.
“I’m fine.” He said briskly and pushed pass the poor red head, leaving him a confused mess.

-----------------------------------

It had been a few weeks, since Izuku had stormed out of Katsuki’s apartment, and needless to say things were not going too well for him.

That day it had rained while he was walking back to his own place, and he had caught a small cough and flu, nothing too serious, but in the next few days he had taken a shower with cold water (a dumbass move) and his flu had progressively gotten worse, but he had still overworked himself in the library hence his position now.

He walked into his apartment and flopped onto the sofa, where he passed out the moment his head touched the plush cushions.

When he woke up, he was met with a pleasant smell spread throughout his apartment.

With a pounding headache he got up and curiously went into the kitchen, where he was hit with a pang of nostalgia. Katsuki was standing there, in all his might muttering something as he was opening and closing cabinets and drawers.

But the nostalgia didn’t last long and was quickly replaced with anger.

How dare he step a single foot into his apartment after what he had done.

How dare he come and cook in his kitchen, looking so domestic when he had kicked Izuku out from his very own apartment.

How fucking dare he.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” Izuku said with a scowl, his voice raised and arms crossed against his chest.

Katsuki whirled around, startled by Izuku's sudden appearance. His eyes widened briefly before narrowing into a scowl to match Izuku's.

"What does it look like I'm doing, nerd? I'm making you some damn soup," he growled, gesturing to the pot on the stove.

Izuku's scowl deepened. "I didn't ask you to come here and make me soup. How did you even get in?"

"Tch. Your landlady let me in when I told her you were sick," Katsuki muttered, turning back to the stove. "And you clearly need someone to take care of your sorry ass. You look like shit."

 "That doesn't give you the right to just barge in here!" Izuku exclaimed, his voice rising. "You can't just kick me out of your place and then show up at mine like nothing happened!"

Katsuki ignored him, and continued to stir the soup.

Izuku walked further into the kitchen and he punched Katsuki’s shoulder (not that it did, anything to be honest)

"I don't need your help. Get out."

And that was the last straw for Katsuki. He turned around and corned Izuku next to the counter, caging him in with his arms.

“I understand, what I did was stupid thing, but that doesn’t mean you will ruin your health because of my stupid stunt.”

And in a fit of stupidity, Izuku grabbed Katsuki by his collar and smashed their lips together. It only took Katsuki a few seconds to process everything before he had Izuku by the waist and up on the counter where Izuku wrapped his legs around Katsuki’s waist.

Once in a more comfortable position, Katsuki bit Izuku’s lip for entrance, to which Izuku gently pushed him back.

As he panted for air, Katsuki looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Why the hell did you pull away?”

“I-I’m sick, y-you’ll fall sick with me.”

Katsuki chuckled in response.

“Dumbass, You kissed me of course I’m going to fall sick.”

Izuku looked at him, surprised.

“Y-you don’t mind?”

“Nah, besides I’ve thought about this way more than you can imagine.”

To which Izuku blushed furiously.

Katsuki leaned in once more, and instead of soft lips he was met with a hand over his mouth.

“Y-you’ll get plenty of k-kisses once I’m well.” Izuku said bashfully.

Katsuki smirked.

“Oh, so this isn’t a one-time thing huh?”

“I-I mean if you don’t want it to be, and if you don’t, I’m perfectly content with that, I really don’t mind, and now that I think about it, I did a pretty stupid thing, and now I wanna travel across the world and dissipate into thin air because this was stupid-”

“Calm down dumbass, I’m fine, glad actually, but for me, you’ll have to get better, and right now I can feel your fever starting to get worse, so lemme finish up the soup for you and then you can cuddle me on the couch. With a mask of course.”

Izuku blushed and nodded, suddenly feeling shy. "O-okay," he mumbled.

Katsuki helped Izuku down from the counter and guided him to the living room couch. "Stay here and rest, nerd. I'll bring you the soup when it's ready."

Izuku settled onto the couch, wrapping himself in a blanket. His head was spinning, partly from the fever but mostly from what had just transpired in the kitchen. Had he really just kissed Katsuki? And Katsuki had kissed him back? It felt like a fever dream.

He watched Katsuki move around his kitchen with ease, as if he belonged there. The domesticity of it all made Izuku's heart flutter.

A few minutes later, Katsuki returned with a steaming bowl of soup. He sat next to Izuku on the couch, carefully handing him the bowl.

"Eat up," he ordered gruffly, but there was a softness in his eyes that Izuku had rarely ever seen before.

Izuku took a spoonful of the soup and moaned in pleasure, not noticing Katsuki turn red next to him.

“Mnmmm, Kacchan this is amazing- It tastes so good.”

“ ’course it does, I’m the one that made it.” He said gruffly.

And Izuku just smiled in return, and he finished up his soup. One he was done Katsuki took his bowl into the kitchen, and when he came back, he saw Izuku with his arms stretched out and a pout on his face.

“Impatient much?” Katsuki said as he made his way around to grab a mask from the little cabinet.

“You have no idea, ever since the cuddle that day it hasn’t left my mind.”

Katsuki's lips quirked up in a small smile as he put on the mask and settled onto the couch next to Izuku. He opened his arms, arranging them so that Izuku's head rested on his chest. Izuku snuggled closer, relishing in Katsuki's warmth.

"You're such a needy nerd," Katsuki grumbled, but his arms tightened around Izuku.

Izuku hummed contentedly, relishing the warmth and comfort of Katsuki's embrace. "Maybe," he murmured, "but you like it."

Katsuki scoffed, but didn't deny it. Instead, he began running his fingers through Izuku's curls, gently massaging his scalp, Izuku practically melting at the touch.

"Tch. Don't push your luck, nerd."

 They fell into a comfortable silence, the only sound in the room their steady breathing. Izuku felt his eyelids growing heavy, lulled by the rhythmic beating of Katsuki's heart.

“Hey Kacchan?” Izuku started.

“Hmm?”

“I love you Kacchan.” was the last thing Izuku muttered as he passed out from the sheer warmth of Katsuki’s embrace, snuggling his head further into Katsuki's chest.

“I love you too, dumbass.” Katsuki muttered back.