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Eijiro loves Katsuki.
He really, truly does. So much so that it hurts. His chest aches with want anytime he’s near the explosive blonde, and maybe a lot of people have a hard time seeing the appeal, but how could Eijiro not be in love?
Katsuki doesn’t do things out of the kindness of his heart for just anyone. He doesn’t cook for anyone, or make sure their favorite pre workout is stocked at all times. No, not unless you’re Eijiro.
Eijiro isn’t sure when it became normal for Katsuki to start outwardly making him breakfast and dinner instead of pretending he made too much, or when he began combining their grocery lists and always kept a box of red hair dye in his bathroom for when Eijiro forgot to buy more. They start hanging out more outside of study sessions, often just coexisting in the same space. Katsuki often lies face down on the bed reading a manga, and Eijiro on the opposite end of the bed playing a game on his switch.
Somewhere along the way, they become each other’s comfort person. It wasn’t a secret that Katsuki struggled with nightmares after Kamino, the explosions could be heard throughout the dorms, after all. They had a system—if Katsuki woke up from a nightmare before Eijiro could make it to his dorm, he’d tap on their shared wall three times. Most nights, Eijiro just holds him and lets him cry it out, never speaking a word of it. Other nights, they’d go down to the kitchen and have a late night snack.
Eijiro never thought shitty yellow overhead lights and eye bags could make someone look as beautiful as Katsuki does at 3am, even when his trembling hands are wrapped around a mug of chamomile tea and there’s a far away look in his eyes. He leans against Eijiro, letting the redhead pet his hair as they just stand in silence.
But as much as Eijiro is there for Katsuki, Katsuki is there for Eijiro, too.
He has nightmares about Kamino, too. What if Izuku had been wrong, and Katsuki hadn’t taken his hand? If they messed up the timing and the plan didn’t work? The different possibilities and scenarios haunted Eijiro, and sometimes, he woke up sobbing. The first time he woke up in Katsuki’s arms, the blonde whispering reassurances in his ear, he realized he was so royally fucked.
Things change after that. “Shitty hair” sounds less insulting and more endearing by the day, and it’s not uncommon for Katsuki to brush shoulders with him as they walk side by side in the mornings. Katsuki is there when Eijiro’s insecurities get the best of him, always praising him and his quirk before chattering mindlessly about his recent sparring sessions with Denki and Shoto, telling him all about this new recipe that his dad sent him.
It makes his heart flip because Katsuki Bakugo does not do mindless chatter. He’s quiet and observant, more than happy to let Eijiro talk endlessly and interject as needed. It’s a blatant attempt to make Eijiro feel better, even having gone as far as yanking Denki away and coming back a few minutes later short circuiting with a smug grin on Katsuki’s face when he sees the slightest upturn in Eijiro’s lips.
It’s easy, but it always is with Katsuki and Eijiro. It’s just how they are. They build each other up and hold each other accountable, standing side by side as equals.
Eijiro decides enough is enough and confesses. It’s a night like any other, they’re standing on their own respective balconies watching the stars. He looks over at Katsuki, blonde hair and red eyes illuminated by the moon and looking more beautiful than ever. His face is relaxed and void of any irritation—Eijiro has always thought Katsuki was attractive, but he never realized just how pretty Katsuki was when he wasn’t scowling.
“Bakugo?” Eijiro is the first to break the silence, turning his head away from Katsuki. A gentle breeze passes over them, lifting their bangs away from their faces. Katsuki hums, prompting Eijiro to continue. He can feel his eyes on him, and it does not help his racing heart in the slightest. “It’s totally cool if you don’t feel the same way, but I just need to get it off my chest, y’know?”
Katsuki doesn’t say anything.
“I really, really like you. And not just in a best-bro way.” Eijiro confesses as he sucks in a harsh breath, finally meeting Katsuki’s eyes. His eyes are glassy and he gasps, jaw falling slack.
And maybe it’s wishful thinking that Katsuki will like him back. To be his boyfriend. Steal his hoodies, kisses, and sleep in the same bed without the lingering effects of a nightmare hanging over them. He wants to hold Katsuki’s hand and go on dates, maybe to the arcade or plan hikes together. Eijiro wants to experience everything with Katsuki.
“I can’t..” Katsuki stumbles over his words, refusing to look at Eijiro. “It’s not that I don’t fuckin’ like you or whatever, I do, it’s just… I can’t. I’m sorry.”
Eijiro feels his heart break into two when Katsuki rejects him, and it’s not for lack of returning his feelings. It’s quite the opposite, actually.
Because Katsuki loves Eijiro.
How could he not? Eijiro is the one who sits and holds him after a nightmare, petting his hair and uncaring that Katsuki is getting snot and tears all over him. And never does he mention it, knowing what Katsuki needs at that moment. He’s the one who doesn’t view Katsuki differently when his insecurities get the best of him and he lashes out because he feels weak and powerless. No, he holds Katsuki accountable while never treating him as less than, even while scolding him.
Eijiro who sits and talks for days while he cooks, sitting on the counter and taking his role as “taste tester” seriously, welcoming any bites of food Katsuki sends his way. And yeah, maybe Katsuki likes the excited glimmer in Eijiro’s eyes when he sees Katsuki coming his way with a spoonful of beef stew, blowing on the spoon carefully so Eijiro doesn’t burn his tongue.
And so even though Katsuki loves Eijiro so much that it hurts and was over the moon with joy when Eijiro confesses to him under the moonlight, he turns him down. He tries to erase the way he sees Eijiro’s heart break and his eyes immediately become dull. Unlike Eijiro, Katsuki isn’t brave enough to take the next step.
Eijiro is the first person he’s ever cared about. As a friend, as a potential lover. He’s scared of fucking it all up and losing the one person he’s ever cared about. And Eijiro respects that.
“Will you wait for me?” Katsuki asks.
“Of course,” Eijiro responds without missing a beat. “because I love you.”
Six months go by. Eijiro confesses again, and Katsuki wants to say yes. He doesn’t.
A year goes by, another confession, another denial. Katsuki still isn’t ready, and Eijiro promises he’ll wait for him until he is. He insists it’s okay, not wanting to push Katsuki’s boundaries. It’s been three years, and Katsuki wants to say yes so bad, to hold Eijiro’s hand, to call him his boyfriend and show him off to the world. To take him on stupid arcade dates and share a milkshake at a shitty diner in the middle of the night. He wants to experience it all with Eijiro. Katsuki tells himself he’ll get his shit together soon and confess; they’re about to graduate, after all. There won’t be much time for dating once they’re thrown into the world of interning at their chosen agencies.
Another year goes by, and another, and another. It’s been six years since Eijiro confessed, Katsuki is still scared, and Ei still waits for him.
“Of course,” Eijiro will say, with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his dull eyes. “because I love you.”
Katsuki and Eijiro share an apartment together. It only made sense, their agencies were nearby and they were practically roommates during their time at UA. One would think this would help Katsuki get his shit figured out, and it does, but not fast enough. By the time he’s ready to bite the bullet and finally give Eijiro the love he deserves, it’s too late.
Katsuki is making Eijiro’s favorite dinner, preparing himself to confess after they eat. He has the redhead’s favorite fuzzy blanket in the dryer and his favorite Crimson Riot movie already on the TV screen ready to be watched. It was going to be nothing short of perfect, he was going to make sure of that. He’s smiling to himself, despite being nervous, when he hears the front door open.
“I’m home, Katsuki!” Eijiro calls out through the apartment, sounding breathless. Before Katsuki can respond, Eijiro is giggling, and…so is someone else.
“Welcome home, Shitty Hair,” Katsuki greets, side eyeing the taller, dark haired male next to him. He continues moving the spatula around the pan, trying to ignore the feeling in his gut. “Who’s this extra?”
“He’s not an extra,” Eijiro chastises, frowning. Katsuki tries to ignore how their hands are intertwined. “This is my boyfriend, Yo Shindo!”
Katsuki’s world stops. He pauses, lips parting slightly. Did… did he hear that right? Boyfriend? How long have they been together—how did they even meet?
What happened to waiting for Katsuki?
“Nice to meet you.” Katsuki gives him a curt nod, not bothering to hear his response, turning the burner off on the stove and stepping away. The food is done, but he’s lost his appetite. “Um, dinner is done. Please help yourselves.”
Before Eijiro can say anything, he slips out into the hallway and goes towards his room. He pulls on a hoodie before going out to his balcony. Sitting on the cushioned chair, Katsuki pulls his knees into his chest and lets himself cry. A slight breeze dries his tears as they fall, cooling the rubbed raw skin around his nose and eyes.
He isn’t sure if he’s out there for minutes or hours before Eijiro is opening the door with a soft click, sitting down next to Katsuki with a sigh. “I’m sorry.” is all the redhead has to say, not looking at the blonde.
“I thought you said you’d wait for me.” Katsuki whispers, voice breaking.
“I tried, Katsuki.” Eijiro snaps. His voice is wobbly, like he’s about to cry too. “It’s been six years. I love you, and I’ll choose you in every lifetime. But I don’t want to wait anymore.”
Katsuki lets out a sob at the words, feeling calloused hands against his cheeks. “I think it’s time to move on,” Eijiro wipes his tears away for both the thousandth time and the last, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. He’s crying too, Katsuki realizes. “For both of us.”
And then he’s gone. The door slams behind him, leaving Katsuki alone with a broken heart.
He picks up his things two days later while Katsuki is on patrol, leaving his key under the mat.
— —
A year passes by. Katsuki is sitting in his apartment, alone, watching a shitty movie. It’s all he really seems to do these days, having pushed everyone away after the fallout with Eijiro. It’s nearing midnight and Katsuki is dozing off when there’s a nick at the door. He checks his phone, and there’s no texts from any of his friends, so who?
He gets up and walks over quietly, looking through the peephole and seeing a flash of red. Even after all this time, that bright red, gelled red hair makes his heart pound in his chest. Katsuki swings the door open, coming face to face with a sobbing Eijiro.
“Ei,” he keeps his voice soft as he takes the rain soaked redhead into his arms, letting Eijiro cry into his shoulder. “What happened?”
“I walked in on him with someone else,” Eijiro croaks out after a few long moments of silence, shoulders slumped. “Sorry for showing up so late, I know you sleep early, I… I know we haven’t talked since that night, but I didn’t know where else to go.”
Katsuki goes through a whirlwind of emotions. He has half a mind to storm out and find the asshole’s apartment and kick his ass, but that’s the last thing Eijiro needs right now.
“Of course, Red. This’ll always be your home, too.” Katsuki tells him. And he means it.
Home is wherever Eijiro is.
— —
A year later, things are seemingly back to how they were. Katsuki cooks for them every night, Eijiro shoves his cold feet under Katsuki’s blanket on movie nights, and there’s strawberry flavored protein powder in its rightful spot in the pantry again. Things are warm, bright, and happy again.
Katsuki decides to confess. He’s cooking Eijiro’s favorite meal, has his favorite movie ready to play, and a fuzzy blanket in the dryer. Perhaps his plan for everything to go perfect last time didn’t work out, but he’s sure it will this time.
“Katsuki! I’m home!” Eijiro sing-songs as he enters the apartment. Katsuki can hear the thumps of his boots being kicked off wherever. He enters the kitchen only moments later, hair down and flowing around his shoulders. “Ooh, what are you cooking? It smells good!”
“Pork katsudon,” Katsuki answers, plating their food as it finishes cooking. “How was patrol?”
“Fine, slow night. Can’t complain.” Eijiro hums, sliding into one of the chairs at the table. They fall into mindless chatter as they eat together, Eijiro showing Katsuki funny videos on his phone and reaching over to steal pieces of pork from the other’s bowl. They’re both blushing, feet intertwined under the table as they laugh.
After dinner, they’re both on the couch. The opening scene for the Crimson Riot movie is playing and they’re wrapped in a warm blanket. It’s now or never, right?
“Hey, Eijiro?” Katsuki asks, gaining the attention of Eijiro. He keeps his eyes on the screen, all too aware of Eijiro’s eyes on him. “I really, really like you,” he says, and then for added effect, “and not just in a best-bro way.”
He hears Eijiro’s breath hitch next to him, and then he’s shifting. Katsuki finally looks over, hoping to see Eijiro beaming with joy. No, instead, he’s frowning.
“I’m so sorry, Katsuki. I can’t right now.” Eijiro sounds so painfully apologetic, and Katsuki understands. The breakup with Shindo was messy and left Eijiro shattered. It’s been a year, but Eijiro still has open wounds from it.
“Will…you wait for me?” Eijiro asks.
Katsuki tucks a strand of hair behind his ear, thinking nobody could ever look as beautiful as Eijiro does with a blue glow over his face from the TV.
“Of course,” Katsuki replies, without missing a beat. “because I love you.”