Work Text:
Strolling into their shared office space, Katsuki barely represses the humongous grin threatening to overtake his face. There, asleep at her desk, is his favorite person. One side of her head rests against crossed arms that are planted atop a stack of incomplete paperwork. All her pretty features are relaxed, one pink, plump cheek on display for him to admire. It takes an incredibly large amount of self-control not to softly brush his fingers against it.
She must’ve decided to come in early to catch-up on documentation but was so exhausted she drifted off.
That’s about right.
Cheeks always works herself to the bone and sends practically every yen she earns to her family. It’s honorable, yet it also drives him crazy. She cares far too much for others, constantly putting them before herself. His occasional lectures on the subject seem to go in one ear and out the other. When she’s not on duty, almost every spare moment of her time is spent developing the Quirk Counseling program she hopes to implement one day – another bullet point on the docket of Things That Make Uraraka Ochako Amazing.
Katsuki allows his gaze to rest on her for a few uninterrupted seconds, watching the gentle rise and fall of her back, the slight parting of her lips…
They might have a patrol scheduled in less than half an hour, but she deserves the extra rest.
Forcing himself out of the admiring daze, Katsuki’s hushed footsteps approach his own desk, careful not to wake her. Deft fingers slide open his bottom drawer and the Hero withdraws a soft, orange blanket that he keeps for occasions such as this. He drapes the wool over her shoulders, his chest growing absurdly warm when she snuggles into the fabric, a content smile clawing through the fog of sleep.
This woman has the uncanny ability to instantly reduce him to a pathetic sap and she probably doesn’t even know it.
Katsuki had always thought Cheeks was interesting in school – more so than the other extras, anyway. After she almost kicked his ass in the Sports Festival, called him out on his bullshit with Izuku, and floated an army of clones during the war, it added kindle to the fire. However, it wasn’t until they graduated from U.A. and began working together as fledgling Heroes at Mirko’s agency that the deal was truly sealed. That’s when an entire container of gasoline was thrown onto meager flames, setting them wildly ablaze.
The more Katsuki’s around her, the more it sucks being apart. When she’s hurt, it makes him want to burn the world until it’s nothing but ash and dust. When she’s sad, he’ll do almost anything to make her happy, even if it means watching some shitty romantic comedy with her and purchasing cheap ass sweets from the convenience store.
It didn’t take him long to realize why that is.
He isn’t stupid. He’s well aware of the fact his feelings bypassed friendship a hell of a long time ago.
But he currently has no plans to confess that.
Cheeks used to carry a torch for one of his best friends, a total fucking nerd that decided to put his Hero career aside in favor of focusing on a new dream: educating the next generation. And, truth be told, Katsuki suspects that the torch still burns. Why else would she decline dates left and right? Why else would she ask him to hang out and accept his invitations to do the same?
It's obvious that she’s waiting for dumbass Deku to wake up and realize what’s been in front of his oblivious, freckled face since first year. Unfortunately, with the mixed workload of his college courses and internship, he hasn’t been free to catch up with them much.
Reaching into his pocket, Katsuki grabs a strawberry flavored White Rabbit candy and places it on top of Cheeks’ desk, the edges of his lips curling ever so slightly at the idea of how ridiculously excited she’ll be over the sweet treat. He hates the shit but picked up a bag on impulse at the market last week knowing she’d enjoy them. They’re everywhere right now with the upcoming Lunar New Year, so why not?
Choosing to make good use of the last few minutes before their shift, he heads toward the staff break room for a tea or black coffee or whatever decent tasting offering the rabbit bitch has available, but the plan is derailed only seconds after stepping outside of their office.
“Uravity. Yes, that’s right.”
Their boss is jabbering loudly on the phone down the hall, her voice carrying through the empty space in a manner that will no doubt disturb his sleeping Cheeks. Katsuki’s grip tightens on the knob, his other palm rising to slowly close their door without a sound.
He was determined to mind his own fucking business until he hears, “She’s got a new mission coming up and will be gone for a while, if you know what I mean.”
That halts his steps. A new mission? Katsuki isn’t usually one for eavesdropping, though he can’t avoid it when she barks, “I need someone to partner up with my annoying nephew.”
A vein in his forehead pulses in time with his accelerating heartbeat. He’s not her nephew and he’s told that dumbass to stop calling him that since they met. The hell does Mirko mean he’ll need a new partner? Where’s Cheeks going? Why isn’t he going too?
The thought of her working alone does atrocious things to his intestines.
“That’ll work! I don’t know how long she’ll be out of commission. Could be anywhere from a few months up to a few years.”
Katsuki’s jaw becomes unhinged. If he’d actually made it to the break room, the floor would definitely be wearing his drink. What in the ever living fuck is going on? Cheeks hasn’t mentioned a damn thing!
His neck cracks from how rapidly it swivels to survey his surroundings. The few other offices are dark, not a single sound drifting down the corridor outside of the boss’ nonsensical yapping. Come to think of it, he can’t even smell any coffee brewing across the hall. Are the three of them the only one’s here right now? An additional step toward the rabbit’s ajar door has him bristling.
“You’re a lifesaver! I’ll inform him of the upcoming changes after I iron out a few more details.”
Katsuki almost blows a hole through the wall at the sound of her hanging up the phone. That’s it? Distressed fingers work their way through his unruly hair. This is all he has to go on? This doesn’t answer anything-
“Come in, you bratty asshole. I can feel you lurking out there.”
That’s all the invitation he needs. “I’m not a brat!” he growls, barging in with a simmering glare. Mirko lounges in her executive chair, both legs propped up on the desk, her prosthetic gleaming in the light. “What’s this I hear about a new partner? My partner is Uravity. I don’t need anyone else.”
A wry grin twists her features, one ear slightly twitching. “As I’m sure you heard, she’s going to be stepping out for an extended mission in the near future. You’ve been working as a duo for a while now. I thought you might like a replacement. Would you rather work alone, Dynamighty?” The way her brow hikes up irritates him further.
“My partner is Uravity,” he reiterates with a clenched fist, stomping closer to loom over the desk. “If she’s going on a mission, I’m going too.”
Apparently bored with the situation, the rabbit crosses her arms and deadpans. “No can do. She’s gotta do this solo.”
Under no circumstances will she ever have to do anything solo if he’s around. Katsuki is not comfortable with Cheeks doing this and he doesn’t even know any of the details. As soon as his mouth opens to argue his opinion, Mirko beats him to the punch.
“You can be pissed about this all you want. I don’t care. This has to be done, for everyone’s sake. I can’t share any more details with you because I’m waiting to receive further information and important confirmations.” Her red eyes glance at the clock on the wall before she sweeps a curtain of white hair over her shoulder. “You don’t have time for all this whining, anyway. You’re on the clock in ten.” Bouncing up in a flash, she roughly shoves him out the door with her prosthetic arm, the metal uncomfortably digging between his shoulder blades. “Go wake Sleeping Beauty and give me a little privacy, nosy ass. I’ve got my own shit to do,” she dismisses, almost slamming the door on his heels. It shuts so fast the wind displaces small hairs at the nape of his neck.
Bitch.
Uneasiness attempts to settle deep into his bones, his jaw tensing in concern. What solo assignment could Cheeks have received that is that immersive? She…she could be gone for years?
The mere idea of not seeing Uraraka Ochako for that long turns his insides to lead.
Forcing his legs to move his panicking ass toward their office, the pressure on his torso fades ever so slightly at the sight of Cheeks’ cheery expression, pleased to see his blanket still drawn around her like a shawl.
“Good morning, Katsuki!” she greets, munching on the candy he left her.
Katsuki tries to take a deep breath. “Morning, Cheeks.” As nonchalantly as he can manage, he strolls over and ruffles the hair on her head, trying not to notice how soft the strands are against the pads of his fingers. “Must’ve been sleeping real good, yea? You’ve got drool on your suit, you gremlin.”
She swallows in a rush and glances down, giving him the perfect opportunity to playfully tap her nose. “Gotcha.” A snort forces its way out at the look she throws his way.
“It’s too early for this,” she complains with a faux huff, the corners of her mouth upturning in betrayal. “Leave me alone!”
“No, it isn’t. You’re gonna be late if you don’t get yourself in gear, matter of fact. We need to get going.”
“I can’t be late, I came in early,” Cheeks declares, snatching a piece of paper from the top of her pile to wave around dramatically. “I only need to finish going over this and I’ll be ready.”
“I guess I’ll just wait over here then,” he gestures toward his side of the room, “twiddling my thumbs while you read whatever the fuck you deem is more important than being a Hero.”
“That’s what a normal person would do,” she retorts, fisting the blanket and chucking it directly at his head. Katsuki catches it without delay and that seems to annoy her even more if the twitch of her eye is any indication. “And I’ll have you know that this is important, actually. Stand over there,” she shoos, ushering him away with her arm, “and be quiet so I can concentrate.”
Maneuvering behind her, Katsuki leans against his own desk and begins folding the blanket neatly. “This didn’t seem very important when I found you practically snoring.”
To his surprise, Cheeks doesn’t rise to the bait. She remains focused, only showing him the back of her skull. What on earth could be so crucial that she is neglecting their standard repartee? It’s one of the things he looks forward to most.
It punches him in the gut. Could it…could it be related to her next assignment?
Morbid curiosity seeps into his brain, sneaking in from the corners until it takes control entirely. Katsuki cannot resist sliding closer, cannot suppress the compulsion to process the symbols from over her shoulder.
He almost chokes on his damn saliva. Katsuki’s heart rate speeds up to a dangerous rhythm, and he’s quite convinced that it doubles when he reads the shit again, trying to convince himself there’s no fucking way he’s comprehending this correctly.
This is…this is a joke, right? Some bullshit prank? Someone is going to jump out from some inconspicuous hiding spot with a camera and announce it’s all one big ruse.
A third inspection only makes things worse. The document has the agency’s official letterhead. It has Mirko’s signature. The syntax aligns with briefings he’s received in the past.
Katsuki’s mind explodes.
Offending words ricochet around in his distressed skull like a broken record.
Infiltrate. Seduce. Yakuza boss.
Seduce? Seduce?!
The essence of burnt caramel permeates the office space. His palms are smoking, sweat pooling in his hands, begging to be ignited. Snatching the document from her, he snarls, “The fuck is this?!”
Shocked at his actions, Cheeks’ eyes bulge. “Give that back!” she demands, spinning around in the rolling chair to make a grab for the lascivious paper he desperately wants to burst into flames.
“No! You have a new mission and you didn’t think to run it by me first?” he bellows, waving the offending piece of shit around in the air where she can’t reach it, even from her tiptoes.
“I can’t control everything I’m assigned, Katsuki!” she whisper yells, line of sight darting around to make sure they’re still alone. “And I was going to tell you. Mirko only informed me of this last night and asked me to come in early to discuss things.”
Katsuki doesn’t think his hand has moved so fast in his entire life. It latches onto her wrist in an instant and begins guiding her toward the hall. “Ok, then. Go discuss how there’s no fucking way you’re accepting this assignment and that she can stick this,” he presses the briefing against her torso, “up her rabbit ass.”
“No.”
Her denial is a brutal punch to the gut, knocking the wind from his lungs and a breathless “What?” out of his mouth.
“I said no, Katsuki. I already agreed to the terms and conditions. I signed a contract.”
He’s desperate to believe that she’s screwing with him, but the hardened expression set into her features screams otherwise. A bead of sweat drifts down his temple, his brain short-circuiting at the revelation.
With a delicate touch, Cheeks removes the paper from his grasp and his arm falls limp. Even though it can no longer physically assault his eyeballs, he finds that he cannot stop perseverating on the information.
“You-” he tries to swallow the uncomfortable lump that’s taken up residence in this throat, “you accepted?” Dread begins to balloon in his chest, darkening every crevice until rage rises like a spiteful phoenix in its wake. “You’re going to fuck some criminal?”
He’ll die first.
He’ll die before he lets that happen.
Stray hairs billow around her forehead when she audibly sighs. “It’s more than that, Katsuki. This is serious. High-stakes. I’ll have to tap into almost every concept we’ve learned. I’ll have to be ready for anything.”
Katsuki does not appreciate the deep dive his mind took into the gutter during that statement. The thought of her in that type of environment, alone, with some degenerate asshole’s hands on her, makes bile rise in his throat and the walls feel as though they’re closing in. “There are hundreds of other ways to test yourself. You don’t have to prove you’re a versatile Hero, Cheeks. Anyone with a lick of sense already realizes that!”
“This is an opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone. To…to push myself and test my limits. Not to mention, the pay’s top notch; significantly more than my usual salary. I thought that you, of all people, would understand why I’m doing this.”
“Don’t give me that shit!” he snarls, leaning into her space and baring his teeth like a cornered, feral dog. “I will always support you in doing your best as long as it’s safe. You kick ass and take names already every single day with me by your side.” Katsuki wants to grab her shoulders and shake some sense into her, pull her close and reassure her that she doesn’t need to impress anyone. Instead, he shouts, “You’re my partner! We can figure out a better way to test your limits.”
Agonizingly slowly, Cheeks’ chin tilts to meet his scalding stare, her brows furrowed so deeply that it crinkles her nose. “That might be true, but I can’t turn down the pay rate. I’m sorry if that upsets you, Katsuki, but it is what it is.”
When she turns her back to him, he’s barely able to restrain himself from blowing the roof off the damn building. “The pay rate? That’s the major motivating factor here? Money?!”
The flat tone she adopts is more alarming to him than if she’d screamed in his ear using a megaphone. “We need to get going.” Crimson irises watch incredulously as she picks up her headgear, blatantly ignoring his question.
Thank the gods her legs are so short. Katsuki darts around her to block the escape route, desperation mode in full activation. “You are not getting out of this that easily! Cheeks, talk to me.” A trembling palm reaches to cradle her elbow. “Did something happen to your parents? Were you hit with some unexpected expenses? I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”
He realizes that her parents are important to her; that she’s determined to take care of them financially. Surely there’s an underlying reason for the unexpected turn of events and her fixation on the monetary aspect of this whole ordeal.
Still trying to maneuver around him – which is not gonna happen, he’s mirroring her movements – she exclaims, “Nothing is wrong! Everything is ok. My parents are fine and I’m fine. It’s all good.”
Her pursed lips and lack of eye contact screams otherwise. “Then why are you so obsessed with the pay rate of this mission?”
Irritation openly etches itself into the lines of her face when she throws her free hand up into the air. “If you must know Katsuki,” she snaps, “I…I want to take my family on a nice vacation! We barely scraped by for the majority of my life. My parents fought tooth and nail to keep a roof over our head and food in our stomachs. We rarely traveled anywhere. They work hard, I work hard, and I have the right to splurge on a family vacation that makes up for what I missed out on when I was a child. I want to…I-I’m going to take them to Hawaii!”
Katsuki must be hearing things. He blinks slowly, the declaration taking root in his brain. “Hawaii?”
“Yes, Hawaii.” Yanking out of his light grip, her arm flails to match her words. “We’ll enjoy the white sand, the clear water, and go hiking or snorkeling or whatever else it is that people do there. Now-” Cheeks fastens her helmet with practiced ease, “are you done with this interrogation? We need to be outside in the next two minutes to start our patrol.”
His stomach joins the soles of his feet, her dismissal the final straw. Unable to bring himself to give a single fuck about the fact their shift is about to start, both his leaking palms run through his hair for a fifth time. Questions burn on his tongue so grievously that he’s incapable of reigning them in. A vacation? Cheeks is willing to immerse herself into the life of the Yakuza for god knows how long and-and sleep with a head honcho for that? “Is Hawaii worth your body? Your dignity?”
For reasons he cannot adequately explain, the way her gaze finally washes over him is jarring. “Why do you care?”
Why does he care?
A barrage of reasons flash behind his eyes. She might as well go have a seat and get nice and cozy with his blanket, because he’s about to give her a fucking lecture on the subject. Yet before the opening lines are delivered, she murmurs, “You don’t. Not really.”
The accusation is sharp, a knife wedging between his ribs. It turns his blood to ice and cements his boots to the floor, the Hero briefly rendered motionless while Cheeks pushes past him to enter the hallway.
How could she think that?
Slow on the uptake of convincing his vocal cords to operate properly, she likely takes it as his agreement when it’s anything but, striding away without giving him a chance to respond.
And Katsuki’s absolutely not accepting that.
_______________________
“I’m not having this conversation with you right now, Dynamight,” Cheeks declares for the umpteenth time, pointedly staring down at the garbage he’s dragging behind him as a hint to shut up.
News flash: he’s not gonna.
“The hell you aren’t!” Katsuki barks, his stomps growing heavier on the sidewalk when she continues the ridiculous avoidance behavior. She’s not answering his questions, she’s fidgety, and she’ll barely look at him. This is…this is bullshit! Hours have passed and they’ve yet to finish their conversation from this morning. He’ll chew glass before leaving things as they are now. “To what planet did you mail your rational mind? You think that you can just accept that outrageous mission and leave me partnerness without my consent? Did you think I’d tuck my tail between my legs and allow you to run of for-for who knows how long to do fuck knows what?”
“Dynamight, this is not the time or the place to have this discussion,” she scolds through gritted teeth, trying to maintain a smile for their audience.
Katsuki wipes the sweat from his forehead along the back of his wrist. “Well, when’s a good time for you?” he snarks, tugging harder on the contents in his grasp when it dips down into a pothole, ignoring the burning sensation spreading through his triceps. “Do I have to schedule a meeting before you leave? Actually, when are you planning to go? Tomorrow? Am I-am I going to walk into our office one day and find all your cutesy office supplies gone without notice? What the hell am I supposed to do with that entire bag of nasty ass candies I bought, huh? You know I don’t eat that shit!”
Pausing in her tracks, she finally turns his way, resting her hands on her hips. “Then why did you buy it?”
“For you!”
It slips out before he can reign it in, but Katsuki decides he doesn’t care. He’s going to get his two-cents in, no matter what it takes.
“Aww, that’s sweet,” the apprehended villain comments, still wrapped tightly in Cheeks’ cables from his shoulders down to his ankles.
“Can it!” Katsuki orders, picking up his pace while continuing to tug on the criminal. The man’s dark hair shields half of his scruffy face from view. “Nobody asked you!”
“I apologize for his unprofessional behavior,” Cheeks sighs, glancing down at the attempted robber in pity. “He had a rough start today and is saying too much. He’s the one who needs to hush.”
A series of high-pitched beeps resound from her agency phone and Katsuki’s scowl intensifies when she immediately directs her attention toward it. Typing furiously, her fingers fly across the keys, whatever her response is being answered almost instantly with another irritating alert.
“Who’s that?”
Quite frankly, he’s surprised she gives him a response. “Nighthide. Thank goodness he was already planning to meet us at the agency.” She pockets the device before taking a moment to survey their surroundings. “He’s heading this way.”
Once again blind-sided, Katsuki’s eyebrows dig trenches into his forehead. Nighthide isn’t employed by Mirko. “Why’s Eyebags coming here? We don’t need any help. We’re literally about to drop this bastard off with the cops.” Nodding toward the precinct, he points out, “It’s only a few blocks down. And what do you mean he was planning to meet us?”
Pinching the bridge of her nose, she admits, “Mirko scheduled a last-minute meeting for all of us. I was going to tell you this morning, but then you had a meltdown and haven’t quit talking since. Nighthide owes me a favor and I’m cashing in – he’s going to Brainwash this fellow into forgetting everything you’ve said before we hand him over to the authorities.” Crouching down next to their captive with an apologetic grimace, Cheeks explains, “I’m really sorry about this, sir, but-”
“Doesn’t sound like I’m the one you should be apologizing to, Uravity.”
Katsuki is almost struck with whiplash from how fast his neck looks down.
“Pardon?” Cheeks breathes, visibly taken aback.
The criminal’s brow elevates. “You’ve gone off and made all kinds of decisions without considering your partner’s feelings. What kind of girlfriend does that? He’s clearly upset about this and all you’ve done is ignore him or change the subject.”
Well, shit. The asshole seems scandalized on his behalf. Maybe he’s not so bad after all. Suddenly, the Hero doesn’t regret the fact they didn’t tape his mouth shut.
Floundering for words, her skin flushes as red as the devil’s dick despite the winter chill. “We-we’re not-”
“I’m not blind!” the villain snaps, his exposed eye rolling before a stony expression bleeds through, reminding Katsuki of their old homeroom teacher. “You’re shit at keeping your relationship a secret. I’ve known about you two since last year. Remember that teleporter you went up against at the train station?”
Of course Katsuki remembers. He had nightmares about that day for months.
“I do,” the captive man continues, “because I was there. You” he nods toward Cheeks, “got knocked out and was almost hit by the train. I thought Dynamight here was gonna kill the guy.” Pausing, he stares up at Katsuki perceptively. “The way you held her afterward…I actually do believe that a blind person could tell you’re in love. Hell, it made me call my ex-wife that night after getting shit-faced and I hate that bitch.”
It’s evident that Cheeks is considering floating the man to the stratosphere. “And?”
“Oh, she didn’t answer. Probably-”
She stares up at the sky as though some god of patience is going to come down and deliver her. “No, I’m asking what this has to do with anything. Actually,” she smacks her hands together in resignation and stands, careful not to touch her pinkies, “it doesn’t matter. My friend will be here any minute and you won’t remember a thing. I’m sorry that you’ve been subjected to our disagreement and I hope that you make better choices in the future when it comes to acquiring money.”
“Yea, yea. Ok, whatever you say. Now listen. Uravity, you’re a really nice lady, and I get that Dynamight can be a real asshole sometimes-”
“Oi!” Katsuki bellows, prodding the bastard with his foot. He takes it back. He should’ve used the tape.
“-though if what he’s saying is true, you need to try to view things from his perspective. Abandoning him for a mission that makes him uncomfortable and leaves him without a partner is not very heroic of you.”
Cheeks’ patience has reached its end, her round face puffing out in indignation. “Says the man who just tried to rob a bank!”
The bound bastard has the audacity to scoff. “I’m aware that the crimes I’m being accused of aren’t ‘right’ in the eyes of the law. I’m a villain and that comes with the territory. I’m prepared to deal with the consequences of my actions. The real question is, are both of you?”
Her small form briefly stiffens, warm irises finding Katsuki’s gaze before her line of sight shifts somewhere behind him, her expression melting into the picture of relief. “Thank heavens,” she mutters with sagging shoulders.
Katsuki doesn’t have to look to know that Aizawa Jr. has arrived, his deep, droning voice already assaulting his ears.
As she walks away, leaving him with the crazy ass, albeit silver tongued, criminal, the Hero cannot stop replaying the day over and over again in his head. It has Katsuki settling on a decision that may or may not ruin everything.
He’s going to tell Cheeks the truth.
_______________________
From the second the bastard is handed-off to Eyebags, Katsuki steps away to collect himself because he’s the equivalent of a giant ball of conflicting emotions. If he’s going to profess his undying love for Uraraka Ochako, he needs to do it right. Maybe if she understands how important she is to him, this bad dream that’s rooted itself into reality will wither and die.
However, the fact also remains that he’s utterly pissed. Now is not the time for flowery turns of phrase – he’d simply shout everything in her face and storm off or a variation of that reaction that’s equally asinine.
Why do you care? keeps bullying its way to the forefront of his mind and refusing to budge.
How could he not?
How could she believe that he’d be fine with all of this? The assignment, her leaving for an indiscriminate length of time, not seeing one another for the foreseeable future, Cheeks’ reluctance to discuss things any further…it all grates on his already frayed nerves to the point they’re saliently sharp, painful like salt thrust into a gaping wound.
Katsuki’s palms begin to smoke, the wispy gases swirling around his frame before ascending towards the sky and disappearing altogether. It feels like a fuse, scratch that, a multitude of fuses have been ignited and he’s one step away from detonating.
There’s no hope for him to make it through a meeting right now while remaining civil. Now that he’s had time to put two and two together, it’s likely about Eyebags stepping in to fill Cheeks’ shoes while she’s gone and that’s out of the question.
The purple-haired, Aizawa knockoff is powerful in his own way. Katsuki gives credit where credit is due. Their old classmate has made waves in both the underground like his predecessor and in contractual stints he’s accepted over the years from various agencies. It’s not that Katsuki doesn’t believe the brainwasher has merit or that he doesn’t like him. You could pair him with Eijiro and he’d still riot because it’s not Cheeks.
…yea, he’s definitely not fucking going. Besides, if Mirko really gave a shit about him being at that meeting, she would’ve reached out to him directly, not let the message be passed along secondhand.
What Katsuki desperately needs is time to cool off. Once that’s the case, he’ll address the object of his affections properly. Preparing to blast off toward the agency, knock out his portion of the paperwork, and avoid the impending shitshow, he’s thrown for a loop by a “Hey!”
Katsuki refuses to even glance in her direction. He…he can’t do this right now. Activating his quirk, he rockets up into the air to soar far, far away from Cheeks, beseeching the frigid gusts to extinguish his temper.
He was not prepared for her to actually follow. “Katsuki!” she calls, soaring through the sky with those ridiculous, pink boots at a surprising speed. Did she have the thrusters improved right under his nose? Why isn’t she scoffing and running back to Eyebags? After all, she’s been trying to avoid him all day.
“Katsuki!”
She might be faster than she used to be, but she’s still no match for him. Clenching his teeth, the Hero turns up the intensity of his explosions, proceeding to leave her in his dust.
“Katsuki, w-wait!” It’s an outright scream, though her voice barely reaches his ears. Something in the way her plea cracks simultaneously sends fissures through his final seal of self-control. Plummeting down to roughly land on top of a building, he ignores the aftershocks skating through his feet and up to his knees.
Sweat rolls down his neck, gathers between his shoulder blades, and pools in his hands, and it has nothing to do with the sunlight pelting the top of his head or the winter suit stretched across his skin. “What?” he grunts when she touches down within earshot. “What do you want?”
Almost breathless, Cheeks’ chest is heaving. “I need to talk to you-”
“Oh, now you need to talk to me?” Katsuki seethes, tone oozing venom. “You couldn’t talk to me fifteen minutes ago, so what’s the difference between now and then? You couldn’t be bothered to talk things out with me this morning before our patrol started and you sure as hell didn’t give any thought towards me before making these stupid ass decisions! I don’t want to talk to you right now! I-” he grips the sides of his skull, “I’m not attending whatever stupid meeting rabbit bitch put together at the last minute, I refuse to work as a duo with anyone else, and I need to be alone right now. So just-just leave me the fuck alone. Go run back to your friend or go back to the agency or whatever it is that you wanna do. I need time to think.”
She reaches out and tries to close the gap. “Listen-”
“Leave me be.”
Refusing to wait around for her response, he propels upward, shock jolting down his spine at the weight coiled around his leg. It instantaneously shifts into panic at the sight of brown hair. What the hell is she doing?
“Let go!” he shouts, ceasing use of his quirk so he doesn’t burn her. “I could’ve melted your damn face off, the fuck are you thinking?!” All Cheeks does is clutch him tighter as they plunge back toward the roof and he’s forced to manage their descent with one hand. Still stuck to him like glue, her hands are fisted into his Hero suit, pinkies out. “I said let go of me!”
“No! Not until you talk to me!” Tears glisten in her big, honey eyes, the moisture threatening to spill over. “You couldn’t let it go earlier and now you’re ignoring me?”
Even though he probably shouldn’t, Katsuki wields her own words as a weapon. Yet instead of her ice, they’re imbued with fire. “Why do you care, huh?!”
Cheeks’ entire countenance darkens when she fiercely bites back, “You know why I care!”
“Actually, I don’t think you do!”
“What?!” Her screech is so high pitched it makes his ears ring. Anger prompts her to shove him away, giving Katsuki an opportunity to activate his explosions once again.
Clearly refusing to let this die, she releases a grappling cable that winds itself around his wrist and tears an unbridled roar from his lungs. He could yank away, but it might make her fall. If he flies off, there’s always the risk of her cable somehow snapping and leading to injury. Why can’t she leave him alone for a while? He…he needs to calm down and make a plan to explain his feelings; to explain all of it.
“Why are you so upset?” Cheeks wails, a single tear streaking down her face. “Why are you so angry with me?”
Why? She should know why.
Katsuki discerns the last thread of his patience going up in flames. The second his combat boots darken the concrete that’s been bleached out by sunlight, he advances across the roof until he’s towering over her, an imposing volcano about to erupt. Despite their proximity, he doesn’t dial back his volume. “Because that moronic villain is right!”
“What are you saying?” It’s punched out of her and she’s staring at him in a manner that he can’t explain – that he cannot adequately put a name to.
“You owe me an apology!”
Cheeks’ mouth falls agape, her eyebrows disappearing into her hairline. An animalistic groan catches him off guard, neck slightly retracting when she drags her hands down the length of her face. It looks like she’s contemplating ripping her hair out. “I thought- I…ugh! Why on earth would I apologize to you?! Because you don’t like the task I was assigned? It’s my life and my body! I’m not your concern, Katsuki!”
If there was even a miniscule fragment of self-control left, in that moment, it vaporizes. “How fucking dare you?! Of course you’re my concern! I love you! I can’t stand the thought of some greasy piece of shit’s hands touching you – of them even looking at you! Fuck!” He’s the one who should be contemplating ripping his hair out. “I hate when extras on the sidewalk stare at you now – makes me wanna punt them to fucking Jupiter! I would never have accepted a mission like that. No way in hell! And here you are, willing to-,” his hands flail around spastically, “to leave me here so you can run off and disappear into a cesspool of danger and corruption and try to win over some slimy son of a bitch that might try to kill you if he finds out that you’re a Hero? And all for what? Money? For Hawaii?! Yes, you owe me the biggest damn apology that you’ve ever apologized in your moon-faced life!”
She releases the cable from around his wrist and tries to interject, but Katsuki steamrolls right over her, fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles audibly crack. “You don’t need fucking Hawaii, you need me. Who’s going to make you mochi and listen to you gripe after you’ve had a shitty day? Who’s going to stay the night because you scared yourself to death watching some god awful, dogshit paranormal movie? Is the Yakuza boss going to go with you to make sure you actually get your Flu Shot? You hate needles! And the spiders. Don’t get me started on the damn spiders. Did you suddenly grow ovaries of steel? Last week you called me to get one off your ceiling despite the fact you can fucking float and four-eyes wouldn’t have been able to see it without his glasses, even if it landed on his dick!”
“And,” he gulps, the weight pressing on his chest an anvil, “what the hell am I going to do w-without you?” Wincing when his voice breaks, his fingers find purchase in the fabric covering his torso. It makes him look like a bitch but it’s too late to do anything about that now. “I can’t make it through an interview without you carrying me through it. I can’t small talk or whatever the fuck it is those people want. I don’t know what to buy my hag for her birthday! Who’s gonna force me to spend time with those idiotic dispshits we went to school with? Who’s gonna spam my messages with emoticons instead of emojis or randomly spout off facts about outer space that nobody asked for? When…” he inhales shakily, “when everything seems like it's too much and I can’t sleep and every time I close my eyes I’m a teenager again on the battlefield struggling to breathe…who’s going to hold my hand and remind me everything is ok? I need you, too. I need you more than I’ve ever needed anything in my entire fucking life. I need you more than looking like a badass or being number one. If you leave, it’ll kill me, Ochako. You can’t do this.”
Katsuki’s heart constricts when her waterworks start and a palm covers her mouth, though he’s not taking any of it back. He means what he said. However, this is exactly what he was trying to avoid. He wanted to have time to simmer, to really think about what he was going to say to get her to stay – to abandon that wack-ass mission Mirko assigned. Instead, he yelled at her and made her cry because, as usual, he’s shit with words. Well…he’s already opened the floodgates at this point, might as well air out the rest of it and shoot his shot – even if it’s horribly in vain. “I-”
“Kat-” she sniffles through her fingers, rivers glistening down the round cheeks he loves so much.
“No,” he hushes, taking her free hand and giving it a soft squeeze. “I’m not done, Cheeks. You wanted to talk, so let me talk.”
Somehow, her silent nod emboldens him.
“I get that you’re probably still stuck on the nerd for reasons I’ll never understand,” he admits, thumb brushing over her pulse point, “but I’ve been in love with you for years. I can’t let you do this. It’s too dangerous and…” Katsuki clears his throat, “and I hate it. Don’t go. We can figure out a contract work around. I’ll deal with rabbit bitch. Shit, I’ll take your family to Hawaii. Just-just don’t go through with this. I’ll romance you so damn hard that you’ll never wanna go on a mission without me ever again! You’ll never consider letting another man touch you, even Deku. I’ll be the best for you, I swear. So tell me you’re sorry, fuck that ridiculous Yakuza assignment, and let me woo you, dammit!”
Her face shines as though he spouted some fancy, articulate sonnet, which makes no sense. All he did was shout and sound absolutely pathetic.
Katsuki’s heart rate accelerates when Cheeks’ trembling fingers trace along the line of his jaw, the organ threatening to burst out of his ribs and present itself as a crude offering when they skim down the hollow of his throat to rest against his sternum.
“Katsuki, I was trying to tell you that I’m in love with you, too.”
The claim momentarily freezes his brain, neurons buffering to process the miracle that his ears just heard. “Hah?!”
Cheeks’ expression is adorned with the brightest, most beautiful smile he’s ever witnessed. It encompasses her features to the point it’s difficult to look at her directly, much like he’s attempting to stare at the sun.
“I’ve known since we were in third year.”
Warmth spreads through his body. She…she hasn’t been waiting on Izuku all this time? For a brief second, he seriously considers punching himself in the nose. Is he dreaming?
“I’ve had feelings for you for a long time, Bakugou Katsuki. Joining Mirko’s agency, partnering up with you…those were two of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You think I’d throw all of that away for a trip to Hawaii?”
Every bit of oxygen is sucked from his lungs. Katsuki tries to speak but nothing comes out, his mouth opening and closing silently like a stupid goldfish. It’s no secret that he lacks eloquence on a good day and this electrifying information is scrambling his frontal lobe. Did she just say what he thinks she said?
Seemingly reading his mind, Cheeks continues, the gap between them growing smaller. “I was never planning to leave you. I’ve been giving every green light that I know to send for ages,” she jokes in a mix of exasperation and fondness. “I didn’t know what else to do aside from just straight-up confessing. But I…I was scared, Katsuki. I was so scared that I’d ruin everything if I was wrong – that everything we have would be destroyed if you didn’t return my feelings. So I tried to keep my mouth shut. I thought I’d been doing a decent job until Mirko cornered me in the breakroom the other day and declared that she couldn’t watch us dance around the ‘obvious’ any longer.”
When she leans in to rest her forehead against his chest, he’s powerless to stop himself from pulling her closer, his palm cradling the back of her head. “Oh, yea?”
“Yea. Told me that if she had to go one more week watching how pathetic we were, that she’d chop off her only remaining limb and beat herself to death with it.”
That makes both of them snort and Katsuki practically melts when Cheeks’ arms finally wrap around his waist.
“She made the whole thing up and I went right along with it. The mission was never real. I’m not going away and I won’t be seducing anyone. You still have to stargaze with me,” she croaks, clearly holding back tears, “and carry me to bed when I fall asleep on the roof. I need you to make me drink more water and make sure that I’m changing the batteries in my smoke detector.” A broken sniffle bounces her shoulders. “You’re staying as my emergency contact and you’re definitely killing every spider that crawls anywhere near me because I hate them.” The lilt of her voice grows more playful the more she speaks, a grin crawling onto Katsuki’s face at the pleasant rise and fall. “What needs that many legs and eyes? It’s disturbing!”
Openly staring down at her, Cheeks withdraws just enough to meet his passionate gaze with a quiet intensity. Crimson eyes travel over her sparkling irises and down the bridge of her nose to focus on her perfect cupid’s bow, and suddenly, everything begins to swim, a perfect shimmer of everything he’s desired yet been too afraid to truly reach for.
Because he’s been terrified of the same things – fucking up the special connection they have and suffering with the confirmation of unrequited love.
...having his hand return empty.
Katsuki’s skin flushes when she reaches up to caress his face, her thumb brushing over his cheekbone and leaving a trail of fire in its wake. “I’ll always be here for you, Katsuki. I love-”
Whatever she was about to say is lost in the cavern of her throat, abruptly cut off when his lips descend upon hers. They’re plush and soft and even better than he imagined. The Hero tries to communicate every withheld admission with the press of his lips, each moment when he’d longed to speak those powerful words. Cheeks meets him with equal amounts of fervor, grasping around his neck to pull him closer in a manner that has Katsuki already memorizing the sensation of her body pressed flush against his.
Yet it ends all too soon.
Cheeks breaks the connection, openly winded. “I’m sorry I lied. I’m sorry that I upset you, I wish-”
He hushes her with his mouth once again. “Shut. Up,” Katsuki commands between kisses. They can hash that bullshit out later. Right now, he only wants to focus on this – that his hand will never feel empty again and that his heart is full enough to burst.
_______________________
At the conclusion of their shift, Katsuki rips Mirko a new one that in some way results with him on the receiving end of a headlock, the rabbit giving him an annoyingly affectionate nuggie while yelling “You’re welcome” repeatedly. Eyebags pelts him with one-liner after one-liner that he tries to ignore, the mockingbird evidently determined to dig his own grave. It all comes to a head after the fucker throws his arm around Cheeks’ shoulders and insults Katsuki for the tenth time, insisting that he must be an idiot to string Ochako along and that she deserves someone more competent.
It leads to them sparring in the agency lobby.
Katsuki wins, huffing and puffing under his breath while wrapping the stupid capture fabric around Eyebags’ skull, determined to cover his slick mouth so it doesn’t spout off any more truths.
He already feels like a dumbass, he doesn’t need another reminder. How was he so damn blind? Why was he so hesitant to face his fears? He’s a Hero, for fuck’s sake – the future number one Hero, for that matter. He should be the bravest of the brave.
Obviously his spine didn’t get that memo when it came to Cheeks.
That’ll be different from this point forward. Holding back is a thing of the past. Katsuki will have Ochako swooning left and right, wholeheartedly convinced there’s no one in existence that could possibly be better for her than him.
After they talked through everything and he got on her ass about putting him through emotional and mental gymnastics, he got to kiss her again and that made it more than worth it.
Resting an arm around her shoulders while they stroll out of the agency and into the private parking lot, he finds himself appreciative of the biting winter chill when she searches out his body heat, snuggling into his side with a content sigh. Katsuki typically hates the cold, this being his least favorite season secondary to the nature of his quirk. However, today has changed his perspective dramatically. Hell, he’d have a wedding in Antarctica at this point.
Reaching into his coat pocket, he withdraws another strawberry candy and offers it with a knowing smile, basking in how right this all feels.
She eagerly accepts his offering, then wraps her own arms around his middle like a little koala hugging its favorite tree. Mischief sparks in her eyes. “You gonna come watch one of those ‘awful’ movies and order cheap take-out with me?”
“Nah.”
Her sparkle only slightly dims, ever the master of painting on a cheerful expression despite her true feelings. “Oh, ok! That’s fine. I’ll see you-”
“Tonight,” Katsuki announces while unlocking her car. “You’ll see me tonight.”
Confusion permeates her tone and twists the delicate line of her brow. “But you just said-”
“I said,” he interrupts, untangling himself to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, “that I wasn’t going to watch a shitty movie with you and order take-out. That’s what I said.”
Rising onto her tiptoes, a smirk appears when Cheeks latches onto the lapel of his coat, pulling him down until the warmth of her exhale teases his lips. “What do you have in mind, then?”
“Hmm,” he hums, barely brushing his nose against hers, watching the flutter of her eyelashes intently. “A little of this,” he murmurs, allowing his thumb to graze over her plump, bottom lip, “a little of that.” When they’re this close, Katsuki can smell her familiar herbal shampoo; can discern the trembling of her knees. “Let me take care of everything – take care of you.”
Katsuki watches as his earnest request is processed in real time, the healthy flush darkening her face a good sign. She’s always worried about everyone else and deserves to have someone look after her too.
Her response is barely audible, a private whisper in the wind. “Ok.”
_______________________
The next week passes in glorious fashion. He and Cheeks kick ass by day and unwind together in the evenings. It has him on cloud fucking nine. Waking up next to her or noticing signs that she’s been present – a fluffy scarf strewn across the back of the couch, a pair of sleeping mittens left on the nightstand – feels right. It might sound lame as shit, but it's almost like he’s entered some alternative universe or alternate timeline in which everything is as it should be. Cheeks is by his side both professionally and personally, right where she belongs.
Where she’s always belonged.
Katsuki’s making every effort to stand by his word. He’s showered her with sweets, made her homemade mochi, and brought her bentos each day for lunch. He holds her hand almost constantly and glares at complete strangers when they become too friendly with her. However, he’s yet to do one very important thing – take her on a real date.
He’s been planning it since the day they finally confessed on that rooftop and tonight’s the night.
“Get ready, Cheeks! We’re leaving in half an hour,” he calls, gladly soaking up the comfortable heat of her apartment, practically defrosting in the genkan. Shrugging out of his outer layers, Katsuki steps further inside and pockets his keys.
“What?” he hears her inquire from the bedroom, ambling out in oversized Dynamight loungewear. She must’ve been doing laundry, two mismatched socks standing out in her grasp. “What is this about leaving in half an hour?”
There’s no hope for him to smother the excited smile that’s determined to break through his poker face. She’s going to love this. “I’m taking you somewhere.” Closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye, Katsuki’s fingers card through her hair to rest against her nape, his mouth planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “As much as I love seeing you in my colors,” he teases, lightly tugging on her shirt and slipping his hand underneath, brazenly allowing his touch to brush over her hip bone as he inhales her sweet scent, “you need to wear something warm.”
Her countenance lights up like it’s Christmas morning. “Where are we going?
“It’s a surprise.”
At that, her expression completely bypasses Christmas morning and enters some uncharted territory that renders his insides to pudding. “You planned a surprise for me?” The awe in her voice sends too many blood vessels to his ears.
“Yes,” he confirms, reaching to spin her around by the shoulders. “Now move it. If you don’t get dressed and hurry that beautiful ass out the door, we’re gonna miss it.”
Squealing and shaking her fists in excitement, Katsuki watches in amusement as she throws the socks up into the air and helicopters around him a few times before disappearing back into the bedroom, her door slamming hard enough that it rattles the potted plants in her windowsill.
Katsuki picks up the rogue socks and sets them on her table with a chuckle, deciding to take a seat on the couch to pass the time. Scrolling through his phone, the Hero mindlessly glances over texts, half-reads social media posts, and tries to keep himself together. Every instinct insists that this will make her happy, but he wants it to be perfect. Even if he has to wait a while for her to get ready-
“Let’s go!” she chirps out of the blue, bursting out of the bedroom and appearing at his side.
He blinks at his phone in dismay. She’d taken less than ten minutes?
What steps in front of him is a snow angel made flesh. Cheeks’ curvy form is hugged by a white sweater dress and tights, the sight elevated to maximum possible cuteness by a pink scarf, gloves, and a little hat with one of those fluffy pom pom things on top.
So fucking adorable.
He could swear his heart flings itself against his ribcage.
Outright zooming to the entryway, the object of his affection steps into her boots and dons her coat with zeal, already holding his outerwear toward him expectantly. When he catches up, Katsuki cannot resist pulling her close to kiss the tip of her nose. “You look cute, Cheeks.”
“Gotta at least try to keep up with you,” she husks, biting her bottom lip. A palm slides up to the cowled neck of his sweatshirt and grips it tightly, tugging his neck down until they’re at eye level. “That’s a tall order. Nobody’s better looking than Dynamight.”
“I’m not so sure about that. Heard his girlfriend’s got Japan’s ass.” His truth makes her furiously flush and intertwine her gloved hand with his.
With a satisfied grin, he tugs her over the threshold with a “Come on,” ushering her down the hall and toward the elevator. After his index finger presses against the cool steel and the heavy doors open to reveal an empty interior, he’s pleased that luck appears on their side.
Believing they’ll have the space to themselves, he’s mildly annoyed when during their descent, the elevator pauses at the floor directly below with a high-pitched chime. Katsuki’s eyes almost pop out of their sockets at the sight of who enters, stunned when a cheery tone greets, “Hey, Uraraka!”
The dark-haired man is all smiles, nodding toward Katsuki as though they’ve been friends for decades.
“You two heading out on a date?”
Katsuki glances between the pair rapidly, his neck threatening to crack. “Y-you!” he sputters in shock, shielding Ochako with his larger frame.
“Me!” the man replies, looking entirely too proud of himself. “Nice to see you again, Dynamight,” he dramatically whispers, leaning against a handrail with shocking casualness.
Cheeks bursts into laughter and steps between them. Gesturing toward the attempted robber they recently apprehended, she explains between giggles, “Katsuki, this is my friend, Shimada. He lives on this floor.”
“You know each other?”
Apparently, it’s the criminal’s turn to laugh. “We met right after she first moved in. No hard feelings, I hope. Seems like things worked out for the both of you and it gave me an opportunity to immerse myself into a darker role.”
Katsuki’s eyebrow quirks as he watches the now clean-shaven man adjust the scarf around his neck. “Role?”
Placing her hand flat against his chest, she spells it out for him. “Shimada’s an aspiring actor.”
The puzzle pieces assemble in his head almost instantly.
Cheeks called in the crime through their comm. The man was already apprehended when Katsuki arrived from a few blocks over. Katsuki left as soon as he handed the bastard over to Eyebags. She volunteered to handle the paperwork.
That was all a ruse too?!
“That was fake?!” he squawks, confounded at the level of effort that was put into the ordeal.
“It was,” the man confirms, crossing his arms. “I’m glad to hear my performance was convincing. You didn’t tell him, Uraraka?”
“No,” Katsuki states pointedly, “she did not.”
Both of her hands raise in surrender. “I told you it was all made up!”
“How would I know you meant that, too?”
“Hey, now,” the faker interjects, stepping closer. “It wasn’t all made up. I was at the train station that day and I see you coming and going from this place all the time. I always believed you were secretly dating and doing a terrible job at keeping it a secret. When Uraraka finally spilled the beans, I was more than happy to be of service.”
Katsuki barely represses the urge to scoff when the man bows like this is a curtain call. All these people put that much work into bringing them together? Mirko, Cheeks, Eyebags, some random wannabe actor friend…
It’s strange. As more time passes, he finds himself incredibly grateful, even if the entire experience was one of the most outlandish things he’s ever been subjected to.
When movement ceases and the elevator doors open, he’s surprised they have already reached the ground floor and that Cheeks’ friend is shuffling out.
“Well, this is my stop. Good luck, you two!” he wishes while walking backwards, wielding such flamboyant finger guns that Kaminari Denki himself would be proud. “I never saw you, my lips are sealed.” Theatrically, he pretends to zip his mouth shut and throw away the key.
“Bye! See you for coffee on Tuesday!” Cheeks calls with a wave. In the next breath she turns toward him with wide eyes. “I’ve already apologized, please don’t be mad.”
Chuckling, he leads her out while shaking his head.
“What?” she asks, clearly concerned. “What is it?”
“I’m not mad, Cheeks. Not anymore,” he reveals, thumping the pom pom on top of her hat. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been and I owe it to all of our meddling friends, even that Shimada fucker.”
Her shoulders slump in relief, pep instantly returning to her step. There’s no damn way he’s allowing something like that to drive a wedge between them. Instead, he wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her close, pressing a featherlight kiss to her temple.
And when she looks up at him in wonder, lips rosy and eyelashes aflutter, fuck, she could get away with murder.
Unable to let her go, Katsuki keeps one arm around her while they walk to his car, insistent on opening the passenger door for her like a perfect gentleman. By the time the engine is ignited and he’s fired up the seat warmers, she’s vibrating in excitement and he’s powerless not to grin along with her like a complete dork.
She’s always been like this – happiest about the smallest things. Sure, he could take her to some fancy ass restaurant or the theatre, but she’ll appreciate this much more.
As they venture out of the parking garage and into a night full of possibility, it's quiet aside from the steady hum of the motor and the faint hint of the radio. Cheeks is unusually silent, an undercurrent of anticipation dancing in the space between them, releasing every butterfly in his stomach. She isn’t singing at the top of her lungs or talking about anything and everything that pops into her mind. She’s simply existing in this moment with him, soaking up every second. Katsuki’s palm rests on her knee, hers curled loosely around his wrist. It’s impossible not to admire her in the dim glow of passing lights, always thrilled at the spark that ignites beneath his skin when she stares back unapologetically; when she smiles that smile that could end wars but she reserves for him.
Her spine straightens when they pull into a deserted lot, her gaze bouncing around every window until they rest on a new sign that was installed a few months ago, illuminated by an overhead light: Takoba Municipal Beach Park
“We’re going to the beach?” she exclaims, smacking at his forearm while gesturing toward the windshield. “Katsuki, I love the beach!”
“I know.” He barks out a deep laugh, unbuckling his seatbelt and cutting the engine. “That’s why we’re here.”
Cheeks scrambles out of the vehicle so quickly that she almost trips.
Katsuki bites his lip in an effort not to snort. The slightest breeze ghosts over his profile then ruffles the blonde hair that rests against his forehead. He adjusts his coat before popping the trunk to fish out a rather large, indiscriminate bag.
By his side in an instant, she’s already pressing herself as close to him as possible, her nose buried into his chest, inhaling the cologne he knows is her favorite. A tap on her chin piques her interest, the brunette gazing up to meet his line of sight without pause. Katsuki directs her attention to the sky, thankful the full moon bathes their surroundings in a muted glow – brightly enough that they can enjoy their evening without having to carry flashlights. “It’s not Hawaii, but-”
“It’s better,” she interjects, staring up at the stars with childlike wonder. Katsuki watches mesmerized as her hair softly sways in the wind; as her heated exhale transforms into tiny puffs of smoke. “It’s better because I’m here with you.”
Throat closing up like someone’s fisting his windpipe, Katsuki stares down at his feet in an effort to regain his bearings. Every word from her heart is a critical hit to his defenses. How is it possible that this woman fell in love with him first? What did he do to deserve such a tremendous gift from the cosmos? He was such a little shit for so long.
“You still here?” Cheeks jests, snatching him from his thoughts with a nudge of her hip.
It gives his brain control over his legs once more, the Hero beginning to escort her down the pier and toward the gazebo. “Yea. Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Pure joy encompasses her features and it’s a miracle he can stand up at all.
She stargazes while they meander down the moonlit path, probably sorting through various facts about outer space in that beautiful mind of hers. When they reach their destination, he takes advantage of the distraction and kneels down to unzip the bag, withdrawing an oversized blanket and a multitude of paperboard containers.
“Is that-is that food?” she gasps, settling onto her knees in a flash. Gloved fingers dart out to wrap around a carton and pull it to her torso. “Take-out?”
“Yep.”
“Oh my gosh! This is from my favorite Chinese restaurant in town!” When she opens the carton and peers inside, her mouth gapes. It leads her to check a second, equally astonished. “This is my exact order!”
Katsuki’s confused by her surprise. “I obviously know that. You’ve ordered from there so many times that I lost count.”
“You…you hardly ever eat it.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t know what you like.”
Completely abandoning the meal, Cheeks rounds the edge of their blanket and rests her head on his shoulder, that action alone worth a thousand words. A sigh floats out when he repositions her to rest between his legs, her back flush against his chest.
It feels perfect.
Katsuki believes he could sit like this with her forever.
They stay like that for a while, embracing one another in their own exquisite bubble under the shimmering expanse of stars. Eventually, Katsuki reaches for his bag once again and drops it into her lap.
“There’s more?” she inquires in awe.
“Mhmm.”
When Cheeks withdraws the final contents, she stares at them for a moment before she speaks. “You got a paper sky lantern.”
It’s like every drop of blood in his body rushes to his face. “I…I thought we could assemble it together? We can keep it or light it and let it float away, whatever you wanna do. Tonight’s the last night of the celebration. I looked into taking you to an actual lantern festival, but they were all pretty far away and-”
A finger rests against his lips, effectively silencing him.
“I love it. Thank you.”
It doesn’t take long for them to get comfortable and construct it, Cheeks declaring that they’re definitely going to send it out over the water. He entrusts her with the lighter, giving her the honors of bringing their creation to life. As the lantern burns, it casts such a pretty glow upon Ochako’s face, and Katsuki could swear that she shines brighter than any star.
“You don’t want to write a wish on it?” she asks in genuine curiosity, realizing they completely skipped that step.
Katsuki’s hand rises to gently cup her cheek. Leaning down to meet her halfway, he bestows her with a kiss that is sweet and soft and makes his organs feel as if they’re going to implode.
“No,” he whispers, millimeters away from her lips, already moving to close the distance again. “My wish already came true.”
