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Moving was a lot harder, and a lot more expensive, than Katsuki had thought it would be.
Whenever their stuff was moved in and out of the dorms, it was usually a hired crew on UA’s dime. But moving out after graduation, since they weren’t going back home, had to be carried out by Katsuki and Tokoyami themselves.
Luckily, they were both eighteen and got their driving licenses through a program included in UA’s educational curriculum. So driving back and forth with a rented truck wasn’t much of a problem.
Of course, Katsuki insisted that he was going to be the driver during the whole process. He didn’t say it out loud, but Tokoyami’s driving wasn’t exactly up to his own standard.
But the more stuff they packed, the more stuff they had to move, and the more stuff they had to move, the more they bickered about how best to do it.
It was coordination that was their biggest challenge during the process.
Frustration mounted between them all day, so much so that they barely acknowledged each other as they bid their final goodbyes to the rest of the class.
Neither of them had the time or energy to feel nostalgic.
It was long after the sun had set when they finally moved the last box into the small apartment they had chosen. Since they were pro-heroes, they were given a top-floor apartment with elevator access, but otherwise, the place was dingy and scraped together. The sink was already leaky, and the floors were a bit warped.
But… It was home.
As Katsuki and Tokoyami sat together on the cool wooden floor of their kitchen to catch their breath, Katsuki finally cooled down enough to really take it all in.
All around them were cardboard boxes marked with their names and which room the stuff belonged in. Not that this apartment was anything more than a bedroom, bath, and kitchenette.
But Tokoyami was here with him.
If he hadn’t offered to go with Katsuki… he’d have to do this all on his own. And he’d be all alone in a dark, empty place.
“Kagehane,” He leaned forward, whispering Tokoyami’s nickname. He wouldn’t apologize, of course not. But he could at least do this. “C’mere.” He pulled him into his chest and nuzzled the feathers along his forehead. He was always so damn soft. “We did it.”
Tokoyami pushed his beak into Katsuki’s chest lovingly. “We did it together.” He rested in Katsuki’s arms, small, happy bird sounds coming from him almost like a cat’s purr.
“Yeah.” Katsuki said. “Even though you were a pain in the ass the whole time.”
Tokoyami just laughed. “I’d say the same about you. But perhaps that’s alright. It’s natural to bicker with your loved ones.” And then he stiffened a little.
And so did Katsuki. “Love, huh? Is this what that feels like?”
Tokoyami nodded into Katsuki’s shoulder. “I believe so.”
They each knew that tomorrow would come too quickly. That they’d have to face the next day’s challenges head-on. But a lifetime of challenge was worth it for them.
Because difficult things… are often worth doing.