Archive of Our Own

Izuku knew the Bakugos had never struggled with money. Both Mitsuki and Masaru had well-paying jobs, and the house they lived in had been paid off early into Katsuki’s childhood. They weren’t rich like Shoto or Momo, but well off enough never to worry about bills or losing their home. Presents from the Bakugos were the top of the line, Katsuki’s parents always ready to help Izuku and his mother at a moment’s notice. When they graduated, his parents took Izuku’s family with them on a mini vacation, refusing Inko and Izuku’s money for ‘dealing with their brat all this time’. 

Some people thought their stability was why Masaru stayed with his hot-headed wife, ignoring how passionate she was when speaking of his accomplishments at work. Mitsuki was her husband’s biggest cheerleader, and always made sure to kiss his soft smile the second he stepped into the home. So no, Izuku knew there was more to their love than finances. Masaru’s favorite way to show his wife his affection (and secretly, Izuku’s favorite to watch) was with a surprise gift. They were never after a fight, or connected to a specific holiday. He’d come home with a bag or wrapped present, always with a bow to add the finishing touch. Izuku’s attention would immediately shift from whatever he and Katsuki were doing, watching when Masaru presented the surprise to Mitsuki.

“You’re such a sap,” Mitsuki would say, but her eye roll didn’t have the same fire with her smile taking over her cheeks before kissing her husband.

Izuku thought it was romantic. Katsuki would grumble about ‘gross parents’ before demanding Izuku come play in the other room. 

“When I become the number one hero, I’ll never waste my money like that,” Katsuki said once, when Izuku made him stay to watch his mother open her newest present. 

Izuku only sighed, leaning his chubby cheeks into his tiny hands over the play table. “You don’t find it sweet, Kacchan? To give the person you love something that makes them smile, just for you?”

“Gross.” Katsuki made a show of scrunching his nose, moving his All Might figurine to kick one of the villain dolls away. “Heroes don’t need that.”

“I guess.” And yet, when Mitsuki wrapped her arms around Masaru’s neck and looked up at him fondly, something in his chest warmed. Love could be a power better than any quirk; his mom had told him that since he was a baby. Her kisses healed his scraped knees. He always stopped crying when the neighbor’s cat came over to rub against him. And one day, he would make his special someone feel just as loved as Masaru did with Mitsuki.

Except, twenty years later, Izuku would learn gift giving was in every Bakugo’s blood.

~**~

“Your suit is so manly!” 

Kirishima’s praise made Izuku chuckle, though the fatigue from their mission kept the noise low. The later hour of the night meant the cafe they were in was mostly empty, their table the only one with food still on it. Full for the first time in days, Izuku sighed and leaned against the soft back cushion, the padding of his suit bumping against Katsuki from the lack of space. Then again, having four heroes shoved into a tiny booth made everything a little cramped. Mina and Kirishima had it easier on their end, her smaller frame slipping under the arm Kirishima left on the back of the seat. She snuggled into his side, head resting on the strong man’s shoulder with her eyes closed. 

He didn’t blame her after the tough mission. If their desperate need to eat hadn’t driven them into the first open restaurant they came across upon returning to the city, Izuku would be too embarrassed about his sweaty, dirty skin to go into any establishment. He missed running water, clean clothes, and a bed that didn’t feel like sandpaper. Their mission hadn’t been glorious, but Izuku still felt a twitch of a smile looking at his dirty pants. Being on a mission for the first time since getting the new suit was exhilarating, and getting to fight by Katsuki’s side again left something buzzing under his skin.

The mentioned man scoffed beside him, bumping their shoulders together as he snagged another bite of his dinner. “Damn straight it is. That suit was built with the best materials in the world, and by the smartest mad scientists I’ve ever met. Course it fucked everyone up.”

“Kacchan, not so loud.” He was too tired to lift his hand, so he moved it to pat the other’s thigh. “We’re still heroes, even if we’re off shift. And if one of my student’s parents see me—”

“Good, let the rat fire you.” Katsuki looked far too excited at the prospect. “Then you can come be a hero full time.”

“I’m not quitting my teaching job,” Izuku replied, Mina’s little giggle proving she’d been a witness of the same argument far too many times. “You’ve already stolen me from my class for a weeklong mission; don’t you think that’s long enough?”

When Katsuki only looked away and huffed, Izuku shook his head and glanced at Kirishima, who shrugged before giving a sheepish smile. “I gotta side with Bakubro; you made everything a lot easier being there.”

“I think our blond bombshell just misses his favorite hero,” Mina mumbled from her resting spot, humming when Kirishima turned to kiss her forehead without thought. Izuku watched the love radiating from them, feeling his own smile soften. They were the type of relationship people dreamed of; healthy and full of fearless love for one another. 

“Oi, what the hell are you yapping about?” Katsuki growled and flicked his straw wrapper at the happy couple. “Stop making up stories in your head, Pinky.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, but before anyone could reply, the waitress came over with the bills. Kirishima grabbed his and Mina’s, while he and Katsuki each had their own to pay. Izuku thanked the young girl with a smile, then focused on pulling his wallet from his—

“Oh, no.” When the three heroes at the table looked over to him, Izuku felt his cheeks grow warm at his uncomfortable confession. “I think I left my wallet in my mission bag.” 

“Seriously?” Katsuki’s scoff when Izuku gave him a weak nod caused his shoulders to twitch, waiting for the verbal chew-out. Instead, his duo partner pursed his lips before reaching out for the server book with his bill in it. “I’ve got you, Nerd.” 

“Really?” Surprised, Izuku sat up straighter, watching Katsuki grunt before moving both pieces of paper to rest under his credit card. “Are… Are you sure?”

“What, you planning to go out back and clean dishes as payment?” Katsuki rolled his eyes, pushing the waitress' book to the edge of the table. “It’s just a burger and fries. Ain’t like you got a five-course meal.”

“Yeah, but—”

Izuku paused, glancing to the side. Katsuki’s frugality was well known among their friends. He worked hard for his money, and so it made sense he wanted to keep it for meaningful reasons. Whenever Denki or Hanta tried to borrow for frivolous reasons, Katsuki would chew them out and then refuse to help. It wasn’t that Katsuki was stingy; he donated all the time, and when the cause was worthy, Katsuki would offer his support. Izuku’s suit was proof enough. But the only time he’d seen him cover food bills was for birthdays, and his parents. To be a part of the small exception…

“Just shut up and say thank you,” Katsuki said, and Izuku felt his lips curve up without permission. Izuku’s smile refused to be contained, cheeks darkening while he tried to hide the happiness with a few fingers. He couldn’t help it; middle school Izuku would have passed out if he learned Katsuki not only worked with him, but paid for his meal. Like he was someone special. 

Like he was loved .

“Thanks, Kacchan.” Slowly, he turned his attention back to Katsuki, surprised to find the sharp gaze already on him. Holding back his squeak, his face flushed before jerking his head the opposite direction, ignoring Mina and Kirishima’s snickers to count the tiles on the floor. 

But the fact Katsuki never mentioned Izuku paying him back made his smile linger for the rest of the night.

~**~

He thought the lunch would be a single incident. And it was… for a month.

The new year meant snowy weather, though Izuku enjoyed the gentle flurries as he walked down the sidewalk. With a new coat and a thick scarf, the chill of the afternoon didn’t bother him nearly as much as his grumpy counterpart. Katsuki and Izuku were asked to collect some items for Shoto’s birthday, Ochaco already sending the others of their group out on party tasks. Using their day off, Izuku wrote the items on his phone and dragged Katsuki out to help carry the supplies.

“How much more did Pink Cheeks put on there?” Bags swung off Katsuki’s arms as he walked beside Izuku, a puff of white smoke shooting out through his groan. “I swear, I can’t feel my damn toes.”

“We’re almost done,” Izuku answered, hoping his enthusiasm would lessen some of Katsuki’s discomfort. “It’s nice that Tsu and Ochaco are putting this together for Shoto. I think he’s kind of like me, and never really had a big birthday party as a child. We can help treat him to something he deserves.”

“Your mom didn’t cover your apartment with tacky decorations as a kid?”

At Katsuki’s correct assessment, Izuku laughed, though his smile didn’t take over his face while they wandered down the busy street. “She did. Even during the years we had little extra money, I always had a cake and presents. Mom’s my biggest cheerleader. But when it came to birthday parties, she couldn’t make people come. I loved spending time with my mom, but… until I came to UA, I guess my birthday reminded me how alone I was.”

He didn’t need to look at Katsuki to know he was reading between the lines. Because of his abandonment after discovering Izuku was quirkless, and the bullying in middle school, most people stopped hanging out with Izuku. While he didn’t hold it against Katsuki, his duo partner still held his younger self responsible for things they couldn’t change. In Izuku’s opinion, he’d more than made up for his moments of immature cruelty when they were kids. How could Izuku ever think the man who nearly died for him (twice) and gave him his dream back saw him as useless? Izuku always looked up to Katsuki’s drive to be a hero as a child. But now, he admired him for the hero he’d actually become.

So the ghost of his past only made Izuku laugh, leaning slightly to bump their arms together. “Hey, do you want to know the only gift I really wanted as a kid?”

“Is it gonna make me feel like even more of a prick?” Katsuki asked, though his tense shoulders slowly eased from their stiff position when Izuku shook his head.

“No, it wasn’t your fault. Mom just wouldn’t let me get one because of her busy work schedule and all my allergies.” When Katsuki arched his brow, Izuku looked up into the falling snow, letting it pepper over his scarred cheek. “I’d wanted a cat. I think there was an episode of that All Might show where he was turned into a cat, and still saved the day? Then he did some promotion at the end of the show for shelter animals.”

“ ‘Paw Might’.” Of course, Katsuki remembered the name. 

Izuku’s smile widened at the fond memory, hands swinging with the bags of supplies. “There’d been this really pretty calico in the background that I wanted. I begged mom for months, even wished for it when I blew out my candles. Back then, I thought having a cat would sort of be like having a new friend, just for me. But I was still little, and didn’t realize how much responsibility it’d put on my mom’s shoulders. She tried to get me a stuffed animal to make up for it, but it wasn’t the same.”

“I always thought you’d be a dog person,” Katsuki said, Izuku humming while he tossed the idea around in his head.

“Dogs are sweet, but I don’t have the space to give them the right kind of care they deserve. Maybe if I finally bite the bullet and get a house, I’d get a dog for company.” He didn’t know when that’d be, since he’d always thought buying a house was something he’d do with his future partner. But being a hero and teacher took up all his time, and the only person he could really commit himself to was the hero standing next to him. “But I’ve heard calicos can be affectionate and playful, just like dogs. And their coats are so pretty. What’s there not to love about a calico kitten?”

“You talk like you still want one.”

“Ah, I… I guess I still do. That’s probably irresponsible of me, right? With two jobs, and not a lot of extra time, getting a cat wouldn’t be fair to them.” Izuku shrugged, trying to shove away the childish excitement over the age-old conversation. When Katsuki only stared at him in silence, Izuku’s words fumbled over themselves to change the topic. “Do you think we should get Shoto a present while we’re out? I doubt you’ve even thought of one yet.”

“Hah? Why the hell should I get Icyhot anything? My presence at his party is enough.”

“Kacchan!”

Their conversation shifted easily, and Izuku forgot about the walk down memory lane. Nothing about it had dragged out old nightmares; Izuku’s processing of his trauma long ago worked through. The talk felt more like a time passer, nothing he expected Katsuki to think of. Because of the lack of importance in his current life, Izuku let the conversation slip from his mind. Days went by without any mention of a cat, Izuku enjoying his time at Shoto’s party and switching between his two jobs.

But then, almost two weeks after the party, Izuku got a knock at his door. 

“Oh.” Blinking once from his couch, Izuku slowly put down the mission report he’d been going over before standing up. He tried to think of his plans for the week, and if there was something he missed when filling out his refrigerator calendar. When nothing came to mind, he looked through the peephole, floored at the strange sight. Unsure if he believed his own eyes, Izuku pulled back and opened the door, mind reeling. “Kacchan? What is… what are you carrying ?”

“Stop asking questions and get the fuck out of the way.” At the sharp, but strained, command, Izuku quickly moved behind the door, letting his duo partner stomp into his apartment. Izuku tried to process what he was seeing, but everywhere he looked, more questions filled his head. In Katsuki’s overloaded arms were… cat items. Toys, food, and a plant with ‘catnip’ written on the pot it sat in. He even had a self-filling water and food dispenser that Izuku knew, from 2am info commercials, were a pretty penny.

Lost from the sudden haul, Izuku followed Katsuki deeper into his apartment, watching his friend dump all of the supplies into the center of his living room. “Kacchan can you please explain what’s happening?”

“I’ll tell you everything your nerdy brain wants to know on the trip over.” Once scanning the items like he had a mental checklist, Katsuki turned to Izuku and nodded toward his door. “Get your shoes and coat. We’ve only got twenty minutes to get there.”

“Get where ?” Despite his protest, Izuku followed Katsuki’s request, moving to wiggle his feet into his sneakers. “And how did you get all of this? Do you need me to store some stuff? Your place is bigger than mine, but I can help whoever you took this from—”

“I didn’t steal it, Freckles. I bought everything.” 

“Why?”

“For your cat.” The comment came out of left field, and only confused him more. Before he could ask, Katsuki was in front of him, holding out his jacket with a scowl. “Now we’re down to eighteen.”

“Ah, sorry.” He rose to his full height, letting Katsuki wrap the coat around him while he stuffed his arms inside. “But if you’d just explain it a bit more—”

“We’re scheduled to meet a bunch of fleabags at the cat cafe,” Katsuki said, yanking Izuku’s hood over his head before stepping back to scan his work. “They said every cat there is up for adoption. Recently, one of their calicos had kittens. A whole litter of weird-looking furballs are up for grabs, so I rented the place out for an hour.”

“You’re serious.” He knew Katsuki would nod, the hero turning Izuku to walk toward the front door. “Kacchan, I can’t possibly get a pet. I work so much; what if the kitten feels neglected?”

“What do I look like, chopped liver?” Once they were out of the apartment, Katsuki yanked the door shut, pulling out Izuku’s keys (when he snagged them, he wasn’t sure) to lock-up behind them. “I can swing by and make sure the gremlin isn’t dead when you’re stuck with the brats. If I kept all you extras alive in UA for three years, the furball will be a piece of cake.”

“You’ll help me raise them?”

“I’ll make sure it doesn’t die,” Katsuki corrected, though Izuku’s excitement grew at the underlying implication. “Now can we go, Nerd? We’re down to fifteen minutes, and I’ve gonna have to break a bunch of speed limits to—”

Izuku rushed forward without thought, knocking them both into the wall of the hallway. His hood flew off from the impact, but he didn’t care. Despite the grunted protest over his head, Izuku only laughed, wrapping his arms around Katsuki’s torso to hug him tightly. Hiding his smile in Katsuki’s thick coat, he ignored the chill of the hall with his warmed cheeks. Katsuki had thought about his throwaway comment enough to research, make calls, and even shop for Izuku’s childish dream. The kindness that his duo partner never let people see now shimmered like the sun in the dim hallway, making Izuku squeeze him tighter to his chest.

“Oi, stop trying to break my spine! What part of time limit don’t you get?”

Ignoring Katsuki’s half-formed complaint, Izuku closed his eyes, mumbling his gratitude against the warm shoulder. “Thank you. Kacchan’s really the best.”

“Tch, whatever.” Even with the dismissal, a warm hand fell over Izuku’s head, smooth fingers slipping through his curls before giving a gentle tug. “Let’s get a furball.”

“Mmk.” Pulling back, Izuku grabbed Katsuki’s hand, tugging him toward the stairs with a grin. “Come on, before we miss our appointment.”

“I’ve been saying that this whole time!”

Izuku came home with two kittens, (“Kacchan, she needs her best friend. Look at them snuggle; they’re like us!” “Hah?! We don’t snuggle anymore, you—don’t look at me like that.”), but that was okay. 

Because seeing them sleeping on his couch, with Katsuki muttering while assembling the cat tree, made his smile last all night.

~**~

“There’s my favorite spoiled hero!”

At Mina’s teasing call, Izuku stumbled in his approach, though quickly recovered with a sheepish laugh. “Sorry, did I steal the patrol you wanted? I don’t really have a say in where I’m scheduled, but—”

“No, silly. Nothing like that! I meant about how you’ve got your pretty little finger wrapped around a certain bombshell’s wallet.” 

“That’s not true!” Cheeks turning apple red, Izuku quickly shook his head, holding his hands up in his and Katsuki’s defense. “Kacchan is great with money management, but there’s just been a few times he’s paid before I could get my card out.”

And yes, Izuku had noticed it was happening more than usual. With Ultra and Mighty (the kittens he’d adopted from the cat cafe) now in their care, he saw Katsuki more often. He swept by with new toys and treats, and despite Izuku offering to pay him back, Katsuki ignored him. Sometimes, when Katsuki knew Izuku was working a double shift, he’d come home to food from his favorite restaurant in the refrigerator. Last week, he tried to corner Katsuki and ask for a bill to pay back all of the ‘loans’ his best friend gave him. But his attempt (and really, any attempt in the future) died when Katsuki met his gaze and shrugged.

“Don’t worry about it, Princess.”

So flustered by the nickname, Izuku’s ears steamed, unable to look at his smirking partner for the rest of the day. His reaction seemed to be exactly what Katsuki wanted, though he only used the embarrassing ‘endearment’ when they were alone. No matter how prepared he was for the softer nickname, Izuku’s heart ran a marathon anytime Katsuki appeared. Whenever he came with a thoughtful meal or cat gift, the new tease crossed his lips. He didn’t understand what Katsuki’s goal was, but Izuku quickly dismissed it as anything but his friend’s newest way to throw Izuku off his game.

“Really?” Stepping forward, Mina grabbed his wrist, turning it to scan the newest accessory. “Nice watch, Deku. Looks expensive.”

“T-That’s for work!” He pulled his arm back, hoping his tone wouldn’t give away his own excitement from Katsuki’s recent offer. “Cause he said I’m always late to my shifts.”

“And a regular watch wouldn’t do the trick?”

“Kacchan probably remembered I’ve been looking for an All Might one.” He didn’t mention he’d been specifically searching for the limited edition Silver Age watch, or how rare the item was. How Katsuki found it, Izuku wasn’t sure. Izuku had alerts set up online for any drop of the older watch, and yet Katsuki presented it like he’d stumbled over it on accident. Not wanting to explain all the pointless details, Izuku added. “Plus, it’s our anniversary.”

“What?!” Mina gasped, her surprise flipping into instant joy. Hopping in place, she quickly grabbed his hands, spinning them around in her glee. “I’m so happy for you two! How long has it been? Why didn’t you tell me?! Ugh, I bet it was Blasty, right? He never wants to let us have fun.”

Confused over her reaction, Izuku let her move him, ignoring the looks of civilians that passed by. “I figured you’d know, since you helped out.”

“Wait.” Stopping suddenly, Mina furrowed her brows. “I hooked you and Bakubabe up?”

“What?!” Frantically, he tried to cover her mouth, looking around to make sure nobody heard the random claim. “Mina, what are you talking about? It’s the six-month anniversary of my suit .”

She squirmed out of the hold on her mouth to show her disbelief. “You’re telling me Blasty bought you a gift for that?! It hasn’t even been a year!”

“Kacchan’s very sentimental.”

“He bought Hanta a Pez dispenser for his birthday.” Before Izuku could defend his friend, Mina held her finger up. “Of Tokoyami . He didn’t even get the right hero.”

“There’s a lot of birthdays in July,” Izuku replied, rushing to cover his weak counter. “He spent seven years on this suit. Obviously, it means a lot to him. And if he wants to buy me something to celebrate everything we’ve been through, I… I wanna support him. All his life, he’s been scared to show how he feels. If this watch, for whatever reason, makes him happy? Then the occasion doesn’t matter.”

“And what about you?” She asked, moving closer to try and make eye-contact. “Does it make you happy? To be special?”

The modest part of him wanted to deny the question. His mother had always taught him to stay humble, and he never took more than he deserved. The fame and popularity of what happened in the war had focused more on Katsuki and Shoto when they were teens, but Izuku hadn’t minded. He preferred being on the quieter side, and tried to keep his wants locked away. 

But with this, with Katsuki’s attention, things felt… different. He liked being special enough for Katsuki to think of him, even when Izuku wasn’t around. To be someone he took time to select a specific gift over finding whatever was convenient. And maybe he should have protested the watch more, knowing how expensive it probably was. But having something Katsuki bought him, pressed to his skin like a loving kiss…

“Yes,” he whispered, lashes lowering while skimming the links of the watch. “Being someone special to Kacchan is… a dream come true.”

“Oh, sweetie.” Mina’s fond look shimmered in genuine affection before she tugged him forward, hugging him. Izuku relaxed into the touch, though quickly tensed when her sigh slipped out. “You really are his Disney princess.”

He was going to have words with Katsuki, once his face didn’t resemble a tomato.

Except he forgot to lecture Katsuki about the misplaced nickname the next time he saw the man, because he was distracted. After months of badgering Izuku, showing his relentlessness, Katsuki finally got his wish; Izuku agreed to sign on as a hero at his agency. He made sure not to hide his plan to stay a teacher, though cutting his hours to part-time for the next school year did imply he’d spend more time in Katsuki’s expensive suit. As soon as the ink dried on the contract, Katsuki was moving around the desk, grabbing Izuku’s chin with softness that contradicted his firm fingers.

“You get your ass home and get ready,” Katsuki said, eyes blazing with a passion that siphoned every molecule of air from Izuku’s chest. “Put on the fanciest shit you’ve got, Princess. Cause tonight, you’re eating like damn royalty.”

“Uh.” Heart ready to sprint to America, Izuku wasn’t sure his eyes could widen any further, the heat in his stomach bursting like Katsuki’s quirk. Izuku’s world shrunk to the hold on his face, and how he wanted to nuzzle into the skin that carried a naturally sweet scent. But doing so would earn him a blast to the face, so he gave a weak nod into the perfect grip. “Kay.”

“Good Nerd.” 

Then, with a grin that could impregnate a nun, Katsuki gave a gentle squeeze to Izuku’s chin before pulling away. He barely managed to stumble from Katsuki’s office before collapsing against the wall, hand pressing over the racing beat in his chest. Face hotter than the sun, he closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to collect his thoughts. Katsuki wasn’t taking him to dinner as a date . If anything, it was a business transaction. A totally platonic celebration that his heart needed to stop flipping over. Katsuki was just happy to start their new journey together, and he probably took all of his new heroes out after their contract signing.

The mental pep talk melted from his mind the second he stepped into the fanciest restaurant he’d ever seen. Despite having a fully stocked waitstaff and kitchen, Izuku noticed the lack of other customers when letting the restaurant’s host take his and Katsuki’s jackets. 

“Is this place closed?” Izuku asked, head turning to Katsuki in surprise. “Kacchan, did you make them stay late for us?”

“I’m not an asshole.” That didn’t answer Izuku’s question, so he stared at Katsuki until he sighed. Stepping forward, a hand slid to Izuku’s back, guiding him forward. “I rented the place out so we could eat without any extras bothering us.”

“The entire place?” Thoughts whirling, Izuku tried to mentally estimate how much that lavish act would cost. So lost in the ongoing zeros in his head, he almost missed Katsuki pulling out his seat, though brought himself back to the moment when the waitress coughed quietly. “Oh! Thank you, Kacchan.”

“Thank me by keeping your head out of the damn clouds.” Katsuki moved across the dimly lit table to sit on the opposite side, turning his focus on the patient waitress. “Tell your bossman we’re ready. He knows what to do.”

“Chef Fill-Up is more than happy to serve you on this memorable occasion. Would you like the wine you ordered now, or with your first course?”

“Whatever’s easier for you; we ain’t in a rush.”

As the waitress bowed and walked away, Izuku rewound the chef’s name before he froze. “Did she say Chef Fill-Up? As in the hero Fill-Up?!”

“Who’s place did you think this was?” Katsuki asked, looking confused over Izuku’s astonishment. 

“He’s the chef who taught Lunch Rush everything he knows! People wait months to taste his food.” Mainly because his quirk could take someone’s saliva and create a five-course meal tailored to their exact palate’s preferences. Izuku had only heard about his work and saw the end result in pictures and videos of his customers. Floored by how casual Katsuki looked over the knowledge, Izuku wondered if he had accidentally fallen asleep while waiting for his friend to pick him up for dinner. “How did you get us in here? And renting this place—I can’t let you pay for all of this!”

“Look, don’t give yourself a heart attack. I saved this old man’s restaurant from a group of villains who were trying to blow the place up. He tossed me on his fancy V.I.P list for instant seating whenever I wanted. All I forked over was the extra money to close the place a couple hours early.”

Which he knew was still far beyond anything Izuku would expect him to spend. “Kacchan—”

“You ain’t curious?” The sudden question snapped Izuku’s mouth shut, slowly tilting his head. Katsuki leaned his elbows on the table, face glowing in the candlelight when he popped his chin on one palm. “How I got your spit for his quirk?”

And he did want to know that, even if he knew it was just Katsuki’s tactic to stop his protest. His mind weighed the two conversations, but when Katsuki arched his brow like a challenge, Izuku instantly gave up his original thought. 

“Did you take a coffee cup? Steal my toothbrush? I don’t chew gum, so it’s not that…”

Just like Izuku imagined, the dinner was perfect. Throughout each course, he tasted the luxurious food, quickly rambling to Katsuki about the different flavors and spices he detected in the broths and sauces. Katsuki seemed more interested in watching Izuku hum and gasp over his meals, though answered whatever question Izuku had about his own choices. Despite their meals being made for them, they both offered bites to their dinner companion. 

He couldn’t ignore how… intimate the night felt. Katsuki’s ruby eyes following his mouth during his rambles left something warm simmering in Izuku’s stomach. The softer lighting and the low music in the empty space made him feel like they were the only two people in the world. Their feet brushed occasionally under the table until Katsuki hooked Izuku’s ankle under his to keep them locked throughout the last two courses. Maybe it was the crisp white wine paired with his oysters. Maybe it had been Katsuki’s tongue casually licking the drop of béarnaise sauce left on his lower lip. Or maybe it was just his unruly imagination adding a charge to the timber of Katsuki’s tease. 

Izuku didn’t want to lose any of it. Jealousy flared up without permission when thinking that the night, whatever it was, would eventually end. Katsuki’s attention would shift to someone else. He was a hero, like Izuku; most of their lives were dedicated to society. They couldn’t be selfish and hoard things for themselves. And yet, admiring how gorgeous Katsuki was in the candlelight, he wanted to. For just a second, Izuku wished he could be the only thing his favorite hero looked at.

“How’s your hand?” Katsuki asked when the final dish was taken from the waitress, glancing to where Izuku rested the mentioned body part.

“Healed up.” To prove himself, he flexed, only his ring finger struggling to curl in. “Well, mostly.”

“Surprised you didn’t rush off to your mom’s.”

“Why? She’s not a nurse.” Not anymore than a parent was to keep their child safe.

“Yeah?” Amused, Katsuki dropped a hand next to Izuku’s, their pinkies nudging against each other. “Cause when we were kids, you used to say she could cure any wound with her ‘special magic’.”

“Special—” 

He cut himself off when remembering his childish proclamation at the playground after falling off his bike the day before. When Katsuki had asked if it hurt, his younger self had proudly shown off his bandage and said his mother kissed it with her ‘special magic’. Which explained why, anytime Katsuki got hurt (until they fell apart), Izuku would try to kiss whatever injury he had. Most times, Katsuki would run from him or push him away, saying he didn’t need anyone else to take care of him. Izuku also remembered a few times Katsuki hid his teary face behind skinned knees or bruised forearms. In those vulnerable moments, Izuku had no sense of embarrassment, only eager happiness when leaning over and kissing a cure onto his friend’s injury.

But now, his fully developed emotional range meant his face lit up like a firework, aware of the higher pitch of his voice. “That was twenty years ago! And it did make me feel better back then. Kisses, th-they… do have magic, if they’re by the right person.”

“You think so?” Katsuki scoffed, but it was soft. Then, he reached out, sliding his touch under Izuku’s palm. “Such a nerd.” 

“What are you—” Everything in Izuku’s life slowed down when Katsuki lifted their hands off the table. Dazed, Izuku watched in awed disbelief when Katsuki pressed his lips over the injured knuckle. It was barely a brush of affection, and yet the spark that shot through his nervous system buzzed like Denki’s lightning. Katsuki’s lashes covered his eyes from closing them, yet Izuku still felt captivated by him. 

Slowly, Katsuki pulled his mouth away, looking up over Izuku’s trembling knuckles with a gaze that simmered with something more. “Feel better, Princess?”

He couldn’t feel anything but the butterflies in his stomach, breathless when he nodded. “Yeah.”

“Good. Now stop getting hurt.” Casual, like he hadn’t turned Izuku’s world upside-down, Katsuki let their hands sink back onto the table while glancing at the dessert menu. He didn’t move his touch away, thumb unconsciously stroking the back of Izuku’s hand. “I don’t need the big guy’s quirk to know he’s gonna give you the blueberry cheesecake. You’re like a damn bear.”

“Y-You like fruit too,” Izuku argued, trying to get his head out of the clouds and focus. “And there’s a strawberry shortcake with your name on it.”

Katsuki took the bait, friendly banter and teasing jabs exchanged when the predicted desserts came out. But even as Izuku laughed over Katsuki’s crude recall of a recent fight with Hanta and Tenya, the warmth against his palm made one thing glaringly clear.

Katsuki was dangerous to Izuku’s heart. 

~**~

Dinner at Fill-Up’s might have been a date.

It took him an entire month to wrap his head around the possibility. Katsuki could have anyone in the world if he wanted. He was smart, passionate, and attractive. There were so many fascinating waves to him, most would happily drown in his depth to try seeing the pearl beneath the pressure. To think Katsuki would even glance Izuku’s way and see something other than messy curls and a mess of scars and freckles…

After accepting it wasn’t impossible, Izuku did what he did best; observed. For almost two months, Izuku used every skill he picked up from his hero data collection to watch Katsuki. And once he opened his eyes wider, some things got a little clearer. The first was how Katsuki treated him versus their friends. It held an obvious difference; mainly, Katsuki pampered Izuku without hesitation. Izuku never asked, still cautious of taking advantage of his friend’s new charity. But the smallest hint of him needing (or wanting) something, and Katsuki magically made it happen.

A part of Izuku worried he was missing the reason for Katsuki’s philanthropy. What if Katsuki thought he had to spoil Izuku to keep him in the agency? And he could ask in order to clear the air. The problem was, despite the pinch of guilt he got each time he accepted Katsuki’s gifts… he had started to crave it. A deep part of him, one he tried to hide as a child, always hungered for Katsuki’s focus. Mina asked months before if Izuku enjoyed being special to Katsuki. Now, noticing Katsuki’s look of pride each time Izuku thanked him for his newest gift, he couldn’t deny it. Izuku lived for that precious expression crossing Katsuki’s face.

So, after collecting all his research, Izuku moved into the next scientific phase; experiment.

“I can’t remember the last time UA had an entire week off,” Izuku started, trying to sound casual while he finished folding his shirt. 

A peek from the corner of his eye quirked his lip without permission, catching the heart-melting sight in his living room. Katsuki laid out on the sofa, Ultra curled up on his chest while she snoozed. Her sister was hard at work on Katsuki’s sock, Mighty trying to rip it off with her fangs. Katsuki didn’t kick either kitten off, eyes closed and hands linked behind his head. Izuku loved how comfortable Katsuki felt in his home, like he knew he was always welcome in Izuku’s space.

“You’re still a hero, Deku.”

“Well, yes. But there’s a three-day break from patrols, too.” Taking in a slow breath to steel his nerves, Izuku tossed out his bait. “It would be nice to go somewhere. Just to get away from everything.”

“You’re not happy?” Katsuki asked, opening his eyes to send Izuku a sharp look.

“No! I love being Midoriya-Sensei, and Hero Deku has always been my dream. But I rarely get to be Izuku anymore.” Feeling an itch under his skin at Katsuki’s silence, Izuku chewed his lip and shrugged. “I doubt I’d do anything too big. Maybe a hike? Or see if the movie theatre is doing any special showings. Something to reset, you know?”

“Tch.” Katsuki slipped a hand out from behind his head, curling his finger to rub his knuckle between Ultra’s ears. Once she started purring at the affection, he continued. “I guess.”

It lacked any interest, and Izuku fought to keep his disappointment from the unexpected response. “I’ve got time to think about it.”

The conversation dropped like an anchor after, though Izuku forced himself to shake it off. Maybe Izuku was being too greedy, hoping Katsuki would jump at the chance to ask to spend the entire day together. Or maybe it wasn’t fair to expect Katsuki to plan everything for them. He thought Katsuki liked spoiling Izuku, but what if his theory was wrong? Even if Katsuki had feelings, he had the right to want reciprocation. And Izuku could do that! He could do anything for Katsuki, because he…

I’m going to surprise Kacchan this time, Izuku vowed to himself, a bubble of excitement washing over his disappointment. With a new goal in mind, Izuku explored different things for them to do together. He tried not to pick anything they needed reservations for, in case Katsuki ended up turning him down. Instead, he selected a cute bistro for lunch, which they could wedge between a morning hike and an afternoon trip to the shopping plaza. It left Katsuki with plenty of space to choose when he wanted to join on the self-care day, without Izuku feeling weird doing any of the activities on his own.

Except on the first morning of UA’s break, his mother’s sudden appearance at his apartment caught him off guard.

“I’m here for my grandbabies.” She held up a cat carrier, her smile growing warmer at his confusion. “Look at the cute crate Katsuki bought them. They’ll be fully spoiled during your trip.”

“Trip?” The word barely slipped from his mouth before his pocket vibrated, Izuku pulling his phone out to read the incoming message.

<< Get packed, Nerd. You have twenty minutes.

Two texts appeared after, but neither came with words. The first was a plane ticket, which was set to take off in six hours. He read his typed name, despite knowing he hadn’t bought it. The second was a beautiful picture of a spa, with gorgeous scenery Izuku could almost feel surrounding him. He could tell it wasn’t anywhere near them, too tropical for their area. Which explained the ticket he still couldn’t accept was real. 

With his mouth parted, Izuku looked up to his mother, struggling to put his thoughts together. “Did you know about this?”

“Of course,” she answered, placing the carrier on the floor and moving around him. Mighty was waiting for her attention, her loud meows only quieting once his mother scooped her up against her chest. “Katsuki visited for tea while Yagi was over. He told us about his plan, and Yagi suggested the exclusive resort. It’s on a secluded island that works with heroes to make sure your time there is relaxing. Isn’t he sweet?”

“Mom, I can’t take this!” Izuku tried to process the new information, but her innocent curiosity made him pace. “He didn’t tell me about any of this. The plane ticket, the reservation, the food plan—I didn’t pay for a single thing. And I can’t imagine Kacchan bringing us there without buying the fancy packages, especially because he must have taken time off from work. Kacchan never does that, and if he somehow got both of us the week away—he won’t do this halfway.”

“I think that’s the point, dear.” She scratched under Mighty’s chin, then looked at Izuku. “He knows you’re feeling worn down, and how hard it is to get you to relax. If you were in charge of your vacation, I can’t imagine you taking more than a day. Katsuki cares about you, and that boy has always been… vocal about things that matter to him.”

“If the nerd could be trusted, I wouldn’t have to monitor him.” Katsuki’s voice entering the conversation made Izuku spin to the front door still open from his mother’s arrival. With crossed arms, Katsuki arched his brow. “But you’d find some accidental drug ring or another secret gifted gremlin, and wouldn’t relax at all.” 

“Kacchan,” Izuku said, though couldn’t come up with anything else to say. 

“Come here, my sweet babies.” His mother’s cooing to Ultra and Mighty didn’t pull Izuku’s gaze from Katsuki’s eye-roll, though he finally looked over once hearing the carrier’s zipper close. She lifted it with both her hands, moving over to kiss Izuku’s cheek. “We’ll be going now. Enjoy your trip. Take lots of pictures!”

“Sure,” he said, watching her give Katsuki a matching amount of affection before she disappeared from the apartment. He could hear his mother speaking fondly to the mewling kittens, her voice fading the further she went. Izuku swung his gaze to Katsuki, lips pressing together with uncertainty before speaking. “Kacchan, I don’t know what to say.”

“Good thing you don’t have to talk to pack,” he replied, walking past Izuku while speaking over his shoulder. “I’ll grab your shit from the bathroom, you focus on the bedroom.”

“Wait, hold on a second.” Izuku shut his front door, then chased after his duo. “We need to talk about this, you’re wasting too much on me—”

Izuku squeaked when Katsuki spun around, hands on his shoulders pushing him into the wall. Pinned between the hard surface and Katsuki’s body, Izuku sucked in a sharp breath, his pulse happily jumping to attention under the dark gaze. Katsuki left no room for space or misconception when leaning closer, voice low but firm.

“Wasting means it’s not worth what I spent.” A hand that had blown apart buildings moved like water over Izuku’s hip, cradling him like something precious. “Do you think I’m wasteful? That I throw money at shit like Dunce Face?”

“No.” Because even with the increase of pampering, Izuku knew Katsuki was not sacrificing anything necessary to spoil Izuku. 

“Damn right I’m not.” Katsuki squeezed his waist in silent praise, and a pleasant thrill oozed down Izuku’s spine at the pressure. “So if I bought us a vacation to make sure we’re at the top of our game, then it’s worth it. What, you don’t want to spend time with me?”

“Of course I do,” Izuku rushed out, hands hooking on either side of Katsuki’s neck without thought. The intimacy of the move flushed him, but when Katsuki didn’t shake him off, he offered a quiet confession. “Anytime I get to spend a day with you, it makes me happy. You’re my favorite person.” 

“Then go pack.” Even with the order, Katsuki bumped their foreheads together, Izuku glancing at the soft mouth so close to his. “Let me take you on a damn vacation, ya stubborn Princess.”

There was no denying the fondness in Katsuki’s offer. Romantic or platonic, it didn’t matter. Izuku wanted every second of Katsuki’s precious attention. Maybe that made him greedy, almost villainous. But if Katsuki was offering him everything, who was Izuku to deny him? He also wanted to make Katsuki happy. Helpless to his own overfilled heart, Izuku nodded their heads, smile filling his cheeks wide enough to ache. The truth easily spilled out into the shared space between their lips.

“I’ll go anywhere Kacchan wants me to.”

~**~

After the amazing vacation, Izuku couldn’t deny there was more to Katsuki’s feelings than just friendship. If the conversation in the hall wasn’t proof enough, the behavior on the island trip spoke volumes. Hand-holding, gentle nicknames, and the constant chemistry that sparked up every time their eyes met proved both were aware of something shifting. Being able to share the same space with Katsuki for the entire week was a dream come true, and he almost cried when they stepped on the returning flight home. 

His only consolation was that when they got back to Japan, Katsuki didn’t pull away from him. Izuku melted into the cheek pinches, hair ruffles, and the reciprocated side hugs. Every time Izuku stepped into Katsuki’s space, the other accepted it without a grumble or protest. A night of drinking with friends ended up fueling Izuku with liquid courage. He flopped into Katsuki’s lap, happy when built arms shifted him to perch better on the new spot. Sure, he’d nearly died of embarrassment the next day when seeing the pictures, but Katsuki never complained. 

And it was that, more than anything, that made him realize something. Despite all the gifts Katsuki smothered Izuku with, he never told Izuku how he felt. Like he was… waiting. And since Katsuki always went for what he wanted, Izuku needed to know the reason he wouldn’t cross the line with words. 

Maybe it’s me, Izuku thought, watching Katsuki argue with Hanta about something pointless. Maybe he’s waiting for me to give him something back. Something bigger than everything he’s given me, to show I’m invested in him, too.

Asking around, most of the gifts people brought up didn’t meet his requirement. Either they were too small, something Katsuki wouldn’t enjoy, or something he’d already been gifted. But there was one ‘grand gesture’ that kept coming up with their friends; living together.

“That was when I knew Ejiro wanted me to be his future wife,” Mina said, holding up her keys with a wide grin. “He asked if I wanted to share a place. Guys don’t ask their girlfriends to do something like that unless they plan to keep her around for a while. If you were looking to show someone how special they were to you, offer to live together.”

The more he thought about the suggestion, the better it sounded. He’d get to see Katsuki all the time, they’d spend their days off in closer proximity, and he could share the gifts Katsuki bought him. His lease wouldn’t end for seven months, and he wasn’t sure what Katsuki’s situation was. He’d have to do some sneaky research to see if his plan was even possible. 

He started the long game with weeks of casual hints. First, he mentioned his unhappiness with his current place. There wasn’t much he disliked, but he played up the minor inconveniences as a reason to not renew his lease. The next month, he shifted the conversation to the distance between his apartment and the agency. It wasn’t far in clear weather, or if he could snag the bus, but some days it felt like a marathon. His next step was bringing up the growing cats, who he felt would like ‘more space’. He kept each conversation light and short over the months, but made sure Katsuki heard his mental process so the final step wouldn’t feel out of place. 

Once sure he’d done enough groundwork, with only three months left on his lease, he invited Katsuki over for dinner. The ulterior motive relied on setting up his laptop on the coffee table. Once he heard the knock on the door, he clicked the rental site’s webpage, rushing over to let his guest in. 

“You didn’t burn the place down? Miracles do happen.” Katsuki arrived perfectly on time, letting Izuku greet him with a hug.

“Don’t be mean, Kacchan,” Izuku mumbled into Katsuki’s collarbone, squeezing him before stepping back. Katsuki only hummed, bumping their shoulders when he moved to his normal spot on the sofa. Izuku tried to hold back his excitement at predicting Katsuki’s behavior, the screen angled to sit in Katsuki’s sight. “I just pulled out the chicken, so let me finish mixing the salad.” 

He’d already prepped the food for dinner, but he needed something to keep him out of Katsuki’s immediate sight. Without Izuku to distract him, Katsuki’s eyes wandered, and Izuku held his breath the second he caught his duo’s shoulders tense.

“What’s with the apartments?” 

“Ah, I didn’t tell you about my lease ending?” He tried not to let his voice shake with his growing anxiety.

“You did.” Several times, he knew, all leading up to the current moment. “Didn’t know you were actually looking.”

“Um, well, I’ve been thinking about it a lot.” Slowly, Izuku moved the tongs in the salad bowl, knowing it was more to keep his nerves calm. “I want to be closer to the agency, and there were some two-bedroom apartments that will open up right around the time my lease is up. But it’ll probably be lonely with a bigger place, so… I was thinking of maybe having a roommate to split the bills.”

“You found a roommate?” Katsuki’s voice had a weird edge to his tone, though Izuku couldn’t tell if the strain was his own imagination or not.

“I had someone in mind.” He waited for Katsuki to ask, but the inquiry never came. If he lifted his head, Izuku would lose all of his nerve, so he kept it ducked as he squeaked out a feeble laugh. “I haven’t asked them yet, but recently our dynamic has changed. When I think about who I’d feel safest living with, they’re the only person who comes to mind. Ultra and Mighty love them, and I…well, anyway, I think maybe they would enjoy living with me? Probably more than anyone else. And I think I found a place I want to put a down-payment on. So, maybe… if you wanted to move—”

Before he could finish the big question, a hand snagged his wrist. Stunned, he looked up at Katsuki’s pinched expression, unsure how to read the look staring down at him. He moved to speak, but when nothing came out, Katsuki sighed and pulled him from the kitchen. 

Once by the front door, Katsuki nodded toward their shoes. “Put them on.”

“What about dinner?”

“We’ll re-heat it later. Hurry up.” 

Izuku, knowing arguing with a stubborn Katsuki wouldn’t budge him, only sighed and followed his request. While he tied his shoes and grabbed his keys, Katsuki kept quiet, barely grunting or scoffing when Izuku asked any questions. It almost felt like Katsuki was irritated with the situation, nudging Izuku into his passenger seat before huffing his way to the driver’s side. 

They drove in stilted silence, Izuku blinking any time a hint of tears bubbled up. He wasn’t sure what he said that caused the sudden departure from his apartment, or why Katsuki was so stiff next to him. Maybe he had thought about everything wrong. All the presents, the pampering, the touches. What if they were just signs of Katsuki getting comfortable platonically? And now, asking him to move in made Katsuki realize Izuku thought of him romantically. Was that why Katsuki looked so resigned as he drove? Because Izuku’s blooming feelings would make everything awkward?

And why did Katsuki have to drive him somewhere to end their friendship?

Suddenly, Katsuki turned the car, pulling into a small driveway in front of a house Izuku had never seen before. He glanced between Katsuki and the dark building, unsure why they were at a home that looked unoccupied. Instead of explaining, Katsuki snatched something from his cupholder and opened his door, getting out of the car without another word. Concerned and confused, Izuku fumbled off his seatbelt and followed Katsuki, who had his hands shoved into his pockets while moving up the small steps of the front porch. 

He caught the ‘sold’ sign hanging on the door, finally giving him something to latch onto. “Kacchan, why are we at someone’s new house? It doesn’t look like they’ve even started to move in yet. I doubt they were expecting company. And this couldn’t have waited until after dinner?”

“It was gonna wait two more weeks, until you tried to move in with someone.” 

The grouchy grumble made Izuku furrow his brows. He wasn’t planning to get a roommate other than Katsuki. Had Katsuki not realized it was him Izuku had been talking about? Thinking about the timing of events, Katsuki had been on the move before Izuku built up the courage to aim the offer at him. Before he could clarify, Katsuki huffed out his annoyance before yanking one of his hands out between them. 

Izuku blinked when realizing his palm wasn’t empty; there, appearing from Katsuki’s uncurling fingers, was a…key. With ‘Princess Deku’ scribbled over the key-tag, Izuku didn’t fight when Katsuki grabbed his wrist, lifting his hand to deposit the unknown item into Izuku’s care. Then, Katsuki stepped back, shoulders slumping like he’d lost a game Izuku didn’t know they were playing.

“Open it,” Katsuki said, nodding toward the front door. Izuku only needed a second for all the wobbly pieces to slam together, eyes growing wide.

“There’s no way…” But even as he said it, Izuku’s hand moved forward, sliding the key into the lock. A gentle twist unlocked the mechanism, and Izuku slowly moved to turn the doorknob. The door swung open, Izuku staring into the vacant space while his brain tried to keep up. Even with the evidence sitting in front of him, Izuku still needed three slow breaths before he found his voice again. “Kacchan, did you… did you buy me a house ?”

“I thought that was what you wanted.” Arms now crossed over his chest like he needed protection, Katsuki pleaded his case while Izuku did his best impression of a big-mouthed bass. “You kept bringing up wanting a new place to live! About the damn furballs needing a bigger home, and hating your commute to the agency. But you never mentioned looking at anything, and I know how shitty you are with time management. You have to start house hunting months in advance, so I put some feelers out and found this. It’s about the same distance from UA as your shithole, but it’s half the distance to the agency. Thought it was perfect for us, before you told me you were gonna move in with someone—”

“Us?” Finally getting his second wind, Izuku stepped closer to Katsuki, the hand not clutching the key pressing to one of his tense arms. “Kacchan, you said us, right? That means you want to move in with me?”

“Obviously. You think you’re the only person in the world who can get lonely?” Katsuki looked away, staring into the open entrance. But even the darker night couldn’t hide his flushed ears. “And I figured we were heading this way anyway, so…”

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” He asked, gentle while easing Katsuki’s arms away from his chest. He let his fingers slide between Katsuki’s, squeezing to encourage him to answer.

“Cause it wasn’t ready yet. I told Pink Cheeks, Shitty Hair, and the other losers to come by next weekend to move in some of the furniture and decorations our moms bought for the place. Figured it’d make you light up like a Christmas tree, seeing our home set up for you when I brought you here. But then you had to go and try and buy a shitty apartment with some loser , so you ruined your own gift.”

For a moment, he stared at Katsuki, taken aback from how romantic the thought was. Katsuki wanted to make everything perfect for Izuku. Like he needed to show Izuku how amazing they would be in their new home. And Izuku realized that no matter if it was a house or a burger and fries, Katsuki would give anything he could to make Izuku happy. No, not happy. What would make him smile . Because he really was his father’s son, unable to hide how big his heart was. But he was also his mother’s child, proving he’d never stop showing off his affection for the one who stole that huge heart. Izuku would never outdo the perfect gift giver Mitsuki and Masaru created.

But he could give something that had no price tag; his future.

“It’s perfect. You’re amazing, Kacchan.” Izuku cupped Katsuki’s scarred cheek, gentle when leading him closer. He waited until his lips brushed Katsuki’s to offer his own present. “I love you.”

Kissing Katsuki on the porch of their forever home felt like a dream Izuku would have felt too insane to wish for. Izuku closed his eyes tightly, hoping his lack of experience was more endearing than annoying. From how Katsuki sighed into the kiss before tilting his head, returning the affection, he didn’t seem to mind. A hand on his back reeled him in, Katsuki keeping their kiss slow but steady. Being in Katsuki’s care was like dipping into a cleansing bath, comforting and warm. Izuku melted into the intimacy of the moment, swept away in Katsuki’s love.

After they broke apart, Izuku took his time opening his eyes, hand dropping off Katsuki’s face to trace the buzz under his lips. A soft chuckle made Izuku’s lashes flutter open, taking in Katsuki’s softened gaze and smile. Like nothing made him happier than kissing Izuku. His soul brightened at the rare sight, falling even deeper in love with the man kissing his temple. If that was how Katsuki felt when Izuku smiled, he knew why he bought a house for him.

Using their joined hands, Izuku tugged Katsuki toward the house. “Kacchan, where are the lights? Can you give me a tour? Oh, I wanna guess the rooms!” 

“Calm down, Nerd. It ain’t going anywhere,” Katsuki said, though let Izuku pull him in.

And even though it took Katsuki four months to finally say those three words back, Izuku didn’t mind.

Because Katsuki showed he loved Izuku, one special gift at a time.