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After Katsuki’s emotional talk with Izuku and All Might, he was scolded by the nurses and asked to immediately go back to his room. Katsuki was prescribed bed rest for at least a few more days until they were sure his heart wasn’t showing any problems.
Couple of days later Katsuki was finally allowed to leave his room, although not for long periods of time. Since he barely got to talk to Izuku the first time, through all the tears, there was still so much to cover, everything that happened before, during and after the fight. He power walked to Izuku’s room sliding the door a little too aggressively. “Your hair” Katsuki stated the moment he entered the room.
“Oh, hi Kacchan. The doctor removed the bandages this morning! I had to have a few stitches here so they had to shave this side”.
Katsuki smiled a little at this new look, while walking towards the bed to sit next to him.
“Guess it will take some time for me to get used to it”.
Then they started talking like they haven’t seen each other in years. And to Izuku it definitely felt that way, like there was a big pause on their friendship from when they were little and until Katsuki apologized. To this day Izuku is still trying to get used to talking to Katsuki normally, without any screams or anger.
They talked about the main events, where Izuku went when Toga took him, Katsuki’s quirk awakening, the last thing they remembered before passing put on the field right after winning. They didn’t bring up the sensitive subjects, not yet, it was still too fresh, they needed time for the wounds to heal, both physical and mental.
And that’s how both of them spent their time in the hospital, meeting every day for just an hour, which was the maximum time the nurses allowed Katsuki.
Then they were finally released after a few weeks, the school held a graduation ceremony for the seniors and of course they all wanted to be there. Their classes came back to somewhat normal, although nothing seemed normal after everything that had happened.
Another thing that wasn’t normal was Katsuki’s behavior. Izuku noticed how low energized he was, or well, lower than usual. Katsuki was instructed to still take it easy and make sure to rest plenty. After school days, Izuku would enter the dorms and see Katsuki sitting on the couch of the living room, sometimes staring blankly as if fighting his eyes not to close, sometimes they would already be closed.
“Kacchan..” Izuku approached him and put a hand on his shoulder. Katsuki startled a little, looked up at Izuku with a confused face, as if he wasn’t supposed to be there.
“Kacchan, you need to rest, let me help you up to the room”
Katsuki closed his eyes and sighed. He was drained, at this point he was past his ego and independence, he knew he needed help, so he simply nodded.
Izuku moved to take Katsuki’s healthy hand and put it around his shoulder.
They got to Katsuki’s room and Izuku slowly moved him onto his bed. Katsuki was still staring, unmoving. Izuku couldn’t resist his tired and still bandaged face, so he put his hand on Katsuki’s cheek, right under his still healing scar. To his surprise Katsuki leaned into it and let out a big sigh. Izuku’s heart jumped in his chest, wether with excitement or anxiety, Izuku couldn’t tell, but he was still not ready to explore it.
Izuku helped him out of his school blazer, while doing so Katsuki looked up at him, “Can you stay?”, his eyes were big filled with fear - fear of being rejected, fear of being too much and scaring Izuku off.
But instead Izuku softly smiled and returned his hand to his cheek “Of course” he answered.
They both laid on the bed, facing each other, Izuku cradling his face, and that’s when Katsuki finally let himself close his eyes. It probably took him a few seconds until his breathing evened out. Izuku stared at him thinking ‘This. This is where I’m meant to be’, before falling asleep himself.