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Katsuki sighed as he turned off the show he’d been watching for the past five hours. He’d declined an invitation to a club on the Friday night with his and Deku’s friend group. I have a sleep schedule to maintain. He told himself. I can’t be sleep deprived while saving people. Katsuki had never been one for late night partying with his friends, somehow always feeling alone despite being in a large group.
For the past eight years, since their first year at UA, Katsuki had been harboring a crush on his childhood friend, but has never made a move to further their relationship. He could never imagine Deku liking guys, nevermind him liking Katsuki, his childhood bully. Out of respect, he’d kept his distance from the greenette, never crossing the line of just casual “friends.” If he went to that club, it would only be reminding himself that Deku has moved on, made new friends that didn’t bully him, friends that didn’t push him away and uplifted him. Katsuki deserved this, for Deku’s sake. So he stayed up in his apartment alone, distracting himself with a meaningless show after his thoughts consumed his mind when he attempted to sleep.
The numbers on his clock read 2:14 am when he heard someone trying to open his door from the outside. Who the fuck was trying to get into his apartment in the middle of the night?! The blonde rushed to look through his peephole and he recognized a familiar green mess of curls slumped over.
“Shit, Deku?!” He opened the door as his eyes widened.
Deku was accompanied by their former classmates Uraraka and Iida, nearly blackout drunk. He was more cheery than usual, swaying around and humming to himself some made up tune. Uraraka was holding up upright by his shoulders, and their closeness didn’t go unnoticed by Katsuki. He always knew that Deku liked Uraraka. In some way, the blonde understood Deku’s crush. Uraraka was kind, outwardly empathetic, and cute—all the things that Katsuki was not. He’s come a long way, taming his ego and tackling his insecurities related to the nerd, but could never get rid of his explosive personality. That’s just who he was, and he just wasn’t Deku’s type. Understanding it didn’t make it hurt any less.
“Bakugo?!” Uraraka looked surprised at the sight of Katsuki at the door. “Why are you in Deku’s apartment?”
“This is my apartment, Pink Cheeks, why the fuck are you all here.”
“Midoriya had too much to drink, so we decided to take him home. When we asked for his address, this is the one he kept reciting. We thought it was his house,” Iida answered.
“Kacchaaaaan you’re homeeeeeee” Deku spit out, clearly drunk out of his mind. Despite hearing the nickname for the entirety of his life, his heart still jumped at the use of “Kacchan.” Seeing the nerd so vulnerable calling out to him made him feel like Deku wanted him in the same way Katsuki wanted the greenette. He had to remind himself, he doesn’t see you that way.
“Do you live together?” Uraraka asked.
“No, I don’t know what that dumbass nerd is yapping about. I don’t know why he gave you my address,” Katsuki replied.
“Well, I hate to be a bother, but could you take care of Deku for us? Since we’re already here, and we need to get home safely as well…”
This was a surprise. Uraraka was often overprotective when it came to Deku, especially when Katsuki was involved. Uraraka hated Katsuki throughout high school, and despite Katsuki improving his attitude towards Deku, he knew that Uraraka still harbored resentment towards him to some degree.
“Sure, whatever. I got it.”
Katsuki was handed Deku over and closed the door on his former classmates. Immediately, his nose was filled with the scent of alcohol. As Katsuki brought the greenette closer to him, he smelt slight fresh floral notes.
Katsuki never was affectionate towards anyone, and he was paying the price for it now. He hadn’t gotten any touch closer than a hand on his shoulder, and he probably exploded at the person who touched like that anyway. Despite his attitude, he longed for close touches, especially from a certain person. So when Deku refused to move and instead grabbed Katsuki in a hug, the blonde’s heart did a flip and an army of butterflies stormed his stomach. Stop it. he doesn’t like you like that. He pulled himself away from the touch sadly and picked up Deku in a princess carry, with his face close to Katsuki’s chest. Deku was heavy from all those years from building muscle, but nothing Katsuki couldn’t handle. Deku fit in his hands and nuzzled into his chest like he was perfectly at home.
Katsuki carried Deku to the couch, and this whole time, Deku had been silent, in contrast to his cheery demeanor just 10 minutes earlier. Katsuki assumed Deku had fallen asleep. Katsuki laid him down gently onto the couch, and looked fondly at the greenette for a minute. He’d probably never see Deku like this, so close to him again. He looks so fucking cute.
“I’ll let you go to sleep here, Deku. Wake me if you need anything.”
“…ay”
“...what.”
“Stay.”
“Deku, you’re drunk. Go to sleep.” Katsuki’s heart raced at the thought that Deku might actually want his company. However, he knew that this was just Deku being drunk. He isn’t thinking straight. Deku would never ask me of all people to stay with him at night.
“No! Stay!”
Stop it, Deku.
“Stay with me! I’m home, Kacchan!”
This shouldn’t be happening. Stop.
“I’m home cuz Kacchan’s here! ”
No, no, no, no, it’s not fucking true, stop, please. Stop giving me hope.
“Please just stay with me Kacchan… don’t go…”
Fuck.
Katsuki’s self-control gave out.
“All right nerd, I’ll be right here. Now go to bed.”
“Thank you Kacchan.”
Katsuki laid on the couch beside Deku and supported the other’s weight as Deku’s soft green curls tickled his nose. He relaxed, wrapping his arms around Deku’s torso to prevent Deku from falling off the couch at night. To pretend that the nerd was his for a night.
Just this. Katsuki told himself. Only for today, and never again.