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The static in his ears was loud and his vision hazy and unfocused.
“…kugo.”
“Bak...o?”
“Bakugo?!”
Katsuki startled as he faced the sudden voice irritated, “What?!”
Eijiro looked at him with a concerned expression, “Dude class is over. You’ve been sitting there for like five minutes just staring at nothing!”
At first, Katsuki looked at him incredulously but as he looked around the apparently empty classroom, it dawned on him that his friend was right.
“Oh…”
“’Oh’?! Bakugo… you good, man? I don’t—” Eijiro was cut off before he could finish.
“I’m fine. Let’s just fucking get out of here,” Katsuki snapped, already moving. He stood up angrily and grabbed his bag with his one good hand.
As they walked down the hallways and towards the dorm buildings, Eijiro kept talking—Katsuki could tell by the way his mouth moved—but none of it stuck. His body felt heavy, and his steps labored. In moments like these, he wished he had put his pride aside and accepted the offer of a wheelchair.
“Anyway, Kaminari said they were hanging out in the common rooms, if you wanna stay for a bit,” Eijiro looked at Katsuki while slowing his pace.
Katsuki snapped out of his own thoughts, “Uhm— Yeah, whatever.”
They continued walking until the dorms were in sight, and then walked in.
Inside, they were both greeted with smiles from their friends. As they got closer, Katsuki forced himself to focus long enough to get a better view of who was there. On the couches he could see Mina and Ochako sitting next to each other, Denki, Izuku, and Hanta on another couch, and Tenya sitting on some beanbags with Shoto.
“Hey, Kiri, Bakugo!” Mina smiled brightly, as she waved them over, “I wasn’t sure if you guys would come hang.”
Eijiro and Katsuki walked towards a couch facing them.
“We’re here, sorry!” Eijiro threw himself on the couch with an exaggerated sigh, “What’s up?”
As his friends continued chattering, Katsuki slowly lowered himself onto the couch while holding the armrest. It wasn’t lost on him that he looked like a feeble old man, but the quiet snickers that came after he finally sat, sealed the deal.
“Yo, peepaw, did you take your meds today, or should I call the nurse?” Hanta chuckled to himself and nudged Denki in the arm.
Katsuki rolled his eyes at the two them. “If you and dunce face don’t want me to get up from this seat and blast you both to pieces, I suggest you quit fucking around,” he said, knowing damn well he couldn’t back it up.
Denki sighed but continued teasing, “Ugh this is no fun. You’re so drugged, your threats have zero bite to them,” he looked down pouting like a child.
“Yeah, Midoriya too. He reacts to everything about 10 seconds too late,” Hanta put his arm around Izuku who only smiled lazily.
“Sorry about that, everyone. I promise I’m paying attention, I just feel like I can only process a few words at a time,” Izuku spoke quietly, smiling sheepishly.
“Nonsense! It is admirable that you and Bakugo are both taking care of your health, so you can soon return to your duties as a hero!” Tenya said passionately, with a sort of parental charm no one could understand.
At some point, Katsuki had stopped listening to their conversations. He kept looking at them but couldn’t make out what they were saying. Static filled his ears again and if he focused enough, he could hear his own heart beating—too loud, too fast.
It was 4pm when he reached the common rooms, and about six when he last checked the time, so when Katsuki looked at his phone and suddenly time started jumping, he knew he’d have to focus if he didn’t want to fall asleep.
He buried himself in his phone and let his friends blur into background noise. He opened hero news and read a few articles after struggling to find something unrelated to the war that had finished only two weeks ago. Checked the time, 7:15. Then, he scrolled through Instagram and saw a couple of new posts from his friends. He blinked slowly and suddenly felt his head drop. Startled, he picked it back up and sat up a little straighter.
“Woah, Bakugo! Are you ok?” Ochako asked as she looked at him with a worried tone.
Eijiro faced Katsuki as well, “Yeah man, if you aren’t feeling well—”
“I’m fucking fine!” Katsuki barked at them. His chest felt tight afterward, like he’d been too loud. He picked his phone up from his lap and continued scrolling through.
Katsuki opened TikTok and checked the time. 7:20pm.
He scrolled mindlessly through videos ranging from popular franchises, to heroes, to fashion, to general news. He half-watched the videos on his feed, not bothering to fully finish most of them, until a cooking recipe popped up and he decided to watch the full video. He watched how they listed the ingredients and then cut them up. Then, he felt his eyes weigh on him. He struggled but kept them open. Until he didn’t.
Katsuki looked at the time at the corner of his phone screen, cooking video still playing. 7:58pm. What…? What!?
He’d fallen asleep with the cooking video playing for over 20 minutes?!
Katsuki suddenly felt adrenaline course through his body and carefully stood up.
“Bakugo, you’re leaving already?” Hanta whined, frowning.
“Yeah, I’m going to bed,” Katsuki was already heading towards the stairs as he waved them off, “Goodnight losers.”
As Katsuki approached the stairs, he knew it would be hell to march up to his bedroom on the fourth floor. He would’ve taken the elevator if it weren’t for the handmade paper stuck to it by a familiar tape reading ‘Out of service, oops.’ He sighed; the stairs loomed. Three floors. He swallowed and slowly, painfully made his way up.
Every step he took sent sharp pain all through his body. He felt his breath shallowing, the droplets of sweat starting to accumulate on his forehead, the way his chest constricted as he finally reached the second floor. And suddenly, the next two floors felt impossible.
He paused, allowing himself to breathe, releasing the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He cursed himself under his breath, “This is so fucking shitty.” Katsuki leaned against a wall and faced his shoes.
He hated this. How his throat squeezed, and his eyes burned; how he felt shame, and the need to hide himself from an invisible audience. Katsuki hated feeling weak… so he continued.
He forced himself up the stairs, pushing through the pain and swallowing the tears. Holding himself up with the wall, ignoring the lightheadedness from his haggard breathing. He kept going, despite the odds being stacked against him, until his legs finally gave in and he stumbled onto the fourth floor.
His knees buckled as he took the final step. Sitting on the ground would have been worse, so he kept walking towards his room. As he limped forward against his door he felt relief rush through him. Finally.
Katsuki stepped inside his room and stripped off his uniform, heading to his bathroom to take a quick shower. When he saw his reflection, he almost laughed, “Holy shit, I look awful.”
His eyes were sunken, and he looked paler (if that were even possible). He looked sick—or someone recovering from it. Katsuki wasn’t ashamed of his current physical state. He knew he’d fought in a devastating war—knew he had done good. He just couldn’t stand not being able to bounce back into heroics—couldn’t stand this weak human part of him.
Showering was hard, physically. With an arm out of commission, this act that used to be calming was now just another chore. He had to get different tools to be able to simply bathe himself effectively. He showered with hot water to release tension, but also because of the grounding sting it provides.
He continued showering sluggishly while staring at the smoke accumulating around him. Katsuki let his mind wander as water pooled around his feet. He thought of his parents, of how they’d been calling him more often just to talk, of how they’d softened up with him after everything went down despite his protests. He thought of his friends downstairs: Had he seemed too off, or distracted? Was he rude? He should probably apologize to Ochako and Eijiro. He didn’t mean to snap them; he was just in pain from his pills wearing off—Oh god. His pills. How many do I have left? Do I need to refill any? I fucking hope not.
He felt his shoulders drop as exhaustion fell over him. Katsuki decided to step out of the shower and dried himself the best he could before heading back out to his room. On his way out he looked at himself in the mirror once more and smiled tiredly. He kept walking towards his drawers to pick out the first shirt and pair of sweats he could find then struggled to dress himself with one hand.
Once finished, he walked towards his bed, checking his phone as he sat down. He had a message from 8:04 pm—It was now 9:15.
From Izuku:
Izuku: Hey, you doing ok? You seemed out of it when you left, I just wanted to make sure you were alright.
These sorts of messages weren’t all that rare these days. Katsuki and Izuku had been growing closer for a while now. They’d been texting and hanging out quite frequently outside of school hours—hanging out was probably an overstatement. They’d been keeping each other company switching from Katsuki’s room to Izuku’s. They would stay there talking until their meds beat either one, then it was bedtime.
But other days they would have lunch together on the rooftop to get away from the noise and not feel bad for spacing out mid conversation. They were both in the same boat and could understand each other a little more than they always have. They would often comfort each other due to medication side effects like nausea, vertigo, or even bodily temperature changes.
Then there were nights spent in each other’s rooms, where eye contact felt a little deeper and the distance between them closed without either realizing it. When loopy conversations bordered on a different kind of intimacy than that of friends. Or when Izuku gave Katsuki a look that couldn’t be safe for his heart. And Katsuki made comments he knew would make Izuku’s face go red, just to see if he could say them without losing his confidence.
Neither one had named this progression in their relationship and Katsuki didn’t know whether that comforted him or drove him insane.
His phone buzzed.
From Izuku:
Izuku: Kacchan??
Katsuki: Yeah, I’m fine, sorry. Just tired, I guess.
Izuku: Well, ok then. Get some rest. I’m here if you need anything.
Katsuki: Yeah yeah, thanks, Izuku.
Katsuki smiled at his phone, eyes lingering on the screen for longer than necessary. He began to lay himself lower onto his bed. He pulled the covers out from under him, doing an awkward shimmy to free the whole thing. He then reached over to his nightstand and, while avoiding his near empty water bottle, turned off the lights.
He allowed himself to sink into his pillow, trying to find some sort of comfort. Katsuki shifted his back a couple times, lifted his bad arm, trying to shift the weight into something he could actually sleep through. When the doctors told him that his arm would be paralyzed and immobile for a while, Katsuki thought that meant there’d be no pain. He was horribly wrong. Every small movement sent searing pain through his right shoulder and side.
Eventually, through a scrunched nose and furrowed eyebrows, he was able to find a position that was less uncomfortable than the rest. He picked up his phone and quickly set the alarm for his meds before closing his eyes and drifting away into sleep.
Katsuki could feel himself drifting in and out of consciousness throughout the night. Any time he fell into deeper sleep, small movements would bring him right back up to an uncomfortable state between awake and asleep. Deep enough to not feel time passing, shallow enough to not dream. Accidentally, he opened his eyes to the darkness of his room and just as quickly he closed them and tried to sleep again—deeper this time.
When Katsuki opened his eyes again, frustration prickled under his skin. He couldn’t go back to sleep. So, he stood. He pushed himself off the bed with his arms and began walking towards his bedroom door. Once opened, he stepped out and headed for the elevator wanting to get some fresh air.
The elevator arrived and opened immediately with a ding and Katsuki stepped inside. As he pressed the buttons to the first floor, he felt light. Not lightheaded. His body felt light—weightless. Before being able to give it too much thought, the elevator opened again, and he stepped out of it. Katsuki walked through the common room illuminated by daylight and looked around.
He was alone.
He suddenly felt thirsty, so he decided to head into the kitchen and grab a cup of water. He opened the fridge and reached for the canister of water with one hand while holding a glass he didn’t remember grabbing with the other. Katsuki poured himself some water and drank it quickly. He then continued walking, wanting to go outside. He felt as though something were pulling him to go outside. The feeling urged and he followed.
He placed his hands on the door to push it open, but it wouldn’t budge, “What the fuck?”
Katsuki tried again and again pushing harder each time, until the door flung open and he could hear the wind howling vigorously. He stepped outside into what seemed like a hazy cloud. He continued forward with his hand in front of his eyes to block the debris from flying into them. He didn’t know where he was or where he was going. He only knew something was pulling him forward.
Finally, from out in the distance he could hear something—someone. Whoever it was, was calling him, “Bakugo?! Oh my god—Bakugo!”
Katsuki tried to locate the voice. He looked around until he saw the glowing sparks of electricity from far above him. “Kaminari?! What’s going on?” Katsuki called out to him, but Denki didn’t seem to hear him, so he kept moving closer while still being tens of feet below him.
“Bakugo! Please do something, say something—anything!” Denki cried out once more. Now, Katsuki could see the tears in his friend’s eyes.
Katsuki tried again, becoming more agitated by the second, “Damnit, Kaminari, talk to me! What’s happening?! Where is everyone? —”
He tripped.
Katsuki hit the floor hard, “Fuck—Wha—”
Instinctively he looked back to see what caused him to fall only to see himself…? Disheveled, bloodied, and unnaturally pale with cloudy eyes. The sight was enough to cause his heartbeat to double in speed. His breath suddenly became shallow, constricted.
“This isn’t happening. This isn’t fucking real”
Katsuki stood, quickly backing away from his lifeless body. He looked around again, this time recognizing where he was immediately. The haze was now long gone, and he could see everything clearly. The blood on the ground, the horrified faces of his peers and teachers.
He began walking without a destination, just wanting to get out of there. Katsuki tried to use his quirk to fly off somewhere but quickly realized he couldn’t move his arm.
“What the fuck is happening?! It was fine just a second ago—” His voice cracked as he spoke. This feeling he’d kept buried within him for as long as he could remember was building into something he couldn’t manage.
Fear.
He didn’t realize when it happened, but he was running. He needed to get away from all of this. Somehow, no matter how much he ran, he wasn’t really moving. He was stuck.
From somewhere in the sky, he could see a bright, green light. Izuku.
“Oh god, Izuku,” Katsuki wanted to fly up to him, to help him. Wanted to tell him everything he’d been keeping to himself for years. Katsuki needed to apologize again, he needed to do it better.
Katsuki closed his eyes trying to focus, thinking if he focused enough, he could take control of this situation. When he opened them, however, he was back at his body—back in his body. He couldn’t move this time, couldn’t even speak. He could only watch as Izuku arrived at the battlefield, as Izuku saw him laying there.
He wanted to scream, to tell Izuku that he was okay, but regardless of how loud he tried to be, no sound was coming out. He kept trying despite his body fighting against him. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he began to feel some pain, but he ignored it and kept trying.
He felt hopeless. Any reason left in his body was now being drowned out by fear. There were tears pooling in his eyes as he felt the pain in his chest increase exponentially.
Suddenly, everything went black.
Katsuki woke up gasping for air. The alarm on his phone was blaring. As if that wasn’t enough, pain tore through his body, reminding him it was time for his meds. He turned off the alarm on his phone while trying to catch his breath. He reached for his water bottle and in a panic drank whatever water was left in it. As he finished, he had a coughing fit which only pained him further.
His hand flew to clutch his chest as the throbbing pain became worse. Katsuki tried his best to stabilize his breathing before continuing. Once the pain soothed for a bit, he began to fully regain consciousness.
Pills, I gotta take my meds, Katsuki thought to himself. He reached for the water bottle again, hand stopping midair. He had just drunk all the water. Fuck.
He looked at the time: 2:05 am.
He soon realized he had no choice but to go downstairs and get more water to take his pills with, so he grabbed the pill bottles and stuffed them in his pockets. Katsuki stood and nearly fell over from the pain. He reached for the cane at the foot of his bed, “There’s no way I’m making it down to the common room like this.”
As he stumbled to the door with his cane in hand, he remembered why he hated using it so much. Sure, it helped take some of the weight off his body, but it rendered his practically useless. He had his dominant arm paralyzed, and his other one was bound to the cane.
Everything was a hassle.
Katsuki struggled out the door and headed for the stairs. Before beginning his descent, he eyed the elevator and felt a rock form in his throat. He cursed Denki and Hanta for fucking up the elevator—and for not fixing it.
Every step felt like torture. It’s just stairs. You’re ok. He kept repeating it to himself like a mantra meant to soothe him. In reality he just became more frustrated with everything. Tears began to prickle at his eyes, but he kept going.
As he reached the second floor, Katsuki slipped on the last step. He didn’t fall but the adrenaline was enough to send him over the edge. He leaned against the wall as his heart began beating quicker and his breathing became shorter. I can’t fucking do this. It hurts. I don’t want to do this anymore. I just want to sit.
Despite everything, he didn’t let himself cry.
Thoughts circled his mind, urging him to give up. To sit and stay there. On the stairs, helpless. Alone.
He almost did until something flashed through his mind: “I’m here if you need anything.”
Izuku.
Slowly, Katsuki pushed himself off the wall and instead of continuing to the first floor, he stayed on the second. He made his way to the familiar door and knocked weakly.
Please be awake.
After a moment of silence, the door opens to reveal a clearly loopy and disoriented Izuku. His hair was disheveled; he wore nothing but plaid boxer shorts.
Izuku stared blankly for a second or two almost looking through Katsuki before speaking, “Kacchan? What are you—Are you ok?” Izuku moved to let Katsuki inside.
Katsuki limped into the room and leaned on the wall, hugging his side, “Ran out of water for meds. Ev’rything hurts.” He was out of breath, and his voice was cracking every other word.
Izuku was already getting him some water and handing it to him. After Katsuki gratefully took the water and downed his collection of pills, Izuku spoke up once more, “How come you didn’t go to Kiri’s room?”
Katsuki paused. Izuku was right, Eijiro’s room was on the fourth floor, next to Katsuki’s. He had just gone through all that work for seemingly, no reason.
For the first time Katsuki felt truly, completely defeated. The tears he’d been fighting for God knows how longs finally came back with the strength of a typhoon.
Katsuki broke down into quiet hiccups and sobs.
Izuku stared for a second, trying to process what just happened, then panicked, “Hey…Hey—Hey, no I’m sorry! I didn’t—” Izuku stepped towards Katsuki with arms open.
Katsuki stepped into Izuku and leaned his head onto his shoulder while tears streamed down his face. Izuku held him while he cried, careful not to accidentally hurt him.
They stayed like that for a minute or two until Katsuki eventually settled down with a sigh. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“Kacchan, it’s ok. I’m glad you’re here,” Izuku spoke pulling away to look Katsuki in the eyes.
They both stared at each other, the moment heavy with the weight of a thousand words unsaid.
Katsuki spoke up to ease the tension between them, “Did I wake you?”
Izuku laughed sheepishly while pointing at the tidy bed, and clothes thrown on the floor, “I think you know the answer.”
“Yeah, I was just about to ask you about that. Last time I checked, you weren’t a ‘sleep in underwear’ kinda guy,” Katsuki chuckled while eyeing Izuku up and down gesturing towards his partial nudity.
Izuku’s ears burned red, “Haha, uhm, yeah—Remember how I told you that my meds make temperature unpredictable? Well, I woke up having sweat through literally all my clothes.”
“Geez. That sounds… really shitty.”
“Yeah, I had just gotten out of the shower when you knocked,” Izuku stared for a moment then continued, “Sorry, if my question earlier upset you. Wasn’t my intention.”
Katsuki tensed slightly but quickly relaxed, “Nah, you’re good. I was initially heading to the common room… but your room was closer.”
He paused for a moment but clarified, “Kirishima’s room didn’t even cross my mind, I guess subconsciously I just… wanted to see you”
Izuku’s breath hitched, “Oh… well, are you going to stay?”
The air became thicker all of a sudden and Katsuki wasn’t entirely sure what to make of the question. He gripped his cane for support.
“Stay like for a few minutes or? What do you—uhm,” Katsuki was stumbling over his own words.
“No, I mean ‘over.’ I wouldn’t want you to have to go back upstairs if you’re in pain… right?” He didn’t break eye contact when he said it. Izuku was bold while somehow also seeming nervously out of his mind.
“Right… ok sure.” Katsuki felt his ears burn and his palms get sweaty, “I suppose you don’t mind sleeping together…”
He didn’t correct himself or clarify immediately, he let it sit, and he watched Izuku’s face go red trying to come up with something to say.
“No, I—uhm—that’s not exactly—”
Katsuki smirked slightly, “…Sharing a bed I mean. Right?”
Izuku swallowed embarrassed, with the poise of a man who just got outplayed, “Right.”
The two of them decided to get into bed seeing as it was nearly three in the morning. Izuku quickly throws on a clean t-shirt and gets in first so to be closest to the wall and give Katsuki as much space as possible. He laid down slowly, being careful with his head and gentle with his arms.
Katsuki followed, wincing slightly as he eased down onto the bed. The medication was kicking in, so the pain felt much more bearable. He shifted around a bit until the weight of his paralyzed arm felt less uncomfortable.
Immediately they noticed how close they were to each other. Close enough to feel the warmth of their skin next to one another.
“Jesus, your bed is fucking tiny.”
“You were the one who agreed to stay!”
Katsuki smirked as he faced Izuku, “It’s alright, you make it worth it.”
Quiet chuckles filled the air as they eased into the moment—eased into each other.
“How have you been doing? With your pills and shit. You still getting nausea?” Katsuki looked up at Izuku, who was laying higher up on the pillow.
Izuku hesitated before answering, “Other than the heat flashes, the nausea has settled down a bit, but everything still feels like it’s happening in slow motion. Oh, and I’m struggling to… well—see.”
“Wait what the fuck? What do you mean you can’t see,” Katsuki tilted his body to the best of his abilities to get a better view of Izuku.
Izuku rolled his eyes, “I’m not blind, Kacchan. I’m just having trouble focusing my vision on certain details.”
“You could be, you don’t know that! How come this is the first I’m hearing of this?”
“Because it’s not a big deal! Besides, the doctor said it could happen. Apparently, it’s pretty common for people with bad head injuries,” Izuku looked up at the roof, “Doctor just said I’d have to book an appointment with a neuro-optometrist, and they’d likely give me some glasses or something…”
Izuku trailed off and spoke quieter, “…not that I’d use em anyway…”
“Like hell you wouldn’t use em,” Katsuki’s tone was slipping into that well known irritation.
“It’s not even that bad! I can still—”
“Yeah, it’s not that bad right now! What about in a few months, huh? In a year or two? When will it be bad enough, Izuku?!” Katsuki was quiet but fierce, “You didn’t just bump your head on something, it was cut open. That’s a traumatic brain injury, not some ‘pretty bad head injury.’”
He had to remind himself to stay calm but still spoke out of instinct rather than experience, “Why do you need to wait for it to become unbearable for you to admit you need help?!”
As soon as he said it, he realized the irony.
Izuku noticed it too, “That’s pretty rich coming from you Kacchan…” It wasn’t snappy or arrogant just aware.
Katsuki softened, “I know…But think about yourself, Izuku. Isn’t there anything you’ll miss seeing clearly? Your mom, All Might, our friends?”
Izuku swallowed hard trying to push down the nervousness, “…You.”
Katsuki stared at him, feeling his heart speed up dangerously. A strange sense of boldness arose from inside him, guiding his words, “Me?”
Almost as though he had practiced, Katsuki lifted his torso slightly off the bed with his left arm to get a better look at Izuku.
“Y-yes,” Izuku froze, feeling all his confidence melt away into nothingness.
“Would it help you out to get a better look at me? To use your hero observation skills to analyze and memorize me?”
Izuku lifted his hands to cup Katsuki’s face, “I guess maybe it would…” He began caressing the blond’s features. Tracing Katsuki’s scars with his thumb. Running his fingers through his hair.
Katsuki melted into the touch and was sure he could fall asleep right then and there. But he didn’t want the moment to end, “Is that nice for you Izuku? Do you like being able to hold me like this?”
Katsuki leaned his head into Izuku’s hands as he spoke, “Holding me so softly alone in your room, sharing a bed in the middle of night… What would the others think?” He feigned innocence while admiring Izuku’s face: Red, hot, embarrassed, and looking at him with the gentlest eyes.
Izuku whined, part of him felt humiliated by the vulnerability, the other wanted to make Katsuki feel this exasperated, “Kacchan…” He dragged the sweet nickname before continuing, “What are you doing?”
Katsuki smirked tauntingly, eyeing Izuku’s lips just to make him nervous, “I don’t know Izuku, you tell me. What am I doing?”
Furrowing his eyebrows, and patience growing thinner by the second, “I think you know what you’re doing, and I think you know it’s working.”
Returning his gaze to Izuku’s eyes he kept pushing, “Oh yeah? How come—”
Before Katsuki could finish his sentence, Izuku leaned in and pressed their lips together. Katsuki felt his heart skip a beat but quickly melted into the kiss.
Izuku’s hands hovered for a second, unsure where to go. Every nerve in his body buzzed, but he didn’t want to rush—didn’t want to break the moment.
It was… soft, impulsive, and awkward in the way all new things are.
Katsuki’s stomach twisted and his mind raced. He wanted this but felt so nervous, he could practically hear his heart beating in his ear. Was he shaking? He hoped Izuku wouldn’t notice.
Izuku shifted backwards and Katsuki’s first instinct was to chase after him, but he didn’t. Instead, he let the other create distance between them and waited.
They stared at each other wordlessly, the weight of what had just transpired seemingly falling on them at the same time. Neither of them spoke. Both were too scared of ruining this… nameless something.
Eventually, Izuku broke the silence.
“Was… was that ok?” He swallowed in between phrases trying to find his voice.
Katsuki wanted to try and seem more secure and confident than he felt, so he cleared his throat, “You started it, idiot.”
He intended for it to sound snarkier than it did. It came out shaky and too quick.
Izuku couldn’t help but find it endearing, “Yeah, I guess I did.” He stared at him quietly before continuing, “…Well, was it?”
Katsuki looked at him incredulously and laughed softly. Always Izuku.
He sat up to be at the same level as Izuku.
Izuku was just about to call for an answer when Katsuki wrapped his hand around his neck and pulled him closer as their lips met once more.
This time, they kissed as though the world threatened to separate them. Deeper. Hungry.
Izuku’s hands cupped Katsuki’s face trying to memorize the feeling. He leaned further into Katsuki, teeth grazing accidentally and their noses bumping.
Katsuki pulled back only for a second breathless, “I wish I could hold you.”
The hand around Izuku’s neck moved upwards into his hair, and caused a soft, surprised sound escape him as his cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Katsuki felt his heart skip a beat when he heard Izuku. He wanted to test the waters, so he gave Izuku’s hair a slight tug. He could feel his stomach flip with excitement when Izuku gasped.
Opening them, Izuku looked at him with half-lidded eyes and lowered his hands onto Katsuki’s shoulders and gently pushed him back down on the bed. He obliged. Izuku followed with legs on either side of him placing a small kiss on his lips before grazing his nose against Katsuki’s face and kissing his jaw.
Katsuki focused for a second, trying to keep quiet and control the sounds threatening to escape his mouth. Izuku, straddling him, kissed his neck, using his tongue to tease the blond. Katsuki’s breath hitched. Izuku’s hands began travelling down Katsuki’s shoulders and chest, careful to not press too hard.
Despite his best efforts, a small breathless whine left him, and he felt his body get hotter. Katsuki dragged his hand along Izuku’s side and rested it on his hip. Izuku hummed softly at the feel of Katsuki’s grip.
The sound of heavy breathing, wet kissing, and strangled sighs filled the otherwise quiet room. Empowered by Katsuki’s reaction, Izuku continued to kiss his neck, now trailing down to his collarbone. As Izuku slipped his hands under the hem of his shirt, Katsuki’s grip tightened on him and he smiled to himself.
Izuku’s hands wandered aimlessly around Katsuki’s torso. The air felt heavy, thick, hot. Katsuki’s hand shifted to grip Izuku’s thigh. Instinctually, Izuku shifted his hips into Katsuki, causing him to roll his head back and shut his eyes tightly, “Izu… This—hah—probably isn’t smart—”
Just as he spoke, Izuku’s knee accidentally pressed against Katsuki’s right arm earning a pained hiss from him.
Izuku moved his leg and froze, facing Katsuki, “Kacchan—I’m sorry—did I hurt you?!”
He quickly moved off Katsuki, settling on his knees beside him. His hands yearned to hold Katsuki again, but he refrained, unsure of where he stood.
“It’s fine,” Katsuki grimaced at the sharp pain left over from the shock, struggling to catch his breath and calm his body. He placed his good hand over Izuku’s thigh to reassure him and gave him a small smile.
Izuku returned the smile with a bit of guilt. He carefully went back to laying down next to Katsuki, this time, closer.
“Izu,” Katsuki gestured toward his shoulder while looking at Izuku, “C’mere.”
Izuku chuckled, “Okay.”
As Izuku rested his head on his shoulder, Katsuki couldn’t help but let out a frustrated sigh.
“Damn it.”
They both laughed, coming down from the high and settling into each other again.
Katsuki stared at the ceiling feeling quite flustered, but focusing on calming himself down into the quiet.
The silence between them was short lived. Izuku quickly became trapped in his own mind and visibly tensed.
“Kacchan… can I ask you something?”
Katsuki eyed him confused, “Shoot.”
Izuku didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stared out the window and played with the hem of Katsuki’s shirt.
“That wasn’t just… you know— For me— I just—I don’t want to assume anything. I need to know that we’re… on the same page”
Katsuki stared at him for a second before it hit.
“Oh.” For once, he didn’t have a smart answer, “I… wasn’t fucking around with you if that’s what you’re asking.”
Izuku clarified turning to look him in the eyes, “No no, that’s not what I only meant. I just want to be sure that you’re serious about this—about us.”
Katsuki smiled endearingly, “C’mon, you know me. You’ve gotta know how I feel about you by now, I haven’t exactly been subtle.”
Izuku stammered a bit, but Katsuki kept going before he could answer.
“I want this. I want you, Izuku”
Izuku smiled relieved, “Ok. I do too.”
A small laugh escaped Katsuki as he leaned to place a kiss on Izuku’s forehead and then laid back down.
Izuku started once more, “So… we’re doing this?”
Katsuki rolled his eyes smiling, “Yeah.”
“Slowly, right?”
“Yes, Izuku.”
They shifted around rearranging themselves into comfier spots and ended up switching positions.
“Kacchan… I’m glad it’s you.”
“Me too.”
Katsuki nuzzled his head into Izuku’s shoulder. He felt calm, the beating in his chest finally steady. This time, sleep found him easily and they fell into the quiet, finally letting themselves rest.