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You sat up from your position on the couch.
“Katsuki?” You ask, not able to see him yet.
“I’m fine,” he snapped before you could ask anything else.
Of course he was.
The words came out rough and irritated, but the strain underneath them was impossible to miss. Katsuki stood in the doorway still dressed in pieces of his hero costume, shoulders rigid with tension. His right arm was wrapped heavily in white bandages from shoulder to wrist and secured tightly against his chest in a black sling. There were bruises blooming along the visible skin near his collarbone, dark and ugly under the apartment lighting.
He looked exhausted.
Not just physically tired, either. He looked frustrated, angry, and humiliated.
You stood carefully, setting your book aside on the couch eyeing him up and down. “Did Recovery Girl cleared you to come home?”
“She patched me up.”
“That’s not what I asked Katsuki.”
His sharp crimson eyes flicked toward you, irritation flashing instantly.
“Tch. Yeah. Whatever.”
“You can’t just ignore me!”
You walked over slowly, keeping your movements calm and unhurried. Katsuki always got sharper when he felt cornered, especially when he was injured. Pushing him too hard would only make him dig his heels in further.
Even now, exhausted and hurting, he still carried himself like he was preparing for a fight.
“You should sit down,” you said gently.
“I can stand.”
“I know you can.”
“Then stop lookin’ at me like I’m dying.”
Your chest tightened a little at the bite in his voice. Not because it scared you. You were long past being intimidated by Katsuki’s temper because you knew where it was coming from.
He hated needing help. He hated being weak. Most of all, he hated being seen as vulnerable even by you.
You reached carefully for the strap of his duffel bag. “Let me at least take this from you.”
“I got it.”
The words came instantly. Then he tried to yank the bag off his shoulder one-handed. The movement pulled sharply at his injured arm. A hiss escaped through his teeth before he could stop it.
Your expression softened immediately, “Katsuki…”
“Don’t.”
Ignoring him, you slid the strap gently from his shoulder and set it near the door before guiding him toward the couch with a light touch against his back. He grumbled under his breath the entire way but didn’t fight you. Once he sat down, the tension in his face became even more obvious. His jaw was clenched tight enough to ache, and there was a faint sheen of sweat along his forehead.
“You’re in pain.”
“No shit.”
“Did they give you medication?”
“Yeah.”
“Have you taken it?”
No response.
You stared at him incredulously.
Katsuki looked away first with an annoyed click of his tongue.
“…Not yet.”
You sighed softly.
Without another word, you disappeared into the kitchen to grab water. When you returned, Katsuki was trying to awkwardly tug his combat gauntlet off with one hand and failing miserably.
“Hold still. I’ll do it for you,” you murmured.
“I can do it.”
“Mhm. You’re clearly handling things.”
You knelt in front of him anyway.
The metal clasp was stuck partially beneath one of the support straps around his shoulder. You worked carefully, fingers brushing lightly against his costume while Katsuki sat rigidly still above you.
Normally he’d complain more. Normally he’d bark about not needing help. But now he just looked tired. When the gauntlet finally came loose, he exhaled sharply through his nose.
“There.”
You set it aside before holding out the pills and water.
He frowned immediately. “What are you my nurse now?”
“Something like that.”
You watched him swallow it before sitting beside him on the couch.
For a while, neither of you spoke. Katsuki leaned his head back against the couch cushions, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. Your gaze drifted toward the thick bandages around his arm.
“What happened?”
His expression darkened immediately.
“Villain had some kinda impact quirk,” he muttered. “Compressed blasts.”
You listened quietly, running your hand along his uninjured arm.
“He caught civilians under debris. I went in before the sidekicks cleared the area.” Katsuki’s jaw tightened harder. “I Didn’t see the second blast coming.”
The words sounded clipped and frustrated. Not because he regretted saving people but because he’d gotten hurt doing it. You reached for his uninjured hand carefully, threading your fingers lightly through his palm.
“You still saved them though.”
“Tch. Obviously.”
“What did Recovery Girl say about your arm? You don’t look too hot,” you mumble the last sentence.
Katsuki scowled immediately. “That old gremlin benched me. Two weeks of quirk rest.”
You blinked. “Katsuki, that’s serious.”
“I know that.” The irritation returned full force now, defensive and sharp. “She said if I strain the muscles again before they heal properly, I could screw up the arm permanently.”
You glanced down at the thick wrappings again.
No wonder he looked miserable.
Katsuki’s quirk relied heavily on his arms. Fighting was woven into his entire identity. Being forced to rest, being unable to fully use one side of his body, it probably felt unbearable to him. Judging by the furious tension in his posture, he was already trying to figure out ways around Recovery Girl’s orders. That was not happening. Not if you could do anything about it.
You squeezed his hand speaking quietly, “Then you need to rest.”
“I’m not helpless.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
“You’re thinkin’ it.”
Your brows pulled together softly. “No. I’m thinking you need time to recover. You’re going to let me help.”
Katsuki groaned and looked away again, glaring toward the windows. Then, his stomach growled. He looked personally offended by the sound. Despite yourself, a smile tugged at your mouth.
“Hungry?”
“No.”
His stomach betrayed him again immediately.
You laughed softly, “Mmm I’m not sure I believe you.”
“Shut up.”
The grumble lacked its usual heat.
You stood from the couch. “I made food earlier. I can heat some up.”
“I can do it myself.”
“You can barely take your gauntlets off yourself. Now sit still. I’m going to heat the food for you,” you say sweetly.
He looked ready to argue again. Then another flicker of pain crossed his expression when he shifted his shoulder wrong. Defeat flashed briefly behind his eyes. “…Fine.”
You smiled softly and headed toward the kitchen.
Over the next hour, the apartment settled into something quieter. You reheated dinner while Katsuki sat at the counter watching you with tired eyes. He still grumbled every time you helped him with something small be it opening a bottle, adjusting his sling, carrying dishes but he accepted the help more often than not albeit reluctantly. By the time evening settled fully outside, the medication had clearly started making him drowsy. His movements slowed. His posture slumped more heavily into the couch cushions. Still, his pride remained painfully intact. Which became a problem when he finally decided he needed a shower.
“I’m taking a bath,” he announced suddenly, pushing himself off the couch.
You looked up from your phone. “Do you need help?”
“No.” The answer came so quickly it almost overlapped your question.
You hid a sigh. “Katsuki—”
“I can wash myself.”
“You can barely raise your arm. How do you plan on keeping your bandages dry?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
Before you could argue further, he disappeared toward the bathroom. A few minutes later, you heard a loud curse echo down the hallway. Then something clattered heavily against the floor.
“Katsuki?” You yelled down the hall.
“I’m fine!”
Another crash.
You hurried toward the bathroom before he could protest again. The door was partially open already. Inside, Katsuki stood hunched over the sink breathing hard with frustration. His sling had been discarded on the counter, and he was unsuccessfully trying to pull his shirt over his head using only one arm.
The fabric had gotten stuck halfway.
His injured shoulder trembled violently from the strain. The sight made your gut turn.
“Katsuki.”
“I said—I got it—”
The movement pulled wrong again. Pain flashed across his face instantly. He swore viciously under his breath.
You stepped closer immediately. “Stop. You’re hurting yourself.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.”
His breathing came sharp and irritated through his nose. Then slowly, carefully, you reached for the hem of his shirt.
“Let me help.”
His entire body tensed. The vulnerability in his expression appeared so briefly most people probably would’ve missed it. But you saw it. Katsuki hated every moment of this interaction. Deep down, he knew you weren’t judging him but he hated feeling helpless.
His eyes dropped toward the floor. “…I can’t even get a damn shirt off.”
The quiet frustration in his voice hurt far more than any yelling would have and your expression softened immediately.
“There’s nothing wrong with needing help. You’d help me if I were hurt.”
“That’s different.”
“Because it’s you?”
You gently tugged the shirt the rest of the way off him. Bruises covered much of his upper body now that the fabric was gone. Angry purple marks spread across his shoulder and ribs. Recovery Girl had healed the worst damage, but she couldn’t erase all of it instantly. Your fingers brushed carefully against his side which made him flinch.
“I’m sorry. I’m trying to be gentle”
“It’s fine.”
You looked up at him quietly. “Let me help you bathe.”
“No. I’m not a damn child.”
“I know that.”
“Then stop treating me like one.”
You stepped closer until your hands rested lightly against his uninjured arm.
“I’m not trying to make you feel helpless,” you said softly. “I just don’t want you hurting yourself more because you’re too stubborn to let me help.”
His jaw clenched hard. “You seeing me like this sucks.”
You reached up carefully and brushed damp blond hair away from his forehead. “I always want to see you no matter what you look like.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “You’re bein’ cheesy.”
“You love it,” you kept your voice gentle, “I’m going to take care of you tonight and for the next two weeks if needed.”
The bathroom fell quiet except for the sound of running water beginning to fill the tub.
Katsuki stared at the floor for several long seconds before speaking. “You can help me tonight. We’ll see about tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t make it weird.”
“I’m not making it weird!”
Helping him into the bath took patience. Katsuki tried insisting he could lower himself alone, only to nearly lose his balance halfway through. You steadied him carefully with both hands against his waist while he muttered curses under his breath. The warm water seemed to relax him almost instantly once he settled into it. Some of the tension left his shoulders. You knelt beside the tub and carefully unwrapped the bandages around his arm. The skin underneath still looked painful. There was dark bruising, healing cuts, and swollen muscles around his shoulder. Katsuki watched your expression carefully like he expected disgust or pity. Instead, you only looked concerned.
“That looks painful,” you said tracing along a particularly nasty bruise.
“It’s whatever,” His gaze flicked away, “…Hurts a little.”
A little. You almost smiled at the understatement.
“Lean back,” you murmured. “I’m going to wash your hair first.”
His ears immediately turned red. “I can do that part.”
“With one arm?”
You took his lack of reply as surrender.
Warm water dripped through Katsuki’s blond hair as you gently worked shampoo through the strands. Your fingers massaged slowly against his scalp, careful not to jostle his shoulder too much. The hard lines in his face softened bit by bit beneath your touch.
“I’m not hurting you right?” you asked quietly.
“No, it’s nice.” His voice sounded rougher now. He was starting to fall asleep. You smiled faintly and continued rinsing the shampoo out carefully with a cup of warm water. Katsuki stayed completely still the entire time. It felt strangely intimate in a way that had nothing to do with romance and everything to do with vulnerability.
You reached for the washcloth next. “Can I wash your shoulder?”
His eyes opened halfway. "You ask permission a lot.”
“Because it’s your body and it’s injured.”
Something unreadable flickered across his face at that. Then he nodded once. You cleaned him slowly and carefully, making sure not to put pressure near the injured muscles. Every now and then Katsuki hissed quietly when you brushed too close to bruised skin, but he never told you to stop.
“Kinda pathetic,” Katsuki muttered suddenly.
You blinked. “What is?”
“This.”
You frowned immediately. “You being injured?”
“Me needing help.”
You set the washcloth aside and rested your hand gently against his uninjured shoulder. “Katsuki,” you said softly stroking his hair, “there is nothing pathetic about letting someone care about you.”
He stared at the water quietly.
“You are strong,” you whispered. “Strong people still need rest.”
His eyes lifted toward yours slowly. There was no anger in them, only exhaustion. You brushed your fingers gently through his damp hair again, “You don’t have to fight all the time.”
The silence that followed felt fragile.Then Katsuki looked away quickly, muttering, “…You’re too nice to me.”
A small smile tugged at your mouth. “Someone has to be.”
The corner of his mouth twitched faintly upward.
After helping him rinse off, you carefully guided him out of the tub. Water dripped down his skin while steam curled through the warm bathroom air. Katsuki swayed slightly from exhaustion the moment he stood fully upright. His left hand instinctively grabbed your waist for balance.
“Don’t say anything,” he grumbled quietly.
“I wasn’t going to.”
You wrapped a towel gently around his shoulders and began drying his hair while he sat on the closed toilet lid looking thoroughly annoyed by the entire situation. Still, he leaned subtly into your touch whenever your fingers brushed through his hair. Once he was dry, you helped him into loose sleep clothes before guiding him toward the bedroom. The fight had completely left him by then, exhaustion dragged at every movement. You sat him carefully on the edge of the bed and retrieved fresh bandages from the bathroom. Katsuki immediately frowned.
“Don’t start. I will be wrapping your hand and you will sit there quietly without complaining.”
You sat beside him and carefully began rewrapping his arm. Your fingers moved slowly, securing each layer snugly but gently. Katsuki watched you in silence this time, too tired to argue anymore.
The room felt soft and quiet around you.
“You know, my bandaging skills have improved significantly since I started dating you.”
“Mmmm I’m sure they have,” he mumbles
You smiled faintly and secured the sling again. “There. All done.”
He flexed his fingers experimentally before relaxing. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now let’s get you to bed.”
You ushered him fully into bed and covered him up. After changing your own clothes, you climbed into bed beside him, turning the lights low. You break the silence, “Get closer to me Katsuki.”
Katsuki was stiff at first, staring toward the ceiling. Then slowly, almost hesitantly, he shifted closer to lay on top of you. When you pulled him tighter against you, you felt one careful arm wrapped around your waist. Your fingers slid softly through his hair.
“You okay?” you whispered.
“Tired.”
“Mhm.”
You simply held him, stroking his hair while his breathing gradually slowed beneath your touch.
Then, very quietly, Katsuki muttered against your shoulder: “Feels shitty not being able to do anything.”
You pressed a soft kiss against his forehead. “I know.”
He was silent again for a moment before speaking more quietly. “…I just want to be able to do more.”
You brushed your thumb gently along his temple. “Katsuki,” you whispered, “it’s okay to take a break.”
His grip tightened slightly around your waist and his breathing slowed further. For the first time since he’d come home, the tension finally began leaving his body completely.
“You’ll still be here when I wake up?” he muttered sleepily.
“Always.”
A faint sound escaped him. It was half hum, half exhausted sigh. Then he tucked himself closer against you, finally allowing himself to relax completely in your arms. You continued to run your hand through his hair and down to his shoulders and back.
It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep in your arms.