[PSL -- For Superchill] -- Confrontation

[thunderingpeace]

Part One
Part Two

 

[It had been a week since that time in Kacchan's apartment. A week since the kiss, a week since they'd had breakfast together, and a week since they parted on an almost too-casual note, Izuku walking out the door ahead of his friend so as not to embarrass them both.

Also, to...well. To give Kacchan some room. Some breathing space.

Because they weren't anything, not really. Friends? Definitely. Lovers? Possibly someday. They'd definitely enjoyed kissing each other, and spooned each other when they slept for fuck's sake. Izuku had wanted something more, but Kacchan needed time, and he was perfectly willing to give him time.

No. Really. Don't give him that look. Just because he'd had a rocking dumpster fire of a romantic life before this didn't mean that he was going to make this go in flames because of his own awkwardness and thirst.

And then...well. One thing led to another. 

Specifically, his mother happened. She'd collapsed one day while at work -- after Izuku graduated, she'd taken to working again in order to fill the gaps left by her son's absence, and her own loneliness -- and he'd left immediately to go and see her. 

Her heart was weak. They weren't sure if it was her weight, the anxiety of having her son out of the house and her husband overseas, a deeper issue, or a combination of all of them, but couldn't do as much as she used to. She needed help.

Izuku had jumped at the chance. Taken strange hours -- mostly graveyard shift -- and had to cancel his social plans so that he could be with his mother during the day, work at night, and get what little sleep he could before he had to wake up and do it all over again.

This went on for a week.

He hadn't texted or called anyone. He hadn't had the time. He had to talk to his superiors to switch his hours, he had to commisserate with the doctor about his mother's medications and how long she would need to be supervised before she could start living independently again (his father hadn't even been contacted -- but Izuku had enough issues with his father, and really didn't want to think about him right now), had to start putting aside money for both her rent and his, had to move himself into his old room with the too-tiny, uncomfortable bed and always made sure to keep the door open in case she needed him.

He was a wreck.

His eyes were sunken in, he'd only eaten the bare minimum that he needed to function, and while coffee and energy drinks got him through his shift with minimal effort, he knew he wasn't at the top of his game. He'd planned on telling someone, really, but he didn't want to make anyone worry until he was settled, and by the time things started rolling he was so caught up in the wave that he couldn't stop.

He shook when he woke up, some days, and had to force himself to stop the exhausted tremors. His two off-days a week were the only days when he could sleep, but it was restless and short, so he spent his time working out or taking extra hours at the agency just to fill the time.

He missed everyone.

Most of all, he missed Kacchan.]

Comments

[thunderingpeace]

[Oh God. Oh fuck.

Kacchan was touching his hair, he was kissing back -- not gently, but hard, with as much passion as he was -- and Izuku's entire body was about ready to burn from everything.

This was so good.

So, so good.

Izuku moans again, needy and heavy into his kiss.]

Kacchan--

[He whispered his name against his lips like a plea, but it feels wrong. He should be saying something else, something more intimate -- his head was fuzzed, but his heart and body were holding the reigns, leading the hand that's not in Kacchan's hair to slide down and slip under his shirt, clinging to his bare back with need and purpose.]

Katsuki.

[Yeah, that's what he should be saying. His mouth moved against Kacchan's, matching him depth for depth, passion for passion.

He'd never kissed anyone this deep, this good before. Ochaco was the closest, but even at their most intimate did he feel like he was burning alive from the inside.]

Don't stop. Please.

[superchill]

[ It really is good. So good.

The kiss on the couch was already incredible, but this? This has a fiery passion to it that Bakugou can feel so deep inside of him- like it's a part of him, revitalizing and waking parts of himself that he didn't even know were so hidden away.

It's definitely a lot.

His name doesn't sound strange on Deku's lips, just different- more intimate. A hell of a lot more intimate. Even more so than the hand creeping up under his shirt, holding onto him.

Bakugou has always fought his way away from touch, but now he's leaning into it and pressing closer to Deku. He doesn't want to stop, just as much as Deku is begging him not to.

He starts moving, pushing Deku back against the counter until he's got him tight against it, kissing him deeper as his hands tug at those green curls, tilting Deku's head back a little more. That's when he breaks the kiss and starts moving his lips down Deku's jaw, down his neck. Deku feels just as warm as he does. ]

[thunderingpeace]

[Kacchan was amazing.

No, really. Kissing him on the mouth like this was already amazing, but then Kacchan started moving, and Izuku moved right in step with him. Wanted to, had to.

One step forward, one step back. It could have been choreographed; it was so natural. So right.

And then he was against the counter. Izuku usually took the lead, took control, in moments like this. He never minded it -- in fact, he loved being able to take care of his partner, and make them feel better than they'd ever felt. But right now, he didn't mind being pinned, being caged in by Kacchan's body as he pressed against him and...

Oh. Oh. That was his neck.

He'd wanted to say something, some encouragement, some praise, something to know that Kacchan was giving him something that he'd never felt, made him feel better than he'd ever felt in his life, but his words came out as a needy whine of his name -- his real name.

Both of his hands were under his shirt now, gently running over his back and shoulders with those featherlight touches he'd used while massaging.]

--so good.

[It was all he managed to whimper out, but he had to say it, had to tell him. Had to encourage whatever was going on right now. Kacchan was kissing him and he felt so fucking hot and precious and in love that nothing else existed but them. Nothing else could exist.]

[superchill]

[ Bakugou can tell how much Deku is liking this just by the sounds he's making.

Those sounds increase when he starts moving his kisses down along Deku's neck and he wonders if he's going to have to put a hand over his mouth very soon. Or maybe just put his mouth back over Deku's. That would work too.

But not yet. He has to kiss along more of Deku's skin and definitely touch more, sliding his hands down the other man's neck, down his chest.

He can feel his own skin come alive with the way Deku's featherlight touches get to the core of him. Even these light touches get him going so much. ]

Yeah... fuck, it really is.

[He says against Deku's skin before catching his lips in another kiss, his hips rocking against him before he can stop himself. But they're in Deku's kitchen- his mother's kitchen and he has to stop himself, pulling away from the kiss, searching Deku's face as he tries to catch his breath.]

We can't... not here. Fuck. This is your mom's kitchen.

[thunderingpeace]

[WOW, Kacchan.

Just, wow. Had to remind Izuku where they were while he's hard as a rock and ready to rip your clothes off, huh?

Look at those eyes, Kacchan. Those green eyes lidded, glowing with love, desire, and need? That face with parted, soft pink lips?

Yeah, that was your doing.

But everything hit Izuku like a freight train -- the situation, Kacchan, the fact that they were about to have sex in his mother's kitchen. His face shifted from clouded lust, to frustration, to realization, to embarrassment in seconds flat.]

...Oh.

[His hands slipped out from under his shirt, wrapping around Kacchan's middle like that was the most natural thing in the world.]

Y-yeah, uh. I got a little...excited? I mean, I always love kissing you, Kacchan, really, but like, it was so amazing this time. Like, more than other times! You had so much passion and you're really gorgeous but you're right, this isn't exactly the best place to be doing this. I mean, with you, I want it to be special, you know? Not that kissing or touching you isn't special, but I would want this to be in a comfortable bed, and I'd need to be better prepared because I don't have any lube or condoms here or anything. I mean, I've never done this with a man before, but I'd assume the backdoor is the same for everyone regardless, and--

[Leans forward to give Kacchan a soft, chaste kiss, and smiles awkwardly.]

Okay. I'm good. I'm good now. I think. Yeah.

[But he made no effort to move away. He didn't want to, not yet. Just wanted to stay close to Kacchan for a few more minutes.]

[superchill]

[ He isn't exactly thrilled about this either.

Bakugou doesn't want to stop, but he also doesn't want to do this right here in the kitchen, even if it's not sex, even if they don't go all the way, it's still something.

But it's damn hard (all of him is, too), because Deku looks at him with such desire, looking like that, and it takes everything inside Bakugou to not go right back in for another kiss, or lift him up on the counter to be able to move his mouth all over him.

No.

He waits till the realization hits Deku and when it does, boy, he gets a whole lot more. He didn't even really think about the special part- but he also didn't think about the rest of it either, because he's never done this before, but Deku hasn't either and then.... wait. ]

Whaaa? You've never done this with a guy before? I thought you fucking did!

[Not that it's a bad thing. He's kind of relieved. He knows Deku has been with women so he's not a virgin, but if he's never been with a guy before, that means both of their first times will be together. Yeah, he's pretty damn sure their first times will be together, even though they still haven't talked about where they stand.

He moves his hands to Deku's waist as well, but he has to take a step back, because they're just too close and he's too heated for that level of closeness without doing anything.]

[thunderingpeace]

[Oh, thank GOD. That's what he took out of that long ramble-fest of epic proportions, not that Izuku was prone to oversharing or having his brain completely leak out his ears.

Deep breaths, Izuku. Come on, deep breaths...don't focus on Kacchan's warm body pressed flush against--OH THANK GOD HE MOVED. If he'd stayed closer any longer, Izuku's hips would have started moving on their own, and he really didn't want to rut against his--something in the middle of his mother's kitchen like an animal in heat.

He just didn't, okay?

Izuku laughed, but it was an awkward one. He would have scratched his head, but his hands wanted to be right where they were, thank you. He was not in the mood to move them away.]

Er...no, um. I haven't. I mean, I wanted to! But you're the first guy that I've ever...loved. You know?

I don't want to do--you know--this sort of thing with someone I don't love.

[All right, so.

New plan: Don't use the "L" word when talking with someone that you're not dating yet. Yet? Possibly.

The word came out so naturally, though, and there was no dishonesty in it. He'd just wished that, maybe he could have let the word slip in a more romantic situation.]

[superchill]

[ Trust me, Deku. It's better he focuses on that, rather than the backdoor comment.

It's not that he doesn't know how it works, of course- he just hasn't considered the logistics of it yet. He'll figure it out when the time comes, of course, but right now that feels like a few steps ahead.

And that awkward laugh of Deku's... god, it's fucking cute. He doesn't know when he started thinking that instead of how he wanted to punch Deku for it, but... he's certain glad it's changed.

He opens his mouth to comment when Deku says it again. Twice.

He really doesn't realize it, does he? He can't, can he? Same train of thought as earlier. Bakugou's brain just seems to stall at the words. He's trying to keep his cool, but it's a lot for someone like him. ]

But we just... I mean... how do you even... ARGH. Fuck. How the fuck can you love me?? You only just told me you liked me!

[thunderingpeace]

Because I don't know what else to call it!

[Well, that could have gone better. Come on, Izuku, you had a speech in your head and everything for when you were going to confess how deeply you loved Kacchan. You'd thought about it that night while texting Uraraka, while staying up late on his couch, while walking to work that morning.

You can do this, Izuku.]

This isn't like...a crush to me. When I have a crush on someone, I get a lot more anxious. My palms sweat, I feel uncomfortable, and I never know what to say. Kisses are nice, but nerve-wracking.

With you, it's different. It's always been different with you, but here, it's just--

[Breathe in. Breathe out. Don't ramble, don't ramble, don't ramble--]

Look. I've been in relationships before, you know this. When we kissed, it felt like nothing I'd ever felt before. And it's not because we're both guys. It's because it was you. Kissing you felt like using Full Cowling for the first time, except with my heart, body, and soul on fire. I feel happier when I'm around you than I have around anyone else. I look forward to seeing you, and when I go to bed at night I wish I could see your face when I wake up in the morning. I want to eat dinner together, to make breakfast together, to be able to be with each other the way we were in your apartment every single day. Being with you feels like I've gained something that I didn't know I'd lost. It feels comfortable and right.

Kacchan, I feel for you in a way that I have not felt for anyone else in my entire life. What else could that be but love?

[Okay, so you embarrassed yourself AND rambled. Good job, Izuku.]

[superchill]

[ That... is definitely a speech, alright.

It's different from Deku's usual muttering, because that's not what this is at all. It's a thought out, from the heart kind of speech and if Bakugou didn't know what to do with himself and this information before, he knows even less now.

He just stands there and gapes a little, taking it all in. ]

Holy shit.

[That's his first response, because what else can he say?

Deku loves him. Loves him. Bakugou is still trying to figure out this like thing and Deku already loves him. He needs to sit down. He backs up a little and moves to sit in one of the chairs by the table. Yeah, he's never felt this unsteady in his life.]

But I hurt you so badly for so many fucking years.

[He's still thinking about that. How can he not? It went on for ages and he knows he hasn't even come close to making up for any of it.

But the scariest part is... some of what Deku says actually makes sense. ]

[thunderingpeace]

[Izuku was unsteady on his feet, too. He was exhausted, but this moment, this need to make Kacchan understand kept him coherent. Kept him awake.

He wobbled towards Kacchan, pulling out a chair and setting it by his side, so he could look him in the eye.

He grabbed his hand, ran his thumb over the top.

Connection. Izuku needed to be connected with him this time. This was all nerve-wracking, and he wasn't exactly the best person to do this (he was an awkward mess at most things, love included), but Kacchan deserved this.

That same determination that brought him through the rest of his life could help him here.]

I know. I'm not going to say that you weren't. But that's not who you are now. You haven't been that asshole since...the beginning of our first year in UA.

I can admit it now: I had a crush on you when we were in Junior High. I still had a crush on you in High School. I didn't realize that's what I felt, but I can look back and admit that's what was going on. As...embarrassing as that is, honestly.

But we've both grown up, and become who we were truly supposed to be all along, I think.

Look, I...what I'm trying to say is...I liked who you were before. I love who you are now.

And I think...I don't know. You can laugh at me if you want, but...I have a feeling that it's always been you. You've been the only one I've ever really wanted. That's what Ochaco had to have meant when she broke up with me that night, since she didn't want to compete 'with someone else' for me.

[He gave Kacchan's hand a squeeze.]

[superchill]

[ Bakugou looks at Deku when he sits there taking his hands in his. He looks tired, but determined and Bakugou isn't sure if this is the right time for all of this, but... when else would be the right time if not now?

He has no fucking clue what to think anymore.

He feels like he was that asshole for a lot longer than the beginning of their first year. He still feels like an asshole most of the time, though he knows he's trying to do better. It's not something he can forget easily, nor should he want to, he knows that.

And all this time, Deku has had a crush on him. All this time, Bakugou held on so tightly to his pride that he never let himself see any of this.

All this time, and maybe Bakugou could have felt the same way.

Well, he does now. Well. Mostly. He's still trying to work through the liking Deku part, but here Deku is, telling him he loves him. That he loves who he is now.

That he's the only one Deku ever really wanted. So that's why Ochaco broke up with him all those years ago. Oh.]

I... don't even know what the fuck to say.

[This is supposed to be a good thing, isn't it? It just feels so damn odd to him. It's such a shift from what he's used to and it's throwing him off. He's annoyed because he doesn't like being thrown off, especially when he can't figure how to work around it. But this is different than a skill, or trying to figure out the enemy. This is dealing with something he doesn't have a damn clue about.]

[thunderingpeace]

[Izuku squeezed his hand again.]

You don't have to say anything, Kacchan.

[He didn't want a romantic speech out of him, or...anything, really. Izuku just...what? Wanted him to know?

It was clear that they felt something far greater than friendship for each other. They practically had sex in the middle of the kitchen just a little while ago.]

I already know that you care. You show me all the time, through the things that you do. That's enough for me.

[It was enough, though Izuku could admit that a small part of him wanted more.

He wanted to hear those three little words.

He wanted Kacchan to call Izuku his.

But he didn't need those things, not really. What they had now was enough.]

[superchill]

[ It feels like such a relief when Deku squeezes his hands and tells him he doesn't have to say anything.

He has no idea how to even follow up with anything after that. But he does remember it. He tucks every last word away so he can think about it- not agonize over it, just think. ]

I do?

[He shows Deku that he cares? Well.... okay, yeah- he hopes he does. But he wasn't sure if he was actually doing it, or if he was still just being an asshole to Deku like he always had been. Bakugou is hard on himself. A lot]

I'm just trying to be better. Toward people in general, I guess. But mostly toward you. I know I've still got a lot of shit to work on. But I feel better when I'm with you, too.

That's all I really know right now.

[thunderingpeace]

[Ugh, this man.

This man.

He didn't see what Izuku saw. Most didn't, to be fair; most wouldn't take the time to try to see the real man under his prickly exterior.

But Izuku was nothing if not patient and persistent.

Extremely patient and persistent.]

That's goo--

[His body lurches and the room starts to spin. Nnngh, guess all that lack of sleep started to catch up with him. His head was light, his stomach flops, and--

Izuku is falling forward.]

[superchill]

Whoa, shit!

[Bakugou moves forward, pulling his hands from Deku's so he can grab his shoulders and keep him upright.

What an idiot. What a complete idiot! This is exactly why Bakugou was mad at him, and exactly why he knew calling him out from work was a good idea. If he'd go out there like this, he'd end up fucking dead!

He wants to yell all of that at Deku, but he doesn't. At least for now.

Instead he stands up and scoops Deku out of the chair so he can carry him and heads for his room.]

You're getting some sleep, idiot. Whether you like it or not.

[thunderingpeace]

[Instinctively, Izuku's arms wrapped around Kacchan's neck, and he buried his face in his chest as they moved.

This was...really comfortable, actually. Embarrassing, but considering what just happened, he's not exactly in a good place to be embarrassed right now.]

I guess I am...pretty tired...only had an hour last night.

[Kacchan was so warm. He could fall asleep in his arms right now if he wanted; but he tried to stay awake just a little longer, stay conscious a little longer.]

[superchill]

[ He's glad they can table the whole other thing for now, even though he's not glad that Deku nearly just passed out on him. Bakugou is determined to fix this now.

Deku's bedroom... he hasn't been in here since they were practically toddlers. Everything still looks more or less the same, just with less All Might action figures, which Bakugou knows is only the case because Deku probably has them in his current apartment.

He lays Deku down into bed and tugs the covers down, adjusting them.]

Well you're gonna get a lot more now. I'm staying until I gotta go into work tomorrow. I got a slightly later shift so you can sleep longer. Just tell me what I need to do for your mom in the morning and I'll take care of it.

[thunderingpeace]

[Izuku starts sitting up, but a burst of dizziness sends him right back down. Oh, wow. He's not getting up, is he?

His bed feels so comfortable and warm. And with Kacchan there, it just feels...just great.

(And a tiny, very tiny part of him is preening at the attention. That tiny part of him can go fuck himself, because seriously, not the time.)]

She just needs to have her breakfast and take her medicine first thing in the morning. The doctor gave me a list of instructions and dietary requirements, which are all in a notebook on the kitchen counter.

[Thankfully, nowhere near where they were making out before.]

Thank you. Really.

[A pause.]

Kacchan? Can I ask you to do something for me? I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to, I just...

[His cheeks darken slightly.]

Can you stay with me? At least...until I fall asleep?

[superchill]

[ Of course he's not getting up. If the dizziness wouldn't have laid him back down then Bakugou would have done it anyway.

He has a feeling Deku will have an easier time sleeping with less of a burden on his mind.]

Okay, good. I can do all that so don't even worry about it.

[And then he'll know what food to stock up on once he sees the dietary requirements. He can make separate food for Deku too. Something that'll last him a while so he won't have to worry about that ether.

He's already nodding when Deku asks if he'll do something for him, before Deku even gets to what it is. When he does, Bakugou scoffs, climbing onto the bed, moving behind Deku.]

Of course. Where the fuck did you think I would go?

[thunderingpeace]

Mmmm...I dunno...The couch, maybe...?

[Kacchan was so warm. Lying right behind him like this, it felt so natural, so right.

He pressed himself back just a little, fitting himself against Kacchan's chest as the little spoon, snuggling in until he was satisfied.]

But 'm glad you're here. You're warm.

[He hummed softly.]

Had a lot of trouble sleeping before...after I spent the night. Jus' felt cold and...alone.

[If he was more awake, no way in hell would he have admitted that with a straight face. It was a toss-up if he'd even remember this conversation in the morning, but part of him wanted to try to remember.

Or at least...remember that Kacchan was here with him now.]

[superchill]

We'll... both get better sleep like this.

[He admits. Bakugou has been able to sleep, he always has, but sleeping on the couch with Deku felt a lot better for some reason. No, he knows the reason. He's just still trying to fully admit it to himself.

A lot keeps happening when they're together. Tonight was another night full of a lot to think about. But maybe it's all happening because he's starting to let it.]

Well you're not alone now, got it?

[He remembers Deku's words- that he does show that he cares about him now- and maybe stuff like this is it. Because he does care. More than he would have ever liked to admit, but maybe now... maybe soon he can.

Either way, it shows in his actions and Deku has figured that out by now.

He sets his phone alarm to vibrate and puts the phone near his head, then slides a foot in between Deku's feet and slings an arm around his waist, but he lets Deku get as comfortable as he needs to get.]

Go to sleep, nerd.

[thunderingpeace]

["We'll both get better sleep like this."

Oh...Kacchan liked sleeping with him, too. That...made him feel a lot better than he cared to admit.

One of Izuku's hands searched for Kacchan's -- the one that's around his waist -- lacing their fingers loosely. That felt warm. Right, somehow.

He...

He could get used to this. He wanted to.]

Okay....Good night, Kacchan.

[Within minutes, Izuku was fast asleep.]

[superchill]

[ Bakugou twitches a little inside when Deku laces their fingers, but... he lets it happen. No way he's going to pull away from Deku now. Especially since it's not the worst thing in the world.

He won't make it a habit of course, but for now it's alright. ]

Gnight, Deku.

[He snuggles in a little closer and waits for Deku to fall asleep before he closes his eyes and tries to clear his head so he can sleep as well. It's not hard for him either after that and he sleeps all the way through the night until his phone vibrates against his head, early the next morning.

He knows this room, he knows this mop of green hair his nose is pressed into. He knows exactly where he is before he even properly opens his eyes.

His hand slips out of Deku's so he can shut the alarm off and he lifts his head to peek and make sure Deku is still sleeping before he very carefully untangles and gets out of bed so he can start making breakfast and fix up a few other things to eat for Deku when he wakes up.

He checks the notebook and writes his own list down, tucking it away, then gets to cooking and checking all the meds he has to give Inko. When he's done, he goes to her room and knocks on the door.]

[thunderingpeace]

[When she had woken up last night to the sounds of Izuku and Katsuki last night, she had thought it was some sort of strange dream.

She'd padded partway down the stairs as slow as she could manage (Goodness, Izuku worried so much! Yes, she was ill, but she was not an invalid, she could at least walk a short distance), though could only go down a few steps before feeling a little tired.

So she'd stopped. She'd listened.

She'd heard things she never thought she'd hear.

"I called the Agency on my way over here. I worked some things out. You're not going in for the next two days and don't you fucking even try to argue it. I was gonna push for longer, but I figured we'd see where to go from there. I switched my shifts around so when you're off, I'm on and vice versa, and you don't get all the shitty shifts, so you'll be able to sleep more. So we can take turns watching your mom and making sure she's okay.

Also, you're gonna let me help you pay for stuff so you're not working overtime. I have extra cash tucked away from all my sponsorships. I was saving it for a rainy day or whatever the fuck that expression is. That's what this is. Don't argue that either or I'll blast you all the way back to UA."

Those words out of the abrasive Bakugou Katsuki's mouth had been enough to strike her dumb. Not in a bad way, mind you. Izuku had always told her that he wasn't a bad person, though part of her always worried about her son's insistence to bring this person back into her life, even though her real fears about the whole thing had dissipated midway through Izuku's High School career.

It was always "Kacchan" this, "Kacchan" that, and even after he started dating that really nice girl, he still always talked about him.

Izuku wasn't...entirely honest with Katsuki when he'd said that he'd 'told' his mother first. His mother, hearing how often he talked about another boy, and was so insistent on being close to him, had asked one night at dinner: "Izuku, are you not interested...in 'normal' relationships?" (Note: in Japan, Straight relationships are literally called 'normal' in English)

Her son had stared at her as though she burned him. She quickly recovered: "I'm not going to judge you if you're not. I just find it strange that you're at this age, and you don't...oh, maybe I'm just old-fashioned. It just seems strange that you don't talk about girls more often than you do."

And part of her had to be honest: She was relieved that he wasn't entirely...like that, but she was supportive and understanding, because that's what mothers did. Over time, she'd come to terms with it, and even wondered if he wasn't more into men than he thought he was -- or at least, one particular man.

Hearing Katsuki in their home, speaking about taking care of her as though it was normal, as though he was his son's life partner instead of his friend...well. The tears were already starting to overflow before Izuku had used the word 'love' and then--

Oh.

Um. She should. Probably get upstairs. She was hearing noises she never wanted to hear out of her baby's mouth. He was a fully-grown man, and she knew that he'd...you know, but...

Those two were going to be going right up here in a matter of minutes if she didn't get back to bed.

And so she did. Though when Katsuki came with her breakfast and medicine the next morning, she may have given him an almost sly, knowing smile.

"I hope you had a good night's sleep last night. I know the beds weren't entirely comfortable, but..."

She'd paused.

"Please continue taking care of Izuku. You've grown up into a fine man, Katsuki. Thank you, for everything."

---

Izuku woke up alone.

His body didn't feel cold, though. No, he felt like his entire body was covered in a thick layer of warmth, and his belly was filled with the kind of contentment that he hadn't had in a long time. The blankets were scattered around the bed, and there was a lingering scent that clung to the sheets, to his clothes, to the room itself, which Izuku wanted to wrap around himself and fall back asleep to.

He didn't, though.

Instead, he sat up, stretched hard, and wiped the sleep out of his eyes with calloused, scarred hands.

What time even was it?

He reached out, ready to grab his phone--

--wait.

His phone was downstairs. Because Kacchan had carried him to bed last night.

Carried him to bed.

Izuku pressed his head in his pillow, face red, and let out a garbled whine.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths, c'mon.

THERE we go.

With a ragged breath, he slapped his red cheeks, hopped out of bed, and padded downstairs, hair a mess and eyes still not fully open from sleep.

He needed to find his phone, and then he could move on from there.

He left it in the kitchen, right...?

He'd check there, first.]