"So Bakugou, it's been a while." Hound Dog said, he sat on his chair, one leg crossed over his lap. A clipboard was balanced on his legs. His hands pressed together. He had glasses perched on the end of his snout, a pen behind his ear.
"Yeah." Katsuki said. "A while."
"You've been busy with the Commission? Do you want to talk about it?"
"I feel like that's all in the past. It's resolved, you know? Like everything is done. I don't see the point of going through it all." Katsuki said.
"Isn't that what all therapy is? Going over things that we've been through?"
"I suppose, but this is different. I won. I proved myself. I made a difference." Katsuki said. "They apologized and the people who did it to me lost their jobs. I heard that some of them might be going to prison. I don't… I don't feel bad about it anymore." Katsuki said.
"And why do you think that is?"
"I've been over it so many times. The whole, people think I'm a villain, people not believing in me, thing. The answer is always the same. You'll prove them wrong. Well I did. I proved to them that I'm going to be a hero. That they misjudged me. What's the point in wasting any more time on them?"
"I see." Hound Dog nodded. "You are correct. You did prove them wrong. You showed them who you are."
"I did." Katsuki nodded.
"What do you want to talk about? What's on your mind?"
"I think I'm falling behind. When I started, the only people I struggled to fight against was Shouto. He was the only one who was a threat to me. But recently… Tenya almost beat me. It's only a matter of time before someone else does."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Well yeah, I'd lose?" Katsuki said.
"But when we lose, we learn. If the Commission had never come after you, you wouldn't have achieved half as much as you have."
"I guess, but it still feels like shit." Katsuki shifted, leaning back in his seat.
"I think you need to change how you see things." Hound Dog said carefully. "Losing a fight isn't necessarily a bad thing. Especially in a non-lethal setting. Losing a fight doesn't mean you're weak."
"It means you're weaker than the other person."
"Does it?"
"Well yeah, obviously." Katsuki rolled his eyes.
"Todoroki lost to you, yet you still believe he's stronger than you."
"He lost on purpose."
"He still lost."
"So?"
"He still lost. By your standard that make him weaker than you."
"That's different." Katsuki argued.
"Is it?" Hound Dog cocked his head to the side.
"Of course it is."
"You could argue that he had a weaker mental constitution than you. Leading him to lose." Hound Dog said.
"He's been through a lot. I'm in no position to judge his mental stability."
"Okay fine. What about Kirishima. He lost to you. Is he weak?"
"That's not fair." Katsuki scowled.
"Isn't it? I am just asking you to confirm your previous statement."
"By using my best friend and my boyfriend as examples?"
"You're someone's best friend, you're someone's boyfriend. You're someone's son, someone's student, someone's teacher. To them you're not weak. Losing a fight wouldn't change their opinion of you. Why would it change your opinion of yourself?"
"Because I… I… I hate it when you do this." Katsuki growled, leaning back in his chair.
"I just want you to see things from another perspective." Inui said. "You haven't lost a fight yet, but when that day comes… and it will- no matter how strong you are- I don't want you to spiral. I don't want you to lose what little self-esteem you've managed to gain."
"I guess." Katsuki shrugged. "I just… Everyone always told me you had to win to be the best."
"You don't need to judge your self based on how many fights you win. Sometimes you have to prioritise a rescue or something. Sometimes you have to abandon a fight to help someone. That's not necessarily a win, but you'll have saved someone."
"It's a different kind of win." Katsuki said.
"It's a different way of losing." Hound Dog countered.
"I guess." Katsuki said again.
"Losing gives you a chance to improve. Just remember that, okay?"
"Yeah." Katsuki nodded.
"Your parents are moving today, right?"
"Yeah their plane leaves in like an hour or something." Katsuki said. "I spoke to them this morning."
"And how does that make you feel? Them leaving?"
"Better. I felt bad about them having to leave home. But they were going to France anyway. They'll be safe there. They can live without fear there."
"I see. Why did you feel bad?"
"Well I want to be a hero. And I get interacting with villains is a huge part of the job. But my parents didn't want that. They shouldn't have had to leave home because of my job." Katsuki said. "I disrupted their life."
"I'm sure they don't see it like that."
"No, they've been really nice about it. But that doesn't mean I don't feel like shit about putting them through it."
"Just remember that they're safe. And that's all that matters."
Hound Dog had an exceptional ability to pinpoint exactly what was on Katsuki mind and made him talk about it. It was infuriating, but Katsuki had to admit that the entire process was beneficial. He left later feeling more relaxed and distinctly less stressed.
When he got to the dorms he was immediately greeted by Hoshi. Her tail was fluffed up in the air and she immediately began to twine herself around his legs. Katsuki bent, picking her up, grunting and how heavy she was.
"Hoshi no." Katsuki heard Hitoshi whine. "Why can't I control cats?"
"Oi, bastard, back off." Katsuki said. For a moment he had no idea where Shinsou was. The only people he could see were Izuku, Shouto and Tenya on the sofas. But then Hitoshi sat up, purple head of hair emerged from next to Izuku, he'd clearly been lying on his lap.
"I just want a cuddle." Shinsou said. "Kirishima said I could borrow her cuz Shouto was being a dick."
"Fuck off, I wanted to cuddle Soba." Shouto replied, scowling as he texted on his phone.
"You can have Hoshi back." Katsuki said, coming around the back of the sofa, plonking Hoshi on Shinsou's lap, making his grunt. "She was just saying hello."
"Thanks." Shinsou said, giving Hoshi a hug.
"Don't you normally have an appointment with Hound Dog right about now?"
"Not this week." Hitoshi said. "I cancelled. I don't feel like I have anything to talk about." He shrugged.
"He keeps trying to make me go more." Shouto said.
"Yeah Daddy Issues, I wonder why." Katsuki rolled his eyes.
"I never said I didn't know why he wanted me to go. I'm more than aware about the issues I have with my father."
"I meet with Hound Dog every two weeks." Tenya said. "But that's just so he can keep an eye on me. I personally don't see why, but I will not argue."
"I see him too." Izuku said quietly, not looking up from his own phone. "He's really nice."
"Mhm, he is." Katsuki said. "What you reading, Nerd?"
"Weekly hero charts." Izuku said. "Hawks has gone up to fourth. Miruko seems a little pissed but everyone expected he'd rise back up again."
"Oh, that's good." Katsuki said, petting Hoshi on Shinsou's lap. "He deserves a decent spot in the rankings. He's a good hero."
"Yeah." Izuku said distantly, not really paying attention. Katsuki frowned before shrugging as Izuku started muttering to himself about the statistical advancements of individuals in the billboard charts.
"You spoke to Ei, where is he?" he asked.
"In his room, I think?" Shinsou replied.
"Kirishima-kun is in his room." Tenya confirmed. "Kaminari-kun and Sero-kun are with him. They're supposed to be doing homework but I doubt that they are."
"Hey, no. Kaminari's console is still down here." Shouto said. "He could be working."
"It honestly depends what mood Eiji is in." Katsuki replied. "Hanta can usually get Denki to study one-on-one but if Eiji or Mina are in an excitable mood, Denki will get distracted."
"Oh. Fair." Hitoshi said.
"Well, I'll see you extra's later." Katsuki said, petting Hoshi again before readjusting his bag on his shoulder. "Look after my cat."
Katsuki went upstairs to Eijirou's room, knocking softly on the door, waiting for Ei to call for him to enter.
"Wow, soft knock, bro. I didn't think it'd be you." Hanta said when he came in.
"No need to be loud." Katsuki shrugged.
Eijirou was lay on his bed, workbook next to him, pencil in hand. Denki was on the floor, surrounded by notebooks and textbooks. Hanta was at the desk, with one book and a pencil. Katsuki put his bag on the floor at the foot of the bed, getting out his own homework before sitting crossed legged on the end of the bed.
"Where've you been?" Denki asked.
"Counselling." Katsuki replied.
"Oh right." Denki nodded. "You have fun?"
"Not particularly, but it's not supposed to be." Katsuki shrugged. "You get much work done?"
"Nope." Denki said with a smile.
"Because someone won't shut up!"
"I'm just saying man, when you cut grass it releases distress pheromones, does that mean grass can feel? If so does that mean other plants feel? And if that's true are vegans hypocrites?"
"What the fuck?" Eijirou said softly.
"Ei doesn't get an opinion, we know your thoughts on vegans." Denki interjected.
"Hey, I got no problem with people. I just like meat." Eijirou said.
"Sure you do." Hanta laughed.
"Fuck off." Eijirou frowned. "Now who won't shut up?"
"Poor Shouji." Denki shook his head. "The things he must hear." Eijirou blushed a deep crimson, almost blending in with his hair.
"Shouji's room is soundproofed. He can't hear anything." Katsuki drawled.
"He can't? You're sure?" Eijirou asked.
"Yeah. He needs it to be silent to sleep or something. So he sorted it. We spoke about it a couple of times."
"Why?" Denki asked.
"After Kamino, I had really bad nightmares. They've tapered off now, but they were really bad and I'd shout in my sleep. I know Eiji could here me, but I was worried about waking Shouji." Katsuki said.
"Thank fuck." Eijirou said.
"Jesus Christ, what have you two been doing?" Hanta laughed.
"You don't wanna know." Eijirou shook his head. "And I don't want to tell you."
"Gross." Denki said. "Wait! On that bed?"
"No!" Eijirou snapped.
"Chill asshole. There's a thing called doing the laundry, it may be a foreign concept to you but some of us stay on top of it." Katsuki said.
"I guess."
"Anyway." Eijirou said. "What y'all get for number 12?"
"Abraham Lincoln." Hanta replied.
"I hate you all."
Every punch was dodged.
Every kick, blocked.
Blood oozed from Katsuki's nose, dribbling down his chin, staining his teeth red.
Breathing was painful, his nose clearly broken.
He spat on to the floor, trying to rid his mouth of the thick metallic liquid. He gagged as blood coated his tongue.
Activating his Quirk, he fired himself up into the air, avoiding a powerful kick. He hovered in place for a moment, before his Quirk failed him and he began to fall to the floor. He set of several smaller explosions, slowing his descent enough that he could roll into the fall when he hit the floor.
He grunted, bruised ribs protesting at the action. More blood welled from his nose, coating Katsuki's gloves crimson when he brought a hand up to rub it. He yelped at the pain he caused himself.
A bright greenish light surged towards him. Before he could process his actions Katsuki exploded the green. But despite that, he was still too slow.
Izuku side stepped the explosion, pivoting on his foot before grabbing a handful of Katsuki's hair, pulling him backwards as he kicked his legs out from underneath him.
The blond fell on to his back, his teeth rattling as his brain was jolted. He gasped as his eyes were forced closed. He rolled to the side, stumbling to his feet. Izuku paused falling into a fighting stance, feet planted firmly apart firsts raised.
Katsuki was tired. His chest heaved with effort, his ribs burning. His palms shook, sweat coating his body in a toxic sheen.
Izuku was as equally torn up. His hero costume was burnt and torn in places. The flesh of his shoulder oozed in response to the burn, blistering already. His green hair was flatter than usual, dampened with sweat, Blood stained his face and one eye was swollen shut.
Katsuki jumped as high as he could, using his Quirk to propel himself toward Izuku. He shot through the air at great speed, slamming into his opponent. Deku didn't flinch, he absorbed the impact of the hit. Izuku grabbed a hold of the fabric of Katsuki's shirt, preventing him from stepping back.
Snarling, Katsuki swung his leg upwards, fully extending and straightening it, kicking his childhood best friend in the face. Deku yelped, letting go of Katsuki's shirt and falling to the floor. He rolled with the actions though, getting to his feet.
"Fuck." Izuku choked out, wiping blood out of his face. Katsuki launched himself again, but Izuku was ready, punching Katsuki squarely in the jaw, sending him flying backwards. He smashed into the wall of the training compound, concrete crumbling around him.
All Might and the rest of the class were up in a viewing area above the grounds. They were watching like raptors, Katsuki was half expecting All Might to call for the two of them to stop, but then he remembered the first time they'd face against each other.
All Might wanted to see what Izuku was capable of, how his use of One for All had progressed. He was willing to sacrifice their physical health to see what they were capable of. Katsuki couldn't rely on All Might calling them to stop. He had to keep going.
Izuku was running at him, green lightening encompassing his body as he charged forwards. Katsuki hadn't got any room, any time, to step forward. He held his hands up, listening to the familiar whine of his flash grenade charging.
White light filled the space between them but Izuku didn't slow down, instead he ran blind towards Katsuki. The blond punched, driving his fist upwards into the soft flesh of Izuku's stomach. The younger teen flew backwards, the impact causing him to expel the contents of his stomach before his body collided with the ground.
Izuku jumped into the air as soon as his feet touched the ground, Katsuki was shocked when he didn't even take a second to breath. Katsuki tried to cover the distance between them quickly, bolting across the concrete.
Izuku's veins glowed red as green electricity wrapped around his body. He jumped into the air, travelling faster than Katsuki knew he was capable of. He descended quickly, dropping like a stone. Katsuki barely had time to think he's going to kick me before the blow came.
He put his arms up to protect his face, crying out when he felt the bones in his forearms snap under the pressure. Katsuki pushed his arms forwards, blasting Izuku backwards. The green haired teen stumbled slightly, but he took it all in his stride.
He turned on the spot, swinging his leg round, narrowly missing Katsuki's face as the blond jumped backward. Izuku used the momentum he'd built up, however, punching Katsuki's head once again. He blinked, dizzy thanks to the blow.
Izuku smirked. Katsuki growled. He placed his palms up firing off a large blast. Heat radiated from his hands as Izuku let out a squeak of pain. He was flung across the compound. Katsuki took the moment to breath. His ribs ached with every breath. Sweat was dripping off him, mixing with blood.
Izuku let out a wordless shout of frustration, leaping into the air once more. Katsuki used a blast to follow him. They met halfway, Izuku slamming his fist into Katsuki's cheek. Katsuki mirrored Izuku's move from early, holding on to his opponent's shirt.
Katsuki yelled in anger and pain, bringing his feet up to kick Izuku in the stomach, twisting them mid-air. He held his hand towards the ceiling, exploding the air above him. He held Izuku underneath him as the flew downwards.
Katsuki slammed Izuku into the ground, choking in pain as the movement jarred his broken arms. Izuku rolled underneath him, forcing the blond to the floor instead. Katsuki gasped as a fist drove into his ribs, crying out as he felt something suddenly give way.
He exploded his palms without thought, and instinctual reaction as his throat filled with blood. Izuku was once again sent flying across the room. But this time, Katsuki didn't get up to follow. He curled in around himself, thick crimson liquid spilling from his mouth, dripping down his cheek and pooling on the floor beneath him.
He whimpered, adrenaline fading away, allowing him to feel the true extent of his injuries. Pain radiated from every pore. His shoulders ached from Quirk overuse; his broken forearms hurt. Every breath felt like he was breathing in tiny needles.
His breathing was laboured; rattling inhales with a wet sound. That probably wasn't good. The blood leaking from his mouth wouldn't stop, and Katsuki couldn't help but choke on the fluid. He couldn't move without pain shooting through his body. He whimpered again.
"Kacchan!" Izuku called, running across the hall.
Again, instinct took over, he fired an explosion towards Izuku's face. The teen fell backwards with an "oof."
"Kacchan? Can you sit up?" Izuku asked. Katsuki whined wordlessly. "Kacchan?" Izuku moved closer, hand on his shoulder. Katsuki heard him inhale sharply when he saw the blood.
"All Might!" He shouted. "We need Recovery Girl!"
All of a sudden, the door to the training room flung open. Iida burst through, heading straight for the door. Eijirou wasn't very far behind. He ran up to Katsuki's fallen body, sliding on to his knees next to Izuku.
"Katsuki? Baby? Can you hear me?" Eijirou's hands hovered lightly above Katsuki shoulder, not wanting to hurt him further.
"Kacchan?"
"All Might called Recovery Girl before you'd even finished. Iida's gone to get her here faster," Eijirou said quickly to Izuku. "Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine." Izuku said, despite the fact he looked as if he was seconds from passing out himself.
"Katsuki?"
"Eiji?" Katsuki murmured, pain blistering across his skin, his voice barely more than a croak.
"Yeah Baby. It's me." Eijirou said, brushing Katsuki's fringe out of his face. "I'm here."
"…hurts…."
"I know Baby, I know. Just stay awake. Stay with me." Eijirou said. "Recovery Girl will be here soon."
"Eiji… hold my hand?" Katsuki whimpered.
"Of course." Eijirou said, immediately slipping his hand inside Katsuki's.
"Love you."
"I love you too, Baby, so much." Eijirou said. "You'll be okay, not much longer now. Recovery Girl is nearly here."
"I'm cold."
"You're gonna be fine."
"Kacchan. I'm sorry Kacchan. I'm so sorry."
"'s fine Nerd."
The last thing Katsuki saw was Tenya bursting through the double doors of the training room, Recovery Girl in his arms. If Katsuki had been more aware he would have laughed at the sight. But unfortunately, his eyes fluttered shut as consciousness slipped away.
Katsuki was floating. At least that was the closest thing to describe it to. It was a strange sensation, like vertigo and sleep mingling together to create a not quite conscious space between wakefulness and slumber.
He was warm. He knew that much. And the bruising pain he had felt before was now just a continuous ache. He was nestled in scratchy bed sheets and a too skinny pillow. In any other situation he would have complained. He would have been uncomfortable.
But the solid body next to him, with the sweet coconut scent made it all bearable. He shifted slightly, rolling to rest his head on Eijirou's chest.
"Is he awake?" Izuku's voice sounded out across the nurse's office.
"I don't think so." Eijirou replied, his chest vibrating as he spoke. "I think he's close to waking though."
"Good. I need to apologise."
"What for?"
"I shouldn't have gone so hard. I should have held back." Izuku said. "I shouldn't have been so aggressive."
"Why do you think you should apologise?" Eijirou said. "Katsu' is all about doing your best."
"But I hurt him." Izuku said. "You heard Recovery Girl, multiple fractures, broken ribs, punctured lung, concussion. I hurt him worse than the League of Villains did."
"Yeah but look at you, concussion, fractured leg, internal bleeding, multiple burns." Eijirou said. "He hurt you bad too."
"But I shouldn't have gone so far." Izuku said. "I shouldn't have hurt him."
"Izuku. Do you know how angry he'd be if he knew you to be holding back? Sure he's going to be upset when he comes around. He lost your fight. But at the same time, losing in a fair fight. He'd prefer that over you going easy on him."
"I guess so." Izuku said.
"I know so." Eijirou said. "You know how angry he was at Shouto at the Sports Festival? He'd be just as mad at you. Now I won't say he'll be happy about you winning the fight, but he'll be in a lot better mood than if you had thrown it."
Eijirou's hand played with Katsuki's hair, making the blond sigh happily. He nuzzled into Eijirou's shirt, buttons pressing into his cheek. He could hear the conversation his boyfriend and Izuku were having.
"You fought well, and he'll know that. I think…" Eijirou took a deep breath. "I think he'll be proud of you."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"He's right, Nerd." Katsuki mumbled, prying his eyes open. "I'm proud."
"Kacchan! You're awake." Izuku said. Katsuki couldn't see him, but he could hear the smile in his voice.
"Apparently." Katsuki said. He moved, trying to sit up a little, still resting against Eijirou's shoulder.
"How are you feeling?"
"Sore." Katsuki said. "But I'm fine."
"I'm so sorry Kacchan."
"Shut the fuck up Nerd. You won. Fair and square." Katsuki said, turning to look at Izuku. He was in the bed next to Katsuki, bandages adorned his body, as they did on Katsuki's. "But just know, if we'd been outside, I would have Howitzer'd your ass and I would have won."
"Of course, Kacchan." Izuku laughed. "I can't believe it. You know I'd never considered being able to beat you."
"Don't count on it happening again, Nerd. I've been focusing on other shit, not training. But I won't make that mistake again."
"I'll look forwards to it." Izuku smiled.
"Please heal from this fight before you start planning the next one." Aizawa said from the door. Recovery Girl was at his side.
"Yes Sensei." The two of them said, Eijirou snorted.
"You both feel okay?"
"Yeah, just tired." Katsuki said, leaning back against Eijirou.
"Me too really." Izuku said. "I just want sleep."
"Mood." Aizawa muttered before straightening up. "They can go, right?"
"Yes. Just make sure you eat properly tonight." Recovery Girl said. "And send All Might here, Aizawa. I need a word with that man."
"Is he in trouble?" Izuku asked.
"Midoriya. You have once again been injured on All Might's watch. Yes he's in trouble." Recovery Girl said. "Now get out of my office."
Izuku and Katsuki got dressed back into their uniforms before he heading back to the dorms. Aizawa had left after double checking they were alright, claiming he needed to go home for Eri. Which was understandable.
The three teens went back to the dorms. Izuku and Katsuki stumbled along quietly, Eijirou held Katsuki's hand as they went, squeezing it rhythmically to made sure he was still aware. Everyone was waiting for them in the common room. Soba was cradled in Shouto's arms, Hoshi is Denki's.
"Damn Midoriya, breaking our drummer's arms. Not a cool move." Mina was the first to speak.
"I'm fine Pinky." Katsuki said. "Recovery Girl fixed me up."
"The two of you fighting like that. It was most irresponsible." Tenya said. "But at the same time, it was a formidable display of strength."
"Thanks, Tenya." Katsuki said. Izuku muttered his agreement.
"You both look like you need a rest." Momo said.
"Yeah, you know Recovery Girl's Quirk knocks people about." Katsuki replied.
"I'm going to make dinner for everyone." Satou said. "Don't worry about cooking."
"Thanks Satou." Katsuki replied. "Can I have my cat back?"
"Oh yeah, sure man." Denki said. He took a couple of steps towards Katsuki handing Hoshi over.
"Thanks." Katsuki said.
The stairs were exhausting. Katsuki's thighs ached with each step and he regretted carrying Hoshi up them. After the first flight, Eijirou took Hoshi off of him, continuing by his side. Once they reached Katsuki's room. Eijirou opened the door, putting Hoshi down.
Katsuki stood in the middle of the room, staring at the bed. Eijirou came up behind his, pulling his blazer off of his shoulders. He placed the article of clothing on the back of the desk chair before returning to undo his half-done tie.
The redhead found out Katsuki's pyjamas and returned to undo the buttons of Katsuki's shirt. He slipped the item off of his shoulders. He then pushed the t-shirt into Katsuki's hands.
"Put this on Baby." He said softly. Beginning to undo Katsuki's belt. His trousers fell down once his fly was undone, leaving him standing there in his boxers. Katsuki pulled the shirt on over his head, before allowing Eijirou to guide him forwards, stepping out of the trousers. "Can you put the pyjama bottoms on by yourself?"
"Mhm." Katsuki nodded. "'m tired not stupid."
"Yeah, but you like it when I take care of you." Eijirou said.
"I do." Katsuki said, grabbing the pyjama bottoms, bending down to pull them up.
"Do you want me to leave you to sleep?"
"No. Stay Red." Katsuki said. Taking Eijirou's hand and pulling him towards the bed.
The two of them lay down next to each other; hands clasped, looking into each other's eyes. Hoshi clambered over them, biting Katsuki's arm before scampering off the hide under his bed with a little meow.
"Fucking asshole cat. Haven't I been hurt enough?"
"I was scared today, Katsu'. Thought I'd lose you for a moment there."
"Really?"
"There was a lot of blood, Kats. And your breathing was funny. When Recovery Girl said you'd got a punctured lung, all I could think of was what happened to Jeanist. I thought you might have to go to hospital or something. But Recovery Girl was able to heal you, she said it wasn't as bad as it was with him."
"I should call him. Start a punctured lung club." Katsuki teased. "I didn't think it would go like that, the fight. I thought I'd win. Like I always do."
"There's a first time for everything." Eijirou said. "Midoriya was wild. You both were. All of us were just watching in horror. We all knew that the fight wouldn't stop unless one of you couldn't physically go anymore."
"Really?"
"We were all asking All Might to call off the fight, to step in. But he wouldn't. He said that you both needed to finish it. That stopping the fight mid-way would only create unresolved tension between the two of you."
"I guess." Katsuki said. "I don't like that he beat me. But I guess it's just proof of how far he's come. You know, when we were fourteen, he was so skinny. I mean we were all different back then. But I mean even then, he was tiny. A little nerd that followed me around, with his little notebook." Katsuki sighed.
"He wanted to be a hero so fucking bad, but he didn't have a Quirk. I thought… I thought that one day, he'd follow me into a situation and get himself killed. The day of the Sludge Villain, I thought that fear was going to come true."
"Really?"
"Mhm. But he was fine. Got told off by some pros, but he was fine. And then he got into U.A. and he had a Quirk." Katsuki said. "I was mad at him, but also relieved. Like his Quirk was strong and he's proven today that he'll be okay. Even if he beat the shit out of me."
"You beat the shit out of each other." Eijirou laughed.
"True." Katsuki said, moving to rest his head on Eijirou's chest, looking up at him. "I'm gonna beat him though."
"I know you will. There's only room for one Number One." Eijirou smiled, kissing Katsuki's nose.
"Your belief in me means a lot." Katsuki said. "I believe in you too, you know. If it came to it, I'd be happy for you to be Number One instead of me."
"Now you're being silly." Eijirou said.
"No I'm not." Katsuki said. "I'm being serious. I love you and if anyone is worth that spot, it's you."
"I love you too." Eijirou smiled. "You're terribly cute when you're concussed."
"I'm not concussed."
"Hmm." Eijirou hummed. "Get some sleep Katsu' I'll wake you for dinner."
Eijirou didn't need to wake him in the end. Denki had been sent up to tell them that dinner would be in 15 minutes. The excitable blond burst through the door without knocking, making both boys jump. Denki truly proved he feared no man, by jumping onto the bed, sandwiching Katsuki between himself and Eijirou, effectively spooning him.
"Dinner is in fifteen." Denki said, wrapping his arms around Katsuki's waist.
"Why?" Katsuki mumbled.
"Because that's when it'll be done?" Denki replied.
"No. Why are you touching me?"
"I wanted to join in the cuddle." Denki replied, "So here I am."
"Asshole." Katsuki grumbled, nestling into Eijirou.
"Ei, he's letting me cuddle with him." Denki mock whispered.
"Not for much longer if you keep talking." Eijirou replied, tracing patterns on Katsuki's clothed hip.
"How's you arm not asleep? He's lying on it." Denki asked.
"It is asleep. I can't feel it."
"Isn't that bad?"
"Probably." Eijirou said. "But I love cuddling too much to complain."
"I can move." Katsuki mumbled.
"You're okay. But you do need to get up soon if you want food." Eijirou said and Katsuki whined.
"I don't want to get up."
"Ah, revenge is sweet." Eijirou teased. "Sleepy." He kissed Katsuki's forehead.
"Sleepy Kacchan." Denki said, resting his chin on Katsuki's body. "So soft." Eijirou laughed at Denki's words. "You get to see him like this all the time?"
"Yeah." The redhead said. "He's cuddly when he's sleepy."
"I can hear you, you know?" Katsuki said.
"I know." Eijirou said, kissing him again. "Come on, let's go." He patted Katsuki's hip, before sitting up.
The three teens got up with varying levels of enthusiasm. They headed downstairs, Hoshi trailing behind. Satou, Shouji and Tokoyami served the food, Dark Shadow helping carry things. Katsuki sat between Eijirou and Denki, opposite Izuku.
Katsuki went over their fight in his mind. He was disappointed in himself. Of course he was. No matter how proud he was of the Nerd, he'd still been defeated by Deku. In the span of 8 months Izuku had gone from being Quirkless to defeating him. Him.
Katsuki thought about what Hound Dog had said. Each loss was an opportunity to learn, right? So what could he learn from this fight?
He watched as Izuku ate, happily talking to Shouto and Tenya. His face was still bruised, Recovery Girl only focusing on the serious injuries. Katsuki assumed he looked the same. Katsuki glared at him. Why did he win?
Katsuki was strong and a capable fighter. He knew how to win. He'd been doing it for years. But Deku had still beat him. Izuku was smart, always planning ahead. Was that it? That he planned? No. Katsuki planned. Maybe not ahead of time but he could always figure out the best way to defeat his opponents. What was it?
And then it hit him. Izuku was faster. He moved quicker than Katsuki could sometimes track. He would recover from any blow in record time and he'd been flying back through the air before Katsuki could manage to prepare a new attack.
Izuku, in close range, had the advantage. His speed combined with his Quirk meant any blow could be catastrophic. Katsuki was often forced to chose between explosions or punches when it came to close combat. It worked well enough but if he was faster, maybe he could have taken Izuku out easier.
He could never get much distance between them, Izuku was too fast. He got too close, too fast. Katsuki needed to be faster to win. Izuku seemed to have no difficult with taking blow, he took each hit within his stride and got back up much faster than Katsuki did. And it wasn't like Katsuki was slow.
He needed to speed up. He needed to become faster, to respond quicker. And fuck Izuku. One of them had the personal phone number of the pro hero dubbed "too fast".
Katsuki took his phone out of his pocket, texting under the table.
From Bakugou:
Teach me how to be faster.
From Hawks:
I'll do you one better.
I'll teach you how to fly.
Katsuki smirked to himself. He doubted it was possible for him to fly. Not in the way Hawks could. He could propel himself forwards but he had limited control in the air and he couldn't maintain it. But he'd listen to what Hawks had to say. He'd learn everything everyone could teach him.
With Hakamata he'd learn how to be kind.
With Aizawa he'd learn how to be patient.
With Yamada he'd learn to fight deaf.
With Flashback he'd learn to fight blind.
With Hawks he'd learn to fly.
