Just gotta put this here once again. My AU, my way of seeing things. Some characters will typically be out of character, but not enough to cause an issue. I tried to encapsulate as much as I could into this chapter about why Katsuki is the way he is, as well as Keigo being the best big brother in the world. We all deserve a big brother like Keigo honestly. I hope your holidays are going well! Enjoy the chapter everyone!
"Thank you so much again for taking my sister in for a few days, Mrs. Bakugo! You have such a lovely home," Keigo says, smiling as Mitsuki gently hands him a cup of tea with shaky hands. Masaru is sitting next to him, smiling as wide as Keigo as the Pro sips from his cup. "Oh my god this is delicious! You have to give me the brand, I'm going to put it in my agency kitchen!"
"Um, I-I think I still have the box…I can just give it to you, Katsuki and Masaru don't seem to like it much," she replies, trying to keep her smile up. On the outside, she was the same calm parent who Aizawa and All Might met the other day. On the inside, she may or may not have been freaking out the way Izuku does everytime he sees his idol. Hawks is actually her brother. Holy fuck. "So…Leinei is actually your sister?"
"Adopted," he says, nodding. "First met the brat when she was six, and honestly, I couldn't love anything more. She gives my life purpose and I want to help make the world better for her when she becomes a hero so she can be a lot lazier than I am," he adds, laughing. Masaru chuckles, tilting his head.
"She talks about you a lot. She's very proud of you," he remarks. Keigo's face flushes as he pulls the collar of his jacket over his mouth. His wings flutter, giving away the happiness he felt from hearing those words.
"You love her very much, don't you?" Mitsuki asks, crossing her arms over her chest as he nods. "If you don't mind me asking, why doesn't she live with you? You seem the better guardian compared to Reina."
"I tried to, believe it or not," he replies, letting go of his collar and taking another sip of his tea. "It's a long story I won't bore you guys with." Not that I can actually talk to them about it. No wonder Lei Bay spends all her time here…they seem like decent people. "How is your son doing? Um…Boom boom boy."
"Katsuki."
"Right! She calls him Katsu or something, sorry. How is he doing after the whole…"
"He's better than he was a few days ago," Mitsuki assures, nodding her head as she looks at Masaru. "He was really messed up when he came home, after the cops talked to him and everything. He stayed up that entire first night to watch the front door in case something happened. He got the heaviest black out curtains I could find for his room. He had a small panic attack the other day, the day Leinei got out of the hospital I think. He met her that night at the playground just down the street and they talked, and he's been better since. She's definitely a good influence on him, and I'm relieved they both came out safe for the most part. I…"
"We don't know what we would have done if either of them had…taken a turn for the worse," Masaru finishes, letting his wife take a breather. She sniffles and wipes a tear from her eye. "Leinei or Katsuki-we've come to adore your sister. She's great with Katsuki, with Eijirou and Denki, and more recently, Hanta and Mina. We think of them all as our own, and..well, hearing what she went through, broke our hearts. No child should have to be kidnapped and starved and beaten for three days and nights, but your sister-"
"She's awesome, I know," he laughs, rubbing the back of his head. "That boy of yours is too. I watched him during the festival. Lots of raw power and talent, just needs some discipline."
"Oh trust me, we know that better than anyone," Mitsuki scoffs. "We've been trying for years, but teachers and other peers have inflated his ego beyond…beyond anything, and we're to blame too, because we helped that. We tried to fix it too late."
"As long as he's still breathing, it's never too late."
"You sound like you speak from experience."
"Leinei…Leinei struggled with her quirk a lot," Keigo admits, tapping his finger against the side of his cup. "She struggled to control it. She has a wonderful quirk, and if practiced properly, she could easily place in the top ten once she graduates. Hell, I want her to so I can slack off more," he adds, laughing. Masaru and Mitsuki chuckle as well. "But, something happened, and she blamed herself for it. She still does. She used to be so timid and scared of everything, and the girl I see now-sorry, girl is an understatement. She's a young woman by now, I think she's earned the right to be called that. The woman I see now, is who she is because of her environment. And you guys are a part of that, so.."
He places his cup on the table and bows once to Mitsuki, and once to Masaru. They seem shocked, a Pro bowing before them as if he owed them anything. "Thank you, for stepping up where Reina and I have failed. You guys never had to, but you did. You two, and Katsuki, and her friends, you guys helped her to grow and to mature, and come into herself as a person I couldn't be more proud of. If you ever need anything, please, do not hesitate to call me."
"Oh stop that, you're a guest in our home, you shouldn't bow to us for something like that," Mitsuki scolds him, walking over and smacking the back of his head as he stands up. He rubs the spot she smacked, smiling softly. "Leinei helped our Katsuki more than he has helped her. Before he met her, he was a cocky, jerky, pain in my ass. Now, he's that same cocky pain in my ass, but he's nicer. He's calmer. He smiles and laughs, and it's not condescending or cruel. It's happy, and I missed seeing his happy smile."
Mitsuki sniffles as Masaru stands and walks over to her, hugging her and kissing her temple. "He's a wonderful boy, blessed with an amazing quirk and the smarts and the power to use it, and he abused it for the longest time. He wanted to be a hero, and we encouraged that, because what kid doesn't want to be a superhero at some point in their life? But he was just so cruel about his path getting there, and then UA-it was a shock for him, because there were people as good as him, and better, and that ego he had for years came crashing down. It actually put him into a depression, and I was scared he was going to lose his way, or he was going to become worse. But that first week your sister was there-" She sniffles and shakes her head, wiping her eyes again. Keigo bites the inside of his cheek, feeling his eyes starting to burn with his own tears.
"He wouldn't shut up about her. At first it was complaining, about the quiet new girl that bumped into him and that his friends wouldn't leave alone. Then it became Short Stack and talking about how she enables Denki's crappy jokes. And then after that it was Salinsa, and that she's actually strong, and has a nice smile. And then it became Leinei, Leinei who was scared to be home alone, Leinei with the crappy voice for her stuffed animal. Leinei who he would be on the phone with at two in the morning on school nights.
"And now it's Lei. Lei who almost died for him, Lei who called him in tears begging for help, and he ran to her. I mean he got permission first-" They all laugh, a wonderful break in the atmosphere as Mitsuki recomposes herself and takes Keigo's hands. "But, he ran without hesitation. I heard one time that a mark of a good hero is that the body moves without thinking when someone is in danger, no matter who it is. No matter what kind of danger it is. Leinei is helping Katsuki become a hero and Katsuki is helping Leinei to do the same."
"You really have been watchin' em huh?" he laughs, taking one hand away to scratch his cheek. "My sister has that effect on people. It's the natural charisma one picks up from being around me," he adds, boasting to make the parents laugh. "But seriously, I couldn't have said it better myself. Leinei keeps a lot of secrets from us, because well, Reina breaks her trust every time she opens up, so I don't blame her. She'll come to us when she's ready, and that's how I mostly operate with her, so she knows I'm here for her. But, one thing she has always been open about are her friends, and Katsuki.
"My sister is crap at hiding her emotions, for lack of a better phrase. She wears them on her sleeve, or she bottles them up until she explodes. It's a side effect of her quirk, and a side effect of how we were brought up. So the fact she can be herself with you guys, with her friends, and with Katsuki, it makes me happier than you guys can understand. She just..it took her years to get here, and I want nothing more than to keep her safe and alive, and see her smile-"
He stops as the door opens up, a laugh echoing in the hall as the door closes. Mitsuki sniffles and wipes her eyes, composing herself as Masaru gives her one last peck on the cheek. The laugh stops as Katsuki and Leinei step into the living room, Leinei's eyes going wide as saucers as Katsuki narrows his.
"Keeiiii-ahh…Hawks! What are you-?"
"Lei, you can call me what you want," he laughs, his sister's eye twitching. "They know I'm your brother."
"Hawks is your fucking brother?!"
"Katsuki, language!"
"I'm sorry, lemme rephrase, the number three pro hero is your brother? And you didn't tell me? Oh my god it makes so much sense, all the Hawks merch."
"Katsu…" She smiles weakly at her boyfriend, watching the surprise and the anger melt away into a soft laugh. He takes a breath and walks forward, her hand still in his as he sets the bag holding her new funko pops on the couch. He holds his free hand out to Keigo, staring him straight in his golden eyes. Keigo tilts his head.
"I'm dating your sister."
"I kinda figured," he retorts, smiling as he shakes the boy's hand. "Now, I know y'know I gotta give the big brother speech. You wanna do that here in front of your parents or we can go outside."
"Keigo!"
"What? I gotta make sure he knows the consequences of hurting my favorite baby sister! Also, we gotta talk about what we discussed?"
"Um..what's that?"
He lets go of Katsuki's hand to snap his fingers, a feather bringing her phone down from the bedroom she was staying in. The feather was missing from the back of her case, panic settling into her chest. He clears his throat as it floats around her head before settling into her hand.
"What did I tell you about not going anywhere without that?" he demands, crossing his arms over his chest. "I couldn't hear you or sense you, and when I called no one answered. So you understand the panic I felt right? I don't care if you go out with your friends. I don't care if you're on a date with Boom Boom Boy over here-"
"Hey! Don't-"
"But, my one rule is you keep your phone and that feather on you. I almost had a heart attack today, because more often than not, villains and kidnappers come back to finish the job within a week." He notices the horrified expressions on Mitsuki and Masaru's faces, smiling to reassure them. "Oh not that I'm gonna let that happen. We have surveillance running on your house all day and night long to ensure that it doesn't, plus you have my darling sister here to protect you guys!"
"Excuse me, I'm here too," Katsuki retorts, his eye twitching. Keigo chuckles and pats his head, which just pisses him off more as he swipes the hero's hand away.
"You really do have small dog syndrome."
"I will kick your ass."
"Gotta be a little faster for that, kiddo. Anyway, long speech short, treat her good, love her, you hurt her, I'll kick your ass. Sorry for the language, Mrs. Bakugo. Leinei, keep your phone on you, feather on you, I gotta get back to Kyushu." He walks past Katsuki, giving Leinei a quick hug and kissing her head. "Oh, and before I leave," he looks at the family, making a zipper motion over his lips. "Public ain't supposed to know she's my sister. Makes her a target."
"We won't tell anyone," Masaru promises, smiling as he rubs Katsuki's hair. "Right, son?"
"Yeah, we won't," he growls, pushing his hand off. "Stop petting me!"
"Alright, cool! Lei, I'll call you later. It was a pleasure meeting everyone, but I gotta put these wings to use and catch some slowpokes. Stay safe!"
And with that, Keigo leaves, the door clicking shut behind him. Mitsuki gathers his abandoned cup up, walking it into the kitchen as Leinei sits on the couch and lets out a slow breath. After a moment, she looks up, her face flushing seeing everyone's eyes focused on her. Oh god what did he say while we were gone?
"So your brother is wonderful," Mitsuki tells her. "Quite the charmer. Prefer him over your sister."
"You and me both," she laughs, rubbing the back of her head. "He didn't do anything bad-?"
"Oh no, he actually came here all panicky because he couldn't get ahold of you. I showed him the texts and pictures from Mina to assure him you guys were okay. He wasn't too happy you left your phone at home, but I think he scolded you enough for that. That dress is adorable on you, by the way."
"O-oh ah, thank you." She scratches her cheek as she smiles and looks at her lap. Katsuki sits next to her, hesitating before taking her hand again. She squeezes his fingers, redirecting her smile to him.
"And you two are finally together? Who asked first? I know my Katsuki didn't threaten you into it."
"No he was actually very sweet," she laughs again, much to the blond boy's irritation. He huffs and looks away, his face flushed red. "We had a lot of fun today. I'm sorry to have caused you any grief."
"As long as you two are okay. Masaru, should we make a special dinner tonight to commemorate Katsuki's first girlfriend?"
"Shut up! Stop talking, oh my god!" he groans, as his parents laugh. "She doesn't need to know this."
"Oh I can show you all of the embarrassing baby photos."
"Oh my goodness, can you? I wanna see them!"
"No one is showing anyone my baby photos!"
"Aww but I have so many of you and Izuku! Oh Inko is going to love hearing this!"
"No one is telling that damn-" He stops mid sentence as Mitsuki puts her hands on her hips and blinks her eyes twice. He settles down and rests his forehead on Leinei's shoulder, which the lavender haired girl smiles at and gently scratches the back of his head. "Fine. I give up."
The rest of the day goes by uneventfully, Mitsuki never bringing out the baby book, stating that it was a time for another day. Dinner was pleasant, filled with laughs and retelling of the day. Katsuki even brought up the funko pops and Leinei showed them to the parents. Overall the day was wonderful for them, a taste of normalcy before everything has to go to hell again.
"Are you really sure you want to go back to your sister's tomorrow?" Katsuki asks her, raising an eyebrow as she lays her head in his lap. She hugs Mr. Spokes to her chest, shrugging as she shifts around so she can look up at him. "I mean, I'll go with you if you want, but just…I really want to punch her too."
"I don't blame you," she replies, reaching one hand up to gently brush her fingers against his cheek. He blushes and catches her wrist, trying hard to hide how his hands tremble. He didn't like the thought of her going back there right now, not with everything she just went through, with everything Reina tried to continuously put her through. "I just need to pack the rest of my stuff and get my school things."
"I'm sure your brother wouldn't mind buying you new stuff," he mutters, running his thumb over her palm. She doesn't mind the extra affection, closing her eyes as she smiles and lets him. There was something about it that calmed her, and reassured her. Especially after what happened… "I'm sorry, this is your choice. I shouldn't be bitching."
"I mean, if you're there, I'm sure she'd be less likely to try anything," she assured him, cracking one eye open as his eyes widened. "What? You really thought I'd be going alone? Yeesh, what kinda boyfriend are you?"
"The kind that'll lay you on your ass if you keep giving me an attitude like that," he scoffs, smiling still as he brings her hand back to his cheek. He closes his eyes and leans his head into her touch. "If I'm being too handsy you can tell," he tells her, his voice soft. His grip tightens slightly, leaving soft red marks before he loosens it. "I just…for some reason just holding you-it..I dunno how to explain it," he mumbles.
"It's peaceful," she tells him, watching as he nods and lets go of her wrist. She keeps her hand on his cheek, smiling as he turns his face into her palm and kisses the soft skin. "I think what we went through, being separated the way we were, may have created a physical codependent coping method."
"Hmm…so, the cuddling and extra physical attention helps you?" he asks, trying to get clarification. "I mean, I know it helps me-"
"Katsu," she sighs, pushing herself up so she can be eye level with him. His eyes go wide, a faint blush coming across his cheeks as she smiles at him. "I said codependent. So yes it helps me too. Did you really think I was lying about having the best sleep of the last few months last night? No, I didn't have nightmares, I didn't go through what Dabi did to me, or what happened at y'know, it was comfortable and the dreams I remember were pleasant. So yes, you cuddling me and the hugging and hand holding, they help. I'll let you know if they don't. Does that sound good?"
He nods, his brain fuzzy at her words. She nods back and lays back down, her shoulder pressed against the side of his thigh with her head resting against his stomach. He takes a soft breath, exhaling slowly through his nose as he runs his fingers through her hair with his nails ever so slightly brushing against her scalp. Her eyes are closed again, a soft smile on her lips that makes his heart melt.
"You smell like burnt sugar," she mumbles. "Or like burnt syrup."
"Well that's fucking rude," he huffs, pushing her head off his lap as he looks away. "Why did you have to ruin the moment for?"
"I wasn't trying," she laughs, sitting up and leaning against his side with her temple on his shoulder as he looks at the wall away from her. "I was just stating you smell like burnt syrup. It must be a side effect of your quirk."
"Do…you like burnt syrup?"
"Mm..maybe. I know I like the smell of you. It reminds me how hard you work."
"I really hope you don't go around saying that crap to anyone else," he grumbles, turning his head back to rest his chin on the side of hers. "They might get the wrong idea."
"Well you're the only one I'm smelling."
"Fucking better be. I'll kick your ass otherwise."
"Heh, not if I kick yours first."
"I'd like to see you try, Short Stack," he chuckles, closing his eyes and wrapping his arms around her. He feels like home… "We're at…what, ten for ten?"
"Eleven for ten," she corrects, rubbing his arm as she yawns and rests her forehead against the curve of his neck. "We can make it twelve ten tomorrow, after we get back from Reina's."
"Mmhm. You say that until it's eleven eleven again."
"I do say that."
"Go to sleep, dumbass."
"You first."
"We aren't playing this game."
"We aren't playing any games. We both need rest. Today was a lot. Emotionally."
"Yeah..it was," he murmurs, nodding and squeezing her once before getting up. "Come on. Bed tonight. If we sleep on the couch, we'll screw our backs up."
"Oh so we're sharing a bed tonight?" she teases, standing with him with Mr. Spokes squeezed in her hand. "So promiscuous, I wonder what your parents would say."
"Actually, you're sleeping in the bed and I'm sleeping on the floor," he tells her matter of factly, starting towards the stairs. "Nothing promiscuous going on in the slightest. I don't need your brother killing me."
"Alright, Katsu," she says, tilting her head as she smiles and follows him. He rubs his head as they walk up the stairs, glancing over his shoulder at her as she plays with the hands of her plush, mumbling something to herself. A small smile escapes him, closing his eyes as he looks ahead again. I wonder if she knows she does that…It's really cute…
Even that simple thought makes his cheeks warm, his eyes widening in surprise at the words. In public, yeah he could pretend that it was normal, that he was normal for a moment, and not alone with someone he had so boldly proclaimed his girlfriend just hours before. Alone was different, alone was when she was more affectionate, more..more her. More the girl that makes his heart skip and brings the smile to his face. Alone, he had to face his feelings for her and deal with the extra attitude and sass that came from her having this boost of confidence just being around him.
Not that he didn't like the confidence and the sass. The way they flirt, the way they talk, it feels special to him. She gets the extra bite just talking to him, whereas she's softer and more joking with the others. He likes the affection, the back and forth. But when she's like this, soft and quiet, the airheaded smile when she talks to herself and that plush, the vulnerable side of her that only a handful of people get to see, that just…it feels intimate to him, more than any layer of clothes or blankets could prevent.
"I thought you were sleeping in my room?" she asks, causing him to flinch out of his thoughts. He turns partially to face her, his face flushed as she has her hand on the doorknob. "If not, it's-"
"I'm just changing into pajamas and grabbing a blanket and pillow," he replies, reassuring her. "Go get changed. I'll be right back."
"I am capable of being alone, y'know."
"I know. Now change, and we can settle down for bed."
She nods, watching as he walks off to his room with a soft smile. She squeezes Mr. Spokes before opening the door and leaving it ajar as she walks in so she could hear him walk down the hall on his way back. She sets the plush on the bed and drags her bag up, digging through for some comfortable clothes she didn't mind being around Katsuki in. Settling on a pair of running shorts and a faded graphic t-shirt she didn't know she owned, she pulls the shorts on before pulling the dress off and folding it over her arm.
"Oh my god."
Her eyes widen as she turns around, holding the fabric of her dress to her chest as she sees Katsuki standing in the door with his pillow under one arm and his comforter under the other. Her face flushes from embarrassment and the uncertainty of what to do next. Do…Do I just finish getting dressed? I mean-I mean, my dress left little to the imagination today, he might already know what I look like…And it's not like he's Mineta…
"Um…I-I'm just gonna put my shirt on," she says softly, taking one hand from the bunched fabric against her bare chest to grab her shirt off the bed. He doesn't say anything, frozen in place as she slowly turns away from him to lower the dress down. There's a small whoosh of wind, and the sound of the door slamming shut causes her to wince, taking her back to that dark room for a moment before she gets her shirt on.
All the while, her heart is slamming in her chest, her legs shaking. She didn't even hear him walking down the hall, let alone even sense him. Her stomach curls on itself, the question of what if he doesn't like me that way flitting through her head and contorting her happy memories of today into…anything but. All of his happy smiles are turned to pity filled scowls, and it makes her feel sick seeing such colorful, bright moments turned to something black and white, taking her small amount of joy away.
"Are you decent?" he calls outside the door, his voice breaking ever so slightly. "You left the door open before-"
"I'm good now, Katsu," she calls back, climbing on the bed with her back still towards the door. She wanted to ask and make sure they were okay, to let him know that it wouldn't happen again as she hears the door creak open and the soft footsteps of him walking in. The blanket makes a gentle woosh as he spreads it on the floor and tosses his pillow on top.
"You okay? You know I didn't mean to walk in you, right?" he asks as he sits down with his hands pressed into the floor behind him. She tenses up, the urge to cry overwhelming to her now but no tears wanted to fall from her eyes. "Hey, Lei, talk to me. You were all about communication before. Goes both ways. I don't have your quirk so you have to tell me what you're feelin' too."
"..." she hesitates, before sighing and rolling over, seeing him with his chin on the edge of the bed now and staring up at her. The sight makes her smile a bit, reaching out with one hand to brush her fingers against his cheek.
"You can talk to me, Lei," he tells her, his voice gentle as he leans his cheek into her touch. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Am..am I attractive to you?" she asks weakly, letting her hand fall to the bed. He seems surprised by the question, tilting his head. "I-I just…with the scars," she adds, using her other hand to gesture to the still red handprint on her neck and slightly flashing her wrists at him. "I just…"
"Are you asking if I genuinely think that you're all things reminiscent of cute, or if I'm going to leave you because you're not standard?"
"Bo-I'm sorry, what does standard mean?"
"You were really sheltered," he groans, shaking his head as he smiles. She pouts a bit, grabbing her pillow and smacking him upside the head with it. He laughs, grabbing the corner as she goes to hit him again. "Calm down, I'm not makin' fun of you. Standard is just shorthand for you're not the normal societal standard definitions of attractive. You have scars, you have a lot going on in your head."
"I sense there's a but in there."
"There is if you wouldn't interrupt. Just because you're my girlfriend doesn't mean I won't bash you up the head with this pillow," he adds, tugging at the corner he was still holding to accentuate his point. She giggles, his heart melting. "But you are still very attractive. You are…um, very cute and adorable, and you can be a bit of a ditz at times with your spacing out, but I like it. I like you. Scars, issues and all other things."
She nods, unsure of what to say to that. He lets go of her pillow, watching as she hugs it to her chest and buries her face in the top of it. He waits patiently for her to decide what she wants to do, his fingers twitching with the urge to comfort her. He sighs softly and lays his cheek in his hand, resting his elbow on the bed in a weird position so as to not crick his neck.
"You told me that you like the way I smell because it reminds you of how hard I work, right?" he tells her, watching as she nods her head. "I like your scars, because they show me what you had to fight and what you had to overcome to be the person you are today. That scar on your neck? It gives me a reason to get stronger, so that shit doesn't happen to anyone else I care about, and so that you don't have to protect me."
She says something, but it's muffled by the pillow. He groans and tugs the pillow away with his free hand.
"Repeat that."
"It's a hero's job to protect people," she tells him weakly. "No matter the cost, no matter what would happen to them-"
"No, don't give me that. You almost fucking died. Lei you should have fucking died. And then we wouldn't be sitting here. We wouldn't be having a conversation about this."
"I know, but I'd do it again to make sure you were safe. I'd do it as many times as I'd have to to make sure everyone is safe."
Her voice breaks and her hands tremble. For a moment, all she can see is Dabi's glowing eyes in the room, the suffocating feeling of him beating the hell out of her. Hearing Toga's giggle and nearly nonsensical rambling as she took her blood. I don't want to die. I don't…
"Hey, hey," he says, climbing onto the bed now as she starts hyperventilating. He hugs her, burying his face in her hair. "It's okay. You're safe. You're with me," he tells her, feeling her hands grip his arm as she gulps down air. "That's right, just breathe. Just breathe, Short Stack. It's okay."
"I didn't want to die," she whimpers, gripping his arm tighter. "I didn't. I just want to make more memories with everyone…I like feeling happy and not scared it's going to be ripped away from me."
"I know, Lei," he assures, nodding his head. "I know. And you will. We both will."
"I should have done more to protect you-"
"No, shut up." She winces at the abrasive tone, him pulling his head away from her to grab her chin and wrench her gaze towards him. Tears are in his eyes, his hand shaking as he tightens his grip on her chin. "You did everything. You made a plan, you stuck with it and saw it through. If you hadn't, we both probably would have ended up dead. I was too dumbstruck to formulate beyond taunting those bastards. I should have been fucking stronger, because then.." He swallows back a soft sob, trailing his fingers down to the handprint on her neck. She shivers, trying hard not to recoil. The skin is still sensitive, despite Recovery Girl's best efforts. "You wouldn't have something like this to add to your collection. And I wouldn't have it everyday to remind me that I failed my duty as a hero trainee."
But we're just kids. She wants to say that, the words screaming in her head as she sees the conflict in his eyes. She wants to reassure him, but the way he is now, she knew nothing she could say would do the trick. His eyes were glazed over, seemingly fixated on nothing as his fingers still pressed against the scar. His shoulders are shivering as if he was cold, but she knew better. He's been beating himself up just as much as I am…He doesn't-I…
"You didn't fail," she tells him softly, reaching up and interlacing her fingers with his. He flinches and the glazed look leaves him, sniffling a bit before coughing. "I was…I was just trained differently. You can't fault yourself for being scared, because that's a normal human reaction to a situation like that. I was scared too, that I'd lose you and that I'd never be able to see anyone else again."
"What do you mean trained differently? You're receiving the same training we all are," he retorts, his voice snippier than he meant it to be. She smiles despite this, squeezing his hand. "Sorry, not the thing I should be fixating on right now."
"No, you can fixate on whatever you want. I'm just..not ready to answer that question yet. I will let you know when I am though, and we can talk about it."
"Right," he agrees, nodding his head. "So…lets agree that we're both stupid, could have done better and we're just glad to be alive?"
"I can agree to that," she laughs, nodding her head as well. "I can definitely agree to that. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you called yourself stupid."
"I figured." His smile returns and he leans forward, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. She blushes, but stays there, trying hard not to smile. "We both need sleep. I'm gonna climb back on the floor, okay? If you need me, don't hesitate to wake me up."
She nods, watching as he settles himself back on the floor. She readjusts the pillow so she can lay on the edge of the bed, letting her hand dangle over the side as he lays down facing her.
"Did you not bring another blanket with you?"
"I don't sleep in a blanket," he responds with a shrug. "Makes me sweat too much. I don't want to accidentally explode and set the house on fire."
"That actually makes sense."
"Oh shut up and go to sleep."
"Good night, Katsu."
"Night, Lei."