for those of you who don't know, this story is also on Archive of Our Own. I'm posting it simultaneously in both places.

anyway please review! (tell me what you like, don't like, needs improving... help me become a better writer)

~inudigifan201

*this story's depiction of sex might not be accurate. it's hard writing a subject i know nothing about. but, hopefully it's not too bad.*

Ch, 12. Let me take care of you

Izuku was proud of himself. He didn't do anything to Kacchan other than kiss him… ok, maybe he gave him a couple hickeys, but that was just inevitable. And, he didn't come out unscathed either. His own neck and collar bone were also covered in bite marks. And they both kept their pants on… even though it was very clear they both wanted to go all the way.

He could have sworn Kacchan marked him like he did, but he brushed it off. They were already mates so it didn't matter if he did or not. But, the thought made him giddy.

Izuku pulled the blanket over his sleeping mate and lovingly stared at him for a moment. Kacchan looked a lot softer while sleeping. So cute.

If you told him a few months ago Kacchan would be he mate, he wouldn't believe it. It would be just as likely as meeting All Might and actually having a conversation with the man… which he did and couldn't believe that either. And he was so easy to talk to too… like he had known him his entire life. Well, Izuku was a huge fan, but All Might didn't even know he existed until… he didn't want to think about that day. Kacchan was safe and sound and that's all that mattered. But, it still stung that their pup was lost. The worst part was Kacchan didn't even have a chance to tell him. His eyes glowed as he clenched his fist. Never again. Never again would Kacchan ever be put in such a situation.

He shuddered at the thought, but glanced back at a sleeping Kacchan and his mood was instantly lifted. He kissed him on the forehead and let out a satisfied breath as he cut the tv off and covered himself with the blanket so he could also get a nap, but his stomach had other plans. It grumbled so loud he checked to make sure it didn't wake Kacchan. Luckily, his mate didn't even stir. With a sigh of relief, Izuku got up and made his way to the door.

He quietly closed the door, because the last thing he wanted was to wake up his mate. Kacchan, surprisingly, was not grumpy when woken up. Not even when they were kids. He was more quiet and snuggly while half asleep. But, he was obviously tired, so he needed the rest. They could snuggle later.

Izuku made his way to the kitchen. He helped put up all the groceries when Uncle Masaru brought them home the day Kacchan came home, so he knew where everything was.

He put some rice and water into the rice cooker per the instructions and pulled a pot out of the cabinet and filled it with water. He turned on the stove and set the pot on so the water could boil. He then pulled out noodles for Kacchan and a pork cutlet for himself. He chopped vegetables, coated the pork, fried the pork, plopped in the noodles, soft boiled a couple eggs, put the rice in a bowl, put the noodles in a bowl, added some hot pepper flakes to the noodles as well as the eggs cut in half and a couple pieces of cooked ham, draped the cutlet onto the rice and stepped back to admire his handywork after he placed the dishes on the table. He then pulled out his phone from his pocket and took a picture of the meals he made. He sent the picture to his mom, Aunt Mitsuki, and All Might with the caption "fixed mine and Kacchan's favorites".

He wasn't the best cook in the world, but he was still glad he knew how to make some food.

With a grumble, Kacchan emerged from his room with a blanket over his shoulders, clearly half asleep. "Zuku…" He mumbled as he walked closer.

Izuku beamed. "Just in time for lunch, hope you're hungry."

Kacchan nodded and sat down in front of the spicy noodles.

Izuku continued to smile as he sat across from him where he sat his own food.

They prayed and picked up their chop sticks.

Izuku began to sweat as he watched, a slightly more awake, Kacchan take a bite of his cooking.

"Not bad nerd." Kacchan took a few more bites.

Izuku sighed in relief, Kacchan approved of his beginner cooking skills. Life was great.

VVVVVV

Katsuki blushed as he continued to eat the noodles Izuku made him. They weren't as spicy as he normally liked them and there was barely any broth, but he could tell a genuine effort was put into the dish. It wasn't quite his own or his dad's level of cooking, but if his mate kept at it then he'd be pretty good… eventually. Maybe one day he'd be as good as him or his dad.

It was far better than the bland food the hospital gave him. That shit had no flavor.

Izuku's phone vibrated and he pulled it out of his pocket.

Katsuki stared as he slurped the noodles. Who was texting his mate during school hours?

Izuku smiled and typed a reply before he put his phone back into his pocket and finished his lunch.

"Don't worry about dishes Kacchan, I'll wash them." He smiled.

"Who texted you?" Katsuki eyed the flat bulge in the pocket of the basketball shorts… trying not to sound as jealous as he knew he felt.

"My mom." Izuku stood up and carried his bowl to the kitchen so he could wash it after giving him a quick answer. "I sent her a picture of our lunch. You know how she worries."

Katsuki was semi satisfied with the answer, but he felt the nerd was withholding information.

He heard the water turn on and his mate's phone buzz again.

'It better be his mom.' Katsuki seethed.

The water turned off and Katsuki caught the change in the nerd's expression.

He pocketed his phone again and went back to cleaning up his mess from cooking.

'What was that all about?' Katsuki raised an eyebrow.

"boys, I'm home." Masaru called out as he opened the door and took off his shoes.

Katsuki's attention spanned to his old man. "What are you doing home this early?" He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was still only the middle of the day.

Masaru sighed and sat down next to his son. "Your mother summoned me to her office in a panic. She was going to come home, but she had a big meeting very a very important client today, so I came home instead."

"Would you like some katsudon uncle? I only made enough noodles for Katsuki." Izuku called out from the kitchen.

"That sounds lovely Izuku, thank you." Masaru smiled then looked back at his son. "You ok?" His tone sounded worried and Katsuki knew why.

Izuku said he cooked.

"M' fine… now… I think." Katsuki sank into his chair.

Izuku was soon out of the kitchen with a bowl for Masaru and a nice hot cup of tea.

"Can I have a soda?" Katsuki looked up at his mate.

Izuku smiled with a nod as he took the empty bowl in front of him. "I'll be right back."

Masaru took a sip of his tea. "Great service." He joked.

Katsuki rolled his eyes.

Izuku was soon back with the soda and even opened it for him. He then smiled and went back to the kitchen to finish washing the dishes.

Katsuki took a swig of the soda and the carbonation burned his throat going down.

Masaru sighed as he picked up his chopsticks. "He's really worried about you."

"Hm?" Katsuki looked up at his old man confusedly.

"He's radiating worried alpha." He took a bite. "Also not a half bad chef… could use more seasoning."

Katsuki nodded. "He has room for improvement. But, what do you mean he's 'radiating worried alpha'?"

"His body language, his sent… he cooked for you." He began to explain. "Alphas generally don't cook unless it's for their survival or they're worried about their mate. I can count on one hand how many times you mother has cooked for me and you know I'm a beta… one of which was when she was pregnant with you and I was having a panic attack about what color to paint your nursery." He chuckled. "She fixed some comfort food and we agreed on orange when I calmed down." He ate a bit more. "Generally my papa did all the cooking and cleaning when I was growing up, but dad would drop everything and absolutely pamper him, clean the entire house, cook, and take care of your aunts and I when he got the sniffles. Pretty sure it's just instinct for alphas. Izuku probably doesn't even realize he's worried. But, something inside of him is telling him he needs to take care of you." He ruffled his son's hair. "Please be patient with him. He knows you're capable of taking care of yourself, but he still needs to take care of you."

Katsuki nodded. He knew exactly why his mate's inner alpha was going nuts. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Masaru finished his food and stood up. He walked to the kitchen and handed Izuku the bowl and chopsticks. "Mind if I give you some pointers son?"

Katsuki didn't have to look up to know how excited his mate got. A small smile graced his lips as he listened to his old man give his mate advice on cooking.

"Perhaps you can help me with dinner tonight since my regular sous chef is still recovering."

"Anything to help Kacchan."

Katsuki blushed. Instinct or not, his mate wanting to take care of him was cute as fuck.