When Katsuki woke he sat up in a panic, heart racing in his chest. Izuku was gone. The green haired man wasn't in his bed or in the room changing, he wasn't even in the ensuite which had its door wide open and remained empty. Katsuki grabbed his phone to check the time. It was still hours before Izuku would have to leave for his shift and there were no messages saying where he went.
Katsuki pulled away the sheets to swing his legs over the side of the bed and charged into the living space but the place was empty. No lights on and no greenette. He scoured all the surfaces and fridge for a note but there was nothing. He found the other man's laptop closed but at least still present but knowing that an item Izuku would want to return for was still around did little to calm Katsuki who brought his phone back to his face to call Izuku.
One ring.
Two.
There was a noise at the front door of jangling keys and the lock turning. Katsuki dropped the call and went for the door, tugging it open just as the door knob was turning.
On the other side stood Izuku, startled from almost falling inwards with the door, he regained his balance quickly and then blinked up to Katsuki with the keys – Izuku having put Katsuki's apartment key with his own – in one hand and a paper bag in the other.
Katsuki stepped aside and Izuku bobbed his head in thanks as he came in to kick off his shoes.
"Where the hell were you?" Katsuki growled out. Izuku turned his head to look to Katsuki with confusion.
"I only went to the shops" Izuku shrugged back like it wasn't a big deal. He moved to step past Katsuki and took the bag to the kitchen. Katsuki's eyes followed him as he passed before he stomped after him.
"You could have told me" Katsuki told him with furrowed brows.
"I didn't want to wake you" Izuku retorted as he started to pull groceries onto the island bench.
"You could have left a note or sent a text" Katsuki threw back, throwing an arm to indicate the many surfaces in his place a simple note could have been left on.
"I wasn't even gone that long" Izuku rolled his eyes with a small smile on the corner of his lips. He turned to face Katsuki to give him a 'it's fine, seriously' look when it died on his face and was replaced with concern.
"Kacchan, what's wrong?" if Katsuki was making some kind of face that was serious enough to make the greenette stop and stare then he hadn't been aware of it because despite Izuku coming back, his heart was still racing.
"What's wrong?" Katsuki repeated, "I woke up and you were just gone. That's what's wrong" Izuku stepped closer, hands raised at chest level like he wanted to reach out but didn't know how.
"Kacchan, I'm sorry" Izuku began, coming forward another step.
"I woke up and you were just gone and you didn't leave a note. Anything could have happened" Katsuki went on.
"I know, I'm sorry but I'm fine" Izuku tried to calm him with reason.
"What if that freak was out there, what if he got you? What if –" Katsuki's body was full of restless energy, only just barely suppressing the urge to turn on the spot and pace but then Izuku came closer, crossing those last few steps in a hurry to met Katsuki, wrapping his arms around his back and holding him close.
"I'm sorry" the greenette spoke into to crook of his neck and the warm air made Katsuki repress a shiver, "I'm alright" he reassured him. And it worked, Katsuki hadn't realised his own breath coming fast and heavy until Izuku was wrapped around him and suddenly it all came easier. His breathing relaxed and his heart slowed. Raising his own arms he wrapped them around Izuku's shoulders and let his head fall forward to nestle into Izuku's hair.
"I didn't mean to make you worry," Izuku's words were quiet and muffled but Katsuki understood them fine, "I hoped to be back before you woke up" Izuku shifted and Katsuki released his hold so the other man could pull away and face him another with an apologetic smile. Now that he was close and Katsuki had calmed he could see the dark, tired lines under his eyes and Katsuki's hands came forward to cup Izuku's face.
"You look tired as hell" he remarked as he frowned back at the greenette. He had looked tired since his nightmare the night before yet he looked worse for wear this morning than he had the last. Izuku merely smiled back at him affectionately, a hand coming up to cover one of Katsuki's own.
"I didn't sleep well" Izuku admitted, his thumb stroked across the back of Katsuki's hand in a way that made his insides want to melt, "but I'm alright" Katsuki leaned in, head tilted forward to rest his forehead against Izuku's gently. The greenette tipped his head back slightly to allow it and Katsuki was just pleased that the other man hadn't pulled away.
Katsuki stayed there for a moment, breathing in Izuku's scent before he finally pulled away, the tiniest hint of a smile on his lips and it annoyingly must have shown because when Izuku looked to him again, the greenette's smile widened. Katsuki gave him a playful shove.
"So what the hell did you go out for anyway?" Izuku took a step back, still smiling and turned back to the groceries.
"This" he waved a hand over the bench.
"Breakfast" Katsuki crossed his arms and cocked an eyebrow, "we didn't need that shit"
"We did," Izuku insisted, "I ate the last of the carrots" Katsuki's face dropped into a frown and he narrowed his eyes.
"You what?" he barked. Izuku smiled wide and spun on his heel.
"Monster" Katsuki scoffed at him and Izuku gave a chuckle which warmed Katsuki through and through. He stepped forward and pressed his side to Izuku's.
"Move it," he told the other man, "you're as useless as ever in the kitchen" he hip checked Izuku and the greenette threw back a mock scowl but stepped aside regardless, settling instead in leaning forward on the island bench, elbows on the surface and chin resting in his palms. The way he bent over made Katsuki bite down on the inside of his cheek to keep himself in check and he tore his eyes away before Izuku would notice.
Katsuki busied himself with preparing and making a healthy full breakfast while Izuku wandered elsewhere, no doubt getting stuck into making the bed and doing the laundry, things he had commonly started to do since living with Katsuki. The greenette remerged by the time the meal was complete and they sat to eat.
Izuku went to the agency for his shift and returned late into the evening looking like hell had warmed over complete with a fresh cut high on his cheek and a bruise blooming around it. The moment he walked in through the door Katsuki was on his feet from the couch where he had been staying up to wait. He walked forward to meet Izuku part way as he finished kicking off his shoes and stepped inside properly. Katsuki saw the dried cut and his hands instantly raised to cup his face like he had that very morning but ended up only hovering just over it in case he caused pain.
"What happened?" he asked but Izuku only smiled back, his tired green eyes warming. A single scarred hand raised to hold Katsuki's and together their hands lowered.
"The usual" Izuku answered, "villain" he gave a shrug. His smile only seemed to widen and Katsuki felt his shoulders relax in a way that only Izuku could ever manage.
"Have you made something already?" Izuku asked, his smile fading as he took a couple sniffs of the air. Katsuki only grunted a confirmation and stepped back so Izuku could come further inside.
"You wanna eat first or shower?" the blonde asked. Taking in Izuku's appearance it was apparent that the other man had skipped showering at the agency and just pulled on his casual clothes before using his quirk to get back to Katsuki's, still being cautious about being followed since the creep would certainly know where Izuku worked. It had crossed Katsuki's mind on more than one occasion that the psycho might choose to linger there. If he had broken into Izuku's apartment before than there was no doubt that he would have tried scoping the place out again and would have realised Izuku's absence. Staking out the agency was a logical next move but being a place of many heroes coming and going, it wasn't a safe option for someone to plan a strike or for him to linger long while the police were searching for his ugly mug. And with Izuku using his quirk right from the agency's doors back to Katsuki's there was no way the creep could follow him.
From the file Katsuki had glanced over after Izuku had identified his attacker he had seen that he had been right in regard to the man's quirk, his yellow snake eyes being the key to his power. He only needed to lay eyes on his target within a certain distance for his victim to fall still. There wasn't much more information to go off though which was frustrating yet understandable. Civilians didn't have their quirks tested and looked at to the same level as heroes and other licensed quirk users were because it was illegal to use them and most civilians didn't outside of self-defense and emergencies for fear of being charged.
The file had no answers to questions that had come to mind such as how many people he could paralyze at a time or if there was a time limit. But then again, from Izuku's experience there must have been a time limit otherwise why use such a high volume of drugs? The quirk nullification drug, sure, to avoid Izuku's Black Whip even when immobile but then again when Katsuki had been under the crazed man's quirk he hadn't been able to ignite his palms or he would have blasted the guy behind him even if it meant burning his own thighs in the process. So surely there must be a time limit on the quirk otherwise all the drugs wouldn't have been necessary to keep Izuku down.
"We can eat first" Izuku answered happily, snapping Katsuki from his thoughts.
"Huh?" he called back. Izuku turned to look to him from where he had walked ahead to the kitchen.
"Let's eat first," he repeated with a smile, "I don't want you waiting for me" and so they ate, Izuku telling Katsuki about his scrape with the villain he and Mashirao had taken down and how Tenya had lectured him harshly about using his quirk outside of his shift hours to travel to and from work. There were no solid laws against it, Izuku had a hero license after all and heroes had permission to act at any time, but the agency itself tried to avoid anyone overworking themselves by using their quirks or doing hero work outside of their hours where possible – because obviously shit happens sometimes and any near hero would jump into action, clocked in or not – so despite the scolding, Izuku had still used his quirk because he needed to for his own personal circumstances. He just did it from the roof now instead of from the street which Katsuki smirked at. He did enjoy when someone flipped off Tenya even if it weren't literal and Izuku doing it was even better.
A week and a half since Katsuki was stabbed he had finally been cleared to come back to work, though he had been restricted to the agency office for at least one week before being allowed on patrols again and even then he would have to go out with someone like everyone else did now. Tenya and Momo had made it a rule that even the most capable of them had to have someone with them each time they left on patrol.
But Izuku did his best to make things a little bit lighter on the grumbling blonde. Although their shifts weren't the same they did overlap so while Katsuki would leave earlier than Izuku, the greenette would make an effort to come in early just so he could keep Katsuki company in the office which he knew the blonde enjoyed from the small hints of a smile he could see from time to time. In return Katsuki would always show up at the end of Izuku's shift to head back to the blonde's apartment together.
If Tenya had an issue with Izuku using his quirk outside of hours, he had twice that problem now and the blonde was far less likely to listen to any lectures.
It wasn't long before it quickly escalated from there either.
When Katsuki would leave for his shift Izuku would do what he could around the house but Katsuki was naturally such a meticulous person that there wasn't an awful lot to do other than making a bed and putting on a load of laundry when the basket started to fill. It was rare there were even dishes to do, the blonde jumping straight onto them right after a meal. It almost became a race to see who could finish eating and get to the dishes first. But after there was nothing left in the house to do, rather than sit down with his laptop, a book or to watch the tv, Izuku would head into the agency earlier and earlier to be with Katsuki. To bask in his company and warmth that he had chased most of his life, to talk and laugh and help with reports – the blonde only accepting it because the rest of the office dumped most of the paperwork on him since he was office bound.
And thankfully due to having the early morning shift Tenya wasn't in the office to scold Izuku for coming in early or for Katsuki staying back late. Momo gave them a warning look but as long as they both confined themselves to the office when outside of their hours then she allowed it without complaint. But others in the office were beginning to notice even when both of them busied themselves at their own desks, Izuku only coming close to Katsuki when they were alone.
Eijiro of all people was one of the most interested parties and although Izuku had chosen to be the one to stay back at the office for their shift, Eijiro pounced on him and practically dragged him from the office to patrol after greeting Katsuki brightly himself.
"So," spoke the red head as they walked, "you ever resolve things with that guy you like?" he asked with a grin and Izuku wanted to shrivel up and die because he knew exactly where this was leading.
"Yeah" Izuku answered flatly.
"Just yeah?" Eijiro gave him a questioning sideways glance.
"I did what you said. Apologized, explained and then ended it positively" Izuku gave a shrug.
"And Bakugo accepted that?" the red head cocked an eyebrow. And Izuku rolled his eyes internally.
"Yes" he pressed out from behind clenched teeth. Lying had crossed his mind but at that point what was the point.
"Wow man, you've tamed a beast" Eijiro barked a laugh.
"No I haven't" Izuku retorted.
"Yeah right," the red head rolled his eyes dramatically, "so, has there been more kissing since?" he grinned.
"No" Izuku admitted and Eijiro froze.
"What?" he barked, "Why not? It's Bakugo isn't it, you just said it was. So he kissed you once, you've both obviously worked something out from what I can see, and then you just left it at that?"
Izuku walked on not wanting to direct too much attention to their conversation and Eijiro hurried to follow with wide eyes.
"Pretty much" Izuku shrugged.
"Whhhyyy?" Eijiro pushed, dragging out the word.
"I don't know" Izuku threw back like a whine, "I just don't feel ready for it"
"Dude," Eijiro took a step ahead, turned to face Izuku and then raised a hand up to stop him in his tracks mere inches from making contact, "you kissed Uraraka plenty right, so what's the problem exactly?"
"I don't want to talk about it" Izuku told him firmly and stepped to the side to continue on his way, Eijiro spun on his heel to follow.
"Is it because he's a dude?" pushed the red head.
"No" Izuku threw back.
"Then what? C'mon man, nothing is going to happen if you don't do anything or at least talk about it. Look, I'm here for you, I've kissed dude's before so I can offer some sound advice" Izuku turned his head to face him and Eijiro gave him a grin in return. It crossed Izuku's mind to ask some nosey questions but he wasn't really feeling like a deep and dragged out conversation tonight. Not on those topics anyway.
Izuku stopped, tilted his head back with eyes closed and gave a sigh before leveling Eijiro with a serious look.
"Alright man," Eijiro raised his hands in surrender, "I won't push and hey," he shoved at Izuku playfully with his elbow and Izuku suppressed a wince regardless, "I won't tell anyone. That's up to you too. I can't guarantee though that people haven't started to notice you both hanging about the office for each other though"
"Thanks" Izuku said in return and they talked about far more mundane things for the rest of their patrol.
"I need a damn sleep in" Katsuki grumbled as he let gravity carry him to the bed with a sigh. His first week back at work and being stuck in the office had ended and now their weekends had rolled around. Katsuki had the next day – Wednesday – and the Thursday off while Izuku had one more day of work before having their shared Thursday off together and then his lone Friday ahead.
"You think you'll be back to sparring Thursday?" Izuku asked as he crept onto his side of the bed more gently and lowered himself to lay on his front above the covers.
"I've got that damn doctor's appointment tomorrow so I still have to wait for their stupid go ahead first," the blonde let out an audible growl to the ceiling, "they better. No way am I sitting on my ass finishing everyone's shitty reports for another week. I can't believe you do that crap for them just because you want to" he rolled his eyes and turned onto his side to glare to Izuku.
"I don't mind it" Izuku pleaded his case and Katsuki gave a grumble and turned back.
"You should at least charge the idiots" he paused, "aside from sparring, got plans for Thursday?" Katsuki dared to ask. He swallowed down a lump in his throat but Izuku didn't seem to notice.
"If you can spar," Izuku corrected, "but no. Why?" Katsuki turned his face to the side to see Izuku blinking at him, waiting for an answer. He turned his head back to the ceiling. No way was he going to manage the words while staring into freaking doe eyes.
"We could see that movie you wanted to see" he offered. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Izuku take in what he was saying, process it and then light up before that light dimmed a second later.
"Can we do that, should we not limit going outside?" the greenette asked with concern and he annoyingly wasn't wrong. It wasn't like he expected that psycho to be hiding around the next corner or stalking them into a dark cinema but the possibility wasn't zero either. That and they still didn't know how many people the creep could use his quirk on at once so as much as Katsuki wanted to enforce that he would protect Izuku, if they were standing side by side and the man used his quirk there would be nothing Katsuki could do. He could request a police escort who could tail them from a distance, enough so if they were attacked the police could swoop in a grab the guy. But that still carried risks.
Defeated, Katsuki sighed up at the ceiling.
Why was it so hard just to ask Izuku on a date. Even when he had managed to words the universe said no. Would Izuku have even seen it as a date though? Katsuki could pull out all the stops and put some extra effort into looking nice and they could have dinner at a restaurant afterwards but sometimes as smart as Izuku was, he was also as thick as a brick.
"Fine," he conceded with a huff, "we'll have a date here then"
He waited.
"Date?" Izuku's voice came a little higher.
Katsuki sat up and turned his face to look to Izuku with narrowed red eyes.
"Did I stutter?"
Izuku was up on all fours in an instant before pulling back to sit on his folded legs.
"No" he answered.
"Exactly" Katsuki huffed.
"But a date? You mean –"
Katsuki frowned to Izuku and the greenette closed his mouth.
"Yes a date!" the blonde snapped, "I like you. You like me. We've established that so what's the problem?" It wasn't how he had seen things going down in his head having expected the greenette to just bounce around excitedly and agree. Instead Izuku's eyes looked down to the cover between them and any trace of a smile faded away.
"Well?" Katsuki pushed.
"Well," Izuku began timidly and without looking up, "going on dates would usually lead to dating"
"You're point?"
Green eyes flicked up to Katsuki and then back down again.
"Dating would mean doing things," his voice trailed away till it was almost a whisper like a child embarrassed over catching coodies, "and I don't know if I could do that stuff" the greenette seemed to shrink into himself some more. Katsuki closed his eyes for a moment and took a calming breath.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to," Katsuki told him because it was the truth, "you don't have to force yourself"
"I know," Izuku spoke up, "it's just –" he cut himself off and fidgeted uncomfortably.
"Just what?" Katsuki pressed.
"I don't want to make you dirty" his voice dropped back down low.
"Huh?" Katsuki squinted with confusion, "dirty, what's that supposed to mean?" Izuku shrunk further.
"I mean, I'm dirty and if we did things then that'd make you dirty too"
"What the hell does that even mean?" Katsuki bit back his snappy tone.
But Izuku said nothing and just kept his head down low as he came to terms with what the greenette meant and he could only squeeze his eyes closed to stop himself from reacting poorly. Him blowing up – as much as he wanted to over that bastard hurting Izuku even deeper than he had originally thought – would not help Izuku in anyway.
"Fine," Katsuki spoke up, opening his eyes again to see Izuku peek up, "we can stay here and watch movies and it doesn't have to be a date, okay?" he sighed with mock annoyance, "You don't have to go thinking that far ahead anyway, you idiot" Izuku gave a hum and small nod in reply. Katsuki rose a hand to rest upon Izuku's hair and gave it a gentle tussle.
"Alright. Let's sleep" Katsuki mumbled out, Izuku giving another small hum and they settled in for the night.
The next morning went on with their quickly becoming normal routine. Izuku had twitched and whined in his sleep but had settled again soon after, Katsuki keeping him close. They took turns showering and shaving before having breakfast together. Izuku looked far less tired than he had before which was a relief and the greenette seemed to be in higher spirits, smiling and talking excitedly about one thing or another before he headed off for work. Katsuki on the other hand had the appointment with his doctor to get a final all clear to return to work in full to get over and done with before stopping at the grocery store on his way home to stock up on ingredients, snacks and drinks for their in home date-not-date tomorrow.
But when Izuku came home the mood was off. The greenette seemed weighed down by something, his shoulders slumped and his eyes unseeing. Izuku came in, kicked off his shoes at the door and dragged his feet in, heading straight for the bedroom and ensuite without even looking Katsuki's way.
"Oi," called the blonde, Izuku paused and turned his head Katsuki's way, "what's the matter?" Katsuki asked. Izuku changed direction and shuffled towards the kitchen where Katsuki was making them dinner.
"Deku" Katsuki pushed, coming to stand opposite him. Izuku reached into a back pocket, pulling out an open envelope and pressing it down on the island counter. Katsuki's red eyes narrowed in on it.
"What's this?" Katsuki asked.
"He sent it" Izuku mumbled back, "he knows where I work" by 'he' Katsuki knew exactly who Izuku was speaking of, though he wasn't surprised the creep knew where Izuku worked. That was a given at this point. Izuku's hand slipped off the paper and counter before he turned away again for the bedroom and Katsuki let him go, watching his path with narrowed eyes till Izuku vanished from sight into the ensuite, closing the door behind him accompanied by the sound of running water. He turned his attention back to the envelope on the counter and reached for it.
Inside was a single folded piece of paper with words written at the top of the page.
I miss you.
That was all the letter said and it made Katsuki's stomach clench. If not for it being possible evidence he would have let it burn in his hand like that photo had. Instead he folded it back up and placed it back in the envelope, moving it to somewhere Izuku wouldn't see it again unless he searched for it so it wouldn't sit there as a constant reminder and turned his attention back to dinner, stirring the ingredients in the pan with greater intensity than before.
He didn't rush Izuku out of the bathroom for dinner, instead simply placing the finished dish into the fridge for later and got about cleaning up. The sound of running water had stopped some time ago yet Izuku hadn't emerged from the bathroom. After another ten minutes had passed Katsuki rose from his seat on the couch to check on the greenette.
He tapped his knuckles on the door.
"Oi, Deku," he called out, "all good?"
Nothing.
"Oi!" Katsuki barked out again.
"No" came back a timid voice from the other side of the door. Katsuki gritted his teeth and opened the door. His ensuite door had no lock, why would it when it was a single bedroom apartment so there was nothing stopping him from coming in. Inside Izuku was sitting in the middle of a drawn bath, steam rising from the water as he hugged his knees to himself. He curled in on himself more, hiding his face in his knees as Katsuki stepped in. The blonde came in closer, stopping half way in and sat on the lowered toilet seat.
"What happened?" he asked firmly.
"It was mixed in with the fan mail" Izuku told him with a miserable tone.
"How'd you know it's him?" it felt pretty obvious to Katsuki that it was but he had to ask anyway in case there had been something more.
"A photo" Izuku answered quietly and Katsuki's blood turned to ice as he recalled the photo he had been left with. The one that had stung him and he had burned to ashes as a result.
"Photo?" Katsuki pressed.
"There was a photo of me inside" the greenette managed pathetically, "from that night"
"Where is it now?" Katsuki asked firmly. The letter itself may be evidence but that photo or any other of its kind deserved to be destroyed. He had seen one himself so he could only imagine how it had made Izuku feel being reminded of that night, like it didn't already haunt him.
"Gone" Izuku answered. Katsuki let out a deep breath. He wanted to push just to make sure that Izuku meant he had destroyed it but he didn't ask for confirmation. He doubted Izuku would leave it where it could be found. Katsuki stood and Izuku's green eyes peeked over his knees to follow his movement with curiosity, widening when Katsuki stripped to only his briefs and moved to step over the edge of the tub to get in.
"Kacchan!," Izuku squeaked out, head lifting and Katsuki could see he had been crying "what are you –"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Katsuki threw back with irritation. Izuku yelling his name had echoed through the tiled room and made his brain rattle.
"But –"
"Shut it," Katsuki snapped without much bite and Izuku clamped his mouth shut and hugged his knees tighter to his body. Katsuki took the silence to step into the tub properly and gently lowered himself down to rest his back to one end and spread his legs to rest either side of Izuku, his knees above the water. Izuku tensed between them.
"Relax nerd, I won't bite" Katsuki leaned back as he soaked in the warmth. Water shifted as Izuku relaxed an inch, one of his forelegs brushing Katsuki's. Even through the warm steam he could see Izuku's ears burning.
"Come here" Katsuki spoke up calmly. Izuku looked to him and Katsuki waved a hand towards himself. The greenette pressed his lips together uncertainly.
"Why did you get in?" he asked tightly.
"Why not" Katsuki shrugged in return. Izuku narrowed his gaze.
"This is stupid Kacchan" Izuku replied with a self-conscious frown.
"What's stupid is you thinking that your dirty or some shit" Katsuki grumbled in return and tilted his head back against the edge of the bath. Izuku groaned with annoyance. A moment later Katsuki's head came forward again at the sound of water shifting as Izuku moved to stand with furrowed green brows. Before he could rise fully Katsuki reached forward, snagged a wrist and pulled Izuku down and towards him. The greenette gave a yelp as his body twisted and Katsuki wrapped his other arm around his middle, directing his body into his until Izuku's back was to his chest and his body between Katsuki's legs. Water splashed over the edges and onto the tiled floor, soaking the bath mat.
Izuku was completely frozen, rigid aside from his chest moving with short fast breaths. Katsuki released his wrist and wrapped his arm around Izuku's middle to meet with his other and leaned his head forward to rest his chin atop Izuku's shoulder.
"Breath" Katsuki spoke quietly, "you're alright" Izuku let out a shuddering breath that he'd been holding in.
"Deku, you're fine" he reaffirmed gently. Izuku tried to twist back to face Katsuki, only managing half way with the limited space.
"No it's not," Izuku managed sounding almost panicked.
"It's fine" Katsuki assured a little more firmly.
"Kacchan" Izuku almost whimpered out.
"Just stay" Katsuki spoke softly. The greenette made a low whining grumble but otherwise stayed still, very slowly relaxing back into Katsuki as the minutes ticked by, though he never truly relaxed, continuing to frown ahead.
And Katsuki just couldn't help himself, a smirk touching his lips already.
The blonde lifted his head with speed, extending his tongue and swiping it up the back of Izuku's neck in one quick movement before he leaned back slightly to enjoy his work.
Izuku tensed and let out a squeal from behind clenched teeth at the sudden wet touch. His head turned back as far as it could, green eyes narrowed with annoyance and tinged with shock. Instinctually one of Izuku's hands came up to cover the back of his neck as though protecting it from another attack.
"Kacchan!" the greenette spat out but Katsuki only smirked in return. Seeing Izuku flustered had always been one if his favorites things, more so when he was the reason.
"You're not dirty," Katsuki spoke up, "it's all in your head you know that right?" Izuku's knees rose higher out of the water in response as he naturally tried to curl in on himself, turning his frowning face away.
"You can't make me dirty Deku," Katsuki tried again, "because you're not dirty to begin with"
"I'm touching you now," he held Izuku tighter, "and I just licked you. Does that make me dirty?" Katsuki pressed on and Izuku made a low grumble in the back of his throat. Katsuki removed his hold on Izuku and lifted his head, arms raising in surrender.
"You can leave if you want to" he told Izuku smugly. Izuku hesitated for the moment, wary that he was missing something before he stood and stepped out of the tub and onto the soggy bathmat. He took a couple of steps to reach a dry towel and wrapped it around himself, never turning back to face Katsuki at all as he started to rub himself down. Katsuki had been so busy trying to figure out what to say to get through to Izuku that he hadn't even stopped to wonder if the greenette's body had gotten a little excited being so close skin to skin. He hadn't paused to pay attention to his own after literally pulling Izuku's naked body flush to him.
Izuku dried himself the best he could, wrapping the towel around his hips without revealing anything. Only then did he turn to look back to Katsuki who hadn't moved.
"Aren't you getting out?" Izuku asked.
"Why should I?" Katsuki raised an eyebrow, "maybe I'm enjoying staying in your dirty water" he let one side of his mouth curl up in a smirk and Izuku turned red before he turned on his heel and left the room.
Izuku went on to be a baby about Katsuki's move for the rest of the night, eating dinner without Katsuki – as the blonde made a point of stewing in the bath for a while longer – pouting and turning his gaze away if ever Katsuki looked his way, giving him the silent treatment and even turning his back on him when they went to bed. Katsuki didn't mind though. Izuku's little tantrum was adorable after all and he was also aware that it was deserved.
Despite Izuku having made a point of his annoyance the night before, he woke pressed close to Katsuki as usual and sat himself up with a frown and let out a long sigh that was quickly followed by a yawn. He couldn't really stay mad at the blonde for long. Out of everything he had been most annoyed about Katsuki invading his space while naked and then licking him out of nowhere. Seemed like typical Katsuki behavior in the end though. All in all, the look on Katsuki's face when he had finally come out and realised Izuku had already eaten without him had made the greenette feel triumphant at least and it had been Katsuki's turn to pout at that.
Izuku had been pressed to Katsuki's side when he had woken and now that he had moved the blonde's face scrunched up with a groan at the disturbance before settling back into sleep. Izuku couldn't help but to smile to himself warmly. Despite everything, he loved Katsuki and now that he knew Katsuki felt the same way it touched him in such a way that made his chest swell with warmth. Izuku pulled himself away, slipping out of the bed and heading to the ensuite before ending up in the kitchen, yawning over the boiling kettle when Katsuki emerged. He came up behind Izuku, strong arms coming to wrap themselves around his middle as the blonde leaned into him with another sleepy groan. Izuku stood up straighter so the blonde didn't have to lean over him so much to rest his head against his shoulders. That and for another reason.
"You didn't have to get up Kacchan" Izuku commented as the kettle finished and he reached with some difficulty for two mugs while Katsuki still held onto him.
"Oh," came Katsuki's voice and Izuku paused, "so you're talking to me now?" growled out the blonde from behind Izuku's ear.
"I couldn't not talk to you forever" Izuku threw back and went back to his task at hand. Katsuki lessened his hold to stand at his full height behind Izuku and he could feel the blonde's red eyes trained on him. But Katsuki merely gave a huff in reply before he peeled away to open the fridge, extracting some eggs for breakfast.
"How did the doctor's appointment go yesterday?" Izuku asked as he placed a mug beside Katsuki's position over the stove and leaned against the bench beside it. Katsuki gave a grunt without peeling his eyes from the pan before him.
"Kacchan" Izuku pressed with a whine.
"It was fine" Katsuki finally told him.
"Just fine?"
Katsuki sighed to the ceiling.
"Yes it's fine. It's healed. I can go back to work like normal now"
"That's good" Izuku smiled at the news. He was fully aware that if the doctor had said otherwise Katsuki would have blown a fuse.
"Have you let Iida and Yaoyorozu know?" Izuku asked followed by a sip of his hot tea. The mornings were starting to get colder and the warm mug between his hands and steam touching his face was welcoming.
"Of course," Katsuki huffed back, turning the eggs and diced veggies around in the pan.
"That's good" Izuku said again before silence fell between them and Katsuki dished up their breakfast. This time Izuku ate quickly enough to scoop the dishes to clean. After that they opted to skip their usually sparring match for the same reason they hadn't gone out to see a movie. It just wasn't safe for either of them yet which was frustrating considering they were heroes but it was better to act on the side of caution.
"What movie you wanna watch first?" Katsuki asked as he made his way to the couch, scooping up the remote and dropping down heavily on his usual side. Izuku gave a hum as he dried his hands and came over to settle on the other side of the couch.
"I'd be happy with anything" Izuku finally offered with a smile and Katsuki sneered his way.
"Seriously, you didn't even think of anything?" the blonde grumbled and Izuku replied with a sheepish grin.
"Fine," snapped Katsuki, "but no complaining" Izuku gave a nod and Katsuki's sneer died away back to a relaxed frown as he flicked through some of the more popular movies on the streaming app. The blonde finally settled on a choice a minute later, an action war film and sunk deeper into the couch with his feet outstretched to rest on the edge of the coffee table. With the available room Izuku turned his back to rest against the arm of the couch and put both his legs on the seat space, knees bent enough to keep his feet from Katsuki.
The first movie ended just short of two hours later and Katsuki threw the remote Izuku's way, telling him to choose the next movie while he got up to fetch a glass of soda for them each and popcorn to share. The blonde rolled his eyes when he came back to see Izuku had chosen a super hero movie but said nothing against it. With popcorn to share Izuku sat in the middle of the couch with his feet to the floor with Katsuki beside him and the popcorn in between as the movie played.
After the second movie Izuku got up to use to bathroom and refilled their drinks while Katsuki picked out a zombie movie for their third sitting. This time when Izuku sat back down in the middle, Katsuki draped an arm across his shoulders and as the movie progressed Izuku had found himself leaning further into the blonde till his head was resting upon his shoulder as they watched.
Between the third and fourth movie they had something proper for lunch and took a break, Izuku opting to fold up the now dry laundry and Katsuki replied to a work email on his phone. Izuku was the first to come back to the couch, naturally opting to sit on his far side again since he was alone and flicked through the list of popular movies, settling on an action adventure he had heard was good and waiting for Katsuki to return before starting it, the blonde settling on his own side with his back against the arm this time and not being as reserved as Izuku had when it came to spreading his legs across the expanse of cushion, his legs long enough to reach Izuku. The greenette rearranged himself to press his own back against the couch arm so they faced one another but kept his knees folded high so he could wrap his arms around them and sat in between Katsuki's feet.
What Izuku hadn't expected from the fourth movie was for it to have a romance in it. Romance was often sprinkled into many different genres, even the zombie movie had a hint of it – until the love interest had been killed early on and turned into backstory fodder for the main character – but this movie had a large focus on the romance and it was good too. It didn't feel forced, it was gradual and then when the characters finally came together it felt like a cheer worthy moment. What Izuku hadn't expected was how it made his stomach squirm. The two characters on the screen had a moment very much like their own when Katsuki had spontaneously leaned forward and kissed Izuku, only the other character had responded far better than Izuku had to it. As the characters' intimacy on screen deepened Izuku didn't want to keep looking but also found it hard to look away. It became uncomfortable, Izuku scrunching up his toes over and over again slowly, because all he could think of was Katsuki. The man he loved and loved him, comforted him for days on end, been there for him, kissed him. Katsuki had kissed him and Izuku had been too shocked to enjoy it, savor it and even recall what the press of Katsuki's lips had felt like. Then the blonde had licked him in the bathtub which he hadn't exactly been a fan of but it had also sent a bolt of electricity straight to between his legs which had been the most shocking part of all.
With the two characters getting intimate on screen Izuku dared to peek Katsuki's way from the corner of his eyes and he instantly regretted it. The blonde's red eyes were already trained on him, half lidded with a look to them that Izuku was not familiar with but also made his heart race at the same time. Izuku hadn't turned his head or body Katsuki's way so he hoped the other man hadn't noticed him looking and if he had, the blonde made no move to hide his staring or turn away. Through the gloom of the room – the lights off – it was very possible Katsuki hadn't noticed, yet Izuku could still feel the heat of his gaze on him. After a moment a thought crossed Izuku's mind, that perhaps Katsuki was thinking the same things he was.
Heart still thumping in his chest and heat creeping up the back of his neck, Izuku forced his body to relax, dropping his knees and instead folding them in to sit cross legged on the couch facing Katsuki, knees grazing the blonde's feet. Izuku lifted his head slowly, letting his green eyes meet Katsuki's heated gaze. He held it there for a moment, ignoring the desire to tear his gaze away. Opposite him Katsuki's eyes seemed to narrow and a single blonde eyebrow hitched up in a silent question. Izuku swallowed hard, braced himself, took a deep breath, never breaking eye contact and then gave a nod. The blonde's eyes widened a fraction yet he didn't move from his position. Was he waiting for something more concrete?
"Kacchan" Izuku spoke his name just loud enough to be heard over the movie that flickered light across the room with each scene change. Izuku gave another, firmer nod and Katsuki responded by starting to move. The blonde drew his legs back towards himself, bringing his knees up and lifting his body to come to a kneel mid-way to Izuku before coming forward, holding himself up on all fours till his face was only inches from Izuku's.
"You sure?" the blonde asked and Izuku could feel his warm breath. Izuku nodded again.
"Tell me if it's too much" Katsuki spoke gently as he leaned in those final few inches, eyes drifting closed as he neared Izuku who shut his eyes tightly as he braced himself for what was to come next.
The touch was feather light and only there for an moment yet it had been so soft and gently that it had taken Izuku's breath away and he blinked open his wide green eyes to see Katsuki clearly, the blonde having pulled back several inches again to gauge Izuku's reaction. Calm, caring red eyes searched Izuku's face and the greenette's cheeks flushed in response at the attention.
"Okay?" Katsuki asked in a whisper and Izuku gave a quick nod. The blonde leaned back in, lips colliding with Izuku's before he had even registered it was coming and closed his eyes. This time Katsuki held it a little longer, just pressing his lips to Izuku's and doing nothing more. He pulled away several seconds later but this time Izuku didn't have time to open his eyes again before Katsuki's lips were back to his own. They were warm and soft and intoxicating all at once and Izuku wanted more. When Katsuki pulled away again Izuku followed after him till he pressed his own lips to Katsuki's and through the contact he felt the smile grow on the blonde's lips. Had he just been waiting for Izuku to respond in some way this whole time or had the blonde planned to just slowly up the stakes each time he came back in? Either way, Izuku had ruined that plan.
Katsuki pushed back against Izuku's kiss, gently forcing Izuku's body to lean back as the blonde crawled forward more, letting more of his weight settle atop Izuku. This time when their lips parted it was for a mere moment before Katsuki was kissing him again. With their lips moving in sync with one another in a pleasurable way Izuku had almost grown accustomed to how it made his heart race and body burn when Katsuki brought a hand forward, brushing across Izuku's cheek, past his ear and burying into his hair gently, which was fine, Izuku could deal with that perfectly fine, it was nice even. When Katsuki's second hand reached for Izuku's waist, lifting his shirt ever so slightly and Katsuki's thumb touched bare skin, that made Izuku's heart skip for a different reason. Their lips parted and Izuku's breath escaped him as a shuddered gasp as Katsuki pulled away. Izuku opened his eyes to see the blonde hovering over him having lifted his weight, red eyes both heated with lust and concern but he didn't come back to Izuku and the greenette realized that Katsuki was waiting on him. He had to decide right then and there whether to continue or not. He wanted more, he liked the kissing a lot more than he thought he would have, he liked the hand in his hair caressing gently but the hand on his bare skin elsewhere had sent a shiver up his spine the wrong way but right there in that moment it felt so small compared to the way Katsuki was looking at him. So warm, caring and patient.
Izuku gave a breathless nod and Katsuki's face melted into something soft and warm with a smile that Izuku had never seen before and reached deep back into Katsuki's eyes. That look alone would have made Izuku melt. He would bend over backwards to see that look again before Katsuki leaned back in, eyes closed and lips meeting in a kiss more passionate than before. Katsuki's hand on Izuku's waist shifted, more of his warm hand slipping under Izuku's shirt. Due to Katsuki's quirk his hands were warmer than usual but also damp with sweat and it tingled ever so slightly on Izuku's skin but the greenette didn't mind it. Katsuki's touch was unique and different and couldn't be confused with any other when left like this, sitting upon his bare skin for several moments.
Slowly Katsuki crept up on him, laying his body down upon Izuku's as he deepened the kiss. Katsuki teased at Izuku's lower lip with his tongue and Izuku opened his mouth wider like an invitation that Katsuki was quick to take up. His hand crept higher up Izuku's skin and Izuku lifted his own arms to wrap around Katsuki's back, one coming up higher to hold the back of the blonde's neck and Katsuki only sunk deeper into Izuku in response.
Katsuki pulled away again but this time rather than lifting himself up he turned his head to one side and went for Izuku's neck, pressing his lips to the skin there and giving Izuku a chance to catch his breath. Teeth made contact with Izuku's neck making the greenette gasp.
"Kacchan" Izuku gasped out. The blonde leaned back with a small growl and a smirk all the while his hand slide up higher, reaching Izuku's chest. His hand was fresh there, not yet lingering long enough to make his skin tingle. A touch of panic flared in his chest, his breath hitching for a second but it was enough for Katsuki to pause, hand withdrawing, head lifting up to check on Izuku who was still breathing a little heavily. Katsuki's weight lifted back up to be on all fours as he looked down to Izuku.
"You right?" the blonde asked. Izuku nodded but this time it wasn't convincing enough for Katsuki to pick up where he left off. His red eyes narrowed as they searched Izuku.
"I'm fine" Izuku breathed. Katsuki's head tilted to the side ever so slightly, one eye narrowing more than the other to convey his skepticism.
"Yeah, 'cause you seem it" the blonde said with a smirk. Izuku gave him a wobbly smile in return.
"That was nice"
"Oh yeah?" Katsuki cocked an eyebrow.
"Yeah" Izuku smiled more naturally. Katsuki's hand came out from under Izuku's shirt and pressed down onto the cushion beside him. His other hand started to withdraw from Izuku's hair but as his hand slipped past Izuku's face the greenette leaned into it, pressing his cheek into Katsuki's sweet scented palm and the blonde left it there, smiling to Izuku. Katsuki leaned in and gave Izuku one more lingering kiss before he pulled away again.
"If you liked it that much, maybe there'll be more in the future" the blonde grinned before he removed himself from on top of Izuku and leaned back to his original place. Izuku missed it already but it also gave his heart the chance to calm down and for him to get his breathing back under control. Having Katsuki kiss him like that had been exhilarating and every single one just made Izuku want more but his body, every new touch made him tense until he got used to it and then the moment Katsuki's hand moved again it would happen all over. It was the horribly tantalizing mix of want and fear. He wasn't afraid of Katsuki, knowing that the blonde meant him no harm, it was the memory of that man's touch that haunted each of Katsuki's hands. The face wasn't a problem, the man had never laid a single finger upon his face so every touch Katsuki placed there had no bad memory attached to it.
A whine escaped Izuku's throat at the sudden distance between them and Katsuki lifted an eyebrow Izuku's way with a hint of a smirk.
"Alright" Katsuki stood suddenly, reached for the remote to turn off the tv before throwing the remote to the couch and coming towards Izuku who was only just beginning to sit back up.
"You asked for it" the blonde grinned dangerously and Izuku's heart rate spiked again with excitement and concern as Katsuki scooped him up and threw him over his shoulder ungracefully, leaving the room behind them as he carried Izuku to the bedroom and threw him down onto the bed. Izuku smiled up nervously at the grinning blonde, lifting himself onto his elbows to scramble back towards the pillows. Katsuki's grin only grew as he came forward on his knees to follow Izuku. There was nowhere else for Izuku to go and he shrunk down on the pillows as Katsuki came down to be on all fours again above him, his hands resting on either side of Izuku's head as he leaned in close.
"You sure you want more, nerd?" the blonde grinned. Izuku swallowed hard with a wobbly excited grin, his face growing hot as Katsuki came in closer still. Izuku nodded and gave a hum that came out wobbly. Katsuki leaned in the rest of the way regardless and didn't start off gentle this time, coming in hot and fast and all tongue. But Katsuki's hands never touched him.
"Kacchan," Izuku breathed and rather than stopping Katsuki just moved his kisses to Izuku's jawline and down his neck so the greenette could use his mouth to speak, "you can touch me" Katsuki's face lifted to look Izuku in the eyes.
"You sure?" he asked, a little out of breath himself, "before –"
"I know," Izuku answered, "It's fine. I know I get a bit tense whenever you move but I don't think I'll ever get more used to it unless you do touch me" Katsuki's eyes studied his face for a moment more.
"Okay" was all Katsuki said before his lips and tongue collided with Izuku's again.
Izuku wrapped both of his arms over Katsuki's shoulders while the blonde put all of his weight on one elbow and moved his other hand to hold Izuku's hip. The touch was on top of clothes so it did little to disturb Izuku when Katsuki's mouth took up all of his attention. As their kissing deepened, Katsuki's body sank down atop Izuku's while his hand on his hip slid up under his shirt to caress his waist, though the touch didn't bother Izuku nearly as much as it did prior having had Katsuki's hand there before.
The blonde's lips peeled away to make their way down Izuku's neck to meet his collarbone peeking out from his shirt. Izuku let his nails dig into Katsuki's shirt as he caught his breath. Katsuki nipped at his skin driving a whimper out of the greenette and Izuku could feel Katsuki smirk against his skin. His hand drifted downwards until it brushed across the top of Izuku's crotch and the greenette bit back a gasp, his body tensing. Katsuki began to move his lips back up Izuku's neck, his hand gentle caressing atop Izuku's pants. Izuku shot a hand southward to grab the top of the blonde's hand to hold it for a moment. Katsuki came back face to face with Izuku and pulled away to look to him with a small grin.
"Too much?" the blonde asked smugly, "or do you like it?" he leaned in and nipped lightly at Izuku's lower lip, a small whine escaping from him and Katsuki pulled back to look down at him again. His hand gave a teasing squeeze that made Izuku bite back another gasp as his spine stiffened.
"Because it feels to me that you do like it?" the blonde smirked dangerously and stroked Izuku's boner through his sweats. Izuku clenched his jaw and bit back a moan, turning his head to the side. Katsuki paused, teasing smirk dropping away.
"Is it too much?" he asked, "do you want me to stop?" his voice was tainted with concern that he had pushed things too far. Izuku closed his eyes and shook his head but still Katsuki waited.
"It's just, you don't have to go so far Kacchan" Izuku managed. He recalled what Katsuki had said earlier about wanting to replace that man's touch with his own. He could see that the blonde was only barely holding back his own lust and impatience for his selfish desires. Izuku didn't mind the touch though, his spine stiffening more from the teasing pleasure the touch brought as it overwhelmed any thoughts that could cloud his mind of the man who had abused him. With Katsuki getting worked up the room smelt sweet like burnt caramel so it was becoming easier and easier to keep Katsuki at the forefront of his mind. Izuku's main concern was that Katsuki was rushing it and pushing himself for Izuku's sake, to override those bad touches with the good. And the blonde understood that.
"Don't have to go so far?" the blonde repeated, a smirk touching his lips again, "Do you not want me to?" he leaned down and licked up Izuku's neck which made the greenette tense and whine for a different reason. Izuku glared up at Katsuki who only grinned enough to show teeth in response.
"I want you to tell me what you want" grinned Katsuki, "do you want me to stop or not?" he leaned back in and gave Izuku a much more friendly kiss on the lips before pulling back again to wait. Katsuki gave another teasing caress and Izuku swallowed down a whine as he pressed is lips together and finally looked the blonde in the eyes again. Finally he gave a nod. Katsuki's grin widened.
"What's that a yes to," the blonde asked, "a yes to stop or a yes to more?" he rubbed again and Izuku nodded more vigorously.
"Good" Katsuki growled as he came back in to nip under Izuku's ear. Izuku released his hold on Katsuki's hand and it began moving in earnest. After a minute of teasing both Izuku's cock and his neck Katsuki came around to lock lips again and teased his tongue inside Izuku's mouth while he pulled his hand away from the greenette's pants only to come back, slipping under the waist belt and beneath the briefs. The contact made Izuku gasp aloud and his spine arch. Katsuki took the opening to shift his other arm under Izuku's back, keeping him in that position as his hand began to stroke along Izuku's length, each movement making him whine. Katsuki ate each noise up with a grin, shifting to focus his mouth on Izuku's jawline so he could savor the sounds made.
Katsuki held Izuku tight as he ramped up his movements, pulling their bodies tighter and tighter together and Izuku was finding it harder to bit back the noises that escaped his throat. The blonde's body started to move against Izuku's, soft just barely swallowed back growls escaping the other man's throat.
Katsuki focused his attention on the sensitive head of Izuku's cock and the greenette let out a moan as his body squirmed beneath the blonde but that only seemed to rile the other man further as he nipped and sucked at the point where shoulder and neck met, Izuku tossing his head back.
Izuku whimpered and the blonde nipped skin between his teeth and let out a growl which only drove him closer to the edge. Katsuki held onto his hold with his teeth, pressing his body firmly against Izuku's as he passed Izuku over that cliff.
"Kacchan!" Izuku moaned aloud as he climaxed into Katsuki's hand that held him tightly. His body twitched with the moment and then sagged as he panted to catch his breath.
Katsuki got up, retrieved his soiled hand and lifted his weight off of Izuku, shifting to the edge of the bed to stand and headed for the ensuite to wash up. By the time he returned a minute later Izuku had caught his breath and had sat up on his elbows. Katsuki came to stand at the side of the bed and offered Izuku a damp cloth which the greenette took with a nod of thanks and then he left the room. Izuku wiped himself up, washed himself in the ensuite and changed clothes, throwing the soiled ones into the hamper before he stepped out to find Katsuki sipping water in the kitchen. The blonde's eyes turned to him as he came in but despite the excitement that had just happened, something felt off.
"Kacchan," Izuku tried, "is everything alright?" he asked with a wince. The room suddenly felt awkward. It was stifling how quickly the air changed.
"Yeah, sure. Why wouldn't I be?" the blonde replied flatly.
"Uh, what just happened, thanks" Izuku tried though it suddenly felt painfully awkward. Katsuki frowned.
"Don't thank me" he spoke like he was disgusted.
"Right, sorry. Did you want me to, uh –" he tried to offer to repay the favor
"No," Katsuki raised a hand for Izuku to stop, "you don't need to do that"
"R-right," Izuku winced internally, "just feels a little unfair is all" Katsuki closed his eyes and shook his head.
"It's fine. Another time. For now, bed" and with that the blonde put down his glass and made his way to the bedroom.
"What, but it's not even eight" Izuku blinked with shock. They had started their series of movies late in the morning so the evening was still young when they had gotten carried away.
"An early night does everyone good" Katsuki threw back and Izuku followed a step behind, watching the blonde go ahead of him, unable to shake the feeling that he had done something wrong.