Sweat pulled into a small puddle in front of Izuku. By now, his arms shook as he lowered his body down until his chest was only inches above the ground before pushing back up. He had lost count of how many sets he had done, but it had done nothing to erase the thoughts of Katsuki from his mind.
When his thoughts wandered back to his soft skin, Izuku groaned as he let himself drop to the ground. Katsuki had been too willing. He had expected the other to reject his advances with one of his usual temper tantrums, not tease him with maybe's and what ifs.
He certainly wasn't supposed to offer himself on a platter for Izuku, who was far too weak to hold back from such an offer.
When his phone's alarm went off, Izuku gave up and went to take a shower. It had been about a week since he had seen Katsuki that night and Izuku was both relieved and burdened that he had yet to show up at the cafe. It was possible he had scared him away, but that only brought up more concern for Izuku.
As he dressed, Izuku struggled with wanting to check on Katsuki. Even in the city, it was still rather quiet outside for anyone to have started their day. If Izuku left now, he could pass by the precinct and hang around to catch a quick glance of the spiked-haired blond before he headed to his afternoon shift.
Izuku reasoned he had nothing better to do with sleep evading him for most of the night, plus now that Goto knew of Katsuki's existence, it was better that Izuku monitor him for a while, just to be sure he was safe.
Before Izuku could second guess himself, his feet were already leading him out the door and towards the direction of the precinct. Izuku put on the baseball cap he had taken with him, covering as much of his green hair as possible. If he knew Katsuki, the man would spot him a mile away if he wasn't careful. As Izuku made his way down the street, he stuffed his hands in his oversized hoodie, sticking to the back roads instead of the major streets for coverage.
"I'll just make sure he's okay, no big deal. He's probably been too busy with work to bother with stopping by." Izuku said.
If something had actually happened to Katsuki, then his name would have been all over the news which Izuku had yet to see, but that didn't mean he was out of the red. Izuku picked a building that had the precinct within eyesight and, with a well-timed leap, he grabbed onto the hanging fire escape and made his way up to the restricted rooftop.
Laid out beneath his feet, the city was waking up with people moving to get to their destinations. Izuku found some suitable cover where he could sit and watch the entrance of Katsuki's precinct.
As the sky lightened, the officers filled into the building, but after an hour there was no sign of Katsuki.
He could have had an appointment or scheduled for a later shift. He could have called in or planned to work elsewhere for the day. Izuku tried to reason with his paranoia that he really didn't know Katsuki's daily schedule enough and his plan to get a glimpse of him had been impulsive, anyway.
Izuku's leg shook as he kept a hawk's eye on the entrance or any sign of him or even the red-headed partner of his.
"Come on, Kacchan, just appear so I can make sure you're okay and I can go back to my normal life." Izuku said.
Just as Izuku considered going down there for a closer look, the comforting sight of Katsuki's stylish spikes came from around the corner carrying a tray of coffee cups in each hand. He looked like he was arguing with his partner who was with him, the red-heads usual toothy grin across his face as he carried a few white boxes in his arms.
Izuku let out a sigh of relief at seeing Katsuki going about his day. Izuku let his head fall back as he watched Katsuki walk down the street towards the main entrance of his work, building the tension in his chest finally easing up as he reprimanded himself for being so paranoid.
"What are you doing, Izuku?" Izuku asked himself.
A flash of something caught Izuku's eye just as he was ready to leave, and he looked again. The street became thick with a mass of bodies that Izuku almost missed, the vivid mix of dark blues and magenta swimming amongst the crowd. Making the split decision, Izuku hurried down the fire escape. As he dropped to land on the ground, he didn't stop as he made his way across the street.
Izuku headed straight towards the two detectives, though his eyes stayed focused on the figure who had paused far behind them, her face unreadable.
"Izuku?" Katsuki asked.
Katsuki had spotted him first as he reached them, his face pinched in confusion as he stopped in the middle of the street, though Izuku didn't pause. His partner looked surprised, but rightfully cautious, of Izuku as he drew closer.
"What are you doing here?" Katsuki asked.
His eyes glanced down at Katsuki, making eye contact as they faced each other for only a moment before he passed him, continuing forward without a word of acknowledgement. Izuku kept moving, making a beeline towards the figure who had backed away, but Izuku grinned as he called out to them as loud as he could muster over the city bustle.
"Kaina Tsutsumi! How long has it been?"
The woman's eyes slanted in suspicion, as she looked back at Katsuki, who Izuku knew had turned to watch them.
"Too long, it seems." Kaina said.
Izuku faked a chuckle, though his face reflected nothing of the amusement. Throwing his arm around her shoulder, Izuku dragged her away from Katsuki, though she didn't fight him, choosing to follow his lead.
He thanked the powers that be that Katsuki said nothing. As they kept walking, Izuku checked to make sure either detective didn't follow them until they were three blocks away from the precinct.
"You done?" Kaina asked.
He knew he was being overly cautious, but Kaina also didn't know Katsuki the way Izuku did, and the man was stubborn enough to chase after them if given the chance. When Izuku felt satisfied, he took a sharp right into a random alley and kept going until they were out of sight of the public streets.
Izuku released Kaina then as he took the chance to inspect the area for any stragglers that could have been hanging around, but they were alone.
"That wasn't very nice outing me to my target like that." Kaina said.
Done with his inspection, Izuku turned and faced the barrel of her gun aimed at his chest. He didn't hide his displeasure at her reaction as he stood facing her. It was better not to move since Kaina was more of a shoot first and ask later type of mercenary. Izuku didn't lift his hands as he raised a brow at her.
He was seventy-five percent sure that she wouldn't shoot. Kaina kept her hand steady, finger on the trigger.
Okay, sixty percent sure.
"You going to tell me what that was about?" Kaina asked.
Izuku's frown deepened. His eyes gave away the anger that was boiling inside him since the moment he had spotted her on the street.
"What are your orders Kaina?" Izuku asked
Kaina took a step off to the side to test the waters, though they both knew they were too familiar with each other's patterns. Izuku matched her steps as they circled each other, if only to bide time until they could assess the situation. A stalemate, of sorts. Kaina gave him a teasing smile, her head tilted to the side.
Even as Kaina movements gave the air of casual, he could see no openings, though he knew he could create one if the need came. His chances were low that he wouldn't at least leave with one bullet hole if she really was after Katsuki, but he was resolute in his decision to stop her if it came down to it.
"What's with the cold treatment, Bunny? You don't call. You don't write and now years later you pop up interfering with my work?"
Kaina tsk'd in disappointment as she took the first steps towards him until she had the gun inches from his chest. Izuku didn't hesitate to glare down at her, his tone cold as he warned her of this one chance out of courtesy for their history.
"Cut the crap Kaina, if your order is to take out Katsuki Bakugo then you better shoot me now while your chances are still good because you won't be given another opportunity." Izuku said.
She must not have expected that response because her hand twitched, her finger hesitant over the trigger. The air was thick around them as Izuku considered the different outcomes that could cause the least amount of damage.
Kaina broke first, if only to move her finger off the trigger for the moment, which was a good sign.
"And what if my orders are exactly as you say?" Kaina asked.
Izuku swung his arm forward, catching the aimed gun and forcing it to the side. Kaina didn't release it, but Izuku didn't need her to, as he kept a tight grip on her wrist to keep the weapon pointed away. Her bones ground together under the strain, but Kaina looked unbothered.
"I could have shot you." Kaina said.
"If you had intended to shoot me, you would never have taken your finger off the trigger." Izuku said.
He dodged back from her free arm as it swung towards the side of his head. He refused to release her as he used his momentum to force her forward, dragging her off kilter and slamming her back against the brick wall with a resounding thud.
"Enough with your games Kaina, what are your orders?"
Kaina's breath came out ragged from the rough impact, but she chuckled, more amused, as she forced her knee forward. His still bruised ribs from Goto flared with pain as it forced the air out of his lungs, but he wasn't dumb enough to release her, so he twisted her wrist at an unnatural angle until there was a loud snap.
Kaina cried out as she dropped to one knee, the gun finally dropping to the ground. Izuku kicked it out of reach before she could try anything further. If it wasn't for the satisfied grin on her face, Izuku may have let guilty for injuring her wrist, but the woman had a way of testing his patience.
"That hurt you asshole." Kaina said.
"I warned you to shoot me when you had the chance. You know I always best you in hand to hand."
He released her when he was sure that she wouldn't retaliate and Kaina stood back up on her feet, checking her wrist to confirm that it wasn't broken.
"You done?" Izuku asked, as he threw back her earlier question.
"Yeah, yeah. You can't blame a girl for trying." She said.
Izuku rubbed his side, his ribs throbbing.
"You going to answer my question?"
"No, they did not order me to take him out. They only hired me to gather intel…. Well, for now, anyway." Kaina warned.
"Is this because of Goto?" Izuku asked.
Kaina shook her head as she went over to pick up her gun. Putting the safety on, she tucked it away under her jacket.
"Not really. This has more to do with your friend's recent activity. You know, he's been a busy bee poking his nose where it doesn't belong. Getting a bit too close to the organization." Kaina said.
Izuku groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Leave it to Katsuki to get himself into trouble. Izuku should have known this would happen.
"I want you to back off." Izuku said.
Kaina paused, watching him silently. Izuku didn't bother to look away, so she would know that he was serious.
"Is that an order?" Kaina asked.
Izuku's teeth clenched, his fist curling as he glared at her from across the alley. She was toeing the line, and they both knew it.
"I'll take care of it, so I'm asking you to back off. Let your client know Katsuki is off limits."
Kaina sighed, but nodded resigned as she smiled, the action genuine now that their business was over.
"It's good seeing my number one pupil." Kaina said.
Izuku rolled his eyes as he shoved his hands back in the pocket of his hoodie, already turning away to leave.
"I was your only pupil." Izuku said.
"Hence, my favorite."
Izuku shook his head and gave her a final wave goodbye as he walked away.
"Keep in touch this time!"
"I won't!" Izuku yelled back.
He turned the corner, Kaina's boisterous laugh following him as he made his way toward work.
By the time he reached the cafe, Izuku had all but thirty minutes to spare, so he hung out in the back room to treat his ribs. Using the small mirror over the bathroom sink, Izuku lifted his shirt, finding the discoloration of bruising had darkened from Kaina's sharp jab. The swelling wasn't as bad as it had been from Goto's punches, but it left Izuku slightly winded from the strain.
"You okay in there?" Mrs Shuzenji said.
"Ah! Just a minute!" Izuku said.
Izuku fixed his clothes as he made his way outside to his boss, who was already working the front area. Izuku took her place for his shift and for the next few hours, they worked in tangent and with minimal issues. It was a welcomed distraction for Izuku, who had grown used to the atmosphere of the cafe. Since Mrs. Shuzenji hired him, Izuku had become accustomed to the mundane of his job, the deep aroma of coffee beans that now clung to his skin even during his off days, along with the rapport that he had built with the regular clientele. It was a therapeutic pattern of repetition and routine that Izuku had sorely needed since his return to civilian life.
Katsuki and what Izuku would do about his poking around still hung over his head throughout the day, but he promised himself to consider his options later. He also reasoned that Katsuki was someone who would never allow himself to be ignored for long, so as Izuku finished his shift, he wasn't all that surprised when Katsuki stood alone outside the shop waiting for him.
"Katsuki."
"You going to tell me what that was all about earlier today? And who that woman was?" Katsuki got straight to the point, his arms crossed against his chest as he leaned back against the table Mrs Shuzenji had placed outside for her customers to enjoy.
"Does it matter?" Izuku asked.
Not that he wanted to keep Katsuki in the dark, but Izuku had no choice as the less Katsuki dug into anyone connected to the organization, the safer he would be. He didn't look happy by his evasive response, but he didn't push further, which was more surprising to Izuku than if he had.
"We need to talk." Katsuki said.
Izuku knew it was true, but he didn't think that Katsuki had the same thoughts about what that conversation would be about.
"Okay." Izuku said.
Katsuki's eyes widen, his mouth already open to protest. He must have prepared to fight Izuku on rejecting his offer, so it left him speechless that Izuku had agreed so readily this time. Katsuki schooled his features as he looked at Izuku, suspicious.
"Why are you giving in so easily this time?" Katsuki asked.
Izuku huffed, his palms itching for a cigarette, though he made the effort not to be rude this time compared to their last two encounters.
"You already know who I am, so I already knew you would look for me eventually, so let's go to my place tonight and we'll talk." Izuku said.
Izuku headed home, expecting Katsuki to follow, but after a few steps Izuku turned when he didn't hear him. Katsuki hadn't moved from his spot, his stance rigid and stubborn.
"No, we're doing this on my turf this time." Katsuki said.
"What do you mean?" Izuku asked.
Katsuki moved away from the table and stepped up to Izuku until their faces were only inches from each other. It reminded Izuku of the last time they had been in such proximity, and his eyes instantly gravitated towards Katsuki's mouth, which pulled down in an angry scowl. He considered how mad the blond would be if he bit into the lower lip that was tempting him.
Katsuki hadn't noticed the tension building between them, so wrapped in his demands.
"I'm not going back to your place just so you can take control of the conversation and kick me out like last time. This time you're coming to my place and you're going to tell me everything. AFO, your involvement and Emiko's murder."
That got Izuku's attention as his brows furrowed low, trying to process what Katsuki.
"Emiko, you mean the girl that was murdered recently?" Izuku asked.
"Yes, I know she has something to do with this All for One guy and if you really are his dog, then I need to know the truth. Did you have something to do with her murder?" Katsuki asked.
The conversation has steered at such an unexpected turn that Izuku could do nothing more than gap openly at the blonde. Was Katsuki really asking him if he had murdered an innocent girl in cold blood? Even worst if he really believed he was capable of such a thing, why was he asking him so bluntly and even putting himself in danger by inviting a suspect to his house? That the other man was putting himself in a possibly dangerous situation and willingly angered Izuku, that he would never actually hurt Katsuki, was beside the point.
"Are you stupid?" Izuku asked.
"Who the fuck are you calling stupid?" Katsuki shouted.
Izuku loomed over Katsuki, his face washed of any emotions as he stared down at the other man. Katsuki had the perseverance to take a step back at the threatening posture that Izuku had taken. Izuku forced himself forward, grabbing the front of Katsuki's shirt to hold him in place.
Katsuki grabbed onto his hand to get him to let go, though Izuku held firm, wrinkling the fabric of his pressed white shirt.
"If you suspect me of murder, why the fuck are you so willing to get this close to me, let alone invite me into your home? Do you really think you could win against me? Are you so arrogant?" Izuku asked.
Katsuki stopped struggling as he processed his words. His grip turned soft as he pulled Izuku's hand tighter into his chest, now keeping Izuku from letting go. Katsuki's heart was pounding against his knuckles and Izuku loosened his grip in response.
"Fine, call it arrogance or stupidity, but my gut says you won't hurt me, but the facts are you're involved somehow so I just need to know what's going on because no matter how much you've said you changed I know deep down the real Izuku would never get involved with murderers. So stop pushing me away and talk to me!" Katsuki said.
"Fine, you win." Izuku said.
Katsuki didn't let up and Izuku for once felt self-conscious as his eyes looked away.
"My place, tomorrow night?" Katsuki asked.
Izuku nodded and Katsuki finally let him go. His grin was far too smug, though Izuku found this to be much more familiar to the Katsuki of his past. He could never deny this man anything..
"Alright, see you then, and don't even think of running away." Katsuki said and left without another word between them.
Izuku took a moment to catch his breath at the whirlwind that was Katsuki disappeared from his sight. An ache came forth deep in his chest and Izuku gripped at his shirt to ease some of the strain.
"Damn ribs."