Izuku left looking a little pale, and Katsuki couldn't decide if it was just the poor fuckers who were killed or if he'd overstepped and made the Nerd uncomfortable to top it off. He was so tense and looked like he was ready to throw up. He was pretty sure it was the murders. But still, maybe he shouldn't have been so touchy?

He just couldn't hold back, seeing Izuku break down, unable to even speak and clearly in pain because his heaving sobs caused more pain. It made him want to blow everything to shit. He hated emotional pain, he hated when someone he cared for was injured. Because he felt fucking useless. He couldn't help them, not really, not in the way he was good at. Especially when they couldn't even hear him anymore. It took Forty minutes for the Nerd to hear him about getting his boxers on before finally calming down enough to move. He fully intended to take him to the guest room, but the Nerd wouldn't let him go, the little shit was stronger than you'd think. And while Katsuki was sure he could pry those freckled hands away... he really hadn't wanted to, so his own bed it was. Waiting for him to fall asleep... then being able to get undressed and into bed himself.

"He needs to tell the police" Mum said sitting down at the table opposite him.

"That's wont help. Apparently they don't seem very interested in helping him" he looked at her pointedly and imagined his face mirrored her own. He wondered if there was a way to help with that?

"Are you sure it's not just Izuku not wanting to cause a scene?" She asked

"Pretty sure. His friend is a cop, he seemed pretty angry he couldn't do anything to help" Katsuki explained. "I actually want to talk to him alone"

"Good. Do you think the ones responsible for the murders were the same ones who attacked him? Inko is going to lose her mind"

Katsuki scowled and wasn't sure. Izuku had said Kai's friends were beating the shit out of them when he was leaving. Depending on how severe he guessed it was possible.

"I don't know" he admitted. His phone rang as he reached for it with his left hand. He wasn't confident he wouldn't break it with his right yet. He answered without looking and regretted it

"Yo Bakubro!" He pulled the phone from his ear and glared at it. Why can't he just call someone normally?

"What's up, Kirishima?" He asked tone flat and uninterested.

"How is the arm?" He asked and the shit eating grin could be heard in his damned voice. Katsuki lifted it up, opening and closing the hands easily.

"Oddly comfortable" he admitted. Which was true. He thought the pressure would hurt or something but it really only started to ache after he'd had it on for hours. He didn't doubt Izuku worked at trying to make sure it was comfortable for as long as possible. A bowl was set in front of him before his mum left the kitchen. "Gonna take some getting used to. It's a bit weird to think he believes I could be a Hero again right now though"

"Why?"

"It's a bit jumpy, but I suppose thinking about it too much does that. Moved much smoother when I tried to forget it wasn't a real arm"

"Cool, wanna come over and show it off?"

Katsuki looked to the direction of his Mother and nodded.

"Yeah, sure" he agreed, not to show off the arm but really because he needed to talk to someone. He had just so casually been... sort of intimate with the Nerd and he was clearly flustered. But he could be avoiding it, Katsuki didn't think it was a case of him not liking him that way. More... in denial that Katsuki would want him. Especially if the way he talks about himself is anything to go by. "I'll be there in a hour" he hung up and ate his breakfast as he stood he halted half way up as the Hag came to the doorway and leant on the doorframe.

"What?" He asked sitting back down, not particularly happy with the look in her eyes.

"Does he know?" She asked and Katsuki immediately tensed his defences immediately snapping into place. "Oh don't even try it" she huffed waving her hand completely unaffected by him.

"What are you on about?" He asked pointlessly. She sighed and bent her head the way she did when she was fed up of stupid people. He should probably be offended.

She came to sit opposite him, her eyes locked on his as she splayed her hands on the table.

"Do you have any idea how rare a second chance is? A real, honest chance to start over and be in a position to tell the one that got away the truth?"

"What do you know?" He asked, not in a defiant and bratty way, he genuinely wanted to know.

"I know you love him. I know him leaving broke something in you and I know your own pride and stubbornness got in your way to admit you were hurting about it"

He scoffed in disgust. She wasn't wrong but she didn't know the whole story, he had been a monster, and he'd felt guilty and unworthy. Knowing now he hadn't been the reason Deku ran away was all well and good, but he'd still hurt him. Physically and emotionally.

"Katsuki. Do not make the same mistakes twice" she snapped voice firm and held all the authority of a mother.

"There's more to it than you and Auntie even know. And I can want and pine and steal touches all I fucking want. But that's it. I have no right to cross that line unless he wants to" he hadn't meant to blurt that out. And frankly he was a fucking liar because if Izuku wasn't in such a bad state last night god knows how far he would have gone.

"You know as well as I do unless you tell him exactly how you feel he won't do anything. He won't ever believe he would have a chance without you saying so..." her eyes turned soft as sadness came over her "he doesn't think anyone could"

"I know" he whispered nodding as his eyes fell out of focus, remembering how he had said he wasn't the kind people could love. He knew it but he still... he growled out in frustration and got up to storm out of the room.

-

Kirishima and Mina welcomed him enthusiastically, a little too enthusiastic in Mina's case when she threw her arms around him.

"Dynamite!" She sang hanging off him. "It's good to see you. You look great, the arm looks fabulous. How's the boyfriend?"

Katsuki raised a brow at her looking unimpressed.

"Subtle"

She dropped down and shrugged completely unbothered by how transparent she was.

"The great Murder God is interested in someone. Finally. Sue me for being curious"

"He's not great, some bastards beat the shit out of him yesterday" he growled walking further into the house.

"Wait what?" She asked looking appalled "where is he now?"

"In work, Nerd doesn't know how to stop. He was battered and bruised but still insisted on fitting this" he lifted his arm "He's a little jumpy but he's in one piece"

"Did the police get them?" Kirishima asked and Katsuki just waved his hand. He didn't even want to get into it. He accepted the coffee from Mina and sat at their island.

"So he stayed with you last night?" She asked unashamedly

"Yeah, had a panic attack and I just... I probably fucked up"

He'd acted weird all morning, and Katsuki couldn't shake the thought he'd overstepped and scared him.

"Fucked up how?" Mina asked taking a seat opposite him.

He sighed and told them the events from the night before.

"He stayed. I don't think it was anything you did" Kirishima offered but not sounding all too convinced.

"He's embarrassed you idiots" Mina smacked her hand on the island. "He's probably never been that vulnerable. I might be wrong but if what I've gathered is right, he's not had anyone willing to be there for him, or be willing to let someone see him that way. He's feeling bad"

Katsuki looked to Kirishima in silence only to receive a shrug. It sounded like Izuku, he wasn't going to lie. And no doubt he thought he was being some sort of burden.

"Maybe..." he wasn't sure, something was up, something he couldn't put his finger on. "Or maybe I'm a dick" he decided taking a testing drink of the coffee.

"Well we already knew that" Mina teased then looked pensive as her eyes lifted up in thought.

"You should invite him over. We'd love to meet him, and even if you never grow a back bone and tell him how you feel, he can at least find friends" she shrugged her face falling to tell him his blank look at her made her think he was an idiot. "Friends who he can call for help" she gestured her hands pointing to all of them.

Katsuki felt like Kirishima had dug him in the chest knocking the breath from him.

"But... you don't even know him" he scowled looking between the couple.

"We know what he means to you. We know you don't just stay at someone's place. We know you trusted this man with your aftercare" she emphasised "you trust him, and he means something to you. What else do we need?"

Katsuki clenched his jaw to stop his knee jerk response to be an asshole. He forgets just how much they pay attention, and just how good they were as people, as they are as his friends. Hell, his family. They'd open their home to Izuku, his status inconsequential as long as he was a good person. And he was the best of them all. And Katsuki would be a liar if he said he didn't want Izuku to meet the people he cared most for. Whether he pretended he didn't care at all didn't matter, because they knew. He felt a twinge in his chest, he wanted Izuku to know. But he knew he would have to explicitly say it, because Izuku would never accept the obvious without clear, indisputable words. Katsuki wanted to groan at the thought that even if they had done something last night, he'd only convince himself it was something it wasn't.

"I'll try. He doesn't seem all too willing to meet you guys though" he remembered how he rejected the offer to come meet them. "If anything I think he might be afraid to"

They both gave him dramatic looks of offense. And he finally let out a laugh.

-

The sun was setting and Katsuki stood outside his building. He wasn't sure if Izuku would be in his Lab or at home. It had been almost three weeks, Izuku had gone radio silent outside the physio. Katsuki was losing his mind and his patience. The Nerd claimed it was because of work. But the brats' suits would be done now. He had no excuse. It was Friday night and Katsuki was fucking determined to get him to take the weekend off. He'd not seen him since Tuesday and it was so professional that Katsuki felt dirty. He needed some banter, he needed the rambling, he needed his Izuku. But he'd been stood here for Twenty minutes debating if he was about to cross a line.

His phone rang, without looking from the building he pulled it out of his pocked and put it to his ear.

"You know, stalkers aren't attractive" Izuku's voice came a hint of a smile in his voice. Ignoring the pick up in his heart at being caught, Katsuki snorted.

"From experience, that's true. Random opening though" he jibed

"I only say cause there's some guy outside my building. I've seen him around a lot lately. He's a client, actually"

"Sounds dodgy, want me to come send him away?" He asked smoothly

"Nah, think I'll just ask him to come up. It's chilly, let's not get sick" he chuckled. Katsuki looked up with a frown because that's stupid, he opened his mouth to tell him so when his eyes locked on the Nerd, in the doorway smirking at him, a bag of take out in his other hand.

"That's not a smart choice. Asking strange men to follow you home, especially stalkers" Katsuki sighed playing along.

"Probably" he shrugged then gestured with his head that Katsuki cross the road and get inside. "But he's pretty hot..." Katsuki felt his stomach drop in time with Izuku's voice "I'll take what I can get"

He turned on his heels and headed to the lift. Katsuki was bolting across the street before he could really process what the hell was happening.

Izuku was stood in the elevator, arm holding the door open. His eyes were a little glazed over but he seemed happy to see him.

"Not that I don't appreciate the banter, don't ever invite a potential stalker home" Katsuki demanded pressing the button to the top floor.

"I don't invite anyone home" Izuku reassured him. "Being attacked in my own home is somehow worse than theirs" he shrugged as he said the words so casually.

He was swaying slightly and Katsuki gawked at him.

"Are you drunk?" He asked turning to face him completely, eyes widened in surprise. Izuku giggled lifting his hand to pinch his finger and thumb together "a little bit" Katsuki breathed nodding a little dazed.

"Kaia and Toshi dragged me out he finally asked her out" he looked so happy about it, his eyes crinkling at the corners because he's smiling so hard. "We celebrated. But I was feeling maybe I should leave them alone, so I got some noodles and I'm gonna go watch some All Might movies"

Katsuki had pressed his lips together but it was futile. The laugh burst out of him and he had to turn away lifting his artificial hand to his mouth.

"Kacchaaan" he whined and Katsuki knew he was pouting, that if he turned around he'd see those green eyes wide and sad.

He tried to apologise but couldn't get passed the laughter. He had to hold his breath for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"Of course that's a celebration for you" he choked out before laughing at the feeble dig to his back. He turned to see Izuku in fact pouting at him. "Sorry. I'm not-" Katsuki cut off and shook his head "it's just nice to see you haven't changed" he smiled down to the man softly. The bruises were almost gone, but it still bothered Katsuki.

"I've changed" he said looking a little disheartened "I've changed a lot" the elevator opened and he quickly lead the way out to his door. Katsuki knew that to be true. Izuku wasn't as open as he used to be, the light he had when they were kids had dulled considerably. He lost that confidence to talk about everything that made him excited. But it came through with Katsuki. He was still there he just needed the opportunity to be able to be himself. He needed to feel safe, and Katsuki wanted to give him that. He wanted to show him his friends were safe, that he didn't have to live to do nothing but work. He closed the door the Nerd left open as he walked straight to the windows and closed the curtains to the doors.

"Listen, Nerd. I want you to take the weekend off. Okay, come meet my friends, come have fun" Katsuki finally spoke. Frowning as Izuku smiled at him falling onto his couch.

"I don't think your friends wa-"

"They've asked. They're inviting you" he insisted his heart clenching at the way Izuku's jumped from surprise to confusion to doubt. "Hey" he said moving to sit next to him his right arm landing on the back of the couch. He had to be careful not to break it, he was still getting the hang of new arm. "Do you think I would ever put you in a position that'll get you hurt?" He held his breath. Because the truth was, Izuku could very well not trust him. He could still worry that Katsuki would revert back to the one he knew. And he wasn't sure how he'd take that knowledge. But green curls shook over dazed green eyes as he shook his head.

"No" he choked out voice cracking.

"Good. Because I'd tear anyone apart who tried" he promised voice low. He saw Izuku's chest rise and fall like he was suddenly scared. Then he realised he was leant in, their faces close.

"K-Kacchan" he whispered sounding breathless. He would not make a move. Katsuki refused to even try, because it was undeserved. He didn't deserve Izuku. Even if that meant nothing could ever happen. But he was ready to tell him, he wasn't sure he could hold it in much longer anyway. He went to speak but the words lodged in his throat at the hand on his chest.

"Kacchan. Are you straight?" He asked sounding almost relieved to ask the question. "I thought so... and then Uncle said something but I was sure I was misunderstanding. Then... when I... in the lab I almost-" he shook his head "in your room you said you wanted me to stay- but you just meant to look after me, right?" He rambled on stopping when Katsuki smirked down at him. "Are you straight?" He asked again leaning closer so his arm was against Katsuki's torso.

"No" his voice was thick, heartbeat bleeding into his ears. He didn't expect Izuku to be brave enough to ask "No I'm not"

Izuku pushed up on his knees, leaning his head on Katsuki's, pulling his lip between his teeth.

"I'm not..." he whispered looking hesitant "you know how I feel don't you?" He asked locking his eyes on Katsuki's the fear holding him in place. Even if he wanted to, he didn't, he was glued to the spot drowning in the Nerd's panic.

"Yes" he admitted slowly putting his left hand in the slim waist, his thumb rubbing, hopefully, circles on the hip bone. "I can't for the life of me understand why though" he chuckled and Izuku's brows pulled together, annoyance taking over his sweet face.

"Dispite what I am, I am capable of-" he cut off as Katsuki quickly lifted his hand to cup his cheek.

"That's not what I meant" he sighed tilting his head up making their noses brush. "I don't deserve that, not from you. I don't deserve anything you've gi-" Cool fingers came to his lips, effectively cutting him off.

"That's my choice" he pouted.

"I know" he whispered against the fingers, his thumb selfishly brushing over the freckles. "I'll never force anything on you again. My anger, my inferiority, my beliefs... my desires" Izuku's eyes brightened as the tears welled. He took a deep breath, figuring he'd come this far, the Nerd basically confessed so he should too. "whatever you want I'll do my best to give it to you. Even if that means being selfish"

"I can't just take the choice from you" he whispered, looking torn as his hand moved to the dent at the top of his sternum. Katsuki chuckled darkly his own desires rising. As if he could even for a moment not want to have everything with him. As if he hadn't spent weeks fantasising to that delicious moan in his gym. Or dreamt about them not being interrupted that day in the lab. He moved his hand to the back of Izuku's neck pulling him down as he turned his head to stop at his ear.

"My choice is made" his voice was dark with arousal and need "I know what I want" Izuku tensed his chest pressing against Katsuki's shoulder. "But my choice doesn't matter if it isn't what you want" his fingers reached into the curls against the back of Izuku's neck and he shivered. The motion caused his hair to move and a flash of grey caught Katsuki's eye behind Izuku's ear. Gently, so fucking slowly he moved his right arm to move the fingers to brush the curls out the way. What was revealed to Katsuki took his breath away. Izuku's tattoo. Tucked to the top of the back of his ear. A small grey grenade... an orange pin, the fuse embroidered with a small orange 'K' "fuck" he groaned realising just how much this idiot loved him. How he truly never let go, how he never even tried to forget him

He jumped slightly at the two hands tightening on his shoulders.

"So if I wanted to go..." Izuku started before trailing off. Katsuki pulled back to look at his face. His now red and insecure face.

"You have to tell me what you want baby" he said before his filter worked. He hadn't meant to say the pet name. He didn't want to freak Izuku out but it only seemed to make the man turn redder. What happened to the confident, unapologetic sex talker from his room? Pulling his lower lip into his teeth again he slowly lifted his leg to straddle Katsuki.

"I want you to take me into that room" he nodded to the door behind Katsuki "and fuck me until I forget I've ever had to wait to know how it'll feel" his apprehension melted into arousal and the look in the darkening green depths had Katsuki half mast before a roll of Izuku's hips had him straining against his jeans.

"Holy shit" Katsuki gasped hands coming to the Nerd's hips to hold him in place. He was glad his brain momentarily malfunctioned because he would have taken him right there on the couch, fuck the bedroom. The man wasn't shit faced but he was drunk. Katsuki knew he was willing, he knew he wanted it but he wouldn't let him make this choice with a clouded mind. It didn't matter he knew Izuku wouldn't regret it.

"Izuku" he groaned. He was once a hero in training dammit, he was disciplined and would not let his own wants overtake the situation. Fuck he needed a medal for this. He straightened his back, tightened his hold on the man's hips as he tried to move again. "I can't" he forced out quickly wrapping his arms around the narrow waist seeing his immediate pain of rejection. "I want to" he quickly assured him "fuck you have no idea" and okay maybe he did "but not like this. You're drunk, and I don't want to risk fucking up because I act selfishly here"

"It's just sex" Izuku frowned and Katsuki had to grit his teeth so not to go off on him. It wasn't his fault, of course a bit part of him thought Katsuki would only want the sex. Taking a breath he shook his head bringing his left hand to cup the back of his head.

"It isn't. Not to me, and not to you" he pulled Izuku's head down before placing his lips against his forehead "I'll blow your mind while you're in a more sober mind-set"

Izuku gave a little giggle leaning against him.

"As long as its the metaphorical kind"

Katsuki rolled his eyes realising his pun. Smiling softly as he felt the Nerd fall on him, as if all the the tension and energy left him. "Please stay" he pleaded voice full of exhaustion.

"Always" Katsuki promised placing another kiss atop the green curls.

And now they both know! This took so much effort and I struggled to get it down. But I'm pretty happy with it.

Hope you guys will be too!