Work Text:
“Did you know that Kiri likes Denki?”
Katsuki stops typing on his laptop, blinks, and looks up at his roommate, Izuku, sitting on the other end of the couch.
“What the fuck?”
Izuku takes a sip of his redbull and says, “Yeah, he likes Denki. He told me yesterday.”
Izuku has a 12 page essay due tomorrow. He hadn’t even started until Katsuki forced him to sit down and start it. That was two hours ago, and Izuku has successfully completed one (1) page. so he plans on not sleeping for the next however many hours.
Katsuki pushes his glasses up to sit on top of his head. He rubs his eyes, replying, “That fucker hasn’t told me jackshit. I'm beating his ass tomorrow. I'm assuming Denki doesn’t know.”
Izuku snorts. “Of course he doesn’t know. He's dense as shit and we all know Kiri can’t lie to save his life.”
And it’s true.
Kirishima is a great friend, and funny as hell. He's very supportive and gives good advice. He's not too big on academics (he’s failing two of his three classes) but all-around a nice guy.
Very truthful, though. He can’t lie and insteads sugarcoats things. That doesn’t make him a bad person, it’s just funny to watch him struggle.
“Why did he tell you and not me? Is he replacing me already?”
“Is that jealousy I smell?”
“Get your nose fixed, asshole.”
Izuku chuckles. “Nah, he kinda had to tell me. We were hanging out yesterday at the cafe and he seemed off. I had to pry it out of him because you know how I am.”
“Nosy as fuck?”
“I prefer the phrase ‘caring for my friends.’ “
“I have never heard you lie this bad in my life, and I've known you since forever.”
Izuku laughs at the blonde’s words and lightly kicks his ankle. “I'm a good liar! At least compared to Kiri!”
Katsuki snorts with a smirk, “Yeah, that’s true. You sound like you wanna meddle, though.”
“Oh, you know me so well.”
“I'm not helping you.”
“Aww, c’mon, Kacchan! It'll be fun!” Izuku sets his laptop on the floor beside the couch and crawls into Katsuki's space.
The blonde looks at him sitting on his legs. He has a small pout and a curl hanging in his face.
Cute.
“No, Deku. Let the idiots figure it out themselves. And get off, you’re heavy.”
Izuku rolls his eyes and removes the blonde’s laptop, putting it on the coffee table. He straddles Katsuki’s thighs now, determined to get what he wants.
Katsuki glares at him, “What the fuck, nerd? I'm not helping you meddle, we aren’t in high school anymore.”
Izuku's pout gets sadder and more intense. “Kacchannnn! Please? It’ll take like a week at the most!”
“Hell no. I ain't wasting a week on those imbeciles. I have shit to do.”
Izuku is not having it tonight. He knows his best friend’s schedule like the back of his hand. “Like hell you do. The only thing on your calendar is to pay your phone bill.”
“Deku, I have homework-“
“Bullshit! You always finish your work early. The shit you’re doing now isn’t due until next week. Now, come on, Kacchan! Let's get our friends together! They deserve happiness.”
Katsuki sighs and tries to ignore the look on Izuku's face. The other knows he’s weak for that look. He hates when Izuku plays dirty.
The blonde just sighs and Izuku shouts in excitement, knowing he won.
“Yay! Thanks, Kacchan!” Izuku lunges forward to hug him, wrapping his arms around the blonde’s neck.
It causes Katsuki to lean back further on the arm of the couch, the wood inside digging into his back. He doesn’t mind, though.
“Yeah, yeah whatever, nerd. Now get off, I can't breathe.”
Izuku shakes his head, “Nah, you’re comfy. Let's take a break and cuddle.”
“Fine, whatever.”
Katsuki grabs a pillow from the floor and puts it behind his back. He rests his arms loosely around Izuku's waist, feeling the shorter male nuzzle into his neck.
“Don’t fall asleep. I'll kill you.”
“Mhm, sure.”
“How do you know if Sparky likes Shitty Hair back?”
“Oh, Hanta told me.”
“What? When?”
“Uh, maybe last week? Two weeks ago? Who knows.”
“Why the fuck is everyone telling you shit and not me?”
“Have you met yourself?”
“Shut the fuck up before I push you off.”
Izuku only giggles and hugs him tighter, snuggles a little closer. The blonde sighs in content, liking the feeling of familiarity and warmth.
Katsuki feels Izuku’s breathing even out and his heartbeat becomes steadier.
“You’re not falling asleep, are you? You have an essay due.”
“Mhm.”
“I'm serious, Izuku. I'll kick your ass if you don’t finish it.”
“Mhm.”
“Deku.”
Silence.
“Deku?”
More silence.
Katsuki rolls his eyes. “Fucking hell, Deku. Just this one time, I'll let it slide.”
He holds Izuku tighter and scoots down on the couch so he’s fully lying down on his back. Izuku adjusts to the new position, and quickly falls back asleep.
Katsuki fixes the pillow behind his head, and starts rubbing Izuku’s back, just how he likes. Soon enough, the blonde is falling asleep himself.
_____________
The next day, Izuku is rushing to finish the last page of his essay that’s due in about 15 minutes. The actual class starts in about an hour.
Izuku hates everything.
He leans over to take his straw into his mouth while typing furiously on his laptop. He drinks the rest of his redbull as he’s finishing up the last two paragraphs.
“I'm convinced that Izu lives on redbull and blueberry bagels at this point.”
“Bakugo must not be feeding him well.”
“Or maybe Izu just simply doesn’t have time to eat an actual meal because he’s too busy doing everything at the last minute.”
There's a collective agreement around the table and Izuku wants to give them an actual answer, but he’s almost done and there’s only 10 minutes left.
The chatter continues as Izuku finally- finally- finishes his essay and quickly turns it in with 2 minutes to spare. He slams his laptop shut and proceeds to collapse onto the table.
No one says anything, continues their conversations as if this is a normal occurrence.
(It is).
After a couple of minutes, Izuku lifts his head and says, “Kacchan doesn’t feed me when I do my homework at the last minute.”
“That’s literally all the time, what the fuck.” Mina complains, filing her nails.
Tenya then includes, “Izuku, why don’t you ever, oh i don’t know, eat?”
“I do eat!”
Shoto retorts, “He means a full meal, not redbull and bagels.”
“I'm serious! Don’t tell Kacchan, but I sometimes go to Momo’s dorm when he does this. Also, that’s the definition of eating. You never said what exactly to eat.” Izuku sticks his tongue out at Shoto. The other returns the gesture.
Ochako shrugs her shoulders and nods. “That seems about right. You are her favorite.”
“Which is weird, considering I'm her girlfriend.” Kyoka joins the conversation, taking an earbud out.
“Oh, please! You both love him to death.” Mina states, filing the other hand now.
“Can’t argue with facts.” Shoto says, setting his pencil down. He shoves the worksheet towards Fumikage. Izuku notices it’s from Shoto’s Calculus 3 class.
“Make sense of this, please. I'm about to rip my hair out.”
“I told you not to take this class.”
“I need it.”
“I showed you an alternative, but you refused like a dumbass.”
“Fumi, please; I'm begging you. I'll buy you lunch tomorrow.”
“Well, in that case, on this problem...”
And Izuku tunes them out, not having the brain capacity to even begin to understand. He absolutely hates math, and is very glad his degree doesn’t require it. Of course, he took the mandatory math class during first year like everyone else.
Just then, Kiri and Katsuki walk into the library. Katsuki looks every bit annoyed as the redhead talks animatedly. Izuku smiles small at the sight, finding it cute how Katsuki pretends to not listen.
They soon reach the table and the blonde takes his seat across from Izuku. Kiri sits next to him.
“Hi, Kacchan, Kiri. How was class?” Izuku greets them, sliding two granola bars to them. He always has snacks in his backpack for their friend group since some don’t have time between classes to eat. Definitely not for Izuku himself, that’s absurd.
“Hey, Mido! It was alright, thanks!”
“Did you finish your essay?”
Izuku nods his head. “Yup. I want curry tonight.”
Katsuki's brow shoots up at that. “Who said I was feeding you tonight?”
“Kacchan, come on! I'm starving!”
The blonde rolls his eyes, “Fine, just stop being so damn loud.”
Izuku smiles and turns to Kiri, who has an odd smile on his face. Izuku decides to not question, seeing as their whole group is weird in their own way.
“Kiri, have you talked to Denki today?”
The red haired boy shakes his head. “Nope. Hanta says he’s been really busy writing a song for his guitar class.”
There’s a hint of sadness in his tone and Izuku smiles small. “Well, I'm sure he’ll talk to you soon. You know he can’t stay away from you for that long.”
If Kiri blushes a little, Izuku pretends not to notice.
Izuku continues, “Anyway, Kacchan and I are gonna help you.”
Eijirou’s eyebrows furrowed together in confusion, “What?”
“He means meddle.” Katsuki, not so helpfully, butts in.
“Hush. We’re going to help you get with Denki! He’s not very uhh… smart when it comes to crushes. Sorry.”
Eijirou looks between him and Katsuki shakes his head. “No, no it’s okay. I don't wanna drag you guys into this.”
“See, Deku, he doesn’t want our help.”
“Too late! We’re already invested, we discussed last night," Izuku starts telling the red head a half-assed plan.
The events of last night play in Katsuki's mind. He feels a strange feeling in his chest when he thinks of their cuddle session, which is weird. They cuddle all the time, what’s this feeling?
The blonde decides to ignore it for now.
“Are you sure that’s gonna work?” Eijirou asks, when Izuku is done explaining his terrible plan.
“Of course I'm sure! Have I ever been wrong?”
Katsuki, Shoto, Tenya, and Ochako unanimously start, “Well-“
Izuku glares at them. “Shut up, don’t answer that dammit! Anyway, Kiri this plan is foolproof, trust me!”
____________
“I shouldn't have trusted you.”
“ What? What happened?! ”
“Nothing! That's the problem! He just treated it like a normal lunch! Not a- a date...”
“ WHAT? I'm beating his ass! Let’s go, Kacchan- “
“No! Mido, it’s chill!”
“ Are you sure? Kacchan could beat his ass. ”
“I thought you were going to?”
“ We all know I meant Kacchan. Besides, he’s been looking for an excuse to punch Denki since high school.”
“ And I'll find one! " Eijiro hears Katsuki yell in the background.
Eijiro sighs and flops back onto his bed. The smell of Sato’s cakes and pies coming from the kitchen is enough to relax him.
He puts his phone on speaker as he continues talking to Izuku.
“This is hard! I hate it!”
“ Yeah, this is as hard as your abs. What are we gonna do? ”
“ You've felt his abs? What the fuck, Deku? ”
“I’d rather not be the subject of your husband’s anger.”
“ He's not my husband! He's my housewife, get it right.”
“ Izuku!”
“Anyway, I'm not sure what to do. Why do I have to like the dense ones? I'm trying to be as obvious as I can!”
“ Maybe you should just tell him? Like, straight up say ‘hey, I wanna ruin our friendship. We should be lovers instead’ ya know. ”
Eijiro chuckles at his friend. “I'm not quoting a song. Stay off of tiktok.”
“ Never. And why not? It’s straight to the point. ”
“Isn’t it... too direct?”
“ No such thing. Look, I gotta go; Kacchan is making me go grocery shopping. Think about it. Bye, Kiri! ”
“Yeah, sure. Thanks!”
Eijiro has a lot to think about. He really wants Denki to understand that he likes the blonde. But, Eijirou doesn’t know if he can just spit it out. Confessing isn’t as easy as some might think.
What if Denki doesn’t like him in that way? What if Denki hates him after confessing and he leaves?
What if, what if, what if.
Eijirou's mind is swirling with different scenarios, giving him a small headache until his phone pings with a text.
denki<3: wanna ft? need a distraction for a bit :(
And if butterflies swarmed in his belly and chest as he Facetimes the blond, his bright smile on the phone screen, no one needs to know.
_______________
It's a week later when things start getting a little weird. Weirder than usual.
It is a normal Wednesday in the library. Whatever normal is for the friend group. Izuku is finishing his homework at the last minute, a 16 ounce redbull with a straw next to him. Shoto complaining about his math issues and Fumikage helping him for lunch in return.
Mina filing her nails down for volleyball practice later on that day; Ochako doing absolutely nothing but bothering Tenya and Izuku; and Kyoka doing music stuff on her laptop.
A normal wednesday.
Until Katsuki and Eijirou show up after their shared class. To outsiders, they seemed fine, but Izuku knew better.
He gave them their snack - a little bag of orange slices - while greeting them, like usual.
However, Eijirou had this look on his face. Excitement, maybe? Smug? Almost like... he knows something no one else does. And, yes that’s very specific, but Izuku's been highly observant all his life.
And his best friend... well, Katsuki looks a bit constipated. He didn’t look that way this morning, though. So something must’ve happened. Since Izuku cares about his friends (he’s not nosy, Kacchan!) he asks.
“Kacchan, why do you look constipated?”
Eijirou almost chokes on his food as he lets out a laugh. Katsuki glares at them both. “Shut the fuck up, I don’t.”
“Then what’s wrong? You look upset.”
“Nothing's wrong, Deku. Just drop it.”
Izuku closes his laptop and there’s that determined look in his eyes. “I won't drop it. What's upsetting you? Why won’t you tell me?”
The blonde reaches over to open the boy’s laptop. “Finish your work, dumbass. Stop being nosy for once.”
They stare each other down for a good ten seconds until Izuku sighs in defeat. “Okay, fine. But this isn’t over.”
The blonde doesn’t say anything after that, just goes on his phone and eats the orange slices.
Two minutes go by and Izuku can’t stop thinking about it. He half-asses his work and turns it in, shutting his laptop. He drinks the rest of his redbull. He doesn’t wanna bring it up until they’re back at their dorm so he turns to Kiri instead.
“Hey, Kiri. Have you told Denki yet?”
Kiri looks up from his phone with a light blush. “Uh, no. Not yet. Why?”
Izuku smirks, then, and wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. “Are you texting him right now? Isn’t he in class?”
This only causes the red head to blush more and become embarrassed. “So what if we’re texting right now? And, his professor gave them a study period so he’s technically not in class.”
“Mhm, sure. Why are you blushing? Are you guys flirting, perhaps?”
“No! I— I don’t think so… maybe?” kiri looks confused but hopeful. He honestly doesn’t know. Sometimes Denki can be a little flirty, but he’s like that with the whole group.
“Let me see,” Izuku takes the red head’s phone with little protest from the latter. “Hm, I see. Yeah, he’s definitely flirting with you. I didn't know he was this smooth, since he tells us shitty pick up lines.”
Izuku hands the phone back to Eijirou.
“Really? Is he? Should... should I ask him on a date?”
“Uh, yeah! What kind of question is that? He seems to be in a good mood, so I'm sure he’d say yes without a second thought.”
“He’s in a good mood whenever they’re together.” Katsuki says, putting his two cents in.
Izuku smiles and nods enthusiastically. “That's true! Aw, you guys are so cute! Power couple of the year!”
At the other end of the table, ochako exclaims, “You and Katsuki take that award every year!”
Kyoka takes out an earbud, “Points have been made.” and then puts it back in.
“I'm inclined to agree.” Tenya shares.
Izuku glares at them. “I'm inclined to shove my foot down all of your guy’s throats.”
“You even sound like him, Izu. Don’t try to deny it.” Shoto says, not looking up once from his confusing numbers and letters.
“I hate all of you.”
“Another one.”
They all laugh at Fumi's comment, except for Katsuki and Izuku. They have twin scowls, ready to pummel their friends to the ground.
“You guys even look the same, what the hell!” Eijirou exclaims, looking back and forth between them.
Izuku and Katsuki turn their glares to the red head, and the latter flinches back.
“Hey, calm down. I was just making an astute observation.”
Izuku rolls his eyes and Katsuki just makes the usual ‘tch’ noise.
“Anyway, ask him on a date! This weekend!” izuku says excitedly.
Eijirou shrugs. “What if he’s busy?”
“Trust me, he’s not.”
“See, you said that last time and fucked things up. I'm not trusting you ever again in my life. Hey, Kats—“
“Just ask, shitty hair. You won’t know until you ask.” the blonde responds, not looking up from his phone.
Eijirou sighs and unlocks his phone. Izuku stands up and leans over the table to see the phone screen.
eijirou: hey uh denki? are you free this weekend?
“Off to a nice start.”
“Shut up.”
denki<3: yup!! wanna hang?
“Okay, now ask! Say it’s a date, not a hang out!”
“Mido, please-“
eijirou: i was thinking maybe we could go on a date? like an actual date?
denki<3: oh
denki<3: i was not expecting that uh ok wow
denki<3: i’m not blushing you aRE
“He's so cute! Kiri your boyfriend is adorable!”
“He's not my boyfriend!”
eijirou: is that a yes...?
denki<3: of course bro!! i’d love to go on a date!
denki<3: where to??
eijirou: uhhhh i didn’t get that far bro
denki<3: it’s cool bro. just lmk :)
“You two are the only couple I know who call each other bro romantically. I'm not sure if I hate that or not.”
The red head rolls his eyes at Izuku. “Your opinion doesn’t matter. Be gone thot.”
“Hey! I just helped you get a date! Kacchan, Kiri's being mean!”
“Kats, he’s being annoying!”
The blonde abruptly stands up and starts walking away. “i’m going to the bathroom.”
Izuku and Eijirou look at each other for a second then burst into a laughing fit.
_________________
It's around 5pm and the dorm is partially quiet. Katsuki is making dinner - fish with soup and a few sides - and Izuku is watching netflix on his laptop, instead of doing his homework that’s due by 11:59 tonight.
The two are usually loud, always arguing but Izuku likes it when it’s quiet and serene like this. It's relaxing. So relaxing, Izuku could just... fall asleep-
“You better not be sleeping, dumbass! Dinner is done, set the table!” Katsuki’s voice immediately wakes Izuku up, startling him a bit.
“I wasn't asleep, dammit!” Izuku yells back, yawning and sitting up with a stretch.
“You were, I can tell! Hurry the fuck up!”
Well, there goes the serenity of the quiet room.
Izuku gets up and goes to their small kitchen to set the table. He gets their rice, utensils and cups. Their usual drinks: apple juice for Izuku and water for Katsuki (because he’s boring).
The boys sit down, say their thanks, and dig in. Izuku does a little wiggle dance, excited and happy that he’s eating. Especially Katsuki’s cooking. The blonde has been cooking since they were kids, and Izuku always thought his food was the best. Sorry, mama Inko.
“Stop doing that. It’s annoying.” Katsuki mumbles, watching him with a scowl.
Izuku only smiles wider and dances more. “Your food is the best!”
The blonde rolls his eyes and eats a spoonful of soup. “You say that every day, Deku.”
“Your point? You deserve praise.”
Izuku goes back to eating his food as Katsuki just stares at him. He quickly tucks his head down, though, when feeling a burning sensation in his cheeks.
Why the fuck is he blushing?
The shitty nerd didn’t say anything out of the usual. So, why is it getting to Katsuki? Why does he like it? Why... Why does he want to hear more?
Katsuki shakes his head a bit and finishes his food.
“I'm gonna go do homework. Don’t bother me, nerd.” the blonde says while setting his dishes in the sink.
“Okay, kacchan. I'll yell if I'm dying.”
“I said don’t bother me.”
“So you don’t care if I die?”
“Shut the fuck up, deku.”
The sound of adorable giggles fade out as Katsuki makes his way to his room. It’s completely silent when he shuts the door.
______________
“We went on our fourth date yesterday to the movies.”
“Oooh! Was there back row kissing? The cliche fake-yawn-put-arm-around-shoulder? Touching hands in the popcorn bucket? Did you put your head on his shoulder and cuddle? How about-“
“Oh my fucking god, Deku! Shut the fuck up! Kirishima, stop distracting him! I didn't let you in to do that shit!”
Eijirou had went over to Izuku and Katsuki’s dorm after his class. None of their friends have class on fridays, but the red head does. Though, it’s just one morning class.
When he walked in, the living room was a mess; books, papers and empty redbull cans were spread all over. In the middle of it all sat Izuku, the green head typing furiously on his laptop.
Katsuki was at the kitchen table, not feeling comfortable sitting near such a mess. It’s gross and it’ll distract him.
He doesn't know how Izuku and Eijirou ended up talking about Denki, but it’s annoying and Katsuki wishes they would stop.
It's irritating to Katsuki that the red head doesn’t come to him first, but rather his roommate. Yeah, sure, the blonde and Deku are best friends but so is Kiri.
It’d be nice if Eijirou thought of Katsuki first.
Wait a second.
Why does it sound like Katsuki is jealous? What the fuck is he jealous for? Izuku just tells him everything anyway. There's no need to be jealous. Who is he even jealous of?
But he is.
The weird pressure in his chest is getting heavier the more he thinks about it. So, Katsuki decides to just stop thinking about it.
That's going to be hard. Fuck.
“Hey, Bakubro! We’re gonna go out to eat, come on!”
Eijirou's voice pulls the blonde out of his thoughts and he’s kind of grateful for it. He sees him and Izuku waiting by the door.
“Shitty nerd can’t eat until he’s done his work.”
“Kacchan! I finished half of it! I promise I'll finish when we come back! Now, let’s go!” Izuku bounces on the balls of his toes, excited to finally leave the dorm.
And because Katsuki will do anything for him, he closes his laptop with a roll of his eyes. Izuku cheers while Eijirou just smiles, elated that the hot-head is coming. He knows it’s only because Izuku asked, but still happy nonetheless.
After a few minutes, the trio are out the door.
____________
“Mido, I'm going to kick you into the sun.”
“What? Why?”
“You didn’t tell me you invited Denki!”
Izuku looks at the table where said yellow head is sitting. He asked Denki to save them a table since the latter was close to the restaurant.
Izuku doesn’t see the problem, considering Denki and Eijirou are very close to becoming boyfriends. So, Izuku shrugs, “What’s the problem?”
Eijirou sighs, “We just went on a date like two days ago. I still haven’t recovered from how cute he was being.”
“....You fuckin simp. Kacchan, are you hearing this? Kiri, I'm glad that you’re in love, but chill out. We’re just having a late lunch, it’s not a date.”
“Both of you are morons, and I'm losing brain cells just standing here. I’d be better off with fucking Sparky.” Katsuki comments, and walks away from the duo.
Denki lights up and greets Katsuki with enthusiasm. Obviously the blonde doesn’t reciprocate the tone, but still greets him.
Izuku smiles fondly when Katsuki actually engages in a conversation with Denki. He knows it’s a bit hard for the blonde to have a civil conversation with people, but Izuku is still proud of him. Katsuki has grown a lot since high school.
“When are you gonna confess, huh?”
Eijirou’s voice breaks Izuku’s train of thought and the latter stares at him. “What do you mean?” Izuku asks, confused. Eijirou has a smirk on his face, sharp teeth poking out a bit.
Izuku does not like that look.
“Oh, come on, dude! Don't think I don't see the way you look at Bakubro. It's how I look at Denki.”
“If you're implying that I have feelings for Kacchan, you’re an idiot. Does Denki have the brain cell today?” Izuku smacks the red head’s forehead and goes to sit down.
He sits next to Denki to prove a point.
“Hey, Zuzu! Why were you hogging Eiji all to yourself over there? You’re not trying to steal him from me, are ya?!” Denki’s laughter rings prettily in the half full restaurant. It wasn't too loud, but a few other tables heard it loud and clear. He has an arm around Izuku's shoulders as they talk.
“Of course not, Kami! My housewife is all I need. Right, Kacchan?” Izuku turns to the blonde, who is nose deep in the menu.
“Stop fucking calling me that.”
“He didn’t deny it, I'll take it. Kacchan, I'm really hungryyyy! You starved me all day, so you’ll buy me whatever i want!”
“Who said I will?”
“Me! I'll die if you don’t feed me. And if I die, I won't be able to finish my project. And if I don’t finish my project, I'll fail the class. If I fail the class, I won't graduate. If I don’t graduate-“
“Fucking fine! Just shut the fuck up! Order whatever the hell you want!”
Izuku smirks then giggles, glad that annoying his best friend works every time. Denki and Eijirou are shaking their heads at both of them with amused smiles.
Izuku only winks at them and starts telling Katsuki a whole list of things he wants to eat. Denki pulls out his phone to text Kirishima.
denki<3: they’re in love, right? i’m not just hallucinating?
eiji<33: you are absolutely right. they’re blind and stupid
denki<3: we weren’t that dumb were we?
eiji<33: nah, just you bro
denki<3: oh
eiji<33: dw tho it was cute how oblivious you were!! uwu
denki<3: oh ♡´･ᴗ･`♡
eiji<33: cute
denki<3: wanna hang at my dorm tonight? hanta’s gonna be gone all night ;)
eiji<33: you’re so dumb
eiji<33: i’ll be there bro♥︎
_____________
It was another normal day for the group of friends. They were in the library at their table, either working or bothering others.
As usual, Izuku is typing furiously on his laptop to finish a short essay. It’s only 5 pages, but that’s the reason he didn’t start it last week. It's only 5 pages long (light work).
Izuku hates himself.
He's on the last page when Eijirou comes to the table. Without Katsuki. Weird.
“Kacchan?” Izuku asks, not looking up. He’s trying not to lose focus. He’s on a fucking roll right now, and he may be able to finish in time.
“Had a meeting with the professor. He'll be here soon.” Eijirou explains, taking his seat and pulling out his phone.
Izuku nods and reaches into his backpack to pull out a snack. Fruit snacks this time. He slides two packs across the table to Eijirou and continues his essay.
10 minutes later and he is finally done. He submits it, shuts the laptop and lays his head on top of it. To his left, Shoto pats his head to comfort him.
“Why do you do this to yourself, Izu?” He asks with a quiet sigh.
Izuku just groans before responding, “I could ask you the same, calculus boy.”
“That was a terrible insult.”
“You’re a terrible insult.”
“Getting worse.”
“Shut up, Sho.”
Shoto removes his hand from the fluffy green hair to continue organizing his math notes.
“Hey, Mido. Have you thought about it?”
Izuku lifts his head to stare at Eijirou blankly. He blinks twice before answering.
“Telling Kacchan that I apparently have feelings for him? Yeah, in your dreams, Kiri.”
“Oh, you’re finally gonna tell Katsuki? I'm glad you aren’t stupid anymore.” Tenya comments, overhearing the conversation.
Izuku knows the boy was listening. Tenya is always listening.
“Tenya, that’s mean. I'm not that stupid.”
“Yes you are.” The rest of Izuku's friends agree.
“I hate you all.” Izuku deadpans.
At that moment, the devil himself appears. And if Izuku’s heart flutters, no one needs to know.
Instead, he smiles wide at his best friend, “Hi Kacchan!”
“Hey, nerd.” the blonde grumbles as he sits in his chair. He takes the snack offered from Eijirou.
“Long day?” Izuku asks, searching his backpack.
Katsuki just makes a grunting noise that doesn’t sound like an agreement or denial. But Izuku knows what he means.
He takes out a spicy rice ball, Katsuki's favorite. “Here, Kacchan. This should cheer you up.”
Katsuki looks at the snack then up at Izuku with an amused smile. It was small, barely there, but still a smile.
“Whatever, shitty Deku.” The blonde takes the rice ball and immediately opens it, forgetting all about the fruit snacks.
_______________
“Hey, I think I like Kacchan.”
It's been about two weeks since Eijirou began pestering Izuku about his so-called “feelings” for his best friend.
It took some time, but Izuku finally realized it. It wasn’t some fairy tail bullshit where sparks flew and there was a big ass moment when the realization hit. No character development or anything of the sort.
Instead, it felt like Izuku always knew. The attraction was always there, the emotions. He's always liked Katsuki.
The feeling is comfortable now that Izuku knows it’s there. It doesn't bother him or make him anxious. However, he does wonder if Katsuki feels the same way.
“Yeah, we been knew. Welcome, Izuku, we’ve been expecting you.” eijirou replies.
“Hey, at least pretend to be excited.”
“Oh, no, I am. When are you gonna tell him?”
“Hm, I haven’t thought that far. Rain check?”
Eijirou rolls his eyes. He sets his pencil down and turns to look up at Izuku, sitting on the couch. The two were studying together at Izuku's dorm, and Katsuki was at the library working on a group project. It was pretty quiet and Izuku didn’t know if he liked that or not.
“Mido, you helped me with denki. It’s my turn to help you.” Eijirou responds, getting up to sit on the couch. Before Izuku could move his legs, the red head just plops down onto him.
Izuku sets his laptop aside and Eijirou immediately lies down, cuddling up to Izuku. He wraps his arms around him and lets out a content sigh.
“I appreciate it, Kiri, honestly. But I don't need help. I've come to terms with it. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel like I always knew. I just needed to confirm it with myself.”
“Well, that’s good. Took you long enough, stop ignoring yourself. We've all been waiting since high school.”
“You guys expect too much from someone who lives off of redbull and bagels.”
“I guess so. Now that you’re okay with it, will you tell him? Or at least consider it?”
Izuku shrugs, not really sure if Eijirou saw it or felt it. “Don’t know. Maybe. But you know me, I'll eventually blurt it out because I can't keep secrets from him. He's my best friend, I tell him everything.”
“Yeah, I get that. I won't be mad if you confess without me there to record it.”
Suddenly a new voice joined their conversation, “Confess what?”
It's Katsuki.
Izuku and Eijirou didn’t hear the door, too deep in their cuddle session. Neither boy moved from their position, too comfy and lazy to move.
“Confess my undying love for you, housewife.”
“Tch, yeah right. Also, this doesn’t look like studying to me. Kirishima, I told you not to distract him.” Katsuki says, going into the kitchen after setting his stuff down. He gets a glass of water and gulps it down.
Then, he starts removing vegetables and meat from the fridge; then pots and pans from the cabinets.
Eijirou just snorts at the blonde. “We’re taking a break, dude. Chill out.”
“Kacchan, you just got home. Come relax before starting dinner.” Izuku says, burying further into his friend's warmth. Izuku just really likes cuddling, okay? Don’t judge him!
Katsuki ignores the request, asking a question of his own, “Is shitty hair staying for dinner?”
“Nah-“
“Yup. Make enough for him, too, Lacchan. Please and thanks.”
The red head sits up a little to glare at the greenette. Izuku has his eyes closed, but he feels Eijirou's crimson eyes burning holes into his face.
“Why?” eijirou whispers harshly.
“Because Kacchan is upset.”
“Then shouldn't I, oh I know don’t know, leave ?”
Izuku just shakes his head.
“And why not?”
“I just wanna mess with him a little. Make him mad.”
“Why is he upset? I can't even tell.”
Izuku opens his eyes to look at his friend. He hears Katsuki frying something and the smell wafts into the living room. Izuku’s mouth starts to water.
Izuku hasn’t eaten all day.
“Because you’re here, cuddling me and distracting me. He doesn’t like it when I'm not focused on school. You know how strict he is about that.”
“You know, I’ve been meaning to ask about that-“
“If you two idiots are done whispering, go wash up! Dinner’s almost done!” Katsuki shouts.
“Okay, Kacchan!” Izuku yells back, and sits up. Eijirou slides down into his lap.
The red head stops Izuku from getting up. “Wait, answer me.”
Izuku sighs and ponders it for a moment. Then, he shakes his head. “Later, I promise. Now, let’s hurry before he gets more upset.”
Eijirou doesn’t ask anything else, and lets Izuku carry him to the bathroom.
Dinner is kind of awkward, but Izuku tries to lighten the mood and it works for the most part. Katsuki was quiet, but that’s not unusual. He often chooses to opt out of conversations. Izuku never pressured him into talking.
When Eijirou leaves, Izuku cleans the kitchen while Katsuki straightens up the living room.
Once Izuku is done, he goes into the living room and sees Katsuki waiting on the couch, pillows and blankets piled high, and the tv open on netflix.
Izuku feels his stomach do a weird thing and decides to ignore it. He is not endeared by this. They have movie nights all the time. Why would this be any different?
“Whose turn is it to pick the movie?” Izuku asks as he makes his way to the couch. He plops down on the other end and grabs his favorite blanket.
“Yours. Why are you sitting over there, Deku?” Katsuki tosses the remote to him with a weird expression. It could be a scowl, but Izuku still thinks he looks a little bit upset.
“What do you mean, Kacchan?” Izuku starts going through the newest movies, wondering if he wants to watch a horror or comedy movie.
On the other side, Katsuki is a bit conflicted. He always says what’s on his mind, but not when it comes to... feelings or whatever bullshit. Katsuki isn’t as in-touch with his emotions like Izuku, so it’s hard for him to express things other than anger. Outwardly, at least.
But, he tries.
“I mean what I said. It’s movie night and you’re way over there, dumbass!”
Quick question: how do you ask your adorable best friend, whom you’ve realized you have romantic feelings for, for fucking cuddles?
“Kacchan, I’m not understanding.”
Well, excuse Katsuki for not knowing how to ask so easily like you, Izuku. Dumb bitch.
“You’re a dumbass! Can’t you take a fucking hint?! Why do I have to fucking spell shit out for you?! You fucking baby!”
Izuku blinks at his best friend. He's processing what he said as he watches the blonde huff, fold his arms over his chest and turns away with a glare.
It takes 1... 2... 3... 4...
“Ohhhh! You want cuddles! Why didn’t you say so, you dummy?!” Izuku exclaims and quickly throws himself across the couch, into Katsuki's arms (luckily the blonde caught him in time).
“I shouldn’t have to fucking tell you! It’s movie night, shitty Deku!” Katsuki yells, tightening his hold on the smaller as he adjusts himself in between the blonde’s legs.
Izuku only giggles as he lays his head on Katsuki's chest, facing the tv. He continues scrolling through the movies as he speaks, “I'm sorry, Kacchan. You were upset today, so I didn't wanna bother you.”
“Yet shitty hair stayed for dinner. Nice job of not bothering me.”
“Thanks, I try! I just wanted to mess with you a bit. I'm sorry, Kacchan.”
“Whatever, Deku. Hurry up and pick a movie.”
Katsuki is satisfied. He feels nice with Izuku in his arms, this close to him. They've been together for a long time and the familiarity is a good sensation. Don’t tell anyone, but Katsuki really loves cuddling. Well, cuddling Izuku to be exact.
He likes holding the smaller boy because no one can get to him. Izuku is protected and safe in his arms. He won’t let anyone touch the shorter, not on his watch.
My Deku.
What was that?
Katsuki jumps out of his head, not wanting to be there anymore. He doesn’t know what that was, and will not ponder it right now. It's movie night with Izuku, and he’s gonna damn well enjoy it.
___________
“I think I like Deku.”
It was sudden and quiet. Like, if he spoke too loud, the very person he’s talking about will hear him. Which is impossible considering Izuku is in class.
Katsuki is in the library, at their table with Denki and Eijirou. The others all have class, except Mina. She's at a practice match with a nearby university.
Denki stops painting his nails to look at his friend. He smiles and says, “That’s good. I hope you guys get together soon.”
“Please, do it soon. I’m tired of Mido telling me maybe. Like what do you mean maybe?! Just tell him!” Eijirou exclaims with excitement and slight irritation.
Katsuki doesn’t mean to but he glares at the red head. “Deku talks about me?”
Eijirou slaps a hand over his mouth then points a finger gun at the blonde with a smile. “Baby I'm not even here right now. I’m a hallucination.”
Denki rolls his eyes but chuckles anyway. “Bro, that was dumb. Nice save, though.”
“Thanks, bro.” Eijirou leans over and kisses Denki's cheek, the latter doing the same.
Katsuki makes a noise of disgust. “I’m sitting with fucking himbos. Boyfriend himbos that call each other bro instead of babe. Could my life get any worse?”
“Dude, it’s not that bad! I'm sure you’d call Zuzu something equally as cringy!”
“Better than fucking bro!”
“Okay, so what would you call him?” Eijirou challenges the blonde, knowing he won’t back down. He smirks, glad that he’s getting the blonde to embarrass himself.
“Not fucking bro! Babe or baby at least! Sweetheart if you wanna be fuckin gross! But I know Izuku wouldn’t like that shitty name! He’d prefer babe, so shut the fuck up!”
“Who’d prefer babe? Are you talking about kirikami?”
A new voice had joined their conversation and Katsuki tensed up in the slightest. He didn’t particularly care if Izuku heard him talking about him. The blonde just didn’t wanna have to confess in these circumstances.
Especially with shitty hair and sparky here.
“Nothing, Deku. Sit down and eat.” Katsuki kicks out the chair across from him for Izuku.
On these days - Tuesdays - Katsuki brings him lunch after his morning class. Katsuki doesn’t have class until 3pm, and Izuku is done for the day so it works out.
Denki takes a sip from his juice box and speaks, “Why do you cook so much for him?”
Eijirou gives his boyfriend a look. Denki just gives a half-assed shrug.
“Becaush he luvshes me.” Izuku replies with a mouthful. He smiles sheepishly when Katsuki glares at him.
“Fucking swallow your food first, dumbass,” he grumbles and looks down at the worksheet he’s been doing. He has two more short-answer questions to do.
He continues, “I do it because the idiot can’t. He’ll die before he graduates if he keeps eating only bagels and fucking redbulls. Not on my fucking watch. The old hag and Aunty Inko will be on my ass.”
With an empty mouth this time, Izuku says, “They’d kill you, bring you back, then kill you again. I love being the favorite.”
Katsuki rolls his eyes as Izuku giggles.
The two continue to talk about their mothers with small smiles on their faces, reminiscing about their childhood. Eijirou and Denki watch with knowing smiles, hoping those two see the light one day. They didn’t even notice when Eijirou and Denki left, too lost in their own world to pay attention to their surroundings.
“Shouldn’t we at least say bye?” Denki asks.
“Nah, babe. Let’s not pop their bubble. Wanna play video games in my dorm?” Eijirou asks, grabbing Denki's hand as they leave the library.
“Only if it’s a date.”
Eijirou only chuckles and nods. “It's a date.”
_______________
Sometimes, when things you don’t plan just happen, it’s not the end of the world. It’s not some big reveal or revelation, either. It just... happens.
And sometimes you don’t know when or how it happened. You just roll with it and things are good.
Until someone questions it. Then, you start thinking about anything and everything. And that’s not good.
“When did you guys start sitting next to each other?”
Izuku keeps his eyes locked to his laptop screen, finishing a project last minute, as usual. It was due 3 days ago but his professor gave him an extension.
Katsuki doesn’t look up from his phone, not wanting to look at Shoto, who asked the question.
At the same time they respond, “Dunno.”
Shoto stares at the two sitting next to each other, instead of across, at their table. It was a bit odd to see, but Shoto doesn’t judge.
The dual-colored boy goes back to his work, this time history. He may or may not have given up on calculus 3 (don’t tell Fumikage).
Shoto drops the cap to his water bottle as he’s taking a drink and sighs. He sets the bottle down, and looks under the table for the cap. He's about to go back up when something catches his eye.
Izuku and Katsuki’s ankles are locked together.
Cute.
Shoto smiles small and sits upright. He has a feeling that some good news will come to their group soon.
It’s only a few days later when they’re questioned again. Why is everyone suddenly interested in what Izuku and Katsuki are doing?
This time it’s Mina who asks, “Uhh since when did our resident power couple hold hands? Are you two, like, finally dating or something?”
The two boys had just walked up to their table, the whole group there already before half of them disperse to their classes for the day.
Izuku has a light blush for... unknown reasons while Katsuki glares at the girl. Izuku feels the hand in his tighten.
“Shut the hell up and mind your damn business!” The blonde shouts, the other students used to it by now.
Izuku almost pulls his hand away, feeling weird and embarrassed all of a sudden. He normally doesn’t have a problem with skinship but ever since Eijirou made him realize his feelings for the blonde, he’s seen Katsuki in a... different light?
No, Kacchan has always been the same to him and it’s not bad or anything. Izuku likes the blonde just the way he is. It’s just, now that romantic feelings are involved, everything they do feels highly intimate. Even something as simple as hand holding.
Katsuki feels Izuku’s grip start to loosen so he squeezes it lightly.
Don’t let go.
Katsuki looks down at Izuku calmly, a soft determination in his eyes. Emerald eyes stare into ruby ones and Izuku smiles small. He squeezes Katsuki's hand back.
I won't, don’t worry.
______________
“Kacchan, what are we?”
Katsuki doesn’t answer for a moment, continues stirring the vegetables in the sizzling pan so they won’t burn. Izuku is sitting at the table doing his homework tonight.
“What do you mean?” the blonde finally answers. He adds the chopped up beef to the pan.
The smaller boy types random letters on the word document he has open. He's supposed to be writing an essay about... something, but inspiration hasn’t struck yet.
“Well, we’ve been together a lot. Like, holding hands and stuff. In public.”
“Don’t we always do that?”
“Uh, yeah! But, doesn’t it... feel different? I mean, not really different because it feels natural, as it should. I mean it feels intimate? Do you feel it, too? I'm sure you do.”
It's quiet as Katsuki keeps cooking. He checks on the boiling pasta noodles and decides to give them a few more minutes.
Does he feel it, too?
Of fucking course he does. He’s felt different for weeks now and always meant to bring it up, but he didn’t want to mess up whatever they had going. He’s almost forgotten how confident Izuku is now. Back in high school, he had a little confidence but now, in university, he’s shining brighter than ever. The confidence oozes out of him in everything he does (including his procrastination!)
(How he’s passing his classes with B’s is a mystery to Katsuki.)
So, the fact that Izuku had the confidence that Katsuki didn’t have to bring up their current situation is incredible. The blonde doesn’t usually put things off, but this involves romantic feelings. Katsuki doesn’t have too much experience in that aspect, so it was harder for him to talk about.
Katsuki turns off the pot, and scoops some of the pasta water into a small bowl to use for later. He then drains the water and adds the noodles into the beef and veggies.
Softly, Katsuki says, “Of course I do, Zuku. That was a dumb question.”
“Oh. Right, sorry. Um, so? Are we like, boyfriends or something now?” Izuku asks sheepishly, pulling the sleeves of his (Katsuki’s) hoodie over his hands. He chanced to look over at the blonde.
Katsuki is already looking at him, the stove turned off. Dinner must be done. The blonde shrugs a shoulder. “If you wanna be. You know I don't care too much for labels.”
Izuku giggles softly and nods. “Yeah, I know Kacchan. Is dinner done? You can’t starve me since I'm doing my work!”
“Tch! Whatever, Deku! Move your shit and set the table!”
________________
Izuku takes a large sip from his redbull as he quickly writes a few sentences on the worksheet. His creative writing class has been kicking his ass lately with all these worksheets. He doesn’t understand why the professor won’t just let him type it.
“It's creative writing, not creative typing.”
Fuck you, Professor Toshinori.
Izuku sighs as he gets another hand cramp. He's too used to it by now to feel the pain. He hates everything. Once the cramp subsided, he continued working quickly. His words weren’t legible but this is the professor’s fault. If only he could fucking type it and print it!
He takes another large sip of redbull and coughs a bit as the fizz stings his throat.
“Damn, Izuku, slow down. Take a proper sip so you don’t die.” Kyoka says, fiddling with her music laptop.
“Don’t tell me what to do, asshole.” Izuku snaps back, making kyoka laugh. She loves their friendship.
Just then, Katsuki and Eijirou enter the library. The blonde takes his seat next to his boyfriend as Eijirou sits across from them.
Izuku feels an arm around his shoulders as he’s tugged a little to the side. A small kiss is planted on his cheek and he smiles a little, still trying to finish his work.
“I'm trying to write here.”
“And?”
“Do you want me to finish or not? You know how you are.”
“Whatever, Deku.”
Katsuki keeps the smaller boy tucked into his side as he finishes up his work.
“Sorry to ruin the moment, but Mido please don’t starve me. Don’t be like your evil boyfriend.” Eijirou complains, flopping down onto the table.
“He's not my boyfriend, Kiri. He's a nuisance.” Izuku replies with a teasing smirk. He sets his pen down and searches in his bag. He pulls out a Go-Go Squeeze, apple strawberry flavored.
“You have no right to call me that bullshit! You think I'm a nuisance, wait until we get home! I'll show you a real nuisance!”
“That sounds strangely sexual and I wish I hadn't heard that.” Tenya comments while cleaning his glasses.
Izuku giggles and shakes his head. “Tenya, you just have an active imagination. Is Ochako not giving you any?”
Tenya only sighs and Ochako giggles into her hand. She's trying to make it seem like she’s not listening by being on her phone, but they all know she’s listening.
“Katsuki, you seem like the type to rush into that sort of thing. I don't wanna have to beat you down for forcing Izu.” Shoto jumps into the conversation after setting his math book aside.
“Shut your damn face, Half n Half! I ain't forcin’ shit!”
Izuku, forever the middleman with these two, replies, “It’s okay, Sho. Kacchan is quite the gentleman, contrary to popular belief.”
Katsuki makes a tsking noise, “Exactly. If anything, Deku’s the monster. Can’t keep his hands- hmph!”
Izuku had shoved a cookie into his boyfriend’s mouth to keep him from talking. No need to expose anyone today!
He smiles sweetly (almost too sweet) at the blonde. “Kacchan, I'm sure you’re hungry, right sweetie? Have a cookie!”
“Mido sure can be scary when he wants.” Eijirou comments, slightly terrified of the shorter male.
Shoto snorts at that. “There's more where that came from. You go to their dorm a lot so be prepared for anything every time.”
Izuku rolls his eyes. “We’re not that bad, guys. Give us some credit.”
At that moment, he heard a spitting noise and then, “Fucking Deku! I'm gonna beat your ass!”
Katsuki had spit out the cookies onto the table and was now glaring at Izuku. The other only smiles and kisses his cheek. This made the blonde relax a little bit.
“Sorry, sweetie! You were talking too much. I'll make it up to you later, okay?”
“You fucking better, dumbass.”
Nothing has changed between them. Their label and level of intimacy changed, sure, but not their actions. Not their friendship, or how they treat each other. It’s all just more intimate and intense. They share small kisses and sometimes kiss longer than a few minutes, but nothing more. It’s slow but it’s their pace.
They still cuddle, that hasn’t changed but it’s different, better. Izuku likes hand holding, but Katsuki prefers to put his arm around the smaller’s waist or shoulders. He likes having Izuku close to him, to keep him safe and warm and loved.
Izuku feels it, too. Feels the blonde’s protectiveness, warmth, and love. He isn’t too sappy, not like Katsuki, but it always makes his heart flutter and stomach do backflips.
When their friends had seen them kissing the day after they talked, they weren’t surprised, just relieved they got their shit together. Izuku had argued they weren’t as bad as Eijirou and Denki, and everyone agreed. Either way, their friends were happy for them.
They still haven’t told their mothers, but they’d rather keep their relationship to themselves as much as they can before telling family.
All in all, things were good and Izuku can tell it’s only going to get better from here.
_____________
(“Okay, so why is Kats so strict about your work? You said you’d tell me.”
“Oh, yeah. I almost failed eighth grade because I was heavily bullied. So, I would skip school and stuff. You guys don’t know this, but it happened again in tenth grade. I wanted to keep it under wraps because I didn’t want to cause a commotion. He wasn’t as strict after eighth grade, but after tenth, he was worse than he is now.”
“Bakubro was worse ?”
“Yup. Remember those parties and field trips we couldn’t go to? It was because of school.”
“Damn, yeah I remember. It was your work but not even Kats came with us. So he’s been whipped for you.”
“He'd die for me, if I asked.”
“I'm sorry- what?”
“Kidding, kidding. Maybe.”
“Izuku!”
“Okay, okay! I'm kiddi- ow! I was kidding- stop hitting m- ow! Kacchaaaaaan!!”)