Chapter Text
Walking through his small town, Piere, was like walking through a mix of times. It was one of the reasons Izuku enjoyed it so much.
Piere was a small town in the midwestern part of the country, with a population of less than twelve thousand. Like any small town, there was a clocktower, some boutiques, a few markets, one or two antique stores, and a few other little shops towards the center that had stayed the same. Moving away from the center was when the buildings began to change. As time had moved forward, so did parts of the town. The community college he attended and some chain restaurants were new. All of which were only about a decade old. While most other buildings had just been renovated to keep up with the times.
The only buildings that hadn’t been touched in decades were the arcade, filled with coin-op machines from the eighties, and the abandoned dry cleaners. Even the suburban houses on the outskirts were being updated and changed by homeowners looking to sell and leave this little town.
Not that that had come as a surprise to Izuku. A lot of people, nowadays, would try to get out of a small town like Piere. Move on to bigger and better things. He liked it though. In all its quaintness.
There was its natural charm as well. It homed two beautiful lakes. One like a beach, and the other surrounded by a park, with some families taking out small sailboats onto either one to fish or enjoy the fresh air. Most people liked to swim or lounge around them though.
There was also a small forest behind the row of spaced-out houses on the left side of his street that was filled with thick basswood trees where people would enjoy hunting during the hunting season. Whereas the teenagers often liked to sneak into the forest to do whatever teenagers did. He; however, just enjoyed taking nature walks and basking in the forest's beauty.
It was a bonus that even leaving the town one could admire open fields that stretched for miles.
Overall, Izuku thought his small town was amazing. It was quiet and peaceful for the most part. Even with children playing up and down the sidewalks or riding bikes on empty streets. It was comfortable, and it always made his walks pleasant.
While he journeyed home from work on his first day of summer break, he wore his headphones, blasting the same song on repeat. The Ryan Riback remix of Call On Me by Starley. He enjoyed the upbeat pace of it, not focusing so much on the lyrics. Like this, with all the background noise drowned out, he could just observe his surroundings. Take notice of all the little details of the town, people watch and enjoy nature. It’s part of why he prefers to walk versus using his car to get to and from work.
He takes notice of small trees and weeds that defy the concrete of the sidewalk to grow, finding it pleasing to see their bright green colors full of life. He lets his eyes roam over people interacting or going about their day, observing their facial expressions and creating fake scenarios about what they mean. He can feel the intense heat of the yellow sun producing perspiration, leaving a sheen of sweat on his exposed arms and neck.
A cool breeze gives him a small second of relief from it as he approaches the crosswalk that leads to his street.
He makes sure to check both ways before lightly jogging across heading towards his house. He lived in a rather typical two-story home found in a small town with a front and back yard that he maintained. He refused to let his mother do it when she already does so much for him. Though she did like gardening and flowers littered either side of their porch. There was also a stone path that led up to said porch from the sidewalk, and a small driveway to the side leading to a tiny one-car garage.
Izuku walked up the stone path stepping up the two stairs onto the porch. The weathered wood creaking under the weight of his every step to the front door. Grabbing the doorknob he twisted it pushing forward and stepped into his home. He could hear voices coming from the kitchen which meant his mom had one of the neighbors over. Shocking, because his mom was a rather reserved person.
As he slipped his shoes off and made his way towards the kitchen, because his curiosity got the better of him, he recognized a familiar voice he hadn’t heard in the house for years.
“He comes home tomorrow,” Izuku hears the familiar voice say, causing his body to tense with a small bout of anxiety he hasn’t felt in a year.
He enters the kitchen and sees his mom and Auntie Mitsuki sipping lemon water as they lean against the counter.
Auntie Mitsuki notices him first, letting a large smile grace her features, “Izuku!” she says loudly, setting down her glass and walking over to pull him into a big hug, “it’s so good to see you! It’s been too long!”
“Y-yeah,” he replied, a little winded by the force of the hug. He remembers her always being like this though.
“Mitsuki you're squishing him,” Izuku hears his mother laugh softly, and the blonde woman pulls back, hands on his shoulders to look at him.
“He’s lucky I’m not pinching those cheeks of his,” she snorts a laugh, looking over her shoulder at his mom, “he’s grown up so much but still has such a baby face.”
Izuku frowns. He did not have a baby face. It was just a little rounder is all, “I do not,” he speaks up.
Auntie looks back at him with a look of shock before throwing her head back with a laugh, “Alright, alright you don’t have a baby face,” her laughter fades as she says this, making eye contact again, “now, tell me, how was your first year of college? Do you have a major yet?”
Izuku’s frown turns into a small smile as he nods, “my first year was great,” he starts, “and I’m majoring in biomedical engineering,” he says proudly.
“I have no idea what that is, but it sounds exciting,” she smiles, and he can feel the genuineness behind it.
Izuku feels a small stabbing ache in his heart. He had missed her.
“It is,” he agrees with another nod.
“Well,” Auntie Mitsuki begins, “I won’t hold you up. Your mom says you worked today, so I’m sure you’re tired. Go get a shower and rest,” she chuckles, pulling him in for one last hug, “plus you’re a little sweaty and stinky.”
Izuku couldn’t help the snort that fell from his lips as he hugged the woman back, “yes Auntie.”
She lets him go, and Izuku looks to his mom, “do you need anything done before I go?”
“No hunny everything’s already done. Besides, you heard Mitsuki. Go shower and get some rest,” she says, “and make sure you actually rest and don’t just stay up watching your superhero movies,” she scolds half-heartedly.
Izuku bites his lip to contain a laugh as he gives a final nod, leaving the kitchen to head to the stairs before hearing Auntie Mitsuki call out, “oh, and Izuku, Katsuki’s coming home tomorrow! Maybe you boys could reconnect!”
Izuku pauses and is glad he’s no longer within view as his face falls trying to suppress his anxiety at the thought of ‘reconnecting’ with Kacch- Katsuki, but he answers with a small, “yeah, maybe,” before heading up the stairs hearing the two women return to chatting. Neither one knowing the truth behind his and Katsuki's estrangement.
As he climbed the steps his thoughts focused on blonde hair and red eyes.
Katsuki Bakugou.
An enigma to Izuku now, though there had been a time when he and Katsuki had been friends. Where they would meet up to run and play in the forest, climbing trees and adventuring even after their mothers had told them not to. Or they would have sleepovers at either of their places because they lived only a house apart. Izuku would even practice basketball with him when the blonde had first signed up for the sport. He paled in comparison to the blonde's natural talent, but Katsuki never seemed to mind. They were inseparable, anything that kids did together, they did together, practically joint at the hip. Up until the first year of middle school, and then the blonde switched on him. He went from talking to him one day to bullying him the next, and Izuku had thought it was because of the other’s parents getting divorced. He had tried to console him or even just try to be there for him, but as time passed Katsuki made it clear that he just wanted to bully Izuku. Relentlessly and without purpose. He had told Izuku that there was no reason other than that he finally saw him for who he really was. A useless Deku.
Izuku remembered being heartbroken over that, and truthfully, he still kind of was. He lost his best friend, but he learned to cope with it. Or at least, avoid Katsuki as much as possible in middle school and high school. Though it felt like the blonde would purposefully seek him out or go out of his way to find him and torture him in whatever way he saw fit.
Thankfully no one else, including Katsuki’s friends, had followed his lead, but Katsuki’s bullying was more than enough. Then he left for college at some faraway school, and it made all the difference.
Izuku hadn’t felt such peace since before the blonde had ended their friendship. So, this past year, without the fear of Katsuki showing up to bully him, had been a blessing, but now the blonde was coming back. Even if it was only for the summer. He guessed he shouldn’t be all that surprised though, seeing as most kids do come home for summer break, but he distinctly remembers in high school overhearing the blonde rant about wanting to get out of this, and he quotes, “shitty ass fucking town” and how he’ll, “never come back to this shithole”. So, Izuku was a little stunned to hear the blonde was coming back, and the only reason he could come up with was that Auntie Mitsuki probably wanted Katsuki home.
These thoughts of the blonde continued to circle his mind as Izuku reached the bathroom. He tried to shake them off, but they lingered in the back of his head waiting to be brought forth again. Katsuki didn’t deserve that though. He didn’t deserve to be in Izuku’s thoughts. Not after all the hurt and pain he’s caused. And just like the real-life Katsuki, Izuku would try to avoid or ignore any thought of him.
Reaffirming that idea with a nod to himself, Izuku stepped into the small bathroom, the coolness of the tiles slipping through his socks bringing a small sense of relief to the sore soles of his feet. Walking over to the tiny linen-filled closet he grabbed himself a towel, hung it on the towel bar, and reached for the faucet to turn the water on. He was ready to get in and wash away all the work and stress of the day. And with the news he received? He needed it.
The shower he’d taken had been close to scolding hot, leaving Izuku’s skin a pinkish red as he drew the curtain back to step out of the tub. He grabbed his towel wrapping it around his waist before exiting the bathroom to make the small trip to his room, resounding thuds on the polished wood echoing as he walked. His mother would probably berate him in the morning for leaving wet footsteps in the hallway, but he was too tired to worry about it at the moment. Let it be a problem for his morning self.
Making his way into his room Izuku headed straight for his bed and tossed himself onto it, the exhaustion from the day finally settling in. He could feel his pillow and comforter dampening beneath him from his wet skin, but he wanted to rest for a few minutes, and a little water wouldn't hurt his bedding. So, he let his mind drift as he stared at nothing in particular.
After about five minutes of staring off into space with his mind empty, Izuku gave a defeated sigh, pulling himself from his bed to get dressed. He donned a simple pair of gray sweats and a black tee walking over to his tv stand. He should probably clean up all the DVDs and games cluttering it, but his room was the only place he was allowed to be messy and disorganized. His mom never said anything about it, and he chalked it up to her knowing this was the only space he felt he could be disheveled and relax in.
Once the bullying from, he who shall not be named, had started Izuku took to staying indoors or just hanging around the house more in middle school and high school. And at first, his room was clean and tidy. It was easy to manage, but lacking a social life meant he was available to do other things. So, his neighbors began asking for help with their yards or for him to babysit, and how could Izuku say no when he had nothing else to do? So, he became the go-to guy. His mother always told him to be kind and helpful, so if he didn’t help someone he felt awful. He was sure his mother had said those things so he would grow into an upstanding citizen, but a certain blonde reinforced the idea of him being useless, so Izuku would help anyone in their neighborhood if asked, even if he didn’t want to. Even if he was drained because it made him feel like he had some worth. So, his room became the place where he could be messy and unwind without the worry of being bullied, having to help someone, or being tidy.
Now, after being in college and working, he doesn’t get bullied or asked as much to help, but the stress from college and working was more than enough to make up for it. That’s why he had been excited about summer break. No classes and all he had to do was work and occasionally help a neighbor or two.
Now, it was going to be an anxiety-inducing summer full of avoiding a certain blonde, and honestly, Izuku was tired of thinking about it. So, he popped in one of his favorite movies and strode back to his bed laying down.
As Izuku watched the movie, there was a specific line that always made his heart ache because why couldn’t he have someone like that in his life?
I’m with you ‘til the end of the line
He wondered to himself, what would it be like to have someone who’s with you till the end of the line?
The next morning Izuku woke to his alarm, just like he did every morning. Yawning and stretching his limbs, he reached for his phone and grabbed it off the nightstand. He squinted at the bright screen reading 5:00am before pressing the stop button, setting his phone back down. With a small groan, he pulled himself out of bed to change out of his sweats and into some shorts. He slipped on a pair of socks afterward grabbing his phone and headphones before heading out of his room. He quietly, so as not to disturb his mom, made his way through the hall and down the stairs. Walking to the front door he put on his sneakers that were off to the side on a little mat and left.
Standing on the porch, Izuku did some quick stretches. This was his morning routine. He wasn’t super athletic, but he liked to keep himself in shape by running. It was easy for him, and doing it at five in the morning allowed him the peace and quiet he needed for a run without anyone to bother him. With a final stretch, he steps down the stairs onto the stone path before his peripheral vision picks up on a pair of headlights. His brows draw together in confusion watching the car pass by only for his face to blanch as it pulls into Auntie Mitsuki’s driveway.
Oh.
Oh no.
Izuku feels his anxiety begin to bubble in his stomach. He knew exactly who that was, but Kacch-Katsuki hadn’t seen him, right? It was still too dark out. Right? It didn’t matter because in a moment of panic Izuku ran to the left side of the porch, launching himself into his mother’s flowerbed. That definitely may have been uncalled for, but just add it to the list of things Izuku has done to avoid confrontation with Katsuki. He crawls to the porch leaning up to peek through the railing. Auntie Mitsuki only lived two houses down, so he can, this definitely wasn’t creepy, watch the blonde.
Izuku watches as the car and headlights are turned off, and then the blonde steps out. He can only really see the silhouette of him, but Izuku knows it’s him. And he grew. The last time Izuku saw him he was only 5’7”, and now he looked at least four or five inches taller. He must’ve had a growth spurt while he was in college. Izuku watches as the blonde pulls open the back door to grab a duffel bag before slamming it shut and turning around to face Izuku’s direction. He seemed to just be looking around. Maybe the blonde was basking in the moment? Izuku didn’t care, he just wanted the other man to go inside so he could begin his run. After about a minute or two he saw the blonde turn back around heading to the front door of Auntie Mitsuki’s house.
Once he disappeared inside Izuku let out a relieved sigh standing up. Looking down though he grimaced at the sight. His mom was not going to be happy, and he’d have to make up some lie as to why he decided to jump in her flowerbed. Stepping out carefully, trying not to do more damage, he cut through the lawn to get to the street. Putting his headphones in and beginning his run, Izuku took notice of the dark oranges and yellows that would begin the sunrise.
For the next two days, Izuku spent the majority of his time inside. He knew he couldn’t do that the whole summer, and he still planned to enjoy it, but he’d have to be careful now. He needed to plan things out and avoid any confrontation with Katsuki.
Unfortunately, his mom decided to invite Auntie Mitsuki and Kacch-Katsuki over for dinner.
“What do you mean they’ll be coming over in thirty minutes?” Izuku hesitantly asked, standing in the living room with his mom.
“Well, I know you and Katsuki haven’t really been the best of friends in a while, but Mitsuki and I have been talking, and we both thought it might be good if we could at least try to get you boys together again,” she answers, but Izuku can tell she has something else to say, “you both were so happy as friends back then,” she finishes quietly and with what he thinks is a tinge of sadness.
Izuku hates how she’s not completely wrong. He was happier then, but they were children and things change. People change. He can’t bear to tell her the truth though so instead he says with a small smile, “maybe it’ll work. It has been a while since me and Kacchan,” the name felt so foreign on his tongue, “hung out.”
His mom gives a hopeful smile, “alright, you go clean yourself up a little. I’ll set the table,” and with that, she heads back to the kitchen.
Izuku lets his head fall back, staring at the ceiling. Maybe he should be hopeful like his mother. Maybe he should be hopeful that the blonde had a little bit of inner growth, but having hope can end in disappointment, and Izuku wasn’t sure he was ready for that kind of disappointment.
Izuku’s nerves shot up once he heard the doorbell, his mother calling for him to answer it. Taking a deep breath he stood from the couch and walked over to the door opening it. And there he was. Kacchan. Izuku was right, he was taller.
“H-Hi,” he stuttered out, internally cursing himself.
“Hi Izuku,” Auntie Mitsuki smiles before looking expectantly at Katsuki who rolls his eyes.
“Hey,” he says in the most uninterested way a person could. Which was expected. It was obvious he didn’t want to be here.
“Uh come in,” Izuku says quietly, moving out of the way to allow them in.
They enter and slip off their shoes, setting them on the little mat before Izuku leads them halfway to the dining room and his mom comes out of the kitchen.
“Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes, so make yourselves at home until then,” she says with a bright smile.
“Oh, let me help you Inko, you’re already having us over and cooking. I can at least help you finish it up,” Mitsuki says, already making her way to the kitchen to join his mom, and just like that, both women are gone. Leaving him alone with Katsuki.
“Can’t believe I have to fucking be here,” the blonde scoffs under his breath plopping down on the couch harshly, and Izuku isn’t sure what to do or say. So he just stands there. Until the blonde looks up at him with glaring red eyes and snatches his arm to yank him down onto the couch.
“Ow,” Izuku says with irritation, rubbing at his sore arm, “it’s not like I’m thrilled you’re here either,” and he wasn’t. He wanted nothing more than to hide in his room or kick the blonde out, but he had to pretend to be civil with Katsuki for his mom and Auntie Mitsuki.
“You should be grateful,” Katsuki snorted, side-eyeing him.
“Grateful?” Izuku asks in disbelief, drawing his eyebrows together in confusion and anger, even as his blood tingles beneath his skin with anxiety, “why should I be grateful that you, the pompous ass who was hell-bent on ruining my life, is here?”
He sees the blonde’s face morph into shock before a smirk settles over his handsome, he’s not handsome, features, “Wow, finally grow a backbone Deku?” he leers crowding into Izuku’s space.
Izuku leans away from him, he wants to pick at the skin of his nails, “and if I have?” he shoots back.
Katsuki snorts again, sitting back up, “guess I’ll have to try harder.”
Izuku tries to calm himself, but Katsuki’s always had a way of getting under his skin, “try harder? Why? Why can’t you just leave me alone?” It’s a genuine question he’s always wanted to know the answer to.
“Why do you let me get away with it?” Katsuki retaliates, tilting his head to the side to stare at Izuku with unreadable eyes.
That makes Izuku pause. Why does he let him get away with it? He could go into the kitchen right now and drop the ball on all of this, but his mom would blame herself for never noticing, and Auntie Mitsuki would be devastated. It could even possibly ruin their friendship, and they didn’t deserve that all because Katsuki was Izuku’s bully.
“I hate you,” he says instead of answering because he does hate him. He hates Kacch-Katsuki for ruining their friendship. He hates him for bullying him, and he really hates him for never giving a real reason as to why. His sudden realization about Izuku being a useless Deku was bullshit. It broke his heart to hear the blonde say that, but it was bullshit and made no sense. And the more Izuku thought about it the angrier he got. Years of pent-up hurt and rage surfacing like a wave.
“Likewise,” Katsuki starts, “but here’s how this is going to go down,” he crowds into Izuku’s space again, and this time Izuku doesn’t lean back, “we’re going to play nice and be civil. I’m not dealing with my mom up my ass for the rest of the night because you want to cry like a little bitch,” he sounds annoyed, “got it?”
Izuku glares into those red eyes not noticing the hand reaching up to wipe at his cheek and he jerks away. His hands shoot up to his face, and he feels the tears he hadn’t realized had started falling. He quickly wipes at his face. This was embarrassing. After less than ten minutes of being in the presence of Katsuki Bakugou, Izuku was already crying. He tried to stand, but a firm hold on his wrist stopped him.
“Fucking hell Deku, calm down,” he hears the blonde berate, but his eyes are closed. He can’t even look at Katsuki, “Deku come on. Seriously before our moms fucking see you,” he hears the blonde seethe in a whisper.
Izuku takes a shaky break. Katsuki’s hand is still holding his wrist.
“Let me go,” he whispers, trying to keep his voice level, but it’s hard between the anxiety and tears.
“Are you done with this pity party?”
And now it’s Izuku’s turn to scoff. He yanks his wrist free, he’s shaking, but he opens his eyes looking up to meet red ones, “are you done being an asshole?”
Katsuki doesn’t answer. He just sits up straight and crosses his arms looking ahead.
This was why Izuku didn’t dare to hope, and he stands up.
“Where are you going?” he hears the blonde ask, but Izuku ignores him heading for the stairs. He rushes up them going straight for the bathroom where he silently sobs. He needed to pull himself together, dinner had to be close to ready, and he didn’t want to ruin it with puffy, red-rimmed eyes. He turns the cold water on cupping his hands under it before splashing his face. Then he grabs the sink and stares into the mirror. He couldn’t even hold himself together around Kacch-Katsuki. A knock startles him and before he can even answer, the door’s being opened.
“You are such a fucking crybaby,” of course it’s him, “you’re eighteen and can’t even fucking control yourself.”
Izuku grips the sink tighter, letting his head fall forward. Why does Katsuki always seek him out? “And you’re nineteen still following me around to bully me.”
“I’m not following you around,” Katsuki retorts, sounding offended by the accusation, and Izuku can’t help but give a dry laugh.
“Then why are you in the bathroom with me?” and as Katsuki opens his mouth with another response they both hear a “dinner’s ready!” come from downstairs.
Izuku turns his head to watch Katsuki who walks over to him in quick strides grabbing the hand towel and roughly drying off his face. Izuku tries to protest and push the blonde away, but it’s useless.
“Do you have to be aggressive with everything you do?” Izuku snips at him exhausted. At this point, he just wants to get through dinner and go to bed.
Katsuki doesn’t answer but instead grabs Izuku’s wrist again, dragging him from the bathroom, “you’re annoying,” the blonde mutters under his breath, and Izuku can’t find it in himself to give any more responses. So, he lets himself be dragged down the stairs by Katsuki.
“Oh? What were you boys doing upstairs?” Auntie Mitsuki questions, coming out of the kitchen, “we thought you were still in the living room.”
Katsuki lets go of his wrist as if it burned him, “the nerd wanted to show me his room since it’s been so long,” he lies. Seems he can do that rather easily.
“That’s not his name Katsuki,” Auntie Mitsuki says with a certain tone to her voice.
“He doesn’t mind, it's just a joke ain't that right nerd?” Katsuki asks, looking back at Izuku with a look that says “agree with me or I’ll kill you”.
Izuku just nods his head giving a tight-lipped smile, “yeah, it’s all in good fun Auntie, no worries,” and he hates this. Hates having to lie and pretend anything is remotely okay between them.
“Mm,” she hums like she doesn’t believe them, but doesn’t speak on it, instead she says, “well, let’s go. This food isn’t going to eat itself,” and just like that they’re making their way to the dining room to sit down at the table.
And of course, because what else would Izuku expect, he and Katsuki are forced to sit beside each other.
“So, Katsuki, your mom tells me you have a basketball scholarship? That’s exciting,” his mother says, trying to make conversation.
Izuku didn’t know that, but there was a lot about Kacch-Katsuki that he didn’t know anymore. He lets his eyes drift to the blonde stunned to see the genuine-looking smile on his face.
“Sure do, and it’s being renewed for the next year,” he sounds proud, and Izuku can’t blame him. Getting a sports scholarship required the talent for the sport and usually at least a 2.0 GPA along with it. Both were probably easily maintained by the blonde, but still, even if Izuku doesn’t like him he can admit Katsuki deserves to be proud.
“That’s amazing Katsuki, but I shouldn’t be surprised you’ve always been a hard worker with whatever you do,” his mom praises.
“Thanks Auntie,” Katsuki grins before looking at Izuku and raising a brow, and he suddenly realizes his mistake. He’s been staring at the blonde, but he can’t look away now that their eyes are locked.
It’s a tense few moments before Auntie Mitsuki clears her throat and speaks up, “so, Izuku I know you said you’re majoring in biomedical engineering. What is that exactly?”
Izuku’s attention snaps from Katsuki to look in her direction, “Oh, uh well, it’s basically applying the problem-solving techniques of engineering to biology and medicine. Though, aspects of all different kinds of engineering are integrated into it considering human biology itself. Like chemical, mechanical, and electrical, but computer science, mathematics, and chemistry also work in relation to biomedical engineering. Basically, biomedical engineers are the ones working to create new devices and equipment to improve human health,” and he may have rambled a little, but he gets carried away when he’s excited about a topic.
Auntie Mitsuki’s eyes shine with interest, “that’s incredible Izuku. I just know you’re going to excel at it.”
Izuku can feel his face heat up a little, “t-thanks Auntie,” and he sneaks a glance to the side only to be met with unreadable red eyes.
Dinner continues with small conversations here and there. Turns out Katsuki grew to 6 '1”, a solid six inches, whereas Izuku only grew to 5’7”, the height the blonde was before he left for college. There was also an awkward moment of questioning their love lives, which seemed to be nonexistent for both of them.
“It was lovely having you both over for dinner. We need to do it again before Katsuki leaves back to school,” Izuku hears his mom say as Auntie and Katsuki are slipping their shoes back on. Izuku definitely thinks otherwise, but of course, he doesn’t voice that.
“Oh absolutely,” Auntie Mitsuki agrees, “I’ll have to host next time though. Maybe the boys could even have a sleepover,” she chuckles, and Izuku nearly throws up in his mouth at the thought.
“We’re not kids anymore hag,” Katsuki rolls his eyes, and Auntie just laughs.
“Oh shut up you can act like you don’t miss him, but I’m not stupid. Go give him a hug and stop being so grouchy,” she chides, giving a small smack to the back of Katsuki’s head.
Izuku’s anxiety skyrockets at her words, “that’s really not necessary! I’m sure Kacchan doesn’t wan-” but he’s interrupted as the blonde takes two quick steps and pulls him into a very solid chest.
Izuku freezes before slowly wrapping his arms around Katsuki’s back and turning his head so his face isn’t smushed against the other man’s pecs. It surprisingly felt nice…until Katsuki ruined it by continuing to squeeze harder and harder.
“Stop it,” Izuku hisses quietly, and he’s not prepared to feel the hot breath against his ear as the blonde leans down to whisper into it.
“No,” and the hug continues for much longer than a hug is necessary. Finally, when Katsuki releases Izuku he feels like he can breathe again.
“See ya later nerd,” Katsuki smirks, turning to leave with his mom.
Izuku races up to his room after that. Stressed and confused by the dinner and then that hug. He knows Katsuki only hugged him to make his mom leave him alone, but why did he prolong it? It could’ve been short and simple, but nothing has ever been simple when it came to Kacch-Katsuki.
Morning comes all too soon, and today Izuku can’t bring himself to get up for his run. So, instead, he lies in his bed already breaking his promise of not thinking about the blonde. It’s really not his fault when the previous night’s dinner and hug keep replaying in his mind. He still couldn’t figure out why Katsuki had hugged him for so long. Maybe just to squeeze the living daylights out of him? Maybe it was just to mess with him? Maybe he should stop thinking about it and be a productive human being.
With that thought, Izuku pulls himself out of his bed with a groan. He quietly makes his way out of his room and downstairs into the kitchen where he puts on a pot of coffee. He notices the dishes in the sink from dinner and decides to wash, dry, and put them away. His mom did all the cooking, so it was the least he could do. Izuku looks at the trash next and decides he’s going to take care of that too. Tying up the bag and pulling it from the trash can he opens the sliding glass door from the kitchen that leads to the deck.
Stepping outside he hears the faint sound of a basketball and looks to his right to see Katsuki in nothing but a pair of shorts practicing on the make-shift court that’s Auntie Mitsuki’s backyard. There’s a whole yard between them, and the sun’s dark orange hues have only just begun to rise, but he can see that the other man is drenched in sweat. It’s only a little past 6:30am, but Izuku supposed it was no different than his morning runs. It was just a different method of working out, that and Katsuki probably wanted to keep up with his skills.
Izuku knows he’s staring, and he can feel his anxiety creeping up on him, but it’s hard not to watch when someone that tall, and sweaty, and handsome- he is not handsome, is blessed with so much talent it’s mesmerizing.
No. Izuku needs to focus on his task at hand and shakes his head walking over to the outdoor trash can dropping the bag inside of it. He decides to steal one more glance at the blonde and tenses seeing him staring back. When had he noticed Izuku? He doesn’t let that question linger as he darts back inside. Maybe he should’ve just gone on his run.
Knock knock
Izuku jumps eyes wide as he spins around. On the other side of the glass door is Kacch-Katsuki. For a moment he just stands there making eye contact before red eyes look down expectantly at the handle of the door before looking back up. Izuku does not need this right now and rapidly goes to lock it before- and he’s too late as the blonde slides the door open faster.
“Locking the door? Really?” Katsuki laughs menacingly.
“What do you want?” Izuku asks reluctantly. He could feel his anxiety spiking.
“Why were you watching me?” Katsuki steps into the house, and he’s way too close for Izuku’s comfort. Like this, he can see the sweat rolling down the blonde’s chest.
“I was taking out the trash,” he answers, looking up to meet those red eyes. No matter how his skin tingled, if Katsuki was going to be like this the whole summer Izuku needed to stand up for himself. He wasn’t that same kid in middle school and high school. He was an adult now even if his anxiety made him waver.
“Didn’t stop you from gawking,” Katsuki snorts with a grin, reaching a hand up to grip Izuku’s shoulder tightly, and that makes him go rigid, “keep your creepy fucking eyes off me Deku, or I’ll remind you of exactly who I am.”
Izuku can feel the shakiness in his skin, the blonde’s hand feels scorching even through his shirt, and the grip is painful, “I know who you are,” he whispers trembling.
Katsuki releases his shoulder giving it a hard pat, “good, and don’t fucking forget it Deku. Last night didn’t mean shit, and our moms forcing us to spend time together changes nothing.”
“I know that. You don’t have to be a dick,” Izuku says unthinkingly because his hands immediately shoot to his mouth as if that would take back what he said.
Katsuki leans down to get in his face, close enough that their noses almost touch, and glares into his eyes, “it’s cute that you’ve grown a bit of a backbone Deku, but don’t forget who you are,” he whispers threateningly, and Izuku just nods his head in fear.
Straightening back up Katsuki scoffs, “fucking Deku,” and leaves with nothing else said.
Izuku slams the door shut, locking it before turning around and sliding down the glass with his hands covering his face. Quiet sobs escape him as he sits on the floor. So much for standing up for himself. Was this going to be his entire summer? Having to constantly worry and watch his back?
Izuku decides to drive his car to work today for his afternoon and dinner shifts. He doesn’t have the energy or will to walk to the diner. Especially after this morning’s crying session and the fear of Katsuki being on every corner he was just too worn out and anxious for walking.
The journey was obviously quicker, and soon enough he’s pulling into the gravel parking lot of “GB Diner” in what feels like no time at all. Stepping out of the car he makes his way to the entrance, the crunch of the gravel beneath his shoes grounding him. He goes inside ignoring his surroundings as he heads to the back to clock in.
Izuku’s only about an hour into his shift, and currently the diner’s empty. The lunch rush has already passed, and he’ll probably only get another handful of customers until the dinner rush. So, he fills his time by drawing on the little notepad he uses to take orders. It’s nothing special, just small doodles to pass the time. Until he hears the bell of the door signal someone entering.
Izuku looks up and stiffens. What is Kacch-Katsuki doing here? He watches as the blonde looks around before landing on him, and the anxiety Izuku is getting used to again creeps up on him. He sees Katsuki’s eyes narrow in confusion before stalking over putting his hands on the counter leaning forward.
“Is this some kind of joke?” Katsuki asks incredulously.
Izuku’s confused. Is what a joke? That he has a job?
“Oh, perfect timing!” Izuku hears behind him and turns around to see Yagi Toshinori, the owner of GB Diner. Uneasiness settles in Izuku’s stomach, and he doesn’t have a good feeling about where this conversation is going to go.
“I believe you two are already acquainted with each other, or so your mom has said Katsuki, so this should make things easy for you both. Izuku,” Mr. Toshinori says looking from the blonde to him, “Katsuki will be working here for the summer, and I’d like for you to train him behind the counter and as a server.”
Izuku had to of misheard him. There was no way Mr. Toshinori just said he was going to be training Katsuki.
“I’m also going to be putting you two on the same shifts since you’ll be the one training him. I think that’ll make working for you both simpler since you’ll be doing things the same way,” Mr. Toshinori continues, but Izuku hears a loud clap from behind and turns his head to see Katsuki with his hands clasped together.
“Well, Mr. Toshinori turns out I can’t work here for the summer,” the blonde says with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Oh? And why is that?” Izuku hears Mr. Toshinori ask, and scathing red eyes meet his before looking back up.
“I refuse to work with him,” and he couldn’t make up some bullshit excuse?
“Ah, I see. Well, that would be very unfortunate Katsuki. I know you wanted to work this summer, or at the very least your mom wanted you to, and I was very excited to have you here, but if you feel you can’t do it then I suppose there’s nothing I can do about that. However, with that said, I would not be inclined to give you any good recommendations around town for any other job seeing as you can’t set aside personal matters to work. Which I understand, but it does not make for a good work ethic.”
Izuku can feel the rage coming from Katsuki, and those scornful red eyes meet his again in contempt.
“I was joking,” and Izuku can hear the edge in the blonde’s voice, “I can’t wait to fucking work with…Izuku,” and it’s the first time he’s heard his real name from those lips in years.
“Wonderful,” he hears Mr. Toshinori say, but he can hardly focus when his eyes are still locked with Katsuki’s, “I’ll be heading back to my office now. Izuku make sure to get him a uniform. His training starts now after you help him clock in,” and he hears the receding footsteps of his boss.
Their eye contact never breaks as Katsuki makes his way behind the counter, and Izuku can feel his heart pumping faster.
“Well, Deku? You going to help me fucking clock in or what?” Katsuki stares down at him only half a foot away, and Izuku can’t find his voice, so he gives a small nod. He turns to lead the blonde to the back, nerves wracking his frame with Katsuki’s steps following behind him.
“You just,” Izuku starts, grabbing his own time card and placing it in the timeclock, “place it in here, line it up, and push it back till you hear it go off. You clock in, you clock out for breaks if you get one, and you clock out at the end of your shift. Easy,” he finishes, placing his time card back where it goes.
“And where do you get a time card genius?” He hears Katsuki snark.
“Well, I like to pull mine out of my ass,” he retaliates sarcastically, turning to glare up at the blonde even as the anxiety in him continues to grow, “Listen. I’m not happy about this either, but this is work. This is my job. Not just for the summer, but year-round because some of us don’t have fancy scholarships to pay for everything. If there’s one place where you can just stop being an ass to me it needs to be here. Please Kacchan,” and he didn’t mean for it to come out so desperate, but he is desperate. He needs this job, and he can’t afford to lose it or quit because of Katsuki. He’s met with a stare he can’t read and the moment is full of tension before the blonde speaks.
“Fine, but outside of work, nothing changes. Got it?”
Izuku gives an exasperated sigh and nods, “I understand Kacchan.”
How were they going to manage this? How were they supposed to work together?