i will follow you into the dark
Rating: T
Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a happy ending, Fluff
Summary: Izuku has finally returned to UA, and Katsuki will never let him go again.
Or: Izuku and Katsuki finally discuss their feelings.
A/N: Hi again, friends! Since chapter 322 is out now and dominating all of our lives, I felt inspired to write. This is intended to be a sequel to my fic "Tell Me I'm Dreaming," and takes place immediately after the events of chapter 322. So, spoilers are ahead for that chapter! I hope you like it <3
I'd also like to note: Izuku ate and took a bath when he got back, I just couldn't figure out how to work that in. Fear not, he is a clean and fed boy :')
AO3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/33153718
-
Katsuki watches the gentle rise and fall of Izukuβs chest as he sleeps, undoubtedly for the first time in days. Heβd fallen asleep the second his head hit the pillow on the small bed in Recovery Girlβs office, and hasnβt budged since.
In the 12 hours Izuku has been back at UA, Katsuki has left his side once, only with substantial convincing from Glasses and Shitty Hair.
βDude, heβll probably be out cold for a few more hours. At least go scarf down some food and take a nap,β Shitty Hair said.
βShut the fuck up,β Katsuki retorted, βI ate this morning. And I have slept.β
Kirishima let out an exasperated sigh that irritated Katsuki to no end.
βDid you come here just to piss me off?β he snapped.
βWe are concerned for your well being, just as we are Midoriyaβs,β Iida said, βyou havenβt fully recovered from your own injuries yet. You need to rest.β
βI said I was fucking fine.β
Iida looked at him with knowing eyes and a gentle smile. It annoyed Katsuki even more.
βHe wonβt disappear if you stop watching him, Bakugou."
βYeah. Weβll stay with him,β Kirishima added with a thumbs up.
Katsuki gritted his teeth. As much as he hated to admit it, they were right. His empty stomach only served to fuel his anger more.
βI hear theyβre serving spicy curry for lunch in the cafeteria,β Iida coaxed.
Katsuki had relented at that point, not because it was his favorite, of course, the growling in his stomach was just giving him away.
Katsuki returned less than an hour later. Kirishima and Iida admittedly had reassured him, to some degree, but it wasnβt enough to quell his anxiety. Iida scolded him for refusing to rest, but did nothing to stop him, as if he knew his efforts were futile. The pair stayed with Katsuki at Izukuβs bedside a while longer, but left him to his devices nonetheless.
Half and Half stopped by some time later, tapping on Katsukiβs shoulder and waking him from a restless sleep in a shitty plastic chair at Izukuβs bedside.
βWouldnβt it be more comfortable to sleep in your bed, Bakugou?β he asked, sitting in a chair adjacent to him.
βI was sleeping just fine before you fucking showed up, you Half and Half bastard,β Katsuki snarled.
βIβve been here for an hour and a half, actually,β Todoroki stated. Always so fucking deadpan.
βWhy the fuck did you wake me up now then?β
βYou looked uncomfortable.β
βIβm fine, asshole,β Katsuki grumbled. Todoroki looked unconvinced.
βI figured you would say that. Here, I brought you this,β Todoroki produced a blanket from behind his chair and handed it to Katsuki.
βI donβt need your fucking charity," Katsuki grumbled, but accepted it anyway, silently grateful for refuge from the chill in the room.
βItβs no trouble,β Todoroki patted his shoulder.
βTch.β Katsuki shrugged him off.
They sat in silence for a while. Izuku still hadnβt budged. Katsuki was worried, but some part of him was thankful that Izuku was finally fucking resting.
βEveryone is proud of you, you know,β Todoroki said quietly.
βHaah?!β
βIt took courage, what you did. We know itβs not easy for you to express your emotions,β he paused, considering his next words, βit... doesnβt come naturally to me, either.β
βNo shit!β Katsuki barked. Todoroki raised a finger to his lips to shush him and nodded at Izuku, who had grunted in his sleep.
βIβm just saying, your efforts arenβt unseen. We know youβve been working hard, and that this has been weighing on you for a long time. If it werenβt for you, Midoriya might not have listened to us.β
βYou donβt know shit,β Katsuki grumbled, averting his eyes. Katsuki was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He wasnβt good at this shit, and Todoroki knew it, so why wouldnβt he shut up?
βI donβt mean to make you uncomfortable. We can change the topic,β Todoroki said, as if he could read Katsukiβs mind.
βOr we could stop fucking talking altogether,β
Todoroki smiled and nodded, returning his gaze to Izuku. Katsukiβs eyes followed and he frowned.
βHeβs such a fucking idiot,β Katsuki muttered, leaning forward in his chair and resting his chin on his hand. Todoroki chuckled.
βHe is certainly reckless,β Todoroki nodded, βIβm disappointed to learn he felt he had to keep such a big secret. But, he is my friend, and I will continue to be as supportive as I can. He would do the same for us.β
βNo, heβd do more, and end up getting himself fucking killed."
βThatβsβ¦" Todoroki frowned, "probably true."
They were quiet for a few minutes, and then Todoroki fucking piped up again, much to Katsukiβs dismay.
βI know Midoriya appreciated what you said,β his voice was soft.
βWords donβt matter. Actions do,β Katsukiβs response was immediate.
βWell your actions have spoken clearly. βYou're a better person than you think you are, Bakugou.β
Katsuki whipped his head to glare at Todoroki with an insult on his tongue, but he found himself speechless instead, staring with an incredulous look on his face. He mentally kicked himself for it.
βI just hope you know that, too,β Todoroki offered a half-smile.
Katsuki was frustratingly taken aback. He averted his eyes and looked at the ground with a scowl. That damn fucking Half and Half.
Todoroki thankfully shut his mouth after that. Katsuki wasnβt sure how long they sat together in silence. It wasnβt until the sun had set and the room began to fill with darkness that he heard Todoroki rise from his seat.
βIβm going to go lie down. You should, too,β Todoroki said plainly.
Katsuki sighed. He was right, but there was a sickeningly uneasy feeling in his gut whenever he thought about leaving that he just couldnβt shake.
βIβ¦I canβt,β he whispered.
βOkay.β
Todoroki patted his shoulder again, and Katsuki didnβt push him away this time.
βThanks,β Katsuki shrugged, βfor the blanket or whatever.β
Todoroki nodded. He left the door cracked behind him on his way out.
Katsuki pulls the blanket around himself and reclines in his chair, putting his feet up on Todorokiβs abandoned one. Itβs really fucking uncomfortable, but Katsuki knows it would be impossible to sleep if he were anywhere else.
After too many attempts to reposition himself comfortably, Katsuki groans and sits up straight, turning his head to watch Izuku again. Heβs still sleeping soundly.
Katsuki leans forward and, without thinking, brushes his hand through Izukuβs hair, pushing back a few stray curls. The moonlight flickering through the blinds illuminates his face, and Katsuki thinks that, somehow, this is the most peaceful heβs seen Izuku in ages.
Katsuki canβt remember the last time Izuku wasnβt at least slightly on edge. He is always looking over his shoulder, as if heβs expecting the enemy to be watching. He spends every minute of his free time training or muttering to himself about battle strategies. The nerd doesnβt even know the meaning of the word βrelax.β
Katsuki slides his hand down to cup Izukuβs cheek. His skin is soft and warm, just like last time, and he canβt help but feel an awful sense of dΓ¨jΓ‘ vu. He stays that way for a few moments, just reveling in the fact that Izuku is really here. This isn't a dream, heβs finally here, and Katsuki will never fucking let him go again.
When Katsuki reluctantly moves to pull away, Izuku reaches up to grab his hand, nuzzling into it.
Katsuki is startled, as Izuku is seemingly still asleep. He brushes Izukuβs cheekbone with the backs of his fingers, and swears he sees the ghost of a smile on his lips.
βYouβre a dumbass,β Katsuki mumbles, propping his elbow on the bed to rest his head in his free hand.
βI can hear you, Kacchan.β
Katsuki jolts up in surprise to see Izuku staring at him with one eye cracked open and a smirk on his lips.
βShit, did I wake you?β Katsuki tries again to pull his arm away, but Izuku holds on tight, as if Katsuki is his lifeline and heβs barely hanging on.
βD-donβt go,β Izuku stutters, burying his face in Katsukiβs hand. Katsuki caresses his cheek again and frowns when he finds wetness there.
βAre you crying?β Katsuki asks, though heβs not sure why, because he already knows the answer.
βN-no,β Izuku sniffles. Katsuki rolls his eyes and sighs.
βHey, look at me,β Katsuki whispers, lifting his free hand to Izukuβs other cheek and turning his head to face him.
Izuku whimpers, holding Katsukiβs arms in a vice grip as he looks up. His eyes are sunken and glassy, overflowing with tears that Katsuki wipes away with his thumbs.
Fuck, he looks like a fucking zombie. His face is paler than usual and littered with scratches, and heavy, dark circles line his eyes. Katsuki suppresses a sudden urge to wrap him in his arms and hold him tight.
βWhatβs wrong?β Katsuki murmurs, stroking his cheeks in what he hopes is a soothing manner.
Izukuβs face contorts and a new wave of tears begin to fall.
βI-Iβm so s-sorry Kacchan,β he snivels.
Katsuki holds his face tighter.
βI told you, we get it. Donβt beat yourself up, youβve already done plenty of that.β
Izuku chokes a laugh through a broken sob and Katsuki counts it as a small victory.
βI a-am pretty messed up, h-huh?β Izuku hiccups, βbut so are you.β
βTch. Iβm fine,β Katsuki lies, feeling a familiar twinge of pain in his side.
βI kn-know you better than that, Kacchan,β Izuku meets Katsukiβs gaze, βd-donβt think I didnβt see you bleeding back there.β
βI was bleeding. Iβm not anymore, see?β Katsuki points to his newly applied bandages, βThe old lady patched me up.β
Recovery Girl had given Katsuki a thorough scolding for tearing his wounds. Something about being too reckless, to stop throwing himself in front of danger because isn't it hypocritical of you to tell Midoriya to look after himself, but you won't do the same? That had pissed Katsuki off to no end, but heβd accepted her help anyway.
βY-you couldβve hurt yourself-β
βBut I didnβt! Quit worrying about everyone else,β Katsuki looks Izuku dead in the eyes, βthink about your goddamn self for once.β
Izuku shakes his head frantically.
βI canβt. I said so many terrible things I- I h-have to apologize-,β Izuku tries to get up, but Katsuki is lightning fast as he moves to sit on the bed in front of him, gripping his shoulders to hold him in place.
βYou can do that later. You need to fucking relax. Did you forget you were beaten to a pulp?β Katsuki reminds him.
βKacchan, Iβm f-β
βDonβt fucking say youβre fine! Youβre not, and you know it.β
βIt doesnβt matter, Kacchan!β Izuku shouts,βI canβt- I canβt just sit here while everyone else is-β
βEveryone is safe,β Katsuki lightly shakes him, βand weβre safer if we're together.β
Izuku presses the heels of his hands to his eyes.
βIt doesnβt matter,β Izuku repeats himself. His voice is shaking. βI ne-β
βShut the fuck up. You matter,β Katsuki says firmly, pulling Izukuβs hands away and holding onto them.
Izuku weakly lifts his head to meet Katsukiβs eyes. He looks taken aback, and even more exhausted than before, but Izuku is just as stubborn as Katsuki is, and Katsuki can tell he still has an argument left in him.
βIzuku,β Katsuki watches Izuku's eyes widen as he utters his name for a second time. It feels foreign on his tongue, but he knows the weight it carries, and he'll say it over and over if it makes Izuku happy.
Katsuki pushes back the hair thatβs fallen in front of Izuku's face and knocks their foreheads together.
βIzuku,β he repeats, β You fucking matter,β thereβs a sharpness to Katsukiβs tone he hadnβt intended, but he can tell Izuku gets the message. He swears he sees the color return to Izukuβs bloodshot eyes before they squeeze shut, overflowing with new tears.
Izuku buries his head in Katsukiβs chest and wails. Katsuki immediately wraps his arms around him and pulls him into a tight embrace, ignoring the aching pain in his injured shoulder and side.
βI-Iβm s-so sorry,β Izukuβs entire body shakes as he clings to Katsuki. Katsuki holds him tighter, rubbing gentle circles on his back.
βShh, itβs okay. Everythingβs okay,β Katsuki murmurs, trying his best to soothe him, but Izuku only cries harder. Katsukiβs own eyes begin to burn.
βItβs sβnot o-okay, Kac-chan,β Izuku stutters.
βNobody is mad at you."
βTh-they should b-be,β Izuku insists miserably
βWell theyβre not.β
βI think All M-might is.β
βHaah?! The fuck kind of reason does All Might have to be mad at you?β Katsuki is baffled. βI should fucking clock him in the face again.β
βY-you punched All Might?!β Izuku lifts his chin to stare incredulously at Katsuki.
βDamn right I did. But thatβs beside the point. Why the fuckβs he mad?β
Izuku hides his face again, his voice muffled by Katsukiβs now damp shirt and his own sobs, βI w-was so mean t-to him. I told him I d-didnβt need him anymore and r-ran away, I-β
βBreathe, Dek- Izuku,β Katsuki whispers, brushing Izukuβs cheek with his fingers as Izuku begins to hyperventilate. βBreathe. Heβs not mad, heβs probably just worried.β He better not be fucking mad.
βI-I have to t-talk to him too,β
βIt can wait. Right now you need to fucking rest.β
They stay that way for a while, wrapped in the safety of each otherβs arms as Izukuβs cries slowly start to dissipate. At some point, Katsuki isnβt sure when, traitorous tears start to roll down his own face. Izuku notices before he does, feeling the sudden moisture on his shoulder, and he tells him so.
βIβm not fucking crying,β Katsuki grumbles, though his voice is hoarse.
βItβs o-okay Kacchan,β
βShit,β Now theyβre both blubbering idiots.
Izuku squeezes Katsuki tighter as they cry together. Katsuki tries not to wince as he returns the gesture, his shoulder screaming in protest, but Izuku notices. Of course he fucking notices.
βK-Kacchan-,β Izukuβs voice is laced with unnecessary concern as he immediately loosens his grip and starts to pull back.
βDonβt,β Katsuki growls, rubbing his eyes, βDonβt fucking worry about me.β
Izuku sniffles and shakes his head, βI c-canβt help it.β
Katsuki heaves a sigh. βI know.β
Izuku places his shaky, scarred hands on either side of Katsukiβs face in a gentle caress that makes Katsukiβs heart fucking squeeze. When he finally lifts his eyes, he finds Izuku looking at him with a wobbly smile. His cheeks are tear-stained and there's a trace of something haunted behind his eyes, but it's undeniable that a weight has lifted from his shoulders.
Katskui quirks his lips in a half smile. Fuck, heβd missed Izuku.
Izuku yawns and lies back in the bed. βIβm tired again.β
βWell, get some sleep then, nerd,β Katsuki moves to slide back in his chair, but Izuku stops him, grabbing his hand.
βWait! I- could-β Izuku bites his lip, βcould you...stay with me?β
Katsuki squeezes his hand. βIβm not going anywhere, nerd. Someone has to keep your ass in line," he smirks.
Izuku laughs, the first real laugh Katsuki has heard in ages, and Katsuki thinks it might be his favorite sound.
βNo, I mean here, next to me,β Izuku scoots over in the bed and pats the space next to him.
βI donβt think-β
βJust until I fall asleep,β Izuku pleads, β...please?β
Katsuki finally relents and slides in next to him. Izuku looks relieved, draping the blanket around them both and curling up to Katsukiβs uninjured side. Katsuki wraps his arm around Izukuβs waist, careful not to dislodge the bandages there. He briefly wonders why this feels so natural.
Izukuβs voice is barely above a whisper when he speaks next. βI- Iβm scared, Kacchan.β
βI know. But everythingβs gonna be fine."
βI donβt want anyone else to get hurt because of me.β
βNo oneβs gonna get hurt. Weβre gonna figure this out, and weβre gonna figure it out together.β
βI really shouldnβt be here,β Izuku sighs.
βShut the fuck up. You really wanna be out there? Where people are lookinβ to wring your neck at every turn?β
βOf course not! But thatβs exactly why I should be. No one here is safe while Iβm around.β
Izuku startles when Katsuki suddenly grabs his chin and lifts it up with his free hand to make Izuku look him in the eyes βBullshit. I already told you, you canβt win this alone. So stop trying."
Izuku swallows hard, on the verge of tears again. Katsuki tucks Izuku's head under his chin.
"Saving people is how we win, remember? That means you gotta let us save you sometimes, too." Katsuki holds Izuku tight as he cries, gently combing his fingers through thick green curls.
βYou should be here," Katsuki continues, "you belong here, Izuku." With me, he adds, but only in his thoughts.
Izuku stills and lifts his head from Katsukiβs chest to stare at him with wide, curious eyes. He's no longer crying. βKacchan?β
βWhat?β Katsuki is confused as he watches Izukuβs cheeks flush a deep red.
βI belong with...you?β
Fuck, did he say that out loud?
Katsuki suddenly becomes very aware of their proximity and feels his own face heat.
Their faces are already inches apart, and Izuku is coming closer, cupping Katsuki's cheeks with freezing cold hands. He's close enough that Katsuki can feel Izukuβs heartbeat, his breath on his nose, and fuck, when did their legs tangle together?
Izukuβs thumb lightly strokes his cheekbone and Katsuki finds himself inadvertently leaning into his touch. His breath catches in his throat when he finally meets his gaze. Izukuβs eyes are soft and warm and heβs smiling, a real smile that is secretly Katsukiβs favorite, one that he hasn't seen in far too long. He decides he would sooner die than see it extinguished ever again.
He's embarrassed by his accidental confession, but something about the way Izuku is looking at him, with that soft gaze full of light and wonderment Katsuki knows is reserved only for him, makes the anxiety melt away. The eyes that used to infuriate him now leave him feeling warm and safe, like he has a place in this world, and he realizes there's nowhere he'd rather fucking be than right by Izuku's side.
"Did you mean that?" Izuku whispers, breaking him from his reverie.
βYeah. Stay with me,β Katsuki grazes his fingers across Izuku's cheek. "...please."
Izuku's smile is breathtaking. It lights a fire in Katsuki's chest.
"I will," Izuku breathes, leaning in to close the distance between them.
Their lips meet halfway in a desperate kiss and a jolt of electricity courses through Katsuki's body. Izuku's hands tangle into Katsuki's hair and Katsuki cradles his face as they explore each other for the first time. It's messy and uncoordinated, but Izuku's lips are soft and inviting and nothing has ever felt so fucking right.
Katsuki's hold on Izuku's waist tightens, pulling him closer, but it's still not close enough. They've been through a decade of miscommunication and separation, unchecked feelings, and the debilitating fear of losing each other. Now that Izuku is here, safe in his arms, Katsuki wants nothing more than to stay in the warmth of this moment forever, to melt into each other and never let go again.
"K-Kacchan," Izuku pants as he slowly pulls away. Oh, right, breathing.
He presses his forehead to Katsuki's as they gasp for air, and they cling to each other as if the other could disappear at any moment.
Katsuki's head is spinning as he looks at Izuku. His cheeks have flushed deeper, lips kissed red and swollen, eyes blown wide as he stares in amazement.
"I missed you," Izuku whispers between heavy breaths.
"Me too,"
Katsuki tucks Izuku's head into the crook of his neck and holds him tight.
βI amβ¦.glad to be back,β Izuku murmurs, βit was terrifying out there. I was so exhausted."
No shit, Katsuki thinks.
"Do you want to...talk about it?"
"I-" Izuku pauses, considering. His voice is small when he says, "Maybe later. I don't...I don't want to think about it right now."
Katsuki laces the fingers of one hand with Izuku's and squeezes.
"Okay. But, uh, I'm here if you do. Want to talk or whatever." Katsuki tries his best to sound encouraging. Izuku tilts his head up and nods with a smile.
βOkay.β
There's still so much Katsuki wants to say, but he can't put it into words. He's always been better with actions. He thinks back on all that he said before Izuku passed out in his arms, and wonders if it was enough.
Out of the corner of his eye, Katsuki notices Izuku peering up at him.
βWhat are you staring at, nerd?β Katsuki smirks as Izuku averts his eyes, color blooming on his face again.
βI- Iβm not, I just- thank you, Kacchan.β
"For what?"
βFor everything.β
Katsuki shrugs. βI didnβt do shit."
"Yes you did," Izuku brushes a lock of hair behind Katsuki's ear, "you're here right now. You listened, you encouraged me, you made me feel safe enough to come back here. I wouldnβt have had the strength without you.β
Katsuki is at a loss for words.
"Todoroki was right, you know," Izuku says softly, "you're better than you think you are."
Katsuki feels his face flush and looks away. But then it dawns on him.
"You were listening to us?"
"Uh- just a little...only bits and pieces."
"You were awake? Why the hell didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't want to interrupt you," Izuku shrugs. "You and Todoroki never talk, it seemed important. Plus, I was so out of it I thought I was dreaming at first."
"So you were just eavesdropping like a creep?" He teases, snickering when Izuku buries his face in embarrassment.
"I'd rather talk to you than that Half and Half bastard, dumbass," Katsuki ruffles Izuku's hair.
"Sorry, Kacchan."
"Quit apologizing."
Normally he probably would be pissed, but there isnβt even a trace of anger in him right now.
"I'm not the only one who's reckless, by the way," Izuku playfully nudges Katsuki.
"I'm not fucking reckless."
Izuku frowns. "Kacchan, you were stabbed. And you tore open your wounds trying to get to me when you should've been taking it easy. You took off into battle without a second thought."
"Sounds familiar," Katsuki glares at him.
"I know. I admit I don't always think things throughβ¦.and sometimes I think too much. I never put myself first. You made me realize that. I'm...going to try to work on it. But you can't deny that you do it sometimes too."
Katsuki is silent again.
"And when was the last time you ate? Or slept somewhere other than a tiny chair? You tell me I need to take better care of myself, but you don't do the same."
"I'm fine." Katsuki insists, but Izuku knows him better than he knows himself and sees right through the lie.
Katsuki sighs. Deep down, he knows Izuku and the old lady are right. Sometimes... he can be a dumbass and a hypocrite.
"My bodyβ¦I told you, it moved on it's own. I just saw you in the air and fucking panicked. You were about to die," Katsukiβs voice shakes, βYou were about to die, and it was likeβ¦ like my entire fucking life flashed before my eyes. There was so much I needed to say to you, I couldn't handle the thought of losing you, Izuku. Especially before- before I had the chance to-, " Katsuki squeezes his eyes shut and grunts in an effort to hold back tears that were threatening to fall.
Katsuki feels Izuku's gentle touch on his cheek again and meets his gaze.
"I know. It's okay. Let's just agree that we're both idiots and try to be better, together. If not for ourselves, then for each other. I can't stand the thought of losing you either, Kacchan," Izuku's eyes are impossibly soft
"I really do appreciate everything you said, Kacchan. It means so much to me. I know it's not easy for you to do that."
"I meant every fucking word," Katsuki says firmly.
"I know. And I forgave you a long time ago, Kacchan. Yeah, things were rocky for a while, but I see you. I see how you've changed, and how much effort you've been putting in. I feel safest and strongest when I'm with you. You're the most amazing person I've ever known, and you always will be."
Izuku's eyes well up with tears again as he smiles, and Katsuki feels like his heart could burst out of his chest. He presses a gentle kiss to Izuku's palm and cups his face, tracing his lips with his thumb.
"You make me stronger," Katsuki stares deep into his eyes.
Katsuki feels his brain short circuit as Izuku presses a gentle, sweet kiss to the corner of his mouth. Katsuki holds him there as he pulls away, chasing his lips with his own.
This kiss is softer and less hurried, but just as passionate. They're completely enveloped in each other as they revel in the fact that this is real. Thereβs nowhere in the world either of them would rather be. Katsuki didnβt realize just how badly he needs Izuku until he was gone, and thinks that, maybe, Izuku feels the same way.
It feels like itβs been an eternity when they slowly break apart, and Katsuki canβt help the smile that spreads across his face.
Izuku lays his head on Katsuki's chest and cuddles up to his side. Katsuki idly strokes his back, just relishing the moment.
Fuck, heβd missed Izuku.
"I don't mind if- uh, if you keep calling me Deku, by the way," Izuku mutters..
"You don't like it when I say your name?"
"No! No, that's not it- I mean it is a little weird, but uh- I like it? Hearing it in your voice, I mean," Izuku rambles on, and Katsuki finds that he's even missed that too.
"I just, um, I mean- Deku is fine too. It has a different meaning for us both now, you know? It stopped being an insult a long time ago. And, uh, it feels, um...special, I guess? I don't know. My point is, either is fine. I don't want you to feel like...like you're disrespecting me, or something," Izuku's face is bright red as he notices Katsuki smirking at him.
"You're such a nerd," Katsuki laughs when Izuku scowls, and presses a kiss to his forehead, βIβll call you whatever the fuck you want me to call you.β
βEither is good. I promise.β
βI guess weβll have to wait and see then, huh?β
"Yeah," Izuku smiles, then his brows furrow and he pauses. "Katsuki."
They both frown and Katsuki shakes his head.
"Nope. Too weird. I'd rather be Kacchan forever,β Katsuki grimaces.
βI think so too,β Izuku laughs.
"You should sleep, nerd." Katsuki murmurs.
"Mm, yeah,β Izuku yawns, βYou should too, Kacchan."
"Yeah, yeah."
"But you'll still be here when I wake up, right?" Izuku looks up at him with pleading eyes.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Izuku breathes a sigh of relief and snuggles closer.
"Tomorrow...tomorrow is gonna be hard."
"Nah. I'll beat the shit out of anyone who tries anything funny. Like I said, we'll get through this.β
"Together?"
"Together."
-------
bonus:
Sunlight is filtering through the blinds of the room's tiny window when Katsuki awakens. He feels more rested than he has in ages. Izuku is still curled up at his side with his head on his chest, snoring softly, and Katsuki canβt help but smile.
βNice, bro!β someone whispers from the doorway. Katsukiβs head whips up to see Shitty Hair and Sparky, grinning at him with their thumbs up.
Katsuki is filled with white hot rage as his face flushes. If it wasn't for the fact that Izuku has him pinned, he would beat the shit out of those assholes.
βSee ya, loverboy!β Kaminari whistles as they bolt out of the room.
Oh, they are dead meat when Katsukiβs hands are free.
--
A/N: I wrote this while listening to "I Will Follow You into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie and "Make You Mine (acoustic)" by PUBLIC-highly recommend them if you're looking to yearn lmao
The large block of italicized text is meant to be a flashback- I hope that was clear :')
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!! Feedback/reblogs are appreciated as always <3
Also- shout out to @sheiireen for her very helpful advice on this. She's amazingly talented, you should check her out!!


















