summer went away

“If I did, you’d already know, wouldn’t you? Don’t ask dumb questions.”

He picks up the knife, slicing away just like before. It’s a smooth movement—muscle memory and well practiced second nature. Something like the way he steps back a little to meet you half way when you wrap your arms around him from behind.

“I think there’s something you’re not admitting,” you try again, hand trailing under his shirt and rubbing along the hard muscle of his abs. He forces back a shiver. “Don’t lie to me.”

You grin in satisfaction when he twitches in agitation. “You’re callin’ me a liar now?” His head turns to glare at you over his shoulder.

You stifle a giggle. He doesn’t bother hiding the way his eyes instantly roll.

“Tired of your damn games, you shitty woman.”

“I’m sure there’s something you’ve never told me, Katsuki,” you hum, slowly dragging your palm up and down his bare skin under his shirt, raking your nails gently along the dips and contours as he finally caves and shivers at your touch. “Tell me a secret.”

“I don’t have fuckin’ secrets.” He grunts. “I tell you all my shit.”

The vegetables hit the pan, the sizzle breaking the silence as you bury your face into his shoulder. You bite gently, he gives you an annoyed hiss, and when your hand slides to gently trace over the scars across his skin, he leans into you more.

This time, the laugh isn’t one you can stifle. You laugh into the fabric of his tank top, pinching his skin lightly while he barks out a warning to quit it before he shoves you off.

But he’s just saying that—he always does. And when unstoppable force (your desire to bother your boyfriend) meets immovable object (his inability to stay mad at you), you’re stuck in a standstill.

You don’t mind being stuck with Katsuki, though.

“You wanna hear a secret from me, then?” You hum. He glances at you tiredly.

“I already know them all.”

“That’s not true,” you gasp, “if I told you everything now, we’d be bored for the rest of our lives. I have to tell you them slowly.”

“That’s bullshit,” he scoffs, nose wrinkling, “I’m never boring.”

“That’s true,” you chuckle, “you’re…pretty unique.”

“Oi,” he glares, turning to squeeze your cheeks together as your lips spread into a wide grin, “don’t say it like an insult.”

He turns the stove off, dinner forgotten as he turns to press you against the counter and cage you with his arms, eyebrows smoothing just slightly from their perpetual crinkle as your arms instantly wrap around his neck.

“Well, don’t you want to know my secret?” You press.

He ponders for a moment, weighing his options before a small sigh of resignation falls from his lips. “Kay. Let’s hear this stupid secret of yours. Better not be wasting my time.”

“Come closer,” you gesture at him with your finger. He raises a brow. You look at him with all seriousness. With a tired groan, he leans his ear against your lips as he mumbles something about your stupid shitty games.

“Spit it out, woman.”

“Don’t tell anyone,” you whisper against his ear, fingers tracing along the nape of his neck as he shivers at the tickle of your breath, “but I love you, Katsuki.”

He stills. A small, hitch in his breath as you smile against the shell of his ear and press a quick, delicate little peck against it. It’s silent for a moment like he’s registering your words.

And then, with a quick movement, he’s back to attending to dinner on the stove. He tosses the vegetables in the pan with ease, a smug look on his face as his eyes twinkle in hot direction.

“That’s not a secret, idiot,” he shoots you a shit-eating grin, “anyone with eyes knows you do. Fuckin’ lovesick it’s almost embarrassing.”

You gasp, offended as you give his shoulder a shove while he cackles at the irritated look on your face—and it’s when you realize it. He’s good at bothering you too. Maybe even better, actually.

“You asshole,” you scowl, “have you ever tried to be romantic in your life—”

You’re cut off with a kiss. Soft. Warm. Slightly chapped. Lingering longer than it has to. When he pulls away, his attention is back to the stove as he continues with dinner.

The sizzles are louder.

“I love you too, you shitty woman. It’s not a fuckin’ secret or you’re just dumb.”

It’s not a secret.

He cuts your strawberries and pumps gas in your car. (You’re too last minute about it for his liking.) He wipes your makeup when you’re tired and folds your laundry that you say you’ll get to. (You don’t ever get to it.) He stands so the sun isn’t in your face and keeps a spare jacket for you in case you’re cold. (Apparently jackets don’t ruin outfits if they’re boyfriend jackets.)

And you’re not dumb. You know he loves you too. You just needed to say it in the way you know best—by getting under that thick, stubborn skin of his.

“Yeah, you’re right,” you bite your lip to keep from smiling. It’s a bit of a useless effort. “You’re pretty embarrassing when you have a crush.”

Unstoppable force meets immovable object. You give Katsuki a headache. He loves you for it.