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Katsuki loved 3am.

The world was quiet. Still. The usual hustle and bustle of life was diminished to whispers in the dark and hushed conversations in passing.

Not many people were around at that time of the night, so Katsuki was more or less left to his own devices.

Perfect.

His co-workers thought he was insane to willingly pick up the night shifts on a regular basis, but he didn’t care. The extra money was a great bonus, and the coffee shop was so quiet he was able to work on his own stuff for the majority of his shift.

Katsuki worked in a 24/7 coffee shop located in his local hospital. The only patrons he tended to serve were zombiefied nurses, exhausted juniors, and the occasional friend or relative of someone who had been blue-lighted in during the night. Few made conversation with him, merely there for the much-needed caffeine hit.

Suited Katsuki absolutely fine.

He was in the final year of art school. He’d joined the course quite late in life compared to his classmates, having not been at all sure what he wanted to do straight out of school. Drawing and painting had always been a hobby, but he had never really considered it as a career. After a few years of job hopping and not really settling anywhere, he had decided to take the leap and try and turn his passion into something he could do for life and actually make a living from it.

And so far he was doing pretty damn well.

He was one of the top students in his year, consistently getting high marks and decent grades. Several of his professors had encouraged him to pursue a career in art, whether it be in fashion, set design, book illustration, or even as a tutor himself. He was flexible and adaptable enough to be able to choose from a variety of jobs.

For now, he worked the overnight shift at the hospital, using the quiet hours to study and do his coursework. He always had a sketchbook and pencils in his bag, ready to draw at a moment’s notice.

Tonight was his first night back after two weeks off. He’d had exams, and so had taken leave from work in order to focus on school. He’d breezed through, feeling pretty confident he would once again come out top of the class.

Now it was 3:07am. Katsuki was leant on the counter, sketchbook open as he did several practice doodles. His last customer had been in about an hour ago, and the hospital was eerily quiet.

His phone was open beside him, playing music at a low volume as he sketched. He’d had a good chat with one of the porters who had been in earlier on during his break, telling Katsuki a story about his beloved dog. He’d described the animal so well, Katsuki was able to draw him from just the mental image.

The sound of several quiet voices approaching gave him pause, one ear cocked towards the entrance. He grinned to himself as he quickly recognised one of them.

“...And then he had the audacity to look me up and down, sneer at me, and go ‘Are you really qualified to be telling me all this? You’re far too young to be a proper doctor’. I mean...ex-fucking-scuse me! A ‘proper doctor’?! Who the HELL does he think he is??”

A group of junior doctors all dressed in scrubs turned into the coffee shop, the short brunette who was ranting leading the way. Her eyes met Katsuki’s across the room and she instantly stopped talking, a beaming smile lighting up her face. “Katsuki!”

“Hey Cheeks.” He put his pencil down and straightened up. “S’up?”

She hurried over to the counter, leaning across to give him a quick one-armed hug. “I’ve missed you blondie! Where have you been? My 3am coffee fixes have been nowhere near as good!”

“Exams,” he replied, turning to make a start on her usual cappuccino. “Took a couple of weeks off to focus on them. Back to normal though now.”

“Excellent.” She bounced on her feet, glancing back at her companions. “This is Katsuki guys – he is the absolute god of caffeine in this place. I would’ve died of exhaustion many months ago if it wasn’t for him.”

“You’re so dramatic Ochaco,” a tall and extremely tired looking man told her. “Sleep is for the weak.”

“Those eye bags you sporting designer or some shit?” Katsuki asked him, a small smirk on his face. “Gucci or Prada?”

“Designed them myself,” the junior replied, matching Katsuki’s smirk. “One of a kind.”

Ochaco giggled. “Oh Shinso. I forgot how nights turn you into an absolute menace.”

“What’s your poison?” Katsuki asked him as he heated the milk for Ochaco’s drink.

“Straight espresso – as dark as you can make it.”

“Gotta feed those inner demons huh?”

“Oh yeah. They get grumpy without regular doses of pure caffeine.”

“How about you Pinky?” he asked the other woman stood there.

“Cappuccino please, same as ‘Chaco.”

“And lastly…” Katsuki’s eyes flicked over to the final member of the group. They were immediately drawn to the smattering of freckles on each cheek and the wild tangle of dark green curls atop his head. The man was smiling softly, clearly enjoying the interactions before him.

Cute.

“What’ll it be Freckles?”

The young man blushed, instantly making Katsuki think of strawberries. “Oh! Ah...um…”

“Don’t strain yourself,” Katsuki teased, pushing a piping hot espresso across to Shinso. The lanky man thanked him quietly. “How much do you need a boost right now?”

“Not too strong for Izuku,” Ochaco told him quickly. “Give him too much caffeine and he’ll be climbing the walls.”

“Ochaco!” the man apparently called Izuku whined. “I’m not that bad.”

“Last time you had more than three coffees in one shift, you had to run laps around the park before we went home to make sure you would actually sleep. After a 16 hour shift ‘Zuku. That’s not normal.”

“Latte it is,” Katsuki grinned, finishing off the girls’ coffees with a swirl of milk foam. “You want chocolate Cheeks?”

“Always! You gonna draw me something cute in it today?”

Katsuki hummed, grabbing a cocktail stick to swirl into the top of her drink. “I’m a bit out of practice...how’s that?” He pushed her cup across the counter, grinning as she squealed and instantly took out her phone to take a picture.

He’d managed to cut the outline of a cat into her foam, the coffee, milk, and chocolate powder coming together with just a few strokes of his cocktail stick.

“Oh mine too please!” the pink-haired woman pleaded. “That’s adorable!”

He repeated the art in her coffee before heading back to the machine to make Izuku’s latte. He caught sight of Ochaco eyeing his sketchbook. “Have a flick through if you want,” he told her. “S’just doodles and shit. Won’t be winning any awards with that stuff.”

She pulled the book towards her, instantly cooing over the sketched out golden retriever. “Oh Katsuki you’re so damn talented! This is ‘just a doodle’? Pur-lease. You’ve got more artistic talent in one fingernail than I’ve got in my entire body.”

He snorted a laugh as he grabbed a cup for Izuku’s latte. “And I can barely even use a bandaid properly whilst you’re all here savin’ lives and shit.”

“Tomato, potato,” she shrugged, flicking back through older pages of the book. “Oh wow! You’re really good at drawing people. Look at this guys!” She tapped excitedly at a portrait Katsuki had done. “It looks just like Dr Aizawa.”

“That is Dr Aizawa,” Izuku said softly, his eyes coming back up to look at Katsuki in awe. “That is insanely good.”

Katsuki shrugged, hoping the tips of his ears weren’t burning as brightly as it felt like they were. “He’s a regular in here. It’s easier to draw people when I see them frequently.”

He passed Izuku his latte, sliding over the card machine so that Ochaco could pay. “So you got stuck on nights again?” he asked her, sniggering at her scrunched up pout. “Same place?”

“Yeah,” she sighed, sipping happily at her coffee. “ED again. I swear they do it just to torture us.”

“Surely rotation is coming up soon?”

“Couple more months,” Shinso told him drily. “Until then we’re stuck with whatever crazy comes through the door.”

“Please tell me you’ve had at least one person come in with something stuck where it shouldn’t be?”

The girls cackled as all eyes turned to Izuku, the young doctor blushing even more furiously now. “Guys no...please don’t make me relive it.”

“Oh do tell.” Katsuki leant forward across the counter, eyes glinting as he smirked cheekily.

Izuku sighed, shoulders slumped in defeat. “Yeah last week. Bloke came in with...well, with a...oh bloody hell…”

“A can of deodorant!” Mina shrieked, bending over with raucous laughter. Ochaco was leaning against the counter for support as she broke down into a fit of giggles. Even Shinso cracked a dry smile.

Katsuki barked out a laugh. “No fuckin’ way?”

Izuku nodded, wincing slightly. “Yeah. And unfortunately it had gone lid-first.”

“Oh fuckin’ hell…”

“Had to be removed extremely carefully,” Shinso joined in, sipping at his coffee. “We didn’t want the lid popping off and getting stuck.”

“I mean...I understand about wanting to keep yourself clean and smelling good, but that’s taking it a step too far.”

Ochaco howled with more laughter at Katsuki’s quip, and soon all five of them were giggling like idiots.

Katsuki caught himself just watching Izuku as the smaller man giggled. His cheeks were rosy and his eyes sparkled with mirth.

Goddamn he was pretty.

The group eventually calmed themselves down, the doctors finishing up their coffees. “So don’t go sticking anything weird up your rear end Katsuki,” Ochaco told him with a smirk. “Cos likelihood is it will be one of us called in for removal.”

Katsuki snorted another laugh, shaking his head at her. “Not plannin’ on it Cheeks.”

“We’d better head back,” Shinso told them. “Aizawa is due in at 4 and he’ll go mad if we’re not all there.”

Ochaco and Mina huffed and whined as Izuku finished up his drink. Katsuki gave Ochaco a sympathetic pat on the back. “Same time tomorrow Cheeks?”

“Oh we’ll be here,” she promised. “I need my caffeine and coffee art. You on all week?”

“Yeah I’ll be here. I’ll see if I can save any pastries for you from the day shift.”

“Told you he’s a god.”

The blonde laughed as the four headed back out, head tilted to one side as he watched Izuku walk away, the green-haired man flashing a quick sweet smile in farewell.

Hate to see you go...love to watch you leave...

---------------------

Over the next few nights, the same group shuffled into the coffee shop at roughly 3am, aching for their caffeine fixes. Some nights were better than others; one time Mina arrived with puffy red eyes and a tissue clenched in her fist, Ochaco’s arm looped tightly through hers.

Katsuki was pleased he’d been able to snaffle them some cake from the day shift.

Izuku and Shinso explained to him that she had made a minor error on some discharge paperwork. Nothing life-threatening or dangerous, but her superior had chewed her out over it in front of everyone. Made a real mountain out of a molehill.

Apparently he was a surgeon highly disliked by pretty much all the staff. He had a reputation.

“She’s already exhausted from the string of nights,” Izuku told him quietly, watching as Ochaco sat with Mina and whispered reassuring words. “Him being an absolute arsehole about a tiny mistake just tipped her over the edge.”

“Give her this.” Katsuki pushed a slice of vanilla sponge cake across the counter on a plate towards Shinso. “On the house.”

The quiet man thanked him and headed for the table, cake and drinks in hand.

“That was sweet of you.”

Katsuki turned to meet Izuku’s gaze. He shrugged nonchalantly, putting the finishing touches to Izuku’s latte. “S’no big deal. It would only go to waste otherwise. And if it makes her feel a bit better, then it’s worth it.”

Izuku smiled, thanking him when he received his own drink. “She’ll be ok soon. We’ve all been there. Some of the senior surgeons are just very old-school and don’t think about how their words can make an overtired junior feel.”

“Doesn’t excuse it,” Katsuki countered, taking a sip from his water bottle. “No need to be an ass about things. Why couldn’t he just point out her mistake quietly and let her fix it, rather than belittling her in front of everyone?”

Izuku shrugged. “ED is a really stressful environment. Even the pros get over-stimulated sometimes. It’s been a tough night – lots of urgent calls and ambulances queuing up. If it wasn’t Mina, it would’ve been someone else.”

“Well if he ever chews you out like that Freckles, do me a favour and break his nose.”

Izuku snorted a laugh, putting his drink down before he spilled it. “Kacchan! If I punched a senior I’d be fired on the spot.”

"Come get me then. I'll punch him for you."

Izuku had argued that Katsuki needed a nickname, seeing as how he dished them out for everyone else. Thus Kacchan was born.

And it had only taken two nights for the cheeky little doctor to make it stick.

Mina had cried some more and hugged him when they left, thanking him for the cake. Katsuki had blushed furiously, assuring her it was no problem. He caught Izuku’s wry little smile as the group left, and quickly stomped back behind the counter to find something to clean, dutifully ignoring the butterflies currently swarming in his stomach.

The weeks continued on in much the same vein. Katsuki worked the night shift, helping keep exhausted healthcare workers awake with his teas and coffees. His favourite foursome would turn up around the 3am mark, usually ordering the same drinks and chatting to him for their break.

He started bringing in more of his artwork to show them after both Ochaco and Izuku harassed him to do so. The pair were utterly shameless in their praise of him, causing his ears to burn and face to flush.

Ochaco told him he looked adorable when flustered. He threatened to pour her cappuccino down the sink.

He got to know them all a lot better. Mina was ultimately aiming for paediatrics, possibly working with autistic and other SEN children. Shinso was hoping for ENT, wanting to become a surgeon in the field.

Ochaco and Izuku were both working towards Oncology, working with cancer patients. Katsuki was nothing short of impressed.

They were all still juniors, and so still rotating around various departments of the hospital. It would be another year or so before they could start focusing on the area they wanted to work in.

Katsuki had also come to discover that Izuku had a wicked sense of humour and could be quite the conversationalist. The man was quite quiet most of the time, content to sit back and let others talk around him. But if you touched on a subject he was passionate about, then you couldn’t shut him up.

One night he’d entered the shop with the others to find Katsuki doodling out characters from the All Might comic book series. Katsuki watched as the young doctor lit up like a Christmas tree, positively vibrating on the spot as he started peppering the blonde with questions and spewing out facts left, right and centre.

A few nights later, Katsuki passed Izuku an A4 envelope. “Open it later,” he told him quietly, turning away quickly to hide his reddening cheeks. “And don’t bend it.”

Izuku did as he was told, waiting until the end of his shift to open it. Inside was a drawing of All Might in his Golden Age costume, fist held aloft in his famous victory pose. Katsuki had done an incredible job, the colours vivid and All Might’s likeness absolutely spot on.

Izuku treasured it, framing it as soon as he could.

Before Katsuki knew it, 2 months had passed. Mina and Ochaco were off night shifts, but Izuku and Shinso elected to stay on them for another month. Katsuki made the girls the finest art in their coffee foam that he could in celebration.

He’d also been helping Mina design a tattoo – not that she knew it – and he gave her the finished piece on her final shift. She had been talking to him for weeks about her idea, so he had been working on a design in secret. When he handed her the piece of paper, she had practically launched herself across the counter to hug him.

For someone who was notoriously touch-averse, Katsuki found himself not minding it too much when it was one of these guys.

The 3am coffee breaks were a lot calmer with just the two men for company. Katsuki would sit with them at a table as they drank and chatted. Izuku was definitely the bigger conversationalist, but the other two were more than happy to just let him sit and ramble.

This job was meant to just be a filler thing – a way for Katsuki pay his bills whilst finishing up school.

But goddammit – he’d gone and made friends, and maybe had the teeniest, tiniest crush on Dr Midoriya.

Well fuck.

There was something about that man in scrubs that just did it for Katsuki. He could see even under the loose-fitted clothing that Izuku was built. He may be short, but his muscle tone was no joke.

Katsuki thanked all the gods every day for short-sleeved scrub tops.

They were 3 weeks into Izuku and Shinso’s extra month of nights. Katsuki knew his shifts would suck balls afterwards. They wouldn’t be the same without his witching hour chats. He found himself looking forward to them, and would start fretting if the two men were ever running a bit late.

Then came a Friday night where the clock ticked over to 3:40am, and there had been neither sight nor sound of either doctor. Katsuki frowned at his phone as he checked the time. This was highly unusual. None of them had ever arrived past 3:30am before; they were too desperate for their caffeine hit.

Shinso especially. That man had more espresso than blood in his veins. Katsuki was genuinely concerned about him getting withdrawal symptoms.

He distracted himself by mopping the floor his side of the counter. It was a job he usually put off for as long as possible, hoping he could get away with passing it over to Denki when he arrived at 5:30am to help open up. But he needed to keep his head and hands busy.

There must have been something big going on – the emergency department was possibly short-staffed, or there had been some massive accident that had overrun the wards with casualties. There’s no way Izuku would have switched back to day shifts early without telling him.

Was there?

4am came and went – still no sleep-deprived doctors.

Katsuki turned his music on, singing along under his breath as he mopped the floor. Between 4am and 6am was usually the quietest hours in the shop; the night staff were coming to the end of their shifts, and day staff were yet to arrive. It was during those hours Katsuki got the most work done.

He decided to be extra generous to his colleagues, and mopped the general floor area as well. With music playing and mop in hand, he found himself suitably distracted for the moment, dancing and shimmying his way around the shop. He made sure to stick some wet floor signs in the entranceway, just in case.

I don’t know what it is that makes me love you so.

I only knew I never wanna let you go.

You started something, can’t you see?

That ever since we met you’ve had a hold on me.

It happens to be true,

I only wanna be with you...

Katsuki was still singing along to the song as he spun round to head back behind the counter to put his mop away. He absolutely did not let out a small scream and jump at the sight of a rather dishevelled-looking Izuku in the doorway.

“Sweet jesus fuckin’ hell doc! Make a noise or somethin’ next time eh?”

“Sorry Kacchan,” Izuku mumbled, eyes seemingly fixed on his shoes as he twisted his hands together. “Didn’t mean to make you jump.”

“S’fine...hey, you ok?” Katsuki propped the mop up against the wall and headed over to where Izuku was standing just the other side of the wet floor signs. “You can come in – this bit’s dry.”

Izuku nodded, shuffling past the yellow signs and finally looking up at Katsuki. The blonde’s breath hitched as he saw puffy red-rimmed eyes underlined by bags bigger than his suitcase. Izuku looked somehow pale and flushed at the same time.

He’d clearly been crying.

“Hey doc...c’mon. What’s happened? Are you ok? Who do I need to go beat up for makin’ my favourite nerd cry huh?”

Now Katsuki didn’t do sympathy, not really. If someone around him was sad or crying or in any way emotional, Katsuki would be the first to look for the nearest exit. His best friend and roommate Eijirou was much better equipped to deal with those situations. He had empathy in spades and always seemed to know exactly what to say. With Katsuki you’d be lucky to get a grunt of some sort and maybe a pat on the shoulder if he was feeling generous.

But seeing the usually sunshine-bright and beaming Izuku looking so low made Katsuki feel things. Weird, unusual things.

Like...like feelings. He found himself wanting to actively comfort and console the green-haired man somehow.

He tugged Izuku by the hand over to a nearby table, gently pushing him to sit down and sliding himself in the chair next to him. “Talk to me Izuku,” he said softly, keeping a hold of his hands. “I don’t like seeing you like this. I dunno what to do.”

Izuku sniffed, wiping at his eyes. “Sorry Kacchan. It’s err...it’s been a really bad night.”

“Well I figured somethin’ big was going on. No way Eye Bags would make it past 4am without some form of caffeine.”

Katsuki’s rubbish joke did bring the tiniest of smiles to Izuku’s face. “Yeah he’s running on fumes right now. I’m waiting for him to crash.”

“You wanna talk about it?” Katsuki glanced over his shoulder at the clock. “I’ve got just under an hour left of my shift, so plenty of time.”

Izuku met his gaze again. Katsuki vaguely registered that the doctor was gripping onto his hands really quite tightly. “Have you seen any local news updates or social media in the last few hours?”

Katsuki shook his head. “Nah can’t say I have. Why, what have I missed?”

Izuku sighed, slumping back in the chair. “Massive vehicle pile-up on the main highway into the city,” he told him softly. “I’m talking maybe 15 cars in total?”

“Holy shit…”

Izuku nodded. “The majority of them have been brought here as we’re the nearest and also biggest ED. Some died instantly or on the way in. Others…”

It hit Katsuki then. He winced as he realised what Izuku was about to tell him.

He’d lost someone tonight. Someone had died on his watch.

And knowing this tender-hearted, too empathetic-for-his-own-good man, he was taking it personally.

“I’ve dealt with death before,” Izuku continued, no longer looking at Katsuki as he spoke. “You can’t avoid it in this profession. It’s the worst thing, but it happens. And you have to deal with it. And I can. But tonight…” He cut himself off, taking a deep breath before continuing. “He was 7 years old…”

Katsuki’s eyes widened, and he reacted on impulse. He shuffled himself forward, wrapping his arms around Izuku to pull him into a tight hug. He felt the smaller man shaking against him, small sniffles coming from where he buried his face against Katsuki’s chest.

There was nothing Katsuki could say to make this situation better. Nothing he said or did in these moments would ease that pain Izuku was feeling right now.

“I’m so sorry Izuku,” he whispered into the green curls nuzzled up against him. “I can’t...I can’t even begin to imagine...fuck…”

Izuku didn’t answer him, but he tightened his grip around Katsuki and just kept himself hidden for the moment. Katsuki could feel his shirt getting wet with tears, but paid it no mind.

He didn’t know how long they sat there for. It could’ve been hours for all he cared. All he knew for certain was that him holding Izuku and letting him snot against his shirt was pretty much the only thing he could do right now.

Izuku eventually pulled back a little, wiping his eyes and snuffling furiously. “S...sorry Kacchan. I didn’t...I mean you don’t...I shouldn’t…”

“It’s fine Izuku,” Katsuki assured him. “I don’t mind.”

“But you don’t like hugs.”

Katsuki snorted a gentle laugh. “I think we can class this as an extenuating circumstance. And I don’t mind hugs with certain people. You get a free pass doc.”

Izuku chuckled wetly. Katsuki nipped back over to the counter to fetch him some napkins to wipe his eyes and blow his nose properly. Looking at the clock again, he saw he only had half an hour before the shift change.

“Listen...my idiot colleagues will be rockin’ up soon. And I’ll be off the clock. What time you finishing today?”

“I’ve already clocked out,” Izuku told him, pulling apart a napkin. “Consultant on call told me to leave early after...well…”

“Would you look at that – a senior doin’ somethin’ sensible for once.” He grinned at Izuku’s quiet giggle. “You got someone to go home to?”

Izuku shook his head. “Nah I live on my own.”

“Well fuck that. You can’t be on your own right now ‘Zuku. Wanna come back to mine and chill out in front of the TV with some food?”

Izuku looked up at him, eyes wide with shock. “But Kacchan...you need to sleep. You’ve been working all night…”

“As have you,” Katsuki pointed out. “And I think out of the two of us, you’ve definitely had the rougher shift. It’s the weekend so I don’t have school. We can stay up or crash out – whatever. My roommate will be at work until lunchtime. I’m literally 5 minutes down the road. How about it?”

His heart absolutely did not jump for joy at the genuine smile that lit up Izuku’s blotchy and tear-stained face. A bit of life finally flickered back into his viridian orbs.

“There’s that sparkle,” he murmured, rubbing away one last errant tear with his thumb. “Now – you go get your bag and change out of those scrubs and whatever. Come back here and just chill. Shitty Hair and Dunce Face get in at half 5. Just gotta do a quick handover and then we can get the fuck out of this place ‘kay?”

“Your nicknames for people will never fail to amuse me.”

Katsuki grinned. “It’s a skill nerd. Now come on – get your ass up and go get your shit. We’ll be outta here before you know it.”

Izuku nodded and scurried off to fetch his things. Katsuki quickly finished up his cleaning duties and had a caramel latte waiting for him when he returned. He made himself an Americano to go for when they left.

Eijirou and Denki strolled into the shop at 5:25am, greeting Katsuki with their usual hyperactive puppy energy.

“Bakubroooooo!”

“Kats! My most favourite stud muffin!”

“Shut up you two. You’re cuttin’ it a bit fine.”

Eijirou laughed, holding his hand out for a fist bump that Katsuki reluctantly returned. “You still love us.”

“Tch. I tolerate you.” His eyes flicked briefly over to where Izuku was.

Denki caught the movement and then spotted Izuku sat in a nearby booth. “Ooh...new friend Kats?”

“Yeah.” Katsuki grabbed his coffee and messenger bag, slinging it over one shoulder. “Hey nerd...these are the idiots I was telling you about.”

“Hey!”

“Pikachu – you cannot in any way defend the fact that you are and always will be an idiot.” Katsuki smirked at him.

Denki sighed. “Yeah I s’pose. I’m your idiot though right?”

“Pfft, in your dreams.” He pushed a clipboard across towards Eijirou. “Fridge stock check all done. Delivery should be here by 6. I’ve mopped all the way through and bins are emptied.”

“Sweet, thanks man.”

“No worries. Was a quiet night.” He glanced over at Izuku again, the doctor giving him a soft yet still sad smile. “’Kay, me and the doc are headin’ out. What time you gonna be home Kiri?”

“Oh yeah?” The red head raised an eyebrow at him. “Am I gonna need earplugs?”

“No!” Katsuki glared at him, stepping closer to speak quietly. “That’s Izuku. He’s had a really shit shift up in A&E,” he told him in a low enough voice that Izuku wouldn’t overhear. “Lots of casualties – multi car pile up. There….there were kids involved.”

“Oh shit…”

“Yeah. And he lives alone, so fuck him going home right now. Said he could come back to ours and watch some movies or some shit.”

“Fair play bro. That’s decent of you. Tell you what – I’ll head out with Denks after our shift. You two are gonna crash come mid-morning. I’ll bring take-out back for dinner yeah?”

See – Eijirou always knew what to say and do. Katsuki knew he’d picked well when he’d asked him to be his roommate.

“Thanks Kiri – appreciate it. I’ll see you later.”

“Later man.”

After a quick goodbye to Denki, the pair headed out. Katsuki knew Izuku was still feeling rough from the fact he didn’t launch into an immediate conversation with the other two.

It was weird having the normally chatty doctor so quiet.

They stepped out of the hospital into a softly rising dawn. Traffic and footfall was still pretty light; not many people were willingly up and about before 6am.

Katsuki led Izuku on the short walk back to his home. He and Kiri had really struck gold when house hunting. Their small but cosy 2 bed was literally a five minute walk from the hospital and the main city centre. Their landlord Torino was a crotchety but ultimately kind older man. He kept their rent at just above the absolute minimum, and was more than happy for them to decorate the place as they wanted. If either of the boys ever had a problem that needed fixing, he was straight onto it.

(Even that one time Denki had managed to somehow short-circuit their microwave and they had been 5 seconds from calling the fire brigade. Torino had simply laughed it off and got them a new one within a day. He hadn’t even asked for any money towards it.

Katsuki always ensured he made extra cookies and pastries for the old man whenever he went on a baking spree. It was the least he could do.)

Katsuki and Eijirou’s house was a small two bed detached nestled in the heart of Musutafu. They had a living room, decent kitchen, a bedroom each, and one fairly-sized bathroom. The back garden had a patio and small lawn bordered by colourful flowerbeds that Katsuki ensured stayed flourishing throughout the year.

It was more than enough for two young bachelors slogging their way through university.

Katsuki led Izuku inside, shoes toed off at the door and jackets hung up. Heading through to the kitchen, bags were dumped on the table and Katsuki beelined for the fridge.

“You hungry nerd?”

“Not really…”

Katsuki scowled at him before diving into the fridge. “Well too bad. I’m making some miso soup and gonna stick some rice on. You need to eat. You’ve been on your feet for fuck knows how many hours. And you didn’t have your normal break. So I’m feeding you and you’ll be quiet about it ‘kay?”

“O...ok Kacchan.”

Katsuki smirked at him as he took the necessary ingredients over to the stove. “Damn straight it’s ok.” He paused as he filled the rice cooker. “Look...I know you’ve had the shittiest night ever. And I ain’t gonna stand here and tell you it’s all gonna be ok and shit, cos it ain’t. You saw a kid die tonight, and no normal person could ever be ok with that. But like you said – death is gonna be a part of your life if you continue on as a doctor. It’s gonna suck, and I can’t even begin to understand how you’re feeling right now.”

He turned the rice cooker on and turned back to face Izuku who was sat on a stool at the counter. “I can’t put into words how much I admire you for the job you do,” he continued in a soft tone. “Fuck – I couldn’t do it. I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with that kinda shit. But you do.” At this he reached across the counter to take hold of Izuku’s hands. “You’re incredible,” he told him. “You’re smart and confident and so compassionate it makes my teeth itch. You were born to be a doctor. And yeah – you’re gonna have days like this that ruin you and make you question everything. But ultimately you gotta remember why you went into this career in the first place. What made you wanna be a doctor? What keeps you going on those long-ass night shifts when it feels like the whole world is falling apart around you and you don’t have enough duct tape and bandaids to hold it together?”

Izuku’s breath hitched as he felt tears welling up again. Katsuki sighed as he passed him some kitchen roll and immediately went back to holding his hands.

“Listen...you’ve probably figured by now I’m really not an emotional kinda guy. I’m rude and loud and crass to a fucking fault. Normally I see tears and I’m running for the nearest exit. But you…” He paused, giving himself a moment. “I see you as a friend Izuku. And I hate seeing you like this. So I’m gonna do what I do best – cook some shit hot food, feed you up, and then stick on one of the old classic All Might cartoons to try and help take your mind off this shit, even if only for a few hours. I know it’s not much, but I hope it can help in some small way.”

Izuku squeezed his hands, teary eyes blinking up at him. “It helps Kacchan,” he hiccuped out. “I’m sorry to dump all this on you. We’ve only known each other a couple of months...I know this is way outside your comfort zone…”

Katsuki waved the comment off. “Doesn’t matter. If I’m bein’ honest, it feels like I’ve known you for years. And I’m not such a bastard that I can ignore someone I care about when they’re in pain. I’m not very good at it, but I’ll help where I can ‘kay?”

“And I really appreciate it,” Izuku told him with a wet smile. “Honestly...when Dr Aizawa told me to clock out early, the first thing I thought of was to come find you. I couldn’t face going home. I’d missed our normal break chat and wanted something normal. Something real.” He sighed deeply. “I’ve seen plenty of traumatic and heart-breaking deaths during my time in ED. But never a child before.” A shudder ran through his body. “7 years old Kacchan...he’d barely begun his life…”

“I know.” Katsuki scooted around the counter and wrapped Izuku up in another tight hug. “And I know nothing I say can help right now. You did all you could ‘Zuku. Please don’t let this become a burden on your shoulders. It’s not your fault.”

He felt Izuku sob against him, the tears falling freely once more. Katsuki bit down on his lower lip to stem his own tears, tightening his grip and letting Izuku just cry.

It was shit. It was so unbelievably shitty and horrible. Katsuki wasn't a stupid man – of course he knew that this kind of stuff happened to people every day all over the world.

But seeing it so up close and personal, seeing how it affected someone he cared about...yeah, that added a whole other level.

So for now he would stand strong and let Izuku cry it out. He’d known the young doctor less than 3 months, but in that time Izuku had burrowed his way into the tiny cracks and crevices of Katsuki’s heart. They’d formed a connection over silly things like All Might and coffee. They’d chatted about inane shit into the early hours of the morning. They’d come to know each other through coffee breaks and exhausted smiles.

Katsuki wasn’t completely ignorant. He knew of the health issues that haunted everyday people. He knew of illnesses and accidents that could change the course of a person’s life in the blink of an eye. He had been fortunate enough in life to have not suffered anything serious himself, and his close friends and family were equally lucky. But he knew shit happened.

And it was down to people like Izuku to pick up the pieces and try to put those poor souls back together.

So if his favourite doctor needed a cuddle and a shoulder to cry on – Katsuki was more than happy to be the person to provide it.

---------------------

Izuku passed out after less than two episodes of All Might Ultimate.

The pair were curled up on Katsuki’s bed, the blonde having scavenged several cushions from the sofa in the living room to help make them as comfortable as possible. Katsuki had managed to convince Izuku to eat a little food, then the two of them had migrated to Katsuki’s room for some good old fashioned comfort telly.

Katsuki smiled down at the green haired doctor currently leaning against his shoulder, soft snores escaping his barely parted lips. He gave himself a moment to card his fingers through Izuku’s hair, chuckling when he confirmed that those curls were as soft and tangled as he’d imagined.

When this whole 3am coffee thing started (thanks Cheeks...), Katsuki would have never guessed he’d end up making friends, let alone getting close to someone like Izuku.

Izuku was kind and brilliant and friendly and all the things Katsuki indubitably wasn’t. Katsuki had always been more of the lone wolf kind – a very small social circle and no romantic attachments whatsoever. Sure he’d fucked around and had a few decent hook-ups in the past, but never anything he would consider becoming long term.

And then along came Dr Midoriya.

Something about the nerd just drew Katsuki in. He blamed those giant green doe eyes, always full of compassion and warmth. Izuku’s smile was strong enough to power several power stations, and his empathy knew no bounds.

Seemingly without even trying, Izuku had managed to break through Katsuki’s armour tough arsehole barriers, and made himself comfortable as a friend.

And Katsuki couldn’t even say he minded all that much.

He grabbed his remote to turn the TV off. He’d pulled the blinds down and turned off the lights before they’d gotten settled, so after a bit of shimmying and shifting around, he managed to get Izuku laid down properly next to him with a blanket chucked over them.

Sleep took him quickly, Izuku’s gentle snores helping to pull him under.

---------------------

A few hours later, Katsuki awoke slowly. He was feeling warm and cosy and ever so comfy.

Lolling his head to the right, he smiled at the sight of a still sleeping Izuku. In their sleep, the doctor had thrown one arm across Katsuki’s torso, his head nestled atop Katsuki’s upper arm. Katsuki himself was holding onto said arm, his face mere inches away from Izuku’s.

He’d never really been one for bed sharing. Whenever he’d hooked up with someone, it had very much been a fuck and go – no need for aftercare or comfort or any of that lovey dovey nonsense. Katsuki liked his own space, and his bed was usually very much an off limits zone for other people.

But again – as he had already deduced – Izuku fell into some weird, different category of his own. Katsuki was breaking his own rules for the doctor.

And he had to admit, it was kind of nice waking up to someone curled up against you. Even after a hellish never-ending shift in the emergency department, Izuku smelt warm and fresh. This close up, Katsuki could smell notes of something woody and fragrant from his shampoo.

Izuku was still very much dead to the world. However Katsuki was one of those people who once he was awake, that was it. He could never drift back off or spend time just lounging around in bed. He was awake – he was up and out of bed.

Bit difficult to slide out of bed without disturbing Izuku though. The man was clinging to him like an octopus.

Fortunately Katsuki was well-practised in the art of sneaking out of bed thanks to his previous aversion of cuddling.

He manoeuvred himself slowly and carefully so that he was sat back up and leaning against his headboard. He let Izuku’s head fall gently down to rest against his thigh instead, adjusting the blanket so that it didn’t completely smother him. Izuku’s arm naturally hooked its way around Katsuki’s knee, and the blonde stifled a chuckle before reaching across to his bedside cabinet for his water bottle.

He then picked up the sketchbook and pencil he always kept close at hand, as well as his phone and earbuds. Using his free leg, he propped the book up his knee, popping one earbud in to listen to music as he drew.

Checking the time on his phone, he gauged he’d had roughly 6 or 7 hours of sleep. Not too bad really. More than enough for him to be able to function for the day.

He spent the next couple of hours singing under his breath as he worked. His latest project for school was focused on landscapes – not his strongest area. Katsuki was more suited to drawing people and animals – models that were clear cut and defined. Trying to sketch out an entire landscape daunted him slightly. There was always so much movement and changes going on right before your eyes that he found it difficult to capture the detail he was so used to including in his work.

For practice, he looked up some images online using his phone, referring back to the photos every now and then as he drew. His pencil flew across the paper in quick staccato lines, softening when he came to shading in certain areas. He had finally gotten the knack of trees, able to draw them when in full bloom without making the leaves all look too identical or too hastily doodled. It took patience, which was a skill Katsuki knew he would be working on lifelong.

The time passed quickly as he lost himself to the work, and he didn’t even notice Izuku start to stir against his leg.

The first he felt of it was a gentle squeeze of Izuku’s hand around his leg, the young doctor yawning and blinking blearily at him as he slowly came to. He grinned down at him, removing the earbud. “Mornin’ doc.”

“Hey Kacchan.” Izuku patted his leg somewhat fondly before heaving himself up to a sitting position beside Katsuki. His eyes immediately zoned in on the sketchbook, his mouth forming a small ‘o’ of awe. “Ooh whatcha working on Kacchan?”

“Stuff for school.” He tapped the pencil thoughtfully against his chin as he spoke. “Fuckin’ hate drawin’ trees mind. Would be better if it was a winter scene – no fuckin’ leaves then.”

Izuku snorted a laugh, bringing his head back down to it’s favourite position atop Katsuki’s shoulder. “It looks amazing. You’re so talented.”

“Eh...I’ve seen better.”

“Oh Kacchan shh.” Izuku poked him in the side, causing Katsuki to yelp and scowl at him. The doctor giggled, and Katsuki’s swears his stomach did not loop and swoop in joy at the sound. Not at all. “Let me compliment you for once. You’re too self-criticising.”

“Err...pot meet kettle much?” Katsuki quirked an eyebrow at him.

Izuku had the decency to blush slightly, and his lips came into a small pout. “Not the point I was trying to make.”

Katsuki chuckled, setting his sketchbook to one side. “Fine fine...it’s pretty good I guess. Now…” He grabbed his phone to check the time. “Ei and Denks should be heading home soon, and they’re bringing food. Fancy anything in particular?”

“Oh no Kacchan, you don’t need to feed me again. I should really get home and let you get on with your school stuff…”

“I’m sorry – that doesn’t sound like anything the restaurants round here serve. Try again.”

Izuku giggled again, causing Katsuki to break out a rarely seen smile. “But Kacchaaaaaan…”

“Don’t Kacchan me nerd. You won’t win this one. What do you wanna eat?”

Izuku pouted again, but was unable to win against Katsuki’s gentle glower. He huffed. “Fine. I suppose either ramen or yakisoba would be good.”

“Perfect. I’ll message the boys. You wanna have a shower or anything whilst we wait?”

“You saying I smell?”

Katsuki snorted a laugh as he typed out a message to Eijirou. “No. I’m surprised actually – would’ve thought after so many hours on your feet in those damn scrubs you’d be looking and smelling a lot rougher to be honest.”

“I freshened up a bit in the locker rooms before I saw you last night. My original scrubs had to be binned.”

Katsuki thought it wise not to question as to why.

“Well if you want a shower, bathrooms all yours.” He looked down as Eijirou’s reply came through. “They’re gonna be about an hour, so you got plenty of time.”

“I don’t have any clean clothes though.”

“Borrow something of mine.” He casually waved off Izuku’s protests. “Nerd, I already told you this morning. I’m not very good at comfortin’ people and shit. But what I can do, I try to do the best I can. And I know when I’ve had a rough day, a hot shower and clean comfy clothes can be the best solution sometimes. S’up to you anyways.”

Izuku paused for a moment, nibbling on one fingernail as he mulled it over. A hot shower did sound good, and he had to admit the thought of wearing something of Katsuki’s gave him a quiet thrill. And chances were Katsuki’s shower was probably much better than the pathetic excuse for an electric shower he had back in his flat.

He nodded, finally flashing Katsuki’s that beaming smile the blonde had missed over the last few hours. “Ok, thank you Kacchan. That’s really sweet of you.”

“No sweat. Lemme grab you some things.” Katsuki hauled himself off the bed to fetch towels and clean clothes. “Bathroom is straight across the hall. Eijirou’s room is the next door down if you wanna get dried and dressed in there or whatever. Soap and stuff is all in there – go nuts.”

Izuku smiled warmly to himself as he toddled off to the bathroom, towel and clothes in hand. Katsuki really was being far too kind to him, and he couldn’t deny the little flutters he felt whenever the other man smiled at him.

He was undeniably attracted to Katsuki. Who wouldn’t be? Tall, blonde, striking eyes, well-built, ridiculously skilled with a pencil...he was a package deal.

And those arms...dear lord his arms were in a whole league of their own.

Izuku sighed quietly to himself as he closed the bathroom door behind him and started stripping down. Yes, he was attracted to Katsuki and was thoroughly enjoying the fact they had grown so close over the last few weeks. But what on earth would a young and beautiful art prodigy want with an overworked, permanently stressed and exhausted junior doctor?

A relationship was probably too much to hope for. A good friendship and days spent together like this would probably be all Izuku could ever ask for.

Oh well... he mused to himself as he stepped into the shower and instantly felt relief as the first steaming jets of water hit his skin. Better than nothing I suppose.

---------------------

An hour and a half later, the four of them were in the dining room, steaming bowls of yakisoba dished out and ice cold beers on the go. Izuku was immediately drawn to both Eijirou and Denki; they were warm and funny and chatty. As much as Katsuki cussed them out and rolled his eyes at their antics, Izuku could see the trio were obviously very good friends.

Katsuki and Eijirou were more than happy to regale Izuku with tales of Denki’s fuck-ups and general chaos. Izuku found himself crying with laughter at the many stories of Denki’s failed attempts to pick up both men and women whilst at work.

“You fuckin’ said to her – and I quote – ‘grinding these beans isn’t the only thing my hands are good at’!”

“It sounded much hotter in my head Kats – shut up!”

“How about the time he made a crude joke about pumping a different kind of syrup with that male nurse from Urology?”

“Oh fuck I’d forgotten about that poor bastard!”

“And there was another one about making something other than milk frothy…”

“Guys quit it! We get it – I’m a walking disaster when it comes to chatting people up. Izuku – please don’t listen to them...”

“Aww sorry man – you just make it too easy for us.”

“Entertainment for days.”

After dinner they all gathered in the lounge for a few rounds of Mario Kart. Izuku curled up on the sofa next to Katsuki, nuzzling into his borrowed sweatpants and hoody. The sadness and heartache of the night before still lingered, but he felt the sting had softened somewhat during the hours spent with Katsuki.

It was so easy to sit back and relax with these three. Eijirou and Denki cracked jokes as easily as breathing, and Katsuki was always ready with a witty one-liner or quick comeback to their taunts. The couple of beers he had had with dinner helped loosen him up, and he found himself laughing away with the others when Eijirou accidentally selected Princess Peach instead of Mario.

To be fair to the man, he just went with the flow and ended up dominating a lot of the races.

Izuku hadn’t had such a fun evening in a very long time. All his spare time nowadays (not that there was an awful lot of it) was spent either catching up on sleep or studying. He and his fellow juniors tried to make arrangements outside of work to hang out, but so often their schedules clashed or they were simply too exhausted. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had had something as simple as a movie night with Ochaco, or visited the local cat cafe with Shinso.

He missed it.

Eventually the racing came to an end. Denki was sprawled out in a beanbag on the floor, attempting to balance rice crackers on his nose. Eijirou sat in the armchair just behind him, purposefully nudging him with his foot every now and then to make the crackers fall. Katsuki and Izuku remained on the sofa, sipping beer and just chuckling at the other blonde’s antics. Katsuki’s arm seemed to have fallen naturally around Izuku’s shoulders, and the greenette happily snuggled up into his side.

“Crash here tonight if you want,” Katsuki murmured to him as they continued to just watch the other two fool around. “I’ll give you a ride home in the morning.”

Izuku blinked up at him. “You sure?”

Katsuki nodded. “Yeah. Fuck going out now. Too warm and full of beer.”

Izuku giggled, nodding in agreement. “Ok. Thank you Kacchan.”

Denki also opted to stay the night. Eijirou had a spare pull-out futon in his room he could use. Izuku presumed Katsuki had the same. Either that, or they would just share the bed again.

The thought of that gave him a warm fuzzy feeling, and he secretly hoped that would be the case.

After a few more beers and general chit chat, the boys locked up, said their good-nights and drifted off to their separate rooms, Katsuki pointedly tugging on Izuku’s hand to follow him back to the bedroom.

Now that he was a bit more awake and with it, Izuku could get a better look at the décor. Katsuki’s room was furnished simply, but it was clear who it belonged to. The bed was covered in dark grey bedding with orange accents. Against one wall was a large desk, covered in paper, scrapbooks, and all manner of artist’s implements. The walls were painted a grey a few shades lighter than the bedding, with one wall standing out in a deep and vibrant shade of red. Posters were everywhere; Izuku could see several band and film ones, as well as the occasional anime. He had a fairly sized closet and chest of drawers. Everything was neat and tidy and had its place.

“You wanna share again or do you want a futon?” Katsuki asked him, pulling Izuku out of his reverie.

“Oh...err...I don’t mind really. I’m happy with either.”

“Fuck it – let’s share. I can’t be bothered to pull the futon out.” Katsuki flopped down onto his bed, shuffling backwards until he was in his usual sat-up position against the headboard, pillows plumped behind him for comfort.

Izuku smiled and joined him, inwardly cooing as an arm was casually slung around his shoulders once more. He nuzzled gratefully into Katsuki’s side, letting out a contented sigh. He heard Katsuki chuckle as long elegant fingers trailed across his shoulder and collarbone.

“Thank you for today,” Izuku whispered, reaching out for Katsuki’s other hand and interlinking their fingers. “It’s been really nice. Haven’t had this much fun in ages.”

“You work too hard,” Katsuki chastised him. Izuku was happy he didn’t make a move to unlink their hands. “I know you got an important job and a shit ton of studying to do or whatever, but you gotta make time for yourself as well. A burnt out doctor is no help to anyone.”

Izuku hummed his agreement. “Yeah I know. It’s just so hard to find the time, especially when our shifts change so frequently. You get used to one routine, and then it gets flipped on its head. Most days I’m lucky to get enough time to do laundry and get some groceries.”

“That why you opted to stay on nights a bit longer with Eye Bags?”

“Yeah...partly.” Izuku grinned. “I like my night shift routine. Especially the part where I get to grab coffee with this really nice blonde guy. He’s a bit brash, but I know he’s a softie deep down.”

Katsuki chuckled. “Sounds like a loser,” he replied. “Bet he’s a complete asshole in reality.”

“Nah.” Izuku tilted his head to look up at him. “He acts all big and tough, but I’ve seen behind that mask. He’s actually really caring and goes out of his way to make others feel better.”

“Sure you’re not going into psychology nerd? You seem pretty damn good at analysing people.”

Izuku shrugged. “I’ve always been quite good at reading people I guess. And I’m not afraid to get to know someone. Even if they do put on a facade sometimes.”

“Guess I’m a lucky fucker then,” Katsuki murmured, lowering his head to brush his nose against green curls. He got a whiff of his own shampoo and body wash, and something about that made his gut tighten in anticipation.

He smells like me. He’s in my bed, wearing my clothes...

Surely every man’s wet dream come true?

In Katsuki’s personal dream, at this moment Izuku would turn his head just so and then…

Oh look...eye contact.

Izuku blinked those giant green eyes up at Katsuki, the words he was going to say frozen on his lips as he realised how close they suddenly were. The tips of their noses brushed, the tiniest sigh escaping Izuku’s mouth as they did so. Katsuki felt his own breath catch in his throat as he furiously argued with himself in his head as to whether or not breaching that minute gap between them was a good idea or not.

Ultimately, Katsuki’s brain gave him the same answer it always did when facing a big decision.

Fuck it.

Katsuki moved forward those final couple of inches, letting his lips brush ever so gently against Izuku’s. He knew this was probably moving too fast, that the soft and sweet Izuku would probably find it far too bold a move to…

Oh sweet fucking hell he’s kissing me back...

He felt Izuku hum appreciatively as their lips joined. Katsuki’s own lips turned into the smallest of smirks as he deepened the kiss, one hand coming up to cup against Izuku’s jaw. He felt Izuku’s hand travel up to sit against the back of his neck, pulling Katsuki in closer towards him.

Izuku was the first to part his lips, tongue gently teasing against Katsuki’s. The blonde eagerly opened his own, greeting Izuku with a soft moan.

The nerd tasted like Katsuki’s toothpaste. Katsuki felt that overpowering possessive urge once more, his arms tugging on Izuku to pull the greenette into his lap. Izuku went willingly, thick thighs straddling Katsuki as they continued to kiss.

At the back of his mind, Izuku vaguely registered that things were moving a hell of a lot faster than he could have ever anticipated. Fuck – it was only mere hours ago he had been sulking in the shower over the fact they would probably never be anything more than friends.

Now here he was – astride Katsuki’s lap with his tongue down the blonde’s throat.

Katsuki, for his part, simply tugged the doctor in tighter against him, wanting to feel every inch of that surprisingly toned body that he could. Izuku’s arms snaked around his neck as he settled into his lap, crotches grinding together almost unconsciously.

The kiss deepened further; fingers tightened into hair as the two men breathed and ground into each other. Soft groans and whispered whines escaped them, the world around them becoming nothing more than white noise.

It had been a hot minute since either man had been intimate with another person. They had both been far too busy with work and studying.

So who cared if they’d only known each for a handful of weeks? Who cared if this would turn out to be a one night only kinda deal? Or who cared if it didn’t?

They were clearly attracted to each other. Both could feel the evidence of that in their sweatpants. But even if a one night stand was the case, neither man seemed to give a damn in that moment.

I need this. I need him.

Katsuki felt a small frisson of concern at the thought of Izuku using this as nothing more than a coping mechanism, a way for him to physically forget the traumatic events of the night before.

But Katsuki wanted him. And he liked to think Izuku wanted him too. They’d been dancing around each other for some time now. Little glances, soft touches, flirty smiles here and there over the exchange of coffee. Hushed conversations in the dead of night about anything and everything.

Katsuki wanted to touch Izuku. To hold him and comfort him and kiss his stupid face.

He had never wanted that with anyone before. Ever.

As for Izuku – he was feeling somewhat touch-starved. He was by nature a compassionate and physical person. He loved hugs and hand-holding. Kind and caring touches were his love language. It was the easiest way for him to show his affection for another.

And Katsuki…

Well. Katsuki was a sheer delight to touch. He was sculpted, yet soft. He felt warm and comforting and safe. His whole attitude and persona might be brash and brawn, but Izuku knew there was a deeply caring heart hidden deep inside. He’d seen it, felt it for himself.

And he wanted more.

Izuku groaned as he nipped at Katsuki’s lower lip, tongue lapping out to soothe where he had bitten. Beneath him Katsuki responded, hips jerking up and fingers gripping his waist tightly. The tiny nips of teeth were returned, Katsuki sucking on Izuku’s lip before biting down in an almost tender manner.

Izuku gasped at the tiny sting of pain, and Katsuki took the opportunity to tear his mouth away to press soft kisses along Izuku’s jawline, alternating between gentle bites and laps of his tongue against the skin. He felt Izuku shiver in his arms, the greenette’s fingers tightening in blonde spikes in response.

“What do you want doc?” Katsuki breathed out against Izuku’s neck as he continued to pepper the area with sucks and kisses. “What do you need?”

“You,” Izuku whispered in reply, bending his head to nibble and lap at Katsuki’s ear as the blonde continued his own travels down Izuku’s neck. “Just you Kacchan.”

He felt Katsuki’s fingers dig deeper into the flesh around his waist, and found himself hoping there would be bruises left in the morning.

Katsuki growled, one hand coming up to claw into green curls at the back of Izuku’s head, pulling him in even closer. Their tongues toyed around each other, hips grinding more and more as their arousal grew. Their chests slammed together, the fabric suddenly feeling like a very unwelcome barrier.

Katsuki dragged both hands down to slip up and under the clothes Izuku had borrowed from him. The reminder of Izuku wearing his stuff speared him on, desperation growing in his gut. Hot fingers trailed up Izuku’s abdomen, his thumbs brushing against already erect nipples.

Izuku moaned into Katsuki’s mouth, his whole body tensing as Katsuki teased the pads of his thumbs over Izuku’s chest. His breath came in short sharp gasps, back arching into Katsuki’s touch. The blonde smirked, bringing his fingers in to pinch and roll even as Izuku shuddered in his grasp.

“Ka...Kacchan...”

“Sensitive baby?” Katsuki nipped at Izuku’s lips again. “You like that?”

“Mor...more. Yes...please Kacchan…Katsuki...more…”

Katsuki growled again, his possessive nature taking over. His fingers worked Izuku’s nipples to hard buds whilst his tongue curled in Izuku’s mouth, toying and playing and teasing all the while.

Izuku had enough wherewithal about him to bring his hands down and tug at Katsuki’s shirt. The blonde broke away from him momentarily to shrug himself out of the offending item, his hands quickly returning to Izuku’s hips to demand the same. He dragged both hoody and t-shirt off in one go, pulling Izuku against him to feel skin to skin as soon as the clothing was gone.

Izuku whined, hands drifting up and down Katsuki’s torso in an almost torturous manner.

Katsuki dipped his head, taking one nipple into his mouth to play with. He felt Izuku shudder again as he whined, hands gripping Katsuki’s shoulders. Katsuki used both tongue and teeth to tease one side before moving to the other, Izuku’s fingers clenched in his blonde spikes all the while.

As Izuku continued to grind against him, Katsuki let his fingers dip into the waistband of Izuku’s sweats, fingertips teasing along the top of Izuku’s insanely plump and beautiful ass.

The deep moan and sudden thrust of his hips assured Katsuki that Izuku was indeed enjoying this, and wanted it to go further.

His hands slid down fully into the sweatpants, a jolt of joy zinging through Katsuki as he realised Izuku wasn’t wearing any underwear.

“Naughty nerd,” he mumbled against Izuku’s chest, crimson eyes flicking up to meet Izuku’s gaze.

The doctor’s pupils were fully blown, his lips parted in a silent pant. Viridian curls stuck to his forehead where he was already sweating in need, and he continued to tremble slightly in Katsuki’s arms.

“I got you,” Katsuki whispered, surging forward to kiss the other deeply. “I got you baby.”

Izuku groaned again, shoving his hips forward hard so that Katsuki felt his hardness brush up against his own. He barely suppressed his own moan, the hands on Izuku’s ass travelling down to trail fingers around his puckered rim.

“You want this?” he asked breathlessly, his own pelvis rocking up to meet Izuku’s. “Want me to fuck you?”

“Please,” Izuku begged, pressing his hips down harder and harder. “Please fuck me Kacchan.”

Katsuki whined then, pulling himself away for a brief moment to fumble in his bedside cabinet for lube and a condom. He felt Izuku’s fingers dig deeper, his mouth coming down to kiss and suckle along Katsuki’s collarbone.

He would surely have hickies in the morning.

And he absolutely did not give a shit.

“You gotta try and be quiet baby,” he told Izuku as he finally grabbed what he needed. “Don’t wanna wake the others.”

“Then keep my mouth busy,” Izuku quipped back quickly, pulling Katsuki in for another deep and dirty kiss.

Katsuki groaned into the kiss, uncapping the lube and soaking his fingers as Izuku continued to devour his lips.

One hand rested on Izuku’s hip as he brought the other round to the back, one finger teasing at Izuku’s entrance. The greenette whined and bucked against it, urging Katsuki to breach him. The blonde was weak to resist, his finger buried up to the knuckle in one hit.

“F...fuck…” he breathed out, his finger pumping in and out as he continued to kiss Izuku.

“Another,” Izuku murmured against his lips, pressing his ass back towards Katsuki’s hands. “Another Kacchan…I can take it...”

Katsuki was not about to deny the man, and so quickly slid a second finger in alongside the first. Izuku’s wanton moan was persuasion enough, the two fingers quickly pumping in and out in a scissoring motion. Katsuki was already desperate to be buried to the hilt inside this beautiful man. Maybe next time they could slow things down a touch.

Next time...

Would there even be a next time?

Katsuki refused to entertain that thought as he carried on working Izuku open with his fingers. In his lap Izuku wriggled, moans swallowed by Katsuki as they kissed. Somehow they both managed to kick their sweats off, the pants left in a forgotten pile on the floor.

Katsuki quickly introduced a third finger, quietly impressed at how fast Izuku was adapting to him. He curled his fingers ever so slightly, confidence blooming as Izuku gasped and whined against him, legs twitching where they still caged him in.

“There! Kach...Katsuki...fuck! Right there!”

Katsuki smirked to himself as he continued to press his fingers up against Izuku’s prostate, drinking in every moan and whimper he was coaxing from the greenette. He felt every shudder and every shake, his free hand skating its way across Izuku’s taut abdomen and plush ass cheeks. His lips and teeth continued to suckle and tease against Izuku’s mouth, drinking in every gasp and moan.

“I need...I need you.” Izuku’s breath shuddered as he tried desperately to control himself. “Kacchan...I need you to fuck me right now. I can’t...can’t hold it…”

“Ok baby…”

Katsuki silenced him with a deep kiss as he pulled his fingers out. Quickly as he could he ripped the foil from the condom, sliding it into place over his own cock. Izuku continued to pant and shake above him, arms and legs barely holding him in place.

“Up there or down here?” Katsuki asked, eyes flicking across Izuku’s face.

“Up...up here,” Izuku managed to breathe out. “Pl...please Kacchan...please…”

“Ok baby, ok. I got you…”

Katsuki brought his hands back down to Izuku’s waist, helping guide him. One of Izuku’s hands shot down to grab hold of Katsuki’s length, holding it in place so that he could lower himself steadily. Katsuki bit back a whine at the touch, every nerve ending on fire.

The first kiss of the tip of his cock against Izuku’s hole made them both gasp. Izuku powered through, lowering himself slowly.

Those thighs were an absolute thing of beauty. A force of nature. The Eight Wonder of the World.

Katsuki moaned bodily as he watched himself disappear inside Izuku. It took every ounce of restraint he had not to bust a nut right there and then.

Throwing his head back against the pillow, Katsuki took several deep breaths as Izuku continued to sink down. The all-encompassing heat surrounding him was beyond compare. Izuku was so tight and so beautiful and so fucking perfect.

A lesser man than Katsuki would’ve cried.

But Katsuki held himself together, taking one last deep breath before lifting his head back up to look at Izuku.

The sight before him nearly drove him insane.

Izuku’s head was flung back in ecstasy, lips parted as he panted. His arms and chest gleamed with sweat, and as he finally lowered himself the last inch to bottom out, his breath hitched and his grip around Katsuki’s hips grew tighter.

He was perfect.

Katsuki let out a moan, his hips thrusting upwards uncontrollably. Izuku gasped, head flinging forward to meet Katsuki’s gaze once more.

Those emerald eyes were blown dark, black pupils completely eclipsing the verdant green. His lips remained parted, short breaths panting out as he dragged his hands up from Katsuki’s waist to splay around his chest.

Katsuki himself paused, taking a moment to relish in the feeling of being buried so deep within Izuku it felt like he was on another plane entirely.

“Fuck me,” Izuku choked out, his short nails dragging back down Katsuki’s torso. “Kacchan...fuck me now. Please…”

Katsuki needed no further words of encouragement. He surged his hips upwards again, grinning as Izuku jolted in his grasp and small needy moans escaped his lips. Those powerful thighs came back into play, the greenette using them to bounce and rock himself against Katsuki’s cock in desperate need.

“Fu...fuck yes...Kacchan...Katsuki...like that, right there...harder, harder...harder...”

Katsuki was not about to deny his lover of what he wanted. He braced himself against the bed, knees bent and hips bucking up wildly into Izuku as the other man rode him into oblivion. His fingers gripped into the flesh of Izuku’s thighs desperately, the skin whitening under his touch.

Izuku threw his own head back again as he continued to ride Katsuki, hiccuped gasps and moans passing his lips at every thrust. His hands moved back to grab onto Katsuki’s legs, hips pumping as he bounced.

Katsuki had never seen anything more erotic and more beautiful in his life. He knew he would quite happily die here beneath Izuku, locked between those gorgeous legs as the other man chased his pleasure on Katsuki’s cock.

Eventually though, Izuku’s legs began to tire. Katsuki could feel them shaking beneath his touch, and in one swift movement he flipped them, pressing Izuku into the mattress beneath them without pulling out. He hitched Izuku’s legs up and over his shoulders, leaning down far enough to press their lips together once more whilst continuing to pump in and out of Izuku’s hole.

Izuku’s knees were practically up by his ears. He positively screamed into Katsuki’s mouth as the blonde continued to pound into him. Katsuki felt Izuku’s heels dig into his back as he chased their pleasure, his cock thrusting up against Izuku’s sweet spot with every movement.

The greenette was a sobbing, trembling mess beneath him. Katsuki lapped up the tears from his cheeks in between frantic kisses, tongue delving deep to swallow every wanton groan and gasp.

“So...so close,” Izuku managed to breathe out. “Ka...Katsuki...Katsuki please…”

Katsuki doubled his efforts, one hand coming up to grip and pump Izuku’s neglected cock as he continued fucking into him. He smashed their mouths back together, effectively silencing Izuku as the greenette momentarily froze before his orgasm overcame him in wave after shuddering wave, ropes of cum shooting out across his chest and abdomen.

As Izuku’s soft walls tightened and clenched around him, Katsuki felt his own release burst forth. He grunted and groaned into Izuku’s mouth as he filled the condom, arms and legs trembling as he struggled to stay upright above Izuku.

It felt like an eternity, but it must’ve been only moments that the pair felt frozen in time. Every nerve sang, every hair stood on edge as they rode through their bliss. Katsuki managed to choke out a gasp before letting one arm give out, slumping to the side of Izuku and pulling him into a tight embrace. He was still deeply embedded inside the other, and felt his cock twitch as Izuku’s hole contracted around him.

Izuku’s breath felt hot against Katsuki’s skin. Small tremors continued to shudder through his body as he slowly relaxed into Katsuki’s arms. He nuzzled his face into Katsuki’s neck, kiss-swollen lips pressing up against him.

Slowly Katsuki pulled out, whispering apologies when Izuku twitched and whined. He quickly tied off the condom and threw it in the bin before grabbing a nearby towel to wipe them both down.

The pair curled back up naked together under Katsuki’s duvet, the blonde pulling Izuku in to spoon against his chest. Their fingers tangled together with soft touches, Katsuki pressing kisses to the back of Izuku’s neck and shoulders. The smaller man let out a little giggle, arching his neck to the side to give Katsuki more access.

Katsuki could feel all the tension had drained out of Izuku, the doctor lying lax and happy in his embrace.

“You needed that huh?” he mumbled against Izuku’s skin.

“Mmhmm.” Izuku flopped his head to the side to peer back at Katsuki. A dopey smile was on his face and he looked completely and utterly wrecked. “Was good.”

“Just good?”

Izuku giggled again, reaching up to kiss Katsuki. “Was really fucking good,” he murmured against his mouth before pressing in for another kiss. “Kacchan can do that to me anytime he wants.”

Katsuki swallowed hard, letting out a breath as he returned the kiss. “Is that doctor’s orders?”

“Most definitely.”

---------------------

Izuku returned to work on the Monday night feeling rejuvenated and much lighter in himself than he did the previous week. He’d spent a wonderfully lazy morning with Katsuki, the pair finally peeling themselves out of bed after another round of what Izuku could only describe as the most mind-blowing sex he’d ever experienced.

They hadn’t talked about it. At least, not in a way that would settle what exactly it was between them. They’d cuddled and kissed and made out for as long as possible before Izuku had to head home, exchanging numbers before finally parting ways.

Katsuki had classes that Monday morning, then would nap before heading in for his usual night shift.

Izuku couldn’t wait for 3am.

Shinso noticed the difference in his friend’s demeanour. When he questioned Izuku, the greenette simply smiled and shrugged, explaining he’d just had a very nice and relaxing weekend, and had been able to push the majority of Friday night’s memories to the back of his mind.

Shinso wasn’t totally convinced, but he would take it for now. He was just relieved Izuku seemed to be doing ok.

3am rolled around, and the pair headed down to the coffee shop. Shinso noted Izuku seemed extra jittery than normal, his rubber shoes squeaking against the floor as he scurried towards the entrance.

“Maybe you should get something without caffeine tonight,” he commented drily. “Ochaco will kill me if you end up overbuzzed again.”

“Oh I’m fine Toshi – stop fretting. You know I need my 3am latte and catch-up with Kacchan.”

“Hmm.”

The conversation tailed off as they approached the shop. Shinso watched as Izuku’s face lit up with a wide smile as he saw Katsuki hunched over the counter, pencil in hand as always. He looked up and grinned at the two doctors, pushing his sketchbook to one side. “Mornin’ you two.”

“Good morning Kacchan.” Izuku bounded over to the counter. “How are you?”

“Doin’ just fine thank you doc. You seem extra perky today. Has he had his caffeine allowance already?” he asked Shinso, one eyebrow raised in a look of slight concern.

Shinso shook his head. “Nah. He’s just got extra puppy energy today. God knows why – shift has been dull as hell.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Katsuki asked as he set to making Shinso’s usual espresso.

“Not really,” Izuku pouted. “Means we’ve got no excuse to not catch up on paperwork.”

Katsuki snorted a laugh. “Ahh yes – the bane of every doctor’s existence. Admin.”

The trio chatted for a while, Katsuki eventually caving into Izuku’s pleas for a latte. He made a point of making it with extra milk and no syrup though.

As they talked, Shinso couldn’t help but notice the furtive glances and small smiles being shared between the other two. Katsuki even seemed friendlier than usual, quicker to laugh and overall more relaxed.

He hadn’t even called him Eye Bags once yet.

Something was definitely going on between those two. They weren’t all out flirting, but it was clear to any observer that there was something more than casual friendship there.

Shinso was a smart man, and he knew Izuku well. He could see the rosy hue tinting those freckled cheeks, and recognised that little glint in his eye that showed a spark of genuine happiness.

Maybe he had Katsuki to thank for Izuku’s good mood. The greenette had been radio silent almost all weekend, only replying to Shinso’s messages on the Sunday afternoon. Perhaps he had been otherwise occupied.

Either way, he wasn’t going to say anything. If there was something between the two of them, then he hoped it went well. He knew Izuku was quick to love and would always try to see the best in people, so he could only hope that Katsuki would treat him right.

---------------------

Izuku’s night shifts were finally over. He had a few days off to recuperate and get himself back into a normal daytime routine, and then he was rotated round to help on the cancer ward. He was excited for this, as it was the area of medicine he really wanted to focus on.

However day shifts meant no more 3am coffees with Kacchan.

After his final Friday night, Katsuki had dragged him back to the house again. Eijirou was away for the weekend staying with his girlfriend, and Katsuki intended to take full advantage of the fact.

They’d barely gotten in the door before clothes were being ripped off and heated kisses exchanged.

Izuku had stayed the whole weekend, only heading home himself when Katsuki left for school on the Monday morning. If he had a slight limp to his walk, no one commented on it.

They texted frequently. Katsuki would send him sad faced selfies at 3am from the coffee shop, half scowling and half pouting into the camera. They would always make Izuku laugh when he woke up.

They got into a meme war, each sending the funniest and dirtiest things they could find. More than once Izuku had been caught cackling at his phone in the break room by a bemused colleague.

Katsuki would send photos of his artwork, either those he was doing for school or just for fun. Izuku would gush over every single one, genuinely impressed each time he saw something. He would send lines of heart-eyed emojis, not knowing his sickeningly sweet responses were causing Katsuki to overheat and blush every damn time.

They weren’t together. They hadn’t put a label on whatever it was that was going on. They flirted, they joked, and they had fun. But neither man had yet been brave enough to ask the question of whether or not their relationship would ever evolve past this friends-with-benefits situation they had going on.

They hadn’t seen each in person for nearly 3 weeks. Izuku was on call over the weekends, and Katsuki had a big project he needed to finish up for school. They remained in constant contact, but soon both of them was starting to miss the other.

So Katsuki hatched a plan.

He knew Izuku was due to finish at 6pm on the Friday, and he wasn’t on call that weekend. Katsuki himself had a full day of classes, but would be done by 4pm, and had booked that night off work in celebration of finally handing in his biggest project to date. He hurried on home, whizzing round the house with the hoover and changing his bedsheets before hopping in the shower. Eijirou was once again staying with his girlfriend for the weekend.

He’d gone and bought fresh groceries the day before, so got everything prepped before getting changed into one of his nicer pairs of jeans and a tight dark red v-neck. A splash of the cologne he knew Izuku liked, a quick brush of his hair, and he was grabbing his leather jacket and heading out the door.

He knew Izuku liked to swing by the coffee shop when he finished on a Friday evening. He would usually treat himself to a pastry and hot chocolate to head home with.

Katsuki sidled into the shop at 6pm on the dot, waving to his colleagues Hanta and Kyoka. It was relatively quiet, just a few patrons dotted around the seating area.

“S’up Kats,” Hanta greeted him. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”

“Meeting someone,” he replied, ignoring both pairs of raised eyebrows. “Well...attempting to. It’s a surprise. I’m a bit fucked if he doesn’t come by here tonight.”

“New boyfriend?” Kyoka asked tentatively.

Katsuki shrugged, trying to look a lot more casual than he felt. “Maybe...if I get tonight right.”

“Anyone we know?” Hanta asked with a cheeky grin, eyes already flitting around the shop to see if he could spot anyone.

“Probably. He works in the hospital and is in here most days.” His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he grinned as he opened the message to a selfie of Izuku cheering in the locker room.

Izuku:
FREEDOM!!!

Katsuki:
Well-earned. Pastry time I’m guessing?

Izuku:
Of course! You know it’s my Friday night ritual Kacchan. I’m really hoping they’ve got some almond croissants left.

Katsuki glanced across the counter to see one lonely croissant sitting there.

“Hey Hanta...bag up that almond croissant for me would ya? And I’ll take a medium hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows and a medium spiced apple tea to go.”

The other blinked in surprise before doing as requested, one eye on Katsuki as the blonde smirked at his phone.

Katsuki:
They are very popular. You might get lucky if you hurry.

Izuku:
Waaaahhhhh Kacchan! Don’t tease! You know I’m gonna cry if there’s none left. 😫

Katsuki:
I think it’ll be your lucky night doc. Just a feeling.

He ignored Izuku’s next reply, taking the drinks and pastry from Hanta before taking a seat at a nearby table.

Five minutes later Izuku came scurrying into the shop. Katsuki could see from where he was sat that the doctor’s face fell as he saw the distinct lack of almond croissants. He chuckled to himself, continuing to just watch as Izuku pondered over the other available options before making his way to the till.

Katsuki caught Kyoka’s eye, tilting his head towards Izuku and nodding. Thankfully the girl caught on quick, and grinned at him as she quickly put two and two together.

“Oh your order has already been bought and paid for,” she called across to him.

Izuku blinked in puzzlement. “I’m sorry...it has been bought and….what?”

Kyoka grinned, simply looking across to where Katsuki was sat with a smug grin, one finger tapping against the takeaway cup of hot chocolate. “He beat you to it.”

Izuku’s eyes widened before a beaming smile split his face and he rushed over to Katsuki. The blonde got to his feet just in time to catch Izuku in a hug. “Hey nerd.”

“Kacchan!” Izuku pulled back slightly to gaze up at him. “What are you doing here? I thought you had that project to finish before coming into work?”

“Finished it,” Katsuki replied with a grin. “Handed it in this afternoon. And I’ve got tonight off. So…” He reached back to the table to grab the bag containing Izuku’s croissant. “Figured I’d come meet my favourite doctor, see if he fancied dinner and a movie tonight.”

Izuku took the bag with trembling fingers, and Katsuki could see he was only one breath away from bursting into tears. “That...I...that would be lovely. Thank you.”

Katsuki’s grin broadened as he handed Izuku his hot chocolate and picked up his own drink. Slinging one arm around Izuku’s shoulders, he waved in farewell to his two colleagues who were stood there looking absolutely gobsmacked. Kyoka shook herself out of it first, giving him two thumbs up before returning the wave.

Hanta still looked like he’d witnessed some sort of biblical miracle.

The pair chatted easily on the short walk back to Katsuki’s, Izuku nibbling at his pastry. As Katsuki let them in the front door and they hung their coats up, Izuku pulled him down for a quick kiss. Katsuki smiled into it, the faint taste of almond and vanilla painting his lips.

“Alright doc...go shower and freshen up. I’m gonna get started on dinner. And yes you can borrow my clothes,” he added before Izuku even had chance to ask the question.

Blushing, Izuku nodded and headed upstairs, butterflies kicking up a storm in his stomach. Katsuki headed through to the kitchen, throwing their now empty takeaway cups in the bin and washing his hands.

Everything was going swimmingly so far. Now he just had to make sure he got dinner just right.

Throughout the many conversations he had had with Izuku, both in person and over the phone, he had quickly deduced that Izuku’s favourite dinner was katsudon. He frequently lamented on how much he missed his mother’s cooking, her katsudon especially. He couldn’t wait for his next bit of annual leave so that he could take the time to visit her and indulge in his favourite meal.

Katsuki had a high bar to reach. Thankfully he was a man who liked a challenge.

By the time Izuku shuffled back downstairs, dressed in a pair of Katsuki’s sweatpants and a t-shirt, the pork was frying nicely in the pan and the rice was almost done. He heard Izuku gasp as he entered the kitchen, the quick patter of bare feet against the tiles announcing his arrival.

“Is that katsudon Kacchan?!”

“Sure is.” He grinned. “Figured I’d treat you tonight.”

“Any special reason?” Izuku asked as he slid himself up onto a stool.

Katsuki shrugged, once again doing his best to appear nonchalant. “Do I need a reason?”

“Well no...I suppose not. I’m very grateful and honestly this is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.” At Katsuki’s surprised glance he shrugged. “Med school doesn’t leave much room for ah...for free time and dating and stuff.”

“Well that sucks ass,” Katsuki mumbled, getting a laugh in response. He grinned at Izuku’s tinkling laugh, his eyes scrunched closed and cheeks painted with a faint blush. The pink made his freckles stand out like tiny constellations, and Katsuki found himself wanting to bite them.

A short while later they were sat down with piping hot katsudon and icy cold beers. Izuku pressed a fond kiss to Katsuki’s cheek before they tucked in, the blonde feeling his own cheeks flush.

Izuku was quick to praise Katsuki’s cooking, proclaiming it was the closest he’d ever come to someone replicating his mum’s recipe. The earnest declaration made Katsuki preen, his stomach twisting and roiling in that excitable almost horny teenager kinda way. He just knew the tips of his ears were beet red, and he quickly downed a large gulp of beer to try and hide the fact.

Compliments from Izuku always had this effect on him.

“So what did you want to do tonight?” Izuku asked about halfway through dinner.

Katsuki shrugged. “Up to you. Ei is over at his girlfriends place again, so we’ve got the house to ourselves. Can game or watch a movie if you like. Whatever you fancy.”

“I think a movie would be nice,” Izuku mused, sipping at his own beer thoughtfully. “Can we bring your favourite blanket down to the sofa?”

“Of course.”

“And I might need to steal a hoody.”

“No problem.”

Izuku tilted his head to one side as he observed Katsuki. He knew the loud and outgoing man had this softer side to him, but he was pleasantly surprised to be experiencing it quite so freely.

Katsuki caught his gaze and quirked an eyebrow questioningly. Izuku simply shook his head with a small smile, taking a mouthful of rice before continuing the conversation.

“Just thinking how lucky I am to have met you is all. I really enjoy our times together.”

Katsuki felt a soft smile curl up, and those damned butterflies were causing whirlwinds in his stomach again. He took another swig of beer. “That...that’s good. I’m glad you enjoy them. I do too.”

“Yeah?”

“Mmhmm.” He reached across to grasp hold of Izuku’s hand, thumb rubbing across his knuckles tenderly. “I was...actually I was kinda hoping...well, what I mean is…”

What the fuck was this?! Katsuki Bakugo did not stutter and stumble over his words like some lovesick buffoon. Absolutely not.

He cleared his throat, avoiding looking directly at Izuku’s face as he knew he wouldn’t be able to continue. The other man waited patiently and – for once – silently for him to carry on.

“I really like you ‘Zuku,” he eventually said quietly. “Like...I really like you.” He flicked crimson eyes up to take in Izuku’s expression.

The greenette was smiling at him, eyes twinkling and already on the verge of watering.

“I really enjoy what we have,” Katsuki continued, releasing the hand he held so that he could link their fingers together. “We’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve never...well...I’ve never really had this with anyone before. And I’d really like to keep it. If...if you do too, of course…”

“Absolutely,” Izuku assured him, squeezing his hand. “I...I really like you too Kacchan.”

“I know it might be a bit difficult, what with our weird schedules and shit. But I think it’s worth a shot, don’t you?”

“Most definitely.” Izuku stood from his chair and shuffled over to Katsuki. The blonde twisted himself round to welcome Izuku into his lap, his favourite thick thighs draping over his own legs as his arms came up to wrap around Izuku.

Izuku bent to kiss Katsuki, lips instantly parting to let their tongues entwine around each other. His arms curled around Katsuki’s neck, nails scratching gently at the fine baby hairs on Katsuki’s nape. He felt Katsuki’s large warm hands slide up and under the thin t-shirt he wore, goosebumps erupting across his skin as he shivered in anticipation.

“Have you finished dinner?” Katsuki asked him breathlessly between kisses. At Izuku’s nod he smirked. “Good. Time for dessert.”

“What’s for dessert Kacchan?”

Katsuki kissed him deeply again, biting at Izuku’s lower lip playfully.

“You are.”