katsudon & izumo soba [KIDA X RORI 1X1]

[donnydobie]

✶✶midoriya izuku
Izuku holds his breath, trying to stave off another wave of tears. This is a familiar feeling, at least. Once he starts crying, it usually takes him a while to plug the leak, his body too caught up in the release to even consider an end point. He does his best to ignore how the heat from the kitten and Kacchan's hand leaving his skin—holy wow, holy moly, Kacchan was touching me!! is all his brain currently supplying, helpful and focused as always. I want Kacchan to keep touching me. He shakes off the I want's, all the yearning of his heart and soul to keep Kacchan within arm's reach, for him only. He can't want, not like this, not here. Kacchan has been gracious enough with his time and energy today. Asking for more is out of the question, so far out of bounds that Izuku reflexively flinches at the thought.

He lets out the breath after the tightness in his throat and burning in his eyes subside, unconsciously unclenching his entire body with it. Tonight was supposed to be routine: dinner, a movie, and say goodnight. Maybe, if Izuku was really lucky, he would be able to get some banter out of Kacchan. And, if the stars aligned and the Gods smiled upon him this once, he'd get a short hug on his way out.

Alas, as most things in his life tend to do, tonight's plans were completely derailed.

The bathroom floor is warm where his feet rest. Izuku knows that will change as soon as he moves. It's October. The air was brisk on his way over. Kacchan has been frugal lately, too, so he probably won't be using his apartment's in-unit heater until they're well and truly into winter, and still, not until it's below freezing. Despite everything—the war, the hospital, and then the distance—it's still Kacchan. Izuku smiles his private smile. He feels a little bit like they're kids again, like Izuku has just scraped his knee and Kacchan is comforting him the best way he knows how. Don't fear, Kacchan is here! Izuku huffs through a laugh, low and fond.

Izuku debates his options. He can refuse Kacchan—or, more accurately, try to refuse the most stubborn person he's ever met—and call it quits to go home to his apartment. He can also take the path of least resistance and agree to whatever Kacchan is planning or not planning, brush his teeth with... Did he bring his toiletry pack? His adrenaline spikes as he mentally runs through his day, trying to tally what he remembers to be the contents of his backpack. He for sure has a change of just-in-case clothes for work, definitely has a phone charger and a notebook with a few pens. A wave of anxiety rolls over him as he rushes over the list again. And again. And again—he's supposed to have it with him, but he doesn't, so now what? Surely, Kacchan would let him run over to a nearby convenience store and quickly get some basics. He isn't as fast without Air Force or Blackwhip, but he's still fast than when he was as a kid. Not a problem, he thinks. This isn't a problem. There's a solution. Not a problem. He squeezes his eyes shut.

The socks on the bathroom floor are cut out of his vision as he squeezes his eyes shut, willing his brain to slow down. He isn't being hurt, he isn't at the hospital. He's in the bathroom in Kacchan's apartment. He can fix this.

Izuku focuses on the timbre of Kacchan's voice. You should come rest. We'll make time for you. The way Kacchan calls him randomly, how he invited him over tonight, the extra set of cutlery, the arm on his shoulder. How close Kacchan lets him get. It's something to focus on as he stands and stretches his arm out, leaving the bathroom quietly, steps unsure. Sure, he could figure out where the kitchen was, but the multiple doors he sees aren't giving him any hints. Kacchan is busy with the kitten, surely.

Izuku stands in the hallway, trying not to look as lost as he feels.

[Kida]

⊗ BAKUGOU KATSUKI

Only momentarily distracted by the kitten, Katsuki's entire body tenses up and he feels a chill run through his spine as he realizes what he's done. He just spontaneously invited Deku to spend the night. Crap. His mind starts to race, realizing he hasn't had another friend stay overnight... ever? The closest he ever got was him escorting too-drunk friends back to their place and a late-night walk back to his own.

An odd, almost defensive feeling hits his stomach as he sees Izuku leave the bathroom out of the corner of his eye. No one else has really been in his space before. It feels incredibly foreign, and he's still not sure if he likes it. He could probably get used to it for just one person, though...

He stands and makes his way out to the main room, passing by Izuku to quickly turn off the still-going movie and TV. It's almost nearing the end, but it doesn't really matter at this point. Running a hand through his hair, ruffling it slightly, he exhales before looking back to his friend. He can tell he's stuck in his own head, eyes unfocused as he stands awkwardly just outside the bathroom door. Katsuki rolls his eyes a little before crossing the room, standing in front of Deku and gripping both his shoulders to bring him down from whatever clouds his mind is stuck in.

"What do you need?" he says softly, forcing himself to simmer down and not be his typically abrasive self. It's just the two of us here, he tells himself, trying to ease the weird tension in his gut. There's no one else that would require him to put on a front for. He just wants to make sure Izuku, visibly rattled from earlier, is alright.

[donnydobie]

✶✶midoriya izuku
"Sorry, Kacchan. I thought I was..." Izuku shakes his head, unconsciously leaning into Kacchan's space, breathing him in and losing some of his tension. "Ah, nevermind. If you'll let me stay, I guess I need my bag. And a toothbrush. I usually have some travel stuff with me, but I guess I forgot it with the move and everything."

Izuku gives him a small laugh and this is exactly when his brain catches up to current events and promptly turns into static. Close! Kaccan is so close!! He forgets all about the flashbacks and waves of panic with their proximity. Half of his brain is still gearing up for Kacchan to push him away in some show of strength, but Kacchan has been strong in other ways these days. Very strong. And broad. And close--

Izuku swallows and wills his ears to stop burning. Kacchan's hands have always been bigger than his, but now that he 's lost some muscle mass, they feel broader than ever. It simultaneously makes him wish he had kept up with his regimen and also that he was small enough to be completely protected by Kacchan's embrace, which... Hm. That is certainly something for Future Izuku to process. Present Izuku immediately starts compartmentalizing (repressing) that thought and any connected to it.

Focus. He needs to focus.

"Ah, I feel like a bad guest. I didn't even help with cleaning up dinner, and now you're offering to let me stay." Izuku says this, knowing full well that Kacchan wouldn't have let him help with dishes on principle, anyways. A fond but apologetic smile breaks his face. "I just need to go to the convenience store to pick some stuff up. I can be quick."

[Kida]

⊗ BAKUGOU KATSUKI

"Bad guest--" Katsuki glares and bites his tongue, not wanting to snap. He takes a deep breath instead, exhaling softly. Due to their proximity to one another, the passing thought of Izuku's scent, that cheap soap from before, is violently shoved aside.

"You don't have to worry about that. I'm sure I've got a spare of whatever you need. It's late, I don't want y-- you should stay here." He would absolutely run to the store if Izuku were to ask him to right now, but he knows there's definitely a spare toothbrush in his bathroom cabinet, at least. His hands don't want to leave Izuku's shoulders but he pulls away after a brief moment.

"So, what do you need?" He asks again, glancing over at the bag he set down near the front entrance. Taking a couple steps towards it, he lifts it with a single arm, bringing it back over to Izuku. He notices a Dynamight keychain on one of the zippers and a warmth crawls to his face, but he keeps his expression neutral. What a nerd.

[donnydobie]

✶✶midoriya izuku
Izuku tries to think. His eyes fall on one of Kacchan's shoulders as he struggles to take stock of his backpack. Change of clothes, notebook, some energy bar that Eijiro swears by, a limited edition Silver Age All Might good luck talisman, a trauma med kit, nitrile gloves, a pencil case, something, something...

He can feel his eyebrows drawing together as he struggles, beyond exhausted. "I have, um... Right. If you have any spare toiletries and, ah, a change of sleep clothes, that would be nice. Sorry, I'm usually more prepared than this! Not that that's an excuse, really, since I should be prepared for anything, being a teacher at yuuai and all. I'm sure you have some kind of go-bag prepared, too. Ah, this is a little embarrassing. "

Izuku laughs softly at himself, more of a sigh than anything else. He breathes in, and it's all Kacchan. All of it: his aftershave, the unscented lotion he used after his shower, his soap that smells—oh god—really good and pairs wonderfully with his usual medicinal-sweet musk he's always had. He gets flashes of childhood memories before he starts smelling iron, which... has been a problem recently, specifically with Kacchan involved. He should probably take up Mr. Aizawa's therapist recommendation.

Later. He's with Kacchan right now. He barely has the brain to process the fact that Kacchan blushed at his GEMG Dynamight keychain that he very much forgot to replace with something else, but it's far too late for that.

"Would you mind? I mean, I know I'm not—that this isn't—" Izuku's teeth click closed at the look Kacchan gives him.

[Kida]

⊗ BAKUGOU KATSUKI

Katsuki's look softens again as Izuku starts to stutter. Would he mind? He wouldn't do this for anyone else.

"You're fine. I've got all of that," he says as he brings Deku's bag into the bedroom, setting it gently on the foot of his bed. He glances down at the keychain one last time before he quickly surveys the area to make sure there's nothing off about the room, but it's fairly clean since he doesn't really do anything except sleep when he's at home. When did he last change the sheets...? He thinks-- it's been about a week so they're due for a change, but it should be fine. It would be a pain to change the king-sized sheets right now anyway. They're just a bit slept-in... He can see the kitten out of the corner of his eye, sleeping soundly in the box he set up for it.

He mentally goes over the small list Izuku gave him. Moving to his dresser, he grabs one of his slightly oversized t-shirts from high school and a pair of loose-fitting shorts, setting them on the bed next to the bag. If he recalls correctly, they've had pretty similar builds since then, so these options should fit him alright. Might be a bit big for him now, but he figures that's okay when it comes to sleepwear.

Next is the toiletries. He goes into the bathroom and crouches to open the cabinet, grabbing a spare toothbrush and setting it next to the sink. He isn't sure what else is needed that isn't already out on the counter for use, so he sighs and stands up, returning to the hallway.

"Should be everything," he mutters, patting Izuku's shoulder lightly. "If you need anything else, just let me know. I'll be out on the couch, so I should hear you call." He remembers his hearing aids are out of batteries, so he can't pick up on quieter, more subtle noises. Crap. He lingers next to Izuku for just a moment before making his way into the kitchen, opening one of the drawers and removing the devices from his pocket to start changing the batteries. He doesn't usually wear them at night because it's uncomfortable, but... he wants to make sure he's there for Izuku if needed.

[donnydobie]

✶✶midoriya izuku
Izuku watches Kacchan putter around the apartment, looking for any hesistance or strain in his movements and finding none. With him working around him, it gives Izuku a few moments to collect what's left of himself.

What the hell does that look mean?

Kacchan is purposeful. Everything he does is on purpose, connected to his goals and accepting nothing less than his best. That look... Izuku is familiar with Kacchan (he'd like to say the most familiar, but that's really a toss up between him and Shoto-san these days) but...there's something he's missing. Sure, they have protected each other throughout their lives, fought a war with and for each other, but Izuku has doubts. While he wants to believe that Kacchan cares about him beyond a platonic capacity, he knows that Kacchan has not been interested in anyone like that even as a kid. He tries to remember what he said that one time to Eijiro-kun asked over a drink... Being with someone would just be a distraction. No one is good enough for me, anyways.

Izuku swallows. Kacchan pats his shoulder and everything fades for an instant. I'll be on the couch, so I should hear you call.

Wait. Couch?

Izuku turns, his body following Kacchan on instinct, wanting to refute his offer, but he's putting new batteries in his hearing aids. The gesture isn't lost on Izuku--not much about Katsuki is. He waits the few moments he takes to swap them out before talking.

"I can't take your bed from you, Kacchan," Izuku nearly pleads, knowing that Kacchan still gets back pain after his heart surgery. Still, after what everyone says is enough time. "Your couch is better than my futon. Let me take the couch."

His heart beats heavily. Being around Kacchan like this, having him offer up his bed and change his hearing aid batteries to make sure he hears anything amiss, his brain defaults to what they were in high school. Usually dormant, Izuku suddenly feels like he's 17 and shy again.

[Kida]

⊗ BAKUGOU KATSUKI

Katsuki gives Izuku a sidelong look, not quite a glare. He pockets the hearing aids and turns to face him, arms crossed as he leans against the counter.

"I said what I said, nerd," he responds coolly, eyes narrowed. "I'm sleeping on the couch tonight." He nods in the direction of his room as he continues, "and you're taking the bed. So make yourself comfortable, D-- Izuku." Part of him, the lingering embers of his abrasive high school self, wants to crack a joke about sharing the bed since it's large enough. The weird, tickling feeling he gets in his gut at the thought of it convinces him that he should definitely not do that.

Pushing off of the counter, he brushes past Izuku, making his way back into the living room and flopping onto the couch, quickly getting comfortable while horizontal. He grabs the blanket that's draped over the back of the couch and lazily puts it over himself with a yawn. Slipping the hearing aids from his pocket, he turns them both on before gently maneuvering them into his ears with a little wince. He didn't like to wear them, and probably wouldn't even have them if it weren't for his mother. She pressured him into getting his hearing tested and subsequently bought them for him... He lets out a little annoyed sigh at the memory and pulls out his phone to idly check his notifications.

[donnydobie]

✶✶midoriya izuku
The last time Kacchan fumbled over his name was after a night of drinking—ironically the same night that Eijiro-san brought up long-term partners—and it fills Izuku with the same sense of fondness. What was he so nervous about? This is the same Kacchan he took Which All Might Era Are You? quizzes with while their mothers talked downstairs.

Even if Kacchan thought relationships were a waste of time, Izuku can still be his friend. He could bear this burden for as long as necessary, easily and without complaint. For now, though, he needs to focus on getting ready for bed like Kacchan has asked. He finds himself strangely awake, but makes his way over to Kacchan's bedroom—Kacchan's bedroom!!—with his socked feet padding softly on the tile floor.

The bedroom is exactly that: a room with a bed in it. The things of notability at first glance were Kacchan's gauntlets and the kitten, sleeping soundly in the makeshift bed Kacchan made. Izuku always knew that he had a soft spot for cats. He tears his eyes away from the gauntlets with great effort, hands itching for a pen. There would be nothing more exciting than having Kacchan explain everything about them in as much detail as possible, but that isn't what he's here for (unfortunately).

Oh my god. The t-shirt. It's the t-shirt, black and time-worn and still just as perfect as Izuku remembers it being. With the door still open behind him, he smiles fondly at it before taking off his hoodie, careful not to irritate his arm further. He briefly wonders if Kacchan is watching him, but very quickly pushes the thought away. His heart's been through enough today. He doesn't need to add insult to injury. He can't help it if his face still heats at the thought, though.

What an odd day. Usually at this time of night, he'd be staring at the wall behind his desk with at least two cans in front of him. The cans help with his pain management, though he knows that no doctor would recommend it. They also help with his sleep. The dreams he does have when he isn't passing out from exhaustion make him wish he didn't fall asleep at all, severe and full-body in nature, filling his mouth and nose with the tang of fresh blood. He wonders if Kacchan has those dreams, too, as he pulls the shirt over his head. It smells like detergent and caramel. It's familiar enough to settle what's left of his nerves.

It's just Kacchan. There's no need for him to be nervous. As if it could ever be just Kacchan, but he can pretend for one night.

[Kida]

⊗ BAKUGOU KATSUKI

Katsuki shifts lightly on the couch, ears prepared to hear the bedroom door close after the shuffling of feet... but then it doesn't. A moment passes. His eyes wander from his phone screen over to the doorway, tilting his head slightly to get a better view. Catching just a glimpse of Izuku slipping on one of his own shirts, he quickly buries himself into his phone again, gulping near-inaudibly.

Social media posts scroll mindlessly across his vision as he does his best to distract himself from his thoughts. He's failing miserably. It had been a while since he'd seen that lightly scarred back, still quite toned but just the slightest bit thinner than he remembered. He definitely wouldn't have misremembered anything about Izuku, after all. He contemplates asking if he needs or wants anything else, but figures it's barely been a matter of minutes. Give it some time, don't overwhelm him, he thinks to himself. Part of his brain just wants to see him in that shirt more. He wants to strangle it as his face and ears warm up. Unbelievable.