Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 4:  On the Market 

“Thank you so much for coming out to support us today.”  The platitude didn’t needle as much as it normally did; Deku was very close to being fully sincere. 

“It’s an honor to meet you sir,” the Dekubowl safety campaign VIP civilian squeezed Deku’s hand once before letting him go.  There was no additional fanfare or desperate attempts to eke out an extra few seconds of time or contact.  It was almost, almost like what Deku had imagined fan meet and greets would be like, before the war and before number one.  He wanted to trust the warm satisfaction blooming in his chest, but he couldn’t lose focus.  There was always more to do, and it was his job to stay one step ahead.

Deku lifted his arm and waved at the small gathering for Dekubowl Safety campaign VIP’s.  “Stay safe out there!”

“Stay safe out there!”

They started dispersing, bleeding out into the farmer’s market around them.  Everyone, including Deku, had special limited edition Dekubowl Safet campaign reusable tote bags to carry any purchases made during their time here today.  He had received a text from Ashido-san asking him to bring his own shopping totes, but when he told her he didn’t have any—the food service did all that for him—she had an extra bag made for Deku.  It was made out of good material, strong interwoven fibers and bright dyes.  Deku’s was even the signature green of his costume. 

“Took you fucking long enough.”

Deku glanced up and saw Kacchan waiting for him, leaning with crossed arms against the edge of a market stall, red tote bags dangling from one elbow.

“Hello Kacchan,” Deku beamed, waving and trotting over to his friend. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“It wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been,” Kacchan admitted, pushing off the stall he’d been leaning against and moving towards Izuku.  “Are the VIP’s still self-limiting?”

“Um…” Deku glanced over his shoulder but already the other brightly colored tote bags were disappearing into the crowd, taking their people with them.  “Yeah.”  He shrugged, trying to portray a calmness he didn’t feel.  “There were about twenty today.”

Kacchan nodded, scanning their surroundings as if he was evaluating a potential sidekick to bring on to his new agency.  “Not bad.  And they thought of this all on their own.  There might be hope for civilians yet.”

“That’s our job,” Deku insisted, “spreading hope.”

Sharp crimson eyes found Deku’s face and scanned the length of his body like they were picking out tactical weaknesses.  Maybe they were.  Kacchan didn’t get enough credit for his ability to think strategically.  He wasn’t the impulsive, anger-fueled child he’d been at the start of their time at UA. “You’re taking on too much, like usual.”  Kacchan turned and beckoned Deku to follow him.  “Come on; we’ve got shopping to do.”

Deku hurried after his friend, almost jogging to keep up.  Kacchan was moving across the market with purpose; whatever his end goal was, he had a plan of attack. Deku tried to keep track of the stalls they passed.  There were several craft stands selling everything from blankets to bracelets, a few antique stands, and so many different food vendors it was dizzying.  And confusing.

“Kacchan,” Deku trotted a little closer beside his friend, “Why are we here?”

“We’re shopping, didn’t you hear me?”  Kacchan didn’t pause to look back, he kept charging ahead.

“I did, but why here?”  Deku glanced around then again.  They were surrounded by fresh vegetables and fast approaching the corner of the market.  The entrance had been closer to the center of the vendors rows, probably to encourage wandering to see all the sights.  Kacchan coming directly to a corner of the market felt like an echo of their search and rescue training; always move in a grid pattern. 

Deku leaned forward trying to catch Kacchan’s gaze.  Something was off.  He didn’t know if it was in the rigid lines of Kacchan’s posture, the tone of his voice, or this entire outing.  “You know I don’t have the time to cook,” Deku continued in a low voice—he didn’t want to sound like he was complaining—, “and despite your best efforts to teach me I’m not that good at it.  Are we stocking your kitchen?”

“No.”  The tight muscles of Kacchan’s jaw jumped.  Something was pissing him off, probably lots of somethings.  “And we’re not here to fix your atrocious cooking either.  Some of the vendors sell prepared meals that are easy to freeze and heat up later.  Also, there are great ingredients that can be snacks or part of a simple meal.”

“I have a meal prep service, Kacchan,” Izuku protested.

“Yeah, and their food is shit.”

“Kacchan, that’s not nice.”

“The nicest thing I can say about their food is it won’t make you sick.”

Izuku huffed an irritated breath and reached for Kacchan’s elbow, finally stopping him in his tracks.  “Can you please tell me what this is really about?  Why did you want to take me here?”

Red irises locked with green for a long, charged moment before Kacchan grabbed Izuku’s hand and maneuvered them into a makeshift alley between rows of stalls.  It was the closest they could get to privacy in such a public setting.

“We’re here because you need to start taking things seriously,” Kacchan hissed.  He was leaning close and dropping his voice low, but it still simmered with anger.  “How the hell to you expect to convince Kiri he deserves love if you’re two seconds away from sucking face with Melissa-san, and it’s plastered all over the fucking place?”

Shit.

He hadn’t been kissing Melissa-san on the mouth, but it was hard to misinterpret the intent Izuku had all but been broadcasting with his lips across her knuckles.  After standing so close together during their roller-skating date, of course people would talk.  Izuku tried not to listen to the rumors, but that didn’t mean they weren’t affecting his friends.

Eijiro-san knew where they stood, Izuku had the chance to talk to him since, but this was the first time he’d been able to speak to Kacchan since the second round of the Dekubowl began.

Kacchan leaned closer, snarling directly into Izuku’s face.  “Are you serious about Kiri or aren’t you?”

“I am serious,” Izuku insisted, pushing both palms against Kacchan’s chest, trying to get a little breathing room.  “And Eijiro-san and I understand each other.”

“Do you?”  Kacchan’s eyes narrowed, and he pushed until Deku’s back was flush against the sharp wood of the stall behind him.  “Because I don’t get it.  From where I’m standing, you’re all over him one minute, first names and everything, then you’re all over her the next.  You can’t fucking do that to people, Deku.  Don’t say his name like that unless you mean it.” 

Kacchan was really angry.  This wasn’t his usual experience of anxious-angry, or even frustrated.  He was furious.  Izuku could feel it in the heat coming off Kacchan’s skin and the ridged lines of his body.  If they weren’t standing cross-eyed close, Izuku was sure he’d be able to see it too.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

He couldn’t even tell Kacchan he was wrong.  Deku had done exactly what he’d been accused of, at least in action.  He’d talked to both Melissa-san and Eijiro-san individually, but even there he couldn’t be fully candid.  He didn’t think he was hurting them, but he shouldn’t assume either.  He had to ask them…and he had to wait until they reached out to him. 

Fuck the Dekubowl and its stupid fucking rules.

“Are you seriously fucking ignoring me right now?!”  He wasn’t quite yelling, but Kacchan definitely wasn’t whispering anymore.  Deku had to do something before they attracted more than a few curious glances.

“I’m trying to think about how to answer your question before you make more for Eijiro-san to worry about.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Kacchan ground out.  If he kept pressing against Izuku’s forehead like that he was going to give them both a headache.

“Think about it, Kacchan.  We’re alone on our outing, we’re crammed into this tiny semi-private space, my hands are on your chest, and your face is pressed against mine.  You really think no one’s taking pictures of us right now?  Or that those pictures won’t end up in the paper?”

Kacchan sprang back like he’d been struck, pressing himself against the far wall of their makeshift alley with a look of almost comical distress.  “That’s not—”

“I know that’s not what you meant, Kacchan.  I know what’s happening here is innocent, just like when I fell at the Cat Café and Shinsou-san caught me, or the ‘kiss’ I shared with Ojiro-san.”

Sharp crimson eyes narrowed.  “You’re not seriously telling me that you kissing Melissa-san’s hand was an accident.”

“No, but I am telling you that you don’t have the whole picture.  You’re jumping to conclusions when you know I can’t tell you everything.  Please believe me when I tell you I’ve talked to everyone as much as the Dekubowl allows, and I’ve been very clear about my intensions.  I wouldn’t keep someone here who didn’t want to be here, and I’ve never lied about what I’m offering.”

Kacchan’s frown deepened, drawing harsh lines across his face.  “Then what the fuck are you doing?  How do you explain what’s happening between you and Melissa-san and you and Kirishima?  You can’t explain away all of it.”

He couldn’t.  And he couldn’t be as candid as he wanted to, either.  But he had to tell Kacchan something true.

“You know I think Eijiro-san deserves a fairytale romance.”

Kacchan scoffed.  “You’re not fucking acting like it.”

“And,” Deku pressed on with a pointed look, “you know that when people aren’t convinced they can have something it’s hard to persuade them.”

“So, you’re embodying everything he’s afraid of because that’s all he’ll believe?”

“Do you want me answer you, or do you just want to yell?”

Kacchan huffed but held up his hands in the most aggressive show of surrender that Izuku had ever seen.

“Sometimes,” Izuku licked his lips and gulped air, searching for the right words, ones he could actually say that wouldn’t violate the rules of betray any confidence that had been placed in him.  He hated strategizing his personal conversations…

How many more times am I going to have to do this?

“You can’t always come at something head on.  Sometimes you have to step sideways into it so that you don’t scare anyone off.  Sometimes you have to approach so slowly that no one sees you coming until you’re there.”  It wasn’t the explanation that Kacchan deserved, but it hinted at some of the complex layers surrounding the situation between Eijiro-san, Melissa-san, and himself.

Should I be grateful or disappointed that I haven’t acted on my other crushes?

Izuku forced his attention back to the present moment, watching Kacchan watching him.  Red eyes flickered across Izuku’s face, reading it, and pale blond brows pushed together.  He still looked angry, but at least he was thinking.  They both had to stay focused on the here and now in front of them, not what they were afraid of, or fleeting sparks they couldn’t fuel into a larger fire.

“Sometimes you can’t show how much you want something, because you know if you do, you’ll lose your only chance to come close.” 

Izuku blinked into the empty space between them, trying not to look as surprised as he felt.  Where had that last declaration come from?  His mouth was running away with him again.

Kacchan tipped his head to one side and squinted as if he was trying to see through a fog.  “So, what?  You’re keeping things casual so that Kiri will give you a chance?”

Izuku leaned his head back against the side of the stall and swallowed.  “You know I can’t answer that.”

“Does he really think that’s all he deserves?”  There was something aching and poignant in Kacchan’s voice that helped Izuku push away his own confused thoughts to focus on his friend. 

Red eyes were glossy now, unfocused as Kacchan looked for something inside himself.  He looked…devastated, like the thought of Eijiro-san denying himself love was physically painful.  Izuku had always known Kacchan cared for Eijiro-san—he wouldn’t have let him so close if he didn’t care—but for maybe the first time Izuku thought he was starting to see how much Eijiro-san meant to Kacchan. 

Would he fight this hard for me?

It was a selfish thought, but Izuku couldn’t pretend it wasn’t there.  He had to ignore it anyway, because this wasn’t about him.  “Eijiro-san is an amazing person and, when I can talk to him, I make sure to tell him.  I’m also asking how he feels every step of the way.  I swear I wouldn’t knowingly do anything that would hurt him.”

Kacchan’s eyes narrowed and focused on Izuku with renewed intensity.  “What about Melissa-san?  She doesn’t deserve to be jerked around either.”

Izuku swallowed and nodded his agreement.  “She knows how I feel, and what I can and can’t promise her.”

Please, please, believe me.  Trust me.

Izuku didn’t want to betray anyone’s confidence, and he didn’t want to undermine the Dekubowl, when they’d all come so far, and he also didn’t want his oldest friend believing he would treat anyone so badly.

Slowly, haltingly, Kacchan began to nod.  “I don’t know if Melissa-san is leaning into the Dekubowl romantic angle to help you, or just for fun.”  Kacchan’s wide shoulders bunched in a shrug.  “I guess it doesn’t matter.  She’s an adult, she can make her own decisions.  She’s smart enough to see what’s really happening, so maybe she’s trying to help you too?  Take some of the pressure off Kiri?”  A rough, calloused hand lifted palm up before Izuku could even start to reply.  “I know you can’t answer that, and I’m not asking you too.  It doesn’t change my plans for the day.”

“Which are?”

“Shopping with you.  Getting a gift basket ready for Kiri.”

“Kacchan, you know I can’t—”

“But I can.  Maybe you have to make this look less important than it is, maybe you and Kiri are both idiots, that doesn’t mean you can’t help him feel special.  All this sneaking into his heart, or whatever the fuck you’re trying to do, won’t be any good if he doesn’t believe you want him.  If he won’t believe he’s special, maybe stop trying to argue the point and show him.”

There was a new kind of tension in Kacchan’s muscles now.  Izuku watched him lean towards the mouth of the alley he’d shoved them both into, eager to enact his plan now that he had the answers Izuku had been able to give him.  It didn’t matter that he didn’t see the whole truth, he’d, hopefully, been reashured that Izuku wasn’t using anyone and they could both work together to spoil a very deserving man.

Is there really a downside to saying yes?

Izuku genuinely wanted Eijiro-san to have nice things, and this was a mostly guilt free way to make that happen within the confines of the Dekubowl.

“Sure, Kacchan, that sounds good.”

“Of course it does.”  Kacchan clapped his hand against Izuku’s shoulder as they walked back out into the crowd.  “I can make sure you go home with some decent meals that won’t mess up your precious schedule while I’m at it.”

“Kacchan.”  Izuku didn’t bother to voice the rest of his protest; he knew there was no stopping his friend taking care of people and he knew better than to try.

“We’ve got plenty of totes,” Kacchan gestured to the shopping bags they were both still carrying, “so let’s start with shelf stable items.   Then we can stop for lunch, show you a little of what real food is supposed to taste like, and finish by grabbing anything that needs to be refrigerated or frozen.”

Izuku nodded, scanning the stalls around them with fresh eyes.  “Lead the way.”

They wandered through the stalls in a pattern too methodical to be called relaxed.  It was still one of the most joyful afternoons Izuku had experienced in a while.  Kacchan approached every stall with the same dedication that he brought to Pro Hero missions.  His intensity probably made more than a few of the vendors nervous, but Izuku thought it was adorable.  Eijiro-san was clearly going to have the best possible gift basket this farmer’s market could offer if it was the last thing any of them ever did.

Kacchan started by picking out some scented candles, muscle tinctures, and bath bombs.  He bickered with Izuku about the best scents for aromatherapy, and how they combined with the other ingredients.  In response to Izuku’s gentle suggestion that they might be repeating themselves from the gifts Kacchan had selected when Eijiro-san was first recovering from his injuries, Kacchan selected seven different essential oils that Eijiro-san could use in the diffuser Kacchan had already gifted him.

From there they moved on to shelf stable food items: teas, hot chocolate kits—apparently chocolate shavings work better than a powder?—, travel safe mugs, and four different kinds of fruit preserves.  It was interesting to see the passion and ingenuity on display.  Many of the vendors has relationships with each other and local farmers for their products.  There was so much more available than just fresh vegetables, although there were plenty of those too. 

Despite the wealth of items on display, Kacchan never deviated from his plan of attack, moving methodically through each area of the market.  Every time Izuku saw something interesting that he wanted to explore, Kacchan would reach for him and pull him back by the hand.  Whenever Kacchan lingered more than five minutes over a specific purchase Izuku started testing his focus by trying to wander away.  He never got more than three steps before Kacchan’s hand shot out to grasp his. 

It was infuriating and endearing at the same time. 

One stall held mason jars stuffed with every ingredient needed for different vegetarian soups and stews.  All one needed to do was set them in a pot of water to simmer, adding stocks and meat to taste.  Kacchan nearly cleaned them out, securing eight jars each for both Eijiro-san and Izuku.  After some gentle prodding, Kacchan purchased three jars for himself as well.

“What’s the theme for this gift basket,” Izuku asked, hefting a very full tote bag over one shoulder, “overindulgence?”

“Aha, aha, very funny.”  Kacchan was glowering but Izuku could see a telltale twitch at the corner of his mouth; he thought it was funny too.  That wouldn’t stop him from spoiling his friend, but nothing ever did.  Kacchan didn’t get a reputation for being the dorm Mom at UA for no reason.

“I think they have some hot honey over this way,” Kacchan gestured, becoming Izuku after him. 

“Hot honey?”

“Honey with chili peppers or chili oil in it,” Kacchan explained.  “Honey is antibacterial and helps with a sore throat.  Chili can boost metabolism and is anti-inflammatory.”

A slow smile crept across Izuku’s face, and he did nothing to hide it.  “You know, Kacchan, you wouldn’t have so many sore throats if you weren’t yelling all the time.”

“I wouldn’t have to yell if people would fucking listen,” Kacchan shot back with an unrepentant grin.  “Come on, there’s some cheese and bread up this way.  We can get some summer sausages and have lunch at the picnic tables before getting anything that needs to be refrigerated or frozen.”

“Good plan,” Izuku agreed.  He hadn’t bothered to stop for breakfast, and he wished he could claim it was because he knew Kacchan would feed him.  Really, breakfast was getting harder and harder to squeeze in around sleep and the many responsibilities of his schedule.  Did Kacchan know?  Was that why he’d made sure they stopped for lunch?  No.  That couldn’t be the only reason.  Kacchan liked to make sure people were looked after, but he also took care of himself.  He wouldn’t miss a meal just because they had an outing together.

Kacchan quickly purchased some summer sausages, enough for their lunch and the gift basket, along with a loaf of bread, some cheese, water, and some grapes for them to share.  The picnic table area was only a few yards away after that.

“You really thought this through,” Izuku murmured, gratefully setting down his burdens and helping Kacchan lay out their meal.

Kacchan shrugged.  “I don’t half ass things.”  It wasn’t a rebuke, it was a simple declaration, and it was the truth.  Kacchan was methodical as he set out some plates and utensils for them.  He even leaned across the table to arrange food on Izuku’s plate for him.  The precise movements of Kacchan’s fingers spoke more volume about his affection for their friendship than Izuku ever expected him to put into words.  Izuku doubted there was anything Kacchan could say that would make him feel more cherished than having a carefully arranged plate placed directly in front of him. 

“Thank you,” Izuku bowed to his friend, but waited to eat until Kacchan had also sat down.  The bread alone was amazing, dense and flavorful in a way that reminded Izuku that bread was supposed to be food, not just filler or vectors for sauces and jams.

“You’re welcome,” Kacchan nodded back and popped a few grapes into his mouth.  When he had chewed and swallowed, he murmured, “This would be a good place to take Kiri on a date.” 

Date.

Something about that word felt jagged when Kacchan said it.  The Dekubowl outings had been called dates more than once, but he knew that wasn’t what Kacchan meant here.  He was talking about after the Dekubowl.  He expected Izuku and Eijiro-san to keep seeing each other. 

But that wasn’t going to happen. 

Eijiro-san was already talking about putting himself out there and Izuku already knew—had known from the beginning—that he didn’t have the time or energy he needed to give Eijiro-san everything he deserved.

Kacchan stared out into the sea of people and vendors around them, showing Deku his profile.  “It’s also a good place to get supplies for a home date, so,” he shrugged.  “Two for one I guess.”  A muscle in his jaw clenched and Izuku could follow the line of tension down into Kacchan’s neck.

“Are you okay?”

Red eyes snapped back to Izuku’s face with fierce intensity.  “Fine.”  He bit aggressively into a chunk of the crusty bread he’d purchased.  “Just thinking about what comes next.”

Seeing Eijiro-san happy clearly meant a lot to Kacchan.  He was such a good friend. 

Izuku wished he could be more candid about what was really happening, but he wouldn’t betray Eijiro-san’s confidence.  Eijiro-san had made the conscious choice not to share this part of himself with his best friend, and there had to be a reason for it.  Probably Eijiro-san was nervous that Kacchan would go after anyone who mishandled his heart.  To be fair, Kacchan probably would. 

Maybe the best thing to do here was to play along?  Izuku knew he wouldn’t convince Kacchan he had the wrong idea without revealing every detail, something Izuku didn’t have permission to do.  Even if he did, Kacchan might decide to dig in his heels on principle.  He was passionate about Eijiro-san’s happiness, and he’d decided Izuku was an integral part of it. Would it be so bad to talk about good date ideas?  Izuku was hoping to plan their third outing together—even though he couldn’t say it yet, he already knew there would be a third outing—as a way of giving back to Eijiro-san.  It could be good information to pass along to the next worthy person that tried to woo him.

“Are you waiting for formal invitation?” Kacchan broke through Izuku’s reverie with a scowl and a vehement gesture at his plate.  “Eat your food.  We have perishables to buy.”

“Right, sorry, just thinking.”  Izuku reached for the bread Kacchan had torn off for him and covered it in slices of cheese and sausage.

Kacchan rolled his eyes.  “You overthink like it’s your primary quirk.”

Izuku wanted to protest, but Kacchan wasn’t wrong, so he took a bite of his food instead.  The resulting mouthful was crunchy, sweet, and tangy.  “Mmmh, this is really good.”

That brought a ghost of a smile to Kacchan’s lips.  “Told you.  And it’s something simple you could manage here or home.  You don’t have to be able to make complex meals to impress Kiri.  He just wants to know that he matters.”

“He does matter,” Izuku insisted.

Kacchan nodded, and his next words came out lower and softer than Izuku expected, “He does.”

Their eyes locked and the intensity in Kacchan’s gaze made Izuku’s skin prickle.  Izuku knew Kacchan cared deeply about his friends and chosen family, but something felt…different, somehow.  Maybe it was the pressure of the Dekubowl and the frenzy of public attention.  It had been a more subdued attention since his beach outing with Ojiro-san, but Deku could still feel the eyes on him.  People were quieter for the moment, but the energy was still there, waiting for a target.

Izuku took another bite of his food and tried to focus his thoughts.  The best way past the Dekubowl was through it, and if he wanted the best outcome for everyone, he had to make the most of every opportunity.  Izuku gulped water to clear his throat then asked, “What other sorts of dates would Eijiro-san enjoy?”

Kacchan scanned the market around them again, his chest expanding and collapsing with several deep breaths.  “Kiri is a romantic.  Anything that shows attention to detail, and attention to him would make him happy.  You don’t have to go over the top; that would probably make him nervous.  Plan something simple where you can focus on each other and a shared experience.  Take him on one of those stupid paddle boats they rent at the park.  Go for a walk or a run together.  Take him out to dinner every so often, but plan home dinner dates too.  Let him come home to a hot bath, maybe some candles, and good food you can eat together while catching up on the day.”  Kacchan paused, staring at some distant point that Izuku suspected only he could see.  When he refocused on Izuku’s face his eyes were sharp and intense.  “Don’t ever take him for granted.”

“I won’t,” Izuku promised.  It was one of the few complete truths Izuku could share without reservation in this quagmire of Dekubowl restrictions.  “Eijiro-san is an amazing person, and he deserves a partner that loves him with everything they have.”

“Yes.  He does.”  There was something tight and jagged in Kacchan’s smile.

Izuku shifted in his seat and tried to shift the topic.  “What are some of the best dates you’ve been on, Kacchan?”

Kacchan sputtered and dropped the handful of food he’d been holding onto his plate.  “What the fuck are you asking me that for?”

“Just making conversation.”  Izuku shrugged, not in the least deterred by Kacchan’s outburst.  Talking about himself wasn’t in the plan, clearly, but sometimes plans change.  “You have lots of opinions about what Eijiro-san would like, but I realized your dates have never been outed by the press.”  Izuku watched a bright pink blush cover Kacchan’s face and leaned forward, smiling.  It was so rare to see Kacchan truly flustered.  “What’s your secret?  Besides scaring the press off, obviously.  I know that doesn’t work on all of them because the still publish candid shots and articles about you.”

“There is no secret,” Kacchan muttered, glaring down at his food.

“You can’t even tell me for Eijiro-san’s sake?  It’ll be a lot easier to plan dates if the press isn’t all ov—”

“There’s no secret because there’s nothing to tell!” Kacchan spat.  His face was red now, but not from feeling flustered; he was angry.

Izuku felt the blood fall from his face, leaving his skin cold and pale.  “Kacchan—”

“There’s never been anything to find out because, I’ve got other shit to do!”  Kacchan rolled shoulders like he was pushing back against a heavy burden.  “It’s not fucking important.”

“If you feel this strongly about it, I think is,” Izuku countered, frowning.  “I’m sorry, Kacchan.  I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.  Not everyone wants romance in their life, and that’s perfectly vali—”

“I didn’t say I didn’t want it,” Kacchan’s voice was so low, it was almost a whisper.  “I just…”  Another shrug, and this one felt more despondent.  “There’s always so much to do, and I’m not going to waste my time on some extra.”

“Kacchan…” Izuku’s hand slid across the table, but Kacchan pulled away before he could make contact.

“Just drop it Deku, please.”

Izuku shut his mouth so hard his teeth clacked together.  Please wasn’t a word that came out of Kacchan’s mouth often.  “I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Kacchan insisted, pulling himself up a little straighter.  “I’ve made my choice; that’s it.”

Izuku wanted to argue so badly he had to stuff a hunk of bread in his mouth to keep quiet.  Kacchan might have described Eijiro-san as a romantic, but he was one too.  Kacchan would bluster and grouse every step of the way, but Izuku felt sure he wanted a great love badly.  He deserved one, someone who would take care of him as much as he took care of them.  Why would Kacchan try to shove that dream away?

“We bear pain so civilians don’t have to.” 

Anger burned hot and hard up Izuku’s throat and beat at the back of his eyes.    Kacchan shouldn’t have to sacrifice one dream for another, especially not one he wanted so badly.

“I’ve given you some ideas,” Kacchan’s voice was clipped and smooth now, all business.  “Let’s hear some of yours.  What kind of dates would you take Kiri on?”

That’s it?  They were just going to move on?

“I…”  Izuku blinked and scanned Kacchan’s face, but that stoic, determined look was back.  Arguing now would only make him angry again.  If he wanted Kacchan to listen, he couldn’t come at this head on, and he had to give him some time to calm down.  “Um… maybe an at home movie night?”

Kacchan made a face, scrunching his nose until it was nothing but wrinkles.  “That’s not a terrible idea for a long day, or after a hard mission, but most of the time Kiri would be happier getting the chance to talk to someone he cares about.”

Izuku nodded.  “Right.  A game night would probably be better.”

“Bonus points if it’s a cooperative game,” Kacchan agreed.  “He’d prefer to win or lose together.”

“Sounds like him.”  They shared a small smile and some of the tension seemed to bleed away from Kacchan’s expression. 

Izuku popped a few grapes in to mouth and chewed, turning more of his attention to Kacchan’s question.  He did have an outing to plan.  It wouldn’t be good to leave it to the last minute.  What would make Eijiro-san happy? …  “Maybe camping?  Making smores and telling ghost stories?  Someplace with good stargazing?”

“Kiri would love that.”  Kacchan’s voice had gone soft again and it made Izuku want to reach for him.

“What’s something that you would love?”

Confusion, then anger flickered across Kacchan’s features.

Fuck.

So much for subtle.

Why can’t my mouth just behave?

“Don’t tell me anything you don’t want to,” Deku rushed to say, hands up in surrender.  “I’m not trying to pry I just…”  Izuku sucked in a large breath and held Kacchan’s uncertain gaze with his own.  “You might bear pain so civilians don’t have to…but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve your own happiness.”

“Fuck you; I am happy.”

“That’s not what I—ugh you are impossible to talk to sometimes, you know that?”

Kacchan wrapped his arms across his chest and leaned back, staring Deku down like they were about to spar. 

This wasn’t working… damn it.

Izuku sighed and stared down at his plate.  The smart thing to do would be to apologize, again, and change the topic for good.  Naturally, his mouth ran away with his thoughts like it was trying to start a fire.  “Kacchan, what if he wasn’t an extra?  What if you had the right man in front of you?  What would he be like?”

The silence that followed was charged, but not in the way Izuku had expected.  There wasn’t a sizzle of heat in the air or the snap and pop of Kacchan’s quirk broadcasting his mood.  Instead, the silence felt…heavy.

Izuku dragged his gaze across their table and back to Kacchan.  His arms weren’t crossed anymore.  They were limp, hovering over his lap while Kacchan’s fingers twisted a paper napkin into oblivion.  “I…”  Kacchan’s throat worked as he swallowed.  “I’d want someone kind, and happy.”  The corners of his mouth tugged down, as if to say he didn’t think he deserved someone kind or happy.  “I want someone who loves me.”

It was rare for Izuku to hold a grudge, but in that moment, he wanted to throttle Mitsuki Bakugou for ever turning her own insecurities and frustrations against her son.  It might not have all been intentional, but she’d left a mark, a deep scar, an emptiness in her wake.  Kacchan never deserved to doubt someone could love him exactly as he was, imperfections included.

“I love you, Kacchan.”

It wasn’t the kind of love Kacchan was talking about it, and he knew Kacchan knew that.  Even so, Izuku had loved Kacchan fiercely since they were children, and he’d never once let either of them forget it.

Soft red eyes found his and the corners of Kacchan’s mouth finally quirked up a little.  “I know, Izuku.  I love you too.”

“You deserve the best love story,” Izuku pressed on, “Something epic you can tell your grandkids about.”

Kacchan shrugged again but it wasn’t as jagged as before, and some of the pink flush was back in his cheeks.  “This isn’t about me, Deku.”

“We can let it be about you for a little bit.”  Izuku reached for Kacchan across the tabletop.  “This is your outing.”

Their fingertips brushed, but Kacchan pulled back, curling his fingers against his palm.  “We don’t need Kiri thinking your interested in me too.”

Izuku’s eyebrows lifted, and he bit back a sharp comment that Kacchan had been holding his hand all morning.  Consent was still important, and Kacchan was clearly feeling more vulnerable than he’d been earlier.  Izuku knew he was part of the reason for it; he’d picked at an emotional wound Kacchan didn’t like exposed. 

“Eijiro-san is every bit as affectionate as I am,” Izuku began, holding Kacchan’s gaze with his own.  He wasn’t chasing Kacchan’s retreating hand, but he didn’t pull his own hand back either.    He suspected Kacchan was saying no because he felt like he had to, and Izuku wasn’t going to let that go unanswered.  “One of the things I love about Eijiro-san is that he would never ask me to distance myself from my friends, especially my best childhood friend.  I wouldn’t want to be with any partner who would want that from me.  We’d make each other miserable.”  Izuku wiggled his fingers a little, letting Kacchan know the offer to hold hands was still open if he wanted to reconsider.

A range of expressions flickered across Kacchan’s features as he stared at Izuku’s hand, but when crimson eyes lifted and locked on Izuku’s green ones the storm on Kacchan’s face settled into a single lifted eyebrow.  “You’re really going to be dramatic about this, aren’t you?

Izuku grinned back at him.  “Only because you’re being so stubborn.”

Kacchan rolled his eyes, but he was smiling when he slid his palm across Izuku’s.   “Happy?”

“Very.”

Kacchan huffed.  “Don’t get too comfortable.  We have more shopping to do.  We’re getting flowers next.”

Izuku managed, somehow, not to chuckle when he asked, “Can we pick up a few romance novels too?  I saw a few writers on the other side of the market, and I bet Eijiro-san would love those, you know, since you won’t let any of us read the one that you’re writing.”

Kacchan’s face was caught between embarrassment, amusement, and frustration when he spat back, “Eat your God damned food.”

~*~*~*~

The rich, heady smells of spiced meat tickled Izuku’s nose and made his stomach clench with yearning.  It had been a mind-numbing day of paperwork and meetings and he might have only stepped away to heat food after his vision started to blur from hunger.  Not that anyone needed to know that, though.  He had a night mission tonight, and he needed to be on point.

Thank goodness the prepared meals Kacchan had made him purchase were heat and eat.  As much as Izuku didn’t want to admit it; the farmer’s market meals were more filling and comforting than anything his meal service had left for him over the years.  He was heating Osso Bucco for dinner before he changed into his Pro Hero suit.  Apparently, it was one of Eijiro-san’s favorites.

Izuku pulled the microwave door open and lifted the steaming bowl with the aide of a towel.  He smiled to himself as he stirred his dinner, thinking back to his outing with Kacchan.  Tense conversations aside, it had been fun, like a joint mission to spoil one of the sweetest men they knew.  Izuku hadn’t hesitated to let Kacchan purchase three Osso Bucco prepared meals for Eijiro-san, but he had tried to be the voice of reason.  Tried being the operative word.  For every modicum of restraint he’d inspired, Kacchan had found three of four other things he wanted to add.  There was no way, by any stretch of physics, that everything they’d purchased would fit into a single gift basket, but Eijiro-san deserved it all.

He also deserved someone who could give him their entire heart. 

Izuku hummed in satisfaction when the rich seasoning and umami of the dish burst across his tongue.  This would be a perfect meal for fall and winter, but an over-airconditioned luxury apartment during the height of summer was good too.  Hopefully it would energize him for his shift tonight., or at least make the prospect feel a little less draining…

The light was brassy orange outside Deku’s window.  Already the shadows between the buildings had started to lengthen.  The people of this city were setting down to evening meals of their own and a long sleep afterwards that Deku would work hard to protect. 

Eijiro-san would be one of those people tonight; he was still on deskwork.

Despite Kacchan’s almost frantic strategizing, Izuku knew he could never be the one for Eijiro-san.  It was almost a shame, because they had such good chemistry.  Maybe in another time, another place, they could have been something more to each other than a spark with a built-in expiration date.  But Izuku was too busy, and Eijiro-san was too much in love with someone who was either blind or stupid.  Probably both.

Eijiro-san tried to hide it, but Izuku heard the hitch in his voice, saw the hesitation in his movements when he mentioned this other man who would never love him back.  Would it be overreaching to ask for a name? 

Probably. 

It didn’t stop Izuku from wishing he could talk some sense into this mystery man.  He might not deserve Eijiro-san after breaking his heart with silent rejection, but if he made Eijiro-san happy, he couldn’t be all bad.  Eijiro-san had too big of a heart to fall for a complete jerk.

Izuku’s phone buzzed with an incoming text alert, vibrating a few centimeters across the kitchen counter and Izuku smiled when he saw the name Eijiro Kirishima flash across the screen.  “Think and he shall appear,” Izuku murmured to himself, unlocking his phone to read the message waiting for him.  More messages rolled in as he started reading.

Hello Izuku-san!

I hope I caught you during dinner?

I’m digging into a tasty treat someone left

on my desk. 😉

<Picture File Sent>

Izuku chuckled when a mirror image of his own meal popped up under Eijiro-san’s texts.

Yay!  🥰

😋 We can have dinner together.

<Picture File Sent>

I hope you like it.

It’s one of my favorites, thank you. 🥰 🥰

I can’t take all the credit; it was Kacchan’s idea.

We were kind of stretching the rules, so in order

 for it to be “legal” he purchased and arranged

everything.

But I did pick out a few things for you. 💕

🥹 Sir, you picked out more than a few

things.

I could barely SEE my desk this morning!

<Picture File Sent>

To be fair, there was a very large gift basket in the center of Eijiro-san’s desk, but it did nothing to constrain the gifts that cascaded across its surface.  It wasn’t a haphazard pile; Kacchan had clearly taken his time arranging everything.  Most of the perishables were in the basket, and the more shelf stable or non-food items spilled out from there.  Jars of pre-mixed soup ingredients gave way to little glass pots of honey and a scattering of scented candles.   There was even a smaller basket with a cluster of spices and peppers that looked almost like a basket of flowers.  There were actual flowers too, a swoop of brilliant red orchids framing the display from their sturdy pot to the left side of Eijiro-san’s desk.  This wasn’t a small gesture, be any stretch of the imagination.

😮 Wow! 

I swear I tried to reign Kacchan in, but he was

determined to bring you the entire farmer’s

market.  😅

I think he succeeded…

I’m sure it goes without saying, but you know

we chose the red orchids for courage and

bravery.

💕 I know what it meant. 

And, you know, because red is your favorite

color. 😊

You don’t say? 😏

Izuku chuckled and took another bite of his meal, savoring the flavor.  It was always so much fun talking to Eijiro-san.  He wished he could video chat…

I mean, we weren’t subtle about the color theming.

Most of the items they’d picked out were varying shades of red, from the meat, to the muscle balm, to the scented candles.  Deku had tried to make a joke of holding things up to Kacchan’s eyes to check them, but Kacchan had insisted Eijiro-san’s favorite shade of red was darker.  Not everything was red, obviously.  The soup jars were pretty neutral, and the essential oils had brightly colored stickers which colors reflected their scent along with the written label.  Izuku had even managed to convince Kacchan to let him pick out a few romance manga, even though he blustered the entire time they were with the book vendor.    

You were not, but I’m not complaining. 

It’s kind of nice to be spoiled. 🥰

Thank you for letting us spoil you.  🥰

Izuku scanned the picture Eijiro-san had sent him again, smiling at the memoires of a few days ago.  Kacchan’s outing had been more fun than a shopping trip had any right to be.

His phone vibrated with Eijiro-san’s next message, but before Izuku could scroll down to read it his eyes caught on a brilliant splash of yellow he’d almost missed: a single yellow rose half hidden behind the chili pepper basket.  Izuku remembered pestering Kacchan into making his own flower selection after he’d claimed the red orchids.  Kacchan had eventually pulled this single rose out from a selection of its brethren with an angry flourish. 

Izuku hadn’t been fooled for a moment.

Kacchan had held the rose with gentle fingers and kept bending his head to inhale its perfume when he thought Izuku wasn’t looking.  Seeing it tucked away, almost hidden behind other gifts didn’t match with careful placement of everything else.  It was almost like Kacchan wanted it to be overlooked.  The thought tugged at something tender at Izuku’s core. 

Kacchan didn’t deserve to be forgotten.

Two more messages trickled in and Izuku scrolled down to read them.  He could ask Kacchan about it the next time they spoke.

I spent the better part of the morning making

sure everything was stored properly to take

home later.

I needed to call a taxi, but I’m not complaining.

I’m going to be eating good for a while.  😋

Honestly, same.

I shouldn’t disparage my meal service,

but these stews are so good!  😅

It’s the bone broth. 🍲

There’s nothing like it.  I’m glad you

snagged some for yourself.

Did you clean them out?

Almost.

Not that I’m complaining either.  😊

They’re as delicious as they look, and Kacchan

was very insistent that I learn some easy ways

to cook your favorites.

I’m sorry.  😔

I keep telling him to leave it alone.

It’s fine.  You know how Kacchan gets when

he’s set on something.

I do, and that’s why I think he and I

need to have a more serious conversation

about this. 😔

He can’t make his entire outing about me.

“Uh oh…”  Izuku frowned down at his phone screen.  He didn’t want Eijiro-san and Kacchan to fight, and especially not about a gift basket.  Gift desk?

I think it was him trying to let me do nice things

for you, which I do appreciate, even if his

motivations are misguided.

I’m grateful for the surprise, and for

your role in picking out things for me.

But, I still need to talk to him.

This has gone on long enough.

I’m sorry! 😓

I should have found a way to get him to

leave it alone before now.

This isn’t your responsibility, Izuku-san.

And it’s about more than just the

Dekubowl.

I think this conversation has been

coming for a long time.

Apprehension wrapped tightly around Izuku’s middle as he typed his reply. 

What do you mean?

I think Bakugou and I have been

leaning on each other since UA

and especially since the war.

I’m not sure if you’d call it unhealthy,

but I think we’ve been holding each

other back.

It’s easier to stay where you’re

comfortable, you know?

“Yeah….”  Izuku sighed and leaned back on his breakfast nook’s bench seating.  “I know.”  His eyes roamed over the spotless surfaces of his luxury apartment.  It looked exactly the same as the day he’d first toured it.  He’d bought it furnished and kept every default the designer recommended.  If you didn’t see the bedroom, any Pro Hero could live here. 

Sometimes it’s easy to stay where you’re

not comfortable, just because it’s familiar.

Exactly!  🙂

I’m never going to get out there

and meet someone new if I don’t

put myself out there in the first place.

It made sense, in a heartbreaking kind of way.

I don’t want to hold you back either.

Do you want to stop our…arrangement?

No. 

Not unless you want to?

I don’t want to stop yet, not unless you do.

I don’t want to stop.

Maybe I should, but this has been

fun in a way I wasn’t expecting.

I’m telling myself it’s okay because

this comes with an expiration date,

but really, I just don’t want to try to

do the mature thing with Bakugou

and stop what we’re doing at the

same time.

“Do the mature thing…”  Izuku gave his meal a halfhearted stir while he pondered what Eijiro-san had told him.  Did this have to be a case of either/or?  Izuku knew change required sacrifice—he’d lived it enough times to know that lesson innately—but backing away from a close friendship didn’t feel right.    

When this is over, what do you think

you’ll do?

Well, if I’m your partner, I’ll be

plenty busy.  😉

Izuku chuckled and shook his head.  Being busy with Eijiro-san sounded good.  That was the problem.  Being busy with all the Dekubowl candidates sounded good.  How in the hell was he going to make this decision?

I meant personally.

Romantically.

How will you go after what you want?

The typing dots flashed on and off, jittering their way across the screen.  Eijiro-san either had too much to say, or was struggling to think of anything to write.

Even though he’d been the one to ask the question, Izuku wasn’t eager for an answer.  He’d basically just asked Eijiro-san to tell him how he was going to move on after them, and after pulling away from Kacchan.

When Eijiro-san’s replies finally started coming in, they flew across the screen one after the other.

I think I’ll actually start dating.

Putting myself out there.

I can’t expect it to be instantly

comfortable, because I’d be starting

with a stranger, or at least someone

I probably don’t know as well as

you or Bakugou.

I want to go at an easy, comfortable

pace, and I know there aren’t any

shortcuts to that.

I’d probably date casually, and be

really honest about that, obviously.

I’m trying to break myself out of a

rut, not break anyone else’s heart. 😅

I go on multiple dates with a few

different people with the intention

that we’re not looking for anything

serious.

I mean if something developed I’d be

willing to explore it, but I’d take it

slow to be sure I wasn’t trying to

force anything.

There was that word again. 

Casual. 

It didn’t feel right for Eijiro-san.  It didn’t sound like what he wanted. 

Izuku’s fingers hovered over the digital keys of his message app, but didn’t quite make contact.  What Eijiro-san wanted wasn’t for Izuku to decide.  Eijiro-san was trying something new because what he’d always done before hadn’t worked for him.  It had left Ejiro-san heartbroken…  He didn’t deserve that at all.

It sounds like you’re trying to foster some of

the relaxed and playful energy we’ve had.

😉That’s the hope.

I know it can’t be exactly the same.

You and I have known each other

for years.

Anything new would take time to feel

even half as familiar or easy as it does

with you.

I can’t imagine it will be much harder

than getting to know a Pro Hero I’ve

never worked with before when we’ve

been assigned to the same mission.

Except, you know, more personal.

That makes sense.

Eijiro-san’s version of casual seemed more practical, and less fear-based than Melissa-san’s casual, but it would probably look pretty similar for both of them.  They both wanted commitment in the end.

Was Melissa-san seeing anyone else?  Did she want to?  Should Izuku have asked that already?  Was it too late to ask her now?

“Focus, Izuku,” he muttered to himself, making his fingers tap out another message.

And it could be a good way to make new

friends while you’re looking.

I hope so.

I know I can’t control if other

people are really looking for a

genuine connection or not.

I guess finding that out will be part

of the process.  😅

“As if putting yourself out there isn’t hard enough,” Izuku sighed.  He’d heard about the exhaustion of dating culture but hadn’t really experienced it.  Or maybe, because he’d opted out of it?  Dating Uraraka for a few years after the war had carried him through the last of his schooling and into the early days of his career.  Afterwards…  There had been a few fleeting possibilities that were mostly people wanting to date Deku, the war hero and rising star of the Pro Hero circuit.  Performing for the civilians he protected was more than enough work for Izuku as is.

I hope you meet good people.

You deserve someone who really

sees and chooses you.

No matter what happens, I’ll be here

cheering you on.  💕

Thank you, Izuku-san.  💕

Unexpected warmth flooded Izuku’s chest.  He pressed the knuckles of one hand against his sternum, but the feeling didn’t dissipate.  He wasn’t happy at the idea of seeing less of Eijiro-san or Eijiro-san distancing himself from Kacchan, even if it was well intentioned, but he he definitely wanted Eijiro-san to feel as loved as he deserved.  The image his imagination had conjured, of Eijiro-san being treated to the sweeping romantic gestures he deserved, felt wonderful.  The idea that Izuku wouldn’t be the one providing said romantic gestures didn’t inspire the burn of envy that he’d been anticipating.  The idea of not being in Eijiro-san’s life did, but not the idea of sharing his attention.

It wouldn’t be romantic attention at that point, obviously, but that thought didn’t hold the sting Izuku had been expected. 

It’s strange… 

Izuku chuckled to himself and shook his head.  Eijiro-san wasn’t here with him, and obviously couldn’t hear his thoughts, but Izuku felt seen anyway.  He wanted Eijiro-san to feel seen too.

What’s strange?

The pale reflection in Izuku’s phone smiled back at him, but it did nothing to dull his joy in the moment.  Izuku really loved talking with Eijiro-san, spending time with him, and getting to be flirty and playful in a way he rarely allowed himself to be.  Shouldn’t he miss the idea of having to give Eijiro-san up?  Was this some internal recognition that the chemistry he had with Eijiro-san would be fleeting?  Or maybe Izuku had resigned himself to losing Eijiro-san because they’d started out knowing this was temporary?

The phone buzzed in his hand, making Izuku refocus on his chat with Eijiro-san.

It's not at all how I thought I’d end up

falling in love.

How did you picture it happening?

I thought I’d make friends and those

feelings would bubble up, maybe catch

me off guard while I was busy living

my life.

I mean, that’s kind of what happened,

and look where it got me.  🤷🏻😢

It was a nice romantic dream, but

trying to hold onto it hurts more

than letting it go. 

Izuku’s fingertips stroked the phone’s screen pulling the text down and pushing Eijiro-san’s last message out of visual range.  It made sense to change what you were doing if it wasn’t getting you what you want, and especially if it was causing pain, but…  Eijiro-san was probably doing the mature thing, but there was something heartbreaking about having to walk away from those kinds of hopes and dreams.  The way Eijiro-san described wanting to fall in love felt so soft and sweet.  Izuku wanted him to have that.

Sorry, that sounded more depressing

than I meant it too. 😅

I’m not going to give up on finding

love just because it didn’t work

the way I thought it would.

Maybe you can still fall in love the way

you imagined; just not now.

Maybe dating casually will help you get

into the right headspace to make a

connection that you weren’t expecting.

Maybe.  🥰

I love how determined you are to

Fight for everyone’s happy ending,

Izuku-san.

I think that’s what makes you a great

Pro Hero.   💕

“It’s something every hero should do,” Izuku murmured to himself, but he typed out:

Thank you. 💕

I think you’re an amazing Pro Hero too,

Eijiro-san.

I’m curious now.  🤔

How will you look for a romantic

partner when this is all over?

Izuku sat up a little straighter and watched his ghostly reflection in the phone screen furrow it’s brows.  Where was that question coming from? 

I’m not sure I will.

What do you mean?

Well, in theory I could have a romantic

partner at the end of the Dekubowl.

Oh, do you mean, Melissa-san?  👀

Something like apprehension clenched in Izuku’s middle, and his heart started kicking against his ribs. 

Maybe?  I don’t know.

A lot could still happen.

I could be alone at the end of this.

Don’t say that!  😠

You wouldn’t turn me away. 🥺

I don’t mean alone as a Pro Hero,

don’t worry. 😅

I just meant personally.

😑 Izuku-san, that isn’t any better.

Work is the biggest priority in my life,

Eijiro-san.

I haven’t been trying to hide that, and I

don’t want to keep anyone, professional

Pro Hero partner, or otherwise, trapped

in a situation that makes them unhappy.

What if it didn’t?

🤔 What if it didn’t make them unhappy?

No.

Well, yes.

I meant what if work didn’t come first?

That’s not an option; I’m sorry. 😔

What if it was?

Or what if, I don’t know, you could

magically have it all?  Work and love.

How would you look for a romantic

partner?

I wouldn’t look casually.

The words were out so fast, that Izuku had to blink at his screen a few times before it registered that he actually sent them.

Really? 🤔

That probably sounds pretty hypocritical,

considering what we’re doing. 😅

Izuku’s middle clenched again as he typed. “And what I’m doing with Melissa-san,” he muttered.

I don’t know. 

Maybe casual will be how I make it all

work, in the end.

Maybe that’s what I need to arrive at

the right headspace, like what you’re

trying, but…

Izuku’s fingers hovered so close to the screen while he tried to finish his sentence that he actually hit send.

“Shit.”  Deku fumbled the phone for a moment before making himself tap out a greater explanation.

If I could make anything happen, I don’t

know, magically, or something, I wouldn’t

look casually. 

I wouldn’t be in a rush either, but I’d want

each person I was with to know that I was

taking them, and our connection,

very seriously.

Not to put pressure on anyone, of course.

I’d just want them to know that they

mattered to me.

Never mind, I think I’m rambling, more

than explaining.  😅

I think you’re making perfect sense.

Casual can imply that the emotional

connection isn’t serious, or at least

it does to me.

You never do anything half assed, and

you deserve a partner or partners who

will be serious about their commitment

to you.  💕

So do you.  💕

Izuku cleared his throat and swiped at his traitorous eyes before he read Eijiro-san’s next message.

As much as it stings, I might need to

make myself not be serious when I

put myself out there to avoid falling

for the first person I have potential

with.

I don’t like the idea of you holding

yourself back. 🥺

I don’t see it as holding myself back.

It’s taking charge. 

It’s not the movie I had in my

head, or whatever, but I’m

choosing my next steps deliberately

and taking active steps to work

towards my goal. 

That means searching for the right

partner for me instead of sitting back

and waiting for something that I know

will never happen.

And my deliberately not forcing

anything, I’m making space for

things to happen at their own pace.

That sounds nice.

It sounded more than nice, actually.  Izuku felt the stranglehold of his schedule and all the layered Dekubowl restrictions like a noose around his neck.  The idea of letting something happen in its own time sounded impossible, but so, so tempting.

Really, if you think about it, this new

approach means I’m not letting my

heart hold me back anymore.

It was a hopeful message, but Izuku couldn’t shake the feeling that Eijiro-san was trying to convince himself too.  Hopefully he believed what he was saying.  Either way it wasn’t Izuku’s place to interfere.

I’d really like to keep talking, but

our time is almost up. ☹

“Damn it.”  Izuku had suspected they were getting close to the end, but he’d been trying not to glance at the clock.  The worst part was that Izuku only had himself to blame…

Eijiro-san didn’t deserve Izuku’s agitation, and Izuku badly wanted to make the most out of what these last two minutes would allow.  Eijiro-san was still recovering from injuries and Izuku wanted their text conversation to end on a high note, so he took a measured breath and tried to focus on what he wanted to say.

Thank you for keeping me company.

Izuku’s eyes flickered across his abandoned stew bowl.  He didn’t have time to reheat it, but it had been very good.  He’d actually managed to finish almost half of it.  He hoped Eijiro-san had the time to eat all he wanted.

I hope you enjoyed your meal. 😉

I did😊

And I loved spending my mealtime

With you. 

I’ll keep entering the virtual lottery. 🤞🏻

Either way we’ll talk again soon.

Talk to you again soon. 😊

Stay safe and be well

~*~*~*~

Izuku leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose.  His head throbbed with exhaustion and both eyes felt as rough as sandpaper under his lashes.  Hopefully he had some eyedrops left in the medicine cabinet…and something for a headache…and some fucking water.  He’d brought a water bottle with him when he’d settled down to knock out a few reports after his evening bath, but it had run out…he didn’t even know how long ago. 

“Fuck.”  Izuku groaned as he leaned back and threw his arms over his head in as much of a full body stretch as he could manage from his desk chair.  His battered muscles pulled tight and sent sharp jabs of pain along his nerve endings.  “Isn’t moving around supposed to help?” Izuku muttered.

His head was spinning worse than it was before.  Izuku braced himself against the solid surface of his desk, waiting for spots of color and shadow to settle away from his vision before he actually stood up.  Izuku could almost hear his joints and ligaments creaking in protest.  A report marathon was a big lift on a regular day.  After double patrols and an impromptu training mission that kept him later than late assisting a new sidekick, it was brutal.

“I’m almost done,” Izuku promised himself as he started shuffling down the hallway in the rumpled pajamas he’d pulled on after his bath.  “Six reports down, one press conference prep to go.”

In lieu of many shorter media appearances that were normally part of his schedule, Deku had agreed to monthly press conferences during the Dekubowl.  It was a way to keep the public informed of Pro Hero activity and stay connected with the people he was working so hard to protect.  Izuku wanted to make sure everything went perfectly, so he always took the time to review summary reports from his agency and compare them with similar trending information on the Pro Hero circuit.  Most Pro Heroes didn’t prep for public appearances like this, but it helped Izuku stay focused.  It was an extra step that allowed a depth of response the media had come to expect from Deku.  “I can’t start winging it now.”

His hand paused inches from the light switch when he saw it. A pale blue glow creeping over the edge of the horizon.  It didn’t go away after a few ragged blinks.

“It’s morning?”  Izuku coughed to try to clear his throat from a gritty sensation and winced when pain flared like a spiders’ web down his chest.  Water first, panic later.

The pipes sang a resonant hum through the walls of his apartment as Izuku filled a glass.  He bit back a contented hum when he felt the cool touch of water sooth the aching, overtired flesh of his throat.  “One more.”   The second glass slid down in seconds after the first had paved the way.  Izuku was tempted to go for a third, but he made himself set the glass down and detour into the bathroom. 

The eyedrops weren’t in the medicine cabinet.  They were sitting out on the bathroom counter right next to his toothbrush.  Had this really become such a regular part of his routine?  Tipping his head back on a sigh, Izuku held his eyes open until the solution made contact, soothing the worst of the burning ache between his temples.  He added more and more drops until saline was running down both cheeks.

“Okay.”  He swiped away the excess moisture, took a breath, and turned out the bathroom light.

He didn’t need to poke his head around the corner to see the truth.  The blue light of dawn was visible reflected in the startling white paint of his apartments hallway.

He’d worked through the night.

Again.

“I can do this,” Izuku promised himself.  Press conference prep always took a few hours, and he was scheduled to be in front of the cameras before lunch.  “I can do this.”  He pulled his shoulders back, pulling the Deku persona across himself like armor.  “I can sleep after the press conference.”  He’d meant to use that time for more reports, but he needed at least some sleep every few days.  “Just a little bit longer; I can do this.”

Deku made his way to the kettle, filled it up, and put it on the range top.  He needed hydration and caffeine.  He’d whip up an extra-large matcha and dive into the prep.  His pajamas would never see the bed tonight, but he’d be ready and as refreshed as last night’s bath and strong dose of caffeine could make him.

While the water heated, Deku lifted his phone from his charger and took it off do not disturb.  If he was sleeping after the press conference, he needed to work hard on what he could while he had the time.  Messages started rolling in, and Deku tried to scan them as they loaded.  No emergencies, but emergencies would have sent up an alarm regardless of his do not disturb setting.  Deku reached idly for the cabinet with the matcha powder as he scrolled, trying to build a list of priorities in his head, when a name stopped him cold. 

Tenya Iida. 

It wasn’t a text contact; that had been Eijiro-san a few days ago.

Dekubowl contestants weren’t allowed to contact Deku outside of approved outings or virtual lottery wins, and Tenya-san had sent him three different messages.

Was he dropping out?

Cold prickles of apprehension raced down Izuku’s spine as he pressed on the message to open it.

It had been sent just after Deku had set up his phone for the night, so he hadn’t heard the text come in.

Good Evening Midoriya-san. 

Midoriya-san?  Hadn’t Tenya-san asked them to use first names the last time they talked?  Did he really think Izuku wouldn’t remember?

I hope I managed to time this message

correctly.  I won the virtual lottery gift

for this round and Ashido-san said I

could send it this way because it’s stored

virtually.  I hope I chose a worthy gift

for you.  Sleep well.

<Link Sent>

The water in the kettle started to rumble, but Izuku just stared at his phone, trying to understand what he was looking at.  Tenya-san had sent him…something?

Izuku’s fingertips brushed the link, and his phone immediately loaded a private database of files.  At least it looked private; invitation only.

“What is…”  Each file had a name, but the one at the top was: PlayMeFirst.wav

“Okay…”  Izuku tapped the file and jumped when another, very familiar voice, started to fill his kitchen.

“Hello Midoriya-san.  I know this is an unusual format for you to receive a gift.  I hope it wasn’t too confusing.”

That was Tenya-san’s deep baritone.  He was speaking low and a little soft, which was probably a good thing considering the fact Deku hadn’t thought to connect a headset or an earpiece. 

“I was thinking about our recent conversations, and I decided to record a library of audio files you could use when you’re trying to sleep, or if you just want something on in the background.  Most of them are simple stories, Tenya called them bedtime stories and amateur ASMR which I read from scripts, but I did include some personal anecdotes.  They’re not as polished as professional audios I’m sure, but I tried to talk into the mic like you were right there listening.  Whether you use these audios for sleep, focus, or to relax, I hope they serve you well.  Thank you for listening.  I’ll talk to you again soon.” 

The deep timber of Tenya-san’s voice raised goosebumps down both of Izuku’s arms.  The sensation continued even after the first audio ended and the only sounds in the kitchen were Izuku’s quiet breathing and the rumble of boiling water.  Izuku nudged the kettle off the hot burner and onto a cool one, then turned off the range with his free hand. 

Izuku knew he should be scooping matcha powder into a bowl, but he couldn’t stop himself from looking back at his phone and scanning the titles of the audio files waiting for him. 

BeautyAndTheBeast.wav

ComfortAfterALongDay.wav

StoriesInTheStars.wav

AroundTheCampfire.wav

HaveTeaWithMe.wav

The list went on and after a few titles Izuku started trying to count how many there were…

Each audio was almost thirty minutes and there were nearly twenty of them.

“Tenya-san… when did you this?”

Not only had he recorded it all, but he’d taken the time to deliver it virtually at a time Deku should have been sleeping.  Technically, it was a time he could still be sleeping.

Izuku’s eyes flicked up, taking in pale wood floor of the hallway that led back to his bedroom and the next of blankets spread across his massive bed…

Maybe he wouldn’t need to sleep after the Press Conference if he snuck in a quick nap now?

A gust of air conditioning pushed the soft fabric of Izuku’s oversized pajamas against his skin.  It was always too cold in the mornings, but it could be warm under his heated blanket.  Plus, he had a set of headphones in a headband that were specifically made for exercise or sleep.  They were freshly cleaned and fully charged, just waiting for Izuku to pick them up…

Izuku’s feet started moving before he could properly debate with himself.  A power nap would leave time for a few hours of review before the press conference.  He would even still have time for tea.

~*~*~*~

The sun was warm on Izuku’s back, even through the shade of the trees populating the small courtyard.  It was a little overgrown here, but that worked in his favor.  There was less chance someone would find him and ask for an opinion on…anything.

Deku pushed deeper into the courtyard, just in case, bypassing the few benches he saw to settle at the base of on the largest trees there.  The green in his Pro Hero outfit would make him harder to spot.  It was a cowardly thought for the number one Pro Hero to have, but Izuku just wanted to finish his cold noodles in sesame sauce in peace.  It wouldn’t take him more than fifteen minutes, tops.  The world couldn’t end in fifteen fucking minutes.

Izuku leaned back against the solid trunk until rough bark pressed into his hair.  Through sun dappled leaves, Izuku could just make out hints of white fluffy clouds drifting across a cerulean summer sky.  It was a beautiful view to catch his breath to.

And then his phone rang.

Izuku squawked and scrambled to silence it before anyone else could hear it.  That wasn’t an emergency ringtone, and Deku wanted his God damned lunch break.

Kacchan’s name was flashing across the screen.

“Thank goodness.”  Izuku swiped to answer, routing the audio through his suit’s headset.  It would be easier to eat that way, and less likely for anyone else to be able to overhear.  “Hello Kacchan.  How are you?”

“It’s working.”

Izuku crossed his legs, nestled his lunch in his lap, popped open the lid of his food, and stirred the noodles through the sesame sauce.  “What’s working?”

“Our plan.  I’ve seen Kiri mooning into his lunch all week.  He kept the flowers on his desk.  Sometimes, between reports, he’ll reach up and stroke the orchid petals.  He looks…happy.  He’s thinking of you.”

Was he?  Or was he imagining a day he could receive romantic gestures that actually meant something freely?  Either way, it wasn’t a possibility Izuku could speculate on with Kacchan not, or maybe ever. 

Finishing the Dekubowl would release Izuku of so many restrictions, but the details of his relationship with Eijiro-san weren’t Deku’s to tell.  It felt right to honor Eijiro-san’s right to control who knew what about his life, but something twisted in Izuku’s gut every time his obligation to Eijiro-san kept his mouth shut.  He’d never held secrets about his own life from Kacchan, and it was…strange to think that Kacchan might never know the truth.

“He even kept the damn rose,” Kacchan mused, sounding wistful.  “He’s still watering it, even though the petals have started to wilt.”

“I’m not surprised.  Eijiro-san is kind and thoughtful.  He hasn’t gotten nearly enough of that same type of attention back from other people.”

“Yeah.”  Kacchan’s voice was suddenly rough and scratchy.  Something shifted on the other end of the line and Izuku could hear the muffled sounds of Kacchan clearing his throat before Kacchan spoke again.  “He deserves someone who’s not afraid make him feel as special as he makes everyone else feel.”

“He does,” Izuku agreed, letting his chopsticks rest against the side of his meal’s disposable bowl.  The sauce was fully mixed, now he just had to eat it.  It wasn’t a bad meal, but he was glad Kacchan had helped him ensure Eijiro-san had easy and tasty options while he healed from his injuries.  “How is Eijiro-san’s recovery going?”

Silence.

“Kacchan?”

“…I don’t know.”

Izuku frowned at his phone, even though the audio was coming directly through his Pro Hero suit.  “What do you mean you don’t know?”

“He…”  Kacchan’s breath stuttered like he was searching for the right words.  “We’re not spending as much time together as we used too.”  A soft gulping sound that could have been Kacchan swallowing on nothing, something he did a lot when he was upset.  “He told me he asked to transfer to a different patrol schedule when he comes back to full duties.”

“What?”  Izuku made several startled, almost gasping noises.  Eijiro-san had said he’d be taking a step back, but this isn’t what Izuku thought it would look like.  “You two have been running patrols together since UA.  What happened?”  He winced as soon as the question was out of his mouth.  He knew what happened, at least Eijiro-san’s side of it.

“He’s, um, thinking about the next steps in his career.”  Kacchan’s voice sounded too shaky and breathy to be as casual as he was trying to be.  “It’s not like I could have kept running patrols with him as your Pro Hero partner, so…”  Kacchan heaved a big breath in and out of his lungs.  “This is a good thing.”

Izuku set his untouched lunch aside, nestling it into the grass near his right hip.  “It doesn’t feel like a good thing.”

“Yeah, well growth isn’t comfortable.  It’s one of the first things they taught us at UA, remember?”

This didn’t feel like growth either, but pointing that out would probably only make Kacchan dig in his heels more.  “Are you fighting with him?”

“What? No!  I walked him home a few days ago, like usual, and he asked to talk.”  Another tight sigh.  “He said he wanted to branch out, not stay stuck in patterns just because they’re comfortable.  I think…I think he’s getting ready to make a commitment to you, Izuku.”

“Me?  Why?”

“Because you’ve been wooing him?”  A tone of voice should make rolling ones eyes audible, but Kacchan managed it anyway.  “And it’s working.  I think he’s trying to let go of the fear that’s been holding him back and this is the first place he’s manifesting that confidence.”

“Letting go of fear doesn’t mean letting go of people you care about.  You shouldn’t have to give up one precious thing to get another!”  Izuku’s teeth snapped shut so hard his jaw ached.  He was getting dangerously close to yelling now, and he did NOT want to be discovered.  Not yet.  There was SO much work still waiting for him.

“Easy, Deku.  We’re still friends, we’re just not spending most of our time together anymore.  It’s fine.  It’s normal.”  A rush of air pushed against Kacchan’s teeth.  “Honestly, Kiri is right.  I need to get serious about being your Pro Hero partner just like he’s getting serious about…you.”

Izuku’s lashes dimmed his vision as he squinted.  “If this is a good thing, why do you sound so sad?”

“Fuck you, I’m not sad.  I’m busy.”  Kacchan sniffed defiantly.  “I’ve got a lot of things going on too, you know.”

It was really, really hard not to push, but Izuku did his best to breathe through his frustration and lead with compassion.  “If you ever were sad, you know you can talk to me about it, right?”

“I’m not sad!”

Izuku pressed both hands across his face, leaving only his mouth free.  “I’m not saying you are.”

I know you are, but saying it is going to start a real fucking argument.

“I’m just saying that if you ever feel sad, you know, in the future, you can talk to me about it.”  Izuku let both hands fall into his lap with a thump.  “You’re my childhood friend, Kacchan.  I’m not leaving you to fight through your battles alone.”

Kacchan sputtered, but there wasn’t any heat in his next words.  “I’m fine, Deku.   …and, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.  Anytime.”  Izuku took a breath and leaned a little more of his weight against the tree he was hiding underneath.  He let a beat of silence pass, but it didn’t feel full of anything Kacchan was gearing up to say.  Whatever he was feeling, he wasn’t sharing today.

That was okay.

Kacchan knew where Izuku was, and how to find him when he was ready to talk.

Assuming the Dekubowl didn’t get in the way of that too…

“So, a little birdy told me you’re getting into Zombies Run?”

“Heh.  Kiri can’t keep his mouth shut, huh?”

“It was t—Iida-san actually.”  Izuku cringed at his near slip.  He really shouldn’t use Tenya-san’s first name until they had a chance to talk, confirm what they were both comfortable with.  Regardless of how easily Tenya-san’s first name came to Izuku’s lips.

“Oh…”  Kacchan cleared his throat and sniffed.  “Yes, I am.  It’s got a pretty badass storyline, and there’s a game too.  You can build a mini township with the supplies you pick up while running missions.  If the zombies get too close during chases, you drop supplies to distract them, and you won’t be able to take it back to the base.  You could play it without the chases if you’re in a hurry,”

“It sounds pretty cool.”  Izuku had downloaded the app, bought a subscription even, but hadn’t been able to bring himself to start it.  He wanted to save the first mission for when he could run it with friends.  He’d opened it up a few times though, poked around its various features, given himself a few harmless spoilers.  “What do you think of the show’s romances?”

“That’s not what the missions are about, dumbass!”  Kacchan sputtered, clearly a little flustered.

“Aren’t they?” Izuku chuckled.  “You’re rebuilding the world after a zombie apocalypse.  Connections like that are powerful motivators to fight.”

“Romantic connections aren’t the only ones that matter,” Kacchan grumbled.

“Fair point.”  Izuku bit back a grin, fighting the urge to ask Kacchan about his Jack and Eugene poster.  Kacchan would always be a hopeless romantic and Izuku didn’t want to contribute to any pressure that would make Kacchan feel embarrassed about it.  “What’s your favorite part of the story so far?”

“The rescue missions, obviously.  I keep waiting for the one where we rescue the doctor’s wife.  I haven’t looked up any spoilers, but I know it has to be coming soon.”

Izuku felt the corner of his mouth kick up into a smirk that Kacchan, thankfully, couldn’t see.  “I thought this wasn’t about romance?”

“It’s not!”  Kacchan protested.  “They just need to find Paula and bring her home!”

It was a good thing this was a phone call, because while Izuku kept the laughter out of his voice, he couldn’t keep his amusement off his face.   “Have you gone for a group run?  Iida-san wasn’t sure if you’d join him and Kiri.”

“I did.  Iida-san’s brother was there too, and he came ready to make us eat his dust.  I kept up, but it wasn’t easy.  He’s really fast in his racing chair.  He has gloves to protect his hands, but his calluses are still a little thicker than mine.  Did you know he’s been training for the paralymics? “

“I didn’t.”  Izuku shook his head, even though Kacchan couldn’t see.  He’d have to remember to ask Tenya-san about it the next time they spoke.  Izuku was almost certain he should get some extra time with Tenya-san, but he couldn’t quite remember why.  A mystery for another day.  Right now he had time with Kacchan, and he wasn’t about to waste it.  “How long has he been training?”

“Just started, but he’s been running, well, racing since he first recovered from his accident.  He said he’s had this goal for a while, but he wanted to focus on settling into married life before he started seriously training.”

“That’s really cool.  Will you tell him I wish him good luck?

“Tell him your fucking self, Deku.  He’s not competing to be your Pro Hero partner; you can call him whenever you want.”

“R-right, sorry.”

“Did you actually fucking forget you’re allowed to talk to people outside of a pre-approved arrangement?”

“No.”

Maybe.

Izuku shook his head to emphasize his reply.  “No, I just wasn’t thinking about it.”

What did it say about his life that the people he wanted to talk to the most were the exact ones he couldn’t reach out to on his own?  Izuku had been under these semi-self-imposed restrictions for a third of a year already, and it might be another third or longer before he was free…

“You’re getting slopped because you’re overworking yourself.”  Kacchan huffed.  “That’s gotta stop.  I’m taking over your schedule when I’m your Pro Hero partner.”

Deku’s eyebrows lifted into his hairline.  “You think you are, huh?”

“I know I am, and you could make this so much easier on all of us, if you just pick me now.  What do you say?”

“You want to be my partner that bad?  Earn it without skipping the line.”

“Fine.”  The grin in Kacchan’s voice hardened into something much more serious, “But you’ve got to at least stop skipping meals.  You’re losing weight, Deku.  You need to take better care of yourself; you’re going to make people worry.”

Izuku’s arm wrapped around his abdomen, feeling the muscle and bone wrapped tight under his skin.

Was he losing that much?

Deku eyed his untouched lunch with a mix of frustration and revulsion.  Maybe he should try to sneak in more protein drinks between meetings?  Or, hell, maybe a brownie or two.  With all the running around he was doing, it couldn’t’ hurt.  “Is that why you took me to the farmer’s market?”

“Part of the reason,” Kacchan admitted.  “I know this circus is taking a toll on you, because it’s a lot.  It’s way too much for any one person to handle.  I want to do what you’ll let me to help until you come to your senses.”

Irritation snapped at the edges of Izuku consciousness, burning away anything soft and warm Kacchan’s concern had stirred in him.  “I don’t need you to babysit me, Kacchan.”

“Is it babysitting if I’m freeing up your time and energy for different things?  Isn’t that why you have that stupid meal service in the first place?  And your cleaning service, and your stylist?  Hell, I could replace them all, save you time and money, and help you save the world.”

There was too much excitement and gruf nurturing in Kacchan’s voice for Izuku to stay annoyed, much less angry.  He tried to let those emotions go on his next breath, and focus on why he’d been annoyed in the first place.  “As long as I get to save you too.  You’re not disposable, Kacchan.”

“Never said I was.”

Before Izuku could reply a tiny, shrill cry cut through their connection.  It raised a small chorus of cries in it’s wake.

“Alright, aright you little fuckers.  Calm down!”

“Kacchan?”

“I just walked into the Whiskers Rescue’s newest kitten room.”

“Whiskers…”  Izuku’s eyes widened.  “What are you doing there?”

“Feeding these ungrateful fluff balls.”  Kacchan huffed.  “I’m getting the fucking food, shut up!”  A cabinet opened and closed.  Something hard clacked against a flat surface and Izuku could hear the faint clink of cutlery.

“I thought—”  Izuku shook his head and tried to remember his last conversations about the rescue.  Shinsou-san, Melissa-san, and Eijiro-san…  Hadn’t Eijiro-san said Kacchan was only tagging along?  “When did you start volunteering with them?”

Kacchan grunted like he was lifting something heavy.  “If Kiri doesn’t want me sharing his lunch break with him anymore, I can at least use the time to help the community, or whatever, on my days off.  …  Also, Shinsou-san is fucking persistent.”

He didn’t ask me…

But that’s my fault.

I made sure he couldn’t even if he wanted to.

Izuku shrugged, rolling his shoulders against the thick padding of his Pro Hero suit.  “The cats are important to him, and he knows you won’t fuck around.”

“They’re the ones fucking around,” Kacchan grumbled.  “Seriously?  If you want to eat so bad, get off me!”  A cacophony of unrepentant meows rose up through the speaker.  Kacchan huffed, “You’re the ones making this take longer.”

“But they like you Kacchan.”

“Yeah, well, the feeling isn’t mutual.  Hey!  Get away from there!”  Some scuffling and several indignant cries came through their connection loud and clear.  One particularly indignant squawk was followed by, “Seriously, are you trying to get hurt?!”

Izuku chuckled quietly.  He doubted Shinsou-san had to ask more than once after Eijiro-san asked Kacchan for space.  There was a decent chance that Kacchan had been the one doing the asking.  He’d said today was his day off, but Izuku suspected Kacchan might try to drop in during his actual lunch breaks going forward.  He liked to stay busy when he was upset, fixing some problem, even if he couldn’t fix the one he wanted.

The air left Izuku’s lungs in a long, slow sigh.  Eijiro-san said this was the mature next step for what he wanted, and on one level it made sense but…  Was doing the right thing supposed to hurt this much?

Izuku let his eyes fall closed and focused on the feeling of a slight breeze in his hair.  He’d be able to feel the wind on his face if he could have had lunch at the park, but these days that would just turn into an autograph session.

“Stop squirming, geeze!  There’s more than enough for all of you.”

The corner of Izuku’s mouth kicked up into a smile, but he kept his eyes closed, trying to picture Kacchan swarmed by demanding kittens.  “I wish I was there with you, so I could take a picture.”

“When I’m your Pro Hero partner you’re going to work some volunteer shifts with me, and you’ll be too busy to take pictures.”

“I can multi-task,” Izuku promised, amusement thick in his tone.

“Good, because these guys are octopi with daggers for hands—hold still!”

“Kacchan, yelling at them isn’t going to help.”

“That’s why I need you here too; you have more fucking patience than I do—ow!” Short muffled gasps that were probably kittens kissing tickled Izuku’s ears.  “Fucking bite me again, and see what happens!”  A sudden, sharp burst of air made Izuku jerk his head to one side as if he could pull away from the headset strapped to the hood of his Pro Hero suit.

“Kacchan, did you just hiss at a kitten?”

“She started it!”

“Kacchan,” Izuku’s voice shook with barely suppressed laughter, “She’s a kitten, and you’re almost a hundred times bigger than she is.  Of course she hissed at you.”

Little puffs of air interspersed with more jagged, growling hisses that came from a fully adult man.  Izuku stopped fighting his amusement and laughter bubbled up and out of his mouth like water from a fresh stream.  Between gasping breaths he sputtered, “And the hiss war is helping how?”

“Because.”  Kacchan hissed once, the kitten hissed back then immediately shifted into angry chomping noises.  “Ha!  Got you, you little fucker!”

“Kacchan,” Izuku swiped tears of laughter from his eyes, “What did you do?”

“I shoved food in her mouth when she tried to hiss at me, and she’s mad about it.  Hiss all you want!  You’re just making my job easier.”

Izuku pressed a hand across his face and tried to take a calming breath.  “God, you two are a pair made in heaven.”

“Nah, Kiri’s the one she loves.  He had her purring and falling asleep on his hand the moment they were rescued.  Her brother’s not bad though.  He’s an orange tabby who’s currently trying to fuse with my head.”  A rumbling purr sounded through the line along with a little mic disturbance.  The kitten in question must have pushed his head right into Kacchan’s face to be heard that clearly.  “Jesus, if I cuddle you, will you eat?”

“Aww, Kaccahn.  He’s got you wrapped around his paws.”

“He had a rough start,” Kacchan grumbled.  Izuku heard the metal scratch of a can opening.  “There you go, buddy.” 

Kacchan was making Izuku’s case for him, but instead of pointing that out, or asking again for a picture, Izuku said, “His sister had a rough start too, you know.”

“Yeah, and she’s making it everyone’s problem.”  “Yeah, we’re talking about you!  Keep attacking my boot; see how that works out for you.”

“I wish I could come help you.”  Caring for kittens sounded like a much better afternoon than a congealed lunch and hours of meetings.

“Don’t worry, there will still be plenty of work to do when this Dekubowl nonsense is over.”

Deku’s breath suddenly felt tight in his chest, but he managed to reply, “There always is.”