Incomplete [Chapter 6]

[Chapter 5]

By the time Katsuki woke up, Izuku was already buzzing around the house like he couldn't contain his excitement any longer. Considering he was running on a three hour nap, Katsuki was less than enthusiastic about dealing with his energetic ass, but when Izuku dove onto the bed and planted a kiss on his lips, he couldn't resist a tiny smile.

“It's today, Kacchan!”

“Yeah, nerd, it's today,” he agreed, winding an arm around Izuku's waist and rolling over to snuggle against him. “Five more minutes though.”

“I don't want to be late!”

“We'll be forty-five minutes early if we use your schedule, give me five minutes to snooze and we'll still be there forty minutes early. Idiot.”

“Hmm... Okay. Fifteen minutes of snuggles, then.”

“Fifteen?”

“Yeah, half an hour is okay.”

“Perfect.” He closed his eyes, leaning against Izuku's chest, and Izuku smiled as he hugged him back. “You owe me so much tonight, arranging a shitty brunch instead of a normal person's dinner or at least afternoon tea or some shit.”

“Sorry Kacchan, I was excited and I didn't think. Next time it'll be my turn, okay?”

“You switched shifts with Shitty Hair next Friday.”

“Oh! Yeah! Perfect!”

“I hate you so much.”

“Love you too!”

Izuku finally closed his mouth, letting Katsuki drift off for a little longer under the loving touch. A strong hand ran up and down his spine slowly, stroking his warm skin, and a freckled face ducked a little lower to rest against blond spikes, smiling to itself as it cuddled in close. Mornings were the only time Izuku got so much open affection, and even then it was only the days when Katsuki hadn't slept his fill. He made the most of it at every opportunity that arose.

When they finally crawled out of bed, Katsuki headed straight for the shower, leaving Izuku to stare at his wardrobe rail. He didn't want to dress fancy, not for a casual lunch, but sweatpants and baggy t-shirts like he would normally wear on his day off seemed like too little. Instead, with a little smile, he unearthed his newest t-shirt, marked with a familiar orange silhouette, and pulled it on over a pair of decent jeans.

Katsuki didn't even seem to notice, or didn't mention it if he did, just nudged him aside to reach for his own clothing, his towel slipping from around his waist. Izuku giggled, watching it eagerly to see if it would fall, but all too soon Katsuki was dressed and decent, rubbing at his hair with the towel.

“Anything else we need?”

“Do you have more surprise gifts?”

“Shit. No. Should I?”

“No, Kacchan, I was teasing. You don't have to give them something every time we see them.”

“Oh.”

Laughing again, Izuku hooked his arm through Katsuki's, beaming up at him as he started out the bedroom door. He wore that same stupid smile he always wore when he looked at Katsuki, as if he were the one who kept the earth spinning or some sappy shit like that. It was sickening, and Katsuki couldn't get enough of it.

Sure enough, they arrived half an hour early to the little cafe. Thankfully, it was almost empty, so they found a table in the back, ordering some good, strong coffee for Katsuki to drown himself in while they waited.

“We're waiting on a couple of people,” Izuku explained with his biggest smile. “Do you mind if we wait a little longer to order?”

“Not at all! Just give me a call when you're ready!”

“Thank you so much!”

With that the waitresses left them to their own devices, fingers interlocked on the table as they browsed their phones for the latest news, chatting about everything and nothing all at the same time.

“Must have been a big one up north,” Katsuki mused, skimming a new article. “Half-and-half got called up, looks like Shitty Hair and Sparky might be on their way out too. Some huge rescue.”

“Emergency?”

“Not a villain or anything, just standard rescue, but they're expecting a long process.”

“That sucks. I hope everyone is okay.”

“I'm sure they will be, those assholes can handle it.”

Izuku nervously slipped his hand out of Katsuki's when the trio arrived, and Katsuki just nodded understandingly when the apologetic look came his way. He waved a little, to catch the kids’ attention, and watched Koharu's face light up as she spotted him, pointing excitedly. Their caregiver for the day nodded, and Koharu beamed as she ran over, almost tripping over her own untied shoelaces in her haste.

“Hi, Koharu-san!” Izuku grinned, ignoring the stumble. “Have a seat! Hi Yoshiki-san!”

Koharu was already digging in her little pink bag, tongue poking out the corner of her mouth as she rummaged, and then Katsuki's eyes were widening as she slid sheets of paper across the table.

“This was the first one, like I said I would!” Koharu told him excitedly. “And then I did this one as well, and this one for you!”

She handed a third and final piece of paper across to Izuku, and his eyes teared up immediately. Despite being the wobbly lines of a five year old, he clearly picked out the stick figures at the table: one with a blob of fluffy hair and the other with jagged spikes, eating their ice creams across from two little kids.

“I love it, Koharu-san! Thank you so much!”

“You made him cry,” Katsuki sneered, glancing across to make sure he was still okay, despite the jab. “Cut it out, nerd, don't be so sappy all the time.”

Even so, he reached across the table to ruffle Koharu's messy hair, smirking when she grinned at him.

“Thank you, Koharu. They're perfect. I'm gonna hang them up as soon as I get home.”

He picked up his bag, reaching for Izuku's drawing too and slotting them all safely into the pocket where he normally kept his laptop. It was slightly padded for extra protection, perfect to keep them from getting creased in transit, and Izuku had to fight to resist the same teasing Katsuki had given him.

“I'm starving,” Katsuki spoke again, when the bag was safely nestled back between his seat and Izuku's. “Let's get food.”

“What are you in the mood for?” Izuku asked, nudging the menus toward the kids. “This is my mother’s favourite cafe when she comes to visit, so I hope you guys like it too!”

Koharu’s face lit up the moment she opened her menu, one brightly coloured picture immediately catching her eye. Katsuki had seen it coming a mile away, and he was glad to see his instincts with her were on point so far.

“The waffles look so pretty!” she gushed.

“They do, right?” Izuku agreed with a grin. “And those strawberries with it look delicious.”

“Yeah!”

“What about you, Yoshiki-san? Does anything stand out to you?”

“Mm... Maybe eggs.”

“Oh, eggs are always great, that’s a good choice! There’s quite a few egg options in here, you’ve got lots to choose from!”

Yoshiki nodded, carefully reading the words as best as he could to explore his options, and Izuku shot a quick smile at their caregiver.

“It’s on us, of course. Please, pick something you’d like!”

She shook her head, smiling sheepishly, but Izuku pushed a menu toward her anyway.

“It’s kind of you, but you don’t have to.”

“I insist!” Izuku said brightly. “We would hardly sit here and eat in front of you without getting you anything! Their omelettes are always amazing, and I’m a big fan of the bacon too – the cooks here are very talented.”

“Thank you,” she smiled softly, accepting the menu finally. “You’re very kind.”

“It’s our pleasure!”

Katsuki waved the waitress over, and soon all their orders were in, leaving the group alone together in the peaceful room. He’d never been very good at making conversation, especially with kids, but Izuku talked enough for both of them – and so did Koharu, he couldn’t help but notice. Between the two of them, there was never a dull moment, and Katsuki got to just sit back and listen, smiling to himself at their enthusiasm. It was no wonder he’d fallen in love with the kids so quickly, when they both reminded him so much of the man he loved most in the world.

They'd just about finished eating by the time Katsuki's phone rang, were just beginning to discuss how dessert was totally a thing you ate after brunch, but the familiar ringtone made both the heroes tense up.

“Hello?” he asked, giving the group an apologetic look as he slid out of his seat. “Yeah, that's me. Is this about the rescue up north?”

He stepped away, exchanging a look of agreement and understanding with Izuku, and sighed to himself as he nodded.

“Yeah, I'll be there as soon as I can. Deku can't make it though, it'll just be me.”

He mumbled into his phone for a little longer, then returned to the table, shoving another look of apology on his face as he reached for his bag.

“I'm sorry, I have to go work. I'll catch up with you guys again next time, I'm so sorry.”

“I'll take the train home,” Izuku said quietly. “I have my card.”

Koharu seemed a little disappointed, but Yoshiki was pure fascination, watching as Katsuki pulled out a set of car keys and handed the bag to Izuku.

“Don't let my artwork get damaged, you hear me? I'll never forgive you.”

“I promise,” Izuku chuckled, trying to hide the anxiety in the sound. “Be careful, okay? Go kick butt.”

“I will.” He paused briefly, glancing at the trio watching, then put on a brave face as he leaned in and planted a kiss on Izuku's cheek. “Love you, see you at home later.”

“Love you too.”

With that he waved a last goodbye and ducked out, double-checking his costume was all in the car waiting for him, sitting neatly alongside Izuku's collection in the back seat. It would be a long drive, almost an hour, but the fact that he was still called in even though they knew how far away he was spoke volumes. A final sigh parted his lips and he pulled out of the parking lot, hopping onto the highway to hurry his trip.

Izuku forced a smile back on his face when Katsuki was out of sight, looking sheepish when he saw the two sets of wide eyes staring him down.

“So sorry! There was a problem this morning that some of our friends went to help with, I guess they needed an extra pair of hands. He's pretty good in a rescue, you know? You'd never expect it, but he is.”

Yoshiki blushed, glancing toward the door Katsuki had left through, then back to Izuku again nervously.

“Where did you get your shirt from?”

“It's cool, right?! His distributors send me all the new stuff, this one releases soon but I got it straight from the source a few weeks ago.”

“Do they make small ones?”

“Yeah! I'll bring you one next time!”

“Wha-? No! No no no! I didn't mean it like that!”

Izuku tilted his head a little, confused, as Yoshiki burned bright red.

“I just meant maybe one day I could buy myself one! I didn't mean-”

“Yoshiki-san, relax,” Izuku cut him off, laughing. “He'll think it's awesome that you want one, and we don't have to pay for it anyway. We can get as much as we want of his stuff and my stuff without paying a cent, it’s part of the job to advertise our own stuff, so don't stress about it, okay?”

Koharu looked up with wide, bright blue eyes, meeting green that had finally found some life again since the phone call.

“Could I maybe have one too?”

“Koharu!” Yoshiki insisted, glaring at her.

“Of course you can! I'll get you both twelve if you really want, it's no big deal!”

“Th-thank you,” Yoshiki squeaked, shrinking into himself. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you go out of your way.”

“It's no bother at all, I promise.”

The waitress arrived to take their dessert orders, ending the discussion at the perfect moment, and Izuku grinned again as he scanned the menu.

“It all looks so good!” he enthused. “I don't know what to pick. What do you guys want?”

Neither of the kids seemed to be able to make up their minds either, so Izuku slapped his menu down, looking up at the waitress with determination in his eyes.

“Can we get one of every dessert please?”

“Of course, Sir.”

Yoshiki gaped at him as she took the order to the kitchen, but Koharu got stuck in a fit of giggles, clapping both hands over her mouth to stifle it. Something about it was so pure, so innocent, and Izuku felt like his heart was beating extra hard for a moment, a wave of protectiveness washing over him as he watched her glee.

When they'd sufficiently stuffed themselves with cake and chocolate, giving each other enthusiastic reviews of each dish, Izuku slung Katsuki's bag over his shoulder and walked them out to their car. He made sure neither Yoshiki nor Koharu saw or heard the bill on the way, paying it without a second thought while their caregiver thanked him repeatedly, and when they made it to the kerb he crouched down to watch them buckle themselves into their car seats.

“We're both working a bunch again next week, so it'll be a little while unfortunately, but maybe we could hang out again next weekend?” he glanced at their caregiver, hoping she remembered the discussion they'd had via email, and got a smile and a nod in return. “On Saturday, we thought maybe you'd like to go out somewhere with us?”

“Really?” Yoshiki gaped. “Can we?”

“Yes please!” Koharu beamed, nodding enthusiastically. “That sounds fun!”

“Awesome! I'll come pick you up first thing in the morning, like eight? We'll pick out something really fun to do together, and eat lots of yummy food, then I’ll take you home after dinner.”

“I can't wait!” Koharu clapped her hands excitedly. “Only one week!”

“Even less, by a little,” Izuku grinned back. “It'll come super fast, I promise. Sound good, Yoshiki-san?”

“Y-Yeah,” he nodded, eyes still wide, his mind clearly running a mile a minute. “Sounds good.”

“Awesome, I'll see you then!”

He said his final goodbyes and closed their car door, smiling again at their caregiver as he waved, watching them drive safely out of the carpark before he started his walk to the train station. It wasn't until he rounded two solid corners that he let out the squeak of excitement, digging for his phone to tell Katsuki the good news.

And to find out if they needed more back up, but mostly the good news.

─────

By the time Katsuki pulled into the driveway it was almost midnight, and he barely had the energy to haul himself out of the driver's seat. Izuku met him at the door with a kiss, taking the dirty laundry from under his arm and ushering him inside. The house was warm, and Katsuki cracked a tired smile when he saw the plate on the table, steaming hot food laid out in wait.

“I love you,” he said softly, as he sank into the chair. “Thanks.”

“Love you too, sweetie,” Izuku grinned, leaning in to kiss him one more time. “Eat up then we can go to sleep, you must be exhausted.”

“Mm. What did you do tonight?”

“Watched the news, cooked, cleaned, nothing special. You looked amazing out there. Holding up that concrete wall while people ran out? Super sexy.”

“Shut up,” Katsuki snorted. “Whatever.”

“I'm serious! You looked so good!”

“Idiot. Go run me a bath.”

“Already taken care of. Can I join you?”

“If you want.”

Katsuki finished throwing down his dinner and let Izuku take away the dishes, resting his elbows on the table to watch as Izuku rinsed them off and stacked them neatly in the dishwasher. As he pushed the buttons to get it started, Katsuki dragged himself out of his seat, groaning again as he took a second to find his balance.

“Come on, baby,” Izuku teased, wrapping his arms around Katsuki's waist and hoisting him up. “Let me take care of you for once.”

Katsuki barked out a couple of stubborn protests, but didn't squirm or fight it, so with a fond giggle Izuku carried him upstairs. The bath was ready and waiting, kept hot for him, and Katsuki couldn't deny that it looked incredibly appealing. So appealing, coupled with being so tired, that he didn't utter a single argument as Izuku sat him down and bathed him tenderly, cleaning off the dirt and soot of a rescue that ran far too long for his – or anyone's – liking.

“Feels good,” he murmured, when Izuku's strong hands rubbed at his scalp, shampooing his sweaty hair. “You're good at this.”

“Wow, compliments and everything? You really are exhausted.”

“I take it back.”

“Too late for that.”

He hosed Katsuki off with the shower head and reached for the bottle of expensive conditioner that he’d always insisted on buying. Izuku had learned very early in their relationship that Katsuki was a snob about his bathroom products, and while Izuku was happy to use whatever was the best deal that week, Katsuki insisted on only the best and nicest – which generally happened to be the most expensive, too, but he was more than willing to scrimp in other places to make up for it. Decent food and good bottles in the bathroom were the only things he ever demanded, which was honestly a little surprising to Izuku, considering his... well, his personality in general.

He rinsed the conditioner off his hands and moved them down to Katsuki's shoulders, rubbing little circles with the heels of his hands to work at the tight muscles. Katsuki leaned into him comfortably, savouring the touch, and Izuku turned to kiss his neck lightly.

“Bath?”

“Mm-hm.”

He hooked his arms beneath Katsuki's armpits, dragging him over, and somehow managed to seat them both comfortably in the tub. It made him feel oddly triumphant, he knew he'd demanded a big bath for a reason.

Katsuki lay back on his chest as they settled, moaning faintly as the hot water soothed his tired limbs. If Izuku was entirely honest, the bath was far too hot for him, but that was the way Katsuki liked them, and he was more than willing to put up with it for his sake.

For half an hour they lay together, Izuku's arms wrapped comfortably around Katsuki's tiny waist, until Izuku started to suspect Katsuki may have fallen asleep all together. With a little giggle he leaned forward to kiss Katsuki's cheek, getting a little grumble in return.

“You still awake, baby?”

“Mm-hm.”

“Want to hop out and get some sleep?”

“Mm-hm.”

With a long sigh, Katsuki hauled himself up to set Izuku free, climbing over the side to rinse his hair out, and Izuku smiled as he followed, draining the bath and taking his turn to rinse when Katsuki was done. He turned the water much colder in an attempt to calm the red of his skin, and soon they were bundled in fluffy new towels, leaning on each other as they headed to the bedroom. Katsuki snuggled into the blankets the moment they hit the bed, barely stopping to discard his towel, and Izuku giggled again as he kissed damp blond hair, pulling him in close.

“You're so cute when you're sleepy, Kacchan,” he grinned. “I've told you I love you, right?”

“Only a thousand times,” he grumbled, attempting to bury his face deep in Izuku's shoulder. “We're allowed to kiss in front of the kids, right?”

“Oh, ah, yeah I think so? I saw you hesitate at lunch.”

“If anything happened to me I didn't want to leave without doing it.”

“I know, I appreciate it. Yeah, it's probably good for them, right? To see that affection is okay and that we love each other?”

“Maybe, yeah.”

“If we'd do it in front of All Might, we can do it in front of the kids.”

“Really?” Katsuki grimaced, his cheek squishing against Izuku in the process. “Not, like, our parents? You have to go with All Might?”

“I feel like you'd do a lot of stuff in front of your parents just to make a point.”

“I'm too tired to be annoyed at that.”

“Good. Get some sleep, Kacchan. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

“I love you more than I love Katsudon.”

“You really wanna play this right now?”

“Uh-huh! Sleepy Kacchan is the cutest.”

“Ugh. Fucking fine. I love you... More than coffee.”

“I love you more than my rare merch collection.”

“Bullshit.”

“I do!” Izuku insisted.

“No you don't, fucker.”

“I do, I swear. I love you more than even the limited edition debut figurine I got when I was three.”

“Yeah fuckin' right.”

“Why don't you believe me?” he whined. “I mean it!”

“Then go throw the thing out the window for me.”

“You want me to?”

“Yeah.”

Izuku started to move, and Katsuki clamped down tighter, grumbling again.

“You can do it in the morning, I'm comfy right now.”

“Okay,” Izuku giggled. “Remind me when you wake up, then.”

“Fine.” He paused for a moment, contemplating, then tilted his head a little to meet Izuku's eyes. “I love you more than my Quirk.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“I don't think I can beat that,” Izuku smiled softly, leaning in for another brief kiss. “Sweet dreams, Kacchan. You win this time.”

“I always win, fucker, that's the whole reason you like the damn game.”

[Chapter 7]