A Careful EmbrAce - Chapter 2

When Saturday afternoon finally rolled around, Izuku found himself bouncing up and down outside Katsuki's door, a stack of papers clutched in his hand as he waited for his friend to return from the showers. He'd hurried through getting clean and raced up to his room to get ready, failing to realise that he would still have to wait for Katsuki anyway, but he'd been too damn eager to start.

"You were quick," Katsuki mumbled, as he squeezed past in a towel to open the door. "Thought you'd take longer getting ready."

"Why, do I look awful?"

"You always look awful."

"Meanie!"

Katsuki waved him inside, shutting the door behind them, and began flipping absent-mindedly through his coat hangers as Izuku hovered.

"What do I need?" he asked, after a silence that grew slightly too long to be comfortable. "What should I wear?"

"Well, that depends!" Izuku beamed, holding up his papers. "I couldn't decide which idea to use, since it kind of depends on your mood? So I made a flow-chart to help us decide!"

"I hope you're joking."

"Why?" Izuku pouted. "I thought it was a good idea!"

"You're such a nerd."

"You already knew that!" Izuku laughed. "Okay, active or sedentary, Kacchan?"

"I don't care."

"You have to choose!"

"Ugh. Active."

"Okay! Busy or quiet?"

"Seriously? Ugh. Quiet, I guess?"

"Nature or nostalgia?"

"Those aren't even opposites. I could pick both or neither."

"Kacchaaaan!"

Katsuki sighed, thumping a fist down on Izuku's head and scowling at his little pout.

"Just pick what you want, nerd. Stop stressing about it and just... pick the thing you want to do with me, okay?"

"I want to do everything with you."

"You know what I mean!"

Izuku nodded faintly, still pouting a little, but he set his papers aside all the same.

"Okay, put your hiking boots on then."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah! It'll just be a short one, but it'll be fun!"

"Alright, I can do that."

He turned away to pull his boxers on, sliding them under his towel for some decency, and Izuku couldn't help but eye him up as he reached for a pair of pants. It wasn't like he'd never looked in the changing rooms, but it was still so awe-inspiring to see his back muscles move, his cute little ass pulling his boxers tight as he bent over.

"What else should I bring?" he asked, as he pulled a dark tank top over his head and reached for a jacket. "Water? Food?"

"I have everything!" Izuku assured him, patting the backpack that rested by his feet. "All sorted!"

"You sure?"

"Uh-huh! Do you want me to carry your jacket, too?"

"I can bring a bag."

"It's okay, I have room! No point in us both carrying stuff!"

"Alright, alright. Do you even own a pair of hiking boots?"

"Yeah! They're downstairs, right beside yours!"

"The red ones?"

"Of course!"

"Wondered whose they were," he mumbled, more to himself than Izuku. "Makes sense. Idiot."

"Shall we?"

"Yeah. Just let me get water, I don't trust you."

"Okay, okay!" Izuku laughed, shouldering his backpack. "We'll get more water on the way through. You ready?"

"Yeah."

"Okay! Let's go!"

Katsuki locked the door behind them, stuffing his hands in his pockets as they padded downstairs in their socks, and Izuku took two large bottles of water from the fridge, adding them to the two already in his backpack. At least it would be good weight training.

They walked to the train station in relative silence, but this time it was more comfortable than awkward. Katsuki didn't question where they were going, just swiped his transport card and followed him onto the right train, finding two seats together in a corner of the carriage.

"Am I supposed to ask where we're going?" Katsuki asked, when the train began to pull out of the station. "Or is it a surprise or something?"

"Do you want it to be a surprise?"

Katsuki hesitated, contemplating it, then finally conceded a nod.

"Yeah, okay. Um, give me a hint."

Izuku was surprised by the request, but he nodded all the same.

"Let's see... As far as I know, you haven't been there yet. It'll take us about five hours, plus the train back. And it's not gonna be super hard, it'll probably be pretty easy for you especially, but it looked like a really nice, pretty walk."

Katsuki nodded, glancing out the window as the train left a long tunnel, and Izuku just smiled at him faintly.

"Sound okay?"

"Sounds good."

The train ride was peaceful, surprisingly uncrowded for a Saturday, so they sat back to watch the world go by beyond the window, looking out over little rivers as they crossed on tall bridges.

"Pretty area," Katsuki mumbled. "Should be a nice hike."

"Yeah!"

It was a short walk from their station to the beginning to the trail, and Izuku smiled the entire way, listening to the rustle of trees in the gentle wind and the chirping of birds hidden in their leaves. He didn't get to spend enough time in nature, was always busy with school or internships in the middle of the city. Maybe he needed to do this more often. And if he could take Katsuki with him, that was a big bonus. Even if it was just as friends.

"Three hours to summit," Katsuki read, when they reached a wooden signpost. "Not bad for an afternoon hike."

"Yeah! We have a stop to make on the way, though."

"Okay."

It was kind of surprising to see how calm and frankly gentle Katsuki was, as they walked the rocky dirt path. He was used to arguments and yelling and endless scowls, never missing an opportunity to prove himself the best, to show everyone that he didn't need friends, he was perfectly fine on his own. It had been a little sad at first, but thankfully half of their class had seen straight through his attitude, resulting in a little group of people surrounding him that they all liked to teasingly refer to as "the Bakusquad". No matter how much he complained or yelled, his friends were still there, and Izuku knew he appreciated their attention even if he would never admit it.

"So what have you been reading lately?" Izuku asked, trailing his fingers over a handrail lightly as they passed over a wooden bridge. "Anything exciting?"

"Haven't really had the time," Katsuki admitted. "Been keeping up with the hero journals, but haven't picked up any new books."

"Really? That's not like you." Izuku hummed thoughtfully, looking up at jagged rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves. "We could go to a bookstore for our second date."

"You're pretty damn sure of yourself, already planning a second," Katsuki snorted. "What if this one is a disaster?"

"You like disasters. Gives you a chance to be a hero."

"Shut up."

Izuku grinned at him, and Katsuki couldn't keep his lips from twitching, curving into the tiniest smile of his own. It was pretty rare to see that smile, these days, but Izuku knew getting out into nature was a pretty surefire way to drag it out.

"All my books are digital these days," Izuku continued, waving Katsuki on ahead when the path narrowed out into a single-file line. "Same thing, never any time to go to a library or a bookstore. Have you noticed the school library is like, ninety-eight percent non-fiction? Just give us some novels to read for once!"

"I've heard idiots in class say reading isn't heroic," Katsuki grumbled. "Apparently we should spend every minute beating shit up instead of lying in bed with a book."

"Did you tell them you read?"

"Like hell."

"But they might change their perspective if you do!"

"No one ever changes just because someone says 'I do that thing you don't like'. They'd just give me shit about it forever."

"But it's not something to be ashamed of, how can they give you shit for it?"

"They'll try to give me shit," Katsuki amended. "I don't care if they try to insult me with it, but it's still annoying as fuck to have to hear them talk."

"Yeah, that's fair."

Conversation seemed to flow more naturally, with the initial fight for a topic over and done with, and Izuku found himself smiling and laughing much more easily to match. Even Katsuki managed a few smiles, and somehow, one genuine laugh that made Izuku's heart sing with joy. He felt a hint of pride at the idea that he had made that sound come out. He had made Bakugou Katsuki laugh hard enough that he covered his mouth in a hurry to stifle it.

He had also had to bite his tongue to keep from blurting out "I love you" when it happened.

"This way!" Izuku grinned when they came to another sign post, jogging excitedly down a little path. "Come on, Kacchan!"

The footsteps behind him hurried to catch up, and when they rounded the corner on a massive waterfall, Izuku nearly squealed.

"It's even prettier in real life!" he gasped, ditching his backpack and tearing off his shoes. "Look at it, Kacchan!"

He waded into the edge of the rocky pool, splashing in the cold, rushing waters, only looking back when he heard another stifled laugh from behind him. Katsuki watched him with a strange fondness in his eyes, hand over his mouth in an attempt to hide the little smile that peeked out from between his fingers.

"Come play, Kacchan!" Izuku grinned, splashing water at him despite being way too far for it to reach. "You wanna stand under it with me?"

"You'll get your clothes drenched, idiot."

"Oh! Yeah!"

Izuku climbed out of the water, and to Katsuki's surprise, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it at his backpack.

"You've got to be kidding me," Katsuki sighed, when the pants came off next. "You're gonna have a wet ass the rest of the day."

"We could go skinny dipping."

"Excuse me?" Katsuki demanded, face burning red. "It's the middle of the afternoon, shitty nerd!"

"Yeah but no one is here!" Izuku pointed out. "There was no one at the bottom, we didn't pass anyone on the way here, we didn't see any sign of other people around, it's fine!"

"It's our first damn date and you're already trying to get me naked?"

"If you don't care about sex, does it really matter?" Izuku teased. "Or are you scared I'll be overwhelmed by your nude power?"

"Shut up," Katsuki looked away, pouting. "Keep your damn boxers on, I am too."

"Okay!"

Izuku waited as Katsuki pulled his outer layers off, down to just a pair of plain black shorts when he followed Izuku to the water. Izuku giggled when he stepped into the spray from the waterfall, ducking his head under the stream. He gasped for air when he came out, already shivering, and Katsuki shoved him lightly.

"Regretting your decision, nerd?"

"Nope!" he laughed, grabbing Katsuki by the elbow and dragging him under the water.

Izuku squealed when the ice-cold water pelted down on him, and Katsuki spluttered, letting out a weird roar. All Izuku could do was laugh, tears pouring down his face and mingling with the droplets of water, as he followed Katsuki quickly back out from under the falls.

"Colder than I expected!" he admitted, teeth chattering as they climbed back up to the hard ground. "You were right, bad idea!"

"Idiot," Katsuki snorted. "Your ideas are always bad."

"But you went along with it," Izuku teased. "Hold still, let me fix your hair."

He ran his hands through the floppy blond locks, spiking them back up, surprised by how soft and silky it felt under his touch. He'd always suspected that Katsuki's hair wasn't as sharp and rigid as it appeared, but at least as far as he could remember, it was his first time to actually feel the proof.

"Soft," Izuku praised, taking his hands back sheepishly.

"Shut up."

To Izuku's disbelief, Katsuki blushed, and Izuku could do nothing but stare.

"You're super handsome, Kacchan," Izuku continued, well aware that he was pushing his luck. "And I'm really glad that we're getting to spend time together!"

"Stop being such a sap."

"Isn't that what you're supposed to do on a date?" Izuku laughed, amused by Katsuki's little pout. "I'm sorry, I'll stop."

"It's fine," Katsuki conceded. "Whatever."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Am I pushing my luck if I ask for a hug?"

"Yes," Katsuki huffed, looking away to hide the faint blush that remained in his cheeks. "I don't hug."

"I've seen you hug Kirishima, you liar!"

"Shitty-Hair hugs me," Katsuki corrected him. "I sure as hell don't hug him back."

"Okay, okay," Izuku giggled, pulling his pants back on over his damp boxers. "Should we keep going to the summit?"

"Sure."

Izuku pulled their water bottles from the backpack, shoving one in Katsuki's hands, and for a moment they fell silent as they drank. With their water guzzled and clothes back on, Katsuki snatched the bag, pulling it onto his back, and Izuku grinned again when red eyes narrowed at him stubbornly.

"My turn," Katsuki grumbled knowingly. "Don't start."

"Can we take a photo before we go? Just one nice picture of the two of us in front of the waterfall?"

"Yeah, alright."

"And you'll smile?"

"You're pushing your luck again."

"Okay, sorry," Izuku giggled, pulling his phone from his pocket. "Over here!"

He picked a spot where the falls made a pretty background for their shot, leaving just enough space that they didn't get drenched by the backsplash as they got positioned. He held dead still when Katsuki leaned in, afraid of scaring him off, and his phone trembled in his hand.

"Idiot, I told you you'd get cold in the water," Katsuki huffed, snatching the phone out of his hand. "C'mere, nerd."

He positioned the shot expertly, making sure he had the best angle of them both like the perfectionist he was, and Izuku's smile became a little less forced as he watched. He quickly went from nervous and hurried to genuinely warm and fuzzy, when he saw the two of them in frame, a little smirk on Katsuki's face as he snapped the first shot.

He expected Katsuki to put the phone down immediately, but instead he contemplated the image for a moment, then nudged Izuku a little closer to the water.

"You better not be plotting to push me in," Izuku warned him, when Katsuki stepped closer again. "It's gonna be cold up the top, I'll freeze!"

"Tempting," Katsuki smirked. "I hadn't thought of that."

"Kacchaaaaan!"

"Idiot," he scoffed. "Come on, turn this way."

He moved where Katsuki put him, turning his head just right, and when Katsuki took a couple more photos he had to concede a nod.

"Yeah, you're right," Izuku nodded, when Katsuki handed the phone back to him. "You really have an eye for this stuff."

"The old hag takes credit for it," he grumbled. "Says it's because of all the fashion shoots I got dragged to as a toddler."

"But?"

Katsuki shrugged, looking over at the picture again when Izuku set it as his wallpaper.

"Fashion is different," he said finally. "It's all boring backgrounds and dull colours to make the clothes look better. Models are just walking clothes hangers."

"But you like nature," Izuku said knowingly, glancing back at the waterfall surrounded by tall trees and rocky cliffs. "You don't want to ruin it with people."

"It's about framing and positioning things instead of diminishing them, I guess."

"Your mind works so well for photography," Izuku grinned, handing him the phone again. "Take a pretty one of the waterfall for me to put online too!"

"Go sit on that rock."

"Huh?"

"Anyone can look at a picture of a waterfall online, you want to show that you were here. Go sit."

"O-Oh. Okay! Um, you're gonna make me look good, right?"

"I can try."

"Rude!"

Katsuki smirked, and with a little pout Izuku went to the rock as directed. He sat down, back straight, hands on his knees, and Katsuki was laughing at him before he could even look up.

"Tuck one leg in."

"Huh?"

"Come on, like you're sticking your knee up, do I have to draw you a picture?"

"N-No, Kacchan, sorry."

He pulled his leg in obediently, tucking his foot up on top of the rock, and Katsuki nodded.

"Okay, now lean on that knee a little."

"Like this?"

"Perfect. Hold it there."

Katsuki crouched down with the phone, snapping a couple of pictures, and Izuku did his best to hold his smile until Katsuki gave him a nod.

"Okay, relax."

"I gotta take one for you, too! Switch!"

"It better be good."

"You always look good, Kacchan!"

He skipped back over to Katsuki, taking the phone from him, and pointed happily at the rock.

"Off you go! Pick your spot!"

Katsuki stuffed his hands in his pockets as he walked over, contemplating his surroundings, and with the soft look on his face Izuku couldn't help but take a picture while he wasn't looking. There was something so naturally handsome about him, with his sharp jaw and clean lines, not to mention the defined biceps sticking out from his sleeveless shirt.

"Okay," Katsuki nodded faintly, leaning against the same wide rock with his hands still in his pockets. "Here's fine."

He tilted his head slightly to look at the camera, angling himself just right to show off his assets, and Izuku snapped a dozen pictures just to be sure he'd have one that wasn't blurry.

"Perfect!" he grinned, skipping over to Katsuki to show him. "You're so handsome, Kacchan!"

"You don't need to keep saying that just because we're on a date."

"But this is my only chance to say it without getting punched!"

"Idiot. Alright, let's go."

"Yeah!"

They walked side by side this time as they headed back to the trail, instead of letting Katsuki take the lead, and it made Izuku feel a warmth deep in his stomach that he hadn't felt before.

"This is nice," he grinned, when Katsuki glanced down at him. "Sorry, I know I keep blabbering about it, I'm just really happy you came."

"You came up with an okay date," Katsuki admitted, looking away again quickly. "I'm, um, having fun I guess."

"I'm glad! I'll keep coming up with more ideas you'll enjoy!"

"Okay."

The simple acknowledgement that Katsuki would consider going out with him again made Izuku's heart sing. It took everything in his power to not reach out, to not wrap his arms around Katsuki and squeeze him deathly tight.

"Alright, let's go!" Izuku grinned, walking a little quicker. "We've got two more hours ahead of us, let's get it done!"

"You want this date over in a hurry, huh?"

He whirled around, and Katsuki laughed when he saw the horrified expression aimed at him.

"I'm kidding you dumb nerd."

"Oh God," Izuku sighed. "You scared me!"

"Idiot." Katsuki took a few more paces to catch up, shoving him in the arm lightly. "I'm not stupid, I know you'd prefer it went on for hours."

"You caught me," Izuku grinned. "I picked hiking so you couldn't escape in a hurry."

"You think I'm not man enough to give you a fair chance?"

"I think you have a temper that's easy to trigger and you could easily snap and decide to leave on a whim."

"Alright," he grumbled. "That's fair."

"Yeah? You're not gonna argue with me? Not gonna pick a fight?"

"You really gonna do this, asshole? Here I am trying to be nice since we're on a fuckin' date and you just want to make me mad?"

"You're not you when you're calm," Izuku laughed. "Sorry, Kacchan, I'll cut it out."

"It's whatever," he shrugged. "If you want me to be a jerk, I will."

"Do and say and be whatever you feel like, Kacchan! You don't need to do anything special just because it's a date! I like you because you're you."

"Sappy fuck."

"You know it!"

Conversation flowed freely again as they walked, the awkwardness fading quickly as always, and Izuku felt like they got to the top far too soon. He didn't want it to be over, and every milestone they reached just reminded him that time was passing, that soon it would be over and he would have to fight for a second chance.

"You busy on Tuesday?" Katsuki asked knowingly, looking out over the forest below and the city it gave way to in the distance. "We could go book shopping."

"Yeah! I mean, no! I'm not busy! Let's do it! Shopping, I mean!"

"Cool," Katsuki agreed, ignoring all the flustered stumbles. "Can you stop muttering about it being over too soon, then?"

"Oh God, was I mumbling again? I'm sorry!"

"It's fine. Date number two is planned, you can stop stressing now."

"Okay!" Izuku grinned, gently slipping the backpack from Katsuki's shoulders. "Shall we eat, then?"

"You brought food?"

"Of course!"

He dug out a blanket first, laying it out for them to sit on, and Katsuki snorted when he saw the set of plastic containers that followed.

"When did you do this?" he asked, as he sat down opposite Izuku on the blanket.

"Last night! After you went to bed, I took over the kitchen and made a bunch of yummy stuff!"

"What if I had picked something other than hiking?"

"Don't worry, I had this worked into all the options!" Izuku shot him a cheeky grin. "I really wanted to have a picnic with Kacchan!"

"You should have just said so."

"Why? That would be a boring date, it would only take twenty minutes! I just came up with lots of things you'd like to do where we could have a picnic at the end!"

"What else was on the list?"

"Hmm... Rock climbing?" Izuku offered, as he opened up containers of food. "Competing at the arcade? Playing at the park where we played as kids?"

"So what made you choose hiking over the rest of them?"

"I know Kacchan loves hiking," Izuku shrugged. "Arcade and rock climbing seemed too public for our first one, you might get awkward around so many people. And the park was kind of a fun little silly idea, you might not be totally on board with it right away if you were embarrassed or anything. I looked up pretty hiking trails where there wouldn't be many people around at this time of year, and this one jumped out at me, so when you told me I had to choose it myself, I thought this was a good one."

"Yeah," Katsuki acknowledged, moving on in a hurry. "So what did you make?"

"Meatballs, rolled omelette, chicken skewers, and a spaghetti salad!"

Katsuki narrowed his eyes at the last one, when Izuku presented it, eyeing the fresh vegetables tossed with pasta and some kind of shiny dressing.

"It's really good! I tried the recipe before I brought it here!"

"You little shit," Katsuki said in a low voice. "You seriously went out of your way to find a cold spaghetti recipe just because of my stupid movie joke, didn't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Izuku said innocently, eyes shining. "Do you want to eat the spaghetti with me, Kacchan?"

"You fucker," Katsuki smirked, struggling to contain the little laugh that wanted so desperately to come out, his lips twitching as he held it back. "I should crème de la crème your ass."

"I assume that's another movie reference but I don't know where from."

"You haven't seen the fuckin' aristocats? When the asshole drugs the kittens?"

"No?"

"Stupid nerd," Katsuki grumbled, digging out his phone and swiping away a few texts he didn't care about. "Look at this, you uneducated prick."

He leaned over, showing Izuku a video on his little screen, and Izuku cooed when he saw the tiny animated cats.

"The kittens are so cute, Kacchan!"

"Don't get attached"

"What?! Why not?!" he demanded. "Kacchan!! Are the kittens gonna get hurt?!"

"You'll have to watch and find out"

"Kacchan!"

"Of course the kitten don't get hurt, you dumb nerd, what the hell kind of kids' movie would that be?"

Izuku breathed a sigh of relief, watching as the kittens happily drank their cream and dozed off, and when the screen went black he gave Katsuki a swift little shove.

"Don't scare me like that!"

"Whatever," he snorted, reaching for the container of spaghetti. "Let me try this shit."

"We can't try it together?" Izuku teased.

"Not happening."

He took a scoop and dumped it on the paper plate Izuku offered him, gathering a collection from the other containers too, and sitting back to watch the sun begin to set.

"Gonna be walking down in the dark," Katsuki smirked. "You up for that, nerd?"

"Uh-huh! I brought torches in case we need them!"

"Did you check the batteries before you brought them?"

"I put new batteries in them, and brought spares just in case!" Izuku told him triumphantly. "I told you, Kacchan, I'm prepared today!"

"Alright," he nodded faintly. "Let's eat, then."

Between the pair, they managed to finish off Izuku's creations, and Katsuki conceded a nod when Izuku looked at him with shining eyes.

"Yeah, it was good," he sighed, reaching out to ruffle Izuku's messy curls. "Um, thanks."

"You're welcome! I'm glad you liked it! What was your favourite? For next time?"

"The meatballs."

"Because they were spicy?"

"Yeah."

"Okay! I'm glad! I added extra chilli just for you!"

"It was good. It all was. Even your dumb spaghetti."

Izuku laughed at him brightly, and Katsuki cracked a smile of his own, picking Izuku's phone up off the soft blanket.

"Photos before the sun gets too low?"

"Yeah!"

He jumped up, following Katsuki nearer to the edge, and watched as he framed the shot up perfectly once again. Izuku was pretty sure his smile was about as bright as the sun behind them, and when Katsuki looked at him, it only confirmed his suspicions.

"You can put your arm around me," Katsuki said softly. "Um, if you want."

Izuku didn't question the decision, too delighted by the prospect of an almost-hug, and he leaned in close, winding his arm around Katsuki's waist. To his surprise, Katsuki returned the gesture, quickly snapping some photos before Izuku's eyes could spill over.

"Sorry," he spluttered, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "I've just had such a good day! Even if you never want to go on a date with me ever again, I'll cherish today forever!"

"I thought we were going on Tuesday," Katsuki huffed, slipping the phone into Izuku's pocket. "You bailing on me already?"

"I want to! But, you know, if you change your mind..."

"It's fine," Katsuki shrugged, turning away to watch the fiery hues of the sunset. "You're more likely to back out than me."

"What?! Why would I do that?!"

"Because guys want... You know," he grimaced, rubbing at the back of his neck awkwardly. "Eventually you're gonna get bored of me not wanting to be intimate."

"Kacchan, I like you, I've always liked you. There are a thousand things I would give up just to go on more dates with you, and most of them would be far worse than giving up the bedroom."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, Kacchan," Izuku smiled, taking a step closer and smiling at him sincerely. "Whatever you're comfortable with, okay? Just let me know if I'm pushing any boundaries or if I make you uncomfortable."

"I like you too," Katsuki admitted, cheeks glowing as bright as the sun. "I just didn't think you'd want to date me if it wasn't gonna go anywhere."

"Marriage is nowhere?" Izuku asked, cocking his head to the side. "I mean, not that we're gonna do it next week, but we could still get married one day if it all goes well, you don't need to do stuff to get married."

"Then you could be going your entire life without it."

"Kacchan, I can just lock myself in a bathroom with my own hand if I get that desperate," he laughed. "You mean so much more than any of that stuff ever could. Oh, sorry, was the bathroom comment too much?"

"It's okay," Katsuki grumbled. "Just... No details."

"Got it!"

With a big smile he leaned in a little closer, boldly laying his cheek on Katsuki's shoulder.

"Should we start our walk back down?"

"Yeah," Katsuki nodded, resting his hand lightly on Izuku's back. "Let's get started."

Somehow, Izuku didn't feel like he meant the walk.