Tall Order - Chapter 9

It didn't take long for their friends to come investigate the noise, even from halfway across the island. It was a clear morning, warm and sunny, and Izuku and Katsuki had hardly even needed to discuss the matter. There was a little clearing along the track they ran each morning, where trees had been cut back so you could stop and look at the view. Coincidentally, it was the perfect size for a couple of early morning sparring matches. 

They weren't stupid, of course; they didn't dare to use their quirks in such a small area, surrounded by trees and rocks, but for a little hand to hand action and some close range kicks? Perfect.

When Mina showed up to investigate, leading Eijirou along the path she'd walked with Katsuki, she immediately broke their concentration with her bright laugh.

“So eager to get back to work, huh?” Eijirou asked, sighing fondly. “Aren't we on vacation?”

“Gotta stay in shape, shitty hair!” Katsuki smirked. “You wanna join us?”

“I don't have a death wish.”

“Your loss!”

He stood back to watch as they began trading blows again, quickly reaching speeds he could hardly keep up with, as if they could read each other's mind as they fought. If he hadn't known any better, he'd have thought they'd choreographed the whole thing; planned out every punch, every kick, every little step to adjust their feet and brace themselves for the next move. If he hadn't known any better, he'd have thought they'd never been apart a day in their lives.

“You're getting slow, Kacchan!” Izuku teased, swinging around and aiming a back kick at his stomach. “Are you rusty after just four days?”

“I'm not fuckin' slow, asshole!” he objected, slipping past the leg and grabbing hold, yanking him off balance. “Get down here you piece of shit!”

“I can't, Kacchan! You're too little!”

“You fuckin' shitbag, say that to my damn face!”

“But it's so far away!”

“You fuckin'-!”

He grunted as Izuku's hand thumped him in the ribs, but kept his grip all the same, finally managing to throw Izuku to the ground. He quickly moved to pin him in place, a hand on each forearm, locking them above his head, his knees pressed into powerful thighs to keep him from kicking out.

“Got you, you piece of shit.”

“Kacchan wins!” Izuku laughed, eyes shining. “Good job!”

“Fuck you.”

When Katsuki released his arms, he wound them around a thin waist, hugging him tight for a moment. Katsuki was flushed bright pink when he let go, but Izuku only grinned at him. 

“Cuddle prize done. Next round!”

He stood up, letting Izuku find his feet, only pausing when he saw Eijirou and Mina still watching with curiosity.

“What are you looking at, asshole?”

“Did you tell him?” Mina asked, a grin snaking across her lips. “You did, didn't you?!”

“I swear to God if you say another word I will never go to a club with you ever again.”

“You're so cruel, Blasty!”

“Not. A. Word.”

“Come on, let's give them some privacy,” Eijirou grinned, throwing an arm around Mina's shoulders to lead her away. “They're big boys, they can handle themselves.”

“But Kacchan's so little,” Izuku objected, with the utmost innocence.

“Fuck you!”

He slammed a fist into Izuku's cheek, only to have it pull away right as he touched, a grin curling at those soft looking lips as he ducked and tackled Katsuki round the middle, throwing him to the grass in a heartbeat. He pinned Katsuki down firmly, smirking, and made no move to get off in a hurry.

“I win this time, Kacchan.”

“And you want your fuckin' prize?” he grunted, scowling. “Move your damn hands, then.”

“Mm, but you look so pretty like this, Kacchan!”

“Shut up.”

“No.”

He leaned in close, his breath warm against Katsuki's cheek, and planted a tiny kiss on his jaw. Katsuki blushed again in response, and Izuku giggled, trailing his kisses down Katsuki's neck. His head tilted a little to make room, an unconscious motion that he hated himself for, but Izuku only continued his path, still holding Katsuki firmly in place.

He tried to squirm, tried to get a hand free to at least make a point, but Izuku was surprisingly strong and heavy on top of him. Something about that thought made Katsuki's heart pound a little harder against his ribs. 

“Aww, you like that, huh?” Izuku teased, watching as Katsuki swallowed hard. “Do you wanna maybe say something you said last night, now?”

“Fuck off, I told you I'm not saying it.”

“But you asked me so sweetly, Kacchan. I just want to hear it sober, you know?”

“Not fuckin' happening.”

“But I won, Kacchan.”

“I'm not saying it, so just shut the hell up about it!”

His cheeks burned, and Izuku paused to contemplate him, staring at nervous, avoidant eyes.

“You know my answer would still be the same, right?”

“Haah?!”

“I just want you to say it sober, so I know you mean it,” Izuku explained, his voice a lot softer. “I know how I feel, but I don't want to just... rely on your drunken words, okay? So when you're ready, you can tell me, and I'll be super happy.”

Katsuki gritted his teeth, jaw clenched tight, and even when Izuku stood up, he didn't move from his spot in the grass.

“I can't,” he said finally, his words frustratingly choked up. “I tried, okay? I just... My mouth won't fuckin' do what I want it to.”

Izuku sat down, cross-legged in the dirt, his knee brushing at Katsuki's feet, and after a minute of silence Katsuki finally, awkwardly, sat up to face him.

“If I said it, would you be able to say it back?” Izuku asked. “I just... I don't want to say it and not hear it. That's a lot harder than just... Not saying it. You know?”

“I would. I think.”

“Okay.”

Izuku leaned in close, their noses almost touching, his smile not quite hiding the fear deep in his eyes.

“I love you, Kacchan, and I'd really like for you to be my boyfriend.”

“Okay,” Katsuki nodding, swallowing but not managing to dislodge the lump in his throat. “I... Me too. I want to be your b-boyfriend.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I... I l-love you t-too.”

“Kacchan!” Izuku bleated, the fear immediately replaced with excitement and happiness. “You really do?!”

“Yeah.”

Izuku grabbed him in a tight bear hug, practically smothering him in his chest as he fell back into the grass with Katsuki in tow. He laughed, tears falling down his freckled, sun-kissed cheeks, and in a bout of bravery Katsuki leaned in to kiss them away.

“Kacchaaaaaan!” Izuku whined, hugging him tighter. “I'm so happy! I can't believe you really like me! I dreamed of this day for so long!”

“I do.”

Izuku rolled over to pin him down again, his hands shaking this time as he held Katsuki in place, but Katsuki didn't put up a fight. He lay beneath his new boyfriend with wide eyes and tight pants, staring up at him in awe. Backlit by the sun, Izuku looked positively radiant. His skin glowed golden, his hair highlighted in bright shades of green, and Katsuki couldn't stop staring, even when a teardrop landed on his cheek.

“Happy tears,” Izuku assured him. “Sorry, they must be annoying.”

“They're not,” Katsuki shook his head, still struck motionless with amazement. “You're gorgeous.”

“Wha-? Kacchan you'll make me cry all over again!”

“Can I have my hand back? Just one is fine.”

Izuku freed his arm, and slowly the callused hand rose to brush away tears with his thumb, gently tracing the abundance of freckles. Izuku just smiled at him, sniffling a little, letting the warm hand cup his cheek sweetly as they stared at each other, taking in every little detail.

“Your lips look really soft,” Katsuki said quietly, trailing his touch down across the smooth skin until his fingertips grazed over pale pink lips. “Can I find out?”

Izuku leaned in, bringing them together in a sweet, shy little kiss, and Katsuki trembled under his touch. His eyes were wide and full of wonder, his thoughts screeching to a halt and his mind quickly going blank.

“They are,” he said finally, making Izuku giggle. “More.”

“Say please, Kacchan.”

“Are you really gonna do this?”

“Just once,” Izuku teased. “Just this one time I wanna hear you ask so nicely for my kisses, and after that you can take them any time you want, no permission needed.”

“Any time?”

“Any time,” he nodded. “My home, your home, in front of our parents, in the street, on tv, I don't care. I'll scream it from the rooftops, if you'll let me. Kacchan is mine. My boyfriend. Finally.”

“No rooftops,” Katsuki smirked. “I'll ask you nicely, just this once, on one condition.”

“What's that?”

His fingers sneaked under the hem of Izuku's shirt, pressing his hand flat and firm against Izuku's abs. 

“You gotta come swimming with me later, and you've gotta take off your fucking shirt this time.”

“Why?”

“Why the fuck do you think, nerd?” he retorted, his smirk wavering just a little, but still remaining. “I wanna see all this.”

He squeezed tight at Izuku's hip, thumb running over the edge of his abs, glancing down at them for a moment before he turned his stubborn gaze back to meet Izuku's. He giggled, nodding, and Katsuki's smirk grew wider.

“Is that why you kept inviting me to swim?”

“Fuckin' obviously, why else would I give a shit?”

“You're so cute, Kacchan. Now, do you want another kiss or not?”

“Yes. Please.”

“Aww, what a good boy,” Izuku teased, leaning in and planting another little peck on his lips. “Like that?”

“Fuckin' more, asshole, and you know it.”

“Liiiiike this?”

He kissed him a little deeper, barely lingering, and Katsuki scowled when he pulled away.

“Please fuckin' kiss me properly you piece of shit.”

“Well, I guess there was a please in there, that's a start.”

He finally gave in, bringing them together properly, and Katsuki moaned as he flung his arm around Izuku's neck to hold him close. He was grateful for his stretchy running tights, to prevent the awful tightness that had come with his jeans over the past few days, but when Izuku's thigh brushed against his crotch knowingly he couldn't hold back another faint blush.

“Just from being underneath me?” Izuku teased, pulling away just enough to speak. “Wow, Kacchan, you really do like being pushed around.”

“Where did my fuckin' kisses go? You promised.”

“Kiss me, then.”

Katsuki dragged him back in, and this time Izuku parted his lips a little, tongue pressing into Katsuki's mouth to find his. He moaned when Izuku shifted, curling his fingers in short blond strands, tilting his head back a little to reach him easier. It was too damn easy to make him lose his composure, they'd both come to that conclusion pretty quickly, and Katsuki hated himself for it in that moment.

“Why me?” he found himself asking, hating himself even more when he heard the pathetic tone to his voice. “Never mind, forget I asked.”

“It was always Kacchan,” Izuku smiled warmly. “It's never been anyone else.”

“But you could have anyone.”

“Good, then I want Kacchan.”

“Dork.”

“You love it.”

“Yeah.”

Twisted fingers trailed up Katsuki's neck, making his skin tingle where they touched, and an equally twisted little smirk toyed at Izuku's lips.

“You're so pretty when you're embarrassed,” he mused. “I should fluster you more often.”

“Dickbag.”

Izuku gave Katsuki's hair another tug, wrenching his head right back to look up at Izuku with a sense of powerlessness flooding through him. And god fucking damn it, he was pretty sure he liked that feeling.

“Tell me about the last guy you fucked,” Izuku instructed him, and Katsuki was genuinely surprised by the firmness of his tone. 

“Are you jealous?”

“Answer me, Kacchan.”

“Mm... I haven't.”

“You haven't?”

“Fucked anyone,” he explained, his face prettily pink. “Only, uh, been... Fucked.”

“Sorry,” Izuku grinned. “I phrased that poorly. Tell me about the last guy who fucked you, Kacchan.”

“He was tall, kind of lanky looking but also super damn strong.”

“Did he hold you down?”

“No.”

“Fuck you against a wall?”

“N-No.”

“What kind of shitty boyfriend doesn't even-”

“He wasn't,” Katsuki cut him off, shaking his head quickly. “Just one night, not... Not a boyfriend.”

“Hmmm, okay. Am I the only one who gets to be your boyfriend?”

“Yeah, just you.”

“Perfect. I'm gonna make you feel so good that you never think about anyone else again.”

“Prove it.”

Izuku smirked, leaning in to take a little nip at Katsuki's pale neck.

“All in good time, Kacchan. All in good time.”

─

“Kacchan!”

He looked up just in time to watch the nerd snatch his hand, tugging him out of his seat with eyes wide and shining. Katsuki blinked a few times, waiting for an explanation, but already Izuku was dragging him toward the front door in a hurry. His mind immediately went to the worst case scenarios – a villain on the island? No, not very likely. Someone hurt? No, he could handle that himself far better than Katsuki could. Then maybe-

“Deku, where the fuck are we going?” he demanded, shoving the intrusive thoughts away. “What's going on?”

“You have to see it, Kacchan!”

The sun had fallen beyond the horizon, leaving them stumbling down the forest track, their path only lit by the glow of the moon above. Thankfully Katsuki had grown used to the trail, no longer worried about tripping along it in the dark, and Izuku seemed equally sure-footed in front of him. 

For years, Katsuki had been the one in front. He'd been the one dragging Izuku places, or letting Izuku tag along with him. There was something weird about being the one to trail behind, the one being led away, though his scarred hand was oddly reassuring. Slowly he shifted his fingers to grip back, getting a flash of a smile over a broad shoulder for his efforts. 

“Hey, let me walk beside you,” he demanded, hurrying a little to catch up. “Stop pulling me along.”

Izuku shifted over on the path to make room, letting Katsuki fall in beside him, but still he didn't slow his pace, and Katsuki had to walk quickly to keep up.

“Gimme,” Izuku demanded, when they reached the end of the beach. “Off.”

He pulled Katsuki's shirt over his head, reaching for his jeans next, and Katsuki blushed as he quickly found himself in his dark boxer shorts, cold winds blowing in off the ocean to make him shiver. Izuku stripped himself, too, then led Katsuki out into the cool water, deeper than he'd expected, once again clutching his hand firmly as they moved.

“Where are we going?”

“Just up here!”

He rounded the island, the water growing deeper until Katsuki could no longer touch the bottom, though he would never admit that out loud. Even if he weren't able to swim, Izuku was pulling him along, but Katsuki was an excellent swimmer, thank you very much! He had no need to say anything.

“Look!”

Katsuki looked out over the water before them and fell still, taking a moment to find the presence of mind to tread water and stay afloat. Izuku glanced back at him and giggled, pulling him in and holding him close. He rested against Izuku's warm side, the pair staring out together over ocean lit with blue lights, glowing around them. It was as if someone had taken the starlit sky above them and mirrored it in the water, lighting the waves up with a bright blue glow that made Katsuki gape wordlessly.

“I went for a walk,” Izuku explained. “I just wanted some fresh air, but when I came down here I saw the lights, and I had to come find you.”

Katsuki found himself blushing again, dropping his head to hide it in Izuku's shoulder.

“Thanks,” he mumbled. “That's, um, s-sweet of you.”

“Aww, Kacchan is so bad at compliments,” Izuku giggled. “Keep practicing!”

“Shut up, nerd.”

“Say something nice for me, Kacchan!”

“I already did.”

“Proper nice!”

Katsuki pulled a face, tearing himself away to make his point, but Izuku pulled him back in immediately.

“Kacchaaaaaan,” he sang. “Compliment me! Please?”

He pouted, lower lip jutting out pathetically, and Katsuki growled as he leaned in to bite it.

“You're hot,” he said flatly. “You know that.”

“I like hearing that Kacchan thinks so, though!”

“Stupid nerd.”

Izuku giggled, and when he wrapped both arms around Katsuki's slim waist, he didn't pull away. In fact, Katsuki leaned in, winding his own arms around Izuku's neck as they stood in the middle of an ocean of stars, the blue lights spreading around them.

“I like you,” he admitted quietly, watching Izuku's eyes widen. “And I like stuff like this.”

“Me too,” Izuku grinned, hugging him a little tighter. “Isn't it so pretty, Kacchan?”

“Yeah, it is.”

Eventually the lights began to move on, and the pair swam back to shore, hunting down their clothes at the edge of the forest. Of course, Izuku hadn't had the forethought to grab towels or spare underwear, so Katsuki's jeans became damp the moment he pulled then on, and Izuku's shirt stuck to his damp body so heavily that he could barely pull it down to cover his torso, but still Katsuki found himself smiling, laughing even, as he watched it all happen.

“Some planning, next time,” Katsuki suggested, smirking up at him. “Just a little, yeah?”

“A little,” Izuku agreed. “Just for you, my demanding little shit.”

Katsuki punched him lightly, getting bright laughter in return, and rolled his eyes as he fought back a smile.

“Always looking down on me, aren't you?” he snorted. “Things never change, with you.”

“I am,” Izuku agreed, leaning over to kiss the top of his head. “For the first time ever, on this trip I've been looking down on you.”

“Asshole.”

“Well if you grew  a few inches, I wouldn't have t- Ow! Kacchan!”

Katsuki followed up his punch with a tackle, knocking Izuku into the sand, scowling at the laughter it elicited – not the desired effect, he had to say.

“Now who's looking down, huh?!”

Izuku grinned, a spark of green lightning in his arm quickly switching their places, leaving Katsuki wide eyed in the sand, staring up at him as if he were unsure what just transpired.

“Me,” he grinned, planting a kiss on Katsuki's jaw. “Always me, sweetie.”

“Shut up.”

For a minute they wrestled back and forth in the sand, but every time Katsuki came close to winning, Izuku beat him down with a quick burst of his quirk. Katsuki considered using his own, but decided against it in favour of keeping them and the island intact, so instead he just gritted his teeth and fought back with brute strength.

“You've put up a valiant fight, Kacchan,” Izuku laughed, pinning Katsuki's hands in the sand. “Now admit defeat.”

“Never.”

“I'll kiss you when you surrender.”

“Fuck you!”

“Not unless you admit that I win,” Izuku grinned, laughing when the face below him burned as scarlet as the eyes it held. “Say it, Kacchaaaaan.”

“Fuck off.”

“That's not very nice.”

Katsuki growled lowly, but finally with a little pout he looked away.

“You fuckin' win, but only because your dumb quirk won't destroy the beach like mine would, asshole. Now fuckin' kiss me.”

“That's not a very nice way of asking. Don't you want to be a good boy for me?”

He leaned in close, taunting, and when Katsuki looked up to glare at him he found nothing but joy in the shining green eyes.

“Kiss me,” he said again, a little softer.

“Please?”

“Just get your ugly face down here and kiss me you fuckin' asshole!”

“We'll work on that,” Izuku laughed, leaning in and nipping at the soft skin of his neck. “You think I'm ugly?”

“No,” Katsuki huffed. “Just... Come on, you're being a dick.”

Izuku slid his hands off Katsuki's wrists, letting thick arms wind around his neck and pull himself in, humming his pleasure as their lips finally met. He rolled, pulling Katsuki onto his chest as he lay back, hugging him tight and smiling into his kisses.

“I'm really happy, Kacchan,” he said quietly, pressing their foreheads together as he watched the ruby eyes, almost drowning in the darkness of his pupils. “You and me, again, finally. It makes me really happy.”

“Yeah, Katsuki agreed, slipping his hands up Izuku's damp, wrinkled shirt. “I'm happy too."