The Deku-Shaped Hole - Chapter 14

Izuku looked up when they pulled into a driveway, his eyebrows knitting together, eyes darting around all the unfamiliar surroundings in the hopes of finding recognition. When he finally looked over at Katsuki for clarification, he found a smug little smile waiting for him, blood-red eyes shining with an excitement hidden down deep, slowly beginning to bubble up inside of him.

"Do you want to see my new house?"

"What?!" Izuku gaped, fumbling for his crutch. "You bought a house?! You didn't tell me! I want to see!"

He stumbled out of the car in a hurry, leaving everything but his crutch behind as he limped up to the doorway, halting again when he found the front door wide open.

"It's fine," Katsuki assured him, jogging to catch up in case the idiot slipped and cracked his head open on the freshly cleaned porch. "Hey, Dad! I'm home!"

A familiar head poked out through a doorway, his face lighting up when he saw the pair, and Izuku grinned just as brightly as he limped inside.

"It's good to see you! It's been a while!"

"You too, Izuku! How are you doing? On the mend still?"

"Yeah! Getting better! Kacchan has been taking good care of me."

"That's my boy."

Izuku marvelled as he looked around the entryway, taking in the clean white walls and shining wooden fixtures. Katsuki took his free hand, leading him through the doorway after Masaru, stopping knowingly when Izuku paused to gasp again.

"It's so pretty, Kacchan! So clean and nice! But homey! It's not a weird and sterile clean, just a sweet well-taken-care-of home."

"I've already seen it a dozen times, Deku, you don't need to give me a play-by-play."

"Sorry," Izuku grinned. "I'm surprised still!"

"I know, I didnt want you to be upset if it didn't work out or something, and you've been busy with all your physical therapy and doctor's appointments, I didn't want to put all of this on you too."

"Does this mean you're staying? For real? Not just until I'm better?"

"For as long as you'll put up with me."

"Forever?!"

"If you want."

Izuku threw his arms around Katsuki's waist, his crutch clattering onto wooden floors, forgotten in his sudden haste. Katsuki just smiled at him, holding him close, and bent down to retrieve the crutch when Izuku composed himself a little. 

"Show me the rest!"

"Yeah, okay. How did unpacking go, Dad? Everything okay?"

"All very smooth, the movers were lovely. They had everything in within a couple of hours."

"Oh good. You haven't been stuck here all day, then?"

"No, not at all."

He led the way through to the kitchen, pausing to wave back at them through a little window between the two, making Izuku grin all over again as he leaned down to peer through it. 

The kitchen, too, was made of polished wood. Katsuki had liked the way it looked, compared to the boring whites and beiges of other properties they'd looked at. He could imagine cooking hot dinners there, serving them up at a little table in the living room as they watched All Might re-runs on the television.

"Cook for me," Izuku requested, getting a confused look in return. "Not right now! Just some time. I want to eat Kacchan's dinner."

"Yeah, whenever you want," he found himself agreeing. "Kitty cat rice and all."

"Promise?"

"Idiot," Katsuki grinned, ruffling his hair. "Yeah, whatever."

He held half of Izuku's weight as he explored the main bathroom, with the nice deep tub to soak in after a long day, and limped back to the hallway, pointing at another door beside the stairs and the toilet. 

"What's this one?"

Katsuki exchanged a look with his father behind Izuku's back, getting a little nod from the man, and gently Katsuki nudged Izuku forward.

"Take a look."

Izuku turned the handle obediently, peeking inside, a soft "woah" parting his lips. It was a much more traditional room than the rest of the house, with tatami over the floors and plenty of cupboard space, but under Masarus guidance a low bedframe and mattress had been set out beneath the windows. It was a small room, a little too small for Katsuki's liking, but it came with one significant benefit.

"No stairs," he explained. "Just in case my dumb boyfriend injures himself and can't climb them properly."

Izuku whirled around, eyes wide, to stare for a moment.

"Are you asking me to move in?"

"It was hypothetical, nerd."

He dropped the topic immediately, marching back out to the hall, and it was Izuku's turn to exchange a smirk with Masaru as they caught a glimpse of his flushed cheeks. 

"There are two up here," Katsuki continued, hitching Izuku up over his shoulder when they caught up, carting him up the stairs despite his whines. "Figured I needed a spare, y'know? In case friends come to stay, or I decide to adopt a kid."

"Really?"

"You never know." He paused, strangely sincere when he set Izuku down and met his eyes finally. "I thought when you're better we could have the big room up here, and maybe your mother would want the room downstairs."

Izuku gaped at him, lost for words, and instead settled for throwing his arms tight around Katsuki's neck as he teared up. Katsuki stroked his back lightly, waiting for him to get himself together before he spoke again.

"I know how much you mean to each other," he said softly. "I wouldn't want either of you to be lonely."

"I love you, Kacchan. So much."

"Yeah, nerd, I know. I love you too."

He took another minute to gather himself, but soon he was rebalancing on his crutch with a wobbly smile, admiring the two bigger bedrooms and the little bathroom to go with them. There were balconies off of each, the larger with a view of a nearby park, and already there were beds and side tables in place, ready for use. 

"So what do you think?" Katsuki asked nervously. "I'd like it if you lived here eventually, but I understand if you hate it. I liked it, personally, but if you-"

"Kacchan, it's beautiful," Izuku assured him, smiling softly. "And I would be honoured to live with you here."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. It sounds amazing."

Katsuki hugged him again, squeezing much tighter than he usually allowed himself for fear of exacerbating tender injuries, but Izuku only laughed as he hugged back just as tight.

"I love you so much," he sniffed, finally cracking and letting the tears spill over, even as he continued to laugh. "I'm so lucky, Kacchan. I'm so happy. You're the best boyfriend in the whole world, I swear."

"Duh, I'm the best at everything," Katsuki smiled softly. "But you're pretty damn good too."

─────

With help from Masaru, the pair spent their afternoon unpacking boxes from the car. Izuku took his collection of kitchen supplies he'd loaded up and began to reverse the process, sitting on a much newer stool to unload into new drawers. He hummed to himself happily as he worked, listening to Katsuki and Masaru talking quietly in the next room. 

He leaned over to peek through the little window, surprised when he found both of them looking straight at him – no, higher?

"Come look," Katsuki grinned at him. "I think we've got it."

He picked up his crutch and limped through the doorway, turning and freezing when he saw their completed project. All the photos that were once lining an apartment wall were now carefully arranged in the new living room. They held pride of place, the first thing you'd see enterring the room, and Izuku found himself teary again as he stared.

"It's so good, Kacchan."

"Yeah, I like it."

Izuku dug his phone out of his pocket, putting a determined look on his face as he typed, but Katsuki was too busy discussing the next project with his father to notice the knitted eyebrows. 

"Can you send me a copy of your best family photo?" he requested, hunting down Mitsuki's number in his contacts list. 

"Sure! What for?"

He snapped a quick photo of the wall, sending it back, and for a long minute Mitsuki didn't reply.

"I'm sorry, that made me cry a little," she admitted, when she finally responded. "I didn't know he had anything like that. I'll find one and a matching frame, we'll put it up tonight. Inko and I are bringing dinner, so tell the brat not to cook! We'll be there as soon as I sort out a photo!"

"Okay! I look forward to seeing you!"

He tucked his phone away and waited for a lull in the discussion, waving slightly to get their attention.

"Apparently our mothers cooked dinner," he explained. "They're bringing it over in a bit."

"Mitsuki still hasn't seen the house," Masaru smiled. "I'm surprised she isn't here already."

"You managed to keep her out?" Katsuki grinned. "Thanks."

"Katsuki told her very adamantly to stay away," Masaru explained, giving Izuku a wry smile. "He was worried she would upset the movers."

"I believe my words were 'don't go near my fuckin' movers, I don't want them screwing up my shit because you were a rude bitch', actually."

"Very adamant."

Izuku giggled, and Katsuki smirked in response, crossing the room to drape an arm across his shoulders. He pulled the giggly idiot into his side, kissing his messy curls.

"Sorry you were the last to know. I thought it would be a nice surprise, instead of telling you on Friday."

"Don't be sorry! I'm really happy! It was a great surprise!"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah! The best!"

"I'll be sure to keep more secrets, then," Katsuki teased, laughing when the nerd nuzzled into his neck sweetly. "You doing okay?"

"Uh-huh! A little tired but it's okay!"

"You sure? You can take a nap if you want, might get you through dinner easier?"

"Mm... Maybe. I haven't finished my kitchen box."

"God forbid," Katsuki snorted. "Dad can do it while I put my clothes away, that's pretty much all that's left."

"Really?"

"Really, dummy. You saw how much work was done before we even got here."

"Mm... Okay. I'll take a nap, just for an hour. You'll wake me when Mom gets here, right?"

"Yeah, of course."

Katsuki paused again, then glanced back at his father with an awkward smile.

"Give me ten minutes to get him in bed, then I'll be back, okay? Sorry."

"Don't be, Katsuki. Take all the time you need."

"Thanks."

He led Izuku through to the little tatami room, with the bed specifically picked out to be an easy height to get in and out of. He knew it would be put to good use, handy for Inko as she got older, but for now it was perfect for his idiot boyfriend.

"Snuggles?" 

Speaking of idiot boyfriend.

Izuku latched on, clinging tight to Katsuki, and with a little nod Katsuki sat down, dragging the nerd onto the bed with him. He tossed Izuku's clothes aside, tucking him into the blankets, grinning when he quickly pinned the wandering arms down beneath them.

"Only until you fall asleep," Katsuki said firmly. "You gotta be careful and when you're asleep I'm gonna go finish unpacking. No whining about it. Deal?"

"Deal!"

Katsuki lay down beside him, letting warm hands disappear under his singlet, feeling every piece of Izuku's body press into him as he wove himself through Katsuki's limbs. With a fond sigh he closed his eyes, resting his cheek on Katsuki's chest, and Katsuki stroked his back lightly as he settled in.

"I'm really happy," Katsuki said softly. "Being here and having you with me. I'm glad I did this."

"Me too, Kacchan," he murmured, muffled by soft cotton. "I love you."

"I love you too, baby. Get some rest."

─────

When everyone began to crowd into the house, Izuku couldn't help but smile stupidly. Even if he didn't remember being in the hospital for so long, he still felt the strange ache that came with it – a loneliness that permeated his entire being, like he needed to just cram himself into a room full of people and learn to breathe all over again. Between Katsuki and Inko, he'd never had a moment alone since he was discharged, and while other people would complain about that, Izuku was eternally grateful for their company. As much as he loved his solo hobbies, he was a pack-animal by nature. 

"C'mere," Katsuki demanded, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him out of the doorway. "Let them bring the food in, don't go tripping them and shit."

"I want to help!"

"No."

He held tight even when Izuku squirmed fruitlessly, taking a gentle nip at the side of Izuku's neck when he whined.

"Shush, be good. They can handle it."

"Don't bite me!"

"You licked my hand, I'm gonna bite your neck."

"Jerk."

"Nerd."

Despite the half-hearted insults, when Izuku looked up it was like the sun shone through his eyes, burning bright as he beamed up at his boyfriend, squinting a little to keep all the light from spilling out.

"Cute," Katsuki murmured, leaning in to kiss his freckles. "Rest, okay? Don't try to help all the time. You'll have plenty of days to help, but today is not one of them."

"Okay," Izuku agreed, much to Katsuki's surprise. "Take care of me, Kacchan."

"Of course I will."

Inko and Mitsuki busied themselves in the new kitchen, finishing off trays in the oven and unwrapping bowls of salads. They filled the entire table with the serving plates, in the end, and Katsuki snorted as he watched them fuss.

"They think I'm gonna be too busy to cook," he explained, when Izuku gave him a questioning look. "Wanted to make sure we had leftovers."

He giggled to himself as Katsuki lugged him over to the table, fussing again as he found the softest cushions and got Izuku settled in. He stayed close, not even letting Izuku lift any heavy bowls in case it strained his arms too much, and Izuku couldn't resist a little smile as he leaned into Katsuki's side.

"Warm," he praised. "Comfy."

"You make it real hard to eat," Katsuki grumbled, making no move to shove him off. "Get some food in you, gotta hurry up and heal."

"I am!"

He still refused to budge, his weight heavy against Katsuki's side as he shoveled food in his mouth, and Katsuki could only sigh wordlessly.

It was nice, he had to admit. Their parents making conversation, Izuku's warmth against him, a shitload of good home-cooked food on the table – it was a good combination.

"Hey," Katsuki mumbled, leaning in close. "Thanks."

"Huh? For what?" Izuku asked, blinking up at him. "Kacchan?"

"Just... You know. Everything."

"You don't need to thank me for 'everything'," Izuku giggled. "Is there really nothing in particular?"

"No, it's just been... Good."

"Kacchan is happy?"

"Yeah."

With a grin, Izuku shoved the warm arm aside, crawling into Katsuki's lap despite the stubborn protests it came with. He turned to the side a little, hunching to give Katsuki room to eat, but no matter the argument that poured from Katsuki's mouth, he stayed firmly put. Katsuki's cheeks burned, and he growled quietly when he caught his mother giggling at them, though Inko's and Masaru's expressions were a lot more fond. 

"You're a fuckin' nuisance," Katsuki complained, twisting an arm awkwardly to reach his bowl. "You know that?"

"But I'm a cute nuisance, right?"

"Shut the hell up, nerd."

Izuku remained in his spot until they'd all stuffed themselves to bursting, still grinning to himself as he leaned back and snuggled into Katsuki's chest happily. There was something so freeing about being able to touch and hold even in front of their parents, something so gratifying about the knowledge that their parents were not only accepting, but genuinely supportive of their love.

"Kacchan asked if I want to move in here with him," Izuku said softly, glancing up at his mother with nervous eyes. 

"I didn't ask," Katsuki argued, pulling his hair stubbornly. "You invited yourself."

"I did not! You said- Forget it, you invited me no matter what you say now. Are you retracting the invitation?"

"Do what you want, nerd. We both know you will no matter what I say."

"Rude!"

Katsuki ran a hand through the green curls in his face, tugging gently and dragging the pouting face back to his chest. Yawns began to spread through the room, the long day catching up with them, and when Mitsuki reached for her bag, Katsuki expected to see her retrieve car keys. Instead she handed him a package wrapped in white paper, tied with a black ribbon.

"House-warming gift," she explained. "I hope it matches."

Izuku beamed, vibrating in Katsuki's lap as he watched the long fingers take far too much care with the wrapping. He fought the urge to reach out, to tear into the paper, instead channeling all his energy into the excited jiggling. 

"What- You-" Katsuki gaped, staring at the photo, then up at his mother, and back at the photo again. "When did we even take this?"

"The first time you got in the top ten," she smiled softly. "I have one on my desk at work, but I thought maybe you'd like one for your collection, too."

He ran his fingers lightly across the glass, as if he might reach through into the picture and remember that moment, remember that soft smile on his lips and the arms thrown around his waist from either side. 

"It's really nice," he said faintly, eyes still locked on the image. "I haven't seen this one before."

"I was worried you'd throw it out or something, at the time. I think you've grown up a little now."

"Yeah."

He gently nudged Izuku out of his lap, and this time the lump let himself be moved. He sat on his squishy pillow and watched as Katsuki reached up, adding the frame to the set he and his father and worked so hard on making perfect. They'd hung a few extra hooks, at his father's suggestion, and Katsuki smiled to himself faintly as he looked up at it.

"Thanks," he said sincerely, but without looking back at the group. "It's perfect."

"I thought we could take one more," Mitsuki added, grinning. "To celebrate your first house?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "We can do that."

Mitsuki wasted no time in producing a professional camera from her bag, already debating the best place to take the photo as she screwed it onto a tripod. Katsuki wasn't sure how she'd even managed to fit everything in one bag, but apparently mothers had their ways.

"How about outside?" Izuku suggested. "Out the front of the house?"

"Yeah! We should have enough light left if we go now!"

Izuku's smile wobbled as he reached for his crutch, but then Katsuki's arm was around him, hauling him off the ground again. He was starting to get used to the motion, starting to anticipate the little toss of his weight over Katsuki's shoulder, was starting to relax as he flopped in his boyfriend's grip.

"I'll hold you up," he whispered, right beside Izuku's ear. "You don't have to use it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, nerd, I'm sure."

He led the way outside, navigating Izuku through the doorway expertly, and soon they were all standing on the front porch, Izuku's weight leaning into Katsuki's side, a timer counting down on the camera as they tried to hold their smiles long enough.

Finally it flashed, and Masaru fetched the camera for them all to look, to smile and coo at the happy little scene.

"I'll get one printed and framed for each household," Mitsuki assured them. "We can all match!"

"Suddenly I've changed my mind," Katsuki teased. "It's not cool anymore."

"When was it ever cool?"

"When Aizawa did it."

Izuku thought back to the photo of the pair of them, smiling to himself as things began to fit together in his mind. He hadn't understood, at first, other than knowing that the man meant a lot to Katsuki, but everything was beginning to make sense.

"I'd love to move in with you," Izuku said softly, burying his flushed face in Katsuki's neck. "If it's okay."

"Of course it is, idiot. You're my boyfriend, aren't you?"

Izuku nodded, sniffling as he tears began to spill over, and Katsuki couldn't help but laugh at him even as he pulled him close.

"I love you, Deku. You know that, yeah?"

"I love you too, Kacchan. More than anything."

"We're gonna be super happy here. Together. I'll make sure of it."

"I'll do my best too."

Even with all their parents watching, Katsuki wound an arm around Izuku's back, the other hand gently coaxing his face up to meet his lips. It was tender, far too soft for two pro-heroes, Katsuki quietly thought, but it was also perfect. So perfect.

"Forever?" Izuku asked quietly.

"Yeah, nerd. Forever."