Thread by @AmorExOculis

#bkdk #romance #fluff by @queenswagzilla
cw: domestic fluff, realizing feelings, confessions
Prompt: Free Day; co-written for @OkaeriBkDk's "Chores" prompt #okaeri2022

Imagine: BKDK are sharing an apartment for a summer curse-breaking internship.

@queenswagzilla @OkaeriBkDk -
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Katsuki woke up to the sound of Deku clattering around their tiny-ass student flat.

Gringott's had paid for it as part of their internship stipend—free accommodation for two of Hogwarts' best students,—

hoping to officially snag them with an enticing work-study program before their final year.

And it *was* an enticing program. None of the other programs he'd applied to had such incredible hands-on experience. They were even allowed to—

take on the project of their choice in the final month before they returned to school.

And the *mentorship* was brilliant. The worlds' foremost curse-breakers had taken both of them on as his mentees, and would be spending the next month helping them with career planning.

All in all, it was an opportunity that he couldn't *believe* he'd gotten.

Sharing tight quarters with Deku, though? That had been...well. The first month had been tense as fuck.

He and Deku weren't exactly on good terms. At *all.*

They'd been in more detentions *because of each other* than any other student in Hogwarts' history.

Aizawa had made sure to let them know when they'd reached that major landmark.

They were, at their core, antagonistic rivals. They fought about everything *constantly* but—

since they were the top of their class, they were often the only people who could keep up with each other. That didn't make them like each other any more, though.

Naturally, living together in their tiny-ass apartment for three months was strenuous at first.

They got in each others' faces about *everything*—from who was responsible for which chores to ill-matched sleeping habits.

Their bedrooms were tiny and shared a wall. Honestly, did Deku have to stay up till the ass-crack of dawn *muttering* all night?

He kept Katsuki awake with a near-malicious stream of noise that he could hear through the paper-thin walls.

In Deku's defense, once Katsuki had registered his complaints (in a manner both loud and rude), he'd done his best to adjust his habits.

But the apartment had just been too fucking small.

He'd driven Katsuki up the fucking wall, and Katsuki had done the same to him. He'd been almost positive that he'd end up murdering him before the internship was over.

It had been *so tempting.* But he had to admit, he—

was glad that he hadn't.

Now, with the sound of his happy humming and running water, he was *so fucking glad* that by some wack-ass miracle, things had changed.

They'd started actually talking when shit frustrated them and respecting each other's boundaries and shit.

Then, on Katsuki's day off, Deku had burst into the apartment after his shift—eyes wild and excited—holding a box that *definitely* shouldn't have been removed from Gringott's.

He'd yelled, "Kacchan, you're a genius! You did it!" and dumped the contents of the box on their—

tiny ass kitchen table. It had *all of Katsuki's notes,* various potion ingredients, a book on archaic curses, and the artifact that they'd been studying.

"The fuck are you doing?" he'd snapped. Izuku had ignored him, sweeping through the items on the table and laying them out—

in a logical order.

"You figured it out! *This* is why I said we should compare observations, by the way," he paused, just shy of condescending. "Because we're duplicating efforts. I have one piece and you have the other—"

"If you start rambling, I'll kill you. *Especially*—

because you stole my notes off my fucking desk—"

"They were on top of the book I needed," Izuku said, brushing him off. "But look!"

He was burning with excitement, and Katsuki couldn't help but follow along as he finally got to the goddamn point. The nerd was a genius, and—

he'd be an idiot to deny that. He had a knack for spotting connections that most people skipped over. Patterns and suggestions that meant nothing to other people spoke volumes to him.

That's why he'd suggested that Katsuki take that book on archaic out of the Restricted Section.

Izuku wasn't *allowed* in the Restricted Section anymore. Not after he'd blown up an empty classroom in fifth year.

So, he'd hesitantly suggested it to Katsuki, who had cursed him out for thirty minutes. And then gone to retrieve the book from Hogwarts as soon as—

Izuku had given up on the matter.

And as Izuku flipped through that very same book, and leafed through his notes, and turned the artifact over in his hands—his respect for the nerd had grown.

Then, he'd shown Katsuki their breakthrough, and he'd gotten *excited.*

It had filled him, spilling over as he pushed the whole table aside and Deku hugged him as though he'd been anticipating it—squeezing him tight.

They were going to make a major breakthrough in archaic curse-breaking as *interns.* They were both on cloud nine.

They'd gotten a fancy-ass dinner and eaten it in their shitty apartment, but couldn't stop working now that they'd made a breakthrough.

They bent over their rickety coffee table—strewn with parchment-scrawled notes—barefoot and tucked into warm blankets that Deku's mom had sent.

It was the most fun he'd had with anyone—watching Deku's eyes shine with excitement and challenge as they debated disenchantment methods over hot chocolate and old books.

And before he knew it, he couldn't remember why he'd ever disliked Deku in the first place.

Which brought him to now.

He was a little irritated, since his alarm hadn't gone off yet and they'd had a late night, but he still couldn't help the tiny smile that pulled at the corners of his lips.

Deku was humming in the kitchen, occasionally mumbling the words to—

some muggle song. It used to annoy the shit out of him—the constant mumbling and muttering and *humming.* At one point, he'd been sure that Deku was doing it just to piss him off.

But he was always making noise. Constantly. Especially when he was distracted or focused.

Tapping his food or reading aloud under his breath, or singing random songs to off-key tunes.

His own nerdy symphony in Deku. It was a stream of sound and movement that he'd gotten accustomed to.

Grumbling half-heartedly, he rolled out of bed—putting on the ridiculous—

fuzzy slippers Deku had bought him when he'd complained about the morning chill. Nevermind that a goddamn *warming charm* would have taken care of the problem.

But they were soft and fuzzy and Deku had given them to him, so he put the stupid things on. It was so stupid, but—

he was basically incapable of refusing him at this point. A wayward pout would cripple him. Deku was more magical than most, and held the gripping ability to render him powerless.

And it had only taken a month and a half for Deku to have absolute control over his dumbass soul.

He made is way into the cramped living room, cursing as he stubbed his toe on the chair that Deku hadn't tucked into the dining table.

The nerd spun, sudsy hands clutching a plate in one hand and a sponge in the other—soapy water dripping onto the wooden floor.

He brightened as soon as their eyes met, beaming at him. "Morning, Kacchan! I made breakfast," he chirped. Katsuki scowled at him, but stomped over to the stove to serve himself.

"Thanks," he grunted, piling a plate with eggs and sausages and toast. Burnt toast.

It was one of his most irritating but amusing idiosyncrasies. He was great at making complicated things, but he always burnt the simple things. Like Toast.

Deku turned back to his task—scrubbing away at the pile in the sink. "You know you're a wizard, right?" he grumbled as—

he poured himself a mug of lukewarm coffee. He set his cup and plate on the table and pulled out his wand—twisting it in his fingers to cast a heating spell.

"I prefer to do them the muggle way," he admitted, tossing a smile over his shoulder.

"Making shit more complicated for nothing," Katsuki chuckled.

"It's relaxing!" Izuku protested with a fucking *giggle.* "It's a ritualistic thing. Forces you to be mindful, makes you feel accomplished."

"Imagine how much more you'd get done if you waved your wand."

"Imagine how much more *you'd* get done if you didn't pick at all my decisions," he laughed, turning to flick soap suds at Katsuki's face and watching him splutter.

"Fucker," Katsuki huffed, smiling despite himself as he wiped them away. He picked up his fork to dig in, when—

Deku stopped him.

"I forgot! I have potatoes warming!" he fretted, wiping his hands on a dish towel and sliding over to the oven.

He watched as Deku pulled them out, placing the pan on a trivet so that Katsuki could serve himself. "Overboard," he taunted.

Deku pouted.

"They're good!" he whined. "I even made them spicy for you. Not too spicy, though, I wanted to eat some too," he chuckled.

Katsuki frowned at him. "You haven't eaten yet?"

"Not yet! I wanted to at least get the big pots soaking before I sat down, and then I just—

got caught up. Figured I might as well finish."

"Finish after breakfast," Katsuki snapped. "That way you can get them all at once, dork."

Deku gave him this smile—small and warm. "Alright, Kacchan," he murmured. "Thank you for looking out for me."

"I just don't want you—

passing out in the middle of our research bracket," he grunted, stabbing a sausage.

"Sure," Izuku replied, smile turning knowing. Like he knew what Katsuki was hiding. "Thanks anyways, though."

He turned back to the stove to serve himself, then joined Katsuki at the table.

Against his better judgement, Katsuki let himself dream a little. They still got on each other's nerves and bickered and they were still rivals, but they were so much different now.

It had only taken a month, but he was already wondering what it would be like to wake up to—

Deku every morning, barefoot and doing chores. Making him breakfast. Singing in the shower and ducking out of the way of Katsuki's cleaning spells as he held up his end of the housekeeping.

Laughing at dumb jokes and falling asleep together on the couch after long days.

He wondered what it would be like to get closer. To give into temptation and sweep the curls off Deku's forehead when they fell into his eyes.

What it would be like kiss him good morning.

"Are you okay?" Deku asked. Katsuki looked up at him.

"M'fine."

"Are you sure? You look flushed. Are you getting sick?" he fretted, leaning over the table to feel his forehead.

Katsuki realized that he must be blushing like some 2nd year Hufflepuff and, in his mortification, blushed even deeper.

It had nothing to do with Deku's hand on his face.

It *didn't.*

"I said I'm fine," he huffed. "It's just a little warm in here."

Izuku's eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Kacchan. There was frost on the window when I woke up."

"Yeah, well the dumbass fuzzy slippers—

retain shit-tons of heat," he barked, stabbing a potato next. He stuffed it in his mouth to avoid the oncoming interrogation.

Then, the flavor caught up with him. Warm and rich and spicy—fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. His eyes fluttered shut, and he groaned.

"Fuck, these're good," he said, forking in another mouthful. "Make these every morning and I'll never fight with you again," he swore.

"Guess I'll be out of luck at school," Izuku chuckled.

"Teach the house elves and the offer fuckin' stands," he insisted, looking up at Izuku.

He looked delighted—smile wide and cheeks flushed.

"I'm glad you like them," he replied sincerely. "I can make them again tomorrow if you really want, but I was planning on something else."

"It's my turn to make breakfast tomorrow," he reminded him, unwillingly affectionate.

Izuku pouted. "You haven't been sleeping much," he said, a hint away from scolding him. "We need to start prepping for thesis week soon. Sleep in tomorrow, you can get Monday."

"Only if you let me take your chores," he smirked, sitting back in his seat as Deku scowled.

"No."

"Then breakfast's on me," Katsuki teased.

"I thought you said you wouldn't argue with me in payment for the potatoes!"

"That offer only starts next time, this is the free sample. Next time is the purchase."

"What am I, a Tesco?" Izuku scowled.

Katsuki pulled a face. "What's a Tesco?"

"A muggle grocery store, and that's *not* the point," he huffed. In an unusually bold move, he reached across the table and grasped Katsuki's hand. "It's okay to let people take care of you, you know," he murmured, soft and serious.

Katsuki's stomach flipped, heart fluttering.

He licked his lips, more of a nervous tic than anything, and watched in fascination as Deku's eyes tracked the motion.

Before his brain could catch up with his mouth, he said,—

"Fine. I'll let you take breakfast if you let me take you out to dinner."

His entire body went cold as he realized what he'd said. Holy *shit,* the lazy morning vibes had gotten him. This is what he got for talking to Deku before he'd had his coffee.

Izuku blinked at him.

"Take me out?" he uttered, head tilting like a curious puppy. Fuck, he was cute.

He swallowed. "Yeah."

"Like..." he swallowed, chewing on his words as he decided what to say. But Katsuki wasn't a patient person, and he wasn't a coward.

"Like a date," he said,—

feeling a little sick. Fuck, what was he thinking? What if Deku said no? They'd still have to live together for another *month.*

Izuku stood abruptly, and Katsuki's gut sank. He skirted the table, and he watched with wary eyes as he made his approach.

He wouldn't be even slightly surprise if Deku slapped him for suggesting it. They'd *just* started getting along. Merlin's teeth, he was an idiot.

"Listen, forget abou—*oof*—" he grunted as Deku dropped himself in his lap. His eyes widened as the nerd—his *rival*—

took his face in both hands and tilted it upward to kiss him.

His heart stopped, hands going to Deku's waist to ground himself. Maybe he hadn't woken up yet.

His face burned under Deku's palms as his *ridiculously* soft lips moulded to his, soft and insistent.

He pulled back a moment later and Katsuki restrained the urge to pull him back, focusing on the nerd's excited smile instead—heart-stoppingly beautiful.

"Seems like a fair trade," he agreed, sounding light and giddy.

"Not really," Katsuki replied, dazed.

He squeezed Deku's waist, not really sure this was real. "I'm definitely getting the better end of the deal."

Izuku flicked him on the nose and he yelped, affronted. Izuku soothed his flash of irritation by leaning down and kissing him again—deeper this time as he—

coaxed his mouth open and tentatively licked into his mouth.

Here he sat in fuzzy-slippered feet, with his research partner in his lap and kissing the breath out of his lungs—breakfast on the table and the scent of coffee in the air. A *perfect* morning.

Izuku gazed into his eyes, smile soft and sweet.

"You work at Gringott's, Kacchan," he chided teasingly. "You should know the value of treasures like you by now."

He blushed, flattered, embarrassed and charmed to fucking *death.* But as he looked into emerald eyes, he *knew*—

that he was the lucky one. Gems like him should be guarded by dragons—traded for gold, not dinner dates and chores.

"I dunno," he murmured, nosing along his jaw. Deku shivered in his lap, leaning into him. "Pretty sure I've never seen anything as precious and rare as you."

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✨end ✨

thanks for reading! If you liked it, QRTs are super appreciated!💕