Thread by @MmeHatter

#AiBakuShin
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖

"Weren't you a little hard on him?"

Shouta groans, his muscles screaming in pain. Gingerly, he pulls a fresh shirt over his head. Nearby, Hitoshi leans on the doorframe, waiting patiently for his response.

"He fucked up."

"Yeah," Hitoshi says, coming over to help Shouta the rest of the way. He tugs the shirt down and glances at their reflection in the mirror. "He knows that. He's probably beating himself about it."

Likely. He soaked in the shower for a while.

"We both know what he's capable of."

"He's human," Hitoshi says gently.

"He's too good of a Pro to let rookie mistakes like that happen."

"But, it worked out."

Shouta scowls, but even 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 hurts and he immediately winces. He leans over the sink, gripping the edge of the counter until the pain subsides.

He turns. "Civilians could have died, Hitoshi."

Hitoshi holds his gaze, eyes searching. "I wouldn't have let that happen," he whispers. "I didn't."

"𝘏𝘦 could have died."

"We wouldn't have let that happen." Hitoshi tugs his shirt again. "𝘠𝘰𝘶 wouldn't have let that happen."

No. Absolutely not. He wouldn't have let civilians get hurt, not on his watch. And he wouldn't have let a young Pro get crucified by the media for making one bad call during a search and rescue. Even if he did deserve it.

"Where is he?" Shouta asks.

"On the balcony. Sulking. "

Shouta gives Hitoshi's shoulder a gentle squeeze before going off to find Katsuki.

They've been together long enough that Shouta often forgets that he used to be their teacher. It's a role he doesn't enjoy being in anymore, even despite Hitoshi's desperate demands for roleplay.

He much prefers being their rock. Shouta prefers to be that someone who can be their stronghold. Someone who can make them smile. Someone who they can fight alongside with.

He prefers to be their soulmate.

"Hey," Shouta says, sliding the balcony door open.

Katsuki doesn't turn, only leans on the railing and continues looking at the cityscape in the distance.

He doesn't even reply.

"You alright?" Shouta asks.

"I know what you're going to say," Katsuki grumbles, brows knitted together in frustration. "I fucked up, but it's fine.

"S'fine. Everyone has a bad day." Katsuki clenches his fists. "Well, it's not fine. My boss fucking reamed me and I deserve it. I let my 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 get the better of me and I'm so fucking angry with myself."

Shouta opens his mouth to reply, but then Katsuki turns around.

He looks absolutely 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥. Tear-soaked cheeks are puffed up and his eyes are bloodshot, rendering Shouta speechless.

Shouta's mildly aware that Hitoshi has joined them. Watching silently, standing far enough behind Shouta, but still making his presence known.

"I thought I was better than this," Katsuki sobs. He angrily wipes the tears away with the back of his sleeve. "I worked so fucking hard to beat the best and 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 and it only took one second for it all to go to shit."

"Katsuki—"

Shouta stops Hitoshi with a look.

He can see the heartbreak in Hitoshi's face and the silent plea to Shouta to make it all better. But, while Shouta would give anything to make the hurt go away, it's not what Katsuki needs right now. He needs to let it out, needs to ride these emotions. Needs to learn from them.

And Shouta needs to be here and just listen.

"I saw their faces," Katsuki whimpers, "as the debris fell. The civilians. The sheer terror in their eyes when...when I chose to save you over them."

He locks gazes with Shouta, lips quivering.

Shouta saw them too. Clear as day.

He saw that Katsuki had made up his mind before Shouta could redirect him. It terrified him.

"Fuck," Katsuki hisses, burying his face in his hands. "FUCK. And I—shit. Earlier, I thought, you know: I don't know them. If they were gone, fucking fine. But, if 𝘺𝘰𝘶 were hurt..."

He clutches the front of his shirt and shakes his head. "If you were gone...I wouldn't know what to do. I can't lose you. Either of you." He wipes his face with the bottom of his shirt. "I let me feelings for you cloud my judgment and I can see how much that disappoints you."

Shouta's stomach drops. It's true, as soon as they were alone, he let him have it and didn't hesitate to tell Katsuki how irresponsible and un-heroic that was. Screamed at him for two minutes before storming into the bathroom.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Katsuki mutters.

Shouta steps forward, inhaling deeply. "Katsuki. I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not going to coddle you or sugarcoat it. Yes, I was disappointed and frustrated and mortified that you would prioritize me over innocent lives. I saw you perform in a way I never thought I'd see."

Katsuki sniffles but doesn't break eye contact, prepared in every way for whatever lecture he thinks he deserves. Shouta closes the gap between them until he can cup Katsuki's face with a tender hand. "But you are not defined by that moment."

He won't let that moment ruin him.

"I'm not going to forget who you are because of one single choice you made that you clearly regret," Shouta continues. "I'm not going to forget who you are because you made a mistake. I'm not going to forget what you've done for this city. You're greater than this one instance."

He cups Katsuki's face with both hands, brushing warm tears away with his thumbs. "I'm not going to forget who you are, Dynamight. Are you?"

Katsuki closes his eyes. "No." His hands find their way around Shouta's wrists and when Shouta leans over and kisses him, Katsuki melts.

In his arms, Katsuki feels vulnerable and small and strong and indestructible. All makings of a 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 hero.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺'𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐'𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

"Thanks," Katsuki whispers after Shouta pulls away.

Shouta hums. "Feel better?"

Katsuki nods and leans in for a hug.

"You chose me over those civilians," Shouta says, hugging back. "It's not something I condone but selfishly, it makes me feel—"

"Giddy?" Hitoshi joins their hug. "Like a blushing bride on their wedding day?"

Shouta cocks an eyebrow at him. "That's one way to put it. Anyway, I suppose we should be thanking you, the real hero today."

"Yeah," Katsuki agrees, giving Hitoshi a playful look, which Hitoshi returns. "Thanks for swooping in."

Hitoshi shrugs. "Meh. It was a team effort."

"I can make curry for the hero," Katsuki says and Shouta is relieved to hear him sounding more like himself again. "Extra spicy."

Hitoshi grins. "Uh, YES. I want it so spicy I'm shittin' molten lava after."

Shouta blinks and glances at Katsuki.

"Okay, not 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 spicy."

🤣🤣

Welp. That happened.

Am I projecting on Katsuki? Yes.

Am I yearning for someone like Aizawa to give me a hell of a pep talk when I'm down then kiss me afterward? Also yes 🥺

Hope you enjoyed the nice palate cleanser that's been living in my brain for ages! 💜💜 Thanks!