The Deku-Shaped Hole - Chapter 9

Katsuki knew he was spoiling his boyfriend, but he'd long since given up caring. The routine had become simple and comfortable – morning run, cook breakfast with Inko, take the train to the hospital to eat it with Izuku. He'd learned to make an octopus and a bunny out of hotdogs, a penguin out of rice and seaweed, monkey sandwiches, eggs with chicken faces, and after some online research he'd even gone out to buy little fruit forks with tiny animals on them and brightly coloured compartments to house things. Whatever was gonna make his nerd smile, no matter how dumb, he was sure as hell gonna do it.

About a week in, he'd finally caved and taken a visit to a nearby electronics store on his way home from work. He'd listened to workers argue in whispers over who had to be brave enough to help him out, he'd read the information sheets attached to every device, and finally when they'd decided who drew the short straw, he'd pointed at the shelf of phones.

"I need the best one you've got. I don't care about brand or price, just the most reliable with the best features. All the features. Like, everything that's ever existed. What have you got for me?"

"Of course, Sir! Well, this one is very popular right now, it has reliable coverage and plenty of features."

"But?"

"Well, if it were me, I'd prefer this one." The young man looked down a little sheepishly as he reached for another device. "It's cheaper, so you wouldn't think... Ah, but it has everything a hero needs! And a super long battery life, much longer than the more expensive ones."

"Why are they more expensive, then?"

"It's a more popular brand, but this one is a much smaller company so people maybe don't trust them as much. I think they're wonderful though! I have one of their first phones and it still works perfectly even after five years!"

"Yeah? Alright, you seem like a guy who knows what he's talking about, let's go with that one."

"Right away, Sir!"

"In fact..." Katsuki paused, pulling a face. "Gimme two of them, and show me your protective cases for it too. I could use an upgrade."

A little flustered, the man pulled two boxes from the shelf and led the way over to a wall of packages, pointing out different accessories that would fit with it. Katsuki snorted when he saw the branded lines off to one side, including a collection of black and orange packages he hadn't seen in a while. Izuku's old phone had had an All Might case on it for as long as he could remember, but maybe it would be funny if...

"Will any of mine fit it?" he asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he jerked his head toward them. "Dumb Deku would probably love it."

The man hesitated, almost tripping over his own feet as he glanced down at the devices in his hands. 

"Is one of these for Mister Deku, Sir?"

"Yeah, his one got broken in the accident."

"I hope he's doing well," he mumbled. "I was really worried when I heard."

"Yeah, he'll be back on his feet soon."

"I'm glad."

He shuffled his way down to the hero section to point out a few options, and Katsuki grinned when he saw the tiny charms, his angry little likeness dangling from one.

"I'll take these two and these two, and a sim card for one of the phones."

"Right away! Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No, I think I'm good. Thanks."

The man worked quickly and carefully, and Katsuki gave him an approving nod. He busied himself setting up the new one while Katsuki transferred his card into the second, tucking his old phone into his bag to keep as a spare. Soon, with his bill paid and last well-wishes recieved from the salesman, Katsuki finished his trip to the station to head for the hospital. He grinned to himself as he looked at the two matching devices in his hands, buzzing with a strange excitement as he jogged the last block to the tall white building.

His excitement quickly abated when he peeked in the door, the room quiet around him. An armchair had been dragged into the corner of the room at some point, and Inko sat curled into it, breathing steadily with her eyes firmly shut. Izuku, too, was taking a nap, but his was a little more restless, with more awkward tossing and turning in his sheets, more weak fingers clutching at his pillow. Katsuki set his bag aside as he crept into the room, sinking into the little chair beside the mattress and hesitating as he reached out. He didn't want to wake the nerd, not really, but the beads of sweat on his forehead and the short, sharp breaths were hard to watch. 

On the table beside him sat a bowl of cool water, a cloth soaking inside, and Katsuki found himself wringing it out, reaching to gently wipe sweat from Izuku's face. His eyelashes fluttered and Katsuki resisted the urge to curse, watching a sliver of green peek through the crack of his eyelids.

"Kacchan," he said faintly. "You're here."

Katsuki continued mopping away the sweat, smiling faintly when Izuku hummed at his touch.

"Have you had a fever?" he asked, his voice surprisingly soft even to himself.

"I'm okay now."

"You have a bad dream?"

"It's okay now, Kacchan is here."

"Yeah, I'm here."

Izuku smiled, holding out his arms sleepily, and after a moment of dithering Katsuki conceded. He lay down on the edge of the bed, draping an arm across Izuku's side and letting him snuggle in close. 

"Have you eaten?"

"No, wasn't hungry," Izuku murmured into Katsuki's chest. "Did you bring burgers?"

"I'm never buying you a fuckin' burger ever again."

"Meanie. The doctor said it was probably just the medication I'm on, it didn't react well with all the heavy greasy food."

"We'll stick with the bento boxes, then."

"Uh-huh. I like Kacchan's homemade food better, anyway."

"Good. Much healthier."

"Made with love."

Katsuki snorted, but squeezed a little tighter all the same.

"Right, Kacchan? Made with love? For me?"

"Sure, nerd. Whatever you say."

He remained in the same spot for hours, silently cursing himself for being such a sap. In the end Inko had woken up first, had chuckled at them softly as Katsuki gave her a wry smile. 

"He seems to be in good hands," she whispered. "I'll be right back."

Katsuki stroked lightly at green curls, feeling Izuku hum into his neck happily, squeezing his eyes a little tighter. He'd probably woken up a good five or ten minutes ago, though Katsuki knew he would continue to pretend for as long as he could.

"Are you gonna go back to sleep or can I talk now?"

"Mm... Zz... Sleeping..."

"I didn't say I was gonna move, idiot."

"Mmm... No moving..."

"I just want to know if I can talk or grab my phone or something, nerd. I've been here forever."

"Talk to me, Kacchan. Tell me about work."

"Hmm..." Katsuki kissed his hair lightly, contemplating. "It's been pretty slow. Crime started to rise a little when you were hurt, but as soon as I took over your area it fell right back down. It was never anything big anyway, just petty stuff that people thought they could get away with since we were busy."

"Has your patrol been okay?"

"Yeah, I took a couple of your interns out. They seem like a decent group."

"Oh no, their contracts must be-!"

"I renewed them all," Katsuki assured him. "Three months, to be reviewed when you're back on board."

"Thank you, Kacchan."

"I'm just doing my job."

"I'm due to take more of them soon, too."

"We'll watch the sports festival together next week and make some notes."

"That sounds fun."

"Hero Analysis number thirty-three," Katsuki smirked. "We'll fill it up with the new U.A. students. Together."

Izuku tensed, tilting his head back slightly to see Katsuki's face. 

"Why thirty-three?"

Katsuki burned red, and Izuku gaped, arms curling a little tighter against him.

"Did you read my books?"

"There was a whole shelf of them in your office and I was bored, shut up."

"Bored enough that even with a laptop and a phone on hand, you read my notes?"

"Maybe I missed you, fucker, shut up."

"Really?"

Katsuki cringed, ducking his head into Izuku's hair.

"I missed your voice," he said softly. "It's been so long since we've spent time together."

"I missed you too, Kacchan. I didn't think you would want to hear from me."

"I know I'm stubborn, but I would have answered."

"I'm glad you don't hate me."

"Can you say the thing for me? Just so I can hear it once more?"

"Huh? Which thing? That I love you? I'll say it whenever you want!"

"Not that."

Izuku paused, thinking back over their long years together, and finally a smile crept across his lips. He hugged a little tighter, squeezing their warm bodies together, and planted a kiss on Katsuki's jaw tenderly.

"Kacchan sugoi."

─────

It was late in the night by the time Katsuki remembered the gift waiting in his bag, rolling over to fish for it despite Izuku's whines. He'd barely moved since midday, and stretching for his belongings felt oddly satisfying, but he tangled his free hand in Izuku's hair to remind the nerd he was still present.

"Here, this is for you."

He produced the brand new phone, wrapped in the protective black case with the orange cross over the back. Izuku's eyes lit up, reaching for it, and when he saw the tiny charm dangling from the bottom he choked up a little.

"He's so angry!" Izuku gasped, hugging it close. "I love him!"

"I know you had an All Might case before, but I figured it was about time you upgraded to your new favourite hero."

"It's the best Kacchan!" Izuku fawned, barely even registering the conceited teasing. "Is this new?"

"Yeah, I figured yours wouldn't have fared well, so this way you can tell all your nerd friends that you're doing okay. They've been worried."

"Have you been talking to them?"

"No, but the group chat won't stop dinging."

"You still get alerts on the group chat?! You're so sentimental!"

"No, I turned them on when..." he trailed off, averting his eyes. "I was hoping I'd see your name, I guess."

"I'm sorry Kacchan, I didn't mean to worry you."

"It's okay, you're here now."

"He's so angry," Izuku repeated, giggling. "He's such a little gremlin."

"Oi."

"I love it."

He hugged it close, and Katsuki smiled as he loosened his grip a little.

"Can I run to the bathroom while you log your account in?"

"I guess so," Izuku pouted. "Promise you'll come back?"

"Obviously, idiot."

He left Izuku with his new phone, stretching briefly and heading through to the next room. He could hear Izuku fussing, and the slow buzz of his bed raising, letting him sit back against the mattress. When his bladder was emptied, Katsuki returned to the bed, crawling under the blankets to snuggle into Izuku's side.

"Missed you," Izuku grinned, resting his head on a broad shoulder. "Welcome back."

"All going okay?"

Izuku nodded, flashing him the phone screen where he had a collection of apps installing from his account history. Before long he would have everything he needed back in place, including a myriad of concerned friends who he would probably be more than content to spend his time catching up with. Before he could let the jealousy take over, they were interrupted by Inko returning with dinner for the three of them, her smile wide and bright. 

"It's always so nice to see you sitting up," she praised, picking up the plastic plates Katsuki once brought in. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah!"

Katsuki pressed a hand to his forehead as he reached for a plate, pulling a face when he felt the lingering warmth. He reached for the All Might water bottle on the side table, popping the cap and poking it lightly at Izuku's lips.

"Drink for me?"

Izuku giggled as he accepted, taking a few long gulps before he passed it back to set aside. He'd never seen Katsuki so protective before, and while he felt a little bad for the concern he'd obviously dredged up, he also relished the attention it was earning him. Maybe things would change when he was better, maybe Katsuki would get bored once he'd moved past the shock of the accident, but for now he was going to make the most of every minute of his love.

"I love you, Kacchan."