Chapter Text
Shoto is a liar.
It’s been four days already and Katsuki is still waiting for the boy. Every day, he asks his parents if Shoto’s mom had called to arrange their ‘playdate’.
Katsuki was so sure that Shoto wanted to see him again; that he had forgiven Katsuki for pushing him when they first met. He still remembers how sad Shoto looked when they had to say goodbye the other day.
The boy was all teary-eyed with his bottom lip jutted out. It was quite the sight to see, and it was all for Katsuki.
And yet…
Nothing.
Didn’t the younger boy promise not to keep Katsuki waiting? Katsuki swears he isn’t going to believe a single thing Shoto says anymore.
Frankly, he’s really upset and annoyed.
And because he didn’t want to admit that another person has this much of an effect on him, Katsuki tells himself that he’s over it, over Shoto; that he has plenty of followers his own age that he can play with. He didn’t need to be hanging around some crybaby.
So, he forgets about Shoto. Almost. Kind of.
Not really.
What he really does is stay busy instead.
Between all his sports practices and helping his mom around the house, there’s always something demanding his attention. And yet, his head shoots up every time he hears his mom’s cell ringing.
It’s never Shoto though.
Bursting through the front door, Katsuki excitedly launches into a play-by-play of the two awesome goals he scored on the blue team before moving on to the other two he scored on the yellow team.
“Did you see them, Dad?!”
“Yes, son, I saw. You were very good today.” His dad tells him, ruffling the top of Katsuki’s head.
He likes it when his dad is proud of him.
“Is that my brat?!” His mom’s loud voice rang from whichever room she was in. “Did you score today?”
Did the woman not know Katsuki? Score? How about four times!
He’s the greatest; top scorer of the night!
“Of course I did.” Katsuki huffs.
How dare the hag doubt his athletic ability!
If only she could have seen Katsuki tonight. But it was his dad who had taken him to practice while his mom stayed home. Just a couple of days ago, she'd been the one to accompany him to karate, so it was only fair that his dad got to witness Katsuki's excellence this time around.
Especially since Katsuki hasn't seen his dad around much lately. The man has been swamped with work these days. Apparently, some upcoming deadlines were stressing his old man out.
His dad's words, not his.
It’s nice to spend time with his dad though. That’s why when his dad leaned down to reach for his hand on their walk home, Katsuki allowed him. He might’ve squeezed his dad’s hand back in return.
He looks down at his dad who’s bent over his shoes, helping Katsuki get out of his tightly done up cleats. He places a hand on his dad’s strong shoulder for balance before urging the man to hurry up.
“Okay, we’re done.” He lets his dad handle putting away his bag.
Instead, Katsuki shoots down the hallway. His socks sliding against the hardwood floor.
Katsuki looks into the office room, the kitchen, and even the washroom before finding his mom in the living room with the TV on.
“So, little rascal, how many did you score tonight?” His mom’s wide beam shows Katsuki that his mom was joking before; that she knows very well how good Katsuki is.
He hops onto the couch next to his mom, placing both hands on her thighs as he animatedly retells how he crushed his opponents without holding back. His dad joins them on the couch too and would make a comment to back up Katsuki’s story; Katsuki quite likes this about his dad.
“Sounds like you had a fun time, shall we walk over to the konbini later and celebrate with some ice cream?” His mom says.
“Can I get two?” Katsuki asks. He knows he’s pushing his luck but maybe today his parents will cave in.
“Sorry, Katsu, but only one.” His dad says. Katsuki pretends to be disappointed.
“Speaking of fun…” His mom starts. “Remember how we talked about having Shoto over? Well, his mom called me earlier while you were at practice, said that Shoto’s all recovered now and has been asking to see you.”
He perks up at hearing Shoto’s name. “Is he really coming over?” Katsuki asks skeptically. He doesn’t want to be easily fooled again. Not when he’s been waiting days already; that’s like months to a kid like Katsuki.
His mom nods her head in confirmation. “Yup, he’s going to come over tomorrow around noon.”
And that was all that needed to be said for Katsuki to get all excited. He feels his heart racing with anticipation.
“I can make him onigiri! Cause you know, his hands are all small and all that, probably can’t shape the rice very well.” He goes on to talk about how he’s going to make this the best playdate Shoto has ever gone on.
There will be good food, and lots and lots of toys. He’ll even bring out his new remote-control cars; he has multiple now after he received a new one for his birthday. So, they’ll each have one that they can race around the track Katsuki and his dad built in the backyard. He surprises himself with how worked up he’s getting.
But he’s excited. He wants to show Shoto everything!
His parents share a knowing smile. “Can you sit down properly for a bit, Katsuki? There’s something we need to talk to you about before Shoto comes over tomorrow.” His dad says.
Katsuki does as he’s told. He even folds his hands in his lap like how he’s been taught to do because it’s polite.
His mom clears her throat before she starts. “So, you know how Shoto had to go to the hospital?” Katsuki nods once.
Of course he remembers. The kid flinched so hard that even Katsuki felt bad for him.
“It’s cause Shoto is very sick. He’s a bit different from you and most kids.” Katsuki frowns at that.
What is that supposed to mean? He didn’t understand what his mom is trying to get at.
“He’s a kid, isn’t he?” Or at least he looks like one. “What makes him so different than me?”
Is this like that time back in preschool, when that dumb extra announced he was more "special" than everyone else because his dad was a well-known politician? Like having some big-shot father somehow made him better than Katsuki? The loser got a wake-up call, though. Katsuki made sure to show him who was really the one standing at the top.
The bruised knuckles and the punishment after was worth it. Let that flashy loser try running his mouth with two front teeth missing. That'll teach him.
Katsuki snorts to himself before dragging his attention back to the conversation.
This time, his dad steps in.
“You know how you can play sports and do all sorts of physical activities? That’s because you’ve got a strong body, a strong heart and strong lungs.” Katsuki can’t help but squirm when his dad pokes him in the chest.
He lets out a laugh that gets his parents smiling too.
“Shoto on the other hand, well…” His dad pauses as he tries to find the right words. “He’s got a heart and lungs like you, but they don’t function the way they should.”
Katsuki absorbs those words, trying to decipher what his parents were trying to say. He thinks he gets it now. People go to the hospital when they’re really sick or hurt, like that time Katsuki sprained his wrist after he fell down riding his bike.
“Is that why he had to go to the hospital?” Katsuki asks. “Did the doctors fix him?” He eagerly awaits their answer.
He hopes Shoto’s fine now, the hospital is never a fun place for Katsuki.
His parents share a look before turning their attention back to him. “Unfortunately, it’s not that simple, Katsuki.”
Katsuki’s heart falls. He knows the exact tone of voice that his parents use on him when they want to let him down gently.
He’s observant like that.
“I know it’s hard to understand.” His mom says, pulling him close to her side. “He just needs a bit of extra care, that’s all.” His mom states.
“It also means you can’t play too roughly with him, okay?” His dad adds.
Okay, so the crybaby is also a delicate baby. Katsuki can understand that much.
He can play nicely. If he wants to.
“Okay.” Katsuki mumbles.
If this is what it takes to see Shoto again then he can be gentle.
He can play ‘nice’.
His mom has a serious look on her face.
“Katsuki, before I agree to have Shoto over, you do understand what we’re saying right? I will be responsible for him when he comes over, and so will you. His parents are counting on us to take care of Shoto, to make sure he is safe when he’s here.” His mom explains, looking all serious. “You can’t be pushing him around like you did the first time, that could have really hurt him. You can roughhouse with your other little friends, but not Shoto.”
“Yes, I get it, hag!” Katsuki moans, slumping into the sofa. “Shoto’s a delicate baby, I’ll play nice.”
“You brat! You better be nice, too!”
He slinks deeper in his seat, arms crossed.
The next day, Katsuki finally realizes what his parents meant when they said Shoto was on the more fragile side.
When the five-year-old takes off his jacket with the help of Katsuki’s mom, Katsuki spies the bruise on the boy’s small arm. It’s huge, dark purple, and angry. And for some reason, Katsuki can’t look away.
It’s like his brain can’t make sense of it. Someone as small and delicate as Shoto isn’t supposed to get hurt like that.
Then he suddenly feels angry at the doctors. Weren’t they supposed to help Shoto get better? Why were they leaving big bruises like that on such a little kid?!
Why were they hurting him instead of making Shoto feel better?
“Bakugo-san, Katsuki, thank you for having me over!” Shoto enthusiastically thanks, toeing his shoes off while using Katsuki’s mom as a balance beam.
The boy’s excitement pulls Katsuki out of his own thoughts. It’s amusing how happy Shoto is to see him.
Sure, Katsuki knows their first meeting wasn't his finest moment, but he more than made up for it the second time around. Enough that the kid actually wants to see him again instead of flinching away or scrambling to hide.
“I’m so excited to be here!”
Katsuki is pretty sure his mom swoons a little at Shoto’s good manners since Katsuki clearly lacks it.
However, before the little crybaby can be captured by Katsuki’s old hag of a mom, he trots over to where Katsuki waits deeper in the entryway. His backpack is clutched in his arms, and he’s all smiles and sunshine.
“Tch. Way to keep me waiting.” Katsuki grumbles.
“Katsuki, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get sick.” Shoto sincerely apologizes. “I apologize for making you wait.”
His mom instantly shoots him a warning look. She looks like she’s about to lecture him but before she could, Katsuki grabs onto Shoto’s hand.
“It’s fine,” Katsuki dismisses. It’s not like he’s going to hound the young boy; not after it took him so long to get here. “As long as you don’t do it again.” He warns.
Katsuki leads the other through the house, making sure to keep his steps small so that Shoto doesn’t have to hurry after him with his shorter legs.
And just because he’s polite, he even takes the backpack from Shoto and carries it for him. He’s careful when he comes into contact with the bruised arm.
See? Being nice. Nailed it!
“What do you want to do first?” Katsuki asks when they get to Katsuki’s room.
He sees the exact moment Shoto’s jaw drops in wonder, eyes widening when he walks in and takes in Katsuki’s very own personal space.
His room is spacious.
On his light blue painted walls, there are multiple posters of his favorite heroes and movies. His bed is big and adorned with fluffy pillows and plush animals that he’s collected over the years. In the corner of his room, there’s a desk and some bookcases filled with a mixture of workbooks, illustration books, and manga.
It’s a typical room for a boy.
Maybe he’s got a bit more than most, but in Katsuki’s eyes, it’s nothing to be in awe of.
He watches Shoto toying with the ears of his white cat plush on his bed. “He’s so cute.” The younger boy whispers to no one in particular. He doesn't miss the way Shoto pets his plushy so gently as if it were a real cat.
Katsuki coughs into his hand when he realizes he's watching the boy a little too closely. Again.
Even though his mom told him to take care of Shoto, she probably didn't mean to be this observant.
“My mom will make us lunch but I already spent this morning making some onigiri for snacks if you get hungry.” He’s excited to share his cooking with Shoto.
But Katsuki’s not going to share that he actually woke up an hour earlier than usual so he can pull out all the ingredients he needed for the rice rolls in anticipation for Shoto’s arrival.
To say his parents were surprised when they walked into the kitchen this morning would be an understatement. And when they asked if he needed help, Katsuki only shooed them away. He had wanted to do it all by himself.
“Can we play with your All Might figures?” Shoto asks, glancing towards Katsuki’s treasure chest that's overflowing with all sorts of toys.
“Which ones?” Katsuki smirks, which only draws a wider smile from the other.
Shoto gets all giddy when he sees the line of figures that Katsuki pulls out and lays on his bedroom floor.
“That’s Golden Age All Might, I got him for Christmas.” Katsuki tells, eyeing the figure that Shoto carefully picks up.
He wonders if the boy has any of his own because the other acts like it’s his first time playing with toys. He spends more time admiring them than actually playing.
“It’s soooo cool.” Shoto says, watches the figure in awe. “You’re so lucky, Katsuki!”
Shoto moves the figure’s arm, positioning All Might into his popular ending pose. His eyes sparkle the entire time.
“You have so many! It’s amazing.”
“Do you have any? Figures I mean.” Katsuki asks.
For some reason, Katsuki’s having more fun watching Shoto play. It’s amusing watching Shoto’s face morph into a wide range of emotions.
The little boy is cute to look at. Even with the strange hair, eyes, and all.
What? Where the heck did these soft, invasive thoughts come from?!
Shoto shakes his head. “My older brother, Touya-nii, bought me an All Might shirt for my birthday though. I really like it even if father yelled at Touya-nii.”
Katsuki frowns. “Are your parents poor?”
Okay, so sue Katsuki for being curious and having no filter. Cause, no figures? How can a lame shirt compare to toys? He’s never met a kid that had no toys before.
At the same time, Katsuki may be young but he’s not naïve. He knows what kind of neighborhood his family lives in, and if Shoto plays at the same playground as he does, then that must mean the other lives nearby too.
“It’s nothing like that. My father doesn’t like it when I watch All Might, he tells mama not to buy me anything All Might related.” Shoto shares. And as if the kid didn’t want Katsuki’s pity, he adds: “I have a lot of Endeavor toys, though.”
Flame Hero: Endeavor. It’s another popular hero show on TV, and it’s okay in Katsuki’s opinion.
Endeavor is cool enough. Big. Strong. Fire powers.
But he isn’t All Might.
“But you like All Might.” Katsuki simply states.
“Yeah.” Shoto confirms, more quietly. He continues playing with the figure. “It’s okay, I don’t want to make father angry.”
“Well, I have a lot of All Might toys.” Katsuki says, motioning to his decked-out room. “If you ever want to play with them, you can come here.”
“You mean it?” Shoto asks.
“Do I lie?”
“No!” Shoto answers, looking like he believes Katsuki now. “Never!”
“Tch. And don’t you forget it.”
Shoto seems content with it, smiling to himself. Katsuki takes it as a sign that he’s earned the other’s trust now and scoots closer so that they can play side by side. When their elbows brush, Katsuki can’t help himself but stare at the black bruising on the boy’s arm once again.
It looks like it hurt.
“It was a big needle.” Katsuki blinks, and meets eyes with Shoto who watches him eye his arm.
“What?”
Shoto turns his arm left and right, showing off the bruising even more. “This.” He says. “It was a needle. Big one.” Shoto repeats.
“Did it hurt?” Katsuki asks, brushing his fingers against Shoto’s soft, delicate skin.
That confirms it. Shoto is definitely a baby. Cause only babies have skin this soft.
Shoto nods his head in answer. “It always does. But the nurses and doctors are super nice; I get juice after I’m done.”
The kid smiles at Katsuki, as if a carton of juice could somehow make all the needles and hospital visits worth it.
“Do you go often?” Katsuki asks.
He kinda understood when his parents said that Shoto was sick. That there was something wrong with his body; with his heart and his lungs.
And cause he's smart, he knows both are vital organs in the human body.
“Yeah, but it’s fine. I’ve been going ever since I could remember. Sometimes, they stick needles in me to draw blood, other times, they take photos inside my body.”
Katsuki’s ears perk up at the last part. “They can take pictures like that?”
“Yeah! With these huge machines!” Shoto explains. And for emphasis, he even drops the toys in his hands to throw them up along his side, stretching his arms out as wide as they can go. “It’s a bit loud, and also scary because I have to go inside it by myself.”
“I can go with you!” Katsuki interrupts. “I’ll go with you next time.”
He wants to. Maybe if the doctors see how small Katsuki is, they’ll let him accompany Shoto in those big machines. They can both fit. Probably.
Shoto giggles. “You can’t, silly!” Shoto says causing Katsuki to pout. “You won’t be allowed to. Only sick kids like me can go in it.”
“I’ll pretend to be sick then! It’s not fair that you have to go by yourself.”
There, he said it.
Now, Shoto knows that he has a soft spot for him.
Of course he does, because he looks at Katsuki with a softness that can only be described as pure adoration.
“I would like that very much.” Shoto replies, with a blush.
It didn’t take very long for Shoto to totally warm up to Katsuki, often urging Katsuki to copy him or to come closer. Katsuki even takes out his All Might and Deku puzzle that he doesn't really like (cause puzzles are for old people) but assumes is more up Shoto’s alley (which he assumes correctly).
With the puzzle pieces strewn across the kitchen table in front of them, they both happily munch down on the onigiri Katsuki carefully and dutifully prepared earlier along with some snacks that his mom put into bowls.
“I’m having so much fun, Katsuki!” Shoto says for the nth time as he holds his onigiri in one hand and a puzzle piece in the other.
The younger boy reminds Katsuki of a chipmunk with the way the boy’s cheeks fill out cause Shoto keeps stuffing his mouth with food. It didn't take long before Katsuki stopped chastising him when he realized the boy wasn’t listening to him at all when he was told to slow down.
Katsuki can see his mom smirking from where she sat at the kitchen island doing work on her laptop. It annoys him that people are witnessing him being soft to someone cause apparently Katsuki is capable of that.
For the last ten minutes, he’s been hearing over and over just how much fun the younger boy is having, how much Shoto enjoys his cooking, and how in awe he is of Katsuki. Honestly, he didn’t do much to warrant the boy’s praises. He didn’t even think what they’ve done so far have been that exciting.
It can’t compare to playing with friends at the waterpark or going on rides at the amusement park, and yet Shoto is acting like doing puzzles were on the same level.
But it’s fine, Katsuki thinks. As long as Shoto is happy.
“Are you?” Shoto gulps down the rest of his food he had stored in his mouth. “Having fun?”
“Tch, it’s fine.” Katsuki mumbles, scoffing down the rest of his food in one bite.
Shoto’s face kinda falls, like as if he can tell that Katsuki would rather be outside playing tag or kicking a football around. It’s not Shoto’s fault; it’s just that Katsuki has a lot of energy and he likes releasing it by doing physical activities. Sitting around indoors while the sun is out and the weather is nice is a rare thing for Katsuki to do; it’s why his parents enrolled him in so many sports clubs.
“What do you like to do?” Shoto follows up with another question.
“I like sports, and not to brag but I’m pretty good at them.” Katsuki, in fact, brags. “I like tag too, cause I’m good at running. And Follow-the-Leader cause the other kids always follow me.” He rolls his eyes at the last part, like he’s annoyed even though he isn’t.
He relishes every time at the power he has over others.
So, he quite enjoys leading his little tag team of extras through the wooded areas in the neighborhood where they play pretend explorers or knights and dragons. He even found a nice little creek where he and his minions would play in when it got too hot out.
It is an oasis away from the grown-ups.
He wonders if Shoto will be interested in joining next time, he can walk slow if he has to so that Shoto can keep up with him.
“Wow, that sounds so cool.” Shoto says in awe after Katsuki recounts the time he and the neighborhood kids found a horned beetle and other various bugs.
The two-colored haired boy doesn’t look to be the type to be interested in bugs. You know, being all cute and adorable.
“What about you? What do you like to do?” Katsuki asks, honestly curious about the boy’s likes.
The kid looks stumped at Katsuki’s question. Just continues to eat his onigiri without looking at Katsuki.
“Does studying count?” Shoto eventually says.
“Studying? Aren’t you like three?” Even though he’s in kindergarten, Katsuki barely gets homework. If he did, it didn’t even really count cause it was so easy.
Shoto immediately huffs. “No!” He shouts. “I’m five, five!” He throws up his empty hand and thrusts it in front of Katsuki’s face. He then settles back into his seat when he realizes Katsuki was only teasing him.
Even when upset, Shoto is polite. Just sits back against the kitchen chair with his hands on his lap. Katsuki smirks at the display but Shoto didn’t see it, only keeps his head down.
It’s quite the stark contrast at how Katsuki is.
Cause Katsuki is loud. And when he’s angry, he doesn’t hold back; he explodes.
“Okay, I was just teasing ya.” Katsuki says, more gently. He ruffles the top of Shoto’s head, similar to what his dad does to him. He thinks Shoto enjoys the head pats as much as he does because it gets the boy to look at him again. “So, what do you like studying?”
Shoto shrugs his shoulders. “Does art count? I don’t really like the other subjects, but my art teacher lets me draw anything that I want.”
Draw? Katsuki didn’t have an artistic bone in his body. He’s good at sports, but being creative? Nah.
“That’s pretty awesome.” Katsuki honestly tells. “Are you any good at it?”
Shoto thinks a bit on it. “I’m okay. I’m still a beginner.” Katsuki laughs at that.
Clearly, he was a beginner, he is only five!
He finds it funny how serious Shoto is about it though.
“Katsuki, do you want me to teach you next time?” Shoto asks.
Wide, expecting blue and gray eyes look at him. The kid is good at pleading without much words; Katsuki will give him that. Just one look at that face and anyone will cave into him.
Katsuki wonders if he is spoiled, with a face like that who can say no to him?
“We can go to my house next time. I don’t have a lot of toys like you do but all we need are some crayons and paper. And my older sister, Fuyumi, she cooks really good.”
Katsuki turns to his mom who is still typing away on her laptop, pretending she isn’t listening in on them when Katsuki knows in fact that she is.
“Can I, mom?” Katsuki asks, peeking pass Shoto so he can make eye contact with his mom. Shoto turns and though Katsuki can’t see his face, he’s pretty sure he’s giving his mom puppy dog eyes. “I want to learn how to draw from Shoto.”
His mom raises an eyebrow at him. “You want to do art? Rather than… literally anything else.”
Katsuki shrugs his shoulder up and down. “So? Am I not allowed to do something different every now and then?”
“Bakugo-san, can Katsuki please come to my house to play with me?”
Katsuki can see in real-time the moment his mom’s heart melts at Shoto. Her eyes immediately soften and her smile looks gentle. She sort of looks nice. Gross.
“I’ll have a talk with your parents when they come to pick you up later and we’ll see what they say, does that sound good?”
Shoto nods once. “Yes, Bakugo-san, that sounds good.”
The little boy looks pleasantly satisfied with the answer, or at least Katsuki thinks so gauging by the small grin he has on his face.
Shoto reaches out for his cup of milk and takes a sip, causing Katsuki and his mom to cackle when he pulls the cup away, leaving behind a milk mustache.
Before his mom can stand up from her seat and clean up the little mess on Shoto’s face, Katsuki reaches over and pulls down the sleeve of his sweatshirt. As gently as he can, Katsuki dabs Shoto’s upper lip. Katsuki almost laughs again when he sees Shoto shut his eyes tight though the younger boy didn’t put up any resistance against Katsuki.
“Tch, so messy.” Katsuki murmurs.
Shoto only squints harder.
“There, all done!” He declares, proudly.
He thinks he’s doing a pretty good job at taking care of Shoto.
The rest of the afternoon passes by so quickly that when the doorbell rings, and Shoto and he are called to the front door, he is surprised. And slightly disappointed.
They only made it through the first four episodes of All Might, Season 1, and there's still another season left after that.
He wants to watch every episode with Shoto after the younger admitted he hasn't seen the whole series because of his dad.
Apparently, Shoto only watches the show when his father isn't home to catch him.
Katsuki didn’t know much else about Shoto’s dad but the man sounds like a total buzzkill. And from what Katsuki can tell, Shoto isn’t all too fond of his old man either. The boy didn’t talk much about his dad, or at all, compared to the rest of his family.
He learned a lot about Shoto today, like how the boy is the youngest of four siblings. Four!
Katsuki's an only child, so he can't imagine having that many siblings. It must be annoying having to share everything and take turns with that many kids in the house. Shoto tells him he doesn't mind, though. He's happy every time he's allowed to play with them.
The way he words it is strange, but Katsuki doesn't question it. Not when they're watching the episode where All Might trains his young apprentice, Deku, who's around their age. It's cool to see someone their age learning to become a hero. Katsuki thinks he'd make a great hero if he ever got the chance.
“Hi Shoto, did you have fun with Katsuki today?” The pretty white-haired lady from before greets from where she waits outside the door.
Shoto, who was walking next to Katsuki, immediately ran from Katsuki’s side and buries his face into his mother’s skirt. It makes Katsuki upset on the inside; he thought the other boy was having as much fun as he was; and that maybe like him, Shoto would feel a little sad that he had to go home.
“I had so much fun!” Shoto answers, lifting his head up to talk to his mom though his arms are still wrapped around the lady’s legs. “We did so much! And Katsuki even made me delicious food!”
Delicious? Well, Katsuki isn’t sure about that.
Katsuki had only gotten into cooking just recently; give him some time and he’s sure to be a great cook worthy of Shoto’s praise.
Shoto’s mother laughs. “Sounds like you had quite the day.” She feels Shoto’s forehead. The boy flinches back against her touch. “No fever. That’s good.”
“I’m not sick!” Shoto exclaims. He then turns away from his mother and latches onto Katsuki, throwing his little arms around Katsuki’s neck.
The surprise hug from the other boy causes him to stumble though he keeps an arm around Shoto to steady him.
Shoto, however, didn’t seem to notice that he almost knocked Katsuki off his feet.
“Katsuki took great care of me! So, of course I’m not sick!” Shoto tells. The younger boy bounces off Katsuki as fast as he latched onto him. “Katsuki’s amazing, I love him!”
The adults laugh while Katsuki blushes. Hard.
“You can’t love me!” Katsuki shouts at Shoto. “It’s weird! You can only love family!”
His mom cackles the loudest while Shoto’s mom laughs quietly although her eye crinkle clearly shows her amusement at the whole outburst. She’s equally entertained.
“But I do!” Shoto declares, he tugs on Katsuki’s sleeve. “Do you love me too, Katsuki?” The boy fishes for an answer.
“No! Why would I?” Shoto tilts his head in thought.
“Because I’m cute?” Shoto suggests.
“You!” Katsuki shouts, astonished that the boy could say something like that.
“Aww, don’t be embarrassed Katsuki.” His mom starts to taunt. “We all know how cute Shoto is, you can admit it.”
“You’re the one who thinks he’s cute, leave me alone!” Katsuki huffs. He then turns to Shoto. “Don’t you have to leave now?” He rudely asks but the younger boy is undeterred by Katsuki’s anger.
“I’ll see you again, right Katsuki?” Katsuki rolls his eyes but confirms it anyway.
When the Todoroki’s do leave, Shoto waves goodbye to him, his tiny fingers reaching out to Katsuki before closing and opening again. Katsuki is almost afraid that Shoto will give him another hug (he might even be prepared for it this time) but Shoto just turns forward and grasps onto his mother’s awaiting hand before disappearing down the steps.
When the door is eventually shut tight, his mom coyly smirks at him. It gets on Katsuki’s nerves when his mom acts like this; all knowing and annoying.
And just because his mom is annoying, she just has to taunt him with a smirk.
“You so like him.”
Annoying hag.
“Yeah, and so what?!” He screams at his mom before stomping all the way back to his room.
When he faceplants onto his bed, he realizes his cheeks are still burning hot.
“Arghhhh!” He yells into his pillow.
Maybe, just maybe, he could admit to himself that hearing Shoto say “I love you” had made his little six-year-old heart pound harder than ever before.
“Stupid hag…” Katsuki mutters to himself.
“Stupid Shoto.”
He groans, kicking his feet against the mattress in frustration. Why did the crybaby have to go and say weird things like that? Saying he loved Katsuki in front of all the adults, making everyone laugh, making his face feel hotter than it'd ever been before.
What kind of kid even did that?
Or maybe he was the stupid one.
For letting a five-year-old boy make his heart race every time he smiled.
For actually looking forward to the next time they could play together.
Katsuki buries his face deeper into his pillow.
“Shoto, you weirdo…”
His grip tightens around the plush crushed beneath him, the same cat plush that Shoto was so fixated on earlier.
A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth before he can stop it.