Work Text:
Overnight shifts weren’t the most ideal, for too many drawbacks came with the darkness around them. Shadows played tricks on the eyes, the wind carrying a defined chill, and the nightlife scenery could be obnoxious in some districts.
Overnight shifts he spent with Deku. . . were both endearing and aggravating. Because the nerd waxed poetry about the damn sky. He didn’t know when Deku started reading stuff about this kind of shit, or that he even cared about it, but apparently he did. It was a little startling the first time it happened, but now Katsuki knew the gist of his mumbles.
The moon danced in the sky. A slow waltz that led it through the shimmery specks of fire and light. It waited patiently for its chance to shine in the spotlight, the sun reflecting its powerful beams off the moon’s surface.
The moon was beautiful.
The sun, on the other hand, was a fiery pit of destruction. Its surface was engulfed in red-hot flames that consumed all it could. A distinct difference placed them apart, kept them opposite.
The sun generated heat and light, keeping the system on track. The moon inspired the humans, a brightness when darkness was meant to blanket them. It fought to keep its place in the sky, a protector of Earth.
The sun: a provider. The moon: a protector.
Katsuki didn’t know if he wanted to barf or contemplate his place in the universe.
“The hell is so great about the sun and moon?” Katsuki asked, on a slow night. Not much activity. This sector was pretty tame most nights, so they spent part of it atop the highest vantage point, looking down at the streets below.
“Hm?” Deku titled his head, looking at him for the first time since they sat down on the ledge of the roof. “Oh, you were listening to all that?”
“It’s the same shit you usually say when we’re stuck up here,” Katsuki replied, glancing at the sky that apparently captivated Deku’s mind. “I don’t see why you care so much about it.”
“Oh,” Deku paused, before smiling. “I think there’s a certain beauty about a lot of things. Before I was focused on being a hero and the wonders of quirks. Now I’m hero partners with you, Kacchan, and have All Might’s quirk. It was only a matter of time before I began to look at other places.”
“You wanna go to space or somethin’?” Katsuki asked. The universe was pretty, objectively. But it was the universe. Not much to do out there when there was still a whole lot going on down here.
“Ochako says it’s the effects of love,” Deku laughed, a certain nervousness infecting the sound. “She says you begin to see the world in a different light when you’re in love. Like your perspective grows to a different degree. I don’t know how true that is, but it’s a romantic thought.”
Katsuki nearly balked at his words. He knew he heard right, but he wished his quirk hadn’t developed his ears so he didn’t have to hear that. Didn’t have to hear Deku go on and on about the beauty of the sun and moon atop a roof during crackhead hours because he was… Deku was… in love…?
Deku was in love with someone?
The world didn’t tilt, nor was there an earthquake to blame the way Katsuki’s entire vision suddenly went out of focus. His mind was racing, thoughts jumbled as they crashed into one another with information he knew to be factual and what he just heard. A pounding in his ears distracted him, though he recognized all the reactions separately.
Anxious. Nervous. Distraught. Angry. Confused.
Katsuki couldn’t make sense of why those feelings nailed him to his spot, unwilling to let him move.
By the time Katsuki realized Deku was looking at him expectantly, a rush of heat warmed his cheeks and ears. His fingers itched to pull down his mask, lest Deku see his embarrassment in the moonlight. But that was too obvious, even Katsuki knew that, so he only let his eyes flicker towards the nerd before they fixated themselves on the street below.
“What do you think of the sun and the moon?”
“What do I– what?” Katsuki stumbled on his words, his thoughts far too messy for Deku to ask him a question like that. It was far too deep, too emotionally revealing considering what Deku just admitted.
So, Katsuki panicked.
“The sun is the center of our universe,” Katuski said, licking his lips. He was parched. “The moon reflects light from the sun. It can’t shine on its own.”
“Hm, yeah,” Deku agreed, in a voice far too soft. “Reminds me of us.”
His thoughts came to a screeching halt.
“What?” He nearly shouted, hunched in on himself as he rounded his stare on Deku.
Deku didn’t seem to mind, instead humming as he looked up.
“The moon can’t shine without the sun,” Deku repeated simply. “The moon protects the earth, but it can be lost in the darkness without the sun’s rays revealing it. The sun provides stability, warmth, and life. The moon is a desolate space that is so determined to protect the earth from asteroids and debris in space. You and me.”
Realization dawned on Katsuki, at least partly.
“But the moon inspires people,” Katsuki said, mulling the thought over in his head. “It has no reason to shine. No reason to take the breath away of people, but it still does. The moon shines in the darkness, it overcomes obstacles despite not having any advantage. The sun is made up of gas and plasma. The moon is dense, sure, and it reflects the sun’s light, but without the moon there would be disastrous effects. Nothing to light the way at night, to pull the ocean waves. The sun is great, or whatever, but the moon is too. Just in a different way. The way you describe it makes me think the sun and the moon aren’t meant to be compared, but marveled at together.”
“I didn’t know you had such strong feelings on the moon,” Deku said, trying to hold in his chuckles.
“Yeah, well, I’m not the one who compared us to the sun and moon and made the moon seem like nothing more than the universe’s punching bag,” Kastuki muttered. He shut his eyes as he realized what could be inferred from his words.
“Stupid,” He whispered to himself, but Deku heard it anyway. And the fucker had the nerve to laugh at him.
“I think it’s pretty sweet of you,” Deku said, his words holding a musical note to them. He rocked his shoulder into Katsuki’s. “Didn’t realize you cared so much.”
“Didn’t realize you were in love with someone either,” Katsuki responded, failing to hold back his grimace. It was probably IcyHot, considering Round Face was openly dating Four Eyes. Maybe it was Froggy. Deku did a lot of rescue work with her.
“He’s a bit dense when it comes to emotions like these,” Deku said, watching him carefully.
Katsuki did him the courtesy of not looking back at him. If he did, he might just punch him. No reason, that’s just the only way he knew how to interpret whatever was irking him about Deku somehow falling in love with someone, let alone IcyHot.
God that imbecile was denser than a pile of rocks, which said a lot considering Katsuki was best friends with one.
“Probably a shitty hero too,” Katsuki cursed. He didn’t believe it. IcyHot was a good hero. Even with a dumb name like Shouto, Katsuki paired up with him whenever Deku was busy. The three of them were usually picked for small-scale team-up missions. Part of being some of the top heroes in Japan.
“No,” Deku denied, the expression on his face nearly. . . endearing? Was that the word for how it made Katsuki feel? No, it wasn’t right.
But he looked at Deku, who looked back with such a shy smile that Katsuki was almost fearful of his next words.
“After all, I would only choose the very best hero to be partners with,” Deku said.
Katsuki’s features scrunched in confusion. “But I’m your Hero Partner, Deku. You breaking up with me or somethin?”
Deku laughed again, this time full-bodied and thoroughly amused.
Katsuki didn’t get the chance to clench his fist and shake the nerd until he explained whatever the hell that meant. A cut of static, followed by coordinates had them both moving in sync. There was a villain attack, of all nights. Katsuki didn’t mind the chance to blow someone up after the conversation with Deku left him feeling utterly discombobulated.
They defeated the villain in little time, but he had done enough damage that they were hauling people and debris the rest of their shift. They squared away the paperwork necessary, showered, and headed back to their apartment. The morning sun was rising, the golden hue draping them in warmth and rid them of the night’s chill. At this point, they said short goodbyes and went into their own rooms.
They were both off tomorrow, so they could sleep for a bit before they had to get up, lest they spend their day off asleep. They had plans tomorrow and damn it, if Katsuki had to reschedule the dinner with both of their parents again, he would simply destroy his phone and never give the Hag his new number.
He fell asleep almost as soon as he fell onto his bed, letting the tiredness from the past work week drain from his body. It was nice. Nearly peaceful. He knew Deku was doing the same in his own room. Even the nerd would be tired out from the week they had.
Katsuki woke up suddenly after a few hours of blissful sleep, sitting upright and eyes widening dramatically.
He understood what Deku meant earlier.
“Deku!” Katsuki screamed. It was only a few seconds before his door opened and Deku stood there, frantically searching his room.
“What’s going on?” He asked, the green electricity fading from his body as he failed to register any threats.
“Izuku,” Katsuki said in a deadly calm voice. Deku visibly gulped. “What the actual fuck.”
“You yelled my name,” Deku answered, reaching up to rub his eyes.
“I’m your hero partner,” Katsuki said.
“Yes…?” Izuku agreed, still obviously confused.
“You said you’d pick only the very best to be your hero partner,” Katsuki pressed, remembering their conversation in full detail now. The way Deku’s hair flowed in the night’s wind, how the sound of his voice carried a glorious note to it, how Deku sat so close, but still just far enough away that Katsuki hadn’t realized. “That was how you described the person you're in love with.”
“Oh,” Deku said lamely, blinking a few times until the fatigue left his eyes. “Well, yeah. That’s the truth. He is the very best and he is my hero partner.”
“Izuku!” Katsuki screamed, though Izuku didn’t jump. Instead, he smiled, tilting his head and closing his eyes as the realization fully registered. Katsuki didn’t know what the hell to say, so he repeated his earlier sentiments. “What the actual fuck!”
“Ah, good morning to you too, Kacchan,” Izuku responded with a smile. “Or, well, good afternoon. Do you want tea?”
Katsuki stared at him, waiting for the idiot to open his eyes. When he did, Katsuki wasn’t prepared for the look he was greeted with. It held too many things. Adoration. Softness. Truth.
Katsuki took a breath and let himself relax. He thought it over. Was it a dumb idea? Yes. Did the mistakes Katsuki made seem all the more gut-wrenching? Yes. Did the idea of Izuku being in love with anyone else make him feel like he should set them on fire until nothing remained? Yes.
So, what the hell? Izuku was one of the few that truly understood him.
“Sure, yeah,” He answered with a sigh. “You’re a fucking idiot.”
Izuku lit up, bouncing on his feet as he turned around. “I’ll start the water!”
Katsuki watched him go, looking the nerd up and down before he dragged a hand down his face.
At least Izuku was his fucking idiot.