VARIANT (For The First Time, I Don't Mind Losing)

Chapter IX - Your Center, Your Core

"You're up early." Katsuki commented when he saw Izuku slowly sitting up from his bed at the first signs of dawn.

The daemon came back just a few minutes ago after spending the rest of the night contemplating at the roof. He was still standing infront of the window—having nothing else to do, when he heard a slight shuffling of sheets behind him. When he looked back, he saw the boy already had his eyes opened and blinking towards the ceiling.

"Mm. I'm used to waking up before sunrise." Izuku said sleepily, rubbing his eyes with his knuckles—that was hidden by the long sleeves and making him look so fucking small. He continued in almost a whisper, "But.. you're even earlier.."

Katsuki just answered with a short grunt while turning around completely, leaning over the sill, with crossed arms and ankles. It was clear to see that the boy was still tired as he practically spaced out just seconds after talking. Slowly, his eyes starts drooping and closing.

The daemon observed silently, brows a little arched and his red eyes scanning the other's features carefully. The sun hasn't fully risen yet, but there was already enough light shining in their room. He can now clearly see again the vibrant hue of Izuku's hair and those odd pinkish dirt that was scattered in his pale skin. 

Since the boy just got up from bed, his clothes is a little disarrayed, and because his tunic is a little large for him, it slide off a little and bared his left collarbone and shoulder. 

He just look so.. soft. 

Like, if Katsuki ever grab the boy between his arms, he'll fucking break so easily.

Yet one of those damn voices inside his mind actually makes him want to try it.

The daemon cocked his head a little as he focused his eyes again to see those odd dirt thing in the other's exposed shoulder and finds it marvelous that it was really plastered all over the pale skin—like a carefully thought out painting. It'll be hard to mistake Izuku for someone else with this distinct feature of him. 

Katsuki didn't realized that his expression was turning softer as he let his gaze linger on the boy for a little longer—before suddenly stopping all his thoughts.

Ok. Enough. 

You can't keep doing this Katsuki, what the hell?!

WE HAVE TO GET GOING SO I CAN FUCKING START ON MY REAL PURPOSE. 

Composing himself once more, the daemon cleared his throat a little loudly. That instantly got Izuku snapping his big eyes wide awake with a little shock. Once he realized what just happened, Katsuki can clearly see the blush that spread out on his face.

"S-sorry!" he scrambled to get out of his bed—almost falling face flat, and start bowing apologetically to Katsuki a few times.

Urgh. So fucking naive.

Katsuki did say he was gonna use this boy's naivete to get things under control. But still.. 

"Geez, it's not such a big deal. Quit saying you're sorry." the daemon answered with a little sigh as he walked towards the chair where he left his satchel last night.

"Uh.. r-right, um.. sor- uh.. ok" Izuku stood awkwardly, blush still on his cheeks and really trying hard not to say another apology again. He then decided to turn back and quickly reached for the sheets of his bed with the thought of fixing it.

Katsuki was busy checking the small pearl on in his satchel just in case Shitty Hair, or the others tried sending him something, but he can still see the boy in his peripheral bumbling. He couldn't help but ask, "Didn't slept well last night?"