pandora's box [bakudeku/tododeku] [pt.1 of where's my love fic series]

so tenderly, you watch me burn

summary: izuku always thought that mondays are the roughest. today is no exception as his father continues to chip away at his trust and heart.

notes: this chapter's song: "worldstar money" by joji. i will warn, it gets quite heavy towards the end as well as graphic, so please, keep that in mind. this is not a light read.

warnings: manipulation, child abuse, violence, death.

quiet breaths and soft snores fill the dark room as the sun begins to rise. birds singing their morning songs as they wake to the sun's rays, ready to start their day, are heard outside of the window, waking izuku up from his slumber. his freckled cheeks turn bright red as he hears the sound of his friend's heartbeat underneath him. green, messy curls peek from under the sheets as izuku rubs his eyes sleepily, some of the morning sun's light seeping through the closed blinds.

he had passed out completely last night to katsuki's warm and comforting touch, his voice having lulled him to sleep. he had just felt so exhausted last night, but that same exhaustion seemed to keep his nightmares away. how ironic.

after rubbing off the sleep sand from his eyes, izuku doesn't roll off katsuki, choosing to remain on his chest, a light blush still on his cheeks as he watches the older boy sleep. he presses his chin into katsuki's chest, his eyes hooded as he gently boops katsuki's nose. his eyes widen when katsuki whines in his sleep, scrunching up his nose as he squirms. oh no, please don't wake up.

he holds his breath, waiting for the elder to open his eyes and scold him for waking him up. a minute passes and katsuki stills, making izuku release his breath, relief on his face as he watches katsuki continue sleeping. izuku shyly looks at katsuki again, this time noticing how long the blonde's eyelashes are. his skin is smooth and soft, the crinkles around his usually narrowed eyes smoothed out. he must've gotten that perfect skin from auntie mitsuki. katsuki's features are soft, making him look peaceful, a striking contrast to the usual angry expression he wears throughout the day. kacchan looks even prettier like this, izuku thinks as he lets out a quiet sigh.

izuku shakes his head, closing his eyes in disappointment as he tries to push the thought to the back of his mind. he's my best friend, i can't be thinking about him in that way.

slowly, izuku rolls of katsuki's chest, his heart fluttering when he notices that the gudetama stickers are still on katsuki's arms. he didn't take them off? izuku then winces, remembering how he passed out in katsuki's arms. that's my fault. oh boy, that's going to hurt when he takes them off.

izuku scoots quietly to the edge of katsuki's bed, running his fingers through his messy hair. he stretches, raising his arms high as he does, letting out a small yawn. he spots his red shoes on the ground, neatly placed next to the bed. a fond smile forms on izuku's lips as he stuffs his hands in his orange hoodie, realizing katsuki probably took them off for him after putting the gauze on his cheek.

yesterday's events suddenly crash into izuku's memory, making the boy's chest constrict. his already swollen eyes start to water as he remembers his dad's words as he shakily raises a hand to the gauzed up cheek. dad...

izuku flinches when he feels a set of arms wrap around him, feeling a body press against his back. he relaxes when the scent of burnt caramel surrounds him, finding comfort in his best friend's touch.

katsuki leans into izuku, his arms still tightly around the younger boy as he places his chin on izuku's shoulder. he lets out a yawn before sleepily nuzzling izuku's neck, the blonde's hair tickling izuku. "are you feeling better, 'zuku?"