help me / bakudeku omegaverse /

part 6

Izuku didn't know how long he had been lying there, nestled under thick covers that smelled faintly of cedar and warmth. But when he opened his eyes again, it was to the low crackling of the fireplace, and the soft rhythm of someone breathing nearby.

Katsuki Bakugou sat at the far end of the room, polishing what looked like a pair of bracers, armor resting against the table near him. His linen shirt was rumpled, sleeves pushed to his elbows, forearms dusted faintly with soot. The prince looked every bit the warrior and none of the royalty Izuku had once imagined.
Izuku shifted beneath the blankets, trying not to make a sound. But Katsuki looked up anyway, always too sharp to miss even the smallest movement.
"You sleep too quietly," Katsuki muttered. "thought you died when you closed your eyes."
Izuku flushed, ducking his head. "S-sorry..."
Katsuki shook his head. "Not a complaint. Just an observation."
There was a pause. Then Katsuki stood and walked over, not bothering to hide the way he scanned Izuku's face, as if checking for new signs of pain.
"Feeling okay?"
Izuku nodded. "J-just... tired. B-but... okay."
Katsuki gave a short nod and crouched next to the bed, arms resting loosely on his knees. "Good. You look less like a corpse today."
Izuku gave a soft laugh—more breath than sound.
Katsuki tilted his head slightly, curious. "What?"
"N-nothing," Izuku whispered, smiling faintly. "J-just... you say th-things in funny ways."
Katsuki huffed. "I'm not here to win charm contests."
Silence stretched between them for a moment, but it was warmer this time. Comfortable.
"You want to go outside for a bit?"
Izuku blinked. "O-outside?"
"The gardens," Katsuki clarified. "No one's there this time of day. Thought maybe you needed fresh air."
Izuku hesitated, the idea of open space both thrilling and terrifying. But he nodded. Slowly.
Ten minutes later, he was bundled in a cloak far too big for him, walking beside Katsuki through the quiet stone corridors. The halls were lined with torches, the light dancing off the marble floors.
They exited into a courtyard surrounded by thick hedges and tall walls. The air was cool, but not biting. Flowers bloomed in clusters along the edges, and the sound of trickling water echoed from a fountain in the center.
Izuku's breath caught. It was beautiful.
Katsuki watched him quietly. "You like it?"
Izuku nodded, unable to find words.
They walked slowly, the stone path winding between flowerbeds and trees. Izuku's fingers brushed the leaves as they passed, like he couldn't quite believe they were real.
After a while, they sat on the edge of the fountain. Katsuki leaned back, palms braced on the stone, face tilted up to the sky.
Izuku sat quietly beside him, hands folded in his lap. The silence between them stretched again, but it didn't feel like emptiness. It felt like understanding.
"You ever think about running away?" Katsuki asked suddenly.
Izuku glanced at him, startled. "Y-you mean... from here?"
"No. Before. From the ring."
Izuku's shoulders stiffened. He looked down.
"Y-yes. But... there was n-nowhere to run to."
Katsuki nodded. "Makes sense."
He didn't push. Didn't pry.
Izuku watched the water ripple. Then, very quietly, he said, "I u-used to dream about f-fields. With grass. A-and skies. Sometimes trees. But mostly... I j-just dreamed of quiet."
Katsuki turned to look at him.
"You got some of that now."
Izuku nodded. "I know. Th-thank you."
They sat in silence until the wind picked up. Katsuki stood, dusted off his pants.
"C'mon. You'll catch cold out here."
Back inside the room, the fire had been stoked. Katsuki helped Izuku peel off the cloak, then moved to stoke the flames higher.
Izuku hovered near the edge of the bed, unsure if he should sit again. But Katsuki waved him over.
"You're allowed to relax."
Izuku sat, tugging the blanket over his legs.
Katsuki returned with two mugs of tea. "Don't ask me what kind it is. Some maid shoved it in my hand and said it was good for nerves."
Izuku giggled softly and took the mug. The warmth seeped into his fingers like magic.
They sipped in silence for a while.
Then Katsuki leaned back, resting one arm along the back of the bed. His fingers brushed lightly against Izuku's shoulder. Not intentional. But not entirely accidental either.
Izuku shifted closer without realizing.
Katsuki noticed. Didn't move away.
His voice was low. "You scared of me, Deku?"
Izuku looked up quickly, startled. "N-no. I-I mean... not anymore."
"Good."
Another silence.
Izuku bit his lip. Then looked up at him. "W-why do you call me that? Deku?"
Katsuki smirked faintly. "Because you look like you'd break if someone breathed wrong. Like a twig. A Deku twig."
Izuku pouted. "T-that's mean."
Katsuki laughed. "Better than 'pipsqueak.'"
They were quiet again, but this time, there was electricity in the air. A tension. Something new.
Katsuki looked down at him, eyes lingering. Izuku's cheeks turned pink, but he didn't look away.
Katsuki leaned in slightly.
Izuku's breath caught.
The space between them shrank.
An inch. Then another.
Their eyes locked.
And then—