The Proximation of Hello and Goodbye

4

Katsu brings the car to a stop in front of Blends with Benefits and sighs. "Looks like we made it back in one piece," he smiles. His arm reaches out to the side toward Izuku's seat and Izuku feels his breath hitch in his throat for only a moment before realizing Katsu is reaching for the things they managed to pick up. Katsu smirks, "Didn't think I was gonna make a move, did ya? Come on, nerd coworkers wouldn't do that, would they?"

"No, they wouldn't," Izuku answers, shaking his head. "Speaking of things co-workers don't do... I just wanted to thank you for buying me lunch, but co-workers don't do that either." He starts to open the door so that he can get out and go in. "Can we agree to no more outings for lunch? Strictly work-related outings only, if I need to be clearer."

"Deal," Katsu answers, pulling the bags over the seat and into his lap. "Anything else?" He asks. Izuku shakes his head. "Great, then we should get going." Katsu opens the car door and walks inside after Izuku.

Izuku waves to Ena and Akasuki, quickly grabbing his things and making his way out to head home. He walks slowly on his way home, his mind reeling with thoughts of his time alone with Katsu. He hasn't met anyone so persistent and outgoing since coming across Masashi back in college. It's also the first time since Masashi that he's met someone that makes him nervous. For a while, Izuku thought they were a lot alike, but the more he thinks about it the more he realizes that despite those two similarities, the two of them couldn't be more different. Masashi has always been more of a quiet person, industrious, diligent, and passionate. That's what made it so easy for Izuku to fall for him. On the other hand, lately, he's been more abrasive and egocentric, erratic, and insincere. Even so, Izuku has only chalked it up to being stressed. He knew he had these tendencies, he'd seen them before a year or so after they got together. They seemed to go away after a while, but this time it feels different.

On the other hand, Katsu has been a little too direct and pushy at times, sometimes coming off as impatient and impudent at times. More than that, though, he also seems benevolent and affable, considerate, and dependable. Thing is, that can change with time. They always do .

He frowns, coming to a stop at the end of their driveway to see that Masashi's car is still gone. I hope tonight is a better night , he thinks to himself walking down the driveway to the front door and letting himself in. He walks to the kitchen and starts to gather the things he'll need to make dinner. It will be a good night. As long as nothing too bad has happened at work today, he'll be in a somewhat decent mood and it'll be okay. If I can't wipe away everything at one time, I can slowly take it all away. He'll be himself again, in no time. We just have to get through whatever's getting to him at work for the time being. Just a little longer. He starts a fire on the stove and starts to cook his meat and vegetables, quickly making his way through the dish. By the time he finishes cooking and sets the table, he has enough time to clean up before Masashi gets home. He quickly rinses off in the shower and steps out toweling himself dry, before wrapping the towel around his waist to walk into the bedroom.

He looks through the dresser, grabbing a pair of boxers and slipping them on. He closes the drawer in time for a set of arms to snake their way around his waist. "Hey, babycakes," Masashi whispers, nuzzling his face into the crook of Izuku's neck placing a soft kiss on the skin there. "What smells so good in here?"

Izuku smiles and rests his head on top of Masashi's. "I've been cooking, I hope you're hungry," he answers.

Masashi stands and pulls Izuku closer. Izuku rests his head on Masashi's chest, wrapping his arms around him. Seems like he had a good day, he thinks, breathing him in. The smell of bergamot and cedarwood has been the smell most associated with home for years, it's what Masashi always smells like. "What do you say we pack that up for dinner another night and I take you out? Would that be too much trouble?"