The Proximation of Hello and Goodbye

33

Katsuki feels his blood turn to ice in his veins as he sits and watches the news in Eijiro and Shoto's shared apartment. He knows that there's nothing he can do to change what's going on in the United States. He also knows two other things, one being that he knows Shinobu is behind this, the other being that Japan won't be far behind. Well, at least they'll suspend hero work until they can figure something out. It's only a matter of when and how it all happens. He looks to his friends who have all paled considerably as they watch the events unfold on the television. There are images of villains running rampant in American streets and their police force being too outnumbered and overwhelmed to do anything about it.

"What are we going to do?" Shoto asks.

Katsuki frowns, "I guess what we've been planning to. We just need to hurry up on it. Has there been any updates on the assets that we inquired about?"

Kyoka shakes her head, "They say that it's taking time, but I'm sure they're just taking theirs. You know how it goes. We're expected to hop to, but we also have to wait."

"Bull shit," Katsuki growls. "If this shit happens in Japan, it won't be pretty. They need to hurry their asses up, and I can't be the one to say it. I'm already on their bad side."

Eijiro sighs, "I'll mention something. In the meantime, everyone needs to make sure they're staying on top of their individual tasks. Sho and I will continue playing our part, Kyoka will keep up with reconnaissance, and Kats will need to keep up with keeping an eye on the public and sifting through those files." He pauses a moment, running his fingers through his hair. "How's Haru?"

Katsuki shrugs, "He's still in hiding for now, but last I heard, he's alright."

"Well, that's good news," Shoto sighs. "I guess it's time we call it for the night. It seems as though everyone is getting tired, and I believe it wouldn't be wise to work on something of this magnitude when I feel like I can't form a coherent sentence."

"Don't be dramatic, you're doing fine babe!"

"For now, Ei. I'm doing fine for now."

The blond in the room stands up and stretches loudly before letting his arms fall back to his side. "I'm going to take that as my leave. I'll see you idiots tomorrow," he grumbles as he gathers his things. All of his friends bid him farewell as he makes his way out of the door of the apartment. He starts to make his way downstairs to run into Izuku halfway down. "Izu, what are you doing here?"

Izuku smiles. "I was bored and it was getting late, so I just wanted to come to walk home with you."

"You shouldn't have," Katsuki answers under his breath. He tries to make it sound gentle, but he knows that Izuku will hear the discontentment in his tone. If anyone is able to pick up on Katsuki's various moods, it's gotten to be Izuku. And, as grateful as he is for that, it's times such as now that he wishes he could hide those things.

Izuku smiles softly, walking to meet him at his side and take his hand. "I wanted to walk home with you. Don't mention it."

"That's not what I--" he pauses. Here he sits, worried that his tone gives his concern away only to do it to himself. "Deku, there's a lot going on and as much as I wish I could stay by your side to protect you at all hours of the day, it's just not possible. Shinobu... He won't rest until he has you by his side, and I can't afford to let that happen. Not on a professional level, and definitely not on a personal one."

He rests his head against Izuku's his hand cupping the back of his neck, Izuku's curls gently tingling the tips of his fingers. He inhales deeply, trying to commit the memory of this moment to his mind. The earthy, citrusy smell that rolls off of Izuku in droves, the smell of the air, the feel of the breeze on his skin, the comforting yet eerie echo of footsteps on the staircase. Something tells him he'll cling to these moments like precious treasuries of gold sometime in the future. Maybe a few years from now as he looks back on how he slowly fell in love with Izuku on the day he proposes or something. He can see a future with him, no doubt. It's only a matter of time. "Izuku, I can't lose you. So, do you think until I can eliminate the threat at hand you can cooperate with me?"