EXHAUSTED (BakuDeku)

5: Avoiding Izuku

"Maybe he's just waiting for a response, y'know? Your choice?" Mina suggested, watching the greenette huff in annoyance. Emerald eyes trailed over the series of texts he had sent to his lover, demanding an explanation. All of them had been seen, but Katsuki hadn't replied to any of them.

"I can't make a fucking choice. It's been two days already." The greenette spoke, stuffing his phone back in his pocket. He struggled to grab onto his shovel, using his right arm only. After all, he still had a broken arm. 

"Izu, maybe you should go home and rest for a bit. I mean, Aizawa offered you some time off, and how often does that happen?" She spoke with a smile, nudging her friend's shoulder gently. Izuku's brows furrowed in anger as he threw the shovel aside in frustration. His life was falling apart. He couldn't work, thanks to his injury, couldn't get any word back from his boyfriend. He knew Bakugou was off living with his mother for the time being, but Izuku just couldn't find the strength to go face the blonde or his parents at the moment. The monthly apartment rent was coming soon, in only a few days, and Midoriya could barely afford to pay it. Usually, he didn't struggle - He had Bakugou who brought in money as well. But, the blonde had left and had brought all of his belongings with him, leaving no cash behind for the greenette to use. 

"I can't take time off, can't afford it." He sighed, looking down. He made his way back to his vehicle, leaning on the side. Driving, working, bathing, everything was so difficult ever since the night of the accident. 

"Hey, here's an idea; how about you go see Katsuki at work? Get a massage, for once. You're in need of it, believe me." The pink-haired girl chuckled, tilting her head to the side. She knew they wouldn't get in trouble for talking; the construction today consisted of nothing but filling out holes in a nearby street. Aizawa had given them both a certain road to take care of, and permission to take breaks thanks to Izuku's arm. 

"I can't afford a massage, Mina. Fuck, it kind of sounds like you're trying to get rid of me, or something. You really want to do this whole street alone?" He asked, brows furrowing as he made eye contact with his friend. He watched she smiled, shaking her head. 

"Of course not, but I don't want you to get more injured. The doctor told you to stay home and rest - You shouldn't be here." She explained, pushing a strand of her fluffy dyed hair back. "Plus, it sounds like you have a lot to think about, and deal with." She finished. 

"But I need the cash." Izuku whined, looking down again with a frown. 

"You also need Katsuki." Ashido added. "I remember when you first started working here, I was new too. You'd brag about this handsome blonde you had just moved in with, and how cool you thought his job was. How you aspired to become a successful attorney. But now, you're just focused on this shitty job. I miss seeing you all happy, dude." She spoke, brows furrowing as a sad smile took place. Izuku frowned, shaking his head. 

"Fucking shit, why doesn't anybody understand? I need the cash, I need this shitty job. I work my ass off to pay off bills and buy groceries." He spat, kicking some rubble with his foot. "You don't get it, Mina, stop trying to tell me what to do. Fuck this." He muttered, turning to face the side of the road. He quickly stepped forward, approaching the sidewalk where he planned to make his way towards the parking lot - Where his car was parked. 

"Izuku, you're going?" The pink-haired woman hesitantly asked. 

"Just tell Aizawa I fucked off, too tired for this." He shrugged, walking away. Mina frowned, tilting her head to the side as her pal disappeared into the nearby parking lot. She only hoped he'd make the good decision; picking Katsuki. This job was nothing but a side thing she was doing, to get some more money that she didn't actually need, which is why she wasn't too punctual. Izuku, on the other hand, had no reason to be working here and putting his body at war. He needed the blonde more than anything, and she knew he had the potential to become an amazing lawyer. 

Emerald eyes trailed down his car door, slamming it shut as he shifted to face the building he had just parked in front. Large bold letters painted on the sign indicated he was at the right place; Katsuki's massage salon. The place he worked at. He inhaled, taking a deep breath as he pushed the front door open with his free hand, immediately met with a pleasant scent. A smell he knew all too well; the smell he took off of his lover every time he came home from work. 

"Hello!" A short lady cheered, standing behind the front counter. Izuku stepped forward, forcing a smile as he addressed her. 

"Hi, uhm... Is there any way I could talk to Katsuki?" He questioned, seeing the woman's eyes widen, tucking a strand of her blue hair behind her ear. 

"Oh, Katsuki isn't working today." She stated. Izuku frowned, knowing she wasn't allowed to tell him Bakugou's schedule. 

"I see. I'll come back tomorrow, then. Please don't tell him I came here, he's avoiding me and I just want to talk things out." Izuku spoke, earning a smile and a nod. 

"Uh, will do. Have a nice day." She wished, watching the greenette walk out. Blue eyes kept track of the greenette's movements, watching him get into his car and drive out of the parking spot. Once the black car was completely out of sight, she sighed and turned around to the cabinet behind her, opening the right door to smile at a red-eyed coworker of hers. "Will you answer me, now? You paranoid fuck. Is he a stalker or something, who is he?" She cackled, remembering how the blonde panicked at the sight of the vehicle and decided to jump into the nearest hiding spot. 

Bakugou stood out, stretching his back with a shrug. 

"He's nobody. I'm not supposed to see him before Sunday."  He muttered, a frown taking place on his face. "Fuckin' hell, what a pain in the ass. He was clearly at work right now, I guess I already got my answer." He whispered beneath his breath, brushing some dust off his outfit. He had seen Izuku step out of his car, and had noticed the dirt on his clothes. How tired Midoriya looked. He clearly hadn't listened to his doctor's advice to relax at home - He was clearly still working at the construction site.

"Is he that boyfriend of yours?" She asked, sitting down in the comfy chair, next to the computer on the desk. Katsuki hesitated. 

"I don't know if we're even together anymore. I don't want to see him right now. All he does is work, and work. I don't have time to worry about him." He explained. "I just want him to make a choice. Me, or that shitty job of his." He muttered. 
"Though, I'm pretty sure I already have my answer."