Frenzy

|CHAPTER 16|: Boundaries

Katsuki watched Kirishima settle on the barstool with a lazy smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. The unspoken tension between him and Izuku gnawed at him, lingering like an itch he couldn't scratch. He shook the feeling off, turning his attention to the sizzling meat on the stove. But Kirishima's knowing gaze remained on him, making his skin prickle with discomfort.

"Holy shit, you really weren't kidding..." Kirishima drawled as he leaned against the island, his tone laced with curiosity. "There's definitely something going on between you two."

Katsuki shot him a sharp glare, his signature scowl deepening. "Shut it, shitty hair." He turned back to the stove and plated the meat, setting it in front of Kirishima with more force than necessary.

"Just saying, man." Kirishima's voice was teasing, but there was an underlying seriousness there. He dug into the food, pausing only to shoot Katsuki a quick grin of appreciation. "Thanks for the food. But, uh... at least he doesn't seem like he's completely ignoring you anymore."

Katsuki grunted, taking a long swig from his Gatorade as if the cool liquid could wash away the memory of Izuku's hand on his shoulder. It didn't. The sensation lingered—warm, steady, and far too familiar. "Yeah, well, he's still a huge pain in my ass," he muttered, trying to sound indifferent. The annoyance in his voice was real, but the unease gnawing at his gut was something else entirely.

"It didn't look that way." Kirishima's tone was more pointed this time, eyes narrowing as he took in Katsuki's subtle tension. He cut into his food, chewing thoughtfully as he considered his next words. "You let him get close, man. I've seen how you usually are with people. Even with Keito, you barely let anyone touch you like that."

Katsuki stiffened, a flash of irritation crossing his face. "This isn't about Keito," he snapped, though he immediately regretted the harshness in his tone. The mention of his ex struck a nerve, not because of what they had, but because it wasn't even close to what he and Izuku used to be.

Kirishima didn't back down. "I'm not comparing, bro. I'm just saying, you don't let people in easily—hell, you barely let anyone into your space, period. But with him... It's different. You were comfortable with it. Too comfortable for someone who's just 'a pain in your ass.'" Kirishima emphasized the last part, his crimson eyes sharp and curious.

Katsuki clenched his jaw, looking away. He hated how easily Kirishima could read him sometimes. "We used to be friends. That's all." His voice was tight, controlled—too controlled. He didn't want to give away more than he had to. But even as he said it, he knew how hollow it sounded. They hadn't just been friends; they'd been nearly inseparable, always in each other's orbit, like magnets drawn together no matter how much time passed or how much distance there was between them.

But that was the past, and saying it out loud would only make it hurt more.

Kirishima leaned forward, resting his elbows on the island as he studied Katsuki's expression. "Friends, huh?" His tone was skeptical. "I don't know. You don't talk about 'just friends' like that. And don't think I didn't notice how you practically froze when he touched you earlier. You're not even that stiff around me, and we've been tight for years."

Katsuki rolled his eyes, trying to brush off the observation. "You're reading too much into it, shitty hair. We were friends back then, alright? Good friends. But that's all there is to it now. We're not those same people anymore."

"Maybe, but it's obvious there's still something there," Kirishima pressed, undeterred. "You've never been good at hiding your emotions, Katsuki. Especially when it comes to people you actually give a damn about. And I'm not trying to pry, but..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "If you two were that close before, it's no wonder things feel weird now. Especially since he's back in your life, and you're acting like it doesn't bother you."