help me / bakudeku omegaverse /

Part 14

As the night deepened, the stars scattered more boldly across the sky, and a chill slowly crept into the glass observatory. Izuku pulled his sleeves down subtly, trying not to shiver.

Katsuki noticed.

Without a word, he stood and slipped off the heavy cloak draped across his shoulders. "Here."

Izuku shook his head quickly. "No, I'm fine, really—"

"Don't argue," Katsuki said, already stepping behind him.

With surprisingly gentle hands, he draped the cloak over Izuku's shoulders, tugging it snug around him. His fingers lingered at Izuku's collarbone, hesitant at first, then brushing slightly as he adjusted the fabric.Izuku didn't breathe.

Their eyes met—just for a second—but it was enough. The hush between them shifted, softened, heavy with something neither of them dared to say. Katsuki's face was so close now. Izuku could feel his warmth, could see the subtle hitch in his breath.

For a moment, it felt like everything in the world paused—like if either of them leaned just an inch closer—But neither of them moved. Instead, Katsuki stepped back slowly, rubbing the back of his neck."Let's get you back."

The walk through the quiet palace corridors was slower this time. Neither of them spoke much, but the silence was easier now—comfortable in a new way.

When they reached Izuku's door, Katsuki glanced down at him."So," he said casually, almost too casually, "you gonna plan the next one?"Izuku blinked. "Me?"Katsuki raised an eyebrow. "It's a two-person deal, isn't it? Five each. You said you were in."

Izuku smiled shyly, nodding. "I... I'd like that."

Katsuki smirked. "Don't outdo me."Then he turned, walking back down the corridor with that same confident stride. Izuku stood there for a moment longer, heart beating steadily, warmth blossoming deep in his chest.Hope had never felt this gentle before.

●●●

The next morning, Izuku woke with an unusual sense of purpose buzzing under his skin. He knew immediately what he wanted to do: something simple, something he could give back.

A picnic.

Nothing extravagant. No court musicians, no palace drama. Just the two of them, maybe near the gardens, with good food and quiet space to breathe. But planning it... that was the real challenge.

He had no money. No resources. He didn't even know the layout of the entire palace yet. And he definitely wasn't bold enough to ask Katsuki outright.

So he got clever.

With the help of the maids, a few kindhearted butlers, and some surprisingly excited palace chefs, Izuku began plotting. Quietly. Efficiently. Even when Katsuki was in the room.He'd wait until Katsuki was focused on paperwork or halfway through a report, then slip a quick note to a maid. Sometimes he'd mumble a request in passing when Katsuki was training with Kirishima. Every move was carefully calculated.

The most surprising part was how easy it was to keep it a secret—even when they were together nearly all day.

To avoid suspicion, Izuku even offered to help Katsuki with some of the paperwork. "I've gotten faster at reading," he said one morning. "I could help. If you want."Katsuki had blinked at him like he'd just suggested he fight a dragon barehanded. "You sure?"

Izuku nodded.

So Katsuki handed over some of the kingdom's infrastructure reports—agriculture plans, city repairs, merchant records. The real stuff. And to his credit, Izuku kept up.For three days, they sat together in Katsuki's study, poring over reports and planning decrees. Katsuki didn't say it aloud, but he was impressed. Izuku's eyes scanned faster now, and his commentary—hesitant at first—was sharp, thoughtful.

Izuku helped with decisions, flagged inconsistencies, even made a few suggestions of his own. He asked questions about how the towns functioned, how harvest cycles affected trade. It was the first time he felt truly useful. Needed.

Meanwhile, in stolen glances and secret whispers, the palace staff worked with him behind the scenes. They arranged the perfect spot in the inner garden—secluded, but close enough for Izuku to feel safe. They prepared food Katsuki actually liked, down to the spiced tea he pretended not to enjoy. And when Izuku asked them to keep it quiet? They all agreed, some even swearing on their aprons.

Finally, on the morning of the fourth day, everything was ready.

Izuku met with a maid before sunrise to confirm the details. Then he waited outside Katsuki's study, practically bouncing on his toes.He'd already made sure the paperwork had been cleared for the day. Every request had been signed early. Every meeting had been politely postponed. Izuku had worked hard for that.

Now all that was left was the ask.

When the door finally opened, Katsuki stepped out, brows raised.

"You're up early."

Izuku smiled, a bit nervously. "I wanted to ask you something."

Katsuki crossed his arms. "Shoot."

Izuku clasped his hands behind his back. "Will you come with me? I've got... a thing."

Katsuki squinted at him. "A thing."

"Yes. A... thing. You'll see. It's a surprise."

For a second, Katsuki just stared. Then he huffed a soft laugh. "You really planned something."

Izuku nodded, trying not to look too proud. "Yes."

Katsuki eyed him a little longer, then nodded. "Alright, nerd. Lead the way."

Izuku tried not to look too excited as he turned and started walking. But his heart was racing.

Behind him, Katsuki followed, hands tucked in his pockets, lips twitching at the corners.Something told him this was going to be interesting.