help me / bakudeku omegaverse /

Part 20

A month passed. Preparations for peace talks, duties, and etiquette training continued under Mitsuki's sharp eye, but Katsuki's mind remained with Izuku.

He hadn't seen him. Not truly. A few glimpses from a distance—ghostlike movements behind windows. But never up close. Never face to face.

Katsuki hadn't wanted to push. Not after what happened. But today, something gnawed at his instincts, urging him forward. A pull he couldn't ignore.

He walked quietly through the palace halls, the sun warm through the tall windows. Servants passed him but said nothing. Some looked surprised to see him approaching Izuku's wing. 

Others simply moved out of the way.

He stopped in front of the door.

Soft footsteps inside. A pause.

Katsuki knocked.

No answer.

"Izu," he called, voice low. "I... I thought maybe you'd want to talk. About... anything."

Still nothing. Katsuki frowned, resting his palm against the wooden door.

Then it opened.

Izuku stood there.

Smaller than Katsuki remembered. Pale. His cheeks were hollow, eyes red-rimmed and dull. His shoulders were curled in defensively, like he was trying to disappear into himself. And as soon as he saw Katsuki, he tensed.

"You shouldn't be here," Izuku whispered.

"Why?"

"Because I ruin everything when I'm around you."

Katsuki's heart cracked.

"That's not true. Don't say that."

"It is," Izuku said, voice trembling. "Everyone's angry. The kingdom's whispering. Your mother regrets what she said but she still said it. And you—you yelled at me. You grabbed me. I'm scared of what I make you become."

Katsuki stepped forward instinctively, but Izuku backed away, hands curling against his chest.

"Don't," he murmured.

Katsuki froze.

Izuku inhaled shakily, eyes shimmering with barely restrained tears.

"I think... I need to stay away still. For a while longer. Until things are clearer. Until I know I'm not just... a burden."

Katsuki's chest caved inward.

"No," he said, barely holding himself together. "Don't you dare. You don't get to decide that alone."

Katsuki's anger erupted.

He surged forward, gripping Izuku's shoulders tightly. "You think running away will fix this? That I can just forget you?! I—"

Izuku's breath hitched in fear. His eyes went wide.

Katsuki stopped.

His hands trembled.

And then it hit him—

Izuku's scent.

Sweet. Thick. Overwhelming.

Katsuki's mouth went dry. Every nerve lit up.

Izuku's eyes widened as the realization dawned on him too. He gasped, his knees buckling as the bond sparked to life violently, his entire body trembling.