Katsuki turned on his heel, determined to make Izuku understand that they just couldn't be over yet. They were supposed to be figuring things out, this was just a part of that.
"Where-?" He rushed to where they had just been, craning over the edge.. What the?
He looked all around as he made it to the storefront below. He just.. left.. He kicked a trash can as he walked back past the alley.
An angry old lady came from what seemed like nowhere and started swatting at him with a rolled up magazine. "You pick that all up, right now!"
"Yes ma'am, sorry ma'am." He muttered while dodging. He noticed a red cat watching him curiously, which started to follow him as he walked away. "Shoo." The cat followed him back to the hotel. "You can't come with me, so scram."
Meow.
The following day Katsuki woke up as miserable as he slept. Heading out in search of breakfast, he realized his furry chaperone was waiting for him. Seriously?
He dropped blueberries for the cat while on their way back to the hotel. Just have to renew my stay for a few more days, then I can finally actually move.
"Dearie, my grandson is on his way still, but can you start moving these things out to the front?"
Katsuki was only too eager to help. During one of his trips he saw red spiky hair out of the corner of his eye and it stopped him dead in his tracks. Ei-?
"Oh, hello, you must be the new tenant?" A cheery and well-built grandson joined the efforts. "Here, let me help you with that.." He went to ease a dresser off Katsuki's shoulder.
Katsuki was still recovering from Eijiro's likeness to brush off the help.
"Not that it looked like you needed it." After securing the furniture, the young man swung around and offered his hand. "I'm Ryusei."
When Katsuki took a moment too long staring at a stiff hand, Ryusei rushed into a quick bow, "Oh right, apologies."
Katsuki returned half a bow and introduced himself.
"Ah, nice to meet you. I'll uh, head in to say hi then I'll get going on this stuff.." He gestured towards the furniture in the yard.
Katsuki nodded then found a spot to drink his water. He shook the shock off and cringed that he had just stared at the rough hand reaching out towards him. They were so calloused..
More importantly, Hero'ing 101, you don't just go touching people unless it's absolutely necessary.. you don't know what quirk you could be activating.
Ryusei came back out with a couple of sandwiches, "I was sent out to feed you."
Yes, feed me, Katsuki was reminded of Izuku's words. He shook this off as well, ..The hell is wrong with me? "You. What's your quirk?" Katsuki accepted the sandwich but placed it aside.
Ignoring the impertinence, Ryusei smiled. "Oh, nothing flashy."
Flashy..
"Dearie, do you need more water?"
Katsuki looked at Ryusei expecting the rest of his answer. When Ryusei just continued to eat, he went inside to refill his glass. Alright.. let's try again..
"Do you mind if I ask what quirk your grandson has?"
Responding with a knowing smile, "Hmm.. it's something like déjà vu. Of course, he doesn't know how what he's saying is affecting you, or what it's causing you to remember, but the words he naturally chooses tend to jog people's memories. It's why he works in investigations." A proud grandma winked then went back to cleaning.
Katsuki mulled this over as he washed his hands and ate. So.. it's not intentional..
"How was it? Good, huh?" Ryusei came in to deposit his dishes.
"Yes.."
Ryusei smiled and headed back outside. Was it something I said?
As the truck filled up, there was a moment when both were standing in the middle and bending down to lower what they were holding, their back lower halves bumped into each other as they faced opposite walls of the truck. Quickly hopping back up and apologizing, Ryusei turned to the side Katsuki was facing to lower his haul beside him.
"Sorry.. and I'm sorry if I said anything weird. I don't know when I'm doing it." Ryusei spoke as he straightened up. Katsuki was surrounded on three sides with furniture, Ryusei in his way to the ramp.
Ryusei felt this uneasiness and quickly lowered himself out of the truck. "Right, well, sorry. I can move the rest if you need to take off.."
Katsuki sat on a storage container to gather himself. Calm down.. He's been aware and considerate..
Ryusei returned with a side table, with the way he was holding it, he didn't see Katsuki. He set it down, wiped his forehead and turned.. leaving Katsuki at eye level with his crotch.
Fuhh Katsuki caught himself mid curse. He had jumped up quickly, hitting his head.
Ryusei rubbed the spot by impulse, blissfully unaware that hadn't it been an enclosed space with the old lady's belongings, he'd've been blasted away.
Katsuki swatted, opening his eyes to crimson ones staring in genuine concern. Badump.
"Ah, you're closer to the ramp this time, so uh, you can go."
Go.. Katsuki stared at Ryusei's lips as all he could see now was Eijiro, Go was his last word to him. It was so cold on an otherwise friendly face. In something of a trance, he got closer and touched Ryusei's face.
Ryusei, not unfamiliar to this sort of reaction, kindly smiled and put his hand over Katsuki's. "Apologies.." he gently removed it.
Calloused.. Katsuki came-to, eyes wide and jumping back into more oddly objects that poked and toppled over him. "I'm going!" he shuffled around to exit.
Katsuki headed to his parents' for dinner. He would stay there til he got word that he could start moving. One more night, he thought as he yawned himself to sleep.
Go.
I want to go.. but I want to stay.. Katsuki woke up, his hand in the air cupping an invisible cheek. Ah.. damn it.. what kind of dream was that? He wiped his face, unsure if the moisture was sweat or
"If you're up then come eat!" Mitsuki called. "We're heading to work in a few!"
Katsuki finally sat, settled in and overlooking his lake. Less at ease and more aware of his loneliness than he had anticipated. He shot a text to Izuku.
If you don't have plans yet, I've moved in and am free tomorrow if you wanted to spend your birthday at a lake..
Izuku: I'm just having breakfast with mom before she goes to work.. thought I'd try to see a few of our old classmates..
Annoyed with this, he responded with, Invite whoever! before he could stop himself. Ugh! His private oasis would become less so.
He included a picture of his view and shared the directions.
In his new kitchen, he started making a grocery list when he caught sight of Ryusei's business card. The old lady had left it behind for him, in case there were any issues with the house.
He shot him an invite as well.
Ryusei: I didn't think I'd hear from you any time soon.. or is it that you think I'd make for a neat party trick?
Feeling annoyed and maybe caught, he locked his phone and set off for party essentials.. not that he really knew what those would be. Eijiro usually took care of that.. ..
***
