numbertwohero | Prismatica Inbox

[He'd been kind of hoping that this quiet moment could continue, but for once he doesn't blame Katsuki at all for his outburst. Honestly if their roles were reversed, he couldn't entirely say he wouldn't do the same, albeit more quietly. It's a legitimate response.

Katsuki doesn't have to worry, though; Shouto's eyes remain fixed on the ceiling in the opposite direction of where the other boy's rolled, offering him some measure of privacy. Not that that's...likely to help.]

I'm not, I'm not. Hang on, let me get your clothes--

[Fortunately, the dresser is the opposite direction from Katsuki also, and it only takes a second of fumbling before Shouto's out from under the blanket, moving from the futon to fetch Katsuki's clothes, neatly folded. He doesn't turn around once he's got them, either, just holds them out to the side, deliberately looking away.]

Here. I won't look.

[Although now that he's slightly calmer, he can't help but think about what Katsuki had said, and what he meant by that 'yet'. He might be blushing just a little.]

You damn well better not be. I'll kill you.

[He grumbles, shifting uncomfortably on the floor. The silence that follows just makes it worse, and he sneaks a glance over his shoulder to make sure Shouto is being true to his word when he holds out the clothes.

Of fucking course he is.

Snatching them out of his hand, Katsuki wastes no time in putting them on, initially putting the shirt on backwards and switching it around.]

You hungry? I'm hungry. You got any eggs?

[Shouto doesn't even respond to the threat, not quite trusting his voice just yet. Anyway, it's basically like punctuation for Katsuki, and he no longer views the threat as anything more than that. Like a period at the end of a sentence, or a way to fight off embarrassment. He knows Shouto wouldn't say something like that and then go back on his word, so it's not a big deal.

Anyway, if he ever does see Katsuki like that, he wants it to be intentional, for both of them. And probably mutual. Not that he is actively thinking either of those things, probably, mostly.

He's fully expecting the sound of clothing being pulled on to be followed by the sound of Katsuki storming out, so the sound of a voice at a reasonable volume instead is definitely a surprise. Enough that he starts to turn his head, before pausing again.]

Yeah, there's eggs, some rice too, and--sorry, can I...?

[Turn around safely!! Look he's trying to be considerate and also just not talk about what just happened here.]

[The past few days have been nothing but embarrassment. And warmth, and affection and confusion. It's a good thing Shouto keeps that discovery to himself. Katsuki would never live it down and he would have to make up for it by being even louder. His vocal chords might not be able to take that.]

No, I'm going to cook in your kitchen buttass naked. What kind of barbarian are you?

[He sneers, still grumbling under his breath as he pulls out the rice, eggs and tools.]

You got any hot sauce? For me, not you. I know your constitution would melt at the mere sight of it.

I was trying to--nevermind. Fine.

[Well, at least this is a return to normalcy. Climbing to his feet and following Katsuki out of the bedroom, Shouto rolls his eyes, hiding his relief. He's staying. That's nice.]

I don't mind spicy stuff. It's not what I usually go for but still. And there's some over there, that shelf. If you don't like it, tell me what kind you want and I'll get some next time I get groceries.

[Leaning against the kitchen bar, one elbow braced behind him, he points, then runs a hand through his hair, yawning. Food does sound nice. It doesn't even occur to him what those words might imply.]

Do you want yours spicy or not?

[He looks in the cabinet Shouto directed him to, making a noncommittal noise and puts it down, oiling the skillet and starts cooking the rice.]

I can buy my own shit. Do me a favor and keep out until I'm done. Don't need you screwing up the food.

Sure, why not?

[May as well. The offer is of course rebuffed, that comes as no surprise, though it's not gonna stop Shouto from trying to figure out what he likes anyway and get it.

It's the rest that's mildly surprising, and if he still had cat ears they'd be laying flat on his head.]

I'm not totally useless in the kitchen, you know. I've done fine cooking so far.

[But fine, if that's the way Katsuki wants it. Shouto circles around to the other side of the bar, taking a seat on one of the stools there and resting his elbows in the counter, still watching Katsuki work.]

Better?

Fine, but I'm making yours on my level.

[He starts adding a few different spices to the rice which sizzles in the skillet, filling the apartment with the aroma.]

Sure, your cooking didn't make me barf. But you haven't had mine.

[He glances over his shoulder and rolls his eyes.]

Whatever. Make yourself useful and pour our drinks.

Edited 2020-03-28 21:35 (UTC)

Whatever you say.

[Said with a tone that makes it more of a 'bring it,' but honestly that's just how they function, isn't it?]

Pretty big talk. Are you that good?

[He hasn't had Katsuki's cooking before, it's true. And honestly, he's kind of looking forward to it. Even if the spices he's using are already enough to make his nose a little itchy.

And if he doesn't complain about pouring drinks, well, it's only fair if Katsuki is cooking. Moving from his seat and back into the kitchen, he fetches two glasses from a cabinet and a bottle of this place's equivalent of oolong tea from the fridge. It feels weirdly nice, doing this kind of thing. He'll even pull down plates for the both of them, leaving things within easy reach of Katsuki for when he needs them. Everything else goes to the table, and then he just. Resumes his perch, watching Katsuki. He does have a sort of confidence in the kitchen, doesn't he?]

[Katsuki nearly drops the spatula. He slowly turns to face Shouto, expression dangerous.]

The hell did you just say? Is my cooking good- Tch, you haven't even tasted real food til you've tried my shit. Sit back and shut the fuck up.

Am I that good...

[He scoffs, wasting no time on the eggs once the rice is done. He pours the rice over the thin egg, folding it and transferring it to a plate. Drizzling it in hot sauce, he shoves the plate to Shouto and starts on his own.]

[Well, that sure is a face. Almost even enough to make Shouto reconsider, or it would be if it weren't weirdly cute. And isn't that a weird enough thought all on its own? Suddenly, all he can imagine is the little fox who'd been his constant companion for the last three days snarling and yapping with the fur bristling on that adorable head, offended at something he's said or done, and he can't do anything to stop the slow smile spreading across his face, even if he does his best to try.]

Guess I'll find out.

[There's a little hint of a laugh in the words, but it's not cruel laughter. If anything, it's affectionate, as he takes the plate he's offered and heads for the table, taking a seat and waiting for Katsuki to follow before he starts eating.]

Looks good, at least. Smells good, too.

[Is he doing this on purpose now? He might be. It feels comfortably familiar.]

...What the fuck is with that face?

[Katsuki scoffs, desperately trying and failing to stomp on the warm sense of pride--an something else--that floods through him when he sees Shouto smiling. Once he finishes preparing his own meal he takes a seat, not eating his yet and instead staring at him, knuckles white as he grips his hands under his chin.]

Just fucking eat it already. It's going to get cold.

[He might have a little bit of nervous energy while waiting.]

What face? It's the one I was born with, mostly. There a problem with it?

[You know, mostly, aside from that scar, it's fine! It's fine. Anyway, he's just gonna look back at Katsuki for a second, the way he's staring at Shouto intensely instead of eating himself. Is he--huh. Well, okay. If that's the way it is--]

...Thanks for the food.

[He's just gonna go ahead and dive right on in there, then. It feels a little weird with Katsuki just sitting there watching him with that intense look on his face, but, well. Sure. Why not.

And man he wasn't kidding about it being spicy. How did he manage that? He didn't even have that much in the house...but it's good, though, and it's pretty well balanced with the rice, and maybe Katsuki wasn't just bragging to brag.

(He might have to use his quirk just a little to cheat after the first three bites or so, but Katsuki never has to know that.)]

It's pretty good. What did you put in the rice? I didn't think I had anything good to use.

[He's definitely still scarfing it down, it's better than just pretty good even if it's just omurice. It's good, and maybe it also means something to him that Katsuki's cooking for him, too.]

Yeah, it's-- [Beautiful, radiant, addicting to look at.] ...Shut up!

[He swears when Shouto finally gives his approval in what feels like hours, some of the tension leaves his body. Until he realizes what he said.]

Pretty good? Are you fucking kidding me? I put in salt and a dash of onion powder since I didn't see any onions. They would have been better for texture and flavor. And I used butter instead of oil.

[Well, Shouto approves so he can eat his now.]

Yeah, pretty good. Guess you'll have to do it again when I get some better ingredients so I can see what amazing tastes like.

[He might be teasing, but it's really good considering what Katsuki had to work with. Like everything else, it wasn't just empty bragging. He works hard at everything he does. Shouto's respected that for a long time, even if he didn't always respect how cocky Katsuki was.

Just now, he also thinks it's really, really cute the way he gets flustered when he actually cares what someone thinks of his skills.]

So, you cook a lot?

[It's actually something he never really knew about the other boy, and it's something unexpected. A good unexpected.]

Only a novice would think that it's just about the ingredients.

[He scoffs. He knows that Shouto is probably teasing him, so he counters it with an insult.

Bastard. Next time he's making him toast.]

[Katsuki sips his tea, setting it down.] My parents work late nights a lot. They're both designers, it comes with the territory. They're successful enough to where they can work at home now, but it was a choice between learning to cook or eating crappy take-out, and I wasn't going to settle for that.

[He's 100% teasing, but he's also really enjoying the food. Please don't relegate him to just toast, Katsuki.

What he says makes...well, it just makes sense for Katsuki. Shouto looks at him thoughtfully for a moment, swallowing and taking a drink of his tea.]

You never settle for anything, do you?

[The words aren't chiding or dismissive or anything. They aren't really even much of a question, Shouto just kind of thinking a thing to himself.]

I like that about you.

[He's just being honest.]

Took you long enough to notice.

[He could say something clever, like 'Why do you think I chose you?" But then Shouto says that and all thoughts go reeling from his head. His face feels hot and he aggressively starts shoving food into his mouth, hoping the spices will somehow negate it. They don't. Fuck. What the hell is going on with him?]

Yeah. That's... Shut up or I'll kick your ass.

[Honestly if he'd said that, then it'd be Shouto combusting. Katsuki choosing him--maybe he's already realized a little, after all he'd trusted Shouto enough to come to him to moonlace, and to stay with him during the last three days in that vulnerable shape, but it's different, feeling something like that and actually hearing it.

Then again, the way Katsuki turns red and gets techy about it is pretty nice, too. Shouto at least feels confident enough to keep going as he shovels the last of his rice into his mouth, swallows, and tilts his head questioningly at Katsuki.]

Was that 'I'll kick your ass' supposed to be 'thanks,' or 'I'm glad'? Sometimes I have trouble figuring out which one is which.

[If Katsuki wasn't as careful, he might blow up Shouto's table at that comment. Instead he just growls and shoves more rice in his mouth, glaring at the ceiling.]]

It means I'll kick your stupid perfect ass you stupid perfect bastard!!!

[Shit, did he say that out loud? He hides his face in his hands. Just let him die here.]

[Maybe Katsuki can be relieved a little, since Shouto definitely doesn't seem to take the words as a compliment. After all, hasn't Katsuki called him perfect as an insult before? He doesn't seem to think of it as an insult, either, though. He just looks...a little sad, maybe, or lost in thought, his voice quieter as he looks at his tea.]

I'm not perfect, though. I've got plenty of faults. You call me out on some of them, and I like that, too. I need that, I think. So I guess, thanks. For reminding me that I'm not, and I don't have to pretend to be. You're a good friend.

[He doesn't miss that expression. Once he gets over his rage, and once he's looking down again, he goes silent. What did he say? Was it really because he called him perfect? He was just implying he was hot. Clearly he doesn't know the right thing to say. So he just says what comes to mind.]

Yeah. You kinda suck. But in some ways, you-- I... [He grunts, raking his fingers through his hair, looking away now.] Neverfuckingmind. You're a shitty actor anyway. And I better be after all the shit we've done.

[Katsuki's quiet for a moment, longer than Shouto expects. Looking up as the other boy pauses, Shouto sees him running fingers through hair he knows from experience is actually surprisingly soft. All the shit they've done. Well, that's not wrong.]

I like all the shit we've done. Most of it, anyway.

[Quite a bit of it, actually. He's not sure what exactly Katsuki was about to say, but he's...got an idea, maybe.]

So--you cooked, so I'll take care of the dishes. You have anywhere else you're supposed to be today, or do you want to hang out?

Mn. Didn't think you were a masochist.

["Me too" is what he means to say, but he can't. He'd rather show it in actions. Still, it doesn't stop his head from snapping up in shock, his mouth forming a wordless "Why?" Why wasn't he sick of him yet? Isn't he tired of him being around?

He just shrugs, biting back what he wants to ask Shouto.]

Whatever. I'll stay.

[He could say I'm friends with you, aren't I, get Katsuki heated again, but he also does genuinely like spending time with Katsuki, so that's not quite right, either. And if he's honest, he actually likes that look of surprise on Katsuki's face. He likes knowing he can surprise the other boy, even if he should maybe have realized this part by now. So instead he gathers the dishes and stands, offering Katsuki a very brief look that might in fact be a quickly hidden grin.]

You learn something new about me every day, I guess.

[He doesn't mean for that to sound as flirty as it does, honestly. But hey, at least he's heading for the sink and leaving Katsuki to steam if he'd like. And speaking of--]

If you want to use the shower, you can. And I don't mind loaning you clothes if you want some.

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