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When the grumpy grasp gets ahold of him and the down days stretch into bad weeks, Eijirou goes to the airport. Not to book a flight or consult a travel agent, but to.....people watch.
It sounds crazy, but it works.
Eijirou will grab a sandwich or snack from the airport food court and watch the flight board flicker from his place on a bench against the farthest wall.
He stays out of the way of bustling families heading out on holiday and businessmen flitting about from flight to flight. Occasionally he will get caught up in a conversation with a stranger about their travels or their holiday plans, and sometimes he'll help an elderly person or pregnant individual with their bags, but Eijirou doesn't mind. He quite likes it.
The reason he people watches at the airport specifically?
Love.
Love is found elsewhere, sure. But here, in the midst of "hellos" and "goodbyes," love shines a little brighter. It brings him a little more faith in humanity each time a bittersweet farewell is shared or a sobbing mess of reunited lovers embrace on the ramp by the luggage corral. It brings light to his dimmer days.
Love is infectious here, and Eijriou takes advantage of that by soaking it up and letting the warmth of humanity seep into his tired body.
This time, he sticks around a little longer than usual. The holidays could be to blame, or maybe it's the empty apartment waiting for him when he does leave. The airport is busier this time of year. Filled with couples, returning university students, and family reunions
Even though the holidays are approaching fast, Eijirou's home doesn't show it. Not because he hates the holidays, but because there isn't much of a reason to celebrate. His only family members live busy lives across the world, and he's okay with that. No time to visit in person, and little time to video call. His own work life is just as hectic, so he doesn't let it bother him too much.
Eijirou isn't entirely alone, but loneliness does pick at his heart a little more each time he sees Katsuki spoiling Shouto up and down, or when he hears Shouto horribly serenading love songs to the blonde through the walls. Which happens a lot, given that they're neighbors.
Katsuki is a great bro. He drags Eijirou along as a third wheel whenever they have movie nights or when they "accidently" make too much food. He's even been to Katsuki's parent's home for family dinner plenty of times. Enough times that he accidently called Auntie Mitsuki mom once, just one time, and Katsuki will never let him live it down.
He has learned enough about Shouto over the last year, that Eijirou's own family distance doesn't bother him as much anymore. At least he has a family that still calls every couple weeks and sends holiday cards.
He's still a bit lonely though.
Dating apps are a thing, and going out on blind dates set up through friend's has happened a few times, but nothing ever sticks. The bubble of comfort lasts until his sunshine mask slips a little, then the bobble pops in his face like bright viscous bubblegum.
The down days don't happen often, but when they do, it bites into his bright playful persona for a while.
So, he just doesn't date. It's easier that way.
When Katsuki or Shouto are busy or not in the mood for company, when he has too much free time outside of work, and when there is a lull in the squad hang outs, he finds solace in people watching. Not in a creepy way, but with fondness from a distance. At times, envy will sneak up on him when couples skip past with fresh wedding bands, but it gets stamped down just as quick as it came.
Medication is a thing he's considered, but not a road he wishes to take just yet. It's easier to let dishes pile in the sink longer than they should with the excuse of needing to soak, and let his laundey basket overflow until he's stuck wearing the tattered stuff at the back of his drawers. The dim feelings eat at his insides until warmth returns. And when that warmth takes too long to re-kindle itself, he goes to the airport.
Which is where he sits now. With an empty coffee cup on the floor between his feet, robotic friendly voices chiming announcements of arrivals, boarding times, and departures over the intercoms above him, and a soft smile on his face.
The next plane's departure is broadcasted over the speakers. The terminal across from him begins to flood with tired, but excited travelers.
People jump around in excitement with squeals and screeches of joy enveolping the crowd. Couples topple over eachother, while children duck between tall legs and around carry-on luggage.
A relaxed wave of unloading passengers mingle and loiter around the main lobby between terminals. Eijirou watches as a little boy screams out for his grandpa, running past people to jump into an older man's arms. One woman holds out a beautiful bouquet of flowers for another woman, who then drops her suitcase and bags to jump into her lover's arms and pepper her face in kisses. A group of co-workers, it seems, clasp eachother's shoulders and shake hands as they part ways. One woman dressed in military gear recieves hand made cards and tears of happiness from her little family.
Eijirou rubs at his nose to fight off the emotional build in his throat and eyes.
A few stragglers rush through the crowd to make their way home, likely having people waiting for them with open arms. Old friends reunite about twenty feet to his left with loud stories of their youth and holiday dinner plans.
Eijirou scans the crowd again, taking a deep breath to build up the resolve to steal himself away and find his truck in the parking garage. He could splurge on some good hearty food on his way home. Maybe stop by Fat Gum's diner and chat up the older waitresses for a little while?
As more and more people flood through gates and shuffle about with boxes and luggage, Eijirou gets to his feet and tosses his emptied coffee cup into the trash bin a few feet away. Someone bumps into him. But with a quick smile and apologetic wave, they dash away and into the arms of a boy who shares similar facial features who stands across from him. Siblings most likely.
When Eijirou looks over his shoulder one last time, his eyes snag on a set of wide emerald green ones all the way across the floor.
For some reason, he can't look away.
Dark curls peak out from under a white knit hat. A round, slightly pinkned face nods at him in distant hello with a smile.
Eijirou nods back.
Someone walks straight into the green eyed stranger across the way, and his attention is stolen away for only a moment. Then the bright eyed man smiles at him again, shrugs, then gestures around vaguely. Eijirou gets that, it's a lot.
For some reason, he backs up to lean against the wall for now. Maybe it's the way the stranger chances glances at him, maybe it's the jovial Christmas music, maybe it's because he chances glances right back.
He can't help but notice the slightly nervous shuffle of the guy's bright red converse, or the way he zones in on his phone with widened eyes and raised brows. As if he received a shocking message or made some kind of unexpected realization. The stranger's shoulders raise with a long tired sigh, and Eijirou could feel the tension all the way from where he stood.
The flight board lights up, indicating what flights have arrived at what gates. He checks the terminal number, compares it to the airline list, and sucks in a sympathetic breath. Cute stranger seems to have been on the flight from Italy, which means he's been flying for hours. Probably with a connection or overlay, combined with late departures, it has to at least of been a full day and a half since the guy got any kind of real rest.
Eijirou doesn't know why, he really doesn't, but he waits.
He waits to see who comes to pluck the green eyed man from the congested crowd of people.
He waits to see who this stranger is waiting for, if anyone. Surely it's someone. Everyone here has someone coming to pick them up, waiting in a car at the pick-up arrival gates, or at least waiting at home.
Well.....Eijirou doesn't, but surely this cute stranger does.
A few minutes turn into fifteen. Fifteen turn into thirty. Before he realizes it, almost an hour has passed of stealing glances and meeting eyes in a wordless conversation. Eijirou raises a brow, then looks around at the next flood of travelers and holiday joy that spreads through the airport in relentless waves. The stranger offers him a weak smile, shrugging again.
Somewhere between them, a group of people start caroling a catchy Christmas classic. A handful of families cry and hug in clusters. Strangers exchange pleasantries and well wishes for the season. Eijirou doesn't miss the longing look on that tanned face, even with the distance between them and the people walking straight through his focused gaze on the stranger.
As a dual boarding and unboarding announcement is made over their heads, he meets those dark doe-eyes again.
For some unexplainable reason, Eijirou starts walking.
And for an even more unexplainable reason, so does the stranger. A backpack is slung over his shoulder and a suitcase rolls behind him.
Eijriou walks, moving between people and lovers and families. The stranger does too, careful of his luggage and other people's paths. The distance between them closing, but not as quickly as Eijriou would like.
So he walks faster, and so does the stranger.
His feet move with excitement. A smile plasters on his face, natural and unforced. He sees the stranger's chest heave with a laugh and his pretty face beam with both disbelief and relief, and Eijirou just stops thinking for a moment.
He practically starts sprinting, and.....so does the stranger.
Each excited step, every breathless meet of their eyes as they slow to weave between bodies and suitcases, and every smile is mirrored.
Everyone deserves someone's arms to run into with a warm welcome, like everyone else. This tired stranger deserves that warmth, and Eijirou's own warmth sparks to life with the intent to share it.
Distance closes to around fifteen feet, and he's running through the crowd while laughing and politely pushing between people to reach the giggling smiling stranger that does the same.
As he gets closer, more of those adorable features become easier to see. Freckles, dark curly green hair, flushed cheeks, dark lashes, big green eyes.
He's beautiful.
Eijirou's arms open up on instinct, really.
He watches the stranger drop his suitcase and discard his backpack, just before heat blossoms through his chest and arms from the body now in his hold. Strong legs wrap around his middle, so Eijirou clings to the stranger's waist.
He wasn't expecting such an enthusiastic response, but Eijirou will never forget it.
He's gotta get this adorable man's name soon, because they certainly aren't strangers anymore.
A face nuzzles into the side of his neck, and arms wrap around his shoulders. Eijirou holds him tight, like letting go might break whatever this is that they've spontaneously grown.
Somewhere on their side, someone laughs. It's hearty and full.
"Ah, young love. Enjoy the honeymoon phase while it lasts!" A deep voice calls out.
The warm face at his neck moves back, and Eijriou struggles to keep him upright as those legs have yet to move from around him. The cute stranger's voice is tight with what sounds like mild frustration.
"Actually, we've been together for years!"
Oh, that's the game plan? Cool, Eijirou rocks at improv.
He turns his head too, meeting the eyes of an older man and woman with a smile. "The honeymoon phase doesn't fade if you always remember that you're in love!"
The older couple laugh them off, turning back to leave with their belongings. A group of girls coo and squeal at....whatever this is between them.
"Oh, my gods! That's so sweet!" One of them cries out.
"Where did you two meet?" A different girl, with long braided hair, asks while clapping her hands.
"Uh-" Eijirou starts, unsure of himself. Thankfully, his impromptu lover answers for him.
"At this very same airport, believe it or not!"
Eijirou bends to carefully set his new favorite stranger down. And oh no, he's adorably short. Eijirou laughs under his breath.
"Oh, yeah! Happy anniversary, babe!"
A hand smacks at his shoulder teasingly. "I knew you wouldn't forget!"
Eijirou fakes a gasp. "I would never!"
The girls spout off unintelligible shrieks and cries of romance and true love.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! Please, don't let us interrupt your sweet moment." An older woman bows, then attempts to urge the group of girls away.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!-" Half of them chant joyously. The other half giggle beyond control.
"Ah, uh..." The adorable freckled face in front of him starts blushing and mumbling, and it's Eijirou's turn to swoop in with a save.
"Aw, you don't have to. I know I didn't get you any flowers, but-" Eijirou starts, but a timid sweet pair of lips press against his. The floor damn near falls out from under his feet. Heat tingles up his jaw and down his spine.
The girls around them cackle and screech when their lips part with a soft smack.
Eijirou grabs at his chest to calm his heart. "So manly." The stranger blushes something fierce and beautiful.
"I hope you remembered to get the dog Christmas presents this year!" This adorably fantastic stranger teases.
"I did, promise!" Eijirou beams back, moving around the bubbly man in front of him to grab the discarded backpack and suitcase.
"And did you water the plants?"
"Yes! With the detailed plant-care instructions you left for me, the flowers look beautiful!" Eijirou swallows a full on cackle to keep his laughter down and his voice neutral. "Though, your beautiful face is nothing in comparison." He calls back, getting another wild flurry of giggles in return.
"Aw, you're so sweet. The best, most handsome boyfriend ever!" The other coos back sweetly.
Eijirou can't believe his luck, honestly. Whoever was planning on picking up this amazingly fun little spitfire is just gonna have to get in line at this point, cause Eijirou is so close to offering this stranger anything and everything he can manage. Even beyond what is feasible, he'll make it happen one way or another.
He gets the suitcase in hand, and thankfully finds a suitcase tag on the handle. He subtly reaches to flip it around, as if adjusting its placement, to get a quick name. He only hopes this wasn't a borrowed piece to someone else's luggage set with an old tag on the handle.
'Izuku Midoriya.'
"Happy Holidays! Do I sense a proposal in the near future? 'Tis the season, you know!" A joyful woman, clearly a few too many airport cocktails deep, says teasingly from where she stands with luxury bags at her hips.
"We've talked about it, sure. But nothing set in stone!" Izuku turns to answer her with a flippant wave.
Eijirou huffs teasingly. "Not yet, at least!"
"No time like the present, you know! If I could, I'd go back in time to marry my wife sooner!" Another man laughs, elderly and hoarse.
A different woman from somewhere out of sight chuckles just as loudly. "I'd go back in time to not marry at all!" Which garners hearty laughs and traded well wishes from those around them.
"Happy anniversary, you two! Enjoy your time together! I hope you hear wedding bells in your future!" The luxurious woman waves again before strolling off with a few plain dressed people who look like her assistants and bodyguard.
"Thank you, and to you as well!" Eijirou laughs again, shaking his head. The beautiful freckled face in front of him laughs too at all the absurdity around them.
"Pah, marriage between men." A fickle old voice spats behind them. Izuku whirls around first.
"Excuse me?"
"Disgusting. Marriage is not to be taken lightly, and for two foolish men to tarnish the holiness of a matrimonial bond? Shameful." The man spats again.
Several people around them rush away. A few hover around, ready to jump in if necessary.
Izuku's furrowed brows and fiery gaze, brings a spiteful fire to Eijirou's own chest.
Oh, well. No time like the present, right?
"Well, I was gonna wait until Christmas, but...." He discreetly pops one of the many titanium bands off his fingers. The one with a twisted design. "It is our anniversary, after all! And what better place than where I first laid eyes on you!"
Izuku's eyes widen and his jaw drops in shock as Eijirou drops to a knee. (Which he never-ever thought he'd get to do, even as a rouse.) People around them gasp and holler in fervent excitement. The voices dull down, edged in anticipation.
For one fearful moment, Eijirou fears he might've pushed their little game too far......but then those big emerald eyes sparkle.
"Ah, are you gonna make me say it?" Eijirou blushes uncontrollably.
Izuku's smile is damn near blinding. "I'm not gonna answer unless you do." He teases lightly.
"Izuku, love of my life, will you marry me?" Eijirou drops the bomb, feeling it shatter every jagged uncertainty into dust.
"Yes, you big doofus! Yes!" Izuku jumps up and down with a higher pitch to his voice.
The fickle prude of a man scoffs before stomping off somewhere else. Which is almost too bad, because Eijirou would've loved to rub his faux impromptu homo-engagement in some more.
Izuku holds out a hand when he finally looks at the ring in Eijirou's grasp. The band slips on, a little loose, but it works. People scream and shout, drowning out his own thoughts. Izuku smiles, shakes his head with disbelief, then smiles even wider.
Eijirou gets to his feet again, glad to not be kneeling in the middle of a busy airport anymore. But if this beautiful stranger (now fiance?) asked him to do it again a thousand times, he would.
He gets the backpack slung back over his shoulder before getting tackled into another warm vanilla scented hug. Eijirou hugs back just as tightly, relishing in the strangest most exciting moment of his life.
Pulling away, his lips are met with soft ones again. This time, the kiss lingers. Patient and a little more firm than the last one. Eijirou pushes back just as gently. A giggle is breathed against his mouth, and it sends even more tingles down his spine.
Eijirou pulls away first, smiling more than he probably ever has in his entire life. "Come on! Let's get you home!"
Izuku doesn't complain nor protest, he simply nods and waves at the kind on-lookers around them. The ones who witnessed their uh, 'engagement' shout congratulations after them, which they both return with cheery holiday wishes.
They weave throught the crowd, hand in hand, towards one of the exists. Once outside in the crisp winter air, Izuku keels over in laughter.
"That-" He shakes with laughter. "That was genius! How-hahaha-how did you even come up with all of that?"
"Me?" Eijirou balks, throwing a grin over his shoulder. "That was all you! You started it, I just rolled with the punches!" He laughs as well.
"I'm so sorry if that made you uncomfortable at all, by the way! I wasn't even thinking, and I'm so jet-lagged! I can't believe I did that. I was so in the moment, I really didn't mean to put you in that position." Izuku starts rambling and rushing out apologies at an inhuman speed. "I really hope you can forgive me. Oh my god, I even kissed you! Twice!" His horrified realization has Eijirou chuckling.
"Aw, it wasn't that bad! And you have nothing to apologize for! That was the most fun I've had in a long time!"
"Still, we don't even know eachother, but you just went with it! I almost can't believe that happened. Am I dreaming? I must be dreaming? Or hallucinating?"
Eijirou leads them through the walkway between parking garages, still holding onto Izuku's hand like the beautiful man might disappear. "I promise you, that really happened. Seriously, don't apologize! It was great, and that guy's face! Ha, I can't wait to tell my friends about that!"
"Thank you, seriously. That really was a lot of fun, and I really wasn't expecting the proposal, but it was perfect!" Izuku beams, walking closer to link their arms together. "Oh, you can just leave my bags here. Thank you for carrying them! I'll call a taxi or an Uber."
"Absolutely not." Eijirou states firmly, still wheeling the suitcase behind him and pulling Izuku along. "What kind of man would I be if I leave my fiancé stranded at the airport? Let me give you a ride to wherever it is that you're going. It's the least I could do."
"No! Oh my gosh, I have already inconvenienced you enough. I'm sure you're here waiting on someone else, and I really would hate to put you and whoever you're here for out like that." Izuku reasons back, and Eijirou doesn't like the taste of fear and guilt that settles on his tongue.
"Uh..... I'm not here to pick anyone up, actually."
"Oh? Did you have a canceled flight or something?"
"W-Well, I.....not exactly? You're gonna think I'm crazy." Eijirou starts nervously.
Izuku yanks on his arm, stopping them both mid-stride.
"You just pretended to be in a long-term relationship with me in front of a hundred strangers, let me kiss you twice even though I don't even know your name, and then proposed to me out of homophobic retaliation. You're definitely crazy, but so am I, and I like that."
Eijirou sighs. His shoulders droop forward with his admission. "I....I come here to uh, people watch? It sort o-of helps when things.....eat at me. I-I have um....bad days, where everything sucks and I feel like shit, and when I can't make the feeling go away, I come here."
Big beautifully bright eyes blink up at him. "To people watch?"
"Y-Yeah? It's sort of heart warming." He shrugs. "I love seeing the happy couples, families, and friends reuniting or saying bittersweet goodbyes. I love the happy tears and the hugs and there's.....there's a lot of love at the airport, ya know?"
Izuku squeezes his hand. "I didn't realize my finacé was such a romantic."
Eijirou laughs, it's a little choked. "I guess I am, yeah. Big 'ole softy." Izuku just smiles at him, still holding his hand.
"So, uh-" Eijirou coughs. "Let me give you a ride? I'm not trying to be a creep or anything, I swear. I can drop you off on your street? I promise I'm not trying to scope out where you live. I know we literally just met, so your hesitation and concerns are extra valid, but I kind of feel like I need to do this? If-If that's cool with you?"
Izuku chews on his cheek for a moment. "And you're sure you don't mind? Even though I pseudo sexually assaulted you in front of hundreds of people?"
"Dude, you kissed me. It was great. 10/10, would do it again. Best smooches of my life. It wasn't assault, I promise. And yeah, without a doubt. I really don't mind."
Izuku nods. "Well.....alright then, but could I ask you something?"
Eijirou's brows raise in surprise. "Yeah, anything. Though if it's illegal, that's kinda too much for my morals, but I could find you a guy." He teases back. Izuku laughs fully again, shaking his head.
"How did you know my name was Izuku?"
"Shit! Sorry! I saw it on your luggage tag."
"Ah. Then I feel even worse, cause I don't even know my own fiancé's name." Izuku teases back with a grin.
"My manners are shit. First a proposal, then introductions? Hot damn." Eijirou groans to himself. "It's Eijriou."
"It's nice to meet you, Eijirou. Thank you for....well, everything that's happened in the last fifteen minutes."
"Absolutely, dude. Anytime, seriously." He starts walking again, careful of his pace with Izuku's arm still around his own. "I parked just around the corner. The red truck."
Izuku hums back, staying in step at his side. The truck comes into view, and Eijirou gets the bags sat in the back seat.
"So, can I ask why you were waiting for so long in there? Was someone supposed to pick you up?"
"Ah, yeah. I got confused between the time changes and landing times. My friend was supposed to pick me up, but I told him the wrong time. I'm staying with him until Christmas, actually. I flew in to surprise my mom, and he was in on it, but I don't think he gets off work today until a few hours from now and he wasn't answering his phone."
"Oh, damn. That's so manly of you to surprise your mom though! I take it you live a long ways away?"
"Not really, but I travel a lot for work. I'm a travel nurse! I go wherever I'm needed." Izuku shrugs.
"That's so manly! Holy shit! My best friend is an EMT, and I don't think I could do what you guys do. I'm a fire fighter." Eijirou hops into the driver's seat, reaching over to help Izuku climb up into the passenger side, given the slight lift of the vehicle.
"You're a fire fighter? That's amazing! And my friend is an EMT too! The one that was supposed to pick me up! Well, we are more cousins than anything. We grew up side by side, and our moms are as close as sisters. Which is crazy, because they're complete opposites. But we're like a family to eachother." Izuku beams at him while he starts up the engine and cranks on the heat.
"Small world! Well, sort of." Eijirou pulls out his phone to start up a navigation app if needed. "So where we headed?"
"Oh, right! Sorry, it's not too long of a drive. Do you know where Lemillion Villas is?" Izuku asks, and Eijirou's whole world flips upside down, shakes itself around, does the hokey-pokey, and turns itself around.
"Sorry, did you say Lemillion Villa? Like the apartments on Jeanist Street?"
"Yep! That's where my cousin lives!"
Holy shit.
"Can.....can I ask what apartment number?" Eijirou swallows whatever insanity tries to crawl up his throat.
"Uh.......4C?" Izuku answers, matching his confused expression.
"Oh my god." Eijirou leans back, rubbing at his face. "Oh. My. God."
"What? What is it? You're kinda scaring me a little bit, not gonna lie." Izuku laughs nervously.
"Katsuki Bakugo, my neighbor and best friend, is your cousin." Eijirou states. "That means you're Deku."
Izuku's eyes widen. A hand clamps over his mouth, muffling a gasp. "Then you're.....Shitty Hair?"
"Hey! My hair is not shitty anymore! I've tried to make him stop calling me that, but....well, you know how Katsuki is." Eijirou chuckles, draping an arm over his eyes.
"I can't believe this! Oh my gosh! This is insane!"
Eijirou sits forward again. "Wait. Kats has work for like, another six hours? Shouto won't be home until then either. We're you just gonna wait here for six whole hours?"
"U-Uh.....yes?"
"Dude, you've been traveling for like, a whole day!"
"S-Seventeen hours, to be exact." Izuku admits sheepishly.
"We're you just gonna hang out at his front door until he got home after I dropped you off?"
".........Maybe." Izuku answers, even more sheepishly.
"Dude, no. Look, clearly we know eachother, or at least about eachother, and Kats is my best friend and neighbor. Would you be alright with crashing at my place till he gets home? He'll see his messages from you when he gets off, so he'll know you're just next door. I don't have the best or cleanest place, but I've got a super comfy couch and plenty of clean blankets and pillows."
Izuku deflates like a whoopee cushion in his seat. "Please and thank you. I'm so tired, and I really need a shower, if that's okay?"
"You got it, babe. Sleep, hot shower, what about food? Have you eaten? Don't answer that. I'll order you some fried pork chops from the best diner in town. I remember Kats saying you really liked fried pork, and Fat Gum's place has the best pork chop platter."
Eijirou throws the truck into gear, reversing and pulling out towards the garage exit. He glances to the side when a sniffle pours hot worry into his veins. Pretty watery green eyes stare back at him.
"Oh, woah. Did I do something? What'd I do? Shit, don't cry."
Izuku shakes his head. "No, you're....perfect. I've had a really long last two days, and-and I don't even know how to thank you for all of this. You're such a good person, Eijriou." He laughs shakily. "The best fiancé ever, really."
"I believe you also said the most handsome." Eijirou teases back with a blush once his worries are settled.
"Also true. No argument here." Izuku sniffles again, rubbing his sleeve across his cheeks. "Seriously, I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't of met you here today. So, thank you."
"You're welcome. Like I said, anytime."
A comfortable silence fills between them as Eijirou starts the twenty minute drive home. Anxiety settles under his skin once he remembers the dishes in the sink and the clutter on his kitchen counters, but Izuku is too tired to probably even notice, so he shoves the ugly thoughts away for now.
The radio plays some random pop-country song. He glances at the console, watching the title loop. Meant to be, by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line. A good song, he thinks once Izuku starts sleepily humming along.
Ten minutes into the drive, a warm hand slips over his loose one on the arm rest.
"So.....do we really have a dog?"
Eijirou laughs. "No, unfortunately. But I've been thinking about getting one? Ya know, to help out with my uh, bad days? The company would be nice, and the apartment has a pretty low pet deposit."
"Hm. I'll get you one for Christmas." Izuku smiles at him from the passenger seat, and Eijirou's heart flips like a pancake.
He squeezes Izuku's hand gently. "How long are you in town for? We could go to the animal shelter together?"
"I'm here indefinitely. I've decided to transfer to one of the local hospitals to be closer to my mom. I traveled for a few years as a nurse, but... I think it's time I came home." Izuku answers quietly. "I missed my mom, my family."
"Well.....I don't mean to sound like a greedy bastard, but does that mean I'll get to see you again? Like....often?" Eijirou starts nervously, but Izuku only giggles back with another squeeze of his hand.
"What kind of man would I be if I didn't spend time with my finacé? And we've got an animal shelter date already planned. Gotta get you an actual dog. Maybe a puppy?"
Eijirou has never felt so warm in his entire life. All heat, butterflies, and giddy happiness.
"Yeah, you're right. We should get some of those houseplants you asked me if I had watered too then, cause I don't have any."
Izuku giggles again, and it's a sound Eijirou will never be able to live without.
"I guess we do. So, houseplant shopping can be date number two?" He asks, and Eijirou nods.
"Sounds like a plan, babe."
"Hm, I like that."
"Like what?"
"You calling me that." Izuku answers bashfully. "I've never been called babe before."
"Well get used to it." He smiles, and Izuku smiles back.
Eijirou wasn't planning on proposing to a literal stranger today. He definitely wasn't planning on that stranger being his best friend's childhood friend/cousin. And he most certainly wasn't planning on pretty much falling in love at first sight while people watching at the airport, but.....Eijirou couldn't be happier about it. Not with sleepy Izuku in his passenger seat, tiredly humming along to whatever plays on the radio while holding his hand.
The airport love anomaly strikes again, and it's one of the best things to have ever happened to him. For once, Eijirou is grateful that today was a down enough day that he ended up at the airport during one of the busiest seasons to people watch and soak in all the love from a distance, because it led to him claiming a piece of that love for his own.
Izuku might not feel the same now, or maybe ever, and Eijirou could live with that. So long as this personified ray of sun light with beautiful freckled skin stays a part of his life somehow.
By the time the truck pulls into it's designated parking spot outside of the apartment complex, Izuku has dozed off leaned over the armrest, using Eijirou's bicep as a pillow. Which, no complaints there. Not a single one, nope.
"Babe." He tries gently nudging him awake. "Hey, we're home."
Izuku shifts just barely. Eijirou turns the engine off, quieting the radio and silencing the heat blasting A/C.
"As much as I enjoy having you use me as a pillow, you'd probably like an actual pillow to lay on." He pokes a freckled round cheek gently.
"Nooo." Izuku whines quietly, but let's go of his arm anyways.
Eijriou chuckles under his breath. "Come on, sleeping beauty. I promise the couch is way more comfortable than my truck."
He hops out of the driver's seat a bit too reluctantly when he gets a freckled pout in return.
Eijirou gets the backpack out of the back seat first, then carefully sets the suitcase on the pavement. Izuku smiles at him, all sleepy and mused, grabbing the extended handle of his luggage. Eijirou huffs a laugh when Izuku gestures for him to walk ahead as if he was royalty.
"If you haven't been to Katsuki's place yet, we live on the second floor."
Izuku nods behind him. "I was here when he and sho first moved in together. Helped them move, but had to fly out for my next assignment the next day, so I haven't been here in over a year."
"Ah, that's probably why we never actually got to meet then." He hums back, taking the stairs slowly as Izuku follows. "I'd just let you into Katsuki's place with the spare key he gave me, but I leant it to Shouto when he locked himself out last week and haven't gotten it back yet." He laughs.
Izuku giggles tiredly behind him. "Sounds like Shouto."
Eijirou stops in front of his apartment door, fumbling with his keys for a second to find the right one. He hears Izuku mumble "4B" at his side.
"Come on in. It's not super clean right now, but we're gonna ignore that."
Izuku steps in behind him. "Can't be worse than the motels and hostels I've been staying in for the last couple of years, I'm sure. I even lived in a tent for two months in Puerto Rico, so this is definitely luxury accommodations in comparison."
"Well then, welcome to Kirishima's Bed and Breakfast." Eijirou laughs, leading him further into the apartment once they've kicked off their shoes by the door.
"KIri-shima?" Izuku echos.
"Oh, right. My bad. That's my last name, Kirishima."
Izuku squints at him, setting his suitcase by the dusty coffee table. He raises his left hand, wiggling his ring finger as a reminder. "Soon to be our last name." He states, matter-of-factly.
Eijirou tosses his keys onto the counter with a barked laugh. "Didn't think you'd want to take mine, to be honest. I would've been cool with being a Midoriya."
"Hm. I like your name more." Izuku rubs at his eyes, then pulls off the borrowed titanium band. "Sorry, I didn't even realize I was still wearing it until now." He walks over to the counter, taking his bag with one hand and holding out the ring with the other.
Eijirou shakes his head. "I want you to keep it."
"Wha-...no, I couldn't. This is yours." Izuku reasons back, still holding it out between them for Eijirou to take, which he won't do.
"Well it's yours now, cause I gave it to you. I want you to have it."
Izuku stares at the ring in his palm, studying it with reddened cheeks and a little smile that pulls a heavy tune from Eijirou's strummed heart strings.
"Think of it as an early Christmas gift." He shrugs. "And as like uh....a suvineer or something? Of the craziest day of our lives."
".......You're sure?" Izuku almost whispers back. "I don't know much you spent on it, or what it's worth, but I could-"
Eijirou stops that thought process immediately. No take-backs, all sales final, non-existent return policy.
"It's not like pure silver, or anything. I got it cause I liked the design. It was like thirty bucks from a mall kiosk, babe." Eijirou meets Izuku's watery eyes with a teasing smile. "But I mean, if you want a real one, I could hit up the jewelry shop and-"
"No! This.....it's perfect, thank you." Izuku slides the ring back on with a soft smile. Eijirou tries to ignore all the puzzle pieces of his heart slotting themselves in place each time Izuku does....well, literally anything.
"Alright." Eijirou claps his hands once. "You take a shower, I'll get the bedding set up for you and order us some lunch."
"Oh, let me-" Izuku begins, pulling out his wallet.
"No. Absolutely not."
"But you've already done so much for me?"
"Yeah well, gotta live up to the title of Best Fiancé Ever. Bathroom is the second door on the right. You can use my products, if you want. Towels and washcloths are under the sink."
"Please? At least let me do this much?" Izuku pleads sweetly, still holding his wallet.
"You can pay next time, promise." Eijirou does good about keeping his promises, honest, scouts honor, but this one? He might conveniently forget. Because Izuku deserves to be spoiled, and come Hell or high water, Eijirou is gonna be the one to do it.
Izuku sighs loud and dramatic. "Okaayy."
"Awesome. Grab your pajamas and take as long as you need. Take a bath if you want, I don't mind. My bathtub is clean, I swear."
Eijirou watches Izuku's face pinch up in frustration.
"What's wrong?" He asks quickly.
"I, uh.....don't have any clean clothes with me? Kinda didn't have time to wash any of my things before my flight, and was hoping to wash them at Kacchan's place and borrow something till then." Izuku admits quietly.
"Oh, that's okay! One clean change of clothes, coming up!" Eijirou beams back, already heading down the hall before Izuku can protest. "I got a washer and dryer in the utility closet next to the bathroom! Throw your things in there when you're done in the bath!" He calls after him while digging through his dresser.
With an old Crimson Riot tshirt, plaid pajama pants, fizzy socks, and the smallest set of boxers he can find in hand, he comes back into the living room to find Izuku crying.....again.
"N-Nothing's wrong, I swear. I'm just really emotional, and-and you're so generous and kind and amazing. I don't even-" Izuku rubs at his nose and eyes while sniffling. "I can't thank you enough for everything you've d-done for me. I'm practically a complete stranger to you, but you just-....you've been so good to me. I've been so busy lately, and I almost missed my connecting flight this morning, then this old chinese lady asked me if my freckles were dirt and su-suggested I wear make up and more sunscreen, and I'm so tired. I'm so so sorry for all the trouble I've caused you-"
Izuku blubbers and sobs into his sleeve. Eijirou crosses the room instantly, taking Izuku's backpack again to set it on the floor. He lays the clothes in his hand over the arm of the couch, before wrapping his arms around shaking shoulders. Izuku sobs into his chest, and Eijirou's heart breaks a little.
"Please, don't apologize. I'm happy you're here, I'm happy I met you, and I'm happy to help however you need or want. So just let me do that, okay?" He whispers against Izuku's white knit hat, getting a choked sob in return.
Timid hands hold onto the hoodie fabric at his chest. Eijirou rubs soothing palms up and down Izuku's back, still holding him tight in his arms.
They stand pressed together until Izuku's breaths even out. The body in his arms pulls away to look up at him with puffy bloodshot deep green eyes.
"Thank you, Eijriou."
"You're welcome. Again, anytime." He smiles, which he hopes is at least a little reassuring, while grabbing the clothes and handing them over. "Hopefully they fit? I'm a big dude, so." He chuckles at himself.
When the pile of fabric leaves his hands, Eijirou is struck motionless from a damp soft kiss to his cheek like a whisper against his flushed skin.
He watches, a little dumbfounded, as Izuku quickly digs out a little white toiletries travel bag and dashes down the hall. Eijirou doesn't get snapped out of his daze until the shower handle squeaks and the sound of water pouring reaches his ears.
"Right." He smacks his hands against his jean clad thighs. "Food."
With a quick order made from Fat Gum's diner through a delivery app, Eijirou then gets started on cleaning up and dusting while Izuku is in the shower.
He pulls a folded set of spare sheets and a cloud printed blanket from the hall linen closet once the living room is presentable, dolling up the couch and making it look as comfy as possible for his guest. One of the pillows from his bed gets a fresh pillowcase and sat on one end of the sofa.
Eijirou's no hospitality pro like his best bro, but he hopes this is enough for now. He'll buy a bed for the empty bedroom next to his and move all his workout gear and weights into his room next week, if Izuku decides to ever stay over again.
God be willing.
The food gets dropped off just as Izuku comes back down the hall in all his red faced, sleepy eyed, wet haired, borrowed clothes wearing glory.
"They fit! The pants I had to roll up, and the waistband of the boxers needed rolled down, but they fit!" Izuku declares, holding up his arms.
Eijirou can't get over how big his tshirt is on Izuku's frame, or how he somehow got even more adorable with his damp green hair perfectly falling around his perfectly freckled face.
"I'm glad! Foods here." Eijirou holds up the bags before settling them on the countertop. He reminds Izuku to toss the things he needs washed into the washing machine, doubling down with his suggestion and making sure Izuku knows that he can use the fabric softener and scent boosters as well.
Once the washer starts with a beep and dull whirl, Izuku trudges over to one of the bar stools, hopping and shifting a little with the height. His legs swing back and forth, and Eijirou already has the sight burned permanently into his memory like tattoo ink.
He lays out a few napkins and plastic cutlery from the paper take out bag.
"Thank you. I haven't had Fat Gum's in so long." Izuku mumbles behind a yawn.
"You've been there before?"
"Yep! Usually for breakfest while I was in college." Izuku answers, accepting his take out box and offered can of soda. "And you were right, Fat's fried pork chops are the best!"
And just like that, the conversation flows.
It's easy, as if they've known eachother for years. Sharing stories, talking about Eijirou's friends and long-distance family. He tells Izuku of when he accidently called Auntie Mitsuki mom, and about his work as a firefighter. Izuku tells him about his life as a travel nurse, about all the places he's been and wildest first aid stories.
Every time Izuku shares a little more about himself or stops to smile between bites of his lunch, Eijirou falls more in love. Which he really didn't think was even possible, but here he is. Swooning like a love-sick fool.
With their take-out boxes empty and Izuku nodding off at the counter, Eijirou ushers him into the living room to crash while he cleans up.
The TV plays some sitcom for background noise while Eijirou loads up the dishwasher and bags up the trash. He looks over the counter to find his house guest face down into the couch, sprawled out like he just flopped over and passed out as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Eijirou silently laughs. He tiptoes over to the couch and drapes the fleece blanket over his stretched out frame. Izuku shifts a little, turning his head to the side and hugging the pillow.
Eijirou is gone. Gone like leaves in the wind. All hope of surviving sanity has abandoned ship and is lost at sea.
A sea of green curls and emerald eyes, that is.
He shakes his head at himself, then busies his hands and mind with swapping Izuku's clothes from the washer to the dryer and folding the mountain of clean clothes on the left side of his bed.
Warmth is back tenfold. His energy is revived, and Eijirou is gonna take advantage of that to tackle a few things on his to-do list.
After almost four hours of Eijirou quietly cleaning up his bedroom, bathroom, sweeping the hallway, and checking his emails, he finds himself in the recliner adjacent to the couch with his laptop warming his thighs.
He scrolls through a few websites on bulking meal plans and checks the delivery dates on his pre-ordered Christmas presents for the squad and his coworkers.
With Izuku snoring on his couch, Eijirou has a mini-debate with himself about what to get his faux fiancé for Christmas. Izuku did say he was getting him a dog, so he can't just not get him something too.
Maybe a sweater? A new high quality lunchbox since he works long hours? An expensive self-care gift basket?
Jesus this is hard.
Eijirou loses track of time, deep in his thoughts, while a re-run Crimson Riot cartoon plays on his laptop. His earbuds are plugged into the aux port, but he doesn't wear them to listen to the show. He'd much rather hear Izuku's heavy snores a few feet away from the couch.
Maybe he should have offered his bed? His room was so cluttered though, so the couch was probably the better option.
Izuku inhales sharply, jolting up with a gasp. His wide emerald gaze flits around the room for a minute before landing on Eijirou's worried expression.
"Sorry......forgot where I was for a minute there." Izuku mumbles with a sleep hazed pout.
"No worries. You've still got another half hour or so before Kats gets off, get some more rest." He waves him off with one hand.
"I slept for four and a half hours? Oh my god." Izuku groans.
"You needed it, babe. You were pretty delirious from sleep deprivation and jet-lag." Eijirou reasons back. "Oh, I left your things in the dryer. I wasn't sure if you were gonna try to bite my head off if I folded them like Kats did when he and Shouto had to borrow my dryer a few months back."
Izuku nods. "Ah, yes. The spontaneously combusting dryer incident."
"Not as bad as the time Shouto set off the building fire alarms burning his dinner. How he managed to burn cold soba, I'll never know."
Izuku laughs, pulling the blanket up and around himself. "Did Kacchan ever tell you about the time he set Auntie's curtains on fire?"
"No! How the heck did he manage that?"
"He was six and tried to iron out his dad's work shirts for him on Father's Day. Left the hot iron on and sat it too close to the window."
Eijirou laughs into his palm. Izuku hums, getting to his feet and shuffling over to stand next to the recliner. The soft blue cloud still wrapped around him, like a cute snuggly burrito.
"What's up?"
"Why are you all the way over here?" Izuku asks with narrowed eyes.
Eijirou's brow twitches with amusement. "Well I didn't want to bother you by sitting at your feet." He shrugs. "You looked comfy."
"So do you." Izuku nods at him, pointing to his seat. "Can I sit there?"
"You want me to move?"
Izuku glares at him weakly. "Thats not what I asked."
Eijirou belly laughs. "Oh, he's cranky when he first wakes up." He shifts a little to the side. Not a lot of room, but they'll make it work.
Izuku huffs at him, but steadily climbs onto the recliner and settles fully against his side. a head of curls plops onto his shoulder, and Eijirou gets an arm snaked up and around Izuku's waist. The blanket gets spread over their bodies, careful of the laptop.
"I didn't know you were a Crimson Riot fan."
Eijirou laughs again. "Yeah, I've got all the comic books and a small Crimson shrine going. You're an All Might fan?"
"Did Kacchan tell you that?"
"Yep. He calls you a nerd, hero geek, and dork pretty regularly." Eijirou nods. "Nothing wrong with that either. He's just as big of a nerd, he just doesn't show it."
Izuku hums against his neck. Eijirou scrolls through the downloaded episodes list, clicking on the Manliest Mission episode where All-Might and Crimson Riot team up. As the episode title plays with All-Might at center screen, Izuku gasps excitedly against him. The blanket gets pulled up their bodies, and a warm palm lays flat against Eijirou's chest. He pushes the recliner back a little more to give them room to stretch out. His own hand settles gently on the soft pudge at Izuku's hip.
They watch the episode together. Izuku will rub his dull nails into idle circles against his chest from time to time. Eijirou will squeeze his hip, and drag his thumb up and down his waist over his borrowed tishirt in return.
How he managed to survive so long without this, without meeting this beautiful green eyed man, is a mystery. Maybe it was sheer will, but it'll take an act of God to pry Izuku from his arms. Unless Izuku wishes to leave, Eijriou will risk it all to keep this new found warmth. He'll be Izuku's rock, his pillar, his keeper. And Izuku will be his shining star on a moonless night, unknowingly guiding him out of the darkness and into the light again.
Before he realizes it, the credits roll. The next episode button pops on the lower left part of the screen.
"Eijriou?" Izuku whispers.
"Yeah?"
"Did......" Izuku stiffens slightly against him, then takes a slow unsteady breath. Eijriou waits patiently with a thundering heart. "Did you mean all of the things you said today?"
"Uh-" Eijirou starts. Unsure, nervous, panicked, maybe even a little scared. "What things, exactly? Just to make sure we're....talking about the same things."
No, yeah. Definitely a little scared.
"At the airport, on the drive here, and before I showered? The-The things you...you said about me?" Izuku asks quietly, still pressed stiff against his side with his head tucked into his neck.
'-best smooches of my life!'
'-10/10, would do it again.'
'-they don't compare to your beautiful face!'
'Izuku, love of my life, will you marry me?'
'-I'm happy you're here, I'm happy I met you-"
Well.........shit.
Eijriou swallows the anxiety, wishing he had some confidence to wash it down.
"What if I did?"
"Then....I'd say I meant all the things that I said too." Izuku whispers back.
.....Oh?
"And if I didn't?" Eijirou asks, tilting his head down to nose into green curls.
"Then I'll have to leave the country again and get a fake identity, probably die of shame." Izuku bashfully mumbles into his chest.
Eijriou's laugh is relieved, but still thick with nerves. "Not gonna happen. Not on my watch, babe."
Izuku rears back a few inches to peak up at him. A heavy blush goes from his cheekbones to his ears.
"So......you meant it? All of it?"
"Yep."
"You're sure?"
"Positive."
Izuku's adorably teasing smile is back. He props himself up with an elbow on Eijirou's shoulder, a glint in his eyes. "Cause I don't think you actually got the dog Christmas presents, or even watered the plants."
"Ahh." Eijirou laughs, faking guilt. "You got me there. But it's on my to-do list, I swear."
Izuku laughs too, head flung back with a smile full of teeth and genuine happiness. The recliner jostles from the force of two grown men in the midst of a hysterical laughing fit.
After a full minute of winded wheezes and gasping between teary giggles, they're left breathing heavily inches from eachother's lips.
"You gave my kisses a ten out of ten rating." Izuku says just above a whisper.
"I did." Eijirou nods with his hand still planted on Izuku's hip, fingers gently digging into the plush skin.
"You said you'd do it again?"
"And I meant it." He confirms.
"Do you...um, w-would you maybe want to-" Izuku starts, but Eijirou takes the question from those soft lips with his own. His kiss is firm, with no room left for doubt.
Izuku squeaks in surprise at first, but then arms hastily wrap around his shoulders to pull him closer. Eijirou groans when fingers get a deft handful of his hair and tug gently.
He slides the laptop off his lap and onto the floor with one hand, then moves to wrap his arms fully around a soft waist. Izuku smiles against his mouth, and a pink tongue tickles his bottom lip. With a needy sigh, Eijirou shamelessly licks into him, over teeth and tasting his tongue with his own.
Eijirou doesn't hesitate in feeling over Izuku's clothed sides. Touching and caressing what he can, making up for time lost over the months, even years, that they could have had this, could have had eachother. Even through fabric and cotton, the heat of freckled skin sends tingles into his fingertips and palms. Izuku shivers when he gets a good squeeze of a plush hip again.
"Ei-Eijriou..." Izuku pants into his mouth. Both of them kissing, sucking, and nibbling fervently. Heat spreads through Eijirou's body and need swirls in his gut, hot and demanding.
Izuku swings a leg up, laying a burning inner thigh across his hips. Eijirou is five seconds away from flipping their spots and pinning Izuku to the chair cushions.
"This is all you, baby. Whatever you want, you can have it." He softly growls before staggering damp kisses against a flushed freckled throat.
Izuku's head dips back with a shaky moan to provide him more space to lick and bite at the skin. Though one hand stays tangled into his hair, five blunt fingernails dig, grapple, and scratch into his shoulder in a wordless plea for more.
Who is he to say no? Who would deny this decadent green-eyed angel of what he wants? A complete and total fool, that's who.
And Eijirou is certainly no fool.
The thigh over his hips shifts, and Izuku's weight grows heavier against his side. Eijirou gets him halfway pulled onto his lap, when Izuku damn near vaults out of his arms and through the ceiling at the loud angry voice accompanied with bangs and thuds from the far left wall of the living room.
Eijirou groans quietly. "Katsuki's home. I give it two minutes tops, before he kicks in my front door."
Izuku flops back in his innocent enough (now permanently assigned) place tucked cozy against his side. He holds Eijirou's whole arm hostage with his own, which is totally fine. Eijirou didn't need that one anyways. Hell, Izuku can have both of his arms and legs. He'll manage without somehow. The guy already has his heart, so what's a few more lost limbs gonna do?
"Kacchan, you cockblock." Izuku mumbles under his breath with a pout.
Eijirou snorts with a smirk. "Aw, poor baby. We will have plenty of other chances, don't worry." He teases, squeezing Izuku's hand underneath their shared blanket. Izuku sticks his tongue out at him once in retaliation. "I'm guessing you'll be moving in with your mom for a while?"
"Um.....actually, Kacchan and Shouto said I could rent out their spare bedroom until I find a place? I'd live with my mom, but her house is a forty-five minute train ride from the hospital I'll be working at. It's only a fifteen minute walk from here, though."
"So you'll be right next door?" Eijirou perks up even more. Izuku nods just as excitedly.
"This is the best day of my life." Eijirou half murmurs, getting a wild laugh out of Izuku.
"You say that now, but just wait until I sneak over here every chance I get."
Eijirou grins like a maniac. "Open door policy, babe. Literally anytime, doesn't even matter if I'm working or if it's the middle of the night."
"Don't give me that kind of power. I will, without a doubt, abuse it." Izuku warns with slanted brows.
Eijirou takes that warning as a promise. "I'd prefer it if you did, actually."
And just as they predicted, Eijirou's front door gets unlocked with the spare key Katsuki keeps in his unnaturally organized junk drawer, then kicked open.
"Shitty Hair, what the fuck!" Katsuki shouts before the door even slams behind him. "How-in the holiest of shits-did your brick house ass, end up finding Deku at the airport? How the hell did that happen?"
"Kacchan, don't talk to my fiancé that way!" Izuku snaps with a playful pout.
Katsuki stops mid-step (still dressed in his EMT uniform) between the living space and kitchen with the strangest, most horrifyingly confused expression.
Eijirou holds in laughter with every drop of restraint in his body. He holds a sternish tone, though his smile betrays him. "Yeah, man. Don't talk to his fiancé that way."
Katsuki's hands go up instantly with a shake of his head. "What.....what the fuck- fiancé?"
"Yeah, bro! You're definitely gonna be my best man, by the way!" Eijirou beams.
"Shouto can be my maid of honor! Wait, can I wear a white dress? WAIT NO-I'm gonna wear like a satin white pantsuit! With bell cinched sleeves, and a white flower crown!"
"You're gonna break everyone's neck when you come down the aisle, babe." Eijirou coos back.
"Can we use the Kingdom Heart's soundtrack as our wedding playlist?" Izuku asks in return.
"Only if you walk down the aisle to Dearly Beloved, and our first dance is the slowed version of Sanctuary."
"That's perfect!" Eijirou is rewarded with an enthusiastic kiss to the cheek. Izuku smiles while making grabby hands for his laptop on the floor, which immediately gets handed to him.
"What the fuck did I just walk into?" Katsuki shakes his head again while blinking slow and methodical, as if trying to wake himself up from a dream, or maybe what Katsuki might think is a nightmare, Eijirou assumes.
"Kacchan? Is uncle Masaru still a registered officiant?" Izuku asks, typing away at something Eijirou doesn't bother to check.
"I need to sit down." Katsuki grumbles, yanking out a barstool and flopping onto it with his face in his hands.
"I didn't even consider that! Great idea, babe." Eijirou beams again, desperately hiding his muffled giggles into Izuku's curls.
The front door opens, since Katsuki didn't bother locking it behind him.
"Hello, pardon the intrusion."
"Hi, Sho-chan!"
"Come on in, Todo-bro!"
Shouto's socked feet come down the short entryway. "No one was home, and I heard voices, so I came here. Hello, Izuku. Welcome back. How was your flight and travels?"
Ah, Shouto. Always polite and courteous.
"Thanks! And uh....well, it wasn't good, like at all, until I got off my last flight. Eijirou picked me up and let me crash on his couch! I slept for hours."
"I didn't realize you two were friends, but I'm glad. I didn't check my phone until after school let out, so I apologize for not reading your messages and for missing your calls." Shouto crosses the room, not even questioning why Izuku was almost in Eijirou's lap, and leans down to hug his friends and kiss Izuku's cheek.
"That's okay! Thankfully, I have the best fiancé in the world." Izuku giggles.
"I did not even realize you were engaged. I'm sorry for not being more involved in your personal life as one of your closest friends." Shouto barely winces. "I didn't even notice you were in a relationship."
Izuku shrugs. "I wasn't, until Eijirou proposed to me at the airport."
Is this still a game? Eijirou isn't all that sure anymore, but who is he to look a gift horse in the mouth?
"Ah, I see." Shouto nods with a tiny smile. "Congratulations." Not even questioning the scenario or the fact that they got 'engaged' during their first meeting. Shouto, the most obliviously supportive wingman.
"Would you be my best man/maid of honor, Sho-chan?" Izuku asks.
Shouto places a hand over his chest. "Yes, of course. It would be a privilege and an honor."
"For the love of GOD, someone explain what the fuck is happening before I lose my shit!" Katsuki snaps aggressively, slamming a fist onto the counter.
Izuku finally rolls fully into Eijirou's side in a fit of laughter more suited for a maniac. Eijirou spudders, wheezes, and gasps between cackles. They lose themselves in breathless silent open-mouthed laughs, all while Katsuki shouts profanities and threats. Shouto raises one brow and tilts his head.
"Okay, okay! Sorry, let me catch my breath first." Izuku wheezes, now turned towards their guests again.
They tell their tale of rapid romance to a flabbergasted angry blonde and his attentive patient two-toned haired boyfriend. Shouto nods along, asking questions at times. Katsuki swears and curses up, down, left, right, reverse, then cha-cha-slides into a fit of unintelligible growling.
As Eijirou finishes off the details of their day together, minus a steamy make-out session and heart-to-heart that he'd rather keep between him and Izuku, Katsuki's rage queals considerably. A pensive look, mixed with amusement and pride, settles his features.
"So......you were peer pressured, then harrased by some homophobic limp dicked bastard?"
"I don't think I would use that sort of description, but yes." Eijirou answers, getting a mumbled out 'I would' from Izuku.
"I am happy you two had eachother when we weren't available. Again, Izuku, I do apologize for not checking my phone earlier today. The students kept me quite busy, as Christmas break starts tomorrow." Shouto bows from his place at the counter.
"That's okay, Shouto. Everything worked out well in the end."
"Well I'm not fucking okay with it." Katsuki snaps. "You're a whole ass day earlier than you said you'd be, and the guest futon is still at the dry-cleaners."
"We do have the couch." Shouto points out.
"It's a shit couch, though. We're using our holiday bonuses to get a new living room suite next weekend." Katsuki reasons back. "As much as it pisses me off, I don't want the nerd sleeping on a ragged piece of shit after traveling for two days."
"Uh, guys?" Eijirou cuts in, clearing his throat. "I have a nice couch, and it's only for the night until you get to the dry-cleaners tomorrow."
Katsuki scowls with his arms crossed. "Is that good with you, Deku?"
"YES....I-I mean, yeah. Totally okay with me."
"Fan-fuckin'-tastic. Dinner will be ready in an hour." Katsuki stands up, and Eijirou doesn't miss how Shouto eyes the blonde like a piece of meat. "Let yourselves in and don't let the cat out, or I swear to God, I will fill your Christmas stockings with cat liter."
"Dinner will be in an hour and a half." Shouto corrects, rolling up the sleeves of his subtle black, red, and green argyle Christmas sweater.
"Hah?"
"You wore your uniform home." Shouto answers as his only explanation.
"The fuck? And? I didn't have time to change at the station because of dumbass number one and two over here." Katsuki hooks a thumb in Eijirou and Izuku's direction.
Shouto gives the blonde a look that just looks the same as all his other expressions to Eijirou, but Izuku stiffles a giggle behind his hand from it.
Katsuki coughs under his breath, cheekbones dusted red. "Hour and a half, don't be late." He half growls towards the recliner.
"Yes, sir!" Eijirou calls after him as Katsuki stalks back towards the front door. Shouto lingers for a half minute longer.
"Be like ten minutes late. He never wears his uniform home."
"We will make it fifteen, just to be safe." Izuku winks at Shouto, who just nods in thanks and leaves.
Izuku giggles, and Eijirou finally gets it.
"Rest in peace, Kats. You were a good bro and neighbor. Died during active dicking-down duty."
"Six feet deep? More like six inches." Izuku half wheezes, which somehow managed to get Eijirou hyperventilating and red faced on the floor.
Izuku rolls hard enough to one side of the recliner, that it flips entirely over. Izuku just pops up out of the mess still laughing, and Eijirou turns into a speechless open-mouthed clapping seal between gasps.
An hour and forty-five minutes later, and they're doing their damn best keeping themselves under control when Katsuki serves them dinner with a limp and Shouto has to sit on a pillowed chair at the table.
After hours of talking about anything and everything, Izuku and Eijirou bid their best friends goodnight.
Eijirou falls asleep on the couch with Izuku on his chest. Despite the cramped position, it's the best sleep of his life.
Katsuki gets the fresh scented futon picked up from the dry-cleaners, and Eijirou spends the next night alone in his bed.
Well, half the night. Because Izuku sends him a text at two in the morning, which prompts his bedroom door being creaked open and a warm body climbing underneath his sheets beside him.
Eijirou then wakes up for the second time with his face buried in green curls.
***
Christmas comes and goes, and Eijirou has decided it's his new favorite time of year.
Auntie Inko had wailed and cried, cooing unintelligible words while holding her weeping son. The surprise went wonderfully, to say the least. Auntie Inko was overjoyed at the news of Izuku moving home again, and cried even more when Izuku gave her a handmade crochet blanket that he made with spools of thick yarn from each new city he had worked in over the last year.
Izuku jokingly introduced Eijirou as his fiancé, and Eijirou got the most frightening shovel talk of his life from a woman who stood five feet tall, who then gifted him a hand-knit red sweater not even five minutes later. Eijirou gifted her a paint-by-numbers kit of a beautiful scenic farm, and a bottle of her favorite perfume. (That Izuku and Katsuki definitely helped him pick out.)
Auntie Mitsuki refused to answer him if he asked her a question or made small talk, unless he called her mom again. Which garnered howling laughter from everyone around them. Eijirou recieved a year long gifted membership for the aquarium from both of Katsuki's parent's. Auntie Mitsuki nudged his side and nodded in Izuku's direction pointedly. Eijirou then gave her his gift, a bottle of Kentucky Bourbon he had shipped a month ago, which she opened immediately and downed two glasses of. He gave Uncle Masaru the thrifted casserole dish that was missing from his extensive cookware collection. Katsuki was a little jealous that he found it first, but the grateful hug he received from the older man was worth almost wrestling Katsuki in public for.
With the gifted aquarium membership, it looks like that will be the theme of date number three.
Date number one was two days before, where he and Izuku brought a three-year old black labrador home to his apartment. Appropriately named Ozzy Pawsborne, as the dog barked and howled excitedly from the back seat, while Izuku screamed along to Crazy Train in the passenger seat on the way home. Eijirou fell in love with the sweet dog as soon as he saw him.
Katsuki and Shouto gave Eijirou a set of pristine empty picture frames, a vintage boxed set of superhero mugs, and six pairs of fuzzy cartoon printed socks. Eijirou heckin' loves socks, okay? He gave them a new set of ivory chopsticks and a box of high quality wood burned drink coasters.
Eijriou gave Izuku a pandora bracelet with three charms. A plane, a dog, and the letter 'K.'
Izuku.....sweet, beautiful, amazing Izuku, gave Eijirou a snowglobe.
Not just any snowglobe, but one from the airport gift shop. One that had a miniscule version of the airport, surrounded by tiny fake snow and glitter, and a little Santa Claus with his sled and team of reindeer on the roof. Eijirou had flipped it over when Izuku had asked him to, and he had to hold in the overwhleming emotions until he got back home.
See, Eijirou didn't know you could get engravings on the bottom of snowglobes. He didn't even know there was a market or shop for that at the airport, but Izuku did.
So his brand new slowglobe, which sits proudly at the center of his Crimson Riot shrine shelf, says- "You're my hero, and I'll never let you forget that. Thanks for picking me out of the crowd, for saving the day, and for being one of the best things to have ever happened to me." -Your Fiancé, Izuku.
Eijirou loves Izuku, with all of his heart. He's only known the man a week, but it feels like his heart has known him for years.
With the warmth that Izuku brought into his life, Eijirou now loves the holidays.
***
Somehow, they just don't talk about it. About them. Like .....at all. Things just happen, and they don't bring it up.
There has never really been a reason to.
Izuku moves his things out of storage and from his mom's house to Katsuki and Shouto's apartment. But it only takes three months, three months of Izuku sneaking in and out of his apartment in the middle of the night and early mornings with the spare key Eijirou gave him on New Year's eve, for most of Izuku's things to be piled around his apartment and on his shelves and counters. Eijirou came home from work one day, and found Izuku's full sized bed in the spare bedroom.
They still call it the spare room, because Izuku's room is also Eijirou's. Sometimes the spare room is the guest room for one of their friends, a visiting family member, or Shouto when Katsuki works late twenty-four hour shifts and doesn't want to sleep in their own bed alone.
That next week, Izuku had cheerfully given Eijirou half of his rent and utility money, then kissed his cheek and made them both dinner while serenading Ozzy all his favorite songs. Eijirou ran the errands that next morning, then dutifully went home before work to water the plants.
Which they have a lot of now. Izuku likes naming them, and Eijirou loves that he gives them silly names.
They even have potted mums right outside their front door, and gave Shouto and Katsuki matching ones for their third anniversary.
A month later, Izuku gets quarantined at the hospital during a serious influenza outbreak and deadly virus scare. Eijirou wasn't allowed to visit, but he still video called him twice a day. Izuku was miserable and wanted to go home more than anything.
Eijirou wanted him to come home more than anything. To their home, their bed, and their sweet cuddly dog.
They had talked briefly about their day and how Izuku's tests had all come back negative, but still needed to stay in the hospital quarantine ward for another week. Eijirou tried not to cry, but he couldn't stop himself when Izuku discreetly wiped his watery eyes.
"I love you so much." Eijirou had said it, and it was the honest truth.
Izuku sobbed, and cried, and said it back repeatedly.
One of the nurses on the same ward had been in the room. Izuku's favorite co-worker and close friend, had sweetly asked from somewhere behind the laptop, "aw, are you talking to your fiancé again?" Izuku had just tearfully nodded, then turned the laptop around so Ochako could wave at him in hello.
Right then, in that very moment....Eijirou knew.
He knew this wasn't a fun inside joke or game anymore, not to him at least, and he wanted Izuku to know that too. To know that he was serious about loving him, and only him, for the rest of their lives.
When Izuku had finally gotten to come home, a whole day earlier than expected, Katsuki drove to the hospital and picked him up while Eijirou took the rest of the day off and sped home.
He and Izuku had showered together, then snuggled on the recliner with take-out boxes from Fat Gum's on their laps and Ozzy curled up between their legs.
That night, Eijirou made love to him. They had done it before, and plenty of other things of the same nature, but never so.....so loving. With their hearts beating to eachother's, in gentle raw passion. The twisted titanium band Eijirou had given him months before, stayed around Izuku's neck on a chain necklace.
Eijirou knew, even more so than before.
Which is why he ends up dragging his best friend and his best friend's boyfriend with him to every jewelry store in their city a few weeks later.
And if Katsuki lingers around the pearl jewelry cases while Shouto is distracted, well that's certainly none of Eijirou's business.
***
One year flies by, and Eijirou wakes Izuku up with breakfest in bed before they head off to work.
"What's all this for?" Izuku asks sleepily, rubbing his eyes and fixing his dislodged oversized tshirt.
Eijirou shrugs. "It's an important day, babe. Gotta start it out right."
"The day of.....the Christmas party at Auntie's house?" Izuku asks, oh so unaware.
Eijirou had to pull a few strings, but he managed to convince everyone to agree to having their annual family holiday party a few days earlier.
"Yes, but....also-" He plops a bouquet of bright wildflowers onto Izuku's lap. "Happy Anniversary, babe."
Izuku giggles under his breath. "I knew you wouldn't forget."
Though the sun hadn't risen just yet, Eijirou didn't need it to feel sun-kissed warmth against his skin. Not with Izuku happily munching on pancakes and feeding him bites between his own with the same fork.
All his warmth is right here, in their bed, at five-thirty in the morning, feeding Ozzy leftover sausages and pausing to smell the beautiful flowers in his lap.
That evening, surrounded by their closest friends and present family, Eijirou waits to give Izuku his gift last.
Ochako is there, in charge of filming from the corner of the room. Katsuki has his phone out to get pictures. Shouto is sat by the fireplace with a box of tissues ready to be distributed. Between himself, Izuku, and Auntie Inko, they'll need it.
Uncle Masaru and Auntie Mitsuki hold hands on the couch and watch with fondness in their eyes. Auntie Inko has a death grip on Katsuki's arm.
No jokes, no spite fueled retaliation, no giggling girls or old luxurious women to peer pressure them.
Just them, their friends, and their family.
He hands Izuku a comically large wrapped box. The wrappings come undone to reveal a smaller box, then more wrapping paper, then another box, tissue paper, another box, horribly wrapped newspaper, and another box. Izuku laughs and gets exasperated each time, and Eijirou laughs with him.
The second to last box is opened, almost the size of a shoebox, and a final silver wrapped box sits inside. Izuku pulls it out, and pops it open to reveal-
"An empty ring box?" He asks, holding it in the palm of his hand. "Oh! Is it for this?" Izuku pulls the woven designed titanium band, still dangling from a chain, from under his shirt.
"Here, let me see it." Eijirou carefully pulls the necklace off, unclasping it to slide the band into his palm. He holds it up to Izuku with a smile.
"You can have this back the day of."
Izuku's head tilts with a frustrated pout. "Day of? Day of what?"
Eijirou is nervous, but he's gotten down on one knee for Izuku before, so this is practically old hat to him.
He pulls a ring from his pocket, slides easily onto one knee, and holds it up so that the Christmas tree lights sparkle against it.
"The day of our wedding." Eijirou answers, and Izuku's eyes sparkle even more so than the ring in his hand or the twinkling lights behind them.
"Oh, oh my god." Izuku's hold on the empty ring box trembles. "E-Eijirou?"
"Ah....you're gonna make me say it?" He chuckles lightly. Izuku smiles at him, all teary-eyed and sweet.
"I'm not gonna give you an answer unless you do."
"You're the love of my life, Izuku. Will you marry me?" He holds the ring up higher between them, and Izuku sobs.
He nods, taking a shaky breath. His voice comes out in a choked up whisper.
"Yes."
The shrieks and joyful cries around them this time aren't from bystanders or hovering strangers, but loved ones.
And Eijirou has never felt more loved than when he slides the diamond ring he had been hiding in an old shoebox at the back of his closet, onto fiancé's ring finger.
For once, Eijirou is grateful for his now fleeting depression.
Because it brought him down enough to bask in the airport's love anomaly on a cold December day, and find a piece of that anomaly for his own.
Sounds crazy, but it worked.
End.