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Izuku grumbles as he trails Katsuki through the tree yard, the chill air seeping through his coat and causing him to shiver. He buries his nose in his scarf and glances up at the blonde trudging along before him, peering around at the different prospects for Christmas trees.
“Kacchan, we could just get an artificial tree. It’d be easier to care for, and probably cheaper. We wouldn’t have to do this every year, and it’s a hassle to get it into the apartment anyway…”
“Absolutely fucking not, Deku. I won’t settle for some fake knock-off when we can get the real thing. Now stop your damn complaining and help me find a good one.”
Izuku sighs but gazes around at the different trees. This would be their second Christmas since moving in with one another, but even back in the UA dorms, Katsuki always insisted on getting a real Christmas Tree. He’s so adamant about it that he went so far as to nearly destroy Momo’s that’d she’d created herself in their second year as a means to save funds and hassle. Despite their classmates’ attempts to persuade him, Katsuki had gone out and returned with a real tree the very next evening, complete with decorations and lights. Izuku can’t help but chuckle softly at the memory of the blonde nearly pummeling him after he’d called him petty when Katsuki deliberately placed his tree directly in front of Momo’s.
As he’s reminiscing, a tall, dark green figure catches his attention . Izuku’s eyes widen and he takes off toward the tree near the end of the row and to their left. He slows as he draws nearer, taking a peek at the yellow tag giving the plant’s height, weight, and width. He then circles the tree, looking it up and down and caressing the branches, occasionally giving a few of them a soft shake. A grin spreads across his face when the needles remain in place. “Kacchan! Come look at this one!”
As Katsuki approaches, Izuku starts rambling off the assets of the tree. “It’s the perfect height, just tall enough to put in the apartment and still have a topper. It’s wide, but not too wide, so it should fit perfectly in the corner of the living room, and the color is great! There’s hardly any dry or dead needles!”
His roommate does his own inspection, gaze intense as it flicks over the tree. A smirk forms on Katsuki’s lips as he returns to stand beside him. The blonde's hand ruffles Izuku’s curls in a manner that has the smaller man’s heart racing and his cheeks heating up.
“Looks like you’re not completely hopeless after all, Deku.”
______________
Getting the tree into their apartment was a huge hassle. Izuku had carried it to their building, and Katsuki made a spectacle when trying to maneuver it up the stairs and into the door without losing any branches. But, at long last, it was now standing tall in the corner of their living area, right in front of the window.
Katsuki sets two steaming mugs of hot chocolate onto the coffee table as Izuku gathers the boxes of lights and decorations from the storage closet. Once the freckled man retrieves them all, Katsuki opens the ones with the lights and tinsel, sorting and unravelling each string carefully before plugging them in to ensure that all the bulbs still work. He makes a face when he discovers they do. “I still can’t believe you wanted these brightly colored lights, Deku. The white ones look so much better.”
“Kacchan, the colored lights are much more fun and pleasing to look at! The bright white ones are boring. I don’t understand why you like them. Are you sure you’re not colorblind?” Izuku jokes, laughing as he ducks to avoid a stuffed santa thrown at his head.
As the blonde begins to wrap Izuku’s choice of lights around the tree, the greenette opens his laptop to play his Christmas playlist, starting with Greensleeves. Izuku hums along as he places the tinsel around their mantel and taller shelves. A grin tugs at his lips when he hears Katsuki start to hum along.
Once the lights are in place, Katsuki reaches for the remaining tinsel. Before he's able o grab it, Izuku’s hand shoots out, gripping his wrist to stop him. “Wait, Kacchan! I made something to use in place of the tinsel this year! Hold on just a moment!” With that, Izuku dashes off to his bedroom. Katsuki quirks an eyebrow, wondering what the hell his roommate could be talking about.
“Better not be some stupid nerdy shit…” he grumbles softly. Though, if he’ being honest, he probably won’t care as long as it doesn’t clash too much.Or unless it’s All Might themed. That’d be alright.
Izuku returns a few moments later holding a long chain of origami cranes strung together. Each has a unique color and pattern of paper, and some even have words such as ‘life’, ‘happiness’, ‘health’, ‘hope’, and ‘victory’ written in Izuku’s handwriting. He gazes up at Katsuki with a soft smile. “I’ve been folding them since last Christmas. There’s exactly a thousand of them, like in the old folktale! I thought it’d be a really neat and meaningful addition to the tree… we could even try making a wish, Kacchan!”
“I take it back. You are completely hopeless,” Katsuki remarks with a roll of his eyes, but Izuku notices how his expression softens. He likes it, no matter how he acts otherwise. This knowledge causes Izuku’s heart to flutter and he reaches for Katsuki’s wrist again, leading him back over to the tree.
“Come on, Kacchan! If we hang it up together, then we can both make a wish!”
Katsuki scoffs but helps Izuku lace it around their Christmas tree. Once finished, they step back to admire their work. The freckled boy claps his hands together and bows his head, muttering softly. He thinks for several moments, debating which wish he wants to make. Should I wish to become a better hero? Hmm, maybe not. I plan to do that anyway. What about mom? I could wish for her health! But she seems to be less stressed now than she used to be. Or maybe… I should wish for Kacchan?
“Oi, shitnerd, your wish won’t come true if you blabber it to the entire world!”
Izuku startles slightly and gives a hasty nod. “R-right! Umm…ok, I’ve got it!” He closes his eyes once more, a smile crossing his face as he silently makes his wish. Once done, he straightens up, and together they go to finish decorating the tree.
Their ornaments are a combination of different colored bulb ornaments as well as personalized ones. There are some from places they’ve visited, several All Might ones, and even a handful of ornaments they’d made as children. Izuku’s personal favorite is a picture of Katsuki’s five-year-old disgruntled baby face glued onto the head of a red-nosed reindeer. He enjoys how an embarrassed blush will coat the blonde’s cheeks whenever his mother or friends comment on it. Izuku has a similar one, but his is glued onto a snowman. He also looks significantly happier.
They go about attaching hooks and beginning to hang the ornaments from the branches of the tree. Katsuki picks up a clear bulb ornament that is filled halfway with sand and mixed with tiny particles of metal. He raises an eyebrow and looks to Izuku, who’s currently hanging up a vintage All Might ornament figurine.
“The fuck is this supposed to be, nerd? Is it sand from the damn sandbox from that old playground or something?” Katsuki wouldn’t be surprised. Izuku could be extremely sentimental so getting sand from the place they'd played as kids wouldn't be beyond him.
The freckled man turns to look at the ornament Katsuki is referring to. His face flushes slightly and he shifts his weight, seemingly embarrassed. “Oh, no. It’s sand from Dagobah beach. It’s… it’s where All Might gave me One for All.” He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “I know it looks really tacky, but it’s special to me…”
Katsuki was learning that most of Izuku’s ornaments held stories of their own. Each was special in its own way, and he’d made most of them himself. It had become a tradition for him to make at least one each year. For example, in their final year of high school he pasted together seashells from a class trip to the beach, last year he repurposed the medals from their wins at the sports festival, and this year he stuck a small print photo taken during their first joint mission into a glittery star-shaped ornament.
Izuku shuffles over to take the ornament from Katsuki, their fingers brushing as he does. Warmth blooms in his fingertips and spreads through his entire body. He chances a glance up at the blonde’s face, searching for any sort of reaction. He’s surprised to see the slightest tint of pink on Katsuki’s cheeks.
Is...is Kacchan blushing? Did he feel something too?
Izuku isn’t able to linger any longer on the thought before Katsuki turns and shoves a box of ornaments at him. “Get to it, shitty nerd.”
They continue to decorate the tree together, Izuku singing and dancing along to the Christmas tunes as they play. He’s not the best at either activity, and he catches a smirk on Katsuki’s face as he watches the greenette stumble over his own two feet more than once. But Izuku gets his revenge when he finds the snowman ornament Katsuki had made in kindergarten. Well, it was supposed to be a snowman.
“Kacchan, his arms are on the wrong section! They don’t go on the bottom! And the carrot nose! You put it on backwards! You’re also atrocious at symmetrical eyes. I thought you were amazing at everything Kacchan.” Izuku gives him a smug look, dangling the hodgepodge snowman in front of him.
“Hah?! That’s where the instructions said to put those damn arms!”
“No, you blew up the instructions the second the teacher gave them to you! You'd think you would know what a snowman looks like if you were going to do that!” At the mention of this, Katsuki’s eyes narrow. He has quite a resemblance to an angry Pomeranian, which has Izuku laughing so hard that tears are leaking from his eyes.
Their back and forth banter continues as they finish hanging the ornaments. Once done, Izuku rummages in the boxes to find the star to place on top. He manages to locate it and steps over to put it on. However, much to his dismay, he falls just short of being able to reach, even on his tiptoes. He’s about to give up and ask Katsuki for help when he feels a hand come to rest gently on his left hip and a warm body press up against his back. Katsuki’s face appears over his shoulder, his hand plucking the star from Izuku’s and securing it on the topmost part of the tree. Once satisfied with the placement, the blonde’s gaze lowers, crimson eyes boring into emerald. To anyone else, it might seem that Katsuki is glaring at Izuku. But the freckled man notes that this look is softer than his usual ones, however subtle. Katsuki’s thumb brushes down over his hip, causing Izuku’s breath to hitch as a tiny shudder passes through him. A smirk tugs at his roommate’s lips and Katsuki opens his mouth to speak, but before he can get a word out, his cell phone rings.
The reaction is nearly instantaneous. Before Izuku can even blink, Katsuki is across the room, giving an annoyed greeting to Kaminari on the other end. Izuku stares after him, completely baffled and unsure how to process what just happened. His fingertips subconsciously ghost over his hip. What was that just now? Why did Kacchan just… stare at me like that? I’ve never seen him look like that before. Almost like he…
Izuku cuts himself off. He doesn’t know if he’s ready to go down that particular rabbit trail at the moment. He’d be lying if he said he hasn’t thought of Katsuki romantically before, but those thoughts scared him. He's fairly comfortable with his own sexuality, but there is just no way the blonde would like him like that. They have a rocky history, and while their relationship has definitely improved, it is far from ideal. So, Izuku has just shoved down the feelings and thoughts each time they surface in an attempt to drown them out. They would fade eventually, right? But is that truly what he wants?
He isn't sure anymore.
___________________
Izuku smirks as he wins yet another game of Trivial Pursuit: Hero Edition against Katsuki, Kirishima, Iida, Shinsou, and Uraraka. Katsuki in particular is furious, having boasted beforehand that he’s more knowledgeable about heroes than Izuku.
“Sorry, Kacchan, but if you want to be number one you have to actually know a hero’s name, and not just their quirk,” Izuku goads. Katsuki is up in an instant, one foot slammed onto the top of the kotatsu they were seated at and palms out to either side, glaring at his roommate.
“You wanna fucking go, Deku?! I’ll pummel your scrawny ass into the frozen ground and show you who’s number one!”
The commotion catches the attention of Kaminari, Sero, Ashido, and Todoroki, who are playing their own game of cards at the dining table. Kaminari and Ashido whoop and holler excitedly in their tipsy state.
“My bet is on Midoriya!!!”
“Yeah, Midoriya’s gonna kick your ass, Bakugou! Just like last time!”
“You fucking traitors!! Come here and say that to my face!!” Katsuki growls, his attention turning from Izuku to the group practically wheezing in laughter as they to tease him.
It’s Christmas Eve, and Izuku and Katsuki had agreed to host the Christmas Eve party this year. They’d invited all their classmates from UA, however only a handful of them hand shown up. The others were either working, out of town, or had previous plans. Only the Bakusquad, as Kirishima called it, and Izuku’s closest friends have made it out to celebrate. It’s been quite a lively night. Kirishima brought some wine and drink mixers, Mina has noisemakers and santa hats that she's making everyone wear, and Kaminari brought a polaroid camera and some bundles of mistletoe that he’s strung up in different areas of the apartment. Katsuki gave him shit for it, claiming he was too damn desperate, but the electric blonde only grinned and raised one above their heads, giving Katsuki a teasing peck on the cheek with a verbalized ‘muah!’. The results were as to be expected, and it was a miracle he’d managed to evade Katsuki’s right hook.
Izuku watches them. He’s envious of the way they’re able to interact with and tease Katsuki so openly and comfortably, without fear of how he’s going to react. His grip unconsciously tightens around his teacup as he observes. Why am I not able to interact with Kacchan like that? Even if he’s shouting at them, I can tell he’s not truly angry with them. When I tease him though, it’s different… he looks at me differently, almost like he’s conflicted… I don’t know if I like it. I want him to be comfortable with me too...
He’s startled from his thoughts by a tap on shoulder and turns to find Uraraka giving him a worried look. “Are you alright, Deku-kun? You looked kind of sad…”
He plasters a smile onto his face and waves his hands in front of him. “Oh, n-no, Uraraka-san, I’m all right!”
She gives him a sympathetic look and clears her throat, turning to the others. “Ok, well, shall we get started with our gift exchange?”
“Ooo, yeah!!” Kaminari exclaims as he parkours over their couch excitedly, barely evading Bakugou’s outstretched hand.
“Dammit, Pikachu, you’ll ruin the furniture!!”
The others gather around in a circle with their gifts they’d gotten each other for a Secret Santa exchange. “I’ll go first,” Izuku offers, standing and making his way toward Kirishima. He hands his friend a bright red gift bag. “I’m your secret Santa this year, Kirishima! I hope you like it!”
Kirishima dons a toothy grin and he digs into the contents of the bag, pulling out a box that contains a vintage Crimson Riot figurine complete with a collectable card. His eyes widen and he looks up at Izuku with watery eyes. “Bro, thank you so much!! Where did you find this?! I’ve been looking for years !”
Izuku smiles and shrugs. “I’m used to having to hunt down the ones of All Might, so I know where to look.”
“Midoriya, that sounds so shady,” Ashido responds. They’re all a little surprised when Izuku’s only response is another shrug.
“My lips are sealed.”
“Well, thanks Midoriya!! I love it!” Kirishima stands to give Izuku a firm hug before picking up his own wrapped gift and giving it to Todoroki. “Sorry if it’s a little lame, Todoroki. I’m not good at creative gifts…”
Todoroki only shrugs as he opens the small wrapped package, pulling out a gift card. Kirishima grins. “It’s for your favorite Soba restaurant. I know you frequent there often, especially for lunch or dinner when you’re on patrol.”
The two-toned boy gives Kirishima a smile in return. “Thank you, I’ll put it to good use.”
They continue to exchange their gifts. As they take their turns, Izuku can’t help but notice that Katsuki is fidgeting with the corner of his wrapped gift. Was he nervous? But why? Who did Katsuki have? What did he get them? Izuku watches, attempting to figure out why Katsuki is acting so out of character. It isn’t until after Katsuki opens his gift from Ashido, which is a new skillet and apron, and then stands does Izuku get his answer. The blonde is headed straight for him. Izuku’s heart jumps to his throat and he stares at his roommate with wide eyes. Katsuki shoves the gift into his hands before returning to his seat with a huff, refusing to meet the freckled man’s gaze. Izuku swallows nervously and starts to unwrap it. He’s stunned when he pulls out a brand new notebook, just the ones he’s written in since elementary school to document heroes. He stares at it for several seconds, eyes filling with tears. He hugs it to himself with a delighted smile and wipes his eyes with his sleeve.
“Thank you, Kacchan. I love it.”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s to replace your old one that I ruined… so quit your blubbering you damn nerd…”
Everyone in the room but Izuku notices how the tips of Katsuki’s ears turn bright red as he grumbles. Kaminari grins devilishly and jabs Kirishima with his elbow. They both nod at each other.
“Is that all you got him, Katsuki? Just a notebook? Does it have a love note written in it somewhere?”
Izuku flushes, his body tensing up as Kaminari’s words register. Oh god, was there a love note or something written in it?? He hastily flips through the notebook, looking for any written on or messed up pages. What if there is one?? What will I do? Would it really be a love note? Izuku finds himself hoping that maybe, just maybe, there will be something. His behavior only seems to encourage the others.
“Aww, look Bakubro! He’s so excited at the idea that you wrote him something sweet! I hope you didn’t let him down.” Kirishima teases.
“Shut up, Shitty Hair,” Katsuki responds, though his voice is uncharacteristically quiet.
Izuku reaches the end of the notebook to find that nothing has been written. His lips twist into a melancholy smile. He shouldn’t have gotten his hopes up. There’s no way Katsuki thinks of him like that. He takes a deep breath and lifts his head to look at the blonde.
“Um, well, thank you, Kacchan. I appreciate it a lot! I was just starting to run out of room in my other one, so this is perfect!” Something flickers in Katsuki’s gaze when he looks at him. It’s similar to the look he’d given him that day they’d decorated the tree, but Izuku writes it off. He doesn’t want to get his hopes up again. They never talked about what happened during the tree decorating incident or what it meant, and Izuku didn’t feel like pushing the subject and risking the relationship they’d worked so hard to rebuild.
“No problem, Deku.” Katsuki’s voice sounds slightly strained but he clears his throat and stands, excusing himself to get more hot chocolate. Izuku watches him go.
Ashido suggests they play truth or dare. No one has any objections, so they settle back into their circle. Shinsou, however, moves from his spot by Izuku’s side to sit in the space beside Kaminari that Katsuki left behind. When the blonde returns, he glares at the purple haired man, but takes the open spot beside Izuku without any fuss. The greenette can’t help but smile at their proximity.
The game starts innocently enough, asking fairly easy questions like “what’s your favorite breed of dog” and simple dares such as “lick your foot.”
But of course it doesn’t stay that way.
When Izuku’s turn comes around for the third time, he picks truth. Uraraka raises her hand.
“Do you have a crush on anyone?”
Izuku nearly spits out the green tea he’s sipping and completely misses the way Katsuki’s body tenses. He sputters, searching for words. “W-what?! Why would you a-ask that?!”
Uraraka smiles innocently, as if she doesn’t already know the answer to what she’s just asked. “It’s a game, Deku-kun! You have to answer honestly!”
The freckled man heaves a sigh, giving a small nod. “Fine. Yes, I… I have a crush.”
A chorus of “Ooohs” echoes around the circle. Ashido leans in closely. “Who is it, Midoriya?!”
Izuku shakes his head. He’s answered the question, and from now on he’ll just have to do whatever dare they throw at him, because he’ll be corned if he picks truth again.
Katsuki is next, and just like with every other turn, he chooses to do a dare. Sero dares him to down a shot of hot sauce, which of course he does like a champ. It’s Katsuki, after all. He could probably eat a ghost pepper and be perfectly fine.
Two more rounds pass and Izuku has just completed his second dare, which was to twerk for a minute. He hated the idea, but he had to protect his secret, so he made a fool out of himself for a whole 60 seconds. Even Iida had been howling with laughter.
Everyone’s attention turns to Katsuki. Unsurprisingly, he chooses dare. Everyone in the circle except Izuku and Katsuki share a knowing, mischievous look. Kaminari snorts with laughter and Uraraka is grinning like a weasel as she looks somewhere above them. Izuku frowns, turning to follow her gaze, and freezes. His heart starts beating rapidly as he recognizes the plant held up by Ashido directly above himself and Katsuki.
It's mistletoe.
The fiery blonde next to him sends them all a dirty look, one that promises retribution later. Izuku shifts his gaze to Katsuki, his emerald eyes wide and fingers fidgeting with his sweater. When he finally turns to face the greenette, Katsuki’s eyes soften just a fraction and he sighs. His arm slips around Izuku’s waist and pulls him in. His gaze rests on Izuku's for just a moment before he leans forward, locking their lips firmly. The freckled man expects him to pull away after a second, but Katsuki lingers, working his lips softly over Izuku’s. The smaller man gradually relaxes into it and kisses back, his hand weaving through blonde locks as Katsuki’s secures his grip around Izuku’s waist.
They’re interrupted by a flash of light and a number of catcalls and whistles. Katsuki breaks first, pulling back to flip the bird to the others, but not releasing his hold on his roommate. Izuku is ok with that, but he’s still somewhat confused. Was that all just for the dare? Or was there some truth behind it? He swallows nervously, almost afraid to know the answer. But Izuku decides to take a risk and rests his head on the blonde’s shoulder. Katsuki’s response is to hold him more securely to himself, causing Izuku's heart to flutter.
They declare one final round, and when it's his turn, Izuku relents. He chooses truth. Iida smiles gently. “Midoriya, is your crush Bakugou?”
He doesn't hesitate. “Yes. I… I like Kacchan.”
Izuku feels Katsuki’s muscles relax a bit and wonders if he’d been nervous about the answer. The others all share a knowing grin and look to Katsuki. He answers before they can even ask him truth or dare.
“Truth, since I know you fucks are will just dare me to tell you anyway.”
“Do you like Midoriya, Bakugou?” Todoroki inquires, his gaze intense as he searches the blonde’s face for any hint of hesitation.
“Would I fucking kiss him like that if I didn’t? Yes, I like Deku. Now fuck off.” Despite his words, a soft blush coats his cheeks. Izuku smiles happily, shifting closer to the blonde. The others seem to be satisfied, grinning and high fiving each other. A few bills are passed between Mina and Iida, the former grinning victoriously.
They remain in the circle for a while longer, exchanging work stories, life events, and the occasional joke. At some point, Izuku laces his fingers with Katsuki’s, gently holding the blonde’s hand. A soft kiss is pressed to the top of his head in response, bringing a content smile to his face. He could honestly stay like this forever.
_____________________
Once the others have said their goodbyes and left, Izuku and Katsuki set about cleaning their apartment. The music is still playing on the radio and the freckled boy is humming happily along to the tune of Santa baby. He casts frequent glances at his partner, still unable to believe that Katsuki liked him as well.
Their cleaning doesn’t take long. Their friends had, for the most part, picked up after themselves. They’re in the kitchen finishing with the last few plates when Katsuki stops to dry his hands.
“I know tomorrow is Christmas, but do you want to open gifts tonight?”
Izuku looks at him with surprise. “Tonight? Well, yeah, we can. But… are you going somewhere tomorrow?”
Katsuki scoffs. “Tch, no. But we’ve already done the exchange so might as well get it out the way and sleep in tomorrow. I sure as hell don’t want you jumping on my bed at 7am to open ‘em.”
“It was one time, and we were six!” Izuku exclaims.
“You were always awake before anyone else and would wait down by the tree when we were in school! Don’t even try to deny it, shitnerd!”
“Then why were you never far behind? You always showed up five minutes after I’d made it down!”
Katsuki falls quiet for a moment, as if deciding how to answer. Izuku’s expression softens as realization dawns on him. “You… you wanted to spend that time with me? Kacchan, did you like me back then?”
“Shut the fuck up, Deku. It just sounds embarrassing when you say it. Nobody else was awake and I wanted to make sure you didn’t cheat by opening your presents early.”
“Well, thank you, Kacchan. I always liked it when you came to sit with me on Christmas morning,” Izuku confessed, leaning up to give Katsuki a small peck on the cheek. His favorite thing was quickly becoming the endearing pink tint that would paint Katsuki's face and ears whenever he said or did something to surprise the blonde.
They finish up the dishes before moving to sit beside the Christmas tree, where their gifts for each other are wrapped and sorted in piles. Izuku moves to get the stockings, handing Katsuki his and watching as the blonde starts to pull out the gifts. He pulls out a bag of spicy chips, some small chocolates, a woven black and orange bracelet, and-
“What the hell is this, Deku?! The 'Weener Kleener’?! What the fuck you trying to say, huh?”
“No, Kacchan!!! It's really useful!!! It makes washing so much easier, I promise!!! I got one too!” Izuku flails his hands, trying to explain the perks. “You just have to fit it around and twist it as you go-”
“Shut the hell up, you damn weirdo! I'm perfectly capable of washing my own damn dick,” Katsuki growls, but adds it to the pile of presents anyway. Izuku smirks.
“All right, I guess it's my turn,” Izuku states, reaching for his stocking. “It's pretty heavy… what did you get me Kacchan?” He reaches into the stockings and grabs something cold and hard, pulling it out.
“Kacchan!! You seriously got me a lump of coal?!”
Katsuki smirks devilishly. “You deserve it, you damn nerd. Especially after what you gave me.”
Izuku debates throwing it at Katsuki, but instead just rolls his eyes and reaches for one of his presents. “Fine, but I get to open one first, you brat.”
“All right but… open the big one last, Katsuki grumbles softly. Izuku raises an eyebrow, wondering what the blonde could have gotten him. He tears into the small one he's holding and looks curiously down at it.
“Memory Jar…?”
“It was Roundface's idea. Basically, you just scribble down a happy or important memory onto a slip of paper and put it in the jar. Then, when you start crying or feeling lonely or some bullshit, you open it and read ‘em.”
Izuku is staring at Katsuki with surprise. “That's… so thoughtful, Kacchan. Thank you! Though… hah… most of my happiest memories involve you. I'm happiest when you're around, Kacchan.”
“Shut up, Deku. You're embarrassing,” Katsuki quietly scoffs, reaching for a gift of his own. He rips the paper and grins, holding up a bamboo cutting board.
“Now you don't have to leave knife dents in the counter, Kacchan.”
“Oi! That was one time, Deku!”
Izuku laughs and reaches for the second gift. When he sees what's hidden beneath the wrapping paper, he gasps and quickly tears the rest off. “The limited edition All Might Silver Age 68” figure?! In mint condition?! Kacchan how did you find it?! I've been searching for forever!!”
Katsuki grins victoriously. “I'm the best, aren't I? Even your stalker nerd skills pale in comparison to mine.”
“I doubt that, but thank you, Kacchan!!!”
As Katsuki reaches for another present, Izuku stops him. “W-wait! Open that last…”
The blonde raises an eyebrow but reaches for the other present instead. He grins when he opens it and sees what it is. “A cooling towel, huh? That'll actually pretty useful for workouts. Not bad Deku. You're making up for that other bullshit you got me. Alright, now open you last present. The big one.”
Izuku reaches to pull the present into his lap. “So this is your special gift, huh Kacchan?” His deft fingers remove the tape and slowly tear open the wrapping paper, shoving it aside. He looks down at the soft, green blanket that's left in his lap, a smile on face. Before he can thank him, Katsuki speaks up.
“Smell it.”
Izuku gives him a confused look, but does as he says, putting the blanket to his nose. The soft scent of pine and fresh rain with a hint of vanilla fills his nostrils. It's his favorite combination of scents.
“It's a weighted blanket with a heating and cooling feature depending on what you want. I had it infused with your favorite scents for an aromatherapuetic effect since you buy those candles all the time. It should help you sleep a little easier and help with your nightmares.”
Tears gather in Izuku's eyes as he gazes at Katsuki. The blonde clearly put so much thought into this gift, personalizing it and making it perfect to help Izuku to sleep. He's been struggling with nightmares since 3rd year, ever since All Might passed. He hugs the blanket closely to him. “Thank you so much, Kacchan! I love it! I really love it, and I'm sure it'll help a lot! But, uh, my gift isn't as great as this… it's um… it's a little embarrassing…”
Katsuki rolls his eyes and reaches for the last package, ripping it open. He removes a black knitted scarf with a repeating orange X pattern along it. Underneath the scarf are a matching pair of knitted black mittens with the same orange X across the backs of them. Izuku shifts somewhat nervously. “I, um, made them myself, so they’re not the best. I’ve never knitted or crocheted before, but Momo helped teach me. I know they’re not perfect but… I wanted to make you something. I hope it’s ok.” Katsuki’s fingers run along the soft yarn of each item, inspecting the handiwork and texture. He hasn’t said anything, which worries the freckled boy. “D-do you like them?”
A startled squeak slips past his lips when Katsuki grips the front of his shirt and pulls him into a kiss. Izuku melts into the touch, his eyelids fluttering closed as he kisses back. When they pull away, Katsuki wraps the scarf around his neck and puts the mittens on. “My boyfriend made these just for me. Of course I like them, you shitty nerd. So stop your worrying.”
Izuku stares at Katsuki, completely dumbfounded. “B-boyfriend? You mean… me?”
Katsuki looks slightly annoyed. “Yeah, I mean you. Why? Is that a problem?”
Izuku shakes his head vigorously. “N-no! Not at all! In fact it makes me happy! Really happy. Kacchan is my boyfriend! I… I almost can’t believe it. I didn’t think you’d like me like that…. But I’m glad you do, Kacchan, and I’m so grateful that you’re in my life.”
Katsuki reaches out, ruffling his curly green locks affectionately with his hand. “Yeah, well, get used to it, Deku. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, so you’re gonna have to put up with my ass for a long time. Now come on, let’s get to bed. Go try out that blanket and tell me how it works in the morning.”
The blonde stands, helping Izuku up as well. He places his gifts in a neat pile and turns to his boyfriend. He closes the distance between them, pressing his warm lips to Izuku’s chapped ones in a goodnight kiss. They linger there, their lips working against one another gently as they take in the reality of it all. It feels like releasing a breath Izuku hadn’t realized he’d been holding. It just feels so right .
Izuku breaks away to catch his breath, his cheeks flushed and eyes gazing into Katsuki’s. He hums happily and wraps his arms around the blonde in a hug.
“Merry Christmas, Kacchan.”
“Yeah, yeah, Merry Christmas, Deku. Don’t stay up too late.” Katsuki gives him one last peck before retiring to his room.
Izuku turns to organize his own pile and pick up his new blanket. As he turns to go to his own room, he spots a picture propped up on the string of origami cranes. He shuffles over to it, his expression softening as he realizes what it is. It's a Polaroid of them sharing their first kiss.
Maybe wishes really do come true.