for a few months after Izuku started using the suit more, he notices that katsuki started mother henning him whenever they’re on patrol together, and there’s a lull in their time.
they stop on a rooftop somewhere and katsuki immediately starts looking over the mechanics on izuku’s suit.
as if he made the schematics himself, he checks the rotation of his arms, the cooling systems on his legs and boots, the grip of his gloves, and the fit of his chest plate.
and izuku gets flustered at the close proximity, silently enjoying katsuki’s serious expression everytime. Being the receiving end of Katsuki’s care (Izuku knows that this is care) resurfaces age-old feelings, and it makes him so hyperaware of every touch and sweep Kacchan’s fingers makes over his suit.
Izuku does eventually ask Katsuki in the middle of routine inspection, about why he needed to do this every-time.
Shoto had joined them this time, and as he chugs his water beside them, he wonders the same.
Izuku would know himself if there’s a problem with the suit, he can inspect it himself, he’s wearing it!
Katsuki responds in a way that is so direct that Izuku can still feel it roll up his spine.
“I need to be sure you’re protected.” He told him, like it was obvious, like it was a given.
And Izuku doesn’t know why that admittance shook him, or gets him so teary eyed. Because of course Katsuki wants to make sure he’s protected, of course he wants to know that the suit keeps him safe, they’re friends, and Katsuki cares about him.
He hears Katsuki bark at something Shoto say in response, but Izuku was too busy wiping the tears away from his eyes. The magnitude of those feelings overflowed onto Izuku, filling his heart, and he quickly composes himself just as they get an alert.
Shoto had leapt into action seconds before he and Katsuki did, jumping down the ledge into an ice ramp. Just as Izuku was about to do the same, Katsuki pulls him back a little to face him.
“I didn’t wanna say this in front of IcyHot, but…I do it for my own sanity most of the time.” Izuku blinks at the furrowed and shy expression on Katsuki’s face. Izuku can feel the warmth of Katsuki’s palm on his wrist, it makes his stomach flutter.
“I love you, so I don’t want to loose you.” The butterflies explode into a swarm. Floored by Katsuki’s honest confession, and the adorably angry way he looks away (like he’s pissed he said that out loud), Izuku forgets to speak.
Katsuki must’ve felt awkward, because two seconds after that he uncharacteristically, and stiffly pats Izuku’s shoulder and says, “Okay. Bye.”
Izuku scrambles at Katsuki blasting away, calling after him, “Wait! Kacchan you can’t just run away after dropping that on me!”
“FUCK OFF! I’M NOT RUNNING AWAY, THERE’S A FIGHT IDIOT!”
“OKAY BUT—“ Izuku gets in the air. and chases after him. “WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS WHEN WE’RE DONE!”
“NO WE’RE NOT!”
“YOU ARE RUNNING AWAY!”
“SHUT UP!”
————
“Done with your lover’s spat?” Shoto smirks at them when they finally get to the scene. Izuku clears his throat, and Katsuki tells him to shut up, and they make quick work.
It’s flawless.
And the minute the fight ends, Izuku’s blackwhip shoots out of his gloves, and captures a “getting ready to blast-off” Katsuki.
Shoto watches the two ridiculously do whatever they’re doing, on the sidelines with on looking citizens, while eating a protein bar.
