Chapter 13

"Katsuki." Mitsuki said, snapping him out of his downward spiral.

"What?" Katsuki responded, grumpily.

His mother looked at him, disgruntled concern written all over her face. She sighed.

"Look, I know you don't like to talk about Izuku. I may not know why, and I won't force you tell me, either. I'm sorry if I made you upset." The Old Hag replied, booping him in the nose- which caused him to jerk backward in surprise. She chuckled softly at his reaction and he only glared at her.

Shifting her mood quickly, Mitsuki clapped her hands together with a wide grin, "Alrighty then, now Katsuki, seriously, tell me about Shoto."

"Since when were you two even on a first-name basis?" Katsuki's gaze shifted away from his mother's eyes.

"Aw, is somebody jealous?" She cooed at him teasingly.

"I am not!" Katsuki lunged upward from his seat, angrily planting his palms on the counter; tiny explosions emitting as he did.

His mother only pinched his cheek in response, "I was joking, Katsuki! Lighten up." she then lightly patted her hand against the slightly red flesh she was previously pinching.

He only growled at her.

"So, how exactly did you fall for him at the Sports Festival?" Mitsuki asked, a lazy but amused expression painting her face.

"Why does it matter?"

"Because I want to know! You're my son, I love forcing my way into every aspect of your life! So please, indulge me."

Katsuki sat in brief silence, wondering if he really wanted to humor his mother.

"I don't know." He replied honestly.

Why was he even attracted to Sho? He hated his guts. He hated how he almost never felt vengeful towards those who wronged him, no matter how much they deserved to be punished. He hated how he held back. He hated how he never gave anything he did any effort, yet he somehow still effortlessly kept pace with Katsuki, threatening to overtake him any moment. It was infuriating.

And yet by some means, against all odds, he loved him. He loved Sho's gentle concern for others, misguided or otherwise. He loved his oblivious nature. He loved his inability to cook. He loved how he could never tell what he was thinking. He loved how Sho never judged him. He loved his mismatched eyes and his two-toned hair. It was infatuating.

He loved him.

There didn't need to be a reason why.

Katsuki evaded his mother's prying eyes that were peering into his thoughts as easily as looking through a glass window, "Do I really need a reason?" he asked. Turning his gaze to meet his maker's, challenging her to disagree.

His mom let out a brief exhale of regalement, "You're just like me, y'know that kiddo?"

Vexed, Katsuki yelled his qualms, "I'm nothing like you, you hag!"

Mitsuki raised an eyebrow in response, "Hey, Shoto, sweetie! Could you come downstairs for a moment?" she called.

…

Shoto was resting on Katsuki's bed, scrutinizing every inch of his room. He wasn't really focusing on anything in particular, mainly pondering the events of last night. Katsuki liked him back.

He knew Katsuki's ego was easily threatened, but he didn't know how to tell Katsuki about his own feelings without it seeming like he was launching an attack on his ego.

As his mind meandered, he heard Mitsuki calling for him downstairs. He gathered himself, standing slowly before heading for the bedroom door.

Momentarily, Shoto sauntered down the stairs.

"You called?" He asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

"My son thinks that he and I are nothing alike. Thoughts?" Mitsuki queried.

Shoto blinked, exchanging glances between the two, "Well, you both have spiky blonde hair and pretty red eyes." he began, "You also both have warm, unblemished skin. You smell like caramel," he paused.

Katsuki and Mitsuki each sniffed their forearms at the caramel comment.

"You're both very imposing presences. You're loud and easy to anger. You both hide your insecurities, too." Shoto stated bluntly.

"I don't have insecurities," Katsuki answered.

"We both know that's not true," Mitsuki shot back, Katsuki clicked his tongue in response.

Shoto continued to think of other things they have in common, "You both show affection really poorly."

"Affection is for weaklings!" Katsuki hissed, raising his palms which ignited with tiny explosions.

Shoto took into account the small peck Katsuki had given him the night prior, deciding that he felt particularly suicidal today, he fired back, "I guess that would make you a weakling then, wouldn't it?"

"Hah?" Katsuki said, the explosions in his hands getting larger.

Before Katsuki could do anymore, though, his mother smacked him over the head, "Watch your language!"