Marcus x Katsume (sweet)

The muted glow of the TV screen reflected in Katsume's brown eyes. His blonde-tipped hair, usually styled with a controlled recklessness, was currently a soft mess as he leaned back on the couch. It was Valentine's Day, a day that held little personal significance for him. Years of solitary celebrations, marked by simple routines and the occasional teasing from his explosive younger brother, had worn away any expectation of romantic fanfare.

He glanced at the clock; it was almost noon. A raucous chorus of shouts and laughter had briefly invaded the peace of the estate earlier. Katsuki, his usually volatile brother, had opened the door to a flurry of familiar faces – the Bakusquad, all dolled up and buzzing with energy. Mina, Denki, Sero, Eijiro, and even Jiro – they all seemed to scatter like dandelion seeds in the wind, each disappearing for romantic rendezvous of their own. Katsume, used to his brother's whirlwind of popularity, had simply nodded them off, turning back to his video game.

He'd spent the morning immersed in the virtual world, a distraction from the quiet thrum of loneliness that occasionally surfaced. He eventually decided to bake, feeling the need to fill his quiet space with something other than the sounds of digital warfare. The aroma of vanilla and sugar soon filled the air, and a batch of perfectly golden cupcakes sat cooling on the counter, beckoning him with the promise of sweet solace.

Just as he reached for one, a sharp knock at the door echoed through the house. Katsume frowned, wondering who would be visiting on a day like this. He crossed the floor and pulled the door open, his jaw dropping slightly at the sight before him.

Standing there, with pink hair that seemed to glow in the afternoon light, was Marcus Ashido. His yellow eyes were bright, a hint of a nervous smile playing on his lips. Katsume's heart did a bizarre jig. He hadn't seen much of Marcus since that night – the kiss - a memory that still sent a jolt of electricity through him, followed by a confusing wave of unease.

"Marcus?" Katsume's voice was a little rougher than intended. He cleared his throat and tried again, "What are you doing here?"

Marcus shifted his weight from one foot to another, his hands hidden behind his back. "Hey, Katsume. Uh, can I come in?"

Without a word, Katsume stepped back, allowing Marcus entry. As the door closed, the uncomfortable silence was heavy. Marcus looked around the place, his eyes landing on the cupcakes laid out to cool. "Those look great," he said, his voice a little too loud in the stillness.

Katsume flushed slightly, his fingers unconsciously reaching for the back of his neck. "Thanks. I just made them."

Marcus took a deep breath, finally revealing his hands, holding a small gift bag and a card. He handed them to Katsume, along with a bag of his favorite candy, a local brand of sour gummies. "Happy Valentine's Day," he said, his gaze now fixed on his own feet.

Katsume's eyes widened slightly at the gesture, his cheeks flushing a deeper shade. He opened the card, his eyes quickly scanning the kind words penned onto the paper, a warm feeling blooming in his chest. It was sweet. And after the awkwardness that had settled between them since the kiss, this felt… unexpected. He looked up at Marcus, his fingers gripping the small bag of candy. "Thank you, Marcus. I… I wasn't expecting this."

"Yeah, well," Marcus mumbled, finally meeting his gaze, "That's kinda why I'm here." He took another deep breath, gathering himself. "The truth is, I… I messed up, Katsume. That night… the kiss. I should've asked. I should've been more considerate of your feelings." He paused, his eyes earnest as he lifted his gaze to meet Katsume's. "The thing is, I… I have feelings for you, Katsume. I have for a while now. And I didn't know how to say it without screwing up our friendship."

Katsume went utterly still. Every muscle in his body seemed to freeze as he processed the words. He dropped the bag of candy, his hands flying to cover his mouth. His mind was a whirlwind of swirling thoughts, emotions bubbling to the surface. The last thing he'd expected was a confession from Marcus. He hadn't even admitted his own feelings to himself, pushing them down beneath layers of awkwardness and fear.

"What?" he asked softly, the word barely a whisper. He felt like he had been thrown against a brick wall, winded and stunned.

Marcus reached out, taking Katsume's hands in his own. The touch sent a jolt of warmth through him, and he squeezed gently. "Yeah," he nodded, his pink hair slightly falling over his face. "I have had feelings for you for a long time. I didn't just kiss you on a whim. It was stupid of me, I know but I felt like I had to. I didn't think I would get this chance to tell you how I feel, I thought you would hate me so I tried to avoid you". He looked down for a moment before looking at Katsume again, "I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want to lose what we already had, but… keeping it in was killing me."

Katsume's chest was tight. It was a long-awaited truth finally whispered into existence. He took a shaky breath, trying to get his emotions under control. He nodded slowly, his own feelings finally breaking through the wall he'd built. "I… I like you too, Marcus," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze falling to the floor. The words felt fragile, like a carefully constructed sandcastle. "I just didn't… expect it. Felt like it was only me".

Marcus's grip on his hands tightened, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Really?" He took a step closer, his eyes shining. "Like… really, really?"

Katsume's cheeks burned a bright red, but he met Marcus's gaze, a small smile forming on his own face. "Really, really."

A beat of silence hung in the air before Marcus spoke again. "So… does that mean… we can… go out?" He looked nervously hopeful, his pink hair bouncing with the movement.

Katsume felt a laugh bubbling up in him, a feeling so light and free it surprised him. "Yeah," he said, his own smile widening. "Yeah, I'd like that, Marcus."

The rest of the day unfolded with an easy, unexpected joy. They sat on the couch, sharing the cupcakes Katsume had made, their fingers brushing as they reached for the same treat. They talked for hours, laughing, teasing each other, and discovering new things about one another with each passing minute. They watched cheesy rom-coms, snuggled under a blanket, and played video games, the competitive spirit between them quickly turning playful.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow across the room, Katsume leaned back against the couch, Marcus's head resting on his shoulder. The silence that now enveloped them was comfortable, filled with a warmth that had been missing in his life. This wasn't the Valentine's Day he expected he would have. It was better. It was perfect. He glanced down at Marcus, his heart swelling with a fondness he never thought possible, He brushed a loose strand of pink hair from his face, and felt Marcus turn his head and press a sweet kiss to his jaw.

This Valentine's Day, for the first time in Katsume's life, was extraordinary. It wasn't about grand gestures or public declarations; it was about a quiet confession, a shared laugh, a comfortable silence, and that first tentative step into a relationship that held the promise of something truly special. It was the beginning of his own real-life love story, written not with fancy prose, but with simple, honest affection. And for the first time in a long time, Katsume felt a sense of belonging, a sense of being seen, a feeling that his heart, finally, had found its home.