The Proximation of Hello and Goodbye

1

The blond nods and turns to walk away. Izuku watches briefly as he makes his way to the table at the very edge of the bar. He sinks into his seat and pulls out his phone and Izuku turns to start making his tea. He walks over to the cabinet where all of the tea is stocked and stops as he feels his phone vibrating in his pocket. He fishes it out quickly and looks at the screen, quickly answering the call. "Hey, is everything okay, Masashi?" He asks.

There's a long silence before a taut voice answers, "Everything is absolutely peachy ." He sighs and Izuku feels his stomach tie in knots. He's irritated. That can't be good. "Look, I got caught up with some stuff at work. Think you'll be okay walking home?"

Izuku's eyes wander toward the front of the cafe to the large window that offers him a clear view of the world outside. The rain is still pouring mercilessly and shows no sign of letting up anytime soon. He bites his lip nervously at the thought of braving the storm. His jacket can only handle and cover so much, he'll be drenched by the time he makes it home. Not to mention, he has no doubts he'll catch a cold with the temperatures as low as they are. Even so, that's got to be better than interrupting Masashi's work. If he were to do that, he likely wouldn't hear the end of it for weeks. "Yeah, I can walk. No problem."

"Thanks, dear. You're the best. I'll see you when I get home," he answers.

"See you then," Izuku answers softly before hanging up. He puts his phone away, his nerves finally settling now that he's heard from his boyfriend, and finishes Katsu's order. He walks over to the edge of the bar and looks up to see that he's moved from his seat so that he's leaning against the counter. Izuku slides the cup of tea across the counter to Katsu. "Here's your tea. I made it extra hot so it'll keep you warmer a little longer."

Katsu takes the tea and nods, "Thanks." At this point, the customer would quickly scurry from the area to carry on with their routine, but Katsu stays propped against the edge of the bar. He sighs, "I don't mean to overstep, but I heard you were having to walk home. I can give you a ride if you'd like."

"Oh, that won't be necessary," Izuku answers quickly, his hands swinging from side to side. "Don't worry about it. I'll be fine."

Katsu nods toward the window, "The nearest residential area is at least a kilometer away. Come on, it's just a ride. Every little break counts, isn't that what you said?"

Izuku's hands clench and unclench at his sides, trying to expel the jittery feeling that seems to be rattling his bones. What's with this guy? What's with me? Am I actually considering this? Masashi would be pissed if he found out I got a ride home from a stranger. But it is freezing cold outside and there's no chance I'd make it home without getting drenched and catching a cold. He wouldn't want me sick, right? It's just a harmless ride. Just accept the offer.

"You do this often?" Katsu asks.

Izuku's eyes widen as he looks back at Katsu, "Do what?"

"Mutter to yourself like that," Katsu replies.

"Oh, sorry. I do that sometimes when I'm thinking too much. Sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it," Izuku shrugs.

Katsu chuckles, "Damn, you're a nerd, aren't ya?" Izuku simply stares back, unsure of what to say. He'd been called a nerd his whole life, but this felt different somehow. The blond clears his throat, "Come on, it's a simple yes or no. It's just a ride, what's the worst that could happen?"

Izuku could name a list of things that could go wrong, not including the potential that Katsu himself could be a maniac with some kind of ill intent. Nonetheless, he dismisses the thought of each and everyone, at least for now. "You're sure it won't be a problem?"