The Proximation of Hello and Goodbye

15

He smiles softly, "Yeah. We can make cookies first. First thing's first though, you gotta ditch that bed."

"Yeah," he sighs. "I guess I do." He wipes his cheeks and sits up.

The blanket falls from Izuku's face and into his lap. Katsuki's eyes flash at the sight of marks resembling fingernails along Izuku's jawline. It takes every bit of self-control he has to refrain from getting into his car and speeding to Izuku's house to teach that bastard a lesson or two. He takes a moment to even his own breathing before clearing his throat. "Come on, let's go see what we can do with what we've got," he says, forcing himself to smile. He stands and makes his way to Ena's kitchen, rifling through her fridge and cabinets in search of some ingredients to bake with. He pulls out everything he can find and rests his hands on his hips. "Well, looks like our options are sugar cookies or snickerdoodles," he declares. "I know which I prefer, but I'll let you choose again."

Izuku leans against the counter, his hands tugging at the ends of his sleeves. "Snickerdoodles sound good," he articulates.

"Perfect. I have no objections," he beams. "I'm looking forward to this."

"Why?"

Katsuki grins, "Snickerdoodles are my favorites." He starts to measure ingredients for the cookies but not before sending a text Ena's way. //He agreed to watch something in the living room as long as we made cookies first. We're baking now.//

//That's good. Has he said anything yet?//

//No. I'm not sure he will. He seems to be in better spirits though.//

//What makes you think that?//

//I'll tell you about it when you get home on Monday.//

//K.//

Katsuki is close to finishing the dough when he notices Izuku make his way over. He keeps his distance but cranes his neck so that he can get a better look at the bowl. "You know, I really like watching you bake," Izuku announces. "It's always so... peaceful."

"Is that it?" Katsuki chuckles.

Izuku nods. "Yeah." He falls silent, watching intently as Katsuki kneads the dough. He doesn't think much of it until he hears Izuku sniffle. He looks over to see him beginning to cry again. "It's just really nice."

"Izuku, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but what happened tonight?" He inquires as he begins to throw together the cinnamon-sugar mixture. He falls silent, his eyes falling to the floor. Katsuki can't help but stare at the spots on his cheeks. The longer he stares at them the angrier he gets, but for every bit of anger, he feels he also feels an immense amount of sadness. He pinches a piece of the dough off, beginning to roll it into a ball before rolling it in the cinnamon sugar. "It's okay, just forget that I asked. You don't have to think about it. I just want you to know that you can trust me. I'll always be a safe place for you."

"Masashi and I got into a fight," he blurts out. It comes from him with a sense of urgency, almost as if he wouldn't say it at all if he didn't say it then. "He got home from his business trip last night, and I was really excited to spend the day with him today, but he went to work instead. I guess I was just really hurt by that. I felt like his job was more important than me, and I told him as much."

This guy spends a month away for work and comes home only to spend his first day back home in the office? I'd be pretty hurt too. How inconsiderate can one person be? Where does this guy get off? He places a cookie onto the baking sheet and cuts his eyes to Izuku who's still staring at the floor. "I'm assuming that didn't go well?" He pushes.