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Eijirou wakes up cold.
That in itself is not a surprise. The airship gets a lot colder during the night when they cruise higher for better cover.
The surprise is in the lack of a warm body next to him. Usually he wakes up squished underneath Katsuki. His weight is such a reassuring thing. It helps Eijirou forget all the bad dreams and memories.
He only ever wakes up alone in the mornings when Katsuki lets him sleep in. A glance at the clock shows that it’s only 3:42 in the morning, so there’s absolutely no reason for the other boy to be up so early.
Where’s Katsuki?
There’s absolutely no way Eijirou will fall back asleep, alone and wondering, so he decides to go looking for him. He grabs Katsuki's coat and wraps himself in a blanket before he leaves.
He regrets not grabbing shoes, but going back to their room is too much of a pain.
It takes him a bit, but he eventually finds Katsuki leaning on the viewport, looking out into the darkness. He doesn’t turn around at Eijirou's approach, but he knows he can hear him. The slap of bare feet on the hard ground is too loud at this time in the morning.
He puts Katsuki's coat around his shoulders and takes his place next to him, shoulders brushing.
They can see the stars tonight, clear as day at the altitude they’re soaring.
“Why are you up Ei? More nightmares?”
“Nah, not tonight. Was cold.” Katsuki smiles in relief but still somehow manages to look guilty.
“It’s fine though!” Eijirou flails his arms, the blanket sliding down at the action. Katsuki reaches out to adjust it, brushing his fingers along his bare arm before pulling him closer.
“Why’re you up? Got worried when I was all alone.”
“Hmm. Just thinking.” Eijirou doesn’t say anything, just presses himself closer as Katsuki sorts his thoughts.
“I’m worried.” There are not many things that can bother Katsuki this much, so Eijirou takes a guess at what it could be.
“The pirates?” Katsuki nods. There’s a small frown forming on his face, nowhere near the level of his usual scowl.
“They still bothering you? Thought they stopped after Aizawa threatened them.”
“It’s only one of them. That stupid fucker Dabi. He seems to think I’d be the perfect fit for his crew. Like I’d join the fucking criminals.”
“Well obviously you wouldn’t.” Katsuki just gives a thoughtful hum, frown still plastered on his face.
“Tch. If only everyone felt the same.” He just looks resigned now, and it makes Eijirou feel so sad.
“That’s bullshit! Who thinks you’ll join the pirates!” Katsuki raises a brow at him.
“Have you seen how the others look at me? You’d think I’m some damn villain.”
“To be honest, I’ve been too busy looking at you to pay attention to the others.” Eijirou returns his gaze to the stars as Katsuki stares at him.
“If only the others could see you how I do, Kats. You’re a hero. My hero. There’s no way you could turn against everyone here. Even though you may not like it, they’re your friends.”
“Ei what the fuck? You can’t just say shit like that!” Eijirou turns to him, confused.
“What, that you have friends?” Katsuki is blushing. That’s something he hardly ever does. Least of all in the middle of an innocent conversation.
“No! The shit before that!” Is Katsuki flustered?
“That you’re my hero?”
Katsuki nods at him, his blush has faded a little, and his eyebrows are furrowed. He looks so soft and so confused.
“But it’s true! Kats you saved my life. The day you rescued me? He was taking me to be sold. To someone worse. I’d only heard rumours of the guy, but he sounded so bad! I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. I thought I was being lead to my d-death. I was j-just so scared! Then y-you appeared. M-my knight in sh-shining armour.”
Eijirou has no clue when he started crying, but there’s no stopping now. He scrubs at his cheeks uselessly and tries to will himself to stop.
How could Katsuki think otherwise? He’s Eijirou's hero and he’ll say it as many times as it takes for it to sink in.
“Fuck Ei. I had no clue.” Katsuki wraps his arms around him and pulls him close. Eijirou tucks his face against his neck, quickly wetting it with his tears.
“S-sorry. I came out here to c-comfort you and the opposite happened. S-seems like it always ends up this way.”
“I don’t mind Eijirou. You telling me this? It does help. Well first it fucking pissed me off. But hearing how you see me? As a fucking hero? That fucking helps.”
“I’m glad.” EIjirou tries to tuck himself closer to Katsuki to leach his warmth. It doesn’t work.
“How about we go back to bed?”
“Carry me? I didn’t wear shoes. Or socks.” Eijirou looks solemnly down at his bare feet.
“Tch. You were that worried about me? Fucking dumbass.” Eijirou pouts at him, and Katsuki rolls his eyes before turning around and crouching a little for him to climb on his back. He grins and does so, keeping the blanket wrapped tightly around his shoulders.
Neither of them speak again until they’re laying in bed all tangled together. Eijirou is resting his head on Katsukis chest, hand clutching the fabric of his shirt. Katsukis hands are tight around him. The pressure is good for the both of them.
They always start their nights like this, though they inevitably end up wth Katsuki crushing him by morning.
“Maybe you shouldn’t go tomorrow. Or today.” It’s Eijirou who finally breaks the silence. They’re both nearing sleep, but this one last thought is keeping him from it.
“On the supply run?” Eijirou nods against his chest.
“Why not? Should be fine, we always go in groups.”
“But Dabi's still approaching you right?”
“Tch yah. But the fucker hasn’t even touched me.”
“What if he does though? What if he hurts you this time?”
“Hmm if it bothers you that much I’ll stop going on the runs. But it’s too late to back out of this one. Everyone else is busy. And there’s no way in hell you’re going instead of me.”
“Really? Thank you Katsuki. I know you like leaving the ship. I’m just worried! Maybe if we talk to Aizawa he’ll help us track Dabi down and stop him or something.”
“Tch maybe. After the run we can bring it up. Now go the fuck to sleep.”
“Alright Kats. Love you!” Eijirou closes his eyes and relaxes in Katsuki's hold. He’s nearly asleep when he feels the soft press of lips on his crown, and Katsuki whispers one last thing.
“Yah. Love you too dumbass.”