A Breath of Fresh Hair [NSFW]

Happy slightly-belated birthday to the lovely Hotshott! I'm so lucky to have you in my life, thank you for always being there for me, no matter what I need! I hope you had a great birthday!

─────

Katsuki’s eyes darted across the salon as he swept a plastic sheet away, taking a glance at the curly green mop that had become the bane of his existence. Everything about the nerd infuriated him – from the way he took care of one client in the time Katsuki handled three, to the dorky superhero t-shirts he wore every single day without fail, to the bright red shoes that gave Katsuki a migraine if he looked for more than half a second. Not to mention he always had a big, dopey smile on that freckled, chubby-cheeked face, like his job was the best way in the world to spend his time, chatting and laughing with his customers like they were his best friends. Where the hell did he get off being so bubbly and happy? Katsuki couldn’t have laughed like that if he tried. The nerd must have been a professional actor or some shit, with that ability.

“Thank you, Bakugou.”

“My pleasure,” Katsuki answered, more out of habit than actually paying attention. “Feel free to make your next booking at the front desk on your way out.”

“I will, thank you.”

He watched for a moment as his client departed, satisfied as always, and with a quick clean-down of his work area, he was ready for the next one. A little nod to the receptionist told her he was prepared, and then his next client was in the seat, all before Deku had even finished washing his client’s hair.

“The usual?” Katsuki asked, as he fastened the plastic sheet around a new neck.

“Please.”

Just like that he was off again, back into the familiar rhythm of combing and cutting and clippers up the neck. It was all but mindless at this point, so easy and familiar, he could just let his body do the work and not have to think too hard about it. On that day in particular, he appreciated that fact all the more, because the damn shop was sweltering and he just wanted to go dive in an icy lake or something to cool off.

As he finished up with his final client before lunch, he glanced over at Izuku again, rolling his eyes when he saw the nerd deep in conversation with his client, occasionally sneaking a glance at his laptop when she wasn’t looking. He cleaned up his area one more time, then sat down to watch, biting into his daily apple as he contemplated Izuku’s infuriatingly slow work.

“A whole hour for that,” he pointed out, when Izuku was done farewelling his client. “A trim and a couple of layers, and you need an hour.”

“Ex-cuse me if I don’t herd my clients out the door like cattle.” Izuku huffed – it wasn’t the first time they’d had the argument, and despite his sunny demeanour, Izuku no longer hesitated to bite back. “I must be doing something right, with the length of my waiting list.”

“You wouldn’t have a waiting list if you’d hurry up a little.”

“Maybe if you focussed on your clients a little more, you wouldn’t be noticing how long it took me to handle mine.”

“Maybe if you were better at your job, you wouldn’t need to focus so hard.”

Izuku’s eyes narrowed, making his best attempt at a glare and failing miserably, and Katsuki just rolled his eyes.

“And don’t even get me started on your own hair. Not exactly a walking advertisement for the business, y’know.”

“My hair? I’m not the one who got my style inspiration from a hedgehog.”

“Because you have no style to inspire.”

“Long hair is fashionable right now!”

“Being too lazy to get a haircut is not the same as having long hair.”

“I’m not lazy I’ve just been too busy!”

“You have a pair of clippers right beside you, just buzz it all off.”

“What?! No! I would look terrible with a buzz cut!”

“Oh yeah it’s the buzz cut that would make you look terrible.”

“Rude!”

Katsuki snorted, watching Izuku puff out his cheeks indignantly and wondering, somewhere in the back of his mind, how often chipmunks cut their fur.

“You’re even crankier than usual, today,” Izuku grumbled, shooting him another weak attempt at a glare. “What’s gotten into you?”

“I’m fine, you damn nerd. Stop paying so much attention to me, it’s creepy.”

“Says the man who constantly stares at me in the mirrors.”

Katsuki froze, and Izuku’s expression quickly turned triumphant, a smirk stretching across his lips.

“You think you’re so subtle?” Izuku taunted. “It’s no wonder you give all your clients exactly the same haircut, when you’re busy watching me the whole time. Are you jealous or something?”

“Shut the fuck up, I am not jealous. I give all my clients the haircut they want – simple, easy to maintain, and professional. And in four weeks they’ll be back again to ask for the exact same thing, because it works.”

“You don’t even ask them!”

“If they wanted something different they wouldn’t ask for the usual!”

“You’re so stubborn.”

“And you’re insufferable!”

“And you’re-” Izuku froze, blinking at him. “Sick?”

“What?!”

“That’s why you’re so cranky, isn’t it?” Izuku asked, his demeanour changing immediately. “I didn’t notice how flushed you are. Are you okay?”

“Haah?! I’m fuckin’ fine.”

Izuku reached for him, and Katsuki flinched when the hand landed on his forehead, green eyes filling with concern.

“You’re really warm.”

“It’s fuckin’ hot in here, like it always is.”

“I’m wearing a hoodie, it’s not hot in here.”

Katsuki stood up, ready to make the most of his height and stare Izuku down, but his world tilted a little as he moved, and Izuku’s surprisingly strong hands grabbed him immediately.

“I just stood up too fast,” Katsuki growled, pulling away. “Don’t give me that shitty look.”

“Go home, Katsuki, I can handle things here.”

“Like hell you can.”

“I’m serious! You only have a couple more clients on the books today, I can take care of them.”

“I’m not giving you my clients, asshole.”

“Kacchan,” Izuku insisted. “I’ll call and give them a chance to re-book, okay? If they want to wait for you, they can. But I mean it, you can’t stay here passing your germs on to our customers!”

Katsuki grimaced, but he had to admit, Izuku had a point. He definitely was not sick, but Izuku seemed to think he looked it, and that was enough to drive clients away in itself.

“Fine,” Katsuki huffed. “But I swear to God if you fuck their hair up with your artsy-fartsy shit and drive them away, I’m gonna-”

“Kacchan,” Izuku said again. “I promise, I’ll do whatever they ask and not try to force them into something new, okay? You may not like me, but you know I would never do anything my clients didn’t want! Just send me your notes on them and I’ll handle it.”

“Notes?” Katsuki snorted. “You take notes?”

“Of course I do! I need to know what we did last time, any stuff they’ve said they did or didn’t like, who has kids so I can ask after them, who’s been dating and looking for a new boyfriend or girlfriend, who got a new job recently...”

“You’re fucking insane.”

“Hey!”

“I don’t have notes, alright? I just see them walk in and know ‘that’s the guy who likes it longer on top’ or ‘that’s the guy with the really short sides’ or whatever.”

“You don’t write that stuff down?”

“How would that help me? I know it when I see their face anyway, I don’t need to read it.”

“Okay,” Izuku sighed. “Then can you look at the names and write it down for me before you go?”

“You think I know their names?”

“Kacchan.”

“Forget it, I’ll just stay and do it myself, it’ll be fine.”

“Nope. I’ll ask them what they want and we’ll work it out. Go home and get some rest!”

With a last mutter of complaint, Katsuki snatched up his bag, glaring at Izuku on his way out the door. The cool breeze outside was heaven on his flushed face, and as he walked, Katsuki conceded that okay, maybe he wasn’t feeling a hundred percent after all. It was no wonder he’d been zoning out all day, honestly he was probably lucky he hadn’t made any dumb mistakes. He’d never have lived it down if he screwed up someone’s hair, Izuku would have given him shit about it forever.

Katsuki’s apartment was only a couple of blocks from the salon, so before he knew it he was back at his front door, breathing a sigh of relief as he locked himself inside. People were so exhausting, he wasn’t sure why he’d picked such a social career path. The best part of his day was when he got home and relaxed in solitude – and for once, that moment was coming early.

He fell into bed heavily, only kicking off his trousers once he was lying comfortably on the mattress, and his mind wandered back to the stupid baggy jeans that Izuku wore every day. Katsuki had always put on some decent pants and a button-up shirt in the morning before he walked to work, but Izuku showed up every day, without fail, looking like a nerdy teenager whose mother gave him twenty bucks to hit the mall. God, what he wouldn’t do to throw out some of those stupid t-shirts. Maybe when he had a little extra cash, he’d go find some decent clothing in Izuku’s size and throw it at him. It probably wouldn’t help, but at least he could say he’d tried.

He threw his shirt aside with his pants, then crawled in under his blankets, sighing as his eyes sank closed, darkening the room as much as possible for the middle of the damn day, with sunlight pounding on his curtains and demanding entry.

Maybe the world would feel a little easier after a nap.

─────

The door to the salon was locked when Izuku arrived, and for a moment he just stared blankly through the glass, staring at the dark room beyond. He’d been working in that exact spot for three years now, and he’d never shown up to a dark building – Katsuki was always there first, ready and waiting for his first client, with everything cleaned and disinfected, the messages all answered, and that eternally smug look on his face that said what took you so long?

He dug the key out of his bag, opening up the door and flicking on the lights to get started, but he couldn’t help but feel like the building was cold without Katsuki there. It was just so weird.

With the lights on and the windows open to let in some fresh air, Izuku sat down at the reception desk, picking up the phone to check for messages. The receptionist would arrive in another hour or so, but Izuku knew that Katsuki always checked the messages himself in the mornings – the handwritten notes stuck to his mirror when he arrived were evidence of that. He knew the receptionist’s handwriting from the appointment book and calendar and a thousand other things, but the notes on his mirror were shorter, darker strokes, written with a firmer hand.

He kind of missed the notes.

The first message on the machine had come through at just after five – much earlier than he would ever expect anyone to call in. Maybe they were a shift worker with odd hours, or something. Personally he rolled out of bed half asleep at seven o’clock, he couldn’t imagine being functional enough to make a phone call earlier than that, let alone twohours earlier.

He picked up a pen, getting ready to make a note of the name and time, but the voice that came through the speaker made him pause. It was familiar, very familiar, but so wrong at the same time.

“Hey nerd,” it croaked. “You better be getting this. I swear to God if you left these messages unattended for an hour I’m gonna be pissed. Anyway, I guess you were right, just this once. I don’t think I’m gonna be in today.”

“Oh,” Izuku mumbled to himself. “Poor Kacchan.”

“You might have to handle my first guy, he’s due at nine, but the rest can re-book or some shit. Make a note to call them all, will you? Don’t forget.”

“I wouldn’t forget,” Izuku huffed to himself, writing it down anyway. “You have no faith in me.”

“Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow I guess. Call me if you fuck anything up. Later.”

Slowly Izuku made his way through the rest of the messages, updating the calendar and taking notes about people to call back about appointments – the receptionist would handle that part, but he could at least make her a list of people to call! Then he hunted down Katsuki’s client list, making another note with all their names and phone numbers to call them about rescheduling. He managed to make three of the calls before the receptionist arrived, sharing a bright good morning and switching places with him at the desk, letting him fill her in on his morning of work so far as she got settled.

Katsuki’s first client arrived early, and despite his apologies for it, Izuku eagerly ushered him through. If anything, it made his job for the day a little easier – he wouldn’t have as many clashing appointments if they arrived a little early or a little late. He apologised again for Katsuki’s absence, relieved that the man didn’t seem too upset about it, and as they got set up at a basin, he smiled as warmly as he could manage in a hurry.

“I’m not as quick as Katsuki is, I take my time a little more. I hope that’s okay!”

“Of course. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

He glanced at the clock as he started, making sure he didn’t linger too much – the difference in time between him and Katsuki was probably beyond what they would be expecting, the least he could do was try to keep it his version of quick.

“Are you heading to work after this?” Izuku asked, trying his best to find a happy mid-ground between quick and gentle. “Getting a head start on your day?”

“Yes,” he agreed. “It’s easier to predict my starting time than my finishing time.”

“Oh, I know that feeling,” Izuku laughed. “I always end up with someone running in five minutes before closing, asking if we can squeeze them in.”

“You must be busy today.”

“Sorry, did something give me away? Am I hurrying too much?”

“With Bakugou’s clients,” he clarified. “You’re fine.”

“Oh! Yes, it’ll be a busy one. About half of his clients rescheduled, but that’s still a lot of extra people. I’ll find a way, though, I always do!”

When his client was dried off and sitting in front of the mirror, Izuku smiled again, trying his best to look composed and calm.

“So, what can we do for you today?”

“Oh. Uh, the same thing Bakugou does? I’m not sure exactly.”

“Okay! Well, it looks like you’ve got shorter sides and a bit longer on top, how short do you like to go? Very, or just a bit shorter?”

“Quite a bit.”

“Okay great, how about we try a number three on the clippers, and then we can go down to a two if you’d like it shorter still? Then we can go from there to figure out the top.”

“Sounds good.”

“Okay! Just relax then, and I’ll do my thing back here!”

It took a little while to get things sorted, but Izuku breathed a sigh of relief when the man nodded his approval, smiling again as he brushed off the last remnants of hair and removed the plastic sheet that protected his suit.

“Thanks for coming!” he said brightly. “Katsuki should be back in a few days, so you’re more than welcome to book your next appointment with him on your way out!”

“Thank you very much.”

He cleared his area quickly, sweeping up hair and wiping down surfaces, shooting a quick smile at his own first client when he saw her waiting at reception.

“Sorry for the wait!” he said quickly, when the receptionist invited her through. “Katsuki is off sick, so I’m trying to cover both of our schedules!”

“It’s no problem at all,” she assured him. “I’m always happy to wait if it gets me an appointment with you!”

“You’re too kind,” he laughed sheepishly. “Come have a seat and we can get started!”

His day quickly became a non-stop whirlwind of clients, a new one always ready to go the moment he finished with the one prior. He wasn’t sure he’d ever been busier in his life, and it wasn’t until he was mopping the floors and farewelling the receptionist that he realised he hadn’t even taken a lunch break. His stomach growled in protest, and with a grimace, he finished up the cleaning in a hurry, heading out to find some dinner. There was still a squashed, likely soggy sandwich somewhere deep in his bag, but in that moment Izuku felt he could really go for a hot, filling meal – at least as hot and filling as a convenience store meal could get, anyway, since he couldn’t afford a proper restaurant. He was a regular at the local convenience store, often stopped by to grab something on his way to the train station, to sit and eat on the platform while he waited for his train to arrive, so he flashed the cashier a bright smile and a wave as he stepped through the doors, getting a couple of pleasant greetings called back.

As he stood in front of the refrigerator though, flipping through stacks of packaged meals, his thoughts began to drift. Katsuki had sounded really rough on the phone – had he eaten? He’d probably just been curled up in bed all day, he might not have even had anything to drink.

On a whim, he picked up two karaage meals – everyone liked karaage when they were sick, right? – and a couple of hot drinks to go with them. Katsuki practically lived off one particular bottled coffee, and Izuku was partial to a good hot chocolate himself, so it wasn’t the first time he’d picked up a pair from the store.

It wasn’t until he was standing at Katsuki’s door that he began to second guess himself. There wasn’t even a good reason for why he had the address – he’d just seen Katsuki walk into the building one day six months prior, and with his name on the mailbox, it had been easy enough to find the right door.

“Kacchan?” he called, knocking lightly. “Sorry to wake you! How are you?”

Slow footsteps from within told him that a groggy Kacchan was going to allow him entry, and that brought him more relief than it probably should have.

“I brought food,” he explained, when the door opened on narrowed red eyes. “I thought you probably weren’t up to cooking.”

“Acceptable.”

He stepped back, letting Izuku follow him in, and watched with his typical annoyed look as Izuku stepped out of his bright red sneakers.

“Can I use your microwave?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool. Um, you go sit down and rest, I’ll handle it. Here, I brought coffee too.”

Katsuki accepted it wordlessly, returning to a little nest of blankets and cushions on the sofa, and Izuku couldn’t help but crack a smile at him.

“I don’t know how you get through so many clients in a day,” he called back, as he stepped into the kitchen to get started. “I didn’t even get a break for lunch today, I was so busy. But everyone seemed to leave happy! And most of them booked their next one, too! They all sent their well-wishes!”

Katsuki grunted an answer, already sucking on his cheap bottled coffee, and Izuku just sighed as he cracked open his own drink.

“It was rough finding out what they all wanted. They all just said they wanted what you do. I guess you had a point after all.”

“Listen next time, then.”

Izuku laughed. It felt good to hear Katsuki be more like his normal self.

“I did, uh, accidentally poach one of them though, sorry! I didn’t mean to, I swear!”

“You what?”

“He said it was relaxing! He wanted to come back to me again! But I swear I didn’t try! The others all booked with you again, and half of them rescheduled to not even come to me once!”

“I hate you.”

“I know.”

“But, you know, maybe it’s kind of a sign? Maybe you should slow down just a little bit sometimes? Let them relax a little?”

“What, so they can get so bored that they fall asleep like your clients do?”

“That’s not the flex you think it is, Kacchan.”

He joined Katsuki on the couch, handing over a hot meal, and Katsuki nodded faintly in thanks, looking particularly content in his cosy nest with his food and coffee.

“Your hair is a mess,” he grunted, when Izuku stared for a little too long. “Fuckin’ disaster.”

“Rude,” Izuku huffed, making an attempt to smooth it with his hand even though he knew it wouldn’t help. “I washed it, and it was windy, and I’ve been on the go all day – don’t be mean.”

“Should just sit your ass down and let me finally fuckin’ cut it.”

“You?” Izuku snorted. “What, so you can shave me bald and laugh at me for it? Yeah right.”

“It’s my fuckin’ job, nerd, you think I can’t handle your shitty bird’s nest?”

“You would never let me cut your hair, why would I let you cut mine?”

“Fine, what the fuck ever,” Katsuki huffed, shrugging. “I’ll cut yours and you can cut mine, like I care.”

“What? No, that’s not what I-”

“It’s exactly what you said.”

Izuku pouted, and Katsuki cracked the tiniest smile as he glanced over, amused by the torment in Izuku’s expression.

“Fine,” he conceded. “But you’re doing mine first, and if you do something stupid to embarrass me, I’m gonna make yours even worse.”

“You seriously think I would fuck yours up and then still let you near mine?”

Izuku paused, face screwing up in concentration, and Katsuki choked out a laugh.

“Don’t pull a muscle, nerd. I’m not gonna do stupid shit. I’ve been dying to finally give you a decent haircut. Like I’d squander my chance.”

“Fine,” Izuku said again, defeated. “When you’re feeling better, then. We’ll stay late.”

“No way, I work late enough at that damn place. Come in early for once.”

“I hate getting up early.”

“Yeah, I fuckin’ know.”

Izuku pouted, but Katsuki didn’t give in, and finally Izuku managed a tiny nod.

“But you have to let me do whatever I want.”

“Goes both ways, nerd.”

“Fine. Deal.”

He offered his little finger, and Katsuki snorted as he accepted, linking them together like two toddlers on the school playground.

“Deal.”

─────

“Say bye-bye, nerd.”

Izuku grimaced, struggling to decide between staring at himself – or at Katsuki – in the mirror, and tearing his gaze away to avoid seeing it happen. He wasn’t sure why he’d thought it was a good idea to give Katsuki free reign over his appearance, but there he was, watching Katsuki set up his clippers, with a sense of dread hanging heavy in his chest.

“Relax,” Katsuki said flatly, without an ounce of comfort or reassurance in it. “This is my job, nerd.”

“That doesn’t mean you aren’t a troll.”

“I knew you spent too much damn time on the internet.”

“You knew what I meant.”

“Shut up. I’m not the one wearing an All Might shirt to work.”

“Sure, but you’re the one who recognised it,” Izuku said triumphantly, gesturing at the OFA design on his chest. “I knew you were secretly just as nerdy as me.”

“I’m about to cut your hair and you want to antagonise me right now?”

Izuku swallowed hard, and Katsuki smirked at him in the mirror, finally making up Izuku’s mind for him and locking green eyes to red.

“Sorry,” he forced out. “Just remember I’m gonna be telling all your prospective clients exactly who did my hair.”

“I know that,” Katsuki assured him. “I keep telling you I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“Just get it over with, then.”

“Says the guy who always criticises how quickly I work.”

“It’s what you do, and your clients seem to like it,” he conceded. “I was exhausted yesterday, and that was only half your clients.”

“And your own,” Katsuki pointed out. “It was still extra work.”

“Well yeah, but I didn’t think it would be that much more.”

“Sorry,” Katsuki mumbled, making Izuku’s eyes widen. “Wasn’t my intention.”

“No, no! I wasn’t asking for an apology!” Izuku insisted, waving his hands frantically. “I know it wasn’t deliberate, you were sick! You needed rest!”

“Mm,” Katsuki agreed quietly. “Still.”

“Well, you’re welcome. I know you’d do the same for me.”

“Mm-hm. Alright, I’m ready, sit still.”

Izuku squeezed his eyes shut, a little surprised when Katsuki gently coaxed the elastic out of his hair – he’d expected far more rough efficiency from the brash man he’d come to know.

The snip of the scissors felt deafening in the empty salon, but Izuku didn’t dare to open his eyes and see it happen. It wasn’t like he was particularly attached to his long hair, it had just been a symptom of his lack of time and energy, but after seeing it in the mirror for so long, he couldn’t even imagine himself without it. Not to mention he’d seen the haircuts Katsuki gave, all the same shorn-down office worker look – he couldn’t begin to picture himself looking like he went to work in a suit and tie with a briefcase in hand. He’d more likely just look like a kid playing dress up in his Dad’s clothes.

“You’re so tense,” Katsuki huffed. “It’s just hair, calm down.”

“I’m calm!”

“Yeah right.”

He ran his fingers up through Izuku’s hair, making him shiver, and Izuku felt his cheeks flushing pink. As much as he’d never say it out loud, would never make it that awkward, it actually felt nice. It shouldn’t have surprised him, he knew people enjoyed the feel of head massages and all that – that was exactly why he took his time washing people’s hair before their cut! But something about it being Katsuki made him feel hot under the collar.

“You like that, huh?” Katsuki teased, scratching at his scalp lightly. “You’re one of those people, that explains a lot.”

“Shut up!”

“Open your eyes and say that to my face.”

“No.”

Katsuki snorted, but he didn’t push it any further, taking his hand away and leaving Izuku cold.

“When was the last time you had it cut with clippers?” he asked, reaching over to pick them up off the table. “Ever?”

“Maybe when I was a kid,” he grumbled. “I knew you were gonna shave me bald.”

“You’re a hairdresser, you should know how clippers work.”

He gently nudged Izuku’s head forward, and Izuku bit down on his lower lip, bracing himself when he heard the hum of the clippers start.

“Just hold still,” Katsuki instructed. “You good?”

“Mm-hm.”

The plastic touched the back of his neck, vibrating just enough to make it tickle, and Izuku couldn’t help but squirm again. Katsuki huffed quietly, but he didn’t complain, just waited a moment to let him adjust before he slowly slid the clippers up his neck. He kept his other hand on the side of Izuku’s head, encouraging him to stay put, but still it took everything in Izuku’s power to stay still. Locks of hair fell down his neck, tickling a little, but Katsuki kept his grip firm and steady, sliding the clippers up in a perfectly straight line. He stopped when he got closer to the top, taking the clippers away, and Izuku allowed himself to squirm a little while he had the chance.

“You like that, don’t you?” Katsuki asked, his deep voice making Izuku’s stomach churn. “Maybe you’ll stop putting off your damn haircuts now.”

“It just feels weird!”

“Yeah, weird,” Katsuki snorted. “You’re not subtle, nerd.”

Izuku cracked his eyes open just enough to see Katsuki smirking to himself, his stomach flipping again when he saw it. Fuck, why had he never realised his co-worker was hot?

“For the record, I’m not gonna stop just because you’re hard.”

“I am not,” Izuku protested, squeezing his thighs together. “Stop making fun of me!”

“Yeah, that’s gonna happen.”

“I’m not hard!”

“Sure, nerd. At least I know why you wear such baggy jeans now.”

“I’ll take my pants off right here and now!”

“What, in the hopes that I’ll blow you?” Katsuki teased. “No thanks, you’re not my type.”

“Rude!”

Chuckling to himself, Katsuki tightened his grip again, catching Izuku’s eye in the mirror and making him blush all over again.

“Time to hold still again,” Katsuki instructed. “Be a good boy.”

“I hate you so much.”

“Uh-huh.”

He moved slightly quicker this time, making another swipe up the back of Izuku’s head, and this time Izuku watched it happen in the mirror, watched the tufts of green fall away, even though he couldn’t tell how it looked yet. He already looked weird though, in his own eyes – just the strands of chin-length hair hanging around his face looked so out of place. He’d started holding it back with a headband as soon as it got long enough to fall in his eyes while he worked, and began tying it up as soon as it was long enough for that, too, so he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen himself with anything close to the borderline-bob that he saw in the mirror.

“I’m not leaving it like this,” Katsuki assured him, when he caught him looking. “You gave me free reign, it’s all coming off.”

“I’m not sure if that’s better or worse,” Izuku grumbled. “I look ridiculous.”

“It’ll balance out your stupid face,” Katsuki assured him, pinching at the offending cheeks. “It’s not like I wanna spend every day at work with you when you look like an idiot.”

“You won’t know I’m gonna look stupid until you do it.”

“Maybe you can’t.”

He continued his way around Izuku’s head, making slow, steady stripes up the back of his neck, and Izuku found himself relaxing a little as time went on, sinking into his comfortable chair a little deeper.

“That’s the way,” Katsuki praised, when Izuku’s eyes fluttered closed a lot more gently. “Good boy.”

“Shut up,” Izuku grumbled half-heartedly. “What happened to being fast?”

Katsuki didn’t answer right away, and Izuku opened his eyes again in surprise – Katsuki was usually so quick with a witty comeback.

“This is fast,” he said, when Izuku caught his eye. “Just relax and let me handle it.”

“Fine,” Izuku huffed, closing his eyes again. “Don’t make me look stupid.”

“Tall order.”

“You’re so mean to me.”

Katsuki snorted, but he didn’t deny it, and Izuku decided to shut his mouth and let him concentrate. He knew shearing it all off was easy enough, but he was a little nervous that he might make Katsuki screw up the finer points.

“Better already,” Katsuki teased, when he turned off the clippers. “I was gonna let you keep your curls on the top, but with how much you liked the clippers, maybe I should take it all short.”

“Stop saying that, you’re acting like I have some weird kink.”

“Don’t you?”

“No.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

Katsuki tangled his fingers in Izuku’s hair, using it to move his head a little to take a better look, and Izuku did his best to repress the shiver that ran up his spine again. Katsuki didn’t seem to notice, thankfully – too busy surveying his handiwork – and Izuku tensed up again in hopes of preventing any further embarrassment.

“Why are you all riled up again?” Katsuki complained. “Relax, god damn it.”

“I can’t.”

Katsuki sighed, but as he adjusted his grip he slowed his hand down, dragging his nails up Izuku’s scalp. It made his skin tingle, and he bit down on his lip again, a pathetic little whine escaping him that made Katsuki snort again.

“Better?” he teased, leaning in closer. “Just keep being good for me, Deku, I promise I’ll make you look pretty.”

“I hate you.”

“Then you can get your payback when I’m done. You just gotta let me finish first.”

“It’s fine, just do it.”

“I will when you promise to sit still so I don’t slip and fuck it up.”

“I will.”

With the clippers safely back on the table, Izuku had to admit he did feel a little calmer. Katsuki wouldn’t bother with scissors if he was just going to give him a buzz cut, so at least he was putting a little thought into it. He kept his mouth shut, letting Katsuki concentrate, and as the silence stretched out between them, the scissors began to move a little quicker. He didn’t dare sneak a peek until Katsuki set the scissors down, his footsteps tapping on the tiles as he checked every angle.

“What do you think?” he asked, when he saw Izuku looking. “Vast improvement, in my books.”

“I don’t know,” Izuku mumbled, turning his head to see the shaved-down sides. “It’s weird.”

“Whatever,” Katsuki snorted, unfastening the plastic cape to set him free. “You look a hell of a lot less nerdy.”

“You’d say that anyway, you did it.”

“And I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t think it would look good.”

“Good?” Izuku asked quietly.

Katsuki blushed at that, and Izuku couldn’t help but stare. Seeing him sick had been one thing, all soft and pouty, but blushing? That was very new.

“Thank you,” Izuku mumbled. “For the compliment, I mean.”

“Whatever,” Katsuki huffed, turning away quickly to grab the broom. “Get your ass up so I can clean up after you.”

“It’s better than I expected,” Izuku admitted. “I expected either buzz cut or salaryman, so it’s... definitely better than either of those.”

“You? Salaryman?” Katsuki laughed. “I told you, I do what they ask for. Doesn’t mean it’s what I want to do.”

“But you never even suggest something else! You could encourage them to try something new, even if they say no!”

“When I ask what do you want and they give me an exact image, I’m not going to say but what if you did this instead. When someone wants my opinion, I’ll give them my opinion. But no one likes unsolicited opinions.”

“How come you’ve never told me that before?”

“You never asked.”

Izuku stood up, shaking his head to dislodge any leftover bits of hair, pulling a face when he felt the short curls bobbing around atop his head. It was going to take a long time to get used to – honestly, by the time he got used to it, it would probably have grown out again.

“I’m doing it again in three weeks,” Katsuki informed him, as if he could read Izuku’s mind all of a sudden. “I’m not letting you get lazy and shaggy again, it’s unprofessional.”

“It’s not unprofessional it’s just a style choice!”

“I told you, overgrown is not a style choice. If you wanna grow it long so badly, do it properly.”

Izuku huffed, but Katsuki was too distracted to notice, and Izuku felt himself burn bright red as he followed Katsuki’s gaze. He opened his mouth to object, already turning away, but Katsuki took a step forward before he could manage it, blocking his way.

“Fucking knew it,” he smirked. “No wonder you were so terrified of getting it cut.”

“I was not terrified.”

“Oh yeah, I’m sure you were totally fine with a hairdresser seeing you rock hard.”

“I am not! We went over this!”

“Yeah, and I was kidding last time, I didn’t know I was right.”

He shoved Izuku back into the chair, one leg slotting between his to give him a clear view of the bulge in Izuku’s jeans.

“It’s not a kink thing,” he insisted, giving up on denying how tight his baggy pants had become. “It just felt nice, that’s all! And, well, you know how dicks are!”

“Uh-huh,” Katsuki smirked, dropping to his knees and prying Izuku’s legs apart to fit between them. “Just shut your mouth.”

He reached for Izuku’s fly, glaring when Izuku immediately opened his mouth to object, but he couldn’t help but be amused when Izuku slammed it shut again immediately, swallowing hard. He unfastened Izuku’s belt first, giving him ample time to stop him, but when no protests came, he moved to the zip. Slowly he tugged the faded denim down over Izuku’s thighs, surprisingly thick with taut muscle, rolling his eyes when he found All Might boxers waiting underneath.

“Fucking nerd,” he grumbled, tearing them down anyway and letting Izuku’s cock spring free. “I can’t believe I’m doing this for someone so ridiculous.”

Katsuki could practically hear the thoughts swirling in Izuku’s mind, the way he choked back responses, and Katsuki was grateful. He wasn’t sure what answer he could have given.

“Don’t move,” he warned, leaning in closer to run his tongue over the head and watch Izuku’s hips buck. “That’s moving.”

“Sorry!” he squeaked. “I won’t do it again!”

“Good boy.”

Katsuki wrapped his lips around the head, and Izuku finally let out the moan that had been fighting to escape him since the moment Katsuki knelt. It was so unabashed that Katsuki had to pause for a moment to watch – for a moment he thought Izuku was going to come right then and there.

When nothing came, Katsuki sank a little lower, taking deep breaths through his nose as he sank down toward the base. Izuku reached for him immediately, tangling his fingers in Katsuki’s hair, but since he didn’t try to push or pull, Katsuki decided to allow it.

His tongue swept across hot flesh as he moved, toying with the shaft as he began to move in an out, and true to his word, Izuku managed to remain still. His fingers tightened in Katsuki’s hair, the other hand gripping his armrest like it had wronged him personally, but still he didn’t say a word, didn’t try to move an inch.

“Good boy,” Katsuki murmured, when he pulled off to take a breath. “Keep being good for me.”

Izuku nodded frantically, and Katsuki sank back onto him again, drawing out another whine like nothing Katsuki had ever heard before – it sure as hell wasn’t his first time blowing a dude, but he’d never been with one so noisy before.

“Kacchan, m’gonna-” he gasped, chest heaving. “I’m-”

Katsuki pulled off once more, jerking him a couple of times with his hand, and with a few quick strokes Izuku was shooting cum all over the shiny tile floors.

“I just cleaned those,” Katsuki complained, as he climbed to his feet and brushed hair off his trousers. “You better not expect me to do it again.”

“Yeah,” Izuku agreed breathlessly, head falling back as he tried to get some composure back. “I’ll do it, s’fine.”

He managed to pull his pants up, covering his pitifully limp dick, and after another minute he clambered to his feet, steadying himself on legs that felt like jelly. Katsuki shoved the broom in his hand before he could even think to object, and Izuku just looked at him pathetically.

“Clean up your mess,” he instructed. “Next time it’ll be easier, less hair. Probably less cum too.”

“You’re so demanding.”

“And you love it,” Katsuki smirked. “You can’t fool me.”

Katsuki reached out, and Izuku froze, dumbfounded as Katsuki raked his fingers through his hair again lightly.

“It’s drier than it should be, you should start using a leave-in conditioner or something. Would help keep it from frizzing after you wash it, too.”

“I’ll take one home,” Izuku agreed, his voice weaker than he would have liked – how was Katsuki acting like nothing had happened? Like it was all so normal? Did he often blow people in their shared workspace?!

“Take the purple bottle, it’s better for curly hair.”

“Fine,” Izuku agreed, pinching at the bridge of his nose. “I’ve got it, Kacchan.”

He swept up the last of the hair as Katsuki watched, accepted a damp cloth to wipe up his shame, then finally stopped to look up at the clock, counting under his breath and slowly cracking a smile.

“Your turn,” he explained, when Katsuki raised an eyebrow at him.

“What the fuck, nerd.”

“Don’t go thinking sucking me off gets you out of your end of the bargain!” Izuku insisted, already tossing the stained cloth in the trash and heading for his little stack of supplies. “We should still have time!”

“You’re expecting to take an hour and a half? What the fuck, nerd.”

“I like to take my time!”

“At least you’ve put some thought into it, I guess,” he huffed. “Whatever, get it over with.”

He moved to sit in his chair, but Izuku grabbed his arm, his smile stretching wider when Katsuki’s eyes narrowed.

“My station,” he explained, nodding toward his own side of the room. “I cleaned it last night, relax.”

“Ugh. Whatever.”

He let Izuku push him into a chair lightly, grumbling again when Izuku tipped him back over a sink.  He’d hoped maybe Izuku would just get it over with, but no, he was gonna do his whole shitty routine.

“Can I bring my phone?”

“Kacchan! No! Just relax!”

“It’d be more relaxing if I could catch up on my emails while you take your time.”

“No!”

“Spoilsport.”

He sat back all the same, closing his eyes as Izuku started the water running. After a day of being sick, he was still a little tired; maybe he’d just take a nap while Izuku did whatever the hell he was gonna do. Personally, Katsuki was pretty fond of his spiky hair – completely natural, despite what everyone seemed to think – but he wasn’t afraid to mix it up, either. There was nothing stopping him from just buzzing it all off and starting over if Izuku messed it up. Worst case scenario, Izuku shaved him entirely bald, and Katsuki wore some cool hats for a few weeks.

And okay, he had to admit, maybe there was something to Izuku’s madness. It did feel kinda good when he started massaging Katsuki’s head, the warm water soothing as it slid through his hair. Despite how infuriating his speed usually was, the slow, gentle touch was... Alright, he’d admit it, Izuku had been right. On that one thing, anyway.

Soon Izuku was gently sitting him back up, adjusting the towel around his shoulders to soak up any drips, and Katsuki blinked his eyes open groggily, giving Izuku’s cheerful face a quick glare just for good measure.

“Can I have my phone now?” he asked, more to be stubborn than anything else.

“You’re the worst client I’ve ever had.”

“I’m not a client, I ain’t paying you for this.”

“You know what I mean!”

Katsuki grumbled to himself, but let Izuku set him up at his workstation all the same, watching as he whipped out an old hairdryer and set to work. Izuku had always seemed to use a thousand more tools than Katsuki, and where Katsuki liked to buy new things regularly, Izuku tended to find something he liked and stick with it. He’d never really minded, since it took the sting out of their business finances, but it still seemed a little weird.

When Izuku picked up a stack of black bowls, Katsuki let out a long, loud groan, getting only bright laughter in return rather than any form of sympathy.

“I should have known you had something shitty up your sleeve,” he complained, as Izuku continued setting up, practically dancing with glee. “Is that red? Why the fuck would you pick red, that’ll never come out.”

“Good! Stop planning how to get it out!”

“Screw you, I’m buying a bottle of baby shampoo on my way home tonight.”

“Don’t you dare!”

“Just try to stop me.”

“No more tears, Kacchan.”

“That’s the worst fucking joke you’ve ever made, and that’s saying something.”

“It’s gonna look great,” Izuku assured him, setting down a packet of orange dye beside the red, and finally a yellow on the end. “I’ve been dying to try this since I saw someone do it online, I’ve finally found my guinea pig!”

“If you fuck this up I expect you to at least cover it in black or some shit to fix it.”

“I won’t mess it up!”

“I said fuck not mess.” Katsuki rolled his eyes, looking up just in time to see Izuku rolling his own right back. “This shit is gonna take so much maintenance.”

“So you are planning to maintain it,” Izuku teased. “No baby shampoo?”

“Fuck you.”

“It’ll be easy,” Izuku promised him. “You’re lucky, you can just dye straight over the roots without bleaching it or anything!”

“What, you want to deal with the upkeep of dye? You couldn’t even handle trimming it.”

“I just think bright colours are cool!” he clarified, setting up three matching bowls of dye. “It would be cool to have it as an option without having to bleach the hell out of my hair. That’s way too much effort.”

“I could do it.”

“Huh?”

“If you wanted,” Katsuki shrugged. “If you decide you wanna try it.”

“You’d bleach it for me?”

“Ain’t like I’ve never coloured hair before,” he snorted. “This is my job, even if I don’t do that part of it very often. Hell, would be good practice to keep my skills up or whatever.”

“Okay!” Izuku beamed. “If I find something I wanna do to it, I’ll let you know!”

“But you have to let me cut it at the same time.”

“Fine,” Izuku laughed. “If I’m gonna change colours, I can handle a little trim too.”

“And I’m not gonna blow you every damn time.”

“I didn’t even ask you to blow me this time!” Izuku pointed out, reaching for some clips to start sectioning off Katsuki’s hair. “I mean, not that I’m not grateful! But I’m sure as hell not expecting it from you!”

“Good.”

He sneaked his phone out of his pocket, managing to navigate his hands out to where he could see the screen, and Izuku just sighed at him, giving up on the protests.

“Tell me about your family?” he requested instead.

“Why?”

“Because we’ve been working together for years and you’ve hardly told me anything about yourself! I didn’t even know you were gay until today!”

“Bi.”

“Oh! Sorry. But yay! Learning! I need notes for my Kacchan client file, so tell me stuff!”

“Do not take notes on me.”

“You can’t stop me,” Izuku sang. “Do you have any siblings?”

“No.”

“Both parents?”

“Yeah.”

“Partner?”

“I just fucking blew you.”

“So... No?”

“Fuck no.”

“Okay! Well, are you dating right now? Have you met anyone cool lately?”

“I don’t have the time.”

“Okay, valid!” Izuku laughed. “I know that feeling.”

“Do we really have to do this small talk shit?”

“It keeps me entertained, I can’t use my phone while I work!”

“Ugh. Fine.”

He stuck his phone away without Izuku even asking, and Izuku couldn’t help but smile.

“Parents live across town,” he said reluctantly. “I see them most weekends.”

“Oh! That’s so nice!”

“Mm. What about you?”

“Just me and my Mom! I still live with her, I’m afraid she’ll be lonely if I leave! One day I might buy a little house, especially if I start a family, but she’ll still have a room there!”

“So you... Don’t have a partner either?”

“Nope! I would’ve stopped you if I did.”

“Good.”

“Good?”

“That you would’ve stopped me,” Katsuki clarified, cheeks turning as bright as the dye Izuku was slathering on his roots. “Awkward otherwise.”

“Uh-huh, we’re good! Um, am I supposed to... Return the favour? While the dye sets?”

Katsuki snorted, and Izuku visibly relaxed, the tension seeping out of his shoulders.

“No?” he squeaked.

“No, I didn’t do it expecting you to copy me,” Katsuki chuckled, a little more genuine than his usual derisive laughs. “Receptionist’ll be here in like half an hour, probably don’t want her walking in on that shit.”

“Good point! Maybe another time, then.”

Katsuki raised an eyebrow, and when he glanced up at the mirror, he noticed Izuku was just as red as he was.

“Sure,” he said finally. “Another time.”

By the time the receptionist arrived, Izuku was finishing off the last little section of hair, wrapping it in foil and stepping back with a triumphant look on his face – it was actually kind of cute, Katsuki couldn’t help but notice.

“There! Now it just needs to sit for an hour!”

“Fuck that, give me a shower cap.”

“It’ll only cut off like twenty minutes!” Izuku objected.

“Twenty more minutes that I don’t risk clients seeing me in this shit.”

“I won’t be able to check on it and make sure you don’t react to it!”

“I use this dye on clients multiple times a week, I’m not allergic, and if it was gonna make my hair fall out, you’d have seen it in the first bit when you checked it again just now. I’m not stupid, I saw you do it. I’ll take it off in half an hour and you can check it then.”

“Fine,” Izuku sighed, tossing him a cap from one of the drawers. “I’ll go clean this stuff up, in the meantime. You can use you phone now.”

“Fucking finally.”

“Looks like you two have been having fun,” the receptionist smiled, when Izuku shot her an apologetic look for the drama. “Felt like a change?”

“Something like that,” he said awkwardly, reaching up to touch his too-short hair. “Apparently my hair was personally offensive to Kacchan.”

“Well it looks good!” she assured him. “You look more youthful! And fun!”

“You think?”

“Absolutely! I might have to ask Katsuki to cut mine next time I need a change, he did a great job!”

“I’ll give you twenty percent off,” Katsuki offered. “No freeloading like the nerd did.”

“Freeloading?! You practically held me down to cut it!”

“Hers isn’t offensive to look at every day.”

“Rude!”

“I’ll take it,” she grinned. “Your prices are already reasonable!”

“Oh, full price then.”

“Kacchan!”

“She knows I’m joking, asshole.”

Izuku shook his head, sighing as he gave up and walked away, carting his bowls out the back to rinse out. Despite the arguments and Katsuki being... Katsuki, he really was excited to see how the dye would turn out. The moment he’d seen his first flame ombre video on social media, he’d known it was perfect for Katsuki. He’d never expected to actually get the chance to do it, and Katsuki was usually far too much of a prude to decide on it himself, but he’d still known. Katsuki was gonna love it once he’d had some time to adjust.

When the bell above the door tinkled, Katsuki groaned quietly, and Izuku looked up to see one of a thousand salarymen with practically the same haircut standing at reception.

“Sorry I’m a little early,” he said with a bow. “I can wait, it seems busy right now.”

“It’s fine,” Katsuki called. “This’ll be a while, and I promise I won’t drip.”

“Is it okay?”

“Yeah, come on through.”

He climbed out of Izuku’s chair, ignoring the little grin Izuku shot him, and made sure his hands were clean before he got the man set up. He had no clue what the guy’s name was, though he was sure it was in the appointment book, but he knew that he’d been coming to see Katsuki for almost a year, and that he always wanted the same thing – short all over, but a little less short toward the front, so it didn’t look too one-dimensional.

“Everything been okay since last time?” he asked, as he fastened the plastic cape around the man. “I assume it’s just time for a trim?”

“Yes, please. It always works great, just needs the usual touch up.”

“Got it.”

Izuku rolled his eyes when Katsuki glanced his way, taunting him with his eyes, trying his best to convey I told you so with his expression alone.

“Are you trying something new?” the man asked, making Katsuki blink at him in surprise. “With your own hair, that is.”

“Oh. Yeah. The nerd- Um, Izuku. He wanted to try this weird dye job he saw online, so I got roped into being his test subject.”

“It must be nice to have a friend you can try things on.”

“I wouldn’t know, he’s a wimp about letting me do anything to his.”

“Hey!” Izuku objected, despite the way the pair laughed about it together. “You just cut mine this morning!”

“It looks good, right?” Katsuki prompted, smirking. “Much more professional.”

“It looks great, I should have known it was your work.”

“See, Deku? You should be thanking me.”

“Not gonna happen!”

With a last smile Katsuki let him be, focusing on the task at hand, and the moment his client was out the door, Izuku was shoving him back into the chair.

“It’s been over half an hour,” he explained. “Let me check it.”

“Get it over with.”

He peeled off the cap carefully, breathing a sigh of relief when he found all the foils intact, with none of the leaking or smudging he’d feared. With the gentlest touch he could manage, he opened up the first piece, a grin stretching across his face when he saw it.

“It looks really good!” he explained, when Katsuki looked up expectantly. “I think it’s done already! The cap helped after all!”

“Good, get this shit off me then.”

Despite the demand, Izuku took a minute to make sure his cape and towels were still in place first, grabbing a bin to dump the foils in as he removed them. Sure enough, underneath the colour was fiery and vibrant, and Izuku couldn’t help but be delighted by it already.

“Lean back, let me wash it off,” he instructed, nudging Katsuki’s head back over the sink. “Almost done.”

“About damn time.”

Just to be a jerk, Izuku turned the water to lukewarm, feeling smug when Katsuki hissed at its touch.

“Fucking cold!” he objected, swiping in Izuku’s direction crankily. “Asswipe!’

“Careful Kacchan, if you call me names I might not change it.”

“I swear to God, Deku.”

“Okay, okay, making it hot, sheesh.”

“Good.”

He waited for the water to heat up some more before he tried again, and this time Katsuki allowed it, letting him carefully rinse dye out until the water began to run clear. Katsuki waited with a surprising amount of patience as Izuku washed and conditioned it again with a carefully chosen set of bottles, and finally Katsuki got to sit up again, staring at the bright, sodden locks hanging flat on his head.

“You don’t look like you without the spikes,” Izuku said knowingly, giggling. “How do you do it? Do you dry it upside down or something?”

“No, it does it itself.”

“Oh! That’s cool! Alright, let’s see how this looks, then!”

He turned the dryer on Katsuki’s head again, and by the time their next client arrived, he was fluffy and dry, his spikes fading from red to orange to a hint of yellow at the ends, just like the classic kind of fire you’d see on TV or in a painting.

“I love it!” Izuku gushed. “I knew it would look cool on you!”

“God this is weird,” Katsuki huffed, running a hand through it to watch it move. “It’s fine, I guess. You did what you set out to do.”

“It’s great,” Izuku insisted. “Hang on, let me take a photo.”

“You have a paying client waiting.”

“I’m good!” she assured them, watching from the little waiting area. “It looks amazing, by the way.”

“Thank you!” Izuku beamed. “It was a lot of fun!”

“You’re making me rethink my colour choice!”

“Really?! Well, have a think, and we can discuss it!”

“Your clients are weird,” Katsuki whispered, grimacing when Izuku poked him firmly, reprimanding him with his gaze.

“I’m taking a photo,” he said again, peeling off his gloves to grab his phone. “I won’t show your face, if you want.”

“It’s fine. Stick it on the salon’s social media, may as well draw in some weird-ass nerds like you.”

“I will!”

“Stick your own on too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Make it a before and after, show them how much you should appreciate me.”

“Very funny,” Izuku said flatly, snapping a couple of pictures. “I love this, I don’t even need to put filters on it.”

“Might need one of the beauty filters for your ugly ass.”

“Kacchan, cut it out!”

He paused, leaning in a little closer to lower his voice, piquing Katsuki’s curiosity.

“Be nice, and I’ll return the favour after we close.”

Katsuki narrowed his eyes, and Izuku just smiled sweetly, eyes darting briefly down at Katsuki’s crotch.

“Better be the best fuckin’ blowjob I’ve ever gotten,” he answered finally.

“You’ll find out if you behave.”

─────

Izuku couldn’t help but grin when Katsuki turned the clippers off, watching in the mirror as he leaned over to plant a cheesy kiss on Izuku’s temple.

“All done,” he said needlessly. “Looking good.”

“Thanks, Kacchan!” Izuku beamed, leaning back to reach his lips for a real one. “So do you.”

“Don’t I always?”

“I take it back.”

“Liar.”

Katsuki smiled despite himself, removing the plastic sheet that protected Izuku’s button-up shirt from falling hair, and accepting another quick kiss when he climbed to his feet.

“Your colour is gonna need touching up soon,” Katsuki informed him. “Your damn roots are showing again.”

“Already?!” he whined. “You were right, coloured hair is so much effort.”

“Told you so.”

“You do it so well, though,” he pouted, leaning over to see his roots in the mirror. “I swear we get like a dozen new clients calling every day asking for one of us to do colour stuff.”

“You’re gonna have to learn to cut faster then, aren’t you?”

“I was going to say we could hire an assistant to do the washing and stuff,” Izuku huffed. “We get enough applications, we could at least consider a couple.”

“But then how are we gonna blow each other at work?”

“That happened one time,” Izuku objected. “It was months ago, move on!”

“But it was hot,” Katsuki teased. “You don’t want me to just get down on my knees right now and take care of you? Let you admire your shitty dye job while you look down on me sucking your cock?”

“Kacchan.”

“Fine, later then. Come to my place, it’s weird fucking with your mother in the next room.”

“Kacchan.”

“I mean it! If you hire an assistant it sure as hell better give us enough new clients to pay them and get us the deposit on a house.”

“I’m sure it would up our efficiency a ton!” Izuku assured him. “At least for the fun jobs. I don’t think we can do much more with your salarymen.”

“Good, keep your mitts off my office workers.”

“So I can hire an assistant?” Izuku asked, perking up like a damn puppy. “I can choose someone?”

“Fine, but make it a girl.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want you blowing any other guys in my salon.”

Izuku laughed brightly, and Katsuki couldn’t help but crack a smile of his own, accepting the touch when Izuku fell into him for a hug.

“I would never,” Izuku assured him. “No matter who I hire, you’ve already got me hooked.”

“Promise?”

“Promise,” Izuku said firmly, pressing a tiny kiss to his lips.

“Fine, hire whoever you want.”

“Okay!”

“But next time I want you to blow me at work, you’re gonna have to get your ass out of bed early.”

Izuku couldn’t help but laugh, despite the absurdity of it all, and he nodded faintly.

“Fine,” he agreed. “We have a deal.”