Izuku stared at the two on the sofa, stock-still. His expression remained unchanging, as if the words hadn't fully processed in his brain.

"No, that's... That can't be right..."

Mirio sighed and stood. "Axel - from my group - came from Georgia... We were headed to the CDC as well, but... Days before we could reach it, they had been overrun and the building was destroyed. Axel says there's nothing left. No way for a vaccine."

Katsuki watched the color drain from Izuku's face. He jumped to his feet and swerved around the sofa, gently grabbing Izuku's arm. He stood between Izuku and their 'guests', back turned to them. "Hey, go sit. Sit down, I'll go set up the room. It'll be ready in a minute."

Izuku swallowed hard, nodding slowly. Katsuki's frown deepened and he leaned closer. "Izuku..?"

"I'm... I'm okay..." He shuffled back and slowly sat down, hands in his lap. "Destroyed..?"

"Yeah, man..." Mirio looked a little sympathetic. "It's gone. There's no more CDC in America... As far ad we know, no where else is working on a vaccine - if there's anyone still alive on any other continent."

Katsuki grit his teeth and clenched his fists, turning back down the hallway. He threw open the bedroom door and started cleaning up, then slowed as he finished, realization dawning over him.

We won't be separated... He'll stay with me since he can't go down to the CDC.

~

Once Mirio and Tamaki were closed off in the back bedroom, Katsuki sat beside Izuku, taking his hand. The greenette leaned onto him, staring at the floor.

"The CDC is gone..?"

Katsuki sighed softly. "Izuku..."

"What am I supposed to do..? This whole time, I... I've been trying to get there, and it's gone. Destroyed..."

He tilted towards Izuku and pulled him close, kissing his head. "Izuku... We can find a place... Settle down and... Live. You can rest... With me..."

Izuku looked up to him, wet veridian meeting sincere crimson. He sniffed and leaned into him. He rested his head on Katsuki's shoulder. "That sounds nice..."

"Good..." Katsuki rubbed his back, staring at the fire. "Do you need something to eat?"

"Uhm... No. No I'm okay. Just need some sleep..."

"Alright. I'll keep watch, make sure they didn't lure the infected in our direction."

The greenette sighed and closed his eyes. "Alright... Stay here with me?"

Katsuki hummed, carding his fingers through his curls. "Yeah. I can stay."

~

Katsuki watched as the sun rose, chin propped in his hand with Izuku's head in his lap. He absently stroked Izuku's hair, listening to his soft, even breathing.

He paused as he heard the door creak open. Very quietly, very slowly, as if not wanting to be heard. Footsteps shuffled up the hallway and Katsuki shot a glare over his shoulder.

Tamaki halted as he met Katsuki's gaze on accident and quickly bowed his head. "I apologize. I didn't realize you were awake. I was just thirsty."

Katsuki glanced him up and down. No shoes, so he's not planning on running with their things. He nodded towards the kitchen. "In the backpack, there's some water bottles." This one appears harmless. Still, Katsuki needs to keep his guard up.

The ravenette muttered a soft thank you, making his way to the kitchen. He opened the bag, took a bottle, then closed it. Tamaki shuffled back to the hallway, then stopped. He swallowed and turned back. "Thank you... For helping us. I know it is hard trusting people and being willing to spend ammunition on strangers."

"It's whatever."

"Are you two... Together?"

Katsuki narrowed his eyes, scowl deepening.

Tamaki shifted. "Mirio and I have been since before everything started. We've actually... Been together since high school. We grew up together and it just made sense... And I just can't imagine life without him... It must have been scary when you saw him bitten..."

The blond looked down to Izuku, hand stilled in his curls. It was terrifying. One of the worst moments in his life. He thought he had lost Izuku, so soon after getting him back.

"Anyway... I'm sorry about the CDC... And... Thank you, again..."

Tamaki shuffled back to the bedroom, closing the door just as quietly as he opened it.

Katsuki sighed softly, brushing his thumb over Izuku's cheek.

~

Izuku smiled and waved as Mirio and Tamaki walked away, Tamaki facing away with his head low, Mirio beside him, walking backwards as he waved and grinned back to them.

He hummed, adjusting his knapsack. "I hope they can find the rest of their group."

Katsuki looked down to him. "Izuku."

"Yes?"

"What are you wanting to do?"

Izuku inhaled deeply. "Just keep heading South... And hope we find a place that'll fit your group."

Katsuki nodded, grabbing his hand and walking the opposite direction of the other two. "Towards the beach would be good, too. We're almost to Virginia, and they had half decent farmland. Lots of historical sites."

The greenette smiled and nodded, leaning on him. "Sounds like a good place to start."

~

The day was fairly uneventful, the two walking in silence, hands entwined and occasionally bumping hips.

Katsuki doesn't ever remember feeling so at peace. So content.

Look at him. The world has gone to shit. It's complete chaos and here he is, happier than he ever remembers being just holding Izuku's hand. He'd run his thumb over Izuku's knuckles, bring their hands up to kiss his palm, occasionally squeeze, but did not let go. Not until it was time to clear their next overnight spot.

A hotel room, second floor, two twin beds. Katsuki hooked the chain to the door, setting the duffle bag by the bathroom door.

Izuku sat the knapsack at the foot of one of the beds, then opened the curtains. "Not much activity outside. We should search the cars in the morning, and some of the other rooms for supplies."

"That shit can wait." Katsuki toed off his boots and approached Izuku.

The younger turned to face him, raising his hand to touch Katsuki's as his face was cupped gently. "Kats..?"

"Just don't talk about how it'll be fucking cold tonight."

Izuku smiled and nodded. "I can do that."

Katsuki sighed and closed the distance. Izuku stepped forward, pressing their bodies together as their lips met. Katsuki trailed his hands down to Izuku's waist, smiling as arms wound around his neck.

He stepped backwards, bringing Izuku with him. Fingers tangled in his hair as he sat, pulling Izuku onto his lap.

Izuku kicked off his boots, straddling Katsuki's lap easily. Hands groped at the greenette's hips, Katsuki reveling in Izuku's warmth.

The younger gently pushed Katsuki down onto the bed, following him to ensure their mouths never broke apart, even for breath. His jeans were becoming constricting, body becoming hot. His gut stirred impatiently, fingers tugging gently at Katsuki's hair as he rocked his body against the blond's for more friction.

However, the moment he felt the bulge in Katsuki's jeans, he gasped and jerked back, panting as he sat up.

"Wh-what..?" Katsuki slurred between heavy breaths, confused and disheveled. "'Zuku..?"

Izuku looked down between them, panic raising in his chest - horror as he realized he had sported a bulge of his own. He covered his mouth, tears in his eyes.

"Whoa, whoa, hey!" Katsuki slipped his first attempt to push himself up, cupping Izuku's face once he was successful. "Look at me, look at me. What is it, what's wrong?"

"I-I'm sorry," Izuku whimpered behind his hands, eyes pinching shut.

Katsuki watched him for a moment, gently stroking his hair, then realization dawned on him. He sighed, taking Izuku's hands. "We can stop. We don't have to do anything at all, okay?" That got Izuku to crack open his misty eyes to meet Katsuki's soft, understanding gaze. "Your pace."

Izuku took shuddering inhales, drooping forward and letting his forehead rest against Katsuki's. He closed his eyes, thumbs brushing back and forth over his cheeks. "Can we just... Sleep..?"

"Of course," Katsuki murmured softly, tilting his head. He watched Izuku carefully, giving him a few more seconds before laying down with him once more. "Want me to get in the other bed?"

"No... No, I don't want that. Stay, please..."

He nodded, pulling Izuku into his chest. He ran his knuckles up and down Izuku's spine, concern bubbling in his gut. Katsuki sighed and kissed the top of the greenette's head. "I'll be right here..."

-----

1413 words

Was planning on making it a little smutty... Decided not to when it came time to write it I guess.