You can thank my brother for All Might showing up at the end of the last chapter. He doesn't really have an online presence, so I'll pass on the good word for ya'. But that was his idea. As are a few lines from the start of this chapter. Whoo.
Now let's get some good feelings going. Because the BakuDeku part of this fic starts here. Enjoy it. XD
Chapter 7
"How long have you been there!" Izuku yelled, turning over his shoulder. He clutched at his chest to calm his own beating heart.
"Since you and your friend arrived in the park and sat about a table down from mine. You were so focused on the task at hand you didn't notice me," All Might said, smiling warmly while Izuku internally panicked that he'd been so obsessed with Kacchan and challenging Daiki he'd ignored his favorite Hero. (Shameful!) All Might's oversized clothes hung around his loose frame and he nodded toward the picnic table, unfazed at being ignored. "While I admire how well you handled things, it seems you're still upset. Would you like to talk about it?"
Izuku felt his tears grow warm in joy. All Might! His Hero was there and this was exactly what he needed!
It took an hour and a few diagrams, but Izuku spelled out all of his troubles and the entirety of the situation starting with the day Kacchan walked into the diner with Daiki all the way up to a recap of why Izuku confronted Daiki in the park.
"What do you think I should do?" Izuku asked.
"I have no idea," All Might said, shrugging his shoulders in a sheepish smile. "Relationships are a bit out of my purview. As you might have noticed, Young Midoriya, I myself am still very single."
Izuku stared.
That wasn't how this conversation was supposed to go.
"I don't even think I know anyone I could recommend you to. Endeavor is the only married Hero I know personally and not only have I not spoken to him in a while, he was set up by a matchmaker, so I don't think he'd be much help," All Might said. He looked up at the sky and scratched the side of his head. "Present Mic and Eraserhead have been dating since high school, but then again, I'm also fairly certain that Eraserhead is not aware that he's dating Present Mic so I don't think they'd be much assistance either."
"O-okay," Izuku said, staring at the table.
If All Might, the one man who was always there when needed and a Hero among Heroes had no advice for Izuku, then what was he to do? Izuku breathed in and covered the lower half of his mouth. His friends had tried. Izuku had done his best. And all of it seemed to lead to nowhere but self sabotage.
(He was going to lose Kacchan, wasn't he?)
A hand dropped into his hair and Izuku looked up through the strands.
All Might's smile remained soft and fond, and very amused. "Youth can be a trying time, but for what it's worth, I think my lack of a reply to your question doesn't matter much when you've already got your own answers."
"Huh?" Izuku asked.
"You came out to the park today and made a declaration, did you not?" All Might asked. His fingers squeezed in Izuku's hair, gentle but firm. All Might shook his head, knocking his blond hair out of his eyes to reveal their full warmth and pride. "That sounds to me like you've already made up your mind on what you're going to do."
Izuku sat up straighter.
"So go on, my boy! Go ask young Bakugou out on a date," All Might said. He ruffled Izuku's hair and threw his hands out. All Might placed his hands on his knees and nodded. "And if he says no, then at least you won't have to deal with the regret of having never tried. But more importantly, he can't say yes either if you don't ask, now can he?"
"All Might," Izuku said. He jumped across the table and gave his mentor a hug, squeezing tight. He crushed the thin form to his chest and once again found himself bursting with joy this man was brought into his life. "Thank you."
"Any time, my boy," All Might said. He squeezed Izuku back before pulling away. "And remember the words of your friends: You are a remarkable, bright young lad and no matter how Bakugou decides to return your feelings, those facts are still true."
Izuku nodded and sniffed. He rubbed his eyes on his sleeves and grinned. "I will."
"Then go get him!" All Might said, pointing to the street. "You've got a date to crash."
"Yeah!" Izuku yelled, pumping his hand in the air. He turned to jump out of his seat before he caught himself and stumbled. He looked back at All Might. "Wait! No. I can't do that! That'd be mean."
All Might covered his mouth to hide his snort. "Fair enough. Tomorrow then?"
"Tomorrow," Izuku said, nodding to himself.
Tomorrow, he would ask Kacchan out.
"Don't talk to me, Deku. We still have stupid detention and I want it to get it over with," Kacchan said, shoving his things in his bag to set aside so they could clean the classroom. His shoulders were still tense and it was clear that he was still unnerved by Izuku's earlier confession. That could be good or bad depending, but Izuku had no time to change plans. "Go clean on the other side of the room."
"I have something I need to ask you," Izuku said, steeling himself.
(Izuku could do this. He could do this!)
He pulled his shoulders back and ignored the few stares of people still lingering at the end of class. He wasn't too keen on having witnesses for this, but he was sure they'd hear about it one way or another anyway. If he waited too long, Kacchan would run after detention and he'd have to wait another day to ask.
Izuku had waited far too long already.
Nothing would deter him. Izuku would put up with Kirishima's confused stare, Iida's concerned expression, Uraraka's glee, and Todoroki's blank stare and focus on the target.
Kacchan sensed Izuku's eternal stubbornness coming into play and sighed, dropping his bag on the floor. "What now, Deku?"
"Would you like to go out with me this Friday night?" Izuku asked, holding his head high. "And I do mean that as a date."
"Daiki said you were going to do this," Kacchan said, scowling at the floor as he mumbled under his breath. He scratched the back of his head and sat on the edge of his desk. "I'm not cheating on my boyfriend, Deku."
"It's not cheating," Izuku said. He kept his gaze strong and kept eye contact. "Daiki and I came to an understanding. I told him my intentions and he said game on."
"And what if I just don't want to?" Kacchan asked. He crossed his arms, leaning back and sticking his legs out. He crossed them at the ankle and stared Izuku down. "Nothing says I have to go out with you, Deku."
That was…unfortunately true.
"I know, but I'd regret it if I didn't ask, so I am," Izuku said. He gripped his hands into fists and breathed out. "Would you like to go out with me Friday night?"
"No," Kacchan said.
"O-okay," Izuku said, swallowing. He bit his lip and folded his hands together. He'd asked. That was all he could do and his was a possibility. Izuku nodded and rubbed his knuckles with his thumb. "Thanks for letting me ask."
He turned away from Kacchan, grabbing his bag. Uraraka looked like she was ready to cry and Iida looked away, adjusting his glasses. Izuku knew they'd be there for him later and he appreciated it.
Izuku had asked. He knew the answer but he asked.
"Sunday's better."
That had been Kacchan.
Izuku stopped, his heart skipping a beat. He turned on his back heel and saw the most beautiful sight in the world: Kacchan looking at the blackboard, a small frustrated—almost embarrassed—look on his face.
"What was that?" Izuku asked.
"I said Friday's a bad day, so we'll go out Sunday," Kacchan said, whipping his head back to Izuku. His cheeks flushed pink and he glared, but it was a thoughtful glare. A considerate glare. Kacchan hopped off the desk and headed toward the supply closet. "Don't make me repeat myself."
"Yes!" Izuku said, cheeks hurting from the smile that stretched across it. "It's a date!"
