Chapter 21: Epilogue
It had been seven years since they had started high school. Since obtaining their hero's licenses, their reputations only grew. Many people were amazed at the strength of the new hero Deku, and his dashing smile and fun personality only made him more popular. Bakugo enticed many younger fans with his strong and silent demeanor. Taking on the name Ground Zero, he became known for his vast knowledge of emergency medicine and became a common first responding hero after major disasters. Their agents often coupled them together during interviews and public sightings, their personalities playing off of each other quite nicely, and though the world didn't know they were a couple, their concern and care for one another showed through in nearly every interaction. A circumstance that the marketing teams for their agencies were happy to use to their advantage.
They lived together for three years following their graduation, their relationship only growing stronger with each passing year. One evening, Bakugo texted Izuku after work. It was an early November evening, the sun having gone down early and the air slightly chilly as it blew through the city. Izuku reviewed the text once more.
Hey Izuku, meet me in front of UA after work.
Izuku had no idea why he would want to meet in front of UA. Since graduating, they hadn't been near the school grounds in years, and this late in the evening; classes would have already ended for the day.
He saw Bakugo leaning against the wall surround the school, looking oddly nervous even in the relaxed position. His pea coat flapping lightly in the soft breeze. Izuku smiled and waved at him, a small smile breaking across Bakugo's face. He ran over to him and kissed him lightly. Bakugo led him around the wall of the entrance to the school, out of sight of prying eyes.
"Hey" Bakugo said, lightly caressing Izuku's cheek.
"Hey" Izuku replied, leaning into his hand.
"How was work?"
"Pretty boring, nothing much happened today. So we spent the majority of the day patrolling"
"That's good."
A silence fell over them and Bakugo held Izuku's hands. He looked down and lightly traced one of the scars on Izuku's hand. Izuku tried to catch his eyes.
"What's going on?" He asked, reaching up and lightly caressing Bakugo's cheek.
"Do you know what day it is?" Bakugo asked, meeting Izuku's eyes.
"Thursday?"
Bakugo glared at him slightly, a playful smile playing on his lips, "I know that, I mean do you remember what happened on this day?"
"Not particularly."
"Today was the day we took the exam to get admitted into UA."
He looked up at the large school, the street lights reflecting off of the large glass windows. It had been so long since that day. He imagined the memories reflecting off the glass like a movie on a screen.
"That day changed our lives forever. We started attending UA and chasing our dreams to become heroes. If we hadn't both attended, then we wouldn't be where we are today." Bakugo said.
Izuku nodded before meeting his eyes once more. Bakugo was never the type to be nostalgic, and he was oddly somber today. His heart slightly raced with worry.
"I figured if I was going to do this. I-it would be best to do it here on this day" he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small black box.
Izuku's eyes widened, his hands covering his mouth. Bakugo knelt down onto one knee and opened the box, a small gold ring glittered at the center of the felted interior.
"Izuku Midoryia, all those years ago my life changed for the better. I grew close to you, I fell in love with you, and now if you will have me; I would like to marry you" he said, his face growing a deeper shade of red with each word, "Will you marry me?"
Tears welled up in Izuku's eyes and his breathing quickened. He tried to find his voice in the sobs, and when he couldn't he quickly nodded his head.
"Y-yes!" He cried, and Bakugo's eyes widened slightly.
"Y-you will?" He said as he stood up and pulled Izuku into his arms. Izuku nodded quickly and pulled him into a deep kiss.
"O-of course" he said when they parted. A bright smile formed on Bakugo's face as he quickly pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it onto Izuku's finger.
"Fits perfectly" Izuku said, a bright smile across his face as well as he held Bakugo close.
X
They quickly realized that with their growing popularity in Japan, their wedding may not stay private for very long. So they saved up and planned to have it in San Diego, California. They invited everyone from class 1-A and disguised the event as a small class reunion. They made sure that both of their families could fly out there as well.
They chose a small resort near the beach to have the wedding and reception. The large ballroom decorated with cherry blossoms and assorted flowers. Bakugo was currently fixing his cuff links and tying his tie in one of the dressing rooms. His agent, a short man with dark brown hair and glasses, came in.
"Mr. Ground Zero, I think you should see this" he said, handing over the tabloid.
Bakugo took it from him and looked at the cover. He and Izuku had gone to the mall to get a few final things for the wedding, and the photo on the front showed them in the food court having lunch, Izuku's engagement ring glittering slightly in the light.
Two of Japan's most popular heroes in USA for "class reunion". Is there more to the story?
Bakugo rolled his eyes and laid it down on the counter by the mirror, "Is the press outside?" he asked
"Yes, they are sir" his agent said, "They are talking with the guests as they enter."
"Well, we explained the situation in the invitation, I'm certain that everyone can handle themselves. Is Izuku ready?"
"Yes sir. He told me to tell you he is ready when you are"
"Then let's get this show on the road"
X
Outside, Kirishima and Denki spoke with the press, trying to allow everyone else to get past into the resort.
"It was wonderful for Izuku to plan this reunion" Kirishima said, "Its great seeing everyone again"
"Are you sure that this is just a reunion?" One of the reporters asked, shoving a mike in Denki's face.
"Oh yeah, he has been planning this for months. He wanted to see us all again"
Kirishima looked at his watch and tapped Denki on the chest, "We have to go" he whispered. They said their goodbyes and raced into the building. Building security held back the reporters as they attempted to rush the doors.
X
Bakugo stood at the front of the alter, Kirishima and Denki standing behind him in matching black suits with matching red vests. Uraraka and Ida standing across from him. Uraraka wearing a short, simple green dress and Ida also wearing a matching black suit with a matching green vest. The minister behind them stepped forward.
"Can everyone please rise" He asked and everyone stood. The back doors of the ballroom opened and Izuku and his mother walked in. Izuku's suit was white with a light green vest underneath the jacket. His mother wore a simple green dress. She lightly dabbed tears from her eyes. Bakugo could see tears at the edges of Izuku's eyes, though his bright smile made Bakugo's heart race.
Izuku smiled at his mother as they approached the alter and gave her a warm hug before walking up and joining Bakugo at the altar. Bakugo reached out and took his hand and they faced each other, the minister smiling softly at the two of them.
"Today, we gather here to join these beloved heroes in holy matrimony!"
As the minister continued on with his words his voice faded away from them. They looked at each other and smiled as they became the only two people left in the room. From now on they would always be together.
THE END