A/n: Hello, guys! This is a shorter chapter, but it has the long awaited tattoos! XD

xxx

Commitment

Katsuki rode the train home to the suburbs that surrounded UA by himself. Todoroki still had a few things he had to settle with his family and planned on taking a later train back to the school. Tokyo wasn't far. It took less than an hour before Katsuki was striding out of the station carrying his duffle and the metal suitcase containing his hero costume.

Katsuki looked around at the familiar scene. The cars driving past and the people moving along the sidewalk hadn't changed, but… It felt so much smaller than he remembered, now that he could compare the district of Yuei to Hosu and downtown Tokyo. Instead of feeling cramped, however, Katsuki felt his shoulders relax. A smile curled his lips. He was home.

A horn honked. Katsuki saw a familiar black car waiting at the curb. He hadn't called Aizawa. He hadn't told him which train or what time he'd arrive, but all the same, Katsuki had known Aizawa would be there to pick him up. That Katsuki had been right filled him with a tangle of mixed emotions. Tightening his hand on the duffle strap across his chest, he made his way over to where his teacher sat waiting.

"How was your work-study?" Aizawa asked as Katsuki sat heavily in the front passenger seat.

"Informative," Katsuki answered neutrally and studied Aizawa's profile. His teacher looked tired but not as utterly exhausted as he'd appeared in Hosu. He must have at least gotten some rest in the four days between then and now. "You didn't have to pick me up. I could've made it to the house."

"I know," Aizawa answered easily.

Katsuki snorted and crossed his arms. "Just so you know, I plan on staying at Izuku's tonight."

Aizawa nodded his head, unsurprised, and they fell into a comfortable silence.

Fifteen minutes later, they had driven almost to the border of the school's property and reached Aizawa's house. Katsuki was glad to see that the windows were no longer boarded up. New glass shone in the late morning light.

"Did your insurance cover the damages?" Katsuki asked as he hefted his bag over his shoulder.

Aizawa walked a little ahead of him and unlocked the front door with a key. "Mostly."

The house was clean and uncluttered, but it wasn't obsessively so. Katsuki surprised himself when a sense of home washed over him. He clenched his fists and tried to push the emotion away. In fact, he was tempted to bring up the subject of moving into his own place just out of reflex because this wasn't his home. He wasn't even sure where exactly he stood with Aizawa or how permanent this would be. Emotionally, it was smarter to get out before he got in so deep that it would hurt him when it all fell apart.

But he kept his cool and his silence. Katsuki marched to his room to put his stuff away and then started a load of laundry. He wasn't about to confront Aizawa without thinking it through first. Aizawa wasn't just his guardian. He was the teacher in charge of Katsuki's education. It complicated things. Besides, Katsuki wasn't going to run away just because he was scared of being hurt. Anger didn't rule him, neither would fear. He would think about it some more before making a final decision.

"Have you talked to Midoriya much?"

Katsuki looked up from folding clothes on his bed. Aizawa leaned in the doorway to his room. His arms were crossed, but his expression was neutral. Brows lowering in the beginnings of a glare, Katsuki answered, "We've texted a bit." Aizawa didn't say anything for a couple seconds and he glared for real. "Why?"

Aizawa sighed, sounding resigned. "From what I've gathered, Midoriya's training with Gran Torino went well. All Might was very proud of his progress, but…" Aizawa trailed off, not finishing his sentence.

"But?" Katsuki bit out, getting to his feet. His hands curled into fists.

"Something must have happened," Aizawa admitted. "All Might sounded tense, and when I pressed, he said he was worried about Midoriya, said Midoriya wasn't sleeping more than an hour or two at a time."

Katsuki relaxed, a wave of relief washing through him. "Izu always sleeps poorly a week or two after the moon, so that's not unusual. Inko usually gives him sleeping pills when it gets bad."

Aizawa didn't look convinced. Dark, intelligent eyes met Katsuki's. "I'm available should either of you need anything. I didn't do well against Stain, so you have every reason to doubt me, but I want you to know you can rely on me."

Katsuki instinctively shifted his weight to the balls of his feet, his body preparing for a fight. Shit. He wasn't ready for this confrontation, but he couldn't back down when Aizawa was basically throwing down a gauntlet. He refused to look weak! "Rely on you…" he echoed, tone tense. "Sure, sensei, we can rely on you, but to what extent? Because you've been giving me some fucking mixed signals."

To Aizawa's credit, he didn't deny it or ask what Katsuki meant, but he didn't answer Katsuki's question, either. He straightened, coming out of his lean against the wall and dropped his arms to his sides. His expression tensed into a frown as he held Katsuki's angry glare.

Katsuki continued with brutal honesty. "It's only been seven weeks since school started, so I don't fucking know you, Aizawa. You've been a good teacher, taking me in and kicking ass at the USJ, but you've forced this thing between us. I trusted you with serious fucking shit and you promised you'd respect me, but you went behind my back and took fucking guardianship over me without even talking to me about it first. I feel like you manipulated me when you talked me into staying here during the Sports Festival instead of getting my own place. You were working toward this outcome all along. Considering my parents, I can understand that, but I wasn't on the same page. You deliberately kept me out of the loop. This is my life and my fucking future we're talking about, and I refuse to let someone take control away from me."

Aizawa opened his mouth to speak, but Katsuki's wasn't finished. He took an aggressive step forward and his voice dropped to a growl. "Now you're getting all involved with Izuku and taking a special interest in that Shinso freak. I don't fucking like it. This is dangerous. I don't know what you're thinking or what you're capable of, and Izuku and Shinso could be really fucking hurt if you make the wrong decision."

Aizawa sighed and closed his eyes for a long minute. His black lashes touched the top of the thick scar that ran horizontally under his right eye. He'd almost died at the USJ. It was a miracle he hadn't and that the damage to his eye had been repairable. He'd felt gutted when he'd seen that nomu slam Aizawa's face down on concrete. Shit. Things were so fucking messy between them.

Taking a deep breath, Aizawa opened his eyes and ran a shaking hand through his long, scraggily hair. "I apologize, Katsuki. I am not very good at communicating when it comes to emotional topics, and my experience with teenagers has made me very cautious to involve them in such serious matters. They do not often act rationally." A look of deep pain crossed Aizawa's face. "Two years ago, I had a student who was also being abused." Aizawa took an unsteady breath, eyes vulnerable. "She took her life instead of trusting me to help her with the situation. If I had acted sooner, if I had trusted my instincts instead of believing her when she insisted she was fine, she would still be alive today."

Katsuki had no idea what to say to that. It was a tragic fucking story, and he knew Aizawa was going to feel guilty for that for the rest of his life, but at the same time, Katsuki wasn't that girl, and Aizawa would be making a huge mistake treating Katsuki as if he were.

Aizawa sighed. "May I sit down?"

Katsuki scowled but nodded his head. He backed up to the desk and sat in the chair while Aizawa sat on the edge of his bed.

"I understand you are different from the average teenager, Katsuki," Aizawa said quietly. "You have a genius-level intellect and have demonstrated remarkable maturity, but you've also shown yourself to be highly emotional. You're right. I didn't want you living alone, but had I made that intention clear from the beginning, you would have refused. As you've said, we've known each other only a short while. I had hoped that, by delaying your move, we could get to know each other better and you would become more open to the idea of staying. Had you still wished to live alone after that period, I would have supported you and helped you move into a place of your own."

Katsuki crossed his arms. "I don't understand why you feel so strongly about the matter. I would be fine living on my own."

"Practically speaking, you are correct," Aizawa agreed, inclining his head. "But you're still a teenager, Katsuki. Socially, emotionally, you are still growing. It's not healthy for you to live by yourself and have no support to fall back on. To be responsible for your meals, managing the house, working to pay bills on top of your studies, having no one to seek neutral advice from - it is not easy to live alone when you are an adult let alone when you are still a child. I know from personal experience how hard it can be. I wanted to help you, Katsuki. You deserve every advantage that the other students have, including an adult who will act on your behalf."

"So it was pity and your sense of justice that motivated you to take me in?" Katsuki asked coldly, unimpressed.

"Understanding, not pity," Aizawa corrected. He held Katsuki's eyes without flinching, sincerity written across his face. "I have never pitied you." He leaned forward, putting his forearms on his thighs. "I should have talked to you about the DNA test and my desire to take custody from your parents. I was wrong not to. In my defense, you were about to be arrested and you had just told us the extent of the abuse, which included two murder attempts. I feared that you would reject my offer of guardianship if I were to ask, and that you would then be arrested because you denied my protection. If that happened, your hero career would have been over regardless of the verdict."

Katsuki crossed his arms. He hated it, but he did understand Aizawa's choice. It wasn't the right one, but honestly Katsuki was used to people making bad choices. "Well, you got your way. You're my guardian and I have to live here. I'm going to have to fucking deal with that, but I want to make one thing really fucking clear. Just because you won, it doesn't mean you get to use me to get to Izuku."

Aizawa sat straight, offended. "Midoriya is my student. Regardless of what happens between you and I, it is my duty to help him."

Katsuki cut his hand through the air sharply. "Yeah, but as you said, students don't tell you everything. There are fucking levels of intimacy that teachers aren't included in. You're trying to use your connection to me to get a deeper connection to Izuku. Otherwise, you'd talk to him yourself and be fucking stonewalled as a teacher should instead of coming to me and asking if I've talked to him."

Aizawa stared at him. He looked surprised. "That was not my intention."

Katsuki took an aggressive step forward, eyes glittering with anger. "Let me put it to you this way. Izuku's having some trouble with his mom. If we told you sensitive information about Izuku, would you feel obligated to include his mother? It would be your duty as a teacher to do so." His eyes narrowed with accusation. "You made that fucking clear when you told me I had to tell my parents about dating Izuku once you knew about it."

Aizawa blinked at that, frowning.

Hands clenching into fists to prevent a pop or spark, Katsuki demanded, "Or what if that pycho government institute tries to rip Izuku or Shinso from UA? If they strong-armed the school somehow, would you feel obligated to step aside and allow it?"

"I'd quit," Aizawa answered immediately and without any hesitation.

Katsuki was taken aback at the quick and firm answer. His hands relaxed and he stared at his teacher in surprise.

Eyes hard with determination, Aizawa repeated, "I'd quit in a heartbeat if Nezu said we had to step aside. I'd quit and hide Midoriya and Shinso away. I'd most likely be labeled a rogue in doing so, but I would use every connection I know to keep them safe. Most likely, the boys would have to be smuggled overseas if it came to that point. However, I assure you that Nezu would never hand them over easily. He is working hard to make sure they are protected, even from the government."

Aizawa sighed and ran a hand over his face tiredly. "As for Midoriya's mother, that is a harder question. She has rights as a parent. Midoriya is still a minor. If his mental health or life were in danger, I would be obligated to inform her, but as Midoriya's teacher and your guardian, I am also ethically bound to respect anything Midoriya tells me in confidence. It's a delicate balance, but I feel it's one that I can maintain." He gave Katsuki a worried look. "Hopefully things don't get that bad between Midoriya and his mother."

It was Katsuki's turn to sigh tiredly. He stepped back and sat heavily in the desk chair. "Nah. They'll be fine. She's just working through her own issues. Izuku will pull her out of it. He's good at that."

Aizawa smiled. "Good to hear."

Katsuki frowned over at his teacher. "I get everything you've said, and I'll fucking get over you taking custody of me, but that doesn't change the fact that you've been pushing me to move faster than I'm ready to go. I'm not ready to be that fucking close. I'm here, and I'm not fucking fighting it. Outside of that, I need some space and some autonomy."

Aizawa nodded his head.

Katsuki gave a wolfish grin. "And speaking of autonomy, I want to get a tattoo."

Aizawa's eyes widened. "What?"

"After Hosu, we realized some things. Things we don't ever want to fucking forget. Glasses didn't want to get the surgery so he wouldn't be tempted to act out of vengeance again, but Izuku talked him into getting a tattoo to remember instead. As for Todoroki, he took that asshole's death hard and wants to remember something personal, and Izuku…" Katsuki gave his teacher a considering look. At Aizawa's calm expression, he decided to open up a bit. "He needs to remember that he is worthy of being a hero. We made a promise, the four of us, to meet up this afternoon and get tattoos together. We've thought about it a lot, and it would really mean a lot to us. Glasses and Todoroki already got permission, and Izuku's going to as his mother when he gets in." Katsuki lifted an eyebrow and crossed his arms, waiting.

"How big?" Aizawa asked. "And where do you want it?"

"We all want to be able to see it, so we chose our forearm." Katsuki put his left arm forward and drew a circle just below the inside bend of his elbow. The circle was a big one, covering almost half the underside of his forearm.

"That's a big tattoo," Aizawa said as calmly as he could. "How expensive is it?"

"Thirty thousand yen," Katsuki answered. "Glasses is covering Izuku and Todoroki is covering me. We promised to pay them back once we graduate. I've already called and made an appointment at a reputable tattoo parlor to make sure they had time for us. It's two train stops from here, halfway to downtown Tokyo."

Aizawa sighed. "You understand that a lot of people will be offended by you wearing a tattoo?"

Katsuki didn't bother to respond to something so stupid. Of course, he understood that. He also didn't fucking care. None of them did. This really meant something to them.

"Very well." Aizawa stood to leave, but he hesitated. "You didn't mention what the tattoo would mean to you."

Katsuki scowled. "No, I didn't."

Aizawa sighed and moved toward the door, but before he stepped outside the room, Katsuki said, "I fucking hate most people. They're fucking dumb as hell and petty. I don't ever want to forget what I'm fighting for. What made me want to be a hero in the first place. Because I know one day, probably sooner than I'd like, I am going to forget and the anger will win."

Aizawa turned. He placed a hand over his heart before bowing. "Thank you for trusting me," he said, voice soft and sincere. Straightening, he asked quietly, "What time should I pick you up at Midoriya's?"

Katsuki's heart was beating faster than it should be. "The appointment is at four thirty. How about three?"

Aizawa nodded and left him to finish his laundry.

Izuku pulled his phone out of his pocket to text Kacchan that he'd arrived and saw that it was just past one in the afternoon. He was thirty minutes late because of a delay on the tracks.

All Might set his long, skinny hand on his shoulder and grinned down at him. "There he is," he said, amusement in his voice.

Izuku looked up and saw Kacchan sitting on the stairs to the station. Izuku felt tears fill his eyes and before he could even think about it, he dropped everything he was carrying and dashed forward. Kacchan looked up and grinned his signature wolf's grin and stood, catching him. Izuku hit so hard they almost toppled over, but Kacchan outweighed him just enough that he was able to keep his feet.

"Damn, nerd," Kacchan laughed. "Miss me or something?"

Izuku would have blushed in embarrassment, but Kacchan was holding him just as tightly, his strong arms squeezing Izuku around the ribs. Izuku gave a tearful laugh and buried his face into his boyfriend's shoulder. "Something like that," he muttered.

All Might cleared his throat and Izuku looked up. People were giving them looks as they passed by - some curious but many were disapproving. Izuku blushed and pulled away. Kacchan didn't care about the looks, though. He slung his arm over Izuku's shoulders and held him close to his side.

"Aizawa-sensei is waiting with his car." Kacchan tossed his head, indicating the waiting car down the street. "He'll drop us off at your apartment and give Toshinori a ride home."

Izuku leaned into Kacchan and blocked everything out. His heart was beating strong and he could feel the sun on his skin, the breeze against his face, but the sensation he held onto the most was the feel of Kacchan's weight at his side.

Their stuff was stowed in the trunk and Kacchan pulled Izuku into the backseat. Izuku hummed happily, putting his head on Kacchan's shoulder. Words spilled from his lips in a comforting stream - about Gran Torino's quirk, his rundown agency, the rustic city the hero lived in, and Izuku's new mobility.

"It's more appropriate than ever that I picked a rabbit as the inspiration for my costume," he said with a soft laugh, picking his head up so he could look into Kacchan's eyes.

"Oh yeah?" Kacchan poked Izuku on the nose. "You still won't beat me."

Smiling, Izuku sing-songed, "We-eee'll see-eee."

Kacchan mock growled at him and tickled his side.

Izuku laughed and wound his arms around Kacchan's neck again. He pulled his boyfriend in and suddenly their lips connected. Kacchan's hand clenched in Izuku's hair and Izuku held so tightly to the back of Kacchan's shirt it almost ripped.

"We're here," Toshinori called out, voice higher pitched than normal.

Izuku felt their lips cling for a moment before they separated completely. Toshinori was blushing darkly and staring awkwardly out the passenger window, but Aizawa looked completely unbothered. He sensed Izuku's looking at him and he caught Izuku's gaze in the rearview mirror. He gave a small smile.

"I'll see you later, Midoriya."

"Okay," Izuku answered with a shy smile. "Thank you for the ride!"

Kacchan grabbed his hand once they got their stuff from the trunk and they walked together up the stairs to the apartment.

"So he said yes?" Izuku asked curiously.

"Yep." Kacchan's ruby eyes practically sparkled with anticipation. "I already made an appointment at four thirty. Glasses and IcyHot will meet us there."

Izuku felt his happiness pop like a fragile bubble. His stomach sank and sweat beaded his hairline. "Now all I have to do is convince my mom."

Kacchan squeezed his hand. "I've got your back, Izu."

Izuku smiled tightly. "Thanks, Kacchan."

Izuku stepped in first and as soon as his mother saw him, she got up from the couch and ran to him. Izuku's heart clenched, regret - love - anxiety. He held her tight, missing the days when hugging his mom had been easy and pain-free. After a long minute, he pulled back, hands resting on her shoulders. With a pang, he realized he'd finally gotten taller than her. His mouth curled into a sad smile.

"I'm fine, Mom," he said softly. "You don't have to worry."

Tears filling her eyes, she hugged him again. "Oh, Izuku, I'll always worry. The footage from Hosu was horrific So many people got hurt. It looked like a war zone! Endeavor was k-killed! I'm just so glad you're okay."

Her arms tightened around him and he could feel her trembling. Guilt stabbed into his guts and he closed his eyes tight, but then he felt a strong hand touch the small of his back. Taking a deep breath, Izuku gently pulled away from her hug. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the couch. He grabbed the box of tissues from the coffee table and sat next to her. Kacchan sat on the arm of the couch behind him, and Izuku leaned back against his thigh for strength.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, taking his mom's hands. "I know you didn't ask for this, and it's unfair. I would be beside myself with worry if our roles were reversed and you decided to become a hero, so I do understand, but I can't give up on this, Mom." He squeezed her hands. "I know it terrifies you and I'm being a bad son, but there are people out there who I can help. I have to keep going."

"I know." Inko pulled her hands away to cup his face. She tried to smile, but it wavered as tears filled her eyes. "I know, Izuku. When you called to get permission to continue on with your work-study even after everything at Hosu…" She took a breath, trying to be strong. "I knew you were going to continue your training to be a hero."

Izuku nodded firmly. "I am." He took a deep breath. "Mom, I've always wanted this, and you're probably right that there's someone better suited for One For All, but that's not how it happened. I have it, and I'm going to work really hard to deserve it. I can't keep looking back. I can't keep doubting myself and letting my insecurities get in the way. I know you love me, more than you had to. You sacrificed so much for me, and I'll always be so grateful, but…" He pulled her hands off his cheeks and held them again. "But it really, really hurts me when you doubt me."

"Izuku…" she said, frowning.

"I really struggle with self-esteem, especially when it comes to being a hero," Izuku confessed. His hands were shaking around hers. "Sometimes I just want to give up. Not just on being a hero but on everything. But after Hosu, I realized that that doubt was bringing me down and putting me at risk. I realized how many bad choices I'd made made because of that self-doubt." He looked up at Kacchan. "For example, I broke my arm and got myself burnt in a simple training exercise because I was so desperate to prove myself."

Looking back over at his mother, he saw she looked horrified. Izuku ducked his head, a blush of shame heating his cheeks. "At Hosu, I saw Iida doing something similar. He was denying a surgery that would fix him because he wanted to punish himself for his mistakes. I knew exactly what he was thinking because I think that way, too, and I realized for the first time what Kacchan was trying to tell me. That punishing myself doesn't fix anything, that taking unnecessary risks doesn't make me a better hero, it only weakens me."

Inko reached out a trembling hand and lifted Izuku's chin. "Izuku…" she whispered, heart-broken.

Izuku held her eyes as best he could, heart pounding in his throat. "So I've decided. I'm going to move forward. I'm not going to look back and keep questioning if I made the right choice. I'm not going to keep feeling guilty for having something I wasn't meant to have. From now on, I'm going to focus on getting strong and helping as many people as I possibly can."

Inko reached out and gently cupped her son's face. Tears ran down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Izuku. I should never have said that. You deserve this chance. You've wanted it all your life, and you're more heroic than anyone I know. I'm just scared, honey. You're my world. I'm terrified of losing you, but over the last week I've been thinking, too. I realized that keeping you home…" Her voice hitched, but she managed to smile through her tears. "It would keep you safe, but it would also put out that light I love so much. I never want to do that to you."

"Mom…" Izuku said, voice cracking. "Thank you."

Breaking the intense eye-contact, she hugged him. "I'm proud of you, Izu. Don't you ever feel like you're not a hero!"

Izuku buried his face against her shoulder and cried. When he got his breathing under control, he pulled away and wiped at his face. "Thanks, Mom. I love you so much."

"I love you, too," she said with a watery laugh. She grabbed a few tissues and wiped her face. She looked past Izuku and met Kacchan's eyes. "Thank you. For always taking care of Izuku, and I'm sorry if I made it harder."

Kacchan put a possessive hand on Izuku's head, ruffling his hair. "Nothing I couldn't handle," he said with a cocky smirk.

"I have something I want to show you." Getting up, Izuku went to his backpack and pulled out his sketch book. He flipped past the designs for Iida's tattoo and showed her the page with his own.

"This is lovely," she said, tracing the drawing with a fingertip.

"I drew it to remind me to keep looking forward. To not let my doubts take over. It also symbolizes that I'm not alone. I feel like that's where so many heroes go wrong. I shut people out trying to protect them, but Hosu showed me that I'm not alone and that we're all so much stronger working together." Looking up at his mom, he said, "I know after a few weeks, Hosu won't be so sharp. My self-doubt will come back, and I'll push people out again. That's why I need to remember."

"What are you trying to say?" Inko asked, tilting her head.

Izuku took a deep breath and met her eyes. "I want to get this as a tattoo. So I can't forget, and so no one can take it from me."

Inko's eyes widened.

"I know it's extreme. I know it's unconventional," Izuku rushed to say. "But it really will help me. Sometimes I don't know what to think or believe, and I need a reality check. I don't want to keep making the same mistakes. It could be the difference between success and failure down the road." Making his eyes wide and pleading, he begged, "Please, Mom? It would really mean a lot to me if you would come with me and let me get this done."

"Izuku…" she said doubtfully. Looking down at the sketch, she took a deep breath. "At this point, a tattoo isn't that big a deal. I mean, you're going to be risking your life as a hero. A little art on your skin isn't anything compared to that, but have you really thought about this? This is permanent, and like you said, it's unconventional. There will be those who won't appreciate it."

Izuku smiled at her. "I'm sure. I know it'll be good for me because I usually wear ropes. Feeling them and seeing them against my skin really does help me feel grounded, so I know this will work to help me keep the promise I made to myself." Smile fading, Izuku looked down at the drawing and touched the corner of the page. "You have to understand. I watched Endeavor die. I tried everything I could to save him — "

Behind Izuku's eyes he saw Endeavor, standing bloody, blue eyes wide - saw the glint of metal push through his chest - and Stain standing behind him, grinning, eyes bright with madness.

"But in the end I couldn't." He looked up at his mother. Inko had her hands over her mouth, eyes bright with new tears. "I felt like a failure. It really broke me down. I denied the lidocaine they offered when they stitched up my ankle. I wanted it to hurt. I thought I deserved it."

"Izuku, no," Inko whispered, heart breaking for her son.

Izuku shook his head, lips curling up into a reassuring smile. "I know now that doesn't help. It didn't bring Endeavor back or make Todoroki feel better about losing his dad." He looked up at Kacchan with a smile. "And Kacchan helped me realize that although Endeavor died, I was able to save everyone else." He looked imploringly at his mother. "I can save people, Mom. I'm not great at it yet, but I have saved people. People who really needed help. I have to remember that and keep moving forward. This tattoo will help me do that."

"Then, yes," Inko said firmly. She wasn't going to keep doubting her son. "I'll go with you to get this tattoo."

Izuku threw his arms around his mother and hugged her again. "Thank you," he whispered fiercely.

Inko smiled and held her baby close. "I love you."

Todoroki and his sister were already at the tattoo parlor when Izuku, Kacchan, Inko, and Aizawa arrived. They were looking at some of the artistic designs hung on the walls. Todoroki's sister was blushing and looked uncomfortable, her thick white hair hung in choppy layers to her shoulders. Small, rectangular glasses sat on her nose, hiding her blue eyes at times. She wore a pink sweater over a white button down and a khaki knee-length skirt. She had a brown purse clutched tightly in her hands. Todoroki, on the other hand, looked excited.

Izuku opened his sketch book to show the artist, but he turned around as the bell above the door jingled. His eyes widened as he watched the Iida push a wheelchair into the room. Iida's older brother gave them all a tired smile. He looked exhausted. His skin sagged from losing too much weight too quickly, but his eyes were bright.

"Good evening. Sorry if we're late," the older brother said. "My name is Tensei Iida. Thank you for looking out for my little brother."

"I'm Fuyumi Todoroki." Todoroki's sister gave a bow. "Thank you for looking out for my brother as well."

"Inko Midoriya," Inko said awkwardly. She took a step closer to Izuku. "Thank you for taking care of my son."

"Shota Aizawa." Aizawa inclined his head. "It's nice to meet you."

Iida introduced Kacchan, Todoroki, and Izuku to his brother, and Todoroki did the same for Fuyumi. Inko had already met Iida, but Izuku introduced Todoroki. The tattoo artist introduced himself and explained how tattoos worked and how to care for them. Izuku held his breath, expecting some of the adults to back out, but the paperwork was all signed and payment was given. Izuku showed his sketches to the artist.

Finally, after nearly half an hour, Iida was put in the tattoo chair. They had all agreed he should go first. He was the one to inspire the tattoos in the first place. His brother sat next to him in his wheelchair and held his free hand.

"Don't ever forget who you are and what it means to be a hero again, little brother," Tensei said with a surprisingly firm tone.

"I won't," Iida declared, eyes bright with determination as the needle hummed and worked against his skin.

Izuku's hand slipped into Kacchan's. His chest felt tight with pride for his friend.

It took two hours. If the artist didn't have a quirk that allowed him to move his hands faster than the average person's, then it probably would have taken four. A detailed shield with gorgeous shading blazed on Iida's skin. In the center of the shield was the kanji for rebirth. Apparently it was also the kanji his brother used for his first name. To either side of the shield was a broken katana. The blade was drawn parallel to the right side of the shield. The hilt was drawn parallel to the left side. Katsuki recognized the serrated edge and tattered ribbons hanging from the hilt; it was Stain's sword.

"Ingenium is a shield, a protector, not an executioner," Iida said, voice tight. He looked around at them all and lifted his chin. His brother gripped his wrist, pride shining on his exhausted face as Iida stated boldly, "And I am Ingenium."

Tearfully, Izuku exclaimed over the beautiful work. Iida grabbed him into a rough hug. Izuku hugged Tensei as well and the man whispered 'thank you' in his ear. Izuku smiled and nodded.

Todoroki was next. Fuyumi held Inko's hand tightly as she watched nervously. The tattoo pen buzzed as the artist bent over the teen's arm in concentration.

Todoroki's tattoo was probably the most detailed. He had wanted a symbol that reminded him to use fire differently than his father. He also wanted truth to play a big part. That's when Izuku had though of the phoenix. They had discussed different styles for hours, with Izuku sending pictures of sketches via text, but eventually Izuku had been able to create something that Todoroki had loved.

He had chosen his left forearm for the tattoo, since it was the side of his body that produced fire. The phoenix wrapped around his forearm, the tail feathers covering the entirety of the back of his hand. Slender and graceful with wings outspread, the phoenix was inked in black, and above his wrist, framed by long feathers was the word TRUTH.

"That is so fucking badass, man," Kacchan exclaimed in awe once the piece was done two hours later.

"Thanks," Todoroki answered. He smiled for the first time since arriving. It looked like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "You ready?"

Kacchan nodded and took the chair.

They had been in Izuku's room, putting away Izuku's things when Kacchan had grabbed his hand and pulled him into a heated kiss. Breaking apart, Kacchan had rested his forehead against Izuku's and whispered his fears against Izuku's lips.

"I wanted to blast those guys to fucking pieces," he'd said, talking about those college jerks who'd thrown the can at him when he'd been on patrol. "For a second, I wondered what the fucking point was. Becoming a hero and saving assholes like them. The truth is I don't think most of the fucking idiots in this world deserve saving, but…" Kacchan had dipped down for a painfully sweet kiss. "But you do, Izuku. You remind me that as few as they are, there are people out there who don't deserve to suffer. I want it on my skin, so no matter what fucking happens, I can't forget that."

Izuku had kissed him long and hard. He'd known that Kacchan wouldn't believe any reassurances he tried to give, so he'd tried to put all his love and faith in that kiss. It broke his heart to know Kacchan had so much doubt in his own goodness, and it had made Izuku even more determined to put his own doubts behind him. Kacchan needed him, and Izuku was going to do everything in his power not to disappoint him.

Izuku hovered next to the artist's side for this one, watching like a hawk. Kacchan had wanted a compass with those flowers Izuku had given him. Izuku's chest had constricted at hearing that. He had worked on the sketch for hours; if it was for his love, he had to make it amazing! The tattoo sat on the inside of Kacchan's arm, almost taking up half of the underside of his forearm.

"How's it look?"

Izuku looked up into Kacchan's warm, red eyes and smiled. "Perfect," he answered. Like you, he left unsaid, but Kacchan's lips curled up at the corners, so Izuku knew he had heard it loud and clear anyway.

Izuku looked at the clock. It was almost ten at night. They had been there almost five and a half hours now, but his tattoo would be much simpler than the others. The artist said it wouldn't take more than forty minutes at most.

Izuku got into the tattoo chair and offered the artist his arm. He held Kacchan's red eyes as the ink pen began to buzz and a burn started in his skin. The artist carefully inked two spider-lilies in profile. Unlike the others, Izuku wanted his flowers to be bright red. Around them, a little off center, was a simple circle to represent the full moon.

The spider lilies represented Kacchan of course, but they also reminded Izuku he wasn't alone, and that his connections to those around him would help him overcome the doubt and pain and defeat that the moon represented. For Izuku, the tattoo meant new beginnings and overcoming the past, something he dearly needed to believe in.

It was over before Izuku knew it. He looked down at his arm. Tears rolled down his cheeks and he thanked the artist sincerely. Kacchan pulled him up and gave him a hug.

"Looks good, Izu," he said softly before pulling away.

"You're a gifted artist," Iida told him. "Thank you for this." His fingers brushed reverently over the bandage on his arm.

"Thank you," Todoroki echoed, giving a heartfelt bow.

Izuku beamed at all of them, joy and hope filling his chest. "We're in this together. Nothing can separate us now."

Chapter end.

A/n: I really wanted to show you the images of the tattoo inspirations, but I was having a really hard time uploading them on AO3, so I made a SensiblyTainted Instagram accountjust to show you. Go check it out!

You can look up the account of SensiblyTaintedor the hashtags #untothebreachor #sensiblytainted.

I also posted FanArt from Severely_Caffinated. It's digital art of Izuku in middle school completely blanking out.

I'd love you guys to see the images and let me know what you think! XD