Katsuki had never been so grateful for his ability to push everything- the lingering warm touches ofIzuku's presence, his simmering uncertainty for Atsuko, and even the silent judging eyes of All Might as the symbol of peace followed him- to the back of his mind the second he stepped through those aquarium doors and saw everything going to shit.
Well, maybe not that shit. But he was a perfectionist and damn proud of it.
There were some highlights of the morning. For one, the bathrooms were absolutely spotless. Soap dispensers filled to the brim, not a speck of dirt anywhere, even those shitty commercial candles that let out some flowery girly scent littered the counters in an aesthetically pleasing way. He deducted after a mere few minutes of watching the janitors scramble around with paper towels that about two out of the hired ten were doing a much better job than their coworkers.
On the other side of the spectrum, the kitchen was an absolute mess. There was a backlog of stir-fried vegetables sitting in the corner. A duck cut up into several pieces was resting for way too long, soaking in its own blood. The telltale smell of burnt unpleasantness permeated the space. Katsuki could already hear the screams that these people would receive from his mother if she were here. But oh, today's staff would be graced with the Bakugou son instead."Who is in charge here?!"
After the equivalent of several children pointing fingers at each other in the playground- are they fucking serious- a scrawny man finally scrambled to the front, eyes darting around the perimeter in guilt. Every command or inquiry that the other caterers sent him resulted in a flinch and an unsure furrow of the brow. His outfit was in disarray, spatula at hand dripping with grease.
Oh great. He was one of those fuckers.
Katsuki wasted no time in rounding on him with his clipboard in hand. "Where the hell is the last of you?"
"…Th-The last of us, sir?"
He breathed out, hissing through his teeth. "Yes, the last of you. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Assuming that you spared two minutes of your life to read the contract like an educated member of society, there's no need for me to point out that there should be eight of you here."
Understanding finally dawned on the head chef. It was short-lived as a jolt of anxiety was quick to replace it and he stuck a shaky hand into a fallen bag by the fridge to retrieve a note. Katsuki didn't wait and snatched it from the other's clenched hands, reading the contents with a bored eye. "I o-only brought six with me because the last one couldn't make it. Said he stayed up all night…"
Crimson eyes narrowed. Crumpling the note in his palm, he dropped it to the floor and made a show of flattening it under his heel. Why? Because he damn could."Pick up a mop and bucket. You're switching places with janitors three and nine. The lady behind you at the stove who is searing that fish perfectly is the new head caterer. Get fucking to it."
Finally, the man seemed to draw up the last dregs of his dignity to grow some backbone. He gaped in disbelief. "Y-You can't just do that! I signed on the contract to be paid!"
"And once again, if you spent two minutes actually reading the contract, you would've noticed section 4.2.1 which clearly states that Katsuki Bakugou can relieve you of your duty with no pay at any point before the one-hour mark of the wedding if I find your work unsatisfactory. In other words," the blond clapped with a dry sneer. "Congratulations, I'm giving you a demotion."
Not getting the message, the head chef sputtered. "But, janitors, sir?! They're not trained AND they're quirk less!" Gaining more courage, he gestured to the other with a bit of a disgusted air. "You're discriminating by favoring your own kind. This is why I didn't want to take this job in the first place when I saw your profile! What are you trying to prove here?"
"Look, you manipulative fuck. I have no problems with your piss-poor attitude and bribery to reach your position if you get the job done. But the duck is rotting, half the dishes are burning, the note you forged because you can't handle your own staff smells rotten, and you're more behind in orders than a serial killer not realizing they'll end up burning in hell until the moment they die. Does that do it for you, buddy?" Very pointedly crossing off an annoyance on the staff list, Katsuki then directed the sharp end of the pen at the quickly cowering man next. "I'm proving that two untrained shits can do your job better. Now get out."
That did it. Without another word, the man scurried to collect the mop from the floor and escape the presence of the headstrong blond. Seeing the rest of the kitchen fall into silence, he eyed each member of it skeptically. "Any questions?" The rest of the staff who witnessed the scene shook their heads immediately. A few of them even relaxed a little, relieved to be in more capable hands as the woman by the fish went to fasten on her apron near the front. Katsuki smirked. "Good."
Leaving the confines of the suffocating space, Katsuki was just about to hone in on the next person out of place or stain on the carpet that would feel his wrath when a chuckle from behind nearly gave him a heart attack. He whirled around, eyes wide. Fuck. He forgot All Might was shadowing him. The aging man was housing two drinks in plastic cups, an amused grin on his face. "You seem like you need a break."
Not saying another word, Katsuki accepts the water before gulping it down. Uncertain for one of the first times in his life- something that was becoming much more common since meeting Deku, he was led to take a seat beside the ex-number-one-hero in one of the foldable chairs laid out for workers.
Feeling the squeak of the pathetic excuse for furniture grate on his ears as he shifted weight, Katsuki inwardly winced. He wasn't a liar. And that very fact had him admitting that their circumstances for meeting the second time were awkward as hell. It didn't help that the way in which All Might was reacquainted with the blond was by watching him scream (like a banshee) at a bunch of metaphorical rats in a kitchen. Such a fact was proven when the silence between them stretched to infinity and beyond.
Plus Ultra, some small voice that sounded like Izuku echoed in Katsuki's head.
It was All Might who broke the silence first. His blue eyes gleamed at the school of sea horses mingling near a sprout of seaweed. However, the doctor could tell that some sixth sense of his was trained completely on his seatmate. Whether it was a skill that came with being the symbol of peace or from old age, Katsuki wouldn't be able to tell you. "Young Midoriya is like a son to me."
The blond wasn't sure how to respond to that, instead turning his head to the older man as encouragement to continue.
"I…" The tension broke between them. All Might let out a breath, slumping. "I'm not the best teacher or father-figure for him."
"And I'm not the best boyfriend-figure for him either. Yet Deku still wants the both of us anyway. It's funny how stuff works out." Katsuki shrugged, trying not to react when All Might turned his sharp gaze to him next. It was testament to how strong he was- how the peace of the entire world could still be contained in a single glance despite the physical hero in All Might having died long ago. It was one thing to see it from the other side of the screen or to have been too blinded by irritation their first real meeting, and another thing entirely to truly talk to the hero in person.
Finally, after another agonizing silence, All Might chuckled. "You're just as bright as Midoriya told me you are. I can see why he likes you so much."
Ignoring that lurch in his chest that spilled warm into his entire being, Katsuki looked away. "Nah, I'm an ass. He's the insane one for getting attached to me."
"Hm, a little insanity is good." The hero grinned his old grin then, bringing his arm up dramatically to whisper. "And if you ever need someone to hand him off to you at the altar," here, All Might flexed into his muscled form to pronounce in broken English. "I'll be there!"
Needless to say, Katsuki choked on air, face resembling an angry tomato.
-HH-HH-HH-HH-HH-
I threw up again.
Mom is starting to get worried that I ate something bad. My temperature was normal, after all. I panicked. I didn't want her to think that she poisoned me- her cooking is the best.I didn't want her to think that I was unhappy- her being here is enough to keep me going.She even recently bought a new kitchen knife for chopping up vegetables just for other day, she was talking to me about this sale on eggplant that was at the store and about trying out a new recipe that would clear my complexion. I am at the age where acne starts showing up. Mom says it's completely normal so I shouldn't worry but I still do. I'm already not very well-liked by my classmates and what if getting a pimple makes it wors
She works so hard. I don't. I just sit here all day. Complaining about things that I should be grateful I lied.
I said that it was a passing bug going around. Everyone at the school was catching it. Even though I know that's not true. Even though the sickness that takes over makes me hate myself more than anything. What… is wrong with me?
"Izu."
Voice broken, she was the first to break the lingering silence between the two of them. She had to be the first to take the step to bridging back whatever they had. It was the least she could do. There was a pit in her stomach which grew the longer she stayed at the hotel. As she stared out into the beautiful city lights, the burning realization that they were back to playing this game, back to where they startedas kids,ate away at her. Years of repairing their relationship and trying to make it work were gone so easily.
And Izuku, Izuku must have realized it as well. He wanted it to work just as much as she did."I'm so sorr-"
The addressed held up a finger, silencing her with a kind smile. He offered up a hand, once shaky and directionless but now sure in its movements, to take her own. "It's okay, Atsuko. Just… follow me."
I've been lying to mom a lot lately. About Atsuko. About All Might.
So today, I resolved to tell her at least one big secret every morning.
She made miso soup with some of the sardines that she cut up using that new knife. After finishing it off, I had to sip it slowly so to not hit my gag reflex, I pulled her aside. I told her that the one who stole her favourite sweater when I was five was me. I was using it for a pillow fort when it accidentally ripped against the door handle. I don't know why I didn't tell her right away all those years ago. I was young and made a silly decision because I didn't know any better.
Back then, I didn't tell her right away because I was scared. Heroes don't present as quirk less. Heroes don't rip their mom's favourite clothes, so I hid it behind the couch.
It was nice. But the sickness still didn't go away. I threw up again after returning home from school.
"Where are we going?" Her tone wasn't nervous, she trusted Izuku, but more curious and still bewildered at the turn of events. The light from the outside faded from her peripheral vision to make way for a darker blue hue. Instead of answering her question, the man in front of her continued to tug her gently down a hallway that was devoid of any of the staff. The chatter of the workers faded as time passed.
"Hey Atsuko," breaking the tension between the two, Izuku piped up in a somber tone. "Today, why don't I tell you one big secret about myself every minute?"
"Are you going to time it exactly, Izu? That sounds like you."She giggled the slightest, nervousness and rampant desire to apologize forgotten for a split second. It was only a second, for a frown made way to her cheeks by the next beat.
"You don't have to. I mean…let's just move past it all, okay? I'm really sorry for leaving again. It… I needed some time apart but it made me realize how stupid I was being, again. I still have a lot to work on but for you, I'm trying my best-"
"I threw up a lot after we slept together in middle school." At that, she froze, voice dropping into nothing. Izuku's attention remained on a passing group of glowing fish, a contemplative look on his face. There was something in that look, something so unmovable that had every small sentence or speech prepared in her head fly into the wind. "I don't think I understood at the time why that was, but whenever we touched, I'd get nauseous."
Terrifying silence, one they could both drop a pin in, dispersed in sickly waves. It was the kind you'd see in movies where characters are given just enough time to have it all sink in before being thrown by the seat of their pants the next. But never enough to truly have it do any more.
"Oh."
The woman could do not much else than imagine smacking herself. She had to say something, anything, other than that to comfort him. Izuku deserved that much. But every time she opened her mouth, nothing but the buzzing of the machinery was exchanged between them. Empty. Her mind was blank.
It was with a growing horror that she realized; no. It wasn't because she had nothing to say. It wasn't because she was in shock. It was simply that this, whatever was happening in this conversation right now- headstrong green eyes and stern voice free of mumbles and weak resolve- was a shift in their dynamic that neither of them had any idea how to proceed or way of preparing for. They were in new territory. Atsuko brandishing nothing but the clothes on her back to venture into the vast expanse that this new Izuku didn't shy away from.
When the expanding canyon of nothing proved to not be crossed by her, Izuku took the first step. He breathed, finally facing her. "You don't have to say anything. I'm the one who should've told you sooner."
Today's secret was where I was going every morning. I was training down by the beach. I didn't let my momin on that it was All Might who was helping me, but she deserved to know that I wasn't giving up on Yuuei. She took the news a lot better than I thought. As long as I was happy, achieving my dream, she wouldn't stop me for anything other than to make sure I slept and ate properly.
She's a good mother.
Dinner today was Katsudon. She kept saying that I was getting too skinny and needed the energy. To show my gratitude, I offered to wash all of the dishes instead of splitting it evenly like we always do. There's always so much to clean when you cook something from scratch. But the taste when you bite into the meal and realize that you did this is worth it. Some of the grease wouldn't come off of the glassware. It's impressive but that knife that she keeps using still looks new despite all its use. I couldn't say the same for our old pan. Some gunk is settling into the cracks.
It s no goo why is it like this ifeel s o tir ed
Tomorrow is a new day.
"I lied about where I was going every morning and evening in third year." Another minute. By now, the two had stopped by a spot on the floor that felt firm but slippery. It was the kind of feeling that could only be achieved from taping a fuzzy carpet on top of a shiny surface. "I was training at the beach to get into Yuuei. I didn't want to tell you, because…" Here, he trialed off the slightest moment. Sweat coated his palms, an old kind of exhaustion settling into his veins.
Stop bullshitting, some small voice that sounded like Katsuki echoed in Izuku's head.
Gathering up his courage into a tight bundle, he continued. "Because the last time I brought up wanting to become a hero, you said that it'd be better if I didn't do it. That it'd be better if I didn't end up like your parents who had no time for you."
"…We got into a fight that day." Atsuko picked up where he left off. The pledge of silence that she unwillingly took was wearing off. Still, she could do little else than to strap onto the conversation. "I remember. I threw your notebook out the window and into the pond."
The vomiting is getting really bad.
I don't even have much food to upheave most of the time. But I can't stop eating to make it go away. Mom is working too hard. Too hard to know that half of what she cooks with her knife and feeds me ends up coming back out and into the toilet. There are days when it gets better. They're usually when I'm training with All Might or when I'm getting out of the store after buying new hand grips. I could go a long time without feeling dizzy. Nothing helps as much as taking a run down at the beach.
It was a good week for me. I hadn't felt ill for over half of it, drowning myself in training instead. After hearing that I was feeling better, Atsuko came to visit. She always does when my fevers and absences of class clear up. She's upset that I keep disappearing to "cram school" every day in preparation for entrance exams. Keeps saying that I'm perfect the way I am so it's unnecessary to change. I'm at my best and can be even better when I'm by her side.
She doesn't understand. She isn't quirk less. When we kiss, her quirk lets her breathe when I can't. When we fall back onto the bed, the couch, one time even right on top of the shelf where I keep my All Might collection, anywhere that she wants, her quirk allows her to collect her bearings faster than I can. I don't think she's doing it on purpose, just happy. Happy at our circumstance just as she should be. Her speed is unrivalled, her thinking time perceived as above everyone else's. And when she directs that wit onto me, directs her want onto my skin, I know her amazingness will take her somewhere far in life.
Sorry. I'm making so many mistakes. Maybe I should've bought a pencil from the very beginning. I'm too much in the habit of using a pen since all of our teachers want to see our full work on tests. There's something satisfying about seeing your strokes morph into ink on a page.
I vomited again after she left.
From within her empty hands, she could register the feeling of a bundle of papers being nudged into them. The familiar feel of the crease between her finger tips and the rough cover from years of use and water damage had her widening her eyes. "You still have it." She whispered.
"Hero Analysis for the Future Number 13, right?" Izuku chuckled. Atsuko's attention is drawn to the old pages in slight awe, her own nostalgia taking over while the man beside her continues to speak. "I picked it out from the pond right after so it wasn't too badly damaged. We were so mad at each other that day that we walked home separately for the first time in years. Maybe if that didn't happen, that sludge monster wouldn't have attacked you."
She shook her head, avoiding the fiery gaze of her fiancé, allowing him to take the lead. "It doesn't matter now."
I decided that the secret I'll tell mom on the last day of summer break is that I stole her knife.
The weight of it is deceptively heavy. I don't know why I suddenly needed it. I don't know why I suddenly wanted it but I chucked it into my bag before making my way to my training spot with All Might. I've kept it in there ever since. Between two of my binders and underneath my pencil case.
I think about returning it every day. But then I remember the sickness building in my gut, how ungrateful I am for feeling so sick all the time when I have so much, when I have Atsuko by my side, and the thought somehow disappears.
Atsuko played with a corner of the paper for a short second. Not knowing where they'd end up at the end of this conversation, the glow of the aquarium around her did nothing to ease the growing dread in her heart for what was to come.
After another pause, the hero positioned the notebook into her palm and flipped through its pages of notes upon notes. Detailed profiles from heroes like Death Arms to Mount Lady were scattered about the first half in hearty ramblings. Eventually, the scrawls gave way to blank pages for the briefest moment before transforming into walls of text.
They were much less organized than their predecessor. Instead of statistics ordered into graphs and analyses of quirks, the writing was haphazard. The strength of its strokes ranged from inconsistently feather light to so rough that Atsuko could make out rips in the pages from the tip of the pen pressing down too , anger, maybe regret or a mix of passion stole the paper of its pristine appearance.
It was… a diary.
"Read it."
She did.
I TH I NK
Kisses in the playground, blu
tiny head, toy rings of iron-cast lead.
Atsuko left again.
She went to England this time.
I tried
All Might felt really horrible about it. He figured that his constant demand of my time so I could clean the beach caused my girlfriend to leave.Even if it did, I would've still After all, the entrance exams were at the end of the week and I couldn't waste a single second. I told him that he didn't have to worry about it and that she does this a lot when she's mad at me. He dropped the subject after that but continued looking at me warily the entire training session.
As the music plays, I watch your approach.
Following his gut instinct, All Mightfollowed me home in his deflated form after we were done. I'm so glad he did. I don't know what would've happened if he didn't stop me.I just
I didn't mean to do it. No conscious part of me thought or even considered the subject of hurting myself. I mean, I was going to be letting so many people down if I did. One moment, I was walking home with thoughts of Atsuko in my head, of how much I don't deserve her, feeling the bile rise in my throat once more, the next, I wanted to die
No. I never did want to die. I was never suicidal. I want to live, to get past this, become the best hero, to love Atsuko with all my heart, and to do that, I needed the pain in my head to go away. For my body to obey what my mind knew it should've been doing. I needed to be mom's knife was the best distraction.
There are words spilling out from me. What a messy entry. I'm sorry. My thoughts just mixed with the poem I began thinking of in literature class. All Might said it was good that I was getting out my feelings on paper and that my hand could keep up with my head. But I'm reaching the end of this notebook now. The least I can do is transform these ugly words in my head into a coherent poem. Atsuko, this is for you. I swear, I love you. I swear. I'm so sorry.
Kisses in the playground, blushes at sunrise.
White on your tiny head, toy rings of iron-cast lead.
As the music plays, I watch your approach.
As the wedding starts, I lift your veil.
But as the vows are exchanged, I turn around.
And my lungs fill with bittersweet cries.
The pastor speaks, and I utter "I don
I utter "I do"
And for you, my life is
And for you, all the bad feelings are left unsaid
There's definitely something wrong with me. I can't even finish it.
Flooded eyes lingering on the last line on the page, it took guidance of the man beside her to flip to the front of the notebook. There, on the back of the cover, lay words that were much less worn from years of reflection. The pen marks were blue, indicating a different writing utensil continuing on with the tale, guided by a different hand from over a decade later, guided by a different Izuku who had fought and grown and was starting a new chapter of his life.
Kisses in the playground, blushes at sunrise.
White on your tiny head, toy rings of iron-cast lead.
As the music plays, I watch your approach.
As the wedding starts, I lift your veil.
But as the vows are exchanged, I turn around.
And I wakeup in gold and red.
This honeymoon high is over.
But my memoriesof you last forever.
She didn't get the chance to read anymore, for the tears that previously threatened to spill rained upon the abused pages like a waterfall breaking through a dam. Izuku was patient, handing her a tissue that she shook off in favor of wiping her eyes with shaking fingers. "Izu, I-I had no idea…"
And still, despite anything, the other never wore anything but care. He wasn't angry. He wasn't vengeful. He didn't hate her. And she had no idea what she could possibly do to repay him. She didn't know what to do other than try to minimize the feeling of her heart pouring out onto the aquarium floor in broken continued after a moment of allowing her to collect herself. "I should've been honest with you. I shouldn't have just… left you behind when I started Yuuei. That was the worst possible thing that I could've done."
"No." Atsuko started slowly and between tears. "I admit, it hurt. But I'm glad you went. If you had stayed, chosen me over your dreams, if you really did what I told you…" She took in a deep breath. "I didn't realize until years later that doing so would've killed everything that you are. Izuku, I'm so sorry. There's nothing I can ever really do to erase all of that."
But the other shook his head, green curls flying. "Don't take all the blame. It takes two to make a relationship and we had a pretty strong one. Bad, but strong. There are a lot of things that I…" he was distracted momentarily by a koi, swimming by itself away from its school. "That we could've done differently."
A serene kind of silence overtook them then. Now having all their feelings out, over 10 years of pent up frustrations and loss and sadness and anger released into the open, there was a relaxing sense of calm between them that had been lost since they were small children and this whole mess started. For the first time in a long time, Izuku could be completely honest in saying that they'll be okay.
Atsuko broke the silence, tone suddenly lighter. "You've changed a lot, Izu. When was the last time you could talk to me without stuttering? Geez."
"I-Was it really that bad?!" He squeaked.
"Yes," she rolled her eyes. "You don't know how many times I wanted to tape your mouth shut these past eighteen years."
"EIGHTEEN years?" For all intents and purposes, Izuku sounded like he just discovered that there was an entire warehouse of All Might merchandise that had been burned without his knowledge.
"We're being honest right now, right?" She jabbed cheekily, a hint of hurt flashing in her catching the slip-up, she turned her focus to the sea life around them before Izuku could address it. An octopus passing by on the reef shifted at the movement but continued slithering on its way. "My mom and dad used to take me to the aquarium all the time, before they got their huge hero gig."
"I'm sure your dad would love to take you again…" At the lack of reply, Izuku felt the beginnings of nervousness creep up on him. They had reached an equilibrium of sorts, their relationship floating up in the air somewhere between friends and lovers. It was comfortable. They could just let it stay there and go home with their respective families.
But no. Izuku couldn't allow that. He couldn't bear to stay in that state if it caused him to be any further from Kacchan than either of them wanted to be. There was a silent promise of no more miscommunication between them. Of telling each other what they need to hear and being honest. And what his friend, the one who has been with him from the very beginning, needed to hear was that there was someone new in Izuku's life now. "Atsuko, I-"
"You're in love with that blond, the man who crashed our wedding, aren't you?" Shock renders him speechless. She smiles through her tears. "I could tell as soon as I saw you two. You've never looked at me like you look at him."
Out of all the crazy things that have happened these past few months, it was ironic when the final straw that broke everything was when Izuku kept quiet in the affirmative. Everything- from the notebook to decades of tension to tears in their families to the crushing reality of her mother's death to the settling feeling of loss- came crashing down on her all at once.
Not able to bear the weight, her heels clicked as she fell to her knees. She sobbed.
Izuku stilled. That familiar desire to go to her, comfort her, kiss her, assure her that he'd be by her side for eternity all in a futile attempt to save her, burned in his core.
But for the first time in his life, he could throw it away with no regrets.
"Yes." He still responded. It was the best way to respect her was what Atsuko needed from him since the very beginning. It was the time to build up the strength to battle through the tragedy and emerge stronger on her own, something that Izuku had never allowed for her to do before.
"It…" She bawled. Words cut off in favor of ugly weeps. Any semblance of order on her face put together by make-up was ruined instantly. But still, Izuku found her radiant. "It hurts, but I'm happy for you at the same time."
The man smiled. "That's because you're a good friend, Atsuko. I'd never let go of that friendship no matter what." That was the truth.
"Me neither." Despite herself, she smiled back.
He offered his hand to help her to a seat several times from then on, but the woman refused it each time with a teary glance. Her gaze was still focused on the aquarium. They no longer lingered on Izuku like walking on egg shells. In some small part of his mind, he thinks there's been a weight lifted off of her shoulders as well. Finally, after minutes, hours, maybe even days, he wouldn't know, she braced herself against the wall to drag her shaking form back upright. After another minute, she excuses herself to the bathroom to clean herself, emerging back out soon after.
Not knowing where to place himself, Izuku regarded her with an unsure air. Sweat started building on his neck. Now that he set out to say what he needed to say, he could feel the beginnings of nervousness tickling his brain again. "E-Even though this wedding isn't for us, would you like to stay anyway…? Kacchan and I worked really hard to make it amazing. You started on the wrong foot with my friends, I think, but they're w-willing to let all of us start over!"
Atsuko shakes her head. She carefully removed the boutonnière from her head. There was no one to impress anymore. "Izu, I do want to stay. I do want to see everyone again and have fun but… I need time."
Izuku stepped back, smile turning sad. She still loved him. "I'll call a taxi for you."
"Thank you but," she gathered her heels from the floor. "My father is picking me up."
The hero was shocked at first, hearing this. But the shock made way for a settling gratefulness soon after. Mister Natsume was still trying. He never gave up on Atsuko. He's who his daughter needs right now. In light of losing a wonderful woman in both of their lives, they could only build each other back up. Izuku had no business in that, not followed her out, an awkward yet comfortable silence between them.
Sure enough, parked at the center of the private lot was an old pick-up truck. Mister Natsume was waiting next to the bumper. He nodded to Izuku only very briefly before turning his full attention on Atsuko by engulfing her in a hug.
Facing away from the heartfelt reunion, Izuku only turns back once Atsuko is safely in the passenger seat and Mister Natsume regards him with a small bow. "I told everyone on our side of the family that the event was cancelled. We don't need any of those stinkers showing up. Go have fun, kid."
"I will." Izuku breathed, beginning to feel his own bout of tears well up when looking from the father he never had in front of him to his best friend in the whole world resting against the car seat. As positive as the two of them were back at the aquarium, he knew that it would be a long time before he and Atsuko were comfortable with being close friends again. "Good luck, to the both of you."
Without another word exchanged, the older man climbed into the driver's side and started up the engine. It stalled the slightest before taking off down the exit and away from the lone hero waving at the car with a sudden weight on his chest. It bubbled as he watched the vehicle speed off into the horizon between two stoplights.
When the shaking revelation that all of it was over finally hit him, Izuku fell to the ground.
A longing growing in his heart, he knew exactly what- or who- it yearned for.
Without wasting a second, he reached a cold hand into his pocket to yank a cellphone from between two expensive pieces of fabric.
'outside'
The reply was instant.
'coming'
In any other situation, Izuku would've laughed at the idea of the very same Katsuki, who would personally call a kidnapper to chastise them for bad grammar on a ransom note, sending such a text. However, the burst of giggles spilling from his mouth was choked by a spike of sadness in his gut. Before he could stop, coughs wracked his very being which drenched his eyes in a painful wetness.
Suddenly, strong arms engulfed him in the safest hug Izuku's ever been in. He didn't hear the squeak of dress shoes on pavement or the sound of another body falling next to him, but the outline of Kacchan in his vision was enough for Izuku to bury his head into this person's neck and wail. His boyfriend didn't say anything, only let the other cry all his frustrations and hate into his shoulder until he had nothing left inside of him.
It was over.
Everything that he was working for with Atsuko the past twenty years was over.
And the man beside him was who he had to show for it.
Izuku peered up, taking in scarlet eyes that seemed to glow ruby under the rising sun. A warmth like never before settled into the spot in his heart that was painfully empty. He sniffled. "I did it."
"Yeah, you did." Katsuki reached over to flick him in the forehead.
The ex-groom tried his best to hide his laughter behind a pout, failing miserably. "Ow! That hurt!"
"You big baby." His own frown morphed into something softer. The blond watched Izuku silently, trying to not let his concern show too much. "Deku, if you're not up for it, you can go home. I'll finish up around here. If anyone has anything to say about it, I'll kick their ass."
But of course, when it came to his friends, Izuku was nothing if not stubborn. He shook his head adamantly. Green eyes once filled with anylingering doubt being sharpenedby a determined light. "I want to do this."
Katsuki snorted. Contrary to the sound, the hand he had wrapped around Izuku's side slowly sidled down the other's arm to gruffly intertwine their fingers. Face pink, he hid the action by standing up. "Then we're in this shit together."
Izuku followed suit by getting to his feet, attention never leaving his flustered boyfriend. "You're so cute, Kacchan."
"Fuck off."
And Izuku, evidently, did not fuck off, tugging suddenly on their locked hands to guide his fuming other into an awkward one-armed embrace. Waist trapped between scarred arm and a warm body, Katsuki would sooner blow up seven mountains than admit that he didn't resist at all.
They stayed like that for who knows how long. It probably would've dragged on longer if it weren't for Katsuki snapping that it was already seven am and they still had a lot to do. Izuku still didn't budge, only moving when he heard that and Katsuki quotes "I threw the shitty inventory list of bouquets at All Might to run here and now he's being mobbed by six different delivery groups with no idea what the fuck to do."
Classic Kacchan.
They make their way back inside the building, fingers still clutched tightly together when Katsuki feels an incessant buzz within his pant leg. He whipped the device out, eyes narrowing. "For fuck's sake, it's about time."
And Izuku swears, as soon as those words left the other's mouth, a tall woman bursts through the front doors of the aquarium. Hair in disarray, a trusty handbag of needles and fabrics falling half-open, the telltale flash of ash blond was undeniable to anyone in the room. Contrary to all the workers who turned to the entrance in surprise, Katsuki only scowled. "Took you long enough, old hag."
Only to be smacked by a well-aimed hand then shoved by a bagged dress being pushed into his gut. "QUIET! You're the one who sent me new dimensions for the dress A WEEK before the event!"
Katsuki turns to yell something back but frankly, Izuku is too speechless to register any of it. Spiked hair styled longer, red eyes with a sharp edge, it was undeniable that she and Kacchan were closely related. It was only when the fierce woman reached out long fingernails to pinch her son's cheek in retaliation that Izuku snapped out of it enough to step up in worry. "Pl-Please don't be angry! I was the one who ordered the dress like that."
It was too bad Izuku didn't consider that doing so would bring the woman's attention onto him. Even in surprise at seeing the ex-symbol of hope before her, he felt the grinding pressure that one could only feel when under the judging stare of a mother. He gulped inwardly but didn't back down.
Finally, Mitsuki casually released her son's cheek like she didn't just stretch it into oblivion. An older, more mature set of eyes regarded him. It wasn't everyday that you got to meet such an influential figure, especially one printed on action figures everywhere. Counting by his shaky demeanor and kind face, there was a reason that he was documented as 'the official nicest man on earth,' the media's words, not hers. Such dedication to saving others deserved some respect. "I see. I hope my son hasn't been too much of a pain in the ass."
Izuku shook his head immediately, ignoring how Katsuki was looking between them warily. Some of the tension broke away from his shoulders when the woman smiled kindly at him. "Oh no! He's been fine."
"You don't have to lie," Mitsuki exchanged the smile for a scoff. "He's such a hand-full. Sometimes I wonder who would ever want to spend their life dealing with him."
"SHITTY HAG!"
About to bring his Bakugou screech from mildly irritated to truly frightening, Katsuki froze dead in his tracks when he recognized the mischievous flash lighting up green eyes. Oh, absolutely fucking not. He's stopping this shit storm right now. "Deku-"
"On the contrary, Miss Bakugou. I would like permission to court your son until I gain the privilege to be able to ask him to spend the rest of his life with me."
Katsuki would facepalm.
He could facepalm so hard into the cement that it would fissure into the center of the earth.
All of a sudden, he regrets telling Deku that he didn't give a shit if his old hag of a mom knew about their relationship. He regrets bringing out this side of Izuku that wasn't afraid to turn on like some obnoxious switch of self-confidence and blurt that out like they were already planning to get hitched. Watching his mother's gaze shoot up, moving slowly back and forth between him and Izuku, before finally falling down to notice their interlinked hands, he regrets so much.
Katsuki whispered, "cover your ears."
"Why-"
But Izuku is cut off by a high-pitched squeal. Everyone in the room who was out of hearing range, thank god for that, jumps in shock at the sudden frequency, many workers falling off their chairs or dropping so and so item to shield their poor ears.
As soon as the squeal- was it in happiness or horror? Izuku hopes for the former- was over, Katsuki was snagged from underneath his hold and into a vice-grip courtesy of his own mother. Mitsuki wasted no time in bringing her fist of strength down on the man's head in the world's most painful ruffle. "Look at you, Katsuki, finally leaving the bird nest! Who would've thought you would snag yourself a partner right when you were starting to get too old?"
"You could at least try to be a little wary, damn woman! What if this guy was secretly a serial killer threatening my life at gunpoint?"
She rolled her eyes. Her son was such a drama queen. "Oh please. He's the one who has to worry about you secretly being a serial killer."
"JUST AUCTION ME OFF, WOULD YOU?" Katsuki writhed in her hold, looking like a grumpy cat that was just doused in water.
Mitsuki seemed to take pity on her boy for once, releasing him in favor of letting out a short laugh. Izuku didn't have time to process the exchange before he felt himself being led away by the woman who was pushing him towards another hall. Katsuki blinked at them. "Hey! Where are you going?!"
"Oh just shut up for a second!" For some reason or another, that seemed to be enough of an answer for Katsuki. Ignoring any looks Izuku gave him to please help, the blond grumbled before walking in a separate direction. Presumably to look for All , Izuku totally deserved that.
Stopping next to a display of goldfish, Mitsuki finally released her grasp to round on him with a critical eye. She may put up a front about thinking poorly of her Katsuki, but Izuku could tell immediately by the weight of her gaze that she was actually very protective of him.
Just as well, she didn't beat around the bush. "How serious are you about Katsuki?"
And Izuku, poor Izuku, blurts without thinking. "I want to marry him."
Oh my god.
Izuku flushed red. Even the woman in front of him looked impressed by such an outburst. He scrambled to fix whatever damage he might've caused. "N-Not right now! We're not ready for tha-… of course not! I just mean that I want to," his voice faltered an octave higher by the end, "someday."
Mitsuki must've liked something in what she heard, for her face softened. "How much do you know about him?"
Well, it seemed honesty has gotten the hero this far. He could only be honest here too. "Not enough."
"Yeah, the brat keeps to himself a lot." She leaned back, relaxing a little at any chance to complain about the pain she raised from a baby. "When he's ready, he'll tell you everything."
A stupid little spark of hope hopped into Izuku's throat. He gulped it back down. "You mean…?"
To dispel the tension, she slapped his back hardily. "Yup. But if it turns out that you're just messing with him, your symbol of hope title ain't stopping this fist from crashing into your face."
Izuku couldn't hold backhis own grin if he tried. "Yes, ma'am!"
-HH-HH-HH-HH-HH-
An hour later is when guests start to trickle in.
Asui is the first to arrive with her team of water dancers, some heroes and some profession athletes, to set up any last-minute props. She waves idly at a focused All Might who found a new interest in arranging the flowers and chairs perfectly despite protests from the staff to rest.
Todoroki is next. He shows up in a white suit with red and orange accents resembling a koi, the eye-catching colours announcing to the rest of the party on his status as the best man. Almost instantly, after taste-testing a pastry from Satou, he drifts towards a crouched figure near the back. Faithful to his good nature, the other man is helping to move a fish tank. Not wanting to cause any disruption, the hero waits for Izuku to finish before reaching over to give his shouldera light squeeze.
Izuku turns to him in pleasant surprise. He smiles, small but reassuring. 'It's okay,' he mouths just like he did when his wedding was first crashed. And for the first time in a while, Todoroki believes him.
Kaminarijust finished doing tests with the sound system when Uraraka arrives carrying an empty ring box inside her purse and a wagon of bunny treats behind her. She had recently topped the charts again by jumping from eleventh to ninth. It was poetic, the way that the first person she saw upon entering was a certain blond with three table clothes folded in his arms.
She wastes no time. Crossing her arms, she saunters up to him with an unimpressed glance. "Blondie."
He returns it. "Round Face."
"I heard a week ago that you were the wedding planner this entire time."
"I am. And I heard you punched a certain Deku really hard in the face."
"I did. It felt good."
Suddenly, as if a switch was turned, Uraraka's passive glance morphs into her trademark carefree smile. In synch, Katsuki's own sneer changes into a smirk. She passes by him in the lobby but not before the two share a high-five. Funny how things worked out for them.
Soon enough, a multitude of heroes and parents begin piling in to admire the fish and mingle before the big ceremony. Inko can't sit still for more than a minute, moving from one room to another to check on glassware. Eri, having faced disappointment at not getting to finish her walk to the altar as the flower girl last time, is bouncing in her seat and helping everyone with their make-up. The get-together was all around a lot smaller than Izuku's wedding, the two having agreed on not inviting any business partners unless they were close friends or were part of the small trusted film crew that they hired to document the entire thing for the press.
Four hours later, at around half-past-eleven, is when Katsuki is satisfied enough with everything. Kicking a stray step ladder closer to climb up, he addresses everyone with a loud shout. "All right, you assholes!" He has the entire floor's attention immediately. "We're officially done and with thirty minutes left to spare!"
Everyone, from the workers to the heroes to the aquarium staff, cheers. Even those who were initially wary of the blond admitted that he was nothing if not efficient at his job. The doors to the kitchen open as Jirou and Satou run around passing out drinks as a last-minute break before the big ceremony. Katsuki watches the chatter around him, arms crossed.
Damn. He needed a minute away from all these people.
Satisfying the need, he quietly slips out of the room and up the stairs. On the ground floor, there's a storage room unoccupied by anything but a few empty tanks and an old black couch facing them. It's relaxing, the reflections of the water with no fish dancing on the wooden floor. He collapses on the spot, leaning back with closed eyes.
A coldness presses into his cheek.
"Orange juice?" It's Izuku.
For a brief moment, something flashes behind Katsuki's eyes. The image of a boy, younger but freckles unmistakable, smiles down at him with a glass of juice in hand. He shakes it off, snatching the drink from the other man.
"Aw," the other frowns. "You were supposed to be surprised, Kacchan."
"With your subpar stalking skills? In your dreams." He takes a sip.
Izuku's eyes soften. Without needing to ask, room on the couch is made for him to sit beside his companion. Green eyes shine bright against the bouncing light. "We did it, Kacchan. We planned the best wedding ever."
"It hasn't even happened yet. Stop celebrating."
A weight on his shoulder. Katsuki doesn't need to look to know that it's Izuku.
"Thank you."
He doesn't grace that with a response, doesn't need to, only brings up a hand to gently run it through green curls. Izuku hums pleasantly at the touch. The low rumble of his voice is enough to calm the blond down into tranquility. The moment seems to stretch on forever, the vibrations of the tanks around them lulling them to sleep.
Or it would've, if Izuku didn't suddenly pull Katsuki into an eager kiss.
Jolted out of his stupor and caught off guard, the doctor instinctively bites down.
Izuku squeaks, flinching back. He whines at the small throbbing on his mouth. "Kacchan."
Katsuki can only stare at him with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. It was truly, honestly, an accident. His quick reflexes that he honed from a young age were hard to rid of so easily. "Shit. Force of habit."
Ah.
Izuku smiled apologetically. Sometimes he forgot that Katsuki still wasn't used to intimacy. "I'm sorry. Let me try again." This time, he's very explicit and slow in his intentions. One scarred hand reaches up to rip away the other's drink and set it on the floor beside them. He gently pushes the blond down until he's on his back, head lying up on the hand rest of the couch.
Just to throw away any last lingering doubts about what was happening, the hero trails a finger up a clothed chest. "Is this okay…?"
If possible, the red on the blond's cheeks spreads further. He inwardly curses. Fuck Izuku for being smooth like the nerd that he was. The other's ability to change the mood in his favor so suddenly and without effort had Katsuki tripping like a damn newbie in comparison. But as much as he wanted to collect himself, as much as he willed himself to adopt a demeanor just as experienced, the silence stretched on.
It was even more stupid then, that it was Izuku's patience and unjudging gaze that finally relaxed those nerves beating up a storm in Katsuki's chest. He breathed, finally forming an answer.
"I would've stopped you the second you touched me if it wasn't okay." Then narrowed his eyes. "But if you're thinking of doing anything fishy, pun very much intended by the way, you ass, I'm socking you in the balls."
Izuku chokes out a laugh, leaning closer. "I wouldn't do that in an aquarium…"
The kiss that ended that sentiment sent a pleasant buzz through them.
They break apart, Katsuki addressing him with lidded eyes and a half-hearted retort. "Really? I don't fucking believe you."
Instead of replying, Izuku rests his cast on the pillow behind his boyfriend's head, tilting his chin so their lips can meet again in a slow dance. The warmth is so inviting, so tempting to dive into and drown in. The rapid beating of Izuku's chest urged him to continue but he knew he couldn't jump, not until Katsuki was ready himself. About to pull away, he squeaks the slightest when Katsuki's hand shoots up to press against the man's neck, locking him in place.
O-Oh.
God. He liked Kacchan so much.
So they stay like that. Breaths mingling every second they come up for air then being swallowed either by Katsuki's teeth dragging against the other's pink lips or Izuku's tongue darting out the briefest of seconds to truly taste the other's flushed skin. The hand clutched so tightly on the back of Izuku's head moves to tug wonderfully at his curls, the movement eliciting the cutest little sound out of him that Katsuki's ever heard. But Izuku is quick to return the favor. The taller man turns his attention to the other's jaw, not hesitating to trail wet kisses up the pale skin leading to his ear, sending shivers down Katsuki's spine.
Eventually, the heat becomes too much. The two separate a distance which feels like two football fields to them but is in reality less than a meter, the closest they can bewhile they rearrange themselves for a deeper embrace. Izuku moves to crawl on top of the blond's abdomen about the same time that Katsuki settles himself fully on the couch.
There are no words exchanged. All either of them needed was the spark of trust igniting strongly between them. Legs straddling the one underneath him, green eyes lit on fire stare back at ruby for the smallest second before Izuku sinks in, their mouths reconnecting-
"I JUST GOT THE CALL!" The hero snaps his head up, eyes wide and frantically searching the room. The PA system boomed across the building with Kaminari's voice. "They're coming. Everyone hide!"
Interrupted, Izuku groaned, dropping his face into Katsuki's collar as the rest of his body fell limp on top of his boyfriend. The position was short-lived, for he felt a pinch on his side so sharp that he jolted off of Katsuki within a millisecond. "Ouch…! What was that for?"
"Th-THAT'S FOR GETTING ALL HORNY NEXT TO THE PUFFER FISH!" Katsuki glared from his spot on the cushions, face absolutely burning as the realization of what almost transpired really sank in. "Get moving already, Deku…! Those idiots will probably ruin the whole thing without us!"
Holding his side in mild pain, Izuku pauses to regard Katsuki's deadly scowl set against beautifully red cheeks. Suddenly, the urge to giggle leaves him, heart light. "Don't worry, Kacchan. I won't ever do anything to you that you don't want."
Katsuki bounds off the couch, feigning disgust. "HAAAH? Damn right, you won't! I'd beat the shit out of you before that happened!" Not letting the other respond, he shuffles quickly out the door with confident steps, leaving with some of his dignity intact. But alas, Izuku was quick to follow while absolutely beaming at him and holding the discarded drink off his fingers.
The two men, ruffled from their intimate encounter, are quick to rush to the lobby where they were stationed. They duck underneath the desk as feet scramble in and out around them. As everyone is settling down, Izuku laughs.
"What?"
Another beam. "This is fun."
After what seemed like eternity to the hushed guests, the doors finally push open. The spiked frame of Momo leads the group entering the building, the familiar silhouettes of Ashido and Kirishima following behind in confusion.
Katsuki is the first to jump out of excitement for his two little shits for friends, let it be known that he'd deny that little fact to his grave, all the hundreds of bodies around him following suit immediately.
"(FUCKING) SURPRISE!"
The reaction is instant. Kirishima, the man who took every act for him to heart, nearly fainted in shock. Ashido caught him in her arms but the wide-eyed glance could tell tales about how just as bewildered she was. Cheers and confetti surround the premises. It's only with a quick glance-over that the two recognize Katsuki, Izuku, Kaminari, Kirishima's brother with his wife, and Ashido's parents standing amongst the front throwing pink crazy string at them.
Katsuki, finally bored with their speechlessness, marches to the front to punch Kirishima in the shoulder. For once, the self-proclaimed red riot had no time to harden before the hit landed. "Ow! Man, what's going on?"
The blond smirked. "You're getting married today. Congratulations."
Ashido gasped. Memories of how she told Izuku over the phone a while ago that the love of her life had proposed flashed through her head. The two of them couldn't afford rings so used plastic toy ones they found in a bargain bin while shopping for their baby. Having an actual wedding was such a far-off idea that both resigned themselves to never truly having the time, resources, or money to plan one. But now…
She runs up to Izuku, hugging him with a cry. Kirishima does the same to Katsuki when the information registers for him, manly tears soaking his suit. The sight has the crowd cheering and clapping even louder. The world's top heroes felt wet in the eyes and full in their hearts.
From his spot next to them, arms empty, Kaminari chirps in betrayal. "Hey, where's my hug?!" Before being engulfed by the two groups moving in to poke fun at the Pikachu signature on his forehead.
After the initial surprise wore off, Ashido proceeded to positively freak out when she found out that she only had two hours to prepare for the entire thing. Her worries were calmed when Mitsuki marched in carrying a full salon kit and Momo created a hair-dryer on the spot with a bright smile. On the other end of the spectrum, Kirishima was grabbed aside by Aoyama and Tokoyami to prepare as the rest of the room deemed that only having one or the other would be a disaster.
Some time between having his hair done up and tying his suit on, Kirishima had found out that Todoroki was the best man. His head shot to Katsuki then with an indignant sound. "Man!"
"No." Katsuki snapped back. "I'm not wearing that thing."
"But the moment has to have you in it, Bakubro!"
And if Todoroki's little smirk in the change room as they exchanged outfits was any indication, the half-and-half bastard was enjoying himself. Katsuki gave him the stink eye. "Shut up."
The vows themselves went off without a hitch. Ashido was breathtaking in her ballroom gown modified with pink accents (which she absolutely adored). For a couple who had this completely thrown on them and with no speeches or dances prepared at all, Kirishima was an absolute mess with a speech lasting well over five minutes that he cried three times in. Izuku found it romantic. Katsuki found it embarrassing.
When it came time for the two to fish out the koi, it ended up with an unfortunate slip when they were so focused on the task at hand that they stepped over each other. Luckily, Uraraka came in with her quirk and saved them at the last second before their pristine outfits were ruined. The water show following all of it was spectacular. Some film crews went ham at the event, filming the couple in question tearing up in happiness when Asui performed the grand finale at the center of the stage.
Show ending, it was announced that all the unmarried guests gather on the floor so Ashido could prepare to toss her bouquet. What no one really considered was that sticking a bunch of top heroes or retired heroes in a room, many of whom were single, was a really bad idea. As soon as the flowers left her pink clutches, it was utter chaos.
Uraraka charges at it with fury. Using her zero gravity to float herself above the rest of the guests, she appeared to be a shoe-in to win. However, the giant fist of Kendo grabs her leg to throw her aside right as padded fingertips are about to brush the plastic.
The bouquet jostles from the wind pressure. It drops, conveniently towards where Aoyama is standing. The man is sparkling confidently. However, not even a second of his glory lasted until a barrage of grapes assaults him. Mineta leaps up, using Aoyama's face as a stepping stone. The shining man cries. "Aoooah~!"
"Sorry, man! All's fair in LOVE AND WAR!" Mineta cheers while catapulting his body forward right into a whip that sends him flying into the opposite wall. The woman on the other end, the retired Midnight, releases a bit of her quirk to render all the males around her whoozy.
Mount Lady, seeing this, croons. "Oh, IT IS ON!" The woman doesn't hesitate to begin growing so she could get to the falling bouquet herself. It would be a piece of cake for her. However, just as her fingers reach to encase the flowers in her palm, a stray string of tape wraps around her target and pulls it away. "Hey-!" Not looking where she was leaning, her head bumps into a light fixture causing her to stumble and land right on top of Midnight. Shrinking back to her normal form, the two ladies lose consciousness against the dance floor.
"…I'm glad Mineta wasn't awake to see that." Jiro helpfully adds.
Meanwhile, Sero proves his growth since his practical exam in first year. Withdrawing his tape to get the bouquet, he smirks from behind the mask of tape he kept around his nose and mouth. It was total victory for the guy that no one expected it from-
A heeled foot sweeps from underneath him. He falls, his tape breaking to the sight of a laser focused Uraraka leaving her impressive swipe to continue running forward with a determined yell. The bouquet sways in the air from the exchange, flying to the other side of the room. Having enough of the abuse, it hits one of the arches and lands in a green mop of hair.
Izuku, in the middle of pushing out a seat for his mom, reaches up to collect the taped bundle in confusion. He eyes the unrecognizable mess with a furrowed brow. "What is-"
"Congratulations, man!" Kirishima yells from his spot by the stage.
"YEAH, Midoriya, get some!"
"Good job, Izuku!"
Slowly, eyes raking across the room, Izuku's face blossoms into a wide smile. Seeing all his friends and family cheering, the happiness radiating from his chest , he spots Katsuki leaning against a wall watching the entire thing and winks at him.
The little shit winks at him.
Scandalized, a quick once-over of the hall made Katsuki realize that he was the only one who saw. He scoffs and gives him the middle finger. However, Izuku only laughs at this. When the nerd finally looks away, Katsuki allows the smallest (very small) smile to creep up on his face.
Maybe weddings weren't so bad after all.
-HH-HH-HH-HH-HH-
Dear Izuku Midoriya,
I'm sorry for doing this again. I promise that this is the last time that I will use my quirk on you. While we were leaving the aquarium, I froze time again so I could sneak this letter into your pocket. It's a coward's move, I know. But I couldn't bear to make you feel any guilt or obligation for what is in this envelope.
Attached to this letter are two tickets to a resort. You don't have to worry about food, accommodations, activities, maids, or booking entertainment. I already handled all of it. While I was in Paris, I got it in my head this genius idea to try to win you back by planning the best honeymoon ever. I was going to present it to you today as a way of apology and in hopes that we could be together again. Of course, things didn't end up that way. But… I'm glad. I'm so happy for you.
I don't need these tickets anymore. Please, bring someone else there who you love very much when you're ready. This is a gift from me to you as friends and nothing else. I wish you a happy life with him, Izuku. Don't forget that I'll be here if you ever need me.
Love,
Atsuko Natsume
