As the door to the apartment swung open, Shoko nearly stumbled; fatigue was dragging at her limbs.

Izuku caught her immediately, smiling lovingly as she yawned loudly.

"Alright, why don't you two get to bed?" Inko said.

"Okay," Shoko agreed, "where am I sleeping?"

Inko smiled widely as she replied, "Why, with Izuku, of course!"

Shoko accepted that immediately, without questioning it in the slightest. Izuku, though, stared at his mother in shock.

"Mom, what are you saying?" he stammered.

Inko raised an eyebrow as she said, "Izuku, I'm saying that you are going to sleep with your pregnant fiancé, in the same bed. I assume you've done that before."

Izuku admitted, "Well, yeah. But isn't that...I don't know, inappropriate or something?"

"How did you know we shared a bed at UA?" Shoko added.

Inko responded, "Well, I didn't know for sure until you just admitted it, Shoko."

Shoko turned bright red at her words, while Izuku winced.

Ignoring them, the green-haired woman continued, "But as for your question, Izuku, why would it be inappropriate? You two are going to be married; there's no need to be embarrassed about having sex or sharing a bed. What, do you think I'm some sort of prude when it comes to you two? I'm fully aware that you have sex, son; Shoko is pregnant! It's not like I'm worried that she'll get more pregnant. Oh, and on that note, I hope it's not too much to ask if you could keep it down for a few days, until my noise-cancelling headphones get delivered."

By the time Inko was done, Izuku was beet-red, stammering, and clearly unwilling to think about his mom knowing about his sex life.

Shoko, on the other hand, simply tugged Izuku by the hand and started to lead him deeper into the apartment.

She called, "Thank you, Inko. I really appreciate everything you've done for us. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

Inko beamed as she answered, "You're welcome, Shoko. And you already have repaid me, a thousand times over."

"How?" Shoko asked.

Inko's face was fond and hopeful. "You make my son so happy . That's all a mother can ask for in her daughter-in-law. Now, go on! You've had a long day, and I'm sure my son would love to take the edge off it. And don't forget to check the nightstand drawer! I left a few fun surprises in there for you!"

Dragging a catatonic Izuku behind her, Shoko happily complied, leading her fiancé out of sight and into their new bedroom.

As she watched them go, Inko nodded wisely. Her son had married well, she was sure of it.

She sat down and pulled out a notebook. Depending on when the wedding was, they might have to make some adjustments to Shoko's dress…

Inko knew her son's wife would be gorgeous in it, no matter what.

As the door swung shut behind them, Shoko and Izuku stared in surprise at how Izuku's room had been transformed.

The All Might merchandise was gone, and in the place of Izuku's old bed was a larger, queen-sized one. In one corner was their luggage from UA, which someone had clearly brought over while they were at the hospital.

Shoko saw many familiar decorations on the walls, and she knew her mother had also been involved in setting up this room so that it felt like home for both her and Izuku.

And it did feel like home, far more than anywhere else Shoko had ever been. It was as if she could wrap herself up in the warmth and safety both Midoriyas radiated.

"I like it. What do you think, Izuku?" she asked.

Izuku replied, "I like it, too, but...it just feels so weird, seeing this room without my old stuff in it. The walls feel so... bare."

"Well," she replied, "we could always find some posters of you to put on the walls."

He bleated, "Wait, what? There are posters of me? I didn't know that!"

Shoko raised an eyebrow. "You're a hero nerd, yet you've never seen any of the fanart that's out there? I have, and the only time I was allowed online was social media manipulation lessons."

Rubbing the back of his head, Izuku admitted, "I, ah, don't really check any of the old forums anymore. Once I realized that they were talking about people I knew, it felt pretty weird to read. But you're saying there's fanart of me? Why?"

Shoko told him, "Because, Izuku, you're an awesome hero who also happens to be incredibly handsome."

"I'm plain!" Izuku protested.

Shoko simply replied, "After the Hero Gala, there were more thirsty articles about you than there were about me, and I've had people calling me beautiful for years. "

Izuku tried to argue again, but Shoko was tired of it. She kissed him, gradually pulling them down onto the bed until he was on top of her.

She started to grab at his clothes, but she found that moving felt like she was swimming through mud.

"I'm so tired," she thought as she whimpered under Izuku's body.

Seeing that she wasn't responding, Izuku pulled away, making Shoko whine as she lost his warmth.

"Shoko, are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," Shoko said drowsily, "just tired."

"I see. We don't have to do this tonight, Shoko," Izuku told her, starting to get off of her entirely.

"No, please, I really want you tonight. After today...I just want to feel you again," she pleaded.

Izuku paused. "Shoko, please don't try to escape things by having sex with me. You know that isn't healthy," he said, "and I hate the thought of ever taking advantage of you."

She shook her head. "I'm not doing that, Izuku. I refuse to let thoughts of my father rule me anymore; this isn't because I'm still hurting from what he did. You healed me of that so long ago. I just want to be with you tonight, because I love you. Please?"

Izuku sighed; he never could resist Shoko.

"Why is it you always talking me into these things?" he joked as he took off his shirt.

As she wriggled out of her own clothes and scooted up to rest her head on the pillows, Shoko replied, "Because you're the best man I've ever met, and you being chivalrous makes me horny."

Izuku laughed, and joined her once again on the bed.

Smut Begins!

With both of them now naked, Izuku lay down next to Shoko, who was already eagerly spreading her legs as she settled into place.

Without even communicating what they wanted, the couple began to move in sync.

Shoko was tired and had only just recovered from the most stressful day of her life; she wanted Izuku to pamper her, to love her.

Izuku wanted to do those very things to the woman he loved, so they both won.

But as Izuku kissed her deeply, letting their tongues dance as they drew close, Shoko found herself starting to get frustrated.

The kissing stretched on and on; Shoko could feel Izuku's love for her in every second of it, but she wanted more.

Izuku's hand wasn't helping. As he lay on his side next to her, he'd laid it flat against her belly, tantalizingly close to her soaking center.

But he just kept his hand there, in an almost possessive gesture, right over her womb.

"You are mine," he seemed to be saying, "I love you, and you alone."

Shoko began to whine into the kiss, making her body shudder as she desperately tried to entice that hand to do something, anything.

But he just kept stroking her belly gently, while she felt like she was floating on a cloud, being slowly and tenderly cared for.

At last, though, he moved. His hand crept slowly, maddeningly, down between her thighs, parting her folds delicately.

Shoko groaned again, pushing her legs apart even further to make room for Izuku to start gently exploring her wet slit, their mouths linked the whole time.

For what felt like an age, Izuku's fingers teased her, circling her lower lips, staying just off her clit, and slowly but surely working Shoko up. She felt like she was going to scream if he didn't stop teasing her.

Then, finally, he touched her clit with the pad of his finger, and Shoko screamed into his mouth as her whole body bucked, pushing her clit against his waiting hands a second time and starting the cycle over again.

When she felt his fingers slip inside her aching pussy, Shoko thought, "He's actually going to make me cum from this, isn't he?"

She could taste the smirk on his lips, she was sure, as Izuku skillfully made her come apart with just his fingers.

Izuku's digits twirled and thrust inside her, curling in just the right way to make her howl. Her mouth stayed attached to his as her body shook and bucked, her whole being focused on the way his fingers exploited every nerve they could find.

Shoko broke the kiss as her body burned under his touch. With wild eyes, she begged, "Izuku...please."

He simply said, "Shoko, cum for me."

He pushed forward to kiss her again, and his fingers dug deeper into her, bringing her slowly, inevitably, over the edge.

"I'm gonna-" Shoko thought as her orgasm broke over her, making her cry out into Izuku's mouth as her body was wracked by wave after wave of ecstasy.

Even as she came, Izuku was kissing her, was pouring his love into her body as she arched her back, his fingers still inside her as her pussy convulsed.

Shoko was lying back against the pillows, hazy with sleep, but still wanting more.

"Please, Izuku, fuck me," she begged, "I need you."

He kissed her belly gently and asked, "How do you want it, love?"

"F-From behind, Izuku…" she moaned as his hands roamed her body, glorying in her post-orgasm sensitivity.

He kissed her body once more, then asked, "Shoko, I have an idea. Would you like me to try it?"

She had no words at that moment, but her eyes said everything she needed to.

Izuku tenderly stroked her stomach one more time, then gently took her by the hips. As Shoko whimpered, he rolled her onto her side, facing away from him.

"What is he doing?" Shoko wondered.

Then, Izuku's arms reached around her to grasp her tits, and she understood.

He tugged her nipples, which were still incredibly sensitive from her pregnancy hormones, and she cried out softly. He did it again, alternating in a manner almost like milking, and her brain felt overwhelmed

Then, one of his hands moved down her body to lift up her leg, and she felt his cock at her entrance.

Izuku kissed the spot just at the meeting point of her neck and jawline that she liked so much, sucking at the sensitive skin there as he pushed into her in a long, slow thrust that had her whole body aching for him.

Shoko could feel her body squished against his, her ass pressing against him as he slowly rolled his hips again and again, reaching deep into her in an angle she'd never felt before.

His cock pushed into her with long, gentle movements, not going very fast, but making sure to find every little spot inside Shoko and make it light up with pleasure.

Izuku took her tenderly and lovingly, reminding her that she was his, and that he loved her for it.

Izuku's hand, the one not holding up her leg, roamed her body, pressing between her thighs to pleasure her clit while he fucked her, turning her head to the side so that Izuku could kiss her as his cock filled her, or teasing her breasts and nipples to make her scream his name. At one point, his arm formed a bar across her chest, pulling her upper body against his while her breasts hung over his arm.

The whole time, Izuku whispered soft words to his fiancé. "You're perfect," he muttered, "you're soft, and gentle, and beautiful. I love you so much, Shoko."

She responded when she could, but she was swept up in the gentle embrace of his love and the pleasure he gave her.

It was never too much; Izuku kept Shoko feeling loved and cared for and filled, but he danced right at the edge of truly ravaging her, keeping things slow and tender to match the pace Shoko needed right now.

They stayed like that for a long time, with Izuku's cock nuzzled against Shoko's g-spot in the most perfect way while he held her close and whispered words of love into her ear.

But at last, their lovemaking brought them to their climax. Shoko felt herself going first, which annoyed her slightly; it wasn't fair that Izuku got to make her cum twice!

But he did, and Shoko cried out his name as she went over the edge for the second time.

Her convulsions and her moans brought Izuku to his own orgasm, and with a soft groan, he filled her up with his seed, the familiar warmth being all Shoko needed to feel complete again.

Gently, Izuku flipped her back around to face him, pulling the covers over them and nuzzling close to his lover.

Shoko croaked, "I...I love you, Izuku. Thank you."

Izuku answered, "I love you too, Shoko. Please, sleep, okay? I'll be here with you forever."

She knew he would, but she couldn't help but ask, "C-Can you touch me more? As I go to sleep? Just...I want to remember how much you love me, even when I'm dreaming."

She felt silly for asking, but Izuku's smile chased away her self-consciousness.

"Of course I will, Shoko," he answered.

As Shoko sighed contentedly and closed her eyes, she felt Izuku's hands and lips close around her nipples.

At last, she fell asleep in his arms.

Smut Over!

The next day didn't quite go how Shoko wished it would have.

Her plan was to sit on Izuku and fuck him for the entire day, to christen their new room, of course.

But the world would not wait for them.

When the doorbell rang, Shoko had to jump off of her fiancé and dress quickly. She decided to take advantage of their mingled clothes and find something that smelled like him.

If Mina, Uraraka, and Iida were surprised when Shoko answered the door in an All Might hoodie and a pair of Izuku's basketball shorts, they didn't show it.

Izuku joined them in the living room a few minutes later, so obviously dazed and confused that Mina just smirked and shot a knowing glance at Shoko, who refused to blush.

Shoko figures that if she was going to be interrupted, she might as well get to enjoy a little bit of her lover, so she planted herself firmly in Izuku's lap, making sure he was instantly aware she hadn't had time to find any underwear in the mad scramble to dress.

"So, why did you guys come over?" she asked.

"We wanted to make sure you were okay," Mina replied, "but also...there's something you need to see."

Without another word, Uraraka revealed a bundle of newspapers; some were the omnipresent hero tabloids, while others were more reputable. She spread them out on the table, and even from this distance, Shoko could make out the headlines. They quickly blurred together into an endless slideshow.

"ENDEAVOR ARRESTED!"

"NUMBER ONE HERO STRIPPED OF LICENSE!"

"TWENTY YEARS OF ABUSE REVEALED IN TODOROKI HOUSEHOLD!"

"ENDEAVOR ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING, ABUSE!"

"A SHAM MARRIAGE: ENDEAVOR'S FAMILY THE PRODUCT OF EUGENICS PROGRAM!"

The headlines went on and on; the articles tore Shoko's father apart, again and again, for everything he'd ever done.

Shoko imagined that she could hear the sound of an empire falling.

But it wasn't quite done yet.

Izuku picked up one tabloid and looked like he wanted to tear it to pieces.

"What the hell is this?" he hissed, "they're actually defending him?"

Shoko glanced at the headline, which read, "NUMBER ONE SMEAR JOB?"

The article seemed to be thinking that she and her family were making the entire thing up, or at least that Endeavor should still be allowed to be a hero when all was said and done.

She sighed, "There will always be monsters and assholes out there, Izuku. Not everyone wants to see the truth."

Izuku still looked furious. "How can they do that?" he demanded.

Shoko shook her head as she answered, "I don't know, Izuku. At least it's only a few, though."

"Regardless, you know that you'll have to speak out in public sooner or later, right?" Mina said.

Shoko replied, "Yeah. If nothing else, I don't want people to think of me as a poor, helpless girl. I just...don't know what I'm going to do."

"Whatever it is, we're with you all the way," Uraraka declared.

Iida and Mina nodded in agreement; Shoko wondered again what she'd done to deserve such incredible friends.

Izuku said, "Shoko, don't forget that people still don't know you're pregnant, or that we're engaged, either. Like you told me, we can't hide things like that forever."

"Yes, you're right," Shoko agreed.

She looked around at her friends. These people had been there for her at her lowest; they'd helped her truly break free of the chains that had held her down.

It was because of them that she was sitting in the lap of the most wonderful man in Japan right now.

Shoko thought back to the Hero Gala, to standing up for everything she had fought for with Izuku.

She thought back further, to that terrible day of fear that ended with her in Izuku's arms for the first time.

She considered the future, of the children growing inside her, of the ring on her finger and what it meant.

And finally, she remembered the beginning, when a green-haired boy with a fistful of broken bones had stared into her soul across a field of shattered ice and haunting fire, and blown away every fear she'd ever had.

She was done hiding, done keeping secrets to protect others.

Once, she'd told Izuku that she'd tell the world how much she loved him, if not for the fear of her father.

Well, her father was gone now, and the fear had gone with him.

Shoko knew that if she wanted to tell the story of her love for Izuku, she would need to tell her story, all of it. She had to hold nothing back, keep no more secrets.

Shoko found that she was more than ready to do that.

"Izuku, I know what I'm going to do," she announced.

Izuku held her tight as he said, "I knew you'd come up with something. What do you want to do?"

Shoko replied, "I'm going to follow your suggestion from the Gala, and give an interview. A live one, on a talk show, and I'm going to tell them everything. That should nip any attempts by Endeavor or his allies to escape justice right in the bud."

Izuku asked, "Are you sure you're okay doing that, all alone?"

"I have you, Izuku," Shoko said, "even if you won't be on that stage with me, you're in my heart. As long as I have you, I will never be alone again."