The walk to the car was quiet for the most part, but not an awkward quiet. Just a comfortable silence as Izuku and Momo walked side by side with their teacher just ahead of them, enjoying the presence and atmosphere without worry, without care.
No villains, no aliens, no big situation around the corner, they could take five minutes to themselves and just breathe and be happy. It was nice. Izuku absentmindedly counted the number of quirks he saw as they walked past. Two fire quirks, six earth quirks and four telekinetic quirks was his count for recurring ones. He was secretly hoping he'd see a water one next so that all four 'classic' elements would be present.
As he mused on this silly silent thought, he felt a warmth and slight pressure in his hand, causing him to look down and feel his face heat up a tad as he realized Momo had taken his hand, a small shy smile on her own face as she squeezed.
He smiled shyly as well, squeezing back and moving just a little bit closer to her as they walked into the reception area, heading for the door. He was gonna get to do this now, he realized, he could hold Momo's hand almost every day like this and just enjoy it from now. No internships to get in the way, no awkward situations with Iida making it feel inappropriate, they could just show their affection for one another like this now.
Now that was a really nice feeling. One he was gonna cherish as much as he could, as they stepped out into the cold and he committed every detail to memory. The slight shiver of both of them. The way he tensed slightly until Momo's touch made him relax, how she leaned in to keep more of his warmth and avoid the cold and how his arm sunk into her, well… he did say every detail.
Momo opened the car door before he could get it, climbing in and moving to the far seat, Izuku following in behind her and closing the door behind him, both strapping in as All Might took the wheel, which was a…
Well, quite frankly the sight was hilarious. He was a seven-foot-tall hulking giant of a man trying to fit into what was basically just an SUV. Albeit a somewhat sized up SUV but as he used his muscle form he was still needing to hunker down and tuck his arms in.
Momo clearly was trying not to giggle, not wanting to be rude but Izuku couldn't help his own amused smile. He still appreciated All Might but moments like these were also a nice sort of respite for the more agonizing moments on Dagobah beach.
Shaking his head, he thought over some over things as the car began to drive into the night, thinking about things like how classes were going to be going back, how he was gonna explain to his class 'Hey I have like three new aliens now', how he was absolutely squeezing the life out of JJ when they got back and being thankful the plumbers had no idea about her and finally… The date he and Momo had been waiting to go on for ages. They finally had their chance. In fact…
He took her hand again, squeezing and getting her to turn, a soft smile on her face at the action, her shy smile growing along with her small blush. A sight that he had a feeling he would see a lot, a fact that made his heart beat just a tad faster as it surged with happiness from the idea.
He leaned in and noticing, Momo leaned in too, curious as he leaned to her ear and said quietly. "I have an idea for that date… If you're up for it."
"I'm sure whatever it is will be amazing." She replied quietly, softly, squeezing his hand again and nodded. "Even if it's just a walk around town I'll like it, I bet."
He giggled and turned back to looking forward, although he couldn't bring himself to lean away from her yet. He caught All Might's eye in the rear view mirror, his mentor grinning stupidly with a teasing glint in his gaze.
He was gonna be teased to hell but he was frankly more than okay with that, because it was just another reminder this was real and he was one hell of a lucky guy.
"Ah, Mister Midoriya, Miss Yaoyorouzu, it's good to see you both are well." Nezu exclaimed happily with a clap of his paws when the two students were let into the principal's office by All Might, bowing their heads as they entered and getting a nod from the hybrid creature in return. "I hear your internships were quite… eventful."
"That's… Well, it's definitely one word for it." Izuku scratched his cheek with a finger, before sighing. "Definitely prematurely ended."
"Certainly, and I must apologize to you both on behalf of U.A." Nezu declared, jumping on his desk and bowing, to the surprise of the two students. "We are out of our depth in regards to these 'aliens' and as a result, we had allowed you to go to an organization claiming knowledge without doing as many checks into them as we should have. It was short notice but that is no excuse for one of our students ending up in harm's way. I also understand that while it is not public record, I have both of you to thank, along with Mister Todoroki, for ensuring that we did not lose one of our students." The principal hummed straightening up with a more somber smile. "I wish he had not been in such a situation in the first place but, while I may be expected to scold you, I find I must thank you instead. So thank you I shall. I also must say sorry to you, young Yaoyorouzu, as we also allowed you to join something which nearly led you into something far beyond what high school students should be involved in."
"I… appreciate the gesture sir but I am afraid I cannot accept an apology." Momo decided, putting a hand to her chest with a more confident look. "Miss Tennyson, while she may have had ulterior motives, still cared about me and taught me valuable skills I would not have gained without her. She helped provide me with exactly what I needed from these internships, so please, do not apologize for that."
Izuku smiled at her, glad to hear the legitimate confidence and even happiness in her voice. It really did sound like Gwen's internship had done her a world of good. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a shakiness at the end that threw it slightly, and he worried about that but he promised he'd handle it later. For now…
"Sir, I accept your apology regarding me but no one could have known but the plumbers. Even I'm working in the dark, and with Gwen gone, it will continue to be that way. Speaking of, I have to ask… What will happen to me and Yaomomo's internships?" He wondered, lifting up and looking at the principal with curiosity. "After all, I don't think 'capturing a super evil organization slash being a super evil organization and hopping to a different universe' really fits in the bounds of being kicked out of the internship."
Nezu did manage a chuckle from that line, hopping off the desk and putting his arms behind his back as he paced, humming. "Well we are just waiting on a phone back from Miss Yaoyorouzu's parents but most likely you will both stay on U.A. grounds for the rest of the week. You will do personal training together, improving your skills or otherwise just practicing in our facilities as well as perhaps tackle later course work early."
"And the situation with the Plumbers?" Izuku couldn't help but wonder. Nezu sighed and his demeanor seemed to become less enthusiastic as his pacing slowed and he turned to them.
"I find we will likely have to keep a large amount of the details surrounding the Plumbers highly classified, even from people like your homeroom teacher. While he may now be aware of the existence of aliens and that the Plumbers were not good people, this kind of situation requires a delicate handle, one that will ensure as little people as possible can accidentally spread details of these situations, lest the wrong sources hear about it. This will also make the reports Aizawa has to give, have more credit to them, such as the lie that will have to be crafted about Miss Tennyson's death." The hybrid seemed to be partially ranting at this point as both students went wide eyed and turned to each other, shock written on their faces as they processed that.
Logically it made sense, using death as a way to explain the very sudden disappearance of a good pro, but it had certainly caught them off-guard. "Aside from that, the Plumbers will be explained as a villainous organization that had managed to very realistically hide as heroes and their disappearance was due to a combination of Mister Midoriya's diligence and attentive nature and in part Miss Tennyson's preceding knowledge leading to an unintended but fortunate team up that lead to Miss Tennyson's death but not before she provided Mister Midoriya the means to permanently drive out the villain group with her permission."
Izuku looked up in shock, surprised by the complete reversal of how it was compared to the Stain situation. No getting in trouble and instead getting the credit?
He frowned.
"…Gwen was the reason we knew the Plumbers were evil. She's the one who fought Homura with Todoroki and it was her plan we followed that saved everyone." He said simply. "My name shouldn't be in there, just an unnamed student."
"Izuku?"
"Are you quite sure?"
Both Momo and Nezu blinked at him in surprise, clearly having not expected that response. The Principal seemed to pause as he studied him.
"You do realize Mister Midoriya, that by virtue of your name being mentioned, this would not only be likely to help draw attention away from any negative comments in regards to your involvement with the Stain incident, but also provide excellent public press for you that could very likely help bolster your career going forward?"
"…I'm certain." Izuku said simply, not wanting to get into the why. "Please don't put my name in any public versions of that report."
"Well… If that's what you wish, then I'm not able to go against that." Nezu sighed with a nod, before turning to Momo. "As for you, Miss Yaoyorouzu, I will need to keep you for a few minutes to explain what will happen if your parents agree to let you stay. In the meantime, I suggest Midoriya returns to his safe house on campus and see his mother and JJ, as they both wish to ensure his safety."
"Yes sir." Izuku nodded, not noticing Momo's somewhat concerned look she sent his way as he walked off into the hall, smiling despite himself as he thought about what he was about to do next. He hoped Momo would like this.
Snow-Point Tower was a skyscraper building located in training city B of U.A.'s facilities, near the back far from where the usual fights took place and even if one would draw near, there would be no damage brought to the structure as it had an energy field protecting it from any such attacks, the only way to get in being the front door.
It stood as tall as the Burj Khalifa itself, having been based on said building making it the tallest thing within seven surrounding prefectures, the main difference being the massive spherical protrusion at the top, a lounge of sorts.
It was intended for the third years of U.A. mainly, for learning how to handle fights in locations with massive structures that may be risk to civilian safety as well as how to avoid damaging famous landmarks. The school very likely could have settled for making it just a few meters taller than the other buildings in the city, but as this was U.A., they had gone for their usual creed of 'go big or go home' and had replicated the largest pre-quirk building they could manage.
It had many supposed features and purposes beyond just being a building in the training city of course, but Izuku had interest in only one feature of Snow-Point Tower tonight, as he rode the elevator all the way to the top floor, a wicker basket in hand and his best casual clothes quickly picked out.
He walked out into the lounge and headed straight for the ladder, opening a hatch and stepping outside, coming out into the chilly night air where he saw Momo ahead wrapped up in a cozy looking red turtleneck and very comfortable and thick black leggings. Her outfit was completed with a nice white jacket and dark beige boots with faux fur lining the inside.
She turned as she heard the hatch open and giggled to herself as she put a finger to her lips, smiling. "You really know how to pick a locale, Midoku."
Izuku paused.
"…Midoku?" he blinked and the girl blushed before moving both hands up to her now more brightly blushing face.
"I apologize! That sounded less silly in my head!" She said quickly, pressing her face into her hands "I just, you call me Yaomomo and I felt Midoriya was too formal after everything we've been through but I didn't want to be rude and use your first name without permission and I wanted a nickname that was unique but 'Dori' sounded silly in my head and-"
Izuku couldn't help it. He started to giggle, which made her frantic explaining stop abruptly, causing her to look up in confusion as he walked over and hugged her.
"I love it." He said simply. "But you probably shouldn't emulate my muttering as well."
"…Then Midoku it is." She said with a blush after a moment, sighing in relief before giggling. "I really did sound like you when you get excited, didn't I?"
"Mhm." He nodded, beaming at her. "It was adorable."
"Well of course." She said, in a very 'well duh' kind of voice. "I was emulating you, of course I would sound adorable."
"Y-Yaomomo!" He whined as his face went red from the unexpected flirt, making her giggle more as she turned and sat down on the roof, smiling at the bright twinkling stars of the night sky.
"Can I ask you a question?" She asked suddenly and he blinked confused, following her gaze into the sky as he sat down beside her.
"Sure?"
"Why did you really turn down principal Nezu's offer?" she asked simple and straightforward. Not with any hard edge, just… curiosity and concern.
"I said I didn't want to take the credit Gwen deserved."
"Yes, you said that but… did you mean the credit you think you don't deserve?" She asked, turning to him with a frown and he froze, before frowning himself and looking down. The nail had been struck on the head.
"…I was tricked by them. I was the one who failed to notice straight away that innocent people were locked up right in front of my eyes and that villains were talking me into joining them every day. How do I live with that? What kind of hero completely fails to notice the villains right in front of them?" He gritted his teeth as he gently opened the basket, but didn't immediately reach for any food.
"…The kind that see's the best in everyone?" Momo hazarded a guess, picking up a warm thermos from the basket filled with soup. "You don't see the bad in people Izuku. You were still calling Bakugou Kacchan when you came to U.A., and while you don't anymore, and I have a lot of… issues I wish to confront regarding that, it speaks to you and the fact that you really will see the best in anyone. You got through to Todoroki and you went out your way to take in JJ, even if it was a promise. You're the kind of person who believes in doing good things and seeing the goodness of others, even if no one else sees it. Yes, maybe you were tricked but… That makes them the bad guys, not you."
Her hand had once more found his, but this time when she squeezed it, it felt like it carried a lot more in that squeeze then the ones from before. All her reassurance and belief, somehow conveyed in one tiny action. He bit his lip, looking up to her.
"And what about when we finally did find out?"
"When we finally did find out, you went and fought off a whole organization full of people you had trusted and had betrayed you, saving countless innocent lives, single-handedly fighting your way to safety and leading them to freedom, before being the last one to take on a villain desperate and at the end of his rope. You're beating yourself up when you really do deserve praise Izuku. I mean it." She pulled him into a sort of half hug, resting her chin atop his head with a sigh. "You did amazing, and I don't think anyone could have asked better of you for the situation you found yourself in. You did your best and your best was good enough."
"…Thank you." It was quiet and slightly strained, because it was hard to say but he did, leaning further into the hug and latching onto her, not realizing how much he needed to hear that. "Thank you…."
She gently planted a kiss on his head making him blush furiously as it was the first one she had given him and yet he felt a dumb dopey smile spread on his face from it. A squeak surprised them both and they whipped around to see JJ standing there, the hatch half open as she tried to spy on them with a camcorder.
"...Uh… HAVEALOVELYNIGHTBYE!" She yelped as she jumped down the ladder and ran, leaving the two lovers to turn to each other before giggling at the alien's antics.
"You know… we never got that picture from Gwen." Momo hummed and he chuckled, nodding.
"Yeah, I guess we didn't." He hummed, before he frowned and looked at her properly. "Yaomomo… When you were saying how good your internship was for you, you were pretty confident… until the end, your voice kind of shook a bit. Can I ask why?"
"…I..." She looked away and he sighed, frown deepening.
"I talked to you, please talk to me." He requested softly as he took her hands and squeezed them like she'd squeezed his. She let out a small sigh of her own, turning back with sadder eyes that made him just want to hold onto her and never let go.
"Do you remember after my match with Tokoyami my confidence took a hit, but you came rushing in and helped try to keep it from shattering?" She questioned and he nodded, both smiling slightly at the memory. "Well… it was still shaky but you helped keep it from breaking, then I went to my internship and she showed me how to utilize powers in ways I'd never considered but also helped me apply ideas… though concepts to help me continue to improve even after she was gone. You saw the move I used against Stain."
Again he nodded, beaming this time.
"Yeah, that was super awesome and amazing by the way! I didn't realize kinetic energy could be imparted as a creation, but I had a theory elemental things might be possible! Combining them though for a super powerful water spray was genius and I don't know just how powerful you probably are now! It's amazing!" He gushed making her blush and smile softly, although she hid that smile behind a hand, before it faded somewhat.
"Still… I still ended up getting stuck in the hospital, I nearly got taken out then I couldn't do anything to help you, Gwen and Todoroki… it was so scary knowing you were fighting, and I was just lying in bed feeling useless. I developed new ways to use my quirk and I was still just sitting around because I hadn't been able to do it fast enough, because I failed to end a fight again… I was just sitting around, unable to help, while you could have been dying for all I knew and then there was the fact I encouraged you to go! And then-"
Izuku wasn't sure what he was thinking when he moved, he just did, his lips locking with Momo's, cutting her off and making her go wide eyed. There was a moment of hesitation before she started to kiss back, her own arms wrapping around Izuku's neck.
They two stayed just kissing for a moment, their heads exploding with shocked euphoria from the sensation, although there was also pain and awkwardness as neither had done this before, their heads occasionally hitting each other or pressing too hard and feeling each other's teeth.
Nevertheless by the time they pulled apart, they were short of breath and staring at each other, Momo with shocked delight and Izuku with adoration as he put a hand to her cheek, a part of him screaming inside because 'HOLY SHIT HE REALLY DID JUST DO THAT!'
"Don't call yourself useless." He said simply, resting his forehead against hers and humming. "You're not even slightly useless. You're potentially the most powerful person in this school and I'm including the teachers and my aliens in that, you just… had some bad luck. Do you know there was a saying going around hero forums for years? 'The person makes the quirk, not the other way around'? People forget it I think because we focus so much on flashy quirks nowadays but… It's how we choose to use them that defines how good they are and how useful they are. Tokoyami and Stain are both very fast fighters, using powerful direct and immediate force, but they're also incredibly predictable when you know their go to move. The latter not as much, but still."
"And me?" she asked as she bit her lip, not sure where this could possibly be going.
"You? You're a genius, you're focused, you're driven, you're amazing." He said it so assuredly and confidently that it was impossible to argue with. "Yes you were overwhelmed by Tokoyami's strength one time, Stain's tactics one time, but both were incredibly specific scenario's. You didn't lose because Tokoyami won that fight. He actively went for pushing you out because to actually fight you might have been more than he could handle, when you know what you're doing. Stain, hell you did beat him as far as I'm concerned. You're incredible, Yaomomo, and I don't think I'd feel more safe with anyone by my side than you in a fight. So no, you're not useless."
She sniffled slightly and Izuku winced, worried he'd said something wrong only for her to grab him tight.
"But… but… I could have lost you…." He hated how shaky her voice got, how scared it sounded. "Again… s-so soon after Vilgax and-"
"And you didn't. You helped me realize I needed to switch sides and you were part of what I was looking forward to coming back to. I know… I know these kinds of misadventures weren't exactly what either of us signed up for so soon into joining U.A., and I don't think they'll stop anytime soon. There's more to this all then we realized and in some ways, I think I have to be the one who takes it all on. There's more to do than we could have possibly known… but I promise I'll always come back to you. I promise."
She sniffled again, pulling away and looking at him, clearly struggling to hold back tears as she gave him a concerned and anxious look. "How… How can you promise that?"
"I…." he paused, frowning as he looked down. Almost anything would sound cheap in response to that, but he couldn't let it go unanswered, couldn't let Momo keep suffering this apparent fear she had inside. His eyes drifted to the Omnitrix and he got an idea, smiling as he lifted it up and quickly scrolled to one of the new forms, pressing it in.
In a green flash, there appeared a giant four legged orange skinned alien much like some kind of alien dog, with no eyes, sharp teeth, black lips and little slits in either side of its neck, the Omnitrix symbol resting on its chest.
It let out a small roar, one quiet so as not to scare Momo who was wide eyed at the new form before suddenly it leapt at her… and began nuzzling right into her like a cat, purring and making her laugh as his fur tickled her.
She gently wrapped her arms around his neck as his tongue lolled out and he panted as she scratched him just like an actual puppy, nuzzling more into her and nearly lifting her up with, her tears starting to fade as she just laughed happily and loudly. Once he felt satisfied, the creature pressed the symbol with one of its paws thrice and he returned to human form, a bright smile on his face as he pointed at her beaming face.
"I can promise because letting that smile die? That's a crime I will never, ever commit." He said, with all the seriousness he could muster. Her own smile lessened slightly but not in a bad way, more just in a way that it relaxed as she took his hands again.
"…The girls were right, you are a dork." She giggled and he laughed, scratching the back of his head.
"And proud of it." He said confidently, reaching into the basket and offering her a sandwich he found inside, which she took gratefully, the two settling into eating with dopey smiles and happy thoughts, laughing and loving each other's company without any more emotional heart to hearts, until they finally ran out and just cuddled up together under the stars.
When Momo finally fell asleep on his shoulders, a tired Izuku just smiled and with just One For All, he gently brought them down into the safety of the lounge so they didn't roll off the roof in their sleep, setting them both down onto a sofa large enough for them both.
A part of him felt he should maybe move to the other sofa and give her some space to be safe, but his tired body protested the idea of anymore movement, the emotional and physical toll of the whole day finally catching up, preventing him from even having the energy to let go of her.
So he just held on tight, closing his eyes to rest them for a minute. He could move once he was rested up… or maybe he'd just stay and keep holding onto the greatest thing in his life to make sure she was definitely real.
…
Yeah, that sounded perfect. It was with that thought, his grip tightened just a bit and he drifted off to the land of dreams, the smile never fading from his face.