A Hero for Mother's Day
By Spunky0ne (aka Imatastyporkcutletbowl)
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While Deku is unconscious in the hospital following one of 1A's rescue missions, someone acts to make sure that his mother is not forgotten…M/M…Todo/Deku
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Soft approaching footsteps sounded in the hallway outside the infirmary room where Deku laid recovering, bandages covering a nasty wound on his head and wrapped around his still healing arms and torso. At his bedside, a sleepy-eyed youth with two-tone white and crimson hair slumped in a chair, his one blue eye and one grey eye blinking slowly as he watched the gentle rising and falling of his unconscious classmate's chest. Recovery Girl reached the doorway to the room and her lips pursed in mock disapproval.
"Are you still here, Shoto?" she scolded the boy gently, entering the treatment room and bending over her resting patient, "You know, despite the fact that I've healed most of the damage to your body, you do very much need to rest. I know you've been here all night, and with it being Mother's Day, you aren't going to get much rest going home and doing things with your family, are you?"
The mention of his family caused an instant feeling of unease as little flickers of dark memory assaulted his mind.
Even though he says he is trying to change and to be a man I can look up to, it doesn't change how I feel when I remember.
He stole a glance at his sleeping classmate and recalled what he'd seen a few days before the rescue mission.
He couldn't help but overhear as Deku and Uraraka walked on the pathway near the place he rested, under a large Sakura tree.
"You're going home for Mother's Day, right?" Ochako asked conversationally.
Deku smiled warmly and nodded.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it. I know it's been really hard on Mom since I started training here at UA. She's been so worried about me getting hurt."
"And you do seem to get into a loooot of trouble, don't you?" Ochako sighed.
"Yeah," Deku answered ruefully, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, "I don't mean to, but…"
But, thought Shoto, whenever you see someone in trouble, you can't help but want to save them. Isn't that right, Deku?
"But you're a real hero," their classmate responded appreciatively, "You inspire a lot of people."
He does.
He inspires me.
"Mom knows that," Deku said in a regretful tone, "but even though I'm everyone else's hero, I'm still her son. She's going to worry about me no matter what. So, on her special day, I'm going to make sure that she relaxes and has some fun."
"Oh! What do you have planned?"
"Well, I have a gift and a card all wrapped and ready, and I'll get her some flowers on the way, so they'll be fresh. She likes pink roses, so I'll buy some of those for her. We'll probably have some tea right away, since she seems to cry, first thing, whenever I come home…n-not because she's sad, but because she's so happy to see me. After tea, we'll walk in the gardens and have a picnic, like we did a lot when I was living at home."
"Hey, are you all right?" Recovery Girl asked, breaking the youth out of his reverie.
"Oh, sorry. Yes, I'm fine," Shoto said, climbing to his feet, "I have to go."
"Hm, as long as by go you mean go to bed and sleep. You need a few hours rest before you run off to see your family for Mother's Day."
"I'll be fine," Shoto said matter-of-factly, ignoring the healer's admonitions as he left the infirmary.
He was relieved to find the dorms mostly deserted, with the bulk of the students already gone home to celebrate with their families. Sighing wearily at the thought of what awaited him at his own family's home, he gathered his things, then looked around the hallway outside his room. Seeing no one, he made his way to Deku's room. He listened first, to make sure he was alone, then he picked the lock and slipped inside the empty room.
Usually, I wouldn't indulge in such a thing as lock picking and stealth, but it's for a good cause, so…
A little breath of his classmate's scent drifted across his senses and Shoto froze for a moment, closing his eyes and recalling his last visit to Deku's room.
"Hey, Shoto," his smiling classmate greeted him through the open door, "Come on in. I have the manga you wanted to borrow."
"Oh, thanks."
Shoto smiled at the unruly pile of books on the bed as he approached.
"Looks like you had to search a little bit for it. Do you want me to help you put those away?"
"That's all right," Deku laughed, "I wasn't really searching. I knew right where it was, but I remembered how much I loved this one and started reading the series over again while I waited for you to come back."
He noted the brighter look on Shoto's usually calm face and looked back at the pile of manga books.
"Hey, do you want to look at these together for awhile?"
In moments, the two were lying on the bed, leaning close to each other as they read and chatted together.
Their happy voices echoed like ghosts in Shoto's mind as he shook his head and refocused on his task. He quickly found the gift and card his friend had left on his desk, then he walked back to the door and slipped out, checking to make sure it had locked behind him. But he hadn't taken two steps when a loud male voice called out from behind him.
"Todoroki?"
He swallowed hard, trying not to blush at being caught.
Does he know I…?
"I'd have thought you'd already be gone home," Iida mused, coming closer.
He paused, frowning and rubbing his chin.
"What are you doing up here? If you were coming to see Midoriya, he's still in the infirmary."
"Yes, I know," Shoto answered, thinking swiftly, "I was just…"
"Oh!" his excitable friend interrupted, slipping an arm around Shoto, "I see now. You were going to bring Midoriya a gift, but in your worry and distraction caused by his injury, you forgot there's no way to put it in his room. Here, give it to me and I will make sure that…"
"No!" Shoto exclaimed, holding the wrapped package away and stepping back, "I erm, I mean, it's all right. I'll take care of it."
He turned away and hurried down the hall as Iida blinked in confusion, shook his head and continued on his way. Shoto was relieved to find that there were no more unexpected distractions as he left the dorms and headed to the rail station.
As quiet as the dorms were, the rail station was bustling and crowded with people. He swiftly abandoned any thought of finding a seat on the train and instead slipped the gift for Midoriya's mother into his backpack, then he stood, holding onto one of the sturdy handles. He let his mind wander, trying not to think about his current destination, and focusing instead on his other mission.
Deku and I exchanged home addresses before, so I know where Midoriya-san lives. I can leave a little early and go there on my way back to the school. I would call ahead to make sure that she would be there, but I don't have the house phone number, just Deku's cell number.
He spent the remainder of his time during the train ride considering how to properly introduce himself and how to explain why he was there. All too soon for him, the train arrived at his departure point, and he exited amidst a thick press of others. He worked his way through the crowd and out onto the street, where a cheerful voice called out to him.
"Shoto! Over here!" his sister called, waving to him.
She winced as she spotted the bandages on his forehead, hand and arm.
"Ooh, what happened to you?"
"It was nothing," he assured her, "just some stubborn villains."
"Oh right, I heard about that," Fuyumi recalled, "Hey, how is your friend, Midoriya?"
"Hmm, he was still unconscious when I left him, but they said that he's going to be fine. He just needs to rest."
"I think you could use some rest too," his sister said, laughing anxiously, You look pretty beat up and tired."
"I'm fine. I'll clean up and change when we get home."
Shoto paused for a moment, trying not to stiffen.
"Is he there yet?"
"Not yet," his sister assured him, "There'll be plenty of time for you to clean up before he gets home."
"This isn't his home."
He felt a twinge of guilt as Fuyumi flinched uncomfortably.
"Sorry," he apologized.
"Oh, I get it," she reassured him, "I understand how you feel."
"But none of that is your fault, and I promise I will try not to antagonize him in front of Mother."
"I'm sure that Natsuo will do enough of that for all of us," Fuyumi said ruefully.
"Give him time," Shoto advised her, falling in beside her as they walked out of the park, "It's a lot to deal with."
"You can say that again."
They continued to chat more casually as they walked the rest of the way to the lovely home that their father had purchased for them to live in after their mother's release from the mental hospital.
He is making an effort, and he did refrain from insisting on moving in or even agreeing to when Mother said that he could. I suppose he finally understands that it isn't so easy to erase what happened in the past. He destroyed our family and we are only beginning to put ourselves back together. It can't be rushed.
"Shoto!" their mother exclaimed, breaking into a radiant smile as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek, "It's so good to see you! How are you? We heard about the trouble near the school."
Only recently I've noticed that she doesn't tremble anymore when she embraces me. I don't frighten her anymore.
"It's all right," he reassured her, "My injuries aren't bad. It looks worse than it is. I just need to shower and change."
He took his leave of his mother and siblings and headed upstairs to his bedroom, where he picked out a pair of dark slacks, a pale blue shirt and dark vest. The splashing of the water against his skin as he bathed slowly revived him and he had to admit that he felt much better as he dressed and returned to the downstairs, where he found the rest of the family gathered in the dining room.
"Sorry I'm late," he apologized as he took his place on one side of his mother, and far down the table from Todoroki Enji.
"It's fine, dear. We're happy that you could come home from school to visit."
"Yes," Enji agreed, "We heard about the villain attack near the school. I understand Midoriya was injured."
"He was," Shoto confirmed, "but we've been reassured that he'll be all right."
"The boy is reckless," Enji complained, frowning, "He is very powerful, but he needs to learn when to back off and let the more experienced professionals step in."
"Midoriya was doing what needed to be done," Shoto replied stiffly, "The pro heroes were on the way, but the situation became unstable. If Midoriya had done as he was told, then a lot of people would have died."
"Maybe. Maybe not," his father hedged, "But order in any chain of command is important."
"And taking action when it's needed is the job of any hero worth the name," Shoto insisted.
Enji started to object, then glanced at his wife's unsettled expression and carefully cooled the flames that had begun to flare around his shoulders.
"Of course," he said more quietly, "within reason."
Shoto was wise enough to hold back from making any attempt to answer. Instead, he let himself be distracted by appetizers that his sister and brother brought to the table, then the lavish meal that their father had had catered for them. As he watched Rei smiling and laughing, eating heartily and thanking them as she opened the presents they had brought for her, he felt a measure of the dark emotion fall away. There was still plenty there, so that he knew not to think he had fully forgiven his father, but as the morning went on and they managed to get through without anyone fighting or leaving the house angry, a little bit of relief passed through him and he sighed softly.
"Are you feeling all right?" his mother asked as he was helping to take the empty plates to the kitchen, "You look pale, Shoto."
"I'm all right," he assured her, "I'm glad I could come home for Mother's Day. I know it makes you happy when I visit now."
"It does," Rei agreed, taking her son's hands in hers.
Not so long ago, she was afraid of me even touching her…especially my hands.
"But I do feel like something is bothering you today," Rei added, making him blink and refocus on her, "Do you want to talk about it?"
Shoto looked around the table at the others, then he shook his head briefly.
"Everything is fine, but…I do need to leave a bit early."
"Why do you need to leave?" Enji asked, his fire flickering ever so slightly, "Is something wrong?"
"No," he answered quietly, "I just… have something I need to do on my way back to the school. We are approaching finals and…"
"Whatever you need to do is fine," Rei assured him, glancing at Enji, who blinked slowly, but made no objection, "I'm happy you came to visit, and I love the flowers and the gift you brought me."
"Good luck on your finals," Fuyumi said cheerfully.
"I'm sure you'll do well," Enji added, "son."
I still feel a coldness inside when he calls me that.
He took his leave of them and walked back to the train station alone, his mind on the place he was going, and his heart beginning to quicken at what he was about to do. He took the train to the neighborhood where he knew that his friend lived, stopping at a flower stand near the Midoriya family's home.
He said that she likes pink roses.
He picked out a pretty bouquet and left the stand, his feet slowing and his heart beating faster as he approached. Reaching the door, he swallowed hard and touched the doorbell button. His anxiety peaked as he heard approaching footsteps and the door opened. The first thing that struck him was how many traits Deku had inherited from the green-haired woman in front of him. She looked at him blankly for a moment, waiting for him to speak.
"Ah…Midoriya-san, I am Shoto. I'm…a friend of Deku…of Izuku," he stammered awkwardly, "He couldn't come because of his injuries, but…"
"Oh!" Inko exclaimed, breaking into a smile, "I know who you are. You're Izuku's good friend, Todoroki Shoto! My son has told me a lot about you."
"Eh, he has?" Shoto asked, feeling his cheeks warm in reaction.
"Why, yes," Inko affirmed, "Come in."
He followed her into the house and was at once stricken by how simple and normal everything looked. Even more enthralling was how much it seemed that Deku should be there.
I feel like he should walk into the room any moment.
"I'm sorry. I should have called," he apologized, "I just wanted to bring you the gift and card that he bought for you, and to give you these."
He handed her the wrapped gift from his backpack and the flowers he had purchased.
"He wanted to bring them when he came home this weekend, but…"
"Yes," Inko said, her smile fading and her hands trembling as she accepted the gift and flowers.
"Th-there's nothing to worry about," Shoto said quickly, "Izuku is going to be fine."
"I know," his friend's mother answered, her voice shaking and her eyes closing, "I just wish that…that he didn't have to take such chances, you know? He's such a brave, caring boy, but being at that school, he's always getting hurt!"
She opened her eyes and studied the bandages that covered the wounds on Shoto's slender body.
"Maybe it's hard to understand," she continued, tears rising in the corners of her eyes, "I mean, you're just like him…brave, caring and reckless, aren't you?"
Shoto gazed back at her steadily as he answered.
"It's not so hard to understand," he reassured her, "You love him and you don't want anything bad to happen to him."
"N-no, I don't," Inko answered, a tear leaking down one flushed cheek.
"I feel the same way," Shoto confessed quietly, "and that's why I will always be watching out for him."
Inko's breath caught in a little gasp.
"It's important for people who can take action to do that," Shoto went on, "Izuku and I have powers that are needed to stop villains from hurting innocent people, but…we also use our powers to protect each other."
He paused, running the fingers of his left hand over the bandages on his right hand.
"I promise you that when he has to put himself in danger, I will be there for him. I know that it's not enough…"
Shoto gave a surprised yelp as Inko loosed a little sob and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed, "Thank you for everything!"
Shoto drew back slightly, giving her a confounded look.
"B-but I didn't really do anything," he mused in a confused tone, "I just brought his gift because he couldn't and…"
"You are exactly what I needed today," Inko said, her bright smile returning, despite the fact she was still crying a little, "I knew Izuku wasn't coming. Mr. Aizawa called to tell me he was unconscious, but that he was going to be all right. I was so happy to hear that. I didn't expect this. It's very kind of you, Shoto-chan."
Shoto-chan?
Why does it feel warm inside when she says it?
"Would you like some iced tea?"
Deku has said that she gets dehydrated from crying because she worries about him so much.
"Yes, thank you…ah…Midoriya-san."
"Call me Inko," the elder woman said more cheerfully as she led him to the kitchen and began to make the tea.
She set out two tall glasses and set the water boiling. A moment later, she made a little sigh of frustration.
"Oh, I'm out of ice."
"Don't worry about it," Shoto said, smirking as he summoned ice in his right hand and shattered it, then let it fall into each of the glasses.
"Ah, right! You're the boy with the fire and ice quirk!" Inko laughed, "Well, that works out for us, doesn't it?"
"I suppose it does," he chuckled, relaxing.
It was easy, he found, to listen to Inko as she started to reminisce about her son at different ages.
Deku has told me about his past with Bakugo and a few other things, but I haven't heard these stories.
I don't want it to stop.
He settled down at the table, listening raptly as his friend's mother continued to tell him stories and drinking the tea she had made.
"Izuku said that you like to walk in the gardens hear here," he said as they finished their drinks, "I was curious about them. Would you like to go there?"
He was pleased to see her eyes finally lose the last traces of sadness.
"That would be wonderful," she answered.
Shoto did feel weariness beginning to settle in, but he shoved it away and left the house, walking beside his friend's mother, chatting more casually with her and marveling at how pretty the gardens looked and smelled.
Deku grew up around simple, but beautiful things. He grew up with love all around him. I know Bakugo treated him badly, but I know his mom made him happy.
I'm glad.
"You know, you didn't have to do this, Shoto-chan," Inko said suddenly.
"Huh?" Shoto said, giving her a surprised look as the two walked back to the house, "It was no trouble."
Inko gave him a look of reproval.
"I can see how tired you are. Were you having trouble sleeping last night?"
Shoto drew in a shaky breath.
"I was worried about him."
"Me too," the elder woman confessed, "but you really shouldn't neglect yourself. If you're expecting to have the energy to save people from nasty villains, then you have to take care of yourself. Come now. Why don't you stay here tonight?"
"What? I mean, I can't. I have to get back to the school."
Inko shook her head firmly.
"It's getting late and you've probably been doing too much today, visiting your own family and Izuku's too."
She slipped a hand into his and tugged him in through the doorway and down the hallway to a room so full of All Might memorabilia that it absolutely screamed Deku's name.
"You can take a shower in the hallway bathroom and it's fine to borrow some of Izuku's pajamas. I think there are some that will fit."
"But…"
"Now, I won't take no for an answer, would-be hero," she chided him, "After all you've done for me today, the least I can do is make sure you get a good night's sleep. You can use Izuku's room for tonight."
"I…"
He paused, marveling at the warmth that seemed to spread through his entire body, though he knew it couldn't be any manifestation of his own power.
"Thank you," he said more quietly.
"No," Inko chuckled, "thank you, Shoto-chan. Thank you for everything."
It feels strange, Shoto thought as he undressed and showered, then dressed in Deku's pajamas and laid down in his friend's bed, I grew up mostly without my mother, so I missed so many of these very simple things. It feels good to wear a smile, to listen to her talk and to feel her presence. I like the smells in the house and the way everything feels. I don't remember slowing down to enjoy things like this while I was growing up.
Deku is so lucky to have her…to have this place.
I'm glad that I could come here and make her smile.
But I should wait until she's sleeping, then slip out and go back. I want to know how he's doing. I wonder if he woke up. He hasn't called her yet.
I wonder…
He fell asleep still wondering, and he was far too comfortable to wake up again and make his escape.
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"Wake up Deku," Bakugo's angry voice growled, cutting into the comforting haze Midoriya rested in.
Kacchan?
"Hey, are you deaf or something? You've been out cold long enough, so get your lazy ass up and stop making everybody all worried about you, you freaking idiot!"
Ugh, why does he have to yell at me like that? Aren't we in the infirmary?
"Quiet down, young man, or I will have to ask you to leave right now."
The beginnings of a little smile crept onto Midoriya's lips and his eyes began to crack open as Recovery Girl's reprimand reached him.
"What're you smirking at?" Bakugo snarled, lowering his voice just enough to avoid another scolding.
"K-Kacchan, why're you here."
"Huh? Me?" the scowling boy said, giving him a look of disdain, "Oh, I was here anyway, getting my bandages changed. I saw you still lying around on your ass. Do you even know what day it is?"
"Huh, what day it is?" Deku said, sitting up slowly and looking around, "Um, no, I don't know what day it is. How long was I unconscious?"
"Hmph, since yesterday when Todoroki and me had to carry your sorry ass back here from the battlefield. You know, when you get done burning a villain's ass, you're supposed to look all high'n'mighty and take a fucking bow! You're not supposed to grunt and fall over. That's not heroic. It's just pathetic."
"Did you say Todoroki? So, he's okay?" asked Deku, ignoring his friend's tirade completely.
"What? Hell yeah, he's okay, except for being beat up and not getting any damned sleep because he was sitting here all night last night, waiting for you to wake up. I don't know why he bothered if you were gonna just draw it out and take your sweet time."
"W-wait," Deku said, blinking, "if the battle was yesterday and I was out cold all night long, then…OH NO!"
"What's wrong?" Bakugo grunted, "Oh, you finally figured it out?"
"It's Mother's Day!" Deku shouted.
"Hey, shut up! You're gonna get me yelled at," Bakugo complained, "Yeah, it's Mother's Day."
"Well, I've gotta…"
"What the hell do you think I'm here for?" his friend scoffed, "If you tried to get outta bed by yourself, you would fall down before you got outta the room."
"What? You're here to help me?" Deku asked, looking confused, "I mean, I'd understand if it was Shoto or Iida, but…"
"Oh, don't think this means my mind is changed about you, you little twerp. I just don't want you embarrassing us heroes by passing out while you make some pitiful attempt to escape the infirmary and go home. I'm goin' that way, myself, so I'll drag you along and get you there in one piece, although you look like hell. You're probably gonna scare your mom to death."
The words were harsh, but Bakugo's hands were surprisingly gentle as they helped him out of the bed and onto shaky legs.
"C'mon now," he growled softly, "Recovery Girl's busy over there. Now's our chance."
Deku started to limp along with Bakugo holding him up, but as they reached the door, Recovery Girl started to turn around. Bakugo's hand closed over his mouth to stifle his surprised yelp as the older boy picked him up and ran quickly out of the infirmary.
"W-wait, Kacchan, I've gotta get the gift and card I got…and I haven't packed!" Deku objected.
"Eh, I broke down your door and packed you some stuff. I didn't see any gift or card, though."
"What?"
"It probably just means that Iida or someone must've known you were down for the count and they sent the stuff to your mom."
"Well, yeah, I guess that makes sense, but…"
"Just shut it, will you?" Bakugo complained as he continued to carry Deku over his shoulder, "You're such a pain, Deku."
"Can I at least get my cell phone out of my bag and call my mom to tell her I'm coming?"
"You can do that on the train," his friend chided him, "Be quiet and rest or something. Just stop talking."
"You know, you really don't have to carry me."
"I said shut up!"
Given no better option, Deku quieted and held still as Bakugo carried him away from the school and down to the rail station. Inside the station, Bakugo let him back down onto his feet.
"Just don't be a disgrace and faint or anything," he admonished his pale classmate as the two boarded the train.
The rail cars were filled with people of all ages, many dressed up in fancy clothing and talking about their dinner plans. The two boys found empty seats and sat down facing each other.
"So, do you have dinner plans with your folks?" asked Deku.
"Yeah, what do you think?" Bakugo sighed, resting his chin on his hand and looking out the window.
"You didn't wanna go earlier or something?"
Bakugo's already downturned mouth scowled even more.
"Eh, Mom didn't want me there until dinnertime. I guess she and Dad were doing something. It's fine by me. Saves me a bunch of having to listen to her yelling at me about anything that pisses her off, which is just about everything. But, whatever, it's Mother's Day, so she gets a pass. Anyway, someone had to stick around and wait until you decided to wake up."
Deku gave him a little smile.
"Thanks for that."
"Huh?" Bakugo huffed, "Don't thank me. I wasn't doin' it for you. Some of the other guys were fussing about missing their trains or something cause they were worried, but I told'em to take a hike. I wasn't in a hurry to get home anyway. Don't think it means anything."
"Right," Deku chuckled, settling more comfortably in his seat.
A moment later, he jolted upright and grabbed his backpack.
"Shoot, I forgot to call Mom!"
He dialed the number and waited as the phone rang once, twice, then three times.
"Hm, no answer," he mused softly, "Maybe she's already gone out walking or something. She didn't know I was coming, so…"
"Be quiet, I'm tryin't sleep," Bakugo complained, yawning as he leaned his head against the window.
Deku waited for a few more rings, then as the phone went to voicemail.
"Hi Mom, I wanted to let you know that I'm doing better…"
"Huh, bullshit," snorted his companion.
"…so I'm on my way there. I should be there in a half hour or so. I'm sorry I'm running late."
"…but I had to escape the infirmary and drag my pathetic bleeding body all of the way home," Bakugo joked.
"I'm not bleeding!" Deku objected.
"Hell yes, you are."
Deku looked down and spotted several places where the blood was leaking through the bandages on one arm.
"See? Told you."
He reached into his still open backpack and took out his first-aid kit. After removing the old bandages, he carefully cleaned his healing wounds, then started to rewrap his arm. Bakugo opened an eye, then scowled at him and sat up, grabbing the fresh bandages out of his hands.
"What are you…?"
"You're doing it wrong. Here, let someone who actually knows how do it."
"You don't have to…"
"Do you wanna be bleeding all over and scaring your mom to death?"
"But, you're making it a little tight."
"No, I'm not! Stop complaining, you little wimp!"
"Kacchan!"
"Be quiet, will you?"
Deku gave a sigh of relief as the train slowed and stopped, and Bakugo left him with a final admonition.
"Don't faint on the way home."
"Thanks, Kacchan," Deku said cheerfully.
"Right, whatever."
Reaching up to let his fingers play in the back of his spiky hair, Deku watched his friend leave, then turned and hurried on his way home.
Man, it's starting to get dark. I hope I didn't miss dinner.
He caught faint traces of cooking smells as he ran up to the door and let himself in. The house was quiet inside, but he spotted his mother immediately, sitting in a comfortable recliner and reading. She looked up in surprise as he walked in, her eyes widening as they took in the sight of his bruised and bandaged body.
"Izuku!" she gasped, "I'd heard you were in the infirmary at the school. You were hurt. What are you doing here?"
Deku started to answer, then he spotted his opened gift near a familiar backpack.
"Shoto?" he mused, looking around.
His mom managed a tentative smile and nodded.
"He's such a kind, caring friend, isn't he? He brought me your card and gift on his way back to the school. He was injured and looked tired, so after we had dinner and a walk in the gardens, I invited him to stay over. He's in your room, already asleep, I imagine."
"Oh, that was really nice of him. Did you like the tea assortment?"
"Oh yes," his mother exclaimed, "Shoto-chan and I tried several of them this afternoon"
Deku smiled warmly at the thought.
"You know, he helped me pick out the flavors for the assortment."
"Did he really?" Inko inquired, "The two of you made wonderful choices. I can't wait to share some with the ladies I'm having over on Tuesday."
She gave her son another appraising glance.
"You look hungry. Have you had dinner yet?"
"Not yet," Deku answered.
"Well, there are some leftovers from our dinner. I can…"
"No, Mom, it's Mother's Day," Deku insisted, "I'll get the food myself."
"Are you kidding me?" his mother chided him, shaking her head, "Izuku, I know there's no way that you should be up and around. It's enough for me that you're here and I get to see you. Now, you stay here and I'll bring the food."
"But Mom…"
"No buts, Izuku," Inko said firmly, "Just something to eat and then you are going to get some sleep."
"I've been unconscious for more than a day," Deku chuckled, "I'm really not tired."
"You should be back in that infirmary, so stay here while I get you something to eat."
"All right," he capitulated, waving his arms in surrender, then his eyes softened with affection, "Thanks Mom."
Inko leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him gently.
"I'm just so glad you're all right and that you're here. It means a lot to me, Izuku!"
"I'm glad to be here too," Deku sighed, settling down on the sofa as his mother hustled off to the kitchen.
He glanced again at Shoto's backpack, his pulse quickening as he thought about his friend, curled up and sleeping in his bed. It was hard to resist the little urge to find a reason to go and look in, to see if he was awake or still sleeping, but in a few minutes, the food was ready and he sat down at the table to eat, while he and his mother shared some of the tea he had gifted her with. By the time he was finished, he had almost forgotten that his friend was there. He kissed Inko on the cheek and wished her a goodnight, then he slipped into his darkened room to find a change of clothes.
His breath caught a little as, out of the corner of an eye, he spotted Shoto, dressed in All Might pajamas and curled cutely around several pillows. His heart throbbed and he blinked and swallowed as the other boy's eyes opened and regarded him sleepily.
"Deku?"
He broke into a wide smile.
"Hi Shoto," he answered, "sorry to wake you. I was…just getting a change of clothes."
"Hmm."
He took a shaky breath and moved closer to the bed. Shoto sat up and crossed his legs, looking up at his friend.
"Aren't you supposed to be in the infirmary?" he asked quietly.
"Y-yeah, kinda, but…"
"But Bakugo sneaked you out?" Shoto guessed.
"Yeah, how did you…?
"It sounds like him. As usual, his heart is in the right place, but his execution is clumsy."
Deku laughed, then gave his friend a more tender smile.
"I…really appreciate what you did for my mom. You made her so happy."
"It's Mother's Day. She should be smiling, and if you can't be there to make her smile, then your friends should be."
Deku swallowed hard, his eyes burning slightly.
"You're a really good friend, Shoto. Thank you so much!"
"It was nothing," Shoto said, sliding to the edge of the bed, "Here, lie down. You were hurt much worse than me."
"It's fine. I feel okay," Deku assured him as he slipped out of his clothes and into his pajamas, then walked to the bed, "Besides, the bed's big enough for two heroes, I think."
Shoto hesitated for a moment, looking silently up at Deku, then he moved over and laid down, facing Deku as he slipped into the bed.
"Did you at least have something to eat when you got here?" Shoto asked sleepily.
"Yeah, Mom took care of me. I'm good," Deku answered, settling into the bed and turning onto his side, facing away from his friend.
A little exclamation of surprise escaped him and his eyes opened and rounded as Shoto's arm wrapped around him and he pressed up against Deku's back, curling around him protectively.
"Sh-Shoto, what are you doing?"
Shoto smiled and chuckled against the back of his shoulder.
"Keeping you from running away again."
Shoto smiled as Deku emitted a nervous, squeaky laugh and snuggled into his embrace.
"I don't think that's going to be a problem."
"Good, because I'm too tired to run after you."
"And even if I could run, I'm too comfortable right here."
"Really?" Shoto asked, opening his eyes and smiling.
"Yeah."