A/N: We're almost there! Time for the fluff! Review Time!
To Murtaito: To wish is mine to grant, my friend. And the 'inner world' was another gamble, hehehe. Since it's the location where the events of the SIVA Crisis unfolded, worth it though!
To Walkmanappreticewordsmith: Hell of a name, and I dunno when you'll see this buuut, thank you, I... it means a lot when people say stuff like 'this deserves more likes and follows', I'm just happy people like my work. Still, when you arrive at this point, note I never once miss a review from anyone, I just make it a habit to reply to any new reviews on the next update. Hope that isn't too much of an inconvenience :)
Enjoy.
Chapter 48 - Perfect In My Eyes
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Creeping her eyes open, Yuki came to meet a white ceiling with a hum and beep of machinery in her right ear as her sense of self slowly crept back from the void. "How long has it been?" She groggily awakened, rubbing her crusty eyes
|Several Months|
That matter-of-fact tone suddenly caused the heart monitor beside her to spike as she shot up, wincing from the few cords connected to her body, as well as the need to stretch her sleepy limbs. "W-WHAT!?" Then she heard SIVA chuckle
Relax | It has only been eight days | But atleast you are awake now
Yuki's eyes flattened, "Well, geez, thanks for the free heart attack." SIVA's twisted humor aside she did feel wide awake, plucking a cord from her forearm, then winced as her shaky hand fiddled with the mask on her face, tugging the tape off while finally being able to breathe in the hospital air around her.
Turning to her left she blinked at the sudden explosion of color. She was starstruck by colorful gifts, cards, and a few bouquets of flowers. "So many gifts..." Reaching over she plucked a light blue card first, surprised that it was written by everyone from Class B, setting the 'Get Well' card down she procured another in red, the initials of Kyoka, Akio, and Viral scribbled inside.
Many more were from heroes she's met or heard of, her friends, Shoto, Iida, Ochaco, hell, even Bakugo had one! Even a small note from the Pussycats and Kota. Seeing this brought a touched smile to her lips, she really had made them worry so much but... Kota was safe that night, and everyone else was okay, that's all that mattered.
Grunting, she noticed that her movement was limited thanks to the heart monitor. "SIVA, can you...?" With her fingers to the connection, she pulled, seeing a few red lines infest the wire, keeping the heartbeat going even without her connection. She smiled softly, grateful to be free of the machine.
That should give you time | The last thing we need is chaos | You can stand, I am able to provide your legs with some strength
With a small nod, she slipped out from under the covers, then realized the state of her body. Bandages were bound to her right arm, her left was actually in a cast though with a quick chop of her right she effortlessly broke the plaster in two, feeling a 'click' as her elbow glowed a little from SIVA working to repair it. Spotting a small sling resting on the table she grabbed it and threw it on, the strain lessening now that she could move.
Under her gown, she saw through the collar that bandages were mummifying her skin a few spots of dried blood here and there. A patch was on her left cheek, and some were wrapped around her forehead, to the outside world she was a mess to put her condition lightly. Inhaling, she slipped down to the cold floor, wiggling her toes before stumbling a little, grasping the side of the bed to balance herself.
"Baby steps, Yuki, you still need your energy..." Exhaling she gradually kept to a crawl, hobbling toward the windows to her left, feeling the warmth of the sunlight bask her hair in its rays. Humming to the realistic warmth she finally caught the edge of the windowsill, smiling out toward the city afar. "It's just like the Cosmodrome, isn't it?"
Despite the ruins of collapse | The graveyards of a time forgotten | A view like this was always a spectacle
With a gentle smile, Yuki placed her forehead to the glass, sighing in content. "I'm finally back..."
Eight days and the same grey coated Izuku's world. Eight days and Yuki hadn't woken up, his dark, gloomy visage hadn't changed while hearing that he could go to the Dorms at UA thanks in part to All Might's vow to raise and protect him, Akame's own words, and again, thanks to Yuki's own written words. While that was great, that small speck of light didn't do his sorrowful world any justice, he heard her words again but it wasn't with her smile, that kind, mischievous face and bluish-white hair falling in-between. Every time he saw that his mind would wallow.
After grabbing an apple from the hospital's small shop he wandered back to her room, this was routine by this point, it was the weekend and even though he couldn't visit her long he never took the minutes for granted, he'd never do that again. Taking a bite of the sweet fruit he slid the door open, stepping in with his bangs covering his cloudy eyes, Shoto said he was going to come up soon after visiting his mother so atleast he'll have someone to chat with, maybe, he didn't know, Izuku just lost any reason to smile.
It hurt him so much to the point his left hand turned white with how hard he clenched it. He and Yuki had always taken the next step toward their future together. The training, the Entrance Exams, USJ, and so much more, and now he'd see her less as he focused back on school and training to become All Might's successor, but his heart stung, his head was muddled with anger and frustration that she wouldn't be there, but he had to live with that, adapt as she would... live a life again without her standing beside him.
"I can't even do anything without her now," He scoffed at himself. "I know I can, I have to, if I neglected everything I learned what does that say about me? That I'd disregard everything she and others had taught me," He steeled his resolve and lifted his head. "No, for Yuki, I'll keep moving forward for her!"
His once hollow eyes jumped slowly under his bangs, his hold on his apple lost at the trick of the light or of his own mind. Yuki was... standing there. His heart skipped with a sudden rejuvenation of color. She was wrapped up like a mummy still. But she only wore a bandage around her forehead. Yuki's face was a little pale with a few small bruises and blemishes but otherwise okay, what scars should have been there were all but faded say for the one she always had down her right eye. There was a new scar, this one being a jagged blemish on her left cheek.
Her head titled to one side at his sudden appearance and those amazing, light-blue eyes he missed so much were bright, full of life. The saddened frown gone from those days, replaced with a toothy grin and the flash of red as a note emerged between her fingers. 'Hey there, Izuku, sorry I took so long to wake up I had alot of memories to travel by' She was lively as ever
This alone tore a storm of emotions from his heart, he couldn't believe it, that she was right there, and in his reach, she wasn't so far away anymore that the mere sight sprung tears he hadn't realized were welling up. His dry lips parted with relief, and happiness in every letter. "...Yuki..."
Her smile remained, closing her eyes as the mere action caused his heart to thunder. He was happy... until he lost his smile, eyes shadowed by his bangs as she stomped toward her, emotions were swimming in a maelstrom he couldn't contain any longer, he didn't stop, not until he darkened face was practically inches from her own.
*Thwack!*
Yuki snapped her eyes back while his hand whacked her forehead, the sharp, sudden strike causing her confusion to rise for an instant, then her face tensed at the furious, misty eyes that locked to her own. "You... you idiot! You stupid idiot!" The startling snap in his voice kept her motionless, his hands twisting at her gown while he burrowed his vexed, emerald eyes into her blue. "I was so worried sick about you! If you ever do something like that again I won't ever forgive you!" She felt his hold tighten, and his heated glare beginning to crack with softening eyes, and a new wave of tears under his sobs. "I-I... won't forgive you..." He hiccuped. "I won't... I won't..."
He kept shaking his head while reliving tears stained her shoulder, smiling warmly she held her head close to his, wrapping her good arm around his back tightly, rubbing in small circles. His emotions were frail while he quivered, crying into her form while she nuzzled his curly hair, humming gently to calm him down. "I definitely deserved that hit." A warmth began to crawl into her cheeks, remembering what she had caved into agreeing with SIVA to do. "It's time I guess..." No more waiting, she had taunted fate long enough to know better
Pushing him back, she brought her face close to his, smile wavering with an anxious lump in her throat. Izuku didn't understand what made her so nervous, but, he soon would. Yuki sucked in a breath, failing to keep her heart from racing, eyes sparkling with affection, knots in her stomach. "...I... I-I..." She gulped at the raw sensation attacking her throat, Izuku's tearful eyes were wider than the world, mouth unhinged. "...l-lo-ve yo-you... d-do-r-rk."
His world shattered and was replaced anew. A soft, fragile voice soothed into his ears, a trace of what was to be a lively, spunky voice under years of neglect and recovery, even that couldn't rob the pitch that infected his memories, and the very words he dreamt to hear escape her lips. He felt oddly elated at being called a 'dork' too.
Izuku's voice broke under a tremble. "Yu...ki, you... you..." She gave a slow, shyful nod, unable to eye him and feeling really self-conscious with how close he was. There were no words he could or wanted to say for a second, already slipping his hand around her nape to smash his lips against hers, igniting their faces in an instant.
The sudden attack on her lips caught her off her edge, but... she didn't mind at all, pressing back at the sensation that infected her, brought her woes to rest once more. She said it, she finally got to say it with her own lips. She savored the sweet tinge of apples while the two forgot about the world and focused solely on each other, their lips parting with a faint, hot breath.
"...I... I do t-too..." His words murmured, barely caught by the bluette who stared longingly into his green irises, feeling his breath jitter between his lips. "...I love you too, Yuki..!" He shouted, causing his whole face to turn a deep shade of red at his abruptness, it even caught a small gasp from the girl as her face burned a little brighter. "S-sorry, I-I d-didn't mean t-to-" Her fingers brushed his mouth
Her heart was gone beyond cloud nine, tears sprung from her eyes while her vocal cords were worked once more with their tender forms. "...k-ki-ss m-me." She didn't care at all, that was all she wanted to hear right now, nothing else mattered other than the silly, dorky boy that was holding her. Not long after their eyelids drooped, Yuki allowing him to practically press up against her. "Cliches be damned, I freakin' need this."
The tiny gap spaced between them was closed, pushing deep into the kiss once more with newfound tenderness, their hearts pounding against each other as Izuku angled her face to sink deeper into the action, his left hand cupping her cheek, gently running his thumb over her new scar while her right moved to rest atop his shoulder, squeezing tight at the shiver that electrified her nerves.
"I love you, Izuku." Her heart was ablaze
"I love you, Yuki." His spirit was renewed
While they were lost to reality, someone kept the door slightly ajar, holding it firm while turning to address the nurse beside him. "Miss, would you kindly inform Miss. Azuru's immediate family and those close to her that she's recovered," The nurse blinked, peeking through at Dr. Yoshiharu's soft smile under his beard. "Let's leave them be for now."
The nurse blushed at the two teens stood by the window, completely unaware of the prying eyes, "Aw, they're so cute." She whispered as the two left the young lovers to their moment alone together. Given all the doctor had seen transpire in that boy's eyes he knew better than to put a stop to such a heartwarming sight.
To say the world rocked with the news was an understatement, not long after the announcement of Yuki's awakening reached her friends and family's ears almost everyone stormed up to reach her, some unable to believe the girl had miraculously recovered. The first to arrive were non-other than Kyoka and Akio, having used Viral's ability to traverse shadows to reach them almost within minutes of the call.
Akio was smiling gleefully, wrapping his arms around the girl, laughing. "You're okay!" Viral was beside him, crossing his arms
"It is good to see you're well." He nodded to her kindly. While being pulled into his hug, Yuki blinked at Kyoka, herself holding up a trembling fist, biting her lip
"You know... how freakin' worried we were...?" Her jacks were curled tightly. "Dammit, Yuyu..." Leaning closer, Yuki wrapped an arm around her best friend, letting the otherwise aloof rocker let out a few tears, embracing the mute tightly with a relieved smile. "Welcome back."
'I'm happy to be back, Kyo' She held out, winking to Akio who hugged her from behind. 'Thanks for protecting her, Akio, Viral'
Not long after the trio arrived did the room explode inward again. Izuku never left her side, his shoulder against hers with a gentle smile and misty eyes, no matter how many times he wiped away his fresh waterworks they sprung once more. It felt like a dream to him, that he would fearfully awaken from if given a certain push, but that never happened, her smile, the very words she spoke in secret to him were real.
"YUKI!" The sudden array of voices tore through the door, startling the group as Ochaco, Kirishima, and Akame, who shoved them aside burst through the frame. The older woman lunging to her daughter's side, pulling her into a tight, bone-crushing hug
Cartoonish tears watered down her face, nuzzling the girl's cheek. "My sweet little girl is okay!" She wept, Yuki rolling her eyes before embracing her Mom just as tightly. "I won't let you go through that again, I promise!"
'It's okay, Mom, you were a badass against Vosik' That and the small smile broke the hero down further, letting Yuki pat her back as she sobbed into her chest. Kirishima held an arm over his eyes, unable to hold back a few tears of his own, even with his teeth knitted together at the sight of his bubbly friend in good health
"The three of you, no running in the halls! Especially you, Miss. Azuru, it's so unbecoming of a Pro Hero!" Iida sprung from the doorway, arm in motion with a sharp glint on his glasses, then he paused, eyes wide at Yuki clutching her sobbing Mother while offering Iida a toothy smile and wave. "Y-Yuki... you're really okay..." He couldn't hold himself back, plucking his glasses off to cover his eyes, crying at the massive weight of relief that washed over him at her well-being
More arrived, this time it was Shoto, panting with his blue and grey eyes wide, a trembling sweat from how fast he sprinted to reach the hospital in time, the news struck like a train, and his energy doubled over while he gripped the door, spotting the girl surrounded by her teary-eyed friends. "Yuki..." He sighed, a small smile breaking his stoic expression as he made a b-line for the girl, pulling her from a few of their hands as he pressed her head against his shoulder, shell-shocking the whole crowd as he bowed his head against her shoulder, feeling her tentative hand ghost his hair. "...you're okay."
'Like there's any doubt ;)' He chuckled softly at that, silently thanking the world for her safety. 'You wouldn't believe the dream I had'
"Knowing you it probably had Midoriya in it," That slight jab earned him a wack on the head as the others laughed for once as a group for what felt like an eternity, seeing the rising blush on the couple's cheeks. "It seems I'm correct."
'Oh sure, laugh at the previously comatose patient, I see, I'll be sure to get a long list for you, Icy-Hot' She taunted with her tongue poking out
Not long after his arrival the door slid open, everyone shocked to find Bakugo standing there, panting before he caught his crimson eyes to blue, a scowl plastered to his face as the two stared at one another for the longest time, no one really knew how he'd react. Yuki was the first to act, pushing away from the others, hoping to her wobbly feet with Shoto and Akame keeping the girl steady.
"You shouldn't be walking around." Iida tried to warn but Kirishima put his arm out, shaking his head silently while the girl hobbled to stand a few feet from the ash-blonde, his fists trembling while he held her solemn eyes
Exhaling, Yuki pulled out a note for him, a smile splitting her lips kindly. 'I kicked his ass for you' That was all she could write before he exploded in her face, his temper skyrocketing to the point the windows buckled
"YOU FUCKING STUPID BASTARD, MUTE!" He roared, his arms tugging her back and forth angrily. "YOU THINK THAT WAS FUCKING SMART, FIGHTING THAT BASTARD ALONE!?" His thrashing ceased, yanking her forward and into his arms, herself feeling him shake with surprised eyes, then she closed them, putting her right arm around his waist. Even without seeing it, she felt the hot, relieved tears drip to her back. "Don't do that again, you hear me!?"
'Loud and clear... Dumb-Dumb' She held out for him to snatch from her hand as it returned to pat his back
Once the news spread from one source to another, several from Class 1-B came by, Yaomomo almost breaking down in her friends' hands at the bright, toothy smile on Yuki's face as she was flooded over the course of the day by visitors, blushing madly at just how many she hadn't realized missed her. Her Mom and Izuku never once left her side while many stayed to chat, laugh, and even comment on her spectacular battle that captivated the media and internet alongside All Might's great bout with All For One, hearing her internet fame definitely made her embarrassed, realizing just how many watched her brutal offensive against Vosik, she prayed Kovik and Dren were watching, to see the enemy they've made.
Once the news reached the staff at UA they were all relieved, All Might practically flew from his chair, tagging along with President Mic and Eraserhead down to the hospital, all of them varying degrees of thankful for the girl's recovery, mostly the two childhood friends of the Sky Comet Hero for her daughter's safety.
It was alot of emotions and tears for the entire day, Yuki had never felt so exhausted, though that was thanks in part to her and Aksis never once resting mentally from their journey across their memories to completely reel SIVA under their control, and combined with the periodic rejuvenation her stamina was tapped out by three in the afternoon, eventually leaving her with only her Mom and Izuku while she slowly felt fatigued settle in. Though she had one other thing to say, specifically when it was just the three of them after her check-up with the ecstatic Dr. Yoshiharu, she almost gawked at how the older man jumped like he was in his teens, yelling 'YES' at the top of his lungs.
"Honey, you okay?" Akame asked, Izuku tapping his fingers anxiously, knowing exactly what Yuki was trying to do
'Sorry, it's... alot of work, still very sore given SIVA's round-the-clock recovery' Her vague note left the woman far more perplexed, seeing her daughter suck in a breath, gradually sighing
"...H-hi M-m-mom..." Those two words excited a sharp gasp from the woman who now covered her mouth, tearing up at the precious moment, Izuku had to wipe his happy tears at the emotional moment between Mother and Daughter. "L-lo-ve y-you."
She squealed into her hands before sucking the girl into her arms. "I love you too, sweetie! My little blue flower~!" The cooing was enough to draw a silent groan from the bluette, Izuku watching on with a bright smile that made her heart flutter. Eh, she could endure the Motherly words a little more. "So SIVA repaired your vocal cords?" She eventually let Yuki breathe again
Her hand teetered. 'Yes and no. While I can speak brokenly, bigger words will take me time to adjust to, and my throat is really tender, I'm surprised I could speak above a whisper honestly' Though a little annoying she had to explain through notes, what's a few more days compared to years of this routine? She thought. 'Oh, and... I need a favor if you can help me?'
"Sure, whatever you need, sweetie?" Akame sat forward on the bed, her and Izuku glancing at one another when Yuki suddenly grew alot quieter, fumbling with a new note in her hands. "Yuki?" Hearing the concerned voice didn't make her reluctance any easier
Upon displaying the message, the two significant figures in her life stared on, completely shocked, and struck by her words. 'I want to see my sister'
"B-but Yuki, with how weak you are...?" Izuku paused when her hand rose, shaking her left from the sling with a little strain. Placing it on her chest she eye-balled both of them with a stern gaze
'I have been waiting years for this, I can save her so screw my health, I'm fine but she's not' Her conviction was absolute, even if she would pass out, not a second would be wasted more on 'what ifs' and 'you can't', SIVA couldn't heal her faster because she wanted there to be enough power left for her to perform what was necessary. 'Tomorrow, help me reach her, Izuku, Mom, help me save her' Her eyes were starting to twitch, hands struggling to rise
"Oh, she's going..." Akame murmured, ticking down with her fingers
'I...I have to...' Quickly, Izuku grabbed the back of Yuki's head, catching her while she lost consciousness, the fatigue she brushed off coming to remind her she was, in fact, still human. Akame sighed, stroking the sleepy girl's hair
"Honestly, she can be worse than me in terms of stubbornness," Akame chuckled, playfully flicking a bang before rising to her feet. "I need to make a small call concerning Nana, I'll trust you to look after our resident trouble maker, Midoriya." With a smile and wave, she plucked her phone from her pocket and excused herself
Left alone without a moment to reply, Izuku was left to listen to the soft breathing coming from his girlfriend, herself not asleep but she was exhausted, leaning against his chest. He stiffened up, remembering what was attached to his head. With a small smile, he tugged the mask he had kept to his side for her all this time. With care for her resting form, he managed to slip it back onto the right side of her head, ensuring it didn't nick her bandages.
"There, back where it belongs..." He murmured, failing to hide the fact his smile faltered, seeing one tear slip and dab her blue locks. Izuku felt his chest ache, he had finally done it, he confessed to the crazy, reckless, bright girl he loved but... his mind wouldn't stop thinking back to that night, both in fact, his hand failing to catch her own, and the sight of her body... slumped against Vosik's arm, blood and pain seeping from her body. "...I'm so sorry... I.. I should've..." He pressed his face into her hair, unable to hold in his painful tears. "I couldn't reach you *hic* I-I..."
"...Z-zuzu..." His head snapped back, or it did until a hand cupped his cheek, keeping him close while Yuki cracked her eyes open slightly, a faint blush on her face. "St...st-ay..." She wanted him to stay? He wanted to object, and his growing rush of embarrassment wasn't helping, nor was her tired smile as it leaned up against his chest. "..." She hummed against his body, steam rising from his ears
'I'll tell you soon, but... please don't go...' His hands jolted at her words, feeling her body tense against his shirt while her eyes remained cloudy, almost afraid. Why didn't she hate him for failing her? But she said those words too... and so did he so... did that mean she was okay with that? He didn't know, there was so much he didn't understand and maybe he might never for a long time
"You couldn't reach her then, but she's here now," Steeling his resolve he pulled her closer, bundling up his embarrassment to cradle the girl's upper body in his arms, feeling her head slump against his chest while he placed his on her head, almost falling back onto her bed due to the weight shift. Whispering gently, he didn't know what made him or why he said it but... "I'm here, Yuki, I won't ever let you go..." He squeezed his eyes shut. "I won't let you go through that again..."
For once he didn't stutter, and Yuki had never felt safer to fall asleep in someone else's arms.
Akame pushed back the door, a mug of coffee in her hand as she gasped, holding a hand to her mouth to keep herself still as a mouse. She spotted the broccoli-haired teen she left in charge sleeping on the job, literally. Izuku had fallen asleep with Yuki wrapped in his arms, her head against his chest while her right hand and his left were intertwined, both mouths ajar while they curled against one another.
Squealing to herself she quickly fished out her phone, eagerly snapping a pic with a cheeky grin before slipping out again, glancing at the sleeping pair with gentle, motherly eyes. "You make for a good knight, Izuku Midoriya," For the rest of the afternoon and night, the pair had the greatest night's sleep in days.
To Be Continued...
Okay, okay, almost through all the emotional stuff I swear! Man, this was... alot, between everyone coming to see Yuki, and her new bond with Katsuki too. Plus they finally said it - And YES our adorable mute will finally be able to speak in the very near future!
I wanted to clarify something, I've done this before, the whole 'confession after a life and death situation', this is different. Many times the pair had one flaw, they bottled up their feelings and almost paid that price when these life-threatening events unfolded, so to not so much blurt out but finally ease off that weight on their minds is how I intended this to go from the start. I hope you understand my reasons.
I hope you enjoyed, appreciate the support as always, seeya in the next chapter heroes!
Next Chapter: The Perfect Siblings
Yuki: Okay, I can do this, I can do this...
Izuku: Are you sure you're okay?
Yuki: Of course! I just... don't know what I'm going to say, about... yeah.
Aksis: We are here to aid you, do not worry.
Yuki: Thanks, guys. Next... The Perfect Siblings
Izuku: Hmm, Go Beyond.
Aksis: Tch, Plus Ultra.