"Hi Ochako! Hi Hitoshi!"
Izuku plopped down right down across from his friend his girlfriend.
"Hey Izuku. What's your plan for after school?" he asked.
"I was thinking of going out for dinner. I kind of want to get out."
"That's surprising," Ochako said, "You've been in your room a lot lately."
His face turned pink.
"Y-yea. I've been needing sometime to myself. I've been thinking about a lot."
That he had. Izuku had kept to himself trying to sort out his feelings in his journal. He continued to go over the advice and warnings his Uncle Shouta had given him. The dry eyed teacher was right- If he truly was involved with someone or anyone for that matter, he would he would have to out his secret to them. He really was a problem child.
He hadn't told All Might anything yet and he was afraid the man might get a heart attack if he mentioned Katsuki Bakugou and Shouto Todoroki. Izuku had thought about Shouto and his family problems with his problems. He had loved Endeavor but after hearing the heart break in the other boy's voice, Izuku loathed him with everything he had. Shouto was too nice of a guy for horrible stuff like that to happen to him.
"Boys on your mind?" Shinsou asked breaking him from his thoughts.
"You like boys?" Ochako asked.
"I like boys and girls... actually..." he murmured.
"That's so cute! I think that's really sweet! I have a few cousins that are gay or bisexual."
Izuku grinned wide, "Thanks. Most people are unsure what to say about it."
"Love is love, right?"
He agreed with a big smile and a nod. The three of them ate lunch together then walked to class with Izuku trailing behind the happy couple.
For a minute, it reminded him of his parents of that night. Well, any night his father, Flamethrower was home. It was a nice, short bit of peace. He hated that peace more than he had enjoyed it because it was so short lived. He hated when he dad had left because he only stayed for three days at a time and was gone.
I missed out so much. So much time with him was gone.
Izuku sighed and walked through the giant doorway that led to Class 1A. He took his seat by Hitoshi who noticed his sudden mood change. He refused to look at his purple haired friend. His brain was occupied else where. He really needed to get out and blow off some steam... Alone.
He did his best to pay attention to Aizawa then Midnight the Present Mic throughout the rest of the day. He didn't even notice the looks he got from Shouto or Katsuki throughout the rest of the day. His poor brain was thinking about the past and the problems that had come along with them. At some point Izuku dropped his head on the desk instead of working on homework, he could just do it later.
X
"I wonder what else he wrote?" Katsuki said allowed.
They were in Shouto's room now, relaxing on his bed with a book in his hands.
"We should stop reading it before we get caught or he notices something's off."
"I know but... I'm more curious now. His whole life was fucked up."
"You like damaged boys apparently."
The blonde threw his book down.
"What the fuck does that mean?"
"You're the least messed up between the three of us."
He rolled his eyes. His boyfriend was right. His mother was a hard ass but that was about it.
"Well, when we graduate, we are moving in at my place anyways. Both of you can."
Shouto smirked, "Didn't you say you heard All Might was his new dad? Why would be want to move away from there?"
"You just say that because you idolize All Might. You would love to have dinner at their house."
"Um, don't you idolize him too? I've seen the pictures of your All Might onesies-
"Shut your mouth! Damnit! I can't believe that old woman!"
Shouto chuckled and pulled his phone off the charger.
"I'm going to go see Mom this weekend."
"I miss Mom. She's pretty awesome."
"Isn't your own mom pretty awesome too?"
"The old hags have her moments. You sure Fuyumi don't wanna move in with us?" Katsuki asked looking worried, "I don't want her stuck there with him."
"He doesn't touch her. She's so used to being there, I don't think she would leave."
Katsuki sighed and threw the book earning him a dirty look from his boyfriend.
"I want a house. I want Mom to move in with us. I want to get a nice house and have her move in."
"I would be ok with it. Once we get Izuku in, we gotta ask him too."
Shouto leaned against the bed.
"You really think he'd want to be with both of us? I mean, he thinks we're trying to cheat on each other."
"Then tomorrow we can change his mind. We can both ask him out."
"Alright."
Silence filled the room.
"Ok, this is the last time we go in there. I don't want to do it anymore after this."
Katsuki nodded.
"I just... After that first time we read it... I was worried about him. It made a lot of sense why he looked that way by the pool. Why he didn't want anyone talking to him or why he was nervous when someone came close to recognizing his last name."
Shouto smiled and reached out to caress his blonde boyfriend's face, "You're so soft sometimes. I love you."
"I love you too you damn, cheesy dork."
X
X
"You sure you're ok with going alone?" Hizashi asked.
"Yea, I'll be fine."
Shouta and his boyfriend exchanged looks.
"If you run into trouble-
Izuku held up a hand.
"I don't plan on fighting anyone but I can rescue someone if they need it. I swear. Was All Might ok with me going?"
The two men exchanged looks.
"Is that a yes or a no?" he asked nervously.
"He was rather proud you were able to have the courage to go out alone but at the same time he's worried about..." Present Mic trailed off.
"If I see Stain, I won't engage. I'll call and make a run for it."
Aizawa smiled.
"I guess you were right. You just needed time then, huh?"
Izuku gave him an uneasy smile.
"I have my problems but I'm making it through it."
"Alright, be back by eight and message Mic every thirty minutes so we know you're ok."
Izuku gave them a nod and headed out.
It was nice. He felt free almost as he walked the sidewalks. It had been a while since he had been out on his own, just for fun. Patrol time didn't count since he was dressed up and on duty. Once he made it to the restaurant his family used to visit all the time, he went inside smelling the familiar smells that one brought him joy.
It brings me back. Back to that night.
He sat down alone and ordered his drink then his food. Izuku drummed his fingers against the table thinking. He was only a few blocks away from where his mother and father was murdered in cold blood. It took him a few months to find the courage to force himself to go out and visit it.
After eating, he got up and stretched.
It's time. Face it. Face it alone.
Izuku walked outside with his legs stiff as hell. They were moving forward like he wanted them too but not fast enough. His heart was pounding in his ears as he made his way to the alleyway. It was just in sight and his vision blurred some.
He was doing his best not to cry. It was so odd how an ordinary alley way could cause such a reaction but it wasn't just any alleyway to him anymore.
Izuku stood in front but it was less dark this time around. He could see in the alleyway fine. There were faint stains still on the ground. He got down and touched it. It was cold as it should've been but it had been covered in the warm liquid that had been his father.
A shaky breath came from between his lips with some smoke. He looked upward almost expecting Stain to be there but it was the fading blue sky.
I don't know but maybe I feel better. I just have to come to peace with this. I want to be ok with this. I can't be a hero if the problem still stays with me. I have to let it go. I have to let it go. I want to come here and deal with it every chance I get.
Izuku smiled but it was forced. It was just going to take baby steps.
But that was fine with him.
X
X
Katsuki and Shouto were on Izuku's bedroom floor reading again. Izuku was certainly a soft person who suffered a lot. He had dreams that were put on hold for his safety and now he was allowed to be free. Shouto and Katsuki were so absorbed in the journal like it was a well written story.
The quiet boy was everything anyone would want in a person. He was easy to love through his writings when all of them weren't dark. Whenever nightmares popped up, they were struck by pain and longing for the boy. To make him feel better.
Shouto could identify with him through the pain he felt and the struggles he went through. It was no wonder Izuku didn't think he was weird or a loser. Katsuki understood his ambition and the need to be better than he was. To be the strongest so people didn't get hurt. The want to be a hero.
Neither one of them heard the door knob turn and the door crack open.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Izuku screamed.
The two boys jumped and looked up to see the furious look on Izuku Midoriya's face.
Garnet168: thank you so much!
So I start my day time job tomorrow and I'm super excited! I'll have more time for this and writing in general. I can't wait!