Hello, and thank you for spending some time with my story today. Before you get started on this next chapter; I have a few important things to share.

First, wherever you are in the world I hope your safe and have the companionship of people who love and respect you. These are frightening and difficult times. I made the decision to keep posted because 1) I promised I would and 2) fanfiction has always been a safe place for me to take a break from painful things that I'm dealing with.

Self-care is especially important right now, so I hope this story can be a break for you as well. When I talked about fanfiction before I used to say something like, "they could always be having a worse day than me; they could be saving the world." Characters still do struggle to save their worlds, and they can be there for us in the quiet moments when we're trying to save ours.

One important note about this chapter: I made the conscious choice to use Bakugou's fanon hero name just in case there is someone reading who does not yet know Bakugou's cannon hero name, and does not want spoilers. I am away they are not the same thing. If that is confusing, I apologize.

Thank you for making your way through this lengthy author's note, and I hope you enjoy the story!

Chapter 4: Hold Me Close

"Ow! Fuck, Deku! Don't rip my hair out!"

"Stop being dramatic, Kacchan! If you'd let me do this sooner there wouldn't be so many tangles!"

It was probably stupid to find the bickering of his soulmate and his soulmate's husband endearing, but Shouto had surrendered to the madness. He liked helping people, and he'd do just about anything to see Midoriya smile. This assignment, however brief, would let him do both. He wouldn't want either man injured, despite the risks of being pro-heroes, so it was better to treat this situation as though it would never happen again.

"Give me the comb, Midoriya." Green and red eyes landed on Shouto's outstretched hand.

"Don't you have something better to do, Icy Hot?"

Shouto shook his head. "You don't need your next treatment for a few hours and the unit's been quiet since yesterday's discharge. We don't have many high need patients, so my current priority is keeping the peace. Unless you want me to tell Inko-san you've been fighting?"

Inko-san had been relentless in her visits. She came every day. She made a point of bringing Shouto a melon soda, and making him rest. Shouto had tried to keep his distance, but she seemed to be a woman on a mission. She always included him in the conversation, and refused to let him retreat quietly to other work tasks. The worst part: Inko-san had strong allies in Midoriya and Bakugou. Shouto couldn't get enough distance to keep his wits about him. It was almost, almost, like being back at school again.

Midoriya pressed the comb into Shouto's hands with a smile that looked both tired and grateful. "Thank you."

Shouto turned to Bakugou, gesturing at him with the comb. "Are you going to behave?"

"I'm not a fucking child."

Shouto continued to stare until Bakugou flung his arms across his chest.

"Do what you want," the angry blonde muttered.

The bed dipped when Shouto settled his weight on it, sitting sideways so that he was facing Bakugou and his hip brushed Bakugou's waist. "You're almost sitting up today, so that makes this a bit easier. No, don't try to help. We don't want to strain your abdominal injury."

Shouto pressed a hand to Bakugou's shoulder until he felt his patient relax back into the elevated hospital bed. He lifted the bright orange comb to the edge of Bakugou's unruly halo and smoothed the plastic teeth through the very ends of blonde hair.

"You will need to actually touch my hair to comb it."

"I am touching it," Shouto replied, unbothered. He kept his strokes steady, each pull untangling a longer section of Bakugou's relatively short hair. It was a satisfying, simple exercise, bringing order to the chaos that was Bakugou's hair. It was good to feel useful.

"That must have been my mistake." Shouto glanced to his right and saw Midoriya leaning close to watch his progress. Midoriya was sitting on Bakugou's other side.

"Mistake?"

"I was trying to start at the end and work my way to the scalp, but I was working all over his head instead of staying in one spot until it was all smooth like you're doing."

"It's easy to lose your place if you move around too much."

"You style patient's hair often?"

"Sometimes." Shouto smoothed the comb through the section of hair he'd detangled by Bakugou's scalp, watching goosebumps flare down his neck. "If they have any hair left."

"Shit. That was a dumbass thing to say."

Shouto lifted the comb to the next section of Bakugou's hair. "Most people don't think about the ramifications of being burned unless they have a reason to."

"I'm sorry."

Heterochromatic eyes slid from blonde hair to a repentant, somewhat squinting crimson gaze.

"What?" Bakugou muttered.

"I'm not used to apologies from you," Shouto replied.

"It's not like we've been chatting each other up the past few years."

Shouto's eyes slid back into blonde tangles. "True enough." It was easy to fall into a pattern as he moved the comb, smoothing strands of hair with steady, gentle pressure. The room grew quiet, save for the sound and feel of three people breathing. It was wrong to feel connected to his old schoolmates, he wasn't really. This was just a passing moment in time, however much Shouto enjoyed it.

Bakugou hissed and wriggled his shoulders against the mattress.

"Did I pull too hard?" Shouto asked.

"Nah. You're good." The words were casual, but there was a tightness in them Shouto didn't like.

Shouto leaned back and saw subtle tension rippling along the cords of muscle in Bakugou's neck, arms, and torso.

"You're not done," Bakugou observed through slightly squinted eyes.

Shouto lifted his free hand and seized the edges of Bakugou's jaw, physically holding his gaze in place. "How much pain are you in?"

"I'm fi—"

"Honestly, on a scale of 1-10?"

"Kacchan, you need to tell us when you're in pain," Midoriya urged.

"Jeez, it's a seven, but I can handle it!" Bakugou sputtered.

"This isn't a competition," Shouto said evenly, "And you're only going to slow down your healing if you don't communicate with me." He moved the comb from his right hand to his left. "Midoriya, could you help me lift up Bakugou's hospital gown? Yes, thank you." Shouto pressed his right hand across the bandaging, his fingers brushing skin against the edge of the wound.

Bakugou's next breath was longer and deeper than it had been for a while. Shouto and Midoriya shared a brief look, a moment of solidarity they'd had many times after past battles.

Shouto lifted the comb to Bakugou's hair again, splitting his concentration between healing and detangling. The late morning sunlight glowed against Bakugou's hair, making it look even more like a halo. Shouto lost himself in the sound of gentle breathing and the pull and slide of the comb. By the time he worked his way over the crown of Bakugou's head and down towards his other ear, Bakugou's familiar crimson eyes were closed, and pale lashes brushed against bronzed skin.

"I think he's asleep." Midoriya's whisper brushed against the shell of Shouto's ear.

Shouto studied the smooth lines of Bakugou's face. It was often said that being a pro hero aged someone. It made sense. Risking your life, facing unexpected traumas and injuries took a toll on everyone. Whatever it had cost Bakugou wasn't showing on his face now. He looked…peaceful in a way he hadn't back at UA.

"Good. He needs the rest."

Midoriya was nestled so close that his nest of green tufts brushed the shoulder of Shouto's scrubs when he nodded.

"So do you."

"Not you too!" Midoriya groaned. He kept his voice low, but frustration made his words thin and reedy. "I went home early for the last two nights!"

They turned their heads in unison, locking eyes across the small gap that separated them. "You're not sleeping well," Shouto asserted. "The bruising under your eyes is too deep for that."

Midoriya leaned back, pushing the fingers of one hand roughly through his hair. "I'm not your patient."

Shouto lifted his free hand, offering Midoriya the orange plastic comb. "I hope you never are."

"Sorry." Midoriya slid the comb from between Shouto's fingers and set it down on the bedside table. After he set the comb down, both hands came up to rub across his freckled cheeks and he sighed. "Fuck, I'm sorry Todoroki."

"If you'd like to speak with one of our physicians about medications that might help, I could—"

Midoriya's head snapped up. "That's not what I meant!"

They both glanced at Bakugou, Midoriya hadn't been particularly quiet that time, but the blonde hero didn't stir.

Shouto wanted to offer to get some tea, but it was too early for him to be separated from Bakugou. Maybe he could page another staff member? Something non-caffeinated would be best.

"I meant I haven't been a very good friend to you," Midoriya pressed on in a soft, repentant tone. "I'm sorry."

"It's not an easy thing to be the number one hero, especially so soon in your hero career." Shouto had never been particularly expressive, but he hoped his voice was calming. "Things can't be like they were at UA forever."

"Bullshit!" It was a whisper, but an emphatic one.

"Two curses in less than two minutes. Bakugou is rubbing off on you."

"I mean it!" Midoriya hissed. "Being a pro is no excuse to ignore your friends."

"You weren't ignoring me…" What had once been daily contact dwindled to bi-monthly texts, then no texts at all. For the last six years their contact had been reduced to the occasional comment on social media, but that was how it should be. Shouto had known from the moment Midoriya rejected his confession that he'd lost him in every way that mattered.

Midoriya had been flustered, but kind when he explained that his own freckled skin bore Bakugou's name. That was the first night Shouto covered his soulmate mark with makeup, claiming it had faded.

"I didn't even know you worked as a healer…" Midoriya's lips pulled into a tight frown. "I wasn't being a good friend to you. You've barely left Kacchan's side since he arrived." He blinked forcefully a few times. "Knowing that you're here for him was one of the only reasons I could sleep at all." The blinking continued, more rapidly now, but nothing in Midoriya's tone indicated he was about to cry. Warm fingers slipped around Shouto's chilled wrist and squeezed. "I'll do better."

Shouto lifted his free hand and cupped Midoriya's cheek. His normally expressive green eyes weren't tracking right; they skittered and jumped around like they couldn't find focus. "Are you alright?"

Midoriya shook his head and winced. "Yeah, I'm just getting a migraine." His eyes squeezed shut for a moment. "I don't always get an aura with pain, but it looks like today is a two for one special." He flinched away from the Shouto's left hand questing fingers. "Cold helps more when they first set in, sorry."

They both glanced down at Bakugou's sleeping form. He needed at least twenty more minutes.

"I'm fine," Midoriya insisted. "Not enough sleep, like you said. I'll just…close the curtains. That should help."

Shouto tracked his movements carefully as Midoriya tightened the blinds on the far side of the room. He was a little wobbly when he rounded the foot of the bed, blinking hard and partially shielding his face with his hands. "Midoriya…"

Red sneakers squeaked and stumbled, catching on the edge of the bed. The movement propelled Midoriya forward. "Ah!"

The hospital bed rattled loudly when Midoriya's body crashed into Shouto's lap. Midoriya clutched Shouto's forearm as it curled tight around his middle to prevent him from hitting the floor. Beside them, Bakugou groaned and clicked his teeth together. His IV bags rocked on their hooks and he turned his head to the side with a sigh. Shouto counted the feel of each breath pushing into Bakugou's abdomen and against his palm.

"Did we hurt him?" The words where barely a whisper.

"We didn't aggravate anything," Shouto murmured. "It might have hurt, but not enough to wake him."

Midoriya's fingers tightened against Shouto's arm.

"Bakugou is going to be fine." Shouto breathed the words into the back of Midoriya's neck. "And he wouldn't want you blaming yourself for an accident, especially not when you're hurting too."

"Shou?"

Their heads snapped up to the white-haired woman standing in the doorway.

Shouto straightened. "Mom?"

Midoriya squirmed and wriggled violently, but Shouto only reluctantly eased him off his lap.

Rei stepped into the room and let the door click shut behind her. "I was waiting to have lunch with you when I heard the noise. Is everyone alright?"

Midoriya slumped into the chair beside the hospital bed, the last of the blinds were finally shut tight. "My fault," he confessed with a self-deprecating smile Shouto found utterly charming. "I'm sorry. I was clumsy."

"He has a migraine with an aura," Shouto explained.

Midoriya looked at him, wide-eyed, as though Shouto had just revealed an incriminating secret.

Rei glanced between them and her eyes crinkled softly in amusement. "I could help, if you like." She began to walk closer.

"You don't have to," Midoriya protested, lifting his hands up in front of his chest. "You're here to visit with your son. I don't want to—Why are you wearing scrubs?"

Rei stopped just in front of Midoriya. "I work here as a nurse."

"Do you work on the burn unit too? Did you just start? I think I would have seen you before."

"I'm doing a rotation in the chronic pain and physical therapy clinic at the moment," Rei replied. "It's slow today, so my boss won't mind if I take a longer lunch than usual."

"See?" Midoriya gestured to Rei while looking at Shouto with an accusing frown. "This is another thing I had no idea about."

Todoroki wasn't prone to laughter, but for the first time in years, he felt the muscles in his throat and chest quiver with the urge. "Midoriya, there's no reason to be upset you didn't know my mother was a nurse. She just started her rotation here."

"Exactly! I have a lot to catch up on."

Rei blinked and turned her gaze on Shouto.

"I think he has a tension headache radiating up his neck and shoulders," Shouto reported. "That's could be part of the reason he has pain and an aura. If you can spare a few minutes I think that would really help. Thank you, Mom."

"Is that okay?" Rei asked, looking back at Midoriya. "I'd like to help, but it's your choice."

Midoriya's hand dropped from the muscle it had been squeezing behind his neck, and he sighed. "Yes, thank you."

Rei fetched another chair from the corner of the room and set it down facing Midoriya. She sat and stretched out her hands. "Please lean forward."

Midoriya's eyes fluttered shut when Rei's long fingers slid across his temple. Shouto watched her spread her hand wide so that her thumbs were near Midoriya's hairline and her pinkie fingers brushed the bottom of his neck. Gooseflesh rippled straight down to the collar of Midoriya's t-shirt, probably lower.

"Thank you, Todoroki-sama."

"Rei-san, please."

Midoriya's eyes opened and he nodded. "Rei-san. It's lovely to meet you."

"I'm glad to meet you too, Midoriya-san. I've wanted to thank you for what you did for Shouto during your first sports festival for a long time."

Color warmed Midoriya's cheeks, despite the power of Rei's quirk working on him. "That was so long ago, and Todoroki's done plenty of amazing things since then. You don't need to thank me."

Rei adjusted her hold on Midoriya, stretching out the muscles of his neck as she worked. "I'm grateful to anyone who helps my children."

"I should really thank you. Todoroki said you're the first person who taught him how to use his quirk for healing, and he's really helped Kacchan." Midoriya's eyes flickered to the bed.

"He's your husband, correct?"

"Yes." Midoriya's smile curled under his cheeks with a fondness that made Shouto's chest ache. "I don't know what I'd do without him."

"You've been married for about five years?"

"Yes!" Midoriya's eyes slid back to Shouto. He was probably trying not to move his head, so he wouldn't interfere with Rei's healing. It was working. The blinking had slowed and a bright ferocity had returned to those familiar green irises. "Did Shouto tell you?"

"There was an announcement in the papers when it happened."

"Oh, right." The flush across Midoriya's cheeks surged slightly. He never seemed to remember exactly how famous he was.

"And yes, Shouto told me."

Midoriya grinned. "I was just telling Todoroki that I'm going to try to be a better friend to him. I didn't realize we'd drifted apart so much since UA."

"Shouto could use more friends," Rei agreed.

"Mother!"

She glanced at him, and Shouto caught the teasing and the sadness in that glance. Only Midoriya, his mother, Natsuo, and Fuyumi had ever known about his soulmate mark. Only his mother, Natsuo, and Fuyumi knew the bond remained. Shouto knew they would keep his secret, but it hurt to know he pained them.

"Oh!" They both looked back to Midoriya. "I don't know if Todoroki's had the chance to tell you yet, but my mother invited you and your family to dinner."

"…She did?"

"Yes!" Midoriya nodded vigorously, jostling Rei's fingers out of position. "Sorry."

"Do you need a break from the chill?" Rei asked.

"No, it's actually really helping; if you don't mind," Midoriya replied.

Rei lifted her fingers into position again, bracketing Midoriya's head. She glanced briefly at Shouto, then back to Midoriya. "When would she like to have me for dinner?"

"It's not just you; she wanted to invite Fuyumi and Natsuo too, if they can come." Midoriya frowned and looked as far to the left as he could without moving his head. "You didn't ask yet?"

How do you ask your mother to have dinner with the soulmate who rejected you? Even if it wasn't Midoriya's fault, Shouto didn't want his mother or sister worrying about him or, God forbid, assuming something was there when it wasn't. Midoriya was just grateful and gracious, as he always had been.

"Shouto was probably waiting until we could have lunch together today," Rei offered

"What was Shou waiting to do?"

Three heads turned towards the door to the room.

"Fuyumi?" Shouto started to stand, but stopped before his hand could break contact with Bakugou's skin. The treatment wasn't finished yet.

"Hello Fuyumi," Rei greeted her daughter with a nod and a smile. "What brings you here today?"

"I was…hoping we could share lunch together." Fuyumi shuffled into the room and Shouto could see she was holding several neatly packaged bento. "I was trying to find you and the nurses at the station said you'd both be here." Her blue eyes darted to the bed, then back to her mother. "I'm sorry. Is this a bad time? I could meet you in the cafeteria."

"Hello? I don't think I've met you before…" Inko-san peered around Fuyumi's shoulder.

Midoriya started out of Rei's hold again. "Mom?! You're here early."

"I wanted to bring you boys a homemade lunch," Inko-san offered. Her eyes slid to the bento in Fuyumi's hands, then back to her face. "Am I interrupting?"

A soft groan pulled everyone's eyes back to the bed. "Who the fuck decided to have a party while I was sleeping?"

"Kacchan!"

"I'm sorry we woke you," Fuyumi murmured, bowing sharply at the waist.

"How's the pain now, Bakugou?"

A splash of red was just barely visible between the slits of Bakugou's eyes as he blinked at Shouto. "Better, I think. Better than it was." The back of his hand smacked against his lips just in time to stifle a long yawn. "Give me a minute to wake up first."

Introductions were made and repeated as Bakugou gained some clarity of mind.

"Would you like some lunch, Kacchan?" Midoriya asked. "Mom brought some for us."

"I think between the two of us," Inko-san began, "We have enough for everyone." She looked up at Rei. "Would you like to eat together?"

"That would be lovely," Rei agreed with a nod.

Shouto turned away from the bustle and scraping of chairs that quickly followed. If he really had lost all control over his life, he didn't need to see it in vivid detail. He had a patient to focus on.

Bakugou breathed deeply, pressing his abdomen up against Shouto's palm as he did. "Can we take a break while I eat?"

"Yes," Shouto agreed. He stemmed the tide of his quirk gradually before lifting his hand away. "Now is a good place to stop. I can get your back afterward. Would you like me to help you adjust so you can eat?"

"Fuck your hand is cold!" Bakugou spat, flinching away from the fingertips that had grazed his shoulder."

"I apologize. I should have warmed it first." Shouto pulled his right hand back, but before he could make contact with his left Bakugou grabbed the offending hand and began aggressively kneading it with his thumbs.

"Goddamn it, your muscles are tight! Can you even hold chopsticks like this?"

"I'm…left-handed." Shouto watched Bakugou's fingers work over his hand, flooding the cool flesh with warmth. There was no reason for this. He could balance out his quirks on his own…but he didn't pull away.

"Tch, that's not a surprise," Bakugou's fingers rubbed back and forth on both sides of Shouto's hands.

Bakugou rubbed the stiffness out of Shouto's hand until the others had set up the food, and Shouto let him. By the time Fuyumi was passing a bento to him, Bakugou's bed was surrounded. There was no chance to back away now.

"Get those chopsticks away from me, Deku. I can feed myself!"

Fuyumi, Rei, and Inko-san laughed when Midoriya pressed a piece of spicy pork against Bakugou's frowning lips.

"I know you can, Kacchan. Just take this one bite from me first, please?"

Bakugou snapped up the bite of food with a snarl, but Shouto still saw the way he leaned into Midoriya's hand as his fingers shifted through Bakugou's blond spikes.

"Are you going to eat, Sho?" Fuyumi asked. She sounded dangerously amused. "Or should Izuku-san feed you too?"

Shouto's gaze snapped to his sister. "What—"

"Shouto-san, are you blushing?" Inko-san asked.

At the risk of whiplash, Shouto flung his gaze back to Inko-san. "I'm—"

"Don't let the food our mom's and your sister brought go to waste," Midoriya chided with a smile that was far too self-satisfied.

Shouto watched with something like horror as Midoriya's chopsticks snagged some of his cold soba and started to lift it. "Midoriya—"

The nutty-sweet taste of sesame spread over his tongue and Shouto leaned into the chopsticks to make sure he wouldn't spill any, while Midoriya's soft smile shone warmth across Shouto's face as if this was the most normal thing in the world.

"Who forgot to invite me to the party?"

"A-Aia-san!" Shouto almost choked around the slippery noodles in his mouth. He forced the mouthful down while stumbling to his feet. "I'm sorry, I—"

"No." She held up her hand and smiled at the gathering of people around Bakugou's bed. "No don't apologize. I did say you needed to focus on more than work; I just didn't expect you to listen."

"He's not listening; he was ambushed!"

"Kacchan! That's not nice!"

"She's not asking for nice, is she?" Bakugou's toothy grin was unrepentant.

Aia-san partially lifted her hand, but it didn't make it to her lips as she snickered. It was barely a token effort as far as Shouto was concerned. "Well however it happened; I'm glad. I don't really want to pull you away now, but Evelyn-san is here with Alyssa-chan."

Shouto glanced at the clock on the wall. They were early by almost two hours. "Is something wrong?"

"No, no," Aia-san rushed to assure him, "Alyssa-chan was just eager to see you, and Evelyn-san picked her up early from school."

The door behind Aia-san pushed open yet again.

"Todoroki-san!"

Alyssa-chan bounded into the room as if summoned. Her bright eyes flashed with joy when she wriggled between Inko-san and Fuyumi to get to him.

"Good afternoon, Alyssa-chan."

She thrust small scared hands into the air and demanded, "Up!"

Shouto grasped her firmly under her arms and lifted her onto his hip with a small bounce. Alyssa-chan wrapped her arms around his neck and shrieked in delight when he spun them in a tight circle. "Faster!"

"That wouldn't be safe," Shouto replied, smoothing back one of her braids that had worked its way free of the others. "There are too many people around.

Alyssa-chan pouted and swiveled her head to glare at the room. Her glares could be quite impressive, but this one died quickly when she spotted Midoriya and Bakugou. She pointed in mostly silent wonder.

"Yes, this is Deku and Ground Zero," Shouto confirmed. "Are you going to say hello?"

Midoriya smiled and lifted his hand to wave. Alyssa-chan squeaked and buried her face in Shouto's neck.

"Hey, kid." Bakugou's gruff voice was unusually quiet. "What's your name?"

"Tanaka Alyssa," Alyssa-chan murmured, barely peeping over Shouto's shoulder at the number two hero.

Bakugou extended his hand. "You look like a tough kid, Alyssa-san. Nice to meet you."

Exuberance replaced Alyssa-chan's momentary shyness and she stretched out to grab Bakugou's hand with her own. "Nice to meet you, Ground Zero!" Shouto stepped closer to the hospital bed so that Alyssa-chan wouldn't squirm out of his arms. "Did you get burned up too?"

"A bit. Todoroki's been taking good care of me."

"He's the best!" Alyssa-chan agreed with a wide smile.

Bakugou's eyes crinkled at the edges when he smiled, and none of it looked practice. The gesture softened his sharp crimson gaze just as he leveled it on Shouto. "Todoroki's alright."

"He's the best!" Alyssa-chan insisted, puffing out her cheeks in apparent agitation.

Bakugou chuckled. "You going to fight me about it, kid?"

Alyssa-chan glanced down at the hospital bed and seemed to scan the bandages that were just visible on Bakugou's right side. "Not until your better. It wouldn't be fair."

Bakugou barked out a short laugh. "Where'd you come from, kid? I like you."

"I can claim at least partial responsibility."

All heads in the room swiveled back towards the door.

"Evelyn-san." Todoroki took a few steps towards her, rubbing a hand down Alyssa-chan's back when she whined about being taken from the side of the pro heroes. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Evelyn-san offered an easy smile. "Ground Zero and Deku have been Alyssa's favorites since she was in preschool."

"Mama, can we stay? Todoroki-san can treat me here, right?"

Evelyn-san caressed the curve of her daughter's cheek. "Ground Zero and Deku are with their families right now sweetheart. We don't want to interrupt their meal."

Midoriya and Bakugou shared half a glance, then both spoke at once.

"Don't be silly!"

"Of course she can stay!"

Evelyn might have been immune to her daughter's pout, but Shouto watched her stern professionalism crumble under the dual assault of Midoriya and Bakugou's insistence. "Are you sure?"

"Hey! Shut the door and sit down, will ya?" Bakugou groused.

"Kacchan!"

Alyssa-chan chuckled against Shouto's neck and her mother stepped the rest of the way into Bakugou's room.

"I'll leave you to it. Call me if you need anything." Aia-san's smirk as she left the room was a promise of another conversation Shouto didn't need.

"Here, you can have my seat," Fuyumi offered, gesturing for Evelyn-san to sit.

Evelyn's protests were as fruitless as Shouto's, and in less than a minute they were crowded around Bakugou's bed, sharing a meal once more. Well, everyone else was eating. Even Alyssa-chan had grabbed a snack from Fuyumi's bento before Shouto settled her in his lap on the chair just beside Bakugou's hospital bed.

"Are you ready?" Shouto asked.

Alyssa-chan nodded and smiled. Shouto brushed stray crumbs off her cheeks before getting to work. Her face and scalp were as good a place to start as any. His quirk activated and Alyssa-chan leaned against his palm with a sigh. "Thank you, Todoroki-san."

"You're welcome."

The noise should have made it difficult to concentrate, shouldn't it? There wasn't any logical reason for the murmur of so many conversations to spark something warm and soft inside his chest. Crowds were lonely things…weren't they?

"Todoroki."

Shouto slipped his hand to Alyssa-chan's neck and turned his head towards the soft whisper. Midoriya's chopsticks brushed warm Takoyaki against his lips.

"You need to eat too. We're all counting on you, so you need to keep your strength up."

Shouto's lips gave way to Midoriya's gentle nudge and let his secret soulmate fill his mouth with a salty tang. Midoriya's thumb followed the chopsticks, wiping away a trickle of sauce that threatened to slide down Shouto's chin. The green-eyed hero licked the sauce off his own thumb without any apparent second thoughts.

"Can I have a bite?" Alyssa-chan's chipper voice broke across Shouto's eardrums like a splash of cold water.

Shouto blinked and reminded himself they weren't alone… and it wouldn't matter even if they were.

"Of course." Midoriya smiled and lifted another Takoyaki up from the bento. "Open up."

Alyssa-chan accepted the bite with a happy squirm. Shouto allowed the movement to shift his hand to her shoulder. He had a job to do, and he owed it to Alyssa-chan to do it right.

That didn't stop Midoriya from feeding them. He passed bites to Shouto and Alyssa-chan from every dish while chatting about Alyssa-chan's school and the times she'd seen Ground Zero and Deku on the news. Shouto concentrated his quirk on Alyssa-chan's arms, hands, legs, and feet as they talked. Midoriya's voice was easy to listen to and his infectious joy kept Alyssa-chan laughing even when Shouto focused on the worst of her healing injuries.

"Oi, Deku! Don't forget you need to eat too!" Bakugou thrust a piece of spicy pork under his husband's nose, and Midoriya accepted it with a smile.

"Thank you, Kacchan."

"Don't talk with your mouth full, nerd."

Midoriya pressed his laughing mouth to Bakugou's, spearing sauce between their lips.

Alyssa-chan sighed, and leaned heavily on Shouto's chest. "They're so cute."

Shouto rested his hand on her lower back, holding her as small shivers rippled through her. "Almost done," he promised.

Alyssa-chan nuzzled her head against Shouto's neck. Despite the cold, she'd be asleep soon.

"Thank you, Todoroki-san."

Shouto turned and found Evelyn-san leaning over them.

"You're welcome. I'm happy to help."

Evelyn-san's fingers hesitated an inch from her daughter's shoulder. "Is now a good time to take her back home?"

"I wanna stay~!" Alyssa-chan whined, burrowing deeper into Shouto's arms.

"I bet you do," Evelyn-san brushed the back of her fingers over Alyssa-san's cheek. "You have everyone here wrapped around your finger."

"How do you feel, Alyssa-chan?" Shouto asked.

Alyssa-chan sucked her protruding bottom lip back in and turned to look into Shouto's eyes. She had a flare for the dramatic at times but during their time together he'd let her know how important her honesty was for her treatment, and the message seemed to have stuck.

"I feel good, Todoroki-san. Only a little achy."

"That's why you have to get home and let your Mom treat your scars with vitamin E and your other creams."

Alyssa-chan blew a long breath through pursed lips, ruffling Shouto's long bangs. "Can I give everyone a hug before I go?"

Shouto glanced to Evelyn-san who nodded. "One hug." He emphasized the point by gesturing with his index finger.

Mottled red arms flung themselves around Shouto's neck and he wrapped his own arms around her thin body. He expected her to go for Midoriya next, but Alyssa-chan slid off his lap and extended her arms to Inko-san, Fuyumi, and his mother in turn.

Alyssa-chan's scarring made it hard to see if she was blushing, but Shouto knew how to read her expression when she turned to Midoriya. She was nervous.

Midoriya slipped to one knee and held his arms out, waiting. "I'm glad I got to meet you, Alyssa-chan. Maybe I'll see you again next time you're here?"

"I'd like that." She leaned into Midoriya's arms with a gentleness that contrasted her usual exuberance. Shouto couldn't tell if she was still feeling shy or if she was savoring the moment. Perhaps it was both.

"Is it okay for me to hug Ground Zero too?" Her words were a stage whisper in Midoriya's ear. "I won't hurt him?"

"He's tougher than he looks," Midoriya replied. "Can I help you reach him?"

Alyssa-chan nodded and rested her hands on Midoriya's freckled neck. He carried her to the left side of the bed, away from his husband's worst injury, and settled her on the bed beside Bakugou.

"C'mere kid." Bakugou wrapped an arm around her slim shoulders with such force she all but fell on his chest.

"You've got to be careful!" Alyssa-chan protested through a fit of giggles. "You're still getting better!"

"If you can do it, so can I," Bakugou promised.

Alyssa-chan leaned up and pressed a wet sounding kiss to Bakugou's cheek. "Feel better soon Ground Zero. And listen to Todoroki-san. He's a good healer."

"I'll try," Bakugou allowed.

Alyssa-chan pointed at him, and her finger brushed the tip of Bakugou's nose. "Behave. I'll ask Todoroki-san if you've been good next time I need a treatment, and he doesn't lie."

Bakugou lifted his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Todoroki's the boss."

Alyssa-chan nodded once before scrambling off the bed and running around it to leap onto Shouto's shoulders. "You get two hugs because you're special," she declared.

Shouto twisted to return her embrace, unable to refuse her lively affection.

"Time to go, Alyssa-chan," Evelyn-san reminded her daughter.

Alyssa-chan sighed and reached for her mother's hand. "Okay. Bye, everyone!" She waved until the closing door hid her from view.

"She is so cute!" Fuyumi gushed. "Shou, why didn't you ever mention her?"

Shouto blinked at his sister. She really ought to know the answer. "Patient confidentiality."

"You did excellent work with her healing, Shouto," Rei said.

"Thank you, Mom." Rei was much more generous with her compliments than Endeavor had ever been, but they still never sat easy in Shouto's chest.

"Seriously," Bakugou voiced his agreement. "Like fuck you're not a pro anymore; you're an amazing hero."

"That was incredible, Todoroki," Midoriya said, turning the full force of his smile on Shouto. That little girl really trusted you; you made her feel safe. Excellent work."

"It's a way I can help," Shouto shrugged. "It makes sense."

"Oooh, I think you're blushing, Shou," Fuyumi commented, nudging Shouto in the ribs.

"I think it's time for me to focus on Bakugou's back. It's getting a lot of constant pressure which isn't helpful for managing his pain."

"I'm doing alright."

Shouto slid his eyes until they locked onto Bakugou's crimson gaze, then turned his head to face his patient more directly. It was a much more intimidating stare than he'd ever used on a patient before, but Bakugou responded best to bluntness.

"Jeez, you never let up do you?" Bakugou grumbled. "My back pain is a 6.5. Happy?"

"Fuyumi, Inko-san if you could put away the food that would help us avoid any risk of cross-contamination or unintentional aggravation of Bakugou's injuries."

"Yes, of course," Inko-san replied.

"On it," Fuyumi added. They were an efficient team; the remaining mess was well away from the hospital bed in less than a minute.

"Mom, if you think your supervisor could spare you for a little longer having an extra set of hands would help me cover more area at once."

"It shouldn't be a problem," Rei lifted her cell phone from her scrub pocket and sent of a quick text.

"Midoriya."

"Yes?"

Shouto took a slow breath. Midoriya had stepped just a little too close to him and was looking up at him with eager, expectant eyes. Something so calming shouldn't be so unsettling. "If you can help support Bakugou that will limit any strain on his abdominal injury and give us better access to his back.

Midoriya nodded and settled himself on his husband's left side. "Don't try to help me, Kacchan. Okay?"

Bakugou lifted his arms, letting Midoriya grasp him firmly under the arms and pull him into an upright position. "You don't need to make this big of a fuss."

Rei stood at the head of the bed and laid both hands on Bakugou's upper back. Shouto leaned on the right side of the bed. They were working in very close quarters. He was pressed directly against Midoriya's side while he held Bakugou in his arms.

Shouto activated his right hand on Bakugou's lower back, and warmed his left hand over Bakugou's hip. The combined hot and cold would help stimulate blood flow and offset the chill of three cold hands against Bakugou's back. They were nestled so tightly together Shouto's hand was actually sandwiched between Midoriya and Bakugou's hips. Shouto could still feel Bakugou's and Midoriya's breath against his neck.

Nothing about this situation was an embrace…but… it was possibly the only time Shouto would be anywhere close to being held by his soulmate or anyone outside his family. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his healing and the feeling of their warmth against his skin.

Thank you again for spending some time with my story today. I hope you enjoyed it! I am so thankful for everyone who has interacted with Marks on My Heart. I see every comment, kudo, bookmark, etc. I love hearing what people think, both encouragement and criticism, so don't be shy if you'd like to leave a comment. I hope you all have a fantastic week, and I'll see you again next Friday in the afternoon/evening PST!