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As always, I hope you are safe and have supportive people around you. If you are searching for safety and good people, I hope you find them soon. I will always believe there is good in the world; it's what I hold onto when everything else seems dark, and I think that comes across in my writing. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 7: Consolation

Shouto pushed the soap pouch into it's appropriate enclosure, set the dishwasher cycle, and closed the door. Moments later gears whirred to life and water sloshed inside the enclosed space.

"Thank you for doing the dishes, Shouto-san." Inko-san was standing just beside him. "You didn't have to."

"You cooked," Shouto replied. "I should do my fair share."

Inko-san rested her palm against Shouto's elbow. "You're already doing that by taking such good care of Katsuki. Are you sure you don't need me to stay tonight?"

Shouto pressed his fingers lightly over Inko-san's. "Everything will be fine. Go home and get some rest, Inko-san. I promise I'll call you and Midoriya if anything happens."

Inko-san nodded to herself and stepped back. "I've been over to visit almost every day since the accident. I should probably give Izuku a break. Just text me in the morning to let me know how Katsuki's first night back went?"

"Of course." Shouto doubted there would be much to add that Inko-san didn't already know. She'd spearheaded Bakugou's move from the hospital back home with all the ferocity of an avenging general. Once they'd arrived at Midoriya and Bakugou's home she'd gone to Shouto's apartment to collect some things for him while he helped Bakugou get settled. Shouto didn't normally loan his apartment key to anyone, but Inko-san was a force of nature, just like her son. Also he trusted her every bit as much as he trusted Midoriya. She'd even made them all dinner with enough leftovers to last well into the next day.

Inko-san slipped into her outside shoes. "Don't forget that you need your rest too, Shouto-san. Don't stay up too late."

"I'll be careful, Inko-san," Shouto promised her. Maybe this should have felt like nagging, but it reminded him too much of his early memories of his own mother, and Fuyumi.

They said their final goodbyes and—on Inko-san's insistence—Shouto locked the door. Even then the house wasn't silent. He could hear Bakugou's voice rumbling softly from the master bedroom. Shouto couldn't make out any words so he moved towards the sound. There wasn't anyone else here, so Bakugou must be on the phone.

"Yes, Ma. I know."

It seemed Bakugou was getting his own motherly lecture.

"It'll probably be a few months until I'm back on patrol, Ma."

Shouto hesitated just before the doorway. He didn't want to intrude any more than he already had. He didn't return to the kitchen or living room, however. Bakugou still needed another healing session before bed, and it wouldn't make sense to walk back to the living room if his conversation was winding down.

"No, of course it isn't going to hurt my pro ranking! I won't fucking let it! If those bastards drop my rating even a fraction they're going to regret it!"

That was just this side of yelling and sounded much more like the Bakugou that Shouto had gone to school with, instead of the still prickly but somewhat quieter version he'd grown used to these past several weeks.

"I'm not fucking yelling!"

This was still loud, but might not actually have been heard by the neighbors.

A long, noisy sigh like compressed steam blew out of the master bedroom. "Yeah, yeah. … Yes!" Another breath. "You're right. I'm sorry."

Shouto glanced over his shoulder at the kitchen/living room. Would Bakugou hear him if he started to walk away?

"I hope you can sleep well, Ma. I'm sorry you had a rough day at work. … I love you too." Bakugou must have been sitting up because his body thumped against the pillows. "You can come in, Icy Hot. I know you're there."

Shouto peeked his head around the corner. "I can come back if you'd rather have a few minutes alone."

Bakugou shook his head. "Nah, it's fine. Come in."

Shouto closed the door behind himself, using every spare millisecond to consider if he even wanted to ask for more information. Bakugou's temper never scared him, but he didn't want to stress his patient.

Bakugou didn't look worked up anymore, though. He was rubbing his palm hard across his face, and his shoulders curled in on themselves. Shouto approached the bedside. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, sorry." Bakugou let his hand drop and stared into his empty palm. "You didn't need to hear all that."

"I understand." Their eyes met, and Shouto dared to sit down on the edge of the bed. "Families are…complicated."

Bakugou nodded. Another long slow press of air passed between his pursed lips and he lifted his gaze to the ceiling. "She didn't come visit me."

"I wondered if I missed her."

"How could you have? It's a wonder you missed Inko-san the first time." The corner of Bakugou's lips twitched up. "You barely left me alone."

"It's not advised to leave an unruly patient unattended."

The corner of Bakugou's mouth kicked up in a half smile. "I'm a fucking delight and you know it."

Bakugou was probably joking but… something in his eyes or his tone was so…sad. The words he'd muttered at the ceiling echoed in Shouto's mind.

"She didn't come visit me."

Bakugou looked up suddenly and Shouto realized he'd reached for Bakugou's arm; his fingers were curled around Bakugou's wrist. He hadn't meant to voice his thoughts, but if he didn't speak up now it would be awkward.

"I'm sorry," Shouto ventured, "That your mom didn't visit."

Emotions, strong emotions, flickered behind crimson eyes. Bakugou looked away and Shouto was on the edge of apologizing again when Bakugou spoke. "Things haven't…" he huffed. "They haven't been great with my mom for a long time. They were worse back in UA, and we've been working on it, but it's not easy."

Shouto squeezed Bakugou's wrist when he trailed off. It sounded like Bakugou wanted to talk, felt comfortable talking, which was a small wonder in and of itself, and Shouto wanted to listen.

"I know it's because she wants the best for me but it's…" Bakugou gestured at the empty air.

"It's cold."

Bakugou finally turned back to look at him. "Yeah. That's a good word for it." He smoothed the rumpled blankets across his lap with his free hand. "'Zuku's helped us actually talk about it, set some boundaries, and Ma's been just amazing." The fond lilt in Bakugou's voice told Shouto that he was referencing Inko-san. He called both women 'Ma' but the word had more bite when he was talking about Mitsuki-san.

"Will your mother come to Inko-san's dinner?"

"…I hope so. Normally she comes to every other, but it's been a few months." Bakugou shrugged, then winced. "Damn. Still not used to that."

"It'll get better." Shouto reached for Bakugou's side and nestled his hand across Bakugou's t-shirt. He'd need skin on skin contact to activate his quirk properly, but a gentle touch could still help steady Bakugou's healing nerves. "In a month or two you'll notice only after you laugh or sneeze that it didn't hurt. After that, you'll barely remember the hesitation you feel now."

"You're really good at this."

Shouto glanced up into surprisingly soft crimson eyes. "The healing? I've had a few years of practice."

"Talking to patients." Bakugou's eyes fluttered shut for a moment. "Making things feel safe."

Shouto stared at the rumpled bedding pushed across Bakugou's lap. "Everyone needs to feel safe; especially when they've been hurt."

"I didn't think you'd be so good at the talking part, though."

"I usually do less talking. I'm not used to being part of family visits."

Muscles contracted under Shouto's palm and he suspected Bakugou was holding back another chuckle. "Like Ma gave you much of a choice." The brightness in his eyes was so different from the dull pain that had clung to them when Shouto first entered the room. "Izuku and her both think they can save the world by loving it enough. Shit, sometimes I almost think they're right."

Shouto's soulmate bond twisted inside his chest. The pain that zinged along his nerves ached but didn't approach the white hot burn of grief he normally felt. He glanced down at the ruined skin of his wrist and ran his thumb across it. Was the bond starting to fade after all these years? Fear raced hard on the heels of hurt, but the rumbling nest of feelings that comprised Shouto's soulmate bond with Midoriya seemed intact when he examined it. "He's loved you for a long time."

"Yeah… damn nerd." The soft smile that stole over Bakugou's normally harsh features didn't hurt the way Shouto thought it would either. If the bond really was fading the smart thing to do was to let it go, walk away, but Shouto didn't want to. He didn't want anyone to hold the place in his heart that Midoriya had occupied for so long. It stung, but it had become an awkward sort of companion that somehow suited the empty moments peppered between work and family.

Bakugou shifted and winced, sucking air between clenched teeth. Shouto's head snapped up and he frowned. "I apologize. You're overdue for a healing session." He reached for Bakugou's injury, but met a muscled forearm instead.

"You haven't had any rest in days." Pain was evident in the tightness at the corners of Bakugou's eyes and mouth. "Tch. You and Deku are going to get yourselves killed if someone doesn't look out for you."

Shouto couldn't deny the fuzziness swimming at the edges of his vision, but he was keeping it at bay for now. He curled his fingers lightly over Bakugou's arm, but didn't try to pull it away yet. "I'll sleep better knowing that you're healing and in less pain." He glanced at the clock. "It's still early, not even 8pm yet. Give me twenty minutes and we'll both have a long sleep afterward."

Bakugou's eyes were trained on the clock still and Shouto watched the muscles in his jaw twitch. Was he worried about his husband? Missing him? Wanting time alone with him?

Shouto squeezed Bakugou's arm. "We'll be done before Midoriya gets back."

"He shouldn't have to work this hard." The edges of Bakugou's lips turned white for a moment. "I should be there to help him."

"You are helping him."

Bakugou turned away from the clock and he didn't look mad, only confused.

"You're here with me which is helping him feel secure and letting him concentrate fully on what he's doing," Shouto began. "That will help him come home sooner. You're also behaving moderately well, and almost listening to everything I say."

That brought something that was part smirk and part sneer to Bakugou's face. "I'm listening plenty!"

"And that is helping you heal faster and minimizing your chance of complications," Shouto pressed on, not rising to Bakugou's invitation to bicker. "Not only will you be up and about sooner but you're actively trying to get back to work alongside Midoriya by limiting your complication risks. You're doing so in a way that goes against your nature by forcing yourself to be still most of the time, and not overdoing your suggested prone physical therapy exercises. You're doing a lot."

Blond lashes closed slowly over red eyes, quivering slightly when they moved back up. The smirk/sneer slipped into something less intimidating and more genuine. Bakugou shook his head. "See. I told you you're good at this."

Shouto could feel his bi-colored eyebrows pushing together. "Good at?"

"Talking with the patients."

"Oh."

Bakugou shifted again, his arm muscles twitching in protest as he shuffled closer to the edge of the massive bed.

"Are you going to make me regret complimenting you for taking it easy?"

"If you're going to be a fucking workaholic, you can at least be more comfortable," Bakugou grunted. He patted the mattress beside him where he'd made room. "Come here."

Shouto hesitated. "But, I—"

"Would you just come here?" Bakugou's tone was aggressive, but the fingers that pulled Shouto to his side were gentle.

In the days after Shouto's rejection, when he'd managed to convince Midoriya his soul make mark had changed, Midoriya spoke of Bakugou's caring nature with soft sighs and besotted smiles. Shouto had seen glimpses, back at UA, of the kind man Midoriya already knew, but he'd pulled back after Bakugou and Midoriya had finally gone on their first date. Now Shouto was seeing more than glimpses. Bakugou was every bit the kindhearted hero Midoriya was, he just had his own way of showing it.

Bakugou guided Shouto forward on the bed until he was nestled closely against Bakugou's side. "How's that?" The arm that had pulled Shouto close was now loosely curled around his waist.

"You don't have to—" Shouto cut himself off and took a breath. "Are you sure you're comfortable with this?"

Bakugou shrugged. "You're just going to pass out here. This way it'll be easier for Deku to carry you to bed when he gets home."

"I am not going to pass out."

"Ah huh."

Shouto slid his hand under the edge of Bakugou's loose fitting t-shirt and skimmed across tight warm skin until he met the edge of fresh bandages. He listened and felt as Bakugou's breathing evened out under his fingertips. The sigh that Shouto had come to expect at the start of each healing brushed across the shell of his ear and disturbed his bangs.

Bakugou's eyes were closed now, and his head was leaned back against the pillows. They were propped up at a slight angle, not exactly flat, but it was possible Bakugou had nodded off. Despite his complaints about Midoriya and Shouto's self-destructive tendencies, Shouto doubted Bakugou had gotten much rest himself.

"Stop staring, dumbass."

Shouto glanced away. "Sorry."

Bakugou shifted and his arm tightened around Shouto's middle. "You can lean your head on my shoulder if you want… I don't care." A yawn caught the edge of Bakugou's words and his lips stayed parted in slumped relaxation. Midoriya was right. Bakugou was cute to look at when he slept…

Shouto looked away and his gaze landed on Bakugou's fingers curled across Shouto's hip. Was this…really okay? Had Bakugou invited Shouto to lean against him because he was lonely? Did it matter? Had someone other than Shouto's mother and sister ever held him?

Bakugou's breath tickled Shouto's ear again and he tilted his head until his ear nestled against the solid warmth of Bakugou's shoulder. Just for a few minutes, just to rest his eyes…

The house was silent and dark when Izuku turned his key in the lock. He'd expected silence, but it was barely past 9pm. He thought Shouto or his mom would still be up. Had Inko gone home?

"Mom?" Izuku stared into the silent gloom of his home.

No response.

It had been a long day. Everyone was probably sleeping. Izuku lifted both arms high above his head and sucked a deep breath into his lungs. He let the stretch roll through his body until his blood sang in his ears. He held it for three muffled heartbeats then released, sagging in place beside the door. It was definitely time for him to sleep too.

Locking the door behind himself Izuku shuffled down the hallway and staggered into the bathroom to peel himself out of his hero suit for a shower. Twenty minutes later mint tingled across his tongue and he ached to slip into sweet unconsciousness beside Kacchan. It would be okay, right? Todoroki had let him nap beside Kacchan in the hospital. It should probably be fine. He'd just have to sleep on Kacchan's left.

Izuku slipped into the bedroom and shimmied into his softest cotton sleep boxers and a faded All Might t-shirt. He draped the towel over the hamper and turned towards the bed. It was the flash of white that gave him pause. The splash of lightness against the pillows beside Kacchan's head didn't belong. And then it moved.

Izuku tracked the movement and the snuffling breath that accompanied it. His eyes traced the outline under the sheets on the bed and the darker shape on top of the comforter. Kacchan wasn't alone.

"…Todoroki?"

Soft sighs and the breath from two sets of lungs was his only reply. Izuku lifted his hand to the dresser and clicked on a small table lamp. It cast a warm glow just bright enough to bring clarity to the image in front of him. Todoroki and Kacchan were cuddled together on the bed, fast asleep. Kacchan sprawled under the covers and Todoroki curled up against Kacchan's side. Kacchan shifted, probably in response to the sudden light, and Shouto murmured in his sleep, cuddling closer. God, they were too cute.

"I'll apologize and ask permission in the morning," Izuku muttered to himself as he plucked his phone off the dresser. He adjusted his phone to the low lighting and killed the flash before snapping several shots of the pair on the bed.

"'uku?"

Flashing Kacchan a guilty smile, Izuku returned his phone to its charger on the dresser and stepped forward to greet his husband. "Hey baby." It was a nickname Izuku had only ever gotten away with when they were alone, but surely Todoroki didn't count? He was asleep, and even if he wasn't, he wouldn't judge. He just wasn't that type of person.

"Gathering evidence?"

If he rested on the bed for even a moment Izuku knew he'd be asleep so he stayed standing on the left side of the bed and leaned over Todoroki to smooth his fingers through Kacchan's unruly hair. "Gathering evidence for what?"

"Divorce court."

Izuku frowned. "Kacchan I—"

The tilt of Kacchan's eyebrow when he glanced at Todoroki gave away the joke. "I mean, you did just catch me in bed with another man."

"Because you both fell asleep while he was healing you?" Izuku blew out an irritated breath. "Kacchan I should be thanking you both. You for resting and him for working so hard." He pressed a kiss into Kacchan's temple. "Please don't joke about stuff like that. I love you."

"You should stop him."

"Kacchan—"

"No I mean it. He's asleep, but he's still healing me. I can feel it."

Izuku dropped his gaze to the place where Shouto's hand disappeared under Kacchan's shirt. He followed the line of Shouto's wrist with his fingertips and slowly pulled back his hand. Familiar tingles raced up Izuku's arm. He pressed his thumb into Shouto's rigid palm, rubbing in slow circles. Kacchan's larger hand pressed against the back of Todoroki's. Kacchan's fingers were just long enough to thread through Izuku's with Todoroki's hand between them. The joint effort didn't bring any warmth or stop Todoroki's quirk.

"We're going to have to wake him up." Kacchan started to shift but Izuku held up his free hand to stop him.

"We might be able to do something in between." Kacchan frowned, but Izuku didn't stop to explain further. He stretched his arm until his fingers brushed through Todoroki's bi-colored hair. Izuku swept his fingers through soft strands and around the curve of Todoroki's cheek. Todoroki pressed into the warmth of Izuku's hand.

"Todoroki? Stop healing Kacchan okay? You did great and you need a rest. You need to stop healing him now."

The wet tip of Todoroki's tongue peeked between his lips and he smacked them together, before pressing his face into Kacchan's neck with a quiet groan.

Todoroki's fingers twitched in their joint grasp and the intensity of the tingles ebbed away to nothing.

"Is he still asleep? Kacchan whispered.

"I think so." Izuku brushed Todoroki's hair back from his brow and studied his face. "Mostly."

"How'd you know that would work?"

Izuku's eyes locked on a sleepy, familiar red gaze. "It usually works on you when you won't let me go in the morning."

"Dork."

Izuku leaned forward and kissed the defensive curl of Kacchan's lips until they softened.

"Get him settled in the guest room and come back before you pass out."

"I'm not dead on my feet yet." Izuku leaned against Kacchan's forehead until Kacchan nudged him back.

"Come on, Deku. Don't fall asleep here."

Izuku sat up and blinked rapidly. "Right. I'll be right back." Together with Kacchan, he guided Todoroki's hand to his own chest before releasing it. Izuku maneuvered his arms under and around Todoroki's sleeping form and, after a few adjustments, Todoroki's weight settled against his chest.

Todoroki grimaced until his head settled against Izuku's shoulder. Izuku could feel a low rumbling groan in Todoroki's throat, almost like a purr. "It's okay," he soothed. "I'll get you to bed." He flashed a smile at a bleary-eyed Kacchan and turned to go.

It was a short journey to the guest room and while Todoroki felt less frozen he was still chilly in Izuku's arms. It would take time for him to warm up if he wasn't actively using his left side to counteract his right.

"I never thought we'd have to use a heated blanket with you," Izuku murmured.

It took some finagling, but he managed to peel back the sheets of the guest bed before he eased Todoroki down. Izuku tucked the sheets, heated blanket, and duvet around Todoroki's wiry frame and turned the heated blanket on low. He should have gone right back to bed, everything was starting to look a bit swimmy, but instead, Izuku smoothed his fingers through Shouto's hair again. The reaction was the same as before. Todoroki sighed deeply and nuzzled against Izuku's palm. He was definitely asleep, but he looked so…sad.

"My soulmate bond is platonic."

That seemed to be the pattern with Todoroki, but it had undoubtedly taken some time to figure that out. Izuku flushed at the memory of Todoroki's fumbling confession to him. They'd been so young back then. Just the next day Todoroki's mark had changed to Momo, and now, apparently, it was Fuyumi. None of those bonds had been romantic in nature, obviously, despite Shouto's initial confusion, but it didn't mean they weren't valid.

Maybe Todoroki wasn't romantically oriented. And that would be fine, except he didn't seem happy with his life either; not in the way that mattered. Shouto had never been very expressive, but Izuku still saw flashes of hurt and loneliness cross Todoroki's face during their time together in the hospital.

Strands of Todoroki's hair clung to Izuku's fingers when he pulled back, as if they were desperate to maintain the contact. Izuku was beyond exhausted, but he lingered in the guest bedroom anyway. Whether it was a partner, a pet, or a purpose, something clearly needed to change in Todoroki's life, and this time it wouldn't be as easy as convincing him to use his fire.

We've come to the end of another chapter. I hope you enjoyed your time here today. If you're anxious for more, you won't have to wait long; I update every Friday afternoon/evening PST. I hope you'll come back and see what happens next! ^_^