The evening lights illuminated the small town of Musutafu, Japan, as the summer breeze blew against the faces of the people enjoying their nightlife on the streets. The sun was still out, however, and its warmth didn't seem to be disappearing anytime soon. In fact, it seemed to be getting brighter by the second and shining down upon the citizens of Musutafu.

And at the Midoriya household, Inko Midoriya stood in her kitchen, a flurry of activity as she prepared Katsudon for dinner. She had been planning this for days, excited to show the man she was falling deeply in love with about the delicious dish. Her mind raced as she recalled the memory of Toshinori's face when he tasted her Katsudon for the first time and how much he loved it. After all, it also was Izuku's favorite food as well, and since she would be having both him and his mentor that evening at home, it made sense to make a delicious dinner for them.

She sliced the onions and ginger with expert precision, the familiar movements of cooking bringing a sense of calm to her frazzled nerves. She had only been dating Toshinori for a short time, but she felt an undeniable connection to him, a spark that had been missing in her life since her husband had left her and their son Izuku. He brought out emotions from her that she had buried deep inside during the years when Izuku was growing up without his father. But seeing the man she adored smiling and laughing so genuinely around Izuku caused something deep inside of Inko's soul to stir. She was happy, content to be with Toshinori in any way that he could give her. And she truly hoped that he could return those feelings.

As she seasoned the pork cutlets and carefully dipped them in the egg wash, Inko thought about how Toshinori had come into her life at just the right moment. When Izuku confided in him about his mom's struggles, Toshinori had taken action, spending more time with Inko and helping her find her way back to the world, and as a result, their relationship started taking a new direction. They became friends, and they slowly became more than that, too. It was a whirlwind romance that took them places that neither of them expected, and the happiness that bloomed between them every day proved to be the biggest boost for the young couple. And now that they were together, Inko knew that she wouldn't have it any other way. She could never want for anything else, no matter how short lived or short lived her happiness might be. For the first time in ages, she felt like she was where she belonged; like she belonged to someone. And she was going to enjoy every minute of it.

And now, as Inko stirred the broth and arranged the pork and eggs on top of the rice, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. She wanted to show Toshinori how much she cared for him, how grateful she was for his presence in her life. She wanted to thank him properly for everything he did for her, and for making Izuku happy in such a positive way. And she wanted to know, without a doubt, if her feelings towards Toshinori were reciprocated. She didn't want to let go of Toshinori even though it was a long shot, but she was going to try anyway. She didn't want to lose the precious bond that they shared. She just wanted him back… in her arms.

Just then, as she set the steaming bowl of Katsudon on the table, she heard the front door open and shut.

"Mom, we're here!" Izuku called out excitedly, a broad smile on his adorable face. Toshinori came through the door right behind him as well, with his usual cheerful demeanor intact. As always, he looked absolutely dashing, especially tonight. His blonde hair shined under the bright light of the room as he leaned against the doorway, his eyes focused and attentive, clearly ready for whatever Inko was about to do. "Oh wow," she said softly to herself, smiling widely as she watched the two men walk over towards her.

"It smells amazing, Mrs. Midoriya."

"You don't have to call me Mrs. Midoriya anymore, Toshinori. Just call me Inko. Please," she said sweetly, offering him a soft smile before sitting down at the dining table. Both Toshinori and Izuku took their seats next to her, their eyes locked onto each other and smiles on their faces. Toshinori reached over and took Inko's hand in his own, lacing his fingers gently with hers.

And soon enough, the three of them were seated and ready to eat. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, and Inko felt comfortable. With Toshinori there, she felt safe and at peace; with Izuku there, she felt loved and cherished. There was nothing better than sitting here eating dinner with them, being surrounded by their love and support. No words were needed between the three of them to tell the others that they were family; there was no need for words. This was proof enough that they were, in fact, family.

"Katsudon, my favorite!" Izuku proclaimed happily as he spooned some rice into his mouth. "It's been a while since I last ate it. Thank you for preparing it for us, mom!"

"Thank you, Inko," Toshinori added, his blue eyes twinkling with happiness. "That looks very nice."

"Don't thank me just yet. Dinner is going to be more fun than you think." Inko laughed quietly, her heart full and happy as she sat down next to Toshinori. "So, how was the day for you both?" she asked lightly, her chopsticks held delicately in her hands and her gaze never wavering from the pair.

"Not too bad, not too bad," Izuku replied, a grin on his face as he remembered his day. "We got a lot of work done today! We're actually pretty busy for once, so it's great to finally have some free time."

Toshinori nodded in agreement, taking a bite of the katsudon as he smiled. "For sure, young Midoriya. It's always good to get things done, no matter what the situation may be. You can rest assured that you won't have trouble keeping up your reputation as the ninth One For All bearer. It's a good thing, too. People are going to remember you forever for this." He grinned playfully, ruffling his student's head affectionately.

"Thanks, Toshinori," Izuku chuckled, leaning away from the blond. "I'm really glad you think so!" He then turned towards his mother. "What about you, Mom? Was it a fun day for you?"

Inko smiled softly, nodding. "Yes, I had a lovely day. I went to the mall after you went to school to pick up some more ingredients for dinner, and I bought quite a bit of new clothes too! It's been some time since I last did so, but I found a few things that I really liked in the store!"

"Wow, that's awesome! I'm so happy for you, mom! Did you get anything special?" Izuku inquired, his eyes sparkling brightly as he leaned forward eagerly.

"Yes, I certainly did. A beautiful sundress for the summer!" Inko exclaimed, clasping her hands together as joy bubbled within her. "And I even got some shoes as well. They were a little big, but I managed to find a pair that I think will fit perfectly!" She laughed softly to herself.

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily. Izuku regaled them with stories of his day at school, while Toshinori shared anecdotes from his time as the Symbol of Peace, and as the meal came to an end, Inko felt a sense of contentment wash over her. This was what a true family felt like, she thought. It wasn't always easy to see such moments with Izuku, but she saw them everyday anyway; because as far as she was concerned, there was no one else who mattered more to her.

Even if sometimes it felt difficult to admit it, Toshinori was the one person who meant the most to her in her entire life apart from her son himself. He made her life perfect in ways that she couldn't imagine ever having. He filled all the gaps that she had been left with when her husband had left her and Izuku, making her whole again. He gave her the strength she needed to go on despite the pain of losing her husband and raising her child together alone all those years ago. He brought her into this world when she was at the brink of despair and gave her hope and courage again when he was able to make her believe that the impossible dream was possible. And now that she had a man to love, to cherish, to be loved by, and to care for beyond measure, Inko knew that life would always be good. And that evening, she would make him hers, one way or another.

So, shortly after Inko had brought some fruit to the table, Izuku ate a sliced apple and drank what remained on his glass, before getting up to fetch the dishes and rinse them off in the kitchen sink. Meanwhile, Inko and Toshinori cleaned up the place after the meal, cleaning up all the remaining food from the tables and the kitchen counters before heading for the couch in the living room, bringing a bottle of wine and two glasses alongside.

Izuku then yawned, stretching his body in order to release the tension that had built up throughout the course of the evening, and said goodnight to the couple before disappearing into his bedroom.

"Izuku is a great boy," Toshinori commented as Inko poured them each a glass of red wine. "He has matured tremendously these past few months. But, of course, it's only natural. After all he's been through." Inko hummed lightly as she looked at the glass in front of her, admiring its beauty. She placed the glass gently on the table beside the sofa before looking over at Toshinori and asking him a question.

"Toshinori, I... I need to tell you something."

"Is something wrong, Inko?" he asked cautiously, setting his wineglass on the nearby coffee table as he turned to her, concern written across his features.

Inko sighed deeply, shaking her head a little. "No, nothing is wrong... Well, not entirely…" She looked straight in Toshinori's eyes, holding her breath as she tried to find the courage to continue.

The man tilted his head slightly in response, waiting patiently for her to speak.

"Listen, I... I've been thinking a lot lately, and... I've realized that I have feelings for you. Very strong feelings. And I can't keep them to myself anymore." Toshinori blinked in surprise, taken aback. She couldn't possibly mean…? He opened his mouth a little, searching for the right words to say, before closing it again, unable to utter anything in reply.

"I know this isn't something I should be telling you suddenly," Inko continued, speaking quickly as she fought back tears. "But I'm going to tell you because... Because I need you to understand. You've given me so much kindness and support these past few months, more than anyone could ever give to me, and... and it means so much to me. And I think that maybe someday..." She paused briefly, swallowing thickly as she tried to fight back a sob. "... Maybe someday we could start to consider the possibility that... That maybe, one day, we could be a full, true family. Not like what we are right now, but... something more. Something that can truly become a part of our lives. I want that more than anything, Toshinori."

A long moment of silence passed between them, and still Toshinori said nothing. His gaze fell upon her tearful face and he noticed the slight tremble in her shoulders as she took several deep breaths to calm herself down. He swallowed slowly and averted his gaze, trying hard to conceal the emotions threatening to break through his stoic facade. He didn't know how to respond to her confession, nor did he have any clue of what to do. How did he react to such a declaration? Should he feel relieved? Or was this simply something he should be happy for? What kind of feelings did she have for him? Has she felt those feelings since the beginning?

Slowly, Toshinori lifted his gaze towards her again. She was watching him intently, awaiting a reaction, her lips slightly parted as a silent plea shone in her eyes.

His gaze softened, and he reached out to take her hand in his. "Inko," he whispered in a hushed voice, a small smile playing around the corners of his mouth. "...Do you... Do you really mean it?" He gazed at her hopefully, hoping for a positive answer.

Inko nodded, a single tear slipping from her eye. "Yeah. I really do." She squeezed his hand, feeling her chest swell with emotion. "I want us to be together, Toshinori. No matter what happens, I want that more than anything. I'm really in love with you, and I want you to know that. And I'm sorry it took me so long to realize just how badly I wanted to be yours... I... I just never really saw it until now. It seems foolish to me, but... But I guess I was afraid that if I admitted my love for you then, that somehow everything would change. And I'd lose you... So I kept it all bottled inside." Her voice cracked slightly as another tear slipped.

Toshinori tightened his grip on her hand. "You don't need to apologize," he stated quietly. "You're not the only one who needs to sort through their feelings. I'm sure I have many reasons why I haven't said anything to you before, but... I have a feeling that this is the moment I should finally say something." He sighed heavily, taking a shaky breath before continuing, "I never thought that something like this would happen... But I think this may be it. I think I have fallen in love with you as well. I've never experienced love like this before. It feels like there's a fire burning inside of me, a fire that I want to let free for everyone to see. The fire that makes me want to protect and serve others, the fire that lets me know that I belong somewhere." He smiled tenderly at her, his eyes shining brightly with an unknown emotion. "Maybe it's love, maybe not. Either way, it's definitely something that I want."

She stared into his blue orbs for a few minutes before nodding slowly. "I agree. I'm pretty sure I love you too, Toshinori," she whispered in reply, staring up at him lovingly. For a moment neither of them moved; they were completely absorbed in each other, completely focused on each other, on the way the light caught in Toshinori's eyes, and on the faint flush that spread over Inko's cheeks at the realization that her heart might finally be free at last.

Finally.

They sat quietly for a while afterwards, enjoying each other's company. Eventually, both of them spoke up, "So," Inko began softly, breaking the silence. "Now that I've said it, I feel a little better about what we talked about earlier. I wasn't expecting it to come out quite like this."

"Me either," Toshinori agreed. "It was almost too easy. I didn't expect to fall for someone this fast... Not after all I've been through."

"I'm glad it happened."

"Me too." A pause lingered between them before Toshinori decided to ask her one more thing that he had been meaning to ask for the past week. "What exactly made you think of telling me tonight?" he questioned. "I know it might seem like I haven't been very honest with you lately - not that I ever intended to hide any of my feelings from you - and I'm sorry for that. But I promise you that whatever it was that I hid from you, it wasn't because I didn't trust you. Or because I thought that you wouldn't believe me."

"It isn't like that." She shook her head gently, squeezing his hands again. "Don't worry, Toshinori. I know you didn't lie to me. But... I don't know if I could tell you what I am planning to do next."

"Why not?"

Inko sighed deeply, her heart swelling with happiness once again at the sight of Toshinori's hopeful expression.

"Come closer... Please." He did as he was told, moving closer to where Inko sat. Once he had gotten close enough, Inko placed her left hand against the side of his face, and kissed him passionately, causing him to gasp slightly as her fingers found purchase in his hair. He returned the kiss, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist and pulling her even closer to him. After a while they pulled apart, panting slightly as they rested their foreheads together.

"Are you okay?" Toshinori breathed out.

Inko chuckled, nodding her head slowly. "Yeah... Yes, I am now."

He smiled softly, reaching out to cup her cheek with his hand before pressing his forehead against hers once more. They stayed that way for a few moments before Toshinori broke the silence again.

"You really mean it? About wanting to be a real family with me?"

Inko gave a small nod. "I do. I think I always knew... But I was scared to admit it... To you. To myself. I'm tired of running away from my problems," she confessed. "I just need to learn how to deal with them. If you'll let me."

Toshinori grinned widely, resting his forehead against hers for a moment before he raised his gaze towards her, gazing at her with adoration. He stroked a gentle thumb under her chin. "How could I possibly deny you?" he murmured, leaning forwards to press a soft kiss against the tip of her nose. "I will always accept your offer, Inko. I want to be a part of your life. Forever."

She smiled, placing her hands on the sides of his face. "Good. That's good." She hesitated for a moment before adding softly. "And you know... I'm sorry if I put you in this awkward position by not telling you about my crush on you. At least when I said I liked you. And I know that you probably weren't ready to hear it yet."

Toshinori shook his head gently, placing his hand over hers. "Don't apologize. You've given me an opportunity to make things right, to make us whole again. That's all that matters." He paused for a moment before smiling softly. "Thank you. I love you, Inko Midoriya."

Inko couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her lips. It seemed silly to laugh at a time like this, but after being trapped in her own mind for so long, she hadn't expected to find herself so happy to finally be able to move forward. After all, she never imagined herself having the courage to confess. And now that she finally had the chance to do just that, she found that it wasn't nearly as terrifying as she'd originally feared. "I love you too," she whispered before closing the distance once more. Their kisses gradually grew more passionate, their touches growing firmer and more intense, sending sparks dancing across their skin as their lips continued to entwine. It was a passion born from deep within their hearts, a passion which they shared together, without fear or reservation.

They remained locked in an embrace as they kissed for several more minutes, until eventually, Inko reluctantly pulled away from the other. She released Toshinori's hand, and stood up from the couch, turning back to face him.

"We should get some rest," she stated.

"That sounds wonderful," he agreed.

Together, the two heroes walked toward his bedroom door, hand in hand, when Toshinori suddenly stopped mid step, causing Inko to stop alongside him. She glanced down at him questioningly. "Is something wrong?"

"Hmm..." He blinked slowly, looking thoughtful as he gazed down at her. "Actually..." His brow furrowed slightly before he turned his attention back to her. "I never imagined it would take something like this to bring me to confession. I'm glad it worked out the way it did."

His words made her grin brightly. "I am too," she replied softly.

"Well, I can't say that I'm not surprised though," he muttered, rubbing his neck lightly.

"Surprised?" Inko asked curiously.

He nodded slowly, scratching his head lightly. "Well, I just figured that with the way you are, how you are with kids, the fact your husband abandoned you two so many years ago, you probably have a hard time admitting your feelings. Even now, I don't think you'd be comfortable saying those kinds of words unless you really meant them. But the look in your eye tells me otherwise. When you said 'yes', it looked like you really meant it."

The color rose steadily in her cheeks. "W... Well..."

"Hey now, don't try to deny it," he interjected quickly. "I may not know a lot about relationships, but that doesn't mean I couldn't tell that look in your eyes wasn't real. And the look that you're giving me now tells me that you want this too. So, don't worry about saying those words just yet. We still have plenty of time to figure out everything that needs to be discussed, okay?"

"Okay," Inko responded softly, taking his hand again and leading him toward the bedroom.

Toshinori followed behind her, allowing Inko to guide him into the room. As soon as the pair entered, they closed the door tightly behind them before he took her by the waist and pulled her closer towards him, kissing her firmly.

After a moment, he broke the kiss and leaned back slightly, resting his forehead against hers once more. "You know, you make me feel like I'm 21 again," he whispered, grinning ruefully, "or maybe 19... Maybe 20. I guess I don't know how old I really am anymore. I haven't felt that young since the day I met you." He ran a hand through his hair gently, chuckling.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his middle, nuzzling her face against his chest. "Oh Toshinori... You're going to give me cavities with how much you smile every time we talk."

"I suppose that's true," he admitted. "But I honestly wouldn't mind. It's nice to see that smile again. Especially since it has been quite some time since I last saw it."

"I don't know why you're smiling like that then."

"Because you're here."

"You're such a sap."

"Maybe."

"Mmm. You're definitely going to be the death of me, you know that?"

"Not if I have anything to say about it. Not if I have anything to say at all."

"Hush. You sound like my father."

"I rather think I do."

Inko laughed quietly, shaking her head as she pressed another quick kiss to his chest before pulling away. "We need to get some sleep. I'll go change in the bathroom and then come back."

"All right." He watched as she moved to leave the room. A sudden thought occurred to him, causing him to reach forward, grabbing her wrist. With his free hand, he reached for her face, cupping her cheek gently. "Before you get changed, I just want to say... stay with me tonight, Inko," he whispered quietly.

Her lips curved upwards as she closed her eyes briefly. "Of course. I thought you'd never ask." She then proceeded to turn and walk into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

Once the bathroom door had closed, Toshinori sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. He stood there for a few seconds, staring off into space before turning and sitting down onto the bed, burying his face in his hands for a moment.

It had taken him quite a while to finally get the courage to tell Inko how he felt, not because he was afraid that she would reject him, but because he didn't want to lose her ever again. She deserved better than that. He wanted her to experience the world with him instead of being alone and afraid. He wanted her to grow up with him.

With that in mind, he made himself more comfortable on the bed, resting his head against the pillow and sighing contently before letting out a light chuckle.

This time around, he could truly start anew. This time around, he no longer needed to worry about losing her. This time around, he wouldn't have to endure the pain he felt every time someone else hurt her because he failed to protect her from harm. This time around... he wouldn't lose her again. He would make sure of it.

And that was all that mattered. Nothing else mattered.

Nothing, nothing, nothing.

Then, the bathroom door opened. Inko stepped out, dressed in a short, pink nightdress, a pair of pajama bottoms underneath and a white fluffy blanket draped across her shoulders. Her hair was already tied up into a messy bun at the top of her head, and she smiled faintly as she caught sight of Toshinori on the bed.

A few moments later, she slipped under the covers, settling into place next to him. Once she was settled, she glanced over at the blonde hero, who was looking at her affectionately. He smiled warmly as he held out a hand to her, beckoning her closer to him. Slowly, she inched closer. "Are you okay?" she questioned softly, moving closer to him until she was lying on her side next to him.

"Yes. Are you?" he replied, reaching up to caress her face softly.

She sighed contently, leaning close to his touch. "No. I'm not, but you're here with me, and that's what matters." She leaned forward until her forehead touched his. She could smell the faint scent of his cologne mixed with his own, comforting and familiar. "Besides, I can always count on you to put things right, right?"

"Absolutely," he answered with a nod. His smile widened even further. "You know I will."

"I know you will." She giggled quietly before tilting her head up slightly and pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "And I'm sure you'll find some way to help me forget my worries, won't you? After all, that's what heroes do, isn't it?"

Toshinori chuckled loudly, squeezing her tightly. "I promise, Inko," he breathed. "You will never be sad ever again."

"Good. That's good."

He kissed her forehead. "Now, let us sleep."

She leaned her head against his chest, wrapping her arms around his torso. "Okay."

They both drifted off to sleep shortly after, holding each other close. They knew that this is where they belonged. Together. They were together. That was enough for them.

As long as they remained that way, there was no doubt they would be fine.

Together.

They would be okay.