Izuku blinked up at the ceiling. It took him a moment to register that he was awake. Somewhere near him a machine beeped, but other than that it was quiet. He rolled his head to the side, his body feeling entirely too heavy. The room was dim. Even with the curtain drawn the light from the hallway lit most of the room.

He sat up, head rushing as he did. "Hey, don't get up."

Izuku was startled by the voice but relaxed when he realized it was Aizawa. He stretched in the chair he'd been dozing in before he stood and crossed the room to sit on Izuku's bed. Izuku stared at him, struggling to get his head working enough to make words. His eyes fell to his arm where an IV was in place. "Kacchan," he murmured, not completely sure why he was so worried.

Aizawa brushed back Izuku's curls and reached over to flip on the wall lamp by the bed. "He's ok, Izuku."

"What happened?" Izuku managed to ask, pointedly looking around at the hospital room. Saying so many words felt exhausting.

"The doctors gave you something to make you calm down. I'll tell you when you're more fully aware," Aizawa said. "How are you feeling?"

Izuku groaned as his head ached. "Like shit."

Aizawa smirked. "Don't doubt it. Recovery Girl will be by in the morning to heal you and the others."

"The others?" Izuku asked, turning to look at him. "Daishi's."

He nodded. "That's right. You went out to eat. Are you starting to remember?"

"Maybe," Izuku muttered, closing his eyes. "Are they ok?" He frowned as he realized he wasn't sure who 'they' were.

Aizawa seemed to see his confusion and explained, "Ashido, Kirishima, and Kaminari are fine. They had minor injuries and were sent home a few hours ago."

"What time is it?" Izuku pulled at the scratchy blanket feeling numb and heavy, but more aware.

"About two in the morning," Aizawa said, rubbing his eyes. "You've been asleep for about six hours."

Izuku frowned and closed his eyes as a dull pressure formed in his forehead. "What about Kacchan?"

"He's in recovery, but he's fine." Aizawa set his hand on top of Izuku's. "You'll get to see him in the morning after he's woken up."

Izuku laid back, fighting off sleep as his heavy lids tugged down. "What about Mic and Shinsou?" He vaguely remembered Shinsou getting hurt and Kiri taking him away.

"Hizashi's with him in recovery."

"Recovery," Izuku muttered, frowning. "How badly was he hurt?" Aizawa hesitated to answer and in those few moments a flood of memory came back to Izuku. He sucked in a sharp, startled breath and sprang up. "The gun—Dabi!"

Aizawa grabbed Izuku by the shoulders to steady him. "Easy, Izuku. Dabi's in custody and everyone is fine."

One muscle at a time, Izuku relaxed and got back to almost a steady breath. "He's in custody?" he asked, voice pitched high with disbelief.

"You knocked him out pretty good," Aizawa said with a small smirk. "We got Twice, too. Toga and Spinner escaped."

Izuku sat back trying to remember more of the fight. It was slowly coming back to him as the drug wore off. "Those bullets are quirk erasing," Izuku said quietly, staring hard at his lap as he remembered. "The effects should only last a few hours."

"You mentioned that briefly on the way to the hospital," Aizawa said, watching Izuku's face carefully. "The doctors have been running tests, but we won't know for sure until he wakes up." Aizawa shifted a hand to Izuku's hair. "How does your quirk feel? I had the doctor give you something for the migraine."

Izuku hummed in thanks and leaned into the touch. "It's. . .dull," Izuku said, blinking tiredly. "But I can tell I really pushed myself." He looked up at Aizawa. "If you and Mic are here, where's Eri?"

"We dropped her off at the dorms when we were called into the Nomu attack," Aizawa explained, withdrawing his hand. "Midnight picked her up. She'll probably bring Eri by in the morning." He sighed hard and pinched the bridge of his nose. Even in the low light, Izuku could see how tired he was. "She's really scared for you and Shinsou."

A weight settled on Izuku's chest, but he had no energy to wipe the tears away that slipping down his cheeks. "I'm sorry." His hands curled into the blanket as his ribs strained. "I've brought you nothing but trouble since you took me in—" his voice broke with a sob, muffled by Aizawa's chest.

"That's not true," Aizawa urged gently, arms wrapped around Izuku and squeezing him tight. "We love you, Izuku. You have no idea how scared we were when we saw that bolt of lightning and finally answered Kaminari." He tucked into Izuku's curls. "I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner."

Sobs racked Izuku. Maybe it was the drug still clouding his mind, but he couldn't stop the flood of tears or drawback the feeling of his chest breaking apart. He'd never cried so openly before, never clung to Aizawa so tightly.

The whole time Aizawa was silent, gently petting his hair. When Izuku's sobs trailed off to tired hiccups and whimpers, Aizawa said, "All I care about is that you're all safe."

Izuku stayed tucked against Aizawa's shoulder as he said, "Shinsou took that bullet for me." Aizawa hummed near his ear. "He'll be ok, Izuku."

"There was so much blood," he whispered, horrified at the memory, fingers curling into Aizawa's

shirt.

"Kiri told me," Aizawa said quietly with a deep breath. "Mic will text me when he wakes up."

Izuku pulled away but Aizawa kept him at a close distance. "I'm sorry you can't be with him."

"We'll switch some time tomorrow," Aizawa assured, giving Izuku's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Why don't you get some rest. We'll talk more in the morning."

Izuku wanted to argue, but his body laid back before the thought could process. He watched Aizawa turn the lamp off and go back to the recliner in the corner of the room. His breathing was loud and it soothed Izuku into a deep sleep.

"There you go," Recovery Girl said, stepping back from the bed.

Izuku straightened up with a deep breath as the aches and pains subsided. He picked at the tape on his face till he could get the bandage off and held up the small mirror on the bedside table.

"It will probably leave a scar," she said as she gathered her things. "The cut was deep and there was surrounding issue damage."

The scar was pink and stretched from his nose over his cheek to his temple. "Thank you," he said and put the mirror down.

Recovery Girl smiled at him. "The redness will fade, and it won't be so noticeable." She turned from him to leave, casting a wave over his shoulder. "Make sure you eat a big meal to replace the energy used in healing."

Izuku stood from the bed and looked down at himself. A bag of clothes sat in the recliner, left by Aizawa. He crossed the room to it.

"I take it Recovery Girl came by?"

"Yeah," Izuku said to Aizawa as he entered the room. "How's Shinsou?"

"He's awake now," he said, stopping a few feet away. "But he's still in recovery. I'll probably have you bring Eri back when he's moved to a normal room."

Izuku picked up the bag of clothes and clutched it to his chest. "What about Kacchan?" he asked, inclining his head slightly over his shoulder.

Aizawa was quiet for a few moments before he answered. "He was moved out of the ICU this morning but he's still in recovery."

"So, I won't be able to see him till later?" Izuku surmised, turning to head to the bathroom.

"That's right," he said with a small nod, eyes locked on Izuku. "Your friends are in the waiting room."

Izuku paused with his hand on the doorknob. "I lost my phone," he winced. "In the fight with Toga. I was trying to call for help and it was knocked from my hands."

Aizawa hummed in understanding. "We'll get you a new one later. Don't worry about it right now."

With the bathroom door closed, Izuku let the hospital gown pool at his feet. He was thankful for the comfortable clothes Aizawa packed. A small sigh pulled out of him as he tugged the hoodie on, he stilled, though, as he smelled smoke and sweetness clinging to the fabric. He tucked his nose into the collar, the flash of blue and orange before the explosion bright in his mind as he inhaled deeply. The fist pressed to his mouth did little to soften the sob take broke out of him.

There was a light knock at the door followed by a soft, "Izuku?"

Izuku quickly dried the tears with his sleeves and sucked in a breath before he pulled open the door. The resolve lasted a second before it crumbled apart, and his lip wobbled, and his eyes flooded to a blurry mess.

"He got hurt trying to protect me," he said against Aizawa's chest, anger rising in his voice. "They all did. And there was nothing—I wasn't strong enough!" Izuku bit down hard on his lip. "This is all my fault. I knew this would happen!"

Aizawa hugged him tighter as he tried to jerk away. "You need to calm down," he said. "Izuku, breathe."

Izuku tried but his throat was knotted up too tight. He squeezed his eyes shut, imagining Bakugo safe and sound, asleep and recovering. He was ok. That was all that mattered.

"I love him," Izuku sighed, a few more tears collecting in his eyelashes.

"I know." Aizawa dragged a soothing hand up and down Izuku's back till the hiccups and choked breaths fell away. "You're both alive, Izuku. Let that be enough right now."

Izuku pulled away and dried his eyes again. "I was going to tell you the next time I saw you," he grumbled. "This isn't how I imagined it going."

Aizawa smirked and ruffled his hair. "Go say hi to your friends. They're worried about you."

"Have you messaged Hatsume?" He dragged a hand through his hair. "I can't text her without my phone."

"I messaged her last night," he said, taking a step away. "She said she'll stop by sometime today." Izuku nodded. "Thank you." He hugged Aizawa again before leaving the room.

Mina, Kaminari, and Kirishima all stood when they saw him, but Mina got to him first. He tucked his nose into her short hair and relaxed into her embrace.

"I'm so glad you're ok," she said and pulled away, keeping him at arm's length. "How are Shinsou and Bakugo?"

"I think they're going to move Shinsou to a regular room soon," Izuku said. "Recovery Girl might stop by first, I'm not sure."

Mina nodded, eyes wide and eager. "And Bakugo?"

Izuku ignored the way his eyes stung. "He's still in recovery from surgery. Hopefully we'll get to see him soon."

"What about you?" Kiri asked, staring Izuku down. "I saw that explosion from the hospital." Izuku stared back at him for a few moments while he considered his answer. "My physical injuries

were minor. Recovery Girl was able to heal all of them this morning." He gently touched the scar on his cheek. "She said that Shinsou and Kacchan will probably take a few sessions to completely heal."

Kaminari visibly relaxed. "Dude, we've been stressed all night. I don't think I slept at all." "Aizawa said they had to give me something to knock me out," Izuku said, rubbing his head.

"Yeah, you were kinda losing it," Mina said with a wince. "Both you and Kiri were just—" she shivered, "—there was a lot of blood."

Izuku looked his friends over, noting the dark circles under their eyes. At least they'd changed and hopefully gotten a shower. "Have you guys eaten?"

"Food sounds great," Kaminari said, turning to the connecting hallway.

Izuku followed them to the cafeteria. "I lost my phone," Izuku huffed after instinctively trying to pull it from his pocket. "Can one of you text Aizawa and let him know we're going to the cafeteria?"

"I'll do it," Kami said. "Do you know when Eri will be here?"

"I'm not sure. Aizawa said Midnight would bring her by." Izuku's stomach growled as he smelled food. He hurriedly picked up a tray and piled it with food. He wondered if any of them had eaten since Daishi's given how they all dug in and didn't speak till most of it was eaten.

Izuku picked at his food, still hungry but his energy was zapped. That was until a high-pitched squeal broke through the chatter of people eating. He barely got his eyes open before he was nearly tackled from his chair. A hand from Kaminari steadied him as he caught Eri before she could fall off.

"Zuzu!" she said, grabbing his face in her hands.

"Hey, Eri," Izuku said gently, letting her turn his head for inspection. "I'm ok, I promise."

She sat back with a sniff and a pout. Midnight stopped a few feet away, breathing hard.

"You weren't running from Midnight, were you?" he asked, and her lip jutted out further.

Midnight waved it off. "She was just worried about her brothers," she said, patting Eri's curls. "Speaking of, how is Shinsou?"

Izuku pulled Eri into a hug. "We should be able to see him soon."

Eri pulled away and rubbed her eyes. "We get to see Hoshi?"

"That's right," Izuku said. "Are you hungry?"

Midnight coaxed Eri off of Izuku. "Come one, darling, let's get you something to eat." Izuku watched them walk away with a small sigh.

"Poor thing was freaked out from what Uraraka told me," Mina said quietly. "Shinsou's usually there to watch her, but both of you were gone."

"I'm. . .sorry that you guys were pulled into the fight," Izuku said, sinking into his shoulders.

"We ran back as soon as we heard the first explosion," Kiri said, his voice strained. "We never should've let you two go off alone." His shoulder drew tight. "We should've taken down those Nomu's faster."

Izuku jumped when he slammed a fist on the table, jarring the plastic trays and cups.

Kiri's eyes cut to his, sharper than he'd ever seen them. "We're your friends. We should've been there sooner."

"If I had gotten back sooner, maybe I could've prevented Hitoshi from being shot," Kaminari said, his voice warbling towards the end. "I was seconds late."

"God. . ." Mina moaned into her hands covering her face. "It was my idea to go out. If we start blaming ourselves now, we'll never stop." She dragged her hands off and took a deep breath. "It's no one's fault. They attacked us."

Izuku bit the inside of his cheek. He sat up when he noticed Midnight and Eri coming back. "Let's talk about this later." He got subtle nods in answer.

Eri clung tight to Izuku, arms wrapped around his neck as he carried her down the hallway and into Shinsou's room. Izuku set her down and watched as she gently climbed up beside Shinsou.

"I take it Recovery Girl came by?" Izuku said as Shinsou sat up with no hesitance.

Shinsou looked down sheepishly at his side. "Yeah. A little while ago. I feel much better now."

"So, you and Zuzu will get to come home today?" Eri asked, looking up at Aizawa for the answer.

He set a hand on her head. "Izuku is, but Shinsou still needs to be checked out by the doctor."

She frowned with a stern nod. "The doctor fixed you?" she asked Shinsou, her eyes wide and curious.

He smiled sheepishly. "That's right. I was hurt, but I'm ok now thanks to the doctors." Shinsou looked Izuku up and down. "You look good. You weren't hurt too bad?"

Izuku moved closer to the bed. "Nothing major," he said, shoving his guilt aside for the time being.

"Izuku," Aizawa said, just loud enough for him to hear, "Bakugo's awake. Do you want to go see him?"

Izuku opened his mouth to reply but he hesitated and looked over at Shinsou. Eri was sitting on his lap, telling him about something.

Go. I'll see you later, he said, a faint smile on his face.

Izuku nodded. I'm glad you're ok. He followed Aizawa out of the room and back down the hall to

the elevators. "It doesn't look like Eri's slept."

Aizawa's shoulders sagged. "Midnight said she didn't. She was too worried to sleep. I'm sure she'll be passed out by the time I get back." When they stepped into the elevator, he pressed a button for three floors up. "How long?"

A warmth settled on Izuku's cheeks at his fond smile. "Like three days," Izuku whined, letting his body sag. He straightened back up with a deep breath. "Wednesday, after classes."

Aizawa rested back against the elevator wall, the small smile turning smug as he crossed his arms. "Thought so." At Izuku's incredulous look, he explained, "I've known Bakugo a while now. I can tell when he's genuinely happy."

Izuku lingered when the doors opened for a moment. "He got hurt because of me." He closed his eyes; part of him thankful he didn't have the energy for tears. "I know I shouldn't be saying it's my fault, but they were after me—"

"Izuku," Aizawa said gently, "I know this is hard for you, but you did everything right. And we have Dabi in custody. He's been a wanted criminal for years." He searched Izuku's tired eyes. "I know that probably doesn't mean much right now but try to remember you're not thinking clearly at the moment. It hasn't even been a day yet."

"Right," Izuku said with a nod. He wondered if Mirko would stop by. He could use a pep talk. "What room?" He looked down either end of the joining hallway half expecting to hear shouts, but it was quiet besides the normal hospital noise.

"306," Aizawa said, glancing up at the plaque on the wall before turning left. "Should be just ahead."

The door was open and Izuku stepped in slowly afraid Bakugo might be sleeping. He relaxed when he saw Bakugo sitting up in bed and texting. Izuku looked at Aizawa when he set a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll leave you two alone," he said quietly, but it got Bakugo's attention, and he dropped the phone in his lap.

Izuku stiffened as they locked eyes, trying to remember how to breathe. Bakugo face softened into a smile. "You just gonna stand there, nerd?"

A shuttered breath passed Izuku's lips as he took a step. The moments before the explosion replayed in his head till he had his arms wrapped around Bakugo and holding him tight. Izuku jumped back when he groaned. "I'm so sorry!"

Bakugo winced and placed a hand on his side. "Recovery Girl said she'll heal the rest in a few days."

Izuku carefully reached forward and brushed his hand over the slight bulge under the hospital gown caused by the bandages. His heart stammered as he remembered the rebar spearing through his abdomen. The blood.

"Hey," Bakugo said, grabbing his arm, "you're doing that thing again, Deku."

Izuku let Bakugo pull him to the bed and sat down. "I'm sorry, I'm just worried about you." He felt a tear roll down his cheek and looked up when it was wiped away. Bakugo's hand slid further up Izuku's arm to his bicep and pulled him closer.

"I'm fine, Deku."

"But you almost weren't!" Izuku has exasperated. "You and Shinsou almost died, because of me." He pulled out of Bakugo's grip and stood. "This is all my fault, but nobody's saying it!" Izuku pulled at his hair expecting Bakugo to disagree outright, but he was quiet with a familiar contemplative pinch to his brow.

"It's not your fault, Deku," he said, almost a sigh. "But I know how you feel."

Izuku's hands dropped from his hair, and he moved back closer to the bed, but Bakugo didn't look up at him.

"It doesn't matter what anyone says, I'm the reason All Might had to retire." He met Izuku's eyes. "You couldn't control this, Deku. We kicked ass, that's all that matters."

Izuku couldn't help but smile when he crossed his arms. "Dabi's in custody," he said as he sat down. "Kiri's here, too, and Mina and Kaminari. Shinsou got moved to a regular room a couple hours ago."

"What happened to Shinsou?" Bakugo asked a note of worry in his voice.

Izuku shifted on the bed to face him more fully. "He was shot with one of the quirk erasing bullets," he said, trying desperately to not think of the blood on his hands. "It's why Kiri wasn't at the fight when you showed up, he had to carry Shinsou to the hospital." Izuku looked up when another hand wrapped around his and his eyes stung painfully. "He jumped in front of the bullet." His shoulders sagged at the memory. "God, Kacchan, there was so much blood."

Bakugo's grip tightened. "But he's fine, right?"

"Yeah," Izuku said, forcing himself to take a deep breath. "I just wish that it didn't happen."

"That would be nice," Bakugo said with a smirk, "too bad shit doesn't happen that way. Would've been great if Dabi never attacked at all." He sat back. "But that's not what happened."

"No," Izuku agreed. "I'm just glad everyone is safe now."

Bakugo frowned and tugged on the sleeve of the hoodie Izuku was wearing. "That's mine, you little shit."

Izuku blinked down at where Bakugo's hand was fisted into the fabric. "Oh, maybe it was in my room. I'm not sure where Aizawa got these clothes from." He smiled and pulled out of Bakugo's grip. "I think I'll keep it."

"The hell you will," Bakugo snapped, growling at his limited ability to move. "Damn it, Deku."

Izuku moved closer to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His grumbles died off to a huff. Izuku softened under the weight of the emotions pressing in on him. "Are you happy?" Izuku asked against Bakugo's cheek.

Bakugo turned his head till their noses were pressed against each other. "You know I am," he murmured, pushing forward till their lips brushed.

Shocks fluttered through Izuku at the brief contact. "Why?" he asked, feeling Bakugo's breath fan across his face. The corner of his mouth pulled up when a hand wrapped into the front of his hoodie.

"Because I'm about to kiss my boyfriend," Bakugo said before tugging Izuku closer.

Izuku leaned into Bakugo's other hand as it settled on the side of his face. Izuku carefully slid his hands into Bakugo's hair, careful to not put any weight on him as their lips moved together. He was determined to finish what he'd started the other night.

He pushed against Bakugo a little harder and brushed his tongue against his lip. Bakugo parted his lips with a small groan and pressed his fingertips into Izuku's cheek. Izuku slipped his tongue in and searched out the sparks in Bakugo's emotions.

Bakugo pushed against his chest, a hurried but distracted shove. Izuku fought him, whining when he got pushed away again. A moment later Izuku had a hand against his face, forcibly separating them.

He was hurt for a second before he saw the bright red blush on Bakugo's cheeks. Izuku pulled his hand down with a frown as he tried to figure out what he did that would make Bakugo blush like that. He froze as he caught a wave of shocked thoughts.

Oh no.

"Well, what is happening here?" a women's voice called from somewhere behind Izuku.

He turned to look over his shoulder at Bakugo's parents. His heart fell at the sight of Mitsuki. She looked the exact same as he remembered her, even the bright and slightly mischievous grin. Her smile faltered as she looked Izuku over.

Izuku stood from the bed, eyes plastered wide as they approached. "Hi, I'm Izu—" He was cut off by Mitsuki wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug. He relaxed into her embrace. It was just as he remembered, too.

"Izuku," she said, squeezing him. "I remember you."

He dropped his head on her shoulder and let out a shaky breath. "It's. . .been a while."

"No kidding!" she said, holding him at arm's length. "I haven't seen you since you were like eight. How are you?"

Izuku stepped away so that Masaru could get to Bakugo. "Good, I was discharged this morning." He glanced over at Bakugo. "My injuries were pretty minor."

Mitsuki's lips pressed thin, and she brushed Izuku's curls off his forehead. "I'm glad to see you're both ok. At least they got that bastard this time."

"Yeah," Izuku agreed, "it's a huge relief."

She drew her hands away and settled them on her hips. "So, how have you been, Izuku? Now that you're in the Hero Course and all over the news every couple of months."

Izuku rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. His anxiety climbed higher every moment the elephant in the room wasn't addressed. "Well, I could be doing better."

She hummed in understanding and looked at her son. "You should come home with us for dinner." Mitsuki flashed a wolfish grin. "We've been trying to get Katsuki to bring you by since you started working together with Mirko. Brat kept refusing."

Izuku looked back at Bakugo in question.

"There was no reason for you to meet him," Bakugo bit out.

Mitsuki cocked her head curiously. "Is there a reason now?" Bakugo gritted his teeth. "What the hell are you getting at, old hag?"

She smiled wider to one side. "I'd like to get to know the boy who had his tongue down my son's throat."

"Mitsuki!" Masaru scowled, a flush across his cheek.

Izuku closed his eyes and took a deliberate deep breath as his face burn, wishing deeply that he could disappear. "Three days," he whispered to himself as Bakugo and Mitsuki argued loudly a few feet away.

"I'll bring him over when I fucking want to!"

"Not when you try to get yourself killed once a year," Mitsuki shot back. "I want to get to know him now."

Bakugo strangled the air, hands smoking. "That's bullshit and you know it!"

"You two were so cute together as kids. I think I still have some pictures." She tapped her chin thoughtfully, completely ignoring Bakugo's glare with practiced ease. Her eyes flickered to Izuku, and she smirked. "You know, I always kinda thought he liked you." She grinned, clearly proud of herself. "Looks like I was right."

Izuku felt his blush heat to a new level. "Dinner sounds great," he forced out.

"Great!" Mitsuki said and spun on her heel. "I'll talk to the doctor and see when we can get you out of here."

Izuku stepped out of the car to a house he vaguely remembered from his childhood. The handful of faded memories played in his mind as he handed Bakugo his crutches

"Hey," Bakugo said, getting his attention, "you ok?"

Izuku met his red eyes and calmed down a bit, but he remembered what he'd admitted in the dorm kitchen so long ago. He wanted to ask Bakugo if that was why he hadn't brought him over, but Masaru was unlocking the front door so it would have to wait.

"Izuku, why don't you help me get dinner ready," Mitsuki said as she hung her coat up.

"I'd love to." Izuku stepped away from Bakugo to follow her into the kitchen. A nice size and clean. The exact way Bakugo kept it at the dorm. "What are you making?"

She slipped an apron on over her head and tied it in the back. "Masaru's the real cook here, but I make the best stir fry."

Izuku got the rice and other ingredients from the fridge like she asked and set them on the counter. "I hope it was no trouble you coming over for dinner tonight."

"It's not." Izuku pulled out and knife and started chopping, happy to fall into the rhythm. "Shinsou and Eri will probably fall asleep as soon as they get home anyway." He looked over to the living room where Bakugo and his dad were watching TV.

"I always wondered what happened to you," Mitsuki mused, eyes trained on what she was cooking.

Izuku watched her for a few seconds, waiting for her to continue but she didn't. "I'm sorry," he said, not knowing what else to say. He wasn't sure how to explain it to her that didn't involve

spilling years of pain. The last time he'd admitted the truth in a kitchen ended with Bakugo getting suspended for a week.

She let out a small puff of laughter. "He mentioned that you apologize a lot." Her eyes met his with a gentle warmth that made his throat close up. "I know I pick on him, but it really is good to meet you."

Izuku blinked away the tears that brimmed in his eyes. "It's good to see you again," he said quietly. "Honestly, I've missed you all these years. You were so kind to me."

Her head tilted in thought, a puzzled furrow creasing her brow. "Then how come you stopped coming over with Katsuki?"

"Well," he sighed, supposing it was better to just rip the band-aid off, "I don't have a mother." He turned back to the cutting board and scooped the peppers into a bowl. "I didn't have a family either."

Mitsuki took an audible breath before turning back to the stove. "I knew something was wrong," she said.

Izuku closed his eyes as he picked up her agitated emotions.

"I knew it," she hissed, hand tightening around the wooden spatula. "You're doing good now, right?"

Izuku waited till she looked at him before he answered. "I am. Really." "Good," she said with a small smile. "And my son is treating you well?" Izuku stiffened as he heard Bakugo scoff from the living room.

"What the hell are you talking about, old hag?"

"Kacchan's amazing," Izuku said, happy to hear Bakugo's complaints turn to grumbles. He leaned closer to Mitsuki and whispered, "Don't worry, I can beat him up blindfolded."

A laugh bubbled out of her, barely stifled by the hand pressed to her mouth. She wrapped Izuku in a hug. "Katsuki, I like this one!"

"I don't think your mom believed me when I said I can beat you up blindfolded," Izuku said as he eased Bakugo up the last step and grabbed his crutches. "Probably thinks I was exaggerating."

Bakugo smirked. "Maybe. I told them you were tough to beat with your quirk."

Izuku reached forward and opened his door for him. It wasn't much different from what he remembered as he flipped on the light. Less All Might merch scattered everywhere and no toys laying around. Some workout equipment in the corner. He smiled at the pile of blankets.

"Do you need anything?" Izuku asked as he closed the door.

Bakugo stopped at the edge of his bed and set the crutches against the nightstand. He grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and pulled it up, stopping with a curse when his side stretched.

"Let me help," Izuku said, crossing the room to him. He carefully tugged the shirt off Bakugo and tossed it in the empty basket.

Bakugo let out a painful breath as his arms lowered. "Not how I imagined the first time you undressing me going," he grumbled, gently touching his side.

"Kacchan!" Izuku scoffed, hating the mischievous look in Bakugo's eyes. Bakugo snagged Izuku's hand and pressed it to his bare chest.

"Y-You're injured," Izuku said, pulling his palm away from the unsteady beat beneath. He pulled open Bakugo's closet to find him something else to wear.

"Wasn't stopping you earlier," Bakugo pointed out casually.

Izuku froze and muttered a prayer from himself. He grabbed a shirt at random and went back to Bakugo.

He glanced at the shirt and back up to Izuku's eyes, the smirk growing. "You gonna help me put it on, nerd?"

A part of Izuku really wanted to throw it in Bakugo's face and watch him struggle but he figured this was the only way Bakugo would willingly accept help. So, he stepped closer, careful to keep this breath steady under Bakugo's intense gaze.

He tugged the clean shirt over Bakugo's head and shoulders. It was a little bigger which made his limited movement easier to deal with. Izuku pulled the shirt down his chest, letting the backs of his fingers skim Bakugo's skin.

"There," Izuku said, patting his shoulder. "Do you need tucked under the covers, too?"

Bakugo's hand snapped forward and grabbed Izuku by the jaw. "You little shit," he muttered fondly.

Izuku pushed up on his toes and gave Bakugo a quick peck on the lips. "There's actually something I wanted to ask you about."

He moved around Izuku to sit down on his bed. "About what?"

Izuku sat beside him and pulled his legs up. "You let me in your head," he said, searching Bakugo's face as he spoke. "Was that a one-time thing? I need to know."

Bakugo shifted back to rest against his pillows. His brow pinched as he thought. "Do you remember?" Izuku asked, scooting a little closer.

"I remember," Bakugo said, eyes closed. "Does it always feel like that?"

Izuku thought back to all the comments about how weird it felt to have memories pulled forward. "I guess so. It's what everyone always says." He waited for Bakugo to respond but his eyes stayed closed and Izuku worried he was falling asleep. "Kacchan?"

"It was still there when I woke up. It felt like you were in my arms but when I woke you weren't there," he said, eyes opening in a slight daze. Izuku felt his emotions shift to the prickly frustration he hadn't felt in a while. "I don't deserve you."

"Hey," Izuku snapped, leaning towards him, "that's not true."

Bakugo's eyes met his, dull and distant. "There were so many times I wanted to apologize to you,"

he started, "but then I'd see you sitting with Hatsume, and you looked so happy. . .without me. After everything I did to you, you deserved to be happy."

"Kacchan. . ." Izuku climbed over him to sit by his side. "I would've loved it if you came and talked to me. Maybe a little freaked out at first," he admitted sheepishly, "but it would've meant a lot to me regardless."

Bakugo stared at his lap as he said, "I just couldn't. Nothing I could ever say would make it alright, so each time I just turned around."

Izuku dropped his head on Bakugo's shoulder, trying to find words to say.

"Then you just showed up at that damn final and everything I knew about you was flipped on its head and I was so pissed off and frustrated and I wanted to kick your ass for lying to me." Bakugo groaned into his hand. "But as time went on, I realized I didn't know you at all and I never did, and I didn't deserve to."

"That's not true," Izuku said, sitting up and turning to him. "You don't get to decided what I deserve, Kacchan." He sucked in a sharp, thin breath. "You haven't forgiven yourself, have you?" But he knew the answer already by the way Bakugo's brow pinched.

"I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that, Deku," he said, voice distant.

Izuku sat back. "Alright," he sighed. "There are a lot of things I can't forgive myself for either, but you need to move on." He pulled Bakugo's hand into his and laced their fingers together. "You've gotten to know me and I'm here now because I want to be. It's always been you, Kacchan. It always will be you."

Bakugo tightened his hand around Izuku's, making him look up. Izuku let out a stressed sound when he saw tears in Bakugo's eyes. He reached forward to wipe them away, half expecting for Bakugo to shrug him off, but he didn't.

"I thought. . ." He clenched his jaw as his voice cracked and pulled Izuku closer. "I thought I would lose you for real this time." Bakugo tucked his head in the crook of Izuku's neck. "I was so fucking scared. And fucking Toga."

Izuku pulled back to look at him. "What happened with her? She got my blood."

"I thought you'd gotten away," he said, squeezing his eyes shut. "Figured out it wasn't you when she didn't react to me thinking and barely missed a knife to the chest. Mina showed up a little while later." He gestured to the bandage wrapped around his bicep. "She still got me pretty good."

Izuku bit down on his trembling lips and hugged Bakugo as close as he could without causing him pain. "I'm sorry, Kacchan." He ran a hand over the bandages on his arm, remembering how blood dripping off his fingers. "And your ears?"

"I'm ears are fine, Deku. "Are you sure—"

Bakugo lifted his head and found Izuku's lips. There was something different this time, Izuku realized as the kiss moved sweet and slow. A careful measure of touch and emotion. He swung a leg over Bakugo's lap and hummed happily when Bakugo's hands settled on his waist.

"You're trying to distract me," he said against Bakugo's lips.

Bakugo smiled. "Is it working?"

"Maybe," Izuku huffed before leaning back in. He brushed a thumb over the shell of Bakugo's ear and trailed kisses down his neck. Bakugo's pulse raced under his lips. "It's getting late," he murmured, forcing himself to back off.

Bakugo pulled away and looked Izuku over heatedly. "You're lucky I'm injured." Izuku grinned and kissed his cheek.