*Authors Note*
I am so sorry for the fans of this story, this chapter has been in development hell, having been rewritten several times. Thank you to everyone for all your support I appreciate it.
Ochaco slowly woke to the morning rays of the sun peaking through the window of her and Izuku's private suite. Never in her life did she imagine waking up in paradise in bed next to the man she was in love with; while that was not true, her fantasy was to do so on her honeymoon, and after this experience, she was going to do whatever she had to, to make that come true.
They had arrived yesterday, greeted by hula dancers upon arriving at the resort, the lovely all-inclusive resort booked for Inko and Alex's wedding. She was expecting to have to try and sneak time to fulfill another of her fantasies about being in Hawaii, but when they were given the key to their room, there would be no sneaking off necessary. It had been so good to relax and enjoy the afternoon, a sumptuous five-course dinner, some entertainment, and then off to bed.
Both a little tired and jet lagged from the time difference, they made their way to bed early to enjoy themselves as two young lovers would, and Ochaco enjoyed herself. She looked over at Izuku, admiring the slight grin still on his face that assured her she had indeed done her job. Making her way over to the shower, she prepared for the day.
Izuku awoke to the sound of the shower, his hand instinctively reaching out for Ochaco, his mind putting together the information of where he had been the night before and who was in the shower. Eventually, the call of nature won out. He went to get out of bed, instinctively reaching for clothes but realizing they weren't needed; he ultimately joined the woman he loved in the shower. Still satisfied, they managed to keep their primitive instincts in check. They got ready for the day in time for Inko to message them to see if they were awake.
As they went down for breakfast, Mina and Ejiro joined them in the elevator. The four friends were laughing and talking about their plans for the day; after they had some wedding obligations to fulfill, they decided that the beach for the afternoon would be their goal, with rehearsal dinner in the evening.
The breakfast turned out to be a large affair as many of the guests from Alex's side were there, meaning that Izuku and Ochaco were introduced to everyone, along with explanations of their relationship to the groom. The one thing that Izuku never expected was to meet Alex's parents, who, in turn, would become his grandparents via marriage.
Alex's father, Hito, was a lively jokester who had Ochaco and him laughing the entire time. His wife, Miriko, would chastise him, which would settle him down for a moment, but the second she was distracted, he would start again with jokes. The two seemed very interested in getting to know the young couple, inquiring about their interests and how life was living together. It seemed like they were taking the role of grandparents very seriously. Izuku, who had never had grandparents, found it rather pleasant; for Ochaco, it reminded her grandparents and made her resolve to call them later.
They are making a real effort to get to know you.
They are, it's nice. I never considered how this would add more members to our family.
Having in-laws doesn't always mean you will get along, but sometimes it works out well. I was very close with my second wife's family, and we kept in contact even after she passed. I am willing to bet Alex stressed your importance to his parents. Also, I think Hito has been waiting for a grandchild of some sort, and now that he has one already made, he wants to get to know him.
He seems nice, and Miriko as well.
Enjoy it for what it is; if they want to try, you should do the same. Family comes in all forms. Remember that.
I do; Mina isn't just my friend. She is my sister, and Ejiro is my brother.
-The Beach-
Izuku was blown away when Ochaco emerged from the changing room in her new bikini; it was a black two-piece that was just amazing. She giggled at her lover as she reached over and closed his mouth.
"I am glad I can still impress you even after you have seen me naked." She said, a devilish smirk on her face.
"Hey, what about me?" Mina pouted, emerging a white number.
"You look great," Izuku said as his arm slipped around Ochaco.
The foursome made their way down to the water; as the resort had a private beachfront, it wasn't very crowded, so they could enjoy themselves, and Izuku was concerned about being bare-chested. He knew it would bother others and didn't want to engage in awkward conversations with the other wedding guests. But he quickly had forgotten about that with Ochaco coming out in her bathing suit and his friend's joyful attitude.
-The Wedding-
Inko stood gazing at herself in her wedding gown, trying to control her emotions. Ochaco and Mina stepped out in their gowns as she sat, allowing Izuku to come in.
"Mom, you look amazing," He said.
"Thank you, Izuku," she responded, patting the cushion beside her, "I am so nervous."
"Don't be mom, you deserve to be happy, and Alex makes you happy."
"I know, dear, but there is so much change. You and Ochaco moving out, the entrance exam, and my wedding. It just has been big event after big event. And after today, soon you will start U.A., Alex and I will be moving out of the house…"
"We are all just starting new lives, but I know you will be there if I need you," Izuku said.
"And you will be there if I need you," she responded.
"With a smile."
"Let me talk to him." She said.
Izuku took his mother's hand, the green light dancing from his fingertips to hers.
Mr. Tracy: Before we get into whatever you want to discuss, you look terrific, Inko.
Inko: Thank you, Christopher; please keep watching him. I know you wouldn't stop, but I need to hear it. I am going to be so far away and….
Mr. Tracy: I promise, Inko; I know I may be a voice in his head, but I will do all I can to keep our boy safe.
Inko: You are so much more than a voice; you are his father. More so than anyone else. Remember that.
Mr. Tracy: Thank you, Inko; I am thankful for this opportunity, regardless of how strange it all came to be. Now get married.
Inko: Yes, that sounds like a brilliant plan.
The ceremony was lovely; Izuku was the best man, and Ochaco was the maid of honor. Through a miracle that would be questioned for decades, neither Inko nor Izuku cried during the ceremony. Once they kissed to seal the ceremony, Izuku smiled at the joy on his mother's face as she walked down the aisle. Stepping forward, he extended his arm for Ochaco; they walked down the aisle together.
"I want to get married in Hawaii," she leaned over and whispered.
"I will get married anywhere you want; all that matters to me is that you and our families are there." He responded. "Now we just need not to mess up our speeches." He added.
"Don't remind me," she said; public speaking and Ochaco did not mix.
-The Reception-
It was a party. There was so much fun, laughter, and love. Izuku marveled at seeing how in love his mother and Alex were, how they gazed at each other. It was just beautiful to see. Ochaco made it through her speech perfectly, and he managed not to mess up his, though he did bring himself and his mother to tears.
As Inko and Alex did their first dance, Izuku sat back with a small smile, watching how happy his mother looked on the dance floor.
"Penny, for your thoughts?" Mina said, sitting beside him with Eijiro in tow.
"She just looks so happy," Izuku said. "I always wanted her to be happy, and I know she was at times, but to see her in love and someone returning that love is just special."
"It is," Eijiro said. "Seeing Momma Inko out there is just awesome. The move was huge, the test crazy, but this is just another change to our lives. Imagine how crazy things will get once we get into U.A."
"Doesn't matter," Ochaco chimed in. "We have each other; life may get crazy, but as long as we have each other, it won't matter because we can face it together."
"Damn right, nothing can stop us," Mina said, wrapping her arms around Izuku and Eijiro.
It is a much easier road to walk when you are not alone.
I wondered where you were.
Just watching, letting you enjoy the day and spend time with the others.
You have been doing that a lot lately. Is everything OK?
Yes, son. Now get ready. You and Ochaco are up to dance.
-Other World-
"Are you not going to tell him?" Nana said.
"When the time comes," Mr. Tracy replied. "I knew I wouldn't be around forever, but telling him I am fading is hard. I have been preparing him the best I can for life without me, and I think he will be okay."
"No one is ever ready for the loss of their parent," Nana added.
"That is true," he replied. "It is never easy to say goodbye. Eventually, we all have to. I want to watch over him more; it will be up to you and the rest."
"You have left some large shoes to fill," she hugged him.
"Not bad for a guy without a quirk, huh?"
"No, not bad at all."
-Hotel-
The group sat by the pool, staring at the beautiful night sky.
"Izuku, I love you," Ochaco said out of nowhere. "I love you too, Mina, and you Eijiro."
"I love you too, baby; what brought that on," Izuku said.
"Tomorrow." She said.
"As in, we never know what tomorrow will bring?" Mina said.
"Yup," she said.
"Then every day we should say it," Eijiro said. "I love you all."
"I love you guys, too," Mina said.
"I love you all lots," Izuku said at the end.
"WE LOVE YOU TOO DAD/MR. TRACY," they all said.
I love you kids, too.
"He said he loves us too," Izuku said.
-Inko-
Paradise was exactly that for the group: paradise. The morning following the wedding was tearful as Inko hugged the group, crying and giving advice. She held on to them in her classic hug, bringing tears to many of their eyes. Ochaco was in tears, but not nearly as bad as Izuku. It wasn't a final goodbye, but it was that definite parting of ways.
Inko was going off on her honeymoon to a new home, while Izuku had just moved into his place and was about to embark on the journey to be a hero. While they could look forward and plan for holidays, it wasn't even close to what they had. It had just been the two of them; Mr. Tracy had been the addition that sent their lives into the unknown direction. The Mina, Eijiro, Ochaco, and Alex had all become family. Now, she was going to be starting a new chapter.
She knew holidays wouldn't be enough and was telling him so; she wanted multiple calls a week; she extracted promises from all of them to call and message her. It took gentle coaxing from Izuku and Alex to finally get her to let go so they could make their flight.
Alex walked over and pressed a credit card into Izuku's hand. "It has a 1.5 limit. Have as much fun as you want till you guys go home, and then I was hoping you could put it away for emergencies. The kind you don't want to talk to your mom about. I know they will come up, and I want you to know if you need it or me, I am here…son." He said the last part softly. You are testing it, floating it out there.
"Thanks, Dad," Izuku said. The tears from Inko as she grabbed onto them almost caused them to miss their flight.
They stood there watching the flight taxi to the runway and take flight before they made to leave.
"So we have two more days in paradise," Mina said, throwing her arms around Eijiro and Ochaco. "How much trouble can we possibly get in."
"We have a credit card with a 1.5 million yen limit; our hotel is all-inclusive. Does anyone want to take a helicopter tour?" Izuku said, holding up the card.
"Are you serious?" Ochaco sputtered. "How are we going to pay it off?"
"Alex told me to make sure we have as much fun as possible, and this was on him," Izuku said. "I don't want to go crazy, but let's do some things we will never forget."
"Whale watching?" Mina threw out there.
"I would love to do one of the sunset boat rides where they serve dinner and stuff," Ochaco added.
"Scuba diving," Eijiro said with a smile.
"Let's go make memories and take lots of pictures for my mom and dad," Izuku said as they exited the airport.
-The Night Before They Leave-
Ochaco was a blustering, blushing mess as she followed behind her boyfriend. It had been her idea, but she didn't expect him to go along. They went down the beach and passed through the cave to the secluded cove. There was the pond like she had heard, the moonlight passing down from openings in the ceilings. It was beautiful. It was like something out of a movie.
She let loose a quiet eep when Izuku pulled her to him and carried her into the water, his mouth going to her neck. Her nerves quickly dissipated as she moved away from an opening to a place that provided some cover in case anyone showed up.
Once her bikini top was off and laid over a rock, she didn't care anymore. She was naked and breathless as she felt him start to slide into her from behind; the thrill of it all quickly brought them both to climax.
Thankfully, they were both young and could make a few more fantasies come true in their private grotto.
-Home-
They arrived back at the condo, tanned and completely nervous. They had collected their mail from the concierge, and there was a single, large white envelope, marked as being from the U.A. They all set their bags in their rooms before returning to stand around the kitchen island, staring at the envelope.
Staring at the envelope isn't going to make it open.
I know that.
Do you? You all seem to be of the same thought that if you do so, it will magically reveal its secrets. It may work in an interrogation but not with inanimate objects.
What if we didn't make it? Or what if one of us didn't make it?
I highly doubt they would have sent one envelope if one of you hadn't gotten in.
THEN WE ALL DIDN'T MAKE IT.
Son? You all made it; you all will follow your dreams now. Either you open it, or I will fill your mind with the most horrendous images you may have to find a new brain.
I do not even want to know. Stop. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.
Izuku opened the envelope, spilling the contents onto the counter; four more envelopes, each marked for one of them, and one halo projector. Mina closed her eyes and quickly reached out and touched the play button before jumping back like it was about to explode. Suddenly, All-Might's visage came to life. He was sitting behind a large ornate oak desk, smiling.
"GREETINGS YOUNG ONES, IT IS I ALL-MIGHT," the hero beamed. "I HAVE MUCH TO SAY, SO INSTEAD OF BEING PRESSED FOR TIME, I SAVED YOU FOUR FOR LAST AND PUT IT ON ONE DISK. NO THEATRICS, NO SUSPENSE, YOU ALL PASSED REMARKABLY SO. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU PUSHED BEYOND TAPING INTO THE POWER INSIDE. THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE STAFF WERE BLOWN AWAY WITH NOT ONLY YOUR QUIRK USAGES BUT YOUR DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS."
The images shifted to scenes of the test of each of them fighting robots and taking time to help others. Images of Izuku and Kyoka fighting together, him stopping to help the blonde boy clutching his stomach, and then encountering the Zero pointer. Mina aided Toru and the duo fighting as a team, wading through the robots, and then Mina and her massive acid spike took out the Zero Pointer.
Eijiro and Tetsu show teamwork, and Eijiro using his shields to help everyone all over the grounds, saving the people when the Zero pointer malfunctioned. The feed showed Ochaco in the waiting area, her power coming up around her and explosive dash into the grounds, the robots being yanked in her wank then the ease with which she destroyed 26 robots in one swoop, it cut to the Zero Pointer and Star Fall attack ending the robots functions. Her friends looked at her in shock as she blushed.
"WORDS DO NOT DO WHAT WAS SHOWN JUSTICE. ALL OF YOU HAVE NOT ONLY EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS BUT MADE ME WISH I COULD HAVE SHARED MY GIFT WITH YOU ALL. IT SEEMS, IN A WAY, I HAVE. ALL OF YOU PASSED YOUR WRITTEN EXAM WITH FLYING COLORS. IZUKU, YOU PLACED SECOND, ONLY COMING BEHIND ONE OF THE RECOMMEND STUDENTS. THOUGH YOU PLACED 1ST IN THE PRACTICAL EXAM. MY DEAR OCHACO, YOU CAME IN 5TH AND 2ND RESPECTIVELY. MINA 11TH AND 3RD. EIJIRO 12TH AND 4TH WITH A NEW RECORD FOR RESCUE POINTS OF 62. OCHACO, YOU SET A NEW RECORD FOR VILLAIN POINTS WITH 132. THE FOUR OF YOU TOOK THE TOP SPOTS IN THE PRACTICAL EXAM I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD." ALL MIGHT LOOKED TO THE SIDE.
"THEY ARE TELLING ME TO WRAP IT UP, BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU ALL THAT I WILL BE SEEING YOU SOON SO WE CAN GO OUT TO CELEBRATE AND WELCOME TO YOUR HERO ACADEMIA" The camera lingered for a moment; they saw the hero form drop the skeletal version, he appeared to be talking to someone off camera.
"There was a time I may have dreaded having to step away, but let me tell you, even if it was just these four, I would retire and be content knowing it would all be all right. But knowing that they will inspire not only their class but all the students, I know that once they graduate, the world will never be safer." All-Might smiled. "I could have done things better at different times in my life, but not with them, not with them." The feed went dead, and the sphere popped and began to melt.
The four started yelling and hugging each other; soon, they tore open their packets and began again as they saw they were all in the same class.
Damn fine job, kids, damn fine.
The celebration would last long into the night.
-Katsuki Bakugo-
His father had been the one to hand him the letter; without a word, he hugged his dad and walked out to the living room to see his mother standing by the door with the car keys in his hand. Silently, they exited the house and climbed into the car together; the ride was in silence, and neither of them spoke. Katsuki stared out the window, his gaze more to the sky as his mind wandered.
They arrived at the cemetery. She placed the car in park and squeezed his leg. "Do you want me to wait?"
"Yes, please," he said quietly. He exited the car, went to the trunk, grabbed a small bag, and began the walk, not looking for landmarks or even up from the ground. His legs knew where they were taking him. He stopped to fill the buck with water before continuing his journey.
His legs stopped on their own in front of his destination; he stood there gathering himself before he turned and faced the grave.
"Hello, Suijin," he said softly. "Sorry, I didn't bring any flowers today, but my letter from the U.A. arrived. I wanted to open it with you. I saw him at the exam, and I managed to talk to him, but it didn't go smoothly. He said we could at least talk if we got into the U.A. I had to score in the top twenty to even get in after my record. They were very clear on that." He set the bucket down and opened the bag, removing a clean towel. Carefully, as if it was made of something far more fragile than granite, he poured the water over the top.
"I am sure he made it in if his friend is anything to go buy. She destroyed the practical exam; it was impressive." He began his cleaning ritual. "I will open it soon; I must clean this thing up first. I hope I am making you proud. I would trade getting in to have you back."
After cleaning the stone, he returned to the bag and pulled out a polishing liquid and a different towel. "Almost out. I need to buy some more," he muttered. He went to work polishing the marker, making sure that not a single spot was missed. He worked silently; once done, he lit the incense and lifted his head to the sky, wondering if she could see him. He opened the envelope, pulled the halo projector from the packet, and set it on the altar.
He pressed play as the visage of All-Might appeared.
"GREETING, YOUNG BAKUGO, AS PER THE AGREEMENT YOU SIGNED, YOU HAD TO PLACE IN THE TOP TWENTY OF THE PRACTICAL EXAM, THE TOP 10% ON THE WRITTEN, AND HAD TO PASS A SPECIALIZED INTERVIEW. FIRST, YOU PASSED THE INTERVIEW AND EXAM WELL WITHIN THE PARAMETERS. I AM PLEASED ALSO TO INFORM YOU THAT YOU SCORED 5TH ON THE PRACTICAL EXAM, MEANING YOU HAVE PASSED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND ARE HERBY WELCOMED TO YOUR HERO ACADEMIA." THE HERO LEANED FORWARD.
"I WANT TO GET ALL THAT OUT OF THE WAY AND NOT DRAW IT OUT SO I COULD TAKE THE TIME TO SPEAK TO YOU. YOUNG BAKUGO, MOST WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP WITH THE MARK PLACED ON YOUR RECORD. BUT YOU TOOK THE SECOND CHANCE YOU WERE GIVEN AND HAVE TAKEN GREAT STRIDES TO NOT ONLY IMPROVE YOURSELF BUT TO SET A BETTER EXAMPLE FOR THOSE THAT MAY HAVE STUMBLED DOWN THE PATH OF LIFE. THROUGH YOU HAVE FOUND THAT THEY CAN FIND THEIR WAY AGAIN." ALL-MIGHT SMILED SOFTLEY.
"THOUGH YOUR PATH TO U.A. WAS NOT THE ONE YOU ENVISIONED, I AM SURE YOU CAN NOW SEE THAT YOU ARE STEP CLOSER ON THE PATH TO YOUR GOAL. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN HEROIC CLASS, YOUNG BAKUGO AND ONCE AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS." The sphere went dead, and he heard a pop inside, signaling it was disabled.
"I made it in Suijin," he said, placing his hand on the marker. "One step closer; I promise I will be a hero you can be proud of. I promise I will come to visit soon and won't forget the flowers this time."