The time spent in the institution went by quickly - his friends would always cheer him up whenever he got stuck in a dark spot in his mind. Akita stuck by his side, and always had something to say; she would make him either feel like he's safe, wrapped in familial love, or make him clutch his sides when he laughed so much he could hardly breathe. She would also always be there if he needed a shoulder to cry on.

He wasn't all that fond of working with Dr. Shishiki due to her rigid attitude, but he realized the sooner he worked with her instead of against her, the sooner he could go back to his normal life. She became the warden of his mind where she built him back up, even if her mannerisms made him think of an emotionless mannequin.

His mother would visit every now and then, and he felt that when they worked together with Dr. Shishiki, the gap between them shrank. He doesn't forgive her yet for neglecting him, but it was getting better each session. She had just as much to work through as he did, and he was grateful that she was willing to be there for him now.

During one visit with her, she had explained that when he got out she would bring him to Tokyo with her because she got an offer to work there. She explained that because the salary was better, she would help him with whatever he decided he wanted to do next with his life. He assured her that he didn't expect her to help with everything, but he would definitely give it some thought.

Each session that went by, he felt himself getting better. Sure, it didn't take away what had hurt him, and he would never forget what he went through, but it got easier to face his past in ways he never thought he would be able to. It also helped that the renewed connection with his mother and the friends he had made here definitely helped reduce the pain. They promised to keep in touch after they had left the facility.

He was there for about seven months. By then his friends had left, and he was finally leaving himself. When his mother picked him up, she prattled in his ear about Tokyo and her job there. She explained how she had researched schools for him, finding options that ranged from on-campus to home schooling, and even tutoring as well. He eventually settled on homeschooling, not yet ready to face the world, and not sure what would happen if people found out that he had been in an institution.

The drive to his new home took about 3 hours and he was tired, unwilling to unpack his room yet. His mom had said that she didn't want to mess with his stuff and thought it would be best that he set it up himself. At least his mother had set up his bed for him, so the first night he slept in a makeshift nest on his bed with the materials he brought from the institution, ignoring all the boxes standing in his room.

The next morning after breakfast, he decided to tackle his room. He unpacked boxes, put stale clothes and nesting items in the laundry from how long they were sitting in a box, and set up his desk and computer. When he came across his hero merchandise collection, he felt a pang of grief run through him. He had given up on being a hero, it just hurt too much to think about what he went through, and the thought of being surrounded with his collection made him remember all the bad memories that came along with the dream he had given up.

He left it all in the boxes and carried them all downstairs to ask his mother where he could dispose of stuff.

"Izuku sweetheart, why would you want to throw that away? Did I break something?" She stood by the entryway of the kitchen, a look of remorse on her face, her scent coming out slightly sour.

"No mom, I just think it's best to put the past behind me. I don't exactly have good thoughts when I look at it." He couldn't help but shuffle his feet nervously, worried that his mother would try to convince him to keep it.

"Oh baby, I'm sorry you feel that way." She stepped forward, pulling the box from his hands and setting it down on the floor before pulling him into a hug. "If you feel that is what is best for you, then do it."

He returned the hug, nuzzling into her neck like he used to do when he was still a pup. "Thanks mom."

"Oh you don't need to thank me honey, I should have been there for you a lot sooner. I'm sorry I wasn't." She rubbed his back soothingly, letting her calming scent wash over her son.

He tightened the hug before letting go, wiping a stray tear from his eye to see her do the same.

"But Izuku honey, I don't think you should throw it away, wouldn't it be better to donate it? It would be for a good cause, because that way you would be doing what you feel is right and maybe helping others."

After giving it a moment to think about it, he decided she had a good idea. "Yeah mom, that sounds better. Where would I go to donate it?"

"Oh don't worry about that, just leave it all in the hallway closet. When the donation drive comes to my work again next week, I'll hand it to them." With that she patted his cheek gently and turned to the kitchen. "Lunch is just about done, how about you take a break and sit with me."

After they had lunch together, he returned to his room in order to fetch the rest of the merchandise, storing them in the closet for the meantime.

The following week he was busy looking through schools while on the phone with Akita.

"Well I know the program is extensive, but I don't think I'll get in because of the fact that I am so far behind, but honestly I just want to go to a normal school. I just want to feel normal again. My parents have been coddling me since I got back home," came the exasperated voice from over the phone.

Izuku was sitting at his desk, looking through different schools on the computer. "I know how that feels. Ever since I came back, my mom barely leaves me alone when she isn't at work." He let out a sigh from his nose. "At least we'll get some reprieve once we start school again."

There was a soft snort from the phone's speaker. "Yeah definitely, and I cannot wait. If I have to hear my sister sing one more song from that kids show, I will go mad." The comment made him laugh. "Hey! Don't laugh at my torture!"

He covered his mouth to stifle his laughter, and once he calmed down he replied. "Sorry Akita, but I mean, it is funny. But let's change the subject, have you decided which school you are going to?"

The sound of someone falling back on something soft was heard. "Nope, I have no idea. I also have no idea what I want to do once I am done with school."

"Then why not go to a general school where they cover most of the basics and you can decide from there? That's what I'm going to do."

"You also have no idea? Oh boy does it suck. Maybe we can go to the same school since we live so close to each other."

Izuku sat there, thinking for a moment. He originally wanted to do homeschooling so as to not overwhelm himself. He didn't want the past to repeat itself, but going to a new school with a familiar face versus going to a new school knowing no-one... Maybe it would be okay, because this time he had a friend. "You know what, maybe I'll look for a general school between our locations, I'll let you know when or if I find one."

"Wait! Seriously?" Her voice was excited. "You actually want to go to the same school as me?"

He felt a blush creep up his neck. "Well it would be nice to go to a new school with a familiar face. Better than not knowing nobody."

"Oh my god! Zuzu! I love you too!" She was squealing in joy.

"Yeah yeah, calm down before you get stuck out of your body again."

"Hey! At least I'm excited about it! I get to go to school with my best friend!" The giggles made him roll his eyes in fond exasperation.

He heard his mother call for him from downstairs. "Sorry, gotta go, I think mom is done with supper."

"Give mama Inko a hug and a kiss from me! And tell her I miss her miso soup!"

He snorted. "Trust you to think with your stomach. I'll tell her. Bye."

"Bye bye bunny!"

With that he ended the call and made his way downstairs, heading to the kitchen when he didn't see her in the living room.

"Hey mom, you called?"

His mom turned around from the stove to smile at him. "Yes honey, food is almost done, would you mind getting the bowls down and serve the rice for me? I made your favorite." She turned back to watching the food cook.

His mouth watered at the thought of katsudon. "You're the best mom, you know that right?"

Inko scoffed. "Flattery will not get you extra sauce, I only made enough for two."

When he placed the bowls on the counter after getting them from the cupboard, he dished up rice into the bowls. He peeked from behind his mom to watch her cook. "That's okay mom, you still make the best katsudon ever."

"Thank you Izuku. Is the rice in the bowls?"

"Yep, shall I put the pork in?"

"Yes please dear, and also the egg as well if you don't mind."

He got busy loading the dishes as asked. "Hey mom?"

Not looking away from the stove, Inko hummed. "Yes dear?"

"Would it be okay if I went to general school? I'm not sure what I want to do when I'm done with school yet."

She removed the saucepan from the stove to dribble the sauce over the crispy pork and rice. "I don't see why not. You still have plenty of time to decide what you want to do. Besides, that's what college is for, you can do specialized courses there."

He frowned at her words. "College? We can't afford college."

She gave him an incredulous look. "Izuku, you are a brilliant boy, you were always amongst the top ten in school, and with your marks, I know very well that you'll end up with a scholarship. However, if in case you don't, which I very much doubt, I have been putting away money for you ever since the day you were born, I'm sure that will be able to cover it."

He felt blown away. His mom had been saving money for him for years to help with schooling. Maybe she hadn't completely neglected him in the past. He stepped forward and hugged her tightly. "Thank you mom."

She pulled her arm back to avoid the pan from burning him. "Careful Izuku! I almost burnt you!"

Later after eating, he found two schools that fit the criteria he was looking for and sent the information to Akita, asking her if one of the two caught her attention. Once he gets feedback on which school she liked, he would apply for it. He knew he was going to be a year behind when he started school again, but he was okay with that.

He wanted to use the rest of the time before school started to get what he could done. He knew he still had a long way to go before he could completely move on from the past, and he was grateful that his mother wasn't pushing him. She was finally there for him the way he always wanted her to be when he was younger.

Him and his mother were spending more time together thanks to her new job not overworking her as much as the last one did, and with her newfound determination to be active in her son's life. There were a few days they sat together discussing what his next plan was. He never let go of the dream to help people, but he didn't want to be a hero anymore. She explained how there are many jobs out there where he could help those in need, such as a lawyer, policeman, or doctor.

She suggested he get an aptitude test done to see which would suit him better, so he went online to do some research and decided on medicine as a career path. His mother was ecstatic with the decision, telling him how maybe they could even end up working in the same hospital. The thought somewhat made him cringe, not sure that working with her was such a good idea, but then maybe he needed it.

When school finally started in the new year, he felt a bit more stable than he did when he left the institution. He didn't really make friends at the new school but Akita made many, and he was fine with that. He didn't feel ready to be part of a friend group. He would often talk to his 3 closest friends he made at the Omega institution in a group chat, they were more than enough for him. The four of them swapped stories of what was happening in their lives, how school was going and whatever gossip that was running the mill. Akita was the closest to him, and he would always confide in her what he couldn't to the others.

The years seemed to pass by in a leisurely manner, as he slowly healed. He would never be more grateful than he was for having such wonderful people in his life.

It had been a few years at this point, having finished high school at the age of 19, then getting the scholarship his mother was adamant he would get. Of course, she wasn't smug about it, but she did say "I told you so." To which he could only shake his head in amusement. After that, it took him years to get his baccalaureate degree, then 4 years of medical school, and it takes 5 years for general surgery residency which he was currently busy with 3 years in. At the age of 30, he had only focused on his career, mother and his 3 best friends. He hadn't much else in his life - maybe gained a few more friends that he appreciated, but he didn't always have time for them, let alone hobbies and such.

Izuku had just slumped into his apartment after a 36-hour shift, dragging his feet through the small entryway and he crashed onto the couch with a grunt, not even bothering to peel off his shoes.

His shift had started as a 12-hour one, as usual, however, one of the other ER surgeons got hit with a quirk and had to be sent home because it's not really wise to work when you can see sound in color.

Izuku moaned with his face smooshed into the small cushion as his back decompressed from the work tension. He had come to have a love-hate relationship with his job.

Sure, he loved helping people, saving lives from the brink of death, putting smiles on little kids faces, and his colleagues were okay, but it was just as draining. Sometimes you lose a patient, those days were especially hard.

For every 1 life he lost, it took so much more out of him than what saving 10 lives put in him. Some days he would sit alone in the dark of his apartment after his shift-staring at nothing and berating himself for not being able to save the people that were supposed to be under his care. If only he had been a little faster, if only he found the problems before it was too late, if only his hands wouldn't shake knowing it might be their last few minutes. His job took much more than it gave but Izuku was okay with that, he knew what he was getting into and wouldn't give it up for anything.

Just as he was about to fall asleep with his face still squished into the couch, he heard his doorbell ring. With a groan, he pulled his face up from the cushion and looked over his shoulder at the door.

He had no idea who would be bothering him at this hour of the evening and was contemplating ignoring it until he heard the bell again.

With a heavy sigh, he pushed himself up and stood. "I'm coming!" Dragging his feet yet again as he made his way to the door, he opened it with the intention to ask whoever this was to kindly leave.

However, a very sweet yet tangy scent of lemons and jasmine hit his nose before his eyes landed on bright blond hair. "Hey Mido!"

Izuku sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Denki. How many times do I have to tell you to wear scent patches?"

"Huh?" The electric user quickly brought up a hand to feel the nape of his neck. "Oh man! Sorry bro! I broke my nose two days ago and can't smell anything while it's healing." He shrugged apologetically. "Got a spare one for me?"

Sighing once again Izuku stepped aside to let Denki in, closing the door behind him. "Yeah, just let me go fetch one before you come inside any further. Rein it in while I do that." He walked towards his bedroom to fetch said patch and without looking back at Denki he shouts, "Holding your breath does not rein it in!"

After grabbing a patch from the medicine cabinet in his own bathroom, he comes back to Denki and hands it over. "So what brings you here? I just got back from a long shift and don't want the Hero Commission breathing down my neck again."

After applying the patch he walked towards the couch with Izuku and they both sat down. "Ah no... I actually need to ask you something really important." He fidgets in his seat looking at Izuku with a worried expression.

Izuku feels himself become more alert and shifts closer, pulling Denki's hands into his. "You know you can ask me anything, Denks. Please tell me what's happening."

Denki takes a deep breath, "I would like for you to be my birthing omega."

He blinks very slowly while Denki smiles, allowing the request to register in his mind. Birthing omega? Birthing omega?! Birthing omega! His eyes shoot wide open and with a huge smile he shouts, "You're pregnant!?"

The blonde nods vigorously, giggling all the while. "Yes! I found out last week at my yearly health check-up. I didn't know until my doctor told me after asking a few weird questions and doing a test. I'm only 6 weeks along."

Izuku pulls him into a hug and Denki gives him a gentle squeeze in return. "Oh my gosh, I'm so excited for you!" He pulls back and holds his hands firmly again. "What did Hitoshi say? Does anyone else know?"

"Hitoshi is very excited, he wanted to tell everyone immediately but I had to stop him. Only you and Hitoshi know, for now. I'm waiting for my scent to change and see who figures it out at the next get-together at our place. We have bets to see who will notice first." He shakes Izuku's hands. "You haven't given me an answer by the way. What do you say? Do you want to?"

He looks down at their hands with a sad smile. "Are you sure you want to be asking me? I'm not exactly the closest to you. I'm not even family for that matter." He felt like the blond may have been making a mistake, to be asking a broken omega like himself. He had a pack with members better suited for the role.

Denki shakes his hands again, gaining the others' attention again. "Izu, you might not want to be part of a pack, especially mine and I understand why, I really do, but even with that, I still trust you wholeheartedly. You're my best friend and the second closest person to my heart." He then giggles. "Well maybe third now, seeing as the pup will be first now, Hitoshi second and I can't exactly ask them to be my birthing omega now, can I? I want you to be my birthing omega because I trust you with that role. Please?"

Looking into his eyes, his vision blurring with tears threatening to fall. He wished he could see himself in the same light that his friend does. His heart lightened at his words, he didn't have many people he felt such a close connection with. Didn't trust anyone else to get closer to him and even if he did he wouldn't allow himself to get close to anyone else. He hopes he can prove Denki's words true. "I would be honored to be your birthing omega Denks. Nothing would make me happier."

Denki laughs happily as he hugs Izuku with excitement. They continue to chatter amongst themselves with plans during the pregnancy, birth, nursery, and other things. Both feeling content with each other's company.

After saying their goodbyes at the door, Izuku went about his night-time routine, brushing his teeth, washing his face and peeling off his scent patch, and got ready for bed. He sighed as his scent of honeysuckle and cedar seeped out, relaxing him. After laying in his nest and getting comfortable, he found it difficult to fall asleep now that he was so excited for his best friend - even with exhaustion pulling at his mind and limbs. He kept thinking about what he would get as gifts, and about planning a baby shower once everyone else found out.

He couldn't wait till the pup was introduced to the world, he vowed to spoil them rotten. Maybe even get the pup some toys he knew would irritate his sire and dam. He giggled and squealed into his pillows, imagining the looks he would get for that.

He felt a pang in his heart. Would he ever be able to have what they have? He was doubtful of that, seeing as he was quirkless. Who would want a quirkless omega for a mate, especially if there was a risk of giving birth to a quirkless pup?

His best friend might not be biased against the quirkless, but he was one in very few who thought that way. Quirkist views are still a problem in their society. The only reason he was able to find a job at his current hospital was because of his mother's connections. No one wanted to hire a quirkless surgeon, it didn't matter how many Ph.D.'s he had.

He shook his face against the pillows trying to rid himself of those thoughts. It's fine if he doesn't have that in life - he still has a fulfilling job, completing his residency, his mother, and close friends. He had enough, it would have to be enough. Because if it wasn't… Izuku didn't have anything else to save him.

He settled further into his nest and forced himself to think of his best friend and the pup, allowing himself to drift off into slumber.