Hey, guys. BD is back with another installment of "Last Bullhead to Musutafu." In this chapter, Izuku tries to weigh his emotions between Ruby and his well-being. As he ponders his emotions, he encounters a surprise guest. Enjoy!

Izuku poured out his heart. Wasn't sure if it was somewhere in the toilet or trailing from the hallway into the bathroom. His heart couldn't stop beating. His mind couldn't stop spiraling. It continued to flood his mind like a swimming pool. Better yet like a reservoir whose levies haven't been closed due to a system malfunction. Tears continued to blind his vision. He was trapped in confusion. He didn't know what to do, where to go, where to run. Even if he ran a million miles and beyond, it wouldn't escape from the truth.

Little Miss Aiko was his daughter.

He opened the cabinet to find the dutch cleanser and bleach. Although dehydrated and fragmented, he didn't want to leave a mess. He saw what happened last time when he wasn't careful. Why would he compare an accidental pregnancy to accidental tactile vomit?

"Accident, yeah. It was an accident. A wreckless, careless, risky accident."

Mom wasn't home. A note was left on the bathroom mirror that she and Ruby's father were having dinner at the hotel to get acquainted. Why didn't he get a text? A phone call? Why would leave a note on the mirror out of all places? Was she in a hurry as well? Plastering her face with cheek enhancer and applying makeup for a man who was probably a few years older than her. What reason would they talk about? What was there to talk about?

Better yet, was he afraid that Mr. Long might open his mother's shroud to the big reveal they both share commonality in the form of being grandparents? He wasn't sure what was worse? Her finding out or beelining her way back home and wanted an explanation on the day they had sex.

Izuku turned on the sink and applied hot water to the mop. He then went into the refrigerator for bottled water. He took a couple of sips, trying to regain some energy. Wasn't sure how far he ran from the drink bar. He wasn't even sure how he managed to get home. His mind was going into eight million directions at once and felt there was no end. How could he face Ruby and the others for what he did? Knowing Kacchan, he was probably eating this up, purchasing grub, and putting it on his tab. He then digressed those thoughts. As if Kacchan dined and paid for something. It wouldn't surprise him if he dashed as well.

He slapped the mop to the ground and proceeded to clean. For a moment, he grew envious of the floor — despite being walked on and run over, at least when cleaning and scrubbing, its conscience was cleared. There were no do-overs with this. Aiko was probably crying and wondering why her father didn't love her, leaving her high and dry.

It irked his spirit to know he probably crushed this girl's little, angelic soul.

No one was a stranger to her. Smart as a whip and sharp as a tack. He knew Aiko was going to go places just by her spunky attitude. And why not? The blood of a huntress witch and the blood of a Pro Hero ran in her veins. As he continued scrubbing, he sort of smiled. Wrapping his hand around the handle, he looked skyward to the thought of his Aiko as she grew up.

Five years earlier….

He stepped out of the bedroom door and was met with a realm of silence. Darkness consumed the domicile as the day ended and night began. Faint smell of dinner mixed with kitchen cleaners consumed the house. His mom always made sure to clean the house before bedtime. One would think she confused their home for a restaurant. It would make sense when her emerald eyes narrowed at him when stepping back into the kitchen for a quick snack or an extra piece of cake. If only his mother would learn from her own advice.

He frowned. It wasn't right to pick. She was just filled with love. And she always had a lot of love to give, especially when Ruby came to the residence.

Ruby fitted in like a square peg. His mother always wanted to have a daughter, if not someone that could set a better example to him and his father. Whatever his mother did, Ruby followed. Seeing his mother having another individual in the home set the mood as he knew his mother got lonely at times. It wasn't that she wasn't appreciative of having him in the household, he just believed that having Ruby there gave her a purpose. Of course, it could be tough with the mundane routine of being a part-time working, coupon-clipping, stress-eating housewife.

He walked down the hallway and headed for the door. There was no destination in mind, he just wanted to think. He wanted time to consume his thoughts. Less than a few hours ago, he had consummated his first time with a girl. And it wasn't any girl, it was Ruby Rose — the black-haired, red-tipped beauty that was loved and adored by his family, his friends, and his classmates. Even Aizawa-sensei was moved by the girl's abilities when in practice on the battle training grounds. Whatever she went, she left an impression, a footstep, an imprint of her presence.

So what made him so significant to the point that she had pressed herself upon him and claimed him for herself?

When his hand touched the knob, he heard a sniffle.

His head jerked to the living room where he saw the rose herself sitting on the floor. Her back was facing away from him. She rocked in back and forth motion. Her head was buried in a throw pillow.

"I'm sorry." Sobs broke ever-so-often out of her rattled throat. Her body violently shivered as she couldn't hold onto her emotions. Izuku knew — he knew that guilt was clotting her veins, weighing heavy on her like an anvil pressing onto her body. Thoughts of their first time were probably replaying in her mind like a tape recorder. She knew, he knew, they knew — he just didn't have the heart or the courage to call the action what it really was. A piece of pride lingered in his heart, refused to be torn and exposed for all to see. In a way, it really didn't make sense but he made it made sense in his mind.

'Thank you for this memory, Izuku. I love you! Love you like crazy!'

He will keep it in his heart, somewhere in a place where there is no space and time. Ruby's time here was coming to a close. No longer able to bear the woe and the heaviness of the atmosphere, he silently left the living room. As he walked away, a mix of emotions swelled in his mind.

'Ruby didn't mean it, Izuku. She loves you. She really cares about you. What she did was wrong. Wrong and reckless! You knew it came from the right place. You can be unreachable and oftentimes untouchable.'

'Why treat her as a savior? Why should I have to be responsible and accept responsibility? She's the guilty party. She has forced herself upon me. She could've asked. She could've…she could've…I would've…'

'She is a meek and timid soul — just like you! Sometimes we do things that don't make sense.'

'It still doesn't make it right.' He hit his chest. His body began shaking. There was no villain present, no opposition or bully at bay. It was a battle with his conscience. 'Ruby took something that belonged to me. Where is my sympathy? Why do I have to take the role and step up and take responsibility? A responsibility I never asked to do? 'Oh, I'm a man. I can handle it.' That type of bullshit?!'

'Taking charge and stepping up doesn't make you weak. It means that you're willing to forgive and mature. You know and I know Ruby loves you and what she did was wrong. Yes, it was wrong but it came from the right place. And last time I've checked, you didn't exactly said, 'no.''

'Fuck you! Fuck you! Who are you to place blame on me?'

'Because I am you, that's why!'

'Then I don't want to be me.'

'You can't hide what's inside. Even in the deepness of your heart, you knew what Ruby did and a part of you wanted it as well.'

Hurt, confusion, and a sense of betrayal battled for dominance in his thoughts. He had his hand on the door and then feet away was the wailing Ruby.

'Go to her, Izuku. She needs you. Give each other clarity. Speak your heart to her.'

He didn't know how to confront the situation or whether he should give Ruby space to reflect on what had transpired.

'Tell her how you really feel about her. Make her understand. Explain to her of her actions today.'

"I…I…I just can't do it." His head dropped and so did the lever to the door. As he exited the home, his head swiveled to Ruby. The distance between them grew with each step he took, leaving them both to grapple with the aftermath of their encounter. The fate of their relationship remained uncertain, suspended in the silence that echoed in the wake of Ruby's tears and Izuku's departure.

Back to the present….

Izuku heard a knock at the door. Still dehydrated and sick, he walked to the entrance and looked at the peephole.

Izuku opened the door slowly, his eyes squinting against the light filtering in from the hallway. Katsuki stood there with a bag in one hand, a stern expression on his face. Izuku, feeling a mix of surprise and confusion, hesitated for a moment before deciding to let him in.

Katsuki stepped inside, glancing around the room as if assessing the situation. "You look like shit, nerd," he remarked, a hint of concern underlying his usual brash tone.

Izuku rubbed his temples. "I feel like it." He closed the door behind him as Katsuki took off his shoes at the entryway. "Just had one of the worst days in my life."

Katsuki reached into the bag he was carrying and pulled out a bottle of Gatorade. "Drink this, you need to hydrate." He grumbled, tossing it to Izuku, who caught it with a grateful nod.

"Thanks." Izuku said.

"I didn't do this for you." Katsuki responded as he removed the cases of beer that came in the bag. "Just don't need you to act like a shitty pussy when we head back to college."

Izuku ignored Katsuki's usual bantering as he turned on the light to the living room. Katsuki took a seat beside him and cracked a can of beer. Not in the mood for television, he grabbed the remote and turned on the radio to a jazz station.

Izuku took a few swallows of his Gatorade before wiping the remnants on his shirt. Katsuki kicked his feet up on the coffee table and took a few sips of beer. "You're sure that you don't want some of this?" He held a can of beer in his hand.

Izuku raised an eyebrow, a mix of emotions playing on his face. "Alcohol? Really?"

Katsuki shrugged, a bit awkwardly. "Yeah, well, sometimes it helps. Don't make a big deal out of it, dumbass."

Izuku blew a raspberry as he, too, decided to kick his feet up on the coffee table.

"I took the girls home and you can relax, I paid their cab fare and the bill at the restaurant."

"Thanks, man."

"Thank you my ass. I expect you to pay me back my $125.00."

"I can do your homework for two months."

"Bullshit. I take my C-average with pride. Professors don't think shit of me and don't need them to expect more." The spiky-haired blond took another sip of beer.

"Whatever. I'll have Mom give you the money." Izuku took another sip of his drink. "But why are you here?" He turned his head and frowned. "And the last thing I need to hear is your gloating."

Katsuki sighed, a rare display of vulnerability. "First of all, fuck you. Second of all…" He placed the beer on the table. "I wanted to make sure you weren't dying or something."

Izuku raised an eyebrow, surprised by Katsuki's honesty. "You... were worried about me?"

Katsuki scowled, crossing his arms. "Don't get all mushy on me, Deku. In the land of lollipops, I've dealt with a lot of suckers. Please don't become one, you ass."

Izuku chuckled weakly, appreciating the sentiment behind Katsuki's gruff words. "Thanks, Kacchan. I appreciate it."

He blew a raspberry. "I'll appreciate you a lot more if there is some pizza to go with this beer."

"Mom has some leftover fish dogs in the kitchen."

"Even better." Katsuki grabbed his beer and walked into the kitchen. Izuku followed suit — the million-dollar that came with it too. "By the way, what did you tell Ruby and the girls? She knows you're here, right?"

Katsuki smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Yeah, I told her there was a Pro Hero emergency. Figured that'd cover it." He opened the refrigerator and pulled out the container of Auntie Inko's fish dogs. "That's something else to add to your tab, Deku."

Izuku couldn't help but laugh. "A Pro Hero emergency? Really?"

"Better than saying you ran out like a little bitch," he retorted as he reached for the airfryer from the cabinet.

"Well, it's appreciated. Even if it was the most half-ass way possible."

"Deku, I'm your friend, not your savior." He took a sip of beer. "Ruby is your monkey, your crazy."

'I love you! Love you like crazy!'

"However, I am a bit curious," responded Katsuki as he sat on the counter. "I can't believe I am saying this, let alone thinking this, but is that little girl actually your daughter?"

Izuku hesitated, the weight of the truth pressing on him. He walked over to the counter and snagged a can of beer from Katsuki and took a few sips. He took a deep breath and nodded, his voice sincere but filled with regret. "Yeah, Kacchan. She's mine. Aiko is my daughter."

Katsuki's expression shifted from suspicion to disbelief, and then shock. His usually confident demeanor wavered for a moment as he processed the revelation. "Wait, seriously? You and Ruby?"

Izuku nodded again, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Yes."

"When?"

"A few years ago. A couple of days before she left to head back to Remnant."

Katsuki, still processing the information, ran a hand through his spiky hair. "Damn, Deku. This is some messed-up secret you've been hiding."

"I didn't even have a clue until she came here." Izuku explained that his mother told him of her surprise visit to town and that was his reason for leaving a day earlier before he and Katsuki would have left together.

Katsuki's eyes widened in disbelief, his jaw dropping slightly as he processed Izuku's revelation. "Wait, you didn't even know about her until recently? And she's your kid?"

Izuku nodded solemnly, his gaze distant as he recalled the moment of realization. "Yeah, Kacchan. I had no idea until Ruby showed up with her. It was... unexpected, to say the least."

Katsuki's shock turned into a mix of confusion and concern. "How the hell do you not know you have a kid? And how did you figure out she's yours?"

Izuku sighed, running a hand through his hair. "When I first saw her, I noticed the resemblance. It hit me like a ton of bricks, Kacchan. There was no denying it. She's mine."

Katsuki's expression shifted from shock to a more serious concern. "And Ruby? How is she taking it?"

"Only God knows." Izuku said as he took another sip of beer. "Who knows what was going through her mind during those five years before surprising me with our daughter."

"Damn, Deku. This is some messed-up drama. Well, you better start saving up. She's probably here for five years' worth of child support."

Izuku slammed the table. "Get fucking real for a second." His eyes glared at the spiky blond, which even surprised Katsuki. "In the last twenty-four hours, my life has completely changed. I've gone five years without knowing her, without being there for her. It's not something to joke about."

Katsuki, realizing the gravity of the situation, sobered up. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Sorry. It's just... hard to wrap my head around."

Izuku sighed, the weight of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders. "It's hard for me too, Kacchan. I never expected any of this, and now I have to figure out how to be a father to a five-year-old who barely knows me."

"Does your mother know?"

"Not yet."

Katsuki's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "So, your mom doesn't know about this yet? Deku, she's gonna find out eventually. You can't keep this a secret forever."

Izuku nodded, a sense of resignation in his eyes. "I know, Kacchan. She's visiting Ruby's parents right now. I haven't had the chance to talk to her about it."

Katsuki scratched the back of his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Damn, that's gonna be one explosive conversation."

Izuku chuckled wryly, acknowledging the inevitable clash of emotions. "Yeah, explosive might be an understatement. But I can't avoid it forever. I need to face the consequences of my actions."

"No! You and Ruby need to face the consequences of your actions," said Katsuki. The spiky-haired blond sighed through his nose before he gave a curt nod. "Well, if you need someone to be there when you tell her, I guess I can tolerate being the buffer. Just don't expect me to sugarcoat anything."

Izuku smiled gratefully, appreciating Katsuki's unexpected offer of support. "Thanks, Kacchan. I might take you up on that."

The spiky-haired blond let out a blech. "God damn, Deku. I didn't think you have the guile, nor the nuts to have sex, let alone getting them pregnant."

Izuku rolled his eyes. "I don't need perspective, Kacchan."

It irked him whenever his childhood name was called out. He popped another can of beer. "Well, I wasn't giving you any, you baka!" The timer went off on the airfryer. He hoped out of the chair to go get his fish dogs. "Be that as it may, you've someone to look after your stupid ass."

"I think Itsuka thinks the same thing about you."

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" He said as he grabbed his plate and headed back to the table. "We were never a couple anyway. It was a pit stop, a come-and-go, a dine-and-dash, a…"

"Stunted growth." Izuku propped an eyebrow.

Katsuki declined to answer as he bit into the fish dog. Izuku better be thankful that Auntie's goodness was too much of a distraction to rebuttal.

An hour later….

Izuku, feeling a mix of emotions after the intense conversation, followed Katsuki downstairs. As they reached the parking lot, Katsuki pulled out the keys to the nearby Vespa.

"Auntie let you borrow the Shooting Star?" Izuku asked.

"Yeah," responded Katsuki. "Now take your ass back upstairs and call Ruby and that Aiko runt. They are probably worried sick."

Izuku smiled, nodding appreciatively. "Thanks, Kacchan. I'll figure things out."

Yeah, well, you better. And we've got college stuff to deal with in a few days, so get your act together before then."

Izuku chuckled, acknowledging the reality of their impending return to college life. "I'll do my best. See you later, Kacchan."

Katsuki gave a half-hearted wave as he turned on the engine. "Yeah, yeah. Take care of yourself, idiot."

He bumped fist with him before he put on his helmet. Izuku watched Katsuki disappear down the street before turning to head back to his apartment. Climbing the stairs, he pondered the complexities of the situation he found himself in. As he approached his door, a sense of urgency overcame him, and he realized he needed to talk to Ruby.

Pulling out his phone, he dialed Ruby's number. As the phone rang, he nervously paced in front of his apartment door. To his surprise, as the call connected, he heard a voice not from the phone but from right behind him.

"Hey there, Izuku," Ruby said, standing just outside his apartment, a knowing look in her eyes.

Izuku turned, startled. "Ruby, I was just about to call you."

Ruby crossed her arms. "Save the explanation for inside. We need to talk."

Izuku nodded, unlocking the door and holding it open for her. As they stepped into the apartment, the weight of the unspoken conversation hung in the air. It was time for Izuku to face the reality of his choices and the challenges that lay ahead, both as a father and in his relationships with those closest to him.

To be continued….