Izuku stood beside Todoroki, wishing that something would happen so he could go home. It was five in the afternoon on a Wednesday and the guy had him follow him to Toshi's, which was a journey in itself. Then to make it worse they both had to wait for Kacchan to get here, so needless to say he was a bit miffed.
Sure it wasn't the worst waste of his time, but he'd rather be back at Himiko's and canoodling her until she falls asleep. Then again, he wondered when the last time he had been by himself was. He hadn't even stepped in his apartment in...four weeks now that he considered it. Shit, had anyone broken in while he was gone? Did he violate the lease by leaving it vacant for that long? Was his yearbook still in there?
He cursed himself for worrying and forced himself to relax with a huff, he had enough bullshit to concern himself with so there was no point in focusing on hypotheticals. Though he had that strange mix of built-in dread and boredom, there wasn't much to do and Todoroki hadn't said a word once since they arrived, likely due to dreading this just as much.
It wasn't like Katsuki was an overtly bad guy and he wouldn't attack them, but goddamn was he a pain to be around. Even when he's trying to be nice it's still like handling an overgrown teenager with bombs for hands. Izuku knew this even in his youth and Todoroki had to understand, yet despite it, he was starting to...miss the guy. Not in an overly fond way, but just more of wanting to know he's okay.
Kicking at the dust, Izuku scanned the area and made eye contact with Todoroki, who was doing the same.
"Any idea what's taking him this long?"
The elemental user shrugged as he studied the door.
"No idea, usually he's punctual."
Izuku mimicked him and leaned back.
"Let's give him another half hour, if he doesn't show up by then, I'll just call him up."
Todoroki hummed at that.
"Fine, isn't like I have much to do anyway."
He fiddled around with his fingers tapping until he began to make ice come from one of his palms, which aroused Izuku's curiosity as he gave a question to kill more time.
"So with your ice, do you freeze the moisture in the air around you or do you excrete the moisture in your body through your hand and then it gets frozen as it passes your skin?"
Todoroki blinked like something ungodly profound was uttered and he turned to the quirkless man in shock.
"How did you know that?"
Izuku shrugged, not sure what the big deal was.
"Eh, elemental type quirks are pretty common and most follow the same idea biologically speaking. I've never seen you fight, but it's safe to say your quirk factor is located in your hands and that you're able to conduct the ability through the air to a certain degree, which is why you need to even use your hands at all. Granted if you could mentally use it with, say your eyes, then you likely be much more adaptable. As for your fire, I'll assume it's the exact same principle only with combustion of oxygen instead of freezing moisture."
Again Todoroki blinked and stared at him like he had spoken in Russian.
"...You found that out by only seeing me use my quirk twice?"
A crack of knuckles made Izuku relax slightly despite his companion's expression.
"Yeah, I've always been obsessed with quirks and most tend to follow certain laws or rules or patterns. For instance, any person with a fire based quirk has to rely on a flammable source to ignite, be that an outside factor or an internal one. Or if you wanna talk about more specialized quirks in a different category, it's easy to tell that Himiko's quirk factor is located in or around her digestive system and that it can scan and mimic DNA. Or...say Katsuki's quirk, it follows the same principle as your flames with a simple ignition method crafted by the quirk factor in his hands. However, due to his sweat being transformed from water to nitroglycerin once it passes the final layer of his skin, which can be combusted from the heat in his palms."
The rant ceased as Izuku realized what he did and shrank back in embarrassment.
"Sorry about that, I tend to go on for a while about quirks."
Todoroki shook his head with what seemed to be honest amazement.
"No man, that was spot on. It took me years to figure out how my quirk works and her quirk was always a mystery until her file came up, you have a talent for that...a really good talent in fact."
Izuku waved a dismissive hand at him.
"It isn't anything major, I just studied a lot. But enough about that, what's been new with you in the last two days?"
The Heir of Fire paused with his thoughts and answered.
"Nothing much, I've had to pull back on the hero work on account of my son. My wife's been wanting to try out this new basket making hobby, which...usual for her. My kid is fine, but we're looking to enroll him in a preschool in a couple years, but Momo wants to homeschool, which I'm on the fence about. We can afford tutors, but I want him to grow up around other children and not be so socially awkward like I was."
Izuku considered the statement for a bit and gave it a thought.
"Why not set up playdates? I know you're high profile in the hero game, but there's other people you could ask. Why not look up who needs their kids watched in the industry? You said you don't really need to do this for a living, but most people do and don't have the time to be full time parents. That way you can help them out, get your son some friends and give your wife something to do. "
Todoroki put a hand to his chin in contemplation, seeming to think deeply about it.
"A daycare? That's...not a bad idea. Momo would probably love it, but we'd need to wait until our kid turns five or so, since I read that was the best time to introduce them to socializing with peers."
Izuku shot him a glance at how serious his one off spur of the moment idea was being taken.
"Honestly, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Doesn't your wife have a mommy group she could join that helps watch kids? Make it into a semi business venture where you hire mothers as caretakers to help her out and you'd bring valuable services to overworked parents all over the industry. She's bound to love you for it."
Todoroki turned and stared at him with such a deadpan, earnest expression that it was almost comical.
"Midoriya, I think you just helped me figure out my future."
The weaker man laughed uncomfortably at being so praised, he even lowered his head a bit.
"Anytime man."
The awkwardness was short lived however, since in the next second the door sprang open and in walked Katsuki, dressed in a thick winter coat that was so dense and hot that Izuku could literally smell the nauseating stench of nitroglycerin from him. Regardless of his abominable stink, the number one smiled warmly at them both as if he genuinely was happy to see them.
"Well if it isn't quiet and quieter, how are you both doing?"
There wasn't a chance to answer due to the blond walking right up to Izuku and hugging him like they were related. He was so close that the smell was giving him a headache. The guy soon let go and lightly jabbed the third hero in the arm.
"Good to see you came Icyhot, I thought you'd have to stay glued to Ponytail with that whole being a parent thing."
Todoroki shrugged indifferently and gestured to a table.
"I can make time when I'm able. They're both fine by the way. Anywho, we called you up because the reunion is two days from now and wanted to know if you needed any help with getting it organized."
Katsuki laughed and wrapped his arm around Izuku's neck and rubbed his knuckles into the curls when he answered his equal.
"Ah, I'm fine. You know the Commission and the academy float the bill."
He shifted his attention downward and grinned.
"You however Deku, I want you to come on with me so I can introduce you to everybody. Then I plan for the both of us to get shit faced, since I've never seen you drunk before."
Izuku glared and sighed as he gripped the man's index finger hanging by his neck.
"I don't get drunk often, Kacchan, I tend to get pissed when I am. Also can you please let go of me?"
Katsuki paused at the still, firm force in the quirkless man's voice and lessened his grip when his finger was grabbed. A certain low panic played in his eyes, but it was banished when he laughed again.
"Oh come on Deku, what's the worst thing you could do? No offense, but you're not a whirlwind of destruction like me and Hot-N-Cold over here."
Izuku paused, all the fury gone from him as self consciousness filled him as he pursed his lips and considered his words.
"You don't wanna know."
Both the heroes raised an eyebrow at that, one far more jovial than the other.
"Ah come on Deku, you can tell me. What? Did you break something or scream at somebody?"
Again Izuku pursed his lips and inhaled as he saw one of his proudest, yet most horrifying moments.
"I don't wanna talk about it."
There was a firmness to his voice and an edge like split glass that was heard instantly, making the subject disappear like the dead. Katsuki still patted him on the back and grinned in spite of it.
"Alright then Deku, but you're still coming with me to this fucking thing this week. There's been too long where you haven't gotten to go and everybody's been asking about you."
Izuku rolled his eyes as his mental strain lowered and answered begrudgingly, like he would when he was a teenager.
"Fine, it wasn't like I had a lot to do anyway. But just to let you know Kacchan I can't be there until after 4pm on account of my job."
The explosion user glared his annoyance and put some of the explosive energy in his voice through a low, tame way that didn't hint at any threat or what he usually would have said.
"Can't you just take a sick day or something? I can't really be hiring you out again and again since it makes for bad PR. Besides you have more then enough to fucking quit that shitty place, so what's the deal?"
Izuku threw his own annoyance at the blond, but relented if only to keep the peace and avoid a pointless conflict. Though a petulant part of him wanted to punch the guy, if only to not feel so damn subservient.
"Alright, I can take a day off."
Likely seeing this conflict brewing Todoroki cut in with his oddly soothing voice. Taking the focus away from the issue.
"That aside, we still need to get everything in order, I'd hate to see a repeat of last year where nobody could figure out where the venue was."
Katsuki waved a dismissive hand, only to have his fiery red eyes widen as what had to be an idea came to him. Which only became worse when he gave a cunning grin that made Izuku feel so damn uncomfortable.
"That's already decided, we're heading back to the academy. But since Deku's coming along, how about we bring his girlfriend along with us? You know, introduce her to everybody and what not."
Izuku heard this and instantly, almost spontaneously hid the sea of anxiety and fear it brought. In a strange way, since it was Katsuki saying it, he had a far easier time hiding the feelings. Almost as if it was some in-born survival mechanism. He placed on the disinterested mask he wore seventy five percent of the time and shrugged, sounding like it had no effect on him whatsoever.
"Sorry Kacchan, but she doesn't do well in big crowds. Plus, she's got work that day so that's not on the itinerary."
The number one hero glared daggers at him as if he was honestly offended by the statement. If Izuku had been ten years younger he likely would have crumpled and whimpered before such an expression from his tormentor, however in his age he met it with bored indifference. Which ran completely at odds with how hard, fast and worrying his heart was racing. Katsuki studied the sidekick's expression coldly, like one reviewing a crime scene, only to have that ire transform into what might be of concern.
Then the demolition man turned his eyes to his half and half peer, only to find much the same expression as on his childhood friend. Blinking as what had to be the gears turning in his head, Katsuki flinched at whatever was going on inside and looked at the green haired man with what might have been guilt, frustration, shame and defeat. His expression was one of supreme discomfort as he forced out an awkward smile that hurt to look at.
"Ah...okay then, that's completely okay. So...I'm gonna get going now, you two handle yourselves and...um, Deku, do you mind if I call you later tonight?"
Izuku fought the urge to let his emotions show as reflective guilt attacked him. Even if Katsuki was an asshole, seeing him suddenly become so reserved was hard. Still, he met it with a smile and tried to be accommodating.
"Sure Kacchan, that would be fine."
The haze of neurotic emotion left the hero and he returned it with a relieved grin as he left the bar and let the remaining stoics to themselves. Instantly Izuku dropped his mask and pursed his lips in contention.
"Was I being a bit of a dick?"
Todoroki huffed at the statement.
"Taking into consideration your situation in life and who you're currently involved with, not at all. If Boom Boy gets upset then it's better then you and her being brought into a ceasefire, because believe me when I say this Midoriya, he will try to end her."
Izuku shook his head in dismay at the state of things.
"I know and I'd do anything for her, but...there's no sense in being harsh when you're trying to keep things calm."
The icy hero glared at him with a chilling fury that spoke of years of hurt and pain that carried in his words.
"Don't try to appease people who make your life harder, it'll only get worse until you either snap or you learn to stop caring about what they do. Like I say, 'You can't get blood from a stone' and right now you're trying to let him bleed you. You don't owe him shit and you certainly aren't dependent on him, so stop thinking like you are."
There were clearly a lot of pent up feelings in those words, which was made clearer by how Todoroki seemed to be talking at him and not to him. However Izuku managed to laugh a bit at the phrasing.
"You know that takes on a whole other meaning given my current relationship."
Evidently the heir didn't find it humorous since he glared at him with disgusted, controlled fury that made it seem like he wronged him in some massive way. Only for it to extinguish with a sigh as Todoroki clenched his fists over and over again to ease it out.
"...I guess it does."
He paused and shut his eyes for a moment before gauging his companion. Slowly the man softened his demeanor and turned to his usual disinterested self before speaking.
"Well...that accomplished most of what needed to be done so I'm going home. The reunion starts at 6pm, I'll come get you by then alright?"
Izuku nodded as he tried his best not to push any more buttons for any one.
"Yeah, see ya Friday."
The elemental hero nodded in response and left out the door without another word as his hands began to clench again, which left Izuku by his lonesome. Not sure what else to do and his worry about the state of his apartment coming back into the forefront, he went out the side entrance and made his way to the nearest train station.
Nothing else entered his mind at the time it took to reach his stop and in a strange way it was...refreshing to not have his brain clouded with thoughts of the future, of the past and of Himiko. Rarely was he ever "In the moment" even when doing something like pleasuring his lover he had to think, to plan and judge if he was doing the proper thing for her sake.
The only time he could remember such an anxiety free time where he merely existed totally in the now was years ago in Highschool when he ran track with Aki by his side. As he stepped off the tram a strange idea entered his mind and spontaneously Izuku moved off to the less crowded side and began to stretch until his muscles were properly warmed up. Once that was done, Izuku grinned a little and started to jog ever so quickly.
Not exactly running track again, but close enough in a crowded city where he could bump into anyone. The wind rushed past his ears and made his eyes sting, but it felt good to relive an old memory that was actually good. Sure he looked goofy, but it was mostly harmless and got him home quicker. Speaking of which, he was right in front of his building now and soon he was in front of his door and to his endless gratitude, the door was still locked.
Entering past the door, he was greeted by a scene that wouldn't look out of place in a post apocalypse movie with how much gray dust clung to everything like a blanket. It really had been over a month since he was here, wasn't it? Not one to dwell too long on it, he immediately headed to his room to check on one of his most prized possessions. After moving some clutter along he saw that the year book was still intact and untouched, so that was one concern made pointless.
With that seen to, he sat down on his bed and allowed his muscles to relax on the mattress. It felt good to simply be, yet as he did so, there came other thoughts he pushed aside for who knew how long. Namely, when was the last time he contacted his mother? Sure they had a bit of a falling out, but it had to be...god, a year at the most. Was she alright? Was she pissed at him? Had she fucking disowned him?
Okay that last one was a bit much, but still it had been a while and maybe making sure his mother was alive was a decent thing to do. Granted it would likely come with a headache, yet what wasn't worth it for family? Sighing as he pulled out his phone, Izuku scrolled through his alarmingly large contact list and found his mother's number. Bracing himself he hit it and put the device to his ear.
It went to dial tone for a few scant seconds, then it connected and the voice that welcomed him into the world came through.
"Hello honey, is everything okay?"
Like that an anvil of guilt slammed on his heart at her words and he felt like such an asshole for ignoring her for so long.
"Yeah Mom, everything's fine. I just wanted to check in on you since it's been a while."
Almost immediately the warm, caring part of her voice vanished and was replaced with that snarky, judgemental tone he absolutely loathed.
"Well it's a bit late for that, wouldn't you say? This is the first time I'm hearing from you in nearly a year and not once before did you answer my calls or texts. I swear if it wasn't for Katsuki watching out for you, I'd have assumed you were dead. However I don't hold that against you, now, are you still with...Himiko or have you two broken up?"
Normally Izuku would have just ended the call right there, but he wanted to at least make an effort for his mother's sake. So he pushed the anger brewing inside him down and put on a pleasant face like he always did.
"We're still together and everything's good between us. Like I said I just wanted to check on you after so long. Which makes me ask, is Aunt Mitsuki okay?"
Inko answered in that "I know best way" that grated even more on his nerves and made the situation that more unpleasant.
"Mitsuki's doing fine...granted she's deep in her cups, but she isn't in trouble. You on the other hand have been worrying me to death young man. I can't tell you how many nights I laid awake and scared that something horrible had happened to you. You just...I want you to know I love you Izuku and that I'll always be here for you, but the relationship you've gotten involved in with that woman frightens me. It really does and there's been countless studies done on people with her quirk subclass that do horrible things to others."
She went on as a tangible panic entered her voice.
"There was this medical article published after the Calamity over blood quirk user and it was about this girl who was no older than fifthteen at the time who snapped and attacked one of her classmates with a boxcutter out of some twisted view of love. That girl went on to torture and kill a bunch of people due to her quirk's influence on her mind and...I just don't want something like that to happen to you."
He scowled and sighed in defeat, unsure what to say. She wasn't wrong that Himiko did fit that description during her youth and he wouldn't be surprised if it was actually about her in that article given all he learned about her. Yet it didn't matter to him, but he's been with her so long that her little ticks and madness seem so...normal, that to a regular person he'd likely seem even nuttier than Himiko. Still he tried to be compassionate, if only to avoid a fight.
"I know mom, but not everyone's the same. Look at Vlad King or the countless other people with blood quirks in the medical field, they've been nothing but a boon to society and you've told me how doctors with those quirks save lives."
She paused and sighed.
"I get what you're saying sweetie, but it's just out of every woman you could have picked, why that one? You never were this obscene any other time and you just seem so...trapped with how things are. Back when you in Highschool-"
He cut in harshly and coldly, not wanting to touch on that ever.
"Don't say it. Don't bring that up, please."
The woman paused at his words and uttered another sigh that brought in some of that maternal warmth back to her voice.
"Alright, I won't, but you were so much happier back then...do you mind if I ask what you have planned with Himiko, what's going on between you both right now?"
Izuku hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak and hoping he would give too much away or cause another episode of hysteria.
"Ah...well, things are good. She's been more centered and I found out a lot about what she went through during the Calamity and that's made us closer. For the most part it's been static with how we're living and that's fine. I…"
He paused and gathered himself before deciding that he can at least trust his mother to be honest.
"I've found out that she did some violent things to people back in the day due to her quirk and that she wasn't always on the straight and narrow, but despite all that, I'm still in love with her. She hasn't been abusive or violent or any of that and no matter how hard I try I'm still madly enthralled by her. I know it's stupid and it's just my emotions talking, but in spite of it all...Mom, I think I wanna marry this woman."
He wasn't sure why he said what he did, perhaps because it was simply good to vent. However instead of the swarm of guilt tripping insults and sadness, his mother merely spoke in a calm, reluctant and oddly, understanding tone.
"You sound just like me when I met your father. He was this broken soul that latched himself to me and I wanted so badly to be the one to save him, to make him better. The heart isn't exactly logical Sweetie and maybe if you were a girl I could give you more advice, but I understand that feeling of deep, burning love. It feels like your lungs are being crushed and all you wanna do is scream and shout and embrace them, right? Like nothing can ever convey how deeply you feel?"
He blinked at the way his mother described it to a tee.
"Yeah...Mom, when you and Dad were first together how...dangerous were your emotions? Did you ever look at them and know deep down you'd do anything for them, anything?"
Inko laughed softly at that as if lost in some nostalgia.
"Oh honey you have no idea. When your father and I were together I did anything for him. And this feeling you're having where you'd literally do anything, regardless if it was right or wrong, for them, you start to get...possessive and think 'I owe it to them to protect them no matter what.' That gets worse with time when you start to see anyone who might slight them as deserving of your wrath, I had it."
She went on as if reliving her past.
"I was the clingy, possessive girlfriend that would occasionally whip someone's ass and he was the distant bad boy nobody understood. I was young and stupid, but I was happy for a time until all of Hisashi's issues got the better of him and he filed for divorce after seven years. Point being, I understand that urge to look at someone you genuinely love and just want to smother them until they're yours. We're very emotionally charged people Izuku and I'm sad to say you get it from me. You actually said the same about...I won't bring that up like you asked, but still."
He leaned back against the wall and felt his body relax as he found someone who could translate what the hell was going on in his head.
"You hit the nail on the head. But, with Himiko, I adore her quality of character and strength and all that, but another part of it is because she's willing to accept my love. Like one of the main reasons why those girls you set me up with never worked out is because it was always so impersonal from me and them. I could never just throw myself at them without making them flee so I stopped trying, but with Himiko I can admit to most insane declarations of passion and she'd accept it. Like I can just jam all the emotion pent up inside me through her and she'd love me just as hard."
Another sympathetic laugh came from the line.
"I know exactly what you mean, Hisashi was a cold, distant man, but I could praise him until the sun went out and do everything for him and he wouldn't turn me away or leave. Like I said our family is emotional and he actually sent two guys to the hospital for trying to touch me when we were young so you get it from us both. It's a grand thing being in love and having that being returned, but don't let your emotions blind you to who you're with. Sometimes the heart can blind you to what's in front of you."
A smile crossed his lips and he felt far better than he envisioned such a conversation would make him feel.
"I know Mom, I'm gonna let you go now, okay?"
Inko sounded likewise at ease and less of the snappy crone she usually was.
"Sure sweetie, do you mind if I come by to see you sometime?"
"No problem, I love you."
"I love you too Izuku, I'll see you soon."
With that the call ended and a weight had left Izuku's shoulders. He was free of the guilt that had been building in his mind and drank in that feeling, when suddenly his phone rang again and Katsuki of all people was calling. Needless to say this soured his mood as he answered.
"Hey Kacchan, what's up?"
Nothing came from the line for a few seconds before the man himself spoke in a reluctant tone, as if he was holding back something to his throat.
"Hey Deku, sorry to bug ya this early, but I wanna apologize about how I acted back at the bar. I get that you're really touchy about your girlfriend and I wasn't really thinking so...fuck. Be fucking honest with me here Deku are you mad at me? Because I saw you do the exact same thing Icy Hot does when he's pissed and it worries me."
For once Izuku gave a scoff and rolled his eyes.
"No Kacchan I'm not mad, I just didn't want to start an argument over nothing in the middle of public and you can be really brash at times, so I just figured it would be best for everyone not to upset you."
A sharp inhale followed as the hero answered.
"Fuck, so that's how it is. Round Face and Spiky Hair always said the same thing. I didn't mean to be a dick back there, I just...don't get social cues at times, you know?"
Izuku shrugged, feeling indifferent like he usually did.
"It's just how you are Kacchan. I get you're a little hard on the uptake, but it isn't like you tried to maim anybody so no harm done."
Another line came from the speaker that made him flinch.
"That doesn't make up for shit and...Deku, do you remember those times back in middle school when I used my quirk on you?"
There was a stream of silence for a time before the quirkless man spoke up with steel in his voice.
"I'm gonna let you go now Kacchan. I'll see you at the reunion, okay?"
It sounded sweet, but the quality and harshness to the tone translated it differently and again the number one hero sounded weakened by it.
"...Alright, I'll see you later on. Love ya Deku."
The call ended and Izuku had to stop himself from letting his anger consume him. It would serve no point so he let it pass and he began to scroll through his contacts list to find someone to take his mind off it. Luckily he found just the one when he tapped Ochako's number. It had been a bit since they last talked and it only seemed right. After a few bits of dial tone her voice came through sounding like she had been exhausted for days.
"Hello?"
He tried to keep his spirits up and be as positive as he could for her sake.
"Hey Rosie, it's me. Are you doing okay?"
A pause came and with it a groan.
"No, I haven't been okay at fucking all. The Commission just let me get back to work and I'm behind on a mountain of paperwork while all my friends are poking into my personal life because I'm not the shoulder for them to lean on anymore. Then I have to worry about Miko and her bullshit, along with how fucking Shoto is handling being her PO. And I just, fuck!"
She audibly rubbed her temples over the line.
"Just fuck it all you know? All I did was choose to make one off the wall, an independent choice in my life and everyone is attacking me. Sure it wasn't my best idea, but at least it somewhat fucking works. I'm sorry I pushed you guys away for a while, I just needed to get my life in order before that."
He raised a hand out of habit to calm her despite it being pointless.
"Hey it's fine, all that matters is that you're okay. I thought about coming to see you with Himiko, but she said you wanted some space. That being said, can I do anything to help you feel better?"
She barked out the reply harshly like it was more of an insult than anything.
"Tell those fucking assholes to leave me alone and fuck off, then get that crazy bitch of yours to calm down and walk over here so I can whip your fucking ass until I feel better."
She inhaled and let the anger go.
"Shit, sorry about that. I've just had a really hard time of it lately and all I wanna do is curse everybody out. It isn't because of you or Miko, but you're the only two who can't royally mess up my life right now."
He shrugged in sympathy.
"Hey I understand, it's no different than what everybody else goes through. Look, I've been invited to this reunion thing by a few people and since we'll be close by, how about you just crash at Himiko's place with me and we'll do something special for you."
She sounded relieved at the idea.
"That sounds like exactly what I need. But I've been a bit of a bitch, so is there anything you wanna tell me? Is everything okay?"
He pursed his lips at that and sucked in air through his teeth.
"...Do you mind if I say something that might upset you?"
Annoyance rattled through her voice when she answered.
"Yes, but it needs to be said so go ahead."
He formulated the best way to explain it and slowly let it out.
"...You remember how you asked me a while ago if I knew the name of the group she used to be in? I found it out a few days ago, along with her real name. Everything's cool between us and I'm keeping it a secret, but I figured you should know."
Nothing came from the line for two solid minutes until the heroine responded with what sounded like mild astonishment.
"You learned who she was, what she did and what group she was in and you're still with her. I think Miko made the right choice with you. But...you really know her entire record, all of it? Do you need to talk about this or something?"
Perplexion filled his expression and Izuku answered with a hint of confused indignation.
"Not at the moment. I don't see what's so hard to believe, she was a different person back then and even if she is a little disturbed now, she's still Himiko regardless of that."
Perplexion now entered her voice in an almost reluctant way.
"Alright, but I want you to know I'm here if you ever need to talk."
He grinned at her words.
"I know. The same applies to me if you ever need anything."
Again those astonished emotions were there in voice.
"Thanks Zuki, but I'm gonna go sort myself out for a while. I'll see you and Miko later on this week. Love ya."
He let a bit of warmth enter his heart to her declaration.
"Love ya too Rosie.
Seconds later the call ended and he had only one more left to make, one which would be far easier than the others. Hitting up the name at the top he waited until the call connected and he heard his lover's sweet voice.
"Hey Zuzu, what's up?"
A certain whimsy found him at hearing her speak, like he had been hit with a nice dose of something and he heard it in his tone.
"Not much. I just wanted to tell you that I won't be stopping over at your place tonight since I've been away from mine for so long and I wanna get everything in order."
There was an overt tone of disappointment in her response.
"Oh...how about I come over to your place instead, it wouldn't be too much trouble would it?"
He cringed at the suppression of desperate hope in her words and tried not to be too insensitive.
"It's kind of late and I have work in the morning, plus I'm likely going to be pulled into planning this reunion thing tomorrow so I'm gonna be busy. So you might not see me for the next two days, but after Friday I'll be there with Ochako and we'll have a good time, okay?"
That barely had the effect he wished and it showed.
"...Just those two days right? You'll be back on Saturday?"
He gritted his teeth at how she said it and tested his words.
"Yes, I'll be back on Saturday after I'm done with all this, I'll give you my word."
She paused with a sprinkle of something he didn't like.
"...Can I text you while you're away?"
Again he raked out a smile to ease himself from the coal nesting in his chest.
"Sure, but like I said, it'll only be for a little while."
She said nothing for a time.
"Okay Zuzu...I love you."
Once more guilt weighed fresh on him as he pictured the turmoil in her heart and how much he felt it himself.
"I love you too."