Chapter Text
The rest of the next two weeks then seemed to pass relatively quickly and mostly consisted of the two men helping Mrs. Midoriya around the house or watching movies together snuggled up on the couch, the both of them agreeing that they weren't too into the idea of going back outside after their first couple of eventful days visiting Izuku's hometown. However, as the weekend hit, Mrs. Midoriya all but forcefully shoved them out of the house to get some fresh air and actually do something.
The two ended up grumbling all the way to the mall in the next town over, mainly keeping to themselves the whole time as per the usual as things were still a little tense, the memories of their last outing fresh in the both of their minds, but as no one really seemed to pay them any mind in the crowded building their nerves soon began to ease up.
"Is there anything in particular that you want to get?" Izuku asked from where he walked right besides Shouto, their hands lightly brushing up against one another as they passed by a record shop. "Do you want to get your mom something for if you visit her?"
Shouto frowned.
"I haven't seen her since I was like five, I don't know what she likes." He responded, getting a thoughtful hum out of his boyfriend as Izuku brought his hand up to rub at his chin in deep thought as if he were thinking up of gift ideas. Shouto chuckled at the sight and then shook his head. "I think that it would be best to hold off on any gifts until we are able to reconnect, I'm not even sure if she would even be interested in seeing me again."
Izuku didn't respond to that and instead only gave Shouto a look, one that could have meant anything really and thus the two walked along in silence, but it wasn't an unwelcomed one as sometimes they just didn't need to talk. Just like that, another hour had passed by and to no luck, neither really saw anything that they wanted.
"Is there anywhere else that you want to go?" Shouto asked as he and Izuku walked back towards the mall's entrance, Izuku pausing only momentarily as if to think it over when he looked up with bright-eyes, Shouto almost being able to see the exact moment when when his boyfriend had gotten an idea.
"I think there's an animal shelter down the road from here." Izuku said with a wide-grin. "Want to go look at the kittens?"
Izuku let out a small laugh when he saw Shouto's eyes sparkle with wonder and he took that as a yes as he grabbed a hold of the other man's hand to lightly tug him along after him, the two of them exiting the mall and walking onto the sidewalk.
Once the two reached the shelter, Izuku thought that maybe he'd be a good boyfriend by opening up the door for Shouto, however in doing so he almost caused the person that was currently walking out to faceplant right into the door. Izuku leaped backwards while Shouto attempted to stifle a chuckle.
"S-Sorry!" Izuku hurriedly said, while the other person growled.
"Oh you've got to be freaking kidding me." Said, none-other-than Bakugou Katsuki himself. "Are you two weirdos following be now?!"
"What, no, it's just a coincidence!" Izuku sputtered as he frantically waved his arms about, looking towards Shouto as if to ask the other for help.
"Maybe you're the one, following us." Shouto decided to say, much to Izuku's exasperation as his gaze turned into a glare towards his boyfriend, only getting the smallest of smirks from Shouto in return.
"Well, whatever, get out of my way, I'm busy." Bakugou grumbled as he pushed forward to leave the two others to their own devices, the box that Shouto noticed him carrying making a small yapping noise. Izuku then seemed to notice it as well, his eyes getting wide as he pointed to it.
"Kaachan, what is that?" He asked only to get a grumble that sounded a lot like 'none of your damned business' out of his childhood friend. Shouto let out a huff as Bakugou turned a corner and vanished from their view, while Izuku let out an exasperated sigh. "We're going to have to deal with whatever he's doing when we all go back home after break, I just know it."
"Let's not worry about that, right now." Shouto said as he reached over to gently stroke his boyfriend's cheek, Izuku leaning into the touch. "Right now, kittens."
Izuku let out a chuckle at that, his eyes looking back at his boyfriend warmly.
"You're unbelievable." He said as he took a hold of Shouto's hand before looping their arms together, lightly tugging him along as they finally entered inside of the building, the sound of loud barking meeting their ears as they did so. Izuku then released his hold on Shouto's arm to quickly power-walk over to the front desk, the two then being led to one of the backrooms where a chorus of meowing could be heard.
The front desk worker then left the two to their own devices with a brief 'call if you need any help' before she hurried back to the front room. Izuku watched with amuzement as his boyfriend casually walked over towards one of the cages that held a small black kitten inside, and carefully slipped his fingers between the bars. The kitten, noticing him, let out a playful hiss before leaping at Shouto's hand and latching onto it using both its tiny claws and teeth; though this only seemed to bring the tiniest of smiles onto the man's face while Izuku snorted.
"Doesn't that hurt?" He asked his boyfriend, getting a shrug out of Shouto.
"Nah." Shouto responded as he moved his thumb to stroke the kitten's face, recieving a pleased purr in response, before he turned to look at Izuku; taking note that the other was watching him quite lovingly. "Izuku, I want one, no I want like five of them."
His boyfriend responded with an amuzed smile that soon enough turned apologetic.
"Well, unfortunately Kaachan is allergic to them." Izuku responded with a sigh as he walked over to stand by Shouto's side, slipping his fingers into the cage to give the kitten a small pat as well.
"Ah, so we should get ten kittens then?" Shouto said, his voice completely monotone and serious, which only served to get a cackling laugh out of Izuku.
"No, we don't want to bother kaachan TOO much, I mean he did help us out the other day." Izuku said, getting a hum out of Shouto as the other then turned his attention back towards the task at hand; that being the other kittens inside of the cage that had finally taken notice of him and were making their way over to get in on the petting action. "Though, you know, if we got our own place we could probably have as many kittens as you want...."
Shouto turned back to look at Izuku to see that his boyfriend had a very faint blush on his face as he was watching him from the corner of his green eyes. The sight made Shouto let out a small chuckle.
"If I didn't already live with you, I think I'd accuse you of suggesting that we move in together." Shouto said, getting a squeak out of Izuku as his boyfriend quickly moved his arms about as he tried to mumble out something in his own defence, but Shouto just sighed as he leaned in to press a very brief kiss to Izuku's lips, ultimately silencing him. "It's okay, I think that I'd really like that, just the two of us and our many many cat children."
Izuku gave him the most indearing blushy smile that he's seen yet, before it soon vanished as Izuku looked away from him, much to Shouto's disappointment.
"I'm worried about having to convince Uraraka that we'd be fine living on our own though." Izuku said with a sigh as he thought about his best friend. "She's convinced that we're both disaster gays."
"Just tell her that if we move out, she won't have to worry about walking in on us whenever we-"
"Oh my god, stop!"
----
Shouto likes to believe that playing with the kittens at the shelter was the highlight of his winter vacation, even though he and Izuku did have to leave empty-handed, but that also wouldn't give enough credit to Izuku's mother who he was convinced was a literal saint. Shouto and Izuku did quite enjoy the quiet winter evenings that they spent at the Midoriya residence, snuggled up on the couch with their hot chocolate while Inko Midoriya told them of the latest goings-on in town while the TV softly played in the backgorund. Most often than not, it was mainly Izuku and his mother chatting it up as Shouto was more than fine with just listening, but every-once in awhile he would shoot in with his two cents; this often got him excited looks from the other two as if they were happy that he were participating as well. Though they didn't mind if he remained completely silent either.
All in all, it was nice, and Shouto was really going to miss this when he and Izuku had to return back home to their apartment and deal with the next upcoming semester and not to mention work as well, thought Shouto would be lying if he said that he was not just a little bit excited to be starting his job at the bookstore.
"Just make sure to call me as soon as you two get home, okay?" Mrs. Midoriya was saying to her son as the three of them all stood within the apartment's entryway, bags packed and coats on. Izuku was hugging his mother goodbye, causing a flash of pain to go through Shouto's chest that he would otherwise ignore for the time being, who knew that he could become homesick for a place that wasn't even his? "Just be safe."
Shouto was brought back to attention as Mrs. Midoriya then turned to him.
"And you, don't be a stranger, I'm just one phone-call away if you need anything." She said to him, getting a very small smile out of him before he nodded in response, not quite sure if he would actually call to bug her about his problems but thankful for the sentiment none-the-less.
"Don't worry we'll be fine." Izuku said and in that moment no one doubted him as their goodbyes were said and the two took their leave, waving before comfortably slipping their hands together, Inko Midoriya making sure to watch over them until they vanished from her view just like any worried parent would.
"So, did you have fun?" Izuku asked once the two reached the sidewalk, curiously turning his bright green eyes up to look at the other, Shouto taking note that his boyfriend was wearing the scarf again despite the warming weather even though the love-bites had long since vanished.
"I think that I did." Shouto responded, voice soft with the tiniest of smiles upon his face. Izuku, in turn, seemed to like this as an answer as he responded with his own smile as he tugged his boyfriend closer to him. The two of them lightly brushing up against each other as they went and in that moment they were oh so in love without a single care in the world, they could just worry about all their troubles when they got home. For now they were just fine with being blissfully unaware of anything but each other and Shouto was pretty fine with that.
----
When the duo finally made it back home to their apartment, the sun was about to begin its descent in the sky, the travel and trainride exhausting them just as before though this time there were no nerves and instead great relief that they were finally home.
Home.
The word still caused all sorts of unfamiliar feelings to go through Shouto's gut, but they were not at all unpleasant so he wouldn't complain in the slightest. Especially not as Izuku's eyes lit up, the other man pulling him along with their bags to hurry on up to their room, and of course Shouto followed with the same amount of vigor; hoping maybe that he could take a nap once they got inside before having to unpack. It was wishful thinking, of course.
The two climbed the stairs to their apartment, hand in hand as they dragged their luggage along, exhausted but happy. Upon reaching the door, Shouto could hear voices coming from the other side, they weren’t exactly quiet with the occasional laughing, but there was no yelling. A good sign.
“I guess Bakugo and Uraraka made up,” Shouto pointed out before they opened up the door, Izumi nodding in agreement.
“I’m glad,” he said with a relieved sigh, “I hate it when they fight.”
Shouto found that he could easily agree with that notion as Izuku finally released his boyfriend’s hand to open the door.
Immediately they were met with Uraraka’s smiling face as she leaped up to great them, proudly brandishing the ball of fluff that she carried. Shouto’s eyes were quick to zero in on it.
“Look,” she cheered, “Katsuki got us a puppy!”
Both Shouto and Izuku paused, look from the dog to Bakugo and then each other.
“Excuse me, what?” Izuku asked, just about as dumbfounded as he appeared to be. “Do we even have the room or-“
“Come on Deku, look at him,” Uraraka lifted up the little dog towards Izuku’s face, allowing it to lick his nose. Izuku sputtered and all Shouto could do was give a small smile because he knew that it was all over. Izuku would soon be smitten with the thing and it didn’t take Shouto too long to see that he were right as Izuku absolutely melted, dropping his bags so he could give the puppy some much deserved pats. It was a sight that had Shouto smiling as he set down his own bags much more gently before making his way over to Bakugo, raising a single brow as he reached him.
“Really, a dog?” He asked, just getting the other to scoff and look away, but Shouto didn’t take any offense to it, he knew that Bakugo cared. If only in his own way.
“So what’s his name?” Izuku was asking.
“Waiting to see what his personality is like,” Uraraka answered, now being a proud dog mom.
“I’m gonna get dinner started,” Bakugo stated as he pushed himself up and made his way over towards their apartment’s kitchenette. “You all better wash your damn hands after touching the dog before we eat.”
He truly meant well.
Shouto sat down on the couch where Bakugo has previously been sitting, content enough to just sit back and watch Izuku and Uraraka play with the puppy and try to come up with various names for it.
Things here were comfortable enough, this was the place he belonged, at least for the time being. He knew that soon they would need their own space and that he was fine with that, as long as he was with Izuku he was home.
——
Late that night Shouto was laying in bed curled around Izuku and trying to find sleep, but ultimately failing. Izuku was quiet, but not at all restful as he tossed and turned, almost as if there were something on his mind that he couldn’t get out. Shouto hummed and ran his fingers through Izuku’s wild hair, his boyfriend stilling as he did so.
“Are you alright?” Shouto asked, in the dark of night, voice barely above a whisper. Izuku’s emerald green eyes blinked open, flecks of light shining off of them from the open window, the city bustling outside even at this hour.
“I’m just tired,” Izuku said, an utterly exhausted smile appearing on his face before he decided to bury his face into Shouto’s chest before the other could even get the chance to smooch his cute face. “This whole trip has just been.... a rollercoaster. I’m so glad we’re back now.”
Shouto couldn’t help but to agree, the faces of the men that had harassed them briefly flashing through his mind and sparking a phantom of rage as he remembered what his boyfriend was alluding to, but that was in the past now. Thus Shouto nodded, his voice escaping him as he buried his face into Izuku’s unruly green hair and allowing a content sigh to escape him.
“Not that I don’t absolute love you,” Izuku suddenly began as he shifted rather uncomfortably his leg at an angle, “but I’m getting tired of sleeping crammed into see twin-sized beds.”
“Oh, would you like me to sleep on the couch tonight?” Shouto asked even though he knew it wouldn’t have been ordeal and he quite honestly didn’t want to do such a thing. Though if Izuku would’ve preferred that, he would without further question. The winters were usually well enough, but the summers tended to be miserable when you and your significant other were sharing a tiny bed.
“No, it’s fine,” Izuku answered not too shortly after, his fingers digging into the baggy shirt Shouto wore, almost as though he were worried that his boyfriend would leave him there. Shouto reached up to entangle their fingers and show him otherwise. Izuku let out a relieved breath. “I’m just saying that I think we should get a bigger bed soon.... or something.”
“Oh?”
Shouto paused, the thought of going to pick out their bed together flooring him for at one point in his life he were sure that the thought of something so permanent would have scared him. Now though? Shouto was enthralled by the idea and he could feel his hopes rising up, there was just one problem with that idea.
“I don’t think your room is big enough for that,” Shouto said taking a moment to lean up and look around their shoebox of a room as if to double check. It was dark, but the lights from outside highlighted little bits and pieces of the surrounding area, showing Izuku’s desk and their dresser all crammed in next to the bed. If Shouto really wanted to, he could probably reach out to touch them without even leaving bed.
There was nothing wrong with this, of course, it had been perfectly fine for Izuku when he and Ochako and Bakugo had first moved in and they took the larger bedroom. It was the most logical thing at the time since they needed the space and Izuku hadn't ever ever dreamed that he may one day be sharing his space with another. That certainly did make things a lot more cramped and now the group even had a puppy to worry about and no one knew how big he may eventually get.
“Do you think that maybe....” Izuku began, trailing off before sitting up, to which Shouto was quick to follow his lead. He could tell that Izuku’s mind was going a mile a minute as he sat a gentle hand upon the other’s back, a silent assurance that he was there for him if he needed it. Izuku took a deep breath before nodding, seeming sure about whatever he was about to say before he turned back to look Shouto in the eyes, his own blazing like green fires. “We should move out soon.”
This took Shouto by surprise, and quite frankly it was a lot to unpack, no pun intended considering that they had just gotten back from their trip and were utterly exhausted.
“Are you sure?” Shouto asked, “I’m not sure if the jobs we have now could cover for living on our own.”
Izuku visibly deflated a bit and Shouto could have kicked himself for that, but his boyfriend was ever one to bounce back from negativity.
“You’re right and I know we need to be realistic about this kind of thing,” Izuku said, the smallest of blushes coming from underneath his freckles. “But I think it’s also something that we should work towards.”
Shouto gave a hint of a smile, his heart beating with pride for his significant other. They would be fine, Shouto thought, just as he heard a yap coming from the other room followed shortly after by Bakugo’s grumble.
“This is all very sudden,” Shouto pointed out, “could it be about the dog?”
Izuku’s blush grew even more and Shouto knew he had him.
“It’s going to get really crowded in here,” he said with a chuckle that had Shouto rolling his eyes in good nature.
“I don’t blame you,” Shouto said as he reached forward to wrap his arms around Izuku to bring him in closer. Izuku let out a content sigh as Shouto buried his face once more into his curly locks, it was where he belonged. “Though if we do move out just remember that you owe me a kitten.”
“Yes, yes, I know,” Izuku huffed out, tired and Shouto knew that it was only a matter of time until he got the cute little ball of fluff that he wanted. That could wait though, just like everything else, it was late and nothing would get done if they never got any sleep. Izuku yawned.
“Let’s get some sleep now,” Shouto whispered under his breath, hands gently rubbing circles into his boyfriend’s back. Izuku didn’t argue as Shouto laid back down, pulling the other along with him and so naturally Izuku fit into the crook of his neck.
Sleep came not long after.
——
Shouto was back at work not long after, a few monotonous weeks passing by as he and Izuku melted back into their every day lives, the only difference being that a little bit from every paycheck would be stored away in a savings box. It wasn’t much, but it was the little things that really made it feel like they were making some kind of progress.
It was strange really, Shouto’s life being so on track, for in the past such commitment would have had as him scared the thought of getting a house with someone that he loved very much. Not to mention working at a privately owned and tiny rinky dink bookshop that you had to venture down a dark alleyway to get to. It was nicer on the inside though.
Currently Shouto restocked the bookshelves after a particularly rambunctious costumer had swept through, tearing through each shelf in search of something special, while Momo meanwhile ran the register. She had started working there not too long ago when the previous cashier had quit, and when they were hiring, Shouto put in a good word for her with the manager. Said manager apparently really liked Shouto’s meticulousness and when they learned that Momo was even more so, well they couldn’t resist hiring her. It was nice, working with his old friend in such close courters. They weren’t the kind of people that needed to speak with many words, they could just easily exist within the same space. Plus, they were in the same boat, they knew where the other was coming from and that knowledge helped greatly.
After losing their home, Momo and Jirou had seemingly vanished from all social spaces, but from what Shouto could tell, they were just taking the time to focus on themselves for awhile. It was no doubt much needed, Momo appeared a bit happier now, but things were still rough from what he could understand.
He wished he could help, but he was as much a guest in his own home as well, he helped pay for things but when it came to owning his name was on nothing. Hell, he was just now building up his wardrobe again, the clothing and other material possessions he had abandoned at his father’s house long forgotten.
Shouto finished up with making the shelves look presentable before he walked back over towards the front counter where Momo was currently stationed, and he would have assumed that the slow day had her bored out of her mind, hadn’t he known her better. Though something was indeed up as he glanced over to see her brow furrowed while worrying her lip. Shouto raised a brow.
“Are you alright? You’re not feeling ill are you?” Shouto’s asked, getting Momo to blink as though she had just noticed him standing there.
“Oh no, I’m fine,” she answered though that wasn't exactly reassuring to Shouto, but he was never one to push. Momo let out a sigh and appeared to push whatever worries she had away. “So Midoriya tells me you two are going to start looking into getting a place together soon. That’s must be exciting.”
Shouto blinked and nodded.
“It’ll be nice to find some place bigger,” he said with a frown, “but money is going to be an issue.”
“Im sure you two will figure it out,” Momo responded as she looked away, her own smile looking so solemn upon her face. A look that Shouto didn't think belonged upon her, though thinking about it, he did not blame her. He still felt absolutely horrible for what had happened to both Jirou and Momo, the two girls being the closest friends that he’d been allowed to have until Izuku came into his life. Why weren’t they allowed to be happy too?
“Would you like to get a place with us?” Shouto asked before he could even think about the words coming from his mouth, Momo looking back at him with wide eyes full of surprise.
“This is a little sudden don’t you think?” Momo asked, though not in a way that implied she was against the idea. Shouto knew her well enough to be able to tell whenever there was a hopeful gleam within her eyes.
“I suppose it was a spur of the moment thing,” Shouto responded, releasing a breath of air. Not to mention the fact that he had no clue on whether or not Izuku would be fine with that. Did he want to move out so they could have a place to themselves or was it the size of the apartment in question. Perhaps if they rented a decently sized house with Momo and Jirou things wouldn’t feel as cramped as they did currently. It was a nice thought either way.
“Oh I think we have a customer coming this way,” Momo stated as she looked towards the shadow moving in front of the shop’s dusty old window. “We should talk more about this later with Midoriya and Kyoka.”
That sounded fair as Shouto gave a sure nod, turning to take his leave as he usually did whenever someone came into the shop, preferring to vanish into the shadows of the shelves while Momo handled the face to face. Working retail hadn't really changed him and if he could have his way he would just stock shelves and keep to himself the entire time. Shouto was quite blunt about the fact that he thought people were just plain rude, having suffered from many soccer moms wishing to see the manager or nosy teenagers that wanted to know where he got his scar along with his entire life story. It was a pain honestly and so when behind him the bell upon the entrance door jingled, allowing him to know that it was time to make himself scarce.
“Welcome to- oh,” Momo began before trailing off, odd to say the least for she was never one to falter. Shouto was sure that she was much more professional than he was. He could hear the click of heels among rye uncomfortable silence and then a soft voice that had him reeling.
“Shouto?” She asked and sure enough as he turned around he came to stand in front of a familiar face with pristine white hair dashed with a deep scarlet. Shouto floundered like a fish, his mouth opening and closing, unsure of what to say with the sudden appearance of his sister here of all places.
“Hello, Fuyumi,” he decided to say eventually no matter how dumb he thought it probably sounded. He hadn’t seen or spoken to her in months, maybe even close to a year and that’s all he could say to her? He frowned thinking it over, but honestly he didn’t know where to start, Andy by the look of Fuyumi nervously twiddling her thumbs, she didn’t either.
However, she was the bravest out of the two of them.
“Are you okay,” she asked taking a step forward without overstepping their unspoken boundary. “I haven’t seen you since.... that night.”
Fuyumi didn’t have to say it, Shouto knew what she was talking about nearly instantly, a phantom ache within his shoulder being a permanent reminder of the last time he had set foot within his childhood home. Though he hadn’t known it at the time.
Thinking about it now though, it made an unsettling feeling sink into his stomach as he thought of his poor sister. Left to wonder what had become of him, he really should have made a better attempt to call her, but the thought of having anything more to do with his family put him off.
Mrs. Midoriya’s smiling face and comforting presence flashed within his mind. And he thought that maybe it was okay now.
“I’m fine,” Shouto said with an uncertain glance towards Momo, almost as if he were pleading for her to bail him out of this situation, just like when they were kids. However she had already stepped away from the two, likely being polite and wanting to give them space to talk things out amongst themselves. Damn. Shouto took a leveled breath before turning back to Fuyumi, his sister’s brows knitted together, deep with worry. “I work here now and I’ve actually been living with a couple of friends and.... and my boyfriend.”
The term still felt foreign on his tongue after all these months, but it was not a bad feeling he got, his stomach flipping in the way that it does when one feels excitement. Thus he couldn't deny the the little smile that cracked onto his face.
“Oh,” Fuyumi said, her eyes widening at her brother’s words, almost looking taken about, but it only lasted for a few short seconds before her shoulders eased. Fuyumi returned his smile as she clasped her hands together, “I'm so happy to hear that, I was so worried when you never came home. I thought it was weird that you never came back to get anything even if you were moving out.”
He really should have said something, but he supposed that was all in the past now.
“I’m sorry,” Shouto said, hurrying the subject along when his sister gave him the ‘don’t you dare apologize’ look. “I can give you my new phone number if you want.”
This appeared to give Fuyumi a little peace as she nodded excitedly and whipped out her own phone, handing it over to Shouto with little effort. He in turn let out a small sigh as he began to enter in his information into her contact list.
“So what brings you here?” Shouto asked as he contemplated saving the number under a different name than his own.
“Shopping around,” Fuyumi answered with a shrug as she looked towards the slightly dusty bookshelves that surrounded them. “I find little shops like this tend to have some obscure masterpieces hiding within them. At least that’s what a couple of my book-loving students say. So I thought I’d check it out.”
So Fuyumi was still working as a teacher it would seem and honestly, good for her. Their father was initially opposed to the idea and though Fuyumi was usually never one to disobey the damn man, like Shouto was prone to, this was the one thing she fought against him for. Shouto supposed that they all had something like that.
“Just don’t give the old man my number,” Shouto said after a few moments had passed and he was handing the phone back over to Fuyumi who in turn accepted it and cradled it against her chest as if it were precious. “The last thing I need is him trying to get me to go back home for whatever reason.”
“I understand,” Fuyumi mumbled under her breath, glancing away as though the thought saddened her. “You really aren’t coming back?”
“Not planning on it,” Shouto shrugged, “I’m quite happy where I am now.”
And that was the truth.
Luckily his sister appeared appeased by this answer as she let out a tired sigh.
“Then I’m glad for you,” she said before doing a once over the wrinkled clothing he had chosen to wear today of all days.
“Though you know all your things are still waiting for you at home if you want them.”
Shouto hummed for it was a tantalizing thought, especially with moving into a new place on the horizon, since most of the things he owned currently were shared with him by Izuku. He was completely fine with this set up, of course, but the thought of having some of his own things again was almost too good to pass up.
“I’d like that,” Shouto said with a glance towards Momo who was now listening in on their conversation with the fervor of a worried mother. A thought that made Shouto’s gut twist uncomfortably, for he remembered the night admitting to Izuku that he wanted to reconnect with her, but that was easier said than done. Shouto, and the rest of his siblings for that matter, had never been told which hospital she was being kept. He wondered....
“Is there anyway for me to finally come collect my things?” He asked, a plan to go through his father’s Office for paper work already beginning to form in his head. Though it was enough to send a shiver down his spine, the thought of having to go anywhere near his old home or his father’s belongings being sickening to him.
Fuyumi blinked as if she were taken aback by Shouto’s question, but she was quick to bounce back as a smile appeared on her face.
“Of course,” she said “father is going on a business trip next weekend, you can come then.”
That sounded like a plan, even though Shouto knew it was against his better judgement. He had good reasoning, however, at least he thought that he did. Fuyumi checked the time on her phone before promptly pocketing it, lifting her hand to Shouto shortly afterwards as though she were wanting to offer a hug but was unsure what exactly their boundaries were now a days.
“I really must be going now,” she said nearly dropping her hand down again before Shouto had the chance to step forwards and place a hand in her shoulder. It was an awkward symbol of affection, proven by the way Fuyumi’s eyes widened, but one could not really blame Shouto for something that he was still not use to. The only one he even allowed to touch him in anyway being Izuku.
Shouto was wondering if he should have just let Fuyumi go when she returned the gesture, giving his shoulder a supportive squeeze.
“I’ll text you and we’ll figure the day and time out, okay?” She said before finally turning to go, putting distance between herself and her brother with a small wave in his direction. “I’m glad we ran into one another.”
Shouto waved back, frozen in spot until she was out the door and gone from his view. With that little scenario over with, Shouto was finally able to let out a breath of air, only to turn and see that Momo was staring him down hard.
“What’s wrong?”
“Are you sure that’s such a great idea?” She asked, the worry evident on her face in the form of a small scowl. “I don't like the thought of you going back to that place all alone, you never know what could happen, Shouto.”
He could understand where she was coming from, but there was little he could do about it. Shouto just knew that this was something that he would have to if he were ever going to move onto the next portion of his life.
“I’ll be fine,” he said though his voice wavered in such a way that he found it hard to even believe himself.
“At least take Midoriya with you,” Momo said, but Shouto has barely heard her as he cringed in on himself. The mere thought of having his boyfriend anywhere near that place making a dark anxiety bubble up from within him, but unfortunately Momo may have had a point.
“I’ll.... think about it,” Shouto finally said after a few minutes before he turned to go back to his work station.
And think about it he did.
——
It was a particularly rainy Sunday when Shouto and Izuku drove over to that blasted house he had dared to call home once upon a time. They parked the car and sat there for a long while with Bakugo sitting in the backseat, unusually quite for once in his life, only tagging along for backup should they had needed it.
"Don't need it," he had said when Izuku suggested the idea, but he had left it at that and didn't do much complaining. If Shouto hadn't known him any better, he would have said that Bakugo was concerned for the two of them.
Shouto didn't know how long they stayed in the car, or even why, their reasoning being they were waiting for the rain to calm but that also was an excuse.
"This is getting nothing done," Bakugo growled as he kicked at the back of Izuku's seat as if to urge them to get a move on. So it would seem that he was also getting rather antsy. Shouto's father, if he could even still be called that, wasn't currently at home, no one was, but Shouto knew where they hid the spare key (if it hadn't been moved already) so that shouldn't have been a problem. The true issue lie in the fact they had to be quick to gather up his things and then get the hell out of dodge, though he supposed if they left with little, it didn't necessarily matter. This wasn't about his belongings, not really, but he couldn't tell the others about that, not even his boyfriend.
It was to risky.
"I suppose you're right," Shouto sighed as he finally cracked open the car door, the muggy rainy air flooding into the vehicle. It made him want to go back home, his home with Izuku, and crawl back into bed to snuggle. Perhaps they could when this was all over, lord knows he'd be needing it.
With that Shouto stepped out into the drizzle, Izuku and Bakugo not far behind, though the latter was choosing to stay outside as a short of lookout. Though Shouto suspected that he just didn't want to enter such a "prissy rich household" as he had grumbled when he first saw what the building actually looked like. That was fine, Shouto didn't need any unnecessary damages to the property that his father would surely make them pay for in repairs. That was something none of them could afford, nor likely ever would be able to.
Shouto walked around the front of the car to stand at Izuku's side, hesitating there as he looked up at the old house that loomed above them, its shadow falling upon them like a bad omen. He could have shivered if he wasn't so reserved, flashes of memories of the last time he was inside going through his mind, the argument with his father and the pain in his shoulder that followed. It no longer hurt, but the simple thought of it all was enough to send a phantom ache down his arm.
A soft hand caressed his own, bringing his attention away from the dark past swirling around his head and towards the much more pleasant Izuku besides him. He blinked, almost like he had forgotten that his boyfriend was there with him.
"It'll be okay," Izuku said and by god, Shouto just couldn't not believe him, especially as he looked at him with those honest green eyes of his. It helped to ease his nerves as he tightened his fingers around the other's hand. He nodded, because yes, it would be okay. There was nothing more that his father could do to hurt him. He wasn't even there in the first place, anyway.
Shouto sighed and nodded, the action getting Izuku to beam, though even his usually happy-go-lucky boyfriend had a certain hesitance to his movements. It was in the way his smile faltered and pulled at the corners of his mouth as if he were forcing it to stay there. Yes, it would appear that Izuku was quite nervous as well. That being said, Shouto felt like a fool for keeping the three of them here any longer than they needed to be and so he took the first steps towards his old house. The sooner they were done with it, the sooner he could get Izuku as far away from it as possible. He hadn't even wanted him to come along initially, but try telling Izuku to not do something once he had already set his mind to it.
The two walked up the stony pathway and up the steps to the front door, not a single person was home and the workers would be on their lunch breaks right about now. This was the perfect opportunity.
Bakugou hung back, hovering around the car as if they would need a speedy getaway driver and perhaps they actually would, but that was a bridge to cross when they got to it.
As Shouto and Izuku approached the front door, the former finally released his boyfriend's hand to walk over to what appeared like a very inconspicuous rock, except that it was very conspicuous in Shouto's honest opinion. Lightly kicking it to the side, he found the house key that he was looking for and he could nearly let out the sour chuckle that threatened to escape him. Enji was the type of man who wouldn't dream of leaving a key to his house on the front porch where any hooligan (this now counted Shouto) could just come up and break in. This was clearly left for him by Fuyumi, something that warmed Shouto's heart as he gathered the key up in his grasp. Perhaps he and his sister could start reconnecting when all of this was over and maybe.... Maybe he could do that with the rest of his family as well, not counting their father, of course.
Shouto unlocked the door while Izuku waited with baited breath, his shoulders ridged as the door swung open into the darkened mansion beyond. A gust of cold air blew against them as Shouto motioned for his boyfriend to follow along and so the two of them entered the house. They walked along the long and dark corridors that Shouto knew by heart, passing by rooms that held far too many painful memories as they approached the staircase, nearly flying up it by skipping every other step. They were approaching his old room now, whether or not it still contained his belongings was another story however.
The entire time as they made their way to Shouto's old room, Izuku was quiet, almost as if he was worried that making a sound would bring unwanted attention. Instead he resorted to glancing around the halls with eyes full of wonder and perhaps just a tinge of fright at the ways the shadows clung to dark corners rather unpleasantly, the large house not having nearly enough windows to keep things bright and cheery.
"You know, some say this place is haunted," Shouto said in his usual monotone way, Izuku tensing and looking at him with wide eyes.
"R-Really?" He asked, but his face soon flushed as he saw the tiniest of smirks that appeared on Shouto's face. Izuku huffed, "oh stop it, you."
Shouto chuckled and it was all Izuku could do to playfully shove at him, the two's frazzled nerves ebbing down into a manageable unease that they could otherwise work with. At the top of the steps, they turned down another corridor and soon ended up at a closed door that Shouto knew to be his own. He took a deep breath, hand tightening around Izuku's before he lightly pushed the door open, not at all knowing what to expect on the other side. A part of him assumed his belongings would either be gone or destroyed, what he had not been expecting was for his room to still be intact. In fact, it looked rather untouched.
It could have been Fuyumi's doing, but Shouto wasn't so sure about that, and he could feel a dark and uncertain feeling creep deep into his gut. There was always the possibility that his father had left it as is, believing Shouto would eventually come home after this little "temper tantrum" of his, as his father would have put it. It certainly wouldn't have been the first time something like this had happened, however things were different now.
After today, he was never coming back.
"You doing okay?" Izuku asked, voice barely above a whisper as he sat a gentle hand on Shouto's lower back, rubbing soothing patterns into him. He blinked away his initial shock and nodded, finally stepping into the room. Izuku followed and dropped the large sports bag they had brought to carry Shouto's things in. They wouldn't be able to bring all of it, but it was better than nothing.
The two were quiet as they carefully stepped around the room, Izuku nervously hovering about as he wasn't sure what Shouto would want while the latter went straight to the items he for sure knew he didn't want to part with. Pictures from photo-booths he took with his friends at the various fairs they'd dragged him to in the past, a bracelet Izuku had gotten him for Valentine's Day back when they were so-totally-not-boyfriends as Ochako would have said, and a shoe-box in his closet full of mementos from the time when his mother was still around so long ago. He hesitated at that one, not daring to open it lest he get caught up in the moment, instead he lightly shook it to make sure the contents were still inside before lightly shoving it into the bag with the others.
Those were only some of the things he knew he couldn't part with, and with that done, he hoped Izuku would be well enough on his own for a little bit.
"Do you think you could pack up some of my clothes?" He asked, turning towards the door, "I want to take a look for something, I'll be quick."
At that a flash of worry appeared on Izuku's face, "I-I'm not sure what you want to take with."
"Just grab anything you think I might need," Shouto responded with a forced smile meant to be reassuring. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Izuku took in a deep breath and gave a shaky thumbs up, "you can count on me!"
"I know I always can," Shouto murmured before he turned to go, however Izuku grabbed a hold of his wrist before he could. He lightly pulled him back towards him to brush their lips together.
"Hurry back."
And with that Shouto hurried out of the room and went back the way they had come. Slippiing down the stairs, he made his way down the long hallway opposite of the old house's entrances. There he came upon a large set of double doors that had large windows in the center, the glass purposefully made foggy to deflect any wandering eyes. Shouto tried to open them, they were unlocked and so he smirked and entered his father's office space.
It was as one would respect, pricy old oak furniture filling it, all his father's things neatly filed away and if he hadn't known it would bite him in the butt later on, Shouto would have trashed the place. He wasn't here to cause trouble though, he would get what he needed, return to Izuku and then it'd be like he had never even stepped foot in this place.
Shouto made his way over to his father's desk, heart pounding all the while as he scanned the bare space before moving over towards the drawers. They were filled to the brim with loose papers and whatever else his father shoved inside of them when he was to lazy to file them away. Shouto huffed for even when his father wasn't here, he was causing him problems.
He began to shift through them, looking for anything that even remotely resembled a bill or letter, anything that looked like it could've been from a hospital. He didn't know how long he crouched there, the sound of his beating heart the only noise in the otherwise quiet room, the longer it took the more likely he would get caught. Shouto huffed out as he moved a thick phone-book to the side (seriously who still even used those things?) looking under it to see a pile of mail beneath.
There!
Shouto snagged one of the envelopes, eyes flicking over the address it was from, finding the crest of a hospital he recognized from two towns over. So she was there? Shouto flipped out his phone and took a picture of the address, then he slipped the bill out, briefly scanning it with his mismatched gaze before taking a picture of that too just in case. With that done, he quietly placed everything back where it had been, shutting the drawer and making a retreat for the double doors.
He had gotten what he had came for, he now knew where his mother was being kept.
With that, Shouto hurried back up the stairs and to his room where Izuku was waiting, once he got there he leaned up against the door with a rather content and lazy smile.
"You ready to go?" He asked, startling Izuku into jumping up, he put on an apologetic smile as the other laughed it off.
"Yea, I think I got everything," Izuku responded with a hum as he looked at the large bag with a furrowed brow. "Do you want to make sure?"
"No, we've wasted enough time here," Shouto responded, after all he didn't care about which clothes Izuku had grabbed, everything he needed to get was already taken care of.
Shouto pushed himself off of the doorframe to walk over to his boyfriend, perhaps another minute here wouldn't hurt. Shouto sat a gentle hand on Izuku's cheek before pulling him into a kiss, the other huffing out as their lips smacked together. Izuku chuckled as he pulled away, "there's a time and place, Shouto."
"Which is all the time and everywhere with you."
"So cheesy."
The two were at peace again, no longer weary the longer they had been there, and especially now that Shouto had gotten everything he had come for. He turned to take the bag from Izuku when his phone dinged with a message, but before he could get it out to check, the two of them heard the last thing they had wanted to hear in that moment.
The front door was being opened.
'Shit!' flashed through Shouto's mind as he quickly whipped out his phone to see that the previous next he had received was indeed a warning message from Bakugo that "oi, the big fuck's home." Shouto shot a glance towards Izuku, who had this knowing look plastered on his face, his lips drawn into a hard line as though he were fighting against a violent tremble. Shouto couldn't blame him, he could feel his knees begin to wobble as well.
Enji Todoroki's heavy footfalls echoed around the house as he walked down the hall, likely towards the living room to deposit his keys into the glass bowl that was kept there for such. Shouto and Izuku waited there with baited breath, each not knowing how to handle this situation until Enji's steps fell silent. They looked at one another and allowed their breathes to come out in relief, they were far from out of the woods yet, but had not yet been caught. Shouto hummed in thought as he glanced towards the window.
Being on the second floor with no trees around, for the exact purpose of keeping his kids from sneaking out, Shouto knew it would be no good to flee as though they hadn't even been there. Unfortunately the only way of escape he could see was going out the same way they had come in, perhaps quietly as to not be caught. However, if Enji did come across them.... Shouto just hoped that things wouldn't escalate to violent levels just like the last time he had been in this house.
Taking a deep breath, he clutched the bag tighter around himself and took a hold of Izuku's hand.
"Are you sure?" His boyfriend asked with knitted brows, to which Shouto nodded.
"Just.... be as quiet as you can."
Izuku nodded and thus the two quietly crept out of Shouto's room and back down the hallway, wincing at every creak and whine the old floorboards made underfoot. Eventually, after what felt like far too long, they made it to the top of the staircase without a single sight of Enji and Shouto thought that perhaps they were in the clear and could actually make it out the front door and to the car without any other issues. Unfortunately, they couldn't be so lucky.
“Shouto?” Came Enji’s harsh voice as they tried their best to sneak down the stairs undetected. Izuku let out the tiniest of yelps as the two of them tensed and turned around to come face to face with the enormous man, towering over the both of them. “So you’ve finally got over your tantrum and decided to come home?”
Shouto, initially ignoring his father’s question, went to put himself between Enji and Izuku. However, his boyfriend had other plans as Izuku grabbed a steady hold of Shouto’s sleeve to keep him in place beside him. Looking towards the other in surprise, Shouto could see the fire burning behind Izuku’s deep green eyes, nearly like a forest ablaze. Shouto nodded and turned to stare down his father, noticing that the exchange had not gone unnoticed from Enji. The man’s eyes had narrowed. Enji grunted and crossed his arms over his broad chest, his brow twitching with annoyance.
“So is this your latest little boy toy?” Enji asked in a way that was so condescending that Shouto could feel himself sneer.
“Actually I’m his boyfriend,” Izuku said so loud and boldly that Shouto had to do a double take. He could feel a smirk grow on his face as Enji rolled his eyes.
“I’m sure they’ve all thought that,” the man growled, but Shouto wouldn’t let his father have the upper hand. He calmly set his hand on top of Izuku’s shoulder and tugged him backwards, closer towards the front door.
“Actually he’s right and we’re incredibly happy together,” Shouto waved Enji off as if he were simply dismissing a nuisance. That had Enji growling as he stepped forward to keep himself at the same distance with his problem-some son. Despite remaining calm and collected, Shouto was internally sweating, knowing that any wrong move could lead to Enji exploding his rage over the two of them. Shouto’s shoulder twitched with the memory, making his heard pound and his steps quicker, Enji stalking towards them like a jungle cat. Arguably a very lame jungle cat, but no less deadly.
“And here I thought you’d stop being so foolish,” Enji grumbled, “didn’t you learn your lesson the last time? You’re too old to be acting this way.”
Shouto and Izuku’s backs hit the front door and immediately relief flooded through him even if they were still being cornered. Shouto took in a sharp breath as he looked for an out, slipping his hand into his pocket to grasp a hold of the spare key. Once he palmed over the sharp edges, he snagged a tight hold over it.
“I don’t care what you say, I just love who I do,” Shouto said as he pulled the key out. “You don’t have to worry about it anymore, I’m not coming back after this.”
And with that Shouto absolutely chucked the key at his father's face, Enji flinching back as it zipped past him, allowing Shouto enough time to whirl around and pull Izuku out the front door. They left with Enji's angered yells following after them, but before he could recover and give chase, they were already down the hill and coming upon the car that still awaited them. Bakugo, seeing the two hauling ass, jumped into the driver's seat and roared the engine to life.
Shouto and Izuku both wasted no time as they piled into the back seat, shoving the bag to the floor. They had barely even managed to shut the door before Bakugo was peeling out of the driveway, a wicked grin on his face as if he were living out some big dream of his, though Shouto wouldn't doubt he would have rather been in on the action instead of just being their getaway driver. Though he didn't want to think about what would have went down instead if Bakugo had been in the house with them, Shouto imagine furniture being thrown.
As they finally put a greater distance between themselves and the house, Shouto heard Izuku let out a breath of air, relief washing over his body as he leaned back in his seat. His head lolled to the side as he glanced at Shouto with a lazy smile, though his eyes still sparkled with a rush of adrenaline.
"We did it," Izuku said and as Shouto thought to the pictures he had of the hospital's information saved right onto his phone, he couldn't help but to agree.
"We did," Shouto managed the tiniest of smiles, he'd tell Izuku about it when they were back in the comfort of their room. It was just about the only thing he wanted to do right about then, curl up in bed with Izuku to allow the erratic beat of his heart to calm.
With that thought, Shouto offered his arm for Izuku to lean into his side, the two practically collapsing on one another, both of their hands were still a bit shaky from their interaction. Shouto sighed into Izuku's thick hair, hopefully this would be the last time they would have to deal with Enji and they could just get on with their lives.
"Hey Shouto," Izuku suddenly said, getting the other to hum as he leaned back to look at his boyfriend. Izuku had a bright grin on his face as he pulled out a familiar leather bound box that Shouto was 100% going to leave behind at the house. "Hope you don't mind that I grabbed this."
It was a watch his father, not caring for Shouto's personal tastes, had gotten him one year for his birthday. It was one of those large and fancy silver ones that most definitely cost a small fortune.
"I guess not, but I've never worn it," Shouto shrugged, "never even took it out of the box."
"I figured that," Izuku chuckled because he knew him so well by now. "I was just thinking that maybe we could sell it for some extra cash, that wouldn't hurt right?"
Shouto found his grin growing larger.
"I really do like the sound of that."
And thus that's how that blasted watch he couldn't stand, ended up with a place on their desk, just until someone answered the ad that Izuku made online immediately. It was nice though, the kind of spite towards his father that just kept on giving, the spite that would actually help them in the long run. Shouto sighed as he leaned back in his chair at the desk, his gaze occasionally drifting over towards that watch, the paper he held his pencil to was horribly blank.
As soon as they had gotten home, gotten comfortable, Shouto spilled the beans about where he had snuck off to, his goal being finding out where his mother was. Izuku was unsurprisingly supportive and was the one to suggest that perhaps it would be best for Shouto to send her a letter first before showing up out of the blue to see her. That did sound like the best course of action and if she wanted to reconnect with her son then he would give her that option, rather than forcing anything.
He just didn't know how to word these things. As evidence by the sheet of paper he's been staring at for the past twenty minutes.
He heard Izuku hum before his boyfriend stood up and walked over, wrapping his arms around the other's neck, he was warm.
"Would you like some help?" He asked lazily, and Shouto just about took him up on his offer, but then it wouldn't have been an honest letter. He wanted to pour out his own feelings in a way that was absolutely personal to him.
"Not this time," Shouto responded as he reached back to run his fingers through Izuku's thick hair. "I appreciate the offer though."
"Alright, I'll be here for moral support then!"
And honestly, Shouto wouldn't have it any other way as he turned to look into those deep green eyes he loved, lightly stroking Izuku's cheek. They leaned in for a kiss when the puppy's loud yap from somewhere within the house interrupted them, bring out a chuckle from Izuku.
"One day, we'll move out."
Shouto nodded before letting out an inquisitive hum, "well, how would you feel about moving into a house with Momo and Jirou?"
Izuku's eyes went wide with shock, and yet his smile still stayed in place, letting Shouto know what his answer to that was.
----
It had been about a month since then and after anxietiously awaiting the day, Shouto had finally gotten a response from his mother. A response that had to be hand delivered to him via Ochako since they had long since moved out of their tiny little apartment. An annoyed Bakugo was not far behind her as he was fed up with still getting their mail.
They had left him alone there with his letter on the front steps, the two heading inside to help Momo and Jirou move some things around in his place. Izuku currently had run to the store for something and so he wondered if he should wait for him. He was worried currently and needed just an ounce of that support the other could give him. Shouto glance back at the old house that would now be their home, he wasn’t sure how long they’d be here or if it was permanent but for now it was going to be home. It wasn’t even too far from all of their friends, as made evident by how frequently they all showed up. Just last night Kirishima and Tokoyami had stopped by to check the place out, which ended with them playing a game and not getting any work done at all. It was fine though, it was nice. It felt like family, and now it could feel like home.
At that thought, Shouto ripped open the letter.
His mismatched eyes scanned over it, reading the words that his mother had sent for him. It took her awhile to write back because she was frightened herself about their possible reunion, it had been so long and neither of them knew what to do with one another. And yet....
‘I’d like to see you too.’
There it was as clear as day, the words that made Shouto’s chest feel warm. He smiled as he continued to stare at the parchment, his gaze trailing down towards the bottom where a phone number had been listed. He would definitely have to call it, but this time definitely with Izuku by his side. Otherwise it was far too much anxiety to deal with alone for one day.
Shouto let out a sigh as a gentle breeze blew against him and he carefully pocketed his mother’s letter for the time being. He stood up and stretched out, preparing to head on inside to help the others while he waited for Izuku. However it would appear that he wouldn’t have to wait much longer.
“Shouto!” He heard Izuku’s call from down the street as his boyfriend hurried back home. He hesitated on the steps and waited for the other to get closer, wondering what all the fuss was about, but knowing Izuku is could’ve been anything. Luckily it wasn’t anything bad, however, if the excited grin on hi see boyfriend’s face was anything to go by.
“What’s wrong?” Shouto still felt the need to ask as Izuku got closer. At this distance he could tell that the other was clutching something within his grasp. Izuku stopped just a few feet short of Shouto, fighting to catch his breath as gently cradled the thing to his chest. Shouto’s eyes went round as Izuku held out his hands, offering up the tiniest black kitten he had ever seen.
“I found her.... in the trash....” Izuku huffed while Shouto still stood there dumbfounded. The kitten blinked at him and let out a small new that managed to break him out of his revere. Izuku put on a shy smile as he began to mumble up a storm, "I know we're in the process of moving and everything so it might be a terrible idea and I don't know it Momo and Jirou would be okay with it, but you've been wanting a car for so long. I understand if its not a good idea though, we can just find her a new home, I just couldn't leave her on the streets-"
The only thing that got Izuku to calm himself was Shouto bringing him into a careful hug, being sure to be mindful of the tiny bundle that he still had a hold of.
"It's fine, she's lovely, beautiful, amazing," Shouto said which got a chuckle out of his boyfriend.
"Wow, I wish you talked about me that way."
"No worries, I'm sure she takes after you," Shouto smiled, sending Izuku's face aflame so much that he had to hurriedly turn away. Shouto looked down at the kitten and lightly brushed his fingers under her chin, receiving a content purr in return. Izuku did have a point though, it may not have been the best time, but they certainly couldn't allow her to roam the streets. Even if she was only in their lives for a short period until they found her somewhere else, he was glad. "We can figure out what to do with her later, like everything else."
Izuku nodded in agreement before he leaned into Shouto with a sigh, the other wrapping his arms around him and running his hands through his hair just like he knew he liked.
"I just wanted to get you something that I knew would make you happy," Izuku sighed as he nuzzled himself into Shouto's chest. "Because you've made me so happy during the time we've known each other."
"I feel the same," Shouto sighed, "who knew this would be the result of making out in a closet."
"Oh my god, you can't just bring that up!" Izuku whined, attempting to bury his face as if that would somehow help him hide from the embarrassing memory. Shouto breathed air out from his nose as a small chuckled before he lightly leaned back and brought Izuku's chin up with a light caress. Shouto was smiling, he thinks, something that he's been doing an increasingly a lot more of as he brought his and Izuku's lips together in a soft kiss. And when he pulled away, Izuku was beaming up at him.
"What?" Shouto asked, mirroring his boyfriend's expression. Izuku chuckled.
"It's just that I can't believe I ever thought I was straight!"