Chapter Text
Shoto felt nervous for the afternoon. Father— though he supposed he should really start referring to him as Endeavor— was to soon wake up from his poison induced sleep and be put under arrest. He had already met Tsukauchi-san, he was a nice man. A detective who worked directly with creations, personally seeing to it that every creation he worked with got the justice they deserved.
Shoto supposed he would soon become a part of the group that owed his life to the detective. Everything was moving so quickly, he could hardly keep up. Just yesterday Father— Endeavor declared him useless. Shoto’s days were numbered. But now, there was hope. There was hope all around him. Surrounding him, protecting him.
There was hope in Yagi-san, who was watching Shoto’s old laboratory warily, cautiously. There was hope in Shinso, Bakugo, Uraraka, who were there as moral support.
There was hope in the clumsy robot who had yet to leave his side. Izuku inspired the most hope, it practically oozed out of him like oil.
The robot caught his stare and smiled accordingly, mistaking his gaze for apprehension rather than for what it truly was; admiration.
“He’ll be out of here soon, don’t worry.” He reassured him, squishing his fingers together.
Shoto closed the small distance between their faces, lowering his body just a little so that Izuku would not have to strain himself. They kissed for a quick, short second, Shoto pulling away first. Izuku’s eyes buzzed white for a moment before blinking back into their beautifully unnatural green shade.
“I know. Thank you.” He replied, returning the squeeze.
“Disgusting,” Bakugo muttered, his cheeks slightly flushed as he glared off into the distance.
“I think they’re adorable!” Uraraka squealed happily, clasping her hands together. “You two should totally get married!”
“What—?!” Yagi-san coughed, nearly hacking up a lung. “No, no, Izuku’s too young for marriage! And Shoto-kun is even younger, i-it’s just not possible!”
Aizawa, Shinso’s creator, muffled a chuckle behind his scarf. “Welcome to the club, Toshi. It’s called being a dad.”
Yagi-san sagged. “Well— of course, I’ve always thought Izuku to be my son. But this is…” He trailed off, his eyes locking on their interlocked hands. “This is not something I thought I would have to deal with.”
Aizawa huffed. “Have fun dealing with a kid who won’t take no for an answer.”
Shinso shot him a glare. “Denki’s just persistent. You wouldn’t get it.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t.”
“Maybe one day I will get married to Shoto.” Izuku suddenly spoke. Shoto’s heart practically heaved, while Yagi-san coughed up his other lung. “B-But for now, I think we can just stick to being in love. That works for us.”
Shoto nodded, though he was a little disappointed that they would not be getting married anytime soon. He knew what marriage was; the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship. Musutafu acknowledging their love by allowing them to get married sounded amazing. But Izuku was right, he supposed, and more rational than Shoto would ever be. They had just found their love, and they had plenty of time to get married someday. Shoto could wait.
A thundering yell split through the air, shattering the pleasant atmosphere and ruining the moment.
Aizawa and Yagi-san moved to stand in front of Shoto, along with Bakugo, Shinso, and Uraraka. Izuku almost joined them, but Shoto was selfish. He needed him at his side, always.
“ Shoto, you pathetic fool! ” Endeavor bellowed, his hands pressed tightly against the small of his back as he was led out of the laboratory by two police officers.
Shoto’s breath hitched. Izuku stood closer to him.
“When I go on trial, I’ll make sure to let the judge know how you poisoned me!” He snarled, staring right at him as he yelled out his hatred. His eyes burned with fire, it was hard to look anywhere else. “You will rot— you will burn for what you did to me, boy! Don’t think this is the end! I will come back, and I’ll make sure your eyes never open again!”
“Threatening a creation is against the law, Endeavor, even if he’s yours.” Tsukauchi-san sighed, somehow making his speech of pure hatred not seem so scary. “You can tell the judge your stories all you want, just get in the cruiser. I would hate to have to use force.”
Endeavor growled, his eyes finding Shoto’s once again. Maybe for the last time.
“ Damn you! Damn this entire town !”
It was only after the cruiser was out of sight that anyone let out a breath they hadn’t known they were holding in.
“What a freak show.” Bakugo muttered. “I can’t believe that’s your creator.”
“ Bakugo, ” Aizawa hissed in warning.
Shoto felt dazed, only coming out of his mind when Izuku’s metal hand stroked along his cheek.
“Are you okay?” He whispered while the rest of the group talked amongst themselves.
Shoto took a moment to deliberate that question. Okay; used to express assent, agreement, or acceptance. He was… accepting his situation. Accepting that his creator abused him, that he was safe, that he had someone who loved him more than anything.
Shoto was… not quite there yet. But he knew, staying by Izuku’s side, loving him, caring for him— he knew that he would get there one day. With Izuku, everything would be okay.
“You’re— Shoto, you’re— c-crying!” Izuku gasped, still quiet, though probably not intentionally. “H-How is that— possible ?” He whispered in awe, reaching up and dabbing at the corners of Shoto’s eyes before the water could be soaked up into his skin.
“I do not know.” He smiled ruefully. “I do not know many things, Izuku, but I do know one thing for certain,” They kissed for the fifth time then. Slow and steady. “I love you. I love you very much. Thank you— for loving me, too.”
Izuku looked too overwhelmed to speak, his eyes glitching white far longer than they had earlier. Shoto did not wait for his response. Instead, he held him tight against his own squishy body, practically molding Izuku into him.
Shoto could wait for his response. He could wait, and he would wait. Because they had forever, and their clock had only just begun.