Chapter Text
"Did you hear? About Yagi-sensei?" Ochako asked as she and her friends made their way around the mall. Since they would be starting their third and final year of Yuuei in just two days, Izuku had invited them all to hang out. Tenya seemed more excited about the prospect of buying more school supplies than actually hanging out, Hitoshi had been lovingly threatened into coming out by his father, and Tsuyu just liked being with their girlfriend.
"No, did something happen?" Shouto asked, concern coloring her voice.
Ochako made a "kind of" gesture. "Nothing bad! At least, according to the news. But he is retiring."
"Isn't he already retired?" Hitoshi asked, yawning.
Izuku finally jumped into the conversation, hands flapping. "No! Well, yes, but he's retiring as a teacher! He's retiring from Yuuei! He was actually telling me about it yesterday! After Kamino Ward, he kind of just didn't stop pushing himself, and his injury's only been getting worse, so Sir Nighteye, Mirio-senpai, Recovery Girl, Gran Torino, Principal Nezu, Aizawa-sensei, and I have been pressing him to just take it easy, especially now that the Shie Hassaikai has been taken down. I mean, he said he was thinking about it anyway, since he, in his words, 'can't keep up with the youth anymore,' but what really convinced him was his potential replacement."
"Wait, who's replacing him?!" Shouto exclaimed. Then, pinking slightly, "Ah, sorry, I interrupted you."
"It's okay, Shou-chan," Izuku replied easily. He grinned mischievously and kissed his girlfriend on the nose, turning that pink bright red. "I can't tell you, though; it's a secret~" he giggled. Ignoring Shouto's flustered spluttering, he continued, "Anyway, our new teacher was never even a Yuuei student; he went to a different hero school! He was top in his class, though, and is already in the top five heroes even though he's still pretty young!"
"Kind of like Hawks?" Tsuyu asked.
Izuku nodded eagerly. "I wanna say more, but if I do, I know you all will figure out who I'm talking about!" he whined, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "You'll all find out soon, though! He's taking over the Heroes Classes starting Monday! Yuuei hasn't released any of this to the public, yet, though, because they're trying to keep our new teacher a secret. They'll make the announcement while we're in class, so no cheating and checking the news before our heroics period!"
Tenya finally rejoined the group after buying a new set of mechanical pencils. They were metal ones with thicker lead than standard pencils, Shouto noticed. They'd definitely make good, weighted fidget toys.
"How much were those?" she asked.
"¥800," he replied, already fiddling with the packaging.
Ochako paled. "For only five pencils?!"
"They're very good quality!" Tenya defended. "They're a more solid metal than other brands, and the lead is 0.9 mm. What were you all talking about, while I was gone?"
Shouto tuned out Izuku explaining the All Might situation again as she searched for the same brand. The perks of having a rich dad who thought affection could be bought were, apparently, ¥800 pencils. She paused as she found them. Someone else was buying the last package, and she knew who he was.
"Dammit, Keishi!" she groaned. "I wanted those!"
Her older sibling turned to her with a grin. "Finders keepers, Imouto-chan~" Touya taunted.
She scowled. "You're such an ass," she muttered darkly. "And you're gonna pop a staple if you keep that expression up."
He shrugged apathetically, but his grin did shrink. "Eh, that's what the staple gun's for."
"I'm sure Keigo-san will be pleased to hear that."
"He already knows."
Shouto leveled a stare at him. "Does Mom know? And Nee-chan?"
Touya glared at her. "Fuckin' brat. If I let you have one from the pack will you refrain from telling them?"
The young girl debated the question for a while, already knowing her answer, but wanting to see her older sibling squirm. Unluckily for her, he was immune to such tactics after seventeen years. "Two."
"Deal."
"Deal."
Touya's grin was back as he checked the pencils out.
"You're bleeding again," Shouto stated impassively as he took out two pencils and gave them to her.
"Shit, really?" He gently ran his fingers along his scar line. With a sigh, he pulled some disinfectant wipes from his pocket and began gently dabbing at the wound. "I think there's a defect in my support gear," he grumbled. "The scars have been getting worse lately."
That genuinely alarmed Shouto. "You've talked to support about it, right?"
"Yeah, but they think the problem is my flames. They really do just keep getting more and more powerful. I've been working more with quirk specialists, and they predict an early retirement or I'll end up actually burning myself alive." He was tossing a small, blue flame between the fingers on his free hand, a nervous tick.
"I'm sorry, Touya," Shouto all but whispered.
He shrugged. "We all knew it'd happen eventually. Well, I gotta head back home. I'm pretty sure Keigo's gonna propose soon, and I have to beat him to the act."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm pretty sure marriage isn't supposed to be a competition."
Touya grinned again, more blood leaking from his scar line. "Marriage isn't; engagement is. See you tomorrow night at Fuyumi's?"
Shouto nodded, a smile breaking out on her own face. "Can I bring Izuku and Tenya this time? Or is it a family-only event?"
"Sure, bring 'em. Keigo's coming, Haru-san doesn't leave Mom's side, and I think Rumi finally moved in with Fuyumi, so might as well." He chuckled. "We'll see if Natsuo finally brings anyone over."
The two finally parted ways, and Shouto returned to her friends.
"Where'd you go?" Ochako asked.
"I ran into Touya. The bastard bought the last pack of pencils, but I talked him into giving me two of the five."
Izuku immediately perked up. "Ooh, Successor! You have to introduce me to him at some point! I think he knows who I am and just keeps avoiding me every time I try to talk with him."
Shouto chuckled. "That sounds like him. He may be the Number One Pro Hero, but he really doesn't like the attention it gives him. You'll have your chance tomorrow night. My family's having dinner together, and Touya said I can and should bring you and Tenya. Keigo-san and Rumi-san will be there, too."
Izuku was practically vibrating with excitement while Tenya just looked happy to be invited.
The rest of the day passed calmly and without any more talk of Yuuei. The group ended up spending the whole day at the mall, window shopping, actually shopping, and trying on clothes for fun. All in all, it was a good day. On the train back home, Shouto got a text from his family's group chat.
FuckEndeavor™️
ArsonAsACopingMechanism™️: mom you said we all should bring our significant other(s) to dinner tomorrow right
dIVORCED™️: Yes, why?
ArsonAsACopingMechanism™️: just double-checking :)
PonyoLovesPatricide™️: that's sketch as fuck what the hell are you planning
ArsonAsACopingMechanism™️: :)
StressIsBadForTheBaby™️: I assume it went well then?
ArsonAsACopingMechanism™️: ;)
PonyoLovesPatricide™️: touya wtf does that mean also shouto what's going on
StressIsBadForTheBaby™️: I'm pretty sure I'm sworn to secrecy
ArsonAsACopingMechanism™️: you absolutely are
PonyoLovesPatricide™️: does fuyumi know too?
FinallySomeGoodFuckingFamily™️: I have no idea what they're talking about, now leave me alone, I have papers to grade
PonyoLovesPatricide™️: >:( y'all never tell me what's going on >:(
dIVORCED™️: If it makes you feel better, Natsu, I don't know what's going on, either *^.^*
PonyoLovesPatricide™️: i love you mom uwu
StressIsBadForTheBaby™️: i love you mom uwu
ArsonAsACopingMechanism™️: i love you mom uwu
FinallySomeGoodFuckingFamily™️: i love you mom uwu
dIVORCED™️: I love you all, too, uwu?
PonyoLovesPatricide™️: LMFAO
Shouto chuckled as she finally returned home. "I'm home!" she called out, taking off her shoes.
"Welcome back!" her mom replied from the kitchen. The smell of curry wafted through the air. "Shouto, dear, what does 'uwu' mean?"
"Uh, it's like something you say when you're feeling soft, I think? I don't really know how to explain it. Denki probably knows, though." She began helping Rei set the table.
The older woman nodded, thoughtful. "They're the electric one, right? Who uses the bracelets like you?"
Shouto nodded. "Yeah. They know a lot about memes and Western culture."
Rei chuckled. "You kids these days. Oh, you're bringing Midoriya-kun and Iida-kun to dinner tomorrow, right?"
"Yes. They're both looking forward to it."
"Good. I hope whatever Touya has planned isn't too chaotic. Oh, you don't have to set out a third plate, dear. Haru's working late, tonight."
Shouto tried to not let her disappointment show. She didn't remember a lot about her birth father, and aside from what little her siblings and mother would tell her she was glad she couldn't remember him, but she really liked Haru-san. He rarely raised his voice, he was very gentle and sweet, he always seemed to genuinely care about Shouto and how she was doing, and even Touya liked him. He was a nurse at a nearby hospital and often worked late, but he always tried to be home weekend nights.
"Don't worry, though, sweetie; he has tomorrow off," Rei assured her with a kind smile. "I don't think your boyfriends have met him yet, have they?"
"I don't think so, no," Shouto replied, a little surprised. Although, she probably shouldn't be, considering when she, Izuku, and Tenya hung out it was usually at Izuku's house or somewhere else on a date.
"I'm sure he'll love them. You chose some very nice boys, Shou."
She smiled to herself before giving thanks and eating.
The next night started out calmly enough. Izuku and Tenya met Shouto, Rei, and Haru at Fuyumi's house at 6:00 p.m. sharp, both dressed quite nicely for the occasion. Out of all the Fubuki siblings, Fuyumi used their birth father's funds most liberally, and now that she was living with a Pro Hero — especially one in the Top 10 — she had the best place to gather in for family dinners. Sure, Touya and Keigo were the Number One and Number Two Pro Heroes respectively, but the one time everyone tried to get together at their penthouse, the entire building nearly burnt down, and it wasn't even Touya or Shouto's faults. So instead, everyone gathered around the dinner table in Fuyumi and Rumi's home.
"I don't believe we've met before," Haru told Izuku and Tenya as everyone waited for Natsuo, his potential date, Touya, and Keigo. "I'm Ame Haru."
The two bowed anxiously. "I'm Midoriya Izuku!"
"And I am Iida Tenya!"
Together, they bowed again and said, "It's very nice to meet you!"
Haru chuckled. "Um, which one of you is dating Shouto, again?"
All three boys faltered, trading awkward glances. "We're all dating," Shouto explained, chewing on his bottom lip.
Haru blinked a few times. "Oh! When did that start, then?"
Izuku began bouncing on his feet. "Well, Shou-chan and I started dating first, around the beginning of our second year, right?"
Shouto nodded. "We were already very close to Tenya, and a little after winter break, I think, we just decided to all be together."
Tenya made some chopping motions with his arms as he spoke. "It just felt natural and right!"
Haru nodded in understanding. Just as he was about to ask another question, though, the front door opened and Natsuo came in. "Natsu!" Haru greeted with a smile and a hug.
The young man grinned back and returned the embrace. "Hey, Haru!"
"Still no girlfriend?"
Natsuo blushed. "Actually, she said she'd be here in a bit. The trains got delayed in an attack."
Shouto leaned around Haru with a shit-eating grin. "You finally have a girlfriend?" he asked.
Blushing even harder, Natsuo muttered, "You shut your face, brat."
"Hey, only Touya gets to call me that," Shouto grumbled, but he didn't stop grinning.
"Congratulations!" Tenya told the older Fubuki earnestly.
Izuku shot him an eager pair of thumbs up.
Before Natsuo could say anything else in reply, a hesitant knock sounded at the door.
Shouto's grin, impossibly, widened. "Ooh, is that her?"
"Stop teasing him, Shou," Rei scolded, but there was no heat in her words.
Fuyumi opened the door. "Hello! Are you Natsuo's girlfriend?"
Everyone tried (and failed) to covertly stare at the newcomer. She was a very beautiful Indian woman wearing a simple blue dress and sandals. She had long, dark hair braided all the way down her back and a nose ring that connected to her ear. Her grin was very genuine and bright as she said, "Yes, my name is Akiyama Mai. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"It's nice to meet you, too!" Fuyumi replied excitedly. "Here, I think these house slippers should fit you."
"Thank you," Mai smiled.
Just as Fuyumi was about to close the door again, she saw the last car pull up. "Oh! I think that's Touya and Keigo!"
Sure enough, it was. The two joined the rest of the group, Touya teasing Natsuo about Mai, Keigo getting bombarded with excited questions from Izuku, Rumi finding common heritage between herself and Mai, Haru asking more about Tenya's life and family, Touya catching up with Fuyumi and Rei.
As stomachs began to rumble, everyone busied themselves setting the table, taking out the various dishes Rumi and Fuyumi had made, or just staying out of the way (as was the case for Izuku, Tenya, and Mai).
"You're students at Yuuei with Natsuo's younger brother, right?" she asked them.
"Yes! We're starting our third and final year tomorrow!" Tenya replied excitedly. "After that, many of us will become Pro Heroes! My brother left me his agency, which I hope to return to its former glory!"
"Wow, that seems like a lot of pressure."
"Yes, but I work best under pressure!"
"If anyone can do it, you can." Izuku smiled warmly at his boyfriend who blushed and readjusted his glasses.
Soon, it was time to eat, and everyone sat together, said their thanks, then dug in. The conversation petered off but never fully stopped as everyone began to focus more on the good food than any kind of speech.
"Fuyumi, if I could marry your cooking, I would," Keigo groaned in appreciation as he helped himself to a third helping.
Touya gasped in mock offense. "Babe. I am right here."
The other Pro Hero fluttered his eyelashes at his partner over his bowl of noodles. "I know."
"You are so mean," he declared dramatically, getting everyone's attention. "Maybe I should take that ring back." He then grinned and winked at Keigo who returned the expression as everyone began freaking out.
"You proposed?!"
"Is that why you were acting so weird in the group chat?!"
"I can't believe you're engaged! I'm so happy for you!"
"Congratulations, you two!"
"Lemme see the ring!"
Everyone oohed and aahed over the accessory. It was a simple silver band with a single blue diamond in the center.
"Is that a real diamond?" Natsuo asked.
"Nah, we don't support the diamond industry," Keigo laughed. "A friend of ours makes imitations from plastic fished out of the sea. They're as beautiful and long-lasting as real ones, just without the moral dilemma."
Fuyumi nodded. "Does the inside have an inscription?"
Touya answered this time. "Yeah, but it's a secret for only Keigo to know."
The man in question suddenly perked up even more. "Oh! Now that I have everyone's attention!" He abruptly stood up, got down on one knee facing Touya, and pulled out a little black box.
"Oh my fucking god," Shouto muttered, trying to not laugh.
"Fubuki Touya, light of my life, pain in my neck, the best thing that ever happened to me, my most constant headache," the winged hero stated firmly, definitely holding back laughter as well. "Will you do me the honor of marrying me? Not now, but like a few months down the road? Rumi will be my bridesmaid."
"Fuck yeah!" the heroine fist-pumped.
Touya, seconds away from breaking down with the rest of them, fanned his face dramatically. "Oh my god! Babe! I thought you'd never ask!"
The two finally collapsed into giggles as everyone around them joined in, applauded, or both. Keigo slipped the ring onto Touya's finger, and it was revealed to be the exact same as the one Touya had given Keigo, but with a bright red (fake) gemstone instead of a blue one.
"Did you buy the rings together?" Rei chuckled.
"Yes," they replied simultaneously.
"We'd also been planning this for a while," Touya chuckled, pulling out some disinfectant wipes to clean up the blood that had started to ooze from his scars.
Shouto shook his head in amusement. "You're both ridiculous."
Neither of them denied it.