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Izuku has spent the majority of his life covered in soot and smoke rather than fancy makeup and perfumes.After years of watching the omegas in his village receive blade after blade, he had begged the local blacksmith to teach him how to make them. The old alpha's brows raised at the request. "Wouldn't you rather receive them than make them?"
"Nope!" he shook his head. "I want you to teach me!"
Yagi looked uncertain as stared down at the young omega. "I don't think--"
Izuku interrupted him. "Please! I want to learn how to make swords like you! They're always so cool!"
And who was Yagi to deny the young omega's dreams?
Thus, with many years of craftsmanship under his belt, Izuku has grown up rather... picky of his courting gifts.
He was fourteen when he received his first blade. It was poorly made and cheap which was disappointing from one of the wealthiest alphas in their village. The alpha was so sure of himself as he presented him with the rough knife (it was so small with cracks in the handle and dull metal). "I commissioned the best craftsman around just for you!"
"You commissioned Mr. Yagi? For this?"
The alpha grinned confidently, and Izuku watched as his grin fell as he proceeded to drop it in the scrap bin. "H-hey! What are you doing?"
"You should ask for your money back then."
He received three more before his eighteenth year, all quickly rejected. Eventually, his village learned of Izuku's pickiness, and no alphas even attempted to court him.
Secretly, Izuku was okay with that. He'd much rather prefer the comfort of his craft than a mate.
"I see you're spending a lot of time here, Young Midoriya," Mr. Yagi had said one afternoon. "Don't you want to go and mingle with alphas your age?"
" Mingle? You sound like my grandfather. And no, I like being here. It's comforting."
"Ah, yes, my boy, but don't you--"
"Deku!"
Izuku didn't have to turn to see Katsuki barging into their shop. The alphas' overpowering scent wraps around Izuku, and he suppressed a shudder.
"H-hi, Kacchan!"
Katsuki shoved his way into Izuku's space, red eyes narrowing. The omega prays he can't smell his nervousness.
"Your nerd ass was supposed to be at the lake an hour ago. Shitty hair sent me to come get you. Takin' up my fuckin' time."
Izuku's eyes widened, and he scrambled to clean up his work area. "Shit! I forgot! I lost track of time because of this sword, and--"
"Deku. Hurry the fuck up already."
The omega quickly shut up, and, after saying goodbye to Mr. Yagi, the pair made their way to the lake.
"Sorry you had to come get me, Kacchan."
"Whatever." Katsuki didn't say anything the rest of the way, scowl heavy on his face.
By the time they reached the lake, Izuku's chest was heavy with worry. Katsuki has always been gruff and short with Izuku, but it has always been the two of them for as long as he could remember. The two used to run in the fields outside the village and play knights and dragons.
They no longer run in the fields, not after presenting. They no longer do a lot of things together.
"Izuku! Bakubro!"
He smiled as Kirishima ran up to them. The alpha was all grins and teeth as he greeted them. "You two made it! Izuku, can I talk to you?"
"Hah? You ignoring me, Shitty hair?"
Kirishima's eyes widened as he vigorously shook his head. "Ignore you? Never, Bakubro! I just have to talk to Izuku real quick!"
The two share a look, and Katsuki's scowl, as if it was even possible, deepens. "Fine," he said and stalked off.
Kirishima turned to Izuku, face full of hope. Izuku likes Kirishima. They haven't been friends for long, but whenever they're around each other, Izuku couldn't help but feel at peace. He rocked on his heels. "What's up, Kirishima?"
The alpha's cheeks redden. "Izuku, I first want to say that I really appreciate our friendship."
"Aw, Kirishima, I appreciate it, too!"
"Well, uh, I wanted to-shit. Um, uh, I want to, well..." Kirishima didn't finish what he was saying, instead thrusting a small knife into his hands. "Willyoubemymate?"
Izuku's breath left him, and he took his time to look at the knife. The blade was a simple steel, and there were three red gems along the hilt's side. A bright red tassel hangs off the end. It was clearly well made, but something sours in Izuku's stomach.
"Kirishima, I--"
"You don't like it."
His voice sounded so dejected that Izuku's head immediately snapped up. "It-it's not that I don't love it! It's very gorgeous and clearly well made, but I'm not looking for a mate right now. I still want to be your friend, though! Really, I do!"
"Izuku, you don't have to try to make me feel better. I kind of figured it was a long shot anyway."
He looked down at the knife. "I'm sorry, Kirishima. I don't think I should be the one you give this to."
Handing back the knife, Izuku wandered back to Katsuki.
"What did he want?" The alpha immediately asked. He wasn't looking at him, but it was clear he was interested. Izuku sighed. "He gave me a courting knife. I turned him down."
He didn't miss the way Katsuki's eyes widened or the small smile that was quickly replaced by a frown.
"Hmm." The alpha grunted and lightly shoved him. "Saved from your shitty mumbling."
Izuku didn't respond, though he couldn't deny the beat his heart skipped.
--
After being gone for so long, Izuku was excited to see his friend again. Being the son of a wealthy merchant unfortunately meant accompanying his father on trips.
(He did bring Izuku metals from all over, though.)
Katsuki's scent was sour any time he was around them. "Why are you here, Half 'n half? Shouldn't you be riding your fancy ass horse halfway across the world?"
"Good to see you too, Bakugou. I've missed you."
"Oh fuck off."
"Todoroki, what did you bring me this time?" Izuku always looked forward to seeing what Todoroki would bring him. He'd tried to incorporate the materials in his swords and other blades.
Todoroki doesn't hesitate to reach into his bag. "This is for you, Midoriya."
He hands him an ornate dagger. The hilt was gold and filled with pearls, rubies, and opal. The sheath (jade with rubies lining the tip) shone in the sun. Izuku didn't have to unsheathe the blade to know it's quality.
Next to him, Katsuki makes an indistinguishable sound.
He glanced at Katsuki. The alpha's arms were crossed as he fumed at Todoroki. If he wasn't careful, Izuku could have an alpha on alpha brawl on his hands.
"Do you like it?"
Izuku nearly jumped as he was reminded that he had to respond. "I do."
Todoroki started to smile, but Izuku slowly handed the dagger back. "But this isn't for me. It's a gorgeous blade, and I envy the craftsman who made this, but I'm sorry, Todoroki. I only think of you as a friend. I'm sure you'll make some lucky omega very happy with this someday."
Todoroki gripped the hilt of the dagger before quickly burying it in his bag. His scent curdled, making Izuku scrunch up his nose. "Todoroki--"
"I understand."
"Wh-what?"
He didn't look at Izuku as he says, "I understand, Midoriya. You don't have to apologize. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me."
Katsuki snorted. "Good luck with that. Never met a more stubborn bastard in my life. Asshole won't change his mind."
"Kacchan!"
Todoroki gave them a long look before mounting his horse. Izuku desperately wished he wasn't the cause of his frown. It hurt to see his friend hurting like that. It hurt even more knowing that he was the reason behind it.
"I wish you two luck," he said before riding off, not giving Izuku any time to ask what he meant.
"Thank fuck he's gone." Katsuki turned around to walk off. He didn't check if Izuku was going to follow. He didn't have to; Izuku probably would have followed him to the ends of the earth.
Izuku pouted as he ran after him. "That's not very nice, Kacchan! He just got his heart broken, and you're glad he's gone!"
The alpha grinned. "And who's the one who broke his heart in the first place?" When Izuku didn't respond, he laughed. "That's what I thought!"
"It's still not nice."
"Cry me a fuckin' river. Hurry the fuck up already! I'm starving !"
--
It's the spring of his twenty-first year when Izuku realizes he's in love.
Three days before spring equinox, three days before the annual festival his village is excitedly buzzing for, Izuku stares into ruby eyes and falls hard .
Izuku told himself after he first presented that he didn't need nor wanted a mate and that he was totally fine by himself. He had Mr. Yagi and his mom and all his friends to keep him happy. There was no reason to change what works.
So falling for Katsuki definitely wasn't in the plan.
"You're too fucking slow, Deku!" Kacchan roars as he tackles him to the ground. The two boys roll around in the field, fists and teeth everywhere, as they wrestle. If they aren't careful (which they definitely aren't), they could fall in the lake.
Izuku wraps his legs around Katsuki's waist and flips them. He grins down at him. "No, you're too slow, Kacchan."
Katsuki's eyes glint before Izuku's wrists are seized and they're rolled close to the lake's edge. His hips are quickly pinned by the alpha's knees.
"Nah, I ain't the slow one here. That's obviously your dumb ass."
Izuku struggles in Katsuki's grip before slowly giving up. He pouts. "Kacchan always wins."
"Duh! It's because I'm the fucking best! When are you gonna get it in your shitty head, nerd?"
"When you get off of me."
"Actually, I think I'm comfortable here. I might just sit here all day ."
Izuku's eyes widen, and he squirms under him. "Don't you dare!"
Katsuki's grin is predatory as he leans down. He holds his breath, heart racing in his chest, as he says, "Why? Don't you want me in your lap? Or would you rather be in mine?"
Oh shit. Oh fuck. Izuku suddenly curses the gods above because wow .
When Katsuki leans back, Izuku is praying that his cheeks aren't red. "Wh-huh-what?"
The alpha laughs, fully belly and all, and Izuku is stunned. Blond hair shining in the sun, cheeks pink and rosy, joy in his eyes--Katsuki truly is the most beautiful person Izuku has ever seen.
He is so fucking screwed.
"Relax, Deku. I'm just joking." Katsuki moves off of him and offers him a hand. "Can't believe you thought I was serious, nerd."
He presses his lips together as he takes the blond's hand. "That was a joke?"
"Duh. You wanna go again?"
They spar twice more before they stop for the day. When they part, Izuku sniffs his clothes, enjoying the way Katsuki's faint scent lingers.
He falls asleep that night to dreams of bright eyes and sweet laughter.
--
The spring equinox starts the same way it does every year--with a run.
Mating runs have long since gone out of fashion, what with the use of newer courting gifts and rituals, but Izuku's village gladly rounds up all eligible alphas and omegas (and some betas) and sets them free.
Izuku has never participated in the run; he sees no reason to do so given that he's often busy making courting gifts rather than receiving them. However, this year feels... different.
Like always, it starts with Katsuki.
"Are you running?" Katsuki asks the night before. He's helping Izuku lug around some of the heavier materials, even if he did complain about it.
Izuku shrugs. "Do I have to? It's not like it's actually for mating anymore."
At Katsuki's silence, he looks up. The alpha is frowning (what else is new), and he can't help but feel like it's his fault. Clearing his throat, he asks, "Are-are you running?"
"'Course not." Katsuki is quick to say. "I don't need a bullshit courting ritual like that to find a mate. I'm the fucking best!"
Izuku laughs. "Yeah, you are, Kacchan."
"Damn right I am! You got any more of this shitty stuff to move? I'm fucking starving."
Later that night, Izuku lays in bed unable to sleep. Katsuki has never had any interest in the mating run before, so why now?
Hell, why ask if Izuku of all people was interested? As far as he was aware, Katsuki didn't view him as an eligible mate whatsoever. Sure, the mating run isn't actually for mating, but it still holds the core values and meaning behind it! Plenty of mated couples ran together!
But what if... what if Kacchan found someone he wanted to mate with?
Something ugly and festering rumbles in his tummy, and he curls up in his bed, hating the way it curls around his heart. There's no reason he should feel this way. Hell, if Kacchan found a mate, then good for him! He deserves to be happy!
Izuku will spend his days in the shop, beating away at hot steel until it bends just right, and being nothing but content about his mateless life.
His omega whimpers at the thought, and so does he. Lately, he's been wondering if he really /does/ want to be mateless. He's quick to shove away the thoughts, though. Who would want a picky omega anyway?
--
Katsuki is at the shop bright and early the next day.
Izuku is just finishing some last minute details on a courting gift (a gorgeous axe with a white-stained leather handle) when the alpha walks in.
"Deku."
"Oh, morning, Kacchan! Just let me finish up here and I'll be good to go!"
"I need you to make me a courting gift."
Izuku freezes, and he tries his hardest not to let Katsuki see the way his face falls. "O-oh? What, um, what kind?"
There's a thud on the work table, and he peaks over to see a large bag. "I want you to use this stuff," the alpha says.
When he peaks, he's greeted with dragon scales, thick leather, and--he gasps. "Is this...?"
"Obsidian? Yep." The alpha puffs out his chest in pride. Obsidian normally is easy to come by, but their land hasn't seen it in decades. For Katsuki to have this, he'd have to cross several borders or pay a hefty price.
Izuku looks around in the bag. "There's no steel. Or any metals of any kind. Unless you're thinking of making the blade out of this --" he holds up the obsidian "which I don't recommend, you need something."
Katsuki rolls his eyes. "Why go through all that trouble when you have the best material in all the land?"
The omega looks up at him. "Are you sure? Materials for courting gifts are you usually hand picked, and--"
"I said I wanted the best, didn't I?"
He quickly nods.
"Good." Katsuki pulls out a piece of paper and slams it on the table. "This is the design. Let me know when it's finished."
He walks away without another word, and Izuku is left in the silence of the shop. He hates the way his heart is aching. Hates how it makes his omega howl.
But if this is what will make Kacchan happy, if he had found someone that makes his heart sing the way Izuku's does when he's around him, then Izuku will do it.
Like he always says, Kacchan deserves the best.
--
Mr. Yagi ends up closing the shop early and immediately sends Izuku home. A part of him is disappointed--he had a few projects he was working on--but another, more selfish, part is relieved. Now, he had no reason to work on Kacchan's courting gift.
"This is quite beautiful, Young Midoriya. Who's it for?" Mr. Yagi asks. He's wiping his hands on a blackened cloth as he looks over the design. Any happiness he previously felt floods out of him.
"Oh," he says, trying to keep his tone positive. "It's for Kacchan."
"Ah. Young Bakugou. I see."
They stand in silence as the words sink in. He's not looking at his mentor when he asks, "Wait, Young Bakugou?"
Izuku chuckles nervously. "Ah, yeah. He came in earlier requesting it. Brought the materials and everything."
"And, you are...?"
'Drowning in ugly jealousy. Wanting to throttle whatever omega caught Kacchan's eyes. Already planning on digging a six-foot deep whole and living there for the rest of my life,' he wants to say.
"Making it," he says instead. At the alpha's surprised expression, he waves it off. "Kacchan's my best friend!
Why wouldn't I make this for him? He's found someone who could make him happy, and that's all I want for him."
"Are you sure, Young Midoriya? Because I thought--"
"I'm sure!"
He doesn't dwell on this conversation any longer. Instead he cleans up his station and bids Mr. Yagi goodnight.
He's barely out of the door when he spots Kirishima across the street. They haven't spoken much since Izuku rejected him, but that doesn't seem to stop the alpha from grinning and running towards him.
"Hey, Midobro!"
"Hi, Kiri."
Kirishima bumps his shoulder. "You've been ignoring me. I'm hurt."
"Wh-what! No, I haven't! I swear!" Not intentionally, at least.
Instead of being offended, the redhead just laughs. "Relax, Midobro. I'm just teasing. How've you been?"
Relief floods his senses as he relaxes. Talking to Kirishima has always been easy. He'd hate to have ruined their friendship just because of something trivial as mating.
"I'm alright. Busy. We have a lot of courting gift orders that I've been trying to complete.Everyone's eager for the spring equinox."
"Makes sense," Kiri agrees. "It is supposed to be mating season after all."
Kiri makes it almost easy to forget his current conundrum. Almost.
Kiri's expression turns uncertain as he rubs his neck. "Hey, so... I, uh, heard about Bakugou requesting a gift. Mina won't shut up about it." "Mina knows?" Izuku asks, ignoring his sinking gut. "I only received the order today." "Eh, you know Mina. She 'has her ways'." His voice raises a few octaves as he mimics their friend, and they laugh boisterously.
Laughter dying down, Izuku asks, "Why're you asking?"
He hesitates. "Just wanted to make sure... you're okay. You are, right?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
Kirishima looks like he wants to say something else, but they're interrupted by a familiar yell.
"Shitty hair! You're fucking late!"
Katsuki stalks up to them, anger marring his beautiful features. 'No, Izuku,' he thinks to himself. 'Not beautiful. That is not how we think about friends .'
Which is all they're going to be. Which is fine.
(It's not.)
Red eyes slide to him, and he's greeted by Katsuki's sharp grin. "How's my sword coming along, Deku?"
Ignore the sting. "I'm starting after the festival. We have too many orders.
The alpha frowns. " After the festival? Is my gift not important?"
"Of course it is, Kacchan, but yours came in today, and we have so, so many orders to fill, and, well, the size is going to take some time ..."
He loses himself in thoughts of making the sword, already planning on taking time to make the hilt. The materials are so beautiful and rare that he doesn't want to waste any of it. Already, he knows that he's going to have to be careful, especially with the obsidian. The dragon scale is going to be a bitch and a half to--
"Fucking fine," Katsuki interrupts his thoughts. "As long as it's quality."
"It will be, Kacchan! Blacksmith's honor!"
The blond offers a small smile briefly before coughing. "Fucking-- we're late to the festival. Let's go."
He yanks Kirishima (who Izuku quite frankly forgot was even there) by the shirt and walks off. He follows.
Later, in the evening's fiery torchlights, Izuku swears he sees Katsuki's cheeks flush every time their eyes meet. He passes it off as a trick of the light, but, secretly, he's thrilled.
--
"How long will it take?"
Katsuki has taken to coming to the shop everyday now. He proudly sits in the stool Mr. Yagi has pulled up for him as he watches over Izuku's process. Izuku loves spending time with Kacchan-really, he does-but this? This is too much.
Izuku sighs and leans back. He had to stop himself from rubbing his hands across his face, less he wanted even more dirt and grime on it. "I've only been working on it for a few weeks, Kacchan. You have to give me time."
The equinox has long since passed, meaning more time to work on Kacchan's gift. They usually face a lull by now and likely will until the start of summer, if all goes well.
Normally, Izuku would be ecstatic that Kacchan is hanging around so much, but he can hardly catch a break. Though, he doesn't mind the homemade lunches.
Katsuki frowns. "How long is it supposed to take?"
"A sword like this? With these materials? It could take a couple of months, Kacchan."
" Months?! "
He meets the alpha's gaze and shrugs. "You wanted quality, right? Well, this is how you get quality. I'm sure the lucky omega receiving this will gladly appreciate me taking my time on this."
Katsuki grunts.
Courting gifts, he knows, are all about the quality and intent. If an omega receives a poorly made gift, then they are more likely than not to reject the alpha. It's not uncommon for alphas to spend a ridiculous amount of money just on swords and daggers alike.
The omega turns back to the blade and continues hammering. Despite his complaining, he's been enjoying Katsuki's presence. He won't know if the omega he's courting is just as possessive as the blond.
Though, knowing Kacchan, that is highly likely.
He giggles at the thought.
"What's so funny?"
He jumps, not even aware he was laughing. Clearing his throat, Izuku pauses his hammering. "N-nothing, Kacchan! Hey, so, um..."
Katsuki's eyes are narrow. "Spit it out, nerd."
'Oh, boy, here we go.'
"Wouldn't the omega you're courting worry that you're spending so much time here? With me, I mean?"
The alpha shrugs now. "Doesn't bother me."
"That's not what I was asking."
"Well, that's your damn answer."
"You don't have to be an asshole, Kacchan."
"I am not!"
The rest of the day (and the next couple of weeks after) follows a similar pattern. Izuku works away at the sword while Katsuki watches. They bicker throughout the day until either Izuku or Mr. Yagi gets sick of it and kicks Katsuki out.
On the day Izuku starts working on the hilt, Katsuki does the unexpected.
Izuku is draped over his work table when he feels warm arms wrap around him. He stills, unsure of what to make of this.
Realistically, he knows Kacchan shouldn't be doing this, especially when he's about to start courting another omega.
Selfishly, Izuku doesn't give a single shit.
He leans back into the embrace, but he doesn't move away either. Kacchan is warm, and his caramelized honey scent nearly causes him to purr. It's slightly woven with the ash of the forge. He finds it even more heavenly like that.
When Kacchan pulls away, he still doesn't say anything. He does look at him, however, and finds shocking sincerity. Blushing, he turns back to the sword.
Kacchan has another omega. He can't get caught in the clusterfuck that is his feelings.
They don't talk about the hug.
The next time it happens, it takes Izuku a while to realize what Kacchan is doing. He doesn't stop working on the hilt when he feels his arms around him. Instead, he pretends like they aren't even there.
"What are you doing now?" Katsuki asks. Izuku would be lying if he said his voice didn't startle him, his ears so used to the peacefulness between.
Taming his heart, Izuku says, "Wrapping the leather."
"Was the dragon scale not enough?" Katsuki has started rubbing against Izuku's cheek, head following Izuku's hands.
"Oh, no, it was plenty enough," Izuku says. "The letter will provide a better grip and won't be so rough on the hands while in use. Did you want me to...?"
Izuku doesn't think about Katsuki's scent growing stronger until he turns to look at him. The alpha's red eyes are soft as he gazes at him. If he listened closely, he could hear him purr.
"Kacchan?"
As if breaking the spell, Katsuki's eyes widen and he straightens.
His cheeks are pink as he quickly heads for the door. "I'll be back tomorrow! It better be done by then!"
He watches as the door slams shut, leaving Izuku alone. Try as he might, he can't slow down his racing heart.
Did Kacchan just scent him?
--
True to his word, Katsuki is back the next day. Izuku doesn't even bother trying to decipher his mood.
"Well?" Katsuki jumps right in. "Is it ready?"
He hums as he hands it to Katsuki. The leather sheath is soft under his hands, and he's glad that he made the choice to focus on the intricate floral detail on it. Sure, he may be a blacksmith, but even he is able to pick up a few other tricks of the trade.
"Is it to your liking, Kacchan?"
His heart thuds in his chest as the alpha inspects it.
Out of the entire sword, the blade is what took the longest. Layers and layers of steel give way to designs of light and dark gray swirls. The large dragon scale was shaped down into the hilt, polished brass laying across it to act as a guard. He crafted the obsidian into the rain guard at the base of the blade and into the pommel at the sword's bottom. There was still some left over, which he wove into the dark leather on the hilt. Izuku's heart aches to part with it, but it aches even more knowing that it's not intended for him.
Katsuki turns the sword this way and that, swinging it around as he tests the weight. The sunlight catches on the blade, basking it in a golden halo. Satisfied, Katsuki turns back to him. "I do," he says before promptly handing it back to Izuku.
Izuku stares down at it.
Confused, he wrings his hands together. "So..." he drawls out. "You don't like it?"
Izuku can take Katsuki mating someone else. What Izuku can't take is Katsuki rejecting the sword he worked so painstakingly on for the past few months.
Katsuki snorts. "Of course, I fucking do, you idiot. Why do you think I'm giving it to you?"
The omega blinks once, twice, three times before reeling back. "You're-you're giving it t-to me? Why?"
Unimpressed, Katsuki wags the sword a little. "Because I'm courting you. Duh."
He says it so casually like Izuku's heart can take it. Katsuki is courting him . Him! Is he dreaming? This is a dream, right?
The sword starts to droop as Izuku continues to stare at it. Faintly, Izuku smells disappointment. "Unless you don't want it," Katsuki says.
"Fuck, I-I'll go. I'll still pay you for your work and--"
Izuku snatches the sword before Katsuki could finish his sentence, grateful the alpha had already sheathed it. He clutches it to his chest and growls faintly. "No!"
The blond startles, and he clears his throat. "No," he says again, softer this time. "No, I want it. I accept."
Katsuki's surprise quickly melts into excitement as scoops Izuku up and spins him around. He doesn't put him down when the omega squeals, nor does he do it when he frets over the sword. It's only when he starts kicking out his legs does he let up.
A calloused hand caresses his cheek. Without thinking, he leans into it and purrs.
"I've been wanting to give you this for years," Katsuki whispers. His other hand grasps his waist. "But you rejected every single one. Afraid you didn't want it."
He's not aware his eyes close until he looks up at Kacchan. His eyes are so soft, like warm embers in the fireplace. There's a faint scar on his chin that Izuku reaches up to touch.
"I thought this was for someone else," Izuku whispers back.
With a soft rumble, Katsuki rests their foreheads together. "Only you, Deku."
Izuku leans in, and they meet in the middle, lips softly meshing together and melting away all of Izuku's worries. He moans into the kiss as Katsuki presses him close.
When they pull away, Izuku smiles. "Only you, Kacchan."
"While this is sweet, and I am very happy for you both, it is still business hours, and I am running a business."
The pair springs away from each other as they turn to look at Mr. Yagi. The alpha has a smile on his face, though he is sporting an undeniable blush. Suddenly, Izuku is very aware of where he is.
Katsuki looks down at him and says, "Come to my place tonight?"
"I'm looking forward to it."
When Kacchan leaves, Mr. Yagi pats his shoulder. "Are you happy, my boy?"
The sword is his arms suddenly held so much more meaning, and he smiles down at it. His heart is so, so warm right now.
"Yes," he replies. "I am."
And there is not an ounce of a lie in that statement.