Chapter Text
Inko tried her best to give Izuku everything he wanted. It was her way of making it up to him for his father leaving. She worked every day, every shift she could manage, but always came up short when it came to money. Inko didn't spend it on needless things unless it was for her son. When he was diagnosed quirkless her habit got worse. Most parents would say she's spoiling her son and he'll grow up to be a rotten person, but Izuku isn't like that. The boy would never be a brat. He hardly ever actually asks the things he wants. Inko assumes he gets that from her. There were days when she would go without something so Izuku could have what he wanted. She tried her best to be a good mother, but she was probably as absent as her husband was. Inko worked long hours to provide the basic needs for Izuku and it worked when he was young, but the older he got the more things they both needed.
So, she had to buy thrifted items, knock offs, or would make the things Izuku wanted herself. Though she was pretty crafty, giving her son something that wasn't official didn't feel like a good thing. She felt like she was failing because she couldn't afford the real item Izuku wanted. Her son never complained though. He never asked why the All Might figure's paint job was messy or why the All Might clothes were faded instead of brightly colored like they are in stores. Inko felt ashamed, but her son never said anything that would make her feel that way. It was just the principle of the matter. She looked at her calendar and saw that it was nearing Izuku birthday month. Inko needed to plan what she would get him or make for him. Without her son in the house, it felt empty. Izuku was always talking. Either about All Might, the Bakugous’ son, or quirks. So, without all that chattering her apartment was quiet and lonely in the afternoons.
She would never let Izuku know that though. It's not his job to keep her happy and she shouldn't distract him from achieving his dreams even though sometimes it worries her deeply when he gets home extremely exhausted. He works too hard. After a week of looking on Tackterest she decided to knit Izuku a scarf for his fifteenth birthday. He would be attending Yuuei soon which she was completely shocked about. Apparently, he did great on the entrance exam in January and in April he'll be a first year at his dream school. Unfortunately, that dream school is very expensive which means to afford it Inko will have to work even longer hours. She doesn't mind. For her son she would do anything. Izuku deserves to have something go his way at least once. He never asks for anything. Inko got the materials she needed from a well-known craft store.
It was more than she liked to pay, but she bought red, yellow, and blue yarn to make an All Might themed scarf anyway. Since her afternoons were devoid of Izuku, because he's training with his quirk, she started picking up a few hobbies. Inko had no idea he was going to be such a late bloomer, but it happened and she was happy he was finally getting the things he's wanted and dreamed about for so long. He worked hard so she worked hard too. The Midoriyas were very hard and determined workers after all. Anyway, she planned out how much time she would need to work on the scarf to have it done in time. Four hours a day after work was perfect. She got off work when Izuku got out of school and he trained for about four hours before he returned home. Inko would be able to work and make sure Izuku never caught sight of what she was making.
For once she was actually excited to make something for her son. She hoped he liked it and won't be embarrassed to wear it because it's homemade. Money was tight though so it was the best she could do for now. Inko got home from work every day and went to her room to change clothes then started where she left off on the scarf the previous day. Nearing the fourth hour she would multitask by cooking dinner and knitting. It was tiring and her hands ached sometimes, but she powered through. Inko wasn't an expert in knitting since it was a new hobby so there were a few failed attempts before she got it right. Once she did though there was no turning back. Months later the scarf was completed and she was so proud of her work. Inko felt accomplished. She put it in an old shoe box she had and wrapped it up with All Might wrapping paper then stuck an orange bow on it. They were leftovers from Christmas. She didn't like to waste things so if she could reuse or get the most out of something then she would.
Inko also got Izuku a birthday card that was in a red envelope. Giving him twenty thousand yen wasn't a lot now, but she hoped it would be enough for him to get something small that he wanted. Maybe he could get a few All Might keychains or a couple All Might trading cards for himself. Izuku loved knick knacks. His bookshelf was filled with small hero items. From pins to cards. When Izuku came home from his training he smelled Katsudon. It was his absolute favorite and it was his birthday which made it even better. He had had a hard day at school. No harder than usual, but dealing with bullying everyday was more tiring than his rigorous training on the beach with All Might. He sometimes still can't believe that's a real sentence he can say. All Might is training him. It was an absolute dream come true. He wanted to cry every single time he even thought about it, but he powered through.
Izuku took his shoes off at the genkan and followed the smell to the kitchen where he saw his mother at the stove probably cooking his favorite dish.
"Hi mom!" He greeted startling her
"Oh Izuku!" She jolted and spun around
"I didn't hear you come in." Inko smiled as she saw her son
Izuku smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." He said, holding out his arms to hug his mother
Inko happily embraced him.
"That's alright. How was your day?" She asked, pulling back to look at the other
Izuku grinned as they parted
"Same as always, but I'm getting stronger!" He said, clenching his fist with a determined look
"That's wonderful!" Inko told him proudly
"Now why don't you go wash up and we'll have dinner." She added, shooing him
Izuku nodded.
"Okay I'll hurry." He said, leaving the kitchen
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Inko’s son was less sweaty looking and in a new set of clothes with damp hair as he sat down at the table she had set. There was a bowl of food on each end with chopsticks sitting next to it on the placemat.
"You made Katsudon?" Izuku asked his mother as she sat across from him
Inko nodded.
"Well, it's your birthday after all sweetie so of course I did." She answered with a smile
"Thank you, mom!" Izuku smiled back as he picked up his chopsticks
"After we eat, we can have cake while you open your present." Inko told him
Then they ate while Izuku chatted about his day obviously leaving about a few parts. Inko knew why, but she never pushed Izuku to tell her because he either will or he won't and it's best not to force him. Though, she knows it has something to do with Katsuki. Unfortunately, Inko just isn't sure what it is.
"You didn't have to do all this." Izuku said as his mother brought the cake to the table
She nodded.
"Yes, I did. You're my son and I want you to have the best birthday every year so hush and eat." Inko told him
"Okay okay." Izuku giggled
After they finished eating some of the birthday cake, they moved to the living room, sitting on the worn-out loveseat. Inko handed the boy his birthday card first and he opened it then gasped when he saw money fall out.
Izuku picked up the cash with wide eyes.
"Twenty thousand yen I can buy a couple of packs of trading cards with this!" He said, looking over at his mother
Inko giggled then handed him his other present.
"I figured you would do that. Now open your actual present." She told him
Izuku nodded.
"Okay." He said as he carefully opened the All Might wrapped present not wanting to rip his mother's hard work
When he lifted the top of the recycled shoe box off and saw what was inside, he immediately teared up looking over at his mother again.
"M- mom..." He said
Inko waved her hand dismissively.
"I know it's not winter yet, but you needed a new one anyway." She shrugged
Izuku smiled still classy eyed as he took the scarf out of the box and held it to his chest.
"I love it." He said
"Thank you so much mom!" Izuku hugged her tightly with the scarf in one hand
"Of course, honey!" Inko smiled as she hugged him back just as tight
After that she saw her son wear it for the first time during his internship with Endeavor. She was afraid the scarf might get messed up since Izuku worked with a flammable guy, but it seemed to be holding up. From what the boy said he wore it nearly everyday and that made Inko so happy. She worked hard, but it paid off because Izuku genuinely loved the scarf. The next year he wore it during the winter again though at some point it was replaced with Grand Torino's dull yellow cape for battle during the war. That was a year Inko would like to forget, but unfortunately, like the rest of Japan, it haunts her since it was still so fresh in their minds as they rebuilt society slowly, but surely. The scarf has been through a lot so its colors were slightly faded by that time, but if you didn't pay attention then you wouldn't notice. However, when Izuku came home for "spring break" wearing it, she finally pointed it out because she felt like she needed to.
"Izuku sweetie, why don't you let me make you a new scarf?" Inko placed her hands on her wide hips
Her son shook his head.
"Oh, you don't have to Mom. I like this one." He said
"I'll make it the same, it'll just be newer." Inko bargained
Izuku chewed his bottom lip like he always does when he's considering or thinking really hard about something.
"Well... if you want to. You don't have to though. I don't want you wasting your time when you're too tired or have other stuff to do." He said
Inko placed a hand on the other's shoulder, who was now a head taller than her.
"Izuku, it's not a waste of time. Not to sound like too much of an old lady, but I like knitting." He giggled
"Really?" Izuku asked surprised
Inko nodded.
"Yeah, it's a fun hobby and it fills the time." She shrugged
Izuku looked to the side.
"I had no idea you like knitting." He said looking downcast
Inko shook her head, knowing what he was thinking.
"It's alright. Usually when we see each other I wanna talk about you, not me and when we don't see each other, we're busy or I still wanna talk about you." She said
"Still, Mom. I should pay more attention." Izuku said looking back at her
Inko patted his cheek.
"It's okay, dear. It's not that important." She told him
Izuku didn't seem convinced.
"Well, I'll get the supplies for you." He said
Inko would usually argue, but it seemed like the other needed this, so she just caved.
"If you want to." She shrugged
"I'll get them tomorrow." Izuku smiled
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Izuku walked in the next day after returning from town and sat the bags on the table as his mother entered the room.
"Did I get the right kind? There were a lot." He asked her immediately
Inko looked through the bags.
"This is perfect!" She said
Izuku smiled.
"Okay good, because I asked the lady in the fabric section what kind was best for knitting scarfs specifically and she recommended this type of yarn since it was apparently really soft. I thought it was pretty soft when I touched it, so I think I have to agree with-" He babbled
Inko drowned him out a little as she noticed there were other colors than the bright yellow, royal blue, and deep red yarn that was for the All Might scarf. In the second bag there was a fiery orange, forest green, and a solid black roll of yarn.
"Yeah, um Izuku what are these colors for?" She asked, holding up the orange roll and stopping his runaway mouth
Izuku jolted as if startled, then he looked to the side bashfully.
"Oh, uh well since you're making me one, I was kind of hoping… you could possibly… make Kacchan one?" He said shyly with a blush
"You want me to make one for you and Katsuki?" Inko tilted her head
Izuku didn't meet her eyes.
"Yeah, if it's not too much trouble." He's nodded
Inko shook her head.
"It's not. I'll have them done as soon as I can." She said
Izuku smiled, finally facing her.
"Okay that's great, but take your time, no rush." He shook his head and waved his hands
Inko nodded.
"Did you want me to make one for another friend? Maybe that nice girl Uraraka?" She asked, elbowing him
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck.
"Um, I think she already has a scarf and these colors wouldn't match her style really." He shrugged
Inko nodded, again unsure of what to make of that since they can easily just go buy new yarn.
"Well alright. If one of them wants one, let me know." She patted his shoulder
Izuku nodded this time.
"I will! Thanks mom." He hugged her
"No problem sweetie." Inko smiled, hugging him back
Then She set out to make two scarves. Inko made Izuku's first which only took a month then she started on Katsuki’s. His was a little more difficult because she had to plan what color pattern to do and then figure out how long the scarf needed to be. The blonde was taller than Izuku, so the scarf lengths need to be different to match their height. Once she planned everything, she started working every afternoon like she did with Izuku's scarf. It took a month and a half. It was no longer winter, but the scarves were done by Izuku's eighteenth birthday. Luckily it fell on a weekend, so he ended up returning home to celebrate with Inko and Katsuki tagged along which was a surprise, but a pleasant one.
"Welcome you two." She said, moving to let them in
"Hi mom." Izuku said after they took their shoes off at the genkan and the older woman shut the door
He then hugged Inko, after they parted she turned to Katsuki who was standing near Izuku with his hands in his pockets. He looked a little better dressed than her son. The blonde had a black button up and matching black slacks. If she didn't know his style, she would've thought he was either attending or just left a funeral. The boy always wore black in some shape, form, or fashion.
"Katsuki, it's been so long." She said, pulling him into a hug as his hands slipped out of his pockets and hugged her back
"Hi auntie." He greeted respectfully
Inko pulled back to look up at him.
"Jeez whatever they're feeding you, they need to stop. You're gonna hit the ceiling one of these day." She placed her hands on her hips
Katsuki was probably two heads taller than her son who was a head taller than her. Though the blonde was a little bulkier, his tallness didn't make him look like a bodybuilder. It was balanced. Izuku on the other hand was just short and stout. Poor boy.
"Gotta eat." The taller shrugged making the other two giggle
"Well, that's true and speaking of that, Izuku I made you Katsudon." Inko grinned
"Really?" The other asked
"Of course. You two go sit in the living room while I set the table." Inko tried to shoo them
"I can help." Katsuki said
Inko shook her head.
"Please, you're a guest."
"Auntie, I wanna help." Katsuki told her
"It's best to just let him mom." Izuku added with a light giggle
Inko furrowed her brows, but gave in.
"Well alright. Follow me then Katsuki." She waved towards herself as she entered the kitchen
"Yes ma'am." The tall blonde followed behind
Inko laughed lightly and shook her head.
"Oh no need for the formality, but I see you've matured too." She said, complementing his attitude
Katsuki nodded.
"I try." He said
Inko and Katsuki set the table, then the older woman called Izuku to eat. They chatted for a while mostly about school, hero work, and Katsuki's parents until it was time to serve cake. Izuku had a medium slice while Katsuki had a small one since he never liked eating a ton of sweets anyway. Inko remembered that he likes them, just not too much of it or it makes him a little nauseous and she didn't want him to get a tummy ache. Izuku loved sweets though and he loved baking them. Inko is sure he got it from her and she couldn't be prouder of that. The older woman gave them their portion of cake then got her own and put the home baked goods back in the refrigerator. They ate it together after singing happy birthday to an embarrassed looking Izuku. He was smiling with a blush on his freckled cheeks that weren't as chubby as they used to be. They had become more defined with his jaw and the rest of his features. He really was growing up and becoming a proper man. When the birthday song was finished Inko teared up and both of the other's looked at her in concern.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Izuku asked
"You okay auntie?" Katsuki placed his warm hand on her upper arm for comfort
Inko shook her head wiping her eyes with the handkerchief she always carried around for situations like this.
"I'm sorry. I'm fine." She said with a sniffle as she looked over at Izuku
"I just realized how grown up you are dear. You're not my baby anymore. You're a man, you'll be graduating this year and moving on to be a pro hero like you've always wanted. I'm just so proud of you." The older woman smiled eyes crinkling at the edges showing of her developing crow's feet
Izuku instantly looked glassy eyes.
"Mom." He said with a wobbly tone
Katsuki slumped against his chair, staying quiet as he ate his cake to let the two, who cried too much, cry it out. He knew how they were all too well.
"I know. I know." Inko shook her head again with a sniffle
"I would be proud even if you didn't become a pro, just knowing that." She added as Izuku stood up and hugged her
"I love you mom." He said
"I love you too Izuku." Inko told him as they parted then she glanced over at the blonde
"Oh, Katsuki I'm so sorry. I'm very proud of you too. You've become a wonderful mature young man and I couldn't be happier that you and Izuku are friends again." Inko smiled at him
"It's okay Auntie. Thanks." Katsuki bowed his head respectfully
Inko noticed the behavior and thought it was strange but let it go as she tried to change the conversation to something lighter.
"Anyway, I'm sorry for being overly emotional. Menopause is kicking my butt, let's eat our cake." She sniffled once more as she stuck her fork into the slice, he got for herself that she probably didn't need
Katsuki rolled his eyes with a scoff.
"Tch- if you think this is bad you should see the hag." He muttered
And ah there he was, the Katsuki Inko knew so well. She almost missed it. Almost.
"Katsuki, don't call your mother that." She scolded
"Yeah Kacchan." Izuku added
The blonde turned his head to the side with a frown, but had half a mind to at least look like he had been scolded and was sorry.
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When they finished the cake Inko led them into the living room which was different because well the whole apartment was different. During the war her old apartment complex was destroyed so after they were released from the safety of the locked down Yuuei grounds, she had to find a new place when things were a quarter of the way back up and running. She spent a while in the new apartment without power. She loved having the candlelight though. She did try to make the new place as much like her old apartment as possible because she liked the nostalgia of it.
Inko returned to the living room from wherever she went down the hallway and handed her son two gifts wrapped in All Might wrapping paper. She recently bought a new roll of it.
"Alright Izuku, here's your presents and here's yours Katsuki." She said handing one to him
"Mine?" The blonde questioned while taking it
Inko nodded as she sat in her recliner across from the two that were sitting in the new loveseat she just bought.
"Yep. I hope you like them." She smiled
Izuku opened the first one Inko gave him.
"Oh, it's a new All Might scarf! I love it mom, thanks for making it for me." He said with a big smile
"Well, you asked." Inko told him, noticing how the blonde next to Izuku was looking at him
It was a soft, thoughtful look.
Izuku frowned a little at his mother.
"You were going to make it whether I had said yes or no that day." He said
Inko giggled.
"Okay, very true." She said, looking over at the blonde
"Now Katsuki open yours." The older woman told him as he looked at her almost sheepishly
"Uh okay." The blonde said looking down at his present
Katsuki opened the box after handing Izuku his ripped up wrapping paper and paused as he looked in the box.
"Is this a… Dynamight themed scarf?" He asked, pulling the item out
"Woah!" Izuku said with stars in his eyes
Inko nodded.
"Yes! Do you like it? I wasn't sure if you would like the color pattern." She said
Katsuki cracked a very small smile. If you didn't know him, it would go unnoticed.
"I like it a lot, Auntie, thank you." He said genuinely
Inko was in shock but smiled softly.
"You're very welcome Katsuki." She said
"Izuku, open your last one." The older woman told him
Izuku nodded and started opening his second gift.
"Right."
"It's a Deku themed one. Kacchan, we can match!" He turned towards the other after helping him the scarf
Inko decided to make it when she made Katsuki's so they would kind of match. She would spend two hours on the blondes then two hours on Izuku's second scarf until she completed both.
"I thought it would be cute for you two to have scarves that look like your hero uniforms." Inko smiled
"I love it mom." Izuku smiled at her
“it's technically our first hero merch Auntie.” Bakugou chuckled
"Oh gosh, I'm so glad! Now put them on because I want a picture." She said, pulling out her phone as they reluctantly put their scarves on
"Okay and there." Inko said, snapping a picture then looking at it
"Perfect! You look so cute together." She showed them the picture to which Katsuki nodded as he shared at look with the other beside him
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck after he took off his scarf.
"Right, speaking of together..." He trailed off
"Izuku and I are actually gonna be hero partners." Katsuki informed Inko who immediately gushed
"Really? That's amazing. You wanted to be hero partners with Katsuki since you were little." She grinned at the memory
Izuku blushed, but nodded as the blonde raised an eyebrow at the other.
"Yeah, but um mom Kacchan and I aren't just hero partners... or going to be hero partners..."
"I'm not following." Inko said sitting back down
Izuku looked worried which concerned his mother.
"Kacchan and I are well... Kacchan and I are dating." He said, clenching his eyes shut as the blonde looked down at the floor
"Dating... as in you're a couple?" Inko asked just to be sure
"Yes ma'am." Katsuki nodded
After everything. After all the things her son tells her about Katsuki, she realizes maybe he didn't talk so much about the blonde because they were just friends. Maybe it was because he liked Katsuki. Because he had always liked the taller. Now that Inko thinks about it. The way Izuku had always looked at the other definitely felt more like love and admiration than anything else. She can't believe she didn't realize her son was so deeply in love.
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense." Inko giggled
"What?" Izuku asked
"Izuku sweetie you've been giving love heart eyes at Katsuki since you first met him." Inko said making the other blush harder and Katsuki smirk smugly
"Mom." Izuku covered his face
"Sorry. but it's true. I just never realized it until now. Thank you for telling me." Inko bowed her head
"You're okay with it? With me datin’ him." Katsuki asked hesitantly
That's probably why he was dressed up and acting so different. He wanted Inko's approval to date or in this care keep dating her wonderful son. So Inko smiled as she stood up and placed her hands on her hips very motherly like.
"What is this the nineteen hundreds? Of course, I'm okay with it as long as you love each other, and nobody is getting hurt." She said
"And Katsuki I can't think of anyone better than you to take care of my boy." The older lady added
"Of course, I love and will take care of Izuku." The blonde said then looked away with a blush forming on his cheeks
"Good." Inko smiled
Turns out picking up knitting as a fun little hobby was the best thing Inko ever decided to do. She was happy she could make Izuku some really special gifts, but she was even more delighted that he loved them so much that he wanted her to make one for his boyfriend. So sure, it wasn't her birthday, but it was the best birthday she has ever been a part of.