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Eijirou and Izuku met when Izuku lost his father. He was only a child of seven or eight, playing by the stream, when Eijirou first saw those glistening emeralds. The boy was covered in scuff marks with tears streaming down his face, and young Eijirou did everything to comfort and cheer him up. After Izuku smiled at him for the first time, he knew he was a goner. It was then that he promised to do anything in his power to always make him smile.
Soon, a woman that looked very much like his new friend came by and thanked Eijirou for being so kind.
At the next town meeting, Eijirou saw the boy again. He and his mother Inko were introduced and Mayor Nezu announced the pair would be staying.
The Midoriyas moved two houses away, which allowed the boys to become fast friends. Through the years, the truth remained that Izuku was beautiful and fascinating, and even after making other friends, no one could compare to the fondness he elicited in Eijirou’s heart.
However, it wasn’t until a particularly nasty raid that Eijirou realized what that fondness meant. As he lowered his shield, the sight of Izuku, soaked in blood, fighting enemies and healing those around him revealed itself to him, and it was as if the cacophonous sounds of warring men ceased, and all that remained was Izuku. Ethereal, chivalrous, brilliant Izuku.
At the age of nineteen, Eijirou, with the help of his father, forged a custom blade, and with trembling hands presented it to his best friend.
You see, the first step of courting in their village was to put a blade in their desired’s sheath during the annual adulthood ceremony. It was there that new matches were announced. It might sound uncouth or improper, but those who are available or of fertile age would wear an empty sheath, and those who wish to court must forge a blade thinking of their beloved. If the person deemed it worthy, the courtship would begin.
But Eijirou could not wait for the ceremony. He knew others desired Izuku as well. So, with bated breath, he waited for Izuku’s reply, having presented it a month prior to the ceremony.
Izuku’s eyes filled with tears. “A-are you sure?” he asked, fingers tracing reverently over the blade.
“More certain than I have been of anything before. So, will you accept my courting?”
With a shaky breath, Izuku nodded with a wobbly smile and said, “Of course, it would be an honor.”
XXX
That happened a year prior. So, for this year’s ceremony, Eijirou wanted to give Izuku a mating necklace. He’d made it from gems he’d found during their expeditions in recent years and the most precious materials he could find. He also learned the official dance they would be required to perform so that he could use the remaining month to teach it to his lover. If Izuku accepted this, they could bind their souls at the ceremony, and they would be considered a married pair. Eijirou’s face warmed at the thought of being able to own their own cabin, and even more so, to wake up next to Izuku each day.
Deep down, Eijirou knew that everyone loved him and Izuku as well; they received countless blessings for their relationship, and the townspeople would frequently encourage them to bind their souls for life.
Which brings us to his current frustration: He’s had two failed proposal attempts.
If the townspeople approve, and their families approve, why do they keep ruining his proposals?!
His first attempt was, admittedly, ruined due to lack of communication. One of the hunters, his friend Denki, had told him about a hidden waterfall, and by its description alone he thought it would be a nice, private place to give Izuku his mating necklace.
When he invited him, the healer was bouncing on his heels, curiously asking about every detail. That bubbling enthusiasm was one of the traits Eijirou loved most about Izuku.
Trying to conceal his own excitement, he would simply reply, “You’ll get your answers when we arrive.”
And just as he promised, he made sure to learn facts about the flora in the area so that he could sate his partner’s intrigue, even going as far as to point things out for him. Eijirou could practically feel Izuku’s contentment envelop him like the softest blanket. His efforts were worth it.
The sky was cloudless and the air cool. As far as he was concerned, the day was made for them.
The place truly lived up to its reputation.
When they reached the curtain of vibrant flowers and greenery that hid the waterfall, he went ahead, clearing the way for Izuku, who wasted no time in stripping and diving in. Eijirou stood, starstruck, enjoying the view for a minute before the emerald-eyed man called him in.
For an hour, they swam and playfully kissed, enjoying the rare moment of utter peace. The waters were placid and crystal clear.
It was perfect!
As the sun began its descent, the light bounced off the stones on the mountain, setting off a kaleidoscope of colors.
“Oh wow,” Izuku whispered. “This is magical, Ei! Thank you so much for bringing me here.” He stood, hugging Eijirou close and resting his head on Eijirou’s chest. “I love it.”
This was it. “And I love—”
“Cannonball!” three voices yelled with whooping here and there, before Denki, Mina, and Hanta jumped into the waters, utterly ruining their intimate moment.
Eijirou felt frustration build in his core.
Why?
He felt like crying. Betrayed by his own brethren!
Izuku giggled. “Guys! I didn’t know you’d be here!”
The blond swam over to them, shaking his head like a wet dog before answering, “I didn’t know you’d be here either! But I’m so glad y’all could come! Isn’t it cool?”
Nodding enthusiastically, Izuku began telling Denki of their trek there and of the delicious food Eijirou had made for them. Of course, his friends didn’t even bother to ask and stepped out to taste it.
With a huff, Eijirou decided to go along with their antics; he would have to try another day.
Maybe he should’ve told them of his plan…
XXX
In his second attempt, Eijirou blames a certain town member’s carelessness.
Nervous as hell, he employed Katsuki’s help to learn how to make Izuku’s favorite food from scratch. He had decided to take a simpler approach; it would be fine as long as it was meaningful. This time, he also let his other friends and even family members know of the day he planned to carry everything out so that they wouldn’t just barge in.
When the time came, everything had been going smoothly. The smithy had allowed him to leave early, and he got some herbs Izuku always forgot on the way back home—an extra gift wouldn’t hurt. As for the cooking, the dish had come out great and he’d had just enough time left over to clean up and set the table before Izuku arrived.
When his beloved walked into the house, his nose twitched and he took a deep inhale. “Ei, it smells amazing! Did you cook?” His emerald eyes twinkled with excitement as he rushed to get his boots and gloves off.
“Yeah, thought I could give you a break and do a little something to show how much you mean to me.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet!” Izuku walked over to him and put a hand at his nape to signal he should lower down so he could capture his lips in a drawn-out kiss. “Thank you.”
They stood still for a moment, basking in each other’s presence, before Eijirou took Izuku’s hand and led him to the table. The curly haired man was practically vibrating in his seat when he uncovered the meal!
With a prideful warmth spreading in his chest, Eijirou sat across from him and began serving the food. However, they didn’t get two bites in before there was a loud boom echoing through the valley.
“What was that?” Izuku asked, alarmed. He quickly stood up and rushed to the window.
“What ruins this attempt no doubt,” Eijirou muttered, making his way to check out the situation too.
There was smoke coming from the forest, and less than two minutes later, Katsuki came barging in, his face streaked with soot.
“Deku! Get your bag, we’re headed to the mines!”
He shot Eijirou an apologetic glance, but the situation was clearly outside of his control, so the redhead shrugged and began heating some water for Izuku to take. “What happened?”
“Some idiot decided to smoke during his shift.” The blond dragged a hand over his face in frustration, only making the streaks worse.
Just as he was about to answer, Izuku came, his bag filled to the brim with materials. “I’m ready!”
With a sigh, Eijirou poured the boiling water into a large container. “Here, you can clean wounds with it. I’ll put this away and go help right after.”
Izuku smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you!”
And like that, the two ran off.
Oh, well, the safety of their people came first; he could propose later…
XXX
After realizing that accidents with the townspeople would always require a healer, Eijirou began thinking of ways he and his lover could escape for a day or two. So, when his boss asked him to go to an ore trade in his stead, Eijirou jumped at the chance. Of course, he invited Izuku with him. This would be his last chance because they would be arriving just in time for the celebration.
It made him nervous, and Izuku noticed.
“Is something the matter? Is there trouble at the smithy?”
Eijirou frowned and shook his head. “No, no, nothing at all, Love.”
Izuku smiled doubtfully. “You’re certain? Surely you’re not nervous about the trading post...this is hardly your first time visiting.”
He loved how caring the man was. Reaching over to grab his hand in reassurance, Eijirou said, “No, I’m not. I simply got lost in my thoughts.”
And that seemed to be enough. The walk there was lovely. Sunny skies, soothing breezes, and beautiful scenery paved the way to their destination. It was at the town entrance that the first interruption came. Izuku saw a fellow herbalist, an old friend from his travels, and went to speak to her.
Knowing it could take hours before they were satisfied with the exchange, Eijirou decided to excuse himself and meet his contact. While this endeavor was initially only for business, Eijirou had found something amazing. A person who had found a special jewel that came from the deepest mountains. Lore said that it held the essence of the very mountains it was formed in—and it matched Izuku’s eyes. So, he’d written ahead to the person in order to meet before the trading post officially opened.The moment Ejirou had seen the sketch of it on his boss’s desk, he knew he needed to buy it. He hoped to fashion jewelry for their nuptials from it—if Izuku accepted, of course.
He shook his head. It was stupid of him to even think Izuku could say no! Totally not chivalrous to put words in his mouth; Eijirou should’ve felt ashamed. But he didn’t get a chance to because his contact had arrived. Bartering and trading took a few hours, but he got a worthy result: Izuku’s future jewel.
Thinking of the man, he began missing him and decided to procure him so that they could get something to eat. Maybe he could take him to the clearing they saw on the way and propose there!
Nonetheless, before he could find Izuku among the crowd, he heard shouting. Without hesitation, he sprinted, wanting to help, but the moment he saw the tumultuous brawl, he felt rage.
“Ei! They were trying to steal our haul!” Izuku shouted with a huff.
Eijirou felt a headache beginning and his muscles tensed. Grumbling, he joined the fray.
Just…Why was this happening to him?
“Would the heavens just let me get this right once?!” he yelled as he punched one of the bandits in the jaw. He was so tired of ruined opportunities; he simply wanted one nice moment alone with his lover.
He felt Izuku’s concerned eyes on him for a second, before the next opponent came to him.
“Third fucking time I try to propose and an asshole like you interrupts!” he vented, breaking one’s nose.
He heard a sharp intake of breath, but the bandits gave them no reprieve. Some had knives, one even brought a gun, but the duo managed to take them down with impressive speed. The guards in charge of the area had arrived and had begun taking away the bodies.
When the last one went down, his anger simmered to frustration, Eijirou sought out his beloved, who stared at the ground even after the thief had been retrieved, sniffling.
“Love, were you hurt?” he asked, eyes scanning to ensure no major swelling or bleeding was taking place.
“You want to marry me?” Izuku asked back in a whisper, with teary eyes and wobbly lips.
Eijirou ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. “Only if you’ll have me. I was supposed to do things differently…more special, but…” he took out the necklace and turned it over in his palm.
He wanted to be more confident, but he was dirty and bloody and tired. Nothing was as it was meant to be. Doubt crept in and poisoned his mind faster than any toxin. With a shrug, he extended his hand and gave the piece to Izuku. “I prepared this for you.”
It didn’t seem like it was enough anymore.
His Love thought differently.
Izuku gasped, studying the fine craftsmanship. He muttered under his breath about what each detail meant, noticing the lengths of research Eijirou went to in order to prepare it.
Eijirou wanted to be proud, but Izuku still hadn’t given an answer, and with the adrenaline leaving his system, he felt his blood turn cold.
It didn’t last, though, because Izuku’s lips stretched into a bright grin. It probably hurt because they were split from a blow, but he kept it in place. “Oh, Ei…I love it. I—I didn’t think—I don’t have—”
The words seemed to fail him, yet Izuku still found a way to convey his feelings. The freckled man crossed the distance, wrapping Eijirou in his embrace, and without hesitation, he pressed their lips together, fervently, adoringly.
Eijirou’s blood warmed and he could feel it rushing to his cheeks, ears, neck, making a physical show of his flustered state.
“Yes,” Izuku stated simply, happily. “Yes, I will marry you.”
And the blacksmith couldn’t help the rush of overwhelming joy that spread throughout his body. Scooping his lover up, he hooted and hollered, and thanked the gods for allowing such a man into his life.
Again and again, they kissed. They couldn’t part their eyes from the other as the people cheered; they couldn’t keep their hands off each other as they made their way back to the inn. They could only imagine what their ceremony would be like, how they would feel during their dance, and what their forever held.