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“Look, I’m just saying that the visits with your mom don’t need to be this long,” Tomura said as his husband continued filling the multiple suitcases within their bedroom. The green-haired man slowed in his routine of packing all he’d need to stay with his mother.
“We’ve been over this before, for centuries now, Tomura. This was the agreement that was made, and even with all the time that’s passed, we both know that Mom is very capable of wreaking havoc on the world if given the chance. But trust me, even though she wasn’t happy about how our relationship started,” Izuku paused briefly, not needing to remind Tomura of the fact that kidnapping him and bringing him to the Underworld wasn’t the best way to show romantic interest in someone.
“I think she’s been gradually coming around to our relationship and is far less angry. Why don’t you come with me this time? At least you wouldn’t have to be pouting while I’m away.”
As God of the Dead, there was little that could strike fear into Tomura’s heart. But his husband suggesting he tag along while he went to stay with his Mother-In-Law that he hasn’t seen in-person since the day their ‘visiting arrangement’ was set up has him growing pale and trembling at the mere thought.
“Y-You know I need to remain here in the Underworld, this place would fall to ruin without my presence.” And he did his best to school his scarred face to his usual forbidding scowl.
But damn his adorable little partner for knowing him so damn well.
“Uh-huh. So you bringing those demi-gods you’re so chummy with up to be overseers of the Underworld while we took all those vacations had our home falling to ruin?” Izuku said with a snarky tone, crossing his arms over his chest. “Because if I remember correctly, every time we returned from the mortal world, this place was surprisingly still intact. Touya, Himiko, and Keigo are more than capable to handle your responsibilities in your stead. The jury is still out for Jin, but we’ll give him the benefit of a doubt here.”
Fuck he hated when Izuku was right.
After getting in touch with his overseers to inform them of his upcoming ‘absence’, which he hopes won’t end with Izuku’s mother wiping away his very existence, immortal as it should be, Tomura starts to pack his own bags as well. If he throws in some healing salves and potions, that’s his business. It’s best to pack for any situation, after all. Especially angry moms.
Far sooner than he had hoped, Tomura found himself at the door of Inko Midoriya, the Harvest Goddess. He’s existed for eons and in that time hasn’t once experienced the anxiety and fear he now felt as he stood in front of Izuku’s childhood home. The door opened at Izuku’s frantic knock, revealing the goddess that had once scorched the mortal realm with famine and disease when her precious child had been taken from her. By Tomura, of all people.
“There you are, you two!” the goddess Inko gushed before engulfing Izuku in her embrace. Mother and son had always been close, it was something Tomura loved and appreciated more than most. His own parents hadn’t been as comforting, so it was nice to see Izuku had what he lacked. He deserved a loving parent, as far as Tomura was concerned, his Izuku had earned all the love every world had to offer.
While dwelling in his inner musings, Tomura hadn’t realized that the same goddess that had once threatened both his life and the world should he not return her son was now holding him in a hug that exuded nothing but warmth and contentment. Too stunned to react, he allowed Inko to lead him into her home.
“I’ve been waiting for decades hoping that you’d join Izuku for a visit, Tomura,” Inko said as she let him not-so-gracefully set himself on one of the couches within her main living room. The smile on the goddess’ face seemed genuine enough as she signaled her servants to bring in the refreshments they had prepared while she took a seat in a chair that could have easily been mistaken for a throne.
Feeling uncertain, Tomura looked over to his husband, Izuku, immediately recognizing the devious look he had whenever he’d been plotting something without his knowledge.
“You seem a little surprised by my welcome, Lord of the Underworld,” Inko said as she retrieved her cup and saucer of tea from the set presented before them. “I’m guessing that is because my sweet boy hasn’t been telling you everything about our recent visits.”
“He’s only told me that his time spent with you was pleasant, and I found enough happiness in that to not need to ask for more details,” Tomura answered, unsure of absolutely everything at this point in time. Had he actually just gotten a warm welcome from the goddess he’d enraged by his actions so long ago?
Inko nodded then, sipping a bit of her tea before setting it down. “I see. Well he’s told me far more during our time together. With every year’s visit, my sweet child has nothing but good things to say about how well you treat him. He can’t stop gushing over how deeply in love you both are.”
“That sounds just like him, his sweet ramblings are a comfort to my ears. From the first moment my eyes found him, I knew he was meant to be my partner and love.” Tomura paused then, feeling close to bringing up the origin of their meeting, thinking it not wise to remind the goddess of such a time. “That love has only grown exponentially since then.”
Tomura took pleasure in the blush that flushed over Izuku’s freckled cheeks at his admission to Inko. The goddess let out a soft, pleasing hum as she stood from her chair. “Would you two accompany me to the gardens? I know Izuku has seen them, but I imagine they’d be a new sight for your eyes, Tomura?”
The couple rose at her words, following her as she led them through the halls before walking outside to the most wondrous garden Tomura had ever seen in his long existence. Nothing in the Underworld could compare to the life and beauty exuded by the thriving plants that surrounded them.
Within every blossom and leaf lingered colors and scents Tomura hadn’t known existed before this day, taking in each flower bed and collection of small trees in silent awe. Even though it wasn’t his gift, he watched as every leaf and stem Izuku grazed with his fingertips seemed to grow more vibrant and full as he passed.
“Tomura,” Inko said as her voice took a more serious tone, stopping by one of the many pomegranate trees located in the center of her gardens. “While I wasn’t happy about the way your union with my child began, I have seen for myself and not just through Izuku’s words that he is deeply loved by you. I also feel that he’s safe and protected while in your care. I’ve no intention of altering our arrangement since Izuku is my heart and soul and his presence gives me the will to bring life to the world each year.”
She paused as she gave the nervous God of the Dead time to absorb the words she had said. Because while she was fearless to defend her son against the world, she also didn’t intend to cause discomfort to the person Izuku found true love with.
Well, not too much discomfort.
“Now that we’ve gotten most of that old business cleared away, when am I to expect some grand-deities? Considering that my Izuku is a god of Fertility, it surprises me that you two haven’t created a legion by now!”
Tomura couldn’t have gone paler if he had tried, while his cheeks brought a stark change in his sudden reddened blush. How could he possibly say out loud that he, the Ruler of the Underworld himself, was scared as shit of the wrath his Mother-In-Law could possibly wage if he’d gotten her only child knocked up?
Very much aware of the reason for his husband’s panic, Izuku spoke for them. “We’ll be working on that in the future, mother. Maybe a little more diligently now that we have your blessing,” he said with a smirk as he watched Tomura crumble even further as he cradled his head in his hands, nodding to agree with Izuku’s words.