Chapter Text
"I love you."
It was a beautiful day; the sun was beaming, shining brightly in the beautiful blue sky, sparse, fluffy clouds floating by here and there.
The weather was neither too hot nor too cold, settling nicely on a pleasant warmth instead.
Children were more amped up than usual, with school coming to an end in the coming week and all of them very much looking forward to their ten month break, much to the chagrin of parents everywhere.
In the midst of all of that sat two people on the opposite ends of a small dining table, a father and son, the father having paused mid-bite to stare at his son, who stared impassively right back.
Hisashi blinked slowly at the boy, taking a few moments to properly take in what the teen said before giving him a confused but fond grin. "I love you, too, Zuku, but where did that come from?"
It wasn't as if neither of them never said those words to each other or that they didn't love each other—ever since Inko walked out on them just a year after finding out Izuku was quirkless, the only thing she left behind was her ring and signed divorce papers, Hisashi had done his damnedest to give his son the best possible life he could.
Quitting his previous job to find one back in Japan so that he could properly take care of the boy after an argument with Inko the day that they got the damning news of Izuku's quirklessness, Hisashi did his absolute best to instill in Izuku that it didn't matter if he had a quirk or not, that would never, could never, make him love the boy any less.
When Izuku had asked him, teary-eyed and voice cracking, if he could still be a hero without a quirk, Hisashi told him absolutely.
"It'll be hard, much, much harder," he told him, never one to lie to his son. "You'll have to work ten, no, twenty times harder than most others, but… you can absolutely be a hero, Zuku."
Izuku promptly burst into tears and Hisashi was quick to bring him into his arms, comforting the crying child to the best of his abilities, as awkward as he was—still is, in all honesty, but he tries.
After that, Hisashi enrolled Izuku in all sorts of classes that he knew the boy would need over the years—dance, gymnastics, aikido, taekwondo, coding, and a specialized class that focuses on support gear and the like and a few others—knowing full well that whatever Izuku may lack in the quirk department he could make up for with knowledge and experience.
Sure, he had to dip into his savings a few times to make sure everything was properly paid for but it was worth it to see his precious little boy smiling so wide after every class, chatting excitedly about everything he was learning, and he knew that was worth not only the money but also the time and effort he put in to make sure every single class he enrolled his son in held no discrimination, especially against those that are quirkless.
He knew that Izuku appreciated him, as well—the boy would take care of the chores around the house, so that Hisashi wouldn’t have to worry about it after his long shifts at work, a warm meal always ready early in the mornings for breakfasts and late into the night for dinner, a bright smile and soft “good morning” or “welcome home” always there to greet him.
Neither of them were ones to use words to express their love, much rather using gifts or acts of service, but they still occasionally let the other know verbally, as well, every once in a while.
So while not completely out of left field, it was still a bit odd and Hisashi hadn’t been expecting it. He could feel his heart warm and smile soften, though, as they always did whenever he heard Izuku tell him he loved him—he was blessed with a wonderful son. How could he not appreciate every moment with him, especially softer ones like this?
However, to his surprise, Izuku shook his head. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I love you. Romantically.”
That threw him for a loop, choking on his spit and thankful that he didn’t try to eat or drink right then. What? Love? Romantic? Me?
“I…” He hesitated because, really, what, exactly, was he supposed to say? “Are… are you sure you’re not just mixing it up with familial love, Zuku? Or maybe just admiration? Respect, even?”
Izuku stared at him, face carefully blank but Hisashi could see the steely determination in those emerald green eyes. “No. I’m one hundred percent certain.”
“I… I can’t—” He didn’t have a chance to finish his sentence before Izuku interrupted him, though perhaps that was a good thing since he was currently floundering for any form of coherent thought, really.
“Don’t reject me just yet.” Izuku told him, expression pinching ever so slightly before smoothing out once more. “Just… give me a chance, please.”
“I don’t…”
“I know it’s wrong.” His son continued, grip tightening on his chopsticks as his gaze flickered down to his food. “I know I shouldn’t be feeling like this—be feeling this. I know. But I… I can’t ignore my feelings any longer.” He looked back up, green eyes staring into orange, determination once again clear in that all-encompassing gaze. “So, just give me a chance, please.”
Hisashi hesitated—he should really be putting his foot down, telling Izuku that no, he couldn’t—he shouldn’t even be so much as entertaining the notion. He should insist that Izuku is mixing his emotions up, or confusing them with something else and, if it turned out that his love was true, find a way to nip it in the bud before anything could possibly come from it.
However…
As he looked into his son’s eyes, Izuku never flinching or wavering even in the slightest, back straight and jaw set in that look he knew of far too well, one that told him that not only was Izuku serious but he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted… Well, Hisashi knew he was slowly losing this battle.
It seemed that Izuku knew that, as well, and gave one final push. “A year—just give me a year. I’ll give up if you don’t feel the same after a year.”
He wanted to refuse. He really, really did. However, when he saw the hopeful look on his son’s face, the underlying plea in his voice, he knew he didn’t have the heart to refuse him.
Well, since he said it I’m sure he’ll stick with it. It’ll only be a year, that shouldn’t be that bad.
So, with a heavy sigh, he accepted. “Alright.”
Izuku brightened, a wide smile on his face and eyes shining with relief. “R-Really? I… I’ll do my best!” You don’t have to, really. He wanted to say but couldn’t—that wouldn’t be fair to Izuku, after all. “But, you have to really let me try, alright? Don’t try to stop me because ‘I’m your son’.” He said, adding heavy air quotes that had Hisashi’s lip tick up at the corner in amusement. “For this entire year, don’t think of me as your son—think of me as Midoriya Izuku, the person, and someone who’s trying to court you.”
Hisashi wasn’t entirely sure that he could, but he elected to forgo that for now and tease the boy instead. “Court me? What a choice of words.”
The teen sputtered, a light blush staining his cheeks as he looked away with a huff. “I-I just said the first thing that came to mind, alright!” He sniffed, but it was all theatrics as his faux anger quickly melted into a soft smile, looking back over at the man with such a warm gaze it startled him. “Thank you, really. I’ll try my best to get you to see me romantically. When— If you start to feel the same, tell me you love me. Don’t say it until then, or until the year is up.”
All Hisashi could do was nod, too stunned to speak. That seemed to be enough for Izuku, however, as he finished the rest of his food and got up, gathering his chopsticks and plate to put them in the sink. “When you’re done, just put your stuff in the sink and I’ll wash it later.” He turned around, walking over to the man and giving him a small peck on the cheek, Hisashi’s eyes widened and breath hitching as he turned to look at the boy, who gave him a cheeky grin in return. “Goodnight.”
With that, Izuku left, leaving Hisashi on his own, alone at the table, stunned and confused, a light blush dusting his cheeks as he hesitantly raised his hands to brush his fingers against the cheek that had been kissed.
Absentmindedly rubbing his thumb over the remaining warmth, a fleeting feeling gone far too soon but the phantom sensation still remaining, he leaned back in his chair, unsure of what to do.
He knew that he’d just accepted his son’s advances—his romantic advances, unable to say no to the teen when he looked and sounded like that. He knew he was weak, that he should have fought harder, much harder, against what his son was saying.
Mind a mess of unorganized thoughts, he wondered when his son’s feelings turned into what he said they were now. He couldn’t quite put a finger on a time or even place where Izuku could have fallen in love with him, but he supposed that, in a sense, it didn’t matter.
He knew well enough that love usually appeared with little rhyme or reason. That sometimes, you’re just there, sitting with someone and the thought that oh, I could spend the rest of my life with this person appears and you become aware that you’ve been in love for far longer than you realized.
It had been that way with Inko—where, when they met, they were happy to be just friends, both of their best friends having gotten together and the two of them meeting that way. Hisashi never intended on falling in love; in fact, he had little interest in love in general. It wasn’t that he never wanted to fall in love, it’s just that he didn’t quite see it in the cards for him until much later than it happened.
He and Inko had been seventeen when they met, going through their last year of high school together, meeting through Masaru and Mitsuki, and the two of them hit it off almost instantly.
Hisashi had felt comfortable around the petite, frail-looking but headstrong woman, allowing himself to relax around her and let her into his life. He admired her fiery attitude hidden behind her soft appearance, her unyielding spirit and determination to do anything she set her mind to.
It didn’t take long for them to hang out together by themselves after their introduction, and Hisashi found they had quite a few interests as well—both of them enjoyed gardening, though Hisashi couldn’t quite keep a plant alive to save his own life; both of them enjoyed going to the beach less for the swimming and more for the atmosphere, for the salt air and pretty rocks and seashells that washed up on shore.
They both admitted to being more of a dog person while still liking cats; they both couldn’t quite cook and both stole bites from their respective best friend’s cooking whenever they got the chance; they both came from parents who were a bit too strict, a bit too harsh with their parenting and they both moved away to get a breather from it all.
However, despite what they had in common, the things Hisashi paid the most attention, the things he cared about the most were the little things: the way Inko’s hair would always knot whenever even so much as a gentle breeze would pass by and she would have him brush them out because he did it better, as she always said; how Inko would roll her eyes exasperatedly at his antics whenever he pulled a prank in class but would smile and laugh all the same; how Inko would try and cook for his birthday but ended up burning whatever it was she tried to make and they ended up getting takeout instead.
All of those little things kept adding up more and more until suddenly, one day, when they were covered in silly string and running from Mitsuki as she yelled at them during a prank he’d managed to convince Inko to do for Christmas, green eyes twinkling with mischief and laughter bubbling out of her soft lips, Hisashi knew that this was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Everything after that was history—he had asked her out the very next day, over the moon when she agreed, and the two of them tied the knot at nineteen, much too young for commitment but too in love to care.
They had Izuku just a year later, eager to raise and care for their child, to love and cherish him… At least, that’s what Hisashi thought.
He sighed, shaking his head lightly to rid himself of those thoughts. He didn’t mean to go down memory lane, but it seemed that the talk of love brought it all back.
So, yes, Hisashi understood that love was an emotion that could come out unexpectedly… he just never imagined it would ever happen in a scenario like this.
Letting out another sigh, he finished his food and put everything away, deciding to think more about it tomorrow. For now, he was tired, and his bed was calling his name.
-
“I told him.”
Katsuki blinked, looking over at him with a frown. “What?”
Izuku stared at him blankly. “My dad. I told him.”
“Told him what, dumbass?”
“That I love him. Romantically.”
The blonde slowly blinked at him. Once. Twice. And then…
“Holy shit—you’re serious?” A nod. “‘Bout damn time.”
Izuku smiled fondly at his best friend’s grumblings. Katsuki knew about Izuku’s feelings towards his dad, and, while he’d given him a weird look at first, didn’t react at all how Izuku thought he would.
Though, perhaps he should have expected the outcome regardless…
“I think I’m in love with my dad.” Twelve-year-old Izuku nonchalantly told Katsuki one day while they were in the blonde’s room.
The two of them were currently playing Mario Kart, having sat in silence for a solid twenty minutes or so before Izuku spoke up. It seemed that his words shocked Katsuki so much, however, that he fumbled his controller, his character driving straight off the edge and thus losing his first place spot as Izuku easily passed him, the blonde whipping his head around to stare at the green-haired boy incredulously.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Katsuki damn near growled, Izuku glancing over at him to see a constipated look on his face.
“I think I’m in love with my dad.” Izuku repeated, putting down his controller when he finished his final lap, tilting his head in Katsuki’s direction.
Katsuki closed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose between his fingers as he sighed slowly. “... when you say ‘in love’, you mean—?”
Izuku nodded. “Romantically.”
In all honesty, Izuku was grateful that he had someone he could talk to about this at all. While Katsuki and his relationship had been rocky to start with, the blonde very much unhappy to hear that his best friend had been quirkless, Hisashi was quick to put a stop to his outbursts after having witnessed it a week after Izuku told Katsuki the news, and he, along with the blonde’s parents, made sure to drill common decency and respect into his stubborn head.
While Izuku wasn’t entirely sure of what his dad did, neither he nor Katsuki speaking a word about that time, he did appreciate it—Katsuki no longer ostracized him because of his quirklessness, and their friendship even grew stronger as a result.
Because of that it was fairly obvious that Izuku consulted his best friend about his love life as well. Izuku knew that it was strange, that normal kids, normal people, would never feel this way about their parents—or, hell, any of their family, but he couldn’t help it.
Hisashi had been the one to stick with him even when his mom left them, had been the one to set kids like Katsuki straight when he began to tease and bully him, had been the one to help him achieve his dream of becoming a hero despite his setbacks.
And, in all honesty, if that was all it was, if Izuku simply experienced all of that and nothing more, then he probably would say that these feelings were nothing more than admiration, respect. Grateful that, despite who he was, what he was, his father never abandoned him. That his father still loved him.
However, he was also privy to all the little, intimate things about his father—that, despite his quirk and general appreciation for it, he didn’t always want his food to be spicy; that he wore mismatched socks more often than not because he wasn’t a morning person and thus struggled to dress himself appropriately after just waking up; that he couldn’t cook to save his life and hummed quietly to himself when he cleaned or did his work at home.
He was the only one who knew that Hisashi had cried himself to sleep for months after his wife, Izuku’s mother, left; that he would have deep bags under his eyes for years after as he struggled to sleep on a bed that was made for two but now only held one; that he worked himself to the bone, leaving at early hours in the morning and coming home in the dead of the night, to support his son’s dreams no matter what.
Izuku was there for it all; to catalog every little quirk, to help through all the rough times as best as he could. He never meant for it to happen, honest. However, when his dad would smile at him, orange eyes softening and his entire being brightening just as the sight of him, well… Izuku would feel his chest warm and cheeks flush and he could have sworn he was the one with the fire breathing quirk, not his dad.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Izuku snapped out of his thoughts when Katsuki spoke, looking up at his friend who stared at him, expression indecipherable, and all he could do was nod. His friend had such a way with words were he would ask a question while making it not sound like a question at all. Fascinating, really.
The blonde scoffed. “Yeah, I can see that.”
“Wha—?”
Katsuki rolled his eyes, snorting at the green-haired boy’s confused expression. “Your emotions are written all over your face, dumbass.”
Izuku blinked at him, taking a moment to try and steady his thoughts—was he really that obvious? “Wait… you don’t… you don’t think it’s, like, weird?”
“Oh, I sure as fucking do.” Katsuki said without hesitation, and Izuku winced but the blonde continued. “But, who the hell am I to judge? Your mom was a piece of shit and with how your dad is I can’t really say I’m all too surprised, really.”
Izuku noticed that he didn’t elaborate on ‘how his dad was’ but wisely decided to keep that to himself. “Oh.”
“Yeah, oh.” Katsuki snorted, rolling his eyes. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
“What?”
The blonde narrowed his eyes at him. “You’re not gonna tell me you just said that for no fuckin’ reason, are you?”
“I, uh…”
“Fuckin’ figures.” He muttered under his breath, shaking his head. “So, why the fuck did you tell me?”
Izuku paused, thinking about it. “I’m… not sure? I guess I just wanted someone to know.”
“Well, now I know. So, what’re you gonna do about it?”
He hesitated. “I… I don’t think I—”
“Don’t you dare fuckin’ say you’re not gonna do shit about it.” Katsuki said, cutting him off with a glare.
Izuku sputtered. “B-But, it’s wrong!”
“Yeah, and?” Katsuki shrugged. “What does it matter? It’s not like you’re hurting anyone.”
“I…”
“You like the dude, right?” A nod. “Romantically?” Another nod. “Enough that you want to kiss him and shit?”
Izuku flushed a bright red, choking on his spit as he let out a garbled, “Kacchan!”
Katsuki just gave him a wolfish grin. “What? Am I wrong?”
Izuku gave a muffled groan in return, burying his head in his arms, but that was enough of an answer for the other.
“So tell him.”
He whipped his head up, giving his friend a wide-eyed look. “Kacchan! I can’t just—”
“Yes, you can.” Katsuki retorted, glaring at him. “Like you said, you like him and you want to be with him, romantically. Fucker will never know if you never tell him.”
“But he’s my dad—”
“And? He’s also single and it’s not like either of you can get pregnant anyway.”
Izuku let out a breathless wheeze, scandalized by his friend’s brash words. Deciding he wasn’t going to go anywhere in this line of thought, he decided to try a different approach. “He’s also, like, twenty years older than me!”
“So what? If you’re worried about him dying before you, then don’t. We’ll all die someday, might as well try and enjoy this bitch of a life in any way we can.” Katsuki said with a shrug.
He’s not going to get anywhere with this. But… he couldn’t help but feel comforted by his friend’s unwavering assurance and support. He wasn’t making fun of Izuku for his feelings, wasn’t putting him down or calling him names for it. He was simply giving him the best advice he could, in his own Katsuki-like way.
“I… I’ll think about it.” Izuku relented, looking away when Katsuki snorted and the two of them started up a new track, Izuku lost in thought for the rest of the day.
Izuku was pretty sure that, at that time, he just wanted someone to reassure him, to tell him that he was fine and that he should pursue such a relationship despite the potential consequences.
“So what now?” Katsuki asked him.
“I have a year to get him to see me the same way, but I… kind of don’t really have any plans beyond that?” He admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided his friend’s deadpan gaze.
Katsuki eyed him for a long moment before he sighed. “Fuckin’ figures. Fine, I’ll help.”
Izuku beamed. “Thank you, Kacchan!”
“Yeah, yeah.”