˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚. ݁₊

THE low hum of happy chatter mixed with soft music playing quietly over the speakers were the first things to greet you and your son as you entered the fancy bar. The strong stench of alcohol mixed with many different expensive-smelling colognes and perfumes fluttered into your nostrils and your wide, e/c eyes flickered across the fancy decor.

Tall, potted plants stood in each corner of the huge room and beautiful, glass chandeliers hung lowly from the ceiling. Golden accents ran along the dark wooden interior and you could almost see your reflection in the hardwood floors from how shiny they were. The main bar stood tall in the middle of the room with almost every seat around it filled with expensive and important-looking people. Dotted around the room were small, circular tables surrounded by stools and hugging the walls were dimly lit booths.

Your irises sparkled with amazement; you almost couldn't believe you were in such a place. 'Guess this is what being the number two hero gets you.'

You trailed slowly behind Shoto as he led you to a hallway at the back of the room and your eyes widened at the long stretch of closed doors. 'Just how big is this place!?'

The dual-haired man stopped outside of a room near the back of the hallway and with his hand hovering over the handle, he turned to look at you. "You ready?"

After inhaling a deep breath to calm your nerves, you nodded with a smile. Shoto gently slid open the door and stepped inside the room with you and your son following close behind. The happy chatter in the room died down to silence with the arrival of another person but when all eyes landed on you, everyone froze.

"Y/n!?" The group of seventeen people let out a chorused gasp and you chuckled while holding your arms out by your sides.

"Surprise..."

You didn't even get a second to register what was happening before the entire group jumped up from their seats and tackled you in a massive hug. You couldn't help the small tears that pricked the edges of your eyes as you tried to hug the group back. You hadn't realised just how much you'd missed them all.

"We missed you!"

You laughed at their chorused cheer as Tatsuhiko grabbed a fistful of Shoto's trousers; the four-year-old hiding behind him as he waited on the strangers clearing from you.

"I missed you guys too."

The group slowly pulled away and returned to their seats until only one person remained, their grip on your shoulders tight as your teary eyes met amber ones which shone with happiness.

"How have you been, girl!?" Mina's lips were pulled into a bright grin and she gave your shoulders a gentle squeeze as you wiped the tears from your eyes.

"Great! I got a new job here in the city!"

"Really!? That's amazing!" Her eyes glinted with pride before her gaze racked over your figure and her grin turned teasing. "You got hot, babes! Still with that hottie, Aki?"

You giggled at her teasing tone and nodded. "I am."

The bubblegum-haired woman hooked her arm with yours and gently nudged you in the side while wiggling her eyebrows. "He got any cute friends~?"

Your lips curled upwards with your laughter. "He doesn't. Sorry, hun." The woman pouted childishly and you gently pat her arm. "I'll keep an eye out for you though."

"You're the best!" She cheered as she threw her arms around your neck to pull you into another hug.

"Y/n? I think you forgot to introduce someone..." Momo chuckled as she spotted your son hiding behind the number two hero.

Your eyes widened a little and you glanced around until you spotted the nervous four-year-old. Your expression softened at the way he buried his face into your friend's legs and you held your hand out towards him. "Tatsu, honey. Come here."

Almost instantly, the spiky-haired boy leapt to your side and grabbed your hand. He peeked out from behind you with his Dynamight figurine hugged close to his chest, his eyes racking over the faces of the adults who were now all staring at him.

"Huh? Mama... they're all pro heroes..." The boy's tone was barely above a whisper but his vermillion hues shone brightly with excitement.

You chuckled at your son's words and tilted your head to the side. "Wanna meet them all?" He nodded frantically as a grin slowly stretched across his face. You smiled and pointed at Mina who stood on your other side. "Well, you remember your Auntie Pinky, don't you?"

"From the video calls!" The four-year-old chirped.

"Yup!" Mina giggled as she gently ruffled the boy's spiky, h/c locks. "I'm your ma's best friend!"

Tatsuhiko nodded and watched as you pointed towards two of the heroes sitting together. "There's your Uncle Kami and Auntie Jiro."

"Chargebolt and Earphone Jack!"

"Spot on, little man!" The hero with a lightning bolt in his hair gave a thumbs-up while the woman beside him waved with a smile.

You introduced your son to the rest of the heroes around the table and everyone watched in awe as he called out each of their hero names. He was too adorable not to fawn over and so, all the girls in the group were quick in whisking him away from you and spoke to him about all of the heroes he knew.

"Hey, Tatsu? Do you like Dynamight?" Toru brought her glass up to her lips as she asked her question. The spiky-haired boy stared in awe at the invisible woman before he nodded his head and held up his action figure.

"Uh-huh! He's my favourite!"

Everyone's eyes landed on you in a knowing stare and suddenly, you found the drink in your hands to be the most interesting thing in the world. They all sweat-dropped at your reaction but decided not to press you on the matter - after all, it wasn't hard to guess who the baby daddy was.

You exhaled a breath you didn't even know you were holding when everyone finally looked away from you but your gaze remained on the drink in your hands. Your thoughts drifted to the ash-blond man and you wondered if he'd show up tonight. It then dawned on you that he wasn't the only person missing from the group and you knit your eyebrows together.

"Hey, Shinso?" You gently tapped on the indigo-haired man's shoulder gaining his attention. "Where's Izuku and the others?"

The man pressed his lips into a thin line on the brim of his glass as he tried to recall what he'd been told earlier when he'd asked the same question. "Uh, he and Kirishima were getting a lift off Bakugo, I'm sure."

Your eyes widened a little at the mention of your baby daddy and you pursed your lips. So he was coming. Before you could ask the male anything more, the door opened and the room fell silent; everyone's attention turned to who'd entered.

"Sorry, I'm late!" Izuku shrugged off his jacket and hung it up on the small coat rack in the room. "The traffic was terrible." Before he even had the chance to take a step forward, Tatsuhiko had lunged at him and wrapped his tiny arms around his leg.

"Uncle Deku!"

"Wha—!? Tatsu!?" Izuku's eyes widened at the sight of the four-year-old who beamed him a bright grin. "What are you doing here!?"

"He's here with me, obviously." You piped up as you climbed to your feet.

The curly-haired man froze at the sound of your voice and he slowly raised his gaze to pair it with yours. When your eyes met, it was like the world came to a brief halt and the male felt his heart skip a beat. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

You giggled at his shocked expression and walked over to him to pull him into a hug. "Nice to see you too, Izu."

"Y-Y/n!?" His hands flew up to hold you tightly and when you pulled away shortly after, his emerald eyes repeatedly flickered over your face. "W-What are you doing here?"

"What? Am I not allowed to be here?" You pouted childishly making the man's eyes widen in panic.

"No! That's not what I meant!"

You gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze as you laughed. "I know, I'm kidding." Your expression then turned serious. "I do have something I need to tell you though..."

Izuku's expression morphed into a worried one and his hands raised to tightly grip your shoulders. "What is it? Don't tell me it's something bad!"

Your lips curled upwards with your laughter and you softly shook your head before your expression settled into a closed-eye smile - your hands covering the man's scarred ones. "No, silly. I've moved back to Musutafu!"

The green-haired male's eyes stretched wider than saucers before his face shifted into a grin that reached from ear to ear. "No way! Really?" It only took a simple nod from you and your best friend immediately engulfed you in another tight hug. "I'm so glad!"

When you pulled back for a second time, Izuku's eyebrows raised and he tilted his head to the side like a confused puppy. "But wait... you moved out to the countryside because it was too expensive in the city. What changed?"

"I've been offered a job at a private hospital here."

You watched your friend's expression brighten and you caught the proud glint that shone in his emerald gems. "No way! That's awesome! I'm so proud of you, Y/n!"

You laughed sheepishly at his praise and rubbed the back of your neck. "It's nothing that impressive..."

"Are you kidding!?" His hands tightened their grip on your shoulders, urging you to meet his gaze. You were a little surprised to find his expression had hardened into a serious one but the softness in his kind eyes remained. "What's not impressive about being hired by a private hospital!? That means you're such a great doctor!"

Your cheeks flushed at your friend's compliment and you scratched your cheek. "They mostly just want me for my quirk, though..."

"Because your quirk is amazing!"

You knew there was no batting around Izuku's compliments so you breathed out a quiet sigh with a grateful smile shaping your features. "I guess you're right." Your fists tightened by your sides and you felt pride start to slowly flood your veins. "I guess my quirk is pretty amazing!"

"Exactly!" The green-haired man's hands released from your shoulders and he slid one down to the small of your back so that he could gently push you in the direction of your seat. "Now, let's celebrate the rankings!"

"Where's Ei?" You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. He hadn't entered earlier and it wasn't like him to miss out on an opportunity to see everyone.

"Oh, he's outside talking to Kacchan. Trying to convince him to come inside, I think."

You slid out of your friend's hold and slowly stepped backwards towards the door. "Could you watch Tatsu for a sec? I wanna go surprise him."

Izuku nodded happily and you flashed him a grateful smile before disappearing out of the room. You made your way through the main bar and out of the glass, entrance doors.

A gust of cold air greeted you when you stepped outside and you glanced around the street until your gaze landed on the carmine-haired male you were looking for and your lips curled into a smile. He was leaning against a sleek, black Porsche while talking to the owner through the open, passenger window.

"Eijiro!"

The man's ears perked up at the calling of his name and he stood up to his full height but before he could even look at you, you tackled him into a hug. His body stiffened at the sudden embrace and his hands were raised awkwardly in the air beside your head.

"Uhm, exc—" he cut himself off when the smell of cigarettes and apples slithered into his nostrils. "Wait. Y/n!?"

You pulled away from his chest with a bright grin stretched across your face. Kirishima's eyes were wide in shock as he stared down at you before he pulled you back in for a hug, this time nuzzling his face into your hair. "What are you doing here, man!?"

"I moved back here!"

"Seriously!?" He held you at arm's length and when you nodded in confirmation, his face shaped a wide grin - his sharp teeth peeking over his lips. "Awesome!"

He then remembered who he was talking to before your arrival and he slung his arm around your shoulders while stepping to the side. "Oh yeah! Bakugo's here too!"

You leaned down to look through the open window of the Porsche and the corners of your lips quirked upwards into a smirk.

"Hey, stranger."

˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚.

━━━ AUTHOR'S NOTE !!

hello, my lovelies! thank you for reading!
i hope you enjoyed the chapter!!

sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, this past week has been pretty hectic. i'll try be quick on getting the next chapter out!!

also thank you for 2k reads on this book!!! i love and appreciate you all so much <33

remember to leave a vote and comment!!
i love you, take care!!

word count ; 2.2k