healing takes time (none of it is linear)

Chapter 11

"A-a date?" Izuku stammered, cheeks flaring red.

The others couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes," Shoto told him softly, "a date."

It had been a few days since Izuku's panic attack about thinking he was a burden, and it seemed like. Finally, everyone had calmed down, so Eijiro thought it would be a good idea to finally go on a date with all of them together.

Izuku wasn't sure how to feel about it. His understanding of 'date' was not pleasant. But it would be different with them... right? "What.. what would we do?" Izuku asked carefully, beginning to pull at his fingers.

Katsuki noticed the nervous habit and took one of his hands. "Stop being so nervous. It's not like it's anything bad."

When the omega's cheeks flushed red, the others chuckled softly, and Shoto petted his head gently. "We were thinking about going to a movie, maybe walking around town if you're ok with that."

Izuku was quiet for a moment, mulling over everything. Just breathe, he told himself. "Y-yeah, sure."

Eijiro smiled softly at him. "Yeah? If you don't want to, then we can stay in today."

"No, no, it's- it's ok," the omega insisted. And it was. At least, he hoped it was. He forced himself to believe they wouldn't do anything the others used to on 'dates.'

"So, I guess we're going out," Eijiro smiled brightly. "What movie should we see?"

Izuku wasn't sure what options there were, so he just shrugged. He'd never even gone to the movies before; he didn't know what to expect or what would be there.

He was getting nervous again.

"Izuku," Shoto asked softly. This made the omega jump slightly and look up at the alpha. He gave a weary smile, trying not to worry him. "Are you ok?"

Unable to get his voice to work, Izuku nodded.

He felt an arm snake around his middle, and then he was getting pulled into Katsuki's chest. "Calm down," he whispered into Izuku's hair. "You can do that for us, right?"

Izuku tried. He tried.

"Ah- so-"

"Don't apologize either." Izuku kept his mouth shut. "Now, what sort of movie do you want to see?" Katsuki asked.

Izuku regretted saying he was ok with going to the movies. "I-I don't know," he muttered.

"Do you want us to look up the movie options we have?" Eijiro asked softly, trying to ease Izuku's tension, even just a bit.

Izuku gave another wary smile. Even with that information, he didn't think he could decide. He'd be too worried about trying to think of what all three alphas would enjoy, and with how different their interests could be, he didn't know how he could do that.

Shoto pulled out his phone and found the list of what movies were playing.

It took a while, a long, long while. Izuku didn't know what to pick, and the boys were being no help because they wanted Izuku to pick what he wanted to watch.

In the end, they settled for an older movie that was re-screening. They figured there wouldn't be too many people in the theatre, so Izuku wouldn't have to worry about any crowds.

Izuku stuck close to the others when they got to the theatre, very aware that he couldn't sense any other omegas around.

Katsuki's arm stayed around Izuku's back while Shoto held his hand. Eijiro got their tickets and handled most of their snacks.

"Theatre 8," Eijiro said, looking from their ticket and then to the signs on the walls. He was holding two large popcorn and his drink. Shoto had convinced him to hand over the rest of the drinks so he wouldn't drop anything. "There it is," Eijiro smiled, leading the way.