𝓐𝓼𝓬𝓮𝓷𝓭 - bakugou katsuki

~Prologue~

Elle's smile was full of exhaustion and satisfaction as she held her baby daughter in her arms for the first time. She pulled her close, feeling the tiny, fluttering heartbeat against her chest.

I already know you're going to do great things in this world, she thought.

The infant had the reddish skin of a newborn, though it was already fading to a light peach colour. Her bluish-pink hands and feet were starting to even out in colour, too. With her big, round head and bright gray eyes, not to mention obvious facial features from both her mom and her dad, she was the most beautiful person Elle had ever seen.

"Shota," she murmured to her husband, who was gazing at his daughter in awe. "Come see."

With the help of Toshinori, Shota's brother-in-law, he shakily stood up and stumbled over to meet his daughter, dark eyes soft and vulnerable. Even though her eyes were meant to stay on her daughter, Elle couldn't help but admire her husband in the soft hospital light.

Letting out a breathy laugh, Elle spoke. "We did it. Shota, we actually made it in life, and our daughter's the proof."

Though his hands were shaking, Shota managed to pick up the newborn. "I can't believe it, Elle. She's so beautiful, and she's got your gray eyes."

Beside Shota, Toshinori sniffled and wiped his nose on his hero costume. "I--I have a niece! Oh my gosh, how do you act like an uncle? Dad jokes? Doubt Aizawa would make those, so the spot's open... unless Hizashi beats me to it. But what else? What if she doesn't like me? What if she teams up with her Aunt Aki's son to make fun of me? What if--"

"Nori, you'll be the best uncle ever. Promise," Elle murmured, slightly amused that she was comforting her brother about something so trivial. She moved her long silver hair out of her face to coo down at her baby. "Yeah, you'll love him, won't you? You're so cute. You're so cute."

All of a sudden, Shota let out a small gasp, making the other two heroes in the room instinctively jump and look around for any threats. "We never picked out a name for her."

Elle cursed. "I knew we forgot something!"

How did I forget about something as simple as a name? she wondered. Does this mean I'll be a terrible mom?

"You two..." Toshinori shook his head, though a small smile was present on his face.

"What about Eri?" Elle suggested. "It was what Dad wanted to name me, but Mom refused."

"Pretty name. It doesn't fit her, though," Shota said. "How about Ema?"

"No. That reminds me of... of Shimakage," Elle whispered. However, she quickly fixed her somber attitude to avoid ruining the special day by mentioning that woman. "Ugh, why didn't we talk about this earlier?"

Just then, the hospital door burst open. Out of pure reflexes, Elle moved in front of her daughter--ignoring the exhaustion in her muscles, as she'd just given birth--and activated her Quirk, sending a jet of wind that pinned the intruder to the wall.

"Hey," Aki Kazen whined in a weak voice, throwing her hands up in surrender. "No fair. You know your Quirk is stronger than mine."

"Shoot. Sorry, Aki." Elle lowered her hands, stopping the wind from shooting out of her fingertips, which released her sister from her wind prison. "Guess I'm just a bit jumpy. Hero instincts, I guess."

"No, that's my bad. As soon as I heard you went into labour, I rushed over. Didn't want to miss the birth," Aki explained. "Dad's coming soon, by the way. He's just taking care of Inasa right now. 'Grandpa-grandson bonding,' he called it."