Unexpected bonds

Chapter four: relying on eachother

The quiet hum of the city began to fill the air as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Izuku Midoriya, the number two hero, was at home basking in the silence that was not often available to him. With the world of heroes bustling outside, the moment felt surreal. He sat on their couch, a soft blanket draped over his legs, his hands resting on his burgeoning belly. The symptoms of his pregnancy had swung from baffling to overwhelming. At first, it was just mild nausea and fatigue; now, it was a myriad of cravings, emotional turmoil, and a barrage of unusual sensations that came with carrying their child.

Midoriya smiled softly, recalling the initial shock and disbelief when he had first seen the little plus sign on the pregnancy test. Hours of countless what-ifs played in his mind. The wide range of emotions—fear, excitement, vulnerability—settled into an overwhelming love at the thought of welcoming a new life into this world. And more than anything, he felt a profound sense of gratitude for Katsuki, a man who had evolved so much from his brash high school days.

They had both agreed to take a break from their usual hectic schedules at work to focus on preparing for this new addition to their family. Well, Katsuki had taken a break while insisting that he was still the number one hero and had duties to attend to. He would often come home late, covered in dirt and grime, assuring Izuku it was just a 'typical villain encounter' and nothing to worry about. But Izuku worried. As his pregnancy progressed, it became harder to completely push past the inevitable fear of losing the person he loved more than anything.

With a small sigh escaping his lips, Izuku shifted his weight and glanced around their cozy living room, littered with books on parenting and child development that he had obsessively gathered. Flicking through the pages had been both exciting and baffling, and it didn't take long for him to realize just how unprepared he felt. The guides promised to equip him with answers, yet they drew up questions that left him feeling more uncertain than ever.

A creak of the door brought him back to reality. Katsuki Bakugo walked in, his expression fierce as always but his eyes softer now that they shared this new life between them. He brushed his spiky blond hair back, wearing an unusual look of concern that contrasted sharply with his typical bravado.

"What are you doing?" Katsuki demanded, hands on his hips, a slight twitching of his mouth indicating he was fighting a smile.

"Just looking through some books," Izuku replied sheepishly, gesturing to the pile on the coffee table. "I'm trying to figure out what we need to prepare before the baby arrives."

"Books?" Katsuki scoffed, walking over to pluck one from the top. His eyebrows furrowed as he glanced at the title. "This is all nonsense. You don't need a book; you need me."

Izuku couldn't help but burst into laughter. Katsuki's demeanor was a blend of sarcasm and genuine protectiveness that had always been one of his charms. "I mean, having you here is definitely a step up from reading," he admitted, leaning against the couch with a dreamy smile.

With an exaggerated sigh, Katsuki threw the book back on the table before plopping down beside his husband, the cushions sinking softly under him. "You worry too much," he added, placing an arm around Izuku's shoulder. "You're going to be a great dad. Just remember that."

The weight of those words sank into Izuku's heart. "I just... I want to make sure everything is perfect for the baby. I want to make sure you don't have to worry about anything while you're saving the world."

Katsuki narrowed his eyes playfully. "I'm the number one hero, remember? I can handle anything. You're the one who needs to relax," he said, deliberately changing the subject because he could sense the anxiousness in Izuku's voice. "You should take it easy. Let me focus on work; you can just focus on that little bean of ours."

His hand drifted down to Midoriya's belly, and Izuku felt a flutter within that made his heart race. "You're going to give me a daughter who'll kick my ass," he joked lightly, a natural grin creeping onto his face.

"And you'll be warm and kind and everything I'm not," Katsuki shot back, his playful smirk eliciting a warm blush from Izuku. "Just think; she'll be a perfect balance of both of us."

As the conversation shifted and flowed, the two reminisced about their days at U.A., recalling how far they had come from those adolescent days. The teasing, the rivalry, the hidden glances filled with feelings they couldn't express due to their immaturity; it all seemed like a dream now.

After sharing an irreplaceable laugh that echoed through the walls, Katsuki's expression turned serious again. "But seriously," he said, leaning forward earnestly, "if you ever need me, you just have to say the word."

"I know," Izuku breathed, unable to hide the look of tenderness that melted into his gaze. "You've always been my rock."

"Damn right I am," Katsuki's voice softened, his thumb brushing against the fabric of Izuku's shirt over his belly, as if to reassure both of them that they were in this together.

Time seemed to pause for just a moment. In that instant, Izuku realized the truth; Katsuki had always been his savior. Now, facing the monumental journey of parenthood, he knew he could lean into that unwavering support. It was a comfort he wouldn't take for granted.

However, beneath the warmth of their conversation was the unshakeable potential of doubt knocking softly at Izuku's heart. What if things changed? The world of heroes was unpredictable, and with Katsuki being the number one, the risks were always higher. But he dismissed that threat, clutching onto the feeling that they would face it together, regardless of the outcome.

Izuku leaned into Katsuki's side, a small smile playing on his lips as he savored the moment. With the evening moon now hanging in the sky and the soft glow illuminating their home, he allowed himself to bask in this overwhelming love—a love that would continue to grow and deepen until they became the family they had dreamed of.

That night, as they settled in for bed, Izuku felt comforted knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges. But he no longer needed to face them alone; both he and Katsuki would rise to whatever came their way together.

With a content sigh, he closed his eyes, settling into a peaceful slumber, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his husband beside him. The future was uncertain, but his heart felt fuller than it ever had before.