The Emerald Prince

Chapter 48: Apologies

Izuku knew he'd been standing nervously at the door for too long, but he had literally no idea what was on the other side. He hadn't been apologised to much in his life. The doctor who'd tested him at four... a few muggers... a few clients... actually this probably wasn't a healthy train of thought for him.

He knocked on the door, and instantly remembered all the reasons he hadn't wanted too, frantically wishing he could reverse sound waves.
Maybe one day.

To his relief - which was weird - it was Katsuki who answered the door.
"Hey."
"H-hey."
Katsuki looked him up and down, and Izuku suddenly realised he was clutching Aizawa's capture scarf for reassurance so tightly, his knuckles were white. He forced his arms to his sides, and attempted a bright smile.

Apparently it wasn't enough for the blond though.
"I'm guessing you only agreed to this to make them feel better, yeah?"
"No way! It has been ages since I saw auntie Mitsuki!" Exclaimed Izuku, but the blond only gave him a tired look.
"Liar."

Was he getting worse at acting? Or was a Bakugou getting better at reading him?
Izuku sighed and nodded.

Bakugou muttered something, but Izuku didn't catch more than a few swear words.
After a moment the blond sighed. "Go."
"Huh?"
"Nerd, scram. I'll say it was a salesman at the door. And pretend you called in sick." Growled the taller teen, not meeting the greenette's eyes, as he began closing the door.

"No!" Izuku shook his head, and put his foot in the doorway to stop Bakugou shutting him out. "I... I have to-"
"No." Interrupted Bakugou, gritting his teeth and shoving the door against Izuku's foot for emphasis. "You owe them nothing. You owe me nothing. I literally haven't seen you this stressed about anything since you admitted some of what you'd been through. Just go home."
"I will not."
"Fucking go!"
"No!"
"Fucksake, Izuku, you are physically shaking!" The blond growled, abandoning his attempts to close the door before he hurt the shorter teen, and crossing his arms.

He watched as Izuku glanced down and realised his hands were indeed trembling. He put them back on the scarf. "They need the closure. A story has to end... for another to properly... to properly begin..." he said hesitantly.

Bakugou swallowed. This was clearly about more than his failures of parents.
"How the fuck can I help then?"

The greenette relaxed a little, removing his foot warily from the doorway. "Can you think of an excuse for me to keep the scarf on?" He tugged at it again in slight emphasis, glancing away. "It's, well, reassuring."

Bakugou's first thought was hickeys. And he was unsure if he was more proud or embarrassed. He felt pretty happy about the scarf though, if Izuku felt safe with it, that meant he was close to and felt safe with his new dad... not that that wasn't already clear, but the assurance was nice.
"Uh... you're coming down with a cold?"

Izuku grimaced, "shakey, but oh well. Not like I'm anywhere near the Izuku they remember anyway."

The blond nodded stiffy, how Izuku could admit that so easily was both amazing and depressing. "Ready then, Deku?"

"Fuck no. Let's do this."

Izuku stepped into the hallway, and Bakugou led him on, to the dinning room. Masaru was there looking slightly nervous. At the sight of them, he stood up, and walked over, bowing fully horizontal to Izuku making the greenette jump slightly.

"I sincerely apologise for failing to discipline my son, and for all the suffering he has inflicted on you in consequence." Said the older man solemnly.

Izuku moved forward uncertainly. "Please don't bow... it was complicated..."

"And still our fault!" Mitsuki came in from the kitchen, striding across to hug the emerald eyed boy she barely recognised. Izuku flinched slightly at her sudden approach but only Bakugou noticed, and he knew he couldn't do much about it. "I'm sorry for not disciplining the brat like I should have!"