The Emerald Prince

Chapter 114: Two Hearts

Christ. I feel awful about the last chapter. I mean 10% of me is a little shit who loved reading the panicked comments...but like 12% of me is still the human doormat I was before I grew a spine at 15, and that part felt terrible.

But Izuku losing his quirk is important.
Very important, for the plot, but also for him. Discovering the quirk didn't fix his insecurities, but just put like, flex tape on them. He needs to actually process them properly and accept himself. Though, he'll need help to do that.
...But will that help come in time? *wiggles eyebrows*

———

Touya ran a hand gently through Keigo's hair. They were lying on the bed, shirtless, the younger man with his head on Touya's lap, gazing absently at the ceiling, lost in thought.

"You don't want him to go, do you?" Touya asked him softly.
Keigo's eyes widened slightly, but he closed them, sighing. "No... I know what we said... but I couldn't help it."
"You fell in love with him, properly, too, huh?"
Keigo paused, and then laughed sadly. "You as well."
"Yeah, we messed up." Sighed Touya, "but that's nothing new."

Keigo shuffled over to sit next him, leaning against the head board.
"But..." the hero's voice had the seedy quality of someone who knows they've lost the argument but desperately wants to be convinced they haven't. "Surely we are better for him? We can understand him, way better than any of those hero trainees could..."
"I know..." but... but what? He'd be best off with people his own age? Seemed a pretty weak argument really, mentally Izuku was easily their age. "But you know he's in love. And they love him back. And we'll be there to kill them if they fuck up."

Keigo made a dissatisfied grunt. "But the last month..."
"Yeah," Touya couldn't help smiling in recollection, "it's been really nice hasn't it."
The blond smiled at his hands, "we spoiled him rotten."
"And it was brilliant." Touya replied, putting an arm around his boyfriend, who looked undecided whether to laugh or cry, "how could anyone resist that childish side of his, I didn't know eyes could actually sparkle."

Keigo gave a shakey laugh. "He hasn't even said anything! Why do I get the feeling it's coming to an end Touya?"
The blond turned to look at him, and Touya saw he was crying now, he too fought the urge to follow suit, wrapping his other arm around the smaller man and pulling him close. "You'll always have me, besides, Izuku won't leave our lives any time soon, it'll just be a little different."

Keigo's breathing was a little erratic, but he took a deep breath, "y-yeah, I know... sorry..."
Touya snorted, "for what? Crying? You know I never judge you for crying Kei."
He gently brushed the tears away. "Now, let's get some sleep okay? Izuku will be coming over tomorrow, and we'll have loads of fun. Just make the most of it, while we have him."
"Right." Keigo nodded, and leant over to turn off the light.

———

The phone woke both of them up, though Touya only groaned in irritation and tried to return to oblivion.
Keigo stretched his wings, and leaned over Touya's bare chest to snatch blindly at the phone. It was always his phone at this time. No rest for the good.

To his surprise the abrasive buzzing was not from his Hero Commission issued mobile, but from the cheap brick phone Touya kept, no matter how much money Keigo pointed out he had to spare.

"Touya." He muttered softly, shaking the unresponsive man beneath him. He paused, and when no movement was made, he sighed.
"Izuku's in danger."
The redhead launched himself into a sitting position and stared wide eyed at his boyfriend. Keigo snorted. It worked every time. Not like he could blame the guy though. He'd realise the irony and poor taste of his statement a few moments later.