Chapter 31
Ginger and Peach
It was later the same morning when Masaru trudged through the house from his office. The older omega had been cooped up for hours in hopes of finding a solution to the sudden call that he received.
He had spent the better part of the morning calling different medical offices, desperate to gain more control over Izuku’s medical care. No matter how many offices he contacted, he couldn’t find any that were willing to take Izuku as a transfer. He understood the legal jargon that pertained to Izuku’s identification being under the state; though he didn’t like how he was still labeled as their ward despite him being an adult and out of the hospital.
What he couldn’t understand was the blatant discrimination. At some point during all of the phone calls, there would be a statement about Masaru not having the correct documentation to be requesting such things; despite all the documents he sent over proving he was well within his qualifications for the transfer forms to be sent to him.
Each call was wearing down on the man, his omega becoming more concerned and stressed with every flimsy denial. After the fifth call, Masaru knew it was futile to continue when the receptionist mentioned the need for an alpha signature- at least they were blantent with their discrimination- since both Masaru and Izuku were omegas they couldn’t get far enough for the institution to even send the required documentation to start the process.
At that point Masaru was frustrated beyond belief that he just hung up without a proper farewell. He could feel his restraint waning as he stared at his computer screen. The inevitable result of all of this was that he couldn’t fix whatever was happening, no matter how much he should have been able to.
Masaru sighed in resignation. He needed his mate, both to calm down and for her to get involved. As much as he wanted to keep her out of the politics of their job, he knew when such politics wouldn’t listen to him any longer because of his dynamic. It was time to bring out the big guns and let Mitsuki have her way.
With a final sigh, the omega got up from his desk, quickly enclosing Izuku’s file in a locked drawer before leaving.
The search for his mate found the blonde in the dining room, setting the table full of different foods for a late breakfast. The blonde alpha would never admit it- especially not with Katsuki in the house- but Mitsuki loved providing for her family, even if cooking was seen as a more submissive duty.
The brunette smiled at his alpha’s display, how she fidgeted with the silverware and filled glasses with juices with a steady hand and keen eye. Her red eyes were bright as she enjoyed the morning, humming along to a tune that played in her head.
This was one of the many reasons why Masaru loved his alpha. She had always gone against the grain to show her loyalty. Even in a society that praised and gave everything to alphas, she was not one to take what she didn’t deserve. The love of her mate being one she continued to strive for every day. Even after all of these years, Mitsuki would still pamper Masaru no matter how hard the omega had already fallen for her.
Yet, the sweet display couldn’t keep the swirling emotions too far from the omega. Masaru’s usual stoic face turned down into a frown as he tried to remain neutral. There wasn’t any real reason to panic, not yet anyways. Not until he got advice from his mate and the two heroes that resided with them. He didn’t need to send himself into a panic attack because of one -or many- phone calls.
“Saru~” Mitsuki called out to her mate, a wide smile on her face as she spotted him in the doorway. “Why do you look so on edge?”
The brunette huffed, hating how easily his mate could see past all his facades. “We have an update on Izuku’s medical situation.” He whispered, his hands folding together over his stomach.
Mitsuki was alert and at the omega’s side quickly. Her hand grazed his cheek until she could cup it in a comforting manner. Masaru appreciated the effort, but his omega was too on edge to enjoy the touch.
”What’s going on?” Red eyes bore into his. A gentle command for him to tell her everything.
But the omega just shook his head. “I’m not sure exactly what is happening, but it’s a good thing our boy is home. We will need his help.” He said, his voice surprisingly even despite the worry that was roaring through his veins.
His alpha nodded, her eyebrows pulling together as she became lost in thought. “Let's meet with the brat after breakfast.” She finally said with a sigh. “The food is going cold.”
The brunette snorted at his mate’s words. How could he expect his own alpha to push aside her display of care toward her omega and pup, that would be foolish of him.
Hitoshi sighed as he looked out the window. It was later than he expected, he didn’t usually sleep this far past sunrise. Though it seemed that being in the Bakugo family den brought enough comfort to ease his wild mind into sleep.
The sound of the shower had been a gentle morning alarm for the raven haired alpha, though looking outside to the beautiful backyard was close behind it. He knew that Katsuki came from a well off family- it was something that many of his fellow classmates had teased the alpha about- but he hadn’t realized they were this well off.
The yard was thick and lush with so much vegetation, decorated with many sitting areas to enjoy the spacious views.
It felt tranquil even up on the second floor. Hitoshi made a mental reminder to walk around with Katsuki later. Maybe Izuku would join them.
Though that would have to wait until after the gardeners had finished their work. It seemed they had been hard at work for a while now. Small piles of weeds and sticks were now being cleaned up. It had been interesting to watch them move around the yard as they pruned and weeded the flower beds in last minute care.
A few of them were laughing as they picked up the remaining small piles of branches to walk them over to a small trailer waiting on a gravel path. Their conversation was enthralling enough for them to not pay much mind to the man that was left kneeling next to a large rose bush.
Hitoshi didn’t pay him much mind either until the man stood up but didn’t move from his spot. The violet haired alpha glanced at the stranger- on edge as the man stared right back at him with squinted eyes. Hitoshi didn’t know why the man was looking at him so intently. The alpha looked the gardener up and down, noticing the spiked blonde hair and large facemask that covered the entire bottom half of the man’s head. His clothing was caked in dirt, like the worker had days worth of mud and grass stuck to him.
Even when the other two workers yelled at their comrade, the man continued to stare for a few more moments before walking toward the trailer. Hitoshi watched him go, a thought forming in the back of his head.
A light knock drew Hitoshi’s attention to the door as it opened slowly. “Katsuki?” A soft voice called.
Hitoshi walked over, opening the door wider as he smiled at the brunette omega before him. “He is in the shower.” The raven haired answered, welcoming the maternal omega.
“Oh, well it’s time for breakfast.” Masaru said with a happy hum, his hands clasped in front of him. “Could you also let Izuku know? He will stay in his room all day unless one of us gets him.” He asked, leaning forward slightly toward the tall alpha.
Hitoshi nodded, more than willing to do that for his kind host. “Ya, I’ll let Kats know and will be down in a moment with Izuku.”
The shorter man hummed appreciatively, bobbing on his toes before turning back around and descending the stairs. Violet eyes watched the omega, his polite smile forming into a soft one before turning toward the bathroom door.
“Hey Kats.” Hitoshi knocked, listening intently for a reply.
The shower had already turned off and he could hear shuffling from the other side. “Ya, I heard ma. Be down in a minute.” Came his boyfriend’s gruff reply.
Hitoshi just nodded as he excited the room and walked further down the hall. He hadn’t been to Izuku’s room, but was able to use his nose to know where the omega resided. Part of him thought about the gentle scent of the omega often, his alpha comforted by the light peach more than it should be. But he couldn’t help it when it melded so well with Katsuki’s ginger scent. It was like a baked pie was always in the oven, filling his senses with at every moment of the day.
Hitoshi only hesitated for a moment before knocking on the unassuming door. “Hey, Izuku? It’s Shinso.” he called, not wanting to open the door without permission.
“Come in.” The quiet voice of the omega called.
Izuku sat at the end of his bed, just outside his nest where he looked out the window. He had a large shirt on, a graphic of some kind of sports team on the back that bunched up and dwarfed the small man. The omega had his head resting on his knees, though it was tucked under the shirt, his hair falling to one side.
“Breakfast is ready.” Hitoshi said, though the omega didn’t turn toward him.
Izuku’s answer was just as soft as before. “Okay.”
The alpha furrowed his eyebrows, concerned by the lack of any kind of emotion from the omega. He walked closer, curious about what could be wrong.
“What are you looking at?” He asked once he got to the bed, his violet eyes scanning the backyard for what could be keeping the omega’s attention.
“Just the gardeners.” Izuku replied, though his voice sounded sad this close. “They are always so happy while they work.”
The alpha nodded, though Izuku couldn’t see as he looked down to where the workers were packing up their tools. Well, two of them were. The third kept glancing up at the window, it was the same man with blonde hair and the mask.
When it seemed that the group was done packing up, the stranger looked up at them just like he had done to Hitoshi minutes before. This time though, the man waved, and Izuku waved back.
Hitoshi didn’t want to think too much into it, though his eyes narrowed on the man as he followed the others around to the front of the house. The alpha tried to keep himself neutral, not wanting to overreact to something so benign.
“Do you know him?” Hitoshi finally asked after a moment, his tone flat.
Izuku shook his head. “He’s new. I’ve only seen him a couple times. He seems nice though. He always waves hello and goodbye.”
Hitoshi tried to keep his alpha at bay while Izuku turned towards him, but that thought from before was gnawing in the back of his head again. He could tell the omega was in a down mood, his eyes having dark rings under them and his skin paler than normal.
The alpha wanted to wrap the omega in his arms and scent him in hopes of helping, but obviously he had to hold that desire back. It wasn’t appropriate to do something like that. No matter how his instincts argued that it was exactly what the omega needed. That the omega need an alpha to care for them.
Hitoshi cleared his throat, “That’s good.” He replied, trying to keep the conversation light. “Could you imagine having a mean gardener? It would suck if they just flipped you off every day.”
Hitoshi winced at his bad joke, his alpha kicking him for his poor way of trying to help the smaller man.
Izuku shook his head again. “Could you imagine having a gardener?”
That caught Hitoshi off guard, a laugh slipping past him. “No. I guess not.”
Izuku smiled slightly, his hair shuffling as he looked around the room. “Can’t imagine having really anything though.” He said under a whisper, that smile falling back to its previous frown.
Hitoshi’s smile dulled as his heart ached. “That’s alright.” He whispered back, kneeling down next to the end of the bed, now able to be at the same level as Izuku. “Imagining things can be hard, but not impossible. Can you imagine having one thing?” He asked.
Green eyes stared at him for a moment, before flicking back toward the rug that was on the floor. Hitoshi thought that he wouldn’t get an answer when Izuku closed his eyes and rested his chin onto his knees.
“A friend?” Izuku answered, though it was so soft that Hitoshi had to read the omega’s lips.
A sad smile pulled at the alpha’s lips at the simple desire.. “Can I be your friend, Izuku?” He asked, reaching out his hand toward the other.
The omega paused, eyes widening before turning back to look at the alpha. “You want to be my friend? Even though I am quirkless?”
Hitoshi huffed under his breath. “Even if you're quirkless.” He reassured Izuku.
A wobbly smile formed, green eyes scrunching closed as the omega grasped the alpha’s hand. Hitoshi smiled back, happy that the omega was opening up to him a little more. He gave the smaller hand a slight squeeze.
“Though… I can imagine us becoming best friends if you want.” Hitoshi whispered, leaning closer to the omega.
That large smile only grew more- to a point that Hitoshi was worried about the health of those round cheeks- as Izuku looked at the alpha with surprised happiness. “I would really like that.” He said before a blush painted his freckles. “Can I call you Toshi?”
Hitoshi nodded, his smile soft as he gazed into those deep emerald eyes. He would do anything for Izuku, so allowing him to call him that was too simple not to agree to.
“Hello, my name is Yui Kadai.” A bright brunette girl in blue scrubs announced when Mistuki answered the door. “I have been assigned to be Mr. Midoriya’s home health nurse.”
Mistuki nodded, eyes narrowed as she allowed the small omega into her home. The girl practically bounced in with a large bag draped over one shoulder. Her hair was pulled back into a single elastic, a messy bun high on her head that seemed to defy gravity.
“How was your trip getting here?” Mistuki asked, trying to keep a casual tone as she walked the nurse further into her home. “I can’t imagine it was a short ride with where we are located.”
The nurse hummed. “Oh, it was a bit longer than I am used to, but not too bad.” She giggled. “I like this job, so a longer travel time into work isn’t too big of a deal.”
The alpha nodded in reply, as they made their way to the top floor.
“Is there anything I should know about Mr. Midoriya before I do my check in?” Yui asked, her steps pausing at the top of the stairs. Her large golden eyes peered around the second floor, curious.
“Yes.” Mistuki nodded. “There hasn’t been much medically that has caught our attention. Just some reclusive behavior and low appetite, which seem to be normal for Izuku’s recovery.”
Red eyes narrowed slightly as the alpha watched the guest. The omega kept looking around with a wider than normal smile. It was setting Mitsuki’s alpha on edge, but she couldn’t deduce if it was because of the unexpected arrival of a nurse being in her home rather than something actually abnormal.
Yui looked up at the alpha with a nod. “Yes, that is very normal. I am just here to make sure that Midoriya doesn’t lose any more weight and that his overall health is above the baseline that he had when he left the hospital.” She stated matter of factly.
“Right,”
Mistuki showed her to Izuku’s room, making sure to release more of her scent as they passed her son’s room. The visiting heroes had suggested keeping their presence on the down low until they were able to create a more thorough plan. It was understandable, but Mistuki wished that her son could be beside her instead of stowed away in his room with his boyfriend.
She trusted her son- more than anything- but if this nurse had brought any less than lovely people with her, Mistuki didn’t want the only people who were trained in dexaltating to be so far removed from her mate and Izuku.
With a soft knock, Mistuki opened the door and called out to the omega inside. They had told Izuku that a nurse would be over to do a check in, they hadn’t expected the very same day they were notified, but what was the alpha to do?
”Izuku, I’m with your nurse. Can we come in?” She asked.
A green head of hair popped up from the thick nest. Izuku nodded as he climbed out hesitantly, his scent cautious of the new situation.
“Don’t worry, I’ll stay here with you.” Mistuki said, a soft smile on her face. “This is-“
The alpha tried to introduce the omega that was now visible in the hallway, but was interrupted as Izuku sprinted past her. With a surprised blink, Mistuki turned to see the omega clinging to the nurse with a death grip.
“Yui!” Izuku cheered, tears cascading down his cheeks as he began to scent the brunette omega.
“Hello, Izuku.” The nurse greeted, her arms wrapped around the omega tightly. “I missed you.” She whispered.
“I’m so happy!” Izuku continued, his voice wobbly. “I was beginning to think that you wouldn’t come or that someone else would be assigned to be my nurse. I was so nervous, but now I’m so happy. We need to catch up. So much has happened, well not a lot, but it has been a roller coaster. I don't have anyone to talk to that much with the Bakugo’s working- but they have been amazing to me. I can’t thank them enough for what they have done. I just missed you so much. ”
Yui laughed at the other’s muttering, her smile gentle but large as she scented the Izuku gently.
“Common, let’s get this check in started. Then we can chat if you want, I’m scheduled to be here for a couple hours anyways.” The brunette hummed as she gently prodded the omega back into the room.
Izuku nodded, his wild hair shaking in every direction as he grabbed Yui’s hand and pulled her into his room and toward the desk. The nerves that had wracked her body at the nurses arrival fading slightly at their friendly interaction. Mistuki smiled slightly as she watched the two, pleasantly surprised to see Izuku so energetic for the first time while he has been in her care. It warmed her heart to see that same wide smile he had as a child on his face now, green eyes bright as he rambled to the nurse.
“Nurse Yui?” The alpha called.
The woman turned to the alpha as she set her bag down on the ground next to the desk chair, her hand still in Izuku’s as he refused to let go of her.
“Since you will be here for a bit would you like some tea?” Mistuki said, her shoulders more relaxed than they had been in a while.
“Oh that is so kind.” Yui said as she nodded. “That would be nice, thank you!”
The alpha nodded, looking at Izuku as he practically vibrated in the chair. “Will you be okay while I heat up some tea, Izuku?”
The omega nodded happily, eyes still on Yui as she began to pull out some of the items she would need for the check up. “Yes, thank you Aunty.”
Word count: 3392
Well!!!! We are beginning the journey in unknown territory. I know that everyone will know who the gardener is, but I can’t help but ask if anyone saw that coming. This chapter got me so giddy, I have been waiting for this next faze for a while now, and I’m so happy to be here!!
Let me know your thoughts, and show Toga some love by leaving yellow hearts 💛
-Elise K
