Chapter 32
Progress
Mitsuki walked back into the room, carrying the large tray of cups, snacks and tea. She smiled at the light laugh from Izuku and the brunette omega’s snicker, it was truly a welcoming sound when the past couple of weeks had been so quiet.
The two omega’s were in the same spot as when the alpha had left them; Izuku on the chair and Yui kneeling beside him. The nurse had the omega leaning back while she filled three small vials of blood quickly. The woman’s smile was large as Izuku seemed to continue his teasing.
“Oh Izuku.” Yui gasped, her expression a bit dramatic. “You have no idea how hard it is to be a single omega.” The brunette chuckled as her dramatic facade broke, Izuku giggling more at her. The nurse pulled the catheter away and pressed a square of gauze to the area before the blood could escape. “I have been obsessed with this alpha for so long. Years! And even if she is a hero, her schedule is so crazy. I don’t think she really notices me as anything but a friendly stranger at this point. I only see her when she comes into the hospital.
Izuku nodded, his brows furrowing in thought at the woman’s words. “Well, when was the last time you actually talked to her?”
”That’s the tricky part. Unless my job brings me into direct contact with her, I only see her from afar. When I do get to talk to her, it’s all business.” Yui huffed, standing to place the vials into her bag. “I can’t really pull her aside and expect anything good to happen when she isn’t there for pleasant reasons.”
The woman paused, her eyes flicking over to the blonde alpha that had just walked into the room, her gaze settling on the tray as she gave a welcoming smile. She turned back to Izuku. “How are you feeling? Lightheaded? I tried to make it quick.”
”I’m good.” Izuku affirmed as he flexed his arm a bit and stretched, a smile still plastered across his face.
“How old are you Yui?” Mistuki asked after a breath of silence. “I don’t mean to intrude on your personal life, but I don’t see many single omegas in a public profession very often.”
Yui walked to the alpha, helping her pour the tea and passing one to Izuku. “I’m 25.” She answered with a hum. “I never really felt a desire to settle down. Well, not as much as wanting to make something of myself. My parents weren’t very supportive of my ambitions when I was a child. I was overly social with every subgender when I was a child and that worried them. They weren’t too happy as I got older and didn’t change, so they sent me away to an omegan school.”
The nurse paused, staring down into her tea cup as if debating something. “I hated it there, and ran away. That was when I met my group of friends that I have now. They welcomed me in and have supported me ever since.” Yui smiled lightly before taking a sip of tea.
She continued, “Though, it took me a while to realize that I wanted to be a nurse. Not something many alphas are willing to entertain-“ She said, using her fingers to air quote her words. “‘Omegas are meant to be at home and raising pups.’ Not me, I can’t see myself doing that, not for a very long time anyways. I’m too young for that.” She chuckled to herself. “At least my pack alpha understands that.”
Mitsuki nodded, smiling lightly at her as she leaned her hip against the desk. “Good for you. I never understood why any alpha would be like that. Everyone should be free to chase after their ambitions.” The alpha agreed. “Especially those who are drawn in a certain direction.”
“That’s refreshing to hear.” Yui said, now fully looking toward the alpha with a shocked look.
Izuku hummed along in agreement. “Aunty. Didn’t you meet Uncle at a protest to fix some of those alpha biases?” He voiced with a curious edge to his voice.
Mistuki shook her head. “I met Masaru in one of my university classes. He was one of the very few omegas there, so kinda stuck out like a sore thumb.” She laughed. “I was too focused on my studies to really care that much about it. I barely have any memories of him before I saw him in the square that day. He sat in the front of class while I was in the back, the man rarely raised his hand or spoke; so who could blame me for overlooking him when all the omegas were ignored by the university staff.” She waved her hand as if to dismiss the idea, sipping her tea like a royal.
“Masaru caught my eye when he stood in front of the university holding a sign and demanded for omegas to be allowed to live on campus. It was so surprising to me to see an omega be so direct, it shocked me.” She hummed.
“What do you mean?” Izuku asked, scooting to the front of his seat in interest. Mistuki looked at him with a smile before noticing that Yui too looked intrigued, her tea cup resting lightly on her lap as she sat on the floor before the alpha.
“Masaru has always been a quiet man, but never has he been silent. You see, back then omegas weren’t allowed to live on campus unless mated to a student that was attending. It was normal, even for me, to not see anything wrong with it. I never questioned it, just lived my life like the entitled shit I was.” The woman sighed, obviously hiding some feelings under a poised mask. “But that day, I was curious. I talked with him all afternoon on the front grass as the other five omegas continued to protest. Masaru talked and explained what he believed and after that I was in agreement with what he said, so I joined them.”
“Wow, I didn’t know that!” Izuku said, eyes wide with wonder.
“Well, you were too young for us to tell you our story. And by the time you were, well… you and Katsuki weren’t close anymore.” She said, a sadness slipping into her voice.
Izuku nodded, looking down into his tea cup.
Yui noticed the sullen expressions and quickly spoke, wanting to keep the atmosphere up. “So, you two fell in love that day?”
Mistuki shook her head, taking a deep breath before diving back in. “No, we became fast friends though. I started walking him and the other omegas to classes to help keep them safe. I don’t think they were ever in real danger, but shitheads would be dicks for no reason and I couldn’t let that happen to them-“
”And we really appreciated it.” A voice came from the doorway, interrupting Mistuki’s story. Masaru was leaning against the door frame, a smile on his face as he looked at his mate with a large smile.
Izuku perked up at the man’s entrance, waving him in excitedly.
Masaru walked in until he was standing by his mate. “Mitsuki is right. We didn’t need a bodyguard, but it helped a lot to keep unsavory people away. It also brought more attention to what we were fighting for. To have an alpha participate at every protest- and who actually agree with what we were saying was huge- it brought us a lot more attention. Soon our group wasn’t just us six omegas, but betas and a few other alphas joined as well.” He explained before turning to Izuku.
“That was when your mother joined our group as well.” Masaru said with a proud smile.
Izuku blinked a few times at that. He knew that the Bakugos had been friends with her since university, but he didn’t know this was how they met. Even when Izuku was younger he understood that his mother didn’t like to talk about her past on her own. It had made her feel self conscious and uncomfortable, so this was a genuine treat for the young omega.
”There were about fifteen omegas in total at the university, and slowly all of us joined together to fight for our rights.” Masaru said.
”Mom protested with you?” Izuku whispered, awe slipping into his voice.
“Yes, she was a shy girl.” Mistuki laughed, “but she was the best out of all of us at debating. She could put any damn alpha in their place with just a few words. I still believe that the petition statement that the university finally agreed to was because Inko wrote it. She is a brilliant woman, but a savage with a pen.” She hummed with laughter.
Her mate nodded along, his smile growing. “She was a very tough cookie to break when she got into debates. She would talk to alphas that were against our agenda And blow them out of the water. It was fun to watch her back them into a corner, this small girl standing next to an alpha and have her dominate the conversation.” Masaru chuckled, a hand raising to cover his mouth.
”That is amazing.” Yui muttered, her gaze set on her tea. Her gaze was intent on the swirling liquid, her brows furrowed as if in deep thought.
“Ya.” Masaru nodded.
Mitsuki leaned down and kissed her mate's cheek, a quiet croon rattling in her chest before pulling away. “It was a few years later before we married. I didn’t want to get in the way.”
“In the way?” Masaru huffed at her mate. “You are one of the main reasons why I was able to live on campus, then graduate with my Masters when the professors weren’t willing to teach me.” A small fist smacked the alpha’s shoulder, but it only made Mitsuki laugh.
“Ya,” She said, a far away look in her eyes. “That was fun. Definitely worth my time. I should have gotten a diploma out of that too since I was at all your classes.”
Izuku and Yui looked at the two expectantly before Masaru indulged their curiosity. “Mitsuki would sit-in on all my classes. I was struggling with the professors ignoring me when I would raise my hand, or saying I needed to schedule a meeting outside of office hours- each of those meetings would get canceled or the professor wouldn’t show up. Mistuki noticed how it was affecting my studies and stepped in without prompting from me. She attended every single one of my classes and would raise her hand in my stead. Of course the professors would call on her, but instead of asking my question, Mistuki would just turn to me so I could ask myself.”
Mistuki laughed, the bellow filling the room as the alpha rubbed the back of her omega’s back. “ I think it embarrassed the shit out of them cause it didn’t take long for them to actually pay attention to Masaru’s raised hand.”
Izuku giggled at that. “That’s so funny.” Yui nodded along with the green haired omega, her smile large as she looked at the couple.
The group sat there for a moment, enoughing the tea and laughing at more stories of the older couple.
“Anyway,” Masaru finally said after a couple minutes, turning to her mate. “I came up here to let you know that I have to run out for a bit. Got an exciting call!” He said cryptically.
Mitsuki nodded, giving her mate a long kiss before saying goodbye.
“Drive safe Mr. Bakugo.” Yui said as the older omega walked out the door.
“Thank you. Take good care of Izuku for me.” Masaru said, waving his farewell.
Izuku felt more refreshed than he had felt in years once Yui left. It was like the dark cloud that had encompassed his mind had cleared enough for him to be able to breathe. It was strange, but he didn’t want to question it when he had such a good time with Aunty and his nurse.
He had so much energy that Izuku found his room to be too dull for his liking. His omega perked up as he walked through parts of the large house that he hadn’t been to before. These areas enraptured his senses as he looked at the different pictures and decor that filled the house.
Izuku eventually found his way to a set of large french doors at the back of the main sitting room, the view on the other side framed the beautiful landscape in the backyard perfectly. It was too tempting not to walk out and experience the area himself.
The warmth of the day surrounded his body in a cozy hug with every step he took, the fresh air filling Izuku’s lungs as his bare toes touched the cool cement. It had been forever since he took a step outside -most of that was in part to him being held captive for years on end- but either way the secluded area of the Bakugo’s property was a lot to take in.
Everything past the patio was like an entirely different world for the omega. It was overwhelming despite the allure of it all. The warmth and beauty was like a siren song, so many promises but it all set off the omega’s anxiety in warning of the potential harm.
Izuku stared at the end of the cement, the line where it turned to grass and vegetation without hindrance, like an impenetrable wall. Something the omega felt he couldn’t step through despite how much he wanted to.
Izuku glanced up to look out over the yard, his attention flicking from one area to the other to soak in the luxurious feeling. It was enough for now. He could stand here and be happy, and maybe tomorrow he would have the courage to feel the grass under his feet.
It was a shuffled squeak of furniture that drew Izuku’s attention to the little sitting area that resided under the roof line. The blonde hair and red eyes caught the attention of Izuku’s omega instantly, the sly beast trying to encourage him to get closer to the male alpha.
Katsuki was alone, but it seemed that just Izuku’s presence alone was enough to overcrowd the tranquility. Izuku gulped in his guilt, his instinct to cower surprising him. He hadn’t felt that way in a long time toward him.
“S-sorry.” Izuku whispered, hesitating where he stood. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll go back inside.”
His words drew the alpha’s elusive gaze toward the omega, red eyes set in the glare that was typical of an alpha Bakugo. Though this glare didn’t have any heat behind it, just intensity that Izuku didn’t know how to place.
“No,” The man finally spoke with a deep sigh. His rough voice was a welcome vein of stimulation for Izuku’s omega. The creature purred at the other, practically rolling over onto its back in an attempt to lure the alpha toward him.
Izuku kicked himself, demanding his omega to calm down before it got them in trouble.
Katsuki cleared his throat, “ You can stay. This is your house too.” He grumbled, adjusting himself in preparation to get up. “I can go somewhere else, not like this is the only seat area out here.” He said.
Izuku nodded, but commented before thinking. “I don’t mind.” His hand reached out to keep the man in his seat despite the large distance between them.
He didn’t know what else to say after that since he hadn’t planned on taking up any space on the furniture. His mind wandered back to the invisible boundary at the edge of the patio, his omega backing away at the idea of walking over it.
It shouldn’t be that big of a deal, it was just grass and sunlight. Izuku should be able to find a new place to enjoy the haven that surrounds the house without all the inner turmoil.
Izuku was speaking though he didn’t realize, his words soft but still loud enough for Katsuki to hear. “This place is so big, it is a bit overwhelming if I am being honest.” Izuku continued, “I’m being silly, it’s just grass. Nothing will happen if I touch it. I am safe.
The omega kept muttering to himself, repeating the phrases his therapist had suggested during times like this. “This isn’t new. I have done it before. I am safe.”
Izuku glanced over at the alpha, a bashful pink covering his cheeks as he realized the alpha was staring at him.
Whatever the alpha saw in that green gaze, had Katsuki settling back into the furniture. His arms crossed over his broad chest, the tank top allowing the omega to see the sculpting that the hero had.
“Ya, kinda went overboard with the plans for this place.” The blonde huffed, a smirk growing on his face. “Made sure that the fence was secure and gave complete privacy. Didn’t want stupid extras seeing my family's business.”
Izuku nodded, his lips lifting at the nostalgic verbiage. “Uncle mentioned that you were the one to encourage them to build this safe house.” Izuku said, trying to keep the conversation going.”
Katsuki snorted. “Encouraged a tame word for the forcing I did on them. Nothing to give me credit for, I just saw a need and my parents had the time to help the community since my Dam decided to take a step back in their company. It’s not like I gave them a damn choice.”
Izuku smiled at that, “I think it’s still an amazing thing that you did.”
Katsuki shook his head. ”Just trying to help people that can’t help themselves, it’s nothing.” The alpha grumbled under his breath.
Izuku’s eyes narrowed at the words, his thoughts going back to the angry blonde from his childhood and comparing him to the man sitting just a few feet away. The two were a complete contrast to the other. Young Katsuki wouldn’t have cared about anyone unless they needed to be saved by a villian. He couldn’t imagine the young alpha giving a second thought to those who suffered after a villain was taken down. Yet, the alpha in front of him obviously does just that, to the point of making his family participate in his job because of the drive to help people.
Again, Izuku felt like he was in a different timeline. This Katsuki was so different from before. It was uncanny, and a bit disturbing in a way. Part of Izuku hated that the blonde always had this level headed aspect to himself all along. The thought had Izuku frowning. He needed this version of Katsuki first. Someone to help him, watch out for him, and actually care about his words and feelings.
Where was this man when Izuku was being bullied, or when he needed a friend to comfort him when he found out he was quirkless. There were so many instances where Izuku needed someone like the hero before him, but for some reason never had access to it.
”I’m sorry.” Katsuki whispered. The man’s voice was low, his eyes now stuck to the floor. “I wish I would have been there for you sooner. I wish I could make things different, change what I did to you.”
Izuku didn’t know if the alpha had heard his thoughts or if it was just Katsuki’s linear thoughts continuing along their paths, but the words chipped away at the anger that was stewing deep inside him.
The omega took a deep breath, his eyes closing as he focused.
“I wish things were different too,” Izuku whispered back. His shoulder’s fell in defeat as he looked at the blonde again. “Life would have been a lot easier, but it probably wouldn’t have changed what happened in the end.” It was a sullen realization.
Red eyes looked at the omega, sadness filling the crimson. “Don’t say that. I should have protected you. I should have made sure you made it home everyday instead of dicking off with my friends. It was wrong of me to leave you to walk home from school alone- I knew that, and I still didn’t do anything about it. If I had been better, you wouldn’t have been kidnapped.”
Tears rimmed green eyes. “Maybe, but it could have still happened.” Izuku took a deep breath. “It’s easier to say that now that we are older, and as much as I wish you had been there for me. You were just a kid.”
”So were you! You were just a kid!” Katsuki gasped out, irritation in his voice but it wasn’t directed at the omega. No Izuku knew that it was focused on the alpha himself. “A kid that went through so much shit because another kid had issues. It’s fucked up, even for kids.”
Izuku took slow steps closer to the blonde. “I do wish that I had someone back then, but… even if I’m not a kid anymore, I have you now. Right?” The omega couldn’t help but question his own words. They felt silly as they left his mouth.
All of this was so confusing, so many emotions and strains of regret pulling up from places Izuku had blocked out years ago. As they bubbled up, all Izuku wanted to do was get rid of them. The weight was so heavy to carry all the time that he didn’t think he could continue to hold in any longer. Not with the blonde alpha here now, he didn’t want to.
That is what his therapist had encouraged to do though, right? That the beginning of healing was to look at these parts that he kept locked away. Remind himself that it was okay if he couldn’t embrace them, that it was still beneficial to acknowledge the pain and hurt that resided inside him.
Wasn’t that a bit diabolical to expect himself to do this when he was still healing from physical wounds?
Izuku didn’t know if he could do that entirely, the requirements to assimilate back into the world were daunting, but maybe Izuku could do this one step. Just once and see if it was worth unburying these feelings and do something with them besides ignoring it.
Could he do that now though? It felt too soon. He had only been with Aunty and Uncle for a few weeks. He had only been free from Chisaki for a little over a month. Izuku didn’t know the answers, but for some reason it felt right to at least try. He could do that, he could take a piece of whatever this was that took up such a large portion of his heart and let it go, or at least try to.
Tears poured down Izuku’s cheeks as he sat next to the alpha on the small couch. “I don’t know how to do anything anymore, Kacchan. Everything I know is either gone or changed. I don’t even know who I am anymore.” He swallowed the lump in his throat in an attempt to keep the tears at bay. “So much of who I am is based on Eri and Chisaki. Everything I know is based on dark buildings with very few windows and dusty floors. All of this doesn’t feel real, like it is all a nice dream that I will wake up from.”
The omega startled when he felt a hand on his own, the rough palm enclosing his finger and resting them on his leg. Katsuki was staring at him, two streaks of tears on his own face as he listened.
Izuku couldn’t stop his mouth, couldn’t stop his rambles as he continued to talk, taking the hand in his and squeezing it back. “I don’t want to wake up. I want to stay here, even if it’s confusing to understand and hurts. I don’t want to go back. Is that okay?” A sob left Izuku’s mouth at his own question. “Will you let me?”
Katsuki reacted before he could think, pulling the smaller male into his arms and holding him to his chest. “Yes. You can stay as long as you want. This isn’t a dream. I want you here, Izuku. I want you to stay, heal and find out who you are. I’ll protect you. Toshi and I both. We aren’t going to let Chisaki take you or Eri.”
Red eyes squeezed close as Katsuki released more of his scent in an attempt to comfort the omega. His chest ached for Izuku, his alpha whining deep inside him at the pain and fear that the omega was in.
“No matter what happens, you aren’t alone anymore.” Katsuki continued to whisper as Izuku cried. “You can be whoever you want. No one expects you to be okay, or be who you were before the kidnapping. Everyone in this house loves you, and that isn’t going to fucking change. No matter what.”
Masaru squealed, jumping out of his car as he saw his old friend walk out of the airport terminal. He couldn’t stop himself from running at the omega, tears falling down his face as he reached out for her.
“Saru!” Inko cried, dropping her bag and grabbing the man when he was close enough. “Oh my god!”
The two held onto each other tightly, tears streaming down their faces as their omegas scented each other. It had been years since they had seen each other, and the departure hadn’t been a good one. The green haired omega had left in tears, refusing any kind of promise that she would return.
“How is my baby?” Inko suddenly asked, her tone quick as she continued to hold her friend close. “You have my baby? How is he?”
“Izuku is doing better, Inks.” Masaru said, a smile on his face as he pulled away slightly to look at the woman. He thumbed away the tears that spilled from the omega’s green eyes, the skin pulling to one side and enhancing wrinkles.
It shouldn’t be surprising that Inko had aged in the years she had been gone. Masaru himself must look so much older, but it was still so surprising to see.
Inko sniffled, grabbing the brunette’s wrist gently. “Can I see him?” She begged, a sobbed hiccup pulsing through her chest.
“Of course. I set up a room for you two. It’s right across the hallway from Izuku.” Masaru explained, grabbing the bags from the ground and grabbing Inko’s hand. “Where is Hisashi?”
“Oh,” Inko turned around as if she completely forgot about her mate. “I left him by the baggage claim when I got your message. I couldn’t wait a second longer.” She laughed awkwardly at herself. “He is grabbing our suitcases. Oh, there he is.”
A man walked through the automatic doors, his hair just as white as the last time Masaru had seen it, though it was shorter now. The buzzed sides and short top indicative of his career. The alpha was wearing his uniform, the fabric fitted to his toned frame. He smiled as he got closer, his eyes watery as he looked at the two omegas.
”Hisashi, it’s been too long.” Masaru welcomed the alpha with a warm hug, arms wrapping around him in a warm greeting.
“It has. Thank you for taking care of our boy.” Hisashi whispered. “It was a relief to find out he was in your care and not at some institution.”
Inko nodded in agreement with her mate, hands wringing in front of her.
“Alright,” the brunette pulled away and looked at the two. “I already got the appointments set for you two to get your tests done and confirm your vaccinations. It should be quick since you two already submitted everything, but you know how the government is.” Masaru rolled his eyes as he remembered the stupid protocols that they had to follow. “I’m sorry I can’t take you straight to Izuku, but we have to make sure he doesn’t get sick since he has been isolated for so long.”
The alpha nodded, patting the brunette omega on the shoulder in reassurance. “Don’t apologize. We are willing to do anything it takes to see Izuku. A couple silly tests won’t keep us away.”
Inko nodded in agreement again. “Anything for Izuku. But I would appreciate it if it didn’t take forever.
Masaru hummed, “Of course,” another smile pulling at his mouth. “Let’s get going.”
Word count: 4757
I’m so excited for the next chapter. It’s going to be just what our sweet little Izuku needs.
Also, enjoy the art I did for this story. Maybe I’ll do more 🤷♀️
