Izuku Midoriya had taken down villains twice his size, coordinated pro-hero teams during high-stakes operations, and earned a place in the Top 3 heroes. But nothing — nothing — made his heart pound like his boyfriend walking across campus with that shy little smile and sleep-mussed hair, hoodie half-zipped like he got distracted mid-getting dressed.
Izuku was so in love, it was almost ridiculous.
They’d been dating for over a year, and Izuku still caught himself staring like an idiot every time he picked his boyfriend up from his dorm. He’d show up with coffee in one hand and flowers in the other, bright-eyed and flushed.
Today, he waited outside the lecture hall, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet, hoodie sleeves pushed to his elbows, bouquet of violets and sunflowers clutched behind his back like a secret. He saw him first — sleepy, backpack slung over one shoulder, squinting into the sun. And Izuku's whole world tilted into focus.
"Hi!" Izuku said, way too loud, earning a few glances. He blushed but didn't care. "I, —these are for you!" He held the flowers out with a crooked smile.
His boyfriend laughed, the sound lighting Izuku up like fireworks.
Izuku didn’t just love his boyfriend — he adored him. He’d bring him to his agency, proudly introducing him to everyone like, This is him. The interns would tease him, but he didn’t care. Seeing his boyfriend perched on his office couch, feet tucked up, notebook in hand while he did some light studying, made Izuku feel like he could take on the whole League of Villains with one arm tied behind his back.
He brought him to see his mom often — and Inko loved him, of course. She always doted on him, making extra katsudon and sending them home with containers of leftovers. Izuku would beam, clutching his boyfriend’s hand the whole time under the table, occasionally pressing kisses to his temple when his mom wasn’t looking.
And yeah, Izuku was maybe slightly overprotective. He knew it. If his boyfriend was walking home late, Izuku would track his location just to make sure he got there safe (with permission, obviously). If someone looked at him weird, Izuku was suddenly standing just a bit closer, hand on his waist, eyes sharp but still polite.
He’d do anything for him. Tie his shoes when he was in a rush or too tired. Cook for him after night classes. Kiss every inch of his face when he was stressed.
“You okay?” Izuku would murmur, cupping his cheek. “Need anything? Want me to carry you? I’ll carry you. I’ll carry you across the country if I have to—”
“Zuku. It’s just finals week. I’m not dying.”
“You might as well be! Finals are terrible!” And Izuku would scoop him up in a bear hug anyway, making him laugh until he forgot how tired he was.
Outings with his friends — Kaminari, Ochaco, Iida, even Bakugou (begrudgingly) — were so much more fun with his boyfriend there. Izuku would sit pressed against his side at dinner, always making sure he had water, snacks, everything he needed. The others teased him endlessly.
“He’s your boyfriend, not your baby,” Kaminari snorted.
Izuku just grinned, slipping his arm around his waist. “He’s both.”
“Gross,” Bakugou muttered, but he looked away a little too fast.
It was late — not too late, but the kind of quiet hour where the world softened, and everything felt a little slower. The windows were cracked open in Izuku’s apartment, letting in a cool spring breeze that fluttered the curtains and carried the scent of rain on pavement.
Izuku stood barefoot in a pair of sweats and a faded All Might hoodie, stirring something warm on the stove — miso soup.
He glanced over his shoulder.
His boyfriend sat at the small dining table, surrounded by notes and a laptop and eyes a little red from too much reading. His glasses had slid a little down his nose. Izuku watched him for a second too long, heart aching in that soft, helpless way it always did.
He walked over, set a glass of water by his elbow, and gently nudged the glasses back up. “Don’t strain your eyes, baby,” he murmured.