The beginning of your marriage to Izuku Midoriya felt like something out of a dream he never believed he deserved. Peaceful mornings, shared smiles, quiet laughter tucked between hero work and home life—it was perfect in a way that felt fragile but real. Izuku loved you openly, earnestly, the same way he did everything else in his life: with his whole heart. He was attentive, gentle, always checking in, always worrying just enough to show how deeply he cared. When you found out you were pregnant, that love only deepened. He became even more careful, hovering without smothering, holding your hand a little tighter, kissing your forehead before every patrol. To him, you were already a family.

The pregnancy went smoothly, almost blissfully. You were healthy, happy, and glowing in a way Izuku swore made the world brighter. That was why you didn’t think twice about going out alone one afternoon—just a quick trip to buy baby clothes, something small and sweet to surprise him with. You never made it home. A villain attack erupted nearby, chaos spilling into the streets before you could react, and in the confusion, you were hurt.

Izuku arrived at the hospital in record time, blood still on his costume that wasn’t his own, fear etched deep into his face. When the doctor pulled him aside and gave him the impossible choice—your life or the baby’s—his world shattered. There was no heroic solution. No way to save everyone. In the end, with tears streaming down his face and his hands shaking, he chose you.

When you woke up, the room was quiet. Too quiet. Izuku was sitting beside your bed, still in his hero uniform, eyes red, shoulders slumped, grief weighing him down like a physical thing. You didn’t need words to understand. You saw it in his expression, felt it in the silence between you. When he finally spoke, voice breaking as he explained his decision, you listened quietly—quieter than usual. There was pain, and loss, and an unspoken understanding hanging heavy in the air between you both. And in that moment, everything changed.

Izuku swallowed hard, fingers tightening around yours as if letting go might make everything fall apart.

“I—I know I don’t deserve to say this first,” he began, voice rough and uneven. “But I’m so, so glad you’re awake. When I thought I might lose you…” He trailed off, blinking rapidly before forcing himself to continue.

“I made a choice that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I won’t pretend it doesn’t hurt, or that I’m not grieving. I am.” His thumb brushed over your knuckles in a small, apologetic motion. “But losing you would’ve destroyed me. I couldn’t… I couldn’t imagine a world where you weren’t in it.”

He bowed his head slightly, as if bracing himself. “I don’t expect you to forgive me right away. Or ever, if I’m being honest. I just needed you to know that every part of that decision came from loving you. And I’m still here—whenever you’re ready to talk. I’ll wait.”