Inko Midoriya tries her best, when it comes to her son.

A chapter, dedicated to her view- towards the world around her, and towards Izuku.

WARNING:
(This chapter contains a head-first dive into the religion Catholicism, how it has affected the story, and how it has affected Inko. I am in no way claiming that Catholicism is a bad religion, for I am a Catholic myself.

I am fully aware that not all Catholics are bad, because the true teachings of god it to love one another, to treat your neighbor well, and to be accepting and forgiving to everyone.

To me, and some others, God's true teachings is to be accepting, to be loving, no matter what. You love who you love; and be whoever you want to be.)

———

Inko Midoriya is six when her mom cradles her in her arms, rocking her chair, humming softly. In her hands was a blue book, with a colorful cover and fancy lettering.

'The Bible: Children's version', it read.

She was young, back then.

————

"Pray the rosary with me, Inko."

She holds the precious little rosary in her hands, squeezing the intricately carved wooden beads, eyes glued in wonder onto the cross.

Her father smiles, ruffling her hair.

"Say it with me. In the name of the father, the son..."

————

Her household was loving, with both parents present and a roof over their heads and food on their plates.

She was showered with affection, taught right and wrong.

"Can you please give me the pamphlet?"

"Okay mommy."

Church was on Sundays, 10:00 AM sharp. Inko liked the fluffy dresses she got to wear, liked the teal button-up her dad sported and the way her mother put on lipstick and blush to accentuate her features.

Religion, to Inko, was a large part of growing up. Her moral character is based on what God wants, what he deems right and what he deems wrong.

Don't lie.

Don't steal.

Respect your father and mother.

And Inko was behaved during church, never rowdy like the other kids, never put up a big fuss. She listened to the priest, obedient, and marveled how God loved everyone and kept an eye out for his children.

Doesn't God get tired too, keeping watch day and night? Inko thinks she'll be sleepy, if she has to watch a lot of people.

She keeps the question to herself.

————

"Midoriyaaa! Wanna come with us?"

The girls wave her over, but Inko shakes her head, polite and shy. "No thank you. I'm going home early, today."

The girl pouts, but gives a thumbs-up. "Okayyy! Say hi to your parents for me!"

She's in middle school.

And, it is also the first time she saw her classmates- Tanaka and Rico, the foreigner student, exchange quick kisses, red faced. They didn't think anyone saw them, but Inko hurries away from the hallway, heart beating fast.

They were both boys, and Inko wonders about that, thinks about for a long time. It was allowed?

She had never heard of that before.

————

She finally asks it, at dinner time, and her mother shatters a glass and she shutters immediately, trying to backtrack.

"I'm sorry! I didn't-"

"It's alright, dear," her father coughs into his fist. "Just caught us off guard."

"It's wrong, you hear me?"

Her mother's words were soft, but firm, shaking her head. Inko stiffens, brows shooting up.

"But-"

"God never wanted boys to kiss each other, okay, Inko?"

Her father simply remains silent.

God.. God doesn't like it? So why were they..?

"It's a sin. It's wrong. Please, avoid them."

And she does.

Because that's not what god wants at all, and she doesn't dare disobey him.

————

When Inko Midoriya was in college, she met Hisashi Hitori, a spitfire of a man.

He was aggressive, attractive, and showered Inko with the sweetest of promises and love.

It worked, for a while. Her young adult self fell head over heels in love for a man who showed her the world, for a man who would knock on her window at one in the morning to eat junk food, take a walk by the bridge, her parents unaware.

But, of course, things changed.

————

When they married, Hisashi took her last name- a common practice, really.

When Izuku was born, it was the happiest day of her lives. A sweet, sweet boy, with the biggest of smiles and the kindest heart. Inko poured everything into being a mother.

But Hisashi was different.

"The kid's a little runt."

Small comments, on how Izuku was weak.

It appalled Inko, shocked her, sent a pain through her chest when Hisashi would pull away when Izuku would reach out.

"That Katsuki kid is strong. Be like him, 'kay?"

It was the last straw.

"What's wrong with you!? He's a child, Hisashi! A kid!"

"He cries too easily." He replies, face pulled into a deep frown, arms crossed. "If he's like that in the military then-"

Inko shakes her head, adamant. "No! Izuku will be happy, he'll get to choose what he wants! He gets to decide FOR HIMSELF if he wants to follow your footsteps someday! Just- right now, let him be a child!"

Inko is fully aware of Hisashi's past. The man was a military brat, father doing a full three tours- mother killed in battle. After his father was dishonorably discharged, the alcohol was something he'd turned to- that, and taking out his anger on his own flesh and blood.

Inko knows this, feels sorry, supports him the best she can- but for him to use his own child to achieve a dream he once had just to feel better for himself?

She won't allow it.

The argument had escalated from there, farther than the family had ever imagined- and Hisashi snapped and suddenly Inko was on the floor, eyes wide with a stinging pain on her cheek.

She attended church, that night, and prayed as hard as she can.

————

The household was cold after that. And Hisashi had enough respect to know he'd overstepped, and lingered in the background whenever Inko and Izuku were together.

Izuku, the ever bright child he is, knows that something was wrong, because mommy was teary eyed and dad was ducking corners whenever he came around, giving them space.

He never questioned it- though, the answer hit him in the face- quite literally, with his father fuming, standing over him, booze bottle in hand, drinking whenever Inko was gone for work. His face wasn't angry, nor sad.

He was cold.

And Izuku froze up, and he started to cry.

"A shame, really."

Izuku never told his mother, but he still clasped his hands together, like mommy told him to whenever he got sad, and prayed so hard.

He just wanted his father's affection, again.

But he never received it.

Izuku, that day, learned to stop hoping.

————

(-another pride, bombed. Citizens say-)

(-"tear gas thrown into a pride parade today, officials say that-")

Inko shut the television off, biting her lower lip, brewing her tea.

God save their souls.

She made her way upstairs, careful, knocking softly on Izuku's door. "Izuku honey, Katsuki, I have your tea."

There was muffled shuffling, a giggle or two, and Izuku chirps. "Come in!"

She pushes the door open, seeing Katsuki tangled with Izuku on the bed, arms wrapped tightly around her son's waist, grinning broadly and mischievously. "Kacchan!" He puffs his cheeks, like blush coloring his face as he squirms. "Let goooo!"

The sight makes Inko pale, and her grip tightens-

(-victims from the gay community are confirmed, one of which is Seira Honami, a girl who died shouting for her rights as a lesbian. Her girlfriend pleads for privacy for her funeral-)

"I brought snacks," she says, quietly, mind running a mile a minute.

There.. is no chance, right?

Not her son.

Not her everything, not the only one she's got left.

Izuku barks out a laugh when Katsuki playfully pinches his cheeks. "Cute."

...

What..

What'll happen to him?

What'll happen to her son?

Inko shuts the door, hand over her mouth, breathing erratic.

It was wrong, and she was going to do something about it- even if Izuku doesn't like it. She has to, she swears, because it's the only thing that'll keep him safe, away from harm's way.