The final chapter!! Grab some refreshments, get some sleep if you need it, and have fun reading <33

CW: Blood & Injury, Canon-Typical Violence, Angst, Major Character Injury, Temporary Character Death, Hurt/Comfort

~

Chapter Summary:

The family is informed, Izuku and Kacchan have some much-needed bonding time, and the tale draws to a close

~

"This better be important, Kaminari. I'm on patrol," Aizawa's voice came through the phone, but the visuals were too dark to see anything. "Just because I gave you my number, doesn't mean you can call me whenever you want."

There was a pause.

"Kamin-" The screen shed light on Aizawa's face, highlighting his shock. "Midoriy- Problem Child-?"

"...hi, Aizawa-sensei."

*

"Kaminari-kun," Togata greeted without looking at the camera, his gaze fixated elsewhere with the sound of the news in the background. "I just saw you on the news! W-What was all that about, huh? They're saying Midoriya-kun is back – that seems odd, don't you-" He looked at the screen, and his eyes went comically wide- "thi... nk..."

"I-I've heard weirder."

*

"Mon dieu, it's too late to talk," Aoyama complained, slightly muffled, and all that was visible was a tuft of blond hair poking out from beneath the duvet.

"I-I can call back tomorrow-"

"Y'might not, Deku."

"Oh! Oh, you're right, we should probably talk now, because-"

Purple eyes emerged, wide and staring at the camera in disbelief.

*

"Hey, Kami! How you doin'? You've barely called at all recently – whatchu been up to? Have you seen the weird news?" Ashido exclaimed, far too bubbly for nighttime, but then her face dropped into a haunted look. "Wh... This... isn't a funny prank, man-"

"I-It's not a prank, I promise! I don't know if I'm back permanently, so I just wanted to say how much you mean to me, and-"

*

"Kero...?" Tsu croaked sleepily. "Is this important, Kaminari-ch..."

"Sorry for disturbing you, Tsu-chan, b-but I think this is pretty important-"

"M-Midoriya-chan?"

*

The call was ignored three times, denied twice, then finally picked up.

"Kaminari-kun, this is most inappropriate behaviour to disturb a fellow hero so late. If it's not an emergency, please call back at a more reasonable hour tomorrow morni-"

"It's definitely an emergency, Iida-kun," Uraraka piped up, gaining his attention, and he finally noticed the person in the centre of the screen.

Izuku smiled nervously, vision already blurring with tears.

*

"Kaminari-kun, I told you not to call me when I'm trying to sleep," Ojirou sighed, one hand rubbing down his exhausted face. "What's up?"

The camera jolted as he jumped in shock.

"Hey," Izuku offered.

*

"Hmm...?"

"Hi, Kouda-kun, I'm super sorry to disturb you so late, but I really wanted to say-"

"Midoriya-kun?!" Kouda exclaimed.

*

"If you're calling for more cakes, Kaminari-kun, I-"

"Um, no, thank you, but-"

Satou grabbed his phone with both hands, bringing it in close to his face. "Wha-"

*

"Kaminari-kun? Is this about the news-" Shouji mumbled, pointed teeth glinting in the phone's light, and then his wide mouth opened with a sharp inhale. "I... Midoriya-kun...? Is... Is that really...? No... I'm dreaming..."

"Th' fuck'd y'wanna dream about Deku's ugly ass-"

"H- Kacchan!"

*

"Dude, you'd better tell me what the hell is going on. What's that footage? It's fake, right? Someone with- with an illusion quirk or something, I don't-" Jirou's breathing hitched, and she shook her head slightly, the phone screen reflecting in her wide eyes. "I... don't understand. Mi- Kaminari, this-"

"It's not fake," Izuku assured softly. "I'm here."

She squeezed her eyes shut, covering her mouth with a hand as she let out a choked sob.

*

"Hey, bro," Sero greeted groggily. "I thought you were busy tonight doin' your thing you won't tell me abou- Oh. Hi, Midoriya."

Izuku giggled. "Hi, Sero-kun."

His eyes snapped open and the phone fell flat, muffling the audio. "Wait- Midoriya?!"

*

"It's not often you contact me whilst darkness reigns," Tokoyami remarked lowly, showing them a scene from a rooftop of the glittering city, then turning the camera to face him.

A second later, he realised the caller wasn't Kaminari.

"H-"

*

"What do you need?" Todoroki muttered in a voice rough with sleep, rubbing at his eye with the heel of one hand.

"Hey, Todoroki-kun," Izuku whispered, already tearing up as his friend's face morphed into one of disbelieving desperation. "I-I'm alive, I guess."

"You guess?" Uraraka snickered.

He pouted at her. "I don't know!"

Todoroki was sitting up, not taking his intense gaze off the screen. "Where are you?"

"At Kacchan's-"

"Alright," he stood up, then paused, running a hand through his hair. "Midoriya... I..."

Izuku softened, lips curving into a smile. "I know, Todoroki-kun. Me too."

"Shouto," he corrected. "Just call me Shouto."

"Trust me, I've tried to get him to call me Ochako – it doesn't work," she complained with a laugh.

Todoroki broke into a small smile of his own. "I'll see you soon."

*

"K'm'nari," Hagakure whined, drawing out the syllables and elongating his name for at least twenty seconds. "I'm sleepy..."

"Hi sleepy, 'm dad," Kacchan mumbled, half-asleep himself, but then jolted awake with an expression of horror. "Fuck. Oh, fuck."

"Kacchan?!" Izuku squeaked out through near-hysterical laughter.

"Oh my god!" Uraraka cackled, doing her best to remain quiet and hold in her giggles as she melted down until she slumped into Izuku's lap.

"What's even happening," Hagakure breathed.

*

"Is there something I can help you with, Kaminari-san?" Yaoyorozu inquired instantly, looking unfairly pristine despite just waking up, and after a moment, her dark eyes focused on the screen. "Oh... Oh, goodness... I..."

"Yaoyorozu-san," Izuku responded with a warm blink. "I wanted to talk to you..."

*

Feeling tired again was bizarre. Waking up in Kacchan's flat, surrounded by his friends, was nothing short of startling. Izuku blinked sleepily, taking in the dozing figures around him. It seemed Kirishima and Kaminari had come home at some point and joined him and Uraraka in the nest of blankets on the living room floor, both of them settled to his left.

He rubbed at his eyes, propping up his torso with an arm and slowly staring around, seeing more and more sleeping forms. All of his friends filled the floorspace, wrapped up in blankets and tangled in a mess of limbs, just like they used to in the UA dorms after a traumatic time. Even Aizawa was tucked in a corner, snug in his yellow sleeping bag. The room was mostly quiet aside from soft breathing and the snoring from a few napping heroes.

Shi's existence had been revealed to everyone else, much to Kacchan's chagrin, but both of them would rather do that than deal with an upset toddler. No-one had been permitted to see her whilst she slept, just in case they disturbed her, but Uraraka had gladly proffered photos – especially the embarrassing ones with Kacchan in. Everyone had taken it in their stride: with Izuku's resurrection, Kacchan apparently looking after a child was nothing.

Uraraka mumbled in her sleep, hand shifting onto his stomach and loosely wrapping in the fabric of his borrowed top. Iida was lying next to her, hair askew and mouth open as he snored. Izuku glanced behind him, spotting Todoroki curled up and hugging a pillow. He stared at his friends for a moment, sliding his palm over Uraraka's and brushing his thumb over her skin in a soothing motion. It felt like a dream, and he didn't want to wake up.

As much as he wanted to, Eri hadn't been told, and neither had Kouta. They were too young, and it would destroy them if they knew he was back alive, only for him to fade into non-existence once more.

The door ghosted open, and he raised his head. Kacchan padded in with Shi dozing in his arm. They locked eyes across the room, and for a moment they just stared.

Izuku was alive. He was seen, and could be touched, and the whole world felt so much more... everything. There were so many sounds and scents and textures that he'd missed whilst dead. The lingering fear of dissipating overnight faded as he glanced down at his arms – still solid, still real, and still glimmering with solar freckles.

He eased himself out of the cuddle puddle and crept between the sleeping forms. Aizawa cracked open one eye, and Izuku offered a small smile. The teacher blinked, then settled back down, seemingly asleep once more. Izuku breathed a soft sigh of relief when he reached the clear floorspace of the kitchen, no longer needing to precariously tip-toe along.

Kacchan was quietly sorting out breakfast as best he could with one arm: he'd grown quite adept at that since taking in Shi. Izuku automatically fell into the familiar routine, easily stepping out of the way before his friend gave any indication of moving, but now it was even better because Izuku could actually grab things and help out. His fingertips drifted over his friend's back as they passed one another, and Kacchan shivered slightly before reaching up and grabbing a box of cereal.

The resurrected hero separated the two stacked bowls, gently placing them on the counter and then turning to open the fridge. A rush of cool air flooded over him, and he stood for a moment, appreciating the sensation despite the eyes boring into the back of his head. He grabbed the carton of milk, wrapping both his hands around it and nudging the fridge door shut with a hip. It was so cold and solid and wonderful!

Izuku pivoted on the spot and met Kacchan's eyes, revelling in the way they actually followed him when he padded closer to pour milk into the bowls. Pieces of cereal floated to the surface with little air bubbles, and he slid a spoon into it with a quiet clink.

"Are All Might-san and my mum still here?" Izuku inquired in a soft voice.

"Yeah. Still asleep in th' bedroom," Kacchan answered, returning the milk to the fridge.

"Good," he murmured, "I've stressed them out enough. They need that rest."

"...S'not your fault," Kacchan muttered, barely audible, from where he was hidden behind the open fridge door.

Shi stirred, slowly blinking her big brown eyes. The second she spotted Izuku, she perked up and reached out towards him with grabby hands. Kacchan gave an offended huff, trying to gently pull her closer, but she just wriggled and started to whine. Izuku snickered, grasping the girl's tiny sides and hefting her free to give her a proper embrace. She happily clutched at his borrowed top in a hug, then leant back to examine his face with a thoughtful burble.

"Stars," she remarked, prodding at his cheeks.

"Mm, stars," Izuku confirmed sleepily, watching as Kacchan turned and grabbed two glasses, filling them with water.

"Nice," she told him sagely. "Pretty."

"Yeah, I think so, too. It's... gonna take a bit of getting used to, though, isn't it?" He pondered, shifting the girl onto one arm to take the offered glass and take a gulp – because he was thirsty, and his throat was sore, and it was brilliant.

"Y'gonna out-sparkle Frenchie soon," Kacchan muttered, leaning against the counter. "Between th' Quirk, an' now this..."

Both of them paused, sharing a look. Kacchan opened his mouth to say something, but Shi took that moment to grumble and pat at her stomach.

"Hung'y," she complained, glancing between both adults imploringly. "Kacchan, b'ekfast."

Izuku's lips curved into a smile whilst Kacchan's curled into a sneer.

"Can't believe y'taught her t' call me that, jerk," he growled, even as he busied himself with getting out the tools and ingredients to make some porridge.

"She'd probably stop if you stopped reacting to it," Izuku responded bemusedly.

"How'm I s'posed t' stop reactin' to it when y've been callin' me that our whole lives, huh?" He retorted, shooting him a glare as he quietly placed the pan on the stove.

"I'll teach her to say Katsuki instead, then," he suggested, then raised his eyebrows at the expression of distaste he got in answer. "Uh, what about Bakugou?"

Kacchan looked impossibly more disgusted, stirring the boiling porridge. "That's f- damn weird. It'd be creepy as hell if she went 'round callin' me Bakugou all of a sudden."

Izuku's grin grew, and he lightly poked Shi to get her attention. "Hey, Shi-chan, can you say Bakugou? Ba-ku-gou. Bakug-"

"Shut up, damn nerd!" Kacchan hissed, violently elbowing him and threateningly brandishing a spoon. "Don't y'fu- freakin' dare teach her t' call me that! I'll kill you!"

"You're not the first," he quipped automatically, then winced, realising it was probably far too soon to make grim jokes about his own mortality.

Kacchan paused, drawing back and dropping the spoon into the pan. His crimson gaze averted downwards, then he turned his face away, dipping his head to completely conceal his expression. When his shoulders started to shake minutely, Izuku felt his heart stop in panic, and he reached out, hesitantly touching his friend's arm with an apology ready on his tongue, but then Kacchan glanced towards him and-

And his teeth were bared in a grin, stifled laughter seeping through his closed jaws, squinted eyes alight with mirth but- but glistening with unshed tears. Izuku blinked, staring uncertainly, mouth opening and closing without knowing what to say. Kacchan snickered, shaking his head and raising a hand to rub at his eye as he sniffed, then he turned back to the stove and took the pan off the heat.

"That was dark 's hell, Deku," he said, pouring some of the porridge into a little plastic bowl. "Y'gonna put Bird-Face outta business w'comments like that."

Izuku blinked dumbly again. Shi glanced between the two of them, repeatedly twisting fabric between her fingers. Kacchan's smile faltered.

"Deku?" He said uneasily, gaze flitting across the other's features. "...Y'good?"

Tears blurred Izuku's vision, and a sob slipped past his pursed lips. Kacchan didn't get a chance to react before Izuku had already surged forwards, squeezing him in a one-armed hug with Shi pressed between their chests, and he tucked his face into his friend's throat, digging his scarred fingers into Kacchan's back and feeling the solid muscles shift underneath as Kacchan reached up to return the embrace, hesitantly at first, almost embarrassed, then tighter and tighter until it was almost painful, one palm clutching at the back of his neck and locking in place amongst green curls, the other arm casting carefully around Shi's back to grab at Izuku's bicep. Izuku trembled with sobs muffled in Kacchan's warm skin, his teeth baring and hot breath casting condensation until he could barely breathe, but the burning in his lungs was something, and Kacchan's jaw bumping the side of his head was real, and the beating pulse point pressed against Izuku's cheekbone was alive, and so was Izuku, and-

"No, squish!" Shi exclaimed, her tiny hands shoving at both of them until they peeled apart to glance at her with similar smiles of amusement.

"S-Sorry, Shi-chan," Izuku apologised thickly, pulling back and focusing on smoothing back her wispy curls so Kacchan could discreetly wipe his eyes.

Kacchan cleared his throat, grabbed a bottle of honey and squeezed some into Shi's porridge, then transferred the three bowls from the counter to the island before sitting himself down at one of the stools. "C'mon, s'breakfast time. We've got a media shitstorm t' deal with today, so we're gonna need all th' energy we can get."

Izuku winced, settling on the seat next to his friend and putting Shi on his lap. "Oh, that's going to suck." Then, belatedly, he added, "Language, Kacchan."

"Language, Kacchan," he mimicked in a silly voice under his breath, then shoved a spoonful of cereal in his mouth. "Idiot."

*

Shi drove her car beneath Izuku's bent knee, then crawled through after it. He turned his head to fondly watch her push it all around the living room, occasionally pausing to tap it on random items or knock over other toys left lying around. It was almost surprising how quickly this had become the norm for Izuku and Kacchan since the resurrection. Co-parenting with his friend-turned-bully-turned-ally-turned-best-friend-again wasn't something he'd ever pictured himself doing, especially not at such a young age, but... He was happy.

The stars hadn't faded from his form, and it didn't seem likely they were ever going to. Now that all the paperwork had gone through to declare Izuku alive again and give him back all his relevant licenses, every artist and merch company were scrambling to capitalise upon his new, glittery look. Despite his reinstatement as a hero, he had yet to return to active duty, instead preferring to remain home and look after Shi whilst Kacchan was busy.

There were so many conspiracy theories online regarding Deku's death and consequent return, with some not believing he was ever dead in the first place, and others wondering if it was because of his very strange Quirk. Part of the reason he had become a stay-at-home-dad was due to his lack of said strange Quirk – sure, he was more than happy to go out and fight Quirkless, but people would grow more suspicious, and whilst it could be passed off as a side-effect of death, that would complicate things when – if – he got his Quirk back.

Shi waddled back into view, announcing her presence with clumsy car noises. She gave it a push and watched delightedly as it rolled across the floor, coming to a stop against Izuku's thigh where he sat with his back against the stained sofa. He grinned, grabbing the toy and spinning it around, then rolling it back towards the girl, starting a little game of passing it back and forth.

After a few more pushes, she got bored and picked it up, wobbling towards him on two feet and then plopping down on his lap. He dropped his bent leg and loosely looped his arms around her, offering nods and 'mmhm's as she rambled along, half of it incoherent, but all of it very adorable. She was remarkably chatty, and it was a huge difference from when he first found her, when she could barely say any real words. It made his heart warm to know they had helped her grow in a healthy environment.

The front door clicked, and she gasped, instantly shooting to her feet and pattering across the flat. There was a soft 'oof,' followed by an even softer laugh and a rustle of fabric, then a delighted giggle from Shi. A few seconds later, Kacchan sauntered into the room with the girl in his grasp and a grin on his face.

"There were some real morons out today, Chicken," he commented, giving Izuku a glance of acknowledgement as he dropped down onto the sofa with a sigh of relief. "These group of idiots tried t' rob a store while I was right across th' street. And then there were some dudes with water Quirks that were messin' with some kids, an' when I told them t' stop they actually started usin' their Quirks against me instead, can y'believe it?"

Izuku chuckled, putting his elbows back on the sofa cushions and heaving himself up to sit by his friend and roommate. "Did they get in trouble?"

"'Course," he scoffed. "Usin' Quirks in public, and against a Pro Hero? Won't be locked up for long, though. Jus' a quick fine an' they're free t'go. I shoulda provoked 'em more so they'd actually injure me, that'd've showed 'em."

"Kacchan," Izuku scolded, fixing him under what he hoped was a stern glare. "That's not right."

He cracked a sharp grin. "Woulda been funny, though."

Izuku huffed, rolling his eyes and deciding to change the subject before Shi could learn any more bad habits. "Shi-chan made you a drawing today. It's really good!"

"Huh, really?" Kacchan raised his eyebrows at the girl, who nodded excitedly. "Well, go get it, then! I wanna see."

She eagerly scrambled off his lap with a little assistance, dropping down with a thud and shooting off. The two adults watched her go, then looked at each other. Kacchan seemed uncharacteristically nervous, rubbing the fabric of his hero costume trousers between his finger and thumb and scrunching up his face.

"What's wrong, Kacchan? Did something else happen?" Izuku asked worriedly, scooting closer to his friend and automatically examining him for injuries.

Kacchan sighed, features steeling, and then he ran a hand through his spiky hair. He brought it back down with pinched fingers, and Izuku's gaze followed the movement, only for his breath to hitch at the sight of the blond strand in his grasp.

"I said I'd give it back when y'were better, so... Take it, Deku."

Green eyes met crimson scowl, and Izuku burst into tears.

~

Thank you for reading :D!! I hope you enjoyed this fic - it's super cool to see how the idea evolved over the years, and I'm really happy with how it turned out, especially since a lot of it was out of my comfort zone!!

sorry for not going into detail on the reunion scenes but the mere thought of having to slog through so many dull interactions with so many characters to keep track of LITERALLY gave me writer's block, so I compromised by just doing really short interactions

and YES i know it's odd that last chapter i mentioned there were lots of notifs on kaminari's phone from the class but this chapter everyone's frickin' asleep BUT they're heroes and need rest okay, that's the justification i'm going with

Take care, cuties, ily <33

--

*sweats nervously*
so uh– I was hoping to have gotten more mini-fics written in the time it took to post all of these– but literally all I've been doing since July is obsessively drawing and making animatics LMAO–

So this is on hiatus, I guess, until I can drag myself away from drawing. Oops.