" happy birthday. " inko presses a kiss to izuku's forehead. passing him a medium sized package. inside the package is pair of braces for his wrists. they're a nice neutral green and will help support him. also new phone case but it's different from his previous one. this one is designed with his uniform on the front. but there is an all might pop socket. just in case.
she works so hard, doesn't she?
when was the last time they'd even heard from dad ?
izuku never asks about him anymore, and honestly, he doesn't really bother to think about 'em much, either. for as long as he can remember it has always just been them. with their same hair and matching sea foam eyes, she was all he knew and for his entire life, she has been all he's needed.
like mother like son / two peas in a pod.
"aw mom, you didn't have to get me anything."
he says in that nervous voice that spills from a half crooked grin, his mother holding the other half as he accepts the gift with eager hands.
she didn't have to get him anything; he wishes she didn't worry about it, but knows that she will ( she worries about everything and has infected him with the same level of intense empathy ) and appreciates it, and her, more than she will ever know.
slowly, he unwraps the gift, always careful not to tear through it. she taught him that — gentleness shows you care, so how could he not be ever so gentle when it comes to moments like these? especially now, when in the midst of such joys, a sorrow so heavy lingers that he sees the detriment upon his mother's face when she forces herself to take his hand and sees the scars that adorn it.
izuku has put her through so much; he doesn't deserve this gift, but even more so, his mother does not deserve to know he feels this way. so he'll smile, all bright and honest, as his hands pull the braces and case from their package.
hot tears instantly sting the corners of his eyes as he brings the objects close to his chest before setting them down and pulling his mother into what feels like a never-ending embrace.
"thanks mom, i love you."