#dekumeli

“What have we watched so far?”

“Too much to count,” Melissa didn’t want to think about the incredulous amount of time they had spent watching movies.

Midoriya thought for a moment as he stretched the hours of binge watching out of him. “As much as I love your American movies, why don’t we watch some of mine?”

“You have horror movies?”

“Not just any horror movies - the scariest Japanese horror movies of all time!!”

Melissa laughed, “Okay, let’s see if they’re as scary as you say they are.”

Midoriya shuffled through his collection of DVDs and shoved one in the DVD player.

“Prepare yourself…” he chuckled.

—LATER—

The living room was dark, which was good, because then Midoriya couldn’t see Melissa’s petrified face. But it also didn’t matter, because she clung to him like Velcro anyway.

Midoriya held back a laugh, “are you scared?”

“Maybe…” admitted Melissa. “I hate this movie…”

Midoriya pet the back of her hair, “Ju-On is a classic.”

She scoffed, “so is IT.”

He laughed at her quip and pulled her close. “Don’t worry, it’s all fiction anyway.”

As the movie moved to its credits, bold, white words stood out from the dark background:

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

~~~~~~~~~~

She placed the final plate down and slowly walked towards him. She curled her fingers around his arm. "Katsuki," she whispered.

"Don't," he hissed, immediately tensing under her touch. He moved back away from her.

"Don't what?" she asked softly.

"I can't fuckin' do this Ochako. I can't have you yelling at me about our esteemed guests-"

She frowned, squeezing her hand around his arm tighter. "Then don't, Katsuki. Don't do this. Deku and Melissa are just trying to help, Melissa said some beautiful things to our girl. Why can't we focus on that?" Ochako said, her voice trembling.

"Because they said it," he hissed, turning around. He glared down at her. "They know all the perfect things to say to our girl. Why don't you just give her to them? Since they know-"

 Slap

There was a loud sound as Ochako's hand connected with Katsuki's cheek. She gasped at her own action, quickly pulling her hand back. Her brown eyes trembled as she watched the red trickle onto his cheek from where her palm made contact with his skin.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." she whispered. "I... I... how dare you... suggest giving her to them!" she hissed softly.

His eyes glanced downward and he pressed his own hand to his probably tingling cheek. "You know I didn't fuckin' mean it like that-"

"What if she heard you?!" Ochako growled.

"She didn't," Katsuki snapped back.

"But what if she had!?" Ochako pushed.

"...Let's just get this fucking dinner over with," he mumbled and turned back towards the pot.

"Yes," Ochako whispered, "Sayuri seems happy after speaking to Melissa. That was the whole point."

Katsuki didn't answer her after that, and Ochako's hand trembled against her chest. She didn't mean to slap him, but she wanted to knock some sense into him. He was always so blinded by his rage with Deku...

She knew it was difficult. Of course she wanted to be the one to tell her daughter all the perfect things to make her smile. She wanted to have all the right words sitting on the tip of her tongue, ready to be spoken at a moment's notice. But parenting wasn't so simple, wasn't that easy... and sometimes parents didn't know the right thing to say to their child.

"Food's ready," Katsuki murmured, and Ochako nodded, heading back to the living room.

"Good news! Food is almost done so we can finally eat," she said, clapping her palms together gently, careful not to let her fingers fully touch.

"How is he?" Deku asked, glancing to his wife before standing.

"He's... He needs to learn that we're not always going to be able to fix everything... I think..." Ochako said.

"Of course you're not," Melissa giggled softly, touching her shoulder. "You just have to do the best you can. No matter what Sayuri is always going to love her parents. Especially if you both love her as much as you do."

"I know. Maybe we love her a little too much," she sighed softly.

"There's no such thing," Deku smiled. "I'll go get the kids."

"Thank you," she nodded, making her way to her son’s room. "Shouhei! Dinner!" She swung the door open on him and he stared at her for a moment, his hands pressed together tightly. He pointed his finger up and the handheld game rose up and slammed against his pillow, immediately slipping under the blanket covers. If he thought he was being sneaky, using his quirk like that was the exact opposite. He smiled, trying to look innocent.

"What were you doing?" She placed her hand on her hip, too tired to argue with her son now too.

"'Kay Mama," he said, hopping off his bed. "I'm comin' to dinner!" he said, ignoring her question as he dashed towards the door.

She placed her hand in front of him. "Shouhei. You know you're not allowed to play games until you're done with your homework."

He immediately pouted. "Sayuri got to play with Kazuya!"

She rolled her eyes. "Go take a seat, we'll discuss this when we don't have company."

Ochako followed her son's dejected form as Sayuri and Kazuya zoomed by. "And then later we gotta start looking at math! I think math is the most important subject!"

"What?! No way! It's gotta be science!" Kazuya argued, the two of them hopping up onto their seats.

"No running!" Deku called after them, following them to the kitchen.

"They've technically already stopped," Ochako giggled.

Deku sighed, completely defeated. "I don't know why I even try sometimes."

"Auntie Melissa?" Sayuri asked, sitting up on her chair. "Do you think science or math is more important?"

"Uh oh," Deku laughed, taking a seat next to his wife. "Now you're asking the really hard questions, Sayu-chan."

"Both of them are boring," Shouhei snorted.

"Shouhei," Ochako warned, helping as Katsuki silently carried over some plates of food, placing them in the middle of the long table.

"Hm," Melissa said, tilting her head back and forth while she tried to decide. "Both are incredibly important. Science you have a little bit more... creativity, so I've always found science more fun," she smiled. "However, the two go hand in hand."

"See! So you do have to be good at both!" Sayuri giggled.

"It's important to do well with all your subjects!" Melissa said, turning her gaze towards Shouhei. "Even the boring ones."

"All of them are boring," the young boy complained.

Katsuki placed some food on Shouhei's plate aggressively. "If you don't study, you don't get to play video games."

"Yeah, yeah," Shouhei folded his arms. "I know."

Katsuki took a seat, setting the last plate down. Ochako noticed how he turned his red eyes towards Deku, looking as if he wanted to speak. Perhaps he knew this wasn't the time, not with the children around.

They served the food, and began more casual conversation. The children babbled on about school and what the most important subject was, and Melissa talked about work while the kids were distracted. Her company was beginning work on new tools to assist heroes. She was wanting to start more quirk-related research, but Ochako could tell she was hesitant.

"It's been coming along quite nicely, as I'm sure you're all aware," she nodded. "Izuku and I have been testing lots of equipment. Mei-chan and I were developing something for his quirk, though he just seems to get stronger and stronger. Soon you won't need anything from me!" she giggled.

Katsuki's fingers clenched around his chopsticks and Ochako placed her hand over his, not wanting him to break them.

"That's ridiculous, Melissa," Izuku laughed. "All Might and your father worked together for years, even when he was at his strongest. I'll always need your support." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"A lot of heroes would be lost without the support from your company, Melissa. Iida-kun is always telling me about Mei-chan's ideas," Ochako said.

Melissa laughed. "Oh yes, Mei-chan is very enthusiastic!"

"Katsuki loves the streamlined grenade gauntlets you made him," Ochako continued and Katsuki shoveled food into his mouth.

"They're easier to use," he grumbled, not wanting to look the blonde woman in the eye.

"I'm glad!" Melissa smiled.

"Mommy! When are you going to make something for my quirk!?" Kazuya said, tugging on his mom's sleeve as he interrupted the conversation.

"Oh! Did you tell Uncle Kacchan and Auntie Ocha about your quirk, Kazu?" Deku asked, and Kazuya's face immediately lit up.

"No!" he said. "Me and Sayu-chan were too busy studying!"

"Why don't you show us now?" Ochako asked, her gaze turning to Katsuki momentarily. Against her palm, his hand curled into a fist, growing sweatier against hers.

Kazuya blushed. "It's... kind of similar to your quirk, Auntie Ocha!" he said, placing his chopsticks down. He held his small hand out over the chopsticks, doing a gentle pulling movement as the objects rose into the air and pressed against his palm. "Tada!" he said. "I can... make objects float to me!"

"Wow!" Ochako clapped. "Very impressive."

"Mhm!" he nodded, looking proud of himself.

"So cool, Kazu!" Sayuri giggled, watching him. "Do it again!"

The two children were immediately lost in their own world, Kazuya showing off for the girl. The excitement didn't seem to die however, the two of them thrilled to be focusing on the small trick.

"My... mother has almost the same quirk," Deku chuckled. "I guess it skipped me and went straight to him," Deku explained.

"We were honestly... surprised," Melissa said. "Genetically, it doesn't really make sense," she paused, "but then again what does!"

"Yeah," Katsuki grumbled. "What fuckin' does..." he muttered under his breath.

"Katsuki!" she hissed, and punched his arm.

"Sayu-chan and I are going to be scientists together and work with my mom!" Kazuya declared loudly, both children laughing.

"Boring," Shouhei snorted.

"Oi, don't talk about your sister's dreams like that," Katsuki growled, pointing his chopsticks at his son.

"Yeah, yeah," he huffed.

Katsuki smirked and leaned towards the young boy. "You're just angry because you know we're not going to let you play games until you finish your homework. Don't take it out on your sister."

"Shut up, Dad!"

"Boys... please," Ochako sighed, shaking her head. "Do you see what I have to deal with?"

"Trust me, I know," Melissa snorted.

"Don't worry, Mommy!" Sayuri giggled. "You have me!" She posed proudly.

"Of course I do, baby girl!" she smiled.

The dinner continued on, everyone seeming to be far more relaxed. Katsuki even cracked a smile a few times, though Ochako could tell he was purposefully holding himself back. She noticed his gaze kept falling on Kazuya and Sayuri, watching as they spoke excitedly about being famous scientists. Ochako silently prayed this wouldn't be a phase... maybe Sayuri would focus on the support aspects of the hero profession... maybe she wouldn't care she couldn't be a hero. Children changed their minds all the time.

With giant yawn, Kazuya leaned against his mother, the conversation having lasted for quite some time. "Well it seems like it's about that time..." Melissa commented, stroking through her son's blond hair.

"Mhm, someone still has homework to do," Ochako teased, glancing towards her son.

"Quit reminding me! I know!" he snapped.

"Shouhei..." Ochako warned, her brown eyes narrowing.

"What? Dad yells all the time..." he grumbled, slouching in his chair.

"Help your father clear the plates," she instructed, Katsuki already starting to clear the table off.

"Fine," he huffed, following Katsuki to the kitchen with a few of the smaller plates.

"Thank you so much for having us over," Melissa said, bowing her head. "Are you sure you don't need help cleaning up?"

"No, of course not! We really appreciate you coming and I'm... I apologize for the outburst," she said softly, walking with them towards the front door.

"It's really alright," Deku nodded. "We know it will probably take a bit of time for him to adjust."

"Come say bye!" Ochako called out, and Sayuri was immediately by her side, wrapping her small arms around Kazuya. "Good night Kazuya!" she said, hugging him.

"Bye Sayu-chan!" he giggled, hugging her back. "Next time we can talk about our science plans!"

"Yes!" she cheered. The two babbled excitedly to each other, laughing innocently about their futures.

"Thank you for coming," Ochako said, giving Melissa and Deku both hugs goodbye. Her arms lingered around her best friend for a moment. "I... I really do appreciate it."

"Oi..." Katsuki mumbled, leaning against the wall by their entrance. He immediately made her jump back, turning towards her husband. He stepped forward, glaring at Deku.

"Kacchan... I-"

"Oi!" he repeated and rubbed the back of his neck. "...You... nerds," he muttered, glancing towards Melissa too. "You said... good... things to her," he said softly, his voice quiet as he struggled to speak. "Thanks..."

Both Deku and Melissa looked shocked by the confession. "I simply spoke the truth," Melissa said softly.

"You know we'll always support you and your family, Kacchan," Deku nodded, bowing his head.

Katsuki cheeks flushed. "Yeah whatever, same, get out of my house," he snarled, rushing the words out. He leaned down and picked up Sayuri, holding her against his hip. "It's time for bed, baby girl." He nodded once more to them, carrying her away down the hall.

"Aw Daddy! I'm not even that tired!" Ochako heard her whine as Katsuki carried her away.

"Thank you," she said once more.

"You're gonna be fine, Ochako-chan," Deku smiled. "She's going to be fine and Kacchan is going to be fine."

"I know," she said, glancing after her husband.

"It's just all new and shocking," Melissa added. "But we're here for you. If you need anything just call or text."

"Of course."

With a bow, she waved goodbye to Deku and his family, and she took a deep breath, leaning against the door once they left. She was thankful Katsuki spoke up at the end, but there was still so much she needed to say to him... apologies which hung on her lips.

She made her way to Shouhei's room first, gently knocking on the door. He sat at his desk, looking disgruntled about doing his homework.

"I'm doin' it!" he snapped, scribbling something down in his notebook.

She laughed, and made her way to his side, kissing his head. "I know you are. My brave man, suffering through math."

"Someone's gotta do it," he mumbled. "But I really don't get why it has to be me... Do you and Dad really do math being heroes?"

"Mmm... sometimes!" she giggled. "If I didn't know math, how would I be able to count how many villains there are?!"

Shouhei's face flattened. "Mom. I know how to count."

"I know you do," she teased. "Homework is just part of life. I suffered through it too," she said.

"Yeah, yeah," he snorted.

"Come say goodnight when you're done okay?" she said, kissing his head one more time as she decided to leave her son in peace.

Further down the hall, Sayuri's door was open, and Katsuki was crouched next to her bed.

"But I don't wanna go to bed, Daddy," she whined. "Shouhei gets to stay up!"

"Shouhei is older and he's doing homework," he said, stroking his fingers through her blonde hair. "Besides, all good scientists need to get their rest."

"Yeah, that's true. I'm gonna make the best things for you, Daddy!" she cheered. "Even better than Auntie Melissa!"

"I'm sure you will baby girl. You're smart. I'm freakin' proud already."

Sayuri gasped and placed her hand over Katsuki's mouth. "Daddy said a swear!"

"A swear?" he mumbled. "What did I say?!"

"Well I can't say it, then I would say the bad word!" she said, giggling.

"I'll... put a coin in the jar..." he sighed, wrapping his fingers around her tiny wrist and he kissed at her palm. "Is that good?"

"Very good, Daddy," she said, her mouth yawning wide.

"Alright, baby girl. Time for bed," he said, leaning over to kiss her forehead.

"Night Daddy," she said as Katsuki pulled away, walking towards where Ochako stood in the doorway.

"Night sweetheart," she called quietly, turning off the light as she shut her door.

She followed her husband back to the living room and he took a seat on the couch. "Shouhei doin' his work finally?"

"Mhm. I told him to come out when he's done to say goodnight," Ochako whispered, taking a seat on the couch next to him.

"Good," he huffed, folding his arms.

She sat in silence, letting the tension settle between them. Katsuki seemed calmer, but she knew evenings with Deku always stressed him out and made him question a variety of things. She knew Katsuki felt like Deku was always ahead of him... with All Might... in hero ranking... and now, even his son had a quirk while their daughter did not. She knew it must be weighing heavily on her husband.

Ochako felt guilt tugging on her heart. She knew Katsuki would absolutely never give up their daughter. If Ochako was his angel, Sayuri was his princess, and he couldn't live without any member of their family. Still, her knee-jerk reaction, with all the tension building in the room was to slap him. It felt so wrong; they were all hurting.

"You don't have to apologize," he mumbled, his eyes turned towards their carpet.

"Eh?" she gasped, pulled from her thoughts.

"I know you're thinking about apologizing for slapping me. But I deserved it," he said, his red eyes turning to meet hers.

"Oh Katsuki... no... you didn't. I-I shouldn't have slapped you. I just didn't know what to do."

"I was being selfish," he said softly, squeezing his palms together.

"A little," she said, scooting closer to him, her palm gently resting on top of both his hands. "But... I know how you get about Deku-kun... and tonight was a lot... You didn't deserve that."

"I should never have fucking said what I said... I didn't... I didn't mean it. I wouldn't give that kid up for fucking anything... either of them."

"I know you wouldn't," she said, and she stroked her fingers gently over his cheek. "You love them... just as much as I do."

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand to his lips. "I love you..." he whispered and she leaned forward, pressing her head against his shoulder.

"I love you too, Katsuki."

He smiled, sitting back to look at her. "She... seems pretty excited about this science bullshit."

"She does... she's a determined girl..."

"Just like you," he said softly, leaning up to press his lips against Ochako's, kissing her softly.

"Just like both of us, though I do hope she stays determined and doesn't get as stubborn as you," she teased.

"A little stubbornness won't kill her," he chuckled, kissing her again. He sighed, his rough fingers stroking over Ochako's round cheek. "We're gonna figure this shit out."

"I know," she said.

"I will never let her suffer. Ever," he said, determination flicking across his red eyes. She smiled, knowing exactly where her daughter inherited the trait from.

"I know," she repeated, leaning against her husband.