"So what did you want to tell me, Izuku?"
Vibrant blue eyes net his green as the words clawed their way out if his brain and into his throat. Izuku braced himself for what he had to say.
Melissa Shield was on track to be one of the most brilliant minds in the support industry of this or any generation. She had learned a lot from her father, as well as her "Uncle", the former #1 hero: All Might.
And now she was dating a boy she had met on I-Island, one whom her Uncle Might had taken under his wing. They had started talking ever since they first met. They had a sort of connection that couldn't just be one and done, so the American support girl and her hero boy from Japan kept in touch everyday and, before they knew it, they were pretty much dating.
Things were great, but something weighed on Izuku's mind, especially in the wake of All Might being officially retired: should he tell Melissa and her dad about One-For-All? All might himself never did, despite how close he was. And Izuku had vowed initially to keep it a secret, but secrets couldn't be guarded alone and any meaningful relationship couldn't have secrets like this if they wanted to prosper.
Besides, Izuku had managed to convince All Might to let his mother know and Bakugou had already figured it out and been brought into the fold.
Why, too, shouldn't she? She was his partner, his friend, his love.
The young hero steeped his nerves and began his explanation. His nerves, however decided to opt for a different alloy altogether and his mouth ran like it was in an explanation marathon.
"Y-yeah. Melissa...I have a secret I have been keeping...and I am sorry I never told you before. All Might...I promised him...but with him retired and everyone knowing what he looks like... I had to tell...I told my mom, though she had to process it a little. And now."
A finger cut off the morning Midoriya as embarrassment flooded his cheeks.
"Relax, Deku. I know your secret identity." the nerdy blonde teased.
"Yeah. I know....but not like this...Melissa...I wasn't born with my quirk."
That last line, delivered as Izuku nervously played with his hair, got the girl's attention.
"I...I was born shirtless. Like you. I didn't have a brilliant dad like yours. Mine was always on business trips, providing for my mom and I when we-"
"Not to be rude, Izuku, but could you focus on the wireless thing? Sorry. I guess I just...I don't understand."
Guilt flooded the teen girl's chest as her head still tried to process this new info. Izuku was born quirkless? And he got a quirk? How was that possible? Were there other quirks like that? Was that why Uncle Might had been getting weaker? Was he originally quirkless too? There were so many questions and Melissa awaited the answers.
"Right...I tend to ramble"
"It's ok. Continue please." Melissa smiled gently and stroked her boyfriend's cheek, coaxing him to continue.
And continue he did. With a nod, the young green haired boy detailed his history, painting his past in detailed, if not muddled hues. By the end of it, Melissa was caught up and her head was swimming.
"Wow. This is a lot to take in. We were both born without quirks and yet here we both are."
"Yeah. We have big shoes to fill, but.. I wanted to tell you. Sorry I wasn't honest with you from the start. I want to be though, as a partner and as a...um...partner. I guess just..."
Izuku was caught off guard by Melissa's lips crashing into his own. She seemed just as shocked by her own actions. Was this too forced? Too impulsive? It didn't matter. It was already happening.
Melissa was just relieved. There were no secrets between her and Izuku now. They were a team, like the original Mighty Shield but also unlike it. They were something new, full of potential and tied by intertwining paths, stemming from similar origins.
They might have been born Q uirkless, but neither was powerless and neither was alone. Not any more.
Melissa broke the kiss first, gasping and blushing, trying not to giggle as Izuku did the same, trying to keep himself from exploding.
"I...That's sudden. But I love you too."
