#mharequest

[Author's notes:

You have no idea how happy this ask made me and I loved your concept so I did my best to do it justice. Also, I'm so sorry this took so long but I hope it was worth the wait!

summary: Y/N works at a coffee shop where ProHero!Deku frequents and one evening, an accident brings them closer than ever.

warnings: fluff, mutual pining, lack of proof-reading, Y/N gets burnt]

The attack was over in seconds. The pro heroes had ended the villainous tyranny as quick as they had arrived on the scene, barely breaking a sweat. Yet they remained humble; smiling and waving to the crowds, reassuring the residents that they were now safe.

You watched them from the large window of the coffee shop where you worked, the crowds gathering around the heros and cheering. The sun blared off the heros armour like a God. Soon enough, though, the heros made their leave to make sure the villain was locked away for good.

You sighed as you watched everyone disperse, going back to their normal lives. As much as you enjoyed watching the heros at work, a part of you wished that someone else would turn up - someone you'd had your eye on for a very long time. A hero by the name of Deku. He would come into the coffee shop sometimes and although he was mostly always wearing casual clothing, you recognised him from a few major fights around town. You had seen his resilience in the face of evil and it was admirable, to say the least. Not to mention, he was super cute and always thanked you when you served him coffee with a smile.

However, in the few weeks that you had met, he never once engaged in more than small talk. Was he just too busy? Did he find me boring? You had thought. Or was he genuinely interested in what my commute to work was like?

Your contemplation was interrupted by your boss talking beside you. "Bloody miracle no one got hurt. That villain was huge!" She commented, hands on her hips and looking out the window. "Those heroes are pretty strong to take down a guy like that." You just nodded.

"The only drawback is...they stole all our customers!" Your boss groaned dramatically. You laughed a little as you surveyed the empty café. The brown leather armchairs looked so lonely for once. A bit of dust swirled in the sunlight beside it and the chairs by the windows had been knocked over as people had scrambled to the doors a few minutes ago. I guess it's always exciting to see a fight go down; you even stopped brewing coffee just to catch a glimpse of what was going on outside.

Your boss looked over to you, smiling smugly. "Sorry your heartthrob hero didn't turn up this time."

"What are you talking about?" You squeaked, trying to hide your blush behind your hair.

"Oh come on, Y/N! We both know that you've got the hots for that hunk of broccoli man and it seems like he does too." She teased, leaning her back against the counter.

You were about to laugh at how your boss referred to Deku but then you realised... "You think he likes me too?" You asked incredulously, eyes wide.

She scoffed with her usual dramatics, her voice becoming louder and more enthusiastic. "Yes! You really haven't noticed?"

You shook your head and half shrugged. "I mean...he's always nice to me?"

An eyeroll from the taller lady. "Y/N." She looked down at you under her eyebrows almost pitifully but with a knowing smile. "You should have seen him the other day. After you served him."

You urged her to go on with a curious look.

"You were serving coffee to that old guy by the window and you read out the menu when he forgot his glasses. I was working very hard doing managerial things," You giggled at that. "when I realised...he was totally checking you out!"

Your face exploded in a red flush. "Y-you're kidding!"

Her head shook furiously. "No way! He looked completely whipped by you."

The fact that your boss was telling you this was making your cheeks burn, the butterflies in your stomach going crazy. Was this true? Did Deku really like you? The thought sent a smile to your face, a giddy feeling rushing through your body.

Deku had always caught your attention - along with many others - because of his selfless acts of kindness and heroism. Those green eyes were so full of wonder and every time he reached for the coffee cup you handed him, you noticed the thin scars across his knuckles. You hoped that he didn't catch you staring but you also wished that you could trace your hands over his, feeling the broken skin now healed. You wanted to know all his stories. But you were both too shy to initiate any contact.

The time was now 4pm which meant it was almost the end of your bosses shift so you took this moment to clear the tables of mugs and saucers, making sure everything was spotless, since you'd be serving for a few more hours. You took a lot of pride in your job because you genuinely enjoyed it - serving interesting people coffee and watching as they carried out their lives - it was a form of meditation that you'd come to crave. Sure, there were days where you felt like your head was going to explode from trying to keep track of everything or a nasty customer would give you grief, but honestly, you were content with just being here - making a difference in the smallest of ways. You wondered about Deku in this moment; does he feel the same way?

It was only going to be you left in the shop this evening which you were fine with since it was a Tuesday night and it didn't get very busy usually. You grabbed your phone and set up your playlist, connecting it to the shop speakers.

Your boss emerged from the back of the store with her bag and stuffed her brown apron into it. "Can you make sure the dishwasher goes on tonight? Jacob didn't put it on last shift." She groaned with an eyeroll. 

You smiled and nodded. "Will do."

"Oh, and remember to-"

"Set the alarm before I leave. Let me guess, he didn't do that either?" You couldn't help but giggle at your bosses irritated face.

"Well, at least I know the shop is in safe hands tonight." She sighed and gathered the last of her things. "I'll see you tomorrow." She called as she headed for the door with a wave.

Once you farewelled her, you took a deep breath and looked around. The shop was quiet for now but you knew that people would still come at this time in the afternoon and you wanted to make their time after work a pleasant one. Therefore, you took extra care in rearranging the wooden chairs neatly, wiping the tabletops until they sparkled and fluffing up the embroidered pillows on the brown leather couches. You had always felt a certain sense of care in relation to your job. When faced with a challenge or task, you found a great attitude always made things easier and more enjoyable. After all, you are what you think.

The sound of passing cars and the occasional train horn were mixed with the chatter of a couple of patrons and the gentle clinking of porcelain. Your music playlist had mellowed into a relaxing Japanese song and in that moment - carefully drying a glass with a striped teatowel - you felt truly at peace. And as you greeted the customer walking through the door with a chime, you made a promise to yourself to make this day an enjoyable one for all.

A couple of hours later, you were in the middle of making a flat white for one of the few customers that sat scattered around the shop. The strong scent of coffee filled your senses as you poured the steaming milk into a mug skillfully. Doing this had become second nature to you, but even so, you never really tired of it. No two coffees were really the same. You took a moment to swirl the milk back and forth to create a pattern in the froth and placed the copper mug on a matching saucer. The customer thanked you wholeheartedly as you placed the art in front of them at their table with a smile. A polite but genuine interaction.

As you were walking back to the counter, you heard the bell chime above the door and spun your head around to greet them. However, your voice sort of failed you once you saw who it was.

"Deku?" You asked, surprised. This seemed to startle him as he hurried to shush you.

"U-um, I don't want to be recognised." He half-whispered to you, looking around.

You felt bad for almost outing him but did he really think that black beanie was going to disguise him? After all, you recognised him almost straight away. You softly winced an apology and led him to the counter. 

"Well then...what can I get you, stranger?" You joked with a friendly smile in an attempt to calm him. It seemed to work because he laughed a little and you could see his shoulders visibly relax. 

"I'll have whatever you feel like making."

You raised an eyebrow. "You're letting me decide?"

He nodded a little too enthusiastically which you found cute and leaned on the wooden counter. 

You couldn't help but giggle and take on his challenge. "Alright, won't be long then, sir."

He blushed a little and took a seat by the counter. "Call me Izuku."

You nodded in response casually and went back to filling the coffee pot, although, on the inside you were ecstatic at having permission to use his real name.

It was mostly silent between the two of you as you made his drink but it wasn't uncomfortable at all, actually, he seemed to enjoy watching you. His green eyes followed your every action, taking in the slow way you stirred the chocolate powder with a bit of hot water. Even this small action seemed to calm him and the smell was divine.

You almost took him by surprise when you placed the mug in front of him with a smile.

"Done already?" He asked, eyes wide and full of excitement.

You nodded and leaned against the counter, smiling proudly. "I make this a lot at home so..."

Izuku listened intently but when he realised you had nothing else to say, he brought the mug up to his lips, the steam kissing his freckled face.

It was a dark chocolatey colour and there were a few specks of dark brown - a spice that he recognised the smell of immediately - cinnamon. Although, when he tasted the beverage, there was another flavour he couldn't quite put his finger on. It was stronger than cinnamon and sort of nutty but with a similar warmth.

"It's my favourite way to make hot chocolate; with a little bit of cinnamon and a pinch of ground cloves." You explained.

Izuku's smile matched the warmth of the drink and he curled his scarred fingers around the mug. "I love it. Thank you." 

Although you were used to genuine thanks in this job, gratitude from the Number 1 Hero was beyond belief. A blush crept its way up your cheeks and you struggled to make eye contact with him. His eyes were so beautiful - an impossible shade of green - with no malicious intent. Surely these weren't the same eyes that faced dangerous villains on the daily?

"Um...what do I owe you?" He suddenly asked, snapping your attention away from your daydreams. You cocked your head to the side, confused, until he pulled out his wallet (was that All Might on the front of it?) and began to start sifting through it. 

"What? No, nothing! It's on the house." You flustered, shaking your hands in rejection. 

"I can't just take it for free. Here." Izuku persisted, holding out some money to you. 

"No, really, it's fine. I wanted to make it for you anyway." 

"Just because I'm the Number One Hero, doesn't mean I can't pay for a drink." 

"I'm not saying that-"

"Look, just take it. Please."

"No."

Clink. The money is put in the tip jar. Silence takes over as you stare at each other. You can see the smile creeping onto his face and you both begin to laugh, seemingly taken aback by both of your childishness. 

"I never knew you were so stubborn." You joked, wiping away a warm tear from your sudden laughing fit. 

"The same goes for you." His smile is infectious.

After quickly serving a customer, you smirked a little at Izuku as he continued to sip at his drink. "So, that's your disguise, huh?" 

The hero brought up his hand to his head, fixing the black beanie atop his dark green waves.

"I mean, it suits you, but why don't you want to be recognised?" You pondered, steaming some milk. "I thought heroes liked getting noticed?" 

He seemed a little sheepish and rubbed the back of his neck, looking down shyly. "Well, um...the truth is...I wanted a chance to ask you out properly." 

Did you hear him right? Did the Deku just say he wanted to go out with you? 

Your heart was pounding in your chest like never before. You suddenly felt very hot, namely, in your right hand. Wait, why was that? 

You winced all of a sudden, dropping the mug with a loud clatter. A few customers snapped their attention over from the sound. 

Deku's eyes widened a little and stood up. "It looks like you're in trouble there. Can I help?"

You shook your head, profusely, embarrassed at making such a mess and acting like a fool in front of him. "N-no, it's fine." 

He felt bad for making you drop the drink you were making but his guilty thoughts were immediately replaced by concern once he saw the careful way you held your right hand. 

"Are you hurt?" Izuku asked, with a seriousness in his voice that you'd never heard before. And although you said you were fine, your watery eyes said otherwise. 

"I-it's just a burn. No biggie." You smiled a little at him, searching under the counter to grab a cloth to wipe up the mess on the floor. But before you could, Izuku's hand gently grasped yours, making you look up at him. His eyebrows were knitted together as he inspected the burn on your hand, careful not to touch it. His hands were hot from the beverage and most likely from his previous embarrassment. 

"You should put this under cold water for a few minutes." He recommended like a doctor, scanning around the back counter for a sink. 

You shook your head slightly. "It's okay. I've got coffee orders to make." Your stubbornness was showing again and Izuku noticed it, becoming more serious, but also concerned. 

"Y/N, don't worry about it. It's my job to help people. Now, go." There was no arguing with him so you retreated to the back and ran your burnt hand under the cool water. It hurt at first but it quickly became soothing and you knew that you needed to keep it submerged for a while. A sigh escaped your lips once you were alone, having nothing to do but think about Izukus confession. The thought of going out with him was like a dream. You had liked him for so long and you craved to know more about him, other than just his pro hero work. You wondered what he did in his spare time, what he liked to eat, what his favourite movie was, what it was like to kiss him? You blushed at the thought of his lips, but you couldn't help it; they just looked so kissable and his smile was to die for. Maybe he had thought about kissing you too?

After a few more minutes, you emerged from the back to see more people than you've ever seen in your coffee shop, all huddled around the counter. Deku was in the middle of it, beanie now discarded and doing his best to fulfill orders that he received from his doting fans. 

Oh, no. This is bad. Does Izuku even know how to make coffee? You thought to yourself.

Yet, the Number One Hero seemed to be doing incredibly, serving out drinks left, right and center. You were impressed. Another thing you didn't know about him. 

Thankfully though, you realised that it was late and stepped forward to announce the closing call. Deku helped you file the people out of the coffee shop, happily farewelling his supporters into the night. 

Once everyone had left, you turned the sign around to display that the cafe was now closed, and thank God for that. You heaved a sigh of relief you didn't know you were holding onto. "Well...that was something." You joked, your hand on your hip as you smiled at Izuku. 

He chuckled slightly and ran a hand through his hair, picking up his beanie and dusting coffee grains off it. "Sorry about that. I got recognised." 

You scoffed and smirked at him, walking back over to the counter. "What did you expect? Your disguise wasn't exactly genius." 

He laughed a little, shuffling his feet. 

You bit your lip in the silence. "And, um, you're incredibly handsome too, so..." You shrugged a little. Oh my gosh, I'm flirting with Deku. 

His smile grew and his eyes softened as he stared at you. "Thank you." 

Another patch of comfortable silence. 

"How's your hand now?" He asked, breaking the stillness and stepping closer to you. 

Your breath hitched as you felt the heat radiating off his body from how close he was and you could slightly smell hot chocolate on his breath. Gently, he took your injured hand in his larger ones and examined it. He sighed. "If only I had a healing quirk." 

This made you laugh. "Don't be silly. Your quirk is way cooler than that." Your smile softened as you looked at him. "But, thank you. It'll heal by itself sure enough." You reassured him with an angelic smile that made his heart melt. He suddenly remembered why he came here tonight. 

"Um, Y/N...so, would you like to go out with me?" He had done it. He had asked. But that didn't stop his heart from hammering in his chest and his mouth from feeling dry. He awaited your answer nervously, fiddling with the beanie in his warm hands. 

When he glanced up again, your lips connected with his in a short but electric kiss. "Does that answer your question?" A whisper against his lips.

Izuku smiled, pulling you close by the waist. "So, you've been waiting for this as long as I have, then?"