Midori the Wife: Prequel

Chapter 17: Grand Opening

"Will you two stop bickering." Izumi pleaded with her back to Todoroki and Bakugo. She held the plaque with "One for All's" agency name and certification on it. Behind her the two men butt heads trying to decide which one of them would get to cut the ribbon. While Shoto remained cool and persuasive, Bakugo grunted and growled.

"It's OUR agency, Icy Hot. Stop hogging the spotlight and hand over the damn scissors!"

"They were handed to me, and besides it was my idea to open it."

Izumi sighed heavily trying her best to keep the smile spread across her lips for the cameras.

"Excuse us…" She handed the plaque to Endeavor who stood on the sideline with All Might. She turned to face her lover and ex husband, eyes darkened with temper and she snagged the scissors from Shoto's hand. "Have you both forgotten that we're on camera right now? The agency isn't even officially opened and already you're in disagreement."

"He started it." Bakugo muttered and earned Izumi's narrowed glare. He went silent and Shoto hung his head a bit at being lectured.

"I'm used to your bickering, normally I find it endearing if not a bit annoying... but the world behind us doesn't see it as often as I do. We can't be at odds with each other while they're watching." She turned the scissors around so the blades protrude out. "We have to show them all we're a team, we're in this together."

She held the scissors open and used her free hand to place Shoto's palm on one side of her wrist and Bakugo's on the other. The two men looked at her and their three sets of eyes met. Her lips curved confidently.

"One for All…" She watched their smiles spread and their attention turned to the ribbon. They stepped closer both wrapping an arm around her to bind their images together. "Is officially open!"

The ribbon cut and parted, applause echoing around them and cameras flashed solidifying the image they created. Izumi handed off the scissors again and accepted the plaque back from Endeavor

The agency was theirs now. Not Endeavor's, not Shoto's but theirs. It had taken close to three years to get all the details in order. Even with it's doors open and their image announced to the world, Izumi knew it would take time for the image to fully be trusted and integrated.

Within those three years many things changed, but in a way stayed the same. Bakugo married Eiko and the two of them seemed happy together. She had expected a more elaborate affair for the wedding, but instead the two had decided to elope and traveled Europe for their honeymoon. Because of this his time to help with any details was split with the time he made for his new wife.

Izumi in turn was currently training in preparation for the upcoming Pro-games which would debut on the first of the year. On top of that the committee insisted that she join Kirishima and be a sort of representative towards the new feature. With the success of the U.A. sports festival reaching Olympic level of success, the committee hoped that the Pro-Games would be just as successful and promote friendly competition amongst heroes around the world and not just in Japan. It left her busy… too busy.

Though her and Shoto remained in a relationship, were comfortable in the slow progress of it, she couldn't help but feel guilty at being kept away for long periods at a time. With him doing his best to manage the sidekicks and business during construction Shoto too was kept busy, and she often found herself sleeping alone most nights.

She no longer fretted about whether or not they were staying together. Shoto was loyal to her, was dedicated and committed to helping her heal from the past and overcoming her fears.

...but that wasn't enough anymore.

She wanted to make him happy. She WOULD make him happy. She just needed to figure out how.

She looked to Shoto who now faced the crowd as All Might, Best Jeanist, and Endeavor addressed the press and got ready for the conference. Now that it was announced that the three proteges of the world's top heroes were opening an agency together, all the media attention was on them. The three mentors served as emcees, focusing the media's attention and keeping the topics off of uncomfortable subjects such as the divorce, and Bakugo's quick rebound marriage to Eiko.

"Question for all three of you. You're all very independent and successful young heroes on your own. What made you decide to open an agency together?" A striking female reporter asked.

"It was initially Endurance's idea so I think Ground Zero and I are going to let him answer first." Izumi said and glanced up at Shoto with a warm smile. She gently touched his shoulder knowing he didn't care for crowds and interviews especially after the couch fire incident.

"Thank you, Usagi." Shoto cleared his throat. "I've been friends with these two since high school, and have always felt connected to them in some way. I'm confident in my own abilities. I know that I can take on any challenge alone, but it's both a comfort and a joy to have my two best friends at my back. We're strong alone… but together we're invincible."

"Same here…" Bakugo put in "I've always aimed for the top, and strive to be the best. With these two at my side, WE are the best."

"...and how about you Usagi? Do you care to comment?" The reporter followed up. Izumi hesitated a moment, contemplating on what she should say. At that moment she decided to just go with how she really felt.

"As you all know, the moment I graduated high school All Might gave me the honor of becoming the next Symbol of Peace." She clenched the microphone a little. "I've admired All Might since I was a child, and to have a man like that show such faith in my abilities, and hold such high standards of what I could become… is honestly overwhelming. I've done my best to uphold his legacy, and meet his expectations to ensure the world I'm protecting felt safe… but I keep asking myself how? How can I take on such a heavy burden? How can I possibly follow in the footsteps of someone so great but still leave my mark?"

She glanced at the two beside her and when they smiled comfortingly at her, she couldn't help but smile back.

"The answer I came up with is to try. You can't let fear stop you from forging ahead, because the instant you do that's when you truly fail. You have to take everything life throws at you, and never give into it. No matter how painful or scary the future is, you have to put on a smile and take that first step in order to achieve greatness."

She held out her right hand pointing up at the building of her agency.

"This place that my partners and I have built is us taking that first step towards greatness. We'll be a shining example for every hero in the world. We'll take on every challenge with guts and bravery." She felt Bakugo step up beside her, with his strength and intimidating look. "We'll have tact, and think through every problem cohesively…" Shoto stepped up now, looking tall and regal, his face the epitome of cool collection. "...and smile through any and all adversity." Her own smile beamed, and the three of them formed a picture that would grace every newspaper headline, and become the trademark poster for their agency.

"We are One For All." She continued, and spoke insync with her partners. "...and we're going to be number one!"

~After Party~

Izumi sipped at champagne laughing as Kirishima told her about an incident that happened on one of his routes. All around the penthouse suite the room was filled with excitement and buzz from the day's success. Heroes, inventors, business tycoons, any and all that were involved in the hero business cluttered the huge space making it feel cramped, but so fulfilling.

"Alright that's enough alcohol for you, Usagi." Bakugo snagged the glass out of Izumi's hand, setting it aside. "We don't want a repeat of your parent's wedding."

"Pffft, I'm fine!" She waved Bakugo off but stood when he took her hands. She kissed both his cheeks and then squished his face. "Mmmm where's that gorgeous wife of yours? She should be on your arm making you look all manly and tough."

"Shut up, I do that fine by myself." He shoved her hands away. "She's been feeling under the weather as of late and wasn't feeling up to it. I told her to go home and rest."

"Mmmm I see," Izumi sighed heavily. "She still doesn't like me does she?"

"She likes you fine, you remember what she said after you two finally broke the ice."

"Oh yeah I remember," Izumi rolled her eyes. "Now that I finally met you I know we'll become great friends." She repeated in a sarcastic voice. "Emphasizing her words by crushing my fingers between those perfectly manicured fingernails. You know for a model she's got a hell of a grip."

"Stop being so sensitive, she meant it." Bakugo flicked her forehead and made her wince. "She doesn't like the fact that she likes you, and that's the difference."

"So… wait…" Izumi gave a questioning look. "She hates me because she likes me?" She snorted and started to laugh. "Oh my god you two really are alike!"

"Shut it, Usagi." He moved to flick her again but she blocked it with her hand and pulled him in for a hug.

"Mmmm I really am happy for you Kacchan. So long as she makes you happy, then I'll be happy."

"Mmmm…" He hugged her back, then pulled back. "Where's Icy Hot? He's gone and vanished on us."

"Good question, I'll poke around a little and see if I can find him." She motions Bakugo to sit. "In the meantime have Kirishima tell you his story about the streaking homeless guy. It's a riot." She ruffled his hair and wandered around, saying hello to various people including her mother and All Might who gave her hugs and congrats.

"Where's Eri at, didn't you bring her?"

"We left her with some friends, she's got final exams coming up, remember?" Inko informed.

"OH that's right, She's starting Middle school in April. Wow she's growing up so fast! It seems only yesterday she was just learning what Ice cream tasted like." She wiped a stray tear from her eyes. "God time is just flying by."

"Hold onto it tight, Izumi." All Might cupped her hands in his. "Soak up every second you can."

"Mmmm…" Her eyes find Shoto coming out of the elevator, looking dashing in the suit he'd changed into for the party. "I plan to."

She broke away from them and made her way straight to Shoto. He turned to her, his face lighting up a little when he looked at her. That look made her heart just flutter and she lifted her hands to his face kissing him gently.

"Mmmmm hi Izumi." His smile widened.

"Hi Shoto…" Hers beamed back to him, and without another word she led ho, out to the main floor to dance. Despite the whispers of the guests, the questioning or concerned looks, Izumi let herself get lost in his eyes. Their clear affection for each other becoming the hot topic of the evening.

Later that night as the clean up crew worked on putting the flat back to rights, Izumi and Shoto enjoyed the post-party elation. Feeling drunk and perky Izumi didn't have any guilt luring Shoto to his room and to his bed. Her mouth fixed on his, a sweet murmur of love purring from her throat.

"Izumi," he sighed her name, his fingers gently caressing her back. "Mmmm we should get ready for bed."

"Mmmm I couldn't agree more," she tugged on his tie, unfurling it with her fingers. Immediately he took her wrists to stop her.

"Izumi… are you sure about this?"

"Yes…" she nuzzled her nose with his. "I haven't had any attacks in months… All I feel when I'm with you is happy, Shoto. I'm ready… so please…" she guided his hand to her breast and nuzzled her mouth on his again. "Let's take that next step."

Shoto let his hand caress the soft mound. He watched her eyes, full of arousal and a ravenous kind of hunger. They'd been together for a couple years now… he'd been patient, understanding, and loving towards her… but he couldn't deny that it had been a trial to hold back his own urges and needs.

"Alright, if you're sure." He closed the gap, the kiss warm and sweet, but his touch firm and eager. His itchy fingers tug down the zipper of her dress. Meanwhile Izumi's hands spread open his jacket and work the buttons of his shirt open.

Little by little their clothes become tossed willy nilly on the bedroom floor, and for the first time since High School, they make love to each other.

~The Following Morning~

Izumi awoke with the elation of last night still floating around her like cupid hearts. Her body felt so relaxed and warm in Shoto's hold that she couldn't help but cuddle in just a few moments longer. She looked up at the sleepy face of her lover, her eyes full of affection and joy that she'd finally let herself have this.

"Time heals all wounds, Shoto." She whispered to him and gave his lips a soft kiss. "Thank you, for giving me time."

He murmured something incoherent to her, his sleeping face so cute and peaceful she didn't want to disrupt him. Instead she slowly slid out of his arms and snagged his robe from a nearby chair. She brought it to her face, inhaling the soft scent of his cologne and smiling.

"Hmmm… I'm hungry." She went into the kitchen, flipping on the small TV to give her background noise as she searched around for breakfast ingredients. She wasn't a good cook, she could admit, but even she could handle scramble eggs and toast.

"One for All is open for business!"

Izumi popped her head up from the fridge and grinned when she saw the broadcast of their agency's grand opening. She pulled out eggs, milk, cheese, and butter then kicked the fridge door closed all the while listening to the report. The morning talk show had a sprinkle of characters all sitting around a table, discussing the news and giving their opinions on the big reveal.

"The three most anticipated heroes of their generation; Usagi, Endurance, and Ground Zero, shocked the world when it was announced that they were opening a joint agency. Each individual could stand alone as one of the greats, but instead the three decided to join forces. What are your thoughts?" The head of the table, a sprite of a woman, smiled at her co-stars with a bubbly voice.

"Well I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what these young heroes are capable of. We've seen them work together in the field before, but now that their team is official it's a completely different ball park."

"I agree, and as the pupils of the former top heroes, a lot is riding on them to make this partnership work." The only male at the table leaned in, and pushed his glasses further up his nose. "If anything I worry about whether or not they'll be able to cohesively function."

"Oh I don't think there's anything to worry about there." The bubbly persona waved off the notion with a laugh. "We've all seen how well they work together.

"Don't be so sure." He waved a finger at her. "Remember, there's a great deal of history, and if I'm being blunt, scandal hiding in that trio."

Izumi paused from whipping the eggs and cheese together to give a curious look to the TV.

"By scandal, you mean the interesting relationship dynamics between the three of them?"

"Naturally… It's no secret that Usagi and Ground Zero were once married, and that marriage ended disastrously after only a year of being together. Who's to say their professional relationship will be any different?"

Izumi scowled and set the bowl down and crossed her arms to eye the group of people with a pout. Did people really have that little faith in their professional dynamics?

"You make a valid argument. Despite working well on the field, no one really knows what their personal lives look like. During their marriage, everyone believed Ground Zero and Usagi were happy together."

"Exactly… and then all of a sudden there's news about a case gone awry, and shortly after the two divorced. Both Ground Zero and Usagi were gravely injured and hospitalized for weeks, and it makes me think that their personal relationship interfered with their professional one."

"That explanation does make a lot of sense." She had to admit, tapping her long manicure fingernail on the desk. "The two are still close friends, which is quite uncommon for divorced couples, which tells me the decision was mutual. In the end they probably decided that the marriage wasn't working well with their hero work and decided to keep the relationship platonic."

"It also explains why only a year later, Ground Zero married yet again, but this time to someone outside his field." The man went on, looking much like a conspiracy theorist at this point.

"Well if anything this all proves that the partnership will work. These young heroes made the mature and wise decision to cut the ties hindering their professional work."

The wise, and mature decision? A hindrance? Why was it the more Izumi listened to this explanation it just made her sick to her stomach… and the more she listened, the sicker she became. She started to grab for the remote.

"How does Endurance feel about all this, I wonder?" One of the other hosts put in, causing Izumi to pause in turning the set off.

"Well according to the press conference it was his idea to start the partnership. Endurance was their classmate in UA, and they were considered the "Big Three" of their generation."

"Yes, yes, yes we all know his connection to Usagi and Ground Zero… but what I mean is… how does Endurance feel relationship wise towards his new partners?"

There was some oohing from the studio crowd. The head host grinned suddenly and she snapped her fingers looking back at the projection screen.

"Bring up the clip!"

The lights dim and there's a sudden careen of squeals from the girls in the crowd when footage of Izumi and Shoto flash on screen from their first UA sports festival. The passionate battle between the two ending in a tight embrace and steamy kiss. Izumi groaned and covered her face, recalling the kiss that had broken the media, and completely overshadowed Bakugo's victory.

"Oh God…"

"Can you imagine being Ground Zero, and having to compete with that?" The host laughed. "Talk about chemistry, whew!"

"They do make an adorable couple, but I wonder if their current chemistry matches from their high school days… Katherine, you were at the afterparty weren't you?" The

"I was indeed, and from what I can tell..." She motioned to the screen again, and clips of the party spread. All of them were of Izumi and Shoto, talking, laughing, dancing, and just looking into each other's eyes so obviously in love. "... the chemistry level is off the charts."

"Now THAT'S what I call a scandal." Katherine giggled and turned back around to face the audience only for the screen to go black from izumi quickly flicking it off. She held her cheeks groaning, and turned as the bedroom door opened to reveal a sleepy eyed, half naked Shoto in the doorway.

"What's burning?"

"Huh?" Izumi glanced at the pan and yelped. She quickly turned off the heat, the butter she'd put in to grease up the pan now blackened on the hot skillet. "Oh man… why am I so bad at this?"

"Careful…" Shoto warned and placed a hand on her lower back and he used his right hand to cool the handle before setting it in the sink and rinsing it out. "Are you okay, Izumi?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I didn't burn myself." She hugged herself and ran fingers through her hair. "I just… got distracted. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize." He turned off the water, then glanced in her direction. He had to smile a little at the picture she made. His fingers reach out, gently stroking her flushed freckled cheek. "I would have preferred to have woken up with you in bed beside me… but I can't really complain when I see you all cute and flushed like this so early in the morning."

"Shoto…" she leaned into his touch, her eyes closing at the intimate touch. Before she'd closed her eyes, Shoto had seen the look in them. Her body was tense, and fidgety, not at all like the calm and confident woman he'd been with last night. His eyes saddened a little, and he let his knuckles brush along her cheekbone in a soft and caring gesture.

"I want to thank you for last night."

"Huh?" Izumi looked up surprised. "What for?"

"Sex isn't a priority for our relationship… but it was nice having that intimate connection with you after so long." He saw the tension, and soothed it away by placing a warm kiss to her forehead. "It was special to me… and I hope you won't think it a mistake."

"No!" She defended immediately, almost in a panic. "No, of course, it wasn't." Izumi closed her eyes again, and not knowing what else to do she lay her hands on his chest and listened for the beat of his heart. "I loved it… I loved every minute of it, but-"

"-but you're still afraid of it." He finished and gently took her shoulders to pull her back and look in her eyes. "It's okay, Izumi. I understand that we both needed this. We needed to feel connected, to take that next step in our relationship so we can move forward and past it… but I can also see that it's not gonna be a regular occurrence. Despite us both loving the act itself, there's a lot of weight that comes with it."

Weight… Izumi curled her fingers on his chest, and knew exactly what he meant. The weight he was referring to was the backlash a physical relationship could have. Now that their relationship was more open, and people were taking notice of it, everything was scrutinized and judged. Tongues would wag, much like they had that morning on the talk show. Their relationship would be dissected, analyzed, and many would either root for them or against them.

It was just how celebrity life was… and she hated the thought of having to step into that particular limelight again. She hated the thought that people could go poking into her personal life, and dig up the dirt in her life… stuff she'd been determined to stay buried.

"Okay… I admit it… I'm afraid." She looked him in the eyes again. "I don't want my life with you dissected, and I don't want to make the same mistakes I made with Kacchan. I care so much about you, Shoto. I don't want to lose you, like I nearly lost him. I won't be able to handle it if you came to hate me."

"I could never hate you, Izumi." He cupped her face in his hands again, smiling warmly. "Know that… have faith in it."

"Shoto…" she sighed softly and hugged him tight laying her head on his chest. She didn't say anything back, but let his hands stroke up and down her back, and through her hair. The touch was so warm and comforting and made all the topsy turvy feelings from before be set right once more. "I do have faith."

"Good… just hold onto it." He lay his head atop of hers and breathed her in. "Let's just enjoy this. Let's just be us."

"Yeah, okay."

~Later that day~

The first official day of work for the One for All agency was busy and productive. Using comlinks the three of them patrolled town in a systematic way, spreading out and reporting anything of interest. The usual purse snatchers, petty thieves, gang activity, and minor league stuff kept them active without having to really rely on any heavy fire power.

As they reconvened for the day, Izumi noticed that Bakugo seemed a bit distracted, and dazed. They got food from a park vendor, and sat together on a park bench eating their Takoyaki and skewers. While they ate, Izumi kept her eyes on Bakugo… and worried.

"Kacchan, is everything okay?"

"Huh? What?" He glanced back over at her.

"Katsuki, are you sick?" Shoto noticed the flush on his cheeks now and reached over Izumi to touch his forehead. Bakugo slapped it back, grunting.

"I'm not sick! I'm feeling just fine, you moron. Just shut up, and eat."

"Wait a minute…" Shoto narrowed his gaze. "I've seen this look before."

"You have?" Izumi glanced between the two men. "Kacchan, what's going on with you?"

"It's nothing…" He tossed his trash away and leaned over rubbing his hands together. "I just got some news this morning… kinda threw me off, but I'm fine."

"Is everything okay? Is your family alright? Eiko? I know you said she was sick yesterday at the party, but is it worse than we-" Izumi started to ramble and made Bakugo grunt.

"Eiko's fine she… she's…" Bakugo glanced at Izumi, swallowing hard. "She's pregnant."

~Ask Briry~

Briry: I BREATHE LIFE BACK INTO THIS STORY *WHOOOSH!* IT LIVES!

Lol I'm so sorry this was put on such a long hiatus. I had some topsy turvy feelings about how to extend certain chapters, and whether or not I wanted Izumi and Todoroki to have any kind of physical intimacy. For the sake of realness and progress I decided on yes, but I knew I'd have to play it carefully considering the basic plot of Midori the Wife.

Thanks for Waiting!

Next Chapter: The First Pro Games