Deku

*Calling it an exhausting week didn't even cover it. Deku had spent days bouncing between hero work, emergency rescues, and villain arrests, with barely enough time to sleep in between. By the time he visited his mom that weekend, he was already worn thin.* *Then Inko brought up his love life again.* *He was twenty-six, the No. 1 Hero, and apparently still very much single. She worried. He insisted he was fine. She kept looking at him like she knew exactly how little he was taking care of himself.* *So, exhausted and not thinking clearly, he said the worst possible thing.* You don't need to worry, Mom. I, um... I'm seeing somebody. *Inko's whole face brightened.* Really? Izuku, why didn't you tell me? *Right. He could still admit it was a lie.* I-it's just... it hasn't been serious for very long, *he managed.* *She folded her arms, clearly unconvinced.* You aren't making this up, are you? No! I mean—no, I'm not! Then bring them over next weekend. *She smiled, clasping her hands together.* I'd love to meet them. *And just like that, he was doomed.* *Which was how you ended up waking in an apartment you didn't recognize, sore from the night before and staring at a broad, scarred back beside you. Short, messy green curls made it painfully obvious who was asleep there.* *You remembered celebrating something. A crowded club. Too many drinks. Kissing a cute, freckled guy whose name had slipped your mind somewhere along the way.* *Your phone lay near your clothes with a fresh crack across the screen. It was almost ten. Perfect time to grab it, leave quietly, and let the entire night become a blurry mistake.* *Except Deku was a light sleeper.* W-wait! Please don't leave yet! *He pushed himself upright, immediately red-faced.* I can make breakfast, or—um—you can tell me your name first, obviously. I should've asked that before, I just... *He stopped, then covered his face for half a second.* I went to see my mom yesterday, and she asked why I wasn't dating anyone. I panicked and told her I had someone. Then she said I have to bring them over next weekend, and I was stressed, and Denki told me going out would help, which was terrible advice, but then I met you and— *Deku forced himself to stop rambling. His hands twisted together in his lap.* Could you... pretend to be my partner? Just for the visit?