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"Pro Hero Deku and Acid Queen! A high school romance in full bloom?" Mei Hatsume mumbled the title of the magazine that she brought for reasons even she couldn't parse. She looked down at the subtitle to that front page headline "Did Deku fall for her quirky charm?"
It was another day on the job for Mei. Her sponsor was the first major quirkless hero to make a name for himself and that was mostly because of her. Sure, she read stories of vigilantes without a quirk taking down criminals but none of them were publicly renowned heroes like Midoriya.
Being the only mechanic on Eastern Hemisphere that was trusted to make a suit of powered armor came with its own set of perks. It meant Mei blew past her goal of pioneering a world-famous company that focuses on hero support gear. Technically she was the CEO of Hatsume Industries but since she delegated most of the legal and business stuff to people both her and Izuku agreed upon.
Hell, even most of the gear for lesser heroes were worked on by people she hired. The old Mei would have been outraged and aghast at the thought of not personally building each and every piece of support gear her personal touch but she wasn't a starry-eyed teenager anymore. She was in her mid-twenties and had to prioritize!
Honestly, it wouldn't be right to hog everything to herself. Power Loader helped her become the person she was today by trusting her and giving her the opportunity to make a name for herself. What kind of person would she be if she didn't pay that kindness forward? It would be criminal to deny anyone with talent a chance to grow.
Besides, Mei couldn't take too many personal projects because it would take time off her Magnum Opus- Deku's hero suit. No every day mechanic could make a suit of power armor that could help a quirkless person keep up and surpass heroes that were blessed with a strong quirk. Mei wasn't one to rest on her laurels however, and she knew that-
A. to keep up with heroes with quirks who constantly improve their combat techniques and quirk effectiveness, Midoriya's power armor had to constantly be upgraded to keep up with other heroes.
B. Midoriya was still reckless and managed to go above and beyond what the first couple of iterations of the power armor were supposed to handle.
If Mei didn't know any better, she would have thought that Midoriya was purposefully trying to wreck his armor in an attempt to recreate the damage he gave himself back when they first met in UA.
"At least he gives me obvious places to improve upon…" Mei mumbled as she put on her goggles "And it's better that he wrecks armor and not his own body…" The mechanic shuddered remembering the damage Midoriya had done to himself during the sports fest. Stuff like that is why Mei chose to stick with tinkering and supplying hero gear over making designing her own gear to become a hero herself. She couldn't handle looking at grievous injuries let alone suffer through them.
"Alright, time to make some improvements!" Mei giggled as she put the mangled remained of Midoriya's gauntlet on her work bench. The mechanic used her quirk to check out the minute details of the battled damaged piece of equipment to see where she needed to make repairs.
It was just what she feared and expected- even the base layers of the gauntlets were wrecked. For Midoriya, the word "limits" was just a suggestion. He was lucky that his hands were still intact. Mei combed through the files on a nearby computer to look for some inspiration.
The newest files were sent by Dynamight, Ingenium, and Uravity, and they contained schematics to their support gear, a length description of how their quirks worked, and handwritten notes by the three heroes to ensure that they fully approve of Mei taking inspiration from them. All of them were well aware of that fact that Midoriya would fear that they would see him as some sort of "glory stealing copycat" if they didn't give notify him that they want him to have all the help he can get with his power armor.
She was initially stumped by Iida throwing his hat into the pile. Midoriya's powered armor had enough jet propulsion as it, there was no need to add any extra power. He could even manage sustained flight, something Iida couldn't do. In fact, the only thing Iida could do was move even faster than the powered armor but that was because his body was adapted to withstand highspeeds. Even a power armor sculpted by Mei could only do so much to help Midoriya withstand the force, and she didn't think she could persuade Midoriya to vulcanize his organs to make his body more like Iida's.
Adding explosions would also be a hard sell. Midoriya refused any forms of weaponry for the first couple of iterations of his powered armor, wanting to rely on physical power and speed since he was used to that as his quirk. Eventually, Midoriya relented for some hard light energy whips to simulate his old "Black Whip" quirk and smokescreen dispensers since those two were practical additions.
Mei still had trouble stimulating antigravity in a manner that would be both practical and reliable. It would be more stable than jet boots during important rescue mission as Uraraka's success can attest to.
The problem was convincing Midoriya to agree to all of these upgrades she had planned. Mei remembered him talking about how he needed to get all the basics right before trying extreme upgrades, his logic being that if he relies on special attachments then he would be blindsided if anything happened to them.
"That's why your suit should be packed with upgrades!" Mei yelled to nobody in particular in frustration. Sensing that she was stressing herself out on hypothetical scenarios, she began to fix the broken gauntlets to take her mind off things. Working on her babies always helped when she was in a frenzy.
But right as Mei was getting into it, she spotted the magazine that that caught her attention earlier in the day. She didn't know what possessed her to buy a copy nor bring it into her workshop but she couldn't get it out of her mind.
"Midoriya and Ashido…Are they together?" Mei blinked once…twice…Why the hell did she care? Midoriya was her client! Her business partner!
Once again, the mechanic tried to focus on her work but her thoughts were scattered. With a deep sigh, Mei put her tools away and walked over to the mirror and took a gander at her own reflection.
Mei wasn't an idiot. The fact that she usually focused on her work often meant that people assumed she was oblivious. She couldn't count all the times guys supposedly wanted to work with or for her only for it to be painfully obvious that they just wanted to ogle her. Mei had to admit that it was pretty fun firing them since she saw Power Loader kick boys like that out of the support hero workshops dozens of time.
But there was a difference between being attractive and being a model. Ashido had modeling deals and graced the covers of several magazines and looked immaculate on every cover
Mei poked her belly and groaned in annoyance at how it jiggled. There was simply no comparison. The fact that she was often covered in dirt and grime didn't help.
What made it even worse was that Midoriya still kept in hero shape despite not having a quirk which made Mei feel like even more of a slob.
Mei crumpled the magazine into a ball and threw it into the trash in frustration. Did she really have a crush on her client? That would be jeopardizing everything that she worked for ever since she started high school! Mei slapped her forehead
"C'mon Mei! Get it together!" She whispered to herself to no avail.
Mei knew that once something wormed its way into her brain, it would take a while for her to think of anything else. Normally that was a good thing. Her unwavering commitment to any idea helped her achieve breakthroughs faster than her peers when it comes to support gear.
But right now, it only cased trouble because she kept analyzing her newfound attraction to Izuku Midoriya. There was one burning question that kept bouncing around her brain.
When did she start seeing Midoriya as more than a friend and client?
Mei didn't want to know that answer to that because it might lead to even more regrettable things down the line but she couldn't stop thinking about it until she remembered her first real meeting with Midoriya.
Sure, they teamed up for the Sports Festival but that didn't really count as a meeting. Mei didn't remember most of the kids she teamed up with for that thing. Their first real meeting happened when Midoriya paid her a visit after all the stuff with Stain.
It was a request for custom-made gloves for Midoriya's hero costume, a typical thing for a student in Support Studies. But instead of going about his day, Midoriya watched her work in awe, and they even talked about hero gear!
Mei was used to people thinking she was weird, and it didn't bother her that much. She didn't go to UA to make friends. She went to UA to make money. But she didn't take into account that she'd meet someone who didn't think she was weird…someone that shared her enthusiasm and talked to her not because they wanted better gear, but because they wanted to.
Mei realized that she liked that.
She realized that she liked Midoriya and that she had been harboring a crush for more than a decade. This revelation made her evaluate her entire relationship and motivations regarding Midoriya.
Why did she insist on being Izuku's mechanic? Was it because she wanted to show everyone that she was the best? Or was it because she didn't trust anyone else to make sure Midoriya didn't get killed in the line of duty
Mei knew that the American girl (Melissa or whatever) was also an amazing mechanic but she convinced Izuku to choose her instead because she was also based off Japan and both Melissa and Izuku agreed to that. Mei had to admit that she wasn't too keen on that Melissa girl, but she chalked it up to not wanting anyone else stealing her meal ticket to fame.
Maybe the truth was that she didn't like that there was someone else that Midoriya could relate to and that other person wasn't some weirdo freak like herself?
Mei gulped a wad of saliva. This wasn't what she's supposed to be panicking about! She was supposed to stress about parts not being done on time! Her apprentices half-assing important hero gear and bringing down her company's name!
She wasn't programmed to worry about falling in love with anyone let alone one of the most popular heroes in all of Japan who probably has so many women throwing themselves at him!
"Why did I have to fall for him?" Mei grumbled to herself
Deep down she knew that only a small part of her was worried about Izuku falling for another woman. Logically that meant that they weren't compatible and that she could continue supplying him with gear. If she confessed and he rejected her then their entire relationship could potentially crumble.
Mei could understand Izuku thinking that they were kindred spirits and good friends but she couldn't imagine him feeling the same way as she does. Izuku was a magnet that attracted all sorts of people while she was the opposite end of that magnet who didn't let anyone near her.
So she decided to go through the past of least resistance- Ignore all these feelings and hope that it was just a moment of weakness.
Yeah, that was the correct way to handle this.
"This one is the front page of the paper so give us a cool pose!" A reporter requested to the heroes who had just defeated a villain
"You took them down Deku so you should get first dibs for the photos" Pinky AKA Mina Ashido quipped
"What!? It was a joint effort!" Midoriya argued
"Oh Izuku. Flattery will get you everywhere." Mina cooed "Right Shouto?"
Shouto Todoroki, AKA Cold Storm merely shrugged his shoulders "I was just focused on putting the fires out. I knew you two had the fighting covered.
"Ugh, I used up nearly all my acid burning those meteors this jerk made before they hit any buildings!" Mina groaned "I couldn't get in on the fighting!"
"Look how much damage he did with only a few meteors before we showed up." Midoriya lectured "You played a huge part in this"
Mina let out a sarcastic sigh "I guess I'll take some credit Mr. Humble Hero…"
"Uh, guys? Can I take the picture now?" the reporter sheepishly asked; afraid of inadvertently upsetting three famous pro heroes
"Oh yeah! Sorry about that!" Mina giggled "Take a picture of Deku here since my hair's a mess!"
"Wait, what about-" Midoriya began to say before being cut off by Todoroki
"And I'm photo-shy. Make Deku the front page." the hybrid hero said flatly before pushing Midoriya in front of him.
Midoriya knew that he couldn't argue with the both of them and that it would be rude to keep a hard-working member of the press waiting for long so he put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest to imitate the comic book heroes he read about as a child.
Todoroki and Mina exchanged knowing a knowing glance as the photographer snapped a few pictures. He then took a couple of pictures of Mina and Todoroki for the rest of the story
When the all the press left the scene, Mina was quick to wrap her arm around Midoriya's shoulder
"I see you, Izuku. Too smooth" She quipped
"Uh, pardon me?"
"You made sure to show up the Hatsume Industries logo on your suit." Todoroki pointed out with a slight smile. It was as if he was glad that he picked up on it.
Midoriya felt his cheeks flush "I mean, Mei's the reason why I can still be a hero! I would do anything for her!"
"Bruh, that's not how most people talk about their support team members." Mina said through fits of laughter "I'm not talking to the guy who repairs my costumes like that!"
"What are you talking about, Mina? How do I talk to Mei?"
"Like you're totally in love with her." Mina answered bluntly "You treat her like a princess!"
Todoroki rubbed his chin "Wouldn't Izuku be the princess here since she's the one making stuff for him? Did the Prince make the glass slipper for Cinderella? I'm pretty sure he did."
"Listen Mina, we're just in a business arrangement. She loves tinkering with my powered armor and I know she's the best mechanic around. That's all" Midoriya tried to defend himself
"It's too cute that you trust her enough to work solo on your gear!" Mina cooed
"I bet she doesn't trust anyone else to handle your gear." Todoroki added "She must really care about you."
Midoriya flailed his hands around wildly "She just prefers working alone! She's a professional and doesn't like distractions."
Mina raised an eyebrow "Except when you're with her on your off days chatting her up while she's supposed to be working."
Midoriya stifled a gasp that threatened to escape from him "How did…?
"My gloves needed some upgrades and since Hatsume industries is the best around, I went to her workshop. One of her support tech guys told me that Mei was super busy doing some adjustments to your suit and that you were there to give her some pointers." Mina leered "Is that what you two call it?"
"Mina, you're getting it all wrong!" Midoriya scolded "Mei doesn't have a crush on me!"
"You seem pretty sure about Mei's feelings about you but really haven't been definitive about how you feel about her." Todoroki spoke up "If you can give Mina a definitive answer, I'm sure she will drop the subject aside from occasional teasing."
"Shouto's right, ya know! If you can look me in the eyes and tell me you don't like Mei, I'll drop it." Mina wagged her finger "Of course I know my way around a lie, and you can't lie if your life depended on it!"
This was Midoriya's chance to set the record straight between him and Mei. All he had to do was to tell Mina that him and Mei were just friends and nothing more. He managed to keep his association with All Might a secret before everything went to shit in UA so this should be easy. The problem was that Midoriya hated keeping his feelings for Mei a secret for so long. He really did adore her for years but was too scared to admit it.
It was pretty funny. He was a guy willing to risk his life for everything but he couldn't let the woman he loved know that he adored her. He clenched his fist and looked aware…Midoriya knew that he couldn't lie.
"Guess that answers that question…" Todoroki said bluntly
"Good to know that you admit it!" Mina chirped "Relax, we're not gonna judge you or anything. Love makes us become dumb sometimes. Most of the time, really" Mina hastily amended
"Yeah…It's hard to explain how much I care for Mei especially when she's all business." Midoriya admitted "I don't want to make things weird between us."
"Oh dude, she's totally in love with you too." Mina revealed casually. It was as if she was talking about the weather.
Midoriya's eyes nearly popped out of his face "WHAT?!" How do you know that?"
"After my gloves were done, I happened to run into Mei and asked her how things were going in the shop. I can't repeat all the technical mambo jumbo she said but she clearly was enthusiastic!"
"But what does that have to do with me?" Midoriya questioned
"When I asked how your stuff was coming along and how you were there with her, she just transformed into a completely different person. The way her eyes lit up when she talked about you was honestly the cutest thing I've ever seen. I've never seen her talk about anyone like that. Izuku…That woman is utterly devoted to you. Don't fuck it up." Mina warned while poking his friend's chest.
Midoriya rubbed the back of his neck "Uh…Mina…That's nice but I don't think that really proves anything."
"That's the thing, Izuku- I'm like a hundred percent sure that Mei doesn't realize she's in love. Too much tinkering and not enough partying. Know what I'm saying?"
"Mina that's craz-" Midoriya cut himself off and rubbed his chin. Mei really wasn't the most social of person around and (at the risk of sounding full of himself) Midoriya figured that she never had a crush on anyone before. The gears in his head starting turning as Mina's hypothesis started making more and more sense.
"Shit, you're right!"
"You just gotta make it clear that you love her!" Mina paused "Okay, telling her that you love her so soon might come off as too strong."
"Just tell her how you feel in your own way." Todoroki interjected "She clearly finds comfort being with you so just be yourself"
Mina looked at Todoroki like he grew a second head "Since when did you get so good at this stuff?"
Todoroki shrugged "I don't know."
"Guess I'll have to do just that soon. If I wait any longer I think even Mei would move on and find someone better." Midoriya quipped
Mina punched him in the shoulder "Hey! No negative talk! You're a kick ass pro hero!" It took her a second to remember she punched a suit of powered armor and quickly rubber her fist to sooth the pain
"You're right, Mina." Midoriya admitted "Thinking like that is the reason why I took too long with telling Mei how I feel."
"That's the spirit!" Mina beamed before lunging at Midoriya and giving him a hug. It lasted several moments before she beckoned Todoroki "C'mon Shouto! You can't be the third wheel here!"
Once again, Todoroki shrugged before joining the hug between friends.
Another day, another job. Ever since Mei realized just how she felt about Izuku she felt more…at peace. She glanced at another magazine she impulsive purchased and the cover, once again had Izuku and Mina on it. This time, Mina and Izuku were hugging after taking down a villain that could summon meteors. Even for someone who had the social skills of a rock like Mei could see the joy in their smiles.
"Pink and Green! And everything in between!" the headline said
"They're happy…" Mei said with a wistful sigh. Deep down she wished it was her that Izuku was hugging but she knew that Izuku deserved better than a weirdo like her. As long as she could keep giving Izuku a means to live out his dreams that he sacrificed to save Japan, it was enough for her.
The door to Mei's lab slid open, and the noise perked her ear's up. Only one other person had the keycard for her personal lab…
It was Izuku. Mei noticed that he wasn't wearing any hero gear and was just wearing a casual outfit. She also noticed just how nervous and fidgety he looked. It reminded her of when they were teens.
"Hey Mei!" he called out "How's it going?"
That was small talk. Mei knew that Izuku had something way more important to say and he was simply stalling. The mechanic had a good idea of what he wanted to say and decided that it would be best to rip the bandage off now.
Mei placed a hand on her shoulder "Congratulations, Izuku" she managed to say after several moments. Midoriya had no idea what she was talking about but he was keenly aware of Mei's melancholic, almost force smile.
"Mei…Are you alright?"
"I'm just happy for you and Ashido. She's a good woman." she choked out
"Me and Mina?" Izuku parroted before noticing the tabloid magazine near Mei's workstation. He ran up to grab it, ignoring Mei's protests and flipped through the pages. By the time he looked back at Mei, she turned away from him in embarrassment.
"Mei…Did you buy this magazine because Mina and I were on the cover?"
"...Maybe" she murmured, still too embarrassed to look at Izuku
"Mina was hugging me after we stopped that villain but not because we were in love or anything. She gave me some advice and that's why I came here."
The revelation snapped Mei from her stupor "Wait, what?"
"I like you Mei" Midoriya felt his hands shaking out of sheer anxiousness "As more than a friend and mechanic."
"Are you serious…?" Mei hesitatingly asked
Izuku nodded "I realized that over the years I love the way you smile when you're gushing about the stuff you make…The way you talk about what you love. It makes me wish I could do that without feeling self-conscious."
He gently cupped Mei's face "I love that I could leave all my baggage at the door when I'm with you"
Tears welled in Mei's eyes. She couldn't believe it! Izuku felt the same way about her! For a second, panic set it- She was never in love before! What if she did something stupid to drive him away?"
As if Midoriya read her mind, he tenderly stroked the tendrils of her hair "Hey, I know what you mean. I'm not too experienced with this stuff myself. We'll work on it, together, okay?"
Mei nodded and practically jumped into his arms. Even without his former quirk induced strength, Midoriya lifted her up easily.
"That's the enthusiasm I'm looking for with you!" Midoriya joked
"I think this is gonna be my greatest project" Mei beamed "The first time I'm gonna need a partner to help me."
Midoriya smiled "I'm honored"