Chapter Text
Being a parent and a young adult is a tricky balancing act.
It's a fact that well and truly sinks in when after hours of house work I realize with bone deep exasperation that I haven't got anything in the fridge to cook dinner for myself. That seemed to happen a lot lately. I put so much time into work and Ume that I forget that I can't live off of baby food as well. She's only just been introduced to the fruity mush that comes in jars and it's been a bit of a battle to coax her to eat more than a couple bites before I have to give in and nurse her.
Right now she's lying in the pile of cushions and blankets on the living room floor that serves as a bed. In this tiny apartment that I'm miraculously able afford we have to make do with what we have. I've had to sleep on a futon since first moving here months ago but I intend to buy Ume a cot as soon as I've saved enough. Everything from the small folding table that I use to eat at, to a small stuffed goose that I found for Ume came from the thrift shops near our run down little neighborhood in Fukuoka.
When I walk over I see she's nibbling on the goose plush but coos and reaches out when she notices my approach.
I smile before reaching down to pick her up,"looks like mama forgot to buy food for dinner again,can you believe her?!" Speaking with high pitched theatrics,I blow raspberries into her soft cheeks as she lets out squealing giggles.
It's early October and the cold weather has really started to set in to the point where I always have to keep our small space heater on to keep Ume from catching cold in our drafty home. With my sensitivity to heat it's made me a bit miserable but it's better than risking being troubled by the suffering she'd endure if she becomes ill.
I swaddle her in her warmest clothes and, minding her little wing stubs, get her settled in the makeshift sling I always use when we go shopping. Then shrugging on the thin coat I keep on the hook by the door I grab the bag that holds my wallet and all of the supplies I may need for Ume before heading out.
°°°°°
Coming to the store can be a chore when trying to budget food and over priced baby supplies. We're low on diapers so I prioritize that before going to see if I can find on sale veggies for hot pot - a hardy and usually cheap to make dish.
Living like this isn't ideal. But I'm happy.
Though, I admit, It would be nice if I had a friend in all this. I moved to this area not knowing anyone. I just needed to get away from him before Ume was born. The owners of the small family restaurant I work in, a kind older couple with teenage kids of their own, are the closest thing I have to any form of acquaintance. They had infinite levels of understanding and patience for my situation and allowed Ume to sleep in the back as I worked.
Hina,the owner's wife, treated me like her own daughter and very soon was able to read my moods quite well. On the days that Ume was particularly fussy and wouldn't sleep she'd always give me the easiest jobs so I could recharge and not have to deal with costumers. Or when I'd accidentally let slip that I haven't been able to buy something for myself because I'd used my paychecks for baby supplies and by the end of that week there was a few extra yen on my pay note.
At the time I'd vehemently tried to refuse, mortified that my employer knew how much I was struggling. But she was stubborn in her kindness.
Just as I'm heading for the register, Ume drops her goose on the floor. She'd done it about 3 times already. I'm beginning to believe that she sees it as a game when she giggles right after.
"Sweetie, please hang on to goosie I've gotta get home and cook dinner." With a sigh I hand her her plush and get into line.
°°°°°
Walking down the steadily emptying sidewalk I struggle to hold the grocery bags and the bulky package of diapers. Our neighborhood has always been a bit more ominous in the dark so I'm in a hurry to get back to our apartment. I don't want to be outside with Ume when night falls.
Graffiti is frequently seen scrawled on buildings and walls in that area. Groups of people loiter on street corners and it's not uncommon to overhear news of homes being broken into nearby or people getting their bags snatched when walking home.Truthfully I hate living there. It'd become one of those areas that the heroes didn't pay much attention to since stopping petty purse snatchers and small thug groups wouldn't get them a headline.
But I keep reminding myself it's better than where I used to be. It's better for both of us. I know it's beyond far enough to where my ex fiance won't find us if he's still looking. His possessivness was only part of the reason I needed out.
"Excuse me, miss! I think your baby dropped this."
Startling slightly at the voice, I turn and nearly drop our bags. Hovering slightly above my eye level and holding out ume's goose is pro hero Hawks. He smiles when our eyes meet and I feel my face heat after a moment when I realize I'm staring.
"O-oh yes,she did. Thank you. She's been doing that all afternoon." Reaching out I grab ume's toy and place it in my bag so she doesn't get any of the germs from the ground on her.
I curse myself internally for appearing so flustered.I've never been a huge fan girl when I came to heroes. Of course I appreciate everything they do. They risk their lives for us constantly and yet are scrutinized by the public whenever things don't go exactly how they want. Seems miserable to not have anyone know you for you and just your persona.
Hawks is very much as handsome as he is on TV and in magazines. His appearance was just very sudden and it surprised me. That's definitely the only reason I'm flustered right now..
Definitely.
He lands in front of me now and takes notice of all the stuff I'm holding. "Why don't I carry some of that for you and walk you home? It's getting pretty late."
I tried masking my surprise. Yes I knew it was common for heroes to walk a civilian home on occasion, but I also know how much work Hawks had to be doing each day. I didn't want to be the reason a criminal wasn't stopped because he was being too polite.
My arms were getting sore..but..
"Oh um no that-that's ok.I can handle it. I'm sure you're busy and I don't want to take up your time."
He reached out his hands but made no move to take the bags from my hands. He was waiting for my permission. "Nah, it's not a problem at all! I was just doing one last sweep of the area before heading home anyway. Besides, kicking butt isn't the only way a hero helps people."
I smiled slightly at that. He seemed to have an easy going attitude just as I'd seen from him in interviews he's done on TV. Even if this was just him keeping up a front I still appreciated him putting in actual effort to help in less exciting ways. It was more than what some heroes could muster.
I held out a few grocery bags and the box of diapers I was struggling with earlier "well as long as you don't mind..thank you."
With another charming smile he easily takes my bags then gestures for me to lead the way. "Sure thing, miss...?"
"Yukiyama. Yukiyama Yuhana."
"Nice to meet you. So what's your baby's name? How old is she?"
His curiosity with Ume definitely surprises me. The only person who's ever shown much interest in her is my boss at work. During slow days at the restaurant she'd sit and gush over Ume and ask about her favorite things and any milestones she may have had. She was very excited when I told her she was very slowly moving onto baby food.
"Oh..her name is Ume. She's 5 months old."
For a while he continues a simple conversation asking what my job is or how much he recommends the food at some of the restaurants we pass. At some point Ume starts to fuss a bit but then he detaches a couple of feathers to spin and float around her head to distract her. I give him an appreciative smile then. And despite myself i find that I'm actually enjoying his company despite my chronic introversion. He's good at filling what would likely be awkward silence if conversation was left to me and despite his popularity, seems to have a very down to earth personality.
When we get to our neighborhood I cast a sideways glance at him to gauge his reaction to the rundown area, but he keeps his expression evenly blank. He's probably just trying to be polite. When I've told people where we live, their expressions are usually enough to tell you what they think about us and our situation even if they barely know me.
Once reaching our apartment, Hawks uses a few of his feathers to grab our stuff he had in hand and sends them up the stairs to hover in place as he waits for me to go to whichever apartment is mine so he can place it by the door. Though I stop and turn to him at the base of the stairs before heading up.
"I want to thank you again for your help. I really appreciate it."
He gives me another easy smile before reaching his arms up in a quick stretch "Ah it's no problem. Happy to help."
"Right,well,I better get in and get dinner started. Have a nice evening,Hawks." With that I turn and head up the stairs before I have the chance to say anything to embarrass myself.
Once I reach the breezeway I head to our apartment, key in hand and as I unlock and open the door, Hawks' feathers float in and place our stuff down on the floor before returning back down to him. I give him one last small smile which he returns before scittering into our home.
When inside I take a breath. I stand there leaning against the door for a moment trying to regain my composure. That wasn't at all how I expected our store-run to go. I'm almost certain he could tell how awkward I was feeling. I tend to talk with short and to the point responses when I'm nervous around people. But whatever, he'll probably forget about me in a matter of hours and it's not like I'll ever see him in person again.
When Ume starts to get fussy I snap out of it and move to get dinner started and feed her.