Chapter Text
Home. That was a place that Tomura Shigaraki had never been to in a very long time. To him, it wasn’t a place of safety or warmth. It was a place he wanted to get away from.
That hellish house was once a home. But it hurt him. Emotionally and physically. Or perhaps it was more like to say the people inside the house had inflicted that damage.
By that logic, he could say the labs were once his home too. He trusted his saviors but they had used him from the start. Controlling him like the sad blissfully ignorant puppet he was. All that pain he had endured. What had it all been for?
The only ‘home’ where he had felt even remotely comfortable was the league HQ.
Kuroguri, Dabi, Toga, Twice, Mr.Compress, Spinner, Magne, and him.
Him and his crew.
His friends.
He let out a long whine as he tried to bury his face into Izuku’s shoulder, the sudden flood of heavy thoughts becoming too much. He accepted the head pats and kind words as a much needed distraction. They were heading to this new ‘home’ of theirs and would arrive soon if that loud mouth blonde was correct.
After leaving the store the hero known as Present Mic and MHA teacher had arrived to help them carry their purchases back to the UA dorms, where their new accommodations were waiting. Even with the spontaneous nature of Izuku’s decision, his mentors had found the perfect place for him to stay until he got his affairs sorted. A teacher’s housing unit, separate from the rest of the building which hadn’t had the opportunity to be used.
Present Mic beamed with glee. “It’s pretty rockin. It’s got a kitchen, a private bathroom, it’s even got a laundry machine! You got super lucky with this one!”
Izuku couldn’t agree more. With the new first years coming in soon it’d be too much to live in the dorms and have unwanted spectators.
The older man kept on chatting as he made a turn down a street. “I heard it has a small yard too. The little guy might enjoy that.”
“Noh I wond.” He mumbled back, though it sounded awfully childish with how he tried to make his voice darker and lower. Like a toddler attempting to imitate an adult.
The driver just chuckled, finding it incredibly humorous. “We’ll see about that pouty MCpout-face.”
Tenko’s face flushed red as he kicked his legs. Shouting in a shrill voice. “Mnnod!”
“There there. Just a little longer.” Izuku reassured him before leaning in to whisper. “I think when we get there, he needs a N-A-P.”
The tot picked up on his attempt to be sneaky and retaliate by sharply pulling on some of his thick green hair. He might be a hot mess, but he wasn’t deaf or stupid! They shouldn’t actually be treating him like some helpless kid.
Of course once Izuku freed his hair from his tiny fist, he gave him a look of reproach. Telling him that wasn’t a nice thing to do and he’d let it go for now because he was tired but he shouldn’t do that to people.
Tenko rolled his eyes before he lazily looked out at the scenery passing by trying his best to keep his eyes open. Head bobbing as he did so. During one long stretch he decided to close his eyes a little.
…
Rei Todoroki sat in the hospital room. Passing the time with a book of poems she’d retrieved from her old collection. It’d been so long since she scanned the familiar pages of the well-worn book. Feeling the bumps and ridges of the text with her fingers. She always traced the pages when she read aloud. It was a habit she’d picked up in the hospital many years prior. Sitting next to her son while he slept inside the container keeping him alive.
“There will come soft rains and the smell of ground,
and swallows circling with their shimmering sound;
And frogs in the pools singing at night,
And wild plum trees in tremulous white,
Robins will wear their feathery fire
Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire;
And not one will know of-”
From beside her something stirred. Groaning as Touya forced his eyes open. “Hnnngh…”
Rei immediately stopped reading, her book snapping shut and setting it on her lap. She moved to press the call button. To get a nurse. But before she could do anything, a low gravely voice crackled. “I… I’m… okay…”
Touya was awake. But he didn’t appear to be in too much pain. Well, no much more than normal. His jaw opened and closed slightly as he tried to wet his lips. “K-keep reading…”
She moved away from the button, her head dipping down with a sigh.“I’m sorry. I appear to have lost my place.”
“Okay… sor…”
“It’s alright.” The weary woman replied, relaxing in her chair again. “Are you awake now?”
He gave something of a groan before croaking out the word. “T-tired…”
“I know sweetheart. I know…” she said, tucking some of her white hair behind her ear as she tried to remind herself that the pain medicine was doing its best.
“Nat… su?”
She knew who he was asking for, and did her best to answer him. “Natsuo is coming to visit tomorrow. Just like he promised. He has lots he wants to tell you.”
“Pl…please… k-keep going…” It sounded like he almost had to force the words out.
“Of course.” She said opening the book back up again. “How about this one? It’s by Robert Frost. I know you always liked his work.”
Touya let out a deep labored sigh. The only verbal response he had any energy left to give at the moment.
Just as she had before, she began to read. Her fingers starting from the top of the page and slowly tracing over each line as recited the poem aloud. Calm and composed. But beneath that poised exterior was hiding a roiling sea of emotions. Painful memories of the past and understanding what was to come, her reactions hidden beneath her cool surface. A raging storm carefully contained within a delicate teacup. She couldn’t lose herself when her son needed her most. Not like she had back then.
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth…”
She did his best to focus on her words echoing off the hospital walls hoping to drown out the constant thrum of the machinery keeping him alive.
…
Izuku heaved a breath as he hauled in the last of their purchases from the car into their new dorm room.
It wasn’t heavy. Far from it. But his growing weariness from the day’s activities were slowly catching up to him.
He thought it was extremely kind of Principal Nethe zu to set them up in the unused teacher’s dorm. It was an area separate from the rest of the building. A small ground level apartment of sorts. It had a small yard outside with an enclosed wall. Came well-furnished with basic amenities, including its own bathroom and kitchen. It was really nice, but there hadn’t been an opportunity for any faculty to use it. So now it was going to be their new home for the meantime.
Both set their boxes down in the main room before Izuku slipped off to check on his charge. He went over to peek into his, well actually their new bedroom. Tenko was still napping softly on the bed, his blanket tucked around him and plush firmly pinned under his arm.
The little guy had fallen asleep in the car on the way there and had been peacefully dreaming ever since, which gave them both enough time to finish at least a little prep. He smiled as he watched the boy roll to and fro in his sleep. There were times his face scrunched up a little or it looked like he might be having a bad dream, but thankfully they didn’t seem to last.
Throughout the process he’d tried to fix the blanket a few times so he’d stay warm but after a while he gave up trying.
“Well, I’m heading out.” Present Mic said, pointing over to the kitchen. “Your food’s ready on the table.”
“Thanks for helping.”
“What are you thanking me for? You did most of the work. Just don’t forget class starts up again in a while so make sure you’re ready.”
“I will. Thanks.” He watched as the teacher and hero exited through the main door before turning his attention to the sleeping mound.
When Tomura slowly opened his eyes, he found himself on a soft warm bed in a quiet plain looking room. He was also greeted by the pair of black glossy eyes greeting him. He squeezed the otter close to him. The weight of its soft body was comforting. Familiar in a weird way. He hugged it a little tighter before he was made aware of another presence in the room.
“Hey Tenko. Have a nice sleep?”
The boy gave him a grumpy look and huffed from behind the plush. “Noh.”
“You sure? You looked pretty comfy to me.”
“Shud up.”
“Hey now. That’s not nice.” He scolded gently as he set his hands on his hips. “Come on. Let’s get you something to eat.”
The boy clumsily attempted to rub his eyes as he fumbled his way out of bed. First doing a sort of half-shuffle slide down the side of the bed, then hopping off. Wobbling a little after the landing but still remained on his feet. He then proceeded to trail behind Izuku in a zig-zagged fashion with his new plush companion firmly in his grip. Dragging him along the floor slightly.
“My mom used to make this for me all the time as a little kid. I think it’ll be good for your first proper meal.” Izuku explained as they approached the kitchen where he was met with an earthy aroma.
The rising steam from the warm Okayu and Miso drifted through the air. Filling his senses with a renewed hunger. Both of their stomachs growled as Izuku quickly made his way over to sit at their small dining table. Picking up Tenko and seating him in his lap.
The boy looked over at the food eagerly, though he was a little disappointed when he realized all he was getting today was soft or liquid food. Really? Did they expect him to choke or something? You could still choke on soft food. Spinner and Magne had a whole argument about it once.
Tenko then noticed there were two sets of bowls in front of them. A regular bowl, side bowl, and soup spoon. Then there was the one they’d bought at the store. It was a small kitty themed bowl, a side bowl with a fish bone pattern around the rim and a happy cat face on the bottom, and a paw print themed soup spoon.
Izuku filled each of the bowls with an appropriate serving, then immediately took up the small spoon. He scooped up a bit of the Okayu and blew on it with a few short puffs of air, then he offered it to Tenko. “Here you go. Eat up.”
He looked at the spoon then at Izuku, holding out his hand expectantly.
“Not yet. Let me do this for now.” He said, bringing it a little closer. “Open up.”
“Noh. Me do.” He said grumbling and trying to grab the spoon. Unfortunately he was unable to quite reach its handle.
“I know you want to hold onto it. But I have to do it.”
“Noh.”
“Come on say ahhh.”
“Nohhh!”
“Hmm. Oh look!” He said, raising the spoon up again. “It’s All-Might! He’s coming in for the final strike! Detroit Smash!!!”
He opened his mouth to protest again, but that was shut down when the spoon slipped into his gaping mouth. His lips instinctively closed around it and swallowed. The rice porridge went down easily as the spoon was retracted.
“Is it good?”
Tenko didn’t really have anything to say about it. The taste wasn’t bad but it wasn’t anything exciting either. He always liked well seasoned food or spicy stuff. Just flavorful enough to be tolerable. Probably meant for a little kid like him. It was the kind of stuff his mom used to make for him and his sister when they were sick. He did appreciate though how the warmth trickled down to his tummy and settled there comfortably.
“Here. Some water to wash it down.” The teen handed over a puppy themed sippy cup filled with ice water.
He looked at the cup, then at Izuku , silently wondering if he should chuck it at the student’s head.
After taking a few small sips, the kitty spoon reappeared once more this time with some miso. Izuku carried on with his earlier gimmick, believing it to be the reason for his initial success. “Oh my! Now it's Eraserhead! He’s chasing the bad guy through the tunnel! He can catch up but only if the tunnel doors open!”
He thought about denying it for the sake of his pride. But he was really hungry. And the food, despite being rather bland, wasn’t bad. After thinking it over he opened his mouth to accept another spoonful. This time though a bit escaped when Izuku pulled back the spoon a little too fast, dribbling towards his chin.
“Oops…” he said mouth still half full.
“Oh no! It looks like he got away…” Izuku quickly wiped it away and resumed. “Let’s try again.”
The two fell into a comfortable rhythm of sorts. For every bite he took, Izuku would take some for himself. When Izuku took a sip from his cup, Tenko would do the same. Almost like he was mimicking him. And of course after a few bites he’d spill a little. Izuku would then catch it with a spoon or wipe it off gently with the rag. At the very end he handed him a small yogurt bottle, another recommendation from the doctor, which he downed in a few gulps. Though inevitably he ended up spilling some out of the corner of his mouth.
By the end, Tenko’s shirt was messy and he had splotches of supper all over his cheeks and chin. More importantly though his belly was full. Making him feel tired and drowsy despite having just slept for who knows how long. He opened his mouth to yawn only to be scooped up by Izuku arms and carried to a new room. One that was connected to the bedroom.
He watched as the teen began to fill the tub with warm water. At first he didn’t understand why he’d been brought here, then when Izuku began to take off the rest and help him into the warm shallow bath.
Izuku did his best not to overwhelm him. They weren’t doing the whole usual bedtime ritual for a bit. While at the hospital he talked with the pediatric doctor, and they said it’d take some time for him to get used to his surroundings. That he had to introduce things slowly. For now, at the very least he could make sure his hair and body were washed.
Tenko didn’t say much during bath time. His verbal communication dwindled down to grunts and mewls as Izuku scrubbed his scalp with shampoo. The teen moved carefully not to get any soap in his eyes. While that was setting, he proceeded to bring over a wash cloth to get the rest of him. Once that was done he took a cup of fresh water to rinse him off. His reaction was odd. Not quite displeased but not quite happy.
Izuku couldn’t help but think it was odd how quiet he was being during this time. So far he’d been fighting tooth and nail when given the chance. So he was a little concerned. Something to keep an eye on, he thought.
Now all that was needed was to get him ready for bed.
“Don wanna.” He muttered, rubbing the skin around his eyes. The lotion helped way more than he initially thought it would. “Nod eepy.”
Izuku did his best to hold back his laughter at the butchering of the word. “Alright. Alright. No sleep yet. You did take your nap pretty late. How about we watch some tv for a little bit?”
That seemed alright. If it meant he didn’t have to sleep. He nodded, lifting up his arms to let his night shirt be pulled over his head. His mop of damp black fuzzy hair popped out of the largest hole before he gave a brief shake like a dog.
The teen couldn't help himself from laughing a little which earned him a sharp glare that only succeeded in making him laugh harder. From there it was straightforward. When they were finished with getting him dressed and drying his hair with a towel, they made their way over to the couch as promised.
Despite protests he picked him up and set him on top with relative ease. With a grumble or two the kid found a comfortable spot right in the seam between two cushions. Using Izuku’s body as a midrest and to steal as much body heat as possible with his otter opposite of him to sandwich himself in place.
The TV came on, and for a brief second a news report flashed on screen as Izuku scrolled through the channels.
This just-in, citywide clean up is well underway with many heroes and volunteers alike coming from all corners of the globe to handle the cleanup efforts. Projections have gone from a few years to complete recovery in a few months. But tonight locals are growing concerned over the recent -
The TV suddenly began changing.
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK FOR-
How much do you know about your-
PON! PON! Dashite shi-
The channel flipping eventually stopped on what looked to be a kids channel of some sort.
“Noh! Goh bak” he wanted to hear the rest of what that lady was going to say. If it was about him.
Izuku just sighed and patted the kid on the head. “Let’s just watch this for now.”
The boy gave a huff and curled up into a little ball. Watching as a bread-shaped man with a cap appeared on TV. He recognized this show and knew it was for small children, still he couldn’t help but be entranced.
Whatever. That news report was probably about something dumb anyways. Like their sinks backing up or someone going around vandalizing things.
Nothing worth worrying about.
…
The detective frowned as he spoke with yet another individual regarding the strange disappearance.
“And you’re sure he didn’t just walk off on his own?”
“I’m telling you Hiroto is not that kind of guy. And even if he did, he’d never go anywhere without taking his phone with him.” The young man with freckles and bluish skin pointed over to the bench where the device had been found unattended. Along with an ID card with Hiroto’s name and picture. Meant to be worn during the cleanup efforts to show they had permission being there.
“Okay. Let’s go through this one last time. Where is the last place you remember seeing him.”
“He said he was going to start cleanup at site D. We told him to wait for backup but he said he was just going to clear some ash and minor debris. To help prepare for the heroes coming in to clear the large rubble the day after tomorrow.”
“Site D?”
“That’s what we’ve been calling the epicenter. Where the big battle with Shigaraki and Deku took place? We’ve been working overtime to get that area cleared.”
“Is it a hazardous area?”
“Not really. It just has an off vibe to it. Everyone just feels that the sooner it’s cleared away the better”
After thinking about it for a moment, he could see why. The whole area had an off aura to it. As if the air itself was stained with blood. He tried not to think about it. “Is there anyone he might’ve been in contact with? Friends? Family?”
“He’s single. His family lives in another prefecture, but he does live with a roommate. He’ll confirm what I’ve told you I’m sure.”
The detective thanked him for his time and continued with interviewing potential witnesses. So far no one appeared to have seen anything after the young man had traveled to the site. Officers were combing the area for clues but they weren’t able to find anything. So far all there was to indicate he was there at all was a discarded phone with a cracked screen and a strip of cloth that likely came off his suit at some point.
“I don’t get it.” One officer spoke. “There’s no indication of foul play. No foot prints. No tire marks. Nothing. Just a bunch of dust and what looks to be some tracks from a stray cat.”
“All the same, we should look into this.”
The officer glanced up from his notes. “Why? Maybe the guy just got up and left?”
“Without his phone? Without picking up his personal effects from the lockers? His wallet?” The detective sighed. “No. Something about this is rubbing me the wrong way. It just doesn’t seem likely.”
“We’ll canvas the area. Try to cover more ground. Unfortunately our resources are spread thin as it is. We can only spare a few men for searches.”
They couldn’t ask for volunteers either. Everyone was busy with the clean-up operation, civilians and professionals alike. Not to mention there was a recovery search for people that had gone missing during the event. Unfortunately due to the timing there wasn’t much else that they could do but pull together what few people they could and hope that they found this young man before something terrible happened to him.
If it hadn’t already.
To make matters worse, it looked like it was going to rain soon.
…
A few episodes of colorful cartoons later, and Tenko was struggling to keep his eyes open. He yawned and rubbed at his face as he tried to see what would happen to the hapless hero of the story, if he’d really get any closer to defeating the big bad or if they’d slip through his fingers again. Not that he could see much with how much his eyelids shuttered open and closed.
Then, just as something seemed like something big was happening, the tv shut off.
“Hey!”
“Sorry. But it’s way past your bedtime. I already let you stay up longer than I should have.”
Tenko wanted to argue back that he didn’t need a bedtime, but the sudden wave of tiredness was making it hard to do anything but rub at his eyes with balled up fists. Doing his best to scratch the distant itch. But that was stopped too.
“No scratching.” He warned softly.
“Don wanna eep.”
“How about a story?” He offered. “You can climb into your cozy bed with Ollie and Blankie so you can be nice and warm.”
Ugh. He was not calling it ‘Blankie’. And he was not falling for that trick again either. “Noh. Nod eepy.”
Izuku did his best to hold back his laughter at the butchering of the word. “Alright. Alright. No sleep. Just a story then.”
Tenko eyed him for a moment before climbing under the covers. His arms wrapped firmly around the otter’s midsection, squeezing it against his chest as Izuku began telling his story. Reciting an old tale that felt familiar though the words had long since been lost on him.
“Once upon a time there was an old wood cutter and his wife who lived in a distant forest. While they’d been together a long time, they never had any children of their own to love and cherish. Still they were as happy as they could be, and everyday the wood cutter would go into the forest while his wife washed their clothes in the stream. Then one day… hmm. Well if the season takes place during … I’d say in June? No, that's too early. Ah ha! One September afternoon while the wife was washing their kimonos, their clothes, and other fabrics. She saw something floating by in the stream…”
He was a very good story teller, though he’d get wrapped up in the little details and would mumble to himself occasionally before getting back on track.
Tenko found it very hard to keep his eyes open when mumbled like that.
With every yawn. Every small shuffle. Every soft head pat, he sank further into his pillow and his bed before finally, despite his earlier protests he found himself falling into a deep sleep. He never even made it to the end of the story.
The last thing he could hear was Izuku’s voice as he whispered to him. “Goodnight Tenko.”
Looks like he got him again.
…
Shota Aizawa looked out at the gathering clouds outside with a frown. He’d just finished watching the news report. The timing wasn’t lost on him either. Right as the boy once known as Tomura Shigaraki had been released into the custody of his guardian, this happens.
There was something more to it. There just had to be.
The sound of the door opening caught him off guard. And at first he was concerned, then he relaxed himself once he remembered that he was expecting company tonight. He knew exactly who it was. He didn’t need to worry.
“There you are. Took awhile getting back?”
“Shush.”
“I’m not going to say I told you so.”
“Then don’t.” Hizashi retorted. He always had a habit of getting stuck in traffic.
“You didn’t blow out the windows again yelling at another driver did you?”
The blonde rubbed his temples as he dropped his keys in the tray by the door. “It was one time! Will you ever let me live it down?”
The tired man just smirked to himself and resumed petting Rice-cake who was sitting in his lap purring. Rice-cake was a large white cat with brownish ears and three big colorful patches on his back, his tail short and stumpy (the result of getting hit by a car as a kitten). Rice-cake had originally been Nemuri’s cat. A stay that she’d picked up after his first cat Sushi passed away. And likewise, after her passing he became his responsibility.
It’d taken some time for the cat to become lively again after losing its master. Eri had been a huge help. After he’d gone nearly three days without eating, she diligently put a mix of wet and dry food in his bowl at each feeding time. If he didn’t eat then she’d track down the cat, carry him like a baby across the house, and plop him in front of his dish. Sitting with him until he ate at least half his food. And it worked great! Maybe a little too great as Rice-cake had started getting a little chunky thanks to all of Eri’s feedings. Shota had tried his best explaining to the little girl that cats only needed two mealtimes a day but he knew due to her upbringing it was hard for her to understand. So he’d taken to pre-measuring the cat’s meals so Eri could still feed him, but they could also keep him on his diet.
Hizashi flopped next to him on the couch, leaning back while he stroked Ricecake on the head. “Did he escape again?”
“Yeah. I found him though. He was all dusty for some reason but nothing a towel wipe couldn’t fix.
“Must’ve loved that. But we really should take him to the vet soon.”
“I know. I’ve been putting it off.” He said, groaning. “Hasn’t been a problem yet.”
“That you know of. Let me remind you what happened last time you dragged your feet.”
He glanced at the rings on his finger. Shota had a thick gold band with a rounded onyx stone, while Hizashi showed off a ring of black tungsten with a dazzling topaz set into it. He’d been showing it off all week to his fellow teachers.
“If I’m an old man by the time we actually get registered, I will not forgive you.”
“I make no promises.” Shota joked before leaning against his partner with a tired smile. He was already making the preparations for an official ceremony to take place that summer. After everything, they realized how short life really was. That they cared deeply for one another. Shouta had popped the question first, only for Hisazhi to quickly follow up with a proposal of his own. If only he’d done it sooner then they might’ve had a few more friends to celebrate alongside them on such a happy occasion. Now they would use it to honor their memory as well as to cherish the ones they had left.
As the rain began to fall, their fingers entwined. This time, they would hold onto one another. Through any storm.
…
You don’t deserve to be saved! Murderer! MURDERER!
He jolted upright. Searching the darkness for the ‘no eyes man’ but only finding nondescript indigo shapes. You can be damn sure he kept that otter plush close. It’s arms almost hugging him back as if understanding his fear. The tears came hard and fast.
Izuku was equally startled when he was suddenly awoken by the sound of Tenko crying. Which led to him hitting his head on the dresser as he jumped up from the floor and scrambled to find a light source.
He flicked on the lamp to see Tenko crying. “What the… hey! Hey, what's wrong? Shhh, daijoubu daijoubu. What happened?”
He tried to figure out what was wrong. Mumbling and panicking as he checked over the boy for injury or discomfort. He was a little wet by the looks of it. And snotty as well. A nightmare was the culprit it seemed. A bad one.“Hey hey. It's alright.”
The doctor had explained to him on that first night that as Tenko resumed a regular REM cycle he would have irregular sleep. His brain was trying to pick up the pieces that had been left behind. Sometimes that meant nightmares would happen.
“Bah...” He sniffed.
“I know. I know. Let’s get you cleaned up and back to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow. First day back at class. Don’t wanna be sleepy all day do you?” He gently picked him up from his bed. Even though Ollie chose to stay behind, Star blanket joined them on their little journey to the bathroom.
Izuku wrapped it around the small boy’s shoulders while he continued to soothe and comfort him. “Can you tell me what made you cry?”
Tenko used Izuku’s sleeve as a tissue. Wiping away the snot and the tears. “Is Stu-pid.”
“No it isn't. You can tell me I promise.”
He shook his head. “N-no. Don wanna.”
Izuku sighed. He figured as much. And even if he did, he probably didn’t have the words or capacity to tell him what had happened. Which sadly meant this issue would remain unresolved. At least for now. Gently he hugged the boy closer. Rubbing his back as his mom always did when he had a nightmare.“It’s okay to be scared sometimes.”
He sniffed and spoke with near perfect clarity. “Nod a bae-bee.”
“No. You’re not.” Izuku agreed. Stopping on the way there to look him in the eyes with soft reassurance. “I actually think you’re actually very brave and strong. But it never hurts to ask for help. Believe me. There are times I wish I had.”
He didn’t feel brave. Or strong. Or anything but small and afraid. Tenko didn’t know what he did to make Izuku think otherwise. But he wrapped his arms around Izuku’s neck and hid his face in his shoulder as he took in the smell of earthy leaves and sweet green tea.
Even though he shouldn’t have been, he was afraid. He’d dreamt that a faceless monster was hunting him down. Cornering him. Like a game of cat and mouse. When it finally caught up to him it had grabbed him by the foot, dangling him over its now gapping maw, as it whispered in an eerie voice that seemed to echo the voice of his dead family that this was what he deserved.
To be swallowed up and forgotten.
Reality had somehow turned out so much kinder. Here he was being cradled and coddled, told everything was going to be okay. Even after he’d calmed down, Izuku had made no motion for him to go to climb back in his own bed. He didn’t let go. Instead they remained like this until he finally gave up trying to fight sleep. Silently hoping for no more nightmares. Only desiring peace and quiet.
Once Izuku finally felt him relax on his chest, he let his head fall back as he stared at the ceiling. Now that he was awake, alone with his thoughts in these unfamiliar surroundings. He'd always been good with kids, but this wasn’t like watching over a little kid for a few hours or a temporary babysitting gig. This is what life was going to be like from now on.
The day had started out alright. Picking him up from the hospital. Getting some things for the house. Getting set up. Meal time. Bath time. Watching tv. Bed time. Then as he’d settled down to sleep, it occurred to him that he’d have to do it all over again. He’d wake up tomorrow and he’d have to take care of himself and this little living thing. They’d have to set up a routine. Classes would be starting soon, which posed a whole new set of problems on top of that. Everyday he would have to make sure he was fed, cleaned, safe, and most importantly loved.
It’d take some time for those kinds of feelings to take root but for now he could handle the first three. The teen let out a deep sigh before glancing at Tenko’s hands. They were so much smaller now. It was hard to believe such little things could cause so much harm when led astray by dark thoughts and influences. He only got glimpses of his past back during their battle, but even now it was hard to imagine anyone purposefully hurting such a vulnerable hopeful child.
Izuku pulled the blanket over them both, whispering softly to the only other soul in the empty room. “ I won’t let anything happen to you.”
That seemed to help as the creases in the boy’s face began to relax. Smoothing out into something much more peaceful. Of what he couldn’t guess. He liked to think it was because Tenko was having a good dream now.
This was what home meant now. Izuku just needed to get used to it.