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It had been over a month since Shouta had proposed and the suspense of waiting for Hizashi’s retaliation was starting to get to him. Though perhaps he shouldn’t think of it quite like that. Shouta was still very much in love with his fiancé and more than happy to marry him⏤ he did pop the question first after all⏤ but he knew Hizashi well and the man did nothing subtly.
He’d been talking about weddings, first in general and then their own (as much as a far-away dream as it had once seemed) for nearly as long as the two had known each other. Hizashi was the type of person who believed in the philosophy “go big or go home”. Really, Hizashi was the physical embodiment of “go big or go home”. To put it simply, he thought a flash mob was the height of romance.
Most of the time, Shouta loved Hizashi’s enthusiasm. It was part of him. It was endearing. It balanced Shouta out. But the thought of being at the center of that much attention was unappealing to say the least, especially at such a vulnerable and personal moment. Of course, when the moment came he would say yes, even if the spectacle Hizashi was sure to make of it was thoroughly embarrassing. Marrying Hizashi was worth it. More than worth it. It was just that Shouta wished he’d get it over with already. His anxiety was getting to the point that he was on edge every time they went out together and he braced himself every time Hizashi changed their plans for the day, however small the degree, convinced that the text asking him to pick up milk on the way home would lead him to a full Present Mic concert staged in the dairy aisle with “marry me” written in three-foot-tall lights. Still, despite his hyper vigilance, Shouta managed to be surprised when the big event finally happened, if only because it wasn’t a big event at all.
On the morning it happened, Shouta was roused from sleep gently by Hizashi’s soft voice calling to him and the familiar weight of his hand on his shoulder. Shouta grumbled unintelligibly in response and tried to hide under the blankets.
Hizashi laughed, tempting, “I have coffee. I snuck out and got some for you from your favorite shop. It’s filled with a truly unholy amount of espresso, just the way you like it.”
Shouta paused, considering.
“I even got you one of those little pastries with the strawberries that I know you like so mu⏤”
Shouta sat up quickly. “Fine. I’m awake.”
Hizashi snickered, pulling the cup and little pink box out of reach before Shouta could grab them. “You want to clean up a little bit first?” he asked.
“Do I look that bad?” Shouta asked dryly, patting vaguely at his hair which stood nearly as straight as Present Mic’s signature style, though significantly more tangled.
“You look stunning as usual,” Hizashi said sincerely. “But you always feel better after you wash up and this treat should be enjoyed, no? You’ll feel less grumpy once you’ve woken up a bit.”
“I’d feel less grumpy if I had some coffee,” Shouta muttered, but he was already getting up, stumbling towards their adjoined bathroom, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Hizashi watched him go, giving a low wolf whistle in appreciation.
Shouta rolled his eyes, giving Hizashi the finger as he ducked into the washroom.
Hizashi laughed and set about straightening the bed while he waited, adjusting the sheets and pillows, his hand straying back to his pocket every few minutes to make sure that the little box was still there. He was just checking that his hair was suitable enough for the big event when Shouta emerged, looking much more put-together, which was to say his usual level of disheveled, and at least somewhat more awake.
“Zashi?” he asked, looking at the clock on his nightstand for the first time. “Why is it seven-fifteen?”
Hizashi blushed lightly. “Sorry, babe. I wanted to surprise you and if I went out any later the children would be up and they would want to know why they didn’t get treats too. Besides, I wanted to have to myself for a bit today.”
Shouta sighed but didn’t argue any further, taking a sip from his coffee. He’d allow it. For the sake of good coffee.
Taking a deep breath to settle his nerves, which were surprisingly high considering that he knew without a doubt that Shouta would say yes, Hizashi came to sit on his side of the bed. “Join me?” he asked, holding out a hand to Shouta.
“I thought I wasn’t allowed to eat in bed?”
“I’ll make an exception.”
Shouta frowned for a moment but then shrugged, dismissing the unusual turn of events. He took Hizashi’s hand and allowed himself to be gently pulled back into bed. “I’m getting mixed signals here,” he said, sipping at his drink.
“Oh?”
“You want me to get up, you want me in bed, what is it?”
“Well if I had my way, you’d always be in bed,” Hizashi joked, pitching his voice into a ridiculous parody of a seductress.
Shouta snorted and pulled away, batting at Hizashi lightly. “Gross.”
“Aw, you love me. You know you do.”
“Yeah, fine. I love you,” Shouta admitted. “You got me.”
Hizashi smiled. “I love you too.”
“Good. Nice to know we’re still on the same page,” Shouta joked, lifting their joined hands and running his thumb over Hizashi’s ring.
Hizashi’s smile faltered a little at that, his expression growing more serious. “Sho?” he asked.
“Hmm?”
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Shouta stiffened. That couldn’t be good. “Sure,” he answered evenly as his hand squeezed Hizashi’s for a brief moment. He set his coffee down carefully, turning back to face Hizashi, bracing for whatever terrible thing he had to tell him.
“I love you,” Hizashi began, taking both of Shouta’s hands in his.
“I love you too,” Shouta returned easily.
Hizashi smiled briefly. “About the wedding⏤”
It took less than a second for Shouta’s thoughts to spiral. Oh fuck he’s regretting it. He wants to call it off. He⏤
“Marrying you has been the one thing that I’ve wanted more than anything else for so long that I still can't wrap my mind around the fact it's actually happening and I can’t wait to walk down the aisle.”
Oh. Okay. Shouta, calm down. Honestly, the dramatics. What’s wrong with you? You’re no better than your students. He relaxed in relief. Of course Hizashi loved him. He knew that.
“But there is just one thing small that’s missing,” Hizashi continued.
Shouta nearly rolled his eyes at his dramatics, already distancing himself from his own panic the moment before. Hizashi probably just wants to ask for some ridiculously expensive venue or something. Not that I’d really deny him anything for this, Shouta thought calmly.
Hizashi continued, still surprisingly serious, “You told me why you wanted to marry me, but I haven’t done the same for you.”
Oh. Shouta’s understanding finally clicked into place.
“I’ve loved you, Aizawa Shouta, from the moment you knocked me on my ass at the sports festival. I fell in love with your fighting spirit and your skill and your strength and your rockin’ bod. Even if you were short back then.”
Shouta snorted.
“And then I got to know you, despite you doing your best not to know me⏤”
Shouta blushed at his teenage self’s foolish belief that he needed to be alone. His heart ached remembering a time when he truly believed no one would ever love him.
“ ⏤ and I fell in love with you, Sho. I fell in love with your heart and soul. I fell in love with the boy who so rarely smiled but when he did it set my soul on fire. I fell in love with your determination. I fell in love with your sense of justice and how you are willing to stand up and fight for what you believe in no matter how outmatched you are, even though I wish you would sometimes wait for backup because I hate seeing you hurt. I fell in love with how much you love cats, how soft you get when you’re caring for something small and vulnerable.
“I actually fell in love with you twice for that. Once with cats and once watching you teach. You’re so good with kids, Shouta. I actually felt horrible for a while⏤ not because of anything you did! Don’t worry about that!” he said quickly when Shouta’s face fell a fraction. “I just meant that I saw you teach your first class and I said to myself, Hizashi, that man is meant to be a dad. I felt weirdly guilt and sad just because knew I probably wouldn’t be able to give you kids myself. Really, that's the adoption systems' fault. Or it was at least. But that's not important anymore. Because now we have two kids. Two perfect, wonderful kids. And I know, Sho, that you were really worried about being a parent, even if I knew that you would be amazing. I know you felt like you would only follow your own parent’s footsteps, that you were afraid you would be a terrible dad. But, Shouta, you proved that false a long time before our kids came into our life.
“You showed it every time you gave tiny but deeply meaningful words of encouragement to a student who doubted themselves. You showed it when you believed in Bakugou when everyone else questioned if he would turn villain. You even showed it when you expelled students because I know that you don’t do it to crush dreams, but to protect kids who weren't ready to do what it takes to be a hero. I know you're quote-on-quote harsh because half the reason you started teaching at UA was because you were sick of seeing unprepared young heroes die in the field. You’re hard on them because you want to make sure they’re safe when you’re not there anymore. And in turn, you do everything in your power to put yourself between them and danger as much as possible. I love you for that, even though it scares me.
“Fuck Shouta, the USJ attack was one of the worst days of my life. And I see that look on your face⏤ don’t you be dumb and feel bad for that, okay? It wasn’t your fault. You are a hero, a true hero, for what you did that day. I’m just saying, I very nearly lost you, Sho. And it was terrifying. You’re my other half. Losing you would be harder than missing an arm or a leg. It would be like losing my heart. Incomprehensible. I have never been so scared in my life as I was when I saw you being dragged by your students like that, so still and just absolutely drenched in blood. I thought I'd lost you. That while I was joking around with the staff you were dying and I wasn't there to help you."
Shouta opened his mouth to protest but Hizashi didn't let him.
"Don't say anything. Please. I know you don't blame me. I logically know it wasn't my fault. I'm making a point okay? A whole speech. I planned it out and everything because as much as I talk, and I know I talk a lot, I still struggle to find the words to tell you how much I love you, Shouta. So listen."
His eyes wide, Shouta nodded. Silently.
Hizashi gave him a tiny, broken smile. "Thanks. Look. I know the dangers of being a hero. We all do. When we sign up for this life, we do it with an understanding of what we are risking. At any time, we could lose our lives. Or be seriously injured. Or⏤ or lose our partners.” Both of them gripped onto each other tighter at those words. “But we do it anyway,” Hizashi continued. “We make sacrifices. We do what we can, knowing that in the end we are powerless to have any really control over our fate.
“We give up so much else in the process too. Our time. Our peace. Most of us destroy our bodies in some way, even if it’s just through the standard wear and tear of a very physical career or the build up of a hundred minor injuries. We give up our lives even if we don’t die, sacrificing who we really are so that we can fit into the narrow box of responsibility and celebrity that being a hero entails. And I don’t regret being a pro, Shouta. That’s not what I’m saying. But if there is one thing that I regret, it’s that, for so long, I gave up you to be a hero.”
At Shouta’s questioning look, he explained, “You told me, years ago, that you were okay with us being out. You said that public image didn’t matter much to you and you didn’t care what anyone thought. That sure, it might give Eraser Head more publicity than you liked, but if you avoided enough public appearances it wouldn’t compromise you too much.” He smiled. “You said you felt confident enough in your stealth abilities to be a functional underground hero even if people knew you existed. You said you’d tolerate the media for me because you loved me more than you hate them. I still feel guilty when I remember that you left the decision up to me because you knew that image you were willing to throw away was important to me. That I had goals that required me to be in the good graces of the media and the public. I’m still ashamed that I chose to prioritize being on the radio or being a fan-favorite hero over telling the world how lucky I am to have you.”
“Hizashi,” Shouta interrupted gently. “No. The world has changed so much in just the past few years. If you had been out when we first started… it’s not likely you would be where you are now. I’m so sorry, if I ever made you feel ashamed for making that choice. I shouldn’t have made you make that choice at all. It was unfair. The sacrifices I would have made to be out would have been nothing compared to what you would haven given up. That’s why I agreed so easily when you said we should keep it quiet. I knew you were right. I only suggested the stipulation that we come out if we get married because I honestly didn’t think it would ever happen. And even with that agreement, considering the mentality that I had when we made it, I still feel a little bad about outing in front of our classes. I shouldn't have acted so brashly.”
“No!" Hizashi nearly shouted. "Don't feel guilty! It’s okay, Sho. Really. I'm glad you finally helped me out of that stupid, dark closet I was hiding it. And your sudden, public declaration of love was the most romantic thing that's ever happened to me. I loved it. I know, logically, that there was a reason we had to stay quiet. I just wish we’d have been able to get married seven years ago when you first bought my beautiful ring. I know we agreed not to exchange rings until we were able to display them in public, but I wish I'd been able to wear this ring for all those years. I wish I got to flaunt you and how lucky I am for all those years. I’m still angry, that we went through so much only for our love to be considered lesser for so long. That we were heroes serving a country that denied us basic rights in return.
“Shouta, I just love you so much there aren't words for it. I mean it, when I say that sometimes I can’t even breathe because of it. When I thought you were dead, Sho, at the USJ, I felt like I was dying too. I think I would have died, if you had gone without me being able to shout as loud as I possibly could that I adore you, fully and completely and with every bone in my body.
“I am thankful every day that we were given a second chance. Before that day, I valued every moment we were together. Now, I treasure them as something so precious it has no parallel. I know that our lives are still dangerous. I know that the world is a terrible, fucked up place that only seems to be getting worse. We could die tomorrow, who knows? All I know, Aizawa Shouta, is that I love you. And I want to spend every second of our lives, no matter how much time we have left, by your side. I can’t wait to do that openly and proudly. I am making my vow to you now, Shouta, but I can’t wait to pledge it again for everyone on Earth to see. I can’t wait to spend my life as your husband. I know I’ve already said yes, and that proposing a second time is unnecessary and my doing so is only a formality at this point, but I just love you so much that I have to ask anyway. Besides, I've been waiting for seven years, four moths, two weeks, and almost exactly six days to ask you this question. So. Shouta. Will you marry me back?”
With those words, Hizashi finally let go of Shouta’s hand to dig in his pocket, pulling out the small velvet box he'd been guarding in his own secret place for longer than anyone should have to bear. He opened it with trembling fingers, presenting the ring to Shouta.
In a thick, strangled voice that surprised even him, Shouta answered without hesitation. “Yes. Fuck, Hizashi. Of course I will marry you.”
With more relief than he thought possible and more joy than he knew his body could contain, Hizashi slipped the ring on Shouta’s finger. It fit perfectly.
“Did you really practice that speech?” Shouta asked, trying to blink back the water from his eyes so he could actually see what the ring looked like.
“I did. But honestly half way through I started free-styling,” Hizashi admitted with a rough laugh. “Caught in the passion of the moment I guess. Did it sound okay? I think I blacked out at some point.”
“It sounded perfect,” Shouta told him. “Now come here so I can kiss you.”
Hizashi didn’t need to be told twice. He kissed Shouta like it was the only thing keeping him alive.
Sometimes, he thought it was.
Even when the kiss ended, they stayed wrapped around each other, both shedding a few more tears as they clung on, their arms and legs so entwined it was hard to see where one ended and the other began.
“I love you. I love you. I love you,” they both murmured over and over again until the words lost all meaning. Finally, exhausted and so happy they were almost drunk on it, they lay down against the pillows, Hizashi tucked against Shouta’s side, half draped across his chest and Shouta bent over him. They lay there together in silence for a while, lost in delirious happiness.
“You know,” Shouta eventually said, murmuring into Hizashi’s hair. “I’m a little surprised. I thought you would go for some big flashy proposal.”
“I did think about it,” Hizashi admitted. “But I realized that that’s my ideal proposal, not yours. When you asked me in front of all our students with that big romantic speech, it was perfect, Sho. I mean that. Or at least it was perfect for me. The least I could do was give you a proposal that was perfect for you. Or at least I hope it was.” Hizashi picked his head up off of Shouta’s chest to look at him, questioning.
Shouta smiled softly. “It was perfect,” he confirmed.
Hizashi beamed, snuggling back down against Shouta again. “Good,” he said, the smile clear in his voice. “Or I would have made you give the ring back so I could try again.”
Shouta huffed a short laugh and lifted his hand to card his fingers through Hizashi’s soft hair. “Well you got it in one.”
“I know you so well,” Hizashi sighed, content and self-satisfied.
“Mmm,” Shouta agreed. “And besides, I’m not giving this ring up for anything.”
“You like it?”
“Love it,” he confirmed, actually studying it now that his vision was clear. He did like its design, but he really would have treasured any ring from Hizashi.
Hizashi nearly bounced in excitement. “I repeat, I know you well!”
“Why else would we be getting married?”
Getting married, those words never failed to make Hizashi’s heart flutter. “I also got you a chain,” he said. “It’s in the dresser.”
“A chain?” Shouta asked, genuinely confused.
“If you wanted to wear your ring around your neck instead.”
“Why would I do that?”
Hizashi blinked. Maybe Shouta could still surprise him. “I just didn’t know if you’d want to go around wearing your ring all the time. Announcing your personal business like that.”
“Hizashi, I proposed to you in front of two entire classes. I think everyone already knows our business.”
“Oh. Right,” he agreed quietly, feeling somehow disappointed that his willingness to display the ring came from a logical rationale.
“And,” Shouta continued, “I spent almost nine years keeping you⏤ keeping us⏤ secret for the sake of public image, ” he said the words with enough disdain they might as well have been a curse. “And the whole reason we waited so long to give each other our rings was because we agreed that we wanted to be able to show them off. Remember? Hizashi, I meant it when I said I’m not ashamed to be out with you. That wasn’t a concession I thought I had to make or an offhanded example of me just not caring about what people think. I’m going to wear it because I care. I want everyone in the world to know that we’re together. I have the most beautiful fiancé and I want to show you off.”
Hizashi turned pink to the roots of his hair and Shouta’s soft smiling face blurred as he blinked back tears yet again. “Shouta,” he whined. “You can’t keep showing me up by being more romantic than me. It was supposed to be my turn.”
“Sorry,” Shouta said, not sounding sorry at all. “I’ll take it back if you want me to.”
“No!” Hizashi said too quickly. “Nope, you’ve been mushy in my presence and I won’t forget about it. In fact, I will be telling absolutely everyone what a softy you are.”
“Oh no, what will the public think?” Shouta cried so monotone and sarcastically that Hizashi had to laugh.
“I love you, Sho.”
“Love you, Zashi.”
He smiled, resting his head on Shouta again. “So no chain?”
“I might use it during patrol,” he said thoughtfully. “It seems slightly safer than keeping it on my finger. But that’s the only reason I’d use it.”
Hizashi smiled privately to himself. “Good. I want everyone to know we belong together too.”
“Now that you have the freedom to talk about me on air, I doubt there will be anyone who doesn’t know. You’re never going to shut about us, are you?” Shouta asked, affectionately mocking.
“Never,” Hizashi agreed happily.
“I suppose that will be good for the kids,” Shouta allowed. “Our children and the kids at school. I’ve noticed at least three new relationships since I proposed. Gay ones I mean. Or at least, if they’re not new relationships they’re newly out. The kids feel… empowered or something, having queer heroes.” He blushed. “That’s what Kirishima told me at least. He stayed behind in class the other day to tell me how manly my proposal was.” Shouta laughed a little at that, more expressly fond of his students that he usually allowed people to see.
“He told me something similar,” Hizashi admitted. It had been one of the proudest moments of his entire career. No pun intended.
“He’s a good kid,” Shouta said. “They all are.”
“I’m going to tell them how much you love them,” Hizashi threatened.
“They know,” Shouta admitted quietly. “I’ve gone soft on them and they know it. Little bastards.”
“They love you too, Shouta,” Hizashi told him.
On some level, Shouta did know that. Or he hoped that they did at least, perhaps a little selfishly. They seemed to at least like him. Still, the assurance further softened his already melting heart. Out of Hizashi’s line of vision, Shouta smiled to himself. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head back against the pillows, relishing the feeling of the bed beneath them and Hizashi’s warm body nestled against him, his familiar comforting weight draped across Shouta's chest. He lay there in peace for a few moments, completely content.
“Hey, don’t fall asleep on me so soon,” Hizashi tutted, nudging Shouta gently.
And there went his peace, though he found he didn’t mind much. Not when it was Hizashi. Shouta opened his eyes in narrow slits, peering down his nose at Hizashi, who squirmed out from under Shouta’s arm. He lifted it slightly, allowing Hizashi to fuss and turn until he was on his back instead of his side. He took Shouta’s arm, still lifted in midair and pulled it around his shoulders, settling against him again.
Shouta lifted his eyebrows in amusement. “Comfortable?” he asked, teasing.
“Yep,” Hizashi said, not at all shamed. He reached across Shouta for his other hand, pulling it close. He passed his thumb over the simple band that circled Shouta’s finger and smiled to himself, a tiny soft expression that somehow conveyed more emotion than any of his exaggerated dramatics ever could.
“It feels incredible, doesn’t it?” Shouta asked, barely above a whisper.
“What feels incredible?” Hizashi didn’t take his eyes off the ring as it glinted gently in the morning light.
“Seeing your ring on someone’s finger.”
Hizashi stole a glance at Shouta and saw him looking at Hizashi’s left hand. He immediately switched it with his right to provide an easier line of sight. It was awkward to hold Shouta’s hand like that, so he just placed them side by side so both rings could be seen.
“It does,” he admitted. Hizashi hadn’t thought it would feel so different to be engaged to Shouta back. But seeing Shouta wear his ring was incredibly different than wearing Shouta’s ring. It made something feel more real. Like they were truly bonded. Like he finally had hard physical evidence that Shouta was his forever and no one could ever break them apart.
“Holy shit,” Hizashi said. “We’re getting married .”
Shouta gave a startled laugh. “Well I hope so, Zashi. We are double engaged. You’re not having cold feet already are you?”
“No!” Hizashi nearly shouted, bolting upright so quickly he nearly gave Shouta a bloody nose. “Never!”
“I know,” Shouta said calmly. “I was teasing.”
“Right.” Hizashi blushed. “Obviously.”
Shouta gave him a knowing smirk and Hizashi blushed, pushing lightly on his shoulder. “You’re so mean to me,” he wailed.
“A true villain,” Shouta monotoned. “Will you have the heart to take me down, Mic ?”
Hizashi laughed. “Never. I would turn coat you, Eraser. ”
“Oh really?”
“In a heartbeat.”
“Hmm, better not mention that to Nezu.”
Hizashi drew away, leaving Shouta feeling cold in his absence. Hizashi sat up on the bed, looking at him with mild disturbance. “Sho? Honey? Baby? Darling?”
“Yes?”
“Please never mention our boss in bed again.”
Shouta blinked before blushing, making a horrified face. “You're disgusting. But noted.”
They shared a small smile at that. “For real though,” Hizashi said, growing more serious again, “I can’t believe we’re getting married. For real. Legally.”
“I know.”
“I didn’t think it would ever happen.”
Shouta hummed in agreement. “Even when they were debating the law and it seemed like most people agreed it should pass I didn’t actually think it would. Too cynical I guess.”
“I was the same,” Hizashi agreed. “Didn’t want to get my hopes too high, ya know?”
“Right. Only leads to disappointment.”
“Damn. You are cynical.”
“Oh shut up. You love me.”
Hizashi grinned. “I do.”
Shouta blushed, ducking his head.
Hizashi caught it, smirking. “I’m going to have to practice those words, huh? I do .”
Shouta blushed again.
“I do,” Hizashi repeated, taking his hand. “I do, I do, I do, I do.” With each statement, Hizashi placed a kiss on Shouta’s arm, leading up his neck. “I do,” he whispered one last time, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. Shouta turned his head and kissed him back, their lips brushing together.
“I love you,” Shouta whispered.
“Love you too.” Hizashi brushed a lock of Shouta’s hair back behind his ear. His thumb traced over the scar under his eye tenderly, a quiet remembrance of the day he almost lost his soul, which had the terrible design flaw of being located in Shouta’s body.
“Hey,” Shouta said, taking his hand gently, guiding it away. “I’m here, okay? I’m fine.”
Hizashi gave him a watery smile. “I know.”
Everything was okay. They were alive. They were safe. They were finally, finally going to get married the way they had dreamed of for what was nearing a decade. Their children were safe and loved and only a final stamp on some paperwork away from being officially, undisputedly theirs. Their lives were perfect.
Their little bubble was disturbed in the next moment by a loud crash from the kitchen. Immediately they were both on edge, every muscle tight with awareness for the potential threat of danger. When the ringing of the pans finally settled there was a short, tense moment of silence before they heard the muffled swears of a fifteen-year-old. They both relaxed, smiling softly as Hitoshi cursed the stupid pans and whoever stacked them like that in the first place.
“We should probably go check on the children,” Hizashi said, amusement clear in his voice.
“Before they break something or hurt themselves,” Shouta agreed.
“And I was so comfortable,” Hizashi sighed, already getting up.
Shouta didn’t believe he was annoyed for a moment. “You know you love being a dad,” he said, stressing the English word that rolled beautifully accented on his tongue.
“I do,” Hizashi admitted easily. He almost cried the first time Eri had called him that, adopting the term he’d taught her a week prior with a nervous but achingly sweet sincerity. (It did make it easy to clarify if she wanted him or Shouta, even if that hadn’t been his intention when he’d included family relationships in his English lesson for the day.)
He did cry, however, when Hitoshi did the same thing a day later, too emotional to handle so much love so quickly from the children he’d long ago accepted he’d never be able to have, only to be thoroughly blessed with two of them when he’d least expected it.
“Come on,” Hizashi said, extending a hand to Shouta. “Let’s go see what they’re trying to do with pans at...” he glanced at the clock. “Eight-thirty on a Saturday. I thought teenagers were supposed to sleep in?”
“When has our son ever slept in?” Shouta asked, taking the offered hand.
“He takes after you, you know,” Hizashi teased. “This is your fault.”
“Hmm. And so that means when Eri screams I love you at the top of her lungs every day when I drop her off at school, she’s taking after you?”
“Yep!” Hizashi said proudly.
Shouta smiled even as he rolled his eyes, allowing Hizashi to lead him out of their bedroom.
“Morning children!” Hizashi called. Hitoshi and Eri were both seated at the table, eating leftovers from the night before.
“Give up on making something that fast?” Shouta asked.
“It was too loud,” Eri volunteered cheerfully.
“We could hear that,” Shouta agreed flatly.
“Sorry!” Hitoshi blushed.
“Eh, we were already up Little Listener,” Hizashi assured him, placing a brief kiss on the top of his wild hair.
“Really?” Hitoshi asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow at Shouta.
“Really,” he answered, ruffling Hitoshi’s hair as he came to sit too, picking up Eri easily and settling her in his lap before pulling a carton of noodles towards himself.
“Why were you up so early?” Hitoshi asked, still skeptical.
“We actually have an important announcement!” Hizashi told him excitedly, beaming as he handed Shouta chopsticks and sat down himself.
“I don’t really think it’s an announcement at this point,” Shouta said in fond exasperation.
Hizashi stuck his tongue out at him.
“What’s the announcement, Otou-chan?” Eri asked, tilting her chin up to look at Shouta.
“Let Daddy tell you.”
She looked at Hizashi expectantly.
He grinned and drew himself up to his full height. “Otou-san and I,” he began, pausing for dramatic effect, “are getting married!”
For a moment everyone just looked at him. Finally, Hitoshi asked, “Is that… news?”
“I thought you were already getting married?” Eri asked, her small face crumpled in confusion.
“We were!” Hizashi agreed. “But Otou-chan asked me to marry him first and now I asked him back and he said yes so we are double engaged!” He pumped his fist in the air excitedly. “Which is objectively better than just regular engaged.”
“Look,” Shouta said, placing his ring in Eri’s line of sight.
Her eyes widened. “Oh,” she breathed, touching the ring lightly with her small hand. “Pretty.”
“Can I see?” Hitoshi asked.
Shouta extended his hand across the table. Hitoshi took it lightly, turning it carefully so the simple band caught the light. It was much less dramatic and gaudy than Hitoshi’s own ring, but still managed to compliment it perfectly. A true embodiment of the people they belonged to and the relationship they represented.
“Good choice,” Hitoshi said to Hizashi, letting go of Shouta’s hand.
“Thank you! I’m glad you approve.”
“So when is the wedding actually happening?” Hitoshi asked, going back to his breakfast.
“Spring,” Shouta shrugged, picking through the noodles.
“We were thinking early April. It’s a bit cliche, but I always liked the idea of the cherry blossoms being in bloom for my wedding. So romantic.”
“Whatever you want, dear,” Shouta said mildly.
“Aw, come on,” Hizashi pleaded. “Don’t you care about our wedding more than that?”
“I’ll help plan, but I don’t have a lot of strong feelings about the design part. You know I’d prefer a smaller guest list and I want one of our close friends to officiate and other than that the small details don’t matter much. All I care about is getting to marry you. I’d do it in a dirty basement if it meant I got to spend the rest of my life with you.” Shouta spoke casually, as if he did not steal Hizashi’s breath away every time he made it clear how deep his love ran.
While Hizashi was still trying to recover from the latest romantic declaration of the morning, Hitoshi said dryly, “It’s infuriating that I have this much material on you and yet I cannot use it because no one at school would believe me if I told them how much of a sap you really are.”
Shouta smirked. “It’s all part of the game, kid.”
“You’re impossible,” Hizashi finally managed to say. “An absolute asshole, Aizawa Shouta. You’re lucky I love you.”
“Daddy said a bad word,” Eri reported helpfully.
“Yes he did,” Shouta answered lightly, giving Hizashi a dirty look. “He’s lucky I love him too. And so is Hitoshi. Don’t think I didn’t hear the choice words you used this morning.” He raised an eyebrow at Hitoshi who blushed.
“Sorry, Otou-san.”
“Hmm.” Shouta pretended to think for a moment. “I guess because today is very special, I can’t stay mad at anyone for too long.”
“Am I forgiven?” Hizashi asked, giving Shouta his best puppy-dog eyes.
“You’re forgiven,” Shouta granted, with exaggerated grudgingness.
“Are you sure?” Hizashi pressed. “Because if not, I can make it up to you later.” He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Disgusting,” Hitoshi groaned. “Absolutely disgusting. I’m eating.”
“Sorry kid,” Hizashi laughed. “Your dear old dads are in love. And in a few months, we’re going to be newlyweds. You’re just going to have to deal with copious amounts of love and affection.” To punctuate his point, Hizashi leaned over, giving Shouta a wet kiss on the cheek.
Hitoshi pretended to gag and Eri quickly mirrored him, giggling wildly.
“Betrayed by my own daughter,” Shouta groaned, hiding his smile in her hair as he looked at Hizashi.
His eyes danced with laughter as he looked back at Shouta and they shared a small secret look, understanding each other’s meaning perfectly without a single word spoken.
They had never been happier in their lives than in that moment, their small, perfect family safe and happy and whole.