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Convincing Touya to go with Aizawa’s plan is probably the hardest thing Keigo has tried to do. His boyfriend is stubborn on the best of days, but the topic of Endeavor, and the Commission once he learned their methods, was not one he budged easily on. He had a clear vision of what their future would look like:
Both of them going down in a glorious blaze of blue fire.
With or without gleeful cackles from Touya while he watched, it depended on his mood.
Aizawa’s plan was, in contrast, definitely more fitting from an Underground Pro. And, much to Keigo’s chagrin, the most reasonable choice in front of them. If things went the way the older man explained, both of them would be free and those who had leashed and caged them would get their dues.
Which, going off the twist of a scowl on Touya’s face, Keigo knew he understood but didn’t want to go along with.
Rubbing his temples, Aizawa lets out a long breath, “Work with me here, Touya. I understand you don’t like the plan, but what exactly is your issue?”
Keigo watches as Touya shifts his weight and he narrows his eyes, “What you’re proposing, Aizawa, has that bastard going to jail at most. I fucking died, he deserves to go through the same-”
“But you didn’t die, Touya,” leaning forward, Aizawa laced his fingers together, “You survived. Not unscathed, and you shouldn’t have had to fight to survive when you were a child. Children should get to thrive, not just survive. But you, Touya, are alive despite it all.”
Touya’s mouth snaps shut, Keigo taking the moment to lean forward and rub a hand over his back, “You have your siblings back, Tou. If you kill him, publicly at that, when’s the next time you’ll get to see any of us without bars in the way…?”
Nodding, Aizawa motions to him, “He deserves to answer for what he’s done, the same as any abuser. But you’re the one who told me you wanted a future with Hawks, Touya.”
Chewing on a staple, Touya finally sighs, “... Fine, but if it doesn’t work we’re going with my plan.”
Slumping back in his chair, Aizawa sighs, “For my sake I’m going to pretend I don’t know what you mean.”
I --- I
Getting all the Todoroki siblings to sit down and give their accounts about their father is significantly easier now with Touya on board. Getting Tsukauchi down to Fukuoka takes a bit more, ending with Aizawa having to call in several old favors from before Keigo premiered.
While they waited for Natsuo to finish with Aizawa and Tsukauchi, Touya gave Fuyumi a curious look, “I’m still surprised you’re goin’ with this, Yumi-chan. Shouto said you were trying to make amends with the old bastard.”
Keigo watched from his perch as Fuyumi squirmed in her seat, “I was but…I was in mourning for ten years, Tou-nii. I thought I’d lost my big brother, and then with mother going to the hospital. I was trying to cling onto what family I had left.”
“And now?” Touya and Shouto were both watching her, and while Keigo liked to think himself an expert on Touya’s expressions, he couldn’t quite put together what they were thinking.
Fuyumi just sighs, “Now I have you back, mother’s slated to leave the hospital soon, Natsu isn’t as angry anymore, and Shouto actually smiles… It’s hard to come to terms with it, but I have to acknowledge what factor kept all those things away for so long.”
Looking away from the siblings, Keigo pulls his jacket collar over his face. For some reason it feels like he’s intruding on something important.
Eventually, it’s Shouto’s turn and even Keigo can tell the kid’s agitated. Touya doesn’t look much better, pacing and twitching while Shouto picks at his pants. Chewing his lip, Keigo casts a look over to Aizawa and the detective, “Hey, can we wait to do Shouto-kun’s for a second?”
Aizawa nods while Tsukauchi frowns, “Of course, but where are you going, Hawks?”
“Just… one second, yea?” Not waiting, Keigo hurries through the office to reception. Grinning, he lands next to the desk, “Hey, Nao-san.”
Nao looks up at him with a warm smile, folding his paws in front of him, “Hawks-kun, how can I help you? Do you need something for your meeting?”
“Mmm, kinda? Could you come with me, Yasu-kun can watch the front desk while you’re away.”
With a curious frown, Nao follows him back to the others. Motioning with a grin, Keigo chirps, “Nao-san should be able to help with the next two recordings.”
Understanding dawns across Touya’s eyes, while the rest look between Keigo and Nao in confusion. Pushing on before they can object, Keigo looks to Shouto, “Hey, would it be cool Nao-san helps you with your nerves, Shouto-kun? It doesn’t change your opinion on anything, but I always feel like I think clearer with him around!”
Shouto nods slowly as Tsukauchi frowns, “Could you please explain how Fujiwara-san would assist in this, Hawks? Generally we wouldn’t want civilians in the room while testimonies are being given…”
Keigo gives Nao a look and the man gives an understanding smile, “My quirk, Detective, allows me to calm erratic emotions. I can also calm down panic attacks with it. I would not interfere with Todoroki-kun’s or Touya-kun’s testimonies, just help them to not panic.”
Aizawa nods, motioning for Nao and Shouto to follow him, “If it’ll keep Todoroki in a good mental place, I won’t argue with it.”
As he follows them into the room, Nao gives Keigo a proud smile.
--
Since the agency filled up, times when it was just Keigo and Nao were rare and few between. The afternoon of pizza and applications before Hisoka was hired when Keigo was eighteen was probably one of the last times they were truly alone. But the night after the Todorokis all give their testimonies, Nao suggests they go get something to eat.
The odd feeling of intrusion still thrummed through Keigo’s veins, so after confirming the siblings would be fine alone in his apartment, he agreed.
The restaurant's private room is small, considering Nao’s lion physique and Hawks’ wings, but being cramped with cheap greasy food and good company makes it worth it. Chuckling over his beer, Nao gives him a fond look, “The last time it was just us you couldn’t even drink yet, could you Hawks-kun?”
Laughing Keigo gave a shrug, “I’m surprised you stuck by a precocious kid like me for so long, Nao-san. I can’t imagine what it was like calling someone over a decade younger than you ‘boss’!”
Nao’s smile turns wry as he chuckles, “For a precocious kid, you’ve made something impressive, Hawks-kun. I’ve had the honor to see you build your agency from what was given to you to something you can be proud of.” Shaking his head, mane bouncing with the movement, Nao hums, “I was very taken aback at our interview, you know. Just asking me out right when I could start, without an offer letter or anything!”
Keigo cringes, rubbing his neck, “I… really didn’t know what I was doing. I’m surprised you agreed to it, honestly. I was so unprofessional.”
Nao hums, leaning on his hand, “You know, I wasn’t going to initially. But something changed my mind.”
Frowning, Keigo’s head tilted, “What changed it?”
“When I mentioned Aya being my priority, you immediately accommodated my schedule so I could take care of my family.”
“Well… of course. You said you moved for your family, if I wanted you to work with me I had to keep that in mind,” Keigo feels his feathers flutter in confusion, wasn’t that just common sense?
Nao’s face becomes impossible fond, his eyes crinkling, “Most offices want work to be the priority. No other boss I had before I moved back from Tokyo would have let Miyako-chan and Aya-chan come and go as they pleased. Nevermind knowing and caring so much about them.”
“Oh right, how’s Aya-chan liking second grade? How was her first semester?” The small girl, the last time she had come to visit with her mother, had talked his ear off about how excited she was for the new school year. She had been particularly enthusiastic about the new pencil bag her mother had promised her.
“She’s enjoying it a great deal, her teacher sings her praises from here to Hokkaido whenever we have a meeting.” Chuckling, Nao smiles softly, “That’s exactly it, Hawks-kun. You could have easily been a hero like the Commission wanted. But you care, so much. About the people you save, about the people you’re fighting, about an eight year old girl and her schooling. You’ve grown into a good man, Hawks-kun.”
Maybe it’s the beer. Maybe it’s the emotions of watching Touya all day with his siblings. Maybe it’s five years of wanting. Whatever it is, Keigo gulps and stutters, “Keigo. It’s- My name. My name’s Takami Keigo.”
Nao is quiet, before nodding, “I am so, so, so very proud of you, Keigo-kun.”
Scrubbing at his eyes, Keigo laughs, “Yea- I- Thanks, dad-” Eyes widening, his hands shoot up to wave in front of his face, “I mean- That is- oh wow how much did I drink-!”
A flurry of feathers and fur settle, and Keigo finds himself in a soft warm hug as Nao’s purr vibrates their bodies, “You’ve made me the happiest father in the world, Keigo-kun.”
If Keigo cries, well that’s between him and his dad.
--
After calling Nao a ride and making sure Miyako knew to expect him, Keigo flies off to his apartment. They had definitely drank more and longer than either of them had intended to, which Keigo was now paying for with a shaky 1AM flight smelling of cheap beer.
It was worth it though, after that heart to heart.
He tried to land on the balcony quietly, really he did. He had no idea who moved that chair in the way, but it definitely wasn’t his fault. The fact that Touya was actually awake and at the balcony door giving him an unimpressed look definitely wasn’t helping.
Stumbling into the apartment, Touya shushes him before motioning to the couch where Natsuo was snoring away. Glancing down, Shouto’s distinct hair was sticking out from a bundle of blankets on the floor. Cringing, he gave a weak smile as Touya quietly ushered him back to their room.
As Keigo began wriggling out of his uniform, Touya flopped onto bed giving him a critical look, “You smell worse than the League’s first hideout.”
Keigo’s nose scrunches up, “What, the bar All Might and them smashed up? I just had a couple ‘f beers, I don’t smell that bad.” Finally free of his clothes, he pulls on fresh pajamas before rubbing his eyes, “Are all three of your siblings still here, Tou?”
“Mmm, yea. Yumi-chan’s in the guest room. It got too late for them all to take the train back to Shizuoka.”
“Makes sense,” shuffling over, Keigo drops a kiss on top of Touya’s head before hurrying to the bathroom and going through his night routine. By the time he gets back into their room, his boyfriend’s languidly laid out on his side of the bed with an arm out for Keigo to curl into.
Ah, I’m home.
Once settled on Touya’s chest, wings fanned out over them, Keigo chirps softly, “Sorry f’r not texting you I was gonna be late, Firefly.”
Touya’s fingers pause in his hair before going back to gently combing through, “‘s fine, song bird. You were out with Nao, ‘snot like it was the brats or bunny lady.”
“Mmm… I told Nao-san my name… and called him dad.”
Touya snorts, his arm tightening over him for a second, “Was this before or after you got plastered?”
“… Before. Only had a beer and a half by then. He said I make him the happiest father, Tou…”
Scarred fingers trace absent patterns in his hair, “How d’you feel? Someone else knowin’ your name?”
“Like I want my entire family to know…” Keigo can’t stop the small warble in his voice, sniffling, “I want to get to be me, Touya.”
Lips pressed softly to his hairline, Touya’s scratchy voice soothing like a lullaby, “Then you gotta open that cage you’re in, pretty bird.”
II --- II
Hisoka had insisted that Keigo sit in on her testimony, though he wasn’t even sure why. She looked bored more than anything, watching as Aizawa set up the polygraph machine and as Tsukauchi explained what was going to happen.
“Since quirk evidence isn’t allowed carte blanche in court, we’re going to use a three factor system. Along with the medical records you’re providing with the Todorokis’ permission, my sister and I will be using our quirks in tandem with a physical polygraph to support your testimony.”
Hisoka looked lazily over to the black haired woman sitting next to her, “And I have to hold your sister’s hand throughout because…?”
Makoto smiled as she hummed, “My quirk only works with physical contact, unlike Nao-nii’s.”
Hisoka sighed and held out her free hand to Makoto after Aizawa gave the all clear for the machine and camera, “Let’s get this over with.”
Nodding, the detective pulled out his notebook, “Let’s begin with, please tell us your name and age, Shibuya-san.”
“My name is Shibuya Hisoka, I am twenty four years old. I was born Hayashi Hisoka, but was adopted by the nurse at Shiketsu High, Shibuya Hiroshi.”
“Can you please tell us about your quirk?”
“My quirk is called Diagnosis. When I study someone for half a minute I get all their immediate physical medical issues in order of severity. For example, if I was doing triage on a medical emergency, my quirk would tell me the location and cause of severe internal bleeding before telling me about a first degree burn. In the case of a non emergency, I will know about any treatable immediate concerns followed by any chronic issues, such as I would know about a headache first before something like an old knee injury.” Shifting her legs, Hisoka sighed, “If I am also able to talk to my patient, I can get a read of their mental state. Such as the patient being in shock, experiencing increased anxiety or depression, or similar.”
Flipping a page, Tsukauchi continued, “Please explain your relationship with Todoroki Touya, recently known as ‘Dabi.’”
“When I was twelve, I was living on the streets with another kid with a mutation quirk. We saw a fire on Sekoto Peak, and in true twelve year old fashion we decided to investigate. We found Touya barely alive, more burns than person. Since I got my quirk, I always believed it meant I should help people if I could. When we heard sirens, Touya came to consciousness a little bit and begged us to help him. To get away. So my friend and I helped him.”
“And how exactly did you help him, Shibuya-san?”
“Once we got him off the mountain, I began treating his wounds as best I could. The other kid would go out and steal supplies for me. For about two years, we lived together on the streets like that. Until Touya was well enough to walk around and I was adopted.”
Flipping a page again, he hummed, “Next could you please explain what you learned about Todoroki's physical state during those years…”
Shooting Keigo a tired look, Hisoka dived into her story.
--
The next day, Keigo makes his way to Hisoka’s office already braced for a lecture. His last fight definitely left him with several sprains and twisted joints, and he didn’t particularly like the twinge he felt every time he moved his right wing a certain way.
Reaching her door, yelling from inside the room froze him in place. Hisoka rarely raised her voice, sure she’d snap and lecture but her lazy low alto was never far. Now, however…
“Stop being so fucking stubborn, Touya!”
“Then you stop fucking concerning yourself with me, brat!”
This wasn’t good, Keigo knew he should intervene but his feet were frozen where he was.
“When are you going to fuckin’ let it through your thickass head that Isamu-kun and I care about you!? Why won’t you even fuckin’ consider what I’m saying-!?”
“I don’t need to put up with this-”
“Don’t walk away from me, Touya-!”
Hisoka’s door slams open, Touya scowling in the doorway as smoke leaks from between his seams. Keigo stares at his boyfriend as he registers who’s in front of him. Hesitantly, Keigo lets out a small warble, “Tou…?”
Softening, Touya stoops down and presses a quick kiss to Keigo’s lips, “I’ll explain at home, Dove.” Before quickly leaving the hallway, leaving Keigo alone with Hisoka.
Stepping in and taking in her irritated posture, her ears pressed sharply back against her head, Keigo gives her a weak smile, “Hey, Hisoka-kun. I can go if now’s not a good time-”
“Get on the examination bed, Hawks-kun,” her short tail twitches in irritation behind her, as she paces around gathering supplies, “Have I ever told you how irritating your partner is, Hawks-kun? Because every day he tries my fucking patience.”
Cringing, Keigo spreads out his hurting wing, “What were you even arguing about?”
Busying herself with taking in his wounds Hisoka sighed, “I was trying to convince him to go get surgery once his name is cleared. His chronic pain can’t be completely solved but there’s some procedures we could do that would save him a lot of pain. But no, stubborn Touya’s convinced I just want to make him look more palatable.”
“Well, you know Touya, he doesn’t trust anyone. Especially not surgeons who’d have him sedated for who knows how long.”
Hisoka just rolled her eyes at him, “I explained to the idiot that I’d be one of those surgeons, but no, just his usual bullshit.”
Keigo frowned, “You would…? They’d let a medical student in the surgery room?”
She blinks, head tilting, “... Oh I forgot to tell you with everything… Well, I got my doctorate, took the Rules of Enjuin oath the other month and everything. Sensei has some colleagues he’s put me in contact with that know some procedures we could do to help Touya…”
“Ah…” Hisoka already got her doctorate so… Giving her a weak smile, Keigo twisted his fingers, “Congrats, Hisoka-kun. You always talked about how you wanted to be a doctor… Will you, uhm, at least stay until I can figure out a replacement for you? It’ll be hard to find someone who knows heteromorphic biology like you…”
“... What the actual fuck are you going on about.”
“H-Huh? Well, you always wanted to be a doctor so I figured…”
Snorting she pops one of his joints back into place, “You’re real stupid, Hawks-kun. All that’s changing is you giving me an appropriate raise.” Sniffing, she moved on to look over his wing, “Like hell I’m going to let any other upstart take care of you idiots.”
Silence fell over them as Keigo thought and Hisoka worked. Quietly, in the still office, she murmured, “Yoneda told me your birth name is redacted from all your files. They really made you feel like no one would want you past that persona of yours didn’t they?”
Keigo nods slowly, watching her quietly. “... It’s Takami Keigo.”
Pausing, Hisoka smiles softly up at him, “... Good to meet you, Keigo-kun. Now stop getting hurt like a fucking idiot, I thought you were a professional.”
Laughing, Keigo shakes his head, “Sorry, sorry, Hisoka-kun.”
—
Keigo comes home to the smell of a home cooked meal permeating the apartment and Touya pacing in the kitchen. Taking his boots off in the genkan, he listens to the clang of the pots and pans.
So, still upset but not about to catch fire then.
No matter how quiet Keigo intends to be, he knows the second Touya hears the click of his talons when his boyfriend looks up from the stove. Bright blue eyes pin him in place, until Touya lets out a slow sigh and nods towards the kitchen island. Taking the cue, Keigo perches on one of the stools to watch as the other works, “What’s for dinner?”
Touya taps his cooking chopsticks against the pot, “Sansai soba. I made some toriten on the side for you, cannibal chicken.”
Laughing, Keigo grins back at him, “You’re too good for me, staples.”
“I know,” Touya makes a show of rolling his eyes at him, but Keigo can see the small twitch of a smile.
As he gets the plates and bowls ready, Keigo’s wings twitch anxiously, “... I’ve never heard Hisoka-kun yell like that, you know.”
Pouring the broth into the bowls, Touya gives a slow sigh, “... She doesn’t. Usually. She was being unreasonable.”
“About the surgery?”
A curse, “Of fucking course she told you.”
“I was stuck with her for a bit, so it was bound to come out…” At Touya’s pinched look, Keigo carefully holds up his still aching wing, “Got thrown into a building during patrol, she had to run a bunch of tests to make sure the bones were all good.”
“Kei-”
“I’m fine, Tou. Even if you’re mad at her, you know Hisoka-kun’s good at what she does.” He still looks unconvinced, but Keigo shakes his head, “I mean, did you know she’s an actual doctor now? I have to give her such a huge raise.”
Plates clink on the counter as Touya takes a seat with a sigh, “... she mentioned when we were arguing. Couldn’t just tell everyone like a normal fuckin’ person.”
Picking up his chopsticks, Keigo chewed his lip for a moment, “What’s the real reason you’re so against it?”
Touya growls lowly, “I don’t need some fuckin’ cosmetic surgery just so I look less fuckin’- scary or some shit-”
Keigo frowned, “Ok, I know for a fact Hisoka-kun wouldn’t propose a cosmetic surgery-”
“She said fuckin’ fix my skin-”
“Touya-”
“What, you want me to look like some- fuckin’ pretty little arm candy, Keigo-!?”
“Stop yelling and listen to me for a fuckin’ second, Touya!” Wide blue eyes blink at him, Touya’s chest stuttering up and down rapidly. Grabbing his hand, Keigo flexes his wings briefly, “Try and remember for a second, I fell in love with you as you are now. A crusty walking zombie movie ad, remember?”
Touya’s lips twitch slightly, “Shit taste, birdie.”
Keigo squeezes his hand, “ Exactly. I love you, too many piercings and shitty personality and everything. And you know Hisoka-kun hates people who put too much stock in just looks.” Sighing, Keigo closes his eyes, “Your scars and staples cause you pain , Tou. You’ve told me yourself that at a baseline your pain is a ten out of ten.”
“I’ve been dealing with that for a decade, I don’t need fixing, Keigo.”
“Hisoka-kun and I don’t want to fix you, Touya. We care about you and want to help you, ok…?” Sighing, he let go of Touya’s hand and picked up his chopsticks, “At least try to hear her out some time, ok?”
“... Fine, I’ll hear her out. Eat your food, pretty bird, it’ll get cold.”
I love you.
“Yea, yea, thanks for the food, firefly.”
I love you, too.
III --- III
To: Aizawa Shouta ([email protected])
From: Kimura Yasu ([email protected])
Subject: Contacts
Body:
Eraserhead,
92-1xxx-xxxx
92-2xxx-xxxx
95-81xx-xxxx
95-82xx-xxxx
54-1xxx-xxxx
54-2xxx-xxxxIf you call those numbers and say that Kimura is calling in a favor, they should be able to give you information you’ll need on C.
54-12xx-xxxx
54-22xx-xxxx
77-61xx-xxxx
77-62xx-xxxx
58-1xxx-xxxx
58-2xxx-xxxx
The same as above but they’ll know what you need on E.
Kimura
To: Kimura Yasu ([email protected])
From: Aizawa Shouta ([email protected])
Subject: RE: Contacts
Body:
Kimura
Before I use these contacts, I’ll need to know some things. How do they have this information, and how do they owe you?Eraserhead
To: Aizawa Shouta ([email protected])
From: Kimura Yasu ([email protected])
Subject: RE: Re: Contacts
Body:
They’re various people I know, some of them are civilians, some journalists, some workers at different hero agencies. Their information is from personal experiences.
“Owe” me is a strong word… They’re friends, or friends of friends. If I haven’t helped them recently, they know I’ll help them soon for this.
To: Kimura Yasu ([email protected])
From: Aizawa Shouta ([email protected])
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Contacts
Body:
Your network is impressive, Kimura.
--
Yasu’s sitting on Keigo’s desk, as usual, when he comes in from patrol. Focused on her phone, she waves at a small stack of papers on his desk, “I saw the news about your patrol, so I got the paperwork you’ll need ready.”
Flopping into his seat, Keigo gave her a thankful smile, “Where would I be without you, Yasu-kun?”
Looking away from her phone, Yasu smirks, “Probably under a mountain of paperwork.”
“You’re not wrong,” laughing Keigo began thumbing through the papers. The easy quiet between them is familiar, comforting after years working together. A thought strikes him as Keigo chews his lip, “Hey, Yasu-kun.
“Mhmm, Hawks-kun?”
“You’ve been working here for four years, right?” Once she nods, Keigo hums softly, “What is it you want to do? I can’t imagine you want to be a personal assistant forever.”
Yasu pauses, looking away from her phone with a curious expression, “...Are you looking to replace me, Hawks-chan?”
Keigo quickly shook his head, “Not at all, Yasu-kun. Just… curious I guess. Helping me out all the time can’t be your dream.”
“...Hawks-chan, you know how your mutation also gave you control over your feathers?” Blinking over the sudden statement, Keigo nods slowly, “And Tokoyami-kun’s classmate, Froppy, how her frog mutation is more than appearances?”
“...Yes.”
Tapping the desk, Yasu let out a soft breath, “‘Fennec fox’ doesn’t really… give anything, you know? Other than kinda good hearing… technically other than my mutation, I’m quirkless.” As he blinked, she gave him a wry smile, “No one thinks about that though, so while I only get anti-heteromorphic comments and not anti-quirkless comments… people don’t react well.”
“Yasu-kun…”
“But… here, you always accommodate all of our mutations. I almost cried when you asked me to order that chair for Takashi-kun. No one cares that I’m a mutant, or that I have no additional quirk…” Yasu’s smile is watery as she beams at him, “My dream was to get by and not make waves… but I found a home and family here with your agency. So, as long as you’ll have me here, Hawks-chan, I want to stay.”
Sniffling, Keigo scrubbed under his nose, “You can’t just say something like that and then call me my hero name, Yasu-kun…”
Laughing in spite of the tears dampening her fur, she shoved his shoulder, “Well I can’t call you a name I don’t know! This has been a very one sided friendship all these years you know!”
A small smile flickers across his lips, “It’s Keigo, now we’re even.”
Yasu’s grin is blinding, “Well, Keigo-chan, you’ll have to do a whole lot to get rid of me, alright? Way better than telling me your super secret civilian name.”
“Why would I do that? I’d drown in paperwork without you, you said it yourself.”
Snorting, she leaned back and picked her phone back up, “Hmm, who’s to say, maybe I’ll steal Yoneda-san’s job from him and then he’d have to actually find work to do.”
Keigo chuckles as he turns back to his papers, “Don’t do that to him, Yasu-kun, I’m not sure he even knows what a file cabinet is.”
--
Their bedroom is quiet except for the slowing pace of their breaths. Touya, sweating and disheveled, kicks him weakly, “It’s your turn to clean up.”
Grumbling, Keigo curls up tighter under his wings, “So sexy, keeping track of turns, Touya…” after several more kicks, he lets out a small whine, “Touya- stop kicking me-”
“I’ll stop kicking you once you get up, th’ faster you get it done the faster we can go to sleep.”
Keigo snorts, “Aw, staples, you wanna cuddle me that bad? So sweet-”
“I just know you’re a cuddle slut, get th’ fuck up already.”
Thankfully, Keigo’s feathers make quick work of it, even if Touya teases him about being lazy and dependent on his quirk. Even still, his complaints quiet once Keigo settles on his chest, nose buried in the crook of Touya’s neck.
Peace settles over them, the soft noises of the apartment a familiar lullaby as Keigo murmurs, “I had a talk with Yasu-kun today that got me thinking.”
He feels more than hears Touya snort into his hair, “And you say my pillowtalk is shit.”
A wing halfheartedly hits Touya’s leg as Keigo rolls his eyes, “Because it is. Just hear me out.”
“Alright, go ahead then, song bird.”
For a moment, Keigo closes his eyes and focuses on the nonsense patterns traced over his lower back, “After all of this is done, best case scenario, what do you want to do?”
Touya is quiet for longer than usual, voice barely a whisper, “What do you mean?”
“I mean… once your name is cleared, and Endeavor’s out of the picture, what do you want to do? You said it yourself that you’re not a kept man, so… what d’you wanna do?”
“Maybe I’ve decided I like being your pet villain. Maybe I want to be a sugar baby, or trophy husband. Whatever you wanna call it.”
Keigo snorts, despite himself, “You’d be a really hot sugar baby, firefly. But I know when you’re deflectin’.”
Fingers tense over his hip, staples pinching his skin for the briefest of moments before Touya relaxes, “...Aizawa’s told me about the rehab program I’m gonna have to go through if everything works out. ‘Sa lot of therapy, one on one and group. Community service shit too.”
“Yea, but like, that’s what you’re gonna hafta do. What do you wanna do, Tou?”
“You sure you’re not a dog? You’re like a fuckin’ puppy with a stick…” groaning, Touya’s head rolls back. “... Yumi-chan sent me some programs to look at. To get my high school diploma, so I can look at universities.”
Keigo lifts his head, tilting it to the side and letting out a curious chirp, “University? What’re you thinkin’?”
Touya pulls his head back to his chest, “Shhh no, go to sleep, it’s night time birdie.”
Squawking, Keigo wriggles his head out of Touya’s hold, “It is night time but, c’mon! Tell me!”
“It’s stupid, just some stupid idea.”
“Try me.”
Touya’s look screams annoyed until he sighs and closes his idea, “... Kyudai has a good law program, and Fukuoka Prefectural has a good social work degree.” Blue eyes watch him wearily as Touya sighs, “I… It was an idea, Isamu and I had when we were kids. T’ make a program to help kids who get discriminated, because of their quirks. Like ‘im and Hisoka. Or kids with ‘villain’ quirks like Toga did. I ‘unno how to make it happen… but those two seem to be the degrees I’ll need, right?”
Keigo knows his smile is sappy and dumb, but he can’t push it away, “... You’re a good man, Tou. That’d be awesome.”
“Ugh- shut up, get that gross ass face under control, featherbrain.”
If anything, Keigo’s grin grows as he coos, “But, Tou, you wanna stay in Kyushu with me! You really love me!”
This time, when Touya smooshes Keigo’s face into his scarred chest, he continues to laugh and coo as the other man hisses, “Shut up- Go to sleep- It’s night, go to sleep like a good bird-”
IV --- IV
The trial of the Todorokis v Todoroki Enji is as loud as Keigo honestly expected it to be, especially considering how much information Aizawa is trying to keep inside the courtroom. Even with all that said, Keigo’s surprised it’s been relatively peaceful on his patrols.
Sure the odd reporter or two will approach and ask him for his statement as colleague and mentor to the youngest Todoroki, but that was it. And the stock response of ‘I hope due process is served and my thoughts are with those involved’ that Yasu and Takashi had prepared usually serves him well. But otherwise, he’s barely bothered and all the Todorokis seem to be harassment-free.
Really, he should have realized something was up.
It’s Yasu who figures it out, coming in one morning with his coffee and frowning at her phone. Accepting the drink, he tilts his head, “Don’t tell me I’m in another tabloid, I swear I didn’t do anything, Yasu-kun.”
Fingers flickering over the screen, Yasu shakes her head, “No that’s not… Well, you are, someone caught a photo of you flying into a window, but that’s not it…”
Placing her phone down, face up on his desk, she points to the screen with a furrowed brow, “I was scrolling through twitter and noticed some trending hashtags… and well, just follow me here, ok?”
Trending Tags - Japan
…
3. #IStandWithVictims
4. #BehindClosedDoors
…
6. #NotMyNo1
Miru,, ko @...
U never want to believe it,,, but like, those videos were too much #IStandWithVictims #BehindClosedDoors #NotMyNo1
Illegal Denim?? Pls Explain @...
Did you see his kids face in both of those??? That’s not the face of sm1 that feels safe w their father… #IStandWithVictims #BehindClosedDoors #NotMyNo1Endeav-no @...
“You’re my greatest creation” bro,,, that’s a child #IStandWithVictims #BehindClosedDoors #NotMyNo1
Too Much Cancel Culture… @...
C’mon, I’m sure all of this is wildly out of context. He’s a great hero, he’s no.1 for a reason y’know
Praise Be Rat God @...
None of this is abt him being a hero tho, it’s abt how he treated his fam. It’s not v Endeavor. His oldest thought it was safer to be thought D E A D for a decade than go home dude… #IStandWithVictims #BehindClosedDoors #NotMyNo1
Hands Rated E For Everyone @...
Did you even see the second video??? His kid’s training to be a frickin hero, there’s videos of him facing down villains like nothing! But alone w his dad? Terrified. Doesn’t sit well man #IStandWithVictims #BehindClosedDoors #NotMyNo1
Frowning, Keigo looks up at Yasu, “What… What videos are they talking about? Aizawa didn’t say anything about putting any of the video evidence out to the public.”
Pulling her phone back and tapping a few times, her ears twitch in agitation, “I was wondering that too, but then I found these. They look like reposts too, not the original account that posted them.”
Endeavor Defamation Account @...
Since the original tweets got taken down, I’m gonna post ‘em since I managed to get them #IStandWithVictims #BehindClosedDoors #NotMyNo1
[ Video Attachment: A security cam video from the UA sports arena, dated for the previous year. Endeavor and Shouto are alone in a hallway, their voices faint but the video has been captioned. ]Endeavor Defamation Account @...
And the second one cw, VERY clear beginning of a panic attack #IStandWithVictims #BehindClosedDoors #NotMyNo1
[ Video Attachment: Security cam video from the UA sports arena, dated for the current year. Endeavor and Shouto are alone in a stairwell, Endeavor gesticulating wildly with his voice steadily rising. Shouto, unlike the last year, is curling up into himself with each movement. The camera angle just catches the widening of his eyes and the rapid raising of his chest. The video is also captioned. ]
“How did… where did…” Yasu looks just as confused as Keigo feels, her lip caught by her teeth.
Pocketing her phone, she finally sighs, “I… have no proof. No one can prove it but… I think Takashi-kun might have…”
Nodding slowly, Keigo took a sip of his rapidly cooling coffee, “... Takashi-kun is pretty scary, aren’t they…?”
“... Really scary, Keigo-chan.”
--
When Keigo goes to Takashi’s desk, they’re working away on their tablet like nothing is happening in the world. Which, maybe to them, nothing is. From what he and Yasu saw, all Takashi potentially could have done was posted two videos and make a few tweets. They couldn’t even find any trace back to the Hawks Watch account or any of Takashi’s personal accounts they know of.
Sitting down at their desk, Takashi looks up with a blinding smile, “Hawks-san! How are you today?”
Keigo can’t help but smile back, their joy too infectious, “I’m good, Takashi-kun. You?”
“I’m well! How can I help you?”
Keigo chews his lip before sighing, “... Takashi-kun, were you the one to post those videos of Endeavor and Shouto-kun at the Sports Festival?”
Takashi’s face chills, their antennae drooping, “... According to Article 38-”
“Enough- about Article 38, Takashi-kun,” shaking his head, Keigo pulls his visor and headphones off. Scooching his chair closer, he drops his voice, “Right now, I’m not Hawks. I’m not questioning you, I’m not collecting evidence. I’m Takami Keigo, asking because a video of my boyfriend’s little brother in a vulnerable moment was just posted online.”
Takashi’s eyes widen, hands wringing together as Keigo lets out a slow sigh, “So, I’ll ask again, Takashi-kun. Did you post those videos of Shouto-kun?”
“I-I uhm. That is. Uhm… Y-Yes, Takami-san. I did.”
Keigo flinched, shaking his head, “Hey… look I know I’m being intense right now but… Keigo is fine. I wanted to tell you under better circumstances, but I needed you to talk to me.” Once Takashi nods, Keigo continues, “Now, Takashi-kun, how exactly did you get those videos? UA has a notoriously dense system.”
“Uhm… You know Principal Nedzu?” Once Keigo nods, Takashi’s wings flutter restlessly, “We uhm… He doesn’t really like humans but, uhm… We’re friends on a computer programming forum, it’s a long story. He uhm… helped.”
Rubbing his temples, Keigo nodded slowly, “Yea I- sure. Why not. Is that your quirk, Takashi-kun? Hacking? Or computer programming?”
Chewing their lip, Takashi shakes their head, “N-No, it’s Surveillance. I can uhm, if I know someone’s alias and I’ve seen them once, I know when they show up on any form of camera. In range, that is.” Eyes flickering around, Takashi deflates, “I didn’t… uhm, want to tell you. It’s uhm… a lot of people tell me it’s a villain quirk. I-It did get me interested in photography and coding though!”
Slowly, carefully, Keigo places a hand on one of Takashi’s wrists, “Hey. There’s no good or bad quirk, just how people use it.” Smiling softly, he gave their wrist a small squeeze, “I think you would have done amazing things, if you wanted to use it as a hero. But I’m glad to have someone amazing like you in my family, Takashi-kun.”
Sniffling, Takashi gave a watery smile, “R-Really, Keigo-san?”
“Yea, Takashi-kun, just… maybe don’t post videos of Shouto-kun like that again?”
Takashi’s wings flicker uneasily, before they shake their head, “You’re not on social media really, Keigo-san… you didn’t see the things people were saying about Shouto-kun and his family on there. I know why Aizawa-san wanted to keep the information private but… I had to do something.”
Keigo smiles, letting out a soft sigh, “Sounds pretty heroic, Takashi-kun.”
“Hah… yea, I guess, Keigo-san.”
--
Ever since Shouto brought Natsuo and Fuyumi that first time, there is always a non-zero chance that Keigo will enter his own home and find more than one Todoroki present. Shouto and Touya, Natsuo and Touya, Fuyumi and Touya, hell all four of them, were all separate and manageable situations.
Natsuo, Shouto, and Touya without Fuyumi was completely different.
Which of course is what Keigo comes home to, chaos in the form of three brothers.
Of course, Keigo knew how people probably perceived the three of them, if they knew nothing about Touya’s history as Dabi. Cool, collected, fitting of the traditional upbringing and money that came with their name. Maybe tea ceremonies and expensive food, polite speech perhaps.
Not food wrappers and drinks scattered across the living room, Mario Kart frozen on a results screen on the television, and Touya and Shouto on the floor while Natsuo holds a carton of eggs and a package of bacon.
They all freeze, Keigo and the brothers all staring at one another. Slowly shucking his jacket off along with his visor and headphones, Keigo looks over Shouto’s exposed left leg and Touya’s shirtless chest, “... Cooking contest?”
Natsuo holds up the food in explanation, “Wanted to see who could cook them better and faster.”
Shouto looks at him with his usual blank face, “It’s obviously going to be me.”
Kicking at Shouto, Touya looks pointedly at him, “Tell this idiot it’s going to be me, Kei.”
Blinking slowly, Keigo nods, “Neither, Touya’s going to incinerate it by accident and Shouto’s leg hair is going to get stuck in it.”
Affronted yells follow Keigo back to the room, two distinct voices calling him a traitor. By the time he comes back out, pajamas on, he’s greeted by the distinct smell of burned bacon and eggs.
Natsuo’s on the floor, cackling. Shouto’s nowhere to be seen while Touya is sulking in the kitchen next to the garbage can. Fluttering over to his boyfriend, Keigo snorts as he presses a kiss to Touya’s cheek, “So who won?”
Touya’s glare was scathing, his eyes narrowed, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
V --- V
Of Keigo’s family, even with how secretly terrifying Takashi is, Isamu is the most unpredictable of them. Blithely dropping information, disappearing at random, if not appearing unprompted where no one expects him. So when Isamu catches Keigo outside of the agency he’s no more surprised than usual, that is until he smiles wide and says,
“Hey, Hawks, glad I caught you. Consider this my official resignation, kay?”
Keigo’s wings flutter anxiously, eyes darting around the public street, “I- What? Yoneda-san what do you-”
Laughing, the silver eyed man wraps an arm around Keigo’s shoulder with a grin, “Yep! Last day! Last minute? Either way, I quit. It’s been good! Fun! I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
Keigo’s mind reels, the illusion Isamu maintains on him whenever he goes out, the illusion he maintains on Touya, his family , all running through his mind, “Is there- Can you tell me why-? Is- Are you overworked?”
Squeezing his shoulders, Isamu gently taps their heads together, “Hey, hey, don’t get like that, Hawks! You trust me, right?”
“I-... Yea, I do, Isamu-kun.”
Letting him go, he shoves his hands into his suit pockets, “Then trust me now, ok? It’ll all make sense soon.”
Keigo tries, he tries so hard, to believe in Isamu’s words. His words rings in his head as the absence of family echoes in his heart. Confusion and hurt all blur his vision until he’s frozen in the break room, grabbing a coffee with Nao, as the news channel plays.
There, with Tsukauchi and Aizawa, Tsuragamae standing behind them, Isamu stands in front of the camera without his illusion. No disaffected grin, just a determined set to his brow as he stares straight at all who see him,
“My name is Yoneda Isamu, I am a former employee of the Hero Safety Public Commission. And today I am here to prove their mistreatment of the heroes under their control, whose numbers include the current Number One hero Hawks. As well as their assistance in cover ups on behalf of heroes, including the now disgraced hero Endeavor.”
Keigo stares, wide eyed, as Nao lets out a soft whistle beside him, “No one can predict Isamu-kun, huh…”
--
With the HSPC’s doors closed, and the heroes trying to figure out what to even do in the wake of the trial, the last person Keigo expects to see is Isamu. Which, really, is on him, Keigo realizes as a clearly confused Yasu opens the door for a smug looking Isamu.
Mouth hanging open, Keigo watches as Isamu drops into the chair across the desk. Hysterically, Keigo notes that he’s wearing a different suit than he did when he worked for the Commission. “Isamu-kun…? What are you… uhm… You quit?”
The man rolls his neck, humming lightly, “Yep! I’m here to apply for your open manager position! Since the Commission’s defunct, you don’t have a handler to fill the spot anymore, right?”
Keigo nods slowly, “I- yea- I mean, I haven’t even listed the position yet-”
Isamu continues on, unbothered by Keigo’s stuttered words, “It’s crazy! Did you know that if you’re a known whistleblower, cushy office jobs don’t want to hire you? Pretty suspect, right?” Laughing, he shakes his head, “Ah that’s what I get for actually trying to do something, something being around a hero all the time must have corrupted me.”
A small smile twitches across Keigo’s lips, despite the confusion, “Usually, it’s not the heroes doing the corruption, Isamu-kun.”
“You say that! But look at what you’ve done to me and Touya-kun! Even Hisoka-chan!” Pressing the back of his hand to his forehead, Isamu wilts against his chair, “We were good, upstanding street urchins! We hated heroes and their society! I was coasting, leaching from their money, Touya-kun was burning it all down! Hisoka-chan was going to bleed them dry for medical bills! But nooo, one virtuous bird came and showed us the light or something.”
Shaking his head, Keigo snorts, “Right right, so what if I don’t want you as my manager, Isamu-kun? What will you do?”
“... Do you think the Whistleblower would be a good villain name?”
“Ehh… maybe for businesses who fear their auditors.”
“Ah damn, that’s totally low ball stuff. How am I supposed to show up Touya-kun like that?” Isamu’s still grinning at him, relaxed and here .
Crossing his arms, Keigo gave him a long look, “Well, alright, to keep you from a life of crime, how about you tell me why I should hire you, Isamu-kun?”
Isamu leans forward, lacing his fingers together, “Well… I got you your name back, didn’t I? Keigo-kun?”
“Yea, I guess you did, Isamu-kun.” Leaning back, Keigo smirked at the man, “... You’re gonna have to do actual work this time though. Actually be my manager.”
“Is it too late to turn to a life of crime?”
“Mmm probably, Yasu-kun definitely heard us and is definitely texting the rest.”
Snapping his fingers, Isamu grins, “Ah damn, guess I’m stuck with you all.”
--
In the quiet of night, Keigo and Touya both stare at the ceiling of the bedroom.
“We’re both free.”
“No more cage, birdie.”
“What do we even do now?”
A grin, “Whatever we damn well want.”
+1 --- +1
By the end of March of the next year, Keigo and Touya’s apartment is full of more people than they’d ever had. Both of their families, their family, fill the space with chatter and laughter.
In the living room, Natsuo, Shouto, Fumikage, and Takashi all play Mario Kart and other games, Dark Shadow flitting above them and cheering. Natsuo’s loud trash talk met by Shouto’s snide comments and Fumikage’s obtuse observations. All while Takashi quietly thrashes all of them.
On the balcony, Touya, Hisoka, and Isamu lean against the rail. Touya’s smoking habit had faded away with time, becoming more of a social inclination. Which Keigo sees now, the three the source of matching trails of smoke.
Fuyumi and Yasu sit in the hallway, watching with interest as Aya tells them all about what she wants for the next school year. The Quilin heteromorph girl chattered happily, both of the young women encouraging her with soft words and questions.
Leaving Rei, Nao and Miyako speaking calmly at the kitchen island. The Todorokis’ mother had taken like a fish to water to Keigo’s patchwork family, soft smiles and warm words to everyone who greets her. Keigo can’t help but grin as Nao gushes over his children to Rei, catching the proud look Nao shoots at him as he does.
Closing his eyes, Keigo breaths. Kilometers from where his apartment was, there was once a shack where an unwanted child lived. A living representation of a cage built by an unwell mother for an uncaring murderer and thief forced into fatherhood. Even when they had heat, that shack had been an unbearably cold place where nothing grew.
A familiar warmth lands on his shoulder, wind-mussed white hair greeting him as he opens his eyes. Sharp blue eyes, open and warm, crinkle at him as Touya presses their foreheads together, “You still with us, pretty bird?”
“Mm, yea just taking it all in.”
Gaze flickering, Touya gives a soft hum, “Feels like a dream, right?”
Keigo traces a talon lightly over Touya’s jaw, knuckle curling to brush against the seam, “I’m glad you’re here, Touya.”
I love you.
Touya smiles, eyes closing, “Welcome home, Keigo.”
I love you too.