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A/N honestly I hadn't expected to come back to this anytime soon. And I was right. Sorry, everyone! But Merry Christmas Shiro! This is for you! Also if you have requests don't hesitate to come and hang out in my discord server or Tumblr. Links are in my profile. Anons are welcome.
Prompt: “It’s okay, I’m here.”
...
Naomasa hadn't expected it to be easy to earn Izuku's trust. Even when the child declared that he would believe in Naomasa. It was a start but he still caught the wary glances sent to him. Belief did not mean trust he realized belatedly. Given how the world viewed the quirkless he shouldn't have been surprised. It was a miracle that Izuku wasn't constantly watching him.
When the doctor came in he could however see the defensiveness enter Izuku. He openly glared at the doctor who did his best to ignore the glares. Instead, he went about his duties in checking to ensure the injuries from Stain had healed.
Thankfully they had healed. There wouldn't be any permanent damage just a scar. The scar would forever be a reminder of the hero in training he had risked everything for.
The doctor did however turn to Naomasa and said, "While his injuries are healed there are a few things I'm worried about. The paperwork has you declared his temporary guardian as he is 16. I want to put him on a strict dietary regime immediately. He is missing vital nutrients and it has made his bones and immune system weak. If this is not fixed he will have significant issues down the road."
Naomasa saw the way Izuku tensed from the corner of his eye. For the moment he didn't comment on it. He had suspected there would be a special diet required for the child.
Calmly he said, "Make a list of what he needs. I'll ensure that he gets it."
The doctor nodded before he left the room. They insisted on keeping Izuku for a few more hours to ensure that he didn't have adverse reactions. At one point the doctor had pulled him aside. Due to his age and quirk status, Izuku didn't require a guardian anymore. He was technically an adult the moment he turned 14. If the boy wanted to he could leave and unless Naomasa arrested him, there was no legal way to stop him. Legally there wasn't even a reason to arrest him. Vigilante laws didn't apply as he was quirkless.
It wasn't until that evening that he was allowed to take Izuku back to his apartment. Naomasa had asked Eraserhead to bring clothes for Izuku. The hero had a son about the same age. While big on the child they were warm. Later he would take Izuku shopping if he was given permanent guardianship.
The trip back to his apartment was made in silence. Izuku wouldn't even look at him instead of choosing to look out the car window. Naomasa kept his eyes on the road as much as he could. Still, his curiosity ate at him.
When they arrived at his apartment Izuku jumped out. Naomasa used his key to open the door to his apartment. It was a dual-floor apartment one of the few in the complex. It had given him a few extra rooms that he used as an office and storage space. Yamada and Nemuri had offered to clear out the storage room for him as well as get a bed.
Izuku asked when Naomasa closed the door, "What do you expect from me?"
Naomasa removed his coat and hung it up as he said, "Nothing. I want to help you gain a healthy amount of weight. Principal Nezu wants to meet you but that can wait until you're ready."
Izuku blinked at him in surprise before asking, "Why does he want to meet me?"
Naomasa smiled softly as he replied, "Because of your actions. You saved one of his students at the risk of your own life. If you hadn't young Iida would have died. Not only that but you gave myself and the heroes the go around for over a year."
"So?"
"Well there are rules," he continued as he moved to the kitchen, "About vigilante being able to stay uncaptured for more than a year. A vigilante can attend a hero school as a student. Of course, the student has to provide proof they were the vigilante. Such as bringing in the gear. However, I saw you for myself and Nezu has agreed to you joining 1-A. He wants to speak to you first."
"Oh," whispered Izuku sounding small.
He looked at Izuku who was still standing just outside of the doorway. His usually vibrant green eyes were dulled.
Naomasa opened his mouth to say something but he was interrupted, "I think I'm going to go lay down."
Naomasa sighed, "Okay kiddo. Your room is on the last on the left."
Izuku nodded before heading up the stairs leaving him alone. This was going to be harder than he thought. Izuku had decided to believe in him but that didn't mean he trusted him.
Trust was going to be key if this was going to work. Otherwise, Izuku would leave and return to wherever he had been living before. If his blood results were any indication that wasn't suitable. All he wanted was for Izuku was to be safe and happy.
Shaking his head he had to get started on dinner. According to the diet plan, Izuku needed plain light on the stomach foods. Small meals with plenty of snacks so that he move up to eating full meals again.
Naomasa was halfway through making a simple chicken noodle soup. It had chicken as well as carrots in it. His phone went off startling him.
He answered placing his phone between his ear and shoulder, "Tsukauchi."
"Detective," came a familiar voice, "This is Doctor Banks at Musutafu Veterinary Clinic."
Naomasa stiffened as he asked, "What can I do for you doctor?"
Banks replied formally, "I wish to inform you that the wolf-dog Luka will be available to be picked up tomorrow. His surgery went well and he came out of surgery equally as well. He is awake and has been fed and given water."
Naomasa let out a sigh of relief as he said, "That's good, doctor. I know you don't usually see hybrids but thank you for making an exception."
Banks said, "It's fine. I owed Nezu a favor he called in. We will call it even as long as he doesn't bite anyone."
"Thank you."
With that, the line clicked. He let out a breath. That was good. While he had told Izuku Luka survived they weren't sure how much damage had been done by Stain. If there had been any permanent damage Banks would have mentioned it.
Finishing dinner only took a few minutes after that. Setting two bowls on the table and called out, "Izuku food is ready!"
Dinner was eaten in equal silence as the car ride. Naomasa wanted to put him at ease but didn't know how to go about it. He wasn't used to having someone sharing his apartment. Especially not on a semi-permanent basis.
Izuku only finished half of his bowl before he asked to be excused. Reluctantly he gave the okay. He could try talking to Izuku in the morning. Tonight could be used for relaxing and getting used to staying in the house.
Naomasa cleaned up from dinner and then headed up to his office. When he entered the office he left the door open so that if Izuku wanted to talk to him he could. It also allowed him to hear if there were any issues.
An unknown amount time later had him buried under his paperwork. As usual, he wanted to bang his head into his desk. Reports were the most annoying thing in this world. That he would swear by.
Naomasa heard what he thought was a sob as he finished a sentence. Freezing he lay the pen on his desk to listen. He heard the sob again and this time he knew that it was a sob.
Pushing his chair back he swiftly made his way to the extra bedroom. He hesitated at the closed door not wanting to intrude on Izuku's privacy. Being alone for as long as he had been it would be important to Izuku.
When the sob came again he knocked before opening the door. Izuku was laying in the middle of a queen-sized bed. The sheets were entangled all around him. It was obvious the kid was stuck in the middle of a nightmare.
Slowly he approached and sat on the edge of the bed. In low soothing tones, he spoke, "It's okay Izuku. It's just a nightmare. You're safe now. Come on kiddo."
After a moment he reached out and rubbed soothing circles on the kid's back. The thrashing continued for a while but slowly the nightmare lost its hold. Naomasa continued speaking in low reassuring tones.
Naomasa was surprised when a hand grabbed onto his pants leg. In a weak voice, Izuku asked, "Don't leave. Please."
Naomasa's hand paused before continuing as he said, "Of course not. I'll be here for as long as you need me."
Another sob escaped him. Naomasa had to wonder what the nightmare was about. There were many things it could have been the nightmare. What little information they had gathered had not been happy.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked as he rubbed the child's back.
Vehemently Izuku denied it. Soothingly Naomasa said, "It’s okay, I’m here. It's okay."