Work Text:
Two weeks before Christmas
“Are you sure you want to be here?” Nana said. She wasn’t entirely sure who it was aimed at. Hana, or herself.
Next to her, Hana said. “I wanted to visit here. At least once.”
Nana looked at the skeleton of fresh wood. A new house to finish this neighborhood. A new house to hide the ghosts of the old one. Nana closed her eyes. She could see it. The fear in her son’s eyes. The feral rage in her grandson’s. All while her granddaughter lay sleeping far away, saved by the very monster conducting this symphony of misery. Said monster grinned as her grandson reached down and-
Nana opened her eyes. She couldn’t bear to think of that. She just couldn’t. Next to her, Hana stepped forward.
“Hana, what are you doing?” Nana said.
“I want to have a look,” Hana said, walking into the frame. She paused at the outline of a stairwell, tapping the sides, while walking straight through where the steps would go. Using her quirk, Hana floated toward the second floor.
“Hana, you’re not supposed to be here! Besides, this is a construction site! It’s not safe!”
Hana stopped at the opening to the next floor. “Didn’t you explore places like this when you were a kid?”
“That’s beside the point!”
Hana nodded, then went up anyway. Nana rolled her eyes and climbed after her, using her balance with a little help from her quirk.
Hana was on the other side of the room, running her hand against a wall.
“Hana!” Nana said.
“It’s so weird. That this will all be a house. Did our house look like this?” She floated up to the partially-built roof. “It’s kinda cool.”
“Yeah, great. Let’s go.”
“But Nana!”
“Hana!”
Hana groaned and floated down. “But I wanna explore some more!”
“I know, but we shouldn’t be here. Even if it is neat.”
“Fine,” Hana said. She glanced to the side. “It looks different without a wall.”
“What?”
“My room,” she said, pointing.
“Oh,” Nana said. Oh. “So, this was it.”
“Uh huh. Mine wasn’t this big. Lucky whoever-gets-it.”
“Assuming it’s a bedroom in the new home.”
“True,” Hana said. She pointed at a what would be a room, but now looked more like a wooden jail cell. “At least Tenko’s room isn’t bigger than mine!”
Nana gave her a look.
“What? As a big sister, it’s my duty to have bigger and better stuff than him!”
“Have you been listening to All-ahem Uncle Hisashi about older siblings again?”
“Only a little. He says Tenko should do everything I say!”
“Yeah, I’m sure Tenko will like that. By the way, do you know what you’re getting him?”
“Tenko? No idea. A gift card for video games maybe? Or an actual video game?”
“Hana, you have to think of something soon. Christmas will be here before you know it!”
“I know, I know. Uncle Hisashi said that my mere presence is a gift, but that’s weird. She looked thoughtful. “Maybe Tenko would like…Never mind.”
She turned back to Nana. “By the way, lately Uncle’s been telling Tenko how to take care of Izuku. But I don’t think locking Izuku in his room forever is a good way of protecting him.”
“No. No it is not,” Nana said. “In fact, that’s a big part of why you shouldn’t listen to his advice.”
“Really?” Hana said, her brown eyes flicking to Nana. “I thought it was because he’s pure evil and a, what was it you and Gran said a couple nights ago? A manipulative dic-“
“You were listening?!”
“I had to use the bathroom. Not my fault you were so loud.”
Nana facepalmed. “I knew it was a mistake to have a drink with him while you were home.”
“You could let me drink with you!” Hana said with a mischevious grin. “With my size, I’d get drunk quick and wouldn’t remember a thing!”
“Hana, the last time you took a sip of alcohol (which Gran’s still in trouble for), you were rolling on the floor screaming about how you were poisoned and going to die.”
Hana flushed red. “That was last month!”
“Uh huh.”
Hana put her foot down. “You’re just-“
The floor shifted slightly. Hana yelped and floated into the air. “Ok, maybe the construction site isn’t the best place to talk.” She walked toward hole she came from. Now most people with Hana’s quirk would lower themselves using it. But Hana being a Shimura, decided to instead backflip through the window and land in the yard. Nana followed, using Push to slow her descent.
“For a Grandma, you’re still really cool!” Hana said.
“Thanks Hana!” Nana said.
“Way cooler than other old people!”
Nana sighed. “Thanks Hana.”
As they were leaving, there was a rustle in the brush. Nana turned to look. Probably just the wind, or some animal.
Then again, maybe this place still had a few old ghosts lingering.
Tenko woke up to tiny hands nudging him.
“Tenko! Tenko!”
Tenko opened his eyes, “What is it Izuku?”
“Wake up! Aw Might starting! Aw Might!”
Tenko groaned. He forced himself up, then went into the living room, and turned on the TV. He put on Izuku’s favorite Hero watching show, one that focused primarily on All Might.
Uncle Hisashi always said Izuku would grow out of his Hero obsession, but Tenko wasn’t sure. Especially with all those Hero plushies Izuku kept getting from Uncle Hisashi using his ultra-potent puppy eyes.
“Tenko? Can you help me set the table?” Inko called.
“Ok!” Tenko went to the kitchen and grabbed some plates and silverware, then began placing the dishes out for the three of them. He then went into the kitchen and opened the trash can. “Will Uncle be home for Christmas?”
“He said he would,” Inko said, before muttering, “And he’d better behave.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing!” Inko said with a painfully fake smile. Should Tenko be concerned that he was a better liar than the grown-up? He shrugged and took off his glove, touching all five fingers to the trash. It quickly turned to dust, while a wave of satisfaction came over Tenko. Uncle was right. Using his quirk made him feel better.
“How’s your sister’s gift coming?”
“Took care of it last week. Uncle got it just as I asked!”
“That’s good! You’re so on top of things Tenko!”
Tenko smiled at the praise, more than anything he’d get at his old home. Then again, Mom was nice. So were his grandparents, and Hana (before she went crazy and/or evil). Maybe Father just drowned some of the nicer things out.
Tenko’s mental clouds were banished when Inko pulled him in for a hug, followed by Izuku awkwardly placing his hands on Tenko’s waist. They were very good at those.
As they ate, Tenko remembered meals at his old home. He and Hana would scrape vegetables off their plate to give to Mon. Before…before Tenko came here.
After finishing his meal, (and giving Izuku some of his vegetables when Inko wasn’t looking, for Izuku’s health of course), Tenko said, “May I be excused?”
“Of course.”
Tenko got up and went to his room. He glanced at the pictures on his nightstand, his gaze lingering on one of him and Hana playing in the yard. Tenko smiled at the memory. Sure, he liked living here, without Father’s strangling rules. But there were still things he missed. Like…
He focused on a photo of himself hugging a corgi. Mon used to be his main source of comfort whenever he felt bad. No matter what happened, Tenko never felt worse after hugging Mon. Now…
Tenko killed his father. He’d killed his grandparents on accident. He’d killed Mom on accident. He’d probably killed Mon too.
Tenko’s eyes grew wet. He wiped them and stepped away. He needed a distraction. Hana would come soon. They could play together. Until then…
Tenko booted up the computer and logged onto League of Legends.
Inko hummed to herself. Izuku was in the living room watching cartoons, Tenko was in his room, probably playing on his computer. They were both happy. Inko considered making Tenko go outside more. But for now, he could play his games. A sweet boy like him deserved an environment where he could have fun and have a little freedom, no longer exposed to cruelty, screaming, or irrational rage.
“OH YOU LITTLE-“
Tenko grinned as the player he’d just humiliated unleashed a string of incoherent sentences laced with words that would make Aunt Mitsuki blush (unless she’d stubbed her toe of course).
After making sure Inko wasn’t listening, Tenko had only one response.
“Get good.”
The vet. Hana knew this was where Mom always took Mon when he needed to be treated, but she’d never actually ben there. She’d expected something cool and strange, filled with exotic animals and contraptions. Instead it was a regular doctor’s office for animals. How disappointing.
Nana was speaking to the vet in the other room. Meanwhile, Hana pet the dog and said, “Tenko’s gonna be over the moon when he sees you. In fact, he’s never going to live this one down!”
The dog barked.
“Who knows, maybe you’re the key to convincing Tenko to get me some really cool stuff! After all, Uncle Hisashi has near endless amounts of money! I mean, so does Uncle Toshi, but Nana would probably prefer me getting Hero stuff on Uncle Hisashi’s dime!”
The dog barked.
“Exactly! Hehehehe!”
Nana walked over and said, “Vet gave us some instructions, but overall we should be fine. Also, I called Inko and she said we’re in the clear.”
“Great!” Hana grinned.
“What are you thinking of?”
Hana turned around and gave Nana her most angelic smile. “Nothing~”
Nana’s expression went from curious to horrified. “What are you planning?!”
“Just a way to make Uncle Hisashi pay for Hero stuff!”
“Oh good. Do that. Every piece of merch he buys is a victory!”
Hana turned to the dog. “See?” Hana didn’t understand her grandmother’s feud with her uncle. But if it gave her free stuff…
The dog barked.
“Exactly!”
Tenko looked up from game as Inko opened the door. “Hisashi! How are you?”
Uncle Hisashi was home! Tenko logged off his game and hurried into the hall. From the other side of the door he heard his uncle cry out, “Inko!” followed by the sound of a kiss. Tenko gagged.
“Nana? What’s wrong?”
“For some reason, I feel very proud of your brother right now.”
Uncle Hisashi entered the living room. Tenko waited with a smile, only for him to pass Tenko and hug Izuku instead. “Izuku! I’m so glad to see you.” Izuku laughed his adorable little laugh while Tenko felt a bit annoyed. Sure, Izuku was his son but…
“Oh, and you too Tenko,” Uncle Hisashi said, ruffling his hair. “Have you been putting my advice into practice?”
Tenko wasn’t sure how to tell him that bossing Izuku around and locking him in the closet whenever he did something dangerous sounded like terrible ideas. “Uhhh…”
“That’s good,” Uncle Hisashi said walking away. Tenko huffed. He could’ve at least pretended to listen.
With nothing to do, Tenko went back to his room. He started an old Star Wars game Uncle Hisashi had given him. Choosing the Empire, he led his troops into battle. At first, Tenko played normally. However, soon he began winning too easily, so he began to kill his own troops. Tenko chuckled as Darth Vader choked out an imperial officer to death.
“Might I ask what you are doing?”
Tenko yelped. He whipped around and saw Uncle Hisashi standing in the door, an odd smile on his face.
“I uh- “
“Were you playing as the Dark Side?”
“Yes?”
“And betraying your own soldiers for your own amusement?!”
“Well they are just NPCs- “
“When you think about it, everyone who isn’t important to you is an NPC! In games and real life.”
“I’m not sure about- “
“Anyway,” Uncle Hisashi said, sitting down next to him. “Do you want some tips on how to really have fun as the bad guys?”
Tenko saw an opportunity for some bonding (and fun). He nodded
It turned out Uncle Hisashi was an even better dad than Tenko had thought! With his help, Tenko was having more fun than ever! Sure, most of it was how to best kill random allies, but he was the Empire. They were supposed to be evil. Besides, Uncle Hisashi thought his rampages were funny, so it must be fine.
When Tenko got bored of his rampages and closed the game, Uncle Hisashi said, “I noticed that little MMO icon. League of Legends, right? Why don’t you play that next?”
Tenko stiffened.
“What’s wrong?” Uncle Hisashi said.
“It’s just…” Tenko would rather not introduce Uncle Hisashi to that game. Or how he normally played it. He might tell Inko!
“Don’t worry,” Uncle Hisashi said. “It’ll be an uncle/nephew moment. The kind Inko doesn’t have to hear about.”
Tenko slowly nodded. He hesitantly logged on and began playing much less viciously than he normally would. However, he soon began to relax, and unleashed destruction more and more. Finally, Tenko utterly destroyed a group of spectacularly incompetent players, laughing as one yelled stream of profanity in his ear. This loser’s nothing next to Aunt Mitsuki.
Tenko suddenly remembered he wasn’t alone.
“Yes, chuckle away,” Uncle Hisashi said, placing a hand on his back. “Fools like that deserve to humiliation. Their gameplay is terrible and their insults more pathetic than Mitsuki Bakugo’s. At least that…dog is clever with her profanity.”
“You really think so?” Tenko said. He thought Uncle Hisashi would be upset. After all, he was a responsible adult.
“If they cannot handle the heat, they deserve to lose. Isn’t that the point of online video games?”
He had a point. It wasn’t like Tenko deliberately sought out rookie players. Even the dumb ones were (theoretically) at his level. Tenko slowly nodded.
“Now,” All for One said, “Let’s enjoy another round, shall we?”
He flashed Tenko an evil grin. Tenko gladly reciprocated. He liked hanging out with his uncle!
Over the next few days, Tenko and Uncle Hisashi continued to bond over video games. His uncle didn’t play much, preferring watching Tenko do it for him. The few times he did, he did absolutely amazing, playing with a mix of skill and sadism Tenko couldn’t hope to match. However, Tenko was starting to suspect Uncle Hisashi’s advice wasn’t the best. For one, his recommendation about gloating sounded like that of a total jerk. Maybe Uncle Hisashi was just really competitive?
Nevertheless, Christmas drew closer, and with it, Hana and Nana’s arrival. On Christmas Eve, Tenko vibrated with excitement. He wanted to see his sister again! It had been weeks since they last saw each other.
After an eternity of waiting, the door opened. “Tenko!” A flying missile crashed into Tenko, wrapping him in a crushing hug.
“Nice to see you Hana,” he would’ve said if the air hadn’t been violently shoved from his lungs. He managed to squeak out some equivalent before Hana finally released him, at which point he collapsed and took deep breaths.
“Oh, get up you big baby. I didn’t hug you that hard!”
“I dis…agree…” Tenko said.
Nana entered the apartment after Hana. “Hello Inko, good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too Mom!” Inko said. Then she gave the glare she usually gave when banning Tenko from showing Izuku anything scary and said, “Behave.”
“I wouldn’t worry,” Nana said, rubbing her spiky bun (which looked a lot like Inko’s). “Me and him have a ceasefire!”
“A ceasefire?” Inko said, unimpressed.
“Exactly.”
Uncle Hisashi came into the hallway. “Hello Hana, how are you?” he said warmly.
“Hi Uncle Hisashi! How are you? Did your hair get whiter?”
“Only from dealing with some…less than intelligent individuals,” he said, glancing at Nana.
“You use that for everyone. You need more creative insults,” Nana said, “One of these days you’ll use that one on someone who outsmarted you and insult yourself!”
“Don’t worry. With you around that’ll never happen, Nana Shimura.
Nana opened her mouth, but shut it when an aura of doom enveloped the room. Inko gave both a death glare. “Is this your idea of a ceasefire?” she said.
“Yes?” said both.
Unimpressed, Inko dragged them into the kitchen. Once they were gone, Tenko checked that his gloves were on, then leaned in and hugged his sister. “Good to see you. Wanna play video games?”
“Sure! How good are you at that Hero fighting one?”
“Better than you.”
“You’re on!”
Turns out, Hana had gotten good at that game. Really good. Tenko, the gamer of the two, was barely keeping up! It kept going back and forth between a tie and Hana being ahead.
“Ha!” Hana said as she defeated him yet again. “You’ve gotten rusty!”
“How did you get this good?!” Tenko said.
“Gran.”
Tenko grit his teeth. Of course. Gran Torino was the best player of the three. Beating Hana over and over sped up her improvement! Tenko should’ve played this more and League of Legends (slightly) less. That said, Tenko was still one heck of a gamer, and wasn’t going down easy.
Finally, after one particularly vicious round he pulled ahead.
“Ha!”
“Yeah, yeah!” said Hana. “Next time I’ll smoke you for sure. Count on it!”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
The battle was ferocious. As Tenko’s health waned, he looked for a solution. Finally, a plan occurred. Tenko began to retreat, causing his sister to chase him like a fish would a lure. He pretended to falter just enough for her to get overconfident. Then, Tenko annihilated her.
“What?!”
“And I was counting on you winning.”
Hana’s brown eyes blazed with fury. “Oh…it. Is. On!”
The next few rounds were absolutely vicious, as the two unleashed everything they had. They were neck and neck, ready to throttle the other for victory. Nothing would stop their-
“Hana!” a high-pitched voice squealed.
They paused the game as Izuku toddled out and hugged Hana. “Big sistah Hana!”
“Izuku,” Hana said, picking him up. “How are you?”
“Happy! You here!”
“Awww! I’m happy to see you too! You’re so big now!”
“Yay! I getting big like All Migh?”
“Maybe” Hana said with a giggle. “Uncle Hisashi’s tall too!”
“Yay!”
As Hana held Izuku, she said to Tenko. “He’s really sweet.”
Tenko nodded. “He really is.”
“I swee?”
“The sweetest and cutest kid in the world!” Hana said, rubbing her head to his. She glanced at Tenko. “Way cuter than my brother!”
“Hey!”
Hana smiled at Tenko. The smile grew sad. “You know, I love living with Nana, but I still miss you.”
“I do too,” Tenko said. “But…”
“We both got used to our new homes, didn’t we?”
“Yup. Uncle Hisashi says I should force you to live here. He says that if a sibling doesn’t want to always be by your side, it’s a sign they hate you.”
Hana blinked. “He was joking, right?”
“He must have. He can’t be that dumb.”
“Good point.”
Tenko lifted Izuku into his lap and tickled him.
Hana laughed, “You play with him just like you did with Mon.”
“Come on,” Tenko said. “Izuku’s great, but he’s not as cute as a corgi.”
Hana giggled. “You miss him too, don’t you?”
Tenko was silent for a little. Then he nodded. “But what does it matter? He’s…”
Hana patted his shoulder. “Hey, you don’t know that. He might’ve ran away when things went bad.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Tenko said, not believing her. “Nana’s cool, right?”
Hana nodded. “Really cool.”
“You think she was cool as a Hero?”
“Heck yeah! I’m sure she was the coolest back in the day!”
“Has she told you any-what are you doing?”
“Piggyback ride!” Hana said, hoisting Izuku on her back.
“Oh, that’s nice. Now-uh oh.”
Hana floated into the air, with Izuku still on her back. She reached the ceiling and began using her hands to navigate. With a toddler on her shoulders.
This would not end well.
As if it couldn’t get worse, Hana grabbed Izuku’s legs and slowly turned upside down, both laughing. Then the door starting to open.
Hana flipped back over and instantly dropped like a stone. She stopped shortly before hitting the ground, then placed Izuku on the floor. She gave the door her most innocent smile as Nana emerged.
“Hey kids, you want-what are you doing?” Nana said.
“What do you mean?” Hana said.
“You have that look you get when you’re to no good.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t ‘huh’ me. You know exactly what I’m talking about!”
“Are you sure?” Uncle Hisashi said as he peeked out. “It’s possible you simply don’t understand each other. Hana’s a smart girl, but your cognitive abilities are at completely different levels!”
Nana looked indignant. “Are you saying that I’m dumb?”
“Now really Nana, would I do that?”
“Yes,” Nana and Hana said in unison.
Uncle Hisashi looked back and forth between them. “Did you…rehearse that?”
“No,” they said in unison again.
Tenko shrugged, while Izuku was still laughing.
“Hello Izuku,” Uncle Hisashi said as he walked over to the boy. “Are you enjoying your cousin’s visit?”
“Sistah!”
“Right. Anyway-“
“What about your grandmother’s visit?” Nana said, leaning in.
“Yay!”
“Oh right, she’s your grandmother,” said Uncle Hisashi. “She’s aged so well that sometimes I forget how old she really is.”
“Yeah. Still, I’m glad I look like I’m in my forties. I’d hate to become some kind of old nutjob who looks like they’re in college.”
That was oddly specific.
“Indeed. And you retired with such a career to be proud of, not like those incompetent Heroes who talk big and don’t make it past their thirties.”
“Yeah, though sometimes leaving the career early is better. I mean, there are some Yakuza still at it who were old when I was young. Frankly, at that age they should retire to a quiet life of cheating at Bingo in the old folk’s home. Would probably make them happier too.”
“And yet, Heroes still haven’t caught them.”
Tenko heard a crunching noise next to him. Hana had pulled some popcorn from her bag and was eating it. She held some out for Tenko, who took it and sat down next to her.
“At least I can tie a tie.”
“Ties are overrated.”
“Well, I’m willing to bet I’m Izuku’s favorite!”
“Dream on Nana Shimura! I’m his father!”
“Well I’m his grandmother! And I have this!” She turned to Izuku. “Hey Izuku, look at this!”
She levitated a ball, oscillating the pressure of her quirk to make it go up and down at will.
Izuku laughed with delight.
“Izuku, ignore that lame quirk, and look at my cool one!” Uncle Hisashi unleashed a puff of flames like a dragon.
Izuku laughed again, this time making a babbling noise.
“Nice try, but Izuku, look at this!” Nana levitated in the air, then began to twirl, using her hands and feet for support. “That’s what practice gets you! After all, when you have the one quirk, you really get to know it’s ins and outs. Right Hisashi?”
Uncle Hisashi glared while Izuku babbled in what sounded like Uncle Hisashi’s quirk mutterings.
“I think Nana’s going to win,” Hana whispered.
“No way, Uncle Hisashi’s the best!” Tenko said.
“He’s pure evil.”
“Says Nana!”
“Yep.”
“Our uncle is so cool he makes Nana look lame!” he said, jabbing a finger in Hana’s face.
“Watch your mouth Tenko.” Hana leaned in until her head was pressed against his. “Thems fighting words.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah, and considering I got you the best gift ever, you should show more respect!”
“I bet mine’s better!”
“Ha! I’ll take you on that!”
Tenko grinned. “Alright! Let’s do it. If you win, I say Nana’s better.”
“And If I lose?”
“You admit Uncle Hisashi’s cooler than Nana!”
Hana’s eyes widened with horror. Tenko intensified his smirk, practiced from many hours on League. “What’s wrong? Chicken?”
Hana’s eyes blazed. “Never. You’re on!”
“Well, you may amuse the baby with cheap tricks,” said Uncle Hisashi. “But I give him toys. Like this!” he pulled an All Might toy out of his bag and handed it to Izuku. “See Izuku, a brand new All Might. Isn’t your father the best!”
“All Migh!” Izuku cheered as he took the figure from his father. Uncle Hisashi turned to smirk at Nana…which turned to horror when he saw the phone in her hand.
“Did you just take a photo?”
“Yep.”
“Well then-“
Uncle Hisashi lunged at Nana. She ducked, then grabbed Izuku and shoved him into Uncle Hisashi’s hands before backing up and frantically typing into her phone. Uncle Hisashi’s hand lashed out like a cobra and snatched it from her. “Oh, my,” he said. “I guess you can’t stop me from- “
He looked at the screen and scowled. “You already sent it.”
Nana grinned. “To Gran.”
Uncle Hisashi grit his teeth.
“Oh don’t be grouchy. I already have photos of you and your son in the All Might onside.”
If Uncle Hisashi had heat vision, his glare could’ve have melted the north pole. “I would absolutely- “
The door opened and Inko walked in.
“Sue you if you weren’t…family.” He looked downright nauseous at the last word.
Inko glared. Both Nana and Uncle Hisashi straightened. Uncle Hisashi’s hands noticeably shook.
“You two are being good, right?”
Nana and Uncle Hisashi nodded.
“Good!” she said, clapping her hands together with a sweet smile. “Because I definitely wouldn’t want to be misbehaving at a time like this if I were you! Right Izuku?”
Izuku gravely shook his head. “Uh uh.”
“Exactly! So you two…”
Nana and Uncle Hisashi gulped.
“Play nice.” Inko went back into the kitchen.
Hana and Tenko turned to each other. “We don’t fight while she’s home,” Tenko said.
“Agreed.”
Nana let out a long breath once her daughter’s oppressive presence was gone.
She was so sweet and meek as a toddler. When did she get so…so…
“So terrifying,” All for One said, looking downright love-struck.
I know I shouldn’t say this since it’s my daughter he married, but seriously, he has weird tastes!
Nana decided to spend some time with Hana. That would relieve her stress.
“What do you mean you’ll say he’s better than me?!”
“Only if I lose,” Hana said with a proud smile.
“Hana Shimura, what were you thinking?! Do you have any idea what you’ve risked?! My very honor is at stake!”
“Re-lax Nana!” Hana said. “There’s absolutely no way he’ll win. Besides, he dared me. There wasn’t anything I could do.”
“Hana, you can’t just do something because someone close dares you- “
“What about that time you drank that thing Gran gave you?”
“That doesn’t count. That was a grown-up thing. You wouldn’t understand.”
Hana folded her arms, not believing her. “Well, I’m still gonna win! Nothing Tenko can give can match what we have planned!”
“You’d better be right,” Nana growled. “Or else I might have to stop you from sneaking up to watch horror movies.”
Hana paled.
Her movies were at stake! That was it, she had to win. She had no choice! Hana immediately pulled out a walkie talkie from her bag, went to the bathroom, and closed the door. “Gran? You hear me? Gran?”
Finally, the reply came. “Who are you?”
“Good, you’re fine. Is the “package” ready?”
“Yep. It’s in perfect shape.”
“Great! Does that mean you’ll be at the door when I call?”
“Just say the word and I’ll be right inside.”
“Great!”
Hana turned off her talkie and slumped against the door in relief. She was gonna win.
“She’ll acknowledge me as superior?! How?!” Uncle Hisashi said.
“We made a bet,” Tenko said.
“Oh. Good job. I once tried to make a bet with Nana Shimura to get her to return something to me. She punched me in the face.”
Tenko patted Uncle Hisashi’s leg.
“Not to worry Tenko,” Uncle Hisashi said, his eyes blazing with determination. “I will have your gift sent on time as asked!”
Tenko nodded. “Good. Izuku is very happy to hear that. Right Izuku?” he held his squealing baby cousin in front of Uncle Hisashi.
“So young and already manipulating people. I’m proud.”
Tenko assumed that was a joke. Either way it didn’t matter. He was gonna win.
After a pre-dinner that was mostly peaceful.
“Ah yes, your famous cuisines. Inko tells me that last time you fed someone they got food poisoning.”
“Hey! I don’t see you rushing to cook.”
“That’s because Izuku prefers her food. Inko, would you like me to cook dinner this time?”
“Would it make you get along with my mother?
And a dinner that was sorta peaceful.
“All I’m saying is Heroes just obsess about appearance and consistently put popularity over people’s lives, and hurt their family life. But other than that, I guess they’re somewhat acceptable.”
“What about All Might? He’s at the top because he puts his work over his popularity.”
“Oh yes, those meet and greets must be to get the fingerprints of villains!”
“Actually, they’re to maintain his image for the sake of public morale. Villains do something similar. Like this one who tried to create an image of fear in the underworld by acting like the most embarrassing edgelord possible and hoping no one noticed he was a colossal nerd.”
“That doesn’t sound smart,” said Tenko.
Nana looked smug. “It wasn’t.”
“I don’t know,” Uncle Hisashi said, “If he could kill enough people and still disappear into the shadows I understand why people would fear him.”
“But doesn’t the fact that he was hiding in the shadows mean he’s probably scared All Might will beat his face in?” said Hana.
“Not necessarily. Some villains consider it easier to operate in the shadows where it’s harder for the law to harass them. I saw it on a documentary. Also, you’re kicking me again.”
“Oh sorry. Total accident!” said Hana.
Uncle Hisashi grimaced. “Sure it was.”
“Let’s change the subject,” Aunt Inko said. “How about Christmas?”
“I heard that Christmas used to mainly be a lover’s holiday,” said All for One. “I would’ve loved to celebrate it with you then Inko. Just you and me.” He glanced at Nana.
“Awwww! Thank you Hisashi!” Aunt Inko said, blushing.
“But if it were still like that, I might not be here,” said Nana.
“Yes. What an absolute shame that would be,” said Uncle Hisashi.
“Well, good thing we celebrate it like we do, so I can be here. As part of the family!
“Yes. I have no idea what I’d do otherwise,” Uncle Hisashi said.
Aunt Inko’s eyes became desperate. “What about Christmas media?”
“Yes!” Uncle Hisashi said, “My favorite piece of Christmas media is the song ‘Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer.’”
“That’s a classic,” Nana said. “My favorite is Die Hard. I loved the part when the pompous overdressed scumbag got dropped out the window.”
Inko buried her face in her hands.
After dinner (and Inko’s obligatory scolding of the adults) they all went to bed for a good night’s sleep. It was very peaceful, until Tenko awoke to something violently shaking him.
Tenko’s eyes shot open. Was it a villain attack?! Was Izuku in danger?!
“Wake up Tenko! It’s Christmas!”
Oh, it’s just Hana.
“Can’t you let me sleep a little longer?” he said. “It’s early!”
“It’s Christmas baby brother!”
She had a point. Tenko pulled himself out of bed and let her drag him into the living room. Hana stared hungrily at the boxes beneath the tree. “So many presents…”
“Should we wake Aunt Inko and Uncle?” Tenko said.
“I tried. Their room is locked,” said Hana pointing. Tenko looked and saw a handwritten note stuck to their bedroom door.
“Dear Hana, there will be no drawing on my face this time! Ha!
Love, Uncle.
(PS Draw on Nana and you get 10,000 yen. If you video it, 20,000. The camera is on the table).
Tenko looked at Hana. “So…are you gonna do it?”
“On the one hand, I will have to live with her afterwards,” said Hana. “On the other, I can buy a lot with that kind of money.”
“So…?”
She shoved the camera into his hand.
After that, Hana went into the kitchen and brewed a mug of coffee. Then, with Tenko filming, Hana drew cat whiskers over Nana’s face, along with a star on her cheek, along with “Endeavor Sux” and “My daughter can do better” on her arm.
“Done!”
Tenko turned off the camera. Immediately, Hana pulled out a cloth and began wiping away her work. Was Hana insane?! If she’s not careful, Nana will-
Nana’s eye peeked open. Tenko shivered at the rage in her eyes.
“Hana?” Nana growled.
“Yes Nana?”
“You’d better not be up to no good before-”
“Relax, here you go!” Hana handed Nana the mug.
“Good…” Nana drank, completely ignoring Hana as she wiped away the last of her work.
“Gran gave me the marker,” Hana said, “Pretty smart, right?”
“And the coffee?”
“Gran taught me how to make it. You can get away with almost anything if you tell Nana just as she’s taking her first sip. Like this. Hey Nana I drew on your face for Uncle Hisashi but wiped it all away.”
Nana nodded. “Good work Hana. Clean up your messes.”
Tenko filed that away to use on Aunt Inko later. Speaking of whom, a fewminutes later Aunt Inko and Uncle Hisashi emerged from their room, with Inko making a beeline for the coffee machine. As she made her likely unhealthy drink, Hana skipped over to Uncle Hisashi, handed him the camera, then held out her hand. “Pay up!”
Uncle Hisashi watched the video and howled with laughter. He happily gave Hana her due and affectionately ruffled her hair. Then he saw Nana with a completely clean face and glared at Hana.
“What? I said I’d draw it, not that it would stay.”
“I suppose the video is enough,” he said. “And swindling someone at your age? You’re doing amazing!”
“Thanks!”
“Now that we’re all here, shall we begin presents?” said Inko.
“YES! PRESENTS! PRESENTS! PRESENTS!” said Hana levitating. Normally, Tenko would chalk this up to her being crazy, but he was vibrating in place too. Plus, the boxes would leave tons of trash that he could disintegrate!
Within minutes the two kids were tearing open presents like ravenous beasts. Tenko got Hero toys from Nana, a video game from Nana, Gran, and two games from Aunt Mitsuki! She sent hers in a shopping bag, with a card telling him to hide the second from Aunt Inko.
Meanwhile, Hana got Hero merch, toys, toy weapons, and possibly a real weapon?
“Should someone that young be getting a sword? Even a dull one?” Aunt Inko whispered to Uncle Hisashi..
“Mitsuki Bakugo’s your friend.”
“That doesn’t mean I trust all her decisions! A week before you and I got married she said knife fighting was a completely legitimate game for teenagers! I still don’t know if she was joking!”
“That does not surprise me.”
Finally, there was one thing left. The bet.
Tenko smirked. He’d carefully considered his gift for weeks before getting this idea. To attain it, he’d done so many miniquests. He took out the (dusted) trash, washed the dishes, and played with Izuku. When that wasn’t enough, he partied with Izuku so he’d use his super-effective puppy eyes against Uncle Hisashi. Uncle Hisashi instantly caved, and made the gift go from good, to perfect.
Tenko got out a box from his room and carried it to Hana. “Ready to admit defeat?”
Hana smirked. “Give it your best shot.”
Tenko handed her the box. “Go ahead.”
Hana curiously took the box and examined it. She put an ear to the box and shook it. She raised an eyebrow at Tenko, then put it down and the wrapping paper open.
Hana looked at the box and said. “This isn’t clothes, is it?”
“Maybe,” said Tenko, his smile growing wider. This was like the traps he set in his video games.
Hana opened the box and gasped.
Hook, line, and sinker.
Hana lifted an exact replica of Nana’s old Hero costume. “Uncle Hisashi got the materials. He said it’s almost exactly like hers.”
For several seconds, Hana stared at Tenko. He had the foresight to take a deep breath before Hana pulled him into a bear hug. “I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!”
Tenko’s feet left the ground.
“Thank you Tenko! Thank you so much! This is so cool!”
Tenko was let down just as he ran out of air. Once on the ground he took a deep breath and said, “So…I win?”
Hana set the costume down. “Ha! Not by a long shot! In fact, as good as yours is, it has no chance of beating mine!”
“Get him Hana!” said nana
“Show her Tenko!” said Uncle Hisashi.
“Could you two not use the children for your proxy war?” said Aunt Inko. “Play nice kids! I’m sure both your gifts are great!”
Hana pulled out her walkie talkie. “Ready!” she said, walking to the front door. “You think that your gift is better Tenko, but you’re wrong!” She placed her hand on the door handle. “For mine is one like no other. One that shall never be topped! Behold!” She opened the door.
Tenko blinked. “What am I looking at?”
Hana turned around, and found only an empty porch. “Huh?!”
She pulled out her walkie talkie, “Gran! Where are you?! Gran?”
“HO! HO! H-AUGH!”
Inko screeched at the sudden noise behind her and reflexively activated her quirk. A shape flew toward her before righting itself with a quick jet of air, revealing Mother’s (possibly?) senile best friend, Sorahiko Torino, dressed as Santa.
Which meant…Inko just attacked a senior citizen.
“I’M SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! YOU STARTLED ME! I DIDN’T MEAN TO ATTACK YOU! PLEASE DON’T SUE ME! YOU’RE INTERNAL ORGANS WEREN’T PULLED OUT, WERE THEY?
“Don’t worry, that was my bad. Probably should’ve at least warned you,” Torino said, rubbing his stomach. “You can pull out organs? Well, I’m pretty sure mine are still there. The ones that weren’t already extracted that is.”
Mother gave a deadpan stare. “None of your organs have ever been extracted.”
Torino stared blankly at her. “Who are you?”
“What are you doing here Torino?” said Hisashi. “And why are you breaking into my house?”
Torino ignored him in favor of waving at Tenko and Hana, “Hello children!”
“Gran!” said Hana. “You’re here! Why didn’t you come to the door?”
“I could’ve done that, but since I’m Santa, I decided to get into the Christmas spirit and break in!” he said. “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!”
“Can’t argue with that,” said Hisashi. “But did it have to be my house?”
Inko elbowed him. Not the time for his jokes.
“I come bringing gifts!” Torino said, opening his bag to reveal a bunch of coal, just like the type Inko always gave Mitsuki. “Behold! For Nana and her son-in-law.”
“HEY!” the two said.
Can’t argue with that, Inko thought.
Torino then jumped out the window and returned carrying a large box covered in wrapping. Mom quickly took it and placed it on the ground.
“What’s that?” said Tenko.
“My victory,” said Hana.
Oh. This was that gift. Inko immediately got out her phone to video Tenko.
Tenko met Hana’s smug gaze. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
He circled the bag, trying to guess its contents. Sure, it was big, but size wasn’t everything. As Tenko reached for the ribbon, the box…yipped?
Tenko froze. He then tore open the wrapping, revealing its contents. A pet carrier. A pet carrier that whined a very familiar whine. His hand shaking, Tenko slowly unlatched it and peered inside.
A dog came out and started licking his face.
“Whoa! Easy! Down boy!” Tenko said, pushing the dog back enough to look at the collar. What he saw made him gasp. He looked to Hana.
Hana grinned. “The original.”
Two weeks before Christmas
Nana was about to leave when the bushes rustled again. She turned around as a filthy corgi emerged. It was covered in a full layer of dirt, with several sores and a visible ribcage. The dog whined pitifully at them.
Nana relaxed. Just a stray. She should get him to a shelter. Nana turned to Hana, who was staring at the corgi, her mouth opening and closing. Then she called out, “MON!”
Hana rushed forward and embraced the dog. “Mon! Is that you, boy? I thought you were dead! You’re so thin!”
“Is that…yours?” Nana said.
Hana wiped her eyes and nodded. “This is Mon! We thought he died in the…thing. We should take him home! He needs something to eat!” She hugged Mon close, trying to look as pathetic as possible.
“Alright,” Nana said. “But first we need to take him to a vet.”
Hana nodded. “Great!” she turned back to the dog. “I’m sure Tenko really missed you,” she said scratching its head. “He always loved you so-“
Hana paused.
“Nana? I know what I’m getting Tenko for Christmas.”
“We even checked its microchip,” Hana said.
Tenko turned around, tears gathering. “Mon? MON!” Tenko hugged his little corgi, rubbing his back as it continued to look his face. “That’s right boy, it’s me! How are you Mon? Good boy! Good boy!”
Mon’s tail wiggled with joy as it climbed on top of Tenko, trying to make sure not a millimeter of his face went unlicked.
“That’s right Mon! Good boy!”
Hana cleared her throat. “So…does this mean I win?”
Tenko glanced at her. “Oh right. Sure, Nana’s better. Whatever.”
“Wait, that’s it?” Hana said.
“That’s it?” Nana and Uncle Hisashi said, one with dismay, the other with relief. Tenko wasn’t really listening. He was too busy petting his corgi.
Best. Christmas. Ever.
That night, the family went to sleep. Nana Shimura and All for One shared one last glare before each went to bed. Inko banished her husband to the floor and got all the covers for herself.
In the children’s room, Hana Shimura curled up in her sleeping bag, wearing her new costume. Izuku, having escaped his crib, snuggled up against her while she protectively hugged him. Meanwhile, Tenko Shimura slept with Mon in his arms, dreaming of playing catch with him all night long.