Work Text:
Going to the store with Katsuki was supposed to be a treat. You had done so well on exams, he said, you deserved a prize. You had asked, cautiously, if this was supposed to be a prize for you when you were small, or big. He only laughed and said you could have either or.
Well, honestly, you'd had your eye on a new tea set at the shop at the mall that catered towards Littles. It was plastic, so Daddy wouldn't say it was too dangerous for a little girl like you. The tea set was styled to look like the one in Beauty and the Beast, the animated one.
“You sure that's what you want?” Katsuki asked, holding your hand in the store. You nodded happily, absolutely thrilled in your quiet way. He only smiled and stroked your hair and brought the box to the cashier.
You could just see all the tea parties you were going to have with Sam. You could even try and make some cakes out of clay. Maybe if you asked Mina nicely, she'd play. And even Denki could be convinced into dress up with the two of you if you begged. Especially if he was in his big space, he loved playing with the two of you.
Katsuki paid and took your hand again, the bag in his other. You weren't aware that you were toddling behind him, and your eyes had taken on the hazy look that you got when you were starting to slip.
“Short stack,” Katsuki nudged you. You jumped, falling out of your daydream.
“Mmm?”
“We have some more shopping to do. Why don't we duck into the family restroom and you can go potty and we can get you into some comfy undies?” you frowned, stopping your walk.
“I don't need that.”
“I know you don't right now, but you might later, and I really don't want to get caught in a place where you're going to be uncomfortable.”
“Said no,” you ripped your hand away from him. Kacchan's eyebrows went up, shocked. He just stared a you for a minute, not quite understanding what he was supposed to do. His nostrils flared and he took your hand again.
“I'm in charge right now, and I said yes.”
“No!” your voice raised a little bit, causing looks from those around you. Kacchan's cheeks went pink and he narrowed his eyes.
“I ain't askin'. We can go and get changed, and then have our nice day out, or we can go home. What do you want to do?” he asked. You glared at him. There was no way he was serious. This whole outing was supposed to be a reward for the both of you for having made it through exams. He wouldn't take it away. He had mentioned that he wanted to stop for some new manga, and possible to get Daddy a present, too.
“I. Said. NO!” you punctuated each word with a stomp of your foot. On the last word, your voice raised enough to make people around you cringe. Katsuki reached out and tapped the necklace you were always wearing.
“If you can't be a big girl and make good choices, I will make choices for you. And you won't like them.” he said. He set down the bag, still holding your hand. He reached for his backpack and fished around one hand, coming up with the wrist leash.
“Kacchaaaaan!” you whined through the mask. He strapped one cuff around your wrist, and the other to his. You couldn't escape him now. Tears were pricking your eyes as he put his backpack on again and gathered your bag.
“Let's get moving. We're going home.”
“Don't wanna.”
“Yeah? You should have considered that before you acted out.” he shrugged. He looked a you, saw the tears in the corners of your eyes and sighed.
“I think you're overtired. It's my fault for taking you out when you were small and not making sure you had a nap.”
“Not a baby.” you shook your head. “That's why I don't need a change. Big girl, wear big girl clothes.” you clenched your fists. Katsuki just looked a the ceiling for a moment.
“We can come back this weekend. Maybe even see if Daddy will come, too.” he coaxed. “Come on, let's go. We can show Daddy your tea set when we get home.”
“Not going. You go.” you tapped your necklace again. “I stay. I'll take the bus home.”
“You have until I count three to get it together, brat.” he warned. You knew you were on thin ice when he called you that. Still, you couldn't give in now! You'd be letting him know it was okay to treat you like a baby. And it wasn't okay, because you weren't a baby. You whined and tugged a the leash. Your fingers trembled as you tried to undo he buckle that protected the Velcro that kept it closed.
“You know better than that.” he scooped you up and threw you over his shoulder, easily carrying you out of the mall.
You squirmed, kicking and pounding on his back with your fists. The blonde didn't even seem to notice, carrying you the short walk to the dorms. By then, you had kicked yourself out and laid limply against him, sniffling. He twisted the knob and mainly opened it with his hip. Unceremoniously, you were dumped on the common room floor.
“What happened?” Daddy asked from where he was sitting on the couch with Ochaco, having a cup of tea.
“Your brat decided to kick up a fuss in the middle of the shopping mall. She screamed so she had to be masked. She wouldn't come with me, so we needed the leash.” he was undoing the device from himself and reaching for you to take your cuff off. You made a wounded sound and scrambled to head for Daddy. He managed to hand off his hot cup at the right second before you launched yourself at him.
“Daddy! Daddy!” you were sobbing again.
“Okay, now, wait a minute.” Daddy gently pried you off him and held you up by your shoulders. “I see that you're upset. Let Kacchan finish talking and then you'll get your turn.” he rubbed your shoulders with his thumbs, looking back to his boyfriend. “Why did that happen?”
“She was slipping, and I didn't want her to be embarrassed by anything. I suggested we go to the restroom and change her into more comfy underwear. She flipped the hell out and screamed at me. I hauled her ass back home.”
“Sweetness!” Daddy looked at you, aghast. “What came over you?”
“No pull up! You said only for nightmares or when I'm sick.” you accused.
“You've been having accidents lately.” he pointed out. “Kacchan was trying to keep you comfortable. And he wasn't asking you to do anything I wouldn't have asked. You know you're meant to listen to him.”
“Noooo!” you howled. Ochaco slipped away, putting he cups in he sink. The others in he common room were quickly slipping away, not wanting to hear your upset.
“Yes,” he corrected. “You owe Kacchan a big apology, and I don't think you're going to go on any shopping trips until you can show me that you're able to behave. Kacchan, please go and put her tea set in he closet.”
“Wh-what?” you froze, hands going to your face.
“It's a reward, and you don't deserve one right now. We can revisit it after you apology.” Kacchan glanced at you, and you returned it with a dark look.
“It's mine,” you insisted.
“It is.” Daddy agreed. He looked a you, standing here with a trembling lip and he cuff still around your wrist. “What upset you a the mall?”
“Don't need a pull up.” you said again. “It's mean to make me.”
“I know it seems that way.” Daddy tilted his head to the side. “We do it so if you have an accident, you don't have to sit in a big mess and no one has to know.”
“My choice!”
“You're getting really upset, so I think we'll stop this conversation right now and revisit when you're calmer.”
“NO!” the word had both of them reaching for their ears.
“You know better that that.” Daddy scolded. “You need to go sit down and have some cool down time. I'll time you. Maybe then we can sit down and talk, or we can have a cuddle, or...”
“SAID NO!” you screamed again. Kacchan's eyes were squeezed shut. Daddy was shuddering, but he still stood up to walk towards you.
“If you need to scream, I get that. I do, baby. But tap your necklace.” he said firmly. “You may not hurt other people because you are upset.”
“Don't touch me!” you were—different in this moment. Your eyes were wide and wild. You shrank away from his touch like you were scared he'd really hurt you. Daddy froze, looking at you, confused what he should do. Kacchan was frantically tapping at his phone.
“Fine. But you tap your necklace then.”
“DON'T TOUCH ME!” you screamed again. You clamped your own hands to your ears, closed your eyes and began to scream. You weren't attempting modulation or anything. Daddy looked towards the windows with worry. Kacchan made his way to his bag and tossed Daddy a pair of noise canceling ear buds. He slipped in some of his own.
“Okay, calm down.” he said. “You're going to make yourself sick, short stack.” he stepped towards you. You let out another high pitched screech, kicking out towards him. They both just stared, watching you crumple to the floor. You kicked and writhed, screamed and pounded your feet. You arched your back, your head digging into the floor as you carried on.
It was mostly unintelligible screams, but occasionally they could make out 'don't touch'. If one of them tried to step closer to you, you'd scream even louder. Your caregivers couldn't hear the door opening and weren't away of Aizawa and Yamada until a tap on their shoulders. The teachers were wearing noise cancelling headphones. Aizawa tapped his eyes then pointed a you. Daddy and Kacchan exchanged a glance and Daddy nodded.
Aizawa activated his quirk, and your screams were gone. You continued to cry and pound he floor. Daddy knelt down and crept closer to you. At he touch of his hand, your eyes flew open, and it was obvious that you would have been screaming if you could have. You jerked your whole body away from him, flinging yourself away, curling into a shaking ball.
You weren't screaming now, and the ear buds and headphones came off. You were only giving out tiny whimpers and gasps. They all looked at each other. At least this time you hadn't thrown things, you had done that before.
“Sweetheart,” Daddy said softly.
“No, no, no.” you shook your head. “No.”
“Can you use your words right now to tell me what you need?” Daddy tried again. You didn't respond. Aizawa gestured for him to move away. He sat down, folding his legs pretzel style and watching you for a few minutes.
“What are you scared of right now?” he asked calmly.
“Screamed,” you gasped out. “Trouble.”
“You think you're in trouble for screaming.” he translated. You didn't respond. “I think right now, little miss, everyone is just concerned that you're not okay, and they want to make you okay.”
“Can't make me okay.” you whispered. It felt like a knife to Daddy's heart. He remembered your discussions of your childhood, when you would be beaten for screaming, or worse. Of course you were thinking of that.
“Baby girl,” he called for you. You lifted your head, your face a mess of snot and tears. You could barely lift your eyes towards him. If he hadn't already been heartbroken, that would have done it. He opened his arms, and you slowly crawled towards him, looking like you expected him to backhand you.
“I'm here.” he whispered as he gathered you to him, rocking slightly with you on his lap. Aizawa remained silent as Daddy's fingers were in your hair.
“You mad. You mad. You mad.” you were murmuring. He only made shushing sounds, hoping to calm you before you began to hyperventilate.
“I'm not mad. I was worried. I was worried you were going to get hurt.” he soothed.
“Been awhile since she had a fit.” Yamada sighed. “I should look at her throat.”
“Good like prying Deku away from her long enough to do that.” Kacchan snorted. You were settling a little, giving hiccuping breaths, your fingers clinging to Daddy.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, won't scream.” you murmured to him.
“I know, baby, I know. Shh, it's okay. No one here is going to hurt you.” he promised. He rose, still cradling you in his arms. “Kacchan, our baby needs a bath and to be loved, I think. Thank you,” he said to the other two men. They nodded and left.
Daddy passed you off to Kacchan while he filled the tub, pouring in bubbles and some vapor bath. Kacchan was stripping you down, settling you into he tub. You laid back and let Daddy take your wash cloth, the yellow one that was super soft, and clean you up.
“Know what, Kacchan?”
“What, nerd?” he was still hovering around, arms crossed.
“I think we have a tiny baby tonight.”
“Really?” he perked up a bit. He loved when you were tiny. He'd dress you in one of those footed onesies and let you lay on his chest. If you were really tiny, he might even get to make you a bottle. He loved bottle feeding you, loved watching your eyes flutter closed while he snuggled you so close to him.
“Yup. I'll get the baby fox all clean, and you can get her jammies and make her a bottle.” he said. Kacchan nodded and was off. He returned with a night diaper, a footed onesie with the mittens that covered your hands, and was off again.
“I—I can't b-b-be sm-small.” you managed to choke out.
“Yes, you can. You need to. I can tell, Daddy knows.” he hummed. “Just relax, baby girl. Daddy knows, and Daddy will take care of you.” he rinsed you off and lifted you out of the tub. You were dried off quickly, and he laid you out on the towel on the floor.
Your eyes were hazy, and you were quiet as he diapered you. He noticed the pink in your cheeks, but said nothing. He maneuvered your body into the onesie. This one was duck themed, and even had a ducky hood. He pulled it up, tucking your hair in and then lifting you to give you a kiss.
“I bet Kacchan has a nice warm bottle for you, love.” he was swaying slightly, pushing you even deeper into headspace. When had his voice gotten so soothing, almost hypnotic?
“Why don't we go to snuggle in bed, huh?”
He walked with your chin over his shoulder. You pressed your face into his neck. There was someone talking to him in hushed tones, but Daddy only stroked your back as he spoke to the other person. You didn't worry about what was being said.
“Oh look, Kacchan does have your bottle!”
“Perfectly warm,” he bragged. He held out his arms for you. “Gimme my kid, Deku.” you were handed over, snuggling into Kacchan. Hey had bought a special pillow to tuck under their arms on he occasion you needed bottle fed.
“Hey baby. Look at your ducky outfit. I knew you'd be cute.” he tucked he nipple of the bottle between your lips and watched you begin to drink. One of your hands came to rest on his as he held the bottle.
“I think she'll be down all weekend.” Daddy said softly, rubbing your legs while you drank.
“She needs it, maybe.” Kacchan murmured. You were mostly asleep. “I've never had her melt down on me like that. I don't get it.”
“I don't think you did anything wrong, Kacchan.” he said thoughtfully. “She's been struggling with accepting her headspace for a long time. She could be very small a lot of the time, and everyone here would be fine with that. She fights it. She was hurt when she was biologically small, she's trying to protect herself. It isn't that she doesn't trust us, she can't trust anyone. But, we're working on it. That's all we can do.”