Chapter Text
“I have zero problems watching both of them!” Nemuri assured them. Shouta just raised an eyebrow at her.
“It isn't that we don't trust you...” Hizashi began, then trailed off. “It's just that both of them all weekend is kind of a lot, isn't it?”
“You'd take care of Denki for me.” she shrugged, waving off the concern.
“Of course we would. But there's two of us.” Hizashi swallowed, trying to think of a way around it.
“Well, if you've promised Bunny a whole weekend of being small, I don't think you can backtrack on it now, can you?” she countered. “He'd be devastated.”
“He'd understand.”
“No, she's right.” Shouta cut in. “He would understand, 'Zashi, but he'd be really unhappy about it. And he'd do that thing where he doesn't tell us how unhappy he is. If Nemuri feels like she can handle it, we should let her try.”
“Yeah, totally, agreed. But...” he swallowed hard. There was something he wasn't saying, something he didn't want to speak about in front of their friend. “I mean, these tickets were just handed to us. We shouldn't go. We'd be breaking a promise.”
“Not if he's having a sleep over with his little buddy!” the woman shook her head. “And we have been promising them they could have a little sleep over. I'm volunteering. I'm taking the hit on this one. You two never get away, and even less since you took guardianship. Even grown ups need time together.” she said sagely.
“All right,” Hizashi slumped in his seat.
“Don't sound too enthusiastic.” Shouta huffed. “People will get the idea you don't like your husband.”
“Never!” he pressed a hand to his chest. “I love my husband. I also love my fluffy little bun-bun, and I hate leaving him.”
“We'll be fine.” Nemuri assured. “I have the weekend off. They'll be at my apartment, watching movies and playing with their toys. He won't even have a chance to miss you.”
Hizashi wasn't sure about that one, but he knew better than to say too much about it. And so he and Shouta packed for their weekend away. Izuku sat on the edge of their bed, that dreamy look clouding into his eyes before he shook himself away from it.
“Problem child,” Shouta was bending down, best to keep eye contact with the boy. “It is perfectly fine to slip. We'll get you over to Night-Night and Denki. They're waiting for you. Denki is very excited to play with his pal.”
Izuku only made a whiny sound. He was wearing his bunny sweater, and he pulled at it, letting it gather around his face. He was in that uncomfortable in between space. Shouta, having already finished putting his bag together, picked up the boy.
“Shh,” he murmured, bouncing him slightly. “It's okay to be sad. Are you sad that you're going to miss us?”
“See!” Hizashi poked his head from the closet. “We'll just have to cancel and have our comfy weekend. Real tragic.”
“Hush!” Shouta glared. “I'm surprised. You're normally the one who is just itching for us to go out somewhere.”
“Well that was before we got Bunny, wasn't it?” he sighed, making sure his own bag was finished. He took the kid from his husband, snuggling him neatly. He hummed as he snuggled him, well rewarded when Zuzu seemed to settle down a bit.
“I got a present for you.” he sang.
“We talked about this.”
“No, you made demands and I ignored them. Why did you think anything else would have been possible?” the blond chuckled. Shouta only let out a sigh. Of course he was right, he was nearly always right. Not that he'd ever say that out loud.
Hizashi carried the boy to the closet, where he pulled out a gift bag. He sat on the bed, Izuku on his lap. The boy cautiously opened the bag and then let out an endearing little squeak. It was a stuffed bunny, with some of the softest fur Shouta had ever seen on a plush. And of course it was green. What else would have been possible?
“Papa!” the baby gasped. “For me?”
“All for you, my bunny.” he gave him a squeeze and a kiss. “So you'll have something to cuddle tonight and tomorrow.” he sighed, standing up.
“Do you have the baby's bag?”
“Yes, dear.” Shouta said, deadpan.
“And the extra pacifier?”
“Yes, dear.” nodded.
“And the fluffy blanket he likes?”
“And a partridge in a pear tree. Can we get a move on? We'll miss the train if we don't get moving.” he sighed. He grabbed the bag that they had designated for Izuku. His husband didn't let the baby go, murmuring into his hair as they walked through the tunnels to Nemuri's. Inside, they could hear the faint sounds of a cartoon and feet racing around the floor.
“Ah! There you are. I was wondering if you'd backed out.” the door flew open. It was still strange to see her with her hair pulled up into a high ponytail, a loose t shirt and a pair of yoga pants.
“Hello, Zuzu, darling.”
“He's feeling a little shy.” Hizashi admitted. Shouta handed off the bag while Hizashi stepped in and unwrapped the arm around his neck.
“We'll see you in two sleeps, baby.”
“Love you,” Izuku mumbled. Shouta knelt down to pull him into a big hug then. He nuzzled his cheeks into Izuku's hair, enjoying the child in his arms for a few moments.
“Be good for Night-Night.” he sighed, finally releasing Izuku. Denki was standing in the living room, bouncing on his toes. He had to give the kid credit; he was trying to be respectful of Izuku's space and not crowd him.
He waved, and he two of them were gone.
***
“'Zuku!” Denki finally said. “Come on, come on, I got Lego, and Night-Night said we could watch a Pokemon movie! Who is your favorite? Mine is Pikachu.”
“Wow, really? Who would have guessed.” Midnight snorted. Denki sighed at her, but smiled when she ushered his friend over.
“I like your bunny, Izuku. Does he have a name?”
“Fresco,” it was a word hat he'd heard Sero use, and it seemed to fit his new furry friend. Night-Night patted his head.
“All right, boys, why don't you play with the Lego and I'll start your movie? I'll be at the table getting some work done.” she flicked on a film with the remote. Denki plopped down on the floor, already entranced. Izuku sank down, Fresco in his lap.
“We're gonna have fun!” Denki gave him another electric grin. He gave a weak smile back and hugged the toy. Well, he thought, it was only for two nights. And he did like Denki, and he did like Midnight fine.
They just weren't Daddy and Papa. Denki was shoving some Lego towards him, and he began to fit the bricks together. The movie was exciting, and he hadn't seen it before. It wasn't long until he was absorbed in the film and the two of them were building
what they had dubbed a Pokemon Palace. I was just the right size for all the plastic little creatures the blond collected to fit into.
“Lunch!” Night-Night sang out, startling them from their play. “I made macaroni and cheese. Do you like that, Zuzu?”
“Yes,”
Even if he hadn't, he wouldn't have said anything. He had been strictly taught to eat what is offered to him and say thank you. Night-Night had plastic divided plates, and helpings of macaroni and cheese, along with some steamed veggies on the side. They said their thanks and began to eat.
If he was feeling a little quiet, it didn't seem to matter. Denki and Night-Night were able to keep up a conversation for the three of them. Izuku chimed in now and then, and when the plates were clear, they were whisked away and two cupcakes set down in front of them with a wink.
“I know Aizawa likes it when you eat real food. And you did! You had a whole real meal. I think that has earned you a cupcake. Don't you?” he nodded enthusiastically and took a bite of the treat, covered as it was with red frosting.
By the time they were done, both boys were a sticky mess. It lead to Night-Night having to wipe them down. Izuku stood still and calm while she took the wet rag to his face and fingers. Denki, on the other hand, tried to dodge her, meaning she had to chase him around the living room as he protested, saying he'd be showering before bed, so why did it matter?
Eventually, the frosting was removed from his face, although by then it was dry and a bit like spackle. She was giving him a dark look before directing them to pick up the Lego so she could bring out puzzles to do.
“I can't!” Denki declared, flopping to the floor. “I am much too weak, Night-Night. Far too tired.”
“Oh?” she looked down at him, arms crossed. He nodded seriously, then draped his arm over his eyes. “Oh, my poor little boy!” she crooned. Denki gave Izuku a wink.
“How could I have missed this? Obviously you're much too tired, aren't you?”
“I really am.” he nodded solemnly.
“Then I suppose this is the perfect time for a nap, isn't it?” she was bending down, pulling him up by he elbows. The boy froze, then began to struggle.
“No, wait wait! I'm fine, Night-Night, I really am! See?” he broke away from her and began to pick up he Lego, putting it all away with lightning speed.
“So I see,” she nodded. “Well, in that case, why don't we have snuggles on the couch? We can watch Little Bear.” she bustled off to another room, coming back with pillows and blankets. She made up space on the couch and sat in the middle, patting either side.
Izuku clutched his bunny and approached her, shyly climbing into one side. He sat close, but not quite touching her. Denki nestled right into her side, snug under a blanket, looking expectantly at the television.
“Come here, Bun-Bun.” Night-Night tempted. He crept closer, then laid against her, feeling a little wooden. After a moment, her hand at the back of his neck, he was relaxing. It wasn't the same as cuddling with his Daddy or Papa, but it was still nice. Night-Night was soft and smelled lovely, and she had fingernails that were just long enough to scratch nicely a this skin, relieving something he hadn't known was bothering him.
The show was nice, he thought. It was soothing and quiet, not exciting like Pokemon. There was still a plot, unlike some of his baby shows that were mainly music and shapes. The music was nice, too. It wasn't his lullaby playlist, for sure. But it was nice. He was watching the bear talk to a cat, and he thought there might have been a dream about a mermaid.
It didn't matter though, because he was soon asleep. Denki was slumped into his caregiver, also asleep. Nemuri sat there with both boys, the show still playing on low. She stroked their hair, listening to them breathe. There was nothing as calming as sitting with a sleeping child, she thought. How pure and lovely for a child to trust her enough to protect them in their sleep. The wonder husbands had worried far too much, she thought. Izuku was doing just fine. A little shy, maybe, and certainly he missed his caregivers. But he was doing just fine, no meltdowns.
She closed her own eyes and leaned back into the couch. She blew out a breath and glanced at Denki, asleep with his mouth open. Izuku was curled into a ball, wrapped around his bunny. She twitched the blankets up over them and exhaled. Best to get in a nap herself while she could.