Chapter Text
Before the manor, before the cage, before his innocence was slowly torn from him. There was a little boy with dark green hair and bright green eyes bouncing on the couch. His mom has been attempting to get him to sleep but after learning that dad was coming home it was impossible.
“You really miss your dad don’t you?” Inko’s voice is a small hum as she watches the little boy throw himself on her lap. He was practically vibrating with energy as he nodded his head refusing to sleep until he saw dad. She tried to hide the worry that it was possible he might come too late but she doesn’t want to deny him. He rarely sees his dad, she moves her hand through her child's hair as brushes her fingers against his scalp.
Even if she has been trying not to be overly affectionate, wanting him to become independent she can’t help but indulge in these moments. Her own dark colored eyes close as she enjoys the peace of their home, “Alright, we can wait just a bit longer. I’ll make him sing you to sleep, it's the least he can do.”
As she had been with Izuku all day caring and taking care of his needs. So the least her husband could do was help him sleep after making them wait. The small boy cheered at this seeming excited practically wiggling and it was quite a long wait. It was a miracle that he hadn’t passed out like she expected so she couldn’t just carry and tuck him in.
And of course he was rewarded by the sound of their front door clicks. Izuku perks up, clearly exhausted but fighting sleep wanting his dad. Inko giggles softly as picks up the small boy in her arms resting his head on her shoulders, “Seems daddy got home just in time.”
The man, Hisashi, was startled when his wife came to the door carrying their obviously exhausted son. His eyes looked wide in slight surprise as he took off his hat and loosened his tie that his wife had meticulously fixed for him.
“Well this is a pleasant surprise. I would think you two would be asleep by now,” He spoke with an amused smile. Only for his eyes to widen when suddenly Inko was already offering Izuku to him. The small boy was reaching out as well making it clear that he wanted this and the taller man dropped his suitcase to pick up the small boy. As Inko looked exhausted but then childcare certainly isn’t easy it was why they worked out this arrangement.
“I’ll take care of him, sweet heart,” Hisashi assures as can tell that Inko was close to passing out also. So he can at the least tuck in his own son, the small boy squirms as they parted ways with Inko going to their shared room. Izuku was a big boy now so he had his own space; the many little All Might blankets and memorabilia littered the room. The All Might onesie that Izuku was in nearly covered the boy's face as he tucks the boy into the bed. Only to be stopped from moving as it seemed Izuku was clinging onto him.
“Mama said you sing to me to sleep…” the small exhausted boy muttered despite his tired state. Hisashi looked startled at the request before he smiled at the small boy in understanding. He goes to sit on the bed hearing it creek underneath him as he tries to think of something to sing for his kid. His mind drifts to his visit to the America’s looking at some books on nursery rhymes for kids and he had the perfect one.
“Thankfully there is one I have been dying to tell to my favorite little boy. It’s in English but eventually you’ll learn what it means with modifications,” Hisashi coos leaning down to nuzzle and kiss the small boy's head. Earning a small grumble from the tired boy as he snuggles deeper into the covers finally releasing his grip. As if was comfortable enough to trust that his dad isn’t about to leave without giving him a soothing lullaby.
“Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Daddys's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don't sing, Daddy's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns brass, Daddy’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke, Daddy's gonna buy you a billy goat,
And if that billy goat doesn't pull, Daddy's gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over, Daddy's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won't bark, Daddy's gonna buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down, well you'll still be the sweetest baby in town.”
As the small boy slowly fell asleep to his father singing there was an additional verse. One that felt much darker as his father moved closer to his ear. As if it was a secret promise only for him to hear.
“And if that mockingbird don't sing nor that diamonds don’t shine. I’ll break the birdie's neck and make that jeweler eat every karat he scammed because my little boy deserves the whole world….”
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Two Years Later
A loud crash wakes up the small boy. A groan escaped him as he rolls over to see that U had fallen over and knocked over the chair. The black rabbit was clumsy, always trying to run away whenever it could despite the fact it was his rabbit. It didn’t bother Izuku too much as the overgrown rabbit realized it had been caught escaping.
The small boy reached out remembering how his dad told him that if he fusses just grab and tell him to hold still. He drags the overgrown rabbit onto the bed ignoring how it tried to claw with it dull claws into the floor. Before plopping back into bed, “Hold still.”
As his dad said the bunny stopped struggling and he snuggled the large rabbit that was bigger then he was. A small hum escaped him as the rabbit seemed to have just given up its attempt to escape.
Izuku was five years old. Still so small and vulnerable to the world as he curls in bed wondering what even is the point of getting out of bed. It has been a year since he ended up locked in this place his father was here but it was the same every day. He flicks the rabbit's ear a bit as he stares blankly at the large bunny watching its nose twitch trying to look away from him. He sighs, laying his head back into the pillow wondering if he was a bad son.
“I know my dad here. He swore he would always be here but…” He trails off watching the green eyes of the rabbit glance over at him. He missed school and being able to learn new things that weren't just from his dad. His dad has expanded the house a bit but it still felt too small like it was suffocating him. Then he remembered.
“Oh right! My dad did say that he was going to get me a tutor today!” Izuku jolts up, nearly knocking the rabbit off the bed. Barely making a save as he grabs the rabbit remembering his mom saying it rude to be so loud. The black rabbit stomped its foot to show its annoyance since apparently it can’t make expressions. “S-Sorry U. It's just been a long time since I've seen anyone else. Do you think the tutors will be nice?”
It didn’t respond but Izuku liked to imagine it was shrugging even if all it did was stare at him blankly. He smiles as he goes to get off from the bed, being careful as the bed was quite big. His dad usually allows him to sleep in his bed if needed but he was trying to be a big boy. The black rabbit jumps off the bed with a loud thump beginning to groom itself and fix its fur. Izuku giggles really glad that his dad got him such a cute pet. He moved to pet it head, earning a paw to try and push his hands away.
A small giggle escaped the small boy not at all minding the rabbit gesture as he goes to get himself cleaned up in the bathroom. Moving the box his father got for him he moves it in front of the sink. Doing his daily routine that he had learned from his mom to do now that he was a big boy. His rabbit sprawled on the floor simply waiting at the door as his master fixed himself up for the day, only to perk up. The door opens as someone enters the room during Izuku’s morning routine.
Izuku blinked, noticing a dark figure showing in the mirror as soon as he had spit into the sink. His eyes widened before he was picked up, “AH!”
“Got you!” The figure roared, throwing him into the air a bit before suddenly smothering the small boy. A shrill squee escaped Izuku as he move his hand against the man head before his scream turned into laughter.
“Daaad! No, your face is fuzzy!” Izuku cried out as his father was brushing his slightly fuzzy face against his own baby face. The ‘dark’ figure was just his father Hisashi deciding to spook his little kid. Likely because he took quite a while, unlike mom who waited. His dad always came to check on him. He didn’t mind, after all, he had asked for his dad to never leave him.
“I can’t help it, I could eat you up.” The man coos as continues his playful cuddling despite his son’s protest. It seemed he had just woken up if his face was still unshaven making a beeline for his kid. Izuku squirms and protests before was finally no longer being tortured by his fathers shadow of a beard. Hisashi looks down at the small with a kind expression, one he started wearing more after Izuku cried.
“Do you remember what today is?” Hisashi questioned and Izuku’s eyes brightened. Nodding his head staring up at him. The man seemed a bit unsure despite his smile attempting to seem reassuring. These small things were something Izuku was slowly beginning to pick up, able to see the uncertainty in the smallest mannerisms. He lays his head against his dads chest and nuzzles him in assuring him.
“Ok, I made sure to pick the best teachers for you. I’ll be in the office working if you ever need anything during the lessons just call for me,” His dad assures him knowing that needed to be away so can focus on learning. But he was never too far, always within reach for Izuku to run to whenever he needed it.
This was a promise and his dad will keep it.
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Lesson’s gave him a distraction from the monotony of the manor. The tutors were all kind, especially his home tutor that helped him learn reading and math. Though she was also the only tutor that was completely online. His father said it was because she was much too busy to be making such trips. Though Izuku never questioned how any of them got into the house with no doors.
There were five different tutors. A music teacher, Mr. Kurahashi, who Izuku asked to teach the violin since it was the first thing that came to mind. He was cold almost yet in a way that felt almost indifferent. A home economics teacher, Ms. Nakamura, as he wanted to learn to cook and bake like his dad, she was sickeningly sweet. She seemed constantly on edge when working with him for reasons he doesn’t understand.
A physical education teacher, Mr. Yamamoto, helps him to do stretches and simple workouts so he can stay healthy. The man had a stern face but always seemed nervous when Izuku was to do something as if was thinking he was fragile, it was annoying. A Social Studies teacher, Ms. Yoko, was willing to help him learn about the world. Though it seemed it was a bit filtered as sometimes she would avoid answering certain questions.
And then a teacher that helped with math and reading, Ms. Robinson they were an online teacher they didn’t seem nervous nor evasive like the rest. If anything they noted this was unconventional but their father refused to take him to their class so does it online. They seemed to be the odd one out as they were actually stern but also smiled much more genuinely.
Izuku liked her.
The sound of construction can be heard as he was on his second week with his tutors. It seemed the teacher was tolerating it even though this was his music teacher. Mr. Kurahashi never seemed nervous like the others but also didn’t seem invested in his lessons either. It was hard to hear anything as he tried to hold the violin properly like he told him and he felt frustrated.
He was just too small! The violin was much bigger than he was and he wanted to cry in frustration. It has been over a week and he still struggled. It was to much as tears welled up at the fact he couldn’t even do something so simple
“I hate-!” He was about to shout despite the construction noises blaring as was building more to the manor. To throw the violin and give up on this tell his dad it was a mistake to learn. But he didn’t get to finish what he was to say as for once his tutor's eyes widened in horror. There was an expression of dread and the man lunged toward him to cover his mouth. Making the small boy freeze up feeling the hand against his mouth, his eyes wide with terror.
“Shhh, if you say that the monster will come.” The man spoke just loud enough for Izuku to hear despite the construction.
Monster?
Izuku’s eyes stared wide in confusion and fear as he had never been manhandled by someone that wasn’t his dad. It didn’t seem the man was about to release him just yet as was looking around. Those dark black eyes stare around the area as was kneels in front of Izuku before looking back at him.
“You don’t know about the monster, do you?” He noted. Izuku slowly shakes his head as his dad never mentioned there being a monster. His dad said this place is safe. The man hums softly before removing his hand. “Stay quiet, he is always waiting. He only comes out when you show you’re unhappy.”
Izuku trembled, not understanding how a monster could be in his house, “Why does the monster come out?”
Mr. Kurahashi seemed to relax once Izuku was listening to him. The usually cold and indifferent man seemed to be choosing his words carefully, “Because if you’re unhappy then it gets angry. It will kill me, and didn’t you mention you wanted to be a hero? I would like your help to avoid that, you can’t tell anyone about how unhappy you are. No matter what.”
Izuku’s own hand moved to cover his own mouth, shocked at the very idea that just him being upset would get someone hurt. Memories of what happened to his own mom made him want to cry as he didn’t want to get someone hurt. But it contradicted what his dad said that he is supposed to tell him everything if didn’t like something.
A monster tho, his dad likely doesn’t know. Would that mean it would get his dad if he said he was angry at his dad causing Izuku to be left all alone? He was scared.
“I-I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Izuku whimpered. He found his voice and the music teacher went to stand back up as looks down at him with a relieved expression. Making the idea there really is a monster around feel even more real.
“That’s good. Let’s take a break for now. We will practice your form after break,” the man speaks despite the terror he had instilled in the child. That this house had a monster.
And he has to live with it.