Chapter Text
Izuku is just a child when he is placed in the foster system, following the tragic death of his mother in a villain attack. He recalls the horror of watching his mom get left behind by the heroes in the burning apartment, feeling helpless as she was taken from him. It’s a moment that scars him deeply, and it marks the start of his disillusionment with heroes. Once full of admiration for the symbol of peace, Izuku’s faith in heroes slowly fades as he finds himself in one foster home after another.
He reflects on how each family didn’t last long, some of them being distant, others abusive, none of them showing the warmth he craved. Years pass, and Izuku feels like an outcast, never truly belonging. His heart remains closed off to the idea of love, and he quietly comes to terms with the fact that maybe heroes, or anyone, would never really save him.
Eventually, he finds himself in U.A. High, where he meets the teachers, including Aizawa, who is indifferent but capable. Despite being surrounded by so many students, Izuku still feels like he’s alone. He can’t shake the fear of becoming just another forgotten kid in a system that only sees him as a case number.
Aizawa watches Izuku carefully in his first few days at U.A., noticing the boy’s nervous energy, his willingness to please, and the way he holds himself back, as if he's waiting for something bad to happen. Aizawa doesn't know much about Izuku’s backstory, only that he's one of the students who showed the most promise—albeit with quirks that were still unstable and unpredictable.
Aizawa’s first impression is one of cautious observation. He doesn’t expect much at first, thinking of him as just another student trying to fit into a world of heroes. But as the days go by, he finds himself drawn to Izuku's persistence, the fire he keeps hidden deep within. The kid doesn't give up, and something about that sticks with Aizawa.
Aizawa never really considered adopting or fostering a child. His life was always consumed by his work as a hero, and he felt like he was too jaded to be a father. But after an emotionally taxing case, where a child was left abandoned due to parents dying in a villain attack, Aizawa finds himself reconsidering his stance. The thought of providing a stable, nurturing environment for a child crosses his mind, and the idea feels surprisingly right.
He visits a few foster homes in his spare time, hoping to make a difference, but the more he sees, the more disillusioned he becomes. The children all look lost, like they’ve given up on hope. He sees his own pain reflected in their eyes, but something keeps him searching for the right child—someone who feels like they need him, someone who could heal as he could.
One quiet evening, Aizawa visits another orphanage. This one is smaller, quieter, and there’s a heavy air of sadness around the place. As he walks through the halls, a familiar voice reaches his ears. He pauses, his heart stopped. The voice is unmistakable—Izuku’s.
Aizawa approaches the room cautiously, not quite understanding why he feels so unsettled. There, he sees Izuku, sitting alone in a corner, his eyes distant and his posture closed off, just like he looked the first time Aizawa met him at U.A. But here, surrounded by other kids, Izuku doesn’t look like the same hopeful student he’s come to know. He looks... lost.
Izuku doesn’t notice Aizawa at first, but when he does, his face briefly shows a flicker of recognition before he shuts it down, his gaze dropping. Aizawa doesn’t ask any questions, but his mind starts to race, piecing together what’s happening. The pieces fall into place, and a deep, aching realization hits him—Izuku, his student, was part of the foster care system too.
Aizawa stands there for a moment, feeling a mix of emotions he can’t quite understand. Anger, sadness, guilt, and a growing need to protect. He’s spent months teaching Izuku, helping him grow, and yet he had no idea of the pain and loneliness Izuku was hiding behind his bright, hopeful facade.
As Aizawa leaves the foster home that day, he can’t shake the image of Izuku sitting there alone. Something about the whole situation feels wrong. Izuku deserved better than to be lost in the system.
The next few weeks are a blur of thoughts and decisions. Aizawa talks with the proper authorities and finally makes the choice that will change both their lives. He knows Izuku has suffered too long, and it’s time to offer him something he’s never had—family. He doesn’t need to be a hero to help Izuku; he just needs to be there.
When Aizawa tells Izuku, the boy’s expression is unreadable. But Aizawa can see the spark of hope in his eyes, the same spark that had been buried under layers of fear and pain for so long. Izuku’s voice trembles as he asks, “You mean it? You want me... to come with you?”
Aizawa doesn’t hesitate. “Yes, I want you to be my son. It’s not going to be easy, but I’ll do my best to help you.”
Izuku nods, his eyes welling up. It’s the first time he’s truly let himself feel anything since his mother’s death.
Izuku and Aizawa start their journey together, not as just teacher and student, but as father and son. The road is far from perfect, but both of them know that this is the start of something new. For Aizawa, fostering Izuku was never part of the plan, but it feels like the most natural thing in the world. And for Izuku, he’s finally found someone who won’t leave him behind