Archive of Our Own ^beta

Yugi Toshinori faced the most difficult villains on the battlefield but never thought a wooden door could give him so much apprehension. 

He recalled events from last night, after the sudden call made by the green-haired man, explaining the necessity to have someone in their surrounding to keep an eye on their daughter. The older man knew how his old student was stressed about the slightest unforeseen, causing the worst of scenarios inside his mind, but Yugi chose reassurance by confirming his presence. The relieved expression in Izuku’s tone reflected the lightening in his heart, especially when All Might enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, despite his own insecurity. Things haven’t always been easy with the series of tragic events that happened in Izuku and Katsuki’s high school years, but the rest of the adventure has been comfortable enough to find rest in this family dynamic, which erased his loneliness.

He was proud of Izuku as his student, but he shared an immense delight when he saw how the naive teenager became the most inspiring name of this decade. He wouldn’t mind doing him a favor, especially when he loved how the little demon residing in this apartment was the perfect mix of her stubborn dads, who gave him a hard time in the past years. There was something reassuring about the idea of waking up another morning without fearing any attack from the league of villains, even if their ghosts still haunted most of their dreams…

His exhausted glance observed the corridor with the silent neighbors, who had probably grown tired since the Wonder Duo reached this building. Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo were comprehensive people, with an endearing personality for some and harsh for others, but it didn’t change the unconditional love they shared for their daughter, who easily became the center of their universe. Their families immediately accepted the arrival of this small head in their daily lives, and offered their help during this first experience as new parents, even when the crying baby was genuinely loved by everyone. There’s no doubt she was more than protected with her dads - being the strongest heroes in the rank - and their surroundings: If someone wanted to touch one of her hairs or do the impossible by using her as a target, they’d be immediately dead. 

The older man sighed, regaining his breath with another knock. He moved closer to hear the familiar voice of the freckled man on the other side, followed by a few footsteps and noises of a television playing in the background. This domestic life was far from their stressed one on the battlefield, highlighted by with fear of dying with a second of inattention, but their dream goals shouldn’t have to take the lead over their personal beliefs. The lock moved at the presence of a strong palm against the cold material, exposing the distinct atmosphere of this apartment, and the emerald eyes met the familiar ones of his mentor with a slight smile crossing the corner of his lips.

The shorter man looked prepared with his messy curls, comfortable clothes without any ketchup stains, and the absence of bags under his eyes. Yagi nodded and thanked him, glancing around to notice the dishes in the kitchen sink, the towels resting against the wooden counter, and the rest of the drink that Kiara had left on the central table. This detail warmed his heart, conscious how the fragile student became the best version of himself. Yagi and he might not be blood related, but he understood the heavy weight of Hisahi’s departure, explaining why the two of them became closer to a father-son relationship over the year, compared to the mentor-student dynamic. 

“I’m so glad you found a way to get there, I know this is nothing but I don’t feel comfortable leaving my baby to some stranger,” the shorter man explained with a light tone, putting his hands behind his neck, almost embarrassed by his childish behavior. After all, Izuku was alright with the idea of letting their daughter explore the world by herself, but a part of him was still scared of seeing her return with injuries on her porcelain skin. She was the most important person in his life, and if someone touched one of her precious blonde curls, he would definitely lose his mind..

“It’s the least I can do, I’ve seen her since she was younger than any of my fans,” Yagi added with a reassuring tone, ruffling the messy curls, trying not to ruin the haircut. The freckled man’s face softened at the gesture, glad to know he had someone to count on when he and his boyfriend had personal plans. Don’t get him wrong, he hated the idea of leaving Kiara alone, but she was safe by her grandpa's side and might forge new souvenirs between them. 

—---

It was crazy how this story started with a simple accident, and before realizing it, Izuku and Katsuki’s words turned into a twist they’d never seen coming. Their twenties had been complicated, marked by a breakup that left indelible marks on their broken heart, but this misunderstanding that caused this abrupt separation, brought them together in the least unexpected way. This second chance was everything the couple wished for, being closer than ever…even with the unexpected arrival of their favorite demon.  

That day, the golden-haired man and his partner walked into the office with a curious expression on their faces, observing how their friends were stunned by something the couple hadn’t discovered yet. The scarred hands met the calloused ones, but their thoughts were interrupted by distinct noises of a baby’s tears from afar.

 It wasn’t the first time the Wonder Duo saved lost children and saw the relieved expressions on the parents' faces. This repeated scenery caused a few questions at the tip of the couple’s lips, wondering if they were ready to reach this step, despite their dangerous lifestyle on the battlefield and their lack of days off after each mission.

The conversation shared by the couple about this important step happened in a clear and honest tone, explaining how, the current timing wasn’t in their favor if they wanted to raise a child, who needed protection in this cruel world. It was difficult for Izuku, but Katsuki suffered from the heartbreaking expression on his lover’s face, deciding to cheer him up until tiredness took the lead over their harsh reality. 

The freckled man moved closer to the small hand in the air, being as fragile as the baby’s cries. His heart arched at the idea that this innocent was suffering from something he couldn’t control despite his very young age, but his instinct convinced him to take a clear glimpse at the small head inside the comfortable blanket. His heart missed a beat when he caught the attention of the tiny baby residing there, with specific details that nearly caused him to faint on the spot:  This child got the same shade of green in her eyes, similar blonde curly hair, and chubby freckled cheeks…who had the exact same form as Izuku’s.

 The shorter man knew he was probably dreaming about some alternative reality where their future wouldn’t be compromised by villains, ready to take their loved ones’ lives away. His eyes widened at the sight, and he naturally moved his palm to cup the chubby cheeks, until the tiny hand grabbed his fingers, sending him chills.

 He had seen his friends welcoming the arrival of their first newborn at the maternity ward, and observed how they talked about their children with a genuine pride and shining sparkles in their eyes. He always wondered how it would feel when it would be his turn, but Izuku Midoriya never expected to see this unforgettable moment happen in the same place that carried a huge weight on his vulnerable shoulders. The gentleness of this touch immediately appeased the baby, who looked at him with her teary eyes, as if she recognized him…even if they’d never met before.

The crimson eyes noticed the tears residing at the corner of his eyes, ready to fall anytime soon: Once again, Katsuki felt guilty for not being able to offer him the reassuring future his childhood friend wanted, but the safety of their child would take the lead over their professional activities once the time had come. It would be too dangerous to let someone as breakable as a newborn be alone in the vicious world, when they barely knew anything about the rest of this adventure. 

Katsuki was worried for his lover’s state: The nerd shouldn’t get too attached to this brat when his parents were probably  worried, but he decided to stand by Izuku’s side during this moment of weakness. His strong palm met the shorter man’s shoulder, who didn’t seem to acknowledge his presence, until the sight caught the blond by surprise. Katsuki Bakugo, usually discreet about his emotions, didn’t even try to show the genuine shock that crossed his face: The brat standing on this purple blanket, was the carbon copy of the imaginary child he pictured in his wildest dreams. 

He knew his friends owned a certain pride concerning their children, but it was different when the stubborn blond was the one concerned by this inexplicable situation. The baby standing in front of him was real, breathing the same air as them, and still held the scarred finger, until the mesmerizing emerald eyes found his, having the impression of seeing the carbon copy of his lover for a few seconds. 

There was no doubt this brat was not older than a few months, but it was so intriguing to see how an naive face like this one seemed so familiar, even for Katsuki’s heart, who never believed in this kind of happenstance. He started to wrap his palm around the trembling shoulders, caressing his lover’s skin through the fabric of his clothes without taking his glance away from the small baby standing there, catching the immediate connection. 

“What’s the deal with this sudden child appearing out of nowhere in our agency ?” The blond asked with a sigh, regaining his breath and observing how the shorter man brought the smaller baby against his chest. The freckled man knew how to calm the sensitive souls, no matter their ages or size, even when they were as delicate as a newborn who looked for reassurance in his surroundings. Izuku calmed himself when he felt how the small girl moved inside his arms, entertained by the fabric of his costume with her concentrated glance, melting the hero’s heart on the spot. “Don’t give me that glance, this child is younger than all of us, they couldn’t use his tiny legs and walk straight to our building-”

“Her,” Izuku corrected with a low tone, looking into his lover’s eyes with a sincere voice. His strong palm held the baby closer to his chest, caressing her back with a reassuring gesture. Katsuki glanced at him with an understanding expression on his face, looking at the small child, who moved her fragile hands in the air, deducing how the nerd was right. 

“You’re right,” he whispered with a disconcerted tone, trying to get over the previous revelations. Katsuki moved closer to make sure Izuku had a supportive shadow by his side, while the colors recognized their friends’ faces, touched by the previous scenes. “I’m pretty sure one of you, if not all, has the answers to our questions. What happened before we came here and did anyone come across the building with suspicious behavior ?”

“A woman arrived with the baby in hand and teary eyes,” affirmed the pink-haired woman, remembering how shocked they were to see such a thing, even if the rest of the mystery was still unsolved. “She said her name was Kaomi and she committed a huge mistake. We tried to resonate with her, but she was in panic and some of the heroes tried to stay with her, I think she’s still downstairs.”

“I guess we have no other choice than confronting Kaomi about this curious accident, maybe Sleepy Eyes was right when he said we attracted problems,” the golden-haired man added with a sigh, holding the shorter figure closer. Izuku smiled at the comment, recalling their tender youth, marked by traumatic frames, but memorable moments that created the best of tales. The green-haired man simply nodded and followed the rest of the group, holding the small girl in the change of environment, which caused a cries out of her trembling lips. 

It didn’t take long before noticing the hidden shadow in the room, with the familiar faces of their classmates, trying to cheer her up. It was obvious how the woman looked guilty of her actions, but the Wonder Duo shared an kind glance and entered the room. Their footsteps echoed in the small space, catching her teary brown eyes, until she noticed the baby residing in the hero’s chest, bringing a slight relief to her chest.  Dynamight and Deku were known to make a great team together, especially with their distinct personalities, which caused some drama in the media, but Kaomi wouldn’t wish for a better duo than them. After all, she was the one who caused this mess and needed to explain what happened, she was glad to know no one judged her for something they hadn’t heard yet!

“Hi, you must be Kaomi, we’re sorry for the sudden visit, but Kacch-Dynamight and I think you could offer us some answers. Can you enlighten us about the situation?” the freckled man asked with a calming tone, putting on his knees while holding the baby closer. He didn’t want to make her fall, especially when her tiny hands held onto his costume, almost like she was already afraid of the void when she was born yesterday. The patient emerald eyes noticed how the woman took the time to regain her breath, until she felt ready to offer her truths. 

“I don’t even know where to start,” Kaomi said, holding back her tears but had no other choice than accepting the consequences of her actions. “It happened in a second of inattention, and I let my quirk take the lead over my rational thinking. My parents always taught me how to take control over this power that could either cause amusement or destroy lives if it’s used for the wrong reasons. I..I have the ability to create objects in my surroundings, often related to something I really want or my loved ones secretly wish. Until now, I controlled it perfectly but I accidentally bumped into both of you, until …this child appeared out of nowhere.”

“So you mean you have the ability to see people’s souls and make their wishes come true ?” Kirishima asked with a curious tone, facing the nod of the silenced woman. It wasn’t the first time the heroes saw this kind of reaction after a strange event that led civilians to the most famous agency of the town, but the people standing there weren’t the ones to blame most of the time. “It only formed into physical objects? Did you ever face a similar situation before or-”

“I’ve never known I was able to create life until now,” Kaomi replied with a low tone, moving her trembling fingers against the fabric of her skirt. 

Her brown eyes looked at the small girl residing in the freckled man’s arms, resting peacefully in his embrace, despite the crazy circumstances: After all, she was just a newborn and didn’t have to pay for seconds of inattention that would either destroy or save a life.

 “Since I was four, I have always manifested physical objects such as toys. It lasted until my big age, but there must be something different with Dynamight and Deku’s case…as if  this was something stronger than any wish made to the stars. It’s none of my business, but I want to apologize for the fear I’ve caused, I promise I’ll be more careful next time!”

If the rest of the group tried to get more information about the woman’s quirk, her revelations never left the couple’s minds. The scarred hands held the baby closer, sensing how she was about to cry again, explaining why he decided to temporarily leave the room. Izuku didn’t even realize  his childhood friend followed him, while closing the door in light movements to not scare the tormented minds, who faced a serious case with Kaomi’s revelations. 

The fragile thumbs caressed the chubby cheeks, trying to calm the baby down, until her emerald eyes met the crimson ones, moving her hands in the air. Izuku turned around to look at his boyfriend, who seemed hesitant: After all, Katsuki had never held anyone’s baby until now, afraid to let them fall or see how fragile their lives were, but it was different. 

The tiny girl in the blanket proved how she trusted the nerd enough to rest inside his comfortable embrace, but the repetitive cries and tears on her cheeks showed how she wanted to stay in the blond’s arms! Izuku smiled, stealing a kiss against his lover’s forehead to explain how it was alright, moving the baby into the reassuring scent: The previous tears stopped after a few seconds, while the small girl rested in the strong arms of the unreachable Dynamight. It was his first time, but Izuku’s reassuring glance consoled his previous worries, especially when he felt the tiny fingers playing with the fabric of his costume. 

Something happened when the shorter man observed the tender scene with a smile on his lips, and the efficient bond that formed between the stubborn hero and this innocent soul. Her blonde curls moved with the more confident arms that held her in a better position, obsevring how Katsuki couldn’t let go of this small human, who found appeasement in his embrace…something he never thought possible until now!  The distinct freckles on her chubby cheeks reminded him of the gorgeous marks on his lover’s skin, transcribed into inked tattoos, made to reflect the ethereal beauty of their bond. 

“See? You’re not so bad with children,” pointed out the green-haired man with a light tone, kissing his cheeks.  “She’s beautiful, and probably the most adorable child I’ve ever seen.”

He knew his childhood friend was distant when it came to weakness, but the previous years taught them how it became their biggest strength in the unknown. As expected, their bond was immediate, highlighted by the taller man who couldn’t keep his focused eyes away from the small human residing there, finding peace in his arms. Izuku’s face softened and his glance lost itself on the girl in the basket, making a slight yawn, considering the idea of exploring more about this domestic dynamic.

“You’ll be right to describe this brat that way, but it doesn’t make things easier for us,” the blond said with a low tone, turning his head to meet the concerned glance on the hero’s face. Izuku wasn’t naive and knew how they had to talk about the rest of this journey now that this angel had left an unforgettable mark: The couple didn’t expect to see those blonde curls appearing in their vision field and change the trajectory of their lives, but it was too late to pretend they didn’t care about this sleeping figure. 

“We have a complicated schedule with our shifts, and it would be hard to organize clear changes in the next weeks, but I don’t want to leave her alone. Remember what Keomi said? Her existence isn’t a coincidence, maybe we should revisit our plans concerning family.” Izuku knew this was a huge risk, especially with the potential mistakes they’ll commit if they chose to keep her by their side, by it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try when they were already attached to her. “I don’t think I’ll be comfortable with the idea of leaving her behind when she doesn’t know anything about life. Maybe it’s my selfishness, but I don’t mind the idea of seeing her growing up by our side…Only if you agree to.”

Katsuki Bakugo would do anything to see the radiant smile on his childhood friend’s face. He wouldn’t mind taking the world down if this means falling thousands of times for this inspiring shadow that brightened his days since his golden youth. Izuku was conscious of this unconditional devotion and didn’t use it to influence the final decision, showing his maturity concerning the blond’s decision and potential compromises. The crimson eyes stole a quick glance at the sleeping figure, resting peacefully in her purple blanket, unaware of the chaos she caused by her existence, but the hope she brought back into the couple’s hearts.

 “It might be hard at first, we’ll definitely need the help of our parents, but maybe we can make it fair for the three of us,” the golden-haired man mumbled with a gentle grin at the corner of his lips. Izuku’s eyes widened at the response, holding back his tears and shutting his boyfriend’s down with a gentle kiss, until their forehead met, acting like teenagers who shared their first love confessions. “I’ve always thought you would be a good dad, but I can’t say the same for me… we can’t leave this brat here, right ?”

That night, the Wonder Duo put their hero card down and authorized the title of parents. Despite their justified fears, the two men knew they had made the right choice when they saw the sleeping figure between them, preparing them for the most memorable tales.

—---

The background noises caught Izuku and Yagi’s attention, forcing them to leave their sudden reminiscence. The freckled man smiled at the reassuring sight near his reach, observing the presence of his childhood friend, wearing a matching outfit that mixed with his, holding the small girl inside his strong arms. 

The great Dynamight, who became the hero of many people, gladly accepted this title from their daughter, who looked at him with sparkling eyes, similar to a certain someone. The tiny baby they held inside their arms was now a tall shadow, who grew up in the blink of an eye but each souvenir they shared together remained Izuku and Katsuki’s favorites.

 The couple knew they would rather cancel an overseas mission than leave their baby aside with her thoughts and fear of abandonment, cherishing the meaningful sleepover with their daughter in front of her favorite movie. The tiny blanket didn’t fit her anymore, but Kiara was naturally sensitive and moved her hands against the blond’s shirt, while holding her plushie in the other hand. Her chubby cheeks stayed as beautiful as the first day, even when she was now a five-year-old kid, and always found reassurance in her dads’s comforting embraces. 

The calloused hands caressed her back in gentle movements with a kiss against her forehead, highlighting her pigtails, Her orange dress was the perfect mix between her dads’s costumes, being proud to choose this one on her own, under the praise of her parents. It was the least they could do, especially when Kiara was the target of the vicious spirits that haunt the darkest nights, dreaming about the lifeless bodies of her dads and causing heartbreaking cries in the room. The two men always stayed by her side until she fell asleep, explaining how they would chase the bad spirits away. Their daughter was the most important person in their lives, and seeing her suffering was the worst of fate, being more horrible than death itself! 

Kiara rested her head against the blond’s neck, mumbling a few things about letting him stay here a little longer. The crimson eyes meet the gentle emerald ones from afar, understanding how he needed to reassure their princess if they didn't want to think about this heartbreaking sight the rest of the afternoon. Katsuki put on his knees to let the small girl meet the waxed floor, being hesitant about leaving the previous embrace and holding back her tears. If Yagi didn’t say anything or let his presence be known for the moment, he simply admired the interaction with a soft glance on his exhausted face. 

“Do you really have to go? Papa’s surprise can wait when I’m here,” Kiara said with a light whisper, blushing when the blond’s hands cupped her freckled cheeks. She always admired how her dads were the prettiest and the strongest heroes in the world, but sometimes they didn’t need to save the other children when their daughter was jealous!

“I know you don’t like this, princess, but we’ll be back really soon,” he replied with a pinch at her nose, trying to make her smile. Kiara tried to hide her worries after the affectionate gesture, but Katsuki immediately noticed it and kissed her blonde curls. After all, their daughter always claimed that their dads’ magical kisses were the best, and the hero could use this trick against her naive spirit if this meant changing her mind for a while.  “We both know the nerd can be really scary when he’s stressed, I don’t want to let him kick my ass.”

“Language,” Izuku’s voice echoed from afar, catching their attention. 

The small girl immediately noticed the presence of her grandpa, who waved gently at her with the nicest smile. Her amused eyes met the crimson ones, before releasing a soft chuckle in the room, under the endearing glances on Izuku and Yagi’s faces. The strong bond they created was really impressive, and Yagi couldn’t be prouder of the students who became the most caring parents. 

“Listen, Grandpa Yagi is here to take care of you while we’re gone,” Katsuki explained with a soft tone, ruffling her blonde pigtail. He couldn’t believe how this tiny baby had grown so fast since their first meeting, but he couldn’t be prouder of his amazing boyfriend and daughter. “If you need anything, you can call us. We’ll be in town and it’s not so far from the house, maybe you should show your toy collection to the old man, he’s a relic and probably doesn’t understand them.”

Yagi’s face turned lighter at the comment. He should be hurt by the comment, but he simply took a glimpse at the amazed expression on Izuku’s face: There’s no doubt his old student was genuinely in love with this reassuring future he built with his wasted sweat and tears during his teenage years. This happiness was more precious than any of the victories Katsuki and he had accumulated through the years, knowing a simple smile on Kiara’s face was more meaningful than praise from the crowd. 

“Time flies too fast when you’re an old relic, as your dad said, but come here.” Kiara shared a hesitant glance at her dads’s eyes, figuring out how she needed to leave the blond’s previous embrace. Her short figure appeared in the room and faced her grandpa until she moved closer for a hug. The older man felt the fragility of her chubby hands in the hug, and he returned the gesture by holding her closer, despite his back pain. “Look at you, the last time I saw you, you were smaller than three apples.”

Kiara smiled at the comment and rested her head against her grandpa’s chest. She loved him a lot and wouldn’t mind having him as a babysitter rather than some stranger, able to scare her! Her fingers held the plushie closer, observing how the freckled man grabbed the occasion to move closer to Katsuki and cleaned the last dust on his clothes, under Katsuki’s expressive groans. Kiara was proud to have a family full of heroes, but she hoped bad people won’t hurt her dads when they’re in town…

“I gained a few more centimeters and it’s because I eat soup! Daddy and Papa always tell me it’ll make me as big as them,” she said with a smile. The comment caught the two men off guard, but a reassuring smile crossed their lips, stealing a quick kiss against her cheeks and blonde ponytail. 

“That’s right, and I hate to leave you here, but your dad and I have a lot of things to do this afternoon, be nice with grandpa, and don’t break his back, he’s pretty old,” Katsuki teased with a grin, noticing how Yagi rolled his eyes at the comment. Izuku and Kiara exchanged a glance and seemed pleased by the previous interaction, until she made a thumbs up in the air. The freckled man couldn’t resist stealing a last kiss against her chubby cheeks, making her giggle at the sensation until she felt the calloused hands rifling her ponytail with a prideful expression on his face. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to spend the best time with my favorite demon, after all, you can’t be worse than your dads,” Yagi said with a teasing tone, holding his granddaughter closer. Kiara simply smiled, realizing how his heartbeat was slower than the two heroes, but still reassuring for unknown reasons.

 The older man made a reassuring nod when he noticed how Izuku and Katsuki’s faces became worried at the idea of being separated from their daughter, but they both knew she was safe in Yagi’s arms. A few tender words were exchanged between the couple and the small girl, making a pinky promise to return safely home. After a last kiss against her cheeks,  their hands intertwined, feeling like teenagers discovering love for the first time, but a bunch of years separated them from their first discoveries. 

The sound of the door echoed in the silent apartment, highlighted by the background noises of the traffic near the building, but Yagi simply looked at the shorter figure against his chest. Kiara was so young and he forgot how easy it was to be afraid of the outside world!

 The older man ruffled her ponytails to get her attention, and held her free hands, explaining how he wanted to see the famous toy her dad talked about earlier. Her emerald eyes shone brighter than any midnight sky, agreeing with the idea, and she walked toward her room, still in a mess after the previous game made with her dads. 

It was nothing, but now that Yagi was babysitting his granddaughter, he wanted to do his best, even if he needed to learn more about the rules of the most important rule of his life. 

—---

The first time Yagi discovered this room, there was a baby cot with a white fence as refined as marble,  another proposition from Katsuki, who insisted on getting the best conditions for his princess. Back in the days, Izuku agreed with a smile, forced to see how their baby was very happy in this small world, highlighted by her captiving mumbles. 

Today, this gorgeous bed was replaced by a real one, taller than Kiara’s size, but welcomed by the numerous plushies on the sheet. Yagi glanced around the room to find a bunch of posters from her favorite television show, with proper clothes on the wooden furniture. He was touched to see how his granddaughter had the exclusive plushie from her dad's…and the familiar one of his own merch, something they stopped selling a long time ago. 

The realization brought a light smile to his face, observing how Kiara’s fingers were wrapped around her toys, moving them in the gift house offered for her last birthday. He almost forgot the context of the game, but admired children’s creativity, making this easier if he wanted to re-enter the game without facing the cute frown on her face. Kiara mumbled in her beard, letting the sound of the moving toy and her voice fill the silent room, under the gentle expression on her grandpa's face. It was endearing to see how the world wasn’t meant to stop overnight, leaving a bunch of naive souls behind, kept growing until their own descendants repeated the same process, all over again in different universes.

However, Yagi truly appreciated the moment spent with his granddaughter, he didn’t know what kids enjoyed nowadays! Don’t get him wrong, he was too young to be physically considered as a  “grandpa”, even if he didn’t understand the technology around him, but the new trends kept moving away in the blink of an eye. Until now, Yagi never despised the unknown that brought him so many things, but he hated this impression of being a lost soldier in this constant and moving timeline. 

“You look sad, are you alright ?” Kiara asked with a curious glance, almost worried. Yagi sighed with a groan of complaint from his back pain, forced to accept how he had lost the strength of his youth. At this point, the retirement home would be more than ready to accept his presence, even if he was doomed to look at white walls and mid-day food until his last days! “Do you want a hug? My dads always said it’s a magical trick.”

“I would love to,” the blond-haired man added with a calm tone, appreciating how she moved closer to him without an ounce of hesitation.

Kiara was a baby compared to him, but this simple realization brought an unexpected warmth to the hero’s chest, taking conscience of the luck he had to breathe the same air as his loved ones, instead of being a simple grave in a cemetery. His big palm pinched Kiara’s nose, hearing a soft chuckle: Yagi should be satisfied with the previous gesture that proved to him how Kiara already accepted him a long time ago…but his overthinking kept proving the opposite. The freckled cheeks revealed a small blush, making the older man smile at the gentleness of the situation, wishing to freeze time and see the people he loved stay as young as him, before being sent to the cold cemetery. 

“You know, I’m starting to think you also have magical tricks, are you a magician ?” Yagi asked with amazement, catching the sparkles stars in her emerald eyes, melting his heart on the spot. “Tell me…what do kids like nowadays ?”

 “I don’t know,” the small girl said with a slight nod at his curious questions, putting her fingers on her chin. It was probably a habit she gained from observing the adults in her surroundings, but the frown on her eyebrow reminded him of the casual expression shared by young Bakugo. “My friends like a lot of things, but I know I like spending time with my favourite people, making the best drawings, and hanging out in town. I’m also a big fan a bad food, but daddy always said it’s not healthy, whatever these words mean.”

“Well, it’s too late to bring you bad food, or your parents will kill me, but this doesn’t mean we can’t have fun either. You said you love drawing right ?” Kiara nodded with a light smile, keeping her plushie tighter to her chest. It was her companion and no one in her surroundings ever doubted about the importance of this object,  “What if you draw the best moments you’ve had until now? Maybe you can show them later to your dads.”

“I would love to, but only if you help me, Grandpa!”

“Do you think my old hand can still hold a pen ?”

“I’ll teach you, silly,” she laughed with a light blush.

 Yagi ruffled her hair with a slow movement, catching the excitement rising inside her pupils, reminding him of the same ones that used to brighten his days as a mentor. The older man was ready to convince the small girl to clean her room before going straight to their next activity, but Kiara’s shadow ran out of the room with a smile on her face. 

She looked genuinely excited about this activity, and it wouldn’t hurt to make some drawings with her grandpa, especially when she already heard a bunch of stories about him, and never took the time to have the answers to her unsolved questions! She  looked at the taller figure who slowly walked to the wooden table, complaining about getting old until a soft laugh met the silent room, bringing a light smile to Yagi’s face. 

——-

An hour had passed since the two figures started their creative activity. 

Yagi almost forgot how therapeutic it was to reconnect with his inner child, despite his inability to make the best drawings, he still succeeded in making a few of them that caught Kiara’s attention. Her emerald eyes turned amused when she joked at the bad ones of her grandpa, who acted offended at the comment, only to see the slight frown on her face. Her dads always taught her to tell the truth, and her silly grandpa was making things worse, he was more complicated to analyze than Kacchan during somber days. One of these days, Zuku should teach her how to read between the lines- 

Yagi sighed, rested his back against the chair, and took a glance at the crayons and creations residing on the table within his reach. It was endearing to see how an innocent bonding time like this one became a source of comfort inside the hero’s heart, who never thought he would find such peace at his old age. 

The weight of the empty glasses succeeded in letting these papers on the background intact until the comprehensive glance of Yagi met the small shadow, focused on her current creation. A bunch of crayons with distinct colors rested on the side, with a light mumble escaping from her lips, another habit she gained from the freckled man. At this point, she seemed determined enough to barely notice how Yagi’s hand reached her shoulders, trying not to scare her. Kiara’s curious glance met the familiar one, moving her head to the side with an endearing expression on her face, able to melt the heart of the strongest soldier. 

“That’s a pretty drawing you’re doing, what is it ?” 

Kiara stepped back and looked at her current project, putting her colors on the side. Yagi waited until the small girl looked at him with natural interest: After all, Zuku and Kacchan always told her how curiosity was a good thing, and she loved the way her old grandpa was actually interested in her works! Her small thumbs grabbed the paper without hesitation, while the hero simply nodded at the explicit content. In this fragile piece of paper was a transcription of a sentiment of deja vu, with the same living room and television in the background, highlighted by the similar faces he recognised too well. The colors reflected the authenticity of their costume, figuring out how the scene was actually drawn from Kiara’s perspective.

“It’s the first day I saw Daddy and Papa on television,” Kiara explained with a soft tone, pointing out the details with her small thumbs against the delicate paper. “They were so strong, and they both got pretty costumes, but I was very shocked when I saw the mean guy attacking them. Daddy and Papa are heroes, no one should be mad at them !”

“You know, being a hero also means saving the town from mean people. This is an important role, and they are doing a great job at it, even if it's scary for us,” Yagi added with a reassuring tone, trying to erase the worried expression that appeared on her face. 

It was natural for a child, especially with strong parents like Midoriya and Bakugo, to be afraid of losing them in cruel circumstances. After all,  Young Bakugo might die anytime soon with a second of inattention, and Young Midoriya could be an easy target due to his teacher’s career. The safety wasn’t assured, but the efforts to come back home alive were noted by their loved ones and the couple themselves. During numerous awakenings at the hospital, Yagi saw the heartbreaking interaction between the two men, who secretly prayed to the stars to keep their significant other safe, especially for their daughter’s sake. However, this fear became a strength in their dynamic, even if Kiara was too young to understand how strong her dads really were for surviving near-death experiences. 

“But they always say I’m the most important person in their life, they even kissed my cheeks and fight for me !” She pointed out with a low tone, putting the drawing back on the wooden table. 

She looked at her favorite plushie, standing on the chair right beside her, with its own blank pages and untouched crayons. The older man knew this situation must be hard when she ignored the clear danger outside this comfortable apartment, but it was his job as the best grandpa to bring a smile back to her face!

“I have no doubts they are, they can take the world down for your adorable smile,” he admitted with an understanding tone. “What does this one tell ?”

Kiara sighed, unconsciously reaching for her plushie. She held it closer to her chest and even kissed his cheeks, a similar gesture she learned from her father’s affectionate gesture. Izuku and Katsuki always said how this gift was the most precious one she received, and her goal was to protect it like her imaginary sibling…which made this scene more heartwarming, when Yagi understood the meaning of this gesture from Kiara’s perspective. 

His eyes found the content of the old drawing, noticing how the bright colors took a somber turn when the gentle green and or orange became grey, with a few hints of blue, despite the small color palette in the background details. The drawing was focused on two familiar faces with distinct features, recognizing the freckles on Izuku’s face, and the golden spikes of Katsuki’s hair, coloured by a five-year-old child. The angle showed how this narrative was also shared from  Kiara’s perspective, with her two parents standing on the floor with a concerned look on their faces, usually brighter than any midnight sky. The main element was represented through the presence of a familiar plushie on their palms, the same one standing in Kiara’s arms at the exact moment. 

“Oh…this is the first day I heard a thunder. I don’t remember what happened, but I was about to cry after a bad dream, and Papa bought me a plushie while Daddy cuddled me at home. Zuku said the bunny plushie is my best friend, and I could hug him as long as I want, because my dads will always be there, inside the plushie.”

Oh.

Yagi knew his old students would make amazing parents, but he was touched by the endearing confessions, confirming his previous statement. A hidden smile, that only lasted for a few seconds, crossed Kiara’s lips after the mention of her magical plushie. She was too young to know about the quirk accident, but the couple planned to tell her when she was old enough to understand the situation. It was sweet to see this five-year-old talking with so much love, without questioning the circumstances of her birth. 

Yagi wished he could cuddle his granddaughter as long as possible to let her know how loved she was, but knowing her stubborn personality, she would’ve immediately kicked him off after one minute. Yagi blessed the stars for seeing the sensitivity of Midoriya through her eyes, being highlighted by the presence of hidden tears. Having young Midoriya and Bakugo as her parents was a chance many children would’ve asked for, but there’s no doubt this angel with her beautiful face, was the happiest of all. 

“Sometimes I think Daddy is a magician, because he always makes Papa smile and I even asked for his advice! Kacchan only said that my existence and our love are the best things that ever happened to Zuku’s life, that’s why they gave me this gift,” the blonde said with a soft laugh, regaining color to her face. “I always hug Thumper as a reminder of their love. My dads always kept their promise and covered me with kisses and the best hugs. I love them so much!”

“That’s really sweet,” Yagi said, ruffling her ponytail, before punching her nose to catch her attention. “And they love you a lot. Sometimes grown-up people say a lot of things to kids your age that they don’t necessarily understand, but once you get older, you’ll realize how much they care about you.” 

“That’s what Zuku always said to me!” Kiara added with an excited tone, putting the drawing aside and looking into the delighted expression on her grandpa's face. “You know, one day someone tried to take it away from me at kindergarten, but Daddy and Papa explained adult things to my teacher and I kept it! They’re really amazing, I don’t think I want to share them with anyone else, except people I really really love.”

“I hope you know how lucky you are to be as loved as you are now,” Yagi explained with a soft tone, hoping death wouldn’t take him away from the moment when his granddaughter would face this realization. 

For the moment, she’s only five but she’ll grow up in the blink of an eye, and leave the house with her naive smile It might explain why Yagi wanted to do his best as a grandparent, using his knowledge to make his presence unforgettable, even if he was making some mistakes. Kiara never seemed to mind them or correct his false statement, probably because she believed that every adult was some sort of genius, but she still had the ability to stay stubborn when something wasn’t in her favor. Talking about the little demon, her small thumbs pointed out the forgotten page on the table, catching the older man’s attention. 

“What’s yours ?” She asked with curious eyes, moving her head to the side. The previous grip on the plushie relaxed, bringing a sudden warmth into the hero’s chest, reassured by the sight and efficiency of the previous speech. “Your drawings are bad, Grandpa, you should add more colors!”

“I will if it makes you happy, but it’s the moment I saw your dads growing up to be the best version of themselves. When you’re older, you’ll have to receive an important diploma, and that day, all your loved ones will be there to support you,” he whispered with a soft tone. 

Yagi recalled the moment when he looked at these broken souls that inspired the next generation, with their teary eyes and grins at the corners of their lips, preparing themselves for another chapter of their lives. During Izuku and Katsuki’s graduation, most of the teachers faced an inevitable nostalgia, remembering the naive teenagers who prepared themselves for the unknown. Today, they became the source of hope for many people, repeating the same cycle with the best of care….and Yagi couldn’t be prouder than he already was.

“Even you ?” Kiara’s voice caught his attention. It was too early to ask deep questions about the meaning behind the choice of her words, but Yagi wanted to think it was for the best if his granddaughter cared about him, despite drowning in hidden insecurities.

“If fate is in my favor, I’ll try to be there, if not, I’ll be watching you as the form of stars in this endless sky,” he confessed with a sigh, noticing how Kiara’s gaze turned sadder at the meaning of his words. She wasn’t stupid, she got smart parents and gained from their wise observation, even in situations like this one. The small girl unconsciously held the plushie tighter, holding back her tears at the idea that her grandpa wouldn’t be there for the most important day of her life, but she refused to cry! After all, it’ll only make things worse and Kiara cared too much about her grandpa Yagi to make him distressed…

Yagi made a small gesture with his hands, and the blonde girl brought her plushie with her when she left her chair and decided to stand on the older man’s lap, resting her head against his chest. Yagi knew he shouldn’t talk more about a sensitive topic such as death, but he found another way to cheer the small girl up. He brought her closer in a comforting embrace, and kissed her blonde ponytail, letting her know how it was fine.

“Did your parents tell you about our first meeting ?” Yagi asked with a soft tone, sending how the shorter figure replied to his question with a sign that screamed “no”, despite Kiara’s silence.

 It wasn’t the time for a lullaby, but the simple vision of nasty tears on her chubby cheeks broke his sensitive heart. 

“It was a complete coincidence, Young Bakugo was already stubborn, and Young Midoriya was a fragile soul who needed someone to hold onto. They had opposite personalities but succeeded in bringing the best of each other, even at the least unexpected, and it remained their biggest force. Of course, your papa was the first to reach out to me with a childhood dream to be the greatest hero of all time, and he was the one who taught me a good lesson about things I considered for granted. Did you know he was the one who saved your dad from a villain ?”

“Really ?” Kiara’s eyes widened at the revelation, losing the previous grip on her precious plushie.

 She always heard about how Kacchan was amazing, but she was impressed by how strong her papa was! In her imagination, the small girl already imagined a younger version of her parents saving each other, with the same sparkles in their eyes and tender glances, unaware of the harsh reality behind this tender tale. If Izuku and Katsuki chose to keep their middle school years hidden, it was also to avoid embarrassing questions that would bring more guilt to Katsuki’s chest, and protect their daughter from the cruelty of this world. 

“Yes, and young Midoriya’s action made me realize how he had a huge potential to be the best hero, so I kept him as a student and saw his progress over the years. Your papa is a fast learner, pretty self-sacrificial, ready to put the world down for his loved ones, it’s something I really admire about him,” Yagi explained with a gentle tone. 

There was something touching about the admiration that rose in Kiara’s eyes during the stories she hadn’t heard before, or under blurry layers, almost like her blushing cheeks and genuine excitement begged her grandpa to share the entire story. “He and young Bakugo had to face many obstacles today, I’m glad to see how far they’ve achieved. Can you imagine how I met them when they were a few years older than you, and now they’re taller than me?”

Kiara laughed at the comment, regaining color back to her face. Her freckled cheeks stayed red due to the previous amazement, caused by the intriguing revelations: She knew her dads were keeping some secrets hidden, but she never thought that it would be this impressive! The shorter figure found a more comfortable position, forgetting about the previous drawing activities, too concentrated on the current lullaby shared by her grandpa. Kiara secretly wished she were there as a fairy to see the most important people in her life interact in the past before she entered their lives, but some things are better left hidden for her sake. 

“What about daddy ?” She asked with a curious tone, moving her blonde curls into the hero’s arms. 

“Young Bakugo was more complicated to read,” Yagi affirmed with a sincere tone, recalling the tender frames that crossed his mind. 

He wasn’t getting younger with all those souvenirs, but he was glad to know someone was admirative by narratives he hadn’t shared with the world. After all, Kiara was his first listener, and he wouldn’t wish for a better fate than this one. 

“He got his own struggles, but he made his proof and learned how to accept weakness as strength. He was pretty stubborn, looking for a goal to reach and handled too much pressure on his shoulders in high school…but he was inseparable from your papa, the best team the entire school as ever seen.”

“What was the relationship between them ?” The gentleness of this question melted the hero’s heart, admiring how Kiara was nothing more than a child, longing to know the entire love story of her parents. For her sake –and mostly because he was scared to get kicked out by Izuku and Katsuki – Yagi decided to share the best part of their journey, even if he needed to include in surface layers the traumatizing events in their youth, but nothing to mark Kiara” 's naive spirit.

“It was an interesting dynamic, it’s the least I can say,” the older man explained with a sigh. “They were rivals, but lost this role over the years, to become something stronger than allies. Young Midoriya always knew how to read between the lines, and Young Bakugo knew his childhood friend better than anyone. Their bond caused some trouble, but led to a tender narrative where they welcomed you into their lives!”

“Did they…Did they kiss when they were younger? Like a big kiss in the movies…” Kiara asked with a rosy blush on her freckled cheeks, embarrassed by the question. Yagi laughed at the tender reaction, kissing her ponytails to let her know how endearing it was to him. 

“They were discreet about it, when they started dating, no one knew about that until I caught them during a break. I pretend I didn’t see anything, but I saw your papa resting his head against your dad’s chest, with the same glance of love they shared today,” he explained with a tease, pinching her nose. Kiara’s face turned speechless, opening her lips to release a gasp of surprise, sharing her shock and amusement at the revelation. “After that, they kissed a few times until the entire school and world knew about it. One day you’re gonna kiss and fall in love with someone the same way your dads did, and you’ll realize how it’s worth the try, as long as this person makes you happy.”

“I don’t want to grow up if this means kissing stupid people and breaking my dads’s heart because I like someone else,” Kiara expressed with an offended tone, almost teary. The older man chuckled, holding the small girl against his chest in a reassuring embrace, sensing how she returned the gesture. “I’m hungry…Do you think we can eat bad food now ?”

“I don’t think so, but maybe we can try some cookies,” Yagi said with a kiss on her forehead, noticing how she immediately agreed to the proposition. “We just need to clean the kitchen, you tell me where the furniture is, and then we can make another gift for Young Midoriya and Young Bakugo. Do you want to help me with the preparation ?”

“Only if there’s chocolate chip,” the blonde girl added with a brilliant smile. After all, she loved cooking with her dads and it wasn’t a bad idea if this meant spending more time with her grandpa and making her parents proud!

—---

The cooking session was more chaotic than they expected. 

Yagi and Kiara cleaned the kitchen by pushing the previous dishes into the sink, pretending they hadn’t seen it, but most of the chocolate chips were already gone before putting the dough in the oven. The emerald eyes watched with admiration the dough taking form on the other side, asking every two minutes when the cookies would be ready. Yagi had a good time with his granddaughter, observing how she was a pretty good cook despite her age, probably due to young Bakugo’s knowledge! 

The entire time, the short figure insisted on helping and mixing the preparation in the bowl, explaining how she was the strongest while putting her pinky finger in the fresh dough when grandpa Yagi wasn’t looking. If her scheme worked a few times, she ended up being caught with dough on her cheeks and a smile meant to erase her previous mistakes, but the older man simply smiled. He knew it was a bad habit, but he couldn’t stop her from being a kid…even when he did the same thing, with Kiara’s soft laugh in the room, keeping this as their secret. 

Kiara looked at him with amazement, no matter the topic of conversation or the activities, and she even said he was “cool” when they ate the preparation together! Yagi’s heart melted at the tender frames he’ll cherish for the rest of his life, but the hardest part was to clean their beautiful mess: Cooking was fun until it was time to take the flavor away with the eggshell on the counter, and the constant questions from the blonde girl, looking with impatience at the oven. 

It eventually took a few lies to convince the excited girl to help him with the cleaning part, but Kiara easily agreed and even sang a song from her school, lightening the mood.  Some of her mimics and actions reflected Izuku's, being something he already saw with his own eyes. After cleaning the counter, Yagi grabbed an empty plate and a pair of gloves, smiling when the small girl kept shouting that the cookies were ready. The older man grabbed this moment to explain some safety rules concerning this step of the process, with her blonde ponytail nodding with interest, until she got her whole attention centred on the gentle scent that crossed her nose. 

Yagi pretended he didn’t see when Kiara stole one cookie behind his back, making a light groan of pain at the heat, until she hid it under a dish towel. A part of her hoped it would make this magical trick work, but she sighed when she got caught by her grandpa. Yagi simply laughed, explaining how she needed to wait a little longer, which made her stomach growl. He convinced her to let most of them cool during their short hangout in town: After all, Kiara was really excited, and seeing a new environment wouldn’t hurt… especially if this meant stealing a few more cookies! 

Kiara didn’t think twice before grabbing her shoes and coat, taking the hidden cookie, and explaining how it was the best she had ever made. The comment brought a slight smile on the hero’s face, until he followed the short figure, who explained with impatience how she wanted to see the squirrel. 

They decided to have a walk instead of using the car, even when the blonde girl complained after the first two minutes away from her apartment, before resting against her grandpa’s back. The hero accepted the gesture, making sure to keep her safe as their shadows reached the familiar town, with strangers recognizing the face that marked a complete generation. All Might was known as an icon, but everyone respected his privacy after the reveal of his real identity, which was a good discovery! 

Some people whispered with amazement behind him, others were simply blushing, while a few of them asked for a picture. It wasn’t a problem, he might give up his role as an unforgettable hero, but he remained a source of inspiration for many people, and denying their support would be stupid. Yagi nodded and accepted the proposition, putting on his knees and explaining how Kiara needed to stay here for a few seconds, and how she needed to scream their special code if something happened.

 The small girl nodded, holding her transparent boxes with cookies they stole from the earlier plate, while a few people, older than her dads, explained how adorable she looked. Kiara Bakugo Midoriya wasn’t well known to the public media, but they Wonder Duo never denied her existence and made sure to control the public’s assumptions. Everyone knew how she was Dynamight and Deku’s precious baby, if not their entire world: Every moms who crossed her path admired how polite she was, despite being shy, which was normal for her age. 

“Why are they all asking for pictures, did you kill someone? They always post a picture of a mean person on television after their bad actions…. Are you going to jail Grandpa?” She asked with a low tone, holding Yagi’s hands, and holding to box of cookies on the other. Their shadows moved closer to the public park, where a bunch of kids already resided, but Kiara was glad these strangers were gone: She wanted to have her grandpa’s attention, because he was the best!

“No I’m not, don’t worry, princess,” he replied with a smile, pinching her nose.

 A few minutes later, they arrived at the park, full of background noises of children playing together, wind ruffling their hair, and parents staying on their phones. All Might’s presence wasn’t unnoticed, but Yagi simply nodded with a welcoming glance, while resting on a lost bench, closer to a river. Kiara always loved nature and animals, she was the kind of child to stare at them for hours instead of playing with other kids in the playground, which always made her loved ones smile. Their two shadows stayed on the wooden bench for a few minutes, with the transparent box open and the first cookies finding their way into Kiara’s hungry stomach. She moved her legs in the air, pointed out at some ducks on the blue water, and asked a bunch of questions, until a certain one caught her attention. 

“You know, I used to be a great hero when I was young, the best of all,” he said with an amused tone, wiping away the crumbs that had lost themselves in her blonde curls. Kiara’s eyes widened, she had heard a few times about how her grandfather was someone important, but she never knew he was a hero too! She had never been prouder of her family than she already was-

“Grandpa, heroes didn’t exist during dinosaur time.”

Alright, this answer kinda hurt Yagi’s ego, reminding him of his actual age, but his granddaughter was lucky she got the cutest laugh to erase this previous attack. It was crazy how attachment could make him forget about the most stupid thing, but what can he say? After all, Yagi was like the others and loved Kiara more than anything, she was his little princess too!

“And you can’t be stronger than Kacchan and Zuku,” she added with a thumb in the air. She whipped the last crumbles of cookie from her cheeks and decided to sit closer to the lake, observing the duck, while observing the pleased expression on the old man’s face. 

“For some, I’m stronger than them, for others I’m another figure that marked their youth, but I can’t compare my strength to theirs…they’re definitely beating up, and already did a few times during their high school years,” he corrected with nostalgia. 

There was a time when he regretted the abrupt ending of his career, but he was glad to live another morning without fear inside his guts. All Might wasn’t dead to the world nor forgotten marking the spirits, and heavily influenced the new generation in the ranks. It wasn’t a coincidence that Katsuki and Izuku chose to stand by his side, even after his downfall. Seeing him alive was already a miracle, explaining why the couple ensured to spend as much time as possible before darkness surrounded their comforting bubble. Kiara was amazed by the mystery surrounding his grandpa’s existence before her birth.

“I’m surprised your dads haven’t told you anything about it, but I was known under a different name back in the days…Did you ever hear about All Might ?” He asked with a grin, picking another cookie from the box. 

He observed the rising blush that crossed Kiara’s cheeks at the mention of this name she had already heard a thousand times before. Her eyes widened at the realization that the greatest hero of all time, as the media described, was her grandpa who made bad drawings! She stopped teasing the cold water with the tip of her finger, too absorbed in the teasing grin on the older man’s face.

“You mean it was you since the beginning-” Kiara said with a gasp, processing the news. It’s not like she disliked his accomplishment, she really admired him from what the television and her dads said in their numerous conversations, but nothing could ever beat The Wonder Duo, and she was not biased by her personal preference. “Kacchan and Zuku always talk about you, they really like you a lot. I think they’re big fans, which is amusing because I’m also their biggest fan. Adults aren’t so boring!”

“It would be too long to share the complete story but it’s approximately the truth. I met your dad when they were teenagers, they were easily impressed by my previous victories, but your papa was definitely the biggest fan…don’t say that to Young Bakugo.”

“So you beat a lot of villains, like the movies ?” She asked with an intrigued tone, observing how the taller man left the bench to sit beside her. 

The background noises of the loud conversations and wind brushing their ears followed Kiara’s question with her stunned eyes, under the soft laugh of her grandpa. Yagi Toshinori always had a thought about the people he left behind and the vision shared by his deceased friend about a premature death, but he succeeded in changing his future. Today, he is known as a legend to many people, but his main role is being a grandpa to the most wonderful girl, with her two overprotective parents, who used to be complex teenagers.

——

 Kiara didn’t stop her endless series of questions on the road back to her apartment, even when she rested on his back, with her hands wrapped around the hero’s shoulders

 Their two shadows could be seen walking into the familiar location with distinct expressions on their faces, amusement for the youngest one, and tiredness for the oldest. Yagi had no idea about the monster he created after this revelation, but he was glad to see a younger version of his adopted son. There was something endearing about seeing his granddaughter being a huge fan of heroes, giving him an impression of déjà vu with the signed notebook of Izuku, and the dedication on the card that meant a lot to Katsuki. 

The small girl eventually calmed herself after a yawn, resting her head against the blond’s back while they entered the chaotic apartment. A groan of annoyance left the hero’s face when he saw the papers and crayons on the wooden table, the messy room of Kiara, and the uncleaned dishes in the sink. For a moment, he had the sentiment of returning to his college years: This time, he didn’t have any excuse despite his big age, and decided to put the shorter girl on the couch, with a comfortable blanket and a pillow. 

Kiara smiled and thanked her grandpa for the plushie that found its way into her small hands, until she closed her eyes and took a small nap. Yagi cupped her freckled cheeks and kissed her forehead, before stepping back and cleaning the apartment to make it easier once the couple returned from their date. Izuku and Katsuki sent a few messages in the last hours, asking if everything was alright and the answer was immediate, with Izuku explaining how he was relieved by the news, until he melted at the picture of their baby girl sleeping on the couch with a peaceful expression on her face 

 The older man took a clear glimpse at the cleaned apartment and put the drawing on Kiara’s bed, hearing her soft snores from afar. 

The taller man took the occasion to steal another cookie: He needed to admit how the recipe was really nice, and he should give it a try more often with his loyal companion in the kitchen. At the end, Yagi might never be a perfect grandpa with his lack of knowledge, but he knew he was loved by his granddaughter, and it was the only thing that mattered at the moment. 

He was proud of himself for all the efforts he made today! The older man joined the couch and made sure to put the sleeping figure in a comfortable position without waking her up, and started to watch the channels at a low volume. Kiara opened her eyes after one hour of deep sleep, asking if her dads were here, only to see the familiar background of the television in the living room. Yagi noticed how she looked concerned by the late hour, and decided to thank fate for making her favorite show appear right in time on screen, bringing sparkles back to her face.

—--

The sound of the wooden door echoed in the background, catching the attention of the two shadows, who glanced curiously at the moving lock. Kiara’s intrigued eyes glanced at the older man, preparing herself to defend the inanimate toys in case something went wrong. Yagi’s face softened when he realized how her naivety was her biggest strength in this sensitive part of this journey, before ruffling her ponytails. He took the time to explain how he’ll open the door to check the intruders, under the captivated emerald eyes, who followed each of his movements

 The knocks repeated themselves with more distinctions to recognize the person behind he door, making the older man roll his eyes at the idea that he got scared for nothing. Only a few people knew about the secret code, and his doubts confirmed themselves when he noticed the clear golden spikes and emerald curls, revealing a relieved expression on their faces. Izuku and Katsuki were immediately glad to know everything was fine on the other side, and entered the room, only to meet the excited sparkles that grew inside their daughter’s eyes. 

The poor plushie was pushed aside in the blink of an eye, and she immediately ran into their arms, as if they hadn’t seen each other in years. Katsuki’s face softened when he felt how Kiara’s arms were wrapped around his back, while she rested her other arms on the freckled man. It was evident how Kiara was happier than ever to see her favorite people returning home, especially with her strong grip, making the freckled man laugh, before returning the gesture. 

The scarred hands caressed her back in reassuring movements while Katsuki’s lips kissed her forehead, explaining how there was no need to be afraid. Kiara trusted them more than anything, and the couple found themselves touched by the heartwarming reunion, realizing how much they missed her. After all, this bonding time together was worth the try if this meant keeping their bond stronger than ever, but Izuku and Katsuki were impatient to see their baby again.

“You left for too long, I thought I would never see you again!” Kiara said between her mumbles, lifting her head to meet the welcoming glance of her dad. She almost forgot the presence of her grandpa Yagi, who watched the scene with a light smile at the corner of his lips, touched by the previous scene. 

“We missed you too, sweetheart. It smells really good, apparently, you two baked something for us! ” Izuku replied with a gentle kiss against her blonde curls. He already knew the answer to his question but he wanted to know Kiara’s version! 

“We made cookies, silly, and it was amazing!” She affirmed with an excited tone. After all, she got to learn how her grandpa was an amazing hero like her dads, and she wondered if she would ever get stronger powers like them. Her emerald eyes shone brighter than any midnight sky, making a soft chuckle when Izuku stole a quick kiss against her chubby freckled cheeks. It wasn’t a problem for her, especially when she loved being the center of attention, even if this meant being the happiest girl in town. Kiara moved her head, furrowing her eyebrows with concern when her small thumbs touched against the injury residing on the shorter man’s neck. “What’s this? Did you hurt yourself ?”

Izuku’s eyes widened when he realized how the innocent fingers pointed at the nasty hickeys left by his boyfriend earlier in the afternoon. He knew they should’ve been more careful, but a part of him thanked Kiara for this naive question. If the teacher seemed embarrassed, opening his mouth to prepare a justifiable lie, he was saved by his boyfriend’s convincing tone. Izuku wanted to make his childhood friend pay, but he decided to enjoy the tender reunion instead. 

“Your dad is fine, he just had a second of inattention and fell on the ground,” Katsuki said with a grin. The crimson-eyed ones took a quick glimpse at the emerald ones, who looked at him with a thankful nod, even if he knew his boyfriend was ready to kill him on the spot. The blond didn’t care and moved the fabric of Izuku’s shirt closer to his skin, covering the nasty hickey, knowing the rest of his body was already marked by his presence. “Don’t worry princess, I found a way to fix his injuries.” 

“Daddy’s the best !” Kiara’s eyes widened with awe, holding the taller man stronger. It wasn’t the first time Kiara had seen those kinds of injuries on her Papa’s body, but she understood now how Izuku was probably silly and fell a lot of times to get Kacchan’s magical kisses! 

The smaller girl smiled when she rested against the blond’s chest, listening to his familiar heartbeat at her favorite lullaby. The crimson eyes looked at the gentle emerald ones, who couldn’t help but erase the previous embarrassment with a light smile: Yagi wasn’t naive and knew that there was nothing wrong with keeping in touch with personal intimacy, especially in a relationship. Kiara’s eyes meet the emerald ones of her dad, making a sign to move into his arms. Katsuki pretended to be hurt by the sudden change of mind, making the small girl laugh until she fully rested her weight into Izuku’s body. Her blonde ponytail met the fabric of his warm shirt with a smile, explaining how much she missed them, under the hidden grin on the blond’s lips.

“The best of all,” whispered the green-haired man with a loving tone. It wasn’t the first time he made an indirect confession though simple sentences, powerful enough to bring a light blush to his childhood friend’s cheeks. Katsuki and he were inseparable since their golden youth, and the rest of the journey was about to be the most unforgettable one: Falling in love with each other was easier than breathing, but the two men never stopped admiring this ethereal beauty near their reach. “Now come on sweetie, show me the amazing drawing you’ve made with Grandpa Yagi today!”

Kiara nodded and guided him to her messy bedroom. She hoped her papa wouldn’t blame her for that, but the freckled man simply followed her lead and sat on the ground with the few drawings she had made. The crimson man observed the scene with a hidden smile on his lips: Katsuki never thought that chasing after his childhood friend could bring him such joy, but he wouldn’t mind mesmerizing those moments into timeless paintings.

The older man shared an understanding glance at the heartwarming scene within his reach. He always knew young Bakugo had a soft spot for his partner in crime, bringing any villain down, while keeping their golden bond as strong as the first day. Yagi never asked what happened before their high school years, but he was convinced these two had found and clearly loved each other. However, he easily noticed how something was different with the expression crossing Katsuki’s face, expressed through the hidden twitch of his eyebrow, or the unconscious fingers that reached for a glass of water on the wooden table. 

“What’s wrong, my boy ?” Katsuki looked at him with a sigh, being caught in his inner thoughts, until a stressed grin crossed the corner of his lips. 

He thanked the old man for the water and sighed, resting on the closest chair, looking for a more comfortable position. Katsuki Bakugo had always been the one looking back into his past to forge his new present, and his future was standing right there, with the forms of two familiar faces playing in Kiara’s room, with a bright smile and blush on their faces. 

“I’ve been thinking about the future recently, more than usual,” he explained with a light tone, regaining his calm. In all honesty, Katsuki was worried about the rest of this conversation about a confirmation he already knew, but the hardest part was to transcribe his emotions into words. It was a miracle if Izuku succeeded in opening his heart and changing his attitude about a struggle he had had since his teenage years, but Katsuki should also thank their princess for making this possible, especially since she joined their lives. “It’s not in my habit to project into the unknown but there are still things we can keep by our side in order to make this more reassuring. It’s not a surprise if I’m looking forward to the next day with more apprehension concerning this family life and strong dynamic I have at home, but I always felt like something was missing until now.”

After all, it was true that Katsuki Bakugo was meant to be a great name in history: He had already made his proof a thousand times, but the simple thought of bringing his lover by his side was another sign of true love. Yagi never doubted young Bakugo’s intention, but something in his chest told him to listen attentively to the next part of his speech…

“Izuku, he really represents my everything: He was my past, my present, and will always be my future. I used to fear these thoughts, but with hindsight, denying the obvious only caused more damage than relief, and I'll never forgive myself for hurting him, even if he convinced me with the best of care that forgiveness is something easier than breathing,” Katsuki pointed out with a low tone. 

His previous softness faded into hesitation, considering each word that escaped his lips as golden ink on those black pages, transcribing each of their adventures. He lifted his head and took a glimpse at the concerned eyes of his childhood hero, who appreciated the honesty about the ups and downs his two students faced in their journey.

 “The nerd always had a heart too big for the corrupted spirits of this world, I used to be one of them but he changed me into a better person and loved me at my worst, something I’ll be forever grateful for. Some whispers in the street described me as an untamable beast, but only he had access to the keys in my, if not ours, secret garden. I never thought I would be happier to have a small head brightening our redundant lifestyle, but fate offered me so many occasions to make the best choice…and I know today is the perfect chance to grab it.”

Yagi’s curiosity was intrigued by the outcome of this conversation, but he noticed how the trembling hands stopped after the previous speech. It would be stupid to interrupt the huge efforts made by his old student, when the gesture itself represented something more meaningful than any victories on the battlefield. The crimson eyes turned softer, the air met his lungs in a deep breath, looking into the old man’s concentrated glance, realizing how there was no return…but he was sure this was the best choice, especially when this journey became his favorite tale. 

“I need your permission to have Izuku’s hands in marriage,” he confessed with a serious tone. 

The comment caught the old man by surprise, but he acknowledged the news and made sense of the previous interactions. He should’ve seen it coming with the tender glances at the two shadows in the room and the reminiscence of their journey until now.

 “I’ve been thinking about this since he showed me the brightest colors of this painting, which used to be full of ashes and shades of grey. He was, and still is, the muse of my favorite poems…the ones I’m ready to share with Kiara when she gets older but I wanted to make things right. It had always been him since our eyes met, but today, I’m not addressing this speech to the mentor who saw him at his lowest, but the father, who offered him a chance to be loved.”

 Yagi Toshinori never had a true family, and the stars listened to his wish by bringing him to the path of young Midoriya and the rest of this journey. He only heard through Inko and Katsuki’s ears how Izuku never had a paternal figure to guide him in his self-development, explaining why he counted so much on his surroundings and their support. If the freckled man never clearly addressed him as “dad”, he still considered the older man as a paternal figure he never had, compared to a mentor, meant to fade away.

 The symbolism of this role was determinant for the bond in their relationship, and if Yagi always saw Izuku as his adopted son, the teacher returned the gesture, but never shared it out loud…probably afraid to put into words a sentiment his younger self longed for. Katsuki was the best placed to speak about this, being young Midoriya’s confident and partner: Hearing those truths escaping from the blond’s mouth proved how Yagi was doing a great job as a paternal figure and grandparent… which seemed crazy to believe. 

The old man didn’t know when his vision started to get blurry from the tears, but he welcomed the warm sentiment that rose inside his chest. In all honesty, Katsuki always admired Izuku for having the courage to find strength in the small moments of life that became the most important ones, proving how there was always a good side in each situation, even if fate wasn’t in their favor. Katsuki had always lived with his two parents and knew he loved his old hag and man with his heart, but the new adventure about the father-son bond offered so many discoveries for Izuku’s fragile heart. 

Asking for Yagi’s permission was the least the blond could do, especially if this meant proving to the old man and his lover how he sincerely cared about the symbolism of this gesture. His crimson eyes looked at the two shadows playing together in Kiara’s room, with the small girl flying in Izuku’s strong arms, with the soft chuckle of their voices resonating in the apartment. 

Katsuki knew he had already fallen a thousand times for his favorite idiot, and wouldn't mind doing it all over again until his last breath. Yagi’s teary eyes were wiped by his used wrist, observing how the number five hero looked at this tender scenery with so much love. Young Midoriya really changed since their first meeting, and Yagi knew this wedding proposal would only make him happier than he already was.

“He’s a fragile soul able to be broken at the slightest obstacles. Despite his shell, he remained a human with vulnerabilities and my goal is to protect him, but I know I can count on you and Kiara for this mission. I never doubted the courage you two could bring him at the darkest moments of his life, young Midoriya is a son to me, but a precious treasure to cherish in your eyes,” he mumbled with a low tone. Katsuki’s face softened, revealing a truth the older man already knew, but which remained still heartwarming to the tender narrative building itself under his eyes. “You must really love him.”

“More than anything,” added the blond with a gentle tone. “I can die for them a million times, and be reborn with the same ethereal love for our daughter, even if they’ll probably be mad at me for saying such a thing.”

“I give you my permission to marry him,” Yagi said, grabbing a tissue offered by the taller man earlier. His face turned softer, noticing how Katsuki simply looked relieved by the confirmation of an answer he already knew by heart. “I also give you the permission to make him and your family the happiest this town has ever seen. I give you my permission to make the most unforgettable wedding, and stand by his side when Inko and I are out of this world.”

“This really means a lot to me, I’ll be forever grateful for that,” the golden-haired man said with a hidden smile, standing up to put the empty glass of water on the counterbar. If Katsuki didn’t feel the need to add more, he knew a simple exchange of glances was enough to understand how Yagi and he cared about the nerd’s happiness, more than their own. The sudden noises of rushed footsteps echoed in the living room, until a familiar voice made its appearance, calming the previous atmosphere.

“Kiara told me everything Grandpa Yagi and she did today, I’m starting to think we should let these two hang out more often, but I’ll be jealous of seeing my baby girl growing up too fast,” Izuku said with a smile, pinching Kiara’s nose, only to hear her soft laugh. He turned around to meet his old mentor, asking him a question that suddenly disappeared from his mind when he immediately noticed the red teary eyes on his face. “Why is he crying? Kacchan, what did you say again ?” 

“I didn’t do anything !”  Katsuki shouted with an offended gasp. Izuku looked at him with unconvinced eyes, but this will be an interrogation for later. He could read into those crimson eyes like an open book, with the most breathtaking lines to mesmerize, and the hint of a meaningful conversation that happened behind his back. The freckled man should directly ask Yagi about the previous interaction, but he didn’t want to feel forced.  

“Grandpa is a crybaby!” Kiara said with an amused tone, repeating the same words she heard from her dad. Izuku sighed, and Katsuki was conscious that he would probably sleep on the couch very soon, but he knew the misunderstanding was worth the try if this meant standing by Izuku’s side on the altar. Her small hands grabbed her plushie tighter and offered it to the older man, who looked at her with an intrigued glance. “You should grab Thumper, he makes the best hug when I’m feeling sad.”

The couple smiled at the symbolic gesture, knowing how their daughter only shared her plushie with people she trusted more than her own life. Izuku’s kindness succeeded in being the center of her personality despite Katsuki’s stubbornness, but the two men realized how they made a great choice in raising this baby who represents the beginning of their favorite adventures. The scarred hands wrapped themselves around his lover’s waist, resting his head against the blond’s neck when he felt the calloused ones returning the gestures with enough care to bring him chills. 

Yagi knew he was getting older and had to leave this world one of these days, but his biggest fear of leaving Izuku behind, with nothing but ghosts of his past. He welcomed the comfortable plushie inside his arms, and put his granddaughter on his lap, explaining how a magical hug would make him feel better. Kiara nodded with a small smile and gave him the best of hugs, mumbling how she hated to see him sad, unaware that her dads were holding back their tears from afar. 

If All Might found this misunderstanding amusing, Katsuki knew his childhood friend would appreciate the symbolic gesture he made earlier…After all, today had been a day full of intense emotions, but now they all got the answers they wanted, and the unknowns didn’t seem scary anymore.

-end-