Archive of Our Own ^beta

Shouta Aizawa's day started pretty normal, he would say. Get up at three in the morning after having only three- maybe four- hours of sleep, get a cup of coffee, have a smoke, and then get ready to start his first patrol of the day. He took down some wanna be crooks, maybe a few- or more than a few in all reality even in broad daylight there were a lot of crooks in Musutafu- it was when he was on his required lunch break did things take a sudden and surprising…turn.

Shouta picked a nice spot hidden between an apartment building and some white-collar business building with a big greasy bag from McDonalds. Yes, Shouta preferred jelly pouches and coffee but there were days where the call of fast food was too much, even for him and this was one of those days. Not having eaten a burger in a while he was more than excited to dig in and scarf the burger down.

He got one bite in when a little old biddie threw her window open and shouted down below-

"Oi! You a hero!?" She yelled so loud and so harshly that it made Shouta bite just a little too hard on his burger and sent the end splattering all over his costume. It wouldn't have been bad if it wasn't mustard. The yellow sauce was immediately apparent on Shouta's black costume. He threw his hands up in irritation as he looked at the woman.

"Yeah, but I'm on break! So whatever it is it's going to have to wait!" He yelled back to her.

The woman was typical, big glasses, no teeth and a fluffy white perm for hair. She huffed at Shouta. "Well it's an emergency!" She argued and it made Shouta roll his eyes as he grabbed napkins out of his bag and tried to wipe the mustard off of his outfit before it set in.

"Yeah, I'm sure it is. Look, I'm on break-"

"There is no such thing as a break for heroes!"

Shouta hated it because the woman was right. No matter what if someone needs help, break or no break then it was his obligation as a hero to help…but dammit he wanted to eat. Still, if she was yelling at him from her window then it shouldn't be all that bad, right? "What is it? Did you fall and just need me to call an ambulance?" He asked while scrubbing away at the stain. He hoped he could eat his food while calling.

"Not for me, dummy!" The crotchety old biddie yelled at him through the window. "Stop being lazy and do your job that my taxes pay for!"

"Your taxes don't even-" Shouta sighed and slapped his arms to his side. "- What's the issue! Just tell me the damn issue before I walk away." He warned the woman.

"Not very hero-like are you?!" The woman snorted. "Regardless, it's my neighbor- well one of them. There's been a baby crying for hours!"

"That's it? A baby crying?"

"For hours, you ninny! At least five! I'm a mother and I know a distressed baby when I hear one!"

"Did you knock on the neighbor's door?"

"I would but I'm wheelchair bound and it sounds like it's coming from above! Now are you going to do your job!?"

Shouta almost wanted to tell this lady to shove it…but if she was right and this baby had been distressed for hours then… "Dammit." He cursed under his breath before grabbing his scarf. His lunch was just going to have to wait for him. "Fine. What floor are you on? and what neighbor do I need to check?"

"I'm on the third floor! I'm 3C so you need to look at 3D! I think…I think that might be the Midoriya woman? But that can't be right because…last I remembered she didn't have a baby?...I dunno. I'll buzz you in." Then the window slammed shut.

"Old crone-" Shouta grumbled bitterly and shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked towards the front of the apartment. "-Lucky I'm concerned for the baby, but I swear to god if it's just the TV or something…" Shouta didn't know what he'd do to be honest, but he wouldn't be happy!

Shouta got to the main door of the apartment and hit the button for 3C. Instantly he buzzed in and allowed into the building. "She's lucky I'm actually a hero. That I'm not a villain pretending to be a hero. She gave me her address and told me she's wheelchair bound. A perfect victim."

Shouta walked to the nearest elevator and hit the button for the fourth floor. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. He kicked himself in the ass for not bringing his food with him when his stomach growled. He could have eaten during the elevator ride. Or at least tried to anyway. Still, ignoring his empty stomach for now, Shouta rode the elevator to the fourth floor before the doors opened for him.

He didn't need to walk far to realize that he could now hear the crying the woman was talking about. A baby was in fact crying. The baby's wail could be heard echoing through the hallway. Shouta frowned when he noted an abundance of these other apartments had either TV or the radio blaring to cover the noise. 'Hmph.' He thought a little irritated at this whole situation because it was clearly a baby crying in distress like the old biddie told him. Still, there were other explanations, ones that he tried to reason in his mind. Like maybe this lady- Midoriya?- was listening to realistic audio of a baby crying?

'But for five hours?' The more logical part of his brain took over and left him frowning. Passing the other apartments, Shouta walked up to 3D and rasped on the door with his knuckle. "Ms. Midoriya? I'm here to do a welfare check!" He called loudly and with a clear voice.

No response, only the loud cry of a baby. The cry was continuous only to slow down when the baby needed to breathe and then would pick back up. Shouta noted that the cry sounded raspy and hoarse, a clear sign that this baby had been crying for hours and it wasn't a video playing. When nobody came to the door, Shouta knocked again this time louder. "Ms. Midoriya! I'm here to do a welfare check!" He was louder than last time and he knew he had to have been heard…but nobody came.

So Shouta started to look for a key. He looked under the mat, nope, too obvious. So he looked up top the doorframe, nothing. So, he gave the hallway a quick look around, nobody was around, so he reached into one of the compartments on his utility belt and pulled out a lockpicking kit. After making sure, again, that he wasn't being watched he picked the lock to the apartment with ease.

When he opened the door the first thing he was met with was the screaming of this baby. The baby's cries were hoarse and it sounded like their vocal cords were starting to go from crying their tiny heart out for so long.

"Ms. Midoriya!" Shouta called for the woman. "I'm here for a welfare check up!" He looked around the apartment quickly. Nothing looked out of place. Everything was where it should be and the place looked pretty tidy.

Shouta followed the baby's cries all the way to a bedroom- Ms. Midoriya's bedroom to be in fact…

Shouta stopped as he looked at the scene before him. His mind was trying to process what he was seeing.

The baby was on the bed, no crib to be seen and was wrapped in a t-shirt. Yes. A t-shirt. The baby had a tiny tuft of green hair on their head. The baby let out a cough, a pause in their crying, and then let out another wail. Eyes screwed shut as they just continued to cry. Unaware of the fate that befell their mother, who was still holding them.

Ms. Midoriya was cradling her infant in her arms, she was completely naked, and it was clear, at least to Shouta, that her birth had been a surprise to her. There was blood all over the mattress from where she had given birth. The blood was dried rusty blood and left the room smelling sharp and metallic. The baby was cradled in her arms in such a way that she must have been breastfeeding when she died but after her death her arms had moved down moving the baby out of reach of their only source of food. Shouta was just glad that she didn't drop the baby, even if she would have the baby still would have landed on the bed and the drop wouldn't have been that bad…he hoped.

Suddenly Shouta was glad he didn't get to eat his burger. "Jesus…" He took a step away from the room. He grabbed his comm and started to talk while rushing to the next room. "This is Eraserhead, I'm at-" He paused while looking for mail anywhere he could find it. He did find it on the kitchen table. "The apartment on the corner of first and main, up on apartment 3D, I found a deceased woman by the name of… Inko Midoriya and there's a newborn with her. It looks like she gave birth and died at the scene."

"On the way, Eraserhead. Is the Newborn in need of urgent care ?"

"Unsure, checking on them now. I know they have to be hungry. I dunno? Bring formula?"

'...Rodger?'

Shouta put the mail down on the counter and hurried back into the bedroom in quick strides. The baby continued to wail and Shouta looked at the baby and then at Inko. "Forgive me…" He told the mother before he gently put his arms under the baby's body, making sure to support the newborn's head. The woman was cold to the touch and it left Shouta with a shiver even after he pulled the newborn out of her grip.

The baby let out a choked cry and Shouta adjusted the infant. Still, it didn't ease the baby's wails for food. "Shh…Shhh…" He rocked uneasily from side to side while patting the baby on the back to try and quiet the crying down. The baby didn't stop. "I know you're hungry, little one. Boy or girl?" So…Shouta pulled the T-shirt back to check. Boy. The baby was a boy and he covered the child back up.

It took over ten minutes for the police and ambulance to get there, way too long of a wait time, Shouta thought bitterly.

An EMT approached with a bottle. "Here." The man handed Shouta the bottle before going to help with the body. Shouta stood there…surprised. Then again, he was the one holding the screaming baby, wasn't he?

"Okay…I've seen people do this in movies." He gave the bottle a good shake to make sure the powder was all mixed up and he brought the nipple to the baby's mouth. The baby hesitated as was still crying loudly, but once he realized Shouta was feeding him and attached his mouth around the nipple he finally quieted down from wailing, to mewling, to a soft whimper, and finally silence. "There we go…" Shouta whispered while lightly bouncing to keep the baby at ease.

A soft sucking noise filled Shouta's ears as the infant drank like it was his last meal. "Aw…" Shouta felt his heartstrings tug as he looked at the newborn. "That's it, eat up. I know you must be starving…"

"Eraserhead?" An officer called for him and Shouta just hummed.

"Yes- er-Yes?" He corrected his soft tone as he shook his head and looked at the officer that approached.

"Follow me. We got DCFS on the way so that little one will be out of your arms soon enough." The man said right off the bat.

"Good and the mother? What happened?" Shouta looked down at the baby to make sure he was okay as they walked.

"Well, nothing solid yet-" The EMT's passed by at that moment wheeling a stretcher. A thin sheet covering the deceased body of Inko Midoriya. "The best guess we have is that the poor woman didn't know she was pregnant. There's no baby items in the apartment and the little tyke you have there is swaddled in a T-shirt. No doubt the one she was wearing when she gave birth I'm willing to bet."

"That's the same thing I assumed." Shouta nodded along while looking down at the baby. The baby was quiet as he suckled down the milk at a fast rate.

"-Sorry to interrupt-" A woman officer jumped in suddenly. "-But you really shouldn't let him finish that bottle without burping him. You need to burp a newborn every two or three ounces they drink."

"Hm-"

"-Why don't you take the baby, officer Yakashi?" The other officer demanded and then looked at Shouta. "It really shouldn't be up to the hero to feed the baby after all."

"O-Oh…" Officer Yakashi looked a little awkward but she still reached for the newborn- Shouta instantly pulled away from her.

"It's fine." He grunted, unsure of what's come over him. "Just show me how to burp him, yeah?" He asked the woman. Officer Yakashi and The officer- Min if Shouta remembered correctly- just looked at one another and shrugged.

Yakashi was gentle as she showed Shouta how to hold the baby and how to lightly pat against the baby's back. Shouta did this and his goal was met when the baby let out the tiniest burp.

Officer Min and Shouta continued their conversation after the baby was burped.

It was when the bottle was almost completely finished did the infant finally let his eyes slip shut. "Yeah, after crying for five hours, I'd say you earned a nap, little guy."

Well, it wouldn't be long before DCFS showed up. A woman in her mid-forties looked the baby over before making a onesie out of the blue- literally- Shouta watched as the onesie and a pack of diapers popped out of thin air. "My name is Samatha Carson- yes, before you ask, I'm American. My quirk allows me to make small objects out of nothing. Just small objects, nothing big and I need to know what they need to be made out of. Now, let me see the baby-"

Samatha looked at the baby and nodded. "Well, he seems to be in good health, but I'm not a doctor. Here, I'll clothe the poor thing before he freezes. A T-shirt isn't a good swaddle." Shouta couldn't stop her as the woman took the baby from him. The infant hardly stirred.

Shouta watched over Samatha's shoulder as he put him in the onesie. "Does he have a name?" The worker asked and Shouta shook his head.

"Not from what I could see."

"Ah, I guess he's a little Yamada Taro for now isn't he?" She sighed and picked the baby up, holding him close. "Well…Midoriya Taro, I guess. Still…Thank you. Things could have been worse if you hadn't found him."

"Don't thank me, thank the old biddie that lives right under this apartment. She's apparently the only in the building who gave a shit about a baby crying for five hours."

Samatha's eyes softened before she turned… and took the baby with her. "Still… I left my card on the table. Give me a call and I'll keep you filled in on what's going to happen to the baby."

"Bye." Shouta whispered while raising a hand to the infant now sleeping peacefully. 'What are you doing? You can't get attached.' He scolded himself. 'The baby will be put into a nice home…I hope.'

And with that Shouta stepped out of the apartment and would never return to it. The apartment where a woman died in pain while trying to feed her baby. Unknowing that she was ever pregnant until it was too late.

Shouta couldn't get the tiny baby out of his mind and he was sure it was showing as his friends commented on his mood that was 'Even more subdued than usual.'

Oboro even said: "You look dead, what's wrong, buddy?"

He didn't want to bug them with these weird and stupid thoughts. The want- no- need to make sure the newborn was okay and in a good home…

The theory that Inko didn't know she was pregnant was only solidified when a day later the father of the baby would be found- well…he came to them. Inko never told him that she was pregnant, she went quiet for the last two days so he went to the apartment, found it taped off and well…now was here.

Shouta was watching as the officers spoke to Hisashi. He looked so distraught. The man had black curly hair and noticeable freckles along his body. "My poor Inko…It's what I get for being away on business so often…" The man would bemoan as he hid his face in his hands and shook his head over and over again. "She must have been so scared. So alone. I knew something wasn't right."

"We're sorry for your loss and that you had to find out that you have a son this way. Did you and Inko ever…discuss baby names or anything like that?"

Hisashi only shook his head. "None. Just…name him Izuku or something." Hisashi whispered while pulling away and sitting back against his chair.

"...Izuku it is, I guess."

'Not a bad name. Maybe not the one I would have given him.' Shouta thought before shaking his head to set himself straight.

"So, when do you think you can pick up little Izuku?" The officer asked Hisashi and the man had the gall to look surprised as he looked at the officer in disbelief. Then he let out a shaky laugh. "I… can't." Hisashi whispered. "I'm a very important business man, you see. I can't be strapped with a baby."

"Oh…" The officer whispered in disbelief while trying his hardest to stay professional. "Well… then I guess we'll have to look into Inko's family to foster Izuku…"

"She has a sister. A sister with two children of her own. I'm sure she can take little Izuku." Hisashi then stood. "It really is a shame…"

Shouta let out a groan and shook his head slowly from side to side while watching this whole thing go down from the two-way mirror. 'A real piece of garbage.' He thought as he watched Hisashi scoot out of his chair.

He just couldn't stop himself, Shouta opened the door and called down the hallway. "Hey!"

Hisashi turned in surprise and then looked confused. "I don't have any change, sorry-" Hisashi huffed a little and Shouta cut him off.

"You don't deserve Izuku anyways!" Then he slammed the door before Hisashi could retaliate.

Shouta would go to the bar and drink with Oboro, Midnight, and Hizashi that same night. His friends noticed how he was pretty much slumped at the bar while nursing a warm beer. "Shouta…are you okay?" Hizashi asked as he patted and rubbed at Shouta's shoulder clearly trying to comfort his friend.

"I dunno…" Shouta admitted before bringing the beer to his mouth. "It's hard to say."

Well instantly the empaths all hugged him 'sensing' his depression no doubt and by empaths he meant all of them. None more than Oboro who was basically crushing Shouta in a big bear hug, when did this man get so big and bulky? "Is it the baby?" Oboro asked while resting his chin on Shouta's head.

"Baby?" Nemuri queried, confused. "What baby?"

"Shou found a baby the other day. Mother died after childbirth." Oboro explained to her.

Maybe he's been confiding a bit too much into Oboro lately…

"Aw! Don't be upset, Sho!" Hizashi pulled Shouta out from under Oboro. "I'm sure the baby is being well taken care of now!"

"Proof that the great and cold Shouta Aizawa has a heart!" Nemuri drunkenly teased as she shook his shoulders. It made Shouta shake his head but not speak. He didn't have much to add to the conversation oddly enough.

Inko Midoriya would be cremated four days later under request of her sister, her last living relative. The relative that took Izuku in. Which was great!... Izuku would live a happy and full life with this family…But Shouta just…he wanted to see the baby to make sure Izuku was in a good home. It was his job as a hero.

Shouta gave Samatha a call. "I had a feeling I'd hear from you again." Shouta could just feel her smile on the other side of the line. "What do you need, Mr. Aizawa?"

"I-" He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just want to know he's going to be in a safe home." Aizawa said to the woman.

Samatha gave a little huff on the other end of the line. "I'm sure he's fine. Inko's sister is a mother, as you know, and the family is well off and more than capable of raising a newborn."

"Yeah but I have to see it for myself. You have to understand that I'm a hero." There was a bit of a silence before he heard Samatha sigh softly.

"Yeah, I think I understand in all honesty. The family is called Shimura. Inko's sister is Nao Shimura."

Shouta quickly jotted the information down on a piece of paper. "Address?" He inquired and he felt Samatha's grin on the other end of the phone.

"Where's the fun in that, Eraserhead? I thought you were a hero." She inquired cutely and before he could speak she hung up.

"Huh?" He smiled a little amused at this outcome. "Very well. If that's the game you want to play. You underestimate me, ma'am." He put his phone in his pocket and looked at the name he's written down. Nao Shimura. Sister of Inko Midoriya. 'I'll have her address by the end of day.' He told himself and went to work on his computer.

He had to skip lunch, which was fine, but he would indeed find Nao Shimura's address before the sun set that very night. As much as he wanted to go over there and see the baby he instead sent Nao and her husband's- Kotaro- information to Nedzu with a simple note attached in the email.

Don't ask questions.

He would get a response less than thirty seconds later.

Of course not, My dear Shouta! But do think about my offer of teaching at UA?

Nedzu has been trying to get Shouta to teach the hero course at UA for years now- basically since he graduated, but each year Shouta has turned the rat down. Nedzu always saw potential for Shouta, which is why he made Shouta his own personal student during second year and onwards. It was hell and even though Shouta passed with flying colors he said he would never work under the rat again. That didn't mean he was opposed to asking Nedzu for favors of course.

Nedzu would follow through with Shouta's request. He never asked questions as he relayed Kotaro's and Nao's background check. No arrest on record for either of them. Kotaro's mother was a hero once famous but was faded to time and died an early death of thirty-one years old.

Nao didn't have much in the way of family outside of Inko. Her family was rather generic, no heroes in the family, not that it mattered in all reality. Her parents died three years ago during a fetal five car pile-up, Inko was literally her last living relative-outside of a great grandmother that was- until now. Nao had a rough life that's for sure and it made Shouta feel a little bad for the woman. Still, that didn't stop him from visiting the homestead two days later.

Two children were playing with one another outside in the front lawn, a small corgi was running around and yapping, but the dog's yapping immediately turned on Shouta when he stepped into the driveway.

The two children became instantly wary of the strange man that had started to approach the door. He tried his best to be approachable but…he was told that he was rather…unapproachable most of the time and that people took great pains to stay out of his line of sight. It wasn't lost upon him when he crossed paths with the children they tried to stay out of his way as much as possible. The older one, a girl with black hair put up into pigtails, put her arms around her little brother and pulled him into her. Her little brother couldn't be older than five. Both children had inky black hair and steel blue eyes.

Shouta tried to smile…tried. Both children became even more fearful as tears became apparent- ah- no smiling then. Shouta dropped the smile and just walked towards the front door deciding not to bug the children anymore than he already has. Shouta cleared his throat before knocking on the door.

He was very much aware of the fact that both children were watching him closely. Waiting to see what he was going to do, if anything. After a few seconds Shouta knocked on the door again, it was when he was mid-knock that the door was opened by an average looking woman. She had brown hair and big brown eyes. She looked confused as her eyebrows knitted together. This was Nao Shimura. "Hello?" She kept the door open just enough that Shouta could see her but not wide enough to let him in. "How can I help you?"

"My name is Shouta Aizawa, Prohero Eraserhead-" He took out his wallet and showed the woman his license with his hero name. "I was the one who found Izuku."

It was like a switch was flipped as the woman's worried expression changed to one of relief and she opened the door a little more. "Oh! I'm surprised!" She admitted. "Most heroes wouldn't-...How can I help you?" She asked with a smile.

"I…" He rubbed the back of his head. "I want to see Izuku, if that's okay. Make sure he's doing well."

Nao beamed at Shouta. "How thoughtful! Of course! Come in!" She moved out of the way to allow him into the house. Shouta removed his shoes and stepped into some slippers. Nao smiled back at him. "It's so nice to know that there's a hero out there that cares." She says but there's a sort of dimness behind her eyes as she looks away. "Come…Izuku is in here." Nao walked past Shouta swiftly and towards a bedroom.

This bedroom was clearly the master bedroom. It was tidy and clean with a giant king-sized bed in the middle. It was facing a TV that was sitting on a dresser and there were a few other knick-knacks sitting around the TV. Shouta honed in on the crib resting beside the bed.

"Oh, you're in luck. He's awake." Nao said as she reached into the crib and held Izuku in her arms. Izuku gave a soft cough at this and Shouta leaned down to look at Izuku. Izuku looked at him and the baby seemed to be reaching for him. Shouta responded by giving the baby his finger and Izuku's tiny little hand curled around Shouta's index finger. Shouta's eyes lit up.

"He's so small…" Shouta whispered. Though Izuku was a little bigger than last time he saw him.

"Yeah… want to hold him?" She asked and Shouta didn't need to be told twice as he finally got to hold Izuku once more.

Shouta smiled as he looked at Izuku but his smell slowly fell when he noticed Izuku's spazzing a little like the infant was scared. It would only be seconds before Izuku would let out a cry. The baby was suddenly taken out of his arms. "He's a little cranky." Nao would explain as she started to rock Izuku. To soothe him. It worked and before long Izuku calmed down in Nao arms.

"Is he okay?"

"Huh?" Nao looked a little nervous before she cleared her throat. "He's fine." She told him. "Just cranky." She repeated but Shouta wasn't…Shouta wasn't convinced. Nao couldn't look him in the eye and she was trying to look like she was soothing Izuku but it felt faked. "But yes, he's fine. He's growing into a healthy baby…" Her eyes suddenly filled with tears as she looked down at Izuku. "Looks so much like Inko…" She whispered softly. It was almost surprising how easy it was to lull Izuku into sleep. Nao would then put him back in the crib and wipe her teary eyes. "Is there anything else, Eraserhead?" She asked with a sniffle.

"No…" Shouta kept his face blank, not giving anything away.

"Good…please if you wish to visit Izuku at any time don't be a stranger." Nao started to lead Shouta towards the door. "Just…maybe not when my husband is home-"

There it is. There it fucking is.

"Is your husband-"

"It's not what you think!" Nao cut him off quickly, too quickly. "My husband…he doesn't like heroes. He's not a villain either, he… just has trauma around heroes and let's just leave it at that, yeah?" Nao asked as she was almost pushing Shouta out of the door. "So, if you want to come by just don't do it when my husband is home. Have a nice day, Mr. Aizawa." And she dropped him off at the front door.

Shouta was quiet as he put his boots on. "Of course…I'll be back." He told her rather bluntly. The woman gave him a stiff smile.

"I look forward to it." She told him as she held the door open for him once his boots were on.

"As do I." Then he left out the front door.

Nao watched him go and watched him walk down the driveway. Shouta was surprised when the son ran up to him. "Tenko-" The little girl tried to call him back but Tenko ignored her.

"You're a hero? That's what you told Mommy, right?" Tenko asked as he approached Shouta.

"That's right, I'm a hero. I'm the one that found Izuku." He told Tenko in a gentle tone and Tenko's blue eyes sparkled.

"That's so cool! When I'm older I'm going to be a hero like you! I'm going to save all of the babies!"

Shouta smiled and gently ruffled Tenko's hair. "I'm sure you will."

Then Shouta left waving the children goodbye with a vow to return. He just had to get a few objects before he returned is all.

"How rare of you to visit me in my office, Shouta! Please, have a cookie and some tea!" Nedzu was kind as he offered an assortment of cookies to go with some piping hot tea that was poured and ready to drink. No doubt Nedzu has been waiting for Shouta and knew that he was going to be visiting soon.

"No thank you." Shouta sat across from Nedzu. "You know I'm not much of a tea person."

Nedzu smiled. "Of course, Shouta. I always have to ask. One day you may just take me up on my offer. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Shouta crossed one leg over the other as he looked at Nedzu. "I need a listening device and would appreciate it if you don't ask why."

Nedzu's grin seemed to grow at this. "Oh? I won't ask why, per your reasonable request but I do have to ask…is this about that baby?"

Shouta looked at him and mentally calculated his next response. "That's another way of asking 'why.', Nedzu." Shouta huffed once he caught on to what Nedzu was doing.

Nedzu's face didn't give him away as he just continued to smile an unwavering smile. "I see. Very well, seeing how you've come to me personally I think I can spare a device…as long as you don't ask why."

The word was on Shouta's tongue more as a question as to why on earth would he ask 'why'? Well he would learn when Nedzu reached into a nearby drawer and pulled out a decently sized box, a shoe box, and he opened it showing every known listening device.

"Take your pick." Nedzu encouraged.

Shouta let his eyes fall on the devices and he rummaged through the box for a few moments trying to pick the best device for the job. He found a tiny camera no bigger than the width of his pinkie. "This will do, Thank you." a plan forming in his mind. Nedzu shut the box and returned it to his desk drawer.

"Of course, use it wisely and uh…Please think about my offer. We need heroes like you at UA, Shouta. Oboro has agreed to teach Heroics, and Hizashi is going to be an English teacher, while Midnight is teaching the art of heroics, UA will be empty without you."

"...I'll think about it." Shouta scooted out of the chair. "Thank you." And with that he walked out of Nedzu's office, an idea already starting to form. He had a gut feeling and his gut was rarely ever wrong.

Shouta would then make a pit-stop at a baby section and after looking through the stuffed animals his eyes landed on a tiny pastel green stuffed rabbit. 'Perfect.' He smiled as he looked at the rabbit. The eyes were black and made of thread. Shouta bought the stuffed rabbit.

When he got back home to his apartment he got to work. He cut into the tiny rabbit's eye and put the camera into the cut eye. It fit and couldn't be seen at first glance. Yeah, if someone were to focus solely on the eye he'd be caught but even he had a hard time seeing the teeny tiny camera.

"Good…" He nodded. Was it illegal? Yes. But that wasn't going to stop him. He was going to make sure Izuku was in a good home. Izuku's life was already hard enough and he was just born. Shouta then made sure the camera was working. He let it sit for a few minutes and then he took the camera out of the eye with ease and plugged it into a SD card and played what he recorded on his phone. It was working. He deleted the bit to keep as much room as possible before putting the camera back into the rabbit's eye. "Alright, let's do this."

He would give it a few days and realized that Nao never told him when her husband wouldn't be home. So, he took a risk and chose to come around during the morning, hoping that her husband, whatever his name is, worked a normal nine to five job.

Shouta walked up to the home and saw no little kids running about today, but then he remembered that school was probably starting back up as summer break was coming to a close. He was a little worried that maybe nobody would be home as he didn't see a car in the driveway. Still, he decided to shoot his shot. He walked up to the door with the rabbit under his arm. Shouta then knocked.

He was surprised when the door opened to show an elderly woman. "Hello, there." The woman greeted him. "Aren't you a handsome man? Whatever can I do for you?"

"My name is Shouta Aizawa, I'm the hero that found Izuku. I was told I could see him? I was hoping now would be a good time. I brought a gift." He showed the rabbit for the woman to see and even offered her a friendly smile. Well, as friendly as a smile he could muster.

"Oh. Right, I think Nao did mention something well… I don't see the harm in it as Kotaro isn't here right now…" Still the woman looked nervous which didn't sit right with Shouta. She stepped to the side and motioned for Shouta to walk in. Shouta took his boots off at the door and stepped into slippers like last time. He then followed the elderly woman.

"I'm watching little Izuku now as Nao had to go to the store and didn't want to wake him."

"Are you Kotaro's mother?" Shouta asked, hoping for information on this mysterious hero-hating man.

"Oh, heavens no. I'm Nao's great grandmother."

Shouta stopped for a moment. "You're Inko's great grandmother?" he asked her softly and the woman nodded rather sadly.

"Yes, it's a sad thing to happen to Inko. A sad thing indeed. Nao did tell her not to get involved with that Midoriya fella…but to be honest, Inko told Nao to stay away from Kotaro and well- I shouldn't speak much more." The elderly woman shook her head. "Inko was a wild child always doing what her heart told her to do…at least we weren't left with nothing, no, we were blessed with Izuku, though Kotaro may not see it that way. That man has just become more bitter as the years passed on." She huffed but then waved her hand in a dismissive manner. "But you're not here to hear about all of that. No, you're here to see little Izuku-" She got to the door and opened it. There were immediate whimpers from inside.

"Oh, sounds like he woke up, it's about time for his bottle anyways." She hurried in and Shouta did as well. Izuku was on his back with his neck turned to the side. He waved his arms and kicked his little legs while fussing.

"I can hold him." Shouta didn't even hesitate to offer. "You can get the bottle ready, those take a while don't they?" he asked and the woman nodded.

"Yes, they do…it's no trouble? I can't exactly hold him and make a bottle, I'm not as young as I used to be."

"None whatsoever." Shouta put the rabbit in the crib as he reached for Izuku. He was careful to support Izuku's head and then cradle him in his arms.

"Thank you, I'll be fast." The woman said and bowed to Shouta before rushing to get a bottle.

Once it was the two of them however, Izuku started to fuss a little more heavily. Shouta watched a few videos on what to do and he gently rubbed soothing circles around Izuku's belly while bending his knees up and down slightly. Izuku's cries started to subside before too long. The newborn is now just staring at Shouta.

"There we go, it's illogical to cry right now. You're safe, I got you." He told the baby. "Food is on the way." With the hand that was under Izuku he gently patted Izuku's back. The baby sniffled and sucked in a few breaths before focusing on Shouta. Shouta leaned down so he was only inches from Izuku's face and those big green eyes then Izuku's mouth turned into a gummy toothless smile. This made Shouta smile in return. "Ah, a fast learner, I can see we're going to get along quite well." He said fondly as he knew that babies often started smiling at the end of their second month. (Not that he did any research on that or anything.)

"Okay, I'm back." The elderly lady said as she returned with a bottle. "Please, hand him to me. I can feed him."

Shouta hid his disappointment as he carefully handed Izuku over. The woman held him with shaky hands. "He's getting to be big." She said fondly as she put the bottle to Izuku's mouth. Izuku started to suckle with ease. "Well, Mr. Aizawa, I think you should probably head out before too long. It's best if Kotaro doesn't know that you've been around." The older woman immediately starts to shoo Shouta out the door the same way Nao had.

"Of course." If it were any normal day he would maybe question why Kotaro has this obvious vendetta against heroes, but as it stands he knew he probably should leave now that he had the camera set up. He would come back in a few days and see if his suspicions were right or if he's being paranoid. He took the slippers off and slipped back into boots at the door. "Have a lovely day, ma'am."

"And to you." She said as she watched him go. "I hope to see you again!"

"I'm sure you will." He didn't even look back as he waved her goodbye.

Shouta gave it a full week before he decided to take the camera back. The week took forever to pass but it would eventually. Shouta wouldn't approach the door, oh no, he would be asked why he was bringing the rabbit back. So, instead he waited until night time and watched the house. He watched and waited for all the lights to go out then he gave it another two hours before he made his move.

Taking out a lock pick from his pocket he made quick work of the lock. The house was dead silent as everyone was asleep. Shouta knew how to be quiet on his feet and he made little to no noise while he trekked through the house. Shoua stopped before he made it to the master bedroom where he knew Izuku slept, but Izuku was now outside the door. The crib pressed against the wall next to the door but not inside the room. This made Shouta frown but still he walked up to the crib and looked down at Izuku.

Izuku was awake and when he let out a cry but Shouta could see that Izuku already had tear streaks down his chubby cheeks. Izuku let out a cough before letting out another cry. Shouta looked around the crib before he saw the issue. The pacifier was out of his mouth and sitting straight up beside his head. Shouta grabbed the pacifier and gently put it up to Izuku's mouth. Izuku let out a little coo but took the pacifier once it hit his lips. The baby started to suck on the pacifier and quiet down.

"There we go…" Shouta whispered very softly and ran his fingers through Izuku's tiny green curls. "I'm going to take this." He reached forward and grabbed the rabbit from Izuku's crib. Izuku's eyes started to droop as he was getting ready to sleep.

"See, Nao?" A male's voice from inside the room master bedroom made Shouta jerk his head upwards towards the voice. Thank goodness that the door was closed. "He needs to learn to calm himself. You can't always come to his cries, you'll just spoil him."

There was just a soft sigh in response but Nao didn't bother to give her husband an answer. Shouta put the rabbit in his pockets and made his way towards the front door. He was walking down the hallway and Immediately he froze when he met Tenko. The little boy was wearing an oversized shirt and clearly just getting up to get a drink of water. They both froze as they stared at one another. Then Tenko just tilted his head. "What are you doing?" The little boy asked as it was clear he recognized Shouta.

Shouta put his finger up to his lips to shush the boy. "Just my job." He patted Tenko's fluffy black hair carefully; it didn't go unnoticed by Shouta that the boy flinched when Shoua raised his hand up, but Tenko relaxed when Shouta just patted his head. "Don't tell your parents you saw me." Shouta whispered and Tenko nodded and zipped his lips like he was keeping a secret. "Good boy, lock the door behind me, okay?" Shouta then walked out the door and shut it. It would only be a second later that he would hear the door's lock click.

Satisfied Shouta would return home, itching to see what the camera captured in the week he's been away. The anticipation was killing him, but still Shouta held strong until he would get back to his apartment. Once his door was locked behind him Shouta took the rabbit out of his pocket and removed the camera. He then attached the camera to his phone just like last time and let the video play out.

At first he sped the camera feed up because there was no way he was going to watch this all in real time. Shouta's eyebrow rose as it all seemed normal. Izuku would be fed, taken out of his crib if he was dirty, and given baths as well as proper exercise for a newborn. He almost seemed to be doted on by his great grandmother. However; Shouta knew his gut feeling was never wrong. On the second day of the week did Shouta finally get his answers. There was a sound that sped up so it was almost impossible to hear. So, when a new person comes into the camera's view, Shouta backed the footage up and played it like normal.

A male walked into the room and he was already yelling.

"You let him in the house!? You know how I feel about heroes!" The man screamed and his yelling obviously caused Izuku distress. Izuku let out soft noises at first.

"He was nice, Kotaro." Izuku's grandmother said in a soft voice. "He just wanted to check up on the baby."

"It doesn't matter! No more heroes are allowed near or inside my house. Not now, Not ever!" Kotaro yelled almost childishly. "And that's final!" There was a slur in his words and Shouta noted quickly that Kotaro was clearly drunk. Only evident when he turned towards the camera and clearly had a beer bottle in his hand. Izuku started to cry as Kotaro wasn't exactly being quiet. "You." Kotaro slurred as he pointed towards Izuku and put the bottle down on the dresser and picked Izuku up. The moment Kotaro grabbed the baby, Izuku wails turned shrill. "You have been nothing but a pain in my ass since coming here." Kotaro hissed between tightly clenched teeth. "And now you're bringing heroes into my home, heroes."

Shouta felt his teeth click together as he watched Kotaro cradle Izuku and then smack Izuku's diaper like he was spanking him but the diaper was supposed to be as padding.

"Stop that crying! I want to go one night without being woken by your stupid crying-"

"Kotaro!" Nao came into view of the camera as she was quick to take Izuku out of the man's hands. "You're drunk!" She yelled while holding Izuku in her arms. Izuku continued to wail.

Kotaro just grabbed his bottle and took a swig from it, a bit of the beverage dribbling down his chin. "Yeah, I'm drunk! I'm drunk because I didn't sign up for this! For that!" He pointed at Izuku who was still crying in Nao's arms. Nao was doing her best to quiet down Izuku as she rocked him and patted his back soothingly.

"Kotaro, it's not his fault he was born." Nao tried to say but Kotaro wasn't having it as he slammed his bottle down to the ground and it shattered with a loud noise.

"No! It's Inko's fault we're stuck in this shitty situation! We can hardly handle two children let alone three!"

"I'm not having this conversation with you while you're inebriated." Nao said sternly as she managed to silence Izuku's cries and whimpers. Then she stormed out of the bedroom but not before yelling at Kotaro one final time. "Ass!"

"I'm the ass! I'm the ass!?" Kotaro then followed after his wife. Even though they were out of the room, Shouta could hear Kotaro's screams of rage before there was a crash followed by Izuku's cries of fear. This was followed by Nao's sudden cry as it was clear that Kotaro had struck her.

'That's enough.' Shouta turned the video off and narrowed his eyes before crossing his arms over his chest. It took him roughly about thirty seconds to figure out what he needed to do next. Shouta would stay up the entire night making calls, calling in favors, and, of course, calling Nedzu in the end for one big favor.

"Oh my," Nedzu said once Shouta's request was asked. "Of course. Leave it to me, and please think about my offer?"

"Of course." Shouta knew he owed Nedzu big time for this one. The rat would call in that favor soon or later. When it was all said and done, the crack of dawn was peeking through his window but Shouta wouldn't sleep. Not until Izuku was here with him where Shouta knew Izuku would be safe.

Nao was both pissed and yet relieved when Shouta confronted her about the abuse. Her anger turned to tears of frustration. "My husband has issues…" She told Shouta as she brought her palm to her eye to wipe her tears. "I… He…" She sucked in a breath to collect herself and tried again. "After you first arrived Tenko told Kotaro that he wanted to be a hero- like Kotaro's mother- and ever since Kotaro went off the deep end. Not only did he strike Tenko but now Kotaro comes home drunk almost every night. It's been nothing but fighting between us, Tenko is too scared to leave his room and so is Hana… Stop coming by, please. Then Kotaro will go back to normal."

Shouta reached his hand up and gently patted her shoulder. He then had her look at him. "I can't turn a blind eye to this." He told her softly. "I know Kotaro is dangerous, which is why if you take me up on this offer, I already have a house set up for you, your great grandmother, and your children. You'll have different identities and Kotaro won't be able to find you."

Nao looked shocked.

"L-...Leave Kotaro… I don't…"

"With all due respect." Shouta looked at her with a very leveled stare. "You know you can't stay here, you're a smart woman and I've seen my fair share of domestic violence. It rarely ever gets better. He's already struck you child and you. They say they'll change but…" He only shook his head and Nao went pale.

"... Why are you doing this?" She inquired in a soft and quivering voice.

Shouta looked at her and then his eyes looked towards where Izuku was napping.

Nao picked up on this and she frowned. "Oh…" She whispered. "You…you never wanted me to take Izuku with me…did you?"

"It would be hard for you to look after two children, your grandmother, and a baby…" He told her in a gentle tone.

"But…where would he go, I can't imagine him in a foster home!"

"With me." It was decided a while ago. He was going to foster Izuku from now on and he'll be the baby's permanent foster and meet with those wanting to adopt him.

"You? Why?"

"Because… I know he'll be safe." Shouta sighed as he spoke the truth to Nao.

Nao went quiet as she looked back at the sleeping Izuku and then over to Shouta. Then she sighed. "I know Kotaro will come home drunk tonight and… I can't do this anymore." She put her head in her hands and let out a soft whimper. "I don't want him targeting one of the kids in one of his drunken fits. The other night I was afraid he was going to hit Hana for running in the house."

"Tell the children and your great grandmother to pack what they need and I'll personally bring you to your new home."

Shouta smiled as he held onto Baby Izuku. The newborn slept peacefully in Shouta's arms. Nao, Tenko, Hana, and her grandmother were happily away from Kotaro and all had new names so Kotaro couldn't find them. Not that he would while he was currently in jail for embezzlement

The favor Shouta called Nedzu for? Search Kotaro's job and he did and found that Kotaro was skimming some money for himself. So, he wasn't going to be getting out of jail for a while.

Nao had given Shouta the crib and all of Izuku's clothes and toys, which was what he was hoping for. He already baby-proofed his house before confronting Nao, and now… Izuku was where he belonged. Shouta had already called Samatha and was just waiting for her to come.

Izuku was breathing rhythmically and Shouta noted that the onesie he was wearing was starting to look a little tight. "I'll have to buy you some more clothes." He hummed.

Shouta leaned back into his favorite chair and just looked down at the baby with fond and tired eyes. Everything felt…right.

Shouta blinked at the sound of someone knocking on his door and he looked towards it and then looked back down at the sleeping baby in his hands. He didn't want to put Izuku down but in the end, he would have to answer the door. Silently, he stood and put Izuku down in his crib in his room. Izuku let out a soft whine but wouldn't wake once he calmed down. Shouta then turned his heel and walked to the door. He opened it and Samantha looked at him.

"Hello, Shouta." She greeted him. "I came as soon as I could." Shouta moved to the side to let her in. Samantha took her shoes off and put on some slippers. "So, what's up?"

"I'm fostering Izuku. I would like to go ahead and get the paperwork done and out of the way."

"Ah-ha." Samantha fake laughed. "Shouta, it's not that simple. Izuku is with the Shimura's remember? You'd have to talk to Nao."

"Oh, that's been settled," Shouta said rather flippantly and that made Samatha look at him with equal parts concern and bewildered.

"What do you mean by that?"

Well, she would get her answer with Izuku let out a sudden whine before breaking off in a cry and Samatha's eyes went wide as she slowly turned her head towards the crib that was in clear view of them from Shouta's room. "What. Did. You. Do?" She demanded in a slow and low voice.

"Here." Shouta handed her his phone with the video feed on. "Just watch that, I need to calm him down."

Samatha's jaw was on the ground as she looked back and forth between Shouta and the video feed.

Shouta didn't pick Izuku up. All he had to do was pick the pacifier up and gently put it in the baby's mouth. It took Izuku a moment but once he felt the rubber in his mouth he attached it to it and he sucked on it, quieting down. His green eyes looked at Shouta before they drooped.

"-You ass!"

"Sh!" Shouta, honest to god, shushed Samantha.

Samantha's face flushed a bright red at this as Shouta shut the door, but not all the way, and then lead her towards the living room. She shoved his phone into his chest. "With everything you showed me, I should just take Izuku right out of your custody. Are you aware what you did was illegal?" She seethed at Shouta.

"I'm aware." He sat on his couch with a loud grunt leaving his mouth.

"Then why on earth would I let you foster him?" She demanded.

"Because you know I won't harm him and, more importantly, I know he's safe. Because the foster system is a horrible place for him to be in, and, I can't stress this enough, I was right about the Shimura's being a horrible fit for him."

Samantha went quiet as she stared at Shouta for several long moments. Samantha rubbed her tongue on the inside of her mouth as it was clear she was thinking. "You… are an ass." She hissed. "But… you seem to have a knack for reading people, so… fine, Izuku will be emergency fostered to you and you can decide who will foster or even adopt him. You'll meet the families face-to-face and you will let me know if you think they're a good fit or not." Samantha relented while she looked him dead in the eyes.

"Fine," Shouta said with a half-hearted shrug. "Win-Win. I get to know Izuku will be in a good home and for the time being he's safe with me."

"Good…" Samantha huffed and then Shouta pushed papers towards her from the coffee table.

"Go ahead and make it official."

"You already printed these out!?" She gasped once she realized they were foster care paperwork and Shouta's part was already signed. "You know what? I'm not even surprised." She realized before she gently grabbed the pen and signed what she needed to sign. Samantha took her form and tucked it into her briefcase while letting Shouta keep his own form. "I'll see you soon." Was the last words she told him before she left his apartment, probably to cool down before their next visit.

Shouta gave a satisfied sigh once he was alone. This was going to be a ride, but if anybody could make sure Izuku was going to be okay, it was going to be him.

Shouta was allowed a temporary leave from work for a month to take care of Izuku, set up a plan for daycare, and get all the things he was going to need. So, on his first day off he shopped for things he was going to need for Izuku. He did research and knew that Izuku wouldn't be eating until around four months of age. Shouta stocked up on formula and diapers first and foremost.

Izuku was a star in the store as he sat in his car seat. All the women flocked to him and cooed. Some handed Shouta their numbers surprisingly. Shouta noticed bystanders even quietly waving and mouthing the word 'hi!' to Izuku. Shouta would be lying if he said this didn't make him smile a tad. Izuku enjoyed the attention as well as he was constantly smiling at people.

While he was shopping Shouta's phone dinged and it made him look down at it.

Ingieum: Hey, I heard you have a little one now. My baby brother was just born not that long ago and there are a few things we don't need if you want some.

Free things? Sign Shouta up.

Eraser: What do you have? I already got some formula and diapers so you guys don't need to worry about giving us that.

He didn't have to wait long for a reply.

Ingieum: Some onesies my parents didn't care for, a few too many bottles we can get rid of, baby wipes (The baby shower was full of those.) Oh and a stroller! Turns out two people got them the exact same stroller and we don't need two.

Shit, a stroller!? Hell yeah. Those all sounded good, maybe minus the onesies if those were for newborns, Izuku was starting to get a little too big for his own onesies.

Eraser sent a quick message saying he'll be by after he's done shopping. Despite being gifted some bottles, Shouta still picked up a few extra ones along with some baby wipes. Shouta also picked up some bottle cleaners as well. He did look at the onesies and picked out a couple of footie pajamas with cats on them. One had a little tail in the back. It was too cute.

"I think that's everything…" He told Izuku as he looked at the baby. "Now we're going to go and see the Iidas and get you some new stuff."

Izuku smiled and it made Shouta smile softly.

"Let's go."

After paying and getting everything in the car. He made sure Izuku was secure in his seat and that the seat was strapped in. Then off he went. During the drive to the Iidas Izuku fell asleep and Shouta watched him out of the rearview mirror when he could. He smiled as he watched Izuku sleep peacefully. He was definitely happy he got Izuku away from the Shimuras.

He got to the Iidas and quietly pulled Izuku's seat out of the car and walked towards the front door. Before he could knock, the door opened. "Shouta!" Tensei greeted him warmly and Shouta put his finger to his lips quickly.

"He's resting." Shouta showed Izuku to Tensei and the man gushed instantly.

"He's adorable…" Tensei whispered as he slowly crouched down to look at the sleeping baby. "How long do you have him for again?"

"Until we find a suitable foster home. They will be tested by me."

"Ah, then you'll have this little bean forever! Perfect, come on I'll show you the stuff." Tensei grinned while he stood up a little straighter. "And he can meet my parents and little Tenya," Tensei whispered while moving out of the doorway for Shouta to come in.

The Iida's house was always so immaculately clean and it impressed Shouta greatly whenever he stepped through the threshold.

"Shouta!" Fusae Iida greeted him warmly as she walked up to him. She was smiling but looked exhausted. Naturally, she would be considering she just gave birth a week ago. "Oh, let me see the baby." She cooed and leaned down to look at Izuku. "Oh, he's precious." She said in a soft voice. "Look at that dark curly hair." Fusae actually squealed as she reached over inspected Izuku. "You need to get him some mittens, his nails are getting long." She told Shouta. "We should have some to give to you."

"Oh, thank you," Shouta responded and Fusae turned to him.

"How's it been with the little one?" Fusae inquired as she gently ran her knuckle across Izuku's cheek. Izuku gave a soft whine and reached his tiny hands up to rub at his face. He didn't wake as he settled down quickly.

"He's been fine. A baby cries when hungry, uncomfortable, or not feeling well." Shouta shrugged with a soft smile and Fusae returned his smile.

"Come, let me show you the items we can give you, Tensei, watch Izuku for a second?"

"Rodger." Tensei chopped his right hand up and sat at the table so he was watching Izuku's sleeping form.

Shouta and Fusae walked away from the dining room and down a hallway. When they passed a room Fusae put a finger to her lips. "Tenya is sleeping in here." She whispered before cracking the door open a smidge. There in the crib lay the newest addition to the Iida bloodline. Little Tenya was sleeping peacefully. He has the standard Iida sharp eyebrows and a small head of thick blue hair. Fusae shut the door and the two of them tip-toed into the master bedroom where the items were waiting for Shouta.

"Here's the stroller." Fusae rolled it up to him and everything else was already sitting inside of the put-together stroller. "We went ahead and put it together for you. It's a top-of-the-line stroller that had the works. A sun blinder for the baby, a tray across it for food or toys, a bottom carrier for bags and items, straps, and even a cup holder for either a bottle or for a normal drink.

Inside the stroller were a few onesies all a bit bigger than a newborn. He looked them over and nodded. They were for four to six months olds so he could definitely use these. These ranged from plain white, gray, one pair of footie PJ's with tacos all over them, and a onesie with an All Might theme that had a hoodie and was also footies. Under the onesies lay the baby wipes, at least three packs, and the bottles are still brand new in the packs. "These are great. Thanks, Fusae." He smiled at her and Fusae smiled at him.

"I'm sure your little one is in great hands." She told him before she stood and walked towards her dresser.

This made Shouta grin as he picked the stuff out of the stroller and folded the stroller up with ease. Then Fusae came up to him and held out two pairs of mittens both were clearly pink in color and both had pastel flowers on them. "I bought these early in my pregnancy before I knew the gender." She blushed. "I apologize that they're pink."

"Oh, I don't think Izuku is going to mind." Shouta chuckled as he took the mittens from her gracefully. She grinned at him again.

Fusae and Tensei helped put the stroller in Shouta's car as he strapped Izuku into the back seat the baby was sleeping like a log. Shouta quietly put the mittens over Izuku's hands so he wouldn't claw at his face. "Thank you guys, this means a lot to me." Shouta said as he stood by his driver's door.

"Of course!" Tensei kept a smile on his face as he walked up to Shouta. "We should set up a baby playdate sometime."

"I'd like that," Shouta told him before getting into the car and shutting his door.

It was back home after that. He was more than happy with this. Shouta looked at the back of the baby seat and smiled. "You're doing something to me." He spoke to the sleeping newborn. "I don't hate it."

It was near the end of Shouta's paternity leave, on Izuku's two-month mark, did Oboro and the others spring, and he had to say his friends were all smart about it. Nemuri distracted Shouta because she 'wanted to see the baby.' and so they spent the day together, they went out to lunch and Nemuri insisted on buying things for Izuku.

"He's making my ovaries explode!" Nemuri had proclaimed, because of course she would, as she held Izuku close to her. Izuku, the little charmer, was smiling at her with a gummy smile as he kicked his legs happily and she cooed before rubbing her cheek against his face. "He's adorable, Sho."

Shouta shook his head while he smiled. "He's not staying forever, just until I know he's going to a good home." He reminded her.

"You're staying forever." She whispered to Izuku which made Shouta roll his eyes as he unlocked his door-

"Surprise!"

The yelling made Shouta jump back as he saw everyone standing in his apartment with presents?

"Er… What is this? It's not my birthday." He asked his friends as he and Nemuri walked in. Nemuri kept Izuku in her arms as she smiled.

"It's your baby shower!" Oboro cheered as he raised his hands in the air.

Shouta sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Guys, I told you, I'm not keeping him forever. I'm only a temporary foster until I find a better family for him." Shouta explained to them all.

Nedzu, who was sitting at Shouta's table smiled. "Of course, Shouta. Of course! However, the baby boy could use a few more items, if I do say so."

Everyone seemed to agree and Shouta sighed. "You guys are going to spoil this baby rotten, I can feel it."

"Of course we are!" Oboro said as he walked towards Izuku. "He's an angel." Oboro cooed and took Izuku from Nemuri. Though she was pouting, Shouta could see the relief as she rolled her arm which had grown tired.

Izuku gave a happy squeal at this while he was being held by Oboro. Izuku was gently kicking the air again as smiled at Oboro. Oboro smiled back at him and Shouta looked at everyone. The whole UA staff was here and it looked like each of them brought a present for Shouta.

So, Shouta was the center of attention while he opened the presents. Izuku was given a ton of toys, those were undoubtedly from Hizashi and Oboro. He was also given a baby mat for Izuku to lay on and they put immediate use of that with Oboro putting Izuku down on it. The baby did fuss at not being held, but a set of plastic keys were given to him, and he settled down as he shoved the keys in his mouth.

After that Shouta went through the rest of the presents. They were all things he was going to need. Wipes, diapers, formula, baby shampoo, bibs, pacifiers, a diaper genie, and a high chair.

"Thanks, guys," Shouta said while rubbing the back of his head. "These are all great." He admitted and the others seemed happy.

So, Shouta was set, for just a little while and that made him and Izuku happy. He looked at Izuku and the baby was still chewing on the plastic keys.

"He is adorable," Oboro whispered as he looked down at Izuku the same. "I'm glad you saved him, you look much happier."

"Yeah, I'm glad I saved him too…"

"Do you think about adopting him?"

Shouta shook his head. "No, I can't. As I said, he's not going to stay forever."

Oboro only gently punched Shouta in the shoulder. "Whatever you say."

Later that night when everyone went home, Shouta was looking over the instructions for putting the high chair together with confusion while Izuku was playing with a stuffed animal surrounded by the boxes left over from the party. Shouta scratched his head and looked at the box then back at the instructions. "Why do they make these things so complicated?"

Shouta returned to work and during the time he works, he put Izuku into Daycare- er…Nightcare. So, it was only a matter of time before he got sick...

The baby woke Shouta up screaming. Shouta shot up and rushed toward the baby. Izuku was screaming, crying, and coughing. Phlegm left Izuku's mouth as he coughed and Shouta was quick to pick the baby up and hold him. Shouta rocked Izuku to try and get him to calm down, but it wasn't working. If anything Izuku got louder.

"It's okay…" Shouta told him as he gently bounced up and down and he walked toward the kitchen thinking maybe Izuku was hungry. It was a little awkward holding Izuku with one hand while making a bottle with the other. Still, he bounced Izuku up and down while waiting for the bottles to warm up. "You're okay."

Izuku didn't quiet down as he continued to scream like he was being tortured. Snot ran down Izuku's nose as the baby struggled to breathe between crying and coughing. "It's okay."

Finally, the bottles warmed up and Shouta brought it to Izuku's mouth. Izuku did not attach to the nipple. He actually spat the nipple out while milk dripped down his lips. Izuku continued to cry an ear-bleeding cry. "Shush." Shouta put Izuku against his shoulder and braced the baby's head. Gently he patted Izuku's back thinking maybe he was gassy.

Izuku was not.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Shouta knew it had to be something. Babies didn't just cry for no reason. Toddlers, yeah, but not babies. Shouta checked Izuku's diaper, but it was clean. So with everything being checked off the list, Shouta knew he had no choice. He had to check Izuku's temperature.

Shouta put Izuku down on his playmate and the baby didn't like that. At. All. His tiny lungs were able to make a loud wail that could rival Hizashi's own quirk at that moment. Shouta ran quickly into his kitchen and threw his drawers open as he frantically looked for his thermometer as he moved stuff around in his junk drawers, god why did he have so many junk drawers!?

It was in his third drawer did he finally find it shoved in the back. He snatched it and turned it on. It, thankfully, didn't need batteries. He then rushed back to Izuku. "It's okay." He told the baby as he got down and picked Izuku back up. Izuku continued to fuss and yell even while in Shouta's arms. Shouta took Izuku's temperature and it wasn't good.

101.04 the thermometer rang. He was sick.

Did Shouta need to go to the doctor? Would Izuku feel better after a while?

While Izuku was still wailing, Shouta googled what to do as quickly as possible. He was cursing at his slow phone at this moment while waiting for the page to load.

Yep, he needed to take Izuku to the hospital as babies his age with a fever over 100 needed medical care. Shouta quickly strapped the fussy Izuku into his car seat and picked it up. Izuku continued to wail as loud as his lungs would allow. It reminded Shouta of when he first found Izuku. The poor baby crying for anybody to help him, to save him. "I know. I know." Shouta whispered as he strapped Izuku into the car and got into the driver's seat himself.

The drive was agonizing while Shouta drove to the nearest pediatrician clinic. Hearing Izuku scream didn't help his nerves and as much as Shouta wanted to yell back in his own frustration and anxiety he knew it would do no good. Izuku was a baby and was crying because he needed help.

Shouta finally found a clinic and pulled in sloppily. Izuku started to calm down, if only for a moment. Shouta took the car seat out of the car and rushed inside the clinic. He didn't have an appointment. Shouta had to fill out some paperwork once inside and after he did that he sat in a seat and held Izuku close to him. Shouta was gentle as he rocked Izuku up and down to try and calm the baby. It didn't really do too well as Izuku continued to wail loudly. "Shh…Shh… please…." Shouta whispered to the baby as he gently patted Izuku's back-

Blach!

There was a temporary silence from Izuku before he coughed and resumed screaming bloody murder.

Feeling something warm run down his back Shouta shut his eyes and tried to hold his disgust at bay.

Thankfully, because the clinc wasn't full, it didn't take too long or a pediatrician to see Shouta.

The pediatrician was nice and even gave Shouta some wipes to wipe up the vomit off of his shirt while the doctor looked over Izuku. The man's quirk was pretty simple but handy. All he had to do was touch Izuku's head and he knew immediately what sickness Izuku could have.

"He has a cold." The doctor told Shouta. "Worry not, I have a nurse that can get rid of the common cold."

Shouta nodded as he finished scrubbing the vomit out of his shirt. "That would be much appreciated. He stated rather bluntly. The doctor then gave a little chuckle at this.

"No quirk is without it's downside. She can get rid of his cold but it will transfer to someone biologically related to Izuku. Aka: You or Izuku's mother."

Shouta felt a smile creep onto his face and knew he must have looked terrifying. "Go ahead."

The doctor shook his head. "Problems with the wife?" He inquired and Shouta kept that smile on his face.

"Something like that."

Hisashi Midoriya was a very busy business man so Shouta was sure a cold wouldn't hinder him at all.

The doctor still snorted. "Well, don't forget there's a chance the cold will go to you as well."

"I can handle a cold, please, go ahead and get rid of it." Shouta knew he wasn't getting a cold and the doctor shrugged before walking off.

Izuku continued to cry and Shouta reached up and gently touched Izuku's little pudgy belly. For once Izuku quieted down into a whimper and he reached for Shouta's finger. "You're going to be okay." Shouta told him in a soft voice.

It would take an extra thirty minutes but the nurse would come in. She gave Izuku a pitiful coo as she picked the baby up from the table. Not knowing who this lady was and not used to her touch, plus being sickly, Izuku immediately stirred up a fuss. His little legs kicked as he cried.

"Oh, I know, I know…" The woman cooed and she touched his head. Her hand started to glow a pale blue and even though Izuku didn't calm down right away, the woman looked at Shouta. "Does he have a pacifier?"

Shouta nodded and took Izuku's pacifier out of his pocket. The woman wiped it off on her shirt before she put it in his mouth. After a moment or two Izuku finally calmed down as he suckled on the pacifier. Izuku's eyes started to droop as exhaustion took over and the nurse gave him back over to Shouta.

"Now, it's just the common cold, so I would pick up some medicine for yourself or your wife."

"Will do, thank you." Shouta looked at Izuku with a smile as he walked out of the clinc. Thankfully he didn't have a bill as he was in Japan and healthcare was free. Shouta put Izuku back into his carrier and Izuku started to fall asleep. On his drive back home, Shouta only wondered if the cold had hit Hisashi yet.

Time came for the first foster family to meet Shouta. They were a lovely looking couple and the woman was immediately gushing over Izuku as she looked at him. "Look at those freckles…Oh he's adorable."

Shouta asked them some standard questions and he had to say he wasn't impressed. The man worked an office job while the woman said she was unemployed and Shouta already made his mind up that these people weren't a good fit. What if the husband loses his job? Then what? They're out on the street and Izuku is starving.

The couple would leave and would get the rejection from Samantha later down the week.

"You're stuck with me a little longer." Shouta told Izuku with a bit of a grin as he made the baby a bottle. Izuku didn't seem to mind as he stared at Shouta with sparkling green eyes and drool running down his chin. He was in his car seat and started to kick his stubby legs in anticipation of a bottle. Izuku was in one of the onesies that Shouta had bought him and he looked happy.

Shouta smiled to himself as he tested the bottle out on his skin to make sure it wasn't too hot. It wasn't. He then approached Izuku and Izuku, knowing what was coming, let out a happy squeal that made Shouta look at him fully impressed that he was able to make such a loud sound. Izuku threw his hands up which was equally impressive.

"Such a fast learner," Shouta cooed as he unbuckled Izuku from the car seat and picked him up gently. This baby was making him soft, but he was only soft for Izuku. Once Izuku was nestled between his arms, Shouta brought the bottle to Izuku's mouth and Izuku started to suckle.

Shouta sat on the couch and gently patted Izuku's thigh as he let Izuku feed. Once he ate a bit, Shouta brought Izuku against his shoulder and patted his back to get the baby to burp. Izuku would, a big burp. "Wow, been holding on to that one for a while?" Shouta asked and Izuku just gave him another gummy smile. "Yeah…just a little while longer…" Shouta told him before he did something he never thought he'd ever do. He rubbed his nose against Izuku's. "A little while longer." he repeated.

One month turned into two months which turned into five whole months, and soon not only were the colder months upon them but Izuku was now sixth months old and he was hitting all the milestones of being such an age. He can hold his head up, and prop himself up in his crib, sit up and- and!- he started to babble, babble, shriek, and laugh. His freckles shined through and he was coated in a litter of freckles all over his body.

Shouta had sent away many potential foster families and even those who wanted to adopt Izuku. None of them were good enough in Shouta's eyes. All had downfalls and blind spots. He knew he was getting on Samantha's nerves but she couldn't complain this was her idea after all.

Shouta was talking to Tensei while Tenya and Izuku both played. Tenya was watching, stunned, as Izuku gently batting the blocks up and down on the floor while giggling. Tenya had a little pacifier in his mouth that had a race car on it and his little eyes were wide. Izuku also had a pacifier in his mouth, one Nedzu had gifted Shouta. It was Izuku's favorite pacifier that had a fox on it.

Both boy's were starting to grow into their looks. With Izuku now having wild and curly green hair that Shouta knew was going to be a pain to take care of. Tenya was looking like a clone of Tensei with the both of them have the same navy blue hair and eyes.

Tensei and Shouta were really just shooting the breeze while watching the boys.

"When have you gotten Izuku on on baby food?" Tensei inquired as he grabbed a bottle out of Tenya's diaper bag. "Tenya already started eating solids, he's such a fast learner. Then again, all of us Iida's are pretty fast." Tensei laughed at his own joke.

Shouta just looked at Tensei…

"I… haven't…" He admitted.

This made Tensei smile a bit. "He's getting to that age…let me see…" Tensei searched through his diaper bag again and pulled out a small unopen container of apple sauce and a clean baby spoon. Shouta watched as Tensei approached both boys and he handed Tenya the bottle. Tenya took it happily and flopped on to his back to enjoy his bottle, knowing to twist his head to the side as he did this. Such a smart boy.

Tensei got in front of Izuku and Shouta watched as Tensei popped the apple sauce open and took a spoonful out. Izuku reacted on instinct at this and opened his mouth almost immediately like he knew the food was coming towards him. Well, it was. Tensei gave Izuku the small spoon food. Izuku made a face at first, his face scrunched like he was given something sour. His body shook as he squeezed his eyes tight. Then he swallowed the applesauce down with ease. Once he got his first taste of food he wasn't satisfied with just one bite. Oh no, Izuku smacked his lips a couple of times before he eagerly opened his mouth towards Tensei.

Tensei laughed and grabbed another spoonful of applesauce before giving Izuku another bite.

"Yeah, if I were you, Sho, I'd go ahead and start giving this little some actual food. He seems more than happy- oop!" Tensei, who had paused to look at Shouta, accidentally caused some applesauce to fall from Izuku's mouth and down his chin. "No worries." Tensei then used the spoon to scoop the sliding applesauce off of Izuku's chin and fed it too him.

"After you leave, I guess I can stop by the store with Izuku and pick him up some baby food."

"Good, we'll probably be leaving soon, it's time for Tenya's nap…" Tensei cooed as he looked towards Tenya. Tenya's eyes were starting to droop as he continued to suckle on the bottle in his hands.

"That's fair." Shouta chuckled and watched as Tensei picked Tenya up and cradled his brother in his arms. Tenya was smart as he turned his head to keep the bottle propped against Tensei's chest.

Tensei and Shouta said their goodbyes and soon Tensei was gone and that left Shouta and Izuku. Izuku looked at Shouta as he chewed on the corner of one of his wooden blocks.

Izuku smiled at Shouta and Shouta smiled back. "Are you up for a trip to the store? I can try out that baby carrier Oboro got me as a joke…"

Shouta would find that baby carrier before he put Izuku in his car seat for the drive to the store. Izuku let out happy squeals as Shouta buckled him in to the car. Once he was secure, Shouta got into the drivers seat and soon took off for the store.

Izuku was pleasant the whole car ride as he sucked on his pacifier and played with his own feet. Izuku was in a onesie so tha was okay and he wouldn't be bare foot in the store. Plus the gremlin was learning how to take off his shoes and throw them on the floor, so feetie onesies it was.

Shouta pulled into the parking lot and found a nice parking spot near the front of the store. Shouta didn't get out right away, he looked at the baby carrier. It was was a cloth wrap made of the same dark gray color as his capture scarf. Shouta hummed as he read the box on how to wear it and just raised an eyebrow at the instructions. "Okay… seems simple enough."

So, Shouta wriggled into the wrap and gently tied around him. He hummed as he looked at the wrap, it should be on right. He double checked that it was tied tightly around his waist and got out of the car. Shouta opened Izuku's door and Izuku reached for him, his tiny tubby hands opening and closing his palms while his green eyes shone with happiness. Shouta couldn't help it; he smiled. "You ready?" He asked Izuku before he unbuckled the baby from his seat. Izuku gave a loud and happy squeal when Shouta picked him up.

Shouta held Izuku's face close to his as he opened the wrap around his chest with one hand. Izuku cooed and gently ran one of his chubby hands up and down Shouta's stubble clearly liking the rough feeling of Shouta's stubble. Something over took Shouta, he's never done something like this before and it nearly startled him when it happened. Shouta grabbed Izuku, pulled him in, and lovingly ran his scratchy cheek against Izuku's. Izuku let out a happy squeal while kicking his legs.

Realizing what he was doing, Shouta quickly stopped and then coughed. "Don't know what happened there." He whispered before he got Izuku into the baby carrier. Izuku went in with ease and gave a soft coo before he pressed himself against Shouta. Shouta was about to shut the door and go inside the store but stopped when he saw Izuku's pacifier sitting in the car seat. He grabbed it and gave it to Izuku. The baby took the pacifier and put it in his mouth, Izuku started to suck on it and relaxed even more against Shouta.

Shouta made sure he had his wallet on him before he finally shut and locked his car. He wasn't planning on staying long, he just wanted to get some baby food for Izuku and leave. Walking into the store, Shouta made a bee-line for the baby aisle. Izuku was complacent in the carrier. Naturally, upon seeing the baby it caused some women to stop and coo at Izuku. Still, Shouta got to the aisle and gravitated towards the baby food.

Shouta started to look at the options for a six month old. Shouta stared at the baby food for a few minutes and just didn't know what to grab, there were so many options…

"-Need help?" Came a sweet and soft voice from Shouta's left. There a woman stood, she had deep violet hair that was put into a side ponytail over her shoulder. She looked tired with eyebags that matched Shouta's own. She too was was carrying a baby on her chest in a wrap. This baby had wild purple hair that stood straight up, his eyes looking bored. How it was possible for a baby to look bored Shouta didn't know, but this baby mastered it. In his mouth was a pacifier with a baby safe toy attached to it, it was a fuzzy sloth. The baby looked at him and sucked on his pacifcer once before pressing himself against his mothers chest once more.

"Uh, yeah, Izuku here just turned six months." Shouta gently placed a hand on Izuku's head as he focused on the woman.

"Oh, so did Hitoshi!" The woman smiled and put her hand on Hitoshi's wild hair. "I can help you, tell you the foods Hitoshi likes and dislikes, but of course, every baby is different."

"I would like some help."

"Here." The woman reached into pocket and pulled out her phone. "Hitoshi really likes Applesauce and mashed carrots…"

The next few minutes was of Shouta and this woman- named Ai Shinsou- talking about baby food. What was good and what wasn't. "Try hot cereal, I know Hitoshi loves that personally."

"Hot…cereal…" Shouta wrote that down in his own phone along with a bunch of other baby food. "Okay…thank you."

Ai smiled at him and then grabbed a box of rice cereal, and yeah, Shouta grabbed the exact same box after her and read it. Ai waved him good by and started to walk away. Shouta smiled. "Rice cereal…what do you think-... That's not yours." Shouta looked down at Izuku and Izuku had a pacifier in his mouth… just not his pacifier. This pacifier was a totally different color and it had a sloth attached to it. Izuku was holding on to that sloth for dear-life as well.

"That's not yours!" came Ai's yell from down the aisle. There was the sound of rushing footsteps and Ai looked panicked for a second before they made eye contact. Then…she laughed. "I think…I think our sons made a trade while we were talking."

"Yes," Shouta popped the pacifier out of Izuku's mouth and immediately the baby started to whine in protest. When Ai did the same to Hitoshi, Hitoshi let out his own cry of protest. They swapped pacifiers and each parent wiped down the pacifier before handing it back to their fussy babies. "I'd say they did."

"You know… not to be forward, but if you want, since our little tradesmen seem to like one another. How about a baby playdate one of these days?" She offered and Shouta had to think about it before nodding.

"I think…that would be just fine. I'll give you my contact information."

And that's how Izuku and Shouta both walked out of the store with a new friend.

When Izuku was seven months, Samantha was less than happy when Shouta rejected the fifth- or was it the sixth?- family to try and foster Izuku. "What was wrong with the Aishi's?!" She demanded when she showed up at his apartment after he sent her the rejection text. It took her roughly thirty minutes to get to him, impressive. "Aizawa, both of them have good jobs, make good money, and own their house outright meaning they won't be evicted or foreclosed on. So, please- tell me your excuse!"

Shouta blinked at her, and then put Izuku on his stomach on the playmat for tummy time.

"The woman couldn't maintain eye contact for more than two seconds and the man smelt strongly of fried foods."

"Are you fucking kidding me, Shouta?!"'

Shouta sighed in irritation while Izuku lifted himself up and happily rolled on to his back while grabbing his feet in his hands. He gave a happy laugh at Shouta and Shouta smiled back at him.

"Shouta!"

"If she can't maintain eye contact then that means she can't focus and therefore she shouldn't be watching Izuku, the man smelling of fried foods tells me he either eats out a lot, which isn't good, or he's constantly frying food. Which, again, isn't good."

Samantha huffed and in one quick movement she laid face down on the floor. "You are unbelievable…" came her muffled voice. Then she lifted her head and stared at Shouta. "You know, one of these days there's gonna be someone who you can't say no to. Then what are you going to do?" She demanded.

Shouta shrugged. "Then, I'll give him to the family, obviously."

Samantha snorted at him. "I feel like it won't be that easy." Then she stood and boldly pointed at Shouta. "I'm going to find some one you can't say no to! And if you do say no then that means you just want to adopt Izuku."

He snorted at her. "I don't want to adopt him, I just want him to go to a home that I know will take good care of him."

"Keep telling yourself that, Aizawa. You just keep telling yourself that." Samantha then turned and stormed out of his apartment. Aizawa shook his head as he watched her go and flinched a little when she slammed the door on her way out.

Shouta looked down at Izuku and smiled, resting his hand on Izuku's stomach, making the baby giggle at his touch. Shouta gently scratched at Izuku's stomach and the baby kicked his legs happily while letting out loud giggles.

Shouta just couldn't help himself as he picked Izuku up and the child reached for him and then his tiny hands clasped around a lock of Shouta's hair-

"Ouch! Ouch!" Shouta grunted with Izuku started to pull on Shouta's hair. "Okay, okay." He laughed as he grabbed Izuku's little hand and opened it, gently forcing the baby to let go of his hair. He then put Izuku back down on the playmat on his back. "I'll be back with some food, what are you thinking tonight? Mushed peas? Or…what was it? Mango, Apple, and avocado? I think we'll try that one…" Shouta then turned and walked towards the kitchen.

Shouta opened the newly appointed baby cabinet. He grabbed the mango, apple, and avocado food and-

A tiny hand touched his ankle and Shouta paused. His hand was still around the tiny baby food. Then, he looked down.

Izuku was on the ground, on his hands and knees tugging away at Shouta's pant leg. "Unless you teleported… You crawled!" Shouta gasped as he put the baby food on the counter and then crouched down to Izuku's level. Izuku grinned and pushed himself up and down happily before he reached one arm out and smacked Shouta's foot.

"Look at you!" Shouta reached down and picked Izuku up with ease. "You're learning so fast!" He smiled and pressed Izuku head against his. "You must have seen something you wanted. Must be real hungry." He smiled- yes, smiled, as he brought Izuku to his high chair.

Izuku smiled when he was put into the high chair and Shouta opened the food. It was mango, apple, and avocado. Shouta scooped out a small bit and started to feed Izuku-

Izuku didn't care for it as he spat the food out immediately. Shouta sighed and wiped Izuku's mouth with a cloth. "Not a fan, huh? Can't say I blame you…"

So, he grabbed something he knew Izuku would like, apple sauce.

"Learning to crawl so soon. I have to say, you've done something rare, you've impressed me." He whispered as he gave Izuku a spoonful. Izuku smiled a drolling apple saucey smile. "You're stuck with me just a little longer kid. Just a little while longer." He smiled softly as he fed Izuku.

At eleven months Izuku had mastered almost everything except walking. He could roll over, pull himself up on furniture, and crawl and even scoot himself the floor should he wish. Yet, he refused to walk, but that was okay. He still had plenty of time to learn.

Or…

At least he did.

Samantha showed up to his home, not a complete surprise, but she looked rather smug. "I should thank you, you've exhausted all of my options, but I did it. I found the one person you can't say no to."

Well, Aizawa could only smile at that. "Doubt, but who have you got?" He asked as he looked down at Izuku who was napping on his plate mat. Samantha's smug look never left her face as she stared at him.

"I am so glad you asked-" She then turned and opened Shouta's door. "-Come on in, he's ready for you."

Nedzu walked in and he was beaming because of course he was. Nedzu had a folder in between his arm and chest. "Hello, Shouta." Nedzu said as he made himself right at home and came up to Shouta and sat on the couch.

"Er…Hello?" Shouta looked at Nedzu and then to Samantha. "What's going on here?" he demanded as he narrowed his eyes.

Samantha opened her mouth but was shushed by Nedzu. "It's simple, my dear Shouta. I would like to adopt the baby."

Samantha made a startled sound like she wasn't expecting such a confession and Shouta did the same.

"Uh… no." Shouta stated firmly as he gave a soft and surprised laugh.

"And why? I make enough as the principal at UA, my job is a hundred percent secure. I make good enough money for Izuku and myself. I don't even eat fast food. And I may be a marsupial but I assure you, I am quite clean and shower every day." Nedzu told him matter of factly as he pulled a tea cup that was full from…somewhere. He sipped the tea and looked at Shouta.

"Well…" Shouta was left speechless as he tried to wrack his brain for any reason Nedzu couldn't adopt Izuku. He didn't even want to foster Izuku, he wanted to adopt him!? "As the principal of UA, you have to be busy. Too busy to raise a child."

"Nonsense! When push comes to shove I can always enroll young Izuku into a daycare, he's of age isn't he?"

"..." Shouta looked at the sleeping Izuku and then at Nedzu. "Why? Where is this even coming from?"

"Hm? Oh yes, Rats are social creatures, Shouta. And I'm afraid I'm getting rather lonely… and I figured a baby would be just what I need!"

"But you dislike humans!"

"Of course, I do! But I work with them every day, and not only that but after seeing you interact him little Izuku, I think I can make it work. After all, you dislike children, do you not?" Nedzu sipped his tea and Shouta went quiet again. "You've been fostering little Izuku for…how long, Samantha?"

Samantha smiled. "Since he was three months. He's a year now."

"That's a long time for someone who doesn't like children!"

Shouta's mouth twitched a little. "I may have…come to tolerate children recently." He said in defense of himself as he made sure Izuku was still breathing as he slept. He was.

"See? And perhaps little Izuku will help me like humans just a little more as I already tolerate them."

"And if he doesn't? Then what? You can't just give him back, you know."

"Oh, of course not! Despite my feelings for humans I will raise Izuku to be an excellent member of society! He will be heavily educated and most likely very smart. He could have any number of jobs, not through nepotism of course as I will teach him how the world works and how he isn't owed a thing. I will not coddle him, but I will treat him with love and kindness. He will never want for anything, but of course won't be spoiled. He will never go hungry, but will know about moderation and a healthy relationship with food. He will go to the best schools in the country and even if he should be quirkless, which is rare, he will be taught self defense. I will raise him right, Shouta."

There was silence as both Samantha and Shouta just numbly stared at Nedzu.

"..." Shouta looked at Izuku, the baby gave a soft coo and turned a little in his sleep but didn't wake.

"Of course… you could always deny me, but I feel that would be admitting something you don't want to admit." Nedzu put the tea cup down on the coffee table. Shouta couldn't look at him. "I'll give you a few days to think about my offer!" Nedzu hopped from the couch. "However… should you accept my request, you are always allowed to see him, Shouta. Always. That being said… Adopt the boy, Shouta. For your own sake and please stop stringing Mrs. Samanatha along."

"Right!" Samantha hissed and pulled on Shouta's ear like he were a child. It wasn't a hard tug, but one to gain his attention for sure. "If you deny him without a proper reason and still have no intentions of adopting Izuku or being a permanent foster parent, as you're supposed to be temporary, then I will over ride you. I don't want to, but you have tested my patience for too long, Shouta Aizawa." Then she, like Nedzu, was gone. This just left Shouta stunned as he stared at the closed door.

'Make a choice or they'll make it for you…' Shouta realized as he got up from the couch and over towards the kitchen. Izuku was sleeping and this was fine. He was just going to make Izuku a small bottle. He was going to be hungry when he woke up.

Shouta walked into his kitchen and grabbed a clean bottle from the drying mat and then reached up to grab the formula from the cabinet. 'He's going to be a year in a month. One whole year… He's not going to need formula…"

Shouta frowned as he just stared at the bottle and at the formula on the counter. 'Nedzu…really is the best to adopt Izuku, he's right. Izuku would be better with him… but…' The idea of losing Izuku, even to Nedzu made Aizawa feel… sad.

'I've gotten too attached…I feared this may have happened but… I never thought… No, I should hand him to Nedzu. He can't… I can't raise him-"

There was a tug at his leg. Shouta felt…he felt the world stop at that moment as his breath got caught in his throat. For just a second Shouta wondered if he imagined it, but no, there it was again. A small tug.

"Da… Da…" Izuku babbled and Shouta felt his eyes go wide. "Dada…" Izuku smiled and squealed before he latched on to Shouta's leg so he wouldn't fall.

Shouta looked down at the baby and Izuku smiled at him. His tiny teeth showing at such a smile. "Dada…" Izuku repeated with that smile.

"..." Shouta felt pressure behind his eyes as he stared at little Izuku.

It was like everything came to him in that moment looking down at his- yes- his child. He thought about taking Izuku back to his home after taking him from the Shimura's. He thought about all the sleepless nights because Izuku was sick, or just didn't want to sleep. He thought about- well- Shouta thought about Izuku through all of that.

"..." Sniffling he wiped his eyes quickly before the tears threatened to fall. Then he crouched down and picked Izuku up, holding his son on his hip. "Yes, I suppose I am, aren't I?" He whispered and gently moved some of Izuku's curly green hair out of his face. Shouta sniffled again and two tiny hands touched the sides of his face. He looked at Izuku and the baby leaned in before gently kissing the tip of his nose.

And…like a house of cards, Shouta folded. There was no way he was ever going to be able to give Izuku up. Never. Izuku was his son and nobody was going to tell Shouta otherwise.

Nobody.

On July fifteenth, exactly one year from when he was found screaming and crying in his dead mother's arms, Izuku would be officially adopted by Shouta Aizawa, the hero that saved him.

On that very same day, all three babies, Tenya Iida, Hitoshi Shinsou, and Izuku Aizawa all sat in the middle of the living room floor, a blue tarp under them, they had no clothes but were all dressed in diapers and a simple cake was place in between all of them. The adults watched. A small bet waged which child would eat the cake first.

The first would be Izuku, but Hitoshi was a close second with Teyna coming in last. All three babies were smeared in green frosting, although Tenya did actually try and stay clean, but that went out the window when Hitoshi reached over, grabbed Tenya's head and smashed him into the cake with a high pitch squeal. Izuku replicated this squeal and clapped his hand wildly, sending bits of cake and green frosting flying about.

Teyna didn't find it as funny as the other two and started to cry. Tensei had to take Tenya out of the cake pit and go wash him in the bathroom. The other two weren't so much as 'eating' the cake as they were rolling in it and throwing it at one another. "These two are going to cause me a headache when they get older…." Shouta grunted as he and Ai grabbed their cake covered goblins.

"Oh- Absolutely-" Ai laughed. "Just wait until they get their quirks!"

Shouta shook his head as he and Ai both went to give the boys a shared bath with Tenya.

When Izuku's first official birthday was over. When the lights were turned down and all the adults gone. The cake pit cleaned up and new toys and clothes put away…Shouta watched Izuku sleep in his crib. His toddler laying peacefully, breathing even, cheeks rosy and plump… Shouta felt happy. "You were worth the skipped lunch…" Shouta whispered as he leaned down and gently kissed Izuku's cheek.

"I love you, goodnight."

He had an early day tomorrow, Shouta was going to talk to Nedzu about a job.

Epilogue

"It's not going to happen. So, I'd give up now."

CLACK.

The silence in the doctor's office was loud as Shouta and Izuku just stared at the man for two different reasons. Shouta was staring because of the sheer amount of disrespect of telling a four year old child to just give up on ever being a hero because he was quirkless.

Of course, poor Izuku was staring with wide eyes because his little word had just been shattered to bits and pieces. More than anything Izuku wanted a quirk and it looked like that wasn't possible. He had the extra toe joint.

Shouta was silent as he gently rubbed Izuku's shoulders. His calloused hands running up and down Izuku's tiny back and then along his his arms. Izuku looked up at him, those green eyes sad and pleading. "It's going to be okay." He whispered to his son. Izuku slumped visibly. As he stared at his sock clad feet. His All Might toy abandoned on the floor.

The doctor was talking but neither was listening. Soon, they were out of the office and in the car and Shouta had a moment of weakness as he looked at his saddened child. "Ice cream?" He asked, a treat he rarely offered except on special occasions.

Izuku declined and that made Shouta wilt. It was weird seeing his son so… Sad. Izuku was usually pretty good about bouncing back, but it seemed that this time it was going to take a little longer to do so.

Izuku wanted nothing more than to be a hero with a cool quirk like Hitoshi or Tenya, but learning that he didn't have a quirk… it put a damper on things for sure. Shouta reached over and gently ran his fingers through Izuku's curls before taking off back towards home.

The car ride was quiet, unnatually quiet. Usually Izuku would be bouncing off of the walls and pointing at heroes they would pass with excitement. But not today.

It wouldn't be until dinner later that night would Izuku finally speak. "Am I a…null?"

Shouta nearly dropped his chopsticks in shock at his son using a god damned slur, but he corrected himself. "Where did you hear that word, Izuku?"

"A kid in class called me that. His name is Bakugo Katsuki and… he called me a null because I was the only one in class that didn't have a quirk."

Well, that was nice to know. Shouta will be having a talk with the teacher about that. His son was four and he already knew a goddamned slur! "You are not a 'null'."

"But…isn't a null a person that doesn't have a quirk-"

"Stop using that word, Izuku. It's a slur and you will not be referred to as such." Shouta put his firm tone on and that made Izuku go quiet as he ducked his head.

"... do you think… Hitoshi or Tenya will hate me now?" Izuku gently pushed his food around on his plate without eating. "Bakugo said nobody will like me once it came out that I'm quirkless and now… I'm quirkless."

Shouta hadn't met this Bakugo kid, but already he wasn't liking this punk. "Hitoshi and Tenya both love you, Izuku. You know this. Remember when you and Hitoshi tried to be one another for halloween?"

Izuku nodded slowly.

"And when you and Tenya both tried- and failed…- to build that box car and use Tenya as the boosters?"

Izuku- thank god- giggled at the memory. "We flew into the pond and you had to jump in and fish us out."

"Exactly. They're your friends, Izuku, and they've both known you since diapers. They're feelings for you shouldn't change."

Izuku looked a little more relaxed as he gently kicked his legs. "Can… they come over tomorrow? I want to tell them now… and see their reactions."

"I'll talk with their parents, for now why don't you get ready for a bath?" Izuku nodded and got down from the chair carefully.

"Can I pick up the bubbles?"

Shouta nodded and Izuku ran off to go and pick out bubbles for his bath. It was going to be the Bubble girl brand, he knew it was. So, after a quick call to Ai and then Tensei explaining the situation-

"Oh, that poor boy," Ai would say. "I can bring Hitoshi over tonight if you want me to, Shouta."

"Oh, Poor little man!" Tensei would say. "I bet I can get mom to let Tenya come tonight if you want, Sho!"

Of course Shouta denied this. He was gonna give Izuku some time to process his emotions before he should see his friends.

When the phone conversations were done, Shouta returned to his child. Izuku was pouring the blueberry scented bubbles in the empty tub. Izuku was already naked despite there being no water in the tub yet. Shouta snorted at that. "That's enough." He told his son. Izuku pouted a little and when he thought Shouta wasn't looking he squirted just little bit more bubble soap in the tub before capping it. Shouta would let him have that little extra soap tonight.

Shouta turned the tub on and immediately the soap foamed to life as steam filled the room. Shouta made sure the water wasn't too hot as it was filling up. Once it full and extra bubbly for Izuku, Shouta grunted and picked Izuku up. "Into the tub, you stinky child."

"I'm not stinky!" Izuku protested as he was lowered into the water. Once in, his childish nature returned and he started to play with the bubbles. Shouta looked at Izuku's toy and handed his son one of his action fingers, Shouta was sure it was Endeavor. While Izuku was distracted Shouta gently washed his son's hair and body.

Having to bathe Izuku reminded Shouta that he was still just a child. A child who's whole world was turned upside down just hours ago, who was called a slur the day before and told that nobody would like him.

Once bathtime was over, with a slight protest from Izuku as he still wanted to stay and play in the water- that had long since lost it's bubbles- Izuku was wrapped in a towel and carried to his room. Shouta put his son on the bed by lightly- lightly- slamming his son down the bed. Izuku giggled at this. "You're so strong- Do the thing!" Izuku sat up, the towel still around his head and as bounced happily.

Shouta chuckled. "I'm not that strong, Izuku-"

"Please!"

Shouta was going soft and he knew that Nedzu was watching this and just laughing. Still, he couldn't say no. Shouta shed the upper part of his jump suit off just to slipp his right arm out. Then he would flex. This never ceased to amaze Izuku. His son giggled and got up grabbing Shouta's bicep. "Urg!" Shouta fake grunted as he lifted his son off of the ground with ease. "Okay…" Shouta lowered Izuku back down to the ground and Izuku grinned at him. "What Pajama's are we wearing tonight?" He asked and Izuku twisted his towl in his hand to think about it.

"Wild Wild Pussycats?" He shyly asked.

"Oh, going nightgown, I like your style."

Shouta grabbed Izuku's nightgown, it was a simple gown with Mandalay's uniform printed on it for the children to think they were her. Yeah, it was for girls, but c'mon, anyone can wear it. "Arms up." He demanded and Izuku complied. Slipping the night gown over Izuku's head, Shouta picked his son up and carried him to bed.

"Dad?" Izuku asked as he was being tucked into bed.

"Yes, Izuku?" Shouta grabbed a fox plush and handed it to Izuku. Izuku took it happily.

"Do you still love me? Even though I'm a… I'm quirkless?"

"Of course I do, Izuku. I really don't care that you don't have a quirk. All I care is that you're happy and healthy." Shouta kneeled beside Izuku's bed. Izuku cuddled with his fox plush.

"Dad?"

Shouta ran his hand through Izuku's wet curls. "Yes?"

"Do you think I can be a hero? Even though… I don't have a quirk?"

Shouta smiled softly as he continued to gently run his hand through Izuku's curls before he gently caressed his son's face with his thumb. "Izuku, you know me. I think you can do anything you can put your mind to. A quirk isn't everything. All you need is a lot of hard work and dedication."

Izuku smiled at that. "Thanks, Dad."

"Of course, Izuku. Goodnight." Shouta got up and started for the door. Before he clicked the light off, he looked back at Izuku. "I love you."

"Love you too, daddy."

Yeah, he was going to be okay. They both were.