Momochi Zabuza is 26 and somehow ended up being the single foster-turned-adoptive parent of this 15 year old kid about 3 years ago. The foster system didn't care much what happened and seemed to be glad to be rid of him, as he kept getting kicked out of homes and causing trouble by becoming "too attached" to his foster siblings, to the point that he would do anything they told him. Zabuza ran into the poor thing walking home from his last construction project of the season, huddled up on the side of the road in the middle of a snowstorm. the orphanage couldn't get him to sign the papers quick enough.

At first, no one suspects Haku is trans because he's very effeminate. Of course, he's also one of those lucky trans guys that has barely-there periods and small breasts, but it's because of the malnutrition he suffered as a child.

When Haku finally comes out to Zabuza, he's prepared to be kicked out of another home, especially with how explosively he reacted.

Zabuza furrows his brow, "Excuse me, what?" so surprised that it comes out way louder than he meant it to, and almost instantly Haku flattens back against the wall, looking like if Zabuza gets any closer he's gonna either punch him, run the fuck away, or just start crying.

(Zabuza doesn't realize at the moment but that's when the "protect this" switch fully trips in his head)

"Oh, hell. Look, kid-"

"Sorry. I'm sorry, I'll leave if you want, I can take care of myself-"

"Shut u-shush. Sh. Let me just...explain something to you."

Haku now has a wild, trapped-animal look in his eyes which Zabuza is deeply familiar with, and he realizes that this kid could like, shank him and run for it if he says the wrong thing, so he ignores all the instincts yelling at him to NOT and...

"I'm trans."

"...uh"

"I can like...show you the scars from the top job if you don't believe me." (god he is so far out of his depth)

"No, I believe you, you're just...huge"

"Years of T shots and manual labor. Look, kid. Haku. I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm not gonna kick you out. And I swear on my mother's damn grave that I won't tell anyone."

"You'll...you'll let me stay?"

"Yeah, that's what I just- yeah. Yeah. I promise."

"O-okay"

Haku looks like he's going to start openly sobbing, but he doesn't. A tear still escapes and runs down his cheek. Zabuza realizes something in him wants to reach out and wipe it away. Haku would still probably not do well with him moving too suddenly, so he just kind of stands there with his hands in his pockets, feeling vaguely terrified.

"Thank you" It's almost a whisper.

"Yeah, uh. Don't mention it. D'you have homework?"

"Oh, yes!" and Haku snaps back to his ordinary cheerful self almost instantly, except his eyes are all red.

Zabuza still doesn't know what to say, so as the kid goes to walk past him, he reaches out, slow, telegraphing it, and puts his hand on Haku's shoulder.

He freezes and Zabuza thinks he's fucked up terribly, but then Haku reaches up and places his small, pale hand on the back of Zabuza's big rough one, very gently. The moment hangs in the air for a few heartbeats, then Haku drops his hand, shrugs off the contact, and scampers off to get his bookbag.

It is at this moment that Momochi Zabuza realizes that he is well and truly screwed.