We are the Future: 2nd Act

Chapter 9: Baby Fever

"No." Bakugo said firmly wondering how he got stuck playing watchdog to Izumi and the new baby while Todoroki and Izuku picked up the rest of the family from the airport.

"He won't bite you, Bakugo, and even if he did it wouldn't hurt."

"No he'll just drool and slobber and more than likely cry all over me." Bakugo said in complaint.

"You're gonna have to get used to it now that you've agreed to give Izuku the family he wants." She pointed out with a smirk and had his temple throbbing.

"Oh shut up that was all your fault Half Pint and you know it!" He pointed an accusing finger. "Don't think i don't know you somehow concocted this whole thing. I'm onto you, Bitch."

"Jerk." She countered and held out the baby. "Just hold him for thirty seconds. If you don't like it I'll take him back."

"Tch…" Bakugo stare at the sleeping infant and grunted. "Fine, but if this little brat pisses on me, pukes on me, or anything in that degree you're gonna…" he trailed off as Izumi slipped the baby into his arms. The weight and feel of him lightening on his heart and his face immediately softened.

"There…" Izumi pat his arm and sat on the side of the bed to look at them both. "The world didn't end now did it?"

"I guess not…" Bakugo muttered and shifted just a little so he could sit back in the chair. He took his eyes off the kid so he could give Izumi a once over. She rubbed her arm, showing she'd been needing a break. The delivery had taken its toll, he could see the weariness and fatigue on her face… and he'd seen the physical damage it had done to her body… yet she looked so happy. He gave a heavy sigh. "Why do you do it, Izumi?"

"Hmmm?" She cocked her head to the side. "Do what?"

"Having all these kids. You gotta be sick of it by now… nine months of throwing up, cramping, gaining all that weight, and all the stress and pain from labor."

"Hmmm…" she shuffled her feet back and forth as she gave it serious thought. "Well the twins kinda blindsided me so that's a different matter for a different subject. Shoto and I could have been happy with just the twins, but Shoto never got to really experience having a child. Tadashi was the one who helped me through the nine months of hell, the intense labor, the late night crying, and whatnot. He was also the one that got to see them take their first steps, hear their first words… right up until he died Tadashi was the twin's father in everything but blood. I chose to have another child because I wanted to give Shoto that experience."

"So you had one more kid… but you could have stopped there."

"We could have, but we didn't." She leaned forward her intense green eyes staring into his. "What are you really trying to ask me, Bakugo?"

"I didn't want this… I still don't think I do." Bakugo stare back down at the baby. "You made your point that the experience of having a kid is a great thing… but it's something I never wanted…"

"Because you and Izuku couldn't have one together like straight pairings. The child you guys decide to adopt won't be a mesh of you and him, but someone else's altogether and you'll just be taking on the responsibility of it's welfare… and you don't know if you can love someone else's kid... Am I right?"

"I guess…" He grunted and shifted a little when the baby began to fuss and his face turned frazzled.

"Becoming a parent, Bakugo… it changes you. You see things from a new perspective, you live your lives differently. It's not just the responsibilities and cares for the child, though that is important… it's the bonding you spend with your partner, and the child. The memories you share of those times... those are the most precious and important aspects of parenthood." She looked down at her newest little boy and gently stroked a finger across his cheek. "You and Zuku will have a different kind of experience… but you'll do it together. That's what Izuku really wants… to have this experience with you in the only way he knows he can."

"Yeah, I get that." He lowered his head. "So I'll try… for him."

"Good…" Izumi smiled and held out her hands. "Alright your thirty seconds are up. I'll take him back now."

"Hell no." He scooted the chair up to the wall, and Izumi laughed.

"Hai, hai… It's Uncle Bakugo bonding time."

~Airport~

"Dad!" Hiroki rushed up arms out and engulfed Shoto in a hug. "How's mom and the baby?"

"Both are well," Shoto ruffled his son's hair and looked up at Nowaki who walked composed beside Freya who was looking glum and sick. "Hello Freya… you okay?"

"Yeah, just a little airsick. I'll be fine once I'm off the plane." She muttered.

"You are off the plane…" Nowaki pointed out and held her upright when she started to tip.

"Ugh you sure?" She held her mouth feeling ready to barf. "The world is still spinning."

"Come on, Freya, let's go use the restroom before going to the hospital. Don't want you getting carsick on top of this." Kairi pat her daughter's back and gave an apologetic motion to Todoroki.

"Take your time, the excitement is over, so we're just basking in the glow now." Shoto smiled and looked to Izuku who seemed a bit glowy himself. "Congrats by the way, Midoriya."

"Eh?" Izuku looked to Shoto and rubbed the back of his head blushing. "Thanks… but I really should be congratulating you."

"Grandbaby number five." All Might wiped at his eyes. "I really should have convinced Endeavor to come along."

"Grandpa Enji sure is grumpy," Hiroki pouted. "I called him and told him mom had the baby and he should come with us, but he said he wasn't interested in coming to see the harpy spawn and I should keep my nose away from such matters… whatever that means."

"It means he and mom really don't get along and we shouldn't push him to go visit her when all they'll do is bicker and complain to and about each other." Nowaki clarified.

"Ah that makes sense." Hiroki bopped his fist into his open palm. "Oh hey, where are Inko and Tadashi? We brought them gifts from Japan!" He said with bright eyes.

"They're at the hospital with Whiz and Compress. They and Bakugo are holding the fort until we get back." Shoto explained.

"Then let's hurry and get there!" Hiroki rushed to the baggage check. "Come on, come on!"

"Always in a hurry…" Izuku laughed and pat Nowaki's shoulder. "You excited too, Nowaki?"

"I guess… though we're missing class to be here." He looked down and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Shinso-sensei wasn't happy because we were supposed to start rescue training today."

"You can make it up to him, by performing well in the next class." Shoto told him and eyed Freya and Kairi as they returned from the bathroom. "Now that we're all here, let's head back."

"I can't wait… it's a boy isn't it?" Kairi said with a sweet smile.

"Yes, Izumi and I have named him Ikalgo Todoroki."

"Ikalgo eh?" All Might rubbed his chin. "That's an interesting name."

"It's a play off of Igalko which means "Hearth" but it's also a mesh of yours, Izuku and Bakugo's names which is what Izumi wanted. She wanted to give tribute to the greatest heroes in the world."

Izuku and All Might both held their chests as twin arrows of pride and joy pierce their hearts simultaneously.

"IZUMI!" They cried and held each other, the other members of their party staring with fat sweat drops on their temples.

"Well now you've done it dad…" Hiroki complained. "Now we're gonna have to paddle our way out of here."

"That wasn't my intention." Shoto slumped and rubbed the back of his neck. "My apologies."

~The Hospital~

The moment the family crowded into Izumi's hospital room, baby Ikalgo was fussed and crooned over by many. Freya got the chance to hold the baby, and with her air sickness gone she was all smiles and tears over her little nephew.

"I was hoping you'd have another girl… but he's beautiful Izumi. Congrats."

"Thanks, Freya-chan." Izumi smiled at her sister. "So tell me, how are classes with the boys? You guys have had classes for a couple days now so tell me how you're liking UA."

"We're kicking ass!" Hiroki claimed and got a stern look from Shoto from the language. "Uh, I mean we're doing great. All three of us are in the top five of the class along with some girl named Jean and our friend Akira."

"Takahashi, eh? Glad to see Panther's pupil is doing well." She looked to Nowaki who said nothing and just seemed to be down in general. His eyes wandered aimlessly around the hospital and Izumi frowned. She recalled the conversation she had with Izuku about Nowaki and knew she couldn't hold back her worry any longer. "Shoto…"

"Yes, dear?" He pat her shoulder. "Can you put Ikalgo in his crib, and escort our family to the cafeteria. I'm sure everyone's hungry and could use some refreshment."

"Sure…" He walks around the bed and takes Ikalgo setting him down. He started motioning everyone out but Izumi crooked a finger at Nowaki.

"Not you, young man. Come sit and keep me company." She looked to HIroki. "Grab your brother something to eat, Hiroki. He and I are gonna have a chat."

"What did you do?" Hiroki whispered into his ear and Nowaki sighed and shrugged.

"Nothing… I don't think." He walked to his mother and obediently sat beside his mother on the bed letting her brush back his hair with her fingers. Once the family was out of the room his chin hit his chest.

"What did I do?" He asked expecting to be in some kind of trouble.

"Nothing Nowaki, but I'm worried about you." She grabbed his chin to make him look at her. "There's something on your mind...I can tell...and i think i know what it is."

Nowaki tensed up and looked back at his mother stricken.

"Y-You can?"

"Of course I can, I'm your mother after all." She pulled him in hugging tightly. "So...should I keep talking or are you gonna tell me?"

"Not even Hiroki knows, or if he does he doesnt let on that he knows." Nowaki buried his head in her chest groaning.

"Oh I'm sure he has an inkling as your twin. Izuku never had to tell me much of anything because I could just tell when something was up."

"I see… I guess you would know then seeing as you watched Uncle Deku go through it too." Nowaki deduced and closed his eyes, letting his mother's fingers soothe his anxious heart.

Izumi's brows knit together...but then softened as she thought of her mother.

"Yeah I suppose so...but I gotta say I took it harder than he did." She slouched back against the pillows and he cuddled right into her which made her smile. Her little Nowaki wasn't so little anymore, but she liked he could still do this without feeling ashamed of it. "You can never prepare yourself enough for something like that to happen...then when it does it just smacks you across the face. Reality is harsh that way."

"Is there anyway to make it stop?" He looked up at her pleadingly and Izumi's heart broke a little.

"Fraid not sweetie. This is the kind of thing that either goes away naturally or never at all." She explained and tucked hair behind his ear.

"Never?" He looked down gritting his teeth. "I hate that...I just wanna be normal."

"You can be...you don't have to let this affect you, Nowaki. Look at your Uncle Deku, he came out just fine. Something like this doesn't have to break you. I should know."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I could ask Uncle Deku how he makes it work." Nowaki sat up straight and his eyes serious again. "Maybe he can even give me some tips on how I can handle it too."

"That's a good idea. He'd love that you're opening up to him. He's been worried too."

"You mean Uncle Deku knows too?!" Nowaki shot straight up looking fretful.

"So does your father."

"What?!" Nowaki jumped up and out of bed looking frantic. "Him too? Oh my god how embarrassing. How am I gonna look him in the face?" Nowaki covered his face with his hands.

"Nowaki it's nothing to be ashamed of…" Izumi tried to soothe. "You're going through something traumatic, and its-"

"Damn right it's traumatic! How are you supposed to face your own father when he knows you're attracted to guys?"

"You just...wait what?" Izumi suddenly felt faint. "What did you just say?"

Nowaki look at his mother flushed and teary eyed.

"Father knows I'm attracted to guys...that's what you said."

"He...you…" Izumi held her head. "Oh boy. This is not what I was prepared for."

"Prepare?" Now confusion spread on Nowaki's face. "Mom, I'm gay. Isn't that what we've been talking about this whole time?".

"No, and I'm not sure if I'm more shocked or relieved by that." She sighed heavily and waved a hand in the air. "Okay, fresh start…" She lifted her eyes to Nowaki. "How long have you been gay, Nowaki?"

"I dunno… a few years I guess." Nowaki tugged at one of his random curls. "I'm not sure if it's been longer than that, but I know when I knew because it just sort of happened."

"You had sex?"

"EH?!" He blushed. "Mom! No! I haven't done anything that intimate yet. I got kissed and I liked it… it was just supposed to be a stupid dare but…" He looked away fidgeting. "Then I started thinking of kissing other guys, and now when I get touched by them I…" He groaned. "Please don't make me say anything more than that."

"Okay, okay I get the picture sweetie." She waved her hands motioning him to settle down. She let out another sigh before smiling at him. "So the reason you've been so distant and stoic is because you've been trying to hide your emotions and attraction from other guys, right?"

"Yeah." Nowaki nodded a little guiltily. "I was doing fine up until we ran into Takahashi-kun again."

"Takahashi?" Her brow rose and her lips twitched making Nowaki fidget.

"Don't look at me like that, mom. This is serious! The guy won't get a clue! He's ultra clingy, always touching me, hugging me, catching me off guard. On top of that he's too curious for his own good. He's bound to notice!"

"So?" She tilted her head to the side. "Let him notice. If he figures it out, he'll back off and that's what you want, isn't it?"

"Yeah… I guess…" He poked his fingers together. "I just… don't want him to hate me."

"I can understand that, Nowaki. Frankly I'm relieved that this is all you're really worried about. I was afraid it was something a lot more serious than that."

"Huh?" Nowaki's interest piqued. "What did you think I was talking about?"

"I thought we were talking about Tadashi."

"You mean, Dad?" Nowaki relaxed and his eyes went serious. "Why would we be talking about him?"

"All of us were worried because we thought maybe you were starting to remember the night he died... and that's the reason you were cutting yourself off from your emotions."

"I barely even remember dad's face let alone his death. If you didn't keep pictures of him all over I wouldn't even know what he looked like. Besides I didn't really see anything that night because I was asleep. The only thing I remember is waking up and being told you were in the hospital and dad was dead."

"I see…' Izumi hung her head, both relieved and aching from that confession. "That's fine then."

"If you guys should be worried about anyone it's Hiroki anyway…" Nowaki frowned.

"Eh?" Izumi's head shot up. "Why?"

"Out of the three of us, Hiroki is the only one who saw everything."

Izumi's eyes went wide as she recalled that night with clarity. The blood, the cold… the sirens of the ambulances… and the black that swallowed her heart up.

"Everything?"

~Flashback~

A five year old Nowaki stirred a little when the bed shifted. He sleepily blinked his eyes open to stare into the dark.

"Hiro? Where are you going?"

"I'm thirsty…" Hiroki told him with a yawn. "I'm gonna go get more juice from the party."

"You should just get a glass of water from the kitchen." Nowaki mumbled but slipped right back to sleep.

"Yeah, yeah..." Hiroki thought aloud. The inside of the house was dark but for the lights from outside causing the inside to glow a little. He found a plastic cup and filled it with water from the fridge and sipped at it with a frown. He really wanted juice.

He glanced to the side at the party that was still in full swing on the front lawn. He started to walk towards it but something from the back door caught his eye. He spotted Tadashi lighting a cigarette and smiled. His dad would get him juice if he asked. He was clearly the easier target.

Changing directions he stepped toward Tadashi, the greeting on his lips… and then he saw it. The knife going straight through Tadashi's chest, blood splattering out smudging against the window of the backdoor. His father fell to the ground bleeding, and the shadowed man stood over him smiling sinisterly. His eyes met the villain's once… just once… and his cup fell to ground spilling all around his feet.

~End of Flashback~

Hiroki shook off the memory when Freya shoved his shoulder.

"Oi! Wake up, you're zoning out again."

"Sorry, my bad." Hiroki laughed rubbing the back of his head. "Just thinking too much I guess."

"Eh?" Freya raised a brow. "Thinking about what?"

"Oh you know… the usual." Hiroki waved it off and looked down at the plastic cup in his hand. Instead of water, his cup held a clear citrus drink that fizzed… but it was enough to have him reliving that moment over and over in his head… that moment he'd watched a villain stab his father through the chest, and he spent the rest of the night cowering into his blanket praying it was all a bad dream. "Just the usual."

~Ask Briry~

Briry: Huu, huu, huu… *rubs hands together* what's next? We'll just have to see.

Next Chapter: P.T.S.D.