Shouta Aizawa-Yagi
"So they're here because you didn't want them to get lost in processing because you thought they meant a lot to me because they were hidden in my floor and had to categorize and make list of all the "concerning" things written down in my notebooks because you didn't want someone "incompetent" to do it and you and All Might still want to adopt me? Even with reading just how broken I am?" His small green almost son lets out another sob.
This was about the fifth time he's re-worded why he has his kid's notebooks. He didn't mind explaining it to him as many times as needed, but he was running out of ways and words to phrase the same thing over and over.
"Izuku. You're not broken. You've been traumatized. Broken is what your arm was. You're not broken, kid. Please take that to heart. And leaving your notebooks with anyone but myself or Naomasa was was a hard no. I don't trust a lot of people, especially with things that concern my loved ones, and Masa was already up to his ears in what to do with everyone else involved so I took the responsibility of taking note of all the evidence inside the book. Hopefully with all that I've gathered from it, you won't be seeing the inside of a court room any time soon." He tells the still sobbing child in front of him once again.
He quiets for a moment to let Izuku process the words once again before taking his kid's scared hands in his. He needs his to understand wholeheartedly that he meant every syllable of what he was about to say.
"As for adopting you, we've always wanted a kid or two but never really had the time or had our hero schedules and my school schedule sync up for long enough for us to gather all the paperwork and and Nori take the classes or have a case worker be able to sit down with the both of us at the same time for it to be possible. Welcoming you into our home and life and family is not a spur of the moment decision, I assure you." He holds steady eye contact to convey that they actually have put thought into this decision. That they won't turn around and change their mind. Won't regret adopting him.
"We want kids. We want you. You fit so well in the family already. You're such a kind and passionate kid. Even if you weren't you're still a sassy little shit that makes both me and Nori laugh, which is one hell of a feat. let me tell ya. You, Izuku, are not perfect, but we're not either. No one is. We just want to make sure you know that we already consider you our son and apart of the family. We just wanted to put it on paper and make it official. We wanted to give you peace of mind that we're here to stay. I love you, Izuku. We love you. We'll consider you and love and support you like our son till time ends or or the world stops spinning, whichever comes last. That won't change regardless of your answer to the papers. Even if you decide that you don't want to be adopted by us, we'll foster you till you find a family you eel you truly fit in with. We'll always be here for you Izu."
Shouta hopes that this one sunk in, but he knows that he'll be saying it over and over again for possibly years to come. He knows that healing takes time and effort. For Izuku, he'd reassure his his kid for as long as it takes for him to process that he wasn't going anywhere unless it was a body bag and he's pretty damn set on growing old and grey and brittle. He'll be putting more effort into making sure his son is happy and healthy and growing like he's supposed too, than he does into anything else. More than either of his careers.
Hell, he'll put more effort in Izuku than he does his marriage if he has too.
Izuku has been through too much, and deserves to much more than what he's been given to just be put second for any longer.
This is his child no matter what any legal papers say.
He comes back from his inner promises and resolutions to find Izuku in his arms. 'When did he get there?'
Thin arms around his middle with long, strong fingers gripping onto the back of his shirt like a life line. There's no sobs coming from the boy but he does shake and tremble. One of his hands make it to the bushy green hair that rested on his chest, fingers gliding through soft hair, while his other hand goes to the small of his son's scarred back to rub soothing circles there.
They sit in silence for what feels like forever, but in reality is only around ten minutes, before Izuku speaks up once more.
"So I would be in both of your custody?" His voice is small and Shouta almost doesn't want to answer the question. He doesn't know how the boy was going to take his answer.
"Not technically." The head on his chest shifts and he looks down to see the curious look in emerald eyes. "Nori hasn't taken the classes and been certified like I have been. The paperwork would only cover me having custody for the moment till Nori went through his classes. I would be your legal parent and guardian. Since I'm married to Nori he'd be more your step parent in legal matters. The government and schools and whoever else would come to me first and default to him with if I were to out of reach, so long as I wrote him in as an emergency contact. I would be your primary guardian. Everyone else would be secondary." He lets the information sink in and watches in amazement as it settles in Izuku's mind. To be able to see his mind run through all the information is a sight.
"That makes sense." Izuku tugs his bottom lip into his mouth to chew on it before tucking his head back under his chin. Ear right over his heart. It takes everything in him to not tear up at the blatant trust Izuku is showing him.
He hums in agreement. "If you want to wait for Nori to be certified and go through his classes that's absolutely fine. If you sign before he gets all that done he can always adopt you as well afterwards. Like I said we just wanted to make sure you knew that we're here for the long run, kid. We're not going anywhere."
They sit in silence for a little longer. Izuku clearly thinking through everything they'd just discussed. They still had the books to deal with, which revolves around his biological mother and soulmate, which revolves around so much trauma, which involves so many people he's come to find out but it's starting to get late in the nig-
"S-so signing right now would mean you would be m-my dad?" A pause while Izuku lifts his head to look up at him with hopeful eyes, "Tonight?"
Yeah no, there's no holding back the sting of tears behind his eyes. Not if this line of questions is leading where he thinks it is. "Everything has already been filled out, so we would just need to get it filed and notarized in the morning, but yeah. You'd legally be my son tonight." He makes sure to stress that signing the papers would just make the whole thing legal. That he already thinks of the boy as his own.
A blush comes across Izuku's cheeks as he nods his head. "I'd like that. I-I'll sign t-toni-ight."
Shouta's heart straight up stops. He just knows his face shows just how affected he is when Izuku's blush just darkens. "Are you sure? There's absolutely no rush, Izuku." His voice gives out by the time he says Izuku's name. He's absolutely breathless when Izuku just nods once again.
"I want to s-sign." There's still a stutter but it's so confident, how could he ever deny his son something when he requests it with such deeply hidden power.
All the air has left him. Not in any scenario he's thought of for when he brought this subject up does Izuku sign the papers maybe two hours after it being brought up. His hand comes down to his thigh where he pinches it roughly because this just has to be a dream.
It's not.
Izuku is really accepting and requesting to be his son.
His son.
He could cry.
"Okay." He croaks out and nods his head in a jerking fashion. The tears in the corners of his eyes thankfully stay where they are while he and Izuku separate to stand up and walk back over to his desk.
He picks up the stack of papers and flips through the papers to make sure there weren't any other things to sign or any stipulations to Izuku signing the papers. 'Two neutral witness' shows and he thinks briefly if there's anyone in or near the house that can fit that description.
Muri? No.
Dabi? No.
Any of the boys downstairs? No.
Not his soulmate, or soulmate's husband.
Not his own husband.
None of the staff at U.A.
Then he thinks. He does know two legal adults that he does not, and has not taught. That he does not see frequently. He's not even slightly related too. That are most likely awake right now. He smirks and turns to his almost son. "There's a part in here that states there needs to be two neutral witnesses to you signing the consent forms." He sees Izuku's face fall in disappointment.
"Oh." Izuku's hands, which were fidgeting with the clicker of the ink pen he'd taken off of Nori's desk, fall to his sides and, 'Well that's a certainly heartbreaking sight to see.'
"Yeah." He pauses for Izuku to look up at him before he gives him a warm smile, "thankfully I know two neutral parties that don't know about this, I haven't taught, I barely see, are probably awake right now and you only know possibly in name. I just need to go call them." Seeing Izuku's face brighten up he knows he'd drive to the other's house and drag them out of their bed at 2am to get this done if he needed.
"Really!? You can still be my dad tonight? You mean it?" Sparkling green eyes and big bright smile looking so happy and excited confirm to him that he'd turn villain if it kept that look on his son's face.
'Oh that's dangerous.' He muses.
"I really mean it. But I don't have my phone on me. Would you mind if I bring Dabi up here so he can call them?" Izuku doesn't even look hesitant when he nods. 'They're already pretty close then aren't they? Leave it to Dabi to take even more kids as his little brothers. Kid has a whole group at school that call him "Dabi-nii". Probably going to have to start another pool on how big Dabi's "big brother program" will grow by next year.' "Okay, wait here for a second while I go get him."
He can't resist giving Izuku, his twenty-minutes-from-now-son, a hug before walking out the office and nearly sprinting down the stairs to find his nephew. He startles all three boy's on the couch when he bursts into the living room. He can't help it. He's just so excited and happy and emotional and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He's never felt like this. Not even when he proposed to Nori or stood at the alter and pledged his life and love to said man.
It just doesn't compare to becoming a dad.
"Dabi. Your elf and golden retrieve still awake?" He must look crazed with the looks being shot at him. Nonetheless Dabi arches an eyebrow and nods his head while flashing his phone at him. It looks like it's opened up on a chat thread. "Tell them to come over. Now. Please. I'll drive and pick them up if I need to. But I need them here. Now." Dabi narrows his eyes at the request but complies, send off a text message.
It takes maybe a minute before his nephew looks up and says, "They're on their way. Should I be concerned? You look terrifying." The deadpan voice does nothing but make him grin even wider.
"Probably but it's nothing bad. I just don't know how to process these strong emotions. Can you come upstairs with me for a bit?" The lack of sleep and rush of adrenaline and emotions have him being blunt and open and he doesn't know how to feel about that.
Dabi stares at him for a beat and then shakes his head while he pushes himself off the middle of the couch, where he sat between a wide awake Monoma and Hitoshi.
Who look to be two seconds from asking questions.
"Izuku is fine. He'll tell you what's going on if he wants too, tomorrow." He keeps his voice soft but stern. After everything is said and done later, his son will probably be too tired to answer any type of questions. He doesn't think either boy would try to pry into his son's business or make him uncomfortable but he wants to take the minute chance off the table anyway.
He takes a second to take in his surrounds of the living room and takes notice that his sister is gone, but Kirishima and Denki are still asleep on the floor. Dabi must have helped his mom to the guest bed already. Good.
He makes a decision and turns to the two on the couch. "How about you two help those two," he s to the two on the floor, "onto some futons in Izuku's room and head off to bed as well. I promise everything is okay. It's just a lot going on right now and I don't think Izuku is going to be awake when he finally comes out of my office." He keeps stern to make sure there's no wiggle room to argue but keeps it sympathetic. He knows how much his son means to both of the boys.
He sees both of them struggle with what he said but ultimately nod and make their way to Kirishima and Denki. Neither of the two half awake boys question the two that woke them up. Just accepted their urging to go lay down in Izuku's bedroom.
"I helped them set up everything a bit earlier." Dabi whispers to him while typing out something on his phone. He pockets the phone before he looks up to him, "Apparently telling them that you looked half crazed when requesting their presence means that they'd be here in a total of," the boy brings his bare wrist up to mimic looking at a watch, "ten minutes. They're up the street."
He contemplates the meaning of that for a moment before stating, "Wow. People really book it to me when I request for their presence, don't they?" all the while keeping in mind how fast Mitsuki Bakugou had made it to his son's old apartment from clear across the city that one night.
"Your daily "I wish I were asleep right now, but I'm not so I'm going to make that everyone else's problem" vibe really does put the fear of a pissed off Satan into people, so I'd say yeah. It's to be expected Uncle Ota." Dabi, his own nephew, own family, shakes his head at him in exasperation.
He takes another second to think it over and just nods to himself as his front door nearly comes off the hinges.
Looking over, he sees that Mirio had once again forgot about the quirk canceler that barricades a six foot radius around the perimeter of this house. It seems like the boy tried to phase through the door in his rush to get in the house.
His nephew groans and shakes his head, the smile on his face giving way to his true amusement. "It's been almost three Miri. When are you going to stop going head first into doors of secured buildings?" Was given in place of a greeting when Dabi first sets sights on his soulmates.
"I t-tried to warn him." Tamaki comes in behind Mirio, hands on the blonde to keep him upright. He's seen the tall blonde run and phase through solid objects before. They've had to replace their door twice since Dabi met and made friends with the two heroes in training. Seems like this last door is standing up pretty well so far though. "W-we were worried s-so we got here as fast as p-p-possible."
He takes in the two's appearance, or more specifically, their sleep clothes. The way too big "Azure Aid" long sleeve shirt on Tamaki that no doubt belongs to either of his soulmates, that's paired with a "Le Million" pair of sweatpants. Mirio's "Suneater" muscle shirt and "Azure Aid" sweatpants.
His sister had been so excited that when the boys settled on hero names she handmade them personalized hero merch. Her and his own soulmate, Hizashi, designed a half dozen shirts and hoodies and sweatpants and keychains and a dozen other things.
It made the whole of the hero course, all six classes jealous.
It also had him requesting several "Azure Aid" clothes and small keychain for himself. Nori often sported his own small collection of the three boy's merch.
They were just so proud of their nephew and future nephew in laws.
Seems like both of the boys were missing Dabi tonight, Tamaki's soulmate, both of their significant other, if their attire were anything to go by.
Dabi may only be Tamaki's soulmate but he knows that both the blonde and his nephew consider each other honorary soulmates. It was sweet. It helped Dabi to know that he was deserving of love, not out of "obligation" of the preset bond, but because he was truly a loveable human being.
He thanks both of the teenagers for helping his nephew so much over these part few years.
He does feel bad for worrying the two though. He doesn't have a good excuse to justify worrying either of them other than his own want for chaos.
"I hope neither of you broke any traffic laws getting here." He stares down Mirio who shakes his head with a wide smile. Confused he looks over to Tamaki to see the boy blushing and looking anywhere but where he and Dabi stood.
"Maki?" Dabi asks in amused disbelief. "Maki drove?" He shared in the confusion of his nephew. The purple timid boy hated driving because it drove his nerves and anxiety up to nearly paralyzing levels.
The elven boy flushed red and ducked his head before admitting, "H-He never calls for us, o-or need our help. I-I was really worried something happened."
'Okay. That one I definitely feel bad for.' "Sorry about that, Amajiki. I just really need to get something done and I needed two partial witnesses for it. You two fit that category." He ignores Dabi's confused face, eyebrows drawn together while he questions himself.
"What the fu-" He'll let his nephew struggle till he figures it out. With how intelligent he is, and the fact that his sister no doubt either told him he was going to try to adopt Izuku or at the very least hinted at it, it'll probably only take a fe- "Oh shit. Right now?"
'That was fast.' He looks over to Dabi's now surprised face. Which forms into a happy expression when he gives a small nod.
"I'm happy for you guys, Uncle Ota. He really fits in. He's a very nice addition to the family." He takes the hand that was set on his shoulder and pulls the taller boy into a hug.
He's going to need a vacation from all these newly expressed emotions.
"Thanks kid. I appreciate that and I know he will as well. You've been a big part in how he's been integrated into the family. Thank you for that." The whispered words bring a light blush to Dabi's face. He knows his nephew still struggles a bit with praise and appreciation so he tries his best to show how much Dabi's presence in his life is appreciated as often as he can muster up. He pulls away and turns to the other two who have finally made their way over after stepping into a pair guest slippers. Not over often enough to warrant their own special permanent pairs.
"Alright, follow me."
Izuku
"Okay, wait here for a second while I go get him." He watches as the office door closes lightly behind Shouta.
His almost Dad.
His almost Dad.
He was about to have a parent.
A real parent.
One that has seen just how broken he is, mentally, emotionally, and physically and still wants him to be apart of his family.
One that knows he's quirkless and doesn't condemn him for it.
A Dad.
Not a "father" that he can only remember vaguely and wouldn't at all if it weren't for the entries he'd made on the made when he was still in his single digit years.
He doesn't know when they started, or if they ever really stopped if he's being honest, but tears stream down his cheeks like an open faucet.
That was another thing! Shouta hasn't comment on or scolded him for how much he cries. The man went so far as to tell him that it was healthy for him to express his emotions in such an open way.
Encourages him to speak his mind, ask for what he wants, express himself.
It was so jarring to be openly accepted in whole by someone he basically just met, when his own other and childhood friend slash soulmate looked down on him for just looking at them "funny".
There really was at least one adult that would take his side and and protect him. From both the seen and unseen.
His mind had made up his decision long before he agreed to sign the papers. He'd already been referring to the man as his dad in his mind for the past week or so.
Meeting with his therapist really settled in his mind that Shouta and All Might were truly looking out for his well being. Really were accepting him, faults and damage and all. Helping him to become a healthier version of himself for himself. They made it clear that every decision made was with his consent and two cents put in. Nothing would happen without his go ahead.
There was no forcing in the ZawaYagi household. No lessons to be learned that involved pain. Wasn't any liquor or malicious yelling and it was beautiful.
He found himself calming down at the thought that he wouldn't get in trouble for expressing himself, which was weird because he'd thought that it would just make him cry more.
But there was a sense of "right" settling into his heart. He was meant to be right here. Was meant to be signing consent forms to be adopted by the kindest man he'd met yet.
He wanders over to where his notebooks were, still sitting in an office box on Sho- Dad's chair. His face splits into a grin at finally allowing himself to call the man what he truly wants to call him.
Picking up the one of top he idly flips through it, not even glancing at the lower numbered ones. The "Dark Ones" he'd dubbed them years ago. The ones that he wrote in when he was just getting used to the pain inflicted on him.
The abuse he'd been explained to by his therapist.
His mother and soulmate had been abusing him since he was "diagnosed" as quirkless like he was riddled with diseases. Doctor Kageyama took her time in answering his questions and helping him to denying and accept that he was in fact abused. Abandoned by one of his parents and borderline tortured for the majority of his life by the other. The kind woman made sure to keep her voice steady and calm when they talked about his life before meeting the Aizawa-Yagis.
Now that he had his notebooks within arms reach he wonders if he would be able to bring them in to his next session and go over some of the details in them that his mind was fuzzy about. He was told that his mind tried to erase or distort certain memories to protect him. He hasn't looked inside his oldest books in years, too scared to remind himself of the specific details of what he'd gone through. Preferring to live in a lie, a fantasy of less pain than to allow reality to break him more than what he already was.
Bringing his notebooks in to Doctor Kageyama would probably help him move past and heal from what he'd gone through, at least that's what he hopes. He doesn't want to be broken for the rest of his life. Scared to learn who he really is with his memories sitting in the back of his mind reminding him how useless and unnecessary he was before he'd been offered a new life.
Offered a new "lease on life" as he once heard on tv when he was younger. He didn't understand the meaning or analogy back then but he understood now.
He was ready to sign on to this new way of life.
New family.
Old friend in a new environment.
New friends with nothing but good intentions towards him.
New routines.
Signing the consent forms sitting in font of him will bring him nothing but happiness.
He can feel it deep in his gut. His heart singing and doing metaphorical leaps at the thought of spending his life with the people that surround him now.
The office door opens once more and he smiles widely with tears in his eyes and the sight of his present and newly improved future.
"Hey kiddo, sorry it took so long. I wanted to make sure your friends wouldn't wak-" Shouta's voice cuts out when he all but flings himself at the man. He's just so happy. "Woah." The man rocks back a step before righting himself and wrapping his arms around his shoulders to return the hug he was being given. It just made him squeeze his dad even tighter. "You okay, Izuku? What's wrong?"
The concern in his dad's voice made him pull back to beam a smile up the man. "Nothing. I'm just really happy right now." He buries his head back into the man's chest.
He ignores the comment of, "I really left my sunglasses downstairs, didn't I?" from above him. He still doesn't understand why almost everyone in the house somehow had gotten a pair of sunglasses. Sure the house had a lot of natural light flooding in during the day but it was nighttime. No bright lights coming into the house.
Makes no sense if you ask him.
Stepping out of the hug he takes a few steps back to let Shouta in the room. Who is closely followed by Dabi and two new people he's yet to meet.
"Green Bean, these are my boyfriends. Tamaki Amajiki and Mirio Togata. Maki, Miri this is Izuku." Dabi waves his hand between the three of them before turning a genuine smile towards him. "I do believe you two are here to take witness while he signs consent forms for Uncle Ota to adopt him. You already fit right in to the family Greenie. I'm glad it's being made legally official."
Oh there's the tears.
He lets out a small sob at Dabi's words. The older boy's actions had said it all loud and clear since he met him but to hear the words? Oh that warms his heart like a furnace. He's already started to see Dabi as sort of an older brother, which is why he has no hesitation in stepping forward into the boy's open arms.
"Bring it here kid, I know you want to." The hug was quick but filled him with warmth, and not just before the teenager was a literal walking furnace. He just gave really nice hugs.
He turned from Dabi and moved somewhat timidly to the two new people in the room. He trusted Dabi and Dabi was in a relationship with both of these teenagers. They had to be at least as cool as Dabi, right?
"Hi. Thank you for coming to help officiate me signing the consent forms. I really appreciate it. If there's anything I can do please let me know." He bends at the waist to bow to the two people who were helping his truly wildest dreams come true.
A hand in front of him drew his attention back up to the purple haired, elf looking teen. He wonder if their pointed ears were a side effect from their quirk? Maybe a mutation type quirk? Able to have attributes and powers the mythical beings do? Or may-
"I actually don't know why they're pointed. My mom and dad don't have pointed ears or quirks that changed their physical bodies. My quirk manifest is a total mutation." Indigo eyes looked at him nervously but with a certain determination and awe. "Please don't bow. There's no need. We're more than happy to help. Being a hero is more than fighting villains and criminals, it's about helping people and that's exactly what we're doing now. What kind of heroes in training would we be if we can't just stand here and monitor the signing of consent forms?" Amajiki-san's voice wavered just slightly in the beginning of his explanation but quickly grew in confidence as he went on.
Now standing straight, hands naturally fitting into Amajiki-san's offered ones, he stares in absolute admiration and wonder.
They considered this hero work?
Standing in view of a kid signing consent forms to be adopted at 11 something at night?
His list of favorite heroes was being shuffled around as he stood there. Amajiki-san was definitely in his top four.
"Alright kids, lets get this signed, have a celebratory cookie that the boys made earlier and head off to bed okay?" The attention in the room was drawn back to Shouta who was leaning against his desk arms folded and content smile on his face. Shouta directs his gaze from him to Togata-san and Amajiki-san, "You two are sleeping over. It's too late at night for any driving. You three can have the second guest room since the extra futons are already in use."
There was no argument, just three nods of the head.
Still holding one of Amajiki-san's hands that he doesn't really want to let go of yet, they collectively migrate to Shouta's desk.
"Okay, you two sign here stating that you're both partial parties. Not having met Izuku or being told by direct parties of what was happening prior to this moment, you both qualify."
Two quick signatures and it was Izuku's turn.
Shouta turned to him and put his "serious face" on. "Are you sure this is what you want, Izuku? There's absolutely no repercussions if you decide that you want to wait longer. This is completely and full- Not even going to wait for me to- O-Okay then." Shou- Dad stuttered as he looked away from the man to pick up the pen and sign his name in the space allotted for him.
"Sorry dad. I've put thought into this before you even asked me. I'm more than sure that you're who my dad is really supposed to be." He gives his best smile to his dad.
Being pulled into a tight hug was fully expected and greatly enjoyed. Tears fell freely when he heard what his dad loudly whispered, croaked, into his hair.
"I have a son."