(A/N: Warning for brief mentions of muzzles. Also just general thoughts of rejection as a result of years of bad experiences in the foster system.

Formatting: -Dialogue through text.-

I had intended to have the text aligned left for incoming texts and aligned right for outgoing. But this site doesn't have the option for right alignment, only left and center. So apologies for that but it should still be clear who is texting what. Enjoy!)

...

Aizawa drove while Yamada yammered on about how excited he was to officially welcome Hitoshi to their home. Going on and on about all the things they needed to buy for him. Hitoshi tried to say he didn't need anything feeling that it would be a waste of their money since it was only going to be temporary. Because everyone had always chosen to turn him away eventually. There was no reason to think this time would be any different. Though there was a part of him that wished he was wrong.

This hope stemmed from Shouto's hilarious conspiracy theory that Aizawa could be his dad. Well...turns out he isn't so wrong? Not that Hitoshi saw Aizawa as his dad. Nope. No way. Not at all. It's not like he looked up to him and wanted to be an Underground Hero like him or anything. Or that he shared a similar disposition or interests in cats and coffee. Just…no.

Sure, the teen had entertained the idea when Shouto had first brought it up, but that didn't mean the men who were fostering him wanted to be his parents for the long haul. If anything, this was probably out of some form of duty as his teachers to take him in. Probably feeling sorry for him and wanting to assuage some guilt or whatever. Yeah, that had to be it. Because there was just no way they would actually want Hitoshi to stay long term. Only temporary though for how long exactly he didn't know.

For now, Hitoshi would just go with the flow as best he could. Though he still didn't think they should waste their money on him. But he also didn't feel like he could persuade Yamada against it. Even Aizawa seemed resigned to eventual shopping though he did manage to talk the blonde down a bit. Convinced him to spread out the shopping over a period of time and only focus on the essentials for today. Yamada reluctantly agreed and they stopped at only a few stores before heading back to the apartment.

They picked up some toiletry essentials like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. The blonde was quite knowledgeable about them and helped Hitoshi pick out products that would work well with his hair and skin types. Which would be a first because he usually just went with whatever ones were available at the time. Yamada also insisted on a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and hair brush even though the teen already had those. The Voice Hero said it was to help him get a fresh start.

They also stopped by a shoe store and Hitoshi was made to pick out at least two pairs. Then they went to a clothing store and Yamada dragged the two already-socially-tired males after him. This time the blonde insisted on him getting at least a week's worth of clothes until they were able to shop for more. Which even getting seven of anything seemed too much for the foster teen. He usually spent most of his time in his uniform and would rewear the few outfits he had in between since they never really got that dirty.

But Aizawa said that he would do better to go along with the loud man's antics if he wanted to get out of there. Leading Hitoshi to assume this wasn't the first time the hobo man had been dragged to the store by the other. Relenting the purple haired teen forced himself to pick out shirts, pants, pajamas, and undergarments like socks and underwear. He also picked out a few jackets for when it would get colder. Sticking to a general aesthetic of dark colors, purples, and cats. Pointedly ignoring the other choices Yamada not-so-secretly snuck into their growing pile.

After paying and loading the numerous bags into the car, the three drove back to the EraserMic apartment. The number of bags looked like it would take them multiple trips to carry them all, but Aizawa wasn't having that. Instead, he looped his capture weapon through the handles of a majority of the bags and proceeded to carry them all on his back. It made him look like some dark version of Santa Claus stalking into the building. Yamada snickered as he snuck a picture before helping Hitoshi with the remaining bags.

Upon entering the apartment, they were greeted by the ever-friendly DJ who weaved between their legs threatening to trip them. Esp and Sashimi were nowhere to be seen at the moment but they were around somewhere. The trio dumped the mountain of merchandise in the same room as Izuku and Hitoshi had occupied just that morning.

"Okay, so in all honesty, fostering you was a last-minute decision," Yamada confessed with an awkward smile. "But that doesn't change the fact that we do want you here. Anyway, since it was a spur of the moment choice, we don't have a room ready for you but that just means we can do it together!"

The blonde clapped his hands together in excitement while Aizawa let out an already tired sigh as he stretched his arms and back. Wanting to take a nap but knowing it was necessary to help settle the teen in as much as possible. While Hitoshi didn't think it was necessary to fuss over his living arrangements. He's lived with much less than this before.

"We'll definitely need to get you a bed," Yamada said as he stared thoughtfully at the room.

"You don't have to," Hitoshi insisted. "I'm fine with sleeping on the futon."

"The futons are for guests and you are not a guest," Yamada retorted as he turned to the teen with an assuring smile. "We want this to feel like it's your home too, Shinsou."

"Yeah, kid," Aizawa added. "What's ours is yours and whatnot."

Hitoshi looked between the two men and could see the sincerity in their eyes. He wanted to believe them even though a part of him said it was a lie. A farce that would only last so long until he got the carpet pulled out from under him again. But the teen pushed those feelings down and simply nodded in response.

The rest of the day was spent rearranging the room. Thankfully there wasn't much in there expect for a desk and the cabinet full of Yamada's Eraserhead collection. While the room was an 'office' they didn't really use it as such. More an extra room turned guest room when someone would come over for the night. So, it didn't need much rearranging furniture wise.

Yamada adamantly intended to get him an actual bed but the futon would have to do until they could order one. A mission for tomorrow including also finding the teen a dresser, bed side table, and any other furniture he wanted. No need to worry about a desk because Hitoshi could use the one already in there. The cabinet of Hero merch was going to be moved else where but for now would stay put. Having the extra piece of furniture made the room feel less empty.

The blonde also insisted they would need to go shopping for decorations and the like. Hitoshi was learning quickly that arguing against the doting Hero was futile so just nodded in acceptance. Earning an understanding shoulder pat from Aizawa who too had long learned that lesson. Yamada was one to do what he wants and right now what he wanted was to spoil his foster child rotten.

The main chore they were able to tackle that day was sorting the closet. Thankfully the married couple hadn't kept much in the closet other than a few boxes and a bunch of hangers. Partly because they hadn't really used the room saving it for guests. But also because they had long planned to take in a foster child and wanted to be prepared to take someone in last minute. More of a just-in-case situation as they had hoped to plan ahead and have the room ready before inviting a child into their home. But this was just how the circumstances worked out.

Being more fashion forward and skilled at organizing a wardrobe, Yamada took over arranging the new collection of clothes. Leaving Aizawa and Hitoshi to rifle through the bags to take everything out. The amount was quite overwhelming for the teen as it was the most anyone had ever bought him in a very long time. He remembered the last time had been before his Quirk came in and messed everything up. After that, gifts were few and far between leading to Hitoshi treasuring good memories over any material goods. At least those couldn't be taken away from him.

Eventually they got a majority of the clothes sorted in the closet leaving things like socks and underwear to go in the dresser they would get later. The men could see from the way the teen was drooping that he was probably at some sort of limit with all the changes happening that day. Finding out your teachers know of your foster situation must have been shocking enough. To then be fostered and cared for by them probably even more so. The adults decided to leave the boy alone to absorb the new situation he was in. Giving him space to process.

As soon as they closed the door, Hitoshi flopped back onto the futon. DJ who had been there the whole time came over and curled up on his chest. The teen started petting the cuddly cat's fur as he just laid there letting it all in. He was here in his mentors' home. Again. This time not because he was an intern, but because he was a foster child. And by the paperwork Aizawa and Yamada were his foster parents. Meaning this was his home for now.

The men kept insisting that they wanted to foster Hitoshi. That they wanted him here with them. And he wanted to believe them. Wanted to think that this could really be his home. Under the care of people who actually gave a damn about him. Who weren't out to 'fix' him or make money off of him. With the added bonus that was not one but three cats. One of who was purring away on his chest.

A number of pings on his phone interrupted his thoughts. Hitoshi took out the device and saw it was a series of texts from Izuku.

Green Bean:

-Hey, Hitoshi, hope you got back safe.

I was wondering if it was okay if I tell my mom about your, um, situation?

Only her though! I promise. And it's okay if you say no.

I just thought she might know how we can help you.-

Hitoshi couldn't help but smirk at his phone. It was so Izuku to want to help him even though he didn't need to. Going so far as to get Inko involved though it wasn't necessary. Mostly because Hitoshi was fine in his situation and didn't feel the need for help out of it. But also because of where he was in that very moment.

Purple Panda:

-I did. And sure, you can tell her. But you really don't need to help me.

Besides, there's been a…development.-

He sent the texts before going over to his camera app as he shifted the cat closer to his face. He took a picture of DJ and himself while giving the cat bunny ears with his other hand. The brainwasher then went back to his text and sent the picture. As it loaded, he read the response from his friend.

Green Bean:

-A development? Like what?-

It was then the picture finished loading and was sent across the digital highway to the Midoriya home. A few moments passed before Izuku replied back.

Green Bean:

-Is that DJ?

Why did you send me that?

What does it have to do with this development?

Where are you?-

And so on. The typing bubble was still up as Hitoshi sent his own response.

Purple Panda:

-You know how we…talked last night? Well, turns out Aizawa heard the whole thing.

He and Yamada came to the place I was staying and offered to foster me.

I'm back at their place now.-

Purple eyes looked away from the phone to instead focus on the purring cat. Running long fingers over short orange fluff as DJ soaked up the attention while he waited for a response.

Green Bean:

-Oh my gods, are you serious?!

Wait, Aizawa-sensei heard us talking?

Are you okay?-

Was he okay? He guessed he sort of was to an extent. Hitoshi still didn't like that someone else learned of his situation without him being the one to tell them directly. But he also knew that Aizawa had his best interests at heart. Had even kept most of what he heard to himself and only revealed one part of his secret. Just enough to kick both Heroes into gear and offer to foster him. Leading to him in the here and now. Back in the EraserMic apartment cuddling a cat while texting his friend. It was certainly a much more desirable outcome than what he had expected to happen today.

Purple Panda:

-I'm fine. Promise.

Aizawa only told Yamada that I was a foster kid.

The rest he didn't. Said it was up to me.-

Not that he really intended to talk about it. That was the past and Hitoshi had long since decided to focus on the present with only vague inklings of the future. The only reason he told Izuku was because they were so close. He knew he could trust his brother in all but blood. That Izuku would not tell a soul but would still do everything he could to help. Just like he was right now asking permission to tell Inko. The care the greenet had for others made Hitoshi let out a fond sigh and smile.

Green Bean:

-That was nice of him. Unexpected but also not.-

Hitoshi snickered at that. Aizawa was known as a hardass but the more time the teen spent with him, the tired man's softer side kept peeking out more and more. It was also an odd situation that somehow made sense at the same time. Both men oozed dad-ness even though he knew Aizawa would deny it while Yamada would wholeheartedly take the description. Which would mean that they were his dads even if temporarily. Speaking of dads…

Purple Panda:

-You know what this means, don't you?-

Green Bean:

-What?-

Purple Panda:

-That Shouto's theory is on some level right.-

The brainwasher chuckled at the slew of exasperated and denying texts saying he was ridiculous. Along with threats to never tell Shouto that or else he would sic Mei on him to be used as a guinea pig. Which was a legit threat because Izuku was the best at wrangling her eccentric and pushy nature when it came to her babies. Acting as the voice of reason between the two Support nerds.

The two friends texted for a while until Izuku signed off to go help with dinner. Leaving Hitoshi to himself unsure of what to do. Should he stay in here? DJ was still purring away on his chest so he had a cat to cuddle at least. But he wasn't sure if he should or could venture out to other parts of the apartment. Before he had easily hung out in the living room but that was when Izuku was there with him. Now it was just him and his teachers. No, they were more than that now. They were his foster parents.

It was still crazy to Hitoshi that he ended up back at this same apartment he had left this morning. Thinking that he would most likely never enter it again. Never able to spend time with the three adorable cats that lived here. But now he was living here too. For now, at least. Meaning he could see the cats every day he still lived here. Them as well as his teachers.

Foster parents, a part of his mind stressed.

That's right. Even though Hitoshi was mentally prepared for this to only be a temporary situation, that didn't change the fact that Aizawa and Yamada were now his foster parents. They had done the paperwork after all. Meaning that Hitoshi was in their charge not only in school but now at home as well.

Home.

He had a home. For a short while at least. One that he knew had people who cared about him. Aizawa and Yamada had helped Izuku and him since practically day one of starting at UA. Yamada a little after but with his enthusiasm to help train them he was sure the blonde would have helped sooner had he known.

It was strange to know that the people he was staying with actually gave a damn about him. It was like how he felt whenever he was over at the Midoriyas. Inko and his friends cared about him and didn't judge him for his Quirk. Gave him a safe place to exist and be himself. This past week in the EraserMic apartment had been no different other than the personalities involved. But the underlying care was still there.

A part of him hoped that this wasn't going to be temporary. That perhaps Hitoshi had actually found a home and a family after so long. But another part still doubted it would last. Why would it when none of the other homes had? Years of rejection had beaten down the hope of finally having what he had lost after his Quirk manifested. Making him doubt that he would ever find it before he aged out and was left to tackled the adult world on his own.

But you're not alone.

A knock at the door broke Hitoshi from his thoughts and he turned to see Yamada peeking his head in. The blonde looked hesitant but still smiled warmly at the teen.

"Hey," the typically loud man said quietly. "Dinner is almost ready. Come out when you're ready, yeah?"

The brainwasher stared at him in stoic shock before giving a nod in response. Yamada nodded back before going back to the kitchen. Hitoshi laid there for a few moments more petting DJ as he took in what happened.

This wouldn't be the first meal he had shared with the married couple. Yamada had been a wonder in the kitchen creating delicious meals this past week. Doting on the two teens sharing his home as if they were his own. But that was as interns. Now it was different because Hitoshi was here as a foster kid. Their foster kid. Making them his foster parents and he wasn't sure how to act around them now. Hitoshi was still reeling at the fact that they knew he was in the system, but now he was living with them in their home.

This was their sanctum sanctorum. Filled with cats and domestic moments. And for some reason they were choosing to allow Hitoshi to join them in their private life. But why? Why would they want him here? No one else other than his best friends and Inko had ever expressed any interest in him sticking around. All the other adults who had taken charge of him over the years never expressed that kind of want. Only wanting to use him or fix him before dumping him back at the center.

A boop on his nose from an adorable cat paw broke him out of his thoughts. Purple eyes turned to green ones staring at him. They weren't the same shade as Izuku's which were warm and bright like emeralds. DJ's eyes were more a yellowish green like lime. Much like the color of Yamada's eyes. Filled with the same warmth as the cat before him slowly blinked at him. Hitoshi felt honored for the feline's trust as he blinked slowly back.

After a deep breath to steel his nerves, Hitoshi bundled DJ in his arms before getting up and leaving the room. His room a part of his mind pointed out but the brainwasher pushed it away for now. Instead, he focused on the cat in his arms as he made his way down the now familiar hallway to the kitchen. Yamada was humming along to the radio playing while he finished up cooking. Aizawa was seated at the couch in the adjacent room working on his computer.

Hitoshi stood there awkwardly unsure what to do. Should he say something? Typically, he didn't talk outside of school or the company of friends. Taikan was an exception because he knew Hitoshi would never brainwash him with intent to harm. His other foster parents had all had some rule or other that forbade him from speaking in their presence. Or removed the threat by making him wear a muzzle. But these were his teachers. It was hard to imagine them of all people stopping him from talking in the home they now shared.

Aizawa looked up at Hitoshi as soon as he sensed his presence. The tired man could see the hesitation that held the teen in place. He didn't know what exactly was going through the kid's head but he could guess it had to do something with his past placements. The Erasure Hero didn't know what happened in his charge's past but hopefully they could build enough trust with the teen for his to tell them. Because Aizawa wasn't going to let the mentions of Hitoshi literally getting muzzled go unaddressed.

The tired man caught the kid's eye and gestured for him to join him on the couch while they waited for Yamada to finish cooking. The table was already set for the three of them so there wasn't much to do but wait. Hitoshi gulped as he gave a curt nod back before nervously sitting a comfortable distance away from to his teacher.

They sat there in silence as Aizawa turned back to whatever he was working on while Hitoshi focused on the cat in his lap. The teen was used to being quiet in his foster homes but this silence felt different. It wasn't forced but rather companionable. Because both Aizawa and he were ones to prefer silence than forced conversation. Content to play the role of listener rather than speaker when it comes to most situations. It was…nice.

Feeling a bit braver, Hitoshi made himself more comfortable on the couch as he took out his phone. Scrolling through his social media sites which were mostly filled with either memes or cat pictures. As usual he would share any posts that really spoke to him with the group chat he had with Izuku, Mei, and Shouto. Not expecting any reply and simply blessing his friends with either the hilarity or adorableness the internet created.

...

Shouta finished up the paperwork he was working on before leaning back with a sigh. The tired man closed his eyes to rest them if for a moment from staring at a computer screen. He ran his fingers through his hair before stretching out his arms and placing them along the back of the couch. Head leaned back he peeked an eye open and looked at the boy sitting next to him.

Shinsou was looking a lot more relaxed than when he first entered the room. Hizashi's cuddle monster was in his lap being absentmindedly pet by the kid as he scrolled through stuff on his phone. Whatever it was wasn't his business and Shouta didn't plan to pry. But the sheer abundance of cat pictures could not go unnoticed by the fellow cat lover.

"You really like cats, huh?" Shouta asked, his sudden question making the teen jump.

Purple eyes turned to him for a brief moment as a slight blush grew on his cheeks. Shinsou then focused his attention on DJ as he answered, "Yeah."

Shouta hummed in response before saying, "Me too."

"Yeah?" the teen repeated but with a questioning tone as he peeked over at him.

"Yeah," the man parroted back with a nod before closing his eyes for a little cat nap.

This time Shinsou hummed in answer with a sliver of a smile as he turned back to DJ. It was a simple conversation with very few words. But the shared interest brought the two closer in a small way. It was enough to relieve some of the tension still remaining in the teen.

"Dinner is ready!" Hizashi announced breaking the moment.

Upon the announcement of dinner, DJ leaped off of Shinsou's lap to crowd Hizashi for food. The blonde led the gremlin into the kitchen where he had already filled the cat bowls. Esp emerged from her hiding place to eat her own food while Hizashi went to bring their shadow cat her own portion in their bedroom. A regular routine to keep their fur children fed and happy.

Shouta stood up and stretched his back letting out a sigh at the satisfying pop. He then turned to the teen and gestured for both of them to move to the table. Shinsou nodded back and got up as well. Together they walked over to the table just as Hizashi was coming back and they all sat down to eat. A quick 'thanks for the meal' and then they were digging into his husband's delicious cooking.

...

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Notes extension: post/669305231478341632/part-2-chapter-41-welcome-to-our-home