AN: I don't own My hero academia

What do you think you're doing?

"Father!" Izuku rushed to the door with a bounce in his step the second he saw his father from the upstairs' window. The child held his arms up in glee in greeting. "Welcome home."

"Izuku." Enji greeted somewhat awkwardly. More so confused by the sight that greeted him. He wasn't so sure what to think of it. "What are you wearing?"

"Is there something wrong with it?" Izuku asked curiously while looking down at his outfit. He was wearing a pale pink short-sleeved leotard with a matching pair of ballet shoes. Their silk ribbons were wrapped neatly over his little white socking legs in a diamond pattern. The fluffiest of tutus covered his waits. It challenged the fluffiness of his usual curls which were decorated by a single pink bow. "Arata sensei said I looked cute." Sadly, he looked up at his father with a whimper. "Do I don't look cute?"

"You do," His father hurried said in guilt and surprised. "But…why?"

The child explained that Arata was trying a new training method with Touya and said he could join. He happily agreed and was so put into a similar outfit to his brother. Touya didn't want to wear the other one so this was the only other option. According to Arata at least. Izuku went along without question. The tutu was very fun to play with which was a bonus to him. His brother on the other hand was the opposite.

This was clear for anyone to see. "Now bend and arch the back. Stretch your arms." Arata instructed as he cured his back to a near-perfect C long with his long arms. The man had his dark blonde curls tied to the highest ponytail. Although more of his natural colour was showing at their roots. His usually lose fringe was pinned back by hairpins. A simple white skin-tight T-Shirt hugged his upper body and showed off his scars. His legs were equally tightly covered by black leggings while his feet rested in the first position.

Meanwhile, Touya was in the same outfit as his little brother. A pink leotard and tutu. His tutu was extra puffy and looked like he was where a human-size cotton ball made of tulle. To top off the look, his while hair was long enough to be tied back into a short ponytail. A tiny crown was the cherry on top of the look. He didn't look happy. Not one bit. He was so unhappy he refused to follow his so call sensei's instructions for this ridiculous excuse for training. He much rather be chased by swords through the trees than whatever this is.

"Touya, your form is off. Bend." Arata repeated the action, but the boy still refused. So, he took things into his own hands encased the child in blue light. Then forced him to get into position. Much to the child's irritation. "If you're not going to do it. I'll just have to do it for you till you can do it yourself."

"Why the hell do I have to learn ballet anyway." The boy snapped while his body moved on its own. It felt weird to be stretched out in this way.

"Our goal is to make you lean and flexible. It will work well with your movement and will improve your balance," Arata explained while taking on another stretched position.

"Ok," Touya hissed not fully convinced but regrettably went along with the lesson anyway. "But why I'm I in a tutu!"

Smugly, Arata smiled back at the child. "You didn't want to wear the leotard," he said in the smuggest of tones. "You said and I quote 'I'll wear anything but that thing.' The tutu was the only other option." His voice dripped with conducing glee. The boy swore to himself that one day he will take his ravage, and punch that smug expression off this man's face. Eventually, Arata spotted his boss by the doorway and gracefully spun into a bow. "Welcome back. I see you found Izuku. Isn't he the cutest? A shame Touya can't pull the look off half as well as he can." Touya hissed mildly offended by the comment. His brother on the other hand giggled and spun around in his little tutu.

Enji supposed it was harmless and he had heard ballet was good for both flexibility and core strength. Something Touya has been personally working on for physical training. Still, the tutu seemed out of place and unnecessary. With the glint in Arata's eyes, it was a pretty good guess that they added that for their entertainment. As much as Enji wanted to question it he ended up asking another question. "You know ballet?"

"A little. Some of my students took lessons and invited me along." He explained while changing his position and Touya forcefully following it. "Some a pervert ended up stalking them around. What kind of teacher would I be if I allowed that to happen?" For a second the man's face when dark with a sinister smile. "It was quite fun seeing him squirmed after all those R-rated thoughts he had aimed at my students." All Todoroki members minus Izuku chilled at the sight. Sometimes they forget how…odd Arata can be at times. The creepy laugh didn't help either. In a snapped the man was back to normal with a bright smile. "You don't mind if Izuku joins? I swear it's not dangerous and it would be good exercise."

"Can I father?" The little boy asked hopefully.

Enji tilted his head to his son "You don't mind the tutu?" The boy shook his head claiming that he liked how fluffy it feels. So, he nodded for his son to go ahead. Then he faced the growing irritated Touya, "How are you feeling, Touya?"

With a gritted smile, Touya hissed through his teeth, "Just peachy dad. I love it."

"Oh, I see." His father was simply mildly surprised. He supposed if his boys were fine with it, he saw no need to interfere and question further. "Well enjoy your lesson boys. I'll be making dinner." Without another word, he left the boys be.

The anger boiling within Touya was at its breaking point: "I WAS BEING SARCASTIC!"

While walking through the halls, Enji realised something was missing. More so someone. Since he barely interacted with the boy it was easy for him to forget another child was running around his home. Although he was usually with his other children or their teacher. Where could he have gone to?

His questions were answered when he reached the kitchen. The young boy was by the counter staring at the polished wood. He didn't think much of it until he saw the boy was holding a knife. It was a hefty blade that looked out of place in his small, gloved hand. His hands laid flat on the counter. Fingers stretched out prominently under the knife's blade. They were shaking. It was clear what he was planning to do.

Swiftly, Enji stepped in, yanking the knife away from the boy. They jumped at the sudden motion while looking up at the man's heated eyes. "What do you think you're doing?" He questioned sternly. "That is not how you use a knife." The boy jumped back. Almost curling himself into a ball by tucking his head in and wrapping his arms together. His legs quaked under the heat of the man's eyes. Enji looked away while carefully placing the knife back into its home. He then walked to a cupboard and took out an apron that was surprisingly his size. Jet black with red rims. He tied it around himself while Tenko silently watched. "Do you know how to peel?"

Tenko jumped at the sudden question but nodded.

"Then make yourself useful," he demanded after throwing an extra smaller apron at the child. "I need two large potatoes from the cupboard. "Also 4. No. Make those 5 carrots."

Quickly, Tenko nodded and clumsily put the apron around him. He hurried to the cupboards and picked up the requested ingredients. He carefully pooled them onto the counter, stopped those that tried to roll off, and picked up a peeler. Meanwhile, Enji was expertly deboning some chicken thighs. Chopping them up to bite-size pieces and leaving the bones for broth. Tenko couldn't help but he was a little memorialised by the man's skill. He makes it look so easy with how smooth and clean his cuts were. Although the second the man looked at him, he squeaked like a frightened mouse and hunched in himself.

Enji huffed at the sight. "Knives are dangerous. You shouldn't use them without super vision," he tried to break the silence.

It seemed to have worked since it got the boy talking. Even if it was a near whisper. "My quirk is more dangerous. The blanket I was using disappeared again. Izuku was near when it happened. He coughed a lot"

Ah so that's what this was about. He made a mental note to buy extra blankets. "I see…" his words were lost when he tired to face the child again. They instantly jumped back dropping the carrot in his hand. Sighing, Enji picked it up and washed it. "There's no need to fear me. I'm not going to hurt you."

Gulping, Tenko stuttered a response. "You're eyes. They look like my dad's," he admitted fearfully. Making Enji freeze. "They're sharp like his." Unconsciously, Tenko brought a hand up to his scarred eye. Since it was small and the skin around his eyes was cracked from dryness. It was hard to spot at a first glace. His fingers twitched as if remembering something unsightly.

Noticed the odd movements, Enji curiously asked, "did your father give you that scar?" The boy refused to speak further, but Enji took it further. He laid his knife on his board and rolled up his sleeve. On top of his upper right shoulder was a scar that faded from time, yet still marked his skin. "My father gave me this. He worked with glass and tried to teach me. One of the pieces I've made offended him and throw it at me. A glass shard nicked me, and I bleed for days. We were poor at the time and lived in the middle of nowhere so I could get immediate medical aid." Tenko carefully listen while the man rolled back down his sleeves. "It's annoying but you learn to live with those things." Then turned fully to face Tenko making the child jump back again. Without moving further, he bowed to the child and gave a solemn oath: "I swear no harm like that will come to you. You have my word as a hero."

"A hero." The word rolled off the child's tongue curiously. A finger once again traced his scar. "My dad hated heroes. He said that they'll abandon their families just to save strangers."

"Do you believe that?" The child shook his head at the question. "Then why bother listening?" Enji said bluntly with the shrug/ "My father said heroics was a barbaric profession with no honour or beauty. If I listened to him, I wouldn't be where I am."

Curiosity got the better of the boy. He was silently denied so often in his own home. Even though they never said it he knew they all thought it. Even if his father was the only vocal one. However, there was a real hero here. He had to know. So, he asked. "Can I be a hero? Even with a quirk like mine."

The familiarity of that question shook Enji to his core. The situation was different. He was dealing with a much older child with a very dangerous quirk. To destroy anything with five fingers. He's already done much damage with that quirk. Blood was spilt on his young hands. He's not surprised by the boy's hesitation. Realistically, he should say no. The quirk would be far too deadly. However, same could be said about his own and many other quirks. You either hurt yourself or those around you but it wasn't impossible to use them effectively. He just could say no carelessly knowing that. "If you want to. You can at least try." Says almost guiltily. For a moment his mind planed with images of his youngest wondering what might have been. However, he can't say he regretted that answer. Even if he made him cry. "Just know it won't be easy."

Tenko's red eyes brightened almost with tears. "Thank you," he whispered out while trying to wipe the evidence ways.

"Your hands aren't moving fast enough, boy." He suddenly snapped back, wanting to end the conversation. "Hurry up. We have mouths to feed."

Nodding, Tenko got back to work with a little smile on his face. The two of them swiftly made dinner without any further incidents. Aside from Enji yelling at how the vegetable pieces were cut too thickly. Luckily it was an easy fix.

Dinner went by without a hitch. Enji and Tenko made curry for them all. Tenko was extra proud since he was able to flavour it himself. With Enji guided of course. He wouldn't let the child put in random spice. He was very clear on what not to use. The result was tasty and the family plus 2 eat together happily. Even more so now that Tenko seemed comfortable enough to be in the same room with Enji. Perhaps a small cooking lesson to get to know the fiery man was all he needed. The kids teased him when he said Enji complained about the position size of his vegetable cuts. Saying they could choke someone. Although Touya was guilty of this for more than one occasion.

On cue, Arata playful acted he was choking making all but Touya unaffected. The boy has been training with the man long enough to know when he's messing with him. He was usually the target to said pranks. It was conniving to everyone else. Enji reached out for his phone and started dialling, Izuku was crying, and Tenko cried with him begging forgiveness. When the man dropped the act, he got punched in the gut by Tenko. Which made Touya snigger. Arata laughed and said a few half-hearted sorry while Tenko crawled into the man's lap. Burying his puffy-eyed face into his chest for the remainder of the dinner.

Enji watched the interactions closely while putting down his phone. Those two have become rather close. Even closer with each passing day. Eventually, the children left to play while the adults stayed behind to clean up.

"I'll help," Arata offered while he trotted up to Enji's side. He picked up a dish and started scribbling.

Quietly the two men continued the mundane task. The only sound between them was the clink of plates and running water. Enji scanned the man next to him. They seemed happier. Sure, they always present himself as a smiley person, but this seemed more genuine. Softer rather than exaggerated. Their outer appearance was taking a change too. The scar along their nose was no longer hidden with make-up and his dark roots looked longer. Not to mention their voice. "Your voice got deep again."

"Is that so strange?"

"No." Enji rejected with a little white lie. It wasn't strange as it was oddly fitting. Natural even. "You seemed to have gotten closer to Tenko."

"He's very cute." He admitted in a high-pitched tone paired with an exaggerated smile. It softened soon after along with his voice. "You know there was something that always confused me about Sai. He saved me because he wanted to see me smile. I never understood why he wanted that." Enji stayed silent allowing them to continue. "He said I looked like someone who hasn't smiled in a long time. Odd don't you think? I could never understand it…Not until I saw that child." He remembered that day he saw Tenko. His empty eyes and his fearful posture. The boy might have softened him a little beforehand, but he could see it. More so hear it. The dark thoughts that flooded his mind and the fear in his heart. For a child that young to have those… it ignited something in him. "One shouldn't wear such a disheartened expression. Especially, a child."

"I see." Enji eased on the conversation. He was never one for meddling. Or with this beating around the bush tactic. However, he wanted to at least try knowing how delicate this might be. "You know we can't keep him."

Arata remained unaffected while continuing with his task. He shrugged off the comment and argued. "I don't see why not. You have the funds to do so. And he gets along so well with the boys."

So Enji tried to fight back. "I don't have the time and there's only one of me. I can't give all three of them the attention they need. Tenko fears me."

"He can adjust. You're quite the softy deep down Enji." Arata fought back playfully. He had a feeling where this convention was going and secretly hope that wasn't the case.

"Arata." There was no point beating around the bush with this topic if all they'll do is go around in circles. So Enji took the direct approach. "Why don't you adopt Tenko?"

Arata's hands stopped. His mouth thinned as he lowered down the bowl in his hands. "Why would you say that?"

"Well, you're good with children. Tenko is very comfortable with you as well. I think you'd be a good fit for him," Enji tried to explain. He knew it would be a decent fit. He's seen enough of their interactions for weeks to know Tenko was quite fond of the man. More so than him at least. This would be the best scenario. Rather than Tenko get taken to an orphanage or an unfit household that can't deal this his special needs.

"I am a teacher, Enji. That is very different from being a parent. That is a 24/7 job. One I'm not capable of."

"You're underestimating yourself."

"No, you're overestimating me!" Arata shrieked back with a roar. He slapped the porcelain blow on the counter cracking it in half in his hands. Viciously, he glared at the man leaning into him bit by bit with a malicious aura wrapped around him. "Do you foolishly believe I have the capability to take care of that boy? If I was the one who found him on the streets, I would have left him there without a care in the world." He knew that was true deep down that was true because that's what he'd always done once he had any sense of freedom back. His heart was never moved by beggars that asked for change. Or a crying child who lost a toy in a tree. Or simply someone yelling help. He never had the instincts to act. The impulse that 'heroes' should have. Those types of thoughts were pushed upon him aggressively. Once that aggressive push was gone so too did those manmade instincts. Faded away to numb disinterested. If it didn't affect him. Then there's nothing for him to do. If he had no reason to care, then he wouldn't. That's just how it was when he was finally given a choice. "I'm not kind. I'm not gentle. I'm not…"

Suddenly, his chest felt heavy. Desperately he clung onto his treasured locket. His head was soon flooded with images and memories of its beloved. A near opposite of himself. "I'm not him. I know no matter how much I try to look like him. Be like him. I'm not my Sai." He acted a role like his beloved simply to feel a little closer to him. It was only a bonus that it would make him a little more approachable knowing the child he was to teach was young. He thought a more cheerful act would be more pleasing. That was just it. An act. None of it was completely real and he couldn't put on that act forever. "I can barely keep my act together as it is. You've seen my home. You've seen me. I can't do this." He held his locket tighter. "Not without him. Not alone."

"Who says you'll be alone." Enji continued taking away the broken prices and tossed them aside. "You have me and the boys, don't you?"

Lowering his head, Arata continued to argue, "I can't ask for your aid all the time. Besides, that doesn't change the fact I'm completely inadequate." He couldn't get that thought out of his head. It wasn't like he even wanted a kid. It's not like he disliked them it's just they seemed like an unnecessary hassle. Being a teacher, he was always surrounded by them and knew it wouldn't be easy raising one. He wasn't even sure if he was a match for that type of life. He knew Sai was. He was kind, loving and patient. All qualities needed for a perfect parent but him. He doubted he would last long. "I can only act as a good parent for so long."

Enji listened to Arata whines and the longer he did the angrier he got. Flames flicked over his facials features as he roared: "Nonsense."

The sudden flames and rage made Arata jumped. His woe eyes widened as he was forced to face the other eye to eye.

At least he shut him up for a bit. His whines were getting aggravating. "They say people like to copy those who they admire. So, they dress like them. Change their hair to match them. Even copy their mannerisms like eating the same food they like or repeating a common phrase. You believe this is you. Merely imitation of someone you admired and loved deeply."

That is what Arata thought because that was what he did. He alerted himself so he could be a little more like his beloved in looks and mannerisms. That was what it was to him.

"That way of thinking is incorrect." To Enji he couldn't see it that way. It only looked more obvious as Arata had allowed the mask to slip bit by bit. Form his voice getting deeper more often his to his scars being shown in full display. Yet some traits remain. It stopped being simple mimicry. "When the person you adore is close, you change naturally. Whether unconsciously or by choice." He thinks about his children. How they affected him after his decline. How they made him smile and forced him into their little antics so much it's become the norm. It's because of them the hero Endeavour stopped being a top priority. "You want to change for them. Be someone they can rely on. Be proud of. Perhaps some of those traits start to rub off on you. Like smiling more often than usual or simply loosening up. Finding the time to be with them."

"I don't see the difference," Arata said dulling. He was getting tired of this conversation. He even allowed his smile to drop.

Not Enji though. He was just getting started. "A mimicry is a passing trend. Once you find something new to admire the cilice begins again." He knew this to be true. You merely needed to look at hero society and the fandoms they create. Some may fanboy over him for a time and then quickly turn their eye to the next shiny hero. Usually, that hero was All Might but that's beside the point. They'll look at him and once they get bored, they'll look away. That's how it worked, but this was different. "An influence is a permanent change. Because they have that great of an effect on you." Smugly, he faced Arata. There was a gleam in his eyes of knowing he would soon win this argument. "You can't have me believe after living with him you haven't changed at all. A part of him isn't waged within you making want to be a little kinder. A little gentler." He saw Arata bit his lip in the corner of his eye. The man looked like he was about to fight back but Enji wouldn't let him. He had one more buttle to fire. "You know it's hypocritical of you to say you would have left Tenko. Didn't you rush after him the second you saw him?"

Arata couldn't say anything after that. The realisation suddenly silenced away any weapon he had to fight back. It was true. For him, it was uncharacteristic that he'd reached out to a random child that looked defeated by the world. The same way his beloved reached out to him. He lost this argument.

Grinning in victory, Enji placed a hand on the man's shoulders. "See? You are more than just an act." His eyes traced around the other features that he hid to complete his mask. The scars, the hair, the voice. Slowly, it stopped being a simple act. "You can do this Arata. I'm sure Sai would be happy about it as well.

A hiccup caught in his throat. How dare this man brought his beloved's name up like that. It was unfair. His Sai. His precious Sai… "He would have loved Tenko," he admitted in a whisper. However, he couldn't say yes yet. There was so much to do. To think. He wasn't ready yet. "Time. Give me time. I'll give you my answer then."

Right outside the kitchen, unbeknownst to the two men, the children listened in to the conversion intensity. Although, they couldn't make out everything or understood. One thing was for certain.

"Did you hear that? Arata sensei could a adopt you." Touya repeated in an excited whisper.

Happily, Izuku hugged the older boy's chest. Rubbing his face in with a smile. "Isn't that great, Tenko? That means we can be best friends forever."

"Yeah," Tenko admitted with a hopeful smile of his own. "That sounds good." He didn't hate the thought of having Arata as a dad.

In an office far from the Todoroki home, a meeting was taking place. It was a very important meeting in which two were very excited about. A woman happily typed away on her keyboard sorting out all the little details for her client. It's not every day you get to work with such a prestigious man. At first, she laughed when they told her she would be working for him and then almost fainted in excitement when she got to meet him. She couldn't mess up this job and made sure to look at all the papers carefully. All while wearing the brightest smile on her face. "Congratulations by the way. This is quite a big step but I'm sure you can handle it. You can handle anything after all. Little Tenko would be so lucky to have you as a parent."

Her client bowed his head. It truly was an honour and a relief to hear those words. He wasn't so sure if his paperwork would be enough, but he was thankful it was. However, he didn't want to get in the deep end too soon. "Thank you for your kind words but I'd like to meet with the boy first." He playfully leaned in closer to the woman desk. It wasn't that hard since his body was so massive. He practically filled a quarter of this tiny office. With a wink, he whispered. "Also, down low, please. I like to keep this a secret if possible. I wouldn't want the media to scare the poor boy."

The woman happily agreed while typing how the final details. "Of course. We'll set you up with a meeting as soon as possible. Mr symbol of peace."

The man gave her his signature blinding smile. "Please, All Might is fine."

AN: (long tea sip)…well it seems like time has finally come for the first storm of the season. May the torrential rains pour, wild winds roar, and sharp pointy things soar.

Also sorry for being a little inconsistent. My schedule has been all over the place lately and these events have been on the longer side of my personal limit. Anyway, that's all.