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Once again, make sure to PM me or leave a comment if you'd like smut in this story. I don't want to make the majority of my audience uncomfortable if I can avoid it.

'' = speech

' = thoughts

'' 'quote' '' = one character quoting another previous line

[][][] = little transition

With that being said, enjoy!

He knocked 6 times. He took several deep breaths as he listened carefully for footsteps from inside. The chain could be heard falling before the door was drawn backwards, revealing Aizawa in a suit. His hair was back and fastened into a bun.

''3 minutes early. Commendable.'' He stood to the side and thumbed for his student to enter. Izuku smiled awkwardly as he stepped inside.

He allowed himself to relax slightly. He would regret it. Aizawa seized him by his throat and clenched tightly; not enough to restrict breathing, but certainly enough to stop him having any funny ideas.

''Code phrase. Say it.'' His scar seemed to pulsate as his gaze hardened.

''K-Kai Chisaki could use a hand or two.'' Izuku gulped, which was difficult in his teacher's grip.

Aizawa huffed as he released him.

''Sorry, Midoriya. I want you to know that I do that to everyone who stops to take care of Eri.''

'That would explain the difficulty with babysitters…' Izuku sweatdropped.

''Even All Might?'' He asked with a raised brow.

Aizawa briefly showed him his iconic, yet incredibly villainous, smile. ''Especially All Might. Fool's too funny when he's intimidated.''

''I'll pretend I didn't hear that.'' Izuku chuckled nervously.

''I wouldn't.'' Izuku perked up at that voice. Emi Fukukado walked out into the hall, and the future Symbol of Peace felt himself recoil in shock. Gone was the orange bandana and clown themed costume he was so used to seeing her in. Miss Joke still stood in her trademark tangerine colour but this time in the form of a silky, flowing ballroom gown. ''Shota rarely attempts humour.''

She tucked a lock of her hair, which she had decided to let flow down her back and shoulders, behind her ear. ''Hmm, Shota?'' She nudged his arm with her elbow.

''Hmm.'' Aizawa grunted in agreement.

Emi rolled her eyes playfully before turning to Izuku. ''Feel free to take off your shoes and jacket, Izuku. I'll just go fetch Eri.'' She grinned at him as she walked back into the large, open plan living room.

''Eri! Izu's here!'' The greenette called out to her adopted daughter as Izuku kicked off his red sneakers. He readied himself as he heard the little pitter-patters of the girl's feet getting louder. The white-haired girl rounded the corner like a racecar and ran to him.

''Izu!'' She yelled excitedly.

Izuku knelt down on one knee to swallow her up into a big hug as she leapt at him. ''Hi, Eri-chan!''

The girl hopped back slightly, bouncing on her feet in joy. Izuku pulled the silliest face he could think of before leaving his hands resting on her shoulders to stop her bouncing.

''What have you been up to?'' He asked encouragingly.

''Lots of cartoons! Lots and lots and lots of cartoons!'' Her red eyes seemed to almost bulge out of her skull.

''Eri, let the problem child stand up.'' Aizawa urged his daughter. Eri looked confused but jumped back and ran to stand between her parents.

''There's mac and cheese in a big bowl in the fridge if you don't want to cook tonight. You can just heat it up in the microwave.'' The patriarch said. ''You have permission to use our kitchen if you're feeling creative, though.''

''I promise it's good!'' Emi held her hands over her green clutch purse. ''Old Fukukado recipe!''

''Ah, well in that case I'll just make a salad to go with it. Maybe just throw some eggs in too.'' Izuku beamed. 'An actual kitchen. To myself!'

''Now, Eri.'' Emi bent her knees to avoid creasing her dress as she went down to Eri's eye level. ''Do you promise to try anything that Izu makes?''

''Mhmm!''

''Even salad? Lots of green stuff in that.'' Emi fixed the girl's hair.

''Green stuff like veggies?'' The girl responded, looking daunted.

''Yes. Veggies.''

Eri looked between her and Izuku a handful of times before her mouth formed a fine line. ''Okay, I'll try.'' She mumbled. Miss Joke ruffled her hair as she stood.

''Alright! We'll be heading out then!'' The female pro declared. ''The annual Hero Teacher ball isn't going to start without the happiest couple on the pro scene!'' She linked arms with Aizawa. Izuku smiled sweetly.

''When you said she wanted 'a family of never ending laughter,' I thought you were joking.'' He said gruffly, though anyone could see the small smile creep up on his face. The pair strode in tandem to the door, with Aizawa grabbing his car keys as they opened the door.

''Eri, be good.'' He glanced at Izuku. ''You too.'' He grabbed his coat as he followed his fiance out. Izuku waved them off, barely overhearing Aizawa's comment about how weird it was to drive with a leg he was missing for about a year. Emi laughed at that. So hard he could still hear it as they slammed the car doors shut, in fact.

Izuku gently closed the door and pulled the chain across. Then he turned to Eri, who stood with her arms behind her back.

''Alright, Eri. Cartoons?'' He asked with a wide grin.

Eri could barely contain her excitement.

[][][]

Izuku had excused himself to use the bathroom, leaving an enthralled Eri to watch the latest Pokemon series as he took the oppurtunity to explore the house.

The place was homely, that was for sure. The staircase was a good example. Pictures that Aizawa had kept from his many years at UA littered the walls as Izuku climbed. He recognised a few of them as his ex-upperclassmen, and even a few as current pros.

The bedrooms were certainly large, judging purely on the layout he was imagining based on where doors were. He was tempted to pry, but decided against it. He would certainly be heavily berated by the two pros if they discovered he'd been snooping.

After using the bathroom, he rushed back downstairs. ''Eri, do you feel hungry?'' He asked as he walked out to the kitchen.

''A little.'' The girl admitted.

''Alright. You want to watch me cook?'' He smiled sweetly. He could hear the credit music of her show, and realised his timing was perfect.

''Okay, Izu!'' She rolled off the couch and sped over.

Izuku had placed a few bell peppers on a cutting board and was prepared to start slicing away when he peered down to Eri. Or well, her horn and hair. The poor girl could barely peer over the countertop.

''Eri, do you not have a little step that your mom or dad gives you?'' He circled the kitchen attempting to find something.

''Nuh uh, usually I stay out of the kitchen.'' She had a blank expression he couldn't quite read.

''Hmm.'' Izuku looked around. 'She can't sit on the counter, there's knives around…' He perked up suddenly.

''Say, Eri. Have you ever seen Ratatouille?'' He grinned, the plan coming together in his head.

''Yeah, Emi showed me.'' She was understandably confused at the seemingly random topic change.

''Do you remember how he makes the guy cook?'' Izuku asked.

Eri simply nodded, before Izuku scooped her up and placed her on his shoulders.

''Hold on tight. You can grab my hair if you like.'' He let her legs fall on either side of his neck and grabbed his knife.

''Now, chef Eri, should we start?'' He couldn't help but smile as the girl giggled and swayed back and forth playfully. 'Maybe this can be a good time to teach someone.'

[][][]

Izuku had cut up the peppers, cleaned the lettuce and diced the cucumbers. Eri squealed with an equal mix of joy and fear as Izuku squatted to open cupboards and the fridge. He was like a human rollercoaster and Eri was seemingly enjoying every second.

Izuku took out a small punnet of cherry tomatoes and placed them on the board. Eri, as she had done the last few times, wiggled a few tufts of his wild hair to ask him to chop. However, as he shifted his left hand in front of his right, which held the knife, Eri tugged a few green locks hard.

''Uhhh, Eri? If I do that, I'll cut my hand.'' Izuku wasn't angry; maybe she just couldn't see or wasn't aware that-

''I know.'' Came the startling response.

Izuku stood, wide eyed in shock. ''Huh.'' He gulped. Surely this was just childlike wonder. Maybe she thought he couldn't bleed or something? Or that he wouldn't feel it? Regardless, he humoured her and slowly lowered the knife.

''W-Wait, Izu! It was a joke! A logical ruse!'' Eri sounded oddly adorable saying such unfitting words.

Izuku breathed a sigh of relief. ''Maybe your dad is rubbing off on you a teensy bit too much.'' He finished the tomatoes and dumped them into the bowl with the rest of the salad.

''Alright Eri, how much mac and cheese do you want?'' He squatted with as straight a back as he could manage, opened the fridge and pulled out an enormous metal bowl, full to the brim with the pasta dish.

''The whole bowl!'' Eri stared in wonder at the holy food.

''Maybe not.''

''Hey, who's the chef here?'' Eri said grumpily. To add emphasis she tugged his hair a few times.

''Okay, okay.'' Izuku grabbed the girl again and slowly lowered her to the floor. ''Go sit at the table. I'll bring you dinner in a minute.'' He patted her head. Izuku gazed up at the clock. 'Just past 6. They said in bed by 8.' He began heating up the mac and cheese as the incredibly patient Eri sat politely at the table.

[][][]

Aizawa had never really liked formal engagements. He had been more than ready for them (hell, being with Emi basically ensured a good five or six a year) but his natural lethargy didn't mix well with them.

City Hall was a sensible location to host it, at least. Naturally difficult to get into and plenty of security cameras. Not that anyone would be dumb enough to storm an auditorium full of pro heroes. Pro heroes who had spent their Monday teaching, at that. Well, not all of them had. There were definitely some plus ones present. He was certain that Caped Baldy had never taught. Then again, Blizzard and Tornado had likely dragged him along. Siphon was here, too. No doubt his wife had encouraged him, with her being a Ketsubutsu teacher.

''Hey, Aizawa.'' Vlad King greeted as he walked past his colleague to reach the punch bowl.

''Kan.'' Aizawa began, with Sekijiro turning as he poured some juice into a cup. ''How do you do these things?''

''Formals?'' His muscular friend said as he took a sip.

''Hmm.''

Kan placed a hand on his shoulder. ''This isn't really my scene either, truth be told. But Ryuko seems to enjoy them. And her joy is mine.''

Aizawa laughed dryly. Kan smiled. Even the Blood hero realised that was a) corny and b) bullshit.

''That's what it means to have someone you hold dear, Shota. And Ryuko is definitely dear to me.'' He took another sip.

''A little bird told me she and Nemuri had a thing before. Years ago, before the whole 'League of Villains' business.'' Aizawa remained stone-faced.

''Yeah, actually. Surprised Nemuri let Hizashi put a ring on it. She always seemed to be the free bird type.'' Kan swished the remains of his drink.

''Speaking of rings, have you met Hawks' husband yet?'' Eraserhead considered the punch himself, now.

''I know he isn't a hero.'' Kan crushed the cup in his hand and threw it into the garbage can under the table that the punch sat on. ''Then again, even Ryuko hasn't met him yet. Wedding was a real quiet affair, not many guests at all.''

Ryukyu seemed to draw Sekijiro's eyes towards her magically from across the auditorium. She motioned for him to come over. Judging by Mount Lady and Kamui Woods behind her, she was planning an introduction.

''Duty calls, Shota. I suggest you find Emi, too.'' Kan patted his friend's back as he left him alone by the punch bowl.

Aizawa watched him walk away before scanning the room for his fiance. She was deep in conversation with another humour based hero. That was a conversation he would avoid like the plague.

He finally succumbed to his thirst and turned to the punch bowl. He grabbed the ladle, only for a hand to clasp his shoulder. He could feel the pure excitement in the way their fingers rapped against his suit. Couldn't they see he was busy moping?

''Hi, Aizawa-sensei!'' Came the voice.

''Ugh.''

[][][]

''Wow, your mom wasn't lying. That's really good mac and cheese.'' Izuku placed his empty plate in the dishwasher, very content with the meal.

''Mhmm! And your salad was really good too!'' Eri had stuck to her word and tried what he had made. Well, 'tried' was an understatement. She had vacuumed the veg up, much to his surprise. He'd have to leave a note for Emi.

He felt her small hand grip at the material of his shorts.

''Izu, can I have some ice cream? Emi usually lets me have some after dinner.'' She had the world's best puppy dog eyes. He could melt at the cuteness.

''Does your Dad know she does that?'' He asked. Eri paused. Then she smiled broadly.

''No.'' She answered with a giggle.

Izuku laughed too as he opened the freezer. He searched for a few seconds before turning back to her. ''Where does mom normally keep it?'' He ushered her over.

''It should be right… there…'' Eri looked dismayed at the empty top shelf. Her eyes began to water and Izuku panicked.

''No, no, don't cry! We'll go get some!'' He closed the freezer and patted her head for what felt like the hundredth time.

''R-Really?'' The girl asked tearfully.

''Mhmm! Just give it 20 minutes for your belly to deal with that meal.'' He assured her.

Eri smiled and seemed to absorb the tears again. ''Okay, Izu.''

17 minutes and 2 bathroom uses later and Izuku had wrapped Eri up in her jacket and boots. It was still light outside, but he'd rather not risk her being cold when it got dark. It wasn't summer yet, after all.

He took the spare key from near the door and tucked it safely in his pocket before stretching his arm down.

''Hold my hand, Eri. It's a few blocks to the store and we wouldn't want you getting hurt.''

Eri reached up and wrapped her entire hand around just 2 of his fingers, reminding him just how young the girl was. He didn't like to think of Overhaul torturing such a gentle, innocent soul. So he wouldn't, for tonight. She deserved that at least.

''Okay, off we go!'' He opened the door and the two stepped out in search of frozen treats.

[][][]

''Hi, Aizawa-sensei!''

''Hello, Hado. What brings you here?'' Aizawa tried again to scoop some punch. Thankfully, he succeeded this time.

''Remember when I was a substitute teacher at UA?'' She hit him with some trivia.

''Nejire, you were a sub for maybe two months.'' Aizawa deadpanned. ''Don't tell me that was enough to get you an invite.''

The bluenette nodded. Aizawa did too, but more out of resignation than anything else.

''Soooo, how are you enjoying this little shindig?'' Nejire scooted past to grab some punch from the quickly emptying bowl.

''Fine.'' His teeth were practically fused together in a fake smile.

''Liar.'' She took a slice of cake along with the cup as she spun. ''Tell me what's in that big ol' brain, sensei.''

''Stop calling me 'sensei.' You haven't been my student for 2 years, Nejire.'' He took a sip of his drink. ''And if you must know… I'm not a fan of these kinds of things.'' He motioned all around him. ''I'd rather be at a party for teachers, not heroes. At least they're quiet, usually.''

Nejire hummed to show she was paying attention. ''So you're here for Miss Joke, then.''

Aizawa bobbed his head a single time. ''I love the woman, but we have so few similarities. I imagine most people look at us and wonder how we ever ended up together.''

''Well, I don't think the opinions of others should faze you. Especially not with love. And it's safe to say compromise doesn't really work all that well. So just tell her that you're not a big fan of gatherings like this. She loves you; she'll understand and accept that.''

Aizawa nodded along. ''Since when did you become such a love guru, Nejire?'' He asked in a sarcastic tone. One that Nejire seemed oblivious to.

''W-Well, the last few days have been a bit… enlightening, heheh!'' She laughed awkwardly.

''Oh. You mean with Midoriya.'' Aizawa smirked.

Nejire beamed. ''Yup! We confessed to each other and everything!'' She swayed on her feet, her royal blue dress swinging around her hips. ''He might even move in with me! Him and Uraraka!''

Aizawa perked up. 'Uraraka was involved? Surely she wouldn't allow that. Anyone with even the slightest notion of a brain and eyesight could see she's head over heels for him.'

''Look, Nejire. I may not be the relationship expert, but I've been in a fair share. Take it from a fairly nerdy recluse like Midoriya who deals with energetic women like yourself on a day-to-day basis; take it slowly.''

Nejire paused her movements and tilted her head.

''What I mean is; he's one man. A greatly nervous, badly damaged person, though he may not show it. He's got a few issues I'm sure he will bring up in time. Having you and, if your phrasing suggests what I think it is, Uraraka living with him, he'll be a different man. A vulnerable man. He will act differently. He will test your patience. He will be a person who makes you question your choice.''

Nejire reeled back in both thought and shock.

''But. After all that; after he pours his heart out and makes you hate or fear him, if you can still say you love him, you'll be happy. Truly happy.'' Aizawa had a sad yet experienced tone to his words.

''Do you know-''

''Because I was that man?'' Aizawa looked to Emi, who was slowly approaching them. He smiled. ''Yes. I was.'' He took another sip of punch, a sip so long that Emi had time to reach them.

''Hado, am I glad-o to see you!'' Emi hugged the young woman, who was still stunned slightly as she processed what Aizawa had said.

''H-Hi, Fukukado-san.'' She eventually returned the hug.

''Emi, please!'' The Smiling hero reassured. ''Oh, I have a joke for you!'' Nejire stood in anticipation.

''What's black and white and red all over?'' Miss Joke asked with a raised, expective brow. Nejire knew the answer. Was she supposed to say? Would that ruin the joke? Would that annoy Emi? Did she just say 'I don't know?'

''Midoriya if we come back to a disaster.'' Aizawa said with a small smile.

Emi laughed uproariously. ''Shota, you genius! That was way better than 'newspaper!''' She quickly slapped a hand over her mouth. ''Whoops.''

Nejire waved her off. ''I knew it anyway.''

Emi beamed. ''Oh, so you're the type to let a comedian finish a joke you already know, huh? I like that!'' She patted Nejire's shoulder.

''Say, what's the time?'' Emi took a step and pulled up Aizawa's sleeve. ''Well, Eri should be getting ready for bed, after all…''

[][][]

''It's a quarter to 8, Eri. No more piggybacks.'' Izuku said as he bucked the girl off onto the carpet.

''Aww, okay.'' Eri said sadly.

''Sorry, Eri. Your dad said 'bed by eight.''' He lightly pushed her towards the stairs. ''So go clean your teeth, and I'll be up in a few to tuck you in.''

Eri sprinted up the stairs and into the bathroom. Izuku used the time to clean up the living room. A few stray toys here, a few suspiciously cold bowls there. By the time he'd crept up the stairs and entered Eri's bedroom, she was already laying, snuggled under the covers.

''Hi, Izu.'' She seemed uneasy.

Izuku took a few seconds to take in his surroundings. Her room was so similar to the kind you'd find in a girl's TV show. Cuddly toys everywhere, pink walls and plenty of butterfly and fairy ornaments.

''You ready for bed?'' He asked gently.

Eri nodded gingerly. Izuku hesitated but slowly tucked her in regardless. He walked across the room and over to the light switch. He looked back, to see the small girl shaking.

''Eri, are you sure you're alright?'' He dropped his hand off the wall and walked over.

''Izu…'' She immediately untucked herself to wrap her arms around him. Izuku rested on his knees so she didn't have to sit up too far.

''Is it the dark?'' He pondered aloud as he stroked her hair.

''Mhmm.'' Eri responded, still shaking. ''It reminds me of back then. When the men would come and cut me up. They'd just leave me in the dark after they were done…'' Eri wasn't crying, but she was close to it.

Izuku quickly thought this through. He'd babysat Eri a bunch of times now, but only at UA. He'd never had to put her to bed before.

''Well… how about I tell you a story?'' He smiled down at her. Eri nodded, clearly all too open to the idea.

''Alright, I'll tell you about my very first Basic Hero Training class! When All Might was still muscly!'' He mimed a bodybuilder flex, and Eri's excitement grew. She loved hearing about All Might's glory days. Especially from the man himself. Izuku slowly pushed her back down to the bed and tucked her in, but made sure he was within arm's reach of her, just in case.

''Right, where do I start? Ah, when we all came out in our costumes! I had a big green suit with big bunny ears! Oh, you should've seen Momo! And All Might, he had this big cape that-''

[][][]

Aizawa slammed the door shut and locked the car. Emi was slightly ahead of him, already opening the door to the house. They closed the door behind them as quietly as possible. After all, if Izuku had done his job, they wouldn't want to wake up Eri.

Aizawa noticed the flicker of the TV in the dimly lit house. He peered into the living room, to see Izuku staring at his phone with tired eyes.

''Midoriya.'' The greenette slowly pivoted his head.

''Sorry we're late, kid.''

''It's fine.''

''We promised to be back at 10. It's almost 11:30. That is not fine.'' Emi said softly, keeping her voice a hush.

''It's fine, I promise. Eri was perfect.''

''Well we could at least pay you a little more.'' Aizawa placed a hand on his shoulder.

''Well I did buy Eri her ice cream, I suppose.'' Izuku admitted with a grin.

''What?'' Aizawa seemed genuinely confused.

''Oh, sorry.'' Izuku said as he turned to Emi. ''Her ice cream.'' He said with a wink. Emi looked equally confused.

''I don't understand either, Izuku.'' The woman admitted as she placed her purse on the dining table.

''Eri said you give her ice cream every night after dinner. And that you don't tell Aizawa-sensei.'' Izuku tried explaining it as if she'd forgotten.

''I never give her ice cream. Once she has a mouthful she wants the whole tub.'' Emi raised a brow. And then it dawned on them.

'I've been had.' Izuku sighed deeply.

''Hmmph. Maybe I'm rubbing off on her too much.'' Aizawa admitted with a proud smirk.

Upstairs, Eri slept soundly with a small smile. Thanks to Izuku, she had satiated her ice cream addiction. And she was that little bit less afraid of the dark.

Hello. We're over 100 followers in barely a week and a half! Thank you all so much!

Little reference to AkeenCarter's stories in here too!

We'll have a few more chapters of Izuku and 3-A's last few weeks at UA, before they all fly the coop.

There'll be a fair bit more action in the next few chapters too!

Next chapter: 3-A and 3-B have one last joint training exercise!

See ya next time!