Chapter Thirty-Six

Dabi stared at the figure on the ground, sleeping the world away. But for someone who has a fire quirk, this guy doesn't know how to use them. He's shivering in the cold air and the floor. He's not even having a peaceful sleep with how furrowed his brows. So different from the sleep he usually had even in the den of villains. Sighing, he crouched down and slung the duffel bag across his body before picking him up.

As if he found refuge, the brunet let out a breath of relief and snuggled to his shoulder. Turquoise blue met amber orange when the latter peeked from their hidings. A small smile was made before they closed again.

"You remind me of Shouto, Dabi-san." The brunet remarked in a soft voice. "Warm but cold at the same time."

He kept his heart from hammering as he started to walk. "The Todoroki kid?"

"Hm." A small hum of yes. "Tomura-san won't be mad?"

"I don't know. I'm kidnapping you." He answered.

"You're not a harsh kidnapper." The brunet chuckled. "Thank you."

Dabi thought of how weird it is to feel so comfortable with a teen who he should be dumping somewhere or already killing for saying something like that. But he can't. For some unknown reason, he just can't. He's just so warm and cheery, that he disregarded what he knew about the brunet. Of what kind of power he has.

When Shigaraki tried to scout the brunet, Dabi didn't say a thing. His gut told him to play it all out, that he won't like it if he says anything. And honestly, he doesn't want to be in Spinner's position that time. To be controlled to put a dagger by his neck? That's terrifying. He should be mocking the brunet about his profession too. To have millions of unwashed deaths in his hands while doing vigilante, isn't that hypocrisy? He killed a lot, yet he's trying to save people. Regardless of how much he atones, he can never wash those out. He can never erase the deeds he did.

But then again, he didn't say he was looking for a way to wash those off.

When he entered their hideout, the first to see him was Magician. The villain stepped back after seeing the fellow he's carrying. Next was Spinner, who instantly backed away, as he made his way to his own room. Then Shigaraki, who stared at the brunet with his red eyes. As if unable to take the sight, he averted his eyes. Dabi proceeded to open the door of his room and go in. He placed the brunet on his bed before sitting down by the side. The teen curled, breathing even and brows not furrowed anymore.

"Is that Tsuna?" He glanced at Toga who peered over. "He's so cute!"

"He's sleeping, crazy head." He motioned, looking over to the brunet again.

"Aw. That's not nice. I want to play."

"Maybe tomorrow. Now go and close the door." He shooed as he dropped the bag off the side.

Touga gave a loopy smile before taking the knob. "Be gentle, okay?"

The blondie giggled and slammed the door shut before he can even move. He rolled his eyes before pushing the kid to the other side. 'Tsuna' complied, rolling over to give him space. Dabi removed his jacket before laying on the space. He closed his eyes and basked himself to the comfortable silence. When he woke up, a hand is combing his hair and he can hear someone humming and singing a foreign song.

Tsuna's eyes are darker shade of caramel, almost brown, staring ahead with so much unreadable emotions. Then when he realized it, the song being sang sounded sad. English and depressing. The hand on his hair is warm though. He blinked when he thought of their position. Shit. He's curled around the brunet.

"Awake?" Tsuna hummed, brown eyes gazing at him. "Not to offend, but you're cute when you just woke up."

"Even with my scars?" He queried as he sat up. "You're bluffing."

"Hey. Can't I compliment someone I want to compliment?" The brunet pouted before giving him a sun worth of smile. "Thanks for taking me out of the street last night. I must have been pretty heavy to carry."

"You're fat." He jabbed as he went out of the bed.

"I'm a growing teen, Dabi-san. Hmp." Tsuna harrumphed.

"Why were you outside?" He asked, eyeing the kid. "You should be in your house at this time, kid."

Brown eyes gave him a calculating gaze before answering. "It's best for me to keep that a secret, Dabi-san. I don't want you bashing on my Dad anytime now. You know how I get really really possessive."

Dabi remembered the threat the brunet told them for that brat and the hitman. "Right."

"Thanks." The brunet cheered.

The next following days were a little eventful. Tsuna slid in to their group like he has been with them. Whenever they do a meeting, he'll go to Dabi's room, listening to his music while staring at his and Dad's pictures. He saw him talking with Toga at some point, gushing over Izuku Midoriya. He even talks about food with Kurogiri, and helping him with the preparation. Spinner avoids him at all cost with Magne and Magician. Tsuna doesn't mind. He just looks at them funnily.

He noticed how those brown eyes turn caramel again. Whenever he comes back from a trip, Tsuna will greet him with 'welcome back'. At first, it didn't settle well for him. Even the others were the same. But it didn't deter the brunet, until they got a hang of it and say it when someone came back from a round trip. It was obvious it amuses the kid with how bright and sparkling his eyes were.

Dabi sighed as he turns off the shower. He took his pants and slipped them on before getting a towel to dry his hair. When he went out, he was greeted with Tsuna spewing off sound effects while playing a game on his phone. He shook his head and went for his shirt. He shrugged it on and was about to get the dye for his hair when he heard the brunet shout.

"No! Don't dye it yet!" Tsuna shouted, moving out of their shared bed.

"Why not?" He questioned while patting his drying white locks. "It's dreadful."

"Dabi-sa-" He sent a glare, causing the kid to cough and gave a bashful grin while strolling towards him. It took a while to make the kid call him without any polite suffixes. "Dabi, I know you hate them but let me enjoy the small mercies of your hair, yeah? Dude. It's cute. You should look at it from my perspective."

He stared hard at the brunet who is trying to reach his hair. For some reason, he didn't mind. He trusts the kid not to kiss and tell it to anyone. "How did you know?"

"About you being a Todoroki?" The brunet hummed while tugging his hair like a toddler would do. He bended down a little to offer. "The eyes. Shouto has the same eye, although the other came from your Mom. Also Fuyumi-san and Natsuo-san. Did you know that Shouto wants me to call them Fuyumi-nee and Natsuo-nii? Wait. Should I call you Dabi-nii?"

"No way." He cringed, earning a hearty laugh as warm hands played with his hair.

He remembered the first time Tsuna saw his hair. Like awhile ago, he just went out of the bathroom when the brunet came in. He almost shoot off his quirk in defense, but the way those caramel eyes widened in delight and his mouth went gape in wonder was really misleading. Tsuna locked the door behind him and started to gush over his hair, saying how nice it is, how it looks so white and snowy and light, and how he wants to play with. It resulted to an hour of being patted on the hair. The brunet even washed his hands first before playing with it. How considerate.

For someone who has quite a past and tipping insanity, Tsuna is a kid at heart. Whenever he sees Toga, he cheers. Whenever he sees Twice, he beams. Whenever he sees the others, he smiles childishly. And whenever he sees Dabi, he becomes giddy. He even expressed how light he feels by being with them. It must be a breath of fresh air for the kid to have a sense of normalcy around him, after going all depressed about the misunderstanding he elicited between him and Eraserhead.

What surprises Dabi is how much he tolerates the kid. He's always patient with Tsuna. He always finds himself going for the kid's whims. Besides, Tsuna is the same with him, patient. Whenever he feels thrash talking about some heroes, the brunet won't stop him from doing it. Just as long as it's not his Dad or the people he knows. He's a good listener. And nothing can be hidden from him. It's like he's all-knowing. He knows things, he points out things, he can connect hints and he's never wrong. Like how he deduced his and the Todoroki's relationship.

"I'm going out tomorrow." He stared at those dimming caramel eyes that is staring at his too. "My stay is overdue. I don't want you to feel like I'm taking advantage of your generosity."

He nodded. "Point taken."

"Tell Ninja turtle-"

"Ha?"

"Spinner? Ninja turtle?" The brunet elaborated while stepping back. "Tell him that Chi- I mean Stain-san told you to keep it up, don't underestimate your opponents, and change the hero society by acknowledging the heroes and purging the phonies. Exact words."

"You can really talk to him." He stated, shocked for the first time.

"I'm permitted to talk to him for hours." Tsuna shrugged while going for the bed. "Vigilantes have more or less platonic relationships. Well, it depends on the person. My relationship with Stain-san is pretty much on the friendly side. He doesn't mind my blabbering and he tolerates my antics. Add on the fact he knows me well enough to predict what mood I am, as I do to his, we have mutual understanding."

Dabi contemplated. "Your 'friends' don't mind?"

"They know what I think of the laws, Dabi." The brunet dropped himself on the hard bed. "Vigilantes are considered lawbreakers, you know. So I have no second thoughts of breaking it." Amused caramel eyes directed to him. "It's just a matter of stealth, innocent looks and good use of words to not get caught. And of course, invading the media."

He chuckled as he took the dye for his hair. "Don't give me tips, I want to be famous."

"Aw. Maybe you should make a video of yourself?" The brunet suggested. "A YouTube channel?"

"Not that famous." He dismissed and about to close the door when he noticed those caramel eyes staring at him. "What?"

"I don't want you to give me a promise, but can you not hurt Shouto?" Tsuna requested, curling to his side. "He's a good friend of mine. I'll hate it if I see you two beat each other up."

"If I was the old me, I will make a promise, Tsuna. But I'm not. So I can't say anything. Perfect puppet is worth to break."

The brunet turned away instead. "Go on."

Dabi shook his head and closed the door.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?"

Shigaraki looked up to see their visitor peering from the door.

For someone who is working alongside the heroes, Tsunayoshi Sawada never eavesdrops on them. He even offer services like taking a trip to the stores to help Twice gather supplies and food for them. He respects privacy and leaves them alone to discuss. Magne always alerts him too if Tsunayoshi Sawada is somewhere near to their meeting vicinity, but so far, none. He hasn't made a move to report them to the authorities even. He doesn't know if the vigilante is being rational or grateful to their 'hospitality'.

"I just wanna rely a message." The brunet informed before stepping by the entry. "From All for One-san."

His heart pounded as he scrabbled to get up. "Sensei?"

Tsunayoshi Sawada nodded. "I talked to him before Dabi found me. It's short and a little cryptic, and took me hours to decipher."

He moved forward. "What is it? What did he say?"

"He said continue fighting Tomura. And trust your judgements."

Shigaraki fell on his knees, heaving pants of breaths. His world had only revolve around his sensei. To leave him behind to All Might to pulverize without any help from them angered him. Still angers him up until now. He will make his sensei proud by doing the same to those heroes. He will make them see the justice he wants them to feel from him. He'll kill all of them and-

He blinked when he felt arms around his shoulders. He can hear the owner saying 'there there' and 'everything will be alright'. Breathing in, he closed his eyes and let himself bask to the small (it's never small. Always big and providing) warmth the brunet is offering. The arms tightened around him and he can feel a hand patting his shoulder in a slow, comforting way.

Tsunayoshi Sawada, as he deemed it from that time in mall, is an enigma. At first, he despised him for helping All Might after their attack in UA. Even helping Eraserhead who is a disturbance. The eraser hero could've been dead by now, or can't use long term of his quirk if the brunet didn't come in the picture. Additional to that is when the teen called him a 'hypocrite'. It was a jab to his ideology. But when that event in the mall where he talked to Midoriya happened, he couldn't help thinking about the vigilante.

He remembers how the soft voice of the brunet reprimanded him. The firm yet gentle grip on his wrist. The small smile. The apology. The respectful bow. Even the politeness by calling him with '-san'. The comforting feeling from the brunet is so mind lingering that Shigaraki always goes back to that time. Then imagine his surprise when he saw the teen rolling in with Katsuki Bakugou and holding his classmate in a protective embrace.

It's a shame he doesn't want to be a villain. His power will be a good asset.

"Calm enough?" The brunet queried.

"Let go of me." He groaned.

The arms retracted with a chuckle from the brunet. "Anyway, I'm going out today. Keep safe yeah?"

"Go away." He growled before peeking at those warm caramel eyes. They seem brighter than some days ago.

"Alright." The brunet stood up and adjusted his bag. "I'm going. Bye Tomura-san."

"You're not going to report us?" He can't avoid asking as the teen goes for the door.

"Nope." Then he was given a warm grateful smile. "This is not my business. Thank you for the hospitality though."

"We're going to be enemies the next time we see each other." He stated.

Tsunayoshi Sawada stopped by the door and looked back to him. "I know I'm supposed to prepare for the future. It's an SOP for someone like me. But I'm depending this on how much damage you may do. I can't stop you from doing something and antagonizing the heroes, nor hurt those I deem important to me. So all I could advice is while you're at it, I'll try my best to minimize the damage and casualties with my Dying Will. So," Then a smirk of challenge. "do your worst, yeah?"

Shigaraki blinked before he laughed. The audacity! He smirked, accepting the challenge.

Shouta perked up when his phone rang. He blinked his eyes to remove the sleepiness before paying attention to what he was doing. He has papers and pens in front of him, one still in hand. Right, he was doing some reviews about his students. Those problem children, making his head ache.

He looked at the clock as he reached out for his phone. Past one in midnight. At a time like this, he'll be at the bed after Tsuna ushered him to sleep from too much yawning, or probably on the couch with his son, both asleep. He sighed and dragged the 'receive' upwards without looking at the caller. He misses his son.

"Hello?" He greeted.

"D-Dad." A soft orotund voice called.

"Tsuna?" He quickly asked as he stood up. Now that he realized it, the voice cracked. "Where are you? What happened?"

"K-Kaasan woke up. S-She w-wants to m-meet you. S-She's... T-They w-won't last l-long."

Shouta immediately went for his room to get his sweatshirt. "I'll be there."

A shuddered breath. "O-Okay."

He quickly wrapped his capture weapon around his neck. "Wait for me."

"B-Be careful on t-the way. I-I don't w-want to l-lose you too."

It's like his heart was gripped by a hand and stabbed by millions of knives with those words. "You won't, I promise."

He immediately went out to the balcony and started to scale the buildings after closing the door behind him. For a moment during his flight, the world is quiet and the air is not as cold as he remembers it.

It's turning a month since Tsuna went out. He had been outside every night too, to see if he can catch a glimpse of his son. For someone who values family, Tsuna can go miles of not contacting anyone. No messages. No emails. No calls. Not even a heads up. If Shinsou and Bakugou didn't tell him that the brunet went to them, he won't know. He even heard from Tsukauchi that Tsuna visited Stain and All for One all of his own, and it was too late for him to catch the brunet. He did get a lot of insult from Stain when he visited. He felt like a bad parent.

Maybe it was a punishment for him too, instead of what Tsuna said as a space. He knew what his fault was. He should've told the brunet what he wanted to do by going outside. He should've told him that he wants to think first. But maybe... It was also for the best. Cause if Tsuna didn't go, Shouta knows to himself that he'll act differently around him. It was his initial thought when he was going home after a trip and came upon their apartment empty. He'll be formal, guarded and respectful to the fifty-five years old ex-mafia boss who became a vigilante group leader in his house.

But after some thoughts, he realized how stupid he was. Tsuna trusted him enough to tell him who he really is. He never lied at some point, always asking him to be patient even before he said anything. Isn't that the reason why Tsuna broke down? Why he said his heart felt so heavy and he feels guilty for hiding things from him? The brunet has been transparent to him since then. Since he was four. The maturity he never let anyone see other than him. The protective streaks, the deep talks, the right advices and world rocking opinions. Tsuna was, is and will always be honest to him.

He has been his son through and through.

When he got to the hospital, the doctors and nurses, who know his son by heart since he was four, appeared sullen. Nurse Kayano, the in-charge of the couples progress, ran him down of what has been happening for the past three days as they go for the ward.

Three days ago, Tsuna came in the hospital with his bag, smiling at them. They have asked the child what the bag was for, and he told them that he felt like camping in his parents' room. Since they know he won't do anything, they permitted without telling Shouta. He was never out of the hospital, charging his phone in the hallway and eating his food in the cafeteria. Although he didn't ask for a futon, they provided for him. And just that midnight, Nurse Kayano stumbled on Tsuna conversing with an awake Nana Sawada. And by the look on the brunet's sad face, she got alerted. They all deduced that the couple won't stay long enough.

When they arrived by the ward, Doctor Higashi and Doctor Masaru, Nana's and Iemitsu's doctors respectively, were outside and waiting. He gave them a nod before he opened the door. Chatter and laughter were heard as he entered. Two, almost, identical caramel eyes looked at him. Tsuna's eyes are red rimmed. And he just knew that his son is trying his hardest not to cry. He crossed the distanced and noticed that Nana is laying beside the sleeping Iemitsu. Tsuna must have transferred her by request.

"Oh. You're Shouta Aizawa?" Nana queried with a warm smile, eyes crinkling in delight. "My. Thank you for taking care of my Tsu-kun."

"Kaasan." Tsuna called out.

"It's a pleasure." He replied, putting a hand on the fluffy head. "He's not a troublesome child, nor a demanding one."

"I know. He has been quiet about his demands. Never the fussy one, isn't he?" Then she smiled at Tsuna. "Can you leave us, Tsu-kun? I want to talk to Aizawa-san."

Tears streamed down the brunet's eyes as they closed. The teen took a shuddered breath before standing up, opening his eyes and gave a brilliant smile. "Okay."

He watched Tsuna drop a kiss on his mother's head, murmuring 'I love you', 'I'll miss you', and 'you'll always be in my heart'. He did the same thing to Iemitsu. Even when he sobbed and hiccuped, he never let his smile drop. Nana smiled back, reaching out to wipe the tears away before pinching the cheek. She pointed out how cute Tsuna is, making the two laugh while he smiled at the interaction.

Even after eleven years of not having each other, the love is still there. Their family is so wholesome. So warm. Before Tsuna went out, he took Shouta's hand and squeezed it. He squeezed back before both of them let go.

"Come sit, Aizawa-san." Nana invited with a smile. He did, taking Tsuna's old spot. "Tsu-kun had said a lot about you for years."

Shouta blinked. "You can hear him."

"Yes. He's such a sweetheart, even if he's not really our son." The lady giggled at his expression. He knows he looked shock. "We kinda have a suspicion after two months since the villain attack in the mall. He admitted it months ago. I can hear his voice cracking that time. Regardless of his age, he still has a fragile heart."

"I know."

"He told you, didn't he? It's the reason why he has been staying here. He won't tell me things, but he did say he had been out and staying with people he knows. Oh, don't be ashame. Even I was surprised with his revelation. I cannot fault you of your reaction."

"But he has been with me for eleven years. I should've acted mature." He lamented.

Nana giggled again. "But seeing how you looked at him awhile ago, I dare say you've accepted his origin and regards him as your son again."

"If he wants me to."

"He always will, Aizawa-san. He never bragged anyone to me as much as he did about you. He always says Dad did this, Dad did that. Dad was like this, Dad was like that. He was so contented of being with you and Yamada-san. And he will forever be your son in his mind."

Shouta closed his eyes and sighed in relief. "Thank you."

"Oh. Don't thank me yet." The lady dismissed as he opened his eyes. "Will you humor me, Aizawa-san?"

He stood straighter. "Yes."

"I know the moment I close my eyes, I'll be gone. Same with my husband. Tsu-kun knows this as well. And my only wish is to make you promise to never let go of my son. To attain full custody of him and take care of him. Iemitsu will tell you the same thing if he's awake now." She smiled softly. "I know my real son had died a long time ago, but the Tsu-kun now is nothing less like him. Regardless of what world he came from, he's still my son. And I will do anything for my precious child. Will you do that for me? Be his mother and father, his adviser, best friend and pillar after we're gone?"

Shouta smiled and nodded. "I promise with my life." Then he remembered the usual phrase Tsuna says. "With my Dying Will that I will never let him go. Death will only be the reason for us to part, Sawada-san."

Nana sighed, hugging her husband as she closed her eyes. "Then I can rest peacefully."

Shouta hurriedly stood up and opened the door as Iemitsu's heart monitor started to flat line. The doctors and nurses came in while he went out. Tsuna stood by the side, a hand gripping his shirt by the chest while the other is gripping the end of it. What's so heartbreaking about this, is how those tears continuously flow with his eyes rid of their caramel color and replaced with brown ones. Tsuna's parents are being revived, yet his son knows it's too late.

He took the courage and stepped forward. Brown eyes turned to him as he nears. He didn't need to give a warning as he hugged the brunet to his chest. Tsuna didn't immediately hug him back. It took seconds before he did as he sobbed and wailed. All Shouta could do is let him cry in his arms and chest.

"It's alright." He whispered as he assisted the child to his knees. Tsuna's legs must have weakened. "It's alright." He assured while gathering him between his legs and buried his face to the fluffy hair. "I'm here, Tsuna. Dad's here."