Domestic Heroes: The Early Moments

Final Moment: Welcome to the Family

"...I can't believe we're actually doing this. I mean, this is something that I was expecting to happen eventually, but not for another few years at least. Not to mention we're skipping a few steps to get to this point. Hmm… This is going to change everything. It won't be easy, not by a long shot, but Ochako and I should be able to handle this. We have to. For her sake…"

Izuku grunted to himself as he looked at the documents in his hands intensely. He was sitting in his living room after doing a bit of cleanup and was taking a small break when he came across the papers he left on the table. Before he even realized it, he found himself on his couch and going through everything that was written, a serious expression marred his face as he did so. It was a habit whenever he was reading important works, and what he had was no different. What he had in his hands, however, was different from the documents he normally read. Even though he was still relatively new in the hero scene, he would sometimes get classified information on cases he worked on due to his association with Gran Torino and, occasionally, Endeavor through his friend Shoto Todoroki.

In his hands, however, were documents that were more important to him than anything regarding hero work. They were, after all, the key to give a certain child the life that they deserved…

"Deku! The room's finished! Could you come here and check to see how it looks? You know her preferences more than I… Oh." Ochako's voice called out from another room, growing quiet when she no doubt saw Izuku on the couch with the documents. "Reading through them again, huh? Can't say I'm surprised. I did the same thing myself before I started with her new room. This is a big step for all of us, after all. I'm still in disbelief that this is actually happening, to be honest."

"Me too. I mean, I know we made the decision already back at Aizawa's apartment a few weeks back, but it still hasn't fully sunk in that we're...you know," Izuku said, fumbling when he gestured to the papers in his hand, were a certain name popped out amongst the hundreds of words: Eri Midoriya.

"Technically speaking, it's you who's gonna be a parent. I'm just along for the ride," Ochako joked as she sat down next to Izuku.

"She may have my family's name, but she's under both our care. You're gonna be a mother just as much as I'm gonna be a father," Izuku countered before backing away with a bewildered expression. "Wow… I never thought I'd hear myself say that. Not this soon at least."

"Glad to know you've been thinking of us having a family in the future," Ochako said with a laugh, causing Izuku to blush when he realized what he said, before hearing his partner sigh. "Still, to think that the two of us are going to become legal guardians to Eri now. It's only been a couple months at most since her last visit and now she's gonna be with us permanently. Things are going to be very different here from now on… I hope the two of us will be able to handle it."

"I'm sure we will, Ochako. We've dealt with tough situations like this in the past and this is no different. At least we won't be alone in this endeavor. We have another companion with us that'll make things easier, even if he does sometimes steals things and set our stuff on fire," Izuku assured as he placed an arm around Ochako and turned his head towards the television, where a certain orange tabby was looking back at him with 'innocent' eyes.

Indeed, the couple and cat were about to gain a new member to their home in the form of their most recent visitor: Eri. Only a week or so after she had returned to Aizawa, the couple were called by said man to help take care of Eri, who had gotten sick at the time. During that time the two showed how well they did in trying to make the young girl feel better and that, combined with the knowledge of the visit and past experiences in UA, prompted their former teacher to request that the pair take her in. Apparently the underground hero's life was going to be much busier in the coming future, and as a result, he would not be able to provide Eri with the attention and care that she would require for much longer. Because of that, he had been looking for someone to take her in, and that was where Ochako and Izuku came to the picture. He had other options in mind to raise the girl, but those options were in similar situations as him or were already too busy with their own lives to be able to raise a child. Izuku and Ochako, on the other hand, proved to be able to handle it thanks to Eri's visit and the recent trip to Aizawa's apartment to help heal the girl solidified the fact.

When the man proposed the question to the pair on the day the two came to see the sick child, they were stunned to say the least, and initially declined the offer, suggesting that there were other people better qualified to raise Eri. Aizawa, however, countered their points by explaining the situations of the ones they thought would be good at raising Eri and pointing out how efficient they were in trying to heal the sickly girl just moments before he made the proposal...even if it did require Ochako to take over his kitchen for a moment. With other points brought out, along with memories of the recent visit, the pair relented and accepted their offer, effectively becoming Eri's new parents in all but name. It was going to be a challenge for them, do doubt about it, but after seeing the look on the recovered Eri's face when she was told the news…they were determined to make it work.

It also helped that some of their friends pitched in to help when they heard the news.

"We really need to thank Yaomomo and Todoroki for providing us with a new TV for Eri and Kaminari that game system. That will help ease her boredom a little when both of us are busy on weekends," Ochako said absentmindedly while laying her head on Izuku's shoulder.

"Yeah. And Ashido made a good call with the paint combinations for Eri's room. The color really suits her. Though I have to wonder where Asui got all those stuffed animals and art supplies," Izuku mused as he looked down at the table in thought.

"I think most of them are gifts from her little sister. They hit it off really well when they first met, so it shouldn't be surprising to hear that she asked Tsu to give Eri some of her stuffed animals once she heard about the move," Ochako suggested, getting a nod from Izuku in response.

*knock knock*

"The door? Is Eri here already? I thought she wasn't coming for another few hours…" Izuku questioned as he got up from the couch to answer the door, only to jump in surprise when he saw who was visiting. "A-Aizawa, sir! W-We weren't expecting to see you so soon! Is Eri with you?"

"Not at the moment. She's in UA right now saying goodbye to the instructors there. Not like she needed to, though. She's only moving to another apartment, not another city…" The tired form of Shota "Eraserhead" Aizawa grumbled before quirking an eyebrow at Izuku's direction. "...Checking out the forms again? It still hasn't sunk in yet that you and Uraraka are now Eri's legal guardians, I assume."

"And an official member of the family to boot. I wasn't expecting to have her be adopted under my name when Ochako and I agreed to take her in...but I honestly can't complain…" Izuku confessed while smiling fondly at the papers before the sound of someone clearing their throat snapped him out of it. "Oh! S-Sorry, sir! Please come in! Do you want anything to drink? I can get you something if you-"

"Calm down, Problem Child, you're acting like you did back in UA when you did something stupid," The man said as he entered the appartment, looking around the place and nodding slightly in approval. "This is a good home for Eri. It's close to the school she's being transferred to, your respective jobs are close by so you can get to her quick, and some of your former classmates live nearby, so they would be able to assist you faster than if she stayed with me."

"Aizawa!" Ochako exclaimed in a startled manner, practically flying off her couch while Mikan turned to the tired man with interest.

"At ease, Uraraka. I'm simply here to see if this place is good for Eri to stay in for formality's sake. I'm confident enough that you two would be able to take care of her well enough in a place like this, but Social Services would get on my case if I don't do at least this," The man said evenly as Mikan started limping over to him, causing a tiny smile to form on his face. "Personally, a check in is completely unnecessary. Any place that is home to a properly-cared rescue cat is more than a suitable place to me. It also shows me that you two are capable of adapting to additional members in your household."

I would argue that raising a cat is a lot different than raising a child, but considering Mikan's human level intelligence and general attitude, it really does feel like we've been raising a sweet, if mischievous, child for a year. Izuku thought in defeat as he watched Mikan rub its face on his former teacher's leg.

"You make a good point, sir. Taking care of Mikan has been like taking care of a kid of our own. I guess we were more prepared to take Eri in than I thought," Ochako said as she walked over to Aizawa and picked Mikan up from the floor, who then proceeded to bat at his scarf playfully.

"You just barely see it now. You two have been on my list ever since you took in the tabby. Anyone who can give a home to someone who has a similar history to our principal is more than ready to take in a child. The fact that you two were part of the group that rescued her in the first place just adds to your credibility. Social Services really need to get their eyes checked when I decide who is capable of raising a time-bending super kid," The man scoffed while gently patting Mikan on the head, causing both hosts to sweatdrop at both his words and his interaction with their cat.

"Glad to know you have so much confidence in us, sir…" Izuku said with a sheepish laugh as he moved to stand beside Ochako, flinching when Aizawa turned to him with a glare.

"That is because I have seen what both of you are capable of. I know your personalities. Your strengths and weaknesses. If I wasn't confident in you two to take Eri in, I wouldn't have asked in the first place. If anything, you two need to be more confident with yourselves," The man stated sternly, his words causing both Izuku and Ochako to look at him in shock as he let out a disgruntled sigh. " You have proven time and again that you are able to pull off the most difficult of tasks and come out on top. This is no different. If you don't think you can't handle this, that you two are truly not ready for this, then hurry up and tell me. I'll be able to take Eri in for a little longer until I find someone else, and I'm sure she'll understand, if a little disappointed, that you two aren't able to take her in with how busy you two can be."

The couple flinched at the disappointed tone in the hero's voice, turning to each other unsurely as they processed what he said. Were they truly ready to take Eri in? It was true that their lives have been fairly busy as of late. The only reason they were able to watch over Eri so well during her last visit was because Ochako was on medical leave, giving her the time needed to be with the girl. Even with the additional help they'll most likely get from their peers, it would be very difficult to make the time to give Eri the proper care and attention she needed. Did they jump the gun when they accepted Aizawa's request? Were they too caught up in the moment to properly think that they were ready. Can they-

"Meku! Rocha!"

The two jumped again, this time to see Mikan, who had left Ochako's grasp and was now in Aizawa's, staring back at them intensely and having actually attempted to speak. It was a very rare occurrence to hear the cat attempt to talk, and every time it surprised them. The two were confused for a moment, wondering why their cat chose now to attempt to talk to them, when they realized what it was trying to convey. They were ready to take Eri in because, as Aizawa pointed out earlier, they had experience raising Mikan; the cat that acted more human than animal. A being that was no different than their former principal, and have done so for a significant amount of time. Ever since the pair rescued it during their first joint mission together, the two spared no expense in taking care of it like it was their own. To them, Mikan really was a son to them, and Mikan believed them to be its parents. And now, it was reaffirming that fact. That they were more than capable of taking in another… That Eri would be ok living with them…

That it was more than happy to have another addition to the family.

"...You're right, sir. We are more than able to take Eri in," Izuku said firmly with a nod.

"It won't be easy, but neither was raising Mikan. If we can handle him, then Eri will be no problem at all," Ochako assured with her fists up to her chest.

"Hmph. Now that's what I like to see. Can't believe it took a cat looking at you funny to find your resolve again, but I suppose I can't complain," Aizawa said with a soft chuckle as Mikan lept out of his arms and onto Izuku's shoulders. "Well, looks like you're all set. I'll go get Eri, then. Good luck with parenthood, you two. Consider this...practice for what's to come in your inevitable future. So long as you stay out of trouble at least…"

The two blushed hard, their previous intensity quickly replaced with embarrassment as they watched Aizawa leave their home with a satisfied smirk. Even Mikan was snickering at their expense, much to their annoyance. Desperate to get their minds out of the gutter, the two went back to their cleaning, making sure everything was ready for their new arrival. It was only an hour after Aizawa's visit that the door was being knocked again, and this time the couple knew who it was. With bright smiles on their faces, the two raced over to the doorway, Mikan still on Izuku's shoulder, and proceeded to bring in the newest member of their family to her new home.

It was the start of a new life for Izuku and Ochako, but they can handle it. They were up and coming heroes after all. And whatever challenge they face, they face them together…

"Hi, Deku… Hi Ocha… Hi Mikan… I…I'm home."

"Hi, Eri. Welcome home."

"Welcome home, sweetie."

"Reri. Mome."

…Together as a family. And…as Domestic Heroes.

Author's Note:

And that is that, Heroes! Hope you all enjoyed Domestic Heroes: The Early Moments! I know I enjoyed writing it. It's...honestly been quite some time since I've finished a work like this. It feels nice to finally have a completed project after all this time. Kinda surprised I managed to pull it off, considering my busy schedule, but hey, I can't complain!

Now, with this story, and IzuOcha week done, I am gonna be focusing on a major project for a while. Right now I'm in the process of reworking Trials of the Trickster, actually rewriting parts of it to make it look nicer and flow better. I won't be removing chapters this time, but I do suggest you check in every so often to see the changes. The refined story is also going to be ported over to Ao3, so those of you who prefer that site will have a good time. While I'm working on that, I am also going to try and finish My Anniversary Academia and try and port Domestic Heroes: Road to Matrimony over here as well. Hopefully my motivation won't leave me partway through again. Sadly, Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride might end up being removed at some point. I haven't been able to come up with anything for it for quite some time and I even lost what little I had planned for it. Apologies for those who actually liked it, but it is for the best. In any event, thank you all so much for following The Early Moments! It means so much to me that you all stuck around for it! I wish you all a wonderful day and I will see you in the next story! Until next time, then. Remember to always Go Beyond! Plus Ultra!

See you soon, Heroes! And look forward to what's to come...Tricksters. The Royal is almost among us, after all...