The whole group entered the older Midoriya's hospital room. They had earned quite a lot of looks on their way there, in the hallway and even outside where they had parked the car. Not that anyone of them cared though. They were an odd group and they knew it. Just let the people stare. They'll get tired and stop soon.

Kurogiri was carrying Izuku, who was slowly waking up. The boy kept making these adorable sounds as he snuggled deeper to Kurogiri's chest. It sounded like a tiny puppy or kitten.

None of the adults in the room were female but that noise definitely awakened some sort of a nursing instinct in them. Everyone just melted at the sight and the noise.

Aizawa would've loved to be in Kurogiri's situation right now. The man seemed to notice the staring and tightened his grip on the boy. He shot a joking glare at Aizawa. The raven head would get the boy back. All Kurogiri wanted was to hold his little godchild when he finally had the chance. He hadn't been able to do so in a very long time.

"Evening", Aizawa waved and sat down. His seat was still there.

The guard was silent but he kept looking at the Villain first, then Aizawa for answers. He was sure there was some really good explanation to this all. This man in front of him was a dangerous Villain and he was carrying the child. The guard knew that the heroes wouldn't let someone dangerous do such a thing.

"Good evening", Kurogiri greeted too, "I heard you are Hisashi's guard. Pleased to meet you. Sorry for the possible trouble he has caused you."

"N-No! It's my job!" the guard stuttered, "He hasn't been difficult at all. The opposite I might even say."

"That's good to hear. Manners haven't exactly been his forte before."

"He has been very polite. I'm not sure how he acts around others but he is one of my easiest customers in years", the guard laughed nervously and nodded. He could understand what the man was about. It was hard to think that someone with an arrest could be nice to others. But people could change and the guard wanted to believe that. Otherwise, it would've been very hard to do the job he did.

"Anything new from the doctor?" Mic asked. He sat on the floor next to his former roommate. He couldn't think of anything else. He carefully placed a hand onto Aizawa's leg and when the man didn't swat it away, he smiled and left it there. He would try and put his head there too after trying this one for some minutes. Either Aizawa was tired or he was in a good mood for once. Either way, Mic would happily take it.

"Nothing much. He visited soon after you left", the guard explained, "There's some improvement in Mr. Midoriya's condition. The doctor said he was waking up in the morning. Told me the brain waves were near normal already and that it wouldn't be impossible if he woke up today."

"That's good to hear", Mic sighed, "Though I'm not sure if I want him to wake up just yet. I still feel like punching him in the face. But since I'm such a chivalrous man, I'm waiting until he wakes up. I wouldn't punch an unconscious man, no matter how nasty he is."

"We need to hear his reasons", Kurogiri stated, "At least I want to."

"He has to sign some papers for us as well. We need his word before we begin looking for a daycare for Izuku. His opinion holds a little weight but we need it", Aizawa agreed. He wanted to hear the man's explanation as well.

At that moment, All Might returned into the room. He had been talking to the nurses in the hallway and hadn't seen the group enter before. He froze as soon as he saw them. Two steaming cups of coffee in his hands. One for him and one for the guard. Guess it had been a bad morning when All Might chose to drink coffee.

"Hi", Kurogiri greeted the man like they had known each other for years.

"What is he doing here?! Why does he have Izuku?!" All Might roared. He had his fists up, ready to defend himself and everyone else.

The guard had saved the precious coffee. Seconds before it would've been too late and the liquid would've been on the floor. Quick reflexes were the key in this business.

"Calm down", Aizawa sighed, "Think a bit for once."

Mic nodded, waving his hand, "Yo, All Might. Surprise! You should've seen your face! Damn, I should've taken a picture!"

All Might stood still. His body was full of adrenalin. The mere sight of a Villain made his muscles tense up. He counted his breaths as they came out in short puffs of air. He managed to calm himself down considerably, giving him a chance to think.

"You're his friend aren't you?" All Might finally asked, nodding his head towards the patient's bed, "How do you know each other?"

"I'm Izuku's godfather as well. I've known the two for quite a while. I have baby pictures", Kurogiri explained, "I've been worried. Everyone else has too."

Aizawa wanted those pictures. He and the man would have a heart to heart after this.

All Might seemed to calm down some more. He sat down on his chair. He rested his head on his hands and let out a combination of a sigh and a laugh. This situation was just too bizarre.

"Three heroes and two Villains in a hospital room", he huffed, "This sounds like the beginning of a really bad joke."

Kurogiri's eyes narrowed, like the man was smiling. He clearly agreed.

"Oh, good morning Izuku. Did you have a nice nap?" Kurogiri focused his attention to the bundle in his hands. Izuku had begun moving and stretching his small body. The cute noises continued.

"Hmmm? What?" the boy mumbled with a loud yawn. He looked around, confused.

"I said 'Good morning'", if he wasn't before, Kurogiri was definitely smiling now.

"Is it morning?"

"It's just a saying. Don't dwell on it too much."

"Where are we?"

"In the hospital. Aizawa drove us here after you fell asleep. Nomu and Tomura are back home. Tomura didn't want to come and Nomu is guarding the house", in truth, Kurogiri hadn't wanted to take either one with him. It would've only caused more trouble than it was worth.

"Why are we in the hospital?" Izuku's head sprung up. He looked around frantically. Having spotted All Might, Aizawa and Mic, he seemed relieved.

He then turned to the guard and finally to the hospital bed, "Why is father in there? Why is he hurt?"

No one wanted to explain the situation to the boy. All averted their gazes. Mic even began to whistle. A bad habit of his. Aizawa hit him on the head for that.

"Your father got beaten up. You understand what that means, right?" it was the guard who finally spoke, "His head is hurt."

The man had experience with children. He was a father after all. He knew how to explain these sensitive things to the little ones. The tone of his voice was calm and he spoke to the child like to an individual. He looked Izuku in the eyes, choosing to stay seated. He looked much smaller that way.

"I want to see him", Izuku mumbled. His eyes were locked on the bed and its lone occupant.

Kurogiri looked for permission from the Heroes and the guard. When they nodded he lowered the boy down onto the floor.

Izuku ran straight to the bedside and climbed onto the stool the guard had vacated for him. He wouldn't reach properly otherwise. The guard railings on the sides didn't help either.

The boy didn't speak. He only stared. He stared at the equipment, the rise and fall of the chest and the face. He stared at his father's face the longest, carefully checking every detail of it.

"He looks different", Izuku mumbled quietly. He slowly reached out his hand to touch Hisashi's face. He traced the bandages and felt the stubble of growing beard and a mustache.

"How so?" Kurogiri asked, "How is he different?"

Aizawa and Mic were suddenly very grateful to the Villain. They couldn't have done anything in this situation. They were liked glued to their spots, just staring. As hard as it was to admit, Kurogiri knew the boy much better than any of them. He knew how to act in this situation. He knew what was best for the boy right now.

"He isn't tired", Izuku stared, "He isn't angry."

It was true. Hisashi looked almost peaceful just sleeping there on the bed.

Kurogiri could see none of his usual wrinkles and such. Like Izuku had said, Hisashi had always seemed tired and angry when he had seen the man. He looked so much younger now. He looked more handsome this way.

"Do you want to sit and wait until he wakes up? The doctor said that he might wake up soon" Kurogiri lowered himself to crouch next to the boy and the bed. He carefully reached to pet the boy's head.

Izuku allowed the comfort and nodded. He didn't acknowledge him, just nodded. His eyes were still focused on his father's face and didn't move from there.

The nurse came in at some point in the evening. She was positively surprised to see Izuku in there and went right in for a hug.

"Izuku darling!" she smiled, "It's so nice to see you again!"

Izuku hugged the nurse back. He was still seated next to the bed. He had been sitting completely still for over two hours already, to the amazement of the adults with him in the room.

"I should go fetch us some snacks!" the nurse clapped her hands together. She had introduced herself to Kurogiri, who had politely done the same. He explained that he had come in with Izuku and was a relative. She had been happy to hear that. The other family member she knew didn't seem that nice. At least this one did.

"Should I get you something?" the nurse asked the adults. She was going to get Izuku some jelly to snack on. She wanted to spoil the little one whenever she could. Maybe they still had some cookies in the break room.

"No thank you. We'll manage", Aizawa thanked her, "Some coffee would be nice though."

The guard agreed with a nod.

Kurogiri and All Might would take something else.

"Alright. I'll be back in a flash! I could try and catch the doctor on my way. He could explain everything to you all now that you are here."

"That would be nice", Kurogiri agreed.

"I'll do my best!"

Izuku got his artificially colored jelly. It was pink in color and was sweet like pure sugar. It jiggled and kept its form even when scooped up. The boy seemed to like it though as he smiled at the taste of the first spoonful.

Aizawa got goosebumps just looking at it. Once wouldn't hurt. He'd forgive it this time. He himself would never eat such a thing though. Maybe when he had been Izuku's age but not anymore. There had been too much talk about additives lately.

"I got the doctor!" the nurse cheered, fist bumping All Might for a mission well done.

"Evening", the doctor stepped in, "Oh. This place is full tonight. Are you all family, or?"

"I am", Kurogiri nodded.

"Friends and family", Aizawa added, "Everyone here is."

"Isn't he a lucky guy", the doctor smiled, "So? You want to hear the updates?"

"Please."

"Nothing much to add, really. He is stable still. He seemed to react to the nurses voice this morning. She reported movement. The patient moved his fingers."

"Do you think he'll wake up tonight?" Kurogiri asked.

The doctor seemed very aware of the youngest occupant of the room. He was thinking what he could and couldn't say with him in the room.

"He might. It's not certain though. I wouldn't get my hopes up", he finally sighed. He knew that this was a frustrating situation to them all. Everyone wanted the man to wake up and talk to them. Everyone wanted answers. An unconscious man was very quiet.

"Can you tell me the extent of the injuries?" Kurogiri asked. He wanted to hear the diagnosis from a professional and get some answers.

"Of course. We can talk in the hallway if you'd like", the doctor offered.

"Of course", the man agreed. He wanted to save Izuku from the possible gory details.

The two left the room, before exiting Kurogiri turned to Izuku telling him that he'd be back soon.

The boy didn't seem to mind.

Izuku stayed by his father's side even when the sun set dipped under the horizon. His eyes were drooping but he was fighting the sleep. He'd pull his head right up when it would fall, shaking a bit to get him more awake.

The adults were somehow surviving with the large amounts of coffee they were consuming but young Izuku didn't have such a choice. Aizawa would never give the boy caffeine. God knows how he'd react. The meds surely would if the body itself wouldn't.

"Blinking", Izuku suddenly mumbled.

"What is it? Are you hungry?" Kurogiri asked. None of them had paid him that much attention that they would've heard him correctly.

"It's the patient. I think he is waking up!" the nurse was already by the bedside, checking every machine and tube there was. The heartbeat was quicker than ever before and the breathing had picked up as well. These were clear indication that the patient was indeed waking up, not just dreaming.

"He is?" the rest gathered around the bed as well. It was rather cramped now that everyone was there.

"Mmm", Hisashi mumbled as he furrowed his brows. He was confused. Nothing in his body felt right. There was this weird weight on his face, his throat itched and his skin stung in several places. Hisashi couldn't figure out why that would be.

"It is alright. Breathe. In and out. In and out", the nurse stepped in to assist the patient, "Do you know where you are? Does anything hurt?"

Hisashi tried to speak but nothing but a wheeze came out of his mouth. His throat and mouth were too dry from both the oxygen mouth and the pipe he had had before.

"Don't strain yourself. You're in the hospital now. You were brought in with severe injuries. Do you remember what happened?"

Of course Hisashi remembered. He had been in a fight.

"Does anything hurt? Does some place hurt more than any other?"

"H-Head", Hisashi managed to get out. His head hurt like hell. Like someone had driven a monster truck over his head, put it in reverse and done it all over again. He could hardly think straight.

"You have a concussion. It is normal for your head to ache for some time. I will give you some more painkillers now. You'll feel better soon", the nurse took out a syringe, tapping the air out. She inserted the liquid straight into the IV line. It would take effect soon and make the man feel that much better.

Hisashi slowly opened his eyes. He blinked at the bright lights of the room.

The guard ran to dim the room, hoping that it would help the man. He quickly returned to the bedside.

"Mr. Midoriya? Can you hear me?" the nurse tried to accomplish contact with the patient. An intelligent reply would be a huge step forward in the recovery work.

"Father? Does it hurt?" Izuku asked. He kept watching his father writhe around in pain. The man clenched his hands into fists before unclenching them again. He repeated that several times.

"I-Izuku?" the familiar voice seemed to break through the pain-filled haze. Hisashi's eyes focused onto the source of the small noise. He turned his head slightly and focused on the bedside where the child was seated.

"Father", Izuku smiled a bit, leaning forward when their eyes met, "Does it hurt? Are you in pain?"

"Hurts like hell", Hisashi groaned.

Aizawa and All Might felt like the man deserved that after all he had done. He was being uncharacteristically nice to Izuku though. Maybe the drugs in his systems were just that strong and were messing with his head.

"It's the concussion", the nurse repeated. She was taking the patient's vitals as she waited for the painkillers to begin their effect. She'd have to have a report ready for the doctor when he arrived. She had called him in already but the man was in the operating room and would be late. She would have to take care of the patient until then. Her friend was on her way though, to lend her a helping hand if she needed one. It was easier to leave the reception desk than a surgery after all.

Hisashi calmed down considerably when the drugs finally took hold. He leaned his head back down onto the pillow. His breathing calmed down considerably and his body relaxed.

"Izuku? Are you still there?" Hisashi mumbled. He was getting drowsy now. A side-effect of the medicine.

The group knew they didn't have much time left with the man before he would be unconscious again. It wasn't that bad this time though. He would only be sleeping this time and would wake up with time.

"I'm here", Izuku replied, squeezing his father's hand. He had been holding it even since the man woke up. It came automatically. Izuku hadn't even thought about it. He had just grabbed the hand and held it.

"How are you doing?" Hisashi sighed after the sentence. He was so tired, both physically and mentally.

All Might and Aizawa didn't interfere. They sure wanted to but they also knew this talk had been long time in the making.

Kurogiri in the other hand joined the conversation, "Izuku is doing very well. He came in to eat with us today."

Kurogiri knew the man would believe him. Hisashi didn't exactly have a reason not to.

"You made food?" the corner of Hisashi's lip twitched. He was trying to smirk at his friend. He didn't quite make it though.

"Yes", Kurogiri huffed, "My pride is hurt, my friend."

Hisashi smiled a bit. It looked more like a grimace, "Well sorry about that. But thank you, for taking care of him."

"I am not the only one. It's these two you should thank", Kurogiri pointed out the two heroes on the other side of the bed, "Izuku has been staying with them all this time."

Hisashi slowly and arduously turned his head to see the two.

"Good evening, Mr. Midoriya. We've been wanting to talk to you for a long time", Aizawa greeted him with a nod.

All Might did the same, "It's nice to see you, although we could do without the whole situation here."

"Agreed", Hisashi mumbled, his eyes closed, "I know you two."

"I know. We've met before", Aizawa agreed. It was nice to know that their last meeting had left an everlasting memory.

"So you took him in. You were the ones who Izuku was always out with then."

"That was my friend here", Aizawa pointed out, "But I've played with him as well."

"I see", Hisashi's voice was fading. It would be a matter of minutes now before the man was asleep once more.

"Will you go to sleep now?" Izuku asked, leaning in. He carefully touched his father's face.

"You don't want me to?"

"I-I don't know", the boy had to admit. His brain was working overdrive. A side of him wanted to talk to the man more while a side of him wanted to run. He had to tell his body to stay still or he'd be off the chair and out of the door in seconds.

"You don't need to. It's alright", Hisashi sighed. The hand which had squeezed back was now slack.

Hisashi wasn't with them anymore.

Izuku stayed in his seat even after his father had fallen back to sleep. He stared at the man's face with a blank look.

It was the same unnerving look Aizawa and All Might had seen so many times. Izuku often had moments where he would space out for several minutes. When doing so it was like the boy was blind, mute and deaf all at the same time. Izuku had once told them that he was thinking when he did that but it seemed quite extreme for that.

The adults had a hard time figuring out what was going on in that tiny head. It would be normal to feel upset or even angry but the boy had seemed relieved to see that his father was alright. After all that the man had done to him, he was sitting next to him and going as far as holding his hand. It made the adults feel sick to their stomachs.

The doctor had contacted the psychologist as soon as he heard that Izuku was in the room. He believed that the child would need a safe way to vent out the emotions that had surfaced during the meeting between the family. If he didn't sort through them, they might end up coming back to bite him.

"Izuku? Hayden would like to talk to you for a bit. Is that okay with you?" the doctor asked the boy, "She would like you to come to her room. Apparently, she has something she wants to show to you as well."

Izuku could remember the woman. He liked her. She had been really nice when they had met before. Izuku usually avoided women but she was okay. The two nurses were the same.

"I'll go", he nodded, hopping down from the chair.

"I can take you there. Here, take my hand so you don't get lost", the nurse smiled, watching Izuku take her hand. She made sure to take the boy's backpack with them before exiting the door. Closing the door, she gave the group inside a last peace sign.

"I heard she got some new coloring books", the adults could hear the nurse in the hallway, "Didn't she promise to get you one?"

They couldn't hear Izuku's reply anymore as they were too far. They bet the boy's eyes were sparkling again. The nurse would be in for a long walk.

The adults spoke as they waited for something to happen. Whether it was for Izuku to return or for Hisashi to wake up again, they waited. The nurses had brought in enough chairs for everyone to get seated comfortably.

Aizawa and Kurogiri had talked about food for some time before the topic moved to Izuku. It was no surprise seeing how big of an impact the boy had on them all. Maybe not the guard, but definitely everyone else in the room.

"Here is Izuku meeting Nomu for the first time", Kurogiri had begun showing them the contents of his phone's huge memory card. It was full of pictures of Izuku, in different situation and at different ages.

"Look at that face!" Mic cooed.

Izuku had looked absolutely adorable as a baby. His cheeks were so chubby. The freckles made them look like doughy buns. They were just begging to be squeezed. Kurogiri told them that Tomura had actually often done that. He had had to buy the grey-haired youth a stress ball before he ripped the cheeks off.

"He looks so happy", the guard pointed out. He could see that Izuku was really Hisashi's son. There were certain visual characteristics they both shared. The freckles were just one of them.

"He was. He was always happy with us. Never stopped smiling", Kurogiri said with a hint of sadness in his voice, "It took some time even for me to realize what was going on back home. And that was when it was too late, Izuku came in one day just covered in bruises. He wasn't smiling that day. I still remember that so vividly. The expression, the injuries, everything."

"I'm sorry", Aizawa didn't know what else to say. None of them were used to seeing a Villain in so much distress. No one knew what was the right thing to say. They were slowly realizing how useless they actually were. This was the second time today. They would really need to get their act together.

"No. It's alright. I'm just- Just a bit- I don't know. Upset? Disappointed?", Kurogiri sighed, "I just wish I had noticed it sooner. I could've helped him."

The heroes knew the man was referring to Hisashi. Had Kurogiri noticed the abuse and hard times, he could've helped the man before the things got to the point of no return. Helping Hisashi would've helped everyone.

"You did well", All Might nodded, "At least you did something. I'm sure it made a big difference."

Kurogiri nodded, "Thank you."

"It's nothing, really."

The doctor had dropped in for a check-up. He told that Izuku would be with the psychologist for some time still. They had had something going on when he had poked his head in. He didn't have the heart to stop the boy's fun so he let them be and decided to come to the patient instead.

"Izuku and Hayden were coloring something together. He told me he'll give that to his father, hoping it'll make him get better faster", the doctor told them as he wrote something down onto the clipboard he had been holding, "He made me promise he'd get to stick it over the bed. Guess medical tape will have to do."

Aizawa, All Might and Kurogiri nodded at that. They knew the feeling all too well. You just couldn't say no to those eyes. At the same time, they were a little jealous of the man sleeping in the hospital bed. They wanted a picture from Izuku too!

"Ah! Mr. Midoriya! Are you back with us?"

Everyone gathered around the bed once more. it must've been an overwhelming sensation to the patient in the bed, being surrounded like that.

Hisashi had his eyes open and he was slowly looking around, not lifting his head. That was just too much for him. His head hurt too much.

"Hello", Kurogiri nodded as he noticed the man's eyes were on him, "Slept well?"

"I saw a dream", Hisashi mumbled.

"Really now? How was it? A nightmare perhaps?" Kurogiri sat down and scooted closer. He wanted the man to see him properly. It was easier to talk like this as well, as Hisashi's voice was quiet.

"I wish", Hisashi tried to huff but it ended in a coughing fit.

Kurogiri offered him a glass of water and he took a couple sips before trying again, "I saw Inko."