"Hisashi! Hisashi! I told you to wake up!" a familiar noise was calling him.

Hisashi could only see darkness before. A deep dark. A void. Now he was blinded by a white light.

He felt warm. It was like he was floating on a cloud. Nothing seemed to matter.

Hisashi couldn't remember if he had been dreaming before. He could remember the noises though. There had been people talking around him. He couldn't understand what they had said but he knew it had been something important. They had been talking about him and he had wanted to tell them to stop. There had been all this weird beeping too. It had annoyed him quite a bit.

So, he must be dreaming now. That was the only explanation he could come up with.

"I don't remember marrying a sloth!" the voice was there again. It sounded rather annoyed. Why though? Because of him?

Hisashi slowly opened his eyes. The whiteness transformed into a ceiling. Hisashi recognized it. It was their ceiling. Inko's and his. All the cracks and stains were there. Just like they had always been.

"There you are! I've been calling you for two minutes already", it was Inko.

Inko was there. She looked like an angel in her loose white dress. The hem flowed like waves as the moved. Her green hair was tied up in the usual way, on a loose ponytail on the side. Her eyes were just as beautiful and full of emotion as Hisashi remembered. Now they were staring right at him, a hint of annoyance in them.

"What?" Hisashi was confused. Wasn't Inko supposed to be dead? Why was she here?

"You look pale. Did you have a nightmare?" Inko reached out her hand and caressed her husband's cheek, "Was it bad?"

The prickly beard tickled her hand. Hisashi hadn't shaved in a while. It didn't seem to bother her though as she smiled and continued the comforting movement.

"Yes. Really bad", Hisashi sighed and kissed the hand, "But it's alright now. I'm awake now."

"That's good to hear", Inko smiled, "I made us some coffee. Feel like having a cup? I have cookies too."

"I feel like I could drink the whole pot", Hisashi rose and walked with her into the kitchen.

He had been sleeping on the living room sofa.

Hisashi slowly looked around. Nothing had changed. It was like he had never left.

The cream-colored sofa was as just as threadbare as he remembered it. The coffee stain on the sofa table was still there, no matter how much they had scrubbed it before. The weird, fluffy carpet in front of the TV didn't fit anything else in the whole room. Inko had picked it up at some local flea market one day and just put it there. And there it had been ever since. Hisashi didn't have the heart to remove it or even tell Inko what he thought of it.

"Was it really that bad? You're spacing out. It's not like you. Not at all", Inko said as she gave Hisashi a cup. With cream and sugar, just the way the man liked it.

"Y-Yeah", Hisashi took a long sip.

"Want to share?"

Hisashi was quiet for a long time, thinking if he should just keep his mouth shut. Finally, he decided to tell her. She would've found out either way. She always got what she wanted.

"You-You were dead. I lived alone with Izuku."

Inko's hand flew to her stomach. It was round. Hisashi had teased her last week when she had 'dropped'. The belly was so big it was hanging out of most of Inko's usual clothes. She had had to dig out all her loose shirts and dresses.

"I really don't like how you always write me off like that", Inko laughed a bit before her expression turned somber, "Say, how was Izuku? Did he look like us?"

"Like a mirror image", Hisashi closed his eyes, trying to remember how his own son looked like. It was funny. His memory was a blur. He couldn't remember. He couldn't remember how his own son looked like.

"I bet he has your nose."

"He had your eyes", Hisashi told her, "His hair was green and curly."

Inko sighed lovingly, closing her eyes as well like trying to see the image in her head, "I can't wait. I want to meet him soon. I want to tell him just how much I love him."

Hisashi watched his wife lovingly caress the baby bump. He felt his stomach churn.

"I know. I'm sure he already knows how you feel. I-I wish I could show him how I feel as well."

"Izuku loves you. You're his daddy", Inko smiled, telling the bump the same thing, "So, what in that was the nightmare part? That sounded like a very nice dream to me!"

"I- We- I wasn't the best father", Hisashi held the cup so hard that his knuckles turned white.

"Yes?"

"You weren't there with me and I couldn't do it alone."

"Hisashi, dear, what did you do?"

Hisashi covered his face with his hands and leaned onto the table, "I begun drinking. I got more and more involved with the guys as well."

Inko knew what her husband meant with 'the guys'. Hisashi was a Villain. She knew that much. There was nothing else she could do but love him for what he was. He would never do something reckless when she was there and Inko knew it. Hisashi loved his wife.

"I-I hit him. I shouted. I hated him so much!" Hisashi cried out, "I couldn't even watch his face. All I saw was a killer. He took you away from me! I couldn't take it anymore. Not alone."

"Hisashi."

"I'm so sorry! It was never meant to be like this! It wasn't supposed to-"

"Hisashi dear."

"All I wanted was for us to be a family! The three of us together! Like you had always wanted!"

"Hisashi!" Inko slapped the man to the cheek, "Look at me!"

"Inko", Hisashi had tears running down his face. Inko was holding his face between her hands, looking him straight in the eyes.

Inko took a tissue and carefully wiped his face, "Hisashi. I want you to listen to me. Listen to me very carefully. Every word. And never forget what I tell you. Promise me. Never."

Hisashi nodded slowly.

"I love you. I know you have your flaws but so do I. No one is perfect."

"No. You're perfect", Hisashi shook his head, "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life."

"I'm not. I'm a nervous wreck. I look like a beached whale and act like one too. Sometimes", now Inko was beginning to cry too.

It made Hisashi's heart ache, "You're beautiful."

"I'm afraid! I don't know if I can be a good mother! I want to be. I just don't know if I can."

"You are. You will be."

Inko smiled sadly, "There you go again. You're always like that. Why can't you believe in yourself then? What is the big difference?"

"I'm a bad person."

"You're not! You're the sweetest, kindest person I've ever known. You had a dream too! You had a future you wanted yet you chose me."

Inko could remember how they had sneaked up on the school building's roof to eat their lunches. When their food was gone, they had begun talking about their future dreams. They had had to write them up the previous day for their teacher to see. The thought had stayed in their minds.

"I want a family. I think I'd be happy with just that", Inko had told her then boyfriend who looked at her dumbfounded. She had played with her hair, blushing as she noticed Hisashi staring at her.

"Really? Just that?" he had asked, "A husband and two kids? One girl and one boy. Heck, let's throw in that Golden Retriever and a mansion as well. Sorry, but I think I can only give you about half of that. The dog or the house aren't those two."

"Hey! Don't be mean! What? Do you have some bigger dream then?" Inko had pouted.

"I want to open a restaurant! I could use my Quirk to make something delicious", Hisashi had grinned wide, earning a good laugh from Inko. She loved how Hisashi looked when he talked about something he loved. His eyes sparkled and he moved his arms like he was trying to speak with those as well. He was so passionate.

"Let's work hard then! Towards our dreams!" Inko had grinned.

Hisashi had had nodded, grinning as well.

It was a promise then.

"You wanted to open a restaurant", Inko cried, "Why did you give up? You're such a good cook. I wanted to see that dream come true."

"Inko. I am a terrible person", Hisashi sighed. He hated seeing Inko cry. It was so much worse when he knew that it was his fault.

"Don't say that. No one in this world is a hundred percent good. We're only humans. We make mistakes. But that's alright, because we can fix those mistakes too."

"I feel like I've made a massive one. One that I can't fix."

"I know", Inko hugged her husband hard, "I forgive you. I forgive it all."

Hisashi opened his eyes to see that they had changed locations. He could feel his head resting on Inko's lap while she combed her hand through his hair.

They were sitting under a tree. The sun shone and there wasn't even a single could in the sky. It was nice and warm. A gentle breeze kept the two comfortable. A perfect summer day.

There were screams of joy and laughs echoing through the air.

Hisashi turned his head to look around. They were in their usual park. The two of them had walked through it many times during their dates. Hisashi could remember how they had talked about taking Izuku there when he was old enough. Hisashi could push him on the swings and do all these fatherly things while Inko talked with the other mothers in the park.

"He looks so happy", Inko sighed lovingly. Her hair flowed in the breeze. She tucked a stray strand behind her ear.

Hisashi checked to see what she was talking about. He followed her gaze to the jungle gym.

There was Izuku, just playing there. He wasn't alone. There were two adults with him.

"You were right. He looks just like us", Inko smiled, "Who are those two with him? They look like they're having fun."

"They're his new guardians. I gave Izuku to them."

"Why?"

"Because I am not fit to take care of him. I hurt him. I ruined it all."

"Hisashi. Look carefully. Does Izuku look unhappy? Does he look like he is in pain?" Inko took Hisashi's hand. She gave it a firm squeeze.

"I hurt him. He can never live a normal life now", Hisashi mumbled.

"What? Do you want me to hit you and tell you how disappointed I am with you? Would you like that?" Inko sighed. She gently hit her husband's cheek.

"You idiot. Why didn't you ask for help?" was what Inko asked instead. Her voice was quivering.

"Of course I'm mad. Why did you let it get this far? You had friends around you who could've helped. I'm sure of it. You and your stupid pride. That's what friends are for, you idiot!"

"I'm sorry", Hisashi mumbled. He couldn't really say anything else.

"About what? Tell me."

"I'm sorry I ignored our son. I'm sorry I hurt him. I'm sorry I burned his face. I'm sorry I wasn't a father to him when he needed me. I'm sorry I didn't ask for help."

Inko smiled, kissing Hisashi's forehead, "Apology accepted."

"But why? You're not supposed to forgive someone for something like this. I was terrible to him!"

"It wouldn't make a difference if I didn't. What's done is done. All you can do now is try and make everything better again."

"I'm not sure I understand", Hisashi told her.

"You don't need to."

"You're too kind."

"I'm not. I'm only human."

Hisashi and Inko watched their son play. Both were quiet, just enjoying each other's company. It had been so long since they had been like this.

"Isn't that All Might? The muscular one", Inko asked. She pointed her finger towards the group.

Hisashi nodded, "Yeah. He was the one who came to get me. You could say he saved Izuku."

"Is he as strong as the papers say?"

"Believe me. He is stronger than that. Almost broke my hand", Hisashi told her. It was weird to talk about his arrest in such manner. Inko was supposed to be screaming at him, mad at him for abusing their son.

"Almost? I should've beaten you up for what you did."

Hisashi let out a short laugh, "I somehow knew you'd say that. You're mad, after all."

"Of course I am. Is there any reason I shouldn't be?"

"You don't sound angry."

"That's my one weakness. I just can't stay mad with you", Inko smiled lovingly and kissed her husband, "I've tried but I just can't. I forgave you already. That's all there is to it."

"Thank you. You don't know how much those words mean to me."

"How so?"

"I thought you hated me. For what I was. For what I did. I had this weight on my shoulders for so long", Hisashi's eyes were tearing up again. Only Inko could do this to him. Only his Inko could drag out such weakness from him.

"I could never hate you. I know I probably should but I love you too much."

"I love you too. I love you so much you couldn't even understand."

"I think I understand. I think I do."

"He has grown a lot", Inko caressed Hisashi's face, especially the scars and other marks he had. It was like a map. A map of a Villain's life.

"Yes he has. How big was he when he was born? Didn't the nurse say that he was small?" Hisashi had closed his eyes, enjoying the massage he was getting.

"Yeah. I think she said something like that. Guess he made up for that quite soon."

"Well, he always liked the taste of the formula."

"Was he a fussy eater? Picky?"

"No. Not at all. He ate almost anything I put in front of him and ate them quietly without a complaint. Guess he had to. There was no telling when he'd get fed next."

"Hisashi, there you go again. I don't want to talk about that anymore. I want you to be happy."

"I don't think I can after what I've done. I'm slowly realizing that I ruined his life."

"Does that boy there look like someone who is suffering? Look at him Hisashi. Look at your own son."

Hisashi turned his head and looked. Izuku was playing with the swings this time, the two heroes pushing him and he squealed for them to push more. He wanted to go higher and higher. Until he could touch the skies he said.

"No he doesn't", Hisashi finally had to admit, "He doesn't know what he has missed."

"He is making up for that now. He still has his whole life ahead of him."

"He doesn't even know how to write. I know he can read a bit but not much else", Hisashi's thoughts were spiraling down a dark path again, "He has never been able to make any friends. His social skills must be terrible. With the injuries I gave him, he will surely have a hard time making them in the future as well."

"You are terrible. You know that right? Didn't I just say that I wanted to talk about nice things for once? Haven't we been depressed for long enough or do you want more?" Inko pouted. Hisashi had always thought that she looked adorable when she did that. It was hard to take her seriously when she looked so cute.

"I know. I'm sorry. But I am happy, really."

"Then show it to me. Smile. Tell me what fun things you and Izuku have done together."

"It isn't a long list, I'm afraid."

"Go on. I want to hear it all."

"We went to the burger place one day. You remember that one we always went to? We drove all the way there. It was for Izuku's birthday. Was it his third or fourth. I can't remember. I had received a nice paycheck from the latest job as well, so I decided we could have a treat for once."

Inko nodded, telling him to continue, "I really liked the fries there. They were nice and crispy every time."

"They still had the same menu. Can you believe that? After all these years. Anyways, you should've seen Izuku's face when he noticed the toys that came with the children's menu."

"Let me guess. Heroes?"

"Yep. His eyes went big like dinner plates when I told him I would get him one. He glued his whole face to the glass of the display. I had to get him two in the end."

"Did he like the food?"

"He loved the fries. I told him that you'd always tell me the exact same thing."

"Did you often tell him about me?"

"No. It was too hard for me. He looked like you and now he was beginning to act like you. It was just too much for me."

"What did you tell him then?"

"I would show him your picture. When I had a good day that is. The one I always carried in my wallet. It's still there, don't worry. I haven't removed it, though the corners are frayed beyond repair."

"That old one?" Inko laughed, "You're the one who took that, right?"

"It was on our fifth or sixth date, wasn't it?"

"I believe it was the seventh."

"You look pretty in that picture."

"You think I look pretty all the time."

"True."

Inko blushed and pinched Hisashi's nose, "Continue."

"To be honest, I don't think there is much more to tell."

"Anything is fine. Come on!", Inko pouted, crossing her arms. She was being serious. Hisashi knew to come up with something soon or she wouldn't talk to him anymore.

"Izuku has a godfather now", Hisashi finally said. He felt terrible for not having more stories or anything. He felt really bad. He was Izuku's father for god's sake and all he could remember was one birthday meal at a burger place. It hadn't been fancy or even expensive.

"There you go! Who is he? Do I know him?"

"You don't. He is an old friend of mine. A coworker."

Inko's mouth formed an 'o'. She nodded. A fellow Villain then. Not that she was judging. She knew that many of the Villain could be nice if they wanted to. Their situations had driven them to take such a route in life.

"Is he good with Izuku?" she asked. That was all she needed to know. If Izuku was fine with the man, then she was as well.

"He is a natural. It's almost scary how good he is with kids. Izuku loves his cooking."

"What about yours? Does Izuku like the food you make?"

"I-I don't know. I guess I made him some baby food in the past but that's it."

"You haven't been cooking? Even though you love it so much!"

"I'm sorry", Hisashi smiled sadly. He had let her down once again. He was always finding something he should've done different. There were many things he hadn't done at all too, and those were the absolute worst. For example, Hisashi couldn't remember when he had hugged his little boy last.

"I'm the one who should be sorry, dear", Inko sighed sadly. She had gotten tired of listening to her husband's apologies. In the end, she was the source of all the problems. Had she not died and left Hisashi alone, most if not all of this hadn't happened.

"Why? There's nothing for you to apologize for!" Hisashi looked his wife in the eyes.

"You know what I'm talking about", Inko simply replied, waiting for Hisashi to nod.

He did so and she continued, "I always knew you wouldn't be able to take it if I ever went away."

"You're here now. That's all that matters now."

"That's the spirit", Inko smiled, "Keep that up."

"You know. I think I'm dreaming after all", Hisashi whispered, mostly to himself.

Inko's hand stopped and she turned to look at her husband.

He hadn't wanted to admit this before. He had known it deep down ever since opening his eyes in their living room sofa. This wasn't real. He was surely dreaming.

"Am I allowed to be this happy?", Hisashi managed to get out through the flowing tears, "I got to meet you again. Even if it's just a dream, I can't help feeling happy."

"I am too. I finally got to talk to you again. I've been waiting for this so long", Inko was beaming. She looked so much like Izuku when she did that. It didn't help with Hisashi's crying one bit.

"Are you telling me you've been waiting for me?"

"Of course! Don't you believe in spirits and afterlife?"

Hisashi huffed. He really didn't. The thought of there being something after death was alien to him. Death was final and that was it.

"Where is the man I married all those years ago?" was Inko's reaction, "What did you do to him?"

Hisashi knew she was joking but the words still got to him. It was true. Something really had happened to the man she had married. It was like he was a different person by now.

Hisashi's vision was fading. The edges of his vision were getting blurry. He could hardly make out Inko's face anymore. A bang of panic ripped through him. He didn't want to go yet. Give him a minute more. Even a second would be enough for him. He just wanted to be with Inko some more.

"Will I see you again?" Hisashi asked. He knew he was waking up. He could feel his body again. As well as the weight and pain that came with it.

"I waited for you this long. I think I can wait some more", Inko kissed the man, "But promise me one thing. Actually, two things. You have to promise."

Hisashi nodded. Anything for her.

"Promise me that you won't seek me. Live your life to the fullest and come to me when the time comes. Not any earlier. I don't want you to leave Izuku alone. Not the way I left you. He wouldn't be able to take the pain. He is still just a child. He needs you by his side."

"I won't", Hisashi nodded, "I promise."

It was a tough promise to make but Hisashi felt like he could finally make it. Hisashi had thought of suicide before, going as far as to think of ways to take his life. The prison and the psychologist had helped a bit. He had been diagnosed with depression and even given some medicine for it. They helped a bit but talking had helped the most.

"And one more thing. Be a father. I know the relationship between you and your parents wasn't the best. I don't want you to make the same mistakes your father did. I know it won't be easy but I know you will make it. You're a good person. Become the hero Izuku needs", Inko told him, kissing him on the lips.

Those were the final words Hisashi could make out. The scenery of the park faded away, replaced by a pure white. There were noises. He could recognize the annoying beeping of the machines again. He knew he was back in the hospital room. The smells hit him next. The sterile smell of a hospital room burned his nostrils.

Hisashi opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling.

Inko was gone once more and Hisashi did the only thing he could. He cried.