Welcome, Heroes, to the next part of Domestic Heroes! This is the home stretch, everyone! Just 5 more chapters after this and this journey is over, and what way to get this last leg started than a birthday fic with our special little angel. At this point of canon, Eri's birthday has yet to be revealed, or proper age for that matter, I decided to take some liberties with that regard. I am honestly quite happy with how this chapter turned out and I hope you all will enjoy it as well. Heads up, though, this chapter will contains spoilers from chapter 181. You have been warned. With that said, enjoy the story and I will see you in the author's notes.
Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction in dedication to a much grander work. As such, the author does not own the rights to any characters within this story, and any correlation between any original characters that may appear and people in the real world are merely coincidental.
My Hero Academia: Domestic Heroes
A Surprise Gift
Her smile was so bright. Almost as bright as her surrogate mother's. Last time he saw her this truly happy was back at the culture festival in his first year of UA. It had been a long time since then, and while she smiled much more now than ever, rarely did he see one that was as sweet and meaningful as her first one. Her current one was a close second, and he couldn't blame her for being so happy.
After all, it was her birthday.
"Oh wow… Look at all this stuff… Is it really ok for me to get whatever I want from here?" Eri asked, still at awe at all the multiple hero figurines and collectables that were on stock before her.
"Of course, Eri. It's your birthday, remember. You can get anything here and we'll pay for it. It's not a problem at all." Izuku assured, kneeling slightly before the unsure child and gently stroke her hair, a soft smile on his face as he did so.
"Deku's right, sweetie. You don't have to worry about the price at all. Whatever it is you want, we'll buy it. Don't you worry." Ochako assured, smiling just as gently as her lover as she stood beside him, blushing lightly at the short, proud gaze he gave her before turning his attention back to Eri.
In normal circumstances, Ochako would be quite reluctant to allow such a request. Even after so many years and being fairly well off despite their recent major purchase, the brunette was still quite the stickler when it came to funds. However, due to the fact that it was the birthday of her daughter in all but blood, she was willing to make an exception. Eri deserved it after everything she's been through, and she'd be darned if her little girl was denied any sort of happiness if she could help it.
Because of that, she and the others ended up going into a high-end figurine store located in Akihabara that had a large selection of hero merchandise. Eri heard about it from Kota, and was quite eager to visit the establishment with Izuku mirroring her enthusiasm. The man couldn't help but agree to the request as soon as it was asked, and Ochako had no real choice but to go along with her two dorky enthusiasts of a daughter and boyfriend on the birthday trip. It was quite a fancy looking store, she had to admit. She understood why Eri and Izuku were so excited to come to such a place.
"…Ok, Mom. If you and Dad are sure. I'll go see if I can find something that I like. I promise not to get anything too expensive. See you in a bit." Eri said, giving her guardians a quick wave before heading over to a nearby aisle.
"Ok, Eri. We'll be here. You be safe, now. Alright?" Izuku said, as he and Ochako waved back at the departing girl, smiling as they watched her leave.
"…And there she goes. I wonder what she'll be able to find around here. This place has so much stuff, I'm sure she'll have a hard time trying to pick something." Ochako said after a moment, looking around the large shop and eyeing the merchandise with mild intrigue.
"I'm sure she'll find something. I heard that a new figurine set for Togata and his team have been released recently, so it's possible she might find that around here. Too bad the sets for us and our friends haven't been released yet. I'm sure Eri would buy them in a heartbeat if they were." Izuku shrugged, letting off a confused hum when he saw Ochako sighed in fond exasperation. "What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing. Just wondering how else you're going to corrupt Eri at this point. She's already got your mumbling habit and now she's getting attracted by the lull of hero merch. All she needs is self-destructive recklessness and a desire to be the number one hero and she would definitely be your daughter, Deku." Ochako explained with a cheeky grin, causing Izuku to stare at her blankly with a twitchy eye before looking away defiantly, much to her amusement.
"I don't think my habits are the only thing that's passed on to her. Your stubbornness and yen pinching has certainly rubbed off on her if her promising to buy the cheapest toy in the store was anything to go by." Izuku joked with a teasing grin, causing the woman to giggle a little and gently shove him in response.
"Oh hush. Let's just say she's taking after both of us and be done with it." Ochako suggested before pulling her phone out of her pocket to check the time. "Hmm… Almost time, Deku. Do you think the others arrived at our apartment yet?"
"It's possible, yeah. I know Mom and All Might got there as soon as we dropped Eri off at school this morning so that they can get started on the cake and a few decorations while we're on patrol. I told them it wasn't necessary, but they insisted on at least a few streamers and a banner for today. I…couldn't really say no to them with how earnest they looked." Izuku explained, looking down slightly in mild nervousness.
"That's understandable, Deku. I can never say no to my parents either, even now, so I can relate. Besides, who can say no to your mom. She's such a sweetheart. It's easy to see where you get your kindness from." Ochako said with a kind smile and a kiss on the cheek, causing him to flush a little from the display of affection before smiling brightly at her.
"…Thanks, Ochako. And likewise. You've definitely got all your good traits from your parents. They're wonderful people, just like the daughter they raised." Izuku said back gratefully, trying hard to get rid of his blush as Ochako's own face started to go red in response.
"Jeeze. Such a smooth talker. No way you'd be able to say stuff like that without your classic stutters back when we were first going out." She grumbled, a playful pout appearing on her face as Izuku's face grew sheepish, complete with the grin and his habitual neck scratch, before snickering at the sight of his actions. "Alright, Deku, how about we do a little exploring around here while we wait for Eri. With your mumbles and my frugalness ingrained into her, Eri might be a bit before she finally decides on what to get."
Izuku didn't respond to Ochako at first when the words escaped her mouth. He was actually staring at her in wide-eyed surprise when she made her statement. It was only a moment later that a face splitting smile appeared on his face, and just a few seconds later he began zipping through the various hero figurines surrounding him, with Ochako staring at him blankly for a brief moment before allowing herself to laugh lightly at his actions before following him.
Oh man, he's like a little kid when it comes to this stuff. I swear I don't think I'll ever get used to him geeking out over other heroes. Ochako thought to herself as her lover began rambling on a couple figures of some new heroes that had been on the rise as of late. Can't imagine myself with anyone other than him, though. …I just hope Eri didn't follow in his footsteps even further and end up being a figurine collector. I wonder if she found something yet? We only have a little bit of time left before we have to go back home for the rest of her birthday. I'm sure she'll be happy once we get her home.
As Ochako and Izuku did their own thing while waiting for Eri, the ivory-haired child herself was roaming through the aisle, eyeing the various hero figures that were on display. Some were newcomers that have been making a decent standing in the eyes of the public, while others were of older heroes, some of which she recognized, who were still considered to be powerful and a great help to the citizens of Japan. It was really quite extensive, and while Eri was not as enthusiastic about heroes as her surrogate father was, she was impressed nevertheless by the sheer quantity of classic and rising heroes that were popular enough to gain their own figure.
"This is pretty nice. I can't believe that there's so many good heroes out there keeping us safe besides the ones I know. Even Mirio has had his own line of figures for a good while now. This is really something." Eri thought to herself as she saw a figurine of one of her saviors, it standing alongside figures of Nejire and Tamaki as part of the new 'Big 3' hero set. She grabbed the packaged set, a small smile on her face as she eyed the recreations of the heroes that helped rescue her all those years ago. Coming to a decision, she began walking out of the aisle, the box held close to her body and humming in delight, when she rounded the corner and accidentally bumped into someone that seemed to be around her height, maybe a bit taller. She stumbled a little, nearly falling to the floor, when she felt a strong hand steady her. Curious and grateful for the action, she looked up at the individuals she ran into and helped her respectively to apologize and say thanks, when a smooth voice interrupted her before she could start.
"Careful there, child. I know being in such a place can be quite intense for one as young as you, but you have to remember to pay attention to your surroundings." A tall, well-dressed man in a brown trench coat, black scarf and hat, and sunglasses said in an elegant, if haughty tone while a short and just as well dressed young woman with dark sunglasses and a feathered hat nodding along in agreement.
"Ah. Sorry, sir! Ma'am. I wasn't watching where I was going! Please forgive me!" Eri apologized while bowing down deeply, feeling quite embarrassed for being so inattentive, if even for a moment.
"You are forgiven, young one. Just try and watch where you're going. There aren't many people out there who are as...gentle as I am. I suggest you return to your parents before too long. I'm sure they must be worried about you." The man suggested with a light laugh, causing Eri to nod furiously in response while the younger woman looked at the package in Eri's hands curiously.
"Hmm. Those are the Big Three, are they not? They are the hero trio that comprise of three top UA students that graduated around five years ago if memory serves. I believe they are Suneater, Miss Nejire, and the officer turned hero Lemillion." The woman pointed out, causing Eri to look at her in surprise before nodding slowly in confirmation.
"Yeah. They are." Eri confirmed, clutching her package close as memories of a time she'd rather forget started to form in her mind. "These heroes…are some of the ones who helped me when I was younger. I…was in a really bad place for a long time. I was used…and hurt…a lot. I thought I was going to be stuck there for the rest of my life…but then I met someone. Someone who found out how bad my old lifestyle was and wanted to save me from it. I…wasn't confident that he would do it. In fact, I begged not to, because I was afraid he would die if he tried. He did it anyway, though, and with the help with the Big Three, along with a lot of other heroes…including someone that ended up becoming special to him, he saved me. It happened a long time ago, and now I'm living under him. Him and his girlfriend. They're pretty much my parents now, and every day I'm grateful that they let me be with them. That they…made me a part of their family…"
Looking down at the floor as she finished and unaware of the expressions the couple before her had, Eri wasn't sure why she ended up saying what she did to the two odd people. They were strangers who have no real reason to know anything, but for some reason, she felt like she could share some of her past to them. It was a feeling that she had…like they were somehow trustworthy. It was weird, but she decided to follow that possibility. With that, she decided to look up at the pair, flinching in surprise when she saw the river of tears that were falling from behind their sunglasses.
"Oh my. To have gone through pain at such a young age and end up being saved from it all. You lived quite a difficult life, young lady." The man said gently as he took a handkerchief from his coat and dabbed his tears away.
"That's right. The fact that your savior was willing to save you from your torture, and even offered you a home, is a sign of a budding bond that is destined to be unbreakable. A bond of family love. I truly hope that you and your caretakers lead a happy, love filled life, little one. You deserve it." The woman said with a teary smile, placing her hands on the child's shoulders as she did so.
"Ah… Th-Thanks, ma'am. Sir. I'm…happy to hear you…say that?" Eri said, looking a little unnerved at the support she was getting.
"Child. If you don't mind me asking, who was the one who rescued you and took you in? I may not look it, but I'm fairly familiar with a few heroes. I would like to congratulate them for their effort and selflessness. Maybe even have a spot of tea with them if the future permits." The man asked kindly, causing Eri to look up at him curiously before putting up a contemplative expression.
"Um… I guess it's ok. The one who rescued me was Deku. Back when he was still a first year at UA. He and Uravity are the ones looking after me now after I spent a few years under Eraserhead's care, and I've been so happy ever since. They even brought me here to celebrate my birthday." The child explained, believing that there would be no wrong to at least give them her parents hero names at least.
"…Deku eh? Now there's a name that brings about some interesting memories…" The gentleman mused as he stared at the child intently, an odd smile on his mustached face as Eri looked up at him in confusion.
"He's been making quite the name for himself as of late, too. Him and Uravity. The two of them are considered a hero duo despite being in different agencies, and the public has been calling them Gravity Smash when they're together. I suppose the boy's found himself some love in his life after all." The woman said with a mysterious tone to her voice, further confusion Eri as the gentleman began barking in laughter.
"Seems like it!" The man laughed, calming down slightly to give the child a reassuring look. "Well, if Deku is your guardian now, then there is no doubt in my mind you will be under the greatest of care. Allow me to give this to you, then, as both a show of good faith to a good man, and as a birthday present for you. I was only here to obtain a few figures with my companion for a little project of ours when we decided to enter a raffle for the fun of it. I ended up getting the lucky draw and obtaining this as a result, which was quite a surprise, let me tell you. I kept it due to feeling a little nostalgic, but I figure this will be better in the hands of someone else. Please, enjoy it."
With that, the man gave Eri the bag he was holding, much to the child's confusion. Before she could protest about it, a firm, yet gentle hand was placed on her head, stunning her a little while the little woman gave the girl a gentle pat on the shoulder, a small smile on her face as she did so before going back to the gentleman's side.
"It's good to see that Deku made his promise in making you smile, child. He's come quite far from the young man that I first met. He's truly become what I've failed to be, and I'm happy for that." He said, his words shocking Eri greatly, before letting go of her head and proceeded to walk into the crowd with the woman in tow. "If he asks where you got your present, tell him that it was a gift from Tobita and Aiba and that we send him our regards. Take care, child, and happy birthday. Keep on smiling."
With that and a wave from both of them, the gentleman and woman left the vicinity, disappearing into the crowd. Eri simply stood there, unsure of how she should be feeling about the meeting she just had. After a few moments of staring, the child let off a long sigh, deciding to try and not think about her encounter for the moment before curiosity took over her and proceeded to peak into the bag to see what she was given. After a few seconds of looking, Eri let off a surprise gasp, practically tearing up at her gift, when Izuku and Ochako suddenly appeared behind her, the both of them looking both confused and concerned by the sight of their surrogate daughter nearly in tears.
"Eri! Sweetheart, are you ok? Did you get hurt?" Ochako asked, looking a little distraught at her emotional girl as Eri slowly shook her head, signaling that she wasn't hurt, and simply opened her bag to allow Ochako to see what made her so emotional.
"…What the? Th-Those are out already!? I thought they weren't supposed to be released for another three months!"
"I heard that there was a raffle going on with a special prize being offered, but it ended shortly after we showed up. That must've been the top prize. Eri, how did you get this?" Izuku asked as soon as he saw the contents of the bag as well, looking rightfully confused.
"…These two people gave them to me. A really tall man and a woman that looked to be about my height. Maybe a little taller. I talked to them for a bit after I ran into them by accident, and they gave me this when I said it was my birthday. They also told me to say that it was a gift from Tobita and Aiba and that they give you their regards, Dad. It sounded like they knew you…" Eri explained as she watched her father-figure's face, growing curious when she saw the man's eyes light up in recognition.
"…I do. I've actually met up with them a few times recently. they helped out in that botched hostage rescue last month. I'm surprised that they'd show up here of all places. Then again, it's hard to tell what they're thinking at times…" Izuku said after a moment, a small smile on his face as Ochako gave him a knowing look, before continuing. "Well, it's time to go. The others are almost at the apartment and Mom messaged me that the cake's ready. Did you find what you wanted to get, Eri?"
"Yeah. I did. See? It's Mirio and the others. It's a completely new set!" Eri said as she held the box that she was holding, getting wide smiles from both her guardians.
"Now that is an excellent present there, sweetie. Let's go and buy it so we can go home." Ochako said, getting a happy nod from Eri as the trio made their way to the register to make their purchase.
As the family departed, Izuku felt a disturbance in the air, though it wasn't an unpleasant one. It felt like he and the others were being watched, most likely from above. Turning his head to the roof of a nearby building, he smiled as he saw a pair of familiar well-dressed individuals, one tall and one small, giving him and his family a cordial wave before disappearing behind a sign. It was an unexpected sight to be sure, but one that made him feel quite happy and grateful. Sure the pair had caused him trouble in the past, but they did teach him a very important lesson in his life. One that he had never forgotten. A massive smile crawled onto his face as he got closer to his home, enjoying the look on Eri's face as they entered the apartment and saw the multitude of guests that had arrived. Ochako's parents, Inko and Toshinori, Aizawa, Mirio and his two companions, Tsuyu and Satsuki, and even Mandalay and Kota had all arrived, each of them bearing birthday wishes and presents for his daughter in all but blood. Off to the side were other presents that had accumulated over the past week or two, given to them by those who were not able to attend the gathering. The sentiment was appreciated, given the look on Eri's face, and once again the young hero couldn't believe that this was his life now.
Here he was, an aspiring hero living with his loving girlfriend and taking care of the same little girl he rescued five years ago, who was now calling him father of all things. He had a comfortable home, a loving family, a multitude of friends and acquaintances that he cared for, and was currently climbing up the ranks of achieving his own dream of becoming the number one hero. The new symbol of peace. It had been quite the journey for him to get this far, and that journey was not over yet. He had other dreams to fulfill. Other goals to accomplish. And right now, his current goal was to keep Eri as happy as possible. To give her the life she truly deserves. And seeing her, showing off the special present she obtained during their recent trip to Akihabara to the others with Mikan on her lap and Ochako and Inko bringing out the cake, made him believe that he was on the right path to it. With a smile on his face, the young hero walked over to Eri's side, dimming the lights as he did so and gently patting her on the head while he and the others began singing her happy birthday. An act that moved Eri to tears of joy once more as she clutched her newly gained figures close to her. Figures that have yet to have been released to the public. Figures that were, ironically, given to her by two people that nearly made Izuku miss his opportunity to make her smile for the first time…
Figures of her two favorite people in the world… The Hero for All: Deku and The Zero Gravity Hero: Uravity. Her family.
Prompt 25: Shopping for fun
Author's Notes: And that is that, Heroes. I had a lot of fun writing this, and I really have to give credit for chapter 181 of MHA for the inspiration. I took some serious creative liberties with this prompt and I am so happy that I did. Big credit to the lads at the IzuOcha discord for helping me with the editing. I truly enjoyed getting to write all of this and I hope to continue with writing for as long as I am able to. Next week will begin the final five chapters, and other than the first one, possibly, each chapter will be quite significant in their own way. Look forward to all that is to come, Heroes, and I will see you in the next update!
Farewell, and remember: Go Beyond! Plus Ultra!