"Thanks for inviting us over for dinner, Nem! It's really nice to get out of the house now and again!" Hizashi couldn't keep the wistful note out of his voice no matter how hard he tried as he jabbed his fork into a chicken cutlet piece. Nemuri beamed across the table from him when she lifted the wine bottle up to refill his glass. The second of the night. He'd need Oboro to drive them home; he refused to drive with wine in his system. Not with the boys in the car. "I really appreciate you having us over for dinner!"
"Well, I'm happy that you came over, Zashi! I feel like I haven't seen much of you since you finished up your substituting job! Oboro misses you too, you know." He raised his brows at the dark-haired woman across from him when she smiled softly at him with her hands knitting together as her chin rested on it. The shrieks of the boys in the living room ringing out with Oboro's booming laugh. "We really do miss you, Zashi. You've been so busy lately that we haven't had time to catch up, you know?"
Chewing his piece quickly, he swallowed it then lifted his wine glass up to sip at the rich liquid. Stinging lightly down his throat as he placed the glass down, he licked his lips when he leaned his hand up to press his cheek against it. His elbow pressed to the tabletop when he smiled back at the woman. "I know, it's been a hot minute since we've spent time together. It feels like lately I've been talking mostly with Taishiro or Shouta, but I miss our talks, Nem. You know you can call me too, right?"
"Of course I do! I just never know when you're free, you know? But I definitely will make more of an effort to pop over to the store during lunch again to feed you. I know for a fact you're forgetting to eat lunch, aren't you?" He let his gaze flicker away from the dark purple-haired woman with a flicker of guilt in his chest when she sighed out. "Yeah, that's exactly what I thought. I'm going to change that, you hear me? I'll feed you like the rabid, water starved animal that you are."
"I'd like to say that reference is wrong but rabid animals are technically dehydrated so you're not wrong." He smiled at Nemuri who merely rolled her sky-blue eyes as he rolled his fingertips over the mouth of his glass when he then sighed out as he leaned back in his seat. There were only so many times he could deflect before Nemuri called him out on it. "But you're right. I miss you and I miss Oboro, I need to make more time for you guys! You know, tonight's the first time I've even seen you guys together!"
"Then make more time! When's the last time we called over FaceTime? When's the last time you've seen Emi or Tensei?" Fuck. He pinched his lips together slightly when Nemuri leaned forward in her seat with her gaze meeting his with an intensity that had him fidgeting. Squirming in his seat like he was a guilty child. It had him biting at his lip with the woman sighing at him. "My goodness, Zashi, you've been so wrapped up in Shouta Aizawa you've been neglecting all of us! What's so great about Shouta anyways?"
Dragging his teeth over his lip, he found himself pressing back into his seat with his legs crossing carefully beneath the table. He knew that Nemuri and Oboro were fully aware of his crush, yet it still had heat rushing to the back of his neck with the threat of rushing to his face if he wasn't careful. But Nemuri was right; what was so great about Shouta? "He's my best friend, Nem! Just like you and Oboro! I like to text and call and hang out with him just as much as I do with you two!"
"But you've hardly been seeing your other friends! Look, I get it, you have a big fat crush on Shouta, and you want to talk to him all the time, but you can't forsake your friendships! I know you're still going strong with your mom friends, but you can't just neglect me, Oboro, Tensei or Emi either!" The woman then shifted as she grabbed her glass when she pointed at him with her eyes narrowing slightly. "You even have your friends from the school that I bet you hardly talk to! Your whole world is revolving around Shouta and it's not healthy."
It had him flinching as he lifted his wine glass up to sip at the rich red liquid. Was she right? Was he really making Shouta the center of his world? It had him frowning to himself now as he swallowed then lowered his glass to the table where his fingers traced the rim. Damp from his lips, he then peeked up at Nemuri who merely stared at him with that same intensity when he sighed out. "I get it. I know, I'm obsessing over him like a love-starved teenager. And I shouldn't neglect you guys, not when you've supported me through so much."
This time Nemuri sighed out with her dark lashes fluttering down. Coming to rest on pink flushed cheeks with her lips pursing together briefly much like his own had when she then opened her eyes. And there was a look of sympathy to the woman but also a sparkle of impatience. "You'll find time for us because I'm not letting you go, Hizashi Yamada. You're my best friend and I'm sure Oboro will say the same. I just- I miss you. I miss the days before you met Shouta, you know? I'm not trying to guilt or shame you-"
"But it's a wakeup call I need." He nodded when he slid his hand away from his cheek to slide across the table. Flipping it palm up with his fingers curling when Nemuri placed her red nailed hand in his. Fingers curling to lock together in a grip that had him squeezing gently when he slid his thumb over her knuckles gently. Her wedding ring's diamond glinting up at him cheerfully. "I sometimes miss it too. The days before I met Shouta. But I promise, this isn't going to last much longer. I'm going to confess to him in the new year."
Sky-blue eyes widened at him incredulously with pink lips parting slightly with brows shooting up on her forehead. A look of surprise when a roar broke out of Oboro from the living room followed by squeals of both Hitoshi and Izuku in near unison when he nodded at Nemuri. He'd asked for a second helping and yet his stomach was fluttering too intensely for him to consider another bite at the moment. "You're really going to confess to him? Seriously? I thought this was going to be one of your pining spells."
"Nope." Taking a breath to help soothe the butterflies in his stomach, he shifted in his seat with his fingers trailing over the rim of his glass with his arms curling over the table. Pushing his plate away slightly when he smiled softly at the dark-haired woman across from him. "But yeah, I'm seriously going to confess to him in the new year. It gives me about handful of days left but there's no rush for it. It's definitely going to happen in January. I've been crushing on him for months and I think it's time I say something, you know?"
"And you're completely okay with the whole kiss and dash thing still? I mean, when you told me I was offended for you that he did something like that! But the fact that you still like him like that-" Nemuri shook her head then when she leaned back in her seat, arms curling over her chest with her wine glass in hand. Swirling her glass with the deep red liquid sloshing along the sides of the glass when she sighed out. "You're a better person than me. I'd still be holding it against him."
"That's the thing. I could hold it against him still and still be upset about it. Or I can let it go because I understand why he freaked out, but it doesn't excuse it. It doesn't change the fact that he did that, and he knows that." He trailed his fingers over the rim of the glass with a sigh then as he felt that blush in his cheeks sting lightly. His face was warm. "I like him, Nem. I like him a lot. And I've just been so scared, so freaked, that someone is going to tell him before I can. I don't want him to hear it second hand."
"It's honestly brave of you, Zashi. I mean, I certainly didn't tip toe around Oboro back in high school but that doesn't mean everyone has to be so bold. But it's a good thing that you don't want it to be passed along second hand by someone on accident. I'd never tell, obviously! But you're a brave man." She lifted her glass up then to sip at the deep red liquid when she then lowered it with her brows squeezing together slightly. "So tell me then, does he know? About-?"
"Yeah, he knows. I told him I was trans, and he honestly took it very well, surprisingly! I just- I know that being friends with someone who is transgender and liking someone who is transgender are wildly different things. He might not be into me the way I am with him and that's more than understandable. Everyone has their preferences, but I hope that-that he likes me back, you know?" Lifting his glass up, Nemuri let out a sympathetic hum from across from him as he took a larger sip.
"Preference is understandable but you're a damn good man, Zashi. Honestly, if it hadn't been Oboro who knows, I might've ended up with you! You're definitely my type and we click well but unfortunately for you, Oboro's clumsy, over the top flirting got to me first." He grinned at Nemuri who grinned wickedly back when she leaned forward in her seat to place her glass down on the table lightly. "If Shouta doesn't already like you then it's his loss. If he's offended, you have a vagina rather than a cock then that's on him and you'll find someone better."
"I don't know if I can find better, you know? I mean, there's no one I think I've clicked with in recent times the way that I clicked with Shouta. There's this-this vibe. This tension. And fuck if it isn't killing me every time, I'm with him!" Placing his own glass down, he rested his head down against his arms as he tilted his head to stare at the dark-haired woman. "It's been such a long time since I've wanted someone like this, Nem. There's no one I want more than Shouta right now. No one. It feels so dramatic to say that, you know?"
"I wouldn't say completely dramatic. Well, maybe a smidge because you haven't really put yourself out there, but you know what you want, don't you? And if what you want is Shouta then I'm not going to sit here and tell you to join this or that dating app. You know what you want and I'm not going to discourage you from that." Nemuri paused then with a thoughtful expression pinching at her face before she smiled softly. "You've always been the type to know what you want, aren't you? If you want this man, then I say go get him!"
He couldn't help a snicker as he trailed his fingers around the rim of his wine glass with his socked feet tapping on the floor lightly. Nemuri was all too supportive. All too kind to him. But she was right, wasn't she? He was the type to know what he wants. He knew that from a young age; he wanted what he wanted. And it had his cheeks burning but he knew the dark-haired woman was speaking the truth. "I can't say there's a definitive date where I confess but it's going to happen, I swear. Because you're right."
"About what?" Nemuri tilted her head with dark purple locks swaying slightly as her glasses slipped down her nose slightly. Those sky-blue eyes flicking over him with that curious sparkle to her as her pink lips parted slightly again with those dark lashes fluttering slightly. He couldn't help smiling at the woman with that heat burning in his cheeks when she tilted her head a little further to the right. Showing off a delicate blue marking on her throat that had been hidden by the neckline of her sweater.
"About making my whole world around Shouta. I don't- I mean, I know it's not healthy and I know it's not good for me and I don't want him to be my whole world." He tapped his fingers on the table then when Nemuri straightened her head up with dark, groomed brows coming together with a pout pursing on her lips now when he then tapped his feet lightly. "But we can't go back to the days before Shouta. Especially if I'm going to ask him out, Nem. But there's factors that I need to take into account."
"The boys?" He nodded when Nemuri's pout returned to her lips with her bottom lip then being sucked into her mouth where she nibbled on it no doubt. It was something Nemuri had always done in their youth. He couldn't help a smile over his shoulder at the shrieks of delight from the living room when Nemuri's fingers drummed on the table. Nails hitting off of it rhythmically when she spoke. "It would be a bit messy, huh? I mean, you have Toshi and Izu to think about while he has Eri to think about."
"I don't want to pry, tell me if it's none of my business, but I've been meaning to ask someone about Eri." Nemuri's head cocked again with her hair swaying against her shoulders and back with her gaze flicking over him again with that sparkle of curiosity making itself known again. "I know I should ask Shouta but is Eri adopted? Or is she biologically Shouta's? I just ask because they don't seem like they're of blood relation, but I don't want to be insensitive if she's adopted or anything! I'm just curious, you know?"
"I'm surprised Oboro or Shouta haven't said a damn thing to you about it yet." Nemuri then leaned back once more in her seat with her arms curled over her chest when the table thudded lightly as she no doubt crossed her legs underneath it. "It's not dramatic or anything. Long story short is she is adopted. However, her birth mother claimed Shouta was the father, not her husband, but she dropped Eri off at his apartment. No note. No call. Just left her there and Shouta ended up taking in Eri."
Oh. It had his heart aching for Eri; for the poor baby who never got a choice. What would Shouta tell her one day? Would she ever know her adopted status? He had assumed this whole time that she was adopted but some part of him had wondered if she was biologically related due to the curls to the ends of her hair, but they could be chance. Wisps. "That's awful. That's- My God, she just left her baby with Shouta? I mean, did they have a sexual relationship and that's why it was pinned on Shouta?"
"I think it was a chance encounter with the two of them. Shouta hasn't always been out; he was closeted about a year ago before he came out to me and Oboro. He's said he dated men in secret, but he's never been public about it. He's never confirmed if he's gay or if he's bi or what. Just like he never confirmed or denied he hooked up with Eri's mother, but it was still pinned on him. He never complained though and while he really struggled in the beginning, I think he's got a handle on fatherhood now. Just like you, Zashi."
"You know, from the beginning I've only been trying to help him, you know? Raising a one-year-old can be hard." His voice was wistful. Thoughtful. Drumming his fingers lightly on the table as his cheek pressed to his forearm. "I've only ever wanted to help. It seemed like he was struggling in the beginning but he's a good father. I wanted- I don't know what I wanted in the beginning, but he's become like a best friend to me, Nem. And I have a big ol' crush on him, isn't that funny? If he's gay though, I don't think he'd like my parts."
"You never know, Zashi. I mean, there's always anal." Blinking at the woman, he couldn't understand it but he couldn't stop the laugh from bursting out of him as he rolled his head to bury his face into his arm. Laughing into it when the woman across from him broke into her own laughter as her arms tightened over her chest. The laughter, muffled and loud, mingled together as she leaned forward with her arms going to the table. "It's true! Don't go giving up just yet, babes! You never know, he may surprise you!"
Laughing into his arms with his glasses digging into his face uncomfortably as he buried his face into his arms again. The unrestrained, tipsy laughter of the both of them filling the kitchen when he caught the thud of feet moving over the floor coming towards them. Muffling his laughter with Nemuri taking his initiative there was a thud in the doorway of the kitchen followed by an amused chuckle. "What's going on here? Nem? Zashi? Are we just cackling like hyenas in here?"
Lifting his head up with a grin to find Oboro's blue eyes flicking between himself and Nemuri with a broad smile on his lips. Amused at the sight of them hunched over with muffled laughter being shared. There was a sparkle to those blue eyes with his amusement and he found himself turning to Nemuri who lifted her head up to stare at her husband with a sigh. Hands drumming on the table. "Oh, nothing, sweetheart! Jus sharing a laugh with Zashi is all!"
"I can see that!" Oboro then tilted his head with his fluffy blue ponytail swaying with the movement as that sparkle merely brightened in his gaze. The smile on his lips brighter than anything as he grinned at the blue-haired man who then glanced at his half empty wine glass. "Zashi, I was thinking but why not stay the night tonight? I could drive you home, sure, but I'd be worried about you regardless. We have two spare rooms, and you can stay in one and the boys in the other if you wanted?"
"Please stay, Zashi?" He let his gaze flick over to Nemuri who had a pleading pout on her lips as her eyes widened at him. Sky blue eyes sparkling at him with hands coming up to weave together beneath her chin which was propped up on them. Lashes fluttering with a hopeful look to the woman when he brought his gaze back to Oboro only to find a similar sight. The blue-haired man brought his hands up and together beneath his chin. A pleading pout on his lips with blue eyes widening at him.
"Fine! Fine, we'll stay for the night! I don't have any pajamas with me, so you don't have to complain when I come down in my usual clothes! Same with the boys!" He knew they'd sleep uneasily due to their stuffed animals being at home, but they had a few spare here for the boys to sleep with. Something that would help ease them into some type of comfort. He couldn't help but adore when Nemuri and Oboro's outs faded for proud smiles. As if they'd been planning to make him stay regardless.
"You can borrow one of Oboro's sleep sets! And we have a few sets of pajamas for the boys for situations just like this! So you'll be fine until you get back home, right?" He raised his brows at the proud tone of Nemuri's when he then turned his attention to Oboro who merely grinned at him widely. There was a delight to the blue-haired man who then shuffled forward with hands clapping down on his shoulders to tug him from the table and shake him playfully. "Oboro!"
"It's a good ol' fashioned sleep over! When's the last time you slept over with us, Zashi, huh?" He couldn't help but laugh at the blue-haired man's growling voice when an arm curled around his throat in a headlock that had his head pinned back to Oboro's chest as he laughed. He was rocked side to side with the blue-haired man squeezing gently before letting go. A sparkle to those blue eyes as that smile widened at him. "It'll be fun! And you can drink as much as you want with Nem! Why don't we break out the white wine?"
"The one I like?" He questioned when he got head nods from the couple with wide, infectious smiles on their lips that had him smiling back. He couldn't deny that the idea of spending the night was a fun notion. He'd made sure that Twix, Cappella, Sterling and Reese all had their dinner before they left. They'd be alright for the night; he'd have one hell of a litter box change but he was prepared for that. "Does that mean Nem is going to paint my nails and you're both going to be disgustingly in love?"
"You know the routine by now, don't you?" Oboro replied playfully with a hand ruffling his hair as he laughed again with the blue-haired man then walking around the table to his wife. She tilted her face up with lips pressing to her red cheek when pairs of blue and sky-blue eyes landed on his when Oboro's arm slid around Nemuri's shoulders. "It's been a while since you've slept over with the boys! You can even have the first shower of the night if you want! I know you love our shower!"
"Your shower is a dream. It's the shower I wish I could have." He sighed out as his hands came up to cup his hot face with his glasses slipping down his nose when his phone buzzed quietly in his pocket causing him to shift. Shouta? It wasn't time for their nightly call, was it? He could text him and tell him that now wasn't a good time; that he was tipsy and sleeping over Nemuri's. "Let me text Shouta and let him know that I'm sleeping over here, I was going to FaceTime him tonight."
"Do it anyways! The four of us need to hang out more often anyways! If Shouta can't deal with us, then he's definitely in over his head because the three of us are a package deal!" Nemuri nodded then as if to punctuate her words with that smile curled over her lips when he watched her caress her husband's hand gently. Fingers interlocking gently with an absent minded gesture as she played with his fingers. "Besides, it's rare you sleep over! So enjoy yourself tonight with us!"
"We're sleeping over?" He glanced over his shoulder to find both of his flushed sons standing in the doorway when Izuku's eyes sparkled. Hitoshi's own widening as he padded into the room with a look of excitement to the young boy who rushed over to him. Hands pressing to his thigh as he moved his hand from his face to caress wild indigo locks. A sparkle to those wide purple eyes of his as Hitoshi looked up at him hopefully. "Dad, are we really spending the night here? Really, really?"
"Really! We'll be sleeping over tonight but that doesn't mean you can stay up too late, you hear me? You can stay up 'til nine but you'll have to start getting ready for school bedtimes again soon." This had pouts forming on his sons faces but he leaned over to kiss the top of Hitoshi's head when Izuku padded over to which he reached out to caress green curls adoringly. "But that doesn't mean we can't have fun! How about I help Auntie Nem put up dinner left overs and then we'll all watch a movie, yeah?"
"Yeah!" Izuku perked up behind his brother when he affectionately rubbed his thumb against that pink, freckled cheek of his with both boys beaming at him. They then moved together to rush over to Oboro where small hands tugged at the hem of the man's t-shirt causing him to laugh. Fingers leaving Nemuri's, the blue-haired man offered up both of his hands which had smaller ones grabbing onto his fingers. "C'mon, Uncle Oboro! Let's go pick a movie to show Dad and Auntie Nem!"
"Alright, alright! No need to pull, I'm coming!" Oboro's laugh was infectious. It was a low, booming laugh that had him smiling at the sound as the boys tugged at Oboro's large hands with the three of them trudging across the kitchen together. He smiled at the man's retreating back when he turned to Nemuri who was slipping out of her seat with her empty plate and his half-filled one being scooped up by her. Her glass empty of the rich red wine when he lifted his glass.
"I suppose we're in for quite the night, aren't we, Nem?" He questioned as he then drained his glass with the woman beaming at him over her shoulder as she placed her plate in the sink. His was placed on the counter where a few containers were waiting for the rest of dinner to be put away for the night. He couldn't wait to have a glass or two of that white wine he adored. He hardly had it save for instances he came over here. He knew he could buy it on his own, but it made coming here all the sweeter.
"We are! Now get that flat ass of yours over here and help me put dinner away! Get started on the dishes, why don't you? Just because you're sleeping over doesn't mean you aren't being put to some work! Now move it!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
He couldn't tell what woke him first. The pillow that was bunched awkwardly beneath his neck, the soaked patch beneath his cheek, or the awkward tug of the blankets wrapped around him or the small bodies cuddled into his sides. Whichever it was, it had woken him out of what felt like the heaviest sleep in his life. He could feel the crush in the corners of his eyes. The clammy sheen on his forehead from the additional body heat beneath the blankets. Wild locks of hair clinging to his wet cheek.
Brushing lightly at the other and sticking to his clammy forehead. Half of him felt unbearably flushed and hot while the other half of him felt rather chilled with the cool air of the bedroom tickling at his nose. At his cheek. His arms were pinned to the bed awkwardly beneath the small bodies that were cuddled into him. Heads resting on his side and chest awkwardly given his twisted up position on the bed. Even his hair felt wild as it rubbed against the pillow when he let out what had to be a quiet groan.
His lashes fluttered on his throat with his breath rattling down his throat in what he could only guess as a snore. The vibrations of which he could feel rocking his chest when they cut off in his throat as his lashes lifted from his cheeks. His eyes rolling sightlessly for a moment before he focused on the soft blue walls. The white ceiling. The large window over across the room with the deep blue curtains keeping the sunlight from bursting into the room as it bounced off of the snow.
A thin beam crossed the floor over the bed when he rolled his head away from the wet patch on the pillow. His cheek felt slick with his drool as his temples throbbed faintly with his brows squeezing together. An ache squeezing his head that had him shifting slightly in the bed with his lashes fluttering briefly. Already, even with them shut, his eyes felt sandy. Swollen. Inhaling through his nose slowly, he blinked once then twice to focus his gaze on the white ceiling above him.
Lifting his head up from the pillow slightly with an exhale leaving him through his nose as his brows squeezed together at the slight struggle. It felt like a truly heroic effort to do so when his head feeling so damn heavy as he focused his fuzzy gaze downwards. A head rested on his side with wild indigo locks glowing against the blanket. The head tucked into his chest bore green curls with a casted arm resting against his stomach. Fingers twisted loosely into his shirt. He should have figured.
The boys never did well when it came to sleeping in new places and often would find their way into his bed the first night. He let out a breath with his arms shifting slightly to tug free from beneath Izuku gently and carefully. He then uncurled his arm from around Hitoshi where he gently rolled both boys onto their backs as he pushed himself upwards into a sitting position. He felt so heavy. His head spun weakly with his temples throbbing lightly when he turned his head to grab at his glasses.
Lifting them up and sliding them into place, he got a clearer look of the room he'd stumbled into last night. He'd been gifted his shower in the couple's rather impressive shower and he'd slipped into the borrowed pajamas effortlessly. It only emphasized the difference in their body types, but he hadn't thought twice about it. After putting the boys to bed, the three of them continued drinking downstairs. Glass after glass that left him tipsier until he toed the line of drunkenness.
He'd been happily curled up against Nemuri who cradled his head to her chest where she stroked his hair. Oboro had cuddled up to the right of her with an arm wrapped around the dark-haired woman, yet his hand had rested on his upper back. It had been so nice cuddled up to Nemuri. Up to Oboro as a result. He liked being held close to the couple as he was pampered ever so slightly with affection that he'd felt starved for in his drunken state.
When they had pulled away to stumble upstairs where he had stripped down and jumped into the shower. He'd talked off the FaceTime with Shouta but there had been plenty of pictures taken. They were then sent to the black-haired man who had commented on each that rolled through. However, the three of them inevitably found their way into his room for the night where the couple had sat on the bed. The wine bottle being passed between one another without the use of glasses.
Each taking their turn gulping down the white wine the best that they could. It wasn't the best to drink like that but God it had been a while since he let himself do it. Since he let himself go like that with the two of them. It was a damn good thing it was so palatable, and he liked the brand that made gulping it down all the sweeter. He'd been happily content with his damp hair and big, comfy pajamas. The three of them had talked; about what, he couldn't recall now.
That memory was fuzzier than the others of the night. He couldn't remember what he'd said clearly or what they had chattered on about, but he knew it had been about three in the morning when the couple finally let him turn in for the night. He'd barely remembered to take his hearing aids out and his glasses off before crashing for the night. The couple had been unbearably sweet to him last night; something that he found now to be a bit embarrassing.
He didn't want to be coddled by Nemuri and Oboro but there was something so nice about it. About letting himself be cuddled by Nemuri who was so soft and smelled so, so sweet with her rose body scents. Or something about having Oboro's arm slung around him as they leaned into one another to stay close together. To stay upright while they talked. It had been nice. A night that he hadn't known he'd missed. He hardly slept over here all that often due but he wanted to change that.
He knew that last night it was due to the drinking, but the couple had always promised there was an open-door policy. Something that he extended to them as well. Even if he didn't have a big home like they did, the three of them had their agreement on an open door friendship. If they were home, he was welcome to come by. If he was home, then the couple could come by when they wanted. Sometimes he had them unlock his doors and ready the house for his return if he was at his mothers home.
But last night? Last night was absolutely amazing. Had been everything he hadn't known he'd been craving from his friends. He knew it wasn't a good look to be draped over both of his friends, but physical affection had never been hesitated to be given between the three of them. Oboro was intimidating to look at but the man was a big teddy bear. A big, squish hug teddy bear who gave out hugs like it was no ones business if he sensed they were slightly upset.
One that adored giving hugs and cuddles when needed. Nemuri was also very open with her physical affection should someone want it. And he had never had a problem with coming up to the couple for a hug or cuddle in the past. Perhaps it was inappropriate, but he liked it. He liked that the three of them were close enough to be comfortable like that with one another. Although, Nemuri had always been rather physically open to him when they were in high school together.
She was the type of friend who would open her door and arms for as long as he needed. And last night, he'd needed it. He hadn't realized how he had been neglecting his friendship with the couple but last night was another eyeopener. He knew that Nemuri had been right during their conversation. It was another one that he hadn't known he needed to have to really balance himself. But now that he had a timeline? Now that he knew what was going to happen in the new year?
Well, he felt ready. He felt prepared for his confession. Anything to get it over with so he could function the way he used too before he had met Shouta. Looking down at his sleeping sons, backs rising and falling slowly, he pushed at his blankets to work his legs free as he then began to scoot to the edge of the bed carefully. He made his way to the bottom where he stood up on wobbly legs. Glancing over at the bedside table, he found a bottle of water and a bottle of pills waiting for him.
Padding around the bed quietly as he could manage, he picked up the water which he raised up to his lips. And the touch of water to his lips had him gulping at the liquid with a sharp breath leaving him. Oh, it was stale from sitting out all night but by God if it didn't taste amazing as he gulped it down. Squeezing the cup slightly as he drained it, he lowered the glass then sighed out at the liquid pooling into his stomach. He felt heavy, sloshy, but it felt so fucking good when his mouth and throat felt so dry.
His temples began to throb with an increasing pressure that had him swallowing a groan. He'd need to go get more water downstairs. Picking up the pill bottle, he spun on his feet to pad around the bed where he glanced over his sleeping sons once more. They looked so peaceful. Small hands holding the blankets where he'd been laying moments. With wild curls and indigo locks glowing against the soft gold coloring of the bed sheets. He made his way across the room to the cracked door.
Pushing it open carefully just enough, he slipped out into the hallway with what he hoped was a quiet sigh. Making his way down the hall to the stairs, he glanced at the pill bottle that he held in his hand. Excedrin migraine, huh? His head was definitely throbbing with that swelling pressure of a wine induced hang over. The back of his neck felt tight, and he could just imagine the mess his hair had to be as it swayed against his back. He felt like a mess when he rubbed at his slick cheek firmly.
Ridding it of he drool that had gathered overnight on the wet pillow. The cool air felt nice on his clammy forehead as he padded down the hallway. Wild locks brushing hsi throat and cheeks lightly as he made his way to the stairs. Slipping down them quietly as he possibly could, he made his way into the living room where he padded across it to the front hallway. He winced at the brilliant, glowing sunlight of midday spilling into the kitchen with its brilliant white light as it bounced off the snow.
Much too bright for his liking but there's nothing that he could do about that. It had his eyes throbbing in unison with his head at the bright light bouncing off of the snow. It was truly blinding this time round and had his head aching something fierce at the sharp, bright light. He squinted against it when he made his way down the hallway into the large kitchen. Padding across the cool tile floor, he made his way to the fridge and freezer.
He slipped his cup into place under the ice dispenser where water gushed into his cup after pressing the button on it. He liked it. A silent moment where he wasn't bombarded with every little sound in the world. He knew he'd need to get his hearing aids when Nemuri and Oboro got up or when the boys got up but until then? Well, the silence was nice. He filled up his cup which he then sipped at with the cold water fanning through his chest on its way down to his stomach.
It had him shivering when he then shuffled to the counter where he placed his cup down to get the pill bottle open. Once he did, he shook out two pills into his hand that he knocked back then chased down with his water. He got the cap back on the pills when he lifted his cup up then turned on his feet. There was no point in starting his day yet, was there? It was only eleven in the morning, and he knew Nemuri and Oboro wouldn't be up for a few more hours.
He was grateful he'd decided to take the day off from his store today. Padding across the kitchen once more, he made his way down the front hallway with his chilled glass of water in hand. He made his way into the living room then across it towards the stairs where he slipped up them quietly as he'd gone down. Or at least he hoped it was quiet. He made his way up into the upper hallway where he walked down it to his bedroom again.
Darkened thanks to the curtains, he gulped at his water with a shiver running down his back. He entered the room quietly where his boys remained asleep in the bed as he placed his glass of water down along with the pills. He then made his way to the foot of the bed where he crawled up onto the bed. The mattress dipped beneath him but neither boy stirred, thank God, as he took his place in the middle of the bed again. Making sure not to disturb the bed too much.
He flipped his pillow over, the case soaked with a large wet patch, when he laid his head back down on it. His legs slipping beneath the blanket that he tugged up to his chest once more Laying his head down, however, took that mounting pressure right out of it. Provided him with some relief until the pills could kick in. It had him sighing out when he felt Hitoshi squirm. Cuddling up to his side once more with a small hand reaching out to twist into his borrowed pajama shirt.
Sighing out it seemed judging by the air fanning over his upper arm as his son cuddled up close. As if he'd been aware of his brief disappearance. He felt a yawn crawling up his throat which bubbled out of him with his hand reaching up to tug his glasses off of his face. He then reached carefully over Izuku to place them on the bedside table again. He was more than happy to return to bed. To lay here and let his mind wonder by hazily.
Trying to recall the murky conversations he had by himself, Nemuri and Oboro. He couldn't remember exactly what their conversations had been about, but he knew he'd been gushing about Shouta. Or was that a dream? He had not a clue, but another yawn was bubbling up and out of him again as his sons cuddled close to him again. His lashes resting on his cheeks as his brows twitched together slightly. It had been fun; Oboro had had that right, at least.
There had been so much fun last night that he'd had with the couple that he almost didn't want to return home. He didn't want to go back to work where he'd be left wondering if Shouta would come strolling through the doors with Eri. God, what was he going to do about Shouta? He couldn't recall texting him, but he had not a doubt in his mind that the man had to have been upset they didn't call. He knew he'd been a tinge upset that their call hadn't been better.
If anything, it was a short lived call. Shouta hadn't seemed to happy but he had offered to hang up so they could continue with their night. He'd felt a horrible guilt that he hadn't warned the black-haired man preemptively but Nemuri hadn't said anything about it afterwards. Instead they took the white wine upstairs to watch a movie on his TV in his room. Passing the bottle from person to person as they kept their cackles quiet but he'd been worried about Shouta.
They'd been doing little calls for the past handful of nights after Christmas, but he'd needed it last night. He'd needed one night with best friends without that sexual tension. That romantic tension. He was so exhausted after his hang out with Shouta he found. He was always wrung so tight that by the time Shouta was leaving it was like sighing out. Like letting out a breath that he hadn't known he'd been holding down in his lungs subconsciously.
Waiting for those rough hands to touch his face. For those strong arms to wrap around his waist. To touch his hands. His waist. It was agonizing waiting for something from Shouta lately. The tension that crackled over his skin was exhausting. It only seemed to wind itself tighter each time he was face-to-face with the black-haired man. It was leaving him strangely tired as he tried to sleep after these encounters that kept him up at night. It was agonizing. Absolutely tormenting him.
God, he didn't know how he wasn't going to snap before the new year. It was like Shouta knew of these cords and was plucking them in just the right order to drive him up the wall. To drive him insane. He adored the black-haired man; he adored him like a best friend. Like an admirer would. And he wanted nothing more than to spend his time with the single father. To cuddle Eri on his lap and poke at those pink cheeks of hers until she was squealing in his lap.
But he knew that it wasn't possible to spend all of it together. Not when he had two boys, and Shouta had his young daughter to care for. He just couldn't wait to confess to the black-haired man. God, what would their lives look like afterwards? Would Shouta accept him? Or would he be rejected? If Shouta was gay then surely, they couldn't work, could they? He may present as a man, but he didn't have man parts. And to some people, that would absolutely be a deal breaker.
It would be the thing that would lead to a rejection. It hurt his chest to think that he could possibly be rejected but that's what this was all about, wasn't it? If he was ready to begin dating, then he'd take his loss. If Shouta didn't want him then he could easily find another person to meet. Someone who would accept him and his boys. But until he confessed, he knew that he would never possibly know the outcome. Next year. He swore it.
His head throbbed gently causing him to groan quietly to himself; at least he hoped it was quiet as he lifted a hand up to rub his forehead firmly before lifting his other hand up. Rubbing at his temples gently with his lashes tickling his cheeks as he let out a slow, even breath. It wasn't going to do anything but hurt his heavy head more if he laid here and tried to think about something that hadn't even happened yet. He had done nothing but think and think since he had met Shouta.
All he had done was circle his life around this man who might not even want him. They might just be platonic best friends. But with the hangover that was slowly gaining on him it wasn't going to help anything to sit here and try to think. He didn't want to think. Not about Shouta. Not when he had both of his sons curled up into his sides as they slept onwards. How long had they been up? There wasn't a chance that he, Oboro and Nemuri kept them up, was there?
He rubbed at his temples gently with a sound vibrating lowly in his throat when he pressed his head back into the pillow with wild locks brushing at his throat. His jaw. He felt like a damn hot mess with his sons sleeping on either side of him. The sun was trying in vain to claw between his curtains but they thankfully blocked it out. Keeping the room plunged into darkness. Rubbing at his temples with small, gentle circles against the throbbing spots with another yawn bubbling out of him.
Shifting slightly, he pressed his had back into the pillow. The back of his neck ached from the awkward position he'd been sleeping in, his shoulder aching lightly, but he ignored it. Last night had been absolutely amazing in both alcohol and the sleep over itself. The boys had had a blast playing with their uncle who had delighted in swinging them around with both boys shrieking and squealing.
They'd clung to the blue-haired man and happily wrestled with him the best that they could while being mindful of Izuku's arm. When he'd inevitably tucked them into bed together, they'd seemed so content beneath the deep blue comforter of the other spare room. He might've been tipsy when he said goodnight to his sons but they had gone down without a fight after their shower and changing into their spare pajama's.
He was more than happy that they'd gone down so effortlessly. The rest of his night, of course, had been spent with that wine and cuddles from Nemuri. Hands stroking over his hair and some cheesy movie played on the TV before they'd gone to his bedroom to pass the wine bottle around together. It had been like something out of his high school days. Back when they used to have sleep overs at Oboro's where the blue-haired teen would sneak bottles from his parents liquor cabinet for them to taste and try.
It had been a night that brought with it all the nostalgic feelings in a rushing flood. He'd been so happy to lean into Nemuri. To wedge himself between the married couple where he was then showered with all the platonic affection that a man and woman could give. He'd been happy. Curling Nemuri's dark purple hair around his fingers while he rested his head on Oboro's shoulder had been so nice. Being held by someone whether it was platonic or romantic had been so nice.
The familiarity of his best friends squished up against him brought a comfort that he hadn't realized he'd been missing. A friendship with them was worth everything to him and he wanted nothing more than to relish in it. But he knew he had to go home. He had to return to work at his store. They'd return to their usual lives after today. Maybe he should make more of a habit of sleeping over with Nemuri and Oboro.
God knows the boys enjoyed spending the night with their aunt and uncle so why not? He could invite them over more often. Go back to his usual FaceTime calls with Nemuri where they'd share a drink over video chat. It'd be nice. He missed the couple. He had always scoffed and rolled his eyes at how "in love" they acted together but he knew it was nothing but genuine. And he knew that, in their own ways, they loved him too. The platonic adoration they held for one another was something undeniable.
He'd always adored Nemuri; she had been the first one outside of his family to gift him with his binder. One that he'd worn proudly before he grew out of it. The one who had been at his bedside with his mothers when he woke from his top surgery. She was his best friend. Oboro had been a supportive friend as well; showing him how to lose the feminine aspects by letting him copy him. Study him. Oboro had been so helpful with giving him "guy advice" in their high school years.
How to act more manly. He could still remembered the snickering laughter as he tried to copy Oboro's walking gait. When he was being taught how to belch like a man would. It had been absolutely sweet of the blue-haired man. They had only grown closer; a tight nit group of three with Tensei eventually being roped into their shenanigan's. Nemuri and Oboro were his best friends. Some part of him wished he'd met Shouta back in high school.
That they had met so much sooner especially when they had the same friends in the same circles. They were both best friends with Oboro so how could they have not met? How did they somehow act as polar opposites? He'd, of course, seen Shouta at the ends of hallways but there had been no reason to call out to him. There'd been no way the other would even acknowledge him then. Hadn't they been in the same class? But what would he be doing now if he had met and befriended Shouta earlier?
Would he have been pining years rather than a handful of months? What type of damage would years of pining have on his heart? Would he have been left pining and longing? It was a thought that he didn't like. He didn't want to pine for years but here he was pining over a man he wasn't sure would even have him. Nemuri may have been funny with her anal comment but that didn't mean Shouta would be happy with him if he was gay. If he didn't like women parts then there was no changing that.
But if Shouta was possibly bisexual or pansexual then it wouldn't matter, right? Would it matter if he was gay? It had him covering his face with his hands where he sighed out with his fingers digging into his aching eyes. Rubbing fiercely with a downwards press to help the migraine that was beginning to twist into his head. He didn't want to be thinking about this. He didn't want to be considering the ins and outs of possibly being with Shouta.
He just wants to lay here and try not to think but it was harder than he realized. Much harder. God, he wanted to choke himself. He slid his hands down away from his eyes as they opened to focus on the blurry, fuzzy view of the white ceiling up above him when Izuku squirmed next to him. And before he knew it, his head was coming to rest on his chest with his cheek nuzzling against him gently. His casted arm sliding over his stomach with small fingers twisting into the fabric of it.
Holding onto him with a sigh fanning over his chest. And then Hitoshi's head was nudging up against his side with a small hand holding onto his shirt. Both cuddling up to his sides when he threw his arms up to give them the room that they needed. He wants to be a good father. He wants to be able to live his life. He was only twenty-six years old with two six-year-olds that needed him. He was a father under thirty with two children. He didn't want to be neglectful.
He knew he couldn't- no, shouldn't center his world around Shouta. Like Nemuri had said last night, it wasn't healthy. To center himself around one man who might not want him like that. What else had Nemuri said? He couldn't deny, he remembered most of their conversation but it was murky. Like he was trying to push past a fog to see clearly but it only mad his head pound. God, he knew he was a mess. He was spending all of his time with his sons and Shouta.
With his other friends. And he knew that he wasn't keeping up with Nemuri and Oboro. With Tensei and Emi. When was the last time he hung out with the four of them? When was the last time the boys got to spend time with Tenya? They of course had their friends in the mom group but he knew that they'd been spending time Tenya and they both adored the rather awkward child. He needed to put himself out there more; he needed to not neglect his friendships with Oboro, Nemuri, Tensei or Emi.
He just needs to balance himself out. He yawned to himself with his hands resting on his forehead as he looked down at his sons sleeping peacefully on his chest. Against his side. There was more to life than Shouta Aizawa and he knew that. He knew it. And he needed to live his life the way that he had been before he met Shouta. That he needed to include more hangouts with himself and the four others. It would be nice to have Tenya in his home again for a playdate with Hitoshi and Izuku.
The green-haired boy specifically as the boy seemed to have taken to Tenya the last time that they'd come over with the young boy in tow. Sighing out to himself, he tried his best to pitch it down so it would be quiet. Even if he knew growling stomachs would eventually wake his sons who slept so peacefully as they tucked themselves close to his sides. Like he'd never moved in the first place. Life was about balance. It was about spacing his time out properly.
And ever since he took on that damn substituting job he knew that he wasn't doing it properly. He wasn't balancing his life out the way that he wanted too. That he should. He was more than capable of doing it if he sat down and worked it all out again. Created a schedule that he needed to stick with rather than running off eagerly to hang out with Shouta and abandon his plans. He would have to make his plans firmer with himself.
He'd already given Shouta his left overs that night that they had eaten over at Oboro and Nemuri's café. He'd been happy to have the black-haired man follow him home where he then turned over the containers of food that had been piled into Shouta's passenger side seat. Their goodbye had been somewhat awkward but he had been tugged into a hug. One that had left him warm for the rest of the night just to recall. He loves that hugs were becoming a bit more common between himself and Shouta.
Sure, he had to initiate it sometimes but he was more than happy to curl himself in those strong arms. Shouta was an inch shorter than him and he adored that small difference. He loved burying his face into his shoulder where he would inhale his cologne down into his lungs as inconspicuously as he could. It was a scent that he would recognize anywhere; one that felt right. Felt good. Sighing out to himself, he lowered his arms down to curl around his sleeping sons.
Loving how little hands tightened on his shirt with little bodies cuddling into him firmly. Arms tightening around him. He was more than happy to hold them close to him. To cuddle them close. After all, in a years time when they both turned seven who knows what they would or wouldn't want. Cuddles might be a thing of the past by then and he didn't want that. He didn't want to say goodbye to the sweet cuddles from his sons. To waking up without the warmth of them tucked close.
It was only a matter of time. A matter of time that would have his sons maturing and growing up before his very eyes. It was better to treasure these moments while he still had them and to relish in the warmth of his sons while he had it. And here he was thinking about another man. He let out another sigh that he hoped was quiet as he rubbed at small backs that fluttered gently. He wasn't sleeping. Not by a long shot. But he was more than happy to cuddle up with his sons until they woke.
God, it was stressful sometimes having two sons at the young age of twenty-six but he was doing it, wasn't he? He was being a good father, wasn't he? He hoped so. He truly, deeply hoped so. When he took in Hitoshi he'd been far too young; he'd only been in his early twenties. How he had been qualified to be a foster parent that early, he had not a clue but he was happy from the day Hitoshi had been placed in his arms. He'd held that boy close to his chest and had refused to let him go.
Adopted by the time he was twenty-four, he'd been happy to have a son. Happy to be a father. And he still was; when he took in Izuku last year, he didn't know how he was going to do it. All he had known from the agency was there was a five-year-old boy in need of a home who had a few problems. Mainly surrounded around neglect but he'd felt ready to take on the boy. And he was happy that he had. God, was he happy. But now he had two sons who depended on him.
Who looked to him to take care of everything for them. Who looked to him for guidance. He was going to be twenty-seven-years old next July seventh and the boys were going to be seven years old themselves. All he had to do was continue to grow; to learn and teach his sons as he was taught as a young child. He needed to be there for them. And he liked to believe that he is there. That he is a present father who was supporting them the best that they could.
They were growing like weeds and he was growing right with them. They were learning new curves to life together this winter and he was more than happy to learn. To grow with them. He tightened his arms around them with even, slow breaths fanning over his chest and sides as both boys cuddled into him. Arms squeezing over his stomach with little hands tightening on his shirt. He adored his sons. He adored them so very much and he planned to be nothing less than a good dad.
He was going to be the best father that he can be. And if that means putting them above his dating life then did that make it worth it? Did that mean he sacrificed his wants? His needs? He knew that being a parent came with having sacrifices. In sacrificing things for himself. Did that mean his dating life would be one of them? Or could he possibly have that part of his life too? Or would he have to give it up? He knew that regardless he was going to confess to Shouta and they would take it from there.
Whether it was an acceptation or a rejection, he was going to at least try. He knew that romance couldn't be avoided forever and his sons would eventually see him dating. Would eventually see him with another person whether that was a man or woman. They would have to navigate new territory together and they would have to work things out. He wanted nothing more than for Izuku's adoption papers to go in faster but he knew he couldn't rush the courts to move faster.
No matter how eager he was. How excited he was about the adoption. But he'd been last updated that it looked promising. That soon enough he'd be signing the papers and Izuku would be his. It would be a good idea to plan how to explain dating to his sons. Explain dates. That he could possibly be going on them at night. He didn't know how to do this. His mothers were already married when they adopted him then shortly a year later they'd adopted his sister.
He didn't know how to navigate this type of talk with his sons or what he even began to say to them but he knew that time was of the essence. That he needed to get his metaphorical ducks in a row to prepare for whatever Shouta's answer would be. He had merely days left for this month and then they'd be in the new year. And he swore to himself that he'd say something to Shouta in January. He didn't know when yet but he knew that it was imperative that he said something to the black-haired man.
He can't go pining for this man into February. He can't. He was being silly now not saying anything; he was crushing on the man and he wanted nothing more than to tell him. But to tell him, to possibly have his feelings accepted, meant that there would be a change for Hitoshi and Izuku. It wouldn't be immediate and it wouldn't be instantaneous but the change was coming nonetheless. Something that he knew that he needed to be prepared for that.
He needed to have his talks planned and ready for the milestones they would possibly be hitting. After all, he can only imagine what a change their father dating would mean to two six-year-old boys. They had been his whole world for the past year and the idea that he was going to have not one but two sons fully adopted by him? Well, it was about time that he figured out how to approach dating as a whole. He wanted nothing more than to figure out how to say something to his children.
Did he have to say anything to them? Was there a need to tell them in the beginning? Or did he give it a year before speaking up about it? He knew from the few Reddit stories he'd read that sometimes single parents would keep their dating on the down low for the first year then introduce their kids to their partner in the second year. Would that be the smart move? Would that be the right move for them? He had not a clue but it had him opening his eyes again to stare at the blurry view of the ceiling up above him.
He blinked with his hands moving over small backs when he felt Izuku stiffening against him. Stretching out slightly with his small feet pressing into his shin with his arms stiffening out to stretch with his head tilting back. Hitoshi squirmed against his side restlessly with a breath fanning over his side when the boy cuddled closer with his even breaths. Tucked up beneath his arms when Izuku's head lifted from his chest.
Lifting his head slightly, he found himself peering into sleep fogged green eyes with pupils blown wide. Tired. Izuku lifted his casted arm up to rub his exposed fingers into his eyes with a a yawn bubbling out of the green-haired boy. And then his lips were moving but he couldn't quite make out what the boy was saying. Possibly a mumble? He moved his arm from around his son to tap at his ear when the green-haired child caught on quickly.
His son then shifted in the bed before settling back down with his head on his chest rather than reaching for his hearing aids. He had not a clue what the boy wanted but he seemed content in laying back down as his cheek nuzzled itself to his chest. Rubbing against him as his small body cuddled into his side. His casted arm resting over his stomach once more when a sigh fanned over his chest; warming it briefly. It was amazing the thin fabric of his borrowed shirt was.
But he tugged his son closer. Holding him securely to his chest with his hand lifting to caress wild green curls. He couldn't deny that he adored it when his sons joined him in the night. When he woke to a cuddle pile with small hands holding onto him like he was an oversized stuffed animal. It was by far the sweetest thing he'd ever woken too, and he'd never get over it. He knew that his sons merely had some anxieties at night.
They did this at his mothers house too from time to time. At home they were amazing at staying in their own beds but when they slept at his mothers or here, they always found their way into his bed. It was something he had long since become accustomed to. They always seemed to want a point of comfort; something that they were familiar with. And what was more comforting, more familiar, than their father? He appreciated it.
Found it incredibly touching and sweet that his sons sought him out in the night like this. He knew that going forward he might have to discourage this but until then he was more than happy to have his sons join him for a late night sleep over. He knew it was merely a product of being in a new room that wasn't theirs and he knew they didn't have all their plushies like they did at home. And in such a big bed it would be foreign.
Not to mention it had been quite a while since they slept over Nemuri's and Oboro's like this. He knew they'd have to go home soon to feed the cats and get them their water. He was sincerely debating getting those automated feeders and water dispensers so he wouldn't have to worry about spending the night away from home. He sighed out softly to himself as he rubbed Izuku's back, but he knew the boy wasn't sleeping. But he didn't mind it one damn bit.
If his son wanted a late morning cuddle then that's what he would get. He wasn't going to scold or tell him to return to his own bed. Not now that it was morning time. Rolling his head over the pillow, he lifted it up just enough to kiss the top of Izuku's head with green curls brushing his cheeks. He loved those green curls of his. There was nothing he adored more than having those springy green curls bouncing when he was running around the house.
When those green eyes were shimmering up at him with a look of delight as spots of pink popped on freckled cheeks. How Izuku brightened when he caught on to something. How he always seemed to dance around or stomp his feet when he finally caught on. There was something so adorable about it. And of course, there was nothing he loved more than when Hitoshi caught on. When he got to watch those purple eyes widened at him incredulously.
The bright smile that curled over his sons lips or how those spots of pink popped on his cheeks. How he jumped and spun with the delight of realizing something good was coming his way. Or how the boy seemed to enjoy his alone time with his books that he had in their shared room. There was one other bedroom upstairs that was going to be used by Hitoshi or Izuku depending on when they wanted their own rooms.
He had caught the indigo haired child in that room more times than he could count with books in hand. Or to simply draw on the carpeted floor. It was sweet to see that while they were close and grew closer over the past year that they still liked their alone time. That they could still function after having it. There was nothing he adored more than seeing the contrasting personalities in his sons. How Izuku was a bright, bubbly and easy to ramble boy while Hitoshi was quieter.
Shyer one might say. Strange as it was to say it, he could see similarities between Hitoshi and Shouta. Both held the same shyness. They both ducked their heads to hide their faces away. Both had the scrunching shoulders that came up to their shoulders. It was sweet seeing those similarities. He knew if he had to have an outsiders view, he'd dare say that Izuku took after him. He saw so much of himself in the green haired child, and he adored the boy all the more for it.
But he also adored Hitoshi and his shyness. His quiet, gruff nature would turn him into either a sullen teen or a quiet one. It didn't matter to him so long as they were happy, healthy, and they were well rounded by the time they were in high school. There's nothing he wants more than to make sure that they grew up into the responsible young men that he hoped they'd be. Until then there was nothing, he could do other than to help teach them.
Help them grow into mature young men. He tightened his arm around Izuku as he stroked his hand over those wild green curls adoringly before kissing at the top of his head again. He was holding the boy close to his chest when he felt Hitoshi's small hand rise up to his chest where fingers twisted into the fabric. Holding onto him as his face pushed into his side with a vibration running over his skin as he made a sound.
He tightened his arm around Hitoshi when he felt the boy cuddling into him with small feet touching his knee with a sigh fanning out into the fabric of his shirt. He'd figure this out. He didn't know how yet but he knew with some time that he'd figure out how he was going to tell the boys. How he was going to tell them that he was dating depending on Shouta's answer. He wanted nothing more than to do this right and he knew that he needed to at least have an idea of what he was going to say.
What was he going to do if Shouta accepted his confession? It wasn't so bad to have two plans in mind, was there? If he had a plan of what to say, what to do, if he should be rejected. To know what he was going to do or say if Shouta accepted him. There was nothing wrong with that now was there? It could do to be prepared for something whether it was for himself or for his children. He knew that he would have to figure this out eventually and he'd rather be prepared for either choice.
Either situation to take place. He didn't know how Shouta felt for him, and he didn't know if that meant he was going to confess or if he was going to merely spill his guts. Whatever he was going to do he knew that he needed to be prepared. For himself and for his children. He needed to know now what he was going to do and what he was going to say to his children. What he was going to do going forward. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to be prepared like that.
It wasn't going to hurt anyone if he had something to fall back onto; something that would see him through this. Something that would help him plan accordingly. It would be smart, wouldn't it? He let out what he could only guess to be a hum when he let himself begin humming that lullaby. A sweet crooning thing that always put his boys to sleep; it was something his mother had taught him. Letting his lashes flutter shut and cutting off the blurry world around him.
Trying his best to ignore the pounding in his head. He'd get up soon enough to lunch with Nemuri and Oboro where they'd nurse their hangovers with coffee and take out. Until then he was more than content to merely lay in bed with his sons cuddled up to him as he felt Izuku's breaths beginning to slow again as he began to doze again. There would be more than enough time in the world to obsess over a man. There would be more than enough time to worry about what he was going to do.
He knew that he had all the time in the world to do that. He wanted to enjoy the last stretch of December with his sons; he wants to get to New Years Eve. And then, once he was clear into the new year, then he'd worry about what he was going to do. What he was going to say to Shouta. He'd have a full proof plan for a rejection or an acceptance of his feelings. But until then, he wanted to claw himself through the rest of December.
For now, he wants nothing more than to lay in bed with his sons who were cuddled up to him. Peacefully sleeping together with not a worry in the world. And he wants nothing more than to remain in this tranquil peace of the late morning. His throat vibrated with the soft lullaby that he hummed to his green-haired son. Holding both children close to his chest with slow breaths fanning over him as his own breaths began to slow slightly as he continued humming.
He'd worry about Shouta later; he'd worry about everything at a later time when his head wasn't threatening to explode. When it didn't feel like his brain was trying to hammer its way out of his aching skull as his lashes rested on his cheeks once more. And he happily let himself sink into the silence of the world around him with the vibrations of his humming being the focal point for the time being. A peaceful day was all that he wanted. There wasn't anything complicated about that, now was there?
