"Oh, my word, who is this? You're absolutely glowing, Zashi!"
Hizashi glanced over at the woman standing in his shop doorway rushing over with coffees in hand with sky-blue eyes widening with pink lips parting ever so slightly. He smiled sheepishly at Nemuri as she approached his desk and held an ice coffee out for him to take. Chilled in his grasp, he lifted the cup up to stuff the straw between his lips. Sighing out at that first, sweet taste of the coffee before lowering it to smile at Nemuri. "Am I really? Even though last week you said I looked like shit!"
"I'd never!" There was an affectionate, warm sparkle in Nemuri's gaze when she lifted her own cup and sipped at her ice coffee. Giving a lazy swirl of it that had the ice cubes rattling against the sides of her cup when her smile widened. A coy playfulness to the dark-haired woman's face and lips that had his own smile widening at the corners when Nemuri clicked her tongue. "You really are glowing! What are you doing in your off time, huh? Or is that parent group doing wanders on you?"
"Whether you believe it or not, yeah, it is! This past week has been so easy for me to balance everything like you wouldn't believe!" Lowering his cup down onto the counter, he dragged his stool over and he hopped up onto it while Nemuri leaned on the counter with a hand cupping the side of her throat with that sparkle in her gaze. "Last week was rough before I joined the parents' group, but you were right, Nem. It's been so unbelievably good for me and the boys! They're over at the Uraraka's house right now for an afterschool playdate!"
The smile on Nemuri's lips widened into a beaming one that shimmered with that quiet pride. It had his stomach fluttering with that similar joy when she tapped her nails on the smooth counter of his. "See? Do you see what I told you? Join a parent's group and it would be so much better for you! And you'd have more time to do what you want! And you'll have more time to have adult nights out! As much as I love your ankle biters, there's things you simply can't do with children around if you get my gist? I love Izuku and Hitoshi! Don't get me wrong but-"
"No, I know! I get it, there's things they shouldn't see at all. But with this new group of parent friends I'm making, it's so easy on me, Nem." The dark-haired woman's nails tapped rhythmically on the counter surface when he then leaned forward with his cup balanced on his thigh with his hand on the cover. He really was appreciative of his new friend group; if anything, he'd have to thank Nemuri for pushing him to do it. "I owe you dinner or something, don't I? If you didn't say some brutally honest shit last week-"
"You'd be drowning by now." Nemuri nodded with a solemn energy to her when she then smiled so sweetly it was all too apparent it was fake. Her eyes glittered at him when she shifted with a buzz in her pocket of her phone filling the silence. She straightened up then and began digging into her pocket for her phone with that playful sparkle in her gaze. "But yes! You owe me dinner and it's going to be at that fancy new place that just opened up and we're going to have a bottle of wine! You owe me big time, mister!"
Grinning at the dark-haired woman, he watched red nails flashing at him as he lifted his cup up to take a sip at while she unlocked her phone screen. Swiping through her notifications no doubt when he shifted in his place on the stool before licking his lips. "I don't know about a bottle of wine or two, but I know we can share a bottle at the restaurant. And then, maybe, if you want to stay over, I can have you and Oboro come over for a few drinks afterwards and dessert if that's alright with you?"
"That sounds perfect! But I gotta go! The husband needs some help with the café, and I'm obligated, as his wife, to help him so I'll catch up with you later, Zashi, yeah?" She then leaned forward with her phone clattering on the counter with hands stretching out to pinch his cheeks when he whined before turning his face away as she laughed. "I love you, you big idiot! Keep it up! Hitoshi and Izuku will thank you for helping them make friends! And you'll be thanking yourself for all the you-time you're going to have now!"
"Yeah, yeah, get outta here! Go help the husband rather than pick on me!" Trying for that grumbling, playful tone as he rubbed at his throbbing cheeks when the dark-haired woman stuck her tongue out before scooping her coffee and phone up. Bustling to the door with long strides that had her heels snapping against the wooden floor of his store deafeningly. "See you later, Nem! I'll text you when I'm off work!"
The dark-haired woman turned her head to blow him a kiss before tugging the door open with a jingle of the bells above it before stepping out onto the sidewalk with the door thudding shut behind her. Rubbing at his aching cheeks, he huffed out before sipping at his coffee in a long pull. Hopping off of his stood, he grabbed at the trolley he'd been pushing out to begin stacking books when the dark-haired woman had barged in. Tucking his coffee in the crook of his elbow carefully, he pushed at the handles of the trolley.
Walking it around the desk with the quiet squeak of the small front wheels as he pushed it out into the shop. Making his way to the small YA section of his store with a hum. He'd been right. Nemuri had been right. He could see how hectic, how packed tight his schedule had been before he'd join that parent group of his. Nemuri had been unbelievably right in that he was close to snapping. Close to burning out. It seemed that playdate with Mitsuki was coming up but it didn't stop Himari or Rei from texting him.
From asking him if he wanted to meet at the park on Monday or if they could take the boys out together. Something that his sons absolutely adored and often went off with to "play with Roki cause he's sad" before running off. It was an amazing one-eighty to their usual routine, and he adores it. With the mothers of his friend group taking Hitoshi and Izuku off of his hands three times now in the past week it had left him time to breathe. To get his taxes in order for tax season and his budgeting for the year.
To get his orders in line for the most recent book lines for his store. He wasn't swimming in money, there wasn't a whole gaggle of people who came into his shop, but it did decently enough. Enough to keep them comfortable. Hizashi had been able to take not one but three baths this weekend to destress after his workday and the boys seemed all too happy in seeing these new friends of theirs. Often over animated, Izuku led the conversations at dinner time about how their playdates had gone with Hitoshi nodding along with it.
Jumping in when need be. It was sweet to see both of his sons getting the stimulation and social interactions they needed. It was all about balance. It had always been about finding his balance, his footing, away from the edge he'd been teetering on since beginning to work out the complexities of Izuku's case with his worker. From last year onwards he'd been toeing that line of burn out. Of frustration. He'd believed for so long that a father made sacrifices. Parents made deals, made sacrifices and did so with a smile.
That is how he viewed parenthood but he was wrong, wrong, wrong. He may be a father, but did that mean he stopped being Hizashi? Did that mean his whole life and the meaning of it had to be reduced to fatherhood? He didn't think so. He didn't want to believe that. He didn't think he had to sink and lose himself to the title of Dad. Of being a parent. He can be a father and he can be Hizashi. That's what Nemuri, Mitsuki and Himari were telling him on Tuesday when he walked down to the park to meet them and his sons.
He was a father, but he was also a person. He had needs, wants, and desires that he'd been ignoring for the sake of being a good parent when it was all about balance. About making and finding time for himself while being there for his sons. It wasn't a crime for him to live. And he saw that now. It was as if after that night "self-love" as Nemuri would call it, had opened his eyes and he could see it clearly. He had needs. He had lusts, desires, and needs that he'd ignored in the past that he didn't' want to ignore anymore.
He had to begin drawing lines and boundaries with his sons who often crawled into bed with him most nights when they couldn't sleep. Saturday morning of last week, he'd laid down the first boundaries for his sons. That they weren't to sleep with him anymore if it can be avoided. He'd gone so far as to run out, buy a chart, and stickers where he promised to keep track of the nights they slept alone in their bedroom. A rewards system that he'd used to potty train Hitoshi, and it seemed to work for his sons.
The glittering delight when they slept alone only to watch him place stickers beside their names on the small chart. Of course, this didn't mean that there weren't any hiccups in this over the past five nights. Tuesday night he found Izuku crying in the kitchen over nightmares and the green-haired boy had begged to sleep with him. He'd merely scooped the six-year-old up and walked him back to his bed. He'd gone through the steps to look through his son's room for monsters without waking Hitoshi.
He'd sat with Izuku until dark green lashes fluttered down to pink cheeks as he rubbed the tear lines away. Or Wednesday night when Hitoshi had an accident and had been crying while stripping his bed. His sons seemed to think not sleeping with him meant they couldn't go to him, and he gently addressed that this morning. Telling them that sleeping by themselves didn't mean that they couldn't come to him. He didn't want to guilt them by saying "Dad needs alone time" but rather he had taken the time this morning.
Taking the time to explain clearly as to why they had to sleep on their own. That he wanted some adult alone time to do his taxes and budgeting which, quite honestly, wasn't a lie. But his sons seemed to understand what he meant in that blunt, kid friendly manner. He never hesitated to open his door if they were crying, scared, or hurt. If they wet the bed for some reason. He'd never hesitate to scoop them up but sleeping in his bed was going to become a rarer occurrence than they seemed to understand.
And even if he was only half a week into having his bed to himself it already provided him with a satisfying amount of personal time. To sip at a glass of wine while he watched a movie or chat with Nemuri late into the night in their group chat with Tensei. He had time to himself to relax in the bath or linger in the shower a moment longer. It was something he adored but it didn't mean that he wouldn't welcome his sons to the bed for a cuddle should they need it. If they truly wanted it and he was more than happy to do that.
Hell, last night he let Hitoshi cuddle into his chest while he watched a movie until the boy had drifted off. After which, he brought him upstairs to his bed where his brother slept in his own bed across the room. It had been a bonding moment he was determined to share with Izuku if it so happened to happen. He wanted his sons to understand healthy boundaries. He wanted to give himself those healthy boundaries and time to himself. There was something odd about it given how used he was to waking up with a full bed.
With a small body curled into his chest and another into his back with small hands holding onto him. It was a new experience that was a bit rough on Hitoshi and Izuku, but they were understanding. If anything, they seemed excited to reach the end of the week for their charts and stickers. Placing the books on the shelf, he hummed quietly to himself to the music he had playing softly in the store speakers. Something that had been mentioned to him by Nemuri to get set up which he happily got done yesterday afternoon.
Something he was grateful was done so quickly before he'd had to pick his sons up. Stacking the books on the shelf, he couldn't help but reflect on how much better things seemed to be in only a week. A single week of getting his shit together when it was very clear that his life had been more off-kilter than he realized. He could see that his mothers didn't discourage him from parenting two children in the way he thought they did. It wasn't at all what he'd thought it to mean but rather they didn't want him to do it alone.
They explained that to him in a brief phone call last night; that they didn't want him to do it by himself. It had damn near choked him up at the motherly concern they expressed over the phone which he understood full heartedly. But now that he was part of a parental group? Well, it was easier. Much, much easier than having his sons cooped up in the store with him. Getting one, two, three books on the shelf, he paused to take a pull at his coffee with a rattle of ice on the cup's sides of his plastic cup.
Deafening in the quiet of his store when he placed it down then dried damp fingers off on his thigh. Making quick work to get four more books on the shelf when he shifted in his squat only to hum. It felt awful to think it but, in his time, alone he had discovered the new yet old love of masturbation. He couldn't believe how bland his life had been last week as compared to now with masturbation to spice it up. It had felt odd the day following their first playdate; he'd felt dirty even being around his children.
It felt wrong even if he took the hottest shower afterward to scrub at his skin to make sure he was completely clean. And the feeling remained but he put on his best face before he'd turned to google. He couldn't describe the embarrassment he'd felt but it had been easy to find a few blogs on it. To read through it just to calm his racing mind. To see it from a new perspective even as he kept that blatant knowledge that he was a man. An adult man who had needs. And there was nothing more and nothing less to it.
He was merely working out his needs on his own at night so did that make it so wrong? It's not like Hitoshi or Izuku knew. It's not like other parents knew. Masturbation was natural and it was something he was happy to include in his life again. God knows the stress resting on his shoulders last week didn't see as choking now than it did. It was an odd feeling, however, and he knew what the source of it was. It was that silent insistence he was a father. The silent believe that he had to be mature now.
That he needed to spend his time focusing on other things in regard to being a father rather than touching himself. But it was easy to chase that feeling away as he found a small balance in the past few days. To do all of his fatherly duties while the boys were awake but the nights? They were his. His to do as he pleased. So, who cared if he masturbated twice this week? Who cared if he did it at all? He was a person with needs. End of story. Putting up the rest of the first half of his box, he began to work on the other half.
A different series that he hummed at as he began placing them along the bottom shelf. God, the group of mothers had turned out to be something amazing for him, however, and his boys. There had been three other mothers that joined the fray, but he couldn't recall their first names. However, their last names stuck with him; Monoma, Kirishima, Tokoyami and two women by the names of Jiro and Yaoyorozu. It was ironic he couldn't remember their first names but rather the last names but at least he had their numbers.
Had them friended on Facebook. It was hard to recall all their full names, but they had charming children of their own with two of which being quiet children like Shouto and Hitoshi. It was a diverse group of children that seemed to be beneficial to himself and his sons. He was so, so grateful he bit the bullet. That he joined despite that odd sense of nerves that he was intruding on a group of mothers when it was the opposite. The quiet sound of a book dropping from his fingers tore him out of his thoughts.
Thudding to the floor, he cursed as he grabbed at the book to check for damaged before placing it on the shelf. He'd spent last night pulling a late night here in the store labeling with price tags Nemuri watched the boys at the café and got them food. He was grateful that the drama with the brake pads in his car was simply a need to change them out again and not a largely overwhelming, underlying problem. It was one stressor off of his back at least. One less thing that he didn't have to overthink or worry about.
The light tapping thud as he lined the books up on the shelf was loud over the quiet music he had playing above him as he hummed quietly. He felt alive. If this is what having a little alone time, boundaries and new parental friends did to him then he was on a damn good path. While he wasn't going to dump into dating, he had been looking at an LGBT dating app the other night. Eyeballing it but he didn't want to throw dating in yet. Not yet when everything was so new, but it was there if he wanted to hop on it.
He shifted in his squat when he picked his coffee up to take two long pulls at it before sighing as he placed it down. The ice swirled and hit off the sides of his cup. Rubbing the damp condensation off his fingers, he reached into the box to line the books up on the shelf before him. Bouncing lightly to keep the circulation going to his legs, he couldn't help his mind from its wondering. He had plans with the other mothers along with a few fathers to go out for coffee the next day during his lunch break.
After he told them about his work schedule. Where he worked, to which he'd sworn, he had never seen eyes light up brighter with promises of visiting his shop flying from the group. He was happy. Unbelievably happy as he squatted there humming to himself. He had a whole network of people willing to help him with Hitoshi and Izuku. To help him. It had him smiling to himself when he couldn't stop his mind from once again wondering to the black-haired man and his baby. Did he have a support network?
He could always pass along the group name he was a part of seeing as they took children as young as one year old but there was no real cap on the child's age. He felt heat rushing to the back of his neck at the thought; the mere memory of him even referencing the man's deep voice that first night in his bathtub when he'd been masturbating. It was wrong. Wrong to use a stranger's voice but he hadn't been thinking explicitly of the man doing it but rather of any man with a low voice like that. Was he lying to himself?
Possibly. But could it even be possible to be attracted to a voice? He'd have to look it up, but he knew it was a very real possibility that that indeed was why he got off so hard on it. Hell, when he'd been having his flings with Nemuri before she got together with Oboro he'd used her voice plenty of times to get off. Much to his embarrassment, he'd once used Oboro's deep voice as a reference point at one time. Never over the person but the pitches of the voices of those around him but was it wrong? Or was it normal?
He had not a clue, but he knew squatting here thinking about it when he was supposed to be working wasn't going to do him any favors. Standing up out of his squat, he bent over to dip his arms into the box to scoop up the final stack within it then turning to squat back down with the books being placed down. Much easier! He began placing them on the shelf quickly with that soft music playing when the song changed to something peppier. Sweeter. It had him bouncing lightly with a cheerful hum to himself.
He happily hummed along with the son while his head bobbed in time with the instrumental with his ponytail swaying against his back slightly. His bangs bobbed against the sides of his face when he got the last book on the shelf. Standing up, he tugged the empty box off of the second box to which he began to flatten the empty box. Sliding it into place, he then picked his coffee up again and shuffled into place behind his trolley as he opened the flap of the second box. How ironic that he had self-help books in this one.
Snorting to himself, he began to push the trolley down the aisle before turning to walk down to the back of the store before turning into that aisle. Pushing a bit past the children's help books, he spun then parked the trolley to which he walked around it and flipped the sides of the box open. Placing his coffee cup down on top of the bookcase this time, he began to line the books along the top shelf as he took them out of the boxes. Humming as he stacked the books on the shelf with their price tags flashing up at him.
He wondered if he could get one of his sisters to take the boys for the night so he could treat Nemuri and Oboro for dinner out. They, like his family, went above and beyond to help him with Izuku and Hitoshi. He owed many people special gifts but with the holiday seasons coming up on them? Well, that would be the perfect chance to repay them for their help throughout the year. Placing the books on the top shelf quickly, he then pulled a stack out of the box before squatting down to begin working on the bottom shelf again.
And then he heard the jingle of bells as his shop door was opened. Quickly placing the few books in his hands on the shelf, he popped up when he heard the sound of whining. Dropping a book as he popped up on his feet to peer over the shelves to the front of the store where the black-haired man from a week ago stood. In his arms was the fussing baby that he jiggled gently in his arms when he turned towards him. He swore those bags were deeper than the last time he saw him. Deep grooves under his eye.
That mottled blue of a sleepless night. Bloodshot eyes with half of his hair seeming kinked out in wild curls when a tiny hand came up to tug at his hair sharply causing his face to contort into a wince. The baby in his arms was fussing rather loudly as he let his gaze flick down to find the baby gnashing on what he had to assume was a teething toy. She squirmed and seemed utterly inconsolable as she writhed in the man's hold with that fussing hiccup of a sound leaving her. Clearly displeased when she squirmed in his arms.
Another hiccupping, shrill wail leaving the white-haired baby in the man's arms with tears gathering on pale locks. She let out another of those hiccupping sounds with her tiny fists lifting to hit at the black-haired man. As if she was threatening to dissolve into sobs as she yanked at black curls again causing the black-haired man to wince when he found himself moving around his trolley carefully before leaning forward against his bookshelf with hands resting on the surface when he licked his lips before speaking.
"Well, hello there! Is there anything I can help you with? Anything you need help finding?" The baby took that moment to shriek with her small fist hitting at the black-haired man's stubble covered jaw with her teething toy within it. Wailing out when he tried to get the toy back into her mouth where he saw t hat she indeed had teeth coming in. So months old rather than a year old like he'd thought last time. Or was she a year old and teething? He knew children could teen until two or three years old.
"Ah, yes, I was wondering if, um, you had any more recommendations on self help books? Particularly about baby teething this time round? She's been teething something fierce lately and nothing I look up online is really helpful, you know? And I know a book probably isn't going to give me anything different but here's to hoping, you know?" Another wail ripped out of the baby with that toy coming up to hit at the black-haired man's face when he winced before bouncing her gently. "No hitting, Eri!"
The white-haired girl, Eri if he heard right, whined defiantly when she stuffed the ring into her mouth with her tiny jaw biting down fiercely. Chewing on it frantically when he made his way back around the trolley to the end of the aisle with a hum as he squatted down to the baby books. Scanning over them critically with another cry leaving the baby, he grabbed at book before popping back up. "Here! I'll bring it up to you but this should help! I've never read it personally but I hear good things about it from my sisters!"
Making his way around the trolley of his, he then rushed up to the counter where he couldn't help but admire with a saddened awe at how bad those bags looked on the man when he held his book out to him which was taken by the man. The baby whimpered with her hand tugging at black locks causing the man to flinch. "Thank you! Really, I appreciate you helping me out both last week and today! I didn't think she'd begin teething so bad but her appointment isn't for next week and she's uncomfortable."
"I can see that! My sisters have had babies her age so I've heard all the horror stories about teething babies and I-" His words cut off at the growling, gurgling sound just barely ringing out audibly for him to blink at the black-haired man when he noticed spots of color popping on his cheeks. A mortified expression pinching at his face already with full lips parting to move silently. To defend himself? To wave it off? He couldn't help feeling that stab of pity for him when that face ducked away.
"Sorry I- Sorry, I didn't have time to eat before running out with her." The black-haired man mumbled at him as he bounced the fussing baby in his arms as she chewed viciously on the ring. As if it were the source of her ailment with hard bites that flashed off the teeth he could see forming and ripping through the gums. Poor baby. It had him frowning at both the child and parent, both seeming exhausted, when the black-haired man cleared his throat. "How much is this? I had a card today if-"
"Take it." Black lashes fluttered as dark eyes widened at him when he cleared his own throat. He wanted to say this right without pushing something on the black-haired man when he met that dark gaze. "You can take it. No charge! If anything, why don't I help you out? I can go get something at the café next door if there's anything you want from there? It's no problem, really! It's not good to run around with a fussy baby on an empty stomach."
"You really don't have to do tha-"
"I insist! Fathers need help now and again, yeah? It's honestly something I've learned lately so please, let me help out? I know it's odd having a stranger offer that but I really would like to help you even this once." He swore he saw a brief glisten to the black-haired man's eyes that was quickly blinked away when he then patted his pockets to make sure his wallet was in it before smiling. "Is there anything you'd like from next door? A coffee? Anything specific to eat or do you not mind what you get?"
"I don't mind." Gruff. Eyes flicked away from him as the black-haired man spoke with the baby's fussing dying down ever so slightly when he then stepped forward to hold his hand out in the silent offer of a greeting. It had the man blinking again with that gaze flicking onto his hand. The black-haired man shifted the baby- Eri, if he remembered right. Placing the book on the counter, the black-haired man then slid his hand into his grasp. Big and rough. Warm. "Shouta."
"Hizashi! I think this is the one time I'm going to run off of appearances on what a person would like coffee and food wise!" Trying for that joking tone, it had the black-haired man= No, it had Shouta cracking a weak little smile at him when he slid his hand out of the hand shake with a squeeze. He then slid his hand into his pocket to palm at his wallet when he gestured to the other to the doorway behind his counter. "If you don't want to rob me, there's a break room with a table to sit at if you'd like to rest but I'll be back!"
Shouta nodded at him when he spun on his feet to rush towards his front door with long, brisk strides that thudded over the wooden floor. Tugging his front door open, he stepped out onto the sidewalk into the blinding noontime sunlight when he made quick work to the café next door. It was the one thing he, Oboro, and Nemuri had found ironic when he and Oboro went in for a business course at college. The café next to the bookshop both run by best friends respectfully. How more cliché could it get?
He snickered to himself under his breath when he closed the distance with long strides as his boots hit off the cement. He grabbed at the door before beaming at the woman behind the cashier as he made his way to the front counter with those long strides. The hit of his rubber soles off the linoleum floor was loud as he put a pep to his step as he began digging his wallet out of his pocket to then open up. Wasting little time in blurting out an order; a black coffee and a chicken croissant sandwich that he had last time.
He handed over his credit card which he stuck into the slot, tapped at the small screen while workers in the back got to making the order. He couldn't deny that he was antsy. On his toes ready to rush back to his shop. Would he still be there? Or would he have found it too weird and left? He bit his lip as his order was processed with the payment accepted when he pulled his card out then left a cash tip in the jar. He tried to avoid bouncing on his toes, drumming his fingers on the counter, as he let his gaze flicker around the store.
Where were Nemuri and Oboro? In the back? She'd said that Oboro needed help so were they back there? He bit his lip as he bounced up on his toes with his ponytail swaying against his back with eagerness. The subtle impatience to get back to his shop when he found himself focusing on the counter with a bounce up on his toes. It truly didn't take long for the black coffee to be sat down on the counter with the sandwich in a small bag. Oboro always did pride himself on his shop being quick with orders.
Scooping up the coffee and bag with a goodbye to the workers behind him, he made quick work across the shop to the front door. Nudging it open with his arm awkwardly, he found himself sprinting slightly once his feet hit the sidewalk. Rushing back towards his shop quickly as he tucked the bag against his side as he reached out with his free hand to open the door. The bells chimed as he stepped into his shop to the sound of fussing from the back room. And he found himself letting out a breath he hadn't known was held.
Something he'd been holding the entire trip there and back when he made his way towards the counter. Glancing across the shop at his coffee leaving a wet ring behind, he placed the bag and hot coffee down then spun on his feet to quickly make his way over to the aisle with his cup. The thuds of his boots on the floor were deafening as he rushed over to the self-help aisle to grab his cup before spinning on his feet. Taking long, brisk strides across his shop floor with his ponytail swaying against his back.
Making his way quickly to the front of his store as he then scooped the bag up to tuck to his side again then he picked up the hot coffee. A stark contrast to his ice coffee when he sighed out again before making his way behind the counter. Walking towards the fussing baby, he entered the back shop to find Shouta standing before the table with a chair pulled out. Had he been sitting beforehand? Possibly. The baby in his arms, Eri, fussed loudly with a tiny hand once again in Shouta's hair as she gnashed on her teething ring.
Hiccupping cries leaving the baby as tears welled on pale lashes. Her cheeks were flushed as she continued gnashing on her ring while Shouta swayed back and forth idly with a light bounce to his arms. Gently trying to rock or soothe her even as she ripped at his hair causing his face to contort into that pained expression before it was bit back when watery eyes watched his face. He'd never seen a man more tired in his life. He had Hitoshi at age two but the boy had finished his teething stage by then.
But this baby, Eri, was much younger than Hitoshi had been. He walked over to the table where he put the hot coffee down and his own down then he opened up the bag. Unwrapping the sandwich when he swore his hearing aids picked up that growl from over here. He couldn't help a smile when he sat the sandwich down on top of the bag. Eri quieted her fussing with small hiccups leaving her as she gnashed at her teething ring viciously when Shouta shuffled over. Reaching out towards the coffee he'd placed down.
Picking it up while being mindful of Eri in his arms where he then took a long pull at the hot coffee. And oh, he swore he could see the tension rolling off of Shouta who took another sip. Then another. Gulps really but the sigh when he was lowering the cup back to the table was palpable. He'd sighed just like that when Nemuri brought him a coffee last week when his coffee pot shit the bed. He couldn't imagine what this man was going through when he sat down with Eri's pale lashes drooping down with a few stray tears clinging to her lashes.
The book lay on the table with a faint crease to the front cover already from where it had been opened no doubt. And he jumped when Shouta sat down in the chair with the baby in his arms whining in dissatisfaction to the sudden stillness when the sandwich was lifted up. And Shouta took a large bite that had him blinking at when he pulled a chair out on the other side of the table to sit down. Watching with fascination the ferocity in how Shouta chewed quickly before swallowing with a bob of his Adam's Apple before taking another bite.
A mouthful that stuck out in a lump in his cheek as the black-haired man chewed with breaths taken through his nose when the sandwich was put down as he swallowed again. Lifting the coffee up to take another long sip when Eri's small hand yanked at his hair causing him to flinch. He couldn't stop himself from admiring the sight of the man working that tiny pink palmed hand from his hair when Eri whined with a squirm before contenting herself to sucking on her chilled teething ring. Shouta was tired.
He could see it in the ferocity in which he ate his sandwich already and the gulps of his coffee. The eyebags that were deeper this week than the previous one. Given he'd only seen him twice, there was no way of knowing if he was right or wrong on if they were darker. If he was sleeping properly but it did have him curious. He knew he certainly hadn't looked pretty those first few months of bed wetting and potty training for Hitoshi. How the boy howled each time he wet the bed. Still a baby in his own right.
Hitoshi had been a toddler then while Eri was a baby. Perhaps just turning one given her teething or a little under it? She was young enough that her white hair curled against the tops of her ears. Thickening up into a cute pixie bob with how it was growing out. Did she suffer from albinism? Or was it simply the coloring she was born with genetically? He had more questions than answers when he watched Shouta taking another bite then another in rapid succession casing both cheeks to bulge out slightly.
There was a smear of mayonnaise by the corner of his mouth that stood out but he didn't make any moves yet. Not when he felt riveted as he watched Shouta devour his food with swallows in between with his mouthful lessening before tearing off another bite. That sandwich would be gone in no more than six bites if the black-haired man kept devouring it so fast. The sandwich was then placed down for his coffee. He grabbed at his own coffee with a rattle of his ice when he stuck the straw between his lips.
Sipping at his remaining coffee that sat a little over half a cup. It wouldn't take long for him to drain his cup if he was serious about gulping it down. The rattle of his ice seemed to tear Shouta out of whatever daze he'd been in much to his amusement. A daze where that coffee, hot food, and the baby quieting down must have been all that was important to him. With that gaze on him, he tapped at the corner of his mouth when the black-haired man blinked before sticking his hand into his pocket for a travel size pack of tissues.
Tugging one out, he used a thin napkin to wipe at the corner of his mouth. It was fascinating. This tired man taking care of the fussing girl when need be? How tired did he look? It was absolutely aweing when he knew that not even a week ago, he must have looked awful. He must have felt just as run down as Shouta looked right now before him. The baby in his arms was nodding off with pale lashes fluttering towards red, tear-streaked cheeks with the toy in her mouth threatening to fall out as her small handheld onto it.
The other twisted into Shouta's shirt to hold onto him as he chewed his mouthful. The chair squeaked when Shouta shifted in it as he placed his coffee down with fingers swiping at his lips. He couldn't help but feel successful he'd gotten this tired man to sit down and eat. That the man had accepted it without much protest and had gone to the break room without much coaxing. He was quite honestly pleased that he was at least happy he'd pounced on the chance to offer help the way he wanted too the first time he saw him.
"I- Thank you. For this." Shouta's voice was pitched low to keep from disturbing Eri who was nodding off. Her toy finally fell into her lap with drool shining on the chilled toy that her fingers twitched before clutching at. The poor baby looked just as tired as Shouta looked! He couldn't help another wave of pity when the black-haired man then cleared his throat. "I don't like taking handouts, but I guess I must've been asking' for it this time, huh? I really don't have a problem with paying for the book."
"And I really don't have a problem with giving it to you for no charge! Shouta, I make more than enough to let one person sneak away with a free book." Pitching his own voice lower, quieter, he then smiled softly at the black-haired man who reached out for his coffee to take another sip when he then shifted in his seat. "Look, I know nothing about your life or anything to do with it, but you look like shit. That's brutal honesty from a stranger you just met but you clearly need a little help, you know?"
The cup was lowered where he watched full lips pinching together with black brows twitching before they squeezed together as well. A pensive look to Shouta's face as his gaze flickered over the small girl in his arms that was nodding off into his chest when he sighed out. "I've had a few rough nights; I can't deny that. But really, I can't let my shitty looks and a fussy baby get my sympathy food and free books, you know? I'd be much, much more comfortable if I just paid you for it, yeah? It'd help me sleep better tonight if I paid for it."
"How about you take it with you and then you come back to pay for it tomorrow? Or, if it makes you feel more at peace, I can open a tab where the next book you buy is doubled for that and this one. With interest." He watched the corners of Shouta's lips twitch which got his own twitching as he grinned at the black-haired man. He twisted his straw idly when he crossed his legs beneath the table. "Whatever makes you feel better, Shouta, I can be accommodating to right now if you're really not comfortable with a free book."
"I think I like that first option. I can come back tomorrow and pay for it though the second is mighty tempting I'll admit." He let his grin widen at the playful tone to that low voice when Eri let out a sleepy little humming sound as she curled up slightly in Shouta's arms. The black-haired man reached out towards his sandwich when dark eyes locked onto his. "I do appreciate you for doing this for me. A stranger of all people! Most people would ignore one man's struggles and plights and go on with their life without batting a lash, you know."
"And you know that pity does wonderful things when it comes to helping other people." He twisted his straw again when he his grin fell slightly as he shifted in his seat when Shouta lifted his sandwich up to bite into with another decent sized bite that he began chewing. Quiet save for breathing, the light back of throat sound Eri made as she drifted off. Putting his cup down, he fiddled with the straw before smiling softly. "Besides, sometimes you don't need pity to be a decent person who helps others."
He then gave a laugh when a curious look pinched at Shouta's face when he watched his Adam's apple bob in a swallow when the crumbled tissue was picked up to wipe at full lips. The corners of his mouth before it was put down when Shouta reached for his cup with that sparkle to his gaze. "Do you have kids?"
"Yes! Two boys both under ten!" Playing with his straw again he then smiled when he swirled it lazily causing the melting ice to hit off the sides of the cup with a hum when he watched Shouta lift his cup up to take another of those long sips. He really was handsome if he slept more but the ragged appearance did something for his appearance. Something good. He shook off the thought with a scratch at his cheek when he spoke up again. "You know, every really does need help now and again. Do you have any help with her?"
He nodded at the napping baby in Shouta's arms when the black-haired man tipped his cup up to sip at his coffee again before putting it down. Cheeks bulging slightly with the mouthful before it was swallowed down when the fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the table before he spoke. "No. Not really. Most of my family has been unsupportive and my younger sisters is in college so I can't think of asking her when her future is important. I manage well enough on my own, however, but I do my best to handle myself and her."
Frowning at the black-haired man , he drummed his fingers on the table lightly when he then shifted in his seat when he forced his fingers to still. Fussing with his cup then with its wet ring left behind on the table when he then hummed quietly before glancing down at the sleeping baby in his arms. The tear tracks on her flushed cheeks. The tiny hands holding onto Shouta even as she slept. The bags under Shouta's eyes. It was pity inducing, truly. "How about I give you my number?"
Dark eyes widened at him when they snapped up from the table to stare at him. Full lips parting when the black-haired man's mouth dropped open slightly with brows shooting up on his forehead in that face of such surprise it had him blinking as he leaned back in hsi chair at such an expression. The suddenness of it when he pinched his lips together wondering if it gave the wrong impression. The wrong thing to offer out his number like that when Shouta's lips trembled before he spoke. "What?"
"My number! You don't have to give me yours! I can write mine down and if you need me too I can put in special orders for books for you or I can help pick stuff at the store to hold here for you to get? Or you can call me for advice if need be? I don't mind helping you out, Shouta! I mean, you don't seem the type to join a Mommy group like I did but I can at least be helpful! I can give you the name of the group and I can also get you-"
"But why?" He snapped his mouth shut with a click of his teeth to stop his babbling at the awed tone of Shouta's as dark eyes flickered over his face. As if they were trying to pick him apart; trying to figure out why he would be so kind without expecting anything in return. His mothers' had always told him that being kind could be his downfall. But sitting here now? Staring at this man who seemed days away from becoming a husk? He couldn't help but offer his help. Any help. "Why do you feel the need to help?"
Taking a breath, he pushed his chair back gently then stood up rushing over to the small counters of the breakroom where he tugged open a drawer quietly to tug his notepad out and a uncapped pen he kept in there. Coming back to the table, he sat down in his chair as he scribbled on the page before shaking the pen and scribbling again. When he got ink, he quickly wrote his number and ripped it off then slid it across the table to the wide eyed Shouta. "You deserve help and someone to talk too, you know?"
Black lashes fluttered as Shouta looked down at the strip of paper that held his name and number on it. Wide eyes flicking back up to him with lips parting as they moved silently once again with a tremble when the man then grabbed the remainders of his sandwich to rip a bite off. Buying himself time no doubt to compose himself if he needed too. Chewing quickly at his mouthful, his heart squeezed ins his chest when he swallowed with eyes darting away from him. "You're really okay with that? With giving me contact info?"
"Of course! You can even star sixty-nine your number, so I don't have it if it makes you feel comfortable! You don't even need to call but shoot a text, you know?" Smiling softly at the black-haired man before him, the baby squirmed with a whimper when tiny hands tugged at Shouta's shirt. Inhaling sharply through her tiny nose before settling down again. "I don't have much experience with babies as young as her, but I did have a two-year-old. And I don't mind helping a stranger! Kindness makes the world go round."
"Don't think I've ever heard that saying before but if you're truly determined to help, I'll think about it." The black-haired man then lifted his sandwich up again to bit into it leaving one or two bites left of the sandwich when it was place down as he chewed. He couldn't help feeling some delight that he'd been able to help someone, anyone, the way that he had been receiving help the past week. He caught the quiet sound of a swallow when Shouta then licked his lips. "I'll pay you back for this, however."
"You don't need to think about paying me back right now! If anything, I'm happier that you accepted it than I am about you paying me back." Smiling at the black-haired man, a tight smile curled over full lips when Eri squirmed again in his arms. Her toy was sitting precariously in her lap when her legs scrunched up. He fiddled with his straw then when Shouta picked it up then crammed the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth. "Everyone deserves a little help now and again. To at least tread water rather than drown."
A muffled hum left Shouta as he chewed his mouthful, pausing briefly to lift his cup up to sip at the coffee before resuming his chewing as he swallowed. There was a smear of mayonnaise on his lip with coffee dripping from the corner of his mouth that dripped down his chin. Another napkin was grabbed at with Shouta rubbing his mouth and chin clean when he swallowed once more before sighing out. "You're not wrong. But there should be some things that a man can handle on his own, aren't there?"
"There is! But when it comes to children it's better to take all the resources, all the help, that you can. It's like my mothers' used to say; it takes a village to raise a child." Black brows raised at him as the crumpled tissues were placed then wrapped up in the back and wrap of the sandwich which he then took from the black-haired man. "Even if I'm just one stranger willing to help you, I hope you take it. You don't need to text or call tonight or anything of the sort. Only when you need help, okay?"
Standing up, he tossed the wadded-up trash into the can when Shouta was shifting in his seat with a squeak of the bolts when he looked over to find the man downing the rest of his coffee. Taking it from the black-haired man when it was held out to him. He tossed it in the trash when Shouta was standing up carefully to keep from disrupting the sleeping baby in his arms. "I'll keep it in mind, and I'll keep your number on hand. Your mothers raised a good man if this is how you act with all strangers."
He felt heat gathering in the back of his neck then at the compliment in that low voice as he swayed on his his feet slightly. Scratching at his cheek as the tips of his ears stung in what he knew was a brilliant, unmissable red when he then smiled at Shouta when the piece of paper was scooped up and shoved into his pocket with the tissues. Pulling out his wallet then, he sighed out before clicking his tongue. "Thank you! But I'll ring your book up if you really want to go about the rigmarole of buying a book."
"I do." A tight, nearly manic smirk curled over Shouta's lips that flashed an unnerving number of teeth, but it merely had him grinning back when he made his way back to the table to drain the rest of his own coffee. Picking up the book he'd handed to Shouta minutes ago as the black-haired man shuffling forward towards the door. The ends of his coat swayed against his thighs as Eri whined out again in protest when the lighting changed no doubt.
Following after the black-haired man as he made his way around the counter to stand on the other side, he watched the baby's face scrunching up in displeasure with another whine when Shouta picked up her teething toy to hold in his hand and adjusted her position. Resting her on his chest as he wrapped an arm around her securely when he scanned the book as the wallet was placed down and a card tugged out. "Alright, you stubborn man, that'll be seven ninety-nine."
A click of a tongue left the Shouta with that manic smirk twitching at the corners as if threatening to spread wider on him. A small glimmer to those dark eyes when the card was slid into the machine when Eri began whimpering into Shouta's chest to which the man began to sway. Bouncing lightly with light, awkward pats as she squirmed. There was a beep and Shouta tugged his card out of the machine with a hum. "Thank you for your amazing customer service and I will most definitely pass on the word about your shop."
"Oh, it would be much appreciated if you do so! And hey, the group I attend with my kids on Facebook is called Small Tot Ankle Biters which is run by a Mitsuki Bakugo! You'll know you're looking at the right group if you see my profile picture in the members section." The machine whirred with the receipt which he tore off, grabbing a small bag he slipped the book and receipt into then held it out to Shouta. "Now, I hope you have a nice day and I hope I see you skulking amongst my book aisles some other day!"
"I just might! Never know when you need inspiration books for your classes to read." There was a playful lilt when Eri's head turned back and forth as she no doubt rubbed her face into Shouta's chest with another whine leaving the baby when Shouta bounced her gently. Raising his brows at the black-haired man as the bag dangled from his fingers, there was a playful sparkle to his gaze. It had him absolutely riveted to the sight of it when the man spoke up. "But thank you for today. Really, I appreciated it."
"Any time!" He hated how chipper his voice sounded in the quiet of his shop when eh then leaned forward against the counter. Listening to the thuds of Shouta's feet on the wooden planks of his store when he bit at his lip before dragging his teeth over it. Licking at his lips with a throat clearing when he spoke up. "It was nice to meet you officially, Shouta. I really do hope I see you and the little one in my store again!"
Shouta paused by the door with a thoughtful look pinching at his face when dark eyes locked onto his. Again, as if he was trying to pick him apart to a molecular level; as if he were trying to read through the lines. Trying to piece him together and figure out just what hsi motives were when he smiled softly at the black-haired man. And then a crooked, somewhat shy smile curled over full lips when Shouta tugged the door open with a jingle of the bells up above him. "It was nice meeting you officially, Hizashi. Have a good day."
"Have a good day!" He gave a wave when Shouta nodded before ducking out onto the sidewalk as Eri began fussing into his chest with her small head lifting up just enough for him to catch red eyes peering over Shouta's shoulder. His door swung shut with a thud as he watched through the windows as Shouta walked briskly down the sidewalk. He groaned to himself at the work he had ahead of him with the trolley but at least he was able to do something nice. At least he extended an olive branch out to the man.
At least he finally knew his name. Shouta.